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China reaps fruitful results in international polar expedition cooperation

10:26, June 10, 2024 By Liu Shiyao ( People's Daily

China's 40th Antarctic expedition successfully concluded as Xuelong, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, returned to a port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong province on April 10.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's polar expedition. Over the past four decades, China has continuously strengthened its comprehensive capabilities in polar expedition and actively cooperated with relevant countries, making significant contributions to better understanding, protecting, and utilizing the polar regions.

Chinese and Russian researchers pose for a picture after extracting an ice core sample during China's 40th Antarctic expedition. (Photo by Zhang Nan)

As a roaring sound grew closer, a red and white Snow Eagle 601, China's first fixed-wing aircraft for polar flight, touched down on the airport of the Zhongshan Station, a Chinese scientific research base in Antarctica.

This marked a major milestone of China's 40th Antarctic expedition team, with the completion of an aerial scientific survey of ice sheet margins of the Queen Maud Land and the Enderby Land, a major international polar cooperation project.

The Antarctic ice sheet, a vast expanse of ice covering the continent, is experiencing mass loss due to global warming, creating uncertainty in predicting future sea level rise.

To calculate the mass loss, the key lies in gathering two critical statistics: the speed of ice movement and ice thickness at the margins of the ice sheet. The most effective way to obtain ice thickness is through aerial surveys using the airborne "ice radar."

A member of China's 40th Antarctic expedition team collects data on a fixed-wing aircraft. (Photo from the Polar Research Institute of China under the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources)

In 2021, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) established the RINGS Action Group (hereafter referred to as "the RINGS") to collect data on ice thickness and sub-ice terrain along the margins of the Antarctic ice sheet through international cooperative aerial observations. So far, 82 scientists from 18 countries have joined the RINGS.

In 2023, the RINGS launched its first international collaborative program for aerial scientific exploration in the data-deficient regions of the Queen Maud Land and the Enderby Land. China was a major initiator of the program.

"The complex meteorological conditions at the margins of the Antarctic ice sheet posed a major challenge for the aerial survey. Besides, it involved extensive international communication and coordination across all aspects," said Cui Xiangbin, a researcher with the Center for Polar Ice & Snow and Climate Change Research in the Polar Research Institute of China under the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources.

According to Cui, with a surveyed length of 7,200 kilometers and a total flight time of around 28 hours, the program successfully mitigated data shortages.

Following the completion of the program, China would share the observation data collected by Snow Eagle 601 with other countries and collaborate on joint research projects, so as to provide valuable information for scientists around the world to study the rapid changes of the Antarctic ice sheet and the rise in global sea levels.

Kenichi Matsuoka, chair of the RINGS and professor with the Norwegian Polar Institute, has expressed his appreciation to China's 40th Antarctic expedition team for their valuable contributions in a recent email.

Snow Eagle 601, China's first fixed-wing aircraft for polar flight, refuels at Belgium's Princess Elisabeth Antarctica Research Station. (Photo from the Polar Research Institute of China under the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources)

Besides, the Chinese team has carried out multiple international cooperation projects during the 40th Antarctic expedition.

At the end of December 2023, Zhang Nan, a member of China's 40th Antarctic expedition team and professor with the College of Construction Engineering, Jilin University, obtained ice core samples with his team by the side of the Dalk Glacier in the Larsemann Hills in southeast Antarctica, about 25 kilometers away from China's Zhongshan Station. Besides, they have drilled a 48-centimeter-long sample of subglacial bedrock. This marked an important breakthrough in Antarctic geological studies.

This breakthrough was jointly achieved by China's Jilin University, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, and the All-Russia Scientific Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the Ocean.

"For more than two months, Chinese and Russian scientists worked hand in hand and fostered a profound friendship," Zhang told People's Daily.

According to Zhang, the successful retrieval of the subglacial bedrock sample marked the world's first targeted geological survey and sampling of subglacial bedrock within the deep Antarctic ice sheet. In this process, Chinese and foreign researchers exchanged experience, learned from each other, and engaged in in-depth discussions on technical issues, he added.

On February 7 this year, China's Qinling Station in Antarctica, the country's fifth research station in the continent, started operation on Inexpressible Island in the Ross Sea.

As planned, the Qinling Station will collaborate with research stations from other countries, transform its marine laboratory into an international cooperation platform, and set a model of international cooperation in Antarctic research along the coast of the Ross Sea.

The polar scientific expedition holds immense importance and is a noble endeavor benefiting humanity. Ever since initiating polar exploration 40 years ago, China has been actively involved in almost all major international observation and research programs in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. It has also actively sent personnel to participate in Antarctic expeditions in other countries, while gradually expanding its international cooperation in the Arctic.

Chinese polar expedition members in Antarctica have always lived in harmony with their international counterparts, and have offered emergency international rescue assistance in times of need.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
Janie Torres, sister of Jose Joe Campos Torres, cries as she talks about the death of her brother Saturday, May 11, 2024, on a bridge over Buffalo Bayou in Houston. Campos Torres was a Mexican American veteran. In 1977, he was beaten by Houston police officers and dumped in Buffalo Bayou. He was found dead three days later. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Janie Torres, sister of Jose Joe Campos Torres, cries as she talks about the death of her brother Saturday, May 11, 2024, on a bridge over Buffalo Bayou in Houston. Campos Torres was a Mexican American veteran. In 1977, he was beaten by Houston police officers and dumped in Buffalo Bayou. He was found dead three days later near the bridge. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

Janie Torres never wants Houston to forget her brother, killed by Houston police officers when she was 10 years old.

She used duct tape and a bungee cord to hastily attach a sign with her brothers portrait to her Jeep, for an annual tribute walk for her sibling, the 23-year-old Army veteran Jose Joe Campos Torres, who was killed May 5, 1977. She started the walk in 2016 to try and replicate the route the officers may have taken with her brother after his East End bar fight arrest and to raise awareness about police brutality.

The officers beat her brother and ferried him first to the city jail, where officials refused to book the bloodied and battered Vietnam veteran in and ordered he be taken to Ben Taub for his injuries. The officers instead took him to a secluded stretch of Buffalo Bayou, known as The Hole, beat him again and pushed him into the murky water below.

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Torres, 57, was on the fence about the memorial this year because of weather but four friends, all fellow civil rights activists eager to keep the event alive, beckoned her out. The death and lack of accountability for his killers helped spark more than a thousand to riot in Moody Park nearly 50 years ago. But she worries many already have forgotten her brother and others killed by law enforcement.

How can we move on when we still have these killings today, she wondered. How can we heal?

Janie Torres, center, sister of Jose Joe Campos Torres, gets a hug from David Smith, left, and his wife Rona Smith before a memorial ride for Campos Torres on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Houston. Campos Torres was a Mexican American veteran. In 1977, he was beaten by Houston police officers and dumped in Buffalo Bayou. He was found dead three days later. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD: How activism led to more crackdowns on protesters.

On May 11, the group stood outside what used to be Club 21, the cantina where Torres said her brother picked a drunken fight after someone swiped his prized boom box, and hashed out a route.

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After she and the others set off at 10:30 a.m. as a caravan of cars, Torres slowed down and laid on the horn as she neared a weekend market on The Esplanade on Navigation. Shoppers stared. Torres wondered if they realized the significance of what was passing them. Some raised their arms to record video of her vehicle and the caravan.

A woman with the League of United Latin American Citizens, LULAC, recognized Torres and hugged her through the drivers side window.

Another woman approached Torres with concern about the growing line of cars behind her. Other drivers tried veering around Torres, with one man gesturing angrily out his window as he sped past her on the narrow road. She didnt care.

This is the idea, Torres said. Many forget until it happens to them and then they want to say something.

Janie Torres, sister of Jose Joe Campos Torres, prepares for a memorial ride for her late brother Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Houston. Campos Torres was a Mexican American veteran. In 1977, he was beaten by Houston police officers and dumped in Buffalo Bayou. He was found dead three days later. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

Que paso

On May 6, 1977, her brother failed to come home or report to work after his scuffle at the bar, prompting a missing persons report.

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As his absence dragged on, an uncle interrupted her familys Mothers Day outing at a movie theater on Canal and Lockwood, a block from the cantina.

Her uncle told her father, her brothers namesake, a body had been found.

Que paso, Joe, she recalled her mother asking.

Her father quietly raged and then banged his fist on their car.

They found our boy, Mama, he cried. They killed him, our boy.

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A photo of Jose Joe Campos Torres sits on the hood of his sisters car Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Houston. He was a Mexican American veteran. In 1977, he was beaten by Houston police officers and dumped in Buffalo Bayou. He was found dead three days later. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

Her parents, Margaret and Joe Torres Sr., went on to join the growing protests in the city over the police killing and also faced trial for resisting arrest. A jury acquitted them.

She remembers family members gathering around a TV watching news reports about the mounting scandal.

The department fired patrolmen Terry Denson, Joe Janisch, Glenn Brinkmeyer, Louis Kinney and Stephen Orlando after another officer reported what he witnessed to their superiors. A grand jury indicted Denson and Orlando in state district court that year when the Justice Department held back on taking the case. The flurry of publicity prompted a judge to move their trial to Huntsville, where jurors found the two guilty and sentenced them to probation. Within weeks of the trials end, federal indictments came down upon those officers and the remaining three. The trial led to minimal prison sentences for Denson and Orlando the following year.

In her eyes, the jurys verdict was by no means justice.

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The system protected them, Torres said. Hopefully they did something good and positive with their lives.

Sharing his story

Torres was buried at Houston National Cemetery, where former police chief Troy Finner apologized to his family in 2021 and declared his death a murder.

The death hit the community hard, bringing 200 mourners to his memorial service at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. It had to be a closed casket funeral. The church is on Janie Torres' memorial route on Navigation, just past the Esplanade.

The group eventually reached the Commerce Street plaza named in 2022 for her brother, where a path leads to where officers tossed him into the water. Under a bald cypress tree, Torres and the others began plotting next years walk.

Just before, they stopped on the McKee Bridge and stepped out and waved their signs at a group of kayakers gliding in the bayou below. Their guide, David Urias, knew exactly who Torres was. He often explains who the uniformed man in a hanging portrait is to his Buffalo Bayou Kayak Tour customers as they float by the criminal courthouse complex.

God bless, Urias shouted through a loudspeaker. His story is very important to history.
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Funding Genocide: 20 Barclays branches targeted across UK, Scotland

Pro-Palestinian activists led by Palestine Action and Shut the System Monday targeted at least 20 branches of Barclays accusing the British multinational universal bank of funding genocide of Palestinians at the hands of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).

Monday June 10, 2024 6:36 PM , ummid.com News Network

London: Pro-Palestinian activists led by Palestine Action and Shut the System Monday targeted at least 20 branches of Barclays accusing the British multinational universal bank of funding genocide of Palestinians at the hands of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).

Videos shared on different social platforms showed the pro-Palestine activists smashing windows and throwing red paint over the bank branches in London, Bristol and Manchester.

Palestine Action confirmed its activists smashed the windows of the bank in Broadmead, along with Barclays branches right across the country, from Glasgow to Brighton.

'Divest from Israels weapons trade'

Palestine Action and Shut the System target 20 Barclays branches across England and Scotland", the group said in a social media post.

"Our collaboration demanding divestment from Israels weapons trade and fossil fuels has left the bank shattered", it wrote in the post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The group defended its action saying what its activists did today was nothing compared to the devastation seen in Gaza.

"Barclays ask for campaigners to respect their property. When will the bank stop funding genocide and respect Palestinian lives, homes, schools, hospitals, universities and land?"

"Their bank is worthless in comparison to one Palestinian life", Palestine Action said in anther post on X.

'Barclays' genocidal financing prompted the attack'

Sharing the videos, Shut the System in separate social media posts linked the targeting of Barclays branches with 'genocidal financing' and funding of the Israeli military companies:

"Barclays provided $190.5 billion to fossil fuel companies between 2016 to 2022. Their recent commitments to phase out direct financing of fossil fuel companies are way off whats needed. The world cant wait to End Fossil Fuels so we must shut the system." "For the sake of all life on Earth we must shut the system. Splintered windows, shards of broken glass glittering on the pavements stand as testimony to the shattered hopes for a liveable future for all beings, everywhere", it said.

In another post, Shut the System clearly mentioned 'genocidal financing' and directly named Israel and its financial link with Barclays.

"Elbit systems is Israels largest military company. The unfolding genocide in Gaza is clear reason to boycott the state yet Barclays continue to invest in its military industry, all in the name of profit", it wrote on X. "Shut The System and Palestine Action have taken radical direct action in frustration with Barclays paltry progress on changing their climate destroying and genocidal financing", it added.

Israeli Occupation Forces with tacit support by the United States and its allies including UK have killed more than 36,000 Palestinians in Gaza since Oct 7, 2023. Of them more than 15,000 are children and an overwhelming number is also of women.

Activists from Palestine Action have smashed the windows of Barclays in Broadmead and covered the building in red paint as they demand that the bank divests from Israels weapons trade and fossil fuels pic.twitter.com/GL50HDmhy5  Martin Booth (@beardedjourno) June 10, 2024

The Israeli forces have also razed to ground close to 50% of Gaza infrastructure including hospitals, schools, colleges, mosques and churches.

The Israeli forces have destroyed at least 12 universities in Gaza and have killed close to 100 Palestinian scholars, scientists, academicians and education experts, according to Gaza Health Ministry.





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Has the time come for Indian Muslims to have own Political Party?

Perhaps it is time for the Muslim community to chart out a strategy to float a political party of its own, as they have seen that hitching their wagon to the so-called secular parties has not delivered the desired results for the community

Monday June 10, 2024 12:09 PM , Asad Mirza

The results of 2024 general elections in India have yet again proved that the common voter is the ultimate kingmaker, one who believes in democracy (lok tantra) and is not easily hoodwinked by the system/machinations (tantra). Further 67% Indian voters are still secular, but were browbeaten to take a back seat due to the high decibel campaigns by the Hindutva forces to silence and intimidate them.

The confidence with which the BJPs top brass in the country led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi plunged into the electoral fray in 2024, belied its expectations, finally, and many say saved the country from falling further into an abyss of intolerance and majoritarianism.

In spite of a servile media, which throughout the election campaign became the mouthpiece of the ruling party, and which, once the process had ended, predicted more than 400 seats for the BJP, as per Modis slogan Ab ki baar 400 paar had to eat a humble pie when the real elections results started to come.

To say that BJP had no inkling of the coming fate would also be a mistake. This is evident by the fact that immediately after the first phase of the electoral process PM Modi immediately changed track and resorted to his old way of sowing the seeds of communalism through his speeches, targeting the Muslims in his speeches, crying and even claiming himself to be a demi-god. However, all his pranks fell to the ground, as the election results proved.

Additionally, what is more interesting here would be to analyse the factors, which were responsible for the BJPs defeat, and which in fact will also prove the role played by the Muslims in elections of 2024.

In 2024, 78 Muslim candidates were in the fray, fielded by different political parties. Out of them 24 Muslim candidates won the polls or a share of 4.42% in the parliament. In the 2019 elections, 115 Muslim candidates had contested and 27 won last time . That means the current Lok Sabha will have three less Muslim MPs. The only time when the percentage of Muslims MPs in the parliament was near two digits was in 1980 elections, with 49 Muslim MPs securing 9.04% of the MPs representation in the parliament.

There are only 15 Muslim-majority Lok Sabha constituencies, and in further 8 Muslims are in a dominant position, bringing the number of Muslim-influenced constituencies to just 23. In these 15 constituencies, the BJP had nominated Muslim candidates in six (two more than in 2014) and the Congress in nine (three more than in 2014).

This year, the BSP fielded 35 Muslim candidates, the highest among all political parties. The Congress came next, with 19 Muslim candidates, while the TMC had the third highest number of Muslim candidates in the fray this time. The Samajwadi Party (SP) fielded just 04 Muslim candidates, 03 contested from UP, while the 4th was been fielded from Andhra

The maximum Muslim candidates contested in UP (22), followed by West Bengal (17), Bihar (seven), Kerala (six) and Madhya Pradesh (four). Assam, among the highest in terms of share of Muslims in the population, had three Muslim candidates, down from four last time.

One reason for an increasing number of Muslim candidates winning in 2024 was the INDIA alliance. In the last elections Muslims generally voted for the Samajwadi Party or the Congress. So, in the 2019 Lok Sabha, the Muslim votes were divided between Congress and the SP, as they contested separately. But this time the SP and the Congress remained together, so we can say that the Muslim votes remained consolidated.

The diminishing number of Muslim legislators could be attributed to the fact that most Opposition parties shied away from giving tickets to Muslim candidates, fearing a polarising contest since the BJPs advent to power. This accounts for under 5% of the strength of the Lok Sabha, much lower than the overall population of Muslims in India, which stood at 14% in 2011 census.

The reasons for the anti-Muslim consolidation in 2024 can be found in the consecration of the Ram temple and the dominance of the Hindutva narrative in all spheres. At the policy level, there were apprehensions about the Modi governments moves on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC): many viewed these as government tools to isolate the community. Additionally, inter-community relations deteriorated further with increasing incidents of lynching occurring with impunity.

However, though one may sound happy that so many Muslim candidates won, but this moment also offers an opportunity to the so-called Muslim religious, political and social leaders, and even common Muslims, to pause and reflect, whether the BJPs loss is their victory or not.

Besides going into the more obvious question of BJPs abhorrence to the Muslims, both as the partys candidates and electorates, the results should make us think where the Indian Muslims are standing 77 years after the independence.

Have they been successful politically, economically, educationally or socially or have they gone down the ladder, looking for affirmative actions from the successive governments but as a community, not doing enough on their own to achieve success.

Though, by and large Indian Muslims have since 1947 hitched their wagon to the secular parties, yet they have not been able to form a political party of their own with an all-India presence and acceptability. What should be construed as the reason behind this lackadaisical approach? A lack of desire or an inability on their part?

Well, recently a video surfaced on X, showing a leader of Muslim Ulema saying that he does not endorse Indian Muslims desire to support a Muslim political leader. In fact, it is religious leaders like them who have always betrayed the Muslim community and have always sabotaged any plans by Indian Muslims to rise politically and this results in poor representation of Muslims in the parliament.

Perhaps it is time for the Muslim community to chart out a strategy to float a political party of its own, as they have seen that hitching their wagon to the so-called secular parties has not delivered the desired results for the community.

Furthermore, to shun the blame of being appeased they need to assert, demand and deliver their own political future.

[Asad Mirza is a Delhi-based senior political and international affairs commentator.]





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HA NOI  Businesses have been facing many difficulties in declaring goods eligible for the Government's 2 per cent value-added tax (VAT) cut, said au Anh Tuan, deputy secretary-general of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and head of its legal department.

Under a government support programme, certain goods are eligible for an 8 per cent VAT rate, instead of the standard 10 per cent. The programme was introduced post-COVID-19 to support the recovery of businesses and the economy. Since its introduction, it has received strong support from the business community.

Economists and industry leaders have called on the Government to extend the support programme, at least until the end of this year in light of the adversities faced by numerous economic sectors and the business community.

The implementation has been challenging as it was based on codes for economic sectors, a document traditionally used for statistical purposes, which makes specifying eligible groups of goods and services difficult.

For example, the telecommunications and IT businesses said it's difficult to classify their products and services due to an acute lack of supporting legal documents. This was an issue widespread in other sectors, including manufactured metal and chemical production.

Many businesses admitted there was no way of knowing for sure which products and services were eligible for the tax cut, even after consulting with the tax authorities.

So far, they have been getting a generic response that requests compliance to the "Prime Minister's Decision No. 43/2018/Q-TTg, and compares the codes of the goods and services provided by the company with the codes of the goods and services in Annexes I, II, III issued with Decree No. 44/2023/N-CP for correct implementation."

Tran Cong Thanh, CEO of Vibest Technology and Media Corporation, said that compliance and transparency in financial and accounting data are necessary to demonstrate the integrity and credibility of a business.

He said the programme had been a great help in the post-COVID-19 period, relieving significant pressure on struggling businesses.

But as a certain number of products and services become no longer eligible for the tax reduction, classifying and issuing financial invoices for them have become overly complicated and time-consuming. There have been instances where mistakes were made, leading to costly adjustments.

Thanh said economic policies should be linked to business development and stability, as well as the implementation of such policies. Adjustments should be made gradually to avoid causing difficulties for businesses.

Tuan said the numerous difficulties in determining whether the 8 per cent or 10 per cent VAT rate applies have led to companies hiring extra accountants to adjust invoices and records. To make matters worse, contracts could not be finalised as there were disagreements on what the tax rate was.

The chamber suggested that a solution would be for the tax authorities to bring the VAT rate down to 8 per cent across the board.  VNS
HA NOI  The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has issued Circular 03/2024/TT-NHNN on bad debt trading and settlement of the Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC) to make the work more effective.

The new circular amends Circular 19/2013/TT-NHNN and the more detailed measures will be effective from July 1 this year.

Under the new circular, the VAMC, which is a wholly State-owned entity under the management and supervision of the SBV, can buy only non-performing loans (NPLs) after assessing that those loans can be fully recovered and the collateral can be sold or the borrowers of the NPLs have the prospect of recovering their ability to repay the NPLs.

The new circular also amends and supplements regulations on purchasing NPLs at market value of the VAMC. Accordingly, based on debt purchase plans at market value approved by the SBV, financial capacity, economic efficiency and market conditions, VAMC will decide and will be responsible for bad debt purchase according to market value.

However, VAMC is only allowed to buy a bad debt from credit institutions and foreign banks at the market price, after it hires qualified price appraisal organisations to determine the market price of the debt, besides evaluating economic efficiency, risks and ability to recover capital from the bad debt purchase.

In addition, VAMC must also plan feasible measures to handle the debt and collateral before the purchase.

Though the asset quality of banks in Viet Nam was under control by the end of 2023, experts said more attention should be paid to the issue this year, as bad debts are rising.

Experts made the recommendation because, while existing bad debts have not been resolved yet, additional new bad debts are expected to surge when Circular 02/2023/TT-NHNN on allowing commercial banks to reschedule the debt repayment period and maintain the debt group for certain sectors, expires at the end of this month.

The SBV has recently proposed extending Circular 02/2022/TT-NHNN to the end of 2024.

The extension is expected to reduce pressure on enterprises which are struggling to service their debts, and support economic recovery under the current challenging economic situation.

An additional six months is welcomed by most businesses, as well as the banking sector, both of whom have been concerned over businesses' ability to meet the payment deadline of June 30.

Dr Tran Duc Thuc from HCM City University warned that provisions for risky debts were still increasing and in spite of support, banks' bad debts were still rising.

According to Thuc, bad debt will increase in 2024 when corporate bonds come to maturity. The sale of assets is also difficult, so firms do not have money to service debt or to pay bonds. If banks are not allow to extend the payment deadline of existing debts, the debts will be transferred to a worse debt group.  VNS
HCM CITY  State-owned bank Vietinbank is seeking to auction 10 land plots on Phu Quoc Island with a total reserve price of VN27 billion (over US$1 million) to recover loans from a borrower.

They add up to over 1,400 square metres, and belong to a single unidentified individual living in Phu Quoc.

The reserve prices range from VN2.4 billion to VN5.2 billion.

Bidders need to deposit 10 per cent of the starting price for the auction to take place on July 4 in Rach Gia Town.

This is not the first time the persons assets will be auctioned by Vietinbank to recover debts.

In July 2022, the lender sold eight plots of land in Duong ong Town in Phu Quoc for over VN25.3 billion.

Banks across the country have been struggling to find buyers for mortgaged assets such as lands, villas and houses.

Other assets such as luxury cars, machinery, yachts, and factories have also been placed under the hammer with little success.

Real estate makes up 70 per cent of all assets mortgaged for loans, and is the most likely to be auctioned to recover debts.

Viet Nam is currently struggling with non-performing loans, which are in fact posing a threat to its banking system.

Analysts have raised concerns about them, warning there could be a further rise due to the unfavourable economic conditions.

According to the financial statements of nearly 30 banks, their total bad debts exceeded VN224.14 trillion as of the end of March, up 14 per cent from the end of last year.

The Asian Development Bank has warned of potential risks to the banking system stemming from irregularities in corporate bond issuances and real estate markets.  VNS
HCM CITY  Vietjet will double the frequency of flights between Nha Trang and Busan, South Korea starting from July 19, providing more travel options between major cities in South Korea and Viet Nam.

The additions will raise the number of Vietjet flights between Viet Nam and South Korea to 42 per day, Vietjet announced on Sunday.

New flights from Nha Trang to Busan will depart at 1.50am and arrive at Gimhae International Airport at 8.30am. The return flight will leave Busan at 10am and land at Nha Trang at 12.40pm.

Busan is the second-largest city in South Korea, with many recreational spots, shopping centers, seafood markets and unique museums and architecture, offering tourists many exciting experiences.

Nha Trang, often called the 'Pearl of the East Sea,' is famous for its mild climate, Po Nagar Cham Towers, Institute of Oceanography and Hon Tam Island.

Increasing flights between Nha Trang and Busan will enhance trade opportunities, cultural and tourism connections between the two cities and the two countries, according to Vietjet.

Passengers who fly on all Vietjet international routes will have the chance to book tickets priced from zero ong every Friday on the website www.vietjetair.com and the Vietjet Air mobile app from now until December 31. VNS
HA NOI  The Trade Remedies Authority of Viet Nam (TRAV), under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, has been told that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has issued a preliminary conclusion on the investigation of applying anti-dumping measures for wire rod products originating or exported from China, Egypt and Viet Nam.

As a result, the temporary anti-dumping duty rate for Vietnamese steel companies is now up from 6.1 per cent to 38.9 per cent, compared to Chinese enterprises, 50.9 per cent - 71.1 per cent and Egypt, 49.7 per cent - 99.8 per cent.

TRAV said that the full details that the CBSA used to make its decision, would be issued within 15 days and posted on the CBSA website, at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/sima.

The Canada Border Services Agency is continuing the investigation process and is expected to issue a final conclusion on September 4 this year.

The CBSA initiated an investigation on March 8 to apply anti-dumping duties on steel wire products originating or exported from China and Egypt and Viet Nam.

Specifically, the investigation concerns wire rods with HS code: 7213.91.00.42; 7213.91.00.43; 7213.91.00.49; 7213.91.00.50; 7213.91.00.60; 7213.91.00.70; 7213.99.00.11; 7213.99.00.12; 7213.99.00.31; 7213.99.00.32; 7213.99.00.51; 7213.99.00.52; 7227.20.00.20; 7227.20.00.90; 7227.90.00.60; 7227.90.00.70; 7227.90.00.81; 7227.90.00.82; 7227.90.00.83.

The plaintiff is Ivaco Rolling Mills 2004 LP. The CBSA will issue a preliminary finding within 90 days of initiation.

In addition, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) will decide if any damages need to be awarded due to any injury caused to Canada's domestic industry. The conclusion for that is expected within 60 days from the initiation date. In case CITT concludes there is no damage, the case will be terminated.

Based on the Canadian trade investigation, TRAV recommends that businesses register as related parties to receive the investigation questionnaire and information from the Canadian investigation agencies; read the instructions carefully, answer fully and provide information within the prescribed time limit; co-ordinate closely with the TRAV to receive timely support.

Statistics from Trademap show that Viet Nam's export turnover of steel wire products to Canada has increased rapidly in recent years.

Viet Nam exported around US$10 million of steel wire to Canada in 2020. The export turnover of this product more than doubled to $21 million in 2021 and reached about $40 million in 2022.  VNS
Houston police respond to a scene. Jay R. Jordan / Jay Jordan, Staff

A Harris County assistant district attorney was arrested late last month and charged with driving while intoxicated, the DAs office confirmed Monday.

Bethany Belisle, 36, was arrested by Houston police on the morning of May 31, according to court records. Court records dont indicate where Belisle was when she was arrested, or what the circumstances were leading up to the arrest.

MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: HPD leans heavy on plate scanning cameras as technology steps in for staffing shortages

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She was charged with a misdemeanor. She was released on a general order bond, according to court records.

Belisle has been a prosecutor for the district attorneys office since 2016. She is listed as the chief prosecutor in the 248th District Court.

A district attorneys office spokesman confirmed Belisles arrest. The district attorneys office will recuse itself from prosecuting the case because of the potential conflict of interest, though it was not yet determined which agency would take it up, John Donnelly said.

Belisle was transferred to the offices intake division following her arrest, Donnelly said.

On Monday, Belisles defense attorney asked County Criminal Court at Law No. 14 Judge Jessica N. Padilla to hold a hearing to review and potentially suppress evidence collected during Belisles arrest, according to court records.

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Belisles attorney, Christopher M. McKinney, said he planned to challenge the DWI arrest, and said he believed the arrest was made based on a rush to judgment.

Bethany is a hard-working young woman; shes very good at what she does, McKinney said.

Im confident her name is going to be cleared.

This story has been updated to correct dates.
HA NOI  The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has finalised a new draft decree on business registration reforms to make it accord with several newly-issued laws.

MPI Deputy Minister Tran Duy ong said the original decree dated from 2021, so it needs to be amended to be a good fit with a number of newly promulgated laws. For example, the Law on Credit Institutions has different regulations on business registration for credit institutions; or the Law on Cooperatives regulates business household registration.

The revised decree (No. 01/2021/N-CP) aims to streamline lots of processes, creating maximum favourable conditions for enterprises, respecting the autonomy of enterprises and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the company, members and shareholders, while still ensuring State management in business registration, ong said.

Representatives of the Business Registration Office, under the Ha Noi Department of Planning and Investment, welcomed the draft as it also will mean moving a lot of operations online, currently, most are in paper form.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Ministry of Justice proposed that the drafting committee strengthen post-inspection regulations, make public for comment and further study international experience to make the revised decree simplify procedures and connect with relevant databases to suit the current context.  VNS
HA NOI  Cambodia exported 667,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts to Viet Nam in the first five months of this year, an increase of 37 per cent over the same period last year, reaching a revenue of US$851 million.

The Voice of Viet Nam (VOV) online newspaper quoted the chairman of the Cashew nut Association of Cambodia Uon Silot as saying that although hot weather affected cashew output, the volumes of raw cashew exports still showed positive signs.

The country produced 716,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts in the first five months of 2024, he said.

The chairman explained that the growth in raw cashew nut exports to Viet Nam was due to the increase in cultivation space in the Cambodia, combined with nut output falling in Africa due to climate change.

Although some extremes in temperatures had affected Cambodia's cashew trees in recent times, it did not have much impact on cashew production as the association members were proactive in technology, he said.

The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia is projected to cut the amount of raw cashew nuts exports by 70 per cent over the next ten years. Currently up to 90 per cent of Cambodia's nuts are exported, especially to Viet Nam.  VNS
HA NOI  The market kicked off the new week positively, with numerous stocks experiencing significant gains, accompanied by a significant rise in liquidity.

On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the benchmark VN-Index increased 3.09 points, or 0.24 per cent, to 1,290.67 points.

The market's breadth was positive as the number of gainers surpassed that of losers by 187 to 144. Liquidity on the southern bourse rose by 21.1 per cent to over VN21 trillion (US$822.8 million), equivalent to a trading volume of 858 million shares.

The VN30-Index, which tracks the 30 biggest stocks on the HoSE, increased 3.07 points, or 0.23 per cent, to finish at 1,311.1 points. In the VN30 basket, 11 stocks ticked up while 15 inched down and four ended flat.

Data compiled by the financial website vietstock.vn showed that Vietnam Rubber Group - Joint Stock Company (GVR) was the biggest gainer on the market and led it in terms of capitalisation. Shares of the rubber manufacturer rose over 3.4 per cent, contributing more than 1.2 points to the VN-Index.

It was followed by Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (CTG), the lenders shares increased 2.13 per cent; FPT Corporation (FPT), up 1.41 per cent; and Sai Gon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (STB), up 1.14 per cent.

Limiting the rallies, some banking stocks still faced strong sell-offs. Of note, the Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (VCB) was the biggest loser on Monday, shares of the lender posted a decline of 0.56 per cent, contributing to a decrease of more than 0.4 points of VN-Index.

It was followed by Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (TCB), down 0.41 per cent; Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (ACB), which posted a decline of 0.81 per cent; and Investment And Industrial Development Corporation (BCM) which lost 2.01 per cent.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX), the HNX-Index also finished higher on Monday. It rose 0.24 per cent, to 245.58 points.

During the session, more than VN1.8 trillion worth of shares, equivalent to a trading volume of 89 million shares, were moved on the northern market.

Foreign investors extended their net selling spree as they net sold over VN1.1 trillion on the HoSE.  VNS
A NANG  Central Viet Nam is seen as a favourable destination for information and communication technology (ICT) companies from Korea and a Nang City  a centre of universities training IT manpower and the Korea-Viet Nam IT University - is a key centre for Korean investors.

Head of the Consulate General of South Korea in a Nang, Kang Boosung said at the Viet Nam-Korea Extended Investment forum : " The bilateral relationship between Korea and Viet Nam has lots of potential over the next 30 years, with investment from Korean businesses expanding from traditional production to new industries in fields of hi-tech and green energy.

Leaders of our two countries have agreed to expand and enhance investment in terms of science and technology, information technology and communications, agriculture and energy.

Speaking at the regional digital global bridge  Viet Nam ICT Mission  Boosung said the establishment of Viet Nam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology was seen as a crucial step in co-operation and promotion of IT projects and in speeding up digital transformation of the two countries.

He said the forum would be an opportunity for ICT businesses from Korea to look to investing in central Viet Nam, as well as strengthening the co-operation in ICT among Vietnamese and Korean enterprises.

According to Director of a Nang Citys information and communications, Tran Quang Thanh, South Korea remains the largest foreign investor and a key partner in the citys digital transformation and innovation plan 2025-30 as well as across the central coastal region, particularly in terms of information and communication technology (ICT).

Thanh said South Korea had been listed as a top five-investor in a Nang, with 279 projects worth US$382 million.

We have developed three national centralised IT zones and software parks, creating smooth infrastructure for investment in ICT in the coming years. a Nang has been revving up the digitalisation in the process of building it as the first smart city in Viet Nam, Thanh said.

He added the citys ICT sector was seen as a key industry marker, with revenues of US$1 billion, of which $150 million comes from software exports and is growing at an annual rate of 12 per cent a year.

a Nang has been calling for investment from South Korea in ICT and hi-tech industries, semiconductor and AI, on the way to making the city a destination of global and regional innovation.

South Koreas LG Electronics started building its R&D centre  the second in Viet Nam  in a Nang as a commitment of further co-operation in ICT between Korea and the city.

Samsung established the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) at the citys Duy Tan Private University and is supporting two businesses  Trung Nam Group and Tan Long Paper and Package Company  in building the first smart factories in the city.

Over the past years, Korea has helped the city build the Viet Nam-Korea Friendship Information Technology College with Official Development Aid in 2007 and an upgraded project in training IT human resources for the university.

The university has just begun training the first 500 semiconductor and chip design engineers, who are due to graduate in 2027.

Le Minh Duong, from the FDI agency, under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, said investors would benefit from the governments special preferential mechanisms in terms of land rent depending on investment scale, corporate income tax.

He said 29,000 projects in ICT, worth $5.1 billion, with Korean money, had registered so far.

a Nang was included in the top 10 provinces and cities with ICT revenue of more than $1 billion in Viet Nam, according to a report from the Ministry of Information and Communications.

The Viet Nam Innovation Network in Korea (VINK) also introduced the a Nang-Seoul Start-up Innovation Centre and the Viet Nam-Korea AI (VKAI) Hub in a Nang City last year.

Partners from a Nang and Korea also inked five deals on co-operation and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in medical, healthcare and on moves to transforming the central city into a smart city.

The opening of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in a Nang, and the debut of the office of South Korea Trade and Investment Agency are also expected to boost investment and trade between Korea and central Viet Nam.

About 250 Korean businesses are operating in Thua Thien Hue, a Nang, Quang Nam, and Quang Ngai, while more investors from Korea are looking at the region, according to the South Korean Consulate General. VNS
BINH THUAN More than 600 yoga instructors, practitioners, and enthusiasts from Binh Thuan and neighboUring localities gathered in the central provinces Phan Thiet City on June 9 morning for a large-scale yoga performance celebrating the 10th International Day of Yoga.

The event, themed Yoga for Women Empowerment, was co-organised by the Binh Thuan Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Consulate General of India in HCM City. It aimed to enhance sustainable tourism development based on cultural similarities between Viet Nam and India.

The mass performance looked to promote a positive lifestyle, encouraging physical exercise to balance the mind and alleviate stress, while also fostering community cohesion.

Bui The Nhan, deputy director of the department, said that International Yoga Day in Binh Thuan also marked the 52nd anniversary of the two countries diplomatic relations and the 17th anniversary of their strategic partnership. It contributed to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the province and the Indian Consulate General as well as between the Vietnamese and Indian people.

On December 11, 2014, the United Nations (UN) designated June 21 as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.

According to the UN, the ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity. The word yoga derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The Government Inspectorate of Viet Nam and the Cambodian Ministry of Inspection on Monday signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation following a meeting between their leaders.

Receiving Minister Huot Hak in Ha Noi, Inspector General oan Hong Phong expressed his belief that the document will create a foundation for the two sides to enhance their cooperation in the time ahead.

He described the Cambodian delegations visit as a milestone and a vivid demonstration of the friendship and collaboration between the two agencies over the past years, adding it also offers an opportunity for them to exchange experience in inspection, citizen reception, and handing complaints.

For his part, Hout Hak thanked the Government Inspectorate for its support in personnel training and experience sharing, saying he believes that the visit will contribute to consolidating and deepening the relationship between the two countries following the official Viet Nam visit by Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet in December 2023.

The two agencies signed the first MoU in 2005, the second in 2012, the third in 2016 and the fourth in 2023, he said, emphasising that the fifth one demonstrates their solidarity, friendship and good cooperation.

After the meeting, delegations of the Vietnamese Government Inspectorate and the Cambodian Ministry of Inspection held talks over their work in the first months of this year, and orientations for the remaining months.  VNS
HA NOI  The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee will convene its 34th session in Hanoi from June 11-13, announced the NA Office.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man will deliver an opening remark and share presiding duties with the NA deputy chairpersons throughout the event.

Lawmakers will tackle a comprehensive agenda, including deliberations on amendments to several key draft laws, including the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, the Road Law, the revised Capital Law, the revised Law on Social Insurance, the Law on Security Guard Force, the Law on Defence, Security Industries and Industry Mobilisation, the revised Law on the Management and Use of Weapons, Explosives and Supporting Tools, and the amended Law on the Organisation of the People's Courts.

The session will also see discussions on the proposed revisions to the Land Law, the Housing Law, the Real Estate Business Law, and the Law on Credit Institutions. Additionally, a draft resolution on job positions within NA Standing Committee organs is slated for adoption.

Beyond legal matters, the committee will delve into the Ha Noi Capital Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050; and adjustments to the General Planning of Ha Noi Capital to 2045, with a vision to 2065.

Regarding financial issues, legislators will decide on the use of increased revenue and budget savings from 2023, and provide feedback on draft resolutions concerning some specific policies and mechanisms for the development of Nghe An Province and a Nang City.

Finally, the committee will offer input on a draft resolution on the National Marine Spatial Planning for the 2021-30 period, with a vision to 2050 and a draft resolution on the reduction of value-added tax, both of which will be presented to the legislature at its going 7th session.  VNS
HA NOI - An aeromedical evacuation training course opened in Ha Noi on Monday, aiming to equip a key team from Viet Nam's Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 6 with knowledge and skills necessary for successful participation in the United Nations peacekeeping operations.

In his opening speech, Col. Luu inh Hien, Commander of the Training Centre of the Viet Nam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, said it is the 5th training course of its kind supported by Australia for Viet Nam's Level-2 Field Hospital rotations.

He credited the success of the Level-2 Field Hospital rotations in South Sudan with the expertise of the Air Medical Evacuation Team (AMET), praising its ability to provide essential medical procedures, prepare patients for transport, and facilitate safe evacuations to Juba - South Sudan's capital, and Uganda.

A total of 28 trainees will undergo intensive straining from June 8-16. Led by the Australian Army Medical School experts, the course will also benefit from the knowledge and experience of personnel from Viet Nam's Military Medical University, Military Hospital 175, the Air Defence-Air Force Service, and those who previously served in the AMET of the Level-2 Field Hospital.

They will gain comprehensive knowledge of air medical transport according to international and UN standards, encompassing subjects like aviation medicine, medical and pharmaceutical issues, air transport planning, safety protocols, patient reception and transfer procedures, initial treatment and first aid, and effective communication during patient evacuations.

The course will culminate in a practical phase held at Regiment 916. Here, trainees will hone their skills through simulated medical evacuation scenarios using helicopters. The exercises will cover patient loading and unloading procedures, and require them to respond effectively to various pre-defined medical emergencies. VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reiterated Viet Nams consistent policy of attaching importance to developing good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability with Cambodia at a reception in Ha Noi on Monday for Cambodian Minister of Inspection Huot Hak.

PM Chinh expressed his confidence that under the judicious reign of King Norodom Sihamoni, the sound policy of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) led by its President Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and the leadership of the Government with Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet at the helm, Cambodia will continue reaping significant socio-economic achievements, toward the goal of becoming a upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income nation by 2050.

Highlighting the minister's visit as a crucial step to continue concretising agreements between high-ranking leaders, he praised the fruitful talks between Huot Hak and Vietnamese Inspector General Doan Hong Phong, noting that the newly signed memorandum of cooperation on inspection is expected to enhance the sharing of information and experience in the field.

The Vietnamese Government is ready to foster cooperation between the Government Inspectorate of Viet Nam and the Cambodian Ministry of Inspection, he affirmed.

The Vietnamese leader proposed that both sides should continue facilitating high-level visits and meetings between leaders, enhance the effectiveness of existing cooperation agreements and mechanisms, and strengthen unity and cooperation among Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia.

Furthermore, there should be further efforts to improve economic cooperation, towards achieving the goal of US$20 billion in two-way trade soon, he said, citing that the figure neared $4 billion in the first four months of 2024, up 16.8 per cent year on year.

PM Chinh thanked Cambodia for tackling difficulties for people of Vietnamese origin in Cambodia, enabling them to act as a friendship bridge between the two countries while creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese firms in the country.

The PM reaffirmed the principle of not allowing hostile forces to use either countrys territory to harm the security and interests of the other. Efforts should also be made to fulfill the remaining 16 per cent workload of border demarcation and marker planting, striving to build a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development, he added.

Huot Hak, for his part, agreed with PM Chinhs suggestions on consolidating solidarity and cooperation among Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia. He congratulated the Vietnamese Party, State, and people on their achievements in realising the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and strategic national development goals, which have enhanced Viet Nams international position.

He pledged to further deepen the bilateral relationship, aligning with the agreements made by high-ranking leaders, including the outcomes of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manets official visit to Viet Nam in December 2023. VNS
HA NOI  Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat Luong Cuong received a delegation from the Dominican Republics United Left Movement (MIU) Party led by its General Secretary and Minister of Regional Integration Policies of the Dominican Republic Miguel Mejia in Ha Noi on Monday.

During the reception, Cuong conveyed the best regards of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to Miguel Mejia and welcomed the positive results achieved in the talks between the Dominican delegation with the high-ranking delegation of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV).

Recalling the traditional friendship between the two countries, Cuong affirmed that the Party and State of Viet Nam always attach importance to developing friendship relations and multifaceted cooperation with the Dominican Republic and its political parties, including MIU.

Cuong thanked the MIU and the authority of Santo Domingo Este for organising a ceremony to inaugurate the upgraded Ho Chi Minh Park and the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in the country.

General Secretary Miguel Mejia congratulated Viet Nam for its important achievements in nearly 40 years of oi moi (Renewal), and appreciated the positive development of Viet Nam in the first half of the 13th congress term under the leadership of the CPV led by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Host and guest affirmed that the two sides attach importance to expanding comprehensive relations and better tapping the advantages and potential of cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fields of oil and gas and telecommunications.

The two sides were asked to effectively implement the cooperation agreement between the two parties; closely coordinate and deploy new cooperation initiatives and proposals in accordance with the dynamic development of the reality.

Earlier, the MIU Party's high-ranking delegation held talks with a high-ranking delegation of the CPV led by Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung

The two sides exchanged major points in the situation of the two parties, the two countries and international issues of mutual concern. They identified the focuses in implementing the cooperation agreement between the two parties and discussed their coordination in consolidating the political foundation and promoting potential areas of cooperation between the two countries. The two sides agreed to actively support each other at international multilateral political party forums.  VNS
Family, friends and Houston leaders came together to celebrate Maleah Davis Day in Houston Sunday, June 9, 2024. ONSCENE TV

Friends, family and community leaders visited Sunnyside Park Sunday to remember the life of Maleah Davis five years after her death shook the nation.

The 4-year-old had been missing for a month when authorities found her remains in Arkansas on May 31, 2019. The tragedy sparked conversation about preventing violence against children.

The city of Houston proclaimed June 9 to be "Maleah Davis Day" in 2019. Then-Mayor Sylvester Turner said in the proclamation that the community is united in creating lasting changes in her honor and vowing to safeguard all children in our community.

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Five years later, councilmembers Letitia Plummer and Edward Pollard joined the family on Maleah Davis Day with hopes to help communities prevent any more tragedies and "protect the lives of the precious children," Plummer said in an OnScene TV video.

"Maleah's legacy inspires us to advocate for the safety and the well-being of all children and (ensuring) their dreams and hopes are not prematurely taken," Plummer read from the plaque that proclaimed the day.

Photo of Maleah Davis provided by the Houston Police Department in 2019 during the search for her. HPD

Maleah's father Craig Davis expressed gratitude for everyone who attended. He said the community was the "reason he made it through" the death of his daughter after hearing about it the first time.

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"It's a blessing ... it's more than I expected," he said in the OnScene video. "(Maleah) was everything and I'm glad everyone else knows."

Plummer is pushing for families and communities to work as a "village" to prevent the deaths of children.

"This is a combination of crime issues in the city of Houston, domestic violence issues, our relationships with CPS, and what we need to do to make sure that our children that don't have a voice right now are protected every single day," Plummer said.

Pollard added that Maleah's life was meaningful and remembering her is important so that the community can "band together and work together."

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"When I heard about this celebration, it touched me because sometimes in a big city, we have issues and concerns that hit us every single day," he said. "It's important for us to remember those who come before us, those families who are suffering ... who have endured each and every day."

The search for Maleah garnered nationwide attention after police determined Derion Vence  former mail carrier and ex-fiance of Maleah's mother Brittany Bowens  lied about Maleah being "kidnapped. He was arrested on suspicion of hiding her body.

An inmate, and later activist Quanell X, reported that Vence confessed he accidentally killed Maleah and dumped her body in a field. This led police to finding Maleah's body.

Vence pleaded guilty to charges of injury to a child and tampering with a human corpse in 2021 and was sentenced to 40 years with eligibility for parole in 18 years.

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MOVING FORWARD: Mourners gather for Maleah Davis funeral

Craig Davis, left, the father of four-year-old Maleah Davis, leads thousands of people who marched from City Hall to the Harris County Jail on Sunday, June 9, 2019, in Houston. Godofredo A Vasquez, MBO / Associated Press

Former councilmember Mike Knox believed Vence should've been charged with capital murder.

Knox joined the celebration of Maleahs life Sunday. He expressed an understanding of what its like to lose a child after his son, Officer Jason Knox, died in a helicopter crash.

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HA NOI  The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) is seeking public input on the draft law on teachers, which is expected to be submitted to the Government for consideration in July.

The draft includes several new provisions including a comprehensive legal definition of who qualifies as a teacher, across all levels of education, defines their teaching activities and establishes standards linked to their job titles.

It also outlines their rights and obligations, the prohibited conduct by teacher-affiliated individuals and organisations and the penalties for any violations.

Another new provision centres around the Professional Certificates for Teachers (PCTs), documents issued by a specific public agency to those who meet teaching standards.

The drafting committee believes that the professional certificates will also improve how teacher can move around to different posts, as the nationally valid documents eliminate the need for repeat internships and training.

The introduction of PCTs is expected alongside the abolition of the old Training Certificates linked to teachers' job titles, so it will make exchange of teachers between countries easier and allow quality control over foreign nationals teaching in Viet Nam.

The draft has a smooth transition plan for the 1.6 million teachers who were recruited into the industry before the new law, they will be granted PCTs automatically without assessment.

Retired teachers can also obtain PCTs to have their life-long service recognised.

It is hoped that the draft will mean top teaching talent will not 'slip through the cracks' and all teachers will have equal opportunities to transfer jobs, to study oversea and take part in exchanges.

The draft lays down a new pay system, stipulating that teachers in private, non-public and autonomous educational institutions are paid no less than than their public counterparts with the same qualifications, if they have worked for the same number of years.

The committee said it was working on a pilot scheme to bring in more teachers who may not be 'employed by educational institutions but engage in teaching activities'.

Vu Minh uc, director of the Teachers and Educational Managers Department under the Ministry of Education and Training, said there are many online training courses for teachers but the absence of legal grounds makes them difficult to regulate.

"The drafting committee will pilot a scheme to oversee some of these individuals before incorporating the regulations on self-proclaimed teachers into the Law on Teachers in the future," said uc.

According to uc, individuals not employed by educational institutions but engaging in teaching activities can obtain PCTs if they meet requirements and pass the assessment exams.  VNS
HCM CITY  There are thousands of unoccupied resettlement houses even as a shortage of affordable housing plagues the country, experts said.

According to a report by the Vietnam Association of Real Estate Brokers, 13,000 apartments built to resettle people whose lands were acquired for public works in HCM City and Ha Noi are currently empty.

Poor construction quality and inconvenient locations have been blamed for the situation, resulting in wasted maintenance costs.

Experts said the lack of basic infrastructure and amenities in resettlement areas and complicated compensation and resettlement provisions in the Land Law are contributing factors.

Nguyen Van inh, chairman of the Vietnam Association of Realtors, said the presence of unoccupied resettlement houses amid a shortage of affordable housing is a major waste.

Experts recommend repurposing them as social housing to meet the demand for affordable housing and prevent the squander of resources.

But there are obstacles to the conversion process, especially with the size of some apartments exceeding the limit set for social housing of 70 square metres.

The experts suggest dividing large units to comply with the regulations.

Pham uc Toan, director general of EZ Property, proposed auctioning off unoccupied resettlement apartments and using the proceeds to develop new affordable housing.

Economist Nguyen Tri Hieu called for conducting surveys before developing comprehensive plans for the conversion.

HCM City has started auctioning unused apartments for potential conversion into affordable housing units.

Local authorities are required to provide reports on the management and utilisation of resettlement housing and suggest viable solutions.

Social housing

The Government is actively working on developing social housing projects to address the affordable housing shortage in the country.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure success in building one million social housing units by 2030.

Some VN849 trillion ($36.1 billion) has been allocated to build 428,000 social housing units by 2025, with funding coming from various sources to make housing more accessible to low- and middle-income families in urban areas and industrial areas.

Localities are encouraged to participate in these programmes, simplify procedures for potential borrowers and enforce regulations related to land and real estate.

There are over 2.7 million workers in industrial zones, with 1.2 million in need of housing assistance.

The country has completed 301 social housing and workers housing projects, providing a total of 155,800 homes, and another 503 social housing projects are underway with 418,200 apartments.  VNS
BANGKOK  The College of Asian Scholars (CAS) in the Thai northeastern province of Khon Kaen and the Vietnamese Consulate General in Khon Kaen launched a new Vietnamese studies centre in the college's campus on Saturday.

This marked the second centre of its kind in Thailand, following the inaugural one established at Udon Thani Rajabhat University. It reflects growing interest in Vietnam and its language among Thai citizens, and the ongoing efforts of Vietnamese representative agencies in Thailand to promote Vietnamese language learning in Thai educational institutions.

Vietnamese Consul General in Khon Kaen Chu uc Dung believed that the new centre will contribute to effectively meeting the demand for Vietnamese language skills across various sectors, including government agencies and organisations in teaching, business, interpretation, tour guiding, and other fields in Viet Nam and Thailand.

He offered his vision for the centre's future, encouraging cooperation agreements with several Vietnamese universities to facilitate student exchanges and temporary work opportunities. He also proposed incorporating Vietnamese language directly into the university curriculum, potentially enabling it to become an official subject.

Additionally, Dung suggested offering scholarships to Vietnamese students and establishing connections between Thai scientific, technological institutions, organisations and businesses with their Vietnamese counterparts.

Looking ahead, the official expressed his hope that the newly launched centre will maintain regular exchanges with the established centre at the Udon Thani Rajabhat University to align their goals for the development of Vietnamese language education, toward the awarding of degrees in Vietnamese language to graduates of Khon Kaen University.  VNS
HCM CITY  HCM Citys Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) has announced that the pilot run of HCM Citys Metro Line No 1, initially scheduled for October, may be postponed for a month.

According to MAUR, 98.24 per cent of the project, connecting Ben Thanh and Suoi Tien, is complete, bringing it close to the finish line, but it still faces some challenges.

The report indicated that the project investor has been actively urging the general consultant NJPT and Japan's Hitachi, the contractor for Contract Package 3, as well as SCC, the contractor for Contract Package 2, to develop a comprehensive training plan for Metro Line No 1.

However, the general consultant has not yet completed the plan, which also includes knowledge transfer, which has contributed to project delays, Tuoi tre (Youth) newspaper reported.

In the latest project schedule, Hitachi has further pushed back key milestones, such as the first test run from October to November this year, which does not comply with the Japanese Embassy's official letter to the city's leadership issued on May 2.

To address this issue, the investor has requested the Japanese Embassy to urge Hitachi to adhere to the project's target timeline and to cooperate closely with the investor to find temporary solutions that balance the interests, benefits and legal responsibilities of both parties to expedite the progress of the line.

Additionally, the investor noted that the general consultant NJPT has not implemented measures to accelerate the project's technical, commercial and contractual aspects. Thus, NJPT's role and capabilities need further enhancement.

Hitachi, the Japanese contractor, has lodged claims demanding the investor pay additional costs amounting to nearly VN4 trillion (US$153.3 million). To resolve these issues, HCM City has held meetings with the involved parties.

Vice Chairman of HCM City People's Committee, Bui Xuan Cuong, agreed to expedite the establishment of a Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB) as proposed by Hitachi and the Deputy Ambassador, aiming for completion by December 2024.

The city leader requested that the investor discuss paying related costs to Hitachi to speed up personnel training for HCM City Urban Railways Company Ltd. They also agreed to maintain the original five-year maintenance contract price and use the DAB to resolve additional costs incurred during implementation.

The investor was asked to arrange bi-monthly meetings to fix any difficulties and obstacles in the project as swiftly as possible.

The Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line spans 19.7 km between District 1's Ben Thanh Market and Thu uc City's Long Thanh Depot, featuring three underground stations and 11 elevated stations. Work on the metro project began in 2012 and has experienced various delays, with costs rising to over VN43.7 trillion ($1.71 billion).  VNS
HA NOI  The 'Right to Have Children' Charity Club and ong o Hospitals Reproductive Support Centre (ong o IVF Centre) have donated two savings books to families to mark the Club's fifth anniversary.

The savings books, each worth VN30 million, aim to support the cost of IVF for families who need artificial insemination.

The ong o centre, with help from sponsors who successfully welcomed their children using IVF, wanted to pay the luck forward and give help to other infertile couples, who may be struggling to pay for the medical examinations and treatments involved.

The "Right to Have Children" charity club was founded on June 1, 2019, by members who are parents who have successfully done IVF and Doctor Tang uc Cuong, director of the ong o IVF Centre.

Over the past five years, the club has donated six savings books, each worth VN65 million, to families and welcomed four healthy babies as a result.

A representative of the ong o IVF Centre said it has an IVF success rate of up to 80 per cent and hopes to help even more families become parents in the future.

Established in 2011, ong o Hospital is one of the leading private general hospitals in Ha Noi, gathering leading experts in many fields, especially cardiology, ophthalmology and reproductive support.  VNS
HA GIANG  Continuous heavy rains between Sunday night and Monday morning across northern provinces, including Ha Giang, Lao Cai and Quang Ninh, have resulted in at least three deaths and substantial property damage.

In the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, a father and his three-year-old son, were swept away by floods.

The victims were identified as Ly Chan Ho, 27, and his son Ly Hung Thinh from Tan Thuong Hamlet, Nam Ty Commune, Hoang Su Phi District.

After several hours of searching, authorities recovered their bodies.

In Quan Ba District, a 42-year-old woman named Lo Thi Cho lost her life in a landslide caused by heavy rainfall.

In the districts of Hoang Su Phi, Xin Man and Vi Xuyen dozens of houses were flooded, many were hit by landslides, with some collapsing entirely. Many hectares of rice fields were damaged by the landslips, while flooding also submerged dozens of fields of crops in Ha Giang City. Many livestock farms were hit and countless chickens and birds were killed in poultry holdings.

In two communes of Thuan Hoa and Thanh Thuy in Vi Xuyen District, two local bridges were washed away by the floods. Several major roads from Ha Giang City to four northern highland districts of the province were severely eroded. Hundreds of cubic metres of rocks and soil slid onto roads from Meo Vac District to border communes and down to the Nho Que River.

Over 130 vehicles were submerged in Ha Giang City. Initial estimates put the cost of the damage at nearly VN19.5 billion (US$769,000).

Between 3am to noon on Monday, nearly 1,000 officers and soldiers from Ha Giang Provinces Police Department drove motor and rubber boats to aid rescue operations in deeply-flooded areas of the city.

Lieutenant Colonel Phan Minh Hoc, deputy head of the Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue Office, along with his team, dismantled a roof to successfully rescue four people trapped in a house in Ha Giang City due to rising water levels.

Due to the heavy rain, floodwaters in the Lo River section passing through Ha Giang City continued to rise by noon on Monday. Rising water levels in the Lo River submerged houses along the riverbanks by up to a metre.

Hundreds of households were on high alert to grab their belongings and move out if the Lo River floods the city.

Many roads from Ha Giang City to ong Van and Meo Vac districts were cut off, leaving some tourists and local residents stranded in the Meo Vac District.

Authorities were assisting tourists and residents out of dangerous zones, advising people and vehicle owners to monitor and obey traffic controllers' instructions when travelling on landslide-prone roads.

Landslides in Lao Cai

In the meantime, in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, recent heavy rains have saturated the soil, weakening its structure and causing landslides in several areas.

The rising water levels of the Hong (Red) River has flooded large areas of crops along its banks.

Due to the substantial upstream water flow combined with sudden increases in stream water levels, floods in the Red River section flowing through Lao Cai City rose significantly.

At 9 am on Monday morning, the Lao Cai Hydrological Station recorded a water level of 78.73m, with a flood amplitude of 2.41m.

The rising floodwaters have submerged and deposited silt over large areas of crops along both riverbanks. This is the largest flood on the Red River since the beginning of the rainy season.

In Muong Khuong District, several roads were temporarily cut off due to large volumes of rock and soil landslides.

Specifically, the road from Muong Khuong Town to Si Ma Cai District, passing through Lung Pau Hamlet, Tung Chung Pho Commune, was blocked by about 200cu.m of soil. Provincial Road No 154 through Lung Khau Nhin Commune experienced a landslide with about 70cu.m of soil. Prolonged rain also caused a landslide behind the kindergarten in Lung Khau Nhin Commune, sending 500cu.m of mud and soil into the teachers' dormitory, kitchen and schoolyard.

The province is expecting more rain, with widespread showers, raising the risk of flash floods in small rivers and streams as well as landslides in mountainous areas, particularly in districts of Bao Yen, Van Ban, Bat Xat and Sa Pa Town.

Authorities have urged local residents to remain vigilant.

The Tuyen Quang Provincial People's Committee has declared an emergency situation in response to the landslide situation in Vinh Hung residential area in Vinh Loc Town, Chiem Hoa District after landslides, triggered by torrential rains, caused damage for many households in the area.

Severe floods in Quang Ninh

In the north-eastern province of Quang Ninh, heavy rain on Sunday caused flooding on local streets in Ha Long City and districts of Uong Bi, Cam Pha, Hai Ha and Tien Yen, resulting in temporary traffic disruptions. In Uong Bi City, severe flooding damaged many cars.

By Monday, the water had receded and traffic has returned to normal.

According to local authorities, the recorded rainfall was significant: 313.8mm in Mong Cai City, 171mm in Uong Bi District, 285mm in Hai Ha District, 217mm in am Ha District, 213mm in Ba Che District and 182mm in Tien Yen District.

Landslides have already occurred at six locations on the inter-commune roads in Binh Lieu District.

According to the Quang Ninh Meteorological and Hydrological Station, the province will continue to experience moderate to heavy rain, up to 30-60mm and in some places over 80mm, posing a risk of further landslides and subsidence in small streams, mountain passes and construction sites.  VNS
CAO BANG  President To Lam on June 10 offered incense in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at a temple located at the Pac Bo special national relic site in Truong Ha Commune, Ha Quang District, as part of his working trip to the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang.

The President and his entourage expressed their gratitude to the late leader, who devoted his entire life to the struggle for national liberation and reunification, along with freedom and happiness of the Vietnamese people.

Writing in the temple's guest book, Lam said the site plays an important role in educating younger generations about the revolutionary tradition and President Ho Chi Minhs moral example.

He asked the provincial Party organisation, authorities and residents in Cao Bang to continue preserving the site and promoting its values.

Pac Bo was the first place where Nguyen Ai Quoc, who later used the name Ho Chi Minh, set foot in when returning to Viet Nam in 1941 to lead the domestic revolution after spending over 30 years abroad to seek ways for national salvation. It is home to many historical relic sites like Coc Bo Cave, Border Marker 108, Khuoi Nam Hut, and Lenin Spring, which were associated with his revolutionary activities during that time.

While in Ha Quang, President Lam also attended the inauguration ceremony of the Pac Bo Kindergarten in Truong Ha Commune.

Speaking at the ceremony, he asked local authorities to pay more attention to improving the life quality of locals, especially those who have rendered service to the nation and disadvantaged families, ensuring that no one is left behind.

The leader also stressed the crucial task of improving education-training quality, particularly preschool education.

On this occasion, he visited and presented gifts to two revolution contributors in the locality. VNS
HCM CITY  Victims of the billion-dollar Van Thinh Phat bond fraud case are urging authorities to expedite the investigation since they face financial ruin.

Le Thu Thuy, 51, a retired official in HCM City, said she had invested over VN2 billion in bonds issued by a Van Thinh Phat subsidiary two years ago but has not received any interest or principal.

Thuy is among over 35,000 victims who were misled by the staff of Saigon Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SCB), who had reassured them the bonds were as safe as a savings account product due to Truong My Lans ownership of the bank as the chairwoman of the group.

But SCB has claimed it was only acting as an intermediary and did not guarantee repayment to investors.

Experts said the bank could well be held responsible for failing to disclose the risks associated with the bonds.

The police said SCB faces accusations of playing a major role in the massive financial fraud suffered by its customers.

Their investigation found that Lan had orchestrated a scheme for SCB to issue fake bonds to mitigate its financial woes.

Lan has admitted to working closely with former executives of SCB, Tan Viet Securities and Van Thinh Phat to develop a specific plan to fabricate bonds through bogus companies set up by Van Thinh Phat group.

Vo Tan Hoang Van, former CEO of SCB, was found to have conducted training sessions for over 2,500 sales staff at various branches nationwide on how to defraud customers, the police said.

Lan has admitted to her wrongdoing and promised to repay the victims, the police added.

The victims are demanding a swift resolution to recover their lost funds.

Authorities have said the police have already seized millions of dollars in assets connected to Lan in a bid to repay the victims affected by the fraud.

The police said they have seized assets totaling over VN590 billion and nearly $15 million, and frozen further millions of dollars worth of assets linked to the chairwoman.

The seized assets include 1,240 properties owned by Lan in prime locations in HCM City and various provinces, shares in SCB and other companies, a yacht, two ships, and 19 cars.

Bedsides, 42 accounts with VN1.9 trillion and $8.4 million associated with Lan and others convicted have been frozen.

Proceeds of almost VN790 billion linked to a company owned by Van Thinh Phat Group have been blocked at SCB, with an additional VN55.5 billion seized during prosecution and VN73 billion paid by Lan and others during the trial.

The police said they would seize more assets linked to the scandal as part of efforts to compensate the victims.

Authorities are urging the 35,000 victims who hold bonds from the fraudulent issuances to come forward with information and related documents.

Experts said it would take years to mitigate the consequences of the scandal, one of the worlds worst financial crimes.  VNS
HA GIANG  Police officers in the northern province of Ha Giang today provided assistance to 400 foreign tourists stranded by floodwater.

Following heavy rains that have pounded the northern region in the past three days, floodwater has submerged a 700m section of National Road 4C (passing through Pa Vi Ha village, Pa Vi Commune, Meo Vac District).

Many groups of foreign tourists, who mainly travelled by motorbike from ong Van District to Meo Vac District, could not pass this flooded road.

Eleven police officers along with two specialised cars were deployed to the site, bringing 400 tourists through this section.

Ha Giang Province, near the border with China, is known worldwide for its magnificent mountain landscape and vibrant cultures of various ethnic groups. Road trip on bikes is a favourite activity for many tourists coming here to get the full experience.

Widespread flooding is occurring in Ha Giang, including the province's urban centre, Ha Giang City.

Authorities have set up checkpoints to prevent people from going into dangerous, landslide-prone areas.

As of today's afternoon, three people have been confirmed dead in Ha Giang as a result of downpour and flooding, along with one missing person.

Initial property damage so far has reached over VN 24 billion (about US$944,000).

Ha Giang Province's Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has asked travel agencies to halt all tourism activities that 'can be unsafe for tourists,' even change itinerary if needed.

People and tourists are not to travel to landslide-hit areas, swim in rivers or streams or take a boat tours in the reservoir lakes.

It also asked police units to enhance measures to guarantee safety for tourists and stand ready to provide assistance in case of incidents.  VNS
PRAGUE  A fire occurred at the Sapa shopping centre of Vietnamese in Prague in the early morning of June 10, destroying six stalls worth about 2 million CZK ( over 87,200 USD).

On-spot firefighters detected the fire and brought it under control promptly, helping to minimise losses in assets, with no casualty reported.

According to the shopping centre management board, the fire broke out at 1 am (local time) at food and consumer goods areas.

At the scene, Prague police and firefighters blocked the fire area to investigate the cause. According to witnesses and on-site security forces, the fire may come from an electrical short circuit.

As soon as being informed about the accident, Vietnamese Ambassador to Czech Republic Duong Hoai Nam and embassy staff visited affected people and provided them with financial support.

The embassy and Vietnamese associations in the Czech Public have called for donations for the affected people.

The Sapa shopping centre, located in District 4, Prague covers nearly 40 ha, with more than 1,000 stalls that sell food, fashion and consumer goods, and provide services. The market also houses restaurants, hair salons, nail shops, supermarkets, wholesale and retail stores with diverse products. It is considered the largest Vietnamese "market" in Europe. VNS
The SpaceX Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft lift off in a heavy haze for a flight test in Boca Chica, Texas, Thursday, June 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press This photo shows an egg damaged by the fourth flight test of the SpaceX Starship vehicle on June 6, 2024, in Boca Chica. Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program This photo shows two eggs following the fourth flight test of the SpaceX Starship vehicle on June 6, 2024, in Boca Chica. Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program This photo shows an egg damaged by the fourth flight test of the SpaceX Starship vehicle on June 6, 2024, in Boca Chica. Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program

Starship launches continue to disturb shorebird nests in South Texas, with the most recent liftoff damaging eggs in at least nine nests, according to a new report.

SpaceX launched the worlds most powerful rocket for the fourth time June 6 from Boca Chica, a location at the southern tip of Texas on the Gulf Coast. The flight test was the most successful to date, with the company guiding both the Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft to their intended water landings. But environmental groups remain wary of the damage being done to Boca Chica, which is often described as a sensitive ecological area important for shorebirds.

BOCA CHICA: Parks and Wildlife OKs deal sending parkland to SpaceX in South Texas

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Ongoing and annual monitoring of the Boca Chica area has documented shifts, and overall reductions, in shorebird nesting activity, according to a recent report from the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program.

SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The nonprofits staff conducts weekly surveys of Boca Chica shorebird nests during their breeding season from March through August.

On June 5, the day before Starship launched, a staff member inspected nests at a site south of the launch pad within Boca Chica State Park. Justin LeClaire, an avian conservation biologist with the nonprofit Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, observed five snowy plover nests, one Wilsons plover nest and a dispersed colony of 11 least tern nests. He also set up cameras near two nests to observe the launch.

LeClaire returned June 6, a few hours after launch, to revisit the six plovers nests. And he randomly selected three least tern nests to check.

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All nine nests had been affected.

Many eggs were cracked or had holes as large as peas. The cameras, heavily coated in sand and mud and with one lens broken by a concrete pebble, captured images of fast-moving dust clouds. The visuals led LeClaire and the nonprofits Coastal Bird Program Director David Newstead to believe the eggs were damaged by small pieces of concrete or rocks scattered during liftoff.

There were missing eggs, too. According to the report, shorebirds remove damaged eggs from their nests to reduce the chance of attracting predators. There were no other signs that predators had removed the eggs.

A predator that finds a colony of nests near each other is extremely unlikely to randomly predate only one or two eggs out of each nest rather than consuming all three eggs of all nests present, the report stated.

Only five of the 22 eggs were intact and still viable after the Starship launch.

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SpaceX is developing Starship to carry humans to the moon, Mars and beyond. The company chose South Texas because its a relatively remote area to launch rockets over the Gulf of Mexico and near the equator, where the Earths surface rotates faster and gives the rocket an additional boost to escape gravity and stay in orbit.

But the company has faced criticism over the location. The launch pad is near several homes and also next to a public beach and sensitive algal mudflats that provide nutrients to shorebirds.

In the past several years, tests of the full rocket and its various components have caused fires or littered the area with debris. Last year, the first launch of the combined Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft shattered the launch pad and caused a volcanic-like eruption that propelled sand through the air 6 miles to Port Isabel.
Xam tau ien or tram Xam is a type of folk music that used to be performed on the trams, a popular means of public transport in Ha Noi at the beginning of the 20th century. Now it has been brought back to life, with musicians entertaining visitors on board tour buses in the capital city.
Looking at Vietnams moves and efforts, how far has the country gone in its digital transformation journey?

Rita Mokbel, head of Ericsson Vietnam

Vietnam is on track in creating and generating its next wave of sustained and inclusive socioeconomic development through science, technology and innovation, enabled by 5G and Industry 4.0. The recent spectrum auctions and the allocation of spectrum by the Ministry of Information and Communication is a very significant development for the industry.

We believe that 5G will serve as the foundation for the digital infrastructure that will be a key enabler for the governments drive towards a digital economy.

We fully support the Vietnamese governments ambition to promote the digital transformation of industry and society through mobile broadband technology. 5G will serve as the digital highway in the country. The operators and the government are making the investments to enable the same.

How has the Vietnamese governments digital transformation strategy and related supporting policies been supporting enterprises?

With 5G, Vietnam can leverage the benefits of the digital infrastructure to accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0, achieving a labour productivity growth rate target of 7.5 per cent per annum by 2030, helping drive increased efficiencies across all industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, transport, energy, healthcare and education.

In addition to attracting more high-tech foreign investment through this increased productivity, Vietnam will also use 5G as an education and innovation platform to help stimulate startup entrepreneurship, creating new industries, companies and jobs of the future.

The growth of the 5G innovation ecosystem will significantly accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0, driving improved labour productivity through increased automation. The Vietnamese government is very well focused on driving education and training with the aim of ensuring the workforce is digitally upskilled and reskilled in preparation for the new jobs that will be created in the future.

All of this will enable Vietnam to fully leverage the benefits of the strong digital infrastructure for the benefit of enterprises.

Vietnam is striving to make 5G commercialisation ready by early next year. What will be the 5G opportunities for those involved?

Enterprises globally are increasingly looking to invest in modernising their legacy systems with new technologies and applications, which will also drive innovations, operational efficiencies, and growth.

Let me share with you an example that shows the value 5G provides to industries. Belfast harbour in Northern Ireland had an ambition to become the worlds smartest and most efficient port. With a lot of activity and logistics challenges to solve, this put high requirements on mobility and connectivity.

Together with BT and Ericsson, Belfast harbour deployed a private 5G network solution, and could achieve 20 per cent cost savings related to condition-based monitoring and a 50 per cent reduction in time spent inspecting inaccessible assets, supported by drones. It is also expected to see over 55 per cent reduction in installation and maintenance for CCTV cameras.

With 5G, advanced features such as speed, time-bound latency, network slicing, and authentication mean new differentiated performance services can be created.

This is where network APIs and a global network platform come into play. Network APIs put the capabilities of the network at the fingertips of the global developer community, who in turn will create new and innovative use cases. For example, authentication without passwords or low-latency performance for superior extended reality experiences.

With our acquisition of Vonage in 2022, we now have a top communications platform as a service model with a powerful ecosystem community of over one million application developers, and we want to partner with service providers in Vietnam and other parts of the globe towards building this ecosystem together.

How can Ericssons latest radio portfolio additions support manufacturing enterprises in their digitalisation?

5G utilisation will pave the way for increased investments in smart manufacturing capabilities in Vietnam, supporting the governments vision and focusing on driving an increased and sustainable annual productivity growth in the country.

As a long-standing partner, Ericsson will leverage its technology leadership and expansive 4G installed base  which can seamlessly and efficiently be upgraded to 5G. We are also proactively working with mobile service providers to ensure Vietnam is at the forefront of 5G developments, sharing the technical capabilities as well as global, regional, and local market insights.

Our strengthened portfolio and global experiences can accelerate the 5G journey of our customers in Vietnam and support the countrys digitalisation ambition. For example, Ericssons 5G smart factory in Texas has been recognised by the World Economic Forum as a global front-runner for Industry 4.0. Since commencing operations in 2020, the smart factory team has developed 25 different use cases, to be deployed at scale in less than 12 months.

We will work with enterprises in Vietnam to bring the full benefits of 4G/5G connectivity to enterprises in Vietnam. 5G will provide the critical infrastructure that will drive that digital transformation in Vietnam and enable the country to achieve its Industry 4.0 vision. Here in Vietnam, we have already started seeing pilot cases for 5G dedicated networks in manufacturing, smart port, mining and logistics in Vietnam

The biggest challenge for enterprises can initially be the lack of deep dive industry knowledge to formalise the exact need and requirements towards the solution provider. Based on our global experience, we will work very closely to assist in closing the gap.

Nguyen Manh Hung, minister of Information and Communications Vietnams digital transformation programme is entering its fifth year. Over the past four years, we have gained some valuable experience to determine more effective ways to work. We still face the issue of where the money is and how to spend it. In May, the Ministry of Finance was expected to complete a decree on financial sources from the regular state budget, and the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) had to complete a decree on how to spend money in a feasible and efficient manner. We learnt that pilots should be carried out until we achieve success, and then duplicate them nationwide. Digital transformation must be carried out 100 per cent to be effective, but there cannot be enough resources, especially human resources, to carry out pilots nationwide. Therefore, focusing on piloting in one or two provinces, and involving one or two ministries until we reach success, is a convenient method. In the second quarter, the MIC will summarise a successful model of comprehensive online public services in one province, a successful model of a smart operating centre in one province, and a successful model of digital transformation at the ministry and government agency level. And from the end of the second quarter, they will be widely replicated. At the same time, the MIC will have to clarify what the most basic things are about digital transformation at the provincial, ministerial, and sectoral levels and provide detailed instructions covering digital transformation, economy, and data. Today, AI has entered the stage of widespread application. We must bring some sample AI applications to state agencies performance this year. In the second quarter, the ministry will release a number of sample applications for widespread application. When applying AI, it should be noted that the narrower the AI is, the easier it is to train and the more effective it is. Vietnams AI platforms must create tools for users to input their data and train. The MIC will also begin to introduce successful formulas on digital transformation for all fields and levels so that they can be communicated and replicated. Formulas for success that are short, true to their essence, and easy to understand will truly be comprehensive and strong.

Ericsson committed to digital transformation with 5G With Vietnams plan to commercialise 5G in 2024, Ericsson continues to deliver on its commitment to support Vietnams accelerated digital economy journey. Rita Mokbel, head of Ericsson Vietnam, talked to VIRs Bich Thuy about the plans to make this happen.

Sustainability for long-term value creation Ericsson was founded on the belief that communication is a basic human need and with a vision to change peoples lives. And for over 145 years, the company has played a critical role in transforming lives, industries, and society for the better. The company puts focus on embedding sustainability programmes and practices across the organisation to create unimaginable opportunities and deliver positive impact to stakeholders.

Accelerating Vietnams journey towards 5G 5G remains on track to become the fastest-adopted mobile generation: 5G mobile subscriptions are forecast to have topped 1.6 billion at the end of 2023, and 5.3 billion by 2030. However, we are still early in the 5G cycle and only 28 per cent of 4G sites globally have been upgraded to 5G mid-band. Likewise, only 1.6b 5G subscribers, out of a total of 8.5b mobile subscriptions, enjoy the benefits of 5G.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) is on a positive curve, and in May 2024, new investment capital and additional capital were nearly equal.

According to newly-released figures from the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), May witnessed the largest amount of adjusted investment capital in the first months of 2024.

The total adjusted investment capital in the first five months of the year was down compared to the same period in 2023, but the decrease has gradually narrowed. In the first five months, adjusted investment capital only decreased by 8.7 per cent, lower than a decrease of 25.6 per cent in the first four months, and 22.6 per cent in the first three months," said Do Nhat Hoang, director general of the FIA.

The acceleration of adjusted capital in May has made an important contribution to bringing the total registered FDI capital in the first five months to more than $11.07 billion, up 2 per cent on-year.

Nguyen Van Toan, vice chairman of the Vietnam Association of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, said Vietnam remains highly regarded by international investors. However, these figures do not represent a massive leap forward, especially given that American and European investors are showing strong interest in semiconductor and AI projects in Vietnam, Toan said.

Data from the FIA shows that in the first five months of the year, US investors registered around $90 million into Vietnam, a very modest number.

"The largest investors in the first five months of the year were all traditional partners in Asia," commented Hoang from the FIA.

In the first five months, Singapore led in terms of investment in Vietnam, with nearly $3.25 billion, accounting for 29.3 per cent of the total and an increase of 28.2 per cent on-year. It was followed by Hong Kong, Japan, China, and South Korea, accounting for 73 per cent of new projects and 73.5 per cent of the total registered investment capital.

Notably, although Singapore leads in terms of registered capital, China is the leading partner (making up for 28.3 per cent) for the number of new projects, while South Korea leads in the number of capital adjustments (24.1 per cent), and capital contributions and share purchases (26.3 per cent).

Chinese investors have registered 347 new projects, 55 capital adjustments, and 172 capital contributions and share purchases, with total registered capital of $1.126 billion, ranking fourth among the countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

The 2023 Provincial Competitiveness Index published last month confirmed the investment trends of Chinese investors. "The past year saw an unprecedented surge in investment funding from China, especially in the northern provinces and economic zones. This trend is expected to continue due to cause tensions between global economic powers with the need for diversification in supply chains, and rising labour costs in the worlds largest manufacturing centre," the report highlighted.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung also emphasised the trend of accelerating investment in Vietnam by Chinese investors. Accordingly, numerous large-scale corporations have appeared in the fields of technology, electricity - electronics, processing, manufacturing, infrastructure, renewable energy, and electric vehicles.

"The Vietnamese government still encourages and expects Chinese investors to increase their investments in Vietnam. Vietnam welcomes Chinese investors in high technology, renewable energy, supporting industries, electronic components, electric cars, electric batteries, and infrastructure, as well as forming an international financial centre, green finance, smart urban areas, eco-industrial parks, and free trade zones," Minister Dung said.

"These are industries and fields that China has experience and strengths in," he added.

Chinese e-vehicle manufacturer BYD is active in Vietnam

BYD Electronics to start construction of $183.7 million plant this month BYD Electronics (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. is undertaking the final tasks to start the construction of its expanded plant in the northern province of Phu Tho after receiving the investment adjustment certificate in late February.

China's BYD sets eyes on Vietnam Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD plans to set up an assembly plant in Vietnam, following those in Thailand and Indonesia, to meet the growing demand for affordable EVs in Southeast Asia.

Chinese electric vehicle names remain in pole position of market expansion efforts Vietnam is emerging with decent prospects as an electric vehicle manufacturing hub for the region, as Chinese electric vehicle makers from Chery to BYD flock to the country.

China's BOE builds $275 million electronics factory in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Top Chinese display maker BOE Technology Group, a supplier of both Apple and Samsung, broke ground on the BOE Vietnam smart terminal phase 2 project on April 18 at Phu My 3 Specialised Industrial Park in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Green economy, digital economy breakthrough of Vietnam-China ties: PM Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on May 14 expressed his belief that economic-investment-trade cooperation, especially in green economy and digital economy, will be a driver and a breakthrough of the Vietnam-China relationship.

Specialised freight transport route at Huu Nghi (Vietnam)Youyi Guan (China) border gate pair opens A ceremony was held in the northern province of Lang Son on May 27 to officially open three routes for freight transport and customs clearance at the international border gate pair of Huu Nghi (Vietnam)  Youyi Guan (China).
Could you shed some light on the development of Vietnams impact investing landscape over the past few years?

Shuyin Tang, co-founder of the Beacon Fund

A decade ago, both impact investing and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) were extremely new concepts in Vietnam. Over the past 10 years, ESG has gained prominence in Vietnam, but impact investing is still unfamiliar for many.

To add to the confusion, these two terms are sometimes treated as the same. Well, whats the difference? ESG means taking into consideration the three factors involved in investment decisions, for example avoiding certain industries such as tobacco or gambling, or considering the environmental footprint of your investee company.

Impact investing goes one step further than ESG in that it intentionally aims to generate a measurable positive social and/or environmental impact alongside a financial return. Its part of a funds design and core investment strategy.

In 2024, Beacon Fund became more active with three investments - HSVG, Lotus Group, and CAS

Energy. What are the reasons behind these robust activities?

More than 90 per cent of all businesses in Vietnam are small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). Many of these have strong potential but do not fit in the hyper-growth profile that venture capital funds look for and are too small for private equity firms.

While startups are often in the spotlight, SMEs do not receive much attention from investors and the broader ecosystem. Beacon was founded to tap into this opportunity and provide more innovative financing products that better serve the needs of SMEs. Unlike most funds, we focus on debt financing, which can be a better fit for SMEs with strong cashflows.

This also removes the pressure for extremely fast growth and an ultimate exit. We believe our model  the first impact-focused private debt fund in the region  arrived at just the right time for the market. Thats what has enabled us to ramp up our investments over the past few months. We believe there is a strong pipeline of impact-driven companies in Vietnam for those who know where to look.

At a first glance, companies like Bo Cau Services (in the telecom infrastructure sector) and Lotus Group (in food and beverages) might not seem like typical impact investments, which people often assume need to be in sectors such as education, healthcare or agriculture. However, in reality, our latest portfolio companies already had an impact-driven mindset before our investment.

For example, the founder of Bo Cau does not view his company as just another commercial enterprise, but a vehicle to foster cooperation and upward mobility within society. As such, from day one, the company has made meaningful and intentional investments into the wellbeing and development of its team. We want to support and celebrate the ability of SMEs such as these to have meaningful and measurable impact.

What are the opportunities and challenges for impact investing in Vietnam?

There is tremendous opportunity for investors to back impact-driven business in Vietnam, but this might require them to adapt their approach, as we ourselves have learnt. Impact investors often complain about the lack of investible pipeline, while at the same time impact-driven enterprises often complain about how hard it is to raise capital. Both sides need to evaluate what they can do to meaningful close this gap.

On our part, it was launching a private credit fund that enabled us to access a whole segment of impact-driven businesses that we were unable to invest in before. Another innovation were proud of is our impact-linked structure, which enables our portfolio companies to unlock a lower cost of capital if they meet specified impact targets. I would love to see more of such innovation in Vietnam.

As for challenges, as mentioned, impact investing is still a relatively novel concept, so further education is still required to demystify it and help different actors understand how they can apply it practically. For example, our portfolio companies were often interested in but admittedly not that familiar with how to adopt global standards for impact management and measurement into their business.

We often work with our portfolio companies on these topics, such as building and implementing an impact roadmap and identifying ways to better measure and communicate their impact.

What are your recommendations for Vietnamese companies to build impact-driven business models and obtain capital from impact funds?

Businesses come in different sizes and shapes, and founders have different goals and motivations. Therefore, it is normal for them to have different pathways to success.

While at times there has been a lot of focus on fast growth, raising large amounts of capital and becoming a unicorn, nine times out of 10 this isnt the most suitable path for a company. I encourage entrepreneurs to firstly be clear about their long-term goals and have faith in their journey despite pressure from the market. There is an increasing number of alternative funding options to support different types of companies with diverse goals. Secondly, remember that not every impact investor is alike. Each impact investor has different impact priorities and often different financial expectations as well.

In the same way youd hope a potential investor would take the time to understand your goals and business carefully, take the time to understand what each investor is looking for and what types of financial products  as well as other non-financial support  they provide.

High-quality foreign investing takes shape in industrial areas Quang Ninh provinces investment capital attraction achieved high results thanks to planning solutions, removing difficulties in clearance, and selecting new-generation foreign inflows.
The National Assembly Economic Committee last week urged the government to devise more solutions to quicken disbursement and implementation of national-level infrastructure projects.

All difficulties and bottlenecks in site clearance and supply of sand and land materials for making foundations must be resolutely removed, the committee stressed.

Under a resolution issued a few years ago, national-level infrastructure schemes include Long Thanh International Airport; the eastern portion of the North-South Expressway; ring road 4 for the Hanoi region and ring road 3 in Ho Chi Minh City; and phase 1 of expressways at Khanh Hoa-Buon Ma Thuot, Bien Hoa-Vung Tau, and Chau Doc-Can Tho-Soc Trang.

Investment for these ventures has been determined by the NA in a bid to boost the implementation of one of the three major breakthroughs of the 2021-2030 SocioEconomic Development Strategy on infrastructure development. We know that the government is making great efforts in directing ministries and localities to actively implement the projects, said NA deputy Hoang Quoc Khanh, representing the northern province of Lai Chau. However, besides results achieved, many have been delayed in implementation.

Expressways, airports, bridges, and other infrastructure require a boost of pace, photo Le Toan

Slow progress

Khanh told the NA last week that many initiatives have had to increase capital due to a rise in site clearance.

For example, initial calculations indicated that the capital for the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau expressway will ascend by $153.3 million, and the capital for the Chau Doc-Can Tho-Soc Trang expressway will also follow suit, by $5.1 million.

Notably, the capital to build the Hanoi regions ring road 4 will climb by about $179.2 million, reaching around $3.6 billion. The project, beginning construction in 2022, runs through the capital as well as the provinces of Bac Ninh and Hung Yen. The NA set a 2026 completion target, and for it to be put into use the following year.

Hanoi Peoples Committee earlier in May offered solutions to removing difficulties for component 3 of this project, deemed the most important, which has total capital of up to $2.34 billion. The committee is now appraising the bidding invitation dossier to select an investor, with the component slated for construction to begin in Q4.

Never have I seen large projects that enjoy as many favourable policies and mechanisms as they are doing now, but many of them are still delayed due to chronic reasons such as site clearance, contractor selection, and lack of building materials, Khanh said. The longer they are delayed, the more investment capital will need to be raised, causing losses for the state budget.

NA deputy Tran Anh Tuan, representing Ho Chi Minh City, ascribed the poor progress to bidding procedures.

The procedures for bidding and selection of contractors now is applied to all types of projects without taking into account the scale of them, Tuan said. They must be designed and implemented depending on the scale of each. Any small-scale project must be subject to simpler procedures, making it more favourable to put them into use as soon as possible.

According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), projects sometimes require design or budget changes even after approval and budget allocation. This can cause long interruptions before work can start. One major obstacle to timely and quality preparation is the complexity of regulations, particularly land use planning, land acquisition, and site clearance.

This rigidity is a crucial challenge in situations of market fluctuations. Soaring prices due to shortages of materials and inputs for production, driven by regulatory constraints, lead to higher costs, forcing contract renegotiations or the need for additional funding and approvals, the ADB commented.

The Ministry of Finance reported that in the first four months of 2024, total public investment hit $4.83 billion, hitting 17.46 per cent of the plan assigned by the prime minister.

Last year, public investment was considered the key driver for economic recovery and growth in 2023. The government was committed to disbursing around $30 billion in the year. However, it has been reported that the disbursed sum touched $24.16 billion.

Nguyen Chi Dung Minister of Planning and Investment In the coming time, we will promote projects that have not yet completed procedures to quickly and urgently do so. Currently, there are eight that have not completed this, and 35 that have not been implemented and are still mainly focused on health or digital transformation. For projects that have completed procedures, we will focus on speeding up progress from site clearance to construction to soon put them into effective operation. I want to highlight our lessons learned. Firstly, our support methods may need to be reviewed. In some countries, the public get immediate support in cash, with each person getting $1,500-2,000. This helps the money be poured directly into the economy, stimulating consumption and production. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, our approach is often through policies which require guiding documents, then monitoring and other processes  a very time-consuming and ineffective model. When the support is completed, it may not truly be necessary. Secondly, if we keep the timing of the programme, we should not have included large projects. If we do, we must extend the implementation time, otherwise procedures will not be completed and implementation will become infeasible. Our policies must be easy to unify, monitor, and implement. That is a crucial principle. The improvement of institutions must be synchronous and unified, not a myriad of problems as we are seeing now. At present, we are getting stuck with overlapped rules, making it difficult to complete some ventures.

Improvements needed

The government has determined that public investment will be the key driver for economic recovery and growth in 2024, when Vietnam will use $27.37 billion for this, most of which will be for infrastructure development, and efforts must be made to disburse at least 95 per cent of the sum.

Paulo Medas, mission chief for Vietnam at the International Monetary Fund, told VIR that public investment can play a key role in supporting Vietnams development goals and promoting the green transition.

Funding in infrastructure, such as roads and reliable energy, is critical to support the private sector and sustain high economic growth. The transition to a greener economy will also require both public and private investment, including by developing infrastructure that could help scale up renewable energy production and alleviate current transmission bottlenecks, Medas said.

Jonathan Pincus, senior international economist at the United Nations Development Programme in Vietnam, also told VIR that while progress has been made accelerating the pace of public investment spending, the quality of public investment remains a concern.

In the absence of a national system of feasibility assessment and ex-post project evaluation, we cannot estimate the contribution of public investment to economic growth, improvements in living standards or access to essential services, Pincus said.

According to him, provinces have an incentive to favour small projects that can be completed quickly so they can reach their expenditure targets. The implementation of larger projects of national and regional importance are held up by negotiations between the various local and national agencies involved and weak coordination among provinces.

Increased public spending efficiency could have a major impact on aggregate productivity growth and GDP levels. Policy research suggests that one percentage point increase in public investment via efficiency improvements can raise growth rates by 0.1-0.2 percentage points over the next few years.

At present, according to international organisations, Vietnams infrastructure quality lags that of many Asian countries and could impact its attractiveness as a foreign investment destination and potential growth in the long term.

The Global Quality Infrastructure Index 2023 ranked Vietnam 52nd out of 185 economies, far below Indonesia (27th), Thailand (28th), Singapore (29th), and Malaysia (33rd).

One example of infrastructure quality is the expressway density, which is one of the lowest in the region, while road transport costs are the highest regionally. The infrastructure investment gap will constrain Vietnams ability to attract and retain overseas funding, including those looking to relocate from China.

Vietnam currently has 47 seaports of all sizes across provinces, but 95 per cent of cargo goes through three ports funded and operated by the Ministry of Transport, in Haiphong in the north and Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province in the south.

Minister pledges public investment disbursement push The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) is determined to expedite the disbursement of public investment funds this year, while eliminating inefficiencies in investment allocation, with the goal of exceeding the 65.1 per cent disbursement rate of 2023.

Targets set high for disbursement The government has made drastic directions to accelerate public investment disbursement, with construction of numerous transport infrastructure projects to be implemented around the clock.
What took place at PwCs NextGen event at the end of May, and what specific topics were discussed?

Quan: We held the Asia-Pacific NextGen Club event in Singapore, marking it our third event. We launched this initiative in 2017, inspired by the numerous NextGen clubs organised by PwC across various Asia-Pacific countries, with around 80 participants from 14 countries.

Ng Siew Quan, Asia-Pacific Entrepreneurial and Private Business Leader for PwC Singapore; and Hoang Viet Cuong, Partner at Entrepreneurial and Private Business for PwC Vietnam

The goal was to bring these groups together for networking and to share common issues and challenges. In 2019, we held the event in Shanghai, which also attracted a large turnout. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we paused until this year.

This year, we had over 70 participants from 16 countries, maintaining a well-balanced mix by limiting each countrys participants to no more than 10. Six individuals from Vietnam attended, and the feedback has been positive. A key objective was to launch the Asia-Pacific version of the NextGen survey and discuss shared challenges among the next generation.

One of the greatest takeaways was the evolution of generative AI and its potential to transform family businesses. As wealth transitions from one generation to the next, the next generation is well-positioned to elevate traditional family businesses.

At the event, various speakers covered topics such as AI, new technology, and wealth management through family offices. I observed that Vietnamese family businesses are relatively young, mostly 30-40 years old, as the economy opened up only about 40 years ago.

While countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, with family businesses 70-80 years old, are going through the transition now, for Vietnam the transition might not be immediate.

However, it is expected within the next 5-10 years, and theres an urgent need to ensure that this transition is smooth.

What were the key findings from the NextGen 2024 survey, specific to the Vietnam market?

Cuong: The survey, first released in 2013, highlighted in its previous 2022 edition the emerging role of the next generation during the pandemic. In Vietnam, 52 per cent of respondents now occupy leadership positions, up from 29 per cent in 2022. Additionally, 72 per cent are involved in succession planning, with 39 per cent actively developing plans, compared to 58 per cent and 26 per cent in 2022.

Amidst technological disruption, Vietnamese next-generation leaders remain focused on securing their family businesses prosperity, while technology adoption is also a key priority. This demonstrates a clear vision for success in the new era.

Technological advancements, especially generative AI (GenAI), are prompting significant strategy shifts for CEOs. In Vietnam, 82 per cent of next-generation leaders are enthusiastic about GenAI, and 55 per cent feel knowledgeable about it. However, a large proportion of Vietnamese family businesses are still early in AI adoption.

While 27 per cent are piloting and exploring AI initiatives and 76 per cent of young leaders expect future involvement, challenges remain. 73 per cent foresee increased competition, 70 per cent struggle with AI advancements, 48 per cent find it difficult to capitalise on AI, and 58 per cent express cybersecurity concerns, including data breaches, misinformation, and legal risks.

Were there any findings in the report that stood out to you as surprising compared to other countries in the region?

Quan: Vietnam is a bit behind the region. Because this is the first time we are conducting this survey in Vietnam, there arent many comparisons to draw. Its not surprising that the Asia-Pacific region lags behind in many areas, and within the region, some countries, particularly those with a shorter history of family businesses, are not performing as well.

However, starting late has its advantages, as you can adopt the latest technology without needing to overhaul the legacy systems. From meetings and feedback I gathered in Vietnam, theres a clear recognition among family businesses of the need for change.

I have heard business leaders, even those in their 60s, acknowledge the importance of a transition and are eager to support and help the next generation succeed. This is a promising sign.

Based on your international experience, what strategies can family businesses in the Asia-Pacific region employ to address the challenges associated with generational transition?

Quan: In Asia-Pacific, this is the first time that large family businesses are experiencing a transition, so they have not yet had experience. Setting aside Vietnam, which is very young, even in countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, many of these businesses are about 80 years old, starting after World War 2.

When the current generation took over the business from their parents, it was actually minimal. As they are now in their 70s, they have no experience handing over a large business because the previous generation didnt have this problem. This is a fundamental challenge.

Additionally, the current generation, unlike their parents, lives longer. As many of them will live into their 80s and 90s, if they hand over, there will be a period whereby they will be without anything to do. This issue has been addressed.

Earlier, I mentioned family offices, which is something they can do. Alternatively, they can take on certain projects and let the next generation run the company, or they can be the chairman of the board but let someone younger be the CEO.

On the flip side, there is a shift in the way that the world is operating, so many of the current gen may not be as familiar with the new world as the next generation. Like I said, they are more willing to let go and let them run the show.

One of the key challenges of the current gen is how to ensure that they can let go and let the next gen make some mistakes because thats the only way that they can learn.

If you look at it, the transition in the last 5-10 years has probably been better than it was before. For a country like Vietnam which is still in the early stages, there are plenty of lessons you can learn from and make the transition less painful.

Next-gen leaders are focused on securing their familys prosperity, while tech adoption is also a priority, photo Le Toan

What are some of your advice for young family businesses in Vietnam?

Quan: For family businesses, you need to professionalise the business by having proper systems, proper human resources structure, and the right talents to be in the business. Thats the first stage.

But the more important stage is professionalising the family: how to make the family business behave as if there is governance over the family and not just over the business. Numerous companies in Europe have been doing this for a long time, and have had 200 years to perfect this formula.

There are two types of succession: in wealth and in leadership. While succession of wealth is easier to do, succession in leadership is more challenging. Not because you have the same blood as me that you automatically know what to do. So that is something family businesses need to work on.

Could you elaborate on the concept of a family office, which has gained significant popularity in developed economies such as Singapore?

Quan: Family offices represent an evolution in the lifecycle of family businesses. Many family businesses in Europe, the West, and parts of Asia, like Singapore, have been operating for generations.

The next generation may not be interested in taking over the business, raising the question of how to ensure its continuity. With significant wealth created, its crucial to manage it effectively to sustain it for future generations.

A family office is essentially a fund management company that invests the accumulated wealth of the family business. Beyond investing in the capital and money markets, there is a growing trend to invest in other companies. The way it works is quite similar to private equity but termed as family equity.

Raffles Family Office bolsters private equity focus in Southeast Asia In an effort to diversify its portfolio, Raffles Family Office  a prominent wealth management firm  is placing increased emphasis on private equity transactions within Southeast Asia. However, challenging conditions in 2022 have led to a decline in deal value and volume in Southeast Asia's private equity market, as reported by Bain & Co.

More demand felt for family office services in Vietnam The flourishing expansion of high-net-worth clientele across Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam, is stimulating growing interest among foreign family offices, leading to a reconfiguration of investment strategies and opening pathways to unparalleled opportunities.
Attending the inauguration ceremony on June 9 were Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Denny Abdi, the Indonesian ambassador to Vietnam; and leaders of Vaksindo along with various other honoured guests.

The factory, which commenced construction in April 2022, covers over 20,000 square metres and features a two-floor design with plans for future expansion. As the largest veterinary vaccine factory in Vietnam, Vaksindo aims to supply high-quality international standard vaccines for the domestic market and for export.

The new facility is GMP - WHO certified and will operate five production lines over a 9,000 square metre production area, focusing on tissue culture-based vaccines, egg-based vaccines, and bacterial vaccines. Its key products are designed to cater to the needs of swine, cattle, and poultry.

Speaking at the ceremony, Teguh Yodiantara Prajitno, Vaksindo managing director, said, "We are steadfast in our determination to develop specific solutions for the region to deal with disease challenges."

"This state-of-the-art vaccine factory will primarily serve the goal of ensuring disease safety for Vietnam's livestock and contributing to the sustainable development of the industry," he added.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said, "This is an important event as we face a burgeoning demand for vaccines. With its commitment to modern technology and in-depth research to international standards, we expect Vaksindo Vietnam to soon meet domestic demand and soon after, begin exporting."

Teguh Yodiantara Prajitno, managing director, Vaksindo

Indonesian ambassador Denny Abdi said, "Vaksindo is the top veterinary vaccine manufacturer in Indonesia, and the vaccines produced by Vaksindo are backed by innovative research and strictly adhere to international standards for quality and safety. I believe that research between Indonesia and Vietnam in animal health can be strengthened to minimise outbreaks and predict future epidemics. Such a partnership will not only benefit both countries but also the world."

Phung Duc Tien , Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Established in 1983, Vaksindo is Indonesia's first veterinary vaccine manufacturer and has been a key component of the Japfa value chain since its acquisition in 2008. Japfa is Indonesias largest integrated livestock producer.

The company is dedicated to research and innovation in animal and poultry healthcare products, leveraging the latest global technologies and collaborating with international experts and research institutes to stay ahead of emerging trends.

The US' Ecolab opens new manufacturing plant in Vietnam On January 12, Ecolab, an American-listed company offering water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions, announced the grand opening of its new cutting-edge manufacturing plant in Ho Nai Industrial Park in the southern province of Dong Nai.

Taiwanese industrial PC maker Ibase Technology breaks ground on new manufacturing site in Vietnam Taiwan's IBASE Technology Inc. (TPEx: 8050), a renowned manufacturer of reliable industrial computing platforms, broke ground on its new manufacturing site in the northern province of Vinh Phuc on March 27.
Caroline Wilburn is a breaking news reporter for the Houston Chronicle.

A May graduate of Texas A&M University, Caroline worked as an election stringer for the Associated Press and as a breaking news fellow at the Texas Tribune. At the Tribune, she got a crash course in interpreting data, distilling complicated policy and following statewide trends on a tight deadline. Shes also a skilled video editor and podcast producer.

She won a first-place award for audio news production at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.
Michael McAleer, Muireann Duffy and James Cox

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In brief

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan has topped the poll in the first count of the Midlands North-West constituency, ahead of Fine Gael's Nina Carberry and Maria Walsh.

We're into the 12th count in the Dublin constituency, with Barry Andrews of Fianna Fail and Regina Doherty of Fine Gael still leading the way.

You can follow the European results here.

With around 87 per cent of seats filled in the local elections, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are neck and neck for the overall share of the local vote.

In Ireland South, Fine Gael's Sean Kelly has become the first MEP elected in Ireland.

John Moran has topped the poll in the Limerick mayoral race and now stands at 19,080 votes following the sixth count.

Local election results  State of the parties

European election results  State of the parties



10.30pm

The first count in the Midlands North-West show Independent Luke 'Ming' Flanagan topping the poll, but short of a quota.

With the quota set at 11,325, Flanagan has 78,214, ahead of Barry Cowen of Fianna Fail on 73,908; Fine Gael's Nina Carbery on 72,888; Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh on 71,476; Independent Ireland party's Ciaran Mullooly on 57,297 and Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew on 45,807.

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan at TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar. Photo: PA Images

They are followed by Fianna Fail's Lisa Chambers on 44,069, Aontu's Peadar Toibin on 40,742, and Fianna Fail's Niall Blaney on 30,387.

Sitting Sinn Fein MEP Chris MacManus is in danger of losing his seat as he received just 29,427 first preferences.

With just 20 first preference votes separating Barry Cowen and Nina Carberry, both look set to take seats.

The results put Fine Gael in a strong position to win two seats in the constituency. However, of the three Fianna Fail candidates, while Barry Cowen looks set to regain a seat in the constituency for the party, his two running mates, Lisa Chambers and Niall Blaney face an uphill struggle to take the final seat.

10pm

Sean Kelly has been re-elected to the European Parliament in the first count for the Ireland South constituency.

The former boss of the GAA from Kerry has been an MEP since 2009 and will return to Brussels for another five-year term from July.

The second count will continue tomorrow, and its expected Fianna Fails Billy Kelleher and Independent Michael McNamara will take the second and third seat.

MEP Sean Kelly (left) holding his two-year-old granddaughter Eloise Kelly and Fine Gael's Simon Coveney (right) holding Sean Kelly's one-year-old granddaughter Hannah-Rose Kelly at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork, Ireland, during the count for the European elections.

9.55pm

Limerick sixth count:

Independent - John Moran - plus 462 - 19,080

Independent - Helen O'Donnell - plus 313 - 13,588

Fianna Fail - Dee Ryan - plus 289 -12,370

Aontu's Sarah Beasley excluded with 2,859 votes.

9.50pm

Fine Gael's Sean Kelly has become the first MEP elected in Ireland.

9.45pm

Niall Boylan has moved into fourth place in the European Parliament Dublin constituency count.

The move happened after count 12, and it's possible he could overtake Lynn Boylan of Sinn Fein and move into third by the end of the next count.

Barry Andrews of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael's Regina Doherty are both well out in front, but are still over 10,000 votes shy of the quota.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald speaking to the media.

9.20pm

Sinn Feins leader has challenged the Taoiseach to bring it on and call an early general election.

Mary Lou McDonald struck a defiant note following her partys disappointing showing in the local election and rejected any suggestion Taoiseach Simon Harris would be doing her a favour if he stuck to his original plan to go to the polls in early 2025.

Mr Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin have both moved to dampen speculation of an earlier-than-expected general election after their respective parties  Fine Gael and Fianna Fail  performed better than many pollsters had predicted in Fridays local and European elections.

Counting in both those contests continued on Monday, while ballots began to be totted up in Limerick for Irelands first ever directly elected mayor.

7.55pm

A first count announcement for the Ireland South constituency is expected in the next hour or so.

Its virtually certain the returning officer will announce Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly as the winner of the first seat.

Counting is expected to end after the announcement, and will continue in the morning.

Sean Kelly (centre), alongside his wife Juliette Kelly (left) and her sister Linda O'Donoghue (right), observe count staff sort ballots at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork, Ireland, during the count for the European elections.

7.50pm

Nobody will be elected as an MEP from the Dublin constituency until at least tomorrow. Ten counts have taken place, with little change at the top of the order.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael lead the way, while the Green Party, Independent Ireland and Labour are part of the chasing pack.

Independent candidate John Moran listens to the result of the first count at Limerick Racecourse in Limerick's mayoral election in which citizens voted to directly elect their own mayor for the first time in the history of the State.

6.45pm

Limerick third count result:

Independent - John Moran - plus 34 - 18,397

Independent - Helen O'Donnell - plus 25 - 13,016

Fianna Fail - Dee Ryan - plus 22 - 11,864

Social Democrats candidate Elisa O'Donovan has received the most transfers (77) from People Before Profit's Ruairi Fahy.

The Party of Animal Welfare's Gerben Uunk has been eliminated.

6.35pm

Counting is picking up pace in Limerick mayoral race.

John Moran has topped the poll and now stands at 18,363 votes following the second count.

Helen ODonnell, another independent, is just shy of 13,000 - while Dee Ryan of Fianna Fail has over 11,800 votes.

People Before Profits Ruairi Fahy has been eliminated and his 692 votes are being distributed.

Thirteen candidates remain in contention.

5.43pm

We're into the ninth count in the Dublin constituency, with Barry Andrews of Fianna Fail and Regina Doherty of Fine Gael still leading the way. Neither are close to a quota, while there is a battle for the last two seats behind them.

Niall Boylan is picking up plenty of transfers from lower down the ballot, and is putting pressure on Green Party MEP Ciaran Cuffe in the 4th spot.

Sinn Fein's Lynn Boylan is third in the poll at the moment, and she says the campaign was a lot different on the ground compared to what was witnessed online.

5.10pm

Sinn Fein TD and MEP candidate Kathleen Funchion has said that she is very hopeful she will be elected to the Ireland South constituency.

The roughly 715,000 EU election ballot papers at Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork went through a lengthy sub-sort before the actual count began.

Irelands electoral system of proportional representation means that a candidate must reach a quota to be elected.

The announcement of first count result had been expected by lunchtime on Monday, but is now expected closer to 6pm.

Based on the size of ballot piles stacked in the sports clubs hall, Fine Gaels Sean Kelly and Fianna Fails Billy Kelleher will be re-elected as MEPs.

But several rounds of further counting  after eliminated candidates votes are redistributed  will be needed before the final three seats become clear.

Along with Ms Funchion, in contention for those seats are Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara, who was vocal in his opposition to the two defeated March referenda; and outgoing MEP and ex-Co Wexford TD Mick Wallace.

5pm

Sinn Feins disappointing election results are down to people tiring of its failure to present credible alternative plans, the Minister for Housing has claimed.

Sinn Fein has repeatedly accused Darragh OBrien of failing to deal adequately with the housing crisis.

Mr OBrien, in turn, has been one of the main opposition partys most vocal critics, leading to frequent fiery clashes in the Dail.

The Fianna Fail minister rounded on his rivals on Monday when asked to assess its failure to make major gains at the local elections.

4.50pm

An eighth count is said to be imminent at the RDS in Dublin for the European Parliament constituency.

Seven counts in, and it's as you were at the top of the poll here in the RDS. Barry Andrews and Regina Doherty of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael respectively lead the way, both have over 61,000 votes but still well shy of the 75,000+ quota.

After that it's anyone's guess, with Sinn Fein's Lynn Boylan and outgoing MEP Ciaran Cuffe still occupying the final two seats at this moment.

Close is Niall Boylan of Independent Ireland. Mr Boylan picking up more transfers than Labour's Aodhan O Riordain, but he was expected to benefit more from those down the ballot.

Nobody is expected to be elected until tomorrow at the earliest.

3.30pm

Vote-counting in a historic election in Ireland is under way  and all is still to play for, according to one of the running candidates.

For the first time ever, Irish citizens will select its first directly-elected mayor.

The first count in the Limerick election is expected later on Monday afternoon.

It is the first time Irish citizens will elect their first local mayor, in what is seen as a test case for the rest of the state.

A total of 15 candidates are running for the mayors seat.

Dozens of staff are counting the votes at Limerick Racecourse, which is being used as a count centre.

Independent candidate John Moran is leading the race on 24 per cent, according to tallies.

He is followed closely by another independent candidate, Helen ODonnell.

2pm

Tanaiste Micheal Martin has insisted the leaders of the Coalition remain committed to serving a full term as he dismissed speculation over an early general election.

The Fianna Fail leader said the Government would stay focused on delivery, citing the budget as its main priority, despite renewed focus on the prospect of an earlier-than-expected polling day.

Vote counting in the local and European elections resumed in Ireland on Monday. In Limerick, a count for Irelands first-ever directly elected mayor began on Monday.

While it could still take days to finish counting every vote across the country, the political ramifications of the results so far have raised major questions for the leaders of the main parties.

1.30pm

Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said he believes a lack of solutions to the issues facing the public was the reason behind Sinn Fein's poor showing in the elections.

He added that while he is happy with his own party's results so far, there are areas Fianna Fail must assess.

"We have lessons to learn from this, we have to evaluate the selection from our own point of view.

"We did well in many areas, but there are other areas where we didn't do as well, and there are aspects of the logistics of our campaign that we can improve upon," Mr Martin said.

With 833 of the 949 council seats filled by lunchtime on Monday, Fianna Fail is almost level with Fine Gael in terms of their share of first-preference votes, each taking around 23 per cent.

After better than anticipated performances by the Coalition parties, speculation is rising over the chance of an early general election.

However, the Tanaiste poured cold water on the idea, insisting the three party leaders remain committed to serving a full term, which will see the election taking place next spring.

12.25pm

Two MEPs could be selected in Ireland South by the end of the day.

The constituency's counting, taking place at Nemo Rangers in Cork, is expected to return Fine Gael's Sean Kelly to the European Parliament in the first count, the results of which are expected to be announced around 4pm.

Fianna Fail European candidate for Ireland South Billy Kelleher speaks to the media at the count at Nemo Rangers GAA club (PA Images)

Fianna Fail's Billy Kelleher appears to be running in second, while Independent candidate Michael McNamara seems in with a shout of taking the third seat.

In MidlandsNorth-West, counters say they're progressing on schedule, with the result of the first count expected this evening.

12.10pm

In the local elections, counting is continuing to fill the remaining seats in various councils across the country, with recounts taking place in parts of Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Donegal and Wexford, among others.

In the Dublin constituency for the European elections, a third count has failed to see a candidate elected.

Fianna Fail's Barry Andrews remains the frontrunner there, where Conor Murphy and Eamonn Murphy (both Independent) have been eliminated and their votes transferred.

Andy Heasman (Irish People) is expected to be the next to be eliminated, with his first-preference votes to be distributed in the fourth count.

11.40am

The mammoth task of counting ballots in MidlandsNorth-West, where 27 candidates were on the ballot, is underway.

It is expected that the result of the first count in Castlebar could be announced in the early evening, with Luke Ming Flanagan (Independent) and Maria Walsh (Fine Gael) appearing to have got off to a strong start.

Meanwhile, in the Dublin local elections, three recounts are taking place in Fingal, looking at ballots from the Howth/Malahide, Blanchardstown and Castleknock LEAs.

11.05am

A second count in the Dublin European Parliament constituency is expected shortly, but a candidate may not be elected until this evening.

The second count will see the distribution of Independent candidate Conor Murphy, who claimed 1,065 first-preference votes.

Fianna Fail's Barry Andrews is out ahead on 16.5 per cent, followed by Fine Gael's Regina Doherty.

Running in third is Sinn Fein's Lynn Boylan, followed closely by Green MEP Ciaran Cuffe, Labour's Aodhan O Riordain and Independent Ireland's Niall Boylan.

European election first preference share by party  Dublin

10.30am

Counting is underway in Limerick in the race to become the States first directly-elected mayor.

The successful candidate is expected to be confirmed by the end of the day.

Fifteen candidates are battling it out for the position, with two independents  John Moran and Helen O'Donnell  currently leading the pack, on 24 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.

Meanwhile, all 40 seats have now been filled on Limerick Council.

7.30am

Counting in each of the three constituencies for the European elections is due to continue on Monday.

The count for Dublin will resume at 10am, while the sorting of ballots in Ireland South will get back underway from 9am, with a first count expected to begin at around lunchtime.

In Limerick, the counting of ballots to decide the first directly-elected mayor in the State is also set to commence at 9am.

Most local authority seats have now been filled.

A first count in the Ireland South constituency is expected later today. The first count in MidlandsNorth-West could still be days away, while Dublin's second count is expected around lunchtime.

The first count was declared there last night, with Fianna Fail's Barry Andrews topping the poll closely followed by Regina Doherty of Fine Gael, but neither had reached the quota to be elected.

Fianna Fail European candidate Barry Andrews listens as the returning officer reads the results at the RDS (PA Images)

Andrews says the result could help Fianna Fail in the upcoming General election in Dublin - but he's ruled out another run for the Dail himself.

The first count in Dublin's European constituency set the quota at 75,345, with Fianna Fail's Barry Andrews getting 62,147 votes and Fine Gael's Regina Doherty securing 61,344 votes. Both are well ahead of the rest of the pack, with the nearest rival being Sinn Fein's Lynn Boylan on 35,431.

She is closely followed by the Green Party's Ciaran Cuffe on 32,204, Labour's Aodhan O Riordain on 30,733, and Independent Ireland's Niall Boylan on 30,637. Next up is the Independent 4 Change MEP Clare Daly on 26,855 and PBP-Solidarity candidate Brid Smith on 21,577.
WATERLOO  Two people were injured by gunfire Friday and Saturday in Waterloo.

The incidents dont appear to be related, and no arrests have been made.

According to police, a 13 year old was shot in the 400 block of East Mullan Avenue around 1:50 p.m. Friday. The youth was taken to UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital by private vehicle and the injuries dont appear to be life-threatening. No further details were available.

Then around 2:23 a.m. Saturday, neighbors reported hearing gunshots on Randolph Street. A short time later a woman arrived at MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The woman is expected to survive.

Bullets also hit homes at 628 W. Mullan Ave. and 212 Randolph St. as well as a parked vehicle, police said. Officers seized two spent .40-caliber shell casings.

A short time later, police were called to a third shooting, this one around 3:05 a.m. in the 1800 block of Linden Avenue. No injuries or damages were reported and officers found 12 9 mm shell casings in the area.

Violent crime is up  and also down, according to new federal data Violent crime is up  and also down, according to new federal data Federal reports show similar long-term trends in violent crime, but diverge significantly on year-over-year changes Despite the long-term trends, the two reports differ more than ever before on the year-over-year change in violent crime. Property crime went up in 2022 One undeniable trend: Violent crimes against young people doubled Still, most crimes are not reported to the police
WATERLOO  The Board of Education continues to gather information before the vote on a proposed high school consolidation at its July 8 meeting.

The board held an additional work session last week to hear how Waterloo Community Schools staff have implemented programs and processes to improve the climate and culture in their buildings and how that can be replicated in a merged facility. It followed a series of previously announced monthly work sessions on other topics related to the merger.

Amy Schmidt, the districts executive director of teaching and learning, pointed out there are a lot of pieces that go into creating a positive culture and climate in the schools.

Weve asked our staff to shift their mindsets and to meet kids where they are, she said.

Schmidt said administrators at the current high schools  East, West and Expo  and the Waterloo Career Center have made impressive progress.

And that takes a lot, she said. Kids are coming in tougher than theyve ever been.

West High School Principal Andy Miehe stressed efficiency, productivity and consistency with students and staff.

He talked about building time into the day for teacher professional development, supporting new teachers, meeting on a regular basis to discuss student achievement and attendance as well as setting goals and tracking actions and progress to reach them.

Some tangible results of these efforts are improvements in proficiency scores, college readiness and graduation rates. Miehe also pointed out that West High School was ranked the fifth best high school in the metro area and the 30th out of 317 in Iowa, according to a U.S. News & World Report article published in May.

And we do have a little bit of fun, Miehe said, listing events like the annual fall kickoff tailgate and a staff talent show, that engage students and staff.

When Byron Phillips became the principal at East High School a year ago, he faced an uphill battle in many respects.

According to a recent survey, less that 50% of East high employees trust school leadership, he said during a PowerPoint presentation to board members.

That number is now over 80%  an increase of more than 30% in a year.

Phillips said his leadership guiding principles include:

Believe that all students can and will learn.

Be present and be an active listener.

Be fair, firm, consistent and follow through.

Reflect progress, celebrate successes and identify areas of improvement.

Phillips also emphasized holding student celebrations such as pep assemblies, honor roll and perfect attendance celebrations, and the Trojan Ambassador Challenge, which promotes healthy rivalry between teams.

Events also are planned for staff members including shout-outs to staff from students, a holiday gathering and a staff-given luncheon.

Expo Principal Cary Wieland shared some impressive improvements, including raising the staff climate survey rate from just under 76% to nearly 92%.

Wieland credits a number of things for the increase, including a master schedule, current data, professional development plans, and communication.

Amy Miehe, director of career and technical education, shared that 25% of West students attend the WCC, 20% of East students and 7% of Expo students.

In a senior survey asking what they liked most about their classes at the career center, answers included:

I enjoyed the like-minded peers I met, as well as the faculty and staff.

How laid back and enjoyable each day of class was, this creates a better and easier learning environment.

I enjoyed how different it was from my regular school in the sense that I got to meet so many new people and have very different experiences that will definitely benefit me moving forward.
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. Here are just a few of the 45 total requests from the three lawmakers for the coming federal fiscal year:

Buchanan County

Project Name: Independence Wastewater Treatment Plant Replacement

Requested Amount: $4 million

Hinson requested the funds to help the city of Independence modernize its wastewater treatment plant constructed in the 1970s. This project would include upgrades in the treatment process, including advanced biological treatment to remove nutrients and a new anaerobic digestion process to reduce sludge volume.

Fayette County

Project Name: Gundersen OB Department Upgrade

Request Amount: $1,100,000

Intended Recipient: Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital & Clinics

Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 112 Jefferson St., West Union, IA 52175

This project would fund the expansion and modernization of the maternity health care unit at the Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics in West Union, Iowa. While West Union is a town of only 2,490 people in a county with limited maternity care options, this rural obstetric care department still manages to serve patients from neighboring counties that are listed as maternity care deserts. Specifically, the project would fund construction of a new labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum (LDRP) room, converting the smallest existing room into a lactation consulting room to support new mothers learning to breastfeed, and the purchase of essential medical equipment, including: five LDRP beds, one isolette (an incubator for premature newborns), five hospital-grade nursery bassinets, three new emergency carts, five external fetal monitors, and one infant warmer. This will significantly improve access to high-quality maternal care in a rural community, directly addressing the maternal care crisis in the region, improving the patient experience, and saving moms and babies.

Tama County

Project Name: Dysart Public Works Maintenance Facility Renovation

Requested Amount: $275,000

Intended Recipient: City of Dysart

Project Location: 713 Wilson St., Dysart, Iowa 52224

Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 601 Wilson St., Dysart, Iowa 52224
Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales with King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince Louis of Wales, Prince George of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales during Trooping the Colour on June 15, 2024 in London, England. Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images Catherine, Princess of Wales is shown at the "Together At Christmas" Carol Service on Dec. 08, 2023, in London, England. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Kate Middleton joined the rest of the royal family in celebrating King Charles III's birthday Saturday, in her first public appearance since December.

Earlier in the week, a rumor that Middleton was being treated at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston was said to be false by a Kensington Palace representative.

Speculation about the princess' location had grown since she announced her cancer diagnosis in March. She began preventative chemotherapy in February, according to Kensington Palace, with no estimated date of when she might return to public duties. Middleton stepped away from public duties and a palace insider told Us Weekly in June that she may never come back in the role that people saw her in before.

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Middleton said in a Friday statement that she is still in treatment, the Associated Press reported. I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days," she said.

Amanda Matta shared a video Monday morning on her Royal Family-focused TikTok account "Matta_of_fact" discussing a Reddit post that claims Middleton recently stayed at The St. Regis Houston.

"Was visiting friends at the St. Regis this weekend and they had spoken of her being at the hotel. Has anyone else heard this? Assuming she would be here for treatment. Hoping for the best outcome for the family," the post reads.

Mattas TikTok had nearly 500,000 views and more than 1,000 comments by early afternoon Monday.

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"I think this theory about Kate and her whereabouts makes a lot of sense when you stop to think about it," Matta said in the video, adding that she has heard similar stories that place Middleton in Houston.

However, not everyone was convinced.

"She won't be in a hotel. She'll have her own house somewhere secluded," one commenter wrote.

Some, on the other hand, believed the rumor might have some truth to it.

"It makes sense that she would seek the very best treatment, no matter where it is," a user wrote.

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MD Anderson Cancer Center representatives said the hospital is unable to comment on whether or not an individual is a patient due to patient privacy laws.
Update: June 10,

The Reno Police Department has arrested a Sparks man in connection with Saturday's gang-related shooting in Midtown.

After an investigation concluded by the Reno Police Robbery/Homicide Unit and the Regional Gang unit, 19-year-old David Martinez II, of Sparks was arrested for Open Murder with a deadly weapon. on Sunday, June 9.

...

Update: June 8,

One man is dead following an early-morning gang shooting in Midtown, according to the Reno Police Department.

The shooting happened around 2:40 a.m. near the corner of S Virginia St. and Thoma St.

Secret Witness is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of suspects connected to the shooting.

Detectives from RPD's Robbery/Homicide Unit and the Gang Unit have taken over the investigation. They say because the shooting appears to be gang-motivated, there is no apparent threat to the community.

Anyone with information may call RPD's non-emergency line at 775-334-2188 or remain anonymous through secret witness by texting or calling 775-322-4900.
Update, June 10:

According to the Placer County Sheriff's Office, the boat on fire was near Cedar Flat.

The US Coast Guard rescued six people from the boat with no major injuries.

When deputies arrived, the boat was already engulfed in flames.

Deputies and two North Tahoe Firefighters set up the de-watering pump as a hose and started spraying the boat with water.

A fire boat crew from the North Lake Tahoe Fire Department also arrived and helped.

After the fire was put out, the boat's hull was damaged, and the boat sank.

The fire is currently under investigation.

---

Original Story, June 9:

A boat is on fire in Lake Tahoe.

The boat is located near Carnelian Bay.

According to the US Coast Guard, six people were rescued from the boat, with help from a good Samaritan.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
A prescribed burn that authorities say "got away" from fire crews near Pyramid Lake is nearly full containment.

The fire, which started on Wednesday, briefly closed a portion of SR 447 and shut off power to the Nixon area.

As a result of the power outage, they temporarily closed the tribal administration building and other Nixon facilities.

According to Chief Don Pelt with Pyramid Lake Fire & Rescue, at approximately 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, due to a wind shift, their prescribed burn "got away from them and ran up the hill."

Update: June 12, 11:15 a.m.:

According to Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe in an online post the fuel mitigation burning is now moving away from SR-447 and into Dead Ox.

They advise that multiple cars have been seen driving on the dirt roads in the Dead Ox area and ask that people be cautious and consider other routes.

(Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe contributed to this story.)

Update: June 11

NDOT says in an online post, minor travel delays are expected.

Due to controlled burning and fire mitigation delays should be expected from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Thursday, June 13.

Travel lanes along SR-447 in the Nixon area will be reduced with a pilot car alternating traffic.

Use caution when driving through the work zones.

Original Post: June 10, 2024

Pyramid Lake Fire and EMS Department along with The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is planning to conduct fuel mitigation burning along the sides of SR-447 between Dead Ox and Little Nixon.

Burning will begin on Tuesday, June 11 and go through Thursday, June 13.

It will begin each morning at 8 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m.

Smoke may be seen in the valleys.

(Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe contributed to this report)
Shakari Briggs is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at shakari.briggs@houstonchronicle.com.

Before joining the Chronicle in November 2023, she worked for Spectrum News as a digital journalist based in her hometown. Shakari comes to the Houston newsroom with experience in broadcast reporting and producing as a former multimedia journalist and associate producer. The Dallas native has also worked at small to medium-sized newspapers throughout her career.

Her reporting on the rise and fall of a shopping mall won an Arkansas Associated Press Managing Editors Contest award. She also earned an Arkansas Press Association award for freelance reporting.
One Nevada Credit Union is hosting its free community shred event to benefit SPCA of Northern Nevada and the community.

It is happening now until 2 p.m. today, at the One Nevada Credit Union Lemmon Valley branch located at 200 Vista Knoll Parkway, Reno.

Original Story, June 10:

One Nevada Credit Union is hosting a community shred event to benefit the community and SPCA of Northern Nevada.

The event will take place on Thursday, June 13 at their Lemmon Valley Branch, located in the Lemmon Valley Sky Vista shopping center at 200 Vista Knoll Parkway, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event offers the community a secure way to dispose of sensitive documents and protect personal information.

The SPCA of Northern Nevada will be on-site collecting clothing and cash donations for their thrift store.
For 20 years, those seeking to break free from daily digital life have looked to Adventure Out for opportunities to embrace the Bay Area's amazing outdoor offering.

The Santa Cruz company's anniversary is a testament to the enduring allure of nature and our unyielding quest for adventure.

In 2004, outdoor enthusiast and MIT graduate Cliff Hodges started a humble summer gig offering surfing lessons in his hometown. Today, Adventure Out has blossomed into a multifaceted outdoor adventure company on a mission to keep individuals in this tech-obsessed society connected with the natural world. The brand now offers a diverse array of activities including rock climbing, wilderness survival, backpacking, surfing, and wilderness medicine.



The company's meticulously curated experiences, led by expert guides, empower participants to push beyond their comfort zones, conquer new challenges, and forge lasting connections with both nature and fellow adventurers.

(Courtesy of Adventure Out)

Adventure Out's surfing lessons are a quintessential California experience, with two prime locations for catching waves: Pacifica State Beach in Pacifica and Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz. Here, novices and experienced surfers alike can ride the waves under the guidance of skilled instructors, soaking in the sun and saltwater as they hone their skills in the Pacific's embrace.

For those with a penchant for scaling cliffs and conquering summits, Adventure Out offers rock climbing courses in breathtaking natural settings such as Castle Rock State Park and Pinnacles National Park. With sheer rock faces and stunning vistas as a backdrop, participants learn the ropes (literally!), master essential techniques, and gain confidence to reach new heights beneath the watchful eye of seasoned climbers.

Venturing into the realm of wilderness survival, Adventure Out leads intrepid explorers into the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Marin County where they learn essential skills for thriving in the wild. From building shelters and sourcing water to crafting primitive tools and navigating by the stars, participants emerge equipped with the knowledge and confidence to tackle the great outdoors with resourcefulness and resilience.

As Adventure Out reflects on two decades of transformative experiences, it's impossible to overlook the profound impact it has had on countless lives. For many, participating in Adventure Out's programs has served as a catalyst for personal growth and a deep appreciation for the wonders of the natural world.

Paisley Marshall, who found Adventure Out through a corporate team-building program, says the experience ignited her passion for outdoor exploration. "Before discovering Adventure Out, I was stuck in a rut, spending my days glued to a computer screen," she remembers. "But participating in their surf lessons, climbing clinics, and wilderness survival courses awakened a sense of adventure within me that I never knew existed. It's been an incredible journey of self-discovery and empowerment."

Adventure Out is also dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship and conservation efforts. Through partnerships with local environmental organizations and initiatives such as beach clean-ups and trail maintenance projects, the company actively contributes to the preservation of the natural spaces it so passionately celebrates.

Looking ahead to the next 20 years, Adventure Out remains at the forefront of its industry and shows no signs of slowing down. The company has plans to expand its offering to new locations and introduce innovative programs catering to diverse audiences. And to commemorate the anniversary, Adventure Out is inviting past participants, staff members, and supporters to join in a series of celebratory excursions, workshops, and more.

Here's to 20 years of pushing boundaries, embracing challenges, and finding solace in the great outdoors.

// For more information, visit adventureout.com. For discounts on beginner courses in surfing, rock climbing and wilderness survival through Adventure Out, join 7x7 Social Club.
Mayor John Whitmire poses for a portrait in his office at City Hall on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 in Houston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Houston city council members, from left, Martha Castex-Tatum, Amy Peck, Joaquin Martinez and Edward Pollard listen as Steven David, deputy chief of staff for Mayor Whitmire, comments during a Prop A committee meeting Tuesday, April 23, 2024 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Houston City Council Member Edward Pollard speaks during a meeting Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, in the City Council chambers at City Hall in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

All eyes were on Mayor John Whitmire when he took office in January to see how gracefully hed handle a new rule voters approved that forces the citys top executive to share a little power with the little guys in Houstons "strong-mayor" form of government.

The little guys are the City Council members, elected to represent individual districts or the city at large. During previous administrations, they often sat silent in meetings or remained publicly mum on controversial issues for fear of angering all-powerful mayors, many of whom held iron-fisted control over what proposals got on the weekly agenda for a vote and which would never see the light of day.

In November, voters overwhelmingly mandated some power sharing: the Prop A charter amendment that lets three or more council members get an item on the agenda for a vote.

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Would Whitmire respect the will of the voters or try to put a lid on Prop A?

Whatever he did, there were bound to be some bumps in the road as the new mayor navigated the landscape with a council that included six new members. Few expected the first test case of Prop A to be an ordinance dealing with actual speed bumps.

In April, Council Member Edward Pollard presented an ordinance, cosigned by four council colleagues, making it easier for neighborhoods to install speed bumps, or cushions, as theyre apparently now called. Pollard wanted to scrap the old practice of folding individual requests for speed cushions into larger installation plans that often ended up too costly for council members to cover with district service funds. Pollards proposal would allow speed cushion projects to move forward even with limited funding, as long as the city deems them to be located in priority areas.

In a city with hundreds of traffic-related deaths each year, an ordinance that gets drivers to slow down might seem a no-brainer.

But instead of the up-or-down vote Pollard expected, his proposal got diverted to a newly formed Proposition A Committee where it could be vetted first.

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Pollard wasnt happy. He aired his frustrations at a council meeting, arguing the new power that voters bestowed on council members through Prop A was not meant for committee hearings. He re-wrote the speed cushion ordinance to ensure it was legally compliant and incorporated input from the Public Works department, but still, the proposal languished for weeks.

Questions swirled: Was Whitmire trying to kill it? Did he send the ordinance over a Speed Bump of No Return? Would he do the same to other proposals he didnt like?

It wasnt clear. Then on Wednesday, the proposal finally came up for a vote in City Council. It sailed through. With unanimous support, including Whitmires.

Pollard is glad for the outcome but still doesnt believe that voters intended an extra layer of bureaucracy to delay votes on Prop A items, which, presumably have already been vetted by the three or more council members who supported putting them on the agenda.

We think hes wrong. Voters passed Prop A for the same reason this editorial board supported it: to impose some needed checks and balances on city government. Why require those checks on the mayor but not on council members? It only makes sense that, generally, each proposed ordinance gets some preliminary vetting in committee before the full council votes on it.

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That kind of vetting is what Whitmire says Houston City Hall needs more of, for all proposed ordinances  whether they have his blessing or not.

He told us his goal in creating the Prop A committee wasnt to mothball ordinances he doesnt like but to foster collaboration and public engagement he believes is lacking overall at City Council. In Whitmires half century in the Texas Legislature, first in the House and then in the Senate, he functioned in a bureaucratic process that some call sausage making in which committees and subcommittees serve as gatekeepers and watchdogs over legislation. Austin has a lot of problems  and there are abuses in the system. But overall, the structure works.

"If you look at the (City Council) committee system, members dont go to the hearings, the public cant really come and give input, its mostly a department director making comments, Whitmire said. I just am a product of committee hearings in the Legislature, where you hear pros and cons, and you get expert witnesses, you put a fiscal note on an item. And if it doesnt have support, it doesnt come out of committee.

Such bureaucracy  and even the practice of attending committee meetings regularly  may have seemed a waste of time at Houston City Hall since the strong mayor drove the agenda. Now that council members have a real seat at the table  as opposed to just warming the bench  more structure and oversight are needed.

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Committees, of course, should abide by firm rules and deadlines. That includes the new Prop A committee, which next meets on July 23. Whitmire told us he supports establishing a rule where a certain number of members can vote an ordinance out of the committee to ensure it doesnt become a de facto legislative graveyard. Thats a good start, but there should also be a time limit for ordinances to get a committee hearing, to ensure that common-sense proposals such as Pollards move along swiftly.
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180th District Court Judge DaSean Jones, left, enters the the courtroom with his attorney Oliver Brown at the Harris County Civil Courthouse, Monday, April 1, 2024. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

When a judge last month threw out one of Harris Countys 2022 judicial elections  ordering a redo after he determined over 1,400 votes shouldnt have been counted  his ruling held the county squarely responsible for the mistakes. But under Texas law, its the candidates in the race who are footing the bill for the litigation.

After losing the 180th District Court bench to Democratic Judge DaSean Jones by just 449 votes, Tami Pierce was one of 21 Republican candidates for county offices who filed lawsuits contesting the results of November 2022 elections. Jones is now over a year and a half into his term with his legal fees continuing to climb.

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Judge David Peeples, a visiting judge from Bexar County, upheld most of the results last year. However, he was persuaded to order a new election in the race with the narrowest margin, ruling that with over 1 million votes cast, the 1,430 ballots he deemed uncountable could have impacted the outcome.

Fundraising for legal fees

A political fundraiser at a Midtown bar isnt out of the ordinary, but when Jones rallied his supporters during happy hour last week, he wasnt asking for campaign contributions. He was asking for help covering the cost of his election contest lawsuit, which hes continuing to fight on appeal. Pending the outcome of the appeal, a new election is scheduled for May 3, 2025.

During the trial, Pierce and her attorney presented thousands of ballots that they argued should have been tossed out for various reasons. They claimed some were missing required information, while others were cast by voters who resided outside of the county.

Though Jones has not been accused of wrongdoing, Texas law says the winning candidate is the defendant in an election contest. That means the cost of defending Harris Countys election process has fallen to him.

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Thats why I call it a poll tax, Jones said. Because I didnt do anything. All I did was participate. And so for participating, Im now being punished.

As a combat veteran who fought in Iraq, Jones said he considers the lawsuit a huge slap in the face.

His wife, Audia Jones, a former candidate for Harris County district attorney, joined him at the fundraiser. She said the legal battle has cost well into the six figures.

Do we have the funds to fight it? Absolutely. Should we have to personally fund everything as a family, as an individual? No, I dont agree with that, she said.

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She also blasted the judge for ruling that Jones owes Pierce $65,000 in attorneys fees after Jones filed a motion meant to deter meritless lawsuits that Peeples called frivolous and calculated to delay the election contest.

Im a practicing attorney. I have never seen any type of attorneys fees be $65,000 for one hearing, she said.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, whose office represents the county in lawsuits, said he would support changing the state election code.

If a losing candidate is trying to sue to overturn election results, and theyre basing it on allegations about the countys processes, I think the law should be that they sue the county, and we handle the lawsuit the same way we would handle any other lawsuit, Menefee said.

Though the 180th District Court race was a close one, the average margin in the contested races was around 21,000 votes.

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Candidates who lost by steep margins shouldnt be able to sue for a new election without paying the cost, Menefee said.

I would be supportive of a law that allowed local governments to cover the attorneys fees for the winner (of the election) who was sued, Menefee said. And for the loser, but only if theyre successful (in the lawsuit). But if they lose (the lawsuit), I think that they should have to cover the attorneys fees for the winner.

Party chairs find agreement

In a rare moment of agreement, chairs of both Harris County parties said that Jones shouldnt be footing the bill for defending the countys election.

But Mike Doyle, the Harris County Democratic Party chair, argued the county shouldnt be paying for it, either.

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I dont agree that the taxpayers ought to be on the hook for it. I think that, at the end of the day, this is a problem with the Republican attempt to undo elections, Doyle said. But its certainly not fair for these elected officials to have to carry these burdens.

Doyle considered the lawsuits to be a well-funded attack from the Texas Republican Party  one that local Democrats havent been able to match.

We are trying to raise funds for them, Doyle said, but its a difficult process because we also want to win this election in November.

Harris County Republican Party chair Cindy Siegel did not confirm how much funding the state Republican Party contributed to the legal challenges. But she said the lawsuits stemming from the November 2022 election likely have cost state and county Republicans close to $1 million.

The local Republican Party also provided the candidates with volunteers who dug through thousands of voters records looking for ballots that should not have been counted.

But to leave it to both of the candidates to pay for election challenges is not fair on either side of the aisle, Siegel said. It should have been the county sitting there, and the county paying for it.

The people running the election were responsible for mistakes, she argued, not the candidates.

Siegel told state lawmakers at a legislative hearing last year that there should be options available to address election problems other than a lawsuit that holds the two candidates responsible for the costs.

Pierces attorney, Paul Simpson, said her case has cost over $200,000 in attorneys fees.

As I testified at trial, those fees have been billed but none have yet been paid. While volunteers gave crucial help, the state and county Republican parties did not pay for and were not involved in Ms. Pierces contest, Simpson said in a statement.

And while he argued it would be fair for the county to pay his clients legal fees, he had no qualms about Jones having to pay for the lawsuit.
Ashwini Vaishnaw has been appointed as the Minister for Information and Broadcasting in the Modi cabinet, succeeding Anurag Thakur, an MP from Himachal Pradesh. I Murugan has also been appointed as a new minister in the I&B ministry.

Vaishnaw is currently a MP representing Odisha in the Rajya Sabha. A politician and former IAS officer, Vaishnaw served as the 39th Minister of Railways, the 55th Communications Minister, and the 2nd Electronics & Information Technology Minister in the Government of India from 2022 to 2024. He has been a Rajya Sabha member from Odisha since 2019 and is affiliated with the BJP.

Vaishnaw joined the IAS in the Odisha cadre in 1994 and has worked extensively across various parts of Odisha, including serving as the District Collector of Balasore and Cuttack districts. During the 1999 super cyclone, he played a crucial role in collecting real-time data on the cyclone's timing and location, which helped the Government of Odisha implement safety measures for the affected population. He worked in Odisha until 2003, when he was appointed as deputy secretary in the office of former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee. In this role, he contributed to developing the public-private partnership framework for infrastructure projects. After the BJP-led NDA lost the 2004 election, Vaishnaw continued to serve as Vajpayee's private secretary.
The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is set to host the inaugural Digital Deccan Conclave on June 11th, 2024, at the Hilton Chennai. This full-day conference, powered by digital marketing leader Ethinos, will be a landmark event spotlighting the thriving digital landscape of South India.

The Digital Deccan Conclave is poised to be a premier platform for celebrating the digital achievements of South Indian states. Over 300 attendees are expected, with more than 30 prominent speakers participating in 8+ dedicated sessions. This marquee event will showcase remarkable success stories from the region, providing a unique opportunity for the visionaries behind these achievements to share their valuable insights. Attendees will gain invaluable knowledge from these leaders who are shaping the future of business in South India and uncover the key strategies driving the region's digital transformation.

The Conclave boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, including industry stalwarts like Vanitha Venugopal (CEO, Tamil Nadu Technology Hub - iTNT), VKC Razak (MD, VKC Pride), Arjun Ranga (CEO & MD, Cycle Brand Agarbatti), Rasika Prashant (Co-founder & CMO, Tata Soulfull Millets), Sudheer Warrier (CTO & Digital Officer, Sundaram Finance), and Ashish Bajaj (CMO, Narayana Health). These thought leaders, along with many others, will bring their expertise to the table, offering attendees a chance to learn from the best.

The events agenda goes beyond regional specifics. It will also feature insightful discussions on how to enhance customer experiences through the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Business leaders will gain valuable insights on how to empower Indian brands for economic growth in the ever-evolving digital marketplace. Additionally, attendees can expect thought-provoking sessions addressing the opportunities and challenges in content marketing and digital publishing, equipping them with the knowledge to navigate this crucial aspect of the digital landscape.

Talking about the event, Mr. Brijesh Munyal, Co-founder & CEO of Ethinos, said, "South India's digital marketing landscape is not just important, but pivotal in shaping the future of online commerce. We're thrilled to collaborate with IAMAI for this event, recognizing the region's dynamic role in driving innovation and setting new standards. Together, we're poised to unlock unprecedented opportunities and empower businesses to thrive in the digital age."

Digital Deccan Conclave is powered by Ethinos and features Truebalance as the Silver Partner. The event is being supported by Advertising Club Madras who are a Strategic Collaborator for the conference, while the other supporters are Adtech Today, DAZE INFO, Indian Angel Network, and MediaNews4U.

The event presents a unique opportunity for businesses and individuals to gain valuable insights into South India's flourishing digital ecosystem. Don't miss this chance to be a part of this exciting journey!
The highly anticipated film "Ishq Vishk Rebound" starring Rohit Saraf, Pashmina Roshan, Naila Grewal and Jibraan Khan, by Ramesh Taurani is all set to hit screens on June 21. Among the notable names is Pashmina Roshan, marking her debut in the world of cinema. Pashmina is part of the illustrious Roshan family, known for their generations of contributions to Bollywood. She is the cousin of the Greek God of Bollywood Hrithik Roshan and daughter of the accomplished music composer Rajesh Roshan, as well as the niece of the celebrated director Rakesh Roshan.

During a recent media interaction, Pashmina expressed her pride in being a Roshan and the weight of the family legacy. "It is a matter of pride to be a part of Roshan family. There's an incredible legacy of talent and hard work that I inherit, and I'm incredibly proud of all of them. It definitely comes with the pressure to live up to that legacy, and Im extremely grateful for the support, and the good fortune I've been given" she said.

Addressing the ongoing debate of nepotism in Bollywood, Pashmina expressed her own efforts to land the role. I did not get the film because I was Rajesh Roshan's daughter, but because I auditioned for it. Interestingly, when I auditioned, the makers of the movie did not know that I was his daughter.

As Pashmina prepares to step into the limelight with her debut film, "Ishq Vishk Rebound," the legacy of the Roshan family takes on a new dimension. Her reflections on familial pride and the nuanced discourse surrounding nepotism in Bollywood offer a glimpse into the complexities of navigating the industry. In the ever-evolving world of cinema, her presence promises to be both captivating and transformative.
Delhi based operational think tank, Kutniti Foundation, assisting India for developing an arsenal in the field of Economic Warfare, Psychological Warfare, Intelligence has unveiled a report on Global Perception of Modis Election. It provided data and insights on the perception of world media from around 23 countries, on Modis election categorising it as positive, neutral or negative.

World Media's view on Indian elections with total percentage of negative articles are given below:

The World Cloud depicting notable terms used in global media to describe Modi's election :

Impactful covers on global newspapers on Modi's election :

Perceptions of Modi's Election in 23 Major Countries by Relevant groups :
Indias fastest-growing media company, Republic Media Network added another digital news platform www.republicbiz.com to its portfolio today. republicbiz.com is the digital first business news outlet from the group, that will cover business news, news from national and international stock markets, industry news, in-depth business insights, and analysis. This contemporary business website will blend the digital and television audiences of the Republic Media Network by featuring business videos and news on Republic TVs linear and digital feeds throughout the day.

Arnab Goswami, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Republic Media Network states, Republic Business is a promise to the news audience for high-quality business news. Republic Business will feature the most popular and top voices of the business world from around the globe on both text and video platforms making it the most powerful business news destination from India to the world. republicbiz.com aims to redefine business news consumption with real-time updates, expert opinions, and comprehensive coverage.

The platform will serve the needs of business professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, as well as anyone else interested in the business landscape. www.republicbiz.com is a much-awaited addition to the networks digital portfolio, it promises exclusive insights across the industry spectrum for the audience and an opportunity for the advertisers to engage with rich quality content and top of top-of-the funnel audience, opines Tapan Sharma, COO of the digital business at Republic Media Network. Additionally, it will host topics including diverse coverage of the economy, banking and finance, industries, goods and services, markets, real estate, automobiles, technology, etc.

In-depth reports will be housed on the website, covering significant economic events, market movements, and business strategies. On this venture, Hersh Bhandari, CEO of the broadcast business at Republic Media Network, expresses confidence in this unique proposition of digital and TV business news from the network. Republic Business promises to be the latest, fastest, and most in-depth source for financial and business news updates. Visit www.republicbiz.com to know more.
Hello Kitty, one of the worlds most iconic Japanese brands, celebrates the 50th anniversary in 2024! The brand has become one of the most beloved and an undisputed pop icon in the world. As part of the celebrations, parent company Sanrio has an array of grand plans for the Indian market. With Hello Kitty being the very epitome of Kawaii culture, Sanrio is making India centre-stage for Hello Kitty and is taking the Kawaii culture craze to the next level.

Hello Kitty has been a part of Indian subculture, with very high brand recognition not only as fashion and lifestyle icon, but she crosses all generations to embrace younger kids with a wide array of products from toys to apparel or stationery. Kawaii, a Japanese term that loosely translates to cute and adorable, is a fashion trend that originated in the 70s. Its aesthetic is marked by playfulness, simplicity, innocence and Hello Kitty with her cuteness and sweetness with the red bow on her left ear and no mouth is one of the most recognizable symbols of kawaii culture globally. Pastel colours, playful designs, bows and adorable friends make Hello Kitty a universal symbol of Kawaii. Hello Kitty champions the values of kindness, positivity and friendship, making her the perfect brand ambassador for Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Millennials, who hold the same values dear.

With Hello Kitty marking its historic 50th anniversary, Sanrio and Dream Theatre, the agent that represents Sanrio brand in the Indian market, are gearing up to spread the magic of Hello Kitty and Kawaii on a mammoth scale never seen before in India. Sanrio has been working towards creating a strong, licensing programme for Hello Kitty that cuts across generations and speaks to kids, teens and young women to create not just a consumer products programme, but a deeper India relationship for growing the brand and have multiple touch points and experiences across content, social media, ground events and strategic partnerships with leading brands and retailers.

Talking about the exciting plans ahead, Silvia Figini, Chief Operating Officer Sanrio GmbH EMEA, India and Oceania and Mr Men  Worldwide, said, Hello Kitty is in the forefront of Sanrios global licensing business and in its 50th year, its stronger than ever in our leading markets of Japan, Europe and the US. Our collaborations in fashion and lifestyle with international brands and celebrities makes Hello Kitty one of the most fashionable global IPs and our values of kindness, friendship and cuteness makes us resonate with fans of all ages. We are excited to bring the world of Hello Kitty now to India and with our India focus create meaningful relationships with partners and fans here.
Googles future appears increasingly uncertain. As the use of large language models (LLMs) grows, the internet audience continues to shrink. To make matters worse, Google seems to be enshittifying its search engine with short-term revenue-driven changes.

This statement by a developer of an adtech company in an online forum encapsulates a growing sentiment within the tech community about the future of traditional online search. Enshittify  a colloquial term frequently used in tech and internet culture  describes the gradual degradation of a product or service.

Google Search has come a long way since its launch in 1998. Back then, it was a basic tool. Today, thanks to continuous improvements, innovative thinking, algorithm updates, and embracing new technologies, it's become a powerful and user-friendly tool. With the explosion of AI and the increasing use of LLMs, an interesting question arises: Will Google Search need to fundamentally change its approach to stay relevant? Will it have to become more AI-powered to compete?

In 2023, Google introduced generative AI features in its search engine to enhance information and context for users. This year, it launched AI Overviews in the US, leveraging Gemini to provide AI-generated summaries and answers based on live search data. The company promised that Google will do the googling for you. Instead of listing web links, these overviews display a summary answer to users queries, condensing information from multiple sources.

But the Google Search AI Overviews has made news for giving bizarre and incorrect answers, such as:

Advising users to eat one small rock per day or apply glue to pizza.

Stating an unsafe cooking temperature for chicken.

Perpetuating a myth about blinker fluid.

Offering misleading fire safety advice for oil fires.

Incorrectly claiming there are no African countries starting with K.

Additionally, some users have expressed worries that AI Overviews might be reusing content from websites without proper attribution.

Following these reports, Google scaled back the AI search tool. Liz Reid, Googles Head of Search, blogged that the peculiar results highlighted specific areas needing improvement. She mentioned that these areas included the tools handling of nonsensical queries and satirical content.

Will Google wither under the AI wilt, relinquishing its 25 years of search dominance? Or will it be able to continue its dominance, reimagining and repacking for a brand-new AI era? Can Google effectively integrate AI while ensuring a quality user experience and a fair playing field for publishers?

In this three-party series, Adgully seeks answers to these questions, and more.

Impact on SEO

How will AI Overviews impact the SEO landscape?

Googles algorithm changes and advancements in AI are set to significantly transform the SEO landscape, reckons Ranjit Thind, Director of Media and Tech, Asymmetrique. According to him, as algorithms become more sophisticated, traditional SEO tactics will need to evolve.

Emphasis will likely shift towards creating high-quality, user-focused content rather than relying on keyword optimization and backlink strategies alone. Agencies will need to stay updated with these changes, ensuring that their strategies align with Googles focus on delivering the most relevant and valuable content to users. The use of AI in search, such as Googles BERT and MUM models, will further enhance the understanding of user intent, requiring more nuanced and contextually rich content, says Thind.

He feels that small and independent online publishers might face both challenges and opportunities due to these changes. On the one hand, algorithm updates could level the playing field by prioritizing quality over scale, giving smaller publishers a better chance to rank higher if they produce exceptional content. On the other hand, the complexity of staying ahead of these changes could be daunting for those without significant SEO resources. Agencies will play a crucial role in supporting these publishers by providing expertise and strategies tailored to maximize their visibility and reach within the new algorithmic framework, he adds.

The visibility of high-quality content, according to Ranjit Thind, is expected to improve as Google continues to refine its algorithms and leverage AI to better discern content quality. Google aims to surface content that is relevant as well as authoritative and trustworthy. This shift underscores the importance of creating content that meets high editorial standards, provides genuine value, and engages users effectively. Agencies will need to guide clients in producing such content, emphasizing comprehensive, well-researched, and user-centric material that aligns with Googles quality criteria.

For end-users, points out Ranjit Thind, these changes promise a more intuitive and satisfying search experience. Googles AI advancements are designed to understand and anticipate user needs more accurately, delivering results that are contextually relevant and high in quality. This means users are more likely to find exactly what they are looking for, faster and with fewer clicks. From an agency perspective, this reinforces the importance of focusing on user experience (UX) in all aspects of digital strategy, ensuring that the content we help create is not only discoverable but also highly engaging and useful to the target audience.

In summary, he adds, Googles algorithm changes and AI developments are poised to make the digital landscape more competitive and user-focused. Agencies must adapt by emphasizing high-quality content creation, supporting smaller publishers, and continually optimizing for an enhanced user experience to stay ahead in the evolving SEO environment.

Googles AI Overviews represent an inflection point in the history of SEO, says Siddharth Devnani, Co-Founder & Director, SoCheers. SEO has so far focused on optimizing websites to rank high on search engine results pages (SERPs). With AI Overviews, the end game moves from merely ranking high to creating high-quality content that gets selected by Googles AI to populate these snippets, and further leads to traffic on the website to see the entire content. This two-pronged approach demands expertise in content creation, as well as crafting compelling calls to action (CTAs) that entice users to visit your website despite having most of the answer available upfront on the search results page. A bunch of SEO strategies might move away from having traffic as the end game, to having content consumption as the end game, says Devnani.

Regarding the impact on online publishers, especially small and independent ones, Devnani points out that Googles core objectives always align with a high priority to user experience, in this case, even if this comes at the cost of publishers. Drop in traffic is already a reality. If the publisher looks at traffic via Google SEPRs as a key source of revenue, they need to diversify fast. Unfortunately, publishers, big and small, are dependent on it today.

According to him, the visibility of high-quality content is dependent on how well the AI tunes over time.

Can Google really distinguish between high-quality content and low-quality content? Until now, Googles search role was to direct users to answers on publishers pages. Now, it needs to understand the tone, sarcasm, real-world usability, and more in the content it provides. In my personal experience, its been okay so far, but inaccuracies remain an issue. I hope these get fixed over time, adds Devnani.

The overall end-user experiences a mixed bag, says Sidharth Devnani. But I see a future where question-answers or task requests merge with or even replace traditional search. The next generation might not experience having pages and pages of search results. What will this mean for the overall end-user experience?

Right now, this is not easy to predict the impact on the SEO landscape because the AI Overviews change daily and Google has been dialing up and down the extent to which they appear, says Lily Ray, Vice President, SEO Strategy & Research, Amsive. Google has told us they lead to more clicks for websites but we have no evidence or data to support this claim just yet. I imagine theyll be a bit like featured snippets  in some cases they can drive more traffic to sites but I think in many cases, the user will get what they need from the AI Overview when it appears, and likely wont need to click to further websites. Our industry will continue using as much data as possible to try to answer these questions more precisely, says the New York-based SEO expert.

Regarding the impact on online publishers, especially small and independent ones, Ray says that right now AIO does not show for many topics, including news, but this will likely change over time. As Google scales up the visibility of the product, it is quite likely it will take away traffic from smaller publishers, especially those who focus on evergreen, informational topics.

Regarding AIOs effect on the visibility of high-quality content, Ray says that this depends on the topic itself; regardless of how high-quality the content is, AI Overviews still present a risk of losing traffic if Google displays the answer to the question itself. However, high-quality pages are more likely to be cited within the overview, so this could potentially lead to more traffic for those sites, Ray adds.

The overall end-user experience is also something we dont know the answer to yet because the product continues to evolve. In the first weeks of its launch, there were significant UX and quality issues, but Google is obviously addressing those as quickly as possible. I believe the lack of in-line links often leads to a poor user experience, but for many queries, the AI Overview can provide a helpful response. So, it very much depends on the query, the answer, and whether and how Google chooses to show AIO, Ray says.

The AI evolution is pushing SEO beyond just keywords to crafting quality, nuanced content experiences, says Russhabh R Thakkar, Founder and CEO, Frodoh World. As the algorithms get smarter at understanding context and intent, brands that are adept at weaving authentic narratives tailored to user journeys will gain visibility over those just checking boxes.

According to Thakkar, for independent voices, (online publishers, especially small and independent ones) this presents both challenges and opportunities. Theyll need to reinforce their unique editorial identities and niche expertise to stand out.

He adds that impactful long-form storytelling and nuanced analysis exploring issues in-depth could finally get the audience they deserve as AI models prioritize substance over fluff. AI allows for more seamless, customized user journeys stitching together relevant content trails mapped to multi-dimensional interests and preferences. This enables a richer, more engaging experience for users seeking information, he adds.

As the AI Overview evolves, mastering new strategies to make page content preferred by the AI Overview will become a priority for all SEO activities, says Darshil Shah, Director, ChtrSocial. Smaller publishers and standalone blogs will find it increasingly tough to attain domain authority unless they understand how their content contributes to the AI Overview. Organic listings will be pushed further down the scroll on the SERP. Previously, being in the top ten was the goal, but now its the top three. While it is beneficial for users to get quick answers to their queries, this currently comes with the downside of inconsistencies, as the AI Overview often hallucinates and provides imperfect results. Over time, as these issues are resolved, users will find the AI Overview more reliable for their search queries, Shah adds.

(Tomorrow in Part 2 of the report will focus on:
Chandrababu Naidu to Be Elected Leader in TDP Legislature Meeting 2

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Legislature Meeting will convene on June 11 to elect N Chandrababu Naidu as the leader, a party spokesperson confirmed on Monday. Jyotshna Tirunagari announced that the meeting is expected to take place on Tuesday morning.

Telugu Desam Legislature Party meeting will be held tomorrow (Tuesday). Naidu will be elected as the leader, Tirunagari told PTI.

Following the election, leaders from the NDA coalition, including TDP, BJP, and Janasena, plan to meet Governor S Abdul Nazeer to form the government, she said. An invitation from the Governor to form the government could be extended by Tuesday evening.

Naidu, along with other leaders, is scheduled to take the oath as Chief Minister at 11:27 am at Kesarapalli IT Party near Gannavaram Airport on Wednesday. Tirunagari mentioned that the list of other leaders to be sworn in alongside Naidu would be finalised by Tuesday night.

The NDA secured a landslide victory in the recently concluded simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the southern state.
German enterprises embrace business opportunities in China

Xinhua) 10:35, June 10, 2024

STUTTGART, Germany, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Amid a sluggish global economic recovery, German executives voiced their dedication to enhancing their market presence in China during a promotion event for the China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Stuttgart.

German enterprises are leveraging the CIIE to align their development with the demands of the Chinese market, according to the executives at the event, which gathered about 150 Chinese and German officials, business representatives, and trade delegates.

"Since joining the CIIE in 2018, we have successfully introduced the concept of deep cleaning into the Chinese market and led the market positioning of several of our products, unlocking new opportunities," said Tobias Wahl, board chairman of the Hawk brand at Karcher Group, at the promotion event.

Germany's Karcher Group, a leader in the cleaning industry, has participated in the CIIE for six consecutive years. Over time, the expo has spurred Karcher to continuously boost its investments in China.

"In recent years, Karcher has maintained a double-digit growth in the Chinese market. Our cumulative investments in China have reached 2 billion yuan (276 million U.S. dollars), accelerating our transition from exhibitors to investors," said Wahl, adding that the group has expanded and optimized its factories and integrated high-quality industry resources to advance localization strategies.

He added that this year, the company will showcase many pioneering products, featuring green, intelligent, and innovative concepts, at the 7th CIIE.

Preparations for the 7th CIIE are well underway and German enterprises lead Europe in both the number of exhibitors and the exhibition space. Seventy-five companies have signed up, covering more than 26,000 square meters at the venue, according to Wu Zhengping, deputy director general of the China International Import Expo Bureau.

Currently, renowned German companies such as Siemens, Bayer, SAP, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen have confirmed their participation at the event.

"Bayer deems the Chinese market pivotal within its global strategic landscape, with the import expo serving as a crucial conduit for Bayer to engage with the market dynamics, facilitate exchanges, and cultivate collaborations across various fronts," said Zhang Lei, vice president of communications at Bayer China.

"By committing early to the import expo, Bayer underscores its unwavering dedication and confidence in the Chinese market. We anticipate further leveraging its platform to expedite the realization of our innovative endeavors," said Zhang.

Walter Doring, chairman of the Academy of German Hidden Champions, highlighted China's remarkable achievements in development and innovation, which, he said, has opened up new cooperation prospects for Germany.

So far, over 90 percent of some 500 leading German enterprises have engaged in partnerships with China, said Doring, adding that collaboration with China is indispensable for any enterprise aiming to lead the global market.

In a survey conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce in China among German enterprises about their future prospects, most respondents believed that within the next five years, they will have a bright and prosperous future in the industry, according to Michael Schumann, chairman of the Board of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade.

More than half of the companies surveyed are planning to expand their investment in China, Schumann said in an interview with Xinhua.

German companies have significantly increased their investments in China lately. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, German investment in China increased by 48 percent in the first quarter of this year.

In January, German luxury carmaker Audi AG launched pre-mass production at its first production base for purely electric vehicles in China.

In March, a Mercedes-Benz and BMW joint venture was established in Beijing, aiming to build at least 1,000 supercharging stations and around 7,000 high-power charging piles by 2026.

And in May, Volkswagen (China) Technology Co. held a groundbreaking ceremony for its third-phase project in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
Amazon listed the full details for the upcoming Galaxy Watch FE in Italy, hinting at the possible specifications, price, and release date of the device.

The smartwatch has been the center of leaks in the previous weeks as customers are already expecting a launch date from Samsung anytime soon.

Read Also : Samsung Files Preemptive Lawsuit Against Oura Before Galaxy Ring Launches

Amazon Reveals Samsung Galaxy Watch FE Specs

Samsung has been releasing its FE devices as part of its affordable yet efficient models. The Galaxy Watch FE will have the same design, hardware, and specs as the Galaxy Watch 4.

The FE smartwatch is powered by a newer version of the Wear OS. Minor tweaks and improvements are also expected to the device as it will be offered as a budget-friendly option compared to the flagship Galaxy Watch series.

The spotted Amazon listing referred to the 40mm smartwatch in BT Pink Gold. The wearable tech is coming with dimensions of 40 x 10 x 39mm and weighs 26.6g.

The Galaxy Watch FE is expected to launch at $199 in the market. The listing also revealed that preorders will start shipping by June 24.

Samsung Galaxy Watch FE Designs Leak Online

Earlier this month, the design for the smartwatch was leaked on X. The rounded wearable tech was noticeably similar to the design of Galaxy Watch 4, fueling the rumors of it being the refreshed version of the 2021 watch.

The Galaxy Watch FE will retain the thicker bezels and chassis shape. Samsung is expected to released new bands to compliment its arrival to the market.

The Amazon listing and leaked images are increasing the hype for the official announcement. As of writing, Samsung has yet to disclose any information about its new device.
Companies which are ineligible on one hand are eligible on the other hand 2

A kind of miracle has happened in the tender of contracting agencies for the repair/reconstruction of damaged/demolished, main and roadside drains/drain lining for the years 2023244 and 202425 under Zone 6 and 5 of Mumbai Municipal Corporation. RTI activist Anil Galgali has demanded that, while on one hand, ineligible companies have been declared eligible in the second tender, they should be investigated and proper tenders issued again.

RTI activist Anil Galgali has been informed in a reminder sent to the Municipal Commissioner as well as the Additional Commissioner Project that recently the Municipal Corporation issued a tender for ES 489. Of the 5 companies that participated, only three were eligible for the commercial report. Two companies were declared ineligible for some reason.

However, two companies that are ineligible for work code ES 489, namely Swastik and Harshil, are eligible for work code ES 490 and one of them is L1. The business reports of ES 489 and E 490 are viewed with suspicion. Work will be given at a reduced rate of 7 per cent under zone 6 and 18 per cent under circle 5. Now Swastik and Harshil Company have shown readiness to work at a reduced rate of 13 per cent instead of 7 per cent.

According to Anil Galgali, will the quality of work be maintained by this? This is a big question. At one place, the company was ineligible and at another place, it was eligible. If we investigate this, collusion will come to light, and will the work be completed in 2 years or not? It is still impossible to say.
Prajwal Revanna Sent to 14 Days Judicial Custody Over Sexual Abuse Charges 2

In a significant development, former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody amidst grave charges of rape and sexual abuse against him. On Monday, the 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court made this decision, concluding his earlier Special Investigation Team (SIT) custody.

Revanna was previously held by the SIT on May 31, right after his arrival at Bengalurus Kempegowda International Airport from Germany. During their detention, the SIT conducted an extensive review, gathering critical evidence, and interviewing witnesses related to the case.

The 33-year-old politician, who missed retaining his seat in the Hassan constituency, now faces serious consequences as the court, weighing the evidence from the SIT, deemed it fit to extend his custody. This comes after explicit video evidence surfaced, allegedly linking Revanna to sexual offenses ahead of the recent Lok Sabha polls.
An investigation is ongoing after gunfire at a weekend block party in Eufaula left four people injured.

Police responded at 10:25 p.m. Saturday to shots fired in the 900 block of Jackson Street.

Chief Danny Christ said four victims were transported to Medical Center Barbour. Their wounds were not life-threatening.

The chief said the shooting happened during a small block party.

At this time, it appears to be an isolated incident, Christ said.

No arrests have been announced.

Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 334-687-1200 or the anonymous tip line at 334-687-7100.
Foreign service and intelligence community members and family members will get in-state tuition rates at University of Alabama System campuses starting July 1.

The amendment was proposed by the financial committee at UA Systems Board of Trustees meeting Friday and was approved unanimously.

Under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, members of the Foreign Service, an officer or employee of the intelligence community and their families can attend UA at in-state rates if their permanent duty station and domicile is in Alabama.

In-state tuition rates were previously only available for veterans and active members of the Armed Forces.

Under the updated rule, citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, can also receive in-state tuition rates because of international agreements to freely live, work, travel and study in the U.S.

The updates were required due to recent federal laws requiring public universities to expand in-state tuition benefits.

Other public colleges in the state should offer the same options starting this fall.
Incarcerated individuals in Alabama have filed a 214-page response opposing a motion to dismiss their lawsuit accusing state prisons of using slave labor.

The case involves multiple claims against state officials, private employers and local governments alleging Alabamas prison labor program system is a form of modern-day slavery. Each defendant filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming that counsel for plaintiffs did not state a legal claim in the lawsuit.

Despite Defendants strenuous efforts to dispute Plaintiffs well-founded allegationsa strategy that cannot justify dismissal of Plaintiffs claims at this junctureand to preclude the Court from evaluating the sufficiency of Plaintiffs claims on the merits, Plaintiffs have stated viable claims against all Defendants, and the motions to dismiss should be denied, counsel for the plaintiff wrote in the response to defendants motions to dismiss.

More from Alabama Reflector

Defendants argued in their motion to dismiss that plaintiffs failed to exhaust administrative remedies under the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), meaning inmates must try to resolve their complaint through the prisons grievances procedures.

Plaintiffs argue that the PLRA does not bar their claims under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and the First Amendment because their claims, rooted in federal law, fall outside the limits of the PLRA, which limits federal court authority over state law compliance.

The inmates claim they were coerced into labor through threats and physical restraint, arguing that state officials and employers benefited from this forced labor in violation of the TVPA. They refute arguments that the TVPA does not apply to state actors and maintain their right to bring these claims.

The TVPA is written broadly to address trafficking wherever and by whomever it may occur, making clear that Congress did not intend to offer a safe harbor to those who engage in trafficking, lawyers for plaintiffs stated in the filing.

The plaintiffs also allege a pattern of racketeering activity under RICO, involving forced labor practices. They provide detailed allegations against each defendant by forming and maintaining a labor-trafficking enterprise for the purpose of benefiting from the unlawful forced labor of Coerced Labor Individual Plaintiffs and other incarcerated workers.

State constitutional claims are also made, with plaintiffs seeking injunctive relief against local governments and private employers. They argue that parole policies violate the Ex Post Facto Clause by retroactively increasing punishment.

Racial discrimination claims under the Equal Protection Clause are also included, alleging that Black parole candidates were treated less favorably than white counterparts.

Substantive due process rights, the KKK Act, and First Amendment violations are also included in the filing. Plaintiffs claimed that state officials used arbitrary power and retaliated against inmates for speaking out against prison conditions. They also claim some defendants financially benefited from illegal labor practices without fair compensation to the workers.

Defendants have until July 31 to respond, after which time the judge will decide if the case gets dismissed.
The head of the flagship seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention said Monday that the Alabama Supreme Court got it right on in vitro fertilization when it said embryos should be protected as human life.

The Rev. Albert Mohler, a Samford University graduate and president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., called on Southern Baptists to stand against discarding human embryos in IVF treatments.

The catalyst for this was the decision handed down by the Alabama Supreme Court that stated that life in the state of Alabama had to begin at fertilization, Mohler said.

We mean when the sperm and the egg meet and God says, Let there be life.

Mohler criticized those who took exception to the Alabama Supreme Court ruling, especially Christians who defend the destruction of embryos in IVF treatments.

Even in the state of Alabama there was lack of political will to stand behind what was the correct ruling and judgment by the Alabama Supreme Court, Mohler said.

And now we have evidence nationwide of all kinds of slippage on this issue. Quite frankly, we know that in our churches we have compromised on this issue. But if we believe in the sanctity and dignity of every single human life from the moment of fertilization, we need to recognize any intervention with an embryo, any commodification of the embryo, any turn of the embryo into a consumer product, is an assault upon human dignity.

And we need to understand that IVF as it is practiced is not only the alienation of reproduction from the conjugal setting, it is also an engineered system whereby multiple embryos are created only for most of them assuredly to be destroyed, Mohler said.

That is as immoral as anything we could imagine if you state the proposition clearly, but a lot of evangelicals dont want to state the proposition clearly.

Even though its used to help couples struggling with infertility, IVF as practiced is immoral, Mohler said.

We have grave concern, and this is personal experience, with couples who are experiencing pain of infertility, Mohler said.

Theyre longing for children. The Bible validates that so kindly, sweetly and honestly. But the answer to that cannot be the extension of an assault upon human dignity, which quite frankly plays into every other agenda destructive of the family we can imagine.

Mohler said the acceptance of IVF as it is practiced is exploited by the LGBTQ community.

Much of the market for this is actually not even found among heterosexual married couples, but the redefinition of marriage, the redefinition of gender, the redefinition of all things in light of the LGBTQ movement, also means that there are people who can now have children alienated from that natural process and from the union of a husband and a wife in the institution of marriage and the larger institution of a natural family, Mohler said.

He called on the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting Tuesday and Wednesday in Indianapolis, to pass a resolution on IVF.

I want to urge you to vote for that resolution on the floor of the Southern Baptist Convention and honestly, I want to urge you to be consistent in your pro-life advocacy in your local church, in your community, with your legislators and political leaders and frankly with the medical community, where honestly theres a lot of slippage on this among doctors who think themselves to be faithful Christians, Mohler said.

Some of them have probably not thought through the issue. Sadly, some of them have.

Mohler was speaking Monday in Indianapolis to a meeting of The Danbury Institute, a pro-life and religious liberties organization founded by Baptists, inspired by the Danbury Letter sent by the Danbury Baptist Association to President Thomas Jefferson calling for a guarantee of religious liberty.

Jefferson replied to the letter in 1802 and promised a wall of separation between church and state.

Former President Donald Trump also spoke to the Danbury group later on Monday, saying, You just cant vote Democrat. Theyre against religion. Theyre against your religion in particular.

Nationally the number of Southern Baptists has dipped below 13 million, the denominations lowest number since the 1970s, but it remains the nations, and Alabamas, largest Protestant denomination. The SBC has 753,653 members in 3,164 Southern Baptist-affiliated churches in Alabama.
A Birmingham man was stabbed to death inside William Donaldson Correction Facility over the weekend, one of three inmates to die since Friday at the west Jefferson County prison.

Deandre Roney, 39, was serving a sentence for robbery and attempted murder from a 2008 conviction out of Jefferson County.

According to the Jefferson County Coroners Office, Roney sustained a sharp for injury during a reported assault.

The attack happened at 12:53 p.m. Saturday. Roney was taken to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:03 p.m.

Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said the death is being investigated as a homicide. Efforts to reach Alabama Department of Corrections officials for additional information were not immediately successful.

Two other inmates also died over the weekend, but their deaths did not appear to be the result of foul play, coroners officials said.

Hudson Dontavious Swanson, 36, was found unresponsive at 3:50 p.m. Friday in a prison day space, according to the Jefferson County Coroners Office.

He was pronounced dead at 4:07 p.m.

Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said an autopsy found no sign of trauma or foul play. His cause of death is pending additional laboratory studies.

Swanson was serving a sentence for 2007 robbery and sexual abuse convictions out of Montgomery County.

Walter Maul, 59, was pronounced dead at 9:45 a.m. Sunday in the prison infirmary.

Yates said Maul was found unresponsive in the infirmary where he was being treated for significant natural disease.

Maul was serving a life sentence for first-degree rape for a 1981 conviction out of Jefferson County.
A 44-year-old convicted felon pleaded guilty Monday in the shooting of a Birmingham police sergeant.

Kenneth Dewayne Whitehead was set to go to trial today before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Michael Streety.

Whitehead was charged with attempted murder in the 2020 shooting of Sgt. Anthony Wheeler and for shooting at Sgt. Arthur Wilder, who was not injured.

Whitehead pleaded guilty to both charges.

Streety sentenced Whitehead to 20 years in prison for each conviction with those sentences to be served consecutively, so a total 40 years.

Whitehead, who was also wounded in the exchange of gunfire with police, apologized in court Monday.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Charissa Henrich. Whitehead was represented by the Jefferson County Public Defenders Office.

The shooting happened March 11, 2020, on the citys westside.

It was about 12:45 p.m. that Wednesday when Wheeler and Wilder stopped a vehicle in connection with an investigation into ongoing vehicle thefts in the area. There had been a series of thefts, involving trucks with trailers or unmarked wreckers stealing vehicles.

The vehicle stopped was a truck pulling another vehicle.

The sergeants initiated the traffic stop to ensure they had the proper paperwork. When they did, police said at the time, a passenger jumped out of the vehicle and started to run, as did a second suspect.

Wheeler gave chase on foot. During the pursuit, Wheeler tripped.

As he was getting back up, Whitehead fired shots. Both Wheeler and the other sergeant returned fire.

An officer could be heard on the police radio yelling, Shots fired. The dispatcher replied, Are they shooting at you? and then a 10-33-- the code for officer needs all possible assistance -- was broadcast citywide.

Wheeler was shot at least once in the leg. Fellow officers rushed him in a police cruiser to UAB Hospital.

Wheeler had served the department for 10 years at the time of the shooting. He has since retired.

Wilder remains on the force.

Whitehead in 2005 pleaded guilty to robbery in Jefferson County. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with five to serve. According to the Alabama Department of Corrections, Whitehead had nine disciplinary infractions while serving his sentence at Bibb County Correctional Facility.

It wasnt immediately clear when he was initially released, but court records indicate his probation was revoked in June 2010 when he was arrested on felony charges of possession of marijuana and cocaine, as well as resisting arrest.

The resisting charge was dismissed, but he pleaded guilty in 2011 to the drug charges and received a one-year, three-month suspended sentence.

According to ADOC, Whitehead was last released from prison on April 4, 2016.

He is in the Jefferson County Jail awaiting transfer back to state prison.
Alabamas congressional redistricting captured the national headlines about one year ago after a shocking U.S. Supreme Court ruling found the state legislatures map an illegal racial gerrymander under the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

At the same time, little attention has been paid to a similar challenge that continues to play out in a federal court pertaining to a potential redraw of the Alabama State Senate districts in Montgomery and Huntsville.

The result of the litigation, set for trial in mid-November, doesnt pose a risk to the partisan balance in the State Senate, where Republicans enjoy a commanding 27-8 majority.

But given the 1-vote difference of a gambling measure that failed to advance in the State Senate on April 30, a question has come up: Could a redrawn Senate map pose a political opportunity for another gambling and lottery vote in 2025?

We havent ruled out the possibility of asking for special elections after trial, but any such elections for the new Senate districts would occur in 2025 at the earliest, said Deuel Ross, deputy director of litigation at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Senators are skeptical that any redistricting, if authorized by a federal judge, will alter the gambling and lottery landscape even if only a single vote separates the issue from the voters.

Also, lawmakers correctly point out, too many unknowns still exist including if special elections will even be called for if a federal judge orders the Senate map redrawn. The case could also be further slowed by appeals.

There is a suggestion that, no matter how it turns out, it will not result in a special election, said Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, whose Senate seat is among those being scrutinized within the federal lawsuit.

Federal lawsuit

Some scenarios are at play within a fourth amended complaint that was brought forward by a host of plaintiffs in December. The plaintiffs include, among others, the NAACP; Greater Birmingham Ministries; and Black voters in Montgomery.

The focus is on Huntsville and Montgomery:

Plaintiffs are seeking two Senate districts that are more compact and with Black voting age populations above 50% in Montgomery. That change would affect Senate District 26 (represented by Democratic Sen. Kirk Hatcher) and Senate District 25 (represented by Republican Sen. Will Barfoot). Both of those senators voted in support of HB151, which received a 20-15 vote on April 30. That legislation was the constitutional amendment on lottery and gambling, and required 21 votes for passage, or three-fifths support from the 35-member Senate. The Senate map, according to the lawsuit, unnecessarily packs Black votes in Montgomery into District 26, and surgically extracts communities with higher percentages of white (voting age populations) from the core of Montgomery into District 25.

Three Senate districts in Huntsville are also problematic, according to the court challenge, in that they split communities of interest in the center of Huntsville. District 7, represented by Givhan, surgically carves out some but not all of the Black population of central and north Huntsville, splitting the other parts of those communities into Districts 2 and 8, according to the complaint. District 2 is represented by Republican Sen. Tom Butler and District 8 is represented by Republican Sen. Steve Livingston. Butler and Givhan both voted No on HB151, while Livingston was a Yes vote.

The focus on Montgomery and Huntsville within the federal lawsuit represents a much more trimmed down version of the original 2021 lawsuit. The original complaint focused on 12 of the states 35 Senate districts and 21 of the 105 House districts.

Republican Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen is a named defendant in the case, and his office referred comments to Attorney General Steve Marshall.

Marshalls Office doesnt believe the issue will lead to another map redraw.

We have gathered a wealth of evidence that we believe will show that the Senate districting map is consistent with the Voting Rights Act, a statement to AL.com reads. In 2024, all Alabama citizens, regardless of race, have an equal opportunity in the political process (to) elect their preferred candidates.

Deuel Ross of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, who represents the Milligan plaintiffs in the Alabama redistricting case, talks to reporters outside the Hugo L. Black U.S. Courthouse in Birmingham on Tuesday. (Mike Cason/mcason@al.com)

Ross said he believes the Senate case is a straight-forward voting rights case they are arguing based on Alabama cracking the Black community in Montgomery and in Huntsville.

Were arguing the state can and should draw at least two districts that Black voters can elect candidates of their choices, he said. We expect to go to trial in November, and we have to win and see what the court says.

A single vote?

A joint status report in the case filed on May 3, laid out a timeline that includes motions being filed by Jun 21 and Oct. 4, followed up with a trial beginning Nov. 12. The trial will be held at the Hugo Black U.S. Courthouse in downtown Birmingham before U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco.

I cannot tell you that we will win and go for special elections, Ross said. I dont know that. Even if we did, I dont know if the court will schedule it for 2025. There are too many variables to say were having elections.

State Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, addresses a proposed comprehensive ethics legislation on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, during the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee meeting at the State House in Montgomery, Ala.John Sharp

Other plaintiffs involved in the case doubt that much will happen before next spring.

Alison Molman, the ACLU of Alabamas Legal Director, said the ball is in the courts hands.

Currently, because the case is not scheduled for trial until November 2024, it is unlikely that any remedy would be in place by the 2025 legislative session, Moman said.

Some lawmakers, including Givhan, do not believe the issue on gambling and lottery boils down to a single vote anymore.

In fact, some of them say that even in the case of a resignation, illness, or anything else that might tip the 1-vote margin, some lawmakers say the chances are slim that a different outcome will emerge.

I dont think well see gambling next year unless its lottery only, Givhan said.

The issue of the single-vote difference has gotten some attention since the legislative session ended, and Republican Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter signaled that he wasnt interested in revisiting the issue during the 2025 legislative session. The 2026 session would be the final year of the legislatures quadrennial before the next statewide elections that fall.

Opinions have changed, Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, and one of the 15 No votes in the Alabama Senate that led to the defeat of a constitutional amendment that would have allowed voters to decide on statewide lottery and gambling. The last couple of days (during the legislative session) when the temperatures were turned back up on gambling, Im convinced there were three to four senators who voted yes who would have voted No because they were frustrated with the gambling lobby in particular and how much pressure they were under to expand casinos and electronic gaming.

Rep. Chris Blackshear, R-Smiths Station, said there is too much unpredictability around the issue to make a determination on its fate next year.

It was almost impossible to predict what would happen on this issue during the last legislation session, said Blackshear, House sponsor of the gambling legislation approved in a conference committee and ultimately passed out of the Alabama House before it came up one vote short of passage in the Senate.

One second, the Senate had the votes, and the next second, they didnt, he said. Things were changing by the minute, hour, and day. I think the same can be said as to when another effort might occur to give the people of Alabama an opportunity to vote on gaming. Until we do something, were going to continue to pave roads and send kids to college in surrounding states while also allowing the bad actors to continue to profit.
(Photo : Unsplash/Dmytro Demidko )

Many Chicago workers will receive a midsummer salary boost, as the yearly incremental rise in the hourly minimum wage and the introduction of a new paid time off policy will kick in at the beginning of the following month, alongside other initiatives.

Minimum Wage Increase in Chicago

Mayor Brandon Johnson's office announced the minimum wage increase, the Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance to commence by July 1. Chicago's hourly minimum wage will increase from $15.80 to $16.20 for businesses with 21 or more employees and from $15 to $16.20 for those with 20 or fewer employees, eliminating the tiered structure for large and small businesses.

The hourly minimum wage has been annually adjusted based on shifts in the Consumer Price Index or a maximum of 2.5% since its rise to $15 in 2021, as outlined by Mayor Johnson's office. Moreover, there will be a subsidy for youth programs regarding the hourly minimum wage, establishing it at $15 for subsidized transitional employment programs.

The One Fair Wage Ordinance

Under the One Fair Wage ordinance, the tipped wage credit for tipped workers will be gradually eliminated over five years.

Tipped workers, including restaurant servers, bartenders, and bussers, who presently earn an hourly minimum wage of $11.02, will experience an annual increase of 8% until it aligns with the city's standard minimum wage by July 1, 2028.

Moreover, the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave ordinance, initially approved in November 2023, will also come into force on July 1, where all Chicago workers who clock at least 80 hours within any 120 days will be entitled to up to five days of paid leave and five days of paid sick leave.

READ ALSO: California's Fast Food Chains Resort to Price Increase After Employee Minimum Wage Hike Takes Effect

The paid leave stipulations outline the following:

Employees accrue paid leave at a one-hour rate for every 35 hours worked, with a maximum accumulation of 40 hours over 12 months.

Employees must be allowed to use accrued paid leave within 90 days of starting their employment.

If paid leave is not initially provided, employees have the option to carry over up to 16 hours of accrued leave between 12-month periods.

Employees can use up their paid leave accruals for whatever reason.

The paid sick and safe leave stipulations outline the following:

Employees accumulate sick leave at a rate of one hour for every 35 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hourswithin 12 months.

Employees are required to be permitted to utilize accrued sick leave no later than the 30th day following the commencement of their employment.

Employees have the option to carry over up to 80 hours of accrued sick leave between 12-month periods.

Employees are allowed to use paid sick leave for both medical and safety-related reasons.

Starting on July 1, the Fair Workweek Ordinance will also incorporate updated compensation metrics.

Employees fall under the ordinance's coverage if they are employed in one of the seven designated "covered" industries, which encompass the following:

Building services

Health care

Hotels

Manufacturing

Restaurants

Retail

Warehouse services

To be covered under the ordinance, employees must earn $31.85 per hour or less or earn $61,149.35 per year or less, and their employer must have at least 100 employees globally. For restaurants, there must be a minimum of 250 employees and 30 locations in operation to fall under the ordinance's coverage. The ordinance also mandates that certain employers offer workers predictable work schedules and compensation for changes.

RELATED ARTICLE: Michigan's Strongly Supported $15 Minimum Wage Hike Faces Hurdles, Barred from November Ballot

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The latest presidential poll shows Joe Biden and Donald Trump locked in a virtual dead heat.

The CBS News and YouGov poll shows 50% of likely voters said they were backing Trump, the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, compared to 49% who were supporting President Joe Biden, a Democrat.

The same poll showed the majority of voters overall  55% - said Trumps recent conviction in a hush money trial involving an adult film star would not be a factor when they cast their ballots in November. Twenty-eight percent said it would be a major factor; 17% said it would be a minor factor. Among likely Trump voters, 71% said the conviction would not be a factor; 15% said they would support him despite the conviction and 14% said they would vote for Trump to show support after his conviction.

While the guilty verdict may not be playing a major role, concerns over the economy are, the poll showed. Eighty-one percent of likely Trump voters said the economy was the key factor in their vote, compared to 75% who cited the economy, 74% who pointed to the state of the democracy and 62% who cited concern about crime.

Among Biden supporters, 54% said opposition to Trump was the main reason they would cast their ballot compared to 27% who said they liked the president and 19% who said they would vote for him because hes the Democratic nominee.

Sixty-seven percent said Trump had a vision for leading the country compared to 51% who said the same for Biden. Trump received his lowest marks  37% - for compassion on a list of presidential traits. Bidens lowest score, 26%, came when potential voters were asked if the president was energetic.

The CBS News/YouGov was conducted nationally among a sample of 2,063 adults who were interviewed between June 5-7. The margin of error is plus/minus 3.2 points.
Authorities have released the name of a man shot to death Friday outside a west Birmingham convenience store.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office on Monday identified the victim as Willie Lee Dorsey Jr. He was 55 and lived in Birmingham.

West Precinct officers responded to the 5 Points West Food Mart at 2258 Bessemer Rd. around 3:22 p.m. Friday on a call of a person shot.

Several Shot Spotter alerts, which indicate when gunfire may have erupted at a scene, were also activated, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald.

Police found Dorsey unresponsive in the parking lot. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead on the scene at 3:40 p.m.

Police said the suspect went to the location, shot Dorsey and then fled.

The departments Real Time Crime Center helped patrol officers locate the suspect. He was taken into custody for questioning.

Our patrol officers immediately began investigating this call, Fitzgerald said. They were able to gain a description of the suspect with the help of the BPD Real Time Crime Center, we were able to track not only the suspects vehicle but the suspect himself at a nearby location.

Police have not yet announced any formal charges.

Dorsey was one of two men fatally shot within minutes of each other on Friday in Birmingham.
The mother of a Mountain Brook teen who lost a hand and leg in a rare series of shark attacks along a Florida beach Friday afternoon posted an update Sunday on her daughters condition and details of the dramatic incident.

Lulu Gribbin was one of two teens injured in one of two shark attacks in a span of 90 minutes along about four miles of beach in Walton County.

The other teen, McCray Faust, suffered minor injuries, according to previous reports. There were no immediate updates on her condition Sunday.

A 45-year-old woman lost a foot in an attack about an hour-and-a-half before the attack on the two Mountain Brook girls. HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital told WJHG TV on Saturday that the woman is now in stable condition.

A vigil was held for the Mountain Brook teens at St. Lukes Episcopal Church on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Walton County Florida authorities have been patrolling the shoreline and urging beachgoers to use caution while in the water following the attack.

Lifeguards are flying yellow and purple flags for moderate surf hazards and the presence of dangerous marine life, the fire district posted.

SWFD lifeguards are flying yellow and purple flags for moderate surf hazards and the presence of dangerous marine life on 6/9/24. 



We encourage beach patrons to be situationally aware in the water, swim near a lifeguard, stay hydrated, and look out for each other.



1/3 pic.twitter.com/vMmWbzbFsP  South Walton Fire District (@swfdinfo) June 9, 2024

Gribbins mother, Ann Blair Gribbin, on Sunday provided details of the attack and her daughters condition on the Caring Bridge website.

She said Lulu and and her twin sister, Ellie, went to the beach with some of their friends and their mothers on Wednesday.

It was our first mother daughter beach trip, and we were all incredibly excited. Our first two days were amazing on the beach being with friends and going to dinners, Gribbin posted.

On Friday afternoon, we were walking back on the beach to the girls and everyone on the beach was standing looking out into the water. No one was in the water and all we heard was there was a shark and we started to look as well, the post continued.

My friend called both her daughters and they were not answering so she started to panic and said there is something wrong and started running and so we all did.

The beach was packed with people just looking. I came up on a group of people surrounding someone on the ground and looked down and it was Lulu who was there. Ellie found me and said Mom its Lulu. I saw her wounds on her leg and started to scream.

She was lifeless her eyes closed mouth white and pale. The wound on her leg or all that was left of her leg was something out of a movie. I finally made it back to her and held her hand and she saw me, and I told her I was there, Lulus mother wrote.

Her eyes were open. I had no idea how long she had been there or what had happened. Almost immediately the beach truck was there and the EMTs loaded her onto a board and put her back in the truck and wheeled her off, she was air lifted away, the post stated.

Gribbin learned her daughter was take to Sacred Heart in Pensacola, which she said was an hour and 20 minute drive.

We prayed the entire way. My friend who was driving was a God send for me and Ellie and knew exactly what to pray. All I could say over and over was please be alive please breathe. No one we called could give us any information, she posted.

By the time they got to the hospital, Lulu was already in surgery.

They answered my prayer that she was alive, and her vitals were good, she wrote.

Surgeons told the family that the shark had bitten off Lulus left hand and that they had to amputate her right leg halfway up from her knee to her hip.

She also had lost 2/3 of the blood in her body. Of course, no one wants that for your child but she is alive. They also told us that Lulu may be intubated for the next week or so and would need 4-5 surgeries to finalize her amputations, the post stated.

Lulu did not have surgery on Saturday as expected and her vitals were improved, Gribbin wrote.

She did so well that they ended up taking the tube out of her throat and she was breathing on her own. This was a first big step. Once she was settled her first words to us were I made it. And boy she did, the post went on.

Her mother said that Lulu recalled being with friends on a sand bar in waist high water, looking for sand dollars.

I am not sure who noticed the shark first, but Lulu said it bit her hand and then her leg and then went for her other friend and got her foot. Lulu said a man grabbed her other arm and pulled her out and another younger boy helped him carry her to shore, the post states.

Once on the shore there were two doctors and two other young women one of whom was a nurse who were all surrounding Lulu. These individuals put tourniquets on Lulus wounds. Which I believe was crucial to saving Lulus life, Gribbin wrote.

I am eternally grateful for the 3 surgeons and all the nursing staff and doctors here at this hospital who saved Lulu. I am grateful for the doctors and nurses on the beach that day. I am grateful for the EMTs on the beach and the crew in the air. I am grateful for the individual who pulled her out of the water.

Lulu faces multiple surgeries and our lives will be forever changed, her mother said.

Lulu is strong, beautiful, brave and so many more things I cant count. God has a plan for her, and we will be there to support her every way we can.

Lulu, her mother wrote, is worried about not fitting in and people making fun of her. I need prayers for everyone to be understanding and to show her grace. I also need prayers for Lulu to know that her hand and her leg do not define who she is....Sweet Lulu is more worried for her friends than she is herself, which is a testament to her character.

Lulu Gribbin was one of two teens injured in the shark attack in Walton County, Florida.Alaina Bookman

At Sundays prayer service, community members showed up in droves to support and pray for the teens and their families.

The church was packed, filling every pew and overflow room as candles were lit in honor of Lulu and McCray. Sounds of prayers and songs filled the church throughout the service.

The church also ensured that there were counselors available for anyone struggling with the aftermath of the attack.

This extended community has got your back, the church Reverend Richmond Webster said to the families.

It was not clear if one shark was responsible for both attacks or what type of shark attacked the three.

All I can say is that these incidents are very rare, Demian Chapman, a scientist and director of the Center for Shark Research at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida told The Associated Press on Saturday.

There are more sharks in the Gulf of Mexico than in past years, Chapman said.

Theres definitely been a recovery of sharks in the Gulf after many years of overfishing, he said. Theyre sort of out there again after being depleted quite a bit.

Its even more rare to have two events in one day involving three people, he said. Thats astronomically low odds of that happening.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Today is the deadline to file a claim related to prices of delivery for food from Panera Bread.

The dining chain agreed to a $2 million settlement related to a suit that claimed the company misled customers about how much they would pay for some orders, specifically when it came to delivery fees and menu prices. Panera has denied wrongdoing.

To be eligible for part of the settlement, you must have placed an order for delivery  not in-store pickup - in the Panera app or on its website from Oct. 1, 2020 to Aug. 31, 2021. Applicants will be required to provide a phone number for verification. Some eligible consumers may have also received an email with a code to apply.

Settlements will come in two forms, based on a persons choosing: two free vouchers of $9.50 each for free items from Paneras Soup & Mac menu or $12 via PayPal, Venmo or another form of electronic payment. The amounts could go down, however, based on how many people participate in the settlement, the claims website warns.

The deadline to file the claim is June 10.

You can see more on filing a claim here.
The judge presiding over Young Thugs lengthy racketeering trial held the musicians attorney in contempt on Monday after being confronted about a private conversation reportedly held between the judge, prosecutors and one of the states star witnesses.

Brian Steel was escorted out of the courtroom after refusing to tell Judge Ural Glanville how he learned of the meeting, which he said occurred in the judges chambers before court began.

You got some information you shouldnt have gotten, Glanville told the rappers attorney before directing courtroom deputies to take him into custody.

Youre not supposed to have communication with a witness whos been sworn, Steel told the judge before asking for a mistrial.

The witness, Kenneth Copeland, spent the weekend in jail after refusing to testify on Friday. Copeland apparently had a change of heart on Monday and was brought to the witness stand wearing a jail-issued jumpsuit.

The reluctant witness appeared to dodge some of the prosecutors questions ahead of the lunch break, during which time Steel said he learned of the morning meeting.

How about the witness, how about Mr. Copeland, who supposedly announced that hes not testifying and hell sit for two years and, supposedly this honorable court, or let me rephrase that, this court, said I can hold you until the end of this trial, Steel asked.

Right before we went into recess, Young Thugs lawyer , Brian Steel, was ordered into custody after he was held in contempt for not disclosing his source. #YSL @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/wCHWmFzVuO  Michael Seiden (@SeidenWSBTV) June 10, 2024

He then said he heard that prosecutor Simone Hylton reminded the witness that he could actually be held until all 26 defendants have their cases disposed of, regardless of how long that might take.

If thats true what this is is coercion, witness intimidation, ex parte communications that we have a constitutional right to be present for, Steel told Glanville.

I still want to know, how did you come upon this information, Glanville asked. Who told you?

What I wanna know is why wasnt I there, Steel told the judge.

After ordering Steel to be removed, Glanville said he planned to continue with proceedings.

Im not halting nothing, he said.

At that point, Young Thugs other attorney, Keith Adams said he did not wish to continue without his co-counsel present.

Glanville told him that he does not have that luxury and instructed Adams to remain in the courtroom and defend his client.

You dont get to extort the court, Glanville said. It doesnt work that way.

He called the leaked information about the meeting such a violation of the sacrosanct-ness of the judges chambers.

Before leaving, Steel told the judge that his client did not wish to continue without him present.

You are removing me against his will, my will, and youre taking away his right to counsel, Steel said on his way out.

_____

2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A Virginia wife and mother critically injured in one of two shark attacks on the Gulf Coast continues to recover at a Florida hospital.

Elisabeth Foley, a 45-year-old wife and mother, sustained severe injuries to her midsection and lost her left hand in the Friday attack.

She is making significant improvements and is in good spirits, said her pastor, the Rev. Jeff Brauer of Winns Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Va., said Monday.

All surgeries so far have gone well, and the doctors and nurses are absolutely encouraged.

Foley, her husband, Ryan, and their three children were vacationing in Florida.

About 1:20 p.m. Friday, multiple 911 callers reported the woman was bitten by a shark as she was swimming past the first sandbar near WaterSound Beach. Bystanders began rendering care to the woman before South Walton Fire Department lifeguards and Walton County sheriffs deputies arrived on-scene.

17 1 / 17 Walton County, Florida shark attacks

Brauer said Foleys oldest daughter called to tell him of the attack.

I was able to pray with her, he said. The church family has been totally in touch with them ever since it happened.

The pastor described Foley as a warm, loving, Christian person.

Youve heard the expression and its true of her, to know her is to love her, Brauer said.

Shes got such a very, very strong faith, he said. Shes made out of good stuff, and her faith is strong.

Foleys husband was with her when the attack happened. He and the rest of the family remain by her side at the hospital.

Hes doing a great job, Brauer said. I told him last night I hope hes gotten some rest and that hes doing a great job as a Godly husband.

Ryan Foley told the congregation Saturday that his wife was hanging in there and has a super positive attitude, according to the church.

She got banged up pretty good. Thank the Lord she is so tough and in great physical condition. Her faith is whats getting her through, coupled with countless other blessings, he wrote, according to WTVR CBS 6.

An online fundraising site has been created for the family  GiveSendGo. As of Monday, nearly $47,000 had been raised for her ongoing care.

She is a faithful believer of Jesus as her Lord and savior, and a true blessing to everyone she encounters, the site reads. She is a devoted wife and mother of three wonderful children.

Less than two hours later, two Mountain Brook teens  Lulu Gribbin and McCray Faust  were attacked while searching for sand dollars in waist deep water near the sandbar at Seacrest Beach, which is about four miles east of where Foley was attacked.

Lulu lost her hand and leg in the attack. McCray sustained injuries to her foot.

Lulus mother, Ann Blair Gribbin, posted extensively Sunday about her daughters ordeal on the Caring Bridge website.

Surgeons told the family that the shark had bitten off Lulus left hand and that they had to amputate her right leg halfway up from her knee to her hip.

She also had lost 2/3 of the blood in her body. Of course, no one wants that for your child but she is alive. They also told us that Lulu may be intubated for the next week or so and would need 4-5 surgeries to finalize her amputations, the post stated.

Her mother said that Lulu recalled being with friends on a sand bar in waist high water, looking for sand dollars.

I am not sure who noticed the shark first, but Lulu said it bit her hand and then her leg and then went for her other friend and got her foot. Lulu said a man grabbed her other arm and pulled her out and another younger boy helped him carry her to shore, the post states.

Once on the shore there were two doctors and two other young women one of whom was a nurse who were all surrounding Lulu. These individuals put tourniquets on Lulus wounds. Which I believe was crucial to saving Lulus life, Gribbin wrote.
Former President Donald Trump, speaking in Las Vegas on Sunday, seemed to compare the dangers of batteries for electric vehicles and sharks, just days after three people, including two Alabama teens, were injured in two Florida shark attacks.

I say, what would happen if the boat sank from its weight, and you have this tremendously powerful battery, and the battery is now underwater and theres a shark thats approximately 10 yards over there, Trump said.

By the way, a lot of shark attacks lately, did you notice? I watched some guys justifying it today. Well they werent really that angry. They bit off the young ladys leg because of the fact, that they were not hungry, but they misunderstood who she was, Trump continued.

Trump: It must be because of my relationship with M.I.T., very smart, I say, what would happen if the boat sank, and you have this tremendously powerful battery, and the battery is now underwater. Do I get electrocuted or do I jump over by the shark? pic.twitter.com/zAUkDoOBD3  Acyn (@Acyn) June 9, 2024

These people are crazy. He said theres no problem with sharks they just didnt really understand a young woman swimming out and really got decimated and other people too.

Ultimately, Trump said he would stay on the boat and risk electrocution rather than a shark.

But you know what Id do if there was a shark or you get electrocuted? Ill take electrocution every single time. Im not getting near the shark.

Mountain Brook teens Lulu Gribbin and McCray Faust were injured Friday in one of two shark attacks in a span of 90 minutes along about four miles of beach in Walton County.

Gribbin lost a hand and leg.

A 45-year-old woman lost a foot in an attack about an hour-and-a-half before the attack on the two teen girls.
Former President Donald Trump delivered a video message Monday to the Danbury Institute, a Baptist group devoted to pro-life and religious liberty causes, a day before the start of the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis.

Hello to everyone at the Danbury Institute and to all of the wonderful pastors and faith leaders, very respected people, gathered for the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, Trump said in the video played on a screen at the groups meeting.

Thats a big deal, Trump said of the Southern Baptist Convention. I want to thank each and every one of you for your tremendous devotion to God and to country, and your tremendous support of me.

I hope Ive earned it, because weve done things nobody thought were possible, and Ive gotten it done, Trump said.

These are difficult times for our nation and your work is so important. We cant afford to have anyone sitting on the sidelines. Now is the time for us to all pull together and to stand up for our values and for our freedoms. And you just cant vote Democrat. Theyre against religion. Theyre against your religion in particular. You cannot vote for Democrats and you have to get out and vote.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, but now as you know we are a declining nation. And I might add, we are a seriously declining nation. Seriously, seriously. Its so sad. I know that each of you is protecting those values every day and I hope well be defending them side-by-side for your next four years.

These are going to be your years, because youre going to make a comeback just about like no other group. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going, and Ill be with you, side-by-side.

So, again, thank you once again for everything you do and you have to get out and vote. Our religious leaders have to get their incredible people that love them so much and respect them so much, have to get them out to vote. God bless you, and God bless America.

Scott Colter, the CEO and chairman of the Danbury Institute, which invited Trump to speak, said he voted for Trump in hopes that Trump would appoint U.S. Supreme Court justices that would vote to overturn Roe vs. Wade. That happened, he said.

Our decision to vote for Donald Trump was vindicated in that moment because of what he did, Colter said in introducing the Trump video. We took a risk on what he said he would do and he came through and delivered.

He said Christians who voted for Trump were vindicated by the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationally. Now, the issue is being decided state-by-state.

We can debate all day long who Donald Trump is and the merits of his personality, Colter said. But he did what he said he would do. And for Christians, that brought the step that we had been praying for and that we really never thought wed see in the pro-life movement, and Im tremendously grateful for that.

Earlier in the Danbury Institute meeting, Southern Baptist Seminary President Albert Mohler said the Alabama Supreme Court was correct in its ruling on in vitro fertilization when it said all embryos should be protected as human life.
The typical Walmart store has more than 120,000 products on the shelves with thousands of individual price tags. Every week, the company said, workers spend hours updating prices for new items and markdowns.

Thats changing soon, however. The nations largest retailer announced it is scrapping its traditional paper price tags for new high-tech electronic labels. Developed by Vusion Group, the new system - known as Digital Shelf Labels or DSLs - will allow Walmart to update prices at the shelf level using a mobile app, reducing the need for workers to change tags by hand.

READ MORE: Walmart plans major change to pricing: Heres what it will look like

DSLs allow us to update prices with a few clicks. A price change that used to take an associate two days to update now takes only minutes with the new DSL system. This efficiency means we can spend more time assisting customers and less time on repetitive tasks, Daniela Boscan, Food & Consumable Team Lead, Hurst, Texas, said in a blog post.

DSL also has a Stock to Light feature so workers can flash an LED light on the shelf tag via their mobile device, signaling locations requiring attention and making it easier to identify locations when stocking. Also, a Pick to Light feature will guide workers directly to items needed for online orders, speeding up that process.

Walmart said DSLs will be installed at 2,300 of its 4,600 stores by 2026.

.
In its penultimate year, Birmingham-Southern College quickly burned through what little cash it had left.

The private liberal arts college in west Birmingham started out the tax year in 2022 with a little over $6 million cash in hand. By May 2023, the school had less than $800,000, newly released tax forms show.

Its really declined, said Linda Parsons, an accounting professor at the University of Alabama who specializes in nonprofits. That tells me they are just burning through their liquid assets.

But Birmingham-Southerns financial troubles began at least two decades earlier, according to tax records its required to file with the IRS.

Long before this fatal round of financial troubles, Birmingham-Southern had nearly gone broke many times in its 168-year history. The institution operated in the red for six years straight starting in 2004, peaking at a single-year deficit of $22 million during the 2008-09 school year.

The colleges accounting firm, BDO USA, sounded the alarm in a financial audit for 2022 and 2023, writing in bold letters that there was substantial doubt about BSCs ability to continue operating and noting compliance issues in the colleges use of federal programs and ability to prevent accounting inaccuracies

The College has suffered recurring losses from operations, has appropriated substantial funding from their endowment, and has stated that substantial doubt exists about the Colleges ability to continue as a going concern, reads the audit, which was finalized on March 11.

Two weeks later, the board of trustees voted to close, blaming the state treasurers denial of a $30 million bridge loan. The college ceased operations on May 31.

A spokesperson for Birmingham-Southern declined to comment for this article.

A review of 990 tax forms shows the college operated in the red for 16 of the 22 tax years between 2001 and 2022.

[Cant see the chart? Click here.]

Now that its closed, the specifics of Birmingham-Southerns financial situation arent clear, as nonprofits file tax forms a year after the end of the tax year.

Last year, the college reported nearly $36 million in liabilities, and was not in compliance with the terms of its loans in 2022 or 2023, per the audit.

Birmingham-Southern has not filed for bankruptcy. And the institution hasnt otherwise outlined a public plan for paying off its debt and settling its accounts.

We do not have anyone who can speak to this at this time, said spokeswoman Virginia Gilbert Loftin in an email to AL.com.

Parsons said the institution has a few options for paying off debt: selling physical assets like buildings and equipment, selling publicly traded securities and asking for any money that its owed.

The land, buildings and equipment were valued at nearly $65 million last year, per the audit and tax records.

But Birmingham-Southern owes ServisFirst Bank $16.5 million. The bank has first claim to proceeds from the sale of the campus and can repossess the land if the college cant make its debt payments. The state treasurer cited those terms in his denial of a loan for Birmingham-Southern, calling it a terrible credit risk.

The fate of the 192-acre Bush Hills campus is unclear. But Alabama A&M University officials say they will soon make a second cash offer to buy the campus  after an initial $52 million offer in May. Theyve pledged to eliminate the entire BSC debt with the purchase, and rehire its credentialed faculty and staff.

Birmingham TV station WBRC reported that Miles College in Fairfield has also expressed interest in buying the campus.

Tax forms show that as of May 2023 the majority of Birmingham-Southerns financial assets were tied up with restrictions from donors.

Theyve got promises to spend it a certain way, Parsons said. If Ive got money to spend on scholarships without any students, then I cant. Ill be interested in seeing what happens.

Years of struggle

Birmingham-Southerns cash balance seemed steady until about 2017, Parsons said. That fall, the college announced it would reduce the cost of tuition and fees by 50% during the next academic year.

Around that same time, donations also dropped. During the 2017-18 academic year, Birmingham-Southern brought in a little more than $5 million in donations  compared to more than $12 million the year before.

[Cant see the chart? Click here.]

Donations started to tick back up during the 2019-20 academic year. By May 2023, donations hit $9 million.

The colleges investments dipped by more than half during last year, from about $19 million in publicly traded securities at the start of the year to under $10 million by the end.

It looks like theyre cashing out investments, Parsons said.

At the same time, the school was losing students, dipping under 1,000 by the fall of 2022. Last fall, the college reported just 731 students  down nearly 40% since fall 2019.

I know that they cut revenue that they thought will save our students, she said, adding that still she thought the decline in the revenue from the loss of students didnt equate to the depths of its financial turmoil.

[Cant see the chart? Click here.]

Birmingham-Southerns endowment fund  typically long-term investments and savings for higher education institutions  had dipped to a historic low, just under $26 million by May 2023, according to the tax forms. It had spent that much of its endowment already over the previous two years, per the audit.

Colleges can tap some of their endowment funds  which are often dedicated for certain uses, such as scholarships for students  to cover emergency gaps in their budgets. But BSCs endowment wasnt high enough to sustain itself after an emergency like the Covid pandemic, as fewer students enrolled and those who did needed more financial aid.

During the 2022-23 academic year, the college brought in about $42 million in revenue  the lowest in more than two decades. During that same year, the college reported more than $53 million in expenses  a major cutback from the previous years nearly $81 million. But still, it left a $11 million deficit.

The institutions largest deficit peaked during the tax year that ended May 2022 with a nearly $38 million gap. The last time the gap hit double digits was between 2006 to 2010, during David Pollicks tenure as president, tax records show.

The college, like other higher education institutions, earned income through student tuition and fees, gifts, grants, and services like housing and meal plans. But that income steadily declined since the 2016-17 academic year. By the 2022-23 academic year, its revenue was nearly cut in half from 2016.

Some of those expenses over the years could come from its assets, like buildings, depreciating in value over time, Parsons pointed out. Typically, nonprofits arent doing a lot of spending, she said.

In earlier years, during Pollicks leadership, the administration initially blamed financial troubles on a miscalculation of Pell Grant funding that resulted in giving too much financial aid. But the colleges deficits ballooned as it also spent money on campus construction and its endowment plunged, impacted by the economic recessions hit to the market and slower donations.

That basically says, I sold low, and bought high, Parsons said, pointing out that it would be even harder for an institution to recover from the recession if it sells its endowments investments when the values were lowest.

As the institution paid more in financial aid, its revenue dipped, and it pulled more from its endowment shortly before Pollick resigned in 2010.

President Daniel Coleman, who took the helm in 2018, sought out millions from the state, county and city to replenish the schools endowment.

The college also created the Birmingham Southern College Foundation to fundraise for its endowment, which formed as a nonprofit in January 2020, per IRS records. College officials intended to raise $200 million via the foundation.

By February 2024, the college had only fundraised nearly $47 million in pledges, and collected just about $10 million in actual funds, per the audit. Coleman told AL.com that they would seek to raise the rest by 2026.

But that plan didnt work.

After mid-June, only a handful of employees will be left to assist with the colleges closure, Gilbert Loftin previously told AL.com. The institution is in the process of laying off more than 200 people without severance pay.
It seems that Reluctant Trumpers often draw considerable fire  if not open hostility  from some elements of MAGA conservatism. Leaning into this issue, the purpose of this essay is to posit that being a Reluctant Trumper is (certainly was) a legitimate position to hold, and more importantly, argue that Reluctant Trumpers are our allies, deserving our respect and our thoughtful persuasion.

There appear to be at least three kinds of Reluctant Trumpers:

Those who are bothered by Trumps personal behavior, including philandering, insults, and blatant narcissism. This is the least important reluctance reason at this time. But this did concern many conservatives during his first presidential campaign. Those who thought he wasnt conservative enough. Trump was a New York Democrat, essentially non-political. There was legitimate fear that his roots wouldnt lead him to embrace conservative principals. Looking back at his largely successful first term, there were aspects of his governance that, a case could be made, were less than optimal and not fully conservative.

Poor personnel choices. Too many to list but think of Christopher Wray as a prime example.

Rolled by Fauci. Probably his biggest failing, one that likely contributed to his defeat.

Reticence to use his executive power. This is especially the case with the George Floyd/ summer of love riots where Trump could have called out the National Guard to quell the destruction.

Star-struck by the Five-stars. Trump absolutely should have tried Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley for treason given his back-channel communication with the CCP.

Those worried about Trumps electoral chances. He is a highly polarizing figure that polls show 40% -45% will never vote for.

We simply must be clear eyed about the situation we face.

Over the years, Reluctant Trumpers included conservative luminaries such as Mark Levin, Glenn Beck, Powerlines John Hinderaker, and The Daily Wire talent Matt Walsh and Ben Shapiro. In fact, Shapiro is now holding fundraising events for the Trump campaign after supporting DeSantis in the recent primaries. There is nothing quite like the zealotry of a convert, especially when the stakes are this high.

In the 2016 election, most of the conservative Trump reluctance was largely based on point #1 above, along with a dose of concern about his political inexperience and outsider status. Trump proved to many persuadable voters that he was a generationally gifted politician, meeting the globalization moment with a MAGA message. He won! And in winning, helped the country dodge a huge bullet, preventing the corrupt and unappealing Hillary Clinton from becoming President. If nothing else, the country owes Donald Trump a debt of gratitude for this.

During the primaries of 2023/24, many solid conservatives wondered if it was the best course of action to go back to Trump, given the electoral challenges outlined in point #3, along with a deep bench of young rising star Republican political talent, the most notable being Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida and his remarkable governing success. Looking back at three plus years of the historically disastrous Biden administration, compounded by the hard-left Democrat party showing its true fascist colors, it became existentially mandatory that a Republican return to the White House.

Donald Trump emerged from a spirited primary process to be the clear favorite to be the Republican nominee. Reluctant Trumpers now have a duty to get on board and support Donald Trump for President.

But in like fashion, those of us all-in, passionate Trump supporters have a duty to respect the validity of prior Reluctant Trump concerns and to persuade them to ultimately vote for Donald Trump. Persuadable Reluctant Trumpers are our allies in the fight to save our republic. Convince them, yes. Insult them, no. However they come to the right action is desirable, maybe even admirable. Elections are about addition, not subtraction. Lets welcome the Reluctant Trumpers into the tent and win this crucial election overwhelmingly, beyond the margin of Democratic fraud.

It might even be productive to take things a step further and make some effort with NeverTrumpers. I personally persuaded a handful of NeverTrumpers to vote for Trump in 2020, convincing them about the dangers of a Joe Biden presidency. (And as bad as I knew this would be, it has proved to be even worse). One of these individuals is a very prominent long-term conservative operative, who would be well known to many readers of American Thinker. Part of my strategy was to expose them to sources such as author Peter Schweizer, who wrote Secret Empires and Profiles in Corruption, books that, among other topics, meticulously uncover the lifelong corruption of the Biden crime family. I will concede that that those infected with a virulent strain of Trump Derangement Syndrome are beyond hope.

In conclusion, anyone with conservative leanings and an open mind are allies in this fight. Lets treat them that way.

Jeffrey Wright is a Minneapolis-based investment banker, entrepreneur and concerned citizen

Image: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
I find it difficult to believe that we are still discussing the possibility of a second American Civil War. However, the trial and conviction of Donald Trump in a Russian  excuse me, New York court on dubious charges has once again prompted discussion of civil unrest that could lead to civil war.

During a recent interview with Maria Bartiromo of Fox Business regarding the Trump verdict, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky said, I worry about strife. I worry about war in the streets. He is not alone.

Last Friday, during a discussion of Trump possibly being sentenced to prison, comedian Bill Maher had this to say: MAGA Nation will go nuts. If they put him [Trump] in jail, I know it will happen because the judges name is Juan. Everything becomes racial in this country.

Of course, no prejudices there. That remark might have been a joke, but it sounded as if Maher believes that all you dirty Make America Great Again types hate Hispanics. Yes, it seems everything in this country has become racial. Who do you suppose is responsible for that, Bill?

New York political consultant and Democrat power player David Axelrod had this to say in response to Maher: Yeah, but one of the things about this apocalyptic language that you hear from all of these, the amen chorus, is they really are inviting violence. And thats a big concern of mine.

I assume that this is a contemptuous reference to Christians who believe in preparing for the end times, as discussed in the Book of Revelation. I should point out this is not the majority view among Christians. If you are a Christian and are advocating for domestic violence beyond self-defense, perhaps you should pray to Jesus and ask for clarification.

Later, Maher the Prophet said, A civil war in this country, Im sorry to say, becomes a race war. Thats the sad truth about this country.

Really? I wonder where his terrible vision of the future came from! In March, CNN published a story about a potential civil war based on the idea of accelerationism, saying:

Accelerationism is embraced by a spectrum of white supremacists, white nationalists, racists, antisemites, xenophobes, and anti-government militants as a clarion call to revolution. They fervently believe that the modern Western, liberal state is so corrupt and inept that it is beyond redemption and must be destroyed in order to create a new society and way of governance.

Folks, I am a voracious reader of political news. However, I had never heard of accelerationism until I began researching this article. Accelerationism was originally a Marxist idea. In short, it is a way for leftists to fight capitalism by producing radical social change.

Supposedly, the right-wing version of accelerationism was created by English philosopher Nick Land in an article he wrote called A Quick and Dirty Introduction to Accelerationism. I found it to be several pages of primarily neo-liberal gobbledygook embedded in word salads that would make Kamala Harris proud. How that is considered right-wing is a mystery.

So how did the far right absorb left-wing social and economic theory? The truth is, it didnt. Right-wing accelerationism doesnt have much to do with capitalism. The key similarity is to upend society and accelerate social change.

An easier-to-understand definition of accelerationism comes from the Council on Foreign Relations: The objective of [right-wing] accelerationism is to foment divisiveness and polarization that will induce the collapse of the existing order and spark a second civil war.

At least we discovered where the civil war idea came from. But it gets worse.

According to the Combatting Terrorism Center at West Point, the January 6 insurrection was accelerationism in action. Accelerationism here is the goal of hastening the cataclysmic end of economic, political, and social systems so as to more rapidly bring about what is seen as an inevitable end-times collapse.

If the Terrorism Center believes that January 6 was about the end times or accelerationism, then domestic terrorism must be a significant threat. But what does this have to do with Trump?

The left has to have a playbook with a narrative to work from and stay in sync. If you believe that the January 6 riot was a domestic terrorist event to destabilize the government and Donald Trump was the mastermind, then it is much easier for security agencies to play along with the Biden administration. Witness the FBI entering Mar-a-Lago with guns drawn.

Of course, the left always accuses Republicans of doing whatever leftists are up to.

If you want to see real accelerationism in action, all you have to do is look at our southern border. Joe Biden and the liberal Democrats are paying for mass illegal immigration with taxpayer money. They want to use the illegal alien surge to add congressional districts in blue states. They want to make the illegals citizens and allow them to vote. The idea is to create a perpetual one-party left-wing national government. This is large-scale social change in a short time frame.

Now lets get back to the civil/race war that Maher thinks is coming. My first question is, how many people are members of armed far-right paramilitary organizations?

The numbers are difficult to pin down. An article in The Guardian suggests that one such organization, American Patriots Three Percent, has a membership in the low thousands. One of the larger paramilitary groups, the Oath Keepers, is thought to have around 5,000 members. No, I am not going to include the conspiracy theorists at QAnon.

I would assume that a reasonable estimate is around 1215,000 scattered around the country, plus or minus a few thousand. In a nation of 330+ million people, this is nothing.

As I wrote in an earlier essay on a second civil war, a group of armed citizens alone cant start a war in America. You need armed resistance between government-sponsored military units.

Okay, lets assume that Judge Merchan sends Trump to prison. What happens? Liberals dance in the streets. Joy Behar cant hold it until she gets to Buc-ees. Conservatives on Fox News, Newsmax, X, and Truth Social vent. Trump calls for calm and gets it. Trump raises $500 million more in donations and thanks Merchan.

There will be little, if any, violence in red states or red cities. Local democratic headquarters may get a rock or two through their windows. There may be a few protest marches in blue cities, perhaps even a riot. Maybe one or two blue-state governors call out the National Guard.

You see, Democrats want social unrest, or want to pretend there will be, because it fulfills their expectations, makes them seem rational, and allows them to take the moral high ground. The whole civil war thing is just a scare tactic to make the gullible believe that Trump is a threat to democracy. Sorry, Democrats  no civil war is coming unless you start it.

Remember, there is an election in five months. Most Republicans, independents, and blue-collar Democrats have jobs and families to look after. They have no interest in looting stores or trashing the towns in which they live. None of us has time for riots and race wars.

But were more than ready for Election Day. We are all for accelerating that.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
U.S. President Joe Biden claimed that people have every reason to believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is dragging out the war in Gaza to remain in power, the Times of Israel columnist Jacob Magid wrote on June 4.

Asked in an interview with Time magazine published Tuesday, June 4, 2024, whether he accepts the allegation made by some that Netanyahu is prolonging the war for his own political self-preservation, Biden responded, Im not going to comment on that. But he subsequently added, There is every reason for people to draw that conclusion.

Numerous opponents of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claim that he is prolonging the war in Gaza to maintain his power.

Anyone who claims that the Israeli prime minister is prolonging the war in Gaza is, by this assertion, in effect saying that he knows how long Israel's war on terrorists in Gaza should last.

But who can know how long this Israeli war should last? What knowledge, what experience does one need to have to know exactly how long Israel's war in Gaza should last, and thus to claim that Israel's prime minister is willfully prolonging this war? Since a super-authority, a super-intelligence that knows everything about the correct duration of wars is unlikely to exist, let's try to estimate the possible duration of this war by means of a comparison with another war on terrorists.

The U.S. and allied war against ISIS terrorists in the Iraqi city of Mosul was fought from March 24, 2016 to July 10, 2017. The battle for Mosul was conducted by the Iraqi government army with the participation of the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, U.A.E. and Turkey, who covered the Iraqi offensive with their air forces.

The allies won a complete victory over ISIS terrorists, driving them out of Mosul. The territory and population of Mosul is roughly half the size of the territory and population of Gaza.

From this perspective alone, the war in Gaza should have lasted twice as long as the war in Mosul. The war in Mosul lasted a year and three months. By that metric, the war in Gaza should have lasted two years and six months. At this point, Israel's war in Gaza has been going on for eight months.

But Mosul didn't have 500 kilometers of underground tunnels like Gaza. ISIS terrorists didn't have the amazing underground maneuvering capabilities, troop movements, and number of ambushes that they had in Gaza.

So, the effect of the tunnels should further increase the duration of the war. ISIS terrorists have not had as much military and financial aid as Hamas terrorists. Consequently, such a large amount of aid to Hamas terrorists should further lengthen the duration of the Gaza war. But there is another factor in lengthening the duration of the Gaza war, as the Israeli army has been much more careful in dealing with civilians in Gaza than the Iraqi army and its allies have been in Mosul.

In March 2017, U.S. aircraft launched a massive airstrike on the western suburbs of Mosul, killing hundreds of civilians. A spokeswoman for Amnesty International said that U.S.-led coalition troops, using tactics of total destruction of buildings without regard for civilian casualties. According to her, heavy losses of civilians suggest that the coalition blatantly violates the norms of international humanitarian law. She said such disproportionate and indiscriminate attacks could amount to war crimes.

In July 2017, Hoshyar Zebari, a minister in the Iraqi government, said that more than 40,000 civilians were killed in the assault on Mosul. On the side of the Iraqi army in Mosul was the military aviation of six countries led by the United States, which violated all the norms of humane treatment of civilians, the fulfillment of which these six countries demand from Israel. To summarize, the war in Gaza should continue for many years.

However, the situation is even more complex. The war in Gaza is not an isolated war. On Oct. 7, 2023, Israel's war against the Islamic Axis or Axis of Resistance countries began. Axis of Resistance refers to an unofficial anti-Israel and anti-Western political and military coalition led by Iran. It includes various terrorist groups in Judea, Samaria, Gaza, Syria and Lebanon, as well as Iraqi Shiite militias and the Houthis in Yemen. The war in Gaza is related to the military actions of these terrorists. Perhaps it is the same war. Could Netanyahu be delaying the war against the axis of resistance forces? Those who claim that Prime Minister Netanyahu is deliberately prolonging the war assume that all the evil in Israel and the country's problems are centered in one man. This conspiracy thinking has no basis for this claim other than a political desire to oust the prime minister from office.

French political scientist Pierre-Andre Taghieff wrote that the simplification at the center of the conspiracy theory provides a misleading illumination of the political field. Explanation by means of a single and simple factor, such as the concentration of the main evil in the personality of the prime minister or president, is mythologizing.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
A gander at Al Jazeera's website reveals a strong bias for the 'Israel-bad, Palestinians-victims' party line so dear to Hamas.

But mere bias may be the least of this Qatari-financed news agency's issues.

The Israeli Defense Forces says that one of its contributors, Abdallah Aljamal, was actually holding three of the hostages rescued on Saturday by Israeli commandos inside his Gaza home as a trusted Hamas operative. His father, a doctor, was holding the other one, Noa Argamani, the female hostage who was rescued with the other three.

According to the New York Post:

A Gaza journalist who wrote for Al Jazeera was holding three hostages in his home with his family before he was killed by Israeli commandos during a rescue operation on Saturday, according to the Israeli military. Abdallah Aljamal, who also worked as a spokesman for the Hamas-run labor ministry, was killed when special forces soldiers stormed his home in central Gaza and rescued hostages Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andri Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, the Israeli military said. Aljamals death was originally reported by Rami Abdu, the head of the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, who claimed Israel Defense Forces soldiers raided the journalists home and killed him and several members of his family.

There also was this:

The Israel Defense Force has now Confirmed what was reported earlier today, which is that Abdallah Aljamal, a Photojournalist as well as Writer/Editor for Al-Jazeera and several other Palestinian News Organizations was a Member of Hamas and was holding several of the Hostages pic.twitter.com/luf0a5ppub  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 9, 2024

Al Jazeera has denied even knowing the guy, while at the same time, saying he wouldn't dream of engaging in terrorist activities, but that doesn't make much sense -- if they didn't know him or he was some distant memory to them, how would they know if he was a terrorist or not?

#AlJazeera, and that his name was linked to what happened in the Israeli army's liberation of

 Al Jazeera PR (@AlJazeera) June 9, 2024

Some of his columns, and his author's page, have been perfectly visible to the public until they were taken down. The IDF ran a screen shot of his Al Jazeera author's page:

Journalist Abdallah Aljamal was a Hamas terrorist holding Almog, Andrey and Shlomi hostage in his familys home in Nuseirat.



No press vest can make him innocent of the crimes he has committed.@AlJazeera whats this terrorist doing on your website? pic.twitter.com/1EM8C7csnw  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 9, 2024

He also liked dressing his kid up as a terrorist and flashing him around on the Internet:

Abdallah Aljamal - the Al Jazeera journalist.

This is his son - four months before Oct 7.

How proud Aljamal is to see his 'hero' boy dressed as a Hamas terrorist. pic.twitter.com/gDnuZnZ258  David Collier (@mishtal) June 9, 2024

He was probably just an occasional contributor and not a full time staffer for Al Jazeera. Where he got his real money from was -- a U.S.-based NGO:

The man who was housing THREE Israeli hostages in his family home for eight months (Abdallah Aljamal) wrote for The Palestine Chronicle, a U.S.-based 501(c)(3). Who's behind this outfit? You won't be shocked to learn that Noam Chomsky is on the board of directors pic.twitter.com/EKhqyCxZDf  Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) June 9, 2024

Abdallah Aljamal - the Al Jazeera journalist.

This is his son - four months before Oct 7.

How proud Aljamal is to see his 'hero' boy dressed as a Hamas terrorist. pic.twitter.com/gDnuZnZ258  David Collier (@mishtal) June 9, 2024

The Israel Defense Force has now Confirmed what was reported earlier today, which is that Abdallah Aljamal, a Photojournalist as well as Writer/Editor for Al-Jazeera and several other Palestinian News Organizations was a Member of Hamas and was holding several of the Hostages pic.twitter.com/luf0a5ppub  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 9, 2024

He'd write stuff like this, with the top guy at that NGO's newspaper, the Palestine Chronicle, the pair sharing a byline at Al Jazeera:

Hey Al Jazeera



Hearing you are denying Abdallah Aljamal - the terrorist / journalist holding the Israeli hostages captive was one of yours.



Care to explain this?



Asking for a friend pic.twitter.com/XLswwJukBR  David Collier (@mishtal) June 9, 2024

In his last piece, an opinion column for the Palestine Chronicle, he showed us all what a sentimental guy he was, decrying all the memories lost with Israel's bombing of some apartment building in Gaza, while his own hostages were ensconced at his residence against their will.

Homes are gone, and with that, the memories, hopes and aspirations of Palestinians and their ability to realize other rights, the statement continued.



Read the latest story by Abdallah Aljamal, reporting from war-torn Gaza.https://t.co/c6BvGgCWB9 pic.twitter.com/8MRBO8isPH  The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) April 24, 2024

What this shows is that NGOs and media organizations such as Al Jazeera have a lot to answer for in the enabling of terrorists.

When Israel shut down Al Jazeera's office in Israel last April, the hullaballoo was deafening, with claims that Israel hated freedom of the press. Actually, they knew stuff, a lot more than they were letting on, about the objectivity of these bounders claiming to be the free press, along with the NGOs.

Now the truth is out. Next time someone starts yelling about freedom of the press, bring up the matter of Abdallah Aljamal, the hostage holder for Hamas.

Image: Screen shot from X / Palestine Chronicle.
The phrase '"Lafayette, we are here," first invoked during World War I, but sometimes recalled on D-Day, too, has a deeply resonant meaning for the U.S. and its first ally, France.

France literally bankrupted itself to provide to the U.S. the critical military support it needed to win its War of Independence against the British, with the Marquis de Lafayette, a young French nobleman who was serious about liberty, leading the effort, bringing in French military heavyweight marshal, the Comte de Rochambeau.

By 1917, the U.S. was returning the favor, rescuing France from the grip of Germany, including at the June 6, 1918 battle of Belleau Wood, where more Americans were killed than on D-Day in 1944. But there are times when this phrase has been noted on D-Day, which was just beautifully commemorated by the French for its allies on that fateful date in Normandy.

According to Encyclopedia.com:

These words were spoken during World War I at the tomb of the Marquis de Lafayette during a speech honoring his heroic service in the cause of the American Revolution. On 4 July 1917 Paris celebrated American Independence Day. A U.S. battalion marched to the Picpus Cemetery, where several speeches were made at Lafayette's tomb. The historic words uttered on that occasion, "Lafayette, nous voila" (Lafayette, we are here), have been popularly, but erroneously, attributed to General John J. Pershing. He stated that they were spoken by Colonel Charles E. Stanton, and "to him must go the credit for coining so happy and felicitous a phrase."

France helped us at a critical time. We helped them twice at critical times for them. It's mutual.

'Lafayette, we are here.'

But as the French showed President Biden every courtesy and put on a polished, professional, and beautiful commemoration, its president expressing gratitude to our country, in Washington, D.C., there was another kind of 'Lafayette, we are here,' going on, at Lafayette Park in front of the White House, and it was ugly.

Pro-Hamas protestors, none of whom got arrested, despite clearly breaking the law, defiled statues in the park honoring our French allies, one of which appears to be the Lafayette statue:

U.S. Park Police Spox tells CBS USPP made no arrests at the protest today. However, there is graffiti covering statues in Lafayette Park.



Overall, from my vantage point, the demonstration remained mostly calm. A range of ages, activist groups, as well as families & children pic.twitter.com/AzIflRRw6R  Natalie Brand (@NatalieABrand) June 8, 2024

They abused the park police:

#NOW Park Police dances as protesters throw bottles and chant "Fascist!" at him outside of White House DC pic.twitter.com/mXC9CeO4Ed  Oliya Scootercaster  (@ScooterCasterNY) June 8, 2024

Mostly peaceful they said? THEY LIED! New footage of Lafayette Park opposite the White House shows agitators throwing bricks, glass, bottles, and other assaults against law enforcement officers.  @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/ESq6iWRKIa  McCarthyism2.0 (@mccarthyism2024) June 26, 2020

They spewed terrorist threats with a mask of a bloodied severed head:

Yeah, when you wear a Hamas headband and hold up a mask depicting the severed head of the U.S. President, its no longer a peace rally.



This guy should be deported pic.twitter.com/o072WpTShl  Drew Pavlou  (@DrewPavlou) June 9, 2024

They vandalized the Rochambeau statue:

Rochambeau Statue in Lafayette Park near the White House.



This is the modern Democrat Party where terrorists are welcome.



See you in November, fools.pic.twitter.com/h7uQblF5a3  Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) June 8, 2024

Today's the anniversary of the day Lafayette swore allegiance to the United States in 1778:

Reportedly, nothing was done and the cops just let this ugly specter happen:

I used to work across the street from Lafayette Park when W was president and have seen many protests in front of the White House.



I have also seen them clear the park with an aggressiveness that leaves no room for negotiation.



The city is allowing this to happen. Maybe helping  vinnie payne (@vinnie_payne) June 9, 2024

Which tells us a lot about Joe Biden and the kind of government he represents and values. That abortion and Jan. 6 protestors can be sent to prison for years and years, while this garbage symbolically directed at our valuable ally goes on with impunity says mountains about what the Biden administration is about. And after the French treated him so well in France.

What an ingrate.

Image: Blaze Media / Twitter video screen shot
Narcissism is defined by a core inner emptiness around which people build an amoral god complex. People who suffer from this condition cannot acknowledge responsibility and, therefore, cannot and will not change. This is important to know because Hamas and its fellow travelers in the West are narcissists. This means that, if they have power, there will never be peace between the people in Gaza and the West Bank, on the one hand, and Israel, on the other hand.

Let me start with a story about a friend of mine. When their child was having problems in elementary school, the school counselor urged the two of them to go to couples therapy because he'd concluded that their constant bickering affected their child. Fearing to lose face in front of the counselor, the husband agreed to go.

To my friends great surprise, once in counseling, her husband did not deny that he verbally abused her. However, he denied that his abuse had anything to do with a discordant home that affected their child. Instead, he said, the problem was that my friend didnt meekly accept the abuse. If she would just shut up and take it, theyd have a peaceful home, and their child would be fine.

Image of Narcissus from a 14th Century copy of Roman de la Rose. In the National Library of Wales. CC0.

Thats textbook narcissism.

Narcissists are empty at their core. To offset that, they build an elaborate carapace that places them at the center of their own universe. They will never accept fault, no matter the consequences of their actions, but will always blame others. In their own minds, they are gods, with truth and morality defined by their needs. For this reason, narcissists, like other sociopaths, ace lie detector tests. If what theyre saying serves their needs at that moment, they are not lying.

This personality disorder is playing out on a grand scale among Hamas and those who support Hamas. Israel didnt simply get up one morning and decide to kill a couple of hundred civilians in Nuseirat, which would have been a psychopathic act. It was the fact that uniformed Hamas fighters and non-uniformed Gazans actually committed such a psychopathic act on October 7 that started all this.

But before getting there, lets go back a step further. According to Hamas and its fellow travelers in the West, everything Hamas is doing is to end the Israeli occupation. The useful idiots in the West assume this means the occupation of Gaza. They are unaware that Israel left Gaza completely in 2005.

The hardcore haters know that the real occupation Gazans wish to end is Israels existence. When they chant, From the river to the sea, Palestine shall be free, what they mean is that they will slaughter all Jews between the Jordan and the Mediterranean.

It's that long-term goal that led approximately 3,000 Gazans to break a ceasefire, storm Israel, slaughter over 1,200 people, and kidnap over 240 more.

At this point, according to the narcissistic view, nothing contentious, discordant, or violent had occurred. Hamas and its non-uniformed troops were right because they are. End of story.

The real problem was that Israel dared to respond. Had she not pushed back, there would have been peace and a ceasefire until Hamass next depredation. Then, too, peace could be preserved if Israel just sucked it up.

Its that same thinking thats characterizing the response to Israels hostage rescue. The Hamas defenders ignore that Hamas kidnapped civilians. They ignore that there is a hot war going on and that, under the rules of modern warfare, civilian casualties are acceptable if they are not primary targets. And, of course, they ignore that Hamas planted hostages deep within a civilian refugee camp, an act by which they intentionally turned civilians into primary targets.

That Hamas would defend its acts is to be expected. Whats more surprising is that Western liberals defend them, too, and do so along classically narcissistic lines. Or as Kiyah Willis, a former leftist, says,

It's insane that people are mad at Israel for rescuing the hostages and not at Hamas for taking the hostages in the first place  Kiyah Willis (@kiyahwillis) June 9, 2024

Here are just some examples of this narcissistic refusal to acknowledge Gazans responsibility (Bonchie and Kurt Schlichter have been particularly good at catching this line of thinking):

Lacks foundation as to innocent Palestinians https://t.co/21ocdg7tCV  Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) June 10, 2024

They want to be able to take and keep *hostages* while crying victim if an operation is carried out to free the hostages.



This detachment from reality isn't organic. It's driven by an international community that has taught "Palestinians" to think this way. pic.twitter.com/mQcQ4vgsmP  Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) June 8, 2024

If you look really closely, youll notice a difference in how CNN treats claims from Israel and from Hamas.



Can you spot it? pic.twitter.com/wlwXrb919c  Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) June 10, 2024

Could you please go kiss your own ass? https://t.co/U3Btw64IQc  Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) June 9, 2024

The one where you don't get to start a war and then call a time-out the moment consequences arrive.



Start less wars next time. https://t.co/4pMrx2YJTL  Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) June 7, 2024

I dont cheer loss of life, even for the bad guys. Every life wasted is a tragedy.



But just from a basic logic standpoint I dont get this. How dare you rescue hostages in an unsportsmanlike manner doesnt resonate with me. pic.twitter.com/CjdqP8tN6H  Jarvis (@jarvis_best) June 8, 2024

Inevitably, the catchphrase, in one form or another, is innocent civilians. The Israel Foreign Ministry points out the lie:

We need to talk about the elephant in the room.



Many Gazan civilians participated in killing, raping, and kidnapping Israelis on October 7.



It is also reported that Gazan civilians were paid by Hamas to hold hostages captive in their homes.



Hamas is intentionally involving the pic.twitter.com/XEJPU9bjVz  Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 10, 2024

Because Hamas and its supporters cannot and will not acknowledge responsibility for what is happening, there will be no true peace or ceasefire with Hamas. Instead, just as happened with the narcissistic Nazis and Bushido Japanese, Israel must achieve a complete military victory. Otherwise, this is a war that ends only when Israel is entirely exterminated.
When Geert Wilders's party won in the Netherlands election a few months ago, after many years of trying, some thought it was just an anomaly.

Actually, it was a warning shot.

Europe's EU parliamentary elections since yielded big gains for conservatives in major countries, dubbed "the far right" by the leftist press -- in France, Germany, Belgium and beyond.

According to Fox News:

Germany's conservatives finished first in the European Union's elections, as far-right momentum within the bloc has sent France's leadership scrambling. The conservative alliance of the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union garnered 30.2% of the vote Sunday, Politico reported, citing a projection by German public television. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party came in second place, projected to receive 16% of the vote  a 5 percentage point cl[im]b from the 2019 European Parliament election.

In France, there was an outright freakout.

According to Politico.eu:

PARIS  The far-right National Rally is projected to win the European election in France with 31.5 percent of the vote  more than twice that of President Emmanuel Macrons party. The shock result pushed Macron to call a snap election Sunday evening. The National Rally, headed by Jordan Bardella, is set to achieve its highest-ever finish in a nationwide election. French President Emmanuel Macron called snap elections on June 30 as his response, hoping to seal his majority before the conservatives rip it entirely away. The New York Times called it "a huge gamble": After the National Rally of Marine Le Pen and her popular protege Jordan Bardella handed him a crushing defeat on Sunday in elections for the European Parliament, Mr. Macron might have done nothing. He might also have reshuffled his government, or simply altered course through stricter controls on immigration and by renouncing contested plans to tighten rules on unemployment benefits. Instead, Mr. Macron, who became president at 39 in 2017 by being a risk taker, chose to gamble that France, having voted one way on Sunday, will vote another in a few weeks. The Washington Post called it "risky." Careful what you wish for, Monsieur President. We've seen this story before, as when President B.J. Habibie of Indonesia dared East Timor with a presented vote to leave the country in 1999 and the locals obliged. More close to France, it recalls the 2016 move of Prime Minister David Cameron to dare British voters to vote on leaving the European Union in what was called Brexit. They obliged The Times reported that the French intelligentsia were besides themselves: Shock coursed through France on Monday. The stock market plunged. Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, a city that will host the Olympic Games in just over six weeks, said she was stunned by an unsettling decision. A thunderbolt, thundered Le Parisien, a daily newspaper, across its front page. For Le Monde, it was a jump in the void. Raphael Glucksmann, who guided the revived center-left socialists to third place among French parties in the European vote, accused Mr. Macron of a dangerous game.

The scenes in Paris recalled those of the 2016 election from the Hillary Clinton and President Obama camps:

Voters of the Socialist Party of France crying over the election results:

pic.twitter.com/wz8SUa9EZJ  BowTiedMara (@BowTiedMara) June 10, 2024

The map looked like this:

This is a map of the E.U. election results in France tonight.



The brown is for the "far-right" parties. pic.twitter.com/HhIBRXsaac  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) June 9, 2024

And this was hardly all of the fallout. In Belgium, there were tears with the prime minister resigning.

Two issues appear to be responsible for this result: One, the Ukraine war, which is unpopular in Europe, and which the European Union keeps pushing to escalate.

The other is immigration, as unassimilable Middle Eastern and African migrants fill the streets of European cities, bringing crime, disorder, barbaric practices, and welfare bills to once-pristine towns, villages and urban areas.

As President Macron warns of the "danger" of the "far right" winning elections, locals can see plenty of danger from the E.U.'s open borders, eternal war policies.

It's worth noting that it's been a long time coming. The gains have been incremental for a while now, but definitely steady as she goes, finally making it over the top in at least these contests.

AT senior editor Richard Baehr, who is an excellent political analyst, noted that when the red wave turned into a red puddle in 2022, that countries rarely turn on a dime, and change itself builds over several elections. Europe finally is seeing the fruits of that.

As we observe that, we can also look with hope on the same trend building happening here as Donald Trump continues to hold his lead in the polls. Trends take time but once they've gotten momentum, are unstoppable.

Image: Twitter screen shot
The globalist elites at the World Economic Forum (WEF) are calling on governments to promote fake meat and other alternative proteins in a coordinated effort to change consumers behavior. Shocking, I know.

The authors of a white paper entitled Creating a Vibrant Food Innovation Ecosystem: How Israel Is Advancing Alternative Proteins Across Sectors, claim that changing humans eating habits will require a global effort with governments and corporations working together. Yes, bloated governments and big corporations working together to manipulate and coerce the little peoples behavior is a great idea! And perfectly befitting of fascism, or at least a robust oligarchy!

Fake meat. Fake genders. Fake news. Artificial intelligence. I am sick of it all.

Is anything real anymore?

Yes, the existential danger this represents to us as humans -- and formerly free and sentient beings -- is all too real, indeed.

Image: World Economic Forum
Alongside its flagship smartwatch, Samsung seems to be redesigning its flagship TWS earbuds this year. A fresh leak reveals the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro will sport a stemmed design similar to Apples AirPods lineup. The new pair of wireless earphones are expected to launch in July.

Samsungs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has a stemmed design

Last month, a report surfaced saying Samsungs next-gen wireless earbuds could feature a stemmed design for improved battery life and voice call quality. The latest leak has confirmed the rumored redesign. We have an image of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro originating from prolific tipster Evan Blass. The tipster seemingly shared the photo with his Substack subscribers via an emailed newsletter.

The image is masked with a mosaic pattern, likely to avoid DMCA notices and takedowns. However, the products shape is still obvious, revealing its overall design. Like Apples TWS offerings, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has a stem running down from its body. We can also see a silicone ear tip. A similar leak from the same source recently revealed the design of several other upcoming Samsung products.

The previous report said a stemmed design would allow Samsung to equip the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro with a bigger battery. We exclusively revealed last week that the new earbuds will offer six hours of continuous media playback on a single charge with ANC, aka Active Noise Cancelation, enabled (battery capacity is still unknown). The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has a 61mAh battery in each bud and lasts about five hours.

With the charging case, the new earbuds should give you a total playtime of around 30 hours, a notable jump from the 25 hours of playtime you get with the previous-gen model. A stemmed design also brings microphones closer to your mouth, which, in theory, should improve voice clarity during calls. Moreover, it allows for earlier playback controls thanks to a larger surface area to swipe on.

The buds feature Bluetooth v5.4 and an IP57 rating

We have already detailed the Galaxy Buds 3 Pros specs in our exclusive report. The new TWS offering from Samsung comes with Bluetooth v5.4 with a dual-driver design. The Korean firm has improved the ruggedness of the buds, bumping the pair to an IP57 rating for dust and water resistance. The previous model has an IPX7 rating. Stay tuned for the official launch next month. If leaks are accurate, we are exactly a month away from Samsungs next Unpacked event.
A Nokia executive has made the first immersive phone call as a demonstration. This is a new technology that the company is working on. It promises to offer an improved calling experience thanks to 3D spatial audio technology.

Pekka Lundmark, CEO of Nokia, revealed more details about the technology. He was also the one who held the call with Stefan Lindstrom, Finlands Ambassador of Digitalization and New Technologies. According to Lundmark, immersive phone calls are designed to offer a closer communication experience. It will help make interactions between all parties more lifelike. The goal is similar to Googles Project Starline, but with much fewer requirements.

The new Nokias 3D audio-based immersive phone call technology

Currently, voice calls use monophonic audio. This means that all sound is compressed to output through a single channel, which significantly reduces quality. It also completely eliminates the feeling of separation between all the sound elements present during a call. On the other hand, Nokias immersive calls solve this by implementing 3D audio technology.

One of the advantages of the technology is that it does not require special devices. The first immersive call was made using a normal 5G-supported phone. The only hardware requirements are support for 5G networks and at least two microphones. Today, millions of devices meet these requirements.

The technology is compatible with both calls between two people and meetings between multiple people. In the latter, it could be used even better, since the three-dimensional sound will separate the voices of all the participants. This will allow you to distinguish the voices of each participant according to their spatial position.

Nokias immersive phone call technology will be one of the advantages of 5G Advanced. 5G Advanced is the next evolutionary leap in mobile networks before the arrival of 6G. The company will have to reach licensing agreements for its implementation. So, youll probably have to wait some years before its available to everyone.
Two 12-year-old boys are thought to have become the youngest knife murderers in the UK after being found guilty of a brutal machete attack on a loving and protective teenager who was stabbed through the heart in a Wolverhampton park.

On Monday, jurors unanimously convicted the youths, who are believed to be youngest defendants convicted of murder in Britain since Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, both aged 11, were found guilty in 1993 of killing two-year-old James Bulger.

Family members of both the victim, Shawn Seesahai, and the defendants cried and hugged each other in the public gallery as the jurors found both boys guilty of murder and one guilty of possessing a bladed article.

In an interview released after the verdicts, Mr Seesahais parents Suresh and Maneshwary have said they will never be able to get over the loss of their 19-year-old son who always told them he would shine and take care of them.

Speaking for the first time since their son was murdered, Suresh Seesahai said he feels sorry for the parents of the killers and only hopes that justice is served for his son.

A month-long trial at Nottingham Crown Court was told Mr Seesahai was shoulder-barged by the smaller of the two defendants, who often carried a machete with a 42.5cm-long blade, before being punched, kicked, stamped on and chopped at with the weapon.

The victims friend told the trial he was forced to run for his life but Mr Seesahai stumbled as he tried to flee from the boys on Wolverhamptons Stowlawn playing fields on November 13 last year.

After refusing to answer police questions in the aftermath of the murder, the boys both gave evidence to jurors, blaming each other for inflicting the fatal blow.

Floral tributes left at the scene at Stowlawn playing fields in Wolverhampton where Shawn Seesahai died on November 13 last year (Matthew Cooper/PA)

As well as failing to summon help for Mr Seesahai, the youths showed no remorse for what they had done in the 24 hours before their arrest  with one cleaning the machete with bleach and hiding it under his bed.

They told the court they both played video games in the hours after the killing, claiming they did not know Mr Seesahai had died until the following day.

Jurors heard one of the defendants posed, wearing a mask, with the murder weapon for a picture hours before the killing, and was found to have 11 areas of bloodstaining on his clothing.

The boy was also seen with blood on his hands in the aftermath of the murder, while his friend had a small area of bloodstaining on his right trainer.

Mr Seesahai, a stranger to the two boys, was pronounced dead at 9.11pm after police and paramedics were called to the scene.

A forensic blue tent by the police cordon after Shawn Seesahai was stabbed to death (Stephanie Wareham/PA)

At the start of the trial, prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC told the court Mr Seesahai, who lived in Handsworth in Birmingham but was originally from Anguilla in the Caribbean, had travelled to the UK to receive treatment for cataracts.

Ms Heeley said the weapon had been taken out of one of the boys trousers and was made available to be used despite the fact Shawn Seesahai and his friends had offered no violence, nor done anything to offend (the youths).

The court heard that the friend managed to escape and looked back to see Mr Seesahai on the floor, having tripped on a grassed area.

Although the friend did not see the vicious attack that ensued, Ms Heeley said a teenage girl who had been with the 12-year-olds told police that both had been in possession of the machete and one often carried it.

The witness described seeing one boy pick up the machete and hold it in the air, Mr Seesahai falling to the floor and then being punched and kicked.

Ms Heeley added: She told police she saw (a defendant) using the machete on Mr Seesahais legs, and also saw (the other defendant) punching and stamping on his head.

The prosecution say the two boys were engaged in a joint attack upon a man who had done nothing wrong, a man with no weapon, who was utterly defenceless on the ground.

We say that these two boys were acting together and meant to kill Mr Seesahai, at the very least they intended to cause really serious harm.

As a result of their actions, Shawn Seesahai died at the scene. He had been hit so hard to the skull with the machete that a piece of bone had actually come away.

He had slash wounds on his leg and most significantly he had an injury from the machete that went through his body all the way from his back, through his ribs and into his heart.

High Court Judge Mrs Justice Tipples thanked the jury for their hard work and determination in what has been a tragic and distressing case on the case after their verdicts were delivered on Monday afternoon.

In an interview, Mr Seesahais parents have questioned how a child so young could have a weapon like a machete with them as they walked the streets.

Suresh Seesahai said: This world is a different world, kids are dangerous now. If we dont pay attention to them this will keep happening.

Mrs Seesahai added: Twelve-year-old kids should be at home doing school work and then going to bed. I have two children and at 7.30pm they had to go to bed because they have to follow the rules of the house.

Before that they do their school work and have a little rest.

The couple, who also have a teenage daughter, told of the moment they were told their son had been stabbed to death.

Mrs Seesahai said: I got a call from Shawns friend who was staying with him. He told me Shawn had been stabbed and I just started crying.

I told my husband and he asked for the phone to find out what had happened.

Mr Seesahai added: She kept saying that Shawn had been stabbed, I asked her what she meant and then she handed me the phone.

I asked if Shawn was OK and he said that he was not, that he had passed away.

About 30 minutes later I got a call from the police who asked if I was Shawns father and if I could spell Shawns name out. I said yes and did, they told me they had bad news  that my son had been stabbed and had passed away.

Getting a call like that is not nice for anyone. I tried to keep myself up but getting a message like that was not easy.

The boys are expected to be sentenced on a date to be fixed in July.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said he will be personally endorsing two DUP candidates in the General Election  despite his partys alliance with the rival Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV).

Mr Farage told the PA news agency: As far as the Northern Ireland thing is concerned, I want to make it clear that whilst there have been negotiations going on in previous times, I will personally be endorsing Ian Paisley and Sammy Wilson.

The two DUP politicians have said it is now clear that the TUV/Reform UK alliance is non-existent.

TUV leader Jim Allister said he was disappointed with the comments from Mr Farage, adding that he had entered into the alliance in good faith.

Mr Paisley is the DUP candidate in North Antrim, where he will be challenged by Mr Allister.

Mr Wilson is running in the East Antrim constituency, where the TUV candidate is Matthew Warwick.

The TUV had formed an electoral alliance with Reform UK ahead of Julys poll and is standing in 14 constituencies in Northern Ireland.

Reforms pact with the TUV was announced by the partys then-leader Richard Tice in March this year.

TUV leader Jim Allister is to challenge the DUP in North Antrim (Liam McBurney/PA)

Pressed about his partys alliance with the TUV, Mr Farage said: Well, new leadership brings change.

I wish the TUV well, but Im gonna stand up to support Sammy Wilson and Ian Paisley as people I fought with all through the Brexit years.

In a recent interview with the PA news agency, TUV leader Mr Allister characterised the TUV/Reform UK alliance as the authentic voice of opposition to post-Brexit trading barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

While it will only be the TUV name on the ballot paper on July 4, the parties had said they would promote a joint message on the campaign trail.

However, a photograph of Mr Farage alongside Mr Paisley delivering his endorsement also appears on the DUP candidates election leaflet.

In a joint statement, Mr Paisley and Mr Wilson said: Nigel Farage is a household name and we welcome his endorsement as the best pro-union candidate in our constituencies.

Ian Paisley is the DUP candidate in North Antrim at the General Election (Niall Carson/PA)

Nigel knows us and knows our record of delivering for the people.

This is a very embarrassing for Jim Allister as the Reform UK leader has endorsed us rather than him because the Reform UK leader recognised that on the big issues we could be relied upon.

Some people know how to build relationships and deliver results, others just talk about the problems.

The DUP politicians said it is clear that the TUV/Reform UK relationship is non-existent.

They added: It is time that TUV stopped trying to fool the voters by using Reform UK branding and logos when it is clear that the leader of Reform UK is not supporting TUV.

Its time for TUV to drop the Reform UK branding.

Mr Allister said: TUV entered an electoral arrangement with Reform UK in good faith.

We have kept faith with that agreement.

The comments by Mr Farage today are, of course, disappointing and not compatible with the content of a conversation I had with him last week.

Mr Allister added: The endorsement that TUV seeks in this election is that of ordinary voters who know who has from the start told them the truth about the union-dismantling Protocol, while the DUP tried to hoodwink them with false claims that they had got rid of the Irish Sea border.

A spokesperson for Reform UK said: The Reform Party remains committed to our alliance with the TUV and candidates will be standing under our joint logo throughout Northern Ireland.

Nigel Farage was giving a personal view in respect of two DUP candidates with whom he has worked closely in the past but he has not changed the policy and does not intend to do so.

Reform remains a hundred percent committed to the union.
The family of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn are shocked and upset after finding out just days before his inquest that their sons killer would not be giving live evidence.

Northamptonshire coroner Anne Pember issued a request to US government employee Anne Sacoolas last year in which she invited her to attend remotely on Monday.

The proposed witness list for the inquest, seen by the PA news agency, now shows Sacoolas will have her evidence read to the court.

Sacoolas was sentenced remotely after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving in 2022 (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

The Dunn familys spokesman Radd Seiger said the 19-year-olds parents were informed about the proposed plan on Thursday, describing the situation as yet another kick to the stomach.

Sacoolass lawyer, Ben Cooper KC, told a pre-inquest review hearing in November that the US citizen was keen to assist the inquest.

According to the proposed witness list, Sacoolass evidence is set to include a significant statement from her, sections of her police interview in October 2019 and her witness statement penned in December last year.

Sacoolas was driving a Volvo on the wrong side of the road outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on August 27 2019 before she crashed into the teenagers bike.

The US State Department asserted diplomatic immunity on behalf of Sacoolas and she was able to leave the UK 19 days after the fatal collision.

The 45-year-old appeared before a High Court judge at the Old Bailey via video-link in December 2022, where she pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.

Sacoolas was advised against attending her sentencing hearing by her employer, which prompted the family to say they were horrified that the US Government was actively interfering in our criminal justice system.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb handed Sacoolas an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

The Dunn family took their four-year campaign for justice to the US after the teenagers death, which even led to a meeting with then-president Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington DC.

Reacting to the current plans for Sacoolass evidence, Mr Seiger told PA: The parents are shocked and upset.

The Dunn family are shocked and upset at the proposed plans for Sacoolass evidence (James Manning/PA)

They have understood since last November from her own lawyer that she would be giving live evidence which would have helped the family better understand what happened during after the crash that killed Harry.

This news comes totally out of the blue and they are still trying to process it and what effect it will have on their rights at the inquest but it appears to be yet another kick to the stomach of these totally innocent good people who have done nothing wrong and do not deserve this.

We do not know why this decision was made or who made it but very much hope that there is a last minute change of heart on Mrs Sacoolas part and for once that she does the right thing.

It is the very least she can do.

Questioned on what the Dunn familys hopes were for the inquest, Mr Seiger said: The parents are hoping to learn what happened to Harry that night and what were the circumstances that led to Harrys death  including what, if anything, was done to address road safety outside US bases over the decades since the Americans based themselves in the UK.

We know many were killed or seriously injured before Harry and want to know what risk assessments were undertaken to address the problem.

We also know that the ambulance was late to Harry that night in August 2019 and the parents want to work with the coroner and the NHS to see what can be done about the crisis that we all potentially face in not getting an ambulance when we most need it.

We have nothing but praise for the medical team themselves that fought so bravely to save Harrys life.

The inquest, which is scheduled to begin on Monday, is due to last for four days.
Child serial killer Lucy Letby will go on trial today over an allegation that she attempted to murder a baby girl.

In August 2023, Letby, 34, of Hereford, was convicted of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six other infants at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016.

The jury in Letbys 10-month trial at Manchester Crown Court was unable to reach verdicts on six counts of attempted murder in relation to five children.

Lucy Letby, 34, will go on trial accused of the attempted murder of a baby girl at the Countess of Chester Hospital (Peter Byrne/PA)

On Monday at the same court, the former neonatal nurse will be retried over one of those counts  an allegation that she tried to murder a baby girl, known as Child K, in February 2016.

The retrial is estimated to last up to four weeks.

Letby, who denied all the charges, was cleared of two counts of attempted murder at the original trial.

A court order prohibits reporting of the identities of the surviving and dead children who were the subject of the allegations.
Some animals listen to music like humans, and their reactions to it can be very interesting. Mr. James Crossley is a musician who plays the gong and the handpan and he often visits the parks of London to play for whoever - or whatever - wants to stop and listen. He shared a video in May of him playing the handpan when a herd of deer stopped to enjoy the beautiful sounds he creates.

Make sure your sound is on because this music will bring a moment or two of Zen to your day. It's so relaxing! And I'm not the only one who thinks so since an entire herd of deer were enjoying it too. Look how intently they're all watching him!

View the original article to see embedded media.

Wasn't this cool to watch?! His music is so relaxing and I could listen to it all day. I wish we could've seen if the deer approached him or if he approached the deer. Commenter @mylam_runner wondered the same thing, "Wow, did they join you or you went near them instead?" and James replied, "They joined for 30 minutes or so. I agree with @waynehowardsaunders who said, "What an audience to play to!" and @kaz_lenehan added, "Are you kidding thats a dream. Drawn to the music."

Related: Video of Deer Playing in the Sprinkler With Kids Is As Innocent As It Gets

Animals and Their Love of Music

Another commenter replied to James' video, "Oh wow they stay so close! Obviously love the music!" Like these deer, a wide variety of animals enjoy listening to music. Many studies have found that many animals enjoy music much like humans do.

Birds love music, whether it's songs that they can make on their own or music made by humans. Researchers at Emory University found that when birds hear birdsongs, they respond to the music similarly to how humans do. Pathways that the human brain employs when it listens to music are the same ones that a bird brain employs. This explains why parrots love to sing and dance so much!

Studies have shown that cows actually produce more milk when they are listening to music. Dr. Adrian North, told the BBC, Calming music can improve milk yield, probably because it reduces stress. I'm not sure if this cow produces milk or not, but she loves music so much that she dances to it! And this wallaby rocks out and even plays air guitar!

Elephants are also huge fans of music. Paul Barton is a world renown pianist who used to play in front of packed concert halls. He decided to give that up, and headed to Thailand where he now plays for blind and handicapped elephants. When he sits down to play, the elephants are drawn to the music much like the deer were and will stay and listen to him for as long as he plays. It's a beautiful thing to see!

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Toto Wolff understands his drivers frustration at their Canadian Grand Prix result after a weekend where Mercedes catapulted themselves back into contention for victory.

George Russell claimed Mercedes first podium of the season at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, securing third having started from pole with a thrilling pass on team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages of a pulsating race.

Mercedes, Formula Ones once-dominant team, have endured two seasons of struggle and came into the weekend a whopping 180 points adrift of leaders Red Bull in the constructors championship.

But a strong showing in Monaco last time out meant they arrived in Canada with confidence and underlined their progress with blistering pace at times amid changeable conditions on Montreals Ile Notre-Dame.

Lewis Hamilton said his race was shocking (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press via AP)

Despite their uptick in form, Russell lamented an ugly race and Hamilton described his display as shocking.

When you finish third and fourth where we have been coming from is a positive race, Wolff said.

Three and four is much better than what we had in the last few races. Both drivers saw that more was up for grabs and we could have gained a position or two, so maybe that is why a negative sentiment remains.

If you had given them third and fourth before the weekend they would probably have taken it.

Russell endured an incident-filled race, running wide at the final chicane to slip from first to third and also coming together with the McLaren of Oscar Piastri in the final laps.

PA graphic

Wolff came on the radio during the race to say: Focus George, focus.

Russell also attacked his team-mate Hamilton at the end to secure his step on the podium but Wolff, who famously oversaw tangles between the seven-time world champion and Nico Rosberg, was not panicked.

I have had much worse! he said.

Sometimes I talk to the drivers. I said calm down a few races ago I think.

Giving a little advice that can be helpful, hopefully helpful, is good. I know him (Russell) so well and I think I know what goes through his mind.

Mercedes brought a new front wing to Monaco which has helped improved their performance.

Canada bears similarities to Monaco  a bumpy street circuit with the need to ride kerbs  which means it is hard to fully assess whether Mercedes are back in the leading pack.

Since Imola we have taken the right steps and put parts on the car that (have worked) and that is something we have struggled with in the last couple of years, Wolff said.

Directionally we seem to be heading forward. We have new parts coming in Barcelona so I hope we can continue this positive trajectory.

We have brought so many new parts that have contributed milliseconds to more performance. That was a huge effort from the factory. I think the wheel has started to get some real motion now.

Mercedes showed blistering pace at time amid the changeable conditions (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Bit by bit we have added more performance. Another step in Barcelona as we will see it on the stopwatch.

Hopefully the next few races when there is a track you can overtake, it will be exciting.

In FP3 Lewis put in a lap that was out of this world. It was so quick and his long run was stratospheric.

The car was very good. But this track is different to others. Its an outlier so hopefully we can demonstrate that we have genuine pace.
One of the times that a lot of us can relate to the wealthy and famous is when we hear them talk about the love they have for their pets. I think that's why when someone we are used to only seeing in the news or in concert mourns the loss of their fur babies that our hearts really break for them. That's the case with the gorgeous and talented Miranda Lambert who announced on Instagram that both of her dogs have recently passed.

You can't help but feel your heart break for the country music superstar.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Lambert posted the first tribute to her little rescue dog named Delta Dawn. She explained in her touching post, "She was one of those dogs that you only get once in a lifetime. I found her at a Sonic in Oklahoma in the spring of 2009. She was homeless and hungry but still full of personality. I opened my car door and she jumped in. Little did I know when I was trying to just get a cherry limeade, I would meet one of the most amazing dogs I would ever know. I had about 16 years with her and she was on almost every tour Ive ever been on. Im honored to have met her and learned so much from her. She crossed over the rainbow bridge and left this earth on April 22 , 2024. And it happened to be Earth Day."

Related: Actress Kate Beckinsale Shows Off New Tattoo Tribute to Her Cat Who Passed In June

Lambert went on to explain that Shelters all over the country are suffering from overcrowded-ness so this is my heart song to you. Consider a rescue or fostering or volunteering.

Lambert Posted a Second Tribute to Her Other Pup

View the original article to see embedded media.

Then, if things couldn't get any sadder, Lambert posted a tribute to her Great Pyrenees named Louise who she rescued along with her sister pup Thelma in 2016. The post explained that Louise, who Lambert nicknamed Lou Lou , boo boo, Lou bell, Lunas, and Fluff Cloud also sadly crossed the rainbow bridge a few days ago.

The Grammy winner shared, "The first day I ever brought them to the farm in TN (they rode on the bus on a day drive from Dallas) they were right at home. I have mini horses, chickens and goats and I needed them for protection for the critters. And boy did they do the job. I had 7 years with Thelma who we lost last July and 8 years with this beauty. My Lou Lou polar bear. She loved it when I sang her special songs to her."

Lambert then again encouraged fans to bring home a shelter pet with "So please remember this summer while you are home in your back yards with your families to consider bringing home a shelter pet to be part of those memories. They will change your life for the better."

That is so true. The love you get from adopting an in-need animal to your life will bring you more joy than you can ever expect. Our hearts go out to Lambert during this sad time, and we are so grateful she is such a wonderful advocate for fostering and pet adoption. Rest in peace, sweet pups.

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More than 15 branches of Barclays bank across England and Scotland have been vandalised by a campaign group called Palestine Action.

The sites had windows smashed and paint thrown as part of a protest calling on the bank to divest from arms companies that sell to Israel, as well as firms linked to fossil fuels.

Palestine Action said branches in Moorgate, Palace Street, Richmond, Croydon, Wellington Road and Peckham in London were targeted, along with Barclays banks in Glasgow, Exeter, Sheffield, Brighton, Northampton, Bristol, Birmingham, Solihull and Preston, Bury and Stockport, as well as an office in Edinburgh.

Activists smashed windows, sprayed red paint and stencilled on the outside of the buildings.

Palestine Action said that in Edinburgh, rocks with the names of Palestinians killed in the conflict written on them were thrown through windows.

Red paint over the front of a Barclays branch in Moorgate in the City of London (Palestine Action/PA)

The vandalism was a joint action with a newly-formed climate change group called Shut The System.

City of London Police said three men were arrested over the damage to the building in Moorgate.

Palestine Action and Shut The System accused Barclays of having financial interests in selling weapons to Israel and in funding fossil fuel companies.

The groups said radical direct action tactics such as these will continue until Barclays stops investing in certain companies.

A spokesperson for Barclays said: We provide vital financial services to US, UK and European public companies that supply defence products to Nato and its allies.

Three men, aged between 34-45 years of age, have been arrested in connection with criminal damage at Barclays on Moorgate this morning. They were seen on CCTV by our control and officers were sent to the scene. Following a short foot chase, three men were brought into custody. pic.twitter.com/eoUFlDMNky  City of London Police (@CityPolice) June 10, 2024

Barclays does not directly invest in these companies.

The defence sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK Government has been clear that supporting defence companies is compatible with ESG (environmental, social and governance) considerations.

Decisions on the implementation of arms embargos to other nations are the job of respective elected governments.

While we support the right to protest, we ask that campaigners do so in a way which respects our customers, colleagues and property.
Saulos Chilima, left, has been vice-president since 2014 Photograph: AP

Soldiers are searching mountainous forests in northern Malawi after an aircraft carrying vice-president Saulos Chilima and nine others went missing on Monday.

The plane carrying Chilima, former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri and eight others left the capital, Lilongwe, at 9.17am and had been expected to land 45 minutes later at Mzuzu international airport, about 370km (230 miles) to the north.

President Lazarus Chakwera said in an address broadcast live on state TV channel MBC on Monday night that air traffic control in Mzuzu had told the pilots not to attempt a landing and to turn around because of bad weather and poor visibility.



Air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft and it disappeared from radar a short time later, he said.



I know this is a heartbreaking situation. I know we are all frightened and concerned. I too am concerned, Chakwera said. But I want to assure you that I am sparing no available resource to find that plane. And I am holding on to every fibre of hope that we will find survivors.

Chakwera said the US, UK, Norway and Israel had offered assistance in the search operation and had provided specialised technologies that the president hoped would help find the plane sooner.

The president said the search would continue through the night and that authorities had used telecommunications towers to track the last known position of the plane to within a 10km (six-mile) radius of one of the plantations that surround Mzuzu, which lies in an area dominated by the Viphya mountain range.

I have given strict orders that the operation should continue until the plane is found, Chakwera said.

The incident meant the president cancelled a planned visit to the Bahamas.

Chilima, 51, had been due to attend the funeral of Ralph Kasambara, a former minister of justice and attorney general, in the village of Chijere, east of Mzuzu. Kasambara, 55, was found dead after suffering heart failure last Friday, according to a government Facebook post.

Malawi is experiencing heavy rains in some parts of the country, especially the north.

Chilima has been the southern African countrys vice-president since 2014. He previously led the mobile network Airtel Malawi, as well as working at Unilever, Coca-Cola and Carlsberg, according to his profile on the governments website.

Chilima is married and has two children. He received a PhD in knowledge management from the University of Bolton, according to the government website.
Angela Rayner said: "We will end the marketisation and privatisation of our education" - GETTY IMAGES

Angela Rayner appeared to call for the abolition of private schools while serving as shadow education secretary, it has emerged.

Labours deputy leader pledged that her party would end the marketisation and privatisation of our education in a clip, below, that has emerged from 2018.

Ms Rayner said that Labour would not do so because of dogma but because the evidence says that the best system for our young peoples education is a comprehensive state system.

The remarks emerged as Labour comes under growing pressure over its plan to impose VAT on private school fees.

The plans have prompted fears of a pupil exodus, as Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to implement the policy as soon as possible if he wins the election on July 4.

Speaking in Leeds alongside Rachel Reeves, now the shadow chancellor, Ms Rayner said: We will end the marketisation and privatisation of our education.

Well do it because the evidence says that the best system for our young peoples education is a comprehensive state system. Worldwide, thats what it says.

Her pledge was met by applause by the audience and from Ms Reeves who was sat on the stage at Brudenell Social Club.

She added: And our next Labour government will not tinker around the edges. No more magnolia politics, as I like to call it, where we all dont want to upset anyone but in the process we cheese off everybody because nobody quite knows what were about.

Ms Rayner said that at the time the Labour Party were consulting on Jeremy Corbyns plans for a National Education Service.

She said that the consultation would talk about local accountability, it will talk about building society, building our industries, not having privatisation in our schools and we will have a manifesto next time that will build on what we did in 1945 and it will finish the job.

A Labour spokesman said that claims Ms Rayner wanted to see an end to private schools was more desperate nonsense from the Tories and completely misrepresents what Angela actually said.

The National Education Service was a plan set out by Mr Corbyn, now standing as an independent, while he was Labour leader.

Ms Rayner said Labour was at that time consulting on plans by the former leader, Jeremy Corbyn - PA

He advertised the policy as education that was free at the point of use so everyone can learn at every stage of their lives during a speech in Blackpool in 2019.

In the speech, first unearthed by former Tory aide Ross Kempsell, Ms Rayner appeared to be referencing 2016 plans by Theresa May, the then-prime minister, to lift the ban on new grammar schools.

On Monday, the Labour leader slapped down claims by a party frontbencher that class sizes in the state sector could get bigger as a result of the partys plans.

He insisted Emily Thornberry was wrong when she suggested on Sunday that the change could spark a rise in state school class sizes, when she said if we have to, in the short term, have larger classes, we have larger classes.

A Labour spokesman said: This is more desperate nonsense from the Tories and completely misrepresents what Angela actually said.

Labour wants to drive high and rising standards in all our state schools to break down barriers to opportunity across our country.

Well invest in 3,000 new nurseries in primary schools, 6,500 expert teachers, and mental health counselling in every secondary school. Well fund this by ending tax breaks for private schools and deliver a brilliant education for the 93 per cent of children who attend state schools.
The windows of a branch in Bristol were destroyed in a coordinated attack - Tom Wren / SWNS

Some 20 Barclays bank branches have been vandalised overnight by pro-Palestine activists, with windows smashed and buildings covered in red paint.

Protesters broke windows of branches and offices across England and Scotland as part of an ongoing demand for the bank to cut ties with Israel.

Members of Palestine Action shattered glass, sprayed paint and stencilled over the facades of around 20 buildings from Glasgow to Brighton.

In Edinburgh, rocks were thrown through windows, inscribed with the names of dead Palestinians, Palestine Action said.

The front of the bank's Moorgate branch splattered with red paint - Martin Pope/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

It is the latest incident to hit Barclays  which has joined a growing list of corporations targeted because of the Israel-Hamas war  in recent months. Companies including Starbucks, McDonalds and Google have also been targeted.

The group partnered with Shut the System, a recently launched underground climate movement, to carry out the attack.

A statement by Palestine Action read: The continuing illegal land grabs, apartheid regime, and unfolding genocide perpetuated by Israel are clear reasons to boycott the state, but companies such as Barclays are continuing to invest in its military industry, all in the name of profit.

Up until now, most groups have relied on peaceful demonstrations and open engagement with staff and managers. Now this has proven futile, groups like Palestine Action and Shut the System are escalating matters.

A police officer looks over the scene of destruction at a Barclays branch in Stockport - Milo Chandler / Alamy Live News

Protesters have long claimed that Barclays has deep links with the defence industry. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has claimed that the company has been funding the Israel Defense Forces.

According to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Barclays is complicit in Israels attacks on Gazas civilian population because it holds 1.6 billion worth of shares in, and provides 3 billion of loans to, military companies that make technology used in Israels Gaza operations.

Defence companies in which Barclays is claimed to be a shareholder include BAE Systems, the UK manufacturer, Ultra Electronics and Qinetiq, US contractors Boeing, Caterpillar and General Dynamics, and some Israeli contractors.

Barclays has lent or underwritten financing for Boeing, Caterpillar, BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Raytheon and QinetiQ, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign claims.

Man surveys the damage done to the branch in St John's Wood, London - Martin Pope/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce are involved in the production of the F-35, which has been used in the Gaza conflict, while Caterpillar makes D9 bulldozers used by the Israeli military.

General Dynamics manufactures the Namer armoured vehicle for Israel, while Boeing makes the Apache attack helicopter and Hellfire missile.

However, it is Barclays ties to Elbit Systems, the Israeli defence company, that cause the most controversy. The company, listed in Tel Aviv and New York, is a constant focus for pro-Palestinian campaigners. According to activists, it manufactures weapons that have been used in historic bombardments against the Gaza Strip.

Customers at the same branch in St John's Wood unable to withdraw cash after the attack - Martin Pope/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

A Palestine Action activist said: Barclays is funding the crises of climate collapse and genocide in Palestine. Decades of polite campaigning, petitions, letter writing and lobbying MPs have failed.

We will continue to escalate until Barclays pulls its finger out and stops funding genocide and climate destruction.

Barclays rebutted the claims and said protesters have fundamentally misunderstood its business.

Parts of Bury shopping centre were closed off following an attack on the town's Barclays - Milo Chandler / Alamy Live News

A Barclays spokesman said: We provide vital financial services to US, UK and European public companies that supply defence products to Nato and its allies. Barclays does not directly invest in these companies.

The defence sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK government has been clear that supporting defence companies is compatible with ESG considerations. Decisions on the implementation of arms embargoes to other nations are the job of respective elected governments.

While we support the right to protest, we ask that campaigners do so in a way which respects our customers, colleagues and property.
Shawn Seesahai - Press Association Images

Two 12-year-old boys found guilty of murdering a 19-year-old are thought to be the youngest killers to be convicted since James Bulgers murder.

Jurors unanimously convicted the youths, who are believed to be the youngest boys to have committed a knife-related murder in the UK, on Monday of the murder of Shawn Seesahai.

A month-long trial at Nottingham Crown Court was told Seesahai was shoulder-barged by the smaller of the two defendants, who often carried a machete with a 42.5cm-long blade, before being punched, kicked, stamped on and chopped at with the weapon.

The youths are believed to be the youngest defendants convicted of murder in Britain since Robert Thompson and Jon Venables were found guilty in 1993 of killing two-year-old Bulger.

Bulgers killers were both 10 at the time of the murder, and 11 when convicted. They are also thought to be the youngest boys to have committed a knife-related murder in the UK.

A machete was found under the bed of one of the defendants by the police - West Midlands Police

Family members of both the victim and the defendants cried and hugged each other in the public gallery as the jurors found both boys guilty of murder and one guilty of possessing a bladed article.

In an interview released after the verdicts, Seesahais parents Suresh and Maneshwary said they would never be able to get over the loss of their 19-year-old son, who always told them he would shine and take care of them.

Speaking for the first time since their son was murdered, Seesahais father said he feels sorry for the parents of the killers and only hopes that justice is served for his son.

Victim stumbled as he ran from killers

The victims friend told the trial he was forced to run for his life but Seesahai stumbled as he tried to flee from the boys on Wolverhamptons Stowlawn playing fields on Nov 13 last year.

After refusing to answer police questions in the aftermath of the murder, the boys both gave evidence to jurors, blaming each other for inflicting the fatal blow.

As well as failing to summon help for Seesahai, the youths showed no remorse for what they had done in the 24 hours before their arrest - with one cleaning the machete with bleach and hiding it under his bed.

They told the court they both played video games in the hours after the killing, claiming they did not know Seesahai had died until the following day.

A court sketch shows the 16in machete used in the murder - Helen Tipper

Jurors heard one of the defendants posed, wearing a mask, with the murder weapon for a picture hours before the killing, and was found to have 11 areas of blood staining on his clothing.

The boy was also seen with blood on his hands in the aftermath of the murder, while his friend had a small area of blood staining on his right trainer.

Seesahai, a stranger to the two boys, was pronounced dead at 9.11pm after police and paramedics were called to the scene.

At the start of the trial, Michelle Heeley KC, prosecuting, told the court Seesahai, who lived in Handsworth in Birmingham but was originally from Anguilla in the Caribbean, had travelled to the UK to receive treatment for cataracts.

Ms Heeley said the weapon had been taken out of one of the boys trousers and was made available to be used despite the fact Shawn Seesahai and his friends had offered no violence, nor done anything to offend [the youths].

Seesahai hit so hard bone broke from his skull

The court heard that the friend managed to escape and looked back to see Seesahai on the floor, having tripped on a grassed area.

Although the friend did not see the vicious attack that ensued, Ms Heeley said a teenage girl who had been with the 12-year-olds told police that both had been in possession of the machete and one often carried it.

The witness described seeing one boy pick up the machete and hold it in the air, Mr Seesahai falling to the floor and then being punched and kicked.

Police set up a crime scene at Stowlawn playing fields in Wolverhampton after the attack - Martin O'Callaghan/Birmingham Mail

Ms Heeley added: She told police she saw [a defendant] using the machete on Mr Seesahais legs, and also saw [the other defendant] punching and stamping on his head.

The prosecution say the two boys were engaged in a joint attack upon a man who had done nothing wrong, a man with no weapon, who was utterly defenceless on the ground.

We say that these two boys were acting together and meant to kill Mr Seesahai, at the very least they intended to cause really serious harm.

CCTV from before the attack shows the two young people

She added: As a result of their actions, Shawn Seesahai died at the scene. He had been hit so hard to the skull with the machete that a piece of bone had actually come away.

He had slash wounds on his leg and most significantly he had an injury from the machete that went through his body all the way from his back, through his ribs and into his heart.

High Court Judge Mrs Justice Tipples thanked the jury for their hard work and determination in what has been a tragic and distressing case on the case after their verdicts were delivered on Monday afternoon.

Parents question why 12 -year-old had a machete

In an interview, Mr Seesahais parents have questioned how a child so young could have a weapon like a machete with them as they walked the streets.

Suresh said: This world is a different world, kids are dangerous now. If we dont pay attention to them this will keep happening.

Maneshwary added: Twelve-year-old kids should be at home doing school work and then going to bed. I have two children and at 7.30pm they had to go to bed because they have to follow the rules of the house.

The couple, who also have a teenage daughter, told of the moment they were told their son had been stabbed to death.

Maneshwary said: I got a call from Shawns friend who was staying with him. He told me Shawn had been stabbed and I just started crying.

I told my husband and he asked for the phone to find out what had happened.

Suresh added: She kept saying that Shawn had been stabbed, I asked her what she meant and then she handed me the phone.

I asked if Shawn was okay and he said that he was not, that he had passed away.

About 30 minutes later I got a call from the police who asked if I was Shawns father and if I could spell Shawns name out. I said yes and did, they told me they had bad news - that my son had been stabbed and had passed away.

Getting a call like that is not nice for anyone. I tried to keep myself up but getting a message like that was not easy.

The boys are expected to be sentenced on a date to be fixed in July.
Steve Endacott said the chatbot allowed him to engage with voters while living in Rochdale, which is almost 300 miles away from Brighton

An entrepreneur is using an artificial intelligence persona to run in the general election as an MP.

Steve Endacott has created a chatbot called AI Steve, which can speak to voters online without his involvement.

Mr Endacott has suggested it is AI Steve  and not him  who is running for election in Brighton Pavilion.

AI Steve will appear on the ballot paper as an independent candidate and Mr Endacott has claimed the chatbot will be Brighton and Hoves first AI MP.

It is despite strict government rules that require election candidates to be citizens who are at least 18 years old.

A website has been created showing computer-generated images of AI Steve wearing a shirt and blazer and speaking from a podium.

Mr Endacott said the chatbot allowed him to engage with voters while living in Rochdale, which is almost 300 miles away from Brighton.

A statement on his website said: Although Steve maintains a house in Brighton and will use this when attending parliament, he now lives in Rochdale with his new wife, restricting his time to talk to his constituents in Brighton and Hove.

AI Steve was created to ensure that the people of Brighton and Hove had 24/7 access to leave opinions and create policies.

Writing on the website, Mr Endacott said that he would attend Parliament if he wins on July 4 on behalf of AI Steve and implement policies created by the chatbot. Constituents would be able to guide these policies by speaking to the chatbot online.

Mr Endacott said he had already created many of the initial policy ideas.

These include charging no VAT on private education fees, cutting student tuition fees by 50 per cent, and introducing a four-day working week by 2030.

According to the Electoral Commission, there is nothing in electoral law relating to how candidates or MPs can seek views from constituents, including the use of AI.

Comments claiming to be from constituents also appear on the website, praising AI Steve. One comment from Cathy Rankin said: What an amazing concept.

I spoke to AI Steve about my bins issue, and within minutes, we had devised a policy.

He now recommends adding trackers to bin collection lorries, optimising routes based on demand and charging for higher usage, based on my comments.

This is the first time Ive had a politician listen to me.
A drone image showing destroyed buildings in the city of Khan Yunis - STR/EPA-EFE//SHUTTERSTOCK

British surveillance drones are reportedly helping search for Gaza hostages as part of the largest intelligence effort ever conducted by Israel.

A senior Israeli official briefed The New York Times that British and American drones have been able to provide information that Israels drones do not collect, without specifying details.

The sheer number of American MQ-9 Reapers, in particular, over the skies of the densely populated Gaza Strip has helped to monitor the territory more frequently and for longer periods, to scour for any clues as to where the hostages may be being held.

British military and intelligence officials are also reportedly playing a key role in tracking the remaining hostages movements and establishing patterns that could help determine windows of opportunity for rescue operations.

A drone flies over Rafah as an Israeli fighter jet releases a flare - ABDEL KREEM HANA/AP

Israel had a fleeting moment of joy on Saturday after hundreds of its forces freed four hostages, who had been kidnapped from the Nova music festival and were being held in two separate residential buildings, in Nuseirat, central Gaza.

However, national elation at their safe return soon morphed into growing pressure on Benjamin Netanyahus coalition government to secure the release of the remaining 120 hostages, both dead and alive.

Some 251 people were believed to have been captured in the surprise assault by Hamas terrorists on October 7.

A temporary ceasefire agreement in November allowed 105 of them to be released, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Since then, 43 have been officially declared dead. Privately, Israeli officials estimate fewer than 60 are still alive.

In the early days after the attack, US and Israeli intelligence and military analysts formed a fusion cell to share imagery from drones and satellites that could help with the search for hostages, the New York Times reported.

However, Israeli and US officials say the weekend raid may have caused Hamas to switch tactics and move more hostages into a network of tunnels beneath Gaza.

The location of many captives is still unknown and, to date, just seven have been rescued, highlighting both the difficulty of detecting them and the treacherous nature of recovery missions.

Images of multiple civilians, including women and children, who were killed by back-up airstrikes during the high-risk hostage extraction operation on Saturday have caused international outrage. One Israeli commander was also mortally wounded in the gunfight.

Israeli troops carrying out an operation in Gaza - IDF

Following the complex raid, which was weeks in the planning, the Israel Defence Forces said the best way to secure the release of the largest number of hostages was through a deal.

Families of the hostages have also demanded the government do more, and tensions within Israel are rising.

On Monday, a shouting match erupted in a parliamentary finance committee between Bezalel Smotrich, the hardline finance minister, and relatives of hostages still in Gaza, when he said Israel could not agree to a deal that would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and lead to collective suicide.

According to Israeli media, one family member demanded that Mr Smotrich and Knesset members take the hostages places.
Labours path to victory in Burnley is far less straightforward than the polls suggest. Composite: The Guardian/Guardian Design

On the face of it, Burnley should be one of the dullest contests in the general election. Keir Starmers party is sailing to victory in the Lancashire town described as Labours most winnable seat, according to the polls.

One forecast has given Labour a 94% chance of winning. Another predicts a 1997-style majority, replacing another brick in its red wall. On this basis, Antony Higginbotham, Burnleys first Conservative MP in a century, may as well bin the leaflets and head straight to the jobcentre.

And yet, a series of confounding factors  ranging from the Pennines to Palestine  mean Labours path to victory is far less straightforward than the polls suggest.

One potentially significant moment in the battle for Burnley took place behind a veil of intrigue last Thursday night. It was a meeting of the towns Muslim community leaders to choose the candidate they will back for the general election. The prize? As many as 11,000 votes that would mostly have gone to Labour.

Only one of the eight prospective MPs was invited: Gordon Birtwistle, the avuncular 80-year-old Liberal Democrat. A well-known and longserving town councillor who represented Burnley for five years in parliament until 2015, Birtwistle addressed the room of about 300 people before formally winning the groups backing.

The 50/1 outsider now believes he could win. I think I can, he said over a pot of tea in Mooch Cafe87 in the market town of Padiham, three miles west of Burnley. Labour think its in the bag, they think theyve walked it. I hope they carry on thinking theyve walked it.

Like in other parts of England, Labour has haemorrhaged support in Burnley over its stance on the Israel-Gaza war. In November, half of the towns ruling Labour party  including its leader, Afrasiab Anwar  resigned in protest at Starmers refusal to back an immediate ceasefire.

The 11 defections cast Labour back into council opposition and amounted to the biggest proportion of resignations over Gaza anywhere in England, according to Mike Makin-Waite, author of On Burnley Road, a book about the towns turbulent history.

Anwar said the strength of anti-Labour feeling in the Muslim community was possibly stronger now than it was eight months ago. Its as if weve been taken for granted within the party  and thats completely immoral.

After lunchtime prayers at Shah Jalal Masjid, which serves the towns Bangladeshi-heritage Muslims, worshippers raised a range of issues  the NHS, potholes, crime  but above all was the Middle East conflict.

At the moment in this current election Gaza will take a big precedent in how Muslims will vote, and not just Muslims, said Mohammed Ali, 47, who said he had cancelled his Labour membership, making him one of about 70 local members to leave over Gaza. There are issues like roads and hospitals but Gaza is the priority.

The last time Burnley elected a Conservative MP was in 1910, a few months before the death of King Charless great-great-grandfather King Edward VII, when the town was at the centre of the cotton world.

The Victorian mills that first brought growth to the town are now building its future: Newtown Mill is being turned into an expanded campus for the University of Central Lancashire while another will be turned into halls of accommodation. The councils motto reads: From mill town to university town.

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Away from the marketing spiel, Burnley has chronic challenges. It is the eighth most deprived council area in England, with an unemployment rate almost double the national average. GPs are buckling under the strain of caring for almost 2,000 patients each, one of the highest ratios in the north of England. Almost everyone in Burnley has a horror story about the Royal Blackburn hospitals accident and emergency department, which has been overwhelmed with patients since Burnleys A&E closed in 2007.

Great strides have been made to address the issues that fuelled the riots that engulfed parts of Burnley in 2001. It seems remarkable that only 11 years ago, Nick Griffins far-right British National party was the second-largest group in the town hall after winning its first English council seat, in Burnley, in 2002. The BNP maintained an uninterrupted presence on the council until 2012.

The Duke of York pub on the busy Colne Road was at the centre of those riots 23 years ago. It was firebombed and became the focal point of pitched battles between white and Asian gangs, which flared across the Pennines to Oldham and Bradford. Today, the Grade II-listed building has been renovated into modern flats, marketed at university students and workers for the fast-fashion brand Boohoo, Burnleys biggest private sector employer. A Palestine flag hangs from the window of a flat opposite.

Jess Shaw, 30, moved into her 650-a-month two-bedroom flat last year and embraced the buildings history. She felt Burnley had been forgotten by national politics. Describing herself as a Corbynite and very left-leaning, the graphic design student said she would put aside some of her opinions about Starmers Labour and vote to kick the Tories out.

Four miles west, in the semi-rural market town of Padiham, there was similar disillusionment with the main political parties. I probably dont want to vote for anybody but its important to exercise your right, said Sue ORourke, 56, the owner of SoFloral florists.

We have a Conservative leader that is completely out of touch with the general public. How can he contemplate what its like not to be able to pay himself at the end of the month with the wage he has? And we have a Labour leader who is just against what the other one is for.

Shaun McLaney, 35, owner of the Little Card Shop, said he was usually a Labour voter but had backed the Conservatives in 2017 for reasons he could not recall. This time he was certain of only one thing: I definitely wont be voting Tories  anybody but the Tories.

Its just the way theyve been running everything for the past 14 years. And now they want another five years to correct it.

In the Hapton Inn, a country pub in a Conservative-leaning rural village, the apathy was as strong as the glasses of benny and hot  a local delicacy comprising the French liqueur Benedictine and hot water.

I put all politicians in the same boat, said the chef-proprietor, Lee Wright, as he served meals and sorted the weekly pub quiz. Theyre all as bad as one another and theyre not doing the country a service. Theyre making a mockery of the people.

Four miles away, in the tightly packed terraces of Burnley Wood, William Harbour, 58, wore his refusal to vote as a badge of honour. The countrys on its arse now but its not going to change  its gone too far, he said.

When Labours candidate, Oliver Ryan, knocked on his door last week, the 29-year-old told Harbour it was a two-horse race between Labour and the Conservatives, asking who he would back. Farage, came the reply.

Starmer has visited Burnley three times since Ryan, a councillor in nearby Tameside, Greater Manchester, was selected as its candidate two years ago. With one of the UKs slimmest majorities  the Tories had a lead of only 1,352 votes in 2019  the seat should be there for the taking.

However, Higginbotham appears to remain popular among those who elected him five years ago. He does not give the impression of being a downbeat figure who is about to lose his job, dismissing a YouGov poll that slashed his share of the vote in half. I dont think its anywhere as near as bad as that, he said.

As well as the Gaza issue, the poll  which has Labour on course for a historic landslide  does not account for the boundary changes that brought two neighbouring wards, where half of the population identify as Muslim, into the constituency for the first time. Nor had it factored in the surprise surge in support for the Lib Dems.

Higginbotham said he cant see how Labour could win if it lost as many as 11,000 votes to the Lib Dems, unless theyve built this massive electoral coalition. I genuinely think Ive got a decent shot of winning, he said.

Ryan, meanwhile, believes Labours main challenge is avoiding complacency. The party was winning back Brexit voters who backed the Tories in 2019, he said. On Gaza, the response had been quietly reassuring, he said. The biggest issue will be complacency and people thinking weve walked it.
The Mobile county sheriffs office is investigating the situation. Photograph: Ricardo Rojas/Reuters

Nearly 55lb (25kg) of what appears to be cocaine recently washed up on the shores of Alabama, local police said.

The police department in the community of Dauphin Island made the discovery, saying the recovered amount was worth about $450,000. Officers then contacted the Mobile county sheriffs office, which also has jurisdiction in the area and is investigating the situation.

Images released by police show 25 packages of what they said appeared to be cocaine, with a picture of a percentage sign on the front.

The apparent cocaine washed up just one day after scuba divers trying to remove trash found the same quantity of the drug 100ft under water in Key West, Florida.

In that case, the local sheriffs office in Monroe county turned over the suspected narcotics to US border agents.

Polices discovery in Alabama served to demonstrate the kinds and amounts of drugs that are sometimes trafficked in international waters off the US coast.

Another large quantity of the drug was found on Dauphin Island in May, when beachgoers searching for seashells stumbled upon $1.2m worth of cocaine.

@USCG Cutter Resolute's crew offloaded more than 4,800 pounds of cocaine, worth over $63 million, at @PortEverglades, Thurs. This offload was the result of 2 interdictions by HNMLS Groningen with embarked USCG LEDET 110 and HITRON, 24 miles north of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/efJcbD8f4i  USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) June 6, 2024

The US Coast Guard, in partnership with the Dutch navy, last week reported offloading more than 4,800lb (2,177kg) of cocaine worth more than $63m after exchanging gunfire with  and sinking  a boat suspected of smuggling narcotics in international waters near Fort Lauderdale.

The mayor of the Florida city of Tampa, Jane Castor, last year reeled in 70lb (31.8kg) of cocaine worth more than $1m while fishing.
Improved agricultural practices could sequester up to 23 per cent of global carbon emissions by 2050 - Simon Townsley/The Telegraph

The world population could reach 10 billion by 2050. Every year, 30 per cent of the planet suffers from hunger, with this figure rising to 60 per cent in Africa. Yet, with its vast natural resources, Africa has the potential to not only feed its growing population  expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050  but also to significantly contribute to global food security.

African agriculture also plays a crucial role in combating climate change. Improved agricultural practices could sequester up to 23 per cent of global carbon emissions by 2050, according to the IPCC. Increasing agricultural productivity on already cultivated land is the only way to stop deforestation, which accounts for 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and is linked to 80 per cent of the expansion of cultivated land.

Agriculture accounts for about 60 per cent of employment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Massive investments in this sector could lift millions out of poverty. For instance, increasing agricultural yields by 50 per cent could generate as much as $300 billion in additional revenue by 2030.

Agricultural development is particularly essential for political stability and combating forced migration. A robust agricultural sector can prevent conflicts related to resources, reduce displacements due to famines and climate change, and create economic opportunities locally, thereby limiting migrations.

Investing in African agriculture amounts to investing in 13 out of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the context of declining Official Development Assistance (ODA) and stresses on public and private financial resources, maximizing the impact of collective investments is crucial.

Global investment remains insufficient

Africa has a common political vision for African agriculture that must be supported. The recurring divides in narratives opposing climate and agricultural development, as well as the agendas of countries of the North and those of the South, make any attempt at political alignment complex. Nowhere can a trace of a shared vision be found supporting African priorities  which are clearly defined in the declarations of Malabo (2014), Nairobi (2024), and the African Unions Agenda 2063.

While African countries  accounting for less than three per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions  endure the most severe impacts of climate change, the requirements of ODA based on environmental criteria are perceived in Africa as an offensive violation of sovereignty. Political leaders and international donors must bear this in mind. It is therefore vital to work towards aligning agendas, for instance, by agreeing on a common definition of sustainable agriculture and investment standards.

In the absence of a shared vision, investments remain insufficient and inefficient. The African agricultural sector suffers from a significant deficit in public, private, and philanthropic investments. Through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP), African governments agreed to allocate at least 10 per cent of national budgets to agriculture, but only a few have met this target.

Only five per cent of the total ODA is directed towards African agriculture. Philanthropic contributions are also insufficient, representing less than one per cent of the necessary investments, and private investments are close to non-existent due to perceived risks. However, the FAO estimates that transforming African agri-food systems requires an investment of $200 billion annually.

Bringing people together

A broad multi-stakeholder initiative, led by the Paris Peace Forum, is emerging to address these governance issues. A coalition of over twenty major organizations from Africa and the rest of the world, representing a diverse range of actors and activities (international institutions, development agencies, businesses, research centers, philanthropic foundations, NGOs, universities), signatories of the Paris Peace Forums Call for Mobilization, are proposing a new South-North consensus centered on three main principles: Every country has a stake in the agricultural development of Africa. No country should have to choose between food security and environmental protection. Each country can choose its own path to sustainable agricultural development.

To turn these words into action, the Paris Peace Forum and its coalition launched the ATLAS initiative on June 10th, 2024, during an event organized in Morocco. ATLAS will be the high-level multi-stakeholder platform for policy dialogue that the world needs. ATLAS will bring together African and international policymakers to overcome current barriers and unlock the necessary investments, making it possible for Africa to sustainably harness its agricultural potential.

The destiny of the planet lies in the development of African agriculture. Directing investments towards African agriculture must be a priority, as in African agriculture lies our common good.

Pascal Lamy is Vice-Chair of the Paris Peace Forum and Former Director-General of the World Trade Organization; Ibrahim Mayaki is Special Envoy for Food Systems, African Union (AU) and Former Prime Minister, Republic of Niger

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Frances president, Emmanuel Macron, has been accused of gambling with French democracy after announcing that he will dissolve parliament and call snap legislative elections in the wake of his allies crushing defeat to Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally (RN) in Sundays European parliament elections.

On a night that saw far-right parties make significant but far from conclusive gains in Europe, the RN won about 32% of French votes, more than double the 15% or so scored by Macrons allies, according to projections, with the Socialists just behind on about 14%.

Related: EU elections: populist right makes gains but pro-European centre holds

The first round of elections for the national assembly will take place on 30 June and the second on 7 July, Macron announced in an address to the nation, in a huge gamble on his political future three years before the end of his second term as president.

The outcome of the European parliament elections was not a good result for parties who defend Europe, the French president said, noting that, led by RN, far-right parties in France had taken almost 40% of the national vote.

I cannot act as if nothing had happened, he said. I have decided to give you the choice ... Therefore I will dissolve the National Assembly tonight. He said the decision was serious and heavy, but called it an act of confidence.

Less than two months before the start of the 2024 Paris summer Olympic Games, Macron said he had confidence in the capacity of the French people to make the best choice for themselves and for future generations.

He added: This is an essential time for clarification. I have heard your message, your concerns, and I will not leave them unanswered  France needs a clear majority to act in serenity and harmony.

Others were less convinced. Raphael Glucksmann, who headed the Socialist partys list, said Macron had given in to Jordan Bardella, 28, the RNs lead candidate for the European elections. This is a very dangerous game to play with democracy and the institutions. I am flabbergasted.

Another critic, Valerie Pecresse, a senior figure in the conservative Les Republicains party, said: Dissolving without giving anyone time to organise and without any campaign is playing Russian roulette with the countrys destiny.

The daily newspaper Liberation wrote in its front-page headline on Monday: The extreme gamble.

Emmanuel Macron is a poker player, weve seen that tonight, said a Green party MP, Sandrine Rousseau. But Marine Le Pen, the RN figurehead who is seen as the frontrunner in 2027 presidential elections in which Macron cannot stand, said she welcomed the decision.

We are ready to put the country back on its feet. We are ready to defend the interests of the French people, she said. Bardella said voters had delivered a stinging rejection of the president.

Macrons Renaissance party currently has 169 deputies in the national assembly, and the RN 88. If the far-right party wins an outright majority in the upcoming election, the president would effectively lose control over most French domestic policy.

Analysts have said that is unlikely, however, partly because European elections are often seen by voters as a cost-free way of delivering a kick to the incumbent government and things may well turn out differently in a parliamentary election.

With turnout in the European elections projected in France at just over 52%, Macron will be hoping to attract the voters who stayed at home to block the far right and possibly recover the absolute majority his party lost in 2022 legislative elections.

An RN victory would probably see Bardella appointed prime minister. Perhaps the most likely scenario, analysts said, was an anti-extremism coalition between Macrons centrists and the traditional rightwing Republicans or even leftwing Socialists.

Celine Bracq, director general of the Odoxa polling agency, described the presidents announcement as a poker move at a time when there was a strong desire among the French to punish the president.

Luc Rouban, a political scientist at Sciences Po in Paris, said Macron wanted to trap the RN with his sudden election announcement, arguing that the far-right party would have trouble mustering quality candidates to challenge for the assemblys 577 seats.

But Mujtaba Rahman, managing director for Europe at Eurasia Group, told Agence-France Presse: Its obviously a major gamble. This is really Macron trying to seize the initiative. The most likely outcome is more fragmentation, more deadlock and chaos.

While the far-right triggered a political earthquake in France and made major gains elsewhere, their progress was not universal, and mainstream parties looked set to keep a majority in the 27-member blocs parliament.

In Germany, the Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) jumped to 14.2% from 11% in 2019, despite a slew of scandals, while chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democratic party slid to 14.6%, worse than its weakest ever result, in 2019. However, the The Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union, now in opposition, took a decisive lead, with 30.9% of the vote, according to provisional results.

The AfDs success came despite a slew of scandals, including its lead candidate saying that the SS, the Nazis main paramilitary force, were not all criminals.

In Austria, meanwhile, the far-right Freedom party came top, with 25.7%, ahead of the conservative Peoples party and the Social Democrats, on 24.7% and 23.2% respectively.

In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders far-right party was second behind a Left-Green alliance, but appeared to have fallen short of expectations. The Freedom party took 17% of the vote, while the Left-Green alliance, led by the former EU Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans, was on 21.1%.

But it was far from a clean sweep for the far right, which fell short of expectations in Belgium. And crucially, parties on the extreme right remain divided, making them less influential in Brussels.
Macron has called for a snap election

The success of Right-wing parties in the European parliament elections has confirmed the improving fortunes of populists and nationalists across the bloc. In France, Marine Le Pens National Rally party took more than 30 per cent of the vote and forced Emmanuel Macron into calling a snap election.

Giorgia Meloni and her Brothers of Italy party came in comfortably ahead of its rivals while in Germany the Alternative for Germany (AfD) made significant gains, with the Social Democrats of Chancellor Olaf Scholz sliding to its worst result in a national poll. In Austria, the populist Freedom party came top, just pipping the conservative Peoples party and the Social Democrats.

Yet, despite these advances, the pro-EU centrists still emerged on top. In Germany, the traditionalist Christian democratic Right won a commanding victory with 31 per cent of the vote. Geert Wilders anti-immigration Party for Freedom in the Netherlands did less well than expected, while Viktor Orbans Fidesz in Hungary performed below expectations.

Pro-EU parties topped the polls in Spain and Poland. The upshot is that in the Strasbourg parliament pro-EU centrists, Greens and socialists will hold on to a majority of seats, boosting the chances of Ursula von der Leyen securing a second term as European Commission president.

Socialists won the largest share of the vote in Malta, Romania and Sweden, helping the centre-Left retain its position as the parliaments second-largest group, albeit far weaker than in the 1990s.

While the narrative is of a pro-Right surge across Europe, the reality is much more complex. To what extent is this a vote against incompetent mainstream parties that promise much but deliver little?

If they (including the Tories here in the UK) were to address some of the concerns felt especially by young people, who are drifting away from the centre ground, they could burst the populist bubble.

President Macron took everyone by surprise when he responded to the results by calling a snap election to the French assembly just a few weeks before Paris hosts the Olympics. He has taken a huge gamble since the National Rally looks likely to win, leaving him a lame duck for the remainder of his term and ushering in a period of cohabitation.

Mr Macron may have calculated that voters will see whether Ms Le Pen and her protege Jordan Bardella are as effective in government as they are an opposition, a judgment that will be critical when it comes to electing a new president in 2027.
Farage is more English nationalist than patriot

To British eyes, it may seem strange that President Emmanuel Macron of France has responded to his trouncing in the European elections by calling a snap parliamentary election just before the Paris Olympic Games in July. He did not have to do this. Why not lie low and wait for better days?

But this is to misunderstand not only M Macrons impulsive, high-handed character, but also what he sees as his countrys crisis. His main opponents, the Rassemblement National of Marine Le Pen, won twice as many votes as his own party in the Euro elections.

The president is now challenging his electorate, saying, in effect: All right. Do you mean what you say? Lets find out. If the RN wins the elections just announced, Jordan Bardella  Mme Le Pens proxy as party leader  would become prime minister, with Macron still president.

M Macrons gamble is that voters wont really want this or, if they do, that the RNs time in office will discredit Mme Le Pen as a presidential candidate before his presidency ends in 2027.

The issue is visceral in France because allegiances still go back to the Second World War. De Gaulles Fifth Republic  the current constitution  was constructed to make it extremely hard for any party linked to Vichys collaboration with the Nazi occupation to rise to the highest office. So far, the two-round system of presidential voting has achieved this.

Although Mme Le Pen has moved her party a long way from the racist, pro-Vichy extremism of her fathers time as leader, the French know its genealogy. Opponents of Le Pen see the current struggle as one between European civilisation and barbarism. They are confirmed in their view by her partys links, some of them corrupt and concealed, with Vladimir Putin and his regime. Frances elite civil servants are in a tizzy about M Macrons decision for a sudden election because, if RN wins, they might not be able to stomach being collaborators in a Le Pen regime and would be out of their jobs.

To lesser or greater degrees, comparable questions of underlying allegiance arise across most of the European Continent. In Spain, with Francos legacy, in Germany with Hitlers, in Italy with Mussolinis, old passions stir. The current revolts against those in power are for the most part richly deserved because rulers have increasingly mistreated and ignored their peoples, but darker forces, such as long-subdued ethnic rivalries, are now in play.

Large sections of the European Right  though not, to her credit, Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy  make friendly noises towards Putin and oppose helping Ukraine.

Many in Britain, watching all this from afar, may feel pleased that issues such as immigration and net zero, so long suppressed by the rulers, are now coming to the fore. It is, indeed, high time to confront such things. But we should also be aware that divisions much deeper than those in our politics are involved.

So one should not rush into a reframing of British conservatism of the kind which Nigel Farage is trying to bring about. I fear Mr Farage does not understand the difference between nationalism  so often a divisive and negative phenomenon  and patriotism, which is usually a positive one.

Part of the historic skill of British conservatism has been to cherish the differing but interweaved threads in the national tapestry rather than pulling them apart. Hence its support for the Union.

Mr Farage, on other hand, is more of an English nationalist than a patriotic Brit. In consequence, he raises no objections to a united Ireland and has expressed some sympathy with the Sinn Fein president, Mary Lou McDonald. He says he understands the emotions behind Scottish nationalism. He is always inclined to make apologies for Putin, whom he once described as the politician he most admired. He has a bit of a yen for the continental nationalist politics of the sort described above. If I had to find a single word for his politics, I would say they are a bit unBritish.

Skillful ignorance

After the daring and successful raid in which Israeli special forces rescued four hostages from Gaza on Saturday, BBC television news interviewed ex-Lt Col Jonathan Conricus, formerly of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Dozens of civilians had been killed in the ensuing battle. The BBC reporter wanted to know why the Israelis could not have issued a warning to those civilians to get out in time. With saintly patience, Col Conricus calmly pointed out that if such a warning had been issued, Hamas would immediately have killed all the hostages in question.

Three questions arise from this exchange. One is: Why does the BBC not inquire into the reasons that Hamas keeps hostages in civilian areas?

The second is: At least three of the hostages were held by civilians (a former Al Jazeera journalist and his family members). What is the extent of Gaza civilian cooperation with Hamas murder and hostage-taking?

The last is: One understands, though deeply deplores, that the BBC has committed itself to extreme bias in its coverage of Israel/Gaza, but does that mean that it has to employ imbeciles? I fear the answer is Yes.

Thin as a post

In this newspaper yesterday, James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, attacked Sir Keir Starmer for claiming to be tough on crime while actually being soft on it. Sir Keir was a wolf in sheeps clothing, he said. Surely Mr Cleverly meant the exact opposite. Perhaps Mr Cleverly is too busy to work out what he means, but I feel someone must protest at the mangled metaphors that lie untended on the streets during this campaign.
Nigel Farage on the campaign trail in Clacton - Jason Bye

Suella Braverman has said the Conservatives need to find a way of working with Reform UK as she declared she would welcome Nigel Farage into the party.

The former home secretary said there was not much difference between his policies and those of the Conservatives, which she branded a broad church.

It comes as the question of whether Mr Farage should be admitted into the Conservative Party has become a key talking point among Tories, and contenders for the party leadership are expected to be asked it should the Tories lose the election.

Kemi Badenoch, the Business Secretary and the bookmakers favourite to become the next Conservative leader, is understood to oppose admitting Mr Farage to the party at any point.

In an interview with The Times, Ms Braverman said it was a real shame that the right-wing vote was split between the Conservatives and Reform.

She told the newspaper: We need to, in the future, to find some way to work together because there shouldnt be big differences between us.

I would welcome Nigel into the Conservative party. Theres not much difference really between him and many of the policies that we stand for.

We are a broad church, we should be a welcoming party and an inclusive party and if someone is supportive of the party, thats a pre-condition and they want Conservatives to get elected then they should be welcomed.

She had previously told a Spectator podcast she would welcome him with open arms.

And Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a former leader of the Commons, is among those urging Mr Sunak to strike a deal with Mr Farage before the general election, despite both men ruling out the prospect of any agreement.

Other senior party figures suggested Mr Farage should not be allowed to join the party.



A former Cabinet minister said the ex-Ukip leader would be admitted to Conservative ranks over my dead body, adding: Hes not a Conservative, he hates the Conservative Party  hes a populist.

Hes a very European politician, Nigel Farage, who I think belongs better in the politics of France or Italy rather than Britain. Hes not a very British politician, frankly, thats the great irony of him  his behaviour is much more suited to that type of democracy. Hes a pugilist, hes not a Conservative, hes not welcome.

Mr Farage promised to lead a political revolt aimed at toppling the Conservative Party as he made his dramatic return to front line politics last week, succeeding Richard Tice as the Reform leader.

He has prioritised legal and illegal immigration as the focus of the Reform campaign, arguing that net migration should be reduced to zero for the foreseeable future.

He said last week: The real plan is to be the opposition party in the next Parliament and the biggest party of the 2029 general election. That is the ambition. I genuinely believe we can get more votes in this election than the Conservative Party. They are on the verge of total collapse.

A Redfield and Wilton Strategies survey on Thursday found Reform had overtaken the Tories among the over-55s, climbing to within two points of them overall.
Rod Liddle has been confirmed as the candidate for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland to be backed by Reform - COLIN MCPHERSON/CORBIS ENTERTAINMENT

A row has broken out between a Conservative former cabinet minister and columnist Rod Liddle over who has been endorsed by the Reform party.

Sir Simon Clarke, who served under Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, posted an endorsement from a Reform supporter he claimed was set to stand in his Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency.

But Mr Liddle, a magazine columnist who is fighting the seat for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), insisted Mr Farages insurgent Right-of-centre party had backed him instead of the former housing secretary, who has a majority of just under 12,000.

The Teesside branch of Reform has confirmed its endorsement of Mr Liddle.

Sir Simon posted a video message to his Facebook page from Charlie Thompson, who stood for Reform at last years local elections but is now understood to have ended his involvement with the party.

Sir Simon Clarke became the second Tory MP to publicly call for the Prime Minister to resign back in January - AARON CHOWN/PA

In the video, Mr Thompson said: He stands for the same values that I and many Reform supporters do. Hes persistently backed Brexit, hes always argued for a strong Brexit even when some in the Conservative Party maybe havent.

Hes always pushed to have stronger laws on immigration, hes always pushed to lower taxes and many other values I know are important to us I see no reason why he should not be re-elected as MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.

Sir Simon hailed the clip as a significant endorsement from Charlie who had been set to stand as the Reform UK candidate.

 REFORM UK CANDIDATE BACKS SIMON CLARKE: Check out this video message from Charlie Thompson! 



I'm delighted to have received significant endorsement from Charlie Thompson, who had been set to stand as the Reform UK candidate for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland  pic.twitter.com/RSgCCKHP86  Simon Clarke (@SimonClarkeMP) June 10, 2024

But Mr Liddle responded to the post by writing: This isnt true, Simon. As per our electoral pact, Reform have officially endorsed myself for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.

In a post on Facebook, the Teesside branch of Reform added: Absolutely outrageous lies from Mr Clarke, someone who is clearly casting about in desperation for anything that might give him the slightest chance of holding on to his seat.

Charlie Thompson has not been involved in the party for some time now, and was never considered as our PPC for Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland We are endorsing the candidacy of Rod Liddle in Middlesbrough.

A Reform source told The Telegraph: Its just another case of a Tory MP who doesnt know what the hell theyre talking about.

A find my candidate tool on Reforms website at one point listed Mr Thompson as the hopeful for the seat but this has now been taken down, with party sources insisting they eventually decided not to field a candidate.

Sir Simon has been a strident critic of Rishi Sunaks premiership and in January became the second Tory MP to publicly call for the Prime Minister to resign, warning he would lead the party to an electoral massacre and claiming he does not get what Britain needs.

He has been critical of the Governments record on house building and has said the UK may have no option other than to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to solve the migration crisis.

A former editor of the Today programme, Mr Liddle has said an awful lot of people felt disenfranchised ahead of the next national poll on July 4, citing no great enthusiasm for Labour or the Conservatives.

The SDP describes itself as a patriotic, economically Left-leaning and culturally traditional party, which backs reducing net migration to 50,000 a year, renationalising the railways and building 100,000 social homes a year.

In 2019, Mr Liddle wrote in the Spectator magazine that he had joined the SDP, saying that it was staunchly pro-Brexit, supports the traditional family and the nation state.
The European elections in France swept away the parliamentary house of cards on which Macrons government rested. The polls were a clear debacle for the government. Against a backdrop of massive abstention, the right-wing National Rally (RN) list received 31.5 percent of the votes, compared to less than half that for Macrons list (14.6 percent). Exposed to the high risk of a no confidence vote, Macron preferred to take the lead and announce the dissolution of the National Assembly, in which he has not had an absolute majority since June 2022, triggering snap legislative elections.

The first round will be held in three weeks. One thing seems certain: this election will result in a further drop in the number of Macronist deputies in the Assembly. It is difficult to see what could reverse the dynamic highlighted by the following figures: during the 2019 European elections, Macron's party received 5.1 million votes; this time, he only collected 3.6 million.

The traditional right-wing bourgeois party, the Republicans, has ruled out any alliance with Macrons government. If he survives, Macron will be in an even smaller minority in the National Assembly. The resulting enormous uncertainty  and the possibility of an even-more fractured National Assembly  is a new expression of the deep crisis of the regime faced by French capitalism.

Right in strong position

Three weeks before the first round, Marine Le Pen from National Rally and her clique of arch-reactionary demagogues are in a position of strength. This is a consequence of the betrayals, compromises and capitulations of the leaders of the official left over many years. This is particularly true of the leaders of the Socialist Party (PS), the Communist Party (PCF) and the Greens, who have been in power several times since 1981  and who have systematically betrayed the aspirations of the popular electorate.

That said, the leadership of France Insoumise (LFI) is also responsible for the current situation, to a certain extent. The constitution of the Nupes (the bloc LFI leads in the assembly) in May 2022 marked the clearest turn to the right by LFI since its creation in 2016. This union of the LFI with the PS, the PCF and the Greens was a predictable fiasco. It could not arouse any enthusiasm among the most exploited and oppressed sections of the population. As we explained at the time, the constitution of the Nupes could only benefit the National Rally.

With 9.9 percent of the votes, LFI list achieved a better score than during the 2019 European elections (6.4 percent). This progress can undoubtedly be attributed to the firm support of the leaders of LFI for the Palestinian people, despite the insults and slanders poured on them since 7 October (false allegations of antisemitism, etc.).

However, the 2.45 million votes collected by Manon Aubrys LFI list represent less than a third of the 7.7 million votes cast for Melenchons candidacy in April 2022. Furthermore, while the list of LFI gained 1 million votes compared to the 2019 elections, the RN list advanced by 2.4 million votes.

Crisis of the left

The possibility of an electoral victory for the RN on 7 July arouses the fear and anger of millions of young people and workers. Is the victory of the RN inevitable? No, but it will not be a new version of the Nupes, cobbled together urgently in backroom deals, which will make it possible to break the momentum of the RN. Instead, LFI will have to mobilise millions of exploited and oppressed people, who would otherwise abstain or are tempted by the extreme right.

The only way for the rise of the RN to be halted would be for LFI to break with the PS, PCF and Greens and carry forward a radical programme of breaking with capitalism through class struggle means / Image: cyberien 94

Over the past two years, the leaders of the PS, the PCF and the Greens have spent all their time hammering the LFI with right-wing criticism. For example, they dramatically broke up the Nupes to protest LFIs support for the Palestinian people. All this has not gone unnoticed by the mass of the population. From now on, a new union of the left would be considered by millions of young people and radicalised workers as a hypocritical, contradictory and purely electoral formation  and rightly so.

With 13.8 percent of the vote, the candidate of the Socialist Party, Raphael Glucksmann, claims a central place on the left. But this is a bad joke, because Glucksmann ran an openly pro-capitalist and pro-imperialist campaign. This list only came ahead of that of LFI because it has syphoned off petty-bourgeois voters from the Macronists and the Greens. As for the PCF (2.4 percent) and the Greens (5.5 percent), they have reaped the price for their extreme moderation  and their right-wing attacks against Melenchon and his comrades over the past two years.

Mobilise the workers and youth to halt Le Pen!

In the end, the political equation for these coming weeks is quite simple.

To stop the advance of the RN, the leadership of LFI will have to move clearly to the left, and mobilise youth and workers on a radical programme through an anti-capitalist struggle, including massive demonstrations. Any other strategy will benefit Le Pen.
Political parties in France held emergency talks to sound out potential allies on Monday as the country braced for its most consequential legislative election in decades, called by Emmanuel Macron after being roundly defeated by the far right in the European parliamentary elections.

The National Rally (RN) won about 32% of the vote on Sunday, more than double the 15% or so scored by the presidents allies, according to exit polls. The Socialists on 14% came within a whisker of the Macron group.

Macrons Renaissance party has 169 deputies in the national assembly and the RN 88.

The unexpected and risky decision to hold an election so soon could hand major political power to the far right after years on the sidelines and neuter Macrons presidency three years before it ends. If the far-right party wins an outright majority, the president would in effect lose control over most French domestic policy.

Related: European election results 2024: live from across the EU

This will be the most consequential parliamentary election for France and for the French in the history of the Fifth Republic, the finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, told RTL radio. We must fight for France and for the French. We have three weeks to campaign and convince the French.

Emmanuel Pellerin, a Renaissance party MP, said he and his colleagues were still in shock, adding: Everything points to the RN winning a relative or absolute majority. But that forces the French to think about what is at stake.

The legislative vote will take place on 30 June, less than a month before the start of the Paris Olympics, with a second round on 7 July. The results are likely to depend on how committed leftwing and centre-right voters are to keeping the far right away from power.

The presidents move caught some far-right leaders off guard. We didnt think it would be immediately after the European elections, even if we wanted it to be, the RN deputy chair, Sebastien Chenu, said on RTL Radio. Elections are rarely a gift and in this context they arent.

He called for rightwing lawmakers from outside the RN to swell its ranks in its battle to beat Macron, and said the partys telegenic president, 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, would be its candidate for prime minister.

Bardellas mentor, Marine Le Pen, who was runner-up in the last two presidential elections, has remained party leader in parliament and is largely expected to run again in 2027.

Bardella, Le Pen and Le Pens niece Marion Marechal  who headed the list of the far-right Reconquete party in the EU elections  met at RNs headquarters on Monday afternoon to discuss a possible electoral coalition.

Early on Monday evening, Bardella said Marechal had a constructive approach towards the RN and said he hoped to forge as large a majority as possible. He said: Im perfectly prepared to talk to people who share the ambition of bringing some of our ideas to power.

The leaders of the very divided French left  the hard-left LFI (France Unbowed), Communists, Socialists and Greens  also held emergency talks after Macrons announcement.

We dont have time to procrastinate, LFIs Manon Aubry told reporters. The objective is to be able to meet again, to build the future and above all to go and win.

Analysts have said an outright far-right majority is unlikely, partly because voters often use European elections as a low-cost way of delivering a kick to the incumbent government, and things may well turn out differently in a parliamentary election.

Macrons gamble is being seen as an attempt to make the best of his weak position by reclaiming the initiative and forcing the RN into election mode faster than it would have liked. The president will be aiming to rally centrist and leftist voters at a time when there is widespread shock after a far-right surge across the continent.

A source close to Macron said the president was going for the win, adding that the idea was to mobilise the voters who had stayed away on Sunday. Theres audacity in this decision, risk-taking, which has always been part of our political DNA, the source said.

But another source close to Macron said: I knew this option was on the table, but when it becomes reality its something else  I didnt sleep last night.

Announcing his decision on Sunday night, Macron said he could not pretend nothing had happened in the European elections. I have decided to give you the choice  therefore I will dissolve the national assembly tonight, he said. The president acknowledged that the decision was serious and heavy but called it an act of confidence.

He said he had confidence in the capacity of the French people to make the best choice for themselves and for future generations, adding: This is an essential time for clarification. I have heard your message, your concerns, and I will not leave them unanswered  France needs a clear majority to act in serenity and harmony.

Not everyone was convinced by the move. Yael Braun-Pivet, a senior figure within Macrons party who serves as the speaker of the lower house, appeared to express some doubt on Monday morning, indicating that forming a coalition with other parties in the French parliament could have been a better path.

The president believed that this path did not exist  I take note of the decision, she told France 2 TV.

Raphael Glucksmann, who headed the Socialist partys list, said Macron had given in to Bardella. This is a very dangerous game to play with democracy and the institutions. I am flabbergasted.

Another critic, Valerie Pecresse, a senior figure in the conservative Les Republicains party, said: Dissolving without giving anyone time to organise and without any campaign is playing Russian roulette with the countrys destiny.

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said the decision to send France to the polls just weeks before the capital hosts the Olympic Games at the end of July was extremely troubling.

But the head of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, attempted to play down such concerns, saying the elections were a democratic process that wont disrupt the Games.

He added: France is used to holding elections and they will do it once again. There will be a new parliament, a new government, and everybody will support the Olympic Games.

Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report
Another defeat to Marine Le Pen's National Rally could make Mr Macron a lame duck in the final years of his term - REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

French voters will elect 577 deputies to sit in the National Assembly after Emmanuel Macron called a snap vote following his drubbing in the European elections at the hands of Marine Le Pen.

The legislative elections are often a low-key affair compared to the powerful French presidency but another defeat to Ms Le Pens National Rally could make Mr Macron a lame duck in the final years of his term.

Reforms introduced in 2002 mean the legislative elections usually follow soon after the presidential elections unless a snap vote is triggered during a presidents term.

What happens?

If the French presidents party wins a majority in the Assembly elections, he can appoint the prime minister.

But if another party, such as the National Rally, gets the majority, they will be able to choose the prime minister, who will be able to effectively run the country.

Mr Macron would be left with powers on foreign policy and defence, which are exclusive to the president, but not much else.

He will not have the power to compel the prime minister to resign during a period when the head of state and head of government are forced to co-exist.

However, the president retains the power to dissolve parliament and trigger new legislative elections.

Has this happened before?

This power-sharing has happened three times in Frances modern political era since 1959 and most recently in 1997.

Then, the Right-wing Jacques Chirac lost a snap Assembly election to the socialists, who installed Lionel Jospin as prime minister.

Mr Jospin used his majority to pass a slew of Left-wing laws, including the 35-hour week.

When is the vote?

The legislative elections take place in two rounds, one week apart.

If a party gets an absolute majority  more than 50 per cent of the vote as well as 25 per cent of registered voters  they are elected without a second round. However, that is rare.

The first vote is on June 30 this year, and the second is scheduled for July 7.

Once elected, deputies form parliamentary groups, which qualify for privileges such as funding and speaking time.
Latest polls suggest Labour is the overwhelming favourite to win the election

A record 4,515 candidates are running for one of the 650 seats in Westminster, with each constituency represented by one MP  the person who receives the most votes on general election day.

Boundaries have changed considerably since 2019, so millions of people are likely to find themselves in a renamed or entirely new constituency.

There are now 543 seats in England, 57 in Scotland, 32 in Wales and 18 in Northern Ireland  all are up for grabs on July 4.

Enter your postcode in our lookup tool below to see who is standing in your area.

Another key change from the 2019 general election is the necessity of photo ID  a requirement in place for by-elections and local elections since 2023. UK adults have until midnight on Tuesday, June 18 to register to vote.

The Telegraphs poll tracker suggests Labour is the overwhelming favourite. When the deadline for candidate nominations closed on June 7, however, the Conservatives had fielded the most candidates, at 635.

Labour are close behind with 631, followed by the Liberal Democrats on 630, with Reform UK putting forward 609. A total of 98 different political parties are standing  many of which seeking representation for local issues on the national stage  alongside 461 independents.

The political affiliation of the MP returned by each constituency adds to the sum of which party wins the general election overall, and gets to run the country for the next 5 years, so every vote counts.
Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the leader Kim Jong-un, warned the South Korea against continuing its 'provocations' - JORGE SILVA/AP

South Koreans will be constantly picking up lavatory paper if Seoul continues to wage psychological warfare against North Korea, Kim Jong-uns sister said,, as hundreds of balloons carrying rubbish floated across the border.

Kim Yo-jong threatened further retaliation against South Korea, saying it will undoubtedly witness the new counteraction of the DPRK [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea] if provocations continue.

This is a prelude to a very dangerous situation  The Republic of Korea will suffer a bitter embarrassment of picking up waste paper without rest and it will be its daily work, Ms Kim said on Sunday, using South Koreas official name.

North Korea began sending balloons carrying rubbish and animal faeces south across the border last month in response to propaganda sent north by South Korean activists.

North Korea sent hundreds of balloons filled with rubbish and animal faeces over the border - YONHAP/AFP VIA GATTY

Pyongyang continued sending hundreds more balloons on Saturday and Sunday after a group of defectors in South Korea sent their own balloons carrying USB drives containing Korean dramas and music, as well as US dollar notes and leaflets criticising Kim Jong-un.

South Korea also resumed loudspeaker broadcasts on Sunday, blaring K-pop music and world news toward the northern side.

On Monday, Seouls military said North Korea had sent more than 300 balloons overnight, but that the winds had not worked in Pyongyangs favour.

No toxic materials were found in the latest batch of balloons that reached the South Korea - IM SUN-SUK/YONHAP VIA AP

Although they launched over 310 balloons, many of them flew toward North Korea, the joint chiefs of staff said, adding that about 50 had landed in South Korea so far.

The latest batch of balloons that reached the south contained lavatory paper and plastic, but no toxic materials.

But Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP that escalation is likely to continue and that North Korea will do something beyond our imagination.

Pyongyang may attempt to fake a chemical attack in South Korea, Prof Kim said, like throwing flour, which will cause absolute panic in the south, which they will be happy about.

Since this latest escalation in tensions, Seoul has restored its military presence along the north-south demarcation line. South Korea and the United States dropped precision bombs on simulated targets for the first time in seven years last week.
Average class sizes have swelled in recent years to 27.9 students per teacher - BEN BIRCHALL/PA

A leading teaching union has urged Labour to carefully consider the potential impact of its VAT plans for private schools, amid fears it could lead to bigger class sizes in the state sector.

Pepe DiIasio, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), which represents more than 25,000 senior secondary school teachers, told The Telegraph that the policy could come into force as class sizes are already increasing across the country.

Mr DiIasio said that while nobody can know if Labours proposed tax raid would cause class sizes to swell, the party should do further calculations on the potential impact of the policy before enforcing it.

[Class sizes] will depend on how many pupils are priced out of private schools and where they end up, he said.

We have made the point on a number of occasions that Labour needs to model this policy carefully if it becomes the next government to examine the implications in full.

The union leader said it came amid the wider issue that class sizes in many state schools are increasing because of the Governments underfunding of the state school system alongside other cuts that they are having to make.

This is the big issue that really does need to be dealt with as a matter of urgency by any incoming government, he added.

Emily Thornberry, the shadow attorney general, acknowledged on Sunday it could result in larger classes in the short-term.

Sir Keir Starmer later slapped down Ms Thornberrys claims.

Speaking to journalists in Nuneaton, the West Midlands, on Monday, he insisted the shadow cabinet minister was wrong to state so.

Asked specifically about the potential effects on class sizes, the Labour leader said: Weve had the analysis by the IFS [Institute for Fiscal Studies] on this which says that there will be a negligible impact, so were very confident about that.

Keir Starmer and Bridget Phillipson have both distanced themselves from Emily Thornberry's claim - LABOUR PARTY

A report by the IFS published last summer said Labours VAT proposals could result in 3 to 7 per cent of privately-educated pupils switching to state schools  up to 40,000 children.

The report did not include analysis of the potential impact on class sizes, and Labour sources told The Telegraph that Sir Keir was referring to the reports calculations as a whole rather than the question of class sizes specifically.

Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, also distanced herself from Ms Thornberrys remarks on Monday, claiming she just wasnt right.

Asked if the partys private schools policy could send state school class sizes up, Ms Phillipson told Times Radio: No, I dont accept that. That is not what the Institute for Fiscal Studies said on our policy.

They anticipated little effect in terms of movement from the private sector into the state sector and this is about making sure that our state schools have got the teachers and the mental health support that they need.

Mr DiIasio also told the i newspaper that squeezed state school budgets meant headteachers are already making difficult decisions and that increasing class sizes is one of few levers schools can pull to save money.

Asked whether his members feared increased class sizes could be one of the unintended consequences of Labours VAT policy, he said: Yes, definitely.

Unions have warned that class sizes across the state sector could continue to increase in the coming years, placing additional pressure on teachers.

Data published by the Department for Education (DfE) last week showed that average class sizes in English state schools have remained broadly unchanged over the past few years, with a slight increase in Key Stage 2, which covers Years 3 to 6 of primary school.

There are 27.9 pupils per class taught by a single teacher on average this academic year, up from 27.7 in 2022/23. Across primary and secondary, the average class size in England is currently 26.6  down slightly from 26.7 last year.

There is a statutory limit of 30 pupils per class in England for reception, Year 1 and Year 2, but no cap for subsequent years. DfE statistics only apply to England, though Labours private school policy would apply to private schools across the whole of the UK.

Analysis of DfE figures by The Telegraph showed that some areas have larger average class sizes than others, suggesting the potential impact of any private school exodus could be felt more acutely in those regions.

Chelmsford constituency currently has the highest average class size, with 28.3 pupils per teacher this year, followed by Romford with 28.2 per cent and Basildon and Billericay with 28.1 per cent.

Some schools have class sizes well beyond that, according to DfE figures. Stephenson Studio School in Leicestershire has the highest average class size of all state-funded secondaries and primaries in England at 41, followed by St Michaels Catholic College in Southwark at 38.2 and Queen Mary Avenue Infant School in Cleethorpes at 38.

The National Education Union, the UKs largest teaching union, said earlier this year that worsening budget pressures mean shedding more staff will be the only way out for many schools in the coming months, leading to larger class sizes and more stressed staff leaving the sector.

Labour hopes its plans to start charging VAT on private schools as soon as possible if it wins the general election will raise 1.7 billion to spend on state education.

The party has pledged to spend it on recruiting 6,500 new state school teachers, rolling out a new national oracy programme and ensuring all state schools in England have access to mental health counselling.

Sir Keir unveiled further plans on Monday to create 3,300 new nurseries, saying they would also be funded by Labours VAT raid on private schools.
Our experts review the best first class offerings in the business - Heathcliff O'Malley for the Daily Telegraph

It costs an awful lot to travel first class  a return trip from London to New York in June with British Airways was priced at 3,786 per person at the time of writing, compared with 557 in economy; London to Dubai with Emirates came in at 7,353 compared with 516. Even if you have cash to splash (or are able to use points), you may be wondering whether its really worth it.

Turn left upon entering the cabin and there are certainly plenty of luxuries to enjoy. Some airlines offer prestige champagne on selected routes (normally priced at upwards of 150 per bottle) and some even have showers onboard. Meanwhile, specially designed amenities come from the worlds best brands, from Elemis to Diptyque.

Below, we look at what the amenities, menus and other special touches look like in the highest cabin class on 8 major airlines. Beauty Director Sonia Haria gives her insight into the labels inside their amenity kits while Food Editor Amy Bryant assesses their sample menus (though bear in mind these can vary on different routes and at different times of the year).

Cathay Pacific

Limited first class cabins means this airline often flies under the radar for luxury seekers, but Cathay operates up to two 777 routes per day from Heathrow that make the grade.

The amenities

It was a surprise to find cult British organic brand Bamford in Cathays sleek onboard amenity kit. Not only is the company B Corp certified, but Haria describes their flight amenities as ultra-chic. The brand knows a thing or two about premium wellness, she adds. Separate his and hers kits come with the helpful addition of mouthwash.

Travellers are treated to British organic brand Bamford in Cathay's amenity kit - Heathcliff O'Malley

The food

Fresh? Tick. Seasonal? Tick? A wellness menu of lighter dishes? Tick. Cathay Pacific has rolled out the requisite culinary buzzwords for a contemporary spread, but the promise of caviar with vintage champagne will more likely have first-class customers salivating, says Bryant. She points out that many of the dishes have potent flavour combinations to enliven taste buds desensitised by low air pressure: smoked duck stars a sweet and sour dressing; pork ribs come with a strawberry sauce. She also applauds a 4.2% pale ale thats been lovingly tuned for altitude according to the brand. A bottle of Betsy (named after the airlines first aircraft) is a stylish step up from the household beer brands served on other carriers, she says.

What else?

Bamford made the 600 thread-count sheets too, for what Cathay deems the softest bed in the sky. Meanwhile, upmarket and bespoke Hong Kong shirtmaker PYE is behind its incredibly cosy pyjamas. And theres even a pillow menu. Look out for the brands new first class cabin onboard its 777-9 planes, launching in 2025.

Emirates

Emirates has thought of everything  moisturising pyjamas infused with shea butter and argan oil to ensure limbs dont dry out in the air; unlimited caviar; and, on selected A380 routes, shower spas with adjustable heated floors where passengers can scrub up and even dry their hair. Its little wonder that this is one of the worlds most popular first class services.

The amenities

The Emirates set by Bulgari, featuring the pricey Le Gemme Desiria fragrance (or Le Gemme Gyan for men), was a winning combo for Haria. As far as covetable beauty kits go, this luxury selection by Bulgari is definitely high up on the list, she says, highlighting the rose and jasmine notes of Le Gemme Desiria as a stunning floral blend. The embossed compact mirror is a nice extra touch and, out of all the kits, these had the highest resale prices on eBay.

Emirates has one of the most covetable beauty kits - Heathcliff O'Malley

The food

Bryant points out that, although Emirates highlights healthier options on its menus (dishes that it claims contain lean protein, fibre and healthy fats, and have less salt, sugar and saturated or trans fats), these are limited. Passengers may as well resign themselves to having a full-blown breakfast of waffles with berry compote, or dinner of pan-seared salmon with sweet-potato mash and beurre blanc, says Bryant. Thats probably OK, as Emirates appeals to those with rich (in more ways than one) palates: online, some frequent flyers rave about the onboard Henessy Paradis  a rare cognac that sells for more than 1,000 per bottle.

What else?

Seats in its Boeing 777s have been inspired by NASA and can be placed in a zero-gravity position thats said to create a feeling of relaxation and weightlessness.

Etihad

Emirates may get much of the attention, but this Middle Eastern airlines first class offering is every bit as opulent. Its earned the brand some loyal customers among in-the-know frequent flyers.

The amenities

In 2024, its amenity kits got a seriously chic overhaul  even economy passengers get their bits and bobs in a tasteful tote bag. Meanwhile, in first, theres one of the most comprehensive offerings of all, featuring Espa products. You cant go wrong with these minis, says Haria. Who doesnt want to smell like a fancy spa resort? The quality of the brands shampoo and conditioner easily rivals bigger haircare brands too.

Etihad's amenity kits got an overhaul in 2024 - Belinda Jiao

The food

Overnighters are in luck, says Bryant. Etihad offers the broadest range of breakfast options, from ricotta pancakes with orange vanilla sauce and caramelised pecans to the ever-Instagrammable north African favourite, shakshuka. Meanwhile, a la carte comes with a vast range of dishes. Highlights for Bryant include wasabi and togarashi (a Japanese seven-spice blend) in the mix with crab tian; olive tapenade and basil oil with three-cheese ravioli; and a seafood medley of scallop, salmon and lobster complete with lobster bisque.

What else?

Etihad has a trick up its sleeve to entice the most pampered travellers: three-room The Residence (currently available on flights from London and New York to Abu Dhabi) comes with its own departure lounge, dedicated cabin crew and ensuite shower. Meanwhile, its normal first class seats on the A380 are larger than average too  and you get chic Giorgio Armani loungewear to swan around in.

Singapore Airlines

Awarded the worlds best first class by world airline rating programme Skytrax for 2023, Singapore Airlines is a reliable choice.

The amenities

Lalique kits (for women, men and with a unisex version) scooped another Skytrax award  for best first class airline amenities. The brand may be better known for its glassware, but its fragrances have a cult following  Haria says that the neroli one featured in the womens kit is her favourite of all: The zesty notes are vibrant and invigorating, making for the perfect pick-me-up before you touch down. Beware if youre not a neroli fan though  this kit contains a room spray for passengers to spritz at will. Still, the embossed vanity case that the toiletries come in is the most elegant of the lot.

Singapore's first class kit has scooped a Skytrax award for best first class airline amenities - Heathcliff O'Malley

The food

Singapore Airlines goes big on promoting the brains behind its food offerings  its international culinary panel of five top chefs from around the world, says Bryant. On some flights, passengers can also take advantage of a Book the Cook service and pre-order more elaborate dishes such as Cantonese-style fish congee or Malay braised beef rendang. But for all the starry skills behind the scenes each of the cuisines still plays it rather safe, notes Bryant.

What else?

First class suites are available on A380 planes (and are the prettiest in the sky). They come with ensuite loos and comfy beds  you can even combine two to make a double.

Qatar Airways

Qatars business class wins awards left, right and centre, but its first class flies under the radar. Exemplary service makes it a safe bet, though its not as fancy as some offerings.

The amenities

For status symbol smellies, its hard to beat Diptyque. Qatars kits come with different fragrances for men and women (Tam Dao and Eau des Sens), but its worth noting that passengers in business get a similar offering. The French perfume brand has instant handbag appeal, says Haria. The products work too: While its fragrances really are the stars of the show  Eau des Sens is particularly lovely  the skincare is surprisingly good.

Qatar Airways' Diptyque products are a hit with travellers - Heathcliff O'Malley

The food

Qatars sample menu is one of the more modest says Bryant, noting that miso glazed black cod is a dish that was big in the 1990s but feels dated now. Its not all bad news though. Three cheers, however, for the pair of British cheeses on board and an on-trend non-alcoholic pink sparkling wine, she adds.

What else?

Loungewear comes courtesy of the White Company. Watch out for a new Qatar first class cabin, announced by the group CEO in March 2024.

British Airways

BAs first class offering holds its own among more lauded competitors, with brilliantly British labels adding extra excitement (amenities come in Alice Temperley branded bags and she designed the pyjamas too, which are the comfiest of all the airlines sets).

The amenities

BAs his and hers kits are a hit with Haria. You can always rely on British brand Elemis for skincare basics done really, really well. Theyre zero fuss and these kits have everything you need for a well-hydrated, glowing complexion, she says. In fact, there are seven items in these bags  far more than most of the competitors. Theres a compact mirror too.

British Airways champions British labels within its amenity kits - Heathcliff O'Malley

The food

Will passengers clock the Dartington Crystal glassware and William Edwards crockery thats rolled off the trolley? Its doubtful, says Bryant. But hats off to BA for crowbarring in plenty of other iconic British elements to its menus. Examples she cites include courgette blossom in a London Pride batter, English-made continental-style charcuterie and cheese (tres a la mode) in the form of west country beef carpaccio with Yorkshire pecorino, and posh fish finger butties.

What else?

First class customers get free Wi-Fi for the duration of the flight  which should be a given at this price point but is payable on some other airlines, while some dont offer it at all.

Qantas

If anything justifies the extortionate cost of flying in first, its the long slog between London and Sydney. Although not the most showy of services, Qantass premium offering is reliably good  with one of the comfiest beds in the air.

The amenities

The label LaGaia UNEDITED might not ring many bells with Brits and this kit is minimal compared with some of the others. This Australian mother-and-daughter founded brand has a strong focus around essential oils and benefits of aromatherapy, says Haria. The recovery mist is really handy for on-the-go hydration while travelling.

Qantas' in-flight kit is minimal compared to a lot of its competitors - Heathcliff O'Malley

The Food

Bryant thinks employing Australian superstar chef Neil Perry as Qantass creative director of food lends the menu some heft. Hes on the nose with plant-based dishes including Goan vegetable and tofu curry, she says. Theres a slight doubt, however, about whether a slant towards light, verdant flavours will penetrate altitude-dulled senses. However, puddings including top-rung Valrhona chocolate mousse and Amadei chocolate pralines are hard to beat. As you might expect, the Australian airline often scores highly for its coffee too.

What else?

The memory foam mattresses and Aussie brand Sheridan bedding makes for one of the most comfortable sleeps in first. Its also worth watching out for Qantass new first class suites, which will be available on its non-stop flights from London, New York and Paris to Sydney and Melbourne from mid-2026.

Virgin Upper

Virgin doesnt have first or business class  instead making upper its premium product. This can mean cheaper prices  but also a less luxurious product, especially in its older planes.

The amenities

At first glance, this tiny kit seemed a bit underwhelming (though the recyclable pouch got a few sustainability points  if you can ignore the giant carbon footprint of travelling in the Upper Cabin). Haria, however, thinks its a delight to see REN on a long-haul flight. The Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium scent is instantly uplifting, with a formula that sinks into the skin quickly.

Virgin Atlantic offers REN products on its long-haul flights - Heathcliff O'Malley

The food

Bryant found Virgins menus slightly limited but praised the onboard cream tea, including a white chocolate and orange scone, morello cherry jam and lemon curd  well pitched to counter compromised tastebuds at 30,000ft. Shes also a fan of Virgins small plates, singling out dishes such as satay chicken bao buns and, for vegans, a Beyond Meat burger with coriander mango mayo.

What else?

In 2023, the brand introduced two retreat suites on its newest plane the A330neo, featuring larger screens and a longer, fully flat bed (at extra cost and only on limited routes). The airline also has a dedicated upper class wing at Heathrow, complete with a revivals area where passengers can have a shower and get their clothes ironed.
Patrick Duffy lives alone with his three dogs in Doncaster, not far from the coalmine where his father worked. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

The period after the general strike of 1926 was a desperate time for Britains mining communities. Faced with increased hours but slashed wages, the miners had walked out, and many stayed on strike for six months until, without pay and often in terrible need, they were forced to back down.

To a five-year-old Patrick Duffy, however, whose father, James, had moved from the west of Ireland to work in coalmines in Wigan and then Doncaster, those were thrilling days  and 98 years on, he can still clearly recall snippets of them.

I still remember the early crowded meetings in the miners welfare hall, when the Conservative candidate never got a hearing, Duffy says. He took a seat on the platform, but once he began to speak, he was drowned out. And we thought that was triumphant. Silly, of course, but very exciting.

I was already then very political. Yes, I was a political animal from when I was five.

Over a long and immensely eventful life, Duffy would go on to become a naval officer when barely out of his teens, survive near fatal injuries in the second world war, become an academic and economist, a Labour MP in the 1960s, navy minister under Jim Callaghan, and later chair Natos parliamentary assembly.

Now, at the age of almost 104, he has published the second volume of his memoirs, which could make him the worlds oldest ever male published author. He is certainly the oldest surviving former MP, and one of a vanishingly small number of people with first-hand memories of some of the most dramatic events of the 20th century.

After a lifetime in which he served during wartime around the world, studied in New York and the Sorbonne and travelled extensively as an international official, Duffy lives once again in Doncaster, a few miles from the Rossington colliery where his father toiled six shifts a week without sick pay or safety equipment a century ago.

Now Sir Patrick after being knighted in 1991, Duffy never married and lives alone with his three beloved dogs, although his sister Patricia, who worked at Bletchley Park during the war, lives next door and family members and friends are frequent visitors.

Duffys father, a formidably hard worker, was a huge influence he says, but not as much as his mother, Margaret, who came from the same Irish village. I realised very early on the person who ran the household was mam, he says. It was I suppose she, more than anyone else, who was powerfully instrumental in my becoming a feminist, which Ive stayed lifelong. But then I could talk at length about her.

It was the women who saw their communities through the general strike, he says. Not the men, the men were silly. They just marched and sang and taught us the Red Flag.

If I have any advice, and Im often being asked for advice on how I have survived for so long, I would say: Stay close to your mothers, and read.

The former MP remains in relatively good health  he still suffers the effects of a wartime plane crash on a Scottish hillside that caused abdominal and facial injuries so severe that he was given the last rites. Though he is inevitably frail, his intellect remains sharp, and his lounge is stacked with copies of the Economist, Sheffield newspaper the Star (where Duffy was MP) and a naval newsletter.

On the mantelpiece is a yellow pennant from the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage Duffy repeated annually in his retirement until well into his 80s.

Duffy lied about his age to sign up at the outbreak of the second world war. He was swiftly identified as officer material, but feared that his fathers job down the pit would disqualify him. Narrowly escaping death more than once, he was registered 100% disabled due to his injuries at the end of the war, and was treated by the pioneering surgeon Harold Gillies, considered the father of plastic surgery.

After a promising academic career as an economist, Duffy became Labour MP in Colne Valley in the early 60s and later represented Sheffield Attercliffe from 1970-1992. Though he has spoken of his regret that out of his 25 years in parliament, more than 19 were spent in opposition, it is clear that he relished his time as navy minister, and perhaps even more, the period he describes as my peak, chairing the North Atlantic assembly in the late 1980s.

Duffy was regarded as a moderate within the Labour party, but was sometimes difficult to pigeonhole. Passionately committed to his Irishness as well as his Britishness, he decried Margaret Thatcher in the Commons for moral bankruptcy and criminal incompetence after the death of the IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands in 1981, but the two became friends. I think she saw that I was strong on defence, he says.

Despite the uniquely long view of more than a century, Duffy is reluctant to offer his views on Labours current path. Well, I hate to respond to that inquiry, because it will be published you see, and I dont want to offend anyone. That doesnt mean I dont have views. Any advice for Keir Starmer, in that case? Still tricky.

Nonetheless, he is still a Labour supporter. Oh yes! More than ever!

In the miners welfare hall in Rossington, the village where he grew up, are two plaques that are almost sacred, says Duffy. One is of 20 names of lads who I went to school with, and who subsequently went down the pit and were killed by the pit tubs.

The other plaque bears the name of perhaps 20 lads who I went to school with. Nearly all died flying with Bomber Command. I go there periodically just to say a prayer.

And thats when I tell myself, as I do on other occasions, that Im blessed. Im still here and Im still surviving. And I feel all right.
Emmanuel Macron's power has been curtailed since he lost his absolute majority in parliament two years ago - LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP

Emmanuel Macron has laid a trap for the hard-Right by calling a surprise parliamentary election, Elysee sources said.

Government officials suggested Mr Macron was allowing Marine Le Pens Rassemblement National (RN) to win control of the French parliament to expose her incompetence ahead of a presidential election.

Emmanuel Pellerin, of Mr Macrons Renaissance party, added: Everything points to the [hard-Right RN] winning a relative or absolute majority. But that forces the French to think about what is at stake.

However, one MP from Mr Macrons party said were still in shock over the snap election call.

An Elysee source told Reuters that the 46-year-old French president, whose power has been curtailed since he lost his absolute majority in parliament two years ago, calculated that there was a chance he could claw back a majority, taking everyone by surprise  including many in his own camp.

But even if this fails and the RN secures a parliamentary majority, his gamble is that three years of populism would unmask her partys incompetence to voters and undermine her bid for the presidency in 2027, said the source.

Her party has already let it be known that Jordan Bardella, 28, who ran RNs European election campaign and won 31.5 per cent of the vote  more than twice that of Macrons party  would become prime minister should the party secure a majority next month.

I knew this option was on the table, but when it becomes reality its something else ... I didnt sleep last night, said the source.

President Macron said on Monday that he was confident the French would make the right choice for themselves and for future generations.

Jordan Bardella will become prime minister if Marine Le Pen's party triumphs in the elections - CHANG MARTIN/SIPA/SHUTTERSTOCK

His surprise move came after mainstream centrist parties kept an overall majority in the European Parliament in Sundays elections, but the hard-Right also notched up a string of high-profile victories in Italy and Austria.

It came second in the Netherlands and Germany, where the three governing coalition parties also tanked. However, centre-Left Chancellor Olaf Scholzs spokesman ruled out a snap vote in Germany.

Some commentators are calling Mr Macrons move rash or even political suicide prompted by hubris and a sense of apres moi, le deluge.

The prospect that France will have a populist Right-wing prime minister when it stages the Olympics this summer is now real. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, a Socialist, described the prospect of elections just weeks before the start of the Paris Games as extremely unsettling.

By playing with fire, the head of state could end up  burning himself and dragging the entire country into the fire, Le Monde wrote in an editorial.

But Mr Macron appeared unfazed as he visited the site of a Second World War massacre by Nazi soldiers together with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German president.

Mr Steinmeier said: Let us never forget the damage done in Europe by nationalism and hate.

Back in Paris, even some allies expressed shock and dissent.

Emmanuel Pellerin, of Macron's Renaissance party, said 'everything pointed to a National Rally victory in parliamentary elections' - TELMO PINTO/SOPA IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK

Lower house speaker Yael Braun-Pivet, a senior figure within Macrons party, indicated that forming a coalition with other parties could have been a better path.

The president believed that this path did not exist, she told television channel France 2.

Even Gabriel Attal, his loyal prime minister, who was kept in the dark until the last minute, tried to talk him out of it, tendering his own resignation.

Use me as the fuse, he reportedly urged his 46-year-old boss, offering himself as a sacrificial lamb following the heavy defeat.

Mr Macron reportedly declined and told the popular 35-year-old that he was the best person to front the legislative campaign against the equally popular Mr Bardella.

It is better to write history than to endure it, he reportedly told the stunned cabinet. No one dared to contradict him.

A poll discreetly conducted by the conservative Republicans party late last year suggested Rassemblement National (RN) would win the most seats in parliament  between 243 and 305, compared with 89 at present. It would require 289 seats for a majority.

The Kremlin, which hopes the far Right will take a softer line on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, said it was attentively observing the gains across Europe.

Despite these, Ursula von der Leyen, 65, the European Commission president, insisted that the centre held overall in the elections that saw her centre-Right European Peoples Party (EPP) strengthen its grip on first place in the European Parliament.

There is still a majority for a strong Europe in the middle of the political spectrum, said Ms von der Leyen, who hopes to secure a second term, adding: Together we will form a bastion against the extremes of the Left and the Right.

A US official said it did not expect any major foreign policy changes from the EU, including on Ukraine, after the vote.
Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks at a Trump rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday. Photograph: Allison Dinner/EPA

Donald Trump has been compared to Jesus Christ by the far-right Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene at a campaign rally for the former president in Las Vegas, a city more renowned for evoking images of gambling than biblical scenes.

Greene, who makes frequent references to her Christian faith, cited Trumps supposed Christ-like qualities to challenge the Democrats efforts to capitalise on the presumptive Republican presidential nominees status as a convicted felon following his recent conviction in a case involving hush money paid to an adult film actor and falsified business records in a New York court.

The Democrats and the fake news media want to constantly talk about President Trump is a convicted felon, she told a crowd that waited in soaring early-summer temperatures. Well, you want to know something? The man that I worship is also a convicted felon. And he was murdered on a Roman cross.

In some parts of the political ecosphere, Greenes comparison did not go over well.

Did Jesus pay off a pornstar and cover it up, read one comment on X left below a clip of Greenes remarks on Sunday.

Californias Democratic congressman Adam Schiff sarcastically added: Definitely not a cult.

It is not the first time Greene has drawn parallels between Trump and Christ  whom Christians consider to be the messiah and son of God  as well as other historical martyr figures.

When he was arrested in New York on corruption charges in April last year, she likened Trump to Jesus and Nelson Mandela, who became South Africas first post-apartheid president after being jailed for 27 years by the racist regime.

Trump is joining some of the most incredible people in history being arrested today. Nelson Mandela was arrested, served time in prison. Jesus was arrested and murdered by the Roman government, she told the Right Side Broadcast Network.

There have been many people throughout history that have been arrested and persecuted by radical, corrupt governments  I just cant believe its happening, but Ill always support him. Hes done nothing wrong.

Comparisons with Christ have also been pushed by Trump himself as he has sought to exploit his popularity among white evangelical Christians  and despite apparently struggling to identify his favourite passage from the Bible.

When he went on trial in a civil case over business fraud last year, supporters circulated an image depicting him sitting in the courtroom alongside a Christ-like figure.

Trump, in turn, disseminated the faux sketch on his Truth Social site, writing: This is the most accurate court sketch of all time. Because no one could have made it this far alone.

He has pressed matters further in his fundraising appeals, invoking a metaphor of himself as a saviour in a headline on his campaign website reading: Theyre not after me. Theyre after you. Im just standing in the way.

One of Trumps celebrity supporters, the Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight, has also stressed the messianic theme, citing the Book of Joshua and the New Testament to assert that the ex-president has been targeted for his information that can knock down the corrupt swamp.

Voight added: The one man that was ridiculed, destroyed as Jesus, Trump, can come back and save the American dream for all.

Trumps personal allusions to Christ are a marked contrast to the messaging of Joe Biden, who has frequently told voters to refrain from comparing Biden with the Almighty, but rather to compare him with the alternative in Trump.
Odysseus touched down on the Moon in February carrying antennae designed to pick up radio frequencies coming from Earth - INTUITIVE MACHINES/NASA/PA

Signals from alien civilisations will now be easier to spot after scientists eavesdropped on Earth from the Moon.

In February, the worlds first private lunar lander Odysseus touched down at the Moons south pole carrying antennae designed to pick up radio frequencies coming from Earth.

Scientists announced on Monday that it has recorded a profile of the Earths radio emissions, which could help in the hunt for intelligent life elsewhere in the universe.

We viewed Earth as an exoplanet, or a planet orbiting another star, said astrophysicist Dr Jack Burns of the University of Colorado Boulder, a co-investigator on the ROLSES instrument.

That enables us to ask: What would our radio emissions from Earth look like if they came from an extraterrestrial civilization on a nearby exoplanet?

Hunting for intelligent life in far away worlds is tricky, particularly when scientists are unsure what they are looking for.

Odysseus was able to look back at Earth and record radio waves emanating from the planet for nearly 90 minutes - INTUITIVE MACHINES/AP

Human technology, such as mobile phones and broadcast towers, emit a string of continuous radio signals and studying them can provide a guide for searching for intelligent life on a distant planet.

Looking back at Earth from the Moon, experts were able to take a sort of space radio selfie which offers a fingerprint for future searchers.

The spacecraft also managed to capture signals coming from Earth after a mishap on its way to the Moon.

During the journey, one of the antennas slightly overheated and popped out of its housing on the lander.

The team used the accident to look back at Earth and record radio waves emanating from the planet for nearly 90 minutes.

Odysseus, designed by the US company Intuitive Machines and carrying payloads for Nasa, was the first private mission to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface.

When the antennae unfolded and started picking up signals, the achievement was hailed as the dawn of radio astronomy from the Moon.

Odysseus is measuring the layer of charged particles that lies above the Moon ahead of manned missions planned within the decade - INTUITIVE MACHINES/AP

As well as measuring signals from Earth, the spacecraft is also measuring the layer of charged particles that lies just above the Moon, potentially giving the lunar surface a small electrical charge like a jumper coming out of the dryer.

The effect is caused by the stream of charged electrons and protons beating down on the Moon from the Sun.

Scientists suspect that the stream will charge up the lunar surface which could pose a risk to astronauts. As explorers cross over the lunar soil from sunlight to the moons nightside, they may build up charges on their spacesuits leading to electric shocks.

Nasa is currently planning to send humans back to the moon later this decade through the Artemis program.

In the Apollo era, the astronauts were always in daylight, so this wasnt much of an issue, added Dr Burns.

But if youre going from daylight to, say, a permanently shadowed crater, you could create some substantial electrical currents.

The new research was presented at the Meeting of the American Astronomical Society Wisconsin.
Olaf Scholz

As the provisional results for the European election came in on Sunday, the shock to the German system ran deep. All three parties of the ruling coalition haemorrhaged votes with the Greens plummeting particularly low. Anti-establishment parties made gains. The far-right achieved record results. With regional elections in the autumn and federal elections next year, Germany could be headed for the biggest political upset in the history of its post-war democracy.

On paper, the results read like a stunning reversal of fortunes. The Green Party dropped nearly 9 per cent. Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democratic Party (SPD) reached a new low of 14 per cent, down nearly 2 points from their previous worst in 2019. His coalition partners, the Free Liberals (FDP), came in at 5 per cent. Less than a third of German voters opted for the ruling parties combined.

The winners of the election were the centre-right Christian Democratic parties (CDU/CSU) who achieved around 30 per cent. But gaining just over one percentage point from 2019, they were clearly also unable to inspire voters fed up with the status quo.

Many disaffected Germans have taken their votes to the fringes of the political spectrum instead. A new Left-wing party named after leader Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) gained just over 6 per cent and the Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) managed a record 16 per cent  the highest a far-Right party has polled in a nationwide election since democracy was reintroduced in West Germany after the Second World War.

The leader of the Greens said she was not satisfied with her partys performance and the General Secretary of the SPD spoke of a very bitter election result. Germanys biggest tabloid Bild even called the numbers a brutal reckoning and a slap in the face for Chancellor Scholz. But really nobody needed to be surprised by the numbers since polling had accurately predicted them. Germans are just as angry as they said they were.

That the European elections mattered to many Germans as a chance to register their discontent shows in the record turnout of 64.8 per cent. Nonetheless, 2.5 million people who had previously voted for Scholzs SPD decided to stay at home this time. Another two million chose right-wing parties like the Christian Democrats or the AfD. Only a minority of 200,000 chose one of his two coalition partners.

Young Germans, too, have sent a very clear message to their government. For the first time, 16- and 17-year-olds were allowed to vote in the European elections and it seems that young people are even more unhappy with their government than their parents and grandparents. A little over a quarter of 16-24-year-olds voted for the coalition parties, 16 per cent for the AfD.

The message from German voters is clear: mainstream politicians arent addressing their concerns. Asked what the biggest problems for the country were in May, migration and refugees took top billing amongst the electorate. This was followed at a distance by

Collectively the message from German voters is clear: mainstream politicians dont address their concerns. Asked what the biggest problem facing Germany was at the moment, a survey in May showed voters putting migration and refugees a clear first, followed at a distance by energy and climate, the economy, pensions and the war in Ukraine. Yet the Greens top candidate Terry Reintke lists Feminism and Social justice as her concerns on her social media profile. Its one of many examples where the parties priorities are ill-matched to those of voters, and its perhaps unsurprising that a survey last week showed over half of Germans think none of the political parties would be able to tackle the challenges facing the country.

Of course, Germany isnt alone with the problem of deep disaffection among voters. In France, President Emmanuel Macron has called an early election following his partys defeat and the surge of far-Right candidates in the European election. In Britain, the Tories seem set for a wipeout, with Reform UK picking up so many of their voters that some polls put them only a couple of points behind.

The shock to political systems across the West is deep and Germanys case shows that if the established parties dont listen to their increasingly angry electorates, people will find other vents for their frustration. No political party can take its voters for granted. Those that do, harm not just themselves but erode trust in democracy itself.
The success rate for state-educated pupils taking up a place at Oxford has declined every year since 2020 - MICHAEL FOLEY/ALAMY

State school admissions to the University of Oxford have fallen for the third year in a row.

The universitys latest admissions data show that 67.6 per cent of British students who joined in 2023 were state-educated  down slightly from 68.1 per cent the previous year.

It means the success rate for state-educated pupils taking up a place at Oxford has also continued to sink, according to Telegraph analysis of admissions statistics.

Just 16.4 per cent of the record 10,150 pupils who applied to Oxford from a state school went on to enrol at the university this year  a figure that has declined every year since 2020, when it stood at 20.6 per cent.

At the same time, the proportion of privately educated pupils admitted to the university at undergraduate level continues to rise.

Prof Louise Richardson, former vice-chancellor at Oxford, set out a target in 2019 to recruit a quarter of all admissions from the most deprived backgrounds by 2023 - ANDREW CROWLEY

Almost a third  32.4 per cent  of British students admitted to Oxford this year came from private schools, up from 31.9 per cent last year. It marks the fourth consecutive year the figure has increased.

Teaching unions said the figures were disappointing, with admissions still far short of reflecting wider society.

Julie McCulloch, director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, said: For example, 67.6 per cent of Oxford admissions were to state school pupils, whereas about 93 per cent of all pupils go to state schools in England.

If we want a more equitable society, we have to do more to achieve that objective.

Oxford also admitted to The Telegraph that it had failed to meet its target of recruiting a quarter of all admissions from the most deprived backgrounds by 2023.

Although there was no mention of missing its goal in the universitys latest official statistics, Oxford said 21.2 per cent of new undergraduates came from the least advantaged backgrounds this academic year.

Fair chance of a place at Oxford

Prof Louise Richardson, Oxfords former vice-chancellor, set a four-year target in 2019 for 25 per cent of admissions to be from the most disadvantaged backgrounds by 2023.

The target was set internally and was created before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prof Richardson said at the time that it would usher in a sea change for admissions to the university that would ensure every academically exceptional student in the country knows that they have a fair chance of a place at Oxford.

The proportion of privately educated pupils admitted to Oxford at undergraduate level is continuing to rise - MICHAEL FOLEY/ALAMY

Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, said: In the wake of the pandemic, the future prospects for social mobility appear increasingly bleak  and one of the clearest signals is the declining socio-economic diversity of admissions into our most selective and prestigious universities, where so much progress has been made in recent years.

This is so important as many of our future elites graduate from these universities.

Drives to attract university students from under-resourced backgrounds will face unprecedented challenges in the coming years amid widening divides in school results, escalating levels of child poverty and a demographic boom that will make competition for degree places fiercer than ever before.

It comes after the University of Cambridge recorded a similar decline in state school admissions this year.

Data published by the university on Friday last week showed the proportion of state-educated pupils taking up places on undergraduate degrees dipped slightly to 72.6 per cent in 2023, marking the first drop in a decade.

Oxford said it remained committed to ensuring 'our student body reflects the diversity of the UK' - JMF NEWS

Cambridge announced earlier this year that it will scrap its state school target for undergraduate admissions from next year and instead consider a broader range of factors when selecting students.

It followed accusations that the university was discriminating against pupils from private schools amid a decline in offer rates at leading independent institutions.

An Oxford spokesman said the university had made very positive progress in efforts to recruit from deprived backgrounds in recent years.

Prof Irene Tracey, who took over as vice-chancellor last year, said Oxford remained committed to ensuring our student body reflects the diversity of the UK and embraces students attending all types of schools.

A university spokesman added: The past few years have been challenging, with students, particularly those from socio-economically disadvantaged groups, continuing to feel the impact of Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis. We continue to build on and expand our access and outreach activities.
The Child Q scandal, when a black teenage girl was strip-searched at school in east London, led to protests outside Stoke Newington police station in London. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Black children are more than six times more likely than white children to be subjected to a strip-search by police, a new study shows.

Of the forces in England and Wales that provided data for the study, 10 showed a disparity where black people were 10 times more likely to be strip-searched. Sussex police were 18 times more likely to subject a black person to a strip search.

The study by the Runnymede Trust analysed official data from the Home Office on the practice, under which people detained in police custody are told they must take off their clothes.

Black adults were 4.7 times more likely than white adults to be told they must strip, and black children are 6.5 times more likely than their white counterparts.

The data covers the year until March 2023 and the trust says the data is another example of institutional racism, which most forces deny exists.

The statistics showed that black people were more likely than white people to be strip-searched in all bar one of the forces included in the study. The exception was North Wales police, which did not use the tactic in the year examined, the last for which data is available.

The practice attracted controversy after the Child Q scandal in 2020, when a 15-year-old black girl was strip-searched at school in east London. No cannabis, the grounds for the search, was found.

The force at the centre of the Child Q scandal, the Metropolitan police, is the biggest user of strip searching, the study reported. The Met carried out around a third of strip searches in England and Wales in the year to March 2023.

Nearly half of strip-searches carried out on children in London were on black children, who comprise 16.9% of Londons child population.

Dr Shabna Begum, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust, said: Strip searches are inherently violent, humiliating and harmful, especially for children.

Strip-searching is such an invasive procedure, and when deployed with this level of racialised disproportionality, by police forces riddled with institutional racism, the harm reaches way beyond the individual child or person.

If we actually want to build safer communities and safeguard our children, we need to invest in our social infrastructure and ensure people have the opportunities and resources to thrive and flourish.

The government is consulting on changes, and last year the childrens commissioner called for a series of reforms after her own study, which covered figures up to March 2022. It accused forces of widespread abuse of their power.

A report by Louise Casey, commissioned by the Met and also published last year, found the force to be institutionally racist and plagued by discrimination that was baked in. The Met rejected the label.

The police forces have promised change, but are unable to explain the racial disparity.

Assistant chief constable Andrew Mariner, the National Police Chiefs Council lead for stop and search, said: We welcome a recent government consultation which would require any strip searches of children to be approved by a senior officer of at least inspector rank.

The landmark Police Race Action Plan has the backing of every chief constable and commits our service to anti-racism, including proactively challenging racial disparity in the use of our powers.

The plan is working  to develop a series of major reforms to all police stops, including strip-searches as well as things like stop and search, which will focus on elements such as racial disparities, supervision, adultification and safeguarding.

The Met said it had made changes since the Child Q scandal: We had been overusing this power, and work locally and across the Met has significantly reduced our numbers.



We wish these types of searches were not necessary, but sadly we know there are children in London being exploited to carry drugs and weapons for others, as well as being involved in criminality.

We are working hard to understand and minimise the impact of these types of searches, as we know they can have a significant impact on young people, as well as tackle issues such as disproportionality.

Sussex police said it recognises disparities impacting black and ethnic minority groups and is actively addressing these issues as part of its commitment to becoming an anti-racist organisation.

The force said that as well as training for officers on searches, strip-searches of black detainees are specifically reviewed by an external, independent scrutiny panel on a monthly basis to identify disproportionality or learning, and ensure they comply with relevant legislation.
Bezalel Smotrichs comments underline Benjamin Netanyahus shrinking room for political manoeuvre. Photograph: Maya Alleruzzo/AP

The prospect of a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas appears to be rapidly receding after the far-right Israeli cabinet member Bezalel Smotrich  on whom Benjamin Netanyahu is now reliant after the resignations of more moderate ministers at the weekend  said he would oppose a deal.

Smotrichs comments, during a Knesset committee meeting, came amid the fallout from the resignation of the former army chief of staff Benny Gantz from the war cabinet. Gantz quit on the same weekend that Israel rescued four Israeli hostages held in Gaza in an operation that Gazas health ministry said killed more than 270 Palestinians and injured hundreds more.

The departure of Gantz, the leader of the centre-right National Unity party, leaves Netanyahu with enough seats in his coalition but has made him even more reliant on the support of far-right allies including Smotrich, the finance minister, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, who have repeatedly threatened to walk away over any deal for a ceasefire in exchange for hostages.

Smotrich said Hamas was demanding the release of hundreds of murderers [held by Israel] so that the hostages be freed and called the deal that was being negotiated collective suicide, saying it would lead to the murder of Jews.

When Hamas demands to end the war while its surviving in Gaza, it means that the group is arming itself, digging tunnels, buying rockets and that many Jews could be murdered and taken hostage on another October 7, Smotrich said.

His comments underlined Netanyahus shrinking room for political manoeuvre barely 24 hours after the celebratory headlines in the Israeli media over the hostages rescue.

Related: Like the horrors of judgment day: the cost to Palestinians of Israels hostage rescue

Netanyahu revelled in the operations success, meeting each of the hostages as cameras rolled. Recent opinion polls had already shown him making some progress in rehabilitating his image, and the rescue operation will help.

Analysts and commentators were quick to say that the possibility of replicating such an operation for the remaining 120 hostages, at least 40 of whom are believed to be dead, were slim as captives would be guarded more closely, making a negotiated deal even more crucial.

Netanyahu appears to be moving to consolidate his grip on the government amid reports he is considering scrapping the emergency war cabinet in which Gantz served.

Gantz was well thought of by some western diplomats, not least in the US, where he was perceived by the Biden administration as a voice of reason. The US is also concerned about the rising influence of Smotrich and Ben-Gvir.

In further signs of tensions within the coalition, the defence minister, Yoav Gallant, announced he planned to defy Netanyahu and oppose a controversial bill to draft a small number of ultra-Orthodox men into the military.

Columnists in the Israeli press have poured cold water on the notion that the hostage rescue operation removes the necessity for a hostage deal.

If anyone believes [it] absolves the government of the need to strike a deal, they are living a fantasy, Nahum Barnea wrote in the widely read Yediot Aharonot newspaper. There are people out there who need to be saved, and the sooner the better.

The Israeli armys spokesperson, R Adm Daniel Hagari, acknowledged the limits of military force. What will bring most of the hostages back home alive is a deal, he told reporters.

That view was echoed by the uncle of one of the four rescued hostages, Almog Meir Jan, who was kidnapped during the Nova music festival.

First we thank the IDF, the special forces, the decision-makers who took the decision to rescue them, Aviram Meir said, adding that his nephew had been held in several different locations.

Second, we have another 120 hostages that have to come home. I believe most of them wont come home in a special operation and we need a deal to bring them home: the dead for burying and the living for recovery. And I think the struggle will continue, and personally, I will be there. Even though Almog came back, personally, I will continue.

Describing his nephews ordeal, he said: He was fortunate he was with the other two hostages, Shlomi Ziv and Andrey Kozlov, and they kept each other busy. They studied together languages, and all of them learned Arabic.

Almog saw a rally of the families forum in Tel Aviv with his pictures so he knew that nobody had forgotten him. They took care of one another. They are now a team. They are very close now.

Almog Meir Jan was held for at least some of the time by Abdallah Aljamal, who appears to have worked as a Palestinian journalist and as a spokesperson for Hamass labour ministry and was killed with several other family members during the raid. He had contributed a comment article in 2019 to Al Jazeera.

Linked to the political moves in Israel is how Hamas will interpret recent events, including the hostage rescue mission. Some have speculated that the raid and the high number of casualties may be a blow for the morale of Hamas fighters, while others have suggested Hamas leaders may be more interested in the splits in Israels political establishment.

With one senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, on Monday urging the US to put pressure on Israel to end the war, it seems likely that Hamas will redouble its demands for international guarantees on an end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza rather than be persuaded to accept an interim ceasefire.

We call upon the US administration to put pressure on the occupation to stop the war on Gaza and the Hamas movement is ready to deal positively with any initiative that secures an end to the war, Zuhri said.
Nick Robinson told Rishi Sunak 'a lot of people think you're a quinoa salad' compared to Nigel Farage

Rishi Sunak has denied he is like a quinoa salad as he insisted he was conservative enough when compared to Nigel Farage.

The Prime Minister said he was the only party leader capable of reducing immigration and adopting a sensible approach towards net zero in an interview with the BBCs Nick Robinson.

The exchange came as Reform rises in the polls under Mr Farages leadership, with the party outflanking the Conservatives to the Right on a number of major policy issues.

Asked by Mr Robinson about many voters thinking the Reform leader is more of a Conservative than you are, Mr Sunak said: Well, at the end of the day, on July 5th, there is only going to be one person thats Prime Minister. Its Keir Starmer or myself.

A vote for anyone whos not a Conservative candidate is just making it more likely that Keir Starmer is that person

Mr Robinson replied: So you wont talk about Nigel Farage at all. You see, a lot of people looking at him and you, they think these Conservatives, hes a kind of Sunday roast with all the trimmings and youre a quinoa salad.

Insisting that policies and substance were what mattered during the campaign, the Prime Minister said a vote for Reform would only make it more likely that Sir Keir Starmer entered Downing Street on July 5.

You said to me, Well, are you Conservative enough? Well, heres what were offering  lower taxes, protected pensions, increase in defence spending, a more sensible approach to net zero and a clear plan to both stop the boats and bring down the levels of migration.

That is what Im talking to the country about. Thats the choice.

Mr Sunak has come under fire from the Tory Right throughout his premiership, with critics claiming a record postwar tax burden and high net migration levels show that he is not sufficiently conservative.

Richard Tice, Mr Farages predecessor, labelled both Labour and the Conservatives two sides of the same socialist coin, while Mr Farage himself has dismissed Mr Sunak as a social democrat.

But Mr Sunak has insisted he is bringing taxes down, pointing to National Insurance cuts at the last two fiscal events, while also pledging to end illegal immigration through the Rwanda deportation plan.
Rishi Sunak is shown D-Day commemorations after he left during a BBC interview - Jeff Overs/BBC

Rishi Sunak has asked veterans to find it in their hearts to forgive him for leaving D-Day commemorations early last week.

The Prime Minister missed a memorial event for world leaders in Normandy as he returned home to record a general election interview with ITV.

Mr Sunak apologised the following day but the row has overshadowed the past few days of the Tory campaign and prompted questions about his political judgment.

In an interview with the BBCs Nick Robinson, the Prime Minister was shown a photograph of Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, in his place alongside US president Joe Biden, Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, and Emmanuel Macron, the French president.

Asked how he felt when he looked at the picture, Mr Sunak replied: The last thing that I wanted to do was cause anyone any hurt or offence or upset, which is why I apologised unreservedly for the mistake that I made.

I can only ask that I hope people can find it within their hearts to forgive me and also look at my actions as Prime Minister to increase investment in our Armed Forces, to support our Armed Forces.

But also to ensure that veterans have a minister sitting around the Cabinet table, with unprecedented support to make this the best country in the world to be a veteran, as a demonstration of how deeply I care about this community and what theyve done for our country.

Pressed on whether it was his basic duty to attend the ceremony, Mr Sunak said that is why he had apologised unreservedly for the mistake.

And asked about a row sparked by comments by Nigel Farage suggesting the row showed he did not understand our culture, he replied: Nigel Farage can answer exactly what he meant by those comments.

Im not going to get involved in that, because I dont think its good for our country or good for our politics.

Earlier on Monday, Mr Sunak used similar language to apologise unreservedly over the controversy, telling reporters: I just hope people can find it in their hearts to forgive me, and look at the actions that Ive taken as Prime Minister to support our Armed Forces.

The controversy over Mr Sunaks early exit from D-Day commemorations prompted Ian Acheson, a leading adviser to Michael Gove on extremism, to quit the Tory Party, citing a colossal act of disrespect.

In the same interview, Mr Sunak admitted he had not controlled Britains borders as Prime Minister and said current immigration levels are too high.

He also insisted that he was proud of the Conservatives record in government since 2010 as the party seeks a historic fifth term in office.

Ive been very clear in the past, no Government gets everything right, but I am proud of what has been achieved over 14 years, this election is also about the future.

We have a clear plan, Im prepared to take bold action to cut peoples taxes, protect their pensions, and bring migration down, and in contrast, Labour are just going to put everyones taxes up, thats the choice.
Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President Joe Biden attending the D-Day 80th International Ceremony at Omaha Beach

Its understandable to want to hide away from the world when things arent going your way. Anyone who has stood for election and lost (not to mention the many other forms of public rejection life can throw up) must at least sympathise with the urge to retreat and lick wounds in private.

But it is a requirement of being a senior politician  perhaps one of those virtues so common that we have come to take it for granted  that they master this reflex.

No matter how torrid the campaign, we rightly expect those standing for public office, and especially for the highest office, to grin and bear it. To keep on with the media rounds, the walk-abouts, and the cringe-inducing stunts until the polling stations close, and then stand on a stage in a drafty leisure centre and take their defeat like a man.

It is therefore both remarkable and inexcusable that Rishi Sunak seems to have increasingly decided to sit out this general election campaign.

The Prime Minister hasnt given a media interview in several days. Factor in the weekend spent at his home for his week-one reset, and thats two of the three weekends of the campaign so far that he has sat out. Add in the G7 summit next week, and it will be three out of four.

If there is a precedent for this, I cant immediately think of it. Even for a secure leader with a strong position in the polls, it would be an abdication of responsibility.

But it is even more so for Sunak. On May 22, he plunged his party into a campaign for which he had not prepared it. MPs who thought they (and their staff) had a few months to plan a life after politics were suddenly faced with mere weeks to do so, many whilst also fighting for their seats.

Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) was unprepared as anyone. Over a hundred constituencies had yet to select a Tory candidate, while those in place complain endlessly that the centre is handicapping their campaigns.

Last week, one told me they worried their official election mailing might not get out before postal voting opens. This is a crucial deadline in modern elections, especially for right-wing parties that appeal to older voters. Several have suggested they may just start ignoring CCHQ demands to approve all their literature.

One could make the case that the Prime Ministers interventions so far have not exactly been helpful, his relatively strong showing in Tuesdays debate totally eclipsed by the bizarre decision to leave the D-Day celebrations early.

But that isnt the point. The point is that during a campaign, you campaign. Despite near-universal fury at the manner and timing of the election, Sunaks internal critics have by and large focused their fire on the enemy. Party members are out, doing their best on behalf of their local candidate despite the chaos in the centre.

Yes, there have been odd public signs of discontent, such as Steve Baker refusing to cancel his holiday in Greece. But they have been few and far between.

There are now rumours that the Prime Minister might actually be intending to resign, mid-campaign. Constitutional experts are picking over the practicalities of what would be a totally unprecedented event.

Yet even Sunaks most bitter opponents, inside his party and out, must denounce the possibility in the strongest terms. It would be political cowardice nonpareil, a man inflicting further chaos on both his party and his country to spare himself a few weeks of having his ego battered.
Olaf Scholz, leader of the Social Democrats, which won only 14 per cent of the vote - Kay Nietfeld/dpa/Alamy

Olaf Scholz is facing demands for a snap election in Germany after his government suffered a humiliating defeat in EU elections.

Mr Scholzs Social Democrats, which leads the coalition government, slumped to their worst EU election result, winning just 14 per cent of the vote.

His party was comfortably beaten by the hard-Right AfD (Alternative for Germany) and the CDU mainstream conservatives formerly led by Angela Merkel

Markus Soder, the conservative governor of Bavaria, said: This government is basically finished and we need to do what France has done.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, called snap parliamentary elections on Sunday night after a punishing defeat at the hands of the hard-Right National Rally.

Mr Soder, who leads the Bavarian sister party to the centre-Right Christian Democrats (CDU), added that Mr Scholzs government no longer has the trust of the population, thats why there should be new elections as soon as possible.

Markus Soederno, the conservative Bavarian leader, says Scholz "no longer has the trust of the population" - ANNA SZILAGYI/Shutterstock

Alice Weidel, co-leader of AfD, said Germany had voted out the Chancellor and the government in an election that saw her party surge past the Social Democrats into second place.

The Christian Democrats comfortably won the election in Germany, taking 30 per cent of the vote.

But support for the AfD surged, with the anti-immigrant party winning 16 per cent, up from 10 per cent at the last national election in 2021.

The SPD had featured the chancellor heavily in its campaigning, with placards carrying his face claiming a vote for the SPD would ensure peace on the Continent.

There is now only one task left for Scholz: clear the way for new elections  instead of governing for another year against a large majority of the population, Ms Weidel said.

However, Germanys government swatted away the suggestion that elections would be held ahead of schedule.

Why should anything have changed? We have a joint government programme, and a coalition agreement that we are working on together, Christian Lindner, the German finance minister said on Monday.

As long as everyone is committed to this working basis, there is no reason for a confidence vote, added Mr Lindner, a member of the Free Democrats, a coalition partner that also lost votes. The third coalition party, the Greens, lost almost half its vote share.

Alice Weidel, the AfD co-leader, said Germany had 'voted out the Chancellor' - Annegret Hilse/REUTERS

Steffen Hebestreit, the spokesman for Mr Scholz, said that the EU election results would have no bearing on the date of the next German election.

The regular election date is next autumn. And thats what we plan to do, he said.

First signs of discontent emerged from inside the Social Democrats, with Sigmar Gabriel, a former party leader, questioning whether Mr Scholz remained the right man for the job.

With 14 per cent nobody has an uncontested claim to lead the SPD, said Mr Gabriel, who was foreign minister under Mrs Merkel.

Malu Dreyer, a popular governor for the SPD in the south-west state of Rhineland-Palatinate, said it was shocking and worrying that Social Democrat voters have also defected to the AfD.

In Berlin, the CDU party secretary called for a vote of confidence on Mr Scholz.

Carsten Linnemann, the CDU general secretary, said that if Scholz is being honest he would put his premiership to a vote in the Bundestag to see whether he still enjoyed the backing of his three-way coalition.

The AfD is polling ahead in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandeburg. Wins in all of those states could lead to political paralysis, with other parties refusing to work with the hard-Right party.

Speaking at a memorial service in France to commemorate the massacre of civilians by SS troops in 1944, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German president, rang the alarm bell about a resurgence of nationalism on the Continent.

It was fittingly on the day after the European elections that I say: let us never forget the damage done in Europe by nationalism and hate. Let us never forget the miracle of reconciliation the European Union has worked, Mr Steinmeier said at a commemoration ceremony for the village of Oradour-sur-Glane.
The megalithic passage tombs at Knowth, County Meath, which are now within the Bru na Boinne national park. Photograph: Bryan Hanna Photography/Tourism Ireland

Irelands National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has had a busy time in recent months, adding another two sites to its portfolio of six national parks since last September. First, it announced the state purchase of 223 hectares (551 acres) of land on the Dowth Hall estate in County Meath. Then, on Earth Day in April, it unveiled its first marine park  566 hectares centering on Corca Dhuibhne  the Dingle Peninsula  and including Conor Pass, a vertiginous narrow laneway that whips around the contours of Mount Brandon in County Kerry.

Bru na Boinne national park

Just an hour from Dublin, County Meaths low-lying fertile land, dappled with fern-green hills, has produced bountiful harvests since the dawn of civilisation. To the north of the county, on a bend of the River Boyne, lies Bru na Boinne (Boyne Valley), a place where several millennia of human endeavour still scar the landscape with a series of massive cairns, castles and ancient relics.

This is now Irelands seventh and smallest national park, following the purchase of a large tract of historical land bounded by two miles of the River Boyne, known as the Dowth Hall estate (or demesne). The park will also include the existing state-owned plot that contains Newgrange and Knowth passage tombs to become a vast, ancient necropolis along with dozens of satellite passage graves and Europes largest and most prominent concentration of megalithic art. Dowth will bring with it the addition of splendid mansions clustered close to prehistoric sites.

Sites within the park

With so many places to explore in Bru na Boinne, itll take a full day to discover them all. If time is short, these are the major sites open to visitors, starting with the 43-hectare site thats home to Newgrange and Knowth.

Newgrange

For most, the target destination in Bru na Boinne is Newgrange. Its located in the original state-owned parcel of land and has drawn visitors for centuries  long before Victorian-era tourists scrawled their signatures on its hefty boulders. Its powder-white stone circular walls and domed roof, once buried beneath clay, have sat like an ancient cosmic spaceship over the pastoral setting for more than 5,000 years, making it older than the pyramids at Giza or the standing stones at Stonehenge. Rising 13 metres over the forests and farmlands, it has a diameter of 85 metres, is ringed by 97 engraved kerbstones and its materials were sourced from as far away as Wicklow. Its a major feat of Neolithic engineering, one of the finest prehistoric sites in Europe as well as Irelands most impressive passage tomb. Inside, a 19-metre narrow channel leads to the main vault, beneath a corbelled ceiling. The mound also works as a calendar: at dawn, light slips through a slit window to flood the tomb chamber on just one day every year, the winter solstice.

Knowth

Close to Newgrange is Knowth, a burial mound of a similar age with a couple of long passageways and 20 smaller satellite passage tombs or souterrains. The boundary walls are surrounded by carved slabs and an ancient graveyard. Knowth, in many ways, is more remarkable than Newgrange for the sheer scale of ancient artwork discovered since it was first excavated in 1962, making it the premier antiquity of its kind in the world. Life continued here for thousands of years and across cultures, through the bronze and iron ages, which makes this site so fascinating. Archaeological digs are continuing.

Both Knowth and Newgrange are accessed via bus from an interpretive centre (prebooking recommended) in Donore, which gives an unmissable backstory to Bru na Boinne.

Dowth demesne

Coupled with Knowth and Newgrange, the 223 hectares of Dowth demesne will also offer access to major archaeological ruins on the property, such as the late Neolithic Dowth henge, Dowth and other passage tombs, a Norman castle, ring forts, a bronze-age field system, Georgian Dowth Hall and Victorian Netterville Manor.

Dowth Hall

For a long while, the fate of the historical treasures of Dowth townland, a north-easterly corner of Bru na Boinne, was at the mercy of the Netterville family. During their six-century tenure of the Dowth estate, they resided in a stone tower house  with colourful backstories of flip-flopping support for the indigenous population and a murder trial (the butler was the victim, the fifth viscount was the alleged perpetrator). John, the sixth and final Viscount Netterville from that direct family line, built Dowth Hall in 1745 on the southern bank of the River Boyne, over a Neolithic passage-tomb. This 970-sq metre country pile is in need of tender NPWS repair  but it has interesting details including a grand hall, cantilevered staircase, a fine cast-iron stove, and intricate rococo plaster and marble-work.

Dowth passage tomb

The third significant passage tomb in Bru na Boinne is 15 metres high and is now finally connected to Newgrange and Knowth through the new national park. It has triumphed over the Nettervilles past endeavours, such as dynamite blasts used for a crude archaeological dig (with a residual crater) or the establishment of a tea house on its summit. The tomb is 5,000 years old and has similar calendar qualities as Newgrange, as the south passage is aligned to the setting sun at the winter solstice.

Netterville Manor

Constructed as an almshouse for widows and orphans in 1877, this handsome red-brick Victorian gothic mansion was refurbished in recent years. It lies within the same complex as the castellated medieval tower house that was the former home of the Netterville family and birthplace of writer, poet and activist John Boyle OReilly, who left his mark in both Australia and America, and was occasionally quoted by President John F Kennedy. His statue lies by a mossy, crumbling church to the rear of the complex, close to a rare sheela-na-gig.

Dowth Henge

This massive, egg shaped enclosure lies 1km south-west of Dowth passage tomb. Its the largest of four in Bru na Boinne.

Sites beyond the park

Little remains of the great palaces of high kings on the Hill of Tara, near Skryne in County Meath, but there are still traces of its regal significance, such as Lia Fail  the coronation stone; and the views across the countryside are epic, too. A short drive north from the Bru na Boinne visitor centre, the Battle of the Boyne visitor centre explores a turning point in Irish history, or you can take a boat tour to get a different perspective of the bloodshed. Trim Castle, a scene stealer from the movie Braveheart, is 20 minutes south-west from the Hill of Tara.

Where to stay

Slane, when its not playing host to a mega rock act at its music festival, still has elements of a sleepy town in the Pale. The Conyngham Arms hotel offers period-style double rooms from 93 bed and breakfast. It also has reliable fare, or, if youre feeling flush, head to Brabazon for the Entirely Tankardstown menu  for 90 (76). If youre feeling a little rock and roll, try Slane Castles Whiskey Tour (25)  or just sample a snifter at Brownes Bar.

Kerry Marine national park

Pairc Naisiunta na Mara, Ciarrai, is set to become the eighth and largest national park in the country, following the purchase of 566 hectares at Conor Pass. The land parcel includes lakes and forestry with panoramic views from more than 450 metres over Brandon Bay. It forms just one element of the 28,000-hectare national park that spans the countys western shoreline from the Kerry Head Shoal in the north to the Unesco-designated monastic site of Skellig Michael (famous as a backdrop to Star Wars: The Last Jedi) in the south.

The park will be dedicated to protecting and restoring biodiversity, including rare and endangered species, and preserving its archaeological heritage. Along the oceanfront, there are islands, magnificent dune systems, limestone reefs and shallow bays where sharks breed. Inland, active blanket bogs and heaths provide a safe habitat for peregrine falcons while the crystal clear rivers offer a haven for the rare freshwater pearl mussel.

Going forward, road improvements and trail development will be fast-tracked under the stewardship of the NPWS.

Where to stay

Pax House has spectacular sea views from its perch on the south coast of Dingle Peninsula with arguably the best breakfast in Ireland. Rooms from 150 a night.
James Cleverly says Nigel Farage is little more than a 'showman' - YOI MOK/PA

The Home Secretary has likened Nigel Farage to a spoiled child as he rejected a call by Suella Braverman for him to join the Conservative Party.

James Cleverly said he was opposed to letting the Reform leader into the Tory fold and claimed he was a showman who constantly sought attention.

The Conservatives are projected to lose power at the general election on July 4 and any role Mr Farage may play in the future of the party is likely to be a key question in a subsequent leadership contest.

Mrs Braverman, the former home secretary, is among senior backbenchers wanting to embrace him after the election, but the likes of Kemi Badenoch, the Business Secretary, have said he should not be admitted.

Ms Braverman wants the Tories to embrace the Reform leader - SIMON WOHLFAHRT/AFP

When asked about Mr Farages comment that Rishi Sunak doesnt understand our culture after he left D-Day commemorations early, Mr Cleverly replied: I disregard much of what Nigel says. Hes a showman. He likes getting attention.

He does things and says things so broadcasters like you ask serious politicians like me questions like this. And, the bottom line is, Im just not going to play Nigels game.

He does these things to get attention. And, just like a spoiled child, I dont think he should be rewarded for doing so.

Some critics had interpreted Mr Farages comments about the D-Day row as a reference to Mr Sunaks race, but the Reform leader has insisted he meant the Prime Minister was disconnected by class and privilege.

Pressed on whether he agreed with Mrs Braverman about the prospect of admitting Mr Farage into the party, he said: Nigels made it clear he wants to destroy the Conservative Party and I dont embrace people that want to destroy my party and hurt the British people.

Mr Farage has said his party will be the main opposition if Labour wins the election - MARK THOMAS/SHUTTERSTOCK

Reform has surged in the opinion polls since Mr Farage returned as leader, with two surveys last week putting the party within two points of the Conservatives.

If replicated at the general election, these figures would leave the Tories with just dozens of seats, with Sir Keir Starmers Labour benefiting from a split on the electoral Right.

In a further interview on LBCs Tonight with Andrew Marr, Mr Cleverly doubled down on his criticisms of Mr Farage and accused him of talking nonsense over the D-Day events.

I think theres a huge element of nonsense in what he said. The simple truth of the matter is the Prime Minister was at D-Day celebrations over two days. A day in the UK and a day over in Normandy, he met British veterans, spent a huge amount of time with British veterans.

He said he was wrong to leave that final event, that world leaders event, and he has apologised.

Mr Cleverly dismissed Mr Farage as focused on being provocative and insisted that he and the Conservatives were focused on serving the British people.

Earlier on Monday, Mr Farage said he admired Mrs Braverman but rejected her suggestion he should join the Conservatives at the moment.

There has been speculation that if the Reform leader is elected to represent Clacton-on-Sea, he could eventually defect to the Tories once in the Commons, depending on the future direction of the party.

Last month, Liz Truss, Mr Sunaks predecessor, said that she would have admitted both Mr Farage and Reform party chairman Richard Tice.

She told The Telegraphs Politics Newsletter: I would like them to join the Conservative Party.
George Galloway, seen here campaigning during the Rochdale byelection in February, said: I have the largest audience in British politics. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

George Galloway was in full flow as he addressed tens of thousands of viewers online one evening in late March.

In a five-minute monologue, the newly elected Rochdale MP dismissed what he described as the official narrative of the murders of the US president John F Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and senator Robert F Kennedy. They were, he said, a pack of lies.

Galloway, 69, then turned to more recent events: the murder of more than 140 people at Crocus City Hall in Moscow on 22 March, an atrocity since attributed by Russia to Islamic State. The four-time parliamentarian said he believed that the United States, that the Nato allies and their proxy servant, the state of Ukraine, Romanian state of Ukraine, were in fact responsible for this mass murder.

This may sound like the ramblings of someone on the wilder margins of the internet, but Galloway is one of the UKs best-known politicians  with one of the biggest audiences at home and abroad.

The Guardian has found that instead of resiling from conspiracy theories in the 100 days since he was elected as Rochdales MP, which he will mark on Saturday, Galloway appears to have become further entrenched.

The leader of the Workers party of Britain has a bigger online audience than almost any other UK politician and receives thousands of pounds a month from his videos  money that, he has said, is pumped back into building his media profile further.

Yet his popularity comes amid growing concern about MPs spreading false and unfounded speculation online. Earlier this month, the Commons leader, Penny Mordaunt, produced a guide for MPs to spot conspiracy theories that could pose a danger to democracy while the thinktank Demos recently called for stricter rules to prevent parliamentarians fuelling disinformation.

But Galloway appears unfazed. In March, before the Princess of Wales revealed she was undergoing cancer treatment, the MP asked his 727,000 followers on X: What are the royals covering up? Is she dead or has she downed tools?

Later that night, he posted a slickly produced video to TikTok and X asking: Is Kate the new Diana?, attracting 400,000 views. He later told viewers of his twice-weekly series, the Mother of All Talk Shows (MOATs): We know what can happen to individuals of the royal blood, never mind individuals who marry in to the House of Windsor.

We know what happened to Lady Diana. We are determined that it shouldnt be allowed to happen to Princess Kate.

Galloways audience is huge and growing. On X, he has more followers than any member of the shadow cabinet except Keir Starmer, David Lammy and Ed Miliband. On YouTube, he boasts 440,000 subscribers.

On TikTok, which is expected to play a bigger role in the general election than ever before, he has as many followers as Labour, and three times more than the Conservatives. His pithy viral-style videos each regularly reach tens of thousands of people.

More than 1,200 people pay between 4.50 and 17 a month to get direct access to his polemics on Patreon, bringing in between 5,625 and 21,250 a month for his media work.

In a statement, Galloway said: I have the largest audience in British politics, hard won and extremely valuable  which is why you are attacking me.

I am personally unremunerated by any of my social media and broadcasting work. Any revenues are ploughed directly back into building the media work. If it were otherwise, it would be reflected in the register of members interests in parliament.

Galloway was elected in Rochdale largely on a promise to speak up about the war in Gaza. In parliament he appeared to be delivering on his word, making nine speeches about the conflict out of 16 appearances in the Commons since his maiden speech on 12 March.

He has also raised issues closer to home, with remarks on the Rochdale grooming scandal and mould-ridden housing.

But online his focus is on the Middle East. A Guardian analysis of his video transcripts found the word Israel was mentioned 1,877 times in 2024, while Rochdale was mentioned only 161 times  91 of which were around the byelection in February.

On TikTok, where his videos have a combined 20m views, Israel is the most commonly used hashtag on his page, appearing 202 times, followed by Gaza (195), Ukraine (137), and Biden (122). Meanwhile, Rochdale was tagged just 19 times.

Galloway added in a statement: I arrived in Rochdale at the beginning of February. It wouldve been odd if I had been hashtagging Rochdale before I got here. Hence your comparisons between hashtags like Israel or Gaza and Rochdale are otiose. But youll make them anyway no doubt.

There was little sign of life when the Guardian visited his constituency office, a former estate agency on the edge of the city centre, last week. Staff in two neighbouring businesses said they had not seen the MP since his election.

However, Galloway remains very popular with many of Rochdales Muslim community, which makes up about 30% of the towns population.

Hes a man of his words, said Valeed Ali, 19, at the Kamran sweet centre last week. He went to the House of Commons and talked about Palestine as he said he was going to when he was standing for election, so we want to see what hes going to do next.

Ali, a business management student, said Galloway was standing up for the oppressed while Starmer, he believed, supports the genocide of Palestine.

In the Farah clothes store, Farhan Ali, 32, said he had seen Galloway around Rochdale, visiting mosques, and he believed he could be re-elected on 4 July. Hes very kind  hes very humble, hes very honest and he definitely can win the coming elections, he said. We all are supporting George Galloway  everyone around me is saying the same thing.

Galloway has broadcast more than 52 hours of his talkshow in the 100 days since his election. But constituents might see him a little more over the next four weeks.

The veteran campaigner faces an uphill battle to cling on to Rochdale, a seat Labour is desperate to win back.

Yet in a campaign likely to be dominated by Gaza, and influenced by TikTok-friendly viral videos, Starmers party would be foolish to underestimate him  as it so often has in the past.
Emergency crews respond to shark-related incidents in Walton county, Florida, on 7 June 2024. Photograph: South Walton Fire District

The mother of a Florida teen who lost her leg and hand in a shark attack recently said the girls first words after waking up from her brutal ordeal were: I made it.

Lulu Gribbin, from Mountain Brook, Alabama, was one of three people who were injured in a spate of shark attacks Friday at Rosemary beach in Floridas Walton county, in the western part of the state.

Lulus mother, Ann Blair Gribbin, provided details about the attack, the aftermath and the teens medical condition in a post on the website CaringBridge.

Gribbin said she and Lulu were on their first mother-daughter trip along with the teens twin sister, Ellie, as well as friends. Lulu was with friends on a sand bar in waist-high water, looking for sand dollars, when a shark bit her hand and leg on Friday afternoon.

A man and a boy who noticed Lulu was hurt pulled her out of the water, carrying her to the shore.

Gribbin said she was at another part of the beach, heard there was a shark and saw a group of people standing over someone on the shore. She discovered it was her daughter after running down.

I saw her wounds on her leg and started to scream, Gribbin wrote. She was lifeless her eyes closed mouth white and pale. The wound on her leg or all that was left of her leg was something out of a movie.

Gribbin said first responders airlifted Lulu to a hospital in Pensacola, Florida, and she was immediately brought into surgery.

Doctors connected the teen to a ventilator which helped her breathe as she recovered in the hospital.

The attack not only cost Lulu two-thirds of the blood in her body and her left hand, Gribbin wrote. Doctors also amputated a significant part of Lulus right leg.

Gribbin said doctors expected her to be on the ventilator for about a week. But Lulu began breathing on her own Saturday, and doctors removed her from the ventilator.

This was a first big step, Gribbin wrote. Once she was settled her first words to us were, I made it. And boy she did.

The teen is scheduled to undergo multiple surgeries in the coming weeks as she continues recovering physically from an attack her mother described as life-changing.

Meanwhile, the local news outlet WKRG interviewed a pair of doctors and longtime friends who were vacationing together with their families at the time of Lulu Gribbins attack  and ultimately helped rescue her.

Mohammad Ali and Ryan Forbess recounted boogie boarding with their children in the water, hearing people panicking on the shore and heading toward the commotion. Forbess said he grasped the magnitude of the situation when he saw cloudy red water from the shark attack after getting back to the shore.

The two physicians said their medical training kicked in immediately, and they joined some emergency medical technicians and trauma nurses who were also on vacation and had gone over to help. When I looked down at her and saw the severity of the injury, I realized that anybody with any kind of medical knowledge needed to help, Ali told WKRG.

Ali, Forbess and the rest of the group tied tourniquets as well as applied pressure on Gribbins leg and hands in a measured but urgent effort to save the girl from dying.

We mightve as well worked with them for years, Forbess said. It was amazing. Kind of  it was Gods will that everyone was there to help at the same time.

Forbess and Ali said they spoke to Gribbins family after she had been admitted to the hospital and were relieved to learn Lulu had survived.

Gribbin wrote that she was eternally grateful for Ali, Forbess and the others who gave vital first aid to her daughter.

Despite the disproportionate amount of media coverage that they generate when they do occur, shark attacks are relatively rare, according to experts.

There were 69 shark bites across the world in 2023 that were considered to be unprovoked, according to the University of Floridas International Shark Attack File. Most were in the US and in Florida.

Ten of those 2023 shark attacks were deadly, which was higher than the recent annual average of six but was still lower than the number of fatalities reported in 2011, the files data showed.

The shark which attacked Lulu also bit her friends foot. The friend was treated at another local hospital for what was characterized as a flesh wound.

The third shark attack victim Friday was a 45-year-old woman who was bit while swimming at Waltons Watersound beach.

Emergency responders airlifted the woman to a hospital after suffering significant trauma to her mid-section, according to a Walton sheriffs office spokesperson. Part of her left arm was amputated following the attack.
Emmanuel Macron may be trying to force the far-right parties into a real confrontation. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/EPA

Two years into his second term and with three more still to run, Emmanuel Macrons ratings are not what anyone would call great: 65% disapproval, 34% approval. Since losing his absolute majority in the assemblee nationale in 2022, he has struggled.

Parliament has been increasingly paralysed, with the government relying on ad hoc deals with increasingly reluctant opposition parties or despised constitutional tools to pass unpopular legislation.

All the while, the 88 deputies of Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally (RN)  the largest opposition party in parliament  have had what amounts to a free ride, voting against pretty much all the executive proposes, burnishing their image as responsible MPs, ready for power.

That was one reason why Macron, to all but universal astonishment, called a snap election on Sunday night: to force the far-right party into a real confrontation, and slow  maybe even reverse  its seemingly unstoppable upward momentum.

National elections, he also reasoned, were not the same as European elections, in which RNs list  headed by the 28-year-old party president, Jordan Bardella  garnered 32% of the national vote, against 15% for the list backed by the president.

Long seen by voters as a low-risk way to punish whoever is in government, the single-round, national list system of the European ballot favours outsiders; the two rounds of French national elections make it harder for non-mainstream parties to win.

Related: French parties hold emergency talks with possible allies for snap election

Moreover, Macron seems to be calculating that if he can dramatise the choice facing the French the stakes will be raised. In his televised address, he was effectively telling them: In every election, you vote for them in greater numbers. So now its time to decide: do you really want to be governed by the far right?

Contrary to Sundays ballot, this will not be an election for a distant assembly: 70% of voterscould turn out for a national election, compared with 50% for the European poll. Moderates are more likely to mobilise, not stay at home; the fraying anti-far right front republicain may even be at least partly revived.

Related: European elections: Paris and Berlin - not Brussels  will feel heat of far rights gains

The presidents team know his unpopularity will play into voters decisions - but so too, they believe, will a long, hard look at RNs concrete policy proposals. What is more, the autumn was already spelling grief. A string of censure motions was on its way, likely entailing the collapse of prime minister Gabriel Attals government. So why not lance the boil now?

That, at any rate, appears to be the thinking behind Macrons enormous gamble. What, though, could be the outcome?

Scenario 1: Macron recovers his majority

His advisers have insisted the election will be fought to win.

It is possible he believes he can win a new majority. And when fully engaged on the campaign trail, Macron is an impressive performer. But it feels like way too much water has gone under the bridge for that to happen this time.

In another country, at another time, a passionate appeal to democratic and republican values in the face of a far-right party that, for all its mainstreaming, remains deeply anti-European, Moscow-friendly, nativist and authoritarian might have worked.

But the far right is now largely normalised across Europe, Le Pens RN has never been as broadly popular  and left-leaning voters may have been asked once too often to hold their noses and vote for a party they do not much like to keep it at bay.

Scenario 2: National Rally wins a majority

Many RN activists were cock-a-hoop when Macron said he was dissolving the assembly: they believe they can win an absolute majority of its 577 seats. If that happens, convention demands that one of their number be named prime minister.

That would most likely be Bardella, who has already said he would be up for it; Le Pen has her eyes set squarely on the presidential election of 2027, for which polls have her as favourite. Though to liberals it sounds the stuff of nightmares, analysts say Macron may quite fancy this scenario.

A president and parliament from opposing parties is known as cohabitation. There is no precedent for a mainstream president cohabiting with a far right-controlled parliament  but French prime ministers rarely emerge from the job unscathed.

Macron may be calculating that, confronted with the tough realities of government, Bardella and his cabinet may simply prove not up to the job. Meanwhile, of course, he will sit in the Elysee pointing out their shortcomings.

If that is his next-best option, it is a monumental gamble. RN has proved disciplined in opposition, and an RN-controlled parliament would effectively be in charge of much of French domestic policymaking.

Pensions, unemployment benefit, education, tax, immigration and nationality requirements, public employment, law and order, employment legislation  all fall, in principle, under parliaments, and the governments, remit.

Foreign, European and defence policy are the preserve of the president, but RNs nation-first policies would mean war with Macron and Brussels.

Related: EU elections: earthquake in France and a rightward policy lurch? Our panel responds | Mariam Lau and others

Scenario 3: no overall majority

Most analysts believe the picture viewers are most likely to see on their TV screens on 7 July is a parliament in which Le Pens party has significantly increased its MPs  even, perhaps, become the largest single party  but has no absolute majority.

Instantly, problems would arise: the president is theoretically free to appoint who they want as prime minister  but in practice, because parliament can force the resignation of the government, generally chooses someone acceptable to the assembly. Who?

Macron may try to seek alliances with the mainstream centre right or centre left, but how far he will be successful is anyones guess. The most likely outcome, perhaps, is an even more splintered parliament and, ultimately, deadlock.
Richard Holden tried to talk about Emily Thornberry's comments on education during his interview on Sky News

The chairman of the Conservative Party has been accused of repeatedly refusing to answer questions about why he is standing in a safer seat at the next election during a television interview.

Richard Holden represents the North West Durham constituency, which will be abolished at the next election.

It forms part of the so-called Red Wall of constituencies in traditional Labour heartlands which the Conservatives won at the last election and Sir Keir Starmers party are determined to wrestle back.

Mr Holden has been selected as the partys candidate for the safer Basildon and Billericay constituency in a process local activists branded a stitch-up.

On Sunday, he refused to answer questions about the row in a clash with Jon Craig, the Sky News presenter, and instead tried to talk about Emily Thornberrys comments on education.

A Conservative Party press officer tried to end the interview as it continued to air, and tried to claim other broadcasters had agreed not to ask about the row for the so-called pool clip.

Ive already answered

The journalist said: So you cant justify the way you have been parachuted into Basildon and Billericay. Youre not denying its a stitch-up and its anti-democratic?

Mr Holden began to reply: Emily Thornberry has today admitted...

Mr Craig interrupted him to say: Im going to stop you now, this is ridiculous. You said in an interview earlier this year that you were bloody loyal to the North East. What happened to that?

Mr Holden said: Jon, Ive already answered these questions.

The reporter replied: No you havent.

The press officer could be heard claiming the other channels had agreed not to ask about the selection row.

When the press officer claimed other channels had agreed not to ask about the row, Mr Craig replied: Nobody agreed that at all.

The press officer eventually said: If thats the way this is going to go, well just leave because thats not what we agreed to come here today to discuss.
Rishi Sunak has resisted calls from senior cabinet ministers to promise to leave ECHR but he has left door open in manifesto - STEFAN ROUSSEAU/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The Tory manifesto will open the door to the possibility of leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) by vowing to put the security of the UKs borders ahead of membership of a foreign court.

Rishi Sunak will make clear that a future Conservative government would not let the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) interfere with its plans to detain illegal migrants and deport them to Rwanda to have their asylum claims processed there.

The Government has already taken powers in the Safety of Rwanda Act to ignore injunctions known as rule 39 orders, which the Strasbourg court has previously used to block the first deportation flight to Rwanda in June 2022.

The manifesto will go further by stating that the Government would choose securing the UK borders ahead of membership of the ECHR, but it is not expected to make an explicit threat to leave the convention.

Ultimately if it became a choice of one or the other, we would choose security of our borders, said a source.

It is understood that the Prime Minister has resisted calls from senior MPs on the Right of the party to commit to leaving the ECHR in the manifesto or to holding a referendum on the UKs continued membership of it.

Such a move would have had the potential to split the party, with parliamentary candidates including Cabinet ministers such as Alex Chalk, the Justice Secretary, and Victoria Prentis, the Attorney General, likely to distance themselves from such moves if confronted on the campaign trail.

While the overall population is against leaving the ECHR by a two to one majority (55 per cent to 23 per cent), there is a majority in favour of quitting among Conservative voters (44 per cent for, to 35 per cent against), according to YouGov.

The manifesto is also expected to demand reform of the ECHR with ministers pointing to growing pressure for changes from at least 19 European countries to cope with the threats from mass migration. Some are looking to adopt third-country offshore processing for asylum seekers, similar to the UKs Rwanda scheme.

Tory sources said the relationship with the ECtHR was like a chess game where the Government needed to be clear and firm it would not let it interfere with flights and would put border security ahead of a foreign court.

We dont need to say more than that. Its hypothetical. We dont know if they would intervene, said a source.

Mr Sunak indicated the position the Tories were likely to take during the first TV debate with Sir Keir Starmer when he was asked if he would take Britain out of the ECHR if the ECtHR blocked Rwanda flights.

I have been crystal clear. I will choose our countrys security ahead of membership of a foreign court every single time, he said.

The Tories believe it creates a clear dividing line with Sir Keir Starmer, who has pledged to scrap the Rwanda scheme from day one of a Labour government and said he would not pull the UK out of international agreements.

I want the UK to be a respected player on the global stage, not a pariah who doesnt agree with international laws, said Sir Keir, a former head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The manifesto will be unveiled on Tuesday just as the ECtHR issues a ruling that could force the UK Government to pay millions of pounds of compensation to victims of miscarriage of justice.

It will determine whether ministers can refuse to pay out compensation in the majority of cases where people have been wrongly accused of crimes. Under current legislation, a victim of a miscarriage of justice has to show that the new evidence clearing them of the crime proves beyond reasonable doubt that they did not commit it.

However, two men, who were cleared of their crimes after new evidence came to light, have taken the Government to the ECtHR after being denied compensation on the grounds that it did not prove their innocence beyond reasonable doubt.

They claim that the refusal to compensate them for the combined 24 years they spent in jail is a breach of the ECHRs article six which says that everyone charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.

Since they have been cleared of guilt, they argue that they are innocent and should not be required to prove their innocence beyond reasonable doubt.
Shawn Seesahai, 19, sustained a fractured skull, injuries to his back and legs and a 23cm-deep machete wound. Photograph: West Midlands police/PA

Two 12-year-old boys have been found guilty of the murder of Shawn Seesahai, 19, who was killed in an apparently unprovoked machete attack in a Wolverhampton park in November.

The pair, who cannot be named because of their age, have become two of the youngest convicted murderers in the UK after jurors unanimously found them guilty on Monday.

They are believed to be the youngest defendants convicted of murder in Britain since Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, both 11, were found guilty in 1993 of killing two-year-old James Bulger.

Seesahai was not known to the defendants, who claimed he antagonised them by asking them to move off a bench. One of the boys used a machete to slash at his legs and stab him through the heart, while the other reportedly punched and stamped on his head.

In an interview released after the verdicts, Seesahais father, Suresh Seesahai, said he felt sorry for the parents of the killers and only hoped justice had been served for his son. This world is a different world, kids are dangerous now. If we dont pay attention to them this will keep happening, he said.

The court heard that Seesahai sustained injuries to his back and legs, a fractured skull and a 23cm-deep machete wound that cut through his right lung, into his heart and nearly came out of his chest.

One of the boys admitted possessing the machete used to kill Seesahai but blamed his co-defendant for stabbing the victim. Both boys denied murder and they blamed each other for the fatal injuries.

The jury was told that Seesahai and his friends had offered no violence, nor done anything to offend the two defendants, who had been roaming the streets with a large machete before the attack took place.

The prosecutor, Michelle Heeley KC, said: The two boys engaged in a joint attack upon a man who had done nothing wrong, a man with no weapon, who was utterly defenceless on the ground. We say that these two boys were acting together and meant to kill Mr Seesahai; at the very least they intended to cause really serious harm. As a result of their actions, Shawn Seesahai died at the scene.

Seesahai, originally from Anguilla in the Caribbean, was living in Handsworth in Birmingham at the time of the attack, having travelled to the UK to receive treatment for cataracts. The court heard he went to Wolverhampton on 13 November last year with friends and they were spending time on Stowlawn playing fields in the east of the city.

The two defendants were nearby, along with a female friend, and were roaming the streets and passing the machete between each other, the court heard. Giving evidence, one boy said Seesahai had come over to them and told them to move, before placing him in a headlock. This had triggered his friend to produce the machete, he said.

The victims friend told the trial he was forced to run for his life but Seesahai stumbled as he tried to flee and fell to the ground, where he was stabbed.

Giving evidence a couple of days later, the other boy denied wielding the machete and said he had been nowhere near the victim when he was stabbed.

One of the boys said they ran away from the scene and were given a lift home by his grandmother. At home, he used bleach to clean the machete, which he had bought for 40 from a friend of a friend, and hid it under his bed, he said. He was found to have 11 areas of blood staining on his clothing, while the other defendant had a small area of blood staining on his right trainer.

Jurors heard that one of the defendants had posed, wearing a mask, for a picture with the weapon hours before the killing. The boys told the court they both played video games in the hours after the attack and did not know Seesahai had died until the following day.

Phone evidence showed the boys had searched online for news articles about the attack, and one of them had searched how many criminal records can you have to leave the country a day after the murder.

Special arrangements were put in place for the trial due to the boys young age. Rather than sitting in the dock, they sat within the main courtroom alongside a family member and intermediaries who helped to explain the proceedings. Court sitting hours were reduced, with each session no longer than 40 minutes, while barristers and court staff did not wear wigs or gowns.

Jonathan Roe, the senior crown prosecutor for CPS West Midlands, said: This was a horrifying and random act of brutality, perpetrated by two 12-year-olds who should not have been spending their time arming themselves with a machete and preparing to take a life. Shawn suffered traumatic injuries after being ruthlessly targeted by defendants who had a fixation with violence and were roaming the streets looking for a potential victim.

The boys are expected to be sentenced on a date to be fixed in July.
Ukrainian soldiers in the Kharkiv Region, where Russian forces have been putting the pressure on - Nikoletta Stoyanova/Getty Images

A Ukrainian fighter jet has struck a target inside Russia for the first time, destroying a command node and a suspected ammunition dump.

The strike, on Sunday, occurred across the border north of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, where Russia has been amassing troops and equipment as part of a new axis that opened up last month.

The attack comes after the West gave the green light for missiles to be fired into Russia, and Ukraine destroyed an advanced Russian anti-aircraft system placed near the border.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor for the Russian region of Belgorod, said a non-residential building had been struck in the village of Rakitnoye.

Footage of the area showed a huge fire in what appeared to be a warehouse. Other footage from the area showed a remote-controlled drone placing a Ukrainian flag on a nearby mobile phone tower.

A Ukrainian military source told Sky News: A Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) mission has struck a Russian command node in Belgorod.

Whilst damage assessment is still occurring, it is confirmed as a direct hit. This is the first UAF air-delivered munition delivered against a target within Russia.

It was not immediately clear what weapon the Ukrainian pilot had used to carry out the attack, but the US and France recently announced they had relaxed rules to allow Kyiv to use them to strike targets inside Russia.

Regardless of the weapon, it would have been a daring sortie to fly because of Russias multiple layers of long- and medium-range air-defence systems positioned on the border.

Ukrainian pilots have become accustomed to flying at death-defyingly low altitudes to use the terrain to mask their route and limit the range of oncoming surface-to-air missiles. The raid could have been connected to an earlier cross-border strike on a Russian S-300 or S-400 air-defence battery.

First major long-range attack

Geolocated footage indicated that a Ukrainian Himars rocket launcher destroyed two launchers and damaged a command post belonging to the system, the Institute for the Study of War think tank reported last week.

The strike is one of the first major long-ranged attacks on Russian soil with US-donated weapons after President Joe Biden authorised their use to protect against Moscows offensive into the northeastern Kharkiv region.

Kyivs forces have previously capitalised on Russia seemingly failing to replace its air-defence systems after the incumbent battery had been destroyed. The most notable example came when Ukraine used Storm Shadow missiles to strike the headquarters of Russias Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol. A week before the attack, Ukraines navy claimed to have destroyed a S-400 surface-to-air missile system on the Crimean peninsula.

Justin Crump, an analyst, said: The heavier Russian air defence forces certainly seem to lack agility and Ukraine has exploited this to the maximum. Theyve been caught napping when they shouldnt have been.

Chechen capture claims denied

Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky denied claims that Chechen special forces had captured a village in a cross-border raid in the north-eastern Ukrainian Sumy region.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen warlord, claimed his forces had seized the frontier settlement of Ryzhivka. But Mr Zelensky said that Kyivs troops were in full control and a Russian sabotage group operating there had been destroyed.

As for the village of Ryzhivka, the occupier tried to implement a propaganda operation there, the Ukrainian president added on Monday. As of this morning, the Russian flag in the village was destroyed, and there is no occupant presence.

Kadyrov had said fighters from his Akhmat battalion together with servicemen from other Russian units carried out tactical operations and liberated another settlement of the enemy.

Authorities in Sumy have been braced for a potential attack across their border since Russia opened a new front in the war with an advance on the neighbouring Kharkiv region, capturing several towns.

Ukraine has since managed to halt the advance as supplies and troops were rushed to the battle, and US President Joe Biden granted permission for American-donated weapons to be used to hit targets on Russian soil.
The pier built by the US military to bring in aid supplies by sea, before it was damaged by a storm two weeks ago. Photograph: AP

Humanitarian assistance has begun to come ashore in Gaza from a US-made pier once more, two weeks after the short-lived sea corridor was suspended due to storm damage, but security concerns after one of the bloodiest days of the war meant the aid was not distributed.

The head of the World Food Programme (WFP), Cindy McCain, said the food distribution from the pier had been paused because she was concerned about the safety of our people. An Israeli military operation on Saturday freed four hostages but killed 274 Palestinians and left one Israeli commando dead. McCain said two of WFPs warehouses in Gaza had also been rocketed and a staffer injured.

The suspension of WFP operations across Gaza is the latest in a string of obstacles that have dogged efforts to open a maritime aid corridor. The repaired pier had just been reattached to the Gaza coast on Friday after having been seriously damaged by a storm on 25 May. It had been operating for just five days before that.

Related: Trade convoys squeezing out Gaza aid, humanitarian organisations say

After repairs in the Israeli port of Ashdod, it was floated back to the Gaza coast and on Saturday, 492 tonnes of food were unloaded from US naval vessels, the US Agency for International Development (USAid) said. That is roughly 30 truckloads, a 20th of what aid workers say is needed each day to contain the famine that has spread across Gaza.

USAid said it was working to restore distribution of the aid arriving at the pier.

USAid remains in close contact with our colleagues from across the US government and humanitarian partners on the ground to ensure that aid can safely and effectively resume movement following completion of the security review that the humanitarian community is currently undertaking, a USAID spokesperson said.

Since Joe Biden first announced on 7 March that the US military would build a pier and deliver aid by ship from Cyprus, humanitarian officials have expressed concern that the telegenic drama of the US operation, which costs $230m according to revised Pentagon estimates, would distract attention from the need for the international community to pressure Israel to open all land crossings  a far more efficient and cheaper means of delivering aid  and to improve distribution around Gaza.

The pier is only made to operate in conditions up to sea state 3, with waves up to 1.25 metres, and was intended as no more than a temporary complement to land crossings with a lifespan of three or four months before the sea becomes too choppy.

Historically, by early September, the seas begin to rise and Mother Nature gets a vote here, Vice-Admiral Brad Cooper, deputy head of US Central Command, said. I think were just going to have to see what the weather looks like going forward.

Meanwhile, the severity of the famine in northern Gaza has receded slightly, aid officials said, with a moderate increase in the number of trucks crossing through the West Erez crossing, on Gazas northern border near the coast and an Israeli base and kibbutz at Zikim. A total of 190 trucks crossed in the first five days in June. However, the situation there remained grave, according to aid agencies.

Since 20 May, we have increased deliveries to the north of Gaza via the Zikim corridor resulting in modest improvements in the north, a World Food Programme official said. However, there are no fresh vegetables, and when available, the quality is very poor and prices are exorbitant.

The most lethal conditions are now in southern Gaza, after more than a million people who had been sheltering in the southernmost city of Rafah were forced to flee by the Israeli offensive. The newly displaced population are now in makeshift camps, hard or impossible to reach from the southern crossing points at Rafah, on the Egyptian border, and Keren Shalom in southern Israel, which were the main access points for humanitarian deliveries until the Rafah offensive began a month ago.

Rafah crossing is now under Israeli military control and closed to traffic. Keren Shalom is functioning, with 764 trucks crossing so far in June, but only a fraction of those deliveries are reaching people in need because of the dangers of attempting aid distribution in such an active war zone.

Conditions in the south are rapidly deteriorating, a US official said. The population displaced from Rafah are being displaced to places where there is absolutely no infrastructure. The humanitarian community has also lost a lot of access to warehouses and distribution points in and around Rafah because of the increased fighting and then the Rafah closure.

More trucks are crossing, but it is now harder to distribute, particularly in the south, because the insecurity is so bad, the official said.

Biden had threatened he would refuse to provide weapons for a Israeli offensive on Rafah in the absence of an adequate humanitarian plan, but US arms supplies to Israel have continued to flow.
H5N1 first emerged in China in the late 1990s - CDC and NIAID/AFP via Getty Images

It sounds like something out of a science fiction film but clade 2.3.4.4b, as the latest major strain of H5N1 bird flu circulating is known, is very real. And while scientists are wary of saying so in public, many are increasingly worried about its potential to trigger a pandemic  one that could prove deadlier than Covid-19.

The difference  were that to happen  is that this one will have been a slow burn. Unlike SARS-CoV-2, which emerged suddenly in Wuhan in December 2019 and was already well-adapted to humans  H5N1 first emerged in China in the late 1990s. Then it affected wild waterfowl. But by 1997 it was turning up in ducks and domestic chickens in Hong Kong  and that same year, it claimed its first human fatality, a three-year-old boy.

More recently, the virus has been isolated from a wide range of mammals, including foxes, mink, penguins, seals and cows. And this week a dozen mice tested positive for the virus in New Mexico  the first time the rodents have been infected with H5N1 outside of a laboratory.

But the bigger worry is that the virus is now rampant in US dairy herds  since March, the virus has been detected in cattle on farms in nine states and three dairy workers have been infected.

Until now, the symptoms have been mild. But should the virus mutate further that could change: the latest dairy worker reportedly developed respiratory symptoms  the first time this has happened in a human case in US and an indication that the virus could be evolving to become transmissible between people in the same way as seasonal influenza.

That is a worry as H5N1 has a human case fatality rate of 50 per cent  many times higher than Covid-19. However, since the first human case in 1997, just 463 deaths have been recorded worldwide, with most confined to individuals closely related, suggesting the virus has trouble spreading outside of family clusters.

The death reported in Mexico on Wednesday of a person confirmed to have been infected with an H5N2 virus is also a concern but is not thought to be linked to the much wider H5N1 outbreak.

So, how concerned should we be? And what is it like to be infected with H5N1?

It felt like I was going colour blind

Nineteen years ago, during the outbreak of H5N1 that swept Southeast Asia in 2005, I travelled to Hanoi, in Vietnam, to speak to a man who had been hospitalised with the virus and had lived to tell the tale.

At the time, Vietnam had recorded 29 human cases, of which 20 had resulted in deaths, and with millions of chickens infected at battery farms across the country, the government had begun extensive poultry culls. With the help of a local photographer, I tracked Nguyen Thanh Hung down to a tiny apartment in a backstreet of Hanoi.

A wiry cement salesman with a passion for long-distance running, Hung, who was then 42, had fallen ill after nursing his sick brother in hospital. Hungs ordeal began when he had attended the funeral of his brothers son the previous December. The funeral coincided with Tet  Vietnams version of Thanksgiving  and after the service Hung and his brother had sat down to a meal of ducks blood soup, a local delicacy.

Hung hardly touched the soup, which is made from raw, congealed ducks blood. However, two days later his brother developed a headache and breathing difficulties and was taken to Hanois tropical diseases hospital. Learning his brother was ill, Hung rushed to his bedside where he sat vigil for the next five days, watching as his brothers breathing became steadily more laboured.

Nguyen Thanh Hung, who survived bird flu

In a scene that would foreshadow the experiences of Covid-19 patients fifteen years later, Hungs brother was intubated and placed on a respirator. But he found the procedure uncomfortable and was administered pressurised oxygen via a face mask instead. However, Hung told me, his brother kept on removing the mask, forcing Hung to lean across his body to replace it. I was about 30cm from his face, he told me.

Hungs brother died on January 9, prompting Hung to return to their village for a second funeral. Then, two days later, Hung also began to feel unwell. X-rays revealed an ominous white shadow on his lung. Initially, doctors suspected tuberculosis but when Hungs temperature soared he was also taken to Hanois tropical diseases hospital.

My whole skull was throbbing, he told me. I felt like I was going colour blind and the walls were pressing in on me.

Ten days later, a chronically backlogged lab sent back word that his brother had died of H5N1. Soon after, it was confirmed Hung had the virus, too.

I was quite scared at first, but by then I was starting to feel better. The fever and pain were over and I thought to myself, Im through the worst. Nonetheless, it was another ten days before Hung was well enough to be discharged.

To this day, it is not known how Hung contracted the virus. Was it through imbibing the raw ducks blood or was he infected at his brothers bedside? The latter, of course, would be extremely worrying, suggesting that H5N1 can be transmitted as an aerosol from person to person. Although scientists took swabs from Hung to culture the virus and conduct more precise molecular studies, the tests were inconclusive.

However, Peter Horby, then the WHOs representative in Hanoi, now director of the Pandemic Sciences Institute at the University of Oxford, could not rule of the possibility of human-to-human transmission. His colleague, Jeremy Farrar, now Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization but then director of the Oxford University Clinical Research Institute at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City, told me it had been a very frightening time for everyone, clinicians included.

In light of the latest positive case in the US, the question is: could human-to-human transmission be happening now without our realising? We know from genomic analysis that the new clade of H5N1 began circulating in dairy cows in the US as early as December 2023  in other words four months before it was detected in March 2024. But to date only around 30 people have been tested for the virus, the majority of them dairy workers.

The worry is that if we wait until patients present at hospitals with severe symptoms of bird flu, it will be too late to contain the outbreak. The genie will already have escaped the bottle, just as it did in Wuhan in the last months of 2019.

As two eminent flu experts warned in an article in the British Medical Journal this week, the hazard and risk of a major outbreak of H5N1 are large, plausible and imminent.

That would be tragedy that everyone, including Hung, should be keen to avoid.

Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security
Donald Trump speaks at Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday. Photograph: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty Images

Donald Trump was interviewed by New York probation officials on Monday, a required step before his July sentencing in his criminal hush-money case, the Associated Press reported.

Trump, who declined to testify at the trial, appeared for the probation interview by video conference from his residence at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, with his lawyer Todd Blanche by his side. The arrangement garnered complaints of special treatment, but city officials contend that is not the case.

Trumps interview ended after less than a half-hour of routine and uneventful questions and answers, a person familiar with the matter told the AP.

People convicted of crimes in New York usually meet with probation officials without their lawyers, but the judge in Trumps case, Juan Merchan, said in a letter on Friday that he would allow Blanches presence.

The usual purpose of a pre-sentencing probation interview is to prepare a report that will tell the judge more about the defendant, and potentially help determine the proper punishment for the crime.

Related: Trump to escalate blame on trial judge Juan Merchan if sentenced to prison

Such reports are typically prepared by a probation officer, a social worker or a psychologist working for the probation department who interviews the defendant and possibly that persons family and friends, as well as people affected by the crime.

Present reports include a defendants personal history, criminal record and recommendations for sentencing. It will also include information about employment and any obligations to help care for a family member. It is also a chance for a defendant to say why they think they deserve a lighter punishment.

The citys public defenders on Monday criticized what they said were special arrangements for Trump and urged the probation department to ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of income, status, or class, receive the same pre-sentencing opportunities.



All people convicted of crimes should be allowed counsel in their probation interview, not just billionaires, four of the citys public defender organizations said in a statement. This is just another example of our two-tiered system of justice.

A jury convicted Trump of falsifying business records at his own company as part of a broader scheme to buy the silence of people who might have told embarrassing stories about him during the 2016 presidential campaign. One $130,000 payment went to the adult film actor Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have had a sexual encounter with Trump, which he denied.

Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, says he is innocent of any crime and that the criminal case was brought to hurt his chances to regain the White House.

Following Trumps historic conviction, a New York Times/Siena College post-verdict analysis of nearly 2,000 interviews with voters found that Trumps advantage over Joe Biden narrowed from three to one point.

Trumps campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, said in a statement on Sunday that the presidents Democratic party allies continue to ramp up their ongoing Witch-Hunts, further abusing and misusing the power of their offices to interfere in the presidential election.

President Trump and his legal team are already taking necessary steps to challenge and defeat the lawless Manhattan DA case, he said.

Merchan has scheduled Trumps sentencing for 11 July. He has discretion to impose a wide range of punishments, ranging from probation and community service to up to four years in prison.

In his first rally earlier this week following his conviction, Trump, who is appealing his conviction, issued foreboding threats.

Those appellate courts have to step up and straighten things out, or were not going to have a country any longer, Trump said at a Turning Point Action event in Phoenix, Arizona.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged of New York police planning to revoke Trumps license to carry a gun as a result of his conviction.

Speaking to CNN anonymously, a New York police department official said that it will complete its investigation that will likely lead to revocation of his license.
Rishi Sunak to offer help to first-time buyers and tax cuts in Tory manifesto

Rishi Sunak has pledged a tax break for landlords and help for first-time buyers as he prepares to launch the Conservative Party manifesto.

The Prime Ministers offer will include a 100% relief on capital gains tax liability for landlords who sell to their existing tenants, claiming the move will be transformational.

Mr Sunak, who acknowledged during a BBC interview that it has become harder for people to own their first home under the Conservatives, will also pledge to abolish stamp duty up to the value of 425,000 for first-time buyers and launch a new and improved Help to Buy scheme.

The Conservative leader has also said tax cuts will be included in the manifesto, with reports suggesting another 2p cut to national insurance.

Labour predicted the Tory manifesto will be the most expensive panic attack in history.

Mr Sunaks speech is expected to see him draw upon the spirit of Margaret Thatcher, who introduced the right-to-buy scheme which led to a sell-off of council homes, and her tax-cutting chancellor Nigel Lawson.

The manifesto launch on Tuesday comes after a bruising few days in the campaign in which Mr Sunak dismissed resignation rumours amid the ongoing fallout over his early departure from D-Day commemorations.

With Labour enjoying a strong lead over the Tories in the opinion polls, and with Nigel Farages Reform UK hoping to appeal to Tory voters, Mr Sunak will aim to improve his partys outlook with the release of his pledges.

Writing for The Daily Telegraph, Mr Sunak said: Owning a home makes people more financially secure, gives them a stake in society and, as Mrs Thatcher said, is one of the main bulwarks of individual freedom.

People should have the chance to buy their own home  it goes to the foundations of what we believe as Conservatives: we are the party of the property-owning democracy.

Mr Sunak said a temporary increase of the stamp duty threshold to 425,000 had helped more than 200,000 first-time buyers in a 12-month period, adding: We Conservatives believe in tax cuts, so we will abolish stamp duty up to the value of 425,000 for first-time buyers, making the temporary rise in the threshold permanent and giving thousands more home-buyers tax relief.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attends a Neighbourhood Watch meeting at the Dog and Bacon pub in Horsham, West Sussex, while on the General Election campaign trail (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Secondly, we will launch a brand new and improved Help to Buy scheme to help a new generation on to the property ladder. With our new scheme, we will provide an equity loan of up to 20% towards the cost of a new build home. We will also give first-time buyers a 5% deposit on terms they can afford.

This will be transformational for those on the brink of home ownership but who need a helping hand to get there. We will help these people to become owners.

Mr Sunak added: Thirdly, we will introduce a tax relief for landlords who sell to their existing tenants.

This will incentivise landlords to give tenants a chance to own the home they live in with a 100% relief on their capital gains tax liability. It is good for landlords and transformational for tenants.

Mr Sunak is expected to use his speech on Tuesday to say the Conservatives had to take difficult decisions because of Covid before adding: But we are now cutting taxes for earners, parents and pensioners.

We are the party of Margaret Thatcher and Nigel Lawson, a party, unlike Labour, that believes in sound money.

Figures provided by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have previously showed the UKs current level of tax burden is the highest on record.

Statistics published late last year showed tax hit 35.3% of gross domestic product in 2022/23, a 0.9% increase on the previous year. This ratio is forecast to grow to 37.7% by 2029, with the Governments freeze on tax ratios the dominant driver.

The Tories have previously pledged no increases to income tax, national insurance or VAT. They have also promised to increase the income tax personal allowance for pensioners  giving them a tax cut worth around 95 in 2025-26, rising to 275 in 2029-30.

Mandatory national service for 18-year-olds was among the first pledges by Mr Sunak and would require teenagers to choose between taking a 12-month placement in the armed forces or volunteer work in their community one weekend a month for a year.

Pat McFadden, Labours national campaign co-ordinator, said: The one thing to know about the desperate series of unfunded commitments in the Tory manifesto is that the moneys not there.

Their manifesto will be the most expensive panic attack in history. The Tories scattergun and unfunded commitments have racked up billions with no idea from them of how to pay for it.

They used to care about economic credibility. Now, in their desperation, they spend every day torching whatever remnants of it they had left.

Earlier on Monday, Mr Sunak responded to criticism of his early exit from the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

Asked whether resigning had crossed his mind, Mr Sunak told broadcasters during a visit to the Dog and Bacon pub in Horsham: No, of course not. Im energised about the vision that were putting forward for the country.

Elsewhere, children under the age of 16 would be banned from buying highly caffeinated energy drinks under a Labour government.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the sale of drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to under-16s is not justifiable or acceptable, adding: Well stop it. I will always take the tough decisions necessary to keep our children healthy.

It comes as Labour pushes its child health action plan, which includes creating an extra 100,000 urgent dental appointments for children in a bid to clear backlogs in England.
SNP claims that a Labour government would impose significant public spending cuts on Scotland are ludicrous, Anas Sarwar has said.

The Scottish Labour leader said such comments are a symbol of their desperation and accused the SNP of being out of tune and out of step with public opinion in Scotland.

His comments come after First Minister John Swinney used a speech on Friday to claim that the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will inflict significant cuts on public spending in Scotland if his party wins the July 4 General Election.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank has already warned of sharp cuts to come, regardless of whether Labour or the Conservatives win power.

Anas Sarwar visited the University of Glasgow on Monday (PA)

On Monday Mr Swinney said he is deeply concerned that Labour and the Tories are debating our economic future in a parallel universe  by refusing to accept the reality of their decisions.

Asked about the attacks on a visit in Glasgow on Monday, Mr Sarwar said: This is just the latest in a series of ludicrous claims and attacks from the SNP because it appears now that they are less interested in getting rid of the Tories and more interested in attacking the Labour party.

And I think they are out of tune and out of step with the Scottish people.

The Scottish people recognise that this election is our opportunity and one we cant afford to miss to get rid of this rotten right-wing Tory government and thats what Im focused on.

The SNP can continue the attack on the Labour Party all it likes. I think thats a symbol of their desperation rather than actually them being in tune with public opinion here in Scotland.

Mr Sarwar was speaking as he visited the University of Glasgows School of Health and Wellbeing where he said a Labour government would back life sciences and put Scotland at the global forefront of medical research.

He also took aim at the SNP and the Conservatives, accusing both parties of undermining the sector.

Mr Sarwar said: Life sciences is a Scottish success story  creating jobs and attracting investment while making a crucial contribution to the fight against diseases like Scotlands biggest killer, cancer.

The Scottish Labour leader also said that the UK immigration system needs to change as the current system is fundamentally broken, having been completely trashed by the Conservatives which he said is having a negative impact on attracting talent and delivering services.

Mr Sarwar said: Having an immigration system that is fit for purpose, that is linked to our skills system  because theres a complete disconnect in our skills system  means that we can look at UK net migration which in my view is too high.

But I think its important to look at the different demands and challenges in different parts of the UK around immigration so an immigration and skill system that meets the needs of London will be very very different from what it means in Aberdeen and the north east and be very different from what it means for the Western Isles and our island communities.

Therefore, I think we do need to change our immigration system to make it fit for purpose and match it with our skills system.

Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary Liz Smith said: John Swinney and the SNP have zero credibility on this issue, given the swingeing cuts imposed on Scotlands public services by Shona Robisons disastrous tax-and-axe budget.

Despite receiving record block grants from the UK Government, the SNP mismanagement has led to a 1.5billion black hole in Scotlands finances and eye-watering cuts to our essential services.

Drew Hendry, the SNP General Election candidate for Inverness, Skye and Ross-Shire, said: Anas Sarwar can spend his time attacking the SNP all he wants, but he is effectively accusing the IFS  the UKs leading, independent economic research institute  of lying.

It is the IFS, not the SNP, who have confirmed that both the Labour Party and Tory budget plans will lead to 18 billion of cuts to public services.

He can choose to attack these independent figures as ludicrous, but I think most people will trust that the IFS are far better at maths than Anas Sarwar.

The truth is that Sir Keir Starmers Labour Party are fully signed up to Tory spending cuts and their desperate attempt to hide it from the public is now falling apart.
Social media scammers are impersonating every major airline operating in the UK, according to new analysis.

Consumer group Which? said fraudsters on X  formerly known as Twitter  are responding to messages sent to official accounts.

It found scammers impersonating airlines to ask for enough information to enable them to commit identity fraud.

Which said one of its researchers who posted a message to the official account for Wizz Air to ask if a flight was delayed received responses from two fake accounts almost immediately.

It went on: Both used near-identical language, apologising for the inconvenience, stating that they had already escalated this matter to the relevant department and requesting a reachable WhatsApp number for assistance via DM (direct message).

We found examples of bogus X accounts impersonating every major airline operating in the UK, including British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, Tui, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air.

We also discovered that fake accounts are often quicker to respond than the genuine airlines, but they also interrupt existing conversations between you and airlines, which can be harder to spot.

X has been approached for a comment.

Which? said reporting fake accounts to X seems to have limited success, with most of the posts and accounts it flagged remaining live.

It advised passengers to verify if an account is genuine by checking for a link on an official website, when it joined X and how many followers it has.

Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: Unscrupulous fraudsters are shamelessly trying to trick airline customers seeking urgent customer service advice via X for stressful situations, such as delayed flights and lost luggage.

There is an epidemic of fraud gripping the UK and thats why Which? wants the next government to appoint a dedicated fraud minister and make fighting fraud a national priority.

X and other social media platforms need to be held to a high standard and Ofcom must not shy away from taking strong enforcement action, including fines, against firms if they break the law.

An easyJet spokesman said: We continue to report fake accounts to X so they can take any necessary action and we advise customers to only follow and engage with our sole official channel @easyJet, which is identifiable by the gold verification badge for official businesses, for the latest updates or to seek support and to be vigilant and to not engage with or click on any links from other accounts.

Wizz Air said: We have seen a rise in fake accounts on X and we report as many unofficial accounts as possible.
Distillery workers at whisky maker Whyte & Mackay will take part in a summer of strike action after pay talks stalled, a union has announced.

GMB Scotland members at three of the companys highland distilleries will walk out on Monday June 24, followed by 11 days of strikes in July and a further two weeks in August, after an overwhelming vote in favour of strike action.

Union members at the companys Dalmore and Invergordon distilleries in Ross and Cromarty, and Tamnavulin in Moray, were balloted following what the union said was a pay offer of between 6% and 7%.

The union branded the offer an insult at a time, they said, when the company was making record profits and expanding operations.

Lesley-Anne MacAskill, GMB Scotland organiser in the Highlands, said: We told Whyte & Mackay today to expect a summer of strike action with our members united and determined their work is fairly recognised.

Their support for action is overwhelming but unsurprising given the companys refusal to properly reward them for the work that has helped generate record-breaking profits.

While Whyte & Mackay celebrate commercial success, our members continue to be paid less than other workers in the industry. Enough is enough.

The company can be in no doubt our members are prepared for a summer of industrial action to win a fair pay rise.

According to the union, 82% of members across the three distilleries backed industrial action in a ballot that saw a turnout of more than 80%.

Whyte & Mackay, which is owned by Philippine-based Emperador, operates Dalmore distillery at Alness in Ross and Cromarty; the nearby Invergordon grain distillery; Fettercairn in Aberdeenshire; Tamnavulin near Tomnavoulin, Moray; and Jura on the Hebridean island.

Whyte & Mackay have been contacted for comment.
GMVozd/istockphoto

Happy little accidents!

It's funny how we seldom think about how or why things are made. They are just there, right? Well, it turns out that many things we use, eat or otherwise rely on practically every day are just happy little accidents.

From a classic snack to a life-saving medicine, here are some of the serendipitous inventions that have changed the world we live in today.

dr3amer / iStock

1. Potato Chips

Who: George Crum, New York chef

When: 1853

How it was created: When an annoying customer kept sending his plate of French fried potatoes back to the kitchen, claiming they were too soggy and thick, chef George Crum decided to deal with the situation in a rather passive-aggressive way. He sliced the potatoes super thin, fried them to a crisp, and then drenched them in salt. To the chef's surprise, the picky customer loved them and asked for more.

While there are nay-sayers who claim potato chips existed before Crum served them, Malta, New York, where Crum opened his first restaurant, still recognizes him as the snack's inventor.

Wikimedia Commons / Roger McLassus

2. Slinky

Who: Richard James, Naval engineer

When: 1943

How it was created: During World War II, Naval engineer Richard James was working with tension springs that could support sensitive instruments aboard ships when he accidentally dropped one. After bouncing off the stack of books to the tabletop and finally to the floor, the spring re-coiled itself and stood upright. The bouncy spring was quite amusing to James as it still is to millions of children today.

bhofack2/iStock

3. Chocolate-chip cookies

Who: Ruth Wakefield, American chef,

When: 1930s

How it was created: Ruth Wakefield owned a tourist lodge called the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. One day while baking chocolate cookies for the guests, Wakefield discovered she was out of baker's chocolate. Instead, she chopped up a bar of sweetened chocolate and mixed it with the cookie dough, thinking it would melt. However, the chocolate didn't melt but just softened. She served them anyway, and they quickly became a hit.

Fun Fact: Wakefield made an agreement with Nestle whose semi-sweet chocolate bar she used for the cookies  to get a lifetime supply of chocolate in exchange for the company printing the "Toll House Cookie" recipe on their packages.

nikkimeel/iStock

4. Post-it Notes

Who: Spencer Silver, American chemist

When: 1980

How it was created: While working on discovering a strong adhesive, Silver created low-tack glue that stuck to objects but could be easily removed without leaving a mark. One of Silver's colleagues used the substance on small pieces of paper to mark his place in a choir hymn book, and the Post-it Note was born.

Tigercat_LPG/iStock

5. Play-Doh

Who: Kay Zufall, Brian, Joseph McVicker, Bill Rhodenbaugh

When: 1956

How it was created: The gooey toy kids have been playing with for decades began as a household cleaning product. In the late 1920s, a soap company, Kutol Products, secured a contract with Kroger grocery stores to produce a ready-to-use wallpaper cleaning product made from flour, water, and salt. By the 1950s, many households stopped using coal to heat their homes, which meant that their wallpaper stayed relatively clean. To keep the company afloat, they decided to find a new market for the product. Using modified ingredients, Kutol Products repositioned the product as a toy for kids and established Rainbow Crafts Company Inc. to sell Play-Doh.

dusanpetkovic / iStock

6. Velcro

Who: George de Mestral, Swiss engineer

When: 1957

How it was created: While on a hunting trip with his dog, de Mestral noticed burrs stuck to his canine friend's fur. He took some burrs to his laboratory and discovered that the pesky burrs had tiny hooks that enabled them to stick to fabric and fur. He developed a fastening system based on the same concept, and as a result, Velcro was born.

wundervisuals

7. Ice cream cones

Who: Italo Marchiony, businessman

When: 1904

How it was created: An ice cream stall at the 1904 Worlds Fair was doing so well that they quickly ran out of plates. The stall owner ran to the neighboring waffle stand that was hardly selling anything, asking for help. The two stand owners came up with the idea of rolling up the waffles and topping them with ice cream. And that is how the ice cream cone was invented.

Supersmario/iStock

8. Teflon

Who: Roy Plunkett, chemist

When: 1938

How it was created: While working for DuPont, Dr. Plunkett was assigned to synthesize non-toxic refrigerants. One day, the chemist and his lab assistant were experimenting with one such alternative refrigerant, tetrafluoroethylene (TFE). They created 100 pounds of TFE and stored the gas in small cylinders. When Dr.Plunkett opened the valve on one of the cylinders of TFE, nothing came out. The scientist investigated further by cutting the cylinder open, discovering that the gas inside had polymerized into a waxy, white powder. Dr.Plunkett ran additional tests on the new substance and found four unique properties. TFE was slippery, chemically stable, non-corrosive, and had a very high melting point. DuPont patented the substance, and today we know it as Teflon, the coating on your pan that keeps your pancakes from sticking.

The original substance used for Teflon was reformulated in the early 2000s after it was found to be toxic.

DmyTo / istockphoto

9. Plastic

Who: Leo Hendrik Baekeland, Belgian chemist

When: 1907

How it was created: Early plastics used for insulation were made of organic materials, primarily Southeast Asian beetles, which were not cheap to import. In 1907, Leo Hendrik Baekeland, while trying to develop a cheaper replacement for shellac, accidentally invented the first synthetic plastic known as Bakelite. The chemist combined formaldehyde with phenol, a waste product of coal, and subjected the mixture to heat. Inadvertently, he created a polymer that did not melt under heat or stress. This new thermosetting plastic was used for everything from jewelry to phones.

jenifoto / iStock

10. Popsicles

Who: Frank Epperson, 11-year-old boy

When: 1905

How it was created: When soda pop first hit the market, 11-year-old Frank Epperson decided to save money and make his own. He combined powder and water in a cup, stirred it with a stick, and then forgot the concoction on his porch. The temperature dropped below freezing overnight, and when Epperson woke up the following day, he discovered a frozen mixture with the stirring stick still attached.

After serving the frozen treat at an amusement park for 20 twenty years, Epperson received a patent for the Popsicle.

Daniel Santos/iStock

11. Super Glue

Who: Dr. Harry Coover, inventor

When: 1942

How it was created: During WWII, Dr. Harry Coover was working at Eastman Kodak Laboratories to develop plastic lenses that could form precision sights for military guns, when he accidentally discovered a synthetic adhesive made from cyanoacrylate. At the time, Coover and his team rejected the compound because it was incredibly sticky and had no use for gun sights. Years later, a research student "rediscovered" Coover's 1942 formula while working on another project for the same company.

That's when Coover decided to bring the discovery to the company's attention, which began selling the product in 1958.

vitalssss/iStock

12. Corn flakes

Who: The John and Will Kellogg

When: 1894

How it was created: Will Kellogg was helping his brother John cook meals for patients at their Battle Creek Sanitarium. The brothers accidentally left a pot of boiled grain on the stove for several days. Although the mixture turned moldy, the resulting product was thick and dry. They then removed the molded part and created corn flakes.

Depositphotos

13. Coca-Cola

Who: Dr. John S. Pemberton, pharmacist

When: 1892

How it was created: John Pemberton, a Civil War veteran turned pharmacist, was on a quest to find a cure for headaches. He was working on a concoction made of cola nuts and coca leaves. One day, his lab assistant accidentally mixed the two ingredients with carbonated water. It resulted in one of the worlds most popular drinks, Coca-Cola.

Nomadsoul1/iStock

14. Dynamite

Who: Alfred Nobel, Swedish chemist and engineer

When: 1866

How it was created: While gunpowder and nitroglycerin have been around for ages, they were volatile. Then, a Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, discovered that mixing nitroglycerin with silica would make a malleable paste called dynamite. In a metal container containing nitroglycerin, he placed a small wooden detonator containing a black powder charge. When it was lit and exploded, the liquid nitroglycerin would also explode.

Fun Fact: Soon after people discovered they could blow things up, the press dubbed Alfred Nobel the angel of death. In his will, he left all of his fortune for the creation of the eponymous prizes after he felt guilty and disappointed by the discovery that ultimately proved destructive. The fund included a grant for the person who accomplished the most or the best work for fraternity among nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the promotion of peace congresses.

DepositPhotos.com

15. Microwave oven

Who: Percy Spencer, Raytheon Corp. engineer

When: 1945

How it was created: A self-taught engineer, Percy Spencer, was working on a radar project for the defense giant Raytheon. While experimenting with microwave emitters, Spencer discovered that a candy bar in his pocket had melted from the heat. The "Eureka" moment occurred when Spencer put corn into the machine, and as soon as it popped, he knew he had discovered something revolutionary.

Depositphotos

16. Matches

Who: John Walker, English chemist and pharmacist

When: 1826

How it was created: In 1826, a British pharmacist named John Walker discovered a dried lump on the end of a stick while stirring a mix of chemicals. When he tried to scrape the chemicals off, they burst into flames. He marketed the first friction matches as Friction Lights and sold them at his pharmacy.

Pitchayanan Kongkaew/iStock

17. Pacemaker

Who: John Hopps, electrical engineer

When: 1960

How it was created: While conducting research on hypothermia, Hopps was using radio frequency heating to restore body temperature. During this experiment, he realized that artificial stimulation could restart a heart that had stopped beating due to cooling. The lifesaving device, known as the pacemaker, was born from this realization.

Ran Kyu Park / iStock

18. Safety glass

Who: Edouard Benedictus, French chemist

When: 1909

How it was created: While working in his lab one day, Benedictus accidentally knocked a flask off of his desk which cracked but didnt shatter. The flask was filled with plastic cellulose nitrate or liquid plastic which evaporated and held the now-harmless broken pieces together. This resulted in Benedictus securing the first patent for safety glass which today is most commonly used in vehicle windshields.

Fun fact: The laminated glass became standard for gas mask lenses during World War I.

Sinhyu/iStock

19. Penicillin

Who: Sir Alexander Fleming, scientist

When: 1928



How it was created: While working on a study, Fleming added staphylococcus bacteria to Petri dishes before leaving for vacation. When he returned, he discovered mold growing in the dishes. After close inspection, Fleming realized that the mold produced a self-defense chemical that could kill bacteria. It led to one of the greatest discoveries in modern medicine, penicillin, the first antibiotic.

This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.
A slew of hot-button issues will be ruled on by the Supreme Court before the end of its decision season that could transform the nations political landscape in a pivotal election year.

By the end of June, the high court is expected to decide matters including access to a widely used abortion pill, the rights of social media platforms and the limitations of gun rights.

Former President Trump is also front and center as the Supreme Court weighs whether former presidents can be criminally prosecuted for official conduct  an argument Trumps team is making in order to shield him from a set of legal matters separate from his recent conviction.

Here are five key issues the Supreme Court is set to address.

Trump criminal cases

Trumps assertion that former presidents enjoy criminal immunity for official acts now rests with the justices, who are hearing his appeal in his federal election interference case.

The Supreme Courts decision stands to impact not only whether Trumps charges in the case, as well as those brought in Georgia and Florida, must be tossed, but also whether the three cases proceed to trial at all.

At oral arguments, the justices appeared inclined to carve out some immunity for former presidents, leaving for a lower court whether the specific allegations against Trump fall within that shield.

That narrow resolution could provide Trump with more pathways to delay his cases, as he hopes to retake the White House following Novembers election and grind his remaining indictments to a halt.

A Jan. 6 rioters appeal could also prove beneficial to Trumps legal woes.

In his federal election interference case, one of the four charges Trump faces is obstruction of an official proceeding.

When the justices in April heard a rioters challenge to the same provision, they seemed skeptical of the Justice Departments use of the charge.

While the Supreme Courts decision could have profound implications on the Justice Departments years-long prosecution of those who participated in the Capitol attack, it could also undermine Trumps own obstruction charge.

Social media

Several cases involving social media not yet decided by the Supreme Court could have resounding implications for free speech online.

The rights afforded to social media platforms are on the line in two cases stemming from controversial laws regulating social media bans in Texas and Florida.

The laws aim to prevent social media companies from banning users based on their political views  even if users violate platform policies.

Tech industry groups challenged the legislation as a violation of private companies First Amendment rights, arguing that the laws allowed the government to walk all over platforms editorial discretion.

The justices appeared conflicted over the laws during oral arguments in February.

A third case against the Biden administration threatens to upend how the federal government quells misinformation online in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 presidential election.

Two Republican attorneys general challenged efforts to curb misinformation online, suggesting federal officials violated the First Amendment by urging platforms to remove posts they deemed false or misleading.

Biden administration officials have argued that barring talk between the federal government and social media companies limits officials ability to address matters of public concern, prevent national security threats and relay information.

When the justices heard the case in March, they seemed wary of imposing harsh limits on federal officials communications with platforms about content moderation decisions.

Abortion pill

In the biggest abortion dispute at the Supreme Court since the conservative majority overturned Roe v. Wade, the justices are set to hand down a ruling that could restrict access to mifepristone, a widely used abortion pill.

A group of anti-abortion doctors and medical associations challenged changes made by the Food and Drug Administration over the past decade easing access to the pill, including increasing the gestational age at which mifepristone can be used to up to 10 weeks of pregnancy and allowing the medication to be mailed.

The high-stakes case could impact abortion access in both red and blue states, with mifepristone being used in more than half of abortions nationwide.

At oral arguments in March, a majority appeared skeptical that the challengers had suffered sufficient harm to have legal standing to bring their case  a technicality that the justices focused on as opposed to conservative or liberal beliefs about abortion access.

Guns

The Supreme Court has two major gun cases on its docket this term, though they are legally distinct.

The first case is the biggest gun case at the high court since the conservative majority in 2022 handed down the most significant expansion of Second Amendment rights in a decade, laying out a new test for the constitutionality of firearm restrictions.

Now, the justices are set to decide the constitutionality of the federal crime of gun possession for people under qualifying domestic-violence restraining orders.

Though a majority at oral arguments last fall appeared inclined to uphold the provision, advocates on both sides of the gun rights debate are closely watching for how the opinion more broadly clarifies the Supreme Courts Second Amendment test.

The second gun case on the justices docket this term doesnt concern the Second Amendment. Instead, it considers the legality of the Trump-era regulation banning bump stocks, which outlaws owning the devices by categorizing them as machine guns.

Congress has long made it unlawful to own machine guns. The Trump administration made the change following the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, at which the gunman used a bump stock.

At oral arguments, the justices appeared divided about the legality of bump stocks.

Federal agency power

The justices this month could do away with Chevron deference, a bedrock precedent of administrative law that for decades has bolstered federal agencies powers to regulate wide areas of American life.

The doctrine instructs judges to defer to an agencys interpretation of a law when it is ambiguous.

Cited in thousands of subsequent decisions, it has provided the executive branch with wide latitude to implement policy change in countless areas, including environmental protections and cryptocurrency.

But conservatives have increasingly looked to eliminate the precedent as part of a broader attack on the administrative state.

At oral arguments, some of the Supreme Courts conservatives who have long criticized the precedent railed against it, but it remains unclear if a majority is willing to put Chevron deference on its deathbed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 YORK (AP)  A New York City subway station would be renamed to commemorate the Stonewall riots that galvanized the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, under legislation approved by state lawmakers as they wrapped up their session this month.

The state Legislature approved a bill Wednesday directing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to change the name of the Christopher Street-Sheridan Square subway station in Greenwich Village to the Christopher Street-Stonewall National Monument Station.

This change will memorialize the history of the modern LGBTQ civil rights movement and inspire NY to demand justice and equality for all, state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a Manhattan Democrat who sponsored the proposal, wrote on the social platform X following the Senates passage of the measure.

The bill now heads to Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul for her approval. Her office said late Sunday it will review the legislation.

The Stonewall Inn was raided by police June 28, 1969, sparking a riot and several days of protests that marked a groundbreaking moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the country.

At the time, showing same-sex affection or dressing in a way deemed gender-inappropriate could get people arrested and led to bars that served them losing liquor licenses.

Today, Stonewall Inn is a National Historic Landmark, with patrons flocking to the site each June, when New York and many other cities hold LGBTQ+ pride celebrations.

The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center is also planned to open next door as the National Park Services first such center focused on LGBTQ+ history.
(Fixes formatting in lead)

(Reuters) -A local Ukrainian official on Monday denied a claim by the leader of Russia's Chechnya region that Russian forces led by a Chechen-based special forces unit had seized control of a border village in northeast Ukraine.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said on Sunday the Akhmat-Chechnya unit spearheaded Russian troops in taking control of Ryzhivka in Sumy region.

The "large-scale planned advance" inflicted "significant losses on the Ukrainian side, which was forced to retreat," Kadyrov said.

However, Yuriy Zarko, a local official in Sumy, denied the presence of Russian troops in Ryzhivka on Monday in a comment to Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian government's Centre for Countering Disinformation, said on Telegram that Russian forces had tried to test Ukraine's defences on the Ryzhivka front. Ukrainian forces are in control of the situation but the threat of Russian actions in the border area remains, he added.

Russia's Defence Ministry issued no statement on the action.

Ukraine's military has warned in recent weeks of a buildup of Russian forces around Sumy region in preparation for military action. A big Russian push in the northern region would stretch Ukraine's troops and open a new front in the war.

In May, Kadyrov said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that tens of thousands of his soldiers were prepared to fight for Russia in Ukraine and that some 43,500 troops had already served in Moscow's war against Ukraine.

(Reporting Bogdan Kochubey, Ron Popeski, Lidia Kelly and Anastasiia Malenko; Editing by Angus MacSwanWriting by Ron Popeski;Editing by Angus MacSwan)
A ride based on the story of Disneys first Black princess opens to the public on June 28 in Orlando, Florida, replacing the decades-old Splash Mountain attraction that was beloved by many Disney fans yet also widely criticized.

Walt Disney Worlds new ride, inspired by the movie The Princess and the Frog and its heroine Tiana, is currently in preview mode for groups including employees and annual passholders and has already elicited mixed reactions in the midst of the culture wars.

The structure of the log-flume ride has not changed, but the theme has been completely redone four years after Disney first announced the project in 2020, during the same season of nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd.

The original Splash Mountain ride  which first opened at Disneyland in 1989, and at Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland in 1992  was based on characters from Song of the South, a 1946 Disney movie that has long been criticized as racist for its stereotypical portrayals of African Americans and a romanticized view of the antebellum South.

Turning Splash Mountain into Tianas Bayou Adventure is also happening at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, with an opening date yet to be announced. Tokyo Disneyland is also home to a Splash Mountain ride, but the theme in that location is not changing.

Disney has kept Song of the South from being re-released and has even kept the movie off its streaming platform, Disney+.

Its finally happened

Victoria Wade, a theme park content creator, got to try Tianas Bayou Adventure in early June as a guest of an employee.

Wade, who is Black, told CNN it was powerful to finally experience a Disney attraction where the characters look like her.

I got very emotional immediately towards the finale scene of the ride in particular it was just nice to be seen, she said.

The ride replaces Splash Mountain. That attraction was based on the 1946 film "Song of the South," which has been criticized as racist. - Olga Thompson/Disney

She added that she would have loved to see that kind of representation when she was a child. For her little cousins and the children she babysits, They can just go there and see themselves in a positive light  in a positive representation. So it just, it warmed my heart. It was just like, finally, we had to beg for all these years for this to happen. And its finally happened.

Wade said she found the scenes colorful and vibrant, and she could tell how much the Disney team had researched Louisiana culture to create the new theme.

You can even see bits and pieces of that within the queue, Wade said, referring to the area where riders wait in line and see fictional letters written during World War I, when Princess Tianas father, James, served in the military.

In a blog post, Disney has said the photos that served as reference for the expanded backstory of James were those of soldiers who served in 369th Regiment, one of the first African American regiments to serve with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. This unit was renowned for its bravery and many members were awarded the prestigious Croix de Guerre medal by the French government for their valiant service in action.

That reference had special significance for Disneys project lead Charita Carter, whose father served in the US Air Force.

She and a team of Disney staff had visited New Orleans to create an authentic visual style for the ride. They met with Stella Reese Chase, whose mother Leah Chase was a renowned New Orleans chef and TV personality.

Chase visited Walt Disney Imagineering in April alongside CNN and other media to see this rides advanced animatronics, the likes of which had yet to debut in a US Disney park.

As Chase watched Princess Tiana wave and talk for the first time in 3D, she said, Im just amazed, you know. What can I say? Ive never seen anything like it. This is really a wild experience.

Lukewarm waters

While fans have agreed that the new technology on the ride, including projection mapping and the fluidity of characters movements, is far superior to the prior version, criticism has centered around lack of plot.

Disney has said that the rides story takes place chronologically after the movie ends and involves Princess Tiana inviting guests to a big celebration in the bayou.

The new ride is based on The Princess and the Frog, featuring Tiana, Disney's first Black princess. - Olga Thompson/Disney

Jack Kendall, host of the theme park fan podcast DSNY, also experienced the new ride recently as a guest of an employee.

He said that for an attraction based on the suspense of a 50-foot drop, theres no kind of antagonist within the attraction to have that kind of push and pull of that trepidation building up the lift hill and going down the other side, noting that people are saying theres no real story to it.

Kendall added, To be honest, its a lovely collection of scenes, of show scenes, very beautifully put together, but theres not really much of an impetus for why were going on this journey now.

Big drop into the culture wars

But online vitriol has sometimes gone far beyond the merits of the ride.

Several petitions on change.org over the years have attempted to save Splash Mountain.

One such petition organized by Eric Thibeault stated: It is absurd to pander to a small group of Disney haters that dont [sic] understand the story, and re-theme such a nostalgic ride. The characters in Splash Mountain do not specifically generalize any race or group of people, they are nothing more than caricatures based on the turn-of-the-century America.

Modifying Splash Mountain will not change history and will only encourage the easily offended to continue making desperate attempts at finding offence in additional attractions.

Disney has rethemed or modified old rides before, garnering similar attention from fans who resisted change. In recent years, for example, a woman in red featured in a Pirates of the Caribbean ride scene was changed from a wench for sale to a pistol-carrying pirate.

Kendall said that the opening of the rethemed ride is a culmination of the culture wars in which the Disney company has been entangled over the last several years, including a battle with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over a controversial bill that restricts certain instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom.

He said he thinks that those who were upset at losing the Splash Mountain theme had largely already decided they would dislike the new theme.

If you took the attraction of Tianas Bayou Adventure, all the theming, all the scenes, all the technology behind it, and put it in its own new attraction building, people wouldnt be speaking about this attraction like they are, Kendall said.

Theyd be saying its fantastic. One of the best things that Disneys done  But its because its being somewhat unfairly compared to what was there before. So I think thats where a lot of this online discourse is coming from.

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China's commercial banks resilient against risks: regulator

Xinhua) 11:01, June 10, 2024

BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The balance of loan loss provisions of China's commercial banks came in at 6.9 trillion yuan (about 970 billion U.S. dollars) at the end of the first quarter of this year, data from the country's financial regulator showed.

The figure increased by 269.8 billion yuan from the end of the previous quarter, further demonstrating the resilience of Chinese lenders against risks, according to the National Financial Regulatory Administration.

The lenders' provision coverage ratio stood at 204.54 percent at the end of March, down 0.6 percentage points from the end of last year, the data showed.

In the first quarter, the cumulative net profits of Chinese commercial banks reached 672.3 billion yuan, up 0.7 percent year on year.

The total domestic and foreign currency assets of financial institutions in China's banking sector stood at 429.6 trillion yuan, an increase of 8.1 percent year on year, the data indicated.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
Martha Stewart

Fans of Martha Stewart were conflicted about the 82-year-old's frequent updates and social media photos, with some requesting the television personality to take a break from her selfies.

Stewart took to Instagram on June 7 to share a moment with fans, saying, "Couldn't resist a LasVegas selfie!" She explained that she was there for work related to her restaurant, The Bedford by Martha Stewart, adding, "Great May and June !!!! Thank you loyal customers!!!"

In the snap, Stewart posed with her lips pursed as she stared at a mirror, snapping a photo with her phone in her hand next to her face. She wore a white sweater and gold dangling earrings and matching rings.

While some were loving the photos, with replies like, "Queen of selfies  stunning," and "LIVING for this Martha selfie ," others joked that the star needed to take a break from the frequent photos, if only for their sake.

"Gurl stop! Straight smoke show!" said one fan, while someone else quipped, "Martha, please stop stepping on our necks. Oxygen is getting sparse."

Many were absolutely stunned by how young Stewart looked, calling her "STUNNING ," "Beautiful and classy as always! ," and "Gorgeous and aging backwards! ."

One fan even joked, "Martha, love you to bits, but please put away the picture of Dorian Gray. You look younger than me and I am not 50 yet!"

While most of the reactions were positive, there were a few negative responses mixed in, such as one person who questioned, "Honey, WHY? Just WHY? ."

Although Stewart turns 83 this August, she certainly doesn't look it, and the businesswoman often flaunts her age-defying looks in photos while out and about mingling. But last month, Stewart found herself facing some criticism for her choice of companion.

As she attended the 2024 Kentucky Derby, Stewart took some photos with other celebrities in attendance, including Kid Rock. The musician is a controversial figure who has found himself in hot water a lot over the years, and fans weren't happy to see Stewart smiling and chatting with the 53-year-old.

Next, Fans Question Martha Stewart Over French Toast Recipe: "Has Someone Hacked Your Account"
"Im thankful," Shirley Smith said after receiving the honor

Getty A stock image of a graduation cap and a diploma.

An elderly woman from Georgia is officially a high school graduate!

Sixty-seven years after her original would-be graduation date, Shirley Smith graduated from high school earlier this month with an honorary degree, Fox News reported.

"Im thankful," Smith, 85, told the outlet after the special occasion. "I think its an honor, and I think its a blessing."

"Im really appreciative, and Im really thankful to God," she added. "I always try to figure out, 'What do people see in me?' I draw people, no matter what color they are, who they are  I just draw people."



Getty A stock image of graduates.

Related: Commencement Speaker Brings Duffel Bags of Cash and Gives Graduates $1,000 Each  with a Catch!

According to Fox News, Smith grew up in Wilmington, N.C., before she and her family relocated to Somerville, N.J.

After she completed the 9th grade, Smith told her father that she "didnt want to go to school" and he made her get a job, the outlet reported.

Working at places, including a dry cleaner and a pocketbook factory, per Fox News, Smith later got married and started a family.

She told the outlet that she had considered going back to school over the years but never did given that her family took priority.

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.

As a mom, Smith instilled the importance of education in her kids, who later did the same when they had children of their own.

She has since watched her kids and grandchildren complete their educations at academic institutions, including Texas A&M, Montclair University, California State University and University of Tampa, among others, per Fox News.

"My nana never missed a high school or college graduation for any of her children or grandchildren," Brianna Robinson, a granddaughter of Smith's, told the outlet.

"I couldnt be more honored and inspired. She always taught us to chase our dreams," she added.

Foto de DNY59. E+. Getty Images. A stock image of a diploma.

Related: Michigan Mom Tucks 10-Day-Old Daughter Inside Gown While Graduating College: 'Kept Her with Me'

Smith learned that she would be getting her honorary degree on her 85th birthday, according to Fox News.

Per the outlet, Eric Finch, the chief of police of Montezuma Police Department, was the one who decided it was an honor she deserved.

Tan Galia Robinson, another one of Smith's family members, told Fox News that Finch was inspired by the heartfelt words spoken at her recent birthday celebration.

"He felt like it was robbery to not give her her diploma," she explained.



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Read the original article on People.
As the Israel-Hamas war continues, negotiations are apparently stalled to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist organization, and Israeli forces continue to launch incursions in the southern Gazan town of Rafah ahead of a possible large-scale invasion.





Latest Developments





Jun 11, 1:02 PM

4 hostages rescued from Gaza released from hospitals

All four hostages rescued from Gaza this weekend have been discharged from hospitals, local officials told ABC News.



The three male hostages -- Almog Meir Jan, 22; Andrei Kozlov,27; and Shlomi Ziv, 41 -- were discharged from Sheba Medical Center on Tuesday, according to the medical center.



Noa Argamani, 26, was transferred to Ichilov Medical Center on Saturday to be with her mother, who is in the hospital, officials said. Argamani was discharged on Tuesday morning, a hospital spokeswoman told ABC News.

PHOTO: 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, June 8, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces via Reuters)

-ABC NewsJordana Miller and Dana Savir





Jun 11, 10:38 AM

US announces $404M in aid for Gaza

The U.S. announced $404 million in aid for Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the region, bringing the total amount of aid from the U.S. to over $674 million since the wore broke out, the State Department announced Tuesday.

PHOTO: Palestinians children search through the rubble of their home a day after an operation by the Israeli Special Forces in the Nuseirat camp, in the central Gaza Strip on June 9, 2024. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images)

"This new funding will provide essential support to vulnerable Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and the region, including food, safe drinking water, health care, protection, education, shelter, and psychosocial support," the State Department said. "We urge other donors to contribute to the humanitarian response in Gaza and the region, increase support to those affected by the conflict, and work together to find lasting solutions to the crisis."

PHOTO: A woman and child walk among debris in aftermath of Israeli strikes at the area, where Israeli hostages were rescued on Saturday in Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, June 9, 2024. (Abed Khaled/Reuters)





Jun 11, 6:44 AM

Israels actions during hostage rescue may amount to war crimes, UN agency says

United Nation human rights officials said they were "profoundly shocked" by the Israeli operation that freed four hostages in central Gaza over the weekend, adding that actions by both Israel and Hamas "may amount to war crimes."



"The manner in which the raid was conducted in such a densely populated area seriously calls into question whether the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution -- as set out under the laws of war -- were respected by the Israeli forces," the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, or OHCHR, said in a statement on Tuesday.

PHOTO: A woman and child walk among debris, aftermath of Israeli strikes at the area, where Israeli hostages were rescued on Saturday, as Palestinian death toll rises to 274, June 9, 2024. (Abed Khaled/Reuters)

The rescue operation in a refugee camp in Nuseirat killed as many as 274 people, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Monday. Hundreds of others were injured, the ministry said. Many of those injured and killed were Palestinian civilians, OHCHR said on Tuesday.

PHOTO: A Palestinian man inspects the damage a day after an operation by the Israeli Special Forces in the Nuseirat camp, in the central Gaza Strip on June 9, 2024. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images)

But OHCHR also said it was "deeply distressed" about the way the militant groups continue to hold hostages, "most of them civilians, which is prohibited by international law."



By holding those hostages in densely populated areas, Hamas militants are putting civilians and the hostages at risk, the agency said.



"All these actions, by both parties, may amount to war crimes," OHCHR said.



-ABC News' Joe Simonetti and Kevin Shalvey





Jun 10, 4:11 PM

More than 200 killed during hostage rescue raid: Gaza Ministry of Health

At least 274 people were killed and another 698 were injured during Saturdays Israeli rescue operation that saved four hostages from Hamas custody in Gaza, according to Gazas Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health.



Israeli special forces were disguised as Palestinian refugees looking for a place to live when they entered the buildings where hostages were being held in the rescue operation, two Israeli security sources told ABC News.



The hostages were rescued from two locations in Nuseirat, a camp that has become home to thousands of refugees who've fled fighting throughout Gaza.



-ABC News Morgan Winsor





Jun 10, 4:09 PM

UN Security Council adopts US draft resolution supporting Gaza cease-fire deal

The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a U.S. draft resolution urging Hamas to accept the latest cease-fire and hostage release deal.



Nate Evans, spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the United Nations, said in a statement ahead of the vote that the deal would enable a pause in fighting, the freeing of a number of hostages and an immediate surge in humanitarian assistance, among other things.

PHOTO: Israeli soldiers move on the back of a truck near the Israeli-Gaza border as seen from southern Israel, June 10, 2024. (Leo Correa/AP)

"Israel has accepted this proposal and the Security Council has an opportunity to speak with one voice and call on Hamas to do the same," Evans said. "Doing so would help save lives and the suffering of civilians in Gaza as well as the hostages and their families. Council Members should not let this opportunity pass by and must speak with one voice in support of this deal."



U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield made a similar case just before the vote, saying every day the war goes on "needless suffering continues."



"Colleagues, after eight months of devastation and pain and trauma, what is needed now more than ever is for the fighting to end in a sustainable way," she said. "The United States and every single country in this chamber wants to see an immediate cease-fire with the release of hostages. We've heard those calls time and time again since Oct. 7. Now the opportunity is here. We must seize it."



Hamas said in a statement they "welcome" what was included in the U.N. Security Council resolution "regarding a permanent cease-fire in Gaza."





Jun 10, 3:49 PM

Israeli special forces dressed as Palestinian refugees to go undercover before hostage rescue operation: Sources

Israeli special forces were disguised as Palestinian refugees looking for a place to live when they entered the buildings where hostages were being held in the Israeli rescue operation this weekend, two Israeli security sources told ABC News.



Special forces were already in position near the buildings where the hostages were being held before they were given the "go" command by Israeli forces, the sources added.



The "go" command was given at 11 a.m. local time, sources said.

PHOTO: People walk near a screen displaying a picture of Shalom Ziv who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack and, according to the military, rescued by the Israeli forces, in Tel Aviv, Israel June 10, 2024. (Marko Djurica/Reuters)

The helicopters carrying the hostages and wounded police officers landed at Sheba Medical Center in Israel starting at 12:15 p.m. local time and the last helicopter landed at 12:45 p.m. local time.



The Shin Bet, Israel's internal security forces, Israeli Defense Forces and Israeli SWAT team members participated in the rescue operation, now called "Operation Arnon" by the Israeli military. The name of the operation was given to honor the one security officer who was killed during the operation.



- ABC News Dana Savir





Jun 10, 11:06 AM

US calls for Security Council vote on Gaza cease-fire, hostage deal resolution

The U.S. is calling for the United Nations Security Council to vote on a draft resolution urging Hamas to accept the ceasefire-hostage release deal on the table, according to a statement from the spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the UN.



"Israel has accepted this proposal and the Security Council has an opportunity to speak with one voice and call on Hamas to do the same," the statement read. "Doing so would help save lives and the suffering of civilians in Gaza as well as the hostages and their families. Council Members should not let this opportunity to pass by and must speak with one voice in support of this deal."



The Security Council vote has been scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday.



-ABC News' Shannon Crawford





Jun 10, 9:19 AM

Blinken urges Middle East to 'press Hamas to say yes' to proposal

On a tarmac in Egypt, Secretary of State Antony Blinken laid out his objectives for his tour through the Middle East this week, calling on countries with connections to Hamas to push them to take the cease-fire deal on the table, while also emphasizing the need to develop a "day after" plan for Gaza, calling it "a critical moment."

PHOTO: An Israeli soldier aims a machine gun through a window during operations in the Gaza Strip, June 6, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces/AFP via Getty Images)

"My message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region: If you want a cease-fire, press Hamas to say yes," Blinken said. "If you want to alleviate the terrible suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, press Hamas to say yes. If you want to get all the hostages home, press Hamas to say yes. If you want to put present Palestinians and Israelis alike on the path to more durable peace and security, if you want to prevent this conflict from spreading, press Hamas to say yes."

He said a cease-fire would open a path to "more durable security, calm, peace in Gaza."

PHOTO: Palestinians children search through the rubble of their home a day after an operation by the Israeli Special Forces in the Nuseirat camp, in the central Gaza Strip on June 9, 2024. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images)

"For that, it's critical that we continue to work on plans for the day after to make sure that when it comes to security in Gaza, when it comes to governance, when it comes to reconstruction, we have the plans in place to come forward," he said. "That's going to be a critical part of my conversations here in the region as we go on to Israel and then to Jordan and then to Qatar."



Blinken didnt say when he expected Hamas to give its formal response to the proposal but said "theres a sense of urgency among all concerned."

PHOTO: Palestinians look at the aftermath of the Israeli strike on a U.N.-run school that killed dozens of people in the Nusseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, June 6, 2024. (Ismael Abu Dayyah/AP)

"Our Egyptian counterparts were in communication with Hamas as early -- as recently as a few hours ago," he said. "Ultimately, I can't put myself, none of us can put ourselves, in the minds of a Hamas or its leaders, so we don't know what the answer will be."



Blinken was adamant that Israel stood behind the proposal, stressing it was only Hamas preventing it from being implemented.



-ABC News Shannon Crawford





Jun 10, 8:56 AM

4 rescued hostages 'in less severe condition' physically than expected

The four hostages rescued from Gaza this weekend are physically "in less severe condition than we kind of prepared for," said Itai Pessach, head of the medical team at the Sheba Medical Center, where the hostages are being treated.



But the worry is mainly on the long-term psychological impact, as "they underwent continuous, psychological abuse," Pessach told ABC News.



The rescued hostages -- Noa Argamani, 25; Almog Meir Jan, 21; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 40 -- were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, according to the Israel Defense Forces. They were all rescued in good condition, the IDF said.

PHOTO: Combination picture shows the four people that were taken hostage by Hamas and were rescued by the Israeli forces alive from the central Gaza Strip (Israeli Army Handout via Reuters)

Argamani has been discharged while the three men remain at the hospital. But Argamani will still be receiving medical treatment from the Sheba team for an indefinite period, Pessach said.



"It's a very, very long process of rehabilitation. And we received captives that came back six months ago, and we're just now starting to see the initial post-traumatic response coming up," Pessach said. "They have seen a lot of war-related things that happened and all of that is part of their trauma, and we will need to care for that."



"When you see the eyes and you see, you know, they get silent for a second and you understand that there's a trigger, there's something in their minds, and you see a tear, or they ask to be left alone for a moment or something like that. This is when you really feel, under the surface theres so much that's waiting for us," Pessach said.



-ABC News' Tom Soufi Burridge, Dana Savir, Omer Manor and Hugo Leenhardt





Jun 9, 6:23 PM

United States doubling down on efforts for Israel to reach a cease-fire

The United States is doubling down efforts to reach a cease-fire deal as pressure mounts on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.



Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Qatar this week to discuss a cease-fire agreement that secures the release of all hostages, according to the State Departments announcement Friday.



While Blinken traveling to the region should not be seen as a marker of further progress in reaching a deal, he will be putting pressure on the respective countries officials when hes there.



A U.S. official told ABC News the intelligence that the U.S. provided to Israel in the latest hostage rescue operation was related to "support with locating individuals."



Currently, there are five American hostages the U.S. believes are still living and three that the U.S. has confirmed are deceased.



The White House is not commenting on the resignation of Centrist Israeli minister Benny Gantz on Sunday, as they dont comment on domestic Israeli politics.



-ABC News' Selina Weng

Click here to read the rest of the blog.
Hunter Biden arrives at federal court in Wilmington, Del., with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden. (Matt Slocum / Associated Press)

To prove to jurors that Hunter Biden was an addict who lied about his drug use to buy a gun, federal prosecutors have turned to the women closest to him.

His ex-wife recalled finding a crack pipe on the porch a day after their anniversary. A former stripper turned girlfriend told the jury about their monthlong stay in a Chateau Marmont bungalow, where dealers squired cocaine through a private entrance.

Then there was Hallie Biden, who had been married to his brother Beau. In a stormy entanglement brought on by grief over Beau's death, she briefly became Hunter's lover.

"I called you 500 times in the past 24 hours," she texted Hunter two days after he bought the gun. Hunter replied that he was "smoking crack" in downtown Wilmington, Del.

Another woman in the life of President Biden's son has listened intently through it all, holding his hand as they arrived at and left the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington each day last week: Melissa Cohen Biden, his wife of five years.

Always perched in the same seat  second spot in the front row, next to a Secret Service agent, a few feet from her husband  Melissa has had a clear view of the jury, her wide, blue eyes taking in the rehashing of her husbands darkest chapter.

Surrounded by relatives, including First Lady Jill Biden, Melissa was the only family member whom defense attorney Abbe Lowell called out by name in his opening statement. Gesturing toward her, Lowell said Melissa helped Hunter face "the true depth of his trauma."

In the theater of the courtroom  especially a trial where the prosecution's star witnesses have been three of Hunter Bidens former lovers  Melissa's role is singular and potent with the only audience that matters now: the jury.

Hunter Biden and Melissa Cohen Biden depart court on Friday, June 7. (Matt Slocum / Associated Press)

Her blonde hair often pulled back in a bun, Melissa hasn't hesitated to show emotion.

When the lead prosecutor concluded his opening statement by urging the jury to find Hunter guilty, she shook her head and mouthed, "No." She shook her head again when the prosecutor unsheathed a Macbook Pro 13 and held it up to the jury  Hunter's infamous laptop, seized by the FBI from a Delaware repair shop. She shed a few tears during the airing of her husband's memoir.

One headline-grabbing outburst occurred outside the presence of the jurors, in the cramped, fluorescent-lit court hallway where reporters mingle with Secret Service agents and Biden relatives.

There, Melissa confronted Garrett Ziegler, a former aide to Donald Trump whose nonprofit published a cache of Hunter's emails, texts and redacted nude images, along with his sister Ashley Biden's stolen diary. Hunter has sued Ziegler in L.A., saying his "unhinged and obsessed campaign" against the Biden family broke state and federal cyber-fraud laws. Ziegler has denied this.

"You have no right to be here, you Nazi piece of s," Cohen told Ziegler.

Ziegler later said he was minding his own business during the trial.

Hunter Biden, left, arrives to federal court with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden. (Matt Slocum / Associated Press)

She knew about everything already, but to hear it in court, this is difficult as hell, said Bobby Sager, a friend of Melissa who sat in trial each day, at times clutching her hand, and dined each night with her and Hunter.

The Biden clan has shown up in force to a trial on charges that are almost never filed as a standalone case  proof to many that he's being made an example because his father is president.

The first lady crisscrossed the Atlantic, leaving the president behind in France to be there for nearly every day of testimony, always sitting next to Melissa. The presidents sister, Val Owens, along with her husband and children, have rotated through the courtroom with a coterie of friends. Melissa has embraced each, even blowing a kiss to the first lady's senior advisor, Anthony Bernal, during one break last week.

Lawyers and jury experts who are not involved in the case said Melissa's supportive presence could be a powerful factor for jurors.

The jury has to believe that hes transformed, even "redeemed," said Julie Blackman, a trial strategy consultant and social psychologist who previously advised Lowell in Sen. Robert Menendez's first criminal trial, which ended with the jury deadlocked.

He has the proof  his wife sitting there, standing by him and standing by him despite all the things the jury is hearing that he did," she said, noting that Melania Trump's absence was conspicuous during her husband's trial.

Read more:Addiction is messy, as the Hunter Biden trial proves

The Bidens' meeting in the spring of 2019 was hardly auspicious.

Hunter had just been kicked out of Petit Ermitage, an ivy-covered luxury hotel in West Hollywood, but continued lounging by the pool and smoking crack every 20 minutes, he recalled in his memoir, "Beautiful Things."

People he met there introduced him to their friend Melissa by scribbling her phone number on his hand. The pair met the next night at the restaurant at the Sunset Marquis hotel.

You have the exact same eyes as my brother, Hunter told Melissa. I know this probably isnt a good way to start a first date, but Im in love with you.

That night, Hunter divulged his crack addiction. She didn't balk.

"Well, not any more. You're finished with that," she told him.

In a matter of days, Melissa transformed his life, Hunter wrote. She confiscated his phone, computer and car keys, deleted every contact whose name wasn't Biden and reset the password on his laptop. Likening her to a jailer, he said she disposed of the drugs and enforced strict compliance.

"I couldnt go to the bathroom without her following me inside," Hunter wrote.

She fended off the dealers who wanted their "cash cow" back, changed his phone number and found a mid-century modern rental high in the Hollywood Hills where they could start their new life.

On May 17, 2019, they were married in a rooftop ceremony by the owner of Instant Marriage L.A. They had known each other less than two weeks.

Honey, Hunter said his father told him, I knew that when you found love again, Id get you back.

Read more:Who would lend millions to Hunter Biden? Meet the Hollywood lawyer who has

By then, Melissa was 32 and had lived in L.A. for more than a decade, friends recalled. Born in South Africa, she had been placed in a "children's home" as a toddler before Zoe and Lee Cohen, a Jewish couple in Johannesburg with three sons, adopted her.

She came to L.A. on a gap year and planned to go to India, Hunter wrote, but instead married Jason Landver, who was from a Westside family in the jewelry business. He filed for divorce in 2014 after three years.

In his book, Hunter described Melissa as an activist and "aspiring" documentary filmmaker who spoke five languages. Before meeting him, she had tried unsuccessfully to raise $30,000 for a documentary, "Tribal Worlds," which an online crowdfunding profile described as a "series on the past present & future of humanity told through the lens of African tribal communities."

"She's such a sweet girl, so smart, so present," said Melissa Curtin, a travel writer and former teacher who has known Cohen for about 18 years. When they met in the aughts, Cohen was single and part of a group of friends who hit the Hollywood clubs and headed to Malibu for the Fourth of July. Curtin said Cohen radiates energy that is "magnetic" and cares about animals and conservation.

"In real life, she is sweet, dynamic, fun and funny  I miss hanging out with her," Curtin added.

President Joe Biden with his grandson, Beau Biden, and First Lady Jill Biden in 2022. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

Seven weeks shy of her first anniversary with Hunter, shortly after stay-at-home orders were imposed in March 2020, Melissa gave birth to their son at Cedars-Sinai. He's the namesake of both Hunter's late brother and the president: Joseph Robinette Biden IV, or Beau.

Curtin said she last saw Melissa at the Malibu Farmers Market during the pandemic, ensconced by Secret Service agents dressed in plainclothes "as Malibu guys."

"She has a happy life and a happy kid, and it seems great, minus all the other stuff," Curtin said.

Melissa said as much in 2019, telling ABC News, Things have not been easy externally, but internally, things have been amazing."

Since their marriage, the couple has been in the eye of a storm: Millions in unpaid alimony to Hunter's first wife, Kathleen Buhle. Confirmation that prior to their marriage, he had fathered a daughter with a former stripper who worked as his assistant. An impeachment inquiry centered on his overseas business dealings. Daily attacks by Trump and his allies. And then, the revelation of reams of Hunter's personal data, purportedly from the laptop he dropped off at the Delaware repair shop  eliminating whatever privacy he had left.

Throughout, paparazzi have trailed them strolling in the Grove at Christmastime, getting lunch at the Waldorf-Astoria, hiking, shopping at Whole Foods in Malibu, eating pizza.

Hunter Biden, left, with defense attorney Abbe Lowell. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

Nothing has compared to the trial, where press from around the world snap Melissa's every move from the doors of the courthouse to the black SUVs that chauffeur the couple.

"It's difficult to be put through this and hear various people testifying," said Sager, the friend of the couple. He singled out prosecutors' questioning of Zoe Kestan, the former stripper who detailed a bicoastal love affair in which she helped Hunter buy cocaine in Rhode Island while he was undergoing drug treatment.

Leo Wise, one of the prosecutors, asked Kestan to state how old she was at the time of the relationship: 24.

"How old was he? asked Wise.

Twice my age, so 48," Kestan said. She had earlier noted that Hunter's daughters were close to her age.

Afterward, in describing the exchange, Sager made a point that many Biden allies have made about the effort to prosecute Hunter: "What's the point of that? It just seems cruel."

The jury will begin deliberating this week as to whether Hunter should be convicted of three felonies: for lying on a federal background check form to buy a gun in October 2018, lying to a firearms dealer and owning a gun for 11 days when he was an unlawful drug user. Prosecutors are unspooling Hunter's sordid past in an attempt to prove he was an illicit drug user, contrary to what he wrote on the form.

A second trial is scheduled for September in Los Angeles on alleged tax crimes, with prosecutors accusing Hunter of failing to timely pay taxes on more than $7 million in income and misclassifying lifestyle expenses as business costs. (He has since paid all his taxes and penalties.)

In all matters, Melissa's presence can only help Hunter, said jury expert Lee Meihls, who has consulted for the defense or prosecution on 500 trials, including the acquittals of Robert Blake and Michael Jackson and the recent convictions in L.A. County of Danny Masterson and Robert Durst.

Its a way of making an emotional connection between Hunter Biden and the jurors  because this is personal," Meihls said, adding that some jurors need that connection as they filter evidence and make a decision. "This is his wife. Hes having his dirty laundry being exposed, and shes still there  shes not running away from him.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By John Kruzel

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a bid by Meta's Facebook to scuttle a private securities fraud lawsuit accusing the social media platform of misleading investors in 2017 and 2018 about the misuse of its user data by the company and third parties.

The justices took up Facebook's appeal of a lower court's decision allowing a shareholder lawsuit brought in California and led by Amalgamated Bank to proceed. The court will hear the case in its next term, which begins in October.

The plaintiffs filed a class action lawsuit in 2018 after Facebook's stock fell following media reports that the British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica had used improperly harvested Facebook user data in connection with Donald Trump's successful presidential campaign in 2016. The Cambridge Analytica breach exposed the data of as many as 87 million users.

The plaintiffs amended their lawsuit in 2018 to add a second stock decline that year on reports that Facebook had shared data with dozens of third parties without the express consent of users. The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages.

The plaintiffs accused Facebook and top company officials of violating the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by making false and misleading statements in 2017 and 2018, including that user data could be compromised when the company was aware in 2015 that Cambridge Analytica had violated its privacy policies.

U.S. District Judge Edward Davila dismissed the lawsuit by the shareholders in 2021 but the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 ruling restored their claims.

"The problem is that Facebook represented the risk of improper access to or disclosure of Facebook user data as purely hypothetical when that exact risk had already transpired," Judge Margaret McKeown wrote in the 9th Circuit decision.

Facebook urged the justices to take up its appeal, arguing that the 9th Circuit's ruling would "force public companies to inform investors of past incidents that pose no known threat to the business."

The Cambridge Analytica data breach fueled government investigations into Facebook's privacy practices, lawsuits and a U.S. congressional hearing where Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg was grilled by lawmakers.

Facebook paid more than $5 billion in penalties to U.S. authorities over the Cambridge Analytica scandal and paid $725 million to settle a separate class action lawsuit by Facebook users.

(Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham)
North Korea sent a new wave of trash-laden balloons toward its southern neighbor late Sunday, after Kim Jong Uns powerful sister warned of further responses if the South keeps up its psychological warfare.

The new balloons, which Seoul has previously slammed as base and dangerous, come in apparent retaliation for the decision by South Korea to resume broadcasting anti-North Korean propaganda over loudspeakers in border areas.

Kims sister and government spokeswoman Kim Yo Jong warned the resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts was a prelude to a very dangerous situation.

In a statement carried by North Korean state media, Kim said South Korea would be subject to an unspecified new counteraction from the North if it continued with the loudspeaker broadcasts and failed to prevent activists from sending anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets over the border.

I sternly warn Seoul to stop at once this dangerous act, Kim said, adding that Seoul is creating a new environment of crisis.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) has maintained North Korea is fully responsible for the current situation and urged the North to immediately stop such mean acts like sending waste balloons.

In a statement Monday, a JCS spokesman would not say whether the South would continue to broadcast over the loudspeakers, noting only that the military would conduct missions with flexibility according to the strategic and operational situation.

The escalating tit-for-tat has sparked concerns of potential retaliatory military action. Last week, the South Korean government suspended a 2018 deal to reduce military tensions with the North, allowing it to resume propaganda broadcasts and potentially restart military exercises along the border.

South Koreas military once routinely deployed propaganda broadcasts as a means of psychological warfare against the North, until it withdrew the equipment following the 2018 deal.

Balloons possibly sent from North Korea seen off the coast of Incheon, South Korea on June 9, 2024. - Yonhap News Agency/Reuters

The broadcasts inform North Korean soldiers and residents of the reality of North Korea, and the development of South Korea, and modern Korean culture, according to the JCS.

Tit-for-tat balloons

In recent weeks, the North has floated more than a thousand trash-filled balloons across the heavily fortified border, in what it claims is a response to the years-long practice among South Korean activist groups of sending balloons with anti-North Korea leaflets in the other direction.

As of Monday morning, the South Korean military had found around 50 balloons that fell into its territory overnight Sunday. Many other balloons are believed to have flown back into North Korea due to the wind, according to the JCS spokesman.

On Thursday, South Korean activists sent balloons across the border toward the North, carrying hundreds of thousands of leaflets condemning leader Kim Jong Un and 5,000 USB sticks containing K-pop and K-dramas.

For decades, North Korea has been almost completely closed off from the rest of the world, with tight control over what information gets in or out. Foreign materials including movies and books are banned, with only a few state-sanctioned exceptions; those caught with foreign contraband often face severe punishment, defectors say.

Earlier this year a South Korean research group released rare footage that it claimed showed North Korean teenagers sentenced to hard labor for watching and distributing K-dramas.

Restrictions softened somewhat in recent decades as North Koreas relationship with China expanded. Tentative steps to open up allowed some South Korean elements, including parts of its pop culture, to seep into the hermit nation  especially in 2017 and 2018, when relations thawed between the two countries.

But the situation in North Korea deteriorated in the following years and diplomatic talks fell apart  prompting strict rules to snap back into place in the North.

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A 29-year-old man who was being held on charges connected to a 2022 mass shooting that left six people dead and 12 injured in Sacramento, California, died in jail over the weekend, his attorney told CNN.

The suspect, Smiley Martin, was facing a murder charge, according to CNN affiliate KCRA. He was also charged with two felony firearms possession counts related to the April 2022 shooting that police say involved at least five shooters and left behind a chaotic crime scene littered with more than 100 shell casings. Two other people, including Martins brother, were also arrested in connection with the incident.

Martins attorney, Norman Dawson, said he was alerted of his death early Saturday.

The Sacramento County Sheriffs Office announced on social media that a 29-year-old man had been found unresponsive in his cell around 2:15 a.m. Saturday, but despite life-saving efforts was ultimately pronounced dead. Though the agency did not name Martin as the inmate, it said the man had been in custody since Martins arrest date of April 20, 2022.

The sheriffs office said it will investigate the death and the cause of death will be determined by the county coroners office.

Dawson said his legal team is deeply saddened by Martins unexpected death. It is most tragic that Mr. Martin passed away, fighting to defend his innocence in the preliminary hearing process, Dawson said.

Mr. Martins defense team sends our deepest condolences to his family, and we are here to support the family going forward.

A memorial grew near the site of the late-night shooting in April 2022. - Rich Pedroncelli/AP

Following the downtown Sacramento shooting, investigators said they believed at least five shooters from two groups exchanged gunfire, leading them to believe it was connected to gang violence.

Sacramento Police Sgt. Zach Eaton did not elaborate on the suspects gang affiliations at the time.

Martin was found at the scene of the shooting with serious gunshot injuries and taken to a local hospital, authorities said. His brother, Dandrae Martin, was also among the injured and has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and possession of a firearm as a felon. He is being held without bond and his next court appearance is set for August 16, records show.

CNNs Elizabeth Wolfe contributed to this report.

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Former President Trump lauded Nevada Senate GOP candidate Sam Brown, calling him a good man during his Sunday rally in Las Vegas, but he declined to offer a full-throated endorsement ahead of Tuesdays primary.

Trump attended a fundraiser on Saturday and spoke at a rally in the Silver State on Sunday, raising speculation that he might weigh in and make a last-minute pitch for Brown, who is running in the Republican contest to take on Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) this fall.

Brown faces two GOP challengers in the Republican primary, with his most serious competitor being former U.S. Ambassador to Iceland Jeffrey Gunter, who served in the Trump administration.

But the former president only briefly touched on the GOP primary during his remarks, saying of the retired Army captain you have a good man named Brown, and he appeared to suggest hed win in November, describing him as a senator named Brown.

Nevada is the only state with a competitive Senate GOP primary where Trump has declined to endorse a candidate.

Though Brown is anticipated to defeat Gunter in the primary on Tuesday and has had the support of Senate Republicans, the former presidents lack of an endorsement is still a blow to Brown who reportedly traveled to Florida earlier this year to get Trumps backing.

But it may also speak to Trumps decision to avoid weighing in between a candidate backed by Senate Republicans and a former official in his administration, Gunter, whos also a notable Republican donor. Trump attended a fundraiser hosted by Don Ahern on Saturday, who has also backed Gunter.

Nevada is considered among a handful of states that will determine the race to the White House and control of the Senate. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) narrowly won reelection in 2022 against Republican Adam Laxalt by less than a percentage point.

The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Rosens seat as a toss up.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former President Trump slammed President Bidens recent executive action on the U.S. southern border, calling it bulls while speaking at a rally in Nevada on Sunday.

While speaking to supporters in Las Vegas, Trump alleged that Bidens executive action on the border was pro-invasion, encouraged human trafficking and was pro-drug dealers.

Its weak, its ineffective, its bulls what he signed, Trump said as the crowd chanted bulls back.

On Tuesday, Biden announced executive action related to asylum-seekers at the U.S. southern border. When the seven-day average of border crossings reaches more than 2,500 among the ports of entry, the executive action allows most asylum-seekers to be turned away at the border, with certain exceptions.

The president said Tuesday that Republicans left me no choice but to use executive action to address border crossings at the U.S. southern border after Republicans again opposed efforts to revive a bipartisan border bill.

Republicans in Congress, not all, walked away from it. Why? Because Donald Trump told them to, Biden said. He told the Republicans  that he didnt want to fix the issue; he wanted to use it to attack me. Thats what he wanted to do. It was a cynical, extremely cynical political move. And a complete disservice to the American people who are looking for us, not to weaponize the border, but to fix it.

But Trump argued that what Biden was accomplishing was late and meaningless, calling it a PR ploy.

If Joe Biden truly wanted to sign an executive order to stop the invasion, right now all he needs to do is say, I hereby immediately reinstate every single border policy of a gentleman named Donald J. Trump, Trump said.

A polling average of Nevada surveys compiled by The Hill and Decision Desk HQ shows Trump leading Biden in head-to-head polls at 49 percent support to Bidens 46 percent. When long-shot independent contender Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is included in those match-ups, the average shifts to show Trump at 43 percent support, Biden at 38 percent and Kennedy at 9 percent.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
At the Moskovyan-Baghramyan crossroad in Yerevan, a vibrant gastro celebration filled the air with the delicate and appetizing aromas of various Armenian foods and wines. The HerMine Dialog, founded by actress and TV host Hermine Stepanyan, went from the pavilion and was presented in an outdoor show format. From early morning, Armenian food bloggers from both Armenia and abroad took over the kitchen of one of Yerevan restaurants to prepare a variety of dishes.

They crafted a set menu consisting of an appetizer, a salad, a main dish and a dessert using Armenian ingredients. During the HerMine Dialog Show, the bloggers added final touches and treated attendees to their creations, all paired with exquisite Armenian wines.

Karine Vardanyan from Russia, known as MushKara, prepared a bulgur appetizer. The "Cairo Foodie Couple," Shahan and Melisse Terzibashians from Egypt, crafted a salad featuring pomegranate, walnuts, and apricot. Shaghik Ter-Vardanyan from Armenia combined Armenian trout with Middle Eastern ingredients like za'atar and tahini. Sonya Avagyan, residing in Russia, provided the sweetest part of the event with strawberry and chocolate desserts enriched with dried fruits.

"My mission has always been to promote Armenian culture and local products. The kitchen knows no boundaries; it unites people of different nationalities, ages, and preferences, allowing us to share our country's story without the need for translation," said Hermine Stepanyan. "I'm delighted that we, along with the food bloggers, could offer our guests a true gastro celebration with delicious combinations based on Armenian foods."

The HerMine Dialog Show served as a platform for Armenian food bloggers with large international audiences to showcase the gastronomic delights of Armenia. Shahan and Melisse Terzibashians, who have been running the "Cairo Foodie Couple" blog for eight years, often feature Armenian cuisine. "When Hermine invited us to participate in this show, we accepted with great joy, as it was another opportunity to share Armenia's beautiful nature, architecture, people, and cuisine with our audience," the couple noted.

Guests of the HerMine Dialog Show enjoyed a heartfelt conversation with Hermine and her guests, gaining culinary insights into dish and drink pairings, and the secrets of creating a beautiful, harmonious dining environment.

The HerMine Dialog Show was part of the "Yerevan Gastronomic Shows" event. Over three days, master classes, gastronomic shows, and tastings of various dishes, wines, and other beverages took place, featuring renowned chefs, food bloggers, and wine pubs from Armenia and abroad. In addition to the HerMine Dialog Show, Hermine Stepanyan hosted other events, wearing clothes designed by Armenian fashion houses, further emphasizing the importance of supporting Armenian products.

***

Art, creativity and discoveries of the new have always had their own special place in Hermine's life. The trajectory left by Hermine on the paths leading to television, cinema, art and cooking contributed to the increase of recognition of Armenia and Armenian culture both in the homeland and beyond its borders. From the age of 10, she loved and was interested in the world of gastronomy, where she carried out her culinary experiments. They were later to be the inspiration for one of his most successful projects HerMine Dialog. In the early 2000s, having started her professional career in the field of television, among other projects, she authored and hosted cooking programs. She was the presenter and screenwriter of the cooking program "Mixer" of the "Dar 21" TV, and hosted the "National Flavors" program on the Public Television.

Hermine Stepanyan launched the "Life is Beautiful in Armenia" digital project, showcasing the hidden and charming corners of Armenia rural areas. To further promote Armenian products, she also implemented the "Wine is Beautiful in Armenia" project. Hermine Stepanyan's journey as a film actress is equally impressive. She starred in acclaimed films such as "Spitak," "Aniko," and "Zulali," earning prestigious international awards. Through her work in cinema, she has effectively brought the richness of Armenian culture to a global audience.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS:On June 10, the Armenian National Assembly President Alen Simonyan received the U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Armenia Kristina Kvien, the press service of Armenia's Parliament said in a readout.

The security situation in the South Caucasus, the process of the Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations, the problems of the return of Armenian prisoners of war illegally held in Azerbaijan were discussed.

The Armenia-USA inter-parliamentary cooperation, as well as a number of issues on bilateral interaction were at the core of the talk.

Reference was made to the reforms on democracy, freedom of speech and human rights in Armenia.

An agreement was reached to continue the discussions of enhancing collaboration during the upcoming mutual visits.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS: The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, Suren Papikyan, sent a letter of congratulations to the Minister of Defense of the Republic of India, H.E. Rajnath Singh, the defense ministry said.

"Please accept my sincere congratulations on your re-appointment as the Minister of Defense of the Republic of India. I am confident that you will continue to effectively apply your experience to strengthen India's defense capabilities.

Allow me to extend my best wishes for your continued success in this important role and to express my gratitude for your personal support in promoting and enhancing bilateral cooperation in the field of defense," reads the letter.
Cloud commerce marketplace provider Pax8 is offering resources and tools to help partners establish their own cyber security practices.

Based on the CIS Control Framework, from the Centre for Internet Security, the program will help managed service providers (MSP) bolster their defences, protect clients against attacks and achieve greater overall cyber security defense.

Launched today at Pax8s Beyond conference in Denver, Colorado, the new security program takes partners on what Pax8 described as a curated journey, guided by a dedicated account team to help them become cyber proficient.

As cyberattacks continue to rise among the small-midsized business market, more companies are turning to managed service providers for guidance, said Vicky Critchley, corporate vice-president of partner experience at Pax8.

However, MSPs often struggled to maintain their cyber security proficiency in the fast-changing landscape and to demonstrate the benefits of cyber security investment to their clients, she said.

The program features a business track delivering business and category-level education and enablement through virtual education while a vendor track provides vendor-specific education and enablement.

This includes on-demand training, professional services offerings and-assisted sales calls for MSPs looking to lift their practices.

Pax8 collaborated with cyber security powerhouses including Microsoft, SentinelOne, Cloudstrike, Acronis and Blackpoint Cyber in developing the program.

Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ) and Asia-based MSPs will have to wait, however. While the program is now available in North America it will arrive in Asia Pacific (APAC) and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) later in the year.

In his keynote address to open the conference, Pax8s newly minted CEO, Scott Chasin, shared his visions of how AI, automation and robotics would unlock new opportunities to change the MSPs role.

In the near-term, he said, AI integration would become standard practice in every aspect of business, technology and life. Even better, however, was that AI would handle these integrations autonomously.

AI will become a staple of every product MSPs sell and support, Chasin said.

AI driven decision-making would mean MSPs would lean more on data, guided by AI agents for every decision. Integrated into customer relationship management, it would create more efficient selling opportunities for MSPs.

Cyber security would remain a top priority with attackers already using AI to mount attacks.

Its only a matter of time before we see more pervasive AI-powered ransomware, Chasin said. You will solidify your role as the primary and sole defence line and use AI to detect anomolies, predict attacks and even identify adversarial activity before it happens.

Chasin also predicted MSPs would create their own personal marketplaces and curate tailored solutions for specific customer needs.

Finally, MSP market consolidation would persist and even accelerate.

Fueled by significant interest in private equity growth, this trend shows no signs of slowing down, Chasin said. Ill make a prediction right now: we are going to see the first billion dollar revenue MSP in the next 24 months.

In the mid-term, there would be transformational shifts including the emergence of autonomous MSPs by 2030 where all routine tasks would be fully automated.

MSPs would evolve from service providers to strategic business partners, Chasin said.

You will play a key role in shaping your clients business strategies, advising on technology investment and driving innovation, he said. MSPs will form global collaboration networks, sharing resources, services technology and even clients. These networks will give rise to true partner-to-partner marketplaces and these marketplaces will enhance your collective successes and give you a competitive edge in the channel.

Further out still, AI would be embodied and work among us through commoditised and general robotics, Chasin said.

Also announced today, four new vendors joined the Pax8 Marketplace: professional services automation and remote management tool provider SuperOps, MSP platform provider MSPbots, cloud management platform provider Kalibr8 and Auvik, a network management specialist.

They were among 22 to join in the last year with a further 20 expected over the next six months.

Over 1600 MSPs and around 2,500 people attended Beyond.

Rob ONeill attended the Beyond conference as a guest of Pax8.
Mumbai: Buoyed by the huge success in the recently held Lok Sabha polls, NCP founder Sharad Pawar has expressed confidence that his party will return to power in Maharashtra in the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections.

We should have only one goal (after the Lok Sabha polls). In the next three months, the state assembly elections will take place and it is our collective responsibility to work towards it, as after the polls the power of the state will be in your hands, Sharad Pawar said while addressing workers of the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) as the party celebrated its 25th foundation day in Pune.

Both the factions of the NCP  ruled by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar  held separate events at Pune and Mumbai respectively to mark the party's foundation day on Monday.

In Pune, Sharad Pawar celebrated the foundation day along with his daughter and MP from Baramati Supriya Sule and party president Jayant Patil. The celebrations were enthusiastic as the NCP (SP) had won eight out of 10 seats it contested from Maharashtra as part of the opposition alliance in the Lok Sabha polls.

Sharad Pawar said that the success in the Lok Sabha polls is also likely to be replicated in the Vidhan Sabha polls. For the last 25 years, we have tried hard to promote the (partys) ideology. Now we will strengthen the party even more. Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha elections will be held in three months. It will be everyones responsibility (to ensure) that the power of Maharashtra will be in your hands after the poll results, he added.

The veteran leader also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the latter does not have the mandate (to lead the country) after the Lok Sabha polls results.Though the power of the country came in the hands of Modi, in real sense the result was not in favour of him. But they (the BJP) do not have a majority in the Parliament as the number of their MPs has reduced. They got help from Bihar and TDP. For the last five years, they ran the government as per their wish and power was centralised. But now the situation has changed as the common people have become wise and smart, Sharad Pawar said.

Taking a dig at the Ajit Pawar faction, Supriya Sule said that the partys name and symbol is temporarily with the rival faction and it does not belong to them.

Sharad Pawar formed the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999 after breaking away from the Congress. Last July following a revolt by Ajit Pawar, the party was split into two factions. In February this year, the Election Commission announced the Ajit Pawar faction as the real NCP and allotted the party symbol clock to his group. The NCP (SP) of Sharad Pawar was later allotted the symbol of man blowing turha (a traditional trumpet) to contest polls.

Attending the flag-hoisting ceremony at the party office in Mumbai, the Ajit Pawar faction leader Sunil Tatkare said that the partys only aim from now on would be winning the upcoming Assembly elections.
In this season of scorching heat and searing poll analysis, there is one key message  get real. One can slice and dice the 2024 general election results in many ways but the final tally shows that millions of Indian voters want the government to urgently focus on the real lives of everyday people. In short, the present, instead of the distant past or the dead. People are worried more about money, their meagre incomes, rather than the Mughals, who ruled large parts of northern India from the early 16th to mid-19th century, and have been repeatedly referenced by BJP leaders as Muslim invaders.

The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has won. Narendra Modi, 73, has become Indias Prime Minister for the third time, but with a shrunken halo. This time, there was no landslide victory. Instead, there is a stronger than expected Opposition. The Opposition INDIA bloc collectively garnered 232 seats. The BJP secured 240 seats, less than the 272-seat majority needed to form a government on its own. Modi 3.0 is dependent on key NDA allies including the Telugu Desam Party and the Janata Dal (United), as well as smaller groups.

It is hard to definitively say why people voted the way they did. From ground reports, however, a few things are clear. The new government needs to pay attention. Indians remain overwhelmingly religious. Millions, however, have begun to realise that religious fervour alone does not pay the bills; Hindu-Muslim polarisation does not fill bellies. At the end of the day, everyone needs jobs. Welfare benefits  cash transfers, subsidised cooking gas, piped water and free grain  are welcome, but not enough.

Many analysts are shocked that the BJP was defeated in Uttar Pradeshs Faizabad constituency, which houses the temple town of Ayodhya where Prime Minister Modi had participated in the star-studded inauguration of the Ram Mandir, built over the demolished Babri Masjid. How can voters reject the party which delivered on its long-standing promise of building a Ram temple on the site believed to be the birthplace of the deity, many ask. But the Samajwadi Partys Awadhesh Prasad, a senior politician and a Dalit, defeated the sitting BJP MP Lallu Singh by more than 50,000 votes. This does not mean that the electorate is forsaking faith or Lord Ram. But it does signal their mounting concern about economic realities.

To those who have been paying attention, the story of rural distress and rising joblessness among youth in India is not new. There have been persistent alerts.

The numerous paper leaks in the Hindi heartland, for example, are telling pointers to the job crisis and growing desperation in a country without social security. Earlier this year, nearly 1,000 aspirants for jobs as constables in the Uttar Pradesh police flo-cked to a Gurgaon resort, just before the competitive examination, to access a leaked question paper, according to the police.

Despatches from the ground point out that while in Faizabad and Ayodhya towns, many spoke about voting for the BJP because of the development work done in the area and the prospects of a rising temple economy, there were others who spoke of distress and displacement. The mood in rural pockets of the same constituency was a lot more sombre. Here, the voters, largely backward classes, Dalits, and minorities, felt their issues were being ignored and that they did not benefit much from the temple economy and redevelopment of the city.

Locals whose property was demolished in redevelopment feel displaced by soaring land prices and scant compensation. And some from the citys sizeable Muslim community of an estimated 3,50,000 said they are not reaping the benefits of the boom, a Reuters report noted last December.

Which brings us to a key issue in India today. India may be one of the fastest-growing economies with many billionaires. But it remains a deeply unequal society with millions struggling to just survive. That is not to say no development has happened. But its benefits have not trickled down to everyone. Alongside a rising GDP, there is rising household debt and declining household savings. Nearly 800 million Indians depend on the governments free foodgrain scheme.

In India, the luxury revolution saga is unfolding alongside rural distress and a jobs crisis. French luxury brand Hermes recently launched its third retail store in the country in Mumbai; the demand for luxury apartments is going up. Ditto with luxury car and SUV sales.

But a darker reality lurks beyond the glamour and glitz. Millions of people, especially in villages and urban slums, are struggling to make ends meet. Cultivators, and not just in Uttar Pradesh, complain that farming has become increasingly unprofitable. While average annual agriculture growth is usually at three per cent, it was only 1.4 per cent in 2023-24. Add to this the high food prices.

Those at the bottom, on the margins, and in the rural hinterland want the new government to get real.

Livelihood issues go beyond agriculture. While wages of casual labourers maintained a modest upward trend during 2012-22, real wages of regular workers either remained stagnant or declined. Self-employed real earnings also declined after 2019. Overall, wages have remained low. As much as 62 per cent of the unskilled casual agriculture workers and 70 per cent of such workers in the construction sector at the all-India level did not receive the prescribed daily minimum wages in 2022, points out the India Employment Report 2024, brought out by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Delhi-based Institute for Human Development.

Arguably, the service sector has been the primary driver of Indias growth since 2000. The ILO report notes that software, IT, IT-enabled services, business, and financial services have generated direct employment opportunities and stimulated job growth in other sectors through multiplier effects and that these services consistently generated highly paid, regular formal job opportunities.

The catch  not everyone can get these jobs.

The report goes on to observe that because states are at different stages of demographic transition, the potential demographic advantage also varies across them, as do the employment outcomes. And that the youth unemployment rate has increased with the level of education, with the highest rates among those with a graduate degree or higher and higher among women than men.

The bottom line: the past may be imperfect, the future uncertain; what matters most to voters is the present. Many voters made clear that they would rather have a better life here and now, than be part of a dream project in the distant future.

Will Indias new coalition government opt for a reset, a course-correction?

The jury is out.
Today's news: South Korean doctors on strike on 18 June against government reform; Economic crisis and joblessness cause growing school dropout in Laos; At least seven security men killed in an explosion in Pakistan; Armenian archbishop calls for street protest against government territorial concessions to Azerbaijan.

ISRAEL - PALESTINE - LEBANON

Centrist leader Benny Gantz has resigned from the emergency executive led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who can now only count on the support of the ultra-right but still has the votes needed to govern. In the meantime, the United States has stepped up pressure for a truce in Gaza, even assuming a vote at the UN. Among the four hostages freed over the weekend, at the cost of three more deaths according to Hamas and at least 243 civilian casualties in the Strip, is Noa Argamani, an Israeli of Chinese origin who re-embraced her terminally ill mother. The air force continues to strike in the north, in Lebanese territory against Hezbollah targets, causing two deaths.

SOUTH KOREA

The most important doctors' lobby group called a strike for 18 June against the government's healthcare reform plan that has been agitating the country's medical class for weeks. According to the Korean Medical Association (Kma), which represents 140,000 medical professionals, at least 74% intend to join the collective action against a plan that would destroy the system.

LAOS

Middle and high school students in Laos are dropping out of school because of the country's economic crisis and lack of jobs. Fewer and fewer young people are enrolling in university, with the number of graduates falling for three years in a row. Inflation has driven up prices, including food and transport, while government investment in education is plummeting.

ARMENIA - AZERBAIJAN

Archbishop Bagrat Galstanian calls on supporters to protest to force the resignation of the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, who is in the crosshairs of protesters over territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Addressing the square, the leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church called for four days of demonstrations starting today and a special session at the National Assembly.

PAKISTAN

At least seven men of the security forces in Pakistan were killed in an explosion, which was followed by an intense exchange of gunfire, with militia groups. An anonymous government source reports that the attack occurred yesterday and was directed at an army post in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. There is currently no claim to responsibility for the attack.

RUSSIA - AFGHANISTAN

The government of the Russian Caucasian republic of Dagestan concluded a trade agreement with representatives of the Taliban at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, with the explicit support of President Vladimir Putin. The director of the Makhackala Chamber of Commerce, Badrutin Magomedov, called it the first comprehensive agreement with the new government of Afghanistan.

INDIA

The 73-year-old Narendra Modi was sworn in yesterday as India's prime minister for a third term, following his (half) victory in the last elections that saw the BJP lose its absolute majority. An electoral setback that will test his ability to govern. The ceremony in the presidential palace in New Delhi was attended by thousands of dignitaries, the leaders of seven countries in the area, Bollywood stars and industrialists.

TAJIKISTAN - CHINA

A group of medical specialists from China arrived at the Republican Ophthalmic Clinic in Dushanbe. The specialists are offering free cataract examinations and operations for more than 500 people, the Tajik Ministry of Health announced, explaining that the initiative is agreed within the framework of the programme Health Express: A Bright Journey together with the Chinese.
Indigenous communities, who currently have no access to energy, are being evicted to build hydroelectric dams in Sarawak rivers to the benefit of foreign investors, which will severely affect local biodiversity. Activists complain that this scourge will have serious social and environmental implications.

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews)  Sarawak, a state in Malaysian Borneo, is planning to build 10 new mega-dams, which will be added to the five already in operation.

Announced last month, the plan threatens the future of local indigenous communities, who live in remote areas and are set to be displaced and relocated far from their natural habitat.

Local human rights groups have slammed the dams, which, in their view, will only benefit rich local tycoons and foreign investors. In addition to displacing entire indigenous communities, such structures will destroy biodiversity through deforestation and mass flooding of forested areas.

I just returned from visiting a longhouse located close to the Batang Ai dam in Lubuk Antu, said human rights activist Peter John Jaban speaking to AsiaNews. The longhouse consists of 38 households. The native folks here live in the dark. They are yet to benefit from the hydroelectric dam which is operating nearby. This is a case of too near yet too far.

Indigenous families use a generator that is turned on at 7 pm until midnight; they have no household appliances and do not even have internet coverage. "I ask myself: who really benefits from these projects?" Jaban wonders.

The activist notes that dam construction forces tribal communities to be resettled far from their traditional habitat, where they once lived, sowed, harvested, and hunted, while making a living selling forest products in local trade.

It is largely for these reasons that the construction of hydropower dams is criticised everywhere in the world, Jaban explained. If these projects benefit the people, nobody will complain, but most of the time these projects are a scourge that has serious social and environmental implications, that can never be restored or repaired in any conceivable way.

The Society for the Rights of Indigenous People of Sarawak (SCRIPS) notes that five mega-dams are already operating in the country.

Echoing Jaban, SCRIPS secretary general Michael Jok laments that it is not the people who benefit from these dams; instead, gains from constructing these dams largely benefit foreign industrialists and local tycoons, and not the people of Sarawak.

According to Jok, SCRIPS is against the state government's plans to build 10 dams across the state, which State Minister of Public Utilities and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi announced last month.

Natives want answers from the Sarawak government and the state assembly.

We have already identified the 10 river basins where river currents can be harnessed to generate electricity, Narawi said. The plan by the Premier of Sarawak, Abang Johari Openg, is to generate 10 gigawatts of electricity by 2030.

For Jok, plan proponents must prepare a written working paper about the construction of the cascading dams with actual ground finding on the pros and cons of such dams. We should be able to bring our experts to the discussion table, he told AsiaNews.

Another NGO, Save The Rivers, agrees. The hydroelectric dams built in the past left legacies of false hope and disappointment for the indigenous peoples and local communities. Various problems and complaints regarding compensation, land, and housing are either not resolved or purposely ignored, it noted.

This is because the governments focus is solely on economic gain either for the state or elsewhere. The welfare of those impacted by these projects is not properly addressed, Save The Rivers chairman Peter Kallang told AsiaNews.

For Kallang, safeguarding human rights and protecting the environment should be at the top of the priority list when implementing massive projects like these.

Since the indigenous population depends on the rivers and land for their livelihood their rights must be respected by carrying out proper, thorough, and meaningful consultation before the outset of the project, based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of Free, Prior and Informed Consent, Kallang insisted.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The Turkish focus on the South Caucasus has shown how advantageous an alliance with Ankara is, capable of replacing the one with the Russians engaged in Ukraine. In the background is the great project of a Middle Corridor, linking Asia to Europe bypassing Moscow.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - Several commentators in the Western and Central Asian media are trying to understand the extent to which Turkey's influence in Central Asia is growing, taking advantage of the weakening role of Russia at the regional level to relaunch its own neo-Ottoman projects of a Greater Turkic World.

In this context of geopolitical transitions, the West is also trying to insert itself in order to create ties that give greater access to the many natural resources of Central Asia, mainly removing them from the Kremlin's sights.

Swedish Institute for International Relations expert Joan Engvall published an article on this subject in the American magazine National Interest, recalling how precisely Russia, following the isolation due to the sanctions regime for the invasion of Ukraine, has undertaken a very opportunistic rapprochement in economic relations with Turkey.

Turkish exports to Russia have increased greatly, but according to Engvall not everything is working ideally, precisely because of competition from countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia, which Moscow is increasingly struggling to control.

Turkey has been strengthening its presence in the Caspian area since 2020, against the background of the Nagorno Karabakh war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. With military support Baku has taken some of the credit for the recovery of parts of Azerbaijani territory, as a symbol of the enlargement of the Turkic-speaking regions.

In September 2023, under the eyes of Russian peacekeepers, as Engvall points out, the whole of Karabakh returned to Azerbaijani hands, until the Russians withdrew their troops completely in April this year. The Turkish focus on the South Caucasus has shown how beneficial the alliance with Ankara is for all Turkic countries, replacing the one with the Russians engaged in Ukraine, as a security guarantee all the way to Central Asia.

Another major project unites these states with Turkey, that of the Transcaspian transport corridor, bypassing routes involving Russia, also known as the Middle Corridor, which combines automobile, railway and water routes to unite Asia with Europe. Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey are very actively participating in it, with the aim of creating a common development route by 2027, which will allow the increase of transport from 2 to 10 million tonnes of freight.

The countries involved are committed to eliminating customs and trade barriers, widening the narrowest spaces in seaports and mountain valleys, and the EU has decided to participate in the project with funding of USD 10 billion.

All this is part of the design of the Organisation of the Turkic Countries, in which Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan participate for the time being. They have approved the programme Future of the Turkic World-2040 to support common development in education, trade and capital mobility, services and technology, up to human, cultural and religious relations, seeking to imitate the model of the European Union itself in many fields.

Also in diplomatic relations, many transformations are taking place in the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia, seeking to diversify and become more independent internationally, always with the support of Turkey and as an alternative to Russia.

The Australian agency Conversation also analyses the increased independence in the political line of the Central Asian countries. As Anastasia Mahone, a lecturer at the British university Aberystwyth, writes, a total break in relations with Russia is unlikely, due to geographical proximity and economic dependence, but there are signs that the Central Asian countries intend to take increasingly autonomous positions, without always looking to Moscow.

He recalls the statements against Russian annexations in Ukraine by the President of Kazakhstan, Kasym-Zomart Tokaev, and other distances taken in recent years by various leaders in the region. In his opinion, Central Asia walks a very fine balance between the past and the future and between East, West, North and South.
The Protestant community, with more than 170 communities scattered throughout the country and 8,000 adherents, was in the crosshairs. For the judges, expelling or banning entry on the basis of intelligence reports does not constitute a violation of religious practice. A majority decision, opposed by the former president. In the meantime, there is renewed talk of a possible reopening of the Greek Orthodox seminary in Halki in the near future.

Istanbul (AsiaNews) - The expulsion by government authorities of Protestant leaders and pastors heading Churches on the basis of secret service reports does not constitute a violation of freedom of religion. This is what the Constitutional Court has ruled in a majority decision taken in recent days that reopens more than one question about the practice of worship.

The Protestant community is in the crosshairs, with more than 170 communities scattered throughout the country and which, for years, have been reporting critical issues and abuses: denied requests, revoked residence permits and forced deportations are just a few examples.

Nevertheless, for the judges, the government and administration acted in accordance with justice and there would have been no violation in prohibiting the entry or stay of religious leaders who, in response, launched a protest by taking the matter to court.

The Directorate of Immigration Management applied the restrictive code N-82 against already resident Protestants, which entails prior authorisation for entry. The enforcement was taken for reasons of public order, security or health, in line with reports by the National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) describing missionary activities.

Residence permits were revoked, deportation orders were issued against some and those who went abroad for holidays were not allowed to return to Turkey. The religious officials then took the matter to the judiciary, but already in the first and second instance there were no grounds for finding violations and the decisions were in accordance with the law and procedure.

According to the judges, it was possible to apply for a special permit or visa at the entrance.

Hence the decision to appeal to the Constitutional Court, with the hypothesis of violations of freedom of religion, which were, however, rejected in this case as well, with the green light for proportionate intervention in cases where the activities were missionary in nature.

Actions that, the judges go on to say, may endanger public order, security, the rights and freedoms of others or other values that prevail in the balancing act.

Among the critical (and opposing) voices was that of former Constitutional Court President Zuhtu Arslan, who recalled that freedom of religion is guaranteed by Article 24 of the Constitution. In a democratic society based on pluralism, the duty of the State, he pointed out, is not to accept that some of the various worldviews or beliefs are wrong, but to take the necessary measures to allow individuals to live according to their worldviews and beliefs.

Today, there are more than 8,000 Protestants in Turkey, mostly ethnic Turks, with 170 churches or congregations concentrated mainly in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, which, in 2009, formed the Association of Protestant Churches.

The aim is to be an organisation of sharing, representation and solidarity of the country's Protestant reality, creating a place of unity and cooperation as well as monitoring and determining the legal position before the laws of the Turkish Republic. To date, Protestants are not allowed to train their own clergy within the national education system, which is why some are led by foreign pastors.

According to the latest 2023 report, the majority of the 33 religious workers were marked with the code N-82, meaning foreigner whose entry is subject to prior authorisation, and the remainder with the code G-87, meaning person who may pose a danger to general security.

Religious officials were therefore forced to leave Turkey or were not allowed to re-enter the country. According to the association's data, since 2019, 250 people have been prevented from entering, denied permission to stay or deported, including US citizens Amanda Jolyn Krause, Benjamin Charles Mclure, Helmut Frank and Matthew Vern Black.

Finally, after years of stalemate, the dispute over the Greek Orthodox seminary (and theological school) in Halki, one of the many theatres of contention between Greece and Turkey closed by Ankara in 1971 but which could soon reopen, seems to have broken down.

This was reported by the daily Karar, according to which the resumption of activities would be linked to the second wave of government reforms initiated after the local elections on 31 March. Education Minister Yusuf Tekin, with a delegation, visited the area on 29 May for a meeting with officials of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox community. Earlier, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had discussed the matter, with the former reiterating the efforts underway for the reopening.
10 June 2024 14:59 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

Azerbaijan and Albania agreed to provide mutual support through the Intergovernmental Commission to result-oriented activities in all areas, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said on X, Azernews reports.

Within the first meeting of the Azerbaijan-Albania Intergovernmental Commission, we exchanged views on the priorities of our partnership agenda with Belinda Balluku, Deputy Prime Minister of Albania, Minister of Infrastructure and Energy. We agreed to provide mutual support through the Intergovernmental Commission to result-oriented activities in all areas related to the strategic course of the Heads of State aimed at strengthening friendly relations and bilateral cooperation, he said.

Within the first meeting of the #IntergovernmentalCommission, we exchanged views on the priorities of our partnership agenda with Belinda Balluku, Deputy Prime Minister of Albania, Minister of Infrastructure and Energy. We agreed to provide mutual support through the pic.twitter.com/hF6djjdDOL  Parviz Shahbazov (@ParvizShahbazov) June 10, 2024

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10 June 2024 15:43 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Global climate change poses a significant threat to the existence of numerous island nations. Deputy Minister of Energy, Elnur Soltanov, emphasized this during discussions at ADA University's inaugural "Caspian Blue Horizons" event, Azernews reports.

He highlighted Azerbaijan's negotiations with island states vulnerable to irreversible damage from climate change, stating that these states will also participate in COP29.

Soltanov further noted Azerbaijan's firsthand experience with the adverse effects of climate change, including droughts and floods. Addressing the pressing issue of water scarcity, he announced plans to include it on the agenda of COP29, scheduled to be held in Baku.

Notably, COP29, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, will take place in Azerbaijan in November. The decision to host COP29 in Baku was made during the plenary meeting of COP28 in Dubai. With Baku expected to welcome around 70-80 thousand foreign guests, the city will become the global epicenter for climate action discussions.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, signed in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, aims to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. With 198 countries as signatories, COP gatherings serve as crucial platforms for international collaboration. The first COP event was held in Berlin in March 1995, with the secretariat located in Bonn.

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10 June 2024 11:00 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerkhalcha OJSC has taken part in the 15th International Oriental Carpets Conference held in Istanbul, Turkiye, Azernews reports.

The main theme of the conference was "Oriental Carpet Studies 2024: The Past and Future of Carpet Weaving and Carpet Collection".

The conference focused on two main areas: "Historical carpets and textiles" and "Contemporary art, design, and new production".

The Scientific Committee received 76 proposals from 4 continents and 20 countries, and selected 26 presentations, with Professor Walter Denny as the keynote speaker.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Azerkhalcha OJSC, Honored Art Worker Emin Mammadov, participated in the conference, which has been organised every four years since 1976 to support the development of carpet weaving worldwide. This conference united the leading countries in the field.

Emin Mammadov spoke at the conference on "Continuous development of cultural heritage in Azerbaijani carpet weaving - based on three examples", discussing the activities of Azerkhalcha OJSC as the leading and largest carpet producer in Azerbaijan.

He also highlighted the company's focus on protecting cultural heritage, adapting to modern times, meeting modern interior design requirements while staying true to ancient roots and traditions.

The collaboration of Azerkhalcha OJSC with young domestic and foreign specialists and the positive results achieved were also mentioned.

One of the main topics of the conference was the first National Carpet Festival of Azerbaijan, organised in Icherisheher on May 4-5, 2024, with the support of various organisations, including the Azerkhalcha OJSC.

At the end of the event, a captivating video from the National Carpet Festival was shown to the audience.

As part of the conference, renowned scientist, Professor Walter Denny conducted the session themed "Conservation and new technological frontiers in carpet research".

The final panel, titled "The Future of Tradition," was led by Reyhan Polat, focused on the innovative system of carpet presentations in museums, the use of artificial intelligence in creating new designs and patterns, and recent practices in natural dyeing and weaving.

Other sessions covered the traditional areas typically addressed at ICOC (International Churches of Christ) conferences, including Anatolian Carpets from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, Central Asian textiles and felts, archaeological finds, new museum collections, and technical aspects of carpet weaving structures.

Compared to previous conferences, the 15th ICOC conference saw an increase in applications from young professionals in the field and from carpet manufacturing companies.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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10 June 2024 15:21 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

Special forces demonstrated high professionalism in the Caucasian Eagle - 2024 exercise held in Azerbaijan. At the next stage of the joint exercise, the location point of the imaginary enemy was determined, a sudden attack was carried out by an anti-aircraft missile, and its manpower was neutralised, Azernews reports.

The tasks of the Caucasian Eagle - 2024 exercise are successfully accomplished by the special forces from Azerbaijan, Turkiye and Georgia.

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The National Art Museum has hosted a lecture themed "Art features of tombstones in Azerbaijan. Tradition and modernity," led by researchers of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, Rustam Huseynov and Mehdi Ali.

Speaking with Azernews, Rustam Huseynov noted that the lecture focused on recent anthropological studies on burial customs in Azerbaijan, aiming to illuminate lesser-known facets of Azerbaijani history and culture.

At the lecture, the audience was provided insight into the main features of the artistic design and epigraphy of tombstones in Azerbaijan, the emergence of the classical tradition, and its destruction in the 1970s of the 20th century.

"The presentation highlighted the pre-Islamic elements and pagan symbols found on runic monuments on the territory of Azerbaijan. Special attention was paid to their distinctive features, location, current state, legal status, and influence on the artistic style of subsequent eras. A large amount of lecture material was devoted to the unique monuments of Azerbaijan, which make it possible to trace their evolution through different eras, especially the genesis of cultural traditions, and accurately date the time of change in cultural codes," said Rustam Huseynov.

Of particular interest to the audience were the runes on funerary monuments and the presence of pagan symbols on the tombstones of the Islamic era, the facts of mixing styles, and the existence of different types at the same time.

The audience showed great interest in the runes on funerary monuments and the presence of pagan symbols on Islamic-era tombstones, as well as the blending of different styles.

The lecture participants engaged with the researchers, asking questions about deciphering runic signs and exploring lesser-known historical facts.

Recall that Rustam Huseynov also arranged lectures on "Banknotes of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic" and "Stamped Coins of Azerbaijan" at the National Art Museum.

Founded in 1937, the National Art Museum offers art connoisseurs some of the best examples of decoratively applied arts in Western Europe.

Over 3,000 items in 60 rooms are on permanent display at the museum, and around 12,000 items are kept in storage. Here, you can see masterpieces of the Italian, French, German, and Polish masters of brush.

The museum has successfully organised and hosted numerous high-level international exhibitions, showcasing the works of renowned artists.

These exhibitions have not only attracted art enthusiasts but have also contributed to the cultural exchange between Azerbaijan and other countries.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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10 June 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency government on Sunday, withdrawing the only centrist force from the far-right coalition amidst the ongoing war in Gaza.

In a press conference, Gantz stated, "I am leaving the emergency government today with a heavy heart," and added that he will return to the opposition while continuing to support responsible decisions.

Gantz explained, "We are withdrawing from this government because Netanyahu is preventing us from progressing towards a real victory."

He emphasized his commitment to Israel's interests over Netanyahu's personal agenda, stating, "I am aligned with Israel's interest, not Netanyahu's personal interest. My door will remain open to any Zionist party ready to help achieve victory over our enemies and ensure the safety of our citizens."

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10 June 2024 23:00 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

Due to its geographical location, the South Caucasus has been the target of great empires for many years. Being the segment of the Great Silk Road, this region with the richness of its oil fields particularly on the east side along the Caspian Sea has been very lucrative for power states.

The Russian Empire was one of those invading the countries and permeating this region. Starting from the 18th century, Tsarist Russia began exploring and occupying the regions around the Caspian Sea. At the beginning of the 19th century, it captured the South Caucasus, including Azerbaijan, and took away the freedom of the nations.

Before the establishment of the Soviet Union, Tsarist Russia pursued a policy of Russification in the South Caucasus, taking away the language, culture, and religion of the nations here. Especially the people of Azerbaijan and Georgia suffered from its policy of occupation.

Even after the establishment of the Soviet Union, the same policy was continued under the name of communism; repressions were carried out and the lives of many intellectuals of the South Caucasus were ended.

Although Russia's relations with Azerbaijan softened following Azerbaijan's victory over the Armenian occupation in 2020, the relations between Georgia and Russia are yet to be normalised. Thus, when the Soviet Union was about to collapse, Georgia was one of the post-soviet states that made the most efforts to get rid of Russian occupation, which later cost Tbilisi its territory in the north of the country bordering with Russia.

Both Zviad Gamsakhurdia and Eduard Shevardnadze had a number of problems in Georgian-Russian diplomatic relations. During the term of President Mikheil Saakashvili, the tension between the two countries reached its peak. Although Saakashvili's policy towards the West tried to free the country from Russian influence, the result ended with the Russian occupation of Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia.

In 2012, with the coming to power of the Georgian Dream Party founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili, Russia-Georgia relations softened and became relatively constructive. Since the mentioned time, serious developments have been observed in many spheres, particularly in the field of economy.

The law on "foreign agents", which came into force this month, caused dissatisfaction among the country's population, but it was enough to show Russia's influence in the country. It should be noted that this law serves the purpose of ensuring the transparency of foreign funding of the non-governmental sector and the media in Georgia.

The West was very worried about this situation because the law's entry into force would reduce the influence of foreign countries in Georgia.

Thus, thirty-one members of the European Parliament (EP) call on the Vice-President of the European Commission and head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, to suspend Georgia's status as a candidate for accession to the EU. Even US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the decision adopted by the Georgian parliament a "Russian law". He also said that the new law will create problems in the relations of the Georgian people with the European Union, and noted that the United States will not leave it unanswered.

Official Moscow supported the decision of the Georgian government in response to threats from the West and claimed that the United States was fueling the protests in the country.

But what is reality?

It is no secret that Europe has been using the countries under Russian occupation to suppress Moscow in the region for years. And Russia does not hesitate to commit genocide and create disaster in those countries in order to respond to the West. This is proven by the fact that the Georgian scenario is currently being applied in Ukraine, that the West is encouraging Ukraine to go to war with Russia by making empty promises, and that Russia has also dealt a devastating blow to Ukraine, even killing its nation - the Slavs.

Georgia, whose territory is still under Russian occupation, is subjected to the brutal treatment of the Kremlin whenever Tbilisi reduces the Kremlin's influence in the country and moves towards the West. This is the same as the opposite - thus, when the Georgian government improves relations with Moscow, it receives threats from the West.

So-called parliamentary elections were held yesterday in the Tskhinvali region (Southern Ossetia) under Russian occupation. Azerbaijan, whose 20 percent of territories was once under Armenian occupation for nearly 30 years, also condemned this event and called the election void.

It should be noted that a war broke out between Russia and Georgia over Southern Ossetia in 2008, and after the war, Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia declared their independence with the support of Russia. It was after that that diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia were severed.

The events that have taken place show that countries like Georgia, Ukraine, and even Armenia are used as battlegrounds for the West in its long-time hostility toward Russia. Undoubtedly, civilians and inhabitants of the South Caucasus suffer the most from the intense war between the two hegemon powers - the West and Russia.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
10 June 2024 22:23 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The Japanese authorities have tightened migration laws, setting a limit on the number of attempts to obtain refugee status and allowing those who exceed it to be deported, Azernews reports.

Until now, foreign citizens undergoing a refugee status check could not be expelled from the country, no matter how many times they applied and for what reasons they did so. Now, in accordance with the changes that have entered into force, you can apply for asylum no more than three times.

If the applicant does not provide reasonable grounds for obtaining refugee status in such a number of attempts, he will be deported from Japan. The tightening of legislation is due to the fact that in recent years the number of people applying for recognition as refugees has increased. The Japanese authorities believe that some of them intentionally submitted documents without clear justification in order to stay in Japan and work. According to data at the end of 2022, about 4 thousand people in this situation lived in Japan.

The new rules allow foreigners who have been subjected to deportation proceedings to live outside places of detention, as required by the old regulations, provided that they are looked after by authorized persons.

Nevertheless, the changes have attracted criticism from the opposition and public activists. In their opinion, this will lead to an increase in the number of deportations of people who are still at risk of persecution and face other dangers in their countries.
Provisional nearly complete results on the final day of voting for the EU parliament show that combined parties of the traditional right and populist right have won a clear majority in the EU parliament for the first time as vote for the right surged across most of Europe. This will enable a pushback on radical immigration and climate policies previously adopted. National parties run for national EU seats but then work through multi-national party groupings within the EU parliament.

Overall, the traditional conservative European Peoples Party gained seats and remained the largest grouping, but most of the gains for right came from three populist right groupings, the European Conservatives and Reformists, Identity and Democracy, and the unaligned parties. The last set of parties represent mostly new parties which have not been in the EU parliament previously, but also includes Germany's AfD which had a falling out with the grouping it was in. There are talks of forming yet another grouping on the populist right but also of merger of existing groupings.

The biggest losers were the Green grouping and the Liberal grouping, Renew Europe, although the Social Democrats and the Left also saw some losses. Renew Europe is likely to get even smaller as some of its members want to kick out the Dutch VVD which is to the right of most of the other parties in the grouping and has always been sort of an odd couple within the grouping. It would be a better fit for the European Peoples Party anyway. Also, another odd couple party in that grouping, the populist right ANO party, which came out on top in the Czech election for the EU parliament, led by former Prime Minister Babis who was nicknamed "the Czech Trump" indicated before the election that it was looking for a new home within the EU parliament, likely a party grouping more in tune with its soverigntist philosophy.

Election results for the EU parliament also are creating waves in national politics in some countries. In France, after Macron's coalition was hammered by the populist nationalist anti-immigration National Rally led by Marine LePen winning more than twice as many seats. Macron dissolved the national parliament and called a snap election for it. In Germany, where the traditional conservative CDU ran first and the populist nationalist anti-immigration AfD second, leaving the three parties of the governing "traffic light coalition with only 35% between them, there are calls for an early election in that country, as well.

Here are election maps of results in France and Germany. For Germany, blue is a district won by AfD, black is a district won by CDU, and dark grey a district won by Bavarian conservative CSU. For France,, brown is a district won by National Rally.

In Austria, where the populist nationalist anti-immigration Freedom Party handily won first place, it leaders proclaimed that voters wanted "more Austria and less Brussels".

The chart below by party grouping shows the changes in the EU parliament, the outer band representing the 2019 election and the inner band the 2024 election. Light blue is the European Peoples Party and the darker colors to the right represent the populist nationalist parties of the right, while yellow is the liberal block, green is the green block, red the social democrats, and dark red the left.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/eu-elections-minute-by-minute

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/3033830/right-wing-parties-make-major-gains-in-european-union-elections/

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1909245/eu-election-maps-results-france-germany-italy

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2024/06/09/macron-trounced-by-le-pens-populists-at-europarl-elections-immediately-dissolves-parliament-for-snap-national-election/

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/right-wing-tsunami-nationalists-ascendant-euro-parliament-vote-le-pen-crushes-macron

https://redstate.com/bonchie/2024/06/10/europe-begins-the-hard-march-away-from-the-abyss-n2175300

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13511389/French-President-Macron-calls-snap-election-wake-huge-far-Right-gains-European-vote.html

UPDATE: Belgium's outspokenly anti-Israel prime minister has resigned after his liberal party got smoked by the populist right on one side and a Marxist party favored by Muslims on the other.

https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2024/06/09/more-eu-election-falloutbelgiums-prime-minister-resigns-sunday-night-n2175267
By: Hood Richardson

Both social and public media have bandied about the damage done to the Washington High School cafeteria area recently, allegedly by graduating seniors. Very little information has been given to the public by Beaufort County Schools officials. Almost all of the information the public has could be called gossip.

At the risk of being in error, here is what I have heard from several sources. A break-in occurred at night with security cameras running. Someone acquired a key from a school official to gain entry. Tables and furniture were destroyed, with damage also to wall coverings. Cooking oil was poured on the floors. There was other damage. The damage cost was estimated to be as high as $15,000.

The Beaufort County School System made a decision not to report this criminal activity to the Washington Police or the Beaufort County Sheriffs Department. This decision tells a lot about the character of these officials because public officials have the fiduciary duty to protect the public property in their care and to report criminal behavior. In my opinion, school officials have no protection for their failure to follow the law. There were 57 graduating students identified. The school system decided the appropriate punishment is to not allow these students to walk across the stage to get their diploma. Their diploma will be mailed to them. This is a slap on the wrist.

There are a host of issues about school board management, if what I have reported and what the School System has not reported, are accurate.

A conscious decision by the School Board and their employees not to report criminal activity and willful property damage to law enforcement raises serious questions about their integrity and dedication to their elected and appointed offices. The knowledge of criminal behavior regardless of the age of the perpetrator should always be reported to law enforcement. How much other criminal activity has gone un-reported, un-enforced and winked at. Such slack school administration sends strong messages to young minds.

We know there are serious problems with discipline in Washington High School. This is evidenced by the number of people who have held the Principals job during the past several years. High rates of turn over usually indicate weak and unsure management. Discipline problems and criminal acts indicate a failure on the part of school administrators and their superiors to enforce and teach non-criminal behavior. Washington High School had four years to instill a sense of acceptable behavior in these students. The education system failed our students again.

There is a huge divide between juvenile behavior and criminal activity. Juveniles make mistakes and make bad judgments. Criminal activity is hard to define, but, like pornography, is easily recognized when seen. No doubt we should proceed in a compassionate way to handle juvenile behavior and with much less compassion in the case of criminal activity on school property where students are old enough to know better.

It is not up to any school employee to cover up criminal behavior. In researching to write this article I ran into people who believe the school system is a sovereign entity. Something like an Indian Reservation. There are no limited exclusions from law enforcement on any public property. When it comes to criminal activity, school officials who cover it up are as guilty as those who commit the crimes.

I am disappointed that the school system did not react in a positive way with press releases informing the public. A lot of damage was done on social media as rumors spread. A simple statement that the public would be protected would have done wonders. Early on, the School System should have announced that those students involved would be required to pay their proportionate part of the damages to public property. No need to say they would not get a diploma until paid, that would only bring on a lawsuit. A lot of damage is done in prohibiting allowing graduates walk across the stage. This is a useless and inappropriate punishment that serves no purpose.

I am also concerned that school administration does not understand the use of our legal system. Management seems to believe their job is to make bad situations look as good as they can by handing out slaps on the wrist for bad behavior. There are rumors of other criminal activities that have been covered up. One of the major deterrents to bad behavior is informing the public. Yes, disclosure to the public is a deterrent. That sends a message to all the students, their parents and the public as to where the limits are. Covering up these incidents provides no direction to define good behavior. Disclosure requires a dedicated school board, superintendent, and staff, especially school administrators, who have a duty to maintain good order and discipline in our schools.

Keeping teachers in the Beaufort County School System is difficult. The dominant reason any person leaves any job is working conditions. Teachers must be able to control their classrooms. Discipline has to be handed out fairly and with certainty. Halls must be safe. Students with bad behavior that cannot be corrected should be expelled from the school system. Some parents should be prosecuted for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. These statements may cause some fear among some of us. Once the limits of behavior are known a lot of the bad actors will change their behavior. The School System has to use their legal resources to defend teachers and employees on discipline issues.

I am well aware that all of these ideas cannot be piled on the schools at one time. However, the School Board should develop a plan to gradually install and enforce behavior standards. Could the focus start in the 8th grade and gradually move into other grades. I am also talking about changes that need to be made among the employees of the school system. Most of them have no idea as to what behavior the School Board is willing to enforce.

Compare what schools should be doing against what they are doing. Schools should produce students, whether graduating or dropping out, who are honest, considerate of others, educated to the point of being able to write, read, perform basic mathematical functions, be familiar with our Constitution and Bill of Rights, be able to identify criminal behavior, and be uncontaminated by social and propaganda stigmas. Social and propaganda stigmas include, but are not limited to. critical race theories, diversity-equity-inclusion theories, sexual identity confusion, racial stigmas, etc.

There are plenty of basic materials in mathematics, language, true history and civics to occupy 12 years of study. The basics do not change. Math books, spelling books, English books, and basic science books do not change that much. These books should be good for 100 years or until completely dilapidated.

The lessons from the handling of the Washington High School incident fly in the face of what schools should be doing. The lesson to younger students should be: These Seniors got punished and we should expect the same treatment if we do similar things. That lesson is not being taught.

Several incumbent School Board seats are up for election this fall. These board members should be replaced with conservative candidates. The conservative candidates are: Malissa Polk, District 1 and Stacey Davis, District 5. There is a contest between incumbent Republican T. W. Allen and unaffiliated candidate David Hudson in District 3. We need a School Board that will make it clear that school administrators are not to allow vandalism and violations of law in our schools. Accepting the unacceptable makes the unacceptable acceptable.
The liberal media have been busy trying to spin Biden's recent executive order on the border as an attempt to control migration. That is a far cry from what it really does, but a leaked memo to Border Patrol agents dated after that executive order is the real smoking gun on Biden's open borders policy.

The memo was circulated among Border Patrol agents in the San Diego sector (and probably all sectors, but that is the one from which it was leaked) and headed with "Please See Updated Presidential Proclamation guidance below. This is effective immediately". The memo then instructs the Border Patrol to let single adults walk into the country on their own recognisance with a notice to appear, except for illegal aliens from six countries, all from the former Soviet Union.

Most illegal aliens are military aged males, so this covers the largest segment of illegal aliens. It also means all of the Middle East and Africa have their illegal aliens just waived into the US, even though many countries in both regions are hotbeds of Islamic terrorism. Illegal aliens from China, one of our major geopolitical adversaries are also just waived in, and lots of them are coming.

This memo exposes the real anti-America border policies of the Biden regime.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13512263/Border-Parol-California-Joe-Biden-Democrats.html

This article is from the largest circulation newspaper in the UK, but does anyone believe that the MSM propaganda media in the US will give it this coverage?
By L.A. Williams

Christian Action League

June 7, 2024

A multi-drug crisis centered on fentanyl often paired with other illicit drugs that directly affects nearly 50 million Americans and untold numbers of their loved ones  thats how an article released by Axios Health late last month described the current status of addiction in the United States.

Drug overdose deaths, which now kill nearly twice as many Americans each year than died in the Vietnam War, are the tip of the iceberg, the article shows. Alcohol addiction kills even more.

A federal survey in 2022 showed that more than 17 percent of Americans 12 and older had a substance abuse disorder. When you shift the age bracket to 18-25, the ratio of addiction is more than one in four. The addiction crisis in our nation is severe. An intoxicated or drug-addled society is unsustainable. This is why the matter is of the utmost importance and not some secondary issue, says the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League. History shows that nations have fallen due to substance abuse. For instance, Cyrus the Great of Persia once defeated an enemy by leaving behind food and wine. The enemy overindulged, got drunk, and was easily defeated when Cyrus returned. Centuries later, the Saracens included a prohibition against intoxicants in the Koran to combat the problem of alcohol.

The Bible is clear that abusing alcohol and drugs is a sin, Creech explains, but once someone becomes addicted, he said their will is overpowered by the substances, leading to severe illness.

At this stage, they cannot simply shape up any more than someone falling from a high-rise building can avoid injury mid-fall. They need rescuing, Creech says.

He said addiction is not just a physical issue, it is also deeply spiritual.

Defining it merely as a disease overlooks its full impact. Humans are triune beings with physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions, and addiction affects all these aspects. Without recognizing this, recovery is unlikely, Creech added.

According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 48.7 million people 12 or older had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year, including more than 29 million with alcohol use disorder, more than 27 million with drug use disorder, and 8 million people who had both. Add to that the fact that nearly 22 million adults dealing with addiction that year also suffered from mental illness.

Substance abuse and mental illness often feed off of one another, pointed out Axios writer Caitlin Owens. Statistics show that almost half of adults ages 18 to 25 had either a mental illness or a substance use disorder.

And just in case those numbers are not harrowing enough, Axios also reports that more than 320,000 children lost their mom or dad to drug overdose in the decade ending in 2021, no doubt creating childhood trauma. And childhood trauma is one of the main risk factors for becoming an addict later in life, showing the potential for addiction to rise exponentially across generations.

Creech said Christians must address addiction and that it provides a crucial opportunity for them to share the redeeming message of Christ.

Many churches now offer recovery ministries, which is a positive step, but more is needed, he said. Christians should also urge their North Carolina legislators to stop making alcohol more accessible and to resist legalizing marijuana, as these actions only contribute to further substance abuse.

Catch the latest state news on alcohol issues here and marijuana here.
The University of Illinois Chicago plans to launch a nurse anesthesia program with the help of a $10 million donation.

The UIC hospital had demonstrated a growing need for CRNAs amid workforce shortages and conducted feasibility studies on the possibility of adding them, according to a June 7 news release from the university.

Christine Schwartz, an alumna of UIC, a supporter of the college of nursing and a member of the department's external advisory board, committed $10 million to the program. The donation is the largest in the college of nursing's history and will establish a nurse anesthesia program that will begin its accreditation process in June.

The gift will fund the build-out of simulation labs and student space to train future nurse anesthetists. Students will be able to train in simulated clinical environments.

Jobs in the anesthesia field are projected to grow 18% in the next decade, according to the release.

Among Illinois' 102 counties, 31 lack registered anesthesia providers, according to research from UIC.






Five people were arrested in Los Angeles for their involvement in a scheme to defraud Medicare of more than $15 million through sham hospice companies.

Petros Fichidzhyan, 43, Juan Carlos Esparza, 32, and Karpis Srapyan, 34, allegedly operated and owned sham hospice companies that were purportedly owned by foreign nationals, the Justice Department said June 7.

The three used the foreign nationals identifying information to open bank accounts and sign property leases. Mr. Fichidzhyan also used the information to make phone calls to Medicare and submit false claims.

The false claims misappropriated physician information by falsely claiming the physicians had determined hospice services were necessary.

The three, alongside defendants Susanna Harutyunyan, 38, and Mihran Panosyan, 45, also allegedly laundered the proceeds fraudulently obtained from Medicare.

If convicted, all five defendants face a maximum penalty of at least 40 years in prison.
Optum, parent company of ASC chain SCA Health, has announced it's shuttering services, selling its settlement solutions business and closing a clinic.

1. Optum sold its workers' compensation settlement solutions business to ExamWorks Compliance Solutions. The settlement solutions segment was housed within Optum's workers' compensation and auto no-fault business segment.

2. Optum announced it is shuttering its telehealth business, Optum Virtual Care. Launched in 2019, it offers virtual access to providers at any time.

3. "Virtual care has been and will continue to be a core part of our comprehensive, integrated care delivery model designed to provide care to people where, when and how they prefer," an Optum spokesperson told Becker's. "We continually review the capabilities and services we offer to meet the growing and evolving needs of our businesses and the people we serve. As always, we will support affected team members with job placement resources and seek to deploy them where possible to any open roles within the company."

4. Optum also announced plans to close a Change Healthcare facility in Toledo, Ohio, laying off 129 employees in the process. The layoffs, affecting employees in Ohio or working remotely, will occur in three waves from July 15 to Sept. 6. Optum also conducted layoffs in August  around 67 employees from the Everett Clinic and the Polyclinic in Seattle, and Optum-owned, Morgantown, W.Va.-based MedExpress Urgent Care eliminated registered nursing positions at 150 facilities.

5. Optum is still seeing rapid growth, particularly in physician employment. Optum added nearly 20,000 physicians in 2023, bringing its total to 90,000 affiliated physicians.
California lawmakers are considering a bill that would tighten oversight of private equity and hedge fund buyers of hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Private equity investment in hospitals and physician groups has been under scrutiny in recent months after a slew of high-profile failures, including bankruptcies and hospital closures.

California lawmakers have drafted a bill that would require private equity firms and hedge funds to give the state attorney general written notice before purchasing a healthcare facility or provider group. The attorney general would have to approve the transaction. Buyers would also be required to submit written notice to any federal or state agency as required by law within 90 days of the transaction, and the attorney general could extend that period.

The bill gives the attorney general the power to halt an acquisition if there is a "substantial likelihood of anticompetitive effects" or if it would affect access of healthcare services delivered to the community.

Physician groups would also be affected by the bill; private equity groups or hedge funds would be prohibited from controlling the practice and the practice physicians would not be able to sign a deal with an entity partially or wholly directed by a private equity group or hedge fund if those firms provide other services to the physicians for a fee.
The U.S. Supreme Court on June 10 agreed to review a court ruling that sides with HHS on how the agency calculates disproportionate share hospital payments for Supplemental Security Income benefits.

Six things to know:

1. The case revolves around the interpretation of the phrase "entitled to benefits" in two lawsuits: Advocate Christ Medical Center v. Becerra and Becerra v. Empire Health Foundation.

2. In Becerra v. Empire, the high court in June 2022 upheld a rule that reduced the amount of extra Medicare payments hospitals get for serving a larger share of low-income patients. The court agreed with HHS in the decision, arguing that "individuals 'entitled to [Medicare Part A] benefits' are all those qualifying for the program, regardless of whether they are receiving Medicare payments for part or all of a hospital stay," according to Bloomberg.

3. However, in July 2017, more than 200 hospitals had already sued HHS over its formula for calculating DSH payments, which are required payments intended to offset hospitals' uncompensated care costs. The hospitals argued that the method did not fully account for care provided to patients eligible for SSI benefits, which HHS uses as a proxy for care provided to low-income patients.

4. In June 2022, a U.S. district court dismissed the hospitals' arguments, ruled that HHS' formula for calculating DSH payments was consistent with the statute and denied the hospitals' claim for recalculation of their compensation for 2006 through 2009, according to the report.

5. Six national hospital groups, including the American Hospital Association, in February urged the Supreme Court to review the decision. They allege that HHS "adopted the view that a patient is entitled to Supplemental Security Income benefits only if the patient actually received cash SSI payments during a hospital stay, an interpretation that is inconsistent with the Supreme Court's reasoning in Becerra v. Empire Health Foundation."

6. "Although HHS has refused to share the data that would allow hospitals to accurately count the SSI-eligible patients whom the agency's approach excludes, the available estimates suggest that hospitals will lose more than a billion dollars each year in DSH funds," the hospital groups argued in a friend-of-the-court brief. "What's more, a hospital's eligibility for DSH payments affects its entitlement to other federal benefits designed to help hospitals 'stretch scarce federal resources,' including the 340B Drug Discount Program."
Riverside (Calif.) Community Hospital, part of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, has appointed Peter Hemstead as CEO, effective June 17.

Prior to his new role, Mr. Hemstead served as CEO of HCA Florida West Marion Hospital in Ocala, Fla., according to a June 10 news release shared with Becker's.

He also served as Riverside Community Hospitals COO from 2020 to 2022 and oversaw the beginning of the hospital's level III neonatal intensive care unit 35-bed expansion, a 20-bed emergency room expansion and 24-bed inpatient unit addition.
Phoenix Children's has tapped Justin Bradshaw as executive vice president and COO, effective July 1.

In his new role, Mr. Bradshaw will work to unify hospital operations including nursing, support services, supply chain, ancillary and facilities. He will also head strategic planning for two new pediatric hospitals in Glendale and Gilbert, Ariz, according to a June 6 Phoenix Children's news release.

Prior to his new role, Mr. Bradshaw served as operations officer at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah. He also served in operations leadership for Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Members of the Oregon Nurses Association are set to begin a three-day strike June 18 at six Providence facilities, in what the union deems the largest nurses' strike in the state's history.

The union represents more than 3,000 nurses at the following facilities, according to an ONA news release:

Providence St. Vincent Medical Center (Portland)

Providence Newberg (Ore.) Medical Center

Willamette Falls Medical Center (Oregon City)

Providence Medford (Ore.) Medical Center

Providence Hood River (Ore.) Memorial Hospital

Providence Milwaukie (Ore.) Hospital

Union members voted to authorize a strike in May. Nurses and management have been in negotiations for new labor contracts "for as long as nine months," according to the release.

The union contends that in bargaining, hospital management has not responded to their concerns with serious proposals. It says nurses seek commitment to Oregon's Safe Staffing Law; affordable and quality healthcare; and market-competitive pay.

"At Providence Medford, we are facing a staffing crisis, and our nurses are overworked, offered low quality healthcare, and paid less than the current market for nurses in Medford," Caroline Allison, RN, said in the union release. "Adding insult to injury, it has now become clear that Providence appears to be systematically trying to undermine Oregon's Safe Staffing Law."

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed a staffing law for hospitals in August 2023. House Bill 2697 establishes enforceable nurse-to-patient ratios in state statute for various hospital settings and requires hospitals to establish technical staff and service staff staffing committees, meeting specified criteria. This is in addition to staffing committees for registered nurses.

Jennifer Burrows, RN, chief executive of Providence Oregon, shared a statement with Becker's, saying that since negotiations began, management has proposed "substantial wage increases and contract enhancements that our nurses have requested, including adding language related to our new nurse staffing legislation."

She added that "across our six ministries, we have market-competitive offers of approximately 10% increases in the first year of the contracts," and that "we have 23,000 caregivers in Oregon. All those who are benefit-eligible  including me  have access to the same health package."

No additional negotiations are scheduled prior to the conclusion of the strike.
The Federal Trade Commission is asking for an immediate order to block Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health from acquiring two North Carolina hospitals from Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems until the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals can rule on its appeal.

The June 10 request from the FTC comes after a federal judge in North Carolina rejected a request for a preliminary injunction barring Novant from acquiring Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and Statesville, N.C.-based Davis Regional Medical Center in a $320 million deal. The FTC filed a notice of appeal June 9, according to court records.

The FTC argued in its June 10 motion that "it would be extraordinarily difficult to unscramble the egg' if the proposed transaction is deemed unlawful after defendants have integrated their operations, shared competitively sensitive confidential information and laid off staff."

The commission has argued Novant's acquisition of the hospitals would "irreversibly consolidate the market for hospital services in the Eastern Lake Norman Area in the northern suburbs of Charlotte." After hearing testimony, the judge said he believes the proposed merger "carries at least as much likelihood of competitive benefits as it does competitive harm and the FTC is unlikely to ultimately be successful in proving that the transaction may 'substantially lessen competition.'"

The FTC is seeking a ruling on its motion by noon on June 11.

Novant told Becker's in a statement, "The FTC's filing is a last-minute attempt, in a long line of attempts over the past year, to prevent this transaction from moving forward."

"The communities served by Lake Norman and Davis Regional Medical Centers are relying on us to restore the vital healthcare services they've lost  including neonatal intensive care and emergency services," the statement continued. "The federal judge's ruling was clear, and we plan to deliver on the commitments we've made for these hospitals."






Police confirmed an officer-involved shooting on the campus of UNC Health Johnston on June 10 that left one person dead, The News & Observer reported.

A Johnston County deputy fatally shot an individual outside the Clayton, N.C.-based hospital shortly before 6 a.m., city officials told the publication.

The Johnston County Sheriff's Office and Clayton Police Department immediately responded to the incident and secured the scene.

The shooting came "after an altercation" outside the 50-bed hospital, a spokesperson for UNC Health told Becker's. No hospital employees were harmed, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

"We are thankful that no hospital employees or patients were harmed and appreciate the rapid response by law enforcement," the spokesperson said. "All areas of the hospital are open. However, our security team is escorting all visitors and patients to their areas."



An investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to ABC affiliate WTVD.
On June 10, Moderna said its experimental combination vaccine for COVID-19 and influenza surpassed the efficacy of existing shots in a phase 3 trial.

The company is the first to announce positive late-stage results for a combo flu and COVID-19 vaccine, according to a news release from the drugmaker.

The ongoing phase 3 study is testing the investigational shot against Sanofi's flu shot, Fluzone HD, and Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax, among patients 65 and older. Another cohort of adults aged 50 to 64 are either receiving the vaccine candidate or GlaxoSmithKline's flu shot, Fluarix, and Spikevax.

In both age groups, the investigational vaccine produced "statistically significantly higher immune responses" against three flu virus strains and SARS-CoV-2 compared to the standard shots.

"Combination vaccines have the potential to reduce the burden of respiratory viruses on health systems and pharmacies, as well as offer people more convenient vaccination options that could improve compliance and provide stronger protection from seasonal illnesses," Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said in the release.

The drugmaker has previously said it plans to secure regulatory approval for the vaccine in 2025.
Teladoc has named Chuck Divita as its new CEO.

In addition to becoming CEO, Mr. Divita will also join Teladoc's board of directors, effective immediately, according to a June 10 press release from the virtual care company.

Prior to joining Teladoc, Mr. Divita served as executive vice president of commercial markets for GuideWell, an insurance holding company primarily focused on health insurance in Florida.

In that role, he oversaw $23 billion in revenue, according to the release.

Mr. Divita's appointment comes shortly after Teladoc Health's former CEO, Jason Gorevic, left the company abruptly back in April.
Portland-based Oregon Health & Science University told staff June 6 that it plans to lay off at least 500 employees, citing financial issues.

"Our expenses, including supplies and labor costs, continue to outpace increases in revenue," top leaders told staff in a message shared with Becker's. "Despite our efforts to increase our revenue, our financial position requires difficult choices about internal structures, workforce and programs to ensure that we achieve our state-mandated missions and thrive over the long term."

Willamette Week was first to report the news, which follows Oregon Health & Science University and Portland-based Legacy Health signing a binding, definitive agreement to come together as one health system under OHSU Health. OHSU Health would comprise 12 hospitals and, more than 32,000 employees and will be one of the largest providers of services to Medicaid members in Oregon.

An Oregon Health & Science University spokesperson told Becker's more information about the layoffs will be provided in the coming weeks.

In the June 6 message, leaders told staff that "while we work to address short-term financial challenges, we must also plan for an impactful and successful future. We understand that last week's announcement regarding the Legacy Health definitive agreement, while exciting and potentially transformational, raises questions about how we can afford the required investment in light of our financial situation."

They added that a capital investment in Legacy "represents a strategic expansion designed to enhance our capacity," and will be funded by borrowing with 30-year bonds.

"These capital dollars cannot be used to close gaps in our fiscal year 2025 OHSU budget or to pay our members. The OHSU Strategic Alignment and budgetary work would be necessary with or without the Legacy Health integration," leaders said.

OHSU has planned a town hall next week to further discuss the combination with Legacy.

Leaders said discussions between managers and members about workforce reductions will begin after the annual review and contract renewal process, with additional reductions occurring over the next few months.
Three spine surgeons discuss the best-kept secrets in their industry.

Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity.

Question: What is the best kept secret in the spine industry?

Joseph Ferguson, MD. MedStar Health (Washington, D.C.) I don't know if there's any big secrets out there. I think the best kept secret is just that tried and true methods are still out there, even though we're trying to revolutionize spine surgery in general. We tried minimally invasive, and now we're trying endoscopic. But the actual surgery itself  stabilization for instability or decompression for neurologic compression is the biggest thing that we have to take into account anytime we do a surgery. The methods may have changed, but the actual procedure and the actual goals of the surgery still need to be accomplished.

Brian Fiani, DO. Mendelson Kornblum Orthopedic & Spine Specialists (West Bloomfield, Mich.): The best kept secret in the spine industry is regenerative medicine. This innovative approach uses the body's own natural healing mechanisms to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. From treating degenerative spine disorders to traumatic injuries, regenerative medicine offers a promising alternative to surgery for many patients. Its potential to revolutionize healthcare is still being explored, but it's definitely something to keep an eye on!

William Taylor, MD. University of California San Diego Health: Although biased, I think the approach to lateral in the prone position and PTP is a significant step forward. I also continue to be surprised that we have not advanced our Intercal treatments to the point where they are in routine use.
The Lidl store is going to be built on this vacant site off Burn Road and Orritor Road in Cookstown. Credit: Google

The 1,658m2 Lidl complex will also include car-parking provision for 109 vehicles. Credit: Mid Ulster planning portal

The design of the approved building is typical of large Lidl retail units, and will not exceed adjacent buildings in height. Credit: Mid Ulster planning portal

A new Co Tyrone Lidl store has been given the green light as the supermarket celebrates 25 years in Northern Ireland.

Mid Ulster District Council approved the plans last week, which will see a disused building in Cookstown make way for the Lidl outlet.

The vacant site is located off Burn Road and Orritor Road in the town.

The company celebrated 25 years of business in NI last month, having opened its first NI store in Cookstown in 1999.

The redevelopment plans in the town, lodged by MBA Planning, Citylink Business Park, Belfast, on behalf of Lidl NI, also include car-parking provision, landscaping and associated site works.

Read more Lidl marks 25 years in NI with new stores as part of 150 million investment boost over three years

The site is largely vacant, as the planning officers report notes: The proposed site consists of the former Tesco retail unit and also the existing Cookstown Tyre Depot on Burn Road and Orritor Road.

There are also a pair of semi detached dwellings in the north west of the site  no. 49 and 47 Burn Road.

The proposal will involve the demolition of the existing disused former building, the demolition of the tyre repair depot and the pair of semi-detached dwellings to provide for a new Lidl supermarket, car parking and access road which will access off the existing mini-roundabout on Orritor Road.

It added: The design of the building is typical of large Lidl retail units, with significant glass frontage onto Orritor Road, silver cladding and rendered walls.

The building is approximately 7m high at the highest point. These design features (materials and scale) mean it will be in keeping with the existing buildings, notably the nearby Tesco and M&S stores which are of a similar design.

It comes after Lidl confirmed a 150m investment in Northern Ireland over the next three years with plans for four new stores.

The retailer made the announcement last month as part of its 25-year birthday celebrations and an announcement about expanding its presence across NI over the coming years.

Two new stores in Carryduff and on the Boucher Road are set to open this year, while planning applications are ongoing for another four stores in Bangor, Dungannon, Craigavon and Coleraine.

JP Scally, Chief Executive Officer of Lidl Ireland and NI, said the announcement about new stores marked the culmination of the companys work over the last two-and-a-half decades.

Since day one, our aim has always been to offer consumers the very best quality produce at market-leading value whilst operating sustainably and delivering tangible impacts for our customers, he said.

"It gives us real confidence to have gone from just 6.1% five years ago to 9.2% currently in market share.

"I'm very proud of the significant impacts we have delivered for the wider Northern Ireland economy and, importantly, our customers who continue to vote with their feet and chose Lild NI.
The Harland and Wolff cranes in east Belfast.

Workers at the historic Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast have voted in favour of industrial action.

The GMB union said members voted with a 98% majority after the company failed to make a pay offer for the year 2024/25.

Staff members are due to meet with H&W representatives on Tuesday afternoon.

In recent months, the union said internal disagreements within the Government were scaring workers after it was reported the shipyard could close  despite winning a 1.6bn Royal Navy contract.

It was reported in May that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was expected to block a 200m taxpayer-backed financial support package designed to keep the shipyard afloat.

It led to fears that without the package, the 162-year-old firm could collapse  but this was rubbished by Harland & Wolff in recent months.

A spokesperson said: Our application for a UKEF export development guarantee has not been rejected and the process is ongoing.

We will not comment further on inaccurate speculation.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the speculation was "wide of the mark" and said there was "strong support for the yard in London".

H&W has a current market value of 20m, and it has suffered well-publicised financial problems in the past. The firm's demise could see the contract to build Royal Navy vessels go to Cadiz in Spain.

Matt Roberts of the GMB union said members were concerned by the reports.

He added: The employer says their application for a UKEF export development guarantee has not been rejected and the process is ongoing.

Instead of inter-departmental warfare in the Tory government spilling out and scaring workers, we need unequivocal, joined-up support for our shipbuilding industry. All the promise of UK workshare on the order must be maintained in full, and ideally increased.

We will not stand by and accept any move to send further work out of the UK on this order."

H&W has been contacted for comment.
More than 15 branches of Barclays bank across England and Scotland have been vandalised by a campaign group called Palestine Action (Palestine Action/PA)

More than 15 branches of Barclays bank across England and Scotland have been vandalised by a campaign group called Palestine Action.

The sites had windows smashed and paint thrown as part of a protest calling on the bank to divest from arms companies that sell to Israel, as well as firms linked to fossil fuels.
A Lisburn production assistant has told of the surreal moment she was crowned Miss Great Britain Belfast and her plans to use the platform to showcase Northern Irelands film industry.

Stacey Burns (25) said she was honoured to receive the title at Belfasts Merchant Hotel on Sunday night.

I couldnt believe it, it was such a surreal moment, when my name was called out I couldnt believe it, she said.

Watch: Stacy Burns winning Miss Great Britain Belfast 2024

The production assistant who has worked on Blue Lights and Dungeon and Dragons said it was something she had always dreamed of.

I actually had it on my vision board  so it just shows you how positive manifestation works, she said.

Stacey is eager to use her platform to advertise Northern Irelands film and TV industry.

I really, really love it. I dont think people realise how strong the film and TV industry in Northern Ireland is  Hollywood keeps coming to us and our crews can keep up so it just shows what we are capable of, she said.

Stacey is set to compete in the Miss Great Britain final in Leicester this October.

Im so excited to represent my city on a global stage  I cant wait to go to Leicester to compete.

Ive never been to Miss Great Britain before  even as an audience member  so it will all be very new and exciting, she said.

Stacey eventually wants to open her own NI-based production company but for now, she is focusing on showing the Miss Great Britain judges how passionate she is about the industry.

The film and TV industry is my background so Im proud to be able to represent that and when Im in Leicester I can show off everything we have to offer here in Northern Ireland, she said.

Stacey Burns

Stacey hopes she can use her platform to show young people in Northern Ireland they dont have to emigrate to have a successful career in the media industry.

When I was younger I was told I wouldnt be able to do the career I wanted and stay in Northern Ireland.

They said You can go to England or America but I wanted to stay in Belfast and there is the jobs here for people who want them.

Young people dont have to go to London or Toronto or LA to have a successful career in film or TV and I want people to see that  I want to showcase how much talent and opportunities Northern Ireland has, she said.

Stacey is also passionate about raising awareness about period poverty.

As Miss Great Britain Belfast, Im going to continue to work with Menstruation Matters, they are a charity that have campaigned for a history-making law that means every government building in Northern Ireland will have free period products.

We are only the second country in the world to introduce this law and Menstruation Matters also works to get pads, tampons and underwear to women who need them so it is a really important cause that I plan to continue to support, she said.
We cant wait to get going

A production company co-founder who commissioned the hit Northern Ireland police drama Blue Lights and worked on Dublin-set Normal People is to open an office in Belfast.

Conker Pictures, co-founded by Tommy Bulfin and Kim Varvell, will launch its first base outside of London in July.

The company says its ambition is to make contemporary and original series, with global appeal.

It also intends to work with local talent in NI, including writers and behind-the-scenes staff.

Ms Varvell will relocate to Belfast as part of the move but will continue to co-head Conker alongside business partner Mr Bulfin, who worked at the BBC and was responsible for commissioning Blue Lights, which was set in Belfast.

He worked on several popular shows while with the BBC, including the Sally Rooney adaptation Normal People, period crime drama Peaky Blinders, police thriller Line of Duty and historical drama SAS Rogue Heroes.

Ms Varvell, before co-founding Conker, worked at Apple TV, where her credits include Hijack, starring Idris Elba, and Suspicion, starring Uma Thurman.

Prior to that, she developed the ITV drama Des, starring David Tennant, and oversaw ITVs White House Farm and Netflixs The Innocents.

She said: I am hugely excited to be relocating to Belfast and to be opening Conkers first regional office.

Professionally, the region is teeming with creativity, inspiring storytellers and incredible talent.

"Personally, I am going to be incredibly proud to call Belfast my home.

"We cant wait to get going and are grateful for the support and advice of NI Screen and the BBC in helping us make this move.

Mr Bulfin said: I have had the good fortune to work on many productions in Northern Ireland and I have always been blown away by the talent and professionalism on show there.

"Having a base in Belfast will allow Conker to really make roots in the region and nurture creative relationships.

"Northern Ireland is home to some of the very best crews and creative talent in the industry.

"I am very excited by the potential and know that Irish stories and talent will resonate worldwide.

Richard Williams, chief executive of NI Screen, said: As the TV/drama sector locally goes from strength to strength, we are delighted to welcome Conker Pictures to Northern Ireland, under the esteemed leadership of Tommy Bulfin and Kim Varvell.

"Their combined experience in commissioning high-profile dramas and their commitment to cultivating local talent will undoubtedly bolster opportunities for our local writers, talent, and crews.

Conker Pictures was founded in 2023 and is a label of the international production company Banijay.

Banijay was founded in France and is headquartered in Paris.
A Northern Ireland woman has told of her devastation after a delayed flight from Belfast International caused her to miss a much-anticipated Taylor Swift concert in Scotland.

Kathryn Gallagher (25), from Antrim, waited in the airport for seven hours on Sunday before she realised the delay would mean that shed miss the show.

I was devastated. Ive never been upset about something going wrong like that before, but I was just heartbroken, Ms Gallagher said.

Her 12.05pm journey to Edinburgh was delayed after a bird flew into the engine of the easyJet plane on its previous flight.

She added: I arrived at the airport at 11am and I didnt leave until 6pm.

Kathryn Gallagher

When her flight was delayed by just a few hours, she initially didnt mind. But as it dragged on, she realised she wasnt going to make it to the concert.

Ms Gallagher is now over 400 out of pocket when the cost of her gig tickets, hotel, flights and outfit are considered.

The tickets were 120, the hotel was 80, the flights cost 100 and then my outfit ended up being 140, she said.

Her friend had travelled to Edinburgh the day before with her mother, so Ms Gallagher decided to give her ticket to her friends mum so that they would still be able to enjoy the concert.

I was working until 2am the night before, so I couldnt go with them, she explained.

Tickets for Swifts Eras Tour are very expensive and hard to come by.

Many fans have missed out, but Kathryn was determined to go.

Ive been a fan since I was about 14, she said.

I just absolutely love her music. I remember listening to her on YouTube when I was revising for my GCSEs.

Having never seen her musical hero live, Ms Gallagher was desperate to go to the Eras Tour.

Securing tickets for the Edinburgh show proved to be quite the rollercoaster.

Taylor Swift performs at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on June 7. Photo: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Shed initially planned to go to one of the three Dublin shows later this month, but her hopes were dashed when the Ticketmaster window refreshed and her tickets were released.

It wasnt until I went over to Edinburgh, where I had studied, for a night out. My best friends brother had tickets, she said.

We were out for the night. We had Taylor Swift on and we were singing and dancing.

He messaged me the next morning, offering to sell me the tickets. He said he could tell how much it meant to me. It was like a dream come true.

Ms Gallagher says she is frustrated by easyJets response to the situation.

While she accepts that its not the airlines fault that a bird flew into the engine, she is still angry that they havent offered any compensation.

There are plenty of things that they could have done, she said.

Even if they gave me some sort of compensation, I could try to get a resale ticket with it.

A spokesperson for easyJet confirmed that none of the passengers would be given compensation because the flight was delayed due to extraordinary circumstances.

We are very sorry that flight EZY326 from Belfast to Edinburgh on Sunday was delayed. This was due to a bird strike on the aircrafts previous flight which meant the scheduled plane was unable to operate and so we flew an alternative aircraft in from Luton to operate the flight later in the day, they said.

We understand the disappointment this will have caused to customers and we always advise customers to have travel insurance in place to cover unforeseen issues.
Whorl - One of the exhibition overviews has a video projection of a waterfall running down the wall with two book sculptures and special lighting that looks like the dappled light of the trees above the sculpture. Photo credit: Andrzej Kramarz

Examples of book sculptures in their tree hosts before being transformed. Photo credit: Jacqueline Rush Lee

Meet the Northern Ireland ex-pat who makes unique sculptures out of books.

Jacqueline Rush Lee was born in Castlereagh, attended Dundonald Girls High School, and grew up in Balloo, Killinchy. Now she lives in what she describes as another green isle, far, far away.

Having taken up residence on the tropical shores of Hawaii during the 1990s, the artist and sculptor says elements of her Northern Irish background and heritage still find a way of popping up in her unusual work.

If you had asked me when I was younger where Id end up, I never would have thought it would be Hawaii, she says, speaking from her home in Oahu.

Examples of book sculptures in their tree hosts before being transformed. Photo credit: Jacqueline Rush Lee

My path to making art has been unconventional.

Jacqueline works primarily with repurposed books to construct sculptures by stacking, sewing and shaping pages in unusual forms.

The 59-year-old says she always wanted to travel and was fascinated by the US, particularly the Grand Canyon.

I then ended up travelling to Bermuda, where I met my husband and we got married there, she explained.

Hes from New York and his family on his fathers side were from Hawaii, so thats how we ended up here.

Jacqueline defines herself as a mixed-media artist, but her work has always focused on books. Her latest solo exhibition Whorl ran from April 5 to May 31 in Hilo, Hawaii.

Turning books into artwork is a complex, lengthy process.

More overviews of Jacqueline's solo exhibition Whorl

All of the book sculptures in Whorl have been transformed by nature, she explains. I create the initial book structures, place them in old tree wells or book branches, and leave them for anything from one to four years to be transformed.

I then display the residual objects after freezing them to get rid of any bugs.

Jacqueline added: The whole symbolism of a book is that youre transported in your mind, just by reading the text.

For me, I like using the book to engage the viewer visually, as opposed to using text.

Jacqueline says a lot of the books she collects are second-hand.

One book that I did artwork with, a Japanese owner had taped it lovingly together. And in the way it was taped, it looked like a spine, she said.

Jacqueline Rush Lees creations

I pick up on these different things and go with the energy of the book to transform it.

Its like a material philosophy; I think about things through making.

The intuitive investigations that I have  I usually sort of research further to try and understand why certain forms of materials pop up in my work.

The books for me investigate the unknown and the confounding. The way a book has a topic and the author creates a story; I like creating these books that speak on another level, where we are actually dealing with confounding things that we dont really understand.

Jacquelines process includes firing books in kilns to change them completely  a different method from just burning them.

She believes that over time, some themes and inspirations from Northern Ireland have also appeared in her work.

Growing up there, its just something thats always in your heart.

Theres a feeling to the island of Ireland because its so old and ancient. I have found that living in Hawaii, there are visual similarities to the geographic landscape.

Jacqueline Rush Lees creations

Because Im closer to Asia, I visit Japan a lot and have a real connection to it, which seems so strange to anybody knowing that I have an Irish background.

Jacqueline has also started working with gold leafing  a Japanese technique that uses gold leaf to recompose the fragments of broken objects.

The gold leaf also references the gold leafing found in devotional books in my collection and notably the iconic Book of Kells and the shrines and temples I visited in Kyoto, Japan, she continued.

Theres always something from our personal experiences and cultures that find a way to come out.
Holidaymakers have been urged to make sure they are covered for any disruption that might be caused to their trips after contracting a contagious disease.

Record numbers of whooping cough cases have been reported in a number of countries in recent months, including in Europe, the UK, US and Australia. Measles cases are also on the rise.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has warned that infants under six months old are at the highest risk of contracting whooping cough, which is also known as pertussis.

In the year to April, there have been nearly 60,000 cases in the EU, a more-than 10-fold increase on 2022 and 2021.

It is important to be insured as medical bills can quickly rise into the thousands of euro for people who fall ill on holiday. Photo: Getty

Peopl Insurance advised those travelling overseas this summer to make sure they are adequately covered for long-haul and cruise travel. Paul Walsh, a spokesman for Peopl Insurance, said one-third of all travel insurance claims to the company relate to medical expenses abroad.

In relation to the huge increase in whooping cough, he said it is important that travellers check their policy details to ensure they are adequately covered.

Mr Walsh said: Travel insurance will usually cover you if you contract a contagious or infectious disease  though it would be important to check the terms and conditions of your travel insurance around this, particularly in relation to vaccinations.

He said another third of claims relate to cancellations prior to travel due to illness.

In this instance, good cancellation and curtailment cover is important in case an illness either precludes you from travelling or forces you to cut short your trip.

Mr Walsh urged those embarking on long-haul trips to have good travel cover for missed connecting flights as well as for any medical expenses incurred if they become sick or injured abroad. The bill for medical expenses in some international countries could run into the tens of thousands..., so having strong cover is a must.

Recent figures show that holidaymakers from the UK and Ireland took 35% more cruise holidays last year than in 2022. However, standard travel insurance might not cover people in full if they are going on a cruise.

Peopl Insurance also urged holidaymakers to check their cover for extreme weather events, protests and civil unrest, strikes and travel delays.
Man accused of choking partner who used to be his stepmum in fit of jealousy not safe to be released, judge rules
A south Belfast man who fractured a mans jaw and cheekbone after beating him unconscious on a busy city centre street in broad daylight has been sentenced to four years.

Ordering Tiernan Johnston (20) to serve half his sentence in custody and half under supervised licence conditions, Judge Mark McGarrity described the incident as an example of wanton thuggery and an attack which involved an assault which was sustained and vicious.
Controversial priest Pat Buckley took in a convicted paedophile to live with him, later parading the sex offender at a fundraising event.

The self-styled bishop, who was ex-communicated from the Catholic Church and passed away last month, gained a reputation as a rebel, holding wedding ceremonies at his house in Larne for divorcees and members of the LGBTQ community.
A young man who passed away after getting into difficulties in Craigavon Lakes has been named as Jamie Murray, who was local to the area.

A death notice for the 22-year-old reads that he was the dearly beloved son of Deirdre and Jason Murray loving daddy of Sophia, and loving partner of Teri, much loved brother of Patrice, Dylan, Charlie and Niall, loving uncle to Fionnbhar, Eabhan, Ruadhan, Cian, Theo and Brodie.

Police reported that a man had entered the water in the Lake Road area of Craigavon shortly after 6pm on Saturday evening and encountered difficulties.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

It comes after a concern for safety report was made to officers.

Locator: Lake Road - Craigavon

A multi-agency search operation was launched involving the PSNI, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, and community search and rescue volunteers.

Mr Murrays funeral will take place on Wednesday, arriving at St Paul's Church in Lurgan for 10am Requiem Mass, followed by his interment afterwards in St Colman's Cemetery.

Tributes to the young Co Armagh man have been pouring in online since his passing, with one friend referring to him as Big Jambo and stating that not a day will go by [in which] I won't think of you.

The father-of-one was also a talented amateur boxer, with his mother stating that he was her champ.

A PSNI spokesperson said: "Enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the man's death are ongoing, and a post-mortem will take place in due course, however at present the death is not believed to be suspicious.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased."

Sinn Fein councillor Catherine Nelson expressed condolences with the mans family.

The community is shocked and saddened to learn that a man tragically lost his life in Craigavon on Saturday, she said.

My first thoughts and condolences are with this mans family and friends at this very sad and difficult time.

I would also like to pay tribute to the emergency services for all their efforts.
Belfast councillors have complained about the pace of the alley gates scheme across the city, with some residents waiting for almost two years for gates after short-listing.

At the most recent monthly meeting of the full council, elected representatives criticised the speed of the latest stage of the scheme, known as Phase 5.

The council agenda included limited minutes of a behind-closed-doors restricted committee session on the consultation for Phase 5 of the alley gate scheme.

The minutes state: The notice of intention for those streets meeting the threshold in Phase 5a had been advertised on 9th February for the required period of 30 days for representations and objections to be logged.

They add that the objections received had been reviewed with legal services and the advice was that the council was not required to conduct a local enquiry and officers were recommending that the proposed gating order be enacted.

In February, the council allocated 500,000 to install new alley gates at locations across the city in order to reduce anti-social behaviour, burglaries and the fear of crime among residents.

However, some have questioned the time lapse between approval and erection of gates as well as the time taken between the February batch and moves towards the next round of alley gates.

The minutes state: Following a query, the Director advised that the work to evaluate the alley gate programme would be progressing later in the year. He advised that the canvassers for Phase 5b had been recruited and those residents within the nominated areas would be given the opportunity to complete a hard copy questionnaire and return it in a Freepost envelope.

In addition, notification would be given that the canvassers would be visiting each household to complete surveys, should a form not be registered from that household. As previously requested, canvassers would contact those elected representatives who had expressed an interest in promoting the consultation.

At the full council meeting this week, Sinn Fein councillor Claire Canavan said: It is unfortunate that it is taking longer than anticipated. I dont recall any alley gate phase taking this long.

The process has been tweaked a little as it didnt work and hopefully lessons can be learned from this. I know canvassers will now call out to residents to complete surveys  that was something that was agreed as far back as late last year.

I was disappointed to learn recently that the council could only get one canvasser to go door to door. People turned up and decided that the role wasnt for them even though there was a job description that outlined the role and what it involved.

We have one canvasser to cover north, south, east and west, that is going to add to the delay, which is concerning.

She said: It is good to hear there was a healthy reply from the recent consultation forms that were sent out to residents with a freepost envelope. To be honest that should have been done from the start rather than sending out a letter with a QR code.

I would ask officers to continue to liaise with those representatives in relation to those streets that are still well below the threshold, so that we can do all we can to move the process along and get the remainder of the gates erected ASAP.

After all, these gates are being erected to offer extra (protection) against antisocial behaviour so the sooner the better.

SDLP councillor Gary McKeown told the chamber: I too have concerns about the length of time it has taken to undertake and conclude this process. It was August two years ago that in South Belfast we short-listed the location of gates we were approving to go forward. And yet the communities are still waiting. There is a degree of frustration.

Aside from the fact these are designed to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour, there is also a reputational risk for the council, that we are going to do something, and then we dont do it for a very long time. This is the case over and over.

I know for example there was money set aside at DfI (the Department for Infrastructure) when the SDLP Minister was there for improving entries, that was to go in parallel with the work being done on this. I dont know what has happened to that.

DUP councillor Dean McCullough said: I appreciate (council) officers are stretched and resources are under pressure, but this comes back to the point that alley gates are part of our core business. They are one of the initiatives that should be at the forefront of this council.

The committee minutes also refer to new alley gates being erected in the city centre, off Dublin Road, due to drug issues. The minutes state: The Members noted that a request had been received from the Department for Infrastructure and Linen Quarter BID seeking to include Ventry Lane within the additional consultation areas.

(The director) advised that funding had been secured to include an additional gate within the gating programme. The Department for Infrastructure had agreed in principle to the proposal and the PCSP (Policing and Community Partnership ) had been supportive of the initiative due to the high levels of drug related incidents at this location.

The Committee approved the enacting of the legislation and agreed to the inclusion of an additional self-funded street within the Phase 5b consultation.

The minutes add: Canvassers for Phase 5b have been recruited and those residents within the nominated areas will be given the opportunity to complete a hard copy questionnaire and return it in a freepost envelope.
Around 80,000 people in Northern Ireland are now classed as homeless, a leading charity has said, warning drastic action needs to be taken urgently to tackle the problem.

Jim Dennison of Simon Community said the number of homeless people here roughly matches the population of Derry.

Mr Dennison was speaking at an event on homelessness in Belfast today.

Simon Community has estimated that around 80,000 people here are currently experiencing homelessness, including 25,000 who are not engaging with statutory bodies and therefore not listed in official statistics.

NI homeless problem is "huge", says Simon Community

Those experiencing homelessness are based right across Northern Ireland, so its hard to quantify, but if you brought all these people together into one place it would be the seventh-largest town in Northern Ireland, Mr Dennison said.

We need investment to tackle the problem, but we also need to look at how we approach housing.

Weve presided over a dysfunctional housing system and kept doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. We havent put housing front and centre in any programme for the government.

We need to look at the structure of the Housing Executive and see if there are ways of allowing it to borrow and invest.

This is also a poverty issue. We need to look at the affordability of private sector rents. Then theres the amount of buildings across Northern Ireland that are lying empty. We need to look at retrofitting or refurbishing them so that theyre habitable and can be used to house people.

Justin Love (23) recently entered a Simon Community hostel in Lisburn after becoming homeless due to a family relationship breakdown.

He initially stayed with his sister, however could not continue due to a lack of space. For months he was asking friends if he could stay with them, or going to house parties just so he would have a sofa to sleep on. This led to him developing drug and alcohol issues.

Because of everything that was happening my head wasnt right and I finally decided that enough was enough, Justin said.

I first went into a hostel in Belfast, but after three days you have to apply to stay again and I was scared of losing my bed. Then the Simon Community got me a place at their hostel in Lisburn, which is great because my sister lives in the town.

The people at Simon Community do care about you. Theyre helping me deal with my problems and have got me signed up with a GP. I havent had a GP in about six years.

Hopefully Ill eventually get a job and my own place to live. Compared to where I was five months ago Im in a much better place.

Research carried out for the Simon Community found that 5% of those surveyed reported themselves or a close family member as having slept in a car or work van due to becoming homeless.

Some 3% reported having to stay in a tent or caravan, while 2% had slept at the workplace and 2% at a bus station.

Loss of private rented accommodation was the most common reason cited for becoming homeless, with 37% of respondents having experienced this. Other reasons cited included loss of employment and coming out of an institution, such as hospital or prison.
One politician is turning heads on the campaign trail. Mark H Durkan may not be standing for election, but he would surely get many peoples vote in the style stakes.
A Boeing 767 aircraft at MoD Boscombe Down, near Salisbury, which was believed to be the plane set to take asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda in June 2022 (PA)

Asylum seekers have been removed from Rwanda and transferred to countries where they may be at risk as recently as this year, the High Court has been told.

Several individual asylum seekers are bringing legal action against the Home Office over removals to Rwanda, with some claims to be heard at a hearing in early July.

They include a woman bringing a case against the department, who has been told she is in the first cohort of people to be removed on the first flight to the east African country, on July 24.

At a preliminary hearing on Monday, the UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, made a successful bid to intervene in the legal challenge.

The High Court in London was told that asylum seekers in Rwanda are at risk of refoulement  the process of transferring asylum seekers and refugees to a country where they face persecution  from the Rwandan authorities.

Lawrence Bottinick, on behalf of the UN body, said in a witness statement: UNHCR is aware of repeated incidents of refoulement from Rwanda and denial of access to the asylum procedure to asylum seekers in Rwanda subsequent to 27 July 2022.

These incidents have occurred in a variety of contexts and continued into 2024.

Mark Vinall, for the Home Office, said in written submissions that the department was neutral on whether UNHCR should intervene in the case.

He continued: It is not clear from the application whether these are allegations which have previously been put to the UK Government, or whether UNHCR sought to ensure that they were placed before Parliament when it came to consider the Safety of Rwanda Bill.

It is essential that the defendant has a fair opportunity to investigate whatever allegations UNHCR may make, including seeking the government of Rwandas side of the story should that be necessary, and to respond to them, in advance of the hearing.

Mondays hearing comes after a separate legal challenge over Rwanda removals was heard on June 6.

The FDA trade union, which represents senior civil servants, is bringing legal action over the relationship of the Civil Service Code with the Governments Safety of Rwanda Act.

Mr Justice Chamberlain will give his decision on the FDA unions challenge in writing at a later date.
Two of the Household Cavalry horses on the loose bolting through the London in April (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

An animal rights group has urged the Army to withdraw three military horses, who were injured after bolting through central London, from the Trooping the Colour ceremony, saying they should be retired from duty.

The animals  Trojan, Tennyson and Vanquish  are back on service following the incident in April and are now expected to take part in the Kings Birthday Parade on Saturday, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) confirmed.

But Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has written to the regiments commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mathew Woodward, warning that letting the horses perform in front of the crowds at Trooping is a risk to both the animals and the publics safety.

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The group said the trio, and two other injured horses  Vida and Quaker  which are still recuperating in the country, should be retired permanently.

Two horses bolted after being spooked by rubble being dropped through a plastic tunnel while on an exercise in Belgravia on April 24, with Vida seen galloping through the streets covered in blood.

Four service personnel were thrown from their horses and five of the animals got loose, smashing into vehicles and causing a number of injuries.

The King during last years Trooping the Colour ceremony (Aaron Chown/PA)

Kate Werner, Petas senior campaigns manager, wrote: Clearly, these horses are easily agitated and sensitive to noise.

Forcing them to perform at a crowded event marked by drums and a 41-gun salute would place them and the public at risk.

The whole world was rightly shocked to see images of scared, blood-soaked horses running through the streets of London after getting spooked during Aprils failed exercise.

Crowds watching members of the Household Division during the Trooping the Colour ceremony in 2023 (Aaron Chown/PA)

New photos of Vida and Quaker recuperating and enjoying their time in an open pasture showed they were feeling individuals, not military equipment, Werner said.

Werner argued animals were no longer a necessary part of the military.

Tradition is never an excuse for animal suffering, and each horse deserves to live free from the stress they endure when paraded through a busy, loud capital city with a human on their back, all for the amusement of noisy, unpredictable crowds, the letter read.

The royal family on the balcony after Trooping the Colour (Victoria Jones/PA)

At Trooping the Colour, a major fixture in the royal calendar, the Kings Colour will be trooped by Number 9 Company, Irish Guards in an annual celebration of the monarchs official birthday.

The event draws huge crowds and traditionally involves the royal family gathering on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after a display of pomp and military pageantry on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.

The King, who is being treated for cancer, will inspect the soldiers from a carriage rather than on horseback this year.
At least nine people were killed (AP)

At least nine people have died after suspected militants in Indian-controlled Kashmirs Jammu province opened fire at a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims which fell into a deep gorge, officials said.

The vehicle was carrying pilgrims to the base camp of the famed Hindu temple Mata Vaishno Devi when it came under attack in the regions Reasi district, senior administrative officer Vishesh Mahajan said.

A police officer said some of the victims had gunshot wounds and blamed the attack on Muslim militants who are fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir.

No-one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which also left 33 others injured.

The bus was fired at by suspected militants in Jammu, Kashmir (AP)

Rebel groups have been fighting since 1989 for Kashmirs independence or a merger with neighbouring Pakistan.

Most Muslim Kashmiris support the rebel goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.

New Delhi insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the charge, and most Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle.

Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict.

Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety.
The Australian PM urged people on both sides of the debate to turn the heat down (AP)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged activists on both sides of the Israel-Palestinian debate to turn the heat down after the US consulate in Sydney was vandalised.

CCTV footage showed a person wearing a dark hoodie using a small sledgehammer to smash nine holes in the reinforced glass windows of the building in North Sydney after 3am local time (6pm on Sunday BST), a police statement said.

Two inverted red triangles, seen by many as a symbol of Palestinian resistance, were also painted on the front of the building.

Mr Albanese urged people to have respectful political debate and discourse.

People are traumatised by what is going on in the Middle East, particularly those with relatives in either Israel or in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, Mr Albanese told reporters.

A suspect is believed to have smashed nine holes in the reinforced glass windows of the building in North Sydney (AP)

And I just say, again, reiterate my call to turn the heat down and measures such as painting the US consulate do nothing to advance the cause of those who have committed what is, of course, a crime to damage property.

The consulate was closed on Monday because of a public holiday in New South Wales state but will reopen on Tuesday, a consulate statement said.

New South Wales premier Chris Minns said an overwhelming majority of Australians did not approve of such vandalism.

We can make our point in this country without resorting to violence or malicious behaviour, Mr Minns said.

The consulate was sprayed with graffiti in April, including the words Freee (sic) Gaza.

The US consulate in Melbourne was vandalised by pro-Palestinian activists on May 31.
Dismal results for Germanys governing parties in the European Parliament election have dented Chancellor Olaf Scholzs authority and could prompt even more of the infighting that just cost the government dearly.

A clear win for Germanys mainstream conservative opposition boosted its confidence as the country begins to look ahead to a national election expected in the autumn of 2025, but raises questions about why it is not benefiting more from the unpopularity of Mr Scholzs government.

And a second-place finish for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), despite scandals and setbacks, underlines its enduring appeal to many unsettled voters and its strength in the formerly communist east  where it emerged as the strongest party and hopes to win three state elections in September.

The defeat of the three parties in Mr Scholzs unpopular coalition really wasnt surprising, but the level theyve dropped to is quite shocking for a governing coalition, said Andrea Rommele, a political science professor at the Hertie School in Berlin.

Mr Scholzs Social Democrats, the environmentalist Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats secured less than a third of the vote.

Germany is beginning to look ahead to national elections in 2025 (AP)

The Chancellors party polled only 13.9%, its worst post-war showing in a nationwide vote, while the Greens crashed to 11.9% from a peak of 20.5% five years ago. All were significantly below their performance in Germanys 2021 national election.

Mr Scholzs coalition government set out to modernise Germany but has gained a reputation for constant discord and poor communication as the economy struggles to generate growth.

The coalition partners argued throughout the campaign about how to put together a 2025 budget while adhering to Germanys tight self-imposed rules on running up debt.

SPD co-chairman Lars Klingbeil, right, gives flowers to top candidate Katarina Barley, centre (AP)

That problem already forced a hasty, court-mandated rehash of the 2024 budget, complete with subsidy cuts that prompted protests by farmers.

The sense in Germany at the moment is that the current government is not getting things done, Ms Rommele said.

I do think they are getting things done, not all of them but quite a number of them, but they have to communicate that properly  and they have to stop having these internal coalition fights.

Chances of that do not look good. The Social Democrats co-leader, Lars Klingbeil, said on Sunday night that our people want to see us fight for its priorities.

Mr Scholz had been front and centre for his partys campaign (AP)

The partys general secretary, Kevin Kuhnert, told Phoenix television that, with the cabinet due to present a draft budget within weeks, it isnt plausible that everything will get quieter tomorrow if all just pull themselves together.

Opposition leader Friedrich Merz celebrated his Union blocs win and described the outcome as a serious defeat for the Chancellor, who was on posters across the country.

Fellow conservatives suggested that Mr Scholz should call a parliamentary confidence vote or that new elections might be needed  suggestions the governing parties dismissed.

He went all-in in this campaign  so it is also his loss, Ms Rommele said.

Mr Scholzs Social Democrats, the environmentalist Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats secured less than a third of the vote (dpa via AP)

But despite some recent talk of a possibility of the Social Democrats replacing Mr Scholz with the more popular defence minister Boris Pistorius as its candidate for the next election, Olaf Scholz would need to step aside, and I simply do not see that, be there pressure or not, she added.

AfD celebrated its showing of 15.9% despite a series of setbacks this year that included the party sidelining its top two candidates from the election campaign due to scandals and being kicked out of its hard-right group in the European Parliament.

Party co-leader Tino Chrupalla said, we are used to headwind and so it just makes us stronger.

People have anxieties. They have anxieties about their future; they have anxieties about not earning enough, about not making enough, about having too many migrants and asylum seekers in their cities, Ms Rommele said. And thats something that the AfD appeals to.
How did people do such cruel things to other human beings in the name of the IRA or UVF?

Believe it or not, a man I got to know shortly after coming to Dublin confessed that he had once gone to Belfast and opened fire on a group of people waiting for a bus.

I often wonder why he decided to tell me. Perhaps he had just made it up and was trying to impress me, or shock me, as I was in my teens at the time, having just arrived from Co Antrim to pursue my career in journalism.

If, however, it was true  and I felt it was  could it be that having nursed the terrible secret for many years, he felt better getting it off his chest?

Perhaps, but I dont think he was having a twinge of conscience. It has been my experience since then that people who commit wanton acts of violence seldom, if ever, express regret.

During the Troubles I covered many cases in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin, including the trials of those accused of killing Senator Billy Fox, Lord Mountbatten, Detective Garda Seamus Quaid, Detective Garda John Morley, Garda Henry Byrne, and Sergeant Patrick Morrissey to name but a few. I remember some of the accused throwing a handful of coins at the judges to show their contempt for the non-jury court.

And even when they were found guilty they never expressed remorse for the terrible things they had done.

Following the murder of Sgt Morrissey I watched gardai chasing his killers through the cornfields of Co Louth. The sergeant, who was unarmed, had followed two men after they robbed the Labour Exchange in Ardee. However, he was shot in the leg and when he was on his knees one of the raiders shot him in the eye at point-blank range. I described it at the time as an execution. How anyone could do such a thing was beyond my comprehension.

Sgt Patrick Morrissey was shot dead

Some of these things were also beyond the comprehension of kidnap victim John OGrady. Following the trial of Dessie OHare for the kidnapping, John and I served on judging panels for awards in the security industry and I got to know him quite well.

At one of those functions he asked me out of the blue, in an almost innocent kind of way, what paramilitaries were like. It was a strange question coming from a man who had looked his kidnapper in the eye as he chopped his two small fingers off at the knuckle with a chisel. It was almost as if he was trying to look into the minds of such people, trying to understand how they could do such cruel things to other human beings while claiming to be members of the IRA or INLA fighting for a united Ireland.

Carnage was caused by car bombs on both sides of the conflict, but even when it was on the scale of the Dublin-Monaghan and Omagh bombings, and included mothers and their unborn babies, few if any of the perpetrators ever had the courage to step forward, admit responsibility and say they were sorry.

One particular car bombing I covered early on in the Troubles could have caused multiple casualties. However, it claimed the life of just one person and I will never forget it as she was a young woman who had reached a very special moment in her life.

Instead of being married, Kathleen was buried in her wedding dress

It took place on December 14, 1972, in the village of Killeter in Co Tyrone, not far from the border with Co Donegal.

Nineteen-year-old Kathleen Dolan left the family pub to post her wedding invitations in the post box across the street unaware that a car bomb had been left outside the door of the pub.

As her sister Siobhan later recalled, My three younger brothers and I were in a bedroom upstairs. I will never forget how, as we prayed together, a loud bang ripped through the room. We pulled the bed clothes over our heads and then there was another unmerciful explosion.

Little did they know the car bomb had exploded just as Kathleen was coming back across the street, killing her instantly. Instead of being married, Kathleen was buried in her wedding dress.

The bomb was believed to have been detonated by the UVF in retaliation for the killing of an off-duty UDR man in the village earlier that month. Whoever was responsible, I doubt if they ever shed a tear for Kathleen or her family.

The UDR man was 27-year-old William Bogle. He was waiting in his car outside the post office with his three young children while his wife was shopping nearby.

I was so dumbfounded I couldnt reply

Interviewed about that terrible day, his son Gary  only two-and-a-half at the time of the incident  said that, according to his mother, their father got out of the car when he saw the gunmen approaching. He drew the focus away from us, said Gary but sadly lost his life in doing so.

I doubt if the IRA killers ever shed a tear for him or his family either.

What then of the man who confessed to me that he had shot at people in Belfast?

When I came to work in Dublin, he was among those who extended the hand of friendship to me. In his mid-50s, he was a deep thinker and confided in me that he hoped one day to write a book.

It must be said that quite a few people I got to know had what was known as a book under the bed, in other words one they planned to write but never got around to doing so.

In any event, he invited me to go fishing with him and when the day came, we went to a small river in Co Meath. I had no experience of fishing, so he cast my line into the river for me.

Like many other men of that generation he smoked a pipe, and while he sat on the bank and lit up, I lay down and began reading Ulysses. It was then he said to himself as much as to me that he had once gone to Belfast and opened fire into a group of people queueing for a bus.

I was so dumbfounded I couldnt reply. Then he wondered, again in an abstract kind of way, what had happened to them. I assumed he was wondering if he had killed or seriously injured any of them. But he said no more.

To this day I wonder if what he said was true, and if so, where and when it might have occurred.

Somehow, I dont think it would have been during the IRA Border campaign of the 1950s, or their campaign in Belfast in the 1940s. However, sectarian violence claimed many lives in Belfast between 1920 and 1922, during the War of Independence. My fishing companion would have been 18 to 20 at that time. Could he have done it then?

I could have asked him, of course, but naive as I was, the moment passed, and I didnt. And I never went fishing with him again.

Tom McCaughren was security correspondent with RTE for 22 years
Van Morrison and Gerald Dawe the best of east Belfast

Death of poet and release of new album put former Orangefield Boys Secondary School in spotlight

Van Morrison (Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images)

Ivan Little Mon 10 Jun 2024 at 10:40

The imminent arrival of a new Van Morrison album and the death of the acclaimed poet Gerald Dawe shone a strange spotlight on the former Orangefield Boys Secondary School in east Belfast last week.
The latest femicide happened in Bangor last week

Northern Ireland has one of the worst rates of femicide in Europe

Patsy Aust (81) was found dead in her home in Bangor last week . Her brother has been charged with murder.

Kathryn Parton (34) was found dead in east Belfast in May. Her partner has been charged with her murder.

In December last year, 30-year-old Caoimhe Morgan was murdered. Her partner has been sentenced to at least 17 years in jail.

These names are just three on a list of 20 women who have been murdered or allegedly murdered in Northern Ireland since 2020.

According to a study by Eurostat, Northern Ireland has the third highest femicide rate in Europe.

Compared to the rest of the UK, women are twice as likely to be murdered in NI as a result of domestic violence.

Do we have a particular problem?

Has it always been this way?

Are there early warning signs?

Read more Tougher sentences needed to tackle rise of female murders

Ciaran Dunbar is joined by Sarah Mason, CEO from Women's Aid, with Women's Aid, and Karen Devlin, membership and policy at Women's Aid.
I will live, laugh and love in the time I have left: Former high jump champ on her battle with motor neurone disease

Debbie Marrs organising charity dinner with Lady Mary Peters after being inspired by rugby legend Rob Burrows bravery in face of disease

Debbie and Lady Mary

Stephanie Bell Mon 10 Jun 2024 at 11:00







As the sporting world mourns the death of ex-rugby player Rob Burrow to motor neurone disease (MND), a former Northern Ireland athlete living with the devastating condition is doing her bit to raise awareness and funds for research.
NI couple on their adoption journey: 'You have to be 100% committed or its not going to work'
National Commission on Human Rights Chairwoman Atnike Nova Sigiro speaks to reporters during the release of Komnas HAMs 2023 annual report in Jakarta, June 10, 2024.

Indonesias National Human Rights Commission expressed serious concern Monday about alleged violations associated with major infrastructure projects, including construction of a new capital, as the outgoing president accelerated development under his vision for economic growth.

In a report, the commission (Komnas HAM) said it had documented at least 1,675 cases of human rights abuses during the past three years, largely stemming from land disputes, environmental damage, and the displacement of local communities, including at the Borneo site for the nations future capital.

There are human rights violations against the right to welfare, the right to justice and arbitrary actions by authorities, Komnas HAM Commissioner Hari Kurniawan told BenarNews.

Hari said at least 535 cases of rights violations had occurred in the new capital city, Nusantara, and several national strategic projects between 2022 and 2024.

Komnas HAM has already formed an integrated team to handle human rights cases in the new capital, Hari said.

The commission did not list figures from the previous three-year period for comparison.

In addition to the Nusantara project in East Kalimantan province, Komnas HAM also highlighted rights violations in national strategic projects including Air Bangis in West Sumatra, Rempang Eco City in the Riau Islands, and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway Project.

Komnas HAM facilitates public complaints, particularly regarding the right to welfare, as they intersect with corporate activities investing in the new capital and national strategic projects areas, said the report by Komnas HAM, an independent body set up through a presidential decree and tasked with promoting, protecting and enforcing human rights.

The commission also criticized the governments nickel downstream program, which removed human rights and environmental regulations around the industry for in-country processing of the metal before it is exported overseas.

In fact, in nickel epicenters like Sulawesi and Maluku, the percentage of poor residents has increased while poverty rates in other regions have dropped, said the report released in Bahasa Indonesia.

Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo (center) inspects the venue that will be used to celebrate the nations 79th Independence Day, at the future capital city of Nusantara in East Kalimantan province, June 5, 2024. [Indonesian Presidential Palace/handout/AFP]

Rumadi Ahmad, the deputy in charge of human rights at the Presidential Staff Office, said the government would investigate to determine if Komnas HAMs report was merely based on public complaints or if legitimate rights violations had been found.

Indonesia has instruments for prevention of such abuses, including a presidential regulation on the strategic business and human rights plan, he said.

Komnas HAM also has similar guidelines in the form of standards, norms, and regulations, Rumadi told BenarNews.

With regard to law enforcement, Rumadi said authorities had begun to implement guidelines that recognize environmental activists and indigenous communities as human rights defenders who must be protected.

Nusantara concerns

On Monday, the Indonesian Audit Board (BPK), another independent agency, reported that it found several concerns regarding the Nusantara project.

It said one of the issues is the inadequate preparation for development, particularly regarding the land needed for the new capitals infrastructure.

BPK discovered that about 40% of nearly 90,000 acres of land needed for the project are not controlled by the government. The certification process for five areas acquired through land procurement has not been completed.

In March, a coalition of civil society members and organizations in East Kalimantan criticized the New Capital City Authority for forcing about 200 residents of Sepaku district to demolish their homes, claiming the houses violated regional spatial plans and were built only after the new capital project began.

The coalition called a seven-day deadline given to the people living about three miles from the new capitals State Palace too short. Its members also questioned the timing because this occurred during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Residents who received notices denied the authoritys allegation that they had built illegal structures, and claimed they had lived in their homes for decades. They also said they had not received clear information about compensation for their lost structures.

Jokowis projects

President Joko Jokowi Widodo, who leaves office in October, established the national strategic projects (PSN) to promote growth and equitable welfare, which in principle would allow all Indonesians to reap economic benefits.

The projects included in PSN encompass the development of road infrastructure, railway facilities, airports, ports, housing, oil refineries, smelters and tourist areas, according to Katadata, described as Indonesias leading economic and data media outlet.

Data from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs shows the government has completed 195 PSN projects from 2016 to February 2024.

Members of the Awyu and Moi indigenous tribes perform rituals in front of the Indonesian Supreme Court building in Jakarta during a protest with environmental activists calling on the justices to revoke permits of palm oil companies set to operate on Papuan land, May 27, 2024. [Bay Ismoyo/AFP]

Airlangga Hartanto, coordinating minister for Economic Affairs, said those projects were built with a total budget of 1.5 quadrillion rupiah (U.S. $93.2 billion).

He said the government aimed to complete a total of 41 national strategic projects by the end of 2024.

Meanwhile, Arip Yogiawan said violations in the new capital city and national strategic projects indicate that their development prioritizes investment over human rights.

Arip, who heads campaign and public engagement at Trend Asia, an organization dealing with environmental and sustainable energy issues, said such projects should include a focus on human rights.

This needs to be a reference since development has the potential to change the landscape and displace people, which impacts the lives of affected residents, Arip told BenarNews.

Nazarudin Latif in Jakarta contributed to this report.
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BENNINGTON  A long-running outdoor sculpture show opens with a party of art, hot dogs and PBR.

From 4 to 8 p.m. June 29, the 27th North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show will open with a celebration at Vermont Arts Exchange, 48 Main St. There will be sculptures, live music by The Ransom Notes and The Velvet Wave, and food by Corner of India as well as the hot dogs.

Joe Chirchirillo curates the show.

This year, the Better Bennington Corporation (BBC), the designated downtown organization, with support from the Town of Bennington, is collaborating with the North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show to bring captivating sculptures to Downtown Bennington, enriching the local cultural scene and creating an engaging artistic environment for residents and visitors alike.

NBOSS has been the longest-running outdoor sculpture show in Southern Vermont. With this exciting partnership, NBOSS will now extend its reach to Downtown Bennington, primarily featuring installations around the Downtown RiverWalk.

Chirchirillo is curating this years show for the 12th consecutive year, and Jamie Franklin, Bennington Museum curator, will be organizing NBOSS at the Museum for the fifth year of this partnership, and the Better Bennington Corporation Design Committee will be coordinating the first phase of public art projects getting installed around Downtown Bennington.

This expansion represents a significant milestone for the Better Bennington Corporation and the sculpture show because it reflects their commitment to fostering public engagement with art across diverse community spaces. The addition of Downtown Bennington as a site for sculpture installations opens new avenues for cultural exploration and reinforces the region's reputation as a hub for artistic expression.

Jeanne Mintrone, executive director of the Better Bennington Corporation, has expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration:

"We're thrilled to introduce public art to Downtown Bennington, enhancing its vibrancy and allure. This initiative underscores our dedication to celebrating the arts and further distinguishes Downtown Bennington as a destination for creativity and cultural enrichment."

For more information about NBOSS, visit NbossVT.com.
People enjoy 3-day holiday of Dragon Boat Festival across China

Xinhua) 11:20, June 10, 2024

Tourists enjoy the face-changing performance of Sichuan Opera in Neijiang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 9, 2024. People enjoy the 3-day holiday of the Dragon Boat Festival, also called Duanwu Festival, which falls on June 10 this year, via various activities across the country. (Photo by Tang Mingrun/Xinhua)

Children play at a water park in Tengzhou, east China's Shandong Province, June 9, 2024. People enjoy the 3-day holiday of the Dragon Boat Festival, also called Duanwu Festival, which falls on June 10 this year, via various activities across the country. (Photo by Li Zhijun/Xinhua)

Tourists visit the Xuan paper cultural park in Jingxian County, east China's Anhui Province, June 9, 2024. People enjoy the 3-day holiday of the Dragon Boat Festival, also called Duanwu Festival, which falls on June 10 this year, via various activities across the country. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Children visit Chongqing Natural History Museum in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, June 9, 2024. People enjoy the 3-day holiday of the Dragon Boat Festival, also called Duanwu Festival, which falls on June 10 this year, via various activities across the country. (Photo by Qin Tingfu/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 9, 2024 shows people having fun at the Fantawild Adventure in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. People enjoy the 3-day holiday of the Dragon Boat Festival, also called Duanwu Festival, which falls on June 10 this year, via various activities across the country. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
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LEE  The owner of a nursing home off Laurel Street has to increase staffing levels and pay $4 million to settle allegations by the state Attorney Generals Office of deliberate understaffing that led to resident neglect.

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbells office, in a release issued Monday, said the settlement with Next Step Healthcare LLC, came after a years-long investigation and is the largest nursing home settlement reached by the AGs office.

For years, Next Step prioritized profit over care by failing to adequately staff its nursing homes, Campbell said. I am proud of my teams efforts in securing this settlement, the largest of its kind, which will send a message that this conduct will not be tolerated and ensure that Next Steps facilities comply with staffing requirements moving forward, assuring that vulnerable elderly residents receive the proper care they need.

Next Steps founders and co-owners, Damien DellAnno and William Stephan, own 16 facilities statewide, including the Lee Healthcare skilled nursing center. They also own The Landing at Laurel Lake assisted living facility.

The settlement resolves allegations that Next Step deliberately failed to properly staff the nursing homes it owned and operated, resulting in resident harm and neglect, the release says.

The terms of the settlement agreement require the company to staff its nursing homes at state-mandated levels in addition to paying the $4 million. Of that, $750,000 will go to the state's long-term care regulators.

Next Step will have to hire an independent compliance monitor who will oversee the use of the remaining $3.25 million, which must be used for additional staffing improvements, recruitment, retention, additional benefit costs, bonuses, overtime, wage increases, and/or other staffing-related initiatives over the next three years.

Next Step did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Campbells office said the investigation is the result of reports of substandard care or regulatory violations and based on complaints and referrals from the Department of Public Health. It is based on the companys conduct from Sept. 1, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2023.

The AGs office alleges that Next Step cut certified nursing assistant jobs and non-CNA positions in April 2019, despite its facilities already struggling to ensure adequate staffing levels to meet the needs of residents.

When higher staffing levels were mandated by the state in April 2021, the AGs office claims the company continued to understaff its nursing homes, placing them at the bottom 10 percent of their counties for staffing.

The AGs office alleges that this led to resident neglect and harm. The office also alleges the company made false claims to MassHealth for insurance reimbursement. This is both a violation of the Massachusetts False Claims Act, a state law that protects elders from abuse and neglect in nursing homes, and the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act.

An Eagle investigation in 2021 found most Berkshire County nursing homes were understaffed long before the pandemic hit. One of those was Lee Healthcare, for which a 2018 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services inspection report revealed not just understaffing, but residents lying in rooms with cracked, fraying and broken equipment and furniture, and dirty rooms with dead bugs and the strong odor of urine and feces.

It also revealed call bells going unanswered for an hour, complaints going unresolved and other neglect. Lee Healthcare was fined $47,827 for the findings in that inspection.

Lee Healthcare has been fined $20,457 for various violations since Oct. 2021. That includes a $15,342 fine in Nov. 2021  for which an inspection report was not published as is customary on the CMS website.

In July, the town chased the nursing home down because its building inspection certificate had expired four months earlier.

Campbell is working to combat lawlessness in the nursing home industry. In August, she announced the creation of an Elder Justice Unit. She also has asked nursing homes federal regulators, CMS, to mandate staffing levels at a higher threshold that is consistent with the agencys own research more than two decades ago.

The AG's office asks that anyone aware of similar practices at Next Steps facilities and/or by other nursing homes or health care providers call the AG's Medicaid Fraud Division at 617-963-2360 or file a complaint through DPHs website.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this article misidentified the church that sold the property to Westside Legends and will neighbor the housing project. The church is the Second Congregational Church.

PITTSFIELD  A $7.6 million affordable housing development is headed for Pittsfields West Side, and city leaders say its a project worth celebrating.

Westside Legends, a nonprofit of city residents focused on uplifting the West Side neighborhood, is planning to construct five new buildings on the nearly 1-acre parcel next to the Second Congregational Church at the corner of Columbus Avenue and South John Street.

The buildings will add 16 new housing units  all for purchase  to the citys housing landscape. One of the buildings will consist of several three-bedroom townhomes; the other four buildings will be a combination of one- and two-bedroom condo units.

"We've got all the permits in and we're looking forward to talking with a contractor to confirm our budget," said Tony Jackson, the president of Westside Legends. "We're closer than ever."

Jackson said the nonprofit hopes to have the project shovel ready next year, with construction starting in the spring of 2025.

The units are being built with first-time homeowners in mind. Though the final property owners will be selected through a lottery system  like the one used for affordable home project on Eleanor Road in Pittsfield and Grove Street in Great Barrington  geared toward people making 70 to 100 percent of the area median income.

That measure is calculated each year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The final properties will also carry a 30-year affordability deed restriction so that if they're resold in the near future, they'll remain within reach of local residents.

"We look at it as this is going to be the turnaround," Jackson said. "We're going to start revitalization of the West Side."

Jackson said the project has been years in the making and gathered a lot of support along the way.

"It's really nice to get to a point where all of our hard work is getting to fruition," he said. "We've been going through this for a few years and it was a stretch goal of ours. We didn't really know how we were going to get through it, but things just aligned."

The organization began working with Greylock Federal Credit Union to develop a first-time homebuyer program in 2021. The program has helped more than 30 people close on homes and allowed another 40 people to become prequalified for homeownership.

"The homeownership program with Greylock has been very successful, but when we got to that point where they were going in houses and it was going to take as much money as they're buying the house for to fix it up  we need to build something new," Jackson said.

Over the last few years Westside Legends has been gathering data, expertise and funding to take the concept for new housing in the West Side from an idea to something workable.

The nonprofit partnered with Pittsfield-based architects Group Architecture and Urbanism to begin designing the units. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation contributed $30,000 to the project's early costs.

City representatives helped the nonprofit connect with MassHousing's Neighborhood Hub, a technical assistance program for community revitalization. The hub, in turn, connects the group with Cambridge Housing Authority, which is lending its development expertise to the project.

MassHousing's Commonwealth Builder program is also contributing with a commitment to throw in $250,000 per unit to offset the construction costs and help make the final sale price affordable.

"That's a game changer," Jackson said.

All that technical assistance helped the nonprofit begin to put concept into action.

Westside Legends purchased the property from the Second Congregational Church in November for $30,000. The property had been owned by the church since 2008. The prior owners deeded the property to the church after the lot's single-family home, long vacant and marked with a red X, burned in a fire in 2006 and was demolished.

With the build site secured, the nonprofit then began seeking funds and approval of its plan from a variety of city bodies.

The nonprofit applied for this years round of Community Preservation funding hoping to secure $350,000 for a portion of the funding for the project. Facing a bevy of projects this year, the Community Preservation Committee ultimately recommended to allot the project $175,000; the City Council last week gave preliminary approval to the funding.

The project sailed through a recent site approval request with the Community Development Board. On Tuesday, the board unanimously voted to approve the project with several members taking a moment to compliment the development.

I just want to commend the team, knowing the housing challenges that our community faces, to be creatively developing a parcel of housing that can be available for the community and quality housing at that, said board Vice Chair Gary Levante.

Its exciting to see a thoughtful project coming together of this nature and [I] just want to commend the Westside Legends and [the] entire group for bringing the project forward, he added.
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In brief

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan has topped the poll in the first count of the Midlands North-West constituency, ahead of Fine Gael's Nina Carberry and Maria Walsh.

We're into the 12th count in the Dublin constituency, with Barry Andrews of Fianna Fail and Regina Doherty of Fine Gael still leading the way.

You can follow the European results here.

With around 87 per cent of seats filled in the local elections, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are neck and neck for the overall share of the local vote.

In Ireland South, Fine Gael's Sean Kelly has become the first MEP elected in Ireland.

John Moran has topped the poll in the Limerick mayoral race and now stands at 19,080 votes following the sixth count.

Local election results  State of the parties

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European election results  State of the parties



10.30pm

The first count in the Midlands North-West show Independent Luke 'Ming' Flanagan topping the poll, but short of a quota.

With the quota set at 11,325, Flanagan has 78,214, ahead of Barry Cowen of Fianna Fail on 73,908; Fine Gael's Nina Carbery on 72,888; Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh on 71,476; Independent Ireland party's Ciaran Mullooly on 57,297 and Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew on 45,807.

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Luke 'Ming' Flanagan at TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar. Photo: PA Images

They are followed by Fianna Fail's Lisa Chambers on 44,069, Aontu's Peadar Toibin on 40,742, and Fianna Fail's Niall Blaney on 30,387.

Sitting Sinn Fein MEP Chris MacManus is in danger of losing his seat as he received just 29,427 first preferences.

With just 20 first preference votes separating Barry Cowen and Nina Carberry, both look set to take seats.

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The results put Fine Gael in a strong position to win two seats in the constituency. However, of the three Fianna Fail candidates, while Barry Cowen looks set to regain a seat in the constituency for the party, his two running mates, Lisa Chambers and Niall Blaney face an uphill struggle to take the final seat.

10pm

Sean Kelly has been re-elected to the European Parliament in the first count for the Ireland South constituency.

The former boss of the GAA from Kerry has been an MEP since 2009 and will return to Brussels for another five-year term from July.

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The second count will continue tomorrow, and its expected Fianna Fails Billy Kelleher and Independent Michael McNamara will take the second and third seat.

MEP Sean Kelly (left) holding his two-year-old granddaughter Eloise Kelly and Fine Gael's Simon Coveney (right) holding Sean Kelly's one-year-old granddaughter Hannah-Rose Kelly at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork, Ireland, during the count for the European elections.

9.55pm

Limerick sixth count:

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Independent - John Moran - plus 462 - 19,080

Independent - Helen O'Donnell - plus 313 - 13,588

Fianna Fail - Dee Ryan - plus 289 -12,370

Aontu's Sarah Beasley excluded with 2,859 votes.

9.50pm

Fine Gael's Sean Kelly has become the first MEP elected in Ireland.

9.45pm

Niall Boylan has moved into fourth place in the European Parliament Dublin constituency count.

The move happened after count 12, and it's possible he could overtake Lynn Boylan of Sinn Fein and move into third by the end of the next count.

Barry Andrews of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael's Regina Doherty are both well out in front, but are still over 10,000 votes shy of the quota.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald speaking to the media.

9.20pm

Sinn Feins leader has challenged the Taoiseach to bring it on and call an early general election.

Mary Lou McDonald struck a defiant note following her partys disappointing showing in the local election and rejected any suggestion Taoiseach Simon Harris would be doing her a favour if he stuck to his original plan to go to the polls in early 2025.

Mr Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin have both moved to dampen speculation of an earlier-than-expected general election after their respective parties  Fine Gael and Fianna Fail  performed better than many pollsters had predicted in Fridays local and European elections.

Counting in both those contests continued on Monday, while ballots began to be totted up in Limerick for Irelands first ever directly elected mayor.

7.55pm

A first count announcement for the Ireland South constituency is expected in the next hour or so.

Its virtually certain the returning officer will announce Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly as the winner of the first seat.

Counting is expected to end after the announcement, and will continue in the morning.

Sean Kelly (centre), alongside his wife Juliette Kelly (left) and her sister Linda O'Donoghue (right), observe count staff sort ballots at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork, Ireland, during the count for the European elections.

7.50pm

Nobody will be elected as an MEP from the Dublin constituency until at least tomorrow. Ten counts have taken place, with little change at the top of the order.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael lead the way, while the Green Party, Independent Ireland and Labour are part of the chasing pack.

Independent candidate John Moran listens to the result of the first count at Limerick Racecourse in Limerick's mayoral election in which citizens voted to directly elect their own mayor for the first time in the history of the State.

6.45pm

Limerick third count result:

Independent - John Moran - plus 34 - 18,397

Independent - Helen O'Donnell - plus 25 - 13,016

Fianna Fail - Dee Ryan - plus 22 - 11,864

Social Democrats candidate Elisa O'Donovan has received the most transfers (77) from People Before Profit's Ruairi Fahy.

The Party of Animal Welfare's Gerben Uunk has been eliminated.

6.35pm

Counting is picking up pace in Limerick mayoral race.

John Moran has topped the poll and now stands at 18,363 votes following the second count.

Helen ODonnell, another independent, is just shy of 13,000 - while Dee Ryan of Fianna Fail has over 11,800 votes.

People Before Profits Ruairi Fahy has been eliminated and his 692 votes are being distributed.

Thirteen candidates remain in contention.

5.43pm

We're into the ninth count in the Dublin constituency, with Barry Andrews of Fianna Fail and Regina Doherty of Fine Gael still leading the way. Neither are close to a quota, while there is a battle for the last two seats behind them.

Niall Boylan is picking up plenty of transfers from lower down the ballot, and is putting pressure on Green Party MEP Ciaran Cuffe in the 4th spot.

Sinn Fein's Lynn Boylan is third in the poll at the moment, and she says the campaign was a lot different on the ground compared to what was witnessed online.

5.10pm

Sinn Fein TD and MEP candidate Kathleen Funchion has said that she is very hopeful she will be elected to the Ireland South constituency.

The roughly 715,000 EU election ballot papers at Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork went through a lengthy sub-sort before the actual count began.

Irelands electoral system of proportional representation means that a candidate must reach a quota to be elected.

The announcement of first count result had been expected by lunchtime on Monday, but is now expected closer to 6pm.

Based on the size of ballot piles stacked in the sports clubs hall, Fine Gaels Sean Kelly and Fianna Fails Billy Kelleher will be re-elected as MEPs.

But several rounds of further counting  after eliminated candidates votes are redistributed  will be needed before the final three seats become clear.

Along with Ms Funchion, in contention for those seats are Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara, who was vocal in his opposition to the two defeated March referenda; and outgoing MEP and ex-Co Wexford TD Mick Wallace.

5pm

Sinn Feins disappointing election results are down to people tiring of its failure to present credible alternative plans, the Minister for Housing has claimed.

Sinn Fein has repeatedly accused Darragh OBrien of failing to deal adequately with the housing crisis.

Mr OBrien, in turn, has been one of the main opposition partys most vocal critics, leading to frequent fiery clashes in the Dail.

The Fianna Fail minister rounded on his rivals on Monday when asked to assess its failure to make major gains at the local elections.

4.50pm

An eighth count is said to be imminent at the RDS in Dublin for the European Parliament constituency.

Seven counts in, and it's as you were at the top of the poll here in the RDS. Barry Andrews and Regina Doherty of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael respectively lead the way, both have over 61,000 votes but still well shy of the 75,000+ quota.

After that it's anyone's guess, with Sinn Fein's Lynn Boylan and outgoing MEP Ciaran Cuffe still occupying the final two seats at this moment.

Close is Niall Boylan of Independent Ireland. Mr Boylan picking up more transfers than Labour's Aodhan O Riordain, but he was expected to benefit more from those down the ballot.

Nobody is expected to be elected until tomorrow at the earliest.

3.30pm

Vote-counting in a historic election in Ireland is under way  and all is still to play for, according to one of the running candidates.

For the first time ever, Irish citizens will select its first directly-elected mayor.

The first count in the Limerick election is expected later on Monday afternoon.

It is the first time Irish citizens will elect their first local mayor, in what is seen as a test case for the rest of the state.

A total of 15 candidates are running for the mayors seat.

Dozens of staff are counting the votes at Limerick Racecourse, which is being used as a count centre.

Independent candidate John Moran is leading the race on 24 per cent, according to tallies.

He is followed closely by another independent candidate, Helen ODonnell.

2pm

Tanaiste Micheal Martin has insisted the leaders of the Coalition remain committed to serving a full term as he dismissed speculation over an early general election.

The Fianna Fail leader said the Government would stay focused on delivery, citing the budget as its main priority, despite renewed focus on the prospect of an earlier-than-expected polling day.

Vote counting in the local and European elections resumed in Ireland on Monday. In Limerick, a count for Irelands first-ever directly elected mayor began on Monday.

While it could still take days to finish counting every vote across the country, the political ramifications of the results so far have raised major questions for the leaders of the main parties.

1.30pm

Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said he believes a lack of solutions to the issues facing the public was the reason behind Sinn Fein's poor showing in the elections.

He added that while he is happy with his own party's results so far, there are areas Fianna Fail must assess.

"We have lessons to learn from this, we have to evaluate the selection from our own point of view.

"We did well in many areas, but there are other areas where we didn't do as well, and there are aspects of the logistics of our campaign that we can improve upon," Mr Martin said.

With 833 of the 949 council seats filled by lunchtime on Monday, Fianna Fail is almost level with Fine Gael in terms of their share of first-preference votes, each taking around 23 per cent.

After better than anticipated performances by the Coalition parties, speculation is rising over the chance of an early general election.

However, the Tanaiste poured cold water on the idea, insisting the three party leaders remain committed to serving a full term, which will see the election taking place next spring.

12.25pm

Two MEPs could be selected in Ireland South by the end of the day.

The constituency's counting, taking place at Nemo Rangers in Cork, is expected to return Fine Gael's Sean Kelly to the European Parliament in the first count, the results of which are expected to be announced around 4pm.

Fianna Fail European candidate for Ireland South Billy Kelleher speaks to the media at the count at Nemo Rangers GAA club (PA Images)

Fianna Fail's Billy Kelleher appears to be running in second, while Independent candidate Michael McNamara seems in with a shout of taking the third seat.

In MidlandsNorth-West, counters say they're progressing on schedule, with the result of the first count expected this evening.

12.10pm

In the local elections, counting is continuing to fill the remaining seats in various councils across the country, with recounts taking place in parts of Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Donegal and Wexford, among others.

In the Dublin constituency for the European elections, a third count has failed to see a candidate elected.

Fianna Fail's Barry Andrews remains the frontrunner there, where Conor Murphy and Eamonn Murphy (both Independent) have been eliminated and their votes transferred.

Andy Heasman (Irish People) is expected to be the next to be eliminated, with his first-preference votes to be distributed in the fourth count.

11.40am

The mammoth task of counting ballots in MidlandsNorth-West, where 27 candidates were on the ballot, is underway.

It is expected that the result of the first count in Castlebar could be announced in the early evening, with Luke Ming Flanagan (Independent) and Maria Walsh (Fine Gael) appearing to have got off to a strong start.

Meanwhile, in the Dublin local elections, three recounts are taking place in Fingal, looking at ballots from the Howth/Malahide, Blanchardstown and Castleknock LEAs.

11.05am

A second count in the Dublin European Parliament constituency is expected shortly, but a candidate may not be elected until this evening.

The second count will see the distribution of Independent candidate Conor Murphy, who claimed 1,065 first-preference votes.

Fianna Fail's Barry Andrews is out ahead on 16.5 per cent, followed by Fine Gael's Regina Doherty.

Running in third is Sinn Fein's Lynn Boylan, followed closely by Green MEP Ciaran Cuffe, Labour's Aodhan O Riordain and Independent Ireland's Niall Boylan.

European election first preference share by party  Dublin

10.30am

Counting is underway in Limerick in the race to become the States first directly-elected mayor.

The successful candidate is expected to be confirmed by the end of the day.

Fifteen candidates are battling it out for the position, with two independents  John Moran and Helen O'Donnell  currently leading the pack, on 24 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.

Meanwhile, all 40 seats have now been filled on Limerick Council.

7.30am

Counting in each of the three constituencies for the European elections is due to continue on Monday.

The count for Dublin will resume at 10am, while the sorting of ballots in Ireland South will get back underway from 9am, with a first count expected to begin at around lunchtime.

In Limerick, the counting of ballots to decide the first directly-elected mayor in the State is also set to commence at 9am.

Most local authority seats have now been filled.

A first count in the Ireland South constituency is expected later today. The first count in MidlandsNorth-West could still be days away, while Dublin's second count is expected around lunchtime.

The first count was declared there last night, with Fianna Fail's Barry Andrews topping the poll closely followed by Regina Doherty of Fine Gael, but neither had reached the quota to be elected.

Fianna Fail European candidate Barry Andrews listens as the returning officer reads the results at the RDS (PA Images)

Andrews says the result could help Fianna Fail in the upcoming General election in Dublin - but he's ruled out another run for the Dail himself.

The first count in Dublin's European constituency set the quota at 75,345, with Fianna Fail's Barry Andrews getting 62,147 votes and Fine Gael's Regina Doherty securing 61,344 votes. Both are well ahead of the rest of the pack, with the nearest rival being Sinn Fein's Lynn Boylan on 35,431.

She is closely followed by the Green Party's Ciaran Cuffe on 32,204, Labour's Aodhan O Riordain on 30,733, and Independent Ireland's Niall Boylan on 30,637. Next up is the Independent 4 Change MEP Clare Daly on 26,855 and PBP-Solidarity candidate Brid Smith on 21,577.
British actress Helena Bonham Carter is set to star in a new Netflix series called The Seven Dials Mystery, based on Agatha Christies books.

How To Have Sex actress Mia McKenna-Bruce, 26, leads the cast as the young sleuth Lady Eileen Bundle Brent, who appeared in the novels The Seven Dials Mystery and The Secret Of Chimneys.

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She is joined by two-time Oscar-nominated actress Bonham Carter, 58, as Lady Caterham and Sherlock star Martin Freeman as Superintendent Battle, a character who was in various Christie books including in Hercule Poirot mystery Cards On The Table.

Mia McKenna-Bruce (Netflix)

A first-look image shows McKenna-Bruce, a Bafta rising star winner, sitting on the floor in a black dress while reading The Seven Dials Mystery and surrounded by clocks.

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The script has been penned by Broadchurch creator and former Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall, and the show is executive produced by The Crown executive producer Suzanne Mackie through her company Orchid Pictures and Chris Sussman, known for Good Omens.

McKenna-Bruce, who has also been in Peacocks Vampire Academy and Netflix Jane Austen film Persuasion, said: Chris Chibnalls scripts are brilliant, and I am thrilled to be part of this new interpretation of the iconic Agatha Christies storytelling.

The series will tell the story of a lavish English country house party in 1925, where a practical joke appears to have gone horribly, murderously wrong, according to Netflix.

Bundle is set to step in to try to solve the mystery, changing her life.

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The Seven Dials Mystery will begin filming this summer.
Concern Worldwide made a significant impact on the lives of 30 million people last year, according to their 2023 annual report.

Concern's chief executive David Regan warned the work must be supported by real political and economic efforts to end conflict, build peace and tackle climate change.

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The numbers of people globally who are in need of humanitarian assistance at the end of 2023 has reached 363.3 million  an increase of 37 million over the year.

In contrast, just 38 per cent of appeals for humanitarian funding were met over the last 12 months.

During 2023, Concern launched an emergency response to the growing needs in Yemen, where nine years of conflict have left 21 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

We live in a time of crisis, fuelled by conflict, climate change and inequality, and the international community must respond to the needs of the most vulnerable who are also those most impacted.

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Humanitarian organisations alone cannot address this scale of crisis. We need those who can end conflict, build peace and urgently address the climate crisis  the major drivers of extreme poverty in the world.

2023 was a very challenging year with the dramatic rise in humanitarian needs. But Concern  with the support of the public, governments, institutional and corporate funders  responded to work with communities living in some of the most difficult circumstances in the world, Mr Regan said.

We are proud of the work we did in 2023 and the lasting impact it had on millions of people living in extreme poverty. But, as the numbers of people in need of humanitarian assistance grow, its vital that sufficient funding is made available by the international community to enable organisations like Concern respond.

A total of 23 of the 26 countries where Concern works are ranked in the top 50 most conflict affected countries in the world.

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Last year Concern spent 242.3m, 1.5 million more than in 2022. Of this, 92.7 per cent was used for charitable activities and the balance on fundraising.

The organisations income last year was 233 million, down 17 million on 2022.

Of this, 45.4 million came from public donations and legacies in Ireland, the UK and South Korea, including 27.2 million from the Republic of Ireland. A further 173.6 million came from grants from governments and other institutional donors.

The highlights of Concerns work during 2023 include:

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Concern responded to 66 emergencies in 20 countries, reaching almost 15.5 million people. These included almost 250,000 impacted by the Turkiye/Syria earthquake, 346,000 people in war-torn Sudan and over 144,000 in Ukraine;

Its livelihoods programme reached 2.3 million people, providing food security and livelihoods;

These included 352,000 people in Malawi where the programme focused on agriculture, and food and nutrition security, while also building the resilience of communities against the impact of climate change;

Its health programmes reached over nine million people in 21 countries;

In South Sudan, where 56 per cent of the population face high levels of food insecurity, Concern supported nutrition services in 39 centres, reaching almost 131,000 people with both preventative and curative services;

Its education programmes benefited over 1.1 million people. Concern reached almost 95,000 people in Niger, despite the recurrent humanitarian crises there driven by conflict and political unrest.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said he will be personally endorsing two DUP candidates in the British general election  despite his partys alliance with the rival Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV).

Mr Farage told the PA news agency: As far as the Northern Ireland thing is concerned, I want to make it clear that whilst there have been negotiations going on in previous times, I will personally be endorsing Ian Paisley and Sammy Wilson.

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The two DUP politicians have said it is now clear that the TUV/Reform UK alliance is non-existent.

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TUV leader Jim Allister said he was disappointed with the comments from Mr Farage, adding that he had entered into the alliance in good faith.

Mr Paisley is the DUP candidate in North Antrim, where he will be challenged by Mr Allister.

Mr Wilson is running in the East Antrim constituency, where the TUV candidate is Matthew Warwick.

The TUV had formed an electoral alliance with Reform UK ahead of Julys poll and is standing in 14 constituencies in Northern Ireland.

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Reforms pact with the TUV was announced by the partys then-leader Richard Tice in March this year.

TUV leader Jim Allister is to challenge the DUP in North Antrim (Liam McBurney/PA)

Pressed about his partys alliance with the TUV, Mr Farage said: Well, new leadership brings change.

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I wish the TUV well, but Im gonna stand up to support Sammy Wilson and Ian Paisley as people I fought with all through the Brexit years.

In a recent interview with the PA news agency, TUV leader Mr Allister characterised the TUV/Reform UK alliance as the authentic voice of opposition to post-Brexit trading barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

While it will only be the TUV name on the ballot paper on July 4th, the parties had said they would promote a joint message on the campaign trail.

However, a photograph of Mr Farage alongside Mr Paisley delivering his endorsement also appears on the DUP candidates election leaflet.

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In a joint statement, Mr Paisley and Mr Wilson said: Nigel Farage is a household name and we welcome his endorsement as the best pro-union candidate in our constituencies.

Ian Paisley is the DUP candidate in North Antrim at the British general election (Niall Carson/PA)

Nigel knows us and knows our record of delivering for the people.

This is a very embarrassing for Jim Allister as the Reform UK leader has endorsed us rather than him because the Reform UK leader recognised that on the big issues we could be relied upon.

Some people know how to build relationships and deliver results, others just talk about the problems.

The DUP politicians said it is clear that the TUV/Reform UK relationship is non-existent.

They added: It is time that TUV stopped trying to fool the voters by using Reform UK branding and logos when it is clear that the leader of Reform UK is not supporting TUV.

Its time for TUV to drop the Reform UK branding.

Mr Allister said: TUV entered an electoral arrangement with Reform UK in good faith.

We have kept faith with that agreement.

The comments by Mr Farage today are, of course, disappointing and not compatible with the content of a conversation I had with him last week.

Mr Allister added: The endorsement that TUV seeks in this election is that of ordinary voters who know who has from the start told them the truth about the union-dismantling Protocol, while the DUP tried to hoodwink them with false claims that they had got rid of the Irish Sea border.

A spokesperson for Reform UK said: The Reform Party remains committed to our alliance with the TUV and candidates will be standing under our joint logo throughout Northern Ireland.

Nigel Farage was giving a personal view in respect of two DUP candidates with whom he has worked closely in the past but he has not changed the policy and does not intend to do so.

Reform remains a hundred percent committed to the union.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken returns to the Middle East this week as a proposed Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal hangs in the balance.

With no firm response yet from Hamas to the proposal received 10 days ago, Mr Blinken on Monday will start his eighth diplomatic mission to the region since the conflict began in October.

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He will meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo before traveling to Israel, Jordan and Qatar.

While US president Joe Biden, Mr Blinken and other US officials have praised the hostage rescue, the operation resulted in the deaths of a large number of Palestinian civilians that may complicate the ceasefire push by emboldening Israel and hardening Hamas resolve to carry on fighting in the war it initiated with its October 7th attacks in Israel.

Its hard to say how Hamas will process this particular operation and what it will do to its determination about whether it will say yes or not, Mr Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said on Sunday.

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Mr Blinken is returning to the Middle East on Monday (Saul Loeb/AFP/AP)

We have not gotten a formal answer from Hamas at this time.

In his talks with el-Sissi and Qatari leaders, whose countries are the main mediators with Hamas in the ceasefire negotiations, Mr Blinken will stress the importance of persuading the militants to accept the three-phase proposal on the table.

The plan calls for the release of more hostages and a temporary pause in hostilities that could lead to the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

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We are hopeful that with enough of a chorus, the international community all speaking with one voice, Hamas will get to the right answer, Mr Sullivan told ABCs This Week.

But Hamas may not be the only obstacle.

Although the deal has been described as an Israeli initiative and thousands of Israelis have demonstrated in support of the deal, Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has expressed scepticism, saying what has been presented publicly is not accurate and rejecting calls for Israel to cease all fighting until Hamas is eradicated.

Mr Netanyahus far-right allies have threatened to collapse his government if he implements the plan, and Benny Gantz, a popular centrist, resigned on Sunday from the three-member War Cabinet after saying he would do so if the prime minister did not formulate a new plan for post-war Gaza. In the aftermath of the hostage rescue, Mr Netanyahu had urged him not to step down.

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Mr Blinken has met with Mr Netanyahu, defence minister Yoav Gallant, Mr Gantz and Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on nearly all of his previous trips to Israel.

Officials said Mr Gantzs resignation would not necessarily affect Blinkens schedule.

US state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Friday that Mr Blinken would use the trip to discuss how the ceasefire proposal would benefit both Israelis and Palestinians.

Mr Miller said the deal would not only alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza but also set the stage for a reduction in tension along the Israel-Lebanon border and create conditions for broader Israeli integration with its Arab neighbours, strengthening Israels long-term security.

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Despite Mr Blinkens roughly once-a-month visits to the region since the war began, the conflict has ground on with more than 36,700 Palestinians killed, according to the Gaza health ministry.

Meanwhile, the war has severely hindered the flow of food, medicine and other supplies to Palestinians, who are facing widespread hunger.

UN agencies say more than 1 million people in Gaza could experience the highest level of starvation by mid-July.

In Jordan, Mr Blinken will participate in an emergency international conference on improving the flow of aid to Gaza.
Ukraine may keep some of the F-16 fighter jets it is set to receive from its Western allies at foreign bases to protect them from Russian strikes, a senior Ukrainian military officer has said.

Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have committed to providing Ukraine with over 60 US-made F-16 fighter jets to help it fend off Russian attacks.

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Ukrainian pilots are currently undergoing training to fly the warplanes ahead of the deliveries expected to start later this year.

Serhii Holubtsov, head of aviation within Ukraines air force, said that a certain number of aircraft will be stored at secure air bases outside of Ukraine so that they are not targeted here.

Ukrainian forces are fully in control of the situation in the Sumy region. Russian sabotage groups remain active but are being eliminated and will continue to be dealt with decisively.



In the village of Ryzhivka, the occupiers attempted a propaganda operation. As of this Advertisement  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) June 10, 2024

Mr Holubtsov told the US government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that those F-16s could be used to replace damaged aircraft as they undergo repairs as well as for training Ukrainian pilots abroad.

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This way, we can always have a certain number of aircraft in the operational fleet that corresponds to the number of pilots we have, he said. If there are more pilots, there will be more aircraft in Ukraine.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow could consider launching strikes at facilities in Nato countries if they host the warplanes used in Ukraine.

If they are stationed at air bases outside the Ukrainian borders and used in combat, we will have to see how and where to strike the assets used in combat against us, Mr Putin said last year. It poses a serious danger of Nato being further drawn into the conflict.

In March, the Russian leader again warned Ukraines Western allies against providing air bases from where the F-16s could launch sorties against the Kremlins forces. Those bases would become a legitimate target, he said.

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Russia has pressed on with an offensive following a delay in US aid for Ukraine (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP)

F-16s are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, and we will also need to take that into account while organizing our combat operations, Mr Putin stated.

The F-16s require a high standard of runways and reinforced hangars to protect them from attacks on the ground.

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It is not clear how many Ukrainian air bases can meet those requirements, and Russia would be certain to quickly target a few that could accommodate them once the jets arrive.

Mr Holubtsov noted that the F-16s will help protect front-line and border regions from Russian glide bombs that have inflicted significant damage to both troops and residential areas, including Kharkiv.

Glide bombs are heavy Soviet-era bombs fitted with precision guidance systems and launched from aircraft flying out of range of air defences.

I think we will succeed, first of all, in pushing back the aircraft that drop glide bombs farther from the contact line, he said.

If we manage to push them back at least another 19-31 miles, this can already be considered a turning point and an achievement, if not of superiority, then of parity in the airspace.

Ombudswoman #Moskalkova: As a result of barbaric shelling by #Ukraine more than 20 civilians were killed in #Kherson region and 6 were killed in LPR, many more injured.@MarijaPBuric, @PACE_President, @ CommissionerHR These people dont deserve your condolences, right? pic.twitter.com/TjPO20bomL  RussianMissionCoE (@CoE_Russia) June 9, 2024

Ukraines Western allies are trying to bolster military support for Kyiv as Russian troops have launched attacks along the more than 620-mile front line, taking advantage of a lengthy delay in US military aid.

Ukraine is currently fighting to hold back a Russian push near its second-largest city of Kharkiv, less than 20 miles from the border.

Russian troops have also continued their slow offensive in the eastern Donetsk region. On Monday, the Russian defence ministry claimed that the Kremlins forces had captured the village of Staromaiorske, although the claim that has not been confirmed by Kyiv and could not be independently verified.

Ukraine has struck back with regular missile and drone attacks on Moscow-occupied territories and areas inside Russia.

In the latest strike, Ukrainian forces hit Russian air defence systems in Dzhankoy, Chornomorske and Yevpatoriya in the Moscow-occupied Crimea with missiles, Ukraines General Staff said.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has urged activists on both sides of the Israel-Palestinian debate to turn the heat down after the US consulate in Sydney was vandalised.

CCTV footage showed a person wearing a dark hoodie using a small sledgehammer to smash nine holes in the reinforced glass windows of the building in North Sydney after 3am local time (6pm on Sunday Irish time), a police statement said.

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Two inverted red triangles, seen by many as a symbol of Palestinian resistance, were also painted on the front of the building.

Mr Albanese urged people to have respectful political debate and discourse.

People are traumatised by what is going on in the Middle East, particularly those with relatives in either Israel or in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, Mr Albanese told reporters.

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A suspect is believed to have smashed nine holes in the reinforced glass windows of the building in North Sydney (AP)

And I just say, again, reiterate my call to turn the heat down and measures such as painting the US consulate do nothing to advance the cause of those who have committed what is, of course, a crime to damage property.

The consulate was closed on Monday because of a public holiday in New South Wales state but will reopen on Tuesday, a consulate statement said.

New South Wales premier Chris Minns said an overwhelming majority of Australians did not approve of such vandalism.

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We can make our point in this country without resorting to violence or malicious behaviour, Mr Minns said.

The consulate was sprayed with graffiti in April, including the words Freee (sic) Gaza.

The US consulate in Melbourne was vandalised by pro-Palestinian activists on May 31st.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken has met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his latest trip to the Middle East.

Americas top diplomat urged approval of a ceasefire proposal that faced new uncertainty following Israels hostage rescue operation that killed many Palestinians and amid turmoil in Mr Netanyahus government.

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With no firm public response yet from Hamas or Israel to the proposal they received 10 days ago, Mr Blinken started his eighth visit to the region since the conflict began in October by meeting President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt, a key mediator with the militant Hamas group.

He then flew to Israel for talks with Mr Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.



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Mr Blinken once again called on Hamas to accept the plan, which he said has wide international support.

If you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes, he told reporters before leaving Cairo on the trip that will take him to Israel, Jordan and Qatar.

Mr Blinken said Israel has accepted the proposal, though Mr Netanyahu has not said so directly.

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I know that there are those who are pessimistic about the prospects, Mr Blinken said, putting the onus squarely on Hamas. Thats understandable. Hamas continues to show extraordinary cynicism in its actions, a disinterest not only in the wellbeing and security of Israelis but also Palestinians.

Mr Blinken said the plan on the table is the single best way to get to a ceasefire, release the remaining hostages and improve regional security.



Scores of Palestinians died in the Israeli raid at the weekend (AP)

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While President Joe Biden, Mr Blinken and other US officials have praised the hostage rescue, the operation resulted in the deaths of a large number of Palestinian civilians and may complicate the ceasefire push by emboldening Israel and hardening Hamass resolve to carry on fighting in the war it started with its October 7 attack into Israel.

Its hard to say how Hamas will process this particular operation and what it will do to its determination about whether it will say yes or not, Mr Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said on Sunday.

We are hopeful that with enough of a chorus, the international community all speaking with one voice, Hamas will get to the right answer.

In his talks with Mr el-Sissi, Mr Blinken also discussed plans for post-conflict governance and reconstruction in Gaza, following massive destruction there.

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Tens of thousands of Palestinians have died (AP)

Its imperative that there be a plan, and that has to involve security, it has to involve governance, it has to involve reconstruction, Mr Blinken said.

Mr Netanyahu and his government have resisted calls for any day after plan that would bar Israel from having some form of security presence in the territory. Mr Blinken said he would urge Israel to come up with alternatives that would be acceptable.

It would be very good if Israel put forward its own ideas on this, and Ill be talking to the government about that, he said. But one way or another, weve got to have these plans, weve got to have them in place, weve got to be ready to go if we want to take advantage of a ceasefire.

The three-phase ceasefire plan calls for the release of more hostages and a temporary pause in hostilities that will last as long as it takes to negotiate the second phase, which aims to bring the release of all hostages, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a permanent end to hostilities, according to an American-drafted resolution put before the UN Security Council.





I welcome the rescue of four hostages who have now been reunited with their families. We will not rest until every hostage is returned home.  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) June 8, 2024

The third phase calls for reconstruction in Gaza.

The UN Security Council voted on Monday to approve the resolution, which welcomes the proposal and urges Hamas to accept it. The vote on the US-sponsored resolution was 14-0, with Russia abstaining.

But Hamas may not be the only obstacle.

Although the deal has been described as an Israeli initiative and thousands of Israelis have demonstrated in support of it, Mr Netanyahu has expressed scepticism, saying what has been presented publicly is not accurate and that Israel is still committed to destroying Hamas.



It is Mr Blinkens eighth visit to the region since the conflict began (Pool via AP)

Mr Netanyahus far-right allies have threatened to collapse his government if he implements the plan.

Benny Gantz, a popular centrist, resigned on Sunday from the three-member War Cabinet after saying he would do so if the prime minister did not formulate a new plan for post-war Gaza. In the aftermath of the hostage rescue, Mr Netanyahu had urged him not to step down.

Mr Blinken has met Mr Netanyahu, defence minister Yoav Gallant, Mr Gantz and Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on nearly all his previous trips to Israel. Officials said Mr Blinken is expected to meet Mr Gantz on Tuesday.

Despite Mr Blinkens roughly once-a-month visits to the region since the war began, the conflict has ground on with more than 37,120 Palestinians killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its counts.



US secretary of state Antony Blinken speaking to reporters at an airport in Cairo (Amr Nabil, Pool/AP)

Hamas and other militants killed some 1,200 people in the October 7 attack, mostly civilians, and took around 250 people hostage.

The war has severely hindered the flow of food, medicine and other supplies to the Palestinians in Gaza, who are facing widespread hunger. UN agencies say more than one million people in the territory could experience the highest level of starvation by mid-July.

In Jordan, Mr Blinken will take part in an emergency international conference on improving the flow of aid to Gaza.
A massive fire has broken out at a four-storey apartment complex in Miami, Florida.

Firefighters and police officers arrived at the building just west of Interstate 95 near downtown Miami after receiving calls about a fire at around 8.15am, and began rescuing residents from the buildings balconies, Miami mayor Francis Suarez said during a news conference.

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Mr Suarez said first responders arriving at the scene also found a man with gunshot wounds.

He was taken to hospital, where he was said to be in a critical condition. Officials said the shooting is part of an active investigation. They offered few other details, other than calling it an isolated incident.



Firefighters working to tackle the blaze in Miami as smoke billows from the building (Carl Juste/Miami Herald via AP)

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Three firefighters were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital due to heat exhaustion and were in a stable condition, Mr Suarez said during the news conference.

Two have since been discharged, said Lt Pete Sanchez, a spokesperson with the City of Miami-Fire Rescue. In addition, at least one resident was being treated for smoke inhalation, he said.

The gunshot victim, whose name has not been released, was listed as critical, Mr Sanchez said.

Atlantic Housing Management, the company that manages Temple Court apartments, said in a statement that one of their employees was found shot inside the complex.

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We are still determining the cause of these events, and we are checking for other injuries. Police are investigating, and we will help in whatever ways we can, the management companys statement said.

We are grieved by all that has happened today, and our thoughts and prayers are with our team member and his family and residents of the Temple Court community.

News helicopters showed flames rising from the building along with large plumes of smoke several hours after the fire started.



A firefighter walks from the scene of the blaze with foam across the ground (Lynne Sladky/AP)

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Fire vehicles were pouring water and foam onto the building.

The apartment complex is made up of one-bedroom and studio units near the Miami River.

It was a wood-frame structure which explains the intensity, Mr Sanchez said.

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As of early evening, Mr Sanchez said the fire was under control and no longer spreading, but it still needs to be extinguished.

Residents from the building, many of them elderly, were taken to a staging area where they were offered food and any medication they needed, Mr Suarez said. He added that at least 20 people had been processed and were rehoused with family, and some 20 more were expected.

Our hope is we will be able to place them in permanent housing as quickly as possible, he said. Obviously people are very emotional. They might not be able to get anything that was in those units. Some are worried about their pets. Its been very upsetting, very traumatic.

Mr Suarez urged those who would like to help those impacted by the fire to contact the American Red Cross.

Smoke from the fire was also drifting over Interstate 95, and much of downtown Miami.
Child serial killer Lucy Letby will go on trial in the UK on Monday over an allegation that she attempted to murder a baby girl.

In August 2023, Letby (34), of Hereford, was convicted of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six other infants at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016.

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The jury in Letbys 10-month trial at Manchester Crown Court was unable to reach verdicts on six counts of attempted murder in relation to five children.

Lucy Letby will go on trial accused of the attempted murder of a baby girl at the Countess of Chester Hospital (Peter Byrne/PA)

On Monday at the same court, the former neonatal nurse will be retried over one of those counts  an allegation that she tried to murder a baby girl, known as Child K, in February 2016.

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The retrial is estimated to last up to four weeks.

Letby, who denied all the charges, was cleared of two counts of attempted murder at the original trial.

A court order prohibits reporting of the identities of the surviving and dead children who were the subject of the allegations.
South Koreas military has said it is detecting signs that North Korea is installing its own loudspeakers along their heavily armed border, a day after the South blared anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts over its speakers for the first time in years as the rivals engage in a Cold War-style psychological warfare.

The Souths resumption of its loudspeaker broadcasts on Sunday was in retaliation for the North sending more than 1,000 balloons filled with rubbish and manure over the last couple of weeks.

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North Korea has described its balloon campaign as a tit-for-tat against South Korean civilian groups flying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets across the border.

Pyongyang has long condemned it as it is extremely sensitive to any outside criticism of leader Kim Jong Uns authoritarian rule.

Lee Sung Joon briefed the media on Monday (Yonhap via AP)

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Seouls Joint Chiefs of Staff did not immediately comment on the number of suspected North Korean speakers or where along the border they were spotted being installed. It said the speakers were still silent as of Monday afternoon.

On Sunday, South Korea activated its loudspeakers for an initial broadcast into North Korea, which reportedly included news, criticism about North Koreas government and South Korean pop music.

Hours later on Sunday, Mr Kims powerful sister warned that the South created a prelude to a very dangerous situation.

Kim Yo Jong said South Korea would witness an unspecified new response from the North if it continues with the broadcasts and fails to stop civilian activists from flying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets across the border.

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I sternly warn Seoul to immediately case its dangerous activities that would further provoke a crisis of confrontation, she said through state media.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un, issued a warning (AP)

Lee Sung Joon, spokesperson of South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Ms Kims comments represented a heightened verbal threat from North Korea but he did not provide a specific assessment on the actions the North might take.

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Mr Lee said the South was conducting broadcasts in sites where soldiers have sufficient protection and are equipped to swiftly hit back if attacked.

(We) dont think that they could provoke us that easily, Mr Lee said during a briefing on Monday.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff did not specify the border area where Sundays broadcast took place or what was played over the speakers. It said that any additional broadcasts are entirely dependent on North Koreas behaviour.

The South withdrew loudspeakers from border areas in 2018, during a brief period of engagement with the North under Seouls previous liberal government.

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In deciding to restart the loudspeaker broadcasts, South Koreas presidential office berated Pyongyang for attempting to cause anxiety and disruption in the South and stressed that North Korea would be solely responsible for any future escalation of tensions.

The North said its balloon campaign came after South Korean activists sent over balloons filled with anti-North Korean leaflets, as well as USB sticks filled with popular South Korean songs and dramas.

Pyongyang is extremely sensitive to such material and fears it could demoralise front-line troops and residents and eventually weaken leader Kim Jong Uns grip on power, analysts say.

In 2015, when South Korea restarted loudspeaker broadcasts for the first time in 11 years, North Korea fired artillery rounds across the border, prompting South Korea to return fire, according to South Korean officials.

No casualties were reported.
The UN Security Council has approved its first resolution endorsing a ceasefire plan aimed at ending the eight-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The resolution welcomes a ceasefire proposal announced by President Joe Biden that the United States says Israel has accepted.

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It calls on militant Palestinian group Hamas, which initially said it viewed the proposal positively, to accept the three-phase plan.

Hamas responded to the adoption by saying it welcomed the resolution and was ready to work with mediators in indirect negotiations with Israel to implement it.

The statement was among the strongest from Hamas to date but stressed the group would continue our struggle to end the Israeli occupation and work on setting up a fully sovereign Palestinian state.



The resolution urges Israel and Hamas to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition (Leo Correa)

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The resolution urges Israel and Hamas to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition.

The resolution, which the council voted 14-0 in favour, with Russia abstaining, urges Israel and Hamas to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition.

US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said after the vote that the council sent a clear message to Hamas to accept the ceasefire deal on the table, reiterating that Israel has accepted the deal which is supported by countries across the world.

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The fighting could stop today, if Hamas would do the same, she told the council. I repeat, this fighting could stop today.

US deputy ambassador Robert Wood told reporters earlier on Monday that the United States wanted all 15 Security Council members to support what he described as the best, most realistic opportunity to bring at least a temporary halt to this war.

Whether Israel and Hamas agree to the three-phase ceasefire plan remains in question, but the resolutions strong support in the UNs most powerful body puts added pressure on both parties to approve the proposal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Mr Biden presented only parts of the proposal and insisted that any talk of a permanent ceasefire before dismantling Hamasa military and governing capabilities is a nonstarter.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Jack Guez/Pool Photo via AP)

The leaders of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad met in Qatar on Monday to discuss the proposed ceasefire deal and said in a statement afterwards that any deal must lead to a permanent ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza, reconstruction and a serious exchange deal between hostages in Gaza and Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

The war was sparked by Hamass surprise October 7 attack in southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people, mainly Israeli civilians, and saw about 250 others taken hostage. About 120 hostages remain, with 43 pronounced dead.

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Israels military offensive has killed more than 36,700 Palestinians and wounded in excess of 83,000 others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It has also destroyed about 80% of Gazas buildings, according to the UN.

The Security Council adopted a resolution on March 25 demanding a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which ended on April 9, with the US abstaining. But there was no halt to the war.

The current draft resolution underscores the importance of the ongoing diplomatic efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the United States aimed at reaching a comprehensive ceasefire deal, consisting of three phases. US secretary of state Antony Blinken is on his eighth trip to the Middle East since October 7 pursuing that goal.

Mr Bidens May 31 announcement of the new ceasefire proposal said it would begin with an initial six-month ceasefire with the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza and the return of Palestinian civilians to all areas in the territory.

Phase one also requires the safe distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout the Gaza Strip, which Mr Biden said would lead to 600 trucks with aid entering Gaza every day.



UN secretary general Antonio Guterres (AP)

In phase two, the draft resolution says that with the agreement of Israel and Hamas, a permanent end to hostilities, in exchange for the release of all other hostages still in Gaza, and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza will take place.

Phase three would launch a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of the remains of any deceased hostages still in Gaza to their families.

The resolutions final draft would underline that the proposal says if negotiations take longer than six weeks for the first phase, the ceasefire will still continue as long as negotiations continue.

It would welcome the readiness of the United States, Egypt and Qatar to work to ensure negotiations keep going until all the agreements are reached and phase two is able to begin.

The final draft rejects any attempt to change Gazas territory or demography, or reduce its size, but drops wording that specifically mentioned the reduction by officially or unofficially establishing so-called buffer zones.

It also would reiterate the Security Councils unwavering commitment to achieving the vision of a negotiated two-state solution where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders.

And it would stress the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. This is something Mr Netanyahus right-wing government has not agreed to.
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Review Eating outSouth Melbourne Rediscover an endangered brand of old-school fine dining at this polished newcomer Searching for somewhere quiet, spacious and with excellent food? New arrival Lucia ticks all the boxes. Besha Rodell June 11, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This venue appears in the June 2024 Melbourne hit list. See all stories .

1 / 9 The interior at South Melbourne restaurant, Lucia. Chris Hopkins 2 / 9 Prawn in brik pastry, the crunch contrasting with the soft seafood inside. Chris Hopkins 3 / 9 Lucias coffee, bourbon and chocolate is part semifreddo, part affogato, topped with a spiral of meringue. Chris Hopkins 4 / 9 Lobster taco is dressed with lemongrass and tequila and wrapped in jicama. Chris Hopkins 5 / 9 The pork rib is an elevated take on a schnitzel. Chris Hopkins 6 / 9 Lucia owners Frank Ciorciari (left) and Anthony Silvestre. Arianna Leggiero 7 / 9 French-born chef Jordan Clavaron at Lucia, South Melbourne. Arianna Leggiero 8 / 9 The bar at Lucia offers front-row seats of the seafood display. Arianna Leggiero 9 / 9 Lamb tartare is easily shareable. Chris Hopkins Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15.5 / 20 How we score Contemporary$$$$ Do you remember fine dining? Not the degustation, book months-in-advance, spend half your rent money fine dining of today, but the version that was like regular dining, only better. The service was better. The room was quieter, more spacious, less raucous. And the cooking was considered, careful, beautiful. It was also more expensive than the casual neighbourhood bistro, of course. But it was worth it. These days, this type of restaurant is not so easy to find. It may just be a question of fashion  many of the more ambitious and expensive restaurants are loud places where youre still encouraged to share your plates, where the scene is as important as any culinary technique. So it was almost a jolt to walk into Lucia, the restaurant opened in February by Frank Ciorciari and Anthony Silvestre, who also own Riserva in Malvern East, Sandringhams Baia Di Vino and San Lorenzo in Scoresby.

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Is Lucia expensive? Sure  but no more so than many new restaurants that arent nearly as impressive. Sited at the bottom of a new office building in South Melbourne, theres a definite business-chic vibe, but its also spacious and luxurious and anything but rowdy. Much of the seating is in large plush semi-circular booths, the windows are cloaked in gauzy drapes, and while it looks a little like the foyer of an upscale corporate hotel, it also feels soigne  about two steps above the fracas of modern dining. This is perhaps unsurprising, given the talent Ciorciari and Silvestre have pulled in to run Lucias kitchen. The chef, French-born Jordan Clavaron, has worked at Cutler & Co. and Society in Melbourne, but also under Joel Robuchon in Paris. His background and training are evident in almost everything that comes out of this kitchen. Prawn wrapped in brik pastry. Chris Hopkins There are lovely plump prawns ($15 each) with basil, wrapped in an impossibly thin and shattery brik pastry, the crunch contrasting with the soft seafood inside.

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A generous fistful of lobster meat dressed in lemongrass and tequila is served as a taco ($15 each), the taco shell here being a paper-like round of the Central American root vegetable jicama, the whole thing fresh and sweet and delicious. Lobster is swaddled in a thin sheet of jicamo, taco style. Chris Hopkins There was a touch too much tomato sugo in an otherwise impressive spaghettoni with Moreton Bay bug ($45), hiding the bisque component of the sauce  Id have loved to get more of that intense seafood flavour shining through. But it was the only complaint I had about the food here, and it was a small one at that. I adored the pork rib ($46), an elevated take on a schnitzel, crumbed and served with grapes, fennel agrodolce, and a side of creme fraiche. But perhaps the most remarkable dish of the night was a dessert, listed on the menu as chocolate, bourbon and coffee ($20). Part semifreddo, part affogato, the mousse-like chocolate component comes topped with a crown of soft and elegant meringue expertly piped into a tight spiral.

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The server pours a bourbon coffee mixture onto its point, and the liquid swirls down in a mesmerising flow to pool at the bottom of the bowl. Its beautiful, and tastes wonderful, but also, this texture, shape and presentation are wildly difficult to achieve. Lucias coffee, bourbon and chocolate dessert is finished at the table with a drizzle of sauce. Chris Hopkins Is Lucia expensive? Sure  but no more so than many new restaurants that arent nearly as impressive. You can decide to go with the $130 caviar or the $170 dry-aged rib-eye for two, but in a world where entrees are easily surpassing the $30 mark and $50 mains are almost standard (insert crying emoji here), Lucia stays under that mark for the most part. If I have an issue with cost, it has to do more with the way its handled by Lucias otherwise excellent servers. Theres an unmistakable upselling culture at play, which in my case relied on misunderstandings that could (and should) easily have been clarified. When we ordered the two-sip martini ($19), which comes with a fresh oyster, our server suggested adding prosecco. We werent sure why  perhaps the oyster was in the drink itself (its not), and a prosecco float was part of the fun? Instead, we got two glasses of prosecco ahead of our cocktails  its the first time Ive ever been upsold a drink when I was trying to order another drink, and it was baffling.

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Many of the small plates are one-bite situations, and priced by the piece. So of course, we ordered two of the prawns, two of the lobster tacos (both $15 apiece). But we were also delivered two full servings of lamb tartare ($28), despite the dish being easily shareable, and not having requested double. Lamb tartare with gribiche sauce, dukka and beetroot lavosh. Chris Hopkins In every other way, the servers were charming, warm and obviously well-trained. The guy who mainly acted as a busser, bringing water and bread and clearing plates, was able to breezily talk me through the armagnac offerings. A waiter from another section who had greeted us made sure we were happy throughout the night. If they dropped the upselling, this would be some of the better service in town. To say that Lucia is a pleasant surprise is a bit of an understatement. It isnt a place to see and be seen, to feel like youre in the heart of it all, or to discover boundary-pushing cuisine. But if youre looking for serious, technique-based cooking, or to rediscover an endangered and utterly charming brand of fine dining, youre in for a treat. The low-down Vibe: Soft corporate luxury Go-to dish: Chocolate, bourbon and coffee dessert, $20 Drinks: Large array of amari and an interesting wine list with a focus on France, Burgundy in particular Cost: About $180 for two, plus drinks
Chef Josh Raine flies solo with a $200 six-course degustation, while Corey Costelloe shirks the high end of town for his first venture at the former STIX Cafe site.

The former head chef at Tetsuyas is opening a pop-up at the Blue Door restaurant in Surry Hills while its owners are away next month on holidays, and rising Sydney hospo star Alex Cameron has swapped the inner city for the beaches, purchasing the 23-year-old Wet Paint restaurant in Bronte. Welcome to the left-field ways gen next is getting the foot in the door on the way to opening their first solo ventures.

Former Tetsuyas chef Josh Raine. TNM Creative Media

High rents, rising costs and an oversupply of restaurants make launching a new venue a daunting proposition. Chef Josh Raine, who earlier this year called time on his six-year run at the soon-to-close Tetsuyas, has dreams of opening his own pub-style eatery with a small fine diner attached. For now, his ambitions are a little more pragmatic.

This is a way of me testing the waters before jumping in, Raine says of his four-week residency, which kicks off on Wednesday, July 3 called A Spot of Raine at Blue Door. The owners need a well-deserved short holiday, so this is the perfect opportunity to use someone elses space.

With a six-course degustation priced at $200, Raine hopes to discover if there is an appetite for what hed like to eventually parlay into a permanent restaurant.
Egg farmer and Victorian Farmers Federation vice-president Danyel Cucinotta said the group was anticipating a flow-on impact to egg supplies in the week and was working hard to maintain supply. Loading My advice is to shop around at your local grocer, market or small independent store to buy your eggs, he said. Federal Agricultural Minister Murray Watt said Australians could be confident the eggs they were consuming were safe. The work that the Victorian government is doing to euthanise poultry on those farms means that theres no risk of contaminated eggs getting into the system, the supply system, he said.

Its also important to remember that the strain of avian flu that we see in Victoria is not the particularly deadly strain that we have seen in other countries around the world. Agriculture Victoria said while cases were possible among humans in direct contact with animals infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, the current risk to the public remained low. Supermarket giant Coles has capped egg purchases to two cartons per customer per shop. Credit: Shutterstock The spread of avian influenza from birds to people is rare but may occur with some strains of the virus if there is close contact with infected birds or their droppings, or with heavily contaminated environments, it said. An egg farmer from Victoria said free-range chickens were more likely to catch diseases from migratory birds as they were exposed to the outdoors.

The migratory birds, theyre the ones who bring in all the diseases. Theyre virtually immune to it, but they carry it. The poor chook cops it, said the farmer, who spoke under condition of anonymity. Loading Ninety-five per cent of the farmers chickens are free-range, all of which have been moved into barns and sheds at the direction of the Department of Agriculture. Contrary to public perception, chickens are not unhappy in cages, the farmer said. Cage [eggs] is what lays the most  [chickens] dont die, they dont get sick. Its all-round much better. Free range is good for Coles and Woolworths.

NSW Farmers president Xavier Martin said the organisation was closely watching developments in Victoria and insisted there was absolutely nothing wrong with the eggs being produced by most farmers. According to his calculation, the euthanised flock of chickens represents about 2 per cent of the nations poultry at most. Credit: Matt Golding We dont know why Coles has made the move they made, but it probably goes to the heart of their procurement policies and how they manage that, Martin said. Its not as if everyone shouldnt still keep eating eggs. Industry body Australian Eggs said while the culls would cause some disruption to egg supply as retailers reorganised their supply, purchase limits or patchy supermarket shelves did not indicate a nationwide shortage.

Australians Eggs managing director Rowan McMonnies said purchase limits could backfire. If a retailer has been impacted by the avian influenza incidents then it might be necessary for them, but they can send the wrong message to consumers about broader egg supply, he said. Egg supply has also been temporarily affected by Agriculture Victorias decision to introduce a permit system for egg producers that fall within zones marked as restricted or control. Wes Humpage, who supplies eggs from Maude, south-west of Melbourne, and whose birds have tested negative for avian flu, was unable to deliver or distribute eggs for over a week after Victorias chief veterinary officer, Graeme Cooke, issued a letter last Tuesday stating his department would not be granting any permits for 28 days after the first infection. It did come as quite a shock. We literally had packed vans for the following day  its a production process, everythings all very planned and mapped out, Humpage said.

How are we gonna pay bills? Where are we gonna store our eggs for 28 days? If thats truly what they want us to do, how do we work together to do that? The egg farmer began sharing his struggles on his business WesEggs Facebook page and received a permit approval about midday on Monday. Up until a couple of days ago, we thought we were going to [go] 28 days with no income. Humpage hopes Agriculture Victoria will work more collaboratively with the industry to provide more support, such as emergency funding if necessary, and implementing biosecurity controls while ensuring the ongoing flow of supply where safe to do so. Theyre like policemen and the cleanup crew at the moment, he said. At the minute, their whole response is purely reactive. Even currently with us, theyre not really assisting us  theyre just checking to make sure we dont have it, and if [we] did, theyd shut us down.
During the past decade, the federal government has been defending class actions over its use of the chemicals in firefighting foam and denying they cause important health effects. It reached the first of settlements with 11 communities collectively worth $366 million in the weeks after the Federal Courts expert umpire concluded there was good evidence the chemicals potentially cause harmful health effects, including cancer. Over the past year, PFOS or PFOA have been found in drinking water in the Sydney suburb of North Richmond, the NSW regional centres of Newcastle and Jervis Bay and in tap water on Rottnest Island, a tourist magnet because of its thriving colony of quokkas. Testing in recent years has also uncovered the chemicals in drinking water in a string of towns across Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Norfolk Island, and in Canberras catchments, where one PFOS sample taken during routine surveillance was more than seven times the US limit.

Some of the most troubling readings, breaching both Australian and US safety thresholds, were at Norfolk Island, along with the Queensland towns Ayr, Bundaberg and Macknade. Affected water supplies have now been decommissioned in all four locations. In 2020, the chemicals were discovered at 635 times Australias safe limit and thousands of times the US enforceable limit in a now-decommissioned bore on Norfolk Island that was being used to feed tap water to the hospital, airport terminal, fire station, council works depot and public toilets. Last financial year more than 32,000 tourists touched down on the subtropical island, an Australian territory 1600 kilometres north-east of Sydney. In April, the US unveiled maximum limits of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water of four parts per trillion, the lowest target water providers would feasibly be able to implement.

However, the agency also warned water providers should be striving to meet the non-enforceable goal level of zero, because there was no level of exposure without a risk of adverse health effects. Its a stark comparison to Australias drinking water guidelines set in 2018, which allow 560 parts per trillion of PFOA and 70 parts per trillion of PFOS. The two chemicals in the spotlight are part of a broader family of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), best known as forever chemicals because they never break down in the environment and linger for years in the human body. Were not different

This masthead contacted all 23 affected Australian drinking water providers and they responded that their water is safe because levels detected fall within Australias drinking water guidelines. However, many exceed the new US safety thresholds, which are based on recent scientific evidence showing forever chemicals are more dangerous than previously understood. The US EPA has pledged its new rules will prevent thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of serious illnesses. The science is clear, it said. Dr Nicholas Chartres, a senior research fellow from the University of Sydneys faculty of medicine and health, said the chemicals posed just as much risk to the health of Australians as to people in the United States.

Were no different, physiologically, Chartres said. We should have the concern were potentially getting exposed to those health effects. Experts were scathing about Australias failure to conduct widespread monitoring and instead focus on testing water supplies close to contamination hotspots. Sydney Universitys Dr Nicholas Chartres said the new US safety thresholds were based on gold standard scientific assessments. Credit: Nick Moir A Department of Health spokesperson said that testing varied across water utilities based on the different risks of PFAS in different water supplies, as with other threats to water safety. In cases where the presence of the chemicals was suspected due to past use in firefighting foam, detailed investigations were carried out to determine the risk to drinking water sources, the spokesperson added.

The peak body for Australias urban water industry, the Water Services Association of Australia, also defended that approach. The most effective way to limit PFAS in drinking water is to identify potential point sources of contamination within drinking water catchments, and work with relevant stakeholders to put in place effective control measures, executive director Adam Lovell said. Source control is generally lower cost, less energy intensive and more effective than implementing treatment technology. But Lloyd-Smith spurned the claim that widespread testing wasnt necessary. She argued such an approach posed a real risk of allowing the ongoing contamination of Australias drinking water. To make such a claim is particularly foolhardy in the light of research showing PFAS being detected in nearly 50 per cent of drinking water samples that were tested across Australia, Lloyd-Smith said.

That data, from the 2011 study, uncovered the contaminants in suburbs of Sydney significant distances away from sites where the firefighting foam was used. PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment with a myriad of sources, Lloyd-Smith said. Dr Mariann Lloyd-Smith said widespread sampling of Australian drinking water must be an urgent priority for the government. Credit: iKandy Films Forever chemicals have been found atop Mount Everest, in polar bears, in rainwater, sea spray from the ocean, fire stations, airports, Defence bases, ports, industrial sites, pesticides, stormwater and wastewater treatment plants. A 2021 University of Queensland study found wastewater treatment plants are central to the PFAS problem because they are often the final destination for forever chemicals waste from consumers and industry.

The plants can be only partially effective at removing PFAS from wastewater, the study found. If contaminated water was released back into the environment, it could end up re-contaminating the food chain and drinking water supplies. Anthony Amis from Friends of the Earth has spent years tracking the contamination of Australian drinking water supplies with PFAS. Some communities would have been drinking PFAS at dangerous levels for years, and possibly decades. Anthony Amis from Friends of the Earth While most water providers make their surveillance data available to the public, others have kept it shrouded in secrecy. Amis was forced to use freedom of information requests to obtain data for several Victoria towns, which he shared with this masthead. Some of the communities would have been drinking PFAS at dangerous levels for years, and possibly decades, Amis said.

Why is it that people have been exposed at these levels, without regulatory bodies knowing until very recently? Anthony Amis from Friends of the Earth has been on a years-long crusade to uncover data on the contamination of Victorias drinking water with forever chemicals. Credit: Wayne Taylor A forever problem Australias Drinking Water Guidelines are developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council. They guide the states, which regulate water quality, and water suppliers on how to monitor and manage threats to drinking water quality. The council is reviewing its guidelines for PFAS in the wake of the overseas developments.

The independent review will consider recent guidance and reviews from international and national jurisdictions and determine whether they are suitable to adopt or adapt for Australia, a Department of Health spokesperson said. The spokesperson added the guidelines are based on the best available scientific evidence and, if implemented, assure the safety of consumers. [The US EPA] identified a really large scope of health effects that hadnt been identified before. Dr Nicholas Chartres from the University of Sydney Chartres called on Australian regulators to act swiftly to bring safety thresholds into line with those in the US. Theres no way they can scientifically defend not taking on the US EPAs evaluations, because of the level of rigour and transparency thats been done with these evaluations, Chartres said.

He added that Australian regulators did not have the resources to carry out assessments on the same scale. [The US EPA] identified a really large scope of health effects that hadnt been identified before, theyve spent a huge amount of money and time doing this evaluation. Lovell said it was not unusual for guidelines to vary from country to country depending on their purpose, the local context and interpretation of evidence. The body of available evidence is assessed using best practice evidence review methods and is considered in the Australian context, Lovell said. Professor Denis OCarroll from the University of NSW said different jurisdictions had different risk appetites and ways of calculating what was safe, which could present a confusing picture for consumers.

For me, its hard. For the average consumer, it would be even harder, he said. OCarroll noted that leading jurisdictions were now moving to set limits for the entire class of around 14,000 forever chemicals, instead of focusing on individual types. The new US enforceable limit is so minuscule it represents the equivalent of four grains on a beach containing a trillion grains of sand. Australian scientist Dr Nathan Weber, an ORISE fellow at the US EPA, said the risk came from small levels building up in the body over time.

Every time you drink, four parts per trillion slowly accumulates up and up and up and becomes problematic, Weber said. Weber added that Australian authorities should be sampling locations over an extended timeframe to get a clear picture of concentrations, given levels could fluctuate significantly, particularly in periods of rain. Certain home water filters, such as those using granular activated carbon or reverse osmosis, can remove PFAS at the tap. But Chartres warned such measures were not a silver bullet for Australia. The people that are most at risk of disease are often low income, communities of colour, fenceline communities, workers that are unable to afford these types of interventions, he said.

Polluter pays Chartres said Australia should be looking to force the manufacturers of forever chemicals to the negotiating table to pay for the testing of Australias drinking water. The Australian government confirmed in April that it is contemplating suing Wall Street giant 3M to claw back some of its financial losses from the spread of contamination across the country. 3Ms global headquarters in Maplewood, Minnesota. Credit: Bloomberg 3Ms scientists first invented forever chemicals in the 1930s, and their extraordinary capacity to repel water, oil and stains has since propelled the company to billion-dollar profits.

3M used PFOS to manufacture best-selling fabric protector Scotchgard and grease-proof food packaging. It sold PFOA to Dupont, which used it to revolutionise home cooking with the creation of non-stick Teflon pots and pans. By the turn of the century, PFOS could be found in the blood of almost every Australian, at average levels 20 times higher than what 3Ms own scientists considered safe. The new Stan documentary How to Poison a Planet, a joint investigation by this masthead and iKandy films, reveals how forever chemicals manufacturers are alleged to have deceived the world for decades about the dangers of the substances. Levels of PFOS and PFOA in Australian blood have plummeted dramatically since 3M abandoned their manufacture in the early 2000s, and countries around the world have banned the chemicals.

The World Health Organisation and authorities in the United States, Europe and the UK have now tied the chemicals to a slew of adverse health effects, including cancer, increased cholesterol, suppression of the immune system, interference with hormones and developmental effects in children. 3M recently agreed to a historic $19 billion payout to clean up thousands of water supplies across the United States. Asked whether the company should pay for the monitoring and clean up of Australias drinking water, a 3M spokeswoman issued a statement: We are committed to compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and we will continue to work to address legacy PFAS, she said. We announced in 2000 that we would phase out of manufacturing PFOA and PFOS and have done so worldwide.

We also announced in 2022 that we would exit all PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025 and are on schedule to do so. Australias ban on the chemicals will come into effect in mid-2025. Water worry The highest levels from the 2011 study were seen at Glenunga in inner-city Adelaide, where PFOS was nearly quadruple the US four ppt enforceable limit.

Glenungas water supply is not currently monitored for forever chemicals, according to SA Water. A spokeswoman said regulators advised that regular sampling was not required because assessments had not identified any sources of PFAS representing a risk to the states water supplies. Five water supplies exceeded the US enforceable limit in the 2011 study, including Quakers Hill and North Richmond in north-western Sydney and Gundagai, in the NSW Riverina region. The researchers discovered PFOS or PFOA above the US goal level of zero in a further 16 out of 28 locations, including the Sydney suburbs of Liverpool, Blacktown, Emu Plains and Campbelltown and the NSW regional towns of Yass, Wagga Wagga, Lithgow and Bathurst.

The researchers also detected traces of PFOS in tap water at Footscray, a rainwater tank at Riddells Creek in Victorias Macedon Ranges, and in a bottle of store-bought water. The research team, who were funded by the Australian Research Council and published their findings in the journal Chemosphere, did not respond to a request for comment. Greater Western Water supplies tap water to Footscray. A spokeswoman said it was committed to delivering safe, high-quality drinking water to consumers and it proactively tested in its reservoirs, which showed levels were with Australian guidelines. A Melbourne Water spokeswoman noted it had been 13 years since the study was published and sampling methods had evolved since that time. She said the citys drinking water was among the best quality in the world and 99 per cent of samples did not contain PFAS during two rounds of proactive testing.

The few samples where PFAS was found  pose no threat to public health, she said. Melbourne Water periodically reassesses the need for further investigative monitoring. North Richmond is the only site Sydney Water regularly tests for PFOS and it was found there as recently as January. Sydney Water only tests drinking water for forever chemicals at North Richmond, where they have been detected in recent months. Credit: Rhett Wyman A Sydney Water spokeswoman said there were no known PFAS hotspots in its drinking water catchments. Sydney Water regularly consults with WaterNSW, our raw water supplier, and NSW Health to assess any potential risk of PFAS to Sydneys drinking water supply, she said.

In December, PFOS was found above the US enforceable limit at five ppt in the Grahamstown Dam drinking water system, which supplies the densely populated Newcastle region in NSW. According to Hunter Water, a subsequent sample at that location was below the limit of reporting. A spokeswoman said it routinely tested for PFAS in the drinking water supply to more than half a million customers and the results confirmed it was safe and reliable. Icon Water, responsible for Canberras catchments, confirmed PFOS had been found on one occasion at 20 parts per trillion and another at 30 parts per trillion. It did not say when or where those samples were taken but noted they were not repeated in subsequent testing. It has been conducting routine surveillance since 2020.

Icon Water maintains a precautionary approach, staying abreast of the science and continues to provide drinking water consistent with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, a spokesman said. Monitoring picked up both chemicals in tap water in May last year at Rottnest Island, where about 730,000 visitors flock each year to snap a selfie with a quokka. Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to Rottnest Island each year for an encounter with a quokka. Credit: Tourism Western Australia, James Vodicka PFOA was found at 10 parts per trillion, more than double the US enforceable limit. The two chemicals have previously been discovered in the islands Herschel Lake, which is flanked by a former landfill.

The Rottnest Island Authority declined to comment. The chemicals have also been found in drinking water in Jervis Bay last October. The coastal hamlet is a popular destination for campers in summer and the home of the Wreck Bay Aboriginal community. Forever chemicals have been found in the drinking water at Jervis Bay, which is inundated with tourists over the warmer months. Credit: Rhett Wyman A Department of Infrastructure spokesperson said tests showed the water was safe and confirmed that work was continuing to connect Jervis Bay territory to the neighbouring Shoalhaven regions water supply. Barwon Water supplies tap water to people along Victorias picturesque south-west coast.

It has detected PFOS above the US enforceable limits at Moorabool in 2021 and above the goal level in the towns of Gellibrand and Lorne in 2018. Loading Water from the Moorabool system usually supplies areas north of Geelong but can be used to supplement the city itself when required. Barwon Water follows rigorous processes to ensure that the drinking water we supply meets high-quality standards and is safe for our customers, said chief scientist Will Buchanan. The chemicals have also been detected in drinking water supplies at Sale and Briagolong in Victorias Gippsland region.

A Gippsland Water spokesman said it has undertaken regular, precautionary testing in its tap water at Sale, Seaspray and Briagolong since 2017 due to potential sources of contamination in the area such as firefighting. We share the results with our customers and community on our website, he said. Our testing results have always shown PFOS and PFOA levels to be well below the limits contained in the national guidelines. Power and Water Corporation, which supplies the Northern Territory, found the chemicals in drinking water supplies across Alice Springs, Katherine, Batchelor, Pine Creek and Adelaide River, according to its latest sampling results published in 2022. It has taken a number of its groundwater bores offline, as well as constructing Australias largest PFAS treatment plant at Katherine.

Power and Water is committed to providing access to safe, sustainable and secure drinking water for all Territorians, a spokeswoman said. A bore in the Western Australia regional centre of Esperance was decommissioned after the chemicals were detected there in 2019. At that time, the level detected was well below the new US guideline of four ppt, a Water Corporation spokeswoman said. She noted there had been no further detections above Australian guidelines in drinking water supplies at either Esperance or Perth. The chemicals have not been detected during recent precautionary sampling rounds in Darwin, Cairns and Tasmania, authorities confirmed. TasWater chief scientist Graham Hawke noted the two Tasmanian samples in the 2011 study were very substantially below Australian guidelines and less than one-half to one-quarter of the new US EPA enforceable limits.

TasWater have previously tested our highest risk drinking water catchments and found no PFAS, he said. A Riverina Water spokesman said that PFAS had not been detected in its East Wagga bores, despite ongoing concern about a contamination plume from a nearby Defence base. Defence will continue to monitor the results of its sentinel bores, she said. However, the chemicals have been found in a bore at West Wagga. Revealed: How To Poison A Planet now streaming, only on Stan.
The US consulate in North Sydney has been attacked by a person wearing a dark hoodie and carrying a small sledgehammer.

The person made several attempts to shatter the glass windows at the front of the building on Miller Street about 3am on Monday, but was only able to make a series of small holes in the reinforced glass, police said.

Forensic police examine the graffiti. Credit: Kate Geraghty

Inverted red triangles were sprayed on the front of the building, a symbol used by some pro-Palestinian activists.

CCTV footage of the incident shows the person was wearing a dark hoodie.
Billions of dollars worth of properties in Western Australia are facing the wrath of bushfire, floods and coastal erosion which threaten to upend peoples lives, push up insurance costs and put downward pressure on property values, new research shows.

Domains 2024 Perils Report found, even as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe due to climate change, potential home buyers were not always well-informed about the risk to a property before they bought it.

A Perth home in Perths northern suburb destroyed by a bushfire in November 2023. Credit: 9News Perth

The Perth suburbs most at risk from bushfire

The report, which analysed every property in the state, found nearly 6000 homes (valued at $5.4 billion) are incredibly vulnerable to bushfire in the Perth metropolitan area.
Star Fremantle midfielder Caleb Serong is sending his best wishes to Rory Lobb as the Western Bulldogs big man battles through the toughest period of his AFL career.

Lobb was booed by some Bulldogs fans after being subbed off in last weeks 43-point loss to Brisbane.

Star Fremantle midfielder Caleb Serong is sending his best wishes to Rory Lobb. Credit: Getty Images

The 31-year-old was scoreless from just five disposals when he was yanked out of the game, and he has kicked just three goals across five games this season.

With Sam Darcy suspended for another week and Aaron Naughton (knee) still injured, Lobb appears almost certain to keep his spot for Saturdays match against Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.

Lobb is contracted until the end of 2026, but speculation suggests he will seek a trade away from the Bulldogs at the end of this season in a bid to link with a fourth club.

The 207-centimetre forward-ruckman started his career at GWS, then spent four seasons at Fremantle before cutting ties with the Dockers early to join the Bulldogs at the end of 2022.

Although Lobbs exit from Fremantle was somewhat messy, Serong said the 165-game veteran still had friends at the club.

Im sure theres guys that are still close to him and will reach out, Serong said on Monday.

Theres a few guys who are still close to him.

I wish him the best. Hes getting an opportunity to play some footy now and put his best foot forward.
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.
Apple is adding generative AI tools to its phones and computers that can rewrite and summarise text, create cartoony images, edit photos and more, as well as an optional integration with OpenAIs ChatGPT.

The collection of tools, which the company calls Apple Intelligence, will arrive later this year for iOS 18 and MacOS Sequoia, which were unveiled at the annual Worldwide Developer Conference on Tuesday morning (AEST). They also include an upgraded and more natural Siri assistant, which now understands text prompts and can respond with step-by-step instructions.

Craig Federighi, senior vice president of software engineering at Apple, shows off Apple AI.

Many of the iOS tools, which will work on iPhone 15 Pro or later, are similar to those already available on Google and Samsung phones or through Microsoft apps such as Office. But Apple chief executive Tim Cook said the company was doing things differently.

Apple Intelligence will transform what users can do with our products, and what our products can do for our users, he said, in announcing the tools.
A Pakistani man who tried to set up the countrys first gay club has been detained in a psychiatric hospital by local authorities.

Gay sex is illegal in Pakistan and can be punished by two years up to life in prison. Credit: AP

The man, who chose not to give his identity in an interview, had filed an application to set up the club in Abbottabad, the conservative northern city where Osama bin Laden was found and killed.

In the application filed to the deputy commissioner (DC) of the city, the man said the club was to be a great convenience and resource for many homosexual, bisexual and even some heterosexual people residing in Abbottabad in particular, and in other parts of the country in general.

Gay sex is illegal in Pakistan and can be punished by two years up to life in prison. The conservative religious culture also makes it difficult to be openly homosexual, although in practice the laws are rarely applied.
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 Western Australian government doesnt know how many people have been killed by crocodiles in its warm, northern waters. Kasim Djalilan, a sea-gnarled fisherman from Indonesias West Timor province, could tell them of at least four since 2020. He saw one himself only last year. The 33-year-old with a family to feed is among a wave of Indonesian boatmen reaching the Australian mainland with almost comical ease against the touted might of Operation Sovereign Borders. More than a dozen times he has picked through the Kimberley mangroves for sea cucumber, also called trepang; a curious slug-like creature highly valued in China for its purported medicinal miracles. The trepangers explain they use offline Google Maps to navigate from Indonesia. The more diligent among them, like the fishermen-turned-smugglers who dumped two loads of would-be immigrants in WA this year, study the Australian Border Force and know its drone ploys by heart. Papela fishermen demonstrate how Laudi was taken by a crocodile. Credit: Amilia Rosa If its Thursday, they will fly this hour. If its Wednesday, they will fly this hour, he says. We wait it out, and we sneak in. It was on one of these familiar sneak-ins that his friend, Laudi, a 30-year-old father and husband, died at a Kimberley inlet too remote for a European name. This masthead meets Laudis colleagues at their Rote Island village of Papela for a grim re-enactment. Kasim plays the part of Laudi, lying flat on his back atop a moored trepang boat. The dead mans cousin assumes the role of alligator.

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Laudi is sleeping, his head only slightly poking over the water, and the crocodile is gliding steadily and unseen until in range it launches its upper body from the water, latching onto Laudis skull and flipping him into the foaming water. The body eventually floats to the surface, allowing the men to retrieve it for a burial in front of the family. The fishermen speak of three other crocodile attack deaths and a serious injury in Australia, all of them unknown to coroners, police or the public. Laudis story is one of the more horrific relayed during this mastheads visit to Papela as part of an investigation spanning multiple Indonesian islands, and the homes and offices of dozens of fishermen, people smugglers and government sources, into rising numbers of sailors entering Australian territory, sometimes with illegal human cargo. Trepang men Kasim (left) and Renaldy on a boat used to reach the Australian mainland. Credit: Amilia Rosa While the true number of successful trepang runs to the Australian mainland is unknowable, anecdotal evidence suggests it is staggering. On the minuscule Maginti Island in South-East Sulawesi province, a village boss acknowledges most of his fishermen are regularly cruising for Australia. Its not about breaking the law, its simply because they need to make a living, Ali Imron says.

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Sailors from Makassar harvested sea cucumbers from northern Australian coastlines long before European settlement and until early last century, forming relationships with Aboriginal nations along the way. The Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land still call white people balanda, a version of the Indonesian word for Dutchman. In early 2020, according to the Rote Island men, an illegal Sulawesi crew made a shocking discovery after straying to the Australian mainland in strong winds: trepang, plump, plentiful and far more valuable than the smaller Indonesian variety. All they had to do was bend down and pick them up from the shallows. Magas (right) with his family in the Rote Island village of Papela. I have been to Australia more than 20 times, and not once caught, he says. Credit: Amilia Rosa The news triggered a kind of maritime gold rush, fuelled by an assumption among the fishermen that, even if they were caught, the Australians would be reluctant to haul them ashore amid the nascent COVID pandemic. There is just an abundance of trepang there and no one [in Australia] is collecting it, says Dahlan Karabi, a Papela fisherman and multi-time former people smuggler. Everybody started putting bigger engines into their boats to get them out there faster. Back in his day ferrying asylum seekers to Australia, the boats went at about four knots. The trepang vessels can go four or five times that, he says. They are easy to pick for their compact size and arrow head-like shape. The owners paint them grey or green to blend in with the ocean or mangroves.

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The village of Papela, on the eastern side of Rote Island, is a 10-or-so hour cruise to Australia in a decent trepang craft. Its small harbour is dotted with them. One is owned by Kasim, who, though mostly successful in his runs to Australia, has been caught five times, spending short periods in Australian jail. He was turned home twice during the pandemic without punishment. Other than Laudis tragic death, his most heartbreaking moment was when arresting ABF officers, in line with Australian policy, threw the equivalent of a years wage worth of trepang overboard and then burnt his boat at sea. When the weather clears, he will need to pay off his new vessel with more trips to Australia, he says. He does not rule out taking paying passengers. It depends on the money, he says. We would want a minimum of 150 million rupiah [about $14,000]. If not, no go. But its a risk that I am willing to take to provide for my family.

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When the ABF discovers an Indonesian boat empty of fish but straying into Australian territory, officers will cruise up and hand out a paper map with information about where the crew can and cannot fish. A small case study in Australian bureaucracy: it is printed entirely in English. Maginti Island-style trepang boats moored in Papelas harbour. Credit: Amilia Rosa Only one of the men gathered in Dahlans living room to speak with this masthead about their troubles can make sense of the words. The 60-year-old host picked up some English while serving more than four years in various Australian prisons for people smuggling more than a decade ago. Back then, smugglers would try to drop-and-dash at Ashmore Reef, which is closer to Indonesia than Western Australia. Now, with the knowledge and the boats of the new generation, reaching the mainland is not only feasible for people smugglers but has already been achieved at least twice this year: first, in February, with a regular fishing vessel captained by trepang man; and again, in early April, with two trepang boats. Days after the April run, the old people smuggler took a call from a Jakarta-based contact.

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Normandy, France: After a decade of vice-regal service, David Hurleys job is almost done. But his final trip overseas, his 19th as Australias Governor-General, was as moving as any that had come before.

On the beaches of Normandy he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, inquired as to the Kings health, shook hands with US President Joe Biden and embraced his host, French President Emmanuel Macron.

Governor-General of Australia David Hurley arrives at the international ceremony at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France. Credit: AP

With less than a month before he passes the baton to Sam Mostyn and vacates Yarralumla, Hurley isnt quite prepared to reflect properly on his time in the role. There are still people to meet and duties to be carried out.

The cancer-stricken King by the way? Hes going OK.
Among the most outstanding performers identified by this report are locations where property values have risen notably, but rental yields have increased because there has been an exceptional increase in rents, Hyde said.
A sign is seen on concertina wire blocking a lane towards El Paso, Texas, on the international border crossing bridge Paso del Norte, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico April 3, 2019. (Photo: REUTERS)

The Biden administration has issued a directive to release migrants from nearly all countries in the Eastern Hemisphere into the United States, despite a recent executive order intended to curb illegal immigration. This directive, revealed in a leaked Border Patrol memo, instructs agents in the San Diego sector to process single adults from most Eastern Hemisphere countries through a "Notice to Appear/released on Own Recognizance" (NTA/OR) procedure. The only exceptions are migrants from Russia, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Moldova, and Kyrgyzstan, who are to be referred for expedited removal.

The memo, first reported by the Washington Examiner, comes shortly after President Biden's executive order aimed at tightening asylum rules took effect. The President announced the order, emphasizing his intent to bypass what he described as Republican obstruction and to use his executive authority to address border issues independently. "I am moving past Republican obstruction and using the executive authorities available to me as president to do what I can on my own to address the border," Biden declared.

Despite the administration's tough rhetoric, the memo indicates a significant gap between policy and practice. Footage obtained by Fox News shows Border Patrol buses releasing hundreds of migrants at a San Diego trolley station daily, contradicting the administration's assurances of stringent border control measures.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has acknowledged the difficulty in deporting individuals from certain Eastern Hemisphere countries, including China, due to these nations' reluctance to accept repatriation flights. During a background call with reporters, DHS officials admitted they are working to gain cooperation from these countries but face significant challenges in the meantime.

NEW: @FoxNews has obtained an internal Border Patrol memo sent to agents in San Diego sector after President Bidens executive order took effect, instructing them to release single adults from all but six countries in the eastern hemisphere & classifying them as hard or very pic.twitter.com/OaSLSYbuC1  Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) June 9, 2024

The executive order, which temporarily suspends the entry of migrants across the southern border once daily encounters exceed 2,500 over a week, includes several exceptions. These exceptions apply to legal immigrants, unaccompanied children, and those deemed victims of severe forms of trafficking. Migrants who schedule appointments through the CBP One app at ports of entry, currently averaging 1,500 daily, are also exempt.

Furthermore, the order allows for exceptions based on the totality of circumstances, including significant law enforcement, officer, and public safety considerations, as well as urgent humanitarian and public health interests. This broad range of exceptions has led to criticism that the order lacks the necessary rigor to significantly curb illegal immigration.

Former President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration's policy as a "public relations executive order." Speaking to Newsmax, Trump said, "First of all, it's a nothing that he did and allowing massive numbers of people still to come in, and it's just misinformation, disinformation, and just another hit job."

The leaked memo and subsequent reporting highlight a stark contrast between the administration's public statements and the realities on the ground. Despite promises of stricter controls, the majority of migrants from the Eastern Hemisphere in the San Diego sector continue to be released into the U.S.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials offered conflicting statements, with some indicating that migrants of all nationalities would continue to be placed into expedited removal proceedings, contradicting the memo's content. A CBP official also noted that lack of funding is impacting the implementation of Biden's original executive order.

This discrepancy has fueled concerns about the administration's ability to enforce its immigration policies effectively. The New York Post reported that tens of thousands of migrants could be exempt from Biden's new order if their home countries refuse to take them back. The Post cited a memo indicating that single adults and family units who are "very hard to remove" may still be processed for expedited removal or placed into section 240 removal proceedings, effectively allowing them to stay in the U.S.
Israeli Forces Raid Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza Amid Intense Conflict (Photo: Michael Shvadron, Israel Defense Forces/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0))

The United Nations Security Council is poised to vote on a U.S.-drafted cease-fire proposal aimed at halting eight months of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. This critical vote, which could bring a temporary reprieve from the ongoing violence, follows a week of negotiations among the 15-member council and is expected to pass with the necessary nine votes in favor, provided no vetoes from the U.S., France, Britain, China, or Russia.

Diplomatic sources indicate that neither Russia nor China are likely to block the resolution. This marks a significant shift from earlier this year when China and Russia opposed a Gaza cease-fire resolution, citing concerns it would enable further Israeli military actions. The U.S. had previously vetoed three draft resolutions, two of which called for an immediate cease-fire.

President Joe Biden, who played a pivotal role in drafting the proposal, announced on May 31 that Israel had outlined a three-part plan aimed at achieving a permanent cease-fire in Gaza and securing the release of hostages taken during Hamas's surprise attack on Israel on October 7. According to Gaza health authorities, the conflict has resulted in over 36,000 Palestinian deaths, including thousands of women and children.

Nate Evans, spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the U.N., emphasized the importance of the Security Council's role in urging Hamas to agree to the proposal. "Israel has accepted this proposal, and the Security Council has an opportunity to speak with one voice and call on Hamas to do the same," he stated.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent actions suggest that Israel may not fully endorse the cease-fire proposal. Following a dramatic rescue operation that freed four hostages but resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, Netanyahu's determination to continue the military campaign in Gaza appears unwavering. This stance is further complicated by internal political dynamics, including the resignation of retired Gen. Benny Gantz from Israel's war cabinet, citing Netanyahu's mismanagement of the war and lack of a post-conflict plan for Gaza.

As Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Israel to address these issues, he faces the challenge of persuading Netanyahu to reconsider his position. Blinken, who has already met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi-a key mediator with Hamas-continues to advocate for the cease-fire plan, which he argues is the "single best way" to secure peace and stability in the region.

"If you want a cease-fire, press Hamas to say 'yes,'" Blinken urged, emphasizing the widespread international support for the plan. Despite the complexities, Blinken remains hopeful that a resolution can be reached, though he acknowledges the obstacles posed by both Israeli and Hamas hardliners.

The three-phase plan proposed by Israel includes the release of more hostages, a temporary pause in hostilities to negotiate a full cease-fire, and a comprehensive post-conflict reconstruction plan for Gaza. The Security Council's vote on Monday will be a crucial step in determining the future of this plan.

While the international community watches closely, the situation on the ground remains dire. Over 37,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, with many more facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essentials. U.N. agencies warn that more than one million people in Gaza could experience extreme starvation by mid-July.

Blinken's visit to the region, which includes stops in Jordan and Qatar, underscores the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In Jordan, he will participate in an emergency international conference focused on improving the flow of aid to the beleaguered territory.
Indian traders involved in border trade with China through the Lipulekh pass in Pithoragarh district since 1992, have requested the central government to take up the issue of resumption of border trade through this route with Beijing.

The trade route was closed rather suddenly after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019, forcing Indian traders to return from the Taklakot mart in Tibet leaving behind their woollen products.

Five years have passed but the route has not been opened, an organisation of border traders in Dharchula said.

The traders who belong to the Bhotia tribe started to raise their demand for reopening of the trade route through Lipulekh after China recently began the process of implementing a pact, in which it had agreed to open all 14 trade passes with Nepal.

The implementation of the agreement inked by China and Nepal in December, 2022 began on May 25 this year, when China opened Piangi pass situated in Dolpa district of eastern Nepal, president of Bharat Tibetan Simant Vyapar Samiti, Dharchula Jeewan Singh Rongkali said.

Three more passes along the Indo-Tibet border in the western region of Nepal that fall in the districts of Humla, Bajang and Darchula will be opened on June 20, 30 and 25 respectively, he said.

"We have so far sent 22 applications to the government of India requesting it to take up with the Chinese authorities the reopening of the trade route through Lipulekh pass but have received no response so far," Rongkali said.

According to Rongkali, Indian tribal traders from Dharchula alone have left trading items worth Rs 15 lakh in Taklakot Mart of Tibet at the time of closure of border trade in 2019, following the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We have no information if our stored goods are safe or in a state of decay. They were stored in plywood covers at the time of closure of trade," Rongkali said.

"We want trade with China to be resumed through Lipulekh pass but if for some reason it is not possible then the traders should be given 15 days' time to go to Taklakot to ring back their goods," he said.

Goods of over 450 Indian tribal traders have been lying there for the last 5 years, he said.

According to Rongkali, over 450 Indian traders used to supply essential goods to villagers of over 45 villages of western Tibet through this trade route since 1992.

"Out of over 15 million trade annually, we have paid lakhs of rupees towards customs duty and other taxes to the government of India," said Rongkali.

China announced in the year 2022 that it will build trans Himalayan multi-dimensional connectivity with Nepal to restructure the road and communication network with that country, Rongkali said.

"As China has not given permission to open our passes along the Indo-China border, we have an apprehension that the mart made for Indian traders in Gakkhu town of Taklakot could be handed over to Nepalese traders," said Rongkali.
Recently, Dana White, the UFC Chief Executive Officer revealed to the world that Conor McGregor is set to face off against Michael Chandler in the main event scheduled for June 29, 2024. This fight marks the return of both fighters after a considerable hiatus. McGregor had hinted at the possibility of this matchup on January 1, 2024, although it was not officially confirmed until Whites announcement. Adding to the anticipation, White specified that the match will be contested at 170 pounds. The burning question is: Can McGregor emerge victorious? His fans certainly seem to think so, as they rally behind their favorite fighter.

Pedigree of McGregor and Chandler

To date, Conor McGregor stands as one of the most prominent figures in the UFC. However, McGregor has been absent from the octagon since 2021, with his last bout against Dustin Poirier in July ending prematurely due to a leg injury. McGregor's record stands at 22 wins and 6 losses, with his most recent victory dating back to 2016. Despite this, McGregor has only fought four times since 2016, with his notable matchup against Floyd Mayweather in 2017. Despite his recent setbacks, the 35-year-old fighter is currently favored to win against Chandler.

Meanwhile, Michael Chandler has carved out a respectable career for himself. Although McGregor commands more fame, Chandler boasts an impressive track record. With 23 wins and 8 losses, Chandler hails from Missouri but trains in Florida. He holds the distinction of being one of the most successful Bellator combatants in history, having clinched the lightweight division title three times. Chandler made his UFC debut as a free agent in 2020 and has faced formidable opponents, albeit with mixed results. While he has secured victories, Chandler has also suffered defeats against notable fighters such as Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.

Predicting the Winner

The momentum seems to be in Conor McGregor's favor. His extensive experience and past victories outweigh those of Chandler. However, in the unpredictable world of heavyweight clashes, surprises are always possible. Michael Chandler possesses the skills and resilience to potentially upset McGregor's plans. Ultimately, the outcome of this highly anticipated showdown remains uncertain. For those eager to further engage with the excitement, visit Mybettingsite.uks UFC betting page to gather more insights on the matchup and explore betting options.
Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 10:00PM

Photo: Samsung

Samsung isn't waiting for a potential legal fightit's going on the offensive. The tech giant has filed a preemptive lawsuit against Oura, a leader in the smart ring market, seeking a court declaration that its upcoming Galaxy Ring doesn't infringe on five of Oura's patents.

Samsung accuses Oura of a concerning pattern: suing competitors over features typical to most smart rings, like sensors, batteries, and metric-based scores. The lawsuit cites instances where Oura targeted rivals like Ultrahuman, Circular, and RingConnsometimes before their products even launched in the US.

Fearing a similar attack, Samsung bolsters its case with evidence. Shortly after the Galaxy Ring's announcement, Oura sent a statement to media outlets highlighting its extensive intellectual property portfolio, including hundreds of granted and pending patents and trademarks. The lawsuit also references an interview with Oura's CEO Tom Hale, who hinted at taking action to protect the company's patents regarding the Galaxy Ring.

The lawsuit sheds light on the Galaxy Ring's development as well. It reveals the hardware design's finalization in mid-May, production starting in mid-June, and a targeted August launch in the US. Additionally, a screenshot from the Samsung Health app showcases an "Energy Score" feature that analyzes sleep, activity, heart rate, and heart rate variability data.

These preemptive lawsuits are common in the tech world. Last year, medical device company Masimo won a similar case against Apple, temporarily halting Apple Watch imports over alleged blood oxygen patent infringement.

A win for Samsung could have significant ramifications for the smart ring industry. Oura has dominated the market for years, but Samsung's entry, with its established brand and ecosystem, poses a serious threat. Furthermore, a favourable outcome for Samsung could empower smaller smart ring makers facing similar patent challenges from Oura.

Samsung's move signifies a growing smart ring marketone that Oura might be feeling the heat of. The recent flurry of software updates and expanded retail partnerships by Oura suggest a potential response to this rising competition.

Source
Gambia to temporarily allow Senegal imports

Muriel Bal By 10 June 2024

Gambias government has announced a temporary re-opening of its border with Senegal to allow the delivery of cement that has been held up at the border for several weeks, reports Benin Web TV. The step will help to meet domestic market requirements.



Since 16 May 2024, many cement trucks have been help up at the border, causing disruptions in building material supply to Gambia. The Cement Importers and Traders Association urged the government to take measures to enable the entry of cement into the country.



The tax on trucks carrying 30t of cement imported from Senegal was increased to GMD180,000 (US$2653) from GMD30,000 last April. According to the government, the hike was implemented to protect local cement producers. However, during a recent visit of Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, discussed the issue with his Gambian counterpart, Adam Barrow, and the tax increase was suspended subsequently.



In 2022 Senegal imported 584,000t of cement to Gambia with a total value of more than XOF25bn (US$41m).







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The board of the directors of the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition (CRHC) has chosen Mackenzie Kelly to serve as its new executive director.



The unanimous selection of Ms. Kelly followed a months-long search that commenced in August 2023. She has been serving as the organizations interim executive director since that time and steps into her new role effective immediately.

"Mackenzies empathy, expertise, and work ethic have already benefited our organization in many ways, said Zach Hurst, vice-chair of the board.

Our mission of combatting homelessness and supporting individuals who are experiencing it has never been more urgent. We are confident that she is the right person to advance this work at this critical time.

Ms. Kelly brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to her new role. She holds a bachelors in Political Science from the University of Southern Mississippi and a masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Since joining CRHC in March 2021, her roles have included Deputy Director, Data Analyst, and Homeless Prevention Case Manager. She has successfully coordinated the organization point-in-time (PIT) counts and has led the organization in several collaborative grant applications.

"This organization and its mission mean the world to me, and I am grateful for the honor to lead the Coalition forward into our next chapter, said Ms. Kelly. "I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the City of Chattanooga and the Coalitions many community partners, as well as our tireless and dedicated staff. Together, I know that we can and will end homelessness in Southeast Tennessee.

The Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition plays an important role in our community-wide commitment to address homelessness, and Mackenzie has demonstrated exceptional dedication and expertise throughout her years-long tenure with the organization, said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. We are excited to see her step into the role of executive director and to lead the next chapter at the Coalition and will continue to work alongside her and her team to ensure that every Chattanoogan has an opportunity to have a safe and stable place to call home.



The organization has enjoyed a strong partnership with the City of Chattanooga since Mayor Tim Kelly took office in 2021, and has successfully placed approximately 3,000 people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing in the last three years.
Dr. Thomas Pope leading a discussion with area educators at the Founding Civics Institute, held on Lees campus Participants of the Founding Civics Institute during one of the events discussions Participants gathered for a group shot in Alumni Park Previous Next

Lee Universitys Center for Responsible Citizenship hosted its inaugural Founding Civics Institute for Tennessee educators. Over the course of nine seminars, 25 regional middle and high school teachers discussed primary sources from the American Founding, with a view to their continued relevance.

The three short days I spent at the Lee Universitys Founding Civics Institute deepened my understanding of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution, said Casey OConnor, a social studies teacher from Cleveland Middle School. It was fun and refreshing to converse with others who may not share the same opinions, but who are equally passionate about civics education. I look forward to implementing the strategies and insights provided by the Founding Civics Institute in my classroom.

The conversations were led by Lee faculty Drs. Thomas Pope and Mark Scully, as well as John McBride, a Chattanooga native and recent co-author of A Teacher's Guide to Land of Hope: An Invitation to the Great American Story. Readings included selections from Land of Hope, James MadisonsNotes from the Constitutional Convention, the Federalist Papers, the Declaration of Independence, and speeches from Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas.

It was reassuring to be associated with several likeminded individuals who, though we may come from different backgrounds, we had an interest in the Constitution and our countrys founding in common, said Kyle Gilpin, a history teacher from Cleveland High. Im already looking forward to the next one.

The Founding Civics Institute was made possible by a grant from the Jack Miller Center, a nonprofit dedicated to reinvigorating education in Americas founding principles and history, which is vital to thoughtful and engaged citizenship. These conversations will continue over the 2024-2025 academic year in programming sponsored by the Center for Responsible Citizenship.

The Summer Civics Institute at Lee was a refreshing conversation delving into the most vital question of being an American: How should we then live? said Mead Vest, a local home educator. Just as the Founding Fathers wrestled with the ideas of power and liberty, checks and balances, states' rights and a strong central government, through engaging and thoughtful conversation, we too can grapple with what it means to be American, what it means to be human, and most importantly why and how should we strive to be virtuous in an ever-changing culture today.

This fall, the CRC plans to host a two-day symposium on American Identity. The event will be open to members of the broader community, in addition to students and faculty from Lee and other regional institutions. To support the CRC or learn more about its programming, please visit leeucrc.com or email them at crc@leeuniversity.edu.
Lee Universitys Rebecca Sobolik has received the Gilman Scholarship, a national highly competitive scholarship aimed at enabling students to gain proficiency in diverse languages and cultures through study abroad.

Ms. Sobolik, a freshman music and worship major from Washington D.C., is using the scholarship to help fund her summer trip to France with Ladies of Lee, a vocal ensemble at the university.

I was struggling to figure out how to find the funds for my Global Perspectives trip to Paris and was praying for a financial miracle, said Ms. Sobolik. God answered my prayer through this scholarship.

Ms. Sobolik will travel with the vocal ensemble Ladies of Lee this June throughout Paris, France. In addition to performing at Leglise de la Madeleine while there, students will visit places such as Notre Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.

I am excited about the trip overall and seeing all the beautiful historical sites of Paris, but what I am most looking forward to is singing alongside the Ladies of Lee and other world-class choirs, said Ms. Sobolik. This will definitely be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I cannot wait to see what this adventure holds.

After Lee, Ms. Sobolik plans to pursue full-time ministry with hopes to become a worship pastor.

Three other Lee University students have received the Gilman Scholarship. Amanda Weidlick was a recipient in 2023 and used the funds to travel to Taiwan, where she continued her studies in Mandarin. Rebecca Campbell and Melinda Faught were the 2022 recipients. Ms. Campbell used the scholarship to travel to the United Kingdom, and Ms. Faught used the scholarship to go on the business trip to Italy.

The U.S. Department of States Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. This is a congressionally funded program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and named after the late congressman Benjamin A. Gilman from New York. The mission of the Gilman Program is to help young Americans gain the professional skills and knowledge of the world needed for successful careers, to develop a generation of future American leaders who represent the rich diversity of the nation, and to broaden the destinations where U.S. students study and intern abroad in order to build relationships and understanding in different countries.

For more information about the Gilman Scholarship, visit https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/.

The goal of Lee Universitys Global Perspective program is to help raise students awareness of increasing interdependence of the world and to emphasize that every human being has a potential for making a significant contribution to the kingdom of God. It is a goal of the cross-cultural requirements to foster in students a respect for the diversity of perspectives represented in the world community, to help students articulate an understanding of their own Christian values, and to show how these relate to another cultural perspective.

For more information about Global Perspectives visit https://globalperspectives.leeuniversity.edu, email gperspectives@leeuniversity.edu, or call 614-8357.




I recently read the internet articles discussing the interests of Larry Connor and Patrick Lahey in planning a trip in a submersible to the wrecked Titanic to prove that such a voyage can be made safely. Apparently these men are interested in proving that safe voyage can be made in the wake of the 2023 tragedy in which a submersible imploded, killing all the occupants.

These men are certainly entitled to spend their money (and possibly their insurer's money) and time in any way they choose and to undertake a submersible voyage if they wish to do so. But I wonder - I really wonder - if the money they feel a need to spend on this adventure could be better spent in ways that could actually produce a better world and actually benefit people who need some help.

How many homeless families could be housed, at least temporarily, and how many food-insecure children could be fed with a portion of the money spent on the undersea voyage? How many children's lives could be saved by investing this money in St. Jude's Hospital? How many humanitarian missions to the troubled Gaza strip could be funded to help alleviate the suffering there? How many homeless and disabled American veterans could be helped to achieve a better quality of life? How many people who have lost homes and family to tornadoes could be helped with this money?

Again, people are entitled to spend their money and time in any manner they choose. But it seems to me that a better way to spend both is by making the world a better or safer, or less hungry place to live. Or, maybe I am just a grumpy old man who sees things differently from some others.

Tim McDonald
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A 71-year-old Colombian luxury handbag designer has been sent to prison because of purse smuggling.

Nancy Gonzalez, the founder of luxury handbag company Gzuniga Ltd., was handed an 18-month prison sentence for illegally importing purses made out of the skins of protected reptiles, breaking an international treaty.

According to officials, Gonzalez recruited friends, family members, and employees to bring handbags and totes on passenger airlines to the United States between 2016 and 2019. Then, the bags were sent to her showroom in New York.

The U.S. and Colombia are both part of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The treaty ensures that the international trade of plants and animals does not put their survival in the wild at risk.

Caimans and pythons are under the treatys protection. These are the reptiles that Gonzalezs bags are made of.

The trade of these creatures is not banned, but it is strictly regulated, and Gonzalez failed to obtain the import permits that are required by CITES rules.

Over the years, the designer has had her bags worn by various celebrities, including Victoria Beckham, Salma Hayek, and Britney Spears.

They were also featured in a 2008 exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. At one point, they were even sold in luxury stores such as Harrods, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus.

This investigation uncovered a multi-year scheme that involved paid couriers smuggling undeclared handbags made of CITES-protected reptile skins into the U.S. to be sold for thousands of dollars, Edward Grace from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said.

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In New Zealand, a rare feather from the extinct huia songbird recently sold at an auction for about $28,000. It is the most expensive feather ever sold in the entirety of the world.

The huia feather was sold at Webbs Auction House in Auckland. Initially, it was estimated to be worth around $1,830. But after 59 bids, its value soared, ultimately being sold at a final price of $28,000.

This means the feather, which weighs nine grams, is worth approximately $3,153 per gram, making it more valuable than gold. The precious metal costs around $77 per gram in New Zealand.

At the time of its sale, the feather was framed under protective glass. The New Zealand government has classified it as a Y-registered object, meaning that it can only be bought by registered collectors in New Zealand, and it is not allowed to leave the country without authorization.

The feather belongs to the huia songbird, which has been extinct for over a century. The last sighting of the bird occurred in 1907.

The huia was native to New Zealands North Island and was considered sacred to the Maori people. Its plumes were worn by elite chiefs and other individuals of high status.

The huia feather is dark brown with a white tip. In Maori societies, it was occasionally used in trade or presented as a gift.

Huia birds typically hung out in pairs and mated for life. Males and females had differently shaped beaks, so they would work together to feed on insects in the forests they lived in.

The Maori people would capture these birds by mimicking the birds call, which would draw one of them in close enough to snare it. Then, a second bird would follow shortly after hearing its mates cries.

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After traveling to the airport, lugging heavy luggage, trudging through long TSA lines, and racing to your gate, arguably the best part about finally boarding your flight is being able to order a cocktail, sit back, and relax.

But, if you choose to indulge in some drinks during air travel, you might not want to get too comfortable.

A new study has found that combining alcohol with sleeping at high altitudes can actually cause significant decreases in blood oxygen levels, as well as heightened cardiac strain, even in healthy and young individuals.

When flying on a commercial airplane, the cabin is usually pressurized to an altitude of approximately 8,000 feet, which is similar to the height of a small mountain. So, the air is thinner and has less oxygen at this altitude compared to sea level.

The human body is typically able to adapt to these conditions while sober. However, the consumption of alcohol may interfere.

This latest research was conducted by scientists at the German Aerospace Center and included 40 study participants, who were aged 18 to 40. The participants were split into two different groups. The first group slept in a standard sleep laboratory at sea level; meanwhile, the second group snoozed in a simulated airplane environment inside an altitude chamber.

The chamber was pressurized to 2,438 meters, which is equivalent to typical cruising altitude air pressure.

Participants in both groups slept one night after drinking alcohol  specifically vodka. Then, they spent another night sleeping sober.

The amount of alcohol consumed by each participant was intentional, aiming to achieve a blood alcohol level of 0.04%. This translated to approximately two beers or two glasses of wine. Additionally, the sleep window was restricted to just four hours from 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. This was done to replicate a typical sleeping period while aboard a flight.

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Long ago, the vast oceans were ruled by ruthless pirates who roamed the waves in search of adventure and treasure.

One of the most notable of these daring buccaneers is Captain William Kidd. He was notorious for being a privateer who turned to the ways of piracy.

He only ever captured one ship during his time as a pirate, but the rumor that he buried a large amount of treasure that nobody has been able to locate has made him a legend.

In 2015, a team of archaeologists found part of Captain Kidds treasure in a shipwreck off the coast of Madagascar.

They were diving in the shallow waters off Saint Marie Island when they discovered a 121-pound bar of silver. They had been investigating the area for the remains of William Kidds ship, the Adventure Galley.

William Kidd is said to have been born in Dundee, Scotland, in 1654. He gained command of the Adventure Galley in 1695 after the English government hired him to track down pirates in the Indian Ocean.

He set sail with a crew of 150 men. According to the story, he was not successful in finding pirates, so he became one himself.

In late January 1698, Kidd and his crew attacked the Quedah Merchant. They made out with some valuable cargo, including silk, calico, muslin, sugar, opium, iron, and 70,000 pounds.

The Quedah Merchant was renamed the Adventure Prize, which Kidd kept. He was forced to abandon the Adventure Galley, as the vessel was no longer fit for sailing. That was when his crew deserted him for another pirate captain.

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When life throws you a curveball, like the loss of a loved one, its the unexpected acts of kindness from strangers that can make all the difference.

One TikTok user and Starbucks barista recently shared a viral video describing how the act of one kind stranger changed her life during a hard time.

Courtney (@dopaqueen715) is a barista who works part-time at a Starbucks in Little Rock, Arkansas, on top of another full-time job.

Courtney works early morning shifts that start around 4:00 am, but she doesnt mind, as she loves her job at Starbucks and has solid morning energy.

On a morning toward the end of April, Courtney started her early shift, and a groggy woman went into the Starbucks to order. She noticed the woman could use a smile and friendly energy for a pep in her step, so she made sure they had a positive interaction.

Later that day, the woman returned to the Starbucks and handed a note to Courtneys manager, asking her to hand it to her.

When she opened the note, Courtney found an incredibly sweet letter and a generous gift.

I travel a lot for work [and] that usually means late nights and very early mornings, read the note.

I havent had to travel to Little Rock in six months until this week. Ive been here for two days, and so far, you have been the only person I have encountered [who] has been genuinely kind. You were the first face I saw this morning, and you really brightened my day. Im sure you are exhausted because [of] life, right? Thats all of us. But you deserve to know you made a difference.

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Consensus needed for China-EU new-energy cooperation

12:05, June 10, 2024 By Zheng Jingxia, Luo Qi and Zheng Xin ( Xinhua

People visit the booth of Chinese carmaker Xpeng during the 2023 International Motor Show, officially known as the IAA MOBILITY 2023, in Munich, Germany, Sept. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The European Union should avoid trade frictions with China and it is necessary for both sides to seek consensus on new-energy cooperation, according to industry insiders and analysts citing the multi-billion-dollar market opportunities and the global climate goals.

The automotive cooperation between China and Germany on green transformation and intelligent connectivity is vitally important, said Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry. She encourages the two parties to continue to be crucial partners in achieving climate goals.

"I believe that the two markets should be closely linked," she said, adding that Chinese companies are welcome in Germany. As for the German side, its carmakers have shown interest not only in exporting but also in producing in China, she added.

For European carmakers, including auto giants BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, China stands out as the largest single market.

In the first quarter, about one-third of BMW's sales revenue came from China. The country also hosts BMW Group's largest R&D center outside Germany.

"The innovations we achieve in China allow us to continuously meet the needs of Chinese customers, thereby driving global innovation," said Oliver Zipse, chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

The expanding foothold of Chinese companies on the European continent underscores the strengthening ties between the two sides. In April, China's Chery Automobile signed a pact with Spain's auto company Ebro-EV Motors to produce cars at its first European factory. According to Reuters, this move is expected to help recover some of the 1,600 direct jobs lost when Japanese automaker Nissan shut down a plant in 2021.

Yan Shaohua, an associate research fellow at the Center for China-Europe Relations of Fudan University, said that China's electric vehicle (EV) makers venturing into European countries have helped boost the development of the local EV industry chain and accelerate the digital and green transitions in these countries.

China and the EU are each other's second-largest trading partners. Official data showed that their average trade value approached nearly 1.5 million U.S. dollars per minute, while two-way investment exceeded 250 billion dollars.

For Europe, China also plays a pivotal role as a major supplier of raw materials such as photovoltaic cells and wind turbines, all critical components for the EU given its ambitious goal of becoming the "world's first climate-neutral continent" by 2050.

About 98 percent of the EU's rare earth is imported from China, and more than 93 percent of its magnesium is also sourced from China, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Both materials are indispensable in auto parts manufacturing.

Despite the ups and downs of China-EU relations in recent years, cooperation has remained the prevailing theme of bilateral ties. The industrial sector, supply chains and value chains of the two sides are tightly woven together, rending them inseparable from each other.

While visiting Europe this week, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao pointed out that protectionist measures are not viable solutions but a "dangerous dead-end."

"China is willing to engage in discussions with the EU on economic and trade concerns on an equal footing and participate in fair competition on the basis of expanded cooperation," Wang said.

Both the EU and China have the responsibility to reach a consensus through negotiations and strike a balance between cooperation and competition, said Spanish economist Julio Ceballos Rodriguez. He stressed that the two sides are dependent on each other in many key issues and share important economic interests.

Kou Kou, an associate professor of German studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, cited artificial intelligence, electronic information, aerospace and other emerging industries as areas of great cooperation potential for both sides to tap.

"China and the EU are set to witness closer ties on multiple fronts in the future, a trend that will not be easily changed by a few politicians," Kou said.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
How many minutes per week do you think you can be exactly yourself? Thats the question host Steve Cuss poses at the beginning of this episode, and it takes on specific meaning as he converses with his guest, Marvin Williams. Williams is the lead pastor of Trinity Church in Lansing, Michigan, and is currently earning his doctorate in systems theory, particularly as it pertains to the African American experience. His forthcoming dissertation, My Whole Black Self, considers what its like to be exactly yourself and what happens when people cannot be exactly themselves. Cuss and Williams discuss what drew Williams to systems theory, how leadership starts with personal transformation, and what it looks like to live in ones identity fully. They talk about bullying; anxiety; and the Black writers, thinkers, and experts who have influenced Williamss perspective. The two discuss connectedness, what its like to be in majority culture spaces, and how calmness is not always the opposite of anxiety. Their discussion also explores violence against Black Americans, the nuances of pastoring, and the role of politics in the life of the church. The Expectation Gap by Steve Cuss is now availableorder here! Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Being Human with Steve Cuss is a production of Christianity Today Executive Produced by Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper Produced and Edited by Matt Stevens Associate Producers: McKenzie Hill, Raed Gilliam, and Abby Perry Theme song by Dan Phelps Original Music by Andy Gullahorn Mix Engineer: Kevin Morris Graphic Design: Amy Jones
Rich Pedroncelli / Assocaited Press

Krystal Woolston struggled with her mental health as a teenager, but she headed to college hoping for a brighter future. Then, a married pastor who seemed to care about her gave her a different path forward. He told her God wanted her to have sex with him to help her heal.

Looking back 12 years later, Woolston realizes how vulnerable she was to his spiritual manipulation.

I was just falling, freefalling in so many ways, Woolston said. Everyone deserves to be able to go to church and be safe.

It took her six years to understand this pastors pattern of special treatment was really manipulation and that the sex was, in fact, abuse. It took four more years to get her denomination to stop him from leading church youth trips.

Woolston doesnt want anyone else to go through the same thing.

She and a small group of abuse survivors and advocates have been working to make sure it doesnt. They want sex between clergy members and adults they are spiritually guiding to be illegal in all 50 states. It is currently only against the law in 13, including Connecticut, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, plus the District of Columbia. But advocates are working behind the scenes to introduce state legislation saying that these kinds of relationships, often characterized as affairs, are not consensual but criminal.

Criminalizing abuse is another way of saying, Here, see, its abuse, said Kate Roberts, an adult clergy-abuse survivor and cofounder of Restored Voices Collective. The more it is legitimized as abuse in various ways, the better that is for prevention and for survivors getting the help that they need.

Many states have laws that say people in some professions, such as doctors and therapists, cannot have consensual sex with clients. Professional authority changes the nature of the relationship between adults, making some very vulnerable to manipulation and thus in need of legal protection. Restored Voices Collective and other victims advocates say the same thing is true of ministers.

If a victim of adult clergy sexual abuse comes forward, theres a strong likelihood that that person is going to be blamed as somebody who is ruining the pastors career and [told] this is something that is purely an affair, said Boz Tchividjian, an advocate and attorney who is helping with the effort. The question is, if a pastor or a faith leader uses their spiritual position to identify, groom, and ultimately sexualize a relationship with a person under their care or supervision, is that really a consensual relationship?

Tchividjian, who has been advocating for survivors for decades, said he gets more calls from survivors of adult clergy sexual abuse than any other type of victim. In most cases, theyve never told anyone. They are often not even sure whether or not they are victims of abuse and are consumed with shame and guilt.

This is something that is very different from child sexual abuse, Tchividjian said.

Lucy Huh, who researches adult clergy sexual abuse at Baylor University, said victims consider what they have to losetheir reputations, relationships, marriages, faith communities, and even their faith itselfand most remain silent, keeping their trauma to themselves. The result looks very different than what happens to people who have affairs.

Consensual relationships dont result in trauma and lifelong suffering, Huh said.

New research done at Baylor in fact shows that survivors of adult clergy sexual abuse suffer rates of traumatization that surpass even war veterans. In a study that is currently being peer-reviewed for publication, professor David Pooler found 39 percent of adult survivors screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. By comparison, slightly less than a quarter of US veterans whove been through a war showed signs of PTSD.

Survivors are not surprised by the statistic. Lori Knapton told CT that she didnt initially know how to describe the sexual abuse she endured. The best she could do was say her pastor had convinced her to have an affair with him. It was her husband who pointed out this was a misuse of the pastors spiritual authority and actually not a consensual affair, but manipulationsexual abuse.

It was very much emotional, mental, psychological, physical abuse, but the spiritual component was the deepest part of it, Knapton said. It felt like he raped my soul.

When Julie Sale first realized she was a victim of clergy sexual abuse and reported it to her church, she was fighting suicidal thoughts. The response was devastating.

Originally I was just trying to live, just trying to take another breath, Sale told CT. When you've depended on the institution your whole life to guide the way you livedecisions that you make, how you raise a familyand then suddenly that church just kicks you out and says youre helping Satan essentially, it is soul destroying.

According to previous research that Pooler has done at Baylor, only about 10 percent of victims who reported their abuse to their church said they received a positive response. Some of those who talked to CT for this piece said their churches ultimately disciplined the pastors. Some pastors were fired, but not all of themand even those who were dismissed or even defrocked can apply to work at another church and pass a criminal background check with flying colors.

Youd think pastors would be out in front on this, Pooler said. Its survivors leading the way.

Maine passed legislation criminalizing adult clergy sexual abuse in 2019. California is currently considering similar legislation. State senator Dave Min, a former law professor at the University of California, Irvine, sponsored the bill in January.

Consent is not a defense, the proposed legal language says, if the person who commits the sexual battery is a member of the clergy who, in such capacity, is in a position of trust or authority over the victim and uses their position of trust or authority to exploit the victims emotional dependency.

Huh, who was involved in drafting the legislation, said she hopes laws like these will change the way people think about this issue.

The US has the potential to set a true precedent in recognizing that clergy sexual abuse of adults is a serious issue by establishing criminal consequences for those who prey on their congregants, she said. Most other countries automatically blame the victim while protecting the abuser at all costs.

Changing laws is not an easy road, though. At a California Senate Public Safety Committee hearing in April, representatives from the California Public Defenders Association and the American Civil Liberties Union spoke against the legislation for criminalizing consensual sexual contact. Though Sen. Min said he was willing to make changes to the legislation, he drew the line on the matter of consent. The committee decided not to vote on it, killing the bill.

It is so hard for survivors to be heard, much less to obtain justice, Huh said.

Huh and others appealed the matter to the governor and plan to keep fighting.

In some cases, legislation takes years to get passed. Sometimes, there is a little progress and then nothing happens. There are few making open arguments against this kind of legislation, but inertia, neglect, and lack of concern present major obstacles for advocates who want to make change.

Knapton decided she would be vulnerable in an effort to humanize the issue and push for legislation. She shared her traumatic story with elected representatives in her state. They seemed like they cared, Knapton said, but the proposed bill was later tabled.

It felt like thats whats been happening for the last five years, people hearing my experience and then being like, We dont care about it, she said.

Woolston is in the early stages of this effort. She knows that her story might well be ignored too. But shes hopeful that things will be different now.

I have a support network now that I didnt then, she said. I have people who are like, Were not going to let you fall.
Almost a decade after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage across the country, most pastors remain opposed, and the supporting percentage isnt growing any larger.

One in 5 US Protestant pastors (21%) say they see nothing wrong with two people of the same gender getting married, according to a Lifeway Research study.

Three in 4 (75%) are opposed, including 69 percent who strongly disagree with same-sex marriage. Another 4 percent say they arent sure.

Previous Lifeway Research studies found growing support among pastors. In 2010, 15 percent of US Protestant pastors had no moral issues with the practice. The percentage in favor grew to 24 percent in 2019. Today, support is statistically unchanged at 21 percent.

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 Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. The previous growth was seen most clearly among mainline pastors, and that level did not rise in our latest survey.

Pastors are slightly more supportive of legal civil unions between two people of the same gender, but most still disagree. Currently, 28 percent back such arrangements, statistically unchanged from the 32 percent in 2019 and 28 percent in 2018.

The previous growth in clergy support of same-sex marriages was driven by US mainline Protestant pastors. In 2010, a third (32%) were in favor. By 2019, almost half (47%) saw nothing wrong. Current support among self-identified mainline pastors remains at similar levels (46%).

Evangelical pastors have been consistently opposed to same-sex marriage. Fewer than 1 in 10 have expressed support for the practice since 2010. Today, 7 percent of self-identified US evangelical Protestant pastors say they see nothing wrong with two people of the same gender getting married.

A similar divide exists regarding civil unions between two people of the same gender. Most mainline pastors (54%) are supportive, while only 14 percent of evangelical pastors agree.

Methodists (53%), Presbyterian/Reformed (36%) and Lutherans (34%) are more likely to be supportive of same-sex marriage than Restorationist Movement (8%), non-denominational (5%), Baptist (4%) or Pentecostal (1%) pastors.

Additionally, female pastors (42%), who are more common among mainline denominations, are far more likely than their male counterparts (16%) to back same-sex marriage.

Other demographic groups also have varying degrees of support, though none as drastic as the denominational differences.

Younger pastors are more likely to be supportive than the oldest pastors. Protestant pastors 18 to 44 (27%) and 55 to 64 (22%) are more likely than pastors 65 and older (15%) to see nothing wrong with same-sex marriage.

The moral and doctrinal beliefs of individuals do not tend to move very often or very far, so we wouldnt expect pastors positions to change much, said McConnell. However, the differences we see by age make it noteworthy that the higher numbers of young pastors seeing nothing wrong with same-sex marriage is not yet having much of an impact on overall numbers.

Those with more education are more supportive. Pastors with a masters (30%) or doctoral degree (26%) are more likely than those with no college degree (9%) or a bachelors degree (7%) to say theyre OK with same-sex marriage.

Pastors in the Northeast (27%), where same-sex marriage was first legalized in the US, and the Midwest (25%), are more likely than those in the South (18%) to be supportive.

Those leading smaller churches are more likely to see nothing wrong with two people of the same gender getting married. Pastors at churches with fewer than 50 in attendance (27%) and those at congregations of 50 to 99 (25%) are more likely than those at churches with attendance between 100 and 249 (11%) and 250 or more (8%) to be in favor of same-sex marriage.

Because fewer pastors in mid- and large-size churches are open to same-sex marriage morally, an even larger majority of Protestant churchgoers are in churches in which their pastor does not support same-sex marriages or civil unions, said McConnell.

Many of the differences between various types of pastors exist for civil unions as well. Younger pastors are more likely to be supportive than older pastors. Pastors with more formal education are more likely to back civil unions.

Those in the Northeast and Midwest tend to be more in favor than those in the South. Pastors at the smallest churches are more likely to see nothing wrong with civil unions between two people of the same gender than those at larger churches.
Home News 10 years after ISIS, Iraqi Christians rebuilding their lives as religious minority

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).

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"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 U.K. government assure Iraqi politicians that they "care about the minorities  Christians, Yazidis and the rest."

International Christian Concern (ICC) said 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 rebuilding 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."

Originally published at Christian Today
Home News Ancient book containing earliest versions of 2 books of the Bible up for auction

An ancient manuscript containing the oldest complete versions of two significant Biblical texts  the book of Jonah and 1 Peter  is being auctioned at Christies in London, with an expected price of up to $3.8 million.

Known as the Crosby-Schyen Codex, this rare artifact dates back to the third and fourth centuries and originates from Egypt, according to Christies.

Its part of a larger auction by Christies that features a variety of important manuscripts spanning 1,300 years of cultural history. Among the other notable items are the Codex Sinaiticus Rescriptus and the Geraardsbergen Bible, which together trace significant periods of religious and cultural transformation.

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Eugenio Donadoni, a senior specialist in books and manuscripts at Christies, described the Crosby-Schyen Codex as a cornerstone of early Christian faith, emphasizing its value in understanding the spread of Christianity around the Mediterranean. Donadoni noted, This codex is a self-consciously assembled compilation of texts, particularly significant for celebrating one of the earliest Easters and for its connection to monastic communities in Upper Egypt, The Telegraph quoted Donadoni as saying.

The manuscript was written by a single scribe over a period of 40 years and was initially in the possession of the University of Mississippi after being discovered undisturbed for about 1,500 years. Dr. Martin Schyen, a Norwegian manuscript collector, later acquired it in 1988, and it has since been recognized as the oldest book in private hands, according to The Times.

Experts have placed the creation of the Crosby-Schyen Codex at a time when Christians were still defining their identity, heavily influenced by Jewish traditions. This period marks a significant chapter in religious history, occurring before the official recognition of Christianity within the Roman Empire by Emperor Constantine in 312 AD.

Its one of the three major finds of the 20th century that revolutionized the study of Christianity. Were talking about early Christians finding their feet as Christians, still steeped in Jewish traditions, Donadoni was quoted as saying.

Donadoni explained that the codex was likely produced as a liturgical book intended for religious celebrations such as Easter, making it an invaluable resource for understanding early Christian rituals and beliefs.

In that time and place, the monk and the manuscript were both new categories in the world, says Christies. The innovative thing about his planned anthology was its physical form. This was not a scroll  which for centuries had been the standard medium for writing in the Graeco-Roman world. It was a codex. It consisted of rectangles of papyrus stitched together to make a kind of pamphlet, 136 pages long. This was, in other words, an early exemplar of the book as we now know it.

It adds that the monk likely belonged to the initial cohort of individuals who embraced monastic life, committing to austerity and devout worship. This movement had just started to evolve, inspired by Pachomius, commonly regarded as the pioneer of Christian monasticism. It is possible that the scribe was one of Pachomius followers.

The preservation of the Crosby-Schyen Codex is attributed to Egypts dry climate, which has played a crucial role in the survival of many ancient manuscripts.

The auction is scheduled for Tuesday.
Home News Catholic priest abducted at gunpoint by Muslim bandits in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria Armed Muslim bandits abducted a Roman Catholic Church priest in the early hours of Sunday in Kaduna state, Nigeria, sources said.

The Rev. Gabriel Ukeh was sleeping at his home on the premises of St. Thomas Catholic Parish, Zaman Dabo village, in Zango Kataf County when he was abducted, said area resident Freeman Dabo.

We were together with Rev. Gabriel Ukeh yesterday, Saturday, 8 June, in Kafanchan town, Dabo told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News in a text message. Sadly, early this morning, Sunday, 9 June, he was kidnapped by armed Muslim bandits.

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The priest had led a childrens event in Kafanchan on Saturday, he said.

After this tiring Saturday event with the children and late hour preparations for the Sunday masses which he would have celebrated today, Sunday, 9 June, a group of Muslim bandits took him away at gunpoint, dragging him through a journey in pains, uncertainties and horror to an unknown place, Dabo said. May the prayers of the innocent children that he spent the whole day caring for yesterday at St. Peters Cathedral, Kafanchan bring him back in good health of mind and body, Amen.

The Rev. Emmanuel Kazah Faweh, vicar general of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, said in a press statement that Ukeh was abducted by bandits from the parish premises.

While we solicit for fervent prayers for his urgent and safe release, we equally condemn this act of incessant kidnappings for ransom of innocent and defenseless Christians of our communities, Faweh said. We will use every legitimate means to ensure that Fr. Ukeh comes back to us safe and sound.

Faweh reportedly urged the government to increase security as the Islamic feast of Eid al-Adha approaches on June 15-19. He also urged restrains among Nigerian Christians.

While we are working with the security forces for the speedy release of Father Ukeh, we would like to urge everyone not to take justice into their own hands, Faweh said.

Mansir Hassan, spokesman for the Kaduna State Command, told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News officers had received a report from the church and were working towards the rescue of the priest.

Nigeria remained the deadliest place in the world to follow Christ, with 4,118 people killed for their faith from Oct. 1, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2023, according to Open Doors 2024 World Watch List (WWL) report. More kidnappings of Christians than in any other country also took place in Nigeria, with 3,300.

Nigeria was also the third highest country in number of attacks on churches and other Christian buildings such as hospitals, schools and cemeteries, with 750, according to the report.

In the 2024 WWL of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria was ranked No. 6, as it was in the previous year.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report.

They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.

This article was originally published by Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.
Home News Christian mother, children ordered by court to convert to Islam

In a controversial ruling, an Iraqi court has decreed that a Christian mother, Elvin Joseph, along with her three children, convert to Islam. The decision was based on the interpretation of Iraqs Personal Status Law which mandates that children must adopt Islam if one of their parents converts.

Joseph, a resident of Duhok in the Kurdistan Region, found herself entangled in this legal predicament following the revelation of her mothers conversion to Islam after her divorce and subsequent remarriage to a Muslim man.

I am Christian, Joseph asserted in an interview with Rudaw Media Network. I am married to a Christian man. I have three Christian kids. My education was in our language. All my official documents are Christian. Our marriage is registered by the church.

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Despite these declarations, the law, which was enacted in 1959, insists that her familial ties to Islam require her and her childrens conversion, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern said in a statement.

The implications of this law stretch beyond mere religious identity, affecting marital, inheritance and custodial rights under the provisions of Sharia law. Joseph, as a result, faces legal challenges in maintaining her marital union with a Christian husband.

Sami Patros, Josephs husband, elaborated on the situation during an encounter at the National Identity Card Office. At that office, they said your mother-in-law had converted to Islam and, therefore, they said your wife should become Muslim too. This also applies to my children; their religion should be changed from Christianity to Islam.

The case has drawn the attention of Akram Mikhail, a lawyer well-versed in defending Christian families in similar predicaments. This forces someone to convert to Islam, with force. I am not an expert in Islam, but it is in Islam that one cannot force the religion onto others, Mikhail was quoted as saying.

A recent conference at the Catholic University in Erbil, attended by notable figures, including Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, focused on the ramifications of the Personal Status Law. The conference saw a significant turnout from the Christian community across the Middle East. Khaldun Saelayte from Jordan and Mohammed Nuqal from Lebanon spoke about the disparities in religious laws affecting Christians in Iraq compared to neighboring countries like Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, where Christians are governed by their own personal status laws.

The conference reportedly ended with a series of recommendations, urging Christian leaders to draft proposed reforms to the Personal Status Law.
Home News 'Our biggest fright just came to life': Survivors of Israeli kibbutz massacres recount Hamas attack

When Michal Rahav heard sirens wailing Saturday, followed by gunshots, she hurried her children to the safe room in their home on kibbutz Nirim, where she told them: "Whatever comes through that door, we don't go down without a fight."

Rahav was one of the survivors of Hamas' onslaught last weekend targeting communities on Israel's border with Gaza to share her story during a Thursday webinar hosted by the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement, an organization dedicated to addressing and exposing Jewish hatred.

Sacha Roytman-Dratwa, CEO of the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement, served as the event's moderator.

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Galia Sopher, the survivor of a separate Hamas assault on kibbutz Mefalism, also shared her account, recalling that her community resembled the aftermath of an "apocalypse" following the attack.

According to the Israeli Embassy to the U.S., more than 1,200 were killed and more than 3,000 injured as a result of Hamas' multi-pronged surprise attack that began last Saturday in southern Israel. The Israeli government also claims that as many as 150 Israelis have been taken hostage by Hamas.

Rahav remembers hearing alarms go off throughout the kibbutz early Saturday morning. While she and her husband were unsure of what was happening, they heard the sound of missiles and rockets being fired at their house, and they started to sense that the situation was different than anything they had ever experienced.

In Sopher's case, she was camping with her daughters in a field  a family tradition  when the mother also heard sirens and the sound of rockets early in the morning. She did not have access to a shelter, and she was camping alone with her daughters because her husband stayed home.

Sopher did the only thing she could think of, and she threw her body on top of her girls to shield them.

"'You're with me; you're safe. I'm protecting you,'" Sopher remembers repeating to her daughters. "And I couldn't even believe my own words because I didn't know what was going on."

Residents of Israel are accustomed to barrages of rocket fire, and families are frequently forced to take cover.

"Sometimes you have a sixth sense, and you can sometimes sense when the escalation is about to happen," Rahav said about living in such a tense environment. "This time, there was nothing."

As Rahav's husband geared up, taking his weapons to patrol the house and ensure the family was safe, she began packing so they would be prepared to leave as soon as it was safe to do so.

Around two hours later, Rahav heard gunshots, and she was surprised that the noises sounded close. She said she and her husband were confused, wondering if it was the Israel Defense Forces and why they would be shooting in the kibbutz.

"A few seconds afterward, we hear a lot of shouting in Arabic, and the reality hits us," she said. "[Hamas] penetrated the kibbutz, and our biggest fright just came to life."

The mother ran to the safe room with her children, providing one daughter with a can of pepper gas and the other with a club. She equipped her son with a helmet and laid him on the floor. Rahav instructed her kids to remain close, telling them that they would not go down without a fight.

As the sound of shooting erupted inside the house, Rahav could hear her husband's footsteps approaching the safe room as the shooting noises came closer and closer. Rahav's husband opened the safe room door, revealing that he had just shot a terrorist who tried to enter their home.

"The minute he finishes his sentence, there was an enormous flash of light, and the whole safe room was filled with gunpowder," she said, recalling how the electricity went out as the family's ears started ringing.

They didn't know what had happened at the time, but Rahav learned later that Hamas had been shooting rocket-propelled grenades at their home. In the safe room, as Hamas terrorists fired at the safe room door and the iron window, Rahav's husband handed her a gun, telling her that they would fight "till the last bullet."

Laying in a field with her daughters, Sopher tried to call her husband, but she couldn't reach him, realizing that he wouldn't have a signal if he were inside a safe room. Eventually, men from the kibbutz offered her and the other people camping in the field a ride home.

Upon reaching their home, Sopher carried her two girls inside and joined her husband in the shelter, where there was no air conditioning or electricity, forcing them to rely on the light from their phones.

"It was like a Hanukkah miracle because we didn't have much battery," Sopher said.

Due to how hot it was inside the shelter with no air conditioning, they were forced to open the door a little to let air inside. Sopher remembered hearing the sound of machine guns and people panicking, where they sat for hours, trying to quiet their girls.

Rahav and her family remained in their safe room as she attempted to call for help, even resorting to posting about the attack on Facebook, saying that there were terrorists in their home. Despite her pleas for help, Rahav said she eventually realized that she and her family were alone.

All eventually went quiet as the terrorists moved onto other houses, lighting them on fire and filling safe rooms with smoke to kill the people trapped inside. After about eight hours of Hamas lighting cars on fire and shooting engines and gas tanks, the IDF finally arrived around 3 p.m.

Opening the safe room door, which was crooked from the RPG blast, Rahav saw that her whole house was "broken" and "shattered," which she found to be the perfect metaphor for the present situation.

"Everything was shattered for us, and the reality that we know now is different," Rahav said.

The family and other survivors were allowed to collect a few belongings before they were divided into groups and evacuated. Rahav shared that she and her family have been in the city of Eilat since Sunday night.

When asked by Roytman-Dratwa if she would consider returning to the kibbutz, Rahav answered that while she loved Israel, she and her family felt betrayed because they were left to deal with the attack by themselves.

"If they don't eradicate Hamas completely, if we still need a safe room, and if we still need the Iron Dome, and if I still have to have even the smallest chance to tell my children again that they have to fight for their lives until the last bullet, then no," she said. "I will not go back there."

Around sunset, Sopher recalls hearing a message that residents of the kibbutz were free to leave at their own risk. Her husband decided not to take the chance, and they stayed in the shelter until they heard another message around 3 or 4 a.m. telling them that it was safe to leave.

Soldiers escorted the family to their car, and as they drove, Sopher said that she saw other vehicles that had been gunned down and dead bodies all around, both inside and outside of the cars. After briefly staying with a friend, the family is staying at a hotel with their kibbutz community, where they're receiving food and speaking with social workers.

"We've lost a lot of friends," Sopher said, crying. "I don't know how we got so lucky and why others didn't."
Home News JD Greear warns SBC could lose minority churches with permanent ban on women pastors

As Southern Baptist Convention messengers prepare to vote on an amendment in their constitution, known as the Law Amendment, that would permanently ban women from serving as pastors as qualified by Scripture, the denominations former president J.D. Greear has called it unwise and unnecessary and said it could lead to a hemorrhaging of minority churches.

I remain convictionally opposed to this amendment, not because of its content but because of its attempt to undermine our historic principles of cooperation, Greear, who served as the SBCs president from 2018 to 2021, wrote on his website Thursday.

It overturns a system that works. I dont oppose the Law Amendment because Im a closet moderate or soft on theological issues. I am concerned that the missional, cooperative balance that has characterized our Convention since the Conservative Resurgence is about to be overturned.

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The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 defines "pastor" as "one who fulfills the pastoral office and carries out the pastor's functions." Article VI of The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 further notes that the scriptural offices are pastors and deacons and "[w]hile both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture."

At the SBC's Annual Meeting in June 2023, a proposed amendment to the SBC's constitution clarifying that women cannot serve as pastors passed with approximately 80% of the vote from more than 12,000 messengers.

The amendment, which was proposed by Pastor Mike Law of Arlington Baptist Church in Virginia, will become permanent if it gains majority support at the SBC's Annual Meeting which kicked off on Sunday in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The vote on the amendment last year came just hours after 88% of messengers voted to uphold the removal of Rick Warrens Saddleback Church for allowing a woman to serve in the office of a teaching pastor. The removal of Fern Creek Baptist Church for having a woman pastor was also affirmed by a vote of 92%.

During that meeting, roughly nine out of every 10 messengers voted to disfellowship churches that have women pastors.

While Greear argued that he does not believe amending the SBC's constitution is necessary to keep women in the denomination from serving as pastors, Heath Lambert, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, disagrees.

Lambert, who has authored a number of books, including The Great Love of God: Encountering Gods Heart for a Hostile World, argued in a primer on the issue shared on his churchs website, that the Law Amendment is one of the most crucial issues facing messengers headed to Indianapolis for the 2024 meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The real issue on this matter is the Bible. The Bible is crystal clear that the office of pastor is reserved for men as qualified by Scripture (1 Timothy 2:11-12; 3:1-7; Titus 1:6). Baptists know this. That clear knowledge makes this whole thing much easier than some of the overcooked debates around this issue would lead you to believe, Lambert explained.

It is this simple. The Law Amendment has been placed before Southern Baptists. The question the amendment asks is whether we agree with Scripture that the office of pastor is reserved for men. Brothers and sisters, the clear answer  the only answer  is yes. Simple faithfulness demands our agreement with Scripture.

While acknowledging that some SBC leaders, including current President Bart Barber, dont see the amendment as necessary, Lambert argued that it is the controversy that erupted over Saddleback Churchs employment of female pastors which necessitated the clarification.

Historically, this became an issue at the 2022 SBC meeting in Anaheim. At that meeting, rather than make a recommendation to remove Saddleback Church for employing female pastors, the Credentials Committee recommended further study to determine what a pastor is. This recommendation led to a great deal of tumultuous debate, to a withdrawal of the recommendation from the committee, and the ultimate removal of Saddleback in 2023, Lambert wrote.

It has been alarming that some leaders could express confusion about the clear biblical teaching restricting the office of pastor to men that is required by the BFM and SBC Constitution, Lambert added.

Reiterating arguments he raised last summer, Greear framed his objection to the amendment as an "unnecessary infringement upon the autonomy of the local church," especially for minority churches.

I am more convinced than ever that the Law Amendment is unwise, unnecessary, and will have significant negative ramifications. For most of us who oppose it, the issue has nothing to do with complementarianism, but historic Baptist principles of cooperation, Greear wrote.

Its become clear that this fix will yield A LOT of collateral damage. There are churches who genuinely embrace complementarianism even as they differ in some of its applications. Several of our minority leaders (like the National African American Fellowship and California Southern Baptist Convention Executive Director Pete Ramirez) have told us as much, he added.

The NAAF is a network of more than 4,000 predominantly African American churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Gregory Perkins, the networks president and lead pastor of The View Church in Menifee, California, argued in a July 2023 letter to Barber that despite being in theological alignment with the denomination, many black Southern Baptist churches allow women to use the title pastor under the leadership of a male senior pastor.

"Many of our churches assign the title 'pastor' to women who oversee ministries of the church under the authority of a male Senior Pastor, i.e., Children's Pastor, Worship Pastor, Discipleship Pastor, etc.," Perkins wrote. "To disfellowship like-minded churches who share our faith in Jesus Christ, our belief in the authority of Scripture, our mandate to carry out the Great Commission, and our agreement to give cooperatively based upon a local-church governance decision, dishonors the spirit of cooperation and the guiding tenets of our denomination."

Perkins said prohibiting churches from allowing women to hold the title "pastor" would be challenging for many black Southern Baptist congregations even though the SBCs Baptist Faith & Message 2000 states that "the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture."

Greear also quotes Ramirez raising similar concerns.

What worries me is that we make decisions without thinking about the consequences for ethnic churches, Ramirez explained. There are many ethnic churches that, for translation reasons, use the title of pastor for a person. But its a matter of translation. Its not that the person is ordained. Its not that the person has a [ministry] license.

Ramirez, who has pastored for 17 years in California, argued that the SBC could regret the move if the amendment is made permanent.

We are, as a convention, putting ourselves in the business of churches and saying, If you dont change this, you cant be part of us, Ramirez said. This is a radical change as Southern Baptists that I think we could regret long-term as we fulfill the Great Commission.
Home News Israeli-American mother recalls last phone call with her son before Hamas took him hostage

WASHINGTON  An Israeli-American mother remembers hearing the sound of gunshots during her last phone call with her son, who called to say his last words before the terrorist group Hamas took him hostage.

Doris Liber is the mother of 26-year-old Guy Iluz, an attendee at the Supernova music festival in the Negev desert last month, where Hamas terrorists killed over 260 people. Her son was abducted while many of his friends were killed.

The mother told The Christian Post in an interview during her trip to the United States this week that she and Guy's father divorced when her son was about 2, and until the boy was 7, the mother said that it was just "[her] and [Guy] against the world."

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As an adult, she and her son kept in touch through phone calls, and he came over once a week for dinner. They frequently chatted about philosophy.

But much like many citizens of southern Israel, her life changed on Oct 7.

The terror group's assault against civilian communities in southern Israel resulted in the deaths of at least 1,400 people, including dozens of Americans. Israeli officials say Hamas abducted more than 240 people.

Early in the morning on Oct. 7, a Saturday, Liber awoke to the sound of sirens, which she noted is not unusual in Israel. The standard procedure when the sirens go off is to head to the safe room and wait about 10 minutes, which Liber did.

After exiting the safe room, Liber said she considered going back to sleep but wanted to ensure her son was safe. When she called Guy, Liber said that she could hear that he was in a car.

Guy told his mom that he and his friends had evacuated the festival and was on his way to Liber's house.

According to Liber, her son has an apartment in Tel Aviv, and she lives in another town about a 30-minute drive from where he lives.

A half-hour later, Liber received a phone call from her son's father, asking if she knew where their son was. Liber replied that he was on his way to the house. Guy's father told Liber that their son called him and said that terrorists attacked the festival and shot one of his friends.

"And he tells me that he's on a conference call right now with Guy and that he'll try to connect me," Liber told CP. "He tells me that Guy wants to say his last words."

After he connected Liber to the call, she heard gunshots in the background as her son told his mother and father that he loved them. Her son spoke in a whisper during that last phone call, but his voice didn't sound terrified, she recalls.

"He said, 'Nobody is coming out alive. Everybody is dead; nobody is getting out of this alive, so I need to say my last words,'" Liber relayed.

Guy's father advised his son not to speak so he could remain hidden from the terrorists, and Liber did the same.

"And so, I told him, 'Guy, I love you,'" she said before hanging up for his safety. "I regret that because that was the last time that I heard from him."

At the time, Liber said that she couldn't believe what was happening, but she was able to process that Guy's father appeared to be in a panic. While warning sirens are normal in Israel, she said the fact that terrorists had made their way into a ground attack was "shocking."

"Nothing of this size or magnitude had ever happened," she said, noting that before Oct. 7, the worst scenario many probably could've seen happening was an attack carried out by 100 terrorists at most.

"These were thousands," Liber said of Hamas members carrying out the assault. "Nothing prepared us."

Liber told CP that Hamas killed all of the friends who attended the music festival with her son. Guy was excited to attend, she said. He and his friends filled five cars and drove south to the festival location.

Since the attack, Liber has attended the funerals and sat shivas  a mourning ritual for the deceased  for her son's dead friends. She's also traveled the globe to raise awareness of her son's abduction and share her family's story.

During her trip to Washington, Liber was one of several individuals who requested help from U.S. lawmakers to find their loved ones taken hostage by Hamas. Liber told CP that she sensed genuine sympathy from lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle and that she believes they'll do what they can to help.

"I'm a positive person," she said. "So I see the best."

Liber said her son has a strong interest in music and received his first guitar when he was only 7. Guy often wrote and composed his own songs, and she shared a recording of one of her son's songs on her phone with CP.

Ever since Hamas took her son, Liber said that she has used a Led Zeppelin song as her phone's ringtone, even though she does not share her son's fondness for the band. The mother said that she has also taken up smoking, as it was one of Guy's habits.

"I just want to feel close to him," she cried.
Home News 'A horrible new life': Oct. 7 kibbutz massacre survivor wants safety ensured before returning home

WASHINGTON  A former Israeli soldier who survived Hamas' Oct. 7 raid on his community believes the Israeli government must do more to improve the community's security and recover the people taken hostage by the terror group.

Naor Packiarz and his family have lived at Kibbutz Be'eri since 2000, where he and his wife, Adi, have raised their four children: Nir (17), Shachar (15), Maayan (10) and Ella (8).

Like many other Israeli men, Packiarz previously served in the military for three years as part of Israel's mandatory military service policy. Now in the reserves, he has served as the marketing manager for Be'eri Printing for the past three years.

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Kibbutz Be'eri was one of the Israeli communities Hamas militants attacked during its Oct. 7 onslaught that resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and the abduction of over 240 individuals.

Packiarz told The Christian Post in an interview Friday that the day before the attack, the family held a celebration to commemorate the anniversary of Kibbutz Be'eri, founded on Oct. 6, 1946. This is why many of the family's friends were in the area on that day. He also told CP that Oct. 7 happened to be Maayan's 10th birthday.

Early in the morning, Packiarz and his family heard missiles and alarms going off, which did not seem abnormal as most Israeli citizens are used to these types of attacks coming from Gaza. The family retreated to the safe room, but Packiarz decided to head to the porch to see what was happening.

At one point, the father said he could hear people screaming in Hebrew and other voices answering in Arabic, as well as the sound of gunfire near his home.

"So, I understood at that point that it wasn't just something happening from Gaza," Packiarz said. "It was happening inside of the kibbutz."

The father went in and out of the safe room, and as an ex-soldier, he could not stay put. From his porch, he could see Hamas militants had set the house of one of his friends on fire, although the friend happened to be in Cyprus with his family at the time.

According to Packiarz, members of the kibbutz community tried to remain in contact with one another during the attack through applications such as WhatsApp. Packiarz said that he and his family sheltered in the safe room for at least 20 hours, and during the attack, his wife spoke with her sister on the phone.

Hamas militants had set fire to the home of Packiarz's sister-in-law, which was also located in Kibbutz Be'eri. Although the extremists attempted to break in, the sister-in-law and her family were saved by the arrival of the Israeli military. According to Packiarz, the first force of the Israeli army did not arrive until 9:30 a.m. the next morning.

Throughout the day, Packiarz continued receiving messages from kibbutz members about people who had been killed or had their homes destroyed.

Packiarz said he and his family tried to remain in touch with his wife's father, but they eventually lost contact with him.

"We understood that if we were going to get out of this, we're going to have a horrible new life or a different kind of life because something very bad is happening," the Kibbutz Be'eri member said.

Around 2 a.m. on Sunday, a group of Israelis who heard what was happening in the kibbutz came and rescued Packiarz and his family. An 11-membered squad at the kibbutz, which the father noted was not part of the Israeli army, also worked to save people during the attack.

According to Packiarz, the Oct. 7 assault showed community members that they must "defend [themselves] and not wait for someone to come and rescue [them]."

Israel responded to Hamas' attack by launching an offensive in Gaza with the stated goal of eradicating Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, and securing the release of the hostages. Recent reports have suggested that more than one-third of the Israeli hostages still in captivity may have died. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reports that around 35,000 people have died since the war began. Those figures don't distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths.

Packiarz and his family have lived at a hotel near the Dead Sea since the attack, which is where many members of their community are also staying. While attending the funeral of a friend killed by Hamas a few days after the attack, Packiarz learned that his father-in-law had also been murdered.

Despite the loss, Packiarz and other members of Kibbutz Be'eri's printing press began working on Oct. 8 to restore the company's operations, noting that the printing press is the "heart" of the community." The company's employees resumed work on Oct. 10, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog rededicated the printing press during an October visit to the kibbutz.

"We knew rebuilding the kibbutz could take a while, and it could be a few years before people are able to go back to the kibbutz," he said. "But if we want our members to have the option to come back, then we have to fix and deal with the heart of the kibbutz, which is our printing press."

This week, Packiarz met with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., including Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., to discuss efforts to rescue the individuals still held captive by Hamas. Packiarz said that the Israeli government talks about how it wants to eradicate the terror group and rescue the hostages, but he believes it needs to prioritize the hostages.

He also stated that he wouldn't return to Kibbutz Be'eri unless the Israeli government could ensure the safety of its members.

"We're not going to go back to sleeping with a M16 beneath the pillow," Packiarz said. "We will only go back if we feel that our kids can walk around the kibbutz and feel safe."
Home News What does it mean to be anointed? Tony Evans answers

Pastor Tony Evans recently explained what it means to be anointed, saying the key for Christians is "knowing what it is and how to use it."

In a sermon preached at his Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday, the 73-year-old preacher said that every Christian has what he calls the anointing or the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit designed to do His work in [a Christians] life, as shown in 1 Corinthians 6:19.

If you are saved, you have it. You possess it. You own it. It is there.  God has turned everything in history over to His Son. It is only by you bringing glory to the Son that the Spirit kicks off, Evans preached.

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Jesus Christ, privately and publicly, must be able to be exalted in your life. Give the anointing a chance. Put it first. Take the written Word. Put it in the face of the Holy Spirit. Do it on the front end and lets see what programming God brings into your life.

In recent weeks, Evans has been preaching about the Trinity and wanted to focus on the Holy Spirit, explaining that "this third member of the Trinity is the one given to do work on Earth on behalf of the Godhead in Heaven."

"God the Father was the point person in the Old Testament. Jesus the Son was the point person on Earth during the Gospels, Evans said.

God, the Holy Spirit is the point person during this which we call the Church age. He is that member of the Trinity who has been assigned to act on their behalf in history."

"The Father functions from the third Heaven. The Son sits on His right hand to rule spiritually in Heaven to Earth and He does that through the third member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, he added.

Evans pointed to 1 John 2 to derive a look into the anointing or the Holy Spirit's indwelling. He also pointed to Acts 10:38, which states how Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit.

This word is a word that speaks to a specific work of the Holy Spirit that you dont want to leave home without, Evans said. "The anointing and the Anointed One is speaking of the work of the Holy Spirit in a persons life, including in the life of Jesus Christ."

You cant be a Christian and not be anointed. If you are a Christian, you have the anointing. So, the key is knowing what it is and how to use it so you can benefit from it.

Evans said that the purpose of the anointing is "to illuminate, bring to light, elucidate," the messages of God to a Christian or "to take from up there and show it to you down here."

"The job of the anointing is to give you the data from Heaven to your operation and my operation in history. If you dont know you have it and you dont know how to use it, you wont benefit from it, even though you possess it, Evans stressed.

Evans said he believed many, if not most, Christians in the modern day dont know they have access to the anointing of the Holy Spirit, even though they do.

"When the soul gets the information from the human spirit that has been illuminated by the Holy Spirit, the soul feeds that data to the body, Evans said. When the body gets the data from the soul that is received from the human spirit, that has been anointed by the Holy Spirit, the body now functions differently because it has new data that has been in it."

Evans believes the "reason why we have problems with our bodies is we have an infection in our soul. But the reason we have an infection in our soul is because we have a human spirit that's been contaminated by sin."

When the anointing enters the human spirit, because the anointing is perfect, the human spirit is now perfect because it has been anointed," said Evans. "So, youve got a perfect resident in your human spirit that now wants to give information to your infected soul."

Christians can experience newfound healing in their soul when they receive the messaging that the Holy Spirit sends to them, Evans added.

If you want to fix your body, you got to clean up your soul. But if you want to clean up your soul, its got to get information from your spirit. But to get information correctly from your spirit, it's got to be inhabited by the anointing, Evans said.

The Holy Spirit Googles God, Evans told his congregation, which means He knows the deep things of God.

The Spirit of God has a search engine," he said. "It says [in Scripture] He searches the deep things of God. So, He can go deep like a deep sea diver into the thinking of God and His job is to transfer Gods thoughts to your life."
Home Opinion 15 years later: Has Iran's largest revolt against Islamic regime made impact?

June 12 marks the 15th anniversary of the 2009 Iranian Green Movement, a massive wave of peaceful protests across Iran. The Iranian Green Movement was triggered by the fraudulent results of the election that returned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the presidency. I watched the protests unfolding against the Islamic regime from my cell in Tehrans notorious Evin prison where I had been arrested and sentenced to death for the crime of converting to Christianity  which the Islamic regime calls apostacy.

The Green Movement was the largest protest in Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Some three million peaceful demonstrators flooded Tehrans streets, and in cities across Iran, about four percent of Irans population.

As the election results were rigged, and Ahmadinejad returned to office through cheating, Iranians demanded his removal. For millions of brave Iranians who protested and many millions more who were afraid to do so but supported the movement, the fraudulent election was the straw that broke the camels back. After suffering years of violence, harsh death penalties, and the execution of juveniles under Ahmadinejad, and decades of criminal immorality, misogyny, and ruthless human rights abuses under the Islamic regime, they had had enough.

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The Islamic regime responded by brutally shooting hundreds of protesters wantonly in the streets. They tortured and killed hundreds more political prisoners, and arrested thousands, dozens of whom were also executed.

A video of the fatal shooting of Neda Agha Soltan, a philosophy student who was participating in the protests, went viral domestically and internationally. This motivated wider domestic protests, and harsher government crackdowns. It generated international concern that should have led to Western governments coming to the aid of the protesters against the regime. But the West failed.

In prison, I witnessed firsthand masses of people imprisoned and tortured for protesting the election fraud. Our already overcrowded cells were packed beyond capacity with the newly arrested. There was no space even on the floor for people to sleep. Many were beaten, tortured, and raped during their interrogations. Cellmates who had life sentences were forced to work inside the prison and were witness to, among other horrors, an empty pool full of the bodies of young people who were murdered during interrogation. They witnessed the removal of the dead bodies from the prison to be dumped outside in secret. Fifteen years later, many Iranians still dont know what happened to their loved ones.

The murders and brutal torture were not just spontaneous acts of overzealous criminals or morality police, but orders from Ahmadinejad and the supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei. One of my cellmates who attended the protest received a five-year sentence with no evidence presented against her. The judge simply declared that he gave her this sentence because he suspected and felt that her thoughts and attitude were against the regime. She laughed with anger when she shared this, shocked that nobody in the world would believe Iranian judges sentence people to prison based on their suspicions and feelings, much less lack of due process and no evidence. (I shared many firsthand accounts in my books, A Love Journey with God, and Captive in Iran at www.MarzisJourney.com.)

When the Islamic regime turned the peaceful protests into a bloodbath, the Iranian people begged for help from the United States. They were chanting Obama are you with us or with them? Obama in Farsi means, He is with us; [O (he) ba (with) ma (us)]. Despite peoples pleas, Obama showed his true face and stood with the criminal Islamic regime. He not only turned his back on the Iranian people who were fighting for their freedom, and the greatest opportunity to end the murderous Islamic regime, but he later made the worst deal in history with Iran (JCPOA), emboldening the regime, setting a path for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, and sending billions of dollars into the coffers of the criminal Mullahs. This was used to further suppress the Iranian people and to fund and expand terrorism across the Middle East.

The Iranian people will never forget Obamas betrayal. Now, 15 years later, Obamas protege is also guilty of betraying the Iranian people. President Biden has also provided billions of dollars to the regime, passed up the opportunity to end the regime after the 2022 murder of Mahsa Amini, and has brought the world to the brink of an Iranian nuclear weapon.

In 15 years, we have seen failure after failure in appeasing and negotiating with the terrorist regime. Sadly, western politicians pay lip service to Islamic human rights violations, placing their own interests above moral policies internationally, and risking the security of their own citizens by allowing the regimes terrorist agents into their countries to spread their lies and propaganda.

The vast majority of Iranians reject the repressive Islamic Republic, but they have no power to change this system on their own. Iranians long to be free, but they have no hope for the future of their country, until this regime is no longer in power.

I pray that on this 15th anniversary of the biggest revolt against the Islamic regime, and its most violent and bloody murderous response, Western governments will understand that the Islamic regime is evil personified, that its nature is unchangeable, and that it not only harms the lives of millions of Iranians but also others around the world.

Obama campaigned on change and hope. He offered no hope for Iran, and unless Western policies change, we will all be much worse off.

Now, with elections scheduled to replace President Raisi who mysteriously died in a helicopter accident on May 19, will Iranians respond again with protests? Will the regime crackdown again? And will the US and the West sit idly by, watching as more innocent Iranians blood is shed? I hope not, and I pray to that end.
Carl Lentz admits to 'more than one' affair

The affair that brought down Carl Lentz was "not an isolated incident", the former Hillsong NYC pastor has admitted.

The 45 year old discussed his infidelity in a recent interview with ABC News' "Nightline". When pressed about how many affairs he had, Lentz declined to go into specifics, saying his wife Laura and their children had been through enough already. He said it was "more than one" and "more than what I got caught for".

"But it definitely was not an isolated incident," he said.

During the interview, Lentz admitted to being a recovering sex and prescription addict and said that in private his life was already starting to unravel 10 years ago, at the height of his fame and influence when he was hanging with the likes of Justin Bieber, who he famously baptized in a bathtub.

"[Do] I say [I'm a] recovering drug addict, recovering sex addict? Sure," he said.

He added later, "I was prescribed a drug that I used to help with ADHD most of my adult life. Towards the end of my time in New York I started to abuse it really badly."

Lentz said he would be "forever sad" about the pain and tears he caused his wife when he first told her he had been unfaithful.

"Nobody deserves that," he said, welling up.

Asked if he wanted to change, Lentz answered, "I'm changing."

Lentz was pastor of Hillsong NYC from 2010 until his firing for moral failures and leadership issues in November 2020.

He said in the interview that "if my actions, if my leadership hurt [Hillsong NYC staff] in any way, I'd love to apologize for it," he said.

He also denied allegations of inappropriate touching by their former nanny, Leona Kimes.

"With all that is within me, I say that account is wrong. It's not true," he told Pitts.

Last year Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, led by Pastor Michael Todd, revealed he had joined the staff to help with "strategy".

Now Lentz and wife Laura have launched a podcast called "Lights On" in which they talk about the scandal and the work they have put in to heal their family.
Manuscript containing earliest versions of Jonah and 1 Peter up for auction

(CP) An ancient manuscript containing the oldest complete versions of two significant Biblical texts  the book of Jonah and 1 Peter  is being auctioned at Christie's in London, with an expected price of up to $3.8 million.

Known as the Crosby-Schyen Codex, this rare artifact dates back to the third and fourth centuries and originates from Egypt, according to Christie's.

It's part of a larger auction by Christie's that features a variety of important manuscripts spanning 1,300 years of cultural history. Among the other notable items are the Codex Sinaiticus Rescriptus and the Geraardsbergen Bible, which together trace significant periods of religious and cultural transformation.

Eugenio Donadoni, a senior specialist in books and manuscripts at Christie's, described the Crosby-Schyen Codex as a cornerstone of early Christian faith, emphasizing its value in understanding the spread of Christianity around the Mediterranean. Donadoni noted, "This codex is a self-consciously assembled compilation of texts, particularly significant for celebrating one of the earliest Easters and for its connection to monastic communities in Upper Egypt," The Telegraph quoted Donadoni as saying.

The manuscript was written by a single scribe over a period of 40 years and was initially in the possession of the University of Mississippi after being discovered undisturbed for about 1,500 years. Dr. Martin Schyen, a Norwegian manuscript collector, later acquired it in 1988, and it has since been recognized as the oldest book in private hands, according to The Times.

Experts have placed the creation of the Crosby-Schyen Codex at a time when Christians were still defining their identity, heavily influenced by Jewish traditions. This period marks a significant chapter in religious history, occurring before the official recognition of Christianity within the Roman Empire by Emperor Constantine in 312 AD.

"It's one of the three major finds of the 20th century that revolutionized the study of Christianity. We're talking about early Christians finding their feet as Christians, still steeped in Jewish traditions," Donadoni was quoted as saying.

Donadoni explained that the codex was likely produced as a liturgical book intended for religious celebrations such as Easter, making it an invaluable resource for understanding early Christian rituals and beliefs.

"In that time and place, the monk and the manuscript were both new categories in the world," says Christie's. "The innovative thing about his planned anthology was its physical form. This was not a scroll  which for centuries had been the standard medium for writing in the Graeco-Roman world. It was a codex. It consisted of rectangles of papyrus stitched together to make a kind of pamphlet, 136 pages long. This was, in other words, an early exemplar of the book as we now know it."

It adds that the monk likely belonged to the initial cohort of individuals who embraced monastic life, committing to austerity and devout worship. This movement had just started to evolve, inspired by Pachomius, commonly regarded as the pioneer of Christian monasticism. It is possible that the scribe was one of Pachomius' followers.

The preservation of the Crosby-Schyen Codex is attributed to Egypt's dry climate, which has played a crucial role in the survival of many ancient manuscripts.

The auction is scheduled for Tuesday.

 The Christian Post
Mentally ill Catholic woman jailed on blasphemy charge in Pakistan

A 60-year-old Catholic woman who has been treated for mental illness was jailed on blasphemy charges in Lahore, Pakistan, her son said.

Jameela Khatoon was arrested on 4 June from her house in Lahore's Cantonment area on a complaint of Muslim shopkeeper Asif Ali, said her son, 41-year-old Sunny Gill.

Ali registered a First Information Report (FIR) with the North Cantt Police Station under Section 295-C of the blasphemy law against blaspheming Muhammad, which carries a mandatory death penalty.

Area shopkeepers are so familiar with Khatoon's mental illness that they allow her to take items without paying, knowing her relatives will pay them later, and Ali also was aware of her condition when she came into his shop and allegedly began saying derogatory things about Muhammad after noticing a Muslim prayer mounted on a wall, Gill said.

"Ali also knows about her illness, and we are surprised as to why he filed a case against her," Gill told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

His mother had noticed the Arabic Durood Shareef Islamic prayer on the wall behind the counter when she allegedly began uttering derogatory remarks about Muhammad, said Christ was greater than the prophet of Islam and began screaming and shouting, he said.

"In the FIR, Ali has claimed that when he and some other Muslims tried to stop my mother from blaspheming against their prophet, she started walking towards her home but kept insulting Muhammad," Gill said.

The oldest of Khatoon's four children, Gill said he was not at home when police arrived at their shared living quarters two hours after the incident and arrested her.

"My wife and I had gone to buy groceries when police came to our house and told my younger brother's wife that they were taking my mother on theft charges," he said. "Till then, no one in our family knew what had actually happened."

Gill said his mother's mental health began deteriorating four years ago.

"We have taken her to the Punjab Institute of Mental Health several times for treatment, but she hasn't improved much," he said.

Gill, who works as a cleaner at the Lahore Cantonment Board, said the family has tried to keep Khatoon from harming herself, but they hadn't anticipated she would be held for blasphemy.

"We have tried our best to keep her in the house, but she refuses to stay confined and becomes violent," he said.

Gill said he hoped police and courts would take his mother's mental illness into account and dismiss the serious charge.

"My mother didn't know what she was saying or doing," he said. "It would be very unfair to keep her in prison with such a medical condition. We hope that the court will drop the charges against her on compassionate grounds."

Attorney Liaquat John, who is defending Khatoon, said he would file an application for a medical board to ascertain Khatoon's mental health.

"If the board certifies the mental unsoundness of Khatoon, the court cannot proceed with the trial," John told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

Pakistani law does afford protections to people with mental illness or disabilities.

Section 464 of the Criminal Procedures Code (CrPC) states that people of "unsound mind" who are incapable of assisting in their defense cannot be tried.

Similarly, Section 84 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) states, "an accused cannot be held criminally responsible for an act if, at the time of committing it, the individual, due to unsoundness of mind, was incapable of knowing the nature of the act, or that the act was wrong or illegal."

John further said that the FIR did not state the derogatory words she was alleged to have spoken against Islam's prophet, which is a strong basis for obtaining bail if charges are not dropped on health grounds.

"The complainant has not stated the exact words said by Khatoon that amount to blasphemy, whereas the Supreme Court has clearly said in its judgments that the FIR must contain the words spoken," John said.

The attorney is awaiting the police investigation report and charge sheet before applying for bail, he said. About 40-45 Christian families lived in their Bael Ahata neighborhood, and most have fled their homes fearing a mob attack.

"Our priority right now is to ensure the security and safe return of the Christian dwellers of the locality who are fearful of mob violence," John said. "Though the area police have assured us that there will be no protest by Muslims, we have requested them to deploy personnel in the neighborhood, particularly on Friday when Muslims congregate for their weekly mass prayers."

Gill said the family has not received any threats from area residents.

"Though there have been no protests by Muslims against this incident, yet many Christians have moved to safer places," he said.

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.

 2024 Christian Daily International-Morning Star News
Tributes paid to former Premier CEO Peter Kerridge after death at 63

Premier Christian media group has paid tribute to its former CEO Peter Kerridge who has died at the age of 63.

Kerridge passed away on Saturday of acute leukaemia. He is survived by his wife Karen and their two sons.

He spent many years at Premier, joining in 1996 as managing director when it was a small London-based Christian radio station on the brink of closure.

His partnership with the late Premier pioneer David Heron is credited with turning the station around, and in 2004 he became its CEO.

His successor Kevin Bennett led the tributes: "Peter's energy and drive were pivotal at various stages of Premier's history, either sustaining or advancing the station to new heights.

"I hope Peter will be remembered as a man wholly committed to the mission God set before him. He never wavered once he committed, relentlessly striving to spread the good news of Jesus. Above all, he will be remembered for his heart, his mission, and his ministry."

During his time at the helm, Kerridge pioneered the Premier.tv video-on-demand platform and online streaming.

After studying theology at Oxford in 1986, he trained for Baptist ministry and started his broadcasting career at Metro Radio in Newcastle upon Tyne. He later became religious and community affairs manager at Essex Radio and helped to launch ten17 FM in Harlow.

Sandy Muirhead, Chair of Trustees of Premier Christian Media Trust, added, "Peter was an extraordinary colleague, entrepreneur, and inspiration. His drive forward Premier's mission was unmatched, and he will be deeply missed within our company and beyond. His unwavering faith and commitment to the Lord were truly inspiring to us all."

Churches Together in England said, "We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Peter Kerridge, a pioneer of Christian broadcasting and media. Our prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues at Premier. May he rest in peace."

Condolences can be left at premier.org.uk
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

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The rise of generative AI, AR/VR, and rapid networks has unlocked new educational possibilities that were once impossible in traditional classrooms. With promises of never-before-seen scale and personalization, more governments and institutions are investing in the $270 billion dollar educational technology (EdTech) industry, supporting a 16% CAGR that will propel it to new heights of US$433.17 billion by 2030.

And APAC is well-primed to become one of the biggest adopters and benefactors of Edtech, with China, India, and Indonesia ranking among the 10 top countries for higher education enrolment. Regionally, over 27 million children and adolescents remain illiterate largely due to accessibility issues that Edtech may just have the potential to resolve.

So how exactly will technology evolve pedagogy? Subhasish Gupta, India & SAARC Regional Director, Allied Telesis Asia Pacific outlines three ways he foresees the integration:

GenAI teaching assistants

By granting users the ability to create content through written prompts, generative AI (genAI) can prove invaluable to students who do not have ready access to reliable tutors. Class sizes in East Asia continue to hover around 25-45 despite research showing that students learn as much as 3 months faster in smaller class sizes of 15. While reducing class size isnt always feasible due to resource constraints, genAI makes it possible for students to cover the basics by looking up unfamiliar terms and concepts with ease without demanding too much additional resources from institutions.

AR and VR immersive learning

Simulation tools make it possible for students to visit historical sites and natural landmarks without leaving the classroom or molecular interactions without convoluted explanations or specialized equipment. On top of granting students in remote or under-developed regions with greater exposure, AR and VR tools can also encourage active, visual-driven learning in the passive learning dominated Asian classrooms. Research has shown that active classroom participation can improve learning outcomes by as much as one-half a standard deviation.

Gamification for engagement and motivation

Gamification can maximize the effectiveness of the aforementioned tools by entertaining and motivating students on their way to each learning milestone. Algorithms can also be customized for individual students who struggle with particular topics such that unfamiliar concepts are surfaced just enough to foster familiarity without being too overwhelming or discouraging. While the absolute effectiveness of gamification varies widely between individuals and field of study, the overwhelming majority of case studies show a net positive in learning outcomes of anywhere between 40% to 95%.

What a truly digital campus looks like

Of course, implementing new technology is always easier said than done. From privacy concerns to malfunctioning devices, campuses must be designed with the right interfaces and fail safe so that infrastructure can be safely used as intended to achieve their desired outcomes, explains Subhasish. Understanding the unique challenges of this sector, we do our part in shaping the future of education by providing a robust network infrastructure that can realize this vision of a truly connected and savvy digital campus.

According to Subhasish, Allied Telesis sees the digital campus comprising three key aspects:

Modern IT operations

Digitalized and automated operations can help contemporary campuses minimize manual labor and associated human errors. This can be implemented in digital attendance records, bookings for private consultations, digital gradings, and more. Allied Telesis achieves this through its Network AI, which modernizes IT operations by leveraging AI and ML for network insights. Not only does this free up time for IT admins, it also provides a highly intuitive process for digitally native students born after 1997. These systems can be further safeguarded by requiring students and staff to verify their identities using unique keys such as biometrics.

Round-the-clock connectivity

The percentage of students juggling part-time work alongside their studies has skyrocketed in recent years, going up from 45% to 55% from just 2022 to 2023. Digital campuses must be ready to support students with various schedules and learning styles, especially since working students are 20% less likely to graduate compared to their full-time student counterparts. With the Allied Telesis Network Virtualization, educational institutions can ensure a zero-downtime infrastructure with network core redundancy not just for that 2359 deadline, but also to support entire halls of wirelessly connected devices running AI and high-graphics programs.

Robust cyber defenses

The campus may be a students safe haven from the corporate world, but 87% of educational institutions have already experienced very real cybersecurity breaches. With students connecting to institutional databases both within and from outside campus, school networks have never been more vulnerable, especially since hackers can compromise a network through a single unsuspecting students unprotected device. AMF-Security Controller is Allied Telesiss response to growing cyber threats, which integrates the best-of-breed cyber vendors to increase the schools cyber posture.

Delivering on the digital campus promise

Digital campuses are not just built on world-class infrastructure and iron-clad cybersecurity, but are supported by service teams that are capable of responding swiftly and efficiently whenever the need arises.

Driven by a mission to create conditions where students can study, research, and grow to their fullest potential, Allied Telesis has been the facilitator of many firsts in Asian campuses, including the deployment of an SDN-enabled network at Indias Institute of National Importance as well as the signed cooperation agreement for training, recruitment, scientific research, communication, and brand development with the Ho Chi MInh University of Technology (HUTECH).

Build an educational future on network foundations you can rely on with Allied Telesis.
The healthcare sector has always been high in demand for skilled professionals and continuous advancements in the latest technologies. However, the need to digitize for data-sharing was highlighted during the pandemic, as the world faced a talent crunch on patient care. From high burn-out rates to overwhelmed healthcare systems, the urgency to streamline processes and improve communication became evident.

As the role of healthcare workers transforms alongside technology to become more efficient, it also takes away administrative tasks that were traditionally time-consuming. In Asia Pacific (APAC), healthcare organizations are already undergoing digital transformation to serve patients healthcare needs more holistically without stressing the current workforce. In 2025, it is estimated that one in 10 hospitals in APAC will leverage robotics beyond surgery and outside their operating rooms to enhance care delivery. By 2027, 55% of healthcare organizations in the region will rely on digital-first strategies, interoperable workflows, and consumer data platforms to empower patients, elevate experiences, and champion trust1.

Transforming the patient care experience

Smart hospitals are on the rise, and healthcare organizations are going beyond just providing patients with the care they need, well on their way to revolutionizing the patient care experience.

Seiichiro Sato, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, Allied Telesis, believes that instead of approaching technology as simply a space for data collection and collaboration, more healthcare institutions are finding ways they can leverage technology to enhance patient care.

In a recent project, we provide seamless wireless connectivity to Paramount Beds sensor bed mats and eye scan cameras so patients can be monitored 24/7. These medical sensors can report a patients sleep status and provide patient health data continuously, and in turn help healthcare providers deliver the highest level of care and comfort, Sato explains.

Defining smart hospital success with zero downtime

With technology and connectivity going hand-in-hand, even a split-second delay can be a matter of life and death in an industry like healthcare. This is why for smart hospitals, having a connected infrastructure is critical to ensure systems never fail. The Allied Telesis Network Virtualization ensures a zero-downtime infrastructure with network core redundancy so that medical practitioners can focus on their most important mission  to save lives.

The high cost of medical equipment also means that they need to be used in the most efficient way. As equipment is often moved around medical facilities, it can be frustrating for medical practitioners to have to locate the devices they need when they need them.

Being able to track and identify their whereabouts in real-time can be a real game changer.

Its partnership with Terumoa global leader in medical technology that develops vascular intervention and cardio-surgical solutions, as well as essential medical products for daily clinical practiceto enable smart syringe pumps so that their location can always be detected is just one example of how technology can support medical staff by saving valuable time.

Tackling data breaches for a secure, and always-on connectivity

Sato cautioned that as the healthcare industry becomes more digitized, it is equally as important for organizations to safeguard their data.

Whether its new medical research, day-to-day operational data, or patients confidential medical records, the more data an organization has, the wider their attack surface becomes, he adds.

Consider how the medical sector contributed to 35.4 percent of all breach events in 2022. That same year also marked the 13th consecutive year for the healthcare sector to be reported as having the highest data breach costs in the region.

Having a robust network infrastructure is not a luxury; it is a necessity to safeguard patient safety and satisfaction as well as to drive employee efficiency and productivity. It also enables the democratization of healthcare, as the Landseed International Hospital in Taiwan has demonstrated, having been set up to provide the highest volume of telemedicine services in Taiwan.

Looking to emulate their success? Sato advised that organizations first need to investigate their network infrastructure and reevaluate areas that can be improved. Implement highly reliable wireless access to mitigate core issues like dead spots, conflicting signals, and dropped connections. Having good oversight of the network is also crucial to manage assets, and proactively address any network issues that may arise, particularly around the vital functions of the organization.

For the highest level of security, healthcare organizations need to enable secure network access, prioritizing identity-based access control. Having a robust and secure network is only beneficial and impactful if it is easy enough for employees to navigate. Set up a network management system on the back end to automate activities so that IT teams can focus on more business-critical work, says Sato.

The Allied Telesis zero downtime promise guarantees organizations against system failures due to infrastructure-related issues. After all, the best healthcare system is one that is always available anytime, anywhere. Connect with our team to find out more.

1IDC, IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Healthcare Industry 2023 Predictions  Asia Pacific Implications, Jan 2023
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New CEO for POhWER

Advocacy charity POhWER has announced Felix Davies as its next CEO. He will take up the role on 2 September and succeed Vicky Browning, who has been interim CEO since January.

He currently works for veterans mental health charity Combat Stress, where he has been chief operating officer for six months and was director of operations for five years before that.

POhWER chair Antony Kildare said: We are delighted to welcome Dr Felix Davies as POhWERs new chief executive. He has a proven track record as both a clinician and senior health and social care leader.

At its heart, POhWER is about people, and we were impressed by Felixs passion for achieving the best possible quality for service users, clients, staff and partners.

Royal Ballet School appoints first full-time CEO

The Royal Ballet School has appointed Patrick Harrison as its first full-time CEO, to begin later this year.

He will succeed Christopher Powney, who was artistic director and CEO of the charity for a decade. On his stepping down, the Royal Ballet School decided that the two roles should be distinctly separate for the foreseeable future.

Harrison is set to join from the English National Ballet, where he has been executive director since 2016.

The Royal Ballet School also announced that its chair, Christopher Rodrigues, has stepped down for medical reasons after four years in post.

Interim chair Anna Birkett will hold the role until a permanent replacement is decided.

Forces Children Scotland CEO steps down

Laura Falconer has announced that she is stepping down as the CEO of Forces Children Scotland this summer after more than three years.

The charity supports children and young people from armed forces and veteran families through mental health and wellbeing, education and more.

Falconer said: I think we have achieved a huge amount in terms of raising the profile of this group of children and young people and their unique life experiences and needs []

For Scotland to become a place where children from armed forces families can achieve their potential and thrive, there needs to be long-term, core investment in the support required to overcome some of the barriers they experience to their development, their education, and their wellbeing.

Disability charity CEO steps down after 30 years

Amo Raju has announced he will step down as CEO of the Derby-based charity Disability Direct in three months.

Raju was the successor of Richard Shaw, the founder of the user-led charity. Raju was a councillor of Derby City Council from 2015 to 2019, and an associate non-executive director of a local NHS Foundation Trust.

David Moss, chair of Disability Direct, said: We are all incredibly sad to lose such a dedicated and inspiring CEO.

Amo has been a towering and pioneering figure in the third sector and we are honoured his journey started with us which now continues on a national and international platform.

Today we benefit from a vision he presented to trustees decades earlier, of a self-funding disability charity. His numerous awards and accolades are proof of the love and admiration he has gained from people across the UK. His leadership will be missed.

Pancreatic Cancer Action appoints chair

Giulio Codacci-Pisanelli has been appointed as chair of Pancreatic Cancer Action, taking over from Nicola Rees-Mumford, who held the role for a decade.

Codacci-Pisanelli has had a career in finance working for investment banks like Chase Manhattan, Merrill Lynch and BNP Paribas. His wife Sarah died from pancreatic cancer in 2022.

Pancreatic Cancer Action is doing fantastic things and l am looking forward to getting involved in whatever way I can, said Codacci-Pisanelli.

I want to help the whole team to achieve the goals of the charity. I hope to apply the skills I acquired during my career in banking, such as managerial and relationship management skills, to help Pancreatic Cancer Action grow and progress.

David Slater and Gabriella Lesca are also joining as trustees.

Former Red Cross CEO becomes St Mungos chair

Homelessness charity St Mungos has appointed former British Red Cross chief executive Mike Adamson as its next chair of trustees, taking over from Joanna Killian in September.

Vice chair Alex Beidas is acting as interim chair until he takes up the post.

Adamson, who was CEO of British Red Cross for eight years, said: I am incredibly excited to be joining St Mungos as its next chair of trustees.

Homelessness and rough sleeping are symptomatic of deeper societal issues which we should not tolerate. Everyone has a right to a roof over their heads.

I am inspired by the difference that St Mungos makes to people every day and the leadership role it can play, in collaboration with others, to shape policy and public discourse to help people find a path away from homelessness and rebuild their lives.

Blue Cross appoints chair

Beth Brook has been announced as the new chair of Blue Cross, which provides specialist care, services and support for pets and people.

She takes over from Tim Porter, who has held the role for almost 10 years.

Brook has held CEO roles at Heart of England Forest, Fair Train and the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.

Chris Burghes, CEO of Blue Cross said: Beths deep understanding of the sector and her extensive experience will undoubtedly be invaluable as we continue our work to create a future where all pets enjoy a healthy and happy life with people who love them.

Not only is Beth a professional in the field, but she is also a true animal lover at heart, bringing with her a dedication to the welfare of pets and their owners.

New director at the Kings Fund

Zoe Abrams has been appointed as the new director of communications and engagement at the Kings Fund.

Abrams is currently a communications and advocacy specialist and was previously a director at the British Red Cross and Barnardos.

She also spent a decade working across various government departments.

Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of the Kings Fund, said: I am delighted to welcome Zoe to the Kings Fund.

She comes with an excellent track record of driving improvements to policy and practice as well as delivering award-winning communications campaigns.

She also brings a wealth of experience supporting organisations to further enhance their impact, which will be invaluable to us as we look to the future and develop our new organisational strategy.

Leeds Community Foundation appoints first chief operating officer

The 4.9m foundation has announced that Alex Ellis-White has become its first chief operating officer.

He brings 25 years of experience in strategic communications to the role. He was communications business partner manager for NHS Digital for ten years and previously held roles at Leeds City Council and Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Steph Taylor, CEO at Leeds Community Foundation, said: Alex is a fantastic addition to our team and is already making such a positive impact as we embark on our new strategy.

Alex and our brilliant team will help us to respond to the huge demand for grants in communities right across Leeds and Bradford; while also working closely with businesses and individuals who can make a difference to their local communities by giving through Leeds Community Foundation.

Childrens Trust recruits board members

The Childrens Trust, the charity for children with brain injuries, has appointed Helen Hewitt and Helen Farmer to its board.

Hewitt works as an independent consultant within the education and social care sectors and was chief executive of Chailey Heritage Foundation.

Farmer was most recently director for babies, children and young people transformation and commissioning in Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board.

Mike Thiedke, chief executive of the Childrens Trust, says: We are delighted to welcome Helen Farmer and Helen Hewitt to our board.

They each bring a great range of diverse perspectives and relevant experience and expertise which will support us to maintain momentum on our recovery plan, develop the next stages of our organisational strategy and ensure we continue to provide the highest quality services to help children with brain injury and neurodisability live the best life possible.

David Beckham becomes ambassador of Kings charity

David Beckham has been announced as the new ambassador for the Kings Foundation, which works to support people in their communities.

The famous footballer met the monarch at Highgrove Gardens to learn more about the charity last week.

Kristina Murrin, Chief Executive of The Kings Foundation, said: We are delighted to welcome David Beckham to The Kings Foundation family as an ambassador.

We look forward to working with David over the coming months and years, to share the good work of the Foundation with a wider audience.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
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Editor and CEO of Mississippi Free Press

If you dont actually understand what people are thinking about and talking about on the groundand especially the people who are not wealthy white men, who are at the highest risk of being hurt by dangerous political decisions and then by bad political reportingthen everything is skewed from the outset.

The American Press Institute and the Knight Foundation are helping us start to do this series of local forums that we call solution circles across the state. We are getting out and having public dialogues where the people decide what theyre going to talk about. One of the circles, in Biloxi, had people expressing frustration about local elections and how the media is not giving them what they need. What they told us is that they show up to local elections and they dont know many of the names on the ballot, because theres nobody putting that information out in any kind of effective way. So many of their local publications that were doing some of these things have basically shuttered.

For us, its about having an inclusive audience and an inclusive staff. We cant just send out a bunch of white male political reporters who cant connect. Our team of nine people in Biloxi was mostly Black, and there was an Indigenous man there with us helping lead the circles. Mississippi is the Blackest stateand our journalism here has never fully represented all Mississippians. You have to be inclusive to develop trust. Its really important locally. Youve got to do that and not let your own assumptions drive how you are approaching election coverage.
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From the moment he rode down that gilded escalator at Trump Tower to announce his 2016 presidential bid, Donald Trump has challenged television media in unprecedented ways. Initially, he seemed like a gifta reality TV star and tabloid fixture with an almost absurdist approach to campaigning, who would say anything, on any show, at any time. With doubts about the seriousness of his candidacy, reporters treated him like an amusing spectaclesomehow worthy of both deep skepticism and endless hours of coverage. As Chuck Todd, the former host of Meet the Press, once told me, Youre like, Wait until you see what hes going to do next. I interviewed Todd for Enemies of the People, a 2020 film I directed about Trumps relationship with the political press. In that documentary, I asked a number of leading journalists and media figures how they made their coverage decisions throughout the 2016 election cycle, and whether they had regrets.

As it turned out, they had many. Maggie Haberman, of the New York Times, regretted laughing, during a roundtable conversation on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, when Keith Ellison, a member of Congress at the time, suggested that Trump might end up leading the Republican ticket. (I know you dont believe that, Stephanopoulos responded.) Its really the moment that I will regret more than any during the campaign, Haberman told me.

The 2016 election revealed so many flaws in how journalists had long been covering politics, Soledad OBrien said. Clip from Enemies of the People (Retro Report)

Jorge Ramos, the Univision anchor, remembered overlooking Latino viewers who called into his newsroom to say they were planning to vote for Trump. I was hearing what they were saying, but I wasnt listening, he said. CNNs Jake Tapper said his biggest mistake was relying too much on what experts said in terms of polling. His boss, Jeff Zucker, said that, in retrospect, he wouldnt have aired so many of Trumps lies unchecked while being persistently critical of Hillary Clintons campaign. Not calling that out more for what it was, and then holding the other side more accountable, he said, was probably a mistake.

And, of course, everyone agreed that the television media simply played far too much into Trumps politics-as-spectacle agendain part because it worked for them, too. As Les Moonves, who was then the chairman of CBS, infamously said at the time, It may not be good for America, but its damn good for CBS. The moneys rolling in and this is fun. That the networks found Trump entertaining was patently clear. They aired his rallies in full and unmediated, sometimes so eager to get him on the air that it led to the notorious podium shotwhen cable news outlets would cut away from other candidates speeches to a live shot of an empty podium awaiting Trumps arrival.

Trump received completely unmediated access to the homes of millions of Americans, Lydia Polgreen said. Clip from Enemies of the People (Retro Report)

Ive been thinking a lot about those regretsso clearly articulated and unambiguousas I watch the coverage of the 2024 campaign (now with criminal proceedings). This time around reporters arent failing to take Trump seriously. But theres a lot of evidence that the lessons from 2016 did not fully sink in. The coverage of Trumps criminal trial in Manhattan, for instance, was eerily reminiscent of the empty podiums of 2016. CNN promoted its gavel to gavel coverage of the trial, even though no cameras were allowed inside the courtroom. Instead, there was a large photograph of a defiant Trump, scowling in his seat, dominating the center of the screen. In smaller boxes, CNN had a live shot of an empty court hallway; anchors and reporters relayed notes about Trumps every move: Trump is shuffling through papers in front of him as the photo is shown on the screen for jurors. MSNBC and Fox also covered each session of the trial, albeit with more breaks for other news and fewer play-by-plays of paper shuffling.

CNN coverage on May 13, 2024

The networks are not all-in on Trump like they were in 2016, but they still give him a significant amount of unfettered airtime, as CNN did with an ill-advised town hall last year, and CNBC did recently when it let him call in and talk about whatever he wanted, virtually uninterrupted, for forty minutes. Its not particularly entertaining television, nor particularly good for ratings; what we get feels overcome by numbness and exhaustion. Trump is besieged by so many scandalsand they surface so oftenthat reporting on it seems like white noise.

First photo: Trump campaign rally, North Carolina, 2016. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Second photo: Trump campaign rally, South Carolina, 2024. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Thats in part because the networks are still struggling with how to hold the other side more accountable, as Zucker put it, without going overboard. Hence the endless coverage of President Joe Bidens age. Concern about any presidential candidates cognition is legitimate; Biden, the oldest person to be elected president, is no exception. But Biden, who will be eighty-one on Election Day, is barely three years older than Trump, who will be seventy-eight. At one point last fall, the cable networks mentioned Bidens age nearly four times more than Trumps, according to Media Matters. The rationale the networks offer for their gerontology is that polls show that people are genuinely concerned about Bidens age. (The same logic applied to the unceasing coverage of Clintons emails.) Of course, polls dont ask whats fueling the unease. Its possible to create anxieties by the way you report on somethingask people enough times if an issue worries them, and they begin to worry. Even Zucker said last November that the key for news outlets is not to get caught up in early poll results: That continues to be a huge mistake in the media.

Jake Tapper said that his biggest mistake in 2016 was relying too much on what experts said in terms of polling. Clip from Enemies of the People (Retro Report)

Some anchors and reporters have grown bolder in calling out Trumps cruelties and fact-checking him and his surrogates, as Stephanopoulos did when he took on Rep. Nancy Mace in March. During the interview, Stephanopoulos pushed Mace repeatedly on how she could support Trump despite his being found responsible for sexual abuse by a court of law. The conversation grew heated, but Stephanopoulos did not back down. When NBC News hired Ronna McDanielthe former chair of the Republican National Committee and an enthusiastic Trumperas a pundit, reporters and anchors at the network quickly and publicly rebelled, forcing executives to reverse course.

But the times when they fall short are still worrisome. Its the job of journalism to share the realities and stakes of having a candidate who opens his rallies by playing footage of his supporters storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021, while calling them political prisoners or hostages; or who says he thinks a lot of people like it when he talks about being a dictator for a day if hes reelected; or who declares that undocumented immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country. Its not partisan or biased to point out the obviousthat each of those things is disturbingwithout drawing a false equivalence in an attempt at artificial balance. In Enemies of the People, I included an interview with Katy Tur in which she referenced George Orwell: To see what is in front of your nose needs a constant struggle. Its a line that came up repeatedly in my conversations back then. There is still time to see clearly now.

Susie Banikarim is an Emmy-winning journalist and recovering media executive. She is the director of the 2020 documentary Enemies of the People: Trump and the Political Press and cohosts the podcast In Retrospect.
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In 2017, just after Donald Trump was elected president, a research group called the Alliance for Securing Democracypart of a think tank, the German Marshall Fund of the United States, based in DC and Brusselsreleased a tool called Hamilton 68. It used network analysis to identify themes in messages spreading from Russian state actors on Twitter through what appeared to be pro-Kremlin civilian profiles. (The name of the tool was derived from the article in the Federalist Papers in which Alexander Hamilton warns of foreign powers seeking influence in American politics.) If youre looking at the accounts individually, you could anecdotally get a sense of what the narrative thrusts were at any given time, Bret Schafer, a senior fellow at the Alliance, said recently. But you might miss the aggregate. This was an attempt to combine all of that into one place, translated into English.

Schafer later upgraded Hamilton to include more platformsFacebook, Instagram, Telegramand state-run accounts from China and Iran. Around the same time, Meta acquired its own research tool, CrowdTangle, which allowed Schafer and his team to better analyze data from Facebook and Instagram. By 2018, consensus was building that there was a serious problem of foreign agents wreaking havoc on social media; the Senate Intelligence Committee commissioned a study. The resulting reportRenee DiResta, an expert in online manipulation, now at the Stanford Internet Observatory, was the lead authordetailed how Russian agents had posed as Americans while posting divisive content. Across the country, scholars of online disinformation and influence campaigns began to identify a recurring pattern: foreign nations try to sway political discourse online, stoking tensions and provoking rumors; Americans continue to take the bait. Around the 2020 election, Schafer said, it felt like everything was sort of ramping up in terms of civil societyacademics, the platforms, parts of the government attempting to work together to get a better understanding of whats happening online.

It wouldnt last. Elon Musk, a self-identified free-speech absolutist, acquired Twitter in late 2022 and announced that he would paywall the companys application programming interface, or APIwhich had been Hamiltons best source of data, Schafer told me. (The cost of entry, tens of thousands of dollars a month, put the API out of reach for most academic institutions and nonprofits, including Schafers.) Musk, who had long been a critic of Twitters content-moderation practices, declared that he wanted to create a common digital town square where a wide range of beliefs can be debated in a healthy manner without resorting to violencesignaling that he would do less to address false claims on the site. He changed the name Twitter to X, and proceeded to gut its Trust and Safety team, the internal group responsible for moderating content and investigating foreign influence campaigns. He also began releasing what came to be known as the Twitter Filesdocuments and emails that Musk claimed provided proof the companys previous leadership had colluded with researchers and federal officials to censor the right.

Enter right-wing officials. Angered by what they viewed as overzealous and biased policing of online speech, and fueled by their unyielding contention that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump, they began alleging that researchersSchafer, DiResta, and their peerswere cogs in a government program of repression, silencing conservative voices. In January, Republicans in the House of Representatives established a subcommittee to investigate the weaponization of the federal government against the political right. One of their first moves was to send letters to research groupsincluding Schafers and DiRestasdemanding documentation of any correspondence the organizations had with the federal government or with social media companies about content moderation. Around the same time, a lawsuit filed by the attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri reached the Supreme Court; the case alleged that the Biden administration had exerted undue influence on social media companies when it asked them to take down COVID-19-related falsehoods and election denialism. The attorneys general argue that this constituted a form of state-sanctioned suppression of speech.

Sometimes the persistent availability of dangerous and traumatizing content is worse than the potential censorship of speech.

As the outrage mounted, Meta and YouTube scaled down efforts to label, monitor, and remove potentially harmful content. YouTube rolled back election-disinformation policies that had been put in place in response to 2020-election denialism; both Meta and YouTube allowed Trump back on their platforms, despite his prior terms-of-use violations. (We carefully evaluated the continued risk of real-world violence, while balancing the chance for voters to hear equally from major national candidates in the run up to an election, YouTube tweeted, by way of explanation. Meta posted a statement that the company had decided not to extend a two-year suspension period recommended by its oversight board, saying the risk has sufficiently receded.) Meta also announced that it would shut down CrowdTangle; a replacement is forthcoming, but it will be accessible only to approved researchers. (Meta says that it has partnered with the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research at the University of Michigan to share public data from Metas platforms in a responsible, privacy-preserving way.) Tim Harpera former content-policy manager at Meta, now a senior policy analyst at a nonprofit called the Center for Democracy and Technology (where I once worked)believes that Xs high-profile policy changes and the ensuing onslaught of incendiary speech on the platform moved the goalposts on what social media platforms think that they can get away with. Whatever the situation at Meta and YouTube, he surmised, executives at those companies understand that Twitter is probably going to be worse.

Now researchers are facing a breakdown of the system they had relied on. Our ability to track trends over time, to understand the volume of posts, has really been diminished, Schafer told me. He expects that in August, when CrowdTangle comes down, he may need to stop running Hamilton altogether.

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For years, most researchers and trust and safety teams worked with a tacit understanding that it was reasonable for the government, academics, and tech companies to be in contact. Theyd been communicating regularly about content moderation since 2015, when ISIS-related posts and videos began to proliferate online. The government had some forms of insight into who was running accounts, where, and the platforms had some visibility into who was running the accounts, where, DiResta told me. It became clear that we were best served by having those channels of communication be open. The recent political agita over the extent of that communication has not only stymied research but also distracted from an important debate over the proper balance between online freedom and regulationand, crucially, which moderation practices actually work in curbing harm.

The partisan drama, Schafer said, has led many in Democratic circles to insist reflexively that the government should be able to communicate with social media companies about threats. And yet: Theres a fair conversation to have about what the limitations should be, he told me. I think if you flipped the script a little bit in terms of which government was currently in office, if these cases had a different flavor to them, there would be a different reaction.

Efforts to limit disinformation online have sometimes gone awry, only to validate Republican claims of bias. In February, for instance, three former Twitter executives admitted before the House subcommittee investigating collusion that the company had been wrong to temporarily block a New York Post article about the contents of Hunter Bidens laptop (though they denied that government officials had directed them to do so). The executives argued that Twitter believed the story was part of a coordinated attempt to influence the presidential election.

And Hamilton itself has been flagged for bias. Emails leaked as part of the Twitter Files show that Yoel Roth, Twitters former head of Trust and Safety, worried that the first-generation Hamilton 68 was contributing to the bot media frenzy. The problem, Roth wrote, was that the tool conflated Russian-backed actors with regular conservative-leaning Americans: Virtually any conclusion drawn from it will take conversations in conservative circles on Twitter and accuse them of being Russian. Schafer told me that he viewed Roths response as a strawman argument that followed from inveterate media misrepresentation. Internally, we landed on Russian linked to describe the account list, which was an imperfect catchall, he said. In external reporting, the data was often attributed to Russian bots and trolls, which was clearly more problematic. In the end, we couldnt overcome this misperception. (The current version of Hamilton tracks only verified state-run accounts.)

When I spoke to Roth, he said that he still believes in the importance of content moderation, and that there is legitimate communication to be had between companies and the government. When it comes to cybersecurity threats, governments are going to have substantially more information and access than the private sector will, he said. I dont think that means the private sector just becomes a conduit for intelligence services to dictate content moderation. Platforms should apply their own scrutiny and discretion. (Roth resigned from X in 2022, after Musk took over.) Trust and safety work is always about balancing different types of harms and choosing situationally what you think is the most harmful thing that you want to address, Roth added. Sometimes the persistent availability of dangerous and traumatizing content is worse than the potential censorship of speech.

Researchers now have less access to the information they need to make those judgments; they say its more difficult to map foreign disinformation campaigns than it has been for years. Recently, DiResta discovered what Meta believes to be a state-run Iranian account; Meta and other social media platforms removed the account, but its still operating, including on X. In the past, she would have reached out to X and asked why the account had been left alone, but that channel of communication has dried up. (Whether the accountwhich mostly posts vaccine conspiracy theories and MAGA contentis part of an official propaganda network remains unclear.) Schafer, for his part, has grown increasingly concerned about China, which appears to have ramped up its information campaigns. But because X is the platform of choice for Chinese diplomats seeking to influence international audiences, his colleagues have little to go on. It really leaves our China analyst in the dark, he said.

Nora Benavidez, a senior counsel at Free Press, a media-focused research group, published a report in December: How Social-Media Rollbacks Endanger Democracy Ahead of the 2024 Elections. I asked what she made of the recent developments. Researchers reporting on whats happening on social media has been one of the most crucial pieces to holding platforms accountable, she told me. Ultimately, what we see is that democracy is a much lower priority for these companies than making sure they keep costs in line.

Editors Note: This piece has been updated for clarity about the Alliance for Securing Democracy and the documentation it was asked to provide Congress.

Yona TR Golding was a CJR fellow.
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Early in the morning at the Trial of the Century, I was standing in line with a few dozen members of the general public, hoping to snag a seat inside the New York City courtroom where Donald Trump faced the first of his many criminal charges. The line was quiet and orderly. A woman close to the frontshed been here before, she wanted us to knowwalked up and down, counting. We heard there was room for around thirty-five people to get in; she tallied forty-eight. There were two young children, an elderly person with a walker. A man in a cowboy hat and fringed leather jacket was holding a yellow legal pad filled with notes. Beside me, a father and sona sophomore at Stuyvesant Hightook some time off from spring break to witness a former president being tried for a crime. Its one of those once-in-a-lifetime things, the son said. Besides, he added, we already live near here. Farther back was a man who had come to town to see Billy Joel in concert the night before. Im a little hungover, he confided. Honestly, I thought thered be more people here.

It was strangely quiet. The park next to us, where the week prior a man lit himself on fire in front of dozens of onlookershe was protesting something completely unrelated to the trialwas virtually empty. Half an hour earlier, Id watched as three Secret Service agents roused a man who was sleeping on the groundchecking, I suppose, to make sure he wasnt hiding weapons or explosives under his blanket. He was now slumped on a nearby bench, looking irritated for having been woken up.

Where the heck was everyone? Six months into 2024, its become clear that this will not be an enthusiastic political seasonfor voters or for the media. Television audiences were steeply down for the primaries, part of what Semafor has called the collapsing US political-media-industrial complex. President Joe Biden faced no meaningful party opposition; so far this year, he has barely campaigned. Trump has made more of a showing but never bothered to participate in a debate with his Republican challengers. Many voters, sensing an inevitable repeat of the cast, themes, and arguments of 2020, have bailed. In April, NBC reported that just 64 percent of registered voters polled said they had a high level of interest in the race, down from 77 percent in 2020. General engagement in the election has hit its lowest point in nearly two decades.

Trumps first criminal trialand his eventual conviction on all thirty-four countshad its moments, including on the day Stormy Daniels, the former porn star, took the stand. But overall, ratings this year have underperformed what news executives are accustomed to in the lead-up to an election. The overarching emotion among voters is apathy and even burnout, said Brian Stelter, the journalist and close observer of the American political and media landscape, who occasionally reported for CNN from outside the courthouse. We can see and measure that sense of exhaustion indirectly through all sorts of yardsticks: traffic to news sites, TV ratings, all these data points that suggest the American electorate is fed up and mostly tuned out.

Six in ten American adults say they are worn out by coverage of the campaign and candidates.

As time goes on, voters dont just pay less attention, they see less meaning in major political events. A poll in April found that only 5 percent of Americans consider the siege of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, to be the most memorable part of Trumps presidency. (Four percent said it was the pandemic; nearly a quarter of hands raised for the economy, whatever that means.) When it comes to the cases against Trumpbeyond New York, he faces criminal charges in Georgia state court and in US District Court in DC and Floridapolling by the New York Times shows that as the proceedings drag on, voters become less likely to think that Trump did anything so wrong in the first place. People areforget fatigued, theyve got their own opinions about it all already, Steve Krakauer, a longtime TV producer and journalist who now runs Megyn Kellys digital show, told me. This is a rerun of 2020, so even if you had enormously popular candidates that happened to be running against each other again, he added, its never as fun as the first time.

Across the spectrum, news outlets are feeling the pain, even on specialized shows such as Krakauers, with built-in audiences of partisan political junkies. Conservative news websites have seen their audiences plummet; political fractures and dimming philanthropic enthusiasm have challenged sites on the left. Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, is sitting in a courtroom facing felony charges, every day, and everyones likeEh, Jon Favreau, the former speechwriter for Barack Obama, remarked on his podcast, Pod Save America. There is something weird going on, his cohost Dan Pfeiffer replied.

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The segments we do on Trump or the election tend to underperform the average segment, Ryan Grim, The Intercepts DC bureau chief and cohost of Counter Points, a digital news show, told me. I think theres a collective kind of denial going on, like, Theres no way that we have to confront this election again. You cant possibly be serious. Grim compared the attitude of his audience to the 2022 Bo Burnham song Joe Biden, which includes the incredulous lyric Theyre really gonna make me vote for Joe Biden? Its perfect, Grim said. Theres zero enthusiasm.

Back at the line to get into the Trump trial, a court officer arrived, holding small green slips of paper. He handed them to everyone who made the cut, and stopped about a dozen people short of us at the end. Thats it for now, he said, and offered an apologetic smile. From behind, I heard the man from out of town sigh, accepting his fate. Honestly, he said, I really just came to see Billy Joel.

The question facing the political press today is whether the publics apathy is a problem of circumstancea uniquely disliked set of candidates, a rare presidential rerunor if something more fundamental, and therefore worrisome, is going on. Surveys show that Americans arent just checking out from the electiontheyre tuning out all news. In 2016, Pew found that 51 percent of American adults followed the news all or most of the time. By 2022, that was down to 38 percent. The same year, the Knight Foundation reported that Americans attention to national news was the lowest it had been since 2018.

The term for people who shun current events is news avoiders, and their ranks are swelling. The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, which has tracked people who say they avoid the news, puts the turning point at the arrival of COVID. In 2017, 29 percent of respondents told Reuters that they often or sometimes avoided the news; by last year, it was up to 36 percent. A new Pew report found that about six in ten American adults say they are worn out by coverage of the campaign and candidates. Another Pew study found that some 70 percent of people who avoid the news say that the news just generally wears them down.

Benjamin Toffa former journalist, now a professor of journalism at the University of Minnesotahas been talking to the news-fatigued for years. In December, he published Avoiding the News with Ruth Palmer and Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, which looks closely at people who avoid the news entirelyas much as 10 percent of the public, by one estimate. If that seems a small segment of society, its about the same as the portion of people who say they follow the news avidlyperhaps even more. The percentage of people who pay for a digital subscription to The Atlantic or The New Yorker or the New York Times is smaller than the percentage of consistent news avoiders, Toff told me. If the belief is that news is being made for everyone, thats a distorted notion, because its really largely being consumed by a small segmentand a smaller and smaller segment, as weve seenof the public. The book examines some of the reasons why people avoid the newsthey struggle to determine which sources to trust, the information they find doesnt provide direct answers to their questions, they have trouble evaluating coverage. They see it as a source of conflict and tension, Toff told me. And they see it as irrelevanta distraction from the things they really care about. At some point, they check out.

The Hidden Tribes of America, a yearlong study by More in Common, a public interest group focused on uniting the country, calls these people the exhausted majority. Those in the exhausted majority hold political views and economic identities that cut across the spectrumbut all are turned off by the daily drumbeat of political affairs. According to the research, this cohort accounts for roughly two-thirds of the American population. The exhausted majority is flexible, forgotten, and frustrated, Daniel Yudkin, a social psychologist who helps lead research at More in Common, told me. They are more likely to want to find common ground, more likely to want to move past divisions.

Theres an encroaching edge of exhaustion thats creeping outward and pulling more and more people into this center group of the jaded.

Yudkins research focuses on moral philosophyhow people navigate thorny questions of right and wrong in their everyday lives. (One of his ongoing projects is a four-year study of Reddits Am I the Asshole? board.) He doesnt see the exhausted majority as people who dont carequite the opposite. They often care a lot about the things that speak to them directly, its just that news coverage and political discourse dont reliably do so. Things seem to be moving so fast in the political sphere, but for the exhausted majority, it all just feels like people fighting each otherwere still not making progress on the issues we care about, we still dont have a politician who is speaking to what we think is important, he said. It doesnt mean that theyre necessarily tuned out. Theres just other issues and topics and questions that people are dealing with.

Toff notes that many people who say they avoid the news actually interact with a lot of it indirectly, through Instagram influencers or family members. On social media, however, algorithms pull you sharply in one direction or anotherthe filter bubble effectand deliver you to intense, sometimes horrifying extremes. What you experience online inevitably bleeds into how you perceive mainstream coverageand other people. A study out of Northwestern University showed that most Americans see themselves as fairly moderate but imagine those on the other side to be significantly more extreme and ferventone of the many things that turns them off following the news. Surely one might (understandably) think that the main reason people avoid the news must be the news itself, so the solution must be to fix the news, Toff and his coathors write in Avoiding the News. Unfortunately, its not.

Yudkin and More in Common havent done a Hidden Tribes survey of American political engagement in several years, but they hope to give the subject another look in 2025. By then, he expects the ranks of the weary to have grown. In my head Im sort of imagining a creeping border of the exhausted majority, he said. Theres an encroaching edge of exhaustion thats creeping outward and pulling more and more people into this center group of the jaded.

Yudkin recently moved from Brooklyn to New Orleans, where his new neighbors include many of the same people hes been researching. He doesnt see them surging back to political news anytime soon. Some of the things that get people to pay attention to the media are the apocalyptic proclamations about the end of democracy, Yudkin said. And its possible the exhausted majority is becoming less susceptible to these kinds of inflammatory headlines. Like, Eh, this is the tenth time Ive been told this is unprecedented. This idea of something being unprecedented, especially for the exhausted majority, is falling on deaf ears. Theyre over it.

The notion that national politics, and the news around it, are disconnected from the needs and experiences of Americans is not so novel. In 1988, when Joan Didion surveyed the landscape of a particularly tedious presidential election season, she pronounced that politics had lost its way in minutiae and closely held plotlines that only the most avid disciple could follow. What strikes one most vividly about such a campaign is precisely its remoteness from the actual life of the country, she wrote. The figures are well known, and suggest a national indifference usually construed, by those inside the process, as ignorance, or apathy, in any case a defect not in themselves but in the clay they have been given to mold. Today, amid a perilous decline in subscribers and patrons, that apathy is, if not harder to disdain, at least more difficult to ignore.

Samantha Ragland, the vice president of journalism programs at the American Press Institute, has devoted her professional life to addressing the problem. People dont want to be hopeless, they dont want to be anxiety-ridden, told me. Shes now at work developing strategies to help outlets reach news avoiders. Theres a lot of things happening in life, and we are very much still in a post-pandemic mindset, she said. So horse race coverage, just tracking drama in headlines, all that is really going to support people steering away from news. Lately, shes turned her attention away somewhat from social media, and focused more on building personal connections. We used to talk about audience engagement, and now we talk about community engagement, she said. Audience engagement is about the distribution of resources and assets and reporting you have so that as many people as possible can consume your content. Community engagement is about participating in your community as a member of the community. Its about looking beyond the numbers to see the faces of your readers. She talks about reporters getting out in front of their byline and making themselves known to readers directly. You dont know how to fill someones needs until you know the someone.

Amy OLeary has spent much of the past decade thinking about these ideas, too. In a past life, she was an editor at the Times; today, shes a media consultant living in New Hampshire, where her neighbors and friends in town include people who think the moon landing was faked and hoist upside-down American flags over their woodsheds. (The conversations we have are very different than the ones I had in Brooklyn, she said.) OLeary spends a lot of time wrestling with the question of what journalism is, or should be. How do I want to have impact in the world? Because I really dont think most of the tools I have are doing it. Shes drawn to the Brave Little State podcast, from Vermonts public radio station, which solicits story ideas from members of the community and invites listeners to join in the reporting process. She also admires an Internews project called El Migrante, which interviewed migrants at the southern border and asked them what they wanted to read or hear about their own experiences. When you think about journalism as a service, she said, what youre really asking is What is the point of the news? What is its purpose in society? And we have to ask that question in a way thats a little deeper than previous generations have had to ask it. The increasing distrust of news, the emotional experience of the news, the profound feeling of disempowerment that people havewhen you look at all those things, the way weve been traditionally delivering the news is not meeting those needs.

To that end, last year, the Times updated bylines to provide more detail, including biographical information about reporters. The new form allows us to more fully describe the scope of our news gathering, an announcement read, emphasizing our role as expert eyewitnesses and thus boosting our credibility. Some publications have experimented creatively with presentation, translating stories into guides and physical pamphlets that boil down reporting to its most user-friendly essence. Toff and his coauthors provide more suggestions in their book, all aimed at making journalism more inviting and accessible. Crucially, Toff said, journalists need to acknowledge the social context in which people consume news: A voracious news consumer, even when the reporting is grim, may have people in their circle who can help them make sense of the news, to work through it together, he said; the act of discussing press coverage, debating its merits, is bonding. But those who avoid news dont derive any social value from consuming the news, he continued. He and his colleagues are invested in finding opportunities for them to do so.

Local outlets may be in the best position to convene audiences for journalism that havent yet found their place. A Pew survey released last month shows that nearly all Americans consider local news to be important to their livesand, notably, they dont see it as being politically skewed or overly negative. Toff was recently in Odessa, Texas, at a listening session put on by the Texas Tribune, where he was pleasantly surprised to see how people with wildly different viewpoints interacted with one another, at some safe remove from the vitriol of national affairs. People are able to talk civilly to each other in person, even when they disagree, in a way that we assume is impossible, he said. Recently, Will Lewis, the publisher of the Washington Post, gave a presentation to staff on the papers dire financial state (To speak candidly: we are in a hole, and we have been for some time, he said); vowing to repair the situation, he announced a product intended to reach new audiences in the DC metro area, including guides and exclusive experiences.

These endeavors may be painfully earnest; they might not make a difference. The problems are pretty deep, as OLeary told me, and I think that most current daily newsrooms are not really reckoning with that. Still, its nice to imagine a version of news that doesnt immediately conjure up feelings of distress or alienation, a version that feels intimately relevant to the lives of the people who need it, that might even be fun to read. News can really help communities reconnectand we are really in a social-isolation crisis post-COVID, Ragland said. One of the core things that held my generation together is that we wanted to be part of something bigger, and I think we are seeing that collectively now in that communities want to engage in news, but also to engage in the solutions that the news can catalyze.

In the meantime, were stuck with the set pieces that stand in for news during the modern election cycle. A little while after giving up on getting inside the court, I ambled over to Collect Pond Park, which had been designated the legally approved zone for public gatherings and protests. Everything about the setup felt rehearsed: a pen for the pro-Trump folk, another for the protesters, all in easy eyeshot of the pens for the TV correspondents and their crews, clustered on the sidewalk like so many bird droppings.

There were just a few people milling around in the park, half of them journalists. A reporter from the Times was talking to a Trump backer named Dion Cini, a provocative frequent flier, who was busy unfurling a massive banner that read Trump or Death. As he muttered a well-practiced list of talking points (I dont mean my death, by the wayI always have to explain this), he suddenly seemed to realize it was nearing the top of the hour, when the TV correspondents would be delivering their live shots. He whipped around to face the row of cameras. Get your morning shots! he yelled, leaning over the railing and pointing at his giant flag. Get your morning hits in! Get your B-roll! He knew what they wanted, and he was going to give it to them. The producers turned around and pulled out their phones to capture the moment.

Josh Hersh is an editor at CJR. He was previously a correspondent and senior producer at Vice News.
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Last spring, the press panicked. Republicans slam Biden re-election bid in AI-generated ad, Axios reported. Republicans counter Biden announcement with dystopian, AI-aided video, per the Washington Post. Recently, the AP offered an analysis: President Joe Bidens campaign and Democratic candidates are in a fevered race with Republicans over who can best exploit the potential of artificial intelligence, a technology that could transform American electionsand perhaps threaten democracy itself. Elsewhere, more stories have piled up about the terrifying prospect of AI-generated deepfakesincluding, notably, a piece in the Financial Times describing a video that circulated in Bangladesh, made using HeyGen, a tool that can produce news-style clips with AI-generated avatars for as little as twenty-four dollars a month. Policymakers around the world are worrying over how AI-generated disinformation can be harnessed to try to mislead voters and inflame divisions, the story went.

In much of the coverage, theres an undercurrent of fearimplied or expressed outrightthat AI-generated deepfakes and hoaxes are (or soon will be) incredibly realistic and utterly convincing. But that may be mere techno-panic: even if ubiquitous and inexpensive AI tools have made it easier than ever to create misinformation, its unclear whether AI is making much of a difference in politics. (In Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party were reelected by an overwhelming majority.) For the press, focusing on the technical power of AI may be a mistake.

Carl Millerthe research director at the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media at Demos, a political think tank based in the United Kingdomtold me that, for the most part, there hasnt been an explosion of AI fakes trying to change peoples views. Many of us have a fairly naive idea about how influence operations actually work, he said. People may imagine that bad actors will spread convincing yet untrue images about the world to get them to change their minds. In reality, influence operations are designed to agree with peoples worldviews, flatter them, confirm them, and then try to harness that.

Thats why, according to Renee DiResta of the Stanford Internet Observatory, the most common type of AI-generated chatbot or fake account on X is what is known as a reply guya persona with no real thoughts or opinions of its own that simply shows up to echo a post. AI chatbots can sometimes create a majority illusion, DiResta explained, giving the impression that a certain view is more common than it really is. Through what she calls the mechanics of influence, modern social media becomes a blend of the old broadcast model and personal gossip networks, combining the reach of the former with the interpersonal connection of the latter.

That means that how realistic a deepfake might bethe presumed value proposition of AIisnt critical to what makes it convincing. (In fact, how sleek a deepfake looks may undermine its credibility; as Henry Ajder, an expert on synthetic media and AI, told The Atlantic, its far more effective to use a cruder form of media manipulation, which can be done quickly and by less sophisticated actors.) More important: who disinformation comes from, how it makes people feel, and whether that plays into their existing beliefs. Influence of this kind, Miller said, is not about truth or facts, but kinship. As he told me, Its going to talk to them about meaning in their lives, where they fit in the world. Its going to confirm the grievances they have. Its all to do with identity and emotion and social links.

Meta has taken action in the past against large networks of fake accounts, at least some of which appeared to come from China and Russia. AI could make it faster and easier to create chatbot networks. But a more powerful form of influence, Miller believes, will be largely unseenand therefore difficult to moderatebecause it will take place in private groups and one-on-one conversations. Maybe youd recruit friendships on Facebook groups, but you could easily move that to direct chat, whether on WhatsApp or Instagram or Signal, he said.

Some argue that AI may actually help in the fight against disinformation: Yann LeCun, a leading thinker in AI and a chief scientist at Meta, made that argument in Wired recently; five years ago, he said, about a quarter of all hate speech and disinformation that Facebook removed was identified by AI, and last year it was closer to 95 percent. Miller is not as confident, however, that any kind of automated model we can deploy would reliably spot either generated imagery or text. For now, platforms have instituted AI-transparency rules: Meta recently introduced Made with AI tags; YouTube requires that creators disclose when posting realistic material made with altered or synthetic media. Given the sheer quantity of material that gets uploaded, though, those policies could be difficult to enforceand seemingly impossible for one-to-one influence operations.

Perhaps the greatest riskmore than convincing AI-created deepfakes, or AI friendsis what some call the liars dividend, through which politicians (or any bad actors) benefit by claiming that something is a deepfake even if they know it isnt, gambling on the publics general mistrust of online content. The fear that everyones going to spend the next year having their worldview warped and destroyed by this avalanche of fake imagery, Miller said, isnt necessarily merited. More fundamental than the technological problem is a human one: that our minds will collapse into our beliefs; that well share messages more because theyre funny or rage-inducing than because theyre true; that our trust in almost any source of information will disappear.

Mathew Ingram was CJRs longtime chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg.
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It was around noon on Friday, January 8, 2021. I was sitting at a folding table in my apartment, in Harlem; my laptop displayed a blank, untitled Google document. Ambulance sirens wailed outsidethe sound of the pandemic. I closed my eyes, inhaled, and placed my hands on my knees; my palms pressed into the fabric of my joggers. For years, Id been doing breathing exercises at yoga class to still my mind and calm my nervous system. I drew upon those lessons now, as I exhaled through my nose. With the next inhale, I took notice of the thoughts spinning through my brain. I was a senior policy official at Twitter, and it had been the worst workweek of my decade-long career: Id endured a terrifying insurrection, and was now desperate to prevent another.

Days beforeJanuary 6when a violent mob stormed the Capitol, Twitter had played a part, as a forum for Donald Trump, the aggrieved president, and his radical fans. As rioters descended, I advised Twitters leadership; based on my arguments, the company decided to put Trump in a time-out and warn him of permanent suspension. Now he was emerging from his forced silence to defend the actions of his supporters and say that he wouldnt attend the inauguration. Many took that as a refusal to commit to a peaceful transition of power.

With the force of my next exhale, I sank my shoulders away from my ears. Id gone to journalism school and to law school; for years, Id been obsessed with figuring out how rules based on the technology of the printing press would evolve for the social-media age. Id wanted to be in the middle of the action. Now it was go time. I began to type. What appeared on-screen was a set of assessments and arguments; I linked to tweets in which Trumps phrase American Patriots was interpreted as glorifying violence at the Capitol and I showed how Twitter users were planning future armed protestsincluding a second attack on the Hill and state capitol buildings on January 17. Then I drafted a recommendation: We have determined that these Tweets are in violation of the Glorification of Violence Policy and the user @realDonaldTrump should be immediately permanently suspended from the service.

I spent the next five hours in chaotic Google Meets conversations with Twitters leadership, elaborating on my stance. Then it was out of my hands. The sun began to set; I closed my laptop and moved to my sofa. I had no idea which way the decision would go. I ordered delivery from my neighborhood pizza spot. As I dipped a garlic knot in red sauce, my work phone lit up with a Slack notification. I grabbed a paper towel and clicked the link I was sent. It wasnt my byline but, mutatis mutandis, the words I was reading in Twitters blog post announcing Trumps suspension were mine.

Before joining Twitter, Id watched from afar as social platforms struggled with their involvement in major world events. There was the disinformation-riddled 2016 presidential election in the United States. Then came the 2017 Rohingya genocide in Myanmar. Twitter and Facebook were accused of accelerating violence by failing to curb hate speech on their platforms. Companies began investing in Trust and Safety divisions, which would establish new limitations on what people could and could not say on their platforms. I joined Twitters Trust and Safety team in 2019; we were responsible for writing and enforcing rules for the most prominent users. No one was higher-profile than Trump.

In 2020, I watched as the pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests, and the presidential campaign radicalized the American right. Fringe ideasthe violent overthrow of the government, a second civil warhad long reverberated within Twitters echo chamber; now they drifted into the mainstream. As the election neared, Trumps tweets were a near-daily topic of conversation among my colleagues. That September, at the first presidential debate, Chris Wallace, the moderator, asked whether Trump would denounce white-supremacist groups such as the Proud Boys; Trump refused, saying instead, Stand back and stand by. Inside the Trust and Safety teams at Twitter, that call to action set off alarm bells.

Everyone agreed that his explicit directives to a designated hate group went too far, but the words Trump used were arguably abstract, and it was hard to make definitive claims about their intent. My team and I drafted a policy-and-strategy memo meant to address coded language that incites violence; we recommended that Twitter remove the most egregious phrases and still leave room for commentary and analysis. That November, we presented our proposed policy to Del Harvey, who was then Twitters head of Trust and Safety, for her sign-off. Along with our guidelines, we included hundreds of tweets amounting to coded incitement. I was clear about what I believed would happen if Twitter didnt intervene: People are going to start shooting each other, I warned.

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Harvey came back with her answer: she told us not to implement the policy or remove any of the tweets wed identified. Her view, she said later, was that she wanted to avoid overstepping, initiating a process by which tweets with flagged terms would be removed when they were used in an innocuous context, like someone drinking before a concert and saying they were locked and loaded for the show. (No one on my team ever saw examples of people on Twitter talking about drinking that way, nor did we advocate taking down posts of that nature.) Over the next few months, my team could do little but watch as the tenor of Twitters conversation grew increasingly tumultuous. Trump lost the election, then summoned his disillusioned supporters to DC to protest the certification of the vote, on January 6. Be there, will be Wild! he proclaimed. They got the message.

On the morning of the certification, I paced the steps between my folding table and my sofa, waiting for something bad to happen. When I logged in to work, I anxiously followed the progression of the day on Twitter. The Capitol was breached; people began calling for Mike Pences execution. I was rushed into a meeting. My bosses were in a panic. Make the insurrection stop, I remember being told. I dusted off the never-implemented policy about coded language and updated it for the current crisis. My team provided examples of tweets that were inciting violence and gave recommendations for how to defuse the situation offline. Within hours, moderators had guidance that allowed us to act.

Throughout the day, Id forced myself to breathe. Afterward, I was left in a tearful daze. My worst predictions had come true in a grimly spectacular fashion; five people were killed at the Capitol. Once Trumps time-out ended, and he picked up where he left off, riling his base, I knew that I couldnt let it happen again.

When I did the work of Trust and Safety at Twitterand subsequently, at TwitchI never thought of myself as a real journalist, despite my training in the field and the volumes of writing I produced. But later, when I came forward as a Twitter whistleblower and testified before Congress about the lead-up to January 6, I saw a tweet by a former J-school classmate: he said he was proud to see me using our journalism education to do exactly what we had been taught to dohold power to account. I realized that my Trust and Safety team functioned much like a newsroom, striving to respond quickly to new information, interrogate power imbalances, challenge dominant narratives in pursuit of truth. And we wrote our asses off to make it all happen.

Looking back, that period was the heyday of our work. When Elon Musk took over Twitter, in late 2022, he purged the Trust and Safety team; other tech companies followed suit. Last year, departments at Amazon, Google, and Meta were hit with layoffs. And Donald Trump was reinstated to social media platforms. The moves against Trust and Safety felt like a crusade: tech investors labeled my colleagues and me The Enemy. Musk publicly attacked and mocked Trust and Safety workers, me included. Going into the 2024 election season, that has left social mediaand, by extension, American democracymore fragile than it has ever been in the digital era. We face adversaries hell-bent on destroying the integrity of our elections, forces that have used the past two presidential cycles to hone their manipulation strategies. Russian election-influence operations have become astonishingly effective. There is evidence that China has ramped up its social media efforts to interfere in the upcoming election. And while Irans late-game-arrival strategy will likely be affected by the war in Gaza, unprecedented levels of disinformation may be supercharged by the rise of artificial intelligence technology. I am convinced, too, that well see a false-death story circulate about a presidential candidate, of the kind that Russian state outlets pushed this spring, about King Charles.

The demise of Trust and Safety teams at social media companies does not mean the end of our work, however. There is a mighty band of humans who remain on the front lines of information warfare as defenders of democracy. Some in the industry have found a thriving new home at companies producing the next generation of AI and Web3 technologies. Others are doing the work of technology accountability as academic researchers, independent writers, and members of government. As for me: Im back at journalism school, now as a senior fellow at Columbias Tow Center, where I spend my time writing critiques of misinformation on social media platforms and making recommendations for meaningful reform and regulation that can come from outside tech companies.

I havent given up on Trust and Safety. In fact, I believe that, as my own pathway shows, journalism school is the perfect place to train the next generation of accountability experts. Just recently, when police descended on protesters encamped at Columbia, student journalists sprang into action to bear witness and fact-check in real time. Watching them work brought me back to January 8. It confirmed to me that in the moments when history is being made, a foundation in journalism builds the muscle memory to breatheand to go write the words that will change the trajectories of our collective futures, online and off.

Anika Collier Navaroli is a senior fellow at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University and a Public Voices Fellow on technology in the public interest with the OpEd Project. She previously held senior policy positions at Twitter and Twitch.
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In December, at a town hall in Iowa hosted by Fox Newss Sean Hannity, Donald Trump suggested that hed like to be a dictator for a day. You are promising America tonight, Hannity asked, you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody? Trump replied, Except for day one. It was a stunning statement, quickly picked up by news outletsincluding cable network anchors, who asked, Do you think Trump might try to be a dictator?

Anchors on the three major cable networksCNN, MSNBC, and Fox Newsasked versions of that question more than twenty-seven times in the course of the week. Cable news reactions to Trumps rhetoric were nothing new, but the focus on whether he might be a fascist, a threat to democracy, seemed to represent a shift from past election cycles, during which the press paid more attention to his racism and misogyny.

Using a tool called the GDELT Television Explorer, we analyzed data from the Internet Archive, which maintains records of closed-captioning from cable networks. We examined how many times the transcripts, which GDELT breaks down into fifteen-second segments, included the term Trump along with a signifier of racism, misogyny, or fascism between January 2015 and May 2024.

Cables Coverage of Trump Now Mentions Fascism More Than Racism or Misogyny

We examined fifteen-second segments of cable news coverage; this chart represents a thirty-day rolling average.

We examined fifteen-second segments of cable news coverage; this chart represents a thirty-day rolling average.

A clear trend line emerged: the number of mentions of Trump and words associated with fascismantidemocratic, autocratic, authoritarian, dictatorial, and the likehas risen, especially in the past year. Between the 2016 and 2020 election cycles, these mentions more than doubled, and by the 2024 campaign, their frequency intensified dramatically: mentions of fascism more than tripled. So far this election, cable networks have mentioned Trumps name and fascism 2.5 times more than they have mentioned it alongside terms associated with racism and at least 30 times more than they have mentioned it alongside terms associated with misogyny.

The appearance of words related to fascism doesnt necessarily imply that the media is accusing Trump of being a fascist. Segments have discussed Trumps associations with known fascist leaders, his expressed admiration for authoritarian leadership, his use of language that borrows from authoritarian rhetoric, and suggestions that his agenda exhibits fascist tendencies. Nor does the steep increase of mentions mark a new revelation; discussions of Trump and fascism have taken place since he rose to political prominence. Yet what the data shows is that covering Trump with fascism in mind has become increasingly commonthat networks are now, as never before, focused on this angle of the Trump story.

While there was an increase in mentions of Trump and fascism across all three networks, MSNBC led the charge. Since 2022, MSNBC has mentioned Trump and fascism 3,032 timesabout 3.5 times more frequently than CNN did, and 4.5 times more than Fox. (A spokesperson for MSNBC declined to comment.)

Comparing Cable Networks Coverage of Fascism and Trump

We examined fifteen-second segments of cable news coverage; this chart represents a thirty-day rolling average.

We examined fifteen-second segments of cable news coverage; this chart represents a thirty-day rolling average.

Trumps Speech Often Drives the Fascism Conversation

We examined fifteen-second segments of cable news coverage; this chart represents a seven-day rolling average.

We examined fifteen-second segments of cable news coverage; this chart represents a seven-day rolling average.

The spikes on this graph correspond with his comments:

November 11, 2023

We will root out the communists, Marxists, fascists, and radical-left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country. The threat from outside forces is far less sinister, dangerous, and grave than the threat from within.

December 2, 2023

Hes been weaponizing government against his political opponents like a third-world political tyrant. Biden and his radical-left allies like to pose as standing up as allies of democracy. Joe Biden is not the defender of American democracy, Joe Biden is the destroyer of American democracy.

December 5, 2023

When asked, Under no circumstances, you are promising America tonight, you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody? Trump responded: Except for day one.

December 16, 2023

Theyre poisoning the blood of our country. Thats what theyve done. Mental institutions. Prisons all over the world. Not just in South America. Not just the three or four countries that we think about. But all over the world theyre coming into our countryfrom Africa, from Asia, all over the world.

March 16, 2024

I dont know if you call them people. In some cases, theyre not people, in my opinion. But Im not allowed to say that, because the radical left says thats a terrible thing to say. These are badthese are animals.



If I dont get elected, its going to be a bloodbath for the wholecountry.

May 4, 2024

These people are running a Gestapo administration. And its the only thing they have. And its the only way theyre going to win, in their opinion, and its actually killing them. But it doesnt bother me.

The focus on Trumps authoritarian rhetoric reflects growing concern about his potential return to power. If networks didnt feel comfortable focusing on Trump as a threat to democracy before, they do now.

Aisvarya Chandrasekar and Dhrumil Mehta are data journalists based at Columbia. Chandrasekar is a data analyst and freelance journalist. Mehta is an associate professor in data journalism and the deputy director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism.
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Stop me if youve heard this one before: In April, the Donald Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee announced the most extensive and monumental election integrity program in the nations history. The plan involved more than a hundred thousand attorneys and volunteers posted in competitive states, plus an Election Integrity Hotline ready to take your call. About a week later, Christina Bobbthe RNC senior counsel for election integrity, and a former host on the pro-Trump One America News Networkwas supposed to appear at an online recruitment session for poll-watchers. But she didnt show. It was reported that shed just been indicted in Arizona for, among other things, fraud related to the election.

Its one of those storiesalmost hard to believe, if it werent so familiarthat has come to characterize political coverage in the Trump years. Statements that are trueElection integrity is the foundation of our democracy, Michael Whatley, the chair of the RNC, saidget refracted through the looking glass. And plotlines repeat: the RNC ran a similar, albeit smaller, election integrity program in 2022. Trump has been grousing about fraud since he ran for president the first time, warning of rigged elections; without evidence, he claimed that he lost the popular vote in 2016 because as many as five million illegal immigrants voted against him. Before and after Election Day 2020 he cast aspersions on mail-in voting, people voting in the wrong state, dead people voting, double-counted votes, suspicious votes, and votes that dropped mysteriously. In Georgia, the secretary of state, a Republican, affirmed that Trump had lost and that there was no systemic fraud. Sad but true, he told George Stephanopoulos on ABC. I wish he would have won.

Trump continues to deny the 2020 results, and to reprise doubts in advance of November. They are allowing these people to come inpeople that dont speak our languagethey are signing them up to vote, he said in January at a rally in Iowa. His recent criminal conviction in the Stormy Daniels hush-money case was, he said, another rigged disgrace. Repetition is just fine from the Trump campaigns point of view; as Olivia Nuzzi wrote recently in New York magazine: If it feels like 2016 again, great. Eric Wilson, a Republican digital strategist, told Politico, What most campaigns have to do is create their own news, and get people to care about their campaign when its not in the news. Trump is going to benefit from wall-to-wall coverage on all the cable networks and live tweets from the courtroom about whats going on during the trial. (Politico found that the collected legal cases against Trump have proved to be the most effective tool he has in fundraising; the campaign claims that a Republican donation processing platform crashed after the verdict was announced.)

The political press has not reaped so many benefits. Where there was a captive audience before, were now in reruns. As Josh Hersh reports in this election-focused issue, network ratings have underperformed what news executives are accustomed to. Brian Stelter, the journalist and media critic, tells Hersh, The overarching emotion among voters is apathy and even burnout. In a column, Susie Banikarim writes, Trump is besieged by so many scandalsand they surface so oftenthat reporting on it seems like white noise. Democrats are retreading familiar ground, too. Elsewhere in the issue, Linda Kinstler meets a group of young, very online politicos aiming to generate buzz for Joe Biden and make the term neoliberalism, against all odds, cool. Its hard to believe how much were doing all over again.

The trouble is, as we sip on our muddled cocktails of repetition and apathy, we lose track of real threats to the integrity of our elections. In an essay, Anika Collier Navaroli describes what happens when content moderation is left in the hands of tech companies at times of political crisis; its a subject she knows firsthand, having worked at Twitter in January 2021, drafting policy live during the insurrectionand scrambling to prevent another. Yona TR Golding reports on how Elon Musk and right-wing officials have taken a shovel to online trust-and-safety teamsand our collective ability to ward off interference from malevolent forces at home and abroad.

Whats left is a haze of content: gossip, rant, clip, meme. Renee DiResta, of the Stanford Internet Observatory, tells Mathew Ingram about how AI can propel misinformation when chatbots become reply guys, giving the impression that a fringe political opinion is common. Feven Merid examines our waxing and waning interest in lie-busting fact-check initiatives, which can sometimes undermine their own cause; Whitney Phillips, a professor at the University of Oregon, tells Merid, Many conservative people and pro-Trump people believe that disinformation is code for conservative censorship. We asked experts across media and academia how best to approach this do-over election. Kate Starbird, a scholar at the University of Washington, advised that, instead of labeling information as true or false, journalists should think in terms of rumor. Many rumors turn out to be false, but some turn out to be trueand actually, I would say, many turn out to be somewhere in between, she argues. Besides, rumors, even when they turn out to be false, can be a signal, especially for public communicators and election officials, for what people are worried about.

Newsrooms find themselves repeatedly stuck between a viral falsehood and a hard place. In local journalism, Kevin Lind writes, editors of purple-state outlets must weigh being direct against serving readers what they wish to read. Trip Jenningsthe executive director of New Mexico In Depth, an investigative outlettells Lind that reporters have to understand epistemology in order to grasp the contradictory political realities of our time.

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None of this is to say that everything is the same this time around; there have been changes in how we cover and consume news. Maddy Crowell profiles an array of digital ventures that sprang up after the 2020 election, many of them backed by major Democratic donors who felt burned by the mainstream pressin part, she writes, because of a sense that the media was being strung along by the right-wing ecosystem. These arent direct responses to MAGA misinformation-mongers, per sethey dont publish liesbut they are aggressively partisan, and they maintain friendly relationships with the administration. As Tara McGowana former Democratic Party fundraiser, now the proprietor of Courier Newsroomputs it, Were not fighting fire with fire, were fighting fire with water. Out has come a firehose of pro-democracy content that washes out some of journalisms most closely held precepts.

For a data piece, Aisvarya Chandrasekar and Dhrumil Mehta scoured the transcripts of cable networks, which led to a striking conclusion: that covering Trump with fascism in mind has become increasingly commonthat networks are now, as never before, focused on this angle of the Trump story. That comes years after he started calling journalists enemies of the people. Banikarim directed a documentary by that name, in which NBCs Katy Tur quoted George Orwell: To see what is in front of your nose needs a constant struggle.

There are some who can see clearly. One is Lorena Lopez, the proprietor of La Prensa de Iowaan improbably profitable Spanish-language newspaper serving thousands of hispanohablantes in the western part of the state, amid farms, meatpacking plants, and factory exhaust. Misinformation is a form of pollution, Jack Herrera writes in a profile of Lopez, and its often thicker and more potent in immigrant communities. The spread of fake news among Latinos, who make up the largest minority group of voters in the United States, is a recurring story line for election monitors. At sixty, Lopez considers herself old-schooland yet, because of how deeply embedded she is in her community, including in private WhatsApp groups, her work has been able to disrupt the flow of online gossip, panic, and misinformation as only traditional newsgathering can. (Lopez has been so successful that, when western Iowas longtime local paper shuttered, she hired two of its reporters and started an English-language outlet to accompany her own.)

In reruns, you know what the ending will be. That isnt quite true of this campaign season: Trump, due for sentencing in July, is Americas first president-felona plot twist. Still, coverage of the verdict has been mostly anticlimactic; polling indicates that many voters dont care. There are more uncertainties, not least because two horrific wars rage abroad; that some 6 percent of voters support Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seems at least partly a symptom of status-quo fatigue. Well continue to cover the election at CJRin newsletters, features, and morein the coming months. Trump, for one, has spoken of Americas 2024 election as the final battle. Last fall, in the Washington Post, Philip Bump described a conservative Baptist preacher giving the invocation at a Trump rally: Truth is suppressed, the man said, addressing Almighty God and a crowd in MAGA swag. Lies, corruption, and propaganda are driving civilization to ruins. Its another of those storiestrue, but gnarled, like the ribbons of tape in an old VHS no one wants to watch again.

Betsy Morais is the managing editor of CJR.
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Ten days ago, Salem, a right-wing media company, apologized to a man who was falsely depicted voting illegally in the widely debunked 2020 election film 2000 Mules, which Salem coproduced, and said that it would no longer distribute the film. A week ago, prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging the chief financial officer of the Epoch Timesa media company tied to Falun Gong, the Chinese spiritual movement, which has in recent years backed Donald Trump and spread conspiracy theories onlinewith laundering tens of millions of dollars of stolen money through the publications accounts. (He has pleaded not guilty.) Five days ago, Steve Bannon, the Trump consigliere turned far-right media entrepreneur, was ordered to report to prison by July 1 to serve a sentence for bucking a subpoena in the congressional probe into January 6. Around the same time, the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones moved to liquidate his assets and begin paying the billion-plus dollars he owes in damages to families of the victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting, which Jones has often claimed was a hoaxsetting in motion the loss of his Infowars empire, which could be ordered shuttered as soon as this week.

On her MSNBC show on Friday night, Alex Wagner opened with footage of Jones bursting (or pretending to burst) into tears at this prospect. Given the other stories noted above, she said that it had been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week for conspiracy theoristsand a good one for reality.

As all this was going on, a series of stories involving established mainstream media outletsoften held up as the guarantors of realitywas keeping media critics busy and leading at least some of them to similar conclusions about a no good, very bad week. This was driven, in no small part, by events at the Washington Post, where Will Lewis, the publisher, was accused first of trying to tilt the paper to the political right (by replacing Sally Buzbee, the executive editor, with his former colleagues from the Wall Street Journal and the conservative British newspaper the Telegraph), then of seeking to kill stories, from his own paper and NPRs David Folkenflik, about claims that he covered up evidence of illegal practices when he worked for Rupert Murdochs UK media business in the 2010s. (Lewis has denied the claims and that he pressured his own newsroom not to cover them; he accused Folkenflik of making a story of a non-story and blasted him as an activist, not a journalist.)

Some observers see the Posts trajectory under Lewis as a troubling abandonment of its motto, Democracy Dies in Darkness; Drew Magary, a columnist at SFGate, wrote that the Post has been one of the few remaining legacy pubs that consistently seemed both willing and able to serve as a check on an increasingly deranged political system, but now appears as if it is about to embrace the darkness. For now, one emissary of the darkness appears to be embracing the PostBannon told The Guardian that the incoming former Telegraph editor looks like a great pick to make the fucking thing more relevant and readable.

As I wrote last week, its fair to question what the changes at the Post augur for its political orientation; its certainly fair to question the revelations since then about Lewiss heavy-handed reaction to stories concerning himself, conduct that, as the former Post media reporter Paul Farhi put it, at least appears to constitute blatant self-dealing and the corrupt exercise of power. As I wrote last week, there are also reasons to doubt that the Post is about to go off the deep end, including the former Telegraph editors reputation in the UK as a newshound more than a partisan hackand, importantly, the Posts existing staff, some of whom have already asked sharp questions of Lewis internally, and who dont seem likely to just roll over.

Still, the situation at the paperjuxtaposed with the travails of the purveyors of right-wing conspiracy mentioned abovedoes offer an interesting window into the state of the wider media ecosystem halfway through this crucial year. If the conspirators have recently taken a welter of legal and financial hits, the Post is hardly in rude health itselfindeed, the precipitating cause of the recent turmoil was a significant restructuring (including a new third newsroom aimed at reaching nontraditional audiences on social media and elsewhere) that Lewis set in motion following steep declines in readership and revenue. (Your audience is halved, he told staff last week. People are not reading your stuff. I cant sugarcoat it anymore.) And the Post is not alone in this. Nearly every publisher has experienced similar precipitous declines in audience since 2020, Michael Luo, the editor of The New Yorkers website, noted. COVID/election year was a peak traffic moment for almost everyone. Then came social platform algorithm changes; news fatigue; subscription fatigue; and rapidly changing reader habits.

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This all chimes with a broader sense, one Ive had for a while, that this is a muddled media moment, especially compared with what preceded it. If a key media story of the Trump presidency was the surge of right-wing and conspiracy media (at least in terms of its political and cultural influence), another was a renewed sense of mission and purpose at major mainstream outlets, one marked by a Trump bump in reader interest and encapsulated by slogans like Democracy Dies in Darkness (even if Marty Baron, then the Posts editor, has since said that the slogan had nothing to do with Trump). This mainstream media era is now often remembered as one of antagonistic excesses; there were some of those (shouty cable news panels for one), but as Ive chronicled for CJR, there were many more instances in which mainstream reporters failed to cover Trump sharply enough. Still, this was, at least, a moment of energy.

The present media moment feels harder to categorize, perhaps because were still living it. Many right-wing outlets have themselves faced declining trafficand, as noted above and elsewhere, occasional legal jeopardyand yet their ideas feel ascendant again, or at least culturally implanted. In the mainstream press, some excellent accountability journalismabout Trumps plans for a second term, his threats to democracy, and morehas persisted. But the overarching mood of the moment feels, to me, to be one of deep tiredness, as well as confusion as to how to handle the political turbulence all around us. Many mainstream media types doubtless thought that January 6 would prove a clear point of no return for those who stoked itbut it hasnt, and attempts to reassert it in news coverage as a line in the sand have felt sporadic. As I wrote recently, Trumps conviction in the New York hush money case was played up as a historic moment. But there also appeared to be a void at the center of the coverage, with reporters and pundits grasping unconvincingly as to what it actually meant.

Generalizing about media coverage is perilous, of course, but last week felt like something of a case in point. The fallout from Trumps conviction continued to drive headlines, but not, I would argue, to an extent commensurate with the seismic media reaction in the immediate aftermath, perhaps because there was nothing new to actually say about it; instead, campaign journalism settled back into some well-worn groves: the horse race, Big Wins! for Trump in his other court cases, a debate about President Bidens age and the coverage thereof (this time sparked by a bizarre story in the Wall Street Journal that said nothing much new on the topic and quoted some questionable interlocutors). Bidens age is a legitimate story; the same is true of the legal troubles facing his son Hunter, who went on trial last week on charges that he bought a gun while on drugs and lied about it. But both last week got more column inches than they merited. (The Hunter story was even drafted into the controversy at the Post: the new editor hired from the Journal raised some eyebrows when he namechecked it as a top editorial priority for the paper, alongside Trumps trials and the election.) Trying to pick what actually matters out of a news cycle is always an imprecise task. At the moment, itll leave you feeling seasick.

If the present media moment feels muddled, there are myriad possible reasons: reader fatigue, the same fatigue among some journalists, the unprecedented tenor of our modern politics, business-side pressures and the constant fear of layoffs, low newsroom morale, the stubborn persistence of old political media frames, some combination or all of the above. Some observers have tried to identify deeper trends. Semafors Ben Smith has recently questioned whether media proprietorslike Jeff Bezos, the uber-wealthy owner of the Posthave lost their appetite for confronting those in positions of power. Smith has also argued that the leaders of major outlets, facing declining readership, appear to be stepping away from what now, in retrospect, looks like it was a marketing strategy of saying, we are these pro-democracy institutionsand pivoting toward zippier, less self-serious journalism. (And hiring Brits to that end.)

Theres a lot to unpack in such arguments. (Id start by noting that British editors are not a monolith and that zippier coverage isnt incompatible with sharply holding power to account and defending democracy. Indeed, if British journalists are caricatured as less self-righteous than their US counterparts, they are also generally seen as less afraid to tear lying politicians a new one.) Most broadly, vigorous, well-proportioned accountability journalism is essential to society, whatever it looks like and whether or not people feel minded to pay for it (not that these are small questions). If the market isnt funding it at requisite levelsand its notthe most pressing question for the news business is So how do we pay for it?, not So what do we do instead?

This is a longer-term question of civic health, one that we all must think through separately from the short-term obsessions of a given news cycle; if the latter moves quickly, the former is slow work. Its perhaps worth noting that all of the recent setbacks for conspiracy-peddlers that I mentioned at the top of this newsletter happened on a very slow timetable; all of them involved legal processes that have been going on for a while, or that promise to. (As the Posts Philip Bump wrote of Salems decision to stop distributing 2000 Mules, Sometimes the truth not only takes two years to get its boots on, it only reaches for its boots once it receives a subpoena.) Legal accountability for lies and the work of bolstering accountability journalism are very different, of course. But both are worth thinking about on long timelines. Reality will need more than a good week if it is to thrive. For now, from week to week, we need to try to focus.



Other notable stories:

For our new Election Issue, Josh Hersh explored the growing sense of political apathy this election year, and whether it is a problem of circumstancea uniquely disliked set of candidates, a rare presidential rerunor if something more fundamental, and therefore worrisome, is going on. In the meantime, Hersh writes, were stuck with the set pieces that stand in for news during the modern election cycle. Also for the issue, Susie Banikarim asks whether news networks, having gotten Trump wrong in 2016, can do a better job of covering him this time. The networks are not all-in on Trump like they were in 2016, but they still give him a significant amount of unfettered airtime, Banikarim writes. Its not particularly entertaining television, nor particularly good for ratings; what we get feels overcome by numbness and exhaustion.

Following last weeks turmoil at the Post, Lewis sent a memo to staff in what appeared to be an attempt to mend fences; he acknowledged a 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, and that trust has been lost because of scars from the past and the back-and-forth from this week, before urging staffers to leave those behind and start presuming the best of intent. Meanwhile, according to the New York Times, Patty Stonesifer, a confidante of Bezos who preceded Lewis as interim CEO and helped appoint him to the job, visited the newsroom and met with senior editors and other journalists to help quell the anxiety stemming from the weeks tumult.

Last month, a court in Mississippi ordered Mississippi Today, a nonprofit news outlet, to hand over internal reporting documents linked to a Pulitzer Prizewinning investigation that the site published detailing the role of Phil Bryant, the former governor, in a state welfare scandal; Bryant has sued the publication over various characterizations of its reporting (but not over the reporting itself), leading to the court order. Last week, Mississippi Today appealed the order to the state supreme court, arguing that it is unconstitutional and that reporting documents are privileged material under the First Amendment. Adam Ganucheau, the editor in chief, has more on the appeal.

In recent days, citizens of the European Union have been voting in elections for the blocs parliament; centrist parties looked likely to retain their majority, but far-right parties made important gains in various placesnot least in France, where candidates backed by Marine Le Pens Rassemblement National finished far ahead of those backed by President Emmanuel Macron. Last night, Macron shocked French journalists by announcing that he will dissolve the countrys legislature, plunging them into coverage of a snap election to begin later this month. (Macron will stay in office whatever happens.)

And Christophe Deloire, the director general of the international press-freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has died. He was fifty-three, and had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. With boundless energy and a ready smile even when dishing out trenchant criticism, Deloire travelled constantly, to Ukraine, Turkey, Africa and beyond to lobby governments and defend journalists behind bars or under threat, the AP reports. RSF said that journalism was his lifes struggle.

New from CJR: The Election Issue

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
Elon Musk and his companies are embroiled in dozens of lawsuits, ranging from fatal crashes blamed on Tesla Inc.s Autopilot system to civil rights complaints over the treatment of employees.

Teslas board and Musk were hit Thursday with another suit over his $55.8 billion pay package that a judge voided in January  ahead of a June 13 shareholder proxy vote on whether the company should resurrect it.

Musk, who has a history of sparring with regulators, also faces government investigations into his companies that could result in more lawsuits or even criminal prosecutions.

Heres a breakdown of the major legal battles faced by the worlds third-richest person and his companies:

TESLA INC.

Autopilot Crashes, California and Florida state and federal courts

The electric-car maker faces at least half a dozen wrongful death claims over fatal crashes blamed on its Autopilot driver-assistance system.

At stake: A finding that Tesla is culpable for deaths would imperil Musks quest to lead the way for fully self-driving cars to cruise down busy city streets and freeways.

Related: Tesla Settles Fatal Crash Suit as Another Jury Trial Loomed

Race Discrimination, California state and federal courts

Tesla faces multiple suits over allegations of racism on its production floor filed by workers, Californias civil rights department and the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

At stake: The automaker could have to pay damages and foster a more inclusive environment.

Pay Package, Delaware Chancery Court

Musk is poised to appeal a judges decision voiding his Tesla pay package as excessive, while Tesla plans to ask shareholders at the companys June 13 annual meeting to ratify the same compensation plan approved six years ago. A new suit alleges Musk is trying to strong-arm shareholders into resurrecting the record-setting pay package through a proxy vote.

At stake: Musk has suggested the largest-ever executive pay package is necessary for him to have the right amount of voting influence at Tesla, so he can grow it to be a leader in artificial intelligence and robotics.

Anti-Union Tweet, federal appeals court in New Orleans

A 17-judge panel is reviewing a finding by the National Labor Relations Board that Musk illegally threatened workers with the loss of benefits if they unionized.

At stake: A ruling condemning the CEOs commentary on social media would be a comeuppance for Musk and a morale boost for labor activists who are trying to organize Tesla workers.

Drug Use, Delaware Chancery Court

A shareholder suit alleges that Musks use of illicit recreational drugs threatens Teslas business, including by apparently influencing his sometimes erratic behavior online.

At stake: The lawsuit seeks closer supervision of Musks social media posts about Tesla, which are already supposed to be vetted under an agreement he reached in 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission and unsuccessfully challenged all the way to the US Supreme Court.

False Advertising, California federal courts

Tesla faces numerous lawsuits claiming misrepresentations to consumers, including that the company inflated how far its electric vehicles drive on a charge and over-hyped their driving-assistance capabilities.

At stake: The lawsuits take aim at features Tesla promotes to distinguish itself from competitors and are core to the companys market value.

Related: Tesla Must Face False Advertising Claims it Misled Buyers About Self-Driving

JPMorgan Stock Warrants, New York federal court

JPMorgan sued Tesla seeking a $162 million payment related to a series of stock warrant transactions dating back to 2014, and Tesla later countersued the bank.

At stake: If the case goes to trial, Musks infamous 2018 tweet about taking Tesla private that is central to the dispute will once again haunt the company.

Insider Sale of $7.5 Billion in Stock, Delaware Chancery Court

A Tesla shareholder alleges Musk had inside knowledge of a miss on production and delivery numbers that the company was facing when he sold more than $7.5 billion in stock in 2022 to help pay for his acquisition of Twitter Inc.

At stake: The investor wants Musk to be ordered return the profit from his allegedly improper trading to the company.

X CORP.

Employee Pay, California state and federal courts

X Corp., formerly Twitter, has been accused in multiple suits of labor and workplace violations in the wake of mass layoffs after Musks 2022 acquisition, including reneging on promises to pay severance to executives and thousands of workers.

At stake: Collectively, the lawsuits seek hundreds of millions of dollars in back pay.

Unpaid Bills, California state courts

X has been accused in multiple suits of failing to pay vendors and landlords after Musk took over the company and set about cutting operating costs.

At stake: Collectively, the complaints cite millions of dollars of unpaid expenses.

Twitter Takeover, California federal court

Musk faces an investor lawsuit claiming he fueled uncertainty about his proposed buyout in an effort to drive down the platforms stock price.

At stake: The investors seek unspecified damages over stock value losses.

Content Moderation, California federal court

X has sued non-profits that have issued reports criticizing toxic posts on the platform and faulting the company for lax content moderation.

At stake: X already lost one suit, but if it can prove its claim in the other case that a series of published articles are false and malicious attacks aimed at driving advertisers away, Musks company could win monetary damages.

SPACEX CORP.

Retaliatory Firings, California

SpaceX was accused by the NLRB of illegally firing eight employees over an internal letter sharply critical of Musk.

At stake: The company could be forced to reinstate the workers or provide back pay, but the US labor board generally cant hold executives personally liable for alleged wrongdoing or issue any punitive damages.

US Labor Board, California federal court

SpaceX sued the NLRB to have the agencys structure for in-house administrative proceedings declared unconstitutional after the board filed its complaint over fired SpaceX employees.

At stake: A victory for SpaceX could hobble the authority of the federal labor rights watchdog.

Gender Discrimination, California state court

SpaceX faces multiple gender-discrimination suits, including allegations that female employees are underpaid relative to men and subject to sexual harassment.

At stake: A loss for the company would hurt its reputation and might discourage talented female engineers and managers from seeking employment.

Wildlife Area Launchpad, DC federal court

SpaceXs use of a rocket launchpad neighboring a Texas wildlife refuge drew a lawsuit from environmental groups over how the site won approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.

At stake: The environmental scrutiny could delay future licensing for the company.

MISCELLANEOUS

Musk v. OpenAI, California state court

Musk is suing OpenAI and its Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman for allegedly putting profit ahead of humanity in violation of the startups founding mission.

At stake: A win for Musk would have implications for OpenAI, which is in talks to raise funds at a valuation of $100 billion or more, and for Microsoft Corp., which has invested about $13 billion in OpenAI.

Fired Disney Actor, California federal court

Musk is funding a lawsuit against Walt Disney Co. by The Mandalorian actor Gina Carano over controversial statements she posted on X.

At stake: As a free-speech absolutist, Musk has promised to pay legal fees for people fired from jobs for statements they made on the platform.

False Flag Defamation, Texas state court

Musk faces a defamation suit for allegedly promoting a conspiracy theory that falsely identified a California Jewish man as involved in a scheme to discredit right-wing groups by posing as a neo-Nazi street brawler.

At stake: Ben Brody, who filed the lawsuit, is seeking at least $1 million in damages.

Dogecoin Cryptocurrency, New York federal court

Musk, SpaceX and Tesla were sued for allegedly participating in a racketeering scheme to inflate the price of the cryptocurrency Dogecoin.

At stake: The lawsuit initially included a claim for $258 billion in damages, but an amended complaint removed any specific figure.

GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIONS

Tesla Self-Driving

The Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission launched investigations in 2021 and 2022 about whether Tesla made misleading claims about its vehicles purported self-driving capabilities.

At stake: The probes could result in a regulatory enforcement action or criminal charges against Tesla.

Glass House

The SEC and Justice Department last year started investigating whether Tesla improperly used company funds to build a glass house in Texas and whether Musk was involved, the Wall Street Journal reported.

At stake: The probes could result in a regulatory enforcement action over securities law violations or criminal charges against Tesla.

Twitter Stock Purchases

The SEC is seeking information about Musks 2022 purchases of Twitter stock and statements he made about his investments ahead of his $44 billion purchase of the social media platform.

At stake: The probe could lead to an enforcement action over securities law violations and possible fines for Musk.

X Privacy

The US Federal Trade Commission is monitoring X over its compliance with a May 2022 settlement over data privacy practices reached prior to Musks takeover.

At stake: Violations of the settlement could lead to millions of dollars in fines or even criminal charges against individuals.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
NEW YORK  Auto manufacturer Chrysler has issued a recall for more than 211,000 SUVs and pickup trucks due to a software malfunction in the anti-lock braking system that could disable the cars electronic stability control systems.

Some Dodge Durango, Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles made in model year 2022 are covered by the recall, according to documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The vehicles may experience a malfunction in their anti-lock braking control module  which could cause stability control, a key safety feature, to fail and increase the risk of crash as a result, according to NHTSA documents.

The recall affects 211,581 vehicles produced between April 2021 and December 2022. Those vehicles include 524 Ram 3500 pickup trucks; 157,890 Ram 2500 pickups and 53,167 Dodge Durango SUVs, according to the NHTSA report.

Drivers can use the NHSTA site and/or Chryslers recall lookup to confirm if their specific vehicle is included in this recall and find more information. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Stellantis, Chryslers parent company, noted a routine review of customer feedback led to a company investigation that discovered the software problem impacting certain vehicles, The Associated Press said.

To date, Chrysler is unaware of any related injuries or accidents  but urges customers to follow the instructions on their recall notices, the spokesperson added.

Dealers will update the anti-lock braking control module software for free, Stellantis told the federal government. Notification letters to dealers and owners are set to be mailed out July 26, the NHTSA said.

Its unclear if the update will be available for all impact owners before then. Stellantis advises customers with questions or concerns to contact their dealers or Chryslers recall assistance center.
MEDINA, Ohio -- The Medina County District Library (MCDL) is saying goodbye to three long-time staff members.

They are retiring with a combined 80 years of service.

Charlene Smiley retired in April with 26 years of service. She worked all over the district, starting as a page in Seville, then a driver in outreach, a delivery driver in maintenance and an assistant customer service supervisor.

In 2015, she took on her final role as customer service supervisor at the Brunswick Library.

Smiley made a lasting impact on MCDL through her leadership on the customer service team and by her thoughtful contributions to developing the librarys customer service policies and practices.

She inspired and encouraged many staff members, often guiding them in their first experience as supervisors.

Mary Baker retired in May with 31 years of service. She was hired as a library associate in the Brunswick Reference Department, where she served her entire career.

Baker won the Ohio Library Councils Support Staff Member of the Year award in 2015 for her gold standard of customer service.

She always went the extra mile to help patrons, particularly during tax season, when she was nicknamed the Queen of Tax Forms.

Sue Schuld will retire at the end of June with 23 years of service. She was hired as an assistant in the technology services department and was promoted to manager of the department in 2008, where she remained until retirement.

Schuld is well-known in the library world, as she was active in the Ohio Library Council (OLC), is on the board of the Ohio Public Library Information Network, serves on the Digital Inclusion and Literacy committee of the Medina County Commissioners, is a committee member of Broad Band Ohio and, along with a team, won the OLC Innovations Award in 2018 for bringing GED testing back to Medina County with services at the Medina Library.

These dedicated employees will be missed, but their accomplishments remain at MCDL, having made the library and community better for their efforts.

Read more from the Medina Sun.
BELLE CENTER, Ohio  Dozens of horses were killed Saturday and one person was seriously injured when a barn caught fire in Logan County, reports say.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the barn at Brant Performance & Priest Performance Horses is used by two performance-horse businesses. At least 43 horses died in the fire, WCMH Channel 4 reports.

The Bellefontaine Examiner reports the person injured was a worker at the barn who was attempting to save the horses. He was first taken to Mary Rutan Hospital and before being transferred to OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

The Dispatch identified the worker as Eric Priest, who operates Priest Performance Horses. The Dispatch reports Priest has second-degree burns to his arms, back and head, and he also lost his business in the fire.

The Logan County Sheriffs Office tells WHIO Channel 7 that firefighters were called to the facility at about 12:15 p.m. Saturday. When they arrived, the 60,000-square-foot facility was fully involved, preventing firefighters from entering the building, WHIO reports.

The facility included stalls, a performing arena, and living quarters for workers, the Dispatch reports. The fire was not contained until about 7 p.m., the Examiner reports.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Logan County is located in western Ohio.
 
Benny Gantz, a member of the country's wartime cabinet, departs after announcing his resignation during a press conference on June 9, 2024. Amir Levy | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Israel's war cabinet minister Benny Gantz resigned from the emergency government, dealing a decisive blow which is expected to entrench Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deeper into a far-right support base that opposes a cease-fire in Gaza. A former chief of staff of the Israeli Defense Forces, centrist Gantz co-founded and led the National Unity party that joined Netanyahu's emergency government after the outbreak of the Gaza war. He withdrew his party from the coalition after Netanyahu missed a June 8 deadline to present a concrete plan for the Gaza enclave's post-war governance. Netanyahu has previously floated "day-after" provisions for the Gaza Strip that included Israel's "responsibility of overall security" of the territory and a stalwart rejection of splintering it into a separate Palestinian state. Gantz announced his resignation on Sunday, just as Netanyahu celebrated the rare rescue of four hostages taken captive during the Oct. 7 terror attack perpetrated by Palestinian militant group Hamas, which triggered Israel's retaliatory Gaza campaign.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cabinet minister Benny Gantz during a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv , Israel , 28 October 2023. Pool | Via Reuters

"Regrettably, Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing toward true victory, which is the justification for the ongoing and painful cost (for war). That is why we are leaving the emergency government today, with a heavy heart but with full confidence," Gantz said, according to Reuters-translated video footage. "I was very privileged, together with my friends, to bring to the cabinet room all the experience we had. I know other people are staying there. Mainly, you have [Defense Minister Yoav] Gallant. And the prime minister himself. They know what should be done. Hopefully, they will stick to what should be done  then it will be OK," Gantz added.

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On Saturday, Netanyahu had taken to social media to entreat Gantz to remain in the emergency government, stressing "this is the time for unity and not for division," according to a Google translation. Current opposition leader Yair Lapid welcomed the decision of Gantz and of his ally Gadi Eisenkot to leave the emergency government as "important and right." "The time has come to replace this extreme and promiscuous government with a sane government that will lead to the return of security to the citizens of Israel, to the return of the abducted, to the restoration of Israel's economy and international status," Lapid said in a Google-translated social media post. Gantz's withdrawal comes at a tenuous time for Netanyahu's government, which faces rising domestic discontent over the war management and efforts to retrieve the dozens of hostages that are believed to remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Israel has also drawn international criticism over the proportionality of its military response and the risk to Palestinian civilians  including an order from the U.N.'s top court to halt the war campaign in Rafah and an application from an International Criminal Court prosecutor seeking arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant, and three Hamas leaders over accusations linked to the Gaza conflict. Around 1,200 people were killed in Israel, Israeli official figures say, since the start of the Gaza conflict. The death toll in the enclave has crossed 37,000 over that period, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health. Gantz's seismic departure will rattle, but not uproot the administration of Netanyahu. Eran Etzion, former deputy head of Israel's National Security Council, told CNBC on Monday that the Israeli prime minister can reposition back in his coalition of far-right support and ultra-Orthodox parties. "To cling to power, Netanyahu will continue to maneuver between his base, and US demands. The pro democracy movement will also increase its pressure in the streets. And the highly unpopular 'draft law,' effectively granting all Ultra Orthodox men full exemption from military service, is also expected to increase the de legitimization of the government," Etzion said.

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

Nimrod Goren, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, meanwhile stressed to CNBC that Netanyahu is unlikely to go against his far-right coalition partners at this juncture, weakening the odds that Israel will ultimately endorse a cease-fire proposal in the Gaza Strip, such as the three-phase plan aired publicly by the U.S. last month. "Gantz's resignation lowers the chances that Netanyahu will agree to a deal necessitating a significant halt of IDF operations in Gaza and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners," Goren said. Far-right politicians have already lashed out against the framework, with Itamar Ben-Gvir, national security minister and leader of the far-right Jewish Power Party, qualifying it as "a promiscuous deal, which is a victory for terrorism and a security danger to the State of Israel" in a Google-translated social media post. He further threatened to dissolve the government, if the proposal is implemented.

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Big Tech has been a closely watched theme over the past year, with investors piling into AI poster child Nvidia and the other so-called "Magnificent Seven" stocks: Alphabet , Amazon , Apple , Meta , Microsoft and Tesla . But this heavy focus on just a few stocks has led one portfolio manager to urge investors to diversify, naming two stocks he thinks look particularly attractive. "I would say the concentration is troublesome, in our opinion, and it's something to watch. We do tell [clients] we really think a broader diversification of the market is important," Aaron Dunn, portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley's U.S. Value Fund, told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia" on Friday. "You need to have allocations to ... other parts of the market, because you will be glad you did at some point, and that day will come." Dunn, who also holds the title of co-head of value equity at Morgan Stanley, said other stocks offered investors "a lot of opportunity," naming two he likes. BJ's Wholesale Club Membership chain BJ's Wholesale Club is among the names on Dunn's list. The company enables paid members to save money when they buy in bulk. Among the merits of the stock is its balance sheet, which Dunn said is "in great shape." He added that the business earns strong returns on capital and has "pretty good" free cash flows. "They've got a great digital footprint as well ... Contrary to its big peer in the U.S., they have the ability to grow their footprint on a store basis," he said. "All those things line up for us. It helps the consumer. We don't think you're going to get a big flex down in a stock like this, where consumers are saving money." BJ's has 244 clubs in the U.S. and offers its services at a membership fee of $55 per year, or $110 for a higher tier. Its rivals include Costco Wholesale and the Walmart -owned Sam's Club. Shares in the membership services company are up around 32.7% year-to-date and nearly 41% in the last 12 months. According to FactSet data, of 24 analysts covering the stock, 12 give it a buy or overweight rating, 11 have a hold rating and one has a sell rating. Their average price target is $86.46, which implies a potential downside of around 2.2%. Thermo Fisher Scientific Healthcare services and biotechnology company Thermo Fisher is another favorite for Dunn, who sees it as an industry leader and "supermarket of tools and analytics." It made up 3.35% of his U.S. Value Fund as of Apr. 30. "They're very diversified [and have] strong M & A growth strategy. It's a company where you had a big influx of spending across biotech companies, pharmaceutical companies during Covid. So we got above-trend growth and spin," Dunn said. Acknowledging a slowdown in healthcare spending post-Covid, the value investor said things are now picking up. "You're going to have this nice back tailwind to yourself of spending in this industry. And really, the stocks haven't gone anywhere in a couple years now, given this overhang," Dunn said. "We think [Thermo Fisher is] really ready to sort of benefit from this as the year progresses." He added that it is a "high return business, high recurring revenue business, great balance sheet, great free cash flow, extremely well-run business, and we think it's undervalued today in the market." Shares in Thermo Fisher are up around 9.5% year-to-date and 12.8% in the last 12 months. Of 28 analysts covering the stock, 20 give it a buy or overweight rating at an average price of $627.64, according to FactSet data. This gives it upside potential of 8%.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of social media site X, attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, France, on June 16, 2023.

"We'll pay him 140-times the average worker pay. How about that deal? I think that's more than fair. This pay package is ridiculous," Ailman said on " Squawk on the Street ."

The vote this week is to effectively reinstate a 2018 pay package that was struck down by a judge in January. California State Teachers' Retirement System Chief Investment Officer Chris Ailman said the fund opposed the pay package previously and will do so again.

The head of a massive California pension fund told CNBC on Monday that he is voting against the revised pay package for Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

CalSTRS held just under 4.7 million shares of Tesla as of June 30, 2023, according to its website. CalSTRS has owned a stake in Tesla since before it went public, Ailman said. Tesla was then headquartered in California but moved to Texas in late 2021.

Musk's pay package consists of performance-based stock options worth roughly $50 billion. CalSTRS is not the only major shareholder opposed to the proposal. Norway's sovereign wealth fund has also come out in opposition.

Ailman said the fund does not plan to sell its Tesla shares but that he does think the valuation for the stock is too high.

"Even if these cars had AI in them, they are not worth 60-times earnings. That is absurd," Ailman said.

In addition to Tesla, Musk also helms social media company X and rocket company SpaceX, among others. The billionaire has indicated that he might focus more on his other projects if the Tesla pay package is rejected.

Ailman said he does not want to see Musk completely walk away from Tesla, but added that Musk should let some professional managers handle more day-to-day operations at the electric car company.

"He needs to focus in on, either on cars, either on X or on going to Mars. And I think his heart really is in going to Mars," Ailman said.

As of April, CalSTRS managed more some $333 billion in assets.
Evergy Chief Financial Officer Kirk Andrews will replace Consolidated Edison 's current CFO Robert Hoglund, who plans to retire on July 8, the companies announced Monday.

Andrews has been CFO of the Midwest utility company since 2021. Evergy said Geoffrey Ley, vice president, corporate planning and treasurer, will be acting CFO as the company conducts an internal and external search to fill the role.

Andrews joins Con Edison as it takes on New York State's goal of transitioning to a zero-emission electric grid by 2040. The utility provides electricity to 3.6 million customers and gas service to 1.1 million customers in New York City and Westchester County.

Andrews has 13 years of experience in CFO roles at public utilities and sits on the board of directors for RPM International Inc. , a coating, sealants and specialty chemicals company.

Hoglund, who became CFO in 2005, will leave Con Edison after 20 years with the company. He plans to continue to serve as senior vice president in the transition until his official retirement later in the year.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, speaks during the Milken Global Conference 2024 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on May 6, 2024.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, threatened to ban Apple devices from his companies on Monday after the iPhone maker announced a partnership with OpenAI.

In a series of posts on his social media platform X, Musk shared concerns about whether Apple and OpenAI will protect users' information.

He called the software integration between the two companies "an unacceptable security violation," and said Apple has "no clue what's actually going on."

Apple announced its long-awaited push into artificial intelligence on Monday, which included an update to its voice assistant Siri. As part of the update, Siri can tap into OpenAI's popular ChatGPT chatbot. Apple said users will be asked for permission to share their questions with ChatGPT, and their requests and information will not be logged.

"It's patently absurd that Apple isn't smart enough to make their own AI, yet is somehow capable of ensuring that OpenAI will protect your security & privacy!" Musk wrote after the event.

He specifically said that Apple devices would be banned if the company "integrates OpenAI at the OS level," referring to Apple's operating system.

Apple told CNBC that the company is using its own AI, and its integration with OpenAI is an optional feature.

Musk replied directly to a post from Apple CEO Tim Cook and claimed he will ban Apple devices from his companies' premises unless Cook decides to "stop this creepy spyware." He added that his companies' visitors will be asked to check their Apple devices at the door.

Tesla, Musk's largest company, employed 140,473 people worldwide as of Dec. 31. The company has implemented layoffs this year exceeding 10% of headcount.

Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 and stepped down from its board in 2018. He's been a vocal critic of the company and CEO Sam Altman of late. In March, Musk sued OpenAI and Altman, among others, alleging they abandoned the company's founding mission to develop AI "for the benefit of humanity broadly."

Musk raised $6 billion in a recent funding round for his would-be OpenAI competitor, xAI, whose first product, Grok, is meant to serve as a politically incorrect answer to ChatGPT. In addition to Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, Musk is founder of brain interface startup Neuralink and tunneling venture Boring Company.

Musk and OpenAI didn't immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment.

 CNBC's Steve Kovach and Lora Kolodny contributed to this report.

WATCH: Legally questionable whether Musk can undo judge's ruling on Tesla pay
The police use water cannon against climate activists of "Extinction Rebellion" movement, who block the Utrechtsebaan on the A12 road, during a protest in The Hague, on September 9, 2023. Str | Afp | Getty Images

Green parties were on track to lose seats in the European Parliament elections, provisional results showed Monday, sparking concerns that the bloc may be on the brink of scaling back its climate policies. The left-leaning Greens/European Free Alliance were set to win 52 seats in the legislative branch of the 27-member trade bloc, according to preliminary results. That's significantly lower than the 71 seats the Greens/EFA secured when the green faction enjoyed its strongest-ever showing five years ago. It comes amid a broader shift to the right and a green backlash  or "greenlash"  against policies designed to tackle the climate crisis and protect the environment. The far-right Identity and Democracy group made major gains across the European Union, while the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists logged a slight uptick in votes. In Germany, where the Greens govern as part of a so-called traffic light coalition alongside the center-left Social Democrats and pro-business Free Democrats, support for the Greens nearly halved compared with 2019. Provisional results showed the party in fourth place on 11.9% of the vote. Support for the Greens also fell in Austria and France, where the far right outperformed and prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to call snap elections. Across the Continent, frustrated farmers have taken to the streets in recent months to push for further exemptions from European Union environmental regulations. Nationalist and far-right parties  traditionally skeptical of climate issues  have also been vocal critics of green policies.

If we're not going to accelerate the action here, our European industry is going to lose this global race and that's what I'm worried about. Bas Eickhout Lead candidate for the Green Party

Bas Eickhout, lead candidate for the Green Party, said that support for the far-right parties across the bloc could jeopardize Europe's progress on climate action. "I would say that the global green race is on, and you see that in China, you see that in the United States, so this means Europe really needs to step up its action," Eickhout told CNBC's Silvia Amaro. "I don't fear rolling back, but if we're not going to proceed, if we're not going to accelerate the action here, our European industry is going to lose this global race and that's what I'm worried about." Eickhout said in a separate statement on Sunday that the losses in France and Germany had "obviously been a blow" and the rise of the far right was "extremely concerning for all those who believe in a democratic European Union and in just and equal societies."

Ricarda Lang (l-r), Federal Chairwoman of Bundnis 90/Die Grunen, Terry Reintke, the Greens' lead candidate for the 2024 European elections, and Omid Nouripour, Federal Chairman of Bundnis 90/Die Grunen, react to the initial projections at the Greens' election party in Berlin's Columbiahalle. Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images

However, the Greens were set to place first in Denmark and the Netherlands  and Terry Reintke, another leading candidate for the party, said in the same statement that strong results for the party in Sweden and Finland should be seen as an "important milestone for our political family." Reintke pointed out that voters had elected MEPs from green parties in countries which had never sent greens to the European Parliament before, such as Croatia, Latvia, Slovenia and Lithuania. "It is now more important than ever to secure a stable pro-European democratic majority in the European Parliament. This democratic majority must come together in the face of the far-right," Reintke said.

Green Deal 'cannot go back'

Ahead of the vote, researchers warned that the outcome of the European elections was likely to put significant pressure on the European Green Deal, the region's showcase carbon neutrality program. Pedro Marques, vice president of the center-left Socialist and Democrats Group, said Monday that pushing forward with climate polices was likely to be a challenge, given the support for the far right. "We are concerned, and we certainly will not allow, from our side, [for] that to happen. Which means [the] Green Deal cannot go back, but we are prepared to give it this additional twist, which is a Green Deal, but taking care of the transitions," Marques told CNBC's Silvia Amaro. "Our economy, our small enterprises, our citizens, they are affected by the transition to this new green economy so let's support them  but that does mean going back with the Green Deal," he added.

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Jorg Asmussen, CEO of the German Insurance Association and former deputy finance minister of Germany, said Monday that he did not expect the outcome of the European elections to trigger a snap vote in Germany. He added that the country's current coalition government would likely continue to "muddle through" until September next year. "In what I see on the European level, the pro-European and also pro-competitiveness agenda will not change. So, the influence of the extremes on the right or on the left of politics will be limited," Asmussen told CNBC's Annette Weisbach. "I would see an influence in EU and German migration policies as well as on the Green Deal, which for sure will be recalibrated  because there is not sufficient support in the future in the European Parliament but of course the climate issue will not go away," he added.

An activist shouts slogans during a Fridays for Future climate rally at Unter den Linden boulevard in Berlin, Germany on May 31, 2024. John Macdougall | Afp | Getty Images
This screen shot shows France's President Emmanuel Macron speaking during a televised address to the nation during which he announced he is dissolving the National Assembly, French Parliament lower house, and calls new general elections on June 30, in Paris on June 9, 2024.

Early EU election results indicate that populist, far-right parties could have a bigger hand in European policymaking over the next five years.

LONDON  European stocks fell on Monday as traders reacted to initial results from the EU Parliament elections and the surprise call for parliamentary elections by French President Emmanuel Macron .

The euro slipped 0.51% against the U.S. dollar and 0.57% against the British pound .

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed down 0.27%, with food and beverage stocks leading the losses, down 1.2%.

The election drama was rounded off Sunday evening when French President Emmanuel Macron called snap parliamentary elections later this month after suffering a heavy defeat in the EU vote.

France's CAC 40 index was down 1.4% on Monday, with French banks sharply lower following the shock news. Societe Generale and BNP Paribas shares fell 7.5% and 4.7%, respectively.

Investors are concerned about the risk of interventionist economic policies and stronger regulation from the country's far-right National Rally party, Morningstar equity analyst Johann Scholtz said by email.

Macron's gamble could result in significant parliamentary gains or even a majority for National Rally, political analysts said Monday, giving the party sway over domestic and economic policy.

"In many European jurisdictions, banks have become a soft target for populist measures such as windfall taxes and restrictions on dividends/share buybacks," Scholtz said.

The wider spread of French government bonds after the elections has hurt French banks that are large holders of sovereign bonds, he added. Wider yield spreads are generally a sign of risk aversion.

Given that the center-right held on to a majority in the European Parliament and that far-right gains had been widely forecast, it was the snap French election that "spooked the market" on Monday, strategists at Barclays said in a note.

However, "there is still a long way to go before [National Rally] get an outright majority (289 seats), and as it stands, the most likely outcome appears to be another hung parliament/coalition for Macron," according to Barclays.
Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, and his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, arrive at the federal court for his trial on criminal gun charges, in Wilmington, Delaware, on June 10, 2024.

Jurors at the criminal gun trial of Hunter Biden ended their first, very brief day of deliberations Monday without reaching a verdict in the case of the son of President Joe Biden.

Hunter Biden is charged in the case with three crimes related to possessing a handgun while being a drug user.

The jury in Wilmington, Delaware, federal court deliberated for only about an hour Monday afternoon before going home for the day.

Earlier, the panel heard closing arguments from the prosecution and defense, as well as instructions on the law by Judge Maryellen Noreika.

"No one is above the law," assistant U.S. Attorney Leo Wise told jurors in his closing argument.

Wise suggested that jurors focus their attention on evidence in the case, and not on supporters of Biden in attendance, including first lady Jill Biden.

"People sitting in the gallery are not evidence," Wise said.

"The evidence was personal, it was ugly, it was overwhelming," Wise said in his closing argument.

"It was also absolutely necessary," the prosecutor added.

"The United States must prove the defendant was an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance and he knew it," Wise said. "He knew he was using drugs  that's what the evidence shows."

Biden's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, in his closing argument, told jurors prosecutors had a "very high burden" to prove his client's guilt.

"With this very high burden, it's time to end this case," Lowell said.

The defense lawyer argued that despite the prosecution's claim that Biden made a false statement on a form when he purchased a handgun about not being a user of illegal drugs, Biden did not believe that his statements on that form were false.

Lowell argued that there was not sufficient evidence to prove that Biden knew he was an addict during the period detailed in testimony at trial, from 2015 through 2019.

After Lowell finished his argument, another federal prosecutor, Derek Hines, offered a rebuttal to jurors.

Hines said prosecutors had proved Biden was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt "seven ways to Sunday."

"It may seem obvious, but someone who has a crack pipe to his mouth every 15 minutes knows they're an addict," Hines said.

Prosecutors rested their case after recalling FBI Special Agent Erika Jensen to the witness stand for brief rebuttal testimony.

Lowell effectively said Biden would not take the witness stand during a morning hearing with Noreika on proposed jury instructions.

Lowell told Judge Noreika to leave the phrase "did not testify"  referring to Biden  in those instructions.

Noreika denied a request by the defense to change the proposed jury instructions.

Biden's lawyers wanted Noreika to tell jurors that "Mr. Biden's response to the charges is that he never 'knowingly' either possessed a gun when he thought of himself as a user of drugs or addicted to them and he did not 'knowingly' lie on a form that asked him 'are you' a user or addict because he did not believe he was either a drug user or addict at the time."

But the judge said that was an "argument," and not "appropriate" for her to tell the jury.

The trial resumes as former President Donald Trump is expected to have a virtual interview with a New York probation official on Monday, in preparation for his sentencing next month in a criminal hush money case in Manhattan Supreme Court.
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This photograph shows a screen displaying the logo of Bard AI, a conversational artificial intelligence software application developed by Google, and ChatGPT. Lionel Bonaventure | Afp | Getty Images

LONDON  Microsoft is handing over the development of all of its best artificial intelligence tools and software to OpenAI, according to one tech CEO  which could be a boon for archrival Google. Todd McKinnon, CEO of identity security firm Okta , told CNBC on Friday that as Google looks to defend its position in search, it is "probably doing the best job of actually not having to outsource their R&D." He noted that the so-called transformers that power today's generative AI technologies "all came from Google."

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Transformers are deep-learning models that learn context and thus meaning by tracking relationships in sequential data, such as words. "This all came from Google, with DeepMind and the research," McKinnon said. "I mean, the breakthrough was the research from Google, the transformers which are the algorithm that all these LLMs [large language models] are using to make these big advancements."

Microsoft as an AI 'consultancy'

McKinnon added that there's a risk Microsoft's position in AI becomes reduced to that of a "consultancy." Microsoft was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC. It comes as a number of the firm's top products, such as the firm's generative AI chatbot CoPilot and PCs equipped with generative AI software, begin to incorporate tech made by OpenAI, the lab behind artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT. Microsoft has plowed billions of dollars into OpenAI, with its total investment to date reportedly swelling to $13 billion. In January 2023, the tech giant said its investment would "accelerate AI breakthroughs to ensure these benefits are broadly shared with the world." "It's so bizarre," McKinnon told CNBC. "Imagine working at Microsoft. OpenAI is over there making all the exciting stuff. It's almost like Microsoft is going to turn into a consulting company." Still, Google has a mountain to climb if it's going to achieve commercial success with its own AI investments. Microsoft has effectively become the leader in the push toward foundation AI models given its investment in and partnership with OpenAI. This has raised concerns that Google's position in search could be undermined, as internet users increasingly turn to ChatGPT and other AI chatbots for their search needs. Google's own AI efforts, meanwhile, have been beset by a number of public blunders. Last year, when Google unveiled its Gemini AI chatbot, an ad on social media site X showed it giving the wrong answer to a user question. More recently, Google Gemini started creating ahistorical images from prompts about history. Google subsequently pulled its Gemini image generator tool for pictures of people and has yet to reinstate the product while it investigates a fix.

Huge investments needed to succeed
President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the AES Corporation Andres Gluski speaks during an interview with Reuters in Santiago, Chile June 4, 2019. Picture taken June 4, 2019. Rodrigo Garrido | Reuters

The euphoria over nuclear energy as a power source for data centers is "overblown," the CEO of a major power provider for large tech companies told CNBC in an interview Monday. AES Corporation CEO Andres Gluski said renewable energy is the future, though natural gas will also play a role as a transition fuel. Nuclear power, on the other hand, faces challenges in meeting the growing power demand from data centers, Gluski said. AES is a major power provider for large tech companies building out data centers, with more than 40% of its 12.7 gigawatt backlog coming from customers including Amazon, Microsoft and Google, according to its most recent earnings presentation to investors. Some Wall Street analysts have predicted a nuclear renaissance as power demand increases thanks to artificial intelligence, data centers, re-industrialization and the electrification of the vehicle fleet. Nuclear provides reliable, carbon-free energy, though new projects have long lead times and are expensive. Gluski said the "euphoria" over nuclear power is a "little overblown." There is only so much existing nuclear energy that merchant power providers can re-contract to sites such as data centers, the CEO said. "The question is, going forward, what's the price of new nuclear," Gluski said, adding that only one new nuclear plant has been built in the U.S. in decades and it came in far above budget.

'The future is going to be renewable'

The second of two new nuclear reactors at Vogtle Plant in Georgia came online in April, but the project was seven years behind schedule and cost double the original projections, according to the Energy Information Administration. The reactors, operated by Georgia Power, are the first newly-constructed nuclear units built in the U.S. in more than 30 years, according to the Department of Energy. "The Street got ahead of it saying you're not going to build renewables, it's all going be nuclear," Gluski said. "It's going to be natural gas and renewables, but the bulk of it's going to be renewables," the CEO said. AES current gross power generation is 54% renewables, 27% natural gas, and 17% coal. Renewables represent 89% of the company's gross power generation under construction while gas makes up the remaining 11%. Gluski pointed to the recent agreement between Microsoft and Brookfield Asset Management for 10.5 gigawatts of renewable energy between 2026 and 2030 as a sign of the future. Microsoft and Brookfield described the agreement as the largest renewable purchase ever between two corporate partners. "It tells you that's where most of the energy is going to be coming from," Gluski said. "They are cheaper, they are clean and quite frankly easier to site, so the future is going to be renewable energy."

Natural gas vs. renewables
Nvidia 's expected free cash flow over the next two years highlights the immense potential of the AI chip maker, according to one chief investment officer. Free cash flow (FCF) is the cash a company generates from its operations after accounting for capital expenditures. It represents the money available for the company to distribute to shareholders, pay off debt, or reinvest in the business  all of which typically help lift share prices. "The stat that really blew my mind is that the forecast cash flow for Nvidia for 2026 is higher than Microsoft ," Yuri Khodjamirian, CIO at Tema ETFs, told CNBC's Squawk Box Europe, emphasizing the remarkable growth trajectory of Nvidia. FactSet data shows that Wall Street analysts expect Nvidia's FCF to rise to $78.7 billion and $91.1 billion in the 2025 and 2026 financial years, surpassing Microsoft's  currently the world's most valuable company. This projection is driven by the surging demand for Nvidia's AI chips, as software companies increasingly rely on these powerful processors to fuel their artificial intelligence models. The spending by software giants such as Microsoft , Amazon and Google is propelling the share prices of Nvidia and other semiconductor companies to new heights. For the first time last week, Nvidia's market cap topped $3 trillion, briefly surpassing Apple to become the second-largest public company . NVDA 1Y line Khodjamirian noted that Nvidia is "setting the pace" in the industry with annual product announcements that competitors struggle to match. "I think the fundamentals are very bright," Khodjamirian, who manages Tema's Monopolies and Oligopolies ETF , said. However, some investors, including Khodjamirian, suggest that revenue potential from AI software  Nvidia's customers  remains uncertain, which might cap the AI stock's future growth. Dismissing those concerns, Anthony Ginsberg, chief executive of Gins Global, the firm behind the Tech Megatrend ETF , said that AI is accelerating the adoption rates of cloud services, with a significant portion of IT spending in America being cloud-centric. "If you're a CEO and don't have an AI mission, you're gonna get clobbered," Ginsberg told CNBC Pro. Ginsberg predicts that Fortune 500 companies will increasingly outsource their AI and algorithmic business to cloud service providers, benefiting companies like Google Cloud and Microsoft Cloud. "If I were a betting guy, I wouldn't bet against Satya Nadella. So, between Microsoft and Google, run by Sundar Pichai, I would say they're going to keep knocking Amazon," Ginsberg said, suggesting that Microsoft and Google are well-positioned to gain market share from Amazon in the cloud space.
Olaf Scholz, German chancellor, is speaking during the last rally for SPD before the Europa election 2024 at Koenig Heinrich square in Duisburg, Germany, on June 8, 2024. Ying Tang | Nurphoto | Getty Images

Pressure is mounting on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz after the far-right AfD made substantial gains in the European Union election on Sunday despite a string of scandals. The AfD secured 15.9% of the vote, according to preliminary results, beating Scholz's SPD (social democrats) and its two coalition partners in the current German government, the Greens and the FDP (free democrats). The SPD lost support from the 2019 election, winning just 13.9% of the latest votes. The Green party's support weakened sharply from 20.5% in 2019 to 11.9% in 2024, while the FDP only registered a minor decline, securing 5.2% of votes in the latest poll. Incremental gains meanwhile turned Germany's opposition, the CDU (Christian democrats), into the strongest party, with 23.7% of support. The results deal the latest blow to Scholz's government, which has faced a string of crises from a struggling economy to budget issues and concerns about the popularity of the far right. At a national level, the AfD was last ahead of the SPD and in second place overall, according to a leading general election poll.

AfD success despite scandals

The AfD's success comes despite rising tensions in and around the party in recent weeks and months. Last month, it was kicked out of the right-wing Identity and Democracy (ID) alliance in the EU parliament, which includes France's Rassemblement National. This came after Maximilian Krah, the AfD's lead candidate for the European Parliament was quoted as saying that not all members of the German Nazi regime's SS unit were criminals. Earlier this year, one of Krah's employees who was based in the European Parliament was arrested for allegedly spying on the parliament for China. Krah was previously a frontrunner for a position to represent AfD in the European Parliament, if the party won such seats. On Monday, Krah nevertheless said the newly elected AfD members of the European Parliament had now voted for him not to be a part of the delegation. According to a CNBC translation of a separate social media post, Krah wished his colleagues good luck with re-joining the ID alliance without him. CNBC has reached out to AfD for comment.

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The AfD's second-in-line for the European Parliament, Petr Bystron, faced allegations of bribery and money laundering, which were linked to Russia and to spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda. Both Krah and Bystron were barred from campaigning for the EU election by their party. AfD rose to electoral success despite months of anti-right protests across Germany, with the party gaining support from young people. Initial analysis from research institute Forschungsgruppe Wahlen and from German news outlet ZDF showed late on Sunday that 17% of 16-24-year-olds voted for the party.

What's next for Scholz?

"The result shows the weakness of the ruling coalition," Marcel Fratzscher, president of the German Institute for Economic Research told CNBC on Monday. "It destabilizes the coalition that is already very unstable."

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Opinions appear divided about whether a snap election could be on Germany's horizon, in line with a step taken by Scholz's French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. Fratzscher on Monday said this outcome was "not unlikely," even though none of the current coalition partners would benefit by way of gaining electoral share. The smallest of the three ruling parties, the FDP is on the brink of the 5% hurdle it needs to cross to be part of the national government, he said. Once they cross this threshold, the FDP could pull out of the coalition and potentially trigger a snap election in the hope of securing spots in the national parliament for the coming years, Fratzscher explained.

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Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg, nevertheless played down the possibility of an early election. "None of the three parties in the current coalition has anything to gain from early elections. Expect the coalition to soldier on even after likely setbacks at regional elections in September," he said late on Sunday. Jorg Asmussen, former ECB board member and former German deputy finance minister, shared the view. "For Germany, I think the outcome means that the current traffic light government will continue to muddle through. I don't see any kind of vote of confidence or new elections in Germany," he told CNBC on Monday. Germany's constitution states that only the president may call snap elections, under restricted circumstances. Historically, elections have only taken place early after Chancellors have called for and failed no-confidence votes in parliament. The EU vote outcome could also have implications on next year's general election in Germany and on the odds of SDP nominating Scholz to campaign for a second term as Chancellor, Deutsche Bank economists said in a research note on Monday. "This rather weak result might fuel a debate about whether he is the right candidate to lead the SPD into next year's general elections," they said.
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Roche , one of the world's largest biotech companies, said "dangerous counterfeits" of its diabetes medical devices ended up for sale on Amazon to be bought by patients throughout the United States. Roche accused manufacturers and sellers based in India of selling counterfeit versions of its Accu-Chek devices, which are used to test blood glucose levels. The company made the claim in a federal lawsuit unsealed late Friday. "Patients know that Roche's Accu-Chek medical devices are safe, sterile and accurate," the complaint said. Roche said the counterfeit test strips are expired or nearly expired products that are repackaged with counterfeit labels bearing Roche's registered U.S. trademarks and fake expiration dates. It warned that the counterfeit devices are "likely to give false or inaccurate measurements of blood glucose levels, putting patients at risk of severe and life-threatening complications, such as hyperglycemia and over- or under-dosages of insulin." The lawsuit, which was filed under seal in May in the U.S. District Court in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, named as defendants four companies and their executives, all based in India. Roche is seeking unspecified damages. After the suit was filed, a judge granted Roche's request for a temporary restraining order to stop the defendants from selling the counterfeit products. The Amazon stores that were offering the products for sale appear to have been taken down.

Roche Diabetes Care Inc. Accu-Chek brand glucose test strips are arranged for a photograph in the Brooklyn borough of New York, U.S., on Thursday, April 4, 2019. Alex Flynn | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Amazon is not a defendant in the case, but Roche claims that as part of the alleged scheme all of the counterfeit products sent to the U.S. were stored at Amazon warehouses across the country, including in Brooklyn. The products are typically shipped to businesses and individuals within 48 hours of landing at Amazon facilities. "Amazon currently has untold numbers of these dangerous counterfeit medical devices in its warehouses across the country, ready to deliver to unsuspecting American consumers at the click of a button," the complaint said. Roche said the counterfeiters participated in Amazon's Fulfillment by Amazon program, through which "Amazon agrees to receive, store, and accept orders on behalf of the counterfeiters; to pick, pack, and ship the counterfeit goods; and to provide customer service for the counterfeiters. ... Amazon, in return, receives a sizable percentage of the revenue from the counterfeit sales," according to the complaint. An Amazon spokesman told CNBC that the company has "a zero tolerance policy for counterfeit products. We have proactive measures in place to prevent counterfeit products from being listed and continuously monitor our store. If we identify an issue, we act quickly to protect customers and brands, including removing counterfeit listings and blocking accounts, and collaborating with brands and law enforcement to protect our customers from bad actors attempting to abuse our store." The complaint was filed on behalf of Roche Diabetes Care Inc., Roche Diabetes Care GmbH and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc, by attorneys with the New York-based law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler. The defendants are JMD Enterprises doing business as DKY Store USA, JMD Enterprises founder and owner Dileep Kumar Yadav, JMD International, JMD International owner and founder Abhishek Jain, Medical Hub_USA Store, Medical Hub_USA owner Ratnakar Sharma, Authentic Indian Store and Authentic Indian Store owner Atikur Rahman. CNBC contacted the defendants for comment, but has not yet received responses. A spokesperson for Roche told CNBC that the company does not comment on ongoing lawsuits.

Counterfeit medical devices

Roche's Accu-Chek diabetes care medical devices, used by millions of patients, include Accu-Chek glucometers, blood glucose test strips and lancets. The company's blood glucose test strips and lancets can be purchased with or without a prescription at pharmacies and online marketplaces, including Amazon.

Roche Accu-Chek SoftClix Source: Roche

The lancets are specialized disposable needles used to draw blood for testing. The packaging on the counterfeit devices at the center of the lawsuit includes a misspelling of the name of the product as well as fake serial numbers and expiration dates, according to the complaint.

Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards These counterfeit Roche products show the products name misspelled. Source: U.S. District Court filing

The company launched an investigation into the counterfeits in late March when a whistleblower reached out with information, according to the complaint. Its investigators then purchased the products from the three Amazon stores listed in the complaint, the lawsuit said. As recently as May, a customer left a negative review on Amazon's platform, complaining that he had ordered test strips from the DKY Store but received a different product. In March, a different customer said the lancets she purchased from DKY were fake.

Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Fake identical serial numbers on the packages are another indicator of counterfeits. Source: U.S. District court filing
Toyota Motor Corporation Board Chairman Akio Toyoda bows during a press conference in Tokyo on June 3, 2024. Toyota said on June 3 it had suspended domestic shipments of three car models after falling foul of government certification rules along with its Japanese rivals Honda, Mazda, Suzuki and Yamaha.

Shares of Japanese automakers have largely plunged since the country's Transport Ministry found false data used to certify certain models a week ago on Monday.

The stock of Japan's largest carmaker, Toyota, fell more than 5.4% last week, after the scandal broke on June 3, but is recovering on Monday. The automaker lost 2.45 trillion Japanese yen ($15.62 billion) in market value last week alone.

Shares of Mazda , the country's second-largest automaker, dropped 7.7% in the same period, and lost 80.33 billion yen in market capitalization last week.

The wide-ranging inspection by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism also found irregularities in certification applications by other automakers Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha.

Last week, Honda' s stock fell 5.75% and Yamaha Motor lost 2.2%, while Suzuki Motor inched down 0.3%.

Shares of all those companies were trading higher Monday. Toyota was up 1.7%, Honda gained 2.13% and Mazda increased 1.7%. Suzuki and Yamaha were also marginally higher.
A Southwest Airlines jet comes in for a landing at Laguardia Airport in New York City, New York, U.S., January 11, 2023.

Activist hedge fund Elliott Management has amassed a $1.9 billion stake in Southwest Airlines and plans to push for leadership changes at the airline that has lagged big rivals.

Elliott is seeking to replace Southwest CEO Bob Jordan and Chairman Gary Kelly with outside candidates, the activist said in a letter and presentation Monday. Elliott believes Southwest has fallen from a "best-in-class" airline to one of the biggest laggards, according to the presentation detailing its case for change.

The size of Elliott's stake makes the activist one of Southwests largest shareholders, according to FactSet. Elliott said it intends to "pursue all available pathways to deliver the leadership changes" the fund believes Southwest needs.

The firm wants the airline to announce a CEO and chair transition with "immediate" effect, Elliott said in its presentation. Jordan and Kelly have "presided over a period of stunning underperformance at" Southwest, Elliott said. Both executives started their Southwest careers in the 1980s. The airline industry usually promotes leaders from within, seeking the technical expertise needed to run the highly regulated and complex business.

Elliott in its presentation highlighted COO Andrew Watterson as the only member of Southwest's executive team that had experience at another airline.

Southwest said in a statement that its board "is confident in our CEO and management's ability to execute against the company's strategic plan to drive long-term value for all shareholders, safely and reliably serve our customers and deliver on our commitments to all of our stakeholders."

The carrier said Elliott first contacted it on Sunday and it is keeping an "open dialogue with our shareholders and value their perspectives related to enhancing shareholder value."

Southwest shares are down by more than 50% as of Friday's close from three years ago, when travel demand, led by domestic trips, was starting to come back. In contrast, Delta Air Lines shares are up around 10% over that period and United Airlines shares are down about 7%.

Shares of Southwest gained 7% Monday. The company had a market capitalization of $16.6 billion as of Friday's close.

Southwest grew from a small Texas carrier more than 50 years ago into a massive domestic airline that carries more travelers within the country than any other. But the carrier has long stuck to a conservative business model, using one kind of plane, offering one class of service and not charging for checked bags, while rivals continued to hike their fees and more customers appear willing to pay up for pricier and spacious seats.

Elliott dismissed Southwest's upgrades like bigger overhead bins, better Wi-Fi and in-seat power as signs the airline's leadership is "focused on incrementalism rather than an unbiased evaluation of all available opportunities."

Southwest's leaders have said they are looking for new ways to drum up revenue to better compete with rivals that offer travelers more perks and products.

Jordan, who succeeded Kelly as CEO in February 2022, told CNBC in April that the carrier is considering ditching its single class of airplane seating and longtime boarding method.

"They missed those opportunities to give customers the option to spend more money with the airline," said Henry Harteveldt, a former airline executive and founder of Atmosphere Research Group. "A good retailer ... is always going to find ways to sell its customers more products."

Elliott said it spoke with numerous former Southwest employees during an 18-month research period, according to a presentation. The activist also said it spoke with shareholders and surveyed more than 2,000 flyers to understand why consumers chose Southwest over other airlines, according to its presentation.

Southwest has struggled with manufacturing and certification delays at Boeing for new 737 Max planes, the newest models of the jets which the carrier exclusively flies, as well as shifting travel demand patterns after the pandemic.

The airline also faced a reckoning from a holiday meltdown at the end of 2022 that cost it more than $1 billion and forced the airline long known for good customer service to win over the flying public and make quick fixes to its internal staff scheduling software.

Southwest isn't the only carrier facing activist pressure. Carl Icahn won two board seats at JetBlue Airways in February after taking a nearly 10% stake in the New York-based carrier.

Elliott's campaigns at other companies have likewise centered on a change in leadership. Elliott's second campaign at Crown Castle in 2023 and settlement agreement with automotive parts supplier Sensata earlier this year are just two instances.

In just the last few months, the activist has taken a $2.5 billion stake in semiconductor firm Texas Instruments , a $2 billion stake in Japanese conglomerate SoftBank and a $1 billion stake in mining concern Anglo American .
Microsoft will make its Windows Recall feature opt-in by default after criticism by security and privacy experts.

With Recall, currently in preview, Microsoft wants to let Copilot+ PC users find and retrieve information across any app theyve accessed. It does so by taking screenshots every few seconds, creating a searchable timeline of everything a user has interacted with on their computer.

Microsoft Executive Vice President Yusuf Mehdi likened Recall to photographic memory, when the feature was unveiled in May.
Oh, a giant sack of money I was supposed to be carrying? Ill just leave that on the grass and go home

Many laidback workers pride themselves on giving exactly zero fucks. However, a recent government audit revealed that several of these workers give a countable number of fucks. Some give two, five or sometimes more fucks.

The following workers, however, gave no fucks at all. They did not give a damn. In fact, we would go so far as to say that they did not even give a hoot.

5 A TSA Guard Passed a Passenger a Note Reading, You Ugly Many professions frown on employees hitting on customers. Other professions require employees to hit on customers. But lets talk about the opposite of that: Employees insulting the personal appearance of customers. All professions would frown on this, if their employee ever do it, but employees generally dont. Hitting on a customer at least might lead to sex (imagines the deluded employee), but insulting them serves no purpose at all. Don't Miss In 2019, however, a New York man visiting the airport was surprised to receive a handwritten note from a female guard. You ugly!!! read the note. If the note had said you cute, that would have been inappropriate, especially if it were a prelude to being taken aside for a thorough pat-down. But you ugly? It was insulting of course, and also baffling. So what if he was ugly? Why tell him that? And why write a note telling him that? What was she hoping to get out of this encounter? TSA Our theory is she really was hitting on him, just through unorthodox means. The man filed a complaint, and he received no response. Then he posted the note online, the story blew up and the TSA responded by firing the guard. We take that to mean the TSA investigated the complaint and found it was valid. Were assuming they didnt just fire the guard unjustly to bolster public opinion, in the way some badgered private company might, because the TSA has never cared about public opinion.

4 Two Cops Ignored a Robbery So They Could Play Pokemon Go Advertisement Back in 2017, a pair of LAPD officers received two different alerts regarding activity in their area. The first came over the police scanner and was about a robbery in progress at a nearby Macys, where officers in danger were requesting backup. The second was on their phones. They had Pokemon Go installed there, and there was a Snorlax in the vicinity. Its a classic dilemma. Picture Batman being told that two people need saving in opposite ends of town, and he personally can speed to only one, leaving the other to blow up. Recordings captured the officers debate on the matter. I dont want to be his help, said Officer Lozano, laughing. Its up to you, responded Officer Mitchell after a bit. Whatever you think. I dont want them to think were not paying attention to the radio. Advertisement Screw it, said Lozano. The men would spend the next 20 minutes in pursuit of both a Snorlax and a Togetic. Niantic Hold on, two perps? That changes the calculus dramatically. The officers were fired, a process that took about five years. This was hardly the worst offense LAPD officers ever committed, but it does hit the sweet spot of being shameful but not so shameful that the department felt the need to defend the men.

3 An ATM Employee Casually Left Behind a Sack of $141,000 If you ever find yourself carrying a sack containing a hundred grand in cash, we figure thatd be the highlight of your whole day. Youll probably take special care with the bag and will most likely not put it down without making note of what youre doing. But if you refill ATMs for a living, you might start to feel a little more cavalier about money bags. Consider the case of one New Jersey man, who worked for the clearly respectable company ATMForUs.com. He had a bag with him containing $141,000 in bills bound for an ATM. He set the bag on the grass outside then absentmindedly got into his van and drove away. Advertisement Advertisement via CBS See, if a sketchy van promises treats, it might be telling the truth. If the haul were in the form of a roll of sequential hundreds, perhaps whoever found it would consider the bills traceable and might feel compelled to turn them it. The bag actually contained only tens and twenties. Surveillance footage shows an unidentified man stumbling on the bag and driving away with it, presumably delighted by this gift from the universe. We dont know how much ATMForUs.com pays its elite staff. But if theyre docking their guys pay to make up for the lost sum, we imagine he might be stuck doing deliveries for quite a while.

2 One DMV Worker Slept for Hours Every Workday, for Four Years Advertisement We were joking earlier about government audits uncovering the truth about worker activity. But audits are a real thing and really do bring to light offenses wed otherwise never hear. In 2018, the California State Auditors Office released a report highlighting a bunch of what they termed improper government activity. For example, one employee at a prison kept leaving early, adding up to 312 hours of missed work over the course of two years. And two employees at California State University kept leaving campus without authorization. Its not terribly interesting stuff, and our biased loyalties tell us employees probably also did enough extra uncompensated work to make up for all this stolen time. But one employee at the Department of Motor Vehicles stands out. This worker missed 2,200 hours of work, simply by napping on the job every single day for four years. Advertisement Advertisement DMV She worked at the Dream & Mattress Venue. The audits summary raises more questions than it answers. Who was tracking her naptime so assiduously? Did they take any steps to intervene? Was the napper consistently named Employee of the Month, and if not, did the place have no sense of humor at all?
Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - Belgium is to release a financial package of 75 million euros over the next five years to help Burundi develop its agriculture, health and education sectors, according to the Burundi Vice-President, Prospere Bazombanza
Theres a non-zero chance that the human race burns up on planet Earth because the prudes at NASA are all squeamish about sex. Without their help, a cottage industry of scientists and porn stars have been exploring a new area of scientific study: space sexology. Heres the state of the discipline, in a nutshell

14 As Far as We Know, Sex in Space Hasnt Happened Yet There are unsubstantiated rumors about Soviet astronauts getting it on, but NASAs official stance is that there has never been a successful P-in-V docking in space.

13 But Theres a Relatively New Branch of STEM Dedicated to Studying It Space sexology is the comprehensive scientific study of extraterrestrial intimacy and sexuality. That makes me think of Marvin the Martian rounding second base, but its more about the mechanics of babymaking, fetus development and birthing in zero gravity.

12 Theres Even a Big, Yonic Venn Diagram Leading space sexologist Simon Dube and his team made this handy diagram to take all the horniness out of space sex. Even to my untrained eye, its missing one key factor: love.

11 NASA Are a Bunch of Prickly Prudes A NASA spokesperson once swatted down a reporter who asked about space sexology, with the tone of a first grade teacher being asked if milk milk lemonade is a real thing: We dont study sexuality in space, and we dont have any studies ongoing with that. If thats your specific topic, theres nothing to discuss. Advertisement Advertisement

10 Nevertheless, Space Research Has Gotten Increasingly Hornier Besides horned-up Star Trek nerds, no one was thinking much about sex in space until proto-space sexologist Roy Levin published a paper in 1989. His research picked up steam a decade later, and in recent years even NASA has been forced to acknowledge the existence of interstellar intercourse: Should a future need for more in-depth study on reproductive health in space be identified, NASA would take the appropriate steps.

9 Thats Good, Because Humankind Will Need to Figure Out How to Doink in Space at Some Point If were ever going to explore the cosmos, or even just glamp on the moon, we have a lot of problems to solve. One scholar has called for NASA to start up a whole Astrosexological Research Institute. Advertisement Advertisement

8 So What Exactly Do They Need to Figure Out? What space lacks in gravity, it makes up for in way too much radiation. Both of those may have major impacts on fertility, conception and fetal development, not to mention brain stuff like circadian rhythms and the effects of isolation.

7 Then, of Course, Theres the Horniness Stress has been cited as a major Rubiks Cube to solve in space travel, and cranking one out is a great stress reliever. But even if NASA admits that people need to hump or jack it, theyll need to develop private and hygienic ways to let it all happen. Advertisement Advertisement

6 Sadly and Predictably, Theres Already a Documented History of Space Sexual Harassment Researcher Judith Lapierre spent 110 days on a space-station replica, and was accosted by her Russian astronaut boss in the first month. She and other researchers have said its time to plan for #MeToo in space to draw clear boundaries around unacceptable behaviors for a spacefaring civilization.

5 Leading Space Sexologists Are Calling for Space Dildos Technically, they want sexual technology adapted for space to meet the intimate needs of their astronauts, but what they mean is dildos, Fleshlights, and sexy chatbots. Advertisement Advertisement

4 One Major Problem: Newtons Third Law In order to bump uglies, there must be some force keeping those uglies from equal-and-opposite-ing off into the cosmos. Normally, that force is gravity.

3 One Solution? The 2suit American novelist Vanna Bonta developed a big dumb suit that allows you to velcro yourself to your partner in order to smush. Bonta and her husband tested it in one of those zero gravity simulator planes, and were able to dock and smooch (on their eighth try). Advertisement Advertisement

2 We Just Dont Know How Zero Gravity Affects Conception Once sperm meets egg, were not sure how the rest will go. Until recently, every living mammal has been conceived and raised with significant gravity. Scientists have bred a few rats in zero gravity, but those rats have encountered fertility and balance issues when they finally come down to Earth.
Count Julia Louis-Dreyfus among the people who get the heebie-jeebies when Jerry Seinfeld and other comedians complain about political correctness killing comedy. (Quick recap: On Seinfelds burn-it-all-down Unfrosted publicity tour, he told the New Yorker that the death of sitcoms is the result of the extreme left and PC crap, and people worrying so much about offending other people.)

When I hear people starting to complain about political correctness  and I understand why people might push back on it  but to me thats a red flag, because it sometimes means something else, Louis-Dreyfus told the New York Times Magazine. I believe being aware of certain sensitivities is not a bad thing. I dont know how else to say it.

What is the something else that the red flag signals?

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Louis-Dreyfus didnt elaborate, leaving us to fill in the blanks. She was extremely careful around the subject, even telling the New York Times that she needed more time to give a considered response about political correctness and comedy. When the interviewer followed up in part two of their conversation, the Veep star tiptoed through her answer.

Political correctness, insofar as it equates to tolerance, is obviously fantastic, she said. And of course I reserve the right to boo anyone who says anything that offends me, while also respecting their right to free speech, right? But the bigger problem  and I think the true threat to art and the creation of art  is the consolidation of money and power. All this siloing of studios and outlets and streamers and distributors  I dont think its good for the creative voice.

Louis-Dreyfus refused to jump on the You couldnt make Seinfeld today! train but did weigh in with more nuanced observations about changing attitudes toward comedy. The lens through which we create art today  and Im not going to just specify it to comedy, its also drama  its a different lens. It really is, she said. Even classically wonderful, indisputably great films from the past are riddled with attitudes that today would not be acceptable.

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Thats how change works, she added. Forty years ago, she argued, the interview for which she was sitting wouldnt have been conducted by a woman. In that way, things shifted for the good. Her bigger point? Society shifts, and nothing ever remains the way it always was.

That goes for Louis-Dreyfus as well. She continues to play women with sharp edges  I dont play girls who behave a way that a good girl should behave; if they do, they do it with bitterness and anxiety  but her sense of humor has evolved over the years.

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Ive been in the presence of so many people from whom, through osmosis and watching them work, I have learned things about physical comedy, about the nuance of comedy, about the smallness of comedy, she explained. But theres always room to learn more, and for me, that is an incredibly joyful adventure.
At this years Sleuthcon, cybersecurity professionals and law enforcement officials provided insights into various malicious actors driving the ongoing surge in cybercrime and offered glimpses into solutions that can thwart the rising tide of attackers.

Based on the range of talks at the event, its clear that cybercriminals continue to thrive and diversify, deploying a wide range of new malware and toolsets in their malicious endeavors. However, two themes emerged from the event.

The first is that unlike advanced persistent threat actors, usually associated with state-sponsored military and intelligence operations of significant adversarial nation-states, cybercriminals can operate from any locale, even tiny countries. The second theme is that law enforcement is increasingly becoming creative in shaming and disrupting financially motivated threat actors, particularly ransomware groups.
Internal source code from The New York Times (NYT) has been leaked online following a breach on the newspapers GitHub repository.

Links to a torrent purportedly carrying a 273GB archive of source code from the NYT were posted on notorious internet message board 4chan last week.

A post publicising the leak states that the dump comes from around 5 thousand repos (only 30 of which were encrypted) and 3.6 million files.
Twins Oren and Alon Alexander have been accused of sexual assault in two lawsuits filed this spring. Photo: Jojo Korsh/BFA.com

Top brokers Tal and Oren Alexander, formerly of Douglas Elliman, now of Official, and Orens twin brother, Alon, an executive at a private-security firm, have been accused of rape in lawsuits filed in March and June of this year.

Twin brothers Oren and Alon were accused of sexual assault in two lawsuits filed this March, as first reported by The Real Deal. The suits allege that the brothers raped two women in New York in 2010 and 2012. Tal, the twins older brother, who co-founded Official with Oren, was not named in the March suits. Following the lawsuits against Oren and Alon, attorneys for the women told The Real Deal that they have been contacted by nearly 30 other women with similar allegations of sexual abuse and rape against the twins. Five women shared similar stories of rape and sexual abuse at the hands of the twins with The Wall Street Journal, alleged assaults that occurred as recently as 2020 and as far back as 20 years ago, when Oren was a high-school student. An attorney for the brothers has denied the allegations.

The allegations against Tal were made in a third suit filed with the New York Supreme Court on June 18. That suit accuses Tal of participating in a sexual assault along with the twins in 2012.

On June 11, Oren announced on Instagram that he would be temporarily stepping down from Official as I shift my focus toward fighting these baseless civil claims. Official has increasingly moved to distance the brokerage from Oren, going from calling the split mutual to removing him as a founder and terminating his real-estate license. It has also made an effort to downplay the roles of the Alexanders as the company rainmakers and stars, an effort at odds with the firms past marketing and coverage. A week after the lawsuit against Tal was filed, he announced that he too would be taking a leave from the company.

Heres everything we know.

Who are Tal, Oren, and Alon Alexander?

Tal and Oren spent more than a decade at Douglas Elliman, where they were known as boy wonders who became some of the top brokers in the country, closing what they say was more than $7 billion in real-estate deals, including a number of record sales, while still in their 20s. They were known for celebrity clientele  Adam Neumann, Timbaland, Tommy Hilfiger  and famously sold Ken Griffin the $238 million penthouse at 220 Central Park South in 2019, then the most expensive listing in the U.S.

In 2022, Oren left Douglas Elliman to found Official with Tal. The Alexander brothers grew up in Miami, where their father, Shlomi Alexander, was a developer who specialized in high-end spec homes.

Alon is listed as president at Kent Services, a security firm his parents founded, for which his mother, Orly, is listed as CFO. Kents website says its clients include many large New York City real-estate groups, including JDS, Fortis Property Group, Douglaston Development, and Stellar Management.

What do the lawsuits against Oren and Alon Alexander claim?

The first complaint, filed by Rebecca Mandel, claims she first met Oren and Alon in 2009, when she was 18, at a now-shuttered Meatpacking District nightclub called SL. She saw them at different events and parties several other times over the next few months, enough to consider them acquaintances. The suit claims that when Mandel ran into them again at SL in September 2010, Alon insisted on buying her a drink: Notably this was the first drink the plaintiff consumed that evening. A short time later, the suit claims, she started to feel hazy, and she believes Alon had intentionally drugged the drink with an unknown substance. The suit continues that the twins then suggested she go to a party with them; they got into a cab that took them not to a party but to the twins Chelsea apartment on West 26th Street. Mandel alleges in the suit that once inside the door, the twins took turns holding her down and assaulting her. Defendants would then switch positions, repeatedly raping her, the suit claims.

In a separate lawsuit filed by the same law firm the same day, Kate Whiteman claims Oren and Alon assaulted her on May 26, 2012, at a mansion in the Hamptons known as Sir Ivans Castle. (Its owner, Ivan Wilzig, was also named in the lawsuit for negligence, not as a defendant, and declined comment to The Real Deal.)

Like Mandel, Whiteman claims in the suit that she knew the brothers from social events and that Oren often texted to try to get her to go out with him but she always refused. Per the suit, she did, however, confirm she would be going to the Hamptons for Memorial Day weekend when he texted her to ask.

That weekend, she alleges, as she was leaving the Dune, a Hamptons nightclub, the twins forcibly pulled her into an SUV and refused to release her or tell her where they were going. The lawsuit alleges that they drove to the mansion, where she was locked in the garage and told she must change into a sarong. When she tried to leave, the suit continues, a security guard forced her back into the garage. She was then led to a large bedroom where she was sexually assaulted, abused, raped, pinned, groped, harassed, battered, and fondled by defendants, according to the suit.

Both women say they suffered physical and emotional damage following the attacks, and the lawsuits further claim they were not the only women assaulted by the twins: For years, defendants have engaged in a similar pattern of schemes, acts, and conduct with different women.

What does the suit against Tal claim?

The third lawsuit, filed on June 18, accuses Tal and Alon of sexually assaulting and raping a woman in a brief personal relationship with Oren in a 2012 attack. Thee woman went to visit Oren at his New York apartment with a friend, according to the lawsuit, and after the friend fled to avoid the brothers advances, the woman who remained in the apartment was raped by Alon and Tal Alexander, together, in a coordinated sexual assault that was planned and facilitated by Oren Alexander along with his brothers.

What do the brothers say?

The brothers declined to comment on the first two lawsuits to The Real Deal, but a lawyer for the Alexanders, trial attorney Jim Ferraro (a longtime friend of Orens), denied the allegations, calling the Whiteman filing a total shakedown.

After a number of news outlets reported on the claims, Oren posted an announcement on Instagram that he had made the decision to take a pause from Official out of respect for our customers and trusted colleagues, calling the claims baseless and adding, I am confident that through review of the extensive evidence, including text messages and other communications, that the truth will be brought to light. He said that he looked forward to clearing my name and rejoining my co-founders.

Official, which initially released a statement calling the decision mutual, writing that the firms co-founders Nicole Oge, Richard Jordan, and Andrew Wachtfogel would continue to operate the businesses, with Tal overseeing all matters pertaining to The Alexander Team, has increasingly moved to distance itself from Oren, removing him as a partner. The conflation or misconception about Official somehow being inextricably linked to any individual, whether its me or Oren or anyone else, is just false, Nicole Oge told the New York Times several days after the allegations surfaced. Official is not Oren Alexander.

Shortly after the allegations became public, the twins attorney Ferraro stepped aside and was replaced with Isabelle Kirshner of Clayman Rosenberg Kirshner & Linder. Of the third lawsuit, Kirshner wrote in a statement, We have reviewed the allegations contained in the complaint and deny them, as they are pure fiction, adding, We look forward to presenting the facts in court.

Tals attorney, Deanna Paul, said in a statement to Business Insider that the allegations were false but that the claim had become a distraction to Official, and that given the salacious nature of this false allegation and impact on Official, Tal and his partners have decided he will take a leave from the company. Paul is also seeking to have the lawsuit moved from New York state civil court to federal court.

What are some high-profile projects Official is affiliated with?

Since news of the lawsuits broke and a number of other women have come forward with similar stories, Official has struggled to distance itself from the brothers and has lost several high-profile projects. Michael Shvo cut ties with the firm, which was handling sales and marketing at his Rosewood-branded Miami condo, the Raleigh. JDS also replaced the firm at its Dolce & Gabbana residences in Miami. Previous New York projects include 432 Park Avenue and 111 West 57th Street. The firm recently opened an Aspen office and, in addition to New York City, is active in the Hamptons, Miami, Los Angeles, and Orange County.

Official has said it will announce details soon on its reconfiguration, but speculation is that the fledgling brokerage will fold.

Whats next?

The deadline for the defendants to respond to the March lawsuits is August 19.
China issues alert as high temperatures bake multiple regions

Xinhua) 12:11, June 10, 2024

BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- China's national observatory on Sunday issued an orange alert for high temperatures as multiple regions in the country will experience sweltering heat.

During the daytime on Monday, some areas in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and Gansu are expected to see temperatures as high as 36 degrees Celsius, according to the National Meteorological Center.

It forecasts that maximum temperatures will reach 37 to 39 degrees Celsius in parts of Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Anhui and Xinjiang. Some areas may even experience scorching highs exceeding 40 degrees.

Outdoor activities should be avoided during the high temperatures, and precautionary measures should be taken to protect vulnerable groups such as children and older people, the center said.

China has a three-tier warning system for high temperatures, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange and yellow.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.


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FILE - Chair of the House Republican Conference Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., talks to reporters about their plans to respond to student protests over the Israel-Hamas war, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Elise Stefanik, a House Republican leader seen as a candidate to be Donald Trump's running mate, delivered a speech before Israel's parliament on Sunday, May 19, 2024, in which she slammed President Joe Biden's approach to the war in Gaza. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Nigel Farage is a master of political phrase-making. The majority shareholder of the company known as Reform UK Ltd understands better than any of his rivals how to use words to trigger sentiments  all the way from anger to enmity.

So Farage knew precisely what he was doing when, last week, he said of Rishi Sunak: 'This man is not patriotic. Doesn't believe in the country, its people, its history or frankly even its culture. If you're a patriotic voter, don't vote for Rishi Sunak.'

These remarks (addressed, in unvarying form, to a number of television audiences) followed the Prime Minister's fateful decision to leave the D-Day 80th anniversary commemoration after attending all the events involving British veterans over two days, but skipping the 'international' section, which culminated in a photo-opportunity for the world's media on Omaha Beach.

It was the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, who was pictured  looking as if he knew it should not be him there  alongside the American and French Presidents and the German Chancellor.

If this was an insult to anyone, it was to the American people; it was their army that had fought heroically on that beach in 1944, sustaining thousands of casualties in the first days of the land campaign to liberate Europe from Nazi rule.

Rishi Sunak lays a wreath during the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion's commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day landings in Normandy

Last week, Nigel Farage said Mr Sunak is 'not patriotic' and 'doesn't believe in the country, its people, its history or frankly even its culture'

But weeks before the Election had been called, Number 10 had decided the Prime Minister would leave after the specifically British ceremonies, at the same time as the King. The monarch is suffering from cancer, and so his doctors are, above all, concerned to avoid depleting his energy still further.

By contrast, there was no good reason for Sunak to leave when he did, and it added to the sense of calamitous misjudgment that he used some of the time saved to film an ITN election interview to be broadcast days later. Even in campaigning terms, it would have been most beneficial for the Prime Minister to have been pictured on that beach in Northern France alongside other world leaders.

But since Farage  alone among Sunak's political opponents  has accused him of being 'unpatriotic', it's worth recording what the PM had done over those days of commemoration in Portsmouth and France, aside from the televised sections in which we saw him alongside the King, and where he read out the letter which Field Marshal Montgomery had written to our troops ahead of the D-Day landings.

As Fraser Nelson reported in The Spectator: 'He then met veterans and their families, others who read in the ceremony and servicemen and servicewomen. After that there was lunch with the veterans and their families  where he went to every single table.'

Samantha Davidson was at that Portsmouth event with her 100-year-old grandfather Alfred, a D-Day survivor. She told The Times: '[Sunak] and his wife spent loads of time with each of the veterans. And they seemed really genuine.'

The Prime Minister has come under fire for leaving the D-Day anniversary ceremony early

King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Rishi Sunak at the event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day at Southsea Common on July 5. Weeks before the Election had been called, Number 10 had decided the Prime Minister would leave after the specifically British ceremonies, at the same time as the King

As Nelson went on to report, the next day at Ver-sur-Mer, the Prime Minister addressed veterans and their families, and offered to wheel one of them through the memorial. 'After that, he and his wife spent an hour with veterans in a tent.'

This helps explain why Nelson (who spent most of his childhood on military bases, as his father was in the RAF) described as 'a revolting slur' Farage's claim that Sunak is 'unpatriotic' and has no care for our history.

In reality, Sunak is the first PM to have a veterans minister in the cabinet  the former Army officer Johnny Mercer, who has devoted himself to this cause.

In the wake of last week's debacle, Mercer said: 'Everyone who actually knows Rishi knows how this moment is not reflective of his views on veterans.'

Mercer accused previous Conservative PMs of having only 'performative' concerns for veterans, which is why he 'left government twice'  and contrasted that with Sunak's 'unflinching and consistent commitment'.

In the wake of last week's debacle, Minister for Veterans' Affairs Johnny Mercer said: 'Everyone who actually knows Rishi knows how this moment is not reflective of his views on veterans'

So why did Sunak absent himself from the Omaha Beach event? I can offer part of an explanation, based on a breakfast I had with him at 11 Downing Street on January 19, 2022.

This was the day that, in the House of Commons, the Conservative MP David Davis called on Boris Johnson to resign over parties at Number 10 during lockdown: 'In the name of God, go.'

In this atmosphere, I had naturally asked the then Chancellor if he aspired to become Prime Minister. He replied (I kept a note of the conversation): 'I like the fact that as Chancellor I can work 16 to 18 hours a day on this job, fully focused. Whereas being PM involves a lot of ceremonial stuff.'

This aversion to 'ceremonial stuff' also explains why he has delegated so much to Lord Cameron, in terms of meeting and greeting foreign heads of state  and why, until he reluctantly agreed, at the last moment, Sunak said he did not want to attend the opening of the United Nations COP27 climate change conference in Egypt, the month after he became PM.

But being the public face of the nation on the global stage is an essential part of the job of Prime Minister. It may just be performance  and this clearly doesn't appeal to Sunak  but it is through such theatrics that the most vital images are transmitted to the wider public.

It is not enough, unfortunately, for a PM to be dedicated to the welfare of military veterans: he also has to get that message across. You might say it is his first duty as a politician, as opposed to that of an administrator.

I know Rishi Sunak is a patriot; he gets completely exasperated at what he sees as people 'talking Britain down'. Frankly, if he did not have a deep sense of public service to this country, he would have stayed in the world of high finance, rather than fight to become a Member of Parliament (in rural Yorkshire).

And Sunak supported Brexit when it was thought most unlikely we would vote Leave, and the then PM David Cameron had made it clear to backbenchers (as Sunak then was) that they could say goodbye to future preferment if they backed 'the wrong side'.

Yet among a certain sort of Conservative now being wooed by Farage, there has always been the view that Sunak is 'not British'. It emerged in an LBC Radio phone-in show in 2022, when Sunak was putting himself forward to succeed Liz Truss.

A man called Jerry, from Lowestoft, who claimed to be a Conservative Party member, said: 'Rishi is not even British  He doesn't love England.'

Pressed on the point that Sunak was born and educated in this country, Jerry demurred: 'Having a British passport doesn't mean you are a true British patriot Eighty-five per cent of the British people are White English people, and they want a Prime Minister that reflects them.'

Sunak's decision to leave Normandy prematurely last week is something he bitterly regrets and has apologised for. But Farage's attack on his alleged lack of 'patriotism' and care for 'our culture' is not just 'deeply regrettable' (as the Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said yesterday). It is vile.
A woman has revealed her husband wants to move their family to New Zealand because he's 'increasingly concerned' about the threat of war in the UK.

Taking to parenting platform Mumsnet, the British woman explained her partner has 'anxiety' about the current unrest in the world.

She revealed he has been offered a job in New Zealand and wants to 'forge ahead' with the move, despite them not knowing anyone in the country and their son about to start school in September.

Nuclear war expert Annie Jacobsen previously said if war did break out the safest place to be would be Australia or New Zealand because of the agricultural resources.

However many other people responded to her post saying it sounded like an extreme measure, which might make her life incredibly complicated if they ever split up.

A woman revealed on Mumsnet that her husband wants to move their family to New Zealand because he's 'increasingly concerned' about the threat of war in the UK (stock image)

The post read: 'DH [Darling husband] wants to move us all to NZ because hes had a job offer and hes increasingly concerned about the threat of war (we are in the UK).

'We have one DS [Darling son] who is just about to start school in September and is currently getting settled into the idea/going to taster sessions.

'I'm not currently working. I was self employed previously. Ive had a look online and it seems like DH would get the visa for the job offer and we could apply for a NZ Family Visa and try to get residency there once there.

'But Im unclear about whether Id need to work in order to hold that Visa - Im not against working at all and we agreed Id pick up my self employed business again when DS goes to school but I dont think that would be an option under the working requirements there.

She continued: 'DH keeps saying the company would sort it all but I think its such a sudden huge decision and Im worried that hes just forging ahead with it because of his anxiety about the world situation.

'We have never even been to NZ. We dont know anyone out there, I dont know anything about it or the schooling system etc.

'Its so far away as well we wouldnt be able to see friends and family regularly. Im worried about how DS would adapt.

Taking to the parenting platform, the British woman explained her partner has 'anxiety' about the current unrest in the world

However many rushed to the comments with their concerns, saying if they ever split she might have difficulty moving back to the UK with their child

'I'm not enthusiastic as you can tell but DH thinks its a smart move. Am I being unreasonable to want to dig my feet in about this and say no?!'

Many suggested the move could end badly if the pair ever split up, with some saying she may not be able to move back to Britain with her son.

One person said: 'My main worry would be that if you ever split up and you want to go home you wouldnt be able to take your child/children.

'There was a really heartbreaking thread on here a few years ago from a woman in that position. And Ive seen one a few years ago from a woman in Australia too.'

Another added: 'If your marriage breaks up you can never leave with your child. Like never. There was a poster on here a while ago who fell in that trap, badly.

'I never knew that about NZ and stuck in my mind. My NZ friend went home with her English husband, they were back after three years. He simply could not get a job (CA) and lots of anti-English sentiment.

'As for what the company will offer, it totally depends on the package. Expat package - go for it. Being employed as a local - mmmmmm think again.

'Family/friends/aging parents - how often do you think youll realistically see them. Much less than you think or what you plan for or promise now.'

Others suggested that her husband should speak to someone about his anxiety over a potential war.

Others suggested that her husband should speak to someone about his anxiety over a potential war

One person said: 'Sounds like he should address his fears with calm and logic, rather than drag his family to the Southern Hemisphere in a panic. I wouldn't want to go.'

Another said: 'I think he needs therapy for his anxiety rather than move you all to the other end of the world.'

Someone else wrote: 'I would actually be quite concerned for his behaviour. It is very extreme to move to the other side of the world on a whim, especially to a country youve never even been to.

'I would definitely not move to a completely new country with no support system with someone who is pretty unstable and could get worse.

'Give yourselves 12 months. Look into and go on holiday to explore the areas. If you both want to move still then go ahead.'

However many thought it was a great opportunity and the couple should consider moving to New Zealand for a few years.

However many thought it was a great opportunity and the couple should consider moving to New Zealand for a few years

One person said: 'NZ is an amazing place to raise a child! They will actually have a childhood. What is all this nonsense about living rurally?! Did you know that NZ has cities and towns?!

'Food is no more expensive than the U.K. now plus if youre up north you can grown your own produce. The climate in the upper half of the north island is a lot milder, where I live it is t shirt weather 9 months of the year.

'There is about double the sunshine hours too so no horrendous grey sky. I earn more in NZ so does DH so research your area dont listen to someone else.'

Another said: 'Honestly, wed move to NZ tomorrow if we had the opportunity. Too old/not wealthy enough, unfortunately.'

While another said: 'I'd be out of this country like a shot given half a chance I'm afraid to say.'

The original poster added: 'DH has become increasingly concerned about the war in the context of the UK specifically being a target.

'I dont know if hes spent too long on TikTok where it seems to be a constant stream of discussion or where its coming from.

'I have gently suggested his fear might be out of proportion to the threat and that if something did happen, no country that supports Ukraine/is part of NATO or allied with NATO countries is going to be untouched or uninvolved.

'Its grim and I wish it wasnt happening but I dont think a knee jerk life changing decision is the way forward here.

'I hadnt realised that about my wanting to leave and not being able to with DS, that gives me even more pause for thought.'
A little imagination can go a long way when you are trying to fix a frustrating problem, as these quick thinkers have discovered.

People from around the world have shared amusing solutions to fix things that have broken and Bored Panda collated the funniest into a gallery.

They include a Dunkin' Donuts, in the US, which used a baby monitor when their speaking system broke.

Meanwhile a woman put a plaster, which featured a sad face, over a scratch she made on her husband's car.

Elsewhere another creative person used the resources they had available to make a door handle out of a milk carton.

Sorted! Including one creative person used the resources they had available to make a door handle out of a milk carton

A handy craftsman rebuilt the back of a car, which probably should have been scrapped, out of wood.

Meanwhile in Norway, hikers tried to use tape to fix a huge crack in the Preikestolen cliff face.

Here FEMAIL takes a look at some of the most hilarious quick fixes to problems...

Good work! A handy craftsman rebuilt the back of a car, which probably should have been scrapped, out of wood

Risky business! Meanwhile in Norway, hikers tried to use tape to fix a huge crack in the Preikestolen cliff face

Oops! Meanwhile a woman put a plaster, which featured a sad face, over a scratch she made on her husband's car

Ingenuity! Including a Dunkin' Donuts, in the US, which used a baby monitor when their speaking system broke

Meanwhile this homeowner found a clever solution after they were unable to open their oven due to the cupboard handles

Someone in the US made their own homemade bin by turning a stool upside down and putting a bag inside

An extreme solution to the age-old problem of losing the TV remote; this person went to great lengths to ensure it was never lost again, and chained it to a weight

DI-why? A women asked her brother to use these DIY books and fix the chair, however he took it a little too literal

No thanks! Meanwhile this quick fix of jump starting the elevator sounds like a safety hazard

Where there's a will there's a way! This homeowner came up with a clever way to toast waffles if you don't have a grill or toaster
A married couple with a 31 year age gap who live on a boat and travel around the world say they get strange looks in public but don't care what others think of their romance.

Marjorie, 33, who is French, and Mark Jensen, 64, from Sydney, Australia, live on a 40-foot sailing boat together.

Mark retired when he was 48 and purchased the boat following a career in media where he was a writer, producer and director.

Marjorie used to work for the French government before she took a sabbatical and joined her now-husband after the pair met in 2019.

The couple had some 'problems' when presenting their relationship to Marjorie's family - partly because Mark is one year older than Marjorie's mother.

Married couple Marjorie, 33, who is French, and Mark Jensen, 64, who is Australian and from Sydney, who live on a boat and travel around the world together have said age is just a number- despite getting strange looks when they kiss in public

Mark and Marjorie were also on the receiving end of some 'shocked' faces when they kissed in public at the time they started dating, when Marjorie was 28 and Mark was 59.

Now the pair, who are currently in Fort Lauderdale in Florida after sailing from the Caribbean, have set their sights on journeying across the Atlantic next year in their boat, before spending time in France and London.

'I think we're in total harmony, Mark and me, we're in the same place, everything works together, we don't notice the age gap because we like the same things in the same way,' Marjorie said.

The couple first met in 2019 in the north of France after they were introduced through a mutual friend.

Mark said that while spending some time in Cherbourg, where Marjorie was working at the time, he was part of a group where English-speaking French people would get together.

'I met everybody in Cherbourg who could speak English, except Marjorie because she never came along to those meetings,' Mark said.

'I got to meet (Marjorie's) co-worker and we would often have a beer together and one day he said he has a friend coming along to join us.

'We were at this bar which had a mezzanine level, we were sitting on the top level and we could look down.

Mark and Marjorie were also on the receiving end of some 'shocked' faces when they kissed in public at the time they started dating, when Marjorie was 28 and Mark 59

Mark and Marjorie will now be spending the rest of the year exploring the United States, saying they are on their 'own adventure' together which could take them to any part of the world

Mark retired when he was 48 and purchased the boat following a career in media where he was a writer, producer and director

Marjorie used to work for the French government before she took a sabbatical and joined her now-husband after the pair met in 2019

'A very pretty lady walked across the floor, turned around and looked up towards where we were and waved.

'I thought she must have been waving at someone behind us but she was waving at my friend.'

Mark said he sent his friend to the bar to fetch some drinks while the pair sat together alone.

'I just thought, ''what happens now"? because she can't speak English and I can't speak French so we were just looking at each other,' Mark said.

Marjorie said that while she started learning English at primary school and uses English to speak to foreign people, the pair were unsure how to further their conversation when they first met.

'I did it like every French person, when you're asked if you speak English, you say ''a little bit' 'and then you just stop there and you don't know what to say next,' she said.

When asked if they were attracted to each other after they first met, Marjorie said that by the end of the evening, she was in love.

'I actually forgot that my co-worker was in front of us and I just saw Mark, and only Mark, and by the end of the evening I was totally in true love' she said.

Mark, however, had previously resigned himself to the life of a single man.

Mark told Marjorie that he 'wasn't looking for a girlfriend', saying that if she wanted to start a relationship with him she would be living with him on his boat and 'sailing around the world'

The couple first met in 2019 in the north of France after they were introduced through a mutual friend

'I was obviously (attracted to Marjorie) but I had previously made a decision not to look for women and to live my life without the necessity of having a woman, a partner, because that's just where life was going,' he said.

'I just wanted to be comfortable within myself. When I met Marjorie, it was lovely because I wasn't expecting it and I didn't know where things were going to go.'

Mark told Marjorie that he 'wasn't looking for a girlfriend', saying that if she wanted to start a relationship with him she would be living with him on his boat and 'sailing around the world'.

Marjorie said she was not initially keen on the idea and wanted the pair to date first before she would decide whether she wanted to go with him.

'The first day I started to be interested in him I was like 'he's older, what are you doing'?'' she said.

'But then it just goes away because physically and mentally, he doesn't feel like an old man, sometimes I feel like I'm dating a guy who is 40 years old.'

When the pair presented their relationship to their family, they faced a few hurdles, especially when Mark met Marjorie's parents.

Mark said: 'I've been out of Australia for a while, my mother and father already passed away, so it was just my two sisters and it wasn't a problem for me, the problem for me was meeting Marjorie's mother and father.'

Mark explained that he is one year older than Marjorie's mother, who is 63, while her father is 74.

'Marjorie's father looks very stern and when I met him, I'm thinking he's not all right with the age difference.

When the pair presented their relationship to their family, they faced a few hurdles, especially when Mark met Marjorie's parents

'We're sitting there at the table and he brings out his hunting dagger and knife collection.

'Right behind him was a furniture sideboard and right behind that was something that looked just like the butt of a pistol.

'I just thought if I wasn't on my good behaviour, he's going to pick it up and blow my head off, but it wasn't a gun, it just looked like it.'

Marjorie added that the moment was treated in a light-hearted manner, saying: 'Everyone was scared how my dad was going to react but throughout the first day, they started getting on. Everyone was tense until he pulled out the knives, then we all started to relax a bit.'

The couple were also on the receiving end of some 'shocked' looks when they first started dating.

Marjorie said: 'Nobody says anything (in public) but when I met Mark, I was 28 and at that time, I tended to look younger than my age.

'I remember in Belgium, I kissed Mark in a restaurant and there were people next to us who looked shocked  so he said ''kiss me again''. When we started to date, people were looking but now I look more my age.'

Despite the age gap between the pair, they feel it is ''pivotal'' to their relationship.

'When Marjorie is watching her shows, an anime, a horror movie, something like that, I love her imagination because it's a young person's imagination,' Mark said.

'Most people have lost their imagination by the time they're 23 or 25 but Marjorie's still got it and she's going to have it when she's 50 or 60 or 70.

'There's no people I know in their 50s, 60s or 70s that have the imagination Marjorie has or the imagination that I have.

'The use of imagination is pivotal to our relationship because Marjorie has a young attitude and so do I.'

Mark and Marjorie will now be spending the rest of the year exploring the United States, saying they are on their 'own adventure' together which could take them to any part of the world.

'I believe that it's more important for me to dream up and achieve my own adventures,' Mark said.

'I have taken this boat right around the world with Marjorie, we're doing our own adventures and that is what's important.

'On the boat, we're right there with each other all day, every day, and we absolutely rely on each other when we're in the middle of the ocean.'
An American amateur chef has infuriated foodies on social media after suggesting the best way to make scrambled eggs is to boil them in water.

The TikTok creator, who goes by the social media handle @lilsipper, filmed a video of her using a very avante-garde method of making scrambled eggs.

In the video, amateur chef Bethany is seen pouring whisked eggs into a pan with boiling water while instructing users to 'let them cook gently' once submerged.

She described the result of the strange methodology as making 'the fluffiest scrambled eggs.'

The video showed her pouring whisked eggs into boiled water where they seem to form a big omelet in the pan before solidifying into a dripping mountain of egg.

An American social media user has sparked outrage after sharing a video on how to make scrambled eggs in boiling water

The unusual recipe involves pouring whisked eggs into boiling water and cooking until solid

'It's almost impossible to overcook your eggs so you get the perfect eggs every time' said the user as she drained the water from her water drenched eggs.

'It's like a egg drop soup technique but you're actually making scrambled eggs.'

But while some may grimace at the TikTok creator's method, Bethany is clearly doing something right - as she has penned a cookbook and hosts a food podcast called Digest This.

She boasts 1.3 million followers on Instagram and describes her recipes as 'healthy' and designed for 'digestive health.'

The video caught the attention of social media viewers who were horrified to see the cooked eggs dripping in water.

One user joking wrote: 'Not even salt and pepper?! Who hurt you?' while another wrote 'As someone who makes scrambled eggs almost every day. this hurts me.'

A third wrote: 'Is cooking oil that expensive that you have to use water.'

'Boiled eggs scrambled unseasoned is diabolical,' a fourth quipped.

The video caught the attention of social media viewers who were horrified to see the cooked eggs dripping in water

It's not the first time that bizarre methods for making eggs have put people off the otherwise popular breakfast ingredient.

Last summer, 20 million people were put off scrambled eggs from hotels after viewing a video that showed how they are made on a large scale.

Trecy La Cayenne shared a video from an unknown hotel kitchen showing a cook making 'fake' scrambled eggs from a plastic bag.

The cook is shown pulling the blue bag, containing pre-made eggs, from the freezer and poking holes in it with a bread knife.

It is then put in a microwave for an unknown amount of time, before being transferred to the oven, then being broken down and eventually finding its way into a serving container.

Social media viewers were disgusted by the strange way of scrambling eggs by boiling them in water

'This is soo nasty,' Trecy writes in the video caption.

'Unless it's fresh don't eat it,' she warned hotel goers as she showed pictures of an egg mixture being poured out of big industrial sized food bags.

For a much more palatable egg recipe, Lee Holmes, a holistic chef shared how she made the famous breakfast for the late Queen Elizabeth using some creative but delicious ingredients.

The Australian cook reportedly received the recipe from a close friend who worked as a royal chef.

The recipe included additions of nutmeg, lemon rind, and chopped kippers to make a royal standard breakfast.
A young man from the UK has gone to extreme lengths to escape the UK property market and has moved to the Caribbean to build his own home.

Alex Cassidy, 22, has ditched chilly British winters for a life of the sun after spending just 3,000 to build building a one-bed home on land in Tobago, an island and ward within the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Every year, Alex, who a musician from the Isle of Wight, spends six months on the island to escape the rainy and cold winters in the UK.

The house is owned by Alex's stepdad, Derek Sandy, 61 and took just 3k renovate.

After collecting materials, he spent three months building with the help of local tradespeople turning it into a home.

Alex Cassidy, (pictured) 22, has ditched chilly British winters for a life of the sun after building a one-bed home on land in Tobago

The outside terrace of Alex's house in Tobago. With the help of labourers,he did up the house for just 3000

Alex now lives mortgage-free and only spends 130 on electricity, water and wi-fi every three months.

'It's such a price difference to the UK,' he said. 'I spent 3,000 to build a whole house and never pay rent.'

Tobago has always been like a second home to Alex who grew up spending time between the Isle of Wight and the Caribbean island - where his musician stepdad, Derek hails from.

Now Alex spends half of the year in each country so decided to build a house on the land Derek owns in Tobago.

He started collecting materials in January 2023 but began properly building the home with the help of local labourers in January 2024.

Alex finished the one-bed home in March this year and spent just 3k on the whole build.

Alex pictured outside his house in Tobago. He spent half of his childhood on the Island, splitting his time between there and the Isle of Wight

The 22-year-old said building the house wasn't easy since it was on a hill and all the materials had to be transported there

Alex enjoying the beautiful sunset on the island. One of the reasons he could afford the house was because labour is cheap is Tobago

Part of the interior of Alex's Caribbean home. He isn't doesn't live fulltime on the island as he spends the summer back in the Isle of Wight gigging with Derek

Though the youngster is now living the dream escaping cold UK winters, he admitted it hasn't all been rainbows and sunshine.

'It was heavy labour. My house is on a hill but it was rewarding.

'It's a really open plan space with a bed, living room, kitchen and bathroom. It's very simple.'

Alex said the plumbing cost him 120 and the electricity 150 to set up.

He said: 'In England it was 3,000 to 4,000 just to put electric in a one-bedroom flat.

'Some of the material prices were very similar to the UK but labour is a lot cheaper and I did a lot myself.'

Alex said he loved watching his dream become a reality but it didn't hit him until he was putting the putting the final touches in.

After that, he realised at just 22 that he had managed to secure himself a home in a location people only dream of.

Pictured: the one bedroom in Alex's house which he describes as having a 'simple' layout

The open plan design of the youngster's 'simple home. Alex said one of the things he loves most is the people and the nightlife. He insisted he 'never gets lonely'

Alex pictured sitting on a swing in Tobago, where he spends half his time. He said he finds the UK a 'great place' in summer but thinks the water is 'boring'

Alex pictured relaxing on the island. He said he was 'sad' that his friends weren't as lucky as him and that most of the money they go goes on bills and rent

The bathroom in Alex's Tobago home. He said he is criticised online for living in a 'tin shed' but doesn't let it get to him since he's so happy

'The realisation hit me. I have a home. This is mine.'

Alex lives mortgage free and spends 100 on electricity and water every three months plus 30 to 40 for Wifi.

Though, Alex understands this isn't a privilege afforded to everyone his age. He acknowledged how 'sad' it was that his friends would struggle to find themselves in the same position as him.

'A lot of my friends got good jobs and most of their money goes on bills and rent. It's impossible to get a deposit.'

Alex spends the summer back in the Isle of Wight gigging with Derek but lives in Tobago throughout the winter.

He said: 'It's a great life. The UK in summer is a great place [but] winter is very boring.

'It makes sense for me to go out. It's cheaper. I earn a below average wage. But I don't spend much money.'

Despite strangers online saying the house is a 'tin shed' Alex loves his home.

He said: 'I'd rather live here than a 300k house I have to pay for for 35 years on a mortgage. I own this, I never have to pay anyone a cent.

'I don't have to work for 35 years to live in a cold, boring miserable country.'

Alex loves the six months he spends in Tobago.

He said: 'The night life is brilliant. I'm always meeting new people. I'm never lonely.

'In the day I relax at the beach. The people are really interesting.

'I wanted to show the natural beauty of Tobago.'
The Jordanian royals celebrated 25 years of King Abdullah's reign on Sunday

Queen Rania and Crown Princess Rajwa of Jordan put on a glittering display at King Abdullah's Silver Jubilee celebrations on Sunday.

The Jordanian royals dressed to the nines as they attended a flag raising ceremony and military parade in Amman to mark the special occasion.

The future Queen, 30, who is due to give birth this summer, was glowing in a bespoke gown from Beirut-based fashion house Honayda - a brand previously worn by Shay Mitchell and Priyanka Chopra.

The 30-year-old opted for a glamorous makeup look for the occasion - complete with a bronzed smoky eye and crimson lipstick.

Taking to Instagram, Honayda wrote: 'The House of Honayda is honoured to be part of the special celebration of the 25th Silver Jubilee of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The Jordanian royals put on a lavish display as they marked King Abdullah's Silver Jubilee on Sunday (Pictured from L to R: Queen Rania, King Abdullah, Prince Hussein, Princess Rajwa)

'We are proud to unveil the regal bespoke look for HRH Princess Rajwa Al Hussein, specially designed by and crafted by the skilled hands of Jordanian artisans to crown this historic occasion.

'Designing for HRH Princess Rajwa Al Hussein fills us with immense pride and joy. Through HONAYDA, we immerse ourselves in the rich narrative of heritage, cherishing the past, present, and future of the nation.

Meanwhile, Queen Rania, 53, cut a chic figure in a white dress with statement balloon sleeves and grey corset.

Rania, who was named one of the top 100 most powerful women in 2011 by Forbes, opted for full evening makeup for the occasion.

She styled her brunette tresses in a loose bun, which ideally accommodated her lavish diamond tiara.

During the event, King Abdullah, 62, addressed the nation with a speech and praised Jordanians for their strong values, according to Arab News.

The King, who is celebrating 25 years on the throne, looked smart in full military uniform.

His son, Crown Prince Hussein, 29, looked equally smart in a navy suit and aviator sunglasses.

Queen Rania looked chic in a white dress with statement balloon sleeves and a grey marl corset

The Jordanian Queen opted for a glamorous makeup look for the occasion, complete with nude lipstick

It comes after Jordan's Princess Rajwa showed off her blossoming baby bump in new stunning portraits to mark the first anniversary of her royal wedding to Crown Prince Hussein.

The future Queen looked resplendent in a striking red gown as she posed for the photographs in a picturesque backdrop of greenery.

Her eye-catching maxi dress from New York City-based Alice + Olivia, featured billowing sleeves, a pleated skirt and a cinched waist to showcase the royal's growing bump.

She completed her elegant ensemble with a pair of dazzling gold and pearl drop earrings, as well as a smattering of glamorous makeup to highlight her beautiful facial features and styled her hair in a chic up-do with soft waves.

Posing up a storm, the royal couldn't help but smile as she cradled her baby bump in the official portraits, released by Royal Hashemite Court this weekend to celebrate Princess Rajwa and Crown Prince Hussein's first wedding anniversary.

Yesterday's event in Jordan's capital city set out to celebrate 25 years of King Abdullah II's reign

The couple's lavish wedding in Amman, on June 1 last year, was attended by other royals from around the world, including the Prince and Princess of Wales.

On April 10, the Royal Hashemite Court announced that Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and his wife Princess Rajwa are expecting their first baby this summer.

The happy occasion is also set make Queen Rania, 53, a grandmother and King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, 62, a grandfather, for the first time.

'The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, Crown Prince, and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein, are expecting, with Gods help and grace, their first child, in the summer of this year,' a statement on the Royal Household's website read.

'And the Royal Hashemite Court, congratulating His Majesty King Abdullah II, son of Al Hussein, and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, on this occasion, to wish Their Royal Highnesses the good offspring a good health.'

The joyous announcement comes after Rajwa's tragic loss of her father in February - just months after she married into the Jordanian royal family.

Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Saif died at the age of 71.

In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Prince Hussein shared a picture of him embracing Khaled, who became his 'beloved' father-in-law after marrying Princess Rajwa last June.

'With profound sadness and sorrow, we bid farewell to my beloved father-in-law. We will always remember his kindness, generosity, and integrity. May God bestow mercy upon him and grant us patience and strength,' he wrote.

Hussein, 29, and high-flying architect Rajwa, 30, were married in June last year at Zahran Palace in Amman.

Following a short service, Abdullah II and Rania hosted a lavish reception at the Al Husseiniya Palace, which was attended by more than 1,700 guests.

Rajwa dazzled in a white gown by Lebanese designer Elie Saab, which featured a lengthy train embroidered with flowers, and a sparkling diamond tiara.

Abdullah addressed the nation in a speech and praised citizen for their strong values and beliefs

Abdullah II and Rania proudly watched as their son was wed during an Islamic ceremony known as a 'katb ktab' held in a gazebo and conducted by the Royal Hashemite Court Imam Dr Ahmed Al Khalaileh.

The Princess of Wales, who lived in Jordan for a short period during her childhood, led the glamorous guests at the event in a blush pink lace dress also by Elie Saab. Princess Beatrice wore a silver sequined gown from British label Needle & Thread for the occasion.

Rajwa was educated in Saudi Arabia before then moving to the US for university. While living in New York, she studied Architecture at Syracuse University - obtaining her Bachelor of Arts.

During her undergraduate degree, Rajwa flew to Dubai with her class to study the city's sustainable developments.

Following her graduation, she then went on to study Visual Communications at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles - where reality star Lauren Conrad and fashion designer Monique Lhuillier also studied.

She then worked at an architecture firm in Los Angeles and was employed by Designlab Experience design studio in Riyadh last year.

Along with her passion for horseback riding, Rajwa also has a creative streak - and is said to enjoy drawing and making art in her spare time.

Despite Hussein's public profile, the couple largely kept their relationship out of the spotlight to begin with.

The Crown Prince announced his engagement to Rajwa in August 2022 - after the heir to the throne proposed at his future wife's home in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The future King of Jordan picked a show-stopping pear-shaped diamond set on a pave band to propose with.

At the time, Hussein confirmed that both his and Rajwa's families were present for the special moment.
On Easter Sunday 2015, Victoria Cilliers took a parachute jump, which she had been gifted by her husband, Emile - a man she has described as a 'fairytale', and 'almost too good to be true'.

Her relationship with the then-British army sergeant had been under some stress, but Victoria - an experienced skydiver - believed the present was her husband's way of trying to turn over a new leaf.

But when an unsuspecting Victoria leapt out of the plane at 4,000ft, both of her parachutes failed, and only her skill and experience in skydiving, and her luck at landing on soft, newly ploughed soil, saved her from death. In fact, her survival was so unlikely, that those who saw her plummet from the sky assumed she must have died, and a body bag was brought to the scene.

Victoria sustained a number of life-threatening injuries during what she assumed had been a terrible accident, but while recovering she would learn via a visit from the police that her parachute had been tampered with - and that the police suspected her husband Emile had done the tampering.

Now a three-part documentary, called The Fall: Skydive Murder Plot, delves into her deadly skydive, as well as what happened in the run-up to the event, and what happened after - including how Victoria defended her husband and even visited him in prison despite what her did to her, because of the coercive control in their relationship.

Victoria Cilliers is pictured with her husband Emile, who was jailed after he tried to kill her twice

The Channel 4 series weaves documentary testimony with verbatim drama to paint a portrait of the people involved and how the story unravelled.

Using police transcripts, the filmmakers re-create key scenes from the couples marriage, the horror jump at Netheravon Airfield in Wiltshire, police interviews, and the court case that followed.

According to Channel 4, the dive 'set in motion an investigation by a pair of dogged detectives, DC Maddy Hennah and DI Paul Franklin. They spent two years pulling at the threads of his life, revealing affairs, debts, sex clubs, escorts, and murderous intent'.

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. Meanwhile, the real-life people appear in talking heads.

The detectives discussed how, as they tried to investigate, they found that Emile had covered his tracks well: their case was all circumstantial.

They compiled an extensive dossier, with audio, visual and written evidence, building what Channel 4 described as a 'compelling picture of a sociopathic narcissist who groomed and exploited everyone in his life'.

Things were to become even more complex, when the court case began and Victoria turned against the police to side with her husband, revealing what the documentary describes as 'the insidious nature of Emiles controlling behaviour was revealed'.

This is shown during the first of the three episodes, when DC Maddy Hennah describes talking to Victoria, describing her as 'very matter of fact', and saying she 'didn't show much emotion'.

Despite Emile tampering with her parachute during a 2015 skydive, Victoria (pictured in 2018) miraculously didn't die

'I think she was trying to keep everything very calm and very level in her responses,' she added.

Meanwhile, DI Paul Franklin added: 'She was quite stoic, quite cold. You never really got a feel from her, you never really got any emotion from her. You never really felt you got to know her, [it was] very difficult to build that rapport or find some common ground.'

When asked by police if she'd been arguing with her husband, she told them they had had arguments, saying: 'I don't think you can be married for that long without arguments'.

Victoria then paused, before adding: 'He's an amazing father.'

However, while Victoria was giving the investigators a story about how good her relationship was, they learnt via a phone call from one of her friends that the marriage was not a good one.

While the couple appeared to have a 'picture perfect' with their two children and nice home, the friend said the reality was not the same as the image - and that she was concerned that the accident was more than just an accident.

According to the investigators, they took this call very seriously.

When arresting Emile, who lived part-time at the barracks, DC Maddy Hennah says he remained totally silent. So when they took him for an interview, they expected he would say nothing.

But according to DI Paul Franklin, this was not what happened, and in fact, during the six-hour interview, Emile 'did not stop talking'.

Victoria Cilliers (pictured in April 2024) says she now realises the extent of what Emile did - although it took years for her to accept that he tried to kill her

Among the many things he discussed, Emile said that the marriage had been good at first, but faltered after a few years, when he'd gone ski-ing and met a woman called Stephanie. They were friends at first, he said, but then 'things got a bit more serious'.

He added that while he loved his wife, and she was the mother of his children, he no longer wanted to be in the marriage, saying Victoria had 'never sexually satisfied' him - and admitting that she did not know about Stephanie.

DC Maddy Hennah felt Emile was trying to win her over, using his charm, noting that no suspect had ever done this before. He made her uncomfortable, she said, with both investigators having a bad feeling about him.

However, there was no material evidence, no CCTV, for example, making the investigation tricky. Following the arrest, Emile was not allowed to leave the barracks, or contact his wife or children.

They confiscated his phone, finding out that Emile had denied he was the father of his own son while speaking with Stephanie, and assuring her that he would leave his wife.

As she wouldn't be able to have contact with Emile, Victoria was furious with the police, saying she was relying on him following the accident, and not cooperating with the investigation.

However, while talking with them, she did reveal an important piece of information: that there had been a gas leak not long before her skydiving accident. After sharing this information, she agreed to give a second interview with the police.

Emile Cilliers is pictured after his arrest. He was sentenced to 36 years (and will serve a minimum of 18) after trying to kill his then-wife

During the interview, she admitted that the gas leak was 'the first time she [was] scared' of Emile.

She said that when he soon suggested the skydive, she was pleased, saying it was the first time in a long time that he'd shown any interest in doing something together.

However, Victoria then revealed that her husband had 'taken thousands' off her over the years, and that she paid for everything. But she was confused, saying she didn't know how to feel, and that she still loved him, and couldn't believe he would do this to her.

She also explained that when she'd noticed strange things, like bills for meals she hadn't eaten with him, she confronted Emile, but he would just get angry if she ever asked if he was seeing someone else.

A segment of the documentary featured an interview with the real Victoria, during which she reflected on the marriage, saying: 'I didn't know truth, reality, from what was false. 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.'

The police discovered that Emile had been researching wet nurses the day before the skydive, suggesting that he was expecting his wife to die, and that he wanted to find someone to breastfeed his children. They also found out that he had been in the toilet for five - 10 minutes with Victoria's parachute before her jump - which would have allowed him to tamper with it.

They also spoke to a psychologist, who assessed Emile, and said he was a psychopath - and a very dangerous one. She advised the police to let him talk and say what he wanted, suggesting this would be the best way to ascertain the information they needed.

During their next interview, in which they discussed his finances, what he understood about wet nurses, and other topics, Emile finally became angry, shouting at the police.

The investigators felt at this point that Victoria wanted them to drop the case, wanting to turn back time, and return to the happy days of her relationship, despite the emerging evidence suggesting he had tried to kill her.

After working on building the case, it went to trial at Winchester Crown Court in 2017. A difficult situation for many reasons, including that she had never been in a court before.

Dramatised footage of the court case shows Victoria claim she 'elaborated' when she said Emile had been in the bathroom for five minutes, and that it had been closer to two.

DC Maddy Hennah and DI Paul Franklin (pictured in The Fall: Skydive Murder Plot) were frustrated after the failure of the first court case

When asked whether it was odd that he had taken the parachute into the toilet, she replied: 'He may not have noticed, it had been around his shoulders.'

Describing this testimony, DI Paul Franklin said it was 'as bad a scenario as it gets' adding that 'inside you're screaming', saying she was 'his witness and she was lying'.

During her testimony, Victoria also suggested that she may have damaged the parachute.

After four days of deliberating, the jury was unable to reach a verdict, leaving DI Paul Franklin 'annoyed, p***** off', saying that Victoria knew that what she was saying would mean Emile would get away with it.

She revealed in an interview that she did, in a way, want to go back to how the relationship had been during the first 18 months - but was battling with her subconscious.

Describing her testimony, Victoria said: '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.'

Following the first trial, the investigators were determined that Emile would be found guilty during the retrial - but they knew they could not rely on Victoria's testimony.

One of the two main investigators in the case, DC Maddy Hennah, is pictured during an interview for the documentary

In an effort to find more evidence, the detectives tracked down a former girlfriend of Emile, called Nicolene Shepherd, who started dating him when she was 16. She confirmed he was initially very romantic, describing him as 'trying to make [her] life into a movie'.

When she fell pregnant, he proposed to her. She was just 17-years-old. But despite the relationship, he moved from his native South Africa to the UK for two years. She admits she looked up to me, as he came from a more affluent area and was older. And she came from a broken home, which she never wanted for her own children.

Talking about Emile, she said: '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". You just know youre not doing that because there are consequences.'

Their relationship finally came to an end when Emile's mother told Nicolene that her son had got married.

During the build-up to the second trial, despite not being allowed to contact Victoria, Emile sent her messages by posting videos on YouTube, filming himself playing the guitar and singing Stand By Me, which detectives described as 'creepy'.

During the second trial, Emile was described by a reporter as 'beautifully turned out', and as if he was 'enjoying the attention'.

Giving testimony again, Victoria stood by Emile, insisting that he had done nothing wrong, and again saying there was nothing strange about him taking her parachute into the bathroom.

However, this time, the police were prepared, saying they wanted to let the jury know that Victoria was saying things she 'wanted to believe', and that they wanted to show that she was a 'victim of coercive control', which is why she was supporting Emile.

In October 2018, Emile was sentenced to 36 years, with the judge describing his offending as 'extremely serious', and saying his behaviour amounted to 'two attempts to murder [his] wife'. He will serve a minimum of 18.

Speaking about the outcome of the second trial, Victoria says she was 'confused', and felt completely numb. Even three years after the event, she said it was difficult 'coming to terms' with everything, and admitting that she was struggling to come to terms with the reality that Emile tried to kill her - and so callously.

NOW: Victoria Cilliers (pictured in the docuseries) says she doesn't understand how anyone could do what her ex-husband did to someone they had children with and were supposed to love

After the trial, she even visited him in prison, where he told her that he hadn't tried to hurt her, and that his affairs had not been 'as bad as the police' made out. He even tried to get her to get back together with him.

He kept calling, which she now sees as him 'trying to draw [her] back in', and during one call, she told him she wanted a divorce - a moment she now describes as 'freeing'.

Now Victoria says that looking back over the relationship, 'things started slotting into place'. She described one time she had to pick him up from a nightclub because he was drunk and lost his wallet. When they got home, he started crying and saying he was a monster.

She describes the alcohol as working like a 'truth drug' on that occasion - although she ignored it at the time.

'I have started seeing it all,' she now says. 'This person, and what they've done to me....I don't know how you can do that to someone who you loved and had children with.'

The first episode of The Fall: Skydive Murder Plot, airs on Tuesday June 11 at 9pm on Channel 4. The second and third episodes air on Wednesday and Thursday.
Ivanka Trump showcased her enviably long legs in a high-cut bathing suit as she surfed the waves in Florida.

The former First Daughter, 42, flaunted her toned physique as she shared a video of herself partaking in a spot of wakesurfing while donning a revealing swimsuit in honor of World Ocean Day on Instagram.

The clip, which she uploaded on Sunday, showed her standing proudly on a surfboard as a boat pulled her along the water.

She wore a black one-piece that left her slim limbs and hips on full display, which she paired with a lifejacket and a dark cap.

Ivanka blew the camera a kiss and smiled from ear to ear as she extended her arms for balance.

Ivanka Trump showcased her enviably long legs in a high-cut bathing suit as she surfed the waves in Florida

The former First Daughter, 42, flaunted her toned physique as she shared a video of herself partaking in the hobby while donning a revealing swimsuit in honor of World Ocean Day

Ivanka, who also included a series of pictures and videos of beach sunsets, began learning to surf a few years ago - but got off to a rocky start after hitting her then five-year-old son Theo in the face with her surfboard during a lesson

She captioned the post with a quote from Japanese writer Ryunosuke Satoro, which said, 'Individually we are one drop, together we are an ocean,' along with the hashtag #HappyOceanDay.

Ivanka, who also included a series of pictures and videos of beach sunsets, began learning to surf a few years ago - but got off to a rocky start after previously hitting her then five-year-old son Theo in the face with her surfboard during a lesson.

The blonde beauty announced in November 2022 that she was quitting politics to prioritize her family - just after her father, Donald Trump, confirmed his 2024 presidential campaign.

'I love my father very much. This time around, I'm choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family,' she said at the time.

'While I will always love and support my father, going forward I will do so outside the political arena.'

She and her husband, Jared Kushner, 43, relocated from Washington, D.C., to Miami with their three kids, Arabella, 12, Joseph, 10, and Theodore, eight, soon after her father left office.

The couple purchased a $24 million fixer-upper on Indian Creek Island, and spared no expense when they gutted and rebuilt the entire inside of the mansion, which boasts six bedrooms and eight-and-a-half bathrooms.

The family moved into the abode last fall after spending nearly three years living at Arte Surfside, a luxury condominium building nestled between Miami Beach and Bal Harbor, while the renovations took place.

Ivanka wore a black one-piece that left her slim limbs and hips on full display, which she paired with a lifejacket and a dark cap, before blowing the camera a kiss

Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, 43, relocated from Washington, D.C., to Miami with their three kids three kids soon after her father left office

Since leaving politics behind, Ivanka has enjoyed an extremely jet-set and lavish lifestyle, and last month, she jetted off to Mexico for a friend's wedding (seen)

She and her family headed to Las Vegas, where she took her daughter Arabella to see Adele in concert

After her dad's guilty verdict, Ivanka showed her unwavering love and support for her dad on Instagram

Since leaving politics behind, Ivanka has enjoyed an extremely jet-set and lavish lifestyle, and she is often spotted setting out on glamorous getaways or enjoying nights out at lavish restaurants, nightclubs, and concerts in the Florida City.

She has embarked on more than a dozen trips in the last year alone, visiting places like Greece, Egypt, Costa Rica, Spain, New York City, Morocco, London, Prague, Qatar, and Paris.

Last month, she and her family headed to Las Vegas, where she took her daughter Arabella to see Adele in concert.

Earlier that month, she jetted off to Mexico for a friend's wedding, and weeks before that, she was spotted in New York City.

During her time in Manhattan, Ivanka did not make an appearance at her dad's hush money trial that was taking place just miles away.

After his guilty verdict, however, she showed her unwavering love and support for her dad on Instagram.

She posted a throwback picture of her as a baby sitting with her father, writing, 'I love you,' along with a heart.
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Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace is back with season six tonight - and while its poignant tales often leave viewers in tears, the story of its very own co-host is just as heartbreaking.

Davina McCall, 56, who hosts the ITV programme with Nicky Campbell, has endured a chaotic childhood of her own, one which included her parents' acrimonious divorce and an absentee socialite mother who she said 'shouldn't have had kids'.

The former Big Brother presenter has often recalled the heartbreak of flying unattended to Paris aged three, after which her mother Florence Kock forgot to pick her up from the airport.

Although Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace aims to reunite close relatives after years of separation, that is sadly one feat the megastar never achieved. Davina's mother passed away in 2008 and she never attended the funeral.

Here, FEMAIL takes a look at Davina's tumultuous upbringing - from her mother's abandonment to being left alone alone in a club at age 12.

Davina McCall, 56, has endured a chaotic childhood, one which included her parents' acrimonious divorce and an absentee socialite mother who often left her unattended at the airport

The former Big Brother presenter was once so appalled by her mother, Florence Kock's abandonment that she said her mother 'shouldn't have had kids' (pictured: Davina's mother Florence Kock)

Parents' divorce

Davina was born to English graphic designer Andrew McCall and his French wife, glamorous socialite, Florence Kock in London in 1967.

The mother-of-three's memories of her parents' marriage are few and far between, as the couple parted ways when Davina was just three years old.

But what she does recall following the divorce is her mother leaving the shores of Britain for France, never to have a permanent place in her daughter's life again.

Florence's actions would set off a chain of events that would forever mar Davina's life. Speaking in BBC documentary, Who Do You Think You Are, in 2009, she spoke of her parents' divorce leaving her 'split in two'.

She said: 'When you are the child of a divorced parent you are kind of split in two. I didn't just split in two, I had two countries. I kind of lost touch with a lot of my French family as well and I feel half a person in a funny sort of way.'

By age 13, Davina finally found a mother figure in her father's second wife, Gabby, who she now calls mum.

And perhaps in an attempt to heal from her painful past, the presenter revealed in December last year that she was pursuing citizenship in her birth mother's native France.

Following her parents' divorce, a young Davina was sent to live with her grandparents in Surrey (Davina McCall pictured with her grandfather as a kid)

She once expressed feelings of guilt for being looked after by her grandmother while her mother was absent (pictured: a young Davina McCall with her grandmother)

Davina, who is fluent in French and considers herself 'half French', informed her followers: 'Yesterday was a huge day. I went to the French embassy to start the process of getting my French passport.

'This isnt about just trying to make my life easier. It was a very emotional day. Culturally this feels huge for me.

'Ive always felt a huge affinity with France, but I had a complicated relationship with my French mum and I cant explain why but this feels very healing. Like Im acknowledging I am half her. And it feels good x vive la France.'

Davina's father Andrew passed away in February 2022 following a long battle with Alzheimer's.

Sent to live with grandparents

The onset of Davina's troubled childhood began with her parents' divorce and subsequent estrangement from her mother.

Following their divorce, Florence left for Paris in the 70s, leaving a young Davina to be shipped off to live with her grandparents in Surrey.

While there, Davina stayed in contact with her father, Andrew, but saw little of her mother in France. Often school holidays and pre-arranged meetings would go unhonoured, leaving Davina upset.

The star - who shares three children with her ex-husband Matthew Robertson - moved back in with her father at age 13 but her attempts to repair the relationship with her mother ended in failure.

Speaking in an Instagram live session in 2020, Davina reflected on the time she spent with her grandparents. She recalled the heartbreaking moment when at age four, her mum told her she was going on a ski trip, but never returned.

'Actually, the first time that I realised I was at my grannies and my mum left me at my grannies and said she was going on a two week ski trip, and she didn't know how to tell me that she wasn't coming back', said Davina.

'But that's how she put it to me, and that hoped I'd forget. I was four.' I remember the time I was in the kitchen. And I looked at my granny. I thought, I feel terrible, my mum hasn't come to pick me up yet.'

She also shared feelings of guilt for being looked after by her grandmother while her mother was absent.

She added: 'She's [my grandmother] still looking after me, she must think "oh it's such a pain in the bum having my granddaughter here. I'm still having to look after her'".

'[But] actually she loved having me there, but that's how I was playing it out in my head'.

Absentee mother

By age 13, Davina found a mother figure in her father's second wife, Gabby, who she now calls mum (pictured: Davina with her father Andrew McCall and stepmother Gaby McCall in 2017. (Her father passed away in 2022))

Florence Kock was born to an affluent French family, while her father was a reputable doctor.

She gave birth to her first daughter - Davina's half-sister, Millie - when she was just 16.

She moved to London in the mid-60s where she met and married graphic designer Andrew McCall. At age 22 she gave birth to Davina Lucy Pascal McCall in October 1967.

As to why the marriage fell apart after a mere three years, it has remained much of a mystery, but what seems clear is that neither of them were able to take care of a young Davina.

Since then, the presenter has rarely shied away from telling the truth about her mother's less than gracious ways.

Many a time has Davina narrated the story of having to fly as an unaccompanied minor to see her mum in France during the school holidays. She was just aged three.

Speaking to the Sunday Times travel supplement, she also revealed that her mother sometimes forgot to pick her up from the airport, leaving her so 'scared' she once wet herself.

She said: 'The first trip I remember was very traumatic. I was three or four and too scared to ask for help. I wet myself on the flight.

'My mother would often forget to pick me up at the airport and Id be waiting and waiting before somebody would call to remind her.'

Things would only go from bad to worse, when by her early teens, the socialite would drag her daughter along clubbing - and at one time left her there all alone.

Davina recalled in Who Do You Think You Are: 'My mum was hot. She was a show stopper. Not great when you're a teenager and your mother is hotter than you are, or when she goes clubbing with you and leaves you in the club.

'I was 12. She left me in a nightclub on my own, looking like a lamb dressed as mutton - young, trying to look old'.

Davina hosts ITV programme Long Lost Family: Born without Trace with Nicky Campbell. The show aims to reunite close relatives after years of separation

Florence's descent into alcoholism would see her treating her daughter more like a friend than her own child, as the two would even take drugs together.

By age 12, Davina admittedly began smoking, by age 13 she was drinking, and by her early twenties was using heroin.

A troubled Davina also became anorexic and later an alcoholic herself, before spiralling into cocaine addiction for six years. She managed to turn her life around with the help of former lover Eric Clapton.

Davina revealed her relief when her mother passed away in South Africa in 2008, and added that she had 'forgiven' her. However she did not attend the funeral.

She said of the situation: 'My mother died last year and we were sort of estranged. It was just very sad. She probably shouldn't have had kids because she was still a big kid herself.'

She added: 'When she died I felt a sense of relief that I could stop swinging from side to side. And I also think, Please God, when I die, dont let it be a relief to anybody. All I kept saying was, I forgive you. I forgive you. I forgive you."'
A beautician has revealed how a 'dodgy' white spot on her lip ended up being skin cancer - and it would have gone unnoticed had she not pushed for a proper diagnosis.

Melissa Floss, 52, from Western Australia, told FEMAIL she went to several medical professionals before someone finally worked out what was wrong.

'I went to my doctor and she told me it was nothing. That didn't sit right with me so I went to my dentist for a second opinion and [they] sent me home as well,' Melissa said.

Melissa felt like she was being brushed off, so sought out a third opinion from another doctor.

Melissa Floss, 52, went to her doctor after noticing a white spot on her lip (visible on the lower left of her lip) - but was told 'it was nothing'

It hadn't made it to her bone yet - so she was able to keep her lower jaw (spot pictured on the right side of her lower lip)

'If she had told me it was nothing I probably would have just stopped asking questions,' she said.

But this doctor didn't fob her off.

Instead, they used a special tool to closely examine the spot on Melissa's lip - which at first glance just looked like a lighter patch of rough skin - and referred her to a dermatologist.

'The doctor told me immediately that it was skin cancer - but that he wasn't sure how far along it was,' she said.

The cancer was a squamous cell skin cancer - and while it wasn't deadly, it could have caused more serious problems and spread if left untreated.

'I was told it was in my tissue and that if it had gone too far they would have to take my jaw,' she said.

Terrified, Melissa paid cash for the best surgeon she could find to operate quickly.

'The public waiting list was too long,' she said.

The morning she went in for her surgery, doctors warned her she could wake up missing her lower jaw.

Melissa works in the beauty industry and has previously noticed dodgy spots on clients - so kept pushing

Months later she had been raced in for surgery and had her fingers crossed the cancer hadn't made it to her bone

That was all she could think about when they wheeled her into surgery.

'I work in the beauty industry - my face is everything,' she said.

When she woke up hours later she asked to see her face. While it was hard to look at, she was relieved to see herself still in one piece.

'It was confronting but I knew I still had a jaw. I couldn't see behind all of the Band-Aid and bandages and stuff,' she said.

The mass was just 1.7cm by 1.6cm - and was totally removed with a large enough margin that no further treatments were needed.

Melissa has warned a number of her patients about suspicious-looking spots during her decades in the beauty industry.

Doctors took a closer look and realised it was cancer

Many have come back to thank her for raising the alarm.

'I can't diagnose things, but if I think something looks wrong I will let them know that they should think about getting it checked for peace of mind,' she said.

After her own journey, it has made her even more persistent.

'If you don't think something is right, and you keep being dismissed, then get a second or third opinion,' she said.

She also now gets regular mole mapping done on her body, and is refusing to take any more chances.

Melissa's experience comes amid calls for beauty therapists and aestheticians' skills to be better used to help screen for potentially deadly melanomas and skin cancers.

Professionals in the sector say this will take pressure off an already stressed healthcare system.

Melissa said if the third health professional had dismissed her then she would have simply ignored the white spot

Sydney-based skin genomics and aesthetics specialist Stefan Mazy, who is the CEO of DermR Health Solutions, said beauty therapists and aestheticians are becoming potential life-savers by raising concerns.

'People who work in the beauty, anti-ageing and hairdressing industries are in a prime position to spot skin abnormalities on a client's face, neck, ear and scalp areas during routine visits,' Mr Mazy said.

'Therapists spend up to one hour at a time in direct contact with the client's skin multiple times a year, and they can also access hard-to-see spots. With such intimate and frequent interactions, they would know skin better than the client's doctor or dermatologist.'

Mr Mazy has more than 15 years' experience in the aesthetics industry, specialising in skin genomics training and education, and over five years dedicated specifically to skin cancer and genomics.

He is also developing a new skin cancer diagnostic tool that will enable aestheticians, nurses and allied health professionals to be able to screen if a lesion could be cancerous.

'A therapist noticing a suspicious spot could be the difference between life and death for someone,' he said.

'We know 90 per cent of melanomas can be treated successfully if caught early, and early detection is associated with high survival rates.'

Maria Enna-Cocciolone, the CEO of Australian skincare brand O Cosmedics, and her team devote considerable time and effort in educating therapists not only about products, but about skin health, and she is aware of many therapists who have identified melanomas.

'A therapist can be the difference between catching something early or sadly catching it when it's all too late,' Ms Enna-Cocciolone said.

'Over the years I have heard hundreds of stories of where therapists have highlighted concerning spots, moles and lesions, and have insisted on a doctor's clearance before performing treatments and even active skincare only to find their suspicions confirmed.

'Given the scope of treatments therapists perform, many have identified life-threatening basal cell carcinomas and saved many a life and intense treatment trauma that comes with late diagnosis.'

Mr Mazy said when a therapist notices a suspicious spot or change in the skin and starts a conversation, the client can be encouraged to take the next step and have it properly examined.

Australia is the skin cancer capital of the world, and treatments for melanoma and other skin cancers are the largest cancer cost in the healthcare system, costing more than $1.7 billion each year.
She shared a warning about instant noodles everyone should know

An Australian nurse is urging parents to be extra vigilant when feeding kids instant noodles.

Paediatric nurse Sarah Hunstead, who heads Australia's children's safety page CPR Kids, said it takes less than a second for the hot instant noodles to cause severe burns if spilled.

It comes as health authorities saw a spike in the number of children suffering burns from the popular snack.

'Noodles are a popular snack, especially in the colder months, but did you know they are also a common cause of scald burns in toddlers, children and teenagers?' Ms Hunstead wrote on Instagram.

'Little ones have received serious burns from either pulling a cooling bowl of noodles on top of themselves or spilling them while consuming them.'

Paediatric nurse Sarah Hunstead (pictured) said it takes less than a second for the hot instant noodles to cause severe burns if accidentally spilled

To prevent burns, Ms Hunstead recommends rinsing the boiled noodles under cold water for a few seconds before serving

Ms Hunstead then shared her recommendation to help prevent burns.

'Drain the boiling water, rinse the noodles in cold water in the strainer for a few seconds, and then check the temperature to see whether they are cool enough to eat,' she said.

'This way, they will be ready to eat safely without a long wait for them to cool down, and with no scalding water in sight!'

In October 2023 New South Wales health authorities issued a warning after five children were sent to hospital in one week following burns from instant noodles.

The most common injuries were burns to the thighs or genital area, caused by children accidentally spilling the boiling liquid on themselves while carrying the container or eating from their lap.

Burns have also been seen in toddlers, caused by pulling the container down from the kitchen bench or table when left to cool.

Burns have also been seen in toddlers, caused by pulling the container down from the kitchen bench or table when left to cool

Last month Ms Hunstead also shared some advice that could save a life.

She said it's important to outline a suspicious mark on the body to note whether it changes or grows.

People are encouraged to draw a border around a suspected rash, bite, or spot using a skin-safe pen so that it is easy to identify whether it is getting worse.

'Remember: Outline with pen, then check it again!' Ms Hunstead said.

While most rashes are harmless and resolve themselves in a few days, it is safest to keep a close eye on any new marks in case you have to visit a doctor.

Rashes can be caused by infections, allergic reactions, immune-system problems or by reactions to medicines.
Surgeons may soon be better able to remove prostate cancer thanks to a dye that makes tumours glow.

University of Oxford experts said the dye acts as a 'second pair of eyes', lighting up cancerous tissue invisible to the naked eye.

This allows doctors to remove far more of the cancer in real time, reducing chances of the disease coming back due to cells left behind.

Cancer Research UK, which funded the scientists, said full clinical trials are under way to find out if surgery with the dye removes more prostate cancer and preserves more healthy tissue than existing surgical techniques.

University of Oxford experts said the dye acts as a 'second pair of eyes', lighting up cancerous tissue (stock photo)

Surgery professor Freddie Hamdy (pictured) said the technique 'allows us to preserve as much of the healthy structures around the prostate as we can'

In an initial study, 23 men with prostate cancer were injected with the marker dye before having surgery to remove their prostates.

When light  white and near-infrared  was shone on the prostate and nearby regions, the fluorescent dye lit up cancer cells and where they had spread into other tissues, such as the pelvis.

Surgery professor Freddie Hamdy, from the University of Oxford and lead author of the study, said: 'It's the first time we've managed to see such fine details of prostate cancer in real-time during surgery.'

He said the technique 'allows us to preserve as much of the healthy structures around the prostate as we can, to reduce unnecessary life-changing side-effects like incontinence and erectile dysfunction'.

The technique works by combining the dye with a molecule that attaches itself to a substance known as an antigen, found on the surface of prostate cancer cells. It is hoped the dye could be used for other cancers too.

The Daily Mail has for many years fought to raise the profile of the most common cancer in men, through its End Needless Prostate Deaths campaign.
Health bosses are urgently calling for blood donors to come forward to help hospitals hit by a Russian cyber attack.

More than 200 emergency and life-saving operations have been cancelled so far at major London hospitals after hackers targeted an NHS computer system that analyses and logs blood test results.

Medics have been forced to rely on pen and paper systems, meaning they cannot rapidly find out someones blood type if they need a transfusion in an emergency.

NHS chiefs are now calling for donations from people with O-positive and O-negative blood types, as these can be given the widest range of patients.

Dr Gail Miflin, chief medical officer, NHS Blood and Transplant, told Radio 4s Today programme: We are encouraging everyone to become a donor and save lives.

The NHS is urgently appealing for blood donations after Russian hackers took down a computer system that allows medics to check patients' blood types

A third of the population has O-positive blood, which can be given to three-quarters of people regardless of their blood type

If you know your blood group and its O, please see if you can find an appointment to donate blood in the near future.

We are supporting hospitals that have been affected by the cyber attack and we would love your help.

O-negative blood is found in about 8 per cent of the population and can be given to almost anyone, regardless of their blood type.

However, O-negative people can only receive blood from other O-negative donors.

Due to being safe for everyone O-negative supplies are used when medics don't know a patient's blood type and also frequently carried by emergency responders.

O-positive blood, on the other hand, is only seen in about 35 per cent of the population but can be given to three-quarters of people  including all men and older women.

People with O-positive can only receive their own blood type and O-negative donations.

The NHS says it needs three lifesaving blood donations every minute.

Dr Miflin added: If we dont have the IT systems, its slower and more manual to match blood. Its easier and safer to give blood that we know will be suitable, which is why we want group O.

We know they can help us respond to incidents in London. We want to make sure that everyone who needs it can have a good experience and get the blood that they need.

King's College Hospital in London is one of the hospitals that has been affected by the hack

The hackers who targeted the NHS blood computer system are believed to belong to a gang called Qilin

Russian cyber criminals were behind a ransomware attack which seriously affected several London hospitals including Kings, the Royal Brompton, Guys, St Thomas and Evelina Childrens Hospital last week.

Blood testing services at the hospitals were compromised after the Qilin gang targeted the pathology firm Synnovis, which runs the IT system.

Qilin is a gang of professional computer hackers who have targeted various systems around the world over the last two years.

During a ransomware attack, hackers gain access to a company's computer system and lock down the system from within in order to extort a ransom.

In the case of Synnovis, this triggered delays because the malware locked employees out of critical information.

More units of universal type-O blood will be required than usual over the coming weeks to keep services running safely for patients, the NHS has said.

There are about 13,000 blood donation appointments available across England this week in NHS Blood Donor Centres, including 3,400 available in London.

Donors can discover their blood type with a simple test at any donation centre. People can give blood from the age of 18 and into their 70s.

Dr Lise Estcourt, of NHS Blood and Transplant, said: It is important to give patients the blood type that matches their own. Hospitals will always check someones blood twice  through medical records and taking a test.

If a patients blood type isnt known, it is safe to use O-negative blood  the universal donor  in everyone. O-positive blood can also be given safely to men and older women who are past the age to have children.

Hospitals affected by the cyber incident will be able to manually match blood  and NHSBT clinicians are helping  but it is a much slower process and cant be done on the same scale.

Hospitals therefore need to rely on using O-type blood. These are major hospitals so this has an impact on our stocks.

Professor Dee Thiruchelvam, chief nursing officer at NHS Blood and Transplant, told Sky News: Last week, there was a cyber attack and some of the hospitals are asking for an extra quantity of blood during this period.

Now, the reason for that is theyre having to do manual matching of blood types from donors to patients, and that takes much longer.

And we predict that we are going to have an increased request of blood up until the end of July.

So were going to plan to have more donations coming through to make sure we have enough blood to be able to support the NHS.

Professor Stephen Powis, medical director for NHS England, said: Unfortunately, we know that a number of operations and appointments have been postponed or diverted to other neighbouring hospitals not impacted by the cyber attack, as we prioritise pathology services for the most clinically urgent cases.

To help London staff support and treat more patients, they need access to O-negative and O-positive blood, so if one of these is your blood type, please come forward to one of the 13,000 appointments currently available in NHS Blood Donor Centres.

NHS Blood and Transplant said that following the bank holidays and school half-term holidays, the NHS currently has lower than normal stocks of type-O blood.

It is urging donors to come forward and make an appointment in town and city donor centres across the country including London, Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Nottingham, Manchester and Newcastle.

Officials will not be asking donors to come forward more regularly  men can donate once in every three months and women can only donate once every four months.

For more information visit Blood.co.uk.
Baron Oil, to be renamed Sunda Energy later this month, is gathering momentum behind the scenes as Andy Butler continues to put his stamp on the junior energy company that's preparing to seize an exciting opportunity.

The plan for 2024 could see the company reach a major value catalyst by year's end.

Right now, Baron is undertaking preliminary work  completing site surveying, rig contracting and permitting for the Chuditch gas discovery in Timor Leste.

Chuditch, first found in 1998 by Shell, has the potential to be a significant and valuable project, not least for the state of Timor Leste as the project promises to be a new and important input for its economy.

Its importance to the country is underlined by the state's active participation in the project via its national energy company Timor Gap EP (TGEP).

Project: Baron is undertaking preliminary work  completing site surveying, rig contracting and permitting for the Chuditch gas discovery in Timor Leste

Baron holds a 60 per cent interest in Chuditch, with TGEP owning the other 40 per cent.

TGEP's stake increased earlier this year through an 'earn-up' deal in February, acquiring a 15 per cent 'paying interest' on top of its original 25 per cent carried stake. It will deliver to the project around $7.5million during 2024  whilst Baron received $1million of cash for back costs.

In March, not long after the TGEP deal, Butler was promoted to group chief executive, stepping up from his previous position as the company's Asia-Pacific lead.

With the fresh financial backing and with Butler at the helm, Baron is now putting in the remaining groundwork for an appraisal programme that aims to not only confirm the scale of opportunity at Chuditch but to also provide insights that the company and Timor Leste can use to develop and commercialise the field.

Key to unlocking the field has been the use of contemporary technology and analysis to better model the discovery.

'The issue in that area tends to be that because of some very shallow geology and some complications in the seabed, seismic imaging at depth has proven very challenging in the past,' Butler explained to Proactive.

'You can see [in the data] where the well was drilled by Shell when they discovered this field 25 years ago, but before you couldn't really see the extent of the field, to the parts that go up from the well towards the crest of the field, it was just invisible in the data.

'In the past, you would really be guessing as to how big it [the resource] was. And of course, you can't really invest on that basis.

'So we've been able to do using modern algorithms, seismic reprocessing, and a very intricate and intense process is to get an understanding of all of the geology above the field, in great detail.'

Baron's approach means that now, for the first time, the company is able to properly image the field. And, the image that Baron sees is encouraging in terms of the project's upside.

According to Butler, the data indicates the original Shell well was drilled at 'the very margins' of the field and that the rest of the field could be much larger.

'It's a long, elongated feature set up by a fault,' he said, talking geology. 'So it's more than 20 kilometres long.

'And the principal location where we're planning to drill will have about 150 metres of gas column in it where there was only 30 metres in the original well.'

'We have something that we originally thought was about 700 billion cubic feet of gas.'

'The work that we've done has demonstrated that in our mid-case, the resource for the discovery is about 1.2 trillion cubic feet of gas. So that's more than a 50 per cent increase in the resources that we thought were present.'

Baron has, with its desktop work to date, advanced Chuditch from a higher risk and largely undefined opportunity into a lower risk and investible opportunity that should in a matter of months be put to the test with the drill bit.

Importantly, it is not just the project that's moved on since Shell drilled in 1998.

The Asian gas market has developed significantly since then.

It is now a very robust market regionally, and, locally, Chuditch is in the vicinity of infrastructure which means the project can potentially delivered commercially without huge capital costs.

First, however, the company's focus will be on the appraisal programme. The next material item on Baron's to-do list will be the signing of a rig contract, to secure the timeline to drilling  all the usual planning and permitting items will also need to be checked off too.

'We're also very much looking ahead to what happens after well, and how quickly can we move forward with future activities,' Butler added.

'We're moving forward with fast-track development type of thinking.'

Evidently, 2024 and early 2025 promises to be an exciting time for Baron (current value 18million) and its shareholders.

Investors will understandably be watching closely as the project advances.

To read more small-cap news, click here: www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk.
Pharmaceutical giant GSK has won a key part of the regulatory approval needed to roll out its vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to adults aged 50 to 59.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the go-ahead for expansion of the use of the drug, called Arexvy, which is already allowed for people aged 60 and older.

RSV typically causes cold-like symptoms, and leads to 177,000 hospital admissions and 14,000 deaths a year in the US.

The approval marks a key milestone for GSK, which already dominates the market for drugs that treat RSV, taking a two-thirds market share in the first quarter.

It makes Arexvy the first vaccine endorsed for the under-60s by the FDA, ahead of rivals made by Pfizer and Moderna. The drug hit the market last year.
A retired gynaecologist was forced to step in to save his daughter's life after she was allegedly 'fobbed off' by doctors three times who 'dismissed' her life-threatening symptoms as IBS.

Roger Marwood, 76, was on holiday at the time his daughter Becca Maberly, 46, was experiencing a ruptured ectopic pregnancy that had been left untreated.

The mother-of-two claims she was dismissed twice by her doctor, who told her the pain was caused by IBS and the bleeding was because she'd had a coil fitted some six months prior.

Following her third attempt to get help, Becca collapsed at home and was 'lying on the floor screaming' in agony. She called her GP once more who told her they would get her a scan in the coming weeks.

Becca was beginning to lose all hope, when thankfully her father rushed over the next morning and performed a well-known procedure on her  by gently pressing on her stomach to check for any abnormalities.

Roger told Becca that he thought she was having an ectopic pregnancy and took her straight to hospital where a scan confirmed their worst fears.

Roger Marwood (left) saved his daughter Becca Maberly's life (right) after she experienced an ectopic pregnancy

Becca Maberly, (pictured) visited her GP in 2017 after complaining of excruciating stomach pain and irregular bleeding which she claims was dismissed as IBS

At the time, Becca said, there was so much blood inside her stomach, the doctor couldn't initially confirm that it was an ectopic pregnancy.

'It was really scary and unpleasant' Becca recalled. 'I passed out at that stage and when I woke up they were pulling all my clothes off and putting me on a trolley. I had about a litre of blood inside me.'

Now, the postnatal teacher and founder of the website A Mother Place is using her social media presence to ensure other women seek help before it is too late. She is advocating for greater awareness of the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy and for women's plights to be heard by medical professionals.

Over 50 women who have seen Becca's video have since reached out to the content creator to thank her for saving their lives.

Ectopic pregnancies occur when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. As the pregnancy grows it can cause the tube to rupture causing major internal bleeding which can be life-threatening.

The online content creator and founder of A Mother Place now supports mothers to prepare for pregnancy and offers post-natal support

An ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, almost always result in pregnancy loss because the embryo cannot develop properly in these locations

Becca Maberly pictured in hospital with her two sons following her ectopic pregnancy rupture

Other women have today shared their ectopic pregnancy stories with MailOnline and have thanked Becca for potentially saving their lives.

Joanne discovered that she was pregnant just before Mother's Day this year.

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition which is the leading cause of maternal death in the first trimester of pregnancy. It effects every one in 80 pregnancies in the UK every year. Ectopic pregnancies occur when an embryo grows in the fallopian tube, rather than the womb. An ectopic pregnancy can never be viable. At least 12,000 women have diagnosed ectopic pregnancies each year in the UK. But anecdotal evidence suggests the figure may actually be more than 30,000. The 2022 MBRRACE Report shows that ectopic pregnancy remains the most frequent cause of maternal death in early pregnancy. Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy usually develop within the first four to 12 weeks. The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include: Pain low down and on one side of your abdomen Bleeding from your vagina Pain in the tip of your shoulder Discomfort when going to the toilet A brown watery discharge from your vagina Pale skin/ sweating Source: The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust Advertisement

At six weeks, she started to experience spotting, waves of nausea and lower back pain which was progressively getting worse.

Waking up one morning she found 'the pain in my abdomen started engulfing my whole lower body...the cramps were more like lightning strikes in one side of my lower abdomen and my muscles began to get really tight around my shoulder blade and neck.'

'This is when I remembered seeing a post on Becca's A Mother Place Instagram page a couple of years back  I realised I was quite possibly having a ectopic pregnancy rupture.'

The 39-year-old rang NHS 24 for advice and was told to go to A&E immediately where a scan later revealed she was indeed suffering an ectopic pregnancy. She was taken straight to an operating theatre.

Joanne said she was 'devestated' to have had another unsuccessful pregnancy, 'terrified' she might die if it wasn't dealt with quickly and went into a state of shock following her surgery.

There it was discovered Joanne had endometriosis  a condition in which tissue grows outside the lining of the uterus, causing severe pain in the pelvis.

While Joanne praised the care she received from nurses and her surgeon, she said one consultant laughed at her when she was 'crying in pain'.

He even implied she 'hadn't actually been pregnant' and even asked what she was doing there.

'His tone was utterly condescending and made me feel so small and stupid, like I'd made the whole thing up,' Joanne added.

Now seven weeks post-surgery and Joanne admitted she still hasn't processed the loss of the pregnancy, but is grateful to be alive as a wife and mother to her four-year-old son.

She thanked Becca for sharing her experience of her ectopic pregnancy which Joanne said 'saved her life'.

Hannah Darling, 31, from Southampton, experienced an ectopic pregnancy in May last year.

Two weeks after her period, Hannah noticed she was bleeding irregularly and had mild stomach pain on one side.

She wasn't trying to conceive at the time, but said her intuition was telling her something wasn't right.

When Hannah came across one of Becca's videos online about her ectopic pregnancy  and the symptoms she experienced  Hannah decided to take a pregnancy test.

Hannah Darling, 31, from Southampton, experienced an ectopic pregnancy in May last year

Hannah wasn't trying to conceive at the time, but said her intuition was telling her something wasn't right

'When it came back positive, I went and spoke to my GP who quickly organised a blood test, but I booked an early scan to put my mind at ease,' Hannah said.

'They couldn't see anything because the embryo was so small at that stage, but they could tell that it wasn't where it should be. They referred me to the hospital straight away.'

'And this had happened before I'd got the blood tests back. I think the more in tune you are with your body, and the more aware you are of the symptoms...I was quite lucky that I didn't have to have surgery. I was able to have the methotrexate injection'.

When asked about the impact of having an ectopic pregnancy, Hannah said as a mother-of-two already, 'I was scared that I wasn't going to be around for them if something happened'.

She said: 'I think it made me really anti wanting another child for a while because it was the anxiety it was going to happen again'.

By sharing her terrifying experience of having an ectopic pregnancy, Becca has supported hundreds of women going through the same

Becca (pictured) speaks openly about her experience of being pregnant and becoming a mother

'And after that anxiety settled, I just felt sad about the loss of a child. The physical side effects, they settle down, but it does always play on your mind.

Hannah added: 'I do think if I had stayed with the doctors and listened to what the doctors had said, it might have ruptured or I might have had to have surgery.

'I think the doctors could've acted quicker about it.'

Katie Flintham-Ward unexpectedly found out that she was pregnant while on holiday in Portugal last year with her husband and four-year-old daughter.

The 37-year-old marketing manager didn't think too much of her symptoms at first, putting them down to either the pregnancy or possibly food poisoning.

But when the ache in her shoulder and stomach pain didn't subside, Katie was reminded of a video she'd come across on social media.

'I remember coming across Becca's post on her ectopic pregnancy and the thought kept playing in the back of my mind,' she said.

Katie decided to go back to Becca's post and soon realised the symptoms she was experiencing were very similar to that of Becca's.

Katie Flintham-Ward, 37, went through an ectopic pregnancy while on holiday in Portugal last year with her husband and four-year-old son

An anonymous woman's message to Becca thanking her for saving her life

A GP who messaged Becca to thank her for reminding them of the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy which are not always clear

A couple of days after the stomach pain began, Katie found herself sitting in her bathroom, sweating profusely and in writhing pain.

'I literally crawled back to the bed and as soon as I lay down I felt really cold' she explained.

Katie was taken to hospital where doctors carried out blood samples, initially putting her symptoms down to appendicitis. But by this point, Katie was adamant she was having an ectopic pregnancy.

A laparotomy  an incision into the abdominal cavity  confirmed that her fallopian tube had ruptured and her stomach was filled with blood.

'The operation that I had was quite a violent operation and the physical healing of that takes some time. But every fourth week now, when I experience period pain, my immediate reaction is that it's another ectopic pregnancy,' Katie said.

'It's a really traumatic experience to go through and it's scary for a little one to see their mum going through that. It's had a lasting effect on our little family.

'Had I not seen the post of Becca's, it would never have entered my mind that the pregnancy was ectopic. They are quite rare but that doesn't mean they don't happen.

'When I came out of surgery I sent her a message because her post about her ectopic pregnancy probably saved my life.'

Mother-of-three Ailsa McCaig experienced an ectopic pregnancy in September last year.

Mother-of-three Ailsa McCaig (pictured) experienced an ectopic pregnancy in September last year

The then 36-year-old said she was 'concerned something was wrong from the beginning', as the line on her pregnancy test was 'very faint'. She also had a pain on her right side which felt like a pinch.

Ailsa remembered reading about ectopic pregnancies on Becca's website and said 'a seed was planted' in her mind that this might be what she was experiencing.

That following morning the pain became more noticeable. Ailsa called the early pregnancy unit (EPU) and explained her concerns.

A scan later confirmed her fears and she was fast-tracked for emergency surgery.

While the treatment Ailsa received was 'brilliant', she said: 'I was lucky and got really brilliant help but I can see how you could be ignored/overlooked which could be very dangerous.'

She added: 'I do think a lot of people don't even know what an ectopic pregnancy is.

'There are so many changes to your body in early pregnancy it can be hard to know what's normal and what's not.

'I think it needs to be talked about more and professionals should trust a woman's instinct.'
EXCLUSIVE

The cop who saved lives by taking down an Islamist terrorist almost 10 years ago still can't be identified for legal reasons, and could go to prison if he speaks out about what happened.

On December 15-16 2014, Man Horon Monis held 18 hostages in the Lindt Cafe on Martin Place in Sydney in a 16-hour standoff with police.

Monis was armed with a pump shotgun, which he used to kill cafe manager Tori Johnson, and said he had a bomb in his backpack.

The man who can only be referred to as Officer A, was part of the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) Alpha team, and shot Monis dead bringing the siege to an end in the early hours of the morning.

Ever since, his name has been suppressed without ever being given a clear reason, and it's hugely affecting his life and making his post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) worse.

The cop who saved lives by taking down an Islamist terrorist almost 10 years ago still can't be named for legal reasons, and he desperately wants his name back. A heavily armed police officer is pictured at the scene on December 15, 2014

A hostage is pictured running to a police officer outside the Lindt Cafe in Sydney on December 15, 2014

'It was initiated during the Coroner's inquest,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'It was actually put forth by my legal team initially... a standard to stop reprisal attacks.

'Since then, we've made numerous requests to the Coroner (Teresa O'Sullivan) who has told us that she can't do anything.'

His legal team has told him they believe that this isn't correct and that the Coroner does have the power to take action.

Under the gag order, Officer A could face 28 days in prison for each time he breaches the ban plus an additional $2,200 fine per each offense.

'My thoughts are (the Police) don't want it brought back up,' he said. 'They know they messed up on that day and they just want to silence me.'

The longer the suppression of his name goes on, the more it affects him, and he had to write his book as Officer A, with his name blacked out throughout it.

It also stops him from being able to help others, especially as he had to leave the police due to PTSD.

'I want to speak to people with similar issues to mine ... emergency service personnel and ex-military and just anyone with PTSD,' he said.

'And I believe that my story and the way that I approach PTSD and refuse to let it beat me, I believe I could be helping a substantial number of people out there.

'So not only does it affect me on a personal level, but I believe that I could do some real good out there, and as it stands now, I'm not allowed to.'

Ironically, Officer A had his mandatory routine appointment with a psychologist on the morning of December 15, 2014.

As he got back to the office, two of his TOU colleagues were rushing out.

'There's a counterterrorism job at Martin Place. Grab your gear, we're going now,' the sergeant shouted out.

'So, it's finally happened?' Officer A called back, as he recounted in his book Tiger! Tiger! Tiger! The Lindt Cafe Siege.

'We all knew it was just a matter of time, especially since the 9/11 attacks in the US,' he wrote.

Hours later, before the operation the ended the siege, Officer A said he 'was resigned to the idea that I was never going to see my wife and daughter again.

'I wasn't ever going to hold the unborn baby that (my wife) was carrying, let alone see the rest of my family and good friends again.

'I said my goodbyes through text messages as best I could, without revealing our exact predicament.'

He and his fellow officers survived, Monis did not and lives were saved.

But a decade on, and despite the coronial inquest into the siege being closed, Officer A's name is permanently suppressed.

Louisa Hope, one of the survivors who has become a friend of his, set up an online petition to help pressure the NSW Government to allow him to get his name back.

On December 15-16 2014, Man Horon Monis (pictured) held 18 hostages in the Lindt Cafe on Martin Place in Sydney in a 16-hour standoff with police

Hostages are pictured holding up a black flag with Islamic writing in the Lindt Cafe in December 2014

The ban on linking his real name to what happened in the Lindt Cafe 10 years ago makes it almost impossible to make new friends, something which is vitally important now.

'I'm separated and in the process of divorce, which is brought about through PTSD. It's a familiar story, sadly,' he said.

'PTSD has affected my life and my fight against it, affecting me with my three daughters. Of course it's taken its toll on me.'

Officer A has a message for NSW Premier Chris Minns. 'Firstly, why do you keep ignoring my request?

'And secondly, this order that's in force through the coroner, it seems that order is now in existence forever.

'So for me that, that needs to be looked at on a legal front. How can such an order be enforced forever?

'And I'd like him to address it.'

Anything to do with the law is very expensive, as Officer A is well aware.

He added: 'I think that's what they are thinking, that if I have to open a whole new inquest, it would cost tens and tens of thousands of dollars...

'I think that's probably what they're thinking, that I can't obviously afford to fund that, so I'll just go away.'

He wants to make it clear that his purpose is not to try to attack the NSW Police, he just wants his life back.

'The way I wrote the book, I didn't really attack the police hierarchy at all,' he said. 'I believe that's already been and done and that's out there in the public eye.

'And I think I was very fair in the way that I wrote the book, even acknowledging some of their decisions.

'So the point of it would never be to go out and attack police hierarchy and the decisions made on the day. Definitely not.'

In his Coronial Inquest findings, the then NSW State Coroner Michael Barnes wrote that 'Against what standard does one judge a man demanded to stare down death to save strangers.

'Who will dare say that they could have done better.'

All Officer A wants now is the right to use his name again.

People are pictured running with their hands up from the Lindt Cafe on December 16, 2014

Paramedics are pictured working at the end of the siege at the Lindt Cafe on December 16, 2014

Flowers are pictured outside the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place, Sydney on December 23, 2014

A spokesperson for the NSW Attorney General Michael Daley told Daily Mail Australia that 'The Coroners Court Act 2009 provides the legal framework for the making of non-publication orders by the Coroners Court.

'Generally, non-publication orders are a matter for the parties and the relevant court. Anyone seeking to have a non-publication order varied or revoked should seek independent legal advice to consider the specific circumstances of their case.

'The Attorney General cannot offer legal advice in relation to specific cases,' they said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns, State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan and the NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb were also contacted for this story, none of whom replied.
Forget flipping houses, this woman is flipping furniture  and raking in thousands.

With the cost of living still soaring, many Americans are seeking ways to make a quick buck to help make ends meet.

But Molly Harris, 32, (@flippedbymolly) has found profit in her passion - turning tired, discarded trash into another person's treasure.

Harris, a mom of two, moved from Iowa with her family to a small island off the coast of Florida called Fernandina Beach last year when her husband got a new job.

Around three months ago she began restoring furniture neighbors had left on the side of the road and shows off the results to an avid following on social media.

Forget flipping houses, Molly Harris is flipping furniture  and raking in thousands by doing it

Harris, a mom of two, moved from Iowa with her family to a small island off the coast of Florida called Fernandina Beach last year when her husband got a new job. Around three months ago she began restoring furniture neighbors had left on the side of the road and shows off the results to an avid following on social media.

@flippedbymolly When I started flipping furniture 3 months ago with zero experience, I wasnt sure what to expect. How much work is it really? Do people actually pay top dollar for refinished pieces? How do I get started? When I tell you that it was one of the best decisions I have ever made, I am not lying. Getting paid on furniture flips is a great way to achieve quick income to help cover those everyday life expenses. I am not saying it isnt a lot of work. It most definitely is! However, its relatively quick work. You can have a piece completed in a weeks time if not sooner and the start up costs are low. Right now I am flipping one piece a week in my free time and I am averaging an extra $500 per week. My goal is that I inspire you to take the leap. Whether thats flipping your own furniture (because shopping for new furniture is so dang expensive) or flipping furniture as a side business to help with the cost of life. I hope you can see that if I can do it, so can you! #furnitureflip #diy  original sound - flippedbymolly

Harris is no stranger to creative projects. In the past, she helped her husband conceptualize renovations for 'fixer upper' houses which they sold for a profit.

But despite having no prior experience with furniture flipping, she has now amassed nearly 28,000 followers on Instagram.

Speaking to DailyMail.com she said: 'I started noticing so many people who put furniture on the curb and do an alert for maybe a broken bookshelf or an old dresser that needs updating. And I just kind of thought 'I could work on that when I can''.

'Nobody was depending on me to get back to them so I thought why not?'

She started with research, looking up furniture flipping tutorials online and trying out methods on her own pieces. And she hasn't looked back since.

'The hardest part was starting,' she said. 'But then I thought, 'well, if I mess up, it's just mine. But I was surprised at how you just figure it out along the way.'

'You're gonna have hiccups and things aren't always going to go as expected, but that's when I just go on YouTube and figure it out and before you know it you just flipped a piece of furniture that may be worth more now.'

Pictured: A dresser Harris bought for $50 and sold for $550

Prior to flipping furniture, Harris owned an Etsy shop that sold nursery items, but said the demand and the tight deadlines left her in a time crunch.

'I was answering messages at 9:30 at night when I'm trying to get to bed and, you know, there's things going on at the post office, something arrived, damaged - it just was taking a big toll on me,' she said.

'Before we moved, I just decided I was going to temporarily shut it down and see how I felt after a couple of weeks. I just felt like I could kind of breathe again without having that constant communication with all of my customers '

Harris said that although she is not making as much money as she did with her Etsy shop (yet), her furniture flipping business is going in the right direction.

'There's good money to be made in furniture flipping and even more money to be made in content creation,' she said. 'My goal is to fully support my family within a year.'

Flipping furniture also allows her the flexibility to homeschool her two children.

Depending on the piece, she said flipping a piece can take anywhere from six hours to a week.

'I'm really on my own schedule. If I have 30 minutes to work on it that day, then so be it. The goal I set for myself is one flip a week. If I can reach that, I'm happy.'

Pictured: A dresser Harris bought for $50 and sold for $625

At present she makes an average of $500 per week - around $2,000 a month. In four months, she has flipped over 16 pieces of furniture.

'The extra income helps us tremendously, she said. 'Even if you didn't want to produce social media content, I still think people should try it because what else can you do in your spare time that brings in two grand a month.

'It's such a great opportunity and a passion of mine. If I wasn't furniture flipping now we wouldn't be able to do as many things as we are right now.'

And this passion project turned side hustle isn't expensive to start.

Some pieces she has salvaged for free from the side of the road, junk yards or online via sites such as Facebook Marketplace, while others she has paid a small sum for and then upcycled before selling for a profit.

'You don't need to buy super expensive supplies to do this,' she said. She bought a sander, sprayer and a drill all for under $200 dollars.

Pictured: A dresser Harris bought for $60 and sold for $400

The sander can be replaced by sand paper, and the sprayer can be replaced with a brush if you want to be even more cost effective.

While flipping furniture may seem intimidating, Harris said she believes anyone could do it.

'I can't stress enough that if you've been thinking about flipping furniture or have sat there feeling helpless because you don't have any money to do anything extra and you're just sitting there feeling the weight of the world, you can do this.'

Harris understands furniture flipping requires blood, sweat, tears, and some elbow grease, but claims the payoff (literally and figuratively speaking) is worth it.

'I'm not gonna say it's easy, but it's also not extremely difficult either. And as long as you have the motivation and that hustle in you, you can do it and it will help,' she said.

She said she has also found a community of people who are in a similar financial situation as her, and are taking up side hustles just to pay the bills.

Pictured: A dresser Harris bought for $40 and sold for $400

@flippedbymolly Ive been wanting to try the oven cleaner hack for myself. Heres what happened  It did take a lot of the yellow stain off! Pretty quickly too. Rinsing the dresser seemed CRAZY! But I wasnt too attached to this one so I was willing to see what was going to happen. I dried it very quickly and the sun also dried it extremely fast. Everything turned out fine! No water damage. (Please check the material of your dresser before attempting this, mine is 100% pine). Anything not solid wood could become water damaged. I love the aged white pine look it has now! It feels more expensive now than it did with the high gloss yellow finish & flower print! #diy #furnitureflip #dresserflip  Fortnight by Taylor Swift - Tortured Poets

'I have had so many people reach out to me and tell me they're in a similar position as me and they're tired of living paycheck to paycheck,' she said. 'It was eye opening to see how many others felt the same way I did.'

While some furniture flippers ship their pieces, Harris is staying local for now.

All of her furniture is sold on Facebook marketplace. But you have to be quick because they often sell out in as little as an hour.

So what does the future hold for this furniture flipping aficionado?

'One of my big goals is to flip a house on the island where we live and share the entire process with my followers,' she said.
Britain's High Streets have changed drastically in the last 14 years with nail bars, hairdressers and takeaways replacing banks and clothes shops.

A report by policy research agency Public First has revealed the transformation of the UK retail industry as people increasingly neglect town centres in favour of online shopping and banking.

The number of banks has declined by over 60 per cent since 2010, while the number of clothing stores has dropped by about 3,600 in the same period.

In their absence, hairdressers and beauty salons have taken over with nearly 2.5 new businesses opened every day over since 2010.

Takeaways have also seen a notable rise with an average of 11.2 per 10,000 people in Manchester and 7.2 per 10,000 people in London.

The drastic change in Britain's high street make up is partly down to the shift to online shopping as well as a squeeze on people's wallets during the cost of living crisis, according to Scott Corfe, director of data and modelling at Public First.

 Slide me  Sedgley in the West Midlands, where a homeware store and a building society branch has been replaced with a hair salon and a mobile phone shop

 Slide me  Further down Sedgley High Street, a hair extension specialist and a nail lounge stands in place of a shoe shop and dry cleaners

Your browser does not support iframes.

In Sedgley, formerly a Staffordshire village and now a West Midlands metropolis situated between Wolverhampton and Dudley with over 30,000 residents, is typical.

It still has several pubs and much that other towns would envy like a cobblers, a music shop, a haberdashery, travel agents, a craft shop, an Iceland but in other ways the high street is very different from how it was back in 2010.

The Lloyds Bank has gone and remains empty and the Barclays Bank, a grand old building where its High Street meets Dudley Street will soon become an Indian Grill restaurant.

Sedgley resident Stewart Sutcliffe, 67, said: 'I have seen it change big time. All the old trades have gone and we're left with lots of barbers and nail bars and tanning salons.

'We used to have a butchers but now we only have the part-time indoor market which has nothing really in it, no fruit and veg, no pet store.

'Now we must have at least 10 barber shops and nail bars where young people pay 35 to have their nails done. It's unbelievable.'

His friend, trader Dean Davies, 37, added: 'There used to be a butchers where you could get a pork sandwich but now it's all fast food joints.

'It's the old people I feel sorry for. We've still got a post office but retired people in Upper Gornal have to come all the way in here just to cash their pension.'

Pat Willis, 72, runs a guitar and music shop. She said: 'I do miss the banks. At one stage there was a Barclays, a Lloyds and a Midlands here and now they've all gone. We've just got a Nationwide and a building society.

'Now if I want to put my takings into the bank, I have to go to Kingswinford and I don't drive so it is an inconvenience.

'And when I want any change I have to rely on other shops rather than popping into the bank.

'I'm on a Sedgley Past and Present Facebook group which has a lot of moaners really but one of the jokes that goes round is when a shop becomes empty it'll probably soon become another Turkish barbers.

'But as far as I can see they always have people in them.

'I think the demographic has changed. This was an older place and now there are a lot more youngsters and families.

'Maybe that explains all the nail bars and hair salons. We also have a lot of food places and coffee shops for a village.'

 Slide me  Baldwin Street was once home to a branch of Nationwide, which is now an Italian gelato shop

 Slide me  Baldwin Street in Bristol, where a former bank branch has been turned into a cafe

 Slide me  A village shop in Hawarden, Deeside that has been turned into a hairdresser

 Slide me  A branch of Lloyds TSB in Hawarden is now Bank Beauty - a salon



Teacher Samantha Holland, 42, was on her way to have her nails done.

She said: 'I think things have to change with the times but we have to keep the old with the news. It is a symbiotic relationship.

'There are far too many barbers but if they are all getting business, why not?

'We used to have a couple of cobblers but they are being replaced by hair and nail places.

'That said, it is nice to be able to access these things without going into Wolverhampton.

'But then the Barclays has gone so when the mortgage is due to renew that will now mean going into Wolverhampton and probably having to take time off work. People like things local.'

On Dudley Street is one of several nail bars standing next to a hair extension studio. Ten years ago, this was a shoe shop and a dry cleaners.

Diane Pullinger, 58, a nurse and lifelong Sedgley resident, said: 'It has not really affected me. Everything I need is still here. I use the Tiptons, the hair shop, the chemist. I can't say I'm really missing anything.

'We've got an Asda and we'll soon be getting an Aldi too.

'The shoe shop that was here was very old fashioned and my local shop on the estate does dry cleaning now.

'We come out and use the Real Ale pubs. It's probably an improvement to be honest.'

Sedgley has several pubs, including the Clifton, a Wetherspoons housed in what used to be a cinema, and the Red Lion.

Landlord of the Red Lion, James Bull, 34,said: 'We do have a ridiculous number of barber shops. There must be at least 10.

'My guess is that we will lose the indoor market soon. It's on its last legs and when Aldi opens I think that'll be the end of it. The poor fruit and veg man won't be able to compete.

'I think it's a shame. I find myself using a lot of shops on the high street. I've just been to the hardware store for stuff to hold up the flags and I use the cafe for breakfast and the post office as a bank.'

Sedgley in the West Midlands, where there are numerous Turkish barbers

Beauty stores and takeaway restaurants are also common along the High Street in Sedgley

Hayley Walters, 36, out for a birthday drink with her family, said: 'There used to be a lot more. You'd have a decent butchers and Firkins where they did fresh bread.

'Now we have a Greggs but it's not the same and there are no banks at all. I don't use it a great deal. The market used to be good but it's only open four days a week and it closes early.'

Tipton's Building Society is now the Steel Woolf Barber Club and up on the High Street the West Brom Building Society has been replaced by a phone shop.

Sarah, 51, a mum of two, was off with her daughters to the tanning salon.

'I don't come to the high street much,' she said, 'except when I use the sunbed shop and go to Asda.

'The hairdresser I used in town has now gone back to doing it from her home because she couldn't afford the rent and rates. I really don't know how so many barbers survive.

'Years and years ago there was a proper butchers and grocers but Aldi is coming along now so that ship has truly sailed.'

Further West in Bristol, Baldwin Street is in the heart of the city and locals still remember it as a bustling commercial centre with banks, a market and thriving shops.

Many of its buildings are listed and the grand facades can still be seen above the takeaways, nail bars and hair salons that have replaced traditional high street businesses.

Samantha Holland, 42, was on her way into Sedgley to get her nails done, while Diane Pullinger, 58, was happy with the state of the local High Street

Landlord of the Red Lion, James Bull, 34,said: 'We do have a ridiculous number of barber shops. There must be at least 10'

Locals say Baldwin Street has lost its character - a victim of the online revolution where people do their banking at home and shop at the click of a button rather than browse the rails in Debenhams or John Lewis.

Recruitment manager Beth Thatcher, 33, said: 'It's just a sign of the times. I work two days a week from home and it's 100 per cent easier to access banks when I'm not at my office in the city centre.

'I used to bank with Halifax but they aren't here any more so I'm with Monzo now.

'It's not going to go back to how it was, it's so expensive for companies to have premises in the city and we've become an online generation with everything at our fingertips.

'After work the street gets busy, there are people eating and drinking everywhere. People aren't afraid to spend their money on food and drink.'

Bristol born NHS analyst Mark Dancox, 56, said: 'A lot of the big stores like Woolworths and John Lewis have gone, the face of Bristol has changed.

'I can remember when the Gaumont Cinema was here in Baldwin Street, that's long gone. Bristol is not the place it used to be.'

Several takeaways can now be seen lining Baldwin Street in Bristol

A Domino's pizza advertises for more moped riders and cyclists amid a boom in the number of takeaways

Tony Marco, 77, has run a traditional men's barbers in the street for 24 years and fears he will be driven out by new businesses and Baldwin Street's thriving night time economy.

The father-of-three said: 'It used to be a great place for people to come to shop and do their banking. Now it's rubbish. The car park has gone because people don't come here like they used to.

'There was a NatWest Bank up the road but that shut down and was an ice-cream shop for years but that's gone too.

'I will be the last of the Anglo-Italian barbers - in 10 years time they will all be Turkish.

'The night time economy here is good, the restaurants and takeaways do well but the traditional flavour of the street has gone.'

Software consultant and new mum Christi Foster, 32, who lives in Bristol, said: 'I don't need a bank and things like a post office, I do a lot of things online.

'For sure, I miss the feel of the High Street and I don't like the fact that it's disappearing. I try not to buy things online for that reason, but it's difficult.'

Business development manager Richard Whittington, 60, a married father-of-two, said: 'We've lost the High Street banks and it's a major problem to get hold of anyone at a bank these days. Not everyone wants to do online banking, it's a shame.

'We've lost a lot of big department stores, Debenhams and John Lewis. The whole character of areas like Baldwin Street have changed and become a bit run down.'

Tony Marco, 77, (left) has run a traditional men's barbers in the street for 24 years. Recruitment manager Beth Thatcher, 33, said Britain's changing high streets were 'just a sign of the times
After several Americans were detained in Turks in Caicos for entering the country with stray bullets in their luggage, a top GOP senator is investigating U.S. airport security officials.

This year, at least five Americans have been detained in the Caribbean country after trying to pass through security with 'prohibited items' including ammunition in their bags.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are very strict about ammunition charges, which come with a penally of up to 12 years in prison.

Some of the Americans have been released and allowed to return to the U.S., but three, however, are still facing charges.

As a result, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., sent a letter to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) first obtained by DailyMail.com, demanding to know more about their 'failure' to discover the bullets, which he says 'raises serious concerns about TSA's ability to accomplish this critical security mission. '

'I write today to request information about the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) screening procedures,' the Republican wrote to the agency's administrator David Pekoske.

'As you are aware, five Americans, including Ryan Watson of Edmond, Oklahoma, have been detained this year in the Turks and Caicos due to ammunition being discovered in their luggage as they passed through security on the islands.'

'It is my understanding that each of these individuals had successfully passed through TSA screenings, but TSA personnel failed to identify these items during passenger screening.'

'TSA's failure in these five cases raises serious concerns about TSA's ability to accomplish this critical security mission.'

Watson, the Oklahoman stuck in the island, was detained after bullets were discovered in his bag while he was attempting to fly out of the county to the U.S. He was arrested on April 12.

His wife, Valerie, was also arrested at the time. The couple were in Turks and Caicos to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday.

Ryan Watson of Edmond, Oklahoma, has been stuck in the country since his arrest on April 12

Ryan Watson, shown here in a mugshot taken by Turks and Caicos authorities

Ryan Watson (left), Sharitta Greig (center) and Bryan Hagerich (right) in TCI while awaiting a verdict from authorities on their verdict. Hagerich has since been allowed to return to the U.S. after paying a fine

Valerie was released on April 23 and was allowed to return to the U.S.

Ryan paid $15,000 bail and is awaiting his sentencing and is still not allowed to leave the country until a verdict or deal is reached.

'They had their lives turned upside down when they tried to return home, as local airport security found four rounds of ammunition unknowingly left in a duff[le]bag from a deer hunting trip,' a GoFundMe page for the Watsons states.

'It was not noticed by TSA when leaving America. Now, they are facing a legal system that is unfamiliar, daunting, and expensive that operates differently than the American Justice System.'

At the end of May, Ryan Watson pleaded guilty to having ammunition in his bag.

The Oklahoman also made a friend while detained - Pennsylvanian Bryan Hagerich, who also was discovered with bullets in his baggage.

Hagerich given a sentence which forced him to pay a large fine before he was allowed to return home - and Watson has said he hopes for a similar outcome, though he is not certain he will receive it.

'There are a lot of similarities between all the cases. However, they're all nuanced,' Watson told the Oklahoma-based KOCO. 'Consistency has been the biggest concern for everybody.'

He also added that he keeps in close contact with Hergeich.

'We FaceTime two to three times a day still,' Watson told the outlet. 'That's a relationship I'll carry on with me for the rest of my life.'

Another American, Virginia-based Tyler Wenrich, 31, also faces charges for ammunition possession. He was arrested while trying to fly out on April 23.

He too was released on $15,000 bond as he awaits the next steps in his trial.

Additionally, Florida woman, Sharitta Greir, 45, was arrested in May for having two bullets in her bag.

She is also awaiting developments in her trial while staying on the island.

Sen. James Lankfrod, R-Olka., is demanding answers from TSA on how they overlooked the bullets in the Americans' bags as they departed from the U.S.

TSA is tasked with screening passenger's baggage to ensure banned items, like bullets, do not make it onto planes in the U.S.

Watson and his wife Valerie while on vacation in Turks and Caicos

The couple traveled to the island for a friend's 40th birthday celebration

Lankford's letter to TSA continued: 'The five Americans in each of these separate cases were hoping to head home when Turks and Caicos transportation security discovered stray ammunition; instead, they found themselves arrested and detained in a foreign country.'

'While two Americans have now been released and another has been allowed to return to the U.S. temporarily for medical reasons, Ryan and two other Americans are still stuck in the Turks and Caicos and remain separated from their families and friends.'

'These Americans could face up-to 12 years in prison under the Turks and Caicos' Firearms Act.'

The Americans Lankford references are Watson, Greir and Wenrich.

Lankford requested a response from TSA by July 10.
Phoenix and Tucson have spent $460 million of taxpayers' money fighting homelessness, but the number of vagrants keeps rising, says an alarming new report.

Researchers at the Goldwater Institute say Arizona's two largest cities have bungled the crisis, pouring money into a 'bottomless pit' and concealing their failures with dodgy accounting.

The report echoes fears of California's so-called 'homeless industrial complex'  a gravy train of funders, officials, shelter owners and charities more keen on swallowing public funds than solving the problem.

It comes in an election year in which the Republican Party's likely nominee Donald Trump has vowed to solve America's homelessness crisis by building encampments for them on the edges of cities.

Phoenix City says it is aware of the problem, and is working hard to increase the number of shelter beds available.

Diamon Bauldwin, 38, lives in a tent under power lines, where Arizona's searing temperatures make her health problems worse

But for Arizona's homeless people, these planned interventions are too little too late, with temperatures set to hit 111 F in Phoenix on Tuesday, making life on the streets perilous.

Report author Austin VanDerHeyden slams officials for 'throwing taxpayer dollars down a bottomless pit, all while refusing to protect all their citizens' rights by enforcing the law.'

'One need only walk the streets of downtown Phoenix or Tucson to see the tragic consequences of this failed strategy: violent crime, disease, public drug use, and more,' he told DailyMail.com.

Poll Do you think the homeless should be relocated to official camps outside towns and cities? Yes No Not sure Do you think the homeless should be relocated to official camps outside towns and cities? Yes 2013 votes

No 497 votes

Not sure 204 votes Now share your opinion





He warned that officials plan to spend more money and that taxpayers 'deserve transparency and accountability.'

Phoenix has spent more than $250 million on its homelessness crisis since 2021, when counting all relevant funds from the city and county, researchers said.

But between 2018 and 2023, the number of unhoused people jumped by 92 percent to 3,333, it adds.

Researchers highlight several 'multimillion-dollar contracts with the same small group of vendors.

That includes a $30 million deals with Community bridges and its 'rapid rehousing' project, and $27 million with St. Vincent de Paul, which pays for emergency shelters and hotel costs for the unhoused.

The crisis in Phoenix got so bad that property owners and residents suede the city for failing to enforce laws in a homeless encampment, known as 'the Zone.'

They complained of some 1,000 homeless people in the downtown area, and such problems as violence, needles, condoms and human waste in the streets.

'It's not fair to the people who live and work in the neighborhood,' says Joel Coplin, a resident, in a video linked to the report.

His area was 'smothered' by homeless people while others parts of Phoenix were spared, he added, saying that the real victims were the unhoused people who were not getting help.

'It's no way to live. It's not safe. It's not healthy,' he said.

Residents of downtown Phoenix complain about human waste, needles and used condoms in the area known as 'the Zone'

Resident Joel Coplin says it's not fair to have one part of the city 'smothered' by homeless people

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge last year ordered the city to clear out the camp last year.

The number of homeless people in Phoenix has since dropped by about 1 percent, researchers said.

Austin VanDerHeyden, a researcher from the conservative Goldwater Institute

Meanwhile, Pima County, which encompasses Tucson, has spent $210 million on homelessness since 2021.

The number of unhoused people there has jumped by 60 percent to 2,209 people from 2018 to 2023, says the conservative group's 11-page study.

Likewise, much of the money is swallowed up in big contracts, such as the $13 million meals deal with World Dining, the report shows.

Republicans in the Grand Canyon state have pushed for a ballot measure in November's election to tackle the problem.

If approved, property owners could ask to have their property taxes refunded when cities, towns, or counties fail to clear out homeless encampments, and solve the public nuisances they create.

It's not the first time Arizona's has come under fire for bungling the crisis.

The Common Sense Institute of Arizona in February warned that spending on homelessness was about $1 billion  with little to show for it.

Matt Gress, a Republican state representative, said the 'bombshell' figure showed that officials were failing to tackle the drug addiction and other underlying issues that drove the crisis.

A homeless encampment the length of a city block in Phoenix, Arizona, in April 2024

Donald Trump has vowed to 'ban urban camping' and create 'tent cities' on 'inexpensive land' for homeless people, if elected again in November

More than two thirds of Americans say homelessness, which surged by 12 percent last year, is out of control

Still, Kristin Couturier, a Phoenix City spokeswoman, told DailyMail.com that homeless numbers had finally started going down thanks to more shelter beds and better services.

More than 1,000 temporary and permanent beds were made available in 2022 and 2023 and 790 more are planned for 2024 and 2025, she said.

'While we know shelter alone does not end homelessness, it is a crucial first step for many people,' said Couturier.

The report spotlights how officials are battling a surge in homelessness in Arizona and beyond.

A recent DailyMail.com/TIPP Poll showed that more than two thirds of US adults said homelessness was out of control and that officials needed to move those sleeping rough into tented encampments outside towns and cities.

The survey revealed that 67 percent of Americans are fed up with the country's fast-rising number of homeless people and want mayors to take drastic steps to tackle the scourge.

Former President Donald Trump making it part of his re-election campaign.

In a video on homelessness released by his campaign, Trump said that 'hardworking, law-abiding citizens' were being sidelines and made to 'suffer for the whims of a deeply unwell few.'

He vowed to 'ban urban camping' and create 'tent cities' on 'inexpensive land' for homeless people that will be staffed with doctors and social workers to help people address systemic problems.
At a truck stop in Nashville, Tennessee, long-haul driver Bruce D. Mendenhall was seated in his cab when a homicide detective approached him.

Police were hunting a serial killer. Weeks earlier, the naked body of a 25-year-old woman, Samantha Winters, had been found in a dumpster.

Winters was wrapped in plastic and duct tape, then shot in the back of the head with a .22 pistol.

Now another victim, Sara Nicole Hulbert  also 25  had been found dead. She, too, was shrouded in plastic and shot in the head.

These victims were two of nearly 1,000 women who cops believed had been murdered by long-haul truck drivers. And, finally, they had a break in the hunt.

At a truck stop in Nashville, Tennessee , long-haul driver Bruce D. Mendenhall (pictured) was seated in his cab when a homicide detective approached him.

Cops believe that nearly 1,000 women have been murdered by long-haul truck drivers.

The detective from Nashville Metro Police Department asked Mendenhall simply: 'Are you the person we've been looking for?'

Mendenhall shrugged. 'If you say so,' he replied.

What police found inside the 56-year-old's truck cab defied belief. Investigators called it 'a killing chamber'.

The stash of torture implements included 'a rifle, a nightstick, tape, handcuffs, latex gloves, sex toys and a bag of bloody clothing,' according to the police report.

DNA on the clothing matched five murdered or missing women. One was Carma Purpura, a 31-year-old mother of two who was last seen at a truck stop in Indianapolis, Indiana  nearly 300 miles away.

Also in the truck were Purpura's mobile phone and her bank card.

Blood spatter in the cab suggested Mendenhall had killed her there  yet he refused to say where her body was hidden. Her remains were not found for another four years.

Mendenhall  from Illinois and married with two daughters  was arrested in 2007 and subsequently convicted of the murders of Winters and Hulbert.

He has also been charged with the killing of Purpura  and is suspected of murdering at least five more women. Two, including sex-worker Robin Bishop and hitchhiker Belinda Cartwright, were likely run down by his truck.

But these deaths are not isolated, according to former Assistant Director of the FBI Frank Figliuzzi.

He has spent years investigating the phenomenon of serial killers who use trucking as a disguise.

In a new book  'Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers'  Figliuzzi lays bare in forensic detail how hundreds of truckers trawl rest stops, motels and roadside restaurants for victims.

They kill and move on, all but untraceable. Most shocking, the FBI's 'Highway Serial Killings Initiative' (HSK) estimates that between 400 and 500 truckers could be implicated in a huge number of murders over the past 35 years.

As many as 850 women have disappeared or been found dead along the main interstate routes. And yet only a handful of killers have been caught.

The HSK is led by Catherine DeVane, she specializes in the behavioral analysis of criminals. Her team match crimes to killers. Forensic evidence is crucial.

So too is identifying the 'modus operandi'  an individual killer's hallmark techniques.

The hallmark of Robert Ben Rhoades, one of the first 'truck-stop killers' on record, was a sick fetish: He shaved the pubic hair of his victims.

The hallmark of Robert Ben Rhoades (pictured), one of the first 'truck-stop killers' on record, was a sick fetish: He shaved the pubic hair of his victims.

Rhoades is thought to have killed 50 women over 15 years. Like Mendenhall, he built a mobile torture dungeon into the back of his truck.

Rhoades is thought to have killed 50 women over 15 years. Like Mendenhall, he built a mobile torture dungeon into the back of his truck.

Behind its steel door, women were held captive in handcuffs. Rhoades inflicted agonies by piercing their flesh with fish-hooks. Many were prostitutes. His final victim, Regina Walters, was not  in fact, she was just 14 years old.

She had ran away from her dysfunctional family home in Pasadena, Texas, with her boyfriend Ricky in 1990. Rhoades picked them up near Houston and swiftly killed Ricky, shooting him in the head.

He kept Regina prisoner, raping her repeatedly, for weeks. To torment her family, he even called her father and told him, 'I made some changes. I cut her hair.'

Regina's corpse was discovered at a deserted Illinois farmhouse. She had been strangled.

Catherine DeVane divides trucker homicides into two categories. Some men want to 'control life and death,' she says. They need to 'feel the power of controlling the outcome'.

These killers typically rape and sexually torture their victims. They enjoy inflicting fear as well as pain.

Other men kill out of compulsion. 'They don't want to have sex,' says DeVane. 'They just want to murder someone.'

The two categories can overlap, as in the case of Mendenhall. Some of his killings were protracted exercises in sadism. Others were literally hit-and-run.

In the U.S., there are a million truckers.

The largest age group is 45 to 54, but 7 percent are 65 or older. Over 70 percent are white, and just 12 per cent are black. Nearly 10 percent admit to drinking daily, 20 percent describe themselves as binge drinkers, and more than 25 per cent admit to using amphetamines and cocaine to stay awake on long hauls.

The HSK team has charted truck-stop killings along all the major interstate routes in the U.S. But one stands out.

On a map, it is a long spatter of red dots like blood droplets, from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Barstow, California. The red dots run through Raleigh, Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque and Flagstaff. That's the I-40 interstate.

Across America, just 25 ex-truckers are in prison for murder. DeVane and the HSK have been instrumental in the arrest and prosecution of many of them.

Behind its steel door, women were held captive in handcuffs. Rhoades inflicted agonies by piercing their flesh with fish-hooks. Many were prostitutes. (Pictured: Rhoades' torture chamber located inside his truck)

One of Rhoades' victims was 14-year-old Regina Walters (pictured by Rhoades), a runaway from Pasadena, Texas. A horrifying final picture of Walters shows her with a shaved head, forced into a black dress and high heels, looking terrified of Rhoades behind the camera.

One is Dellmus Colvin, a shaven-headed black man now 64 years old. He was dubbed the 'Interstate Strangler'. Following his arrest in 2004, Colvin told detectives he didn't keep a tally of his murders.

He couldn't remember them all. But later he estimated he'd killed between 47 and 52 women, almost all sex workers.

Like Mendenhall, he wrapped their corpses in plastic sheeting and duct tape. But he denied having sexual intercourse with the bodies, and insisted rape was not his chief motive. He just enjoyed killing, he said.

Detectives believed him. Frequently during interviews, he burst out laughing as he recalled the murders.

On one occasion, he said, he took a phone call from his mother while he was killing a woman. None of that troubled him. He liked to look into his victims' eyes as they died, he said.

'I always sleep well at night,' he added.

Colvin has been convicted of seven murders and is held in Lebanon Correctional Institution, Ohio. He told investigators where many other victims were buried but refuses to provide information on killings he committed in states where murder carries the death penalty.

Most of Colvin's victims, and the great majority of women killed by truckers, are 'lot lizards'.

That's what the drivers call sex workers at truck stops, part of a coded language that has grown up over decades.

Dr Celia Williamson, a social-work professor at the University of Toledo, has spent 30 years studying adult prostitution and the sex trafficking of minors in America.

'Truck-stop and street-level prostitution has its own culture, its own language, and its own processes,' she told Frank Figliuzzi. Common terms include 'trick', a trucker looking for sex, and 'house', the trailer behind his cab.

A 'stable' is a pimp's coterie of sex workers or 'shorties'. A girl who is 'out of pocket' is working for herself  though that's a dangerous tactic. Without anyone to protect or look out for her, she is easy prey.

That could be why 'out of pocket' can refer to a woman who has simply disappeared.

Dellmus Colvin (pictured) is a shaven-headed black man now 64 years old. He was dubbed the 'Interstate Strangler'. Following his arrest in 2004, Colvin told detectives he didn't keep a tally of his murders

To keep an eye on the younger, more vulnerable women, pimps use older, experienced sex workers. These women are known as 'bottoms'.

It is usual for a 'bottom' to accompany a young prostitute on her rounds as she goes from cab to cab at a truck stop, knocking on windows and offering her services.

It is not uncommon for a pimp to demand each of his 'shorties' must bring back $1,000 a night  and keep working till dawn if necessary.

Dr Williamson points out how all the power is on the truckers' side. 'It's not a pleasant experience,' she says, 'for a girl to put her face in the lap of a trucker who's been driving for ten hours.'

But the 'shorties' are desperate to earn money. If they don't meet their targets, they will be beaten. Addicts (and most truck-stop prostitutes are users) will be denied their drugs, usually heroin or meth.

The drivers have the money. They also control the rendezvous, the cab of their truck. And when the encounters are over, they can simply drive away.

Prostitutes who report sex abuse are often not taken seriously. Too often, police officers stop taking notes  and stop taking interest  when they learn how these women earn a living.

That's all too true even when concerned friends report disappearances or suspected murders.

'Should a male-dominated police force even be investigating such things?' asks Dr Williamson, 'You know, police participate as well.'

Pimps and 'bottoms' teach new girls how to keep themselves safe. This includes staying away from truckers with a reputation for violence. But it also means being constantly ready to flee.

'During [oral sex],' Dr Williamson told Figliuzzi, 'while in the passenger side of the vehicle, [the prostitute] places her right foot near the car door, her right hand near the door handle. And she keeps her left hand free, to punch him in the face.'

Precautions like these were irrelevant to the victims of Adam Leroy Lane. On a chilly summer night in Nashville, in 2007, he left his truck and went prowling through the streets.

Adam Leroy Lane (pictured) was sentenced to 25 years for the attack of Kevin and Jeannie McDonough's 15-year-old daughter, Shea.

Breaking into the house of Kevin and Jeannie McDonough, Lane found his way to the bedroom of their 15-year-old daughter, Shea.

Kevin was woken by her cry. He burst into the room and threw himself on Lane. Jeannie wrenched the 15-inch hunting knife from his hand.

Miraculously, Shea survived  and Lane was sentenced to 25 years for the attack. He later also pleaded guilty to murdering two women and the attempted murder of a third.

In his truck, police found knives, wire garottes and a martial arts throwing star.

What no one knows for sure, not even the FBI's Highway Serial Killings Initiative, is how many other truckers carry these weapons of torture  and how many women's bodies have never been found.

Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers by Frank Figliuzzi is published by Harper Collins and out now.
A heartbreaking video has triggered an outpouring of support for a woman who lost three of her children after a drunk driver, three times over the limit, killed them in a wrong way crash.

Lindy Ray, 20, Christopher, 17, and Kamryn Simmons, 15, were all killed when John Lundy, 54, struck their family's SUV head on while driving the wrong way down the interstate in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, days before Christmas 2021.

In the video posted to Instagram, the trio's sister, Katie DeRouen, 31, who was one of nine children, shows the stark contrast of life before the fatal accident and the darkness that followed afterwards.

'When your life turns out so differently than you ever imagined', Katie captioned the short film. 'Watch how a drunk driver changed our lives in an instant.'

Siblings Lindy, 20, Christopher, 17, and Kamryn Simmons, 15, were killed by a drunk-driver in December 2021

In a video posted to Instagram, life before and after the horrific crash is shown in stark contrast

The clip opens with snippets of the carefree nature of everyday life: her mother playing catch with her son in the driveway; family posing for selfies and chatting to the camera; and carrying out errands such as going to the supermarket for food.

In other sections of the clip the teenagers are seen playing up to the camera, making funny comments and silly gestures.

Suddenly footage of the accident is shown with emergency vehicles spaced out across the Louisiana interstate I-49.

The video then moves on to the triple funeral with the three childrens caskets lying side-by-side, followed by horrific footage of the crash that saw their vehicle essentially torn to shreds.

The early part of the video sees the family members having fun with happy-go-lucky days

Their mom Dawn, who survived the crash, is seen kneeling at memorials erected by the side of the interstate, sobbing in the front seat of a car at the cemetery.

The video moves on to see her cleaning the triple gravesite, with her hugging the tombstones as grief takes hold.

Its clear that no matter how much time passes after the accident, the hurt is still raw but the family are determined to hold on to their memories.

The touching video sees other siblings helping to maintain the gravesite polishing the stones and keeping the area clean.

The video ends with both parents standing at the foot of their childrens graves, in a tear-jerking shot.

The crash occurred in the southbound lanes of I-49. The drunk driver was also killed on impact

Shocking footage of the minivan the family were traveling in brings home the seriousness of the head-on collision

The parents, Ray and Dawn Simmons, are seen tending to their three children's graves

Katie, who has posted several videos on social media that have shown her family's grieving process, hopes the videos help raise awareness about how drunk driving can destroy people's lives in a moment.

Some of the featured images were found on the phone of her late sister Lindy, who was a budding photography student.

In recent weeks Dawn returned to Kamryn's high school and was seen posing with a bunch of flowers in her memory.

'I wonder where we would have went for your senior trip?' Katie ponders.

A week earlier, the family celebrated what would have been Kamryn's graduation from Arcadiana Christian School in New Iberia, Louisiana.

A photo posted to Instagram shows Kamryn's grave decked out in vases full of flowers, a mortarboard as worn by graduates together with an honorary diplomas presented posthumously by the school.

Family members work hard to maintain the gravesite, often sweeping and cleaning around it

The parents share a tender moment as they are left alone with their thoughts at the graveside

Her older sister Lindy was driving the family's car when they were hit head-on by pickup driver, Lundy. They were both killed on impact.

Dawn suffered a bleeding spleen, a punctured lung and two broken ankles. She also had a lacerated carotid artery.

DUI driver John Lundy's alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit to drive.

In Louisiana, drivers are considered legally drunk when their blood-alcohol level is at. 08 or more yet Lundy's blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash was .22.

He had been driving his 2005 Chevrolet Colorado pickup north in the southbound lanes of I-49. He was also killed on impact.

The family celebrated what would have been Kamryn's graduation from Arcadiana Christian School in New Iberia, Louisiana with an honorary degree presented posthumously

Sister, Katie Joy DeRouen, has continued to share updates on how the family is dealing with their grief following the 2021 deaths

Since the tragic accident, Dawn she has been going to high schools to speak to kids about the dangers of driving under the influence.

The family's nonprofit, Simmons 3, aims to spread awareness about the issue.

A GoFundMe set up since the accident has managed to raise $800,000 for the family.
Durham university postponed a debate on the war in Gaza at the last minute after a 'mob' of pro-Palestine protesters 'locked' students inside a chamber for more than two hours.

Students preparing the chamber for the Friday night debate - about whether 'Palestinian Leadership is the Biggest Barrier to Peace' - found themselves locked inside when protesters created a human chain around the building.

Those who were set to defend the argument were Natasha Hausdorff, of UK Lawyers for Israel, investigative journalist David Collier and Lance Forman, a former Brexit Party MEP.

Students preparing the chamber 'locked themselves in to prevent the mob entering the building', Mr Forman told the Mail.

Union members called the university authorities to request police assistance to clear the entrance for the debate.

Mr Forman said: 'The university did not act and before long the mob grew in size and formed a human chain around the building to prevent access.

Protesters standing outside the building at Durham university, with one sign reading: 'Genocide is not up 4 debate'

A protester holds a megaphone outside the building where the debate was set to take place. It is not suggested the people pictured were among the 'masked thugs' who forced students to lock themselves in

Union members called the university authorities to request police assistance to clear the entrance for the debate

'The students inside were by this point terrified that they would also break in. It was up to the University to speak to the police to facilitate this. But they backed down and caved into the mob.'

The Mail understands that the university could have classified the protesters as 'trespassers'. If they had done so, the police would have been able to remove the protestors and allow the event to take place, but the university chose not to do this.

Throughout the night, the protestors banged drums, shouted chants and sang songs, including 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free', 'Israel is a terrorist state' and 'Durham Uni you can't hide, we charge you with genocide'.

Mr Forman condemned the university's actions, stating: 'It was an absolute disgrace that the University behaved in this way and did not allow us to make our case.

'They chickened out or were deliberately ensuring their students would not hear from outstanding speakers.

'If universities can't protect free speech within academia they need to replace the chancellors with those who will.'

He said the students involved 'were devastated and we were all looking forward to the engagement which would have helped shed light on a very fraught situation'.

David Collier and Lance Forman with Natasha Hausdorff as they prepared for the postponed debate

One sign read 'Genocide is not up 4 debate' as protesters stood outside the building

Union members called the university authorities to request police assistance to clear the entrance for the debate

David Collier also criticised the 'outrageous cowardice' of Durham Uni, writing on X: 'I personally saw Durham students yesterday in tears and fearful for their safety because Durham University allowed masked thugs to cage them inside a room for two and a half hours.

'How is this allowed in the UK? Durham University should hang its head in shame.'

Those opposing the motion included Chris Doyle, the director of the council for Arab-British Understanding, Dr Peter Shambrook, a specialist Middle Eastern historian and Mohab Ramadan, a Durham university undergraduate.

Ramadan, a passionate pro-Palestinian activist who has been involved with the encampment on Palace Green since it began, visited the protestors at their invitation on Thursday to read them his speech and ask for their input.

As he entered the camp, he was shouted at and called a 'Zionist pig', a 'traitor' and told to 'f*** off and never come back'.

Ramadan said: 'Granting yourself what you're denying to others is shameful.

'To deny others the freedom to speak and debate when you yourself have encamped on Palace Green and have been tolerated, allowed to speak and be heard by the entire university is unforgivable.

'Your actions have alienated the very people you seek to persuade.'

Another sign at the protest read: 'What debate? 15,000 dead children'

The debate was set to take place in a building at Durham University

UK Lawyers for Israel were due to live stream the debate tonight, saying how 'the speakers for the motion will deliver the speeches they had prepared for the debate and discuss the university's obligation to secure freedom of speech within the law'.

Matthew Brooker, president of the Durham Union Society, said: 'We feel that Durham University has bent over backwards to accommodate the protesters.

'Many students, irrespective of their opinion on the motion, are devastated that the debate was prevented from going ahead. They feel that free speech died in Durham last night. One student said 'it felt like we were abandoned.'

'Those trapped inside became increasingly distressed as the protesters' screaming, drumming and chanting was coming from all sides.

'Despite the fear of those inside, every person in that room was adamant that they wanted to continue with the debate and that we wouldn't be bullied into giving up.'

Durham University said: 'On the evening of Friday 7 June, Durham Union Society, an independent debating society run by students, held an event which involved external speakers on University property on Palace Green, Durham City.

'They were debating the motion This House Believes Palestinian Leadership is the Biggest Barrier to Peace.

'The event went ahead with the full support of the University, in line with our code of practice on freedom of expression.

'We were expecting a protest at the event, having been made aware in advance. We made appropriate security arrangements, taking the advice of Durham Police, to ensure the welfare, safety and security of all involved and our wider community.

'The event was underway. In response to further intelligence and advice from the police about a risk to public safety, the University regretfully took the decision to end the event.

'While disappointed, the Durham Union Society accepted the reasons for this decision. They are an independent society and not formally part of the University.

'University Security worked closely with Police to manage the safe dispersal of people from the Palace Green area. All attendees safely left the building within a short time.

'Durham University has repeatedly affirmed our commitment to lawful demonstration, we robustly uphold freedom of speech, and we actively ensure the welfare, safety and security of all our community.

'The University will liaise with the Durham Union Society on rescheduling the event at the earliest possible opportunity and on providing a secure venue.'
This ghost town in the middle of the Mojave Desert has more famous signs than it does people - but it's owner is scrambling to do everything he can to bring the area back to its former glory.

Kyle Okura, 31, inherited all the businesses and assets inside Amboy, California - which has an official population of zero - from his late father last year, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The town is right along the famous Route 66, and tourists love to take pictures with the iconic Route 66 emblem that's painted into the paved road.

Additionally, a 50-foot neon sign for Roy's Motel & Cafe, the only operational business in Amboy, has become the centerpiece for the town's revitalization efforts.

'It's in the middle of nowhere in the desert, but you see a multitude of different types of people in Amboy,' said Okura, who owns Roy's. 'That's what's so amazing. You hear stories from all different parts of the world.'

Roy's was originally opened by Roy Crowl to serve as a rest stop for motorists traveling on what used to be the primary east-west highway in the US, Route 66

This area has long been a stop for travelers, starting when it was established in 1858 as a mining camp. The grounds gradually grew into an actual town with a Atlantic and Pacific Railroad station that was named Amboy.

Nowadays, Amboy is dotted with empty houses and buildings, a shuttered post office, a church with no congregants and a school with no students.

The last remaining sign of life in the town is Roy's, which has cold drinks, snacks and souvenirs. Outside the storefront sit three mechanical pumps that require an attendant to dispense the gasoline, priced at $6.49 a gallon for regular in recent times.

But Roy's is much more than a gas station for some.

For Jan Kuzelka, a travel guide who's been leading tourists from the Czech Republic and Slovakia on trips to national parks for 12 years, Roy's is an attraction that's as significant as other great staples of American culture like the Grand Canyon.

Assistant Manager Nicole Rachel unlocks the small historic church for tourists

Pictured: Amboy's old school, now boarded up and abandoned

'You sink into the '60s here,' Kuzelka, 49, told the LA Times. 'It's like a live museum.'

Assistant manager Nicole Rachel, 48, said that Roy's seems to be most popular with Germans, though customers from Brazil, Belgium, Canada, France and many other countries visit the doo-wop blaring establishment on a regular basis.

'They are very much into the Americana  the Route 66, the old diners,' Rachel said.

'They come through and they look and are like, "What are those?" And I'm like, "They're hot dogs."'

Okura relit the famous Roy's neon sign back in November 2019, an event that attracted 500 people and at least 50 airplanes that flew to Amboy's airstrip.

'I remember when my father purchased Amboy, everyone wrote it off as a bad decision. Fourteen years of struggling to restore the once famous boomtown and we've finally started to turn this thing around,' Okura wrote in an Instagram post.

Amboy indeed was a lively community once. After Route 66 was paved in the 1920s, it was home to a couple hundred residents.

A dog wanders a deserted parking lot near Roy's gas station on May 24, 2024

Okura takes a selfie with girlfriend Crysta Bree out in front of Roy's as the sun sets

Roy Crowl opened Roy's to serve motorists traveling on what used to be the primary east-west highway in the US. Together with his son-in-law Buster Burris, they expanded the roadside convenience store to include a cafe, then a motel.

But as time went on, Route 66 wasn't the end all be all as federal highways expanded and grew.

In 1972, Interstate 40 was built about 10 miles north and ended up routing nearly all traffic away from Amboy, basically killing the entire town and Roy's along with it.

Okura's father Albert, nicknamed 'The Chicken Man' for founding the Juan Pollo restaurant chain, saw the potential in the abandoned ghost town nearly 20 years ago and bought it from Burris' widow for $425,000.

One of the conditions of the sale was to restore the town to what it once was.

Okura's father started by reopening the gas station of Roy's and doing upkeep on the 1950's style lobby.

French tourists take a group selfie on National Trails Highway (Route 66) in front of the Roy's sign on May 24, 2024

Assistant manager Nicole Rachel works behind the counter at Roy's as tourists stop in for snacks on May 24, 2024

Okura was 12 when his dad bought Amboy, which is sandwiched between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and recalled being confused about why he decided to do it.

'All I could think was, "Man, this place is so far away. Where are we even going?"'

This wasn't entirely out of character for his dad though, who by this point had already bought the San Bernardino storefront on Route 66 - formerly the site of the original McDonald's and opened a museum dedicated to the burger restaurant there.

He thought Amboy would attract publicity for the Juan Pollo chain but Okura remembered not being convinced.

Okura gradually took on a more active role in getting Amboy up and running. It was a way for him to get close to his father, who had worked every single day for some 40 years, breezing through holidays, his birthdays and his children's birthdays.

And just like with his chicken restaurant, Okura's father was hard-working at Amboy, often the first to arrive and the last to leave, his employees recalled.

Albert "the Chicken Man" Okura, founder of the Juan Pollo restaurant chains, pictured with Kyle in 1994

Okura's father got to see the relighting of the Roy's neon sign in 2019, a huge milestone for father and son, but last year, he came down with what he thought was a stomach bug.

By the time he got to a hospital, the family found out he contracted sepsis. He died four days later at 71, the LA Times reported.

'I thought I was going to be working with him forever,' Okura said, noting that Albert had regularly brought his own dad to work until just a month before his 100th birthday. 'I thought we would be the same, we'd be working together until he was 100.'

Okura said he's in talks to have a portion of the National Trails Highway, the official name for Route 66, be renamed Albert Okura Memorial Highway in his father's honor. As part of that, Okura plans to eventually hang plaques around Amboy that detail the history of his father's quest to save the once dynamic town.

Currently, Okura is juggling both Amboy's revitalization and Juan Pollo, as he became the president of the chicken restaurant chain after his father's death.

Emily and Joe Coombs of Montana get an exclusive look inside the small historic church across the street from Roy's

Luckily, he has a small but dedicated group that wants to put Amboy back on the map, starting with reopening the motel and cafe at Roy's that once hosted guests for longer than just a quick stop for gas or a snack.

Okura's dream team includes Rachel and Roy's manager Ken Large, a history buff who runs the day-to-day operations.

Large is also an avid stamp collector hopes to someday reopen the Amboy Post Office.

Rachel, who formerly worked in child care, handles the town's social media accounts, advertising and filming logistics.

Amboy is also a place with a long tradition of hosting film and commercial shoots.

The windswept desert town has been the site of filming for many slasher flicks, with Rachel lamenting that there haven't been 'any romantic comedies' shot there yet.

Roy's did however appear on the cover Louis Vuitton's Route 66 Travel Book several years ago.

Okura poses in front of the classic Roy's sign sitting on the hood of Lincoln Continental

Even more recently, Olivia Rodrigo filmed a portion of her music documentary 'Driving Home 2 U' in Amboy. A year later in 2023, David Yarrow did a photo shoot with supermodel Cindy Crawford, who sat in a $7-million 1953 Ferrari Spider with Roy's in the background.

'One of the best memories I have is being out here at sunset with Cindy Crawford,' Large said. 'I'm old. That might be as good as it gets for me.'

Okura has occupied himself with the grunt work necessary to get Amboy in working order, with step one being replacing the septic system.

Once that's done, Roy's can once again have public restrooms and ditch the portable toilets that are less than fun to do your business in in 120 degree heat.

Arguably the biggest challenge for Okura has been getting drinkable water run back into Roy's, which is critical in order to reopen the cafe.

The property's well water is apparently 10 times as salty as the ocean, largely due to the nearby salt mines, which necessitates a reverse osmosis filtration system to be constantly running. Okura is considering hauling water to the town instead.

Old Route 66 is pictured with Roy's in the background on the left hand side of the historic road

Okura's goal is to have much of this work done by the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026, which tourism officials hope will be the boon needed to jumpstart businesses along the historic artery.

Two decades ago, when he was still barely a teenager, Okura saw Amboy as nothing but a sandy relic of a bygone era. Now he views it as a place worth saving, just like his dad did.

'Its unlike any other place you can visit,' he said. 'Theres nothing like it and no way you can replicate something like Amboy.'

Okura said 'destiny' was his father's favorite word, which has spurred him to name his future daughter that, should he have one.

'When Amboy came along, he kept telling himself, "It is my destiny,"' Okura said about his late father. 'So I do believe that now, moving forward, its part of my destiny to honor that.'
Support for the Coalition has risen to the highest point in almost three years as Peter Dutton closes in on Anthony Albanese as preferred leader, according to a new poll.

The Prime Minister's party has been hammered in recent weeks over its handling of the immigration detainee scandal and any hope of a post-Budget boost to electoral fortunes appears to have evaporated.

The latest Newspoll, conducted by The Australian, found the Coalition's primary vote has risen two points to 39 per cent, while support for Labor has dropped to 33 per cent.

With less than a year until the next election, it represents the strongest primary vote for the Coalition since August 2021 when Scott Morrison was Prime Minister.

Most worryingly for Mr Albanese personally is the Opposition leader's rise in popularity among voters.

The latest Newspoll, conducted by The Australian , found the Coalition's primary vote has risen two points to 39 per cent, while support for Labor has dropped to 33 per cent

The Prime Minister's lead over Mr Dutton has been cut from 19 points three weeks ago to just eight in the latest poll.

Those who believed Mr Albanese would make a better Prime Minister fell by six points to 46 per cent, while support for Mr Dutton rose five points to 38 per cent.

This marks the narrowest lead Mr Albanese has had over his rival since the election.

It means that the two leaders are now almost neck-and-neck in terms of net overall approval ratings.

The survey, which quizzed 1,232 voters across Australia between June 3-7, also found support for the Greens fell by two points to 11 per cent - its lowest since September 2022.

It indicates that the odds of a hung parliament at the next election have risen, with Labor likely to be forced into minority government with the Greens or independents.

Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton have most recently traded barbs over the direction of Australai's energy policy.

The Opposition leader said he would dump Australia's 2030 target to cut emissions by 43 per cent from 2005 levels, should the coalition win the next federal election.

Instead, Mr Dutton has backed the use of nuclear power in the fight for reaching net zero by 2050.

Under the Paris Agreement, members must increase their emissions targets every five years and cannot water them down.

It commits countries to taking measures that limit global temperature rises to 1.5C and to keep them below 2C.

Mr Albanese said Mr Dutton 'was never serious about climate change'.

Perhaps most worryingly for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese personally is the Opposition Leader's rise in popularity among voters.

'He still wont tell the Australian people where he plans to put his nuclear reactors - or how much they will cost,' Mr Albanese wrote on X.

Climate groups warn going back on Australia's targets could hamper investment as the nation transitions to a cleaner economy.

Such a move could risk Australia's membership of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen described the coalition's explanation of its policy as a 'rolling disaster'.

'The fact of the matter is the Paris accord is crystal clear, there can be no backsliding,' he said.

'If you reduce your target, then you're in breach of the Paris accord.'
A fly-in fly out worker has exposed the seedy underbelly of her six-figure job after sharing a disturbing note her male colleague had left behind for her.

Isabella said she had only been in the job for a few weeks, but a co-woeker managed to find her room and slide under her door a note addressed to the 'new girl'.

She said she 'was warned about strange people on site' but admitted she was 'not prepared for this' when signing up for the job.

In a video, which has attracted almost 80,000 views on TikTok, Isabella decided to share what was written on the piece of paper.

'If you want a free vape in exchange for a little something, let me know,' she read.

Isabella (pictured) has called out a colleague after finding a disturbing note, exposing the dark reality of being a fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) worker

Isabella asked how the workmate managed to get her room number and 'why you write like a f**king child' after taking a closer look at his handwriting.

'If this is the FIFO lifestyle, I don't know if I want it,' she said.

Other female FIFO workers revealed they had also been targetted by creepy behaviour.

'Girl I've had this happen to me 3 times in 3 years of working FIFO,' one wrote.

'Wait till you start finding random boxers in YOUR washing machine from people tryna send a message.'

'Yup! I know all about those! Exchange for a little something something hahaha! Part of FIFO life,' another added.

'If you're at the camp I think you're at, I've had so many creepy things happen to me there as well,' a third wrote.

Many called the note 'disrespectful' and urged Isabella to report it to HR to prevent any further unwelcome contact from the man.

According to job site Talent, the average FIFO worker in Australia earns $112,500 a year.

Salaries can vary from $92,717 to $168,899 a year depending on experience.

In a video, which has attracted almost 80,000 views on TikTok , Isabella (pictured) decided to share what was written on the piece of paper a colleague slipped under her door

Western Australia conducted an inquiry into sexual harassment of women in the mining industry in 2022.

The state's minister for resources, Madeleine King, said the results were 'shocking'.

Women made up around 17 percent of the 302,600 workers in the mining sector but accounted for 74 per cent of people who reported sexual harassment at work.

The WA Parliament's Community Development and Justice Standing Committee conducted an investigation and more than two dozen recommendations to make FIFO safer for women.

A more recent report found the mining industry 'appears to have made progress 'covert forms' of sexual harassment like misogyny 'remain high'.

Jordan Wilson, a drill fitter in WA, said mine sites across the state had a lot issues dealing with unruly men before alcohol limits were imposed in 2022.

He explained that a lot of people would get very drunk and start causing problems.

'Whether it's having their music playing all night, or parties or getting into fights, or causing damage...that used to happen a lot on every mine site,' he told Yahoo.
Birmingham Airport bosses have blamed the chaotic long queues that incensed passengers last week on a government U-turn on the hand luggage liquid limit.

The Department for Transport quietly reintroduced the rule across the whole country on Sunday morning which prevents people from carrying liquids greater than 100ml.

Airport bosses say it is 'imperative' holidaymakers follow the limit as it comes under intense pressure over security delays that caused queues to snake out of the entrance for as long as two hours yesterday.

Insiders have claimed queues could last for months and the airport is 'understaffed', leaving employees 'overworked' and 'struggling'.

Nick Barton, CEO of Birmingham Airport, warned just 'one non-compliant bag can add up to 20 minutes to each passenger's journey through security'.

Birmingham Airport passengers were stuck in queues which snaked outside of the entrance

Long queues outside Birmingham Airport can be seen on Sunday in a video posted to X

The airport thought officials were going to lift the limit from June 1 after Covid delayed the original deadline.

It had 'designed and resourced' a new privately funded 60 million security screening hall fitted with scanners that are able to check larger bottles.

But the DfT said on Friday the 100ml limit would 'temporarily be reintroduced' from Sunday amid concerns over whether the new technology was secure enough, reported the Telegraph.

Mr Barton said the airport is continually seeing non-compliant bags, despite the legal limits.

'Since opening our new security area, and despite being one of the first UK airports to comply, we have been limited on the use of our multi-million-pound equipment due to an outstanding regulatory restriction meaning we had to limit liquids to 100ml,' he told the BBC.

'Despite the 100ml rule still being in place, we continually have non-compliant bags with liquids over the allowance which have led to inefficiencies of our equipment and resulted in extended queuing time for customers.

'It is now imperative that all customers comply with the nationwide rule to ensure a smoother and simpler transition through the airport.'

The disruptions at Birmingham Airporty began on Thursday when long lines formed amid confusion over new 100ml liquid rules and 3D baggage scanners.

Furious passengers waited hours to get through security after the airport installed a new technology that allows people to travel with liquids up to two litres in their bags.

An unnamed employee told BirminghamLive that passengers complain to him about missed or delayed flights regularly and said the situation is 'really bad'.

The video was taken of the queue for security at 5.18am on Sunday

By the time the passengers who posted the video had made it through security their flight was making final boarding calls

Just joined the Birmingham Airport security queue. Its 5.18am - lets see how quickly we get through. Dont have fast track. Ill do the job that the @bhx_official comms team dont. Awful for anybody elderly, with a disability, kids or if it was raining #birminghamairportqueue pic.twitter.com/U8VyicyAog  Wes and Pete (@wesandpete) June 9, 2024

The disruptions began on Thursday when long lines formed amid confusion over new 100ml liquid rules and 3D baggage scanners

Furious passengers have waited hours to get through security after the airport installed a new technology which allows people to travel with liquids up to two litres in their bags

Frustrated passengers have been facing hours-long queues as they make their way through airport security

Huge lines have been seen outside the terminal, snaking around the side of the building

The issue apparently stems from a shortage of staff and the time it has taken to complete the new security hall upgrade, with the source adding that the airport should have employed extra security staff to combat these problems.

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

In response, airport bosses said a 'continual recruitment campaign for security officers' is in place and added that missed or delayed flights are 'not necessarily' their fault.

The issues started on Thursday, with long queues forming as the new rules for carrying liquids sparked confusion amongst passengers.

The chaos hadn't eased up on Friday and over the weekend people turned up three hours early for their flight but still found themselves stuck in long lines at security.

Birmingham Airport met the deadline at the start of this month to install new 3D baggage 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 getting them out to be screened separately in clear bags.

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', the airport added.

Birmingham Airport has since installed 'liquid stations' at all of its entrances in which staff are helping passengers remove liquids over 100ml from their hand luggage before they enter security.

'The outdoor queues seen today are from "liquid check stations", a spokesperson for the airport said.

'With these additional checks we have seen a large proportion of customers still arriving with liquids over 100ml in their bags and these have to be regrettably removed and disposed of. Containers that can carry more than a 100ml are permitted but, need to be completely empty. Our security flow rate has been continuous today, helped by these extra checks and we welcome and appreciate the co-operation of our passengers in eliminating oversize liquids from their cabin baggage.

'It is now, more than ever, imperative that customers abide by the 100ml rule. This additional layer of control risks slowing down the security process without the support of passengers.

'We have continually planned for this transition from our old security area, to our new, and had considered the impact of the building works, new equipment, and the unfamiliar queuing areas. We have around a million passengers use our airport each month, the majority of whom have a good experience despite the ongoing construction works.'
Health and care will be 'right at the centre' of the Liberal Democrat manifesto when it launches today.

Party leader Sir Ed Davey has said 'the NHS and care needs a significant boost' because it is 'in a real crisis at the moment.'

He told the Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme: 'On the care policy - free personal care and making sure we have got more care workers by paying them properly - we have said we will reverse the Conservatives tax cut for big banks and that would raise 4.3 billion.'

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey arrives at Victoria Park Tennis in Berkshire while on the General Election campaign on Saturday

The programme heard that among Liberal Democrat plans if they formed a government were providing 1,000 extra hospital beds which are fully staffed at an upfront cost of 280 million plus 400 million each year, which is on top of 8,000 new general practitioners and an unspecified amount to be spent on repairing hospitals.
New police bodycam video shows the moment a conspiracy theorist blew his Virginia home to pieces.

James Yoo, 56, intentionally used gasoline to set his house on fire, killing him in the process and triggering an explosion that was felt by people miles away.

Arlington County officials showed bodycam video which laid out the sequence of events that led to Yoo's house exploding with multiple police officers in dangerously close proximity.

A portion of the video shows a police car getting its windshield shattered by debris from the explosion, while another depicts an officer getting blown back by the blast and charging away.

Investigators said Yoo, who believed his neighbors were spies who wanted to assassinate him, acted alone and that this explosion wasn't connected to terrorists.

Yoo's home is seen from the vantage point of a cop car parked on his front lawn moments before it erupted into a fireball

Pictured: The split second where the entire home explodes, which authorities said was set by Yoo intentionally

Seconds later, the house comes crumbling down. Investigators said Yoo acted alone and wasn't working with terrorist groups

Officers were sent to Yoo's home on December 4 when an officer in the area heard what sounded like shots.

When he went to investigate and was greeted by several nervous residents by Fields Park, near Yoo's home.

As more distressed calls from neighbors reporting gunfire or fireworks came in, officers determined that flares were being shot out from the back window of duplex on North Burlington Street.

Officers arrived at the duplex where one of the units was owned by Yoo. The occupants of the other side of the duplex were evacuated as police attempted to initiate a dialogue with Yoo, who shot more than 30 flares from his home that night.

Investigators said that they couldn't make contact with Yoo, and throughout the course of the four-hour long confrontation, neighbors told police that he was a recluse that had recently covered his windows with trash bags, WUSA9 reported.

His social media also included bizarre ramblings accusing his neighbors of carrying out surveillance operations on his house and relaying information to US authorities.

The view of the explosion from the rear of the duplex Yoo had barricaded himself inside

A cop is seen on bodycam getting blown back by the sudden explosion. After yelling some obscenities. the officer turns on his heels and runs away

'[Names redacted] and her two children are spies and act as buffers collecting my information and then delivering to their handlers,' Yoo wrote in the unhinged social media entry.

He claimed that they were 'working with the witch and the alien' plotting a 'surprise attack' against him on December 7, the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.

The posts refer to his ex-wife as a 'witch,' and anti-U.S. slogans including '#F---AMERICA.'

He ranted: 'This is how White people operate and have the luxury of outnumbering all other 'races' by almost 7 to 1 in 'Merica.'

Once authorities learned of some of several anti-government posts, they were able to obtain a search warrant to search his home and recover any weapons that might have been inside.

Yoo refused to back down from his barricaded position inside the house though, and attempts from law enforcement to gain entry by shooting pepper spray and deploying tear gas were unsuccessful, WUSA9 reported.

A cop on a nearby stoop witnesses the explosion at Yoo's home engulfing a police car parked on the lawn

Before the house exploded, Yoo is seen firing flares out the back window, where they landed in a nearby park and elementary school

James Yoo, the Arlington man suspected of triggering an explosion at his Virginia home, was a paranoid conspiracy theorist who believed that the U.S. government wanted to kill him with the help of his neighbors

The house suddenly exploded when officers tried to get in through a window at around 8:25pm.

The resulting inferno didn't kill anyone other than Yoo, whose remains were found the next day, but nearby residents were certainly traumatized.

Emily Saxon, a 30-year-old nurse, said that blast sounded like an 'earthquake' and the shockwaves felt like a car had run through her living room.

Sam Kin, a 25-year-old consultant who lived next door to Yoo, filmed the police trying to coax the 56-year-old out of the house.

He said the explosion was 'traumatizing' after getting hit by the shockwave.

'I am going to see my therapist right now,' Kim told DailyMail.com.

No serious injuries were suffered by police and 60 firefighters responded to combat the flames.

In their search through the rubble on December 5, police found gasoline canisters, three guns, two flare guns, magazines, ammunition and more flares, WUSA9 reported.

Police found gasoline canisters, three guns, two flare guns, magazines, ammunition and more flares

Pictured: The aftermath of the explosion that destroyed Yoo's home

A relative of Yoo told WUSA9 that he had a history of mental illnesses but refused any sort of treatment for his alleged symptoms, which included psychosis, catatonic behavior and paranoia.

Among his other conspiratorial beliefs was the idea that there was a link between 9/11 attacks and Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into the 2016 election.

That idea of his came out through his submissions in a lawsuit Yoo filed against family members, including ex-wife Stephanie, and Rochester General Hospital for allegedly detaining him against his will.

The suit was thrown out as 'frivolous.'

'Plaintiff believes he is the victim of conspiracy against him by his sister, his ex-wife, and others including RGH. Plaintiff believes, for example, that his sister, ex-wife and RGH conspired to prevent him from obtaining an attorney,' a court document read.

His wife divorced him on March 30, 2017, citing 'the irretrievable breakdown of their relationship.'

Yoo was told to pay her a sum of $80,000 as well as buy her out of her share of their now-destroyed former marital home for the sum of $150,000.
A Pakistani man who tried to set up the nation's first gay club has been thrown into a mental hospital, after religious conservatives claimed he only did so after coming back from the UK.

The man, who was not identified by the Telegraph, filed an application to set the club up in Abbottabad, a conservative city in the north of the nation that nearly 240million call home.

The man said, in an application filed to city officials, said the proposed club, which would've balled Lorenzo, would be a 'great convenience and resource for many homosexual, bisexual and even some heterosexual people residing in Abbottabad in particular, and in other parts of the country in general.'

But gay sex is criminalised in Pakistan, and can be punished with prison sentences of up to two years. On top of this, a deeply conservative culture can make it difficult to be openly gay.

So much so that the man was transferred to the Sarhad hospital for psychiatric disease in Peshawar on May 9.

The man, who was not identified by the Telegraph, filed an application to set the club up in Abbottabad, a conservative city in the north of Pakistan

Gay sex is criminalised in Pakistan, and can be punished with prison sentences of up to two years (File image)

He received much abuse for his application from local citizens and politicians alike.

The leader of the Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) party, a conservative religious group in the region, claimed that the applicant tried to set up the club had recently returned from a visit to the UK.

One local MP from the far-Right Pakistan Awami Tehreek party said he would've doused the club with petrol and set it alight, while the leader of the party, Naseer Khan Nazir, said there would be 'very severe consequences' if the club was allowed to go up.

His friends, who were not named, said they were terrified for his wellbeing, and had been blocked from visiting him or accessing any information about him.

'Everyone is afraid that talking about it will put them in danger,' one said.

'I do not know about his well-being for many days' they said, adding that they had 'tried to find out about him a couple of times but without success'.

Before he was sent to the mental hospital, he told the paper: 'I talk about human rights and I want everyone's human rights to be defended.'

'I have started the struggle for the rights of the most neglected community in Pakistan and I will raise my voice in every forum,' he said.

'If the authorities refuse, then I will approach the court and I hope that like the Indian court, the Pakistani court will rule in favour of gay people.'

His application states that there would've been 'no gay (or non-gay) sex (other than kissing)' at the club.

The application added: 'A clearly visible notice on the wall would warn: no sex on premises. This would mean that no legal constraints (even obsolete ones like [anti-sodomy] PPC section 377) would be flouted on the premises.'
Suella Braverman has told the Tories to embrace Nigel Farage as she called on the party to 'unite the right'.

The former home secretary opened the door for the Reform UK leader to join the Conservative party by saying she would welcome him into the ranks.

Mr Farage last week blasted Prime Minister and Tory leader Rishi Sunak for his 'dreadful' decision to leave the D-Day 80th anniversary commemoration ceremony early.

The premier issued a grovelling apology for his 'mistake' in ditching the final D-Day event in Normandy to fly back to London to conduct a pre-recorded interview with ITV.

It prompted fierce backlash from political rivals and even Tory frontbencher Penny Mordaunt joined Mr Farage in putting the boot into the premier in a BBC election debate.

Suella Braverman has told the Tories to embrace Nigel Farage as she called on the party to 'unite the right'

The former home secretary opened the door for the Reform UK leader to join the Conservative party by saying she would welcome him into the ranks

The Reform leader lashed out at the PM's 'dreadful' decision to skip the event while Ms Mordaunt said it had been 'completely wrong' to leave the commemorations of 80 years since the beginning of the liberation of Europe from Nazi rule.

The decision left veterans in Mr Sunak's own constituency feeling 'disgusted'.

Yesterday, Ms Braverman, who was brutally sacked by Mr Sunak in a cabinet reshuffle in November, told The Times there was 'not much difference' between Mr Farage's policies and the Tories'.

'We need to, in the future, to find some way to work together because there shouldn't be big differences between us,' she said.

'I would welcome Nigel into the Conservative party. There's not much difference really between him and many of the policies that we stand for.

'We are a broad church, we should be a welcoming party and an inclusive party and if someone is supportive of the party, that's a pre-condition and they want Conservatives to get elected then they should be welcomed.'

Mr Farage came under fire today for claiming Mr Sunak doesn't understand 'our culture'.

In an interview with the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Farage said: 'It shows the man doesn't understand. He is not patriotic, he doesn't care about our history, our culture.'

Mr Farage came under fire for claiming Rishi Sunak doesn't understand 'our culture' after the premier left the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations early

Rishi Sunak issued a grovelling apology in front of TV cameras for leaving D-Day commemoration events early

Mr Sunak's early departure from Normandy left Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron to join US President Joe Biden, France's Emmanuel Macron, and Germany's Olaf Scholz on Omaha Beach

In a social media post this morning, Mr Sunak admitted 'it was a mistake not to stay in France longer - and I apologise'

The Reform UK leader insisted his comments were about class rather than race after he faced heavy backlash from across the political spectrum as he was accused of 'dog whistle' politics.

Work and Pensions secretary Mel Stride was left feeling 'uncomfortable' by Mr Farage's remarks, while shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said they were 'completely unacceptable'.

Mr Sunak told local newspaper The Northern Echo he was 'deeply sorry for the hurt he had caused amid his constituents living in Catterick Garrison previously saying his decision to ditch the commemoration on June 6 was 'disgusting'.

On BBC One yesterday morning, Ms Kuenssberg said viewers 'might imagine that you are trying, not very subtly, to emphasise the prime minister's immigrant heritage'.

Mr Farage said: 'I know what your question is leading at - 40 per cent of our contribution in World War One and World War Two came from the Commonwealth.

'He is utterly disconnected by class, by privilege, from how the ordinary folk in this country feel. He revealed that, I think spectacularly, when he left Normandy early.

'Out there now there are millions and millions of people who were Conservative voters, traditional Conservative voters, not the red-wallers, who are now thinking 'Do we go on supporting the Conservatives or do we support Reform?'

'This is going to be, I think, the acid test of this election.'

A Tory defeat at the general election on July 4 would spark a leadership contest with Ms Braverman expected to throw her hat into the ring for a second time.

Equalities minister Kemi Badenoch is currently the frontrunner with bookies to become the next Tory leader, with Priti Patel second favourite.

Mr Farage is ahead of Ms Braverman in the betting, having this month suggested a 'takeover' of the Tory party in the event of a heavy defeat for Mr Sunak.

Equalities minister Kemi Badenoch is currently the frontrunner with bookies to become the next Tory leader

Ex-PM Liz Truss (left) and Dame Priti Patel (right) have both backed Mr Farage rejoining the Tory party

He said he hoped key figures on the Right could unite under one banner if Labour wins big on July 4.

Asked if he was proposing a merger, he responded: 'More like a takeover.'

There has been growing speculation about Mr Farage's future and him potentially re-joining the Tories after the election in a bid to rebuild the party and drag them away from the centre and more to the Right.

Senior Tory MPs including Ms Braverman, ex-PM Liz Truss and Dame Priti have backed him re-joining the Tory fold after he quit the party 32 years ago over its stance on the European Union.
Morgan Metzer was bashed with the butt of a pistol, choked to within an inch of her life, sexually assaulted, and left tied up with a pillowcase over her head.

The man who broke into her home in Canton, Georgia, just after midnight on New Year's Day 2021 wore a mask and distorted his voice.

Even looking and sounding like Batman, Morgan had an inkling, somehow, that it could be her ex-husband Rodney Metzer.

Badly injured, she lay face down and half naked on the deck and hoped someone would come for help, and someone did, about 1.40am - Rodney.

Even looking and sounding like Batman, Morgan Metzer had an inkling, somehow, that her attacker could be her ex-husband Rodney Metzer

Morgan after she was bashed with the butt of a pistol, choked to within an inch of her life, raped, and left tied up on her deck with a pillowcase over her head

He expressed horror and concern, untied her, called 911 and stayed holding her until the police arrived.

Within hours, it all began to unravel. Rodney being there so quickly didn't make sense, and police didn't buy his story.

He claimed someone mysteriously knocked on his window and yelled Morgan's name, prompting to go and check on her.

Rodney lived only 15 minutes away and so got there quickly, but Morgan wondered how he knew to look, as she told him she was going to her parents' house.

'I know what I know, I told my truth,' he told police who interviewed him at the scene, but they were incredulous.

'There's no way in hell that somebody knocks on your window and said her name and you immediately come over here because you're going to check on her,' one told him.

'And she happens to be bound with a pillowcase over her head by a man who's disguising his voice.'

Morgan and Rodney Metzer met when they were teenagers and had twins together before they broke up in 2020

The black eye Morgan suffered from being repeatedly bashed with the butt of a pistol

Marks on her neck form being choked by Rodney during the almost hour-long attack

Metzer didn't say at the time, but there was another big red flag that pointed to her husband being the culprit.

'On his way out he kept saying 'you messed up. You're going to be fine but we can't say that about your ex-husband. You're really going to miss him'.'

'That's when I went, 'wow, it's him.' Why would somebody randomly say you're going to miss your husband?' she told The Sun.

Police, suspicious of Rodney, searched his phone and found he was copying Morgan's messages and secretly taking photos of her in the shower while he was sleeping on her couch weeks earlier.

They arrested him for lying to police and he spent New Year's Day in jail while they search his home and found more incriminating evidence.

'The investigation revealed a different story,' Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace said when Rodney pleaded guilty in August 2021.

'The day before, Metzer attempted one last time to reconcile with his ex-wife, but she refused. Then, around 12.30am on January 1, Metzer broke into her home and entered her bedroom, wearing a mask and carrying a gun.

Rodney sits with Morgan in CCTV from her home as police arrive

Police arrested him for lying to police and he spent New Year's Day in jail while they search his home and found more incriminating evidence

'When he spoke to her, he disguised his voice. He hit her with the butt of his gun and tried to strangle her two times.

'He zip tied her hands, assaulted her, placed a pillowcase over her head, and dragged her to the deck.

'He left her there, face down, instructing her not to move until she heard a car honk. He told her she would be shot if she moved.

'After leaving his ex-wife tied up outside on the deck, Metzer went to his apartment, changed his clothes, and came back to her home, where he found her still lying face down, tied up outside.'

Wallace explained that detectives found a gun in his car and zip-ties in his apartment, both of which matched those used in the attack.

CCTV also gave him away. He was caught leaving Lowe's Home Improvement carrying a pack of zip ties, and coming home to his apartment and leaving a few minutes later wearing different clothing.

Detectives also found that he searched on the internet for 'how long before you starve to death', 'how to change the sound of your voice', and 'how long it takes to choke someone unconscious'.

Only one thing was stolen - Morgan's phone, so he could erase the CCTV footage of his arrival, attack, and departure.

Rodney was caught leaving Lowe's Home Improvement carrying a pack of zip ties

Detectives found a gun in his car and zip-ties in his apartment, both of which matched those used in the attack

Rodney pleaded guilty and was jailed for 70 years, with 25 to be served in prison and the rest on probation, as part of a plea deal

Morgan was too scared to sleep for weeks after the attack and often kept her twin children home from school as she needed them with her.

'A downstairs lamp was on so there was light coming from behind him. I screamed so loud, it's a scream that I don't think I can ever do again. It was so painful. Soon enough, he was on top of me,' she recalled.

'He was wearing a mask which made him look like Batman, it even had the ears which angled up a bit.

'At that point, I knew I was going to die.'

Morgan said she woke up to every woman's worst fear, and the distorted Batman-like voice still haunted her when she slept.

'I could feel his finger on the trigger of the gun. And I was like, 'This is it. I'm gone',' she told Fox 5.

'[Then] he decided to strangle me. Two times. Once to the point I barely had any breath left. I thought it was going to be my last breath.'

Police said Rodney's attack could have been even worse, as they found a suicide note they believed meant he planned to kill Morgan and himself, but backed out.

Morgan and Rodney met as teenagers when she was 14 and he was a high school senior, and got married in 2010.

Their first child died of a congenital heart defect in 2011, but their baby twins, now aged nine, arrived within the next year.

Morgan and Rodney met as teenagers when she was 14 and he was a high school senior, and got married in 2010

Police said Rodney's attack could have been even worse, as they found a suicide note they believed meant he planned to kill Morgan and himself, but backed out

They appeared to friends as a stable and loving couple, but underneath, Rodney was a 'master manipulator, prosecutors said, who gaslighted her for years.

Some of it was minor, like berating her for not picking up the kids from school, falsely saying she agreed to, but sometime were more serious.

'He had me convinced I pushed him down the stairs. I did not. He made me feel like I was the aggressive one and the toxic one in the family,' she said.

They finally got divorced in December 2020, but stayed friends to make parenting their children easier.

They drove to Florida before Christmas that year to leave their children with family and put on a 'united front', but Rodney wanted it to be real.

So he hatched his most shocking piece of gaslighting yet - a fake cancer diagnosis.

He called Morgan to break the news he had pancreatic cancer, even showing her forged hospital invoice as proof.

Morgan felt sorry for him and left him sleep on her couch in the days before New Year's Eve, but kicked him out so she could start 2021 afresh.

His web of lies was quickly unraveled as soon as the police, whom he hadn't spent years manipulating, started looking at him.

'He was choking me, staring at me,' Morgan told police after they arrived, all captured on her security system.

'Did you see his face?' the sheriff's deputy asked as Rodney looked at her.

'No, he had something over it,' Morgan replied.

Rodney insisted he rushed over after the cryptic knocking on his window because 'even though we're not married I'm supposed to try to protect her'.

They appeared to friends as a stable and loving couple, but underneath, Rodney was a 'master manipulator, prosecutors said, who gaslighted her for years

Even after police found overwhelming evidence, Morgan had been so badly gaslit that she had moments of doubt

None of it worked. Morgan's security footage showed police handcuff Rodney and lead him away in handcuffs.

'This man is a master manipulator. In the days leading up to this attack he faked a cancer diagnosis in an attempt to gain sympathy from his ex-wife,' Wallace said.

'When that didn't work, he created a convoluted plan that the investigators in this case and our office truly believe involved a plot to kill her and then himself.

'When he couldn't go through with that plan, he instead devised a new plan to rescue her.

'Fortunately, Sheriff's Office investigators saw through this scheme and quickly arrested the defendant.

'I cannot imagine how terrifying this must have been for her. This is a classic example of how the most dangerous time for a domestic violence victim is when she decides to leave an abusive relationship.'

Even after police found overwhelming evidence, Morgan had been so badly gaslit that she had moments of doubt.

'There were quite a few times where I convinced myself even after that that maybe it wasn't him. Maybe it was someone else. I can't believe we're doing this to him,' she said.

'There's no way he would have done this to me. He wouldn't hurt me.'

Rodney was charged with a long list of crimes including sexual battery, kidnapping, and aggravated family violence battery.

At first, Rodney tried to convince police of his innocence, and manipulate them the same way he did to his wife.

'It's sickening to me that this happened to her and it's sickening to me that y'all think I would do this,' he told them during interrogation.

'I'm a very kind, gentle... like I don't have an angry bone in my body.'

At first, Rodney tried to convince police of his innocence. 'It's sickening to me that this happened to her and it's sickening to me that y'all think I would do this,' he told them during interrogation

The case has now been dramatized into the Lifetime film Gaslit by my Husband, with One Tree Hill stars Jana Kramer and Austin Nichols playing Morgan and Rodney

Morgan said as terrible as the attack was, it at least finally revealed his true colors to friends who didn't see through his manipulation.

'No one had ever believed he was a bad person, it was a relief. He would always blame stuff on me too, to make me think like I was in the wrong. That was the gaslighting,' he said.

Rodney pleaded guilty and was jailed for 70 years, with 25 to be served in prison and the rest on probation, as part of a plea deal.

The case has now been dramatized into the Lifetime film Gaslit by my Husband, with One Tree Hill stars Jana Kramer and Austin Nichols playing Morgan and Rodney.
An Indian student is fighting to stay in Australia after he was left a paraplegic following a horrific alleged attack in Tasmania.

Devarshi 'Dev' Deka began studying at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) last year but his exciting, new life took a tragic turn after an alleged assault in November.

Mr Deka was at the Salamanca Market on Hobart's waterfront when he was allegedly attacked, prompting him to be placed into an induced coma.

It was later discovered Mr Deka was left paraplegic and suffered a brain injury.

Mr Deka is determined to stay in Australia where he can receive high-quality medical care while surrounded by those he loves.

Devarshi 'Dev' Deka (pictured) celebrated his 33rd as the Tasmanian community continues to rally for his permanent residency in Australia

He celebrated his 33rd birthday in Hobart's north on Saturday in an instance his close friend Rishabh 'Rick' Kaushik said proved he was supported by the community.

'The reason they're here is just to show Dev that he's not alone in his struggle; he's not alone in these hard times and this has refined the image of Tasmania in Dev's brain,' Mr Kaushik told the ABC.

'This is one of the major reasons he doesn't want to leave, because he knows people here love him and they will keep loving him until he's able to stay here.'

Mr Deka's father, Kula Ranjan Depa, also shared the family's 'gratitude' for the community's support as the emotional backing helps his son both mentally and physically.

A massive GoFundMe created to help cover Mr Dek's medical bills and keep his family united in Tasmania has raised more than $94,000 from over 1,800 donors.

UTAS has also agreed to extend Mr Deka's accommodation for as long he needs.

However, unless Mr Deka is granted permanent residency before his student visa expires he will be forced to move back to India.

His flight back home would be covered by insurance but not his ongoing treatment.

Mr Deka's family said he would be unable to access the much-needed medical support he needs in India.

Mr Deka (pictured with loved ones) was left paraplegic and suffered a brain injury after an alleged attack in Hobart last year but faces moving back to India when his student visa expires

The Multicultural Council of Tasmania began a petition to lobby Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff to push the federal government into granting Mr Deka permanent residency.

The petition had more than 6,400 signatures by Monday morning but will close by midnight.

Its sponsor, Greens MP Helen Burnett, said the number of signees already backing Mr Deka was 'an amazing show of strength'.

'This happened in Tasmania and it's very important that Australians, and Tasmanians in particular show that support and that's what they're doing by signing this petition,' she said.

The petition will be tabled in Parliament next week.

Mr Kaushik said Mr Deka is steadily improving with ongoing rehabilitation and treatment.

A 24-year-old man has been charged over the alleged assault and is due to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court in June.
The teen victims of a shark attack in the Florida panhandle have been identified as Lulu Gribbin, who lost a hand and a leg, and McCray Faust, who suffered injuries to her foot.

Ann Blair Gribbin, Lulu's mom, recounted how her first mother-daughter beach trip quickly turned to horror when sharing an update with friends and family online.

On Friday, the Gribbin family along with multiple friends visited Seacrest Beach. After coming back from lunch, Ann Blair came back to the beach only to find out there was a shark in the water.

A crowd formed around the edge of the ocean, which had been evacuated by Walton County authorities and lifeguards. That's when Lulu's twin sister Ellie came up to her and told her Lulu had been attacked.

'I saw her wounds on her leg and started to scream. She was lifeless her eyes closed mouth white and pale. The wound on her leg or all that was left of her leg was something out of a movie,' Gribbin said.

Lulu Gribbin, was one of the teen girls attacked by a shark Friday. The bites were so severe that surgeons needed to amputate her 'right leg halfway up from her knee to her hip,' according to a Facebook post written by her mother

Pictured: Emergency professionals rush shark bite victims away from the beach and toward air transport to the hospital

This brutal attack occurred at around 3pm, according to South Walton Fire District Fire Chief Ryan Crawford, who said both girls needed tourniquets applied to their bite wounds.

Ann Blair was able to make it to her daughter who she said saw her approaching. Lulu's eyes were still open so the concerned mom clutched her hand.

Almost immediately, emergency responders loaded her up, carried her off the beach and got her to a helicopter.

Lulu was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, which took them an hour and 20 minutes to drive to.

'We prayed the entire way,' Ann Blair wrote.

'We got to Sacred Heart and Lulu was already in surgery, but they answered my prayer that she was alive, and her vitals were good,' adding that the surgeons told her, 'the shark had bitten off Lulu's left hand and that they had to amputate her right leg halfway up from her knee to her hip.'

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. Some beaches have since reopened

Ann Blair wrote that Lulu lost two thirds of her blood in the attack, which is beyond life-threatening. Experts say if a human loses more than 40 percent of their blood and doesn't get immediate surgery, it will lead to death.

Lulu was conscious on Saturday and her first words were 'I made it.'

She was able to recap the horrifying attack in detail. Authorities had already revealed that the girls were swimming on a sand bar at Seacrest Beach, which Lulu confirmed to her mother.

The teen added that after she was bit on the hand and then the leg, the shark bit her friend on her foot.

'Lulu said a man grabbed her other arm and pulled her out and another younger boy helped him carry her to shore,' Ann Blair wrote.

Ann Blair also revealed that two doctors and two young women, one of whom were a nurse, were the ones who put tourniquets on Lulu's wounds.

'At this point we will have multiple surgeries in the days to come and our lives will be forever changed. Lulu is strong, beautiful, brave and so many more things I can't count,' she wrote.

Just four miles away on the same day, a 45-year-old Virginia woman, Elisabeth Foley, was bitten by a shark at around 1:15pm. She suffered significant injuries to her abdominal and pelvic region, with the lower part of one of her arms having to get amputated, Fox10 TV reported.

Foley is now in stable condition, according to representatives from HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, where she was airlifted Friday.

A fundraiser organized by her family has already raised over $36,000 out of its $50,000 goal

Elisabeth Foley, the first victim of a shark attack on Florida's panhandle, is pictured left

The attacks took place within four miles of each other, officials said

A 45-year-old woman was bit by the marine animal in the water near Watersound Way and Coopersmith Lane at around 1:15pm Friday

As recently as Sunday afternoon, South Walton Fire District lifeguards were still flying warning flags alerting beachgoers to 'the presence of dangerous marine life.'

'We encourage all of our beach patrons to be situationally aware in the water today, swim near a lifeguard, stay hydrated, and look out for each other. Please do not underestimate the open water and any of the marine life that could be present,' the agency wrote on Facebook.

The day before, a beach marine unit from the sheriff's office was monitoring the shoreline near where the attacks happened.

Deputies spotted a 14-foot hammerhead shark near Santa Rosa Beach on Saturday morning, which they emphasized wasn't uncommon, in a post on X.

A service for Lulu and McCray's attacks was held at their hometown church in Alabama on Sunday, AL.com reported.

Sheriff's deputies are pictured out monitoring the waters near where the shark attacks took place on Friday

The deputies spot a 14-foot hammerhead shark in the water, which they say isn't uncommon

The @WCSOFL Beach Marine Unit is monitoring the shoreline and the beaches today following yesterday's incidents involving sharks in Walton County.



Deputies spotted a 14-foot hammerhead east of South County Highway 395 in Santa Rosa Beach this morning from the boat - which is pic.twitter.com/BLi1KssozD  Walton Co. Sheriff (@WCSOFL) June 8, 2024

St. Luke's Episcopal Church was packed, according to the report. People filled every pew and even more crowded into an overflow room to show their support for the teen girls as church officials lit candles in honor of them.

The church also said grief counselors would be made available to anyone in the congregation who felt like they needed someone to talk to.

'This extended community has got your back,' Reverend Richmond Webster said to the families in attendance.

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 is roughly 375 miles away from where this most recent double shark attack occurred.

On the country-wide level, the US had the most shark attacks in 2023, totaling 1,640, followed by Australia with 706.
Incredible footage has been released of the moment a sheriff's sniper killed a suspect by shooting directly through a computer monitor.

Sterling Ramon Alavache was holding two Bank of America workers in Florida at knifepoint while claiming to have a bomb.

Officers had already tried to get the would-be bank robber to surrender but instead Alavache decided instead to take two hostages.

The 36-year-old then put one of them in a headlock and held a knife to her throat - and that's when a SWAT team's sheriff's sniper decided to end the siege.

With remarkable precision, the bullet was fired straight through a computer monitor and into Alavache's head, killing him instantly.

Sterling Ramon Alavache was holding two Bank of America workers in Florida at knifepoint while claiming to have a bomb

The bullet passed through this computer monitor and straight into the forehead of the suspect

Sterling Ramon Alavache, 36, suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and manic depression

The woman he tried to use as a shield, one other hostage and everyone else at the scene in the bank, just outside Fort Myers, escaped without injury.

The robbery attempt, hostage situation and sniper fire brought a bustling suburban area lined with chain restaurants, hotels, an outdoor mall and office buildings to a terrifying halt as the Lee County Sheriffs Office responded with tools including a robotic dog, drones, a battering ram and a SWAT team.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office didn't say where the sniper shot from, but SWAT members had surrounded the bank to deal with the hostage situation.

Video on the sheriff's office Facebook page showed several deputies standing with their rifles raised, near an entrance to the bank alongside a negotiator who spoke with Alavache seconds before a shot rings out.

A little white dot can be seen in the computer monitor, which still worked after a bullet passed through

It's believed the sniper took his shot while standing at the entrance to the bank

Law enforcement officers stormed the scene shortly after the call came in about a bank robbery south of Fort Myers

Other video from outside the bank shows a deputy being raised in a platform with an armored front loader.

'When he presented deadly force like that, our SWAT sniper shot and killed the suspect. We were in fear for her life and her safety,' Sheriff Carmine Marceno said during a news conference.

'Quickly we were face to face with a male suspect who was armed with a knife,' Marceno said.

'He also claimed he had a bomb. He had two hostages at this point, and we tried to negotiate with him continuously.'

'Then the man inside the bank grabbed the woman and put the knife to her throat.

'When he presented deadly force like that, our SWAT sniper shot and killed the suspect,' Marceno said. 'We were in fear for her life and her safety.'

Law enforcement officers stormed the scene shortly after the call came in about a bank robbery south of Fort Myers.

Deputies rushed into the multistory building that houses the bank, securing it as dozens of terrified people ran outside, said Marceno, who described it as 'a chaotic scene.'

A large number of law enforcement swarmed the hostage situation at the Bank of America building at Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers, Florida

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno addresses the media after a hostage situation at the Bank of America next to the Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers, Florida earlier this year

Alavache, the suspect who was killed, suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and manic depression, also referred to as bipolar disorder, according to his GoFundMe

'I didn't even know the county had this,' local radio host Charlie Lopez - who observed the scene told Fox 4 News.

He watched the sniper shooting from his car and provided details to his Facebook followers.

'You see, in the video, it almost looks like they lift up the sniper in the air,' he said. 'Then they have a battering ram. I've never experienced seeing all of Lee Countys arsenal. They had drones, they had cameras.'

Alavache, the suspect who was killed, suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and manic depression, also referred to as bipolar disorder, according to his GoFundMe.

The father-of-three also battled drug and alcohol addiction which only got worse following the death of his wife in 2018.

In 2022, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease causing progressive shutdown of the body through damage to the central nervous system and it was then he entered a downward spiral of drugs and depression once again.

'His struggle to remain clean became an induction of his mental struggles,' the family wrote.

'Though loved ones must now grieve Sterling's absence, they find solace in the fact that he is at peace, and these struggles are no more.'
An internal memo circulated among Border Patrol agents instructs those in the San Diego sector to release single adults from all but six countries into the US.

The memo, obtained by the Washington Examiner, was disseminated following President Joe Biden's executive order that theoretically attempts to ban most illegal immigrants from using the asylum claim went into effect last week.

Anna Giaritelli, who first reported on the memo's details, said the document instructed officials to process all single adults from the Eastern Hemisphere via a process called Notice to Appear/released on Own Recognizance, except for those from six select countries - Russia, Georgia Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Moldova, and Kyrgyzstan.

Citizens from all other nations in the Eastern Hemisphere, outside of those half-dozen, attempting to illegally cross the US border into the San Diego sector, will be released freely into the country, according to the memo.

The president announced last week, while throwing blame at Republicans in Congress, that he was 'using executive authorities available to me as president to do what I can on my own to address the border.'

 MAJOR SCOOP: Border Patrol agents in southern California have been instructed to admit migrants from all but 6 of the 100+ countries in the eastern hemisphere  days after @POTUS issued an executive order in which he stated migrants would be removed from the country and not pic.twitter.com/nE68rrfJa2  Anna Giaritelli (@Anna_Giaritelli) June 7, 2024

Men seeking asylum are detained by border control officers after illegally crossing the US' border with Mexico last week

That order, CBP officials say, will take some time to implement. The agency, along with the whole of DHS are still engaging with uncooperative countries in the Eastern Hemisphere, some of which refuse to take their citizens back when the US attempts to deport them.

Fox News' Bill Melugin reported that the shocking memo applies only to the San Diego sector because of the specific range of citizenries agents encounter there.

CBP officials said even if the Eastern Hemisphere migrants are released into the country with essentially no strings attached to their releases, they will not be eligible for asylum.

Last week, DHS officials also acknowledged that it is difficult to remove illegal migrants from some Eastern Hemisphere countries - but they are actively attempting to pursue cooperation with some, including China.

There are a significant number of countries the US has identified as unwilling to cooperate with the US deportation system, and will refuse to accept flights filled with their citizens who have been sent back.

Last week, from the White House, President Biden announced an executive order which limits migrants from seeking asylum when crossing the southern border illegally

SEI*207607621 Migrants from South and Centra America hold hands as they stride towards a gap in the border wall before crossing into Boulevard, California

Anna Giaritelli of the DC Examiner posted on June 7, 2024: MAJOR SCOOP: Border Patrol agents in southern California have been instructed to admit migrants from all but 6 of the 100+ countries in the eastern hemisphere

While the San Diego sector of the US-Mexico border receives a large portion of illegal guests from uncooperative Eastern Hemisphere nations, most of the illegal entrants still hail from Western Hemisphere countries that cooperate with US-led expedited removal plans.

But until those select Eastern Hemisphere countries find reason to cooperate, officials say there is little the executive order will do to help expel illegal migrants from that specific corner of the globe.

San Diego, like other big border towns, receives hundreds, if not thousands, of migrants each day. Pictures and videos convey the constant stream of migrants being dropped off at commuter stations in the southern California city.

Biden's much-touted executive order will suspend, temporarily, the entry of illegal migrants across the southern border only after the number of average border encounters in a day hits 2,500 for seven days in a row.

DHS and DOJ have simultaneously rolled out increased standards for asylum claims.

Migrants from South and Central America look towards the United States through a gap in the border wall before crossing into Boulevard, California as they line up to enter the United States from Tecate, Mexico

U.S. Border Patrol agents gather and sort migrants who overnight gathered between the primary and secondary border walls that separate Mexico and the United States following the announcement of tough new restrictions imposed by President Biden

But, Biden's rule will not apply to illegal immigrants who fall into categories like unaccompanied children, or those who are assessed as 'victims of severe forms of trafficking.'

Those crossing illegally who have scheduled an appointment using the CBP One app will also not be held to the standards of the executive order.

Another exception is based on those whose totality of circumstance, 'including consideration of significant law enforcement, officer and public safety, urgent humanitarian and public health interests that warrant permitting the noncitizen to enter.'
The devastated family of a fit and healthy young actor who died a fortnight after taking a Covid vaccine have called out the callous 'indifference' of society and government to her death.

Katie Lees, 34, took the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in July 2021, driven by her desire to 'do her bit' to help bring lockdown to an end.

But just 13 days later her family were forced to make the harrowing decision to turn off her life support.

Ms Lees, an actor and comedian who lived in Sydney's inner-west, had suffered a severe vaccine-induced blood clot in her brain.

'The last time I ever spoke to her on the morning of July 22 (and) she said, "Im getting my AstraZeneca this afternoon." She said to me how proud she was for doing it,' Katie's father, Ian, told news.com.au.

Katie Lees (pictured), 34, took the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in July 2021, driven by her desire to 'do her bit' to help bring lockdown to an end. But just 13 days later her family were forced to make the harrowing decision to turn off her life support

'It turned out that was the last time I would ever speak to her. She was actually following the governments advice, trying to do the right thing for the sake of the community.'

Mr Lees, 66, said the hardest part about his daughter's death was that people didn't believe the vaccine had killed her and met the news with 'silence, mockery, discrediting and disbelief'.

'Wed say to people our daughter died from the AstraZeneca vaccine and theyd say, "Oh really? How do you know?",' he said.

In a public submission to the federal governments Covid Response Inquiry, Ms Lee's parents said they were galled by the 'indifference of our society to her death'.

'Every morning, our first thought is how Katie died and the sinking feeling that we were used and discarded by our government, by AstraZeneca and by our society,' they wrote.

They added: 'Katie did not need the vaccine  she wouldnt have died if she got Covid.

'Katie took this action, not because she was worried about getting Covid, but because she was deeply concerned about the impact of lockdowns on the life of communities and the mental health of individuals.'

The AstraZeneca vaccine was estimated to have saved millions of lives during the pandemic but it also caused rare, and sometimes fatal, blood clots.

In April, AstraZeneca admitted in a UK court that its vaccine could, in very rare instances, could lead to Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, which causes people to have blood clots and a low blood platelet count.

The vaccine, which was discontinued in Australia in March 2023, was withdrawn globally last month with the manufacturer citing commercial reasons for the decision.

Of the 14 Australians acknowledged by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to have died from Covid vaccines, 13 were from AstraZeneca and one from Moderna.

Just under 14 million AstraZeneca jabs were successfully administered across Australia, meaning that

Over 71 million jabs were successfully administered across Australia, meaning that vaccine deaths account for a miniscule fraction of the total.

Katie's father Ian Lees, 66, said the hardest part about his daughter's death was that people didn't believe the vaccine had killed her and met the news with 'silence, mockery, discrediting and disbelief' (the pair are pictured together)

Daily Mail Australia contacted AstraZeneca for comment.

Ms Lees developed headaches and a rash immediately after her vaccination but doctors did not think anything of it.

Just over a week later on AUgust 1 she woke up with a severe headache and started vomiting.

A CT scan showed a severe clot in her brain.

'Katie slipped into deep unconsciousness around 3pm and never regained consciousness,' her parents wrote in their submission to the inquiry.

'Despite this catastrophic brain injury, undergoing subsequent neurosurgery and being on life support, due to Covid restrictions, we were not permitted to visit Katie until two days after she was admitted.'

The devastated family said that they had been left 'emotionally, mentally and physically traumatised by the way Katie died, the lack of support from government and the pharmaceutical industry and the alienation we feel from the mainstream narrative in our society'.

They have called for an apology from the federal government and more clarity in public health communication about the safety of vaccines.

In addition, they want to see 'substantial increases in the amounts paid to the loved ones of someone who dies from a government-mandated vaccination program'.

The family who received $70,000 in compensation for Katies death, said they hated being branded 'anti-vaxxers'.

They set up the Katie Lees Foundation in March 2023 to support female artists an performers.

But a funding body asked her parents to remove a statement saying that Katie died from the AstraZeneca vaccine because 'they were a "pro-vaccination" organisation', they claimed.

The Covid Response Inquiry is expected to publish its report in Spring.
A Kiwi surfer is feared dead after disappearing in the water off Australia's west coast as search teams desperately continue to scour the ocean.

Aaron Beveridge, 47, was surfing at Main Break off Surfers Point in Prevelly, 275km south of Perth, in big-wave conditions on Friday afternoon.

It's understood Mr Beveridge became snared in the Surgeon's Table - an underground reef notorious for causing dangerous surfing accidents.

Mr Beveridge was one of several big-wave surfers in the water using longboards fitted with long leg ropes for the heightened conditions.

However, witnesses reported seeing Mr Beveridge's surfboard in the 'tombstone' position shortly before his leg rope snapped.

Aaron Beveridge (pictured) is believed to have lost his life in storm surf conditions on Friday

Mr Beveridge (pictured) was surfing at Main Break off Surfers Point in Prevelly when he went missing

The father-of-three hasn't been seen since.

Mr Beveridge was a regular big-wave storm surfer and was trained in specialist breathing techniques for emergency situations but it's believed the ocean pressure was too strong for him to resurface.

A full sea search launched to find the 47-year-old had to be suspended due to rough weather, but was expected to resume Monday afternoon.

Several friends and family members have shared tributes to Mr Beveridge online in the wake of his suspected death, including his parents.

'A mum's worst nightmare this weekend,' his mother, Cheryl Wilson, wrote.

'My son Aaron James Beveridge was tragically taken at sea while pursuing his passion for surfing at Margaret River, Western Australia.

'Can't get my head around what's happening. Hard to process.

'RIP Aaron. You were loved so much by so many people absolutely devastated.'

Father, Don Beveridge, said Mr Beveridge would be remembered as a 'son, brother, father, friend'.

'Aaron went for a surf in his favourite place in Margaret River,' he said.

'Unfortunately he never returned. Words cannot capture the loss we are all feeling at this time.'

A full sea search launched to find Mr Beveridge (pictured) had to be suspended due to rough weather but is expected to resume Monday afternoon

Other loved ones described Mr Beveridge as a 'great lad' with a calm presence who was always willing to help his mates - whether that be in the water or their personal lives.

'Rest in peace Aaron Beveridge, every time Id come to the Margaret river region Id usually see you around at the beach or the skatepark,' one person wrote.

'The town wont be the same without your car and awesome dog parked in the carpark while you go surfing.'
Longtime visitors to a clothing-optional beach in Vancouver are unhappy with recent safety measures that have been implemented, saying they've backfired and have only increased the number of peeping Toms.

Metro Vancouver, which has managed Wreck Beach since 1989, has removed large logs on the sand that have been there to provide seating and 'essential barriers against wind, sun, and unwanted onlookers,' according to an online petition seeking to preserve the beach as it was.

Those behind the petition claim that without the logs in place, 'herds of men in city clothing are coming to the beach, intimidating visitors, and filming women and children.'

Mary Jean Dunsdon told CBC that Metro Vancouver's changes are unnecessary and ineffective.

'I don't want to come to Wreck Beach and feel like I'm a child at their daycare, because I'm not,' she said while on the beach.

Pictured: Wreck Beach, situated on the tip of Vancouver, has long been a clothing optional beach. Lately it's been plagued by people simply coming to peep at nude beachgoers

Metro Vancouver argues that too many logs, which often wash up on the beach are a safety hazard because they reduce visibility for lifeguards in case a rescue needs to be made.

The cleanup didn't remove all the logs, leaving some 200 still lying on the beach.

Paul Brar, a division manager with Metro Vancouver, said after the cleanup, logs were put in an organized grid arrangement to improve sight lines up and down the beach.

Since Wreck Beach can only be accessed via the ocean or down a 500-step climb four national and province-level agencies recommended these changes so authorities could better respond to emergencies.

Those behind the petition claim that without the logs in place, 'herds of men in city clothing are coming to the beach, intimidating visitors, and filming women and children'

Metro Vancouver also pointed out in a recent report that visit to Wreck Beach have increased by 20 percent over the past five years, which has resulted in a rise in mostly heat-related emergency calls.

The chair of the Wreck Beach Preservation Society had the harshest words for Metro Vancouver who also says the removal of logs has only emboldened perverts.

'We are seeing a large influx of folks coming in that have no interest in getting naked or enjoying the beach,' said Stephen Biduk.

'They're just coming down to look at people, to look at naked bodies, and that's becoming a bigger concern.'

Dunsdon added that she isn't a fan of getting looked at by voyeurs.

'I know that Wreck Beach is a tourist destination, but I am not a tourist attraction,' said Dunsdon. 'I am not the Eiffel Tower.'

Mary Jean Dunsdon, a frequent visitor to the popular beach, doesn't like getting gawked at by strange men, saying 'I know that Wreck Beach is a tourist destination, but I am not a tourist attraction'

The petition, which is nearing 600 signatures, demands officials return large logs back for privacy and natural barriers.

'We really are the feet on the ground and know what's going on, who's doing what and if there are any overriding issues,' said Biduk.

'So we think our input is valuable for [Metro Vancouver] in order to manage the beach.'

Brar told CBC that staff and beach lifeguards often pull new beachgoers aside to tell them not to stare or take photographs.

The petition writers feel that Metro Vancouver's approach of 'trying to educate' voyeurs isn't sufficient.
The world's second-largest democratic exercise is complete and the results are not pretty for the so-called 'leaders of Europe'.

The parties of Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz, who are at the helm of the EU's two largest and most powerful countries, suffered major defeats to right-wing and conservative groups.

Such a defeat unquestionably undermines their rule at home - so much so that the French president last night called a snap election in a move resembling a bloodied boxer on the ropes preparing to throw a final desperate punch before suffering a knockout blow.

Meanwhile in Germany, Scholz's rivals declared the election results a 'disaster' for the Chancellor's government which since coming to power in 2019 has presided over a litany of crises.

Scholz's ruling Social Democrats recorded their worst post-World War II result in a nationwide vote with 13.9% - behind the surging far-right AfD party and the conservative, Christian centre-right alliance.

Over the last five years, the EU has been shaken by the coronavirus pandemic, an economic slump and an energy crisis fuelled by Russia's war in Ukraine - issues that populist candidates leveraged to great effect in their election campaigns.

Europe's centrist elements were rewarded this weekend and remain the de facto power brokers on the continent, having increased their overall share of the seats in Europe's parliament.

But the surge by right-wing populist parties will make it much harder for the assembly to approve legislation on issues ranging from climate change to agriculture policy between now and 2029, and will likely see support for tougher immigration controls.

The French President last night called a snap election amid his party's drubbing in EU elections

A dejected German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reacts at the SPD's election party for the European elections, in Berlin Sunday, June 9, 2024

National Rally parliamentary party leader Marine Le Pen smiles after a speech at the electoral party of the French right-wing party National Rally (Rassemblement National or RN) in Paris

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posts a 'V for victory' snap on social media following stellar European election results for her Fratelli d'Italia party

The euro dropped to its lowest price in nearly a month after Emmanuel Macron's announcement that he was dissolving the French National Assembly and calling a snap election

Nightmare for the Titans of Europe

For Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz, these elections were nothing short of disastrous.

The centrist Renaissance party of Macron, who casts himself as a stalwart of democracy and European cooperation - not to mention a staunch supporter of Ukraine - came a distant second to the far-right National Rally (RN), which stormed to victory and scooped 30 of France's 81 seats.

Macron's defeat was to be expected - polls ahead of the weekend's elections projected a significant loss for the Renaissance party, though the final results delivered an even greater share of the vote for the RN.

But the French President's immediate reaction to election result blindsided commentators and analysts across the continent.

In a national address late last night, Macron announced a snap election - a move described by French media as a 'poker play - as risky as it is unexpected' that will send the electorate to the polls again in just three weeks' time.

'I cannot act as if nothing had happened,' Macron said in recognition of Renaissance's losses, telling the nation: 'I have decided to give you the choice.'

He added that calling a snap election only underlines his democratic credentials.

The RN's Marine Le Pen declared her party was 'ready to take power' should the French people desire it.

'We're ready to turn the country around, ready to defend the interests of the French, ready to put an end to mass immigration,' she said, echoing the rallying cry of far-right leaders in other countries who today will be celebrating their substantial wins.

Two rounds of voting, set for June 30 and July 7, will not see Macron's position as president at stake as France's presidential and parliamentary elections are separate.

But Macron's final three years in power will be miserable if his own party loses out to the RN, with the president forced to 'cohabit' with a party likely to oppose any policy he sets forth.

In the event of an RN victory in July, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal - often described as a mini-Macron - would be replaced by arch rival Marine Le Pen, or her 28-year-old protege Jordan Bardella.

Macron's decision to call a snap election prompted the euro to drop to its lowest price in nearly a month amid the political uncertainty.

In Germany meanwhile, the coalition government of Scholz has presided over a period of extreme turbulence, and as such the Chancellor's party - the Social Democrats (SPD) - was expected to slip in this weekend's elections.

Polls in the run-up to the elections had projected a bitter fight between the SPD and the far-right AfD party for second place behind the conservative CDU/CSU.

But the AfD, despite being plagued by a series of scandals in recent months, separated itself and finished with 16% of the vote, leaving Scholz's SPD languishing in third place with less than 14%.

The result prompted the president of the victorious CDU to declare Scholz had suffered a 'disaster' and 'severe defeat' that reflected a desperate need for a 'change of policy'.

And speculation is mounting that the volatile three-party coalition could collapse before Germany's next election.

'After all the prophecies of doom, after the barrage of the last few weeks, we are the second-strongest force,' a jubilant AfD leader Alice Weidel said.

The political sentiments in France and Germany, the EU's two largest and most powerful members, tended towards more right-wing, conservative candidates, with the parties of Emmanuel Macron (L) and Olaf Scholz (R) losing out

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his wife, Britta Ernst, are pictured in Berlin amid EU elections yesterday

A content Jordan Bardella, president of the French far-right National Rally, is seen at the party election night headquarters after French President Emanuel Macron announced he dissolves National Assembly and calls new legislative election after defeat in EU vote, Sunday, June 9, 2024 in Paris

Italy's Prime Minister and leader of the far-right party Brothers of Italy (Fratelli D'Italia - FDI) Giorgia Meloni getures during a press conference following the results of the European Elections in Rome on June 10, 2024

A damaged election poster shows German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, June 9, 2024

Europe leans to the right, but the centre holds

It was not only France and Germany whose electorates delivered a considerable boost to right-wing parties.

Austria's far-right Freedom party and Hungary's Fidesz party both romped to victory over their rivals - though Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz was not as dominant compared to its huge victory in 2019 - while Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni consolidated her status as one of the rising stars of European politics.

Her Brothers of Italy party extended its influence, winning more than a quarter of the vote.

But the success of the right in this year's elections is limited by a lack of unity, with several of the leading parties split among different political groups.

For example, Germany's AfD was until recently part of Europe's Identity and Democracy (ID) group, the largest conglomerate of far-right elements including France's RN, Italy's Lega, Austria's Freedom party and the Netherlands' Party for Freedom.

But it was recently expelled at the request of the RN after leading candidate Maximilian Krah became embroiled in a series of scandals - including one incident in which he suggested not all members of the Nazi SS should have been viewed as war criminals.

Meanwhile, Meloni's Brother of Italy refused to ally with the RN, and has instead partnered with right-wing movements from Poland, Sweden and Belgium as part of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group.

If ID and ECR were to unite and form one right-wing bloc, they would constitute a massive political entity, second only to the centrist conglomerate European People's Party (EPP) that is the largest force in parliament.

The centre-right EPP is projected to win 191 of 720 seats in the EU assembly, a slight increase vs. 2019.

But even amid such division the far-right will still wield considerable power in Europe for the next five years and will be able to push for tougher border controls, roll back restrictive and costly environmental policies, and focus on strengthening the economy of Europe.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen - who belongs to the EPP - seemed unperturbed by the success of the right.

In a brief speech following last night's election results, she acknowledged the success of far-right parties but also pointed out the good showing of the far-left - a balance she claimed only further exemplifies the power of the centre in Europe.

'We are by far the strongest party, We are the anchor of stability,' von der Leyen said, adding that election results bring 'great stability for the parties in the centre'.

'We all have interest in stability and we all want a strong and effective Europe,' she said.

Indeed, von der Leyen is widely expected - though not certain - to retain her job and remain EC president for the next five years.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks about the results of the European Parliamentary elections at a press conference at the Fratelli d'Italia party electoral committee in Rome, Monday, June 10, 2024

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (C), leader of the Fidesz party applauds during the party's election night party after the European Parliament and local elections in Budapest, Hungary, early 10 June 2024

'Santa Giorgia', a new artwork by Alexsandro Palombo, which appeared last night on a wall in Piazza San Babila in Milan, Italy, 10 June 2024

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (C) gestures alongside members of the Fidesz party during the EU elections, at Balna building in Budapest on June 9, 2024

Netherlands' far-right PVV Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders poses for a selfie. The PVV came second in European elections but was the biggest winner in terms of seats gained

Disaster for Greens

European elections in 2019 prompted big wins for environmentalists across the continent, but their success was clearly term-limited.

The gains of the far-right across Europe this weekend came at the expense of the Greens, who are on track to lose 19 or 20 of their 71 seats in parliament to be left with a similar share to their 2014 election tally.

Germany, traditionally a stronghold for environmentalists, exemplified the humbling of the Greens, who fell from from 20% to 12% according to exit polls.

Their defeat could well have an impact on the EU's climate change policies, which have proven to be wildly unpopular in recent years amid the energy crisis and spiralling costs.

This sentiment was exemplified in recent months by Europe-wide protests by farmers angered at the burden imposed by new climate laws.

The only joy for environmentalists came in the Netherlands, where a green-left coalition managed to beat out Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom, and in the Nordics, where Greens enjoyed limited success alongside left-wing parties.

In Sweden, the far-right Sweden Democrats, who have been gaining support for years and became the second-largest party in 2022 national elections, came in fourth place on Sunday.

In Denmark, pro-European Union parties prevailed, with the climate-friendly Socialist People's Party making the largest gains. They were followed by the Social Democrats and the Liberals, which are both in the government.

And in Finland, the governing conservative National Coalition Party garnered the most votes, nearly 25%. However, the Left Alliance made gains and the populist Finns Party lost its share compared to the last EU election, getting just 6%.

Support for Ukraine should hold steady

This weekend's election results should have little bearing on Europe's ongoing support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, with defence and security policy largely dictated by individual nations.

The conflict on Europe's border has also made defence and security a top priority for most European countries, and as a result the work of the European Defence Industrial Development Programme - which aims to bolster the EU member states' defence readiness, the research and development of innovative military technologies and the manufacture of arms - is almost certain to continue unperturbed.

Some commentators had speculated that a far-right surge in Europe's parliament could precipitate waning support for Ukraine, but extremist elements that have openly advocated for ceasing arms deliveries to Kyiv did not gain any real ground.

Meanwhile, the staunchly pro-Ukraine EPP grew even larger, and most right-leaning parties that enjoyed success, such as Meloni's Brothers of Italy, are also committed to providing ongoing military aid to Kyiv.

What happens next?

Once results are finalised in all 27 EU member states, senior party officials and number-crunchers will get together to work out what kind of groups and alliances might be formed in the parliament for the next five years.

Party presidents will then hold their first formal talks tomorrow in a process expected to take weeks.

After seven days of reflection and stock-taking, EU presidents and prime ministers will hold a summit on June 17 to discuss the results.

One month later, MEPs will elect their president at the first plenary session, from July 16-19, before nominating the president of the European Commission.
A mother charged over a car crash that claimed the lives of her twin daughters four months ago failed to make her first appearance in court because she was 'struggling'.

Rachel van Oyen, 31, was due to appear in the Northam Magistrates Court on Monday after police charged her with two counts of careless driving causing death, grievous bodily harm or bodily harm.

Police allege that on February 18, Ms van Oyen was driving a Toyota Camry that veered off the Great Eastern Highway in Western Australia and hit a tree, killing her seven-year old daughters Macey and Riley near the Wheatbelt town of Carrabin.

Rachel van Oyen, 31 (pictured centre) didn't appear in court on Monday because she is struggling to come to terms, with the legal process following the deaths of her two daughters

The girls' mother Rachel van Oyen, 31, had been at the wheel when the vehicle came off the Great Eastern Highway (pictured) near Carrabin

They had been visiting family in Kalgoorlie and were travelling back to Perth when the crash happened about 11am.

All three were wearing seatbelts, but the twins were pronounced dead at the scene and Ms van Oyen was rushed to hospital.

In the days after the crash, the heartbroken mother paid tribute to her daughters on social media, saying there were no words to describe the emptiness and pain of losing her 'precious girls.'

Police have alleged that Van Oysen (pictured centre) was driving a car that veered of the road on the Great Western Highway, before the car collided into a tree which lead to the deaths of her two daughters (pictured left and right)

'It should have been me,' she wrote.

'What I would give to take your places, my precious girls.

'I have never felt so helpless than I did that day - all I could do was try to hold you briefly even though you'd both grown wings.

'All I can do is try to make it through each day now knowing it'll never be filled with your beautiful faces.'

A duty lawyer told the court that Ms van Oyen was struggling with the process and required time to make a Legal Aid application.

The matter was adjourned until August 5.
Former neonatal nurse Lucy Letby will today go on trial over an allegation that she attempted to murder a baby girl at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

The 34-year-old, from Hereford, was convicted in August last year of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six other infants at the hospital in Cheshire between June 2015 and June 2016.

The former nurse will go on trial at Manchester Crown Court accused of the attempted murder of a baby girl, known as Child K, in February 2016.

It comes after Letby lost her bid to appeal her convictions last month.

Listen to the latest updates from The Trial of Lucy Letby:

Lucy Letby (pictured) will go on trial today over an allegation that she attempted to murder a baby girl

The 34-year-old, from Hereford, was convicted in August last year of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six other infants at the hospital in Cheshire between June 2015 and June 2016

LISTEN TO THE TRIAL OF LUCY LETBY Our award-winning podcast is back, covering all the latest in the trial of former neo-natal nurse Lucy Letby, as she returns to the dock. Listen wherever you get your podcasts now. Advertisement

Three of the country's most senior judges ruled former nurse will not be allowed to challenge the guilty verdicts of the jury at Manchester Crown Court.

In April, her lawyers had applied for leave to appeal, arguing that she wanted to challenge her convictions on four grounds.

Each involved arguments that Mr Justice Goss, the trial judge, wrongly refused legal applications made during the case.

But on May 24, Dame Victoria Sharp said Letby's application had been refused on all four grounds.

In a short hearing, at London's Court of Appeal, Dame Sharp said their judgement was being reserved to a later date.

'Lucy Letbyput forward four grounds of appeal, each of which involved a position that the trial judge wrongly refused applications that she made during her trial,' the judge said.

'This court has, having heard that application, directed to refuse leave to appeal on all grounds and refused all associated applications.'

The full reasons for the judges' decision were not made public and the full details of the appeal hearings, which took place over three days in April, also cannot be reported for legal reasons.

Mr Justice Goss sentenced Letby (pictured) to 14 whole life tariffs for each guilty count, meaning she has no prospect of parole

She committed the evil acts between June 2015 and June 2016 at the Countess of Chester Hospital (pictured), where she worked

Letby was convicted of seven counts of murder and seven of attempted murder  one of the babies she tried to kill twice.

Mr Justice Goss sentenced Letby to 14 whole life tariffs for each guilty count, meaning she has no prospect of parole.

Letby applied for leave to appeal against her convictions soon after the guilty verdicts last year.

She lost the first stage of the process, in which a single judge reviewed her arguments as a paper exercise.

Letby had the right to a second stage, which involved renewing her application before Dame Sharp, Lord Justice Holroyde and Mrs Justice Lambert at the public hearings. But their refusal of her application signalled the end of the appeal process for her.

Letby has always denied harming any child in her care and maintains her innocence.

She was cleared of two counts of attempted murder at the original trial.

A court order prohibits reporting of the identities of the surviving and dead children who were the subject of the allegations.
Yair Netanyahu has claimed that the pro-Palestine protesters demonstrating across America are 'paid agitators' who are 'calling for the destruction of the United States'.

Netanyahu, the Florida-based son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggested the protesters are anti-American, alleging that 'real Americans' are 'righteous people' who support democracy.

The 32-year-old, appearing on Newsmax's Sunday Report to discuss the rescue of four hostages from Hamas captivity, argued that Israel and the US have 'shared common Judeo-Christian values' and 'share the same interests'.

He also claimed that Americans have demonstrated an 'overwhelming support to Israel', despite the numerous protests that opposing the Gaza war that have continued to sweep across the nation.

His remarks come one days after a huge pro-Palestine rally outside the White House in DC descended into chaos with smoke bombs let off and attendees claiming they were pepper sprayed.

Yair Netanyahu, (pictured) the Florida-based son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, appeared on Newsmax's Sunday Report to discuss the rescue of four hostages from Hamas captivity. During his interview, Netanyahu claimed that the pro- Palestine protesters demonstrating across America are 'paid agitators' who are 'calling for the destruction of the United States'

Netanyahu claimed that Americans have demonstrated an 'overwhelming support to Israel' as it fights its war with Hamas. Pictured are Israeli soldiers along the border with Gaza in southern Israel in April this year

Netanyahu, declining to comment on the Biden Administration's commitment to Israel, suggests the wave of protests are not an accurate representation of the American public's response to the war.

'I am not going to comment on the Administration, but regarding the American people, all polls show that there's an overwhelming support to Israel,' he said.

'The American people are a righteous people, they're moral people. They're standing up with the democracy, which is the strongest ally of the United States, with Israel, the shared common Judeo-Christian values and share the same interests and overwhelmingly support for Israel.'

He went on to allege that the protesters supporting Palestine are 'paid agitators' and the 'same people from the 2020 riots'.

'They're paid agitators by [George] Soros and by foreign government who is hostile to the United States,' he continued, adding that the pro-Palestine protesters 'burn American flags' and 'destroy American monuments and statues'.

He added: 'They're calling for the destruction of the United States while at pro-Israeli protests you have a lot of real Americans who wave the American flag and the Israeli flag and sing the national anthem, and you can tell the stark difference between between the two groups.'

Netanyahu, 32, has been in Miami, Florida since at least April 2023, despite an unprecedented 360,000 reservists having been called up in Israel

Netanyahu also commented on the successful rescue mission of four hostages by Israeli special forces on Saturday. Pictured is a view of Israeli helicopter, carrying the hostages

Netanyahu said of the rescue: 'All Israelis were celebrating yesterday for celebrating life, celebrating the release of innocent hostages.' Pictured is Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant (in black) approving the operation to rescue the hostages together with top military chiefs

Netanyahu also commented on the successful rescue mission of four hostages by Israeli special forces on Saturday.

Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, had been abducted from the Nova music festival during Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war.

They were freed on Saturday after special forces swooped into central Gaza's crowded Nuseirat refugee camp. The Israeli military said the extraction team and captives came under heavy gun and grenade fire, which killed one police officer, while Israel's air force launched strikes that reduced nearby buildings to rubble.

'This is a very happy day for all Israelis and all Jews, and I think all decent people around the world,' Netanyahu said of the rescue. 'All Israelis were celebrating yesterday for celebrating life, celebrating the release of innocent hostages.'

He slammed Hamas for the 'torture, the death, and the kidnapping of innocent civilians' and accused Palestinian civilians of supporting these acts, claiming that there were 'cheerful crowds inside Gaza' following the terrorist group's October 7 attack.

He said: 'That's the main difference between them and us. We celebrate life and then they celebrate hate and death.'

Netanyahu also stated that while there is a 'lot of concern for innocent Palestinian civilians', people 'need to remember' that civilians in Gaza 'democratically voted' Hamas into power in 2006.

'They supported them until now. They didn't rise up against them until now,' he added.

Palestinians walk on the rubble of destroyed buildings following an operation by the Israeli Special Forces in the Nuseirat camp, in the central Gaza Strip on June 8, 2024

Civil defense teams try to extinguish the fire that broke out after Israeli attacks on Nuseirat camp in Deir al Balah, Gaza on June 08, 2024

Palestinians children search through the rubble of their home a day after an operation by the Israeli Special Forces in the Nuseirat camp, in the central Gaza Strip on June 9, 2024

Netanyahu has been in Florida since at least April 2023. He was blasted for staying in Miami while reservists returned home to fight against Hamas.

An unprecedented 360,000 reservists were called up last year - many of them dropping everything to fly back to Israel, even abandoning honeymoons.

But Netanyahu remained in Miami, to the irritation of some of the troops.

'Yair is enjoying his life at Miami Beach while I'm on the front lines,' one soldier, a volunteer serving on Israel's northern front, told The Times last October.

'It's us who are leaving our work, our families, our kids, to protect our families back home and the country, not the people who are responsible for this situation.

'Our brothers, our fathers, sons, are all going to the front line, but Yair is still not here. It does not help build trust in the leadership of the country.'

Netanyahu, who studied theatre at high school, undertook compulsory military service and worked in the spokesman's unit of IDF, rather than as a combat soldier.

Military service is compulsory for the majority of Israelis when they turn 18. Men have to serve 32 months and women 24.

After this, most of them can be called up to reserve units until the age of 40, or even older, in case of national emergency, and they fight alongside the regular troops in times of war.

Reservists are also used in non-combat roles, meaning that Netanyahu's lack of frontline experience would not automatically exempt him.

Yair Netanyahu, 32, is seen with his father in a photo last year. Since at least April 2023, the Israeli Prime Minister's son has been living in the United States

Netanyahu is pictured sorting donated supplies to IDF soldiers and Israeli families impacted by the Israel-Hamas war, with NGO Yedidim USA, in Fort Lauderdale on October 17, 2023

Netanyahu's Newsmax interview came after thousands of Gaza war protesters held a 'red line' rally near the White House on Saturday, voicing anger at what they said was President Joe Biden's tolerance of Israel's bloody military campaign against Hamas.

Chanting 'From DC to Palestine, we are the red line,' the demonstrators held a long banner scribbled with the names of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces, as the fighting enters its ninth month.

Biden has faced criticism for playing a balancing act on key ally Israel's actions in the conflict.

The White House said in May that a deadly Israeli strike on Rafah did not cross a 'red line' that Biden had seemingly set two months earlier when asked about a potential invasion of the southern Gazan city.

The protesters - almost all wearing red clothing - held Palestinian flags and signs saying 'Biden's red line was a lie' and 'Bombing children is not self-defense.'

The White House stepped up security with an additional anti-scale perimeter fence ahead of the demonstration, which saw chartered buses ferrying in people from as far afield as Maine and Florida.

Five months from his election battle with Republican candidate Donald Trump, Biden is facing pressure to hang onto Muslim and young voters, blocs seen as crucial to his reelection bid.

Rescued hostage Noa Argamani embraces her father, Yakov Argamani, after being saved

Almong Meir Jan, 22, is seen crying as he is greeted by his close relatives at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre, after his rescue from the Gaza Strip by the Israeli army on Saturday

Shlomi Ziv, 41, who was captured while serving as a security guard at the festival, was seen hugging and kissing his loves ones and in a tearful reunion at the hospital on Saturday. His sister Revital Nasi and cousin Liat met him at the hospital

Andrey Kozlov, 27, had been working as a security guard at the music festival after immigrating from Russia to Israel alone a year and a half earlier. He is seen crying at the hospital as he connects with his loved ones via telephone

A senior Hamas official also urged the US on Monday to pressure Israel to end the war in Gaza, ahead of the planned visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the region to push forward ceasefire efforts.

Blinken is set to visit Egypt and Israel on Monday. He also aims to ensure the war does not expand into Lebanon.

'We call upon the US administration to put pressure on the occupation to stop the war on Gaza and the Hamas movement is ready to deal positively with any initiative that secures an end to the war,' senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said.

In his eighth visit to the region since Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, triggering the bloodiest episode in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Blinken is also set to travel to Jordan and Qatar this week.

He is set to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo before traveling to Israel later on Monday, where he will meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, according to a State Department schedule.

On Monday, Palestinian residents said tanks had been trying to thrust deeper towards the north in the early hours of Monday, edging Shaboura, one of the most densely populated and militant stronghold neighborhoods at the heart of the city.

A huge pro-Palestine protest outside the White House on Saturday descended into chaos with smoke bombs let off and attendees claiming they were maced

Smoke billowed in front of the White House on Saturday 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 on Saturday, which marked eight months since the war began

Israeli tank forces have since seized Gaza's entire border strip with Egypt running through Rafah to the Mediterranean coast and invaded many districts of the city of 280,000 residents, prompting around one million displaced people who had been sheltering in Rafah to flee elsewhere.

Blinken's visit comes after President Joe Biden on May 31 outlined a three-phase ceasefire proposal from Israel that envisions a permanent end to hostilities, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

The Hamas attack killed 1,200 people and took some 250 others hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

In response, Israel launched an assault on the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said in its Sunday update.
EU foreign minister Josep Borrell has slammed the 'massacre' of Palestinian civilians following an Israeli hostage rescue operation on Saturday that freed Noa Argamani and left dozens of Gazans dead.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Borrell called Israel's operation 'appalling' following reports of 270 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's health ministry, which if confirmed, would make it one of the deadliest days of the ongoing conflict so far.

'Reports from Gaza of another massacre of civilians are appalling. We condemn this in the strongest terms', he commented, adding that 'this bloodbath must end immediately'.

This comes after Israel on Saturday conducted a fearless raid of two Hamas buildings in Gaza to rescue four hostages taken by terrorists on October 7, in which they were able to extract them via helicopter whilst taking fire from militants.

'Operation Seeds of Summer' is Israel's largest rescue mission since the Hamas war began.

Reports from Gaza of another massacre of civilians are appalling. We condemn this in the strongest terms.



The bloodbath must end immediately.@POTUS 3-stage plan is the way forward for an enduring ceasefire and to end the killing.  Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) June 8, 2024

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.

The hostages had been held in captivity for 245 days after being abducted from the Nova music festival during Hamas' October 7 attack that sparked the war.

They were then reunited with loved ones in emotional scenes at a hospital in Tel Aviv.

Borrell had earlier taken to X to celebrate the release of the four captives, saying: 'Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv are free and safe today. We share the relief of their families and call for the release of all the remaining hostages.'

But serious questions have been raised over the human cost of the rescue mission.

Borrell called on US President Joe Biden's ceasefire and hostage release plan, commenting that it was 'the way forward for an enduring ceasefire and to end the killing'.

While it is unclear how many of those killed after Israel's operations were civilians, horrific images from the aftermath of a gun battle during the raid in the Nuseirat area show scores of dead and wounded women and children on the streets.

The terror group claims that the fatalities include three other hostages, one of whom holds US citizenship  which the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) dismissed as a 'blatant lie'.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that military intelligence determined some time ago that the hostages were being held in two apartments, about 200 meters away from each other, in the heart of the Nuseirat camp.

Israeli hostage Noa Argamani being hugged by her father after being rescued by an Israeli special operation

Ms Argamani meeting Israeli president Benjamin Netanyahu. The 26-year-old was reunited with her ecstatic family on Saturday after 245 days in captivity

She was able to celebrate her father Yakov's birthday after spending more than seven months in Hamas captivity

The terrified hostage became the face of the October 7 massacre after video emerged of her screaming 'Don't kill me' as she was kidnapped from a music festival by Hamas terrorists on motorbikes

Noa Argamani (in pink top, jeans and helmet) is seen being helped into an IDF helicopter to escape Hamas after being rescued on Saturday

Hagari estimated the number of casualties from the operation were under 100.

Hamas took some 250 hostages during the Oct. 7 attack that killed about 1,200 people. About half were released in a week-long cease-fire in November.

About 120 hostages remain, with 43 pronounced dead. Survivors include about 15 women, two children under 5 and two men in their 80s.

Israelis have celebrated the latest return of hostages on Saturday night.

Among the rescued is Noa Argamani, who had become the face of the October 7 massacre after a video emerged of her screaming 'don't kill me' as she was kidnapped from a music festival by Hamas terrorists on motorbikes.

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'.

Almong Meir Jan, 22, is seen crying as he is greeted by his close relatives at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre, after his rescue from the Gaza Strip by the Israeli army on Saturday

Shlomi Ziv, 41, who was captured while serving as a security guard at the festival, was seen hugging and kissing his loves ones and in a tearful reunion at the hospital on Saturday. His sister Revital Nasi and cousin Liat met him at the hospital

Andrey Kozlov, a released hostage reacts, after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip on Saturday

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.

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 also reunited with her mother, Liora Argamani, who has stage four cancer.

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.
Rishi Sunak is scrambling to get the Tories' election campaign back on track today after the D-Day shambles and with infighting flaring over the Reform threat.

The PM is visiting West Sussex, previously seen as among the party's most solid of strongholds, after an extraordinary weekend of recriminations.

Mr Sunak was accused of ducking interviews in the wake of his grovelling apology for returning early from commemorations of the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy to carry out an election interview.

Focus groups conducted by think-tank More in Common has laid bare the impact of the episode, with doubts about Mr Sunak 'turbocharged' and the premier now seen by voters as a drag on his party.

Meanwhile, Suella Braverman has sparked a fresh meltdown by suggesting that Nigel Farage should be 'welcomed' into the party.

That triggered a blunt response from moderates, with former justice secretary Robert Buckland telling the BBC: 'We're a broad church, but not an Amazon warehouse.'

Alarm is rising in Tory circles about a 'crossover' moment in the polls, where Reform support leapfrogs the party.

In other twists and turns today:

Mr Sunak is doing a BBC Panorama interview to be broadcast at 8pm tonight;

Labour is launching a childcare plan after U-turning on bringing back the lifetime allowance on pension funds;

The Lib Dems are launching their manifesto promising to hike taxes on the rich.

Rishi Sunak is scrambling to get the Tories ' election campaign back on track today after the D-Day shambles and with infighting flaring over the Reform threat

Suella Braverman has sparked a fresh meltdown by suggesting that Nigel Farage should be 'welcomed' into the party

Mr Sunak spent a low-key weekend regrouping after a storm of criticism at his decision to return early from last week's 80th anniversary commemorations, for which he apologised on Friday.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride was forced to quash speculation Mr Sunak could resign before the election.

He said the PM was 'deeply patriotic' and had taken the criticism 'very deeply, personally' but there was 'no question' of him quitting.

Mr Farage has pounced on the row, accusing Mr Sunak of being 'not patriotic'. But the Reform leader was accused of 'dog whistle politics'  code for subtly appealing to racist sentiments  after suggesting the premier does not care about 'our culture'.

Ms Braverman, who was brutally sacked by Mr Sunak in a cabinet reshuffle in November, told The Times there was 'not much difference' between Mr Farage's policies and the Tories'.

'We need to, in the future, to find some way to work together because there shouldn't be big differences between us,' she said.

'I would welcome Nigel into the Conservative party. There's not much difference really between him and many of the policies that we stand for.

'We are a broad church, we should be a welcoming party and an inclusive party and if someone is supportive of the party, that's a pre-condition and they want Conservatives to get elected then they should be welcomed.'

But Sir Robert gave the idea short shrift, and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has previously indicated she would not serve in the party alongside Mr Farage.

Touring broadcast studios this morning, police minister Chris Philp dismissed the question as 'theoretical' - pointing out Mr Farage was running against the Tories.

Mr Farage told the BBC Mr Sunak 'should have known in his heart, that it was right to be there'.

He claimed the Tory leader 'doesn't really care about our history, he doesn't really care  frankly  about our culture'.

Challenged over the comments, he insisted he had been talking about Mr Sunak's 'class' rather than his heritage as the son of first-generation immigrants.

Mr Farage denied any racial element, saying that '40 per cent of our contribution' in the two world wars 'came from the Commonwealth'.

He added that the PM was 'utterly disconnected by class, by privilege, from how ordinary folk feel. He revealed that, I think spectacularly, when he left Normandy early'.

Mr Stride said he was 'very uncomfortable' at the 'ill-advised' comments, adding: 'I'm very proud we have a British Asian right at the top of our Government.'

Labour's justice spokesman Shabana Mahmood accused Mr Farage of 'dog whistle' politics.

'We can all see exactly what he is doing, he's got form, it is completely unacceptable,' she added.

'This is a man that has a track record of seeking to divide communities who just wants to do it with a veneer of respectability.'

Mr Sunak attended D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth and Normandy, France, last week.

But he left Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron to represent Britain at an 'international event' attended by Emmanuel Macron, Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky and other world leaders.

Mr Sunak with the King and Queen and The president of France, Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte at the commemoration on Friday morning

The PM apologised the next day, saying he 'deeply regrets' his decision to leave early. The backlash has deepened the gloom around the Tory campaign which has so far failed to dent Labour's huge poll lead.

Former Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries suggested at the weekend the PM could even 'fall on his sword' but senior Tories dismissed this.

One said: 'In the words of Churchill, he has got to keep buggering on  there isn't any other option. He just needs to stop buggering up.'

Mr Sunak told The Mail On Sunday: 'We all make mistakes. We're all human. But I'm motivated to do what I can for this country to the best of my ability. That's what keeps me going.'

He hopes to reboot the Conservative campaign tomorrow when he is expected to unveil the party's manifesto and focus on the political divide over tax.

Mr Stride told Sky News that Mr Sunak will 'absolutely' lead the Tories into the election and denied that 'all is lost'.
Far-right political heavyweight Marine Le Pen said on Sunday night that her party is 'ready to take power' after Emmanuel Macron called for a snap poll following a major defeat in the European Elections.

Macron dissolved France's parliament and announced the vote in the wake of a massive swing to the Right during the country's European Union elections.

The president suffered a humiliating defeat after Le Pen's National Rally party took home a projected 31.5% of the vote.

So, why has Macron decided to call an election? When will it be held and how does it affect the political landscape in France?

Read on below for everything you need to know about the upcoming parliamentary elections in France.

Far-right political heavyweight Marine Le Pen said on Sunday night that her party is 'ready to take power' after Emmanuel Macron called for a snap poll

In attempting to weaken the far-right, Macron is gambling on his own vulnerable party avoiding huge losses that could derail his final years in government

Why has Macron called an election?

While the news of Macron calling an election may come as a surprise to many, there is one key point to remember: the upcoming vote will be for a parliamentary election in France and not a presidential one.

Under constitutional rules, presidents cannot be elected for more than two five-year terms in France.

Macron will have already served these having first been chosen by voters in 2017 before being re-elected in 2022 - ruling him out of contention for the 2027 presidential race.

Following his announcement, Macron said: 'France needs a clear majority in serenity and harmony. To be French, at heart, it is about choosing to write history, not be driven by it.'

However, in attempting to weaken the far-right, Macron is gambling on his own vulnerable party avoiding huge losses that could derail his final years in government while giving Le Pen even more power.

He is far from being widely popular with the French public either, having only survived a vote of no-confidence in his government by a mere nine votes back in March 2023.

Predictions from analysts do offer hope for the beleaguered president, though, as they have forecast that - although Le Pen's party could gain more MPs, it is unlikely to win enough seats to secure a majority - meaning the next French parliament could be even more disjointed than the already fractured one currently in place.

When are the French parliamentary elections?

According to Article 12 of the French constitution, presidents are permitted to dissolve the National Assembly to resolve political crises, such as permanent and irreconcilable differences between parliament and the executive.

Voters must be called to the polls in the 20 to 40 days following the assemblys dissolution.

The first round of the upcoming parliamentary elections in France has subsequently been scheduled for June 30, with the second round to follow on July 7.

Will there be an early presidential election?

Jordan Bardella, president of the French far-right National Rally, is seen at the party election night headquarters after French President Emanuel Macron announced his decision to dissolve the- National Assembly

While this is not the first time that a French president has chosen to dissolve parliament, having occurred before in 1962, 1968, 1981 and 1988, their choice has not always been vindicated.

In 1997, the president at the time, Jacques Chirac, called snap legislative elections only to see the left win a majority that effectively left the country in limbo for the next five years.

Since Chirac's call backfired spectacularly, no president has chosen to dissolve parliament since.

This is, in part, due to the fact that the presidential and parliamentary terms were synchronised in 2000, giving voters the chance to allow each president a parliamentary majority  until Macrons re-election in 2022.

Although an early presidential election is unlikely, nothing can be ruled out given the landslide nature of Macron's defeat in the European Elections and his follow-up decision to call a parliamentary one.
King Charles III will present new colours to the Irish Guards today - the regiment for which his daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales became the Colonel last year.

The monarch will inspect the guardsmen and officers on parade at Windsor Castle before the Chaplain General consecrates the colours with a blessing.

The new colours will be those trooped in the Trooping the Colour at the King's official birthday parade on Horse Guards Parade in London this Saturday.

Charles - Colonel in Chief of the seven Guards regiments of the Household Division - will inspect the soldiers at the parade from a carriage rather than on horseback.

The 75-year-old monarch has recently returned to public-facing duties while still receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.

MailOnline understands that Charles is not standing in for Kate today - because he is Colonel in Chief of the seven Guards regiments, including the Irish Guards, and presentation of new colours is by convention done by the Colonel in Chief.

Kate and Charles during a visit to a medical rehabilitation centre in Loughborough in 2020

Charles greets Kate at a Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium, in July 2017

In March 2023, Kate took over the role of Colonel of the Irish Guards from her husband Prince William.

The Princess sent a letter to the regiment to apologise for not being able to take the salute and to wish them luck for the Colonel's Review  the final rehearsal for the King's birthday parade - in London last Saturday, June 8.

Kate, who is undergoing chemotherapy after a cancer diagnosis, spoke of her pride in them and added that being Colonel 'remains an honour'.

The Princess was represented at the Colonel's Review by General James Bucknall, who acted as the chief inspecting officer of the day in the princess's absence.

Colours - adorned with a regiment's emblems and battle honours - were originally used as rallying points for troops on the battlefield.

Troops take part in the Colonel's Review at Horse Guards Parade in London on June 8

Troops of the Household Division take part in the Brigade Major's Review in London on May 30

They still accompany soldiers on operations and, more visibly, on ceremonial duties.

The presentation of new colours to No 9 and No 12 Company will start with the Band of the Irish Guards marching them into Windsor Castle.

They will be led by the Irish Guards' regimental mascot - an Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor but affectionately known as Seamus.

This Saturday, the King will be accompanied by the Irish Guards Regimental Lieutenant Colonel, Major General Sir Christopher Ghika KCVO CBE.

There will be a royal salute and the national anthem will be played.

During the Colonel's Review last Saturday, Seamus was led across the square by a scarlet-coated drummer. The dog was presented to the regiment as the soldiers lined up.

2023 -- (From left) Prince George, Kate, Prince Louis, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, King Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour on June 17 last year

2022 -- William, Kate and their children attend Trooping the Colour in London on June 2, 2022

2019 -- William and Kate at Trooping the Colour with their children in London on June 8, 2019

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 week's time, arrived at Horse Guards Parade in time to reach the saluting base at exactly 11am.

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 this Saturday.

A total of 250 musicians, 20 pipers, 240 military working horses and almost 1,000 dual-role soldiers of the British Army's Household Division took part in the event last Saturday.
Two woman have tragically died and another has been hospitalised after they were pulled from the water in Sydney's south.

A major police rescue operation was underway at Cape Solander, a lookout at Kurnell, from about 4.30pm on Monday after reports three women had been swept from the rocks.

One of the women managed to scramble back ashore.

NSW Police said the remaining two women were eventually located with assistance from PolAir helicopters and pulled from the water unconscious.

Bystanders comfort each other after three women were swept into the water at Cape Solander

A rescue operation was sparked after women were spotted falling into the ocean at Kurnell

The women were pulled from the water near Cape Solander, Kurnell on Monday evening

Paramedics performed CPR on the women but they could not be revived.

The third woman is being treated for hypothermia and a suspected spinal injury.

Two bystanders are also being treated by paramedics after they tried to rescue the women.

Kurnell had wind gusts reaching near 40km/h on Monday and the temperature was a chilly 14C at about 5pm.

A water and air search was conducted on Monday afternoon shortly after 4.30pm

Bystanders who tried to save the women were treated for hypothermia by rangers and paramedics and surf rescue personnel

A third women and two bystanders are being treated by paramedics
Pictures taken this morning show a man in a high-viz jacket picking through litter

A huge operation to clear up piles of rubbish was underway today as thousands of travellers headed home from their annual get-together at the Appleby Horse Fair.

A lone worker in a high-viz jacket was pictured this morning picking through litter left strewn across a field which is believed to have been used for the fair's market.

The rubbish on display included discarded cardboard boxes, plastic bags and paper in the field which is normally used for livestock.

Although the week-long fair does not officially finish until Wednesday, many travellers camping in caravans started to leave on Sunday morning.

The early exodus was partly due to the overcast weather and a forecast of rain leading to fears that caravans and other vehicles could get stuck in a mudbath.

Fields of rubbish are being cleared (pictured) after attendees of the Appleby Horse Show in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, leave

Crates, cardboard boxes and paper can be seen amongst the piles of litter needing to be cleared (pictured)

Travellers washed and rode their horses in the River Eden during the Appleby Horse Fair (pictured)

Thousands of people from the Gypsy, Romany and travelling communities descend on the town of just 2500 every year

A contractor working on the clean-up operation said: 'Some of the fields look a state at the moment - but they will be cleaned up in no time.

'It might look a mess, but that's what you get when you have a gathering of thousands of people. I can't imagine it is different at any music festival.

'Our aim is to restore the fields to normal as soon as possible. In a few days' time you won't be able to tell that the fair was ever here.'

The historic horse fair in the market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria is one of the biggest dates of the year for the travelling community.

It is billed as the biggest traditional gathering of travellers in Europe since originally starting as a place for travellers to buy and sell horses.

The fair has become more of a social event in recent years, although travellers still ride their horses and horse-drawn buggies up and down the main road in the town, and wash their animals in the River Eden.

Contractors working for Westmorland and Furness Council have been working round the clock clearing up the streets since before the fair officially started on Thursday.

The centre of Appleby appeared spotless by 8am this morning thanks to the efforts of street cleaning teams .

One woman is determined to continue rocking her flawless outfit as she takes her horse for a dip in the river (pictured)

Police patrolling the market at the Appleby Horse Fair (pictured)

Caravans can be seen parked nearby the fields of rubbish (pictured)

Bin bags, a bucket and a co-op bag were left in the field to be cleared away (pictured)

A man in a high-viz jacket can be seen picking up litter with the help of a vehicle (pictured)

Two girls appear to be less than impressed with their horse's attempt at walking down some stairs (pictured)

Travellers started to leave on Sunday, partly due to the weather and fears of vehicles getting stuck in a mudbath

A contractor working on the clean-up operation said: 'It might look a mess, but that's what you get when you have a gathering of thousands of people. I can't imagine it is different at any music festival.'

What appears to be broken table was left behind in the field (pictured)

Glamorous travellers gathered at the Appleby Horse Fair for a weekend of fun

Man takes a horse for a dip in the River Eden (pictured)

What appears to be a broken gazebo was left to be cleared amongst the rubbish (pictured)

The horse fair's so-called Multi Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group which runs the event praised 'hard-working clean up crews' for their 'efforts in keeping the town clean.

In one sad incident on Sunday afternoon, MailOnline witnessed an RSPCA officer carrying away a possibly abandoned or lost terrier dog from the main camping area called Fair Hill on the outskirts of Appleby.

The dog was taken to be examined by a veterinary staff in a gazebo tent beside the camping area after no sign of its owners was found, leading to fears it may have been dumped.

The RSPCA which has been busy checking on the welfare of horses at the fair has not yet responded to requests for comment about the dog.

A spokeswoman for the Redwings horse charity who was co-ordinating communications for animal welfare organisations at the fair said that a couple of dogs had been rescued at the event.

Speaking of the terrier-type dog recovered on Sunday afternoon, she added: The dog was found at the fair and is in RSPCA care subject to an investigation.

Most of the fields rented out by farmers as caravan sites for the duration of the fair had largely emptied by mid-morning, although rubbish bags and debris were left scattered around.

An RSPCA officer carried away a lost terrier dog from the main camping area called Fair Hill on the outskirts of Appleby to be examined by veterinary staff, after no sign of its owners was found

A spokeswoman for the Redwings horse charity said that a 'couple of dogs' had been rescued at the event

Travellers race their horses and traps along the 'Mad Mile' during the Appleby Horse Fair

Bags left on the grass near some caravans (pictured)

Scores of women wore skimpy outfits and showed off designer labels while attracting admiring glances

Police officers speak to a member of staff at a market selling counterfeit designer items at the Appleby horse fair

The annual horse fair, which dates back to 1775, is one of the biggest dates of the year for the travelling community and billed as the biggest gathering of travellers in Europe

The fair has become more of a social event in recent years, although travellers still ride their horses and horse-drawn buggies up and down the main road in Appleby-in-Westmorland

A tractor was pictured as the driver helped to pull out caravans and vehicles which had become embedded in mud, enabling them to get underway.

Retired engineer Richard Anderton, who allowed five caravans to set up camp on his one and a half acre field, said: The travellers who were here departed around an hour ago, and they left my field immaculate.

They are a proper Romany family and I allow them to stay every year. They are a nice family and always tidy up properly. We met them when we first moved here 38-years-ago.

Give it three days, and all the fields around here will be back to normal. You wouldnt know if anything had happened.

A traveller woman who was waiting to depart to Newcastle said: We have had a fantastic time. It is crazy that they keep saying it is a week-long event. Every year, it is all over by the end of Sunday.

A pile of discarded hay, water buckets and stinking horse manure was left left this morning in the car park of the Appleby Manor Hotel and Spa which has been used by some fair visitors.

One shopkeeper in Appleby told MailOnline: The street cleaners will be able to tell you all sorts of horror stories about the things they find.

The rubbish is certainly an issue, but the street cleaners do a fantastic job. We have stayed open during the fair, but our takings are actually down because so many local residents leave. But it is what is.

A pile of discarded hay, water buckets and stinking horse manure was left this morning in the car park of the Appleby Manor Hotel and Spa (pictured)

The Appleby Manor Hotel and Spa is used by some fair visitors

A rubbish truck appears to arrive on the scene to assist with the clean-up operation (pictured)

A tractor was pictured as the driver helped to pull out caravans and vehicles which had become embedded in mud, enabling them to get underway

Horses standing in the field where the horse fair was (pictured)

A man appears to be picking up litter after the Appleby Horse Show (pictured)

In contrast to the fields themselves, the centre of Appleby appeared spotless by 8am this morning thanks to the efforts of street cleaning teams

One traveller woman said: 'It is crazy that they keep saying it is a week-long event. Every year, it is all over by the end of Sunday.

Police made arrests at the Appleby Horse Fair this year, after the RSPCA were obstructed from checking the health of horses.

Last week, it was revealed 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.

It then emerged that Cumbria Police made two arrests on public order offences in the vicinity of the Midland Hotel.

The force said they were called to assist the RSPCA, who had 'difficulty' being allowed access to horses by 'obstructive owners'.

CCTV images have been released by the RSPCA as the hunt to identify a man in connection with the death of the horse continues.

Gypsy and traveller community leaders Billy Welch and Bill Lloyd said they were 'sickened and saddened' by the death of the young horse and 'condemned it in the strongest possible terms'.

A woman rides her horse through the river at the Appleby Horse Fair while sporting a bright red outfit (pictured)

Cumbria Police made two arrests at the Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria

The market based in Cumbria is a central feature of the historic annual horse fair

The surrounding fields were adorned with both modern caravans and the traditional Romany horse drawn green canvas bow caravans (pictured)

The small town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria is usually home to around 2500 residents

Deck chairs were left out next to a bin and several bin bags (pictured)

A tractor arrived to help drag any caravans that were stuck in the mud

A horse grazes nearby to several caravans and cars (pictured)
A Palestinian journalist was hiding Israeli hostages at his home for Hamas, Israel has said, before they were rescued in an IDF raid on Saturday.

The Israeli army said that Abdullah al-Jamal was keeping Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, at his family home in Gaza.

IDF commandos stormed the building on Saturday by ladder, freeing the hostages while killing Abdullah, his father - Dr Ahmed, and his wife Fatima in the process. His daughter and other family members are also reported to have been injured.

The IDF went on to accuse Abdullah of holding the hostages in his home along with his family members, and said it was further proof that the Hamas terror group was using Gaza's civilian population as 'human shields'.

Abdullah wrote for Palestine Chronicle - a US-based non profit news website, as a freelancer, and once contributed to an Op-ed in 2019 published by Al Jazeera - the Qatar-based news network which has been temporarily banned in Israel.

The Israeli army said that Palestinian journalist Abdullah al-Jamal (pictured) was keeping Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, at his family home in Gaza.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the IDF addressed Al Jazeera and asked 'what's this terrorist doing on your website?'

'Abdallah's home held hostages, along with his family members,' the IDF said, adding: 'This is further proof that the terrorist organisation Hamas uses the civilian population as a human shield.'

Abdullah had written a number of articles since Hamas's attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people in Israel and taking 250 people back into Gaza as hostages.

Article written by Abdullah and published on the Palestine Chronicle had titles included 'Resistance our only option  Palestinians react to news of Israeli soldiers captured in Jabaliya', '31 Martyrs in a single Israeli strike  Voices from the Gaza Genocide' and 'Testimonies from 'Camp 2' massacre in Nuseirat'.

However, the IDF's claims have been questioned by some on social media.

Muhammad Shehada, the chief of comms for Euro-Med Monitor (a Geneva-based rights organisation), said Abdullah lived in a multi-storey building, and that he lived in one of seven homes raided by the IDF.

Hostages were found in two of those, he said.

He also pointed out that Israel's official X account had previously said that Noa Argamani, 26 - the fourth Israeli hostage rescued in the raids - was being held in the journalists's house, before this was later changed to say it was in fact the three men.

Al Jazeera, meanwhile, denied that it employed Abdullah, pointing out that he contributed to the one Op-ed in 2019, and accused Israel of 'slander and misinformation'.

'Al Jazeera Media Network confirms that Abdullah Al-Jamal has never worked with the Network, but had contributed to an Op-ed in 2019 and that these allegations are completely unfounded,' Al Jazeera wrote on X.

It added: 'The Network also stresses that these allegations are a continuation of the process of slander and misinformation aimed at harming Al Jazeera's reputation, professionalism, and independence.

'It calls for accuracy before publishing any of these allegations, the repetition of which has become ridiculous. Al Jazeera Media Network reserves all its legal rights to refute all these allegations.'

A biography on Al Jazeera's website for Abdullah describes him as 'a Gaza based reporter and photojournalist. He often reports from the ongoing 'March of Return' protests at the fence separating besieged Gaza from Israel'.

The Palestine Chronicle ran a news story on Abdullah's death, saying he had been 'murdered' in the IDF's Gaza raid.

It described him as a freelancer who contributed to the platform.

Almong Meir Jan, 22, is seen crying as he is greeted by his close relatives at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre, after his rescue from the Gaza Strip by the Israeli army on Saturday

Shlomi Ziv, 41, who was captured while serving as a security guard at the festival, was seen hugging and kissing his loves ones and in a tearful reunion at the hospital on Saturday. His sister Revital Nasi and cousin Liat met him at the hospital

Andrey Kozlov, 27, had been working as a security guard at the music festival after immigrating from Russia to Israel alone a year and a half earlier. He is seen crying at the hospital as he connects with his loved ones via telephone

Noa Argamani, 26, (pictured) was the fourth hostage to be rescued in Saturday's raid

'Abdallah Aljamal's reports have focused entirely on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, especially in the central part of the Strip, starting shortly after the war,' the Palestine Chronicle said in a statement published in its article.

'His contributions became frequent when Israel deliberately began killing journalists, making it nearly impossible for the Palestinian voice to break away from the Gaza siege,' the statement added.

Euro-Med Monitor released details on a preliminary investigation into the raid.

'In a preliminary investigation into the field executions by the Israeli army at the Nusseirat refugee camp yesterday, @EuroMedHR stated that soldiers used a ladder to break through the residence of Dr. Ahmed Al-Jamal,' group said.

'Upon encountering 36-year-old Fatima Al-Jamal on the staircase, they immediately shot her dead. The troops then stormed the house and executed her husband, 36-year-old journalist Abdullah Al-Jamal, and his father, 74-year-old Dr. Ahmed Al-Jamal, in front of his grandchildren. Additionally, their 27-year-old daughter, Zainab, was shot and seriously injured,' it added.

Jan, Kozlov and Ziv - along with Argamani - had all been abducted from the Nova music festival during Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war.

Many Israelis shed tears of joy when they heard of the release of the four captives, all reported in good health.

But the rescue operation resulted in the death of dozens - if not hundreds - of Palestinians in the area at the time of the raid.

The health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said 274 people were killed and 698 wounded, in what it labelled the 'Nuseirat massacre'. Among those were at least 64 children, 57 women and 37 elderly people, the ministry said.

These figures that could not be independently verified.

Israel has said the number of fatalities was lower than the ministry's total.

The Israeli military said the extraction team and the four rescued captives came under heavy gun and grenade fire by militants, who killed one police officer, while Israel's air force launched strikes that reduced nearby buildings to rubble.

The killing of so many Palestinians, in a raid that Israelis celebrated as a stunning success, showed the heavy cost of such operations on top of the already soaring toll of the 8-month-old war ignited by Hamas' October 7 attack.

The Israeli bombing was 'hell,' witness Mohamed al-Habash told The Associated Press. 'We saw many fighter jets flying over the area. We saw people fleeing in the streets. Women and children were screaming and crying.'

The operation in Nuseirat, a built-up refugee camp dating to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, was the largest rescue since October 7.

People walk among debris in the aftermath of Israeli strikes during the rescue raid, June 9

Men walk among the rubble of buildings destroyed in the rescue mission to free Israeli hostages who were taken into Gaza on October 7

The health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said 274 people were killed and 698 wounded, in what it labelled the 'Nuseirat massacre'. Among those were at least 64 children, 57 women and 37 elderly people, the ministry said

Israel's massive offensive has killed over 36,700 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count.

Saturday's events also affected fragile attempts to deliver aid. The World Food Program chief said they suspended distribution around a US-built pier off Gaza because 'two of our warehouses, warehouse complex, were rocketed yesterday.'

When asked how it happened and whether WFP shares its locations with Israel's military, Cindy McCain said they did and 'I don't know. It's a good question.' It wasn't clear if she was referring to the rescue operation.

In Gaza, medics described scenes of chaos after the raid. Overwhelmed hospitals were already struggling to treat the wounded from days of heavy Israeli strikes.

'We had the gamut of war wounds, trauma wounds, from amputations to eviscerations to trauma, to TBIs (traumatic brain injuries), fractures and, obviously, big burns,' said Karin Huster of Doctors Without Borders, which works in Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. 'Kids completely gray or white from the shock, burnt, screaming for their parents. Many of them are not screaming because they are in shock.'

The Israeli military said it had attacked 'threats to our forces in the area,' and that a special forces officer was killed in the operation.

Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz lashed out at critics of the operation in a post on X, saying 'only Israel's enemies complained about the casualties of Hamas terrorists and their accomplices.'

Israeli media have focused heavily on the Israeli toll, the hostages and military efforts with relatively little coverage of the situation for Palestinians inside Gaza.

Israelis continued to celebrate the return of Argamani, Jan, Kozlov and Ziv as they were reunited with loved ones.

Argamani's mother, Liora, who has late-stage brain cancer, had released a video pleading to see her. Argamani's father told Army Radio the reunion was 'very difficult' as Liora was 'just unable to express her feelings and could not say what she was really waiting to say.'

Meir Jan's aunt, Dina, said his father had died Friday, hours before the operation. 'My brother died of grief,' she told Israel's Kan public broadcaster.

Dr. Itai Pessach at Sheba Hospital said none had serious physical injuries. But they have lost friends and family, and staff 'have been assisting them in rebuilding the infrastructure of their life,' he told reporters.

About 120 hostages remain in Gaza, with 43 pronounced dead, after about half were released in a weeklong cease-fire in November. Israeli troops have recovered the bodies of at least 16, according to the government. Survivors include about 15 women, two children under 5 and two men in their 80s.

Scores of hostages are believed to be held in densely populated areas or inside Hamas' labyrinth of tunnels, making rescues complex and risky. A raid in February freed two hostages while leaving 74 Palestinians dead.

Israel's military has acknowledged it can't carry out operations to rescue everyone.

Divisions have deepened in Israel over the best way to bring hostages home.

Many urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to embrace a cease-fire deal US President Joe Biden announced last month, but far-right allies threaten to collapse his government if he does.

Hours after the rescue, thousands of Israelis again gathered to protest the government and call for a deal.

On Sunday, Benny Gantz, a popular centrist member of Israel's three-member war Cabinet, resigned from the government after challenging it to adopt a new plan for the war. The resignation makes Netanyahu more heavily reliant on his far-right allies.

Also Sunday, the commander of the Israeli military's Gaza division resigned over failures that led to the October 7 attack.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to the Middle East this week, seeking a breakthrough in cease-fire efforts.

The IDF has released images of the Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant (in black) approving the operation to rescue the hostages together with top military chiefs

A view of Israeli helicopter, carrying four Israeli hostages that were retrieved after a military operation in the area

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN that mediators Egypt and Qatar had not received official word from Hamas on the proposed deal.

In a separate interview with CBS, Sullivan didn't say whether Biden would meet Netanyahu when he comes to Washington next month to address Congress.

International pressure is mounting on Israel to limit civilian bloodshed in its war in Gaza. Palestinians also face widespread hunger because fighting and Israeli restrictions have largely cut off the flow of aid.

'They killed everything inside us,' said one Nuseirat resident who witnessed Saturday's assault. The woman, identified only as Mounira in a video shared by the UN on Sunday, urged a cease-fire.
The Tory election campaign was thrown into more turmoil today as Douglas Ross today dramatically announced he is quitting as Scottish leader.

Mr Ross said he will stand down after July 4, admitting he had been wrong to think he could stay at the helm as an MP and MSP.

There had been a furious backlash in the wake of Mr Ross declaring last week that he would seek to be the candidate in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.

The move came despite him previously having said he would leave the Commons to focus on his role at Holyrood.

In a statement this morning, Mr Ross said: 'I have served as MP, MSP and Leader for over three years now and believed I could continue to do so if re-elected to Westminster, but on reflection, that is not feasible.

'I am committed to fighting and winning the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency. Should I be given the honour to represent the people and communities of this new seat, they should know being their MP would receive my complete focus and attention.

'I will therefore stand down as Leader following the election on July 4th, once a successor is elected. Should I win the seat, I will also stand down as an MSP to make way for another Scottish Conservative representative in Holyrood.

'My party has a chance to beat the SNP in key seats up and down Scotland, including in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East. We must now come together and fully focus on doing exactly that.'

Rishi Sunak said while he had 'enjoyed' working with the Scottish Tory leader, he respected his decision to step down from the post.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross declared last week he would stand for election as an MP after a sick colleague was blocked from seeking re-election

Former minister David Duguid has suffered ill health recently and has spent several weeks in hospital but had said he was looking forward to being involved in the election campaign

Mr Ross is still anticipating taking part in a TV debate with other Scottish party leaders tomorrow.

But disquiet has been mounting behind the scenes about Mr Ross's intentions at the election.

A Tory source said: 'He just feels events over the weekend make clear that MSPs aren't happy with his decision to stand in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East and he has become a distraction.

'There has been a drip-drip and he feels this will continue for MSPs because they are clearly not happy about this and we don't want it to become a distraction day after day.'

Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh last week, Mr Ross revealed his plan to take over as the Commons candidate from David Duguid.

Mr Duguid was elected in 2017 as MP for Banff and Buchan, the seat neighbouring Mr Ross's old Moray constituency. But significant boundary changes have led to the creation of Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, which is up for grabs on July 4.

Former minister Mr Duguid has suffered ill health recently and has spent several weeks in hospital but had said he was looking forward to being involved in the election campaign.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Ross denied the decision was to do with his own political ambitions.

He said: "No, I don't think anyone looking at me announcing today that I'm standing down as leader would necessarily come to that conclusion.

"What I am doing today is taking a decision, reflecting on comments made by colleagues and others, to focus on fully the people of Aberdeenshire North and Moray East."

He told the broadcaster the situation with Mr Duguid was "a very difficult one".

Mr Duguid made clear he was not happy about the developments, posting on social media saying he had been informed by the Scottish Tories that they have decided not to put him forward as their chosen candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.

Justifying his decision Mr Ross said last week: 'Going forward, we need a candidate to fight this seat at short notice. Nominations close tomorrow.

Rishi Sunak said while he had 'enjoyed' working with the Scottish Tory leader, he respected his decision to step down from the post.

'This is one of many seats we're defending against the SNP - and one we fully intend to win with the support of local voters.

'Over the last 12 hours, I weighed up the options and I have discussed it with my family, colleagues and local members.

'After boundary changes this new seat includes part of my former Moray constituency, and some of the council ward I was first elected to serve back in 2007.

'This constituency will be very competitive, a hard fought, close contest between the Scottish Conservatives and the SNP. I have decided I need to lead from the front.'

Mr Duguid spent four weeks in the intensive care unit in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary being treated for an illness affecting his spine and was then moved to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow nearly a month ago to continue treatment.
Nigel Farage was 'deeply unfair' to claim Rishi Sunak is not patriotic and doesn't understand 'our culture', the policing minister said today.

The Reform leader was accused of 'dog whistle politics' for his comments yesterday about the Prime Minister's decision to leave early from D-Day commemorations in France.

Chris Philp today became the latest senior politician to attack Mr Farage, telling LBC: 'I think that is deeply unfair and, with respect to Nigel Farage, deeply inaccurate.

'Everyone who knows Rishi Sunak will say he works night and day for the country - he's backed our armed forces with 2.5 per cent GDP pledge to fund our armed forces, a pledge that Labour has not backed, and he's done more than anybody else to back our veterans.'

Asked today what he made of Mr Farage's remarks, Mr Sunak today told reporters on a campaign visit to West Sussex: 'You can ask him. I can't speak for him and what he meant by those comments.

The Reform leader was accused of 'dog whistle politics' for his comments to the BBC yesterday about the Prime Minister's decision to leave D-Day commemorations early

Rishi Sunak apologised for his decision to leave early from D-Day commemorations on Thursday

'I'm not going to get involved in that because I don't think it's good for our politics, or indeed our country.

'And when it comes to the D-Day events, I spoke about that a lot last week. I absolutely didn't mean to cause anyone any hurt or upset, and that's why I apologised unreservedly for the mistake that I made.

'And I just hope people can find it in their hearts to forgive me and look at my actions that I've taken as Prime Minister, both to support our armed forces with an increase in defence spending, but also have the minister focused on veterans affairs around the Cabinet table, making sure this is best country in the world to be a veteran.'

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said yesterday that the Prime Minister was 'deeply patriotic' and had taken the criticism 'very deeply, personally' but there was 'no question' of him quitting.

As one ally said the PM was feeling 'bruised' by the furore, Tory sources said he would return to the forefront of the campaign, including a major BBC interview on prime-time TV tonight.

Yesterday Mr Farage tried to capitalise on the row, accusing Mr Sunak of being 'not patriotic'.

But the Reform leader was accused of 'dog whistle politics'  code for subtly appealing to racist sentiments  when he suggested the Prime Minister does not care about 'our culture'.

Mr Farage told the BBC Mr Sunak 'should have known in his heart, that it was right to be there'.

He claimed the Tory leader 'doesn't really care about our history, he doesn't really care  frankly  about our culture'.

Challenged over the comments, he insisted he had been talking about Mr Sunak's 'class' rather than his heritage as the son of first-generation immigrants.

Mr Farage denied any racial element, saying that '40 per cent of our contribution' in the two world wars 'came from the Commonwealth'.

He added that the PM was 'utterly disconnected by class, by privilege, from how ordinary folk feel. He revealed that, I think spectacularly, when he left Normandy early'.

Asked today what he made of Mr Farage's remarks, Mr Sunak today told reporters on a campaign visit to West Sussex: 'You can ask him. I can't speak for him and what he meant by those comments'

Chris Philp today became the latest senior politician to attack Mr Farage, telling LBC: 'I think that is deeply unfair and, with respect to Nigel Farage, deeply inaccurate

Mr Stride said he was 'very uncomfortable' at the 'ill-advised' comments, adding: 'I'm very proud we have a British Asian right at the top of our Government.'

Labour's justice spokesman Shabana Mahmood accused Mr Farage of 'dog whistle' politics.

'We can all see exactly what he is doing, he's got form, it is completely unacceptable,' she added.

'This is a man that has a track record of seeking to divide communities who just wants to do it with a veneer of respectability.'

Mr Sunak attended D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth and Normandy, France, last week.

But he left Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron to represent Britain at an 'international event' attended by Emmanuel Macron, Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky and other world leaders. The Prime Minister apologised the next day, saying he 'deeply regrets' his decision to leave early. The backlash has deepened the gloom around the Tory campaign which has so far failed to dent Labour's huge poll lead.

Former Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries suggested at the weekend the PM could even 'fall on his sword' but senior Tories dismissed this.

One said: 'In the words of Churchill, he has got to keep buggering on  there isn't any other option. He just needs to stop buggering up.'

Mr Sunak told The Mail On Sunday: 'We all make mistakes. We're all human. But I'm motivated to do what I can for this country to the best of my ability. That's what keeps me going.'

He hopes to reboot the Conservative campaign tomorrow when he is expected to unveil the party's manifesto and focus on the political divide over tax.

Mr Stride told Sky News that Mr Sunak will 'absolutely' lead the Tories into the election and denied that 'all is lost'.
The first wife of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has shared details of their life in a rare interview from prison - expressing her shock at the 'inhumane' atrocities committed by the jihadist group.

Widow Umm Hudaifa was married to the ISIS leader while he oversaw ISIS's vicious rule over large parts of Syria and Iraq, which committed a genocide against the Yazidi people and took thousands of women as slaves, while also killing hostages and civilians.

In an interview with the BBC, Hudaifa - who is being investigated for terror-related crimes - claimed that she was living in Raqqa, Syria, when her husband declared himself leader.

She explained how she would often spend time apart from her husband, who was in hiding as a wanted leader of the extremist jihadist group. Just days before, her sons were collected to be taught how to swim in the Euphrates.

After turning the TV on one day, she said she got a 'huge surprise' after seeing her husband addressing the Great Mosque of al-Nuri in the Iraqi city Mosul, in which he declared himself the as the head of the Islamic caliphate.

Caliphate leader: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi detonated his own suicide vest during the targeted raid on his lair in Syria's Idlib province and killed three of his children in the blast. He is shown in a still from a video released in April 2019, having not been seen since he spoke at the Grand Mosque in Mosul in 2014

She was shocked to discover her sons were in Mosul with her husband. 'He told me they were going on a trip to teach the boys how to swim,' she told the BBC.

Hudaifa also described ISIS atrocities as a 'huge shock' and 'inhumane', adding that they 'crossed a line of humanity'.

She added that she 'felt ashamed' of the violence against the Yazidis.

The widow is under investigation for her suspected role in ISIS and the crimes committed by the terror organisation and is currently being held in a Baghdad prison.

She has denied her involvement in the sexual enslavement of women and girls and claims she was a victim herself and tried to escape from her husband, who she married in 1999.

A general view of the Mosul Grand Mosque as rebuilding work continues in Mosul, Iraq June 7, 2024, 10 years after Islamic State militants seized control of the city and ruled for three years before being ousted by Iraqi forces and their allies. R

Image taken last month shows displaced Syrian children playing near a rubbish dump at the Rukban camp, located in a no-man's land in southern Syria at the border with Iraq and Jordan. The Rukban camp was established in 2014, at the height of Syria's ongoing war, as desperate people fled Islamic State (IS) group jihadists and government bombardment in hopes of crossing into Jordan

Syrian refugees gather as they prepare to leave the Arsal area, before their journey to their homes in Syria, at Arsal in Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 14 May 2024. Lebanese state media said on 14 May, that some 330 Syrians in Lebanon began their 'voluntary' repatriation from different areas of Lebanon.

Her husband, the Iraq-born ISIS leader Al-Baghdadi became known on the world stage after ISIS ruled through northern Iraq and northeastern Syria over a decade ago, before he detonated a suicide vest as US Army Special Ops forces closed in on his hideout in northwestern Syria on October 27, 2019.

In 2014, he made a rare appearance in which he declared himself the caliph, the ruler of the Muslim community.

Hudaifa asserted that when she first married her husband, he was 'conservative but open minded' and claimed he was not an extremist.

However she said after al-Baghdadi was held in Camp Bucca in 2004 following the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2004, he changed, claiming that he suffered from psychological issues.

Al-Baghdadi was reportedly arrested after founding a militant Sunni group to fight American and allied Western occupation forces.

He spent his year-long detention with many other men who would later become senior figures in ISIS and other jihadist groups.

Although he did not tell her directly, Hudaifa believes her husband was subjected to 'sexual torture'.

Hudaifa added that upon his return, she began to suspect her husband belonged to a militant group, as they often moved house and had fake identities.

She then asked for a divorce, but stayed with him as she could not agree to his condition that she give up their children.

'We moved to the Idlib countryside in Syria in January 2012, and there it became absolutely clear to me that he was the emir [leader],' she said.

The barbarity of the militant groups that formed ISIS was already prominent, but in 2014, the bloodshed became more widespread.

This included ISIS's genocide against Iraq's Yazidi minority, as well as the murder, torture, kidnapping and enslavement of civilians.

'To spill blood unjustly is a horrendous thing and in that regard they crossed the line of humanity', Hudaifa told the BBC.

She also claimed she challenged her husband about his involvement in the killings of thousands, telling him that him that 'according to Islamic law there are other things that could have been done, like guiding them towards repentance'.

But in 2014, nine Yazidi girls, ranging from the ages of nine to 30 were brought to Hudaifa's house, which she claimed only stayed there for a few days.

A woman named Soad, who was enslaved, raped and sold seven times, and her father Hamid, have filed a civil lawsuit against Hudaifa for her involvement in the kidnapping and enslavement of Yazidi girls.

'She was responsible for everything. She made the selections - this one to serve her, that one to serve her husband... and my sister was one of those girls.'

'She is the wife of the criminal Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and she is a criminal just like him', Soad told the BBC.
The Scottish Tory general election campaign has been thrown into chaos after Douglas Ross announced the shock decision to quit as leader.

The Scottish Conservative leader announced he will step down as leader following the general election.

He came to the decision after concluding that anger about his decision to stand to become an MP had become a major distraction for the partys campaign.

It comes just days after David Duguid was dropped as candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East as he recovers from a spinal illness in hospital, with Mr Ross opting to take his place on the ballot paper.

Mr Ross will also quit as an MSP if he is elected as an MP.

Douglas Ross has been leader of the Scottish Conservatives for nearly four years

In a statement, he said: I have served as MP, MSP and leader for over three years now and believed I could continue to do so if re-elected to Westminster, but on reflection, that is not feasible.

I am committed to fighting and winning the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency. Should I be given the honour to represent the people and communities of this new seat, they should know being their MP would receive my complete focus and attention.

I will therefore stand down as leader following the election on July 4th, once a successor is elected. Should I win the seat, I will also stand down as an MSP to make way for another Scottish Conservative representative in Holyrood.

My party has a chance to beat the SNP in key seats up and down Scotland, including in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East. We must now come together and fully focus on doing exactly that.

Mr Ross will continue as leader during the election campaign and will still take part in a BBC Scotland leaders debate tomorrow.

Party officials will meet after the election to set out details of the leadership contest.

A Tory source said: He just feels events over the weekend make clear that MSPs arent happy with his decision to stand in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East and he has become a distraction.

There has been a drip-drip and he feels this will continue for MSPs because they are clearly not happy about this and we dont want it to become a distraction day after day.

Opponents claimed the announcement shows the Tory campaign is in disarray.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: This is yet more proof of a Conservative party in abject disarray.

Just like the SNP, the Tories have been in power for too long, breaking rules and taking you for granted.

Former First Minister Alex Salmond, leader of the Alba Party, said: This is the first case of a rat deserting a sinking ship whilst simultaneously trying to clamber aboard a gravy train. Douglas Ross requires to resign as candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray Easy where he stabbed David Duguid in the back.

Ross is totally devoid of honour.

Mr Ross also faced calls to quit as an MSP regardless of whether he is elected to Westminster.

Seamus Logan, SNP candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, said: Douglas Ross must resign as an MSP today.

It's clear he's been forced out as Scottish Tory leader after his shameful behaviour over David Duguid and his growing expenses scandal. Voters deserve a dedicated MSP - not one who is hedging his bets in case he loses the election.

On 4th July, voters in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East can show Douglas Ross the door for good by voting SNP to put Scotland's interests first.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: I wish Douglas Ross the best of luck in the future.

Its clear that this divided and chaotic Tory party is out of time and out of ideas.

Voters know that this rotten Tory government has nothing to offer Scotland  its no wonder Douglas Ross has given up on trying to resuscitate the Scottish Tories flailing campaign.

After 14 years of Tory chaos and 17 years of SNP incompetence and scandal, Scotland is crying out for change.
A passenger jet miraculously landed on Sunday despite hailstones destroying the front of the plane and smashing the cockpit windscreen.

The Austrian Airlines Airbus A320 was flying from Mallorca to Vienna when chunks of ice slammed into the plane and its front windows.

The plane's pilot was forced to land blind, with passengers only realising the true extent of the damage - and their narrow escape - after the plane touched down.

Having taken off from Palma, Mallorca at around 3.30pm on Sunday, the early stages of the flight were uneventful, experiencing minor turbulence, passengers said.

However, according to the airline, the plane flew through a 'thunderstorm cell' as it approached Vienna and around half an hour before it was due to land.

The Austrian Airlines Airbus A320 was flying from Mallorca to Vienna when chunks of ice slammed into the plane and its front windows, damaging the nose and front windows

According to the airline, the plane flew through a 'thunderstorm cell' as it approached Vienna and around half an hour before it was due to land

Passengers described a 'violent shaking' and were alerted by the pilot to the fact that the windshield was broken.

Despite this, the plane was able to land in Vienna. The landing was 'a bit bumpier than normal,' one passenger told Austria's Kronen Zeitung newspaper.

It was only when the passengers disembarked and walked around the front of the plane did they realise the full extent of the damage.

Pictures of the aircraft show the windscreen shattered and the nose of the plane almost totally missing. That which is still intact has round marks and dents.

'At that moment, the passengers realised that the pilot had landed blind and how close they had come to a disaster,' one told Kronen.

'It could have turned out differently,' the passenger - who was flying back from Mallorca with a group after celebrating a friend's 30th birthday - said.

Austrian Airlines confirmed the incident to the newspaper on Sunday evening.

'On today's flight OS434 from Palma de Mallorca to Vienna, an Airbus A320 aircraft was damaged by hail,' the airline told Kronen.

It explained that the aircraft encountered a 'thunderstorm cell' as it approached Vienna, and said the cockpit crew had not seen the cell on the weather radar.

'According to current information, the two front cockpit windows of the aircraft, the nose of the aircraft (radome) and some panels were damaged by the hail,' Kronen reported, citing the airline's statement.

Passengers described a 'violent shaking' and were alerted by the pilot to the fact that the windshield was broken. But it was only when the passengers disembarked and walked around the front of the plane did they realise the full extent of the damage

Austrian Airlines said a Mayday call was made and that emergency crews rushed to the airport ahead of the aircraft landing.

Miraculously, the pilot was able to bring the plane down despite the damage to the windscreen, and everyone onboard escaped any injury.

'The aircraft was able to land safely at Vienna-Schwechat Airport. All passengers on the flight were unharmed,' the airline told the newspaper.

'The Austrian Airlines technical team has already been entrusted with the specific damage assessment of the aircraft in question. The safety of our passengers and our crews is Austrian Airlines' top priority.'

The near-miss is the latest mid-air incident to hit headlines in recent weeks.

Last month, a Singapore Airlines jetliner hit severe turbulence leaving one man - 73-year-old Brit Geoffrey Kitchen - dead, and others seriously injured.

Flight SQ321 went through huge swings in gravitational force in less than five seconds, likely causing the injuries to people who weren't buckled into their seats, according to a report by Singapore's Transport Ministry released last month.

The near-miss is the latest mid-air incident to hit headlines in recent weeks. Last month, a Singapore Airlines jetliner (pictured) hit severe turbulence leaving one man - 73-year-old Brit Geoffrey Kitchen - dead, and others seriously injured

The plane dropped 178 feet in less than one second, which 'likely resulted in the occupants who were not belted up to become airborne' before falling back down, the Transport Ministry said.

The Boeing 777, which was flying from London to Singapore on May 21, ran into turbulence that hurled people and items around the cabin. The plane, with 211 passengers and 18 crew members, made an emergency landing in Bangkok.

As the plane cruised at about 37,000 feet over southern Myanmar, it began to experience slight vibration due to changes in the gravitational force.

The jet's altitude increased - likely caused by an updraft, not by any action of the pilots - causing the autopilot system to push the plane back down to the selected altitude, the report said.

The pilots also noticed an uncommanded increase in airspeed, which they tried to check by extending panels called speed brakes, and 'a pilot called out that the fasten seat belt sign had been switched on.'

Harrowing images taken on board of the aftermath of the incident showed how the cabin was littered with debris, and oxygen masks hung from the ceiling. Passengers had tried desperately to stem the blood flowing from severe cuts and blunt force injuries

A few seconds later, the plane entered the sharp drop that caused unbelted passengers to come out of their seats before falling back. 'This sequence of events likely caused the injuries to the crew and passengers,' the report said.

The pilots disengaged the autopilot to stabilise the plane, the report said, and flew it manually for 21 seconds before going back to autopilot.

The plane made a normal, controlled descent and didn't encounter further turbulence until it landed in Bangkok almost an hour later, the ministry said, adding that investigations are ongoing.

Passengers have described the 'sheer terror' of the aircraft shuddering, loose items flying and injured people lying paralysed on the floor of the plane.
A woman and a young girl have been rushed to hospital in Carlisle with serious injuries following an attack this morning that also left a man with knife wounds.

Police and emergency services were scrambled to an incident in Whernside this morning following reports that a man had stab wounds.

After police arrived they found a woman in her 50s and child with serious injuries.

They have both been taken to the nearby Royal Victoria Infirmary for further treatment.

The man, also aged in his 50s, has been taken to Cumberland infirmary with a stab wound and is described as stable

The woman and child have been taken to the nearby Royal Victoria Infirmary for further treatment

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: 'There is no wider threat to the public and officers are asking member of the public to avoid the area whilst officers conduct their investigations.

'Anyone with information relating to this incident can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it , quoting incident number 30 of 10 June 2024. You can also phone on 101.'
A career criminal nicknamed 'The Magpie' has been caught shoplifting for the 250th time after she stole 313 worth of valuables - just two months after giving a House of Lords talk about her 'negative past'.

Thieving mother-of-three Jeanette Fidler, 51, who has 248 offences on her record, went on two theft sprees after she went to Parliament to talk about her 26-year life of crime.

Former MP and Prisons Minister Lord Keith Bradley sent an official invite to the former recruitment company boss in the hope her experiences with heroin addiction and her resulting crimewave might help shape future Government policies on drugs.

And in a picture posted from The River Room on Facebook in November last year, Fidler, of Shaw, near Oldham, Greater Manchester, declared: 'Me in the House of Lords for drinks and food what an experience that was xx.'

But just nine weeks later she was stopped by staff leaving Costco in Manchester's Trafford Park after she stole a PlayStation steering wheel and two backbone controllers for the console valued at 178.

Thieving mother-of-three Jeanette Fidler (pictured), 51 who has 248 offences on her record went on two theft sprees after she went to Parliament to talk about her 26-year life of crime.

Career criminal Fidler, who is a mother-of-three, is pictured outside Manchester Crown Court in 2012

Fidler shared this photo of an invite she was given to give a talk in the House of Lords on November 14

She was further found to have stolen 135 worth of goods on an earlier visit to the Oldham Costco store. She later claimed she was trying to replace her 10-year-old son's PlayStation items which were stolen in a burglary.

At Tameside Magistrates' Court, Fidler pleaded guilty to two offences of theft was sentenced to a 12-month community order with requirements that she undertakes 100 hours of unpaid work and attends 15 days of rehabilitative activity with the probation service.

Fidler, one of Britain's most prolific female thieves, was also ordered to pay 313 in compensation to Costco for the stolen items and prosecution costs of 85.

Fidler's life of crime began in 1998 after she lost her job as a recruitment company manageress and became hooked on heroin whilst living in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

To pay off her drug debts, she began preying on users of gyms and swimming baths - regularly taking wallets and keys from bags and clothes of unsuspecting customers when they were distracted with their children or taking a shower.

Police believe she has plundered tens of thousands of pounds worth of items during raids on ladies lockers at gyms, health centres, leisure complexes and spas across the north of England.

At one stage she was banned from all leisure centres, gyms or hotels in the UK under the terms of a Criminal Behaviour Order.

One victim lost her engagement and wedding ring and on other occasions Fidler broke into five different lockers in one swoop. Despite being repeatedly arrested and jailed, Fidler would come out of jail and do the same thing again.

Former recruitment agency manager Jeanette Fidler's life of crime began when she lost her job and became hooked on heroin. She is pictured here in 2002

The latest offences occurred between January 13 and the 24th this year

At one stage she was banned from all leisure centres, gyms or hotels in the UK under the terms of a Criminal Behaviour Order

She would trick staff into opening lockers for her by pretending a friend had left with the key or that she had lost it. She either sold the property or dishonestly used cheques or credit cards to go on spending sprees.

During her years of offending, police mugshots emerged of Fidler looking haggard and drawn due to her years of heavy heroin abuse which contrasted with her healthy look when she was not taking the drug.

In 2002, Fidler was jailed for three and six months and branded a 'wholesale thief' after she admitted 32 offences of theft or deception with 184 offences taken into consideration.

In 2011, she was jailed for a further two years after she admitted looting 65 more lockers and the following year was banned by a judge from entering all hotels with gyms and swimming pools for four years under the terms of an anti-social behaviour order.

She was jailed for a further 12 months in 2014 for similar thefts and breach of an ASBO.

She was jailed again for eight months in December 2016 after she admitted theft of 600 in cash and a 500 iPhone as well as credit cards, house keys and hair straighteners from women's changing rooms.

Fidler, one of Britain's most prolific female shoplifters, has spent many years in and out of prison

Fidler's lawyers claimed she was shoplifting to replace items that had been stolen from her

Lawyers, in mitigation, said: 'There is a new dawn on the horizon for Jeannette Fidler.'

She had also breached an ASBO following thefts from lockers at The Midland Hotel in Manchester, and the neighbouring Sportsdirect Fitness and Bannatyne's gyms.

In 2019 she was convicted of a burglary of a house while in May 2022 she was given a community order after she was caught selecting brand new items of the shelves at two shops and then trying to get fraudulently get refunds for them at the customer services till.

Last November Fidler posted a picture of the invitation she was sent by Lord Bradley and said: 'I was invited because I've used my negative past to change people and their lives by changing policies. I am still in shock and overwhelmed with my experience.'

The latest offences occurred between January 13 and the 24th this year.

Andrew Hey, prosecuting, said: 'On January 13 of this year, between 12 noon and 1pm the defendant entered the Costco store on Broadway in Oldham using a temporary pass.

'She made her way around the store visiting various departments with a shopping trolley, putting items in the trolley and a large handbag.

Former MP and Prisons Minister Lord Keith Bradley sent an official invite to the former recruitment company boss in the hope her experiences with heroin addiction and her resulting crimewave might help shape future Government policies on drugs

Fidler's latest offences took place at Costco in Trafford Park, Greater Manchester

'She approached the till but failed to pay for the items, stealing items to a value of 135.

'The goods were Cellucor C4 pre-work out supplement, an XBox games headset, some Nurofen pain relief tablets and some clothing. The value of the goods was 135. Then on January 24 at 11.25am, she entered the Costco store on Traders Avenue in Trafford Park.

'She picked up a number of electronic items and failed to pay at the checkout and left the store. She was then confronted by the staff. She confirmed that a Playstation steering wheel to the value of 135 had been taken and that was recovered.

'However, a subsequently stock check showed that two PlayStation backbone controllers valued at 89 each were missing. Compensation is sought.'

Fidler's lawyer Roger Lowe said in mitigation: 'Shortly before Christmas of last year, Miss Fidler was a victim of a burglary at her home address. Among the items taken were PlayStation equipment belonging to her son.

'She could not replace these items because she had incurred debt in buying Christmas presents. In January, she went into those two Costco stores and took the items not to sell but to replace items that had been stolen from her house for the benefit of her 10 year old child so he could continue to play on his PlayStation.

'The offences were doomed to fail. To buy from there she has to be a member. She used her membership number to pay for items which she paid for at the same time she stole other items. It was inevitable she was going to be traced by the membership number she used from Costco.

'Not surprisingly, there was a knock on the door in January. It was the police and they arrested her for those offences. She pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

'She is a lady with a long history for previous convictions from the late 1990s. She served numerous custodial sentences because at that stage she was addicted to class A drugs but toward the end of 2019 she became drug free and there has been a slowdown in her offending.

'I would seek to distinguish these two latest offences from the vast majority of offences she has committed previously which were to fund her drug addiction. She has now turned a corner. A report indicates that she is both drug free and she does not take alcohol.

'This is a lady who has turned a corner. A lady who now has her 10-year-old son living back with her after a custody battle fraught with problems. There is a new dawn on the horizon for Jeannette Fidler.

'She participates with an organisation called Revolving Doors which deals with the criminal justice system. There is a reference which confirms that she is a member of that organisation and she puts in valuable work to assist that organisation. '

Sentencing Fidler JP David Perry told her: 'We have listened very carefully. We do understand what has been going on in your life. You have got your child back and you are making progress even though there are some blips on the way. '
A person holds a candle and photo of Banko Brown at a memorial for him on May 1, 2023. The California Attorney Generals Office said that San Francisco prosecutors did not abuse their discretion when they opted not to file charges against the Walgreens security guard who shot and killed Brown in April 2023. Justin Katigbak/Special to the Chronicle 2023

San Francisco prosecutors did not abuse their powers when they declined to file charges against the Walgreens security guard who shot and killed Banko Brown last year during a suspected shoplifting attempt, according to the California Attorney Generals Office.

Browns April 2023 killing ignited controversy after San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins declined to file charges against the guard, Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony, who cited self-defense, though Brown was unarmed.

In a letter sent Friday to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors that was obtained by the Chronicle, the attorney generals office said it had carefully reviewed the investigative materials regarding the shooting.

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Based on that review and taking all of the circumstances into consideration, we cannot say that the San Francisco County District Attorneys Office abused its discretion in declining to file criminal charges against security guard Michael Anthony, according to the letter, which was signed by Deputy Attorney General Peter Flores Jr.

The fatal altercation occurred at a Walgreens on Market Street in downtown San Francisco on April 27, 2023. Video of the incident showed Anthony confronting Brown as he tried to leave the store. The security guard wrestled Brown to the ground to prevent him from shoplifting, a confrontation that ended when he pulled out his gun and fatally shot Brown. Anthony later told investigators Brown threatened to stab him as they fought.

The killing prompted significant outcry, plunging Anthony into the middle of a fraught debate about how San Francisco should care for its poorest residents and how stores should deal with petty theft. Brown, a 24-year-old transgender Black man, was homeless and actively searching for housing at the time of his killing, advocates said.

The following month, Jenkins declined to press charges in the case, saying prosecutors did not believe they could disprove claims by Anthony that he believed he was acting in self-defense when he shot Brown.

San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin formally urged Jenkins to reconsider her decision to not file charges, a highly unusual request he said was prompted by conversations with law enforcement following the killing. Peskin and several other supervisors asked the attorney generals office to review the charging decision.

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On Monday, Jenkins blasted that move as political posturing.
Rishi Sunak sounded defiance today as he scrambled to get the Tories' election campaign back on track after the D-Day shambles.

The PM insisted he is 'not going to stop' as he visited Horsham in West Sussex - traditionally a stronghold - after an extraordinary weekend of recriminations.

Mr Sunak was accused of ducking interviews in the wake of his grovelling apology for returning early from commemorations of the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy to carry out an election interview.

He reiterated his regret saying he 'hoped people can find it in their hearts to forgive me'.

But Mr Sunak roundly dismissed wild rumours that he could quit during the campaign, saying: 'The reality is I'm not going to stop going, I'm not going to stop fighting for people's votes, I'm not going to stop fighting for the future of our country.

'I believe in what we are doing deeply. I think our country is at an important moment, we're at a crossroads, and that's why I called this election because, having restored economic stability, this is the moment to really think about how we can deliver a more secure future for everyone.'

Focus groups conducted by think-tank More in Common have laid bare the impact of the D-Day episode, with doubts about Mr Sunak 'turbocharged' and the premier now seen by voters as a drag on his party.

Meanwhile, Suella Braverman has sparked a fresh meltdown by suggesting that Nigel Farage should be 'welcomed' into the party.

That triggered a blunt response from moderates, with former justice secretary Robert Buckland telling the BBC: 'We're a broad church, but not an Amazon warehouse.'

Alarm is rising in Tory circles about a 'crossover' moment in the polls, where Reform support leapfrogs the party.

Mr Farage punched the bruise at an economic policy launch this afternoon, saying Reform is 'closer to a tipping point' than people realise. He also taunted that the Conservatives could be left with 'zero' MPs and just 8 per cent support if Mr Sunak is forced to quit during the campaign.

In other twists and turns today:

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has announced he is quitting after a backlash at the prospect he would be an MP and MSP;

The Tories could pledge to cut national insurance by another 2p in their manifesto later this week;

Mr Sunak is doing a BBC Panorama interview to be broadcast at 8pm tonight;

The PM refused to comment on Nigel Farage's suggestion that he does not understand 'our culture', amid a backlash that it was 'dog whistle' politics;

Mr Farage has said the personal allowance should rise to 20,000 a year;

Labour is launching a childcare plan after U-turning on bringing back the lifetime allowance on pension funds;

Keir Starmer has been forced to deny a suggestion from his own frontbencher Emily Thornberry that state classes could get bigger as a result of adding VAT to private school fees;

The Lib Dems are launching their manifesto promising to hike taxes on the rich.

Rishi Sunak is scrambling to get the Tories ' election campaign back on track today after the D-Day shambles and with infighting flaring over the Reform threat

Alarm is rising in Tory circles about a 'crossover' moment in the polls, where support for NIgel Farage's Reform leapfrogs the party

Suella Braverman has sparked a fresh meltdown by suggesting that Nigel Farage should be 'welcomed' into the party

Mr Sunak spent a low-key weekend regrouping after a storm of criticism at his decision to return early from last week's 80th anniversary commemorations, for which he apologised on Friday.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride was forced to quash speculation Mr Sunak could resign before the election.

He said the PM was 'deeply patriotic' and had taken the criticism 'very deeply, personally' but there was 'no question' of him quitting.

Mr Farage has pounced on the row, accusing Mr Sunak of being 'not patriotic'. But the Reform leader was accused of 'dog whistle politics'  code for subtly appealing to racist sentiments  after suggesting the premier does not care about 'our culture'.

Ms Braverman, who was brutally sacked by Mr Sunak in a cabinet reshuffle in November, told The Times there was 'not much difference' between Mr Farage's policies and the Tories'.

Farage says personal allowance should be 20k (but wants to cut public spending by 50bn) Nigel Farage has proposed hiking the personal tax allowance to 20,000 a year. The Reform party leader also backed raising the inheritance tax threshold to 2million. Mr Farage claimed that such huge measures could be funded with 50billion in spending cuts and through tax changes. Advertisement

'We need to, in the future, to find some way to work together because there shouldn't be big differences between us,' she said.

'I would welcome Nigel into the Conservative party. There's not much difference really between him and many of the policies that we stand for.

'We are a broad church, we should be a welcoming party and an inclusive party and if someone is supportive of the party, that's a pre-condition and they want Conservatives to get elected then they should be welcomed.'

But Sir Robert gave the idea short shrift, and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has previously indicated she would not serve in the party alongside Mr Farage.

Touring broadcast studios this morning, police minister Chris Philp dismissed the question as 'theoretical' - pointing out Mr Farage was running against the Tories.

Mr Farage told the BBC Mr Sunak 'should have known in his heart, that it was right to be there'.

He claimed the Tory leader 'doesn't really care about our history, he doesn't really care  frankly  about our culture'.

Challenged over the comments, he insisted he had been talking about Mr Sunak's 'class' rather than his heritage as the son of first-generation immigrants.

Mr Farage denied any racial element, saying that '40 per cent of our contribution' in the two world wars 'came from the Commonwealth'.

He added that the PM was 'utterly disconnected by class, by privilege, from how ordinary folk feel. He revealed that, I think spectacularly, when he left Normandy early'.

Mr Stride said he was 'very uncomfortable' at the 'ill-advised' comments, adding: 'I'm very proud we have a British Asian right at the top of our Government.'

Labour's justice spokesman Shabana Mahmood accused Mr Farage of 'dog whistle' politics.

'We can all see exactly what he is doing, he's got form, it is completely unacceptable,' she added.

'This is a man that has a track record of seeking to divide communities who just wants to do it with a veneer of respectability.'

Mr Sunak attended D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth and Normandy, France, last week.

But he left Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron to represent Britain at an 'international event' attended by Emmanuel Macron, Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky and other world leaders.

Mr Sunak with the King and Queen and The president of France, Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte at the commemoration on Friday morning

The PM apologised the next day, saying he 'deeply regrets' his decision to leave early. The backlash has deepened the gloom around the Tory campaign which has so far failed to dent Labour's huge poll lead.

Former Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries suggested at the weekend the PM could even 'fall on his sword' but senior Tories dismissed this.

One said: 'In the words of Churchill, he has got to keep buggering on  there isn't any other option. He just needs to stop buggering up.'

Mr Sunak told The Mail On Sunday: 'We all make mistakes. We're all human. But I'm motivated to do what I can for this country to the best of my ability. That's what keeps me going.'

He hopes to reboot the Conservative campaign tomorrow when he is expected to unveil the party's manifesto and focus on the political divide over tax.

Mr Stride told Sky News that Mr Sunak will 'absolutely' lead the Tories into the election and denied that 'all is lost'.
This new map reveals London's phone theft hotspots, with nearly 52,000 devices stolen in the capital last year as criminals on mopeds and e-bikes use violence and distraction techniques to target victims.

The worst-hit borough was the City of Westminster, where tourists flock for theatre shows and high-end shopping, with 18,863 reported incidents in the year to December - up 47 per cent from 12,836 in the previous 12 months.

Camden was the second worst affected, with 4,806 incidents, followed by Southwark (4,376), Hackney (2,761), Newham (2,585), Lambeth (2,394) and Islington (2,117). In London as a whole more than 52,000 phones were stolen last year.

Shocking videos show muggers swerving alongside pedestrians before grabbing their phones and making off with them at speed. One thief who was recently brought to justice stole 24 phones in one morning.

Figures show 165,933 mobile phone thefts were reported to the Metropolitan Police between January 1, 2019 and December 31 last year - making up 52 per cent of the total in England and Wales.

Your browser does not support iframes.

This brazen theft happened on 6 June on a busy road near Tavistock Square in Marylebone, central London, just a short distance from Euston Station and the British Museum.

Phone thefts rose by 20 per cent last year across England and Wales as a whole, according to figures released after a freedom of information request by The Times.

Police forces recorded 316,683 incidents between January 1, 2019 and December 31 last year, although the total will be higher because six forces failed to respond to the request and three refused to.

London is by far the worst affected city in England and Wales, with criminals targeting wealthy shoppers and foreign tourists.

One recent video shows an unsuspecting victim minding her own business when the man clad in black comes up behind her and snatches her mobile before speeding off.

Her attempt to give chase was futile as the thief raced off on an e-bike capable of speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

The brazen theft happened on 6 June on a busy road near Tavistock Square in Marylebone, central London, just a short distance from Euston Station and the British Museum.

A man filming the video from a passing car chillingly predicts what was about to happen, with the onlooker clearly heard in the nine second video saying: 'He's going to grab her phone.'

As the bike crook snatches the phone he is heard saying 'see ya' before adding: 'Oh my days.'

It is the second such attack caught on camera in as many days as a spate of attacks has shocked many Londoners as the horrific crime wave has swept through the capital.

In a separate incident in a different part of London two crooks on a moped were caught on camera trying to swipe a man's phone while riding along the pavement.

The victim, who was standing on a street corner, can be seen glancing down at his mobile but luckily turned around as the scooter approaches.

Sonny Stringer, 28, snatched an incredible 24 handsets in little over an hour. He was caught after being rammed by police and pleaded guilty to theft

The thief on the back attempts to grab it but the man is able to pull his arm away. The incident happened at 8am today in Tottenham, north London.

Following the failed attempt to steal the phone, the scooter then speeds away on the path as the victim looks on bemused.

Last month a video showed a cyclist dressed all in black rides up to a group of people standing near the Curzon cinema on Shaftesbury Avenue in London's West End.

The thief slows down as he approaches them before he snatches the phone out of a young woman's hands and speeds off.

At the start of the clip - which has been shared widely on TikTok and X - the thief can be seen riding alongside another cyclist who is also dressed all in black.

The incident was just another example of the terrifying trend of 'gadget snatching' that is sweeping the capital.

In April, horrifying footage was shared on social media of a thief on a bike grabbing a woman's mobile phone from her hands in Albany Place, Marylebone.

The clip was uploaded with the caption: 'Keep your head on swivel when in London.'

The victim is seen in the video attempting to chase after the offender while calling out: 'Hey, come back here.'

Another cyclist in a balaclava had passed by her in the seconds beforehand.

Similarly in March, two masked thieves were seen snatching a phone and fleeing on their bikes in Hampstead, north London - before crashing into an incoming car.

Then, in February, a motorcyclist was shown on CCTV trailing a man down the pavement in Tower Bridge Road before snatching his phone and speeding off.

Last month a video showed a cyclist dressed all in black ride up to a group of people standing near the Curzon cinema on Shaftesbury Avenue in London's West End

In the video, a cyclist dressed all in black rides up to group of people standing near the Curzon cinema on Shaftesbury Avenue in London's West End

The thief slows down as he approaches them before he snatches the phone out of a young woman's hands and speeds off

The victim, a 28-year-old banker named Peter, later told MailOnline: 'I just felt something on my shoulder, then a hand went straight for my phone and it was just a snatch and grab.'

Footage shows Peter lunging towards the motorcyclist trying to grab his phone, before chasing him down the street.

Last August a brazen thief on an electric bike snatched a woman's phone in broad daylight just metres from the Ritz hotel near Green Park.

Dash cam footage showed him rushing through stationary traffic at a red light, mounting the pavement and stealing the gadget from the lone pedestrian.

The Metropolitan Police has urged Londoners to be aware of their surroundings and to use security features on their phones.

Locals warned visitors to central London to 'watch their backs' due to the spate of robberies. Jason Green fumed: 'Phone thieves are the scum of the earth.'

Another, Rich, said that phone robberies are 'getting out of control' and asked: 'Met Police, are you guys going to tackle this problem?'

In April, horrifying footage was shared on social media of a thief on a bike grabbing a woman's mobile phone from her hands in Albany Place, Marylebone

He swiftly swooped to seize the mobile phone from her hands

While a third, Bert, joked: 'London, where wing mirrors on a mobile phone is an asset.'

The Metropolitan and City of London police forces have said they are tackling the crime spree head-on.

The City of London Police said it is running a targeted operation that is disrupting phone snatching in the Square Mile.

The operation was started due to the worrying rise the force saw in phone snatching in 2022, which carried on into last and this year.

The force is even spraying criminals and their mopeds with a DNA spray in a bid to link them to crimes if they race away.

Shop owners suspected of buying stolen handsets have also been raided and the force has reintroduced a cycle team to help tackle phone snatchers.

The force has been seizing five illegal e-bikes and e-scooters every week that are known to be used by phone snatchers.

Met Commander Owain Richards said: 'We understand the impact that mobile phone theft can have on victims. It's an invasive and sometimes violent crime and we're committed to protecting Londoners and tackling this issue as we make the capital safer. Our response in this case fell short of expected standards and we apologise to the victim for the service they received.

'Met officers are targeting resources to hotspot areas, such as Westminster, Lambeth and Newham, with increased patrols and plain-clothes officers, which deter criminals and make officers more visibly available to members of the community.'
A coroner has hit out at a social media firm after a schoolgirl killed herself immediately after researching 'concerning' content about self-harm on question-and-answer website Quora.

Youngster Isabella Shere, 14, was found hanged at her family home having spent months looking for information about how to end her life.

Inner South London assistant coroner Fleur Hallett has called on Quora, the Government and communications regulator Ofcom to take action after it emerged Isabella was able to access the troubling content because it had no age restrictions.

Ms Hallett, who concluded Isabella died by suicide, said: 'During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern.

'In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.

The inquest heard Isabella's internet search history showed that she had been researching ending her life.

Coroner Fleur Hallett wrote to question-and-answer forum Quora, as well as to the Government and the communications regulator Ofcom, after Isabella Shere was able to access 'concerning' content unchecked

Inner South London coroner's court, where the coroner concluded Isabella, from nearby Lewisham, had died by suicide

And she had visited Quora - a popular social forum used by hundreds of millions of people to find and provide answers to questions - immediately before hanging herself on February 2 2023.

The coroner redacted the specific webpage in her report about Isabella's death, but said the content raised concerns and that it had no age restrictions on it, meaning it could be accessed by children.

The coroner wrote: 'Miss Shere was not known to have been struggling with her mental health but her internet search history in the last four months of her life indicated that she was seeking information relating to methods of ending life.

'Miss Shere left a note indicating an intention to take her own life.

'During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern.

'In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.

'The question and answer thread that Miss Shere viewed immediately before her death, at the time of writing this report has had 169,700 views.

'The content is not marked as adult content when accessed either on a phone or a computer.'

The coroner said children were able to access the site through search engines without being required to create an account and access content without being asked if they are an adult or being required to input their date of birth.

She said the website also suggested further similar content 'encouraging further consumption of this material', and that users were able to vote for whether an answer was helpful or not.

She said this could mean the user did not fully appreciate 'the seriousness of the subject matter that is being consumed'.

The coroner added: 'There is not sufficient monitoring and/or moderation of the content of questions/answers in accordance with Quora's own platform policies.

'In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and/or your organisation have the power to take such action.'

Quora, the Government and the broadcasting regulator are all required to respond to the coroner's report.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
King Charles III wants to spend more time with his grandchildren Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet after meeting them just a handful of times, an expert claimed today.

The 75-year-old monarch is understood to have told friends that he is keener than ever to build a relationship with five-year-old Archie and three-year-old Lilibet.

Charles is believed to be dissatisfied with just seeing his grandchildren on the occasional video call and now hopes to be more present in their lives.

Queen Camilla is also said to be encouraging his increased efforts, and he reportedly sent Lilibet a 'heartfelt gift and card' to celebrate her birthday last week.

Sources claimed the King now wants to make up for lost time, following years of tension between his son and the rest of the Royal Family which has exacerbated since the Sussexes stepped down as senior royals and moved to the US in 2020.

Royal commentator Michael Cole told MailOnline today that Charles feels the 'lack of closeness with his California grandchildren acutely', given his own childhood was affected by his parents' long absences on extensive tours of the Commonwealth.

The former BBC royal correspondent said the King 'looks as happy and as content as I have ever seen him' but his 'only regret is that he does not see Archie and Lilibet'.

He added that the two 'innocent young children' are growing up without any 'real contact' with the Royal Family in Britain while Charles undergoes treatment for cancer and 'would welcome the pleasure and comfort of seeing his grandchildren'.

Prince Harry and Charles at an event at the Natural History Museum in London in April 2019

Speaking to MailOnline, Mr Cole said: 'Painfully aware that time is precious, the King regrets that he cannot be closer to his grandchildren Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

'It is not just the 5,000 miles between Clarence House and California that keeps the monarch at a distance from his youngest grandchildren.

'The antipathy between Prince Harry and his wife Meghan and the Royal Family has created a deep divide that makes normal family relationships so fraught as to be almost impossible.

'And the tensions have only been increased by every harsh word written and cruel sentence uttered by the Harry and Meghan about his brother Prince William, sister-in-law Catherine and his stepmother Queen Camilla.

'In the middle of this unedifying falling-out in the world's most famous family are two innocent young children who are growing up without any real contact with their royal cousins in Britain, not to mention their grandfather, the head of the family, the King, as he undergoes treatment for an unspecified cancer and would welcome the pleasure and comfort of seeing his grandchildren.'

Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet are seen in a Christmas card released on December 23, 2021

Mr Cole also pointed out that Meghan is estranged from the children's other grandfather, Thomas Markle.

He said the King 'takes pride and great delight' in William and Kate's children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Mr Cole continued: 'He sees them as often as possible and is very much the hands-on grandpa, ready to take part in whatever it is that they are doing at the time. You cannot do that on a video call.

'While the King welcomes any sort of contact, technology cannot compensate for the loss of propinquity.

'The King feels the lack of closeness with his California grandchildren acutely. His own childhood was affected by his parents long absences on extensive Commonwealth tours - some lasting as much as six months.

'That is why he and Princess Diana took the baby Prince William with them on their first tour of Australia and New Zealand after his birth. But then, because of the gulf that developed between him and Diana as the years went by, his relationship with his own sons deteriorated.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their son Archie, and (left to right) the Queen Consort, the King, Ms Doria Ragland, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and the Prince and Princess of Wales at Windsor Castle after his christening in July 2019

'With every day precious, the King would like to see as much as possible of all his grandchildren, making use of every opportunity for them to get to know him - equally as important in family terms as for him to enjoy their company. This is very much the case for the King with the Waleses' trio of charming children.'

He pointed out that while Harry and Meghan are not denying the King access to his grandchildren, 'neither are they making it possible'.

Mr Cole added: 'The King has seen Archie in person only a handful of time and Princess Lilbet only once. The Sussexes did not take the opportunity to have Lilibet christened at St George's Chapel, Windsor on their last visit when there was an opportunity and it could have been quite easily arranged.'

And he said the family relationship has been 'tested to breaking point' following Harry and Meghan's exit from royal life in 2020 thanks to interviews, TV programmes and Harry's biography Spare.

Mr Cole continued: 'Prince Harry says he loves his family and the country of his birth. He is said to be looking for a property to reestablish a home here.

William, Harry, Meghan and Charles at a Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in 2019

'But will that be soon enough for his father to bond with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet before they start school in America, living there full-time and for ever?

'Time is fleeting. The King, who looks as happy and as content as I have ever seen him in the 56 years since I filed my first television report about him, is clearly reconciled to his illness, bravely enduring the treatment and facing the future with commendable courage.

'His only regret is that he does not see Archie and Lilibet. If there was anything calculated to comfort and delight him, it would be for them to be with him on a regular basis.

'Unless Harry and Meghan can find in their hearts the love that they say they have for the world and then people in it, apart from her father and most of her family, that looks unlikely.'

Mr Cole spoke after a source told the Daily Mirror yesterday: 'The King is absolutely committed to being present in all of his grandchildren's lives.

The Duke of Sussex speaks to Good Morning America in February. Harry suggested during the interview that the cancer diagnosis could lead to a reconciliation with Charles

'He values family above everything and whatever the course of his relationship with his son he would never be content with just seeing his grandchildren on the odd video call.'

Harry and Charles's relationship had become strained after the Duke stepped down as a working royal and moved to California with Meghan and their family.

They last met soon after the King announced his cancer diagnosis in February, when Harry rushed from his home to see his father in London .

After this meeting, Harry suggested in an interview that the cancer diagnosis could lead to a reconciliation with Charles.

Speaking to Good Morning America at the time, it was suggested a family illness could have a 'reunifying effect', and when Harry was asked 'Is that possible in this case?' he replied: 'Yeah, I'm sure.'

The Duke also said 'I love my family' and that he was 'grateful' to be able to spend time with his father  despite it only being for around 45 minutes

Then, last month Harry made a trip to the UK trip to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games, and had hoped to see Charles.

But a spokesman for the Duke then revealed it 'unfortunately will not be possible' to have a meeting 'due to His Majesty's full programme'.

The spokesman added that Harry 'is understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon'.
Pro-Palestine protesters have targeted 20 Barclays' across the UK, smashing windows and throwing red paint over the bank branches in London, Bristol and Manchester.

Pictures show that all the windows of a branch in the centre of Bristol have been smashed and graffiti sprayed over them in the co-ordinated attack.

Posting on X, Palestine Action claimed to have 'shut 20 Barclays branches' across England and Scotland with their antics.

The group said they took the action to 'demand the bank divests from Israel's weapons trade and fossil fuels'.

A spokesperson for Palestine Action said: 'Barclays is funding the crises of climate collapse and genocide in Palestine.

'Decades of polite campaigning, petitions, letter writing and lobbying MPs have failed.

'We will continue to escalate until Barclays pulls its finger out and stops funding genocide and climate destruction.

Has YOUR local Barclays closed after being targeted? Email poppy.gibson@mailonline.co.uk

BRISTOL: Pro-Palestine protesters have targeted Barclays ' across the UK, smashing windows and throwing red paint over the bank branches

BURY: A police cordon is in place outside Barclays bank in Bury, Manchester, after the protest

WESTMINSTER: The St Johns Wood branch of Barclays Bank is left with doors and windows smashed and the exterior covered with red paint

In Bristol, the windows of the bank branch were smashed and red paint was doused over the property.

Meanwhile, in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, rocks inscribed with the names of Palestinians killed in the conflict were thrown at windows.

City of London Police said that three men, between 34 and 45, have been arrested in connection with criminal damage at Barclays on Moorgate this morning.

A post on X by the force read: 'They were seen on CCTV by our control and officers were sent to the scene. Following a short foot chase, three men were brought into custody.'

Other branches targeted include Stockport and Bury in Greater Manchester, Preston in Lancashire, and St John's Wood, Westminster and Croydon in London.

Activists also sprayed the names of Palestinians killed in the Israeli military action in Gaza on the walls of the Barclays branch.

A spokesperson for Barclays said: 'We provide vital financial services to US, UK and European public companies that supply defence products to Nato and its allies.

'Barclays does not directly invest in these companies.

'The defence sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK government has been clear that supporting defence companies is compatible with ESG considerations.

'Decisions on the implementation of arms embargoes to other nations are the job of respective elected governments.

'While we support the right to protest, we ask that campaigners do so in a way which respects our customers, colleagues and property.'

BRISTOL: Gigantic shards of glass sticking up from the remains of the shattered window

CROYDON: Holes are seen left in smashed windows in Croydon this morning

BURY: A table and a sign were left coated with the paint which was thrown at the bank

Palestine Action are a protest group that targets businesses and institutions that have links to Israel.

Their website states that their aim are to support Palestine through direct action.

Their page states that they use direct action, factory occupations and other disruption to 'shut down the companies fuelling Israeli war crimes'.

Last week a Barclays branch in Bolton has had its windows smashed and red paint thrown over and inside the building with police on the scene.

Palestine Action claimed responsibility for the attack, along with another in Bradford, stating Barclays 'divests from Israels biggest weapons firm, Elbit Systems'.

The group, which formed in 2020 has been very destructive and in the first year the group boasted they had caused '15,930,000 in losses, damages and increased costs' to firms they believe to be complicit in the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Since they were founded, the group have successful occupied major business headquarters including Elbit, an electronic defence system producer.

BURY: Barclays bank in Bury, Manchester, this morning, which was targeted by activists

BRISTOL: Red paint was thrown across the branch in Bristol's city centre in protest

BRISTOL:A woman carefully picks her way over the shattered and stained broken window glass

RICHMOND: Red paint was thrown over this ATM of a Barclays bank in Richmond

They also staged a mass protest in 2021 at the Liverpool Arms Fair which saw with activists using fire extinguishers to spray red paint over the ACC Exhibition Centre.

Earlier this year a pro-Palestine protester sprayed and slashed the University of Cambridge's historic painting of British statesman Lord Balfour who paved the way for a Jewish state in the Middle East.

Palestine Action shared a video of a demonstrator destroying the portrait and spraying it with red paint.

A woman was seen on the footage slashing the painting with a sharp object before spraying paint from a can over Balfour's face.

The pro-Palestine action group also partnered with Shut the System, a recently launched underground climate movement.

On their social media, the group gave more details on the protests.

Alongside a picture of a bag of rocks with name son, they posted on X, formerly Twitter: 'Actionists threw rocks marked with the names of Palestinian martyrs at Barclays in Edinburgh, investors in Israels largest weapons firm, Elbit Systems.

CROYDON: A Barclays sign in Croydon next to the branch was splattered with paint

BURY: Forensic officers and a police cordon were in place outside Barclays bank in Bury, Manchester, this morning, after the group targeted the bank with paint

BRISTOL: A police officer stands at the scene after a branch was targeted by activists

PECKHAM: The scene at Barclays bank in Peckham after several branches were attacked

WESTMINSTER: Branch cash machines are covered with red paint

BRISTOL: The windows of the Barclays Bank branch in the centre of the city have been smashed

BURY: A cracked window in a Barclays bank in Manchester, dripping with red paint

Palestine Action posted on X that they had used rocks painted with the names of 'Palestinian martyrs' to smash up bank branches across the country

The protests triggered an outcry on social media.

One user wrote: 'Palestine Action say theyve targeted twenty Barclays.

'Bank branches across the country. This isnt just vandalism, its frankly domestic terrorism. Theyve become so brazen since they believe that theyre above the law. Palestine Acton need to be proscribed.'

Another called for harsher action against the protesters and described their attacks on bank branches as 'a threat to civil society and the rule of law'
Belarus declared this morning that army units were collaborating with Russian forces on a fresh phase of exercises to practice the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons.

The first phase of the drills, ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, took place last month and were condemned by Western leaders as unsettling videos showed soldiers transporting and loading huge missiles.

Moscow late last year decided to hand several of its nuclear devices to Minsk as relations between the Kremlin and the West continued to nosedive.

Belarusian Defence Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin said the exercises were a proactive measure to 'increase our readiness to use so-called retaliatory weapons'.

'Now, more than ever before, we are determined to respond to any threats posed to both our country and the Union State' between Russia and Belarus, he said.

He didn't specify exactly what the drills would entail - but the first phase of exercises last month involved the delivery of tactical nuclear weapons from storage to military units where they will be mounted on missiles and attached to warplanes as missile units practiced covert deployment to firing positions.

It comes as top Russian lawmakers gave new warnings that any F-16 fighter jets provided to Kyiv by the West for combat missions against Russian forces would be legitimate targets for Moscow, even if they are hosted on bases outside Ukraine.

Belarus' defence ministry said the drills will test the 'planning, preparation and use of strikes with tactical nuclear warheads' in a statement ahead of the first stage of drills in May (pictured)

While Belarus doesn't own any nuclear weapons, it agreed last year to host Russian tactical warheads on its soil

Putin shakes hands with Lukashenko. The Russian president said last year that Moscow could consider launching strikes at facilities in NATO countries if they host the warplanes used in Ukraine

Top Russian lawmakers gave new warnings that any F-16 fighter jets provided to Kyiv by the West and earmarked for combat missions against Russian forces would be legitimate targets for Moscow, even if stationed abroad (Dutch air force F-16 is seen in action)

(From L) Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Belgium's Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder listen as they meet with Belgian F-16 pilots, instructors and technical staff during an inspection visit of Ukraine's President to Belgium in an agreement to help Kyiv battle Russia's invasion

In a brief statement reported by state media, Belarus' defence ministry said this week's nuclear drills were being held 'in the interests of guaranteeing our own security' and were not intended as a threat to other countries.

But the country's president, known for his bold statements and outspoken nature, has routinely warned European neighbours and Western allies to tread carefully over Ukraine amid a deterioration in communication with Minsk and the Kremlin.

In April, Lukashenko boasted his nation had taken delivery of 'several dozen' Russian nuclear weapons.

State news agency Belta quoted Lukashenko as saying that the war in Ukraine and rising tensions between East and West required changes to Minsk's security stance, warning a major confrontation could end in nuclear 'apocalypse'.

'Nuclear deterrence - those who will push us towards it should know about it and have a rational look at the straightforward consequences of their ill-considered decisions, to put it mildly,' Lukashenko said.

The long-serving Belarusian dictator and Putin confirmed in December that the Kremlin planned to station some nuclear weapons in Belarus for the first time since the Soviet era.

Meanwhile, senior lawmakers in Moscow this morning declared that F-16 jets and military airfields outside Ukraine will become legitimate targets for Moscow if they take part in combat missions against Russian forces.

The warning from Andrei Kartapolov - head of the Russian State Duma lower house of parliament's defence committee - suggests that Moscow would be willing to strike targets on NATO soil if F-16s were being hosted there, and echoes an earlier declaration made by Putin himself.

His statement came as a senior Ukrainian military officer said Kyiv may opt to keep some of the F-16 fighter jets abroad in the hope that this would discourage Russia from attacking them.

Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have committed to providing Ukraine with over 60 US-made F-16 fighter jets to help it fend off Russian attacks, while France has offered a flight of its Mirage fighter jets.

Ukrainian pilots are currently undergoing training to fly the warplanes ahead of deliveries expected to start in late June or early July.

File photo. A Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is launched by Russia in April 2022

Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, right, and Belgium's Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder, left, pose with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in front of an F-16 at Melsbroek military airport in Brussels, on May 28, 2024

A senior Ukrainian military officer said Kyiv may opt to keep some of the F-16 fighter jets abroad in the hope that this would discourage Russia from attacking them

France is to transfer Mirage-2000 fighter jets to Ukraine and train their Ukrainian pilots as part of a new military cooperation with Kyiv as it fights the Russian invasion, President Emmanuel Macron announced on June 6, 2024

Serhii Holubtsov, head of aviation within Ukraine's air force, said that 'a certain number of aircraft will be stored at secure air bases outside of Ukraine so that they are not targeted here.'

Holubtsov told the US government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that those F-16s could be used to replace damaged aircraft as they undergo repairs as well as for training Ukrainian pilots abroad.

'This way, we can always have a certain number of aircraft in the operational fleet that corresponds to the number of pilots we have,' he said.

'If there are more pilots, there will be more aircraft in Ukraine.'

Putin said last year that Moscow could consider launching strikes at facilities in NATO countries if they host the warplanes used in Ukraine, but this was well before F-16s were close to arriving in the war-torn country.

The decision to station combat mission F-16s outside Ukraine would 'pose a serious danger of NATO being further drawn into the conflict', the Russian President declared.

'F-16s are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, and we will also need to take that into account while organising our combat operations,' Putin stated.

The F-16s require a high standard of runways and reinforced hangars to protect them from attacks on the ground.

It is not clear how many Ukrainian air bases can meet those requirements, and Russia would be certain to quickly target a few that could accommodate them once the jets arrive.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has boasted his nation now hosts 'several dozen' Russian nuclear weapons as relations between Moscow and Europe continue to nosedive

A F-16 Fighting Falcon combat airplane flies over Ramstein Air Base during a day of fighter plane exercises on June 06, 2024

Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have committed to providing Ukraine with over 60 US-made F-16 fighter jets to help it fend off Russian attacks, while France has offered a flight of its Mirage fighter jets (pictured)

Holubtsov noted that the F-16s will help protect front-line and border regions from Russian glide bombs that have inflicted significant damage to both troops and residential areas, including Kharkiv.

Glide bombs are heavy Soviet-era bombs fitted with precision guidance systems and launched from aircraft flying out of range of air defences.

'I think we will succeed, first of all, in pushing back the aircraft that drop glide bombs farther from the contact line,' he said.

'If we manage to push them back at least another 20-30 miles, this can already be considered a turning point and an achievement, if not of superiority, then of parity in the airspace.'

While Ukraine waits for the arrival of F-16s, its forces have tried to strike Russia's own air force while its planes are on the ground.

This weekend, Ukrainian officials and Russian military bloggers said that a Kyiv drone had successfully struck one of Moscow's Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets last week.

The aircraft, codenamed 'Felon' by NATO, was sitting on the tarmac at Akhtubinsk military airfield in the Astrakhan region of southern Russia when a drone flew some 365 miles from the frontline, evading Russian air defences and detonating as it impacted the Su-57.

The strike is yet to be confirmed by official Russian sources, but it is thought to be the first time a new fifth-generation Su-57 has been hit.

The Felon is Russia's top of the range fighter mutlirole jet, with only 14 thought to be in operation, though dozens more are on order.

It is one of few jets thought to be able to mount a challenge on the US-made F-22 raptor, which is widely seen as the most fearsome jet in service today in terms of its manoeuverability and stealth.

This weekend, Ukrainian officials and Russian military bloggers said that a Kyiv drone had successfully struck one of Moscow's Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets last week

Kyiv's military said satellite images show that 'on June 7 (left) the Su-57 is standing intact, and on June 8, (right) ruptures from the explosion and characteristic spots of fire, which arose as a result of fire damage, appeared near it'

Ukraine's Western allies are trying to bolster military support for Kyiv as Russian troops have launched attacks along the more than 620-mile frontline, taking advantage of a lengthy delay in US military aid.

Ukraine is currently fighting to hold back a Russian push near its second-largest city of Kharkiv, less than 20 miles from the border.

The US and other NATO allies have responded to the latest Russian offensive by allowing Ukraine to use weapons they deliver to Kyiv to carry out limited attacks inside Russia.

The decision could potentially impede Moscow's ability to concentrate its troops for a bigger offensive near Kharkiv and in other border areas.

Last week, Putin responded by warning that Moscow 'reserves the right' to arm adversaries of the West worldwide.

'If they supply (weapons) to the combat zone and call for using these weapons against our territory, why don't we have the right to do the same?' Putin said.
A new study has revealed that two thirds of Brits suffer anxiety on holiday over whether or not they will secure a sunbed.

Research has shown that 80% of holidaymakers find securing a sunbed stressful while on holiday.

It also showed that 84% of people who do manage to get hold of a sunbed say they experience physical pain due to lying on them.

Further findings from the research revealed that more than half (51%) believe it to be unreasonable for people to 'reserve' sunbeds with towels on holiday.

Meanwhile, 1 in 10 admitted they had removed someone else's 'reserved' towels from a sun lounger to replace them with their own.

A new study has revealed that two thirds of Brits suffer anxiety on holiday over whether or not they will secure a sunbed

Research carried out by travel agent On The Beach and bed company Silentnight has shown that 80% of holidaymakers find securing a sunbed stressful while on holiday

The research carried out by travel agent On The Beach and bed company Silentnight also revealed that a quarter of Brits (25%) find sunbeds uncomfortable and 14% even wish they could transport their bed poolside.

Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On The Beach said: 'We're fed up with sunbed wars, fed up of that 6am poolside dash and fed up of the sunbed anxiety holidaymakers face.

'That's why this summer we're solving the summer sunbed crisis once and for all, by guaranteeing our customers, not just any sun lounger, but one that will provide the upmost comfort.

'All you need to worry about now is which cocktail you'll order to your sunbed first.'

Hannah Shore, Silentnight's Sleep Expert said: 'Holidays are the perfect time to relax and unwind, so when we found out just how many Brits are setting early alarms to secure sunbeds, and for those sunbeds to be uncomfortable, we knew something needed to be done.

'Our On The Beach and Silentnight toppers are made from sumptuous, pressure relieving foam so you can relax feeling supported during your poolside siestas - just remember to keep your naps to 30 minutes for a full sleep cycle and to avoid that post-nap groggy feeling.'

Further findings from the research revealed that more than half (51%) believe it to be unreasonable for people to 'reserve' sunbeds with towels on holiday

The research over holidaymakers' sunbed-related anxiety comes after a study by experts from the charity Melanoma Focus found that sunbeds - devices in which people lie that emit ultraviolet radiation to improve their skin tone - are still being used by more than a quarter of adults.

The charity's poll of 2,000 Britons aged 16 to 65 found that 28 per cent use sunbeds  peaking at 43 per cent among those aged 18 to 25. Some 62 per cent were aware that sunbed use can increase the risk of skin cancer, but a sizeable number  38 per cent  did not know of the dangers.

Melanoma Focus has raised concerns about the numbers using sunbeds, which are now banned in the UK for anyone under 18.

Chief executive Susanna Daniels said: 'Sunbed use across the UK is alarmingly high and it's shocking so many people don't realise how dangerous they are.

'Melanoma skin cancer rates are rising and it's an increasingly serious health concern. We strongly advise against using sunbeds in order to protect your skin and reduce your chances of being diagnosed with melanoma and other skin cancers.'

Melanoma Focus has raised concerns about the numbers using sunbeds, which are now banned in the UK for anyone under 18 (File image)

Along with sun exposure, academics believe sunbed use is behind an increase in the numbers diagnosed with skin cancer

She added: 'Our survey found that 43 per cent of 18 to 25-year-olds are currently using sunbeds. We'd need further research to understand why the percentage is so high, but it may be down to the impact of tanned influencers and the number of tanning salons readily accessible.

'Our data also shows that only half of 18 to 25-year olds know that sunbed use increases your risk of skin cancer.'

Georgia Edwards, 26, from Surrey, was diagnosed with melanoma at just 19. She said: 'It came as a massive shock. I first went on a sunbed at 17 and then used them around four times a week.

'I had no idea of the risks. I had to have major surgery. People think skin cancer only happens to older people after years of sun exposure but that's not true.'

There are 17,000 cases of melanoma diagnosed each year in the UK, and around 156,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer.
Sir Keir Starmer today insisted there will be 'no tax surprises' in Labour's general election manifesto as he attempted to ward off Tory attacks.

The Labour leader promised all of his party's plans can be delivered without a rise in income tax, national insurance or VAT.

But the Tories claimed there was a growing 'black hole' in Labour's spending plans after the party abandoned a tax raid on pensions.

In the latest U-turn by Sir Keir - dubbed 'Sir Flip Flop' by the Conservatives - Labour will no longer reinstate the pensions lifetime allowance.

It had been estimated the move would have raised 800million, but Labour denied it would affect their spending plans as the cash had not been allocated.

Speaking this morning as he set out Labour's plans to create an extra 100,000 childcare places, Sir Keir said his party's manifesto would be 'fully funded'.

Sir Keir Starmer today insisted there will be 'no tax surprises' in Labour's general election manifesto as he attempted to ward off Tory attacks

The Labour leader promised all of his party's plans can be delivered without a rise in income tax, national insurance or VAT

But the Tories claimed there was a growing 'black hole' in Labour's spending plans after Sir Keir abandoned a tax raid on pensions

Bridget Phillipson, Labour's shadow education secretary (pictured with Sir Keir), confirmed the party would not reinstate the pensions lifetime allowance if it wins power on 4 July

During a visit to Nursery Hill Primary School in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, the Labour leader said: 'We're going to launch our manifesto later this week.

'There will be no tax surprises in there, we're not going to increase tax on working people.

'And that means no increases in income tax and national insurance and VAT, and all of our plans are, as I say, fully costed, fully funded, and they don't require tax rises over and above those that we've already set out.

'So there won't be any surprises when the manifesto is unveiled on Thursday.'

Bridget Phillipson, Labour's shadow education secretary, earlier confirmed the party would not reinstate the pensions lifetime allowance if it wins power on 4 July.

This previously meant workers were only able to put a maximum of 1.07million into their pension pots before potentially incurring tax charges.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt scrapped the lifetime allowance in his Budget last year in a move aimed at discouraging NHS doctors from retiring due to tax implications.

Ms Phillipson told Sky News: 'It wouldn't have been our priority to make that change.

'But the Government have created an awful lot of uncertainty for people who are looking towards retirement.

'So, no, we wouldn't be bringing that back and that's about making sure we've got security and stability for people going into this election.'

Sir Keir had previously criticised Mr Hunt for abolishing the lifetime allowance and branded it a 'permanent tax cut for the wealthy'.

Commenting on Labour's reversal of its position, Treasury minister Laura Trott said: 'Despite this U-turn, which adds another 3.2billion to their 38.5billion black hole, Labour have failed to rule out a swathe of pensions taxes and their retirement tax will mean the state pension being subject to income tax for the first time ever.

'It's very clear that Labour will raid pensions, just like they did last time, making people's retirement less secure.'

Under Labour's plan to boost childcare places, empty or under-used classrooms in England's primary schools could be converted to nurseries.

The spare capacity in schools has been caused by declining birth rates and under the plan some 3,334 classrooms would be converted at an average cost of 40,000.

The nurseries could be run by the schools themselves or local private or voluntary-sector providers.

Funding for the scheme would come from the party's plan to impose VAT on private schools.

Labour said it would target its new school nursery places at areas of highest need, where parents are struggling to find childcare.

Asked today if he could match the Government's own offer on expanding childcare Sir Keir said: 'We will deliver.

'I mean, our plan is actually better than the Government, the Government is right to say that they'll have a plan, the problem they've got is they haven't planned for it, and therefore, they haven't got the spaces for it.

'What we will do with our plan is provide 100,000 spaces, 3,000-plus new nurseries.'

The Labour leader added: 'This is a better plan. But of course, we want to complete on the Government's plan, but actually do it in a way that's planned and deliverable. Theirs is a good idea but not deliverable.'
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Welcome to DailyMail.com's daily U.S. politics blog, with live coverage of the biggest stories from the corridors of power.

Hunter Biden returned to court for the final stretch of his federal gun trial, with his lawyers deciding against him taking the stand in his own defense.

The jury is now deliberating in the case where the president's son could face a maximum of 25 years in prison.

In other legal news, Donald Trump will virtually meet with a probation officer ahead of his July 11 sentencing in the hush money case after he was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records.

Follow live updates from our reporters in Wilmington and Washington D.C.
A group of Los Angeles jail deputies were watching 'sexually explicit' videos when they failed to notice an inmate had hung a noose in his cell, a new report reveals.

The eight LA County Sheriff's deputies were caught watching porn during an inspection at the Men's Central Jail last month.

Commission Haley Broder and Eric Miller inspectors saw an 'obvious' noose hanging from the ceiling of a cell in the high security unit, which a jailer had allegedly walked by and ignored during a safety check, the inspection report states.

Broder and Miller notified the deputies of the 'self-constructed noose' and the group allegedly said they would check on the cell later, but instead 'remained seated watching the video on the television'.

The pair completed their inspections and Miller returned to the office 30 minutes later where he found jailers still watching the video, according to the report.

It was only when Broder walked in that the deputies 'hurriedly removed the video from the screen'.

Eight LA County Sheriff's deputies were caught watching porn during an inspection at the Men's Central Jail last month, an inspection report has claimed.

'To me it looked like the beginning of an OnlyFans video or something,' Miller told The Los Angeles Times.

'It was women in underwear, and it certainly didn't look like they were going to put more clothes on. It looked like they were going to take them off.'

The report claims that the commissioners had to make several requests before one of the deputies reluctantly checked the cell, tore down the noose and threw it on the floor outside the cell.

'Though unlikely to support the incarcerated person's weight, the noose was obvious to anyone looking into the cell,' the report stated.

The commissioners spoke to the inmate who hung the noose and, according to the inspection report, he confirmed he had suicidal ideation.

It is alleged that when a deputy was informed that the inmate needed additional mental health support, the jailer 'shrugged the request off'.

Miller branded the 'degree of callousness' exhibited by the deputies as 'horrific' and question 'what's the purpose of the security check if you're not actually taking any action?'

Broder claimed the incident was representative of the 'continuous neglect and bad conditions' she has seen inside the facility.

'People were saying they were hungry. We saw people with giant open wounds. The trash was just everywhere  there's so much trash. It smells. There are fires,' she told the newspaper of the jail's condition. 'And it seems in general there is just a genuine lack of interest in changing that situation.'

The LA County Sheriff's Department has reportedly addressed several of the concerns outlined in the inspection report and launched an investigation into the eight deputies who were allegedly caught watching porn.

'When the Department became aware of the allegations in early May, we immediately initiated an investigation into the claims, which is ongoing. Custody Division also notified the Department Intake Specialist Unit that reviews claims for any policy of equality violations by personnel,' the department said in a statement to DailyMail.com.

'The Department investigates all allegations of misconduct and expects its personnel to perform its responsibilities in a professional manner in accordance with Department policy. When violations of policy and procedures are discovered, personnel are held accountable.'
San Francisco author David Talbot suffered a stroke that may prevent him from writing again. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

David Talbot, the author of Season of the Witch, a celebrated account of San Francisco during the murderous mid-20th century, suffered a severe stroke on June 2 that left him immobilized.

The medical emergency was confirmed by Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, a close friend of Talbot.

Talbot, 72, a visionary journalist who was also a founder of the news and culture website Salon, suffered the stroke while he and his wife, Camille Peri, are in the process of moving out of their home of 30 years, according to a GoFundme posting by close friend Connie Mathiessen. Talbot also worked for the Chronicle as a columnist.

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Its unclear if, or how much, David will recover at this time, read Mathiessens post. He currently struggles to form words, which, for a writer and speaker of Davids stature, has been incredibly hard for him and painful for all of us to see.

Talbots sons are seeking permanent housing for their parents if and when their father is able to leave the hospital.

David was looking forward to beginning to slow down, to write less out of necessity for once, and to begin to write simply for pleasure, read the post. This event has thrown a wrench into that plan, but we hope that through his unrelenting will, and through the generous support of you all, that hell be able to recover to a point where he can indeed finally rest.

Talbot suffered a stroke seven years ago but had mostly recovered, said his son, Joe Talbot. While still walking with the aid of a cane, he had been in the process of moving out of his Bernal Heights home on the the day of his latest stroke, which happened while he was at home in the evening. Paramedics came and he was rushed to the hospital, where he remained Monday.

The stroke happened at the worst possible time, said Joe Talbot, who lives in Los Angeles. My parents are having to move for financial reasons. The place that they were hoping to move into is no longer possible because of whats happened to our dad. They cant stay where they are, so thats why we are looking at long-term housing.

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Raised in Los Angeles, Talbot is the son of famous character actor Lyle Talbot, a film and stage actor who moved into television with a recurring role as the next door neighbor on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. David went to college at UC Santa Cruz and moved to San Francisco in the early 1970s. As an editor at the San Francisco Examiner, Talbot founded Salon in 1995.

Talbot moved on to nonfiction books. with Brothers: The Hidden History of the Kennedy Years, published in 2007. Season of the Witch: Enchantment, Terror and Deliverance in the City of Love was published in 2012. The book is an in-depth look into the major news stories that gripped the city, ranging from the Summer of Love through Altamont and the Zodiac and Zebra killings, then to the Jonestown massacre and the murders of George Moscone and Harvey Milk, and on up through the AIDS pandemic and the San Francisco 49ers dynasty of the 1980s.

For many years, Talbot kept an office in the Sentinel Building, the picturesque North Beach flatiron building owned by Francis Ford Coppola, and has been active in progressive political causes.

David has been a strong rallying voice for San Franciscos neighborhoods and the citys progressives values for decades, as well as a champion for investing in San Francisco arts and culture, said Peskin. Thanks to the good care that hes receiving at the hospital right now, his loved ones do feel that his spirit is strong.

Joe Talbot has been at his dads bedside along with Joes younger brother Nat, Peri, and Talbots three siblings. Talbot has begun speech therapy.

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A transgender woman has claimed she wants to have a uterus transplant just so she can have an abortion in a resurfaced video that is being widely-shared online.

In the clip, the unidentified trans woman says she wants to be the first to have an uterus transplant - 'ovaries and eggs included.'

'And I want to be the first trans woman to have an abortion,' she adds.

DailyMail.com has been unable to confirm the identity of the transgender woman filmed speaking and how serious she is about carrying out her plan. Her extreme statement has prompted some viewers to question whether she was joking.

A transgender woman appears in a resurfaced video saying she wants to be the first to have an abortion

'I will let a doctor cut the organs out of a willing, healthy, trans-masculine donor, place them in my body, I will devote myself heart and soul to their after-care.

'I will have as much gay sex as it takes with as many trans women as it takes and let the transphobes and homophones scratch their heads wondering what to make of it and I want to be the first trans woman to have an abortion.'

The clip was first featured on the Megyn Kelly show in 2023 but went viral again over the weekend and triggered thousands of new comments.

'This man wants to conceive a child with the goal of killing that innocent child,' said one X user.

Another person said: 'This is truly demonic. Nothing else could explain why someone would want this. Absolutely nothing.'

A third added: 'I can't figure what's more evil, this person or the medical professionals willing to perform the work to make this possible.'

Uterus transplants have been successfully carried out in biological women and in May 2023 an Alabama woman called Mallory gave birth to a healthy baby boy after receiving a womb transplant.

The process is far more complicated for transgender woman and there are not yet any plans to attempt such a procedure.

A recent study by University of Michigan researchers found there were 1,907 births among people who were born biological female but who identified as men between 2014 and 2018, the equivalent of nearly 500 a year.

Of the total, 256 trans men were insured under Medicaid - a government program that provides health insurance to people with limited income, which is funded by Americans.

The clip was first featured on the Megyn Kelly show in 2023 but has caused fresh outrage after being re-shared online over the weekend

Becoming pregnant as a trans man is possible if the person still has their female reproductive organs.

And while the hormone therapy transmen take to transition will block the person from having a menstrual cycle, it is not a form of birth control.

The hormones do not prevent pregnancy and trans men are able to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term.

Pregnancy options remain the same as cisgender women, including sexual intercourse with a partner with a penis or through fertility assistance like in vitro fertilization.

There is currently no official data on how many transgender men give birth in the US each year but experts believe the numbers are likely higher than many would expect.

Data estimates there are 1.4 million adults in the country identifying as transgender.

And recent data has shown rates of gender dysphoria have soared in nearly every state from 2018.

A report by the health data analytics firm Definitive Healthcare shows the rate of gender dysphoria increased in every state except South Dakota from 2018 to 2022.

Regarding transmen and pregnancy, a 2019 study from Rutgers University found there is no data on how many transgender men give birth each year because medical systems track them as female.

And while data is limited, the study found 64 percent had vaginal births and 25 percent requested C-section delivery.

Rutgers researchers also estimated 'unintended pregnancies occur in up to 30 percent of transgender men.'
Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright intends to enter into a plea deal over allegations he tampered with evidence following a fatal chopper crash that killed TV co-star Chris Wilson.

Lawyers for Mr Wright informed the Northern Territory Supreme Court last Thursday, they are negotiating with prosecutors after Mr Wright was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, according to reports by NT News.

The charge relates to the aftermath of the helicopter crash that claimed the life of Mr Wilson, who plunged to his death on an egg-collecting mission to the croc-infested swamps of Northern Territory's west Arnhem Land on February 28, 2022.

The father-of-two was hanging in a sling on a lifeline 30m below a helicopter piloted by Seb Robinson, when crash investigators believe the chopper ran out of fuel.

Mr Wright was not present when the crash occurred but travelled to the site after hearing the chopper went down.

The charge is not linked to Mr Wilsons death but Mr Wright is accused of perverting the cause of justice by allegedly destroying evidence after the chopper crashed.

Matt Wright (pictured centre) still intends to enter into a plea deal over allegations he tampered with evidence following a fatal helicopter crash that killed fellow television presenter Chris Wilson

In a separate case Mr Wright has also been charged with failing to comply with health and safety duties and reckless conduct risking death or injury following a Worksafe NT Investigation.

The Worksafe probe led to Wright and his company Helibrook being charged in February 'over their failures to maintain safe aircraft and allowing the aircraft to be operated when unsafe'.

A NT WorkSafe spokesperson said an investigation 'found sufficient evidence to allege Helibrook Pty Ltd and Mr Wright engaged in conduct intended to falsify the actual number of flight hours accrued by the aircraft in the Helibrook fleet over an extended period of time'.

Wright's company owned the helicopter that was being used in the egg collecting mission when Mr Wilson was killed.

Mr Wilson (pictured right) plunged to his death on an egg-collecting mission to the croc-infested swamps of Northern Territory's west Arnhem Land, in 2022

Mr Wright is also facing a civil case, filed by Mr Wilson's widow Danielle Wilson.

Ms Wilson is suing Wright and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for alleged 'wrongful acts or omissions' that caused or contributed to her husband's death.

Wright had previously stated that he hoped his remaining criminal charges would be dropped , once negotiations into the charge of perverting the course of justice were completed.

That case has been adjourned and the matter will next be heard in the Northern Territory Supreme Court on August 1.
An alleged assault in Adelaide's south has resulted in a man being rushed to hospital with a large knife still stuck in his hand.

Emergency crews rushed to Hamilton Rd at Aldinga Beach, south of Adelaide, about 12.40pm Monday, following reports of an assault.

South Australia Police and the South Australia Ambulance Service attended the man's home to find he had a knife sticking out of his hand.

'Upon arrival emergency services located a 48-year-old man from the address with a stab wound to his hand,' a South Australia Police statement said.

'He has been taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.'

A man has been rushed to hospital with a knife lodged in his hand after an alleged assault in his home

The man was taken to hospital and is in a stable condition

Footage from 9News shows the man being treated by paramedics while lying on a stretcher with a large knife jutting out of his hand.

Witness Jayson Haywood told 9News the man was 'pretty lucky', considering it 'looked like a big knife'.

'From what I've seen and when I've talked to him he seems like a good dude,' Mr Haywood said of the victim.

'I've never heard anything or seen anything bad, apart from now.'

SA Police's investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
The King has paid tribute to the 'professionalism, courage and humour' of the Irish Guards ahead of the regiment's central role in Trooping the Colour this Saturday.

Charles's words of praise came as he presented new colours to Number 9 and 12 Companies, Irish Guards, at Windsor Castle today. The Irish Guards is the regiment for which his daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales became the Colonel last year.

The King highlighted the regiment's efforts during the Covid pandemic and 'vital work to counter terrorism in Iraq and to bolster security across Africa'.

The 75-year-old monarch has recently returned to public-facing duties while still receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.

Charles was not standing in for Kate today - because he is Colonel in Chief of the seven Guards regiments of the Household Division, including the Irish Guards, and presentation of new colours is by convention done by the Colonel in Chief.

King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon

King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon

King Charles III meets with guests following the ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon

King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon

Britain's King Charles III delivers a speech during the ceremony at Windsor Castle today

In a symbolic ceremony today, the King touched the new flags - the King's Colour and the Regimental Colour - signalling their special status as the 'soul of the regiment' after they were consecrated by the Army's Chaplain General Reverend Michael Parker.

The King's Colour will be trooped by Number 9 Company, Irish Guards, during the Trooping the Colour ceremony this Saturday, the official birthday celebrations of the monarch.

During the ceremony in Windsor Castle's quadrangle, the King said: 'In recent years, the regiment has continued to serve with immense distinction.

'Around the world, your achievements include vital work to counter terrorism in Iraq and to bolster security across Africa by providing high-quality training teams to work with local forces.

'At home, you played an indispensable role in assisting the civil authorities during the Covid pandemic and, only last year, training Ukrainian forces to enable them to defend their homeland.

'I was privileged to see the impressive results of this latter work for myself, during a visit to Knook Camp, on Salisbury Plain.

'In this ever-changing world, it is no exaggeration to say that the whole regiment finds itself occupying a central role in defence's contribution to the myriad challenges which societies must face.

'In all of this, you bring to your duty a blend of professionalism, courage and humour which has always marked out Irish Guardsmen.'

King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon

The new colours colours are blessed in front of King Charles III at Windsor Castle today

King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon

King Charles III stands guard during the ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon

King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon

Soldiers from the Irish Guards stand guard with their new colours at Windsor Castle today

King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon

In March 2023, Kate took over the role of Colonel of the Irish Guards from her husband Prince William.

The Princess sent a letter to the regiment to apologise for not being able to take the salute and to wish them luck for the Colonel's Review  the final rehearsal for the King's birthday parade - in London last Saturday, June 8.

Kate, who is undergoing chemotherapy after a cancer diagnosis, spoke of her pride in them and added that being Colonel 'remains an honour'.

The Princess was represented at the Colonel's Review by General James Bucknall, who acted as the chief inspecting officer of the day in the princess's absence.

Colours - adorned with a regiment's emblems and battle honours - were originally used as rallying points for troops on the battlefield.

King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon

King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon

The Band of the Irish Guards, led by the Irish Guards Regimental Mascot, an Irish wolfhound named Seamus (Turlough Mor) marching prior to King Charles presenting new colours today

Soldiers from the Irish Guards hold the new colours at Windsor Castle this afternoon

The Band of the Irish Guards march at Windsor Castle today before the arrival of King Charles

The Band of the Irish Guards march at Windsor Castle today before the arrival of King Charles

The Band of the Irish Guards march at Windsor Castle today before the arrival of King Charles

The Band of the Irish Guards march at Windsor Castle today before the arrival of King Charles

Members of the public watch the ceremony at Windsor Castle today

They still accompany soldiers on operations and, more visibly, on ceremonial duties.

The presentation of new colours to No 9 and No 12 Company started today with the Band of the Irish Guards marching them into Windsor Castle.

They were led by the Irish Guards' regimental mascot - an Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor but affectionately known as Seamus.

This Saturday, the King will be accompanied by the Irish Guards Regimental Lieutenant Colonel, Major General Sir Christopher Ghika KCVO CBE.

There will be a royal salute and the national anthem will be played.

During the Colonel's Review last Saturday, Seamus was led across the square by a scarlet-coated drummer. The dog was presented to the regiment as the soldiers lined up.

Troops take part in the Colonel's Review at Horse Guards Parade in London on June 8

Troops of the Household Division take part in the Brigade Major's Review in London on May 30

2023 -- (From left) Prince George, Kate, Prince Louis, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, King Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour on June 17 last year

2022 -- William, Kate and their children attend Trooping the Colour in London on June 2, 2022

2019 -- William and Kate at Trooping the Colour with their children in London on June 8, 2019

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 week's time, arrived at Horse Guards Parade in time to reach the saluting base at exactly 11am.

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 this Saturday.

A total of 250 musicians, 20 pipers, 240 military working horses and almost 1,000 dual-role soldiers of the British Army's Household Division took part in the event last Saturday.
Cypriot voters have elected a 24-year-old YouTube star as an independent to the European Parliament.

Fidias Panayiotou, best known for audacious comedy clips and prank videos, shot to social media fame with stunts such as a mission to hug 100 celebrities, pizza-eating contests and video blogs showing him dodging fares on Japanese bullet trains.

Known as 'Fidias' to his 2.6 million followers, he's a self-described 'professional mistake maker' with no political experience or party affiliation.

But he launched a campaign enticing young people to vote in the weekend elections, and is now headed for Brussels as an MEP.

In a unexpected victory seen as a rejection of traditional politics, he garnered 19.4 percent of the vote in the Mediterranean island-nation.

Cypriot voters have elected 24-year-old YouTube star Fidias Panayiotou as an independent to the European Parliament. Pictured: Fidias is seen celebrating on Sunday night after his win

Opinion polls consistently showed Panayiotou garnering high numbers, but no one expected him to perform so well solely through his social media fame after a mere two-month campaign in which he essentially offered no political positions.

In his first remarks after polls closed and initial results showed him steadily in third place, Fidias, who goes only by his first name, said a 'miracle' had been achieved, conceding that he himself didn't believe he would pull in such numbers.

'It was a shock what happened, a miracle,' Panayiotou told state broadcaster CyBC in a video posted on social media platform X. 'The parties should take it as a warning that they must modernise and listen to the people.'

He added: 'This could be the first time that a completely independent candidate who doesn't have even an inkling of support from a political party, has managed to get elected, with social media being his only weapon,' Fidias said.

News website Philenews called Panayiotou's rise a 'resounding' message to established political parties and a major step towards 'changing the political map'.

'The young YouTuber, fully utilising social media, with non-political rhetoric, without political positions, without knowledge - he admits it himself - of the European Union sphere, managed to bring about upheaval,' the website said.

Analysts said that Panayiotou, who has no comprehensive agenda, had shown that traditional parties were out of touch with voters and lacked understanding of social media and its impact.

Known as 'Fidias' to his 2.6 million followers, he's a self-described 'professional mistake maker' with no political experience or party affiliation

Fidias Panayiotou, right, speaks to his supporters after elected in the European Elections in capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, June 9, 2024

The conservative party DISY took 24.8 percent, followed by communist AKEL with 21.5, costing it one of its two seats in the outgoing assembly.

Voters also sent a member of ultranationalist party ELAM to the European Parliament, echoing EU-wide gains to the far right in Sunday's polls.

ELAM ran on an anti-immigration platform and won just over 11 percent of the votes, official results showed, giving the far-right party its first-ever European MP.

Panayiotou, the son of a Greek Orthodox Christian priest, used his social media presence to encourage young Cypriots to head out to the polls.

He has more than 2.6 million subscribers on YouTube and has also posted his content on Instagram and TikTok.

His projects have included a mission to hug 100 celebrities including tech billionaire Elon Musk, spending a week in a coffin and training with China's Shaolin kung fu warriors.

He has also got in hot water over some of his videos.

In September 2023, he uploaded a video oh himself riding the Bengaluru Metro in India for free. The management of the train service said they would file a criminal case against him for dodging the fares.

Then in October 2023, he posted another video of himself travelling across Japan for free with other YouTubers.

He would use trains and buses while skipping out on the fare, and also pass himself off as a guest at a hotel he was not staying in to score a free breakfast.

Fidias uploaded a video titled 'I Travelled Across Japan For Free' last year involving him and three others evading ticket officers

He also blagged a free buffet breakfast by pretending to be a hotel guest

Fidias was again criticised, and made an apology video, which was later deleted.

YouTube also deleted the far dodging videos for breaching its community guidelines, along with other videos of him fare-dodging in the UK.

The Republic of Cyprus, the European Union's easternmost member, has a population of some 900,000 people, of whom 683,432 were registered to vote.

Turnout was at 58.86 percent, up from 45 percent in the 2019 European polls - a rise analysts attribute at least in part to the 'Fidias factor'.
An unearthed Antiques Roadshow clip has revealed the moment a woman discovered a chair she thought was worth $2,000 was actually valued at $50,000.

Melinda Murphy brought in several items belonging to her father which were created or previously owned by the artist and illustrator Norman Rockwell.

Murphy explained to appraiser Alasdair Nichol that as a child model she worked with Rockwell on several occasions, even featuring as the baby in his famous Babysitter painting. Her late father Gene was also his photographer.

She was left behind several pieces of work by the artist - who was famed for his captivations of small-town American life - and even a signed letter addressed to Gene.

But Murphy was particularly stunned by the value of Rockwell's chair which features in some of his most famous work.

Melinda Murphy was stunned to find out from appraiser Alasdair Nichol that a chair owned by Norman Rockwell was worth at least $50,000

The chair belonged to Murphy's father Gene, who was Rockwell's photographer. Gene took the chair after Rockwell had planned to throw it out

When asked by Nichol how much she thought the chair was worth she answered: 'I have no idea' before adding 'maybe a couple grand.'

To her surprise, Nichol then reveals appraisers had estimated its true value at $50,000.

'It's pretty iconic from this painting and to think of the amazing paintings he did when he was sitting on this chair,' he said in the clip from 2012 which aired as a special on PBS last week.

However, the chair was not the most expensive item that Murphy brought to the event.

One of the paintings she showed off on the PBS show showed her eating a spoonful of cereal for what could have been a Kellogg's advert.

'I was supposed to be on the cover of the Kellogg's Corn Flakes Box, so Norman did two paintings, my brother and myself,' she told Nichol in 2012.

But the company did not select Murphy or her brother for the cereal box due to both of them being 'too pretty.'

'They wanted more wholesome, American-looking kids. So they sent the paintings back to Norman, and he gave them to my dad,' she said.

The artist wrote a personal note on the painting, which said, 'my best wishes to Chickie Pelham from Norman Rockwell.'

Nichol told Murphy that the turned-down Kellogg painting was worth $80,000 to $90,000.

The least expensive item Murphy brought to the show was a reproductive image of her and her brother in a DuMont television ad with a letter signed by Rockwell.

Murphy regularly went to Rockwell's studio and was featured in more than one of the late artist's works, including a painting that was worth between $80,000 to $90,000

Murphy and her brother were featured in a DuMont television ad. The former Rockwell model brought in a reproduction of the artwork, which was not worth any money

The picture itself did not have any value, but Nichol told Murphy that the letter signed by Rockwell was worth a few hundred dollars.

Murphy had a variety of facts for the appraiser while she spoke with him about the items she brought to the show in 2012.

The former Rockwell model was first featured in his 1947 painting, The Babysitter, in which she was the crying baby.

'I was the baby in the babysitter painting. My mom told me many years later how bad she felt because they had to stick my feet with pins to make me cry,' said Murphy.

Murphy was first featured in Rockwell's 1947 painting called The Babysitter, where she portrayed the crying baby

'She thought that was wrong, but they couldn't find any other way to make me cry I guess.'

Rockwell later created Christmas cards with Murphy in them before she and her brother participated in the DuMont television ad.

Murphy and her brother sat over 15 hours in the television ad pose with breaks in between, but she still loved the environment.

'It was wonderful. I went there so often that I just became very familiar with his studio and he had a coke machine in his backroom,' she said.

'He was very kind and he was soft spoken, but he was very detailed in the way he wanted you to sit.'
The moment a hospital director and her four-year-old son were shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend outside a south Florida bank was caught in horrifying footage.

Odalys Bancroft, 43, and her son Theodore 'Teddy' Couto were inside their minivan at a Chase's drive-through ATM in West Kendall when they were attacked on Friday.

The shooter, Michael Andres Pineda Lozano, 41, pulled up in a luxury BMW SUV and opened fire on the van before shooting himself.

The mother and son had been on their way to day care.

The bank's security video also captured Teddy's frantic father Vincent Couto, who was at the scene and was seen reacting to the tragedy as police consoled him.

Odalys Bancroft, 43, and her son Theodore 'Teddy' Couto were inside their minivan at a Chase's drive-through ATM in West Kendall when they were attacked on Friday

The shooter, Michael Andres Pineda Lozano, pulled up in a luxury BMW SUV and opened fire on the van and before shooting himself

Miami police told DailyMail.com an officer was in the area when he heard gunshots and rushed to the scene.

Bancroft's brother Michael Trujillo said 'there were some concerns about [Bancroft's ex-boyfriend].'

He added: 'They were going through a breakup, but no signs that I was aware of that there was fear like that.'

The mom-of-one had reportedly recently obtained a restraining order against the shooter.

Bancroft worked as director of director of regulatory affairs at Jackson Health System after a career as a nurse.

'Odalys believed deeply in the work we do, and never shied away from showing off her Jackson pride,' said Jackson Health President and CEO Carlos Migoya, as reported by the Miami Herald.

'Jackson is better because of Odalys and the indelible mark she made on our organization.'

The bank's security video also captured Teddy's frantic father Vincent Couto, who was at the scene and was seen reacting to the tragedy as police consoled him

Bancroft worked as director of director of regulatory affairs at Jackson Health System after a career as a nurse

Teddy has celebrated his pre-K graduation just days ago

A GoFundMe page was created to support the family following the tragedy.

'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.'

Teddy has celebrated his pre-K graduation just days ago.

His aunt, who asked not to be identified, told WSVN: 'My nephew, he was the best kid in the world. He was fun, smart, everything that you can imagine about him...

'They didnt deserve to die like this.'
Smoking gun text messages show Hunter set up a meeting with a convicted drug dealer the night before he bought a .38 revolver.

He purchased the Colt Cobra .38 Special revolver on October 12, 2018 by claiming on a federal form that he wasnt abusing drugs  a lie for which he is now on trial in Delaware.

The day before the gun purchase, Hunter texted violent, convicted drug dealer Eladio Otero Jr. to meet me 7/11 at 3, according to records from the First Sons abandoned laptop.

Otero was convicted last year of use of a communication device to facilitate a drug conspiracy in a Delaware federal case overseen by David Weiss, who is now the Special Counsel prosecuting Hunter.

Otero was previously convicted of assault after being arrested for a 2007 armed robbery in which he held a knife to the victims throat while his accomplice pointed a gun at the mans head, according to a Maryland police report.

Texts show Hunter Biden set up a meeting with a convicted drug dealer the night before he bought the gun. He is accused of lying about his addiction on a federal form to purchase the weapon

Messages from Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop show he arranged to meet up with a convicted drug dealer at a 7/11 the day before his gun purchase

Hunters texts with the dealer have not yet been shown to the Wilmington, Delaware jury he currently faces.

The prosecution rested their case on Friday morning, so it is unclear whether government attorneys will have a chance to show the jury the texts  or whether they are even aware of the incriminating messages.

But the smoking gun messages appear to shatter any doubt that the First Son was using drugs when he bought his gun.

At 12:16 p.m. on October 9, 2018, Hunter received a text from a Delaware number ending 2168 that matches cell phone records for Otero obtained by DailyMail.com.

Hey this jr the one you got that at the711, Otero wrote.

Can you meet me @ 7/11 now, Hunter replied the next day at 9:47 a.m.

I have get off at330 ican call you when iam on my way, Otero replied. K Hunter said. Ight. You want the same, Otero wrote.

Then at 12:17am on October 11, someone texted Hunter from the same 2168 number calling themselves Q.

Its. Q. Im. At. 711. Now. A few minutes later, they added: Pls. Come. Through. Or. Call. Jon. Jon. # my. Folks. Saw. U. Not. Too. Long. Coming. By. 711.

October 9, 2018, Hunter received a text from a Delaware number ending 2168 that matches cell phone records for Eladio Otero Jr. obtained by DailyMail.com

At 12:17am on October 11, someone texted Hunter from the same 2168 number calling themselves Q

Eladio Otero Jr. has a lengthy criminal background including drug and assault charges

Hunters emails include a receipt from Wells Fargo saying he withdrew $800 at 6:30 p.m. on October 11 at an ATM labeled Rittenhouse  likely near to Rittenhouse Station, a University of Delaware student apartment building in Newark, Delaware.

The data showed Hunter was setting up a drug deal the day before he bought his gun at StarQuest Shooters in Wilmington.

Other texts show Hunter regularly set up drug deals or found contacts for crack cocaine hookups at 7/11 stores.

On October 13, 2018  the day after the gun purchase  he texted his then-lover and brothers widow Hallie Biden, saying he was with Bernard who hangs at 7/11!on Greenhill and Lancaster Im now off MD Av behind blue rocks stadium waiting for a dealer named Mookie.

Hunters hotshot attorney Abbe Lowell has argued in court that Hunters texts to Hallie, about meeting a dealer and being on a car smoking crack in the two days after he bought his gun, were lies Hunter told her to conceal his whereabouts.

Hunters emails include a receipt from Wells Fargo saying he withdrew $800 at 6:30 p.m. on October 11 at an ATM labeled Rittenhouse

The day after the gun purchase - he texted his then-lover and brothers widow Hallie Biden, saying he was waiting for drug dealer

But his legal team cannot use the same excuse with these smoking gun texts with a convicted drug dealer from October 11.

On Friday, the jury heard from a senior Drug Enforcement Administration agent who said Hunters large and frequent cash withdrawals were likely used for drugs, at least in part.

In the past week, Special Counsel Weiss prosecutors have been trying to prove to the jury that Hunter was an addict or drug abuser when he ticked the box claiming he wasnt on a federal form to buy his gun.

Lying on the Form 4473 is a felony, as is possession of a firearm while addicted to drugs  the charges he currently faces.

The dealer he was texting on October 11, Otero, was a particularly unsavory character.

The First Son is accused of lying about his addiction on a federal form he used to purchase a firearm on October 12, 2018

A 2007 story in a local news site for Cecil County, Maryland, referenced a police report saying that Otero, then 22, and accomplice Jerimiah Leone broke into a mans home, beat him with a gun and held a knife to his throat during a violent robbery.'

Leone then pointed the gun at [victim Eugene Lais] head and said he wanted all his money. When [Lais friend Robert] Stokes told Leone he didnt have any of the things Leone wanted, Otero pulled out a knife and held it to Stokes throat, the June 2007 story in the Cecil Whig said.

Otero took the cash in Lais wallet and fled. The victims called police, who chased down Otero and found him with Lais wallet, the police report said.

Otero cut a plea deal in 2010 for second degree assault.

He was also indicted in June 2022 with drug conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with the intent to distribute by then-Delaware US Attorney David Weiss.

Weisss office was at least three years into an investigation of Hunter Biden at the time, after obtaining his abandoned laptop in December 2019.

The Wilmington StarQuest Shooters gun store where Hunter Biden bought a revolver

The Colt Cobra revolver submitted in evidence in the trial

It is unclear whether they ever connected Otero with the Presidents son.

Otero ultimately pleaded guilty to use of a communication device to facilitate a drug conspiracy in a case with several other defendants and was convicted on June 1 last year, with a sentence of 15 months imprisonment and one year of supervised release.

In his May 2023 sentencing memo, Weisss Assistant US Attorney Kevin Pierce wrote that Otero played an integral part' in a wide-scale drug trafficking organization, which led to large seizures of cocaine, marijuana, firearms, and United States currency.

The defendants drug dealing placed himself, and numerous others, at risk, Pierce wrote. The defendant has a lengthy criminal history, which includes numerous prior drug offenses and a history of violent behavior.

The defendants continuing use and sale of drugs, despite the convictions and years of supervision, indicates a willingness to recidivate [reoffend] and disregard for the law.
Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States, stands in Honolulu as a stunning reminder of Hawaii's royal past.

It offers a glimpse into the grandeur of its days as the center of Hawaiian political and social life, and the darker times when its monarchy was overthrown, and its queen imprisoned.

Abigail Kawananakoa, regarded by many as Hawaii's last princess, left a $250 million fortune upon her death at age 96 in December 2022.

She was also the great-granddaughter of a sugar baron and inherited vast wealth thanks to industrial plantations.

Her estate will benefit Native Hawaiian causes, supporting scholarships, medical bills, funerals, and cultural preservation, the SFGate reported.

Abigail Kawananakoa, regarded by many as Hawaii's last princess, left a $250 million fortune upon her death at age 96 in December 2022. Pictured: Iolani Palace

Every day, tourists flock to a downtown Honolulu palace for a glimpse of the way Hawaii's royal family lived, marveling at its gilded furniture, lavish throne room and grand staircase made from prized koa wood

The Throne room of Iolani Palace

Built in the unique 'American Florentine' style, Iolani Palace blends Italian Renaissance and Hawaiian architectural elements.

It took three architects three years to complete the palace, adorned with intricate details inside and out.

The grand koa wood staircase and portraits of Hawaiian royalty, including King Kamehameha III, highlight its majestic interior.

Completed in 1882, Iolani Palace became the residence of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani during a time of significant change in Hawaii.

The booming sugar industry attracted workers worldwide, but the 1890 US tariff act devalued Hawaiian sugar, leading to economic crisis.

After Kalakaua's death in 1891, his sister, Queen Liliuokalani, ascended the throne as Hawaii's first and only reigning queen.

Queen Liliuokalani proposed a new constitution to restore power to Native Hawaiians, but American and European plantation owners, backed by the US government, staged a coup in 1893, overthrowing the monarchy.

Native Hawaiian multimillionaire heiress Abigail Kawananakoa, 96, with her partner of 25 years, Veronica Gail Worth, 69, (pictured at their wedding 2017 ceremony)

Royal signs before the Iolani Palace

The dining room in the Royal Iolani Palace, t

Veronica Gail Kawananakoa, center, stands near the casket of her wife, the late Abigail Kawananakoa, who died December 11, 2022

After a failed attempt to restore the monarchy in 1895, Liliuokalani was imprisoned in Iolani Palace for nearly eight months.

Iolani Palace, now a museum, attracts fewer visitors compared to other Hawaiian landmarks but remains a vital link to Hawaii's royal history.

Kawananakoa, the great-granddaughter of sugar baron James Campbell, was a significant cultural figure and philanthropist. Her wife, Veronica Gail Kawananakoa, will receive $40 million from the estate.

More than a year after Kawananakoa's death at age 96, her $250million estate was settled in January 2024.

Finalized court documents show that after doling out tens of millions to various people - including former housekeepers, other longtime employees and her wife - there will be at least $100 million left to support Native Hawaiian causes.

Kawananakoa cared deeply about advancing Hawaiian culture, and resolving her estate is meaningful to Hawaiians because it is the last of whats known as 'alii,' or royal, trusts set up by royalty to benefit Native Hawaiians.

Dr. Naleen Naupaka Andrade, executive vice president of Native Hawaiian health for The Queens Health System, said in January: 'Quite frankly, the needs of Hawaiians in education, in social welfare, in housing, in health far exceed the capacity of these trusts.

'They augment what federal and state dollars should be doing for Hawaiis Indigenous peoples.' The health system was created from a trust established by Queen Emma in 1859.

Many have been watching where the money ends up because of concerns about the fate of the foundation Kawananakoa set up to benefit Hawaiians. Kawananakoas trust will perpetuate Native Hawaiian culture and language, Andrade said.

Interior Wood Staircase at 'Iolani Palace, the Only US Palace, Located in Honolulu, Hawaii

Staircase at Princess Iolani Palace in Honolulu

The Queen's bedroom in the Royal Iolani Palace, th

The king and queen's thrones are shown in Iolani Palace in Honolulu.

Although repairs were made, and the throne was returned to the throne room, the uproar led to her ouster as president of Friends of Iolani Palace, a position she held for more than 25 years

According to documents in the probate case for her estate, $40 million will go to her wife.

Settlements have also been reached with about a dozen other people who had claims, including someone described in court documents as her 'hanai' son, referring to an informal adoption in Hawaiian culture.

Legal wrangling over Kawananakoas trust, which now has a value of at least $250 million, began in 2017 after she suffered a stroke.

She disputed claims that she was impaired, and married Veronica Gail Worth, her partner of 20 years, who later changed her name to Veronica Gail Kawananakoa.

In 2020, a judge ruled that Abigail Kawananakoa was, in fact, impaired and thus unable to manage her property and business affairs.

A trustee has overseen the estate.

She inherited her wealth as the great-granddaughter of James Campbell, an Irish businessman who made his fortune as a sugar plantation owner and one of Hawaiis largest landowners.

Antique photograph of the throne room of EIolani Palace

Abigail Kawananakoa, a 91-year-old Hawaiian heiress, is wheeled from a Honolulu courtroom Thursday, March 15, 2018

David Kawananakoa, Abigail Kawananakoa's grandfather, left, who was an heir to the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom, and right grandma Abigail Wahiikaahuula Campbell Kawananakoa

Iolani Palace - America's only royal residence, which is now a museum

Native Hawaiian heiress Abigail Kawananakoa, center, walks into a Honolulu courthouse in 2019

Abigail Kawananakoa appears as guest of honour at the Merrie Monarch Festival 2013

Abigail Kekaulike Kawananakoa, photographed in front of an oil portrait of her relative, Princess Kaiulani, during Aloha Week, October 1954

Abigail Kawananakoa was considered a princess by many - but she was also the great-granddaughter of a sugar baron and inherited vast wealth thanks to industrial plantations in Hawaii

Abigail Kawananakoa, right, and her wife Veronica Gail Worth, pictured in 2018

She held no formal title but was a living reminder of Hawaiis monarchy and a symbol of Hawaiian national identity that endured after the kingdom was overthrown by American businessmen in 1893.

Over the years, some insisted Kawananakoa was held up as royalty only because of her wealth.

They disputed her princess claim, saying that had the monarchy survived, a cousin would be in line to be the ruler, not her.

She put her money toward various causes, including scholarships, medical bills and funerals for Native Hawaiians.

She also supported protests against a giant telescope because of its proposed placement on Mauna Kea, a sacred mountain in Hawaiian culture.

Donated items owned by King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi`olani for public display, including a 14-carat diamond from the kings pinky ring; and maintained `Iolani Palace - Americas only royal residence, where the Hawaiian monarchy dwelled, and which now serves mostly as a museum.
Acrid smoke is greeting San Franciscans on their way into work this morning after another terrifying night of sideshows took Oakland and the waterfront.

Police refused to intervene and not a single arrest was made among the thousands who risked their lives as cars tore round their city centers in what has become a routine occurrence.

Onlookers were sent flying as cars plowed into them at one event in Oakland, and a torched Chevy provided a grisly centerpiece to the Embarcadero spectacle as tire smoke reduced visibility to near zero.

'We are on our own here,' tweeted one resident. 'Why do we pay taxes again?'

A torched Chevy provided a grisly centerpiece to the sideshow at Embarcadaro

Hundreds of hooded youths descended on the intersection of Grand and Lake Park Avenue in Oakland in the early hours of Sunday morning to see dozens of drivers who had assembled.

Two circling cars are seen smashing into each other in one grisly video before a crowd of onlookers rushes in to jump on their hoods.

Seconds later they are sent flying as one of the cars accelerates at speed, flinging them onto the street as it disappears out of frame.

Residents of the waterfront leaned out of their balconies to film the chaos unfolding in the streets of Embarcadero which was so crowded that some attendees had to stand on the roofs of their own cars to see the action.

Police were called to what they described an 'active exhibition of stunt driving' in Embarcadero and Washington streets at around 2.10am.

But they sat on the sidelines as the waterfront area was transformed into an apocalyptic scene of smoke, fire, lasers, fireworks and squealing tires.

'This is well outside the control of SFPD,' wrote one horrified observer. 'This requires City Leaders to find additional resources and support our troops on the ground.'

'SFPD when I call says 'We can't arrest them all!',' added another.

'OK, I say. How about arrest a dozen or so? Impound the cars. No? OK, arrest 3 or 4. One? Can you arrest even one? I'm an old man and I could arrest one.'

Fireworks, smoke, and lasers reduced visibility to near zero as the cars hurtled past

Spectators were sent flying after trying to attack a driver who then accelerated at speed

A Chevy Camaro which broke down in front of the of Pier 1 building was set on fire as cheering spectators leapt on top.

Vehicles and spectators melted away as police eventually arrived with reinforcements but by 3am the action had moved to the intersection of Valencia and Cesar Chavez streets in the Mission District where passengers clung to the vehicles as their drivers struggled maintain control.

A motorist was beaten and hauled out of his car which was then stolen when he accidentally drove into an area taken over for a sideshow in Menlo Park in April.

Video showed him apologizing to a fellow spectator, who proceeds to pull a mask over his face and force him out of the car before driving off and pulling 'donuts'.

More events were reported in Oakland at points Grand Avenue before Sunday night was over but again no arrests were reported.

More than 30 sideshows were reported last July 4 in Oakland, and residents fear the phenomenon will only accelerate as the summer proceeds.

'Looks like these are starting to come together with a degree of sophistication now,' wrote one.

'When your mayor and the police can't maintain law and order you call in the National Guard,' added another.
China National Traditional Orchestra to perform Dragon Boat Festival concert in Beijing

Xinhua) 13:40, June 10, 2024

BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The China National Traditional Orchestra is scheduled to hold a concert at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Monday to celebrate the 2024 Dragon Boat Festival.

During the two-hour show, performers will captivate the audience with classic pieces such as "Military Hardware" and "Bosom Friend." The former will feature a pipa quintet, while the latter will involve a guqin, which is a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument.

The performance will be led by Liu Sha, lead conductor of the China National Traditional Orchestra, who is renowned for his support, commissioning and interpretation of original compositions by emerging Chinese musicians. His remarkable accomplishments have earned him widespread recognition within the music community.

Founded in 1960, the orchestra has been dedicated to creating the new through the old, all while sticking to tradition. Committed to the advancement of China's national music heritage, the orchestra actively fosters the creative revitalization and progressive evolution of China's rich traditional culture.

The Dragon Boat Festival is one of China's major traditional holidays, falling on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. It falls June 10 this year.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
Comedian George Lopez walked out mid-performance during a sold-out show at Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville (Tulare County), claiming he felt unsafe at the venue. Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

A California casino has apologized for George Lopez walking out mid-performance during a sold-out show, while the comedian claimed he felt unsafe at the venue.

The 63-year-old actor cited an unruly audience, including hecklers, for his early exit from the stage at Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville (Tulare County) on Friday, June 7. The venue, however, stated his departure came as a shock to everyone including casino management.

Tonight George Lopez let down his fans and sold out audience by walking out and ending his show 30 minutes early, the venue said in a statement, offering the 1,800 attendees a full refund.

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Video footage shared online shows Lopez repeatedly asking audience members not to interrupt, which was laughed off as part of the set. The Grammy-winning comedian abruptly left the stage after a woman offered to buy him a drink.

Lopezs spokesperson blamed the casino for failing to control the crowd, stating, Its the venue or casinos job to provide a good experience for both the artist and the fans, but the casino failed in this regard. The audience was overserved and unruly, and the casino staff was unable to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for the artist and guests.

The statement added, George is not obligated to perform in an unsafe environment. He feels badly that those who came to see the show were unable to do so as a result.

Representatives at Eagle Mountain Casino disputed Lopezs account.

While we did see guests yelling out, we see recordings showing those saying  we love you, can we buy you a drink, etc, Tiffani Sahagun, the assistant general manager of the casino said in a statement. We also know that at a comedy show, there are also likely some outbursts that casino security would have been happy to address had any issue been made known.

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Lopez was performing a makeup date after canceling a previous show in April due to illness just an hour before it was scheduled to begin. The next day he performed at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga as scheduled.

In addition to the refunds, Eagle Mountain, operated by the Tule River Tribe, offered guests free tickets to any upcoming shows this year.

We only want for our guests to have a safe and enjoyable experience, and we want our entertainers to feel safe and enjoy coming to Porterville as well, Sahagun said.

Lopez returns to Northern California this summer for two shows at Hard Rock Live Sacramento in Wheatland (Yuba County) on Sept. 21.
Former President Donald Trump fumed a report he called soldiers who were killed during World War I suckers and losers is not true and decried those promoting it as sick people in a rant as President Biden visited France to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Trump demanded that an ad that features him reportedly mocking dead soldiers be taken down. He has long denied the report.

The ex-president was furious during a rally speech in Las Vegas on Sunday when he brought up the accusations which have long followed him again.

He said I stood over graves of soldiers and I said these people are suckers and losers, the dead soldiers from World War I, Trump said.

He claimed the entire episode was made up and that the Biden campaign featured the report in an ad despite knowing it was phony.

They know its false. These are sick people, Trump said.

Trump at a rally in Las Vegas on June 9, 2024. During his speech, the ex-president ranted that a report that he called fallen soldiers 'suckers and losers' was false and blasted Biden's campaign video about it calling them 'sick people'

The former president and presumptive GOP presidential nominee appeared to be referring to a video posted by President Bidens X account on Friday. It was posted while he was visiting France for ceremonies commemorating D-Day.

The video features a quote attributed to Trump: Why should I go to [Aisne-Marnie American] cemetery? Its filled with losers.

It also contains audio of Trump disparaging late Senator John McCain claiming hes a war hero 'because he was captured. I like people that werent captured.

The claim that Trump called fallen soldiers suckers and losers comes from an article in The Atlantic in 2020.

It said when Trump canceled a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris in 2018, he told senior staff members the morning of the scheduled visit why should I go to that cemetery? Its filled with losers.

During that same trip, Trump reportedly had a separate conversation where he referred to the 1,800 marines slain at Belleau Wood suckers for getting killed.

Aisne-Marne American Cemetery contains the graves of 2,289 soldiers, many of whom were killed fighting in the area in the summer of 1918.

In the post with the video, Biden wrote Donald Trump doesnt know a damn thing about service to his country.

A post by Joe Biden which included a video featuring quotes attributed to Trump calling soldiers suckers and losers and attacking late Senator and war hero John McCain

Unless youre a psycho, or a crazy person or a very stupid person, who would say that anyway? Trump railed about the suckers and losers report during his Las Vegas rally. He said the story was made up out of thin air.

He complained the story just never goes away and he had to mention it even though he doesnt like mentioning it.

Trump speaking at his rally in Las Vegas on June 9 slammed the Biden 'ad' that highlighted a 2020 report from The Atlantic in which Trump was reported to have called fallen American soldiers 'suckers' and 'losers'

When the 2018 trip to the cemetery was canceled at the last minute, the official reason given was because of the rain. The Atlantic reported Trump rejected the visit because he feared his hair would become disheveled.

As Trump was slamming Biden at his rally in sweltering Las Vegas on Sunday, Biden was visiting the very cemetery Trump did not go to in 2018 to pay respects to slain Marines.

When asked why he paid a visit there, Biden appeared to make a dig at Trump, but did not go after him directly by name.

The idea that I come to Normandy and not make the short trip here to pay tribute? Biden said.

President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden walk with Major General Robert Sofge Jr. as they attend a wreath laying ceremony at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery to honor fallen soldiers of WWI on June 9, 2024

President Biden speaking to reporters during his visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery to pay tribute to fallen soldiers of World War I

And it's the same story, think about it. America showed up. America showed up to stop the Germans. America showed up to make sure that they did not prevail, he continued.

When asked about his criticism specifically about Trump not visiting the cemetery, Biden responded any other questions?
Walker's wife, Tiggy, has opened up about caring '24/7' for the housebound DJ

The BBC Radio 2 star, 79, has been suffering from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Veteran DJ Johnnie Walker has been completely housebound since the beginning of the year, with beloved wife Tiggy acting as his round-the-clock carer.

The long-time BBC Radio broadcaster, 79, who started his career on pirate station Radio Caroline, has been suffering from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis - an inflammation of the lungs - for the past four years.

However, Walker is now so unwell that he has been confined to his home since January, with Mrs Walker acting as her husband's carer '24/7.'

Since the onset of the pandemic, Walker has been broadcasting his Radio 2 shows from his Dorset home.

Tragically, a trip to London to broadcast live from Wogan House on New Year's Eve had devastating effects, meaning he has since not left his house, according to his wife.

This isn't the first time the pair have shared a caring arrangement - Mrs Walker was looked after by her husband when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013.

So, who is the doting wife to Johnnie Walker, how long have they been married and how have they guided one another through 'sickness and health?' Read on to find out.

Veteran DJ Johnnie Walker has been completely housebound since the beginning of the year, with beloved wife Tiggy (pictured) acting as his round-the-clock carer

Since the onset of the pandemic, Walker has been broadcasting his Radio 2 shows from his Dorset home (stock image)

Who is Tiggy Walker?

Tiggy Walker, 64, is a broadcaster and long-time producer, having spent 30 years producing TV commercials.

However, she was diagnosed with breast cancer 2013, which had forced Mrs Walker out of work.

Mrs Walker is now an agent and manager to her husband, and is currently a columnist for Dorset Magazine.

The former producer has also been writing a television drama, Antonia, based on the novel by Naomi Jacob.

Alongside her husband, Johnnie, she is Joint Patron of Carers UK, according to her book Unplanned Journey, which was published in 2015.

Mrs Walker (pictured, left) is now an agent and manager to her husband, and is currently a columnist for Dorset Magazine

How long have Johnnie Walker and Tiggy Walker been married?

Johnnie Walker married Tiggy in 2002, after his 30-year marriage to Frances Kum ended in divorce in 2000.

The pair had been engaged for a year and had 'never lived together' prior to tying the knot, according to Mrs Walker.

It was during their honeymoon in Kerala, India, that the 'nightmare' of nursing one another began, after Johnnie became ill with what turned out to be cancer.

Speaking to The Telegraph in 2020, she said: 'When you make your wedding vows and promise to love someone in sickness and in health, you dont expect the nightmare to begin on the bl***y honeymoon.'

'I went from blissfully happy bride to stressed-out carer, not that I even knew there was a name for it. I looked at this angry, sick, frightened man making demands of me and I felt so cheated and lonely.'

Johnnie Walker (pictured, right) married Tiggy (pictured, left) in 2002

How have Johnnie Walker and Tiggy Walker cared for one another during their marriage?

Through cancer, both Johnnie and Tiggy Walker know of the fundamental effect that becoming a carer can have on life as husband and wife.

A decade after they wed, after surviving non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2003, it became Johnnie's turn to care for Tiggy when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013.

Mrs Walker underwent two operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, while her husband would driver her to 'around 70 appointments' and 'emotionally bribed' her with gifts to continue with the dreaded chemotherapy.

She described in an article for Dorset Magazine that throughout their 21 years of marriage, Walker Pirate has been sick and hospitalised 'many times.'

Mrs Walker wrote: 'When he had a triple bypass following a heart attack in 2019, I realised that the utter caring devotion of the new wife had gone.

'I felt exhausted at the very thought of caring again, hating changing his surgical stockings and yet again running up and down answering his multiple needs.'

'While I dislike the victim culture of today, I must admit that throughout our marriage I have been suffering from a form of PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) since that first experience of caring.'

Now, since the fated New Year's Eve diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Mrs Walker admits that her husband's health 'fell off a cliff.'

She wrote: 'The weeks that followed were a blur of nurses, doctors, oxygen machines and wheelchairs. In 24 hours, our lives had changed out of all recognition.

'That was in January, and The Pirate has not left home since then, I am a carer 24/7.'

She said her husband has recorded his Radio 2 shows 'wearing PJ's, sat in a wheelchair with a nose canula feeding him oxygen.'

Mrs Walker said that the 'shock' she has experienced has been 'profound' and she was left 'overwhelmed' by how much support he needed, 'how little' she had and the fact their home was 'starting to resemble a hospital.'
Aussie tradespeople have become the new cash cow for cocaine dealers who used to target highly paid white collar professions, according to new research.

The number of plumbers, carpenters, and electricians using the illicit substance has doubled, according to data released by Flinders University.

Male tradies aged 18 to 24 have become the largest market for cocaine, with one in eight having admitted to using the drug that costs around $300 a gram.

Flinders University Researchers Alice McEntee, Ann Roche, and Susan Kim found that the number of workers employed as tradies who were using cocaine, has doubled to almost one in ten.

The researchers published their academic findings based on the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS), which collects information about illicit drug use as well as alcohol and tobacco consumption among Australians.

The number of Aussie tradies consuming cocaine as doubled, according to damning new research from Flinders University (pictured stock image)

The research also found that the number of people consuming cocaine in Australia, is now four times as high as the number of people who used the drug in 2004.

Anecdotally, one builder said they have been forced to take drastic measures to curb the use of cocaine, after his staff kept testing positive to the drug.

'We've had a lot of people on coke. I have had to let people go because I'm doing random drug tests and they are failing them because of cocaine,' the builder told Newscorp.

'It used to be marijuana because that stays in your system longer but now it's coke  it's 100 per cent more prevalent.'

Another person employed in the construction sector, said people are talking about the substance on worksites and more tradies are purchasing the drug because they can now afford the expensive item thanks to larger paypackets.

Builders and workers employed in the construction sector said they have noticed more workers talking about the illicit substance (pictured), on worksites

CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith, one of the senior leaders of the peak construction union in Australia, said the health and safety of workers in the industry will always be the main priority.

Mr Smith told the newspaper that despite the shocking findings by the research, the construction sector should not be singled out as an industry that is susceptible to cocaine consumption.

'Demonising workers in one of Australia's most dangerous industries is completely unfair given cocaine use is obviously not isolated to any industry,' Mr Smith said.

The latest NDSHS survey found that almost one in five Aussies had used an illicit drug between 2022 to 2023.

The number of Aussies who used cocaine between 2019 to 2023 increased by 4.5 per cent.

A construction worker said more tradies are purchasing the drug as they can now afford to buy the illicit substance (pictured stock image)

Workers in the construction industry have been bolstered by new pay deals to boost their weekly earnings.

Construction unions in Queensland successfully negotiated a deal with the Queensland Premier Steven Miles, to increase wages for workers in the industry by $10 an hour over the next four years until 2027.

The pay rise means qualified tradies and carpenters will be paid almost $1,948 a week.

The wages of crane operators will increase to $2,394 and a fourth-year adult electrical apprentice will earn $44 and hour.
Two 12-year-old boys have been found guilty of stabbing a stranger to death with a machete in a park in Wolverhampton.

Throughout the trial both boys sought to blame one another for the murder of Shawn Seesahai. Today the jury decided to unanimously convict both for the crime.

They are believed to be the youngest boys to have committed a knife-related murder in the UK.

The youths are also believed to be the youngest children to have been found guilty of murder since Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, both aged 11, were found guilty in 1993 of killing two-year-old James Bulger.

A month-long trial at Nottingham Crown Court was told Mr Seesahai was shoulder-barged by the smaller of the two defendants, who 'often' carried a machete with a 42.5cm-long blade, before being punched, kicked, stamped on and 'chopped' at with the weapon.

Two 12-year-old boys have been found guilty of stabbing Shawn Seesahai (pictured) to death with a machete in a park in Wolverhampton

Mr Seesahai had flown to Britain from the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla for medical treatment on his eyes, when he was set upon by the boys

The victim's friend told the trial he was forced to run for his life, but 19-year-old Mr Seesahai stumbled as he tried to flee from the boys on Wolverhampton's Stowlawn playing fields on November 13 last year.

The court heard that they attacked the victim with such force that in one blow the machete almost passed through his body.

Mr Seesahai was pronounced dead at 9.11pm on November 13 last year after police were called to the scene at 8.37pm.

Mr Seesahai had travelled to the UK with friend Deron Harrigan, primarily because he needed cateracts surgery which was unavailable on Anguilla. He settled in Handsworth, Birmingham, and jurors heard the pair travelled to Wolverhampton that November evening with a third man, Jamal Clarke, because Mr Clarke wanted to visit his girlfriend in the city.

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Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC said Shawn and his friend ended up in a confrontation with the two killers  who had been 'roaming the streets' with the machete - while killing time wandering through Stowlawn playing fields as Mr Jamal visited his partner.

Prosecutors say the two 12-year-olds, acted together to kill Mr Seesahai after he 'shoulder-brushed' them by a bench.

Mr Harrigan told jurors how he had run for his life after the two boys launched the attack with the blade, and turned around to see his friend on the floor and fatally wounded.

Having been left traumatised by the ordeal, he returned to Anguilla after the murder and gave evidence from the island via a videolink. The witness said: 'It was a big blade, something similar to a machete. He pulled it out of the sheath from his waist. Shawn told me to run.'

The witness said that as the pair ran, Mr Seesahai tripped and was attacked.

Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC said the victim had 'offered no violence and 'done nothing to offend the two boys'. A girl at the scene with the youths said she saw the boys 'punching' and 'kicking' their victim as he lay on the floor. It was not 'unusual' that the boy who admitted possessing the knife had a machete as he 'often' carried it, she claimed.

Mr Seesahai was pronounced dead at 9.11pm on November 13 last year after police were called to the scene at 8.37pm

Weapons involved in the crime. The court heard that they attacked the victim with such force that in one blow the machete almost passed through his body

The defendants said the confrontation began when Mr Seesahai told them to move from the park bench they were sat on, then got the boy who owned the knife in a headlock.

Family members of both the victim and the defendants cried and hugged each other in the public gallery as the jurors found both boys guilty of murder and one guilty of possessing a bladed article.

In an interview released after the verdicts, Mr Seesahai's parents Suresh and Maneshwary have said they will never be able to get over the loss of their 19-year-old son who always told them he would 'shine' and take care of them.

Suresh Seesahai said he feels sorry for the parents of the killers and only hopes that 'justice' is served for his son.

They also spoke of their shock at discovering the age of their son's killers.

Suresh said: 'Pay attention to your kids, if you see them doing something wrong then tell them. Check their room, sometimes you don't know what's in there so check it as parents.

'This world is a different world, kids are dangerous now. If we don't pay attention to them this will keep happening.'

Maneshwary, added: '12-year-old kids should be at home doing school work and then going to bed.'

His mother said Shawn wanted to be an engineer and said that after his eye surgery, the keen sportsman planned to finish his education . 'He always said 'Mum, I'll be shining, I'll be shining. Don't worry, I will help you.'

Mr Seesahai said he feels sorry for the parents of his son's killers, but needed to see justice done. 'They (the boys responsible) don't have to be locked up for life', he said, 'I just want it to be fair.'

The couple said they 'couldn't eat for a week' through shock after first Shawn's friend phoned to tell them he had been murdered, before police followed up to confirm any parents' worst news 30 minutes later.

They said their surviving child, Shawn's teenage sister, is bereft at the loss of her sibling.

'It's very hard for his sister because they always spoke to each other', Mr Seesahai said. 'After he passed away we were on the porch, she started crying and said 'Mummy I have no brother it's just me, alone'.

'I told her she has her father and her mother.'

Detective Inspector Damian Forrest, who led the investigation, said: 'The weapon was a large machete that really no person who doesn't need it as a tool of their trade should have any reason to own.

'Obviously, originally it would be a gardening tool.

'Although the facts of this case mean we can't say for certain how that weapon came into the possession of the suspects, there is some evidence that suggests that one of them had tried to purchase knives on the internet.'

Officers searched a storage space under one of the youngsters' bed and recovered a machete. Suresh Seesahai said he feels sorry for the parents of the killers and only hopes that 'justice' is served for his son

Nottingham Crown Court where two 12-year-old boys have been found guilty of stabbing a stranger to death (stock image)

Jonathan Roe, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS West Midlands, said: 'Shawn Seesahai was an incredibly brave young man who had a world of opportunities at his feet.

'Shawn suffered traumatic injuries after being ruthlessly targeted by defendants who had a fixation with violence and were roaming the streets looking for a potential victim.

'This was a horrifying and random act of brutality, perpetrated by two 12-year-olds who should not have been spending their time arming themselves with a machete and preparing to take a life.

'Today's conviction should send a clear message to those who feel it appropriate to arm themselves with knives or blades - no matter how you may try to justify it, you will face the consequences of your actions.

'All of our thoughts remain with Shawn's family and friends at this difficult time.'
Nigel Farage was risked inflaming the row over 'dog whistle' politics today as he accused Rishi Sunak of having 'no connection with the country'.

The Reform leader faced a backlash yesterday after he laid into the PM's decision to leave D-Day commemorations in France early.

He claimed Mr Sunak 'doesn't really care about our history, he doesn't really care  frankly  about our culture'.

Mr Farage has insisted that he was referring to Mr Sunak's 'class' rather than his heritage as the Southampton-born son of first-generation immigrants.

And at a campaign event in London this afternoon, the Brexiteer returned to the topic, saying of the PM: 'He's got no connection with the country whatsoever. This is your classic Winchester, Oxford, Goldman Sachs does he even meet ordinary people? I doubt it.

'He doesn't understand where the centre of gravity of people's hearts are in this country.'

Mr Sunak stubbornly refused to get involved in the row this morning, insisting that would not be 'good for our politics, or indeed our country'. He reiterated his apology for departing Normandy before the final event, to do a campaign interview in the UK.

However a new poll tonight suggests the damage has been done, with the PM now having the lowest approval rating of his premiership.

Redfield & Wilton Strategies put his approval rating at -27, compared to Keir Starmers 12. Sir Keir is also 21 points ahead in terms of who would make the better PM.

Nigel Farage was risked inflaming the row over 'dog whistle' politics today as he accused Rishi Sunak of having 'no connection with the country'

Mr Sunak stubbornly refused to get involved in the row this morning, insisting that would not be 'good for our politics, or indeed our country'

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Asked today what he made of Mr Farage's remarks, Mr Sunak today told reporters on a campaign visit to West Sussex: 'You can ask him. I can't speak for him and what he meant by those comments.

'I'm not going to get involved in that because I don't think it's good for our politics, or indeed our country.

'And when it comes to the D-Day events, I spoke about that a lot last week. I absolutely didn't mean to cause anyone any hurt or upset, and that's why I apologised unreservedly for the mistake that I made.

'And I just hope people can find it in their hearts to forgive me and look at my actions that I've taken as Prime Minister, both to support our armed forces with an increase in defence spending, but also have the minister focused on veterans affairs around the Cabinet table, making sure this is best country in the world to be a veteran.'

At the Reform event this afternoon, Mr Farage jibed that the Tories could get zero seats if Mr Sunak had to resign in the campaign.

'I would have thought they would probably end up with a score rather like they did in the European election in May 2019, hovering around 8 per cent with zero seats,' he said.

'If this wasn't an election then I think he would have resigned already. To have shown over D-Day that he didn't even understand what it meant to people.'

Chris Philp today became the latest senior politician to attack Mr Farage, telling LBC: 'I think that is deeply unfair and, with respect to Nigel Farage, deeply inaccurate.

'Everyone who knows Rishi Sunak will say he works night and day for the country - he's backed our armed forces with 2.5 per cent GDP pledge to fund our armed forces, a pledge that Labour has not backed, and he's done more than anybody else to back our veterans.'

Mr Farage told the BBC yesterday that Mr Sunak 'should have known in his heart' that it was wrong to leave Normandy early.

He claimed the Tory leader 'doesn't really care about our history, he doesn't really care  frankly  about our culture'.

Challenged over the comments, he insisted he had been talking about Mr Sunak's 'class' rather than his heritage as the son of first-generation immigrants.

Mr Farage denied any racial element, saying that '40 per cent of our contribution' in the two world wars 'came from the Commonwealth'.

He added that the PM was 'utterly disconnected by class, by privilege, from how ordinary folk feel. He revealed that, I think spectacularly, when he left Normandy early'.

Rishi Sunak apologised for his decision to leave early from D-Day commemorations on Thursday

Asked today what he made of Mr Farage's remarks, Mr Sunak today told reporters on a campaign visit to West Sussex: 'You can ask him. I can't speak for him and what he meant by those comments'

Mr Stride said he was 'very uncomfortable' at the 'ill-advised' comments, adding: 'I'm very proud we have a British Asian right at the top of our Government.'

Labour's justice spokesman Shabana Mahmood accused Mr Farage of 'dog whistle' politics.

'We can all see exactly what he is doing, he's got form, it is completely unacceptable,' she added.

'This is a man that has a track record of seeking to divide communities who just wants to do it with a veneer of respectability.'

Mr Sunak attended D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth and Normandy, France, last week.

But he left Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron to represent Britain at an 'international event' attended by Emmanuel Macron, Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky and other world leaders. The Prime Minister apologised the next day, saying he 'deeply regrets' his decision to leave early. The backlash has deepened the gloom around the Tory campaign which has so far failed to dent Labour's huge poll lead.

Former Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries suggested at the weekend the PM could even 'fall on his sword' but senior Tories dismissed this.

One said: 'In the words of Churchill, he has got to keep buggering on  there isn't any other option. He just needs to stop buggering up.'

Mr Sunak told The Mail On Sunday: 'We all make mistakes. We're all human. But I'm motivated to do what I can for this country to the best of my ability. That's what keeps me going.'

He hopes to reboot the Conservative campaign tomorrow when he is expected to unveil the party's manifesto and focus on the political divide over tax.

Mr Stride told Sky News that Mr Sunak will 'absolutely' lead the Tories into the election and denied that 'all is lost'.
The family of a sub-postmistress who was falsely accused of embezzling funds from the Post Office have said clearing her name was her final wish come true.

Caren Lorimer died from cancer in April 2022, with her loved ones taking on the campaign to have her conviction quashed after she fell victim to the Horizon scandal.

The battle has now come to an end with her name finally cleared.

Her husband David Lorimer told the BBC it meant the world to him but was sad his late wife never witnessed the day.

And niece Joanne Hughes said: Its like weve made her final wish come true, which is priceless.

Former sub-postmistress Caren Lorimer's 2008 embezzlement conviction has been quashed two years after she died. Mrs Lorimer pictured with her husband David. Picture: BBC

Mrs Lorimer had worked at the New Farm Loch Post Office, Kilmarnock, for 17 years but an audit in 2008 uncovered an apparent 38,000 shortfall in the Ayrshire branch, the broadcaster said.

She pled guilty to embezzlement to avoid going to prison and was sentenced to 300 hours of community service in 2009 and forced to pay the Post Office 15,000.

Hundreds of people have been caught up in the Horizon IT scandal, one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in recent British history.

And the outrage was thrust back into the limelight earlier this year with ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office charting the fight of hundreds of innocent subpostmasters accused of fraud, theft and false accounting.

It piled pressure on politicians to move to quash convictions en masse, and in May Holyrood followed in the UK Governments lead and passed laws exonerating victims.

Mrs Lorimers name would likely have been cleared by the Scottish Parliaments legislation once it receives royal assent.

But her family had already started the process to have her conviction quashed with news of their success emerging just days before an appeal hearing scheduled for Friday.

She is the seventh person in Scotland to have their name cleared through that route.

Mr Lorimer told the BBC: Im really, really happy and Im really sad that Carens not here but shell know. Shell know.

Shed be so proud of everything weve done her. Shell be happy up there just now.

But it is a bittersweet victory for the family.

Her daughter Laura Miller, who was 25 when her mother was convicted, said: I find it most upsetting that she died a convicted criminal.

That cant be undone. Im happy shes exonerated but she died a convicted criminal.

Something my mum hadnt done and shes taken it with her.

She knew all along shed done nothing wrong. So did we.

Now its just the proof that she really didnt do it.

In England and Wales the Post Office could act as prosecutor, but north of the Border the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service had sole responsibility for prosecuting Horizon cases.

A Post Office spokesman said: 'We apologise unreservedly to victims of the Horizon IT Scandal and our focus remains on supporting the ongoing public inquiry to establish the truth of what happened so those affected can receive the justice and redress they deserve.'
Rudy Giuliani referred to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis as a 'ho' during remarks at a megachurch.

The remarks last week sparked widespread backlash from Democrats who denounced the former attorney and longtime ally of Donald Trump of being 'misogynistic' against Willis, who is prosecuting the former president for election interference.

Giuliani is among the 18 co-defendants in Willis' case against Trump.

But Willis has emerged at the center of controversy in the midst of the lawsuit after it emerged she engaged in a romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she hired for the case, Nathan Wade.

While speaking at the far-right ReAwaken America Tour at Grace Christian Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan on Friday, Giuliani fiercely attacked the pronunciation of Willis' first name and called her the sexual slur.

Rudy Giuliani called Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis a 'ho' during remarks at a mega church in Michigan on Friday and intentionally mispronounced her name

Watch "America's Mayor" Rudy Giuliani call Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis a "ho," and the Christian audience at the ReAwaken America tour go wild for it last night. pic.twitter.com/yy68oan7lg  Stephanie Mencimer (@smencimer) June 8, 2024

'I've got two prosecutors  Fani The Ho,' Giuliani said in a video of the remarks posted by reporter Stephanie Mencimer from far-left outlet Mother Jones.

After several seconds of laughter and applause from the presumably evangelical audience, the former New York City Mayor followed-up with: 'I'm sorry. Fani Willis.'

'Fani Willis' he repeated, emphasizing the pronunciation of her name with a long 'a'.

'Now, F-A-N-I is now Fani. And I'm not calling her Fani,' he said, with the phonetic pronunciation of the DA's name 'FAWN-E.'

'I could drop the 'ho' part if she just quit and go away. But to me, if you spell your name F-A-N-I, your 'FAN-E', you're not 'FAWN-E,' he said.

The audience seemed tickled with Giuliani's attacks on Willis from the video posted to X on Saturday.

Former Congresswoman Donna Edwards said on MSNBC that Giuliani's comments are part of 'the constant dehumanizing of Black women and I think Black women see that, I think all women see that for what it is.'

'It's really disgusting,' she added.

'So Rudy Giuliani called Fani Willis a 'ho' at a right-wing Christian shindig,' Mother Jones D.C. Bureau Chief David Corn wrote on X when reposting the video. 'He seemed quite pleased with himself for this twofer of racism and misogyny.'

An account that posts attack lines against Republicans wrote: 'It turns out that Giuliani is a racist and evangelical Christians are not very Christian at all.'

The ReAwaken America Tour is a conference that travels across the U.S. and features conservative speakers who support Trump.

Willis emerged at the center of controversy in the midst of the lawsuit after it emerged she engaged in a romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she hired for the case

Nathan Wade testified during the hearing determining whether Willis should be removed from the case because of their relationship. Trump's election interference case in Fulton County was put on hold

In Fulton County, which encompasses Atlanta, Georgia, Trump is accused of interfering in the 2020 election and is facing felony prosecution.

But last week a Georgia appeals court put the trial for Trump's four criminal charges on hold to allow for a challenge related to Willis' affair with Wade.

Oral arguments were expected to be held in October in the Georgia case but they are already likely pushed off until after November due to the hold in the case  meaning the trial and ruling won't come until after the 2024 election.

Meanwhile, Trump was already found guilty of 34 criminal charges in Manhattan when the jury came back last month with the ruling in the Stormy Daniels hush money case.
Five men have been arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm after a 16-year-old boy was seriously injured at the Appleby horse fair.

The incident which left him with what Cumbria Police described as 'a significant injury to his arm' happened in the middle of a field converted into a giant campsite for travellers visiting the historic annual event.

The teenager, who has not been named, was today said to be in a stable condition in hospital.

Officers made five arrests and cordoned off the scene in the early hours of Sunday after the teen was reported to have been hurt.

A van with Irish number plates, which is thought to have been connected with the incident, was seized by police, and was photographed by MailOnline as it was taken from the scene on a low-loader on Sunday afternoon.

The suspected assault happened on the Fair Hill field on the outskirts of the market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria where the historic fair is held.

A van which is thought to have been connected to an incident when a 16-year-old boy was seriously injured at the Appleby Horse Fair, is taken away on a police low loader

A 22-year-old man is arrested on suspicion of drug driving at the Appleby fair

Three men are searched after their car is pulled over by police as they left the fair

Caravans pictured parked at Appleby Horse Fair on June 8 with the animals grazing behind

A female traveller who was in a caravan on the field said: 'Something kicked off and there was police tape everywhere. I haven't got a clue what it was all about, and I don't want to ask any questions either.'

The area where the incident happened was close to a large marquee which was packed with traveller worshippers for church services on Sunday.

A Cumbria Police statement said: 'In the early hours of Sunday morning (9 June) on a residential field at Appleby, police became aware of a 16-year-old with a significant injury to his arm.

'The cause of the injury is currently unknown, but police believe it may have resulted from an assault.

'As such, officers entered the field and arrested five men on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. All five men have subsequently been released on police bail, with conditions not to enter the county unless to answer bail.

Thousands of people from Gypsy, Romany and travelling communities descend on the town

Travellers washed and rode their horses in the River Eden during the Appleby Horse Fair

'The injured male remains in hospital in a stable condition. At this time we do not believe the incident has involved a knife or any other type of bladed article.

'Officers are appealing for anyone with information about this incident to come forward.'

In a separate unconnected incident just after noon on Sunday, MailOnline saw a 22-year-old man being arrested on suspicion of drug driving under the influence of cannabis.

The man and two others were in a black Audi with Irish number plates which was pulled over by police as it left the entrance to the field, after officers saw that it had a flat rear tyre.

The three men were seen stretching out their arms as they were searched by officers, apparently looking for drugs.

One of the men in a blue hooded jacket was later searched again before being taken away in the back of a police custody van.

A Cumbria Police statement confirmed that a 22-year-old man of no fixed address had been arrested on suspicion of drug driving and later released under investigation.

Fields of rubbish are being cleared (pictured) after attendees of the Appleby Horse Show

Crates, cardboard boxes and paper can be seen amongst the piles of litter

Two men were earlier arrested at the fair on Thursday on suspicion of obstructing RSPCA staff who wanted to examine their horses.

Cumbria Police also made at least seven arrests in the run up to the fair in connection with stolen vehicles being brought into the county.

The policing operation at Appleby horse fair which attracts up to 10,000 travellers every year and up to 30,000 other visitors is the biggest event of the year for Cumbria Police.

The week long event is due to finish on Wednesday this week, but most travellers traditionally leave after the weekend.

Anyone with information about the incident involving the injured teenager can contact Cumbria Police online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit , quoting incident number 35 of 9 June 2024, or phone tel. 101.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
An American tourist has died after falling about 328ft down an embankment while hiking in Switzerland.

The 16-year-old was hiking in the Gorges Mysterieuses in Trient, a tiny municipality in the canton of Valais, which borders France and Italy, with her best friend's family on Sunday morning when she tripped.

Valais cantonal police said the teen then rolled down the embankment for about 328ft (100m) and, despite rapid response from emergency services, she was found dead in the bed of the Le Trient river.

Her friend's father, who presumably had tried to find the girl, had to be extracted by rescuers after getting stuck in a rock wall. He was not injured in the incident.

Police and the prosecutor's office have opened an investigation into her death.

A 16-uear-old American girl was hiking with her best friend's family when she tripped and fell 328ft down an embankment in the Gorges Mysterieuses in Trient, a tiny municipality in the canton of Valais, which borders France and Italy

The group of American tourists went for a hike along a trail in the Gorges Mysterieuses around 10.30am on Sunday.

First responders were called to trail after the girl fell. Investigators are working to determine why she fell, but say she certainly did so after having tripped.

The incident comes one month after an off-duty Swiss police officer found the body Captain Sean Thomas, 30. The Canadian soldier was one of the three people killed in the colossal snow collapse close to a popular ski resort in Zermatt, located roughly 73miles away from Trient

Two Air Glaciers helicopters and the Cantonal Valais Rescue Organization, along with the Muveran-Trient rescue column and emergency psychologists, responded to the accident.

Neither the identity of the victim, nor of the family she had been hiking with, has yet been made public.

The incident comes one month after an off-duty Swiss police officer found the body of a missing Canadian soldier who had been presumed dead after vanishing when he got caught in an avalanche.

Captain Sean Thomas, 30, was one of the three people killed in the colossal snow collapse close to a popular ski resort in Zermatt, located roughly 73miles away from Trient, in April.

The Infantry Officer with the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada had been on leave from an operation in the Middle East at the time of the accident.

His body was found on May 10 by an officer hiking in the area, PlanetSki reported.

Thomas' girlfriend Nicole Nikki Nagy, 25, a Canadian citizen, was killed in the avalanche. A 58-year-old Swiss man and Aleksas Beiga, a 15-year-old boy from Illinois, also died.
Russian Navy warships will conduct joint exercises with their Egyptian counterparts close to the Suez Canal this week in Vladimir Putin's latest show of strength - this time at the gateway to southern Europe.

Russia's defence ministry reported today that a detachment of Navy ships, including the missile cruiser Varyag and the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, docked in the port of Alexandria ahead of military exercises in the Mediterranean Sea.

The visit was described as a 'business call' to meet with Egyptian naval representatives - but both navies will later this week flex their muscles in drills off the Egyptian coast in the proximity of the Suez Canal.

These drills come off the back of reports that Russia is pushing to establish a permanent naval base in Tobruk on the coast of Libya to complement its other Mediterranean naval facility in Syria's Tartus.

The prospect of an increased Russian naval presence in the Mediterranean, seen as the 'soft underbelly of Europe', has prompted some analysts to suggest that NATO should establish a permanent operational command to ensure the region's security.

This week's naval exercises also represent a consolidation of relations between Moscow and Cairo, which since Egypt's Abdel Fattah el-Sisi rose to power in 2014 have gone from strength to strength.

Russia 's defence ministry reported today that a detachment of Navy ships, including the missile cruiser Varyag (pictured) and the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, docked in the port of Alexandria

In this undated video grab provided by Russian Defence Ministry Press Service, Russia's Varyag missile cruiser fires a rocket in naval drills

Russian navy ships have docked in Alexandria and will later this week conduct drills with Egyptian vessels

Russia's President Vladimir Putin applauds as he takes part in the official ceremony for pouring the first concrete into the foundation of power unit #4 at Egypt's El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, Jan. 23, 2024

It is fair to say the Russia-Egypt relationship is somewhat imbalanced, with Moscow providing outsized military, economic and industrial support to Cairo, not to mention vital imports of metals, minerals, and above all, grain.

In return though, Russia gains valuable influence in a highly strategic location.

Egypt is a hugely important player in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, in no small part due to its control of the Suez Canal through which roughly 12% of global trade flows each year.

Cairo has also assumed a role as a key negotiator in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Egypt borders Israel and Gaza and maintains relations with both sides as its representatives work closely with international partners to broker a ceasefire.

Moscow has long sought to develop relationships in the MENA region and is a highly influential player in Syria, having bolstered Syrian President Bashir al-Assad's forces during the Syrian civil war.

The Kremlin also has enduring links to Libya dating back to the 1970s, and in recent years a significant contingent of Russian mercenaries from the notorious Wagner Group were deployed there to further Russian interests in the country.

Alp Sevimlisoy - a millennium fellow at the Atlantic Council and regional geopolitical analyst - recently told Newsweek that NATO should seek to establish a permanent operations presence in the Mediterranean to check Russia's expanding interests there.

'We need to urgently move toward creating a MEDCOM, which would be a stand-alone NATO military command that would govern the Mediterranean for all intents and purposes,' he said.

Besides its ongoing presence in Syria and Libya, Russia has in recent years cultivated strong ties with the Gulf Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia and The United Arab Emirates.

Russia is also among Iran's closest allies, with the two countries said to be on the cusp of signing an unprecedented strategic partnership that would see them collaborate more closely than ever before.

Russia's bilateral relations with Egypt took off following former general el-Sisi's ascension to power in Cairo in 2014, which unfolded after he used his position as defence minister and commander of Egypt's armed forces to orchestrate the overthrow of former president Mohamed Morsi.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

Vladimir Putin is pictured alongside president of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on board the Moskva cruiser in August 2014

Russia's bilateral relations with Egypt took off following former general el-Sisi's ascension to power in Cairo in 2014

El-Sisi quickly set about establishing positive relations with the Kremlin, and in 2015 Russia and Egypt naval vessel conducted their first ever join exercises off the port of Alexandria.

In 2018 Russia and Egypt signed a landmark comprehensive partnership that formalised efforts to collaborate more closely across various verticals, and a year later, Egypt inked a deal for the purchase of billions of dollars' worth of Russian military tech that signalled a dramatic upgrade in Cairo's defence capabilities.

Prior to that deal, Russian military hardware already accounted for roughly 60% of Egypt's arms imports between 2014-2017, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Beyond the realm of defence and security, Russia has made significant investments in Egyptian infrastructure, one of the most notable of which is the el-Dabaa nuclear power plant.

The plant, which is Egypt's first nuclear centre and the first to be built in Africa since South Africa's Koeberg plant nearly four decades ago, is being developed and fuelled by Russia's state energy company Rosatom.

And although plans to establish a Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone have suffered significant setbacks following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Moscow appears dead set on carving out its own plot of land along the banks of one of the world's most important trade routes.

Meanwhile, Egypt in January officially became a member of the BRICS group of countries - an economic bloc including Russia and China that is committed to fostering mutually beneficial economic and trade partnerships, but also represents the efforts of leading powers in the East and Global South to usher in a new multipolar world order and reduce the West's dominance over global financial and political institutions.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (4th L) meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (C) in Cairo, Egypt on June 10, 2024

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to members of the media after meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, at Cairo airport, Egypt, Monday, June 10, 2024

Moscow's positive relations with Cairo also drive a wedge between el-Sisi and the White House, even though Egypt has long been considered one of America's strongest allies in the MENA region.

US Secretary of State Blinken was in Cairo earlier today to meet with el-Sisi for discussions on the ongoing ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, in which Washington, Egypt and Doha are heavily involved.

With no firm response yet from Hamas to the proposal received 10 days ago, Blinken once again called on the Palestinian group to accept the plan, which he said has wide international support and has been accepted by Israel.

When asked by reporters what he had said to Egyptian representatives in Cairo, Blinken said: 'If you want a cease-fire, press Hamas to say ''yes''.'

He said the plan on the table is the 'single best way' to get to a cease-fire, release the remaining hostages and improve regional security.
Screenings for childhood trauma are gaining traction in many California medical practices as the consequences of toxic stress on adult health become more evident. Kaiser Permanentes Dr. Carey Watson, left, and researcher Kelly Young-Wolff have been leaders in the field. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

As a veteran Bay Area OB-GYN, Dr. Carey Watson is often a sounding board for the stressors her patients face during pregnancy, a time thats perhaps more critical for their health and the health of their future child than any other.

One patient recently shared that her familys only car had just been totaled, leaving them struggling to get around. Another patient confided that the father of her baby had been incarcerated again.

Watson learns these intimate details because she asks all her pregnant patients whether theyve experienced childhood trauma, and whether they have social support and other tools to build resilience against stress  whether its rooted in trauma, household dysfunction or other hardships.

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The questions are part of a screening for whats known as adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, a term coined by Kaiser and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers about 25 years ago in a seminal study that found that adults who faced many such traumas in childhood  including physical or verbal abuse, or having a family member in jail  are more likely to develop health problems later in life, including diabetes, heart disease, depression and obesity.

In other words, childhood trauma can affect not just mental health later in life but also, in a broad sense, physical health.

Subsequent research has expanded on this concept, finding that these health problems and others are linked to so-called toxic stress  the bodys physical response to prolonged periods of trauma, including elevated levels of inflammation that contributes to high blood pressure, a weakened immune system that makes it harder to fight infections, and changes to hormones and development that can lead to stunted growth or obesity.

Having a parent with ACEs puts children at greater risk for experiencing ACEs themselves. So by screening pregnant patients, Watson hopes to intervene early by helping expecting parents identify and address their own trauma so they dont pass the negative effects to their children.

It marks a growing recognition among medical professionals that childhood trauma can lead to systemic  but potentially preventable  physical illnesses in future generations as well.

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If were better able to address ACEs for pregnant patients during pregnancy and give them coping skills, it holds an opportunity to reduce the intergenerational cycle of ACEs and potentially prevent the onset of ACEs in the next generation, said Kelly Young-Wolff, a clinical psychologist and research scientist at Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, who works with Watson, the OB-GYN, on ACEs research.

Its one of the newest ways California doctors are tackling ACEs, which CDC researchers estimate cost the state economy $1.5 trillion a year in medical expenses, lost productivity and reduced quality of life.

The screenings, once considered niche, are now gaining traction in many California medical practices  mostly in pediatrics and primary care, and increasingly in obstetrics, such as Watsons practice.

The expansion is thanks in part to Watson and Young-Wolff, who led small pilot studies in 2016 and 2019 to screen several hundred pregnant patients at Kaiser locations in Antioch, Pleasanton and Richmond. That helped lay the groundwork for Kaiser Northern California in 2021 to become the first major health system to routinely screen all pregnant patients for ACEs during prenatal visits  about 40,000 people a year  and connect them with services to help them manage related stress.

Those services include therapy and other mental health services as well as housing support and resources on sleep, nutrition, social support and mindfulness. Kaiser that same year also started ACEs screenings for all children during well visits.

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We really started small and went very slowly, Watson said.

California is moving more aggressively than any other state in addressing ACEs as a widespread public health problem, doctors and advocates say. In 2020, it became the first state to reimburse doctors for ACEs screenings through Medi-Cal, the joint federal-state public insurance program for low-income Californians.

Since then, 1.6 million Medi-Cal patients have been screened, more than 70% of whom are children and young adults under age 20, according to ACEs Aware, a state-funded initiative that trains doctors and other providers on screenings.

California is leading the nation in early detection and early intervention on ACEs and toxic stress so we can prevent the downstream long-term harm, said Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, the former California surgeon general and early proponent of ACEs screenings.

Burke Harris, a pediatrician, began screening her patients in 2009 when she worked in San Franciscos Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood and noticed many patients who faced adversity at home were struggling with asthma, diabetes, delayed growth and ADHD.

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ACEs screenings are done using a scoring system. A score of 4 or more puts you at higher risk for toxic stress and related illnesses. A score of 6 or more is associated with premature mortality.

Dr. Carey Watson, left, and Kelly Young-Wolff led small pilot studies in 2016 and 2019 that laid the groundwork for Kaiser Northern California in 2021 to become the first major health system to routinely screen all pregnant patients for adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, during prenatal visits. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

ACEs are more common than many realize. In California, nearly two-thirds of adults say theyve experienced at least one ACE, and 1 in 6 say theyve experienced four or more. The estimates are similar nationally.

The long-term benefits of ACEs screenings  whether theyll help children and unborn offspring avoid health problems like asthma and diabetes down the line  wont be known for years, even decades.

We do hope to evaluate that, said Young-Wolff. It will take some time to see whether the screening has impacted some of these adverse health outcomes.

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Young-Wolff stressed that health problems are not inevitable just because one has experienced childhood trauma.

ACEs arent destiny, she said. Resilience is modifiable.

Things like healthy sleep, good nutrition, regular exercise and social support have been shown to help build resilience, which helps offset the harms caused by toxic stress.

The impact is the worst when adversity occurs in the absence of protective factors, said Dr. Edward Machtinger, director of the Womens HIV Program at UCSF, a primary care clinic for mostly Black and Latina women living with HIV.

Machtinger, who regularly screens his patients for ACEs, estimates that 30% of the women at the clinic have post-traumatic stress disorder that is directly attributable to ACEs. He is also leading a pilot program to train clinics in Californias Central Valley to screen farmworkers, who experience high rates of ACEs.

The good things in life  a present attentive parent, supportive nurturing relationships, engagement in safe stable places to live, opportunities for social engagement  those are protective factors, Machtinger said.

To that end, advocates are pushing to make sure parents and caregivers are aware of ACEs so they can be better buffers for their children against toxic stress. First 5 California, the advocacy group for children and families, launched a public education campaign last year with ads targeting parents and caregivers of children under age 5.
Three Washington teens could face ten years in jail after being arrested for making skid marks on an LGBT rainbow road mural while riding e-scooters.

Nineteen-year-old Ruslan V. V Turko and two unnamed minors were arrested on Wednesday for first-degree malicious mischief after vandalizing the rainbow Pride mural that sits in front of Riverfront Park located in Spokane, Washington.

Turko appeared in court on Thursday, alongside legal counsel. Prosecutors requested a $15,000 bond that would cover the approximate cost of re-painting the mural. The teen was later released on his own recognizance on the condition that he does not return to the crosswalk, or the other suspects.

The teens got caught after a group of witnesses sitting at a nearby bar saw them acting nefariously, revving their electronic Lime scooters, and intentionally scooting their tires over the mural to create skid marks, court documents revealed, KREM News reported.

The teens, 19-year-old Ruslan V.V Turko (pictured here in court, front right in yellow) and two minors were arrested for first-degree malicious mischief

Black skid marks are pictured on the LGBTQ mural located in front of Riverfront Park

Court records cite the witnesses confronted the teens, with some taking photos with their phones. One of the minors, hit back saying: 'F*** you' F*****' and 'Go to hell, as per the news outlet.

The city said they had just finished re-painting the mural when the boys allegedly vandalized it.

Lime, the company that creates the e-scooters, was appalled by the incident, and issued a statement on Friday, that shared their support for the LGBTQ community.

'All of us at Lime condemn these vile acts in no uncertain terms. At a time when our teams at Lime are beginning pride celebrations around the globe, it is disturbing to see the hate taking place in Spokane.

'Lime is taking immediate action against the perpetrators and doubling down on our support of Spokane Pride and Spokane Arts.

'Lime is proud to put time and resources into celebrating Pride Month each year and supporting LGBTQ+ organizations working to uplift and protect queer people in cities around the world.

'We will not let the hateful few spoil the joy of Pride Month in Spokane, and are grateful for those working to make Spokane more welcoming for all.'

The company also said that are enacting a no-ride zone around the mural to protect it from any future vandalism attempts.

The mural had to be re-painted after multiple people set it on fire in May. The city had just finished re-painting the Pride mural when the latest incident took place

In May, the mural was set on fire and a fundraiser was held to raise money for the re-construction.

The Spokane Police Department reported that there was a group that dumped liquid on the mural before setting it ablaze that was caught on surveillance, as per the news outlet.

In March, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed legislation to redefine the state's hate crime statute to include the defacement of property, now considered a felony, and punishable by up to five years in prison, and up to a $10,000 fine.

The update was due to the original bill created in October 2023 in response to the vandalism of LGBTQ + landmarks in Spokane.

On Thursday, June 6, a day after the incident, the updated law went into effect.
France's far-right party National Rally have power in their sights after Emmanuel Macron's shock decision to call a snap election.

The president's gamble came after a bruising loss in the weekend's European Parliament elections which saw hard right parties make gains in many EU countries.

Macron's decision grabbed the headlines as polls closed and left many in France and abroad imagining a future in which Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) party (formerly the National Front) is in control of the French legislature.

But while Le Pen may be gunning for the 2027 presidential election, the party has another leader who could be in a significant position of power by July: Le Pen's 28-year-old protege and political 'wunderkind' Jordan Bardella.

Helmed by Bardella, the RN won nearly 32 percent of Sunday's European Parliament vote, over double the Macron ticket's 14.6 percent.

France's far-right party National Rally have power in their sights after Emmanuel Macron's shock decision to call a snap election, and could take control of the French legislature under the leadership of 28-year-old Jordan Bardella

Bardella is a cherished disciple of his mentor Le Pen, who he replaced as party leader in November 2022 - winning an internal party vote with 85% support when he was just 27. The move marked a symbolic changing of the guard at the RN

With Bardella standing to her left, Le Pen appeared on stage to tell her supporters: 'We are ready to take power if the French show trust in us.'

A 'mild mannered, impeccably dressed' politician Bardella is already the party's confirmed candidate to replace the current prime minister, 35-year-old Gabriel Attal - should the party seal a victory when France goes to the polls on June 30 and July 7.

According to the New York Times, Bardella has vowed to 'upend the politics of the country to save it from "disappearance"' as leader of the anti-immigration party.

Some far-right supporters in France increasingly refer to the false 'great replacement' conspiracy theory that the populations of Western countries are being overrun by non-white, non-Christian immigrants.

The claim, propagated by white supremacists, has inspired deadly attacks.

He is a cherished disciple of his mentor Le Pen, who he replaced as party leader in November 2022 - winning an internal party vote with 85% support when he was just 27. The move marked a symbolic changing of the guard at the RN.

He is the first person to lead the party who doesn't have the Le Pen name since it was founded a half-century ago by Marine's controversial father Jean-Marie Le Pen.

Marine, who ran for the French presidency in 2012, 2017, and 2022 - losing each time, twice to Macron - once called Bardella the 'lion cub'.

Now she calls him 'The Lion', the New York publication reports.

When she stepped aside as leader of the party, she said it was to focus on leading the party's 89 lawmakers in France's National Assembly. But many understood her decision to be the continuation of the party's efforts to normalise its image.

Bardella is young, clean cut and makes clever use of TikTok - becoming a star in his own right on the social media app popular among the younger generations.

Helmed by Jordan Bardella (pictured today in Paris), the National Rally won nearly 32 percent of Sunday's European Parliament vote, over double the Macron ticket's 14.6 percent

With Bardella stood to her left, Le Pen appeared on stage on Sunday (pictured) to tell her supporters: 'We are ready to take power if the French show trust in us'

There, he has 1.5 million followers, meaning he has one of the largest TikTok followings in French politics. He has another 600,000 on Instagram.

By leveraging his social media presence, he has become the acceptable face of the French far right for the country's young voters.

Bardella has spoken of his humble background.

His mother was an immigrant from Italy, and he grew up in a single-parent home on the eighth floor of a 'drab tower block' in 'crime-ridden' Seine-Saint-Denis.

He joined the National Rally at the age of 16 and quickly rose through the party's ranks, guided by Le Pen as his mentor.

She 'spotted his potential' early on, according to The Times, at a time when the party was starting to rebrand itself after years of controversy.

Founder of the National Front, Jean-Marie Le Pen, once ran the party from a chateau in a rich town west of the capital.

He was accused of xenophobia and antisemitism, having repeatedly denied the Nazi Holocaust, and was convicted of inciting racial hatred at least six times.

Since taking over the party from her father, however, Marine Le Pen has worked to soften the party's image, particularly to make it more acceptable for younger voters who once would never have dreamed of voting for the National Rally.

Part of that has seen Le Pen working to remove the stigma of racism and antisemitism that clung to her party and broaden its base.

She has notably distanced herself from her now-ostracised father.

The party has still faced criticism though, with many denouncing what they see as a creeping acceptance of its xenophobic views.

Marine Le Pen has also been accused of having ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin, and of remaining soft on the despot despite his invasion of Ukraine in 2022 which continues to this day.

While Le Pen condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, she has also questioned resulting Western sanctions against Russia.

Her party also took out a $9 million loan from the First Czech-Russian bank in 2014 that many see as a Russian effort to influence French politics.

Bardella poses for a selfie with a supporter in Paris on Sunday

According to the New York Times, Bardella (pictured) has vowed to 'upend the politics of the country to save it from 'disappearance'' as leader of the anti-immigration party

Bardella is another degree of separation from Jean-Marie Le Pen, with his age and savvy use of social media helping the party appeal to a new generation of voters.

'Bardella is part of a generation of young, very young, people who engaged themselves behind Marine Le Pen in the 2010s and who probably wouldn't have joined the National Rally during Jean-Marie Le Pens era,' political scientist Jean-Yves Camus told The Associated Press.

And despite his age, his is also seen as being highly competent.

During the campaign in the run up to the European Elections, many agreed he won a debate against Valerie Hayer - the little-known head of Macron's party.

In a second debate on May 23, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stepped in for Hayer and put Bardella under pressure over his views on Europe.

Attal accused his slightly younger counterpart of leading a party without substance that had no interest in Europe, and of 'turning in on ourselves and the end of the European Union.'

'I am not against Europe. I am against the way Europe works now,' Bardella hit back.

This tracks with recent reports which have said the party leader has put the National Rally's ambition of leaving the European Union behind it.

The party does continue to oppose EU integration, though, and has said it intends to water down Brussels's 'green deal' environmental policies', The Times reports.

In another sign that the National Rally is looking to normalise its image and appear more moderate, Bardella has steered the party away from another far-right party in Europe - the AfD party - after a series of controversies for the party in Germany.

Bardella had already been urging Macron to call an election before the European Parliament votes, and he was ready to make a statement on Sunday when he appeared on stage with his mentor Le Pen.

'France has given its verdict and there is no appeal,' he told supporters on Sunday evening. 'Our compatriots have expressed a desire for change but also a path for the future,' he said.

The result showed the 'determination of our country for the EU to change direction,' he continued, adding: 'It is wind of hope and it is only the start.'

As for Macron, the results have left the incumbent a 'weakened president', he said.

A France's far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party volunteer pastes a campaign poster of party President and lead European Parliament election candidate Jordan Bardella in Lyon

Having got his wish, it appears - for now at least - that he is set to be the party's candidate as Prime Minister, and to potentially lay the groundwork for Le Pen to have yet another go at putting herself in the Elysee Palace.

According to the New York Times, however, there are concerns that the 'prodigal son' could well go on to 'eclipse his maker'.

Some have suggested, the publication says, that if he continues on the current trajectory, Bardella could be a better presidential candidate than Le Pen by 2027.

Never before has the National Rally been seen by enough French voters as an acceptable choice to hand power to. Under Bardella, that could well change.
A wealthy Brooklyn neighborhood has erupted in fury after a local investment banker was filmed punching a woman at a parade.

Angry Park Slope locals blasted Jonathan Kaye, 52, over Saturday's attack at Brooklyn's Pride parade, footage of which has swept the internet.

One woman who lives nearby said: 'I can't believe this is in my neighborhood! When are they going to come and arrest him?'

She spoke as a poster shaming his actions was erected, complete with Kaye's phone number and the full address of his luxurious $4 million brownstone home.

Another called Christine Doyle says Kaye should be driven out of the area in a no-holds barred attack on his character.

The wealthy neighborhood of a Brooklyn banker has been left reeling after he was seen punching a woman in a viral video

She said: 'Everyone else here says hello to their neighbors,' she told DailyMail.com.

'They say nothing. They're really insular.

'We all know each other. But these guys have never been friendly.

'They never care when you say something to them. They think they are above everything.

'He leaves in his big black car at 6am every morning. Whatever he is doing, I've always said it's the devil's work.'

When asked what she would say to Kaye, Doyle added: 'Please leave this neighborhood because men who punch women are not welcome here.

Jonathan Kaye, 52, was filmed on Saturday throwing a vicious overhand right at an unnamed woman in Brooklyn - where he also lives in a four bedroom townhouse in pricey Park Slope, valued at just over $4million

Doyle says Kaye and his wife previously angered neighbors with noisy construction work, with the pair owning multiple apartments on the street which they rent out.

She added: 'You know, it's that simple and you will be shunned and you already are. You don't care if it's going to get extraordinary in the future. And also I can't wait to help this complaint and find the right attorney to sue you and take these two brownstones. Someone decent maybe we'll move in.'

Kaye was recorded throwing a vicious overhand right at the unnamed woman during Park Slope's Pride Parade on Saturday. The woman is seen being thrown to the floor by the force of the punch. It is unclear what sparked the confrontation.

Kaye works as a Managing Director at Moelis & Company, a leading investment bank with offices in Midtown Manhattan. The company has spurred an investigation into the incident, a spokesperson previously confirmed to DailyMail.com.

The NYPD has said they are aware of the viral video but no one has filed a police report regarding the incident. Kay is pictured

The NYPD has said they are aware of the viral video but no one has filed a police report regarding the incident.

Kaye, who lives his wife, owns multiple properties on the street, which he rents out to neighbors.

One said she was 'shocked' when she saw the footage this morning, adding that the father-of-three always seemed 'normal', although she normally spoke with his wife.

Another neighbor described scenes of chaos on the usually quiet street last night, as the victim's friends ran up and down screaming that Kaye had assaulted a woman.

Kaye had barricaded himself in his home Monday morning, but an unknown man wearing a hoodie and sunglasses skulked into the property.

He said he did not live there, but did not say what he was doing.

Neighbors yelled at Kaye's children as they entered the front door.

The banker lives in a $4million four-bedroom townhouse in pricey Park Slope.

They told them that their father was 'disgusting' and demanded they leave.

Kaye is a partner managing director and a head of business services at Moelis.

In his current role, he oversees 10 verticals within Moelis's Business Services faction, managing 'a dedicated team of bankers and... an extensive network of relationships with both strategic companies and private equity investors,' according to his profile on Moelis's website.

Video shows him throwing a vicious overhand right at the unnamed woman in Brooklyn - where he lives in a $4million four-bedroom townhouse in pricey Park Slope.

The woman is then thrown to the floor by the force of the punch, as one onlooker unsuccessfully rushes to her aid.

The banker, seen here turning in the wake of the attack, works as a Managing Director at Moelis & Company, a leading investment bank with offices in Midtown Manhattan

Others looking on are heard calling Kaye an 'a**hole' and telling him to 'go f**k himself' - earning his attention briefly before he abruptly walks away.

The footage, meanwhile, is short and shaky, but includes a moment where Kaye turns to the camera after knocking the woman to the floor.

Kaye walks off, holding a bag in one hand, with a wet stain on the back of his blazer.

In one clip containing a caption overlaid over the footage, a user wrote: 'This guy punched me in the face today and broke my nose. [He also] busted up my friends[sic] arm... can anyone find him?'

A spokesperson for his employer confirmed to DailyMail.com that Kaye is the man seen in the viral video, and said that it has already spurred an investigation.

'We have become aware that one of our employees was involved in a serious incident in Brooklyn on June 8,' a Moelis representative said, as the 12-second snippet continues to gain traction online.

'We take this matter very seriously and are conducting an investigation,' she added.

The context of the punch-up is still unclear.
Coronation Street star William Roache today avoided being declared bankrupt over half a million pounds wanted by the taxman.

The actor, who is best known for playing Ken Barlow, invested in a business venture in the Cayman Islands which HMRC claims was a tax avoidance scheme - with an average investment of 1.75million across 288 high-earners.

In March, the 92-year-old was told he had three months to pay off nearly 550,000 or be declared bankrupt by the High Court.

But lawyers acting for HMRC said they were dismissing the case against Mr Roache, with only 1,129.20 to be paid in legal costs.

Judge Nicholas Briggs told the High Court: 'I shall dismiss the application with costs.'

Coronation Street star William Roache, 92, today avoided being declared bankrupt over half a million pounds wanted by the taxman. Pictured here back in 2018

Mr Roache, whose property portfolio includes a 900,000 house in Wilmslow, Cheshire, did not attend the hearing.

He began working on the set of Coronation Street when it first aired on December 9, 1960, and is the highest earning member of the drama, earning a reported 250,000 a year.

The actor holds the Guinness World Record for the longest serving TV soap star in the world, and was made an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list in December 2021 for his services to drama and charity

In March, Mr Roache was told he had three months to pay off nearly 550,000 or be declared bankrupt by the High Court. Pictured here as Ken Barlow in Coronation Street

His financial problems date back to the 1990s when he ended up bankrupt after suing The Sun for libel for calling him 'boring Ken Barlow'.

Mr Roache won the case but was judged to have wasted court time with the lawsuit and was awarded only 50,000 - the amount that the paper had offered him to settle out of court.

The Coronation Street star was left with huge legal bills which he compounded with the decision to sue his lawyers over the case, landing him in up to 600,000 of debt.

He landed his role as Ken at the age of 28, before - unbeknownst to him - he would be hit by the death of two daughters, a fling with a co-star that would lead to the breakdown of his marriage, and financial woes to last more than three decades.

Not unlike his character, who developed a reputation as a ladies' man, Roache admitted he cheated on his first wife - TV actress Anna Cropper - because of his huge sex drive.

Roache made his debut on the show's very first episode in December 1960 (pictured on soap with Anne Reid in 1963)

Roache holds the Guinness World Record for the longest serving actor in a television soap opera

Roache claimed to have bedded more than 1,000 women and blamed the breakdown of his first marriage on his inability to stop cheating.

The star admitted to a fling with fellow Coronation Street star Patsy Phoenix - who played Elsie Tanner from 1960 to 1984 - claiming the affair was a 'one-off' after Phoenix invited the star back to her flat. 'She invited me round [...] and we had a few drinks, then one thing led to another,' said Roache. Phoenix died of lung cancer in 1986, having smoked 60 cigarettes a day.

During his second marriage to his late wife Sarah, who he married in 1978, Roache had many children, living to see both his spouse and two daughters tragically die.

His baby Edwina died from pneumonia aged 18 months in 1983, before his daughter Vanya passed away at the age of 50 in 2018 after battling liver failure.

In an interview at the time, Roache revealed he had devastatingly got involved in a car crash while rushing to see Vanya in hospital, meaning he missed his final chance to see his child before her death. Roache's second wife Sarah died of natural causes in 2009.

The star was even arrested at his Cheshire home in 2013 before being found not guilty of two counts of rape and four counts of incident assault in 2014.

Despite his longstanding success on the show, Roache's financial downfall began in 1991, when he won a libel action after The Sun branded him 'boring'

Roache admitted to a fling with fellow Coronation Street star Pat Phoenix (left) - who played Elsie Tanner from 1960 to 1984 - claiming the affair was a 'one-off'

At the time, past and present cast members claimed Roache had been the victim of a cruel 'celebrity witchhunt' - rushing to celebrate his acquittal and slamming the 'wasteful' and 'nonsense' decision to prosecute him.

Roache then paid a visit to the 'Circle of Love', the mystical spiritual sect he turned to for support throughout the rape trial. The actor was joined by his daughter Verity on the trip to the holistic centre in Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester.

He was shockingly declared bankrupt in April 1999 - before his creditors estimated he had unpaid debts of 600,000 two years later.

More than a decade later in 2012, Roache joined a tax-avoidance scheme, becoming a 'designated member' of Twofold First Services LLP, owned by a company registered in the Cayman Islands.

It was not confirmed how much Roache paid into the scheme, but he was one of 288 members who entered it, putting in an average of 1.75million. The scheme involved claiming tax relief from artificial losses of a land-owning business.

Roache's house was designed by Bill's beloved late wife Sarah, who passed away in 2009 (pictured in 2008)

In 2012 Roache joined a tax-avoidance scheme, becoming a 'designated member' of Twofold First Services LLP

A tribunal went on to rule in favour of HMRC, which successfully concluded that Twofold was a 'tax avoidance arrangement' - branded 'abusive and artificial' by the Treasury.

And Roache's financial woes have not been the only thing keeping him up at night. The star was shockingly arrested at his home in 2013, before being found not guilty by a jury of two counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault following a trial at Preston Crown Court in 2014.

His love life has also been tumultuous - having endured a divorce in 1976 to his wife of more than a decade, Anna Cropper, following allegations of his infidelity. Roache went on to marry his beloved wife Sarah in 1978, before she passed away years later in 2009.

Despite being the highest paid member of Coronation Street, Roache has lived in his Cheshire home for the past forty years.

The house, built in the 1950s, was designed by Roache's beloved late wife Sarah.

Roache has been a beloved member of Coronation Street since the show started in 1960

Queen Elizabeth II meets actors William Roache, Barbara Knox, Sue Nicholls and Helen Worth during a visit to the set Coronation Street

The star described the home as his 'haven' where he 'feels at peace' - a place of comfort as he dealt with years of financial woes.

The home is filled with grand decor and sentimental touches - with ornate pieces, stunning windows and sweeping curtains.

Other items include his Royal Welsh Fusiliers cap, a framed photo of Laurence Olivier outside the Strand Theatre in 1958 and his Guinness World Record, which he was awarded in 2010 for becoming the longest serving actor in a serial drama.

Roache said previously: 'When I left the Army in my mid-20s I set my heart on being an actor, but no one was interested as I hadn't been to drama school.

'One day in the late 50s I saw Laurence Olivier in the West End and took this photo of him. I wrote to his theatre company and he invited me backstage at a performance of The Entertainer.

'He said, ''Don't give up! I had a tough time when I started too.'' I was so inspired I talked my way into a theatre role in Clacton and never looked back.'

Speaking about the story behind his military cap, Roache added: 'I was commissioned into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers just after the Coronation in 1953, and was wearing this cap in Jamaica, where I was stationed, when the Queen visited that year.

'She was such a beautiful young woman, and it might be treason to say so, but as a young man I really fancied her! I've been lucky enough to meet her, including when Preston was made a city in 2002.

'I was told that Her Majesty would ''like a photo with you'' so I spent a few minutes chatting to her while this picture here on the coffee table was taken  she was so natural and charming.'
A mother served up a suspicious-looking sausage-shaped piece of beef for her son's dinner that left him wondering if he was being punished.

Raigan Thompson was provided the plate of beef, Yorkshire puddings, sweetcorn, gravy and mashed potato on Sunday night but was taken aback by the meat on his plate.

The dark brown, curved chunk of meat on his platter bore a striking resemblance to poo, leaving him wondering if his mum was punishing him for some unknown wrongdoing.

Raigan, from the town of Alexandria in Dunbartonshire, Scotland, shared a picture of his dubious-looking dinner to social media, where it quickly gained attention.

Alongside the picture, which appears to have been taken on a black cushion on a bed, he posted the caption: 'Really no sure what ma maws gave me for dinner the night? Surely av no been that much of a c*** this week.'

Raigan Thompson shared a picture of his dubious-looking dinner to social media, where quickly gained attention

Social media users found the beef's unfortunate resemblance hilarious

His post has been viewed more than 490,000 times, receiving 3,400 likes and more than 75 comments from users who found the beef's unfortunate resemblance hilarious.

Raigan, whose age is unknown but appears to be a big fan of Glasgow Rangers and Mauy Thai, appeared to also see the funny side and replied to some of the comments with jokes and memes.

One user said: 'Make your own and stop moaning, big girls blouse.'

Another joked: 'She's not even bothered picking the corn out.'

A third said: 'Wee spot of HP on there and that would be cracking.'

Another joked: 'Dog thinks if I eat that lovely sausage quickly and drop a quick sh**e or two on the plate will that daft p***k notice? He was stinking of the bevvy last night f**k it. Here goes.''

A fifth wrote: 'Your maw's s**t your dinner onto your plate pal.'
The US has allegedly cut out Israel as it negotiates directly with Hamas to agree a hostage release deal.

Officials for the Biden administration discussed making a unilateral deal with the terror group to free five Americans being held hostage in Gaza, two senior US government sources told NBC.

The talks would be conducted through Qatari interlocutors, but only if current ceasefire and hostage negotiations involving Israel fail, it was reported.

The contingency plan should ensure that the five American-Israeli hostages held in Gaza - Edan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Omer Neutra and Keith Siegel - would be released.

The parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, said in a statement that they 'welcome any negotiations that will lead to the return home of our loved ones who have been in captivity for over eight months'.

Officials for the Biden administration discussed making a unilateral deal with the terror group to free five Americans being held hostage in Gaza , two senior US government sources told NBC (pictured: President Joe Biden)

A poster of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant following the deadly October 7, is placed on a bus station near the American Consulate in Jerusalem on June 10, 2024

The parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, said in a statement that they 'welcome any negotiations that will lead to the return home of our loved ones who have been in captivity for over eight months' (pictured: Rachel Goldberg-Polin)

Relatives of Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian Hamas movement carry a picture of Omer Neutra, 22, in Kibbutz Nirim along the fence on the Gaza border on January 11, 2024

They added: 'We pray that every family with hostages will be reunited with their loved ones imminently.'

Hamas is also believed to have taken the bodies of three other Americans during their October 7 attack, whose remains the US hopes the secure with a unilateral deal.

It is not known what the US would offer Hamas in return, but one of the officials told NBC that Israel could be forced into accepting a ceasefire deal should the US exclude it in its negotiation with the terror group.

The White House has not commented on the news.

This comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he was urging leaders in the Middle East to press Hamas to say yes to a ceasefire proposal to halt fighting in Gaza.

Blinken said Hamas was the only outlier in not accepting the proposal for a three-phase deal involving the release of hostages and talks toward an end to fighting, to which he said Israel had agreed.

'My message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region, is if you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes,' Blinken told reporters before departing Egypt to visit Israel during his trip to the Middle East.

A senior Hamas official told Reuters that Blinken's Gaza ceasefire comments were 'biased to Israel'.

Blinken met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo before traveling on to Israel, where he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Blinken is on his eighth visit to the region since Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, triggering the bloodiest episode in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Families of Americans being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, from left, Jonathan Dekel-Chan, Ruby Chen, Ronen Neutra and Orna Neutra, are interviewed by the Associated Press, Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in Washington

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to reporters after his meeting with the Egyptian president, at Cairo airport, on June 10, 2024

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 10, 2024

The top US diplomat said he would also discuss plans for governance and reconstruction in post-conflict Gaza during his trip, on which he will also meet regional leaders in Jordan and Qatar.

The visit comes after President Biden on May 31 outlined a three-phase ceasefire proposal from Israel that envisions a permanent end to hostilities, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Blinken said Egyptian officials had been in communication with Hamas as recently as a few hours ago.

There was a sense of urgency on getting an answer from Hamas on the deal, he said, but declined to further detail his talks.

Ceasefire talks have intensified since Biden's speech and CIA director William Burns met senior officials from mediators Qatar and Egypt on Wednesday in Doha to discuss the plan.

Biden has repeatedly declared that ceasefires were close over the past several months, but there has been only one, week-long truce in November.

The Hamas attack on October 7 killed 1,200 people and took some 250 others hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

In response, Israel launched an assault on the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said in its Sunday update, and reduced the enclave to a wasteland.

Israeli forces rescued four hostages held by Hamas since October in a raid in Gaza on Saturday, during which 274 Palestinians were killed, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Blinken did not respond to the question of whether the raid had worsened hopes for a deal.

'Ultimately, I can't put myself - none of us can put ourselves - in the minds of Hamas or its leaders,' Blinken said. 'So we don't know what the answer will be.'
Labour has refused to rule out her party ending the Tories' early prisoner release scheme, despite Sir Keir Starmer saying he was 'critical' of the strategy.

The plan introduced under Rishi Sunak allows certain prisoners to be released up to 70 days before the end of their sentence in an effort to ease overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales.

The Tories had previously promised to deliver 20,000 new prison places, and 6,000 have been created so far.

Labour said it would ensure the delivery of the remaining 14,000 by unblocking the planning process and boosting the prison-building programme.

Shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood declined to rule out ending the early release scheme, as she said Labour would need to 'lift the bonnet' in government before knowing the true extent of the crisis in prisons.

Shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood declined to rule out ending the early release scheme

She told the BBC: 'I think actually the Government needs to level with the public. We all know that prisons are running at either 98% capacity or 99%.

'It is a dereliction of duty that the Government hasn't actually released all of the figures about their early release scheme - they've actually been doing that in secret.

'It would be irresponsible for me from opposition, without seeing the data about the number of offenders that have been released or having all of that information, to make those decisions now.'

When again asked if she would rule out continuing early release, Ms Mahmood said: 'It would be irresponsible to make those decisions from opposition without all of the information to hand.

'An incoming Labour government, if we're privileged enough to win, would have to lift that bonnet and see what horrors await.'

At a campaign event in Essex, Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was 'critical' of the early release scheme for prisoners but added that 'tough decisions' would have to be taken.

The former head of the Crown Prosecution Service and barrister said: 'I am critical of the Tories' early release scheme because what's happened is that they're releasing early prisoners who should still be in prison and that's a shocking state of affairs.

'Like the many problems that they have left for the country, if we do come into power we're going to have to fix it.

'Now that will involve building prisons, that will involve taking tough decisions because the money has been allocated for prison building but there are tough decisions about planning and getting those prisons up.'

The plan introduced under Rishi Sunak allows certain prisoners to be released up to 70 days before the end of their sentence in an effort to ease overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales. File photo of HMP Belmarsh

On Sunday Sir Keir also reiterated his commitment not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT in a future Government, despite a report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) that tax rises would be necessary to maintain current levels of departmental funding.

Ms Mahmood said solving overcrowding in prisons is 'not a money problem'.

She told the BBC: 'Part of the reason we've got overcrowding in our prisons is because the Government has run out of space because they haven't delivered the full 20,000 prison spaces that they said they will do by next year.

'It's actually not a money problem in that respect.

'The money has already been allocated in the Ministry of Justice budget, it's actually a failure of the Government because they've allowed the planning system to get in the way and they've allowed complaints from their Members of Parliament, backbenchers in particular, to stop any building in our country.

'So this is actually about the Government having the will to get prisons built on day one.

'We would designate prisons as being of national importance, so that those decisions are ultimately made by ministers rather than the usual planning process.'

At a campaign event in Essex, Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was 'critical' of the early release scheme for prisoners but added that 'tough decisions' would have to be taken

In a further law and order offering, the party wants to set up 80 new specialist rape courts across England and Wales to fast-track cases as part of plans to tackle violence against women and girls that will be included in Labour's manifesto this week.

Elsewhere on the morning rounds, Ms Mahmood defended her party from allegations they had changed so much they were unrecognisable from the Tories.

Responding to a comment made by Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer during Friday's seven-way BBC debate that Labour had 'changed into the Conservatives', Ms Mahmood said: 'That's exactly the kind of stuff you'd expect from some of the smaller parties.'

She told Sky News: 'There are billions of pounds worth of difference between us and the Tory Party, because we will make different decisions.

'For example, levying VAT on private school fees, we will get non-doms to pay their fair share, we'll make sure oil and gas giants pay their fair share with the proper windfall tax.

'That is a big difference between us and the Tory Party.'
Almost ten years on, the story is at focus of C4's The Fall: Skydive Murder Plot

Her husband Emile Cilliers was found guilty of cutting parachute and later jailed

When it was discovered that Victoria Cilliers' parachute was sabotaged by her husband, it became a crime that gripped the nation.

Victoria Cilliers, 48, survived a 4,000ft (1,220m) fall at Netheravon airfield, Wiltshire, in April 2015.

Her husband, former Army sergeant Emile Cilliers, 44, was later found guilty of sabotaging the parachute in a plan to murder his wife, and was jailed for a minimum of 18 years at Winchester Crown Court in 2018.

Almost ten years on, the twisted story is at the focus of a new Channel 4 docuseries, The Fall: Skydive Murder Plot, with episode one set to air on Tuesday 11 June at 9.00pm.

The three-part series will shed light on Cilliers' web of affairs, debt, sex clubs and murderous intent.

But, who is Victoria Cilliers and what's the shocking true story behind the murder plot conducted by her husband? Read on to find out.

When it was discovered that Victoria Cilliers' parachute was sabotaged by her husband, it became a crime that gripped the nation

Who is Victoria Cilliers?

Victoria Cilliers, 48, is a trained physiotherapist who served in the British army reaching the rank of captain.

Cilliers currently works as a physiotherapist for the Ministry of Defence, according to The Sun.

She married her now ex-husband Emile Cilliers in 2011 and together they had two children.

The mother-of-two is also a highly experienced skydiver.

The mother-of-two is a highly experienced skydiver

What happened to Victoria Cilliers when her husband Emile Cilliers try to kill her?

Vicky Cilliers was sent plummeting from 4,000 feet after her husband cut her parachute in 2015 - but incredibly survived.

Emile Cilliers first tried to gas his wife with their children in the house but the smell alerted her to the danger and she later jokingly texted him to say: 'Are you trying to kill me?!.'

Three days later he suggested his wife, an experienced parachutist, go skydiving over Easter weekend 2015 and then sabotaged her kit on the eve of her 4,000ft jump at Netheravon Airfield, Wiltshire.

Cilliers tangled her main canopy and removed vital links from her reserve in a toilet cubicle after he told Mrs Cilliers one of their children needed the loo.

Her survival was described as a 'near-miracle' and was put down to the soft soil of the ploughed field where she landed.

Mrs Cilliers' light weight was also attributed as a factor in helping to minimise her injuries.

Mr Justice Sweeney said Mrs Cilliers, although recovered physically, had sustained serious and long-lasting psychological damage.

The soldier was described as a 'boobaholic' by his wife - who knew he was part of a sex club.

Cilliers had contacted prostitutes about meeting up on the proviso sex was unprotected and he could film the liaison - but cancelled after they tried to charge 60 instead of 50.

He also signed up to a sex club and swingers' site to find a 'f*** buddy.'

Three years later, in court, Mr Justice Sweeney described the evidence as 'overwhelming' and said Cilliers had three motives.

They were the money he thought he would receive in life insurance, the concern that his wife - a senior officer - could ruin his Army career, and because his wife's death would clear the way for a new life with another woman.

The father-of-six, who the prosecution called a 'charmless unfaithful penniless scoundrel', was also sleeping with his ex-wife Carly, Mrs Cilliers and a Tinder lover named Stefanie Goller.

In May 2018, Cilliers was jailed and sacked from the Royal Army Physical Training Corps after he was found guilty of attempted murder by sabotaging his wife's parachute.

He was jailed for life and was told to serve a minimum of 18 years.

Vicky Cilliers was sent plummeting from 4,000 feet after her husband Emile (pictured, right) cut her parachute in 2015 - but incredibly survived

The soldier was described as a 'boobaholic' by his wife - who knew he was part of a sex club.

In May 2018, Cilliers was jailed and sacked from the Royal Army Physical Training Corps after he was found guilty of attempted murder by sabotaging his wife's parachute

Where is Victoria Cilliers now?

Since her near brush with death at the hands of her twisted ex-husband, Emile, she has since met and become engaged to a fellow skydiver.

Choosing to keep his name anonymous, Cilliers revealed to MailOnline that she is set to get married to her fiance later this year, in front of the family and friends who supported her in the horrific aftermath of her 3,000ft fall to earth.

According to Mrs Cilliers, she claims that her ex-husband has reached out to her during his stint in prison, and how she was almost lured back with 'false promises.'

Episode 1 of The Fall: Skydiver Murder Plot airs on Tuesday 11 June at 9pm.
Former President Donald Trump again proclaimed that he would take electrocution over being eaten by a shark during a bizarre rant Sunday at his Las Vegas rally.

Trump famously detests both sharks and electric vehicles - including boats.

The Republican said he plans to roll back President Joe Biden's electric vehicle mandates should he be reelected in the November election.

As his crowd battled nearly 100-degree temperatures to hear him speak, Trump discussed what would happen if a battery-powered boat started to sink, hindered by the heavy and 'tremendously powerful battery.'

'And the battery is now underwater and there's a shark approximately 10 yards over there,' Trump said. 'By the way, a lot of shark attacks lately - you notice that?'

Former President Donald Trump said Sunday at his Las Vegas rally that he would choose electrocution over being eaten by a shark

Former President Donald Trump arrives at his Las Vegas rally Sunday, where temperatures neared the 100-degree mark

Before concluding the sinking boat story, Trump briefly talked about shark attacks.

'I watched some guys justifying it today: "Well they weren't really that angry, they bit off the young lady's leg because of the fact that they were not hungry but they misunderstood who she was,"' the presumptive Republican nominee said.

'These people are craz[y.] He said there's no problem with sharks they just didn't really understand a young woman swimming,' the ex-president continued.

He then turned back to the question at hand - electrocution or being eaten.

'So there's a shark 10 yards away from the boat, 10 yards ... do I get electrocuted if the boat is sinking? Water goes over the battery, the boat is sinking. Do I stay on top of the boat and get electrocuted?' Trump asked. 'Or do I jump over by the shark and not get electrocuted?'

In October Trump laid out the same scenario to a group of Iowans.

He came to the same conclusion both times.

Trump's rant got the attention of best-selling horror author Stephen King who said: 'This is like listening to your senile uncle at the dinner table after he has that third drink'

George Conway, the ex-spouse of Trump's 2016 campaign manager and White House aide Kellyanne Conway, commented: 'This man's brain should be donated to science'

'I'll take electrocution every single time. I'm not getting near the shark,' the ex-president said.

Trump's rant got the attention of best-selling horror writer, Stephen King.

'This is like listening to your senile uncle at the dinner table after he has that third drink,' King posted to X Sunday, sharing the video.

George Conway, the ex-spouse of Trump's 2016 campaign manager and White House aide Kellyanne Conway, commented: 'This man's brain should be donated to science.'

'[B]ut only if we substantially increase biohazard containment capabilities,' the lawyer and television pundit added.

Trump's dislike of sharks is well documented and goes back years.

In a 2011 interview for In Touch Magazine, which wasn't published until January 2018, porn star Stormy Daniels recalled watching Shark Week programming with Trump at his private bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel in July 2006.

'He is obsessed with sharks. Terrified of sharks. He was like, "I donate to all these charities and I would never donate to any charity that helps sharks. I hope all the sharks die." He was like riveted. He was like obsessed. It's so strange, I know,' Daniels recalled.

In a series of 2013 tweets, Trump publicly discussed his disdain for the sea creatures.

'Sorry folks, I'm just not a fan of sharks - and don't worry, they will be around long after we are gone,' he wrote in one tweet.

'Sharks are last on my list - other than perhaps the losers and haters of the World!' the then-reality star and real estate developer added.
Multiple people were left injured after a seaplane smashed into a boat in Vancouver, Canada over the weekend.

The terrifying moment happened on Saturday just before 1pm at Coal Harbour, as Tom Adrion captured the moment a Harbour Air seaplane collided with a pleasure boat.

The five passengers and pilot onboard the plane were left uninjured, while two people on the boat had to be hospitalized, ABC News reported.

It is unclear what caused the plane to fly into the boat. The condition of the people who were injured is also unknown. DailyMail.com contacted the Vancouver Police Department.

A Harbour Air seaplane collided with a pleasure boat around 1pm Saturday in Coal Harbour in Vancouver, Canada

The five passengers and pilot onboard the plane were left uninjured, while two people on the boat had to be hospitalized

According to ABC 6 Action News, investigators said that the crash took place in an area of the harbor that is reserved for seaplane operations only.

'Upon takeoff, while operating a scenic tour with five passengers onboard, our aircraft came into contact with a boat,' Harbour Air said.

The Transportation Safety Board told CBC that the airplane involved in the accident was a De Haviland DHC-2 Mark 1, also known as a Beaver. The aircraft can hold up to six people.

Video of the frightening moment starts with the seaplane gliding along the harbor as a large cruise ship sits in the water behind it.

As the aircraft creeps closer to the middle of the harbor, a small boat is seen steering in its direction from the left.

Both the boat and the plane continue to move along in the water as the plane smashed into the vessel before plummeting into the water.

Investigators said that the crash took place in an area of the harbor that is reserved for seaplane operations only. (pictured: then plane approaching the boat just before the crash)

The plane is seen soaring back into the air before it nose dived into the water

The top of the boat is seen being ripped off before the broken pieces fall into the water.

The nose of the plane then sits in the harbor as the boat drifts to the side of it while the passengers on the vessel look at the aircraft.

The video ends with bystanders watching the horrific scene as another seaplane lands in the background.

The Joint Rescue Co-Ordination Centre said that the Kitsilano Coast Guard station sent rescue boats to the scene after receiving a call about the crash.

A picture of the boat showed the aftermath of the crash as black marks covered the white paint. The plane was also recovered.

This was not the first time a seaplane collided with a boat in Coal Harbour, as a similar incident occurred in 1999, the Vancouver Sun reported.

During that crash, an airplane arriving from Victoria, smashed into a boat with two tourists onboard.

The plane passengers were left uninjured, but both boat passengers were injured as one of them was taken to the hospital after suffering broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

The crash in 1999 and Saturday's incident took place near the same area of harbor, between Stanley Park and Canada Place.

The Joint Rescue Co-Ordination Centre said that the Kitsilano Coast Guard station sent rescue boats to the scene after receiving a call about the crash

The boat is seen scratched up after it collided with the seaplane. The plane was also recovered

In the previous crash, the seaplane received clearance from the control tower to land in the water.

That area, also known as 'Area Alpha,' is one of three landing and takeoff zones for seaplanes in the harbor.

Randy Hanna, founder of Pacific Seaplanes, told the Vancouver Sun that 'Area Alpha' is 'absolutely' the busiest zone.

According to Harbour Air's website, about 60,000-70,000 seaplanes takeoff and land every year in Vancouver Harbour, while 25,000-30,000 planes enter the airspace.

Saturday's crash is currently being investigated as a spokesperson from the Transportation Safety Board said that it is 'too early' to know what the 'casual and contributing factors are.'

They added that investigators will need to 'examine the wreckage, continue gathering information, and conduct more interviews.'
A shortage of veterinarians and vet techs, an overabundance of animal patients and rising veterinary care costs are approaching crisis status throughout the U.S. Den Guy/Getty Images 2009

The subsequent surge in demand for veterinary care overwhelmed providers and crippled their ability to effectively and efficiently serve sick and injured pets. Emergency clinics were forced to go on service pauses, closing their doors due to staffing shortages and a high volume of cases. Patients with urgent care issues were being turned away, as the staff-to-patient ratio allowed only the ability to care for the most critical cases.

Burnout surged among veterinary professionals. Many veterinarians and veterinary technicians left the field entirely, their already-strained mental, physical and emotional health overwhelmed. In the early days of the pandemic, many veterinarians chose to retire early rather than risk being exposed to an unknown virus or continue to be subject to verbal abuse from frustrated clients.

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Four years later, even as other industries have mostly recovered from the pandemic, the veterinary industry continues to reel. Though some animals purchased or adopted in 2020 were relinquished to shelters, many remain in their households and drive demand for veterinary care.

For example, at BluePearl Monterey, the wait time for emergency service frequently exceeds eight to 10 hours. The clinic still resorts to service pauses, sometimes for long periods, when the staff becomes overwhelmed by patients or the only veterinarian on staff needs to perform emergency surgery. Except for the most critical cases, sick and injured pets are referred to neighboring clinics many miles away. Occasionally, even pets in critical condition will be turned away.

Enrollment in veterinary schools is still relatively low, though it has increased slightly in the past two years. There are huge barriers to becoming (and remaining) a veterinarian. Veterinary schools are difficult to get into and expensive, leaving some new graduates holding $500,000 in student debt or more if they choose to specialize and become board-certified surgeons or internal medicine specialists.

A study supported by Mars Veterinary Health, a subsidiary of Mars Inc., states that, even if every student enrolled or expected to enroll in veterinary school graduates in the next 10 years, there will still be a shortage of 24,000 veterinarians by 2030.

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Additionally, fewer students are enrolling in veterinary technician programs  an underpaid, laborious, sometimes dangerous and often emotionally distressing profession, which leads to burnout. A National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America survey revealed that half of veterinary technicians leave the field after five years, usually because of low wages. And, in 2022, over half of veterinary professionals experienced some form of violence in the workplace, according to a survey published by the National Library of Medicine.

As more clinics are bought by corporations like Mars Inc. (BluePearl Monterey, for example, is owned by Mars Veterinary Health, which also owns VCA, Banfield and other veterinary clinics), those corporations are seeing unprecedented revenue growth due to increased spending on pet health care. Revenue is projected to reach $200 billion annually by 2030 in the U.S. alone.

These corporations continue to raise the cost of services, making care inaccessible and cost-prohibitive. Many Californians cannot afford to take care of their pet anymore, leading to increased animal abandonment and pet surrenders, which are straining shelters to the breaking point. The California Veterinary Medical Association recognizes the inaccessibility of veterinary care as a public health issue, one that is rooted primarily in pet owners inability to afford care.

This crisis is not happening within a vacuum: Big profitable corporations hold vast resources, and they are aware of the consequences of their business model. The collateral of a profit-driven business model are people and pets. To the corporate owners and investors that own the veterinary industry, as well as state and local governments, I pose the following questions:

What is your highest priority: animal and human welfare, or profit margins?

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What will it take to incentivize Mars Veterinary Health and other veterinary corporations to collaborate, rather than compete?

How can the government incentivize corporations to work together to create bolder, more innovative solutions to address the veterinary staffing crisis and to address the overwhelming demand for care, which cannot currently be met with existing or future infrastructure?

How can major corporations, such as Mars Inc., which grossed $22 billion in global candy sales last year alone, provide needed and necessary services to underserved and underprivileged populations of pet owners?

There are ways we community members can compel positive change: Write to government representatives to demand that they escalate the veterinary health care crisis as a priority and demand revision of animal welfare laws to reflect our cultural values that treat animals not as property but as companions and family members. Write to veterinary governing boards and government representatives to condemn the prioritization of profit over quality of care in corporately owned veterinary clinics.

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

Meanwhile, it is important to prepare for an emergency with your pet. Know that life-saving care can start at a minimum of $1,500 and cost tens of thousands. Familiarize yourself with third-party payment options, such as CareCredit. Research and invest in pet insurance. It can mean the difference between paying $100 or $10,000 to save your pets life. Recommend that your employer start offering cost-shared pet insurance as a benefit.

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Police have opened a criminal investigation into claims by Princess Diana's brother Earl Charles Spencer that he and others were sexually abused at a boarding school.

Earl Spencer claimed in his explosive memoir, serialised by the Mail on Sunday earlier this year, that he was abused by a schoolmaster and a female matron while studying at Maidwell Hall preparatory school in Northamptonshire.

The MoS this week identified the matron as 67-year-old former NHS nurse Sally Jane Carr. She denies the allegations.

Northamptonshire Police has now confirmed it has launched a criminal investigation into allegations of non-recent sexual abuse at the school, following initial inquiries into claims of abuse that are said to have taken place in the 1970s.

A police spokesman said: 'We are in the early stages of investigating a number of non-recent allegations of sexual abuse at Maidwell Hall School.

The 60-year-old published his explosive memoir earlier this year, which gave harrowing detail of the abuse meted out on him at school

Earl Spencer claimed in his book he was abused by a schoolmaster and a female matron while studying at Maidwell Hall

Charles Spencer with sister Diana and nanny Mary Clarke on the day he leaves for Maidwell Hall in 1972

Boarding school Maidwell Hall in Northamptonshire, where Earl Spencer revealed he was abused in the 1970s

'Northamptonshire Police takes all allegations of abuse very seriously and where reports are made to us, we will pursue all available lines of enquiry to help bring perpetrators to justice.'

The force said it wanted anyone who had suffered abuse to contact them.

Earl Spencer hinted at the Hay literature festival earlier this month that 'justice may well catch up with' his alleged abusers 'very soon'.

In his book, A Very Private School, the Earl said: 'There are two [staff members] that are still alive I had to give them false names [in the book] because the lawyers were worried about it.

'I wasn't  there's nothing in that book that I cannot corroborate with various witnesses.

'One of them was a very abusive master who hated me and was very violent with me'.

He claimed the master did not live very far from his home, but added: 'I don't want to see him.'

The memoir told how a predatory assistant matron  described as a 'voracious paedophile'  preyed on him and other young boys, grooming and then abusing them in their beds.

When approached by The Mail on Sunday, Earl Spencer confirmed that Sally Carr was the woman in his book, who was initially given a different name

Excerpts from Charles Spencer's new memoir were published exclusively by the Mail

Earl Spencer also claimed John Porch, the 'terrifying and sadistic' head teacher of the prep school, inflicted brutal beatings on the children and seemingly gained sexual pleasure from the violence. Porch has since died.

A second former Maidwell Hall pupil this weekend claimed Carr took his virginity when he was 12 years old in a dormitory.

He said: 'I have remembered her name for many years.'

The alleged victim cannot be identified because anyone reporting sexual abuse has the automatic right to lifelong anonymity, unless they choose to waive it.

Earl Spencer, 60, described in his memoir how the matron, who he said was 19 or 20 at the time, groomed and then abused boys in their dormitory beds at night.

He attended Maidwell between the ages of eight and 13, and described how the matron, who he did not name in the book, first 'kissed me on the lips' before she 'promoted me to the second rank of her reverse harem: those she intimately touched'.

The abuse, and the emotional confusion it caused, led to him self-harming and wanting 'full sex from a too-early age'.

He lost his virginity aged 12 to a prostitute in Italy. The peer also detailed horrific beatings he suffered from male teachers at the school and the lifelong damage they caused.

A lawyer for Carr said there were 'very clear factual discrepancies' which 'unequivocally confirm that our client is not the perpetrator of the alleged abuse against Earl Spencer'.
A Royal Military Police sergeant has been jailed after he was caught sending sexual images to an undercover police officer he believed was a 14-year-old boy.

Sgt Christopher Tierney met 'Ethan' on a gaming website and proceeded to send him explicit underwear pictures while wearing his army uniform, a court martial heard.

The 'lonely' 36-year-old predator also searched 'Men seduce boy stories' on the internet and was caught in possession of more than 6,000 indecent images of children.

Disgraced Sgt Tierney insisted he was not sexually attracted to children and had instead fallen down a 'rabbit hole' out of 'curiosity'.

Today, he was jailed for two years after a judge condemned his behaviour and said those serving in the Royal Military Police (RMP) should be 'beyond reproach'.

Sergeant Christopher Tierney has been jailed after he was caught sending sexual images to an undercover police officer he believed was a 14-year-old boy

The soldier was serving in the Royal Military Police and was later found in possession of more than 6,000 indecent images of children

Bulford Military Court, in Wiltshire, heard Sgt Tierney joined the army at 18 years old and was a member of the 3rd Regiment Royal Military Police.

Prosecuting the Sergeant, William Peters said: 'On the 27th of February 2023, service police received notification from the National Crime Agency that an indecent image of a child had been distributed twice on Snapchat from a device registered to Sergeant Tierney.

'As a result of that, Sergeant Tierney was arrested on the 2nd of March. His phone was seized and examined.'

Police found the sergeant, who has spent half of his life in the army, was in possession of 2,201 of the 'most severe' category A images.

The officer, who was based in Bulford, was also found with 2,154 Category B images and 2,031 Category C images.

When examining his device, the police also discovered Sgt Tierney had searched 'Men seduce boy stories' on the internet.

'On the day of his arrest he was interviewed,' Mr Peters continued.

'When asked if he had distributed, made, downloaded, and so on any images of children he made no comment to all questions asked.'

While Sgt Tierney was under investigation, an undercover Home Office police officer contacted the 36-year-old on an unnamed gaming website posing as 14-year-old 'Ethan'.

Police found the sergeant, who has spent half of his life in the army, was in possession of 2,201 of the 'most severe' category A images.

'Chats between the two of them began on the 25th of August 2023 when they matched, or looked, at each other on a particular website,' Mr Peters continued.

'Between the fifth and 20th of September 2023, that communication became sexual.'

The prosecutor said Sgt Tierney was under the impression that 'Ethan' was a 14-year-old student in Year 10.

'Sergeant Tierney sent Ethan sexual images and two of these were pictures of his penis under underwear,' he said.

The court heard his army uniform was visible in these photographs

'That information was passed through the investigating police force and Sgt Tierney was interviewed for a second occasion on the fourth of March 2024,' Mr Peters continued.

'On this occasion, he answered all questions fully and made full admissions - to his credit.

'Sergeant Tierney said he did not think he was sexually attracted to children but described it as curiosity.'

Christopher Pix, mitigating, said Sgt Tierney pleaded guilty to the offences at the earliest opportunity.

'Sergeant Tierney was something of a lonely man with inevitable needs who, to put it bluntly, went down a bit of a rabbit hole,' he said.

'He has fully accepted what he did was something, of course, he shouldn't have gone near but he was going through a particularly difficult time in his life.

'He recognises that he has an issue. He was somewhat relieved when he was caught so he could get the help he so desperately wanted.

'He recognises the severity of his actions and has himself been able to identify the source of his problems.'

The disgraced sergeant was jailed for two years following a hearing at Bulford Military Court (pictured)

Mr Pix said the Sergeant had a 'difficult childhood' and spent much of it in foster care.

'From that shaky start, not only did he join the army but he worked his way up to the rank of sergeant,' he continued.

'It's true to say of him that that army was something of a lifeline. He has served his country well for just over 18 years.'

The court heard Sgt Tierney 'fully accepts' his career in the armed forces is over.

The officer pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images, one count of distributing indecent images, and one count of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child.

Judge Advocate General Alan Large said he 'showed a clear sexual interest in children' and sentenced him to two years imprisonment.

He condemned the fact that Sgt Tierney decided to communicate with a child online - despite having already being caught for image offences.

His Honour Judge Large said: 'Committing these offences which involved interacting with a boy you thought was 14 over a period of six weeks, and sexual communication over a period of two weeks having already had the shock of arrest and undoubtedly knowing what would be found on your phone is a significant aggravating feature of your case.

'The police force polices illegal behaviour in the British army. It is essential that those serving in the Royal Military Police are beyond reproach.'

Sgt Tierney was dismissed from the military.

He will remain on the sexual offences register for 10 years and was subjected to a five year sexual harm prevention order.
The woman who survived a 3,000ft fall after her cheating husband tried to kill her by tampering with her parachute has revealed he had tried to kill her weeks earlier by telling her to 'check the stove' during a gas leak.

Amazingly, Victoria Cilliers survived her fall with just a shattered pelvis, broken spine and internal injuries after her then husband Emile Cilliers sent her crashing to earth.

Emile Cilliers was convicted and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 18 years for the plot in which he hoped to pay off his rising debts by collecting Victoria's 120,000 life insurance.

Cilliers had first tried to kill Victoria by turning on the gas tap at the family home in Wiltshire in the hope of blowing up Vicky, while also recklessly endangering the lives of their baby son and young daughter who were with her at the time.

Speaking in a new three-part Channel 4 documentary series into the events and subsequent trials, Victoria said her ex-husband's cruelty in plotting the gas tap leak defied belief.

Victoria Cilliers survived her fall with just a shattered pelvis, broken spine and internal injuries after her then husband Emile Cilliers tampered with her parachute (pictured together)

Victoria said her ex-husband's cruelty in plotting the gas tap leak defied belief

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

Emile Cilliers is pictured above on holiday with Vicky in 2011

Speaking on the program, Victoria said: 'The thought that someone you'd married and just had children with would be that cruel to both me and the children defied belief.'

Victoria's survival from the fall was a miracle: she fractured almost all her ribs in the fall, her pelvis was broken and her right lung collapsed.

Her slight build and the softness of the newly ploughed field that broke her fall saved her life.

But it took several years for Victoria to accept that her husband, whom she knew to be an inveterate cheat and philanderer, was also guilty of trying to kill her. In fact, it was not until the judge at Cilliers' trial called him 'a person of quite exceptional callousness who will stop at nothing to satisfy his own desires, material or otherwise' that the truth began to impinge on Victoria.

The 'charming' man she had married was, in fact an 'evil' psychopath who had devised an elaborate plot to be shot of her so he could pocket her 120,000 life insurance policy and begin a new life with a lover.

Cilliers, who still maintains his innocence and has not shown a scintilla of remorse, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2018. He will serve at least 18 years.

Victoria, who gives her first in-depth TV interview in the new programme alongside reconstructions of the events.

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 and her husband Emile parachuting in 2011. It was something the couple often did together

Victoria believed she'd found the perfect husband 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.

Ms Cilliers in hospital in a chest brace following her husband's attempt to murder her

Victoria would go on to skydive again following the incident

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.

The first episode of The Fall: Skydive Murder Plot, airs on Tuesday June 11 at 9pm on Channel 4. The second and third episodes air on Wednesday and Thursday.
A rapist police officer who attacked the same woman twice in a matter of weeks has been jailed for 12 years.

West Midlands Police PC Aron May, 40, was found guilty of the two sex attacks in April following a trial at Worcester Crown Court.

He has since been dismissed by the force.

The officer carried out his first attack on August 14, 2019, before preying on the same woman again just days later, at the end of the August bank holiday weekend.

He picked up and carried his victim into another room on the first occasion, ignoring her pleas for him to stop having sex with her.

West Midlands Police PC Aron May, 40, has been jailed for 12 years after he was found guilty of raping the same woman on two occasions following a trial at Worcester Crown Court

His second attack was launched when she was asleep.

The victim confronted the officer about his crimes while secretly recording him, the court heard.

May unleashed a volley of abuse in the audio, which was used as evidence in the trial.

Passing sentence on Monday, Judge Martin Jackson told May that his position as a police officer was a 'serious aggravating factor' as it undermined public trust in policing.

He said: 'I note that you still maintain your denial of having committed either office. That is your privilege.

'But it leads me to this conclusion: that the continued denial shows no remorse in your actions and that while you may have insight on an abstract level about the seriousness of the offence of rape when committed by others, you have no insight into your own behaviour.'

May is understood to have been a star rugby player in his youth and even represented Wales at u18 level.

The court was told that the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, paid through its insurance for May to be defended in court by a senior lawyer, Michelle Heeley KC.

Both the judge and the prosecution expressed concern about 22 character references submitted on the officer's behalf - some apparently from police colleagues - which contained 'ill judged' and 'derogatory' comments about both the jury's verdict and the victim.

Addressing the statements in support of the officer, the judge warned that offenders often showed 'very different faces' to those who know them through work, or socially, which masked their true predatory nature.

He told May, of Romsley Lane in Romsley, Shropshire, that his offences were about 'satisfying your needs' and 'exercising control' over his victim.

May, pictured in his younger years, is understood to have been a star rugby player in his youth and even represented Wales at u18 level

May was sentenced to seven years for the first rape and five years for the second rape, with the two sentences to be served consecutively.

A restraining order was also imposed forbidding him from contacting his victim.

The judge said: 'The simple fact is that when a police officer commits a criminal offence that offence undermines the trust the public should be able to place in any police officer or member of police staff and that, in my view, is a serious aggravating factor here.'

His victim said in an earlier statement to the court: 'Once he is sentenced, I will finally be able to breathe again.

'The relief of him being found guilty was immense and I broke down.'

Although May was a West Midlands Police officer, the rapes were investigated by neighbouring West Mercia Police.

Following the sentencing, Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green of West Midlands Police said: 'Aron May was dismissed from West Midlands Police in May 2024 following a misconduct hearing which took place after his conviction at Worcester Crown Court for two counts of rape.

'Today, he has been sentenced to 12 years.

'The public quite rightly expect the highest standard of professionalism from our officers and staff and we are determined to ensure that those who breach these standards are held to account.'
An apartment building in Miami has been forced to evacuate after a massive fire broke out on Monday morning, with first responders finding a man shot.

The fire started around 8:15 a.m. at the Temple Court Apartments. When crews arrived, they found a man who had been shot in the abdomen on the third floor.

People who live in the building said they heard explosions as they made their way to safety. Officials said they believe the shooting is not connected to the fire.

The victim was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition.

An apartment building in Miami has been forced to emergency evacuate after a massive fire broke out on Monday morning, with first responders finding a man shot

The fire started around 8:15 a.m. at the Temple Court Apartments, per Miami Fire Information Officer Iggy Carroll

Miami Fire Rescue said that when they arrived they found heavy smoke and flames coming from a third-floor window of the building. The four-story building has more than 30 units and is near downtown Miami.

All firefighters have been pulled from the building and are attempting to put out the fire from outside, a more 'defensive' approach as the fire is too dangerous to put out from the inside, according to Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Pete Sanchez.

At least 30 people have been saved from the fire, most of them elderly.

Residents are being rescued from their balconies while others are being evacuated by ground.

'Right now we are just trying to get better control so it doesn't spread to any of the other buildings,' said Miami Fire Rescue Captain Ignatius Carroll.

Pictured: A City of Miami Fire Rescue firefighter walks from the scene of a fire at the Temple Court apartments Monday

All firefighters have been pulled from the building and are attempting to put out the fire from outside, a more 'defensive' approach as the fire is too dangerous to put out from the inside

'It's a very stubborn fire that is spreading throughout the building which obviously makes it very difficult to reach when you're doing a defensive attack.

'What's happening is that the fire is spreading into areas that are not being addressed by any water or fire hoses.'

He said the building, which has a lot of wood infrastructure, has a common attic which allows the fire to spread. More than 30 crews were called in to help battle the blaze.

Carroll said the sides of the building are hard to maneuver so it was difficult getting their trucks into the best position to put out the fire.

A cooling station was set up nearby to help the fire crews. Two firefighters were taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion but are in stable condition.

Pictured: Billowing smoke from the apartment complex fire

The inferno, which sparked on the third floor, has sent multiple residents to the hospital

A safety advisory has been issued by the Miami Police Department asking people to 'refrain from entering or remaining in the vicinity of Lumus Park to prevent any potential harm caused by a nearby apartment fire.'

This is first 3-alarm fire for city in 25 years, according to Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said during a press conference.

Residents have been moved to Jose Marti Park, where they will be given food and other essentials.
A ten-storey luxury building in Tokyo that blocks a near-perfect view of the sacred Mount Fuji is set to be demolished days before owners were due to move in.

The Grand Maison Kunitachi Fujimi-dori building in the Naka district of Kunitachi city held 18 flats that were sold to buyers who wanted to live with a prime view of the 12,389ft mountain on the western horizon.

But after years of pressure local groups, who were furious that they would have their own views of Mount Fuji blocked, officials have decreed that the flats will have to be knocked down.

Buyers of the flats, which were sold for 82 million yen (410,000), set to move in next month have been informed about the imminent destruction of the building.

The developers, Sekisui House, were engaged in a drawn-out battle for the right to erect the building, and were forced to change the building from an 11-storey building to a ten-storey building.

The Grand Maison Kunitachi Fujimi-dori building in the Naka district of Kunitachi city held 18 flats that were sold to buyers who wanted to live with a prime view of Mount Fuji

Buyers of the flats, which were sold for 82 million yen (410,000), set to move in next month have been informed about the imminent destruction of the building

A spokesperson for the developers said after the demolition decision was made that the company 'did not adequately consider the impact of the project on the surrounding area'

Locals said they wanted a 'further reduction' of height, and asked the developers to build just four storeys, but they pushed back saying that the likelihood of generating a profit would be drastically lowered.

A spokesperson for the developers said after the demolition decision was made that the company 'did not adequately consider the impact of the project on the surrounding area, and the landscape.'

While Tokyo is one of the largest cities on earth, hosting several skyscrapers in its centre, most of the city's suburbs are built up with relatively lowrise buildings.

In the Naka district, the soon-to-be demolished building was marketed as the first condominium to be built in the area in a decade.

Views of Mount Fuji are highly sought after, and locals are rarely happy about others ruining beauty spots with lines of sight to the peak.

In April, a massive 65ft barrier to block Mount Fuji from view was installed in a popular photo spot by Japanese authorities exasperated by crowds of badly behaved foreign tourists.

An official from Fujikawaguchiko town said of the barrier: ''It's regrettable we have to do this, because of some tourists who can't respect rules.'
The pastor of an Oakland church left in ruins by relentless vandalism has accused Mayor Sheng Thao of not caring whether her congregation is driven from the crime-ridden city.

Vandals and burglars have targeted the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church twelve times since April, leaving it without water, electricity and even daylight.

Plaster has been ripped from the walls and graffiti left on those that remain, while the dwindling congregation is forced to use flashlights because every window is now broken and boarded up.

Pastor Grace Ugeh says she has repeatedly reached out to the police and the mayor's office but received no help in a city where crime increased 18 percent last year.

'It's a church, if you don't have a church, how can you pray for the city,' she told NBC. 'Our job is to pray for the city. Do they not like our presence? I don't know.'

Pastor Grace Ugeh says she has repeatedly reached out to the police and the mayor's office but received no help in a city where crime increased 18 percent last year

Documents from her office were strewn about with plaster ripped from the walls after the latest break-in on Friday night

The Pentecostal church has survived for 10 years at its current location off the city's notorious Hegenberger Road.

The area was dubbed the most dangerous square mile in America earlier this year with local shops, gas stations and restaurants hit by dozens of crimes every day.

A residents' group announced last week it had secured the 40,000 signatures needed to force the progressive mayor to face a November recall ballot less than two years after she was elected.

Retired Alameda County judge Brenda Habin-Forte who organized the petition has accused her of 'ruining the city'.

'As much as the so-called progressives' virtue signal about supporting the working-class, it's disappointing to see them not only ignore our voices, but continuously gaslight and mock us,' she said Wednesday as the total was announced.

'Well, it's time for a long-marginalized community to finally speak for ourselves, and speak loudly.'

The murder-toll in the city jumped from 78 in 2019, to 126 last year, when one resident in every 30 had their vehicle stolen.

Property crime was up 17 percent and violent crime increased by 21 percent last year while falling 8.2 percent nationwide.

The church moved to its current location in 2014 but the attacks began in April

'The worst part is walking into a church and you're seeing this graffiti' Ugeh said.

The dwindling congregation has to use flashlights because every window is now boarded up

A residents' group announced last week it had secured the 40,000 signatures needed to force progressive mayor Sheng Thao to face a November recall ballot

A construction crew quit and refused to finish its pothole paving job in Sobrante Park last week because it got 'too dangerous' for its workers.

When resident Shari Angarano reached out to a city project manager for some answers, she was left in disbelief.

'He essentially said that the work was suspended and he couldn't tell me the time frame when they would return because the contractor halted all the work because they felt unsafe,' Angarano told DailyMail.com.

She added, 'They were not going to restart the project until the City of Oakland could guarantee a safe work environment for them.'

In April an elderly jewelry store shop owner crouched in terror behind her counter as eight heavily-built masked men forced their way in and began smashing the display boxes with sledge hammers, making off with more than 85 percent of her stock.

And residents of one Oakland neighborhood woke up this week to found that the city council had removed its traffic lights for good after they were repeatedly targeted by homeless people for their copper components.

Kaiser, PG&E, Clorox and Blue Shield announced last month that they are plowing $10 million of their own cash into added security measures including private police and 'buddy-escorts' to accompany workers who don't feel safe heading out for lunch.

All of this comes as shocking footage emerged of a long stretch of road in Oakland, that are covered in squalid makeshift tents for the homeless.

Trash was strewn around scores of houses built of wood, tarp and other discarded materials.

Michael Oxford, the host of CaliBased, posted the video on May 31, captioning it: 'Parts of Oakland are worse than a third world country. They just allow people to live in absolute squalor, wherever they choose.'

Michael Oxford, the host of CaliBased, posted a video on May 31 of massive temporary houses built along service roads that open up into main roads in California's latest Hooverville, Oakland

Residential robberies soared by 118 percent in the first four months of 2024 and earlier this year, there was humiliation for Oakland when In-N-Out Burger closed a store for the first time in the company's history.

The 400-outlet chain said its customers and associates were 'regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies' at the site less than half-a-mile from the Mountain of Fire church.

Pastor Ugeh said her congregation had dwindled from 100 to 25 as the relentless attacks have taken their toll.

Documents from her office were strewn about with plaster ripped from the walls after the latest break-in on Friday night.

Doors have been ripped from their frames and worshippers have been reduced to bringing their own chairs for services delivered by torchlight and amplified by a karaoke machine powered by a hired generator.

'I feel anger, I feel pain, I feel emptiness, and I don't know how to face my members, I don't know how to face a congregation,' she said. 'It hurts.'

'We came in this morning for service and they had vandalized the place more, ripped the walls.

'I don't understand what they really want, it's really heartaching.

'Members are leaving, and I don't understand, this this is supposed to be a church.'

District Attorney Pamela Price has faced similar criticism to Thao, with both lawmakers facing upcoming recalls that could see them booted from office

Violent crime has soared in the city since its report came out including this brutal attack in April on an elderly Chinatown jeweler who cowered in terror as eight masked men smashed up her shop with sledgehammers

More than $300,000 worth of damage has been done to the building but Ugeh says she is trapped.

'I would have left, but we own the building so what do I do?' she demanded. 'What do I say to my lenders?'

'The worst part is walking into a church and you're seeing this graffiti inside the church,' she added.

'Everything is ruined, they smashed everything.'
Two adults have been questioned by police after a 'bright' 11-year-old boy died while reportedly taking part in a dangerous TikTok challenge.

A 25-year-old man was arrested and a 35-year-old woman was interviewed following Tommie-lee Gracie Billington's death during a sleepover at a friend's house on March 2.

An inquest previously heard Tommie-lee lost consciousness at the home in Lancaster after 'inhaling toxic substances' before dying in hospital.

It is believed to be the result of a craze called 'chroming' in which someone inhales toxic chemicals such as paint, solvent, aerosol cans, cleaning products or petrol.

These inhalants then affect the central nervous system and slow down brain activity, which results in a short-term 'high.'

Tommie-lee Gracie Billington, 11, (pictured) died at a friend's house while reportedly taking part in a social media craze

An inquest previously heard Tommie-lee lost consciousness at the home in Lancaster after 'inhaling toxic substances' before dying in hospital. (Tommie-lee pictured with his father Graham Billington)

But the trend, which leads to slurred speech, dizziness, hallucinations, nausea and disorientation, can also cause a heart attack or suffocation.

Lancashire Police said the man, from Lancaster, was arrested on suspicion of child cruelty, neglect, possession with intent to supply a drug and money laundering.

He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

The woman, also from Lancaster, was interviewed voluntarily in relation to an allegation of possession with intent to supply and was released under investigation.

Following Tommie-lee's death, his heartbroken grandmother Tina Burns claimed he had taken part in the chroming craze.

She had said: 'He had a heart of gold just like his dad. Our family is utterly devastated.

'He died instantly after a sleepover at a friend's house.

'The boys had tried the TikTok craze 'chroming'.

'Tommie-Lee went into cardiac arrest immediately and died right there and then.

Following Tommie-lee's death, his heartbroken grandmother Tina Burns claimed he had taken part in the chroming craze. (Tommie-lee pictured with his father Graham Billington)

The child's grandmother claimed he 'died instantly' at a sleepover where he and a friend had 'tried the TikTok craze chroming'

'The hospital did everything to try and bring him back but nothing worked. He was gone.'

Tommie-Lee lived with his mother Sherri in Lancaster and his father, Graham, lived in nearby Clayton-le-Woods and the South Ribble area of Lancashire.

Tina previously said both families wanted to raise awareness of the dangers of TikTok for youngsters.

The teaching assistant added: 'Both our families are utterly devastated but we all want the same thing.

'We don't want any other children to follow TikTok or be on social media.

'In fact, we want to get TikTok taken down and no children to be allowed on any social media under 16 years of age.

'This is breaking us all but we want to help save other children's lives and give families awareness to keep their children safe.

'I have had so many messages from parents thanking me for making them aware.

'One person said that she had no idea about these social media crazes and that her children happily stay in their rooms on TikTok.

'She never knew there were things like this on it.

'She has now removed all social media from their devices and is so grateful that we are openly talking about it.

'I am a teaching assistant and work in year five and six.

'I have been open and honest with my headteacher so that we can get this important message out to all schools too.'

The family of the 11-year-old boy say they are 'devastated' after his tragic death

Sherri also urged parents to 'hide all deodorants from their children' so they are unable to take part in the challenge.

Posting on Facebook, she wrote: 'As much as I hate talking about it, I need to raise awareness of what kids are trying nowadays.

'Please, please, please hide all deodorants from your children.

'This cost my son his life from trying something other kids are doing.

'They are using this and breathing them in to try get a buzz.

'It is beyond me why anyone would even try this. It's so dangerous.

'Tommie had stayed over at a friends and was inhaling this with his friend which cost him his poor, young life.

'Please talk to your children about the consequences of this, I have no idea how this even came about for children to try.'

Chroming has been used as a slang term to describe the trend of inhaling toxic fumes to get a high since before TikTok's launch in the UK in 2018. The social media platform has also blocked any videos or searches using the term.

Experts have called for more protection for under-18s to exposure to the trend such as through television, as they warn it can cause coma, cardiac arrest and even death.

Social media expert Hannah O'Donoghue Hobbs told MailOnline: 'It really scares me as to how they can gain any reach whatsoever. No child should lose their life as a result of videos and backwards influencing like this.'
Police say Dr Michael Mosley died of 'heat exhaustion' after 'sitting down and losing consciousness' just yards from a holiday resort after walking across the Greek island of Symi in searing 40C heat.

A five-day search for the much-loved health guru and Mail columnist ended in tragedy yesterday morning when his body was found face up in a rocky area at the resort of Agia Marina.

The 67-year-old was found dead by a fence just 260 feet from a beach bar and safety.

The initial post-mortem examination carried out by Rhodes coroner Despina Nethena showed that there was no third party involvement and no 'criminal' element involved - but a definite cause of death has yet to be established.

It is thought Dr Mosley may have sat down to gather himself after being overcome with exhaustion and by effects of the heat having taken a wrong turn down a mountain path.

Dr Michael Mosley, 67, was found dead on the Greek island of Symi on Sunday morning after taking the wrong turn onto a mountain path

His body was discovered here just a mere 260ft from a beach resort and safety

Dr Michael Mosley carried with him a small bottle of water as he made his tragic trek across the mountains in searing 37C heat. The map above reveals his final moments

Dimos Kotsidaras, police commander for Symi, said: 'It looks like cause of death was heat exhaustion after walking in high temperatures from St Nicholas to Agia Marina.'

Police and the coroner are also investigating footage from the restaurant seen by MailOnline which shows Dr Mosley wandering in a confused state for twenty minutes before collapsing last Wednesday.

Temperatures at the time had been nudging 40C and the excessive heat is thought to have played a role in his death.

In the video he appears to pause momentarily by the perimeter wall, resting one hand on it and then he loses his balance and disappears from sight.

Symi Crisis Rescue Volunteer Team posted a message of condolence to on Dr Michael Mosley's wife, children, relatives and friends for their 'tragic loss'.

It said:'Our team was called in by island authorities to assist in the search investigation on the very first night of his disappearance and we immediately began with a first night search.

'We continued all the coming days to participate in the investigations together with firefighters, police officers and other volunteers, as always directed by the head of the investigation.

'High temperatures and rough spots made this mission particularly difficult, and unfortunately, the outcome was one we all know.'

Dr Mosley pictured with his wife Clare filming at Colwyn Bay, in Wales, on May 10 just weeks before his death

This map shows the different paths across the Greek island which were available

Dr Michael Mosley died two and a half hours after leaving his wife Dr Claire Bailey (Pictured together)

Dr Mosley was captured on CCTV carrying an umbrella in the town of Pedi before he made a wrong turn onto a mountain path

Flowers left by close family and friends who were visiting the spot where Dr Mosley's body was found

A direction sign pointing toward Agia Marina on a rocky path in the hills of Pedi (Pedi centre pictured in the distance, right), a small fishing village

MailOnline retraced the route and it should only have taken five minutes but Dr Mosley appeared to be wandering for twenty minutes before disappearing from view.

According to the coroner, Dr Mosley died at around 4pm on the day he disappeared.

Restaurant staff on the island of Symi have revealed their heartbreak and admitted how they missed the body of Dr Michael Mosley is a 'mystery' as tragic details of his final trek emerged.

Dr Mosley's trek across the mountains in the merciless sun were revealed last night - as questions grow over how rescuers failed to find him during their five-day search.

Dr Mosley was found at around 10.30am yesterday by a restaurant manager at Agia Marina.

A staff member said: 'How we missed him is a mystery. He was in distress suffering from exhaustion but nobody saw him. This is heartbreaking.'

The doctor was captured on CCTV footage by a beach restaurant stumbling around for several minutes before the 67-year-old gingerly picked his way down a slope close to a perimeter fence before then falling out of view.

It is then thought he carried on around the fence before he fell to where his body was found.

It comes as questions were raised over how the TV doctor's body lay undiscovered for so long.

The aerial map above shows the spot where Dr Mosley's body which brought a tragic end to a five day search for the much-loved health guru

He is thought to have set out for Symi but made the mistake of taking a difficult mountain route

Greek police have confirmed that the body found yesterday is that of Dr Michael Mosley (pictured)

Claire Bailey (right) has paid tribute to her 'brilliant' husband Dr Michael Mosley (left) - they are seen together here appearing on ITV's This Morning in June 2019

Local cameraman Antonios broke down in tears when talking about the body's discovery

On the previous day a search-and-rescue helicopter had circled above the scene.

Ilias Tsavaris, 38, said he was alerted by the restaurant's owners who had received a call from Symi's mayor.

'The mayor had seen something unusual from a water taxi and I was told to go up there and check it out. As I approached, I saw something glinting in the sun  his watch. As I got close I knew it was him. Horrifying.'

Restaurant CCTV footage shows a customer who could have potentially heard a cry for help walking close to where Dr Mosley lay.

Sources said Dr Mosley's wife was not expected to visit the scene but will likely return to the UK from Rhodes, an hour by boat from Symi.

Police sources ruled out foul play but said it was not possible at this stage to determine how he died.

A spokesman for the coroner said: 'It looks like it was a fall but we need to establish whether he had a medical episode before that and it will take time.'

His wife Dr Clare Bailey had waved him off after they had spent the morning at the idyllic beach with friends after arriving just the day before for a week's holiday.

Setting off with a single small bottle of water but crucially no phone, father-of-four Dr Mosley said he was heading back to the three-bedroom Merchant House apartment in Symi where they were staying with friends.
A military plane carying Malawi's vice president Saulos Chilima has gone 'off the radar' after taking off this morning, the country's government has revealed.

The plane, which was carrying nine other people, failed to land after taking off from the country's capital city, Lilongwe, at around 9am local time (7am BST) this morning.

Other passengers on the flight, which was supposed to land at Mzuzu International Airport in the countrys north just after 11am BST, included the vice president's wife, Mary, and several officials from his party, the United Transformation Movement.

They were travelling to represent the government at the funeral of a former cabinet minister, Ralph Kasambara, who died just three days ago.

'All efforts by aviation authorities to make contact with the aircraft since it went off the radar have failed thus far,' the government said in a statement.

A military plane carying Malawi's vice president Saulos Chilima (pictured) has gone 'off the radar' after taking off this morning

It is still not known when or why the plane went down.

The nation's president Lazarus Chakwera has ordered regional and national forces to conduct an 'immediate search and rescue operation to locate the whereabouts of the aircraft', the statement added.

Chakwera, who was due to travel to the Bahamas for a working visit, has since cancelled his trip.

He added that the 'public will be updated of any developments on the situation as facts are established.'

In 2022, Chilima was stripped of his vice-presidential powers when he was arrested and charged with graft over a $150million bribery scandal involving a British-Malawian businessman.

That scandal brought allegations that he accepted $280,000 (230,000) in exchange for awarding government contracts to light, which he strenuously denied.

Last month, a Malawian court suddenly dropped the charges after Chilima attended several court appearances.

Before his role as a political heavyweight in Malawi, he was a businessman, having held senior roles in companies including Coca Cola and Unilever.

More to follow.
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the Middle East at the White House on May 31. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals appears to be siding with Biden in a lawsuit brought by Palestinian-rights advocates accusing the president of enabling genocide by Israel in Gaza. Evan Vucci/Associated Press

A lawsuit by Palestinian-rights advocates accusing President Joe Biden of enabling genocide by Israel in Gaza drew no sign of support Monday from a federal appeals court panel in San Francisco, whose judges said it appeared to be a dispute over foreign policy, not legal compliance.

The suit accuses Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin of complicity in genocide, defined by an international treaty as actions committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in whole or in part.

The plaintiffs seek court orders requiring the Biden administration to do all it can to halt Israels attacks, which, according to Gaza health officials, have killed more than 37,000 Palestinians since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 Israelis. Biden has denied that Israel is committing genocide and recently approved an additional $14 billion in military aid to Israel.

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The vast majority of weapons used in the genocide are coming from the United States, attorney Katherine Gallagher of the Center for Constitutional Rights, representing Palestinians and Americans whose relatives have been killed by Israeli troops, told the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. What we are hearing from the government is that there is no constraint in the law.

What has happened and is happening is heartbreaking beyond belief, said Judge Jacqueline Nguyen, who presided over the three-judge panel. But doesnt the law say  these are foreign-policy choices of the political branches?

If we were to rule that the president and executive branch were complicit, wouldnt we be second-guessing? asked Judge Consuelo Callahan.

And the third panel member, Judge Daniel Bress, told Gallagher that if her argument prevailed, you could have the court running the United States military.

In a separate suit by the government of South Africa, the United Nations International Court of Justice said it has found plausible evidence of genocide in Gaza, and ordered Israel to halt its military attacks, an order Israel has rejected.

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In a ruling in January, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White of Oakland also found evidence of genocide but reluctantly dismissed the suit against Biden, observing that foreign policy is constitutionally committed to the political branches of government.

White, and judges on the 9th Circuit panel, cited the case of Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old U.S. college student and volunteer worker who was struck and killed by a U.S.-made bulldozer in 2003 while trying to protect a house in the Gaza Strip from being demolished by Israelis.

Her familys lawsuit accused the manufacturer, Caterpillar, of aiding Israel in war crimes. But the 9th Circuit court ruled that allowing the suit to proceed would interfere with executive authority over foreign policy.

As in the Corrie case, the current dispute over U.S. military aid to Israel is entangled with conducting foreign policy, Nguyen told Gallagher.

I do not think aiding and abetting genocide  can ever be a foreign policy choice, the attorney replied.

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She cited the Supreme Courts 2012 ruling in Zivotofsky v. Clinton, a dispute over the passport of a U.S. citizen who was born in Israel. His parents wanted his birthplace to be listed as Jerusalem, Israel, but the State Department said it must say only Jerusalem under a policy that took no position on the citys legal status. The Supreme Court said it was a legal issue, though a later ruling allowed the U.S. to keep Israel off the passport.

Gallagher also noted the Supreme Courts rulings in 2004 and 2006 allowing foreign prisoners held as enemy combatants to challenge their status in U.S. courts.

It is the job of the judiciary  to actually put a check on executive conduct, Gallagher said. It would be a profoundly dangerous finding for a court to make that the executive is not bound by any law.

But Bress said no previous ruling has limited executive authority to the extent sought in the genocide suit. And Justice Department attorney Maxwell Baldi told the court that the decisions challenged in the lawsuit lie at the core of the executive branchs discretion to conduct foreign policy.
Jaw-dropping video footage has captured the moment a crashed car is suspended in the air by water from a fire hydrant following a crash.

First responders rescued helped vehicle occupants after an accident in California left one car in the air.

Members of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) responded to a call for a traffic collision in Lake Forest just before 6:30 on June 8.

The OCFA wrote in an X post yesterday that it occurred at Jeronimo Road and Heidi Avenue, and the caller believed individuals were still in the vehicles.

One of the cars collided with a fire hydrant and was suspended seven to eight feet in the air from 'the significant pressure' of the water.

Members of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) responded to a call for a traffic collision in Lake Forest just before 6:30 on June 8

One of the cars in the accident collided with a fire hydrant and was suspended seven to eight feet in the air from 'the significant pressure' of the water

Both drivers managed to get out of the vehicles before paramedics arrived, but one needed 'paramedic level care.'

What began as a report of 'a traffic collision' later became 'a traffic collision cut and rescue call,' which is used when there's a possibility of need to extract someone from a vehicle.

Once the two drivers were taken to the hospital, the OCFA and other officials remained at the area.

'Fire on scene continued to work on isolating the water grid on each side of the hydrant,' the OCFA wrote in its post.

'This lowered the car and firefighters were eventually able to access the water shutoff adjacent to the car.'

The OCFA also credited the Orange County Sheriff's Department Lake Forest in the X post for assisting the first responders.

The OCFA specified most of the accident details in their X post they created yesterday following the car accident

The fire authority confirmed that Engines 19 and 222, Truck 20, and Battalion 9 all responded to the call, which was labeled a 'traffic collision cut and rescue call'

X users have left comments regarding the matter on the OCFA's post, some of which were from individuals who insisted the car cannot park at the fire hydrant.

One person called it a 'thorough undercarriage wash' while another one compared the suspended car to a 'Universal Studios' ride.

A third said: 'I was this many years old today when I learned that there is such a thing as a car bidet.'
A body found in the River Soar is missing two-year-old Xielo Maruziva, described by his devastated family as a 'cheeky funny' boy and a 'bundle of joy,' police have confirmed today.

The youngster had been missing for nearly four months despite an initial extensive police search which was later scaled back.

His body was discovered very near to the spot where he fell into the water in Aylestone Meadows in Leicester on February 18.

Horrified workers at the popular nature reserve found a body five days ago, on June 06, and cordons were put up while the remains were removed for formal identification.

His family previously told of their 'unimaginable loss' and said they were 'extremely heartbroken.'

Xielo Maruziva, 2, fell into the River Soar in the area near Aylestone in Leicestershire on February 18 while on a walk with family members

Teams seen scouring the river on boats and in scuba gear early in the morning in February

Assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr from Leicestershire Police, who led the hunt to find the toddler, said: 'We are so sorry to bring this news. This is a devastating and tragic incident and our thoughts are with all of Xielo's family at this most difficult and unimaginable time.'

She added: 'We ask that the privacy of the family continues to be respected at this time. Full support also continues to be provided to the workers who were in the area of Aylestone Meadows on Thursday morning and I continue to thank them for their support and co-operation in the most horrendous circumstances.'

She also thanked the members of the public and all those involved in the search for Xielo, who have included experts from police forces across the country and teams from Search Group International (SGI), who were brought in to help at the request of the youngster's family.

ACC Kerr said: 'I know this news has affected so many of us and again I want to pass on my thanks to everyone who has been involved in the search for Xielo, for your dedicated work in extremely traumatic circumstances and an extremely complex search. Thank you also to our communities and wider members of the public for your continued support.'

Xielo had been walking along the towpath of the River Soar at Marsden Lane with his family, who live nearby, when he suddenly fell into the water for reasons not yet explained.

Experts from SGI travel along the river in search of the missing two-year-old back in February

Experts from Specialist Group International (SGI) join the search operation at the river Soar in February this year

Timeline: Search for Xielo February 18 - An un-named two-year-old boy fell into the River Soar at Aylestone Meadows. A search was launched by emergency services February 19 - Multiple specialist teams from police forces across the country join the search February 21 - Xielo Maruziva is named as the boy who fell into the water. His devastated family call him a 'bundle of joy' February 23 - Police vow to continue the search over the weekend. February 26 - Following calls from Xielos family, police announced that a private search team which helped to look for Nicola Bulley will be joining the operation February 27 - Search Group International (SGI) joins the search and is seen in Aylestone Meadow February 29 - SGI team members spotted in the River Soar close to the King Power Stadium March 10 - The search reaches three weeks March 21 - The search for Xielo is scaled back, after five weeks June 06 - Poice searching for Xielo recover a body from the River Soar, close to where the toddler fell into the water June 10 - Police confirm the body is Xielos,following formal identification Advertisement

It prompted a huge and 'very complex' search and rescue operation over several weeks but was scaled back on March 21 to the dismay of his traumatised parents.After last week's discovery of the boy's body, cuddly toys, balloons, flowers and candles were left in tribute near Pebbly Beach.

Police said specialist officers were continuing to provide support to Xielo's family and that the Leicester coroner had been informed.

Following his disappearance, his parents had paid a heartfelt tribute to their son, issued through police.

They described him as a 'cheeky, funny' boy who was 'a bundle of joy'.

His mother Kayla Smith said: 'Xielo is a cheeky, funny, friendly, smart, caring and independent little boy. He never fails to make me laugh or smile and always loves a cuddle and some kisses.

'Xielo loves playing with his toys and watching cartoons including Bino and Fino. Me, his dad and the whole family are so heartbroken at what has happened. We thank everyone who has supported us and helped us during this time.'

The boy's dad added: 'Xielo is a bundle of joy to us. He is a charming and creative little boy and has just started at nursery. He loves cuddles, playing with his toys and going to the park.'

The parents shared their heartache at the time, saying: 'As a family we have been completely devastated over the past few days as the search for Xielo continues. It is hard to describe the pain and suffering we are going through.'

They expressed gratitude for the support, adding: 'We would like to thank the search teams at the scene. We would also like to thank members of the public for all of your support. It is your prayers which are keeping us strong. All we want is for him to be found.'

On March 22 - five weeks after his disappearance - his mum appeared to criticise police.

She posted on her public Facebook: 'Despite Leicestershire Police's continuous effort together with the additional resources deployed such as Tactical Support Teams, Specialist Group International, Marine Recovery Dogs, The Environment Agency, Watersafe UK and The National Crime Agency the recovery of my son Xielo still remains unsuccessful.
Martha's Vineyard's legal supply of marijuana is set to go up in smoke in a matter of weeks - leaving well-heeled tokers at a loss as to where they'll get their fix.

As it stands, there are only two dispensaries on the isle - one of which will be closed come September. The other is already shuttered, albeit temporarily, due to a lack of product and regulations that bar pot from being shipped across federal waters.

The island, meanwhile, is considered part of Massachusetts, and is separated by a bay that for the most part is US property.

Worsening matters is that Fine Fettle, the Vineyard's only legally-permitted cannabis producer, has stopped growing - bringing the posh Bay State getaway frequented by figures like the Obamas to its knees.

At the heart of the issue are those who actually live there - some of whom spoke out this week at the prospect of taking a 45-minute ferry ride to the mainland to secure what some, such as 81-year-old Sally Rizzo, need medically.

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Martha's Vineyard's legal supply of marijuana is set to go up in smoke in mere weeks, angry dispensary owners and smokers have revealed. Pictured, cannabis at the posh summer hotspot's sole growing facility, which, along with its associated dispensary, will shut its doors

As it stands, there are only two dispensaries on the island - one of which will be closed come September. Pictured, The Fine Fettle cannabis dispensary on June 4, a month after owners announced it will soon close due to regulatory and financial factors unique to the island

'The nice thing about getting it at a dispensary is that you can tell them specifically what you're looking for, and know the milligrams, and know the potency, and what's in it,' the senior told AP of her unwillingness to score illegally.

She went on to recall how last week, after making her usual drive from her home on the 10 miles wide, 20 miles long island to the Island Time dispensary, she was told by owner Geoff Rose of the seriousness of the shortage.

He showed her how his entire store stock was bare and how he'd been forced to temporarily close shop three weeks earlier, after Fine Fettle put and end to its grow-op, while also announcing it will close its similarly named dispensary later this year.

'Very sadly, we have had to make the decision to slow down and then ultimately shut down operations on the Vineyard,' company president Benjamin Zachs told The Vineyard Gazette last month by telephone.

'We do have quite a bit of inventory, and it's fresh and good,' he added - before disclaiming the dispensary is sure to run of its stock by September the latest.

Reasons given were that the trailblazing operation - no pun intended - failed to overcome regulatory and financial factors unique to the island, like the fact that cannabis producers there are required to test their own soils.

On the mainland, such an undertaking would be left up to a third-party laboratory, but because the waters around Martha's Vineyard are under federal jurisdiction, Fettle had to set up its own protocols to avoid violating the federal marijuana ban.

'For us, while Martha's Vineyard is in Massachusetts,' he explained, 'it's like a whole other state with a whole other regulatory structure.'

The island is considered part of Massachusetts, and is separated by a bay that for the most part is US property. Current laws prohibit pot from being shipped across federal waters - meaning, in the absence of a grower, dispensaries will have no means to replenish their store stock

The other, Island Time in Vineyard Haven, is already shuttered, albeit temporarily, due to a lack of product. Pictured, a closed sign is attached to the door of the Island Time cannabis dispensary on June 3

At the heart of the issue are those who actually live there - some of whom spoke out this week at the prospect of taking a 45-minute ferry ride to the mainland to secure what some, such as 81-year-old Sally Rizzo, need medically

She went on to recall how last week, after making her usual drive from her home on the 10 miles wide, 20 miles long island to the Island Time dispensary, she was told by owner Geoff Rose (seen here in the temporarily shuttered store) of the seriousness of the shortage

Technically it's possible to get to Martha's Vineyard through only state waters, but the CCC never wrote regulations for transporting weed by boat

That's kept island-set dispensaries from shipping weed from the mainland, and is what spurred Rose to file suit

Further hampering his facility's yield was the summer getaway's seasonal ebbs and flows, which left growers in the lurch when it came to fine-tailoring the famously finicky facets of cannabis production when it comes to weather and climate.

'The plants don't care what time of year it is,' he said of the outdoor operation, which until now had supplied not only Rose's store, but the 230 registered medical users littered about the island.

Thousands more who use the drug recreationally are also part of the Vineyard's weed market, which is not experiencing competition from dispensaries in places like Cape Cod, located right across the bay on a peninsula that juts off the mainland.

There, customers can pick up their goods on the way to the Vineyard instead of waiting until they arrive - a dynamic that means little to tourists, but a great deal to those who live there, not to mention the dispensaries selling to them.

At the time, Zachs expressed hope that Fine Fettle - which opened its doors as Martha Vineyard's first legal weed proprietor in 2019 - would will find a buyer to take over the operation, along with the task of securing state licenses for cultivating, processing, testing and dispensing cannabis throughout the island, which is a total 10 miles wide and 20 miles long.

He went on to express sadness on how the store and grow facility's experienced staffers - all Islanders - will now be out of a job.

'I think someone's going to make this happen and make this work eventually,' he said. 'I'm really hopeful of that, ultimately.'

Now engaged in a fire sale that will soon see the Fettle exhaust its entire store stock, the grower and dispensary's closure left only one other marijuana magnate on the Island, in Rose.

Benjamin Zachs, president of the only other dispensary on the isle, made the decision to close shop last month, due to difficulties growing on the island

Now engaged in a fire sale that will soon see the Fettle exhaust its entire store stock, the grower and dispensary's closure left only one other marijuana magnate on the Island, in Rose.

His Island Time in Vineyard Haven, however, is now without a supplier - making what could have been a monopoly, a money pit. Pictured, his almost exhausted supply

His Island Time in Vineyard Haven, however, is now without a supplier - making what could have been a monopoly, a money pit.

As mentioned, he was forced to temporarily close shop as a result, as his inventory waned to dangerously low levels.

The 77-year-old storeowner told NBC10 Boston last week how he is now suing the state's Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) - the same body that took the position that transporting pot across the ocean - whether it be by boat or plane - risks flouting federal laws.

Technically it's possible to get to Martha's Vineyard through only state waters, but the CCC never wrote regulations for transporting weed by boat.

That's kept island-set dispensaries from shipping weed from the mainland, and is what spurred Rose to file suit, he told the AP.

'I'm on the verge of going out of business,' he said. 'While I acknowledge the efforts of the commission to address the issue, I really felt that the only way to get some immediate relief was to file a lawsuit. I was not going to sit on the sidelines. I had to do something.'

He's joined in the lawsuit by the Green Lady dispensary in nearby Nantucket, which for now continues to have its own homegrown supply but also faces the same high costs of onsite testing.

In the suit, Rose outlines how he told the commission in November how his business could face an existential crisis if Fine Fettle gave up growing pot.

In the suit, Rose outlines how he told the commission in November how his business could face an existential crisis if Fine Fettle gave up growing pot. The soon-to-be-closed business's grow facility is seen here

Meanwhile, hundreds of residents like Rizzo, seen walking her dog Ginger on the island last week without a means to secure pot despite being prescribed

In March, he took a chance by buying some marijuana on the mainland before shipping it across on the ferry - after which the commission ordered Rose to stop selling the product he'd shipped over, putting it into an administrative hold.

The commission eventually released the marijuana a few weeks later, but told Rose he couldn't ship over any more.

In his suit, Rose complains about the commission's 'arbitrary, unreasonable, and inconsistent policy against transport over state territorial waters.'

Island Time is represented by Vicente, a firm that specializes in cannabis cases. It agreed to delay an emergency injunction against the commission until June 12 after the commission said it would enter into settlement discussions.

'We're cautiously optimistic that we'll be able to reach resolution, but if we can't, we'll be prepared to make the arguments in court,' said Vicente lawyer Adam Fine.

Until last week, the commission maintained that it wouldn't comment on pending litigation, other than to say there was no special accommodation to allow pot to be transported from the mainland to the islands.

But when commissioners traveled to Martha's Vineyard, they assured residents they were all on the same page.

'Obviously, this is a super priority for us, because we don't want to see the collapse of an industry on the islands,' said commissioner Kimberly Roy.

The dispensary's closure will after more than 230 other registered medical users, as well as thousands more recreational ones

She said nobody could have foreseen that there was going to be such a supply chain issue and they wanted to get it resolved.

'It's a funny juxtaposition,' she said. 'The entire industry is federally illegal. But that's evolving, too. We are just trying to stay responsive and nimble.'

Rose, meanwhile, has also expressed interest in opening a location elsewhere on the island, in Oak Bluffs, but had a zoning petition he put forward at town meeting earlier this year rejected.

While preparing to pull out of the Vineyard market, Zachs last month publicly pondered how a cannabis company could succeed on the island, telling the Gazette: 'There should be one operation on the Island with a grow and probably three dispensaries, one up-Island, one in Vineyard Haven and one in Edgartown or Oak Bluffs, [keeping] one open in the winter,' he said.

'Somebody's going to crack this nut.'
A retail tycoon is set to be given the green light to build a new house on the site of a Highland cottage once owned by paedophile Jimmy Savile.

Savile lived in the property at Allt-na-Reigh in Glencoe from 1998 until his death in 2011.

Now retail tycoon Harris Aslam, who bought the cottage, wants to build a new home and name it after famous Scottish mountaineer Hamish MacInnes, who also once lived at the site.

Prior to seeking permission, Aslam decided to let locals have their say on the future of the property.

Plans submitted three years ago sparked protest from objectors who said they did not fit in with the scenic landscape.

Retail tycoon Harris Aslam is set to be given the green light to build a new house on the site of a Highland cottage once owned by paedophile Jimmy Savile

Aslam, who bought the derelict cottage, wants to build a new home on the site and name it after famous Scottish mountaineer Hamish MacInnes, who also once lived there

A view inside the derelict cottage, now in a state of total disrepair and covered in graffiti

Savile lived in the property at Allt-na-Reigh in Glencoe from 1998 until his death in 2011

They were scrapped and new proposals were submitted by Aslam and his family.

Architect Jon Frullani revealed further tweaks to the designs following talks with officials from Highland Council that would still demolish the cottage but vowed the replacement will be 'sympathetic' to the surroundings following feedback.

New images supplied to the local authority show adjustments to the colour scheme of the proposals.

Highland Council planners have now recommended the scheme be given the go-ahead by councillors who will make a final decision next week.

Official papers said: 'The property has been subject to vandalism and graffiti directed towards a former owner/occupier and is now in a very poor state.

'Aside from the negativity arising from the former owner/occupier, there are also very positive local associations to the property relating to the respected mountaineer who once owned the property.

They added: 'The development lies within an iconic landscape within the Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area, and suitably scaled, sited and designed prevent adverse impact on the special qualities of the area.

'The site can be adequately accessed and services on the basis of a single house.

'The development will be subject to conditions and other licensing requirements to manage/protect nature conservation interests.'

Aslam intends to call the outbuilding of the site 'Hamish House' after mountaineer Hamish MacInnes.

MacInnes created the 'Pterodactyl' ice-axe and the eponymous Macinnes stretcher, used by mountain rescue teams worldwide, on the site.

An architect's drawing of the new home at the site, which would be named after Scottish mountaineer Hamish McInnes

Aslam hoped work would start on the site this year and a commemorative plaque would be installed to honour the achievements of MacInnes.

During an earlier consultation Aslam had considered renovating the existing building, which would have been the 'easiest and cheapest option'.

However, in a bid to rid the association with the reviled former occupant, it was decided the building must be torn down.

The cottage sits beside the A82 Fort William to Glasgow road but has been repeatedly vandalised with slogans over the years since Savile's death.

The depraved paedophile is believed to have abused up to 20 people inside his remote lair nestled in the Highlands.

Following his death in 2011, the two-bedroom bungalow was put up for auction and bought for 212,000 by a Glasgow-based builder. It was sold in 2021 for 335,500.

The application will be decided on June 18.
The 12-year-old killer who owned the machete used to hack Shawn Seesahai to death was fixated with blades and idolised a drill rapper serving life for a fatal machete attack.

He and another boy were today convicted for the brutal butchering of Shawn with a machete in a park in Wolverhampton.

Throughout the trial both boys sought to blame one another for the murder.

They are believed to be the youngest boys to have committed a knife-related murder in the UK.

A month-long trial at Nottingham Crown Court was told Shawn was shoulder-barged by the smaller of the two defendants, who 'often' carried a machete with a 42.5cm-long blade, before being punched, kicked, stamped on and 'chopped' at with the weapon.

The 12-year-old killer who owned the machete used to hack Shawn Seesahai to death was fixated with blades

Officers searched a storage space under one of the youngsters' bed and recovered a machete. He told the jury he bought the blade as he thought it was 'cool'

Police at the scene where 19-year-old Shawn Seesahai was stabbed to death in a park in Wolverhampton in November 2023

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The court heard that they attacked the victim with such force that in one blow the machete almost passed through his body.

The 19-year-old was 'chopped' in the back with the 16-inch blade  the wound going so deep it into his body that it nearly emerged through his chest.

Shawn, from Anguilla in the Caribbean, was also slashed in the legs, kicked, punched and hit so hard on the skull that a piece of bone came away, prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC said.

He was pronounced dead at 9.11pm on November 13 last year after police were called to the scene at 8.37pm.

Evidence on the killer boy's phone showed the youth had searched for machetes online on sites where the deadly weapons were for sale for as little as 20.

The boy, who clutched an anti-fidgeting device/toy on the stand, told jurors he bought the machete because he 'thought it was cool' to have one  and said that following the murder he had cleaned the blade with bleach because 'I heard it on music videos when they mention it, bleaching it.'

He claimed that rather than sourcing the weapon online, he had paid 'a friend of a friend' 40 for the murder weapon two months before he killed 19-year-old Shawn.

The boy, who was raised by his grandmother, later sent his co-defendant and a schoolgirl an image of himself with the weapon inside the leg of his tracksuit bottoms.

The picture was captioned 'Prison Freestyle'  the name of a track by the rapper SJ.

The defendant told jurors he knew SJ was a rapper who creates freestyle verses from prison, but claimed he didn't 'really listen to loads of his music'.

Shawn (pictured) was 'chopped' in the back with the 16-inch blade  the wound going so deep it into his body that it nearly emerged through his chest

The last moments of the machete attack victim heading to the park with a friend were captured on CCTV

But Paul Lewis KC, defending the boy's co-accused, said SJ's real name was Jayden O'Neill-Crichlow - adding that he is currently serving life in prison for stabbing a victim to death with a machete.

The boy claimed he was unaware of O'Neill-Crichlow's conviction, which took place in 2020, and said he 'didn't listen to loads' of his music.

Police found a search for 'zombie knife' had been carried out on his phone, while the court heard the boy had also been sent pictures of knives and swords on Snapchat.

He refused to identify the person who sent him the images.

In the months preceding the killing, police had recovered knives from the boy's home.

And the child was so fixated with blades that even following his arrest for Mr Seesahai's murder, the boy was found drawing pictures of them while in custody.

Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC told the jury: 'This was a young man who enjoyed possessing knives.'

Jurors heard his heavily-bloodstained clothing was also recovered from his home.

That defendant had previously been arrested for theft and violence-related offences. But neither child had previously been charged with any offence, or dealt with for knife crime-related matters.

In a group Snapchat call log recovered by police the suspects are told that 'everyone' is talking about the murder the previous night.

A friend comments 'I'm scared man', before one of the defendants cooly replied: 'I'm not', then adds: 'Idrc', slang for I don't really care.

Jurors heard the boy  who was known previously to police for theft and violence-related matters but like his co-defendant, had never been charged with an offence  had been in the habit of carrying the weapon around casually, even taking it to a schoolgirl's home on one occasion.

Floral tributes at the scene in Stowlawn playing fields where Shawn was brutally knifed to death

Shawn, from Anguilla in the Caribbean, was also slashed in the legs, kicked, punched and hit so hard on the skull that a piece of bone came away

In an interview released by police, Shawn's parents Suresh Seesahai and wife Maneshwary questioned how children so young could be out roaming the streets with a machete

But neither defendant, who had attended the same school and been friends for two years, had previously come to the police's attention in relation to knives.

Both boys, who had been friends for at least two years, and were each known to police, lived near the murder scene.

Following the murder the pair went home and played the shoot-'em-up video game Fortnite online.

Police also found a video of the boy holding the machete's sheath, while a second video showed another youth holding the blade itself.

Dealt with one boy previously for theft and violence related matters but they've never been charged with an offence and have not been dealt with for any offences relating to knives or knife crime.

O'Neill-Crichlow was among a group from the NPK gang in Tottenham wielding knives, a sword and a gun who murdered a teenage father in Wood Green.

Then 17, he was sentenced alongside four other gang members from Tottenham, north London, in January 2020, and was ordered to serve a minimum of 21 years.

The Old Bailey was told that there was a proposed deal in place to sign O'Neill-Crichlow, a member of the drill rap group OFB (Original Farm Boys), to an unidentified record label for 150,000 and that negotiations had been held during his time on remand.

The gang had been in a long-running feud with a Wood Green-based rival group.

In 2019, the OFB YouTube account posted the SJ track 'Youngest in Charge', which includes lyrics about a shank (knife) getting 'saucy', or covered in blood.

The song appears to mock the murder of rapper Kelvin Odunyi, 19, who was shot dead in Wood Green in 2018 and the video has had a staggering 34million views.

Following the verdicts at Nottingham Crown Court, police released footage of the victim's last moments before he encountered his killers in a Wolverhampton park, as Mr Seesahai's parents told of their heartache and shock at discovering the age of their son's killers.

The boy idolised rapper SJ (pictured), whose real name is Jayden O'Neill-Crichlow. He is currently serving life in prison for stabbing a victim to death with a machete

In an interview released by police Suresh Seesahai and wife Maneshwary questioned how children so young could be out roaming the streets with a machete.

Suresh said: '(It's) not even a knife - he's just a kid.

'Pay attention to your kids, if you see them doing something wrong then tell them. Check their room, sometimes you don't know what's in there so check it as parents.

'This world is a different world, kids are dangerous now. If we don't pay attention to them this will keep happening.'

Maneshwary, added: '12-year-old kids should be at home doing school work and then going to bed.'
A TikTok influencer with more than two million followers broadcast the end of his chaotic relationship with his ex-girlfriend before bombarding her with texts and stalking her at work.

Thomas Hill was involved in a relationship for around a year with Charlie Mullis after she sent him a direct message following a post talking about his mental health.

After a 'turbulent' relationship, Ms Mullis decided to break it off with Hill on 28 January last year, the Old Bailey heard.

But Hill reportedly stalked Ms Mullis, following her to the gym and sending flowers to her workplace.

A court also heard how the 29-year-old repeatedly sat outside her home texting her, at one point sending 44 messages in one day, some of which included threats.

Thomas Hill, 29, a social media influencer with more than 2 million followers bombarded his ex-girlfriend Charlie Mullis and threatened to end his life after they broke up

The TikToker posted the end of his chaotic relationship online as well as showing up unannounced to his ex-partner's workplace and sending her unwanted flowers

Ms Mullis blocked Hill on Snapchat, only for him to set up different accounts under different names and add her as a friend again.

He also posted images of himself self-harming and talking about the end of the relationship, jurors heard.

The TikToker would weaponise his mental health to manipulate his former girlfriend to meet up with him which she did to avoid his behaviour worsening.

He regularly sent her messages threatening to end his life. One such message read: 'Blame yourself when I don't exist anymore,'.

The barrage of messages and the constant following, including leaving cards under her windscreen wipers, left Ms Mullins afraid to be in her own home, jurors heard.

Janet Weeks, prosecuting, told jurors: 'Mr Hill has an enormous amount of followers on social media, particularly on TikTok where he has over two million followers.

'Their relationship was relatively short lived but quite intense.

'She (Ms Mullis) describes her relationship with the defendant as chaotic.

'It became so that she felt she could not meet up with friends, go to the gym and towards the end of the relationship, she said his behaviour got worse.

'She broke up the relationship on 28 January 2023.

'That really brings us to our indictment period because the prosecution say Mr Hill did not accept the end of the relationship.

'He would broadcast the end of the relationship very much in the public eye on social media.'

'He wrote and posted, globally to all his followers, many thousands of people about the end of the relationship and his mental health and naming personally her, Charlie Mullis,' continued Ms Weeks.

'He posted videos of them having private arguments.

'She blocked him under one username on Snapchat and then he set up another username and did it again when she blocked him with that.

'She was genuinely worried for his mental health, he would often in the messages between them, use threats about his mental health to control her.

'During the indictment period, she did on occasion agree to meet him in order to avoid the worst of his behaviour.

'He would control her and get her to meet him.

'She had no intention of rekindling the relationship, but they did meet up and on one occasion she did agree to meet him in a hotel and they ended up having sex. But to her that was not the re-commencement of the relationship..'

Hill was also said to have created a number of fake social media accounts in Ms Mullis' name which he commented on along with videos of his own.

Ms Weeks added: 'At times during this period, he bombarded her with phone calls and texts, he would turn up unannounced when she was at work or at the gym.

'He would send pictures to her so she knew he was actually there outside.

'He would send texts to her as soon as she walked through the door saying he knew she was at home.

'He sent flowers to her work, he followed her to the gym, he became angry she was even at the gym.'

Hill then placed a card underneath the windscreen wipers of her car to mark their anniversary on 7 March.

'Because of the extent he was following her and monitoring her, it made her frightened of being in her own home,' Ms Weeks said.

'It caused her anxiety and it affected her physical and mental health.

'On 8 March, he was sitting outside her address for many, many hours, in effect pretty much all day in his car.

'He was watching her and calling her, he was threatening to kill himself as well as making lots of demands of her.'

Jurors were shown 44 pages of messages from that day alone.

They included: 'Blame yourself when I don't exist anymore,' 'why the f*** are you hanging up on me,' and 'f***ing tell me selfish girl, stop wasting my time.'

Ms Weeks added: 'There were literally dozens of calls, every minute of every hour, it led her to call the police who found him sitting inside his car in a very emotional state.

'Mr Hill was arrested outside the address, he was in an extremely anxious state and his behaviour on arrest was extreme, he told the officers this was all normal and he had severe separation anxiety from her and just needed to be near her.

'The issues in this case are that he will claim that the two of them although they split up in January they began seeing each other soon after.

'He will say he was never given any impression that the contact from him was unwanted.

'He says the contact between them was mutual on both sides.'

Hill, of Thamesmead, southeast London, denies one count of stalking without fear, alarm or distress.

He described himself online as a 'Social Media Influencer based around the Automotive Industry' with '2.3 Million Across TikTok and Instagram.'

The trial continues.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday in Jerusalem as leaders try to iron out an Israel-Hamas hostage deal.

Blinken's trip comes at a particularly tumultuous time politically for Netanyahu, as Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel's war cabinet, quit the government Sunday.

On his way out the door, Gantz accused Netanyahu of mismanaging the war and putting his 'political survival' over the country's security.

Gantz had previously said he would leave the government by June 8 if Netanyahu did not provide a new plan for how to deal with post-war Gaza.

With Gantz's departure, Netanyahu is now more reliant on far-right allies in the Israeli parliament, who have threatened to collapse his government if he implements a proposed cease-fire deal that would see hostages released if Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) Monday in Jerusalem as leaders try to iron out an Israel-Hamas hostage deal

In a handout photo Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) is seen greeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right)

With no firm public response yet from Hamas or Israel to the proposal they received 10 days ago, Blinken started his eighth visit to the region since the conflict began in October by meeting with President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt, a key mediator with the militant Hamas group.

Blinken once again called on Hamas to accept the plan, which he said has wide international support.

'If you want a cease-fire, press Hamas to say "yes," he told reporters before leaving Cairo on the trip that will take him to Israel, Jordan and Qatar.

Blinken said Israel has accepted the proposal, though Netanyahu has not said so directly.

'I know that there are those who are pessimistic about the prospects,' Blinken said, putting the onus squarely on Hamas. 'That's understandable. Hamas continues to show extraordinary cynicism in its actions, a disinterest not only in the well-being and security of Israelis but also Palestinians.'

Blinken said the plan on the table is the 'single best way' to get to a cease-fire, release the remaining hostages and improve regional security.

While President Joe Biden, Blinken and other U.S. officials have praised the hostage rescue, the operation resulted in the deaths of a large number of Palestinian civilians and may complicate the cease-fire push by emboldening Israel and hardening Hamas' resolve to carry on fighting in the war it started with its Oct. 7 attack into Israel.

Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz announced his resignation from the government on Sunday

Secretary of State Antony Blinken captured as he arrived at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on Monday for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders

'It's hard to say how Hamas will process this particular operation and what it will do to its determination about whether it will say yes or not,' Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said Sunday.

'We are hopeful that with enough of a chorus, the international community all speaking with one voice, Hamas will get to the right answer,' Sullivan told ABC's This Week.

In his talks with el-Sissi, Blinken also discussed plans for post-conflict governance and reconstruction in Gaza, following massive destruction there.

'It's imperative that there be a plan, and that has to involve security, it has to involve governance, it has to involve reconstruction,' Blinken said.

Netanyahu and his government have resisted calls for any 'day after' plan that would bar Israel from having some form of security presence in the territory.

Blinken said he would urge Israel to come up with alternatives that would be acceptable.

'It would be very good if Israel put forward its own ideas on this, and I'll be talking to the government about that,' he said. 'But one way or another, we've got to have these plans, we've got to have them in place, we've got to be ready to go if we want to take advantage of a cease-fire.'

The three-phase cease-fire plan calls for the release of more hostages and a temporary pause in hostilities that will last as long as it takes to negotiate the second phase, which aims to bring the release of all hostages, a 'full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza' and 'a permanent end to hostilities,' according to an American-drafted resolution put before the U.N. Security Council.

The third phase calls for reconstruction in Gaza.

The Security Council is to vote Monday afternoon on the resolution, which welcomes the proposal and urges Hamas to accept it.

But Hamas may not be the only obstacle.

Although the deal has been described as an Israeli initiative and thousands of Israelis have demonstrated in support of it, Netanyahu has expressed skepticism, saying what has been presented publicly is not accurate and that Israel is still committed to destroying Hamas.

He's in a politically sticky place as his far-right allies in parliament are against the proposed cease-fire deal.

In the aftermath of the hostage rescue over the weekend, Netanyahu pressed Gantz not to step down.

Blinken has met with Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Gantz and Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on nearly all his previous trips to Israel.

Officials said Blinken is expected to meet with Gantz on Tuesday.

Despite Blinken's roughly once-a-month visits to the region since the war began, the conflict has ground on with more than 37,120 Palestinians killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its counts.

Hamas and other militants killed some 1,200 people in the Oct. 7 attack, mostly civilians, and took around 250 people hostage.

The war has severely hindered the flow of food, medicine and other supplies to the Palestinians in Gaza, who are facing widespread hunger. U.N. agencies say more than 1 million people in the territory could experience the highest level of starvation by mid-July.

In Jordan, Blinken will take part in an emergency international conference on improving the flow of aid to Gaza.
Panera Bread customers have until Monday to file a claim and get free food or cash from the popular fast food chain.

Panera has agreed to a $2million settlement related to a suit that claimed that the franchise misled customers about delivery and menu prices. The chain has denied any wrongdoing.

People who are eligible must have proof that they ordered delivery through the Panera app or website from October 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021.

Customers get the option to choose which kind of settlement they want from the restaurant: two free vouchers for $9.50 each for free items from Panera's 'Soup & Mac' menu, or a $12 electronic payment sent directly to them.

Monday is the last day for Panera customers to file a claim to get free food or cash from the popular chain

Panera has agreed to a $2million settlement related to a suit that claimed that the franchise misled customers about delivery and menu prices

According to the claims website, the settlement amounts could decrease based on the amount of people who participate.

The company has agreed to provide up to $200,000 worth of 'Soups & Mac' vouchers, while money for the cash settlement will come out of the Net Cash Settlement Fund.

'If there are not sufficient funds in the Net Cash Settlement Fund to award each Settlement Class Member $12, the Net Cash Settlement Fund shall be distributed on a pro rata basis to those Settlement Class Members electing a Cash Settlement Award,' the website stated.

The monetary settlement can be sent to qualified customers via PayPal, Venmo, or other electronic payment platforms.

This is not the first time Panera Bread has found itself entangled in a lawsuit, as multiple people have sued the chain over its Charged Lemonades.

The high-energy drink has since been axed from the menu after customers went into cardiac arrest and others died after consuming it.

This is not the first time Panera Bread has found itself caught up in a lawsuit, as multiple people have sued the chain over its Charged Lemonades. They have since been axed from the menu

Sarah Katz died at the age of 21 after suffering two cardiac arrests shortly after consuming the highly caffeinated beverage from the American restaurant chain.

Since her death in September 2022, multiple lawsuits have been filed against Panera Bread on behalf of others who died or were left with serious health conditions after consuming the lemonade.

The grieving parents of Katz, who was a student at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, recently opened up about losing their daughter.

Katz's father, Michael, recalled the moment he found out that his daughter had 'collapsed' and raced to the trauma center to learn that she had suffered from cardiac arrest - but that doctors were able to resuscitate her.

However, after the 21-year-old suffered a second cardiac arrest, medical officials ended the resuscitation - leaving her heartbroken parents in 'total disbelief'.

Another teen, Luke Adams, 18, consumed the drink along with a chicken sandwich before going to a movie theater with friends around 7pm on March 9.

Luke Andrews, 18, (right) sued the company in May claiming that the Charged Lemonade caused him to go into cardiac arrest

Just two-and-a-half hours later, a friend that Luke was with found him making strange noises and discovered him to be in sudden cardiac arrest.

Fortunately, two nurses and a cardiologist were also in the theater at the time and began performing CPR on him while an automated external defibrillator was brought in and used to shock him.

Despite an irregular rhythm, Adams' heart was pumping again and he was rushed to hospital.

Luke then had seizures while in the ER and was placed in intensive care where he was intubated and placed on a ventilator according to the lawsuit filed in May in federal court in Philadelphia.
A Pennsylvania homeowner has revealed he may be forced to sell his property as delivery drivers keep confusing his address for an identical one four miles away.

Rocky and Joy Fuller of Wilkes-Barre share the same address with another property in in Plains Township which has the same zip code, according to 28/22 News.

Although the Plains Township residents have only been living at their property for two months, Fuller has lived in his home and dealt with these problems for years.

'Its getting more and more discouraging... Im just ready to sell the house and just move,' Rocky told 28/22 News.

Rocky has been aggravated by the address situation for several years, and he relies on various services, including food deliveries.

Rocky and Joy Fuller of Wilkes-Barre and homeowners in Plains Township, Pennsylvania are receiving each others packages due to having the same exact addresses

The Pennsylvania homeowners' 34 Harriet Street properties are located less than four miles away from each other and they have the same zip codes

'There are times I order, but I don't get the food. There's times I'm not ordering, it's here,' said

'Constables coming to the door, utilities being shut off at the wrong address, it's just getting more and more problems.'

Rocky's greatest concerns about the address situation are missing medication deliveries and emergency call mix-ups.

'I do have a heart problem. If we have to call an ambulance, police, any kind of emergency vehicle regardless... Hopefully it gets dispatched to the right spot,' Rocky added.

The Plains Township homeowners, who wished to remain anonymous, have also been frustrated with the address situation for similar reasons.

They told 28/22 News that it has been 'a problem' and that the package situations are beginning to make them feel like thieves.

Rocky's greatest concerns about the address situation are missing medication deliveries and emergency call mixups

The Plains Township homeowners told 28/22 News that it has been 'a problem' and that the package situations are beginning to make them feel like thieves

Rocky has contacted the Wilkes-Barre Post Office and other officials in his town and Plains Township for help, but so far, it has not been much help.

However, he is still searching for an answer to the homeowners' address problem.

'I'd rather just redo everything and get a new number... Anything to defer it so it could all get straightened out,' Rocky said.

Their addresses are dictated by the Pennsylvania municipalities.

'The Townships are granted legal authority to name streets and address buildings via the Second Class Township Code and the same with Boroughs through the Borough Code,' according to Centre County, PA.

'Municipalities can formally delegate responsibility to Centre County 911 in writing.'

Officials assign a property address depending on its location and the direction the house faces the road.

The address assignment for any property is based on where its driveway connects to the road.
Listeners to the Mail's ground-breaking podcast The Trial of Lord Lucan yesterday overwhelmingly found him guilty of the murder of his family's nanny and near-fatal attack on his estranged wife.

Of the many thousands who joined an online jury, 84 per cent said he murdered Sandra Rivett and attempted to murder Veronica, the mother of his three children.

But 16 per cent declared him innocent, making the outcome closer than many might have expected. Had a few dozen more cleared him, the jury would have been hung if applying the same rules as real trials where judges accept 10-2 majority verdicts.

The decisions were announced in a special episode of The Trial of Lord Lucan, a podcast sensation which reached No 1 in the true crime charts for Apple and Spotify, and made the top ten overall in the UK. The mock trial enthralled audiences just as the world has been captivated by the enduring mystery.

The Lucan affair scandalised Britain when the peer went on the run after Mrs Rivett, 29, was bludgeoned to death with a lead pipe in the basement kitchen at the Belgravia mansion.

It has been almost 50 years since British aristocrat Lord Lucan, 39, vanished without a trace

Barrister Max Hardy (right) prosecuted Lord Lucan in the trial, while Edward Henry KC is acting for the defence

The Earl disappeared after his children's nanny Sandra Rivett was murdered in the family home

The blood-soaked basement with Sandra Rivett's body inside a mail sack beside a cast-off shoe

Lady Lucan, who was involved in a bitter custody battle with him and who was believed to be the intended victim, suffered serious head injuries.

Every day last week, in a world-exclusive podcast event, listeners heard the evidence against Lucan, who disappeared within hours of the attacks in 1974 and has never been seen since.

The Crown's case was finally laid bare when the Mail obtained a previously confidential police report written in 1975, which detailed why detectives thought he committed the crimes.

New episodes told how Lucan's Old Bailey trial may have unfolded had he been caught.

Two of Britain's most eminent barristers  Max Hardy and Edward Henry KC  presented the prosecution and defence cases in meticulous detail.

Lord Lucan's wife Veronica Mary Duncan suffered a near-fatal assault on the same night

The Trial of Lord Lucan: Follow The Mail's brand new podcast wherever you get your podcasts

Lady Lucan with Frances and George, two of the three children she had with her husband

At the end of the five-day trial on Friday, the audience could vote on MailOnline whether the 7th Earl of Lucan was responsible for the crimes. By the noon deadline on Sunday, there had been a staggering response.

Of those who gave reasons, the key factors for a guilty verdict included Lord Lucan vanishing without trying to clear his name and circumstantial evidence, such as Lord Lucan's possible affairs, debts and tempestuous relationship with his wife.

But some felt the evidence was not irrefutable or there were inconsistencies in Lady Lucan's account plus they felt she had a clear motive to accuse him.

Doubts were raised about the poor crime scene preservation and some believed another person may have been involved.

Hear the special verdict episode at dailymail.co.uk/lucan
While the 9th Circuit upheld 1.4 million drivers rights to employment benefits, its impact may be limited by another law approved by California voters. Mario Tama/TNS

California lawmakers acted legally in 2019 when they classified drivers for ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft and delivery services such as Doordash and Instacart as employees rather than contractors, a federal appeals court ruled Monday.

While the 11-0 decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld 1.4 million drivers rights to benefits guaranteed to employees but not to contractors  including minimum wages, overtime, workers compensation and payment for work expenses  its impact may be limited by another law approved by California voters.

Proposition 22, an initiative sponsored by the companies and passed by the voters in November 2022, reclassified their workers as contractors.

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The state Supreme Court appeared likely to uphold the ballot measure in a hearing on May 21. If it is upheld, Prop. 22 will regulate the drivers status from the date of its passage in November 2020.

The legislation defining the drivers as employees, AB5, took effect in January 2020 and left intact a similar classification by the state Supreme Court in April 2018. Mondays ruling entitles them to seek pay and other employee benefits from January to November 2020.

A final factor is the U.S. Labor Department in President Joe Bidens administration, which has adopted nationwide regulations classifying most or all of the California drivers as employees under U.S. law. That would entitle them at least to federal minimum wages of $7.25 an hour, compared with $16 in California, and possibly to other benefits.

The federal regulations, which overturned rules adopted by President Donald Trumps administration, are being challenged in court by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an organization that includes Uber and Lyft. Lawyers for the Biden administration, meanwhile, filed arguments in the AB5 case urging the appeals court to uphold the California law.

Mondays ruling rejected claims by Uber and its food-delivery company, Postmates, that AB5 was discriminatory. The law, while expressly applying to businesses that carry passengers or deliver foods, exempted other categories including companies such as TaskRabbit, which provides help for daily tasks such as home repairs, and Wag! , which makes dog-walkers available.

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Both of those companies pay their workers only after customers call for them, and Uber, which follows the same practice, contended it should also be exempted from AB5.

But the court said state lawmakers were entitled to target businesses that it considered the leading causes of unfair classification and treatment of workers, and to exempt some other types of businesses.

The legislature perceived Uber, Postmates, and other transportation and delivery services as more substantial contributors to the problem of misclassification than referral agencies engaged in other services, Judge Jacqueline Nguyen wrote in Mondays ruling.

It is certainly reasonable for the legislature to try to target the problem of misclassification at its origin, Nguyen said, and it did not violate constitutional equal-protection standards by applying the law to ride-hailing and food-delivery companies.

She noted that the law, while allowing some companies to classify their workers as contractors, contained other requirements, such as allowing dog walkers for Wag to set their own hours of work and accept or reject payment rates offered by customers.

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The full appeals court had referred the case to an 11-judge panel after an initial three-judge panel had ruled in the companies favor. The panel that issued Mondays unanimous ruling consisted of eight judges appointed by Democratic presidents and three appointed by Republican presidents.
Chaos has worsened in Chicago as the homeless population has swelled three times the amount in just one year as migrants continue to move to the Windy City.

The city's annual snapshot, released on Friday, revealed that 18,836 people are homeless in Chicago in 2024, compared to 6,139 in 2023 - amounting to a staggering 200 percent increase in total.

The unhoused population under the term 'sheltered new arrivals' was counted on January 25 as 13,679, while there were 212 'unsheltered new arrivals' recorded.

Shockingly, the 212 unsheltered new arrivals - meaning people sleeping on the streets - is a 960 percent uptick from 2023, when the number was just 20.

A total of 1,422 'unsheltered non-new arrivals' were recorded, along with 3,523 'sheltered non-new arrivals.' The amount of non-asylum seekers on the city's streets has increased by 25 percent when compared to last year's total of 3,943.

The homeless population in Chicago has grown three times more than it was in 2023 with a total of 18,836 counted as of January 2024

Migrants have taken over the city's streets as 13,679 were counted as homeless 'sheltered new arrivals' while 212 were counted as homeless 'unsheltered new arrivals'

Of the 200 percent increase in homelessness in the city, 30 percent were children under the age of 18, the Chicago Sun Times reported.

Since 2022, Chicago has also been receiving busses of migrants from the southern border, sent by Texas officials, amid the surging national crisis.

Maura McCauley, managing deputy commissioner for the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, said that the city has attempted to resettle more than 43,000 migrants.

'Those things have been happening together. One didn't stop in order to serve another population,' McCauley told the Chicago Sun Times.

According to the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, a person experiencing homelessness has been defined as someone who 'lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.'

Prior to the migrant crisis, the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night was gradually lowering. It did rise again in 2020, but trickled back down in 2021 and 2022.

McCauley said the recent uptick has occurred because COVID-19 pandemic support has ended.

'We really think thats because pandemic era supports, like SNAP benefits and stimulus resources from the state and federal government, came to an end, between 2022 and 2023. And the Chicago housing market has become less and less affordable,' McCauley said.

'We were anticipating this increase, but we also at the same time increased our shelter capacity more than five times. And if we hadnt done that, we really think that we would have seen a really unprecedented and tragic increase in our unsheltered population,' she added.

The city's annual snapshot, released on Friday, revealed that 18,836 people are homeless in Chicago in 2024, compared to 6,139 in 2023

Johnson has long been in the hot seat for the migrant crisis that has taken over Chicago. In April, livid Chicagoans tore into Johnson for allotting $70million to migrant care

According to a city report, when the homeless population was counted at the start of the year, 9,165 beds for permanent housing were recorded, while 2,979 beds for rapid housing and 304 beds for other permanent housing were counted.

McCauley said that the intense spike in homelessness shows how much the city needs more federal resources to aid the issue.

Of more than 900 migrants that were evicted from city shelters, about 55 percent of them have continued to live in facilities, officials told WTTW News.

Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has been in the center of the massive migrant crisis, started to enforce limits on how long migrants can stay in shelters.

His administration mandated that migrants had 60 days to reside in city-run shelters after many of them arrived on buses from the Texas border.

Department of Family and Support Services Commissioner, Brandie Knazze, said that city officials do 'not expect a mass exit from shelters' because a 'number of extensions remain in place and shelter exit dates are staggered according to when individuals entered the shelter.'

'The city of Chicago continues to maintain one of the most generous shelter stay policies for asylum seekers of any major city in the United States,' Knazze said.

She added that all residents have the ability to 're-enter temporary shelter sites' if they cannot find secure housing after being kicked out.

According to the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, a person experiencing homelessness has been defined as someone who 'lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence'

Frustrated citizens have been left confused about the newly released statistics, as one claimed that Mayor Johnson announced that there were more than 68,000 migrants in the city just three months ago.

'City's official count is 18.8k, inclusive of 13.6k sheltered migrants. Lying about statistics doesn't build trust,' someone posted on X in response to the data.

Johnson has long been in the hot seat for the migrant crisis that has plagued Chicago.

In April, livid Chicagoans tore into Johnson for allotting $70million to migrant care.

Concerned citizens spoke directly to the mayor during a gathering where officials were originally expected to vote on funding for migrant services in the Windy City.

Johnson, a progressive, has long defended the city's sanctuary policies and he planned to get the aldermen to accept the requested funds, even though the city has already invested $300million on the crisis.

One woman, dressed in a red MAGA cowboy hat and a 'Chicago RED' t-shirt slammed Johnson and said: 'We need that money in my neighborhood, we need that money on my block.'

'So I'm asking ya'll to use our tax money for our people, we need it,' she added.

However, the meeting ended without a vote as the city's aldermen deferred a decision on the request for funds.

It was recently found that 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.

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.'
The SNPs reverse Midas touch is contagious and now the Tories have caught the bug  at a moment of existential crisis.

With a little over three weeks until polling day, Douglas Ross has lobbed a hand grenade into a lacklustre campaign  by quitting.

He had previously pledged to leave the Commons and concentrate on leading the Tories at Holyrood, but performed a U-turn last week, sparking an internal backlash.

Now he will run for a Westminster seat in the North-East, after the incumbent candidate David Duguid was sacked because of ill health  though he insists hes fit to stand.

Its a shambles, and means that after the General Election the party will be plunged into a leadership contest, with no obvious successor lined up.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has announced he will step down from the role following the General Election

Theres no doubt its an unceremonious exit for a leader who deserves credit for taking the fight to the SNP with a refreshing bullishness that was sadly lacking in Jackson Carlaw, the man he replaced.

At the last Holyrood election in 2021, the Conservatives vote share was 22.7 per cent  up from 22.5 per cent in 2016  with more than 1.2million Scots backing the party, an increase from just over 1million in the previous poll.

Crucially, Mr Ross deprived the SNP of the majority it craved and forced it into a doomed pact with the Greens.

That partnership ended in dramatic fashion this year with the defenestration of Humza Yousaf  who triggering his own downfall by ending the deal.

Mr Rosss slow-burn strategy bore fruit over time  the independence cause was left in a cul-de-sac, contributing to the political demise of Nicola Sturgeon and then Mr Yousaf.

We shouldnt underestimate Mr Rosss achievement  two First Ministers consigned to the backbenches, and their mission to break up Britain on life support.

His doggedness as he held the SNP to account week after week paid dividends, but as ever in politics you dont always get credit for your successes  as Rishi Sunak has found to his cost.

And Mr Ross showed he was a man of principle in May 2020  months before becoming leader  when he resigned as a Scotland Office minister over Dominic Cummingss threadbare defence of his trip to County Durham during lockdown.

After taking over from Mr Carlaw, he was dealt a terrible hand during a tumultuous period dominated by the gruelling Brexit psychodrama  which the SNP exploited at every turn to push for independence.

He called for Boris Johnson to quit in January 2022 over Partygate  but wisely withdrew his demand weeks later when Russia invaded Ukraine.

All these variables could not have been foreseen, and Mr Ross negotiated the minefield for nearly four years with clear-sighted calm and steely conviction.

True, the optics of him supposedly shouldering aside a sick man to run for a Westminster seat were bad  but the truth is more complex, and party mandarins decided Mr Duguid could not stand, not Mr Ross.

John Swinney has attempted to make hay with the row by demanding minutes of the Tory management boards meetings where the Duguid matter was discussed.

A call for transparency from the former Minister for Cover-Ups  who admitted manually deleting his Covid WhatsApp messages to Ms Sturgeon  is hard to take seriously. But the impending departure of Mr Ross will be a fillip for the First Minister.

Mr Swinney is far too deeply associated with the many failures of the Sturgeon reign to stay in charge in the longer term  a caretaker presiding over a badly fractured organisation, on its uppers amid an ongoing police fraud probe into its finances.

That makes Mr Rosss shock announcement yesterday all the harder to stomach  with the SNP staring down the barrel of heavy losses on July 4, the Scottish Tories are in disarray.

And many of the errors, similar to those of Mr Sunak, have been self-inflicted.

The Tories should have been watching the implosion of the SNP, but instead theyve decided to announce an imminent change of leader, in the middle of an election campaign.

Ruth Davidson quit in 2019 after eight years as Scottish Tory leader, partly because of the partys civil war over Brexit.

She had turned the Tories into the main opposition at Holyrood, and might have taken them into office if shed stuck around  it would have been a big challenge, but not impossible.

The return of Ms Davidson to the Tory fold (now that Brexit has been resolved) seems unlikely, but then who expected to see Lord Cameron back in the saddle as Foreign Secretary  or Mr Swinney as First Minister?

Her star power could transform the electoral calculus, but it would take time  a commodity in short supply as the 2026 election looms.

Not much can be done to prevent anyone from leaving their job  and Ms Davidson had stuck it out for nearly a decade. But the ousting of Mr Johnson was an entirely avoidable outcome  one engineered for the most part by his own colleagues.

Of course he made big mistakes during Partygate, but he was a major asset who won an 80-seat majority in 2019, drawing a line under the toxic Brexit impasse which had paralysed politics for three years.

Now the Tories have a disaster-prone leader who has had to publicly insist that he wont quit before July 4, though some of his many critics may have other ideas.

The fact that the notion of replacing Mr Sunak in the midst of a campaign is even being considered tells you everything you need to know about the sorry state of the Conservatives.

Theyve swapped a heavyweight who demolished the red wall for a leader whos more than 20 points behind Labour in the polls.

Labour has been comfortably ahead since the Liz Truss interregnum  another unforced error with calamitous consequences.

The content of her tax- cutting plan for bolstering growth was laudable, but its execution was a botched job of spectacular proportions.

Mr Sunak quickly stabilised the Conservatives, and the economy, though he had contributed to the chaos by conspiring against Mr Johnson in the first place.

The 2019 election should have paved the way for an economic revival once Brexit was done, but there have been countless missed opportunities to capitalise on that historic result.

Mr Rosss decision to quit couldnt have come at a worse time for a party which has been in the election winning business since the 1830s.

And while Tory triumph next month at a UK level seems highly unlikely, there is still time to turn the tanker around ahead of the next Holyrood poll.

To stand any chance of doing so, the new leader has to ensure the party stops being its own worst enemy and turns its fire on the SNPs long record of failure.
Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. John Fetterman and his wife Gisele were hospitalized after a car crash Sunday morning.

Maryland State Police told DailyMail.com the senator was driving a Chevrolet Traverse when he rear-ended a Chevrolet Impala in northern Maryland near the Pennsylvania and West Virginia border.

According to authorities, the Fettermans were driving in Hancock, Maryland, when the crash occurred around 8 a.m. ET.

Following the crash both of the Fettermans were transported to War Memorial Hospital in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. Sen. Fetterman was treated for a bruised shoulder.

The Democrat has had a history of health ailments, most notably suffering a stroke while running for Senate in 2022.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., and his wife Gisele were hospitalized after a car crash in northern Maryland on Sunday morning

John Fetterman exits a Chevy Traverse on Capitol Hill. Maryland State Police told DailyMail.com the senator was driving a Chevrolet Traverse when he rear-ended a Chevrolet Impala in northern Maryland near the Pennsylvania and West Virginia border

Since his stroke Fetterman has suffered from audio impairments that have resulted in his needing a phone or tablet-based transcriber to clearly understand colleagues and reporters while working on Capitol Hill.

This has resulted in the installation of a live closed captioning system at the Democrats Washington, D.C. desk.

He has been known to respond, at times, with half sentences to reporters' questions.

The crash happened on the westbound route of Interstate 70 near Interstate 68, authorities said.

'According to a preliminary investigation, a Chevrolet Traverse and a Chevrolet Impala were both traveling west on I-70 when for unknown reasons, the Traverse struck the rear of the Impala,' a spokesperson for the Maryland State Police told DailyMail.com.

John Fetterman and his family in the Capitol after his swearing-in

The couple was treated at War Memorial Hospital in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, shown above, following the crash

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman exits a Chevy Traverse at the U.S. Capitol

The collision happened just before 8 a.m. on Sunday morning.

'A passenger in the Traverse and the operator of the Impala were transported by ambulance to War Memorial Hospital in West Virginia for treatment of their injuries,' the spokesperson disclosed.

'No citations were issued,' authorities said before adding 'The crash investigation remains active and ongoing.'

A spokesperson for Fetterman's office confirmed the incident to DailyMail.com.

'On Sunday morning, John and Gisele were involved in a car accident with another driver.'

A spokesperson for Fetterman's office said the Democrat received treatment for a bruised shoulder

According to authorities, the investigation into the crash remains ongoing

'Out of an abundance of caution, they were evaluated at a local hospital.'

'John was treated for a bruised shoulder and they were discharged that afternoon.'

The couple is 'doing well' and are 'happy' to be back at their home in Braddock, Pennsylvania, the spokesperson added.
As a modern dream home, a suburban 1960s bungalow might not normally seem to tick many boxes.

But despite its ordinary facade, a bungalow which has been extended and given a quirky makeover has been crowned Scotlands Home of the Year.

The spacious property has been transformed into what one of the judges on the popular BBC show described as an electrically eclectic creative home.

It features an old school gymnasium floor, artwork crafted from duct tape, a zebra carpet and a contemporary wall mural.

Sense of fun with quirky soft furnishings sum it all up

The owners let their imaginations run riot

Anna McClelland and Harry Kinlochs home in Milngavie, Dunbartonshire was named Scotlands Home of the Year by judges on the popular BBC show

Yesterday, Anna McClelland and her partner Harry Kinloch, the owners of the bungalow in Milngavie, Dunbartonshire, spoke of their pride at winning the title from a shortlist of five.

The couple, both graduates of the Glasgow School of Art, moved into the house in 2011 and have combined its transformation with raising their daughters Lexie, 11, and nine-year-old Marley.

A school gym floor is put to a new use in the transformation

Ms McClelland said: Our home is distinctive and unique because its like the inside of our heads and thats also what makes it homely to us... but maybe not for lots of other people.

Her partner added: We were genuinely shocked to win. Judge Anna Campbell-Jones said: This electrically eclectic creative home exemplifies what it means to truly make your home unique to you.

The seventh series of Scotlands Home of the Year will begin filming over the summer, while the 2024 competition is available to view on BBC iPlayer.
The mother of a missing two-year-old boy who was 'hysterical' in her search to find him has been arrested for murder after his body was found in a dumpster.

Diaja Smith, 23, was charged after Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to a call on Thursday regarding a report of a missing boy.

Officers arrived at the scene and began searching immediately - and at 12:58 am the next day, the two-year-old's body was found discarded in a dumpster on the 1300 block of Lewis Avenue. He was pronounced at the scene by medical personnel.

The police did not release his name in their press announcement. However, a missing persons flyer obtained by FOX5 identifies the toddler as Jacoby Robinson Jr.

His mother Diaja is currently being held for open murder and other felony charges.

Jacoby Robinson (pictured) was found deceased in a dumpster in Las Vegas

Pictured: Diaja Smith, 23, in court after being charged with her child's murder

The toddler's father, Jacoby Robinson, 24, was also arrested in connection with his son's murder. He faces two child abuse charges and will be facing a murder charge, according to KTNV.

Kelvyn Barnet, who lives close to where the child's body was found, told the local station that he saw his mother Diaja searching for him before she was arrested.

The mom was acting hysterical, the onlooker said.

'I saw a lady sitting there with her two other kids, really hysterical saying 'somebody took my kid, somebody took my kid,' Barnett said. 'To find out that she was the one that did this is the most shocking aspect of it all.'

He also said the mother told him that her son disappeared while she was at the park 'and the kid was on the slide and she looked around and the kid was gone.'

The victim's cause of death has not yet been released by the Clark County Coroner's office.

Both of Jacoby Jr.'s parents appeared in court on Saturday.

Pictured: Jacoby Robinson Jr, who was found dead last week

The toddler's father, Jacoby Robinson, 24, was also arrested in connection with his son's murder. He faces two child abuse charges and will be facing a murder charge

Pictured: The dumpsters where the child's lifeless body was found

Prosecutors allege that Robinson was present in the apartment during the horrific beating and whipping of the child, according to KLAS.

They also claim Robinson remained with the child afterward, even witnessing the child vomit but only helping to clear the vomit out of his mouth and nose before the child went back to sleep.

Prosecutors also said that while Robinson Jr.'s autopsy is ongoing, they have been identified of 'very concerning injuries,' the the child's entire body, particularly his genitals, from being whipped with a cord.

The parents are being held without bail. Their next court appearance will be on June 11.

It's not clear if either suspect has entered pleas or retained legal counsel.
The United Nations Security Council on Monday voted to adopt President Joe Biden's resolution that outlined a ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas.

Russia abstained from the vote, while the other 14 council member nations voted in the ceasefire plan's favor.

The resolution states that Israel has accepted the ceasefire plan and calls on Hamas' leaders to accept the three-phase plan 'without delay and without condition.'

The first phase of the resolution calls for Hamas to release Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel jails and Israeli forces leaving certain populated areas of Gaza.

The vote came as Secretary of State Antony Blinken was traveling to the region Monday, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem amid ceasefire negotiations.

Representative of the United States to the UN, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, is seen raising her hand during votes Monday. The UN Security Council voted to adopt a resolution outlining a ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hamas

President Joe Biden is captured Sunday during his trip to France to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. His ceasefire proposal got a thumbs up Monday from the U.N. Security Council, with only Russia abstaining

Netanyahu has said that Biden presented only parts of the proposal and insisted that any talk of a permanent ceasefire before dismantling Hamas' military and governing capabilities is a nonstarter.

Blinken's trip comes at a particularly tumultuous time politically for Netanyahu, as Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel's war cabinet, quit the government Sunday.

On his way out the door, Gantz accused Netanyahu of mismanaging the war and putting his 'political survival' over the country's security.

Gantz had previously said he would leave the government by June 8 if Netanyahu did not provide a new plan for how to deal with post-war Gaza.

With Gantz's departure, Netanyahu is now more reliant on far-right allies in the Israeli parliament, who have threatened to collapse his government if he implements a proposed ceasefire deal that would see hostages released if Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza.

With no firm public response yet from Hamas or Israel to the proposal they received 10 days ago, Blinken started his eighth visit to the region since the conflict began in October by meeting with President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt, a key mediator with the militant Hamas group.

Blinken once again called on Hamas to accept the plan, which he said has wide international support.

'If you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say "yes," he told reporters before leaving Cairo on the trip that will take him to Israel, Jordan and Qatar.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) Monday in Jerusalem as leaders try to iron out an Israel-Hamas hostage deal

In a handout photo Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) is seen greeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right)

Blinken said Israel has accepted the proposal, though Netanyahu has not said so directly.

'I know that there are those who are pessimistic about the prospects,' Blinken said, putting the onus squarely on Hamas. 'That's understandable. Hamas continues to show extraordinary cynicism in its actions, a disinterest not only in the well-being and security of Israelis but also Palestinians.'

Blinken said the plan on the table is the 'single best way' to get to a ceasefire, release the remaining hostages and improve regional security.

While President Joe Biden, Blinken and other U.S. officials have praised the hostage rescue, the operation resulted in the deaths of a large number of Palestinian civilians and may complicate the ceasefire push by emboldening Israel and hardening Hamas' resolve to carry on fighting in the war it started with its Oct. 7 attack into Israel.

'It's hard to say how Hamas will process this particular operation and what it will do to its determination about whether it will say yes or not,' Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said Sunday.

'We are hopeful that with enough of a chorus, the international community all speaking with one voice, Hamas will get to the right answer,' Sullivan told ABC's This Week.

In his talks with el-Sissi, Blinken also discussed plans for post-conflict governance and reconstruction in Gaza, following massive destruction there.

Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz announced his resignation from the government on Sunday

Secretary of State Antony Blinken captured as he arrived at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on Monday for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders

'It's imperative that there be a plan, and that has to involve security, it has to involve governance, it has to involve reconstruction,' Blinken said.

Netanyahu and his government have resisted calls for any 'day after' plan that would bar Israel from having some form of security presence in the territory.

Blinken said he would urge Israel to come up with alternatives that would be acceptable.

'It would be very good if Israel put forward its own ideas on this, and I'll be talking to the government about that,' he said. 'But one way or another, we've got to have these plans, we've got to have them in place, we've got to be ready to go if we want to take advantage of a ceasefire.'

The three-phase ceasefire plan calls for the release of more hostages and a temporary pause in hostilities that will last as long as it takes to negotiate the second phase, which aims to bring the release of all hostages, a 'full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza' and 'a permanent end to hostilities,' according to an American-drafted resolution put before the U.N. Security Council.

The third phase calls for reconstruction in Gaza.

The Security Council is to vote Monday afternoon on the resolution, which welcomes the proposal and urges Hamas to accept it.

But Hamas may not be the only obstacle.

Although the deal has been described as an Israeli initiative and thousands of Israelis have demonstrated in support of it, Netanyahu has expressed skepticism, saying what has been presented publicly is not accurate and that Israel is still committed to destroying Hamas.

He's in a politically sticky place as his far-right allies in parliament are against the proposed ceasefire deal.

In the aftermath of the hostage rescue over the weekend, Netanyahu pressed Gantz not to step down.

Blinken has met with Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Gantz and Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on nearly all his previous trips to Israel.

Officials said Blinken is expected to meet with Gantz on Tuesday.

Despite Blinken's roughly once-a-month visits to the region since the war began, the conflict has ground on with more than 37,120 Palestinians killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its counts.

Hamas and other militants killed some 1,200 people in the Oct. 7 attack, mostly civilians, and took around 250 people hostage.

The war has severely hindered the flow of food, medicine and other supplies to the Palestinians in Gaza, who are facing widespread hunger. U.N. agencies say more than 1 million people in the territory could experience the highest level of starvation by mid-July.

In Jordan, Blinken will take part in an emergency international conference on improving the flow of aid to Gaza.
Neighbors of an investment banker filmed punching a woman in the face were heard hurling insults at a young man and woman entering his posh Park Slope townhouse Tuesday.

The neighbor, Christine Doyle, previously panned puncher Jonathan Kaye, 52, and his family as antisocial in an interview with DailyMail.com, and made those feelings known as the unknown pair arrived at the $4million four-bedroom.

'You're father is disgusting - you better move. You're disgusting. You're father's a b*tch,' the woman snarled, as the male member of the party first flipped paparazzi flocked outside before frantically fumbling with his set of keys.

Both he and his companion wore surgical masks and sunglasses - but that provided little protection from the neighbor's tirade over now viral footage of Kaye's attack at Brooklyn's Pride parade Saturday night.

'You've been the worst neighbors all these years,' she continued, as the two turned their backs while attempting to gain entry. 'You're father is going to jail. You make me sick.'

Insults were hurled at this young man and woman as they entered a posh Park Slope townhouse Tuesday - one that belongs to an investment banker filmed punching a woman in the face Monday

Jonathan Kaye, 52, was seen throwing a vicious overhand right at the unnamed woman in Park Slope during Brooklyn's event. His four bedroom townhouse where the two entered is located just blocks away, and is valued at over $4million

The verbal onslaught concluded when the duo finally got through the door, but earlier in the day, residents of the ritzy enclave exhibited similar disgust.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, one neighbor said: 'I can't believe this is in my neighborhood! When are they going to come and arrest him?'

Doyle, meanwhile, added of the Moelis & Company Managing Director and his clan: 'Everyone else here says hello to their neighbors.

'They say nothing. They're really insular.

'We all know each other. But these guys have never been friendly.'

She spoke as a poster shaming his actions was erected not far away, complete with the bigshot's phone number and the full address of his luxurious brownstone home

'They never care when you say something to them,' she continued of Kaye, hours after Kaye's firm Moelis, a leading investment bank with offices in Midtown, confirmed to DailyMail.com that he was involved and they were investigating.

'They think they are above everything,' Doyle continued, angered like so many others by the circulating footage.

'He leaves in his big black car at 6am every morning. Whatever he is doing, I've always said it's the devil's work.'

That routine presumably changed Tuesday, with Doyle revealing how she has yet to see her increasingly hated neighbor since the Saturday night incident.

When asked what she would say to him, the woman proclaimed: 'Please leave this neighborhood because men who punch women are not welcome here.'

Kaye was recorded throwing a vicious overhand right at an unnamed woman during the borough's Pride Parade in the neighborhood Saturday.

The verbal onslaught concluded when the duo finally got through the door, but earlier in the day, residents of the ritzy enclave exhibited similar disgust

The woman is seen being thrown to the floor by the force of the punch, though it is unclear what sparked the confrontation.

Others looking on are heard calling Kaye an 'a**hole' and telling him to 'go f**k himself' - earning his attention briefly before he abruptly walks away.

The footage, meanwhile, is short and shaky, but includes a moment where Kaye turns to the camera after knocking the woman to the floor.

Kaye walks off, holding a bag in one hand, with a wet stain on the back of his blazer.

In one clip containing a caption overlaid over the footage, a user wrote: 'This guy punched me in the face today and broke my nose. [He also] busted up my friends[sic] arm... can anyone find him?'

A spokesperson for his employer confirmed to DailyMail.com that Kaye is the man seen in the viral video, and said that it has already spurred an investigation.

'We have become aware that one of our employees was involved in a serious incident in Brooklyn on June 8,' a Moelis representative said, as the 12-second snippet continues to gain traction online.

'We take this matter very seriously and are conducting an investigation,' she added.

Insiders close to the 52-year-old banker claim the viral clip did not capture the full clash on Saturday, which began when a group of four female 'Queers for Palestine' supporters started allegedly taunting Kaye - who is Jewish - as he returned from dinner.

Kaye is said to have told the group that they were 'on the wrong side', prompting the women to gang up on him, the source said.

'He just said "you are on the wrong side", and then the four of them came at him - they threw liquids at him. He didn't know what the liquid was. They were shouting slurs at him.

'He fell or he was chest bumped, and can't remember that bit. But he ended up on the pavement with them four over him.

The banker, seen here turning in the wake of the attack, works as a Managing Director at Moelis & Company, a leading investment bank with offices in Midtown Manhattan

A source with knowledge of the incident said the viral clip does not tell the whole story, which they claim began when a group of Queers for Palestine supporters attacked Kaye as he left dinner. Pictured: Kaye's injuries

'He got up and swung at one as he was trying to escape, and then he ran.'

They also claim that the footage shows Kaye covered in liquid, with a stain on his back, in the now-viral video.

Pictures obtained by DailyMail.com show Kaye's clothes soaked in a red liquid, which he believes was Gatorade, and blood pooling around his ankle after he was shoved to the floor.

The NYPD has said they are also aware of the viral video, but added that no one has filed a police report regarding it.

The NYPD has said they are aware of the viral video but no one has filed a police report regarding the incident. Kaye - who owns multiple properties on the street that he rents out - is pictured here

The wealthy neighborhood has been left reeling as a result of the attack. A poster sharing the puncher's address nearby is seen here

Other neighbors described how Kaye lives his wife and kids in the posh residence, while also owning multiple properties on the street, which he rents out to neighbors.

One said she was 'shocked' when she saw the footage this morning, adding that the father-of-three always seemed 'normal', although she normally spoke with his wife.

Another neighbor described scenes of chaos on the usually quiet street last night, as the victim's friends ran up and down screaming that Kaye had assaulted a woman.

Kaye had barricaded himself in his home Monday morning, and an unknown man wearing a hoodie and sunglasses skulked into the property.

He said he did not live there, but did not say what he was doing.

Kaye oversees ten verticals within Moelis's Business Services faction, managing 'a dedicated team of bankers and... an extensive network of relationships with both strategic companies and private equity investors,' according to his profile on the firm's website.
READ MORE: Man discovered with large knife sticking out of his hand

Police on the hunt for group of eight men

A man has been shot and a house doused in petrol during a horror home invasion.

Emergency services rushed to a home on Mary Wade Place in Carnes Hill, southwest of Sydney, at about 12.45am on Tuesday.

A 25-year-old man who had been shot in the leg was treated at the home before he was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a stable but serious condition.

NSW Police said the man had been shot twice.

Officers were told eight men wearing face coverings forced their way into the home.

A car parked in the driveway of the Carnes Hill home sustained gunshot damage (pictured)

Forensics are seen at the scene of the home invasion on Tuesday

Emergency services rushed to a home on Mary Wade Place in Carnes Hill, about 40km southwest of Sydney's, CBD, at about 12.45am on Tuesday

Petrol was poured through the home but not ignited.

A car parked in the driveway was blasted with a shotgun before the group fled in two separate vehicles.

NSW Police believe the incident was targeted and have launched an investigation.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Liverpool Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
BP staff must now disclose all intimate relationships with co-workers  or risk getting sacked.

In a major shake-up of the oil giant's code of conduct after its former boss was dismissed over office affairs last year, all workplace liaisons have to be reported to the board.

But the company has said the updated rules do not affect new chief executive Murray Auchincloss' relationship with fellow BP high-flyer Julia Emanuele.

Previously, BP's 90,000-strong workforce were obliged to disclose relationships with colleagues only if they felt that there could be a conflict of interest.

The revised policy also bans anyone being in a couple with someone they 'directly or indirectly manage'  and breaking the rules could result in dismissal.

BP's new chief executive Murray Auchincloss is in relationship with fellow BP high-flyer Julia Emanuele but has banned his staff from having their own workplace romances

Julia Emanuele is the chief operating officer of the lucrative crude trading division and her relationship with her boss is allowed despite new rules

Meanwhile, senior leaders  numbering around 4,500 executives  must report any intimate relationships that have occurred at work over the past three years to reflect the 'influence' that leaders have over employees. Senior figures have three months to draw up a list.

Mr Auchincloss and Ms Emanuele  who is the chief operating officer of the lucrative crude trading division  are excepted from the new rules as they have already made disclosures to the board and appropriate mitigation was taken.

Mr Auchincloss notified the board of the relationship in July 2020, when he was hired as finance chief. When he took over as chief executive last September, the board confirmed Mr Auchincloss was in a 'longstanding relationship and his partner also works in BP'.

The company said at the time that the office romance had 'been fully and appropriately disclosed within BP, including through his recruitment as chief financial officer almost four years ago'.

The changes come after the board  led by chairman Helge Lund  last year found former chief executive Bernard Looney guilty of serious misconduct.

Mr Looney had disclosed four relationships with colleagues before additional affairs came to light. The Irish businessman was stripped of 32million in pay and bonuses after his dismissal.

Dan Parker, senior associate at law firm Forsters, said: 'Removing the discretion for individuals to decide whether their relationship poses a conflict of interest is potentially wise.

Former boss Bernard Looney, was dismissed over office affairs last year

Of BP's four most recent CEOs, three have left in disgrace. Former boss Lord Browne resigned in 2007 after lying to a court to hide details about his relationship with another man

'It does, in turn, put pressure to define what is considered a reportable 'relationship' and there will no doubt still be relationships which are not disclosed.'

Of BP's four most recent CEOs, three have left in disgrace. Former boss Lord Browne resigned in 2007 after lying to a court to hide details about his relationship with another man. His successor Tony Hayward was forced to quit after just three years in the wake of 2010's Deepwater Horizon spill.

BP said the review of workplace relationship rules was scheduled for this year as it was last updated in 2018, and the changes came into effect at the beginning of June.

The new policy says: 'The policy requires conflicts of interest to be disclosed, recorded and  where appropriate  mitigated.

'Familial and intimate relationships at work can constitute a conflict of interest.'
Sir Ed Davey yesterday unveiled his vision for Britain to rejoin the European Union as his party launched its manifesto.

The Liberal Democrat leader committed to rejoining the single market, which would result in the return of free movement, as one of four steps towards the 'longer-term objective' of EU membership.

A Lib Dem spokesman said: 'Everyone knows the Liberal Democrats want to fix our broken relationship with Europe. As Ed said recently, it will take time before the Single Market is an option, it's not on the table at this election.'

The proposal was among a host of radical plans  including cannabis shops on high streets, gender self-ID and a 500 per cent increase of council tax on second homes  in the 116-page manifesto.

The Liberal Democrat leader committed to rejoining the single market, which would result in the return of free movement

The Lib Dems said they would 'regulate' cannabis in order to tackle criminal gangs (stock photo)

To tackle criminal gangs and super-strength cannabis, the Lib Dems said they would introduce 'a legal, regulated market' for the class B drug with sales restricted to over-18s from licensed retailers.

The party would also reform the gender recognition process to remove the requirement for medical reports, recognise non-binary identities in law, and remove the spousal veto  which requires married applicants to get the consent of their spouse. Overall, the party plans to hike taxes by almost 27 billion to fund major investments in health, social care and public services.

It includes reforms to capital gains tax (CGT)  paid on profits from selling an asset  which would raise 5 billion by 2028/29. The party would bring in new rates for CGT, akin to income tax bands, and increase the tax-free allowance.

Rejoining the Single Market would be one of four steps towards the 'longer-term objective' of EU membership (stock photo)

At the core of the pitch to voters was a package of health and care pledges  with a plan to recruit or retain 8,000 extra GPs to give a right to be seen by a doctor within seven days.

Sir Ed, who is a carer for his 16-year-old son John, said as he launched his plan in east London: 'The truth is, unless we properly value care, unless we properly support carers, we will never be able to fix the crisis in our NHS or get our economy back on track.

'And that's why I'm so proud the Liberal Democrats have put health and care at the heart of our campaign in this General Election, and at the heart of our manifesto too.'

Last night Tory chairman Richard Holden said: 'A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to put Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street. Everyone would pay the price for that.'
Seeka Limited [NZX: SEK ] is pleased to announce a significant increase in the number of class 1 kiwifruit trays packed this harvest season. In total 43.0 million trays were packed compared to 29.8 million last year. This 44% increase is a pleasing recovery after two very challenging years impacted by weather events.

The additional volume was efficiently processed by our facilities and well within our capability. Availability of labour and automation improvements both contributed to a smooth and effective packing season. Shipping is proceeding well. The impact of the Zespri shipment infested by rodents is not expected to materially impact earnings.

While the increased trays packed is a signal of a return to profitability, it is too early to accurately predict the financial outcome and to be able to provide reliable financial guidance. The Company expects to update the market later in the year. Seeka remains focused on maximising operational earnings, debt reduction, and achieving financial leverage targets.

The Company thanks all growers, suppliers, contractors and staff for their efforts in concluding the 2024 New Zealand kiwifruit harvest.

Release ends.

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Tributes to Dr Michael Mosley continued to flood in yesterday, with No 10 praising him for 'transforming lives for the better'.

The Prime Minister's spokesman said news of his death at the age of 67 was 'heartbreaking'. They added: 'We've seen some incredibly touching tributes which have made clear the huge impact that Dr Mosley had on people and helped to transform people's lives for the better.'

Chef and healthy eating campaigner Jamie Oliver wrote on Instagram: 'What a wonderfully sweet, kind and gentle man he was... He was a curious investigator, producer and presenter and often changed the conversation around many public health issues for the better.'

A five-day search for Dr Michael Mosley ended in tragedy on Sunday morning

The Prime Minister's spokesman said news of his death at the age of 67 was 'heartbreaking'

Chris van Tulleken, Dr Mosley's co-presenter on BBC2's Trust Me, I'm A Doctor, said: 'Broadcasting can be very competitive and a bit cut-throat. Michael set this tone where we have all become friends. On screen we're all pals, off screen we're all pals.'

He added that like so many other fans, he too 'quietly changed my daily practices' based on Dr Mosley's tips.

Co-star Dr Saleyha Ahsan said Dr Mosley's 'really personable accessible character' that came across on television was 'exactly how he was in real life'. 'He just had this ability to break down the complex and make it accessible to all,' she told BBC Breakfast.

Meanwhile, academic and broadcaster Professor Alice Roberts wrote on X: 'The fragility of life is so shocking... we met up at Hay Festival just two weeks ago. I can't believe he's gone.'

Dr Mosley, 67, was found dead on the Greek island of Symi on Sunday morning after taking the wrong turn onto a mountain path

His body was discovered here just a mere 260ft from a beach resort and safety

A five-day search for the much-loved health guru and Mail columnist ended in tragedy on Sunday morning when his body was found face up in a rocky area at the resort of Agia Marina.

The 67-year-old was found dead by a fence just 260 feet from a beach bar and safety.

The initial post-mortem examination carried out by Rhodes coroner Despina Nethena showed that there was no third party involvement and no 'criminal' element involved - but a definite cause of death has yet to be established.

It is thought Dr Mosley may have sat down to gather himself after being overcome with exhaustion and by effects of the heat having taken a wrong turn down a mountain path.

This map shows the different paths across the Greek island which were available

Dimos Kotsidaras, police commander for Symi, said: 'It looks like cause of death was heat exhaustion after walking in high temperatures from St Nicholas to Agia Marina.'

Police and the coroner are also investigating footage from the restaurant seen by MailOnline which shows Dr Mosley wandering in a confused state for twenty minutes before collapsing last Wednesday.

Temperatures at the time had been nudging 40C and the excessive heat is thought to have played a role in his death.

In the video he appears to pause momentarily by the perimeter wall, resting one hand on it and then he loses his balance and disappears from sight.

Symi Crisis Rescue Volunteer Team posted a message of condolence to on Dr Michael Mosley's wife, children, relatives and friends for their 'tragic loss'.
Hunter Biden's lawyer turned on the president's son's exes and accused prosecutors of being 'cruel' to his daughter Naomi in extraordinary closing arguments in his federal gun trial on Monday.

Defense attorney Abbe Lowell said Hunter's ex Hallie Biden, who is also his brother's widow, did something 'incredibly stupid' when she threw his gun in the trash at a grocery store in 2018.

He also tried to undercut the testimony of Hunter's former stripper girlfriend Zoe Kestan by claiming she had no evidence the defendant was using drugs when they were together, and accused her of lying when she said he 'smoked crack every 20 minutes'.

'No pipes, no scales, no drugs, not even alcohol,' he said of Kestan's testimony before the jury was sent out for deliberations. They deliberated for an hour before being sent home for the day.

The 54-year-old Hunter's fate is now in the hands of 12 of his peers who will decide if he becomes the first son of a sitting president to become a convicted felon.

Defense attorney Abbe Lowell said Hunter's brother's widow and ex Hallie Biden did something 'incredibly stupid' when she threw his gun in the trash at a grocery store in 2016

He faces a maximum of up to 25 years in prison for each of the three federal firearms charges he is facing.

In a highly-charged day in court, Ashley Biden ran out in tears and the prosecutors disclosed bombshell text messages Hunter sent to a drug dealer around the time he bought the .38-caliber Colt Cobra revolver at the center of the case.

DailyMail.com also revealed he withdrew $800 in cash from an ATM and met with a dealer hours before he went to the gun store.

Hunter was again joined by a large support group of family members including first lady Jill Biden and uncle Jim Biden - who has been scrutinized for allegedly using Joe's name in business deals.

In his closing statement, Lowell accused prosecutors of asking Hunter's daughter Naomi if she used drugs to fill 'gaping holes' in their case.

He banged his fist on the lectern and glared at the opposing side as he delivered the stark message.

Prosecutor Derek Hines rejected defense suggestions that questioning of Naomi, 30, earlier in the trial had been 'extraordinarily cruel'.

Hallie Biden, daughter in-law of U.S. President Joe Biden, departs from the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building after testifying in the trial of Hunter Biden on June 06, 2024

Naomi Biden departs from federal court in Wilmington, Delaware on Friday, June 7, 2024 after giving evidence in the trial of her father Hunter Biden

Defense attorney Lowell also tried to undercut the testimony of his former stripper girlfriend Zoe Kestan, by claiming she had no evidence he was using drugs when they were together and accused her of lying when she said he 'smoked crack every 20 minutes'.

'No pipes, no scales, no drugs, not even alcohol,' he said of Kestan's testimony before the jury was sent out for deliberations

Hines said: 'Who called the defendant's daughter as a witness in this case? Not us.'

Naomi was called by the defense and then cross-examined by the prosecution.

Hines said several things Lowell had said in his closing arguments were 'completely unfair'.

That also included suggesting that the jury has Hunter Biden's life in its hands.

The three charges the jury are considering are lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on an application by saying he was not a drug user, and illegally having the gun for 11 days.

The defense argued that Hallie had done something 'incredibly stupid' on October 23rd, 2018.

Hallie threw out the gun in a dumpster behind a grocery store when she discovered it.

Lowell went on to say that she may have thrown it out 'for love' of Hunter.

Hallie and Hunter engaged in a romantic relationship after the death of his brother Beau, and used drugs together.

Hunter Biden arrives to federal court with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, Monday, June 10, 2024, in Wilmington, Del.

First lady Jill Biden departs from federal court Monday, June 10, 2024

Joe Biden's brother James Biden departs from federal court Monday, June 10, 2024, in Wilmington, Del

Naomi Biden (C), daughter of Hunter Biden, leaves the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on June 07, 2024 in Wilmington, Delaware

Lowell also accused DEA agent Joshua Romig of trumping up evidence that Hunter routinely withdrew thousands of dollars in cash as an inference of drug use, while admitting that the money absolutely can be used for other purchases.

He said Romig and prosecutors were making a suspicion or conjecture and hoping you wont notice the difference.

Lowell left open the possibility that Hunter had relapsed in the fall of 2018 into his alcohol addiction, but said this did not mean he was back using crack.

He said that the StarQuest Shooters gun store salesman Cleveland was careful who he sold guns to, and that on that day Mr. Biden did not exhibit any of the things that would have given him pause when selling, including glassy eyes, smelling of drugs or alcohol, or apparent inebriation.

The defense lawyer pointed out that after Hallie did something incredibly stupid by throwing Hunters gun in a public trash can, Hunter told her to call the police, cooperated with the investigation, and was treated as a victim not a perpetrator.

Hunter has not asked anyone to excuse or forgive him, Lowell said, but added that it was unfair to take Hunters words about being an addict out of context.

Ashley Biden, left, departs from federal court, Monday, June 10, 2024, in Wilmington, Del

A picture of the gun submitted in evidence in the trial

After the jury went out Hunter exited arm-in-arm with his wife Melissa.

Lowell told the jury it was time to end this case.

He criticized the prosecution for treating incidents in Hunters four years of addiction like an accordion, squeezing together distant events to make them seem like they happened in a short space of time.

They take various years, make a continuum, then shrink it down, he said.

Lowell argued Hunter had plenty of time between his debauchery in early 2018 and his gun purchase in October to get sober, and that he did so.

He likened the prosecutors to magicians, playing a sleight of hand with the evidence by distracting the jury with one set of facts while attempting to hide inconvenient information.

Lowell said there was nothing in Hunters book about drugs between his stay in Los Angeles in the first half of 2018, and his gun purchase in October  though excerpts quoted by Wise earlier seemed to contradict that claim.

He poured cold water on Kestans testimony, saying that she didnt have actual photos of Hunter with crack pipes or drugs in September of 2018, when she said he was smoking crack every 20 minutes, while she did have that evidence for earlier months.

In the critical time you have to believe Zoe Kestan what does she not have? he said.

He alluded to the six hours over three meetings she had with prosecutors to prepare, or should I say rehearse her testimony  prompting an objection from Hines.

She wouldnt go out with Hunter until she found out who he was, Lowell added, painting her as a gold-digger who might lie on the stand.

Turning to Hallie, Lowell reminded the jury of Hallies confusion and poor recollection during his cross-examination of her, about where she allegedly found drugs and paraphernalia in Hunters car on October 23 2018.

She could remember what the prosecutors asked her. Not so much other things, he said, wryly.

He also claimed there was reasonable doubt over Hunters 4am October 16 visit to a 7-Eleven, evidenced by geolocated videos he texted, recovered by investigators.

Media gather outside the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building United States Courthouse, Friday, June 7, 2024

They want to give you the inference that what he was doing was buying drugs at the 7-Eleven, rather than buying a cup of coffee waiting for Hallie, Lowell said, adding that believing it was to meet a dealer was suspicion or conjecture, not fact.

He explained away Hunters texts to Hallie about meeting a dealer, saying: He wasnt thinking five years later hed be sitting in a courtroom trying to explain the way they talked to each other.

His half-sister Ashley exited early during the prosecutor's closing statement, crying  not for the first time during the trial.

Hunters aunt Valerie Owens, with whom he is very close, wore dark sunglasses inside that concealed any tears.

Getting the last word in the arguments, prosecutor Derek Hines turned the case on its head, listing all the testimony he said the jury would have to believe were lies in order to acquit the defendant.

Hines said Hunter would have had to have been lying in his text messages to Hallie that he was meeting a dealer and smoking crack in the two days after he bought the gun.

Hunter would have had to have been lying in his own book, in which he said he relapsed in September 2018 and continued using drugs in October.

The gun store where Hunter Biden bought a revolver

A picture submitted as evidence in the trial

An image submitted as evidence shows bottles of booze all over a table

More evidence submitted by the prosecution

The jury would need to believe Hunters ex-lover and brothers widow, Hallie Biden, was lying when she said she found drug detritus and paraphernalia in Hunters truck on October 23.

Hines said that if Hunter Biden had simply been an addict struggling with personal problems 'we would not be here in this courtroom.'

Hunter instead is on trial for buying a gun and lying about being a drug addict when he did so, Hines said.

Hines told the jury the evidence clearly shows Hunter Biden had a pattern of illegal drug use at the time he bought the gun.

Prosecutors don't have to prove Hunter used drugs on the day he bought the gun or that he was under the influence while in the gun store, he said.

Wise focused on Kestans testimony, saying that based on her description of Hunter smoking crack every 20 minutes weeks before he bought the gun, you could convict based on those facts alone.

They also highlighted the $150,000 Hunter pulled from ATMs during the three months from September through November 2018, arguing that at least some of it was spent on drugs.
A popular brewery that played a 'pivotal' role in the craft beer movement will close its doors for good after more than three decades in business.

Lion, one of the largest beverage companies in the world, will close the Malt Shovel Brewery in Sydney's Camperdown by the end of August.

The brewery is responsible for crafting a series of popular beers including Eumundi, Little Creatures, New Belgium and James Squire.

Staff members have been notified about the impending closure with products to be brewed at plants in northern NSW and Geelong in Victoria.

Lion's managing director James Brindley cited increased production costs, cost-of-living pressures and government excise as forcing the closure.

The Malt Shovel Brewery in Sydney's Camperdown (pictured) by the end of August

The brewery is responsible for crafting a series of popular beers including Eumundi, Little Creatures, New Belgium and James Squire

'This week we've informed our valued team members at Malt Shovel Brewery of the difficult decision we have taken  which is that we are proposing to close the site at the end of August 2024,' Mr Brindley said in a statement.

'It's been a tough time for all players in the Australian beer industry  with overall volumes declining by 100 million litres since 2019, continuing a long-term decline in consumption of beer.

'There have also been ongoing cost of living pressures reducing discretionary spending, and continuing increases in costs like energy, labour and ingredients, as well as government excise, which is now the third-highest in the world.'

The Malt Shovel Brewery was first opened in 1988 by independent brewer Chuck Hahn and was acquired by Lion in 1993.

The brewhouse soon became the heart of Lion's craft beer business and played a 'pivotal role' in Australia's craft beer movement.

It comes just three weeks after Asahi, Lion's biggest competitor, closed their Matilda Bay brewpub in Victoria's Yarra Valley on May 19 - citing high costs.

A string of independent breweries have collapsed in recent months following a series of hikes to alcohol taxes and operational costs.

The Malt Shovel Brewery was first opened in 1988 by independent brewer Chuck Hahn

Small and medium breweries Deeds Brewing, Big Shed, Hawkers and Golden West have all entered administration since the start of the year.

They followed other outfits such as Ballistic, Parched, Wicked Elf and Running With Thieves who collapsed during 2023.

The Carringbush Hotel, in Melbourne's inner north-west, was forced to close its doors after 135 years of business.

Owner Liam Matthews, 47, claimed he would have to charge $20 a beer in order to remain afloat amid the 'horrendous' costs.

'We're putting more in the till than ever, but what is left over is less than ever,' Mr Matthews told the Australian Financial Review.

'The customer is not ready for that so we take the hit. The brewers and deliverers are facing similar pressures and pass costs on to us, but we're the end of the line.'

Last month, financial services and software company CreditorWatch predicted in a report predicted in one in 13 hospitality businesses would fail in the next 12 months.

The report claimed businesses were at the discretion of spending customers - a demographic that had 'dried up as cost-of-living pressures mount'.
Rudy Giuliani smirks and looks down in front of the camera in his mugshot in the Arizona 'fake electors' case that was released on Monday.

The 80-year-old posed for his booking photo after he was indicted in Maricopa County for allegedly pressuring election officials to change the results of the 2020 election.

It's Giuliani's second mugshot, after he was also indicted in August 2023 on election fraud charges in Fulton County along with Donald Trump.

'America's Mayor' has pleaded not guilty to nine charges against him after he appeared in court virtually for a hearing on May 21, where a judge threatened to mute him.

Giuliani came to global prominence as the mayor of New York City on 9/11. In recent years he became known as Donald Trump's personal lawyer, and a key adviser on his efforts to hold on to power after the 2020 election.

Rudy Giuliani smirks and looks down in front of the camera in his mugshot in the Arizona 'fake electors' case

Giuliani is also facing charges in Fulton County, Georgia  where he is among the 18 co-defendants of former President Trump in the election interference case brought by District Attorney Fani Willis.

Just three days before the headshot in the Arizona case was released, Giuliani sparked furious backlash over his comments at the ReAwaken America Tour where he called Willis a 'ho' at an event at a mega church in Michigan.

Meanwhile, at the hearing in Arizona, the judge gave Giuliani 30 days to turn himself in to be arrested.

She also allowed the cash-strapped defendant who has filed for bankruptcy to provide a secured bond for that amount.

Her admonition came as Giuliani attacked the indictment against him and stressed financial hardships, while noting that he has showed up for repeat court appearances.

'I've been sued about 20 to 25 times by a very similar movement to this one, which is the, let's see what we can do to destroy Donald Trump,' Giuliani complained in his online appearance.

'I do consider this indictment a complete embarrassment to the American legal system, but I've shown no tendency not to comply.'

A spokesman for the Trump ally lamented to DailyMail.com that the indictment is 'yet another example of partisan actors weaponizing the criminal justice system to interfere with the 2024 presidential election.'

'Mayor Rudy Giuliani... will be fully vindicated,' Ted Goodman added.

Giuliani was served notice of his indictment in the Arizona 'fake electors' case as he celebrated his 80th birthday with MAGA allies including Roger Stone and Steve Bannon in Palm Beach last month.

'The mayor was completely unfazed and even laughed as he was handed the papers and drove away,' said an outraged attendee.

'Guests were visibly angry as they shouted at the individuals that served the former mayor.'

It's Giuliani's second mugshot, after he was also indicted in August 2023 on election fraud charges in Fulton County along with Donald Trump

Giuliani has filed for bankruptcy and has faced mounting legal issues in the last two years

Some were left in tears, said the source, as if it were all a part of an effort to humiliate and intimidate Giuliani and his friends.

Earlier Giuliani taunted Arizona officials from the party, posting on X that they were running out of time to serve him in the case.

Prosecutors had been trying for weeks to deliver official notice that we he has to appear in court on May 21.

Giuliani spokesman Ted Goodman said the former New York mayor was unfazed by the episode.

'He enjoyed an incredible evening with hundreds of people who love him  from all walks of life  and we look forward to vindication soon,' he said.

Several members of Trump's inner circle have been indicted in the Arizona case.

The include his former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, legal adviser Boris Epshteyn, and former campaign aide Mike Roman.

Trump himself is not named in the indictment, but he is believed to be 'Unindicted Coconspirator 1.'

'In Arizona, and the United States, the people elected Joseph Biden as President on November 3, 2020,' the indictment reads.

'Unwilling to accept this fact, defendants and unindicted coconspirators schemed to prevent the lawful transfer of the presidency to keep Unindicted Coconspirator 1 in office against the will of Arizona's voters.'
Lynn's family thought it 'comical' when seeing his 4WD on TV

His wife Melanie Lynn had no idea of his secret life

The wife of former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn had no idea he had been living a secret double life directly under her nose until police charged him with two murders.

Melanie Lynn has attended court every day of her husband's trial, navigating past hordes of photographers as they fired off dozens of shots in her direction.

Lynn, 57, has pleaded not guilty in the Supreme Court of Victoria to the murders of Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, in the Wonnangatta Valley, in Victoria's Alpine region, on March 20, 2020.

Melanie Lynn makes her way into the Supreme Court of Victoria past a waiting camera man

Greg Lynn managed to dupe his entire family that he had nothing to do with the secret lover camper mystery

Lynn had in fact managed to convince his entire family he had nothing to do with the camper mystery, which a jury has heard had been the subject of widespread media reports for more than a year before the pilot's arrest.

Wrapped in a doona within the ice-cold interview room of the Sale police station, in Victoria's Gippsland region, Lynn told detectives his wife was clueless about what he had been up to since his fateful run-in with the elderly campers.

While Lynn has always denied murdering the couple, the jury has repeatedly heard he freely admitted to cleaning up the alleged crime scene and destroying the evidence.

When Lynn was arrested in November 2021 in Victoria's rugged wilderness, his wife was caught by complete surprise.

Just days earlier, the couple had joked about how similar a vehicle linked to the alleged murders looked like his.

An image of Lynn's dark-coloured Nissan Patrol, towing the trailer he admits using to dumping the bodies, had appeared on Channel Nine's 60 Minutes program.

'The car in the images did look a lot like my car,' Lynn explained to the jury on Thursday.

'It, um, it was my car. My family still didn't believe that it was my car. Um, they thought that was quite comical that it looked so familiar.

'But it certainly did look like my car and removing the awning made it look less.'

Greg Lynn used a roller and ordinary house paint to disguise his Nissan Patrol

Video of Lynn removing his 4WD's awning was played to the jury this week.

It showed Lynn pull into the driveway of his Caroline Springs home with a gas tank before returning to remove the distinct awning that was attached to the vehicle in the image shown on 60 Minutes.

Lynn had already gone to the effort to change the colour of his vehicle and sell the trailer that featured on the program.

An image shown to the jury captured Lynn using an ordinary roller to paint his vehicle in June 2020 - just months after police allege he murdered the campers.

His own wife had taken the supposed happy snap later used in evidence against him.

'Well, she's seen me paint it many times before,' Lynn told police during his record of interview.

Lynn said he used Dulux Metal Shield to perform the paint job, using a 'sandbank' colour he had previously bought for the intention of painting his Jayco Hawk campervan.

'So, you know, "Oh, here he goes again, he's painting his car,"' Lynn told police.

At the time, Lynn had been stood down from his job as a pilot due to the first of many Covid lockdowns.

Greg Lynn removed the awning from his car after watching a 60 Minutes report that featured his 4WD

Greg Lynn had managed to convince his family he had nothing to do with the alleged murders

Melanie Lynn had been a flight attendant when her husband allegedly killed the campers

Lynn told police his wife had been preoccupied with Victoria's first lockdown when he returned from his fateful trip into the wilderness.

'When I came back from that one, the whole world was just falling apart. Yeah. That was on Sunday,' he told police.

'I'd spoken to her on the Saturday, and she told me, "Greg, the whole country is going into lockdown, this is absolute pandemonium."

'I said, "I could tell something was up, 'cause of all the cars just driving every which way."'

Lynn told police his wife was more worried about obtaining basic supplies in the Covid lockdown than what he had been up to out in the bush.

'And she said, "You can't buy toilet paper, you can't buy cleaning stuff 'cause the stores are just empty,"' Lynn said.

'When I arrived, she took me to the refrigerator, and she had up there a Covid plan that she'd taken from the paper, and spent the whole afternoon telling me what I missed the past week as the world was - world was unravelling.

'So that was how that day was spent - she didn't ask anything about my trip.'

Taking to the witness box, Lynn told the jury he still hadn't talked to his family about what went on in the wilderness.

Carol Clay was shot in the head. What happened to Russell Hill is only known by Greg Lynn, who claims he fell on his own knife during a struggle

An image of Lynn's vehicle as it appeared on 60 Minutes. Police already knew who it belonged to and were listening to Lynn on secret recording devices

He claimed he did not tell his wife out of fear of making her an accessory to the crime of destroying evidence.

'I lied to my wife,' Lynn said.

'It would be involving her in a problem that was nothing to do with her... I lied to my wife to protect her... If I told her, then she would then be involved in it.'

Lynn told the jury he had been placed into financial difficulty by the Covid-19 lockdowns directly after the alleged murders.

'At that time I was living with my wife and we still had a mortgage on our house. She had part-time work as a flight attendant, which is not well-paid, and it would have caused severe financial hardship for us, for I still had two boys living at home at that stage; one in high school,' Lynn said.

At the time of his arrest, Lynn had been working as a pilot for 36 years.

'I picked asparagus once during one period of unemployment,' Lynn claimed.

'I've been retrenched several times and I've done menial jobs. I worked as a river guide once in Tasmania, but I have no formal qualifications for anything.'

Lynn maintained the campers died as a result of a tragic accident, claiming Mr Hill shot Ms Clay dead before falling on his own knife moments later in a deadly struggle.

'I am innocent of murder,' he told the jury. 'I haven't killed anyone.'

Lynn told the court he was happy to wear any punishment handed down for his 'despicable' efforts to cover-up what happened that night.

'All I can say to the families is that I am very sorry for your suffering that I caused,' Lynn said.

'I should be punished for what I did.'

The jury is expected to retire to consider its verdict by the end of the week.
She paid homage to her humble beginnings by forgoing a tiara on her wedding day.

Nevertheless, Rania Al-Yassin - now Queen of Jordan - charmed guests with her captivating presence when she married Prince Abdullah 31 years ago today.

The couple first met at a dinner party in 1992 and were engaged six months later, exchanging vows on June 10, 1993, in a grand ceremony at the Zahran Palace in Amman, Jordan.

Despite tradition dictating that royal brides wear family jewels, Rania, born into a humble Palestinian family in Kuwait, made a statement by wearing a simple embellished headband attached to her veil, symbolising her roots.

Speed freak Abdullah, who is known for his love of motorbikes, rally driving and scuba diving, wore military uniform and a ceremonial sword at his hip.

Rania chose British designer Bruce Oldfield to craft her custom-made dress, which featured gold floral embroidery, a voluminous ivory satin skirt and matching jacket.

The latter was designed with distinctive lapels, short sleeves and a detachable belt - an element that her daughter, Princess Iman , borrowed for her own pre-wedding henna ceremony in 2023.

Reports suggest that Oldfield found inspiration for the gown from formal Syrian dresses exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London .

She paid homage to her humble beginnings by forgoing a tiara on her wedding day. Nevertheless, Rania Al-Yassin - now Queen of Jordan - charmed guests with her captivating presence when she married Prince Abdullah 31 years ago today

The couple first met at a dinner party in 1992 and were engaged six months later, exchanging vows on June 10, 1993, in a grand ceremony at the Zahran Palace in Amman, Jordan. Above: Rania and Prince Abdullah on their wedding day

Speed freak Abdullah is known for his love of motorbikes. Above: King Abdullah ll of Jordan on his Harley Davidson motorbike while filming 2002 travel documentary Jordan: The Royal Tour

Following their nuptials, the pair became parents to Crown Prince Hussein, 29, Princess Iman, 27, Princess Salma, 23, and Prince Hashem, 19.

Abdullah previously enjoyed sky diving but had to give up the dangerous hobby when he became monarch on the death of his father in 1999.

He displayed his passion for motorbikes in a 2002 Discovery Channel documentary where he was seen riding through his country on a Harley Davidson.

Last March, Princess Iman gave a touching nod to her parents' big day by wearing her mother's white and gold wedding belt as she took part in her henna ceremony.

Rania and Abdullah saw Hussein get married last year. He tied the knot with Rajwa Al Saif.

Ahead of their wedding, Queen Rania paid an emotional tribute to the bride, describing Miss Rajwa as 'the sweetest and most beautiful bride-to-be', adding that she is as precious to her as her daughters Princesses Iman and Salma.

Despite tradition dictating that royal brides wear family jewels, Rania, born into a humble Palestinian family in Kuwait, made a statement by wearing a simple embellished headband attached to her veil, symbolising her roots. Above: The couple beam at each other on their wedding day

Rania and Abdullah depart the Zahran Palace in their car after tying the knot 31 years ago today

The couple first met at a dinner party in 1992 and were engaged six months later, exchanging vows on June 10, 1993

The young bridesmaids wore gold dresses featuring puff sleeves and flower crowns

Rania chose British designer Bruce Oldfield to craft her custom-made dress, which featured gold floral embroidery

The bride wore a matching jacket, designed with distinctive lapels, short sleeves and a detachable belt

During their grand evening reception, the royal couple cut their show-stopping wedding cake

Rania and Abdallah enjoyed an evening of dancing, surrounded by friends and family

The newlyweds appeared happier than ever on their big day

Rania carried a large bouquet of white lilies and foliage with gold accents

Princess Iman borrowed the belt from her mother's wedding dress for her henna celebrations in 2023

In 2011, Rania was named by Forbes as one of the world's 100 most powerful women.

She has championed causes including women's rights, child protection and the environment.

Last May, Queen Rania joined her husband at King Charles' Coronation at Westminster Abbey.

She wore a yellow long-sleeve dress by Tamara Ralph Couture. She paired the tailored pencil number with a coordinating hat and Jimmy Choo heeled pumps.

It was a whirlwind romance for the then Prince Abdullah and Rania Al-Yassin, who were married within a year of meeting and are still in love to this day

King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan pictured with their children (left to right) Prince Hussein, Princess Salma, Prince Hashem and Princess Iman, December 2022

Princess Rajwa Al Hussein, Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdulla II and his mother, Queen Rania during the Royal Wedding Banquet in Amman, Jordan earlier this month

King Abdullah and Queen Rania posing for a picture with the bride and the groom, their eldest daughter Princess Iman and Jameel Alexander Thermiotis in March 2023

Queen of Jordan pictured speaking in a panel discussion during the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in New York in September 2016

Eight months earlier, she had attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

She admitted that she 'looked up' to Queen Elizabeth during an interview with ITV News.

Rania said: 'She didn't always presume that you wanted her advice but she was very generous when you asked for it.

'I really looked up to her. To me, she is the queen of the world.'
WWDC event this year described as 'momentous' will have a huge focus on AI

After months of anticipation, the wait is finally almost over for Apple fans, as the tech giant's annual tech event is about to commence.

Apple says the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), which kicks off today at Apple Park in California, will be an 'extraordinary week of technology'.

The tech giant is expected to announce a load of AI features at the 'momentous' event, including a chatbot built into its iPhones.

It's also tipped to shed light on the next major mobile operating system, called iOS 18, which will likely also get an AI revamp.

Ahead of the event, MailOnline gives a rundown of everything you need to know about WWDC, including how to tune in and when the big products will be revealed.

After months of anticipation, the wait is finally almost over for Apple fans, as the tech giant's annual tech event is about to commence. Its online invite for the event features a series of round coloured circles - a reference to its round HQ Apple Park, or possibly a famous AI?

Apple says the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), which kicks off today at Apple Park in California , will be an 'extraordinary week of technology'

Five updates to expect at WWDC 2024 AI-focused iOS 18 AI update for Siri AI-generated emoji Chatbot for iPhones Vision Pro availability Advertisement

What is WWDC?

Worldwide Developer Conference is an annual event that's been held by Apple since 1983, although it was not originally intended for hardware announcements.

It's only in the past 20 years that Apple has used the conference as a major launchpad for new devices, including the HomePod speaker in 2017 and the iPhone 4 in 2010.

Arguably, the main event in the calendar for Apple fans is its event held in the first two weeks of September, when it announces its new iPhone.

But this year WWDC could be one of the biggest events in recent history as the company has teased a 'huge AI announcement'.

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives called WWDC 2024 'the most important event for Apple in over a decade'.

'The pressure to bring a generative AI stack of technology for developers and consumers is front and centre,' he said.

When is WWDC?

This year's event will kick off today and run until Friday, June 14, although the major announcements are expected to happen on the first day.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook has called generative AI a 'key opportunity' across the iPhone maker's line of products

There will be a special 'in-person experience' on the first day at Apple Park, the company's round HQ in Cupertino, California

Apple CEO Tim Cook will deliver a keynote to kick off the event at 6pm BST (10am PT) today  an opportunity to lift the lid on Apple's work in AI.

The five-day event will be presented online, streamed through Apple's YouTube channel and website.

Although largely an online streaming event, there will be a special 'in-person experience' on the first day at Apple Park, the company's round HQ in Cupertino, California.

Apple says it 'will provide developers the opportunity to watch the keynote at Apple Park, meet with Apple team members, and take part in special activities'.

Apple's invite for the event features a series of round coloured circles  potentially a reference to the shape of Apple Park.

But it's certainly reminiscent of one of the famous AIs of all time  HAL from Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey'.

Pictured, the AI HAL from Stanley Kubrick's blockbuster sci-fi film '2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968)

Apple has been slow to embrace ChatGPT-style generative AI that took the world by storm in late 2022

What will Apple announce at WWDC?

This year, Apple is expected overwhelmingly to focus on generative AI, the technology underpinning chatbots like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini.

At the heart of the announcements will be an update to Apple's iPhone operating system, iOS 18, which is expected to see AI given a central role.

Apple tipster Mark Gurman thinks iOS 18 will be 'relatively groundbreaking' with 'major new features and designs' and a 'slew of new AI features'.

iPhone apps including Safari, Fitness, Mail and Maps will get smarter and more intuitive, helping users get what they need faster.

In Messages, new AI-based transcription and translation tools may mean users have to spend less time typing out messages.

The tech giant is expected to announce a load of AI features at the 'momentous' event, including a chatbot built into its iPhones. It's also tipped to shed light on the next major mobile operating system, called iOS 18, which will likely also get an AI revamp

Worldwide Developer Conference is an annual event that's been held by Apple since 1983, although it was not originally intended for hardware announcements. Pictured, iPhone 15 released last year

Intriguingly, Apple is also expected to bring AI-generated emoji to Messages, according to Gurman.

Similar to AI tools that just need a few words to create weird artworks, this tool could come up with unique emojis such as a hotdog octopus or a sad-faced violin like on Google's Emoji Kitchen.

'Youll suddenly have an all-new emoji for any occasion, beyond the catalog of options that Apple currently offers on the iPhone and other devices,' Gurman says.

Meanwhile, on the Photos app, AI-powered photo editing, which rival Google has been pushing with its Pixel series, could also get more prominence.

There are also reports Apple will use the event to announce a deal with ChatGPT maker OpenAI, which would see the chatbot integrated directly into Apple's software across iPhone, iPad and Mac, to help with more detailed, complex tasks.

Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, thinks this could give the tech giant's current voice assistant, Siri, a major boost.

Siri is the digital assistant build into Apple's software - but an OpenAI partnership could expand its intelligence

Currently, interacting with Siri 'feels like talking to a "preschooler" in comparison with the latest generative AI chatbots,' Wood said.

'I've been using the ChatGPT voice interface, and its understanding of questions and requests is the best I've experienced so far,' he said.

'If Apple has signed a deal to integrate GPT-4o with Siri, it could deliver a remarkable transformation in Siri's performance  and emerge as arguably the biggest story from the event.'

Apple may also announce further availability for Vision Pro, its mixed-reality headset that costs a whopping $3,499 (2,749).

Vision Pro was released in the US in February, but shipments are about to be made to the UK, France, Germany, China, Japan and Singapore, says Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

How can I watch WWDC?

Apple will be streaming the event on its YouTube channel, as well as the Apple TV app, its website homepage, and its dedicated developer webpage.

Apple's first ever mixed reality headset, Vision Pro (pictured), lets wearers choose apps with their eyes

If you're watching at home, make sure you're in front of the screen at 6pm BST (10am PT) today, as this is when the keynote will begin.

MailOnline will be bringing you all the latest news as it happens from Apple Park.

'This feels like a momentous WWDC,' Mr Wood said.

'At a time when AI is transcending the tech industry, Apple is arguably on the back foot for the first time in a while.

'However, the company is no laggard and we expect it to come out fighting as it seeks to demonstrate how it can use AI to deliver meaningful improvements to its apps and services.'
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope was built to 'see back in time', up to a whopping 13.5 billion years ago  but its latest discovery is surprisingly recent.

Just 20 years ago, a collision occurred between two asteroids orbiting Beta Pictoris, a star 63 light-years from Earth, the $10 billion observatory reveals.

This 'cataclysmic' impact event pulverized the two rocky bodies into fine dust particles 'smaller than pollen or powdered sugar', astronomers say.

Collectively, these dust particles were about 100,000 times the size of the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs around 66 million years ago.

In our own solar system, asteroids collide with each other and even with planets, posing a threat to lifeforms  although as it stands there's no known worlds orbiting Beta Pictoris that could host aliens.

Two different space telescopes took snapshots 20 years apart of the same area around a star called Beta Pictoris. Scientists theorize that a massive amount of dust detected in 2004 and 2005 by the Spitzer Space Telescope indicates a collision of asteroids that had largely cleared by the time the James Webb Space Telescope captured its images in 2023

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (pictured) was built to 'see back in time', up to a whopping 13.5 billion years ago - but its latest discovery is surprisingly recent

What is Beta Pictoris? Beta Pictoris is a star located 63 light-years from Earth in the southern constellation Pictor. It has an encircling disk of debris that may contain planets, or 'planetesimals' on their way to becoming planets. Scientists know of two gas planets orbiting Beta Pictoris - but there may be many more. Advertisement

Beta Pictoris  which is nearly twice as massive as our sun and more than eight times as luminous  has long been of interest for astronomers because it's relatively young.

Our sun is 4.5 billion years old, but Beta Pictoris is only 20 million years old  and this is a key age giant planets have formed but rocky planets may still be developing around it.

Scientists have already confirmed the presence of two gas planets, Beta Pictoris b and Beta Pictoris c, orbiting it  but any rocky ones are yet to be discovered.

'Beta Pictoris is at an age when planet formation in the terrestrial planet zone is still ongoing through giant asteroid collisions,' said Christine Chen, astronomer at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.

'So what we could be seeing here is basically how rocky planets and other bodies are forming.'

It was 20 years ago that NASA's now-retired Spitzer Space Telescope observed a 'massive amount of dust' around Beta Pictoris.

Artist's impression depicts gas planet Beta Pictoris b in the foreground orbiting its star (Beta Pictoris)

Spitzer (artist's impression) was one of NASA's four Great Observatories - large, powerful space-based astronomical telescopes that were launched between 1990 and 2003

Do you know your asteroids from your meteorites? An asteroid is a large chunk of rock left over from collisions or the early Solar System. Most are located between Mars and Jupiter in the Main Belt. A comet is a rock covered in ice, methane and other compounds. Their orbits take them much further out of our solar system. A meteor is a flash of light in the atmosphere when debris burns up. This debris itself is known as a meteoroid. If any of this meteoroid makes it to Earth, it is a meteorite. Advertisement

Along with Hubble, Compton and Chandra, Spitzer was one of NASA's four Great Observatories  large, powerful space telescopes launched between 1990 and 2003.

At the time, it was thought that the dust around Beta Pictoris was from a constant stream created by two small rocky bodies grinding against each other.

But after studying the same area 20 years later with the James Webb telescope, Chen and colleagues found the dust had gone.

They think a massive collision between two asteroids created the ultra-fine dust grains, which gradually dispersed into space.

'We think all that dust is what we saw initially in the Spitzer data from 2004 and 2005,' said Chen.

'With Webb's new data, the best explanation we have is that, in fact, we witnessed the aftermath of an infrequent, cataclysmic event between large asteroid-size bodies.'

If rocky planets do exist in orbit around Beta Pictoris, they are yet to be found  or yet to form.

But the findings suggest this faraway system may be going through a similar process of planetary formation that our solar system went though over 4 billion years ago.

In young solar systems such as Beta Pictoris, 'early turmoil' can influence the atmospheres, water content and other key aspects of habitability that can eventually develop on their planets.

The team also tip their hats to Spitzer, without which the dust from the collision would not have been detected.

'Most discoveries by James Webb Space Telescope come from things the telescope has detected directly,' said co-author Cicero Lu, a former Johns Hopkins doctoral student in astrophysics.

'In this case, the story is a little different because our results come from what James Webb did not see.'

The new insights are being presented on Monday at the 244th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Madison, Wisconsin.
An underwater fault line along the US West Coast could trigger a megaquake that would be more devastating than California's 'Big One,' a new study suggests.

Using underwater mapping techniques, scientists have mapped the Cascadia Subduction Zone - a 600-mile fault line extending from southern Canada to northern California - in never before seen detail.

It has revealed that the fault splits into four segments instead of being one continuous strip like most fault lines. The discovery could prove more catastrophic because the tectonic plates can slide under each other, creating more pressure and more severe earthquakes.

The researchers concluded the Cascadia Subduction Zone has the potential to unleash a nine-plus magnitude quake.

The Cascadia Subduction Zone extends along a 600-mile strip of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of southern Canada , Washington, Oregon and northern California. If it erupted, it could cause a magnitude-9 earthquake to strike the region. The darker areas mark the region that would receive the most damage, extending inland where the devastation would be more moderate

If the fault ruptured, it could last roughly five minutes and generate tsunamis reaching 100 feet tall, damage more than half a million buildings and kill countless people in its wake. Pictured: 9.0 earthquake devastated Japan in 2011

California's San Andreas is poised for an up to 8.3-magnitude quake, for comparison.

If an earthquake of over 9 magnitude struck the West Coast US it could generate tsunamis reaching 100 feet high or more, kill more than 10,000 people and cause over $80 billion in damages in just Oregon and Washington alone.

Disaster emergency plans in Oregon and Washington warn that in the aftermath of a quake that big, they could face a wave of long-term deaths due to disease from exposure to dead bodies, animal carcasses, contaminated water and Hazmat spills from commercial, industrial and household sources.

A similar fault zone off the coast of Japan erupted in 2011, creating a magnitude 9 quake that caused a devastating tsunami to strike the country, killing nearly 20,000 people.

Now scientists are worried that a similar calamity could impact the US in the coming years, reporting that quakes caused by Cascadia occur roughly every 500 years, with the last one taking place in 1700.

'The recurrent interval for this subduction zone for big events is on the order of 500 years,' Wang said.

'It's hard to know exactly when it will happen, but certainly, if you compare this to other subduction zones, it is quite late.'

Cascadia's four segments make it more dangerous than other major fault lines because they have different rock and sediment, with the most concerning section extending along northern Oregon, into Washington and southern British Columbia.

'It requires a lot more study, but for places like Tacoma and Seattle, it could mean the difference between alarming and catastrophic,' said study co-author Harold Tobin, a geophysicist at the University of Washington.

This section of Cascadia is flatter and smoother than the other three sections, meaning it could cause the largest earthquakes, extending further into the US and impacting all of Washington's coastal communities.

A magnitude nine earthquake in the northwest US could destroy half a million homes and cause the deaths of countless people. Pictured: Aftermath of the 9.0 quake that struck Japan in 2011

'We have the potential for earthquakes and tsunamis as large as the biggest ones we've experienced on the planet,' Tobin told NBC News.

'Cascadia seems capable of generating a magnitude nine or a little smaller or a little bigger.'

Suzanne Carbotte, the study's lead author and marine geophysicist at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, said this is the first clear picture of the Cascadia zone, adding that all emergency response models are based on 'old, low-quality 1980s-era data.'

The researchers hope their findings help states in the impact zone prepare for a worst-case scenario emergency response and evacuation if the Cascadia Subduction Zone ruptures.

If an earthquake of this magnitude struck, it could generate tsunamis reaching 100 feet high or more, effectively altering the region. A similar fault zone off the coast of Japan caused the devastating tsunami to strike the country in 2011, (pictured) killing nearly 20,000 people.

Neither Oregon nor Washington state is sufficiently prepared for this type of disaster because of the limited information in the 1980s Cascadia model, according to the researchers.

However, they said new preparedness assessments could be published as early as next year.

The subduction zone map was created using active source seismic imaging - which emits sounds down to the ocean floor and processes the echoes - that gives a sharper insight into how it can impact the surrounding area.

Researchers at the Columbia Climate School attached a streamer - a nine-mile-long cable - to the back of the boat which used 1,200 hydrophones that captured the echoes to update their ocean acoustic tomography models that provide images of the fault.

Hydrophones measure the amount of time it takes for sound to bounce off the structures on the ocean's floor and reach the surface, allowing them to detect the differences in the elevation of rocks that signify recently active fault lines.

'The accuracy and this resolution is truly unprecedented. And it's an amazing data set,' Kelin Wang, a research scientist at the Geological Survey of Canada who was not involved in the study, told NBC News.

'It just allows us to do a better job to assess the risk and have information for the building codes and zoning.'
She want on to explain that she legally cannot allow visibly drunk passengers on

'Please just don't make it noticeable when you get on the plane,' she reasoned

A flight attendant has begged passengers to not overindulge in the terminal

A flight attendant has issued a stark warning to plane passengers who have a penchant for pre-travel drinks at the airport prior to boarding the plane.

The staffer, who works with a major US airline issued a plea on TikTok to those who might be tempted to enjoy a drink too many in the terminal.

'This is a PSA to everyone who likes to drink at the airport,' she began.

'Please just don't make it noticeable when you get on the plane. I don't want to kick you off. You don't want to be embarrassed. You don't want to miss your flight.

'It's a win win for both of us,' the frequent flyer implored.

A flight attendant has issued a stark warning to plane passengers who have a penchant for pre-travel drinks at the airport prior to boarding the plane (stock image)

'Don't make it obvious. Don't be stupid,' she lectured. 'If you can't handle your alcohol, like figure it out.

'Don't get drunk, because we're legally required to kick you off the airplane if you appear to be intoxicated.

'It's not me, just like being a buzzkill. Okay?' she concluded.

It's an international industry norm to not allow visibly intoxicated passengers to board airplanes.

And the US Federal Aviation Regulations specify that airlines may not 'allow any person to board any of its aircraft if that person appears to be intoxicated.'

Intoxicated passengers who cause enough of a disruption while on board a flight can face consequences from fines to being banned from flying on board the given airline going forward.

It's also important to keep in mind that higher altitudes can increase the effects of alcohol intoxication.

Dozens took to the comments of the TikTok with some making light of airport drinking, while others shared cautionary tales

Beyond that, drunk passengers have been known to harass or even assault cabin crew, and could pose an added danger to themselves and others in the event of an emergency.

Dozens took to the comments of the TikTok with some making light of airport drinking, while others shared cautionary tales.

'Imagine how drunk you have to be that they're like "you're too drunk to sit in a seat,"' one mused.

'I literally bring my to-go cup filled with wine from the lounge on board lol,' another admitted of indulging.

'5.30am they had to carry a drunk as f**k lady off the plane the other day while I was waiting for my flight - big yikes,' a third chimed in.

'I had to help a woman get onto her flight once. She was hammered at the bar. She made the flight,' a fourth offered.

In any case, the warning isn't coming out the blue given the innumerable reports of drunk and belligerent travelers, many even making the headlines.

Earlier this spring, DailyMail.com reported on a woman who had a drunken meltdown in the terminal at Dallas-Fort Worth after she was prohibited from boarding her flight to Colombia due to being visibly intoxicated.

She also allegedly assaulted at least one airline employee during the episode.

Before being removed from the airport, she verbally harassed police officers and peed herself before being loaded into a police car.

And in May, a wasted Manchester fan was escorted off his flight, as other passengers cheered his removal.
Mercurys board today announced that Vince Hawksworth has decided to retire as Chief Executive, effective 31 August 2024. The board is delighted to announce that Stew Hamilton, the companys current Executive General Manager Generation, has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive to succeed Mr Hawksworth.

Vince Hawksworth, who has served as Mercury Chief Executive since March 2020, will step down from the role with effect from 31 August 2024. Mr Hawksworth has overseen a period of significant growth at Mercury, leading the company through the construction of the Turitea Wind Farm and two major acquisitions, adding the New Zealand assets of Tilt Renewables and the Trustpower retail business to Mercurys portfolio. With the successful integration of both acquisitions now completed, Mercury is well positioned to lead the electrification of Aotearoa New Zealand.

As Executive GM Generation, Stew has been responsible for the management, operation and maintenance of Mercurys hydro, geothermal and wind assets. He is also responsible for health, safety and wellbeing performance at an enterprise level. Before joining Mercury, Stew was the Chief Executive and General Manager at New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd.

Mercury Chair Scott St John said, Vince has proven to be an exceptional leader, navigating Mercury through COVID-19 and achieving significant growth of the company, its performance and its culture. Under Vinces leadership, Mercury has developed a generation and retail platform that positions the company for future success.

The Board has run a comprehensive search process considering both internal and external candidates. Stews appointment is the result of focused succession planning overseen by the Board, said Mr St John.

Stew brings a proven track record of success in leading large, complex businesses in New Zealand and internationally. He has delivered strong business value while building enduring partnerships and driving health and safety performance.

At Mercury, Stew has improved resilience, safety and performance of our generating assets, while overseeing our extensive hydro refurbishment programme and initiating the expansion of the Nga Tamariki geothermal station.

Stew is well placed to ensure Mercury capitalises and builds on the strong platform for growth we have. The Boards unanimous decision to appoint him is a strong endorsement of Stews capabilities, and a testament to the depth of talent we have within Mercury.

New Zealanders should be rightfully proud of our energy sector. I am excited about the contribution that Mercury is making to our countrys transition to net-zero carbon. Mercury is on an impressive growth trajectory, and I am looking forward to continuing this journey with our highly capable, purpose-driven team, said Stew.

Vince will work closely with Stew during the transition period to ensure a seamless leadership handover.

I want to extend my thanks to Vince on behalf of our Board. He has made a significant contribution not just to Mercurys long-term success, but also the sector more broadly, over nearly 30 years. He has played an important part in helping bring our sector together collaboratively as we navigate the transition, ensuring better outcomes for all New Zealanders, said Scott.

Summary of Stew Hamiltons experience

- Executive General Manager, Generation at Mercury NZ Limited 2021  2024

- Chief Executive & General Manager at New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd 2018  2021

- General Manager Buzwagi Gold Mine, Acacia Mining, Tanzania 2017-2018

- Advanced Management Programme, INSEAD, France

- Executive MBA, Melbourne Business School, Melbourne University

- Bachelor of Engineering, First Class Honours (Chemical and Materials)

ENDS

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Many UK air passengers are struggling to make sense of the rules around taking liquids in hand luggage through airport security as new scanners are rolled out.

Long queues have been forming at Birmingham Airport - which has launched the new scanners - amid confusion over liquid restrictions.

And on Sunday, the Department for Transport temporarily re-introduced 100ml restrictions on liquids being carried in cabin bags at six other regional UK airports with next-generation scanners.

Confused? We're not surprised. Here we explain all...

Presently - all UK airports are operating the 100ml liquid rule, regardless of the scanners in place.

But airports with new scanners have more flexibility around how cabin bags move through security.

Many UK air passengers are struggling to make sense of the rules around taking liquids in hand luggage through airport security as new scanners are rolled out. Currently, all UK airports are operating a 100ml liquids rule - meaning liquids can be placed in hand luggage but must be split into containers not exceeding 100ml

Long queues have been forming at Birmingham Airport (above) - which has launched the new scanners - amid confusion over liquid restrictions

London City, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, Southend and Teesside airports, have all installed new 3D CT- (computed tomography) based scanners in security halls and had scrapped the 100ml rule. Thanks to their new technology, passengers could bring up to two litres of liquids in any bottle size in carry-on luggage and not remove them at security.

However, on June 9, these airports were ordered to return to the 100ml liquid rule despite running the next-generation security checkpoints (NGSC), which create a 3D image of what is inside passengers' bags, allowing them to better identify objects.

Laptops and tablets, however, can remain in carry-on luggage.

Passengers should continue to check security requirements with their departure airport before travelling A Department for Transport spokesperson

A Department for Transport spokesperson told MailOnline: 'From Sunday 9 June, 2024, 100ml restrictions on liquids will temporarily be reintroduced for passengers travelling from six regional airports where Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) are in full operation.

'This temporary move is to enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems and will only affect a small number of passengers.

'For most passengers, security measures will remain unchanged.

'Passengers should continue to check security requirements with their departure airport before travelling.'

UK AIRPORT LIQUID RULES UK airports and scanner status: Birmingham - new scanners / 100ml rule

Leeds Bradford - new scanners / 100ml rule

London City - new scanners / 100ml rule

Aberdeen - new scanners / 100ml rule

Southend - new scanners / 100ml rule

Teesside - new scanners / 100ml rule

Newcastle - new scanners / 100ml rule

Gatwick - old scanners / 100ml rule

Stansted - new scanners / 100ml rule

East Midlands - old scanners / 100ml rule

Manchester - new scanners / 100ml rule

Heathrow - old scanners / 100ml rule

Edinburgh - new scanners / 100ml rule Current liquid rules for airports with new scanners: Bottles to be no larger than 100ml Airports in control of amount of liquid in total (up to two litres) and whether they must be removed from bags or stored in clear pouches UK airports without new scanners operating liquid rules dating back to 2006: Bottles/containers to be no larger than 100ml Liquids must total under one litre Passengers must remove liquids from hand luggage at security Liquids to be kept in clear, plastic bags New-style liquid rules (to be introduced in future): Liquids may remain in luggage at security Bottles can be of any size and loose inside bags Liquids can total up to two litres Advertisement

Travel expert Nicky Kelvin tested out London City Airport's 'fancy' new scanners in May

A passenger is pictured walking past an explainer about baggage rules at London City airport, which has installed new scanners

Passengers who pack liquids in bottles of over 100ml will be subject to manual checks at the airport and those items will be at risk of being discarded.

At airports with new scanners, whether travellers are required to pack their liquids in clear, plastic bags, remove them from luggage or can pack more than one litre of liquid in multiple containers is up to the individual airport, the Department for Transport confirmed to MailOnline Travel.

What if you are travelling from a different airport than the six targeted by the Department for Transport?

A number of the UK's major airports have already installed some of the new checkpoints in security halls - however none have yet changed their liquid rules.

London Stansted, Manchester and Edinburgh all have at least some of the new 3D-scanners in place. However, as their new security halls are incomplete and some old scanners still remain none have changed their liquid rules.

This means you should still follow the 100ml rule, and other liquid restrictions, that have been in place for the past 18 years at all three airports.

London Gatwick, East Midlands Airport and London Heathrow have not yet introduced any new scanners and so their security halls are unable to comply with new restrictions and the 100ml rule remains in place for the foreseeable future.

So what happened at Birmingham Airport?

The airport had installed the new scanners, but has been limiting liquids to 100ml 'due to an outstanding regulatory restriction', Nick Barton, CEO, told the BBC.

The airport blames passengers for the long queues, accusing them of incorrectly packing their bags.

The problem was exacerbated, a source told The Independent, by the new scanners misidentifying innocent items, such as sun cream, as 'threats'.

Why was the 100ml rule introduced?

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.

The restrictions required passengers to pack up to one litre of liquids or less in bottles of no more than 100ml.

Liquids, it was stipulated, had to be sealed in a clear, plastic bag and removed from bags before being scanned at security.

Thanks to Nicky Kelvin at The Points Guy for permission to run his scanner image.
Netflix viewers have gone into a meltdown over a new psychological thriller, dubbing it as 'A+'.

Created by Emmy and BAFTA Abi Morgan, psychological thriller Eric follows distressed father Vincent (Benedict Cumberbatch) on the hunt for his missing son.

When Edgar (Ivan Howe) disappears on his way to school in the streets of 1980s New York City, his parents are left grieving and hopeless.

Industry leading puppeteer, Vincent quickly descends into madness as he attempts to relocate his son.

Struggling to come to grips with the absence of his nine-year-old, the father begins to cling for dear life to Edgar's drawing of a blue monster puppet - Eric.

Netflix viewers have gone into a meltdown over new psychological thriller, Eric, which follows distressed father Vincent (Benedict Cumberbatch ) on the hunt for his missing son

When Edgar (Ivan Howe, pictured) disappears on his way to school in the streets of 1980s New York City , his parents are left grieving and hopeless

The self-loathing parent believes if he gets his missing son's big blue conception on his extremely popular children's show - Good Day Sunshine - then he will come home.

The longer Edgar is missing, Vincent becomes increasingly violent and erratic in his behaviour.

As he further alienates from everyone trying to help him - detectives, his family and friends - the puppeteer begins to hallucinate a life-sized version ErIc.

Spiralling out of control in the race to find his child, Vincent is forced to confront his demons on the perilous yet addictive streets of the Big Apple.

Creator Abigail Morgan told Tudum: 'Eric is a deep dive into the 80s Big Apple, grappling with rising crime rates, internal corruption, endemic racism, a forgotten underclass, and the AIDS epidemic.

'[It] exposes the divisions rife between parents searching for their child, a detective battling with a system that is broken.

'And a lost boy who may never come home  and asks where the real monsters lie. With puppets  lots of puppets.'

Netflix fans have been left gone into a frenzy over the new gripping drama, with some calling for Benedict Cumberbatch to get an Oscar.

The longer Edgar is missing, Vincent becomes increasingly violent and erratic in his behaviour (pictured: Gaby Hoffman playing Eric's mother Cassie and Cumberbatch)

Edgar's absence forces the father to come face to face with his demons as he trails the dangerous streets of the Big Apple to find him

Fans have gone into pandemonium over the new psychological thriller, dubbing is 'dark' yet 'emotional and captivating'

'This is going down as one of my favourite shows.I cant stop thinking about it,' one quipped.

'EVERY character is incredible but Benedict Cumberbatch deserves an Emmy. A+++.'

A second added: 'Give Benedict Cumberbatch an Oscar right now for Eric on Netflix.'

'Benedict Cumberbatch always delivers,' a third chimed.

'If you're looking for an absolutely jaw-droppingly gorgeous show to binge this weekend, Eric on Netflix is excellent,' a fourth wrote.

One fan dubbed the series as 'dark' yet 'emotional and captivating'.

'Eric on Netflix is excellent. Its got that nihilistic 80s New York thing going on' another said.

'Abi Morgan strikes again. Brilliant, compelling and heart-breaking drama, with gorgeous performances from McKinley Belcher III, Benedict Cumberbatch and Gaby Hoffman. Obsessed,' a user penned.
Gemma Atkinson looked cheery and fresh-faced as she headed home from her appearance on Sunday Brunch.

The former Hollyoaks star, 39, wrapped up warm in a long checkered peacoat over the top of an all-black outfit as she left the Television Centre in London for Manchester.

She let her blonde locks flow free for the outing, and completed the look with a pair of teal green boots.

Gemma carried a dark red leather satchel on her back and pulled behind her a silver suitcase as she checked her phone.

The TV star is engaged Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez, 33, and has Mia, four, as well as son Thiago, 11 months, with him.

Gemma Atkinson looked cheery and fresh-faced as she headed home from her appearance on Sunday Brunch

The former Hollyoaks star wrapped up warm in a long checkered peacoat over the top of an all-black outfit as she left the Television Centre in London for Manchester

During her appearance on the Channel 4 show, she opened up about how the new series of her new W show Life Behind the Lens focused on her second pregnancy and how things had been the 'complete opposite' of how she had envisioned the first time round.

'When we did the first series, we were following my first pregnancy with Gorks.

'With my first pregnancy, I was deemed high risk because of my age and because of what had happened with Mia.

'[This time], we followed appointments with physios and the trials of a VBAC.

'It's a vaginal birth after a C-section, because with Mia I had to have an emergency caesarean, and I had a post-partum hemorrhage.

'In my head, I thought I'd have a water birth and it'd be amazing but it was the complete opposite. '

The Hits Radio host is normally quite guarded about her private life but also noted to hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer that it was the death of her father that inspired her to let the cameras in.

During her appearance on the Channel 4 show, she opened up about how the new series of her new W show Life Behind the Lens focused on her second pregnancy

The Hits Radio host is normally quite guarded about her private life but also noted to hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer that it was the death of her father that inspired her to let the cameras in.

Gemma is engaged to Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez (pictured_ and the pair have let the cameras in to film their lives together

She said: 'When we go on holiday, Gorka takes pictures of all of us and he's not in any of them.

'And it dawned on me, when my dad passed away and I was only 17, I said "I'm gonna get all the pictures out of the loft".

'But he'd taken all the pictures, he was hardly in them.

'So I said to Gorka "You need to be in this", so the fact we've got all this footage now, is great for us.'


Matthew McConaughey and wife Camila Alves dually posted a Western-themed picture in commemoration of their 12th wedding anniversary on Sunday.

'Thank you,' the Academy Award-winning actor, 54, captioned the romantic shot, adding the hashtag, #happyanniversary.

In the image posted to his 9.7 million followers, the Dallas Buyers Club star donned a beige cowboy hat with a denim blue jacket with fleece lining as he kissed his spouse on the forehead.

Alves, a Brazilian model and designer, had her eyes closed as she wore her black locks down in the image, which appeared to have been snapped during a sunset.

Alves, 41, who is mother to three kids with the A-list actor - Levi, 15, Vida, 14, and Livingston, 11 - shared the celebratory image with her 1.3 million followers.

Matthew McConaughey, 54, and wife Camila Alves, 41, dually posted a Western-themed picture in commemoration of their 12th wedding anniversary on Sunday; The couple were pictured with their three kids Levi, 15, Vida, 14, and Livingston, 11, on April 25 at an event for his nonprofit at ACL Live in Austin, Texas.

McConaughey and Alves exchanged vows at their home in Austin, Texas on June 9, 2012, with their kids Levi and and Vida serving respectively as ring bearer and flower girl, People reported.

Alves said the kids seemed 'to understand what we are doing on a spiritual level,' while McConaughey said of the nuptials: 'We decided to embrace the ritual of marriage as an opportunity and adventure we'll take together.'

Among the celebs who were guests at the wedding included Woody Harrelson - who McConaughey has past alluded to as his possible real-life brother - as well as Reese Witherspoon and Kenny Chesney.

McConaughey and Alves initially crossed paths in 2006 at a nightclub, where the Interstellar actor said he was bowled over by Alves' beauty.

'Out of the corner of my eye, this sort of aqua-green figure went floating across the frame about 20 feet in front of me,' McConaughey told People in 2016. 'My eye went up and I remember what came out of my mouth. I didn't say, "Who is that?" I went, "What is that?"

'As l was trying to get that's attention across the room, I went in my head, "This is not the kind of woman you call over across the room, McConaughey. Get your a** out of your chair and go get her." Which I did.'

The Lone Star State native and his spouse in March chat with the publication Southern Living about their marriage and family life, detailing their decision to move from Malibu, California to Austin, Texas in 2014.

'We were living a happy life in Malibu,' Alves said. 'We had a beautiful house that we'd built together and put a lot of love and care into. We were raising our kids there. I was growing everything in the yard. I had bees making honey.'

The couple, who have been wed since June of 2012, posed for a glamorous shot at the gala

The couple shared a lighthearted moment at the fundraising gala for the nonprofit Mack, Jack & McConaughey

The Oscar-winning actor and his family moved from Malibu, California to Austin, Texas in 2014

Alves said an emergency initially led the family to go to Austin to help McConaughey's mother Kay McConaughey and his brothers. In that time, she noticed that his mood was much lighter in his native Texas than it had been in California.

Alves said that while they were driving, she noticed that the True Detective actor had a 'peaceful but confident, energetic look' about him. She asked him, 'You want to move here, don't you?' to which he said, 'Yep.'

Alves said that she's comfortable in Texas, as the local culture parallels certain aspects of how she grew up in Brazil.

'We grew up saying, "Yes, ma'am" and "No, sir" or - as I should say - "Yes, ma'am" and "Yes, sir," Alves said. 'It takes me right back to how I was raised.'

The Dazed and Confused alum explained the details of what made his homecoming a decade ago so special.

'Ritual came back, whether that was Sunday church, sports, dinner together as a family every night,' he said, 'or staying up after that telling stories in the kitchen, sitting at the island pouring drinks and nibbling while retelling them all in different ways than we told them before.'
Chris Packham has accused Taylor Swift of not using her 'enormous power' to help the environment, and called on her fans to convince her to stop using private jets.

The pop megastar, 34, has faced a lot of criticism over her use of private planes to fly around the world, including for stops on her Eras Tour or to visit boyfriend Travis Kelce, including a 12-hour flight from Tokyo to Las Vegas to watch the Super Bowl.

She has been slammed for the lavish travel habit due to her jet's inevitable release of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, which are extremely harmful to the environment.

Taylor's team has insisted that she loans her jet out, so not all trips are down to her and that she has bought double the amount carbon offsets to compensate her flights.

However, carbon offsets have been criticised, as their effectiveness varies hugely and several people have pointed out they are the 'bare minimum' for anyone to offset flights, meaning a billionaire like Taylor could be expect to have a high standard.

Chris Packham (pictured) has accused Taylor Swift of not using her 'enormous power' to help the environment, and called on her fans to convince her to stop using private jets

The pop megastar, 34, has faced a lot of criticism over her use of private planes to fly around the world, including for her Eras Tour or to visit boyfriend Travis Kelce (pictured on Friday)

She has been slammed for the lavish travel habit due to her jet's inevitable release of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, which are extremely harmful to the environment (pictured boarding jet in October)

Springwatch star Chris, 63, has voiced a similar argument, suggesting that with all the increased attention on Taylor's emissions, she could use the opportunity to be a vocal advocate for more sustainable travel.

Speaking to The Mirror, he said: 'I think Taylor Swift has enormous power. Shes speaking to an audience which will have significant problems in their lives due to climate breakdown and biodiversity loss.

'And she ought to be at the forefront of trying to help their future to become more secure and sustainable. What a missed opportunity. You should actually say: "Do you know what, thank you for pointing that out. Im going to switch to flying on commercial airliners".'

Chris insisted that he was not saying she should not travel around for her tour, but that she could take steps to be more environmental.

He proposed that Taylor's own fans, nicknamed Swifties, could be the ones to persuade her, by showing banners at her concerts asking her to stop using private planes.

He said: 'We all accept she has to travel the globe  were not saying stop touring. Were saying do it in the most environmentally friendly way that you possibly can.

'Wouldnt it be great if all those 16-year-olds turned up at the concert with banners saying: "Drop your private jets"?'

Taylor's use of private jets received increased scrutiny after college student Jack Sweeney spent months tracking the whereabouts of her plane during her Eras tour.

Springwatch star Chris, 63, has suggested that with all the increased attention on Taylor's emissions, she could use the opportunity to be a vocal advocate for more sustainable travel

He proposed that Taylor's own fans, nicknamed Swifties, could be the ones to persuade her, by showing banners at her concerts asking her to stop using private planes (fans pictured on Friday in Edinburgh)

The social media star - who also tracks the flights of tech billionaire Elon Musk - previously claimed that Taylor's private jet use emitted 83x the amount of CO2 than the average American.

He tweeted: 'Swift's two private jets flew 178,000 miles in 2023 equivalent to flying around the Earth seven times, emitting 1,200 tons of CO2 in the process. That's 83 times the average American.'

However, the The Tortured Poets Department star sent Jack a cease-and-desist letter, demanding her stop logging her flights.

She claimed the accounts caused herself and her family 'direct and irreparable harm, as well as emotional and physical distress,' and heightened her 'constant state of fear for her personal safety'.

But Jack's lawyers pointed out he had done 'nothing unlawful' and that his accounts use publicly available data, and also share the estimates of their planet-warming emissions.

In a letter back, they wrote: 'Further, your letter's tone of alarm is unfounded. Our client's website only provides the location of private jets using publicly available information. That information poses no threat to Ms. Swift's safety.'

Chris previously said that Taylor had also wasted that opportunity to send a message about sustainability.

He noted that because the hitmaker has 'primarily a young audience' and is such a prominent cultural figure, she should be 'leading' the way on such matters.

Taylor's use of private jets received increased scrutiny after college student Jack Sweeney spent months tracking the whereabouts of her plane during her Eras tour (pictured)

The social media star - who also tracks the flights of tech billionaire Elon Musk - previously claimed that Taylor's private jet use emitted 83x the amount of CO2 than the average American (pictured on Friday)

However, the The Tortured Poets Department star sent Jack a cease-and-desist letter , demanding her stop logging her flights

He told The Mirror: 'We know that private jets are the single greatest contributor when it comes to jet aviation fuel and the least efficient because they're carrying one person.

'And so [Jack] called her out and she threatened to sue him. And I just thought, "You really missed the trick there, Taylor."

'What you should have said is, "You're right, times have moved on. I've got to change my practice. I'm going to sell my private jets". And that would have been such a powerful thing for her to say to an audience.'

It comes as Taylor kicked off the UK leg of her tour last week in Edinburgh, and will now be heading to Liverpool, Cardiff and Wembley.

The Cruel Summer star touched down in Scotland in her private jet at a VIP airport in Edinburgh on Friday, ahead of performances at Murrayfield Stadium on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Devoted fans were spotted queuing from 3am, braving the miserable Scottish weather for hours and pitching up tents.

Chris previously said that Taylor had also wasted that opportunity to send a message about sustainability, saying as such a prominent cultural figure with 'primarily a young audience', she should be 'leading' the way on such matters
Melissa George has shared an adorable photo of herself cuddling her newborn son during a visit to Saint-Tropez.

The Home and Away star, who welcomed her son on March 20 at the age of 47, shared the photo to her Instagram Stories on Sunday as she dined at the trendy Cafe Senequier.

In the close-up photo, a makeup-free Melissa is seen cradling her newborn - whose name has not yet been revealed - while posing with her eyes closed and a gentle smile on her face.

The French-based star made sure to caption the photo with the name of the eatery as well as the brand who made her pricey gold hoop earrings.

Melissa followed this with another photo of her baby's foot sitting on top of a menu.

Melissa George, 47, (right) shared an adorable photo of herself cuddling her newborn son during a visit to Saint-Tropez on Sunday

It comes almost three months after Melissa shared the news of her third son's birth on March 20 by posting a black and white photo of her son's feet.

'Welcome to the world my little man,' began the 30 Days of Night actress' caption.

'Love knows no end. A mother of 3 sons. Cannot believe it. My heart is so full.'

Melissa followed this with another photo of her baby's foot sitting on top of a menu

The identity of her newborn son's father is not known.

The Perth-born star had shocked her social media followers in January when she confirmed she was pregnant with her third child.

Melissa shares her sons, Raphael, nine, and Solal, seven, with her ex-partner Jean-David Blanc, a French entrepreneur.

She was previously married to Chilean furniture designer and film director Claudio Dabed from 2000 to 2011.

It comes almost three months after Melissa shared the news of her third son's birth on March 20 by posting a black and white photo of her son's feet
Ariana Grande's ex-husband Dalton Gomez made his romance with girlfriend Maika Monroe Instagram official on Monday.

The 28-year-old real estate broker  who finalized his divorce from the pop princess in March  and the It Follows actress, 31, took to her social media on Sunday to share PDA-packed snaps from their various travels together.

In the lead photo, Maika stands on tiptoe, planting a tender kiss on Dalton while they share a moment in the street with the setting sun behind them.

In the final snapshot, the affectionate couple is captured lounging on a yacht, cozily embracing each other while dressed in matching all-black outfits.

The scream queen captioned the adorable carousel with a simple shooting star emoji.

Ariana Grande's ex-husband Dalton Gomez made his romance with girlfriend Maika Monroe Instagram official on Monday

The 28-year-old real estate broker and the It Follows actress, 31, took to her social media on Sunday to share PDA-packed snaps from their various travels together

Dalton and Maika were first linked when they were spotted kissing during a date night in Los Angeles in October.

Since then, they've been spotted together in public multiple times, including a recent PDA-filled encounter at Los Angeles' LAX airport just last month.

Prior to the beginning of his relationship with the actress, the real estate broker was married to Grande, 30, whom he began seeing in 2020.

The two separated more than a year ago, according to court papers, and because the pair had a pre-nuptial agreement, no children and no significant legal disputes in the split, it allowed the divorce to move quickly and cleanly through the court system.

The terms of their settlement were agreed upon in October and the couple only had to wait the required six months before a judge's order could take effect.

Under the agreement, Ariana will make a onetime payment of $1,250,000 to her ex-husband with no future alimony.

The couple began dating in January 2020, and quarantined together during the pandemic.

They appeared together in the video for the Justin Bieber charity single Stuck With U in May of that year, and announced their engagement in December.

The scream queen captioned the adorable carousel with a simple shooting star emoji

Maika shared a snap of a ring with the word 'bingo'

Dalton and Maika were first linked when they were spotted kissing during a date night in Los Angeles in October; (pictured 2016)

Since then, they've been spotted together in public multiple times, including a recent PDA-filled encounter at Los Angeles' LAX airport just last month; (pictured 2019)

Prior to the beginning of his relationship with the actress, the real estate broker was married to Grande, 30, whom he began seeing in 2020; (pictured March)

The couple were married in a tiny private ceremony at Ariana's home in Montecito, California, on May 15, 2021.

Their split was announced in July 2023, with Ariana filing for divorce in October.

Soon after their split became public she moved on to a controversial relationship with her current boyfriend and Wicked co-star Ethan Slater.

Ariana doubled down on her shock split from Dalton by deleting all photos of their wedding from Instagram.

Sources said that they tried to fix their marriage 'months ago but it 'failed.' It was also claimed Dalton had flown to London in January in a last-ditch effort to save the pair's marriage.

She sent fans into a frenzy following the release of her single Eternal Sunshine, as they speculated that her husband Dalton might have cheated on her.

Listeners were quick to note cryptic lyrics in the titular track may have accused her spouse of being unfaithful.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans claimed that if Dalton was unfaithful, Ariana 'deserves an apology' after she faced months of accusations of being a homewrecker for her romance with Ethan Slater.

The couple began dating in January 2020, and quarantined together during the pandemic

Ariana and Dalton finalised their divorce after nearly three years of marriage (pictured on their wedding day in May 2021)

The lyrics in question were: 'So now we play our separate scenes // Now, now she's in my bed, layin' on your chest // Now I'm in my head, wonderin' how it ends.'

Fans were quick to read between the lines, and rushed to social media to claim it may mean that Dalton cheated on Ariana during their marriage.

Back in July, Ariana's new partner Ethan, 31, filed for divorce from his 'devastated' wife Lilly Jay.

He and Lilly have been married since 2018 and share an infant son that they welcomed last August.

Ethan and Ariana are said to have struck up a romance while filming Wicked in London over the past year.

Ariana and Ethan are said to be 'stuck together' after their secret romance was made public, preventing them from returning to their respective marriages.

'Ariana is living with a married man right now while she is still married,' a source close to the situation told DailyMail.com exclusively before Ariana and Dalton had made the divorce filings.

The pair met in December 2022 on the UK set of the film adaptation of the smash-hit Broadway musical Wicked, in which Ariana plays Glinda - the good witch - alongside Ethan as munchkin Boq.

All over: Ariana shocked fans on July 17 by announcing she and husband Dalton had split. She has since deleted all trace of him from her Instagram account

Weeks earlier People magazine reported that the pair were strictly 'friends' until after they split with their respective spouses.

But a separate source said those claims were 'absolutely untrue' adding that there were 'receipts to prove it.'

'Ariana and Ethan never intended for their relationship to go public,' the second source told DailyMail.com.

'They were hoping to keep it a secret and go back to their marriages as if nothing had happened. But this was not possible because they got caught.

'Now they are stuck together and have really nothing in common with each other. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.'

Both couples announced they had split within a few days of each other back in July, with Ariana announcing her separation from Dalton just three days before confirming her new relationship with Ethan, who then filed for divorce from Lilly.

He cited irreconcilable differences and asked for joint custody of their newborn son.

Multiple sources who witnessed Ariana and Ethan's lovefest told DailyMail.com that they were being 'sloppy' on and off set, including at an Oscars party back in March.

'They were seen being all over each other while he was still supposedly happily married to Lilly,' they said.

'They were seen making out at a pub in Hampstead, and they were all over each other at Michelle Yeoh's Oscar party [in March].'

Ethan and Lilly - who was his high-school sweetheart - got married in 2018 before welcoming a baby boy in August 2022.

Soon after their split became public she moved on to a controversial relationship with her current boyfriend and Wicked co-star Ethan Slater

He gushed about his soon-to-be ex-wife on their fourth wedding anniversary three months later in November, with Ariana liking the since-deleted post.

In the 80s'-inspired track Yes, And?, Ariana appears to clap back at the criticism over their romance, repeatedly asking, 'Yes, and?' she urges listeners to reflect on why they feel compelled to comment on her life.

'Your business is yours, and mine is mine,' the pop princess also croons, before adding, 'Why do you care so much whose d*** I ride?'

In another line she sings, 'Now I'm so done with caring what you think, no I wont hide underneath your own projections or change my most authentic life.'
Kate Langbroek left Australians divided on Sunday night when she said 16-year-old workers should get paid less than 40-year-old workers.

The comedian, 58, appeared on The Project to give her opinion on how pay scales should operate in the professional workforce as unions push to abolish 'discriminatory' junior rates in retail, fast food and pharmacy awards.

However, her firm stance that teenagers should not be on the same hourly rate or salary as middle aged adults sparked a huge divide among Instagram users when a clip of her appearance was posted online.

'It doesn't work. A girlfriend of mine has an ice cream shop... I remember her saying on a Sunday she had to pay a 16-year-old $38 an hour,' she said.

'Amazing money, but also she's like, "I'm teaching [the 16-year-old]. A 16-year-old can't do what a 40-year-old would do."'

Kate Langbroek, 58, left Australians divided on Sunday night when she said 16-year-old workers should get paid less than 40-year-old workers. Pictured front right with her husband Peter Allen Lewis and their children Lewis, 20, Sunday, 18, Artie, 16, and Jan, 14

Kate - who shares children Lewis, 20, Sunday, 18, Artie, 16, and Jan, 14, with husband Peter Allen Lewis - continued: 'So, especially small businesses, aren't they taking young people on not just "to exploit them" but also to teach them?'

Poll Should a 16-year-old be paid the same as a 40-year-old for the same job? Yes No Should a 16-year-old be paid the same as a 40-year-old for the same job? Yes 20 votes

No 74 votes Now share your opinion





Viewers flocked to The Project Instagram page to voice their own opinions on the matter, with many slamming Kate for her 'ridiculous' stance.

'What I can tell you is my teenage children both working in hospitality don't cop any less abuse and criticism from rude customers just because they're younger and being paid less than the adults around them,' one person wrote.

Another added: 'Ridiculous. Award wages for work regardless of age. We aren't talking about experience here, and the ice cream shop example is ridiculous. You'd have to teach a new employee regardless of how old they are.'

The comedian appeared on The Project to give her opinion on how pay scales should operate in the professional workforce as unions push to abolish 'discriminatory' junior rates in retail, fast food and pharmacy awards

A third said: 'But what if the teenager has been there longer than the 40yr does that teen deserve more money I mean it happens that the 40yr old could be the rookie.'

'They are employed to do the same job... of course they should be paid the same. Don't employ someone if you believe they are not capable,' someone else commented.

Despite the slew of backlash Kate received for her comments, many others came forward to support the radio host and agree with her views.

One person wrote: 'If salaries were the same you wouldn't hire the 16-year-old you would hire the 40-year-old and get the experience jobs for teens would then quickly dry up.'

However, her firm stance that teenagers should not be on the same hourly rate or salary as middle aged adults sparked a huge divide among Instagram users

'Kate the voice of reason exactly I have a teenager (just working) she's amazing but she has a lot to learn in the workplace and pay should reflect that,' another agreed.

A third added: 'No! I've got great photos of what the 16-year-olds left behind for me to clean up. They have little rapport with older customers, can't wash dishes properly, can't sweep properly, the list goes on.'

'ABSOLUTELY NOT! The entitlement culture does not need more encouragement! It's wildly disrespectful to mature workers and their experience!' someone else commented.

The commentary comes as young workers across the nation could soon get a pay bump as unions seek to bring 18-year-old workers' earnings in line with the adult wage.

Kate said 16-year-olds should be paid less because employers have to train them up, whereas a 40-year-old usually has much more experience

Unions on Thursday filed a 'groundbreaking' application asking the industrial relations watchdog to abolish 'discriminatory' junior rates in retail, fast food and pharmacy awards and pay the full adult rate for workers 18 and over.

Currently, workers under the age of 20 in retail, fast food and pharmacy are paid less than the full adult wage.

Younger workers in those sectors across Australia will see a lift in wages if the case is successful, with benefits expected to flow onto enterprise agreements with junior rates.

The proposed changes could also result in a pay bump of between five to 10 per cent for workers under 16 to 50 per cent of the award and a 15 per cent pay increase for 17-year-olds.
Just before late actor Johnny Wactor was honored at the Daytime Emmy Awards, his General Hospital on-screen wife Sofia Mattsson shared her thoughts about the loss.

Wactor was walking a co-worker to her car after a late-night bar shift in downtown Los Angeles when he confronted a group of thieves stealing his catalytic converter.

The 37-year-old actor was gunned down while trying to protect his co-worker and passed from his injuries.

During the Daytime Emmy Awards, Mattsson, opened up to People about the loss of her co-star.

'We shared so many great memories, so many tears and laughter on and off screen,' she told People on Friday.

Just before late actor Johnny Wactor was honored at the Daytime Emmy Awards , his General Hospital on-screen wife Sofia Mattsson shared her thoughts about the loss

Wactor was walking a co-worker to her car after a late-night bar shift in downtown Los Angeles when he confronted a group of thieves stealing his catalytic converter

When asked what he was like as a person, Mattsson said, 'He's so helpful. He just helps supporting everyone. He knows everyone's name.'

'He's just friendly with everyone. He is super, super goofy. And just always made you laugh, and made you feel so comfortable and at home,' she added.

Mattson played Sasha Corbin on General Hospital, the wife of Wactor's Brando Corbin, as she recalled one of her favorite set memories.

'But I really loved when we had a storyline when we lost our baby, because that was just something we really went through together,' she said.

'And it was so beautiful, watching him make the reality of becoming a father, to a reality for himself,' she added.

'So that was really just cool to see, how much he just dived into that role, and made it real for himself,' Mattsson continued.

After Wactor's passing, Mattson took to Instagram to send a tribute on social media as well.

'My heart is so utterly broken Johnny was the absolute best. So genuine. So caring. Incredibly hard working and humble,' she began.

When asked what he was like as a person, Mattsson said, 'He's so helpful. He just helps supporting everyone. He knows everyone's name'

'He's just friendly with everyone. He is super, super goofy. And just always made you laugh, and made you feel so comfortable and at home,' she added.

Mattson played Sasha Corbin on General Hospital, the wife of Wactor's Brando Corbin, as she recalled one of her favorite set memories.

'With a huge heart that spread so much kindness and joy. He always made sure everyone around him felt seen, heard and loved,' she added.

'With a huge heart that spread so much kindness and joy. He always made sure everyone around him felt seen, heard and loved,' she added.

'I admire the man he was so much and Im a better person for having known him,' she admitted.

'We shared so many special moments, both on and off screen, and I will forever cherish them deeply in my hear,' she said.

'You will be so incredibly missed Johnny Im sure youre already busy taking care of everyone up there,' she concluded.
Jake Gyllenhaal and Lily Rabe closed out their weekend by attending the premiere for their new Apple TV Plus series Presumed Innocent.

The 43-year-old actor plays Rusty Sabich in the series, based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Scott Turow.

The story follows a gruesome crime that turns the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney's Office upside down when one of their own - Sabich - is accused of the crime.

Gyllenhaal stepped out with a white t-shirt under a grey paisley short-sleeved dress shirt for the premiere.

He also rocked matching grey dress pants and completed his look with black dress shoes for the premiere.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Lily Rabe closed out their weekend by attending the premiere for their new Apple TV Plus series Presumed Innocent

Rabe stepped out in a stunning silver gown which featured two different shoulder straps for the premiere.

The story follows a gruesome crime that turns the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney's Office upside down when one of their own - Sabich - is accused of the crime

Rabe stepped out in a stunning silver gown which featured two different shoulder straps for the premiere.

She had her white hair parted down the center and accessorized with a number of rings and bracelets.

The gown flowed all the way down to the red carpet and obscured her Malone Souliers x Tabitha Simmons mules for the evening.

The original book was originally adapted into the 1990 movie of the same name starring Harrison Ford and Bonnie Bedelia.

The series, 'takes viewers on a journey through the horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney's office when one of its own is suspected of a crime.'

'The series explores obsession, sex, politics and the power and limits of love, as the accused fights to hold his family and marriage together,' the description adds.

The cast also includes Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, O-T Fagbenle, Chase Infiniti, Elizabeth Marvel, Nana Mensah, Renate Reinsve, Peter Sarsgaard and Kingston Rumi Southwick

She had her white hair parted down the center and accessorized with a number of rings and bracelets.

The series, 'takes viewers on a journey through the horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney's office when one of its own is suspected of a crime.'

Also hitting the red carpet on Sunday was series creator David E. Kelley, who stepped out in a sharp suit.

Director Anne Sewitsky and Renata Reinsve, who plays Carolyn Polhemus, were also spotted on the red carpet in black looks

Nana Mensah also hit the red carpet in a stunning black gown for the premiere screening.

The show premieres June 12 on Apple TV Plus

Jake Gyllenhaal poses with brother-in-law Peter Sarsgaard at the Presumed Innocent premiere

Jake Gyllenhaal gives co-star Lily Rabe a hug on the Presumed Innocent red carpet

Jake Gyllenhaal and Lily Rabe share some laughs on the Presumed Innocent red carpet

Jake Gyllenhaal and Lily Rabe engage in conversation at the Presumed Innocent

Executive producer Anne Sewitsky and Jake Gyllenhaal take the stage after Presumed Innocent screening at Tribeca Film Festival

Also hitting the red carpet on Sunday was series creator David E. Kelley, who stepped out in a sharp suit.

Director Anne Sewitsky and Renata Reinsve, who plays Carolyn Polhemus, were also spotted on the red carpet in black looks.

Nana Mensah also hit the red carpet in a stunning black gown for the premiere screening.

The show premieres June 12 on Apple TV Plus.
by M. K. Bhadrakumar





The report of the death of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative [BRI] was an exaggeration, after all. Within days of the US President Joe Bidens acerbic remark during an interview last week with the Time magazine that the BRI has become a nuisance graveyard initiative, a trilateral intergovernmental agreement to commence construction work on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan [CKU] railway project was signed in Beijing on Thursday.





Chinese President Xi Jinping offered congratulations on the trilateral intergovernmental agreement with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and described the CKU as a strategic project for Chinas connectivity with Central Asia, symbolising the three nations collaborative efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative. Xi hailed the agreement as a show of determination.





A China-Europe freight train prepares to pull out from the Horgos Port in Horgos, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 16, 2024. (Photo by Qiu Jing/Xinhua)





The idea of such a railway project was first proposed by Uzbekistan in 1996 but it languished for over a quarter century thereafter due to the geopolitical and alliance changes in Central Asia, including reservations reportedly on the part of Moscow and Astana. China, which could unilaterally finance CKU, also lost interest and prioritised its ties with Russia and Kazakhstan.





Principally, the failure of the three countries to reach a consensus on the railways route became a vexed issue with China and Uzbekistan favouring a southern route, which would represent the shorter transit route to Europe and West Asia, while Bishkek insisted on the northern routea longer passage that would connect Kyrgyzstans northern and southern regions and boost its economy.









However, the moribund project took new life following the changing geopolitics of Central Asia, as intra-regional integration processes began gaining traction, the rethink in Moscow in favour of strengthening regional connectivity in the conditions under western sanctions, etc.





Indeed, with improved railway connectivity, it is not only the connection between China and the two Central Asian countries along the route that will be strengthened, but the interconnectivity in Central Asian region as well.





However, in a curious reversal of roles, as Central Asia turned into a turf of the great game lately between the US on one side and Russia and China on the other, Washington began taking a dim view of the prospect of such a project to connect the railway systems of China potentially to the European railway network through Turkmenistan, Iran, and Turkiye.









Suffice to say, in the past two years, with renewed interest, China began viewing the 523 km long railway line  213 kms in China, 260 kms in Kyrgyzstan, and 50 kms in Uzbekistan  optimistically as a shorter route from China to Europe and West Asia than the existing 900 km corridor that passes through the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia, which lacks modern infrastructure with only a single non-electrified track that makes it incapable of transiting Chinese goods to Europe, and also mitigate the economic costs associated with Western sanctions on Russia.





Above all, the growing geopolitical tensions over the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea have begun posing serious concern and top priority for Beijing to establish alternate land routes to the European market.









Without doubt, CKU has huge potential in geopolitical, geo-strategic and geo-economic terms. Succinctly put, it will complete the southern passage of the New Eurasian Land Bridge, shaping a convenient transport path from East and Southeast Asia to Central and Western Asia, Northern Africa and Europe.





Specifically, apart from integrating Central Asian region with the wider transportation network, and connect it better to the global market, Beijing envisages that CKU could be further extended to other countries in future, such as Afghanistan.





In fact, speaking at the signing ceremony on Thursday alongside Xi and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev underscored that This road will allow our countries to enter the wide markets of South Asia and the Middle East through the promising Trans-Afghan Corridor.





Of course, the construction of CKU, which is expected to start later this year at a cost of $8 billion, poses formidable challenges, being a trans-national project to be executed by a joint venture of between three countries in the BOT format. No doubt, CKU involves daunting engineering skills with its path traversing the challenging terrain of western China and Kyrgyzstan at altitudes ranging from 2,000-3500 meters and involving the construction of more than fifty tunnels and ninety bridges through Kyrgyzstans highest mountains.









But China has vast experience and expertise in pulling it off. Xi said the agreement signed in Beijing provided a solid legal foundation for the railways construction and it transformed the project from a vision to a reality.





The project feasibility study is currently being updated, following the completion of field surveys by Chinese engineers in December. Zhu Yongbiao, a professor at the Research Centre for the Belt and Road of Lanzhou University, told Global Times that construction techniques and financing pose no problems.





The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stated at the daily press briefing in Beijing on Friday, 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 spokesperson flagged that CKU 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.





The CKU originates from the western Chinese hub of Kashgar to the Uzbek city of Andijan in Ferghana Valley, passing through Torugart, Makmal and Jalalabad. It connects the Soviet-era railway grid in Uzbekistan leading to Termez on the Amu Darya bordering Mazar-i-Sharif city in Afghanistan.









Uzbekistan announced last month that the Trans-Afghan railway project is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2027, connecting Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, facilitating crucial trade routes and bolstering regional connectivity. Interestingly, the Trans-Afghan Railway project has also figured in the Chinese-Pakistani documents in the past.





The joint statement issued after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs visit to China last week vowed to make the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor an exemplary project of high-quality building of Belt and Road cooperation (and) recognised the significance of Gwadar Port as an important node in cross-regional connectivity while also agreeing to play a constructive role in helping Afghanistan to achieve stable development and integrate into the international community.





Notably, in the first official recognition of the interim Taliban government by a major nation, Xi Jinping welcomed Asadullah Bilal Karimi, the Taliban-appointed Afghan ambassador, in a formal ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in January, along with envoys from Cuba, Iran, Pakistan and 38 other countries, who also presented their credentials.





It is entirely conceivable that the time has come for the realisation of the century-old dream of a Trans-Afghan railway. Qatar reportedly has shows interest in funding the project. At a meeting in Kazan in February with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mirziyoyev had disclosed that the Russian side had expressed interest in participating in the development of the technical justification for the project and its promotion. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister for Transport Vitaly Savelyev who had earlier visited Tashkent, attended the meeting in Kazan.





Certainly, the restoration of full relationship between Moscow and Kabul, which is imminent, will help speed up matters.





The CKU becomes the lodestar in a phenomenal transformation of regional connectivity in Central Asia and far-flung regions surrounding it. In the current international climate, this has profound geopolitical implications for the Russian-Chinese joint/coordinated efforts to push back the US dual containment strategy.

M. K. Bhadrakumar was a career diplomat by profession. Roughly half of the 3 decades of his diplomatic career was devoted to assignments on the territories of the former Soviet Union and to Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. Other overseas postings included South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey. He writes mainly on Indian foreign policy and the affairs of the Middle East, Eurasia, Central Asia, South Asia and the Asia-Pacific.
Roxy Jacenko was treated to a very lavish birthday dinner in Singapore over the weekend after her husband Oliver Curtis flew in all of her closest friends and family.

The PR maven, 44, was recently caught up in a mansion giveaway which forced her to personally refund 7,000 people who signed up to her online 'Brand Bootcamp'.

But she couldn't wipe the smile off her face in a series of photos uploaded to Instagram on Monday as her doting partner, 39, threw Roxy a surprise dinner party at the very exclusive restaurant Claudine.

'The weekend that was - after four months of pure hell. This. Oliver flew my best friends and family to Singapore as a surprise for dinner to celebrate my birthday,' she captioned the reel of photographs.

In the happy snaps, the public relations guru could be seen grinning from ear-to-ear as she posed with her closest friends and family, including daughter Pixie, 12, and son Hunter, nine, who she shares with Oliver.

Roxy Jacenko, 44, (pictured) was treated to a very lavish birthday dinner in Singapore over the weekend as her husband Oliver Curtis, 39, flew in all of her closest friends and family

The group dined on large amounts of caviar worth upwards of $500, with Oliver reserving an enormous booth fit for a dozen people which was decorated with bouquets of white and purple flowers.

A video shared to Instagram also saw the emotional moment Roxy walked into the restaurant and grew teary eyed upon seeing all her loved ones waiting for her.

The entrepreneur was garbed in a simple black dress from Loewe worth an eye-watering $1,700 which she matched with an Hermes Birkin handbag.

Roxy's lavish celebration comes after she released a new statement to Instagram when her former business partners said they regretted going into business with her.

The Singapore-based Australian publicist made headlines last month when she promised to personally refund all 7,000 people who had signed up to her online business course Roxy's Brand Bootcamp.

Roxy couldn't wipe the smile off her face in a series of photos taken during the festivities

The promotion, which Roxy had launched with business partners Youssef Tleis and Kassim Alaouie, included a number of prizes, including a luxury Cronulla home.

Entrants paid between $29 and $499 for a chance to win the extravagant prizes, but faced uncertainty after Roxy called in liquidators to the trio's ailing company, Roxy's Bootcamp Pty Ltd.

In a joint statement released on social media early last week, Youssef and Kassim expressed their regret and apologised to those affected.

'Our primary concern has always been you, the public, and especially those who have participated and purchased an entry into this promotion,' they stated.

'We filed a cross-application seeking orders so that we could run the promotion and award those prizes,' they continued.

In the happy snaps, the public relations guru could be seen grinning from ear-to-ear as she posed with her closest friends and family, including daughter Pixie, 12, and son Hunter, nine, who she shares with Oliver

The group dined on large amounts of caviar worth upwards of $500, with Oliver reserving an enormous booth fit for a dozen people which was decorated with bouquets of white and purple flowers

'We sincerely apologise to you all. We fought as hard as we could and were even willing to give personal undertakings to support our fight,' the pair added.

'We want to express our deepest regret for entering into this partnership with Ms Jacenko. It has been an incredibly challenging and eye-opening experience. We sincerely apologise,' the pair added.

'We thank you for your understanding and continued support. We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience or distress. We will do our best to keep you informed,' they concluded.

Meanwhile, in a statement released on Saturday morning, Roxy revealed she will be personally refunding those with tickets.

'In life, we can all make mistakes. We are only human. This "partnership" was a mistake and is a life lesson. I want to make it clear that I never did anything other than act in the interest of the consumers who purchased the course to try and deliver,' she wrote in an Instagram statement.

'It became apparent that this wasn't going to end well and so l had to seek a court injunction in the Supreme Court of NSW which was granted on June 5, 2024.'

Roxy's lavish celebration comes after she released a new statement to Instagram when her former business partners, Youssef Tleis and Kassim Alaouie, said they regretted going into business with her. All pictured

Prior to this legal action, Roxy revealed she took proactive steps to settle outstanding bills and ensure the $250K prize fund's integrity for the eventual winner.

Highlighting a lack of control over the company's financial accounts, including the $253K held within, Roxy expressed frustration at the prolonged legal process, now extended until July 5, 2024.

Taking personal responsibility for the situation, Roxy reaffirmed her commitment to issuing refunds

'As such, I am taking matters into my own hands. l am offering the refund personally as per what I stated, on my personal Instagram some 3 weeks ago. Life lesson - don't go into business with strangers,' she concluded.
Natalie Portman celebrated turning 43 on social media Sunday with photoset of her inner circle of friends she credited for uplifting her, about four months after she finalized her split from Benjamin Millepied after an 11-year marriage.

'This year, on my birthday, I want to celebrate my gratitude for my friends who lift me up again and again,' the Academy Award-winning Black Swan actress captioned the post.

The Jerusalem, Israel-born actress was seen in a slideshow of nine images posed alongside various friends, who she did not identify via tagging into the posts on the social media site.

The May December actress was pictured in a variety of settings with her friends in the montage of images, which appeared to be taken in spots from all over the world.

Backgrounds included in the montage included a canyon; in front of cherry blossom trees; in a field; in a nightclub; and in front of a waterfront.

Natalie Portman celebrated turning 43 on social media Sunday with photoset of her inner circle of friends she credited for uplifting her

The Jerusalem, Israel-born actress was seen in a slideshow of images posed alongside various friends

Portman received a number of well-wishes from celebrity friends in the comment thread of her post, including multiple fellow Oscar winners.

'Happy birthday !!!! Oh I love you!!!' said Julianne Moore who won Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in 2015 for Still Alice.

Reese Witherspoon, who won the Best Actress Oscar in 2006 for Walk the Line, said, 'Happy Birthday, you incredible diamond of a human! I love you.'

Kerry Washington told Portman, 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL HUMAN,' while Tracee Ellis Ross said, 'happy birthday gorgeous lady.'

Mindy Kaling said, 'Happy birthday, beautiful;' Ali Wong said, 'Happy birthday!!!!!;' and Isla Fisher said, 'Ports I love you. Happy Birthday. ... I'm so grateful you were born.'

Portman and Millepied, 47 - who are parents to two children - son Aleph, 12, and daughter Amalia, seven - finalized their divorce in France this past February, People reported.

A friend of the actress and director-choreographer told People that Portman's inner circle of pals buoyed her through the turbulent timeframe.

'It was initially really tough for her, but her friends rallied around her and helped get her through the worst of it,' the source told the outlet.

The May December actress was pictured in a variety of settings with her friends in the montage of images, which appeared to be from all over the world

The Black Swan actress was pictured with a pal in front of cherry blossom trees

The Thor: Love and Thunder star was pictured with a friend in front of a field

The Lucy in the Sky actress was pictured with a friend ahead of a waterfront

The Star Wars alum was posed alongside a pal in an indoor shot in the slideshow

The Jackie actress was pictured in a formal ensemble in a black and white shot with a friend

The Lady in the Lake pointed at a friend in a pic that appeared to be in a club setting

Portman received a number of well-wishes from celebrity friends in the comment thread of her post, including multiple fellow Oscar winners

The insider noted that Portman 'is coming out of a really tough and painful year but she's come out the other side of it stronger and is finding joy in her family, friends and work.'

The insider told the outlet that Portman's 'biggest priority has been ensuring a smooth transition for her children' amid the divorce.

'She and Ben really love their kids and are equally focused on being the best co-parents they can be,' said the source. 'Nothing is more important.'

Portman was seen looking cozy in a discussion with Irish actor Paul Mescal, 28, in London in late May, though insiders told TMZ that the two were just friends.
Home and Away lovebirds James Stewart and Ada Nicodemou were spotted enjoying the long weekend together on Monday, over a month after going public with their romance.

The pair, who play lovers on Home and Away, took a relaxed morning stroll accompanied by Stewart's daughter, Scout, 12, who he shares with actress Jessica Marais.

In one moment, the on-and-off screen couple were spotted sharing an embrace.

Ada, 47, looked effortlessly chic in a sleek black jacket with matching leggings and a pair of white trainers.

She completed the look with a pair of stylish sunglasses and a slicked-back ponytail.

Home and Away lovebirds James Stewart, 48, (left) and Ada Nicodemou, 47, (right) were spotted enjoying the long weekend together on Monday, over a month after going public with their romance. The new couple were joined by Stewart's daughter Scout, 12 (centre)

James, 48, kept it casual in a black vest layered over a black T-shirt and matching pants.

Scout also donned an all black ensemble, opting for a hooded jacket and pants.

Ada and James were first believed to be dating after bombshell photos emerged of the pair packing on the PDA in April on Anzac Day.

In one moment, the on and off screen couple were spotted sharing an embrace

The pair, who play lovers on Home and Away, took a relaxed morning stroll

Ada looked effortlessly chic in a sleek black jacket with matching leggings and a pair of white trainers

The pair enjoyed a beverage together at The Royal Hotel and were later seen getting cosy outside the establishment after leaving the venue.

There was also a sighting of the couple at a cinema, where onlookers said they were 'not shy' about publicly displaying their affection.

Ada was married to Chrys Xipolitas for nine years - They reportedly split briefly in 2010 before reconciling and welcoming a son, Johnas, in August 2012.

Jame kept it casual in a black vest layered over a black T-shirt and matching trousers

Scout also donned an all black ensemble, sporting a hooded jacket and trousers

Ada completed her look with a pair of stylish sunglasses and a slicked-back ponytail

Ada and James were first believed to be dating after bombshell photos emerged of the pair packing on the PDA in April on Anzac Day

The actress, who also starred in '90s soap Heartbreak High, went on to split from Xipolitas for good and dated businessman Rigby for about eight years and they called it quits sometime in late 2023.

The news of James and Ada growing close comes after his ex Sarah - a Home and Away alum - confirmed to Stellar magazine earlier this year the pair had divorced.

Sarah and James wed in 2019 after getting engaged in November 2018 - He had proposed at the restaurant where they'd had their first date a year earlier.

Stellar reported the couple had 'been living separate lives for some time' prior to their March divorce.

The pair enjoyed a beverage together at The Royal Hotel and were later seen getting cosy outside the establishment after leaving the venue
Anita Rani has revealed she found 'freedom' after getting divorced.

The Countryfile presenter, 46, split from her husband of 14 years, Bhupi Rehal, last September and in a candid piece for The Sunday Times she explained how she has been navigating single life in her forties.

Anita, who was born and raised in Bradford, West Yorkshire by an Indian-born Hindu father and an Indian-born Sikh mother, also revealed how her upbringing had impacted her approach to life.

She confessed that her family believed divorce to be a 'cardinal sin', and while she admitted it 'isn't easy to talk about', she wanted to detail how she feels about her life now so 'that I am answerable to no one.'

Anita mused: 'Becoming single in my mid-forties has made me re-evaluate everything. It has made me see how much I have been conditioned to be a dutiful woman, rather than a free woman.'

Anita Rani, 46, has found freedom in getting divorced after a lifetime of feeling pressure and shame because she was 'born with a vagina' (pictured with ex-husband Bhupi Rehal in 2018)

She continued: 'I was raised to be a high achiever, to make my parents and family proud, but I was also raised never to bring shame. This is where it gets kind of problematic, especially if you are born with a vagina. So I guess Ive lived in extreme conflict.'

Anita confessed that she 'resented' doing what she believed to be her 'duty' and mused: 'Now I feel as if Im beginning to breathe for the first time, do what I truly want to. And now hitting my mid-forties has given me a sense of urgency.'

The TV presenter touched upon covering the theme of generational trauma in her novel Baby Does A Runner.

Anita explained to Good Housekeeping at the time: 'I grew up in a Punjabi family where men and women were treated very differently and I could see the inequality everywhere around me.

'But when you have something to fight against, it really empowers you. It's like a fire inside that drives you.'

Anita has previously discussed being one become one of the few British Asian presenters on television and wanting to dispel stereotypes.

She told Good Housekeeping in 2020: 'First of all, it feels great to have worked so hard and achieved something like that; smashing glass ceilings is a pretty great feeling.

'But it's important to me to speak out about the struggles I've had, too.

'The perception of Asian women has always been very binary; people think we're quite square and clever and that we don't have sex until we're married (of course, Mother, I didn't have sex until I got married!).

'But that's just not the case. I've hated being put into boxes my whole life.'

Anita confessed that she 'resented' doing what she believed to be her 'duty' and mused: 'Now I feel as if Im beginning to breathe for the first time, do what I truly want to' (pictured in May)

Anita, who was born and raised in Bradford, West Yorkshire by an Indian-born Hindu father and an Indian-born Sikh mother, revealed how her upbringing had impacted her approach to life (pictured in childhood with parents Balvinder Nazran and Lakhvir Taggar)

Anita met her husband at a rave in east London and married in a Sikh ceremony back in 2009.

She previously told how the couple had a good marriage, saying: 'He's great and we have a great life. It's like any marriage: you have to work at it.'

It's believed that Anita and Bhupi, a tech company owner, split as a result of their hectic schedules.

A source told The Mirror at the time: 'It's really sad but they've decided to separate.

'Their hectic schedules over the past couple of years have sadly meant they've drifted apart over time.

'They remain on very good terms and wish nothing but the best for one another.'

In May, Anita revealed she had moved back in to a flat she bought 30 years ago and had decided to transform it into her dream home following her marital split.

She told Good Housekeeping: 'I feel like I've stepped into a place that I never, ever expected myself to be in. I'm in uncharted territory - I'm a single, Asian woman with no children, and do you know what? I love it!'

In late 2023, Anita told how she's stopped 'people pleasing' after being being put 'in a box' for much of her life.

Speaking to Yahoo News, Anita told of the pressure she felt to settle down after it was instilled that marriage and children equals success, remarking that the notion is 'drip fed to you'.

She said: 'How many of us are making choices based on what we actually want to do? and how many of us are doing it because it's what's expected of us? And those are the things that I'm personally grappling with.'

Anita has previously discussed being one become one of the few British Asian presenters on television (pictured on her show Bollywood: The World's Biggest Film Industry)

Anita met her husband at a rave in London and married in a Sikh ceremony back in 2009. It's believed that Anita and Bhupi, a tech company owner, split as a result of their hectic schedules

The presenter told how she began 'second guessing' what people wanted after watching women in her life facilitate everyone before themselves.

Anita went on to say that her 40s were very 'transitional' and she started to not 'give a f*** as much' as she felt more 'empowered' and 'confident' within herself.

She shared: 'I think at some point, you wake up and realise it's time to make myself happy, because I think women do look after everybody, whether that's because that's what society expects, or whether it's your parents or your husband or your children.

'You realise that it's a bit of a waste of time trying to please other people. And once you find who you are, and you walk into a room authentically, valuing who you are  that's a sensational feeling.'
Travis Barker proudly supported his son Landon Barker at a fashion show in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The Blink-182 drummer, 48  who recently got a tattoo in tribute of his family  was spotted in the audience at the Nahmias Spring/Summer 2025 Menswear event, where his 20-year-old son walked the runway.

Rocking a simple white tee, black shirt, and matching pants, Kourtney Kardashian's husband watched as Landon showcased various outfits for the high-end streetwear label.

After the show, the musician, who shares Landon and his 18-year-old daughter Alabama with ex Shanna Moakler, flashed a peace sign while posing with his eldest son backstage.

Travis also shares son Rocky with Kourtney; the couple, who married in May 2022, welcomed the tot in November.

Travis Barker proudly supported his son Landon Barker at a fashion show in Los Angeles on Sunday

The Blink-182 drummer, 48 was spotted in the audience at the Nahmias Spring/Summer 2025 Menswear event, where his 20-year-old son walked the runway

During the event, Landon seized the opportunity to snap a photo with Machine Gun Kelly, who captivated the audience with a stunning performance following the runway show.

The Pan Pacific Park Gymnasium was abuzz with star power, with actress Draya Michele also gracing the event alongside other notable personalities.

The outing comes a few days after Travis showed off his new body art on Instagram.

In a black-and-white photo, which appeared to be taken by his tattoo artist, he showed off the 'FAMILY' ink now covering his arm on top of his permanent sleeve.

In the same snap, he revealed a tribute for his son Rocky.

The eight-month-old baby's moniker was seen permanently etched on the inside of his wrist  a tattoo he previously teased with an image of the stencil with their son's name.

Barker has a personal tradition of getting the names of each of his children permanently etched to his body.

In addition to his Rocky tattoo, he already has the names of his three kids  Landon, Alabama and 24-year-old stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya  on his lower back.

Rocking a simple white tee, black shirt, and matching pants, Kourtney Kardashian 's husband watched as Landon showcased various outfits for the high-end streetwear label

After the show, the musician, who shares Landon and his 18-year-old daughter Alabama with ex Shanna Moakler , flashed a peace sign while posing with his eldest son backstage.

Landon rocked an all-black ensemble for the show

He proved to be a pro at the runway

In March, Landon dropped his latest single Over You after he and Charli D'Amelio called it quits in April following a year and a half of dating

'Some people you will never get over until the day you die,' said Barker in a press release

Earlier this year, he also got tatted together with his daughter Alabama shortly after she turned 18.

As part of his photo series, Barker shared a photo of him laying face down on a table at the tattoo parlor while getting the newest addition to his extensive ink collection.

In the photo, he was shirtless and also showcased the many tattoos covering his body.

Late last year, Barker and Kardashian welcomed their first child together in the middle of Blink-182's ongoing world tour.

'Over You is a break up song that relates to me personally, and I hope it resonates with you too,' he added

Landon announced his and D'Amelio's split in an Instagram statement in April.

Landon has walked runways as early as age 18

Travis proudly watched his son shine as a model

The father-son duo posed with friends backstage

During the event, Landon seized the opportunity to snap a photo with Machine Gun Kelly

The couple's baby is the newest addition to their blended family. Kardashian shares sons Mason, 13, Reign, eight, and daughter Penelope, 11, with her ex-boyfriend Scott Disick.

Meanwhile, in March, Landon dropped his latest single Over You after he and Charli D'Amelio called it quits in April following a year and a half of dating.

'Some people you will never get over until the day you die,' said Barker in a press release.

'Over You is a break up song that relates to me personally, and I hope it resonates with you too,' he added.

MGK captivated the audience with a stunning performance following the runway show

MGK showed off his guitar skills as he wore a punk rock ensemble

He wore a hat that read 'holy'

MGK rocked a white tee with a red one underneath

Doni Nahmias posed with the superstar backstage

The Pan Pacific Park Gymnasium was abuzz with star power, with actress Draya Michele also gracing the event alongside other notable personalities

Draya looked incredible in her unique ensemble

Jalen Green posed with his girlfriend Draya

They enjoyed the show from the belachers

In the song, Landon sings, 'I can't get out of my bed, your voice inside of head/Our favorite song on repeat.'

Landon announced his and D'Amelio's split in an Instagram statement in April.

'Hey everyone, I would like to let you guys know that Charli and I are no longer together,' he wrote

.'We broke up to focus on ourselves,' Landon continued. 'We are still friends and have so much love for each other.'
Great British Bake Off star Cristy Sharp has given birth to her fifth child.

The baker, 34, - who came fourth in the 2023 series of the hit Channel 4 series - took to Instagram to share the happy news and posted a sweet snap of her little one.

She revealed she had welcomed a son named Judah and gushed that her 'heart was so full' and that he had 'completed the last piece' of their family puzzle.

Cristy's newborn looked adorable in the picture wearing a white hat and buttoned baby grow.

Cristy already shares four children with her husband who she does not share snaps of on social media.

Great British Bake Off star Cristy Sharp has given birth to her fifth child

The baker, 34, - who came fourth in the 2023 series of the hit Channel 4 series - took to Instagram to share the happy news and posted a sweet snap of her little one

She penned in the caption: 'On Monday 27th May, God blessed us with another Son.

'Judah Lior Sharp  My heart is so full with love for you that I could burst. You have completed the last piece of the puzzle & I will love you until the end of time .'

Her fellow Bake Off star Dan Hunter was quick to send a congratulatory message under the post.

He wrote: 'Oh Cristy Judah is absolutely beautiful! many congratulations to you and your family from ours. I hope you are both doing well xxx'

Cristy announced she was pregnant with her fifth child back in February.

The quarter finalist took to Instagram as she shared a gorgeous snap of her blossoming bump in a figure hugging black dress.

She captioned the post: 'Bump update. Feeling extremely pregnant now & getting so excited at the thought of our new addition. Heartburn has well and truly kicked in.'

Joking about how she's preparing for the birth she continued: 'Every evening its One born every minute & Emma Willis delivering babies on repeat (much to my husbands annoyance)'.

Replying to the star's post fans rushed to congratulate the baker as they penned a plethora of supportive comments.

Cristy already shares four children with her husband who she does not share snaps of on social media

Cristy announced she was pregnant with her fifth child back in February. The quarter finalist took to Instagram as she shared a gorgeous snap of her blossoming bump in a figure hugging black dress

Replying to the star's post fans rushed to congratulate the baker as they penned a plethora of supportive comments when she announced her pregnancy back in February of this year

One wrote: 'Just glowing @cristysharp_ ' while another added: 'Beautiful mama'.

Another added: 'Look so beautiful Cristy' and another penned: 'Yay. Continuing to pray for a blessed and healthy pregnancy/ arrival when it comes!'

Fellow bake off star Rowan Claughton sent a series of red love heart emojis.

Cristy keeps her family life fairly private and rarely features her children or husband on her social media.

Beaming in the mirror selfie the snap pictured a sweet picture of Cristy and her husband on their wedding day as the former PA beamed in a white veil.

Cristy came in fourth place in the 2023 series of the hit Channel 4 series as judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith sent the star home after the quarter final's party week.

For their Showstopper they had to create an 'anything but beige buffet' with a whopping four and a half hours to create both savoury and sweet snacks.

Paul said Cristy's buffet was 'not the best looking' but complimented the flavours, while Matty's sports-inspired menu impressed.

Paul and Prue were torn between sending home Dan and Cristy home from the tent and ultimately decided to say goodbye to Cristy.

She said: 'It's been such a crazy fast paced experience. Now I'm going to sit back and reflect on how far I've some, I'm so proud of myself for making it this far.'

Fans were gutted to see her go as they took to Twitter to vent their frustrations.

One shared: 'Yay Matty!! But surely Dan should have been sent home?!'

Another agreed: 'Well done Matty, wrong person went though.'

'Cristy was robbed. Lucky, lucky boy Dan,' a third wrote, while someone else added: 'Not sure that was the right choice to go home.'

Cristy came in fourth place in the 2023 series of the hit Channel 4 series as judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith sent the star home after the quarter final's party week

Fans were gutted to see her go as they took to Twitter to vent their frustrations during the Bake Off quarter final last year

One viewer questioned: 'How did Dan stay in over Cristy??? He had 2 poor days & 5/6 of his 'non-beige' buffet was brown!!'

Prior to her appearance on the show the busy mum juggled her maternal responsibilities with her job as a personal assistant.

She specialises in baking cakes and incorporates her Israeli heritage into her methods - citing her husband's Jamaican roots as another source of flavour inspiration.

A perfectionist, the PA gets a thrill out of meticulously decorating her cakes. Cristy describes her baking style as enchanted and pretty  bakes that conjure up a sense of childhood.
Married At First Sight bride Lucinda Light touched the hearts of Australian audiences with her emotional intelligence and enchanting Byron Bay charm.

The 44-year-old recently opened up about her journey to accept the likelihood that motherhood may not be part of her future.

'I've done a lot of grieving around letting go of being a mumma,' she told WHO Magazine.

'It was actually one of the biggest desires and at the top of my wishlist.'

Following her appearance on the Channel Nine dating show, Lucinda made a significant move from the serene shores of Byron Bay to the bustling cityscape of Melbourne, seeking a much-needed reset.

Fans speculated that her decision was influenced by her Victoria-based MAFS husband Timothy Smith.

Married At First Sight bride Lucinda Light touched the hearts of Australian audiences with her emotional intelligence and enchanting Byron Bay charm

The 44-year-old recently opened up about her journey to accept the likelihood that motherhood may not be part of her future

However, Lucinda clarified, 'It's a lovely sanctuary of quiet among the busyness and storm post-MAFS. The pair are friends. I've just been so grateful for it.'

After making waves in Australia, she will soon travel to the UK for her speaking tour, An Evening with Lucinda Light.

Tickets, priced at 27.50 GBP ($52 AUD), have been selling like hotcakes, with a total of 4,500 tickets available.

Following her appearance on the Channel Nine dating show, Lucinda made a significant move from the serene shores of Byron Bay to the bustling cityscape of Melbourne, seeking a much-needed reset

This figure doesn't include any extra VIP packages, meet-and-greet add-ons, or merchandise, which means Lucinda is poised to earn even more from this highly anticipated tour.

One of Light's many new ventures is her new subscription-based portal, titled: 'Lucinda Light Tribe'.

Per her website, the service is described as a 'nurturing space' where 'Lu can prioritise your emotional well-being, relationships, and communication skills overlooked in our busy lives'.
Chloe Meadows flaunted her jaw-dropping figure as she hit the pool during a sun-soaked getaway to Italy last week.

The TOWIE star, 32, who is currently enjoying a break from filming, slipped into a khaki green bikini which boasted a triangular top and a skimpy thong.

The reality TV personality turned heads as she topped up her tan and showcased her trim figure in the stylish two-piece.

Chloe accessorised the poolside look with a pair of tortoiseshell shades and layered necklaces.

As she took a quick dip in the pool during her summer break, Chloe pushed her blonde locks back with a zig-zag headband.

Chloe Meadows flaunted her jaw-dropping figure as she hit the pool during a sun-soaked getaway to Italy last week

The TOWIE star, 32, who is currently enjoying a break from filming, slipped into a khaki green bikini which boasted a triangular top and a skimpy thong

The reality TV personality turned heads as she topped up her tan and showcased her trim figure in the stylish two-piece

Chloe's appearance comes after reports that filming for the TOWIE wrap party was thrown into chaos in April when a massive row erupted between two of the show's lead cast members.

Insiders claimed Ella Rae Wise and Harry Derbidge, who is one of the last remaining original stars of the show which has been on-screen for 14 years, were at loggerheads in a huge argument in front of their staggered co-stars.

Ella was at the forefront of the series' storyline thanks to her previous romance with Dan Edgar, after he split from Harry's pal Amber Turner.

Sources claimed at the time the root of the issue stemmed from Harry's growing friendship with the 'Girl Band' - the self-Christened name for Amber and her long-time pals Chloe, Courtney Green and Elma Pazar.

A source told The Sun: 'Ella and Harry's relationship has become strained ever since he grew friendly with girl band and she started dating Dan. The row had been building up for a while and after a discussion was brought up, it ended badly.'

Ella's romance with Dan began in Bali after Amber accused the pair of sharing a flirtation in the late stages of her relationship with Dan, which ended last year.

The pair protested claims of acrimony at the time, however, accusations of cheating plagued the duo and things remained tense.

Ella's romance also impacted her friendship, as the insider went on: 'There were a lot of things said in the heat of the moment, with Ella questioning Harry's loyalty...'

Chloe accessorised the poolside look with a pair of tortoiseshell shades and layered necklaces

As she took a quick dip in the pool during her summer break, Chloe pushed her blonde locks back with a zig-zag headband

Chloe previously opened up to her Instagram followers about her skin pigmentation issue which started five years ago, leaving her 'self conscious'

'It even split up their friends who took sides in the clash. Now no one's sure if they'll be able to make up and go back to how they were before.'

Chloe previously opened up to her Instagram followers about her skin pigmentation issue which started five years ago, leaving her 'self conscious' and worried about the marks being visible during filming of The Only Way Is Essex.

The blonde beauty has previously struggled with low self esteem and has admitted to considering surgery for other reasons.

She wrote in an Instagram post: 'Ok so I get so many questions about my pigmentation on my face as I know I've mentioned it on here a few times...

'So I thought lets open a conversation and start talking about it because its something I've always felt self conscious about and as I've gotten older I've realised there isn't a reason to be.

'So if this helps us all talk about it a bit more then that's got to be a good thing right! I only started getting pigmentation maybe 5 years ago when these pictures were taken and it's something that really bothered me to start with!

'It used to look like I had a moustache if I'd been in the sun which obviously for any girl is horrible!'

The blonde beauty has previously struggled with low self esteem and has admitted to considering surgery for other reasons
Race Across The World winners Alfie and Owen have admitted that they 'absolutely rinsed' the budget during their luxury hotel stays while on the show.

Trainee air traffic controller Alfie and trainee pilot, Owen, both 21, won the latest series of the hugely-popular BBC show.

Five teams of two were tasked with racing to the island of Lombok in Indonesia via a series of checkpoints in the gruelling eight week challenge.

Each leg of the show is split up by the checkpoints where they get to regroup and stay in fancy hotels. These hotel stays are not filmed to feature on the show.

And the friends from St Albans have now told how they fully took advantage of the luxurious accommodation and at one hotel in Cambodia even had 24-hour room service.

Race Across The World winners Alfie and Owen have admitted that they 'absolutely rinsed' the budget during their luxury hotel stays while on the show

Trainee air traffic controller Alfie and trainee pilot, Owen, both 21, won the latest series of the hugely-popular BBC show

Alfie told The Times: 'Well, we definitely got our washing done, but we didn't go nuts anywhere, except in Phnom Penh, where it was 24-hour room service.

'We had a three-tiered trolley delivered to us. It was just food. Lots of food. It was about 2am and I was on top of the world.'

Owen then added: 'That was ridiculous. We absolutely rinsed the budget!'

It comes after last month previous contestants and crew members lifted the lid on the behind-the-scenes secrets of the show.

Series four winner Alfie, 20, confirmed that the teams can stay in secret hotels for up to two days at each checkpoint - which isn't aired during the episodes.

Alfie spilled the gossip in a Facebook group dedicated to the show, revealing that they had to stay in the hotel for 'safety reasons'.

He said: 'It does change depending on finishing times to make sure nobody leaves at an utterly ridiculous time - mainly for safety'.

Meanwhile, series two contestant Jen, who took part with her husband Rob, also revealed the teams are accompanied by members of the crew at all times.

Each leg of the show is split up by checkpoints where they get to regroup and stay in fancy hotels. These hotel stays are not filmed to feature on the show

Five teams of two were tasked with racing to the island of Lombok in Indonesia via a series of checkpoints, with friends Alfie and Owen ultimately taking the win (pictured L-R Stephen & Viv, Sharon & Brydie, Eugenie & Isabel, James & Betty & Owen & Alfie)

And the friends from St Albans have now told how they fully took advantage of the luxurious accommodation and at one hotel in Cambodia even had 24-hour room service

While she insisted there 'isn't much viewers don't get to see', the two producers who travel with the teams aren't revealed to viewers on screen.

Jen also revealed that there is a 'local fixer' and a medic travelling about an hour behind them in case of an emergency.

She told the i: 'You are always with two crew members and a medic, with a local fixer close behind. The crew really don't contribute, despite what people think  however nonsensical our decisions might be.

'I remember crossing into a different time zone and almost missing a vital transport link, and the crew just had to roll with it. It's the same with our jobs directory  all genuine jobs on offer in the local areas, simply compiled.'

When asked if it was really as hard as it seems on screen, Jen said: 'People always ask me if it was really as hard as it seemed. In short, YES. I was convinced that once the cameras stopped rolling, they'd wheel out the buffet cart and hand over the keys to the luxury hotel, but heck was I wrong. I really did have to sleep in that hammock. In my case, ignorance was bliss.'

Jen told how the crew travelled with them constantly and there always had to be space for them on various points of transport such as buses.

She explained that they were only able to travel if at least one member of the crew was able to come with them, but insisted this never impacted their route.

Executive producer Mark Saben told the BBC: 'They had to do the same journey as them, sleeping alongside them on the bus.

'So they were almost like a family, with its ups and downs. And while we had done recces, the teams found bits of the world which were totally surprising.'

Mark informed Broadcast that visas and vaccines for 'every conceivable country' are arranged in advance, with 'every likely bus and train option, cost and connection' being researched.

He said 'It's all very well doing it theoretically, looking at timetables and things' before adding 'but until someone does it for real, you don't know where the difficulties might lie.

'We drew up protocols that set rules for how the teams could hitchhike, travel at night and cross borders safely.'

Despite having a fixer and a medic at hand, Mark revealed that they are instructed to keep their distance to make their experience feel authentic.

He said 'How they made their journey was up to them. This meant as a production we had to react to their decisions, however nonsensical.

'It was a nightmare for production management as the competing contributors decided how and where to go. You cannot underestimate how challenging the journey could be at times.'

MailOnline reached out to Race Across The World for comment at the time.

The final episode saw a nail-biting ending to the 15,000km race across Eastern Asia as two pairs approached the finish line neck and neck.

After arriving at the second last checkpoint in Jakarta within just 12 minutes of each other, both Alfie and Owen and Isabel and Eugenie were eager to get out in front for the final leg.

Both pairs met each other multiple times on their journey from Jakarta to Lombok, before needing to travel by boat to a tiny Island off the coast at the exact same time.

After finding speedboat rides, the pairs darted off across the sea before getting ready to run the rest of the way on foot.

The race ended with a dramatic sprint along the beach as best friends Alfie and Owen reached the check-in book in first place, claiming the 20,000 prize.

Closely behind the school friends were mother and daughter duo Eugenie and Isabel, who finished just eight minutes later.

In third place were beloved brother and sister Betty and James - who arrived a day later after overcoming a dwindling budget and mishaps.

Married couple Stephen and Viv finished in fourth, with a whopping 180 left of their budget.

The final episode saw a nail-biting ending to the 15,000km race across Eastern Asia as two pairs approached the finish line neck and neck (Isabel and Eugenie who came second)

Alfie said: 'Well, we definitely got our washing done, but we didn't go nuts anywhere, except in Phnom Penh, where it was 24-hour room service'

Owen then added: 'That was ridiculous. We absolutely rinsed the budget!'

The dramatic final scenes saw Alfie and Owen dart along the beach in Indonesia surrounded by gleaming tropical waters before arriving at the book to find they had won the race.

'We've done it,' they screamed, before hugging each other.

Owen said proudly: 'We came, and we saw, and we succeeded.'

'Best moment of our lives,' Alfie added. 'Undeniably. Can't believe it.'

Eugenie and Isabel opened the book to find they had been beaten by the boys by minutes.
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

Sunrise welcomed back a beloved star this week.

The Sunrise Cash Cow made an appearance on the breakfast show on Monday, joining hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington.

'We've missed you!' Nat cried out as the beloved cow character arrived, having last been seen in 2022.

'Kochie left me in a paddock - I'm back, but I can't reveal everything right now!' the cow held a sign reading.

'I have money and I can't wait to give away. Stay tuned this week,' the cow added.

Sunrise welcomed back a beloved star this week. The Sunrise Cash Cow (pictured) made an appearance on the breakfast show on Monday, joining hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington

'We've missed you!' Nat cried out as the beloved cow character arrived, having last been seen in 2022. Nat and Matt are pictured

'Geez, you must have a wad of money, after being out in the paddock for that long,' Matt said.

'That's fantastic so you've got lots of money to give out,' Natalie chimed in.

'The cash cow is back, yahoo  happy days,' Matt added.

'Do you know how many people have written in and wanted the Cash Cow to come back? It was thousands,' Natalie said.

Cash Cow previously offered giveaways to viewers, with a chance to win as much as $10,000.

Cash Cow previously offered giveaways to viewers, with a chance to win as much as $10,000. Pictured with former hosts Sam Armytage and David Koch

This was normally done by viewers finding a code word and entering the competition via SMS.

It comes after former host David 'Kochie' Koch announced a new career move.

He retired as host of Sunrise to spend more time with family and pursue other interests last year.

In May, Koch was announced as the new chair of the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC).

The Adelaide-born TV presenter will succeed chair of the commission Andrew Bullock, who has held the position since 2019.

The 68-year-old will hold the role for three years, effective from July 2, and will commute to SA from his home in Sydney.

He signed off from Sunrise for the very last time on June 9, 2023, after 21 years.
Editorial





As Narendra Modi embarks on his third term as Indias Prime Minister, the implications for Sri Lanka are increasingly alarming. Modis mandate, underpinned by coalition partners, might initially appear to offer some restraint on his power. However, this hope is misguided. The nature of Modis control and its regional repercussions for Sri Lanka necessitate urgent scrutiny.





Despite the BJPs dependence on coalition allies, these partners, driven by their own local agendas, lack the influence to meaningfully challenge Modis policies. Instead of curbing Modis centralised authority, this coalition fortifies it, enabling him to exert considerable influence over neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka.





Prime Minister Modi









Following Sri Lankas declaration of bankruptcy, Indias economic interventions have intensified. Prominent Indian business figures, such as Adania close associate of Modihave secured significant projects without adhering to standard procurement procedures. This raises grave concerns about transparency and independence, as Sri Lankas autonomy is increasingly undermined by Indias economic and political dominance.





The Sri Lankan government appears paralysed by Indias supremacy. The recent compromise of the visa system to a purportedly corrupt Indian agency underscores this vulnerability. These actions, driven by political expediency rather than national interest, severely undermine Sri Lankas independence.









A troubling trend is the silence of major Sri Lankan political parties on Indian interference. Apart from a few small parties and social groups, resistance to Indias encroachments is minimal. This silence extends to the media, where mainstream outlets and social media influencers remain conspicuously mute on these critical issues. Reports indicate that Indian interests have co-opted key media figures, stifling dissent and critical coverage.





In Sri Lankas North and East, the BJPs ideological wing, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is expanding its influence, particularly within higher educational institutions. This cultural penetration aims to reshape the socio-political fabric of these regions, embedding Indian ideological and political footholds.









As Sri Lanka approaches its presidential and parliamentary elections, Indian influence will be unmistakable. The electoral process is likely to witness increased Indian intervention, steering outcomes favourable to New Delhis interests. The mainstream medias silence and compromised integrity exacerbate this threat, leaving the democratic process vulnerable to external manipulation.





Sri Lanka stands at a pivotal juncture. The pervasive Indian influence under Modis government demands a robust response from Sri Lankan political, social, and media entities. Ensuring transparency, accountability, and national interest must be paramount.





Sri Lanka must reclaim its narrative and independence, resisting external pressures that compromise its democratic processes and economic sovereignty. The upcoming elections are a crucial opportunity for the nation to assert its autonomy and safeguard its future from undue foreign influence.





The resilience and vigilance of Sri Lankas people, political leaders, and media will be the bulwark against the erosion of national independence. The path forward requires a concerted effort to uphold democratic values and ensure that Sri Lankas future is shaped by its own citizens, free from external dominance.
Vicky Pattison jetted off to Mykonos for a Harry Potter themed hen do at a luxurious Greek villa over the weekend, ahead of her summer wedding in Italy.

The TV personality, 36, confirmed that she was set to tie the knot with her partner Ercan Ramadan, 30, after he proposed with a 200K ring during a romantic holiday to Dubai in February 2022.

Vicky, who has already enjoyed a raucous getaway in the United Arab Emirates for a joint stag and hen do, held a second lavish bash with her closest pals.

Arriving at the airport in a fun costume, complete with a wizard hat and Hogwarts uniform, she later changed into lace mini dress to kick off the festivities.

The presenter stunned in the corseted number that she teamed with a veil, while her guest all opted for bright blue ensembles.

Vicky Pattison, 36, jetted off to Mykonos for a Harry Potter themed hen do at a luxurious Greek villa over the weekend ahead of her summer wedding in Italy

Arriving at the airport in a fun costume, complete with a wizard hat and Hogwarts uniform, she later changed into lace mini dress to kick off the festivities

Vicky, who has already enjoyed a raucous getaway in the United Arab Emirates for a joint stag and hen do, held a second lavish bash with her closest pals

She ensured she had all the trimmings, including silver 'bride-to-be' balloons, masks of Ercan's face and a lap dance from a stripper.

Alongside a series of snaps from the weekend, she added a caption reading: 'From Muggle to MRS!!!!!! Of course it had to be a Harry Potter themed hen.

'Every single day my gorgeous sister, mam and friends surprised me with something thoughtful and fun.. and this was one of my favourite surprises.

'Love you all, I'm so lucky!! She's a Keeper. Harry Potter themed hen?? Yes or no?!'

In another update, she later added: 'Best Weekend of my LIFE!!!!!!! Sorry, I literally CAN'T stop postingggggg!!!!! Argh!!!!! So full of love for my friends and family!!!

'Can't believe you managed to keep so many secrets from me... you're a secret squirrel and the best sister a girl could ask for!!!!'

Last month, Vicky and her husband-to-be opted against traditional pre-wedding festivities by joining together to head to the United Arab Emirates with their nearest and dearest for a raucous getaway.

Things kicked off with a white party on a yacht, during which the couple were joined by a host of friends and family, including Vicky's mum Carol and her friend Gavin Foord.

The TV personality confirmed that she was set to tie the knot with her partner Ercan Ramadan, 30, after he proposed with a 200K ring during a romantic holiday to Dubai in February 2022 (pictured together last month)

The presenter stunned in the corseted number that she teamed with a veil, while her guest all opted for bright blue ensembles

She ensured she had all the trimmings, including silver 'bride-to-be' balloons, masks of Ercan's face

Vicky was seen laughing while having a lap dance from a stripper

Alongside a series of snaps from the weekend, she added a caption reading: 'From Muggle to MRS!!!!!! Of course it had to be a Harry Potter themed hen'

She added: 'Love you all, I'm so lucky!! She's a Keeper. Harry Potter themed hen?? Yes or no?!'

Vicky was also seen wearing a stunning black and nude lace outfit

Ensuring all eyes were on her, the former Geordie Shore star wowed in a sexy white bikini with sculpted cups and low-slung bottoms to best show off her figure.

She ensured she had all the trimmings of a modern day hen do, including personalised glasses and a veil adorned with Mrs Patti-Ran-to be.

Vicky revealed HA Designs had her personalised veil ready for her in 45 minutes, in an apparent hen wardrobe rush, and shared with followers that her sexy bikini was from swimwear giant Melissa Odabash.

The yacht party was laden with lavish details, including a vast wall of shots adorned with the words: 'They're tying the knot! So let's take a shot!'

Coconuts containing cocktails were seared with personalised lettering reading Vicky and Ercan, while Tequila Rose was free-flowing on the shores.

The trip comes after Vicky revealed that even though her wedding day is costing 'the same price as a house' she still doesn't have enough money to fund her dream day.

She admitted that her celebrity wedding planner has told her that her fund won't even cover the flowers she wants.

Speaking to Rock My Wedding, Vicky admitted that despite trying to be a little sensible in places, she will be wearing four wedding dresses on the day.

But she has limited certain luxuries and won't be splashing out on the flower installation she had her eye on for their welcome dinner.

Vicky said: 'I knew weddings were a big money business and, like I say, it's not my first rodeo in this space, but everything's just got more and more expensive.

'I was really shocked. I don't want to be paying it off for the next 10 years, or remortgaging my house for a wedding,' she added.

She admitted that at first she thought she was going to have the 'wedding of the century' but the reality quickly set in when she realised the cost.

Her friends and family made sure to decorate their villa accordingly

The incredible property boasted an infinity pool with stunning views of the island

In another update, she later added: 'Best Weekend of my LIFE!!!!!!! Sorry, I literally CAN'T stop postingggggg!!!!! Argh!!!!! So full of love for my friends and family!!!'

Last month, Vicky and her husband-to-be opted against traditional pre-wedding festivities by joining together to head to the United Arab Emirates (pictured)

Unfortunately, her wedding planner revealed that what she wanted was impossible with her initial wedding fund.

After hosting 300 guests for their engagement party in London's 14 Hills, Vicky and Ercan decided to officially marry at Marylebone Town Hall with an attendance of 100.

They will then head to Italy for a welcome dinner, wedding ceremony and evening reception, which has attracted 150 guests so far.

Vicky teased that she will be wearing a sixties-inspired gown for her UK wedding and said she loves the short veil and big sunglasses look. The pair got engaged in the summer of 2019, when Ercan proposed to her on the beach in Dubai.
The stars of Australian current affairs show The Project were left less than impressed by a moment that aired on breakfast television in the UK.

During Monday's episode, the cast viewed a clip from British program This Morning, in which the presenters were shown a roll of reusable toilet paper.

The cloth pieces, which retail for 17.98 (AUD $35) for a pack of two rolls, were offered up as an eco-friendly solution.

The cloths are used, then placed in a container of bicarbonate soda, before going through the wash, to be cleaned and used again.

They were touted as being 'especially good for babies' as a 'babies' number twos aren't as bad as adults'.

The stars of Australian current affairs show The Project were left less than impressed by a moment that aired on breakfast television in the UK. Sarah Harris is pictured

During Monday's episode, the cast viewed a clip from British program This Morning, in which the presenters were shown a roll of reusable toilet paper

The reusable loo roll horrified both ITV hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, who appeared visibly stunned, and the cast of The Project back in Australia.

'Oh boy, now you have to separate, your colours, whites and s****es,' joked comedian Sam Taunton on The Project.

'Why aren't they all just brown, why are they different colours?' asked his co-host Sarah Harris.

The Project cast were in stitches over the segment, but co-host Steve Price was not amused, demanding, 'Can we move on?'

The cloth pieces, which retail for 17.98 (AUD $35) for a pack of two rolls, were offered up as an eco-friendly solution

The cloths are used, then placed in a container of bicarbonate soda, before going through the wash, to be cleaned and used again

The reusable loo roll horrified both ITV hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley (pictured), who appeared visibly stunned, and the cast of The Project back in Australia

The Project cast were in stitches over the segment, but co-host Steve Price (pictured) was not amused, demanding, 'Can we move on?'

Several businesses offer reusable toilet paper, including Australian brand Earths Tribe, whose Family Cloth rolls sell for $35 for a pack of 20 pieces.

It seems This Morning viewers were also unimpressed with the toilet paper.

One person commented on YouTube: 'Get a bidet, they're all over Europe. No poo cloth please'.

Another said: 'Surely you'd at least make it brown if you had to produce this product! To hide the stains?!'

Yet another chimed in: 'Reusability is gonna drive the whole world crazy'.

Some felt the solution could work just fine, however.

'I used a sock before and washed it fine, lol,' offered one viewer.
NRL star Reece Walsh has taken aim at rude fans on social media.

The 21-year-year-old Brisbane Broncos fullback didn't hold back in a Story shared to Instagram on Monday when he expressed his frustration at people who lack basic courtesy.

'If you're over 10 years old and especially if you're a grown adult and you don't use your manners when asking for a photo, don't be shook when you get a no,' he began.

'We are people at the end of the day, do just expect these things!!'

Walsh went on to reveal he loves stopping and talking to his fans - but he expects a basic level of politeness.

NRL star Reece Walsh has taken aim at rude fans on social media. Pictured

The 21-year-year-old Brisbane Broncos fullback didn't hold back in a Story shared to Instagram on Monday when he expressed his frustration at people who lack basic courtesy.

'I love getting photos and chatting to everyone, but if you just put a phone in my face and demand a photo, I won't wanna do it!!' he continued.

Walsh concluded his message with a simple reminder.

'Please and thank you goes a long way! Have a great day,' he concluded.

It comes after Walsh was knocked out following a clash with Roosters winger Joseph Suaalii during State of Origin One.

The NRL star had fans on the edge of their seat as he laid unconscious on the field.

It comes after Walsh was knocked out following a clash with Roosters winger Joseph Suaalii during State of Origin One

The NRL star had fans on the edge of their seat as he laid unconscious on the field

Eventually, Walsh recovered and was able to leave the field with the assistance of trainers.

In heartwarming scenes, Walsh made it his priority to find his daughter Leila, who he shares with ex-partner Freda Puru, in the stands and give her a massive hug.

Referee Ashley Klein refused to let the Roosters winger protest his innocence, directly sending him to the sheds to become the sixth Blues player in history to be sent off in an Origin clash.

Walsh was graded with a category 1 head injury on the field.

Even though he later passed his head injury assessment, he was not allowed to return for the rest of the match.
Emma Corrin has revealed they were 'high as a kite' while shooting scenes for A Murder At The End Of The World series.

The actress, 28, who identifies as non-binary, looked glamorous in a chic off-white set as they attended a screening in Los Angeles on Sunday for the Disney+ series.

The psychological thriller, which released in November 2023, tells the story of a modern-day detective who tries to solve crimes and fix the climate crisis.

Emma, who portrays Darby Hart, a Gen Z sleuth in the series, said the series was physically draining for their body and took a toll on their health.

But, to prevent Emma from missing a day off filming as it was crucial to shoot scenes, they had to have an injection in their bottom to ease discomfort.

Emma Corrin, 28, has revealed they were 'high as a kite' while shooting scenes for A Murder At The End Of The World series

The actress, who identifies as non-binary, looked glamorous in a chic off-white set as they attended a screening in Los Angeles for the Disney+ series

Speaking to Elizabeth Debicki, 33, for Variety's Actors on Actors series, Emma said: 'Six months into the shoot, where I had to be there physically and well enough to do my best, it was a lot. There were moments where your body, it catches up with you.

'My wisdom teeth started coming through  super helpful. My jaw was swollen, and I was in so much pain. But they were like, "Our hands are tied. If we cant shoot with you, we miss a day of filming".

'They got this doctor who turned up with this dodgy briefcase, and he was like, "Im going to give you a steroid for the pain. Just turn around." He shot me in the bum. It was great. I was high as a kite.'

Emma also revealed they suffered from hallucination when shooting a scene with Alice Braga on a snowmobile.

The actor said they were 'convinced' they were being 'attacked by bees', due to the steroid injection.

At the screening on Sunday, Emma chatted about the series on stage with her co-stars at the Linwood Dunn theatre.

Emma takes on the role of makeshift detective as a guest at a retreat is found dead.

A Murder At The End of the World features familiar faces, including Brit Marling (Lee), as well as, Clive Owen (Andy), Alice (Sian) and Harris Dickinson (Bill).

The psychological thriller, which released in November 2023, tells the story of a modern-day detective who tries to solve crimes and fix the climate crisis

Emma, who portrays Darby Hart, a Gen Z sleuth in the series, said the series was physically draining for their body and took a toll on their health

But, to prevent Emma from missing a day off filming as it was crucial to shoot scenes, they had to have an injection in their bottom to ease discomfort

Emma said: 'Six months into the shoot, where I had to be there physically and well enough to do my best, it was a lot. There were moments where your body, it catches up with you'

'My wisdom teeth started coming through  super helpful. My jaw was swollen, and I was in so much pain. But they were like, "Our hands are tied. If we cant shoot with you, we miss a day of filming", she added

At the screening on Sunday, Emma chatted about the series on stage with her co-stars at the Linwood Dunn theatre

She continued: 'They got this doctor who turned up with this dodgy briefcase, and he was like, "Im going to give you a steroid for the pain. Just turn around." He shot me in the bum. It was great. I was high as a kite'

Emma also revealed they suffered from hallucination when shooting a scene with Alice Braga on a snowmobile

Darby Hart (Emma Corrin) receives an invitation to attend a retreat in a remote location.

However, the trip quickly goes awry after Darby turns 'Gen Z amateur sleuth' rushing to solve a murder before the killer strikes again.

Even though Disney+ have only launched five episodes of the show so far, audiences are already clearly enamoured, as the series already boasts an incredible Rotten Tomatoes score of 97 per cent.
Pregnant Sian Welby has confirmed Jordan North will replace her as This Morning's showbiz correspondent as she heads off on maternity leave.

The TV star, 37, marked her final day on Monday with the announcement as she admitted: 'I think I've pushed it as far as I can before I pop.'

During her last appearance on the ITV daytime show before she gives birth to a baby girl, host Ben Shephard said: 'First it's time for the latest showbiz news, Sian is here, for your very last date with us before you go off to pop.'

Sian replied: 'Yes, exactly, which I think I've pushed as far as I can without going into labour on this sofa!'

She continued: 'I know the showbiz news needs to be left in good hands and somebody that deals with showbiz stories every morning and actually works alongside me most mornings when I am doing the radio

Pregnant Sian Welby has confirmed Jordan North will replace her as This Morning's showbiz correspondent as she heads off on maternity leave

The TV star, 37, marked her last day on the show on Monday with the announcement as she admitted: 'I think I've pushed it as far as I can before I pop'

During her last appearance on the ITV daytime show before she gives birth to a baby girl, Sian looked stunning as she showcased her bump in a red maxi dress

'This is the handover of all handovers! I really think this is the perfect guy for the job, I work with him every morning and he's fantastic. It is Jordan North everybody!'

Jordan, 34, then joined Ben, co-host Cat Deeley and Sian in the studio, and said: 'I've got a new shirt for this and everything!'

Ben joked: 'This is the showbiz handover, like on the relay!' with Sian quipping: 'This is like the baton in the Olympics.'

Cat told Jordan: 'We'll make sure there's an extra plate of food for you every week!'

Jordan added: 'Absolutely, I'm just the supply teacher for the summer, that's all.'

Sian told Ben and Cat: 'I'm so glad it's Jordan. You are brilliant and he's the perfect guy for the job, we have such a laugh on Capital.'

At the end of the segment, hosting duo Ben and Cat gifted the mother-to-be with a baby grow, which she seemed thrilled about.

The radio presenter is expecting a baby girl with fiance Jake Beckett and the couple have been enjoying their last few weeks before parenting duties commence.

Sian told hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley: 'I know the showbiz news needs to be left in good hands and somebody that deals with showbiz stories every morning'

The radio presenter is expecting a baby girl with fiance Jake Beckett and the couple have been enjoying their last few weeks before parenting duties commence

While Jordan will be Sian's replacement on This Morning, taking over her seat at Capital Breakfast will be Kemi Rodgers.

Sian announced she was expecting her first child with her fiance Jake live on air in February, and confirmed she is due to give birth in June.

Sian said at the time: 'I think I want to share something with the group right now, actually.

'Seriously, guys: got a bit of an announcement for you. I'm pregnant! I don't know how I've managed to keep it from you for this long, but I am, it's not a joke.

'The lies, the deceit, the mocktails! I couldn't wait to tell you. This is a whole new journey for me and I want to take you all on it with me, and don't worry I'm not going anywhere!

'This is going to be a lot of fun and I can't wait to share it with you all.'

Sian became engaged to Heart Radio producer Jake during a romantic holiday to Greece in 2023.

Jake - who popped the question in August last year - works for Heart Breakfast as a creative producer alongside hosts including Kelly Brook, Rochelle Humes, Vogue Williams and Emma Bunton.

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV, ITVX, STV and STV Player
Naomi Watts' celebrity friends have given fans a glimpse into her fairytale wedding to Billy Crudup.

The couple, who tied the knot in a simple courthouse ceremony last year, said 'I do' for the second time on Saturday, almost a year to the date of their first wedding.

For their second ceremony, the pair threw a lavish ceremony and reception for family and friends in Mexico City.

Naomi, 55, looked every inch the blushing bride as she walked down the aisle in a sequinned white dress with a cowl neckline and sweeping trail.

Video shared on social media by Naomi's brother Ben, also showed the Feud star carrying a bouquet of white anemone.

Naomi Watts' friends have given fans a glimpse into her fairytale wedding to Billy Crudup, with the actress seemingly re-wearing the dress from her legal ceremony for their first dance

Naomi, 55, looked every inch the blushing bride as she walked down the aisle in a sequinned white dress with a cowl neckline and sweeping trail (pictured with journalist Laura Brown and a male friend)

Naomi didn't stay in her striking gown the whole night, as a picture shared by the actress' friend Gina Gershon of the couple's first dance showed the actress in another dress.

The black and white snap showed Naomi being spun around the floor by Billy while wearing what seemed to be the stunning lace dress she wore for her courthouse ceremony last year.

Billy, 55, looked handsome in a traditional black suit.

Newly-single Isla Fisher was one of the celebrity guests in attendance and shared a series of snaps at the wedding.

She looked incredible in a white and green floral maxi dress that showed off her ample cleavage and tiny waist.

The Australian actress, 48, also shared pictures with Naomi as they enjoyed the sights of Mexico on another day.

Naomi's child Kai, 15, and niece Ruby were bridesmaids, and they wore strapless champagne colored gowns with ruching at the waist.

Both teens styled their hair straight and pulled back in half ponytails.

Laura Brown also shared a sweet snap of the couple seemingly on another day of the Mexico trip that she captioned: 'Two absolute heart-bursting greats. We love you forevs. '

Newly-single Isla Fisher was one of the celebrity guests in attendance and shared a series of snaps at the wedding (pictured with a friend)

Isla looked incredible in a white and green floral maxi dress that showed off her ample cleavage and tiny waist as she partied with her pals

The Australian actress, 48, also shared pictures with Naomi as they enjoyed the sights of Mexico on another day

Nicole Kidman also shared a snap with Naomi after the wedding as she hoisted her up in the air and joked: 'Her feet never touched the ground! #thebride'

Also in the wedding party were Naomi's son Sasha, 16, and Billy's son William, 20. Both were styled in dark suits.

Naomi shares both her children with former partner Liev Schreiber, 56. Crudup shares William with ex-partner Mary Louise Parker, 59.

Her brother Ben shared an Instagram Story video showing proud mom Myfanwy Edwards Roberts getting emotional before the ceremony.

The bride's best friend Nicole Kidman attended the lavish ceremony that appeared to take place at a museum.

The Faraway Downs actress was spotted sitting with friends before the ceremony wearing a sparkling silver long sleeve top and a short black skirt.

Her strawberry blonde hair was styled in loose waves.

She shared a snap of herself with Naomi the following day captioned, 'Her feet never touched the ground! #thebride,' as she wrapped her arms around the bride and hoisted her into the air.

Other guests included Justin Theroux and girlfriend Nicole Brydon Bloom who shared a snap of their outfits and the gorgeous scenery.

Other guests included Justin Theroux and girlfriend Nicole Brydon Bloom who shared a snap of their outfits

Nicole also showed off the gorgeous candle decorations in an Instagram snap

The pair announced they had wed in a simple courthouse ceremony in New York on social media on June 10, 2023

Destination Wedding, Event & Travel Planner Billy Folchetti also shared some black and white photos of the reception hall before the guests arrived in his Instagram Stories.

Video from the rehearsal dinner the night before showed Naomi in a gorgeous yellow dress with floral print.

During a speech, the bride-to-be held her groom's hand and told their guests, 'This is a reminder of what life's about, the affirmation of love.

'It's one of the simplest things, but one of the most important.'
Melissa Gorga posed in a tiny black bikini from Envy by MG while in The Hamptons this weekend.

The Real Housewives Of New Jersey standout was on the beach as she wore her dark hair down while a shirt fell down off her shoulders.

The mother of three was also seen in cute cocktails dresses as she headed out to party in the playground that is often frequently by New York City residents.

'Hamptons! In some of my fave envy,' wrote the reality TV dynamo in her caption while Larsa Pippen, Tamra Judge and JWoww hit the like button.

This comes after the 45-year-old slammed her sister-in-law Teresa Giudice for a 'sick' statement she made about Joe Gorga.

Melissa Gorga posed in a tiny black bikini from Envy by MG while in The Hamptons this weekend

The Real Housewives Of New Jersey standout was on the beach as she wore her dark hair down while a shirt fell down off her shoulders

The reality TV personality criticized the OG Real Housewives of New Jerse star, 52, and called her the 'queen of toxicity,' confirming that she and her husband remain estranged with her.

She also admonished her sister-in-law for saying that her late parents gave her signs that she is on the 'right track' after she cut off communication with her husband and Teresa's brother, 49.

Melissa  who said season 14 of their hit Bravo series was 'refreshing' as Giudice's marriage to Luis Ruelas is thrown into turmoil in the explosive trailer  also insisted that Teresa is 'not the controller of me, my husband or my family.'

She also nicknamed her sister-in-law, crowning her with a 'queen of toxicity' title as she slammed her statement about her estrangement with Joe.

'This is a sick statement that she made,' Melissa told Extra in an interview published on Wednesday. 'That's a sick statement.

'What I'm saying is, you even want to take that away from [Joe]? Make him feel they're not approving of his actions? It's a control aspect,' she continued.

'So she can take the drama. You can be the queen of your show, but you're not the queen of me, my life, my house or my family  and that's that,' she added.

The East Coaster stays toned with daily gym visits and power walks on the beach

'You can keep the drama. You can keep the queen of toxicity. That's on you,' she said. 'But I don't want to be the queen of toxicity. I'm happy with what I have and living a happy life.'

About the relationship, or lack thereof, between her and her husband Joe with his sister Teresa, Melissa added: 'I have already ended that and I think so has she. It's done.'

When asked about Joe going up against Teresa's husband Luis, Gorga was hesitant to answer who would win in a fight.

'I don't want to even think about that,' she said as Joe chimed in from off camera and said he could 'drop' him.

Later, Joe said that because Teresa is still family, he plans to continue to 'take the right road and not do anything.'

The mother of three was also seen in cute cocktails dresses as she headed out to party in the playground that is often frequently by New York City residents

And she posed with her husband Joe Gorga. 'Hamptons! In some of my fave envy,' wrote the reality TV dynamo in her caption while Larsa Pippen, Tamra Judge and JWoww hit the like button

She also wore a long green dress with nude heels and a black purse

However, Melissa insisted that she has 'ended that' relationship completely.

'Certain things have happened that are just really hard to come back from,' shI said. 'Right now, no one is on talking terms with anyone because of the things that have happened.

'To come after my marriage, for some reason, she's never been happy for us,' Melissa continued about her estranged sister-in-law. 'She's never wanted to support us.

Her response comes months after Teresa claimed that her and Joe's late parents  father Giacinto Gorga and mother Antonia Gorga  had shown her 'signs' and 'validation' from beyond the grave about staying estranged from her brother.

On an episode of her Namaste B****es Podcast from October 2023, Teresa admitted: 'I see my parents now around me all the time  especially [since] what's going on in my family life.

'And I'm getting validation that I'm on the right track,' she said.

For years, Teresa has had a rift in her relationship with her brother Joe and his wife Melissa.

However, the pair cut off communication with each other after the explosive season 13 finale, which aired in 2023.

This comes after the 45-year-old slammed her sister-in-law Teresa Giudice for a 'sick' statement she made about Joe Gorga; seen in May 2017

After Teresa and her husband Luis accused Melissa of cheating on Joe, Melissa firmly denied the allegations. The Gorgas then ended up skipping Teresa and Luis' August 2022 wedding' seen in November 2023

After Teresa and her husband Luis accused Melissa of cheating on Joe, Melissa firmly denied the allegations.

The Gorgas then ended up skipping Teresa and Luis' August 2022 wedding.

On the newest season of RHONJ, they have filmed group scenes together but have continously insisted that they are completely estranged.

Season 14 of RHONJ premiered on May 5. Every Sunday, episodes air on Bravo.
Samantha Kenny attempts to gain clarity on her connection with Joey Essex and questions the motives of other girls' after viewers claimed the star is 'faking his feelings.'

In Monday's installment, Samantha, 26, will pull the former TOWIE star, 33, for a chat in the evening to discuss their blossoming relationship.

However, their relationship may end up on the rocks as Samantha questions his feelings about her.

In scenes set to air on Monday, Samantha reveals how she doesn't trust other girls' motives when it comes to Joey.

She says: 'Im not being funny or nothing but you are Joey Essex so I know what girls are like, do you know what I mean.'

Samantha, 26, is set to pull former TOWIE star Joey Essex, 33, for a chat on Monday's Love Island, to discuss their blossoming relationship and attempt to gain clarity on their connection

However, their relationship may end up on the rocks as Samantha questions his feelings about her and asks him whether he doubts her intentions: 'Well what do you think about me, do you think Im like that?'

'Theyre going to go "Oh Joey Essex is in there so theyre going to be like, right, lets get on Joey Essex."'

Unsure what to make of Samanthas observation, Joey looks bemused as she quips back: 'They are Joe, Im not stupid.'

Joey attempts to reassure Samantha by saying,: 'If someone is with me for that reason, because Im Joey Essex, thats not for me, I promise you, that is not for me.'

But despite his attempt to reassure her, it seems Samantha is still unsure of where she stands with him as she shockingly responds with: 'Well what do you think about me, do you think Im like that?'

Elsewhere in the show, viewers at home will see Ronnie pull Harriett for a chat in the hideaway while Jess looks on and says to Patsy: 'Hes taken her to the Hideaway.'

The rest of the evening will be rocked by the shocking arrival of a text message that reads: 'Can all Islanders gather around the Firepit immediately' leaving the islanders feeling nervous as they await their fate.

It comes after Love Island viewers claimed Joey Essex is faking his feelings for Samantha after spotting a major clue during Sunday night's episode.

Fans are convinced the reality TV star is stringing the makeup artist along after he 'snubbed' her in an awkward clash.

Elsewhere in the show, viewers at home will see Ronnie pull Harriett for a chat in the hideaway while Jess looks on and says to Patsy: 'Hes taken her to the Hideaway.'

The villa will also be rocked by a surprise text message that reads: 'Can all Islanders gather around the Firepit immediately' leaving everyone feeling nervous as they await their fate

In the middle of a flirty conversation with Joey, Samantha said: 'We're the king and queen of the villa.'

In disagreement, Joey, who has been coupled up with Samantha since he entered the villa last week, said: 'Yeah, I feel like the king.'

Samantha added: 'I feel like we're mum and dad'.

Joey repeated: 'I feel like I'm the king.'

After watching the interaction, fans flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, branding Samantha 'delusional' for thinking Joey is into her.

Some wrote: 'King and Queen of the villa? Samantha is delulu if she thinks Joey actually likes her.'

It comes after Love Island viewers claimed Joey is faking his feelings for the make-up artist after spotting a major clue during Sunday night's episode

Fans are convinced the former TOWIE star is stringing her along after he 'snubbed' her in an awkward clash

'Samantha is so delusional. Joey does not like her and she thinks she's the queen of the villa? I need someone to come in and snatch him up to humble her.'

'You cannot convince me Joey is here for love, that man has been on every British reality show there is. he just wants that check.'

'If you have ever watched Joey Essex in a relationship on a reality show you know damn well he isnt interested in Samantha #loveIsland'

"I feel like we're king and queen of the villa" "Yeah I feel like i'm the king" "We're like the mum and dad of the villa" "Yeah I feel like I'm the king" looooool joey doesn't rate that girl at all.'

In the middle of a flirty conversation with Joey, Samantha said: 'We're the king and queen of the villa.'

In disagreement, Joey said: 'Yeah, I feel like the king.' Samantha added: 'I feel like we're mum and dad'... Joey repeated: 'I feel like I'm the king.'
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Sofia Vergara posed with her doctor boyfriend again this weekend during an outdoor party at her $26M mansion in the exclusive Beverly Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The Griselda actress - who was seen last week with her son Manolo - was seen getting close to Dr Justin Saliman whom she has been dating for the past few several months.

The siren from Colombia looked her very best in a colorful strapless dress that made her look ready for a cocktail party by a swimming pool in Monaco.

Her long brown hair was worn down around her face like curtains as she had on plum colored makeup and plenty of jewelry like a heart-shaped pendant around her neck.

The Modern Family actress also had several other friends like Jessica Alba around her as they enjoyed lunch and meringue cake on Sunday.

'Sunday funday with friends,' wrote the America's Got Talent star in her caption.

Sofia Vergara posed with her doctor boyfriend again this weekend during an outdoor party at her Los Angeles mansion

The siren from Colombia looked her very best in a colorful strapless dress that made her look ready for a cocktail party by a swimming pool in Monaco. She added a heart necklace

Two of her pals at the Sunday bash were eyebrow guru Anastasia Soare as well as Claudia Soare.

Lunch was served as well as an array of fancy cakes like a lemon meringue cake from Cipriani Beverly Hills, a key lime pie and a fruit tart from Bottega Louie.

A beautiful table was set up outside with a green and ivory table cloth, green crystal glasses and gold cutlery.

Also spied was 43-year-old actress Jessica Alba and her son Hayes.

This comes after Sofia said she doesn't think it would be 'fair' for her to have another baby.

The actress turns 52 in July, and Sofia - who split from Joe Manganiello last year - has revealed that she isn't interested in having another child.

The Hollywood star - who already has a 32-year-old son called Manolo with her first husband, Joe Gonzalez - told PEOPLE: 'There's things in life that might sound like good ideas, but they're not.

'I was a mother already. I know what it means to be a good mother or to try to be the best mother that you can, and that takes a lot of sacrifices, takes a lot of energy.'

The decision not to have another child actually influenced Sofia's split from Joe, 47.

Here Sofia is seen on the back patio of her $26M mansion in the exclusive Beverly Park neighborhood of Los Angeles

Two of her pals at the Sunday bash were eyebrow guru Anastasia Soare as well as Claudia Soare

Here they played with Sofia's new dog after losing Bubbles in the divorce from Joe Manganiello

A beautiful table was set up outside with a green and ivory table cloth, green crystal glasses and gold cutlery, along with Fajer Fahad, founder of Beauline Beauty (second from top left)

Also spied was 43-year-old actress Jessica Alba and her son Hayes

There were white floral arrangements on the center of the table

Lunch was served as well as an array of fancy cakes like a lemon meringue cake from Cipriani Beverly Hills, a key lime pie and a fruit tart from Bottega Louie

Despite this, the actress respects anyone who wishes to have a child in their 50s.

She explained: 'Nowadays, thanks to science, women can actually have babies older. Before, nature for some reason tells your body at 50 you are in menopause, it's time for you to be done with that. There is a reason why nature is doing that.

'But that's for me, and I totally respect where anyone wants to be a mom after 50.

'I didn't think because of my career, the way I live my life, the way my marriage was, that it was fair to bring a kid to this world, and I'm not going to be able to give 100 percent.'

Sofia is also glad that she had her son when she was younger.

The actress shared: 'It is great that I had him young, because now I'm going to be 52, and he's 32.

'I wish I was older sometimes, because I would've been more mature, more prepared to be a mother, but that was what I got and what happened. So I just kept going and try not to look back at it, because it is what it is. But it is fun because I kind of grew up together with my son.'
Katie Holmes has come up with lots of projects to keep herself busy once her 18-year-old daughter Suri Cruise daughter goes off to college.

The actress, 45, who has created her own capsule collection with French brand A.P.C., wants to become the next celebrity to launch her own beauty line, according to the Sunday Times.

'Absolutely, I would love to,' she told the outlet when asked if cosmetics were part of her future plans.

Over the past few years, Holmes has focused on moviemaking and getting more stage experience.

She wrote the script for, starred in and directed the 2022 romantic drama Alone Together, about a couple in a bad relationship who end up at the same upstate New York vacation rental.

Katie Holmes has come up with lots of projects to keep busy once her daughter Suri goes off to college. One of those could be a new beauty line. 'Absolutely, I would love to,' she told the Sunday Times when asked if cosmetics were part of her plans; seen June 7

Holmes' daughter Suri, whom she shares with ex-husband Tom Cruise, hinted on TikTok she would be attending Carnegie Mellon University in the fall. Seen June 5 in NYC

That project was followed by 2023's Rare Objects.

Holmes co-wrote the script, directed and starred in the story of a young woman recovering from trauma who regains her confidence after finding a job in an antique shop.

'Id like to continue to write and direct my own films,' she told the outlet,' adding, 'Maybe write a few books - fiction.'

The actress also returned to the stage in 2023, starring in The Wanderers.

Holmes' daughter Suri, whom she shares with ex-husband Tom Cruise, hinted on TikTok she would be attending Carnegie Mellon University in the fall.

The Dawson's Creek alum, whose own eclectic style makes her a popular subject with photographers, has revealed her daughter often steals her clothes.

The two generation styling could be one reason Holmes was asked to create her own collection with A.P.C.

'I really look at other people that have an innate sense of style. And Im like, Oh - that with that! OK, thats cool. Im always looking for inspiration' she said.

The multi-talented artist said she has aspiration for the big screen. 'Id like to continue to write and direct my own films,' she told the outlet,' adding, 'Maybe write a few books - fiction' (Pictured in New York June 7)

Holmes wrote the script for, starred in and directed the 2022 romantic drama Alone Together, about a couple in a bad relationship who end up at the same upstate New York vacation rental. Seen here with co-star Jim Sturgess

That project was followed by 2023's Rare Objects. Holmes co-wrote the script, directed and starred in the story of a young woman recovering from trauma

'I like to mix and match classic pieces. I like vintage a lot. Living in New York City I have to have things that are practical and comfortable. The city influences my style.'

Those practical pieces include, 'ballet flats, sneakers, baggy jeans and a T-shirt,' she said. 'I like putting it together in a way that doesnt look like you put it together.'

For the collection she visited the A.P.C. archives for inspiration. 'I remember the 90s as being about looking really simple and very natural.'

Holmes and Suri in 2018 at the American Ballet Theater Spring Gala in NYC

Holmes' steal-worth style could be one reason she was asked to partner with French brand A.P.C. The influence said she wanted the collection to embody pieces that are cool but not recognizable and can fit into your existing wardrobe seamlessly'

'Thats what I wanted this collection to embody - pieces that are cool but not recognizable and can fit into your existing wardrobe seamlessly.'

That seems to be part of Holmes' innate style. As a teenager, she always brought someone with her on photos shoots to make sure she wasn't sexualized.

'I didnt want to be the sexy young thing. I am not sexy,' she told Glamour.

'I used to have a friend of mine come to all my photo shoots to make sure that they didnt try to make me that way! I guess I just wanted to be an actor.'
June 9, 2024: There are increasing incidents of Russian officers shooting their own troops for not advancing against the enemy, or trying to flee when the Ukrainians attack or employ missiles or armed UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). The Russian government did not release any information on this nor has there been much coverage in Russian electronic or print media, and most of the details come from Russian social media. This usually consists of videos taken covertly by other soldiers, emails or video emails released by friends or family. No one knows exactly how many Russian soldiers have been shot dead by their officers for refusing to fight or for trying to walk away from the fighting. What is surprising to many westerners is that it is nothing new for the Russian army. There was a lot of it during World War II and even a few incidents when the Russian army was in Afghanistan during the 1980s and Chechnya in the 1990s.

The current war in Ukraine is not popular inside Russia and that has made it difficult for the military to recruit new troops to fight there. Russia conscripts a quarter million young Russian men each year for one year of conscript service. The law stipulates that conscripts cannot be sent to a combat zone outside Russia. Putin tried to get around this by declaring Ukraine was actually part of Russia and Russian troops were there to put down an insurrection. Most conscripts, and especially their parents, did not go along with this and the government ceased sending conscripts to Ukraine.

This forced the government to spend a lot more money to get more nominally volunteer contract soldiers by forcing men with prior military service, and many with none, into the military as better paid contract soldiers. This worked initially until reports of the high casualty rates of contract soldiers in Ukraine became widely known. This led to more illegal schemes to obtain volunteers. This included forcing or deceiving conscripts into signing contracts to serve longer as contract soldiers.

Western sanctions on Russia caused an economic recession and good civilian jobs were hard to find. Pay for contract soldiers was competitive with similar jobs, which was not a bad deal when there was not a war going on in Ukraine. In 2023 Russia recruited at least 250,000 contract soldiers. Most of those got only a few weeks of training and so were generally useless in combat. Wagner Group was not restricted in how it recruited and it was able to recruit many convicts from prison. The deal was that if they survived their six month contract, they would be free to leave and would also get a pardon and not return to prison.

The Defense Ministry later tried this but had little success as Wagner Group had few restrictions on how it handled convict contract soldiers. If any of these men disobeyed orders or faltered in combat, they could be killed on the spot. That was standard practice in the Russian military during World War II and was enforced by special NKVD secret police units and Zampolit political officers assigned to commanders of units company or larger on up. Zampolits could execute reluctant soldiers or commanders. Wagner Force is the only military organization in Russian that is officially allowed to use this older but now officially forbidden, leadership style. Its common knowledge that Wager Group operates this way and anyone joining knows it. Some Russians have called for the military to adopt the old-school disciplinary procedures and it now appears this is unofficially happening. Most Russians do not want that, or the Wagner Group, the war in Ukraine or Vladimir Putin. This has led to more popular opposition to the war and Putin and more of the opposition are resorting to violence because nothing else seems to work.

Putin stays in power by oppressing opposition. That comes at a visible cost. Many Russians are getting out of Russia to avoid military service or unemployment or simply because of Putins autocratic rules. Putins response was to declare it illegal to leave Russia without official permission. Many are leaving despite the restrictions; via whatever way they can come up with. Putin always admired the Soviet Union and now he is turning Russia back into a totalitarian police state. Those who back Putin believe Russia will eventually prevail in Ukraine, even if it takes decades. Most Russians, Ukrainians and NATO members disagree and now consider Russia a threat to everyone.
Laetitia Casta looked sensational as she attended Jacquemus' cruise in Capri, Italy on Monday.

The French supermodel, 46, stepped out to the event wearing a plunging black maxi dress, with spaghetti straps and a fitted waistband.

She showed off her incredible figure in the elegant number while posing for photos on the boat.

Laetitia added a pair of sunglasses and styled her hair into classy curls, opting for a very subtle makeup look.

The actress, who was deemed the 'hottest woman in the world' in 1998, is a former Victoria's Secret Angel.

Laetitia Casta, 46, looked sensational as she attended Jacquemus' cruise in Capri, Italy on Monday

The French supermodel stepped out to the event wearing a plunging black maxi dress, with spaghetti straps and a fitted waistband

The Normandy born-beauty - who's sister Marie-Ange is also a successful model - was originally scouted on the idyllic Mediterranean island of Corsica at just 15.

The teenager - with her fathers consent - then embarked on a career that would make her one of the worlds leading models, with her career attributed not just to her natural beauty but also to her confidence and her refusal to be 'moulded'.

Previously speaking to Mail on Sunday in 2013, she said: 'I didnt like the idea of changing myself for the industry. I felt to have my teeth straightened and bleached and to starve myself to change my body was not respecting who I was.

'Anyway, it is those tiny little imperfections, like my teeth, that make a model stand out. Perfection is boring.'

During her modelling years she appeared on over 100 magazine covers, the most famous and controversial being her naked pose for Rolling Stone in 1998 when she was named the 'hottest woman in the world'.

Laetitias career changed course when she had her first child at 23 and she moved seamlessly from model to actress with roles in French films and TV series.

She shares one daughter Satheene, 23, with ex Stephane Sednaoui - as well as Athena, 21, and a son Orlando, 18 - from her relationship with her former fiance, Italian actor Stefano Accorsi.

In June 2017, she married actor Louis Garrel, 40, after two years of dating. In 2021 they welcome a son together.

She showed off her incredible figure in the elegant number while posing for photos on the boat

Laetitia added a pair of sunglasses and styled her hair into classy curls, opting for a very subtle makeup look

Laetitia posed for a photo alongside Tina Kunakey and Adele Exarchopoulos
She is one of the longest-serving panelists on Loose Women having spent nearly two decades on the team.

And Denise Welch has hit back at criticism she makes the show 'all about me' and said: 'Thats the whole point, it actually is so shut up.'

The 66-year-old has been a regular on the ITV chat show since 2005 and is known for sharing her struggle with post-natal depression after giving birth to her son, the 1975 frontman, Matty Healy, 35.

But the mother-of-two revealed she has been driven mad in recent years over the constant need to watch what she says on the show for fear of offending people before admitting she was fatist.

Denise said: We have to self-edit a million times more than we did. We live in a very PC world and you have to be careful or else you'll offend someone every day and it drives me mad.'

Denise Welch, 66, is one of the longest-serving panelists on Loose Women having spent nearly two decades on the team

And she's recently hit back at criticism she makes the show 'all about me' and said: 'Thats the whole point, it actually is so shut up.'

Speaking to Caroline Hirons podcast, Glad We Had This Chat, the mother of Taylor Swifts ex-boyfriend admitted to being 'fatist'.

She laughed at how some fans of the show, Who are 33 stone, say they look like her.

The Waterloo Road actress said: 'This will sound like I'm being fatist, and I kind of am, but usually it's about somebody who's 33 stone which comes up to me and says, "I've always been told I look like you," and I say, "Hey, Maureen, it's like looking in a mirror," oh, and they've got one tooth, one tooth!'

It comes as Loose Women was hit with 203 Ofcom complaints from viewers after the Coronation Street star expressed her frustration over the ongoing criticism of Meghan and Harry.

She launched a heated tirade at Queen Elizabeth IIs former press secretary Dickie Arbiter, who appeared on the show last month and passionately defended the Sussexes decision to leave the UK.

Her outspoken views have often meant she is the subject of much criticism from viewers with many saying she speaks too much about herself.

Denise said: 'You know you get Doris from Darlington on Twitter and they say, Ugh its the Nadia [Sawalha] and Denise show, its not about you, you know!

The TV star has been a regular on the ITV chat show since 2005 and is known for sharing her struggle with post-natal depression after giving birth to her son, the 1975 frontman, Matty Healy, 35

But the mother-of-two revealed she has been driven mad in recent years over the constant need to watch what she says on the show for fear of offending people before admitting she was fatist

Her outspoken views have often meant she is the subject of much criticism from viewers with many saying she speaks too much about herself

Denise said: 'You know you get Doris from Darlington on Twitter and they say, Ugh its the Nadia [Sawalha] and Denise show, its not about you, you know!

'And its like, it is though Doris, thats actually the whole point. It is an opinion and anecdotally led show so it is actually about us, Doris. So shut the f*** up. It takes experience to be a good panellist'

'And its like, it is though Doris, thats actually the whole point. It is an opinion and anecdotally led show so it is actually about us, Doris. So shut the f*** up. It takes experience to be a good panellist.

The actress, who lives in Wilmslow in Cheshire, walked out of Loose Women in October 2013 due to differences with the new director of ITV, Helen Warner, before returning to the show in 2018.

In 2013 she wrote: #I felt my feelings and opinions could at least have been considered by the new boss.'
Corey Feldman has been slammed by 80s film actor Scott Schwartz for allegedly getting him kicked out of a fan expo over the weekend.

Schwartz, 56, a former child star best known for roles in The Toy and A Christmas Story claimed Feldman threatened to leave The Hollywood show in Burbank, California on Saturday, if Schwartz was not removed.

Schwartz claimed Stand By Me star Feldman's 'fragile 10-year-old mind couldn't handle' his presence - despite Schwartz not approaching him - and branded Feldman a 'piece of s**t', a 'p***y motherf****r' and a 'drug addict.' in a Facebook post.

Feldman has spoken publicly about his battles with drug and alcohol addiction - as well as alleged sexual abuse during his time as a child star.

Schwartz's post read: 'Yesterday, while attending the Hollywood show in Burbank CA... while just walking up and down the isle, in the lobby area etc, my "NOT" pal, Wussy A** B***h, Corey Feldman was signing autographs.

Corey Feldman (left in 2022) has been slammed by 80s film actor Scott Schwartz (right in 2023) for allegedly getting him kicked out of a fan expo over the weekend

Schwartz (seen in 1982's The Toy - claimed Stand By Me star Feldman' s 'fragile 10-year-old mind couldn't handle' his presence - despite Schwartz not approaching him - and branded Feldman a 'piece of s**t', a 'p***y motherf****r' and a 'drug addict.' in a Facebook post

'I walked by a few times as that's how you get to Lee Majors, Lindsay Wagner and others... NEVER said a word to CF, didn't approach him, WHY would I!

'About 4pm, I was approached by one of the promoters of the show that due to Mr. Feldman being "uncomfortable by my presence" as his fragile 10 year old mind couldn't handle it, Mr. Feldman requested that I be escorted out of the building OR he would leave. NO I'm NOT kidding!

Schwartz said he agreed to leave to avoid causing a scene - but lambasted 'ego-maniac' Feldman for the alleged decision.

He continued: 'Being as I have known the promoter/s several decades, I did them the courtesy of leaving (yes escorted out), pissed off, but I understood their position.

'NOW, YOU PIECE OF S**T, LOW-LIFE P***Y MOTHERF****R, MR COREY FELDMAN, what happened to your balls? Are you 12? You couldn't leave not-well enough alone. I didn't invade your space, I didn't say anything to you, I didn't do anything but walk by like any other attendee but from the 35+ years of drugs seems to have gotten you paranoid, you ego-maniac!

'People waited for hours to see you as you pissed all over them, 2+ hours late as usual. I did NOTHING & well, here we are !!

Feldman is known for his work in 1980s films such as as The Goonies, The Lost Boys and Stand By Me (pictured 1986)

Schwartz said he agreed to leave to avoid causing a scene - but lambasted 'ego-maniac' Feldman for the alleged decision - pictured at an expo in 2020

'What are you afraid of, I might hit your throat so you can't "sing" anymore? Trust EVERYONE, it would be an improvement!

'WHY anyone would spend a dollar on your "personalized" autograph (or be blackmailed not to personalize LOL) OR wait for you for hours is beyond me, knowing what a piece of s**t you are !

'STEP UP, FIND YOUR BALLS, YOU DRUG ADDICT, Michael Jackson dressing, stuck in 1987 A**HOLE... You CHICKEN S**T MOTHERF****R, YOU don't have the balls to stand in front of me and speak like the man you aren't, instead you beg a promoter to handle your business..

'NO wonder Keifer and others from that movie cast won't even BE at a show with you! NO wonder MANY others from the projects you have done won't be in the same building as you are, they KNOW what a total PIECE OF S**T YOU ARE, and IF they do, they have NO respect for you!

'FIND YOUR MICRO-BALLS, LMK THE TIME & PLACE AND I'LL BE THERE. NOT your bodyguard Chris (as if u need one), just YOU and ME! I told you long ago, stop taking about Haim and if you f**k with me, I'd give you the a** kicking you deserved, WELL, NOW the line has been crossed! Wolfpack, HA, Just ME AND YOU!

'NOW, whom ever comments on this, I will NOT reply, EVERYONE share this, especially with MR FELDMAN on his instagram, X page, on FB, to other promoters of shows etc. Tell everyone what a total childish chicken s**t this poor excuse for a human he is!

'I haven't spoken in a while about him BUT NOW he's poured lighter fluid over a match and turned it into a volcano ! To everyone else, be at peace, be kind and love those you care for.

'To the hollywood show promoters, I do not hold anger or a grudge towards you... God Bless.'

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Corey Feldman for comment.

Feldman, has spent years advocating for the protection of child actors from what he claims is a systemic pedophilia problem in Hollywood - he has claimed both he and fellow child star Corey Haim (pictured 1980s) were raped as child stars

In 2020 Schwartz blasted Feldman for launching fundraisers under alleged false pretenses - claiming fans believed they were donating towards his legal fees, when in fact the money was used to finance a film about his life to expose the secret child sexual abuse in Hollywood

In 2020 Schwartz blasted Feldman for launching fundraisers under alleged false pretenses - claiming fans believed they were donating towards his legal fees, when in fact the money was used to finance a film about his life to expose the secret child sexual abuse in Hollywood.

He told TV Fanatic: 'He's robbing his own fans. In 2017 or 18, he did two GoFundMes that have made over $350,000. People donated money to him. Some of them got a CD signed, or a shirt, or whatever the hell it was.

'But they were donating money for him to make the documentary. But he also put in there, 'It's also for legal fees and for my security. Its for my security that I have to have at all times.' Because people are 'after him.'

'I've spoken over the years to two or three different guys that worked for him at one time or another. You know what they both told me? They both told me the same thing: No man, we didn't get paid by him. He told us it's an honor and a privilege to work with Corey Feldman, to be seen with Corey Feldman. He doesn't pay anything.

At the time Feldman responded to Schwartz: 'It is extremely hurtful and disappointing that Scott Schwartz has made it his mission to try and question my credibility and work alongside a group of people who have been harassing me, my family, my fans, and even Child USA.'

Feldman, best known for his work in 1980s films such as as The Goonies, The Lost Boys and Stand By Me, has spent years advocating for the protection of child actors from what he claims is a systemic pedophilia problem in Hollywood.

He has claimed that movie studios, senior film executives and even the Screen Actors Guild have all essentially ignored his concerns.

Feldman says Hollywood has tried to cover up child sex abuse for decades and he claims senior movie industry figures are still trying to silence and discredit him.

Feldman has long spoken about the alleged abuse he and fellow child star Corey Haim - who died aged 38 in 2010 - suffered as child actors. He has claimed they were both raped as children.

In 2020 his film My Truth: The Rape of Two Coreys claimed Charlie Sheen had raped Haim when Haim was 13 and Sheen 19.

Sheen vehemently denied Feldman's claims - with his publicist saying at the time: 'These sick, twisted and outlandish allegations never occurred. Period.'

'I would urge everyone to consider the source and read what his mother Judy Haim has to say,' the publicist added.

Corey Haim's mother Judy Haim denied that Sheen had abused her son when the claims first surfaced in 2017.
Teresa Giudice revealed to Andy Cohen on Sunday's episode of Watch What Happens Live that she has been in touch with Dina Manzo, 52, via text.

She sent the text when Dina's ex-husband Thomas Manzo was convicted of hiring a reputed mobster to assault her then-boyfriend in 2015.

'I texted her and she hearted it,' Giudice, 52, said of her former RHONJ co-star. 'You know, justice was served.'

Teresa didn't want to say anything more about that slight cooling off in the so-called feud between the two women.

Their falling out allegedly stems from Dina not attending Teresa's 2023 wedding to Luis Ruelas.

Teresa Giudice revealed to Andy Cohen on Sunday's episode of Watch What Happens Live that she's been in touch with her ex-friend Dina Manzo , 52, via text, pictured in 2021

She sent the text when Dina's ex-husband Thomas Manzo was convicted of hiring a reputed mobster to assault her then-boyfriend in 2015, pictured with Manzo

Dina unfollowed Teresa on social media after the wedding, leading fans to believe the two had were feuding.

Thomas Manzo was convicted Tuesday June 4 on charges he hired a reputed mobster to assault the woman's boyfriend (and now husband) in exchange for a free, lavish wedding reception.

A federal jury found Thomas Manzo of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey guilty of conspiracy, falsifying and concealing documents, and committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity.

Thomas Manzo, a 59-year-old restaurateur, faces up to 46 years in prison when he's sentenced October 15.

Federal prosecutors said Thomas hired John Perna  whom they described as a soldier in the Lucchese Crime Family  to commit the July 2015 attack against David Cantin (who Dina married in 2017) in the parking lot of a strip mall.

Perna's wedding reception was held the following month at the Paterson, New Jersey restaurant The Brownstone, which is partly owned by Manzo, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office branch in New Jersey said.

Manzo had been infuriated about his then-estranged wife Dina's romance with Cantin and wanted his attackers to 'leave a permanent facial scar' in the planned assault, according to court docs reviewed by ABC.

Thomas and Dina got married in 2007 at The Brownstone, and the ceremony was televised on VH1's My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding. They split up five years later.

Dina's ex was convicted of hiring someone to assault David Cantin, pictured here with Dina

'I texted her and she hearted it,' Giudice, 52, said. 'You know, justice was served,' Dina pictured here in 2014

Teresa didn't want to say anything more about that slight cooling off in the so-called feud between the two women, pictured here in 2022

Their falling out allegedly stems from Dina not attending Teresa's 2023 wedding to Luis Ruelas

Dina was a regular on the The Real Housewives of New Jersey in the show's first and second seasons in 2009 and 2010.

She made a one-off appearance on the reality show's fourth season in 2012, and was a regular again for the show's sixth season in 2014.

The day after the conviction Dina shared a quote to her Instagram Story.

'I call my power back to me. I call my energy back to me. I call my magic back to me,' the quote read. 'I am cleansed and disconnected from anything that may drain me. I am shielded from any energy that does not serve me. I am safe. I am protected. I am whole. And so it is.'
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Salma Hayek - who was in Paris last week with her husband Francois-Henri Pinault, 61 - looked busty in a one-piece swimsuit while in the ocean over the weekend.

The colorful low-cut suit had two parrots over her chest as she added gold chains around her neck while her black hair was dripping wet.

The 57-year-old siren from Mexico was being thrown all over the place as waves crashed into her. At one point the Frida star was even pushed down to her hands and knees as she put her butt in the air before finding her footing again.

The mother-of-one was with a female friend who wore a dark blue one-piece bathing suit with brown rings on the straps.

Together they splashed around as they enjoyed some down time while on vacation.

Salma Hayek looked busty in a one-piece swimsuit while in the ocean over the weekend. She was with a pal in a dark blue plunging swimsuit with rings on the straps

At one point the Frida star was even pushed down to her hands and knees

Hayek seemed to be having a blast as she was at one with nature, even if it meant she was taking a thrashing.

In the caption, the Eternals actress said she was celebrating World Ocean Day.

'Happy World Oceans Day! Feliz Dia Mundial de los Oceanos!' Eiza Gonzalez hit the like button.

The wife of 61-year-old Francois-Henri Pinault - who is the chairman and CEO of Kering - showed off a trim tummy and muscular legs as well as thin, sculpted arms.

And for those who may think the actress has gone under the knife for her glow, Salma set the record straight.

During an interview on Kelly Ripa's Let's Talk Off Camera podcast last June, Salma quipped, 'No Botox!'

Instead, she credits her love for 'meditation' along with 'frequency machines' for her youthful appearance. Salma added, 'I know what it is.'

'Because of a lot of things in my body and health issues, somehow I developed this strange meditation that I keep evolving,' she continued.

The colorful suit had two parrots over her chest as she added gold chains around her neck

Her black hair was dripping wet. The 57-year-old siren from Mexico was being thrown all over the place as waves crashed into her

The mother-of-one was with a female friend who wore a black one-piece bathing suit

'I can do it for hours because you don't feel the time, and it's so much fun.'

Salma explained that she doesn't follow an exact protocol when meditating: 'It's actually feeling the energy.

'And it moves and it dances inside of you, different feelings and sensations.'

'So, I do a lot of the frequency machines and they work on me better than on anyone,' she confessed.

'And just the meditation  sometimes when I'm doing it, people tell me when I come out of the room, '"Oh my God, again, you look 20 years old."'

The siren from the movie From Dusk Till Dawn talked to the camera as she wore an expensive necklace

Here her butt was thrown in the air as she was tossed off her feet by the strong wave

But Salma laughed off the pounding she took on the shore as she seemed to be having the best time

Salma described the type of machines she feels work best, including radio and micro-frequency to keep her skin tight. In fact, the mom-of-one noted, 'The people that do the machines say that the results I get, they don't get with other people.'

Last year she talked a beauty secret.

The star admitted that when it comes to skincare, she had been using an ingredient usually used to treat burns victims in her native Mexico.

And she explained that those in the US were often shocked because they had never heard of such a product.

She said: 'I use an ingredient called Tepezcohuite thats used in Mexico for burn victims because it completely regenerates the skin, and theres no one in the States who is using this ingredient except for us.

'Some of the ingredients, when I took them to the American labs, they were like "Oh my god! How come nobody is using this?"

'This is why I have no Botox, no peels, no fillings.

Hayek last starred as Kitty Softpaws in the critically-acclaimed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. And she was also seen in Magic Mike's Last Dance.

She will also star in Angelina Jolie's next directorial effort Without Blood, which is currently in post-production. The actress stars alongside Demian Bichir in the adaptation of Alessandro Baricco's novel, adapted by Jolie herself.
Christine Quinn was seen moving out of her former marital home in LA recently - amid an increasingly ugly divorce battle with estranged husband Christian Dumontet.

The Selling Sunset star, 35, whose ex Dumontet was arrested in his bathrobe at the home in March following an alleged domestic dispute, looked somber as she loaded up some Louis Vuitton boxes.

She went braless in a white 'WET' vest top from Kanye West's Yeezy collection and clinging black leggings, paired with the rapper's quirky $20 Pod shoes as she carried numerous boxes from the home.

The star was also seen wheeling a suitcase to a moving truck as she moves on from her marriage.

Quinn has accused her estranged husband Dumontet, also known as Christian Richard, of 'willfully' violating her temporary domestic violence restraining order against him.

Christine Quinn was seen moving out of her former marital home in LA recently - amid an increasingly ugly divorce battle with estranged husband Christian Dumontet

The Selling Sunset star, 35, whose ex Dumontet was arrested in his bathrobe at the home in March following an alleged domestic dispute, looked somber as she loaded up some Louis Vuitton boxes (pictured 2023)

In a court filing, obtained by People 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.'

'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.

She wore a white vest top and clinging black leggings, paired with shades as she carried numerous boxes from the home

The star toted numerous designer bags to her moving truck

Christine carried some bags to her moving truck

The star showed off her frame as she went braless in the top

Christine wheeled a designer suitcase as she strolled

The star is moving on from her marriage to Dumontet

Christine and Christian are parents to Christian Georges, 3

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.

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.
After just over two years of marriage, reality stars Carly Lawrence and Bennett Sipes are going their separate ways.

TMZ reports Lawrence, a Too Hot To Handle alum, filed for divorce from Sipes on Monday.

In legal documents, Lawrence indicated their date of separation was this past Friday as she claimed they split due to 'irreconcilable differences'.

The exes, who do not share any children, wed in May 2022.

While it's unknown if the estranged couple had signed a prenuptial agreement, Lawrence has asked to cease the court's ability to give either one of them spousal support.

After just over two years of marriage, reality stars Carly Lawrence and Bennett Sipes are going their separate ways; pictured 2022

Lawrence has not prominently featured Sipes on her Instagram grid in some time. He has, however, been included tucked away in various carousel posts.

The last time Sipes was granted first photo status was in a post uploaded in October 2022.

'Making memms,' Lawrence captioned the post, which began with a snap of them kissing.

Sipes, a Love Island USA alum who posts to his account with less frequency, last featured Lawrence on his Instagram back in December 2023 as he marked their relationship anniversary.

The post captured their romantic cabin getaway celebrating two years together.

'2 years with my other (better) half. Heres to the most amazing woman, my best friend, my wife. My life. My lil fairy angel girl. I love you so friggin much, Carlz. Me & Luna wouldnt be us w/o YOU,' he captioned the post.

'We snuck off to the the mountains to celebrate in our favorite place. Thank you for giving us comfy homes to cozy up in & woods for Luna to explore lol @to_dwell_here much love and cant wait to be back!' he added.

People previously reported Lawrence and Sipes tied the knot at the True Love Wedding Chapel in Los Angeles on May 20, 2022.

Lawrence was on season two of Too Hot To Handle

Sipes was on season two of Love Island USA

The last time Sipes was granted first photo status was in a post uploaded in October 2022

Bennett shared snaps from their romantic cabin getaway celebrating two years together

The wedding followed a months-long courtship.

'They do truly love each other,' a source told the site.

'They originally were going to get married in Vegas and the plan was in place and at the last minute, [they] changed their mind,' the insider added. 'They were there with friends and everything.'

Lawrence rose to fame on season two of Too Hot To Handle and dated Joey Joy, a contestant on the show.

Sipes also romanced a contestant on his own show - he dated Love Island USA alum Leslie Golden.

Sipes was also on the show's second season.
Ruby Tuesday Matthews has raised eyebrows for complaining about an airplane taking too long to take off - four years after she famously held up a Jetstar flight to indulge in oysters at a fancy restaurant.

The Byron Bay influencer, 29, took to Instagram over the weekend to detail her trepidations while travelling to Bali with her three children, Rocket, five, Mars, four, and Holiday, one.

Posting to her Stories, Ruby shared a close-up photo of her son sitting in the plane looking less than pleased after their flight was delayed twice.

'Two failed attempts at taking off due to warning lights coming on right before takeoff. Been stuck on this plane for way too long,' she lamented in her caption.

Ruby later returned to Instagram hours later after finally arriving at her hotel, sharing a photo of herself lying in bed looking sullen as Holiday slept on her chest.

Ruby Tuesday Matthews, 29, (pictured) has raised eyebrows for complaining about an airplane taking too long to take off - four years after she famously held up a delayed Jetstar flight to indulge in oysters at a fancy restaurant

'Traveling with two kids is a walk in the park. Three is WILD. No words. But we made it to the hotel 4.30am Aus time. The boys think it's the morning. I'm ruined,' she complained.

The following day Ruby once again posted an update to her page, sharing a close-up photo of herself lounging by the hotel pool.

'To all the influencers making traveling with kids look easy - What the actual f*ck. Maybe its my two spicy margaritas talking, but that was complete BS,' she ranted in the caption.

The Byron Bay influencer, 29, took to Instagram over the weekend to detail her trepidations while travelling to Bali with her three children, Rocket, five, Mars, four, and Holiday, one. Posting to her Stories, Ruby shared a close-up photo of her son sitting in the plane looking less than pleased after their flight was delayed twice

Ruby later returned to Instagram hours later after finally arriving at her hotel, sharing a photo of herself lying in bed looking sullen as Holiday slept on her chest

'Random baby vomit on the plane, no assistance, hours on the tarmac, failed takeoffs, and landing in Bali getting to the hotel at 4 AM with zero sleep today,' she continued.

The bathrobe entrepreneur compared her experience to a 'bender' she 'couldn't escape.

She concluded her post on a more positive note, however, writing: 'On the bright side, the pool is amazing, and the margaritas are strong'.

The following day Ruby once again posted an update to her page, sharing a close-up photo of herself lounging by the hotel pool. 'To all the influencers making traveling with kids look easy - What the actual f*ck. Maybe its my two spicy margaritas talking, but that was complete BS,' she ranted in the caption

Ruby's horrific travel experience comes four years after she made headlines for holding up a Jetstar flight so she could dine on oysters, only to complain when she was heckled by frustrated passengers.

She was supposed to be flying from Byron Bay to Sydney in the afternoon but a technical issue caused the flight to be delayed.

Jetstar asked travellers to stay at the airport while they flew an engineer over from the Gold Coast and told passengers the new departure time would likely be about 7.30pm that evening.

In October 2020, Ruby came under fire after she held up a delayed Jetstar flight as she indulged on oysters in a fancy restaurant

Ruby and her travel companion decided to leave the airport to grab a bite to eat at a beachside restaurant as others ate at the airport.

The influencer later posted a video to Instagram showing her eating oysters with a friend, captioning the footage: 'Flight delayed f*** my life'.

She kept frustrated passengers waiting on the tarmac, who heckled her as she boarded 30 minutes after the plane was due to take off.

Video footage shows passengers shouting 'how were the oysters' and 'what a day to be pretty' as she entered the aircraft.

While the pair were enjoying their meal, those at the airport were advised the engineer had arrived sooner than expected and the flight would be boarding at 6.20pm instead.

But passengers were forced to sit on the tarmac as Jetstar tried to trace a group of missing passengers, including Ruby and her mate.

It is understood an employee had to call her to advise her the plane was ready to depart and she needed to return to the airport as soon as possible.

When a passenger asked if the oysters were good, Ruby replied: 'Yes they were'.

The social media star then argued with the other travellers, telling them it was an 'innocent mistake' and that they were being rude.

The influencer later took to social media where she blamed Jetstar for the incident, claiming staff did nothing to help her.
Kyle Sandilands decided to cancel his birthday party at the last minute on Monday because he didn't feel like getting out of bed.

The radio jock and his family were heading to Japanese restaurant Nobu to celebrate his 53rd birthday.

But he decided to cancel his party at the last minute even though everyone had arrived.

'I cancelled it. I just didn't feel like having a family lunch at Nobu,' Kyle revealed as he arrived to the KIIS FM studios on Tuesday morning.

He explained his driver and security team had been ready to escort him to the Crown for lunch when he changed his mind.

Kyle Sandilands decided to cancel his birthday party at the last minute on Monday because he didn't feel like getting out of bed

'The driver was ready, security and mum was there. Everyone was dressed up and I decided I'm not celebrating and I was going back to bed,' he added.

It comes after Kyle's co-host Jackie O Henderson was left red-faced on Friday after suffering an accidental mishap during her KIIS FM breakfast show.

The radio queen, 49, accidentally flashed her entire team as she placed her legs up on her desk before a producer interjected.

'Jackie just a request from the entire team. You're flashing... all of us right now,' the producer said.

Kyle chimed in: 'I told you get your feet off the desk. That's not lady like.'

The radio jock, 53, explained he cancelled his party because he wanted to 'go back to bed' even though everyone had arrived

Referring to the infamous interrogation scene from the 1992 thriller Basic Instinct, Jackie quipped: 'Did I just Sharon Stone you all?'

'No I am wearing underpants,' she clarified before cheekily putting her legs back up on the desk.

'I've covered it now... I think I'm manoeuvring myself away from airing it out up here. It's very hot down there,' she joked.
For many women the older they get, the more conservative their wardrobe becomes.

But Demi Moore is celebrating her 60s by debuting ever-more daring looks  and her latest includes a 1,200 pair of trainers with gold-plated toe imprints.

The 61-year-old arrived at the BRATZ premiere in New York on Saturday wearing a 1,942 sleeveless denim jacket and 2,280 pair of cowboy trousers.

She paired the look with statement-making Schiaparelli Trompe L'Oeil sneakers with golden toes and wore her waist-length black hair down in waves.

Her white outfit was made entirely by Italian label Schiaparelli, lauded for its surreal style worn by the likes of Taylor Swift, Zendaya and Adele.

Demi Moore, 61, arrived at the BRATZ premiere in New York on Saturday in a pair of gold-plated toe imprints

Demi Moore wore Schiaparelli Trompe L'Oeil sneakers in gold and white on the red carpet this weekend

It comes after Moore was praised for her bold gowns with plunging necklines at the Cannes Film Festival last month from high-end designers such as Loewe, Oscar de la Renta and Missoni.

Ms Moore attended the premiere of BRATZ, a documentary about her friendship group made up of young actors in the 1980s dubbed the 'Brat Pack'.

The Ghost actress was reunited with her castmate Ally Sheedy from the 1985 coming-of-age film, St Elmo's Fire, as they supported fellow co-star Andrew McCarthy in directing the documentary.

The Breakfast Club star Elmo Estevez, who was cited as the 'unofficial president' of the group and was engaged to Ms Moore at their height of Brat Pack mania, was not in attendance.

The Brat Pack was a group of young actors who became emblematic of 1980s youth culture in America after starring in coming-of-age films such as The Breakfast Club and St Elmo's Fire.

Actors such as Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Jon Cryer and Molly Ringwald were considered an enviable friendship group whose careers were about to take off.

Writer David Blum coined the title Brat Pack after he described them in an article for New York Magazine as entitled and bratty which imposed an identity that many of the group resented.

But the term never affected Ms Moore's career and by the mid-1990s, she was the highest-paid actress and still has a successful film career today.

Andrew McCarthy, Ally Sheedy, Demi Moore and Jon Cryer at 2024 Tribeca Film Festival World Premiere of BRATS

However, she always hated the moniker.

She said: 'It really irritated me. None of us really liked the idea of being called 'brats' or that we weren't professionals or didn't take our work seriously.'

The documentary explores her problems with cocaine addiction for which St Elmo's Fire production team sent her to rehab before filming and 'paid to have a sober companion with me 24/7 during the whole shooting'.

While fans saw the Brat Pack as a group of close friends living glamorous lives, the actors themselves were uncomfortable with being a part of this group against their will as they felt it trivialised and constrained their careers.

But it was Blum, author of the original article, who interviewed The Breakfast Club star, Ally Sheedy, Demi Moore, the Pretty in Pink star Jon Cryer and Andrew McCarthy at the documentary's premiere.

Mr Blum admitted he regretted writing the article after members of the group suggested the negative connotations of the story stopped them from socialising.

Ms Sheedy, 61, said: 'I truly felt a part of something, and that guy just blew it to pieces.'
UN agency welcomes China-proposed resolution to establish Int'l Day for Dialogue among Civilizations

Xinhua) 15:11, June 10, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) on Sunday welcomed the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, establishing June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

"I welcome the adoption of the General Assembly resolution 'International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations,'" Miguel Moratinos, UN under-secretary-general and UNAOC high representative said in a press statement.

Moratinos expressed his "gratitude to China and all member states, co-sponsors of the resolution for their appreciation of the valuable role of UNAOC in promoting greater understanding and respect among civilizations, cultures, religions and beliefs as well as for UNAOC Global Forums considered as a global platform for dialogue among state and non-state actors including civil society organizations, religious leaders, youth, media, artists and athletes."

Moratinos called on the global community to "celebrate our diversity," "recommit to respect our differences," and "protect human dignity, indiscriminately."

The 78th session of the UN General Assembly on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by China to establish the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

The resolution stated that all civilizational achievements are "the collective heritage of humankind." It advocated 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.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
June 9, 2024: Russian setbacks in Ukraine and anger at European NATO countries for supporting Ukraine have led Russia to strike back at European countries with a sabotage campaign. The Russians have paid criminal networks in Europe to carry out these attacks. European police and security agencies were alert to these Russian plans and arrested local criminals hired by Russian agents to carry out sabotage attacks and have made arrests. With these Russian efforts no longer secret, Russian recruiting efforts have failed because of fears that anyone who worked for Russia would be quickly identified and arrested. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, public opinion in Europe has been hostile to Russia.

There have been a few railway accidents that are now being reexamined to see if they were acts of sabotage. Russian jamming of GPS signals continues to be a problem in several European countries. Russia denies any involvement but the evidence of Russian complicity grows with each incident. In this respect Russia is at war with European nations and these attacks may eventually lead to more sanctions against Russia. The economic sanctions already imposed on Russia by Western trading partners are seen by Russians as an attack on their economy. That was the intention of the sanctions but the Russians dont consider themselves deserving of such attacks.

The Russians are particularly angry over oil export sanctions. Russia is still able to smuggle its oil out to foreign customers but has to sell the oil at a discount. This is because buyers fear getting hit by sanctions themselves if they are caught purchasing smuggled Russian oil.

This shadow war, where no one admits they are attacking anyone, is likely to continue as long as Russia is considered an outlaw nation because of its continued aggression inside Ukraine. Economic attacks on Russia have hurt and Russian leader Vladimir Putin has openly discussed a negotiated settlement to end the Ukraine War and get Russia out from under all those sanctions.
Married At First Sight star Lucinda Light has made a very X-rated confession about her sex life.

Last week, a fan declared a 'national crisis' for the bride and said someone needed to find her 'a root'.

The bride, 43, took to social media to agree with the fan, admitting it has 'been a while'.

'I utterly concur, I am like, what is going on? It's been a while... and I'm just saying, I'm absolutely ready to make love to existence and somebody fabulous,' she said.

'Look, I'm not everybody's cup of tea... I'm an acquired taste and I agree with that, but it would be great to reactivate the chakras.'

Married At First Sight star Lucinda Light, 43, (pictured) has made a very X-rated admission

'Just popping that one out to the universe and hopefully it boomerangs something and pulls it back over this way, because it's getting a bit dull. So fingers crossed, wish me well!' she continued.

Fans were quick to share their disbelief over the stars single status.

'I cant believe youre single. You are amazing the universe is listening.. Hes on the way xx,' one fan commented.

'Someone find this woman the best man on earth to treat her like the princess she already is!!' a user said.

Last week, a fan declared a 'national crisis' for the bride, saying someone needed to find her 'a root'

'Id love you to be the next bachelorette. You could take your pick!!' one wrote.

'Lucinda for bachelorette!!' another agreed.

It comes after the 43-year-old recently opened up about her journey to accept the likelihood that motherhood may not be part of her future.

And the bride took to social media to agree with the fan, admitting that it has 'been a while'

'I've done a lot of grieving around letting go of being a mumma,' she told WHO Magazine.

'It was actually one of the biggest desires and at the top of my wishlist.'

Following her appearance on the Channel Nine dating show, Lucinda made a significant move from the serene shores of Byron Bay to the bustling cityscape of Melbourne, seeking a much-needed reset.

'I utterly concur, I am like, what is going on? It's been a while... and I'm just saying, I'm absolutely ready to make love to existence and somebody fabulous,' she said

Fans speculated her decision was influenced by her Victoria-based MAFS husband Timothy Smith.

However, Lucinda clarified, 'It's a lovely sanctuary of quiet among the busyness and storm post-MAFS. The pair are friends. I've just been so grateful for it.'

After making waves in Australia, she will soon travel to the UK for her speaking tour, An Evening with Lucinda Light.

Tickets, priced at 27.50 GBP ($52 AUD), have been selling like hotcakes, with a total of 4,500 tickets available.
It comes as California fast food chains are battling a $20-an-hour minimum wage

A popular pizza chain is joining other businesses in leaving California to avoid the state's high taxes and cut costs.

Blaze Pizza is relocating its headquarters from Pasadena to Atlanta which will reduce its state corporate tax rate by more than a third.

The company, which has 330 restaurants across 38 states and six countries, has claimed the relocation will spark the 'next wave of growth'.

It comes as fast food chains in California have been slashing jobs - as a way to cut costs after the minimum wage in the state was hiked to $20-an-hour.

Nearly 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.

A popular pizza chain is joining other businesses in leaving California to avoid the state's high taxes and cut costs

Blaze Pizza is relocating its headquarters from Pasadena to Atlanta which will reduce its state corporate tax rate by more than a third

In addition, businesses have been leaving the Golden State to avoid higher taxes.

Other corporate departures from southern California in recent months include Neutrogena to New Jersey, QuickFee to Texas, Oak View Group to Colorado, and Unical Aviation to Arizona.

Blaze Pizza confirmed its 7,500 employees at restaurant level will be unaffected by the move while a small number of its 60 corporate employees are being offered 'relocation opportunities'.

'California is where this brand was born more than a decade ago, and we have tremendous heart for communities across the state where so many of our restaurants are,' its CEO Beto Guajardo said in a statement.

'Moving our corporate headquarters to Atlanta will help us drive our next wave of growth.'

The move comes as beloved chains have been shuttering restaurants across California over the minimum wage controversy- including Mexican Rubio's Coastal Grill, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed 48 locations in the state.

The California Business and Industrial Alliance (CABIA) slammed Governor Gavin Newsom was 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.

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: 'What business owners are doing is either theyre selling, theyre not expanding in California  they have expansion plans in different states  or theyre going out of business.'

Manzo claimed 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.'

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.'

Blaze has 330 restaurants across 38 states and six countries and its CEO Beto Guajardo (pictured) claimed the relocation will spark the 'next wave of growth'

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the fast-food bill raising the minimum wage payable by certain chains on September 28, 2023

To highlight the impact of the law, a 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 (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.
Millions of older Americans are facing a financial challenge which could threaten their retirement plans - outstanding student loan debt.

While student debt may be seen by many as a problem which mainly faces younger workers, there are 2.2 million people over the age of 55 with outstanding loans.

If they still owe student loans when they retire, they risk up to 15 percent of their Social Security retirement payments being taken by the Government at source if they default on the debts.

Social Security retirement payments vary, but are on average $1,907 a month, according to officials. Losing 15 percent of that would be $286.

Having the weight of student debt hanging over older workers is hindering their ability to retire comfortably, according to fresh insights from the New School's Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis.

The weight of student debt is hindering the ability of older workers to retire comfortably

Debt-burdened older workers face student loan repayment well into their later years, the report found.

On average, workers aged 55 to 64 take almost 11 years to finish repaying their student loans, while those over the age of 65 will need 3.5 years, Fed data shows.

While the Biden administration has forgiven $167 billion in student loans for 4.75 million Americans so far, that help is only for certain groups such as those working in the public sector.

Millions of older people owe student debt still. In fact, the report found middle-income workers aged 55 and up represent the highest proportion of all student loan borrowers.

'Older debtors lack the characteristics of younger debtors  more "prime-aged" working years left [to earn a salary], more time to save for retirement  making it harder for them to attain the promised "returns" on their investment,' the report reads.

The burden of debt also falls disproportionately on lower-income earners.

The Schwartz Center found that half of all debtors over the age of 55 - who are still working - are earning less than $54,600.

This means they could find it more difficult to save as they still have to put money toward loan repayment - and may have to rely more heavily on Social Security once they reach retirement age.

Others may not be able to retire at all - joining the millions of Americans over 65 still in work.

Some 14.9 percent of these over-55 workers have not completed the degree for which they have taken out loans, the report found.

This means not only do they have to make repayment on the loans, but they must do so without having benefited from the expected income rise from a completed degree.

'These older workers face the dual effects of both indebtedness and lack of enhanced earning power, making them especially precarious,' the report reads.

President Biden has forgiven $167 billion in student loans, but many Americans are still in debt

When a debtor defaults on a student loan, the report adds, the loan becomes 'delinquent.'

Delinquent federal student loans are one of the few conditions which trigger Social Security benefits to be garnished, which reduces retirement income, it said.

The authors of the report want new laws to prevent this happening.

It suggests that policy interventions, including axing Social Security garnishing and improvements to the student loan forgiveness program, could ease the debt burden on older workers and help them save for retirement.

It highlights the Biden administration's Savings on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan, which shortens the timeline for debt relief and means borrowers only make monthly payments when their income rises over a certain threshold.

The report comes as Americans are increasingly questioning the value of a college degree - and whether the potential cost of an education is worth the returns.
India and Canada share a complex relationship, shaped by historical ties, diaspora influence and geopolitical interests

In the intricate dance of international diplomacy, Canada's intelligence chief, David Vigneault, embarked on clandestine visits to India earlier this year, delving into the shadowy realms of the Khalistani activist's controversial demise. These covert exchanges, veiled in secrecy, unfold against the backdrop of heightened tensions between the two nations, as a parliamentary report unveils India's ranking as the second most significant foreign threat to Canadian democracy, closely trailing behind China. With Prime Minister Trudeau's pledge to confront foreign interference head-on, Canada grapples with safeguarding its democratic integrity amidst the swirling currents of global power struggles.

India and Canada share a complex relationship, shaped by historical ties, diaspora influence, and geopolitical interests. The Indian diaspora in Canada, particularly the Sikh community, has played a significant role in shaping Canadian society and politics. However, issues related to Sikh separatism and human rights in India have often been contentious points in bilateral discussions. Nijjar's assassination has brought these issues to the forefront once again, reigniting debates about the treatment of minorities in India and the extent of Canada's involvement in addressing these concerns. The Indian diaspora in Canada is significant and steadily growing. It's estimated that there are over 2 million people of Indian origin in Canada, making the Indian community one of the largest and most influential ethnic groups in the country. Over the years, the Indian diaspora has made significant contributions to various sectors of Canadian society, including business, politics, academia, and culture. This demographic's influence is a testament to the deep-rooted connections between the two nations.

Nijjar's assassination has prompted a range of reactions from both Indian and Canadian officials. Canadian officials have condemned the act and called for a thorough investigation, while also reaffirming their commitment to dialogue and cooperation with India. However, the incident has undoubtedly strained relations between the two countries, with potential implications for trade, investment, and strategic partnerships. Some argue that Nijjar's death underscores the need for greater attention to human rights violations in India, while others caution against jumping to conclusions and emphasize the importance of evidence-based investigations.

At the diplomatic level, the fallout from Nijjar's assassination has led to increased scrutiny of Indo-Canadian relations. The alleged involvement of India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and a close aide of Ajit Doval in covert operations underscores the complex interplay between intelligence, diplomacy, and geopolitics. As India seeks to assert itself on the world stage, it must navigate these challenges with caution, ensuring that its actions are guided by principles of transparency, accountability, and respect for international law. For Canada, the incident has highlighted the delicate balancing act it must perform in managing its diverse population while upholding democratic values. The Canadian government's response has been measured, focusing on ensuring justice for Nijjar while maintaining diplomatic channels with India. This approach is crucial for preserving the multifaceted relationship that exists between the two countries. While differences may exist on certain issues, there are also areas of common interest where cooperation can flourish.

Moreover, the tragic loss of Jaswinder Singh Nijjar serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding democratic values and protecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds. This commitment to justice will not only honour Nijjar's legacy but also reinforce the values that both nations espouse. Moving forward, Indo-Canadian relations will likely face challenges as both countries navigate the aftermath of this incident. However, with mutual respect, dialogue, and a commitment to shared values, there is hope that they can emerge stronger and more resilient than before.

In conclusion, the assassination of Jaswinder Singh Nijjar has cast a spotlight on the intricacies of Indo-Canadian relations, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. It is a pivotal moment for both nations to reflect on their shared history, reaffirm their commitment to justice, and work towards a future marked by cooperation and mutual respect. The road ahead may be fraught with difficulties, but with a concerted effort, India and Canada can continue to build a relationship that is both robust and resilient, benefiting not only their citizens but also contributing to global peace and stability. Indo-Canadian relations are like a symphony, where each note, no matter how different, contributes to the harmony of the whole. Let us play our parts with respect, understanding, and a commitment to peace.

(The writer is an associate professor, views are personal)
There is a long list of people-centric achievements, both at home and abroad, that defines Modi 2.0. But then, public perception inexplicably turned against him

What would Prime Minister Narendra Modi be feeling? So little recognition for doing so much! Why? Did he err somewhere to have endured the reduction to 240 seats from the erstwhile 303? Was aspiring for his country to join the First World by 2047 wrong? Or was promising that Bharat would enlarge its GDP to be the third largest in the world before long, a mistake? Or introducing the GST, which laid the foundation of transforming the national economy? Indirect tax collection is rising and reducing the transport time by 40 per cent. Isnt that a gift to the economy?

Maybe asking for beyond 400 was misunderstood as having already won the election and therefore no pressing need to go out to cast ones vote, especially when the weather is very hot. Perhaps the schedule of seven phases of voting was phased out over too long a period of 43 days, enough time for possible mischief. Some might have resented the abrogation of Article 370, but the economy of Jammu & Kashmir has prospered substantially.

Modis Government over the last 10 years has pulled out some 25 crore out of poverty. Whatever was given to them was directly to the individuals, not through village headmen. According to the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, only 15 paise of a rupee reached the poor people, while 85 paise were eaten away by the middlemen. Such corruption significantly explained the contemptuous expression coined by the Nehruvian acolytes Hindu rate of growth. Indias economists used to proudly claim that 40 per cent of the Indian economy was black or informal and 60 per cent was white or formal.

The back of this black economy began to be broken on the night of November 8, 2016, when Modi demonetised `1,000 and `500 currency notes. The measure was not confided even to his Finance Minister for the sake of secrecy. Public opinion in India was divided down the middle; those who lost money condemned the measure. Those who did not lose, praised the move as having taught the tax evaders a lesson.

What most people did not know was that a former regime was getting Indian currency notes printed by the same supplier who printed Pakistans and Bangladeshs currency notes as well. These neighbours could thus import India goods without spending any foreign exchange, in fact any money, except the purchase price of the fake notes.

Until this demonetisation, our neighbours were financially comfortable. Not long after November 8, 2016, news came that Pakistan was moving towards shambles. Later, we had to loan Bangladesh $9.5 billion. One cannot deny there is still black money in the economy today, but at least half the original quantum is gone. Implementation of GST and digitalisation has also helped in this objective.

White money is wealth that can be invested, lent out; it can be used for expanding the economy. Black money, on the other hand, is largely unproductive and, in private hands, a source of fear from thieves and income tax raids. It cannot be lent with confidence or even a minimal lack of worry.

Do all these deserve only 240 seats? This is indeed a painful question. While voting, many Hindus forgot that it is this Government and this Supreme Court that enabled them to see the magnificent temple of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya become a reality, considering five centuries had run their course since Mughal invader Babars henchman Mir Baqi had destroyed the original temple that had immortalised Shri Ramjanmabhoomi. The splendid new temple has been built in the flash of a year. This was a revival, recovery and replacement of a lost temple and civilisational ethos.

This Government has also made history dance. I doubt whether any religion has enabled another religion to build its place of worship in its own country. This Government has been able to charm the Sultan of Abu Dhabi to donate 27 acres of land on the main highway to Dubai for Hindus to build a grand temple in what most Muslims would consider a violation of the forbidding of butparasti or idol worship. This was the Sultans celestial endeavour to atone for all the temples desecrated in India over the centuries. As a wag put it, this was a magnificent reconciliation that should have gifted, as it were, a thousand seats. All Hindus should pray for having overlooked this unique sacrifice on behalf of Islam.

The only excuse that can hold was yet another omission, like many others. Only two days ago, an acquaintance from Lucknow dropped in to explain why the Lok Sabha seat that contains Ayodhya was lost. A number of shops and houses was demolished to broaden the main street. Compensation was offered, although at the old rates.

With the rapid construction of the temple, real estate prices went up much faster than expected. As a result, the old rates seemed like peanuts and, therefore, unacceptable to the old-time residents and shopkeepers. Meanwhile, lakhs of pilgrims had come, gone and enriched the shopkeepers, who werent really short of money. In the process, they not only protested but also voted for the opposite side. When asked by journalists what they gained by voting against the temple, they had no answer.

(The writer is a well-known columnist, an author and a former member of the Rajya Sabha; views are personal)
After the formation of Narendra Modi-led NDA Government at Centre, the focus now shifts to the States  Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunchal Pradesh and Sikkim- where also Government formation is in process after the simultaneous polls with Lok Sabha were conducted.

While Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) president Prem Singh Tamang was sworn in as Chief Minister of the Himalayan State on Monday, BJP legislature party of Odisha and TDP legislatures in Andhra Pradesh have convened a meeting on Tuesday to elect the Chief Minister of their States and new Governments will take oath on Wednesday. BJP has appointed Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Bhupendra Yadav to oversee the selection of the new Chief Minister of Odisha.

The other winning State of BJP is Arunachal Pradesh which secured 46 seats in the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh Assembly led by incumbent CM Pema Khandu. While the results were declared on June 2 along with Sikkim, the swearing in ceremony was delayed due the party's preoccupations in Delhi as Modi was to take oath for the third time.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) which is the major partner of BJP in NDA has also convened its Legislature Meeting on June 11 to elect N Chandrababu Naidu as the leader and the oath ceremony is being scheduled for Wednesday.

BJP secured a majority by winning 78 seats in the 147-member Odisha Assembly. However, the party is yet to choose a leader who will be at the helm of the State. While the chance of senior Odisha MP Dharmendra Pradhan becoming the next Chief Minister of the State seems bleak after his induction into the Modi 3.0 Government, the focus is now on Brajarajnagar MLA-elect Suresh Pujari, who returned from New Delhi on Monday.

Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, the BJP's Odisha in-charge, said, "The legislature party meeting will be held on Tuesday and the new Government will take oath on June 12." "Experienced leaders led by newly-appointed observers Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav will hold a discussion with the legislators," Pujari told the media.

Besides Pujari, state BJP president Manmohan Samal, KV Singh and Mohan Majhi are also in the race for the Chief Minister's post.

However, the BJP leadership might also spring a surprise as it had done in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh by announcing CMs, whose names had not been anticipated by political experts, a senior leader said recently.

The party has proposed to conduct a road show of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the State Capital before the swearing-in ceremony on June 12. BJP also bagged 20 of 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Naidu after the meeting would meet Governor S Abdul Nazeer and stake claim to form the Government to be sworn-in on Wednesday. NDA won a landslide victory in the recently concluded simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the southern State.

Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) president Prem Singh Tamang was sworn in as Chief Minister of the Himalayan State on Monday. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at a function held in Paljor Stadium here.

Tamang, 56, became the Chief Minister for a second consecutive term. The SKM returned to power in Sikkim by a landslide victory, winning 31 seats in the 32-member Assembly.

The Opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which ruled the State for 25 years in a row till 2019, could manage only one seat. Modi congratulated Tamang on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Sikkim and wished him a fruitful tenure.
A day after suspected Pakistani terrorists desperately tried to widen the 'arc of terror', by targeting a passenger bus ferrying pilgrims via Shiv Khori Shrine to the Katra base camp in Reasi district, a joint team of security forces involving elite para commandos of the Indian Army on Monday launched a massive manhunt to track down the perpetrators behind the 'dastardly' attack. Despite the terror attack pilgrims remained undeterred as they arrived in large numbers to offer prayers at the Shiv Khori shrine on Monday.

While supervising the ongoing search operations in the area, Senior Superintendent of Police, Reasi, Mohita Sharma told reporters on ground zero at least two terrorists were involved in the terror attack on Sunday.

A total number of nine people, including four members of a family from Jaipur in Rajasthan, were killed and 41 others received critical injuries when their bus came under attack by a group of hiding terrorists. It is believed the terrorists belong to the same group of foreign terrorists responsible for targeting Army personnel in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in recent months.

To plug all the escape routes security forces, including the Army, police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have laid a multi-layered cordon along the Teryath-Poni-Shiv Khori area bordering the Rajouri district to neutralise them at the earliest.

The security forces are expected to remain on their tenterhooks in the run-up to the beginning of the Amarnath yatra from June 29 as pilgrims from different parts of the country are scheduled to perform the pilgrimage. The Union Territory administration had already demanded the deployment of additional paramilitary forces during the yatra period to ensure incident-free pilgrimage.

Armed with surveillance equipment, including drones and sniffer dogs, a massive combing operation was underway in the adjoining areas of the Reasi district to instil confidence among the local population and the pilgrims visiting the religious places and other tourist destinations in the close vicinity during the summer break.

Meanwhile, a local team of the National Investigation Agency, State Investigation Agency (SIA) and sleuths of the Forensic department also visited the spot of the terror attack to lift samples ahead of initiating a comprehensive probe. Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police RR Swain along with ADGP, Jammu Anand Jain also visited the terror spot on Monday and took stock of the ongoing operation.

According to survivors of the Reasi terror attack, at least two terrorists were involved in the gruesome attack on a pilgrim bus. Santosh Kumar, who was undergoing treatment in District Hospital Reasi, told local reporters that a terrorist, dressed in combat fatigue, face covered with black patka, opened indiscriminate fire targeting the driver of the bus. The driver, according to the eyewitness, received a bullet injury on his forehead and lost control of the bus before it rolled down into a deep gorge. The terrorists, according to the eyewitness, opened fire on passengers when they were struggling to come out of the wreckage of the bus after it veered off the road. According to hospital records, at least 10 passengers received gunshot injuries in the terror attack.

This is the fourth major terrorist strike in the Jammu region since January 1, 2024. An IAF soldier was martyred and four others were injured when terrorists ambushed their vehicle at Surankote in Poonch district on May 4.

On April 28, 2024, a Village Defence Guard (VDC) was martyred in a terror attack at Basantgarh in Udhampur district.

A Social Welfare Department (SWD) official was killed by the terrorists in Rajouri on April 22. His brother, a Territorial Army jawan, who was the target, survived the attack after he took shelter at a safe location.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Reasi) Vishesh Paul Mahajan in a statement said all nine victims, including the driver and the conductor of the bus, have been identified.

Driver Vijay Kumar hailed from the Dasanoo Rajbagh village while conductor Arun Kumar was a native of Kandera village in Katra, both in the Reasi district.

The other victims are Rajinder Prasad Pandey Sawhney, Mamta Sawhney, Pooja Sawhney and her two-year-old son Titu Sawhney - all residents of Jaipur in Rajasthan - and Shivam Gupta, Ruby and 14-year-old Anurag Verma from Uttar Pradesh.

Mahajan said the district administration is sending the bodies to their respective states. He added that 41 people aged between three and 50 were injured in the attack. Of them, 10 suffered gunshot injuries and are stable after undergoing surgeries.

Eighteen injured are undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College in Jammu, 14 at Narayana Hospital and nine at the district hospital in Reasi, Mahajan said.

Among the injured, 34 are from Uttar Pradesh, five from Delhi and two from Rajasthan, the officials said.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha visited injured passengers at GMC and Narayana hospitals on Monday and said the terrorist attack was part of a nefarious design to spread turmoil in the Jammu region. Such attempts would be thwarted, he asserted.

LG Manoj Sinha earlier announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh to be given to the next of kin of pilgrims martyred in the Reasi terror attack. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000. The injured pilgrims are being treated at different hospitals in Jammu & Reasi.

At several places anti-Pakistan protests also broke out across the Jammu region, including Katra, Doda town and Kathua district, calling for increased security measures to prevent such incidents. Accusing Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the protesters demanded action against the neighbouring country.

Timeline of terror attacks on security forces

*December 21, 2023: Five Army soldiers were martyred and two others were injured in a terror attack at Dera Ki Gali, Surankote in Poonch district.

* November 22, 2023: Two Captains were among 5 soldiers who attained martyrdom while two foreign terrorists were killed in two-day-long gun battle at Bajimaal in Dharamshal area of Kalakote tehsil in Rajouri district.

* May 5, 2023: Five Army para-commandos martyred and Major injured in an IED blast at Kandi, Rajouri.

* July 18, 2023: Four dreaded Pakistani terrorists were killed by Army at Sindhara Top in Surankote tehsil of Poonch.

* April 20, 2023: Five Army bravehearts sacrificed their lives at Bhatta Durrian in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district.

* January 1, 2023: Seven civilians of minority community, two of them minors, were killed in firing and IED blast triggered by two foreign militants at village Dhangri in Rajouri district.
Suspected militants ambushed the advance security convoy of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in Kangpokpi district on Monday morning, leaving one personnel injured. The convoy was on its way to violence-hit Jiribam district when it came under attack around 10.30 am near Kotlen village along a stretch of National Highway-53, police officials said.

Multiple gunshots were fired at the vehicles of the security forces, who retaliated, a police officer said. The driver of one of the convoy vehicles suffered bullet injuries on his right shoulder, and he is being taken to a hospital in Imphal, the officer said. "Security forces have reached the ambush site, around 36 km from the state capital, and launched combing operations to trace the gunmen," he said.

"CM Biren Singh, who is yet to reach Imphal from Delhi, was planning to visit Jiribam to take stock of the situation in the district," said an official.

Two police outposts, a forest beat office and at least 70 houses were torched in Jiribam by suspected militants on Saturday in a fresh bout of violence in the ethnic strife-torn state. Biren was in Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which he described as his responsibility as a Chief Minister.

Singh condemned the ambush and termed it a direct attack on himself and the people of the State, assuring that the "rule of law" will be established. Speaking to reporters at Shija hospital, where the injured person is undergoing treatment, Singh said, "It is very unfortunate and highly condemnable. It's an attack on the Chief Minister, which means a direct attack on the people of the State. The state government has to do something... We will take a decision."

Singh explained that fortunately the person was not seriously injured.

He said, "Earlier, the State Government did not retaliate much in the hope that an understanding could be achieved through talks."

"However, certain violent acts have been perpetuated on people as if a state government does not exist. This has hurt me deeply. There have been consistent insults to existing state machineries, and we have tolerated them for so long. The attack on an advance security team of the CM is an attack on the CM himself," Singh said, adding, "All are requested to decide for themselves who are with the Government and who are against it."

Meanwhile, additional State and Central forces, including Assam Rifles and CRPF, rushed to the ambush site and launched search operations to apprehend the perpetrators. However, no arrests have been made. Jiribam district has been affected by violence since June 6. More than 70 houses have been torched, along with two police outposts and one forest beat office. Around 600 people have been displaced due to the violence.
In the backdrop of frosty ties between India and Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday responded to a congratulatory message from his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau and said New Delhi looks forward to working with Ottawa based on mutual understanding and respect for "each other's concerns".

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, meanwhile, on Monday congratulated Modi for forming a Central Government for the record third time. In a social media post, Sharif said "Felicitations to Narendra Modi on taking oath as the Prime Minister of India."

Modi thanked Sharif for his congratulatory message. on retaining the top office for a third term. "Thank you @cmshehbaz for your good wishes," Modi said in reply to Sharif's message on X.

Incidentally, Pakistan Prime Ministers "felicitations" come days after Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in an official statement it would be premature to congratulate Modi.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister and ruling party chief Nawaz Sharif also congratulated Modi for forming a Central Government for the record third time. He noted that the Lok Sabha election mandate reflects the confidence of the people in Modi's leadership and urged to "replace hate with hope".

"My warm felicitations to Modi on assuming office for the third time. Your party's success in recent elections reflects the confidence of the people in your leadership. Let us replace hate with hope and seize the opportunity to shape the destiny of the two billion people of South Asia," he wrote on X. The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Trudeau's allegations in September last year of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.

New Delhi rejected Trudeau's charges as "absurd".

"Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each other's concerns," Modi said in a post on 'X'.

In his June 6 message, Trudeau said Canada stands ready to work with the new Indian Government to advance the ties if they are anchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law.

"Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his electoral victory. Canada stands ready to work with his Government to advance the relationship between our nations' peoples anchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law," the Canadian Prime Minister said.

India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistani elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity. There have been instances of pro-Khalistani elements threatening to harm Indian diplomats. Days after Trudeau's allegations last year, India had asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity.

Canada subsequently withdrew 41 diplomats and their family members from India.

Nijjar, who was declared a terrorist by India, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in British Columbia in Surrey on June 18 last year. The murder is being probed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Incidentally, Prime Minister Modi took four days to reply to Trudeaus congratulatory post, whereas he had promptly responded to similar well-wishes from other world leaders.

In a related development, Prime Minister Modi on Monday thanked world leaders for their wishes after he took oath for a third term in office.

Replying to the greetings of Ugandan President Yoweri K Museveni, Modi said in a post on X, "We will advance our strong partnership with Uganda. We were proud that Africa Union became a permanent member of G20 Presidency. We will further develop our historical connect in all areas."

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, his Slovenian counterpart Robert Golob, former Afghan president Hamid Karzai and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates were among those whom Modi thanked for their wishes.

As regards Sharif, he was not invited to Modi's swearing-in ceremony. On the other hand, key figures from Indias neighbouring countries and the Indian Ocean region, including President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda of Nepal, and President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka, attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's oath-taking ceremony alongside the Union council of ministers on Sunday.

Ties between India and Pakistan have always been frosty, barring a few instances when the leaders of both nations sat together to ease the conflict. The exclusion of Shehbaz Sharif from the invitation list highlights the ongoing diplomatic tension between the two countries.

The ties between India and Pakistan came under severe strain after India's warplanes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot in Pakistan in February 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack.

The relations further deteriorated after India on August 5, 2019 announced the withdrawal of special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and the bifurcation of the state into two Union territories.

India has been maintaining that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan while insisting that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment free of terror and hostility for such engagement.
As Prime Minister Narenda Modi and his 72 members Council of Ministers were taking oath for his third consecutive term on Sunday, an uninvited guest caught the attention of social media users at the grand forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The Delhi Police, however, through its social media handle said claims of a wild animal at the ceremony are false. It was not wild. Ignore such baseless rumors, the police said in a post.

A short video clip of the ceremony has gone viral in which netizens noticed an animal roaming in the corridors of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The animal, allegedly a leopard, was seen casually walking in the Rashtrapati Bhavan when the official procedure was being carried out.

The incident took place when Madhya Pradesh MP Durgadas Uikey, also known as DD Uikey, was taking oath as one of the Union Ministers. In the video, an animal was seen casually walking at the Rashtrapati Bhavan when the official procedure was being carried out on the stage. Several internet users took to social media and commented "Was it a leopard? An ordinary cat? Or a dog?" as the video was widely shared.

Some alleged that the animal was a leopard while others wondered if it was a pet animal and some even raised questions over the video's authenticity.

Some users even claimed that the video was edited with a focus on its background. Reacting to the viral video, a user wrote, "So wild animals are now casually roaming about in Rashtrapati Bhavan?? That is not a pet animal. What was the security doing?? Did all the CCTV footages break? Were the security personnel sleeping in the control room?"
June 10, 2024: Once more, the Russian GLONASS is in trouble. The problem is a familiar one, too many GLONASS satellites are ending their service lives, usually seven years, and Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, does not have the money to replace all of the GLONASS satellites. The cash shortage means the program to build improved GLONASS satellites, like GLONASS-K, which is the first GLONASS satellite that is unpressurized and weighs much less at 750 kg while also having a longer service life of ten years. The current GLONASS-M weighs 1,450 kg and has a service life of seven years.

Currently most of the 24 GLONASS satellites in service are past their seven year service lives and, as expected, operating erratically, and starting to fail. Maintaining the worldwide GLONASS satellite network does not have a high priority because Russian personal, commercial, and military satellite navigation users have long used satellite navigation equipment that contained GLONASS and American GPS receivers. This combination provides more accurate location information and a more reliable system because the two satellite systems contain about fifty satellites.

Keeping GLONASS active with a full constellation of 24 satellites with the latest technology is expensive and used to depend on a steady supply of high-tech components only available from the United States and its allies. Imports of those are blocked by Western sanctions for Russias invasion of Ukraine. Recently China has also become a major supplier of electronics needed for navigation satellites. Russia has the option to buy the components it used to obtain from Western countries. Depending on China for components does not solve the fundamental problem that Russia does not have the money to maintain GLONASS. Since the American GPS system began operating in 1993, several other similar systems have appeared. GLONASS went online in 2011 and the Chinese Beidou came online in 2020, at the same time as the European Galileo system. Creating and maintaining these global systems is expensive and only the United States and China have been able to finance continuous operation and upgrades. Galileo, which is paid for by a coalition of nations, has had problems getting coalition members to provide the needed funds. Russia tried to compete but ran out of money.

Multiple global positioning satellite systems increase the accuracy and reliability of the signals, as well as provide redundancy and interoperability in case of disruption of service. Multiple systems can also create problems involving spectrum congestion, signal interference, and coordination complications.

By 2020 it was believed that current anti-jamming efforts were sufficient to keep American military GPS use viable for a while. That was optimistic because improvements in GPS jamming and spoofing technology were introduced more rapidly than expected. Since GPS disruption it has become increasingly obvious that Russia has been regularly jamming or spoofing GPS signals, mainly to hide the exact location equipment that allows GPS tracking. In the last five years there have been thousands of incidents where Russia has been jamming or spoofing satellite navigation signals used by the American GPS, Chinese Beidou, Europes Galileo and Russian GLONASS when used by foreigners. Most of this activity was not obvious jamming but the more difficult to detect spoofing. Russia used this to conceal the true location of key Russian government officials and Russian military units. The spoofing was particularly common for Russian military forces in Ukraine and Syria. Spoofing replaced the actual satellite signal with a false one that rendered smart bombs or planned attacks on targets inaccurate. Spoofing can introduce false signals gradually and sometimes delay a navigation system's realization that it is being deceived. Thats one function of INS (Inertial Navigation System), to act as a monitor for GPS as well as a backup.

Current INS tech relies on receiving an accurate GPS location initially and periodically thereafter to keep both GPS and INS location data in sync. GPS depends on continuous satellite signals to operate and the INS is only used to step in and replace GPS when its satellite signal becomes temporarily too weak, or absent. When an accurate GPS signal is achieved, INS goes back into standby mode. Spoofing can now mimic these momentary disruptions and evade detection as a false signal by the INS, which is completely self-contained. This is sometimes a problem for American guided weapons sent to Ukraine that do not have the latest anti-jamming tech installed.

American INS researchers are not the only ones seeking an INS that is accurate and persistent enough to replace GPS for extended periods. INS has long suffered from the inability to provide as accurate a location as satellite navigation systems as the gyroscope and acceleration capabilities now performed by microelectronics of the chip-based INS cannot maintain as continuously precise location as the space satellite-based system can. This is no longer seen as an insurmountable problem, nor is the large cost-difference between GPS and INS tech. Israel apparently feels it is closer to a solution than anyone else.

Meanwhile, spoofing satellite navigation systems has become more popular and practical because it does not require expensive or high-tech equipment. While American weapons and military navigation systems have a backup in the form of unjammable INS systems, these are useless if the spoofing is not detected. American systems are supposed to detect spoofing and revert to INS, but the Americans do not disclose details of how these systems work in order to make it difficult for spoofing systems to be modified to be less detectable. That is one reason why the U.S. has not released detailed information on spoofing incidents because some of them may have evaded the INS spoofing detection tech.

To further complicate the issue there have also been instances where mandatory AIS (Automatic Identification System) transponders that all large ships must carry are more frequently reporting instances of getting no GPS signal at all. Large ships usually carry two AIS units, in case one malfunctions so AIS failure can be ruled out as a cause. Something outside the ship is manipulating the GPS signal. This demonstrates how it is possible to deceive the unjammable INS and new INS systems are sought that will eliminate that risk by replacing GPS most of the time.

The new INS technology has attracted a lot of attention in the military where backups are always appreciated because when equipment fails in combat, or for commercial users like aircraft or ships, its literally a matter of life or death. Meanwhile, the U.S. is building and testing more compact GPS anti-jamming systems for smaller 200 kg UAVs. This is part of a program to equip all American UAVs, even the smallest ones, with more secure GPS. While all UAVs can be flown by the operator, the GPS makes it a lot easier for the operator to keep track of exactly where his UAV is at all times, and sometimes the UAV is programmed to simply patrol between a series of GPS coordinates. If the GPS jams or fails, the operator can usually use the video feed to find landmarks on the ground and bring the UAV back to where it can be seen and landed. Other UAVs have a failsafe system for the GPS. When it is no longer available the UAV turns around and heads back in the general direction of the operator. This is better than just allowing the GPS-less UAV keep flying until it runs out of fuel and crashes somewhere,

GPS reliability threats are coming from a few suppliers like Russia, China, and North Korea. These nations have developed all manner of GPS jamming technology, and over the last decade it has become increasingly obvious that these nations were using new GPS spoofing technology to conceal the true location of senior personnel and mobile combat units.

Developers and users of GPS jamming gear tend to keep quiet about what they do because this sort of thing is illegal in peacetime, especially when civilians experience GPS disruptions themselves. When the United States tests military GPS jamming, it does so at sea or in remote areas and warns nearby civilians who might encounter GPS problems to be aware of the tests and act accordingly. This warning policy has been in use for decades because of the growing number of new electronic equipment designs that could cause problems for civilians if the disruptive effect extended farther than expected.

Other nations are not as secretive in complaining and often the culprit is Russia. In 2018 Finland and Norway went public with their accusations that Russia deliberately jammed GPS signals in northern Finland and Norway from a location near the Russian military bases in the Kola Peninsula on the Barents Sea. The jamming took place as NATO held its largest training exercise since the Cold War ended in 1991. Russia denied any responsibility even though they are known to possess long-range jammers for GPS and other signals. Norway said they had tracked the jammer to a specific location but, when Russia refused to admit any involvement, Norway refused to explain how they tracked the signal because that would provide Russia with information on Norwegian EW (Electronic Warfare) equipment that might be useful to them.

China is seeking to monetize its Beidou satellite navigation system. Beidou is the Chinese version of American GPS. Beidou finally became fully operational, providing worldwide coverage, in January 2020. There are three competing systems: GPS, GLONASS and Galileo. The full Beidou network was open for business as a world-wide service in early 2020. The American GPS has been operational since 1978 while the Russian GLONASS achieved that status in 1995. Unfortunately, Russia had problems, mostly financial, in keeping GLONASS operational. The European Galileo became operational worldwide in 2020. Each of these systems cost about $10 billion to create and get into service. The American GPS cost $12 billion, mainly because it has been around for so long.

China is determined to do what none of the other three satnav systems have done; become profitable. China has not revealed how they expect to do that and the other three major satnav providers remain silent on the profitability issue. Currently the main reason for building a satnav system is national prestige and an alternative to dependence on the Americans, or any single satnav provider.

China has also invested heavily in trying to obtain favorable press coverage for Beidou and somehow establish it as a preferred satnav service. That has cost over half a billion dollars but has not created any acceptance of Beidou as a superior satnav provider. China has a long-range plan for Beidou that includes adding new features and somehow achieving market dominance by 2040. China likes to announce long range goals like this, then quietly forget about it when the promised future never arrives.

Meanwhile, Chinese state-controlled media have provided a global audience with unprecedented details of this Chinese technological effort. People got their first experience with Beidou in late 2012 when the first few satellites were made available to anyone with a Beidou receiver. China expected Beidou to become a major competitor for the existing global navigation systems, at least with civilian users. China made it clear its initial goal was to grab a major share of the satnav market from the original U.S GPS system and do it by 2030. Progress has been slow so far.

The reality is that China has had a difficult time getting Beidou fully operational. By 2020 worldwide Beidou service was available and the rest of the world was not impressed. Beidou incorporates the best features of the GLONASS and Galileo systems, as well as items planned for the next generation American GPS satellites. With all that, no one has found a way to make a profit, at least not directly. There are plenty of ideas but no one has yet turned any of those ideas into cash. Moreover, there are disputes between the Beidou, Galileo, and GLONASS organizations over who should use what frequencies. Since GPS got into service first no one is contesting the frequencies GPS uses, but the three other players have some problems.

The success of the original GPS satnav system has generated all this competition. But so far these other efforts have found the work much more difficult than expected. A European consortium went forward with Galileo despite growing costs and technical problems. Initially Galileo was to be funded with private money. But the costs climbed beyond the most optimistic estimates of future income, so now Galileo is being paid for with tax dollars, as was GPS and the competing Russian and Chinese systems.

Galileo came about because the Europeans didn't like being dependent on an American system and didn't believe the Russians would be able to keep their GLONASS system viable. Galileo became operational because the European nations were willing to pay for a system that anyone could use without charge. Dual GPS and Galileo receivers cost about 20 percent more than GPS only receivers. Having two separate sets of signals makes for more reliable and accurate receivers. Also, the way Galileo is being set up will provide improved reliability in higher latitudes and in built-up areas.

GLONASS was at full strength in 1996, shortly after the Cold War ended. But the end of the Cold War in 1991 meant the end of the regular financing for GLONASS. Maintaining the system required launching replacement satellites every 5-7 years. By the end of 2002, only seven GLONASS satellites were still operational. However, the Russian economy recovered and provided funds for a series of launches in 2003 that increased the number of active satellites to twelve. That went to 18 by the end of 2007 and Russia had 24 GLONASS satellites in orbit by 2011 with the system again fully operational by 2012. As a result, GLONASS was the first real competitor for GPS. However, GLONASS was not completely functional until 2016 because of delays in building all the ground control stations.

The money for GLONASS is coming from a Russian government that does not want to be dependent on the American controlled GPS system. But the money is only there because of high oil prices. Most GLONASS receivers in use are actually combined GPS/GLONASS receivers. Russia will have to put billions of dollars into GLONASS over the next few years to keep the system fully operational and then spend even more money to maintain the satellite network. The costs of the Ukraine war are consuming the investment capital needed to maintain Russias civilian infrastructure, including GLONASS, its railroad system and oil production. GLONASS is widely used in conjunction with GPS. In other words, many systems, including cell phones that already used GPS, added GLONASS and Galileo to provide better coverage and fewer instances where the signal was unavailable.

Beidou is a more restricted system. Services available to anyone are less accurate than other systems but Beidou also has a more accurate military messaging mode that is only available to the Chinese and Pakistani military. China continues trying to monetize its GPS service, which really would make it unique compared to the others, but few nations are willing to pay for a military grade satnav service provided by China. It will take more than a multi-billion dollar propaganda effort to change global suspicion of Chinese motives and reliability in such matters.

One of the reasons why there are so many global positioning satellite systems is that they have both civilian and military applications. GPS was originally developed by the US Department of Defense to provide precise navigation and timing for its armed forces and allies. GPS also became widely used by civilians for various purposes, such as mapping, geocaching, tracking, and recreation. Similarly, GLONASS, Beidou, and Galileo have dual-use capabilities that can enhance the economic, scientific, and security interests of their respective countries or regions. For example, GLONASS can support Russian oil and gas exploration, Beidou can facilitate China's Belt and Road Initiative, and Galileo can improve European autonomy and resilience in the face of external threats or disruptions.

Use of multiple global positioning satellite systems can also increase the accuracy and reliability of the signals, as well as provide redundancy and interoperability in case of failures or attacks. Having too many systems can also pose challenges, such as spectrum congestion, signal interference, and coordination difficulties. Moreover, some countries may use their systems for strategic or political purposes, such as denying access to rivals or asserting territorial claims. Therefore, it is important to establish international norms and regulations for the peaceful and responsible use of global positioning satellite systems.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday thanked world leaders for their wishes after he took oath for a third term in office, and told his Canadian counterpart that India looks forward to working with his country based on mutual understanding and respect for each other's concerns.

Replying to the greetings of Ugandan President Yoweri K Museveni, Modi said in a post on X, "We will advance our strong partnership with Uganda. We were proud that Africa Union became a permanent member of G20 Presidency. We will further develop our historical connect in all areas."

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, his Slovenian counterpart Robert Golob, former Afghan president Hamid Karzai and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates were among those whom Modi thanked for their wishes.

He also replied to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's congratulatory message and his comment that Canada stands ready with the Indian government to advance the relationship between the nations' peoples' -- anchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law.

Thanking him for his wishes, Modi said, "India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each other's concerns."

India-Canada ties have been under a strain over the activism of Khalistani separatists in the North American country.
Key Points:

NP Aerospaces acquisition of Jankel Armouring Limiteds assets significantly expands its product portfolio and strengthens its position in the global defense market.

The acquisition ensures continuity for Jankels customers, including the Belgian and UK Ministries of Defence, and secures the future of ongoing defense programs.

The move is expected to create and sustain approximately 60-70 skilled jobs, strengthening the UK defense industry and contributing to the global defense export market.

NP Aerospace Acquires Jankel Assets

In a strategic move to strengthen its position in the global defense market, NP Aerospace, a leading UK-based manufacturer and integrator of advanced armor systems, has acquired select assets from the bankrupt Jankel Armouring Limited. The acquisition, which received approval under the UK National Security and Investment Act (NSIA), includes Jankels intellectual property, patents, inventory, and existing contracts.

Get alerts:

Expanding Portfolio and Securing Continuity

This acquisition allows NP Aerospace to integrate Jankels tactical vehicles, civilian armored vehicles (CAVs), armor technologies, seating systems, and through-life support services into its existing portfolio. This move significantly expands NP Aerospaces offerings and strengthens its vehicle production, armor solutions, and support services capabilities. The acquisition also ensures continuity for Jankels existing customers, including the Belgian and UK Ministries of Defence, as NP Aerospace now inherits their contracts and commitments.

Strengthening the Defense Industry

The acquisition of Jankel Armouring Limiteds assets by NP Aerospace is anticipated to positively impact the UK defense industry by creating and sustaining a significant number of skilled jobs. NP Aerospace plans to retain key personnel from Jankel, including engineers and executives, ensuring the preservation of valuable expertise and knowledge within the UK defense sector. This move is strategically significant as it directly contributes to the UKs defense industry by safeguarding the livelihoods of skilled workers and maintaining a robust talent pool within the industry.

Addressing the Belgian Armys LTTV Concerns

Furthermore, the acquisition demonstrates NP Aerospaces commitment to supporting the UKs global defense export capabilities. By integrating Jankels assets and expertise into its own operations, NP Aerospace expands its product portfolio and enhances its ability to compete in the international defense market. This increased capacity to offer a wider range of defense solutions will contribute to the UKs overall defense export performance and bolster its position as a key player in the global defense industry.

The acquisition of Jankel Armourings assets is particularly significant for the Belgian Army, which faced uncertainty regarding completing its Light Tactical Transport Vehicle (LTTV) program after Jankels bankruptcy. The Belgian Ministry of Defence had contracted Jankel to deliver 199 LTTVs to replace their aging Unimog vehicles used by Special Operations Forces. However, the bankruptcy threatened the delivery and future support of the vehicles.

NP Aerospaces acquisition now offers a potential resolution to these issues. The company has committed to fulfilling existing contracts, including the LTTV program, ensuring the Belgian Armys Special Forces maintain operational capabilities.

Future Growth and Collaboration

James Kempston, CEO of NP Aerospace, highlighted the significance of this acquisition: This acquisition represents a significant phase of growth for the company, creating additional value for customers through new business synergies. He emphasized the companys immediate priority: Our immediate priority is to push forward with existing customer contracts and deliver successful programs to a global customer base.

Mike Denny, Joint Administrator from Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP, shared his confidence in the future of the acquired assets under NP Aerospaces ownership: The completion of the sale of certain assets of Jankel Armouring Limited to NP Aerospace will provide continuity to its customer base and create new opportunities for some of its skilled workforce. We are confident that the business will thrive under the ownership of NP Aerospace.
The 2024 North West Business Awards, celebrating the best in business across the region, were held at the City Hotel on Friday, June 7th.

The event celebrated outstanding businesses and individuals across the North West, with many surprises and acknowledgments for local enterprises.

IN PICTURES: Annual North West Business of the Year awards

Sponsored by Bank of Ireland, the awards welcomed nominations from businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the North West region. The City Centre Initiative (CCI) and Londonderry Chamber of Commerce (LCC), the event organizers, extended their gratitude to everyone who entered the Awards, and attended the event. They emphasised that the evening was a celebration of the industrious spirit of the region's businesses and entrepreneurs.

Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Jim Roddy, CEO of City Centre Initiative and Anna Doherty, CEO of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, said: I think everyone tonight would agree that we have some of the finest examples of business in the North West here this evening. Our winners and shortlisted nominees are very deserving of these awards.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our main sponsor, Bank of Ireland, and our individual category sponsors for supporting local business and their achievements, without them we would not be able to host these awards.

Selecting winners from the nominations we receive is always extremely difficult, and our panel of judges worked rigorously through the nominations to select very worthy winners for these awards. Not only our winners, but those shortlisted should be very proud to represent the best of the North West this year. To those who didnt make the shortlist, we encourage you to keep applying, 2025 could be your year!

The evenings top honour, the Brilliance In Business Award, went to Millennium Forum. Opened in 2001, Millennium Forum is located right in the heart of the city's historic centre and plays a vital role in impacting on culture, community, and business. A recent study reports that Millennium Forum contributed a massive 16.2million to the North West economy in 2023. The Forum's award-winning team delivers a wide range of education, outreach and access programmes across the North West region throughout the year, as well as hosting world class conferences via its state-of-the-art facilities.

The 2024 North West Business Award Winners are:

Young Business Person of the Year  Kira McLaughlin, Scoil Mhuire Buncrana

Educational Partnership Award  FinTrU & Ulster University Business School

North West Restaurant of the Year  Walled City Brewery

North West Retailer of the Year Award  Little Acorns Bookstore

North West Hotel of the Year  The Ebrington Hotel

North West Creative Industries Business of the Year  Alleycats TV

Contribution to the North West Economy Award  Waterside Credit Union

Visit Derry Ambassadors Award  Des Rainey, Irish National Teachers Association

Innovation & Technology Award  Foods Connected

North West Pub of The Year  The Cosh Bar & Grill

Sustainability Champions Award  Translink

Creative Marketer of The Year  Millennium Forum

Taste of The North West  Carrick Foods

North West Business Hero  Declan Moore, Claudes Cafe

North West Small Business of the Year  North West Pest Control Ltd

NW Large Business of The Year  FinTrU

Strabane BID Business of The Year  Bejewelled At Soul

Brilliance In Business  Millennium Forum

For more information on the North West Business Awards, visit the social media pages @NWBizAwards on Facebook and Instagram, or check out the websites www.cciderry-londonderry.com and www.londonderrychamber.co.uk.
Derrys Guildhall will be hosting a special event this month celebrating the virtual recreation of archive information lost in the Irish Civil War.

Titled Recovered from the Flames: Reconstructing the lost records of 1922, the event is hosted by the Tower Museum in conjunction with PRONI and the Virtual Records Treasury of Ireland.

The event takes place on June 19, and it looks back to when the Public Record Office of Ireland was destroyed in the battle of the Four Courts in June 1922, the opening engagement of the Civil War.

In a single afternoon, seven centuries of Irish history went up in flames, and the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland has been dedicated to digitally reconstructing, as far as possible, these lost archives as part of an all-island and international research programme.

The archivist with the Tower Museum, Bernadette Walsh, explained more about the event. Through this ambitious research programme the Treasury has been tracking down copies and transcripts in libraries and archives across Ireland and overseas, recovering tens of thousands of documents relating to every corner of Ireland, and making them available online. This will create an all-island and international virtual legacy for the Decade of Centenaries, an open-access resource that will be freely available.

At the event in the Guildhall people will have a chance to find out more about the history of Derry and its people through the lens of this exciting new online resource. I would encourage anyone with an interest in local history to come along to find out more.

The event takes place in the Whittaker Suite in the Guildhall on Wednesday, June 19th, from noon until 2pm. Bernadette will be joined by speakers Ciaran Wallace, Deputy Director, Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland, Tim Murtagh, Virtual Record Treasury Research Fellow, and Stephen Scarth, Head of Public Services, PRONI.

Looking ahead to the event, Stephen Scarth from PRONI said: PRONI and colleagues from the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland are delighted to share how records lost during the destruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland in 1922 are being recovered for future generations. Tim Murtagh and Ciaran Wallace will showcase the exciting online resource containing surrogates, copies, and transcripts relating to seven centuries of lost records.

We are also marking the 100th anniversary of PRONI opening to the public in 1924 and will highlight the instrumental role performed by PRONI and its early Deputy Keepers in sourcing replacements for the lost records.

The event is free, but with limited space, anyone who wishes to attend is advised to book a place through tower@derrystrabane.com or 028 7137 2411.
The Concern annual walk up Scalp Mountain has been hailed as a great success.

The Concern Volunteers, who organized the event, were delighted with the whole day.

A spokesperson for the group said: We had chosen June 2nd 2024 in the hope that the weather would be in our favour. This proved to be the case. It was neither too hot nor too cold and the rain held off for the whole event.

The cloud cover at the very top of the mountain added a sense of adventure to the whole walk. This year we placed a special emphasis on family participation.

This proved to be the case with many family groups taking part. We were especially impressed with the number of very young children walking up the hill. The walk is very safe even though it reaches a height of over 1500 ft.

This could normally present a number of problems but the McLaughlin family open up their land to us each year. We are able to use the concrete road to the top which makes the event very safe.

Michael McLaughlin farms the land where the event takes place. His father Henry has allowed the Concern event on his land for many years.

Michael said: We are always pleased to host this event every year. We are used to life on the mountain but it gives people a chance to appreciate the countryside and enjoy the great views.

Normally I like to take part myself but I was particularly busy shearing sheep. The family was represented by my sister Kathleen McCallion who likes to take part every year.

One of the youngest walkers was seven years old Aidan Conway.

 My brother Patrick and my cousins from Belfast have done the walk up the mountain many times. This year was my turn. I was a bit nervous but I found it was not too tough. I was very excited about going into the clouds. I really enjoyed the bar of chocolate when we reached the top, Aidan said.

Cora Morrison, one of the Concern Volunteers, completed the walk with her brother Frank and sister Breida.

Cora said: There were about two hundred people taking part. They donated well over 2500. This is typical of the generosity of local people who have contributed to our various appeals over the years.

The walk also highlights the work of Concern Worldwide. Concern has a presence in 26 countries around the world which find themselves in enormous difficulties due to a variety of causes: climate change, natural disasters and war.

One example is the desperately poor desert country of Chad. Half a million people have fled to Chad from the war in Sudan. Concern provides food, shelter and medical supplies to these families.

The contribution of Concern in many disaster situations like Sudan is only part of their work. In the longer term, the main aim of Concerns work is to strengthen food security.

Lack of food destroys the lives of individuals especially children and holds back the development of whole societies The contributions donated on the walk will help in a small way to alleviate the problems these families face.

Concerns Public Fundraising Executive Isabel Brennan also got her walking boots on to scale the Scalp.

She said:  An amazing day for all involved. I thoroughly enjoyed my trek up into the clouds and getting to meet the other walkers. Congratulations to all those taking part and to the Derry group who organized the event.

We are delighted so many walkers chose to support the work of Concern Worldwide in tackling extreme poverty in the worlds poorest communities. It would not be possible without the compassion and generosity of our supporters.
A man with 115 previous convictions has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Kevin Clarence (30) of Glenview Drive in Limavady appeared charged with driving while disqualified and having no insurance in Maureen Avenue in Derry on June 8.

Clarence was also charged with obstructing police on the same date.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

He told the court that police on patrol observed a car being driven by a male with a female passenger.

The car pulled in to the kerb at Maureen Avenue and police pulled in beside them.

Checks revealed the vehicle was insured to a female only.

While police were observing the court was told an officer saw the male driver try and get into the rear of the vehicle while the female tried to get into the driver's seat.

Clarence was found d to have a 5 year disqualification from driving and was 'adamant' to police that he wasn't driving.

The defendant made a completely no comment interview.

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending and the officer said that 29 of Clarence's 115 previous convictions were for driving related offences.

He said police had 'zero confidence' the defendant would abide by any conditions imposed by the court.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that his client did have 'an extensive and poor record' and said he also had a history of drug abuse.

He said Clarence now appeared to be drug free and there were no other charges other than those before the court.

The solicitor urged the court 'to take a chance' and grant the defendant bail.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that the problem for Clarence was that he refused to accept his guilt.

He said that with that sort of behaviour he was unlikely to adhere to any conditions.

He refused bail and remanded Clarence in custody to appear again on July 4.
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Despite the unstoppable juggernaut of digital media, nothing beats a good read in print. Shoving Kindles to the back our cupboards, weve reignited a love affair with the tactile joy of holding a book in our hands and thumbing through pages.

As a result, independent bookstores across the UK and Ireland are enjoying a renaissance, celebrated by Independent Book Week every year. From June 15-22, 700 bookshops will host author talks, workshops and special events.

But any day of the week theres likely to be something happening in these cherished community spaces, which have become much more than a place to buy books. From cafes stocking artisan goods to art galleries showcasing local talent, theres plenty to discover on a day out.

Plan an indie book crawl with the help of a detailed map on Books Are My Bag website, or visit one of our top five favourite picks.

Script Haven, Worcester

Much more than a bookshop, Leena Batchelors caring and sharing project provides a service to the community. Unlike conventional retailers, she gives shelf space to self-published authors and donates second-hand books to families. Walls are decorated with work by local artists, providing a talking point for friends who meet for coffee and cake in the on-site cafe. Creative workshops and spoken word events are regularly held in the 16th century listed building close to Worcester Cathedral, which once served as a hotel for the likes of Charles Dickens. Visit scripthaven.co.uk.

Little Acorn Bookstore, Derry, Northern Ireland

Hours can be spent scanning shelves and perusing paperbacks  especially if theres a comfortable place to sit. Two chairs in this popular residential store stand out in particular, attracting tourists eager to snap shots for social media. Dubbed the LegenDerry Writers Chair and the LegenDerry Theatre and Media Chair, the wooden antique schoolteachers seats have been signed by more than 350 famous authors, musicians and actors. While no bums are permitted to perch on the prized items, there are plenty of other quiet spots to sit and scan the stores stock of 25,000 books. Visit littleacornsbookstore.co.uk.

Niche Comics Bookshop, Huntingdon

Selling books is a family affair for Angela Makey and her two sons, who run this quirky enterprise together. While Adam takes care of the board games and Pokemon cards, Guy is a master of music and arts with a passion for amateur dramatics on the side. Fun and frivolity fill the walls of this two-floor 16th century timber-framed house, with a courtyard centred around an olive tree. Find books new and old, comics and collectible miniatures from medieval fantasy tabletop game Warhammer. Visit nichecomicsbooks.co.uk.

The Celtic House, Isle of Islay, Scotland

As far as scenic stores go, this far-flung family-run premises in the Scottish Highlands is hard to beat. Set next to the island of Jura, famous for its whisky production, Islay also has a large number of distilleries producing peaty single malts. The Roy family originally constructed the building in 1959 on the site of the village telephone box. Today communication is done face to face in the stores cosy cafe over a slice of home-baked cake. Along with books, souvenirs of Celtic knitwear and jewellery are also for sale. Visit theceltichouse.co.uk.

Argonaut Books, Edinburgh, Scotland

Memorable, perhaps, for all the wrong reasons, theres a scene in Irvine Welshs cult classic Trainspotting featuring Scotlands Leith Central Station. Key character Renton describes the place as barren, desolate hangar, soon tae be demolished, before relieving himself. Far from being an empty space, the station is home to this bookshop, where  amongst many other titles  Welshs controversial novel is stocked. Theres also a very pleasant cafe, selling coffee by Artisan Roast Coffee Roasters, a Scottish speciality micro-roaster based in Edinburgh, and tea handcrafted from PekoeTea Edinburgh. Visit argonautbooks.co.uk.

Independent Bookshop Week will be from June 15 to 22 June. Visit booksaremybag.com for more information about events taking place across the UK and Ireland.
Former RTE correspondent Ciaran Mullooly has said he hates election counts, as he awaited the first official indication of his performance in the Midlands-North-West constituency.

Mr Mullooly is considered to be in with a chance of picking up the fifth and final MEP seat in the region, pending favourable transfers from eliminated candidates.

Running with the Independent Ireland party, he said he is very pleased with his election campaign.

Speaking at the TF Royal Theatre count centre in Co Mayo, Mr Mullooly admitted he was nervous as he said he was still waiting to see how the transfers are going to go.

Asked if he believed he could claim one of the five seats in the constituency, he said he was not convinced about the final outcome.

The former RTE Midlands correspondent said: Im nervous as hell, I have been throughout the day. Im waiting to see how the cookie will crumble.

He added: Im here to hopefully share in the celebrations  or commiserate with the winners and losers and see how it goes.

First results in Midlands-North-West are not expected until between 8pm and 9pm on Monday, according to the returning officer.

Counting of ballots in Irelands European Parliament elections got under way on Sunday after votes were cast on Friday.

In Midlands-North-West there are 27 candidates fighting for five seats in the massive electoral region which spans 15 counties.

It seems assured that Independent Luke Ming Flanagan, Fianna Fails Barry Cowen and Fine Gaels Maria Walsh will take seats.

It leaves the former journalist scrapping it out with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail as well as the Sinn Fein candidates and Aontu leader Peadar Toibin for a spot among the remaining two seats.

Mr Mullooly believes he can claim a seat if he manages to stay ahead of Mr Toibin throughout the count, adding that he was particularly watching Sinn Feins performance.

He added: Im hopeful we can get those critical transfers over the next two days.

Mr Mullooly said a change of leadership within Fine Gael was a crucial change of tone for the election, particularly over the partys toughened stance on immigration.

But I have a word of warning for Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and anyone else in terms of this, this is very different to the general election.

He added: I would certainly feel that in a general election we could see a very different result.

Asked if he would consider running in a general election in the future, he said: No, not happening.

Mr Mullooly said he sought election as an MEP because agriculture is run from Europe.

Midlands-North-West spans 15 counties and the candidate described it as a crazy constituency.

He said: Im only one candidate, but I really think that the constituency should be looked at again, in terms of the make-up.

You know, do we have to have just three constituencies  could we have four constituencies which would be more representative of the regions?

I think thats badly needed. I think theres a disconnect there and maybe the voters have spoken by not turning out on that.

Mr Mullooly, who would have been tasked with covering several election counts throughout his career with RTE News, said he had deliberately avoided the count centre until Monday evening.

Asked if he missed covering count centres for the news, he said: I dont, to be honest with you.

He added: I hate counts, I hate election counts. I have done for years.

I think, particularly going back to places like St Josephs Hall in Portlaoise where we went on for five days with Laois-Offaly on more than one occasion. So Ive deliberately stayed away for the last two days.
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SALT has long been an important ingredient in Irelands food history.

It preserved valuable butter and cheese so milk could be eaten all year round. It allowed fletches of bacon to be cured so there might be meat to eat for months before the days of refrigeration, and enabled corned beef and herrings to be stored in barrels and shipped halfway across the world.

We are surrounded by salty seas; 3.5% of the weight of seawater comes from dissolved salts. We can taste it in the air when its stormy and feel it on our skin after an invigorating briny dip.

It brings all food to life.

Down a narrow boreen, not far from the Old Head of Kinsale, a new artisan sea salt is made in small batches, called Salt of Kinsale.

I met founder, Billy Hosford, amid Salt of Kinsales pre-launch, and found out the secret of this salt is purity and simplicity.

Billy Hosford, Salt of Kinsale.

Years ago, I was in Indonesia. People scooped up seawater in clam shells and set them on the beach for the sunshine to evaporate away the water and leave behind sea salt, says Billy.

It was so low tech. I think we all have a tendency for complexity, but I really want to keep things simple.

What does simplicity look like at Salt of Kinsale?

Every few months, Billy makes the short journey down to the beach with a 1,000-litre storage tank on a trailer, fills up with seawater, and brings it back to a standard polytunnel housing three beds lined with black liner to hold the seawater. Water is piped through a microfilter, and trickle fed using gravity from the tank into the beds.

Over the course of five weeks, the water will slowly evaporate and as it does small salt crystals begin to form on the surface of the water, eventually dropping to the bottom. When all the water has evaporated, what is left are small rock-like salt crystals, which are scooped up and stored.

For now, production is on a micro scale, but Billy has already acquired a six-acre site a short distance away, and secured planning permission to erect three 60x40 foot tunnels and a salt shed big enough to grow into.

Salt of Kinsale.

As to where this all started, well, thats been a much less linear journey across time and oceans.

Ive been self-employed my whole life, says Billy. I moved to England from Cork to study marine technology. I was obsessed with surfing at the time, and I wanted to go to a university and do a course that would keep me next to the ocean.

After, Billy travelled around surfing, working on tall ships in charge of complex rigging systems, and met his future wife, Elaine, in Dublin.

I had a sister who lived in Barbados, she had a business over there. That was 2008 when things were not too great in Ireland, so we decided to try and set a business. We set up a company called Art Splash. Elaine used to teach art to adults and kids and run a gallery, then I opened a restaurant alongside.

The couple lived in Barbados for a decade, running a successful business and raising their three children. But by 2018, the pull to come home was becoming ever stronger.

Tropical paradises are amazing for a while, but they become normal and then you miss home. Theres that time when, if you dont come back, your kids get ingrained in the system, and you never leave. I was conscious of that.

Billy and Elaine still part own that business but left its day-to-day operation to return to Ireland and establish a new family home in Kinsale.

But it took a while for the idea to percolate; for the salt to come, says Elaine.

Salt of Kinsale.

It feels like different parts of my life came together. Were very much connected to the sea, Ive always been in the water, a cook, and a foodie. The way I socialise is to go out, forage food and cook outside.

It seemed like making salt brought all the things Im into together.

Coming back to Ireland, Billy and Elaine had a vision to be as self-sufficient as possible.

If you get into that self-sufficient foraging mindset, its kind of addictive trying to create everything you need. They say owning chickens is a gateway drug to radicalism, because you start off with a chicken and then suddenly you want to create everything yourself!

The process of sea salt appearing is more like facilitation than creation for Billy  the less interference, the better, he says.

Its a human tendency to try and interfere to make things better. I think thats the same with salt. Im trying to not mess with it as much as I can. It takes restraint to say dont try and improve it because its already what it is. Thats the beauty of it. Nearly the harder thing to do is to allow it to be what it is.

Salt of Kinsale will be soft launching at the end of June as Billy works towards upscaling production for next year, but that hasnt stopped the eager chatter amongst the enthusiastic gastronomic community of Kinsale.

The community has been unbelievably supportive, says Billy. Every restaurant, every retail outlet from shops to cafes to tourist shops are open to it.

Id love it to be a Kinsale product because this is the town where its been made and where the water has been collected from.

Salt of Kinsale is a rock salt, and designed to be used as a finishing salt, not thrown into the pot of boiling water. It has a melting texture and tastes the same as lips do after a sea swim.

I spend so much time surfing, salt goes everywhere. Our salt reminds me of being in the sea, like youve just come out of the ocean. When youre in the water, you get a taste of the ocean, it takes over all your senses.

The way I produce salt, I feel its no different from going in the ocean, surfing and letting your skin naturally dry. If you lick your arm, youre the exact same flavour as the ocean.

Though Billys need for simplicity is real, the foodie within him also needs attention. In the future, that will be well fed by developing a range of flavoured salts inspired by seasonal forage.

Im really interested in doing the flavours, says Billy, Theres an area of creativity I could dive into by foraging for herbs and things in nature. There are so many ways you can introduce flavour into a product like salt. I dont know where thatll go exactly, but thats exciting!

Salt of Kinsale will sell primarily online at www.saltofkinsale.com
AS the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) reaches its 200th anniversary, it is a good time to reflect on the extra-ordinary contributions the voluntary organisation has made to the safety and well-being of communities along the Cork coast.

In a series of articles over the next two weeks, in our Cork Coasts series, we will meet some of its brave volunteers in the county, who, at any given time, will ready themselves to bring safety to the sea goers and seafarers who find themselves battling the elements of the wild Atlantic Ocean; coastal walkers and anglers in difficulty, or anyone caught up in a maritime incident.

With its volunteers often placing themselves in harms way to save others, the RNLI is a community service that demands selflessness, dedication, as well as physical and mental fitness.

From the rugged coast of Baltimore and its wondrous surrounding archipelago, to the coastal hub of Youghal, the RNLIs lifeboat stations and its volunteers along the south coast have become a cornerstone in Corks marine communities.

Since the organisations foundation in 1824, the UK and Ireland-wide RNLI has served as a guardian of maritime communities around the islands of Britain and Ireland, with the first stations on Irish soil active 199 years ago, in 1825. That year, stations at Courtmacsherry in West Cork and Arklow in Co. Wicklow were the first functional stations.

It is believed, however, that although operational without a station house, Courtmacsherry had the first active vessel for life-saving purposes, while the station at Arklow had a building but did not have an active boat for a number of months.

Since the RNLIs inception, countless lives have been saved across both islands, and to this day, its service on the island of Ireland, north and south, remains boundary-less.

Certainly, technological advances have brought developments in vessel build, speed, navigation and sea sturdiness, yet, 200 years on, it is still community, dedication, and a love and respect of the sea that remains the true driving force of the RNLI.

One of the cultural elements that has remained since 1824 is the term a shout, the in-house phrase for a call-out. Initially, the coxswain of the boat would run around the fishing village shouting for the crew to muster and assemble. Despite all the technology available to today to alert a crew, members still refer to call-outs as a shout.

The vessel at the Baltimore RNLI Station, which was founded in 1915

The first of the eight Cork RNLI stations we visited was Baltimore, where we met three of its team, Maria Coleman, Cathal Cottrell, and Kieran Cotter, who provide first-hand accounts of their rescue experiences and insights to the inner workings of the station and what the RNLI means to their community.

Some of the stations past and present members were instrumental in bringing people to safety during the Fastnet disaster of 1979 and the Sinking of Rambler 100, a vessel that went down near the Fastnet in 2011.

Former Olympic single-handed sailor who represented Ireland in the Sydney and Athens Olympics, avid surfer and IT professional, Maria Coleman, answered a call from within herself to join the RNLI in early 2023.

She was working from home a lot more and, with her experiences at sea with the sea, she saw it would be mutually beneficial to join up. From the mooring to the rear of the Baltimore station, she reflects on her experience since.

I joined the crew here about a year ago and Im now actively helping out with the boat, said Maria.

Ive had loads of support joining and with all the training theyve helped immensely along the way, they really put you at ease and welcome you into the team.

The Volunteers here have a massive experience between them.

"So the guys here have been really helpful, looking after me during my training.

Were in a pretty exposed part of West Cork, so we get to see a bit of action with the islands, quite a few medivacs (medical evacuations), and looking out for the Fastnet boat race.

A couple of the guys here were involved in the 1979 Fastnet disaster and theres a couple of guys involved with the Rambler (sinking of the Rambler 100 in 2011). And theyre passing on that experience. So its really good to be with those kinds of people.

While RNLI rescues are mostly associated with difficulties at sea, a key part of what they do is to provide medical evacuations for people living on the surrounding islands. Depending on the situation and a particular volunteers training, they may act like first responders, or work in tandem with medical units, such as the Coast Guard, in the transportation of people in need of medical assistance to the mainland.

We have a lot of islands around us and, with residents on them, sometimes there can be an accident or they can have an unexpected heart attack or something like that. If the helicopter cant get there, they may need the lifeboat as well.

So we get called out at any time of the day and go out there, either pick them up and bring them in or help with the helicopter making a rescue.

"Usually then, when we get them back to shore, an ambulance will take them up to CUH Cork or the nearest hospital.

We do medical training as part of the lifeboat. You opt in and do different parts of it, but the most important thing is to get them to the professionals on the shore as fast as possible.

In 1905, the RNLI received its firsts motorised boats. Till then it would take crews about four hours to row a distance akin to that of Baltimore across to Cape Clear island. These days, the same distance might take 20 minutes.

Cathal Cottrell

Baltimore native Cathal Cottrell, not unlike Maria, spends much of his down time sailing, and is the third generation of his family to serve the RNLI. His grandfather was a crew member, and following in the footsteps of his father who was the station mechanic, Cathal has taken on the role since 1988.

The Baltimore station has been in existence since 1915, but with the War of Independence looming and all that that followed it, four years would pass before a lifeboat arrived there. It was called The Connacht, but for the times they were, its name was changed to The Shamrock.

My grandfather and granduncle were on the boat, said Cathal. Then my father became a mechanic and then another fellow, Joe Regan, had it for a year, then I took over from Joe. So, my job is to maintain the station and the equipment and the boats.

Since Cathal joined in 1988, the lifeboats have fast evolved to be stronger, faster, and safer. The current boat at the station, the Allen Massey, has two 1,000 horsepower engines, whereas the engine of the previous vessel had a total 850 horsepower.

So, weve gone a good step up, said Cathal.. Well burn 184 litres per engine per hour at full speed and do a top speed of 25 knots.

So, were on the scene quicker and can stay on longer.

Showing me around the lifeboat, Cathal points to the wide range of modern safety equipment.

If you look around all the equipment, were all harnessed in and all these seats are with shocks and dampers like in a car, so that they protect our backs and everything is operated from the armrest to the seat with trackballs.

So, we dont have to move off the seats. It makes our job easier and safer. So, were not walking around the boat in bad weather, we can do everything from the seat.

Kieran Cotter, a local shopkeeper , has been a member of the RNLI since 1975. A retired Coxswain, these days he volunteers as a deputy launch authority.

I was a crew member until I retired in December, 2020, he said. I was a second coxswain from I think about 1983 to 1989 and coxswain from 1989 to 2020.

Four years into his time, Kieran was part of the Baltimore crew who, along with lifeboats from Ballycotton and Dunmore East, attended to the Fastnet Yacht Race disaster in 1979, when 15 people died after their yachts capsized amidst a major storm that hit the south coast.

I was out for the 22 hours, Kieran said. We towed in two yachts. We towed a yacht called Regardless. First of all, we left here and the first boat carrying a cameraman for the Examiner was reported overdue in Schull. So we went out looking for her.

At the time, mobile phones didnt exist. VHF radio was really in its infancy.

Not so many boats would have a VHF radio. So a lot of boats, theyd go out and theyd have no communication with the shore.

"And so we went into Cape Clear. Im originally from there and my parents had a bar there. We made a couple of phone calls and discovered that at around 11pm or 11.30pm that night, the boat had arrived back in Scull with everyone safe.

Soon after that, we got a call to say a yacht called Regardless was in difficulty south-east of the Fastnet, and we proceeded to the area. But finding her was difficult because we didnt have a VHF direction finder.

There was lots of light, there were lots of yachts. So the Irish naval ship Deirdre located the yacht and she had a rudder damaged. It was cracked, so she was unable to steer. And we towed her back to Baltimore and arrived in here. We probably took her around 3am, and arrived here at around 8am. It was extremely strong wind.

We were just in at the pier when we were called again to save another boat called Marionette, which was in difficulty somewhere south to southwest off the Galley Head Lighthouse. so we proceeded out there.

And by the time we got back to Baltimore that evening, it was a lovely sunny evening. And that was about 8pm. Kieran recalls.

The alarm bell can sound at any time, 24/7, and at sea any myriad of situations can await.

As an RNLI boat crew volunteer, you have to be ready; to drop what youre doing and answer the call. Between receiving that and arriving at the station, roughly 12 minutes is an acceptable amount of time. Though in a reasonably small area like Baltimore, volunteers usually arrive within around six minutes.

For Maria Coleman, who is quite new to the organisation, how is it been adjusting her lifestyle to answer a shout at any given time?

Theres a bit of apprehension, because you dont know how bad its going to be, she said. You could also be gone for two or three days if its a long way out shore.

So you dont know really until youre already going out to harbour what its about and how serious it is and how quick we have to be, Maria said.

In a nautically vibrant area like Baltimore, an RNLI station, centred among its bobbing jet skis, ribs, craft sailing vessels and island ferries, is a conduit for the reassurance felt by local and visiting seafarers, and often, it is the glue that holds a maritime community together.

I think, as a village, its a critical service, not just for the village, but theres so many people in the village who invest their time in it, and care for people out at sea, said Maria.

And I think its very integral in the whole life of very many people in the village because of that.

Weve a lot of fishermen, we have ferry guys, we have the pleasure craft sailing, theres canoes, theres ribs, jet skis, everything coming down from the city, going out from here.

And I think thats very reassuring, especially for the fishermen and the ferrymen that are out in the middle of winter as well. Its an honour really to be able to help.

TOMORROW: We visit Courtmacsherry RNLI in our series.
THE first councillor to be declared elected in the Cork City Council local elections has said he intends to run for Dail Eireann in the next general election.

With a valid vote of 12,269 in the six-seat Cork City North West ward, Fianna Fails councillor Tony Fitzgerald topped the poll with a vote of 1,930, and was declared elected on the first count just after 10.30pm in City Hall.

Asked whether he would consider a run for Dail Eireann, Fianna Fail councillor Tony Fitzgerald checked to see whether his wife, Georgina, was within earshot before saying it was his ambition to do so.

I think the northside of the city needs a Fianna Fail TD, and I think Im the man, the person, to do it, he said. I think thats a platform and a springboard for me to let the party know that Im here, the people are behind me.

His election was quickly followed by that of Fine Gaels Damian Boylan, who was deemed elected on the first count with a vote of 1,872.

Both men were hoisted onto the shoulders of their supporters, with chants of Boylan, Boylan narrowly drowned out by a chorus of Tony, Tony led by Mr Fitzgeralds four-year-old grandson Eoin White.

Eoin White wearing a T-Shirt saying "Granda Tony Fitz My No. 1" with Georgina and Tony Fitzgerald as they celebrated his election at the count centre at City Hall, Cork City on Saturday 8th June 2024. Pic Larry Cummins

Speaking to reporters, Mr Fitzgerald became emotional, and said he was thinking about his 91-year-old mother, who had gone home earlier, and his father who had passed away two years ago during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The former lord mayor thanked the people of the north-west for their votes, and his family and political party for their support.

This was a very, very difficult, challenging election, with a lot of candidates pushed into my own parish to try and bring me down, but it didnt happen, and tonight I think the people have responded in the north-west ward to the work that Ive done over the last five years and indeed over the last 20 years, he said.

He said the next council would face many challenges, and the new city would be the northside as it expanded, and he pledged that he and his party colleagues would work hard to ensure infrastructure spending was put in place for that expansion.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin and supporters with Cllr Tony Fitzgerald celebrating as his re-election is announced at Cork City Hall on Saturday 8th June 2024. Pic Larry Cummins

He said the biggest issue on the doorsteps in his ward had been water quality, an important public health issue which he said needed to be addressed urgently by Uisce Eireann.

Ive met a lot of people who had medical issues on this, it is an issue, its dipping into their disposable income, and its something that has to be rectified, he said.

Housing maintenance had been an issue raised on the doorsteps too, he said, and work was needed to be done with City Halls housing department.
THE Tanaiste and the Finance Minister have ruled out an early election, despite the relative success of Fianna Fail in the local elections in Cork.

The Tanaiste reiterated his intention that he would like to see the government run its full term when questioned on the issue at City Hall at the weekend.

Mr Martin had been cautiously optimistic about the results for the party following the tallies in Cork.

I think weve put up a very robust performance, he said.

Asked if the positive local results might change his stance on an early general election, Mr Martin was emphatic that they do not.

No, they do not change my mind. Ive been very consistent in terms of the life-span of this government [that he would like to see the government go to full term].

Local election results do not correlate to general election results, we know that. They can help in terms of bringing new candidates forward.

They can create a platform and a basis, but I believe the challenge for this Government now is to produce an effective budget  thats the next big major issue facing us.

Finance Minister Michael McGrath also seemed to rule out an early election. The Cork South Central Fianna Fail TD 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.

On Sunday, the Taoiseach also reiterated he has not changed his mind about calling a general election. Fine Gaels Simon Harris previously made clear he would like to see the Government run full term into next year.

Speaking to reporters during counting for local and European elections on Sunday, he said: Its my prerogative as to when to call the election. I havent changed my view in relation to that.
FINANCE Minister Michael McGrath has said there are currently no plans to revisit the issue of a directly elected mayor for Cork.

Counting is due to continue this morning for the election of a directly elected mayor for Limerick.

The new mayor will have executive powers on long-term strategic planning.

Fifteen candidates are contesting the election for the role.

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 numbers 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.

Asked if he believed that the idea of a directly elected mayor should be revisited for Cork, the current Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy commented: Im very torn on it.

I was very supportive of it in 2019 because, from being on a European committee in Brussels on local government, I work closely with directly elected mayors and Ive seen their work and I can see the power when they bring together their own cabinet, but its very, very dependent on an innovative, ambitious mayor.

Mr McCarthy said that he would watch Limerick with interest over the next few years, following the election of their directly elected mayor  the first to be appointed in the country  to see how the model pans out for there.
A GREAT RESULT for Fianna Fail and disappointment for Sinn Fein were some of the main stories at the Cork City local elections count in the Concert Hall this weekend.

The count was a lesson in patience, with the results of the first count not emerging until eight hours in.

Speaking to The Echo, returning officer Paul Moynihan said this was probably longer than previous local elections, but stressed that accuracy early on was crucial.

It may have been slightly longer than previous local elections, but as returning officer, I was stressing the importance to all our counts teams to make sure of the accuracy, he said.

The more certainty and the more care is taken in the first count, I think the safer the count is from there on afterwards, so we did invest heavily in time yesterday [Saturday]  possibly frustrating for some of the candidates, but I think its an investment thats important in terms of the integrity of the count.

The first count, he said, is always a painstaking process as it involves a great degree of assessment.

Some of the local electoral area counts yesterday processed up to 17,000 papers, he said.

There are multiple checks in relation to making sure that its first preference and making sure that it bears the official watermark and ensuring that theres no other expression of a preference that might compromise the vote, or indeed whether theres any markings that might identify the candidate which again would render that ballot paper possibly doubtful.

Then there was perhaps 700 or 800 papers that would have been adjudicated upon as to their validity or otherwise.

So obviously that takes multiples of time relative to the subsequent counts  sometimes theyre only dealing with maybe 200 or 300 papers, and obviously the processing time and the administration around that small number of papers is far less than that initial count of 17,000/18,000 papers.

When the final tallies came through from Nemo Rangers before the ballot papers were transferred to City Hall, it was clear all incumbent Fianna Fail councillors would retain their seats.

Mary-Rose Desmond and supporters celebrate her election at the local election count centre at City Hall, Cork City. Pic Larry Cummins

Speaking to reporters ahead of the first count on Saturday, Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said while the celebrations would be put on hold until confirmation, the early indications of the partys performance in the city was to be welcomed.

Weve had a great result here in Cork so far it seems from the tallies, although an awful lot will be determined by the transfers and by the later counts, he said.

The first councillor to be declared elected in the citys local elections was former Lord Mayor Tony Fitzgerald, who has served three terms on council.

Incumbent councillors Fergal Dennehy, Colm Kelleher, Terry Shannon, John Sheehan, and Sean Martin were all returned too.

On the northside, the big stories were Ken OFlynns phenomenal vote in Cork City North East and a Sinn Fein underperformance in North West that, for a while, left the final seat there on a knife edge between People Before Profit and The Irish People candidate Ross Lahive.

Cork City North West candidate John Sheehan celebrates his re-election with supporters at the count centre at City Hall, Cork City on Sunday. Pic Larry Cummins

Mr OFlynn, who was first elected to Cork City Council in 2009, served as a Fianna Fail councillor until he resigned from the party in January 2020.

He served as an Independent since, before joining Independent Ireland in March.

Topping the poll in the North-East ward, he scored an astonishing 3,134 votes, in a ward where the quota was 1,984.

He says hell run for the Dail the next time out, and is opening an office in Mallow, which will be part of the Cork North-Central constituency then.

Fianna Fails Tony Fitzgerald topped the poll in Cork City North West, by a more modest 1,930 on a 1,753 quota, and he put his party under notice that, Micheal willing, hell be standing for the Dail too.

The big story in the North-West ward though had to be the decision by Sinn Fein to run three candidates, a policy that has not paid off in any of the citys electoral areas, and although Michelle Gould did take a seat there, it was at the expense of her party colleague Mick Nugent.

Mr Nugent, a popular and hard- working councillor, had been assigned the Blarney area.

Independent candidate and Lord Mayor Cllr Kieran McCarthy with Lady Mayoress Marcelline Bonneau and family after he was re-elected at the local election count centre at City Hall, Cork City. Pic Larry Cummins

The loss of that seat left the final seat in the ward briefly up for grabs between People Before Profit-Solidaritys Brian McCarthy and Ross Lahive of the Irish People, a man who came to some notoriety as a protester against what was described as LGBTQI reading material in public libraries. In the end, it was Mr Nugents transfers which saw Mr McCarthy over the line. Also in the North-West ward, transgender Social Democrats candidate Saoirse Mackin did well for a first-time candidate for a party also new to the parish, and Fine Gaels Damian Boylan did well enough that his party might try saddling him with a running mate the next time.

Fianna Fail candidate Sean Martin is congratulated by his brother Tanaiste Micheal Martin, after his re-election was confirmed at the count at City Hall on Sunday. Pic Larry Cummins

In the North-East ward, John Mahers impressive first count for re-election signalled something of a comeback for the Labour Party in the city  the party has been in the doldrums since its part in the austerity coalition with Fine Gael almost a decade ago. In the same ward, first-timers Margaret McDonnell gave a superb performance for Fianna Fail, and Christa Daley made a strong showing for Sinn Fein, while the same partys Mandy OLeary Hegarty struggled before being eliminated on the fourth count.

It was a bad day for the Green Party nationally and Oliver Moran, a popular and diligent councillor, inititally looked set to lose out but was eventually reelected in Cork North East while party colleague Honore Kamegni took a seat in Cork South East.
A former participant in Republican "colour parties" who had hundreds of rounds of ammunition in a shed at his home has been jailed for 18 months.

Last November, Daniel Sheehan (24) pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to the possession of 263 rounds of ammunition in suspicious circumstances.

Sheehan of Churchfield Avenue, Churchfield, Cork, appeared before the three-judge, non-jury court on the single charge that on June 3, 2022, he had in his possession 263 rounds of ammunition in circumstances that give rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have them for a lawful purpose at the same location.

At the Special Criminal Court today, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath sentenced Sheehan to three years imprisonment with the final 18 months of that term suspended for two years.

Mr Justice MacGrath said that Sheehan had been discovered to be in possession of a small amount of cannabis in his own bedroom on the date of June 3, 2022, and that investigating gardai had searched the remainder of his address.

Mr Justice MacGrath said gardai discovered a replica pistol, which was not designed to fire ammunition, as well as the 263 rounds in a bag in Sheehans shed. Sheehan admitted his possession of the ammunition to gardai at the scene.

Memorabilia

Investigating gardai noted Republican memorabilia at the scene with Sheehan telling them that his grandfather had instilled a Republican belief in him.

Mr Justice MacGrath said that when questioned by gardai, Sheehan admitted his involvement in Republican activities, with the judge noting that Sheehan had been front and centre at Republican pipe bands and colour ceremonies after being recruited by someone twice his age.

Sheehan said he had amassed the ammunition from nights out shooting with another man and from his interest in war memorabilia.

Mr Justice MacGrath said that Sheehans father had suffered with addiction issues and had passed away in February.

Sheehan, the judge said, had a strong interest in music, poetry and spoken word projects and had been a dedicated volunteer at a studio where he penned a powerful and impactful song for young offenders about young people and their mental health.

Mr Justice MacGrath said the offence had been categorised by the DPP as being in the lowest range of offending, which carried a pre-mitigation headline sentence of between five and seven years.

Mr Justice MacGrath said Sheehan was 21 at the time of the offence, had since stayed away from paramilitary organisations and had admitted his possession of the ammunition to gardai.

Mr Justice MacGrath said Sheehan was a young man with no serious previous convictions and that younger people with a lack of maturity can encounter difficulties in coping with incarceration.

Rehabilitation

The judge added that Sheehan was a strong candidate for rehabilitation and someone who had engaged with probation services.

Mr Justice MacGrath said Sheehan had a good employment record, had accepted his possession of the ammunition and had cut contacts with Republicans.

Mr Justice MacGrath said Sheehan had a good employment record, while the court noted his remorse and regret and also that he was working in construction but hoped to return to the butchering trade.

Mr Justice MacGrath set a headline sentence of six years imprisonment but discounted three years of that sentence in mitigation, saying the court had to consider a possibly unjust incarceration period regarding the presumptive minimum sentence of five years.

The judge then suspended the last 18 months of the three-year sentence for two years in the interests of mitigation and ordered that Sheehan have no contact with those of militant or paramilitaries disposition.

Sheehan had also been charged with membership of an illegal organisation, namely the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, at a location within the State on the same date. That charge was later dropped by the State.

The State decided to not prosecute the membership charge with Maddie Grant BL, for the DPP, saying the plea of guilty to the ammunition charge would meet the case.
By Cillian Sherlock, Cate McCurry and Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

The Taoiseach has branded Sinn Feins performance in the council elections as an unmitigated disaster, but has refused to call an early general election despite government parties performing better than expected.

It comes as the leader of Sinn Fein said she is sorry that her candidates did not perform better in the local elections, amid criticism of the partys strategy in the council races.

Mary Lou McDonald made the comments as vote counting continues for the local and European elections.

Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald speaking to the media at the Royal Dublin Society during the count for the European elections (Damien Storan/PA)

Simon Harris said the Irish public did not want to buy what Sinn Fein were selling.

Mr Harris also accused Ms McDonald of making comments that were quite insulting to the Irish people when she tried to second guess them.

Speaking at the RDS count centre in south Dublin, Mr Harris said: I was very disappointed to hear her comments in relation to, maybe the people on this occasion didnt really understand this.

The people of this country are sovereign.

As I travelled around the country, I think the people knew exactly what Sinn Fein were selling, and they just didnt want to buy it.

He added: I think what Sinn Fein needs to realise here is that the Irish people will see through the noise.

The Irish people dont believe they live in a failed state. The Irish people dont believe in all of the negativity and the rah rah rah but the Irish people want is pragmatic delivery.

The Irish people do want change. They want credible change. Thats the sort of change Im offering with Fine Gael and our coalition colleagues.

This is the second local election that Mary Lou McDonald has had the honour of leading her party into, its the second local elections that have been an unmitigated disaster for them.

They can carry out all the reviews they want, I dont get distracted by their business.

Leadership issues in Sinn Fein are a matter for Sinn Fein.

Asked why he would not call a general election off the back of the results, Mr Harris said: Because weve lots to do.

Earlier, Ms McDonald said she was disappointed that more of her candidates were not elected.

Early indications show there will be no Sinn Fein surge, while Government parties do not appear to have suffered a major electoral blow.

The fuller picture of the state of play for political parties and independents will become clear throughout the evening.

Commentators have noted that Sinn Feins strategy in some constituencies had led to its vote being split too much.

Ms McDonald said: Clearly, we didnt get that right.

She added: Its not just the number of the candidates, but the fact that in so many cases they were first-time candidates.

Speaking at a count centre in Dublin, Ms McDonald said: We have made some gains, they are modest, but theyre there.

It hasnt been our day. Clearly frustrations  anger indeed  with government policy on this occasion has translated into votes for independents and others.

We have to now prepare ourselves for the general election, whenever that will happen. Well take time to reflect.

Counting staff at Cork City Hall sort ballots for the local elections (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Asked about whether the lacklustre result would affect her leadership, Ms McDonald said she absolutely committed to staying on in the role.

I will lead this reflection and this process, she said.

Voters will elect almost 1,000 new councillors, 14 members to the European Parliament and, for the first time, Limericks citizens were asked to pick their mayor.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin speaks to the media at Cork City Hall (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Despite winning 24.5 per cent of first preference votes in a historic result in the 2020 general election, and hovering above 30 per cent in opinion polls for a long time, the fate of many of Sinn Feins candidates is expected to depend on transfers.

However, Sinn Fein has made some gains on the 2019 election, where it won around 9 per cent of first preference votes and 81 council seats out of 949.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said that the moral of the story of the Irish elections was that polling should not be taken as gospel.

The Fianna Fail leader said that there had been 15 national opinion polls, which had Fianna Fail averaging at 16 per cent and Sinn Fein averaging at 26.6 per cent.

He said internet polling has flaws and does not capture the dynamic of an electoral campaign, or various other factors including personality, geography and policies.

Despite the strong showing for Government parties so far, ministers stuck to the line that the coalition government would go the full distance to February or March before a general election is called.

Mr Martin said he would not be making the error of drawing conclusions from the local election results about a future general election, saying that it would have a different dynamic and cover different issues.

The full results of the European and local elections will take days to be finalised thanks to our system of proportional representation which allows voters to rank every candidate in each race by order of preference.

The process means ballot papers are sorted and counted multiple times by hand.

Counting in the European elections began on Sunday morning and the results of the first tally will not be declared until after 10pm because of ongoing voting in other EU states.

Politics is currently dominated by a housing crisis, the cost of living and migration.

The Coalition 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.

Political parties have been relying on opinion polls to judge voter sentiment for the previous four years since the last nationwide elections.

Counting starts at Curragh Racecourse, Co Kildare, for local and European elections (Niall Carson/PA)

The results will also be an indicator of how new Fine Gael leader and Mr Harris is faring, having assumed the roles some eight weeks ago after the shock resignation of Leo Varadkar.

The first results for the European elections will not be announced until polling closes in each member state late tonight.

In Dublin, incomplete tallies suggested Fianna Fails Barry Andrews and Fine Gaels Regina Doherty were leading.

Green Party incumbent Ciaran Cuffe, Independent Ireland candidate Niall Boylan, Labour representative Aodhan O Riordain and Sinn Fein hopefuls Daithi Doolan and Lynn Boylan will be fighting over the remaining two seats.

In the South constituency, Fine Gaels Sean Kelly and Fianna Fails Billy Kelleher are in strong position to be re-elected, but a first count is not expected until Monday morning.

Sinn Fein will be hoping to regain a seat in the region with Kathleen Funchion, while Independent TD Michael McNamara is predicted to take a seat.

Candidate Luke Ming Flanagan in Castlebar (Niall Carson/PA)

In MidlandsNorth-West, there are 27 candidates fighting for five seats in the massive electoral region which spans 15 counties.

Fine Gael is running former jockey Nina Carberry alongside incumbent MEP Maria Walsh, while Fianna Fail has fielded three candidates: Lisa Chambers, Barry Cowen and Niall Blaney.

Doubt has been raised over Sinn Feins chances after splitting the vote with two hopefuls: current MEP Chris MacManus and Michelle Gildernew.

Observers eyeballing stacks of ballots processed by first-preference determined the main contenders, by midday, were Ms Walsh, Mr Cowen and Independent candidate Luke Ming Flanagan, with Ms Carberry, Ms Chambers, Mr MacManus, Aontu leader Peadar Toibin and former RTE correspondent Ciaran Mullooly also performing well.

Speaking to reporters at the TF Royal count centre in Castlebar, Co Mayo, Mr Flanagan said: Theres quite a lot of candidates here who are going to get a significant amount of votes and I think its nearly odds on that were going to have some sort of a recount.

All I know is we booked a place to stay for the next week in Castlebar.

In the southwest, voters in Limerick city and county also had the opportunity to directly elect a mayor with executive powers on long-term strategic planning.

Tallies show that Independent candidate John Moran, a former secretary general at the Department of Finance, is in the lead, with Independent candidate Helen ODonnell in second place.
I was very lucky that my parents started me sailing when I was about eight years old in a one-person boat called an optimist, essentially a bathtub! It sometimes took a bit of bribery to get me out on the water but it worked because I am still sailing today.

I moved my way up through the fleets to toppers, laser 4.7 and radials and eventually keelboats, competing nationally and internationally.

At one stage, my mum and I were heading up north with my topper and my dad was heading to Dunmore East with my sister and her optimist! It was a hectic few years of driving us and our both around the world for my parents. We used to say sailing is not a hobby, it is a lifestyle.

I am grateful my parents kept me going as it has opened so many doors for me in terms of travel and work.

Anywhere I go in the world, I can go to a yacht club and find a boat to sail on.

Sailor Molly Murphy on her family's boat

I sail on a boat called Nieulargo which is a Grand Soleil 40 owned by my family. We need around 10 people to sail it, but are very lucky to always start with four people on board  thats my mum, Annamarie Fegan, who this year became the first female admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club, which at 304 years is the oldest yacht club in the world; my dad Denis Murphy, and sister Mia.

My dad ensures the boat is ready for every race, which takes hours of preparation. My role in the boat is helm, which means I steer the boat.

As a boat, we have competed in two Fastnet Races, two Dun Laoghaire to Dingles, and a Round Ireland  these are offshore races of varying length and duration.

We centre our campaign around big events  this year we have the Round Ireland, a 700 nautical mile, five day offshore race and Volvo Cork week, where we compete in the Beaufort cup. Along with these national events, we also compete in regional events on the south coast. We also use our boat for cruising and recreational purposes and enjoy the water that way.

Sailing is a privilege, and I am very lucky to have this skill.

The sailing community is rather small so everyone knows each other and there is a great sense of comradery (and competition).

I am also a crewmember of the Crosshaven RNLI. I joined the lifeboat when I was 17 and have been involved for the past seven years. I really enjoy volunteering with the lifeboat, it is so important to respect the water and as a sailor

I feel much safer knowing the amazing crew are on call if anyone gets into difficulty.

I honestly dont think I could live in a landlocked place, it sounds strange, but my favourite type of weather is a storm. Our house in Crosshaven is right on the water and there is nothing like being inside looking out, watching the storm.

Theres nothing like being on the water, its an indescribable feeling. I have seen so many amazing things such as meteor showers, whales breaching, glowing dolphins covered in phytoplankton, and waves big enough to make everything around you disappear.

See WoW! this week for more.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

For the first time, the amount of aquatic life  such as fish, clams and shrimp  that was farmed outpaced wild-caught aquatic life in 2022, according to the United Nationss Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

In the UNs latest The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture report, it found that aquaculture, or farmed aquatic life, produced 130.9 million metric tons in 2022. By comparison, the same year saw 92.3 million metric tons of aquatic life products from global capture fisheries. Inland fisheries generated 11.3 million metric tons, while marine capture produced 81 million metric tons.

According to the UN, this is the first time that aquaculture production has outpaced capture fisheries, although it said that both are essential for feeding the global population.

In total, fisheries and aquaculture production produced 223.2 million metric tons of aquatic life, most of which (185.4 million metric tons) was animals. About 37.8 million metric tons produced were algae, which is expected to be an important food source for the growing human population by 2050.

FAO welcomes the significant achievements thus far, but further transformative and adaptive actions are needed to strengthen the efficiency, inclusiveness, resilience and sustainability of aquatic food systems and consolidate their role in addressing food insecurity, poverty alleviation and sustainable governance, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said in a press release. Thats why FAO advocates Blue Transformation, to meet the overall requirements of better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The UN has noted that the rise in farmed fishing is a way to reduce food insecurity, as well as a way to minimize overfishing and unsustainable practices in the capture fishing industry, especially as the report predicted a 10% increase in aquatic animal production by 2032 to meet an estimated 12% increase in demand for consumption.

Overfishing is a major threat to aquatic life, contributing to the greatest rate of removing wildlife from their habitat than any other industry. According to the report, the amount of marine aquatic life that were fished within biologically sustainable levels declined in 2021 by 2.3% compared to 2019 levels.

But aquaculture is not without its environmental concerns. As KQED reported, aquaculture can pollute waterways from the excess nutrients and fecal waste generated in aquatic farms. For larger fish, smaller fish may still be wild-caught to feed the farmed fish. Farmed fish can also be vulnerable to disease transmission, and they may pass those illnesses on to wild fish, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported.

As The Associated Press reported, some of the most farmed aquatic life include freshwater carp, oysters, shrimp, clams, tilapia and prawns. Some of the most common captured aquatic life include skipjack tuna, Alaska pollock and Peruvian anchovies.
(Photo: REUTERS / Akhtar Soomro)Members of the Pakistani Christian community chant slogans during a demonstration to condemn the death of a Christian couple in a village in Punjab province on Tuesday, in Karachi November 6, 2014. A policeman in Pakistan hacked a man to death for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, police said, just two days after a Christian couple was lynched over blasphemy in the same province.

A peaceful protest was held in front of the Punjab Assembly in Lahore, the capital of Pakistan's Punjab province, calling for an end to the misuse of the Muslim-majority country's blasphemy laws.

They demanded justice for Nazir (Lazar) Masih. Nazir Masih, a Christian who was brutally lynched on May 25, 2024, by a mob in the name of Islam in Sargodha after being falsely accused of blasphemy, Pak Christian News reported on June 10.

The Human Friends Organization (HFO) organized the protest after the man was falsely accused of burning pages of the Quran, the Muslim holy book.

It brought together Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), Peoples Commission for Minorities Rights (PCMR), Christians True Spirit (CTS), and several other organizations and individuals.

Prominent religious leaders attended, including the Rev. Leo Roderick Paul, Bishop of the Multan Diocese, Rev. Majeed Abel, and Bishop Abraham Daniel from Sahiwal.

Notably said Pak Christian News, Muslim religious scholars Allama Asim Makhdoom, Prof. Mehmood Ghaznavi, Dr. Baddar Munir, and Allama Arif Chishti stood in solidarity with the Christian community.

The blasphemy laws were radically changed in the 1980s to impose life imprisonment for defiling a copy of the Qur'an and death for insulting or criticizing the prophet Muhammad.

In 1988, Bishop John Joseph of Faisalabad publicly committed suicide in protest against the law; and although no one has yet been executed, an estimated 1,200 to 4,000 blasphemy cases have been filed.

CASES INCREASED

The number of cases (against both Muslims and Christians) has increased in recent years, resulting in long prison terms, both on remand and under sentence, said the statement.

Cases are often brought to settle personal scores or target the vulnerable.

The June 10, protesters called for swift trials for those responsible for the Jaranwala and Sargodha tragedies and the formation of a judicial inquiry committee to investigate mob justice incidents from Shanti Nagar to Mujahid Colony Sargodha.

They also urged legislation to prevent the misuse of blasphemy laws.

Samson Salamat, Chairman of Rawadari Tehreek, advocated banning extremist religious groups involved in violence against minorities and called for criminalizing false blasphemy allegations.

Bishop Dr. Azad Marshall expressed deep sorrow over the violent deaths of Nazir Masih and others targeted by mob violence.

Sajid Christopher highlighted the ongoing persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan. "Nazir Masih's death is a stark reminder of the persecution faced by religious minorities. We must unite to demand justice and ensure such tragedies do not happen again," said Christopher.

Sharon Shamir, Coordinator of the Legal Department at HFO, emphasized the need for justice and protection for all religious minorities.

Peter Jacob, Chairperson of PCMR, called for a judicial inquiry commission to investigate blasphemy cases and urged upgrading police SOPs to effectively handle mob attacks. Asher Sarfraz and Katherine Sapna from Christians True Spirit (CTS) condemned Nazir Masih's lynching as a heinous act and demanded a fair trial.

Eiga Kenny from CLAAS called for a transparent investigation and compensation for the affected family.

Naumana Suleman, Founding Chairperson of Minority Women Forum (MWF), demanded justice and compensation for Nazir Masih's family. James Rehmat, Executive Director of the Ecumenical Commission for Human Development (ECHD), advocated for a special police force to protect places of worship and specialized training for police officers.

The protest lasted from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and participants included Christian lawyers, religious leaders, scholars, parliamentarians, community leaders, youth leaders, students, teachers, and journalists.

The CSOs urged the Punjab government to ensure justice for the perpetrators involved in the lynching of Nazir Masih through a transparent and independent investigation.
MBABANE - Human Rights Lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi, says the Prime Minister (PM), Russell Dlamini, has attacked good governance and accountability.

Nhlabatsi said Dlamini allegedly watered down any efforts to protect public finances. He said the PM ought to unconditionally withdraw the statement and apologise to the AG, Parliament, the King and the nation at large. According to Nhlabatsi, the PM as the head of government should be the protector of government officials, and not attack them on an issue in which he has an interest. He explained that Dlamini should be the first one to support governance as a man in charge. The Office of the AG is protected under Section 207 of the Constitution, as it falls under Chapter 11. The Constitution enjoins the AG to audit all institutions, including parastatals and publish reports accordingly. This enables the PAC to hold anyone accused in the report accountable, Nhlabatsi said.

Incompetence

Nhlabatsi explained that if Dlamini accused the AG of incompetence, it implied that no one would monitor the misuse of funds, thereby creating a free-for-all environment. Adding, he said the PM had all the legal avenues to challenge the audit report of the NDMA if he so wished, or even call for a different audit, but he allegedly chose not to. If a whole PM undermines such an important constitutional office, how are the other officers going to work with him? he wondered. In the same vein, Nhlabatsi noted that not all was lost and to avoid a constitutional crisis, Dlamini ought to unconditionally withdraw the statement and apologise to the AG, Parliament, the King and the nation at large. Furthermore, he said the PM ought to also make an undertaking that government would support the Office of the AG, to fulfil its mandate. Meanwhile, Senator Chief Zabeni Shiba, said rushing to say such statements would be interpreted as if there was something being blocked.

Statements

Shiba said they did not know what the PM meant or saw about the independent institution. According to Shiba, such statements will attract challenges for the country. He made an example about the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), saying they wanted all the fired head teachers reinstated. Shiba explained that he was still yet to establish the gist of the matter, which led to Dlamini making such utterances. He mentioned that there was a need for Dlamini to engage with the AGs Office. Shiba stated that through engagement, they would be able to establish the source of their findings and avoid engaging in conflicts. This matter can be easily resolved. We are hopeful that they will engage the matter and come up with solutions, Shiba said.



PQ: Eswatin in serious constitutional crisis

MBABANE - Political Analyst Dr Qambukusa Magagula, popularly known as 'PQ, says the country is in a serious constitutional crisis. He was reacting to Prime Minister (PM) Russell Dlaminis utterances, about the Office of the Auditor General (AG). Magagula said the legislative arm of government and the AGs Office had been rendered dysfunctional by the PMs statement. He said this was not expected from the head of government. Last week Thursday, Dlamini called to question the competence of the AGs Office and further cast doubt on the reliability of the audit reports it produces.Responding to media questions during the breakfast meeting with the Editors Forum of Eswatini, the PM said the AG, Timothy Matsebulas reports on the books of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), left a lot to be desired.

Irregularities

Dlamini is the former chief executive officer (CEO) of NDMA. During Dlaminis term in office at NDMA, the AG pointed out accounting irregularities during the COVID-19 era. He said while all other auditors found that the books were unqualified, only the AGs reports pointed to the unaccountability of funds. He wondered if the reports were not inspired by that he (Dlamini) was the CEO of the NDMA during the period under review.NDMA has been audited eight times now, by professional auditors over the COVID-19 era, such as the internal office of the Ministry of Finance; the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA) and SNG.

We need to rethink if the reports of the auditor general can be relied upon. We need to reconsider if there is no corruption in the office of the auditor general. What is motivating all this negative publicity about the NDMA? Dlamini said. The statement has been met with mixed feelings from various quarters, with some people suggesting that it should be withdrawn. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) also suspended its sittings based on the fact that it is an entity whose work is focused on the reports presented by the AGs Office, which are tabled in Parliament. During a press conference last Friday, the PAC said it would seek guidance and advice from Parliament and the AG on whether it should continue with its sittings or wait for the allegations by the PM to be addressed. Magagula started by questioning where the PM got his information about the AGs Office.

According to Magagula, the PM was wrong to make unwarranted statements about the office in a public forum.He said every institution may have mistakes, but there was a way of addressing the mistakes, without embarrassing them or making unwarranted statements. The biggest question we should be asking is, Where does the PM get such information? Does the PM have proof of the sentiments he shared about the AGs Office or has he conducted any inquiries to form the basis of his observation? If he has not done any of this, this tells us about the calibre of the PM we have, Magagula said. He explained that as the leader of government, there was a manner to engage with government institutions. He stated that the PM could have engaged on the matter as the Executive if there were issues with the AGs Office and its reports.

Challenges

Adding, Magagula maintained that the manner in which the PM handled the matter was wrong and this would create challenges for the country. According to Magagula, the country was in a serious constitutional crisis as the legislative arm of government had been rendered dysfunctional by the PMs statement. He stated that the AGs Office had been rendered dysfunctional and it was up to Parliament to challenge this matter and seek answers from the PM. How can the AGs Office continue with its work if it is incompetent with its reports? Even the PAC has suspended its sittings based on such a statement. This is serious and in some other countries, there could be consequences for such utterances, he said. He went on to state that decisions that were taken based on the AGs reports could be challenged, because the head of government had denounced the reports.

Someone who was fired from work due to the reports can come back to claim unfair dismissal, especially because the PM has said so. He can go to court to try and reverse the decision. All peace-loving emaSwati need to call for the withdrawal of this statement, Magagula stated. Adding, Human Rights Lawyer Sifiso Gumedze shared the same sentiments, saying if the PM stands by his assertion, that every report from that the AGs Office must not be accepted, the country would have a serious constitutional crisis. Gumedze said this would be a constitutional crisis in the sense that, the Legislature, which plays an oversight role on government, would now be deprived of the means to do its job. He explained that the Legislature played the oversight role through the AGs Office. The AGs Office audits different departments and presents its findings to say they have noted that there was mismanagement of public resources. That is the foundation, upon which the PAC then calls that particular department to account, as the only means of providing an oversight.

Reliability

If the PM, as head of government doubts the reliability of the AGs Office and reports, it means that the whole accountability process provided by the PAC will collapse, Gumedze said. According to Gumedze, there would no longer be accountability within government as there would be public institutions that are no longer accountable, and taxpayers money would be used willy-nilly. He mentioned that the PM should have not answered the question about NDMA. The human rights lawyer stated that the PM responded to the question out of anger, without realising that he was creating a bigger problem. He treated the question as a direct attack on him, as the then head of the NDMA. As the head of government, he is the face of government and he cant have a situation where a head of government is found saying, certain departments within government are incompetent, he said. Furthermore, he mentioned that the PM, through his statement, was alleging that he was leading an incompetent government.

Institutions

Gumedze said all government institutions at the end of the day, reported to the PM as the head of government. He is saying, that even himself is incompetent, because the AGs Office is supposed to report to him. How will they audit the PMs Office expenses if he says it is incompetent? Gumedze questioned. Meanwhile, Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo, said government would provide comprehensive responses today. The Attorney General (AG), Sifiso Khumalo, said the matter would be addressed today in Parliament. He was asked if his office was doing anything to solve the issue. On the other hand, the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Thulisile Dladla, as the former PAC Chairperson, was asked to share her insight on the impasse pertaining to the PM statement and the subsequent suspension of the PAC sittings. Dladla said the suspension of PAC sittings was outside the purview of the Executive. She said she was not in a position to respond since it was a matter that was on the lap of the Legislature, as per the chairman's announcement. Should there be a need for me to make any intervention on the above matter, it will be in Parliament, Dladla said. The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, as a former PAC chairperson also chose not to comment on the matter.



SNAT: PAC must end strike, hold officers accountable

MBABANE - The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) has called upon the Prime Minister (PM), Russell Dlamini, to unconditionally retract the utterances regarding the work of the Auditor General (AG) Office.

SNAT further called upon the commencement of PAC sittings to account for public funds. SNAT Secretary General (SG), Lot Vilakati, said they welcomed the AGs reports. Vilakati said the reports were credible and accurate, since time immemorial. From this premise, the work of the AGs Office should be respected by all citizens. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) must stop the strike and go back to the chamber to hold officers accountable for public funds. The PM must be made to appear before the PAC in Parliament, Vilakati said. According to Vilakati, as SNAT, they believed that the sentiments of the PM on the constitutional mandate of the AGs Office were unfortunate, particularly coming from the head of government.

Pronouncements

He explained that such pronouncements, coming from the head of government, were disastrous and deserved utmost condemnation from all quarters of the society. As SNAT, we are calling on the PAC to suspend the strike and resume their sittings, since they have already hauled others before them without compromise. We, however, appreciate the fact that the PAC showed everyone that anyone aggrieved by certain development is constitutionally allowed to go on a strike, he said. Adding, the SG stated that they had lost many head teachers through the PAC, and if today they are scared to call upon the PM to appear before them, then what about the multitudes of their members who had been defamed while implicated in the AGs reports in the past?

In the same vein, Vilakati said they believed that they were all equal before the law, more especially before the PAC. He went on to state that government must uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. We are not ready for anything likening itself to the November 28, 2002 statement. As a country, we do not want to go there. The PM, as the head of government, must lead by example and be a patriotic citizen as he always preaches to us. He must go to Parliament and respond to the allegations levelled against him while he was the chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA).

What we understand is that such things are not personal, but talk to issues of accountability and good governance, Vilakati said. Furthermore, he shared that they expected the PM to demonstrate the highest level of understanding of government and defend constitutional structures that are meant to embolden accountability and fight corruption in society. As SNAT, we are certainly going to be at the Parliaments gallery when the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) appears before the reputable committee to follow the proceedings with massive interest, he said.
(Photo: REUTERS / Athar Hussain)Employees of Pakistan's biggest television station Geo TV attend a protest against the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority after the station's license was suspended, in Karachi May 22, 2014. Pakistan's Geo TV said it was ramping up security on Tuesday after it became the object of dozens of blasphemy accusations for playing a song during an interview with an actress.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has attacked hardliners in his country and appealed for calm after the acquittal of Asia Bibi a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy.

In a televised broadcast Oct. 31, Khan said extremists were "inciting [people] for their own political gain", claiming they are "doing no service to Islam," the BBC reported.

He was speaking after the landmark case triggered violent protests by hardliners who support strong blasphemy laws.

Pakistan's Chief Justice Saqib Nisar read out the ruling, saying Asia Bibi could walk free from jail in Sheikupura, near Lahore, immediately if not wanted in connection with any other case.

She was not in court to hear the decision but reacted to the verdict from prison with apparent disbelief.

"I can't believe what I am hearing, will I go out now? Will they let me out, really?" AFP news agency quoted her as saying by phone.

Many Christians around the world rejoiced at the acquittal.

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit "received with joy" the news of the verdict of Bibi's case.

The Pakistani Christian woman, a Roman Catholic, was convicted and sentenced to death under Pakistan's blasphemy laws in 2010.

"We celebrate her acquittal and release together with her, her family and community," said Tveit.

"The WCC has repeatedly called for justice for Asia Bibi, convicted 8 years ago on charges resulting from a village argument in which she was accused by her neighbors of blasphemy."

Tveit further noted that, while this verdict finally corrects the error of her conviction, it cannot undo the injustice of her 8-year-long imprisonment on death row, often in solitary confinement, an ordeal which she has endured with faith and courage.

CHALLENGE OF PAKISTAN BLASPHEMY LAWS

"Nor does it eliminate the many challenges posed by Pakistan's blasphemy laws to all of Pakistan's marginalized religious minorities," he said.

"WCC therefore appeals once again to the Government of Pakistan to review its blasphemy laws, to curb their abuse, and to eliminate discriminatory bias against religious minorities."

Tveit said, "We call for equal citizenship and rights for all Pakistanis regardless of religious affiliation, which is their constitutional right. And we pray for peace and harmony to prevail between all Pakistan's communities."

Open Doors, an organization that advocates for persecuted Christians around the world, rejoiced at the new of Bibi's release.

A spokesman for the organization said, "We are relieved to hear that the Pakistani Supreme Court has dropped the charges against Asia Bibi -- charges that were based simply on her Christian identity and false accusations against her. This decision gives us hope that Pakistan will take additional steps to increase freedom of religion and human rights in the country."

Bibi's lawyer told the BBC she would need to move abroad for her safety.

A 47-year-old laborer, Bibi was convicted in 2010 of insulting the Prophet Muhammad during a row with neighbors.

During her imprisonment she maintained her innocence but spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement.

The Oct. 31 verdict by the Supreme Court sparked demonstrations in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Multan. Clashes with police have been reported.

A leader of the hard-line Islamist Tehreek-i-Labaik party, Muhammad Afzal Qadri, said all three Supreme Court judges "deserve to be killed."

Police sealed off the Red Zone in the capital, Islamabad, where the Supreme Court is located.

Khan said: "Which government can function like this, blackmailed by protests?

"And who suffers due to this? Our Pakistanis. The common people, the poor. You block the roads, you rob people's livelihood...

"This is not the service of Islam, this is enmity with the country. Only anti-State elements talk like this, that kill the judges, start a revolt in army... They are only trying to beef up their vote bank."

in 2011, senior politician Salman Taseer was shot dead by his own bodyguard for voicing support for Asia Bibi and condemning the country's stringent blasphemy laws, CNN reported.

His killer, Mumtaz Qadri, immediately surrendered to police and was later executed, becoming a martyr for many hardline Islamists.

Islam is Pakistan's national religion and underpins its legal system. More than 90 percent of the Pakistan's 2-4 million population are Muslims, most of them, Sunnis, while Christians are a tiny minority.

Public support for the strict blasphemy laws is strong and hardline politicians have often backed severe punishments, partly as a way of shoring up their support base.

But human rights groups have long asserted that the laws have often been used to get revenge after personal disputes, and that convictions are based on thin evidence.

Most those convicted are Muslims or members of the Ahmadi community, but since the 1990s, scores of Christians have been convicted.
(Photo: REUTERS / Tony Gentile)Pope Francis leads his weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican November 12, 2014.

Pope Francis has issued an appeal to world leaders to act on continuing threat to religious freedom, describing recent violence committed against Christians as "absurd."

Francis asked the estimated 15,000 people who gathered at St. Peter's Square for is weekly Wednesday general audience to recite the Lord's Prayer for Christians facing persecution around the world.

Francis took on a somber tone as he shared how he closely monitored the developments with regard to the persecution of Christians, the Vatican news service reported.

"With great trepidation, I am following the dramatic incidents of Christians in several parts of the world being persecuted and killed because of their religious beliefs," the Pope said.the

His message came at a time when Christians in the Middle East, especially in Iraq, are facing an onslaught by Islamist extremists, notably the Islamic State which terrorises groups that are not Sunni Muslims, particulary minorties such as Christians.

In Pakistan Christians are frequently singled out by Muslims using the country's blasphemy laws to settle scores not related to religion.

"I must express my deep spiritual closeness to the Christian communities so harshly struck by an absurd violence that does not show signs of stopping."

He called on political leaders, as well as "all people of good will," to band together and to help protect persecuted Christians wherever they are.

"They have a right to find security and peace in their own countries while freely professing their faith," Francis noted.

"Those who have political responsibilities at local and international levels, as well as to all people of good will, so that we undertake a large-scale mobilization of consciences in favor of persecuted Christians."

The Pope encouraged priests and Christian leaders caught in the middle of the rising tide of violence to stay with their flock to reassure them of their faith.

"I encourage pastors and the faithful to be strong and firm in hope," Francis said.
Feature: Cooperation with China boosts rice harvest in Cote d'Ivoire

Xinhua) 15:13, June 10, 2024

ABIDJAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- On May 31, farmers in the Guiguidou area, Divo Province in southern Cote d'Ivoire, gathered around several brand-new agricultural machines, chatting with one another about how to use them against a backdrop of newly planted rice seedlings swaying in the wind.

"This time, we provided a batch of agricultural machinery to Cote d'Ivoire, including rice selectors, combine harvesters, rice milling machines, and 10 tons of rice seeds," said Guo Changyou, chief of the 11th Chinese Agricultural Technical Assistance Mission (MATAC) in Cote d'Ivoire, at the handover ceremony of agricultural equipment and rice seeds.

"We must take care of this gift because we produce millions of tons per year during the 2 cycles. With this donation, we will be able to improve our performance," said Alain Beugre, president of the Guiguidou Rice Farmers Cooperative.

In 1997, the Guiguidou area welcomed the first MATAC which supported local farmers in rice cultivation, repaired and maintained water conservancy facilities, and trained talents in the rice industry.

After nearly 30 years of unremitting efforts by Chinese agricultural experts, the rice varieties in the Guiguidou area have been optimized with ever-increasing quality and harvests of rice.

As stated by Zhang Jing, an expert from the 11th MATAC, four high-yield and high-quality rice varieties have been cultivated and approved by the Ivorian government and greatly improved in yield, quality, and taste compared with local traditional varieties. Among them, variety C26 can produce about 7 tons per hectare and has been widely promoted throughout this West African country.

"The certification of another new variety C10, is also nearing completion. This high-quality variety will also be widely promoted in Cote d'Ivoire, benefiting the rice industry of the entire country," Zhang added.

Nowadays, Cote d'Ivoire is working on achieving self-sufficiency in rice by 2025 and increasing its polished rice production to more than 2.6 million tons, said Yacouba Dembele, general director of the Agency for the Development of the Rice Sector in Cote d'Ivoire.

Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, minister of agriculture and rural development of Cote d'Ivoire, said recently that support from partners is critical for Cote d'Ivoire to increase rice production and achieve rice self-sufficiency.

Li Chengyao, economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Cote d'Ivoire, said the agricultural sectors of China and Cote d'Ivoire, a major agricultural country in West Africa, are highly complementary and the bilateral agricultural cooperation has broad prospects.

"China is willing to support Cote d'Ivoire in achieving self-sufficiency in rice, improving its rice product processing capacity, and becoming a major grain (producing) country," he said.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
MBABANE  The ACC is demanding from AG Timothy Matsebula, documents for the appointment of Funduzi Forensic Services (Pty) Ltd.

Funduzi Forensic Services is the company that was contracted by government to conduct an investigation into irregularities relating to procurement, in particular the acquisition and distribution of medicine to public institutions. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has since written to the auditor general (AG), where they gave his office seven days to release all the documents that were used in the appointment of Funduzi Forensic Services, which exposed serious irregularities in the procurement of drugs.

Speech

The report compiled by Funduzi was tabled by the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, in Parliament when he presented his budget speech for the financial year 2024/25. It is yet to be scrutinised by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), a parliamentary watchdog on government spending, before being debated by Parliament in it entirety. However, that process may be impeded as the foundation process of the report has now been subjected to scrutiny by the ACC. Last week, the PAC had to suspend its sittings for consultations after the Prime Minister, Rusell Dlamini, sharply criticised the AGs reports, further questioning his competence.

Developments

In the latest developments, the Acting Commissioner of the ACC, Maphevu Mkhatshwa, wrote a letter to the AG, dated May 13, 2024, in which he cited Section 11 and 12 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act No. 3 of 2003, and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) of 2018. Among the sheath of documents required by the ACC is the authority to procure from Funduzi Forensic Services and other companies, as well as the technical and financial evaluation reports of the companies awarded the tenders. The ACC also wants documents from the initial stage, where the request to procure was made to the Eswatini Tender Board (ETB).

Then, it requires the response that was given by the tender Board. It further requires the request for proposal (RFP) to suppliers, as well as the response to that request by the suppliers. The AG has been required to then produce the request to procure from Funduzi Forensic Services and other awarded companies and the authority that was subsequently granted. He is then required to produce the technical and financial evaluation reports of the companies awarded the tenders to procure.

Submit

The ACC further wants Matsebula to submit the request to waive threshold, which was granted by the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (EPPRA). He is also required to provide variation contracts and supporting documents as well as contracts between his office, Funduzi and the other awarded companies.Your institution will also be required to provide us with an affidavit (s), outlining the provided information and any other information that will be discussed between our investigators and your officer/s in respect of this investigation.

Matsebula was given seven days to respond to the letter. This newspaper sent questionnaires to Matsebula yesterday, seeking to know if he was cooperating with the ACC, but he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

ACC Director Jabu Phakathi could not be reached for comment. Meanwhile, contention on the appointment of Funduzi first played out at the High Court, where SwaziPharm Director and Indonesian Consul Kareem Ashraff, wanted the Funduzi report to be released. In that application, Ashraff also questioned the appointment of Funduzi. However, the matter fell off after the report was made public.

Misled

Ashraff had alleged that the auditor general misled Government Tender Board to appoint Funduzi Forensic Services (Pty) Ltd. In view of the fact that this was a limited tender, Ashraff submitted, that the AG allegedly submitted that a recommendation that Funduzi Forensic Services should be appointed. There was no public advertisement of this tender, and consequently, it follows that the auditor general provided information to the tender Board to the effect that Funduzi had the requisite technical knowledge and experience to carry out an assignment of this nature. He must, therefore, have had prior knowledge of Funduzi. Acting on the strength of this representation, the tender Board appointed Funduzi, argued Ashraff in his court papers.

Meanwhile, Funduzi Director, Zakhele Dlamini, had dismissed Ashraffs assertions as a witchhunt, because he had not even seen the report when he made the allegations. Zakhele, in a letter written to the Times last week, said it was unfortunate that the Office of the AG was being dragged all over the place, following the investigation which was sanctioned by the 11th Parliament. The 11th administration passed the motion that a forensic investigation be conducted in the downward spiral of the Ministry of Health, resulting in thousands of emaSwati losing lives.

They instructed the Office of the Auditor General to conduct this investigation. The Office of the Auditor General, which is the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) of Eswatini is mandated by Section 207 of the Constitution of the country to carry out all audits where public funds have been collected and or used, Zakhele said. He explained that the Office of the Auditor General of Eswatini enjoys certain privileges and immunity to fully power it and enable it to have more direct and robust audit work. This publication has also seen a letter written by one of the suppliers cited in the report, directed to the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, also complaining about the award of the tender. Questions were sent to the CSC seeking to know if such a letter was entertained, but there were no answers forthcoming. While battling the court applications and resistance to its reports, the AG also has to contend with the prime ministers doubts of his reports and competence.

The criticism emanated from audits about the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and how it handled COVID-19 funds during the time when the Prime Minister, Russell Dlamini, was chief executive officer there.The PM said professional auditors had found that the NDMA books were unqualified (clean audits), yet Matsebula said millions of Emalangeni were unaccounted for.
As expected, Apples assistant is about to get much more helpful thanks to a load of new AI-powered capabilities. During WWDC, the company previewed a new version of Siri that can take actions on your behalf and understand a wide range of new queries.

The new version of Siri has a better understanding of the apps on your phone and will be able to take more than 100 actions based on your activity and device. For example, you could ask Siri to show you specific photos or memories in your Photos app or to find tracking details for an expected delivery from an email in the Mail app.

Siri will also be able to perform some tasks for you, like adding an address to a contact card, tweak a photo, or share a summary of your notes in an email. Third-party developers will also be able to take advantage of these new capabilities with a new app intents framework that will allow them to tap into Apple Intelligence and make certain actions compatible with Siri.

Apple said that Siris new AI powers could be a major time saver for otherwise tedious tasks. One example offered by the company was the need to fill in a drivers license number in an online form. Instead of searching your photos yourself, you could ask Siri and it would be able to find the image of your license, grab the number and fill in the form. Siri can also answer questions based on details from your messages and emails, like remembering your dinner reservations or providing up-to-date flight tracking for a previously-shared reservation.

Apple

Another major change is that Siri will no longer be only a voice-activated assistant. Apple is adding a type to Siri feature that makes it a bit closer to the experience of other generative AI chatbots. When you do chat with Siri, the experience should feel more natural as the assistant will be better able to respond to queries when the command isnt spoken perfectly. Apple demoed how Siri could respond to a request about weather conditions even when the speaker stumbled over their words and misspoke. Additionally, the assistant can provide help and answer about iPhone capabilities, like I need to scan a document.

Siri will also be able to take advantage of chatGPT, thanks to Apple's newly-announced OpenAI partnership. For some text-based queries, users can opt to get an answer from chatGPT from within the new type to Siri interface.

Apple didnt specify when all of the new Siri capabilities will launch, but said the new version of its assistant will be coming to iPhone, iPad and the Mac. The revamped Siri is part of Apples push into personal intelligence, which Tim Cook described as the next big step for the company.

Catch up here for all the news out of Apple's WWDC 2024.
Yesterday's Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference keynote teased a lot of what users can expect this fall when big iOS, iPadOS, macOS and watchOS updates hit their devices. Changes coming include RCS support in Messages, a new Passwords app, a revamped Calculator app for iPhone and iPad and a bunch of artificial intelligence (AI) infusions across the board with the new "Apple Intelligence" system. The latter will bring some of the biggest updates to Apple devices in years, including generative AI image creation, "Genmoji" custom emojis, text summarization and even some ChatGPT integration as well. If you weren't able to catch the news live, here's a rundown of everything announced at WWDC 2024.

Apple Intelligence

Apple

Apple revealed its plans to incorporate AI into its operating systems at WWDC this year. Dubbed "Apple Intelligence," this new generative AI system will appear in iOS and iPad 18 and macOS Sequoia in the form of (what Apple believes to be) practical tools that most people can use regularly. Those features include new writing tools that can help you rewrite, proofread and summarize things like emails and other messages, original emoji and image creation and more. Going hand-in-hand with original image generation is a new feature called Genmoji, which allows users to create their own unique emojis by typing in descriptions and requirements like "T-rex wearing a tutu on a surfboard."

Siri is getting an AI infusion, now that it will be powered in part by large language models. In addition to asking Siri to delete an email or edit a photo, users will also be able to ask the virtual assistant to summarize articles and webpages in Safari and even extract personal information from a picture of an ID so it can fill out an online form for them. The company emphasized the importance of "personal context" with Apple Intelligence, which will enable things like using natural language to search for photos that contain only specific family members or friends.

Apple highlighted how most Apple Intelligence actions will be done on-device to make the system as privacy-focused as possible. For queries that cannot be done locally, the work will be sent to Apple's processing centers. The company also created Private Cloud Compute, a feature that's supposed to utilize the cloud for more advanced AI processing while also making sure your data remains secure.

OpenAI's ChatGPT is also integrated into Apple Intelligence, allowing users to give Apple permission to share their queries with ChatGPT "when it might be helpful." Examples provided include asking for menu ideas that incorporate specific ingredients, or asking for decor advice while providing a photo of a space that needs sprucing up. ChatGPT will also work with the AI writing tools coming to iOS and iPadOS 18 in a new Compose feature. ChatGPT integration with iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia will roll out later this year, and apparently Apple intends to add support for other AI models in the future  meaning its partnership with OpenAI isn't a long-term exclusive.

iOS 18 and iPadOS 18

Apple

The next iPhone software update will roll out to users in the fall and, as expected, one of the biggest changes is support for Rich Communication Service, or RCS. The messaging protocol offers many improvements over SMS including end-to-end encryption, better media sharing and support for proper group chats. Apple previously stated it would adopt support for RCS in 2024 to comply with EU regulations, so it's unsurprising to see it mentioned in iOS 18's forthcoming features. Also new to Messages will be the ability to "tapback" reply using emojis and stickers, text formatting and effects and the ability to send messages via satellite.

iPhone users will have more control over their home screens in iOS 18 thanks to the fact that it will not be a locked grid system anymore. Users will be able to move app icons more freely, plus they'll be able to change app icon colors as well use a tint color picker. In terms of design and layout, this is one of the biggest changes to come to the iPhone's home screen in years and it gives iOS users similar features to those Android users have had for a long time. In the same vein, Control Center will be updated in iOS 18 to include more customization options, and will allow users to program quick controls from third-party apps in addition to the native options.

The Photos app is getting a big redesign in iOS 18, putting an emphasis on intelligently organized groups of photos that revolve around memories, trips and other big events. The new design ditches the old tabbed layout and will usher in a one-page design when you can view all of your photos individually, or view them by Collections. Users will also be able to filter out things like screenshots and receipts that would show up in a chronological format, but would otherwise mess up a tightly curated group of vacation photos.

A couple of new privacy features stand out in iOS 18, namely the ability to lock and hide apps. For the former, users can lock an app so sensitive information stays behind a Face-ID or Touch-ID wall, preventing those who you casually hand your iPhone to from seeing that information. Hiding an app, on the other hand, does exactly what you think: hides a program in a special hidden folder that others won't be able to see.

The Calculator app is getting a big overhaul in iOS 18, including improved unit conversions, a sidebar showing recent activity and integration with the Notes app. But what might be even more notable is the fact that the revamped Calculator app will not only be available on iPhones and Macs  it's coming to iPads for the first time as part of the iPadOS 18 update. Embedded within the iPadOS Calculator app is a new feature called Math Notes, which lets users write out math equations with the Apple Pencil and the app will solve many of them instantly.

iPadOS 18 will also feature a new Tab Bar, which looks similar to the Dynamic Island on iPhones. This bar makes it easier to access essential controls even when you're in apps, and depending on what you're doing, it can show up at the top of the screen or as a sidebar of sorts on the left of the display. The Notes app in iPadOS is getting another new feature called Smart Script, which will make users' handwriting more legible automatically.

macOS Sequoia

Apple

The next iteration of Apple's computer software will be called macOS Sequoia. In addition to many of the AI features also coming to iOS and iPadOS 18 as part of Apple Intelligence, the next macOS update will include iPhone mirroring, which lets users see and control their iPhone screen on a Mac screen. They'll be able to use their keyboard and trackpad to intact with the iPhone screen on their laptop, and they can even open iOS apps directly on their computers without picking up their iPhone at all.

A new Passwords app builds upon the technology of iCloud Keychain to save all of users' passwords and login credentials across devices and platforms (it will be available on Windows in addition to iOS and iPadOS). Along with standard passwords, the new app can save passkeys, verification codes and more, and give users the ability to securely share passwords with others.

Other updates coming in macOS Sequoia include a snap window arrangement tool with accompanying keyboard and menu shortcuts, Presenter Preview, which lets you see what you're about to share with call partners before they see it, and gaming upgrades like improved Windows porting capabilities using Gameporting Toolkit 2. Users will also get access to Image Playground in macOS Sequoia, Apple's AI image generator built into Apple Intelligence. It provides the ability to create AI-generated images in different styles, including animation, illustration and sketch.

watchOS 11

Apple

The next software update for the Apple Watch includes two big changes: Training Load and a new Vitals app. Training Load in watchOS 11 essentially uses many of the health and fitness metrics collected during workout tracking to estimate your effort level each time. Each workout will receive a rating from one (easy) to 10 (all out) that estimates how hard the user worked during that particular session.

The new Vitals app will show Apple Watch users how their captured health data, including heart rate, compares to baseline measurements. This will hopefully allow users to better understand when something might be off and outside the "normal" range.

The Activity app on iPhone is also getting an update to accompany watchOS 11, and will allow users to customize the data they see on the homepage so they can put their most important stats front and center. Cycle Tracking will also get an update to include more detailed pregnancy insights, including gestational age and information about the user's health metrics that may related to pregnancy (like heart rate fluctuations).

visionOS 2

Apple

Until now, Apple's Vision Pro headset has only been available in the US. That's changing soon as the company announced the device's rollout in additional countries including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore and the UK in the coming months. As far as the headset's software (visionOS) goes, Apple announced that visionOS 2 will add spatial photos, which adds depth to images in the Photos app, new UI gesture controls and improved Mac screen mirroring with support for higher resolutions and display sizes.

Apple

Apple briefly mentioned some software updates coming to AirPods Pro, including improved Voice Isolation, which should help the buds better pick up a users voice in noise environments. A new Siri Interaction is coming to AirPods Pro as well: a silent head-nod will allow users to answer an incoming call without saying a word out loud to Siri, and contrast, a shake of the head will decline a call. These silent interactions will also be applicable to messages and notifications.

Catch up here for all the news out of Apple's WWDC 2024.
Monday, June 10, 2024

This is one of the most important documents youll ever write for your business, so take it seriously. Heres a quick rundown of what to include, or jump right into our guide to building a business plan, which includes a helpful worksheet. It may seem like a lot to consider, but this thought exercise is crucial to your success.

On one hand, youll have control over the firm; on the other, its a riskier endeavor that requires much more work. One of the most important things is that youll need to save money beforehand so that you have enough to invest. Starting a brokerage firm will require you to get licenses and a facility before you can operate. Investing in the right people is not merely about filling positions but is central to the strategic growth and operational success of the Brokerage Firm. These certifications are indicators of profound knowledge and adherence to ethical standards, crucial in fostering client trust and compliance with regulatory bodies like the SEC and FINRA. This multi-faceted approach ensures a greater likelihood of obtaining the requisite funds to catapult East Coast Brokerage into operational success.

Start a Stock Brokerage Firm

Ive put in the 80-hour work weeks, the sleepless nights, bought the Porsche, and yes, made mistakes along the way. Stock brokerages can be very profitable, but it depends on factors such as the size of the firm, trading volume, fee structure, and market conditions. A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple. Its important to thoroughly evaluate different trading platforms and their features before making a decision.

Frankenmuth is a regional carrier operating in 15 states in parts of the Midwest and Southeast. As one of the largest insurers for commercial insurance on our list, Travelers also boasts very few complaints about its business insurance. Its wide range of commercial insurance solutions are available through independent agents. Acuity works through local agents How A Lot Does Cryptocurrency Change Development Cost to provide insurance for a wide variety of businesses, from hotels to auto repair shops to retailers and restaurants. You probably know Allstate for its auto and homeowners insurance but the company also sells business insurance with a stellar complaint track record. An Allstate agent can help you select the coverage thats right for your particular business.

Brokerage Account Features

LLCs offer pass-through taxation and less stringent compliance requirements than corporations. This structure can be advantageous for smaller teams that prioritize operational flexibility over raising large amounts of capital. Options and futures are complex instruments which come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. A forex broker, also known as a retail forex broker, buys and sells currencies on your behalf. The benefit of having a forex broker includes 24-hour market access and the ability to speculate on currency pairs all over the world. Forex brokers try to minimise their costs to stay competitive in the market, but you still pay certain fees when trading with them, including a spread.

Additionally, it is important to create a budget for marketing and stick to it. It is also important to track the results of the marketing efforts to ensure that they are effective. Finally, it is important to be creative when it comes to marketing and to think outside the box. Once the business is registered and insured, it is important to establish a bank account for the business. This includes opening a business checking account and a business savings account.

Register a New Broker-Dealer Firm

These firms operate with an expansive reach, often on a global scale, and their clientele typically consists of high-net-worth individuals and institutions. Each clients portfolio benefits from dedicated financial experts who actively manage and reallocate assets. This is complemented by the firms exhaustive research and analytics division, producing in-depth market reports and insights.

Full-service brokers normally work for fee that is higher than other broker fees. The main difference between full-service brokers and other brokers is the amount of services they offer. For example, if you visit clients, youll need commercial auto insurance.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

These tools vary in their complexity and capabilities, so its important to compare the offerings of different brokers to find the ones that best suit your needs and trading strategies. To understand the specific registration costs for your region and business model, it is advisable to consult with a legal or financial professional experienced in the field. Compliance with regulatory bodies is vital as broker-dealers have a duty of fair dealing. This duty includes executing orders promptly, disclosing material information, charging reasonable prices, and disclosing any conflicts of interest. Adhering to these requirements promotes transparency and protects the interests of clients (SEC). Identifying opportunities in the market, such as emerging trends or underserved client segments, can help you formulate strategies to capitalize on these prospects.

When starting a stock brokerage firm, one of the crucial steps is setting up as a broker-dealer. This process involves obtaining the necessary licenses and registrations, as well as complying with regulatory bodies. Starting a brokerage firm requires a financial investment to cover various expenses. The average cost of setting up and operating a successful business brokerage ranges from $50,000 to $100,000, depending on the size and scope of the business.

Translating Vision into Goals

If you still need to earn your real estate brokers license, consider The CE Shop. They make taking the requisite classes and passing the exam simple, convenient, and affordable. If you really want to succeed, youre going to have to dig a little deeper than money as a source of motivation. Maybe you really crave independence or want to prove something to yourself. Maybe your commission checks arent creating the lifestyle you want for your family.

You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Youll get much more experience because your investment knowledge needs to be spread across the board as opposed to specializing in one area.

If you dont enjoy sales and/or giving investment advice, consider a discount broker like Charles Schwab Corp (SCHW), where you earn a flat salary.

Once you know your costs, use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points.

Collaborating with established technology solution providers can offer a competitive edge. Data security, given the digital nature of transactions today, is another paramount consideration. Forming a brokerage as an LLC combines pass-through taxation with strong liability protection. LLC owners arent personally responsible for company debts or legal judgments.

Fintech solutions can also set you apart if lacking from legacy players. Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners. One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need. Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, its a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers Compensation Coverage.

The digital platform you offer clients is the interface of your service. They ensure every client has a seamless trading experience while simultaneously fortifying your digital assets against threats. On the other side of the spectrum lie discount brokerages, primarily oriented towards the modern, tech-savvy investor. While they provide the essential tools for self-directed trading, they do away with the added layers of advisory services typical of their full-service counterparts.

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Monday, June 10, 2024

American political scientist Francis Fukuyama wrote his seminal essay titled The End of History? in 1989. With anti-communism protests raging across the entire Soviet bloc at the time, the end of the Cold War appeared imminent. That prompted Fukuyama to declare in his treatise that Western liberal democracy had won the ideological contest with communism. In his view, an evolutionary process had transpired over the previous several decades and was about to culminate in the choice of liberal democracy as the preferred form of government for all nations.

Over the next two decades or so after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Fukuyamas vision appeared to have materialized. Democratic governments emerged not only in Eastern Europe, but all over the planet. Much of the world took advantage of that peaceful period to focus resources and attention on some of humanitys pressing needs. For a while, it seemed as if history had indeed ended.

Unfortunately, a revanchist Russia under Vladimir Putin and an increasingly authoritarian China led by Xi Jinping have quickly dashed those hopes. Despite that setback, Fukuyamas central thesis that history is an evolutionary process remains valid. Through enlightenment, we are supposed to learn from the past in order to avoid repeating the mistakes of previous generations. The purpose of studying history is not to get ourselves trapped in it.

Quite sadly, current attitudes in Africa suggest that Africans have allowed themselves to be paralyzed by history. Colonialism is being used as a permanent excuse for socio-economic stagnation on the continent. To be fair, there are legions of enterprising young Africans who are doing their very best to get their lives and their countries moving ahead. But all of their good efforts are being seriously undermined by the fossilized leaders and their sycophants who spend all of their waking hours blaming everything that ails the continent on colonialism. It seems completely lost on these people that they have had control over their own lives for many decades, and that they need to start thinking and talking about agency.

Two sharply contrasting pictures currently on display in Ukraine and Ghana exemplify the African paralysis. Over the past two years, Russian forces have constantly bombed power plants and other energy infrastructure in Ukraine. That is all part of Putins war effort to subjugate the country. Cities, towns, and villages all across Ukraine have been plunged into darkness repeatedly. These relentless attacks on such critical infrastructure would bring life to a halt in most parts of the world. But in mind-blowing acts of courage, Ukrainian engineers work day and night, even when they are incessantly at risk of being killed by incoming missiles, to repair the damage and restore power to their compatriots.

Ghana is one of the most tranquil places on the planet today. The people and their leaders have all the time, space, and peace of mind to think about the nations many problems and find solutions to them. Yet, they seem to be completely incapacitated. The country is unable to do something as simple as keeping the lights on.

A good number of my family members, as well as friends, live in Ghana so I naturally follow developments in the country. As is the case everywhere on the planet today, Ghana is dealing with the effects of climate change. Pretty much everyone in Ghana that I have spoken with during the past few months has talked about the unbearable heat that has blanketed the country. From the brief periods that I have spent there in recent years, I know that it is nigh on impossible to function in that kind of weather.

Climate change necessitates climate adaptation, which means making cooling systems available for people when temperatures reach intolerable levels. It is what we do here in the rich world. For those who dont have air-conditioners at home, local authorities open cooling centers where anyone can go during the day to get relief from the excessive heat, which can be life-threatening for some, especially the elderly.

Because of incessant power interruptions, even those who have air-conditioners installed in their homes in Ghana often cannot use them. Everyone bakes in the heat. The small percentage of the population that can afford it do procure generators. But the noise and exhaust fumes from their use are a nuisance everywhere.

Modern life is impossible without electricity. But African countries have struggled for decades to provide this critical resource to their populations. Lack of reliable electricity has been identified as a main impediment to economic development on the continent. This recognition led to the much-heralded Power Africa Initiative, which was announced by former U.S. President Barack Obama during his visit to Africa in July 2013. Under that program, Ghana received around $500 million that was meant to be used to address the weaknesses in the countrys electricity supply system.

Ghanaian leaders took the money, but a decade later, they have little to show for it. Essentially, the U.S. poured water into a leaky barrel. America introduced the Marshall Plan in 1948 to help rebuild Western Europe following its devastation in World War II. The Europeans wisely used the resources provided to quickly restore their cities and societies to health. When I visit places like Vienna, Munich, Berlin, Paris, London and elsewhere in Europe these days, nothing suggests to my eyes that they had been in ruins only a few decades ago.

How come the Obama Plan failed so spectacularly in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa? The problem, as is the case with most issues in Africa, is lack of basic discipline. Anyone who has even the slightest idea about how an electricity grid functions knows that the primary cause of the struggles with power supply in Ghana is undisciplined management. Excessive losses along the entire chain and poor revenue collection have combined to create a rickety system that is constantly at risk of collapse.

Did colonialism breed this indiscipline? The answer is an emphatic no in my opinion. And even if someone could make a convincing argument that it did, should we be forced to accept that it is an incurable disease? Again, I wouldnt think so.

No one denies that colonialism did grave damage to Africa. But Africans make too many excuses for themselves today. And quite unfortunately, there are too many people here in the West who make the same excuses on behalf of Africans. They do a great disservice to the very people they are trying to help. As parents, one of our most important responsibilities is to give our children tough love when called for. These Western sympathizers should keep that in mind.

Watching African leaders today brings to mind the foreign policy mantras of former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her boss, former President Barack Obama. Secretary Clinton wanted to be caught trying to find solutions to problems in the international arena, even if mistakes occurred in doing so, whereas President Obamas dont do stupid stuff approach was meant to stop America from getting itself into quagmires overseas. African leaders seem to favor dont do stuff. They are hardly ever seen endeavoring.

Africans feel excessively sorry for themselves, as if they are the only people to whom history has happened. Injustice is everywhere wherever one looks in this world. That has always been the case. What the Ukrainians are suffering at the hands of Russia today is one of the worst forms of injustice ever recorded in human history. History is happening to them currently, but in the midst of all that, they find a way to keep the lights on. That is awe-inspiring character. Africans should take a good, hard look at what the Ukrainians are doing and learn some important lessons from them.
Government scientists are investigating a sudden rise in E. coli (STEC) cases after more than 110 people became unwell with symptoms in the space of just ten days.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it was most likely that this outbreak was linked to a nationally distributed food item or multiple food items.

While the source of the outbreak is not yet confirmed, the agency said there was currently no evidence linking the outbreak to farms, drinking water or swimming in contaminated water.

Infections caused by STEC bacteria can cause severe bloody diarrhoea and, in some cases, more serious complications.

It is often transmitted by eating contaminated food but can also be spread by close contact with an infected person, as well as direct contact with an infected animal or its environment.

It can also be carried by cattle, sheep and other livestock, which can be spread to humans via an infected animal or their faeces.

As of 4 June, there have been 113 confirmed cases associated with this outbreak of STEC O145 in the UK, all reported since 25 May 2024.

Cases range in age from 2 years old to 79 years old, with the majority of cases in young adults, UKHSA said.

Trish Mannes, incident director at UKHSA, said: "Symptoms of infections with STEC include severe and sometimes bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever.

"If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you can take steps to avoid passing it on to family and friends.

"Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using disinfectants to clean surfaces will help stop infections from spreading.

"If you are unwell with diarrhoea and vomiting, you should not prepare food for others and avoid visiting people in hospitals or care homes to avoid passing on the infection in these settings.

"Do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped."
The Liberal Democrats have pledged to 'rescue' farmers from 'years of neglect', as the party launched its general election manifesto today.

Plans have been outlined for numerous issues impacting the industry, including the future of Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs), UK trade deals and bovine TB.

The party warned today (10 June) that the UK's food system was "failing to serve the interests of citizens, whether they are farmers or consumers".

It said the the Conservatives 'botched deal' with the EU was contributing to food shortages and high food prices, while damaging farmers ability to export to markets in Europe.

The party said: "Farmers are key allies in tackling climate change and the nature crisis, caring for and restoring the countryside while producing high-quality food for our tables.

"But their ability to do this is threatened by the Conservative governments botched transition away from the Basic Payment Scheme.

"We support the move to public money for public goods, but many farmers are seeing their incomes threatened as old payments are cut and new payments are not fully rolled out or properly funded."

The Lib Dems said it would introduce a 'holistic and comprehensive' National Food Strategy to ensure food security, tackle rising food prices, end food poverty and improve health and nutrition.

It would also accelerate the rollout of the new ELM schemes, by funding the farming budget with an extra 1 billion a year.

And all future trade deals would need to meet the UK's high food production standards, the party said, amid fears that these could undercut British farmers.

The Lib Dems added: "Farmers have had to contend with increases in bills for energy, fertilisers and feed. It is hardly surprising we have seen food shortages in the supermarkets.

"Liberal Democrats will stand up for British farmers and ensure everyone can get affordable, healthy and nutritious food, produced to high welfare and environmental standards."

Manifesto launches from Labour and the Conservatives are expected this week.

What are the Lib Dems pledging to do for farmers?

If elected on 4 July 2024, the Liberal Democrats have pledged to:

 Introduce a National Food Strategy to ensure food security, tackle rising food prices, end food poverty and improve health and nutrition.

 Accelerate the rollout of the new Environmental Land Management schemes, funding it with an extra 1 billion a year

 Maintain high health, environmental and animal welfare standards in food production and guarantee that all future trade deals will meet them too

 Give farmers the ability to trade with European neighbours with minimal need for checks by negotiating veterinary and plant health agreements.

 Support farmers in restoring woodland, peatland and waterways, creating new natural flood protections and managing land, while producing food
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss has made comments against animal 'extremists' who 'intimidate' farming businesses.

Ms Truss, who was also once Defra Secretary, touched upon the subject while in her constituency South West Norfolk, as she bids to be re-elected there in next month's general election.

During the interview with The Eastern Daily Press, she pledged her support to the local livestock industry, as 'extreme' activists had been targeting pig farms.

"Farmers have told me that theyve felt too intimidated to go to Norwich Market because of extreme activists," Ms Truss told the paper.

It is very concerning. Most people want to enjoy a bacon sandwich, and they want to enjoy one that was reared here in the UK because we have high standards.

Extreme activists are coming into the county to protest against legitimate businesses that are producing food that people want to eat, and that worries me.

The former prime minister has increased her majority in the Norfolk constituency each year since she was first elected there 14 years ago.

She has been chosen to stand in the seat again but is facing competition from independent candidate James Bagge.

Local Labour councillor Terry Jermy is also standing in South West Norfolk.
A new project worth over 150,000 will see police utilise off-road bikes and covert cameras to crack down on rural crime plaguing farmers in Oxfordshire.

Thames Valley Police said it wanted to "send a clear message" that rural Oxfordshire was a hostile environment for criminals.

Its new scheme worth 156,000 will crack down on crimes affecting farmers, including fly-tipping and burglaries.

The force added that crime prevention advice would also be offered to farmers and rural communities.

The latest figures by the NFU show that rural crime rose by 22% in 2022, costing the UK approximately 49.5 million.

Thames Valley Police's project is being funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley and the Home Offices Safer Streets initiative.

As part of it, farmers will be able to undergo security checks and will be provided DNA marking kits for tractors and machinery.

And covert cameras will help the force catch fly-tippers and waste criminals, while police will use off-road bikes to pursue criminals in remote areas.

Project lead, Chief Inspector Rachel Patterson said: I am delighted that we have been given access to this funding which will help us tackle rural crime across the area.

Rural crime really affects our communities, and we hope that with the close link to farms that the Rural Crime Advisor will have, along with DNA marker kits, we can send a clear message that Thames Valley is a hostile environment for rural criminals."

Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley, added that rural crime can have a significant impact on farmers.

"The creation of the new Rural Crime Partnership will increase the confidence and security of farms and rural industries across West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse and make them a harder target for criminals.
by Ed Simon

Demonstrating the utility of a critical practice thats sometimes obscured more than its venerable history would warrant, my 3 Quarks Daily column will be partially devoted to the practice of traditional close readings of poems, passages, dialogue, and even art. If youre interested in seeing close readings on particular works of literature or pop culture, please email me at [email protected]

The shortest lyric in Natalie Diazs 2013 collection When My Brother Was an Aztec has two less words than its title does. At only five words, the poem The Clouds are Buffalo Limping Towards Jesus is, because of its length, an incongruous entry in the collection, which for the most part combines more conventional quasi-formal and free verse that ranges from a few dozen lines to a few pages. Brevity is, of course, not necessarily a marker of radicalism; after all, the lyric as a form was originally defined not just by a strong individual voice, but also by representing a brief observation or emotion rather than a narrative with epic scope. The traditional Japanese genres of haiku, sijo, and tanka are marked by an economy of precision, but in the West even that most venerable form of the sonnet makes its argument and takes its logical turn in a short fourteen lines. Then there are the poets with a reputation for parsimony, masters of concision such as Emily Dickinson or Edna St. Vincent Millay. Still, a short Millay work such as First Fig (My candle burns at both ends.) with its four lines and twenty-five words might as well be the Iliad; a Dickinson lyric such as Poem 260 (Im Nobody! Who are you?) at eight lines and 42 words is a veritable Odyssey when compared to Diaz. When a poem counts in at under a dozen words, or even under half-a-dozen, there is a suspicion that the poet is courting the gimmick more than anything, the purview of the limerick and bawdy lyric, of Strickland Gillians Lines on the Antiquity of Microbes, which has been claimed as the briefest poem in the language, reading in its entirety Adam/Had em.

There is nothing of the gimmick in The Clouds are Buffalo Limping Towards Jesus, however, even if it has three more words than does Gillians lyric, though Diazs poem also isnt without its playfulness. The five-word poem, in its entirety, reads weeping/blooms/of/white/smoke though the enjambment marks reproduced in this sentence give precious little credit to the manner in which Diaz uses space and arrangement to convey meaning beyond the mere semantic. To begin with, the lyric is read from top to bottom, but vertically speaking none of the words are arranged in an exact straight line, so that blooms is slightly below weeping, of is slightly above white, and so on. Horizontally the arrangement of the words in relation to one another is even more marked in difference, a wide gap between weeping and blooms, an even wider one between of and white, nearly three times the distance in whats an unconventional caesura. The first four words of Diazs poem are, nonetheless, roughly paired off into respective partners, so that the final word smoke is very obviously alone. The overall effect, then, is that The Clouds are Buffalo Limping Towards Jesus appears as if the very thing that its about; the shape of the poem is as if a puff of smoke rising upward and moving off towards the west from the word smoke itself. By yoking meaning not just to the semantic, but to the shape of the poem itself, Diaz has written an example of concrete poetry in the tradition of George Herberts Easter Wings or Lewis Carrols The Mouses Tale, not to mention the centuries-long tradition of Islamic calligraphy.

Smoke is the operative theme in Diazs poem, not just because the poem itself resembles a misty vapor of lines, but because the title itself mentions that related concept of clouds. In this way, The Clouds are Buffalo Limping toward Jesus is able to cheat a little, for it would be a mistake to only consider the poem in terms of the five words that make up the text itself and not the seven additional words that constitute the paratext of its title. Not that the title of any poem ever need be incidental, but in a longer work the relationship between a title and the lyric can be more relative than in verse as brief as Diazs, where that ratio between the two becomes more startling. And so, between the title and the text we have four arresting concrete nouns in the smoke, the clouds, the buffalo, and Jesus (while blooms, depending on if its read as a verb or not, could also possibly be added). An elemental, if not archetypal, assortment of images. The first thing that could be initially assumed in a five-word poem written a century after the Modernist literary revolution is that Diazs is a homage to poets like Ezra Pound and William Carlos Williams, her poem possibly being a similar experiment in succinctness. Like Williams and Pound, Diaz arrests the reader into a singular moment (in this case smoke rising in the air), so that The Clouds are Buffalo Limping Toward Jesus recalls the formers The Red Wheelbarrow, or the latters In a Station of the Metro with Pounds evocation of The apparition of these faces in the crowd:/Petals on a wet, black bough.

Similar evocations possibly, but a superficial comparison, for the Imagists followed Williams dictate that in poetry there were No ideas but in things, but Diazs lyric is very much concerned with ideas, perhaps even symbols. Here then Diaz diverges from the Imagists, for if that crystalline simplicity in Pound and Williams was intended to convey a perfect image, the contemporary poet is after something different, rather. That is to say that in Pounds poem, the apparition, the faces, the crowd, and the very Petals on a wet, black bough dont mean anything; Williams eponymous red wheelbarrow glazed with rain and the chickens clucking about it arent representative or symbolic. What they happen to be are a red wheelbarrow and some chickens. By contrast, in The Clouds are Buffalo Limping Toward Jesus, those aforementioned nouns, the cloud and the smoke, the buffalo and Christ, are loaded with meaning beyond imagery, even if it would also be a mistake to interpret them as ciphers.

Throughout When My Brother was an Aztec, Diaz  an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Reservation and a professor at Arizona State University  is concerned with indigeneity and the syncretism of faiths both Indian and Christian, Mojave and Catholic. Read in this context, the tension between Indian religion and Christianity, as well as their fruitful synthesis, is clear in the short lyric, but even when read alone and stripped of those relationships to the pieces in the rest of this collection and Diazs theme is clear. This is obvious, to begin with, in the titles mention of Jesus. The Son of God is placed in relationship to those Buffalo in the title, the totemistic (if not stereotypical) animal associated with the American Indians, especially when as white as clouds. Yet these arent buffalo, these are clouds, as Diaz writes in the title, the metaphorical association between the shapes of those clouds and the animals which they look like a chimera, not a reality. That theyre limping toward Jesus is a fascinating verb, for do we see this as a genuflection, a posture of defeat, or perhaps a desire for supplication, these illusory beasts making their pretend pilgrimage toward the messiah?

For that matter, how are we to read these weeping blooms? Is the white smoke itself a bloom which is weeping, or, rather, is the billowing of the white smoke merely compared to blooms? There is, to be sure, great power in the word blooms itself, connotating not just the obvious floral implications, but the blooms of blood that result from the piercing of flesh, a connection made all the more potent (and portent) with the adjective that modifies that word. That adjective in question, weeping, is itself fraught with significance, with its clear associations of mourning and melancholy. Is Diaz perhaps enacting in a five-word poem the eclipse of the old ways in favor of the colonizers religion? Yet Christianity and Indian beliefs are not necessarily so easily unextracted either, for the white smoke of the poem evokes both that which signals the election of a new pontiff in the Roman Catholic Church, but also the fires of Indian powwows, a synthesis of two disparate traditions that, as the entirety of When My Brother was an Aztec makes clear, have been in a fraught relationship for more than five centuries. Nor would it be accurate to see these limping buffalo, these dark clouds with their whisps shaped as spindly legs and their cumulous hump, as mere epiphenomenon headed towards Christ, who is not necessarily any more real than they are, for the poem is ambiguous on that score. Rather what we have is a smoldering fog of meaning, where words that are the very medium of sense waft upwards towards a nonexistent heaven like smoke from a quenched fire whose leftover ashes are soon to be as dry and cold as dead faith.
Aliens could be too frightened to make contact with the human race.

Aliens could be frightened of making contact with humans

Expert Professor Frederick Walter says there is a "100 per cent chance" of other forms of life existing elsewhere in the universe but suggests that a fear of the unknown has prevented extraterrestrials from emerging.

Professor Walter, a galactic astronomer at Stony Brook University in New York, said: "It could be that the universe is teeming with life but everybody's hiding because we're scared.

"You have no idea if other civilisations are friendly or hostile and remember, you're the new kid on the block.

"They've been around for thousands of years and are probably much more advanced, you don't know what to expect so the safest thing is to remain silent."
Swearing can be beneficial for a person's health.

Swearing has a host of health benefits

Scientists suggest that cursing is a "cathartic" method of releasing frustration and leads to less depression and anxiety than politeness.

A study of 98 men and 155 women in Pakistan compared how often they used bad language to self-related scores on mental health.

Participants from both sexes scored equally in terms of anxiety and depression but those who used expletives regularly scored lower.

Dr. Waqar Husain, who led the research for Comsats University in Islamabad, said: "Swearing's a natural response to release stress and to avoid pain.

"It can serve as an unconscious self-defence mechanism to reduce the effects of daily stressors."

He continued: "The findings reveal significantly lower levels of depression and stress among those who scored higher on profanity.

"Profanity is a form of emotional expression and this is regarded as helpful for better psychological wellbeing.

"Suppressing or repressing emotions, on the other hand, has been seen negatively with regard to mental health."
Mamie Laverocks family have shared the first photo of the When Calls the Heart actress since she was almost killed in a hospital balcony fall.

Mamie Laverocks family have shared the first photo of the When Calls the Heart actress since she was almost killed in a hospital balcony fall

The 19-year-old actress, famed for her role as nursing student Rosaleen Sullivan on the popular Hallmark show, plunged five storeys in May in an accident her mother last week branded negligence by medical authorities.

Her family have now posted an updated on her condition by posting a close-up image of her in her hospital bed on Facebook.

The image showed the teens hand resting on a teddy bear, with her fingernails painted red.

Mamies face was out of the frame but it was clear she was hooked to an IV.

News broke in May Mamie was on life support after she plunged from a five-story balcony at a Vancouver hospital where she had been recovering from an undisclosed medical emergency.

Her mother Nicole Rockmann has said St Pauls Hospital now has a negligence-type case to answer.

She told the Los Angeles Times: We have a case. All we care about is that Mamie can make a recovery and that shes alive and that shes fighting and that shes strong.

Its unbelievable that shes with us. There will be accountability.

Nicole said it was an absolute miracle Mamie is alive and blamed St Pauls for the fall  which she stressed was not intended and wasnt a suicide attempt by the actress.

Mamie was transferred from St Pauls to a trauma centre after her fall.

A spokesperson for Providence Health Care, which operates St Pauls, confirmed to the LA Times an incident happened at the hospital but could not get into details due to patient privacy.

The representative added: In cases related to patient safety, an internal critical incident review is conducted to determine exactly what happened and to make recommendations for improved patient safety.

Our hearts go out to the patient, family, and all affected by this event, and we offer our best wishes for a full recovery.

When Nicole spoke to the LA Times, she said Mamie had just opened her eyes and was aware enough to be able to squeeze her hand.

But she added the actress was in tremendous agony and she was being sedated after multiple surgeries.
China's exports increased by 6.1 per cent year on year from January to May 2024, while imports saw a rise of 6.4 per cent, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.

Overall, the country's total goods imports and exports grew by 6.3 per cent in yuan terms during this period. The total foreign trade in goods amounted to 17.5 trillion yuan (approximately $2.46 trillion), with exports contributing 9.95 trillion yuan and imports reaching 7.55 trillion yuan.

China's exports rose by 6.1 per cent and imports by 6.4 per cent year-on-year from January to May 2024, according to the General Administration of Customs. Total goods imports and exports grew by 6.3 per cent, reaching 17.5 trillion yuan (approximately $2.46 trillion). In May 2024, foreign trade increased by 8.6 per cent to 3.71 trillion yuan.

The foreign trade saw an 8.6 per cent increase in May, reaching 3.71 trillion yuan, as per Chinese media reports.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap reveals that the country does not support Cannes kind of cinema. He stresses on the fact that the victory of independent filmmakers this year at the prestigious festival is their alone.

India won three awards this year at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival with Payal Kapadia becoming the first ever Indian director to win the Grand Prix for her film All We Imagine As Light. Anasuya Sengupta won the Best Actress in the Un Certain Regard strand for her film The Shameless while Chidananda S. Naik, a student at FTII won La Cinef for Sunflowers.

Following the victory, Anurag says, India didn't have any moment at Cannes, not a single of those films are Indian. We need to address it the way it should be addressed. India has stopped supporting such cinema, the kind of cinema that was at Cannes.
Der Goldpreis haussiert und schwingt sich von Hoch zu Hoch. Getrieben von geopolitischen Unsicherheiten sowie der Aussicht auf eine lockere Geldpolitik der FED gehen Experten aktuell von weiter steigenden Notierungen bis sogar in den Bereich von 3.000 US-Dollar je Unze Gold aus.



Im Schatten des Basispreises notieren Goldproduzenten aus der zweiten Reihe sowie Explorationsunternehmen noch weit weg von ihren historischen Hochststanden entfernt und bieten dadurch erhebliches Aufholpotential.



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Karol Maciejewski will lead as the Head of Life Modelling

Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, today announced the creation of a Modelling Excellence Center in Madrid, Spain. This center will support the Spanish and Portuguese insurance industries as it improve the efficiency of reporting processes and actuarial models, particularly related to the entry of IFRS17 reporting.

"With this new center, we'll be able to respond to all of the growing modelling, data processing, and process automation needs of our clients," said Javier Munoz, Head of the Life Business, who spearhead Milliman's operations in Spain and Portugal together with Jose Silveiro, the Head of the General Insurance business. "Milliman's Madrid office has been successfully implementing actuarial models in Spain and Portugal for several years, and now will be reinforced by a dedicated team to design and implement high-quality, efficient models with a particular expertise on FIS Prophet software."

Karol Maciejewski will lead the center as the Head of Life Modelling. Maciejewski joined Milliman 15 years ago as a consulting actuary and most recently served as a director on the Life Insurance team in the Milliman Paris office. He has been leading model (re)design, implementation, integration, and optimization projects for large (re)insurance groups in the main European markets, many of which use FIS Prophet.

"Actuarial models are core to regulatory, risks and financial reporting, and it will continue to require significant investment in the coming years," said Maciejewski. "As an expert in actuarial models architecture and IT development, I'm looking forward to contributing to the growth of the Spanish and Portuguese modelling markets."

About Milliman

Milliman is among the world's largest providers of actuarial, risk management, and technology solutions. Our consulting and advanced analytics capabilities encompass healthcare, property casualty insurance, life insurance and financial services, and employee benefits. Founded in 1947, Milliman is an independent firm with offices in major cities around the globe. Visit us at milliman.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240503150834/en/

Contacts:

Jeremy Engdahl-Johnson

Milliman, Inc.

Tel: +1 646.473.3021

Jeremy.engdahl-johnson@milliman.com
AI-powered customer data management platform provider earns top recognition

United Kingdom, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- London, UK - June 10, 2024 - Blueshift, a leading provider of AI-powered customer data management (CDM) solutions, is proud to announce that it has been recognised as a Market Leader in Research In Action's 2024 Vendor Selection Matrix Report for Customer Data Management. This Market Leader ranking highlights Blueshift's commitment to delivering highly personalised, customer-centric engagement for the world's leading brands by making data & intelligence effortlessly actionable on every channel in real-time.

The Vendor Selection Matrix Report is a comprehensive analysis based on feedback from 1,000 marketing and business decision-makers worldwide, combined with the expertise of Research In Action's (RIA) analysts. The methodology includes 75,000 data points and a survey-based evaluation, where 63% of the weight is given to the survey responses and 37% to the analysts' expert opinions. RIA's approach ensures the report reflects real-world customer experiences balanced with expert insights.

Key Report Findings:

Market Leader Recognition: Blueshift's Intelligent Customer Engagement platform has earned it the highest rank among global CDM vendors.

Blueshift's Intelligent Customer Engagement platform has earned it the highest rank among global CDM vendors. Customer-Centric Solutions: Blueshift's patented AI-based platform enables brands to consolidate and analyse customer data from various sources and deliver it across multiple channels, delivering engaging experiences across the customer journey.

Blueshift's patented AI-based platform enables brands to consolidate and analyse customer data from various sources and deliver it across multiple channels, delivering engaging experiences across the customer journey. Comprehensive Evaluation: Blueshift's top product quality, company performance, and service excellence scores highlight its dedication to customer success and innovation.

Blueshift's CEO, Vijay Chittoor, expressed pride in the company's recent recognition: "We are honored to be named a Market Leader in Research In Action's 2024 Vendor Selection Matrix Report. This recognition highlights our dedication to helping companies harness the power of their customer data and use it to create engaging experiences across the customer journey."

Bluesihft's inclusion as a Leader and Fast Mover in both the GigaOm Radar for CDPs (Customer Data Platform) and Gartner's Magic Quadrant for CDPs further emphasizes its commitment to innovation and customer success.

For more information about Blueshift and its Intelligent Customer Engagement solution, please visit blueshift.com.

About Blueshift:

Blueshift helps brands automate and personalise engagement across every marketing channel. The Blueshift intelligent customer engagement platform uses patented AI technology to unify, inform, and activate the fullness of customer data across all channels and applications. With a customer data platform and a cross-channel marketing hub all in one place, Blueshift gives brands all the tools they need to seamlessly deliver 1:1 experiences in real time across the entire customer journey.

Blueshift has been recognised in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for CDP, a Leader in GigaOm's Radar for CDPs, and in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 lists in 2020 through 2023 as one of the fastest-growing technology companies in North America. Learn more at blueshift.com

About Research In Action:

Research In Action GmbH is a leading independent ICT research and consulting company offering practical advice to enterprise and vendor clients. Visitresearchinaction.eufor more details.

Press Contact:

Janet Jaiswal

VP of Marketing

Blueshift

e-mail: Janet.Jaiswal@blueshift.com
SEOUL, South Korea, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- J INTS BIO provided an update of its ongoing Phase 1 clinical study of JIN-A02, a 4th generation EGFR-TKI for NSCLC treatment, during the 3rd of June poster session of the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting held at McCormick Place in Chicago, USA, from May 31 to June 4.

This latest study update of JIN-A02 reported another tumor Partial Response (PR) in a patient in Cohort 4 (100mg daily). The first tumor Partial Response (PR) recorded in this study, was a patient in the earlier Cohort at a lower dose of 50mg daily. In addition, the first instance of brain tumor activity was recorded in Cohort 4, with a 28.6% reduction of the brain metastasis.

To-date, Partial Response (PR) has been confirmed in two patients and Stable Diseases in three other, including the patient with reduction of brain metastasis in Cohort 4 and two patients from the lower Cohorts at a lower dose.

The final patient in Cohort 4 (100mg) is expected to complete the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) assessment period soon and thus far, no DLT has been detected. In addition, no rash, diarrhea, or cardiac toxicity (side effects commonly associated with EGFR TKIs use), has been reported in this study despite the positive efficacy signals and clinical benefits already observed. The next Cohort at 150mg daily will begin end of June.

J INTS BIO said, "It is very meaningful to be able to share key clinical results in large-scale global conferences attended by global anticancer experts and research and development officials." and "JIN-A02 is expected to be a game changer to improve the life of patients with EGFR C797S positive NSCLC, for which there is currently no approved treatment," they added. According to the company, JIN-A02 is scheduled to enter phase 2 clinical trial by the end of this year.

About J INTS BIO

J INTS BIO is a bio company specialized in developing innovative anti-cancer and orphan drugs to realize the goal of changing lives and improving health for patients around the world. J INTS BIO's teams have prior multi-year experience in multinational pharmaceutical companies and CROs and track records in medical, regulatory affairs, drug discovery and development.

About 'JIN-A02'

'JIN-A02' is a novel orally administered 4th Generation EGFR TKI targeting C797S mutations in NSCLC. Although 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation EGFR TKIs have been used with some success, recurrence occurs in most patients including 3rd Generation TKIs such as Osimertinib. Currently, there are no approved therapies for patients who developed EGFR C797S mutations due to the use of 3rd Generation EGFR TKIs and with the high propensity of these cancers to metastasize to the brain, there is an urgent need to develop an effective drug with high blood-brain barrier permeability. 'JIN-A02', a novel oral EGFR TKI, which is effective against C797S mutations and have a high brain penetrance, is therefore expected to become the most promising Best-in-Class 4th-generation EGFR TKI in NSCLC patients with limited or no viable treatment options.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2434156/240610__1.jpg

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/j-ints-bio-asco-2024--jin-a02-showed-tumor-reductions-including-brain-metastasis-in-the-ongoing-first-in-human-dose-finding-phase-1-clinical-study-302168032.html
by Tim Sommers

I usually begin my Ethics course by asking, What is the difference between ethics and morals? I used to begin by literally asking the students that question, until I realized no one is happy about your very first question being a trick.

So, heres the difference. Ethics comes from Greek, morals come from Latin. Thats it. Particular philosophers sometimes make some kind of (potentially) useful distinction between the two words, but the bottom line is, absent some stipulation with a theory behind it, ethics and morals dont differ in meaning. The same goes for a democracy versus a republic.

During the recent Washington State Republican Convention, one delegate received a standing ovation for complaining that We are devolving into a democracy, and suggesting that we should repeal the 17th Amendment (Senators are to be elected by a popular vote, rather than appointed by state legislatures). Lest you think this a lone voice in the wilderness, the current Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, the person holding the second most powerful political position in our system of government, recently said, We dont live in a democracy. We live in a constitutional republic. Utah Senator Mike Lee also says we live in a republic and that Rank democracy thwarts human flourishing.

Frankly, this is a worrying line. For example, when Johnson approvingly describes responsiveness to Biblical admonitions as part of why our system shouldnt be more democratic. However, more often, this is simply a rhetorical dodge  one that has been used by conservatives going back at least to the 1960s. Heres Lee, again, for example, being dodgy. Having just rejected the idea that the U.S. is a democracy  which would thwart human flourishing  he goes on to say almost immediately, well, Insofar as democracy means a political system in which government derives its powers from the consent of the governed, then of course that accurately describes our system. Well, of course, if democracy means democracy, then, yeah, this a democracy.

It seems worth going to the dictionary on this one. Consider, the Oxford English Dictionary definition of democracy  a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives  versus republic  a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives. The difference? I dont see it. At most it might come to this. Suppose someone is advocating a countermajoritarian policy (say, limiting direct ballot initiatives or appointing rather than electing certain judges or prosecutors). If someone else objects that the proposed policy is undemocratic, the countermajoritarian can always say, yes, but this is a republic, not a democracy. And they often do. This is basically a meaningless response, not only because there does not seem to be a definitional difference between the two as weve seen, but also because democracy is an essentially contested concept. Democracy is value-ladened all the way down, and defending ones definition of democracy is inseparable from defending ones preferred version of democracy.

On the other hand, for the same reason, any argument that a policy is wrong simply because it is less democratic than some alternative (in the counter-majoritarian sense) is not as decisive as it might seem either. For good or ill, our system has a wide variety of countermajoritarian features. Its a representative, rather direct, democracy, the president is elected by the electoral college rather than a popular vote, each state gets two senators regardless of their population, many political positions are appointed rather than elected, government agencies lead by unelected officials have quasi-lawmaking powers, etc.

However, just as some philosophers will stipulate a distinction between ethics and morals, some political thinkers stipulate a distinction between a republic and a democracy.

The website of the Connecticut General Assembly, for some obscure reason, stipulates that By definition, a republic is a representative form of government that is ruled according to a charter, or constitution, and a democracy is a government that is ruled according to the will of the majority. Its a free country. They can use words how they want; I suppose. But this is confusing because (1) having or not having, a constitution is not widely recognized as the difference between democracies and republics. (2) None of the contemporary disputes about the distinction are disputes about whether to have a constitution or not. And (3) If a constitution is majoritarian all the way through, then the distinction collapses anyway.

Heres a more revered source  James Madison  stipulating a different distinction. In Federalist #10, Madison says that a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person is a democracy (and he is against it). Whereas a republic is a government in which the scheme of representation takes place (and he is for that).

To start with, I dont think anyone would now claim that whether the vote takes place in person or not is a definitional difference between a democracy and a republic. Furthermore, its kind of ironic for a man who owned over a hundred slaves, and wrote a constitution that made them 3/5ths of a person, to object to a government run by small number slave-holding citizens. But heres whats most confusing. Hes comparing an Athenian system that only allowed 10-20% of the population to vote with a system where a much larger number of people participate, albeit more indirectly. The Athenians called their system a democracy, I grant that, but today I think we would describe what Madison is calling a republic as the more democratic alternative to what he is calling a democracy.

Again, if there is any use at all to comparing a democracy to a republic, its not whether the government is representative or has a constitution, its how majoritarian a particular, specific policy is. Presumably, the more majoritarian, the more democratic. So, when republicans say that this is not a democracy, presumably, they just mean that more majoritarian choice is not always better. Which is not completely wrong. Its hard to see how, for example, we could do away entirely with being a representative democracy. But a more fundamental problem is that it is sometimes literally impossible to resolve the question of which alternative is more democratic  even in the majoritarian sense. Here are some reasons why.

First, liberals and conservatives alike, hopefully, agree that the U.S. is a liberal democracy, meaning every person has certain rights, liberties, and freedoms which should be protected even from the will of the majority. There is probably no one right way to reconcile the various liberties and democracy entirely.

Second, the notion that any system could be a direct democracy all the way down is literally incoherent. How should we vote about what we are going to vote on and how often? Are votes all binary? Should we have rank voting or multiple rounds? To (slightly) paraphrase Jorge Luis Borges Lottery in Babylon,

In reality the number of [votes that need to be taken] is infinite. No decision is final, all branch into others. Ignorant people suppose that infinite [votes] require an infinite time; actually, it is sufficient for time to be infinitely subdivisible, as the famous parable of the contest with the tortoise teaches it.

That last bit, unfortunately, is, as you know, not really the case.

One last point: Arrows Impossibility Theorem. Its a mathematical proof that there is no answer to the question of what the most democratic way to choose between multiple alternatives is.

Say there are some alternatives to choose among. They could be policies, public projects, candidates in an election, distributions of income and labor requirements among the members of a society, or just about anything else. There are some people whose preferences will inform this choice, and the question is: which procedures are there for deriving, from what is known or can be found out about their preferences, a collective or social ordering of the alternatives from better to worse? The answer is startling. Arrows theorem says there are no such procedures whatsoevernone, anyway, that satisfy certain apparently quite reasonable assumptions concerning the autonomy of the people and the rationality of their preferences. Michael Morreau/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

When Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin, Well, Doctor, what have got, a republic or a monarchy? and Franklin replied, A republic, if we can keep it, neither meant a republic as opposed to a democracy, both meant a democratic republic as opposed to a monarchy.

Theres no such thing as pure, direct democracy nor is there a republic without majoritarianism. Personally, I think it would be better overall if we ditched some of the antidemocratic features of our system (particularly, the electoral college that has put two of the last four presidents into office despite the fact that they lost the popular vote and the fact that the 600,000 people who live in Wyoming have the same number of Senators as the nearly 40,000,000 in California do). But I dont think it is particularly useful to phrase such debates as debates about democratic versus republican forms of government  or even which alternative is more democratic, simpliciter.

Id go further than that, in fact. I would say that the vast majority of cases in which politicians invoke the idea that we are a republic to defend some particular policy, its really because they cant defend the policy on its merits. We are not a republic is not an argument. Its a confession that you havent got one.
New AI advancements are helping industry leaders get data ready for AI and make impact

HSBC is among several industry leaders participating in Quantexa's Lighthouse Program for early adopters

HSBC anticipates that streamlining of analysis and acceleration of processes could lead to significant productivity gains within the first year of deployment

Q Assist combines Quantexa's Decision Intelligence Platform and Generative AI to augment decisions for sales, customer service, and compliance teams in financial services, TMT, and government agencies



LONDON, June 10, 2024, Quantexa, the global leader in Decision Intelligenceand comes nearly a year after Quantexa detailed a significant investment in the global artificial intelligence (AI) industry and previewed Q Assist as a stand-alone LLM agnostic copilot.

With the new Q Assist Technology Suite, Quantexa customers will be able to operationalize generative AI for transformational gains without significant investment in infrastructure, tooling, and additional skilled resources.

Frontline and information workers can leverage the power of copilots, linked data, Quantexa's knowledge graph capability, and other Decision Intelligence Platform features to enhance the accuracy and reliability of generative AI models that interact with all data (structured and unstructured), context, and insight across their organization. Combining LLMs with the rich context within Quantexa's Decision Intelligence Platform enables a better understanding of data, safely grounds responses, increases performance and trust, and ensures teams have the most accurate, up-to-date information in a single place.

Find out what Q Assist is and how it works with Quantexa's Decision Intelligence Platform.

View the full video



Helping Customers Succeed in the Era of AI

HSBC is one of the organizations currently participating in the Lighthouse Program for early adopters. Each organization in the program envisions using Q Assist in several ways, including:

Streamlining analysis, investigation, and reporting tasks for information and knowledge workers to achieve greater efficiency.

Reducing the reliance on data science and operations teams for ad-hoc data requests, giving them time to focus on more strategic tasks.

Empowering customer facing teams with access to enriched data and insights they need to increase revenue and enhance customer experiences.

Enabling teams across an organization to consistently make trusted decisions that are traceable and accelerate operational process improvement.

BNY Mellon is currently evaluating joining HSBC in Lighthouse effort. Quantexa worked with Lighthouse Program participants to project one-, three-, and five-year benefits from deploying Q Assist within their customer facing, data science, and investigative teams. It found an almost immediate productivity gain across three core areas: time saving and efficiency, new opportunity identification, and increased conversion rates.

HSBC anticipates that democratizing analytics and accelerating processes across these areas could lead to productivity gains within the first year of deployment. The company also expects to free up employee's time, allowing them to refocus on other strategic tasks.

David Rice, Global Chief Operating Officer, Commercial Banking at HSBC, said: "This new solution has the potential to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of complex tasks such as anti-money laundering investigations and sales strategies by providing trusted data and contextual analytics. The introduction of contextual analytics and innovation will enable HSBC to concentrate our resources more productively and ultimately help our customers."

Quantexa estimates that a tier one global financial institution with three levels of defense in financial crime and fraud compliance efforts, generating approximately 15k alerts a month, could realize significant efficiencies and cost savings by deploying the Q Assist Generative AI Technology Suite:

Over 17M in savings enabled annually by enhancing and automating investigating and reporting processes across financial crime and fraud.



Quantexa's CTO, Jamie Hutton, said: "Quantexa's engineering principle of shaping solutions to deliver maximum customer value has allowed our clients to play an integral role in helping to shape the product requirements for Q Assist. Through the company's Lighthouse Program for early adopters, we have the benefit of working with industry leaders that provide valuable feedback throughout our roadmap process."

Eric Hirschhorn, Chief Data Officer, BNY Mellon, said: "We are excited to see this continued innovation from Quantexa. Our multi-year collaboration has helped us to break down data silos and unify our data with unprecedented accuracy. The next phase in our innovation efforts will see us exploring the potential of enabling frontline workers across the bank to use Gen AI to act on the data insights confidently and reach new levels of efficiency in the process."

How the New Q Assist Generative AI Technology Suite Works

Quantexa's new generative AI technology suite will combine Quantexa's Decision Intelligence Platform and Generative AI through a new data integration layer, prompt builder, and copilot that accelerates the ability of teams to make critical business decisions.

Q Assist delivers trusted, extensible AI anchored by Quantexa's Decision Intelligence Platform. This lets non-technical teams benefit from Quantexa's critical platform capabilities including a connected data foundation, graph analytics, modeling, and scoring to augment and automate decision making. The Q Assist Technology Suite is comprised of three components:

Q Assist Integration Layer: the nerve center of Q Assist. It is a framework of tools, connectors, and APIs designed to securely link Quantexa's Decision Intelligence Platform with LLMs and conversational AI systems right out-of-the-box.

the nerve center of Q Assist. It is a framework of tools, connectors, and APIs designed to securely link Quantexa's Decision Intelligence Platform with LLMs and conversational AI systems right out-of-the-box. Q Assist Prompt Builder: an extensible prompt management and sharing capability that easily integrates with external prompt engineering tools and frameworks, such as Microsoft's Azure Prompt Flow, Semantic Kernel or AutoGen, to put the power in the hands of administrators to define and control prompts and responses that are grounded in contextual data generated by Quantexa's Decision Intelligence Platform.

an extensible prompt management and sharing capability that easily integrates with external prompt engineering tools and frameworks, such as Microsoft's Azure Prompt Flow, Semantic Kernel or AutoGen, to put the power in the hands of administrators to define and control prompts and responses that are grounded in contextual data generated by Quantexa's Decision Intelligence Platform. Q Assist Copilot: allows users to query large and disparate data via a natural language interface, understand and summarize data, insights, and findings in real-time, and automate research, investigation, and reporting tasks.



Today, the company is making Q Assist Generative AI Technology Suite capabilities available to a limited set of customers, with wider public availability planned for early 2025.

To learn more about how Quantexa is helping organizations get their data ready for AI, or to download the Total Economic Impact of Quantexa's Decision Intelligence Platform by Forrester and start measuring the ROI of Decision Intelligence investments, please visit https://www.quantexa.com/discover/ai/.

About Quantexa

Quantexa is a global AI, data and analytics software company pioneering Decision Intelligence to empower organizations to make trusted operational decisions with data in context. Using the latest advancements in AI, Quantexa's Decision Intelligence platform helps organizations uncover hidden risk and new opportunities by unifying siloed data and turning it into the most trusted, reusable resource. It solves major challenges across data management, customer intelligence, KYC, financial crime, risk, fraud, and security, throughout the customer lifecycle.

The Quantexa Decision Intelligence Platform enhances operational performance with over 90% more accuracy and 60 times faster analytical model resolution than traditional approaches. An independently commissioned Forrester TEI study on Quantexa's Decision Intelligence Platform found that customers saw a three-year 228% ROI. Founded in 2016, Quantexa now has more than 700 employees and thousands of platform users working with billions of transactions and data points across the world.

Media Enquiries

C: Stephanie Crisp, Fight or Flight

E:Quantexa@fightorflight.com

OR

C: Adam Jaffe, SVP of Corporate Marketing

T: +1 609 502 6889

E :adamjaffe@quantexa.com

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Kunstliche Intelligenz hat spatestens nach dem Raketenstart von Chat GPT das Leben aller verandert. Doch der Superzyklus steht nach Meinungen von Experten erst am Anfang. Wahrend Aktien wie Nvidia von der ersten Aufwartsentwicklung stark profitieren konnten, versprechen aussichtsreiche Player aus der

zweiten Reihe noch enormes Aufwartspotenzial.



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Trotz der jungsten Erfolge steht die Entwicklung der kunstlichen Intelligenz noch am Beginn eines neuen Superzyklus. Experten gehen davon aus, dass der Sektor bis 2032 global auf 1,3 Billionen US-Dollar explodieren wird, wobei ein groer Teil auf Hardware und Infrastruktur entfallen wird.



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Engelhart Commodities Trading Partners, a global commodities trading business, is delighted to announce that it has agreed terms to acquire Trailstone, a global energy and technology company, from Riverstone.

Completion of the acquisition, which remains subject to regulatory approval, is expected to occur in Q3, 2024.

The deal is a significant event for both companies, as it represents a shared commitment to ensuring the success of the clean energy transition. The transaction not only strengthens their trading and technological capabilities, but also generates value through active support of a sustainable future.

Trailstone is a global leader in the provision of risk management and optimization services to the owners and operators of renewable power generation assets, by utilising its expertise, analytics and proprietary software. It is also active in trading power, natural gas and environmental products across North America, Europe and Asia.

The team at Trailstone has also built a successful physical natural gas client business in North America, which provides storage, transportation and supply capabilities to serve its customers' growing optimization and risk management requirements.

The acquisition will combine the resources and expertise of two successful businesses and enable them to leverage their joint capabilities to enhance trading performance, grow their customer business and play a leading role in decarbonising the world's energy matrix.

The acquisition is a pivotal part of Engelhart's strategic plan to strengthen its global power and gas trading platform and technology capabilities and generate value through active participation in the clean energy transition.

Huw Jenkins, Engelhart CEO, says the acquisition is a clear signal of Engelhart's commitment to the clean energy transition:

"Agreeing terms to acquire Trailstone is an important event in Engelhart's long term strategy to grow our energy trading platform and enhance our technological capability to play a leading role in the clean energy transition. We have been impressed by the Trailstone team's innovation in the renewables trading sector and we believe the acquisition and merger will be highly complementary for both businesses."

John Redpath, CEO, Trailstone, says he's excited about the potential that this acquisition unlocks:

"The acquisition by Engelhart is a big moment for the future of Trailstone. The access to permanent capital, and the complementary nature of our two organizations means we can grow our renewables and power natural gas businesses and create even more value as part of the clean energy transition. I am proud of what we've created at Trailstone over the last ten years, not because it was easy but because it was hard. I am even more positive and excited about the future as we move forward as one business. I've been in the energy markets for 35 years, and I think the most interesting years of my career are ahead as we build this combined business

FOR EDITORS

The acquisition has been agreed but remains subject to regulatory approval.

Latham Watkins LLP acted as legal advisors to Riverstone and Trailstone. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher Flom LLP acted as legal advisers to Engelhart Commodities Trading Partners.

Engelhart is a global commodity trading company founded in 2013, with ~180 staff across offices in London, Geneva, Houston, Stamford, Singapore, Shanghai and Beijing.

Engelhart trades energy (power and gas, and oil) and is also active in agricultural/soft commodities, freight, and the innovative area of 'risk premia'.

Engelhart is owned by the same partner group that also controls BTG Pactual, the largest investment bank in Latin America.

Trailstone is a global energy and technology trading company, operating at the intersection of renewable and conventional power. Trailstone provides a best-in-class service to help manage the intermittency of renewable power generation for asset owners, operators and grid infrastructure. Trailstone also offers tech-enabled risk management and asset management optimization solutions for renewables assets across Europe, Japan and the United States. Trailstone was founded in 2013 and has ~275 staff across offices in Europe, North America, and Japan, with its primary offices in London, Austin, and Berlin.

Engelhart will acquire Trailstone from Riverstone LLC, the private equity fund that was its primary shareholder, subject to regulatory approval.?

Huw Jenkins will be the CEO of the new combined business; John Redpath will be Deputy CEO.

No decision has yet been made on future naming and branding. For now, just use 'Engelhart Commodities Trading Partners', 'Engelhart' or 'Trailstone' or 'the combined business' to describe the relevant parties.

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Contacts:

For more information, contact: Cosmo Shield (cosmo@cosmocreativecontent.co.uk)
Workshop on Reaching Premium Asian Travellers organized by Petal Ads, Huawei's advertising platform

MADRID, Spain, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Petal Ads, Huawei's mobile advertising platform, at the seventh edition of Digital Tourist 2024 reaffirmed Huawei's commitment to supporting the Spanish tourism industry, with effective solutions for attracting premium Chinese travellers to the rich culture of Spain.

Held from 6 June to 7 June, Digital Tourist 2024 is a special gathering of the digital and tourism sectors. It aims to encourage conversation, debate, and learnings about how digital technology can be used to create new opportunities in Spain, to achieve socioeconomic objectives.

During the event, Huawei showcased Petal Ads' role in helping increase average spend per visitor, spreading visitor flows, and ensuring travel momentum continues beyond peak season.

Huawei Hosts Roundtable on Challenges in Destination Marketing

During Digital Tourist 2024, Huawei hosted a roundtable meeting on challenges in destination marketing. A firm believer in tech's ability to help address pertinent industry issues, Huawei revealed its latest solutions designed to address the challenges faced by destination marketing organisations.

The roundtable gathered leaders such as Tono Franco, Director of Visit Valencia; Jose Camarero, Tourism Director at Comunitat Valenciana; Jose F. Mancebo; Director of the Tourist Board of Costa Blanca; May Escobar; Councillor for Tourism, Innovation, and Digitalisation of the City Council of Segovia; as well as Daniel Caro, CDO at Turismo de Andalucia. Maria Ramiro, Sales Director of Europe Advertising Business at Huawei Mobile Services, served as moderator for the roundtable.

During the round table, the importance of tailored marketing strategies for each tourist destination was highlighted, focusing on an effective marketing mix that converts interest into actual visits. Challenges discussed included the complexity of planning with public funds and the need for meticulous, destination-specific strategies. Emphasis was placed on the importance of data, formulating the right questions to gather relevant data, and the challenges of accessing long-distance market data, particularly from China. Attracting high-value tourists through sustainable and culturally enriching visits was deemed crucial. The conference concluded with a call for marketing strategies to balance effective promotion and sustainability.

Huawei's Workshop on Reaching Premium Asian Travellers

Helmed by Maria Ramiro, the workshop covered the best strategies for reaching premium Asian travellers.

Addressing the attendees, Maria Ramiro said, "Huawei will remain dedicated, in collaboration with valued partners, to offer enhanced marketing tools that help attract more Asian tourists to the beautiful destination of Spain. This includes raising the average spend per visitor, as well as helping drive tourists to lesser-known travel spots and distribute them more evenly across Spain at different times in the year."

About Petal Ads??

Petal Ads, Huawei's mobile ad platform, connects publishers, advertisers, and marketers globally. Boasting over 360,000 publishers and a wide industry range with more than 200 sectors, it enables agencies and businesses to reach over 730 million new customers worldwide.

?For more information on Petal Ads, visit: https://ads.huawei.com/

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JAKARTA, June 10, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - TransNusa made headlines when the airline with just two airbus A320 and one Comac ARJ21-700 introduced its first international route from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur on April 14, 2023.The airline, which had to close it business operation in September 2020 due to impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation industry, started operations again after injection of new shareholders and management team in October 2022.Within 6 months, the airline introduced its first international route between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur.TransNusa Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Bernard Francis said, "The international growth strategy combined with our domestic business operations' approach has proven to be successful as we have reached our international Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for passengers in our first year of operations for our Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur route. Our main KPI is based on our On-Time Performance (OTP)."When we re-launched TransNusa, we started from the bottom again. We had no aircraft or roadmap to follow. Everything was new because the pandemic had broken the aviation business operations boundaries. We re-created and customised our business operations and strategy model based on the post-pandemic scenario," Datuk Bernard added."As such, for us, the success of our first international Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur route is a milestone and brings us great satisfaction. In the past 12 months, we have assisted in providing our services to more than 200,000 passengers and we have also maintained our three times a day frequency. In addition, as per our KPI for passengers, we have also maintained our On-Time Performance (OTP) of 94 percent," he said, explaining that airline OTP is defined as an aircraft arrival at the gate under 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time.On why TransNusa could not achieve a 100 per cent OTP, Datuk Bernard said there were unavoidable circumstances that delayed a number of TransNusa flights."Our delays were consequential and unavoidable such as weather patterns and airport disruptions as well as heavy traffic. There were times when our flight was delayed because we could land due to bad weather or heavy traffic," Datuk Bernard elaborated."We understand that OTP is one of the most important factors for passengers in deciding their choice of airline. Respecting passengers time is high on our list of deliverables and to showcase our commitment towards our passengers, we have specific aircrafts dedicated to fly this route."After launching its first international route between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, TransNusa launched three more new international routes by the end of last year. TransNusa's aggressive international growth strategy combined with its domestic business operations approach has enabled the airline to be the fastest growing airline in South East Asia.In 2024, the airline does not only celebrate the first year of its operations in Kuala Lumpur but it will also be celebrating first year of operations in three other international locations that is Johor, Malaysia, Singapore and Guangzhou, China.Since its re-launch, TransNusa became the first in the world to commission a Comac ARJ21-700 and TransNusa became the second airline in Indonesia to launch a Jakarta-Guangzhou route on November 16, last year.On the domestic front, TransNusa, in keeping with its new player, new rules character, became the first in the world to offer direct flights between two world legendary destinations, which is Bali and Manado. This domestic route was launched in April, this year.Media ContactTrina Thomas RajMobile: +6012 4992672E-mail: trina@myqaseh.orgAbout TransNusaTransNusa Airline, is a Premium Service Carrier. After the take-over, in February 2024, the airline rebranded itself from being a Low-Cost Carrier to a Premium Service Carrier in line with its upgraded aircrafts that offers better comfort as well as based on the flexibility and quality of the services offered.TransNusa, which received its AOC certification on 9th September 2022, launch its first three A320 operations on 6th October, 14th October and 12th December, 2022. The airline, which became the first outside of China to utilise Comac, received its first ARJ21 on 22nd December, 2022. In 2023, TransNusa introduced a new business model making it the first Premium Service Carrier in the Asia Pacific region. TransNusa introduced its first international flight on 14th April, 2023. The airline is currently based in Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.On the international front, TransNusa flies to Singapore, Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur and Johor. The airline became the second Indonesian airline to fly to China and the first Indonesian airline to launch a Premium Service Carrier business model.Passengers can book their flights on the TransNusa website (www.transnusa.co.id), through authorized travel agents in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, or by contacting the airline's customer service centre at, +62216310888. For the Singaporean market, passengers can contact TransNusa's General Sales Agent, Chariot Travels Pte Ltd, at +65 86602719 while for the Malaysian market, passengers can contact MKM Ticketing Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd at +60378312581.Source: TransNusaCopyright 2024 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Launching the Mature Workers Programme

LONDON, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Halixia, a purpose-based UK fintech dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals, announced today that it is collaborating with the Adecco Group's Innovation Foundation, a Social Innovation Lab dedicated to increasing the employability and access to labour markets for underserved populations.

Together, they are working on the Innovation Foundation's groundbreaking Mature Workers Programme, aimed at supporting those between the ages of 50 and 65 in finding meaningful employment opportunities.

In a world where demographics of consumers are shifting and individuals are extending their careers, the Mature Workers Programme addresses the unique needs and challenges faced by both employers and employees.

Cynthia Hansen, Managing Director at the Innovation Foundation, said:

"At the Innovation Foundation, we recognise the immense value that mature workers bring to the workforce, particularly in economies or sectors reaching full employment rates. There currently exists little in the way of practical solutions to appropriately address the needs of older individuals to remain engaged in the workforce."

Mark Glover, Co-founder and Chief Collaborator at Halixia, said: "Our mission at Halixia is to empower individuals to live better longer lives. By partnering with the Innovation Foundation, we can extend our reach and impact by supporting mature workers in their journey to remain active, engaged, and fulfilled in the workforce".

"We believe that age should never be a barrier to meaningful employment," added Cynthia. "Together with Halixia, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and age-diverse workforce where everyone has the opportunity to continue learning, earning and contributing."

"Research consistently shows that staying engaged at work isn't just about earning a wage; it's a powerful antidote to the challenges often associated with ageing," explains Mark. "By remaining active in the workforce, older workers can not only increase their financial resilience but also combat stress, depression, isolation, and loneliness. Work provides a sense of purpose, social interaction, and mental stimulation, all of which are crucial for maintaining overall well-being as we age."

The Mature Workers Programme aims to assist enterprises in harnessing the advantages of a more mature workforce, as well as increasing the employability of mature workers themselves. Both the Innovation Foundation and Halixia are excited to embark on this collaborative initiative together.

For more information about the Mature Workers Program, please visit https://www.adeccogroup.com/innovationfoundation/projects/mature-workers or contact info@innovationfoundation.net.

About the Innovation Foundation

The Innovation Foundation is a Social Innovation Lab which supports sustainable livelihoods by creating practical solutions to increase the employability and access to labour markets for underserved populations. They identify people who are falling out of the workforce and their unmet needs and then develop solutions to meet those needs, working with experts and end-users. Their prototypes are then taken out into the world with the right partners on the ground. Empowered by the Adecco Group, the global Innovation Foundation leverages the vast know-how of a Fortune Global 500 company and the world's leading talent advisory and solutions company.

About Halixia

Halixia is a purpose-based startup committed to helping people live better longer lives. Through its innovative approach to aging, Halixia provides actionable insights and solutions to support individuals in achieving optimal health, well-being, and longevity. By empowering individuals to take control of their ageing journey, Halixia is redefining what it means to grow older today.

For media requests, please contact mediaenquiries@halixia.com

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CHICAGO, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "HPF Market by Type (PTFE, FEP, PFA/MFA, ETFE), Form, Application (Coatings & Liners, Components, Films, Additives), End-use Industry (Electrical & Electronics, Industrial Processing, Transportation, Medical), and Region - Global Forecast to 2029", HPF Market size is projected to grow from USD 4.6 billion in 2024 to USD 6.4 billion by 2029, registering a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period.

The growth of the HPF market is fueled by several key factors. Factors such as high heat resistance, low weight, high dimensional stability, and good chemical resistance increase the demand for HPF in the automotive industry. HPF is used in various parts of engines to improve the performance & durability of vehicles and manufacture different interior & exterior components in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Effective dielectric properties, biocompatibility, and lubricity of HPF lead the way for their adoption in medical surgeries and other procedures. HPF films are used for front and backing sheets of photovoltaic (PV) modules. When used as front sheets for PV modules, these films help improve the efficiency of solar cells since they transmit 95% of light. The large, developing middle-class population of Asia Pacific and rapid industrialization & growth in the manufacturing sector drive the demand for PTFE and other HPF in various industries, such as automotive, medical, chemical, and electrical & electronics.

Browse in-depth TOC on "HPF Market"

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"FEP, by type, is expected to be the second largest segment during the forecast period."

Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene FEP is a thermoplastic polymer and is a kind of melt-processible copolymer. It has the combined properties of TFE and hexafluoropropylene (HFP). It possesses superior properties, such as good thermal stability, high chemical inertness, low friction coefficient, excellent aging resistance, high impact strength, and vapor penetrating resistance. Its non-flammable nature and excellent electrical insulation make it the polymer of choice.

"Fine powder & dispersion is anticipated to be the second largest segment, by application, during the forecast period."

HPF are polymerized in water with a wetting agent. This may be used directly to impregnate fabrics or coagulated to make emulsion grade/fine powder/coagulated dispersion/paste grade of HPF. Emulsion grade HPF are used in the paste extrusion process. The powder is first blended with an extrusion aid (lubricant) to make a paste and then is extruded to produce tape, tube, or wire cover. Various grades are available for specific applications. Chemours is one of the leading producers of fluoropolymers that include PTFE fine powder resin.

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"Electrical & electronics is anticipated to be the largest segment, by end-use industry, during the forecast period."

HPF have significant applications in the electrical & electronics industry as they offer excellent electrical insulation properties under harsh conditions, such as high temperatures and aggressive chemicals. The industry exhibits developments in designing and manufacturing electronic components. High performance fluoropolymers further fuel these innovations as they enable the innovations of faster, smaller, and more durable microprocessors, semiconductors, and transistors. They also provide outstanding chemical and temperature resistance and design flexibility for component manufacturers and equipment designers. These properties make them better alternatives to traditional materials used in the electrical & electronics industry.

"South America is expected to be the second fastest-growing region in the global HPF market, by region, during the forecast period."

he HPF market in South America is expected to be driven by the automotive, oil & gas, and medical industries. Increasing health awareness, population growth, and expansion of production facilities in the region are the key drivers for the HPF market. The South American market for high-performance fluoropolymers is poised for significant growth, driven by increasing demand across various industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and chemical processing. These fluoropolymers are prized for their exceptional chemical resistance, thermal stability, and low friction properties, making them ideal for high-stress applications. Brazil and Argentina, being one of the largest economies in the region, are at the forefront of this demand, with substantial investments in manufacturing and infrastructure development.

The key players profiled in the report include Daikin (Japan), AGC Inc., (Japan), The Chemours Company (US), GFL Limited (India), Dongyue Group (China), 3M (US), Flourseals SpA (Italy), Hubei Everflon Polymer (China), Halopolymer (Russia), and Syensqo (Belgium).

Browse Adjacent Market: Resins and Polymers Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

ETFE Market - GLOBAL FORECAST TO 2028

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Market - GLOBAL FORECAST TO 2028

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report.

MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients.

Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes.

The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry.

To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Contact:

Mr. Aashish Mehra

MarketsandMarkets INC.

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Suite 430

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USA: +1-888-600-6441

Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com

Research Insights: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/fluor-polymer-market.asp

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hpf-market-worth-6-4-billion-by-2029--exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302168036.html
B2Prime, a leading global multi-asset and multi-market Prime of Prime liquidity provider, and Spotware, a premier and innovative trading platform provider, have announced a strategic partnership.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240610848632/en/

B2Prime, a Prime of Prime multi-asset liquidity provider, and cTrader, Spotware's flagship trading platform, have established a strategic partnership to expand trading opportunities. (Graphic: Business Wire)

The cTrader platform by Spotware is renowned for its advanced features that cater to professional traders:

Clear and stunning UI ? Visually appealing and comprehensive user interface with a possibility for deep customisation.

Multi-asset trading without latency ? A diverse range of supported asset classes alongside lightning-fast order entry and execution.

Depth of market (DOM) Level II pricing empowers traders to evaluate market sentiment and anticipate potential price movements with higher accuracy.

Top availability ? cTrader offers cross-platform accessibility with its Desktop, Mac, Web and Mobile (iOS and Android) apps.

Advanced risk management ? cTrader users are equipped with sophisticated protection tools to trade with confidence.

Algo trading solutions Out-of-the-box ecosystem for algo trading, with cBots, indicators and plugins.

Social trading platform ? cTrader Copy is an integrated platform where strategy providers and investors meet.

Nicholas Chrysochos, Executive Director of B2Prime, remarks:

"Numerous hedge funds, money managers, professional traders, algorithmic traders, systematic traders, and high-net-worth individuals have shown a keen interest in accessing our extensive liquidity pool. In response to this growing demand, we have chosen cTrader as the platform through which these clients can access our bespoke liquidity products across a wide range of jurisdictions. We are licensed by CySEC, allowing us to serve the entire EU market, and we also hold licenses in Mauritius and Seychelles. This strategic growth is part of our commitment to helping our clients excel in competitive global markets."

Currently, B2Prime has several outstanding platforms, namely OneZero, PrimeXM, now cTrader, and FIX API connectivity.

Ilia Iarovitcyn, CEO of Spotware Systems, comments:

"We are excited to continuously develop our liquidity provision network, expand the asset offering and enhance the reliability of our trading environment. Partnering with B2Prime contributes to delivering competitive pricing and an exceptional trading experience to our end users. With our cutting-edge technology and B2Prime's strategic growth, we are confident in driving innovation and success for our clients globally."

The collaboration between B2Prime and Spotware extends B2Prime's range of services and significantly enhances cTrader's liquidity offering, making it even more competitive. With a portfolio of over 200 instruments across six asset classes-FOREX, Crypto CFDs, Spot Indices, Precious Metals, Commodities, and NDFs-B2Prime offers one of the most comprehensive liquidity solutions on the market.

The company guarantees access to the deepest liquidity pools sourced from the most reputable providers, ensuring competitive spreads and swift execution. Additionally, B2Prime provides multi-currency prime margin accounts and an institutional tiered-margin approach.

Spotware is a global technology provider, successfully delivering cutting-edge fintech solutions and infrastructure for over 14 years. The company has cultivated a sophisticated network of 240+ brokers and prop firms. With a user base exceeding 4 million traders, cTrader, Spotware's flagship platform, stands out for its unparalleled innovativeness and user-friendly UI, setting new standards across the industry.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240610848632/en/

Contacts:

B2Prime

info@b2prime.com

+357 25 582 192



Spotware

sales@spotware.com

+357 25 344 902
Giovanni Valentini, an industry veteran with experience at L'Oreal and Unilever, has been appointed as the CEO of Amorepacific's North America RHQ, effective June 1, 2024.

In this role, Valentini is tasked with spearheading the group's strategic vision, including strengthening the region's organizational structure, optimizing operations, and championing the business objectives of Laneige, Innisfree, and Sulwhasoo, as well as new-to-market brands.

He will also assume global brand holder responsibility for US-based brand Tata Harper Skincare, which was acquired by Amorepacific in 2022.

SEOUL, South Korea, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amorepacific is set to intensify its efforts to further accelerate growth in the North American market by appointing a new head for its operations.

Amorepacific has appointed Giovanni Valentini as the new CEO of its North America Regional Headquarters, effective June 1st. Valentini, formerly General Manager of Lancome USA within L'Oreal's Luxe Division, is a seasoned beauty veteran who also brings extensive expertise from prior leadership roles with Armani Beauty, Kiehl's, and Unilever brands across different geographies. His proven track record of driving business success in European and American markets underscores his exceptional business acumen.

In recent years, Amorepacific's North American business has witnessed substantial growth. In 2023, the company's North American sales surged by 58% compared to the previous year, significantly outperforming industry averages. Consequently, the North American share of Amorepacific's international business expanded from 5.5% in 2021 to 20.5% in 2023. Leading skincare brands such as Laneige, Innisfree, and Sulwhasoo have been pivotal in this growth.

With Giovanni Valentini at the helm, Amorepacific aims to elevate its North American business further. The focus will be on expanding the customer base for its core brands - Laneige, Innisfree, Sulwhasoo, and Tata Harper - while continuing to diversify brand offerings in the US and Canada.

Meanwhile, Amorepacific has assigned Robin Na, the former head of North America, to lead the business in Japan. Recently, Amorepacific has been broadening its customer base in the region. With Na's extensive experience and proven capabilities in leading international business operations, Amorepacific aims to amplify its successes in the Japanese beauty market.

About Amorepacific

As Korea's leading beauty company, Amorepacific is devoted to meeting the various lifestyles and needs of global consumers around the world: Asia, North America, Europe, Oceania and the Middle East. Amorepacific's research hubs located around the world are dedicated to sustainable R&D that combines the best of natural Asian ingredients and advanced bio-technology. With its world-class products, Amorepacific is acclaimed for the innovative ways in which it is transforming global beauty trends.

More Information

https://www.apgroup.com/int/en/news/news.html

SOURCE Amorepacific
by Nils Peterson

I

I was telling a joke the other day on Zoom before a fairly large audience and I was telling it pretty well, Swedish accent and all. Its a joke I have told before and its usually well received. However, it requires the word tailgate for the punchline, and that word never came. I sort of hung there on the hook, on the punchline of my joke, dangling like a participle. Eventually someone figured out the word I was missing, finished my joke and we went on to the next teller.

Mostly the words are there on the end of my tongue when they are bid, but an old mans memory has a will of its own. It will recall what it wants to recall, no longer a servant to the old mans will. Once I wrote sometimes Memorys the CEO of a corporation grown too large. The boys in the mailroom cant keep up. Incoming and Outgoing bins overflow. Mail carts lose their letters as they plod from office to office. Another image Ive had is that of the word heroically setting off from a distant country maybe located at the base of the spine, but the journey is a heroic one, its riding a slow camel and must stop at oases on the way. No wonder it doesnt arrive till tomorrow, which, of course, never comes.

I wrote the above paragraph yesterday. This morning I remembered that a few months ago Id tried to tell the same joke and lost it at the same word. So, is there a reason why tailgate has chosen to remain elusive, declaring its independence, refusing to come when called? Maybe its joined some hidden cabal of words that no longer want to be biddable, though theyll arrive sometimes when they feel like it. If I ever tell the joke again, Im going to write the word down on paper before I set off. Im sure its quite possible that Ill know the word when I begin the joke, but by the punchline it might well have gone off on its own.

II

You old ones may remember when comic books had centerfolds? No, not pictures of naked ladies, but little jokes, letters, comments about this and that and sometimes poems. I think it the first poem I ever consciously tried to remember.

A sigh is just a breath of air

Coming from the heart,

But when it takes a southward course,

Its usually called a _______.

Yes, thats how it looked on the page. You, of course, filled in the blank.

Another thing. For years I sang with a madrigal group and we often sang April is in My Mistress Face and often I would introduce it with the anecdote from Garrison Keillors Lake Wobegon Days in which the shy young tenor, asked to sing his part alone at rehearsal in front of the beautiful conductor and the giggling sopranos choked up remembering when Bill Swenson instead of Within her bosom lies [sic] September, sang Within her bosom lies Bill Swenson.

Another memory. Dad had given me a kit to make a crystal radio. Some of you may remember those, a simple device, a little lever with what they called a cats whisker that you had to feel around the crystal with until you found a station. Very inexact. You also needed some kind of metal connection for an antenna, a radiator was often used. I used the springs under my mattress which worked pretty well. You listened through primitive ear phones at the faint crackly distant program. The wonder of it was that no one else could hear it and when you shut your door at night, ostensibly to sleep, you could listen as long as you wanted to and no one knew. Im remembering now The Count of Monte Cristo with its exciting introductory music that I learned later was from a piece by Leo Delibes. It was part of the introduction to classical music available when I was young. As was the Lone Ranger with its William Tell Overture. If you were really into it, you knew it was mixed in with a Liszt Prelude).

From The Paris Review

The bookstore, and especially the used bookstore, is vanishing from New York City. Today there are a few, but there used to be a multitude of them, crammed between kitchen appliance shops and laundromats and thrift stores. They all had temperamental cats prowling their aisles and they all smelled wonderfully of what a team of chemists in London has called a combination of grassy notes with a tang of acids and a hint of vanilla over an underlying mustiness. I miss terribly this stimulating fragrance, and the books that produce it, when its washed from the city for good.

This combination of grassy notes with a tang of acids and a hint of vanilla over an underlying mustiness is one of the worlds great smells. I fear it is on its way into The Land of the Lost, (a radio show which came on every Saturday morning in which the young hero and heroine would go to seek something lost because it was where all lost things ended up) though my grandson told me of the strange smell at Shakespeare and Co in Paris which he visited a couple of weeks ago. It may be soon alone to tell the tale. There was such a bookstore when I came to San Jose, California just down the street from my school. Yes, long gone. Going upstairs was always an adventure because of all the books stacked on each side of each step, and when you got there the nervousness continued because of the sagging floor and the loaded leaning shelving.

(As I typed this, I remembered the pillows stuffed with pine needles one used to buy at resort places in New England, how the forest lingered in your bureau drawer for years, and how every once in a while, you could pull it out, inhale, and remember.) And yes, here a little tribute to remembering what is really important.

What I learned in fourth grade

dust dances in a sun-streak

Rip Van Winkle slept twenty years

real ink in your inkwell changes things

P.S.

so much

depends upon

a round hole

in your desk

fitted now

with well, ink,

and your

own pen

III

A few moments of fierce but fickle snow this March morning. I sat looking at it for a while, even writing about it in a notebook with a new kind of pen whose scratches I can almost read. It felt good to get words down in the old way and not having to turn away from what I wanted to write about to hen-pick at my computer. The slant of the falling snow tickled my memory. Heres what it brought back.

what if a much of which of a wind

gives truth to the summers lie  ee cummings

How alive the world this light gray morning  trees with a November joy  a stout wind heads north and theyd like to join. One red leaf picks up stakes, lets go, and hums to itself Way Up North to Alaska  joined above by a stretched out pterodactylish cloud. In between a seagull shows off doing wheelies. But now the trees across the street seem just to be enjoying the moment  stretching and twisting as if they were in an arboreal pilates class with a beloved instructor.

The still point in this blowing, turning world  a distant narrow protestanty church steeple poking up above and beyond the neighborhood 7-11  church present, but invisible. My friend Memory, alive with a good aliveness this morning, sends me back:

Im walking my dog down the street and see a red leaf on a tree being blown and into my mind comes a phrase from Coleridges Christabel a poem I havent read for 70 years,

The lone red leaf

the last of its clan

dances something something

as fast as it can

Maybe later the missing words will come back, but in the meanwhile Im back, a sophomore in college in my survey of English Lit class and I can see the backs of the heads of Joanne, Betty, and Charlotte, and feel Dan Purdom sitting in the desk beside me. Theres Dorothy Darnell up front, our teacher, not much older than her students, doing her best. Shes checking to see if weve read the assignment. I havent, though Im trying to catch up in class. Thats why I sit in the back row so I can skim through the book while hoping not to be called on. And then 

Im back walking down the street waiting for my dog to go about his business. And now Im sitting in my chair watching the wind giving the truth to the summers lie.

With the help of google  the quotation as it should be.

The one red leaf, the last of its clan,

That dances as often as dance it can,

Hanging so light, and hanging so high,

On the topmost twig that looks up at the sky.
Global sustainability firm SLR acquires environmental consultancy based in Santiago, Chile.

SGA (Gestion Ambiental S.A.), a leading environmental consultancy established more than 30 years ago in Chile, has been acquired by SLR, one of the world's biggest multidisciplinary sustainability consultancy and engineering firms.

Headquartered in Santiago, SGA's team of 170 expert consultants specialises in the mining, energy and infrastructure sectors across all regions of Chile, partnering with clients to strategically advise on complex projects that ensure environmental, social and economic viability in their transition to a low carbon economy. Some of their client partners include Aguas Andinas, Aguas Pacifico, Anglo American, BHP, Collahuasi, Codelco, Conexion, Enel, Engie, Eramet, GNL Quintero, Glencore, Interchile and SIMCO.

SLR's growing presence and continued investment in Latin America aligns with the organisation's global strategic priorities to expand our services to existing clients in the region, while introducing them to new services in the Advisory and Engineering space. The acquisition of SGA further strengthens the global capability of SLR, creating one of the largest, linguistic ESG strategic advisory teams in the world.

Bradley Andrews, SLR's CEO, said, "I am delighted to welcome SGA to SLR. The team brings strong and well-established capabilities in a region where we see high potential and are actively investing in to complement and grow our existing advisory team in Santiago. SGA's experience in mining, energy and infrastructure further complements SLR's existing portfolio of projects across our sustainability solutions and I look forward to leveraging that combined expertise to access new markets and exploring the opportunities within the energy and financial sectors.

Jaime Solari, CEO at SGA adds, "We are thrilled to become part of SLR. Our extensive experience in leading sustainability efforts, combined with SLR's global network and wide range of services, give us greater capabilities to partner with clients and offer exceptional strategic advice and technical expertise on projects and more."

AEC Advisors initiated the transaction and served as exclusive financial advisor to SGA. Please visit SGA for more details on their services, client experience, team and capabilities.

SGA, an SLR company





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from SLR on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: SLR

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/slr

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: SLR

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Collaboration between Infinite Acres and partner companies promises to accelerate growth in the vertical farming industry

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / Today, Infinite Acres, a technology-focused subsidiary of the American vertical farming company 80 Acres Farms, is opening a first-of-its-kind research center at its Dutch headquarters.





The Infinite Acres Experience Center

Part of a first-of-its-kind vertical farming research hub in The Hague





For nearly a decade, 80 Acres Farms has been a global leader in the vertical farming industry, with facilities in the United States and Europe. Today, the company's production farms supply fresh produce and grab-and-go meals to more than 1,500 retail locations across the eastern United States.

Working with best-in-class technology partners to design, build, and maintain those farms, the Infinite Acres team recognized an opportunity for closer collaboration. The Infinite Acres Field Lab and Experience Center, located near the Dutch greenhouses that have led the world in high-tech agriculture for decades, is a hub for industrial innovation and sustainable solutions.

"Innovation requires collaboration," says Tisha Livingston, CEO of Infinite Acres and co-founder of 80 Acres Farms. "By bringing partners into our research center, we're closing a feedback loop and accelerating our learnings, for the benefit of farmers everywhere. This is a collaborative space where we can innovate to solve global problems." By shortening supply chains, reducing food waste, and producing more food with fewer resources, vertical farming promises a healthier and more sustainable future.

At the Field Lab and Experience Center, researchers and experts from Infinite Acres will work side-by-side with partner companies, including Siemens, Signify, SICK, and TTA, which are directly supporting the project. The facility will also be open to student researchers. Infinite Acres is a member of Wageningen University's Club of 100, and the company hopes to further its collaboration with Wageningen while engaging TU Delft and other Dutch and American universities.

"With challenges like a growing population and climate change, which, amongst many other severe consequences leads to soil degradation, we must rethink traditional food production. Digitalization and cutting-edge technologies such as AI are key to scale the sustainability impact in food production and vertical farming industry, and it is people who develop this technology to positively impact others," stated Dirk De Bilde, CEO of Siemens Nederland. "The opening of the Field Lab and Experience Center is an important milestone and sets a new standard for collaboration in vertical farming. It shows our shared commitment to a more sustainable future."

About Infinite Acres

Infinite Acres is a Dutch-American technology company with a green thumb. A subsidiary of 80 Acres Farms founded in 2019, Infinite Acres combines Dutch horticultural technology with American manufacturing and processing technology for industry-leading innovation in hardware, software, and plant genetics.

About 80 Acres Farms

80 Acres Farms is a vertical farming leader based in Hamilton, Ohio. Founded by Mike Zelkind and Tisha Livingston in 2015, the company operates indoor farms built with world-class technology and analytics by its Dutch-American technology subsidiary, Infinite Acres. Using 100% renewable electricity and 95% less water per pound of produce, the company's farms provide consumers with a range of pesticide-free harvests that last longer at home, reducing food waste and exceeding the highest standards in food safety. Consumers can find the company's branded salads, salad kits, herbs, microgreens, and tomatoes at more than 1,500 retailers and restaurants across the eastern United States.

Contact Information

Jed Portman

Senior Manager, Public Affairs

jed.portman@eafarms.com

8434122863

Related Images

The Infinite Acres Experience Center

Part of a first-of-its-kind vertical farming research hub in The Hague An 80 Acres Farms facility in Hamilton, Ohio

Designed, built, and supported by Infinite Acres

SOURCE: 80 Acres Farms

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Patrick J. Burns To Lead Pershing's Generative Exploration Project Program as Director of Project Development

RENO, NV / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / Pershing Resources Company Inc., (OTCPK:PSGR), is pleased to announce that Mr. Patrick J. Burns has taken an executive role with the Company and will assume the position of Director of Project Development. In his new role, Mr. Burns will focus on developing the Company's project pipeline while advancing the New Enterprise Property and other nearby related properties in the Enterprise Exploration Project Area.

Mr. Burns will collaborate closely with Director of Exploration; Neil D. Novak, P. Geo, and Luis A. Vega, (Technical Advisor), as well as Dr. Ed Walker who remains the Company's Principal Independent Consultant on the New Enterprise Project near Kingman Arizona. The Company has acquired a few other prospects related to the New Enterprise Project area, which are spread out over more than fifty square miles in northwestern Arizona near the Enterprise Property. Pershing's pursuit of high value properties in northwestern Arizona and southeastern Nevada, along the Walker Trend continues with Pat's new role with Pershing Resources.

The Company has been reviewing the multi-terabyte proprietary geophysical data set that was captured during the 2020-2021 Heli-borne magnetic survey. The survey covered a total of approximately 150 square miles at moderate density flight line spacing with high density flight lines (75-meter flight lines) over the centrally located Enterprise Property in the Project Area. A number of strong magnetic lineaments (manifestations of faulting and/or geological contacts) as well as other large ovoid anomalies that have been under review, some of which have been field confirmed, some of which have been subjected to proprietary processing (by SHA Geophysics) since early 2021. The Company is focused upon a geological / geophysical structural trend that has been outlined within the Hualapai and Cerbat mountain ranges in Mohave County, Arizona.

The New Enterprise Project covers 11.84 square miles, or 3,068 hectares, and is within the Maynard Mining District near Kingman, Arizona. The property includes four key exploration targets with known copper porphyry-related mineralization that were historically mined (early 1900's) that have never been drill-tested to the knowledge of the Company, all of which are located within a "structural corridor" four miles long and 0.4 miles wide. These areas of mineralization are discussed in the SK-1300 Technical Report Summary received in May of 2022, (the "Report") Current Technical Report: Pershing Resources Company, Inc. (PSGR) (pershingpm.com)

The New Enterprise Project area lies between the Mineral Park Mine, twenty miles to the northwest and the Bagdad Mine, forty-five miles to the southeast, both of which are within the copper producing Laramide Arc.

Edward C. Walker, Ph.D., P.Geo., author of the SK-1300 Technical Report, is an independent consultant to the Company, and a "qualified person" as defined under the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

An updated Technical Presentation on Pershing Resources' New Enterprise Project is available on our website at: https://www.pershingpm.com/projects/the-new-enterprise-project/technical-presentation

To receive information on Pershing Resources, sign up for email news alerts at: http://ir.pershingpm.com/

Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained in this press release, as well as the information on the Company's website, is provided solely for the reader's general knowledge. Such information is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all matters pertaining to the Company. Certain statements included herein, and, on the Company's, website , constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current knowledge, assumptions, judgment, and expectations regarding future performance or events. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such statements are reasonable, these forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to the Company's management. When used in this press release and on the Company's website, words such as "anticipate," "believe," "contemplate," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "hope," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "possibility," "potential," "predict," "project," "should,' "target," "will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, and/or achievements of the Company or of the mining industry, in general, to be materially different from future results, performance, and/or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include uncertainties related to fluctuations in gold, silver, copper, and other precious and base metals commodity prices, uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology of the Company's properties, uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs, the need for cooperation of government agencies in the development of the Company's mineral projects, the need to obtain additional financing to develop the Company's mineral projects, the possibility of delay in development programs or in construction projects, uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones for the Company's mineral projects, the risks associated with the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 and its variants such as Delta and Omicron and the recent BZ.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants, the risks associated with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and other risks and uncertainties affecting the Company's business operations and financial condition.

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company has no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, revise, or correct any of the forward-looking statements.

CONTACT:

Pershing Resources Company, Inc.

200 South Virginia Street, 8th Floor

Reno, NV 89501

Phone: 775-398-3124

Email: info.psgr@pershingpm.com

SOURCE: Pershing Resources Company, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Kupfer wird oft als das Gold der Energiewende bezeichnet, weil es aufgrund seiner hervorragenden elektrischen Leitfahigkeit eine zentrale Rolle in vielen Technologien spielt, die fur nachhaltige Energiesysteme entscheidend sind. Experten gehen aufgrund der Angebotsknappheit von einem Superzyklus aus.

Korrektur als Einstiegschance

Nach Hochststanden im Mai korrigierte das rote Metall stark. Die Abwartsspirale verstarkte sich in den vergangenen Tagen aufgrund schwacher Konjunkturdaten aus den USA und China. Langfristig konnte sich die aktuell laufende Korrektur als exzellente Einstiegsmoglichkeit herausstellen.

3 Kupferaktien mit hohem Potential

Im neuen, kostenlosen Spezialreport stellen wir drei aussichtsreiche Unternehmen vor, die bei einem weiteren Anstieg uberproportional profitieren konnten.

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Erinnern Sie sich, als Moderna und BioNTech von unbekannten Unternehmen zu globalen Marktfuhrern wurden und fruhzeitige Investoren reich belohnt haben?



Die Branche steht vor einem erneuten Innovationsschub  von bahnbrechenden Medikamenten bis hin zu revolutionaren Therapien.



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Die nachste Erfolgsgeschichte im Biotechbereich warten nur darauf, entdeckt zu werden. Wer jetzt investiert, hat die Chance, von gigantischen Durchbruchen und enormen Renditen zu profitieren. Warten Sie nicht, bis es zu spat ist - der nachste Biotech-Superstar konnte morgen schon durchstarten!



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Finsbury Growth & Income Trust PLC - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, June 10

For immediate release

10 June 2024

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announce that it has today purchased 206,901 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 838.85 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company.

The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 23 January 2024.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 44,457,103; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 180,534,200.

The figure of 180,534,200 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For and on behalf of

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Hale

Frostrow Capital LLP

Tel: 020 3 170 8732
FIGEAC AERO (FR0011665280 - FGA:FP), a leading partner for major aerospace manufacturers, today announces that it has signed two new contracts worth a total of around 90 million to produce single-aisle commercial aircraft parts.

Thomas Girard, FIGEAC AERO's Chief Operating Officer, made the following statement: "We are very pleased to have been awarded these two new contracts. They further reinforce our position on commercial aircraft programmes that are spearheading efforts to upgrade single-aisle fleets to more fuel-efficient aircraft. These latest agreements are fully in line with the targets set out under our PILOT 28 strategic plan and provide yet more evidence of our ability to reconcile a competitive offering with financial performance".



AGREEMENTS STEMMING FROM LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS

The two contracts cover a large selection of titanium and aluminium parts alike, destined to the recent Airbus A220 and Boeing 737 MAX single-aisle programmes. They cover the whole spectrum of the Group's activities and will make use of several of its major sites, both in France and overseas. The contracts will also rely on dedicated production flows and optimized logistics thanks to very close proximity with the customers. They therefore demonstrate just how competitive FIGEAC AERO's industrial setup is.

The contracts also stem from long-term partnerships built up with major firms in the global commercial aerospace sector. They consist of a combination of contract extension, market share increase as well as new part numbers outsourced by the customer for the first time.



OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE ON BOTH THE INDUSTRIAL AND FINANCIAL FRONTS

Production under these two contracts will run until 2032 and ramp ups are scheduled in the second half of 2024 and in 2026, respectively.

A dedicated workshop organised into production islands will optimise productivity, direct costs and working capital, and the Group will benefit from a combination of know-how and immediate proximity with the customer, allowing an efficient scaled-for-growth industrial setup while optimising its use of resources. FIGEAC AERO is once again showcasing its ability to make its offering ever more competitive while at the same time optimising its financial performance, all the while meeting each of the financial criteria set by the Group.

The two contracts combined are worth a total of around 90 million, of which some 40 million pertaining to new part numbers, contract extensions and expansions of allocated market shares.



ANOTHER MAJOR STEP CLOSER TO THE TARGETS SET OUT UNDER PILOT 28

The two agreements should generate annual revenue of around 6 million by 2028, so the Group is taking a major step forward in the growth trajectory set out under its PILOT 28 plan.

Factoring in all the contracts it has recently won in the commercial aerospace segment[1], the Group has thus already secured close to 15% of its full-year new business revenue target of 80-100 million out to 2028[2].

Upcoming events (after trading)

26 June 2024: results for FY 2023/24

About FIGEAC AERO

The FIGEAC AERO Group, a leading partner for major aerospace manufacturers, specialises in producing light alloy and hard metal structural parts, engine parts, landing gear and sub-assemblies. FIGEAC AERO is a global group operating in France, the USA, Morocco, Mexico, Romania and Tunisia. The Group generated annual revenue of 397.2 million in the year to 31 March 2024.

FIGEAC AERO



Jean-Claude Maillard

Chief Executive Officer

Tel.: +33 (0)5 65 34 52 52



Simon Derbanne

Head of Investor and Institutional Relations

Tel.: +33 (0)5 81 24 63 91 / simon.derbanne@figeac-aero.com ACTUS finance & communication



Corinne Puissant

Analyst/Investor Relations

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 77 / cpuissant@actus.fr



Manon Clairet

Press Relations

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 73 / mclairet@actus.fr

Glossary

Term / indicator Definition Current EBITDA Current operating income (loss) adjusted for net depreciation, amortisation and provisions before the breakdown of R&D expenses capitalised by the Group by type Backlog Sum of orders received and to be received extrapolated over a 10-year period for each contract and request for proposals won, based on build rates announced and then projected and a EUR/USD exchange rate of 1.12 Organic At constant scope and exchange rates DIO (Days of Inventory Outstanding) Average number of days of revenue for which an item of inventory is held Debt leverage Ratio of net debt excluding non-interest-bearing debt to current EBITDA Capex Investments in fixed assets ORNANE Bonds redeemable into cash and/or new and/or existing shares Free cash-flow Net cash-flow from operating activities before cost of financial debt and taxes, minus net cash-flow from investing activities

[1] https://www.figeac-aero.com/en/figeac-aero-awarded-3-new-contracts-north-american-customers

[2] Based on the low end of the new business target range, i.e. 80 million

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Avolta AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

HMSHost Awarded New 15-Year Contract to Bring Fresh Dining Options to North America's Sacramento International Airport



10.06.2024 / 18:30 CET/CEST





Leader in travel dining will bring a strong flavor of Sacramento to the airport, introducing outposts of locally loved restaurants and national brands, enhancing the passenger experience by transforming nearly 16,700 ft2 of concessions space across Terminals A and B. Global restaurateur HMSHost, part of Avolta AG (SIX: AVOL) and a world leader in creating dining for travel venues, today announced it was awarded a new 15-year contract to open nine new dining options at Sacramento International Airport (SMF) in North America - part of the airport's transformation of its food and beverage offerings with a strong emphasis on showcasing local brands.



Under the new contract, HMSHost will redevelop nearly 16,700 ft2 of concessions space across Terminals A and B to bring a mix of local flair and global tastes to SMF. Travelers will soon have the opportunity to get a taste of Sacramento during their journey at outposts of locally loved restaurants, including: Cafe Bernardo - Coming to Terminal B, Cafe Bernardo, by the renowned Paragary Restaurant Group, is a casual Sacramento restaurant concept based on the European tradition of cafe dining. The SMF location will serve Cafe Bernardo's exceptional farm-to-fork menu, offer bar and patio seating, and have a dedicated quick-service counter with to-go options.



Centro Cocina Mexicana - Also part of Sacramento's esteemed Paragary Restaurant Group, Centro Cocina Mexicana has been serving the finest regional Mexican cuisine for over 25 years. The Terminal A restaurant will showcase Centro's signature items in a quick-service format to offer travelers authentic, high-quality food on the go.



Magpie - A fixture of Sacramento's dining scene, Magpie will bring food reflective of the cultural and agricultural bounties of California's Central Valley to Terminal A at SMF. Here, travelers will have the chance to enjoy farm-to-table fare that celebrates what makes the city and region special.



New Helvetia Brewing Company - Founded in Sacramento in 2012, New Helvetia Brewing Company is a community brewery celebrating Sacramento's history - with a name that is a nod to the very beginning of the city's early roots. At the Terminal A outpost, travelers will get a taste of local craft beer that is brewed just a few miles away. In addition to these locally born brands, HMSHost will unveil a beautifully renovated Starbucks in Terminal B along with two hybrid Starbucks locations in Terminal A, both of which will have a complementary retail store. Both Sycamore Market and Golden Grove Market were created in partnership with Avolta travel retailer Hudson and will offer travelers the opportunity to enjoy their Starbucks beverage or bite while perusing a curated assortment of travel essentials, snacks, tech, books, magazine, and local products and gifts.



Also landing soon at SMF will be two new Wendy's restaurants to serve passengers in Terminals A and B.



"We are excited and honored that Sacramento County Department of Airports and the Board of Supervisors have chosen to expand their partnership with HMSHost. It has been a wonderful opportunity to share our vision for enhancing the experience for millions of travelers at Sacramento International Airport, and we are especially pleased to collaborate with so many local businesses to introduce their phenomenal food and products to the airport," said Steve Johnson, President and CEO, North America, Avolta. "We believe that our new dining options will offer visitors to the airport a strong sense of place, variety of choices, and culinary experiences that are worth arriving early for."



"The addition of celebrated local restaurants operated by a trusted partner like HMSHost will offer travelers a taste of our vibrant culinary scene right here in our terminals," said Cindy Nichol, Director, Sacramento County Department of Airports. "This will enhance our customer experience and continue to grow our airport into a true gateway to the best our region has to offer." HMSHost will operate the new dining venues as joint ventures with multiple Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) partners, including LaTrelle's, Skyview Concessions, Inc., JNK Elite Concessions Management, and Kelly's Place, Inc. About Sacramento Department of Airports



The Sacramento County Department of Airports is responsible for planning, developing, operating and maintaining the county's four airports: Sacramento International Airport , Executive Airport , Mather Airport and Franklin Field . Sacramento International Airport offers more than 155 daily nonstop flights on 12 domestic and international carriers to 36 destinations. The regional economic impact of the Sacramento County Department of Airports is more than $4 billion annually. For more information, visit sacramento.aero. For further information:



CONTACT

REBECCA McCLELLAN CATHY JONGENS Global Head

Investor Relations Director Corporate

Communications Phone: +44 7543 800405 Phone: +41 79 288093 rebecca.mcclellan@ avolta.net cathy.jongens@avolta.net



End of Media Release


ZIGUP plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, June 10

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

10 June 2024

ZIGUP PLC

("ZIGUP" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Transaction in Own Shares

ZIGUP plc (LSE:ZIG) announces that on 10 June 2024 2024 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury:

Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 50,000 Weighted average purchase price paid 419.25 pence per share Highest purchase price paid 420 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid 418.5 pence per share

Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 20,139,362 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 225,952,061 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme.

Schedule of Purchases - Individual Transactions (as at 10 June 2024)

Number of shares

purchased Transaction price

(GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 25,000 25,000 420.00 418.50 08:20:39 15:06:11 00070222330TRLO0 00070232495TRLO0 LSE LSE

Notes

This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6.

For further information contact:

Buchanan

David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000

Notes to Editors:

ZIGUP (formerly Redde Northgate plc) is the leading integrated mobility solutions provider, with a platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle to help people keep on the move, smarter. The Company offers mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across a broad range of areas from vehicle rental and fleet management to accident management, vehicle repairs, service and maintenance.

The mobility landscape is changing, becoming ever more connected and ZIGUP uses its knowledge and expertise to guide customers through the transformation, whether that is more digitally connected solutions or supporting the transition to lower carbon mobility through providing EVs, charging solutions and consultancy.

The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, smarter - through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With our considerable scale and reach, ZIGUP's mission is to offer an imaginative, market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group seeks to achieve this through the delivery of its new strategic framework of Enable, Deliver and Grow.

ZIGUP supports its customers through a network and diversified fleet of approx. 130,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 700,000 managed vehicles, with over 175 branches across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 7,500 employees. We are a trusted partner to many of the leading insurance and leasing companies, blue chip corporates and a broad range of businesses across a diverse range of sectors. Our strength comes not only from our breadth of our award-winning solutions, but from our extensive network reach, our wealth of experience and continual focus on delivering an exceptional customer experience.

Further information regarding ZIGUP plc can be found on the Company's website: www.zigup.com
FABRICE SANA LEAVES THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, WITH A NEW CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER TO JOIN IN EARLY SEPTEMBER 2024

SEBASTIEN BRACHET APPOINTED CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Paris, June 10, 2024 - Ateme (ISIN: FR0011992700) announces that Chief Finance Officer (CFO), Fabrice Sana, will leave the Group having decided to pursue new professional endeavors. The Company will announce Fabrice Sana's successor as CFO and member of the Corporate Leadership team in early September 2024.

Parallel to this, Ateme has appointed Sebastien Brachet as Chief Operations Officer (COO). Sebastien succeeds Joseph Soueidi who has held the position since 2009.

Sebastien Brachet brings over 23 years of IT experience, with a focus on software. He has held various international management roles, including Managing Director, Head of Operations, Business Development Manager, and Purchasing Director. He spent a significant portion of his career at Bull, then at Atos since 2015. At Atos, Sebastien served as Head of Operations - Big Data (2015-2017) and Managing Director of Evidian (2017-2021), an Atos subsidiary specializing in cybersecurity software and Identity and Access Management solutions, where he secured major contracts with Tier 1 operators globally. Before joining Ateme in 2021, Sebastien was Chief Operating Officer for Red-on-line, a SaaS software developer specializing in HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) compliance and risk management.

Michel Artieres, Ateme President and CEO, commented: "

"I would like to warmly thank Fabrice Sana for his significant contributions to Ateme over the past 17 years. Fabrice has greatly contributed to the structuring and development of Ateme, notably marked by the successful IPO 10 years ago, surpassing 100 million in revenue in 2023, and the strategic acquisition of Anevia. In September, we will welcome a new Chief Financial Officer with experience in publicly traded companies and the tech sector, as we focus on growing our revenue, particularly MRR, and improving our operational profitability.

I would also like to express my gratitude to Joseph Soueidi, who has greatly contributed to Ateme's development during his 15 years as Head of Operations. His successor, Sebastien Brachet, brings us over 20 years of experience in various operational roles, particularly at Bull and Atos. With a highly international profile and a wide range of expertise, Sebastien will help Ateme tackle the many challenges in the coming years!"

Next events:

June 12, 2024: Annual Shareholder's Meeting

July 11, 2024: 2024 Second Quarter Revenues

About Ateme

Ateme is a global leader of video compression and delivery solutions helping Tier-1 Content Providers, Service Providers and Streaming Platforms to boost their viewership and subscription engagement.

Leveraging a unique R&D task force in the video industry, Ateme's solutions power green sustainable TV services, improve end-users' quality of experience, optimize the total cost of ownership of TV/VOD services and generate new revenue streams based on personalization and ad insertion. Beyond the technology agility, Ateme's value proposition is to partner with his customers by offering a great flexibility in the engagement and business models matching their financial priorities. A consequence is a rapid shift to Recurring Revenues, boosting the company resilience and creating long term value for the shareholders.

Founded in 1991, Ateme has 580 employees spread over its headquarters in France and 20 offices around the world including the USA, Brazil, Argentina, UK, Spain, Germany, the UAE, Singapore, China, Korea, and Australia.

Ateme has been listed on the Paris Euronext market since 2014 and in November 2020 it made the acquisition of Anevia, a provider of OTT and IPTV software solutions. In 2023, Ateme served close to 1,000 customers worldwide with revenues of 100 million, of which more than 90% outside its home market.

Find out more: www.ateme.com.

Name: ATEME - ISIN Code: FR0011992700 - Ticker: ATEME - Compartment: C

Ateme INVESTOR RELATIONS PRESS RELATIONS Michel Artieres

Chairman and CEO Mathieu Omnes

Tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 92

ateme@actus.fr Amaury Dugast

Tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 74

adugast@actus.fr

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LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / Rotageek continues to secure new clients, with a solution designed to address key findings from Gallup's State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report. These solutions are aimed at empowering organisations to improve engagement in an evolving work landscape.

According to Gallup, workforce engagement is fluctuating globally due to the lingering effects of the pandemic, advances in modern technology, and changing employee expectations. In response, Rotageek's workforce management tools help businesses adapt by promoting flexible management styles and using advanced technology to maintain a competitive advantage and employee satisfaction.

The report also highlights regional variations in stress and engagement levels, requiring unique management strategies that consider cultural and regional contexts.

Post-pandemic, Rotageek supports industries where remote work isn't possible by offering solutions like flexible scheduling and enhanced communication structures, which are essential for reducing stress and encouraging a productive work environment.

"Employee engagement still remains one of the top priorities for our customers. Businesses are looking for ways to not only better engage frontline employees, but also reduce the admin burden and stress in head offices. As many places of work have evolved to be able to offer flexible and hybrid working, location-based businesses such as those in the retail and hospitality industry aren't able to keep up.

However, with innovative digital workforce management solutions that make it simple for employees to submit preferences, see who they're working with on shift and swap, drop and pick up shifts at any time, it can come close. Solutions like Rotageek, aim to promote flexible management, increase employee satisfaction and lower stress levels in these industries where true flexible working isn't possible" said Chris McCullough, CEO at Rotageek.

Rotageek's technology is key for businesses refining their workforce strategies in 2024, making sure they thrive amidst global workforce shifts.

For more information, visit https://www.rotageek.com/blog/enhancing-tomorrows-workforce-today.

About Rotageek

Rotageek is a leading provider of workforce management solutions that help businesses optimise staffing, increase engagement, and improve productivity. Their workforce management solutions range from intuitive digital schedules to AI optimised rotas using forecasts from data points at your locations.

Disclaimer

Note: The insights by Rotageek are based on an analysis of Gallup's State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report. The views expressed are those of Rotageek and do not necessarily reflect those of Gallup, Inc.

Media Contact:

Organization: Rotageek

Contact Person: Chris McCullough

Website: https://www.rotageek.com/

Email: hello@rotageek.com

City: London

State: Greater London

Country: United Kingdom

SOURCE: Rotageek

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Zurich Testing Validates Wireless Network Enablement of Fully Autonomous Applications

Malvern, Pennsylvania, the pioneer of Kinetic Mesh wireless networks, and Embotech, a leading provider of autonomous driving solutions for private grounds and smart factories, have partnered to advance port autonomy. Zurich testing of Rajant's networking with Embotech's autonomous driving solution implemented in a terminal truck demonstrated highly reliable, low latency, high bandwidth connectivity for communications in tele-operated and autonomous applications.

"A port environment is very dynamic with a lot of metal and moving equipment, such as cranes, tractors, and containers", shares Erich Smidt, Rajant Vice President of Sales, EMEA. "These obstructions block RF signals, and Rajant's unique Kinetic Mesh solution ensures high availability and reliability of real-time connectivity to support their autonomous applications. The testing results at the port proved Rajant is the right communication technology for this environment."

Dr. Giorgio Corbellini, Head of Commercial Vehicle Automation at Embotech states, "Network availability is a critical requirement for a port deployment that operates 24/7, 365 days a year. This pilot project shows how the autonomous vehicle can use Rajant Kinetic Mesh to get correction service for the local RTK station and get the transportation tasks from the control tower. Unlike less stable wireless technologies, Rajant met the challenges with continuous connectivity, enabling the decoupling of the autonomous fleet and the rest of the operations for security reasons. Overall, Embotech is impressed with Rajant's expertise. Our collaboration on the testing ground in Zurich was instrumental in validating the concept. The seamless transition to the actual site speaks volumes about the quality of their work. We're excited to see the technology's potential applications move forward and unfold globally."

Look for Rajant and Embotech at TOC Europe 2024 this week. Contact Erich Smidtto meet us there.

####

About Embotech

.

Embotech is a leading provider of autonomous driving solutions for private grounds and smart factories. The company's automation solutions bring significant improvements in safety, productivity, and energy efficiency to logistics yards, ports, mines and smart factories. Embotech provides an L4 system capable of planning and executing highly complex and dynamic manoeuvres, which makes it ideal for driving around dynamic obstacles, in tight spaces and mixed traffic. Applications include commercial vehicles and automated vehicle marshalling (AVM) as well as industrial robotics automation. Zurich, Switzerland serves as Embotech's headquarter with additional teams based in Germany and Serbia. For more information, visit embotech.com

About Rajant Corporation

Rajant Corporation is the broadband communications technology company that invented Kinetic Mesh networking, BreadCrumb wireless nodes, and InstaMesh networking software. With Rajant and its family of products, customers can rapidly deploy a highly adaptable and scalable network that leverages the power of real-time data to deliver on-demand, mission-critical business intelligence. A low-latency, high-throughput, and secure solution for a variety of data, voice, video, and autonomous applications, Rajant's Kinetic Mesh networks provide industrial customers with full mobility, allowing them to take their private network applications and data anywhere. With successful deployments in more than 80 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, rail, energy, manufacturing and logistics, municipalities, agriculture, and more, Rajant is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with additional facilities and offices in Arizona and Kentucky. For more information, visit Rajant.comor follow Rajant on LinkedIn and YouTube.

Attachment
Metals Acquisition Limited ARBN 671 963 198 (NYSE: MTAL; ASX: MAC), a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (the "Company" or "MAC"), today announced the completion of the redemption of its public warrants and private placement warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the "Ordinary Shares"), that remained outstanding at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on June 5, 2024 (the "Redemption Date

On May 6, 2024, the Company announced that it would redeem all of its Warrants that remained outstanding on the Redemption Date for a redemption price of $0.10 per Warrant. Prior to 5:00 p.m. New York City Time on the Redemption Date, Warrant holders could elect to: (1) exercise their Warrants for cash, at an exercise price of $11.50 per Ordinary Share, or (2) surrender their Warrants on a "cashless basis" (a "Make Whole Exercise") for a number of Ordinary Shares determined in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement, dated as of July 28, 2021, between Metals Acquisition Corp and Continental Stock Transfer Trust Company. On May 21, 2024, the Company announced that holders who exercise their Warrants pursuant to a Make-Whole Exercise would receive 0.3063 Ordinary Shares per Warrant.

1,026 Warrants were exercised at an exercise price of $11.50 per Ordinary Share and 15,344,751 Warrants were exercised on a "cashless basis," resulting in the exercise of approximately 99.82% of the outstanding Warrants (of which approximately 0.01% were exercised for cash and 99.81% were exercised on a "cashless basis") and in the issuance of an aggregate of 4,701,071 Ordinary Shares. The remaining 27,753 Warrants remained unexercised on the Redemption Date and were redeemed by the Company for cash.

Accordingly, the Company will have 74,055,263 Ordinary Shares and no public warrants or private placement warrants outstanding as a result of the redemption of the Warrants. The Company continues to have 3,187,500 financing warrants outstanding to purchase Ordinary Shares, which were issued to Sprott Private Resource Lending II (Collector-2), LP in connection with a mezzanine loan note facility entered into on March 10, 2023.

The table below sets out the impact of the Warrant redemption on the share capital and cash position of the Company as well as the dilution to the holders of Ordinary Shares (including Ordinary Shares which are represented by Chess Depository Interests ("CDIs") on the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") as at the time of the initial announcement on May 6, 2024:

Aggregate number of Ordinary Shares issued 4,701,071 Cash received from redemption of Warrants $11,799.00 Dilution to existing issued Ordinary Shares (%) 6.35% Total number of Ordinary Shares on issue 74,055,263

The Warrants have ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange and have been delisted. The redemption of the Warrants had no effect on the trading of the Ordinary Shares which continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MTAL.

Updated Substantial Shareholder Information

As a result of the Warrant redemption, the table below sets out the information known to MAC as at the date of this announcement concerning the substantial holdings in MAC's Ordinary Shares and CDIs. Terms which are defined in Chapter 6C of the Australian Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ("Corporations Act") are used with their defined meanings.

Name of substantial holder Record Holder(s) (if different) Ordinary Shares CDIs held (as at date of previous notices) % of total Ordinary Shares CDIs on issue (as at date of previous notices) Ordinary Shares CDIs held (as at date of this notice) % of total Ordinary Shares CDIs on issue (as at date of this notice) Glencore Operations Australia Pty Limited N/A 10,000,0001 14.4% 10,000,000 13.5% Blackrock, Inc. BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund BlackRock World Mining Trust plc BlackRock Global Funds World Mining Fund BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Metals and Mining Sleeve 6,332,5112 9.1% 6,332,511 8.6% Fourth Sail Fourth Sail Discovery LLC Fourth Sail Long Short LLC 5,954,5451 8.6% 6,104,694 8.2% United Super Pty Ltd United Super Pty Ltd ABN 46 006 261 623 as trustee for the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund ABN 75 493 363 5,337,434 3 7.7% 4,845,138 6.5% Osisko Bermuda Limited N/A 4,000,0001 5.8% 4,000,000 5.4% ____________________ 1 As at notice dated February 19, 2024. 2 As at notice dated May 3, 2024. 3 As at notice dated February 26, 2024.

As a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands, Chapter 6C of the Corporations Act does not apply to shareholders of MAC. However, the Company has agreed with the ASX to release to the market certain information about a person becoming a substantial holder in the Company within the meaning of section 671B of the Corporations Act, varying its substantial holding by 1% or more or ceasing to be a substantial holder. It is important to note that:

MAC is not required to, and does not intend to, make enquiries of any person, including (without limitation) its shareholders, to identify or verify details of substantial holdings;

unless a holder advises MAC of the details of any associates (or other relevant persons) that have a relevant interest (or deemed relevant interest) in its Ordinary Shares, MAC will be unaware of these other relevant interests, if any; and

accordingly, any information that MAC provides to the ASX is provided only to the best of the knowledge and belief of MAC and MAC expressly disclaims responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information provided to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Russell 3000 Indices Inclusion

MAC is expected to join the broad-market Russell 3000 Index at the conclusion of the 2024 Russell US Indexes annual reconstitution, effective at the open of US equity markets on July 1, 2024, according to a preliminary list of additions posted May 24, 2024.

The annual Russell US Indexes reconstitution captures the 4,000 largest US stocks as of April 30, 2024, ranking them by total market capitalization. Membership in the US all-cap Russell 3000 Index, which remains in place for one year, means automatic inclusion in the large-cap Russell 1000 Index or small-cap Russell 2000 Index as well as the appropriate growth and value style indexes. FTSE Russell determines membership for its Russell indexes primarily by objective, market-capitalization rankings, and style attributes.

For more information on the Russell 3000 Index and the Russell indexes reconstitution, go to the "Russell Reconstitution" section on the FTSE Russell website.

About Metals Acquisition Limited

Metals Acquisition Limited (NYSE: MTAL; ASX: MAC) is a company focused on operating and acquiring metals and mining businesses in high quality, stable jurisdictions that are critical in the electrification and decarbonization of the global economy.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any offer of any of the Company's securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements." MAC's actual results may differ from expectations, estimates, and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "should," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue," and similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside MAC's control and are difficult to predict. MAC cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. MAC does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

More information on potential factors that could affect MAC's or CSA Mine's financial results is included from time to time in MAC's public reports filed with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or MAC's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that MAC does not presently know, or that MAC currently believes are immaterial, that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect MAC's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. MAC anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while MAC may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, MAC specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing MAC's assessment as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240610489497/en/

Contacts:

Mick McMullen

Chief Executive Officer Director

Metals Acquisition Limited.

investors@metalsacqcorp.com

Morne Engelbrecht

Chief Financial Officer

Metals Acquisition Limited
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2024) - Phenom Resources Corp. (TSXV: PHNM) (OTCQX: PHNMF) (FSE: 1PY0) ("Phenom" or the "Company") announces that it proposes to undertake a non-brokered private placement of up to 2,500,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.45/Unit to raise total gross proceeds of up to $1,125,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share and one warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share for a period of 3 years at a price of $0.65. The Company also retains a 10% over-allotment option which will permit it to issue up to an additional 250,000 Units for up to an additional $112,500 if circumstances warrant at the time of closing.

The gross proceeds received from the sale of the Units will be used for work programs on the Company's exploration properties and for general working capital.

The Units will be offered to qualified purchasers in reliance upon exemptions from prospectus and registration requirements of applicable securities legislation. A finder's fee may be paid to eligible finders in relation to this financing, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.

All securities issued and sold under the Offering will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from their date of issuance. Completion of the Offering remains subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined in the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Phenom Resources Corp.

Phenom has 100% interest in the Carlin Gold-Vanadium Project, located in Elko County, 6 miles south from the town of Carlin, Nevada and Highway I-80 which hosts the Carlin Vanadium deposit, North America's largest highest grade primary vanadium resource. The Project lies within the prolific Carlin Gold Trend. Approximately 9 million ounces comprised of multiple gold deposits, including past producing mines, are present near the Carlin property (5-15km). The Company also has options on three gold projects in Nevada, the King Solomon and Dobbin Properties which are Carlin Gold-type gold targets and the CVN Property, a Bonanza high grade gold vein-type target.

ON BEHALF OF PHENOM RESOURCES CORP.

per: "Paul Cowley" CEO & President

(604) 340-7711

pcowley@phenomresources.com

www.phenomresources.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking information

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance and include the Company's ability complete the proposed non-brokered private placement financing on the terms as described above. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/212322

SOURCE: Phenom Resources Corp.
Toronto, Ontario and Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2024) - Biosenta Inc. (CSE: ZRO) ("Biosenta" or the "Company"), a leader in developing eco-friendly antimicrobial compounds, is pleased to announce significant advancements at its state-of-the-art bench scale production facility, which have exceeded all expectations. These breakthroughs not only demonstrate the capability of the bench scale facility but also mark the beginning of preparations for a commercial scale production facility.

Enhanced Production Capabilities

Under the guidance of Dr. Maen Husein, the bench scale facility has significantly exceeded performance expectations, affirming Biosenta's pathway towards scaling operations. The facility's production capacity has reached a remarkable 170 kg per day (10 hours/day), setting a solid foundation for the forthcoming design and fabrication of a commercial-scale production facility. "The novel solid feeding design has dramatically improved our production capabilities, ensuring efficient scalability as we advance," commented Dr. Husein.

Introduction of Economical and Sustainable Inputs

In an innovative step forward, Biosenta has successfully utilized food-grade calcium hydroxide and industrial-grade carbon dioxide in the production of its flagship Tri-Filler product. This initiative marks a significant reduction in production costs and environmental impact while maintaining the efficacy and high quality our customers expect from Tri-Filler. "Adopting these food-grade materials reaffirms our commitment to environmental sustainability without compromising the effectiveness our customers rely on," said Am Gill, CEO of Biosenta.

Strategic Implications and Investor Opportunities

These advancements offer substantial financial and operational benefits, providing clarity for cost modeling and projecting appealing margins for future investments. "We are now positioned to accelerate our transition from R&D to full commercialization, establishing a foundation that underscores our commitment to our investors and emphasizes our readiness for the upcoming phases," Gill added.

About Biosenta Inc.

Biosenta Inc. develops innovative antimicrobial products that offer environmentally friendly solutions to a global market. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the company is dedicated to the advancement of technology that combats microbial growth in various materials. Biosenta's flagship product, Tri-Filler, represents a breakthrough in antimicrobial technology, providing durable protection against a wide spectrum of bacteria, molds, and fungi.

For further inquiries, please contact:

Am Gill, President and CEO, Biosenta Inc.

Email: info@biosenta.com

Phone: 416-410-2019

For more information, visit our website: www.biosenta.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"), including forward-looking statements relating the completion of the Transaction. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. If any such risks actually occur, they could impact the potential for discussion, agreement or completion of the Transaction and/or materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of the Company's common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purposes of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

Disclaimer

The CSE has in no way passed upon the contents of this news release and further, has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/212364

SOURCE: Biosenta Inc.
DelveInsight's analysis estimates that the postherpetic neuralgia market is expected to show positive growth, mainly attributed to increased incidence and the anticipated launch of novel therapies during the forecasted period (2024-2034).

LAS VEGAS, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Postherpetic Neuralgia Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, postherpetic neuralgia emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2020 to 2034, segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan].

Key Takeaways from the Postherpetic Neuralgia Market Report

According to DelveInsight's analysis, the total market size of postherpetic neuralgia in the 7MM is approximately USD 100 million in 2023 and is projected to increase during the forecast period (2024-2034).

in 2023 and is projected to increase during the forecast period (2024-2034). As per DelveInsight's estimates, the total incident cases of postherpetic neuralgia in the 7MM were approximately 600K in 2023. These cases are expected to increase by 2034.

in 2023. These cases are expected to increase by 2034. Approximately 40-50% of patients with PHN do not respond to any treatment, and other patients experience limited efficacy.

of patients with PHN do not respond to any treatment, and other patients experience limited efficacy. Leading postherpetic neuralgia companies such as Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Merz Therapeutics , and others are developing novel postherpetic neuralgia drugs that can be available in the postherpetic neuralgia market in the coming years.

, and others are developing novel postherpetic neuralgia drugs that can be available in the postherpetic neuralgia market in the coming years. The promising postherpetic neuralgia in the pipeline includes LX9211 and XEOMIN (IncobotulinumtoxinA), among others.

among others. InNovember 2023, Scilex Holding announced the successful completion of a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) inspection by the FDA of the enhanced manufacturing facility of Oishi Koseido (Oishi) for ZTlido located in Japan. This successful audit allows Scilex to continue commercializing ZTlido products manufactured at 250 kg scale at Oishi's facility.

Discover which therapies are expected to grab the major postherpetic neuralgia market share @ Postherpetic Neuralgia Market Report

Postherpetic Neuralgia Overview

Postherpetic neuralgia is a frequent complication of shingles, which arises from the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that remains dormant in the body after an initial varicella infection. The shingles outbreak damages sensory nerves, causing abnormal signals to be sent to the brain and resulting in pain. This condition often includes symptoms like dysesthesia, paresthesia, allodynia, and hyperalgesia. These symptoms can persist for many years, severely disrupting sleep, mood, and overall quality of life.

Apart from old age and immunosuppression, conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes, and recent trauma can increase the risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia. Factors such as advanced age, severe acute pain during the initial shingles infection, a rash spreading beyond the initial dermatome, and a weakened immune system contribute to a higher risk.

For diagnosing postherpetic neuralgia, the history of herpes zoster and the characteristics of the pain are crucial. Pain intensity and quality should be measured using an appropriate scale like a numerical rating scale, a visual analog scale, or a verbal descriptor scale (e.g., McGill Pain Questionnaire), depending on the patient's communication ability. Viral culture or immunofluorescent staining may help differentiate herpes simplex from herpes zoster.

Postherpetic Neuralgia Epidemiology Segmentation

Among the 7MM, the United States accounted for the highest number of incident cases of PHN, i.e., ~300K cases in 2023. According to estimates, PHN is slightly more common in females than males, accounting for ~60% of the total cases, while males accounted for ~40% of the total population share.

The postherpetic neuralgia market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020-2034 in the 7MM segmented into:

Total Incident Cases of Herpes Zoster

Total Incident Cases of PHN

Gender-specific Cases of PHN

Age-specific Cases of PHN

Total Treated Cases of PHN

Postherpetic Neuralgia Treatment Market

The management of postherpetic neuralgia should focus on controlling pain and reducing adverse effects from treatments. Pain relief is complex and should involve medications, interventional procedures, and non-drug therapies. Guidelines suggest first-line treatments with calcium channel a2-d ligands (such as gabapentin and pregabalin), tricyclic antidepressants (including amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or desipramine), or topical lidocaine patches. Opioids and topical capsaicin (in patch or cream form) are recommended as second-line treatments or as part of combination therapies with different mechanisms of action. Some patients may continue to experience pain despite using pharmacological, topical, psychological, and physical therapies. In such refractory cases, paravertebral and sympathetic nerve blocks can be considered.

The use of opioids as a primary treatment for neuropathic pain, including postherpetic neuralgia, is still a topic of debate. In the United States, the CDC recommends that healthcare providers restrict opioid prescriptions to cancer-related conditions and a few other serious health issues. For postherpetic neuralgia, topical lidocaine therapy, available in a patch form, has been approved in the United States, Europe, and Australia, and is recommended by the International Association for the Study of Pain. ZTlido, a specialized 1.8% lidocaine topical system developed by Scilex Holding, received FDA approval in 2018. However, in Japan, topical lidocaine therapy for postherpetic neuralgia has not been approved, though hospitals are preparing lidocaine gels for this condition.

Learn more about the FDA-approved drugs for postherpetic neuralgia @ Drugs for Postherpetic Neuralgia Treatment

Postherpetic Neuralgia Pipeline Therapies and Key Companies

Key players such as Lexicon Pharmaceuticals (LX9211), Merz Therapeutics (XEOMIN (IncobotulinumtoxinA)), and others are currently working with their lead assets to improve the postherpetic neuralgia treatment landscape.

LX9211, developed by Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, is a powerful, orally administered selective small molecule inhibitor targeting adaptor-associated kinase 1 (AAK1). Discovered through Lexicon's innovative gene science techniques, preclinical studies showed that mice lacking AAK1 had increased resistance to neuropathic pain. Identified through a neuroscience drug discovery partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb, Lexicon holds exclusive development and commercialization rights for LX9211. The company completed a Phase II clinical trial (NCT04662281; RELIEF-PHN1) of LX9211 for postherpetic neuralgia in adults, with results announced in December 2022. Although the primary endpoint was not met, the trial provided clear evidence of LX9211's effect.

XEOMIN (IncobotulinumtoxinA; NT 201), developed by Merz Therapeutics, has been approved in over 75 countries for treating upper and lower limb spasticity, cervical dystonia, blepharospasm, glabellar lines, and sialorrhea. This medication targets peripheral cholinergic nerve endings, reducing voluntary muscle contraction and relieving muscle tone by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine. XEOMIN is free of complex proteins, which lowers the risk of neutralizing antibody formation. Currently, Merz Therapeutics is conducting a Phase II PaiNT trial (NCT06091020) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous NT 201 injections compared to placebo in reducing pain intensity in adults with moderate to severe chronic peripheral neuropathic pain resulting from postherpetic neuralgia or peripheral nerve injury.

The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies for postherpetic neuralgia are poised to transform the market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the postherpetic neuralgia market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth.

Discover more about postherpetic neuralgia drugs in development @ Postherpetic Neuralgia Clinical Trials

Postherpetic Neuralgia Market Dynamics

The dynamics of the postherpetic neuralgia market are expected to change in the coming years. Within the initial treatment choices, there is a growing preference for topical lidocaine patches due to their localized action, minimal systemic presence, and decreased likelihood of drug interactions. ZTlido has multiple advantages over currently available prescription and over-the-counter lidocaine patches, such as demonstrated superior bioavailability, adhesion to the skin, and drug delivery efficiency that increases its uptake.

The PHN market exhibits a scarcity of emerging players in its developmental pipeline, presenting an advantageous opportunity for companies entering this segment. Introducing novel treatment options with reduced adverse effects compared to existing therapies could yield substantial benefits for these companies. Additionally, increased awareness of the substantial burden of Herpes Zoster and PHN on QoL is essential and may improve prevention and management strategies.

Furthermore, many potential therapies are being investigated for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, and it is safe to predict that the treatment space will significantly impact the postherpetic neuralgia market during the forecast period. Moreover, the anticipated introduction of emerging therapies with improved efficacy and a further improvement in the diagnosis rate are expected to drive the growth of the postherpetic neuralgia market in the 7MM.

However several factors may impede the growth of the postherpetic neuralgia market. Despite notable advancements, the precise mechanism of PHN remains elusive, and the efficacy of existing treatments is unsatisfactory, hampering postherpetic neuralgia therapeutic space. As the population ages, an increasing number of individuals are at heightened risk of developing Herpes Zoster and subsequently experiencing PHN.

ZTlido may face competition from generic lidocaine patches manufactured by Mylan, Teva Pharmaceutical, and Par Pharmaceutical, as well as from LIDODERM. Inconsistent findings on the long-term effects of interventional treatments for PHN pose a challenge, making it confusing for patients and physicians to select the most reliable treatment.

Moreover, postherpetic neuralgia treatment poses a significant economic burden and disrupts patients' overall well-being and QOL. Furthermore, the postherpetic neuralgia market growth may be offset by failures and discontinuation of emerging therapies, unaffordable pricing, market access and reimbursement issues, and a shortage of healthcare specialists. In addition, the undiagnosed, unreported cases and the unawareness about the disease may also impact the postherpetic neuralgia market growth.

Postherpetic Neuralgia Market Report Metrics Details Study Period 2020-2034 Coverage 7MM [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan]. Postherpetic Neuralgia Market CAGR 14 % Postherpetic Neuralgia Market Size in 2023 USD 100 Million Key Postherpetic Neuralgia Companies Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Merz Therapeutics, and others Key Pipeline Postherpetic Neuralgia Therapies LX9211, XEOMIN (IncobotulinumtoxinA), and others

Scope of the Postherpetic Neuralgia Market Report

Therapeutic Assessment: Postherpetic Neuralgia current marketed and emerging therapies

Postherpetic Neuralgia current marketed and emerging therapies Postherpetic Neuralgia Market Dynamics: Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Postherpetic Neuralgia Drugs and Market Outlook

Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Postherpetic Neuralgia Drugs and Market Outlook Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Postherpetic Neuralgia Market Access and Reimbursement

To know more about postherpetic neuralgia treatment guidelines, visit @ Postherpetic Neuralgia Management

Table of Contents

1 Key Insights 2 Report Introduction 3 Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN) Market Overview at a Glance 3.1 Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies in 2020 3.2 Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies in 2034 4 Executive Summary of Postherpetic Neuralgia 5 Key Events 6 Epidemiology and Market Methodology 7 Disease Background and Overview 7.1 Risk Factors 7.2 Signs and Symptoms 7.3 Clinical Manifestations 7.4 Causes and Triggers 7.5 Pathophysiology 7.6 Prognosis 7.7 Diagnosis 7.7.1 Differential Diagnosis 7.8 Treatment 7.8.1 First Line Therapy 7.8.1.1 Anticonvulsants 7.8.1.2 Tricyclic Antidepressants 7.8.1.3 Lidocaine 5% Patch 7.8.2 Second Line Therapy 7.8.2.1 Opioids 7.8.2.2 Topical Agents 7.8.3 Others Therapies 7.8.4 Prevention 7.8.4.1 Varicella Vaccine 7.8.4.2 Zoster Vaccine 7.9 Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines 7.9.1 German Society of Neurology Guideline "diagnosis and non-interventional therapy of neuropathic pain (2020) 7.9.2 American Family Physician: Prevention and Management of Postherpetic Neuralgia (2017) 7.9.3 European Federation of Neurological (EFNS) Societies Guidelines on the Pharmacological Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia (2010) 7.9.4 American Academy of Neurology (AAN): An Evidence-based Guideline for Clinician's Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia (2009) 7.9.5 Treatment Algorithm 8 Epidemiology and Patient Population 8.1 Key Findings 8.2 Assumptions and Rationale 8.3 Total Incident Cases of Herpes Zoster in the 7MM 8.4 Total Incident Cases of PHN in the 7MM 8.5 United States 8.5.1 Total Incident Cases of PHN in the United States 8.5.2 Gender-specific Cases of PHN in the United States 8.5.3 Age-specific Cases of PHN in the United States 8.5.4 Total Treated Cases of PHN in the United States 8.6 EU4 and the UK 8.6.1 Total Incident Cases of PHN in EU4 and the UK 8.6.2 Gender-specific Cases of PHN in EU4 and the UK 8.6.3 Age-specific Cases of PHN in EU4 and the UK 8.6.4 Total Treated Cases of PHN in EU4 and the UK 8.7 Japan 8.7.1 Total Incident Cases of PHN in Japan 8.7.2 Gender-specific Cases of PHN in Japan 8.7.3 Age-specific Cases of PHN in Japan 8.7.4 Total Treated Cases of PHN in Japan 9 Patient Journey 10 Key Endpoints in Clinical Trials 11 Marketed Therapies 11.1 Key Competitors 11.2 TARLIGE (mirogabalin besilate): Daiichi Sankyo 11.2.1 Product Description 11.2.2 Regulatory Milestones 11.2.3 Safety and Efficacy 11.3 ZTlido (lidocaine): Scilex Pharmaceuticals 11.3.1 Product Description 11.3.2 Regulatory Milestones 11.3.3 Other Developmental Activities 11.3.4 Safety and Efficacy 11.4 HORIZANT (gabapentin enacarbil): Azurity Pharmaceuticals 11.4.1 Product Description 11.4.2 Regulatory Milestones 11.4.3 Other Developmental Activities 11.4.4 Safety and Efficacy 11.5 QUTENZA (capsaicin): Averitas Pharma 11.5.1 Product Description 11.5.2 Regulatory Milestones 11.5.3 Other Developmental Activities 11.5.4 Safety and Efficacy 12 Emerging Therapies 12.1 Key Cross Competition - Emerging Therapy 12.2 LX9211: Lexicon Pharmaceuticals 12.2.1 Product Description 12.2.2 Other Developmental Activities 12.2.3 Clinical Developmental Activities 12.2.3.1 Clinical Trial Information 12.2.4 Safety and Efficacy 12.3 XEOMIN (IncobotulinumtoxinA): Merz Therapeutics 12.3.1 Product Description 12.3.2 Clinical Developmental Activities 12.3.2.1 Clinical Trial Information 13 Postherpetic Neuralgia: Market Analysis 13.1 Key Findings 13.2 Market Outlook 13.3 Conjoint Analysis 13.4 Key Market Forecast Assumptions 13.5 Total Market Size of PHN in the United States 13.6 United States Market Size 13.6.1 Total Market Size of PHN in the United States 13.6.2 Market Size of PHN by Therapies in the United States 13.7 EU4 and the UK Market Size 13.7.1 Total Market Size of PHN in EU4 and the UK 13.7.2 Market Size of PHN by Therapies in EU4 and the UK 13.8 Japan Market Size 13.8.1 Total Market Size of PHN in Japan 13.8.2 Market Size of PHN by Therapies in Japan 14 KOL Views 15 Unmet Needs 16 SWOT Analysis 17 Market Access and Reimbursement 17.1 United States 17.1.1 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 17.2 EU4 and the UK 17.2.1 Germany 17.2.2 France 17.2.3 Italy 17.2.4 Spain 17.2.5 United Kingdom 17.3 Japan 17.3.1 MHLW 17.4 Reimbursement Scenario in Postherpetic Neuralgia 17.4.1 Patient Access Programs 18 Appendix 18.1 Acronyms and Abbreviations 18.2 Bibliography 18.3 Report Methodology 19 DelveInsight Capabilities 20 Disclaimer 21 About DelveInsight

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CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. (TSXV:FLY)(OTCQX:FLYLF) (the "Company" or "FLYHT") is pleased to announce that the Company has closed its previously announced unsecured debenture in the principal amount of $5,000,000 (the "Debenture") with Pinnacle Island II LP (the "Lender"), an unrelated third-party lender (see press release dated May 29, 2024).

The Debenture carries a term of three years, with annual interest of 12% payable on a quarterly basis. Proceeds are discounted by 5% (with such discount fee for the benefit of the Lender). As additional consideration for the loan, the Company has issued to the Lender 2,000,000 common share purchase warrants (the "Warrants"), with each Warrant exercisable for a period of three (3) years into one common share with an exercise price equal to $0.4839.

Paradigm Capital Inc. acted as a financial advisor to FLYHT on this transaction and was paid a cash commission equal to 4% of the Debenture principal amount.

About FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd.

FLYHT provides airlines with Actionable Intelligence to transform operational insight into immediate, quantifiable action, and delivers industry leading solutions to improve aviation safety, efficiency, and profitability. This unique capability is driven by a suite of patented aircraft certified hardware products, AFIRS. Solutions include an aircraft satcom/interface device that enables cockpit voice communications, transmission of aircraft data both while inflight via satellite and post-flight via 5G, real-time aircraft state and fleet status analysis, and preventative maintenance solutions. FLYHT's hardware products can also be interfaced with FLYHT's proprietary relative humidity sensors to deliver airborne weather and humidity data in real-time.

FLYHT is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, and is an AS9100 Quality registered company. For more information, visit www.flyht.com.

Contact Information:

FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. FNK IR LLC Alana Forbes Matt Chesler, CFA Chief Financial Officer Investor Relations 403.291.7437 646.809.2183 investors@flyht.com mchesler@flyht.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
(All amounts expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated)

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2024) - Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the "Company" or "Torex") (TSX: TXG) is pleased to provide detail on a multi-year exploration strategy for its highly prospective Morelos Property ("Morelos"), designed to generate incremental additions to mineral resources in the near term, generate at least one new discovery in the mid-term, and extend the mine life at Morelos in order to deliver stable production and cash flow well beyond 2033.

Jody Kuzenko, President & CEO of Torex, stated:

"Since 2021, our exploration strategy has been focused on shoring up the near-term production profile and identifying future sources of feed to fill the mill beyond 2027. With these two business priorities well advanced, our drilling and exploration programs over the coming years will be increasingly focused on demonstrating the multi-decade potential of Morelos by delineating new deposits within the Media Luna Cluster and making new discoveries across the broader property.

"As our understanding of the structures and systems that control mineralization at Morelos continues to evolve, we are now broadening the search to grow organically through the identification of several new and promising targets including Todos Santos, El Naranjo, and Atzcala. In order to prioritize these targets to align within the Company's strategic priorities, our Exploration team has developed a systematic approach for evaluation on both a geologic and economic basis, culminating in the development of a new multi-year exploration and drilling strategy.

"The increased focus on identifying additional sources of feed across Morelos over the coming years will continue to be complemented by the near-mine drilling aimed at extending the life of both ELG Underground and Media Luna, expanding resources and delineating reserves at EPO, and drill testing Media Luna West and Media Luna East, two high priority targets that we expect will heavily utilize infrastructure currently being built as part of the scope of the Media Luna Project.

"Morelos is a prolific, world-class asset. Consistent with our approach in all other facets of our business, we intend to leverage a systematic, data-driven exploration and drilling strategy that will solidify Morelos as a foundational asset from which to grow the Company and deliver long-term shareholder value."

EXPLORATION STRATEGY OVERVIEW

Morelos is a 29,000-hectare land package that is situated within the heart of the Guerrero Gold Belt and includes the El Limon Guajes ("ELG") Mine Complex, the Media Luna Project, a processing plant, related infrastructure, and a number of exploration targets. The $31 million average annual investment in drilling and resource expansion since 2021 and $30 million budgeted for 2024 demonstrate the Company's strategic priority of unlocking the full mineralized potential of Morelos. Given existing knowledge of the geology of the property and the fact that 75% of the land package remains unexplored, Morelos remains highly prospective with respect to the delineation of additional gold, copper, and silver mineralization beyond what has been identified to date.

The Company's new multi-year exploration strategy is expected to enable Torex to deliver on its objective to maintain more than 450,000 gold equivalent ounces ("oz AuEq") of production annually beyond 2027 and to make at least one new discovery at Morelos in the coming years. The exploration and drilling strategy will focus on three distinct areas:

Extending the mine life of ELG Underground and Media Luna: Delineating higher-value ore to extend the life of mine plan at Morelos by defining upside at ELG Underground and Media Luna through infill and near-mine step-out drilling;

Expanding resources within the Media Luna Cluster: Enhancing and extending the production profile by unlocking the full potential of the Media Luna Cluster, including zones currently identified as Media Luna, EPO, Media Luna West, Media Luna East, and Todos Santos;

Advancing targets through the growth pipeline: Strengthening the exploration target pipeline to deliver new discoveries across Morelos by prioritizing best-ranked projects, including zones currently identified as El Naranjo, Atzcala, Esperanza, Querenque, Tecate, El Olvido, and Victoria.

The Company's understanding of the structural controls of the mineralization is evolving and the current interpretation is that there are at least three dominant styles of mineralization present at Morelos: skarn, intermediate sulphidation ("IS"), and carbonate replacement deposits ("CRD"). As the knowledge matures and new exploration techniques are tested, uncovering additional upside at previously explored deposits bolsters confidence about the property-wide potential to host new deposits.

EXPLORATION STRATEGY EXECUTION

The Company has identified several exploration targets across Morelos (Figure 1) that are at various stages of development as depicted in the exploration pipeline (Figure 2). These range from the earliest stage of target selection, to target definition, through to exploration and drilling, resource delineation, and, at the most defined level, reserve definition to assess economic viability.





Figure 1: A number of high-potential targets have been identified across Morelos

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1863/212314_db283b8e4438f8ee_001full.jpg

The goal is to advance each of the targets in the exploration pipeline and, pending the establishment of economic resources, ultimately bring them into production. Priorities amongst these targets will shift based on their economic potential and their ability to fulfill the Company's strategic objectives.





Figure 2: The exploration pipeline of targets identified to date, with each of the targets depicted at their current stage of development

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1863/212314_db283b8e4438f8ee_002full.jpg

ELG Underground

The 2023 ELG Underground drilling program was successful in expanding Measured & Indicated Resources by 570 thousand oz AuEq prior to mine depletion (432 koz AuEq after depletion). The success of the drill program resulted in Proven & Probable Reserves increasing by 280 thousand oz AuEq prior to processed depletion (146 koz AuEq after depletion), thereby extending the mine life of ELG Underground by two years through 2028 (see Tables 1 and 2 of this news release for more information on mineral reserves and resources).

Building off the success of the 2023 program, the 2024 drilling program is exploring where the identified mineral corridors (or trends) intersect the La Flaca and Z71 faults. The program will test the potential for high-grade mineralization along the El Limon Sur and El Limon Deep trends and the potential to extend high-grade resources within the Sub-Sill and El Limon West trends. Given a consistent history of reserve replacement and resource growth, ELG Underground is expected to remain a key focus of future drilling programs.

Media Luna Cluster

The Media Luna Cluster is comprised of the Media Luna and EPO deposits as well as the high-priority drill targets Media Luna West, Media Luna East, and Todos Santos. The main Media Luna deposit is characterized by the distribution of north-northeast and west-northwest dikes on the flank of the Cuajiote fault, which control and define the distribution of gold, silver, and copper mineralization. Media Luna contains 4.6 million oz AuEq of Measured & Indicated Resources, with an additional 1.0 million oz AuEq in Inferred Resources and has additional upside at depth confirmed by preliminary drilling that intercepted similar grade mineralization as the current resource. Testing mineralized potential at depth will be the subject of follow-up drilling after construction of the Media Luna Project is complete.

Given the success of step-out drilling at EPO in 2023, which saw Indicated Resources expand to more than 1.1 million oz AuEq and the Inferred Resources upgraded to Indicated largely replaced, approximately $10 million is budgeted at EPO to conduct more than 24,000 metres ("m") of infill and expansionary drilling in 2024. The 2024 program is aimed at upgrading additional underground resources to the Indicated category while further expanding Inferred Resources. More than 700 thousand oz AuEq remain in Inferred Resources and any further category upgrades will further enhance the economics of EPO.

Based on the mine design envisioned in an internal pre-feasibility study that is currently underway, and if determined to be economic, the Company anticipates a similar path of development at EPO as was undertaken at ELG Underground, with throughput gradually increasing as the underground deposit is developed. This design approach, combined with the ability for EPO to leverage infrastructure now being built at Media Luna, is expected to result in a capital-efficient development project. High-level results of the internal pre-feasibility study are expected to be released later this year.

At Media Luna West, the first drilling since 2012 was conducted in 2023 and yielded positive results. As an advanced exploration target, 12,000 m of follow-up drilling is planned in 2024 to further define the deposit's resource potential. Media Luna West, an underground target, sits approximately 1.5 kilometres ("km") to the west of Media Luna and should also benefit from infrastructure developed as part of the Media Luna Project.

Todos Santos is a promising underground target that was advanced to the initial drill testing stage in 2023. Todos Santos exhibits encouraging magnetic anomalies, potentially indicative of blind mineralization with no surface expression, which will be further explored through the 3,000 m of drilling planned in 2024. The target is strategically positioned along the pronounced north-south structural corridor, bridging the gap between ELG and the Media Luna Cluster, running parallel to the Guajes Tunnel. Outcropping skarn mineralization with multiple old copper workings as well as gold anomalies in breccia outcrops were discovered during grassroots exploration at Todos Santos. Although early stage, Todos Santos has shown signs that it may potentially have a higher proportion of copper to gold than exists at Media Luna, which could support higher future copper production if the deposit is deemed economic.

The extent of Media Luna's mineralization to the east remains unknown. The Company has recently commenced discussions with local Ejidos regarding drilling access. If and as an agreement is achieved, Media Luna East is expected to become a priority underground target with potential for drilling to commence as early as 2025. Similar to EPO, Media Luna East would benefit from infrastructure being developed as part of the Media Luna Project.

Regional Exploration

The 2024 exploration budget includes $3 million allocated for regional exploration. In 2024, 3,000 m of intermediate drill testing is planned at El Naranjo, focused on completing the geological delineation and moving the three best areas into the advanced exploration stage. Preliminary surface works confirm the presence of oxidized gold mineralization within IS veins and breccia bodies, which serve as vectors to Media Luna-type CRD systems at depth.

Atzcala is currently at the target selection stage. The goal this year is to complete a geological evaluation of a 15 km x 5 km area, which will include hyperspectral drone surveys, high resolution magnetometry, and systematic rock geochemistry. The best-ranked area within Atzcala based on geological criteria is expected to be advanced to the target definition stage.

Within the regional exploration program, there are also plans to explore the north side of the Balsas River, looking for potential extensions to and/or the identification of new structural corridors, similar to those identified at the ELG deposit.

Longer-Dated Targets

In addition to the priority targets for 2024, the Exploration team has a number of other projects in the pipeline that are longer dated. As the Media Luna Project has substantially advanced, exploration has commenced from platforms situated in the northern areas of the Guajes Tunnel. During excavation, underground crews encountered many indications through mapping, channel sampling, and visible chalcopyrite, that there may be mineralization along the 7 km Tunnel from ELG to Media Luna. No further exploration has been undertaken in the southern end of the tunnel as completion of the Media Luna underground construction remains the priority.

Other longer-dated targets that have yielded encouraging results in early geological work include Querenque, Tecate, Esperanza, El Olvido, and Victoria. While not a priority focus in 2024, these areas will be evaluated and advanced as appropriate in the exploration pipeline over the coming years.

IDENTIFYING & PRIORITIZING TARGETS

Torex has undertaken a refreshed approach to exploration and drilling since 2021 that included appointing a Vice President of Exploration and enhancing the depth of experience on the Exploration team. To date, the team has studied both recent and historic drilling data, which provided a framework for a technical reinterpretation of the geochemical, geophysical, and remote sensing studies completed in the Morelos district. This reassessment was a key factor in re-evaluating the mineralization model, now thought to include CRD and IS systems in addition to skarn. As expected in a complex system, some of these mineralization styles overlap, which can enrich their gold content.

The evolution of this geological understanding is supported by a comprehensive process of evaluating and ranking the targets identified to date. The exploration pipeline was produced to effectively sort these targets into defined exploration stages. The aim is to systematize and add transparency to the ranking process by comparing projects at a similar exploration stage, assessing each target based on several factors including mineralization style, geology, geography, and economic potential. Working with the Technical Services team, the results of this ranking system can be used to support future capital allocation priorities of the Company.

This process delivers a geological ranking that will be reassessed each year, as exploration advances, to consider both economic and strategic criteria, culminating in an exploration budget proposal for the following year. A multi-year plan will then be formulated by projecting the anticipated advancements of the project pipeline and estimating the proposed exploration and budgets at each exploration stage. Drilling and associated program costs are then estimated for each stage of the pipeline to define the level of investment for the multi-year period. As significant spending on the Media Luna Project winds down later this year, more funding is expected to be allocated in the coming years to further explore priority targets.

MORELOS PROPERTY GEOLOGY

On a regional scale, Morelos is situated in the Guerrero Gold Belt on the western edge of the Mixteca terrane which is composed of a pre-Carboniferous basement of metamorphic rocks of the Acatlan Complex, unconformably overlain by a thick succession of Cretaceous sedimentary rocks. These are known as the Morelos, Cuautla, and Mezcala Formations, which together form the Morelos-Guerrero basin.

The Cretaceous sedimentary successions of the Morelos-Guerrero basin, containing large expanses of carbonate (geochemically reactive) rocks are the major hosts for skarn mineralization in the area and consist of 600- to 1,000-metre-thick, shallow marine carbonate rocks of the Morelos Formation. This unit is mainly composed of calcareous limestones with some dolomite in lower units. The Morelos Formation is conformably overlain by the Cuautla Formation, characterized by limestones that gradually transition upward to pelagic limestones and siliciclastic rocks of the Mezcala Formation. The base of the Mezcala unit is dominated by gray limestones that gradually transition to shales, siltstones and sandstones, and conglomerates at the very top.

Cretaceous sedimentary rocks were folded into north-south-striking anticlines and synclines as a result of the accretion of the Guerrero composite terrane against the Mixteca terrane during the Laramide orogeny. Subduction of the Farallon Plate beneath the North American craton caused magmatism that resulted in the formation of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorites and granodiorites that intruded the folded and thrusted sedimentary units of the Morelos-Guerrero basin within the Mixteca Terrane.

At the property scale, structural deformation is dominated by west-northwest faults cut by first-order north-south faults, which are somewhat displaced by second-order northeast faults. Granodiorites and diorites intruded the folded sequence, which triggered the hydrothermal systems that gave rise to the mineralized deposits.

The known mineralized deposits at Morelos correspond to CRD, skarn, and IS mineralized styles hosted along contacts of the intrusive rocks and carbonate-rich sedimentary rocks of the Cuautla and Morelos formations, as well as along the footwall contact of the Mezcala Formation. At depth, the mineralization has a strong structural control related to the major north-south faults.

At a deposit scale, early-stage calc-silicate alteration is related to proximal skarn that evolves to CRD associated to copper and silver mineralization with a final IS-epithermal mineralization event that increases the gold volume and grade.

Dykes and sills are deemed the main ore control and traps of the mineralized bodies. Given that gold precipitates due to the buffer exerted by the early stage calc-silicate alteration and sulfide mineralization, it occurs as free gold and is dissociated from the previous copper event mainly related to chalcopyrite.

ABOUT TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC.

Torex is an intermediate gold producer based in Canada, engaged in the exploration, development, and operation of its 100% owned Morelos Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometres southwest of Mexico City. The Company's principal asset is the Morelos Complex, which includes the El Limon Guajes ("ELG") Mine Complex, the Media Luna Project, a processing plant, and related infrastructure. Commercial production from the Morelos Complex commenced on April 1, 2016 and an updated Technical Report for the Morelos Complex was released in March 2022. Torex's key strategic objectives are: integrate and optimize the Morelos Property; deliver Media Luna to full production; grow reserves and resources; disciplined growth and capital allocation; retain and attract best industry talent; and build on ESG excellence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC.

Jody Kuzenko

President and CEO

Direct: (647) 725-9982

jody.kuzenko@torexgold.com

Dan Rollins

Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations

Direct: (647) 260-1503

dan.rollins@torexgold.com

MINERAL RESERVES AND RESOURCES

For additional information on mineral reserves and resources, please see Tables 1 and 2 attached to this news release and the Company's annual information form filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com.

QUALIFIED PERSONS

The exploration strategy and detailed plan have been developed in-house by Torex. Volker Moeller, Ph.D., P.Geo. (ON), a qualified person (a "QP") as such term is defined in NI 43-101, has reviewed the strategy and characteristics of the targets on a high level and approved the contents of the news release in respect thereof. Dr. Moeller is a Senior Resource Geologist employed by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. and is independent of Torex.

Information in this news release pertaining to mineral reserves and mineral resources, including Tables 1 and 2, have been reviewed and approved by Johannes (Gertjan) Bekkers, P.Eng, a QP, and Vice President, Mines Technical Services of Torex.

CAUTIONARY NOTES ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements that: pipeline of high-quality targets systematically prioritized to unlock the full potential of Morelos; the details of a multi-year exploration strategy for its highly prospective Morelos Property, designed to generate incremental additions to mineral resources in the near term, generate at least one new discovery in the mid-term, and extend the mine life at Morelos in order to deliver stable production and cash flow well beyond 2033; since 2021, the Company's strategy has been focused on shoring up the near-term production profile and identifying future sources of feed to fill the mill beyond 2027; the Company's drilling and exploration programs over the coming years will be increasingly focused on demonstrating the multi-decade potential of Morelos by delineating new deposits within the Media Luna Cluster and making new discoveries across the broader property; the Company is now broadening the search to grow organically through the identification of several new and promising targets including Todos Santos, El Naranjo, and Atzcala; the increased focus on identifying additional sources of feed across Morelos over the coming years will continue to be complemented by the near-mine drilling aimed at extending the life of both ELG Underground and Media Luna, expanding resources and delineating reserves at EPO, and drill testing Media Luna West and Media Luna East, two high priorities targets that the Company expects will heavily utilize infrastructure currently being built as part of the scope of the Media Luna Project; the Company intends to leverage a systematic, data-driven exploration and drilling strategy that will solidify Morelos as a foundational asset from which to grow the Company and deliver long-term shareholder value; the $31 million average annual investment in drilling and resource expansion since 2021 and $30 million budgeted for 2024 demonstrate the Company's strategic priority of unlocking the full mineralized potential of Morelos; Morelos remains highly prospective with respect to the delineation of additional gold, copper, and silver mineralization beyond what has been identified to date; the Company's new multi-year exploration strategy is expected to enable Torex to deliver on its objective to maintain more than 450,000 oz AuEq of production annually beyond 2027 and to make at least one new discovery at Morelos in the coming years; the exploration and drilling strategy will focus on three distinct areas: extending the mine life of ELG Underground and Media Luna; expanding resources within the Media Luna Cluster; and advancing targets through the growth pipeline; as the knowledge matures and new exploration techniques are tested, uncovering additional upside at previously explored deposits bolsters confidence about the property-wide potential to host new deposits; a number of high-potential targets have been identified across Morelos; the goal is to advance each of the targets in the exploration pipeline and pending the establishment of economic resources, ultimately bring them into production; Figure 2 of the exploration pipeline of targets identified to date, with each of the targets depicted at their current stage of development; the program will test the potential for high-grade mineralization along the El Limon Sur and El Limon Deep trends and the potential to extend high-grade resources within the Sub-Sill and El Limon West trends; given a consistent history of reserve replacement and resource growth, ELG Underground is expected to remain a key focus of future drilling programs; testing mineralized potential at depth will be the subject of follow-up drilling after construction of the Media Luna Project is complete; approximately $10 million is budgeted at EPO to conduct more than 24,000 m of infill and expansionary drilling in 2024; the 2024 program is aimed at upgrading additional underground resources to the Indicated category while further expanding Inferred Resources; more than 700 thousand oz AuEq remain in Inferred Resources and any further category upgrades will further enhance the economics of EPO; based on the mine design envisioned in an internal pre-feasibility study that is currently underway, the Company anticipates a similar path of development at EPO, if determined to be economic, as was undertaken at ELG Underground, with throughput gradually increasing as the underground deposit is developed; this design approach, combined with the ability for EPO to leverage infrastructure now being built at Media Luna, is expected to result in a capital efficient development project; high-level results of the internal pre-feasibility study are expected to be released later this year; 12,000 m of follow-up drilling is planned in 2024 to further define the deposit's resource potential; Media Luna West should also benefit from infrastructure developed as part of the Media Luna Project; Todos Santos exhibits encouraging magnetic anomalies, potentially indicative of blind mineralization with no surface expression, which will be further explored through the 3,000 m of drilling planned in 2024; although early stage, Todos Santos has shown signs that it may potentially have a higher proportion of copper to gold than exists at Media Luna, which could support higher future copper production if the deposit is deemed economic; if and as an agreement is achieved with local Ejidos for land access, Media Luna East is expected to become a priority underground target with potential for drilling to commence as early as 2025; Media Luna East would benefit from infrastructure being developed as part of the Media Luna Project; the 2024 exploration budget for El Naranjo includes $3 million allocated for regional exploration; in 2024, 3,000 m of intermediate drill testing is planned at El Naranjo, focused on completing the geological delineation and moving the three best areas into the advanced exploration drilling stage; for Atzcala the goal this year is to complete a geological evaluation of a 15 km x 5 km area which will include hyperspectral drone surveys, high resolution magnetometry, and systematic rock geochemistry; the best-ranked area within Atzcala based on geological criteria is expected to be advanced to the target definition stage; while not a priority focus in 2024, Querenque, Tecate, Esperanza, El Olvido, and Victoria will be evaluated and advanced as appropriate in the exploration pipeline over the coming years; the reassessment was a key factor in re-evaluating the mineralization model, now thought to include CRD and IS systems in addition to skarn; as expected in a complex system, some of these mineralization styles overlap, which can enrich their gold content; as significant spending on the Media Luna Project winds down later this year, more funding is expected to be allocated in the coming years to further explore priority targets; and Torex's key strategic objectives are to integrate and optimize the Morelos Property; deliver Media Luna to full production; grow reserves and resources; disciplined growth and capital allocation; retain and attract best industry talent; and build on ESG excellence. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "strategy", "designed", "expects", "planned", "focus", "potential", "future", "envisioned", goal", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results are "on track to" or "will", "would", "could", "can" or "is expected to" occur. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties identified in the Company's technical report (the "Technical Report") released on March 31, 2022, entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report ELG Mine Complex Life of Mine Plan and Media Luna Feasibility Study", which has an effective date of March 16, 2022, Company's annual information form ("AIF") and management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") or other unknown but potentially significant impacts. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. The Technical Report, AIF, and MD&A are filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com.

Table 1: Mineral Reserve Estimate - Morelos Complex (December 31, 2023)



Tonnes Au Ag Cu Au Ag Cu AuEq AuEq

(kt) (gpt) (gpt) (%) (koz) (koz) (Mlb) (gpt) (koz) Media Luna Underground

















Proven 2,001 4.28 33.1 1.09 276 2,129 48 6.48 417 Probable 21,568 2.56 24.2 0.84 1,775 16,749 401 4.24 2,943 Proven & Probable 23,569 2.71 24.9 0.86 2,050 18,877 448 4.43 3,360 ELG Underground

















Proven 1,497 5.77 8.0 0.30 277 385 10 6.28 302 Probable 2,007 4.91 7.5 0.29 317 482 13 5.46 352 Proven & Probable 3,504 5.28 7.7 0.30 594 867 23 5.81 654 ELG Open Pit

















Proven 1,813 4.30 5.4 0.16 251 313 6 4.36 254 Probable 3,741 2.51 4.5 0.20 302 538 16 2.58 310 Proven & Probable 5,553 3.09 4.8 0.18 552 851 23 3.16 565 Surface Stockpiles

















Proven 4,972 1.17 2.8 0.07 187 443 8 1.20 192 Probable - - - - - - - - - Proven & Probable 4,972 1.17 2.8 0.07 187 443 8 1.20 192 Total Morelos Complex

















Proven 10,283 3.00 9.9 0.32 991 3,269 72 3.52 1,165 Probable 27,316 2.73 20.2 0.71 2,393 17,769 430 4.11 3,606 Proven & Probable 37,598 2.80 17.4 0.61 3,384 21,038 502 3.95 4,771

Notes to accompany the mineral reserve table:



1.Mineral reserves were developed in accordance with CIM (2014) guidelines.

2.Rounding may result in apparent summation differences between tonnes, grade, and contained metal content. Surface stockpile mineral reserves are estimated using production and survey data and apply the same gold equivalent ("AuEq") formula as ELG Open Pits.

3.AuEq of total reserves is established from combined contributions of the various deposits.

4.The qualified person for the mineral reserve estimate is Johannes (Gertjan) Bekkers, P. Eng., VP of Mines Technical Services.

5.The qualified person is not aware of mining, metallurgical, infrastructure, permitting, or other factors that materially affect the mineral reserve estimates.

Notes to accompany the Media Luna Underground mineral reserves:

1.Mineral reserves are based on Media Luna Measured & Indicated mineral resources with an effective date of December 31, 2023.

2.Media Luna Underground mineral reserves are reported above an in-situ ore cut-off grade of 2.4 g/t AuEq.

3.Media Luna Underground cut-off grades and mining shapes are considered appropriate for a metal price of $1,500/oz gold ("Au"), $19/oz silver ("Ag") and $3.50/lb copper ("Cu") and metal recoveries of 90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu.

4.Mineral reserves within designed mine shapes assume long-hole open stoping, supplemented with mechanized cut-and-fill mining and includes estimates for dilution and mining losses.

5.Media Luna Underground AuEq = Au (g/t) + Ag (g/t) * (0.0121) + Cu (%) * (1.6533), accounting for metal prices and metallurgical recoveries.

Notes to accompany the ELG Underground mineral reserves:



1.Mineral reserves are founded on Measured & Indicated mineral resources, with an effective date of December 31, 2023, for ELG Underground (including Sub-Sill, El Limon Deep and El Limon Sur Trend deposits).

2.ELG Underground mineral reserves are reported above an in-situ ore cut-off grade of 2.8 g/t AuEq and an in-situ incremental cut-off grade of 1.6 g/t AuEq.

3.Cut-off grades and mining shapes are considered appropriate for a metal price of $1,500/oz gold ("Au"), $19/oz silver ("Ag") and $3.50/lb copper ("Cu") and metal recoveries of 90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu, accounting for the planned copper concentrator.

4.Mineral reserves within designed mine shapes assume mechanized cut and fill mining method and include estimates for dilution and mining losses.

5.Mineral reserves are reported using an Au price of US$1,500/oz, Ag price of US$19/oz, and Cu price of US$3.50/lb.

6.ELG Underground AuEq = Au (g/t) + Ag (g/t) * (0.0121) + Cu (%) * (1.6533), accounting for metal prices and metallurgical recoveries.

Notes to accompany the ELG Open Pit mineral reserves and Surface Stockpiles:

1.Mineral reserves are founded on Measured & Indicated mineral resources, with an effective date of December 31, 2023, for El Limon and El Limon Sur deposits.

2.ELG Open Pit mineral reserves are reported above an in-situ cut-off grade of 1.2 g/t Au.

3.ELG Low Grade mineral reserves are reported above an in-situ cut-off grade of 0.88 g/t Au.

4.It is planned that ELG Low Grade mineral reserves within the designed pits will be stockpiled during pit operation and processed during pit closure.

5.Mineral reserves within the designed pits include assumed estimates for dilution and ore losses.

6.Cut-off grades and designed pits are considered appropriate for a metal price of $1,500/oz Au and metal recovery of 89% Au.

7.Mineral reserves are reported using an Au price of US$1,500/oz, Ag price of US$19/oz, and Cu price of US$3.50/lb.

8.Average metallurgical recoveries of 89% for Au, 30% for Ag, and 15% for Cu.

9.ELG Open Pit (including surface stockpiles) AuEq = Au (g/t) + Ag (g/t) * (0.0043) + Cu (%) * (0.2697), accounting for metal prices and metallurgical recoveries.





Table 2: Mineral Resource Estimate - Morelos Complex (December 31, 2023)



Tonnes Au Ag Cu Au Ag Cu AuEq AuEq

(kt) (gpt) (gpt) (%) (koz) (koz) (Mlb) (gpt) (koz) Media Luna Underground

















Measured 1,835 5.26 41.7 1.37 310 2,463 55 8.00 472 Indicated 25,616 2.99 29.5 1.04 2,463 24,328 585 5.03 4,146 Measured & Indicated 27,451 3.14 30.4 1.06 2,774 26,791 640 5.23 4,618 Inferred 7,330 2.54 23.0 0.88 598 5,408 142 4.25 1,001 ELG Underground

















Measured 3,451 5.48 7.9 0.32 608 876 24 6.10 677 Indicated 4,725 4.46 7.4 0.30 677 1,126 31 5.03 765 Measured & Indicated 8,176 4.89 7.6 0.31 1,285 2,002 55 5.48 1,441 Inferred 2,396 4.60 8.0 0.35 355 620 19 5.28 407 EPO Underground

















Measured - - - - - - - - - Indicated 6,979 2.66 30.0 1.27 597 6,728 195 5.14 1,153 Measured & Indicated 6,979 2.66 30.0 1.27 597 6,728 195 5.14 1,153 Inferred 4,960 2.00 37.0 1.24 318 5,908 136 4.52 721 ELG Open Pit

















Measured 1,812 4.41 5.5 0.16 257 323 6 4.47 261 Indicated 4,299 2.50 4.4 0.18 346 606 17 2.57 355 Measured & Indicated 6,110 3.07 4.7 0.17 602 929 23 3.13 615 Inferred 399 2.06 1.5 0.05 26 19 0 2.08 27 Total Morelos Complex

















Measured 7,098 5.15 16.0 0.55 1,175 3,662 86 6.18 1,409 Indicated 41,619 3.05 24.5 0.90 4,083 32,787 827 4.80 6,418 Measured & Indicated 48,717 3.36 23.3 0.85 5,258 36,449 913 5.00 7,828 Inferred 15,085 2.67 24.7 0.89 1,297 11,955 297 4.45 2,156

Notes to accompany the mineral resource table:



1.CIM (2014) definitions were followed for mineral resources.

2.Mineral resources are depleted above a mining surface or to the as-mined solids as of December 31, 2023.

3.Gold equivalent ("AuEq") of total mineral resources is established from combined contributions of the various deposits.

4.Mineral resources for all deposits are based on an underlying gold ("Au") price of US$1,650/oz, silver ("Ag") price of US$22/oz, and copper ("Cu") price of US$3.75/lb.

5.Mineral resources are inclusive of mineral reserves.

6.Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

7.Numbers may not add due to rounding.

8.The estimate was prepared by Ms. Carolina Milla, P.Eng. (Alberta), Principal, Mineral Resources



Notes to accompany Media Luna Underground mineral resources:

1.The effective date of the estimate is December 31, 2023.

2.Mineral resources for Media Luna Underground are reported above a 2.0 g/t AuEq cut-off grade.

3.Metallurgical recoveries at Media Luna Underground average 90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu.

4.The assumed mining method is from underground methods, using a combination of long-hole open stoping and mechanized cut-and-fill.

5.Media Luna Underground AuEq = Au (g/t) + (Ag (g/t) * 0.0127) + (Cu (%) * 1.6104), accounting for underlying metal prices and metallurgical recoveries for Media Luna Underground.



Notes to accompany ELG Underground mineral resources:



1.The effective date of the estimate is December 31, 2023.

2.Mineral resources for ELG Underground are reported above a cut-off grade of 2.2 g/t AuEq.

3.Average metallurgical recoveries are 90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu, accounting for recoveries with planned copper concentrator.

4.The assumed mining method is underground cut and fill.

5.ELG Underground AuEq = Au (g/t) + (Ag (g/t) * 0.0127) + (Cu (%) * 1.6104), accounting for underlying metal prices and metallurgical recoveries for ELG Underground.



Notes to accompany EPO Underground mineral resources:



1.The effective date of the estimate is December 31, 2023.

2.Mineral resources for EPO Underground are reported above a 2.0 g/t AuEq cut-off grade.

3.Metallurgical recoveries at EPO average 87% Au, 85% Ag, and 92% Cu.

4.The assumed mining method is from underground methods, using long-hole open stoping.

5.EPO Underground AuEq = Au (g/t) + (Ag (g/t) * 0.0130) + (Cu (%) * 1.6480), accounting for underlying metal prices and metallurgical recoveries for EPO Underground.



Notes to accompany the ELG Open Pit mineral resources:



1.The effective date of the estimate is December 31, 2023.

2.Mineral resources for ELG Open Pit are reported above an in-situ cut-off grade of 0.78 g/t Au.

3.Average metallurgical recoveries are 89% Au, 30% Ag, and 15% Cu.

4.Mineral resources are reported inside an optimized pit shell, underground mineral reserves at ELD within the El Limon pit shell have been excluded from the open pit mineral resources.

5.ELG Open Pit AuEq = Au (g/t) + (Ag (g/t) * 0.0045) + (Cu (%) * 0.2627), accounting for underlying metal prices and metallurgical recoveries for ELG Open Pit.





To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/212314

SOURCE: Torex Gold Resources Inc.
JobGet, a Boston, MA-based provider of an app-first hiring platform connecting over 70 million workers with brands, acquired Wirkn, a Montreal, Canada-based frontline recruitment platform provider.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The acquisition will enable JobGet to provide Wirkns extensive network of over 17,000 mall, retail, and restaurant locations with a broader reach of applicants.

Led by Mathieu Weber, Wirkn provides a platform for brands in North America to find hourly employees. The solution enables companies to attract job seekers walking down the street, from the internet, job boards and social media, select a candidate based on availability, skills, experience and get to know them by watching their presentation video, and communicate efficiently with candidates using the internal messaging, by phone or email.

Led by CEO Tony Liu, JobGet provides an app for hiring everyday workers to support employers in sectors typically involving hourly or non-exempt roles. It connects over 70 million everyday job seekers with recognized brands including Avis, Whole Foods, and Lovesac, facilitating quick, quality hires across various industriesfrom retail and restaurants to manufacturing and healthcare.

FinSMEs

10/06/2024
OneRail, an Orlando, FL-based last mile delivery fulfillment solution provider, acquired Orderbot, a Vancouver, Canada-based provider of a distributed order management (DOM) solution.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

This acquisition combines Orderbots inventory and order management capabilities with OneRails extensive OmniPoint cloud-based last mile operating system and delivery network.

Orderbot is a comprehensive enterprise order management system (OMS) designed to streamline modern commerce complexities. It manages inventory, orders, and product information across multiple channels, ensuring timely and accurate delivery. Its features include real-time inventory visibility, intelligent order routing, and seamless integration with eCommerce platforms, empowering businesses to optimize their supply chains and improve operational efficiency. The company serves brands like Staples Canada, Petsense, and RedHat.

Led by Founder and CEO Bill Catania, OneRail is a fulfillment solution that pairs software with logistics as a service to provide dependability and speed. With a real-time connected network of 12 million drivers, It matches the right vehicle for the right delivery, helping brands lower expenses and increase capacity to rapidly scale their businesses.

FinSMEs

10/06/2024
I get very upset when its said India@Cannes. This is a boost a shot in the arm for a lot of independent filmmakers but their victory is their own, Kashyap said read more

India won an unprecedented three awards at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival last month Payal Kapadia became the first ever director from India to win the Grand Prix for her movie All We Imagine As Light, Anasuya Sengupta was awarded best actress in the Un Certain Regard strand for The Shameless, and FTII student Chidananda S. Naik earned the best short film award at the La Cinef section for Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know.

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I get very upset when its said India@Cannes. This is a boost a shot in the arm for a lot of independent filmmakers but their victory is their own, Kashyap told PTI in an interview here.

India didnt have any moment at Cannes, not a single of those films are Indian. We need to address it the way it should be addressed. India has stopped supporting such cinema, the kind of cinema that was at Cannes, he said.

He said Kapadias  All We Imagine as Light , which was also the first film from India in 30 years to feature in the main competition at Cannes known for giving a platform to new voices, received funding from a French company. The Malayalam-Hindi feature, which earned the second highest award at Cannes after Palme dOr, is an Indo-French co-production between Petit Chaos from France and Chalk and Cheese Films from India.

There were several films at Cannes with either India-set stories or Indian talent at the helm, but most were co-productions with banners from other countries.

Indian-British filmmaker Sandhya Suris Santosh and Karan Kandharis Sister Midnight were funded by the UK, while Konstantin Bojanovs The Shameless was almost self-funded. However, Chidanands Sunflowers is a production of the TV Wing One-year programme under the Film and Television Institute of India .

India just likes to take credit for a lot of things, they do not support these films, and they dont even support these films to have a release in cinema, Kashyap said.

In 2021, Kapadia had won an award at Cannes for the documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing but that is yet to be released in India.

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Stop taking credit for it. Lets stop this fake celebration Even if the film is released, no one will go to watch it in the theatre, the 51-year-old said.

He also cited the example of Shaunak Sens documentary All that Breathes, which won the Golden Eye award at Cannes 2022, that didnt release on Indian screens and went straight to a streamer. Then there were independent films such as Jaggi and Pokhar Ke Dunu Paar that won awards at festivals that will eventually find home in streamers.

Kashyap was also critical of the spotlight on influencers on the famed red carpet.

This obsession India has with Cannes More than Cannes, its about the red carpet. Thats on another level. I get more angry when I hear these things Geetanjali Rao got three awards at Cannes in 2003, I wrote an article on it, but it was not recognised, rarely anyone wrote about that here. Theres no support system here.

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Days after her win, Kapadia, also an FTII graduate, penned an open letter in which she pushed for a government fund for women filmmakers and under-represented sections to foster independent filmmaking while praising the Kerala government for starting a similar initiative.

Kashyap, whose films such as Gangs of Wasseypur, Ugly, and Kennedy have screened at Cannes over the years across sections like Directors Fortnight and Midnight Screenings, said he was also surprised when former FTII chairperson Gajendra Chauhan took credit for Kapadias win.

Back in 2015, Kapadia was one of the students who protested against the appointment of Mahabharat actor-BJP politician Chauhan as FTII head. Kapadia was among the 35 students charged under various Indian Penal Code sections for offences related to unlawful assembly, criminal intimidation, and rioting.

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The chargesheet was filed in 2016, and the next court hearing is scheduled for June 26, according to the defence lawyer representing the students.

The worst part is that the man who put the case against her, and sent some students to jail, is the first man who took the credit for her and said, Im proud that I was the FTII . What is his name? Yudhishthir ji , Gajendra Chauhan said, Im so proud that she was the student when I was the head. You are the one who put the case against her, Kashyap added.

The director, who will be seen in an acting role in the web series Bad Cop, said the Indian film business focuses primarily on producing blockbuster hits.

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We have made many independent films, Ive seen how much support they get and dont get. At the end of the day, in India everyone is here to do business. No one wants to do good work, everyone wants to do hit work  he said.

Asked about critically acclaimed smaller films like Joram and All India Rank not being marketed well to reach the audiences, Kashyap said such movies cant match up to the marketing of a big film.

The pressure is on a small film too; they cant spend much on the visibility of the film. To make a small film visible around big films is very difficult. Besides those films are unable to make the recovery, you dont get good show timings, as good show timings are covered by big films, he said, lauding the South movie industry for fixing marketing and ticket pricing for both big-budget and small movies.

Directed by Aditya Datt, Bad Cop stars Gulshan Devaiah as Karan, a fierce cop, trying to chase down Kazbe , a villain more powerful and deadly than him and simultaneously managing his personal relationships.

The action-drama series will premiere on Disney Hotstar on June 21.
The actor says, Daldal is a project that encapsulates all these qualities of being a woman. Rita is a super achiever, a glass-ceiling breaker, a rewriter of rules in a mans world. read more

Bollywood actor Bhumi Pednekar is known for portraying roles of strong, independent women who defy odds and break barriers. Bhumi will next be seen in Daldal in which she will be seen taking on the challenging role of a cop, a character she has never played in her career!

Bhumis last release, Bhakshak, is a globally hit film on streaming. Over the years Bhumis filmography has spoken volumes about her commitment to continue portraying women who are ambitious, independent and forward-thinking.

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Bhumi shares, It has been a very exciting year for me as an actor. From Bhakshak becoming a hit not only in India but also globally, to me finding outstanding disruptive projects like Daldal and others which are yet to be announced, this year has been quite fulfilling. If you look at my filmography, I have been fortunate enough to have found projects that help me portray strong, independent women who are sheer forces of nature!

She adds, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Shubh Mangal Saavdhaan, Lust Stories, Bala, Badhaai Do, Saand Ki Aankh, Sonchiriya, Bhakshak are films that reflect what I think when it comes to portraying Indian women on screen.

She further adds, I want people to remember and celebrate our women because women play a huge hand in shaping society and they have every right to follow their dreams, passion and ambition. We are truly unstoppable!

Recently, the talented star has started shooting for her upcoming streaming series Daldal that will release on Amazon. Bhumi says she loves Daldal because she gets to play a character that will shatter the societal glass-ceiling that women have to endure.

The actor says, Daldal is a project that encapsulates all these qualities of being a woman. Rita is a super achiever, a glass-ceiling breaker, a rewriter of rules in a mans world. She is ambitious, ferociously passionate about her job and leads from the front. These are the kinds of women I idolise and Im thrilled to headline a series like this on a global streaming platform like Amazon that will help me show the strength and resilience of Indian women to the world!

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She adds, Daldal is one of my most special projects for many, many reasons. I have started shooting for the project and I can already tell you that it will be one of my most challenging roles ever.
Akshay Kumars ability to adapt and excel in diverse roles highlights his dedication to his craft and his constant drive to stay relevant read more

Akshay Kumars real-life journey is a quintessential tale of the triumph of the human spirit. From his humble beginnings to becoming one of the biggest superstars of the Indian film industry, his story is an inspiration to millions. Its important to note that the actors path to success was not paved with ease but marked by relentless hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in his abilities. His rise from a martial arts instructor to a global icon, even today, epitomizes the essence of defying odds to carve ones destiny.

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Akshays early life was a blend of struggle and determination. After obtaining a black belt in Taekwondo in India, he ventured to Bangkok, Thailand, where he learned Muay Thai and worked as a chef and waiter. His journey continued through various jobs in Kolkata, Dhaka, and Delhi, including working at a travel agency, a hotel, and selling jewelry. These experiences not only tested his resilience but also fueled his dream of achieving something greater. Returning to Bombay, he began teaching martial arts, a decision that would inadvertently steer him towards his true calling.

Kumars foray into modeling came through a serendipitous recommendation by a students father, a model coordinator. He toiled as an unpaid assistant to a photographer for 18 months, crafted his first portfolio, and even worked as a background dancer in films. Later, his breakthrough came with the 1992 suspense thriller Khiladi, directed by Abbas-Mustan. Akshay Kumars impressive screen presence and ease in the lead role caught the industrys attention, marking the beginning of an illustrious career with no looking back.

Over the past 33 years, Akshay Kumar has showcased an incredible range of talent, from action films like the Khiladi franchise and Mohra, comedic classics like Hera Pheri and Singh is Kinng to poignant dramas such as Airlift, OMG, Padman, and Mission Mangal. His discipline, hard work, and endless rigor have become legendary, inspiring countless fans across the globe.

Akshay Kumars ability to adapt and excel in diverse roles highlights his dedication to his craft and his constant drive to stay relevant. His journey from a common man with big dreams to a celebrated superstar for over 3 decades is a powerful testament to the human spirits capacity to overcome adversity and achieve greatness.
BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda took oath of office on Sunday evening, along with other council of ministers of the Narendra Modi-led Central government. A product of the Jayaprakash Narayan movement, the leader, who hails from Himachal Pradesh, has steadily risen through the ranks to make his mark in the party read more

JP Nadda was sworn in as Cabinet minister in the third NDA government. PTI

Narendra Modi was sworn in as Indias prime minister for a rare third time on Sunday (9 June). He was joined by dozens of council of ministers who were also administered oath by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The one name that surprised some was BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda or JP Nadda who took oath as a Cabinet minister. With this, he has returned to the PM Modis council of ministers.

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His tenure as the president of the saffron party is set to end in June. Notably, he is the only minister to represent Himachal Pradesh in the Union Cabinet.

Who is JP Nadda? Lets look at his rise in the BJP under PM Modi and Amit Shah.

Whos JP Nadda?

Born in 1960 in Bihars capital city, Nadda completed his early schooling from St Xaviers Patna.

He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Patna College, Patna University. Nadda, who originally hails from Himachal Pradesh, pursued political science and a law degree from Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla.

His wife Mallika Nadda is an academician associated with Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla.

Foray into politics

Naddas political career began when he was a student. A product of the Jayaprakash Narayan movement, he was elected secretary of Patna University in 1977, as per ThePrint.

Nadda became a leader of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), in 1978.

ThePrint reports that Nadda was appointed ABVP national general secretary from 1986 to 1989.

In 1991, he became the president of the BJP Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of the saffron party.

JP Naddas political career began as a student. PTI File Photo

Naddas early stint as ABVP general secretary and BJP Yuva Morcha president helped him (a) lot. He came in contact with KN Govindacharya, the RSS ideologue who was then the third most powerful man after (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee and LK Advani, BJPs Suresh Bharadwaj told ThePrint.

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He continued to be active in student politics even when he went to study at Himachal Pradesh University. As per The Hindu, Nadda became the first ever ABVP-nominated president of the students union there.

He also served as organisational general secretary for the ABVP in Delhi between 1985-89.

ALSO READ: Amit Shah, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, JP Nadda: Who are the ministers in the new Modi government?

From state to national politics

Nadda entered electoral politics in 1993 when he was given a ticket by the BJP to contest the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections from Bilaspur (Sadar).

He retained the seat in 1998 and was appointed the health minister in the then Prem Kumar Dhumal government in the state. Although he lost the polls in 2003, Nadda was victorious in the 2007 Himachal Assembly polls.

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This time, he got the forest portfolio in the Dhumal government.

It was in the 1990s that Nadda built a connection with Modi, who was then the Himachal BJP in-charge, noted ThePrint.

Nadda moved from state to national politics in 2010 after his fallout with then Himachal chief minister Dhumal.

Nadda, who had worked with Nitin Gadkari in the 1990s in the Bharatiya Yuva Morcha, was called by the leader to Delhi.

Gadkari, the then BJP president, picked Nadda as the general secretary of the saffron party.

Since then, Naddas career has only touched new heights.

He got a Rajya Sabha ticket in 2012 and was made Union health minister in the first Modi government in 2014.

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Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Nadda was appointed BJPs Uttar Pradesh in-charge, along with senior Gujarat leader Gordhan Zadaphia.

The BJP won 62 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats from the state and, as a party insider told ThePrint, all credit went to Nadda.

According to PTI, Nadda is seen as an epitome of political correctness in the BJP.

When he did not take oath in the second Modi government, speculations arose that Nadda was destined for a bigger role.

In June 2019, he was appointed BJPs first working president ever. Nadda was elevated to the post of BJP national president in January 2020, replacing his mentor Amit Shah after he was inducted into the Union Cabinet.

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The tenure of the low-key leader from Himachal was set to end in 2020. But he was given an extension in September of that year, which will be over this month.

Party sources told PTI that Nadda held 140 campaigns across the country after the 18th Lok Sabha elections were announced. He also convened 70 organisational meetings with BJP workers and functionaries to boost the morale of the partys rank and file.

PM Narendra Modi with BJP president JP Nadda arrive at BJP headquarters in Delhi as the Lok Sabha results are released on 4 June. PTI File Photo

Although Nadda would have preferred ensuring another landslide victory for the BJP, the saffron party fell short of the majority mark this time and became reliant on its NDA partners to come to power for a third term. However, PM Modis speech at BJP headquarters after the results wherein he showered praises on Naddas leadership reflected there was no bad blood.

With Nadda moving back to the Modi Cabinet, it would be interesting to watch who will hold the coveted post of the BJP president.

With inputs from agencies
The European Parliament (EP) elections are a complex and crucial process that takes place every five years, allowing citizens of the European Union (EU) member states to elect their representatives to the European Parliament. We take a look at how the voting works read more

A woman casts her ballot for the European elections in a polling station in Frankfurt, Germany, 9 June, 2024. AP

Far-right parties disrupted the traditional power dynamics in the European Union, achieving significant gains on Sunday in its parliamentary elections. The four-day (6 June to 9 June) voting process across the 27 EU countries was the worlds second-largest democratic exercise, following Indias recent general election .

Despite these gains, the two primary pro-European groups, the Christian Democrats and the Socialists, continued to hold the majority. The rise of the far right came at the expense of the Greens.

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These elections came during a challenging period for voter confidence in the 450-million-strong bloc. Over the past five years, the EU has faced the coronavirus pandemic, an economic downturn, and an energy crisis driven by the most significant land conflict in Europe since World War II.

What does the European Parliament do?

The European Parliament is one of the EUs three core institutions, alongside the Council, which represents the national governments of member states, and the Commission, the executive branch that proposes and implements EU laws and manages the blocs daily operations.

Through the co-decision procedure, the Parliament shares legislative power with the Council, shaping and, if in agreement, approving new regulations and directives proposed by the Commission.

People vote in European and local elections in Baleni, Romania, 9 June, 2024. AP

The Parliament represents the interests of EU citizens at the European level, adopting laws that impact countries, companies, and individuals across various areas, including migration, the rule of law, social policy, the environment, security, consumer rights, and the economy.

Additionally, the Parliament plays a significant role in defining the EUs financial priorities. It approves the EUs multi-annual budget, scrutinises how the funds are spent, and influences the blocs executive by electing the Commission President and approving the College of Commissioners.

The European Commission acts as the EUs executive branch, responsible for proposing and implementing EU laws and managing the daily operations of the EU. The European Parliament, representing EU citizens, and the Council, representing the member countries, collaborate to shape and adopt the Commissions proposals when they reach an agreement.

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How does it work?

Members of European Parliament (MEPs) are elected for a five-year term, as members of national parties but generally join like-minded transnational political groups once they are in parliament. There are seven such groups, with most national parties affiliated with one of them.

A voter, dressed in traditional Black Forest attire. with red Bollenhut hat, casts her ballot for the European Parliament elections at the polling station in Gutach im Breisgau, Germany, 9 June, 2024. AP

A group must have at least 23 members representing at least a quarter of the EUs member states. The two largest groups are the centre-right European Peoples Party (EPP) and the centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D).

Parliament operates through 20 specialised committees, each with 25 to over 80 MEPs, focusing on areas such as transport or defence. The membership and chairmanship of each committee should reflect the political composition of the entire parliament.

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How are the elections organised?

Member states have the flexibility to organise elections as they see fit, provided they occur within the same four-day period and the number of MEPs elected from each national party is proportional to the number of votes received.

EU citizens residing in another member country can vote and stand for election there as long as they are registered. Many EU citizens living in non-member countries, including the UK, can also vote.

EU citizens aged 18 and above are eligible to vote. In some countries, the voting age is lower, for example, it is 16 in Belgium, Germany, Malta and Austria. In Greece people who turn 17 during the election year can vote, and in Hungary married individuals can vote regardless of age.

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People cheer at the first exit poll at the Socialist Peoples Party for the election to the European Parliament at Christiansborg in Copenhagen, 9 June, 2024. AP

Different methods are used, including in-person voting at polling stations, postal voting, and, in some countries, electronic voting.

The upcoming parliament will have 720 MEPs, 15 more than in 2019. The number of MEPs from each member state is agreed upon beforehand and is based on the principle that MEPs from larger countries represent more people than those from smaller countries.

Also Read: What the surge of far-right means for Europe

The minimum number of MEPs from any country is six, and the maximum is 96. In the next parliament, the three largest cohorts will be Germany with 96 MEPs, France with 81, and Italy with 76; the smallest will be Cyprus, Luxembourg, and Malta, each with six.

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The MEPs then elect their president for a term of two and a half years. The outgoing president is Maltas Roberta Metsola.

Which are the political groups in the European Parliament?

The European Parliament currently recognises seven major political groupings, each representing a spectrum of political ideologies and national parties from across the EU. These groups work together on common legislative agendas and policies. As of the most recent parliamentary term, the seven main political groupings are:

European Peoples Party (EPP): Centre-right, Christian democracy, pro-European integration. Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D): Centre-left, social democracy, pro-European integration. Renew Europe (RE): Centrist, liberal, pro-European integration. Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA): Green politics, regionalism, pro-European integration. Identity and Democracy (ID): Right-wing to far-right, Euroscepticism, nationalism. European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR): Centre-right to right-wing, Euroscepticism, conservatism. The Left in the European Parliament  GUE/NGL: Left-wing, socialism, communism, Euroscepticism.

MEPs who are not members of any group are referred to as non-inscrits. These MEPs, who do not align with any political group, range from Hungarys nationalist Fidesz members to a few separatists from Spains Catalonia region.

Who will be the next EU Commission chief?

The new MEPs will soon undertake the important task of electing the president of the European Commission. Ursula von der Leyen, the current president, is seeking re-election.

The European Council, consisting of the EUs 27 heads of state or government, will consider the election results and nominate a candidate, whose name will be presented to the Parliament. The candidate will need approval from more than 50 per cent of MEPs.

Lead candidate for the European Commission, current European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during an event at the European Peoples Party headquarters in Brussels, 9 June, 2024. AP

In the EU, political groupings may adopt a system of lead candidates, known as the Spitzenkandidat process in German, as they did in 2014. Under this principle, each group nominates a presidential candidate before the elections, and the group with the most seats is then mandated to select the European Commission president.

However, five years ago, the EUs national leaders chose Von der Leyen as president, even though she was not a candidate. They may decide to bypass the Spitzenkandidat process once again this time.

With inputs from agencies
As anticipated by polls, far-right factions in the European parliaments elections achieved significant advances throughout the EU bloc. In France, the National Rally secured nearly one-third of the votes, establishing itself as the top ultra-nationalist group in the upcoming Parliament. We take a look at the rise of the far-right in these EU elections and its possible impact read more

The recent European Parliament elections marked a significant shift in the political landscape, with far-right parties making substantial gains and unsettling traditional power structures. The elections, which are held every five years, are a critical measure of public sentiment and have long-term implications for EU policies and governance.

French President Emmanuel Macrons party faced a heavy defeat at the hands of Marine Le Pens National Rally, prompting Macron to call snap legislative elections.

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Macron admitted the defeat, saying, Ive heard your message, your concerns, and I wont leave them unanswered. Le Pens National Rally emerged victorious, securing over 30 per cent of the vote, nearly doubling the support for Macrons pro-European centrists, who garnered less than 15 per cent. Were ready to turn the country around, ready to defend the interests of the French, ready to put an end to mass immigration, Le Pen declared, reflecting the far-rights rallying cry across Europe.

A look at the rise of nationalism and euroskepticism

In Germany, Olaf Scholzs center-left Social Democrats plummeted to a projected 14 per cent, trailing behind the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which surged into second place with 16.5 per cent. AfD leader Alice Weidel expressed her elation: After all the prophecies of doom, after the barrage of the last few weeks, we are the second strongest force.

Italy saw Premier Giorgia Melonis Brothers of Italy party achieve the highest percentage of votes, with 28.5 per cent. This marked a significant victory for Meloni , who has been a prominent figure in the far-right movement in Europe.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbans nationalist Fidesz party also performed strongly, securing 43 per cent of the vote, although this was a decline from previous elections. Orban commented on the results, saying, Right is good. To go right is always good. Go right! This sentiment was echoed across several countries, with far-right parties resonating with voters on issues such as immigration and national sovereignty.

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Top candidate for the European elections of the Respect and Freedom (TISZA) Party Peter Magyar sings with his supporters during the partys election night party after the European Parliament and local elections in Budapest, Hungary, 10 June, 2024. AP

In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders Party for Freedom won six seats, a significant increase from its previous standing. Wilders celebrated the victory, saying, Still the very biggest winner with five more seats!

Similarly, in Slovakia, the liberal and pro-Western Progressive Slovakia topped the vote, overcoming the leftist Smer party led by populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Spains opposition Popular Party (PP) led with 34 per cent of the vote, outperforming Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs Socialists, who received 30 per cent. The far-right Vox party, though undermined by a new extremist party led by a social media influencer, still managed to secure six seats.

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In Greece, the ruling New Democracy party maintained a comfortable lead with just under 28 per cent of the vote, despite a decline from its previous performance. Greece also saw the rise of the hard-right populist Greek Solution party, which increased its support to 9.5 per cent.

The centrist opposition ANO movement in the Czech Republic, led by former Prime Minister Andrej Babis, won 26 per cent of the votes, defeating the governing coalition parties.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen speaks as Jordan Bardella, president of the French far-right National Rally, listens at the party election night headquarters after French President Emanuel Macron announced he dissolves National Assembly and calls new legislative election after defeat in EU vote, 9 June, 2024 in Paris. AP

In Poland, the centrist Civic Coalition, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, won decisively with over 38 per cent of the vote, while the far-right Confederation party garnered nearly 12 per cent. This marked a significant setback for the national conservative Law and Justice party, which ruled Poland from 2015-2023.

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The Czech Republics Euroskeptic ANO movement, led by former Prime Minister Andrej Babis, triumphed with 26 per cent of the votes, outpacing the center-right Together coalitions 22 per cent.

In Slovakia, the liberal and pro-Western Progressive Slovakia won 27.8 per cent of the vote, surpassing the leftist Smer party of Prime Minister Robert Fico, which garnered 24.8 per cent.

Also Read: Will Ursula von der Leyen continue as European Commission president?

Cyprus saw the far-right ELAM party clinch one of its six EU Parliament seats for the first time, with 11 per cent of the vote. Meanwhile, a social media influencer, Fidias Panayiotou, secured nearly 20 per cent of the votes, marking a surprising victory solely based on his online presence.

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Croatias ruling conservative Croatian Democratic Union won 33.7 per cent of the vote, with the far-right Homeland Movement gaining one seat with 8.6 per cent.

Bulgarias center-right GERB party, led by former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, emerged victorious with 26 per cent, while the far-right pro-Kremlin Revival party secured three seats.

Implications for the EU

The far-right and euroskeptic parties now control a significant portion of the European Parliament. The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and the Identity and Democracy (ID) group will together hold 131 seats. This includes parties such as Hungarys Fidesz (10 seats) and Polands Confederation (6 seats).

If these groups were to unite, they would form the second-largest bloc in the Parliament, exerting considerable influence on EU policies, particularly regarding migration, security, and climate change.

Lead candidate for the European Commission, current European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during an event at the European Peoples Party headquarters in Brussels, 9 June, 2024. AP

Provisional results show the Christian Democrats with 189 seats, up by 13, while the Social Democrats have 135 seats, down by 4. The pro-business Renew group holds 83 seats, down by 19, and the Greens have 53 seats, down by 18. The far-rights rise has come largely at the expense of the Greens and pro-business parties, with potential implications for the EUs progressive climate policies.

Impact on EU policy and governance

The election results underscore a broader trend of increasing support for far-right and nationalist parties across Europe. The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and the Identity and Democracy (ID) groups will now control 131 seats in the European Parliament, excluding the additional seats held by parties like Germanys AfD, Hungarys Fidesz, Polands Confederation, and Bulgarias Revival party.

This surge in far-right representation is likely to exert considerable pressure on EU policies, particularly in areas such as migration, security, and climate change. Christian Democratic leader Ursula von der Leyen noted the significance of the results: We are by far the strongest party. We are the anchor of stability. However, the gains by far-right parties indicate a potential shift in legislative priorities and a more contentious political environment.

Also Read: How are the polls conducted, who can vote in the EU elections?

The EU elections highlighted a growing discontent with traditional parties and a move towards more radical solutions. With far-right and nationalist parties gaining ground, the future of EU governance and policy-making faces a period of uncertainty and potential transformation.

The coming years will be critical in determining how the EU responds to these internal shifts and the growing influence of the far-right.

With inputs from agencies
The police custody of former MP Prajwal Revanna expires today. The NSE will introduce a 1 paisa tick size for all stocks below Rs 250. Russia hosts the BRICS Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Nizhny Novgorod. Odishas new BJP-led government will be sworn in. Pakistans Economic Coordination Committee will seek approval for the Public Sector Development Programme. Apples annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) kicks off, highlighting AI advancements. We dig into these and other headlines read more

Apple CEO Tim Cook. Apple is expected to announce a bunch of new software features, especially those that involve AI, for all of their devices at the upcoming WWDC. AP

It is set to be a busy Monday, with several crucial domestic and international events lined up for 10 June.

Halfway across the world, in the US, Apples annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is set to kick off, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI). In Russia, the BRICS Council of Foreign Ministers will meet in Nizhny Novgorod. Pakistans government is expected to seek approval for its Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) from the Economic Coordination Committee ahead of presentation of its budget.

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In India, Odisha is set for the swearing-in ceremony of its new BJP-led government. The police custody of former MP Prajwal Revanna expires on June 10, with the investigation into his sexual harassment cases continuing. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) will introduce a 1 paisa tick size for all stocks below Rs 250.

We dig deeper into each of these developments.

Apples Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC)

Apples annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) kicks off today, with artificial intelligence (AI) expected to be a major highlight. The tech giant is anticipated to unveil iOS 18 for the iPhone, along with updates to other operating systems. AI enhancements, particularly in Siri, are rumored to be branded as Apple Intelligence and will likely integrate across Apples suite of apps to improve user experience.

BRICS Council of Foreign Ministers meeting

Russia anticipates the participation of 20-25 countries, including the ten BRICS member states, at the BRICS Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Nizhny Novgorod today. Russian Ambassador-at-large Pavel Knyazev confirmed the attendance of several BRICS-friendly countries. The meeting, which runs through June 11, is expected to address various geopolitical and economic issues facing the member nations and their allies.

Pakistans budget approval process

The Pakistan government is set to present its budget with an outlay of approximately Rs 18 trillion for the financial year 2024-25 on June 12. Before tabling the budget in the National Assembly, approval will be sought from the Economic Coordination Committee today for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and annual development funds. This step is crucial for the governments fiscal planning and development initiatives for the upcoming year.

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Swearing-in ceremony of Odishas new government

Odisha will witness the swearing-in ceremony of its new state government today. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won a majority in the Assembly state elections, marking the end of the decades-old Naveen Patnaik government. Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena announced that over 30,000 people, including senior guests and VIPs from various sectors, will attend the ceremony.

Police custody of Prajwal Revanna to expire

The police custody of former MP Prajwal Revanna, arrested on 31 May for sexual harassment charges, expires today. Revanna, who was apprehended by the Karnataka Police at Bengalurus Kempegowda International Airport, was later taken into custody by a special investigation team (SIT). The SIT sought the opinion of a panel of doctors at the Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Centre in Bengaluru on Revannas physical and psychological functioning. The expiration of his custody marks a critical point in the ongoing investigation.

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NSE introduces 1 paisa tick size

Starting Monday, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) will implement a 1 paisa tick size for all stocks below Rs 250. This change aims to improve liquidity and price discovery by encouraging traders to implement more trading strategies. Previously, the tick size for all stocks above Rs 15 was 5 paise. The move follows the Bombay Stock Exchanges (BSE) implementation of a similar tick size for stocks below Rs 100 in March last year.
In a response to North Koreas trash-filled balloon campaign, South Korea has begun broadcasting anti-Pyongyang messages, international news, K-pop and more over loudspeakers. Now, North Korea is preparing to respond the same way. This is not the first time that tensions have escalated between the two Koreas over such broadcasts read more

Tensions between North and South Korea have escalated once again, this time around a provocative exchange of loudspeaker broadcasts and balloon campaigns across the border.

What initially began as South Koreas retaliation for over 1,000 balloons filled with trash and manure sent by the North over a couple of weeks has now turned into a battle of loudspeakers, reminiscent of a Cold War-style psychological warfare.

South Koreas military on Monday said its detecting signs that the North is installing its own loudspeakers along their heavily armed border, a day after it blared anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts over its speakers for the first time in 11 years.

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As the rivals engage in this loudspeaker warfare, concerns over potential military responses and the impact on diplomatic negotiations over North Koreas nuclear ambitions loom large.



The loudspeaker battle

The conflict began when South Korea on Sunday resumed broadcasting anti-North Korean propaganda through loudspeakers in border areas which reportedly included news, criticism about North Koreas government, and South Korean pop music. The move was in response to Norths recent balloon campaign.



Hours later, Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, issued a stern warning, calling the Souths actions a prelude to a very dangerous situation. She threatened that the North would retaliate with a new response if the broadcasts continued and urged the South to stop civilian activists from flying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets across the border.

I sternly warn Seoul to immediately case its dangerous activities that would further provoke a crisis of confrontation, Kim Yo Jong said through North Korean state media.

Last week, a South Korean civilian group led by North Korean defector Park Sang-hak said it launched 10 balloons carrying 200,000 anti-North Korean leaflets, USB sticks with K-pop songs and K-dramas, and $1 bills.

South Korean media reported another activist group also flew balloons with 200,000 propaganda leaflets toward North Korea on Friday.

Responding to the Norths warning, South Koreas military spokesperson, Lee Sung Joon, acknowledged the heightened verbal threat but assured that the South was prepared to defend itself. He emphasised that the broadcasts were conducted in sites where soldiers had sufficient protection and could swiftly retaliate if attacked.

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(We) dont think that they could provoke us that easily, Lee said during a briefing Monday.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff didnt specify the border area where Sundays broadcast took place or what was played over the speakers. It said that any additional broadcasts are entirely dependent on North Koreas behaviour.

South Korea has accused North Korea of sending balloons filled with faeces and trash across the border. Reuters

Kim Yo Jong claimed the North used about 1,400 balloons to drop 7.5 tonnes of trash over the weekend adding that North had initially planned to halt its balloon launches on Sunday but decided to send more because the South restarted loudspeaker broadcasts.



History of provocations

Well, this isnt the first time that tensions have flared between the two Koreas over loudspeaker broadcasts and balloon campaigns. In 2015, when South Korea resumed loudspeaker broadcasts after an 11-year hiatus, North Korea responded by firing artillery rounds across the border, leading to a brief exchange of fire, according to South Korean officials. However, no casualties were reported.

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The South withdrew loudspeakers from border areas in 2018, during a brief period of engagement with the North under Seouls previous liberal government. However after Kim Jong-Un-led countrys balloon campaign largely irked the South, it suspended a 2018 agreement to reduce hostile acts along the border, allowing for the resumption of propaganda campaigns and potential live-fire military exercises.

After it began loudspeaker broadcast on Sunday, South Koreas presidential office berated Pyongyang for attempting to cause anxiety and disruption in the South and stressed that North Korea would be solely responsible for any future escalation of tensions.

With input from AP
Narendra Modi was sworn in as the prime minister for a historic third consecutive term on Sunday, along with 72 ministers who are yet to be assigned their duties. While the Lok Sabha elections turned global eyes towards India, international media wrote about the 73-year-old humbled leaders shift in approach and the upcoming challenges in the coalition administration read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures, at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in New Delhi, India. Reuters

Narendra Modi was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India for a historic third consecutive term on Sunday, along with 72 ministers who are yet to be assigned their duties.

The 73-year-old Indian leader equalled the feat of the first PM Jawaharlal Nehru, who was elected for the third term in a row.

Notably, this will be the first time, PM Modi will share power with his allies since he came to power in 2014.

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While the Lok Sabha elections turned global eyes towards India, Modis victory was described as a shock and a stunning setback for him and his party.

Heres how the international media covered the swearing-in ceremony of the Indian leader.

American media

The Washington Post

The outlet, which earlier labelled Indias 2024 Lok Sabha election results as a stunning setback for Modi and his party, said, Narendra Modi was sworn in Sunday for a third five-year term as Indias prime minister after shock election results forced him to seek help from coalition partners to form a government.

Narendra Modi was sworn in Sunday for a third five-year term as Indias prime minister after shock election results forced him to seek help from coalition partners to form a government. https://t.co/NqNa8C8ZwY  The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 9, 2024

The New York Times

The NYT reported, As a humbled Narendra Modi was sworn in on Sunday for a third term as Indias prime minister, the political air in New Delhi appeared transformed.

To many, Mr Modis shift in approach can mean only good things for the countrys democracy  a move toward moderation in a hugely diverse nation that was being whipped into a Hindu-first monolith in the image of one man, it added.

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Bloomberg

Bloomberg recorded the splendour of the swearing-in ceremony, which had 8,000 attendees, including Bollywood stars, business moguls, and international heads of state.

It mentioned that this is the first time Prime Minister Modi will be sharing his power and extending his leadership.

British media

The Guardian

Describing Modi as Indias strongman leader, The Guardians coverage looked at the socio-political background of the 73-year-olds third term in office.

It included political analysts opinions on the consequences for Indias secularism and democracy.

The report covered Modis previous terms and how his policies affected the countrys reputation both at home and abroad.

The Guardian outlined Modis obstacles, which include leading a diverse coalition and implementing economic reforms.

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BBC

The BBC reported on the event without analysts offering their opinions on Modi 3.0 or the election outcomes.

Narendra Modi sworn in for third term after narrow win https://t.co/rSwHB6CusM  BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) June 9, 2024

Modis speech outlining his vision for Indias future and the difficulties it faces was mentioned in the report.

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The significant security measures implemented due to the enormous number of attendees were also mentioned.

However, it pointed out that in an election that saw a resurgence of Indias opposition, which won 234 seats, the ruling alliance won by a smaller margin than anticipated by the exit polls.

European media

AFP

Everything from the arrangements to the coalition partners, whose backing was essential to the governments establishment, was detailed in general by the French news agency AFP.

It stated that the larger coalition parties have requested significant concessions in exchange for their support, even if the specifics of the new cabinet are yet unknown.

Flanked by top BJP officials and party leaders of his coalition, Modi vowed in a ceremony marking his formal assumption of power to bear true allegiance to the constitution of India, the agency wrote.

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DW

The German outlet reported that the Indian PMs oath-taking, while mentioning that the countrys election results unexpectedly left him reliant on coalition partners to form a government.

Noting the absence of rival neighbours China and Pakistan leaders from the ceremony, the report mentioned Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina and Sri Lanka president Ranil Wickremesinghes presence among those of Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives.

Qatar media

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera highlighted compliments from world leaders like Russian president Vladimir Putin and US president Joe Biden as they covered the response to Modis oath-taking.

It covered Modis leadership style, and how his policies are viewed internationally, and highlighted Indias efforts to fortify regional ties by mentioning the attendance of SAARC leaders.

According to the publication, the BJPs capacity to guarantee policy certainty in a coalition administration will be put to the test by the lack of a majority.

It mentioned the difficulties the partnership would have from Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, two coalition era veterans who have friends across the aisle and opposition will be wooing them.

With inputs from agencies
At least nine Hindu pilgrims died and over 30 were wounded after terrorists opened fire on their bus, which then fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district. The hunt is on to find the perpetrators of the deadly attack, with reports claiming that The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has taken responsibility for the incident read more

Security men inspect a bus that fell into a deep gorge on Sunday after it was fired at by suspected militants in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, on 10 June 2024. AP

The deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district has shocked India. At least nine people died and 33 were injured after terrorists fired upon a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims, resulting in the vehicle plunging into a deep gorge on Sunday (9 June).

Reports claim that The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has taken responsibility for the attack.

The tragedy came on the day Narendra Modi and his 71 Council of Ministers took the oath of office at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi in a grand ceremony. J&K Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha said the prime minister had taken stock of the situation and assured the best medical care for the injured.

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What happened and how the incident has caused security concerns in J&K? Lets understand.

Reasi terror attack

An eyewitness says two masked terrorists opened fire on the bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori temple dedicated to Lord Shiva near Ransoo to Katra town, a base camp for devotees visiting Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, reported Indian Express.

According to Mohita Sharma, Reasi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), the terrorists ambushed the bus.

She said the driver lost control of the bus and it fell into a gorge in Teryath village of Poni area.

When asked if there were inputs about militant activity in the area, the SSP, as per Indian Express, said, Whenever theres an incident of militancy, we are on high alert The Shivpuri shrine had been secured, and in adjoining areas too, we had been conducting area domination activities.

#WATCH | J&K: On the Reasi terror attack, SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma says, "The militants fired upon the bus yesterday... 9 people are reportedly dead and 33 were injured and are being treated in different hospitals. As per eyewitnesses, 2 (terrorists) were there. Combing operation pic.twitter.com/d1y4FuTYQa  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

Authorities said on Monday (10 June) that out of the nine pilgrims who died in the incident, four were natives of Rajasthan, including a two-year-old boy, and three were from Uttar Pradesh, reported PTI.

The driver and the conductor of the bus, who were locals of J&K, were the other two casualties.

Among the 33 injured, 17 are from Uttar Pradesh and one is a Delhi resident. The identity of the rest is yet to be identified.

Ten victims have gunshot wounds and all the injured are undergoing treatment at three hospitals in Jammu and Reasi districts, reported PTI.

One of the survivors told India Today TV, I saw one of the terrorists firing at the bus. He kept firing at the bus for 20 minutes even after it fell into a gorge.

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The wreckage of a bus that fell into a deep gorge on Sunday after being fired at by suspected militants in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, on 10 June 2024. AP

According to Hindustan Times (HT), TRF, the banned terror group based in Pakistans Karachi, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sources at the home ministry told India Today TV that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been tasked with probing the dastardly terror attack.

Amit Shah, who served as Union home minister in Modi 2.0, said he had spoken to LG Sinha and the J&K DGP about the incident. The culprits of this dastardly attack will not be spared and will face the wrath of the law, he said.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said the incident reflects the true picture of the worrying security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

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NDTV reports citing officials that M4 carbines, a US-made assault rifle variant, were used by the terrorists. Multiple teams of security forces and drones have been deployed to hunt for the perpetrators of the attack.

A major security worry

The incident has raised worries about militancy activity in the mostly peaceful Jammu region.

As per an Indian Express report, terrorists had last targeted Hindu pilgrims in the Reasi district in May 2022, when four Vaishno Devi devotees were killed and 24 injured after the bus carrying them caught fire due to sticky bombs planted by terrorists on the vehicle.

In 2017, a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims got caught in a crossfire between police and militants near the Anantnag district, resulting in the death of seven Hindu devotees, most of them women. The vehicle was returning from the famed Amarnath shrine located deep in the Himalayas.

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The newspaper report points out that terror attacks beyond the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch indicate militants have expanded their operations in the Union Territory.

Indian army soldiers patrol the area where a bus fell into a deep gorge on Sunday after being fired at by suspected militants in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, on 10 June 2024. AP

From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, the Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts were hotspots of militancy. However, peace somewhat returned until a revival of militant activities was reported in Rajouri and Poonch in 2021, Indian Express reported. Since then, 38 soldiers and 11 civilians have lost their lives in these two districts.

Before Sundays attack, the Reasi district, which is far away from the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, had remained peaceful for almost 20 years.

HT, citing top official sources, reports that 12 terrorists are behind the attack and they are moving inside the Rajouri-Poonch forests in groups of three or two.

Sources in the security forces told NDTV that at least three terror groups are operating in the areas of Reasi, Udhampur, Poonch and Rajouri.

Characterised by rugged mountainous terrain and dense forests, Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi are significant due to their geographical location, Indian Express noted.

According to the newspaper sources, the only other militant activity reported from Reasi district is of terrorists travelling through the area to reach the Kashmir Valley after crossing the LoC into Rajouri and Poonch districts.

A senior police officer told Indian Express that the Reasi attack was likely a response by terrorists to the increasing pressure from police and security forces in Rajouri and Poonch.

With inputs from agencies
guest column

Cairo  If health is wealth, as the saying goes, does Africa have any chance of escaping mass poverty and low rankings in the human development index that measures the quality of life of the world's peoples?

Real development is not just about GDP growth numbers, but more about GDP per capita and about human development issues such as the availability of quality healthcare and 'Universal Health Coverage', education and skills, nutrition, safe water, and life expectancy.

Africa's health systems are collapsing, worsening the quality of life of millions of Africans who do not have adequate and quality healthcare. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other health professionals are fleeing abroad in search of greener pastures  a massive 'brain drain'.

Africa has only three percent of the world's health workforce despite being 18 percent of the world's population. The one-directional migration of skilled human capital benefits only the receiving countries and has persisted for several decades. It is progressively getting worse, and it isn't going away soon. Emigration of skilled talent in many sectors is a challenge across Africa, but the loss is most profound  and its impact heaviest  in healthcare.

Consider: 65 percent of Egypt's doctors work abroad. Nigerian lost doctors 9000 doctors between 2016 and 2018, most of them for work in the United Kingdom, the USA and Canada. In Nigeria we call this the "japa" syndrome from a Yoruba word meaning "to run" or "to flee".

Between 1986 and 1995, 61 percent of the graduates of one medical school in Ghana had migrated to other countries for work. A decade ago, an Ethiopian official lamented that there were more Ethiopian doctors in the United States city of Chicago than in Ethiopia.

The importance of health workers and the healthcare professions is not reflected in the governance of most African countries. This includes non-financial aspects of recognition, appreciation and reward, such as social status and the value attached to scientific research or to publications in professional journals.

Africa and the developed world are divided between the 'brain drainers' and the 'brain drained'. Fifteen of the world's fiscally wealthiest countries have 55,000 African doctors working in their health systems  and even more nurses and other healthcare professionals - and these numbers may be conservative.

The top 'brain drainers' are the UK (13,909), USA (12,692), France (10,731), Canada (5,888), Germany (4,535), Ireland (3,056), and Australia. (1,999). The top 'brain drained' countries in Africa are, in ranking order, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria, and Sudan.

A combination of political instability, insecurity, weak economies and insufficient investment in African public health systems adds impetus to the movement of skilled practitioners to Europe and North America. Inadequate equipment and drugs supplies and low worker pay are also factors. African healthcare workers earn between $200 and $500 a month on average, while their counterparts in developed countries earn, on average, 3000 percent more.

Many wealthy nations have failed to invest adequately in educating their own potential healthcare workforce. Aging populations in fiscally richer countries put additional pressures on their systems. This makes Europe and North America increasingly dependent on other countries, especially in Africa, to fill the gap.

In the UK there was a 38 percent increase in new registrations of doctors from abroad doctors from 1993 to 2022. England needed 25,000 more doctors in 2008 than it did in 1997. The situation is far worse regarding nurses: England needed 250,000 more nurses in 2008 than it did in 1997.

The Covid19 pandemic has massively increased the healthcare needs of developed countries. Recruitment campaigns for health professionals by developed western countries targeting health workers in developing countries, and the absence of effective health insurance to cover healthcare costs, all contribute to a potent mix of incentives for recruiting skilled workers from abroad.

The brain drain has had disastrous consequences for Africa. The World Health Organization recommends a minimum ratio of 1 doctor to 600 people. In Nigeria, the ratio is a paltry 1 to 9000, while in South Africa it is 1 to 3198. Doctors in training  interns and residents - now carry most of the workload burden, resulting in lack of adequate supervision, overwork, and burnout, with dangerous implications for health outcomes.

Africa has been unable to achieve Universal Health Coverage, and the low status of healthcare professionals in Africa threatens development more generally. Labour strikes by medical personnel, with disruptive implications for lives and public health, are a reality of life in countries like Nigeria.

Reversing the brain drain will take time even in the best of scenarios. It ought to be a number one priority of public policy and governance, but few African countries prioritize healthcare. Without evident political will to reverse the brain drain, especially in the health care sector, the future of most African countries is bleak.

A state exists to enable the welfare and prosperity of its citizens, for them to thrive and not to merely exist. Without health, most individuals will not live fulfilled and economically productive lives.

The following strategies must be adopted to begin to stem the impact of the healthcare sector brain drain:

1. Financial investments in improving healthcare systems must become a political priority. In 2001, member countries of the African Union pledged to allocate 15 percent of their national budgets on health. Only Eritrea, Mauritius, and the Seychelles have met this target. Without such investments allocated and spent efficiently and effectively, with monitoring and evaluation of outcomes, healthcare cannot take off in African countries

2. We must train multiple times more health professionals. This requires a significant shift in our education policies. We need to shift the curricula of tertiary institutions to prioritize science and technology, in particular medicine and health sciences. Nurses and laboratory technologists are critical in this context.

3. Third, incentive structures need to be created and implemented. These include increased remuneration for public sector healthcare workers, which will also encourage more people to study medicine and the other medical sciences such as nursing and There should also be additional incentives for healthcare workers who work in mostly underserved rural areas.

4. We must massively increase health insurance coverage, as viable health systems must have a working health insurance policy to subsidize their costs, including compensation for medical workers.

5. African countries need to establish and invest in comprehensive Diaspora return strategies, focused on the healthcare and education sectors. The brain drain crisis cannot be addressed without a direct engagement with brain-drained Africans. I proposed, as a presidential candidate in Nigeria in 2019, a Diaspora Fund that would pay Diaspora returnees 50-75% of the compensation they earn in developed countries, for a fixed period of 5 years. This strategy would appeal to patriotic Africans who wish to return to and work in the continent but cannot meet their financial needs in their home countries. Nigeria alone would need a $500 million fund for this purpose.

6. Investments in skills training for healthcare industry remote work could create a brain gain in which highly educated Africans work partly for industries abroad remotely, earning hard currency, in addition to supporting medical care at home. Conversely, "brain drained" medical personnel abroad can deploy the technology of telemedicine to support health systems at home in Africa.

7. The productivity base of African economies must be improved so that a general improvement in living, working and professional conditions can help retain a significant portion of health workers. This will require adequate electricity, improved security, and the availability of housing and educational opportunities.

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8. Slow down population growth. Population growth is outstripping not just economic growth in many African countries, but also outperforming improvements and advances in health care systems and the capacity of the health workforce.

9. Finally, African countries need to engage more effectively with the World Health Organization's Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel, which aims to make such recruitments more "ethical" and ensures the oversight or involvement of national health authorities. Most African countries have yet to engage seriously with this framework as part of a holistic strategy to address their challenges. In the WHO Global Code of Practice 4th National Round of Reporting published in March 2022, only eight African countries had submitted their national reports on the implementation of this framework.

African countries cannot afford to merely lament what is admittedly a difficult challenge, not one not amenable to a quick fix. Migration, whether for political, economic or other reasons, is an intrinsic part of human history. But we must begin to mount a serious response to the phenomenon in Africa.

Without a viable health workforce, effective healthcare delivery can't happen. And without healthcare, a basic human need, any talk of development is a pie in the sky.

Kingsley Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is the President of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET) and Chairman of the Board of Africa Private Sector Summit. He is scheduled to give the 5th Annual Arthur Mbanefo Lecture at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Center, University of Lagos, at 11 am, Tuesday, June 11th.
A day after the swearing-in ceremony of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, the Cabinet berths were finally allocated. The BJP has retained plum portfolios including the big four  defence, external affairs, home affairs and finance. These ministries constitute the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). Heres a look at why the saffron party not only kept these posts with itself but also continued the ministers from Modi 2.0 read more

The BJP has retained the plum portfolios of defence, foreign affairs, finance and home in Modi 3.0. PTI

The Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet made some big decisions in its first meeting on Monday (10 June). After the huddle concluded, the wait for the portfolio allocation in the third NDA government was finally over as the Centre announced the ministries.

Modi and his 71 Council of Ministers were administered the oath of office by President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday (9 June) evening at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. There are 30 Cabinet ministers, five Ministers of State (Independent), and 36 MoS in Modi 3.0.

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Senior BJP leaders like Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar, who were part of the key Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), have been retained in the new government led by Modi. However, which ministries have they been allotted? What about others? Has the BJP kept the key ministries forming the CCS?

Lets take a closer look.

The Big Four

Rajnath Singh, BJP MP from Lucknow, will continue as Indiaas defence minister, a charge he was given in Modi 2.0.

BJPs Gandhinagar MP Amit Shah will return as Union home minister for a second consecutive term.

Rajya Sabha MP Nirmala Sitharaman, who is among the only two women inducted into the Union Cabinet, will keep the finance ministry. She became the first full-time finance minister in 2019 when she was allocated the plum portfolio after the BJPs landslide victory in Lok Sabha polls.

S Jaishankar, a Rajya Sabha MP, has been retained in his job as External Affairs Minister (EAM). This will be his second stint as a Union minister.

Portfolio for PM Modi-led Union Cabinet announced



Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, Dr S Jaishankar Piyush Goyal and Ashwini Vaishnaw retain their ministries. pic.twitter.com/LkZ0MQiTnk  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

Other ministers in Modi 3.0

Senior BJP leader and Nagpur MP Nitin Gadkari has retained the Ministry for Road Transport & Highways. East Delhi MP Harsh Malhotra and Almora MP Ajay Tamta, both from the BJP, will be Ministers of State (MoS) for the department.

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BJP president JP Nadda has got health ministry, a charge he first held during the Modi government in 2014.

Shah will remain the Cooperation minister.

Piyush Goyal will keep the Commerce and Industry Ministry.

Rajya Sabha MP Ashwini Vaishnaw will continue as the Railways minister, a much sought-after department by Nitish Kumars JD(U). He has also been given the Information and Broadcasting portfolio in the new NDA government, along with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

JD(U) MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh has to contend with the Panchayati Raj ministry. He is also the Union minster for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

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Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be the new Agriculture Minister. He will also be responsible for the Rural Development portfolio.

Former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal (ML) Khattar has been allotted Power and Housing and Affairs ministries. BJPs Shripad Yesso Naik will be MoS Power and Bilaspur MP Tokhan Sahu has been made MoS Housing and Urban Affairs.

Dharmendra Pradhan has returned as Education minister, while senior BJP leader CR Patil has got Jal Shakti ministry. Another party leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is the new Tourism minister. He will also hold the Culture department.

There has been a rejig in the Civil Aviation Ministry. The plum portfolio has gone to NDAs second-largest constituent in terms of Lok Sabha seats  the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). TDP MP Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has replaced the BJPs Jyotiraditya Scindia, as the new civil aviation minister. The saffron party leader has been shifted to the Telecommunication ministry and will hold the additional charge as the Minister of Development of North Eastern Region.

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Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, whose party won all five Lok Sabha seats it contested in Bihar, will head the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

Kiren Rijiju is the Parliamentary Affairs Minister and Minister of Minority Affairs.

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, who was the health minister in Modi 2.0, is the new Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has been retained by BJPs Sarbananda Sonowal. Hardeep Singh Puri is the minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy has been given the Ministry of Steel, along with Heavy Industries portfolio.

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Read here: Full list of portfolio allocation

Why is the CCS so crucial?

It is no surprise that the BJP has kept the four top ministries that constitute the CCS.

With the Prime Minister at the helm, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) comprising of the ministers for Finance, Defence, Home Affairs and External Affairs, is a highly important panel.

As per an Onmanorama article, the CCS is Indias highest decision-making body on security affairs. It deals with issues related to defence, law and order, and internal security.

The panel debates and makes decisions on appointments in national security bodies. It also takes a call on the countrys defence expenditure.

The CCS is responsible for policy matters related to foreign affairs affecting internal or external security, including pacts with other countries on security-related issues. It also concerns itself with matters of atomic energy.

Given the panels immense importance, it was widely expected the BJP would resist pressures from its NDA partners and would not part away from these four crucial portfolios that make up the CCS.

As per Indian Express, the leader of the government usually assigns their most trusted party members and allies to take charge of these ministries. While coalition governments in the past have seen members of CCS from different parties, Modi has refused to do so. It was unlikely he was going to allot these ministries to anyone outside the party.

STORY | Modi govt 3.0 holds first Cabinet meeting



READ: https://t.co/ccio7LQ82m



VIDEO: pic.twitter.com/LU4ArC8oW3  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 10, 2024

By not only retaining the Defence, External Affairs, Home Affairs and Finance portfolios but also giving these ministries to the BJP leaders who respectively held these posts in Modi 2.0, the saffron party is perhaps trying to project stability in the new NDA government.

The BJP, which managed to secure a majority on its own in the last two general elections, was denied the magic number of 272, forcing it to run a coalition government.

This move may be a signal that though the BJP is reliant on its NDA partners to remain in power, the party is in no mood to make compromises when it comes to the security of India.

The BJP has eliminated the possible wrangling and disputes among NDA members regarding policies on foreign affairs, internal security, economic issues and defence by keeping these plum posts for itself.

It is not always easy to run a coalition government but the BJP has sent a message that it remains in power and it is they who are in charge of the third NDA government.

With inputs from agencies
JP Naddas inclusion in the Modi Cabinet has raised questions about who shall succeed him as the next BJP president. A new chief will have to be selected soon as Naddas term ends at the end of this month. A few names are already doing the rounds read more

BJP's Anurag Thakur with the partys national president JP Nadda. Among the many contenders for the BJP president, the name that has got everyone buzzing is that of Anurag Thakur. File image/PTI

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the oath of office for a record-making third term at Rashtrapati Bhavan. With him, another 72 ministers were also sworn in, who will make up Modi Sarkar 3.0.

Of Modis picks , one has a bigger implication. The inclusion of Jagat Prakash Nadda in the new Council of Ministers of the NDA government indicates that the BJP is all set for an overhaul. After all, JP Nadda has been the partys chief since January 2020.

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Now, with Naddas return to the Cabinet  he was part of Modis first government, helming the health ministry  a new BJP chief is expected to be elected soon, as the party follows the principle of one man, one post.

Who could be in the running for BJP president? We explore the many options before the ruling party.

Why is a BJP rejig likely?

On Sunday (9 June), JP Nadda , the current BJP president, was inducted into the Modi Cabinet. As the BJP follows the one person, one post policy, now the party will have to look for a new chief.

Nadda, a veteran of the party, took over as the BJP president from Amit Shah, who joined the Modi Cabinet as the home minister. And in 2020, Nadda became a full-time president. In January this year, his term as president expired. However, he was given a six-month extension to oversee the Lok Sabha elections and his term ends in June.

Whos in the running to be next BJP chief?

Immediately after Nadda was sworn in as minister in the new Modi administration, questions began over who will helm the party next. Interestingly, the earlier names doing the rounds for the party presidents post such as ML Khattar, Shivraj Singh Chouhan have also been inducted into the Union Cabinet.

This leaves the BJP to look inwards into its organisation. Now, one of the names doing the rounds for BJP president is outgoing minister Anurag Thakur . The former Union minister was excluded from the Cabinet despite winning a fifth term from the Hamirpur seat in Himachal Pradesh. He also has organisation experience in his kitty from his time as former president of the BJPs youth wing.

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On his exclusion, he said on Sunday that he would continue to work hard as a party worker to fulfil the goal of Modi to make India a developed nation.

However, if the BJP does, in fact, choose Thakur, it would mean that two top positions have been accorded to the state of Himachal Pradesh. Nadda and Thakur both are from the northern hilly state. Moreover, giving Thakur the presidents post would mean that the BJP has its first political dynast as party chief.

BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawdes name is doing the rounds for the position of next BJP president. File image/PTI

Another name doing the rounds is that of Vinod Tawde. Hailing from Maharashtra, Tawde has been a minister at the state level. Currently, he is the general secretary in-charge of Bihar and handled several key responsibilities during the Lok Sabha campaign. With a background from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), he is known to be a soft-spoken and methodical leader.

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Hailing from the Maratha community, poll pundits believe that making him the BJP chief would send a good message ahead of the Assembly elections in Maharashtra, scheduled for later this year. They note that it would be especially beneficial considering the partys poor show in the state in the national elections.

Another probable for BJP chief is Sunil Bansal. The current BJP national general secretary, is a former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak and is believed to be close to Amit Shah. Moreover, he enjoys the support of the RSS. An Economic Times report states that during the Lok Sabha campaign, Bansal handled all the call centres across the country, collecting feedback and encouraging and motivating workers on the ground.

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Amit Shah with BJP national general Secretary BL Santhosh. Santhosh currently serves as the general secretary (organisation) of the party. File image/PTI

Among the many choices that the BJP has, is BL Santhosh. Serving as the general secretary (organisation) of the party, Santhosh is aware of the BJPs organisation and its functioning. Theres one drawback to him being selected as chief though. A section of the Karnataka BJP blames him for the partys defeat in the 2023 Assembly elections.

Another contender in the running for BJP chief is Om Mathur from Rajasthan. It is, in fact, said that Mathur is considered as PM Modis left-hand man. A former RSS pracharak, Mathur has a proven track record when it comes to elections  be it in Maharashtra (2014), Uttar Pradesh (2017) and, Chhattisgarh in 2023. The Print reports that Modi is said to bank on Mathurs organisational skills since his days as the Gujarat chief minister.

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According to some report, Devendra Fadnavis could be a surprise pick as BJP president. However, the partys poor show may be a reason why he doesnt get the position. File image/PTI

Who else could be in the running?

Besides these names, there are also some other contenders who could be picked as BJP president. Among them is Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. He recently announced that he would like to resign, taking responsibility for the BJPs poor performance in the state. However, he has now rescinded his resignation.

A person close to the BJP told Hindustan Times that the RSS will be taken on board for picking the new president.

As of now, its a wait and watch game.

With inputs from agencies
Israel brought back four Hamas-held hostages after they were kidnapped from a music festival on 7 October. The rescue mission was planned for weeks and was carried out by a special anti-terror unit along with Shin Bet agents read more

Rescued 27-year-old hostage Andrey Kozlov was among four others who were recued by IDF in a complex rescue mission. AP

I couldnt stop hugging him, said Orit Meir, the mother of 22-year-old Almog Meir Jan, who was among the four hostages rescued by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in a complex, high-risk daytime operation on Saturday.

Tomorrow is my birthday so I got my present, Meir told the media in a press conference.

After weeks of meticulous planning, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) along with the intelligence agency Shin Bet and Israel Police carried out an operation over the weekend, in the heart of Nuseirat in central Gaza to bring back four Israeli hostages. Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andri Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, were held captive by Hamas militants for around eight months after they were kidnapped from the Nova music festival on 7 October, as per The Times of Israel report.

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Noa Agamani was found in an apartment during an IDF rescue operation. She was taken to a hospital near Tel Aviv where she was reunited with her father after eight months. X/@IDF

Dubbed Seeds of Summer, the operation was termed heroic by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and brought relief and celebration to Israel. In contrast, for Palestinians, it brought more suffering as Hamas officials say the raid killed hundreds in the densely populated Nuseirat camp.

How did the IDF pull off the rescue mission? Lets take a closer look

What happened in the raid?

In an unusual move, the operation was carried out by the National Police special anti-terror unit of Yamam in broad daylight, which according to IDFs Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari allowed them a greater element of surprise. They were joined by Shin Bet agents.

In the daytime, you take more risks to make sure the surprise element is kept, and we understood that inside the flats it would give us leverage, Hagari said. We surprised them completely, but it was still hard.

Without the cover of darkness, the soldiers ran a greater risk of failing to get in and out of Gaza safely.

As part of their preparations, the military underwent intensive training and also built models of the apartments the hostages were held in after receiving intelligence regarding their location weeks ago, Hagari informed in a press briefing.

He also revealed that the hostages had been locked in two separate apartments in civilian multi-story buildings about 200 metres (650 feet) apart, with Argamani held in a different building from the three men as the hostages were frequently moved around flat to flat.

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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

At 11 am (local time) on Saturday, the operation was given the go-ahead and simultaneous strikes were carried out by the forces. The elite commandos were accompanied by tanks and were seen firing at Hamas terrorists. A site was soon secured for soldiers to call down a chopper coming in from the sea.

A resident, Nidal Abdo, told CNN that he was shopping at Nuseirat market before a crazy bombardment started hitting everywhere. [It was] something we never witnessed before, maybe 150 rockets fell in less than 10 minutes, while we were running away more fell on the market, he added.

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Military officials described Argamanis rescue as relatively smooth, considering the circumstances. However, a major gun battle erupted at the apartment where Meir Jan, Kozlov, and Ziv were held.

During the intense combat, commander Arnon Zmora, 36, an officer in the special anti-terror unit of Yamam was shot and he later succumbed to his injuries. He leaves behind a wife and two children, Israels foreign affairs ministry said in a statement on X. To honour the slain soldier, the missions name was changed to Operation Arnon.

Behind every rescue mission, are Israeli men and women who risk their lives.



We are devastated to share that Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora, commander and tactical operator in the Yamam (National Police Counter-Terrorism Unit), who was critically wounded in the operation to pic.twitter.com/4P3qRre7Ia  Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 8, 2024

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In a new headcam footage released by the military, soldiers were seen escorting Kozlov and Jan towards the helicopter after it landed. Following the rescue, the chopper took off and exited the Gaza Strip where they delivered the hostages to the Sheba Medical Center, near Tel Aviv.

Bringing them home:

The moment we rescued 3 of the 4 hostages from the heart of Gaza. pic.twitter.com/NkQvXJ9ChT  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024

While the operation was termed extraordinary by Israeli defence minster Yoav Gallant, it is said to have left a trail of devastation in Gaza with reports of hundreds of Palestinians injured and killed. Local residents who witnessed the attack described the attack as hell on earth, in a CNN report.

The Palestinian death toll

The raid, took place in mid-morning, when streets were teeming with locals shopping at a nearby market. As the offensive began, heavy bombardment was reported from the area, leaving many dead and injured.

In a Reuters report, IDF said the death toll was under 100, but the Hamas officials disagree. The authorities called the Saturday operation a horrific massacre that resulted in more than 250 casualties and left over 600 injured.

Heavy bombardment was reported in the densely populated Nuseirat camp in central Gaza. AP

While describing the airstrikes, 10-year-old Areej Al Zahdneh, told the _BBC, _We couldnt breathe. My sister Reemaz was hit by shrapnel in her head and my five-year-old sister Yara was also hit by shrapnel.

The report also quoted doctors at the two hospitals who said they had counted more than 70 bodies.

The Israeli authorities placed blame on Hamas, saying Israeli forces had to enter civilian areas to reach hostages as this was where Hamas had embedded itself.

The operation will pose a great danger to the (remaining hostages) and will have a negative impact on their conditions and lives,Hamas military spokesperson Obaida said.

With input from agencies
After the Modi Cabinet 3.0 swearing-in, all eyes have turned to the Lok Sabha Speakers post. The TDP and JD(U), the main allies of the BJP, are vying for this position. However, the saffron party, seeing the importance of it, seems in no mood to relent read more

Both the BJP allies, the TDP and JD(U), want the Speaker's position in the 18th Lok Sabha. File image/PTI

After hectic negotiations and discussions, the Modi Cabinet has taken its oath in a historic and resplendent ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The new administration is reflective of the BJPs balancing act with its NDA allies, namely the Janata Dal-United (JDU), the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD).

But as the movie dialogue says: picture abhi baaki hai. The BJPs allies may have got representation in the Modi government, but the JD(U) and the TDP are still engaged in consultations over the Lok Sabha Speakers post.

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Why are the two parties so keen on the position of the Speaker? Why is this post considered important? We take a deep dive into the matter and get you all the answers.

Speakers choice

The Speaker is the constitutional and ceremonial head of the Lok Sabha. According to one report, the institutions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker originated in India in 1921 under the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1919 (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms).

The Speaker is generally elected in the first meeting of members of the Lok Sabha. Before his/her selection, a pro-tem Speaker appointed by the President administers the oath of office to the new MPs. It is after the MPs are sworn in that a Lok Sabha Speaker is elected by a simple majority. Interestingly, there is no specific criteria that is required to be met for the position of Speaker.

In the last two Lok Sabhas, Sumitra Mahajan and Om Birla were elected Speakers.

In the 17th Lok Sabha, BJPs Om Birla served as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. File image/PTI

Importance of the Speaker

As head of the Lok Sabha, the Speaker is the head of the Lower House of Parliament. It is the Speakers duty to maintain decorum in the House and is also empowered to adjourn the proceedings of the House or suspend it in case order cant be maintained.

What makes the Speaker even more important is that he/she is considered the final interpreter of the provisions of the Constitution of India, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha.

The Speaker also decides on the disqualification of a member and is the final authority on matters of defection.

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It is because of these responsibilities that even though the Speaker comes from a specific party, he/she is expected to function in a non-partisan manner. Interestingly, Congress veteran N Sanjiva Reddy had resigned from the Congress after he was elected Speaker of the fourth Lok Sabha.

Somnath Chatterjee was even expelled by the Communist Party of India-Marxist {CPI(M)} over the non-partisan stance he had taken during the 2008 no-confidence motion against the United Progressive Alliance.

The Speakers role becomes even more significant when dealing with the anti-defection law. In cases when an MP has defected to another party, it is for the Speaker to decide on disqualification petitions, with the timing and outcome of the decision resting solely with them.

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In 2023, Rahul Narwekar , the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, was accused of engaging in partisan politics when dealing with the issue of the Eknath Khadse-led Shiv Sena faction and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.

TDP, JD(U) vying for Speaker

Ever since 4 June, when the Lok Sabha results were declared, and the TDP and JD(U) emerged as kingmakers within the NDA, Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar have been gunning for the Speakers position.

The TDP has been gunning for this position, citing the example of TDPs GMC Balayogi who was Speaker when former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee headed BJP-led coalition in the 1990s.

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Poll experts cite that the reason why Naidu is pushing for the position in the Lok Sabha is to shield him and his party from any possible split in the future. As NDTV reports, Naidu wants the Speakers position as an insurance against the BJP.

Narendra Modi with TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu during the NDA parliamentary party meeting at Samvidhan Sadan, in New Delhi. According to experts, TDP wants the Speakers position as an insurance against the BJP. File image/PTI

In fact, in the past couple of years, there have been cases of defection within the ruling parties at the state level, causing governments to topple. They believe having the Speakers position will save them from a possible mutiny in the future.

Earlier it was reported that the TDP was pushing for Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu to be the candidate for the Speakers position. However, Naidu was sworn into the Cabinet on Sunday. Now, reports have emerged that the TDP is pushing for former Lok Sabha Speaker Ganti Mohana Chandra Balayogis son and first-time MP GM Harish Madhur.

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A New Indian Express report states that by putting forth Madhurs name, the TDP wants to earn the credit of once again making a Dalit the Speaker of the House. Incidentally, GMC Balayogi was the first Dalit Speaker of the Lok Sabha during Atal Bihari Vajpayees tenure as PM.

However, the BJP is reportedly in no mood to relent and wants its own member as Speaker. In fact, a Times of India report states that Andhra Pradesh BJP president and Rajahmundry MP Daggubati Purandeswari is among the probables for the post of Speaker in the 18th Lok Sabha.

Sources told Times of India that the former Union minister and daughter of TDP founder NT Rama Rao may been excluded from Prime Minister Modis new Cabinet, only so that she could be appointed as Lok Sabha Speaker.

Opposition Speaks

While the negotiations over the Speakers position are still on, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that a BJP Speaker in the new Lok Sabha would be dangerous for parliamentary traditions. The post, according to AAPs Sanjay Singh, should be held by the TDP, the NDAs second biggest member with 16 MPs.

He told reporters earlier, Never in the Parliamentary history of the country were more than 150 MPs suspended, but the BJP did it So, if the Speaker is from BJP, bills will be passed in arbitrary manner by violating the Constitution, parties like TDP, JD(U) and other small parties will be broken and forced to join (the BJP). BJP has a history of that.

With inputs from agencies
A recent study shows that widespread horse domestication occurred twice. While the first time didnt result in much, the second time, around 4,200 years ago, changed history for us read more

Whether connecting people by transporting them from one place to another or fighting in wars, horses have played a key role in history. Now, a recent study shows that around 4,200 years ago, humans began to spread domesticated horses around the world.

One of the most interesting things to be revealed in a new study, published in the journal Nature, shows that a genetic mutation changed the shape of the animals back, making it easier to ride. According to the study, domestication occurred twice. It failed the first time but succeeded the second time around 4,200 years ago.

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A herder guides horses in an open plain in Innner Mongolia, China. AP image

Animal domestication, in general, changed human history, but no other animal was a king-maker as the horse was, said evolutionary biologist Pablo Librado of the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE) in Barcelona and previously of Frances CNRS research agency, lead author of the study published this week in the journal Nature.

Think of Genghis Khan, with an empire stretching from the Sea of Japan to the doors of Europe. The world as we know it today has been shaped by horses. Think in agriculture, how important horses were as working animals. Think in New York or Washington 200 years ago, with carriages pulled by horses in the streets, Librado said.

What the study reveals

Genomic evidence shows that horses were first domesticated in Central Asia  northern Kazakhstan to be precise  about 5,500 years ago by people from what is called the Botai culture. But this domestication was based on obtaining meat and milk, not movement, and did not spread. The feral Przewalskis horses of Mongolia descended from those Botai horses.

The domestication of a second equine bloodline began roughly 4,700 years ago in the western Russian steppes, trotting along for a period of centuries before horse-based mobility suddenly galloped across Eurasia about 4,200 years ago, the study showed. All modern domestic horses have their origins in this event.

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The genomic evidence revealed a shift in breeding practices at that time to satisfy the demand for horses. People doubled horse production capacity by halving the time between generations from eight years to four, according to molecular archaeologist and study co-author Ludovic Orlando of the Center for Anthropobiology and Genomics of Toulouse in France.

We detect close-kin mating only from that time, and not in the deeper past. This is a practice that wild or domestic horses tend to avoid unless breeders force them to mate with their relatives, to maintain and select for certain valued traits such as increased docility, Librado said.

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Once horses were spread across Eurasia, and the pressure to further expand them in space and numbers diminished, the horse generation time returned to normal values. The generation times were only reduced again in the last 200 years following industrial breeding  the emergence of new horse breed types tailored to specific tasks, Librado added.

A herd of endangered Przewalskis horses trot across the Takhin Tal National Park, part of the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area, in south-west Mongolia. File image/Reuters

Importance of horses

Laurent Frantz, who studies the genetics of ancient creatures at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and was not involved in the study told AP that humans changed the horse genome quickly owing to their importance.

In fact, it is horse-based mobility that allowed people to move quickly over large distances, speeding up communication and trade networks across Europe and Asia and enabling exchanges and interactions among diverse cultures.

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Moreover, chariots and cavalry reshaped warfare.

This started a new era in human history, when the world became smaller, more global. This era lasted until the invention of combustion engines in the late 19th century, Orlando said.

How many empires rose and fell because of a powerful cavalry? Librado asked. We believe that a key element in the early dispersion of horses was the invention of spoke-wheeled chariots, which in contrast to heavier wagons could be pulled by horses and not by cattle for the first time in human history.

With inputs from AP and Reuters
The unique challenges posed by the pilgrimage and the ongoing threat from terror groups make complete security a difficult goal to achieve read more

The damaged bus after it plunged into a gorge following an alleged attack by suspected terrorists, in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, on 9 June, 2024. PTI

Amarnath pilgrims have frequently remained soft targets for terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. The Amarnath Yatra, a significant pilgrimage for Hindus, is highly visible and symbolic, making it an attractive target for terrorists seeking to generate fear and garner attention. There are indeed logistical challenges to providing foolproof security and the large gatherings of pilgrims complicate efforts to prevent such attacks. Here is a list of 10 notable attacks on Amarnath pilgrims over the years in Jammu and Kashmir:

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9 June 2024: A bus carrying pilgrims to the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi temple was attacked by terrorists in the Reasi district, authorities said, causing the death of at least 10 people and injured 33 after the vehicle fell into a deep gorge.

May 2022: Four Vaishno Devi pilgrims were killed and 24 injured when a bus from Katra to Jammu caught fire because of a bomb planted by terrorists.

10 July 2017: Seven Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 15 injured when militants attacked a bus carrying at least 56 passengers at Botengo village near Anantnag, on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, in South Kashmir.

21 July 2006: Five pilgrims were killed when terrorists attacked a bus with grenades near Beehama, Ganderbal. The bus was returning from the Baltal base camp of the Amarnath Yatra.

6 August 2002: Terrorists attacked the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam, killing nine people, including six pilgrims and three civilians. The attack was carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba militants.

20 July 2001: A terrorist threw grenades and fired indiscriminately at a pilgrim camp near Sheshnag Lake, killing 13 people including pilgrims and local support staff.

2 August 2000: The largest attack in Amarnath Yatra history occurred when terrorists attacked the base camp at Pahalgam. Thirty-two people, including 21 pilgrims and seven local shopkeepers, were killed, and 60 were injured in the two-hour assault.

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28 July 1998: Terrorists attacked a group of Amarnath pilgrims, resulting in the deaths of 20 people. The attack took place at the Sheshnag campsite, a resting point for pilgrims on their way to the Amarnath cave.

2 August 1994: On August 2, terrorists killed five pilgrims and injured several others at the Amarnath Yatra base camp in Pahalgam. This attack was one of the early instances targeting the pilgrimage, which has since seen repeated violence (India Today).

15 August 1993: Militants attacked a convoy of pilgrims enroute to the Amarnath shrine killing eight people. The attack highlighted the increasing risk faced by pilgrims during the annual yatra.
Pabitra Margheritas appointment as Minister of State is a strategic move by the BJP aiming to strengthen its foothold in Assam ahead of upcoming elections read more

The last person to take the oath as a minister on 9 June, 2024, at the front courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan was a surprise pick from AssamPabitra Margherita. While well-known in Assam, Margherita (whose surname is derived from the coal hub in his home state) is relatively new to the political scene in Delhi. He became a Rajya Sabha MP from Assam in 2022.

Before venturing into politics, Margherita was deeply involved in Assams cultural sphere until 2014 when he shifted his focus and joined the BJP during the height of the Modi wave. Extremely articulate and a master of rhetoric, Margherita has been serving as a BJP spokesperson in Assam since 2014. His significant contributions to the cultural field have helped him leverage his popularity effectively in his political career.

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Having been involved in various party and government committees, Margherita has quickly absorbed the intricacies of the political landscape. His close relationships with Sarbananda Sonowal, a senior member of the Union Council of Ministers from Assam and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have further honed his political acumen.

More strategic than surprise

For those unfamiliar with the political dynamics, Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to appoint Pabitra Margherita as a Minister of State may seem premature. However, the choice is both reactionary and strategic. The BJP did not anticipate Congress leader Gaurav Gogois victory in the Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency, a new and unfamiliar territory for him.

The entire Assam BJP machinery, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, campaigned aggressively against Gaurav, the son of former state chief minister Tarun Gogoi, aiming to thwart his parliamentary bid. Had Gaurav lost, it would have jeopardised his political future, further weakening the Congress, which is already struggling for survival in the northeastern state.

The BJP believed that the Ahom community, to which both Gaurav Gogoi and BJP candidate Topon Gogoi belonged, would support the incumbent BJP leader. However, Gaurav proved to be both smarter and more determined, with informed voters backing him. His victory sent shockwaves through the BJP ranks and offered a glimmer of hope for the Congress to revive itself in the state. The outcome underscored that the Ahom vote could not be taken for granted, and neither Prime Minister Modis nor Chief Minister Sarmas stellar reputations would necessarily sway the electorate. This contest was more about individual personalities than intra-community allegiance.

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Need for countermeasures

With the Assam election just two years away, the BJP felt an urgent need for a counterweight to Gaurav. Topon Gogoi had proven lacklustre, so the party needed a popular and acceptable face, which is where Pabitra Margherita came in. Media-savvy, social media-friendly, approachable and well-recognised in Assam, Margherita was the ideal choice. How Gaurav handles this new development remains to be seen, but he knows the competition just got a bit tighter.

The importance of the Ahom community in Jorhat cannot be overstated. It includes the Sibsagar district, the historical centre of the Ahom dynasty. Highlighting this significance, just before this years elections, Prime Minister Modi unveiled a 125-foot statue honouring the Ahom general Lachit Barphukan, who defended Assam against Mughal invasions. Jorhat, once the capital of the Ahom kingdom, plays a pivotal role in Assam politics.

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With over 5 lakh Ahom voters out of a total of 17 lakh, their support was crucial for victory. Gaurav clearly understood the communitys sentiments better than all the BJP stalwarts.

Gauravs father, Tarun Gogoi, won from this constituency twice, in 1971 and 1977. Another prominent Ahom and Congress leader, Bijoy Krishna Handique, represented the seat six times until he was defeated by BJP tea tribe leader Kamakhya Tasa in 2014. In 2019, BJPs Ahom leader Topon Gogoi won the seat. However, a twist in the tale is the ongoing demand for scheduled tribe status for the Ahom community, which remains unfulfilled.

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Did overconfidence seal the fate for BJP in Jorhat?

When BJP MLA Mrinal Saikia described Gauravs victory as amazing and significant, Chief Minister Sarma scoffed, suggesting Saikia might be on his way out of the saffron party. Saikia, representing the Khumtai Assembly constituency, had stated that Money, Big Publicity, Over Doses of Leaders, and Arrogant Speeches do not always help to win elections, and he may have been correct. Instead of reacting with hostility, the BJP should recognise that Saikia has merely revealed the partys blind spot, perhaps too enamored with its taste of power in Assam.

Ahead of the elections, former MP from Jorhat, Topon Kumar Gogoi, confidently predicted retaining the constituency, claiming he would defeat Gaurav by a margin of over two lakh votes, citing an increase in the electorate to 17.5 lakh following the delimitation exercise, as he told PTI in an interview.

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Ironically, in 2019, Topon Gogoi won by a margin of 82,653 votes, securing 5,43,288 votes against Congress Sushanta Borgohains 4,60,635. Borgohain, who was then a member of Congress, later joined the BJP. Borgohain is also from the Ahom community.

Task cut out for Pabitra Margherita

In Assam, Pabitra Margheritas actions are likely to be more impactful than his responsibilities as a Minister of State. With both Pabitra and Gaurav now in Delhi, their rivalry is poised to intensify. In reality, the contest has only just begun.

The Minister of State position offers increased visibility and sends a subtle message to the Ahom community, highlighting that one of their own is now part of the Union Council of Ministers. Gaurav Gogoi, who served as the Deputy Leader of Congress in the last Lok Sabha and is known for his eloquence and active participation in House debates, has already established himself as a sharp, capable and promising young leader.

For Pabitra Margherita, the challenge is clear: he must match and surpass his rival. Both leaders understand that in Assam, the electorate favours a leader who is a better representative of the Ahom community, not just a bitter contender. The contest has evolved into a sophisticated, strategic and serious battle.
Santanu Sinha, an RSS member, has alleged that BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya was indulged in sexual exploitation of women read more

Amit Malviya has on Monday sued Santanu Sinha, a Calcutta-based lawyer and an RSS member, for Rs 10 crore defamation after he alleged that the BJP IT cell chief was indulged in sexual exploitation of women.

In a legal notice sent to Sinha, Malviya has sought removal of false and derogatory post from social media and has also demanded an apology for it.

The nature of allegations are extremely offensive in as much as, they falsely allege sexual misconduct purportedly committed by my client. The same is fatally injurious to the dignity and reputation of my client who, by virtue of his professional profile, is a public figure, the notice stated.

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Malviyas notice to Santanu Sinha

I, the undersigned, therefore call upon you to issue a public apology and take down/remove your defamatory statement(s) given against my client across all public platforms within three (3) days of receipt of this legal notice, failing which my client will be constrained to take appropriate legal action against you Including prosecuting you for civil and criminal defamation at your risk and cost. Further, I call upon you to pay a sum of INR 10 crore as civil damages for the mental harassment, agony and loss of reputation caused to my client that has been caused to my client via your Facebook post dated June 7, 2024, the notice read.

Facebook post has been misconstrued, says Sinha

A report by PTI quoted Sinha as saying: My Facebook post was not aimed at anyone. I wanted to question those state BJP leaders who uses dubious means to please their Delhi bosses so that they can hold on to their posts here. My Facebook post has been misconstrued.

I stick to my stand on whatever I have said. I have neither withdrawn my post nor am I going to budge before any threat, he added

I have sought time to reply to the legal notice. In the meantime if they initiate any civil or criminal proceedings, I will reply accordingly, Sinha further said.

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Congress demands Amit Malviyas removal

Meanwhile, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate called for the immediate removal of Malviya as IT cell head of the BJP

At a press conference in New Delhi, Shrinate said: An RSS member Santanu Sinha, related to BJP leader Rahul Sinha, has said that the BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya is indulged in nefarious activities. He is indulged in the sexual exploitation of women. Not just in 5-star hotels but in BJP offices in West Bengal. The only thing that we seek from the BJP is justice for women.

The reality is less than 24 hours after PM Modi was sworn in, serious charges of sexual exploitation have been levelled against a very prominent office bearer of the BJP, the head of its IT cell, Shrinate further said.

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Today we seek the immediate removal of Amit Malviya from his position. Its an extremely influential position. Its a position of power and there can be no independent inquiry. There can be no independent probe. There cannot be justice unless and until he doesnt get removed from his position," the Congress leader said.

With inputs from agencies
The third Modi government has begun with the biggest size of the Council of Ministers, leaving little scope for Cabinet expansion in the near future. But how different does it look from the just outgone Council of Ministers? read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Council of Ministers at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on 9 June 2024. PTI

Compared to 45 ministers in 2014 and 57 ministers in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated his third term with the largest fleet of ministers  72. According to law, Modi can have a maximum of 81 ministers  capped at 15% of the strength of the 545-member (including the nominated members) Lok Sabha, the lower house of Indias Parliament.

Modi ended his previous term with 71 ministers  26 of the Cabinet rank and 45 of the Minister of State rank (junior ministers), of which three had Independent Charge of their ministries.

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Of the 26 Cabinet rank ministers, Modi dropped seven as he constituted his Council of Ministers for the third consecutive term  a feat that had been unmatched since Indias first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, formed his government in 1962.

Modi retained 19 Cabinet rank ministers and inducted 11 new faces to make up his 30-member group of senior ministers.

A major takeaway from Modis third Council of Ministers is the entry of strong regional players as Cabinet rank ministers. Though Modis chief lieutenants  Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Jaishankar and Nirmala Sitharaman  hold the same prominence, the entry of regional stalwarts and several leaders from alliance partners may see a change in the order of precedence in the Council of Ministers.

Former chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Manohar Lal Khattar (both from Modis Bharatiya Janata Party from Madhya Pradesh and Haryana respectively), HD Kumaraswamy (Janata Dal-Secular leader from Karnataka), and Jitan Ram Manjhi (Hindustani Awam Morcha leader from Bihar) paint a new picture of Modis cabinet.

Besides, Chirag Paswan (Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas leader from Bihar), Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Janata Dal-United leader from Bihar) and Kinjarapu Naidu (Telugu Desam Party leader from Andhra Pradesh) are among the new faces holding the Cabinet rank in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

Modi has given five junior ministers independent charge to run their ministries  three of them have been retained from the previous NDA government. Two are new entrants.

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Rao Inderjit Singh, Jitendra Singh and Arjun Meghwal (all BJP leaders) were retained while Shiv Sena (Shinde faction)s Prataprao Jadhav and Rashtriya Lok Dals Jayant Singh Chaudhary were inducted afresh in the government.

The biggest change in the appearance of Modi 3.0 from how the Council of Ministers looked in Modi 2.0 has happened in the junior ministers  who are actually responsible for implementing the policies of the top leadership of the government and respective ministries  who will help their seniors.

Of the 42 MoS members in the previous Council of Ministers, Modi has dropped 30. He has completely overhauled the band of junior ministers in his third government.

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The table below lists those who were not considered for running the third Modi government. About a dozen of them lost the recent parliamentary polls.

Those retained in Modi 3.0 include Ramdas Athawale, Shripad Naik, Krishan Pal, Nityanand Rai Pankaj Choudhary, Anupriya Singh Patel, SP Singh Baghel, Shobha Karandlaje, BL Verma Shantanu Thakur, and L Murugan, whose case is unique in the sense that he is one of the ministers who lost the polls. Murugan is being seen as the BJPs outreach to voters in Tamil Nadu, from where the party couldnt win a single of the 39 Lok Sabha seats.

The 25 new faces in the junior rank of Modis Council of Ministers tells a story of political considerations, compulsions and caste calculation. The new members in the MoS team are:

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Modis third-term Council of Ministers finds representations from 24 states  including a first from Kerala in the form of Suresh Gopi. In terms of caste arithmetic, the ministry has 27 Other Backward Classes (OBC) members, 10 ministers from the Scheduled Castes (SC) community, five from the Scheduled Tribes (ST), and five from minority communities  none from the Muslim communities.
Days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his re-election, the Indian leader on Monday publicly acknowledged the good wishes from Trudeau and said that India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each others concerns read more

Days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his re-election, the Indian leader on Monday publicly acknowledged the good wishes from Trudeau and said that India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each others concerns.

While PM Modi was prompt in responding to congratulatory messages by other world leaders, he replied to Trudeaus post after good four days, sending a strong message to Canada.

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Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each others concerns.

Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each others concerns. https://t.co/QQJFngoMyH  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 10, 2024

Earlier on 6 June, Trudeau congratulated PM Modi on winning the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and forming the government for the third time but at the same time didnt miss the opportunity to lecture PM Modi on human rights and rule of law, a day after a Canadian parliamentary committee designated India as the second-most significant threat to Canadas democracy.

Taking to X, Trudeau wrote, Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his electoral victory. Canada stands ready to work with his government to advance the relationship between our nations peoplesanchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law.

Trudeau had to face a brutal troll on social media platforms for bringing up human rights and the rule of law in a congratulatory post.

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The relations between India and Canada hit rock bottom after Trudeau had accused Indian government agents of being involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was designated a Khalistani terrorist by Indian security agencies. New Delhi had promptly dismissed the allegations as baseless.

The tension between the two countries further deepened after a recent high-level Canadian parliamentary committee report identified India as the second most significant foreign threat to Canadas democratic institutions and processes, following China.

The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), comprising members with top security clearances from both the House of Commons and the Senate, indicates that Indias efforts in foreign interference have expanded beyond addressing pro-Khalistan factions in Canada.

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The report highlighted that these efforts now encompass meddling in Canadian democratic systems and institutions. This includes targeting Canadian politicians, ethnic media, and Indo-Canadian ethnocultural communities. India is referenced 44 times within the 84-page report.

There was no immediate response to the report from Indian officials. New Delhi has dismissed similar allegations in recent months and instead accused Canadian officials of interfering in matters within India.

The Indian side has also contended that Canada is harbouring Khalistani and other extremist elements and giving space to them to carry out anti-India activities.

With inputs from agencies
analysis

Cholera is a deadly disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, associated with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. But it has also been found in seemingly clean places, including affluent neighbourhoods, hotels and restaurants with poor hygiene practices such as handling food with dirty hands and using contaminated water to wash utensils and prepare food.

Cholera outbreaks in Africa have affected 18 countries over the last two years. In southern and eastern Africa, more than 6,000 people have died and nearly 350,000 cases have been reported since a series of outbreaks began in late 2021.

Samuel Kariuki, a microbiologist and director of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (Eastern Africa) and former director of the Kenya Medical Research Institute, explains how the disease spreads, the symptoms, how to protect yourself, and how it can be treated.

How does cholera spread?

Cholera can spread directly or indirectly in several ways.

Contaminated water: Drinking or using water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria is the most common way cholera spreads. Contamination can occur when sewage and drinking water supplies mix.

Contaminated food: Consuming food, especially raw or undercooked food, that has been contaminated can lead to infection. Food can become contaminated if it is handled by someone who has the bacteria or if it is prepared with contaminated water.

Poor sanitation: A lack of proper sanitation infrastructure creates a breeding ground for Vibrio cholerae, facilitating its rapid spread within communities.

Person-to-person transmission: While less common, cholera can spread through direct contact with an infected person's faeces or vomit, or through indirect contact via contaminated surfaces or objects.

What are the symptoms?

Cholera symptoms can appear suddenly, within hours to five days after infection. Symptoms range from mild discomfort to severe and life-threatening conditions.

One of the main signs is severe diarrhoea, often described as "rice-water" stools, leading to rapid fluid loss from the body and potential muscle cramps due to the loss of essential salts and minerals. Rice water is the starchy water that remains after soaking or cooking rice.

Alongside diarrhoea, vomiting is common and can worsen dehydration.

Dehydration is the most concerning symptom, indicated by a dry mouth, extreme thirst, reduced urination, sunken eyes and low blood pressure, potentially progressing to shock. If untreated, it can be fatal within hours.

It's crucial to recognise these symptoms promptly and seek medical help to prevent severe complications.

How do you protect yourself from cholera?

Ensure you always use safe drinking water. Always use boiled or chemically treated water for drinking and food preparation, and avoid ice made from untreated water.

Always practise hand hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and safe water, especially after using the toilet, after changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food. Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of many infectious diseases, including cholera.

Avoid raw or undercooked food. Consume food that is thoroughly cooked and still hot, and peel fruit and vegetables yourself after washing them with safe water.

Maintain good sanitation practices by ensuring that toilets are thoroughly cleaned. In households with toddlers who use potties, properly dispose of human waste and clean all surfaces thoroughly.

Oral cholera vaccines are available and safe for both children and adults. These vaccines are valuable tools in cholera prevention, but they must be used with all the other preventive measures.

Read more: What's behind the worldwide shortage of cholera vaccines? For starters, they're only made by one company

How can cholera be treated?

Timely and appropriate treatment of cholera is essential to prevent severe dehydration and fatalities. Treatment focuses on rehydration and supportive care:

Rehydration: The primary treatment for cholera is rapid rehydration using oral rehydration salts. This is a simple solution of sugar and salts that is mixed with clean water. It is highly effective in replacing lost fluids and electrolytes and can be administered at home or in a healthcare facility.

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Intravenous fluids: In severe cases where dehydration is extreme, intravenous fluids may be necessary. This can quickly restore fluid levels and is vital for patients who cannot keep down oral fluids because they are vomiting.

Antibiotics: Rehydration is the cornerstone of cholera treatment, but antibiotics can reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. They are particularly useful in severe cases and for patients with a high risk of spreading the infection.

Zinc supplements: These supplements can reduce the duration and severity of diarrhoea, especially for children. Zinc is an essential mineral that supports immune function and gut health. The right dose should be prescribed by a medical practitioner.

Cholera is preventable and treatable. Stay informed, take preventive measures, and contribute to a healthier, cholera-free world.

Celestine Wairimu of the Centre for Microbiology Research contributed to this article.

Samuel Kariuki, Chief Research Scientist and Director, Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute
Suspected militants ambushed the advance security convoy of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in Kangpokpi district on Monday, leaving one personnel injured, police said. read more

The advance security convoy of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, which was on its way to violence-hit Jiribam district, was ambushed by suspected militants in in Kangpokpi district, leaving one personnel injured, police said on Monday.

Police said multiple gunshots were fired at the vehicles of the security forces, who retaliated, adding, the shootout is still on near Kotlen village along a stretch of National Highway-53.

At least one personnel suffered bullet injuries during the attack, police said.

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CM Biren Singh, who is yet to reach Imphal from Delhi, was planning to visit Jiribam to take stock of the situation in the district, PTI quoted an official as saying.

On Saturday, two police outposts, a forest beat office and at least 70 houses were torched in Jiribam by suspected militants.

According to ANI news agency, around 600 people from Jiribam area are now taking shelter in Assams Cachar district following the fresh violence.

#WATCH | Around 600 people from Manipurs Jiribam area are now taking shelter in Assams Cachar district following fresh violence reported in Manipur's Jiribam area. The Cachar district police have heightened security along the bordering areas.



According to Manipur Police, pic.twitter.com/ls9pUJWkCZ  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

The Cachar district police have heightened security along the bordering areas.

Manipur Police said several houses belonging to both Meitei and Kuki communities were burnt by unknown miscreants in Jiribam following the murder of a person at Jiribam.

With inputs from agencies
Despite these social media exchanges, relations between India and Pakistan remain strained and require significant effort to restore even a semblance of normalcy read more

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday took to X to extend his greetings to his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi for assuming office for the third time.

Felicitations to @narendramodi on taking oath as the Prime Minister of India.  Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 10, 2024

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The gesture was largely reciprocal as Prime Minister had also extended his greetings to Prime Minister Sharif in March after he took charge as the premiere of Pakistan.

Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 5, 2024

Despite this social media exchanges, India and Pakistan are not in the best of ties.

Addressing her weekly press briefing last week, Pakistans Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan has been acting in a responsible manner, notwithstanding the difficulties and rhetoric coming from India. 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.

Pakistan downgraded its diplomatic relations with India following the Indian Parliaments revocation of Article 370 on 5 August, 2019. Islamabad viewed this move as detrimental to fostering dialogue between the two nations. India, on the other hand, has consistently expressed its wish for amicable relations with Pakistan, while emphasizing that it is Pakistans responsibility to establish an environment devoid of terrorism and hostility to facilitate such engagement.
10 years ago the image in our country was that PMO is a power centre, a very big power centre and I was not born for power. I do not think of acquiring power. For me, it is neither my wish nor my path that PMO should become a power centrePMO should be peoples PMO and it cannot be Modis PMO, said PM Modi read more

Shortly after assuming office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that he has no intention of turning Prime Ministers Office (PMO) into a power centre as it was envisaged 10 years ago, and rather he has preferred to develop it as a catalytic agent which works for the welfare of people.

Addressing the PMO officials in his first speech after assuming office for the third time, PM Modi said, 10 years ago the image in our country was that PMO is a power centre, a very big power centre and I was not born for power. I do not think of acquiring power. For me, it is neither my wish nor my path that PMO should become a power centre.

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#WATCH | In his first address to the officials of PMO, after assuming office of the Prime Minister for the third time, PM Modi says, "10 years ago the image in our country was that PMO is a power centre, a very big power centre and I was not born for power. I do not think of pic.twitter.com/ZraLVeVO0L  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

Since 2014, he said, his government has taken steps to develop it as a catalytic agent.

PMO should be peoples PMO and it cannot be Modis PMO, said the Prime Minister.

He reminded his team that they just have one goal, which is Nation First, and have one intention, which is Viksit Bharat by 2047.

#WATCH | In his first address to the officials of PMO, after assuming office of the Prime Minister for the third time, PM Modi says, "...Together we have just one goal -Nation First; just one intention - 2047 Viksit Bharat. I have said this publically, Mera Pal Pal Desh Ke Naam pic.twitter.com/skRpeanRfL  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

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Together we have just one goal -Nation First; just one intention - 2047 Viksit Bharat. I have said this publically, Mera Pal Pal Desh Ke Naam Hai. I have also promised the country - 24/7 for 2047. I have such expectations from the team

Talking about what he expects from his team, he said that the officials should not be bound by time and those who are beyond this are my team and the country trusts that team.

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#WATCH | In his first address to the officials of PMO, after assuming office of the Prime Minister for the third time, PM Modi says, "...I think my obligation now is to think more than I thought in 10 years, to do more than I did in 10 years. What has to be done now, is to be pic.twitter.com/qsfLPCN5JG  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

We are not those people for whom office starts at this time and ends at this time. We are not those people, we are not bound by time, we have no limits to our thinking, and we have no criteria for our efforts. Those who are beyond this are my team and the country trusts that team, said PM Modi.

Sharing his vision for the future, he said his obligation now is to think more than what he thought in 10 years and to do more than what he did in 10 years.

#WATCH | In his first address to the officials of PMO, after assuming office of the Prime Minister for the third time, PM Modi says, "...I think my obligation now is to think more than I thought in 10 years, to do more than I did in 10 years. What has to be done now, is to be pic.twitter.com/qsfLPCN5JG  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

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What has to be done now, is to be done towards the direction of crossing the global benchmark. What we were yesterday and how well we did today - that time has gone byIf the world is at a stage beyond which there is nothing else, we have to be there. We have to take our country where nobody else reached, added the PM.

He said for India and its people to achieve desired results, clarity of thoughts, faith in conviction and character to act are very important.

When we work, things things are very essential, and if we have these three things, then I dont believe that failure will be seen anywhere. And when I say three things - Clarity of Thoughts, as far as the government is concerned, I believe that there is no confusion. It knows it has to go this way and it has to be achieved. Such clarity of thought is the first requirement for the success of any work, he said.

#WATCH | In his first address to the officials of PMO, after assuming office of the Prime Minister for the third time, PM Modi says, "When we work, 3 things are very essential, and if we have these 3 things, then I don't believe that failure will be seen anywhere. And when I say pic.twitter.com/IXAGzzkRcU  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

He added, Faith in Conviction- whatever I am listening to, whatever I am being told, I should not have disbelief in it Character to Act- I have to mould my personality in such a way. I have to prioritise and devote myself to making the most of my time on that work.

Talking about the secret of his energy, he said that he keeps his inner student alive throughout and the person who keeps the student alive within him is never powerless, never weak and never lazy.

A successful person is the one whose inner student never dies. Many people have asked me this question in this election and for the last 30 years, I am asked where do I get so much energyThe secret of my energy is that I keep the inner student alive throughout and the person who keeps the student alive within him is never powerless, never weak and never lazy. He is always full of energy, added the PM.

He also attributed the success of his government to the efforts of every government employee during his 10 years tenure as the Prime Minister.

These elections are not a stamp on the speeches of Modi, these elections are a stamp on the efforts of every government employee in 10 years. So, if someone is entitled to this victory, it is you. Every employee of the Government of India is truly entitled to this victory - who left no stone unturned to give themselves in for a visionI want to go ahead with a new energy, a new courage. I was not born to stop.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi took charge as the Prime Minister for the third term and signed his first file authorising the release of 17th installment of the PM Kisan Nidhi funds amounting to nearly Rs 20,000 crore, which is likely to benefit around 9.3 crore farmers.

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi today took charge as the Prime Minister, in New Delhi.



After being sworn in as Prime Minister for the 3rd time, PM Narendra Modi signed his first file authorising the release of 17th instalment of PM Kisan Nidhi. This will benefit 9.3 crore farmers and pic.twitter.com/G4ownB0NFh  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

PM Modi was sworn in as prime minister on Sunday for a record-equalling third term, heading a 72-member Union Council of Ministers.

Ours is a government fully committed to kisan kalyan (farmers welfare). It is, therefore, fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to it. We want to keep working even more for farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come, PTI quoted PM Modi as saying.

With inputs from agencies
The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) of Prem Singh Tamang won 31 of 32 seats in the Sikkim assembly elections read more

Prem Singh Tamang has taken oath as the CM of Sikki (Photo: ANI)

Prem Singh Tamang has taken oath as the Chief Minister of Sikkim.

Tamangs Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) won 31 of 32 seats in the Sikkim assembly elections. The lone other seat was by Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF).

This is a stark reversal of fortunes for SDM that ruled Sikkim for 25 years until 2019.

Sikkim Governor Lakshman Acharya administered the Oath of Office and Secrecy to Tamang and 11 ministers at the swearing-in ceremony at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok. This is Tamangs second consecutive term as the CM of Sikkim.

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#WATCH | Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) takes oath as the Chief Minister of Sikkim for a second consecutive term



Visuals from Paljor Stadium in Gangtok pic.twitter.com/LVEqJ6EHCv  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

After being sworn-in as the chief minister, Tamang thanked the people of the state for the thumping majority.

I thank the people of Sikkim for giving us a thumping majority. The reason behind our victory is that we fulfilled the promises made in 2019 and did development work in the state. National security is our top priority. We are completing 50 years of statehood in 2025, I will speak to the PM on this, said Tamang.

#WATCH | After taking oath as Sikkim CM for the second consecutive time, Prem Singh Tamang says, "I thank the people of Sikkim for giving us a thumping majority. The reason behind our victory is that we fulfilled the promises made in 2019 and did development work in the state. pic.twitter.com/6sBdSAj8C3  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

Following Tamangs swearing-in, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him and wished him a " fruitful tenure".

Congratulations to Shri Prem Singh Tamang on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Sikkim. Wishing him a fruitful tenure and looking forward to working with him for Sikkims progress, said Modi in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
As Durgadas Uikey of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was signing the documents after taking oath, an animal was seen walking in the background read more

An animal was seen in the background of the swearing-in ceremony

Even as around 8,000 guests attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Council of Ministers, there was an unexpected guest seen in the background of the Forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan: a mysterious animal.

As Durgadas Uikey of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was signing the documents after taking oath as the Minister of State (MoS), an animal could be seen walking in the background above the stairs.

In the original feed of the Doordarshan, the animal could be seen walking at 3 hours 26 minutes-mark just after Durgadas gets up after signing the documents. The sighting of the animal has led to speculations whether it was a dog, cat, or a leopard.

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Notably, the Rashtrapati Bhavan is among the most secure locations in India. On the day of the swearing-in, not just President Droupadi Murmu but also PM Modi, the entire Council of Ministers, and leaders of South Asian and Indian Ocean Region countries were also present. The venue was under multi-tier security arrangements. Amid such high security, the carefree prowling by an unknown animal a leopard as some have guessed has come as a surprise.

The Delhi Police has said that it was a common house cat and not a leopard.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Delhi Police said the lights at the venue made the cats shadow appear larger than usual.

These facts are not true, the animal captured on camera is a common house cat. Please don't adhere to such frivolous rumours.  Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) June 10, 2024

Previously, sources had told CNN-News 18 that CCTV cameras in the vicinity had identified that the animal seen was indeed a cat.

Separately, The Times of India has quoted an official as saying that the animal does not appear to be a leopard.

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The animal in the video is not a leopard. The animal looks like a dog or cat, said the official.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan is a huge compound and has several wooded areas. There is a 75-acre nature trail that has up to 136 plant species and 84 animal species, such as frogs, lizards, and snakes, as per the paper. The leopard, a wild predator, is, however, not one of them.

Even as speculation is rife on social media about the animal, there has not been any official comment on it so far.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said resolving the crisis in Manipur should be a priority read more

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has called for the resolution of Manipur conflict on priority (Photo: PTI)

A day after the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi took oath, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has called for harmony in the country and has called for peace in Manipur.

The north-eastern Manipur has been plagued by ethnic conflict between the states Meitei and tribal communities for more than a year. The violence that erupted in May last year has claimed hundreds of lives and has displaced several thousands.

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In his speech to the RSS workers, Bhagwat said that Manipur should be a priority and peace should be restored in the state.

Its been a year since #Manipur has been waiting for peace. The state remained peaceful for the last 10 years but suddenly the gun culture increased again. It is important to resolve the conflict on priority, said Bhagwat.

Calling for peace in the country, Bhagwat further said, We want peace in the country, no animosity or fight among people.

The RSS has long served as the ideological parent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Several top leaders of the BJP, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and former Deputy PM Lal Krishna Advani have been RSS members.

Decorum should be maintained in elections

Bhagwant said that decorum should be maintained in elections, but that no one cared about it during the elections.

He said, A decorum should be maintained in the conduct of elections which was not followed. It is important to follow this morality because our country faces many challenges.

Referring to a fake video of his regarding reservation, Bhagwat said lies were propagated by misusing the technology.

Bhagwat said, During the campaigning, nobody took care to stay away from the propaganda that could increase the conflict between the two groups. Organisations like Sangh were also drawn into it.

Ahead of the first parliamentary session of the 18th Lok Sabha, Bhagwat said that there are two sides in the parliament and both should work such that whatever happens is absolutely right.

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There are two sides in the parliament to bring forth both aspects of an issue. One side can bring forth one aspect and the other side can bring another aspect, so that whatever happens is absolutely right, said Bhagwat.
At the completion of the five-year term, S Jaishankar will be the longest-serving foreign minister of India after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has retained S Jaishankar as the Minister of External Affairs in the new government.

In the 3rd Modi Ministry, Jaishankar will be supported by two Ministers of State: Kirtivardhan Singh and Pabitra Margherita.

Jaishankar is among the senior ministers that Modi has retained from the previous term. Besides him, Modi has retained the other Big 4 ministers as well: Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

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At the completion of this term, Jaishankar is set to be the longest-serving External Affairs Ministers of India after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who held the portfolio for the entirety of his 17-year-long tenure as the PM of India (1947-64).

In the past five years, Jaishankar has been central to the driving Indias agenda at the world stage. Through Covid-19, the Ukraine War, and the Gaza conflict, Jaishankar has defended Indias strategic choices, explained the Indian point of view to the world, and has become Modis ambassador to the world at large.

In the coming term, Jaishankar faces the challenge of the navigating Indias tense relationship with China, which reached its worst point since the war of 1962 in 2020 when Chinese soldiers intruded into Indian territories and clashed with Indian soldiers. Even though soldiers are no longer clashing at the border, the relationship remains tense and the border stand-off continues now in its fifth year with no end in sight.

Jaishankar is a Member of Parliament from Gujarat in Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Parliament.

Jaishankar is a career diplomat and retired as the Foreign Secretary of India in 2018. He had joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1977.

Then, in 2019, Modi roped him in as the Minister of External Affairs. During his 41 years of service, Jaishankar held crucial postings in the United States, China, and Russia and helped steer some of Indias most critical relationships.

Jaishankar served three tenures as Indias ambassador: the USA (2013-15), China (2009-2013), Singapore (2007-2009), and Czech Republic (2000-2004). He also served other diplomatic assignments in Russia, Sri Lanka, Hungary, and Japan. He also served in Ministry of External Affairs in India and in the Presidents Secretariat.
Both Hamas and the current Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu are hoping that the other side will reject the deal read more

Members of the Palestinian community living in Chile and supporters light candles around a Palestinian flag after attending a mass at Santiago's cathedral to mark the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Santiago, Chile, June 9, 2024. REUTERS/Sofia Yanjari.

There is no dearth of conflicts in the world, especially in West Asia. Hotspots like Libya, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Sudan (Africa) continue to fester and foment trouble, and it is difficult to keep the lid on due to geopolitical and regional contestations. But the mother of all feudsthe Israel-Palestine conflicthas been unresolved for over seven-and-a-half-decades. Though 1948 became the cutoff date when the newly formed United Nations Security Council decided to create the basis for the two-state solution through UNSC Resolution 181, at least three major wars have taken place since then.

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There were some efforts, like Camp David and the Oslo Accords, when a semblance of a Palestinian state in transition was established in the interim with the Palestinian Authority (PA) of Yasser Arafat in Ramallah. Despite the two Intifadas, the fight domestically and internationally for a sovereign state of Palestine continued. But then the militant ideology-driven Hamas took over the cause of Palestine by undertaking to demolish the State of Israel through an armed struggle.

The surprise element in its strategy and the softer supportive approach of the Israeli governments, including that of Netanyahu, to counter and defeat the efforts to unify the Palestinian movement sustained and supported Hamas. Consequently, the two-state solution has continued to defy the Palestinian aspirations as Bibi refuses to pass on power from Hamastan to Fatahstan.

Hamas has fought at least five wars with Israel since it came to power in Gaza through the discredited 2006 elections. The last one started on October 7 with the Hamas terror attacks, killing 1192 Israelis and taking a windfall of 248 hostages, which became its negotiating advantage against Israel.

Some hostages were released during the first truce engineered by Qatar, Turkey, and the USA, but they broke down much faster. Benjamin Netanyahu, running an ultra-right and ultra-conservative coalition government, decided to avenge the humiliation by vowing to destroy Hamas for good.

Since then, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have killed over 36,000 Palestinians, including children and women, and injured over 85,000, with over 1.9 million Palestinians being displaced and made to run for life from one end to the other in this 380-square-kilometre strip, in search of food and safe shelter, as humanitarian relief supplies were not allowed to flow in.

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As the US was not able to prevail upon Netanyahu, it devised a humanitarian supply pier and bridge on the Mediterranean after indulging in airdrops of supplies, both of which have been ineffective and inadequate, and the plight of the people continues to multiply. Rafah was the red line that has been violated by Bibi, as even the 1979 Peace Deal with Egypt comes under stress.

Eight months on, these civilian casualties, including attacks on schools, hospitals, and relief convoys, have heavily impinged on the global conscience, which was reflected in the voting patterns at the UNGA and UNSC.

While the International Criminal Court (ICC) is likely to issue an arrest warrant against Netanyahu and others, including Hamas leaders, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is discussing the genocide case against Israel brought in by South Africa and later joined by Egypt and Spain, among others.

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The UN has also decided to include Israel in the black list of countries and organisations that harm children in conflict zones. In the meantime, to push for a ceasefire and pressure on Israel, Ireland, Spain, and Norway have recognised the State of Palestine, taking the tally to 146, much to the chagrin of Netanyahu.

With increasing protests all around, Jewish leverage, especially in the US and the West, has been decimated significantly. Even as Capitol Hill and Biden remain committed to Israeli security and its right of defence, their frustrations with an intransigent Netanyahu and his ultra-right troublemakers are quite evident.

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As such, the impression of Netanyahu pursuing his personal agenda and effort to prolong his continuation in power over Israeli interests has also decimated his credibility with the Americans, even as the US is accused of complicity, deflection, and double standards. Presidential elections and Bidens low ratings are also causing the predicament, as is his inability to persuade Israel towards a ceasefire, which has not borne fruit as yet.

Finally, on May 30, after the earlier proposal was accepted by Hamas and not Israel, Biden announced yet another three-phase deal, projecting it as an Israeli one that will secure the release of hostages, cessation of hostilities, and uninterrupted and immediate relief supplies, as the details still remain to be worked out. Prima-facie Hamas reacted positively despite the proposal seeking to disarm and disenfranchise Hamas from power.

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According to Qatar and Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh, it is still studying it, with only the issue of the guarantee of a complete ceasefire and the withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza remaining. Apparently, a fractious War Cabinet, with Benny Gantz and Defence Minister Yollav Gallant giving deadlines to Bibi for coming up with a day after scenario, had agreed to the deal before Biden announced it.

But the Israeli cabinet was yet to be presented with it for discussion, where die-hard opponents of any peace deal like Ben Gvir and Smotrich will turn it down and may bring down Netanyahu as well. Hence, internal political calculations for Bibis personal and political stability, as well as balancing out with US efforts, are the key markers for any reasonable outcome and relief for the beleaguered people of Gaza. Bibi may even baulk yet again on any deal.

Ironically, both Hamas and the current Israeli government are hoping that the other side will reject the deal, which is the biggest predicament for the ordinary citizens of both Palestine and Israel, the emaciated world order, and the meek international community, which continues to hope that the war horizons will not expand and conflagrate.

The writer is a former Indian Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta and is a Distinguished Fellow with leading think tank Vivekananda International Foundation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
As Indias three-term prime minister, Narendra Modis tenure as the head of government of the worlds most populous country and largest democracy in the world has indeed been momentous read more

Modi himself said in his very first address on assuming office, his will be a peoples, not Modis, PMO

Narendra Modi was sworn in as Indias prime minister for the third time on Sunday. It was an impressive, even historic ceremony, in the front court of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Yet, the mood was sober, rather than ecstatic. Chants of Modi, Modi, Modi were few and far between. The expressions of the faces of the new council of ministers ranged from the grim to the guarded. Yogi Adityanath, sitting in the third or fourth row, looked somewhat crestfallen.

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But one thing was certain. Modi meant business. Modi 3.0 was back with a bang. With a cabinet that signalled continuity in the midst of change. The faithful old guard, some such as number two in the order of swearing, Rajnath Singh, goes way back to the days of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Others, including Amit Shah, have been with Modi from the very start of his spectacular rise as Gujarats chief minister twenty-two years back. Other senior ministers including Nitin Gadkari and Nirmala Sitharaman have been in Modis cabinet for all his previous ten years, occupying key portfolios.

What is more, the cabinet brings a wealth of experience from the states, with as many as five former chief ministers. The most distinguished of these is, of course, Shivraj Singh Chouhan of Madhya Pradesh. Five time Lok Sabha winner and four time chief minister of one of BJPs key states, he has been a modest and disciplined but immensely popular leader. As many as twelve ministers sworn in were from NDA coalition partners. The cabinet is inclusive as well as solid, packed with highly competent members including Dr S Jaishankar, who has a distinguished track record as Indias External Affairs Minister in Modi 2.0 and, prior to that, as our Foreign Secretary.

On the occasion of Modis swearing in, I began to ponder over his political journey. Would it be possible to view it in terms of three dominant leitmotifs  hope, hubris, and humility? As Indias three-term prime minister, Modis tenure as the head of government of the worlds most populous country and largest democracy in the world has indeed been momentous.

Having already scripted two full and significant chapters in the contemporary political history of India, he has commenced on his third, if not final chapter. How can the progression of his leadership and the impact of his policies on India and its position in the global arena be summed up?

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Hope: The Rise to Prominence

Narendra Modis ascent to national politics was heralded by a vast wave of hope among most Indians. Elected in May 2014, Modi promised to rejuvenate Indias sluggish economy, tackle corruption, and position India as a global power. His campaign, marked by a narrative of development and good governance, resonated with a wide swath of the Indian electorate. Modis background as a tea-seller who rose through the ranks of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to occupy the most challenging high office of the land captured the imagination of a generation.

His tenure as three-time Chief Minister of Gujarat, already under his belt before he moved to the nations centre stage, already saw him as a visionary leader who had risen from nowhere to dizzying heights. Gujarat, under his watch, saw significant industrial growth despite being hobbled by internecine riots right at the start of his tenure in 2002. The way he sought a new mandate from the people and handled all the challenges of his position contributed to his image as a pragmatic and capable leader committed to development.

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Modis subsequent initiatives like Make in India, aimed at boosting the manufacturing sector, and Digital India, aimed at improving online infrastructure and services, were launched with great fanfare. On the international front, Modis diplomacy was characterised by frequent international travels meant to attract foreign investment and elevate Indias stature on the world stage. The overwhelming mandate in the 2014 general elections was a clear reflection of the populaces hope that Modi would usher in rapid economic reforms and development.

Hubris: Criticisms and Controversies

As Modi settled into his role, his governance style in his second term was marked by more assertive and sometimes controversial decisions. These included the revocation of Article 370 that granted special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). In addition, there were the massive farm protests across a significant section of northern India, especially Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.

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Internationally, while Modis diplomacy initially improved Indias global image, over time, challenges such as border disputes with neighbouring countries and international scrutiny over domestic policies like CAA and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) seemed to dent this image.

Towards the end of his second term, critics raised the issue of the personality cult of the prime minister. They claimed there was no room for criticism, even when it was constructive. Seniors in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the parent body of the BJP, were reportedly not pleased. For them, no individual, however great, was above the nation or the core ideology.

Humility: Adjustment and Adaptation

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The 2024 election results saw the BJP getting 240 seats, much below the 2019 number of 303 seats. Modi would now need the support of NDA allies to form the government.

There is a noticeable shift in Modis approach, signalling a possible movement towards humility. His public addresses and policies in the last few days have attempted to recalibrate his image from that of a strongman to a leader who listens and responds both to party colleagues and allies.

Will Modis new-found humility help retain allies and win over opponents? We can only hope that for the sake of India and his own sake, he manages to overcome the new challenges and hurdles that come his way. Whatever the outcome, Modis prime ministerial journey is a testament to his epochal voyage of leadership navigating between the at times opposite pulls of power and responsibility.

Signalling this shift, Modi himself said in his very first address on assuming office, his will be a peoples, not Modis, PMO.

The writer is an author, columnist, and professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
A robotics engineer with a specialisation in computer vision, perception, planning, and control, Ashok Elluswamy has been crucial for whatever success Tesla has had with its Autopilot AI read more

Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to X, his social media app, to praise Ashok Elluswamy, an Indian-origin engineer, for his crucial role in developing Teslas Autopilot technology. Elluswamy, who was the first engineer hired for Teslas Autopilot team, shared his journey on social media platform X, shedding light on Musks significant influence and encouragement in advancing AI and autonomous driving at Tesla.

Elluswamy also went on to say that without Musks leadership and encouragement, the EV maker wouldnt have achieved the great heights it did.

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Reflecting on the early days of the Autopilot project in 2014, Elluswamy described the initial challenges faced by the team. They worked with extremely limited computing resourcesonly about 384 KB of memory. Despite scepticism within the team about Musks ambitious goals for lane-keeping, lane-changing, and vehicle control, Musks relentless drive pushed them to achieve these milestones.

By 2016, Tesla had decided to develop all the computer vision capabilities for Autopilot in-house, a task that usually took other companies over a decade to accomplish. Remarkably, the Tesla team managed to complete this within eleven months, showcasing their dedication and Musks leadership.

Musk reshared Elluswamys post, expressing his gratitude and admiration for his work. Musk acknowledged Elluswamy and how he led the AI/Autopilot team to where it stands today, stating, Without him and our awesome team, we would just be another car company looking for an autonomous supplier that doesnt exist.

Elluswamys journey with Tesla began after Musk put out a tweet looking for candidates for the Autopilot team. The Indian-origin robotics engineer has been with the company for nearly a decade, rising to lead all AI/Autopilot software.

Musk acknowledged Elluswamys role in Teslas growth. Thanks, Ashok! he wrote, before diving in to explain how Elluswamy went on to explain that Ashok was Teslas first hire to join the Tesla AI/Autopilot team. Following years of service and development, Elluswamy ultimately rose to lead all AI/Autopilot software development.

Musk believes that without Elluswamy and the team he leads Tesla would have been just another car company looking for an autonomy supplier that doesnt exist.

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Elluswamy, a robotics engineer with a specialisation in computer vision, perception, planning, and control, earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and Communication from the College of Engineering, Guindy in Chennai. He later studied robotics systems development at Carnegie Mellon University in the US. Before joining Tesla, he worked with WABCO Vehicle Control Systems and Volkswagen.
Fold the bamboo leaves to the left and right, shape into a conical form, carefully add the filling, gently press down, fold the bamboo leaves together, and finally tie tightly with a string... As summer deepens and the scent of bamboo leaves wafts through the air. At an event organized by the Fenghuang Community on Xijin Street in Ningguo City, Falu from Tajikistan, under the guidance of neighbors, managed to make zongzi that looked just like the real deal. "I've been living in China for 10 years. I knew about eating zongzi before, but I never had the chance to make them myself until today," Falu said during the event as he fumbled with improving his zongzi-wrapping technique while chatting with neighbors about the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival and the customs of eating zongzi and dragon boat racing. "Today, I learned about the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, which commemorates the patriotic poet Qu Yuan, whose story is particularly touching. I also experienced the atmosphere of traditional Chinese festivals, which I think is wonderful." Falu stated that the "special charm" of Chinese culture has kept him in China, where he has established a happy and fulfilling family life in Ningguo. He is always eager to learn about Chinese culture, which has helped him integrate well into life in China. This small "zongzi" has connected Falu with his neighbors in profound friendship, built a bridge for cultural exchange, and enhanced foreign friends' understanding and appreciation of excellent traditional Chinese culture.

Source: Ningguo Integrated Media Center
After a decade-long lull, Somali pirates have hijacked a handful of vessels in recent months. Crisis Group expert Omar Mahmood reports on the burning anger over illegal trawling that is driving some local fishermen to sympathise with this dangerous - and profitable - activity.

The historic town of Eyl, located on the coast of Somalia's north-eastern Puntland state, sits astride rock-strewn mountains. It was here that Sayid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, a legendary Somali figure who waged a twenty-year struggle against British colonialism at the turn of the last century, based himself for a period in the early 1900s. But Eyl is famous for more than that. In the mid-2000s, Eyl vaulted into the headlines as the epicentre of a wave of piracy that emerged after members of local fishing communities, angered by foreign trawlers' predation, turned to buccaneering. There were as many as 200 piracy incidents reported annually between 2009 and 2011. Shippers were forced to hire guards and take longer routes to avoid the Horn of Africa waters. Fuel bills soared, as did insurance premiums and labour costs. A World Bank estimate indicated piracy in 2010 cost the global economy $18 billion. The U.S., European Union, and NATO deployed ships to patrol the waters off the Somali coast as part of a coordinated international response, while local Somali administrations also mobilised to root out the pirates.

(L) Fort used in the early 1900s by Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, a renowned Somali figure who fought British colonialism for twenty years. (R) The centre of the upper area of Eyl in the village of Dawaad. Eyl, Somalia. February 2024. CRISIS GROUP / Omar Mahmood Over time, these measures appeared to be working, with incidents off the Somali coast plummeting to zero in 2020. Now, however, piracy is on the upswing again, if not in Eyl then elsewhere up and down the coast. Somali pirates have been implicated in more than 30 buccaneering incidents since November 2023.

This surge can be attributed to both international and domestic factors. Over-fishing by foreign trawlers has frustrated local fishermen. They say the practice is on the rise, and not purely because of actors operating completely outside of the law: they also fault the government for handing out more licenses while failing to simultaneously step up regulation to ensure compliance with government restrictions. As locals' frustration mounts, pirates may garner more sympathy (and potentially support and recruits) in communities that dot the Somali coast.

Meanwhile, the security arrangements that served as an impediment to piracy have deteriorated. Combined with a gradual downturn in the number of international naval forces patrolling off the Somali coast in recent years as the incidents of piracy eased, the attention of some remaining forces has been diverted to deterring attacks by Yemen's Houthi forces further north in the Red Sea. Local Somali security forces in Puntland also have been distracted as of late. Their attention has focused on supporting an uprising by clan brethren in Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991; fending off branches of militant jihadist groups Al-Shabaab and the Islamic State; and dealing with a tense election cycle that concluded in January 2024.

This resurgence has yet to reach Eyl. Pirates have not to date set up base on the town's natural bay and overall attacks remain low. As I discovered on a recent trip to Eyl, however, burning local anger regarding foreign fishing means the risk of a full-fledged pirate resurgence persists.

Rising Anger in Eyl

Late in the morning at the end of February, I met fishermen Yusuf and Mohamed at a makeshift restaurant just metres from the beach in Eyl. The restaurant, situated in a shaded courtyard in the middle of a family compound, had just enough space for two tables and was adorned with decorated turtle shells and leather jugs for holding camel milk. Yusuf wore a yellow dress shirt with a macawis or a traditional Somali sarong from the waist down, and held a keffiyeh (Middle Eastern head dress) in his lap. Mohamed, a taller man, sported a crisp goatee and also wore a macawis. Initially quiet, his voice rose with anger the more we talked.

Local fisherman Yusuf shares his experience regarding fishing in Somalia's waters. Eyl, Somalia. February 2024. CRISIS GROUP / Omar Mahmood Both Yusuf and Mohamed have been earning their keep in Eyl for over two decades. Undertaking nightly expeditions to avoid the daytime heat, the fishermen noted that two years ago they used to garner a decent living, more than enough to cover the needs of their families. This has changed amid an upsurge in the number of foreign boats. As the UN has documented, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing off the Somali coast costs the country up to $300 million annually. While some of these foreign vessels are fishing without authorisation, others have valid licenses issued either by the Puntland regional or Somali national governments. (Disputes over power and resource sharing in Somalia's federal system mean both hand out licenses.) Even with licenses, foreign vessels are prohibited from trawling within 24 nautical miles of the coastline in order to reserve this area for the local fishing community. Yusuf and Mohamed, however, say the foreign vessels - most of which they claim come from countries like Iran, India, Pakistan or as far away as Thailand - are not respecting the limitations.

Run-ins with these vessels have left local fishermen discouraged. Yusuf complained: "they cut my nets [while traversing waters near the shore reserved for local fishermen] and the government is not doing anything. If I take a weapon to defend myself, they call me a pirate - but who is the real pirate?" Mohamed became animated the more he described the challenges he faced amid the current surge of pirate attacks off the Somali coast. Visibly upset, his deep voice rising in a tone tinged by both anger and frustration, he exclaimed: "We hate piracy, but the foreign navies and the government are creating it!"

The encroachment of foreign vessels inflicts considerable economic hardship on local fishermen.

The encroachment of foreign vessels inflicts considerable economic hardship on local fishermen. Mohamed confided that two years ago, he personally earned between $25-30 per outing during his nightly fishing excursions. The day before I spoke with him, however, his three-member crew took home $33 total - or only $11 each. He complained there was little benefit to being a fisherman at this point. But since he isn't trained for much else and sees no other opportunities, he is resigned to continuing. It could become even tougher in the future: the bigger vessels in the region destroy the coral underneath, which in turn diminishes fish stocks.

The growing presence of foreign vessels seems to affect everyone in the fishing business in Eyl. Asha, the dynamic businesswoman who owns the restaurant and also styles herself as a local historian, documenting the town's history in her journal, murmured that her husband used to fish but gave it up after his nets were destroyed three times.

Local businesswoman Asha recounts the history of Eyl from her journal. Eyl, Somalia. February 2024. CRISIS GROUP / Omar Mahmood Government inaction is a particular source of ire in Eyl. "The government is just a company", asserts a businessman I meet who is involved in the exportation of fish. He complains about how the government issues licenses without following up to ensure ships abide by their terms. (The Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime documented a network of actors who, it alleged, benefit financially from the distribution of permits.) After returning from Eyl to Garowe, the capital of Puntland, a minister told me past administrations issued several hundred fishing licenses, on top of what the federal government in Mogadishu also issued. Of course, there are also boats fishing without any licenses at all.

There is a widespread sense in Eyl that the government is doing little to protect their livelihoods. In a recent case, fishermen complained to the Puntland Maritime Police Force - which is tasked with protecting Puntland's coastal waters - after a foreign vessel intruded on the area. The force managed to detain the vessel with its Iranian crew. But officials in Garowe later authorised their release, stating they had a valid license. They also indicated they did not want to stir up trouble with a powerful external actor. Such incidents cause the local community to lose hope in the government's ability to stem foreign trawling. Instead, they see it as playing an abetting role.

Eyl - The Birthplace of Somali Piracy

The town of Eyl is divided into two. The upper area, Daawad, hosts government offices and a primary school whose claim to fame is its illustrious alumni: both International Court of Justice Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf and former Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamud Farole attended the institution. The lower portion, Badey, lies three kilometres along a dramatic descent to the coast, passing picturesque flat-top cliff faces opposite a ravine occupied by an inland stream that flows directly into the Indian Ocean.

Stream flowing alongside the path from Dawaad, the upper area of Eyl to Badey, the lower portion of the town and into the Indian Ocean. Eyl, Somalia. February 2024. CRISIS GROUP / Omar Mahmood Eyl has a complicated history with piracy. Some of the area's first 21st century pirates, or burcad badeed (sea bandits) as they are known in Somali, based themselves here in the 2000s, using its natural bay as a hub from which to conduct raids and dock vessels. Initially they drew community support. Many saw them as serving local interests when they pushed back against foreign ships' intrusions, protecting livelihoods in the process. The pirates' pursuit of financial gain and hedonistic lifestyle, however, did not sit well with Eyl's devout Muslim mores, and the local community turned on them.

As Asha juggled a crying toddler, she enumerated the pirates' peccadillos. They consumed drugs and alcohol. They married young women in town and then quickly divorced them. Their generally disrespectful behaviour toward the wider community became more pronounced as the pirates' profits surged. Community leaders were also concerned about the influence the pirates had on the town's young men, who began to see them as role models and questioned the value of continuing their education when they could instead make a profit on the high seas.

This led Eyl to become the first community to stand up to the pirates: in 2011 they chased them out with the support of President Farole's administration in Puntland. Farole had made fighting the pirates a pillar of his agenda, seeing them as a stain on Puntland's reputation and, with their bountiful funds, a challenge to his government.

As the former Puntland leader told me during an evening discussion at his house in Garowe, he adopted a community-centred approach to countering piracy, which included mobilising religious sheikhs to assert piracy was haram (forbidden by Islam). He also importuned clan elders to convince locals not to permit their daughters to marry the pirates. Getting the hint, the pirates left Eyl. But rather than stopping their activities, they relocated to other coastal locations, including the Mudug region beyond Puntland's territorial remit. Farole's administration continued to pursue them beyond his hometown, across Puntland's vast coast from Garacad to Alula, contributing to the decline in pirate attacks from 2012 onwards.

The lull may have been deceiving. Some networks appear to have gone dormant, waiting for a better day. In some places, that day may have come. While today's piracy resurgence largely bypasses Eyl, local residents say one hotspot has emerged near the neighbouring district of Godobjiraan, directly south. Another is over 400 kilometres north around Bargaal. But while Eyl is calm and not eager to revisit its previous history, illegal and unregulated fishing, coupled with government inaction, draws local anger, which in turn begins to blur with support for piracy itself.

Halima, a young shop owner I met in Eyl, summed up local attitudes when she expressed her opposition to piracy, but also praised them for serving as a check on foreign trawlers: "We hate the pirates because they are doing something contrary to humanity - but when they destroy a foreign ship, then we are happy!" Yusuf echoed the message. "The world talks about fighting piracy, but never talks about the cause of piracy".

Approaching the lower area of Eyl in the vicinity of the village of Badey. Eyl, Somalia. February 2024. CRISIS GROUP / Omar Mahmood

Local Anger, Global Implications

Although Eyl has thus far been largely spared, piracy has been slowly re-emerging off of Puntland's coast over the past six months. And while pirates claim to be standing up for local fishing communities, the reality is they operate in a profit-driven industry, embedded in a vast multi-layered criminal network that belies the notion that the pirates are simply protecting local livelihoods. According to residents in Eyl who lived through the previous wave of piracy, businessmen cover the pirates' fuel and food expenses with the expectation that they will be handsomely compensated out of ransom payments. There are also regional brokers who serve as intermediaries between the pirates and the shipping or insurance companies, negotiating on the pirates' behalf. These networks tend to materialise whenever there is a successful hijacking.

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The return of piracy has triggered concerns well beyond Somalia. The new attacks are already driving up insurance premiums while shipping companies plying the Indian Ocean waters adjacent to Somalia scramble to employ additional security. This all comes at a time when the maritime passageway in the Red Sea - through which about 15 per cent of global trade passes - is newly perilous. Houthi militia attacks have threatened traffic since November 2023.

The overall rate of piracy incidents originating from the Somali coast ... is concerning but remains relatively low.

For now, the overall rate of piracy incidents originating from the Somali coast - not all of which result in a successful hijacking - is concerning but remains relatively low compared to the previous surge around fifteen years ago. Yet March 2024 brought the biggest Somalia-linked pirate attack on a commercial vessel in recent years, over 1,000 kilometres from Somalia deep into the Indian Ocean. Pirates from Somalia boarded the MV Abdullah, a cargo ship travelling from Mozambique to the UAE. After seizing it, the pirates directed it to dock off the Somali coast, north of the town of Garacad (approximately 100 kilometres south of Eyl). The perpetrators proceeded to contact the ship's owners via intermediaries to negotiate the fate of its 23-member Bangladeshi crew. A month later they reached a deal and the pirates released both the ship and its crew in mid-April, reportedly after receiving a $5 million payout.

Uncertain Future

It remains to be seen if the current flareup in piracy remains just that or morphs into something bigger. One thing, however, seems clear in Eyl. That is, if local livelihoods on the Somali coast continue to suffer as a result of encroaching foreign fishing vessels and community members see little recourse to address their grievances, no one should be surprised if the scourge of piracy increasingly starts to menace the adjacent waters. As local grievances grow, so could a propensity to welcome back the pirates - offering them quiet support and even potential recruits - if the past is any guide.

A boat sits on a beach in Eyl. Local fishermen have been enduring economic hardship from the presence of foreign vessels in Somalia's waters. Eyl, Somalia. February 2024. CRISIS GROUP / Omar Mahmood The Somali government and its member states, notwithstanding their admittedly limited means, can and should do more to tackle such grievances. They must coordinate among themselves to regulate and limit the number of licenses issued to foreign ships. They also, with partners, should work to increase their capabilities to monitor and ensure compliance from foreign ships operating with valid licenses. An early April warning from the federal Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy against trawling - or using heavily-weighted fishing nets which do environmental damage - was a good start. But stronger policies and better enforcement will be needed to make an appreciable difference in the lives of fishermen from Eyl, like Yusuf or Mohamed, and to position Somalia to nip the unwelcome piracy resurgence in the bud.
Had a meeting with Shri @narendramodi ji. I congratulated him on his third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India. We discussed ways to futher enhance Nepal-India relations. I am confident that our multifaceted relations with India will prosper under his leadership, said Nepal Prime Minister read more

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who was in India to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modis swearing-in ceremony, on Monday said that he met PM Modi in New Delhi and discussed ways to further enhance Nepal-India relations.

Taking to X, Dahal said, Had a meeting with PM Narendra Modi ji. I congratulated him on his third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India. We discussed ways to further enhance Nepal-India relations.

Had a meeting with Shri @narendramodi ji. I congratulated him on his third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India.



We discussed ways to futher enhance Nepal-India relations. I am confident that our multifaceted relations with India will prosper under his leadership. pic.twitter.com/jJP2uvFZ5Q   Comrade Prachanda (@cmprachanda) June 10, 2024

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He also expressed confidence that India and Nepals multifaceted relations will prosper under PM Modis leadership.

The Nepal PM was among the distinguished guests for the oath-taking ceremony that took place on Sunday at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital.

Apart from him Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afif, Bangladesh PM Sheik Hasina were the foreign leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi.

According to a Hindustan Times report, after the swearing-in ceremony, PM Modi had a detailed conversation with Maldives President Muizzu at the dinner table during Rashtrapati Bhawan banquet.

President Muizzu was seated next to PM Modi as the Indian PM was seen having a serious conversation with the Maldivian head of state, the report added.

While Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to leave for Colombo around noon, other leaders will engage in discussions with the External Affairs Minister (still to be announced) before paying a visit to President Draupadi Murmu, added the Hindustan Times report.

Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister of India for a third successive term at an impressive ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan which was attended by leaders from Indias neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Narendra Modi, followed by other members of his team of ministers.

PM Modi is the second Indian leader to win a third term after first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Alongside PM Modi, 30 cabinet ministers, 5 Ministers of State with independent charge and 36 Ministers of State were sworn into the council of ministers on Sunday.

The Nepal PM arrived in New Delhi on Sunday and was received by P Kumaran, the Officer on Special Duty (ER & DPA) division of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the visit of Nepal PM showcases the unique ties between the two nations.

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Meanwhile, 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.

With inputs from agencies
We sincerely urge all levels of governments in Canada to take exemplary action against the public display of violence and hatred, Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma said in a statement, according to a report read more

A float featuring an effigy of late PM Indira Gandhi, showing her riddled with bullets, is displayed at an event in Vancouver on Thursday.

After a float depicting the assassination of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi featured during a Khalistani demonstration at Indian consulate in Vancouver last week, another such display involving the late PM featured at an event in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on Sunday, forcing India to formally raise the matter with Canadian authorities seeking exemplary action against the public display of violence and hatred.

We sincerely urge all levels of governments in Canada to take exemplary action against the public display of violence and hatred, Hindustan Times quoted Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma as saying in a statement, as it formally raised the matter with Global Affairs Canada, the countrys foreign ministry.

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According to the report, the float, part of a demonstration taken out in Brampton to mark the 40th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, featured an effigy of Indira Gandhi as she was being fired upon by her bodyguards. Other than the float, posters stating that her punishment had been delivered on October 31, 1984, the date of the assassination, were also prominently displayed.

The display also included pictures of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan figure slain in Surrey, British Columbia on 18 June, 2023, juxtaposed with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus statement in the House of Commons suggesting credible allegations of a possible connection between Indian agents and the murder.

Beneath them was a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, captioned with punishment waiting, added the report.

Indian nationals living in Canada feel intimidated by such hatred being propagated. Unfortunately, this has happened in Canada time and again. Canadian systems and society have failed to put any cost on the perpetrators, added Verma.

After the Vancouver event on Thursday, India had said that it will formally raise the matter with Canadian authorities.

The formal diplomatic complaint, a note verbale, will be conveyed to Global Affairs Canada, the countrys foreign ministry on Friday, a Hindustan Times report had quoted a senior Indian official as saying.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday hit out at Canada for allowing a float in a parade, perceived to be glorification of violence by Sikh separatists.

I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence, Jaishankar told reporters in New Delhi while commenting about the tableau in a parade.

I think it is not good for relationships, not good for Canada, he said.

Canadas High Commissioner in India also condemned the incident at a parade in the Canadian city of Brampton.

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I am appalled by reports of an event in Canada that celebrated the assassination of late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Cameron MacKay said on X.

Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984 by two Sikh bodyguards after she allowed the storming of the holiest Sikh temple, aimed at flushing out Sikh separatists who demanded an independent homeland to be known as Khalistan.

The storming of the temple angered Sikhs around the world. The death toll in the attack remains disputed, with Indian authorities putting it in the hundreds and Sikh groups in the thousands.

Canada has the highest population of Sikhs outside their home state of Punjab in India.

Earlier this year India summoned Canadas High Commissioner to convey concern over pro-Khalistan protesters in Canada who breached the security of Indias diplomatic mission and consulates.

There is no place in Canada for hate or for the glorification of violence. I categorically condemn these activities, he added.

With inputs from agencies
After the death of Irans erstwhile President Ebrahim Raisi left a vacuum in the countrys political sphere, Tehrans Guardian Council has allowed the candidature of six people in the upcoming presidential polls, including the nomination of hardline parliament speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf read more

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, center, takes an oath during the opening ceremony of the new parliament term in Tehran. Source: File Image / AP

Weeks after erstwhile Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash, the countrys Guardian Council has approved the candidature of six people for the upcoming presidential elections. The election which is scheduled to take place on June 28 will see Irans hardline parliament speaker contesting as well.

However, the Guardian Council has once again barred the nomination of former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The firebrand populist leader is known for the crackdown that followed his disputed 2009 re-election. It is important to note that the Guardian Council which approved the names of the candidates, is a panel of clerics and jurists.

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The Council is ultimately overseen by the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Hosseini Khamenei. This year as well, the panel continued its streak of not accepting a woman candidate or anyone who called for a radical change in the countrys fabric.

What does the Iranian presidential campaigning entail?

The campaigning is likely to include televised debates and the candidates are also allowed to advertise on billboards and offer stump speeches to back their bids.

So far, none of the candidates have offered any specifics however, they have promised a better economic situation for the country as it suffers from sanctions by the US and other Western nations. Despite all these promises, most of the political and economic decisions lie in the hands of the countrys supreme leader.

Who is Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf?

One of the prominent contestants in this years election will be hardline parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. He was the former mayor of Tehran and is known for having close ties to the countrys paramilitary Revolutionary Guards.

In the past, he served as a former Guards general and was part of a violent crackdown on Iranian university students back in 1999. In the past, he has also reportedly ordered live gunfire at the students who were protesting against the regime in 2003. At that time, he was serving as the countrys police chief.

It is interesting to note that Ghalibaf ran unsuccessfully for president in 2005 and 2013. He withdrew from the presidential race of 2017 after he decided to support Raisi in his first presidential bid. Raisi eventually won in 2021, but the presidential election that year had a low voter turnout.

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Ahmadinejad gets disqualified

On Sunday, the Guardian Council disqualified Ahmadinejad, the Holocaust-questioning former president of Iran. In the past, Ahmadinejad has increasingly challenged Khamenei, especially towards the end of the term.

He was also disqualified by the panel in the last election. Raisi is the second Iranian president to die in office. In 1981, a bomb blast killed former Iranian President Mohammad Ali Rajai in the chaotic days after the countrys Islamic Revolution.

With inputs from agencies.
Tipped to be the next government head in Israel when it goes to the polls, Benny Gantz has quit Benjamin Netanyahus war cabinet citing differences over strategies to end the Gaza war favourably read more

With the Israel-Hamas war continuing into its ninth month and with international pressure mounting on the Benjamin Netanyahu government to cease fire, a war cabinet member, Benny Gantz, has resigned. Centrist leader Gantz, the chairman of the National Unity party, had joined the war cabinet after the October 7 attack by Palestinian outfit Hamas, triggering an invasion of Gaza by Israel.

Announcing his resignation, Gantz accused Netanyahu of preventing Israel from achieving true victory in its war against Hamas. Having been under pressure to continue in the Netanyahu government as a counterweight to the ruling far-right party, Gantz had earlier demanded that the Israeli prime minister should accept an agreed-upon vision to end the Gaza war by June 8, which didnt happen.

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After October 7, just like hundreds of thousands of patriotic Israelis, my colleagues and I mobilized as well and joined the coalition, even though we knew it was a bad government, Gantz averred in a televised statement on Sunday. Netanyahu prevents us from moving forward to a real victory [in Gaza]. That is why we are leaving the emergency government today with a heavy heart, but with a whole heart, he added.

Accuses Netanyahu of putting his political interest to the forefront

In his statement, the Israeli minister who was touted as a major challenger for Netanyahu noted that he was quitting eight months after the October 7 Hamas attacks because the situation in the country and in the decision-making room has changed.

He went on to accuse the Israeli premier of putting his own personal political considerations ahead of a post-war strategy for the Gaza Strip and claimed that the fateful strategic decisions are met with hesitancy and procrastination due to political considerations". Finally, he urged the prime minister to hold an election in the coming months.

I call on Netanyahu: set an agreed election date. Do not let our people be torn apart, Gantz said. Last month, he gave an ultimatum to the Netanyahu administration to lay out a new plan for the war against Hamas by June 8.

This is not the time: Netanyahu reacts

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Gantzs resignation came despite Netanyahus frequent requests to him to stay in the emergency government, insisting that it is time for unity and not division. Even after his announcement, Netanyahu urged Gantz to change his mind.

Benny, this is not the time to abandon the campaign  this is the time to join forces, Netanyahu said to Gantz in a post on X. Citizens of Israel, we will continue until victory and all the goals of the war have been achieved, most importantly, the release of all our hostages and the elimination of Hamas, he added.

              .



     . ,       -     .



 ,       ,      .



  Benjamin Netanyahu -   (@netanyahu) June 9, 2024

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The Israeli premier stated that his door would remain open to any political party that is ready to share the burden in fighting the war against Hamas. It is pertinent to note that Gantzs decision does not put Netanyahus government in immediate danger.

Why it matters and why it doesnt?

Gantzs resignation throws light on three areas of consideration - the Israeli government, the running of the war with Hamas, and Gantzs own political prospects.

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The Israeli Ministers National Unity party was not part of the prime ministers coalition, which retains a majority with 64 seats in the 120-member Knesset. However, it would leave the war cabinet without representation from any party other than Netanyahus Likud.

Hence, Gantzs departure wont cause the government to collapse but it would leave the war cabinet lopsided. The resignation would also mean that it would be easier to negotiate a hostage deal with only one party in the picture and then Netanyahu could safely stay in office till elections are due in October 2026. However, the opinion polls suggest that if the elections are conducted this year Gantz would win it.

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Interestingly, for the Palestinian side, a Gantz-free government means that at best, things wont get any worse. With Gantz being no dove, his moderate stance rarely made Israel go easy on Hamas or caused a decrease in Palestinian casualties. However, with Netanyahu being adamant about his end goals, Gantzs departure would mean that there is less likelihood of a hostage deal being consummated any time soon.

With inputs from agencies.
The move came shortly after projected results from France put the far-right National Rally party of Marine Le Pen well ahead in the European Unions parliamentary election read more

After a major defeat in the election for the European Parliament, French President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the countrys National Assembly and called for a snap legislative elections.

Macron confirmed the news when he addressed the nation from the Elysee Presidential Palace on Sunday. Ive decided to give you back the choice of our parliamentary future through the vote. I am therefore dissolving the National Assembly, the French leader said in his video message to the nation.

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Jai dissous ce soir lAssemblee nationale. Une decision grave, lourde, mais avant tout un acte de confiance en vous, mes chers compatriotes. pic.twitter.com/EFeVCDzrlb  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 9, 2024

He went on to announce that the elections will now be conducted in two rounds on June 30 and July 7. The move came shortly after projected results from France put the far-right National Rally party of Marine Le Pen well ahead in the European Unions parliamentary election. Many, experts believe that calling a snap election attracts a massive political risk for Macron since his party could suffer more losses, which also has the potential to scar his presidential term which is scheduled to end in 2027.

During his address, Macron acknowledged the partys defeat in the EU parliamentary elections. Ive heard your message, your concerns, and I wont leave them unanswered, he said, adding that calling a snap election only underscored his democratic credentials.

Why did Macron dissolve the parliament?

The French president insisted that the decision was a serious and heavy one. He also mentioned that he could not resign himself to the fact that far-right parties  are progressing everywhere on the continent.

Macron called it an act of confidence and stated that he had in Frances voters the capacity of the French people to make the best choice for themselves and for future generations.

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I have confidence in our democracy, in letting the sovereign people have their say. Ive heard your message and your concerns, and I wont leave them unanswered," he said.

It is important to note that the French leaders centrist coalition has already lost its parliamentary majority in the 2022 elections. Since then, the Macron administration has been pushing through the legislation with a vote on controversial bills in the assembly.

What happens next?

According to Article 12 of the French constitution, the president of the country has the power to dissolve the assemblee nationale to resolve any sort of political crisis.

The crisis would also include permanent and irreconcilable differences between the legislative and the executive wing of the parliament. As per the constitution, if a president calls for a snap election, voters must be called to the polls 20 to 40 days after the assembly is dissolved.

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In the Sunday announcement, Macron said that the first round of these elections is scheduled for 30 June and the second on 7 July. One factor that needs to be considered is that the country is due to host the 2024 Olympic games at the end of July.

Not the first time

Macron was not the first president of the country to dissolve the parliament. The countrys National Assembly was dissolved in 1962, 1968, 1981 and 1988.

Interestingly, during this time the presidential term was seven years but the parliament had a five-year term. This meant that whenever the head of the state found himself facing an opposing majority in the assembly, he called for polls.

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However, it does not always work in the presidents favour. In 1997, then centre-right president, Jacques Chirac, called snap legislative elections only to see the left win a majority. This left him enduring five years of political struggle.

It is important to note that no French president has dissolved parliament since then. One of the major reasons behind it was the fact that the presidential and parliamentary terms were synchronised in 2000. Voters since then gave each incoming president a parliamentary majority  until Macron was re-elected.

With inputs from agencies.
Projected forecasts based on the early count said Brothers of Italy had won 28.3%, more than four times what it took in the last EU election in 2019 and beating the 26% it secured in the 2022 national ballot, when it rose to power read more

Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis arch-conservative Brothers of Italy group won the most votes in this weekends European parliamentary election, initial results showed, boosting her standing both at home and abroad.

Projected forecasts based on the early count said Brothers of Italy had won 28.3%, more than four times what it took in the last EU election in 2019 and beating the 26% it secured in the 2022 national ballot, when it rose to power.

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THANK YOU! Meloni said on her X social media account, above a photograph of her flashing the victory symbol.

The opposition centre-left Democratic Party came in second on 23.7% with another opposition group, the 5-Star Movement, coming third on 10.5% - its worst showing at a countrywide level since its creation in 2009.

The EU ballot indicated that Melonis ruling coalition, made up of parties that stretch from the centre-right to the far-right of the political spectrum, had seen its support edge up to more than 46% from just under 43% in 2022.

I think this vote is certainly going to strengthen the government, said Licia Ronzulli, a senator with the ruling coalition Forza Italia party.

Forza Italia, founded by the late Silvio Berlusconi, was in fourth place on 10%, leap-frogging the anti-immigrant League, which was on 8.5%, piling pressure on its leader Matteo Salvini who has pushed his party hard right, antagonising its old guard.

Underscoring tensions in the League, party founder Umberto Bossi voted Forza Italia this time around, his allies told Italian media at the weekend, sending a jolt through the group.

MELONI STRENGTH

Melonis party traces its roots back to a neo-fascist group and her 2022 victory set the tone for far-right gains across Europe, including in this latest EU ballot, which has seen the continent swing right.

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However, Meloni has moderated her image on the international stage, dropping her previous anti-EU rhetoric and presenting herself as a bridge between the mainstream centre-right and her own national conservative camp, which was previously shunned.

Her strong showing on Sunday came in stark contrast to setbacks suffered by French President Emmanuele Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose parties were both routed.

Melonis group of lawmakers might also prove decisive if she decides to back the centre-right European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a second term in office, potentially giving Rome leverage over the new EU executive.

Although Sunday represented a big success for Meloni, it also delivered a strong result for her main opponent - Elly Schlein, who took charge of the centre-left PD party in 2023 and has struggled to impose her will on the old guard. The PD won 19% in 2022 and Schlein was anxious to improve on that.

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The hard left Green and Left Alliance also did well, winning around 6.8%, meaning that its candidate, Ilaria Salis, an Italian activist detained in Hungary for more than a year for allegedly assaulting far-right militants, is now an EU lawmaker.

The one disappointment for all parties this weekend was the turnout, which came in at just below 50%, initial data suggested, a record low in a country that has had historically strong voter participation.
Talks between Pakistan and the IMF have ended inconclusively due to a disagreement over new income tax rates for salaried and non-salaried persons and the imposition of a standard 18 per cent sales tax on agriculture and health sector goods, according to a media report read more

Talks between Pakistan and the IMF have ended inconclusively due to a disagreement over new income tax rates for salaried and non-salaried persons and the imposition of a standard 18 per cent sales tax on agriculture and health sector goods, according to a media report on Sunday.

On Friday, Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) authorities discussed the outstanding issues related to taxation and the energy sector.

Citing sources, the Express Tribune newspaper reported that both sides could not resolve their differences on the income tax threshold, the merger of salaried and non-salaried rates and the maximum income tax rate for individuals.

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Discussions are revolving around whether to charge a new backbreaking 45 per cent income tax from salaried and non-salaried individuals on a monthly income of just over Pakistani Rs 4,67,000, sources said.

At present, the maximum rate of 35 per cent applies to a monthly income of over Pakistani Rs 5,00,000.

However, both sides have converged on the issue of increasing the income tax burden on exporters in the next budget who paid a paltry sum of Pakistani Rs 86 billion this year, which is 280 per cent less than the taxes paid by the salaried people.

Pakistan also showed a willingness to tax pensions beyond a certain income threshold.

In the latest talks, the international money lender insisted on merging the slabs related to salaried, non-salaried and other incomes.

On the governments proposal of increasing the annual threshold of taxable income to Pakistani Rs 9,00,000, the IMF is asking for the maximum income tax rate to be increased from 35 per cent to 45 per cent.

However, the government is unwilling to increase the maximum rate for salaried individuals to 45 per cent but showed flexibility to keep the taxable income threshold at the current Pakistani Rs 6,00,000.

It is also asking to keep the salaried and non-salaried slabs separate but is willing to increase the highest tax rate for non-salaried persons to 45 per cent, said the sources.

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The non-salaried business individuals pay tax after excluding expenses while the salaried persons pay tax on their gross income without excluding the expenses.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is until now unwilling to increase the burden on the salaried class.

According to a proposal, if the taxable income threshold is increased to Pakistani Rs 900,000 per annum, the income tax rate can be up to 7.5 per cent on a monthly income of Pakistani Rs 100,000. The current rate is 2.5 per cent for this category.

For the next slab, if the monthly income is up to Pakistani Rs 133,000, the under-discussion tax rate is 20 per cent. The current rate is 12.5 per cent, that too for up to a monthly income of Pakistani Rs 200,000.

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The IMF wants a higher rate at the lower income level. This slab will directly hit Pakistans middle-income group.

At present, on an income of over Pakistani Rs 500,000, a 35 per cent tax rate is charged. The salaried class has until now paid Pakistani Rs 325 billion in income tax in 11 months, which is expected to rise to around Pakistani Rs 360 billion at the end of the current fiscal year.

If the revised income tax rates are accepted, the tax contribution of the salaried class will jump to Pakistani Rs 540 billion in the next fiscal year, said the sources. To absorb this increase in the tax rates, even a 30 per cent pay hike will not be sufficient.

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Sources said that the IMF had asked Pakistan to share alternative proposals, in case it was unwilling to increase the tax burden on the salaried class. Another round of discussions is expected soon.

Sources said that an understanding had been reached between Pakistan and the IMF on changing the tax regime for the richest exporters.

As against the existing one per cent final income tax on exporters, it has been proposed that from the next fiscal year, the one per cent rate should be treated as a minimum, according to government sources.

Pakistans taxation system promotes inequality and puts a higher burden on people who have little capacity to bear it. The IMF has asked Pakistan to end all special tax regimes, like the low-income tax on gains made by investing in the stock market and bank deposits.

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The global lender has recommended treating these gains as part of normal income. The IMF is pushing Pakistan to increase the burden on the salaried class until the country recovers higher taxes from the non-salaried business individuals.

During the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, the exporters paid a paltry sum of Pakistani Rs 85.5 billion in taxes, which was Pakistani Rs 241 billion, or 280 per cent, less than the amount paid by the salaried class.

During July-May FY24, the salaried class paid Pakistani Rs 326 billion in taxes, higher by 40 per cent, or Pakistani Rs 93 billion, compared to the same period last year.

The record Pakistani Rs 326 billion in tax payments by the salaried class is also 223 per cent more than the combined tax paid by the rich exporters and influential retailers.

Sources said that there was also no consensus on slapping the standard 18 per cent sales tax on fertiliser, pesticides and seeds  the crucial inputs for the agriculture sector.

The government was also unwilling to impose an 18 per cent sales tax on medicines, solar panels and medical and surgical equipment. In case, the 18 per cent tax is imposed on medicines, there will be an additional collection of Pakistani Rs 130 billion in the next fiscal year.

Similarly, taxing the medical and health-related supplies will generate another Pakistani Rs 100 billion, according to the paper.

Pakistan urgently needs a new loan from the IMF to keep the fear of default at bay. The government is eager to ink the agreement before the end of June when the fiscal year ends.
The Malawi Defence Force aircraft, carrying Vice-President Saulos Chilima went off the radar shortly after it departed from the capital, Lilongwe read more

An aircraft carrying Malawis Vice-President Saulos Chilima and nine others has gone missing on Monday. the presidents office said in a statement.

Malawi government has launched a search for the plane carrying Chilima.

The Malawi Defence Force aircraft went off the radar after it departed from the capital, Lilongwe, shortly after 9 am (local time).

The aircraft was scheduled to land at Mzuzu International Airport, in the north of the Southern African nation after 10 am (local time).

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All efforts by aviation authorities to make contact with the aircraft have failed thus far, Secretary to the President Colleen Zamba said in the statement.

After being informed of the vice-presidents plane going missing, Malawis President Lazarus Chakwera cancelled his scheduled flight to the Bahamas.

More details are awaited
For the first time in 30 years since the apartheid era ended in South Africa, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has failed to win a parliamentary majority in elections read more

Cyril Ramaphosa rose to become the country's president in 2018 after Jacob Zuma resigned after a raft of corruption allegations. AP

The South African parliament will convene on Friday to elect the new president of the country.

The announcement has come even as the election threw up a hung mandate and no ruling coalition has yet emerged.

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo issued an order saying that the National Assembly (NA) will convene on Friday, according to AFP.

Once the parliament is convened, the house will elect the speaker and then the process to elect the president will start.

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Even as parties have expressed openness to enter into coalitions and the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has called for a national unity government, no ruling arrangement has yet been firmed up and South Africa remains stuck in a political deadlock.

In the last months elections, for the first time since the apartheid era ended in South Africa in 1994, the ANC lost the parliamentary majority.

South Africa results a setback for ANC

The ANC, the party of anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, only won 40 per cent of the vote in the last months elections  the partys lowest ever.

In the 400-member NA, the ANC won just 159 seats  way short of the majority-mark of 201.

The ANC was followed by Democratic Alliance (DA) party with 87 seats, the MK party with 58 seats, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party with 39 seats.

The MK party is run by Jacob Zuma, the corruption-tainted former President of South Africa who formed the party after being ousted from ANC.

To form a government, the ANC has to form a coalition with either one or two of these parties.

Whats stopping govt formation in South Africa?

The ANC has indicated that it forms to form a national unity government in which all the parties have representation, according to the AFP.

The far-left party EFF dismissed such a proposal where it would have to join hands with liberal party DA, as per the agency.

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While DA is a believer in free markets, the EEF and MK support the nationalisation of mines and banks. They also call for land redistribution in the country.

Moreover, the MK has rejected the election results and vowed to approach the courts regarding alleged election irregularities.

The agency further reported that talks continued over the weekend and top leaders of some parties, including the DA, were holding internal discussions to decide the way forward.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of ANC has urged all parties to work together to sustain the momentum of reform, growth and transformation.

A stable and effective government committed to economic reform will enable us to build an inclusive and growing economy that benefits all South Africans, said Ramphosa in his newspaper.

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The MK has said that it would not join hands with the ANC if Ramphosa remained at the helm, as per the agency.

As for the potential alliance with the DA, the left-wing of the ANC sees the potential coalitions as being at odds with the ANC as DA is a free-market party.

The problem with joining hands with the EFF would be that it would still require a third party as EFF and ANCs combined numbers will not cross the majority-mark of 201.
South Korea and the United States were set to hold talks on Monday in Seoul on better coordinating an allied nuclear response during a war with North Korea, amid anxiety over Pyongyangs growing arsenal, Seoul officials said. read more

South Korea and the United States were set to hold talks on Monday in Seoul on better coordinating an allied nuclear response during a war with North Korea, amid anxiety over Pyongyangs growing arsenal, Seoul officials said.

The third meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) is designed to follow up on last years summit, during which the United States promised to give South Korea more insight into its nuclear planning for a conflict with the North.

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The talks came as North Korea races ahead to advance its nuclear weapons and their delivery systems, which triggered questions in South Korea about its reliance on extended deterrence - in essence the American nuclear umbrella.

Some politicians, including some senior members of President Yoon Suk Yeols party, called for Seoul to develop its own nuclear weapons, a step Washington opposes.

In late May, North Koreas attempt to launch a military reconnaissance satellite failed after a newly developed rocket engine exploded in flight. Seoul and Washington condemned the launch as a violation of U.N. Security Council sanctions banning Pyongyangs use of ballistic technology.

The latest talks will be led by Cho Chang-rae, South Koreas deputy defence minister for policy, and Vipin Narang, acting U.S. assistant secretary of defence for space policy.

After their second meeting in December, both sides warned that any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies will be met with a swift, overwhelming and decisive response and result in the end of Kim Jong Uns regime.

Last week, South Koreas Defence Minister Shin Won-sik and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met on the sidelines of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore, during which they reaffirmed the goal of North Koreas complete denuclearisation and continued efforts to boost U.S. extended deterrence.
Children walk to their shelter at an IDP camp near El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, Sudan. (file)

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.

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.

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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.
Benin arrested five Nigerien nationals this week alleging their illegal entry into the port of Seme. In response, Niger accused Benin of arrested employees of its oil company who were present at the port to oversee the loading of an oil shipment read more

A recent development has intensified the ongoing conflict between West African neighbors Benin and Niger which have been accuing each other of hostility since May.

As per reports, Benin arrested five Nigerien nationals this week alleging their illegal entry into the port of Seme. In response, Niger accused Benin of arrested employees of its oil company who were present at the port to oversee the loading of an oil shipment.

Benin says two of the detained individuals are operatives of Nigers military junta and purportedly used counterfeit documents to gain access to the facility.

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The port of Seme has emerged as a focal point in the strained relations between the two neighboring nations. Landlocked Niger operates a pipeline from its oil fields to this port, where its crude oil is loaded onto tankers for export.

However, tensions escalated in May when Benin obstructed the shipment of oil, citing Niameys refusal to reopen its borders for trade. The blockade on oil shipments was eventually lifted following intervention from China.

Niger implemented border closures after a military coup last July. While Benin has since reopened its side of the border, it has urged Niger to reciprocate.

Niger alleges that Benin hosts French troops on its territory, which it claims are attempting to destabilize the country.
Amazon India is hosting a Mega TV Days sale, featuring a wide selection of televisions from top brands including Samsung, Sony, TCL, LG, Xiaomi, and many more. The sale offers up to 65% off on branded TVs and will run until the 16th of June.

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Google Pixel Watch 3 is expected to be introduced later this year along with the Pixel 9 series, now the CAD-based renders of the smartwatch has surfaced, thanks to @OnLeaks.

This shows a similar 1.2-inch curved AMOLED screen, but this is said to measure 40.79 x 40.73 x 14mm compared to 41 x 41 x 12.3mm in the Pixel Watch 2, making it slightly thicker even though rumours revealed 307mAh battery vs 304mAh in the predecessor.

The bezels could get slimmer while maintaining the same screen size, according to the renders, but we will have to wait for press renders of the smartwatch to find out. It still has speakers on the left side on the back, and there is a crown.

Earlier rumours revealed that there will be a bigger model with a 1.3 or even larger display to compete with Samsung Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch. This could launch as Pixel Watch 3 Pro, while retaining the same design, but get a bigger battery.

Reports also revealed that the larger model may not be compatible with existing bands, likely using 22mm bands compared to the current 20mm bands on the Pixel Watch 2.

The Pixel Watch 3 is said to continue using the existing Snapdragon W5 chipset. We should know more details in the coming months.

Source
Millions remain displaced across Nigeria due to conflict, climate change impacts and natural disasters. In this file photo, a girl carries water to her shelter at an IDP camp in the country's northeast.

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

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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.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
The President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Godswill Akpabio, at the weekend, led the Senate leadership to the 650,000bpd Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, saying the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has achieved a feat where nations and continents have failed.

He described the refinery as the Ninth Wonder of the World, saying Dangote had shamed and proved the Doubting Thomases wrong by the completion of the refinery in record time.

Akpabio, who was joined by his Deputy, Jibrin Barau, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, Tokunbo Abiru and a host of others, assured that the National Assembly would give the refinery what it took to protect the project because it's one that Nigeria and indeed Africa should take the ownership of and protect jealously.

While commending Alhaji Dangote for completing the construction of the largest single-train refinery in the world in record time, Akpabio noted that the ordinary residence of Nigeria's vice president could not be completed until after 14 years.

He said, "They told us in Abuja that the Dangote Refinery was a farce, but we have come here to see for ourselves that the refinery is alive and running. Dangote has put to shame a lot of people. They are wondering how it will be possible for a single individual to accomplish what a whole nation could not accomplish; what 240 million people could not maintain; what a continent could not do, and then one person will build a 650,000bpd project.

"They keep wondering how one person can succeed where nations have failed; where continents have failed. But Dangote has done it. It is highly commendable. We came to see the refinery because we in the current Senate believe in the Nigerian dream. We didn't come as a doubting Thomas, but we came because we believe in the project, we came to rekindle the hope of Nigerians and the 'Nigerians can do' spirit."

Senator Akpabio expressed regret that the whole of Nigeria couldn't make refineries function in Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri, but that Dangote and his team proved that it was possible to dream and achieve it in Nigeria.

Akpabio further said that the shame that came with the discovery of oil in Nigeria in 1958 had been removed by Dangote, alluding to a report that India does not have oil but that its refineries exported refined products.

He said, "The inability of the nation to refine its oil has brought untold hardship on Nigerians so much so that the Belgian government recently banned the exportation of dirty and condemned fuel to West African countries just because we can't refine our own products.

"Mr Dangote, I pity you a lot because even your friends will envy you simply because they will keep wondering how can you succeed when nations and continents have failed. Now that we have seen for ourselves, we are here to announce our own endorsement of this major project. It is also shocking to see that we produce sufficient fertilisers for Nigeria and enough to be exported.

"As I said, we will do our report and we will speak to Mr President to put a stop to fertiliser import to Nigeria. You will hear from us soon."

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said it was a thing of joy and privilege that the refinery happened in "our time, our state and our country.

"People talk about dreams, but only a few can make them happen. Dangote has put Lagos State and the whole of Nigeria on the world map of excellence.

"I am happy the Senate came to see for themselves; Dangote was not ready to rest after successfully building the largest cement factory chain in Africa, second largest sugar refinery in the world. With investments like this, I can assure you that we are on the right path to meet the projected GDP of $1trn by 2030.

"You have the key to the city I gave you a long time ago, and I am happy you are using it very well."

Dangote thanked the Senate leadership for the visit and the endorsement , saying the "visit could not have come at a more auspicious time than now just as the organisation is in the process of bringing the various units of this complex integrated refining processes on stream; an eagerly awaited move."

He stated further that the Dangote Refinery "produces a wide range of high-quality petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, kerosene and jet fuel, all meeting the highest international standards (Euro V Grade). The refinery, apart from adding value to our crude oil, will yield 900,000 KTPA of polypropylene and 36,000 KTPA of sulphur and carbon black as byproducts.

"The refinery will help boost Nigeria's economic growth with the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs. During the construction stage, it supported over 150,000 jobs, made up of mostly Nigerians. These Nigerians in the process acquired various skills that are still useful in other construction projects.

"The capacity of the refinery is enough to satisfy domestic demands for refined products. The refinery will export about 50 per cent of its production thereby generating foreign exchange for the country. It will lead to growth in adjacent sectors such as logistics, shipping, engineering and servicing.

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"The refinery has the requisite capacity to provide energy security both by providing a ready home for our crude and in ensuring steady availability of petroleum products for all. Nigerians will also get to partake in the financial returns once we list the refinery on the NGX.

"We are thus making an important contribution to this administration's plan to grow our GDP to $1trn.

"Our group is at the vanguard of job creation and employment generation in Nigeria. We are the biggest employer of labour after the federal government. Dangote Cement sustains about 70,000 direct and indirect jobs across Africa, while the refinery, petroleum chemical complex and fertiliser will be able to create over 150,000 direct and indirect jobs.

"We have remained one of the biggest contributors to government coffers as our three subsidiaries: Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar Refinery and NASCON Allied Industries, paid a total of N788.98bn as tax and N276bn in VAT in three years."
A BOGUS police officer was recently arrested while his two accomplices escaped after members of the public intervened while they assaulted a Harare man for allegedly trading in foreign currency.

Accused person was identified as Kundai Taruvinga (29).

Police confirmed the arrest which occurred at Machipisa Shopping Centre, Harare.

"ZRP reports that Kundai Taruvinga (29) was arrested for impersonating a police officer on 8 June 2024 at Machipisa Shopping Centre, Harare.

"The suspect and his two accomplices purported to be police officers and accused the victim of illegal dealing in foreign currency.

"The trio assaulted the victim before the public intervened and apprehended Kundai Taruvinga," said Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

As fate would have it, Taruvinga's partners in crime escaped.

Police are appealing to anyone with information which may lead to the arrest of the accomplices to report at any nearest station.
China Airlines ex-employee implicated in diabolo instructor spy case

ROC Central News Agency

06/09/2024 06:32 PM

Taipei, June 9 (CNA) An ongoing espionage case involving a diabolo instructor recently implicated an ex-China Airlines (CAL) employee in leaking the details of presidential trip itineraries among other sensitive information, a prosecutor said Sunday.

During the investigation into Republic of China Diabolo Federation board member Lu Chi-hsien (ece) and nine other individuals, prosecutors discovered the involvement of a former CAL dispatcher, the source told CNA.

The ex-CAL employee is believed to have leaked confidential information to Lu from February to April last year, including the itineraries of former President Tsai Ing-wen's (ee) overseas visits, and lists of "important visitors" arriving in Taiwan.

In addition, the former employee allegedly provided Lu with documents related to weapons shipments and tarmac information, the source said, citing findings from the Taipei District Prosecutors Office.

In response, CAL said it has cooperated with national security and judicial authorities to conduct the investigation.

The employee has already been dismissed, the country's flag carrier said, stressing that it "took the matter seriously and has reviewed its operational procedures." The individual has since been questioned by prosecutors.

Lu was indicted last year on charges of breaking the National Security Act by conducting a NT$5.7 million (US$179,000) Chinese espionage operation targeting Taiwanese military personnel.

Prosecutors revealed that Lu was enlisted by China in 2020 during his pursuit of commercial opportunities in the country, with the task of procuring confidential information from active-duty and retired Taiwanese military personnel.

Prosecutors claimed that starting in 2022, Lu and his associates purportedly paid tens of thousands of dollars to seven military officers for access to meeting reports and training documents, and attempted without success to recruit an additional 11 officers.

(By Lin Chang-shun, Yu Hsiao-han and Lee Hsin-Yin)

Enditem/AW

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CENTCOM Statement Regarding IDF Rescue Operations Today

U.S. Central Command

Press Release | June 8, 2024

USCENTCOM

June 8, 2024

Release Number 20240608-01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. -- The humanitarian pier facility, including its equipment, personnel, and assets were not used in the operation to rescue hostages today in Gaza. An area south of the facility was used by the Israelis to safely return the hostages to Israel. Any such claim to the contrary is false. 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.

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Remarks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following today's hostage rescue operation

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Events and Speeches

The 37th Government

08.06.2024

At the conclusion of the operation, when it was conveyed that all four of the hostages were rescued from captivity and have safely arrived in Israel, the Prime Minister thanked the Minister of Defense, the IDF Chief of Staff, the Director of the Israel Security Agency and the team that oversaw the operation.

Prime Minister Netanyahu 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 resourcefullness 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".

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US Begins Withdrawal of Troops From Niger - Joint Statement

Sputnik News

20240608

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States has begun withdrawing its troops from Niger with the departure of the first aircraft, the two countries' defense ministries said in a joint statement on Saturday.

"The US 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. This significant transition began with the departure of a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from Air Base 101 in Niamey on June 7, 2024," the statement read.

Moreover, some US forces have already redeployed from Niger to their home stations after concluding their missions, the statement read. At the same time, a small contingent of US military personnel arrived in the African country to assist with the withdrawal of troops from Air Bases 101 and 201, it added.

The US and Niger agreed to complete the withdrawal of US troops from the African country no later than September 15.

There is an estimated 1,100 US personnel in Niger. The military pullout was initiated in March after a Nigerien military spokesperson said the country's transitional government, which took power in July 2023, had terminated the military agreement with the US with immediate effect, citing the interests of the Nigerien people.

 Sputnik

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EIGHT pupils from a school in Mashonaland West province were hospitalised after vomiting excessively from ingesting food suspected to have been laced with poison.

The incident happened at Matoranhembe Primary School at Murombedzi, Zvimba district in Mashonaland West province after a learner brought rice and soup, which she shared among fellow pupils, who immediately started vomiting.

She later confessed her parent had prepared the food, packed it before suspiciously instructing her how to share it among colleagues.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed investigations were underway to establish the cause of the sicknesses.

"The ZRP reports that investigations are underway in connection with a case of suspected food poisoning which occurred at Matoranhembe Primary School, Murombedzi on 7 June 2024.

"Eight pupils allegedly started vomiting while complaining of stomach pains after they had consumed rice and soup which had been packed in a lunch box," said Nyathi.

The victims were rushed to Murombedzi Rural Hospital, where their condition could not be immediately ascertained by time of publishing.

Nyathi said police suspect foul play.

"Investigations carried out by police revealed that a fellow pupils brought the lunch boxes which contained home-prepared food given to her by a parent, who gave her instructions on how to share the food," he said.

The motive of the plot by the parent, who has been arrested, could not be established.
Israeli Army Says Rescued 4 Hostages Held in Gaza - IDF

Sputnik News

20240608

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - 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.

"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.

Hagari noted that the IDF "will not lose sight that 120 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza," and will do everything to bring them home.

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.

 Sputnik

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US citizen among 3 captives killed in Nuseirat massacre: Hamas

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 9, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, says three Israeli captives, including a US citizen, were killed during the Israeli air raids on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

The Qassam Brigades made the announcement in a video message posted on its Telegram channel on Sunday.

The Israeli forces on Saturday mounted a massive military operation in the Nuseirat refugee camp and its surrounding areas allegedly to retrieve four Israeli captives held by Hamas since October 7.

Gaza's health authorities said on Sunday that the death toll from the massacre had risen to 274.

Hundreds of more displaced Palestinians were wounded in the attacks, which sparked global condemnations.

4353**2050



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US government 'biggest loser' of war on Gaza: Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 9, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman has described the United States as the "biggest loser" in the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

Speaking to reporters at a media event on Sunday, Nasser Kanaani pointed to the role of the United States in enabling the Israeli crimes in Gaza by providing the regime with unfettered military and political assistance.

"The Zionist regime, with all its military capabilities and political influence, lost on the battlefield against the Palestinian nation, and the biggest loser in this battle against the people of Gaza, in addition to this usurping regime, is the US government," he said.

He called on the international community to hold the US government accountable for extending unconditional support for a regime, which has massacred some 40,000 innocent Palestinians over the past eight months.

Supporting the oppressed Palestinian people is a "global responsibility", Kanaani said, praising the regional resistance groups for demonstrating an ironclad commitment to the Palestinian cause.

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Yemen hits British warship destroyer, 2 Israeli-linked ships

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 9, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Yemeni armed forces have announced that its forces targeted a British destroyer, as well as two Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Yemeni armed forces' spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said that the Yemeni missile force carried out a military operation targeting the British destroyer (Diamond) in the Red Sea with a number of ballistic missiles.

Also, the naval, missile, and UAV forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out two joint military operations against two ships belonging to companies that violated the ban decision to access the ports of occupied Palestine, he added.

The ships that were hit accurately and caught fire in the Arabian Sea were the "Norderney" and the "MSC Tavvishi", the statement noted, highlighting that the two operations were carried out with a number of naval and ballistic missiles and drones.

The statement added that the Yemeni armed forces continue to perform their religious, moral, and humanitarian duty towards the Palestinian people, and their operations will not stop until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted.

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.

The United States and Britain in December announced a military coalition to target Yemen in support of the Zionist regime.

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Hezbollah continues attacks on positions of Zionist regime army

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 9, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's Hezbollah movement announced on Sunday further attacks on targets of the Zionist regime in the occupied Golan and some other targets in the occupied Palestine.

According to Al-Ahed news site, the Hezbollah movement announced today that its fighters targeted the artillery headquarters of the Zionist enemy in the occupied Golan.

In a statement, Hezbollah announced that in support of the steadfast nation of the Gaza Strip and to support its heroic and noble resistance and in response to the aggression of the Zionist enemy on the southern villages and its houses, especially in the two towns of Aitoron and Misra, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance targetted the enemy's artillery in Al-Zaoura located in the occupied Syrian Golan, as well as the location of the military with Katyusha missiles.

In another statement, Hezbollah announced that the fighters of this movement attacked the headquarters of the Zionist artillery battalion in Udem with several suicide drones, as well as the location of its officers and soldiers, which directly hit the target.

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'Resistance groups in complete harmony; any ceasefire hinges on cessation of Gaza war'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 9, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The spokesperson for the Palestinian Resistance Committees has emphasized that all resistance groups have given full authority to the Hamas movement regarding negotiations to achieve a ceasefire, and the main condition for any agreement would be a complete cessation of war against Gaza and the full withdrawal of occupiers.

Mohammed al-Breem (Abu Mujahid) said in an interview with IRNA on Sunday that the resistance groups have coherence, complete coordination, and full cooperation with each other, conducting their operations jointly or separately, and they fight against the aggressive enemy with complete flexibility and adopt suitable tactics.

The Palestinian spokesman asserted that the resistance will not accept any agreement that does not fulfill the legitimate demands of the Palestinian nation, particularly a complete cessation of war, military withdrawal of the enemy from Gaza, lifting of the siege, and a prisoner swap.

As to the issue of a potential ceasefire agreement, he noted that this issue would be decided after consultations among all resistance groups, and then a unified decision would be announced. However, Hamas is currently at the forefront of Palestinian resistance, and all resistance groups provided it with full authority to pursue negotiations.

The spokesman added that the enemy attempts to resort to deceitful language in negotiations but the resistance movement persists in the rightful demands of the Palestinian nation.

Al-Breem also stated that in the eyes of the Zionist-American enemies, only the release of Zionist prisoners is of great importance, so after fulfilling this demand, they will restart the massacre of Gaza residents.

Referring to the role of the United States in the Gaza massacre, he noted that Operation Al-Aqsa Storm showed that the US is the main enemy of the Palestinian people, the Islamic Ummah, and all Arab and Muslim countries, as well as all freedom-seekers around the world who struggle for freedom, security, and peace.

The US is fighting against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, murdering the oppressed nation, and financially and militarily supporting the criminal Zionist regime, he argued.

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Al-Nujaba warns Israel, US of any foolish acts in Iraq

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 9, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The head of Iraq's Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba has warned that any foolish act by the Israeli regime would be met with a harsh response against both Israel and the US.

In a message on his X account, Sheikh Ali al-Asadi reaffirmed that the Iraqi Islamic Resistance "will remain a support and an ally for the Palestinian cause."

Al-Asadi warned against the Israeli occupation committing any foolish acts against individuals or positions in Iraq, stressing that "any such foolishness from the Israeli occupation" would be met with a "harsh response to the Israelis and Americans."

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British sources report new maritime incident off Yemen coast

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 9, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported yet another maritime-related incident in the Red sea without giving any further details.

According to the Palestinian Samaa news agency cited by IRNA, the UKMTO announced in the early hours of Sunday that that it received a report of an incident 80 nautical miles south-east of the Yemeni port of Aden.

According to the same report, the British maritime security company Ambri also informed that a fire broke out after a missile hit a commercial ship in the southeast of Aden.

No further details have been reported.

Some news media have published pictures of damage caused to 2 American ships in a recent missile strike by the Yemeni armed forces.

According to this report, the published images are related to the American ship -True Confidence, which was hit by a missile in early March as well as an American oil tanker that was attacked by the Yemeni army in May.

Since the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, the Yemeni armed forces have targeted dozens of Israeli or Israeli-bound ships in the Red and Arabia Seas.

The Yemeni army has, time and again, announced that all ships except those heading for Israeli ports are safe to sail through the strategic waters.

But over the past couple of months, Yemeni forces have also intensified attacks on American and British warships and commercial vessels in response to the two countries' aggression against Yemen.

The Yemeni armed forces have pledged to continue attacking Israeli-linked ships until the Zionist regime stops its attacks on Gaza and ends the siege on the Palestinians territory.

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Gaza bloodbath must end immediately: Top EU diplomat

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 9, 2024

London, IRNA -- European Union Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell has condemned one more Israeli massacre of more than 200 Palestinians in Gaza's Nuseirat refugee camp.

According to IRNA, Borrell posted a message on his X social network and wrote: "Reports from Gaza about another massacre of civilians are appalling. We condemn this in strongest terms".

"The bloodbath must end immediately", the statement further said.

The top EU diplomat also mentioned about a recent so-called ceasefire plan unveiled by the US president and said: "The 3-stage plan is a way forward for an enduring ceasefire and too end the killing".

The 27-member bloc of the European Union has repeatedly issued statements condemning Israeli acts of crimes against Palestinians but at the same time some EU countries have kept supplying lethal weapons to the Zionist regime to use them against the war on Gaza.

Earlier on Saturday, the occupying Zionist army carried out another horrific massacre in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the center of the Gaza Strip, which according to reports left 210 civilians, mostly women and children dead and more than 400 others injured.

The latest Israeli bloodshed pushed the overall death toll of Palestinians since the launched of the US-backed genocidal war on Gaza to 36,731 while the number of wounded has reached 83,680.

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Two ships targeted in Red Sea with drones, ballistic missiles: Yemeni Army

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sun / 9 June 2024 / 10:47

Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree announced on Friday that Yemeni forces carried out two joint operations in the Red Sea "against two ships belonging to companies that violated the ban on entry to the ports of occupied Palestine."

Tehran -ISNA- The spokesman clarified that the armed forces targeted the Maltese-registered Elbella container ship and Cyprus-registered Aal Genoa cargo ship. Both were targeted in the Red Sea using drones and ballistic missiles.

"Both operations come in solidarity with the people of Palestine in response to crimes perpetrated by the Israeli regime on displaced Gazans in Rafah," Saree said, adding that they also happen to come as part of the expansion of Yemeni military operations in the fourth stage of escalation.

Last month, the Yemeni Armed Forces announced the "fourth phase of escalation" targeting Israeli and Israeli-linked ships in international waters. The range of operations has now come to include ships transiting the Mediterranean Sea.

In this stage, the Yemeni Armed Forces "will impose comprehensive sanctions on all ships and companies that are related to supplying and entering the occupied Palestinian ports of any nationality and will prevent all ships of these companies from passing through the armed forces' operation zone, regardless of their destination."

End Item

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More than 2 000 boreholes have so far been drilled countrywide out of the targeted 10 000 by November this year, with Government deploying more than 36 groups in provinces as the Second Republic steps up its Presidential Borehole Drilling programme.

At least 429 village business units have been created, with 100 more expected in a week's time as Government moves with its mantra of "leaving no one and no place behind" in its development thrust.

This was said by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, during a question and answer session in the National Assembly last week.

"It is a Government programme that each village head should have a place where we will drill a borehole. We put up solar power and tanks and also have drip irrigation on a one hectare place.

"We will also have two fish ponds. Thereafter, we get a company for that village. Every villager will be a shareholder in that company and after that it will be a business, going forward.

"We have a programme to have 10 000 boreholes before we reach November this year. At the present moment, we have about 36 groups, which are in the provinces, busy implementing the programme. So far we have created about 429 village units."

Dr Masuka said before this Friday, 535 boreholes would have been added.

"We believe that if we continue with this projectile, most of the villages in regions 4 and 5 will be covered. We are concentrating on those regions where there is less rain," he said.

The programme will continue despite instances where they face challenges related to financial resources, said Dr Masuka.

"This is what is affecting these programmes. Sometimes we think of stopping the drilling, up until we have managed to source resources so as to put up the village business units and then realise that no, you cannot wait for that.

"It is better if we have some money, then resources and the relevant machinery. Most of our Members of Parliament are also contributing towards the purchasing of fuel so that we continue with the programme of drilling boreholes. We are grateful for being helped. Please push so that we may be given the requisite resources in order to push this programme," he said.
Israeli war with Lebanon to be final war: Hezbollah official

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sun / 9 June 2024 / 10:47

Nawaf al-Moussawi, the head of Hezbollah's Resources and Borders department talks about officials in the Israeli occupation government threatening Lebanon with war and warns them.

Tehran -ISNA- Nawaf al-Moussawi, the head of Hezbollah's Resources and Borders department and a former member of parliament, stated that the Israeli occupation "does not possess the weapons needed for a war against Lebanon," emphasizing that the Israeli occupation needs weapons from Washington for any war it wants to wage against Lebanon, and stressing that "the next war with Israel will be nothing less than the final war."

In his interview on Friday evening on Al Mayadeen, al-Moussawi pointed out that in the event of an Israeli all-out war with Lebanon, the region will not be "as it once used to be."

Al-Moussawi explained that the Resistance found it necessary to use the air defense system against the warplanes that were terrorizing Lebanese citizens during their operation, which repelled the occupation's warplanes from Lebanese skies on Thursday. He added that the weapon the Islamic Resistance decides to use is "imposed by necessity." He stressed that the Resistance still has "undisclosed capabilities."

Regarding the Resistance's targeting of Israeli espionage equipment, al-Mousawi told Al Mayadeen that the espionage capabilities used by the occupation on the border with Lebanon were "capable of covering areas up to Europe," stressing that the Resistance needed to hit these devices in order to blind the occupation.

The Hezbollah official asserted that all the leaders of the occupation who threatened Lebanon with war "have no idea about the true capabilities of the Resistance," addressing them by saying, "If war breaks out, it will be nothing less than the final war."

Furthermore, the Hezbollah official recalled that the United Nations has recorded more than 400 Israeli violations of UN resolution 1701 every month since it was issued. Additionally, he explained that the Lebanese Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament are the ones negotiating with Western envoys to discuss the situation on the borders.

During his talk about internal Lebanese affairs, al-Moussawi emphasized that the Islamic Resistance "does not seek to capitalize on the confrontations on the southern front for internal Lebanese matters, specifically vis-a-vis the presidential election."

Al-Moussawi concluded that the Palestinian Resistance is a response to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and that what "Israel" has committed is genocide.

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Israel killed some captives during Nuseirat operation: Abu Obeida

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sun / 9 June 2024 / 10:47

The military spokesperson of the Hamas Resistance movement, Abu Obeida, affirmed on Saturday that the Israeli occupation's massacre in the Nuseirat refugee camp was a "complex war crime that harmed its captives first."

Tehran -ISNA- In a statement, Abu Obeida revealed that "The enemy was able to retrieve some of the captives by committing a horrifying massacre, but killed a few others in the process."

He stressed that the operation "will pose a grave danger to the enemy's captives, and will negatively impact their circumstances and lives."

Earlier today, the Hamas Resistance movement affirmed that the Israeli occupation army's announcement of the retrieval of several captives, after eight months of aggression in which it used all military, technological, and security means, and committed all kinds of crimes, from massacres to genocide, starvation, and siege, "will not change its strategic failure in the Gaza Strip".

In a statement, Hamas highlighted that it was still holding a large number of captives, noting that it could increase its yield of captives, just like it did during the latest operation in the Jabalia refugee camp in late May.

End Item

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PM Netanyahu's Remarks at the Start of the Government Meeting

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Press Releases

The 37th Government

09.06.2024

Following are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks, today, at the start of the Government meeting:

"Yesterday, in a heroic operation that will yet be talked about, the State of Israel returned home four of its hostages: Noa Argamani, Almog Meir, Andrey Kozolov and Shlomi Ziv. Welcome back home.

Congratulations to the Chief-of-Staff and the IDF, the Director of the ISA and the ISA agents, and the Police Inspector General and the officers of the special anti-terrorism unit. Our heroic fighters stormed into live fire united as one, eliminated the terrorists and freed the hostages.

Last Thursday evening, when I gave final approval to this complex and dangerous operation, I had two main considerations: First - our commitment to return home all of the hostages. Second - the knowledge that it is possible to rely on our fighters, who are without peer in the world. The great achievement yesterday reflects the stature of the people and I must say: It reflects the stature of the supporters of Israel around the entire world. However it also entailed great sadness: The loss of a hero of Israel, special anti-terrorism unit fighter, Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora, of blessed memory.

Amir Ofer was under the command of my brother Yoni, of blessed memory, who fell in the operation to free the hostages at Entebbe in 1976. Amir was the first fighter to burst into the passenger terminal where the hostages were being held.

Here is what he wrote yesterday about Arnon: 'Several years ago I was at a performance. An amazing young man approached me and said that he was an officer in the special anti-terrorism unit, He asked me to come to the unit and lecture on Entebbe. Of course, I agreed.'

On October 16, Amir writes, only a few days after the battles to block the enemy in the Western Negev: 'I received a phone call from Arnon. 'I must talk to you' he told me. This was Arnon's first furlough from the fighting in Gaza since the start of the war. We spoke for two hours. He told me in great detail how he and his friends were in an encounter at Yad Mordechai Junction, how three RPGs missed them by millimeters, how his intuition to stop several kilometers before the junction and gear up saved the entire force, how they fought like lions, how they emptied all of their clips four times on the first day and went from the junction to Sderot, and from Sderot to Ofakim, and from Ofakim to Be'eri, and they were at the forefront everywhere. Arnon told me how his heart broke at Be'eri. He constantly asked me 'How you succeeded and we did not.'

I saw before me a true hero, an exceptional and moral person. I went home. I thought about Arnon's story and I wrote him: 'It took me several hours to digest your story. You were real heroes and your performance - under the most difficult conditions - was extraordinary, in strategic surprise, in tactical surprise, in combat in an area full of civilians and in being few against many.'

'You saved the country', Amir wrote to Arnon. 'Your place in Heaven is already assured, and more.'

Ministers of the Government,

On Simchat Torah, Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora showed exceptional heroism. Yesterday, on the eve of the giving of the Torah, he again showed supreme heroism and gave his life to save members of his people. Arnon will always be remembered in the chronicles of our people.

Similar to the Rabin government's support for the proposal to name the operation to free the hostages at Entebbe - 'Operation Yonatan', after the commander of the assault force who fell in battle, I am certain that the Government will unanimously support the proposal to name the operation to free the hostages in Gaza - 'Operation Arnon' - after the commander of the assault force who fell in battle - hero of Israel Arnon Zamora.

Happy is the people that is blessed with its heroes. We will continue together to do our utmost to return all of the hostages, and to achieve victory over our enemies."

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Statement by PM Benjamin Netanyahu

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Events and Speeches

The 37th Government

Publish Date: 08.06.2024

Updated date: 09.06.2024

Prime Minister's Office announcement on Saturday, June 8, 2024:



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks at Sheba Hospital after meeting with the rescued hostages and their families:

"Israel just carried out a remarkable rescue operation of four hostages held by Hamas. This operation required ingenuity and courage of the highest degree, and our soldiers performed in an unmatchable way.

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. Hamas is committing war crimes every day, including the holding of these hostages. 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".

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Three captives, including US citizen, killed in Israel's raid on Gaza camp: Hamas

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 6:59 PM

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says three captives were killed, including a US citizen, in a recent Israeli military offensive on a camp in Gaza, which also killed more than 270 Palestinian civilians.

Hamas' armed al-Qassam Brigades made announcement in a video posted on its Telegram channel on Sunday.

Details have been presented in the video released by the military wing of Hamas about three Israeli captives killed by the Israeli army.

They were killed during the offensive that was carried out on Saturday to release four Israeli captives, the group said.

The video stresses the fact that one of the captives is a US citizen.

"Your captives will not be released unless our prisoners are freed," the video added.

Israel claimed to rescue four captives in an operation in central Gaza's al-Nuseirat camp on Saturday which killed at least 274 people and injured around 700 more.

Israeli forces launched the raid in broad daylight, claiming to strike at military infrastructure in the camp as part of a "rescue operation."

But witnesses and journalists on the ground say Israel bombed residential buildings, leading to higher casualties.

Medics said the Palestinian death toll is the worst over a 24-hour period of the Gaza war for months and including many women and children.

They have described scenes of chaos and carnage after the deadly Israeli army raid. Overwhelmed hospitals were already struggling to treat the wounded from days of heavy Israeli strikes in the area.

There are more than 100 captives still being held in the besieged Palestinian territory.

Israel on Sunday continued to pound various parts of the besieged Gaza Strip with its indiscriminate airstrikes and artillery fire.

The latest casualties bring Gaza's total death toll since October 7 to at least 37,084, most of whom are women and children. Thousands more are feared buried under the rubble.

Meanwhile, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees cites a UNICEF report that nine out of 10 children in the Gaza Strip are experiencing severe food shortages.

The United Nations is set to announce the addition of Israel to a blacklist of entities that have violated the rights of children during armed conflict.

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Beijing says US provoking arms race by moving forces into South China Sea

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 5:04 PM

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong has warned that the United States is posing the biggest military threat in the South China Sea as its weapons' deployment there is turning the region into "the whirlpool of an arms race."

"At present, the biggest security challenge in the South China Sea comes from outside the region," Sun said in comments published on Sunday, noting that Beijing was willing to resolve its territorial disputes with nearby countries in the South China Sea through dialog.

Sun, who recently attended a high-level meeting on East Asian cooperation in Laos, said US-led forces were "promoting military deployment and actions in the South China Sea, inciting and intensifying maritime disputes and contradictions, and damaging the legitimate rights and interests of coastal countries."

A move by the United States to deploy medium-range missile systems in the area "is dragging the region into the whirlpool of an arms race, placing the entire Asia Pacific region under the shadow of geopolitical conflicts," Sun noted, adding that Beijing aimed to properly manage its territorial disputes with the parties in the South China Sea through dialogue.

In the meantime, China, which claims most of the South China Sea territories, has deployed hundreds of coast guard vessels as far as 1,000 km off its coasts to guard its jurisdiction in the region.

However, in the guise of joint military exercises with US regional allies, and under the pretext of "freedom of navigation", the US military also keeps its forces present in the highly strategic South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce, turning the international waters into a powder keg waiting to explode.

In a meeting with US allies in April, the Philippines announced the Manila government plans to assert its sovereign rights in the South China Sea. The Filipino leadership also criticized what it described as Beijing's aggressive policies, and the willingness for "harassment" of the Philippines.

China, for its part, blamed the Filipinos' expansionist policy as the source of their territorial dispute, emphasizing it will not allow the violation of Chinese territorial waters, or secession in any Chinese lands.

In regard to China's territorial disputes with its neighboring countries, the United States has been keen to take sides with those opposed to Beijing.

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Israel continues to bomb Gaza day after Nuseirat camp massacre

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 4:06 PM

The death toll from Israeli strikes on a densely-populated refugee camp in central Gaza has risen to 274, with hundreds of more civilians injured in the attack.

In an update on Sunday, Gaza's Health Ministry said 274 Palestinians were killed - up from 210 it reported on Saturday - and 698 were injured when Israeli force stormed into the densely populated al-Nuseirat camp.

The statement noted some victims remained under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of rescue crews.

Israeli forces launched the raid in broad daylight, claiming to strike at military infrastructure in the camp as part of a "rescue operation."

But witnesses and journalists on the ground say Israel bombed residential buildings, leading to higher casualties.

Global condemnations poured in on Saturday after the Israeli regime's latest act of aggression.

Israel's raid on the camp has caused outrage, with the EU calling it "a massacre."

Doctors described the scenes inside al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza as a "complete bloodbath," with one medic saying the inside of the hospital "looks like a slaughterhouse."

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says Al-Aqsa and Nasser hospitals are "overwhelmed."

Israel on Sunday continued to pound various parts of the besieged Gaza Strip with its indiscriminate airstrikes and artillery fire over the past few hours.

In the southern city of Rafah, Israeli shelling of a residential neighborhood took the lives of at least two Palestinian civilians.

The Israeli forces also targeted another residential building in Bureiji camp as well, which resulted in the death of at least theree more Palestinians.

Since May 7, the Israeli military has taken full control of the crucial crossing from the Palestinian side and even launched attacks against the Egyptian side.

Israeli tank forces have since seized Gaza's entire border strip with Egypt running through Rafah to the Mediterranean coast and invaded several districts of the city, prompting around one million displaced people who had been sheltering in Rafah to flee elsewhere.

A staggering one million people have now fled Rafah in southern Gaza, according to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA.

"All UNRWA shelters in Rafah have been vacated. Many of the people who were based in Rafah have fled up the coast seeking safer locations in both Khan Younis and the middle area [of Gaza]," UNRWA said in a statement.

The latest casualties bring Gaza's total death toll since October 7 to at least 37,084, most of whom are women and children. Thousands more are feared buried under the rubble.

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Iran: US, Israel must be held accountable for genocide in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 3:43 PM

Iran says the United States and Israel lost their war on the besieged Gaza Strip and must be held accountable for genocide against the people of Palestine.

Speaking to reporters and media managers on Sunday, Nasser Kan'ani, the spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, said the United States is complicit in the Israeli regime's crimes against Palestinians in Gaza by providing it with full-fledged support.

"The Zionist regime, with all its military capabilities and political influence, lost on the battlefield against the Palestinian people," he added.

"The biggest loser in this battle against the people of Gaza, in addition to this usurping regime, is the US government," he emphasized.

The Iranian spokesman said world nations and governments are duty-bound to hold the US government accountable for extending full-fledged and unconditional support for the Zionist regime.

Kan'ani highlighted the important role that world nations can play in holding Israel accountable for its crimes against Palestinians.

He noted that media can also play a leading and decisive role in supporting world nations' support for Palestinians.

The Iranian diplomat described support for the oppressed Palestinian people as a "global responsibility" and said resistance groups in the region have demonstrated their firm determination in this regard.

The resistance axis in the region proved that it will never yield to pressure of the arrogant system, he pointed out.

Israel waged its bloody Gaza offensive on October 7, 2023 after the Palestinian resistance group Hamas carried out its historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 37,084 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 84,494 others in the Gaza Strip.

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Hamas rules out interim truce without Israel's withdrawal from Gaza

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 3:17 PM

A senior official of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says any ceasefire deal with Israel must be permanent and force the regime out of Gaza, where it has killed at least 37,000 people since the start of an aggression more than eight months ago.

Ghazi Hamad, a senior member of Hamas politburo, said on Sunday that the group has yet to see a clear stance from the Israeli regime on a ceasefire in Gaza, adding that the resistance will resume indirect negotiations with the regime if its basic demands are met.

"We have declared to the mediators that we will return to negotiations if the issues of a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of the occupiers from the Gaza Strip are considered," Hamad told the New Arab website.

US President Joe Biden announced earlier this month that his administration and Israel had developed a ceasefire proposal for Gaza which he claimed would be favorable to the Palestinians and Hamas.

However, officials within the Palestinian resistance say they have not received concrete proposals that could lead to a sustainable ceasefire agreement with the Israeli regime.

They say Israel has continued to escalate its attacks on Gaza to put more pressure on Hamas to accept the truce deal.

The Israelis launched a massive attack on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on Saturday, killing more than 270 people and injuring hundreds more.

Hamad said that Washington may be interested in working out a ceasefire in Gaza because the war on the Palestinian territory has posed great risks to its interests in the region.

However, he said that the Israeli cabinet led by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not interested in stopping the war at all.

"They see they have achieved nothing after eight months of war," he said.

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Yemeni naval forces strike British destroyer, two commercial vessels

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 3:10 PM

Yemeni naval forces have carried out two separate operations against a British destroyer and two commercial vessels off the nation's coast, demonstrating solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip.

The Yemeni military announced in a statement on Sunday that the forces targeted the HMS Diamond in the Red Sea with a number of ballistic missiles, emphasizing that the strike was "accurate."

The statement, however, did not say whether the retaliatory attack had caused any damage.

The Yemeni army further noted that the country's naval forces had also attacked two commercial vessels which it identified as the Norderney and Tavvishi.

The statement said the Tavvishi - which was in the Arabian Sea - and the Norderney had both been hit, and that a fire broke out on the Norderney.

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 37,084 people and wounded another 84,494 individuals, come to an end.

Leader of the Ansarullah resistance movement Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has said it is "a great honor and blessing to be confronting America directly."

The attacks have forced some of the world's biggest shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. Tankers are instead adding thousands of miles to international shipping routes by sailing around the continent of Africa rather than going through the Suez Canal.

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Israel infiltrated Nuseirat camp using humanitarian aid trucks, furniture lorries: Report

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 11:23 AM

The Israeli occupation forces resorted to various ploys, including the use of humanitarian aid trucks and furniture moving lorries, to infiltrate into the Nuseirat refugee camp and perpetrate their heinous carnage in the central part of the besieged Gaza Strip, according to reports.

Local sources in the coastal enclave told Turkey's Anadolu news agency that Israel's special forces, who retrieved on Saturday four captives held by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in central Gaza since October last year after killing and injuring hundreds of Palestinians in the Nuseirat refugee camp, used a humanitarian aid truck to sneak their way into the area.

"The Israeli special forces used a closed transport truck and a civilian vehicle in the infiltration operation to retrieve the hostages," the sources told Anadolu.

"These transport vehicles are widespread in the Gaza Strip and are used to transport humanitarian aid during the Israeli war," they added.

Two witnesses also told Qatar-based Al Jazeera television network that a unit of Israeli soldiers arrived in a truck carrying furniture to pretend as if they were displaced Palestinians moving into a residential building in the Nuseirat refugee camp.

"They arrived in an undercover truck, pretending to be moving furniture as if they were displaced individuals," one witness said. "They bombed my house, as well as my brother's and the neighbors'."

Another witness told Al Jazeera that Israeli soldiers used a ladder to climb into his home as he was preparing breakfast for his wife and baby.

"I caught sight of a special forces unit. It had furniture in the vehicle to make it look like it belonged to displaced people. Suddenly the operative got out two ladders and came into our home fully armed. Chaos erupted with gunfire and explosions," he said.

"My 18-month baby boy cried out in fear," he added. "My wife was screaming."

Israeli military vehicles advanced into areas in the east and northwest of the Nuseirat refugee camp on Saturday morning amid the regime's heavy artillery bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Israel's violent raid on the refugee camp claimed the lives of at least 210 Palestinians and left more than 400 others injured.

Following the merciless carnage, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council on the Israeli regime's mass killing in Nuseirat.

The Israeli incursion comes as the occupying regime, enjoying untrammeled military and political support from its Western allies, including the United States, waged the bloody Gaza offensive on October 7, 2023, after Hamas-led resistance groups conducted a surprise foray against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 36,801 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 83,680 others in the Gaza Strip.

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Israel's Nuseirat massacre 'terrible defeat' for regime: Hezbollah deputy chief

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 8:37 AM

Hezbollah's deputy chief says the Israeli massacre at the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza where hundreds of Palestinians were killed and wounded is a "terrible defeat" for the regime.

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Saturday that the "despicable" attack on Nuseirat represents no achievements for the Israelis.

"The Israeli military said the attack was part of an offensive to release four Israeli captives held by the Hamas resistance movement; however, the Zionist enemy did not tell people that the price paid to get them out of [Gaza] was 120,000 Palestinian men and women wounded and martyred [during the war] in addition to thousands of dead and wounded Israelis," Sheikh Qassem said.

"If we talk about this event, we say that it is despicable, and we say that it is considered a terrible defeat that Israel will not be able to release some of its prisoners except after terrible crimes, and after it has killed and wounded thousands of Israeli soldiers."

"What achievement is this?" he asked.

According to Gaza's Government Media Office, the Israeli massacre at the Nuseirat refugee camp killed 210 Palestinians and wounded more than 400.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says Al-Aqsa and Nasser hospitals are swamped by an "overwhelming number of severely injured patients, many of whom are women and children."

Hamas said later that other Israeli captives were killed by the Israeli attack on the camp, not specifying the circumstances or how many were killed.

Elsewhere, Sheikh Qassem said the resistance will be "victorious" pointing out that Hamas Operation Al-Aqsa Strom already constituted a "great achievement" for the Palestinians.

"Today the whole world is talking about the Palestinian issue, demonstrating in solidarity with Palestinians, and holding protest rallies against the Zionist regime," he said.

He added that several countries have withdrawn their diplomats from the Israeli-occupied territories in protest at Israeli atrocities in Gaza, and more than 140 members of the United Nations have recognized a Palestinian state.

"And none of these existed prior to Operation Al-Aqsa Storm," Sheikh Qassem underscored.

"Such monsters, the Israelis, and the US administration that sponsors them, cannot make any success, no matter how long it takes," he concluded.

Nuseirat massacre not changing terms for captive release: Islamic Jihad

Meanwhile, Mohammad al-Hindi, deputy secretary-general of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement, said on Saturday that the Israeli attack on the Nuseirat camp will not affect the prisoner-for-captive exchange agreement between the occupying regime and the Palestinians

He said the Gaza-based group will not engage in any deals unless the Israeli regime abides by the conditions of Palestinian resistance factions.

"The occupation [offensive] in Nuseirat will not affect the exchange deal, as there is no exchange without fulfilling the conditions of resistance," he added.

"The resistance front does not give in to any pressure to accept the prisoner exchange deal with Israel. We only want a cessation of the ongoing military aggression and withdrawal of occupiers," Hindi pointed out.

Hindi also noted that the Zionist enemy tends to "exaggerate" its military offensives.

"What is quite clear is that the effect of Israeli attacks is limited. The enemy has so far failed to defeat the resistance front in Gaza, and has been unable to secure the release of its captives."

Yemen denounces Nuseirat massacre

Separately, the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned the "horrific massacre" targeting Gaza's Nuseirat camp, stating that the aggression is in flagrant breach of international law and humanitarian principles, including the Geneva Conventions.

The ministry expressed its grave concern over the repercussions of the Zionist aggression, warning of its potential impact on regional and international peace and security.

It called upon permanent members of the Security Council, particularly the United States, Britain and France, to fulfill their obligations under the UN Charter and cease their unwavering support for the Tel Aviv regime.

The Yemeni foreign ministry also urged the Arab countries that are weighing the normalization of diplomatic ties with Israel to reconsider their decision, emphasizing that the Palestinian cause and establishment of a sovereign independent Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital are of profound importance.

It reaffirmed Yemen's unwavering support for the Palestinian nation, stressing that Yemeni naval units will continue their operations against Israeli-linked merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea until the Gaza war ends, the all-out blockade on the coastal territory is lifted, and humanitarian aid flows freely into the region.

Israel waged the atrocious onslaught against the Gaza Strip, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship after Palestinian resistance movements launched Operation al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping regime on October 7.

At least 36,801 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 83,680 individuals have sustained injuries. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the war as well.

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Iran among 'loudest voices' against Israeli crimes in Gaza: Interim FM

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 6:34 AM

The interim foreign minister says Iran is one of the countries that have raised "the loudest voices" against Israel's genocidal war crimes in the Gaza Strip.

Ali Bagheri Kani made the remarks in an opinion piece published in the Turkish Milliyet newspaper on Saturday, as more than eight months of the brutal Israeli onslaught has killed a shocking number of people in Gaza and led to famine in the besieged Palestinian territory.

"Over the past eight months, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been one of the loudest voices against the Zionist regime's bloodshed against the oppressed people of Palestine and has tried to stop this invasion and genocide as soon as possible," the top diplomat said.

He said Israel has "no qualms" about committing the most serious international crimes against Palestinians during its "full-scale Gaza genocide."

He also expressed regret that the international community has failed to take an effective measure against the occupying regime's heinous atrocities, which are being perpetrated under the support of Western states, especially the United States.

"We are aware of our responsibility as a member of the international community, the United Nations and the Islamic world, and we have used and will use every opportunity and way to help Gaza."

On Saturday, Bagheri Kani attended an extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation on Israel's aggression against Gaza, in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

In his opinion piece, the Iranian interim foreign minister underlined the need for the D-8 member states to take practical steps aimed at alleviating the suffering of the defenseless people of Gaza, and explore ways to stop Israeli attacks and rebuild Gaza.

He further noted that the root cause of the ongoing crisis is the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands by the Zionist regime, and that there would be no sustainable peace without upholding the Palestinians' rights.

'Israeli crimes should not be tolerated anymore'

In an interview at the end of the D-8 meeting, Bagheri Kani said that all the participants believe that a more serious approach must be adopted against the Zionists and that their crimes "should not be tolerated anymore."

During the summit, he added, Iran called for the cutting of political and economic relations with the Zionist regime and the boycotting of Israeli goods, as well as providing political and legal support for Palestine and its resistance in national and international conventions.

Israel waged its bloody Gaza offensive on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out its historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 36,801 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 83,680 others in the Gaza Strip.

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Israeli military used US 'aid pier' as part of Nuseirat massacre op.: Report

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 2:36 AM

The Israeli military used a US-built pier, which has been purportedly installed to transfer aid to the Gaza Strip, to facilitate an earlier massacre against a refugee camp located in the central part of the coastal sliver, a report says.

Israeli forces carried out the massacre against the Nuseirat refugee camp on Saturday, killing hundreds of Palestinians before they retrieved four Israeli captives.

According to The Cradle online news magazine, "They (the troops) were then flown out of Gaza via the US-built pier, which had been reinstalled on the coast on Friday after undergoing tens of millions in repairs."

At least 210 Palestinians were killed and more than 400 others injured when the Israeli military carried out dozens of airstrikes against the besieged territory as means of enabling the captives' retrieval.

The regime's forces directly targeted civilians, including children, during "a barbaric and brutal aggression" against the Nuseirat camp, Gaza government media office said.

The operation came during a genocidal war that the regime has been waging against Gaza since last October.

At least 36,801 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and 83,680 others wounded in the war that was launched following a retaliatory operation by the Palestinian territory's resistance movements.

The brutal military onslaught enjoys unreserved military and political support on the part of the Israeli regime's Western allies, including the United States.

Prior to the operation that targeted Nuseirat, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas had repeatedly warned that the floating pier was built to deliver weapons to the Israeli regime.

"The pier is intended to provide cover for Washington's support for the occupation with weapons," Hamas said last month.

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Taliban's Name-Changing Campaign In Afghanistan An 'Ultimate Act Of Victory'

By Frud Bezhan and Shapoor Saber June 09, 2024

One of the Taliban's first acts after seizing power in 2021 was to rename the country the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Since then, the militant Islamist group has changed the names of scores of prominent streets, squares, universities, and even a city.

The Taliban has replaced some local Dari and Pashto names with Arabic ones that most Afghans do not speak. Landmarks honoring Afghan political figures, meanwhile, have been renamed to pay tribute to historical Islamic figures with no links to the country.

The Taliban's name-changing campaign has triggered online criticism, with some Afghans accusing the hard-line Islamist group of trying to eliminate indigenous cultural identities.

During the last four decades of war, ruling political groups have often renamed landmarks and other prominent sites, including the communist regime in the 1980s, the mujahedin in the 1990s, and the Western-backed government that came to power after the U.S.-led invasion toppled the first Taliban regime in 2001.

Changing the names of public sites has long proved highly contentious, a byproduct of conflict among rival and even warring ethnic, religious, and political groups.

Hameed Hakimi, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Atlantic Council think tank, said the Taliban was "renaming places and institutions to project their victory narrative to their loyalists, and to simultaneously remove remnants of their foes."

"Renaming a geography and institutions may be perceived as an ultimate act of victory by the Taliban, he added.

Removing Tributes To Former Foes

When the Taliban seized control of Kabul in August 2021, it swiftly renamed streets, squares, and universities in the Afghan capital that honored its former enemies -- the toppled Afghan government and the former mujahedin, the Islamist groups that battled the Taliban in the 1990s. Many mujahedin figures received prominent roles in the new political order that emerged after 2001.

One of the Taliban's first targets was Kabul's main airport road -- the "Great Masud Road" -- which honored Ahmad Shah Masud, a prominent mujahedin commander and Taliban foe who was killed in 2001.

Kabul's airport -- Hamid Karzai International Airport -- which honored former President Hamid Karzai, was also quickly renamed as Kabul International Airport.

The militants also changed the name of a Kabul square -- "Martyr Mazari Square" -- honoring Abdul Ali Mazari, a mujahedin commander who was killed by the Taliban in 1995.

The Taliban also renamed a public university in Kabul honoring former President Burhanuddin Rabbani, a mujahedin leader who was assassinated by the Taliban in 2011.

Kabul's so-called Bush Bazaar, once a thriving market for U.S. military gear and foodstuffs, was renamed "Mujahedin Bazaar." Taliban militants often refer to themselves as mujahedin, which means freedom fighters.

In the past two years, the Taliban has extended its name-changing campaign to cities across Afghanistan.

The extremist group changed the names of the airports in the central provinces of Bamiyan, Daikundi, and Ghor -- which honored two former mujahedin leaders and an Afghan army general, respectively.

Meanwhile, two main roads in the western city of Herat that honored Masud and the son of Ismail Khan, a former mujahedin leader, respectively, were also renamed.

'Highly Political'

In many cases, the Taliban has restored the original names of streets, squares, and other public sites. In other cases, the militants have renamed places to honor Islamic scholars and jurists from the Arab world as well as the Koran, Islam's holy book. In some instances, streets and squares have been renamed after slain Taliban leaders and fighters.

In one of its most controversial moves, the Taliban renamed the city of Charikar, the provincial capital of the northern province of Parwan, to Imam Azam.

The new Arabic name refers to Imam Abu Hanifa, an eighth-century jurist who founded the Hanafi school of Islam, the Sunni denomination followed by the Taliban.

Changing the name of Charikar, an ancient city with Buddhist roots, triggered widespread outrage.

The Taliban also changed the names of units in the Afghan military, replacing Persian and Pashto names with Arabic ones.

Meanwhile, a square in the western city of Herat long known as Education Square was recently renamed "Iqra," which means read in Arabic and is the name of a chapter in the Koran.

Locals have criticized the move.

Sayed Ashraf Sadat, an exiled activist from Herat, said the Taliban's name changes were "worrying" and "highly political."

Naqib Arwin, a former official in Herat, said the Taliban's decisions "have been done by force and without the consent and consultation of the people."

Haroun Rahimi, an Afghan academic who researches Islamic law, said the Taliban's decision to replace Dari and Pashto words with Arabic ones was not surprising.

"They often name things after figures or events that have prominence in Islamic history," he said. "It is interesting that they are not naming things after their figures and leaders as much as the [previous government] did. Instead, they reach back to Islamic history."

Rahimi says that decision speaks to the Taliban's complicated relationship with Afghan nationalism.

While the Taliban has its roots in a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam, its ideology and practices are also grounded in Pashtun tribal codes. The group is predominately made up of Pashtuns, the largest ethnic group in the country. Pashtuns have ruled Afghanistan for much of the country's more-than-270-year existence.

Hakimi said the Taliban's name-changing spree will "certainly result in the weakening of any collective sense of nationalism that Afghans have, especially over the past century."

"The Taliban crackdown in this regard extends deeply into Pashtun areas of the country too, effectively challenging Pashtuns' sense of nationalism," he added.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban-mujahedin- herat/32983204.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Exit Polls Give Borisov's Center-Right GERB Big Lead In Bulgaria

By RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service June 09, 2024

SOFIA -- Former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's center-right GERB party appears to have won snap parliamentary elections, according to exit polls in Bulgaria's sixth such vote in the past three years, although it remains uncertain whether any party can cobble together a governing coalition.

Exit polls by Alpha Research and Gallup International gave GERB about 25 percent of the vote, far ahead of the second- and third-place parties in a contest on June 9 that could bring the populist leader -- who has been accused of corruption by the opposition -- back to power.

The exit polls showed several other groups trailing GERB, including the party's erstwhile partner in the outgoing coalition government, the reformist We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria coalition (PP-DB), which was third at 14.3-15 percent.

The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) was second in the polls at about 16 percent. DPS has traditionally represented the Turkish and Muslim population in the country but is now led for the first time by an ethnic Bulgarian, Delyan Peevski, who has been hit by sanctions for corruption by the United States and Britain.

The pro-Russia Revival party (Vazrazhdane) had around 14 percent.

The former communist Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) had just over 7 percent and the populist There Is Such a People just under 6 percent.

Official results were just beginning to trickle in after midnight.

Borisov earlier on June 9 expressed doubts that any party or coalition will be able to form a new government based on early indications of voting.

"From the morning voting, I do not see how a government can be formed after these elections," Borisov said after casting his ballot on June 9 in Bankya, a small town outside of Sofia.

He added that it did not appear likely that his GERB party would be in line for enough parliamentary seats to do it with any one potential partner and neither would the opposition with its allies.

"Either it's just us [GERB] or nobody, so there is no mathematics in this case," said Borisov, who declined to say who GERB would potentially nominate for prime minister.

As of 4 p.m., voter turnout for the parliamentary elections was 20.44 percent, election officials said, down from 27.3 percent in the April 2023 election.

Turnout for a simultaneous European Parliament vote was 20.89 percent, down from 39.8 percent the last time, although that count was taken an hour later at 5 p.m.

Preelection polls showed that GERB and its United Democratic Forces partner would receive the most votes, with 25 percent, potentially returning Borisov to power.

Regardless of the outcome, Borisov is likely to remain an influential figure and potential power broker in the country.

Borisov has led three governments over the past decade, but his support has weakened amid allegations of corruption, links to oligarchs, and attacks on media freedom.

The reformist PP-DB coalition was seen in preelection polls as getting about 15 percent, down from the 24.6 percent last time as many supporters may desert the party for its previous partnering with GERB.

PP-DB had agreed to work with its GERB rivals on a common pro-EU platform of ensuring that Bulgaria supports Ukraine's battle against the Russian invasion, but disagreements between leaders of the two parties mean a renewed coalition government appears unlikely.

Among the reasons for the breakup of the PP-DB-GERB partnership has been the PP-DB demand for reforms in the judiciary and in the security services, alleging that they have provided cover for organized crime and that they have not done enough to counter Russian influence.

GERB has been supported by DPS leader Peevski, who has been hit by sanctions for corruption by the United States under the Global Magnitsky Act, a move then matched by Britain. The pro-Ukrainian former media mogul is reportedly one of the richest people in Bulgaria.

PP-DB has claimed that GERB and DPS act as one party. "Anytime we had a meeting with Borisov, Peevski was already in the room," former PP-DB Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said.

Borisov said that GERB would not partner solely with DPS to form a coalition.

GERB could turn to the MRF Turkish minority party, which also has about 15 percent in the polls.

If Borisov is unable to cobble together a government, another election -- the seventh in three years -- is likely, observers say.

"We are weary of elections, and we want some stability and some prosperity for the country," pensioner Margarita Semerdzhieva, 72, told AFP outside of a polling station in Sofia.

"I am voting for a better future," Antoaneta Hristova, 55, a marketing professional, told Reuters. "But, to be honest I think we are heading into more elections -- seven in three years. We have been the laughingstock of Europe for a long time."

A caretaker government led by Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev was sworn in by parliament on April 9 after being appointed by President Rumen Radev, who also announced the snap general elections for June 9.

Following elections in April last year, Bulgaria had a joint government supported by the pro-West, reformist PP-DB and Borisov's GERB. They had agreed on an 18-month government with a rotation of prime ministers -- first Denkov from PP-DB and, after nine months, Maria Gabriel from GERB.

Denkov stepped down on March 5 to let GERB lead the government for the following nine months, as agreed. But Gabriel failed to form a government, and on March 27 Denkov also rejected Radev's invitation to try to put together a cabinet.

On March 28, the populist There Is Such a People (ITN) party also declined to attempt to form a government, thus setting up the June 9 election.

The vote is being held alongside EU elections.

Between June 6 and June 9, voters in all 27 EU member states went to the polls to elect 720 members of the European Parliament amid concerns by many leaders of a rise in far-right support in several countries.

The elections are held every five years, and each country is allotted a certain number of members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in direct proportion to its population size.

Voters elect national parties, but after the elections, the MEPs organize into political groups in the European Parliament that align with their parties' political ideologies.

Opinion polls heading into the elections for the European Parliament put the coalition of two center-right parties, GERB and the Union of Democratic Forces, in first place.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-borisov-gerb- elections/32985310.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Hungarians Await Official Results Amid Signs Of Weakness For Orban, Fidesz

By RFE/RL's Hungarian Service June 09, 2024

BUDAPEST-- Hungarians on June 10 are awaiting the results from the crucial European Parliament and municipal elections, as initial figures showed signs of weakness for authoritarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his right-wing Fidesz party as part of a major challenge to their nearly 15-year grip on power.

Early results put Fidesz and its allies at 44.2 percent in the European Parliament voting, with Peter Magyar's center-right Tisza party second at 30 percent -- a result that, if confirmed, would be far higher than pre-election surveys suggested.

Still, Orban hailed his party's victory following the vote.

"Today, we defeated the old opposition, the new opposition. And no matter what the opposition will be called the next time, we will defeat them again and again," Orban said, according to AP.

Elections officials reported record high turnout, with more than 57 percent of registered voters casting ballots at 10,199 polling stations.

Orban's Fidesz party was facing one its strongest challenges since gaining power, with Magyar, a lawyer and onetime Orban ally, having gained an increasing number of supporters since coming into prominence this year as a critic of the prime minister's government.

After polls closed, the 43-year-old Magyar told supporters that his party's strong result marked "the end of an era. Today, the future has begun in Hungary."

Magyar -- founder of the new Respect And Freedom (Tisza) party -- said in a Facebook post that the party was confident it had achieved a "historic" result, even if it didn't come out on top this time.

"We will see historic figures, which will provide a very good basis for taking back our homeland step by step, brick by brick, in the next parliamentary election," he said.

In comments to the BBC, Magyar said: "We have a new situation. A new opposition party able to defeat this government at the next general election in Hungary."

He later told a news conference that Tisza will accept the results -- no matter how "disgusting it is that the governing parties spend tens of billions on propaganda."

Orban's Fidesz party is not affiliated with any group in the European Parliament, but it hoped 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 increased sharply after the vote, according to initial projections.

However, Fidesz is projected to get 11 seats, down from 13.

Magyar's party has presented itself as a more centrist alternative to Orban's brand of illiberal populism and is likely to gain about seven seats in the EU legislature.

Magyar has said he will join the center-right European People's Party (EPP), which is set to be the largest grouping in the European Parliament.

Orban has angered many leaders in the European Union with 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 the opposition would draw Hungary directly into the war in neighboring Ukraine and precipitate a global armed conflict.

Support for Fidesz in the latest pre-election polls ranged from 44 to 48 percent. Tisza party had 23 to 29 percent -- but many observers say Fidesz's victory was 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 before the vote 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 was also 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 University 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 AP, Reuters, and the BBC

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-orban-fidesz-elections- test/32985331.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Plenty Left In The Dark After Giant Uzbek Solar Power Deals

By Mehribon Bekieva June 09, 2024

TASHKENT -- Uzbekistan's gaping power deficits and the government's desperate attempts to plug them are hardly a secret these days.

Only last week, President Shavkat Mirziyoev welcomed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to Tashkent for a two-day trip that turned into three days of talks, with Moscow's energy assistance to its Central Asian ally topping the bill.

Alongside confirmation that Moscow's nuclear energy giant Rosatom will build a small power plant in the country, the trip brought a pledge from Putin to nearly quadruple pipeline capacity next year, potentially upping Gazprom's annual natural gas exports to the country to 11 billion cubic meters.

Just a few years ago, Uzbekistan was a net energy exporter.

But given a rapidly growing population of around 35 million and a growing economy, Tashkent's dependency on imports -- and Russia -- looks set to deepen.

One way to offset that dependence somewhat would be to make good on a stated ambition to expand the share of renewable energy to 40 percent of Uzbekistan's total by 2030.

And officials have certainly been talking a good game when it comes to green energy -- not least to institutional partners who have lent billions of dollars to fund the effort.

But the findings of a recent investigation by RFE/RL's Uzbek Service into the country's ostensibly booming solar power sector raise questions about how this campaign is being executed -- with weak infrastructure and the familiar allegations of corruption seemingly bogging down the government's lofty ambitions.

The Solar Power Project And Its Secretive Subcontractors

Uzbekistan currently has at least $13 billion of renewable energy projects on the go.

The Sherabad Solar PV Park in Surxondaryo Province, currently being built with money from the Asian Development Bank, is one of many being funded with institutional debt.

The principal contractor for the $260 million, 457-megawatt (MW) project is Masdar, a company from the United Arab Emirates that specializes in renewables.

The agreement for the Sherabad solar project was struck in 2021, becoming Masdar's fifth project in the country at the time and second only behind the 500 MW wind farm in Zarafshan in terms of generating capacity.

Mirziyoev personally visited the site to kick-start construction on June 1 of that year.

But beyond Masdar and the roughly 94,000 homes that the company expects the plant to power, there are at least two other beneficiaries of the project -- subcontractors Hex Solar and Osmon-Energy.

The engagement of these two companies on the Sherabad project is not mentioned in publicly available documents.

But RFE/RL's Uzbek Service received copies of documents that appear to confirm that Hex Solar is the main subcontractor to build the facility.

Public records show Hex Solar was registered on January 1, 2020, at 863 Nukus Street in Tashkent.

An RFE/RL reporter who travelled to that address was unable to find the company's office, however.

A LinkedIn profile of a company with the same name provides another address -- in Russia's southwestern Astrakhan region.

LinkedIn users who listed Hex Solar as a place of work, such as engineer Baxtiyar Kasimov, indicate ongoing duties at "Nur Sherbad Solar PV 500 MW."

A second document seen by RFE/RL attests to a subcontracting agreement reached between Hex Solar and Osmon-Energy.

That document states that Osmon-Energy has "experience in the required field of work and has completed work of the same type and level or above the required level."

Yet Osmon-Energy was incorporated even more recently than Hex Solar -- just two days after construction began on the project slated for completion in 2026.

In the subcontracting agreement from that month seen by RFE/RL, the sum transferrable to Osmon-Energy for its work is 45.8 billion soms ($3.6 million) -- quite a windfall for a days-old firm.

An RFE/RL reporter who visited the Tashkent address for Osmon-Energy listed in the agreement was unable to find any trace of the firm.

But a source employed by the company confirmed its existence and claimed Osmon-Energy was making very healthy profits from the Sherabad Solar PV Park subcontract.

"Employees are paid in cash. This makes it easy to embezzle money," the source, who requested anonymity, told RFE/RL. "And they are paid at a very low rate. So, let's say [Osmon-Energy] charges more than $700,000 for every 10 megawatts installed -- they will pay workers only $18,000 [from that]."

The source added that Osmon-Energy was far from the only overnight company to win big from subcontracting "around 30 major [solar power] plants" being built in Uzbekistan.

Userbay Seitrzaev, one of three men listed as a founder of Osmon-Energy (Abduzhalil Baimukhamedov and Olimjon Ibragimov are the others), denied any accusation of corruption when contacted by RFE/RL, insisting that construction work at Sherabad was under "strict control."

Hex Solar's founder as per official company documents is a Chinese citizen, Cui Xiao.

RFE/RL was initially unable to reach Cui for its investigation published in Uzbek last month.

When contacted by RFE/RL with questions on the findings of the investigation -- and about whether his business was linked to Russia -- Cui said: "We are preparing a lawsuit against you. We can have discussions in court."

Masdar did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the subcontracting arrangements.

New Solar Plants, Old Grid

At the same time, experts have questioned the quality and productivity of Uzbekistan's new solar energy plants.

In an interview with the private media agency Anhor.uz this year, Ivan Butuk, director of marketing and digital transformation for the company Energy Eco Sources, said that most new solar stations in the country had been installed incorrectly.

"[Some] 20-30 percent of those that I encountered were assembled with serious errors or were incomplete. That is to say that, while part of the equipment was missing, they were presented by contractors and owners as finished."

Butuk said the plants should be shut down and rebuilt for several reasons.

"They should be stopped immediately and reinstalled.... In addition to being a waste of the money invested, they are only 40 percent safe, inconvenient to use and maintain, and do not produce enough energy for their [installed capacity]," he told Anhor.uz.

The Sherabad solar power plant suffered a setback in January of this year.

Photos and videos shared on social networks showed solar panels apparently damaged beyond repair by strong winds on January 28. Two days later, the Uzbek Energy Ministry acknowledged that 91 panels had been destroyed, but noted they had not been fully installed and were easily replaceable.

Other experts say that Uzbekistan's ability to harness the power of the sun -- the country enjoys roughly 300 sunny days per year -- is severely compromised by its aging electrical grid.

According to the recent calculations of one Tashkent-based research group, 62 percent of Uzbekistan's power-distribution networks, 74 percent of its substations, and half of its transformers are some 30 years old.

Two years ago, a 100-MW-capacity $100 million solar power plant built by Total Eren -- a daughter company of French energy giant Total -- started work in the Tutli neighborhood of Nurobod, a district in Samarkand Province.

The plant was supposed to provide energy to more than 80,000 households. Yet residents of Tutli told RFE/RL that they are still suffering the same power outages as before.

Nurobod's district administration responded to such complaints with a statement saying the power plant was connected to the main power grid and that the Tutli microdistrict was not slated to receive electricity from the plant directly.

Another enemy of solar power in Uzbekistan is climate change.

Because while Uzbekistan is edging toward a hotter, drier climate, it is also suffering from dust storms with growing regularity.

Dust and sand can significantly reduce the output of solar facilities, while ramping up servicing costs. This is something Uzbek authorities cannot prevent.

As for human factors, the government has "a chance to make it right" in the words of Kerry Adler, CEO of SkyPower, a North American energy company.

Adler witnessed the very beginning of the authorities' drive for renewables in 2017, when Mirziyoev personally invited him to invest in the country.

In an interview with VOA in 2020, Adler explained that a lack of government guarantees had prevented his company's slated $1.3 billion investment in a network of solar power plants from ever getting off the ground, despite what the businessman claimed was initial investment of $10 million in project preparation.

"We will never participate in any corrupt activities. We will not pay for a contract, nor would we even give a gift, nor will we make a promise," Adler said then, without directly accusing anyone of requesting a bribe.

"And I think that this is a country, from what I understand from people who have lived there and done business there, that historically has come from a different type of a culture."

Four years after the interview, SkyPower's project has still made no progress.

Written by Chris Rickleton based on reporting by Mehribon Bekieva of RFE/RL Uzbek Service

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-solar-energy- investigation-corruption/32977581.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Armenian Archbishop Calls For Nonstop Protests To Push Pashinian Out

By RFE/RL's Armenian Service June 09, 2024

YEREVAN -- Archbishop Bagrat Galstanian has called on his supporters to stage nonstop street protests to force the ouster of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's government over its territorial concessions to Azerbaijan.

Addressing thousands who gathered for another rally in central Yerevan on June 9, Galstanian said street protests in the Armenian capital would commence on June 10 and will last for four days -- during which he urged the National Assembly to convene a special session on the government's resignation and the formation of a new government.

The outspoken head of the Tavush Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church said that nonstop street protests were needed to "impose our will."

"I am ready for that. There is no way to retreat or deviate from it," he declared. "Now is the time. Either it is now or never. Falsehood must be eliminated from our home."

Galstanian stressed that the movement's demand remained the resignation of the Pashinian government, but he did not rule out discussions on "all possible options of political solutions."

Galstanian did not clarify whether he meant a no-confidence vote in Pashinian when he spoke about a special meeting of parliament on the government's resignation.

Earlier, he claimed to have enlisted the support of two opposition factions to initiate such a process.

Pashinian, whose Civil Contract party has a two-thirds majority in parliament, has rejected the opposition demand for his resignation over a recent border deal with Azerbaijan that saw Armenia hand over four abandoned villages that used to be part of Soviet Azerbaijan but have been controlled by Armenia since the first Armenian-Azerbaijani war in the early 1990s.

Pashinian allies in parliament have also ruled out that any of them would break ranks to support the protest leader's bid to have a vote of no-confidence initiated by the opposition.

Under Armenia's constitution, at least one-third of lawmakers can initiate a no-confidence vote against the prime minister in parliament, provided they also name a candidate who will replace him or her.

Earlier, Hayastan and Pativ Unem -- opposition factions in parliament associated with the former presidents of Armenia, Robert Kocharian and Serzh Sarkisian -- said they would support the bid.

They will need the support of the only nonaligned lawmaker to initiate the process, which, in order to succeed, will require a majority vote in the legislature dominated by Civil Contract.

At the same time, the no-confidence motion requires the name of a candidate for prime minister. Galstanian has said he would be that candidate.

The Armenian Constitution bars dual citizens from serving as prime minister. Galstanian, who is a dual citizen of Armenia and Canada, said he would not violate the constitution but did not explain how he was going to surmount that legal obstacle.

Earlier, his supporters did not rule out that it would have to require an amendment to the constitution.

The current anti-government movement began in the northeastern province of Tavush in April as Armenia and Azerbaijan began the demarcation process of their heavily militarized border following an agreement announced by Yerevan and Baku on April 19.

The demarcation, which was formally completed on May 15, alters the boundary in a way that affects the infrastructure of a number of Armenian border villages, which the Armenian government has pledged to fix within weeks.

Local populations have expressed fears of possible further Azerbaijani attacks after the Armenian military withdrawal from their positions held for over three decades.

But the Pashinian government insists that having a demarcated border in itself is an assurance against further conflict.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-galstanian-pashinian-ouster- protest/32985405.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Hungarians Vote In Test Of Orban, Fidesz's Grip On Power

By RFE/RL June 09, 2024

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 party's 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 it...Hungary will be the country of justice, honor, and laws."

"Hungary won't be the wedge, but the link, between East and West," he added.

Orban's 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.

Magyar's party has presented itself as a more centrist alternative to Orban's 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

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-orban-fidesz-elections- magyar/32984522.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Parents Of Dual Russian-Israeli Former Hostage Travel To Israel

By RFE/RL June 09, 2024

The parents of a dual Russian-Israeli citizen who had been taken hostage at the start of the Gaza war and who was rescued in an operation by Israeli forces on June 8 flew to Israel on June 9 to be reunited with their son.

Andrei Kozlov, 27, was one of four hostages rescued in the operation in the town of Nuseirat after being held for 246 days by Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

The Jerusalem Post reported on June 9 that Kozlov's parents were expected to arrive in Israel later in the day and were being accompanied by an official of the Israeli consulate in St. Petersburg.

Hamas officials have said that at least 210 Palestinian civilians were killed and more than 400 injured during the operation, which was a daylight combined air and ground assault.

All four of the hostages were taken from a music festival in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in the early hours of Hamas's mass incursion into Israel. About 1,200 Israelis were killed in the initial attack.

Of the nearly 250 people taken hostage in the attack, about 120 remain in captivity, while 43 have been pronounced dead.

Also rescued in the operation were Noa Agramani, Almog Meir, and Shlomi Ziv.

The Jerusalem Post also reported that Meir's elderly father, who was in poor health and lived alone, was found dead in his home by officials who came to tell him of his son's rescue.

Meanwhile, Britain announced on June 9 that two merchant vessels had been damaged by missiles in the Gulf of Aden. No injuries were reported.

Iranian-backed Huthi fighters, who control most of Yemen, have been attacking ships in the area since the beginning of the Gaza war, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians.

The United States announced on June 9 that it had resumed delivery of humanitarian aid via a temporary pier installed on the Gaza coast.

The pier had been damaged by stormy seas and was reinstalled on June 7 following repairs. More than 2 million tons of aid were delivered via the pier in May.

With reporting by TASS, AP, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/gaza-russia- hostage-rescue/32985081.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Gaza: Deaths and devastation during hostage rescue operation show 'seismic trauma' of ongoing war

9 June 2024 - The scenes of devastation witnessed in the aftermath of Israel's military operation to release hostages from the Nuseirat refugee camp proves that each day the war continues "it only grows more horrific" the UN's top humanitarian official said on Sunday.

According to Gaza's health ministry, more than 270 people including children and other non-combatants were killed during intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in and around the Nuseirat refugee camp on Saturday, in the middle area of the war-torn enclave. More than 600 were reportedly injured with hospitals overwhelmed.

Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said in a post on X that the Nuseirat camp "is the epicentre of the seismic trauma that civilians in Gaza continue to suffer."

"Seeing shrouded bodies on the ground, we are reminded that nowhere is safe in Gaza", he continued.

Saturday's carnage followed on from an Israeli attack on a UN school building-turned shelter in the same area on Thursday, which left dozens dead. Israel said they were targeting Hamas militants in the strike. Local officials reported that 37 people were killed in the school building attack, including 14 children.

Scores of hostages still held

The Humanitarian Affairs chief said that even as the four hostages were reunited with their families in Israel thanks to the military operation "scores are still being held captive. All of them must be released."

In a tweet on Saturday following news of the hostages being freed, UN chief Antonio Guterres said he had sent messages to the relatives of Noa Argamani and Shalomi Ziv - some of whose family members he had received at the UN last week - to express his relief.

"I renew my appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and for an end to this war", said the Secretary-General.

Mr. Griffiths asserted that "all civilians must be protected. This collective agony can and must end now."

The emergency relief chief added that seeing the video footage from the scene of shrouded bodies in Nuseirat camp was a reminder that nowhere is safe in the enclave, where Israel has carried out a nine months long offensive since the Hamas-led terror attacks of 7 October.

Palestinian militants took over 250 hostage in southern Israel that day, massacring some 1,200 people. More than 40 of the hostages are believed to have died so far with more than 110 reportedly remaining.

Healthcare 'hanging by a thread'

"Seeing bloodied patients being treated on hospital floors, we are reminded that healthcare in Gaza is hanging by a thread."

Video from Al-Aqsa Hospital in the aftermath of the fighting and bombardment shows numerous casualties lying on the floor while the director of Al-Adwa Hospital in Nuseirat reported that no morgue is available at the hospital to house the bodies of the dead.

Negotiations continue for a comprehensive ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas but a United States-led proposal presented on 31 May has not been accepted by either side.

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Remarks by President Biden in Press Gaggle

June 09, 2024

Aisne-Marne American Cemetery

Belleau, France

4:04 P.M. CEST

THE PRESIDENT: Every Marine I know knows about the battle in Belleau Woods. There were over 2,029  -229 buried here. And inside that chapel, there's names of 1,000 missing. They never recovered the bodies.

And the idea that we could come to Normandy beach, celebrate and show reverence for those we lost  I'm probably not speaking loudly enough. I apologize.

The  and not come here  you know, the idea  General  Colonel  excuse me, Captain Williams, when they arrived here, stopped the Germans. The other team decided they had to retreat. And his comment was, "Hell no. We just got here. We just got here." They stopped the Germans. They stopped the Germans.

And the idea that we were able to avoid being engaged in major battles in Europe is just not realistic. That's why it's so important that we continue to have the alliances we have, continue to be-  beef up those alliances, continue to keep NATO strong, continue to do what we've been able to do for the last  since the end of World War Two.

And so, I  I just wanted to  Jill and I wanted to come and pay our respects. And it  it matters a lot.

Q How does it feel to be here, sir?

THE PRESIDENT: You know, I don't want to  I sh-  don't want to make this personal, but every time I show up at a military site where veterans are buried, it brings back memories of hearing my grandfather and my mother talk about the loss of their son and brother in the Pa-  South Pacific. And I think about my son Beau after a year in Iraq.

And so, it  you know, I think it  as a measure of a country's support for democratic values, that they honor those who've risked their lives and lost their lives. And think about it. You had this  they were on their way to Paris  Germans. They stopped them here. They stopped them here, just like the Americans on Normandy  the Normandy beach stopped w-  turned the war around. And gives you both a sense of pride and, in my case  and my guess is you as well  a sense of reverence for what they did.

And so, any rate.

Q You talked about 

Q Why this particular cemetery, sir?

THE PRESIDENT: This is the most  more American  more Marines were lost here than any battle until the middle of World War Two. The idea that I come to Normandy and not make the short trip here to pay tribute 

And it's the same story. Think about it. America showed up. America showed up to stop the Germans. America showed up to make sure that they did not prevail. And America shows up when we need it, just like our allies show up for us.

Q You've criticized President Trump for not coming here on his trip. What message are you hoping to send to voters by being here right now?

THE PRESIDENT: Any other questions?

Q Mr. President, what's been the most memorable part of this trip so far?

THE PRESIDENT: I think the most memorable part of the trip was Pointe du Hoc. I think that was the most memorable because I've been there several times, and the last time I was here was a long while ago  in Normandy. And we came in on a landing craft. We got off a destroyer and got on a landing craft. And you're coming in and look at the  the depth of that beach and those cliffs behind it. You know, these guys just thi-  how many of them drowned just getting off the  off the landing craft because they sank into the water with the heavy packs and got stuck.

But they kept going. They did not quit. There's no quit in America. None. None. There's no quit in America. And that's what it shows me.

Q Mr. President, what do you hope Americans take away from you coming on this trip?

THE PRESIDENT: The knowledge that the best way to avoid these kinds of battles in the future is to stay strong with our allies. Do not break. Do not break.

Q Do you feel that Americans 

Q Did anything surprise you on this trip, sir?

Q  are slipping? Do you think that Americans are not holding that view anymore, that there's a 

THE PRESIDENT: No, I don't.

Q  slippage?

THE PRESIDENT: I think the Americans hold the view. I think there's a new  a rise in a sense of some within the  in the country wanting to let that slip.

The idea that we become semi-isolationists now, which some are talking about  I mean, the idea we had to wait all those months just to get the money for Iraq [Ukraine] that we  because we were waiting. I mean, it just  it just  it's not who we are. It's not who America is.

Q One  one pol- 

Q Sir, did anything surprise you on this trip?

Q One policy question, for you, sir. D-  I'm sorry. Go ahead. Go ahead, Michelle.

Q Anything surprise you on this trip that you heard?

THE PRESIDENT: Even though I've been here before, it surprised me how much it awakened my sense of why it's so valuable to have these alliances, why it's so critical. That's the way you stop wars, not start wars.

Q One policy question. Did you discuss the Russian asset issue with President Macron yesterday? And did you come up with an agreement on how to use them?



THE PRESIDENT: Yes, and yes.

Thank you.

4:09 P.M. CEST

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Russo-Ukraine War - 09 June 2024 - Day 837

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that analysis of imagery has identified the installation of eight barges on the southern side of the Kerch Bridge. Installation had begun by 10 May 24 and was completed by 22 May 24.

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).

Previously installed barriers have been damaged by storms, reducing their effectiveness.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Since the beginning of the day, 73 combat clashes have taken place. Russian zagarbniki launched three missile strikes on the territory of Ukraine with the use of three missiles and 53 aviation strikes with the use of 69 cabins, carried out 529 kamikaze drones. Russians carried out 2888 shelling at the positions of our troops and settlements using different types of weapons.

In the Kharkiv direction, there were five combat clashes without success for the Russian opponent. The occupiers continued to attempt to attack our units in the districts of Vovchansk, Liptsiv and western Glibokoye.

In the Kupiansky and Lyman directions, the situation has not experienced significant changes. The Russian offensive actions were unsuccessful, the situation is under control. There are two Russian attacks in the areas of Pi anyogo and Grekivka.

On the sivers .komu direction Russian occupiers unsuccessfully attacked our positions in the area of viimki.

Nine combat clashes took place in the Kramatorsky direction. The Russian occupiers showed the greatest activity in the Ivanivsky area, but all Russian attempts to improve their position were unsuccessful.

In the Pokrovsky direction, theRussian aggressor 27 times attacked the positions of our warriors in the areas of Progress, Evgenivka, Novooleksandrivka, Novopokrovskogo, Novoselivki the First, Yasnobrodivka and Karlivka. 18 attacks down, nine still ongoing. The situation is intense. Defense Forces keep borders, take measures to prevent the Russian enemy's advancement into the territory of Ukraine.

In the Kurakhiv direction, Russian forces attacked our positions in the areas of Paraskoviivka and Krasnogorivka eight times. Seven attacks done. An ongoing battle in the area of Krasnogorivka. The situation is under the control of Defense Forces.

In the Orihiv and Pridniprovsky directions, the situation remained without significant changes. Just since the beginning of the day, Russian forces four times unsuccessfully tried to push our defenders out of occupied positions in the areas of small tokmacka and krynok. Loss of positions and territories is not allowed.

In the rest of the directions, there were no significant changes in the environment.

Ukrainian Air and Missile and Artillery units have since the beginning of this day targeted three personnel and military equipment concentration areas, one PPO, two artillery devices, a Russian radio station and a military warehouse.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the units of the Sever Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line and defeated manpower and hardware of the 82nd Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, 120th, 125th, and 127th brigades of the Ukrainian Territorial Defence close to Volchansk, Sinelnikovo, Zhovtnyovoye, Neskuchnoye, Ternovaya, and Izbitskoye (Kharkov region).

The servicemen have repelled seven counterattacks by assault groups of the 13th National Guard Brigade, the 36th Marine Brigade, the 71st Jaeger Brigade, and the 101st Guard Brigade of the Ukrainian General Staff.

The enemy losses were up to 225 troops, seven motor vehicles, and one 152-mm D-20 gun. Three AFU field ammunition depots have been destroyed.

The units of the Zapad Group of Forces have taken more advantageous lines and defeated formations of 14th, 116th, 115th mechanised, 3rd assault brigades of the AFU and the 13th Brigade of the National Guard close to Sinkovka, Petropavlovka, Berestovoye (Kharkov region), Serebryanka, and Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 400 troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, and five pickup trucks.

In the course of counter-battery warfare, one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and one 122-mm Grad multiple-launch rocket system were hit.

The units of the Yug Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line and defeated manpower and hardware of 28th, 30th, 56th, 93rd mechanised brigades of the AFU and the 12th Special Forces Brigade of the National Guard near Zaliznyanskoye, Elizavetovka, Ivano-Daryevka, Grigorovka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The servicemen have repulsed one counterattack by an assault group of the 112th Territorial Defence Brigade.

The enemy losses were up to 375 servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, four pickup trucks, one U.S.-manufactured 155-mm M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one UK-manufactured 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one D-20 152-mm gun, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, one U.S.-manufactured 105-mm M119 gun. One AFU field ammunition depot has been also destroyed.

The units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have improved the tactical situation and defeated formations of 71st infantry, 23rd, and 47th mechanised brigades of the AFU near Karlovka, Yevgenovka, Novopokrovskoye, and Yasnoborodovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The servicemen have repulsed six counterattacks by assault groups of 25th airborne, 24th, and 110th mechanised brigades of the AFU.

The enemy losses were up to 300 troops, one German-made Marder, U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles.

The units defeated during counter-battery warfare: two 155-mm U.S.-made M777 howitzers, one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and two 100-mm Rapira anti-tank guns.

The units of the Vostok Group of Forces have taken more favourable lines and also defeated manpower and hardware of the 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade of the AFU, the 123rd Territorial Defence Brigade, and the 21st National Guard Brigade close to Zolotaya Niva, Vremyevka, and Oktyabr (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 140 soldiers, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, and one Anklav electronic warfare station.

The units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have defeated formations of the 121st Territorial Defence Brigade close to Dudchany and Respublikanets (Kherson region).

The AFU losses were up to 35 servicemen, four pickup trucks, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have struck the locations of strike drones operators (Ptakhi Madyara) and foreign mercenaries, as well as concentration areas of AFU manpower and military hardware in 131 areas.

Air defence facilities have shot down Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force. During the day, 66 unmanned aerial vehicles and 13 U.S.-made HIMARS projectiles have been intercepted.

In total, 610 airplanes and 276 helicopters, 25,463 unmanned aerial vehicles, 528 air defence missile systems, 16,304 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,331 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 10,240 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 22,387 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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Iran unveils upgraded version of its Kowsar satellite

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 9, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran has unveiled an upgraded version of its homegrown satellite, Kowsar, in a ceremony attended by officials from knowledge-based and private companies.

Kowsar satellite, built by an Iranian consortium of knowledge-based companies, is planned to be sent into an orbit of 500 km above the Earth's surface by a Russian launch vehicle.

It is a measurement, observation satellite with an imaging resolution of 3.45 meters per pixel, which can be used for agricultural purposes, surveillance and demarcation.

The satellite has an orbital lifespan of two years.

In the same ceremony on Sunday, a new satellite called Hodhod, which means Eurasian hoopoe, was unveiled. The satellite will be used in the area of the Internet of Things as well as agriculture, transportation and crisis management.

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Iran unveils flight models of Kowsar, Hodhod satellites

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 10:42 AM

Iran has unveiled flight models of the homegrown Kowsar and Hodhod satellites.

The models were put on show on Sunday at a ceremony, where the active figures of the private sector had gathered to honor the endeavors of late President Ebrahim Raeisi in the space field.

The Kowsar satellite is expected to be placed at a distance of 500 kilometers from the Earth's surface this autumn aboard the Russian rocket Soyuz.

It can be used for agricultural, mapping and demarcation purposes.

The satellite is equipped with two cameras and can take images with a resolution of 3.45 meters.

Back in February, Iran successfully launched the domestically-built Pars 1 research-sensing satellite by a Soyuz rocket from Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome spaceport.

It came one month after the country simultaneously put into orbit the Mahda research satellite, as well as the Keyhan-2 and Hatef-1 nanosatellites, using the Simorgh (Phoenix) carrier.

Despite sanctions imposed by Western states in recent years, Iran has taken giant strides in the civilian space program.

Iran is among the world's top 10 countries capable of developing and launching satellites.

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China, Pakistan issue joint statement, vowing to build CPEC into 'exemplary project of Belt and Road cooperation'

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jun 09, 2024 01:55 PM

As Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to China concluded on Saturday, China and Pakistan have issued a joint statement, stressing the authority of the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 not to be disputed or challenged, while vowing to build together the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into an exemplary project of high-quality building of Belt and Road cooperation.

The two sides reiterated their All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and ironclad friendship, with the Chinese side stressing that this pair of relationship is "a priority in its foreign relations," and the Pakistani side underscoring it as "the cornerstone of its foreign policy," Xinhua News Agency reported.

Recognizing the CPEC as "a pioneering project of the Belt and Road Initiative," the joint statement said the project has changed the development landscape of Pakistan, benefited its people's well-being, and promoted the integrated development of the two countries.

After the successful first decade of CPEC, the two sides are committed to carrying out the eight major steps for supporting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, forging an "upgraded version" of the CPEC by jointly building a corridor that is innovative, green and open, aligning with Pakistan's 5Es Framework based on Exports, E-Pakistan, Environment, Energy, and Equity & Empowerment to better benefit the two countries and their peoples.

China and Pakistan will work together to build CPEC into an exemplary project of high-quality building of Belt and Road cooperation.

The two sides have also recognized the significance of Gwadar Port as an important node in cross-regional connectivity. They reiterated the need to speed up the development of the auxiliary infrastructure of the Gwadar Port in order to fully realize the potential of the coastal city, especially as a transshipment hub with its own shipyard.

In the joint statement, they also reaffirmed their unyielding support for each other on issues concerning their respective core interests. On the Taiwan question in particular, both sides stressed that the authority of the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no dispute or challenge.

Pakistan reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle, and reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the China's territory, and that Pakistan firmly supports the Chinese government's every effort to achieve national reunification and opposes any form of "Taiwan independence."

Shedding lights on counter-terrorism efforts, the two sides reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with a "zero tolerance" attitude, and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism and security through a comprehensive approach.

Meanwhile, China and Pakistan expressed their firm opposition to the double standards on counter-terrorism, and opposed the politicization and instrumentalization of this effort.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Shehbaz in Beijing on Friday, noting that China is willing to work with Pakistan to enhance the synergy of their development strategies, focus on upgrading the CPEC, expand trade and investment cooperation, and deepen cooperation on industry, agriculture, aerospace, information technology, ecology and environmental protection.

He noted that China is willing to import more quality products from Pakistan and supports Chinese enterprises to invest more in the country.

Following their talks, Premier Li and Prime Minister Shehbaz attended a signing ceremony for a number of bilateral cooperation documents in such fields as transport, industry, agriculture, market regulation, livelihoods, capacity-building, and film and television, according to Xinhua.

In an exclusive interview with the Global Times in Beijing, Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistani minister for planning, development and special initiatives, who accompanied Shehbaz on his China visit, emphasized that in the next phase, the focus of CPEC cooperation will be on industry, agriculture and information technology.

Iqbal cited the recent successful launch of a Pakistani satellite into space using a Chinese rocket as an example, saying, people used to say that the relationship between Pakistan and China was higher than the Himalayas. "Now we are also cooperating in space technology... Our cooperation has reached space, even higher than the sky."

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Biden, Macron take aim at China amid growing fissures over Middle East conflict: experts

Global Times

By Ma Jingjing and Fan Anqi Published: Jun 09, 2024 09:07 PM

US President Joe Biden and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron took aim at China during Biden's visit to France, as Biden called for "free navigation" in the Indo-Pacific while Macron called for "coordinated" action against so-called "overcapacity" in China. Chinese observers said the US aims to bring its allies into the Indo-Pacific region to support its own strategy and to expand its presence, while sound China-EU economic and trade cooperation would be impacted if the EU imposes tariffs on Chinese goods.

Biden's visit comes as the US is trying hard to hold on to its alliance in Europe as growing fissures emerged over conflict in the Middle East and concerns over Trump returning to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

"In the Indo-Pacific, we stand together for freedom of navigation, transparent governments, as well as fair economic practices," Biden told Macron during his visit, in a subtle reference to China's "growing influence" in the region, according to a transcript released by the White House website on Saturday. However, Macron made no such remarks.

"The US has a strong intention to bring its allies into the Indo-Pacific region to support its own strategy and to expand its presence. Therefore, Biden's remarks were an attempt to rope in its European ally to join its scheme," Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

"France, however, sees it from a different point of view. They believe that playing a role in the Indo-Pacific region is an important stage for showcasing France's status as a major power and a significant symbol. Unlike the US, which aims to rally allies to compete with China, France seeks to demonstrate its status as a major power through interaction with countries in the region," Li said.

Through these remarks, Biden on one hand aims to bolster his own election prospects while on the other hand ensuring that any future Indo-Pacific policies under a potential Trump administration do not deviate from the current trajectory. "This is a significant action to constrain and limit Trump's future actions. It reflects a highly opportunistic and power-driven approach," Li noted.

Biden's core objective is to prevent Trump from disrupting the current structure of key US' alliances and thereby weakening the comprehensive strategic framework that he has crafted to counter China, experts said.

During Biden's visit, Macron also raised concerns of so-called overcapacity. "On the economic front, we are both concerned about China's unfair trade practices, which bring about overcapacity. This is of such importance for the global economy that we have to act in a coordinated fashion," Macron told reporters, according to the transcript.

While Macron called for "coordinated" action against China's so-called unfair trade practices, latest news reports from Western media outlets suggest that the European Commission has put on hold its decision on Chinese EVs for a few more days, underlying potential unintended consequences of any tariff hike.

Though Macron didn't directly mention China's EV industry, his main target may be Chinese EV sector given the recent threat of European tariffs on Chinese EV, according to analysts.

Macron's remarks reflect France's dual-character in its attitude toward economic and trade cooperation with China, Sun Yanhong, a senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday.

On the one hand, France wants more trade with China so as to export more aircraft and agricultural products to China, but on the other hand, France has also shown protectionism, she said, noting that France was a main backer behind the EU's anti-subsidy investigations into Chinese EVs in October 2023.

Western politicians and media outlets' claim saying that China's EV sector has "overcapacity" is groundless, Sun said. "European imports of EVs from China is a purely commercial activity, which is out of real demand. In addition, the EU aims to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 but still faces the problem of insufficient production capacity of EVs. In this regard, Chinese EV makers can make a positive contribution," she added.

Following the US' step in imposing additional tariffs on Chinese new energy products will not only cause serious economic losses to Europe but will seriously harm the existing political mutual trust between China and Europe as well as mutually beneficial cooperation in a variety of fields, Sun said.

Chinese officials have also called the EU to pursue dialogue and negotiation to address trade disputes, instead of unilateral protectionist actions, so as to avoid undermining the broader China-EU cooperation.

During a roundtable meeting with Chinese businesses in Lisbon, Portugal, on June 4, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said, "China welcomes healthy competition and opposes any form of vicious competition designed to stifle growth."

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Press Statement of Vice Department Director of C.C., WPK Kim Yo Jong

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, June 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press statement on Sunday.

The ROK connived at the provocative act of scattering the political agitation rubbish across the border of the DPRK again on June 6 and 7 despite our repeated warning against the intemperate psychological warfare of the scum who defected from the DPRK, thus aggravating the situation.

In the period between June 6 and 8, the despicable political agitation rubbish was discovered in Singye and Thosan counties of North Hwanghae Province, Jangphung County and Phanmun District of Kaesong Municipality, Kosan, Phyonggang and Cholwon counties of Kangwon Province and other areas of the DPRK near the border.

As already warned, the DPRK scattered 7.5 tons of waste paper with more than 1 400 balloons over the border of the ROK from the night of June 8 to the dawn of June 9.

As you will see, we have only scattered empty waste paper without any political agitation.

It is quite different from the provocative political agitation rubbish scattered by the scum of the ROK against the DPRK.

Our minimum reaction is only the just and reflective reaction at the very low level.

Our reaction was scheduled to end on June 9, but the situation has changed.

The reason was explained by the act of the ROK.

The loudspeaker broadcasting provocation started in the border area at last.

This is a prelude to a very dangerous situation.

Politicians of Seoul are trying hard to justify their stand with the only and strange deformed logic in the world that regulates and judges the "freedom of expression" and "provocation" in the windward direction. And they formalized their behavior just like a guilty filing the suite first that they have resumed the loudspeaker broadcasting smear campaign again against the DPRK's counteraction against their challengeable act, thus creating a new crisis.

We strongly denounce the despicable and childish behavior of the ROK and clarify our stand responding to it.

If the ROK simultaneously carries out the leaflet scattering and loudspeaker broadcasting provocation over the border, it will undoubtedly witness the new counteraction of the DPRK.

The ROK will suffer a bitter embarrassment of picking up waste paper without rest and it will be its daily work.

I sternly warn Seoul to stop at once the dangerous act of bringing the further confrontation crisis and discipline itself. -0-

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Macron Announces Dissolution of France's National Assembly, Holding of Snap Elections

Sputnik News

20240609

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday announced the dissolution of the French parliament's lower house, the National Assembly, and the holding of snap parliamentary elections.

"I am dissolving this evening the National Assembly. I will soon sign a decree to hold new parliamentary elections, the first round of which will be held on June 30 and the second on July 7," Macron said in a video address to the French.

Earlier, Jordan Bardella, head of the opposition party "National Rally", which won the elections to the European Parliament in France, called Macron for early elections to the French parliament.

"We solemnly ask him to state this new political reality ... and organize new parliamentary elections," Bardella said, speaking to supporters of his party after the preliminary results of the European Parliament elections in France emerged.

The "National Rally" was gaining 32%, according to polls, while Macron's "Renaissance party" was coming second by a significant, nearly two-to-one, gap 15.4%.

"A wind of hope has risen over France this evening, and this is only the beginning", said Bardella, who opposed European supplies of missiles to Ukraine for strikes into Russian territory, noting the French rejected the policy pursued by Macron.

Marine Le Pen, the National Rally's former president and the current chairwoman of its parliamentary faction, welcomed Macron's decision. She said, addressing the party supports, that the National Rally was ready to take power as a result of the upcoming snap parliamentary elections and ready to "put an end to this mass immigration, to make purchasing power a priority, ready to revive France."

A Sputnik

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Modi sworn in for third term as India's prime minister

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 5:19 PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken the Oath of Office for a third straight term.

Modi, 73, took oath on Sunday at a grand ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan palace in New Delhi, attended by thousands of dignitaries.

India's President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath for Modi as regional leaders, Bollywood stars and industrialists watched.

Alongside Modi, Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah amd Nitin Gadkari also took oath as Cabinet Ministers.

Despite the win, the BJP fell short of the 272 seats required for independent governance. It only got 240 seats.

Modi's party is shadowed by opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) led by the country's oldest party, the Indian National Congress, which secured 232 seats.

The BJP also failed to secure a majority in key states, showing a significant drop in the political landscape that the party has been in control of for the last ten years.

The 15-member BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition has 293 seats in parliament, giving it control of the legislature.

Modi's party has governed India as part of the NDA coalition over the past decade, but this is the first time under his leadership that the party has needed support from its regional allies to form a government.

"This alliance of ours reflects India's spirit in its true sense," Modi said after the BJP and coalition members backed him as their prime ministerial candidate.

"We were neither defeated nor are we defeated ... it was an NDA government in the past, still is and will be," he said.

Observers and political analysts view the election results as the beginning of the end of Modi and the BJP.

Modi's supporters credit him for transforming the country into an emerging global power since sweeping to power in 2014.

His critics accuse him of eroding human rights, cracking down on freedom of the press and stoking hatred toward religious minorities.

During the election campaign, Modi was accused of hate speech and peddling anti-Muslim tropes after describing Muslims as "infiltrators".

"The results have shown that India has rejected this rhetoric from Modi and his people," said Hasan Salim Patel, a communications consultant and former planning editor at Al Jazeera.

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Narendra Modi Sworn In as India's Prime Minister

Sputnik News

20240609

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Narendra Modi was sworn in on Sunday as India's new prime minister for a third term after his coalition, the National Democratic Alliance, had won the country's parliamentary elections.

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party did not win an absolute majority for the first time in 10 years, receiving 240 seats, 32 short of the majority needed to form a government. However, with the votes of the parties that make up the Modi-led National Democratic Alliance, the bloc won 293 seats in parliament, allowing it to form a new coalition government.

After taking office, Modi became the first Indian leader to hold the office for three terms in a row after the first Indian prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, who had served in the previous cabinet as interior and defense ministers, respectively, and remained in the new cabinet, were also sworn in.

Modi's swearing-in ceremony is being held with increased security. Over 2,500 people, including five companies of paramilitary forces, commando units, drones and snipers, are being deployed to prevent disturbances in the area of the presidential palace where the ceremony is taking place.

The ceremony is attended by leaders of neighboring states, including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Seychelles, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Nepal and Bhutan. A source in Modi's party has said the guest list is reflecting the priorities of the new government.

A Sputnik

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Operation True Promise revealed Israeli regime's fake deterrence: Iran acting FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 9, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has said that the country's Operation True Promise against Israel proved that the regime's deterrence is fake.

Bagheri Kani made the comment on Saturday during an interview with CNN TArk, on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation in Istanbul, Turkiye.

He was referring to the April 13 drone and missile attacks by Iran against Israeli military positions to retaliate the regime's strike on the Iranian consulate building in the Syrian capital two weeks earlier.

"Operation True Promise showed that the Zionist regime's deterrence is fake. The Zionists' aggression against the Iranian Embassy in Damascus made Iran strongly and vigilantly use its power components to protect the security and stability of the region", the Iranian diplomat said.

"The Zionists now know very well that when the stability and security of the region is threatened and they try to destabilize the region, Iran will powerfully and vigilantly use its might to contain them", he added.

On the Israeli genocide in Gaza, Bagheri Kani said that all governments should make efforts to stop the war.

He added that Islamic nations have a heavy responsibility in this regard, calling on those having ties with the Israeli regime to cut their political and economic relations and boycott the regime as part of efforts to help Gazans.

On Iran-Turkiye relations, the Iranian diplomat said that the two countries are stable partners in the region and have historic bonds. He added that Tehran and Ankara enjoy high-level political and economic cooperation, and intend to further boost their ties in all fields.

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Many countries interested in Iranian drones: Commander

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 9, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Chief of the Iranian Army's Air Force Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi says many countries are interested in buying Iranian-made drones.

Brigadier General Vahedi made the remarks on Sunday while touring the Yasini military base in the southern city of Bushehr.

The Army's Air Force, along with other armed forces, has so far been able to produce varied drones with different ranges, he said.

He added that many countries are interested in purchasing Iranian-developed drones.

The Army's Air Force has made remarkable progress in terms of equipment and internal cohesion, the official underlined.

Brigadier General Vahedi also argued that since the Islamic Republic has a privileged and strategic position, it has always faced many threats throughout history.

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani has said that the Islamic Republic is producing the majority of the equipment required by the country's Armed Forces domestically.

Iran has achieved self-sufficiency in the field of making drone engines, he said, adding that the country is seeking to reach higher levels in manufacturing heavier engines.

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Bahrain requests normalization with Iran through Russia

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sun / 9 June 2024 / 10:47

Assistant to the Presidential Office for Political Affairs in Iran, Muhammad Jamshidi, has divulged that Bahrain sent a request to Russia to normalize its relations with Iran, after strained ties for over eight years.

Tehran -ISNA- At the beginning of June, Bahrain's King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah, said his country is working to strengthen diplomatic relations with Iran.

During his visit, the King made his remarks during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, adding that his country aims for peace, forgiveness, human coexistence and dialogue, and diplomacy.

He said, "We believe in the principle of good neighborliness and non-interference in internal affairs," adding "We are working to restore diplomatic relations with Iran as a neighbor."

During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on May 23, Bahrain's King Hamad stated that Manama is looking forward to improving its relations with Iran. He added that there was no reason to postpone the restoration of diplomatic relations between Bahrain and Iran, according to the official Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

During his meeting with Putin, he confirmed that Bahrain "had problems with Iran, but now there is practically nothing, and there is no reason to postpone the normalization of relations with it."

Last week, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani visited Tehran to offer condolences on the passing of martyred Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions.

On January 4, 2016, Bahrain followed Saudi Arabia in severing diplomatic relations with Iran.

In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia reached an agreement in the Chinese capital of Beijing to restore their diplomatic relations and re-open embassies and missions.

Last week, the first deputy speaker of Bahrain's Council of Representatives announced that the country plans to take measures soon to revive diplomatic relations with Iran.

"Resumption of political and commercial relations between the two countries is of great importance because Iran is a neighboring country and Bahrain supports stable ties with all regional states," Abdulnabi Salman said.

He mentioned that the desire to resume relations between Manama and Tehran has received a positive response from the Bahraini government and the Council of Representatives. The legislature has even issued a positive statement regarding this matter.

End Item

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Bagheri: Iran puts Zionists in their place in case of threats

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sun / 9 June 2024 / 10:47

Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani on Saturday issued a resolute stance as he affirmed Iran's commitment to using its power to deter Israel in times of regional destabilization.

Tehran -ISNA- In an interview with CNN Turk, Bagheri Kani said: "The Zionists' targeting and attacking on the Iranian embassy in Damascus forced Iran to effectively and wisely use its power components to protect the security and stability of the region."

His remarks come in light of recent Israeli aggressions, particularly the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier this year.

"I think the Zionists know very well that when the stability and security of the region is threatened and they try to destabilize the region, Iran will effectively and wisely use its might to contain them and put them in their place," Bagheri Kani added.

Regarding the escalating tensions between Russia and the West, Bagheri Kani advocated for dialogue as the preferred approach to resolve conflicts.

He rejected the notion of military confrontation, stating, "We do not see a war as a solution to the problem. Our advice to both sides is to use dialogue in a political context."

Bagheri Kani also urged Islamic countries to halt all political and economic cooperation with Israel, instead advocating for a comprehensive boycott of Israeli imports and exports.

Such measures would be the most effective means for Islamic nations to demonstrate solidarity with the Palestinian cause and oppose Israeli policies.

Addressing concerns about Iran's nuclear program, Bagheri Kani reiterated that Iran conducts its nuclear activities in strict accordance with the International Atomic Energy Agency's requirements and international treaties.

He dismissed allegations of nuclear escalation, asserting, "Iran's nuclear program and activities are fully legal and under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency," Bagheri Kani said in an interview with the CNN Turk broadcaster.

End Item

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Iran Air Force commander: Many countries eager to purchase Iranian drones

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 5:42 PM

Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi, says many foreign countries are eager to purchase and acquire the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which Iranian military experts have developed domestically.

During a visit to Shahid Yasini Tactical Air Base in Iran's southern port city of Bushehr on Sunday, the commander highlighted the Iranian Air Force, alongside other divisions of the country's Armed Forces, has managed to manufacture a broad spectrum of drones with various operational ranges.

Vahedi further noted that many foreign countries are interested in buying Iranian drones.

He stated that Iran's military industries have achieved great progress following the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Earlier this year, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force took delivery of large numbers of strategic combat, reconnaissance, destruction and radar drones.

The delivery of the homegrown unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) took place during a ceremony on January 23 in the presence of Chief Commander of the Army Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi and Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani.

The drones were designed and manufactured by the Iranian Defense Ministry in cooperation with Iran's Army amid Western sanctions.

They included strategic multi-purpose Abail-4 and Ababil-5 drones, which are capable of carrying out all kinds of reconnaissance, surveillance, electronic warfare, combat and signal data collection missions.

Among the delivered UAVs were Arash and Bavar that can perform destruction, along with long-range and precision-strike missions, as well as Karrar, a jet-powered drone with the ability to perform a variety of target, combat and aerial interception missions.

The upgraded drones were equipped with self-protection, anti-electronic warfare and indigenous navigation systems, as well as smart precision-strike weapons.

They have also special and up-to-date capabilities for use with other weapon and network-based operation systems.

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Profile: Saeed Jalili, Ex-Nuclear Negotiator, Security Body Chief

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 3:42 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

Iran's Constitutional Council, a 12-member election supervisory body, has approved six candidates to run in Iran's upcoming presidential election slated for June 28.

Among those whose candidature has been approved is Saeed Jalili, a former lead nuclear negotiator and head of the Supreme National Security Council, the top security body of the country.

Jalili was one of the first to register as a contender for the presidency on May 30.

After joining the race, he told the media that the country faces a "historic opportunity" that must not be ignored, emphasizing that the next president must understand the nation's rich capital.

The presidential election is scheduled for June 28, following a two-week campaign period and televised debates that would be hosted by the state broadcaster IRIB.

A veteran politician and administrator, Jalili has held many important roles throughout his public life.

He was born in the northeastern city of Mashhad in 1965 to Mohammad Hassan Jalili, a French language teacher and principal. His mother was from Ardabil, a city in northern Iran.

Jalili completed his primary and secondary education in his hometown Mashhad.

During the West-backed Iraqi war against Iran in the 1980s, he served on the battlefields, where he was severely wounded in 1986, resulting in the loss of part of his right leg.

Jalili formally began his diplomatic and political career in 1989 by joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Between 1991 and 1996, he headed the ministry's Inspection Office, and in 1998 he was appointed deputy director of the Department for North and Central America.

In 2001, he was appointed director of policy planning in the Office of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

He also attended Imam Sadiq University in Tehran, where he completed his doctoral thesis, "The Paradigm of Political Thought of Islam in the Holy Qur'an," which later became the book "The Foreign Policy of the Prophet of Islam."

For several years, Jalili taught political science at Imam Sadiq University.

In 1992, he married Fatemeh Sajjadi, with whom he has a son, Sajjad.

From 2007 to 2013, Jalili served as the secretary of the country's top security body and also as the lead negotiator with Western states on Iran's nuclear program.

He is remembered as a firm and meticulous negotiator who did not make concessions.

Jalili was a fierce critic of the 2015 nuclear deal with six world powers, believing that Iran should not make concessions and that economic development should not depend on foreign will.

After leaving office in 2013, he was appointed to the Expediency Council by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

In the 2013 presidential election, he ran with the slogan "A Virtuous Life," finishing third with over four million votes.

He ran again for the presidency in 2021 but withdrew in favor of Ebrahim Raeisi, who eventually won by a landslide.

Upon filing his nomination on May 30, Jalili praised President Raeisi and outlined his political views.

He emphasized the importance of recognizing the election's significance and appreciating the nation's potential. Jalili cited US officials' admission that Washington's policy of "maximum pressure" had failed, arguing that Iran faces a historic opportunity.

Jalili stressed the need for "pin-point decisions" focused on priorities and justice, ensuring every Iranian's right to participate in the country's progress.

He highlighted the necessity of maximum public participation to achieve growth and success.

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Profile: Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Parliament Speaker

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 3:41 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

Iran's Constitutional Council, a 12-member election supervisory body, on Saturday approved six candidates eligible to run in Iran's upcoming presidential election.

Among those approved is Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a former Iranian parliament speaker and one of the country's leading political figures.

Qalibaf, re-elected as parliament speaker a few weeks ago, filed his candidacy for the highest executive office of the Islamic Republic of Iran on June 3.

His nomination was submitted on the 35th anniversary of the passing of the Islamic Revolution's founder-leader, Imam Khomeini, which was the last day for registration.

Addressing the media after registering his candidature, Qalibaf said he decided to run to continue the unfinished work of the previous government led by Ebrahim Raeisi.

He pledged to "strive to solve problems" facing the people and expressed confidence that issues related to people's livelihoods are solvable.

Qalibaf's journey from being a student in northwestern Razavi Khorasan province to becoming one of the most prominent and respected political figures in the country has been awe-inspiring.

He was born in Torqabeh near Mashhad in 1961 into a modest merchant family, which is why he worked during his youth while pursuing his primary and secondary education.

As a teenager, at the dawn of the Islamic Revolution, he attended lectures at the Karamat, Imam Hassan Mojtaba, and Musa al-Reza mosques in Mashhad, which went a long way in shaping his political and intellectual orientation.

Together with his school classmates, he founded the Islamic Students' Association, which eventually became a national organization.

Following the outbreak of imposed war on Iran in the early 1980s, 18-year-old Qalibaf joined the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and became active in the field.

He was appointed commander of the Imam Reza Brigade in 1982 and the 5th Nasr Khorasan Division a year later. During the war, he met General Qassem Soleimani, and the two shared a close bond defined by their commitment to the revolution.

In 1982, Qalibaf married Zahra Sadat Moshir, a sociologist and lecturer at Islamic Azad University. They have three children: Elias, Eshaq, and Maryam.

After the West-backed war against Iran, he commanded the IRGC's 25th Karbala Division, which distinguished itself under his leadership in 1990 by repairing transport routes damaged by the Manjil-Rudbar earthquake.

Qalibaf resumed his higher education in 1990 at Islamic Azad University, earning a bachelor's degree in political geography in 1994.

In 1994, he was appointed head of the Khatam-al Anbiya Construction Headquarters, overseeing the construction of the Mashhad-Sarakhs railway, gas supply to five central and western provinces, the port in the Persian Gulf, and the Karkheh Dam.

He continued his studies, obtaining a master's degree in 1996 and defending his PhD thesis titled "Review of the Evolution of Local Institutions in Iran in the Contemporary Period" at Tarbiat Modares University in 2001.

Qalibaf later worked as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Geography at the University of Tehran and also lectured at Tarbiat Modares University.

In 1997, he was appointed commander of the IRGC Air Force and later obtained a license to fly Airbus aircraft by completing intensive pilot courses in Iran and France.

In 2000, he was appointed chief of the Iranian police, focusing on modernizing equipment and strengthening public trust in law enforcement.

In 2005, Qalibaf resigned from his military and police positions to engage in politics, finishing fourth in the presidential election that year.

He was elected Mayor of Tehran in 2005, a position he held for twelve years, during which his administrative skills were widely praised.

Qalibaf ran for president twice more, in 2013 and 2017, finishing second in 2013 and withdrawing in favor of Ebrahim Raeisi in 2017.

In 2017, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei appointed him to the Expediency Council. Since 2020, he has also served as the speaker of parliament.

Qalibaf announced his candidacy for the latest presidential election on June 3, stating that the people called on him to join the race and that experience and skill are key to overcoming challenges.

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Factbox: Iran set to hold presidential vote on June 28 with 6 candidates in fray

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 3:40 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

On Saturday, Iran's 12-member Constitutional Council, the country's election supervisory body, approved six candidates to contest the upcoming presidential election.

The vetting process began on June 4, following a five-day registration period during which hundreds of hopefuls filed their nomination papers at the Interior Ministry in Tehran.

Only a select number of applications were accepted, as many did not meet the minimum eligibility criteria set by the country's election authorities.

The Constitutionally-mandated vetting body took six days to study the credentials of the candidates, including many high-profile names, and finalized the list on Saturday.

This list was then submitted to the Interior Ministry, which announced the names to the media.

Candidates in the fray

The six candidates approved to run for the presidency are:

1. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: The current parliament speaker who has previously contested presidential elections. In 2021, he backed President Raeisi instead of running.

2. Saeed Jalili: The former lead nuclear negotiator and head of the country's top security body. He withdrew from the 2021 race in favor of Raeisi.

3. Masoud Pezeshkian: A veteran lawmaker representing Tabriz in the Iranian parliament and former deputy speaker (2016-2020).

4. Mostafa Pour Mohammadi: A veteran politician and judiciary official, previously served as interior minister (2005-2008) and justice minister (2013-2017).

5. Alireza Zakani: A former senior lawmaker and current Mayor of Tehran. He withdrew from the 2021 presidential race in favor of Raeisi.

6. Amirhossein Qazizadeh Hashemi: The former lawmaker and deputy parliament speaker, currently serving as head of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veteran Affairs.

Elections and Iran's Constitution

The snap presidential election follows the death of President Ebrahim Raeisi and his companions in a helicopter crash in northwestern Iran on May 19.

According to Article 131 of the Islamic Republic's Constitution, in the event that a president dies, resigns, becomes incapacitated, or is dismissed for more than two months without replacement, the first vice president assumes the mantle of leadership.

Mohammad Mokhber, who served as the first deputy president under Raeisi, has been serving as the acting president since May 19 with the approval of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Raeisi was not the first Iranian president to die in office.

In 1981, the Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MKO) assassinated then-President Mohammad-Ali Rajai. A new election was called, and Ayatollah Khamenei, who is currently the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, was elected to succeed Rajai after a landslide victory.

Who was President Ebrahim Raeisi?

Born in December 1960 in Mashhad, northeast of Iran, President Raeisi began his religious studies first in his hometown and later in the Qom seminary at age 15.

With background in law, in his early 20s, he served as a prosecutor in various Iranian cities and was appointed Tehran's deputy prosecutor in 1985.

He was promoted to Tehran's prosecutor in 1989 and remained in that position until 1994.

From 1994 to 2004, Raeisi headed the General Inspection Organization of Iran, an anti-corruption body.

He served as the first deputy of the country's judiciary from 2004 to 2014 and as Iran's Attorney General from 2014 to 2015.

On March 7, 2016, Ayatollah Khamenei appointed him as the chairman of Astan Quds Razavi, the country's largest religious endowment in Mashhad.

Raeisi ran for president in 2017, finishing second to Hassan Rouhani.

In March 2019, he was appointed head of the judiciary by Ayatollah Khamenei, where he implemented significant judicial reforms, addressed economic corruption, and enhanced judicial efficiency.

Elected president in 2021 by a landslide, Raeisi expanded and solidified Iran's ties with neighboring countries, focusing on mutual security and countering the impact of US sanctions.

The next presidential election was originally scheduled for 2025.

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NEWS PROVIDED BY

Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights

June 10, 2024

NEW YORK, June 10, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- , The following is submitted by Bill Donohue (photo), President, Catholic League:

The Biden Administration never stops telling us about the virtue of diversity and how we must respect it. Yet when it comes to the diversity that foreign countries exhibit, especially in matters relating to sexuality, it shows nothing but contempt. Instead of respecting the diverse cultural norms and values that exist in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, the Biden administration is shoving down their throats the corrupt sexual agenda of western nations.

We have prepared a report, Biden Admin LGBT Imperialism, that documents the extent to which the administration is guilty of cultural imperialism. Here are a few examples.

President Biden hit the ground running, rolling out a slew of radical LGBT policies literally two weeks after he was inaugurated. He issued a memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Person Around the World. It was given a national security number (NSM-4) to show its importance.

But who asked Biden to promote his queer agenda around the world? And why the urgency? Aside from elites and wealthy left-wing advocacy organizationswho do not represent the massesno one did.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is enthralled with this agenda. Early on he bragged that We are engaging around the world in cultural diplomacy. Wrong. The administration is engaging in cultural imperialism.

When U.S. embassies fly Pride Flags in countries that are averse to this indoctrinationincluding the Holy Seethey are showing how little they respect the diversity that these nations represent. When the United States Agency for International Development tells educators what pronouns to use, and advises that when they learn of a girl who thinks she is a boy that they are under no obligation to tell her parents, this is a classic example of cultural imperialism.

The manipulation of religious groups, as has been done in Botswana, to promote LGBT policies that they reject, is another example of this malady. It got so bad in Ghana they even threatened to withhold funding unless officials there adopted laws on sexuality that the Biden administration favors. And why was it necessary to fund a film to be distributed in Portugal that features drag queens and depictions of incest and pedophilia? Do we have perverts working for us?

In the Fifties and Sixties, it was common to refer to Americans who disrespected local cultures abroad as The Ugly American. But they look positively beautiful compared to the bullies working for Biden today. They are disfiguring the cultures of foreign countries and are responsible for the increase in anti-American sentiment across the globe.

Most of the world does not want any part of being included in western programs that promote an offensive vision of sexuality. They want their diversity respected.
Iran releases final list of six approved candidates for June 28 presidential election

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 1:15 PM

Iran's Interior Ministry has released the final list of six approved candidates for the 14th presidential election, which is set to take place on June 28.

A spokesman for the ministry, Mohsen Eslami, on Sunday announced the names of the candidates, who were vetted and approved by the Constitutional Council, a 12-member election supervisory body.

Among those approved are current Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani, he said.

He added that the Council approved Massoud Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate, who was former health minister and former lawmaker representing Tabriz in Iran's Parliament.

Former justice minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi and current Head of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs Amir Hossein Qazizadeh Hashemi have also been authorized to run, the spokesman noted.

These six candidates were among the 80 hopefuls who registered for the election.

The snap vote is slated for June 28 and will elect a new president to replace Ebrahim Raeisi, who died in a tragic helicopter crash in northwestern Iran on May 19 along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and six of their companions.

Those cleared by the vetting body will have two weeks to campaign, present their manifestos and participate in televised debates before the election.

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Iran says will 'put Zionists in their place' if they destabilize region

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 10:21 AM

Iran's interim foreign minister says the Islamic Republic will not hesitate to employ its deterrence power in case Israel undermines regional security and stability.

In an interview with CNN Turk on Saturday Ali Bagheri Kani said Israelis are well aware that Iran will "wisely" and "effectively" use its power to "put them in their place."

"The Zionists' airstrike on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus prompted the country to effectively and wisely utilize its power components in order to ensure the security and stability of the region," Bagheri Kani said.

"I think Zionists know very well that in case they try to destabilize the region and undermine its security, Iran will use its might to contain them and put them in their place," he added.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched extensive missile and drone strikes late on April 13 on the Israeli-occupied territories. The series of retaliatory strikes, dubbed Operation True Promise, inflicted damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied lands.

The operation came in retaliation for the Israeli attack on April 1 against the Iranian consulate in Damascus, located next to the embassy building in Damascus's Mezzeh district.

The airstrike killed two senior Iranian military personnel who were on an advisory mission to Syria as well as five of their accompanying officers.

The interim Iranian foreign minister also urged Muslim countries to halt all political and economic cooperation with the Israeli regime and impose a mass boycott on Israeli products.

Such measures would be the most effective means for Muslim nations to demonstrate solidarity with the Palestinian cause, and oppose Israeli policies, Bagheri Kani said.

Iran rejects military confrontation between Russia, West

Commenting on the escalating tensions between Russia and the West, Bagheri Kani said there is a need for dialogue between the two sides to resolve the differences.

He rejected the notion of a military confrontation, saying, "We do not see a war as a solution to the problem. Our advice to both sides is to use dialogue in a political context."

Iran sticks to IAEA requirements

The senior Iranian diplomat also pointed to Tehran's civilian nuclear program, stressing that the Islamic Republic's atomic program is in strict accordance with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirements and international treaties.

"Iran's nuclear program and activities are fully legal and under the supervision of the IAEA," Bagheri Kani noted.

On Wednesday, the IAEA's Board of Governors passed a resolution against Iran during its meeting, despite warnings from Tehran that it would react decisively to such a measure.

The resolution, supported and put forward by Britain, France and Germany, urged Iran to cooperate more with the IAEA and to allow an increased number of inspectors to visit nuclear sites in the country.

Tehran "rejected all the allegations" in the E3's letter and "reiterated its position concerning its peaceful nuclear program and the JCPOA."

Iran has already agreed to some additional IAEA inspections and resolved issues related to one of the three sites and the alleged presence of uranium particles there.

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.

Iran is also among the original signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has been closely cooperating with the IAEA.

By signing the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with six world powers, Iran also proved to the world the peaceful nature of its nuclear program.

But, Washington's unilateral withdrawal from JCPOA in May 2018 and its subsequent re-imposition of sanctions against Tehran left the future of the deal in limbo.

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Iran Approves Parliament Head, Five Others As Presidential Candidates

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda June 09, 2024

Iran's powerful Guardians Council approved the country's conservative parliament speaker and five other candidates to run in a June 28 election called after President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash last month.

The council on June 9 approved the candidacy of parliament head Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, 62, a former military commander who has been seen as a potential front-runner. In a speech last week, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei seemed to signal his support for Qalibaf, analysts said.

The council also approved the candidacies of reformist lawmaker Masud Pezeshkian; Saeed Jalili, a former nuclear negotiator and Khamenei's representative on the Supreme National Security Council; Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani; Amir Hossein Qazizadeh Hashemi, a conservative deputy to Raisi; and Mostafa Purmohammadi, a hard-line former interior and justice minister.

It rejected an application of former President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, a populist who carried out a harsh crackdown on dissent following his disputed reelection in 2009.

The council also rejected the proposed candidacy of Ali Larijani, a former parliament speaker and nuclear negotiator.

On June 7, the government announced strict guidelines for the media during the abbreviated election campaign, barring any content deemed to discourage voter participation or to urge election boycotts. The regulations also criminalize the organizing of unsanctioned protests, strikes, or sit-ins.

The Guardians Council announcement came one day after the main coalition of reformists said it would only participate in the election if one of its proposed candidates were approved to run.

"We must have our own candidate," Azar Mansuri, leader of the Reform Front, told the Fars news agency.

Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and several other officials were killed on May 19 when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed in bad weather in a mountainous area near the country's border with Azerbaijan.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-election- guardians-council-raisi/32985275.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Israel: Netanyahu's key rival Benny Gantz quits war cabinet

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 7:06 PM

Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz has resigned from Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet, delivering a blow to the prime minister who has been celebrating a Pyrrhic Victory in the rare rescue of four Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip.

Gantz had been expected to resign on Saturday, but he postponed the announcement for one day due to Nuseirat massacre, and left his post on Sunday.

The retired army general, who has served as minister without portfolio since 2023, is regarded to be the main political rival to Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, the White House said on Sunday it expected Netanyahu to agree with the Americans' Gaza ceasefire proposal unveiled by Washington on Friday.

However, two far-right Israeli ministers, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, threatened to quit and collapse the coalition if Netanyahu agreed to the ceasefire proposal.

Gantz, a former military chief of staff and political centrist, is viewed by analysts as US President Joe Biden administration's likely choice for Netanyahu's replacement.

Tel Aviv has unleashed a brutal genocidal war against the Palestinian people trapped in the Gaza Strip since October 7, killing at least 37,084 Palestinians.

Most of the causalities have been women and children and more than 1.7 million Palestinian people in the besieged Gaza Strip -- where water, food, medicine, power and fuel is blocked by the Israeli regime -- have been internally displaced during this time.

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Israel reviewing measures to cut ties with UN Secretary-General: Report

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 09 June 2024 11:36 AM

After UN blacklisted Israel as an entity that violates children's rights in conflict zones, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that the regime is reviewing measures to respond to the UN, including cutting ties with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Guterres spokesman confirmed on Friday that he has added Israel's military to a global list of offenders that have committed violations against children.

The inclusion of the Israeli regime on the UN blacklist for intentionally killing innocent children in its genocidal war against the defenseless people trapped in the besieged Gaza Strip prompted a furious response in Tel Aviv.

By adding Israel to the list of child-killing regimes the UN "put itself today on history's blacklist," Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on his X account, formerly known as Twitter.

Israel's foreign minister Israel Katz also said the decision would impact the regime's relations with the United Nations.

KAN also said Gilad Erdan, Israel's envoy to the UN, has also recommended the regime classify the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) as "a terrorist organization."

Late in May Israeli parliament held a preliminary vote to designate the aid agency as a "terrorist group."

Erdan also suggested that Israel denies visas to UN officials and the heads of UN agencies, and prevent them from working in the West Bank.

Despite decades of child-killing and numerous calls in past years by rights groups to add the Israeli regime to the list of offenders, the recent UN decision to blacklist Tel Aviv is the first time Israel was added to the list that is also known as the "List of Shame."

More than 36,801 Palestinian people have been killed since October 7 and many more wounded in Gaza. Most of the causalities have been women and children.



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Israel war minister Gantz to resign Cabinet post

By VOA News June 09, 2024

Israeli war minister Benny Gantz announced Sunday he is quitting Netanyahu's coalition government over differences on a transparent postwar strategy for Gaza.

Gantz, a centrist, was edged out of the coalition by the coalition's hard-liners on the war in Gaza.

While mistrusting many Palestinian leaders, Gantz always appeared more amenable to a two-state solution than Netanyahu. "No one is going anywhere," he said, referring to the Israelis and the Palestinians in the region.

Gantz said Netanyahu's promise for total victory against Hamas was empty and that Israelis deserve "a real victory" that "puts the release of the hostages above political survival."

His party's resignation from the coalition will leave a void in the Knesset that could be filled by more ultranationalist conservatives, who will add more pressure on Netanyahu to follow a hardline policy toward Gaza.

Gantz's resignation will go into effect within 48 hours.

Elsewhere, Israeli continued to pound Gaza on Sunday, a day after Israeli forces rescued four hostages during an operation that left at least 274 Palestinians dead, among them 64 children and 57 women, according to the Hamas-run government media office.

The Israeli military said a special forces officer was killed during the bloody rescue operation in a densely built residential neighborhood of al-Nuseirat, adding that it knew of "under 100" Palestinians killed, though, it said, it did not know how many of them were fighters or civilians.

The Israeli military said in a statement its forces were continuing operations east of Bureij and the city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, killing several Palestinian gunmen and destroying militant infrastructure.

Tanks rolled into two new districts Sunday surrounding the entire eastern side of Rafah and engaging against dug-in Hamas-led armed groups, according to residents trapped in their homes there.

Around 100,000 people of the more than 1 million residents and refugees who occupied Rafah a month ago remain in the city. Palestinian refugees abandoned Rafah, their latest refuge, and headed farther north, according to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA.

"All UNRWA shelters in Rafah have been vacated. Many of the people who were based in Rafah have fled up the coast seeking safer locations in both Khan Younis and the middle area (of Gaza)," UNRWA said in a statement released Friday.

Palestinian medics said an Israeli airstrike on a house in Tel Al-Sultan in western Rafah killed two people Sunday.

In an interview with CBS' "Face the Nation," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday that the best way to bring all the hostages home is a comprehensive cease-fire and hostage deal that has been endorsed by President Joe Biden as well as 16 countries from around the world and accepted by Israel.

Sullivan said that the ball is in Hamas' court in accepting the deal that outlines a political and humanitarian strategy and offers "a logical strategic endgame."

"If Hamas would say yes to that deal, there would be a cease-fire in place, hostages would be coming home, more humanitarian aid would be surging in, and a better day for the Palestinian people would begin to unfold," he said.

However, Sullivan acknowledged that Israel has not yet offered a clear plan for the governance of a post war Gaza after a cease-fire agreement would be signed but he expressed hope that a solid vision would materialize in the coming weeks.

As of Friday, Hamas had yet to respond to Biden's cease-fire proposal.

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 remain in the Palestinian territory, including 41 the army says are dead.

Israel's military response 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.

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Pakistan's Commitment to Regional Peace, Security and Prosperity Highlighted at ASEAN Regional Forum

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia & Pacific), Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, represented Pakistan at the Senior Officials Meeting preparatory to the Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) held on 8 June 2024.

Ambassador Siddiqui appreciated ARF's pivotal role in multilateral efforts for regional peace and prosperity. Reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Regional Forum's mandate, he emphasized the importance of international collaboration for shared objectives of stability and sustainable prosperity.

Stressing the need for an equitable and inclusive security framework, the Additional Foreign Secretary underscored the importance of resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people for lasting peace and security in South Asia.

Ambassador Siddiqui condemned the rising tide of Islamophobia and pursuance of Islamophobic political agenda as strategies in election campaigns. He emphasized the importance of comprehensive approaches to address the root causes of terrorism. He also called for international scrutiny and accountability for extraterritorial killings by foreign agents inside Pakistan.

The Additional Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Pakistan's consistent and principled stance on the Palestinian question and called for an urgent and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and an end to foreign occupation of Palestinian territories.

Islamabad

09 June 2024

106/2024

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Roadside bomb in northwestern Pakistan kills 7 soldiers

By Ayaz Gul June 09, 2024

Pakistani authorities said Sunday that a bomb blast targeted a military convoy in a militancy-hit northwestern region, killing at least seven soldiers.

The bombing in Lucky Marwat district was followed by a militant gunfire attack, and an army captain was among the slain soldiers, a security official told VOA on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The Pakistani military's media wing later released a formal statement confirming the deadly ambush, saying an improvised explosive device exploded near one of the convoy vehicles.

"Sanitization of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists present in the area, and perpetrators of this heinous act will be brought to justice," the military stated.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Lucky Marwat and surrounding districts of the country's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan, have routinely witnessed insurgent bomb attacks and guerrilla raids against military and police forces in recent years.

The violence is claimed by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, a globally designated terrorist organization, which Pakistani officials say is headquartered in Afghanistan. The group has waged terrorist attacks in the country for years, killing thousands of Pakistani civilians and security forces.

In its mid-year report, issued Saturday, the provincial counterterrorism department confirmed that at least 65 police officers had died and 85 others wounded in TTP-led attacks since the beginning of the year.

It stated that Pakistani security forces had killed nearly 120 "terrorists" and arrested 300 others in military-led counterinsurgency operations during the same period. The military has separately reported the fatalities of dozens of its personnel in bomb attacks and militant ambushes.

Pakistani leaders maintain that terrorism in the country has surged dramatically since the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan nearly three years ago.

Sunday's insurgent attack came a day after China and Pakistan, through a joint statement, called on Afghanistan's Taliban to "firmly combat terrorism, including not allowing its territory to be used for terrorist acts."

Islamabad claims that Taliban leaders in Kabul have sheltered TTP leaders as well as combatants and facilitated them to direct cross-border terrorist attacks, ignoring calls for reining in the anti-Pakistan militant activity.

Taliban authorities deny they are allowing anyone to use Afghanistan to threaten neighboring countries, including Pakistan, although independent critics question those claims.

A United Nations report published earlier this year said the Taliban continued to be "sympathetic" to the TTP and supplied it with weapons and equipment, and some Afghan Taliban members joined the TTP in conducting cross-border raids against Pakistan.

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Gunmen kill 2 members of Pakistan's Ahmadi minority

By Ayaz Gul June 09, 2024

Police in central Pakistan said Saturday that unknown assailants had separately shot and killed two members of the minority Ahmadi community.

Both shootings took place in the Mandi Bahauddin district in Punjab, the country's most populous province. Police and community leaders stated that the victims were 62 and 30 years old.

Punjab has seen the bulk of recent violence against what critics describe as Pakistan's long-persecuted minority community.

The district police chief told local media they had opened an investigation into Saturday's killings, and one of the suspected assailants had been apprehended.

No group immediately took responsibility for the shootings. Ahmadi community representatives blame Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan, or TLP, a far-right religious political party, for inciting followers to attack their members and places of worship.

TLP leaders routinely use offensive anti-Ahmadi language in rallies and gatherings and call for the killing of blasphemers.

Ahmadis consider themselves Muslim, but the Pakistani parliament declared them to be non-Muslim in 1974 and further amended its laws in 1984 to prohibit community members from "indirectly or directly posing as Muslims." The minority sect is also barred from declaring or propagating its faith publicly and building places of worship in Pakistan.

The South Asian nation is often criticized for not doing enough to prevent crimes against members of its religious minorities, including Christians.

Last month, a mob of hundreds of people gathered in a Christian settlement in Sargodha, another Punjab district, and violently attacked a Christian man, identified as Nazir Masih, who was in his yearly 70s, after he was accused of desecrating Islam's holy book, the Quran.

The violence resulted in severe injuries, including multiple fractures to Masih's skull, and he died in a hospital a few days later. His relatives rejected blasphemy charges against him as baseless.

The Sargodha incident revived memories of one of the worst attacks on Christians in August 2023, in Jaranwala city in Punjab. It involved thousands of Muslim protesters attacking a Christian settlement and burning 21 churches, as well as damaging more than 90 properties over allegations two Christian brothers had desecrated the Quran.

Blasphemy is a highly sensitive issue in Pakistan, and mere allegations have led to mobs lynching dozens of suspects a even some in police custody. Insulting the Quran or Islamic beliefs is punishable by death under the country's blasphemy laws, though no one has ever been executed.

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Civilian defense chief ends decades-long 'formalities' in armed forces

ROC Central News Agency

06/09/2024 03:38 PM

Taipei, June 9 (CNA) Taiwan's new civilian Defense Minister Wellington Koo () has announced a decision to scrap a series of decades-old practices in the nation's armed forces viewed by many experts as mere "formalities."

Koo, who took office on May 20, said during a legislative hearing on June 6 that the decision was made to allow troops to focus more on practical training sessions and enhance their defense capabilities amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Noting that among the practices he wants to abolish soon are bayonet training and goose-stepping, the minister explained that traditional bayonet training is more of a formality and ceremonial with very little practical use in actual close combat in modern warfare.

In recent years, all conscripts have had to undergo close quarters combat training, which is why he announced the traditional training program would be discontinued, Koo told lawmakers.

In terms of goose-stepping, Koo said he is aware members of the armed forces and military cadets trained for months to march at the Republic of China (ROC) Military Academy in Kaohsiung to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Whampoa Military Academy.

Since the decision for the military to goose-step during the occasion was made by his predecessor, Koo said he would respect that decision by allowing the show to go ahead as planned on June 16 during the celebrations.

At future major military celebrations there will be no more goose-stepping, which serves only a ceremonial function, he said.

Troops attending future military marches will be required only to march in unison, he added.

During the June 6 hearing, Koo also announced changes to military regulations including lifting restrictions on commanding officers and their deputies taking leave at the same time, and allowing military personnel to freely travel abroad.

These moves are meant to make it easier for senior military personnel to take care of their families, according to Koo.

Previously, a military unit's commanding officer and deputy could not take leave at the same time, with one of them required to stay in the unit if the other was away.

In addition, previously military personnel could only join group tours when they wished to travel aboard on vacation. The Ministry of National Defense has argued that the rules was meant to prevent potential leaks of confidential military information if a serviceperson is traveling alone.

However, such restrictions turned out to be only a formality because it was difficult to verify if someone was traveling within a tour group or had strayed from the tour itinerary.

This rule had only caused inconvenience to military personnel and their dependents, Koo said.

The ROC military's traditional bayonet training was originally established in 1965 by combining American and Japanese styles of bayonet charge practices. Over the years, however, experts have criticized its practical use in close combat on the battlefield.

Koo, 65, succeeded his immediate predecessor Chiu Kuo-cheng () on May 20 as President Lai Ching-te () took office, becoming the first civilian defense minister in over a decade in Taiwan.

The most recent civilian minister was Andrew Yang () during the administration of Ma Ying-jeou () of the Kuomintang, who was in the post for just six days before resigning over a plagiarism row in 2013.

Scholars interviewed by CNA said they believe Koo's appointment is intended to facilitate the desire of Lai's incoming administration to carry out fundamental reform of the nation's armed forces.

(By Matt Yu, Wu Shu-wei and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/cs/AW

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2024/06/09

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1. Dateis

6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Saturday to Sunday, Jun. 8-9

2. PLA activitiesis

9 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 5 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.

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Turkiye's First Foray Into Tank-Building: What We Know About the Altay MBT

Sputnik News

20240608

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.

Turkiye's 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.

Designed between 2008 and 2016 by Turkish defense and automotive giant BMC Otomotiv with help from Turkish companies Aselsan, MKEK, Roketsan, and Havelsan, and with major assistance from South Korea's Hyundai Rotem, Hyundai WIA, Samyang Comtech and Poongsan Corporation, the Altay is Turkiye's K2 Black Panther-derived vision of a fourth-generation MBT. The technologies in the tank are estimated at about 60 percent South Korean, but Turkiye plans to increase the percentage of domestic technological solutions over time.

The Altay is a behemoth of an armored vehicle, weighing in at 65 tons, comparable to the US M1 Abrams. The MBT is 7.3 meters long (10.3 m if counting its gun when faced forward), 3.9 m wide and stands 2.6 m tall. This means plenty of room for its four-person crew, ammunition and fuel reserves, but also makes it potentially vulnerable to enemy anti-tank and drone attacks, as the Ukrainian conflict has amply demonstrated.

The Turkish tank is equipped with South Korean-designed composite armor and Aselsan AKKOR active protection.

The MKE 120 mm laser-guided smoothbore gun is the tank's main armament. The gun does not have an autoloader. Secondary weapons include a 7.62 mm coaxial machinegun and a machinegun-armed remote controlled weapons station with automatic target tracking.

The Altay is powered by a Hyundai 12-cylinder water-cooled 1,500 horsepower diesel engine. A homegrown engine by BMC is in the works. Turkiye flirted with the purchase of Ukrainian tank engines produced by the once-legendary Kharkov Malyshev Plant, but scrapped the idea in late 2021.

The Turkish tank has a stated on road/off road performance of 70 and 45 km per hour, respectively, and an operational range of 450 km before refueling. The tank is designed to be able to handle a 60 percent gradient, and ford rivers up to 4 meters deep with special equipment, or 1.2 meters without special equipment.

Turkiye expects to build the first batch of 250 Altays in 2025. The tanks have an estimated unit cost of $13.75 million. The long-term cost of the program is expected to reach $40 billion or more.

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 Altay's design has been upgraded "in accordance with the conditions of the modern combat environment."

A Sputnik

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Russian Sever Group of Forces Advances Into Depths of Ukrainian Defense in Kharkov Region

Sputnik News

20240608

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.

"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.

 Sputnik

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Andriy Yermak Visited Italy and the Vatican City on the Instructions of the President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

8 June 2024 - 23:07

On his way back from France, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak paid a working visit to the Italian Republic and the Vatican City on the instructions of the President.

In the Vatican City, Andriy Yermak met with Pope Francis and thanked him for supporting Ukraine and our people in this difficult time.

The Head of the President's Office informed His Holiness about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula and preparations for the Global Peace Summit that will be held in Switzerland.

During the conversation, special attention was paid to the return of Ukrainian children forcibly deported by the aggressor state of Russia.

Pope Francis expressed his support for Ukraine.

Andriy Yermak also discussed with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, the latter's participation in the Global Peace Summit and the role of the Holy See in the implementation of the humanitarian points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula.

The Head of the Office of the President also met with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the President of the Italian Bishops' Conference, and thanked him for his mission and efforts to bring back illegally deported Ukrainian children.

Andriy Yermak discussed with Matteo Zuppi the preparations for the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland and the Ukrainian President's vision of achieving a just and lasting peace.

During a meeting with the Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, Andriy Yermak spoke about Ukraine's future participation in the G7 Summit, as well as preparations for the Peace Summit and the importance of involving the countries of the Global South.

Andriy Yermak and Adolfo Urso emphasized the importance of developing a dialogue between the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, in particular on economic cooperation between the defense and industrial complex enterprises of the two countries.

Andriy Yermak thanked the Director General of the Italian Security Intelligence Department, Italy's G7/G20 Sherpa, Elisabetta Belloni, for keeping the issue of Russian aggression against Ukraine among the top priorities of the Italian G7 Presidency.

The Head of the Presidential Office has also discussed with the Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Fabrizio Saggio, the issues related to the upcoming G7 Summit and the Global Peace Summit.

During the meetings at the Italian Ministry of Defense, Andriy Yermak thanked for the transfer of defense assistance, in particular, air defense systems.

On behalf of the Office of the President, he stressed the importance of protecting critical infrastructure and preparing it for the winter period, as well as exploring opportunities for joint production in the defense and industrial sector.

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Ukraine's Zelenskiy Says Russia Has 'Failed' In Kharkiv Offensive

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service June 09, 2024

The Russian military has "failed" to carry out its offensive in the Kharkiv region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a video message on social media late on June 8.

After speaking with military commanders earlier in the day, Zelenskiy said on X, formerly Twitter, that Ukrainian forces were "restraining" Russia's advance in the area and "destroying the Russian units that enter our land and terrorize the Kharkiv region."

He added that this was "a very important result."

The White House on June 9 did not directly confirm Zelenskiy's remarks, but national-security adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS TV that Russia's advance on Kharkiv had been resisted for now.

"One thing I will point out is that the momentum of that operation in Kharkiv has stalled out," Sullivan said.

"Now, Kharkiv is still under threat, but the Russians have not been able to make material progress on the ground in recent days in that area," he added.

Russian forces began an offensive in the Kharkiv region along the Russian-Ukrainian border on May 10, in an action that analysts have described as a bid to establish a "buffer zone" to protect Russian territory.

Fighting has been particularly intense around the town of Vovchansk, which the Ukrainian military said on June 8 remained "largely" under Ukrainian control.

On May 17, Ukraine's military commander, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskiy, said Russia had expanded the breadth of the offensive to a line of nearly 70 kilometers in an effort to force Ukraine to deploy forces from its reserves.

Ukraine's HUR military intelligence service reported on June 9 that a drone attack the previous day on an airfield in Russia's Astrakhan region had damaged an advanced Su-57 multipurpose fighter. The Su-57 is Russia's most modern fighter and is capable of striking with Kh-59 and Kh-69 cruise missiles.

"The damage to the Su-57 is the first such case in history," the HUR statement said, noting that the Akhtubinsk airfield is located nearly 600 kilometers from the front line in Ukraine.

The Russian military reported that 27 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted over the occupied region of Crimea and over Russia's North Ossetia, Krasnodar, Astrakhan, Belgorod, Bryansk, Rostov, and Tula regions.

It was the first time Ukrainian strikes were reported in North Ossetia.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-kharkiv- drones/32985147.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russia's North Group of Troops Eliminates Up to 225 Ukrainian Soldiers - MoD

Sputnik News

20240609

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Sever (North) group of troops hit four Ukrainian brigades in the Kharkov region and repulsed seven counterattacks over the past 24 hours, eliminating up to 225 soldiers, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

"The enemy's losses amounted to up to 225 servicepeople, seven vehicles and a 152-mm D-20 howitzer. Three Ukrainian field ammunition depots were destroyed," the ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Zapad (West) group of Russian troops eliminated up to 400 Ukrainian servicepeople, one tank and two armored vehicles, the ministry said. The Tsentr (Center) group of troops repelled six counterattacks by Ukrainian assault groups, eliminating up to 300 soldiers, the ministry said.

At the same time, the Yug (South) group of troops destroyed up to 375 Ukrainian servicepeople, an ammunition depot and two armored vehicles, the ministry added. In the Kherson region, Kiev lost up to 25 servicepeople near the villages of Dudchany and Respublikanets.

The Vostok (East) group of troops eliminated up to 140 Ukrainian soldiers, the ministry added.

A Sputnik

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We Are Preparing New Agreements for Ukraine with European Partners, in Particular with Germany - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

9 June 2024 - 20:46

Dear Ukrainians!

Today, it is worth mentioning those who protect normal living conditions for us - for everyone in Ukraine - no matter what. We can always count on the rescuers of our State Emergency Service of Ukraine to be there to help us every day and night after Russian strikes, after any tragic events. Whenever it happens. Wherever it happens. In areas near the frontline, and in every city and region of our country. This is one of the fundamental features of true statehood - the existence of a system and people whose job is to save. All over the country. And I thank everyone - the entire staff of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine - who really tries to do their job effectively. Today I would like to recognize the rescuers working in Kharkiv and the region. In particular, Sergeants of the Civil Protection Service Andriy Zayarnyi, Kostiantyn Mokliak, Oleksiy Zhyrov, Dmytro Maksymov, Oleksandr Dehtiarenko and Yevhen Zolotko. Chief Master Sergeants Volodymyr Ridnyi and Serhiy Sydora. Thank you, guys! Senior Lieutenants Oleksandr Yavtushenko and Maksym Mykhailov. Captains of the Civil Protection Service from the Kharkiv region Andriy Lakhtin, Serhiy Rashevskyi and Serhiy Snurnykov, Major Vadym Stadnyk and Lieutenant Colonel Oleksiy Kolodiazhnyi. I thank you and all your colleagues! My special gratitude also goes to the employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Donetsk region. Each and every one of them, who, despite everything, saves people and preserves the strength of Ukraine. Today I would like to personally recognize the guys who distinguished themselves during firefighting and rescue operations after Russian strikes on Toretsk and Selydove. Sergeants of the Civil Protection Service Oleksandr Pavlenko and Pavlo Zakharov, Chief Master Sergeant Andriy Maltamar, Lieutenant Stanislav Nechypurenko, and Major of the Civil Protection Service Volodymyr Derenko. Thank you!

At present, one of our main tasks is to secure more support for Ukraine in terms of the resilience of our society. This includes energy, recovery after attacks, and all other foundations of normal life. Life that we must preserve despite any attempts by Russia to exert pressure and destroy. We are preparing new agreements for Ukraine with European partners, in particular with Germany, on additional support measures. These days, we are also meticulously preparing a bilateral security agreement between our country and the United States. We are doing everything to ensure that America's leadership is tangible. Thank you to everyone who helps!

And one more thing.

Pokrovsk direction, Donetsk region. Almost every day, it is consistently the hardest part of the front. The occupier's pressure there is the greatest. Every day there is the highest number of battles. Just yesterday, there were more than forty attacks, and today, by this time, there have already been more than twenty. Each of our warriors who is destroying the enemy there, each soldier and commander who is doing their best to hold our positions and help the warriors in the neighboring positions deserves our special gratitude. We are making every effort to ensure that you and our entire army have more weapons, more equipment, and more modern systems. Today, there was already a report from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, and there will be a report from DIU Chief Budanov - we are preparing our new steps. Ukraine will definitely defend itself.

Glory to Ukraine!

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White House: Russian advance on Kharkiv 'stalled' after Ukraine's strikes inside Russia

By VOA News June 09, 2024

Russia's advance on Kharkiv "has stalled," after the United States partially allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-provided weapons to strike targets inside Russia, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday.

"Kharkiv is still under threat but Russians have not been able to make material progress on the ground in recent days in that area," Sullivan said during an interview with CBS' "Face the Nation."

Sullivan said Washington gave the green light for Ukraine's use of some U.S. weapons to defend its Kharkiv region, on the border with Russia, despite previous concerns that such strikes could drag the NATO military alliance into a direct conflict with Russia.

"From the president's perspective, this was common sense," Sullivan said, pointing out that Ukrainians should be able to fire at Russian encampments and weaponry fired at them.

NATO allies such as France and Germany have also followed Washington's example allowing Ukraine to use some of its Western-provided weapons for attacks inside Russia, along the border in the Kharkiv region.

The Kremlin has warned that such a 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 such a move could prompt him to place similar Russian weapons in countries within range of the U.S. or its European allies.

Frozen Russian assets

During a state visit to France, U.S. President Joe Biden said Sunday that he and French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, agreed on using profits from around $280 billion in frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine's war effort against Russian aggression.

These Russian central bank funds are frozen worldwide, most of it in the EU.

The idea, initiated by the U.S., is to use this profit as a steady revenue stream to service a large loan of $50 billion toward Ukraine's defense and infrastructure.

Some countries have expressed misgivings about tapping profits from the frozen Russian assets, but a U.S. Treasury official said Tuesday that the United States and its partners in the G7, the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations, were making progress.

Russia says any diversion of the profits from its frozen funds would amount to theft.

The Russian frozen funds generate $2.7 billion to $3.8 billion a year in profit, which the European Union says is not contractually owed to Russia and therefore represents a windfall.

U.S. officials expect the G7 wealthy democracies to send a tough new warning next week to smaller Chinese banks to stop assisting Russia in evading Western sanctions, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Negotiations were still ongoing about the exact format and content of the warning, according to the people, who declined to be named discussing ongoing diplomatic engagements. The plans to address the topic at the G7 were not previously reported.

Daleep Singh, deputy national security adviser for international economics, told the Center for a New American Security this week that he expected G7 leaders to target China's support for Russia's economy when they gather in Italy for a summit June 13-15.

"Our concern is that China is increasingly the factory of the Russian war machine. You can call it the arsenal of autocracy when you consider Russia's military ambitions threaten obviously the existence of Ukraine, but increasingly European security, NATO and transatlantic security," he said.

"We are not going to let that happen," Biden told journalists when the spoke of Russia's potential threat to Europe, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Fighting

Two civilians were killed in Ukrainian attacks on Russian-controlled areas of eastern and southern Ukraine, Moscow-installed officials there said Sunday.

One man was killed, and a woman wounded by artillery fire that hit the town of Nova Maiachka in the southern Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, its pro-Russian governor, wrote on Telegram.

Another man was killed in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine by an explosive dropped from a drone, according to Alexei Kulemzin, the city's Russia-installed mayor.

The Reuters news agency could not independently verify the incidents.

At least 25 civilians were killed Friday in two separate attacks in the Russia-held part of the Kherson region and city of Luhansk a which Russia-installed officials blamed on Ukrainian forces.

Ukrainian forces have for the first time hit a latest-generation Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet at an air base inside Russia, Kyiv's GUR defense intelligence agency said Sunday, showing satellite pictures which it said confirmed the strike.

In a Telegram post, the GUR did not specify how the Su-57 was hit or by which unit of the Ukrainian military.

A popular Russian pro-war military blogger who calls himself Fighterbomber and focuses on aviation said the report of the strike on the Su-57 was correct and that it had been hit by a drone.

The GUR said the aircraft was parked at the Akhtubinsk airfield, which it said was 589 km from the front lines in Ukraine between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

Ukraine and Russia exchanged airstrikes early Saturday with Russia suffering casualties as Ukraine's drone attacks on the Russia-held Kherson and Luhansk regions left at least 28 people dead and 60 wounded. Russian airstrikes in eastern Ukraine damaged only buildings and power lines.

The attacks were reported by Russian state news Tass and Ukrainian officials respectively.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (10 June 2024)  IMCD N.V. (IMCD or Company), a leading distributor of speciality chemicals and ingredients, today announces that IMCD Italy has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Selechimica S.R.L. (Selechimica), an Italian distributor in the pharmaceutical industry.

Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Selechimica distributes an extensive portfolio of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). With 3 employees, Selechimica represents leading suppliers and generated a revenue of approximately EUR 5 million in the financial year that ended December 31, 2023.

Selechimica is a valued distributor in the Italian API market. By acquiring Selechimica, IMCD will further strengthen its position in the Italian API market. We are eager to unlock the potential of this acquisition, comments Marco Madeddu, Managing Director IMCD Italy.

This transaction provides exciting opportunities for Selechimica. IMCD's expertise, knowledge of the industry and resources will enable further expansion of the product portfolio and customer base, says Luca Pesce, Owner of Selechimica.

The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to take place end of June 2024.

Attached, the press release in PDF format and the main visual.

Attachments
YERINGTON, Nev., June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nevada Copper Corp. (TSX: NCU) (OTC: NEVDF) (FSE: ZYTA) and its subsidiaries (collectively, Nevada Copper or the Company) today announced that they have filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court of the District of Nevada. As disclosed in recent news releases and securities filings, the Company was in discussions with its key stakeholders and other parties to obtain funding and/or enter into a change of control transaction. However, those discussions have failed to result in obtaining such funding or other transaction, and the Company has been unable to secure additional interim funding from its key stakeholders. As a result, the Company is unable to continue carrying on business.



In conjunction with the Chapter 11 filings, the Company requested customary relief to support its employees and critical vendors during the bankruptcy process. As part of this relief, the Company is asking the Court for permission to continue to pay employee salaries and wages, and to continue other benefit programs regardless of whether amounts were owing prior to the commencement of the Chapter 11 case. The Company has received a commitment for US$60 million debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing to provide liquidity through the restructuring period, of which the Company is asking that US$20 million would be available on an interim basis. The Company is seeking approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the DIP financing.

Through the restructuring process, the Company does not expect to continue operations, but does intend to take steps to preserve and protect its assets. The Company plans to conduct its activities as a debtor in possession under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and the orders of the Bankruptcy Court.

The Company also announced the appointment of Tom Albanese as Chair of its Board of Directors and the resignation of Randy Buffington as President & Chief Executive Officer and as a director. The Board of Directors thanks Mr. Buffington for his service to the Company.

Nevada Copper has retained Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Torys LLP and McDonald Carano LLP as legal counsel in connection with these matters. Moelis & Company LLC has been retained as financial advisor and AlixPartners as restructuring advisor.

About Nevada Copper

Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU) is the owner of the Pumpkin Hollow copper project located in Nevada, USA with substantial reserves and resources including copper, gold and silver. Its two fully permitted projects include the high-grade Underground Mine and processing facility and a large-scale open pit PFS stage project.

For additional information, please see the Companys website at www.nevadacopper.com, or contact:

Tracey Thom | Vice President, IR and Community Relations

tthom@nevadacopper.com

+1 775 391 9029

Cautionary Language on Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements specifically include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to the bankruptcy process and potential outcomes therefrom, the DIP financing, steps to preserve and protect the Companys assets and steps to support the Companys employees and critical vendors. There can be no assurance as to the outcomes of the bankruptcy process for the Company or any of its employees, creditors or vendors, or whether the Bankruptcy Court will approve the DIP financing.

Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects, potential, is expected, anticipated, is targeted, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, or believes or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information should not be read as guarantees of future performance and results. They are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and events to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such risks and uncertainties include those risks discussed in the Companys Managements Discussion and Analysis in respect of the year ended December 31, 2023 and in the section entitled Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Information Form dated April 2, 2024.

The forward-looking information and statements are stated as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information and statements, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

The Company provides no assurance that forward-looking statements and information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Onity Group Inc. (NYSE: ONIT) (Onity or the Company), a leading non-bank mortgage servicer and originator, today announced that it has officially started operating under its new brand name effective Monday, June 10, 2024, replacing its former name, Ocwen Financial Corporation.

The Companys common stock is expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ONIT at market open today.

Glen A. Messina, Chair, President and CEO of Onity Group, said, Today marks the start of a new era for our Company and signifies our transformation, growth and expansion into a balanced and diversified business. We are proud of what we have built  a strong servicing platform with industry-leading cost and operational performance, multi-channel originations and asset management capabilities, and a technology-enabled global platform.

Messina continued, This is more than just a name change. It is part of the continued evolution of our Company that started more than five years ago. We now have a brand identity that reflects our Company, our people, and our commitment to delivering results. Our new name, derived from the phrase on it; our tagline, we get it done; and our vibrant, energetic visual identity collectively stand for a company that takes action, follows through on its commitments and is relentless in creating success for its customers and stakeholders. Onity represents who we are today, and I am excited for what the future holds.

Onitys primary brands, PHH Mortgage Corporation and Liberty Reverse Mortgage, are expected to begin rebranding to Onity Mortgage in the fall of this year.

About Onity Group

Onity Group Inc. (NYSE: ONIT) is a leading non-bank mortgage servicer and originator providing solutions through its primary brands, PHH Mortgage and Liberty Reverse Mortgage. PHH Mortgage is one of the largest servicers in the country, focused on delivering a variety of servicing and lending programs. Liberty is one of the nations largest reverse mortgage lenders dedicated to education and providing loans that help customers meet their personal and financial needs. We are headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, with offices and operations in the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, India and the Philippines, and have been serving our customers since 1988. For additional information, please visit onitygroup.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may be identified by a reference to a future period or by the use of forward-looking terminology. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as expect, believe, foresee, anticipate, intend, estimate, goal, strategy, plan target and project or conditional verbs such as will, may, should, could or would or the negative of these terms, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words, and includes statements in this press release regarding the expected timing and potential impacts of our rebranding.

Forward-looking statements involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. In the past, actual results have differed from those suggested by forward looking statements and this may happen again. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the timeline for completion of our rebranding activities, shareholder and counterparty response to our rebranding, the timing and receipt of licensing or other regulatory approvals related to the rebranding, changes in market conditions, the industry in which we operate, and our business, the actions of governmental entities and regulators impacting our business, developments in our litigation matters, and other risks and uncertainties detailed in our reports and filings with the SEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and any current report or quarterly report filed with the SEC since such date. Anyone wishing to understand Onitys business should review our SEC filings. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, we disclaim any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For Further Information Contact:

Dico Akseraylian, SVP, Corporate Communications

(856) 917-0066

mediarelations@onitygroup.com
SEOUL, South Korea, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) announced that Korea's Leading Environmental Companies, with the support of the Ministry of Environment, will establish a Korean Public Relations Center and participate in the CESG 2024, the show on solutions for the environment, held in Singapore, from June 19 to 21.



The term "Leading Environmental Companies" refers to the most prominent businesses in the Korean environmental sector, recognized for their outstanding business performance and technological expertise.

A total of 10 companies, including 5 excellent domestic environmental companies (Participating directly in the exhibition) and 5 online participating companies, will participate in this exhibition and showcase their outstanding environmental technologies and product:

- Participating directly in the exhibition

 EPiT Co., Ltd.

 enbion Inc.

 STARS TECH

 BLUESEN Co., Ltd.

 TURBOWIN CO., LTD.

- Online participating companies

 Techwin Co., Ltd

 LD Carbon Co., Ltd.

 Wellspring Co., Ltd.

 DAEHAN i.m. Co., Ltd.

 Paneco Co., Ltd

You can find these participating companies at the Singapore Sands Expo & Convention Centre (In Hall: Raw /K10, L1-A20).

Contacts

Korea Environmental Industry &Technology Institute (KEITI)

Sujin Kang

sujin@keiti.re.kr

+82-32-540-2212
Dublin, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "eCommerce Logistics - Global Strategic Business Report" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global market for eCommerce Logistics is estimated at US$454.6 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$1.4 Trillion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 15.3% from 2023 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions.



Key Insights:

Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Domestic eCommerce Logistics segment, which is expected to reach US$1 Trillion by 2030 with a CAGR of 16%. The International eCommerce Logistics segment is also set to grow at 13.7% CAGR over the next 8 years.

Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, estimated at $72.9 Billion in 2023, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 17.3% CAGR to reach $504.5 Billion by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific.

Key Trends & Drivers:

How Will Global Supply Chains Look Like in the Future? The Answers Every Stakeholder in Supply Chain Logistics Should Know

As Companies Come to Terms With the Depth of their Dependencies, Globalization Will Reduce to Regionalization

Supply Chain 24/7 Visibility, the New Normal

Fragmentation Drives the Supply Chain Industry's Transformation

Rethinking Scale & Mix Will See the Rise of Parallel Supply Chains

Making Data Talk: Digitization Will be the Key to Building Stronger, Smarter Supply Chains

All Regional Markets Poised for Growth in 2024 & Beyond

Cross Border e-Commerce Storms Into the Spotlight as a Key Driver of Growth With China Basking in the Limelight

Focus on Efficiency Brings Automation Into the Spotlight

Drones to the Rescue

Wearables Make a Mark

Self-Driving Trucks Emerge Into the Spotlight

AI Makes a Deep Impact on e-Commerce Logistics

Special Focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Trucking Industry

It is Not All Doom for Everyone. 3PL has Fared Reasonably Well Amid the Pandemic

Reverse Logistics Rises in Prominence

A Comparison of % of Customer Returns of Goods Purchased in Brick & Motor Shops Vs Online Stores

Importance of Big Data Comes to the Fore as Companies Realize the Many Benefits Offered

Global Opportunity for Supply Chain Big Data Analytics (In US$ Billion) for Years 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2026

Innovation & Efficiency in Last Mile Delivery Vital to a Successful e-Commerce Experience

EVs for Last Mile Delivery Gains in Prominence

Sustainability of e-Commerce Logistics Storms Into the Spotlight

Sustainability Becomes More Important than Ever. Here's Why

The Time to Get Our Act Together & Move Towards a Circular Bioeconomy Has Come

How the Logistics Industry is Responding

Why You Should Buy This Report:

Detailed Market Analysis: Access a thorough analysis of the Global eCommerce Logistics Market, covering all major geographic regions and market segments.

Competitive Insights: Get an overview of the competitive landscape, including the market presence of major players across different geographies.

Future Trends and Drivers: Understand the key trends and drivers shaping the future of the Global eCommerce Logistics Market.

Actionable Insights: Benefit from actionable insights that can help you identify new revenue opportunities and make strategic business decisions.

Key Questions Answered:

How is the Global eCommerce Logistics Market expected to evolve by 2030?

What are the main drivers and restraints affecting the market?

Which market segments will grow the most over the forecast period?

How will market shares for different regions and segments change by 2030?

Who are the leading players in the market, and what are their prospects?

Report Features:

Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2023 to 2030.

In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.

Company Profiles: Coverage of major players such as Alibaba Group Holding Limited, Aramex International LLC, 3PL Worldwide, and more.

Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments.

Select Competitors Featured:

Alibaba Group Holding Limited

Aramex International LLC

3PL Worldwide

A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S

a2b Fulfillment

ADI Logistics

Advanced Distribution Systems, Inc.

AIT Worldwide Logistics, Inc.

Allcargo Logistics Ltd.

Associated Global Systems (AGS)

Barrett Distribution Centers, Inc.

Amstan Logistics

Arvato Distribution GmbH - Arvato Supply Chain Solutions

Australia Post

AWL India Pvt. Ltd.



Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 608 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $454.6 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $1400 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 15.3% Regions Covered Global

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8vp0cx

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Dublin, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Flexible Electronics Market Report by Application, Circuit Structure Type, Vertical, and Region 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global flexible electronics market size reached US$ 30.5 Billion in 2023. Looking forward, the market is projected to reach US$ 56.1 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 7.01% during 2023-2032.







The significant growth in the consumer electronics sector is one of the key factors driving the growth of the market. Furthermore, growing consumer preference for wearable devices is also creating a positive outlook for the market. Smartphones, tablets, watches and televisions are being manufactured using flexible display panels to enhance their aesthetic appeal, portability and durability.

Additionally, widespread product adoption in the healthcare industry is also providing a boost to the market growth. Flexible biomedical devices can be implanted on the patient's skin for analyzing biomechanical movements, biological signals and vital signs accurately, along with improving sensations in robotic arms and prosthetic hands.



Moreover, product integration with the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) is acting as another growth-inducing factor. These devices are implanted as smart fabric sensors in helmets, seats, gloves, shoes, clothing materials and steering wheels for collection of data in real-time. Other factors, including the development of innovative, lightweight, ultra-thin and foldable variants, which are commonly used in hybrid system-in-foil (SiF) and photovoltaic (PV) system installations for solar power, are projected to drive the market further.



Key Market Segmentation



This report provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global flexible electronics market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2024-2032. The report has categorized the market based on application, circuit structure type and vertical.



Breakup by Application:

Displays

LCD Displays

OLED Displays

Thin-Film Photovoltaics (PV)

CdTe

CIGS

a-Si

Printed Sensors

Biosensors

Image sensors

Touch Sensors

Pressure Sensors

Temperature Sensors

Gas Sensors

Humidity Sensors

Batteries

Thin-Film Batteries

Curved Batteries

Printed Batteries

Others

OLED Lighting

Others

Breakup by Circuit Structure Type:

Single-Sided Flexible Circuit

Double-Sided Flexible Circuit

Multilayer Flexible Circuit

Sculptured Flexible Circuit

Others

Breakup by Vertical:

Consumer Electronics

Energy & Power

Healthcare

Automotive

Military and Defense

Aerospace

Others

Competitive Landscape



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined with some of the key players being 3M, E Ink Holdings, Konica Minolta, LG Group, Multi-Fineline Electronix, Panasonic, Pragmatic Printing, Samsung Group, etc.



Key Questions Answered in This Report

How has the global flexible electronics market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global flexible electronics market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What is the breakup of the market based on the circuit structure type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the vertical?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global flexible electronics market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 135 Forecast Period 2023 - 2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $30.5 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $56.1 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.0% Regions Covered Global





Companies profiled:

3M

E Ink Holdings

Konica Minolta

LG Group

Multi-Fineline Electronix

Panasonic

Pragmatic Printing

Samsung Group

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/32hw2m

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
TORONTO, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) applauded the citys outstanding culinary sector as two restaurants  Wing and The Chairman  were ranked highly in the prestigious list of The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants 2024.



The two diners ranked among the top thirty in the annual heavyweight event of the global gastronomic scene. First-time winner Wing, an innovative Cantonese food restaurant, secured 20th place on the list, while The Chairmana repeat winnerwas placed 26th. The results were remarkable.

Mr. Dane Cheng, HKTB Executive Director, said, This year, Hong Kong ranks alongside Bangkok and Tokyo as one of the Asian cities with the highest number of entries to the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants 2024, which is a solid testament to Hong Kongs status as a city of gastronomy. The Hong Kong Tourism Board has long drawn attention to our citys extraordinary gastronomic diversity to maximize the citys international exposure while attracting visitors worldwide and offering them an unforgettable experience that tantalizes the taste buds and satisfies all of the senses.

HKTB works with media partners worldwide to develop culinary-themed programs to deepen visitors interest in Hong Kong as a travel destination, inviting members of the media, influencers and celebrity chefs for Tasting is Believing visits so that they can share Hong Kongs appeal with potential visitors. Meanwhile, HKTB will continue to organize flagship gastronomic events such as the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival and promote Hong Kong as a gastronomical paradise by supporting major culinary gatherings, including the recently concluded Vinexpo Asia 2024 and Asias 50 Best Bars award presentation ceremony through various platforms and channels.

Members of the media can download photos from the following link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aDIYNev8W2sHlCjx1215JYGKmTMWWahW?usp=sharing

For media enquiries, please contact: Jorge Lee

jorge.lee@hktb.com

Tel: (416) 366-2389 ext 206 Carol Lam

carol.py.lam@hktb.com

Tel: (416) 366-2389 ext 201



A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C., June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SECU Foundation recently announced a capital grant of $325,000 to Hendersonville Rescue Mission (HRM) in support of a new Womens Ministry facility for women and children experiencing homelessness in Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania counties.



The Henderson County non-profit has been providing shelter, meals, addiction recovery, and basic medical and mental health services to homeless and under-resourced residents of Western North Carolina since 1981. Their emergency shelter remains consistently at full-bed capacity. The grant will enable the non-profit to increase its shelter capacity as well as other wrap-around supportive services for more than 230 individuals annually.

HRMs mission has been filling a critical space in housing and emergency services for a vulnerable population in this rural western area for decades, said SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell. We applaud their dedication to this important work, and we are pleased the Foundations grant will help ensure that HRM can continue their ministry of promoting wellbeing and recovery for even more individuals in need.

Hendersonville Rescue Mission is honored to receive a $325,000 grant from SECU Foundation, said HRM CEO Reverend Anthony McMinn. The grant will be used to increase program capacity and to support unhoused women and children. We are deeply grateful for the SECU Foundation team and local SECU branches in Hendersonville and Flat Rock for showing their support and celebrating this grant with us.

About SECU and SECU Foundation

A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, and federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), SECU has been providing employees of the state of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 87 years. SECU is the second largest credit union in the United States with $54 billion in assets. It serves nearly 2.8 million members through 275 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs, Member Services Support via phone, www.ncsecu.org, and the SECU Mobile App. The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high-impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare, and human services. Since 2004, SECU Foundation has made a collective financial commitment of over $258 million for initiatives to benefit North Carolinians statewide.

Contact: Jama Campbell, Executive Director, secufoundation@ncsecu.org

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0ef5d93e-540e-4fc6-af5e-d90d472ebd38
Dublin, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems Market" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global transdermal drug delivery systems market accounted for USD 66.26 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach at USD 229.13 billion by 2034 with a CAGR of 11.94% during the forecast period 2024-2034. Growing demand for non-invasive drug delivery methods, rising incidence of chronic illnesses, benefits of transdermal drug delivery methods, partnerships, cooperation, and technological improvements will propel market expansion.



Transdermal medication delivery technology is constantly evolving, which has resulted in the creation of more effective and patient-friendly devices. Advancements like microneedle patches, which augment medication absorption into the skin, and refined formulation methodologies have broadened the scope and effectiveness of transdermal drug delivery systems. For instance, Novartis revealed encouraging findings from a Phase III trial of their experimental transdermal calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitor patch for the prevention of migraines in January 2024.



By technology, the iontophoresis segment accounted for the highest revenue-grossing segment in the global transdermal drug delivery systems market in 2023 owing to the growing demand for non-invasive drug delivery methods and advancements in iontophoresis technology, enabling precise and controlled drug delivery through the skin barrier. For instance, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical debuted "Salonpas," a novel transdermal patch, for pain management in Japan in December 2022. Additionally, the mechanical array segment is predicted to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing adoption of advanced microarray technologies, which offer enhanced drug delivery precision, customizable dosage profiles, and improved patient compliance.



By application, the pain management segment accounted for the highest revenue-grossing segment in the global transdermal drug delivery systems market in 2023 owing to the growing prevalence of chronic pain conditions, rising demand for non-invasive pain management solutions, and the effectiveness of transdermal patches in providing sustained relief. For instance, AbbVie's Allergan will cease Androderm, the sole supplier of testosterone transdermal patches, in November 2023, signaling the end of this product's market presence. Additionally, the CNS segment is predicted to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing incidence of central nervous system disorders, expanding applications of transdermal drug delivery in neurology, and advancements in formulations for targeted drug delivery to the brain.



By end-user, the hospitals segment accounted for the highest revenue-grossing segment in the global transdermal drug delivery systems market in 2023 owing to the growing adoption of transdermal drug delivery systems in hospital settings for efficient medication management, improved patient outcomes, and reduced healthcare costs. For instance, In September 2023, Nutriband announces the issuance of a US patent for their transdermal abuse-deterrent technology, demonstrating advances in preventing misuse through new medicine delivery techniques. Additionally, the homecare settings segment is predicted to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing preference for self-administration of medications, rising demand for convenient drug delivery solutions, and advancements in homecare medical devices and technology.



North America is anticipated to have the highest revenue share during the forecast period owing to the high healthcare expenditure, presence of key market players, robust healthcare infrastructure, and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases driving the demand for transdermal drug delivery systems. Additionally, Asia Pacific is predicted to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the rapidly expanding healthcare infrastructure, increasing investments in research and development, growing patient population, and rising awareness about the benefits of transdermal drug delivery systems.



Report Scope:

Base Year: 2023

Forecast Period: 2024-2034

Study Coverage

Market Forecast by Technology, Application, and End-User

Market Forecast for 5 Regions and 17+ Countries

Exhaustive Company Profiles of the Top 10+ Market Players

Companies Featured

Novartis AG

Johnson & Johnson Services Inc.

Mylan N.V.

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

3M Company

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Bayer AG

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

Purdue Pharma L.P.

AstraZeneca plc

Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Luye Pharma Group Ltd.

UCB S.A.

Leo Pharma A/S

Global Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems Market, by:

Technology

Electroporation

Radio Frequency

Iontophoresis

Microporation

Thermal

Mechanical arrays

Ultrasound

Others

Application

CNS

Pain Management

Cardiovascular

Hormone

Immunological

Metabolic

Gastrointestinal

Infection

Cancer

Others

End-User

Hospitals

Clinics

Homecare settings

Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7djify

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
CEDAR CITY, Utah, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Savage, the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA), Iron County and Cedar City are proud to announce the grand opening of the new Savage Cedar City, UT Transload facility, providing transload services between trucks and railcars, on-site storage for shippers, and direct access to Union Pacific Railroad. By connecting area businesses and agriculture producers to broader national and global markets, this latest addition to the Savage Transload Network will help optimize supply chains, drive regional economic growth, bolster industry efficiency and foster sustainable transportation solutions.

"Were excited to connect Iron County and Southern Utah communities to the national rail network at our new transload facility and create more efficient and sustainable supply chains, with rail providing a more environmentally friendly alternative to long-haul trucking, said Jason Ray, president of Savages Infrastructure Sector. Improving access to rail transportation will also make Cedar City, St. George and surrounding communities more attractive for businesses looking to expand in the region, supporting job creation and sustainable economic growth. We appreciate the local, state and federal leaders whose support has been instrumental to the success of this project."

This new development is an integral part of UIPA's Iron Springs Inland Port Project Area, focusing on fostering sustainable economic growth and logistics efficiency.

"The Utah Inland Port Authority is dedicated to enhancing Utahs position in the global supply chain network, said Ben Hart, executive director for the Utah Inland Port Authority. The addition of this new Savage transload facility to our logistics capabilities is a key component of our strategy. It demonstrates our commitment to facilitating economic growth while fostering environmental sustainability in transportation."

The grand opening event, held on June 7, 2024, showcased the new facility's capabilities, including 70 railcar spots available for transloading a wide variety of materials and products including dimensional freight, dry and liquid bulk, hazardous materials and food-grade products. The event was attended by local business leaders, elected officials, community members, and representatives from various sectors, all eager to witness the impact of the railport on local and regional development.

This new railport in Iron County is a tremendous opportunity to expand services for our trucking and industrial businesses, said Cedar City Mayor Garth O. Green. Companies like Savage are leading the way and we look forward to all thats to come.

"The opening of the Savage Cedar City, UT Transload facility is a landmark event for our county, said Iron County Commissioner Mike Bleak. It promises not only to create jobs but also to integrate Iron County more deeply into the national economic fabric. We are proud to collaborate with Savage, UIPA and Cedar City on this new transportation infrastructure, which will bring lasting benefits to our communities and businesses."

The Savage Cedar City, UT Transload is now operational and ready to support the growth and expansion of industries throughout Southern Utah and the surrounding region. To discuss business opportunities, contact Brig Skoy, Savage Director of Terminal Development, at brigskoy@savageco.com or 801-944-6535.

About Savage

Established in 1946, Savage is a privately held, global provider of supply chain infrastructure and solutions, with more than 4,000 Team Members in about 200 locations across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. We strive to always Do the Right Thing, Find a Better Way and Make a Difference. Our Customers and Partners count on us to safely and sustainably move and manage what is essential to their business so they can Feed the World, Power Our Lives, and Sustain the Planet. www.savageco.com

About the Utah Inland Port Authority

As a state entity, UIPA has a unique role to coordinate a statewide economic development and logistics system to ensure long-term sustainability and statewide value. To learn more about UIPA project areas, developments and its members, visit www.inlandportauthority.utah.gov.

About Cedar City & Iron County, UT

The Cedar City & Iron County Office of Economic Development provides rich business resources to foster retail, tourism, manufacturing, distribution and business opportunities. Cedar City & Iron County are within one days trucking from major western markets, with immediate access to Interstate 15, a regional airport and railroad connectivity. We are recognized for our seamless business development process, an educated workforce pipeline known for longevity, and an unmatched quality of life with fresh air, access to national parks and home of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Learn more at www.cedarcityut.gov/econdev and follow us on Facebook.

Attachments
Burlingame, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global sustainable tourism market size was valued at US$ 2.61 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 8.73 Billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.8% from 2024 to 2031, as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights. Increasing environmental concerns among tourists as well as tourism organizations is driving the growth of sustainable tourism market. Tourists are increasingly concerned about damage caused to local environments and cultures by mass tourism and are seeking travel options that are more sustainable and ethical.



Market Dynamics:

The sustainable tourism market is primarily driven by rising consumer preference for eco-friendly travel experiences. According to a survey conducted by Booking.com in 2021, over 80% of global travelers prefer sustainable travel options. Further, growing awareness about climate change and its impacts is encouraging travelers to choose tourism activities and destinations that minimize environmental footprint. Additionally, implementation of favorable government policies and regulations to promote sustainable development in the tourism industry across various countries is also aiding market growth. For instance, European Commission adopted "A Sustainable European Tourism: Towards a European Agenda for Tourism Competitiveness and Sustainability" in 2013 to develop sustainable tourism in Europe.

Request Sample Report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/6869

Market Trends:

Introduction of sustainability certification programs and frameworks is one of the key trends being observed in the sustainable tourism market. Certifications help tourism businesses to measure, benchmark and improve their sustainability performance. Some popular certifications offered include Travelife, Green Key, and Green Globe. Moreover, advancement in technology is playing a vital role in enabling sustainable tourism practices. For instance, deployment of IoT, virtual and augmented reality is allowing stakeholders to develop innovative solutions for real-time monitoring of resource usage, waste generation and managing visitor traffic flow. This helps in improving the environmental and socio-economic impact of tourism activities.

Sustainable Tourism Market Report Coverage

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $2.61 billion Estimated Value by 2031 $8.73 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 18.8% Historical Data 20192023 Forecast Period 20242031 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Type, By Traveler Type, By Age Group Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Growth Drivers  Rising environmental awareness



 Rise of experience-seeking travelers Restraints & Challenges  Lack of standardization and certification for sustainability practices



 Absence of common standards and certification

Market Opportunities:

Ecological tourism focuses on learning about nature and sustainability. It involves visiting natural areas including forests, rivers, coastlines and visiting protected areas. Tourists participate in activities such as hiking, camping, wildlife viewing and interacting with local communities that depend on these ecosystems for their livelihoods in a sustainable manner. Ecological tourism promotes environmental conservation and supports green jobs and economies in local communities. It accounted for over 30% of the global sustainable tourism market in 2024.

Community-based tourism involves small local communities hosting travelers and tourists. It promotes socio-cultural interactions between hosts and guests and supports local livelihoods. Tourists stay with local families, participate in their daily activities, experience the local culture and cuisine. This helps empower communities economically by generating local income and employment. It ensures benefits directly reach the local community. This segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20% during 2024-2030.

Immediate Delivery Available | Buy This Premium Research Report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/6869

Key Market Takeaways

The global sustainable tourism market is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 18.8% during the forecast period 2024-2031, driven by rising environmental concerns and demand for responsible travel experiences.

On the basis of tourism type, the international tourism segment accounted for over 65% market share in 2024. The domestic tourism segment within countries is also gaining ground supported by staycations and visiting local destinations as a result of travel restrictions during the pandemic.

By age group, the millennial segment ranging from 22-39 years is expected to be the highest spending group. They are more inclined toward unique travel experiences and open to paying premium for sustainable options.

Regionally, North America dominated the market in 2024 attributed to growing health and wellness tourism along with presence of high disposable income consumers. However, Asia Pacific is likely to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period supported by China, India and countries promoting domestic tourism growth.

Some of the leading players operating in the global sustainable tourism market include Basecamp Explorer AS, Beyonder Experiences, Intrepid Travel, G Adventures, Small World Journeys and REDAVIA. There is growing consolidation in the industry with engagement of larger organizations.

Recent Developments:

In May 2022, To highlight its commitment to sustainability, MSC Cruises, an international cruise operator based in Italy, introduced approximately 1,400 summer itineraries with a sustainability theme. The new tour aims to lessen the negative effects of tourism on the environment and promote "nature-positive" endeavors.

Customize this study as per your requirement: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/6869

Market Segmentation

By Type:

Coastal Tourism

Mountain Tourism

Island Tourism

Others

By Traveler Type:

Solo

Group

Family

Couples

By Age Group:

Millennial

Baby Boomers

Generation X

Silver hair

By Regional:

North America:

U.S.

Canada

Latin America:

Brazil

Argentina

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Europe:

Germany

U.K.

Spain

France

Italy

Russia

Rest of Europe



Asia Pacific:

China

India

Japan

Australia

South Korea

ASEAN

Rest of Asia Pacific



Middle East:

GCC Countries

Israel

Rest of Middle East



Africa:

South Africa

North Africa

Central Africa



Browse More Insights:

Ethnic Tourism Market: The ethnic tourism market is estimated to be valued at USD 13.94 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 35.54 Bn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.3% from 2024 to 2031.

Urban Tourism Market: Global urban tourism market is estimated to be valued at USD 6.98 TN in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 10.56 TN by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% from 2024 to 2031.

LGBT Tourism Market: The LGBT tourism market is estimated to be valued at USD 331.14 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 552.96 Bn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6% from 2024 to 2031.

Shopping Tourism Market: The Global Shopping Tourism Market is estimated to be valued at USD 267.21 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 497.97 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3% from 2024 to 2031.

About Us:

Coherent Market Insights is a global market intelligence and consulting organization that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. We are known for our actionable insights and authentic reports in various domains including aerospace and defense, agriculture, food and beverages, automotive, chemicals and materials, and virtually all domains and an exhaustive list of sub-domains under the sun. We create value for clients through our highly reliable and accurate reports. We are also committed in playing a leading role in offering insights in various sectors post-COVID-19 and continue to deliver measurable, sustainable results for our clients.
NEW YORK, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Are you a former investor in Northern Genesis Acquisition Corp., now known as the The Lion Electric Company (NYSE: LEV)? If so, Monteverde & Associates PC (Monteverde) encourages you to immediately contact Monteverde regarding the class action lawsuit filed by the firm in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, case no. 1:24-cv-02155 (the Federal Class Action). There is a June 10, 2024 deadline to seek to be appointed lead plaintiff.



WHAT TO DO NOW : Contact Monteverde by clicking here and providing the firm with your information: http://monteverdelaw.com/case/northern-genesis-acquisition-corporation/.

It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

WHY : The Federal Class Action seeks damages for stockholders such as yourself who were harmed by Northern Genesis Acquisition Corp. (NGA) and its board of directors alleged violations of Sections 10(b), 14(a), and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with the 2021 de-SPAC transaction (Merger) between NGA and The Lion Electric Company (Lion Electric). The claims in the Federal Class Action are asserted against NGA, NGAs directors and officers, Lion Electric, and certain directors and officers of Lion Electric. Mr. Juan Monteverde is available to personally discuss this case with you further.

Monteverde & Associates PC is a national class action securities and consumer litigation law firm that has recovered millions of dollars and is committed to protecting shareholders and consumers from corporate wrongdoing. Monteverde & Associates lawyers have significant experience litigating Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities Class Actions, whereby they protect investors by recovering money and remedying corporate misconduct.

- - - - - - - - - -

Contact information:

Juan E. Monteverde, Esq.

MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC

The Empire State Building

350 Fifth Ave, Suite 4740

New York, NY 10118

jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com

Tel: (212) 971-1341

Attorney Advertising. (C) 2024 Monteverde & Associates PC. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.
MIAMI, FL, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solum Global, Inc. (Solum Global or the Company), a transparent digital network where cryptocurrencies and real-world assets meet, unveiled today a fully decentralized, permissionless blockchain protocol for storing, trading, and transferring digital assets and gold between individuals, businesses, and governments anywhere in the world. The Solum Solution is a unique protocol that will digitally connect access to traders on the Dubai Gold Exchange, gold reserves in Africa and the United States, and gold bullion dealers across the globe. The protocol will allow digital currency holders to utilize their cryptocurrency assets to purchase, sell, store, and receive gold easily.

I am very proud of our entire team for creating a product that provides a new means of transacting, transferring, and storing gold that, for the first time in modern history, is universally accessible to all levels of society and economic strata, said Kirk St Johns, Co-founder, and CEO of Solum Global.

The Company is hosting a series of informational dinner events across the U.S. to demonstrate the Solum Solution live. The first event occurs June 13, 2024, in Atlanta, GA. Kirk St Johns, CEO of Solum Global, will be the featured speaker and unveil the Solum wallet, digital gold solution, and corporate investment opportunity. For those interested in attending a dinner event or learning more about the Solum Global opportunity, visit www.solum.events/credentials .

About Solum Global

Solum Global, Inc. is a transparent digital network with a fully decentralized, permissionless blockchain protocol for storing, trading, and transferring digital assets and gold between individuals, businesses, and governments worldwide. The Company, based in West Palm Beach, Florida, offers a secure solution integrating global digital currencies and real-world assets (GOLD) with immediate settlement between parties across a variety of platforms, networks, and systems. www.solum.global .

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as may, might, should, believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, continue, predict, forecast, project, plan, intend or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

MEDIA CONTACT

media@solum.global




NEW YORK, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP:



Do you, or did you, own shares of UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH)?

Did you purchase your shares between March 14, 2022 and February 27, 2024, inclusive?

Did you lose money in your investment in UnitedHealth Group Inc.?

Do you want to discuss your rights?

Bernstein Liebhard LLP announces that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the common stock of UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UnitedHealth or the Company) (NYSE: UNH) between March 14, 2022 and February 27, 2024, inclusive (the Class Period). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the Complaint).

If you purchased or acquired UnitedHealth common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit UnitedHealth Group Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@bernlieb.com.

UnitedHealth is a health care and well-being company comprised of two distinct and complementary businesses: Optum and UnitedHealthcare. UnitedHealthcare provides health insurance to individuals, employers, and small businesses and is the largest insurance provider in the United States. Optum provides healthcare-related services, including software solutions, payment services, and data analytics.

On February 24, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit challenging UnitedHealths previously announced acquisition of Change Healthcare (Change). The DOJ alleged that the proposed acquisition would violate antitrust laws because the integration of Change and Optum would give UnitedHealth unparalleled access to information regarding nearly every health insurer, as well as health data on every single American. UnitedHealth assured the DOJ, investors and customers that Optum would maintain robust firewall processes to prevent confidential supervisory information (CSI) from being shared between Optum and UnitedHealthcare.

On February 27, 2024, the Wall Street Journal reported that the DOJ had re-opened its antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth. In that article, the public learned for the first time that the DOJ was investigating the relationships between the Companys various segments, including Optum.

UnitedHealth was aware of the DOJ investigation since at least October 2023. Instead of disclosing this material investigation to investors or the public, UnitedHealth insiders sold more than $120 million of their personally held UnitedHealth shares. In the four months between learning about the DOJ investigation and the investigation becoming public, UnitedHealths Chairman Stephen Hemsley sold over $102 million of his personally held UnitedHealth shares and Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, sold over $15 million of his personally held UnitedHealth shares.

On this news, UnitedHealths stock price fell $15.14 per share, or 2.95%, to close at $498.28 per share on February 28, 2024.

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 15, 2024 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesnt require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.

If you purchased or acquired UnitedHealth common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit UnitedHealth Group Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@bernlieb.com.

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journals Plaintiffs Hot List thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2024 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:

Peter Allocco

Investor Relations Manager

Bernstein Liebhard LLP

https://www.bernlieb.com

(212) 951-2030

pallocco@bernlieb.com
Washington, D. C., June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Real estate executive and philanthropist Robert J. Neal was elected as the chairman of The Catholic University of Americas Board of Trustees on Tuesday. Neal succeeds Victor Smith, J.D. 1996, who served as chair since 2021, and on the Board of Trustees since 2006.

Bishop John O. Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y, was elected vice chairman. Bishop Barres has been on the Board since 2019 and has served as a bishop fellow on the board since last year.

In addition, five new additions were made to the Board of Trustees, including Bishop David L. Toups of the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas, investor and philanthropist Tim Connors, technology executive John Corcoran, executive Ed Gillespie, B.A. 1983, and Javier Mazariegos, B.A. 2023.

We are grateful to Rob for his willingness and enthusiasm to take on this crucial leadership role for the University, President Peter Kilpatrick said. Robs experience, insights, and instincts will further strengthen our commitment to being a premier higher education institution that leads and serves in the Catholic Church and the nation.

I would also like to express my deep gratitude to Victor for his long service to the board. We will miss his excellent leadership and contagious enthusiasm for the mission, said Kilpatrick.

Neal said I am very excited for the future of CUA. The University will continue to build a world class faculty and attract students from across the globe who are drawn to the opportunities of study and faith in Washington DC.

Neal, of Newport Beach, California, is a managing partner with Hager Pacific Properties . He is also an active community member, and he holds or has held board positions with The Papal Foundation, The Becket Fund, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Leadership Institute and Second Harvest Food Bank.

Neal led the Universitys board of trustees impact scholarship initiative and has actively supported impact scholarships to increase enrollment at the University by funding 20 students via the program. He has also supported efforts to advance the visibility of the university at events such as the National Eucharistic Congress.

Rob and his wife, Berni, have been married almost 40 years and are parents of two adult children and grandparents of two granddaughters.

Bishop Barres, an alumnus of Catholic University, has been actively engaged in lifting the visibility of the University on Long Island, hosting and partnering with the university in outreach events and supporting the Universitys partnership with the Catholic Faith Network. His diocese has consistently ranked among the top contributors to the National Collection for Catholic University.

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Washington, DC, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 80 prominent organizations from around the country joined together to kick off Blood Advocacy Week by urging Members of Congress to take key actions to support the blood supply as a national priority. The joint letter to Congress is available here. Blood Advocacy Week is an annual initiative spearheaded by Americas Blood Centers that unites stakeholders to advocate for policies that highlight the importance of blood for patients, communities, and the healthcare system.

More than 80 organizations are coming together during Blood Advocacy Week 2024 to urge action in support of the nations blood supply. We write to urge your support in making our blood supply a national priority and ensuring that blood is always available for those in need. It is crucial to take key actions to strengthen and diversify Americas donor base, wrote the organizations.

The letter urges Congress to provide federal funding for community blood centers to strengthen education and awareness efforts about blood donation, establish a program to expand pre-hospital blood transfusion, and create a demonstration program for palliative blood transfusions outside of hospice care.

Blood transfusion remains one of the most common hospital procedures, with patients requiring a blood transfusion every two seconds. More than 42,000 units of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma are used by patients every day. These blood transfusions are needed to treat patients with acute care needs such as trauma and blood loss during childbirth, as well as for disease management for patients with a variety of health conditions, including cancer, inherited blood disorders, cardiovascular and orthopedic surgeries, and organ and bone marrow transplants.

Partners taking part in Blood Advocacy Week include the American Society of Hematology, American Society for Clinical Pathology, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, Centerlink, Cerus, Civil Air Patrol, the Crescent Foundation, Elks, Georgia Health Policy Center, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, HOSA Future Health Professionals, Johnson and Johnson, LifeFactors, Macopharma, National Bleeding Disorders Foundation, North Arundel County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Operation Pulse Lift, Sickle Cell Foundation of Minnesota, Sick Cells, Thalassemia International Federation, Terumo, the Thrive with Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency Organization, University Blood Initiative, and Whitman-Walker Health.

These organizations are joined by community blood centers and blood organizations across the country, including ADRP: The Association for Blood Donor Professionals, Alliance for Community Transfusion Services (ACTS), Blood Assurance, Blood Bank of Alaska, Blood Bank of Delmarva, Blood Bank of Hawaii, Blood Centers of America, Bloodworks Northwest, Carter BloodCare, Central California Blood Center, Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Coastal Bend Blood Center, Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania & Western New York, Community Blood Center, Community Blood Center (Appleton), Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, Connecticut Blood Center, ConnectLife, Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, Houchin Community Blood Bank, Hoxworth Blood Center, ImpactLife, Inova Blood Donor Services, Kentucky Blood Center, LIFELINE Blood Services, LifeServe Blood Center, LifeShare Blood Center, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, LifeStream, MEDIC Regional Blood Center, Memorial Blood Centers, Miller-Keystone Blood Center, Mississippi Blood Services, National Blood Testing Cooperative, Nebraska Community Blood Bank, New Jersey Blood Services, New York Blood Center, Northern California Community Blood Bank, OneBlood, Our Blood Institute, Rhode Island Blood Center, Rock River Valley Blood Center, San Diego Blood Bank, Shepeard Community Blood Center, Solvita, South Texas Blood & Tissue, Stanford Blood Center, SunCoast Blood Centers, Texoma Regional Blood Center, The Blood Center (New Orleans), The Blood Connection, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, UCI Health Blood Donor Center, Versiti, Vitalant, We Are Blood, and Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center.

Founded in 1962, Americas Blood Centers is the national organization bringing together community-based, independent blood centers. Its member organizations operate more than 600 blood collection sites providing close to 60 percent of the U.S., and a quarter of the Canadian, blood supply. These blood centers serve more than 150 million people and provide blood products and services to more than 3,500 hospitals and healthcare facilities across North America. All ABC U.S. members are licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more information, visit www.AmericasBlood.org.

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NEWMAN, Calif., June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dairy Council of California, in collaboration with Raleys, Legacy Health Endowment and Community Health Centers of America, celebrated the First 1,000 Days Dairy Initiative at Nob Hill Foods in Newman, CA. The event brought together Central Valley community members, healthcare providers and media partners to highlight the initiatives positive impact on nutrition access for families with young children.



The First 1,000 Days Dairy Initiative, supported by a $250,000 grant from Legacy Health Endowment, aims to provide culturally relevant nutrition education and resources. The initiative focuses on helping families with children between 6 months and 2 years of age, offering monthly funds to purchase nutrient-dense milk and dairy products.

Dairy Council of California CEO Amy DeLisio, shared her enthusiasm for the programs success: We are incredibly proud of the positive impact the First 1,000 Days Dairy Initiative is making. Our partnership with Raleys Company Stores, Legacy Health Endowment and Community Health Centers of America enables us to support families in their journey towards better nutrition during the critical early years of their childrens lives. Event attendees heard from a distinguished panel of speakers, including representatives from the Dairy Council of California, Raleys, Legacy Health Endowment and program participants.

In addition to the panel, the event featured a display of program materials and a sampling of dairy recipes made with items in the program. A detailed map of the store was provided to attendees, indicating where to find the specific dairy products that are part of the initiative, ensuring easy access for participating families.

One program participant expressed her gratitude: This program has been a lifesaver for my family. The nutrition education and dairy offers have made a big difference in my childrens health and my ability to feed my family. Im thankful for the Dairy Council of California and their partners for this program.

In addition to learning about the initiative, members of the media and community partners were given the opportunity to engage with program participants and network with leaders in the field of nutrition, fostering a lively interactive atmosphere and encouraging meaningful conversations about the initiatives impact and nutrition and health benefits of dairy foods.

Dairy Council of California remains committed to advancing the health of children and families through innovative partnerships and educational programs. For more information about the First 1,000 Days Dairy Initiative, please visit www.dairycouncilofca.org.

About Dairy Council of California

Dairy Council of California is a nutrition organization working together with champions to elevate the health of children and communities through lifelong healthy eating patterns. Focusing on education, advocacy, dairy agricultural literacy and collaboration, Dairy Council of California advances the health benefits of milk and dairy foods as part of the solution to achieving nutrition security and sustainable food systems. Learn more at DairyCouncilofCA.org.

About Raleys

Raleys is a family-operated customer experience grocery company. Founded in 1935, Raleys stores are the destination for the best fresh products, affordable offerings and personalized service. The companys commitment to infusing life with health and happiness by changing the way the world eats, one plate at a time, has made it a trusted source for food, nutrition, and wellness. Raleys strives to enhance transparency and education in the food system in order to help customers make more informed, healthy food choices. Raleys operates 121 stores under four banners: Raleys, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods and Raleys O-N-E Market. Making healthier offerings accessible to everyone, Raleys has expanded beyond the store to operate grocery curbside pick-up and delivery in their nearby communities. Visit at www.raleys.com. Raleys is a division of The Raleys Companies.

Contact:

Meggan Rush

Communications Manager

Dairy Council of California

(916) 263-3560

mrush@dairycouncilofca.org

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38692d61-d441-4fa3-a118-3057b95f7244

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/906294d7-1fe2-425d-ba8a-e23b27f165c6
Washington, DC, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Mint (Mint) 2024 American Women Quarters rolls and bags honoring Dr. Mary Edwards Walker will be available for purchase on June 17 at noon EDT. The Dr. Mary Edwards Walker quarter is the 13th coin in the American Women Quarters Program, a four-year program that celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women who have shaped our Nations history and helped pave the way for generations that followed.

The rolls and bags product options include:

Priced at $45.00, a bag of 100 circulating quality quarters minted in Philadelphia (product code 24WBE)

Priced at $45.00, a bag of 100 circulating quality quarters minted in Denver (product code 24WBF)

Priced at $40.00, a two-roll set containing a total of 80 circulating quality quarters minted in Philadelphia and Denver (product code 24WRE)

Priced at $60.00, a three-roll set containing a total of 120 circulating quality quarters minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco (product code 24WRF)

Orders for the 100-coin bags are limited to 10 per household, while orders for the two-roll and three-roll sets are limited to three per household on the first day.

Sign up to receive Remind Me alerts by visiting the official product listing page.

The American Women Quarters rolls and bags are also available for purchase through the Mints Subscription Program. These subscriptions work like a magazine subscription. After you sign up, you will receive the next product released in the series and continue to receive products until you end your subscription. Visit our subscriptions page to learn more.

Because of overwhelming demand, much of the production of the three-roll sets is accounted for through subscription. A limited quantity will be available for purchase on June 17 at noon EDT.

The coins reverse (tails) features a depiction of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker holding her pocket surgical kit, with the Medal of Honor on her uniform, and surgeons pin at her collar. After receiving the award, she continued to wear the Medal of Honor for the rest of her life. The left side of the design showcases the details of the Medal of Honor. The inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, 25 CENTS, DR. MARY EDWARDS WALKER, and MEDAL OF HONOR 1865.

United States Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill created and sculpted the reverse design.

Each coin in this series features a common obverse (heads) design depicting a portrait of George Washington. This design was originally composed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser as a candidate entry for the 1932 quarter, which honored the bicentennial of George Washingtons birth. The inscriptions are LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 2024.

Begun in 2022, and continuing through 2025, the Mint is issuing five new quarter dollar reverse designs each year. The American Women Quarters Program is authorized by the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-330).

Inspire women everywhere. Shop the American Women Quarters Program today and start collecting this historic series honoring extraordinary women whose achievements, triumphs, and legacies reflect the strength and resilience of our Nation.

The groundbreaking American Women Quarters Program is an excellent way to remind future generations what can be accomplished with vision, determination, and a desire to improve opportunities for all. Subscribe to the program today to ensure fulfillment of your favorite product through 2025.

About the United States Mint

Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nations sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.

Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept, nor honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date of June 17, 2024, at noon EDT.

Please use the United States Mint catalog site at https://catalog.usmint.gov/ as your primary source of the most current information on product and service status or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Visit https://www.usmint.gov/news/image-library/american-women-quarters-program#walker for product images.

Visit https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-and-medal-programs/american-women-quarters for additional information about the American Women Quarters Program.

Visit https://www.usmint.gov/about for information about the United States Mint.

Visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/email-signup to subscribe to United States Mint electronic product notifications, news releases, public statements, and the monthly educational newsletter, Lessons That Make Cents .

. Sign up for RSS Feeds and follow the Mint on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

# # #

United States Mint  Connecting America through Coins

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VANCOUVER, June 10, 2024 - Thesis Gold Inc. ("Thesis" or the "Company") (TSXV: TAU | WKN: A3EP87 | OTCQX: THSGF) is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into an agreement with Clarus Securities Inc. as lead agent (the "Lead Agent") and bookrunner (the "Bookrunner"), on behalf of a syndicate of agents (collectively, the "Agents"), in connection with a marketed best-efforts equity private placement of up to approximately C$20 million (the "Offering").

Dr. Ewan Webster, President and CEO, commented, "This financing is a pivotal step in advancing our strategic objectives. This funding will enable us to accelerate critical path items, optimize our exploration and development activities, and ultimately enhance the value of our Lawyers-Ranch Project. By securing these additional resources, we are better positioned to achieve our ambitious goals and deliver substantial value to our shareholders."

The Offering will consist of (i) up to 8,849,500 premium flow-through common shares (the "Premium FT Shares") at a price of $1.13 per Premium FT Share for gross proceeds of up to $9,999,935; (ii) up to 5,555,600 flow-through common shares (the "FT Shares") at a price of $0.90 per FT Share for gross proceeds of up to $5,000,040; and (iii) up to 6,666,600 non flow-through common shares (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.75 per Common Share for gross proceeds of up to $4,999,950. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable securities laws. The Company does not expect that the Offering will result in the creation of any new control person of the Company. The Offering is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

In consideration of the services rendered by the Agents in connection with the Offering, the Company has agreed to pay to the Agents upon closing of the Offering (the "Closing") a cash commission equal to 6% of the gross proceeds from the Offering (the "Agents' Commission"). In addition, the Company agreed to issue to the Agents on Closing, non-transferable compensation options (the "Compensation Options") to acquire a number of common shares of the Company which is equal to 6% of the aggregate number of Premium FT Shares, FT Shares and Common Shares of the Company sold under the Offering, at an exercise price equal to $0.95 per share for a period of 18 months following the date of Closing. The Company also agreed to pay all reasonable costs and expenses of the Agents in connection with the Offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to fund exploration and development expenditures at the Company's Lawyers-Ranch Project in British Columbia and for working capital purposes.

The gross proceeds from the sale of Premium FT Shares and FT Shares will be used by the Company to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's projects in Canada. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the Flow-Through Shares effective December 31, 2024. The net proceeds from the sale of the shares will be used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Offering is scheduled to close on or before June 25, 2024, and is subject to certain conditions. The securities to be issued under this Offering will be offered by way of private placement exemptions in all the provinces of Canada and other jurisdictions as may be agreed between the Company and the Agents.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Thesis Gold Inc.

"Ewan Webster"

Ewan Webster Ph.D., P.Geo.

President, CEO, and Director

About Thesis Gold Inc.

Thesis Gold is unlocking the combined potential of the Lawyers-Ranch Gold-Silver Project in the Toodoggone mining district of north central British Columbia, Canada. A 2022 Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Lawyers project alone projected an open-pit mining operation yielding an average of 163,000 gold equivalent ounces annually over a 12-year span1. By integrating the Ranch Project, the Company aims to enhance the economics and bolster the overall project's potential. Central to this ambition was the expansive 2023 drill program, which continues to define a high-grade out-of-pit Mineral Resource at Lawyers and augment the near-surface high-grade deposits at Ranch. The project now boasts a combined Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource of 4.0 Moz and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 727 koz, at respective grades of 1.51 and 1.82 g/t AuEq2. The Company roadmap includes, new metallurgical work (now delivered), a robust 2024 exploration and drill program and a combined updated Preliminary Economic Assessment slated for Q3 2024. Through these strategic moves, Thesis Gold intends to elevate the Ranch-Lawyers Project to the forefront of global precious metals ventures.

1Please refer to the Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment entitled, "Preliminary Economic Assessment, Lawyers Gold-Silver Project" with an effective date of September 9, 2022 filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

2Details of the mineral resource estimate will be provided in a technical report with an expected effective date of May 1, 2024, prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101-Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), which will be filed under the Company's SEDAR+ profile on or about June 13, 2024.

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc, P.Geol., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101.

For further information or investor relations inquiries, please contact:

Dave Burwell

Vice President Corporate Development

Email: daveb@thesisgold.com

Tel: 403-410-7907

Toll Free: 1-888-221-0915

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's recently completed financings and the future plans or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis, which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
VANCOUVER, June 10, 2024 - Orezone Gold Corp. (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (the "Company" or "Orezone") reports that all resolutions from the Company's annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on June 7, 2024 (the "Meeting") were approved with 61.45% of the total issued and outstanding shares of the Company represented at the Meeting.

Following the Meeting, the directors of the Company appointed Mr. Sean Harvey as Chair of the board of directors.

Sean Harvey, Chair stated "On behalf of the Company and the board, I would like to thank all of the shareholders who voted and to welcome Ms. Tara Hassan as Orezone's newest board member. In addition, we are grateful for Mr. Michael Halvorson for his past leadership and dedication to Orezone during his tenure as Chair and director. Under Mr. Halvorson's guidance, the Company achieved significant milestones as it advanced Bombore from an exploration stage project through development and into production. We also want to thank Mr. Charles Oliver who was a long-standing member of the board and made invaluable contributions to the Company.

I am honoured to assume the role of Chair and look forward to working alongside this talented and dedicated team. The Company is focused on deleveraging the balance sheet, building a strong treasury with the upcoming construction of the Stage I Hard Rock Expansion and a continued focus on exploration with a planned multi-year campaign."

Patrick Downey, President & CEO stated "On behalf of the board and shareholders, I welcome both Sean and Tara into their new appointments. Sean has an extremely well-established track record in West Africa and his experience will have a positive influence as the Company continues to establish a platform for growth.

With respect to the Hard Rock Expansion, we are finalizing the debt proposal received from Coris Bank and expect to enter into a binding term sheet this month. With regards to the multi-year exploration campaign, drilling is anticipated to commence in Q3-2024. The focus of this program will be to add additional high-grade ounces to the project's mineral inventory, in addition to testing the broader Tier 1 potential of the Bombore mineralized system. With the current mineral resource down to an average depth of ~200m across 14km of strike, we see significant potential to advance on both fronts."

Results of Voting

Detailed voting results for the election of directors are as follows:

Nominee For % For Against % Against Joe Conway 216,095,152 98.99% 2,195,913 1.01% Patrick Downey 216,677,958 99.26% 1,613,107 0.74% Rob Doyle 216,917,377 99.37% 1,373,688 0.63% Kate Harcourt 217,717,302 99.74% 573,763 0.26% Sean Harvey 216,222,198 99.05% 2,068,867 0.95% Tara Hassan 216,918,822 99.37% 1,372,243 0.63% Marco LoCascio 215,853,765 98.88% 2,437,300 1.12% Matthew Quinlan 216,957,736 99.39% 1,333,329 0.61%

Additional matters approved at the Meeting are as follows:

The number of directors was fixed at eight.

The amendment to increase the number of common shares reserved under the Company's Restricted Share Unit Plan by 7,500,000 common shares for a total of 15,000,000 common shares was approved.

The amendment to increase the number of common shares reserved under the Company's Deferred Share Unit Plan by 2,500,000 common shares for a total of 5,000,000 common shares was approved.

The Advance Notice By-Law was ratified and approved.

Deloitte LLP was appointed as auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, and the board of directors was authorized to fix their remuneration.



The "Report of Voting Results", which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ and on the Company's website, discloses the detailed voting results for the above resolutions. For additional details, please also see the Management Information Circular of the Company dated May 10, 2024.

About Orezone Gold Corporation

Orezone Gold Corp. (TSX: ORE OTCQX: ORZCF) is a West African gold producer engaged in mining, developing, and exploring its flagship Bombore Gold Mine in Burkina Faso. The Bombore mine achieved commercial production on its oxide operations on December 1, 2022, and is now focussed on its staged hard rock expansion that is expected to materially increase annual and life-of-mine gold production from the processing of hard rock mineral reserves. Orezone is led by an experienced team focused on social responsibility and sustainability with a proven track record in project construction and operations, financings, capital markets and M&A.

The technical report entitled Bombore Phase II Expansion, Definitive Feasibility Study is available on SEDAR+ and the Company's website.

Patrick Downey

President and Chief Executive Officer

Vanessa Pickering

Manager, Investor Relations

Tel: 1 778 945 8977 / Toll Free: 1 888 673 0663

info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com

For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (778) 945-8977 or visit the Company's website at www.orezone.com.

The Toronto Stock Exchange neither approves nor disapproves the information contained in this news release.
on Mt. Ephraim Avenue in the heart of the Whitman Park neighborhood of Camden, N.J., stained-glass windows are riddled with bullet holes. On a recent Saturday afternoon, pastor David King pointed out street corners near the church where men have been gunned down. Sometimes, he says, people have run inside the sanctuary for safety when drug deals go bad. On the streets of Whitman Park, King says, theres like a drug script that never shuts down.Whitman Park has become ground zero in the battle to take back one of Americas most crime-plagued cities. For the past several years, the crime rate in Camden, just across the river from Philadelphia, has consistently ranked in the top five nationally. In 2012, Camden saw a record-high murder rate that rivaled national rates of the most dangerous countries. Signs of crime are everywhere. Houses and storefronts sit abandoned. Some of the empty buildings have become hotbeds for drug crime; others serve as makeshift memorials to those who have been killed, with names and dates spray-painted on front porches. A stop the violence mural decorates the base of a rusting water tower.In the face of this violence, Camden did something quite radical: It disbanded its 141-year-old police force. In its place, the surrounding county formed a new police department that it wants to expand to other jurisdictions outside the city. The Camden County Police Department rehired most of the laid-off cops, along with nearly 100 other officers, but at much lower salaries and with fewer benefits than they had received from the city.Across the country, strapped budgets have pushed municipalities to consider consolidating some services, including public safety, with neighboring communities. Some are sharing patrol cars or facilities with other jurisdictions; others have merged departments. But Camdens move is unprecedented in that no other major U.S. city has completely dissolved its force for a wholly new department that does not yet include other jurisdictions. The plan is to create a truly regional force run by the county. So far, though, its only operating in the city of Camden.One year in, its too soon to say whether the change will be effective in turning around Camdens crime. Some pockets of the city have seen crime decline; other areas havent changed much. In the first 12 months of the new department ending in April, the city of 77,000 recorded 57 homicides. Thats down from a record 67 in 2012, but its still higher than the citys annual average of 48 in the last five years of the prior department.More recently, police reported year-over-year declines for nearly all crime types for the first quarter of this year. Leaders attribute the decrease, at least in part, to the reorganized force that still isn't fully staffed. Weve started taking back sectors of the city on behalf of the residents, says Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. Children are playing in playgrounds and parks that they havent played in for years.Some in the law enforcement community, though, remain skeptical about whether the move was the right one. Maria Haberfeld, a department chair at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, says shes concerned about the loss of institutional knowledge of the former officers who were laid off. Ditching the old department and building an entirely new one, she contends, wont solve Camdens problems. Creating a new department, she says, is a completely misguided approach to effective policing.in Whitman Park over the past year: the number of cops on the street. Thanks to the reorganized force, there are now far more officers throughout Camden -- walking their beat in tandem, talking with residents, driving patrol cars.Back in 2011, budget cuts led Camden to ax half its police force. At its low point, Camden was down to 175 officers, with as few as a dozen patrolling the entire city during peak crime hours at night. For a high-crime area like Camden, those numbers are anemic. Making things worse, the remaining officers frequently had to do double duty on administrative tasks, meaning they were stuck behind a desk. The department had become completely reactionary, unable to focus on proactive policing measures, says Chief Scott Thomson, who ran the former city department and now runs the new county force as well. Our ability to police the city, he says, had been reduced to a triage unit going from emergency to emergency.When the city began publicly considering the dissolution option, it was, not surprisingly, met with some fierce opposition. As policymakers weighed the issue, a group of residents submitted a ballot initiative to stop the city from moving forward. The mayor and the city council president sued to block the petition. A superior court judge ruled in their favor, but the petitions eventual fate will be decided by the state Supreme Court later this year.Meanwhile, the city went ahead with the plan. On May 1, 2013, Camden laid off its entire force and the county took over. The city paid the county $62 million for operational costs and leased its police administration building for $1. Critics decried the reorganization as nothing more than union busting. By laying off the officers and rehiring them as county employees, Camden was able to slash officer pay and cut benefits roughly in half. In all, average per officer costs were trimmed from $182,168 to $99,605, according to county figures.With those savings, the department, which has since unionized, hired scores of new officers while keeping overall costs about the same. An analysis of police employment data indicates that in the course of a year, Camden has gone from a bare-bones force to having at or near the highest police presence of any larger U.S. city on a per capita basis. By the time the force is fully staffed, which the county expects will be later this summer, Camden will have 411 full-time sworn officers, or about 53 for every 10,000 residents. Cities of populations exceeding 50,000 employed an average of 17 officers per 10,000 residents in the most recent 2012 data reported to the FBI. Only Washington, D.C., recorded a higher tally that year  about 61 officers per 10,000 residents  than Camden will once its new force is fully up and running.Many of the newly minted officers are young recruits with either no prior or only part-time experience, a top concern for some local residents. To get them up to speed, the department has turned to its veteran officers. The former city police officers who came over were the most important part of the puzzle with indoctrinating the new officers to the city, the neighborhoods and policing, Chief Thomson says. Newly certified officers attend a regional police academy and complete another eight weeks of field training to prepare for the challenging environment Camden poses. Until youre actually there doing it on a day-to-day basis, its hard to wrap your head around it, says Sgt. Kevin Lutz, who trains recruits at the academy. We do our best to explain to them the different experiences weve had in the past, and try and really get them prepared for what theyre about to do.For Camden residents, the influx of additional police has taken some getting used to. Officers are making more traffic stops and issuing tickets for minor violations, such as tinted windows and obstructed license plates. Theyre citing bicyclists for failing to have a bell or other audible device on their bikes. Even pastor King expressed frustration over being pulled over five times within a month for, among other things, driving with a broken headlight during the day. Many locals view the citations, which they say were never before enforced, as harassment. Police, however, say the citys most egregious offenders also commit these types of minor violations. Armed robbery suspects, for instance, often drive cars with tinted windows. Drug dealers deploy lookouts on bikes. We are going to leverage every legal option that we have to deter their criminal activity, says Thomson.There have been other clashes. The makeup of the newly expanded force is more suburban -- and much more white -- than the old city police department. More than two-thirds of the former departments officers were minorities; they now account for about 43 percent of sworn personnel in a city that is 95 percent minority. Thats a problem, says Colandus Kelly Francis, head of the Camden County NAACP. Most of them had never set foot in the city of Camden, says Francis. They dont know whos who. Pastor King also suspects the new majority-white police force must overcome perceptions of kids in the neighborhood who arent yet accustomed to seeing them. Its going to be very hard for them to step into a place like Camden, he says. Maybe theyll grab it later on, but theres a whole method to dealing with folks here.The key to bridging any divides between officers and city residents, Thomson says, is increasing interaction. When a cop works hand in glove with them to fix the problems that are keeping them from sleeping at night, Thomson says, they dont care what the color of the skin of that officer is, what the accent is in his voice or where he grew up. Accordingly, the department has placed a major emphasis on a community policing strategy. Officers routinely walk the beat, listening to residents concerns and hosting Meet Your Officers events to further engage residents -- things they couldnt do before with such a limited force.As part of the new department, the county has also implemented some state-of-the-art technological advancements. Inside its Real Time Tactical Operation Intelligence Center, analysts pore over monitors displaying surveillance cameras throughout the city. On a recent afternoon, one analyst conducting a virtual patrol moved from camera to camera, zeroing in on possible drug activity at Fourth and Vine streets. The departments monitoring system displays locations of police cruisers, cameras, calls and reports of gunshots all on a single integrated map. Outside, shot sensors and more than 120 cameras now blanket the city. For a birds-eye view of an area, police can deploy Sky Patrol, a mobile observation tower that extends 40 feet high. Theyve also equipped some police cruisers with license plate readers that alert officers if known offenders are nearby.Officials say some of the initial opposition to the new force seems to have cooled. Take Eulisis Delgado, a 60-year-old East Camden resident and anticrime activist. Delgado can often be spotted driving around the citys roughest neighborhoods in a pickup truck decked out with signs and a large speaker cabinet in the back. With one hand on the wheel and the other on a microphone, he yells out messages. Do not allow these drug dealers in your neighborhoods, residents of Camden! Take your neighborhood back! Delgado was once a vocal critic of the reorganization plan, protesting outside the police administration building. Today hes one of the new departments biggest boosters. A lot of the old officers, all they did was ride around and not do anything, Delgado says. These are soldiers we have here now.By and large, residents remain roughly evenly divided over the still-young department. Part of the opposition stems from the citys effort to block the matter from being put to voters. Brian Coleman, the lone council member voting against laying off the city police, contends residents were excluded from the process. A year later, though, he says some have moved on. They want their neighborhoods stabilized and drug dealers off the corner.definitely has not yet been achieved: the creation of a truly consolidated countywide police force. As the plan was originally envisioned and touted, other municipalities within the county would do as Camden city had done, disbanding their local departments and rolling them into the county force. That hasnt yet happened. A year into the initiative, none of the other 34 municipalities in Camden County that have their own police forces have bought into the countywide department.County Freeholder Cappelli says the county has been in talks with two municipalities, but so far no locality has been willing to cede control. In terms of finances, Cappelli says, it should be a no-brainer. He suspects, though, local police chiefs are talking their mayors out of it. Protecting ones fiefdom is the only thing stopping this department from growing leaps and bounds, he says.Cappelli says preserving quality service is other jurisdictions top priority, so theyll be watching to see how the new department fares. If we can do it in Camden city, he says, we can do it in any other municipality in Camden County.For jurisdictions wanting to join, the county conducts an assessment, with the localitys input, of operating costs it would need to pay for a new metro division. The county police department is structured to allow for centralized administration, booking and evidence collection. Jurisdictions opting to join would also share narcotics, detectives and various special teams. Any expansion would not affect the departments current officers, the county reports.Much of the push for New Jerseys localities to consolidate or share services has been driven by the state. Right now, more than 500 local law enforcement agencies are spread across New Jersey, and Gov. Chris Christie would like to see some of those consolidate to better realize savings through economies of scale. In 2011, Christie met with officials from Camden, Newark and Trenton. Christie made it clear, Cappelli says, that the administration would provide strong backing to any new county police departments.So far, only Camden has taken him up on the offer. Because of its already hefty dependence on state funding, some believe the city had no other choice. About 60 percent of city properties are tax exempt, and the tax base that does exist is predominantly poor. Property tax collections bring in a mere $25 million a year, so the state contributed about $114 million in fiscal year 2014 to cover the bulk of the citys remaining budget shortfall.Some lawmakers have been publicly blunt about the need for municipalities to share services. We tried the nice way of giving you money and people wouldnt take it to share, Senate President Stephen Sweeney said in a 2011 press conference. Now, my approach quite honestly is the stick approach. If you dont share, were going to reduce your state aid.Unsurprisingly, cities often bristle at that approach. Bill Dressel, executive director of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, says he prefers that any consolidation efforts be homegrown. We have a problem if the state is going to mandate sharing of services, consolidation or any particular program they believe is in the best interest of the communities, he says. The residents of the community are basically cut out of the equation. More of the states localities are mulling consolidation or shared services agreements, and Dressel says they should be, particularly given budgetary constraints.Any kind of consolidation agreement is a political challenge, but its especially hard for public safety services. Governments are reluctant to relinquish local control of their police forces. Even when they do consolidate, its not uncommon to continue maintaining separate public safety departments. Indianapolis consolidated with Marion County in 1970, for example, but it wasnt until 2007 that the two merged police departments.Nationally, theres no one-size-fits-all approach. Smaller communities throughout California contract with counties, for instance, and many regional police departments operate in Pennsylvania. Full mergers of large departments are rare. Las Vegas merged its police department with the Clark County Sheriffs Department in 1973; the city of Charlotte, N.C., joined forces with surrounding Mecklenburg County in 1993. But such full-scale mergers are few and far between.are deeply entrenched, and it remains to be seen whether the merged police force can help reverse the citys cycle of violence. The drug trade holds a strong grip on the city, accounting for the vast majority of the killings. With 175 open-air drug markets at one point, Camden gained a reputation as a drug hub, attracting buyers from the surrounding suburbs and as far away as New York City. Indeed, nonresidents make up 80 percent of the citys drug arrests.Blight also remains a major problem. Some abandoned and decaying buildings have been taken up by gangs, so the city is exploring ways to raze or seal up empty structures. In some parts of South Camden, mountains of bottles and other trash spill out of alleyways and side streets. When police make a drug bust there, officers say they can spend hours searching for evidence among all the litter.The city has a high concentration of young adults who tend to be disproportionately poor and unemployed. The latest Census estimates indicate 39 percent of city residents live in poverty, the fourth highest rate nationally.There are some small reasons to be hopeful. The city says some businesses are now considering moving into Camden, something unthinkable even a couple years ago. Even in Whitman Park, there are hints of progress. On the neighborhoods main corridor, a family is preparing to open a shop selling books and fashion accessories.The police are an integral part of winning back the city, but turning Camden around will take much more than a redeployed police force. At the end of the day, it makes no difference whether its 500 or 300 officers, says Roy Jones, a local activist who also directs the nonprofit National Institute for Healthy Human Spaces. It does matter what you do about some of the more systematic issues in this community.Chief Thomson, too, knows the citys fate depends on more than his department alone. We are in the equation of public safety and safe communities, he says. I believe we are the most important variable. But were one of many variables.
Marko not critical of Villeneuve's Ricciardo attack

In another clear sign that Daniel Ricciardo's Formula 1 career may be ending, Dr Helmut Marko has declined to chide Jacques Villeneuve.

Daniel Ricciardo, Canadian GP 2024

 Red Bull

Villeneuve, the outspoken 1997 world champion, caused a stir in Montreal by declaring that he thinks Ricciardo is only now in F1 for his image rather than his results or pace.

Ricciardo, 34, responded by saying eat sh*t and wondering if Villeneuve hit has head a few too many times .

However, it's clear that Red Bull is strongly considering dropping the Australian driver at the end of the year, having just announced that Yuki Tsunoda is staying at the junior squad RB next year - with no mention of Ricciardo.

And when asked if Villeneuve is actually right about Ricciardo, Red Bull's top F1 consultant, Dr Marko, told Le Journal de Montreal: "I didn't hear his comment.

But Daniel had to beat Yuki at Racing Bulls. This year, that is not the case. It is rather the opposite thing that is happening, the 81-year-old added.

"Yuki is an emotional driver but now he manages to limit his mistakes. He was in demand by other teams. He is young and he fits our mould.

That's why we've just extended his contract for another year, Marko added.

Marko was also asked by the local newspaper about Canadian Lance Stroll, whose future at his father Lawrence's Aston Martin team is currently in doubt.

He's had some very good races and some very ordinary ones, he said.

"I wonder if he really wants to be a driver and if he works very hard to achieve good results.

But it's difficult to say, because I don't know him well enough and I'm not close to him to really judge his efforts, Marko added.

(GMM)
Khan, left, pictured here with wine expert Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan in 2014. Photo: David Neff

A judge in lower Manhattan this morning sentenced Omar Khan to two years in a federal prison for his role in a long-running scheme that defrauded many of the citys fine-wine enthusiasts. In March, Khan pleaded guilty to one count of identity theft stemming from his impersonation of his own attorney in service of the nearly $7 million scheme. As part of that plea, a second charge of wire fraud, which would have carried a significantly longer prison term, was dropped.

You are very, very, very, very fortunate there is a two-year cap, U.S. district judge Paul A. Engelmayer told Khan during the hearing, referring to the maximum sentence he could impose for the charge to which Khan pleaded. The facts of this crime would favor a much higher sentence. Hammering his point home, Engelmayer ordered Khan to turn to and thank his attorney, Andrew Dalack of the Federal Defenders of New York.

Khan was first charged with wire fraud and identity theft in early 2020 but, at that point, he was living in Sri Lanka. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York spent years trying to extradite Khan from Sri Lanka, but he was ultimately forced to leave the country for overstaying a visa. In February, he was arrested by the FBI. Judge Engelmayer also ordered Khan to pay $6,699,582 in restitution to his victims.

Khans wife, Leslie, was on hand for his sentencing. Though she was a named party in at least one major civil lawsuit against Khan, she was not charged in the criminal case against him. In a letter to the judge before sentencing, Leslie wrote of her husband, Even with all Omar has done and achieved, he has always been an extremely warm and loving husband and always ensures that his closest relationships are given high priority in his life. The letter continues, Omar has been terribly badly affected emotionally by this case from the outset. He is very remorseful about the poor choices he made. In court, Khan said he looked forward to demonstrating remorse in due course. Asked by the judge whether that meant he didnt feel remorse now, Khan clarified. I feel it today.

Also in attendance was Kresimir Penavic, who lost more money than any other victims named in multiple civil lawsuits against Khan. For years, Penavic, a retired mathematician who made a fortune at the Long Island hedge fund Renaissance Technologies, attended Khans wine-tasting events and eventually invested some $5 million in Khans events before realizing he was being taken for a ride. Penavic ultimately hired Rob Seiden, a former prosecutor, to bring a lawsuit against Khan. At sentencing, Penavic gave a statement, saying that Khan had yet to express any remorse or pay a dime in restitution.

Engelmayer asked Penavic whether he knew where all of the money Khan stole went. The judge asked the same question to both Dalack and assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Chiuchiolo. All three men had the same response: No.

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Haiti - Insecurity : An armored vehicle burned, 3 police officers killed





Sunday June 9, 2024, 3 agents of the Temporary Anti-Gang Unit (UTAG) fell into an ambush and were killed in the "Sans Fil" zone in Delmas 18. They are Fermetus Emelin (30th promotion) and Clovis Peterson (32nd) and Piton Wilkens Jean Junior (31st). In addition, a 4th agent was injured in the exchange of fire according to Lionel Lazarre, the Coordinator of the National Union of Haitian Police Officers (SYNAPOHA).



Jimmy Cherizier alias "Barbecue" claimed responsibility for this attack on his territory. The assault rifles, magazines and ammunition of the killed agents were recovered by the bandits and presented in a propaganda video...



Furthermore, the armored car of the police, immobilized in a trench dug by the bandits in Delmas 18 was looted and set on fire.



In a note published Sunday evening, the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) expresses its indignation following this ambush which cost the lives of 3 agents of the UTAG unit and sends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims as well as their colleagues of the police institution.



The French Embassy in Haiti presents its most sincere condolences to the General Directorate of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) as well as to all the women and men of the PNH who mourn their cowardly murdered brothers in arms.



TB/ HaitiLibre


















Antolas research delves into the Finnish versions of popular American superhero comics during the 1980s and 1990s.

Superheroes have become one of the most significant pop culture phenomena of the 21st century. A new dissertation by Laura Antola , a researcher at the University of Turku, explores how American superhero comics were introduced and adapted for Finnish audiences from the 1960s to the 1990s.

She not only examined the comics themselves but also the letters pages where readers engaged with the editors.

The study reveals that Finnish editions of "Spider-Man" and "X-Men" comics, originally published by Marvel, underwent significant changes. Pages, scenes, and even entire subplots were often omitted or rearranged to fit the Finnish publications.

Products of popular culture that we assume to be the same across borders often take on new forms and audiences when they cross national and linguistic lines, Antola explains.

The Batman Craze and Superheroes in Finland

The Finnish comic book editor played a crucial role, not only in selecting which stories to publish but also in managing a popular letters page where readers discussed storylines, asked questions, and provided feedback. The editor, who adopted the persona "Mail-Man," became a beloved figure among readers, guiding them through complex plots and fostering a sense of community.

Antola suggests that this active local editorial presence contributed significantly to the integration of superhero comics into Finnish culture during the 1980s and 1990s.

Finlands fascination with superheroes began in earnest in the mid-1960s with the advent of the Batman television series. The Batman craze led to a variety of merchandise, including Batman-themed soda, which was promoted by actors dressed as Batman and Robin touring the country and engaging with enthusiastic fans.

They arrived by helicopter in downtown Helsinki to promote the soda and the new Batman movie, presenting themselves as the 'real' Batman and Robin. It was quite a spectacle! Antola recounts.

New Adaptations, New Audiences

According to Antola, locally published comics and marketing campaigns like the Batman soda are Finnish adaptations of globally recognized characters. These adaptations, she argues, represent creative blends of the original American publications with editorial modifications tailored for Finnish readers.

New versions of well-known characters bring fresh perspectives and expand the characters universe. Through these adaptations, new audiences discover and connect with these iconic superheroes, Antola concludes.

Her dissertation sheds light on the unique ways in which Finnish culture has embraced and transformed American superhero narratives, highlighting the global journey and local nuances of these beloved pop culture icons.

HT
Keynote speakers include Professor John McLeod from the University of Leeds, who will discuss the conflicting roles of "good" and unauthorized migrants in contemporary English literature.

The University of Eastern Finlands Joensuu campus will host a major international conference on cultural mobility and multiethnicity from June 12-14, 2024. The "Moving Cultures, Moving Ethnicities" conference will gather around 130 speakers from over 20 countries, reflecting the university's strong research focus on borders, mobility, and cultural interactions.

Researcher Tobias Skowronek from Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola Bochum will present his geochemical analysis of historical trade links between West Africa and Europe, revealing European origins of metal bracelets used in the slave trade. Academy Research Fellow Anna-Leena Toivanen will examine the role of hotels in African and Afrodiasporic literature.

Participants' presentations will cover a wide range of topics related to ethnic and migrant literatures and cultures, from North America to Asia. The conference will explore cultural and national border crossings in various art forms. Organized by the University of Eastern Finlands humanities department in collaboration with MESEA: Multi-Ethnic Studies in Europe and the Americas, this will be the 13th biennial conference of the organization.

The MESEA 2024 conference invites contributions addressing the diverse aspects of mobility, including the physical movement of people, cultural intersections, and the creation of hybrid cultural forms. It will also explore the emotional impacts of mobility, such as joy, fear, and frustration, on travelers and those they encounter.

Topics of interest include:

Narratives of return and nostalgia

Forced migration and human trafficking

Trauma and displacement

Gothic journeys and uncanny spaces

Melancholia and migration

Activism and solidarity

Autobiography and memory

Hybrid cultural practices

Cosmopolitanism

Climate migration

Gendered perspectives on mobility

Ethics and economics of migration

Abstract submissions are open from August 15 to November 15, 2023, with notifications of acceptance by January 10, 2024. Individual paper proposals should include a title and a 300-word abstract, submitted via the conference website along with a 200-word biography. Panel proposals should include descriptions and abstracts for 3-4 presenters.

Joensuu, located in Eastern Finland's Karelian region, offers a vibrant setting for the conference. With 75,000 residents, including many students, the city is known for its beautiful natural surroundings and lively cultural scene. The conference will take place on-site at the UEF Joensuu Campus, easily accessible by air and train from Helsinki. Joensuus affordable accommodations and dining options make it an attractive destination for visitors.

For more details, visit the conference website: MESEA 2024 Conference.

HT
The National Coalition won 24.8 per cent of the vote, an increase of 4.0 percentage points from the previous elections, to secure four seats in the European Parliament. The Left Alliance saw its vote share swell by a whopping 10.4 points to 17.3 per cent, securing three seats in the European Parliament.

THE NATIONAL COALITION and Left Alliance will be the largest Finnish parties in the new European Parliament.

Li Andersson, the lead candidate and outgoing chairperson of the Left Alliance, was the top vote-getter in the elections with a record-breaking haul of 247,604 votes, dragging two of her party comrades  Merja Kyllonen and Jussi Saramo  with her to Brussels. She was the most popular candidate in the majority of large cities in Finland, winning almost a quarter of the vote in her hometown of Turku and a fifth in Helsinki.

Her personal vote tally was higher than that of either the Centre or the Green League. Kyllonen, by comparison, won 27,000 votes and Saramo 4,900 votes.

I have to say Im still in complete shock. This is a tremendously wonderful result, a much better result than I dared to expect, she remarked after the results of advance voting came during an election-night broadcast on YLE.

The Left Alliance had held one seat in the outgoing European Parliament.

Votes for the National Coalition were divided more evenly, with Mika Aaltola and Henna Virkkunen each receiving about 95,000 votes, Pekka Toveri almost 90,000 votes and Aura Salla almost 40,000 votes. The four seats secured by the right-wing party represent an increase of one from the outgoing European Parliament.

Although the Social Democratic Party saw its vote share creep up by 0.2 points to 14.9 per cent, enough to hold on to its two seats, the results came as a disappointment for the largest opposition party in Finland. Pre-election polls had suggested that the party had a chance to increase its seat tally by one if not two.

The Social Democrats will be represented in Brussels by Eero Heinaluoma, who won 96,500 votes, and Maria Guzenina, who won almost 53,000 votes.

The Centre Party won 11.8 per cent of the vote, a drop of 1.8 points from the previous elections, to hold on to its two seats in the European Parliament. The seats will be held by Elsi Katainen (67,500 votes) and Katri Kulmuni (67,000).

Support for the Green League plunged by 4.7 per cent to 11.3 per cent, resulting in the party losing the seat it received in the middle of the last parliament term due to Brexit. Ville Niinisto (57,500) and Maria Ohisalo (36,500) will represent the party in Brussels.

The biggest loser of the elections, however, was the Finns Party. The populist right-wing party saw its vote share crash by 6.2 points to 7.6 per cent, enough to secure a seat only for its top vote getter, Sebastian Tynkkynen (34,000).

With polls carried out before the elections indicating that the party would comfortably hold on to its two seats, if not win a third one, the outcome could provoke some unrest within the ruling coalition in Finland, analysed journalists at both YLE and Helsingin Sanomat.

Finlands last seat in Brussels was secured by Anna-Maja Henriksson, the outgoing chairperson of the Swedish Peoples Party. Henriksson received slightly more than 50,000 votes.

Voter turnout came in at 42.4 per cent, well below expectations due to a unusually quiet election day, when only 16.9 per cent of people entitled to vote headed to polling stations, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Macrons centrist bloc crushed by far-right, prompting president to call snap election

Elsewhere in Europe, the elections delivered an expected lurch to the right. Politico on Sunday reported that centre-right and far-right parties are projected to claim the largest number of seats in the largest member states: Germany, France, Italy, Poland and Spain.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron announced yesterday he intends to dissolve the national assembly and call a snap election, with its centrist bloc on track to win no more than roughly 15 per cent of the vote, less than half the projected total for the far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen.

The first round of the elections is expected to take place on 30 June, the second on 7 July.

While the centre-right is headed for a comfortable victory in Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Socialists are projected to lose the battle for second place against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AFD).

The European Peoples Party, which has included the National Coalition of Finland, was projected at about 2am Finnish time to grow its seat total by 15 to 191 to remain the largest political group in the European Parliament.

The Socialists & Democrats are set to see their seat number fall by 4 to 135, Renew by 19 seats to 83, Greens by 18 seats to 53 and The Left 2 seats to 35. Conservatives and Reformists are projected to gain 2 seats to 71, Identity and Democracy 8 seats to 57 and non-aligned parties 33 seats to 95.

The European Parliament will have 720 seats in 20242029.

UPDATE: This article was updated with the turnout figure at 02.34am on Monday.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
While the number of conflicts surged, the number of countries experiencing these conflicts dropped from 39 to 34, indicating a concentration of violence in fewer nations.

The year 2023 marked a significant increase in global violence, with a record number of 59 state-based conflicts, the highest since 1946. This alarming trend was highlighted in the latest conflict trend analysis report by the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).

Siri Aas Rustad, Research Professor at PRIO and lead author of the report, stated, Violence in the world is at an all-time high since the end of the Cold War. The figures suggest that the conflict landscape has become increasingly complex, with more conflict actors operating within the same country.

The PRIO report, titled "Conflict Trends: A Global Overview," analyzes global conflict data from 1946 to 2023, using information collected by the Uppsala Conflict Data Program at Uppsala University. The findings reveal a significant rise in state-based conflicts due to the expansion of groups like the Islamic State across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, and the involvement of other non-state actors such as Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin.

Professor Rustad noted, This development makes it increasingly difficult for actors like aid groups and civil society organizations to maneuver the conflict landscape and improve the lives of ordinary people.

Despite a slight drop in the number of battle deaths last year, the past three years have seen more conflict-related fatalities than any time in the last three decades. Key drivers of this increase include the civil war in Ethiopias Tigray region, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the bombing of Gaza. In 2023 alone, there were 122,000 battle deaths, with over 71,000 in Ukraine and approximately 23,000 in Gaza.

Africa remains the region with the highest number of state-based conflicts, totaling 28, followed by Asia with 17, the Middle East with 10, Europe with three, and the Americas with one. The number of conflicts in Africa has nearly doubled over the past decade, with more than 330,000 battle-related deaths in the past three years.

The Middle East, which saw a slight reduction in conflicts from 2021 to 2022, experienced an increase in conflicts from eight to ten between 2022 and 2023. The region recorded nearly 26,000 battle-related deaths in 2023, a stark rise from just over 5,000 in 2022. Notably, almost 23,000 of these deaths occurred in Israel and Palestine, indicating a shift in the region's conflict dynamics.

Professor Rustad commented, The Middle East figures give hope that extreme violence and complex conflicts such as in Syria can diminish. On the other hand, it is a continuous worry that we see new extremely violent conflicts emerging more often than previously.

The report underscores the evolving and intensifying nature of global conflicts, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of violence and support conflict-affected populations. Policymakers and practitioners are urged to leverage these insights to better understand and navigate the complex global conflict landscape.

As the world grapples with these challenges, the call for effective intervention and support for peace-building efforts has never been more critical.

HT
Defying calendar law, 29 school districts will start school early in August

Under North Carolina law, traditional public schools are prohibited from starting the school year sooner than the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and from ending the year later than the Friday closest to June 11.

School and district leaders have long asked for more calendar flexibility, claiming the required window limits a districts ability to meet the needs of its community. In North Carolina, the General Assembly has regulated school calendars for 20 years, largely due to the tourism industrys concerns that starting earlier would hurt businesses.

Twenty-nine of the states 115 school districts plan to start school early without permission this upcoming school year, according to an annual report on school start and end dates received by the State Board of Education on Thursday. Thats a little more than 25% of districts.

The report includes planned school start and end dates for FY 2024-25, as reported by districts and schools across the state, along with the reason for any exemption to state law, EdNC reported.

This topic has become more sensitive in recent years, said Vice Chair Alan Duncan.

Sign up for the EdWeekly, a Friday roundup of the most important education news of the week.

The calendar law only applies to traditional public schools, meaning that charter schools, year-round schools, and early colleges are exempt. State law provides a very limited window for local boards of education of traditional public schools to start the school year early.

On a showing of good cause, the State Board of Education may waive the requirement that the opening date for students be no earlier than the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and may allow the local board of education to set an opening date no earlier than the Monday closest to August 19, to the extent that school calendars are able to provide sufficient days to accommodate anticipated makeup days due to school closings. A local board may revise the scheduled closing date if necessary in order to comply with the minimum requirements for instructional days or instructional time. For purposes of this subsection, the term good cause means that schools in any local school administrative unit in a county have been closed eight days per year during any four of the last 10 years because of severe weather conditions, energy shortages, power failures, or other emergency situations.

G.115C-84.2. School calendar statute

There are no good cause exemptions listed in the report.

2023 Superintendent of the Year Dr. Don Phipps told the Board during his farewell remarks as superintendent advisor to the Board that calendar flexibility would help districts plan more professional development, teacher-parent conferences, and teacher workdays.

Phipps said that all schools that receive state funding should follow the same law.

Local school boards should be able to choose the best start dates of school for the systems they represent, said Phipps, superintendent of Caldwell County Schools.  It should also be noted this law is not required to charter schools, or private schools that receive state money through the Opportunity Scholarships.

Caldwell County Schools 2024-25 schedule follows state statute, per the report.

One of the 29 districts that said it planned to start school early without permission is running into a roadblock. The Carteret County Schools Board of Education adopted a calendar for the 2024-25 school year that starts classes Aug. 13. On Wednesday, Superior Court Judge William D. Wolfe issued an order declaring the calendar to be void, the News & Observer reported.

Carteret includes several tourism spots, including Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle, and Morehead City.

Mitchell Armbruster, an attorney for three local businesses who sued the school system, told the N&O his clients are pleased with the ruling.

All we asked for in this case was that the school district be required to follow the law, a law which the school board openly admitted they were violating, Armbruster said in a statement. We shouldnt be teaching our children that it is OK to violate the law.

The school district said in a statement that its disappointed in the ruling. The district said its school board will meet soon to consider an appeal, along with possibly adopting a new calendar in order to not keep students and families in limbo.

The whole reason for the calendar we adopted in the first place was for the educational benefit of our students, the statement said.

Carteret County Schools said in the statement that calendar flexibility allows schools to complete the first semester and final exams before winter break, which it said is good for students.

Traditional public schools are the only schools subject to the calendar statute and its late August start date, the statement said. This forces traditional high schools to either end their semesters in mid-January after the winter break, or have a significantly shortened fall semester. Neither are ideal for our students academic achievement, yet they are our only practical choices.

What does the report say?

According to the report received by the Board, charter schools, lab schools, regional schools, and the Renewal School District (Rowan-Salisbury Schools) are exempt from all parts of the calendar law, except for the requirement of a minimum 185 instructional days or 1,025 hours of instructional hours and are not required to report on the start and end dates. As such, those schools are not included in the report.

While year-round and Restart schools, as well as Cooperative Innovative High Schools (CIHS), are also exempt from required start and end dates, they are required to report those dates to the Board and are included in the report.

The start and end dates for each school were extracted from the PowerSchool student information system and sent to the PSUs (Public School Units) to review and certify the statutory references, the report says. All PSUs complied with the reporting requirements.

The report lists the qualifying statutory exemption for schools that started or ended early and listed a legislative exemption. The report does not include any notation for schools or districts that started or ended early without a qualifying exemption.

Heres a look at the exemptions included in the report:

132 schools that started/ended early under the CIHS/Early College exemption.

77 schools had calendar waivers.

51 Restart schools.

79 year-round schools.

Three extended calendar schools.

Five schools who modified their calendar during the 2003-04 school year (G.S.115C84.2(d)).

The report also includes 33 schools from Rowan-Salisbury Schools, which is under the renewal school district exemption.

Here is a list of the 29 districts without listed exemptions who plan to start school early:

Cabarrus County Schools

Carteret County Schools

Cleveland County Schools

Clinton City Schools

Elkin City Schools

Gaston County Schools

Granville County Schools

Halifax County Schools

Harnett County Schools

Henderson County Schools

Hyde County County Schools

Iredell-Statesville School District

Kannapolis City Schools

Lee County Schools

Lexington City Schools

Lincoln County Schools

Mooresville Graded School District

Mount Airy City Schools

Person County Schools

Polk County Schools

Rutherford County Schools

Sampson County Schools

Stanly County Schools

Stokes County Schools

Surry County Schools

Warren County Schools: One of the districts six schools does not have a listed exemption to start early.

Washington County School School District: Three of the districts five schools do not have a listed exemption.

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Yadkin County Schools

Instead of granting calendar flexibility, the 2023 budget created a high school remote instruction flexibility pilot. The state superintendent picked 10 high schools to participate in the pilot for the 2023-24 through 2027-28 school years. The pilot also allows students to take first-semester exams before Dec. 31. Finally, the pilot also allows the schools to use up to 30 hours of remote instruction to take the exams by that point.

* * * * *
EMMA Sweet is an entrepreneur who set up Ace Places Playing Cards. The former marketing manager of Brakspear, she lives with her partner Mark Dunlop in Knowl Hill and still enjoys going to pubs in Henley.

Describe your business

Its a new idea: beautifully illustrated packs of playing cards that act as a guide to the town for those visiting. Each card is sponsored by a different business or organisation including retailers, hospitality, attractions, landmarks and events. See www.acehenley.co.uk

How many people does it employ?

Just me but I work with a talented graphic illustrator, Nicola Metcalfe, on a freelance basis.

What did you do before you started this business?

I moved to Henley in July 2012 when I became Brakspears marketing manager. Ive worked in marketing for 20 years since leaving university.

When did you start your business?

I had the idea in August 2022 and floated it online to gauge interest. Within a fortnight all the playing cards had a sponsor. The Henley cards launched in March last year and the Marlow cards followed in November. So far, were sold more than 10,000 packs, which blows my mind.

What was your objective?

To create a marketing opportunity thats fun and shines a light on some amazing businesses that dont always get the attention they deserve. While the regatta gives Henley global recognition, there are so many other brilliant things that happen in the town.

Who or what influenced you?

Lots of my friends in Henley have their own businesses and having picked up so much information about how businesses run over the last 20 years, I wanted to run my own  and I love it.

Do you have a mentor or role model?

Alan Gaynor, who has worked for some huge companies (Asda, Sainsburys and W H Smith). He goes over my plans and makes suggestions for new paths to explore. His experience and insight have been invaluable.

What would you do differently if you could start again?

Id have been quicker to get out there and meet people  people buy from people, as the saying goes. Id have built in the charity donation for every pack sold before I launched the Henley pack. It began with the Marlow pack and has raised more than 1,000 for Longridge Activity Centre since November. From January, all sales of the Henley pack will includes a 25p donation to the Kenton Theatre.

How is your business doing?

Im only 15 months in but the figures are going in the right direction. Im planning to launch more packs and to franchise the idea.

Whats the best thing about running your own business?

The joy of finding people who love the cards as much as I do. I knew all Henleys landlords already so it has been brilliant meeting retailers, event organisers, producers, charities and businesses who contribute to the towns economy.

Whats the most challenging aspect?

I have so many exciting ideas and not enough time to implement them.

Where is your business headed?

Global. Im looking for the right people to launch packs in towns across the UK but believe the idea shouldnt just stop here. The world is full of amazing towns and small cities that would be perfect. Im also looking at national packs for organisations like the National Trust. Im aiming for 10 packs within the next five years as a minimum.

How important are online sales?

Very. When the packs first launched people who used to live in Henley or Marlow saw them on the Facebook groups and liked to have a pack for nostalgic reasons.

Whats the most valuable thing youve learned?

It all starts with a positive attitude. I believe that problems are just opportunities and its about finding solutions.

What would you advise someone starting a business?

Get out there and meet people. A fresh perspective can always bring new ideas.

What three qualities are most important to success?

Tenacity, faith and a positive mindset. Youve got to love what you do and be prepared to put the work in.

Whats the secret of your success?

Keeping the faith that everything will work out as it should. I always focus on whats in it for those in the packs and why people should want to buy them. Making sure everyone benefits keeps me focused.

Whats the biggest mistake youve made?

Im not sure. Ask me in five years.

How organised are you?

Very. With 54 sponsors per pack, you have to be. I have lots of lists and I rely on my calendar.

How do you dress for work each day?

I dress more casually now than I did when I worked at Brakspear but I make sure Im presentable.

What cant you be without every day?

Listening to music really motivates me.

Lunch at your desk or going out?

Usually at my desk but if Im at my desk all day, I go out for a lunchtime walk. It always does me a power of good. I try to meet a friend at least once a week for lunch as Im used to an office environment and social interaction is good for the soul.

Do you continue to study?

At the moment Im learning about tarot cards, their history and meaning. They were actually designed to be used as playing cards.

What do you read?

Sadly, I only read when Im on holiday when my brain has the time to focus on a book.

How are you planning for retirement?

Im not. Im 41 so hoping Ive got a few years left.

Interview by Will Hamilton, intermediary and global marketing consultant, Hamilton Associates
GREENER Henley and the Regal Picturehouse cinema in Henley are to screen two films as part of Great Big Green Week.

Elephant Mother (12A), a documentary, will be shown on Sunday, June 9 at 2pm.

The film follows Thai conservationist Saengduean Lek Chailert, founder of the Save Elephant Foundation, who has made it her mission to rescue abused elephants from the tourist industry.

She faces challenges in fighting corrupt politicians and businesses as well as traders and traffickers.

As the world is hit by the covid-19 pandemic, Lek sees an opportunity to further her aims of saving the animals.

The screening will be followed by a 45-minute question and answer session with Lek herself and the films director, Jez Lewis, co-hosted by Maria Mossman, founder of Action for Elephants UK, and activist Mary Morgan.

Doors open at 1.50pm and the film ends at 4.15pm.

Wilding (PG) will be screened on Wednesday, June 12 at 8pm,

The film is based on the book by Isabella Tree, who inherited a failing 400-year-old farm, the Knepp estate near Horsham, West Sussex, in the Eighties.

A decade later she and her husband Charlie Burrell were 1.5 million in debt and the land was dying with minimal levels of biodiversity.

The couple decided to implement a forward-thinking rewilding project. By focusing on regenerating mycorrhizal fungi in the soil and introducing free-roaming animals to graze, they set about revitalising the land.

As fences were taken down and a mixture of tame and wild creatures were introduced, rare species such as the purple emperor butterfly, the white stork and turtle doves made the farm their home.

The film is directed by Emmy Award-winning documentarian David Allen and BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning cinematographers Tim Cragg and Simon de Glanville.

For more information, visit greenerhenley.org.uk or www.picturehouses.com/

cinema/regal-picturehouse
A FALLEN D-Day parachutist is buried at Checkendon church.

Lieutenant William Temple parachuted into action on D-Day and helped the Allied forces take control of Pegasus Bridge before he was mortally wounded.

He died from his injuries 10 days after the battle and is buried in St Peter and St Pauls Church.

William Anthony Binger Temple, who was known as Bill to his friend, was born on September, 20 1914, in British Columbia.

His father Anthony, a solicitor from Dorset, emigrated to Canada where he met and married Gwendolen Marion Binger.

But on April 5, 1916, when William was just one, Anthony was killed in action in France while serving the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force. He was 36.

Following their loss, William and his mother left Canada in 1922 to start a new life in England. William spent time in Mexico as an agricultural student in the Thirties and then emigrated to Texas.

On November 3, 1939, he enlisted in the Worcestershire Regiment.

He gained commission on May 17, 1940 and was posted with the 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment in Northern Ireland amid concern that Hitler might try to stir up trouble there. On December, 6, 1941 he married Patricia Muriel Britton, at Checkendon church and the couple moved to Ireland. When the decision was made to create a parachute force he applied to join.

On June 16, 1943, Lieutenant Temple was posted to the 7th Battalion, Parachute Regiment. On June 6, 1944, during the D-Day landings, he parachuted into action at drop zone Ranville to relieve the glider-borne coup de main force at Pegasus Bridge, near Caen, a strategic objective.

Lt Temples unit, tasked with securing this area, played a vital role in the missions success. A and B Companies were heavily involved in fending off enemy counterattacks.

Lt Temple was badly wounded in the first few hours after landing in France. He was evacuated to England and died on June 16 at St Marys Hospital in Portsmouth, aged 29.

In a letter written in November 1944, his widow said: I didnt think he had much chance but the doctors were hopeful and he rallied wonderfully but had a sudden relapse about 3am and died in about five minutes. I couldnt believe it possible at first and was so dreadfully lonely.

He is buried at Checkendon church where his gravestone reads: Templa quam dilecta, which is Latin for Temple how beloved.

It also bears the inscription: They storm heavens gate one step ahead. We on the pitted runways, labour.

His daughter, Charmian Mary, was born on October 24, 1944.
(JTA)  Since Oct. 7, Montana Tucker has encapsulated the growing role of social media influencers in the sprawling effort to advocate for Israel.

Tucker, who has more than 3 million followers on Instagram (in addition to 9 million on TikTok), has uploaded videos and photos from the communities devastated by Hamas attack and from Auschwitz. Shes posted speeches at rallies and tried to interview people at campus protests. At the Grammys in February, she wore a large yellow ribbon over her dress displaying the words Bring them home.

But her latest advocacy effort for Israeli hostages is divi...
(JTA) - In "The Zone of Interest," the Oscar-winning drama about life adjacent to Auschwitz, the children of Rudolf Hoss, the Nazi concentration camp's commandant, are only dimly aware of the horrors unfolding on the other side of the fence.

Now, a new documentary exploring what those real-life children knew, and when, is hitting theaters - and unlike "The Zone of Interest," it includes voices of Jews imprisoned at Auschwitz.

"The Commandant's Shadow," directed by Daniela Volker and distributed by Warner Brothers, tells two parallel stories. One is about Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, a German-Jewish...
Much has been written about Righteous Gentiles, the men and women who risked their lives to help save the Jews in Europe during the Holocaust. One of the most successful rescues happened in Denmark, where Danish authority and innumerable private citizens working with Jewish community leaders came together to rescue thousands of their fellow citizens from certain death.

Although the Nazis had occupied Denmark in 1939, initially there had been an uneasy peace. The Germans regarded the blond, blue-eyed Danes as "fellow Aryans." With only 7500 Jews living in the Scandinavian country, the Nazis had...
Beatrice Susan Travitsky, age 83, died peacefully with her children by her side on May 24, 2024, under the care of Advent Health Hospice. Bea was born Sept. 17, 1940, in Queens, New York and was the daughter to Fay and Adolf (Ricky) Weinberger.

Bea spent her childhood in Jackson Heights, New York. She graduated from Newtown High School in Queens at the top of her class. Bea worked in the Garment District in New York City and met Larry Travitsky through friends while he was still in the army. Bea and Larry married in 1962 and went on to have four children. The family moved to the Orlando area in 1977 to follow family and make a new life. Grandparents and additional family followed thereafter. While living in Altamonte Springs, Bea was proud of her job at a pediatricians office for many years, as well as a secretary, at the JCC in Maitland.

Bea was a fabulous homemaker. She loved to cook, entertain, and made certain that all the Jewish Holidays were celebrated with their close family. She enjoyed playing Maj Jong, sewing, she was an avid bowler, and was active in ORT. The family was very active at Congregation Reform Judaism, where she was president of Sisterhood and WRJ.

Bea is survived by her four loving children, Robin Goebel (John) of Lumberton, TX, Debra House (David) of Winter Park, Amy Cassell (Lance) of Sarasota, and Evan Travitsky (Mauricio Diaz) of Las Vegas, NV: six grandchildren, who she was very proud of - Allison Sanders, Jared Goebel (Carley), Alex House (Brittany), Austin House (Gabbie), and Alayna and Ari Cassell; and 4 beautiful great- grandchildren - Lilly, Landry, Oaklynn, and Walker, and a new baby girl on the way.

May her memory live on in the hearts of all those who loved her.

Graveside Service for Mrs. Travitsky were held at Congregation of Reform Judaism Cemetery (9300 Morton Jones Road, Gotha, FL) with Rabbi Rachael Jackson of Congregation of Reform Judaism officiating.

The family request memorial donations be made to Congregation Reform Judaism-WRJ camp Scholarship Fund, 928 Malone Drive, Orlando, Florida 32810

Service entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 933 Lee Road, Suite 101, Orlando, Florida 407-599-1180.
Jewish Pavilion Senior Services cherishes the opportunity to celebrate our rich heritage and foster a sense of community among our beloved seniors. Recently, residents have experienced a series of meaningful and joyous events, reflecting the vibrancy and resilience of our culture and history.

Israel Remembrance Day and Israel Independence Day

Commemorations began with Israel Remembrance Day (Yom Ha Zikaron), a solemn occasion where we honored the memory of the brave soldiers and victims of terrorism who have given their lives for the State of Israel. The program included heartfelt stories, pra...
(JTA)  The share of Israeli Jews who believe an Israeli and a Palestinian state can peacefully coexist has plummeted since Oct. 7, according to a new survey.

The figure of 19 percent, reported in a study published Thursday by the Pew Research Center, was the lowest since Pew started surveying Israelis in 2013. It is down from 32 percent in a survey released just weeks before the war broke out.

In 2013, according to Pew, nearly half of Israeli Jews  and a majority of Israelis overall  supported a two-state solution. In 2005, another polling firm found that most Israeli Jews supported the est...
(JNS)  China will host several Arab leaders in Beijing this week with the Palestinian issue on the agenda, the foreign ministry said on Monday.

The visitors are to include Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, whose government has played a key role in the indirect truce talks between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group in Gaza.

Israels Abraham Accords allies the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain will also be in China, the former represented by UAE President and ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the latter by King Hamad.

Tunisian President Kais Saied will be present...
(New York Jewish Week)  Three years after voting to consider boycotting Israel, and weeks after defending a pro-Palestinian student encampment, the faculty union of the City University of New York overwhelmingly rejected a resolution calling for an Israel boycott.

The unions president actively opposed the resolution, saying that it inappropriately singled out Israel. But insiders say the Professional Staff Congress rejection may have had more to do with the unions salary negotiations than any principled view about the Israel-Hamas war, which has roiled the CUNY system.

The resolution cal...
By

(JNS)  Evacuees from Israels north set up a tent encampment on Tuesday outside the Prime Ministers Office in Jerusalem to protest their ongoing displacement due to daily attacks by the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Weve been unable to return to our homes for more than seven months. We wont go back until we know were safe, Raphael Salve, co-founder of Lobby 1701, a group representing displaced people from northern towns and villages, told JNS.

Lobby 1701 is named after the U.N. Security Council Resolution that ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War and mandated that He...
(CAMERA via JNS) - Unsurprisingly, the International Court of Justice played along with the cynical attempt by Hamas's ally South Africa to halt the Israeli military operation launched to destroy the terrorist organization after its horrific Oct. 7 massacre.

Equally unsurprising is that the ICJ justified its ruling by relying on a thin, distorted and inaccurate set of "facts." In its May 24 ruling, the court relied on a handful of dubious, generalized and misleading claims made by various United Nations figures.

As justice ad hoc Aharon Barak points out:

"The Court relies primarily on statemen...
Sderot, Israel

(JNS) - Israel is fighting against the enemies of the United States in a war orchestrated by Iran, helped by Russian intelligence and funded by money from China, said Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and governor of South Carolina, in Israel on Monday.

A former Republican presidential candidate known for her stalwart support for Israel, she spoke during a solidarity visit to communities near the Gaza Strip and just days after announcing that she would be voting for former President Donald Trump in November's election.

Haley said that the nearly-eight-mon...
(JNS) - Hamas published footage of masked terrorists opening fire with automatic weapons at Bat Hefer, an Israeli village east of Netanya that borders the Green Line with Samaria, Channel 12 News reported.

In the footage, two Palestinians wearing Hamas headbands declare their allegiance to the Gaza-based terrorist organization. The video also includes a photo of the weapons they used to carry out the attack.

The alleged shooting towards central Israel did not cause any casualties, according to Channel 12. Hamas said it committed the attack in response to Sunday night's Israel Defense Forces ai...
(JNS)  Recent moves by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court at the Hague are having no tangible effect on the Israel Defense Forces ongoing Gaza operation, aimed at dismantling Hamass remaining battalions in Rafah city.

While the courts have signaled a disturbing willingness to cooperate to varying degrees with lawfare initiatives against Israel, aimed at delegitimizing Israeli military actions to defend the country against a genocidal terrorist group, this has had no obvious influence on how the Israeli military, which in any case closely follows the La...
(JNS)  The Israel Land Authority notified the U.N. relief agency UNRWA that it must immediately vacate state land and buildings in northern Jerusalem, which it had occupied illegally.

The Israel Land Authority is also demanding retroactive compensation of $27 million shekels (~$7 million) for the years the United Nations Relief and Works Agency used the land.

Yitzchak Goldknopf, minister of construction and housing, announced the decision on Wednesday afternoon, at the annual meeting of the Israel Bar Association in Eilat.

In a letter sent Wednesday to UNRWAs leadership, the ILA said: Accor...
(JTA)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that there are gaps between the ceasefire terms that President Joe Biden laid out on Friday and what he is prepared to accept.

The proposal that Biden presented is incomplete, Netanyahu said during a closed-door government meeting in which he called reporting about his position on a potential deal fake news, according to Israeli media reports.

Netanyahus comments, as well as growing tension within the government over a potential ceasefire, are muting hopes that Bidens announcement could soon lead to an end to the Israel-H...
(JNS) - Around 100 students participated in an anti-Israel protest at the Hebrew University's Mount Scopus campus in Jerusalem on Tuesday, waving PLO flags and chanting inflammatory slogans, according to Hebrew media reports.

Kan News shared video of the demonstration to its X account, quoting some of the slogans being chanted, such as "there is no solution but to expel the occupier" and "Al Aqsa has been redeemed in spirit and blood."

The students were protesting against "the ongoing genocide in Gaza," calling it "the first of additional protest steps planned against the ongoing massacre," ac...
(JTA)  The Republican Jewish Coalition leapt to the defense of Donald Trump after he was found guilty on 34 charges related to falsifying records to conceal that he paid an adult film star to cover up a sexual liaison just before the 2016 presidential election.

The verdict makes Trump, who is seeking to return to office this fall, the only U.S. president ever to have been convicted of a felony.

Without question this is a political prosecution of a political opponent, Matt Brooks, the groups CEO, said after jurors in Manhattan delivered the historic verdict following a day and a half of del...
US health, human services secretary appears to recognize Palestine

(JNS)  Xavier Becerra, the U.S. secretary of health and human services, appeared to recognize Palestine as a formal entity and referred to a cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians during a speech at the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

The health and security of each nation is irrevocably connected to the health and security of people everywhere, the former California attorney general said at the gathering of the body which is part of the World Health Organization, a United Nations agency...
(JNS)  Beijing will provide $69 million in aid to the Palestinians and an additional $3 million to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, Xi Jinping, the president of China, said on Thursday.

Since last October, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has escalated drastically, throwing people into tremendous suffering, Xi said at the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing, the Associated Press reported.

War should not continue indefinitely, he said.

Xi also said there should be an international conference to press for the end of the war.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also spoke at...
(Jewish Journal via JNS)  Middle East heat indices aside, the truest hot spot on the planet is, always, wherever the Israel Defense Forces happens to be killing Muslims, no matter the reason.

Jews taking the lives of Arabs always commands the worlds attention. Muslims killing Muslimssuch as the savage sectarian violence between Shiites and Sunnis, with a body count in the millions  is never newsworthy.

A cause of death brought about by Jews, however, is of special interest to the human rights community. Jews fighting for their survival after the Holocaust, Israelis facing unambiguous ex...
(JNS)  U.S. President Joe Bidens bait-and-switch speech last Friday evening, timed to prevent religiously observant Israelis from watching and Jerusalem officialdom from issuing a proper response, was as worrisome as it was oxymoronic. Though talking out of both sides of his mouth is typical of the confused incumbent whos seeking re-election in November, his Shabbat performance was a doozy.

Taking credit for his and his teams intensive diplomacy to end the war in Gaza, he announced that Israel had offered a comprehensive new proposal: a roadmap to an enduring ceasefire and release of al...
(JNS)  On Oct. 7, Hamas had a Plan A and a Plan B.

Plan A was to destroy Israel and kill all the Jews. Plan B was to pull back, stage ambushes and cry genocide while making up fake casualties and staging atrocities until its Islamist and leftist allies managed to save it, while using hostages and their bodies as negotiating leverage.

Biden, who announced back in December that he had bailed out on supporting Israel, has now announced a deal that consists of three (actually 4) phases.

Let me break it down.

Phase 1. Hamas frees some surviving female hostages and returns the bodies of the others...
(JNS)  During World War II, a series of documentary films were made, directed by Frank Capra, that set out in explicit and graphic detail the precipitating causes and reasons why the U.S. entered the war to defeat the Axis powers, including Nazi Germany.

Before Imperial Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, many Americans were beset by doubts about the war. Even after Nazi Germany declared war on the U.S. on Dec. 11, 1941, there were still those who did not know or understand why it was so important for the U.S. to be involved.

Nazi propaganda had been hard at work for years dulling Amer...


Monday June 10, 2024







WASHINGTON  A deadly clash over the weekend between two clans in central Somalia has killed at least 50 people, residents and medical officials told VOA on Monday.



Another 155 people are said to have been injured in the clashes in the Galgudud province near Somalias border with Ethiopia.



The fighting between the Dir and Marihan clans erupted on Saturday in rural areas between Abudwaq and Herale towns over grazing land and watering points, said Feysal Abdullahi Kheyre, a commissioner and resident of Herale.





The reason behind the high casualties is the fact that the fighting took place in an open ground and that the clan militias are heavily armed, said Muhidin Aden Wali, a commissioner and resident of Abudwaq.Neither commissioner denied there were high casualty figures but said that they did not know specific numbers.Following the clashes, the Somali government announced Sunday that it was forming a committee to find an immediate solution for tribal conflicts.The Somali National News Agency (SONNA) said the committee consisted of five ministers appointed by president of Galmudug State, Ahmed Abdi.The purpose of this committee is to go to conflict areas in the cities [of Abu Dawaq and Harali] to end the bloody fighting there, SONNA reported.Witnesses said Monday units of Somalis army were deployed in the area to prevent further clashes.The clans have a recent history of fighting over pastoral land and water wells.According to residents and local elders, revenge killings and land disputes have been fueling inter-clan violence in Somalia for years, with some of the heaviest fighting taking place in Galgudud and Mudug.It was unfortunate fighting between brotherly and neighboring nomadic people and it is as it has always been, over land disputes, water and clan vendetta, Abdullahi Said Farah, a clan elder and resident of Abudwaq, told VOA.Our sons and husbands are those dying from both sides in the clan conflicts in central Somalia and this has had a painful impact on Somali mothers for many years, said Irado Mohamed Igal, an activist in the region.Regional officials accused militant group al-Shabab of sparking the renewed clan clashes.Al-Shabab continues to pit Somali clans against each other so that it would benefit by distracting the local governments and local people from their fight against al-Shabab, a security adviser to the president of Galmudug state, Ahmed Shire Falagle, told VOA Somali by phone.VOA could not independently verify the involvement of al-Shabab in this weekends clan violence.The clashes add weight to the security tasks of Somalia's federal government, which is struggling to contain the threat posed by the militants.On Saturday, al-Shabab militants attacked government forces in the central town of El-Dheer.Al-Shabab, through its Telegram channel, said its forces overran two government military camps, a claim denied by the Somali government.Residents and witnesses who spoke to VOA said at least 16 people were killed during the attack, which they said was repelled by the government soldiers aided by local clan militias.VOA reporter Abdiwahid Isaq contributed this report from Galkayo in central Somalia.
Indian shares eased after hitting record highs today (June 10) as IT stocks fell due to US rate cut concerns. The benchmark indices hit fresh highs shortly after opening led by Reliance Industries Ltd and Axis Bank Ltd. This came after Narendra Modi took oath as India's prime minister for a third time on Sunday. The NSE Nifty 50 surged to the fresh high of 23,411.90 and Sensex rose to life time high of 77,079.04. Stock market today: A bird flies past a screen displaying the Sensex results on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai.(Reuters)

Adani Ports, Power Grid Corp, Bajaj Auto, Coal India and Shriram Finance were among major gainers on the Nifty. Biggest losers on the Nifty were Tech Mahindra, Infosys, Dr Reddy's Labs, LTIMindtree and Hindalco.

All sectoral indices, except IT and metal, are trading in the green.

Stock market on Friday

On Friday (June 7), the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 1,720.8 points or 2.29 per cent to hit a new record peak of 76,795.31. The benchmark ended at a record high of 76,693.36, up 1,618.85 points, or 2.16 per cent.

Global markets today

The euro fell to its weakest in nearly a month as French President Emmanuel Macron called a snap election in the county following European Parliament elections. Markets in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia were closed Monday for holidays. Meanwhile, yield on 10-year Treasuries advanced for a third day after a solid US jobs report spurred rethink on Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts. Oil steadied after a weekly drop as investors look ahead to a set of key industry reports and Feds rate decision.

Amid Israel-Hamas war, Benny Gantz resigned from Israels emergency government and called for elections while criticizing the country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his handling of the war.
Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma is reportedly reaching out to former executives of the company as he aims to revive the embattled firm. He has called Renu Satti, Kiran Vasireddy, and Nehul Malhotra among others, and asked them to return to the firm, Moneycontrol reported citing people in the know who said, Talks with Vasireddy and Malhotra, who could be leading the user growth initiative at Paytm, were initiated sometime back. Vijay has been in touch with his close aides and wants to rebuild the whole team as he takes direct charge of each business." Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder and chairman of One97 Communications Ltd., operator of Paytm, attends the Japan Fintech Festival in Tokyo, Japan.(Bloomberg)

Paytm said that this is speculative and the company is focussing more on promoting high-performing talent into leadership roles. The company's spokesperson said as per the report, We have not reached out to nor are we in discussions with former executives. We have been focusing on strengthening the roles of our next line of leaders internally and ensuring strong succession planning."

Paytm has lost its UPI market share and the company's share price dropped in the past three months after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) restricted Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) to halt several services.

The report also claimed that Vijay Shekhar Sharma has been taking control of the various verticals to push growth, reduce customer attrition and increase confidence among partners, merchants and customers.

"Sharma's strategic move to reunite with his former allies comes at a pivotal juncture, especially with murmurs of internal discord within Paytm," an unnamed senior executive said as per the report.

The report also claimed that Vijay Shekhar Sharma has met IndusInd Bank's Sai Giridhar to discuss a potential partnership however the outcome of the discussion remains uncertain.

The team has been on a lookout for a senior experienced banker. Its still nascent but something may come out soon, the report claimed citing sources.
Ashok Elluswamy- the Indian-origin robotics engineer who played a pivotal role in Teslas success in AI and the Autopilot software- was praised by company's CEO Elon Musk in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Ashok Elluswamy was the first hire for Teslas Autopilot team in 2021. Ashok Elluswamy was the first hire for Teslas Autopilot team in 2021 and he was praised by Elon Musk for his contribution.

Acknowledging his role in Teslas growth, Elon Musk wrote in a post, Thanks Ashok! Ashok was the first person to join the Tesla AI/Autopilot team and ultimately rose to lead all AI/Autopilot software. Without him and our awesome team, we would just be another car company looking for an autonomy supplier that doesn't exist.

Ashok Elluswamy also praised the Tesla boss and said that he was "critical" for the company's success in AI.

"If not for Elon's ambition, Tesla might have dwindled to become just another car company. In the future, fully autonomous cars and useful household robots will be common place and the world will think that this was how it was always supposed to be. Until then, we need Elon Musk to push the frontier, because he sees it already," he wrote.

Praising Elon Musk further, Ashok Elluswamy wrote, It is his combination of deep technical understanding, insane perseverance and relentless hard work that have positioned Tesla to be a leader in real-world AI. Elon's technical intuition to make these important decisions way before others see it is unmatched.

Here are top things you need to know about Ashok Elluswamy:
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third term and further said that the people of Karnataka are hoping to receive its due share and support during the new term. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah. (PTI)

"Heartiest congratulations to Narendra Modi on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of India for the third time. The people of Karnataka look forward to the hope that our state will receive its due share and support in this new term," said the Chief Minister.

READ | Pralhad Joshi: 5-time BJP lawmaker returns to Modi cabinet

Taking to social media platform X, he wrote, "Congratulations to Prime Minister Modi who took oath as the Prime Minister of the country for the 3rd time. I hope you will cooperate with us in our determination for the development of Karunad and respect the interests of the states while upholding the aspirations of the union system. I look forward to the days of working with you to build a strong India through prosperous Karnataka."

Meanwhile, Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister of India for his third successive term on Sunday at an impressive ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan which is being attended by leaders from India's neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Narendra Modi, followed by other members of his team of ministers.

READ | HD Kumaraswamy: Man who helmed state twice gets a stint at the Centre

PM Modi was seen wearing a full-sleeved white kurta with churidar and blue half jacket.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afif.

Apart from two terms as Prime Minister beginning in 2014, Narendra Modi also has the distinction of being the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat with his term spanning from October 2001 to May 2014.
BJP leader V Somanna, who reluctantly and unsuccessfully contested against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Assembly polls a year ago, is now part of the new union council of ministers, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Droupadi Murmu administers the oath of office to BJP leader V Somanna, at the swearing-in ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi.(PIB)

It seems to be a sweet turn of events for Somanna, who was reportedly sulking and there were speculations about him allegedly planning to join the Congress, over being sidelined by the BJP, ahead of 2023 Assembly elections. The veteran leader, however, had denied it.

He won the Tumkur Lok Sabha segment by a margin of 1,75,594 votes, against Congress' S P Muddahanumegowda in the recent Lok Sabha polls.

The Lingayat leader, who started off as member Bruhat Bangaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in 1983-87, has grown politically steadily and has had his stint in all the three key political parties in the state -- Janata Dal (erstwhile), Congress and BJP.

READ | Pralhad Joshi: 5-time BJP lawmaker returns to Modi cabinet

The 73-year-old had served as Housing Minister in the previous BJP government in the state, and had unsuccessfully contested 2023 Assembly polls from Varuna, the home turf of Siddaramaiah, and also in Chamarajanagar against C Puttarangashetty.

Somanna was a staunch follower of the prominent and revered Lingayat pontiff of Siddaganga Math -- late Shivakumara Swami -- who was considered "walking god" by his devotees.

Somanna was born on July 20, 1951, to Veeranna and Kempamma in Doddamaralavadi of Ramanagar district.

He was elected as MLA from Binnypet here on a Janata Dal ticket in 1994, and served as Minister for Prisons and Minister for Bangalore Urban Development from 1996-1999.

In 1999, he was again elected from Binnypet as an independent. In 2004, he entered the Assembly for a third time, this time on a Congress ticket, and shifted to Govindaraj Nagar segment in 2008.

However, he subsequently quit the seat and the party to join the BJP, and was rewarded with a ministership. But he had to resign from the post, as he faced defeat in the by-poll to a Congress candidate.

From 2010-2018, he served as the Member of Karnataka Legislative Council.

Somanna was a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Govindraj Nagar, representing the BJP from May 2018 to May 2023.

When the BJP came to power, he served as Minister of Horticulture and Sericulture (2019-20) and as Minister for Housing and Minister for Infrastructure and Development (2021-23).

READ | HD Kumaraswamy: Man who helmed state twice gets a stint at the Centre

Somanna, who was sulking over allegedly being sidelined in the party affairs, was reportedly in a dilemma about whether to leave the BJP and join the Congress ahead of the Legislative Assembly elections.

He was asked to shift from his Govindaraj Nagar segment to contest from Varuna against Siddaramaiah along with Chamarajanagar, but lost both seats.

Somanna, who had asked for Chamarajanagar seat, was reluctant to contest in Varuna initially. But he had gained confidence with the momentum of campaigning that saw participation from top BJP leaders.

Somanna had later repeatedly expressed his displeasure and took a veiled dig against the party veteran B S Yediyurappa and the party, when the BJP decided to appoint the latter's son B Y Vijayendra as state president of the party.

He had publicly asked the party to consider him for the state president's post.

Somanna is married to Shailaja and they have three children.
Parts of Mumbai witnessed waterlogging and traffic snarls after heavy rains accompanied by thunder lashed the metropolitan area on Sunday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted more intense showers with gusty winds reaching 62-87 kmph over the isolated parts of the city. People deal with sudden shower at CSMT in Mumbai (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/ Hindustan Times)(Hindustan Times)

Monsoon advanced over Mumbai, several parts of Maharashtra: IMD

"Thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and heavy spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 62-87 kmph are very likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Mumbai, Thane and Raigad during next 3-4 hours, the IMD said in a post on X.

Visuals show vehicles snarling on the waterlogged roads after the city experienced heavy rainfall on Sunday.

According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the city recorded 55-77 millimeters of rainfall in the span of one hour from 11 pm to 12am on Sunday. The eastern suburbs recorded 28-40 millimeters of rainfall, while the western suburbs witnessed 48-77 millimeters of fresh spells during the same time duration.

"Rainfall Details (in millimeters) frm 23.00 hrs to 00.00 hrs:

City: Britania Storm Water Pumping Station - 77; G South Ward- 73; F South Ward- 71; N. M. Joshi Marg Municipal School- 70; Worli Fire Station - 69; B Ward- 55

Eastern Suburbs: Veena Nagar Municipal School- 40; Mitha Nagar Municipal School- 39; Mulund Fire Station- 32; Paspoli Powai Municipal School- 31; Gawanapda Fire Station- 28

Mumbai Rain: City witnesses waterlogging, IMD issues Yellow alert

Western Suburbs: Erangal Municipal School- 79; Malad Depot- 64; Gajdarbandh Pumping Station- 59, Pali Chimbai Municipal School- 55, Supari Tank Municipal School- 54, K East- 48," the BMC informed in a post on X.

Meanwhile, fishermen are advised not to venture along and off North and South Maharashtra from June 9 to June 13.

"Squally weather with wind speed 45 kmph to 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph likely to prevail along and off North Maharashtra coast on 9th to 13th June. Fishermen are advised not to venture along and off North Maharashtra coast during the above-mentioned period," the IMD said in its bulletin.

Meanwhile, the weather agency said that the southwest monsoon has advanced two days before its normal arrival date of June 11 due to favourable conditions along the Maharashtra coast. It further advanced into several parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai and Pune, the remaining parts of the central Arabian Sea and some parts of the north Arabian Sea on Sunday.

The monsoon usually arrives by June 11, although last year, it made its onset on June 24 due to Cyclone Biparjoy over the Arabian Sea.

Mumbai can anticipate thunderstorms accompanied by heavy to very heavy rainfall, with a probability of realisation between 51 and 75 per cent. Neighbouring areas such as Raigad and Ratnagiri stand a higher chance of experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall. A red alert has been issued for Sindhudurg and its neighbouring district Kolhapur, emphasising heavy to very heavy rainfall in most areas, the IMD official said.

Citizens form Clean Air Action Hub to help BMC monitor Mumbai's AQI

The weather agency had issued a Yellow alert for the metropolitan, a Red alert for heavy rainfall in Sindhudurg, an Orange alert for Ratnagiri, and a Yellow alert for Palghar, Thane, Mumbai, and Raigad for Sunday.

Meanwhile, the weather agency has also advised the public to take necessary precautions while venturing out today, given the adverse weather conditions.

(With inputs from agencies)
In Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 71-member cabinet, six members hail from Maharashtra, with four representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and two from allied parties. Modi has chosen to reinstate two senior figures from the state, Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal, both of whom played pivotal roles in previous Modi administrations. Additionally, Modi has selected two new faces from among the BJP's 17 elected MPs in Maharashtra: Raksha Khadse and Murlidhar Mohol. Senior leader Narayan Rane, who served as the Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the previous Modi government, and former Union Minister of State for Finance Bhagwat Karad were not included in the new cabinet. Piyush Goyal is among the four BJP ministers picked from Maharashtra. (x/PiyushGoyal)

The question arises: why has the BJP chosen these two new faces? Raksha Khadse, elected for the third time to the Lok Sabha from the Raver constituency in north Maharashtra, is one of the two women BJP MPs from the state. Her inclusion in the Union Ministry is seen as a boost for her father-in-law, former BJP leader Eknath Khadse, who had joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after accusing top state BJP leaders of sidelining him. The Leva Patil community, to which Khadse belongs, has a strong presence in parts of north Maharashtra and played a role in the BJP's victory in two Lok Sabha seats from Jalgaon district.

Murlidhar Mohol, a Maratha elected from Pune on a BJP ticket, is the party's representation from the politically crucial western Maharashtra region. The BJP won only two out of ten seats in this area, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) secured five seats. The BJP ally Shiv Sena won two seats, and an independent supported by the Congress emerged victorious in Sangli. The region will be significant for the three-party ruling alliance, Mahayuti, if it aims to return to power in the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for September-October this year. Mohol's promotion comes amidst the BJP's efforts to appease the Maratha community, which is displeased with the state government's handling of Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil's agitation for Maratha quota issues. Notably, the BJP chose Mohol over Udayanraje Bhonsle, a direct descendant of Maratha king Shivaji Maharaj, who was elected from Satara.

Modi has also reinstated Dalit leader Ramdas Athawale, a move that gains significance in light of the en-bloc voting by socially backward communities in favour of opposition parties in Maharashtra. This voting pattern was a reaction to allegations that the BJP would alter the country's Constitution if re-elected with a resounding majority. Although Athawale's Republican Party of India (A) did not secure a single seat in the three-party alliance in Maharashtra, he has been accommodated in the Union Ministry for the third time.

Regionally, Gadkari hails from Vidarbha, Goyal from Mumbai, Mohol from western Maharashtra, and Khadse from north Maharashtra. The Marathwada region, which did not elect a single BJP MP this time, has no representation in the Union Ministry. In the previous ministry, two Union Ministers, Raosaheb Danve and Bhagwat Karad, were from Marathwada. While Danve lost the election, Karad did not contest and is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Meanwhile, Shinde chose Prataprao Jadhav, his most senior MP, for the lone berth his party received. Jadhav, elected from the Buldhana constituency in the Vidarbha region for the fourth time, was one of the 13 Shiv Sena MPs who joined Shinde when he split the party.
JoSAA Counselling 2024: The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) will begin the online counselling process for admission to undergraduate seats of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and seats under the NIT+ system today, June 10. Interested and eligible candidates can apply for it on josaa.nic.in. JoSAA counselling 2024 for IIT, NIT+ admissions from today (josaa.nic.in, screenshot)

As per the counselling schedule, candidates' registration, choice filling and pre-payment of the seat acceptance fee will be done from Jule 10 to June 18. In the case of candidates who have opted for the Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT), the registration will start on June 14, after the declaration of AAT result.

Also read: JEE Advanced 2024 Cut-off: Here is all you need to know about category-wise qualifying marks and other details

On Sunday, June 15, the JoSAA will display the 1st mock allotment based on the choices filled till June 14. The candidates will have the option to edit their choices after this.

On June 17, the second mock allotment list will be displayed based on the choices filled till June 16. The choice locking will start after the second allotment list is released.

Candidates' registration and choice filling for academic programs under JoSAA 2024 will end on June 18 and the first allotment list will be published on June 20.

JoSAA Counselling 2024: Important dates

This year, JoSAA counselling 2024 will be held in five rounds. Check the important dates here

JoSAA counselling 2024 dates: Check the schedule here (josaa.nic.in)

What is JoSAA counselling?

The JoSAA is a counselling body under the Education Ministry that manages and regulates the admission process of 121 central government-funded institutions of technical education.

For the 2024-25 academic year, JoSAA counselling is providing a single window platform to apply for seats at 23 IITs, 31 NITs, seats of IIEST Shibpur, 26 IIITs and 40 other government-funded technical institutions (GFTIs).

Also read: JEE Advanced 2024 Toppers' list: Delhi zones Ved Lahoti gets AIR 1 with 355/360 marks, list here

Who is eligible for JoSAA counselling?

Only JEE Advanced qualified candidates are eligible for admission to the IIT seats while all other JEE Main qualified candidates can apply for seats of the NIT+ system (NITs, IIITs, IIEST Shibpur and other GFTIs).

After the JoSAA counselling 2024 ends, the Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) will hold separate counselling for admission to leftover seats of the NIT+ system. Check more details on csab.nic.in.

Read: What is the difference between JoSAA and CSAB counselling?
NEET Result Controversy Live: The alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 examination have evoked protests from students all over the country. (ANI)

NEET Result 2024 Controversy Live Updates: The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday issued notice to the centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA) on a petition for the cancellation of the NEET UG result and noted the sanctity of the medical entrance examination has been affected. However, the top court did not put a stay on the counselling process for undergraduate medical admissions....Read More

The court said, Sanctity has been affected, we need answers, and tagged the petition filed by 10 NEET candidates and posted it along with a pending petition to be heard on July 8.

The petitioners have caught the Supreme Court's direction to cancel the NEET UG exam and hold it again. They also challenge the National Testing Agency's decision to award grace marks to around 1,600 students.

Meanwhile, the NTA has issued a statement regarding the viral video of a UP candidate's torn OMR sheet.

There is growing dissatisfaction among students and parents regarding this year's undergraduate medical entrance examination. Some students got 718 and 719 marks, and some scored 720 marks to become toppers, which was possible because of NTAs decision to award grace marks to them.

In a press conference last week, NTAs Director-General pointed out that the decision to give grace marks was taken as per a committee's recommendation. It added that those candidates were affected by time loss due to the distribution of wrong question papers and/or torn OMR sheets.

Another four-member committee has been formed to review the issue. The agency said a final decision, including the possibility of a re-examination, will be made after the committee submits a report, which is likely within a week.

Get all the latest developments related to the NEET exam controversy below:
In an increasingly globalized world, education systems are evolving to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for international success. Among the various educational boards, the Cambridge curriculum stands out for its comprehensive and forward-thinking approach. The Cambridge curriculum is specifically designed to develop a broad range of student attributes and skills that are essential for international success. (PIC FOR REPRESENTATION))(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The Cambridge curriculum, administered by the Cambridge International Education (CIE), is renowned for its international recognition and rigorous academic standards. Unlike other boards, the Cambridge curriculum offers a flexible and diverse range of subjects, allowing students to tailor their education to their interests and career aspirations. This flexibility is a significant departure from the more rigid subject choices found in other boards.

Moreover, the Cambridge curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills. It encourages students to question, explore, and engage deeply with the material, fostering a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. The curriculum is designed to be culturally inclusive, reflecting global perspectives and preparing students to thrive in a multicultural environment.

The Cambridge curriculum is specifically designed to develop a broad range of student attributes and skills that are essential for international success. One of the core aims is to nurture confident, responsible, reflective, innovative, and engaged learners. These attributes are cultivated through a combination of academic rigor and a holistic approach to education. Global collaborations online and physical student exchange programmes are also an important way of developing contextual and immersive learnings.

While some other boards focus on stronger memorization skills and standardized testing, the Cambridge approach prioritizes understanding and application of knowledge. Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including coursework, practical assessments, and examinations, which provide a more comprehensive evaluation of their abilities.

Cambridge students are encouraged to develop independent learning skills from an early age. They engage in projects, research, and collaborative activities that enhance their problem-solving abilities and teamwork. This contrasts with the more traditional, teacher-centred approach of various boards, where the focus is often on individual performance.

Teaching methodologies in Cambridge schools are distinctively student-centred. Teachers act as facilitators, guiding students through inquiry-based learning and encouraging them to take ownership of their education. Lessons are interactive, with a focus on discussion, debate, and hands-on activities.

This approach helps students develop a deeper understanding of concepts and their real-world applications. Feedback and exit slips filled by students about their understanding of the topic is a regular feature. This helps in better individual student learning and assessment of understanding and learning.

An intrinsic part of the Cambridge curriculum is Global Perspectives, a unique and transformational programme that helps students at every stage of school education. It helps to develop outstanding transferable skills, including critical thinking, research and collaboration. This innovative and stimulating skills-based programme places academic study in a practical, real-world context. It gives students aged 5 to 19 years the opportunity to develop the skills that they need to be successful at school and university as well as in their future careers

Cambridge teaching methodologies also incorporate the latest educational research and technology. Teachers use a variety of digital tools and resources to enhance learning, making lessons more engaging and relevant to the modern world. This integration of technology is less pronounced where traditional teaching methods still dominate.

The recruitment and training of teachers in Cambridge schools are critical factors in maintaining the high standards of education. Cambridge schools seek teachers who are not only subject matter experts but also skilled in modern pedagogical techniques. The recruitment process often includes rigorous interviews, teaching demonstrations, and assessments of the candidate's ability to engage and inspire students.

Once recruited, Cambridge teachers undergo continuous professional development. They are provided with extensive training in Cambridge teaching methodologies, assessment techniques, and the use of technology in education. This ongoing professional development ensures that teachers remain current with the latest educational practices and are well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of their students.

The presence of online community where teachers can access/upload and share ideas is a critical game changer. It helps a lot in building community and sharing concerns and best ways to handling those concerns.

The Cambridge curriculum stands out for its ability to prepare students for international success through its flexible, rigorous, and holistic approach to education. It equips students with the skills and attributes needed to thrive in a globalized world. The distinctive teaching methodologies and robust teacher recruitment and training practices further enhance the effectiveness of the Cambridge curriculum. Embracing the strengths of the Cambridge curriculum can significantly contribute to learners success on the national and international stage.

( Author Harish Sandujai is Director Schools and IT, Seth Anandram Jaipuria Group of Educational Institutions. Views expressed here are personal.)
Mumbai, India didnt have any moment at Cannes, says filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, stressing that the victory of independent filmmakers at the European gala is theirs alone and the country doesnt support that kind of award winning cinema. India doesn't support 'Cannes kind' of cinema, says Anurag Kashyap

India won an unprecedented three awards at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival last month Payal Kapadia became the first ever director from India to win the Grand Prix for her movie "All We Imagine As Light", Anasuya Sengupta was awarded best actress in the Un Certain Regard strand for The Shameless, and FTII student Chidananda S. Naik earned the best short film award at the La Cinef section for Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know.

I get very upset when it's said 'India@Cannes'. This is a boost a shot in the arm for a lot of independent filmmakers but their victory is their own," Kashyap told PTI in an interview here.

India didn't have any moment at Cannes, not a single of those films are Indian. We need to address it the way it should be addressed. India has stopped supporting such cinema, the kind of cinema that was at Cannes, he said.

He said Kapadia's "All We Imagine as Light", which was also the first film from India in 30 years to feature in the main competition at Cannes known for giving a platform to new voices, received funding from a French company. The Malayalam-Hindi feature, which earned the second highest award at Cannes after Palme d'Or, is an Indo-French co-production between Petit Chaos from France and Chalk and Cheese Films from India.

There were several films at Cannes with either India-set stories or Indian talent at the helm, but most were co-productions with banners from other countries.

Indian-British filmmaker Sandhya Suri's Santosh and Karan Kandharis Sister Midnight were funded by the UK, while Konstantin Bojanovs The Shameless was almost self-funded. However, Chidanand's "Sunflowers..." is a production of the TV Wing one-year programme under the Film and Television Institute of India .

India just likes to take credit for a lot of things, they do not support these films, and they dont even support these films to have a release in cinema, Kashyap said.

In 2021, Kapadia had won an award at Cannes for the documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing but that is yet to be released in India.

"Stop taking credit for it. Lets stop this fake celebration... Even if the film is released, no one will go to watch it in the theatre, the 51-year-old said.

He also cited the example of Shaunak Sen's documentary "All that Breathes", which won the Golden Eye award at Cannes 2022, that didn't release on Indian screens and went straight to a streamer. Then there were independent films such as "Jaggi" and "Pokhar Ke Dunu Paar" that won awards at festivals that will eventually find home in streamers.

Kashyap was also critical of the spotlight on influencers on the famed red carpet.

"This obsession India has with Cannes... More than Cannes, it's about the red carpet. That's on another level. I get more angry when I hear these things... Geetanjali Rao got three awards at Cannes in 2003, I wrote an article on it, but it was not recognised, rarely anyone wrote about that here. Theres no support system here."

Days after her win, Kapadia, also an FTII graduate, penned an open letter in which she pushed for a government fund for women filmmakers and under-represented sections to foster independent filmmaking while praising the Kerala government for starting a similar initiative.

Kashyap, whose films such as "Gangs of Wasseypur", "Ugly", and "Kennedy" have screened at Cannes over the years across sections like Director's Fortnight and Midnight Screenings, said he was also surprised when former FTII chairperson Gajendra Chauhan took credit for Kapadia's win.

Back in 2015, Kapadia was one of the students who protested against the appointment of "Mahabharat" actor-BJP politician Chauhan as FTII head. Kapadia was among the 35 students charged under various Indian Penal Code sections for offences related to unlawful assembly, criminal intimidation, and rioting.

The chargesheet was filed in 2016, and the next court hearing is scheduled for June 26, according to the defence lawyer representing the students.

"The worst part is that the man who put the case against her, and sent some students to jail, is the first man who took the credit for her and said, Im proud that I was the FTII . What is his name? Yudhishthir ji , Gajendra Chauhan said, Im so proud that she was the student when I was the head. You are the one who put the case against her," Kashyap added.

The director, who will be seen in an acting role in the web series "Bad Cop", said the Indian film business focuses primarily on producing blockbuster hits.

We have made many independent films, Ive seen how much support they get and don't get. At the end of the day, in India everyone is here to do business. No one wants to do good work, everyone wants to do hit work  he said.

Asked about critically acclaimed smaller films like Joram and All India Rank not being marketed well to reach the audiences, Kashyap said such movies cant match up to the marketing of a big film.

"The pressure is on a small film too; they cant spend much on the visibility of the film. To make a small film visible around big films is very difficult. Besides those films are unable to make the recovery, you dont get good show timings, as good show timings are covered by big films, he said, lauding the South movie industry for fixing marketing and ticket pricing for both big-budget and small movies.

Directed by Aditya Datt, Bad Cop stars Gulshan Devaiah as Karan, a fierce cop, trying to chase down Kazbe , a villain more powerful and deadly than him and simultaneously managing his personal relationships.

The action-drama series will premiere on Disney Hotstar on June 21. PTI KKP RDS BK MIN RDS RDS RDS

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Kareena Kapoor and her youngest son, Jehangir, were spotted together on Sunday afternoon by the paparazzi. A video from the outing shows how Jeh widened his eyes and tried to intimidate the paparazzi. Doted on by the industry and fans alike, the little munchkin is endearingly called Jeh Baba. Kareena Kapoor spotted at her home in Bandra with son Jeh,

Much like his elder brother, Taimur, Jeh is also a social media sensation, making headlines with his cute antics on camera. Proud parents Kareena and Saif Ali Khan, who frequently post their childrens pictures on Instagram, have always been honest with their decision to not keep their children out of the media's eye, openly accepting the attention.

Relatable Jeh Baba

Jeh, who recently turned three this year, always steals the show, be it in family photos or paparazzi spotting. Hes quite relatable with his funny persona on camera. The three-year-old was spotted with his mom, Kareena, his elder brother Taimur, and his nannies. Bebo sported a breezy summer outfit, pairing a loose orange shirt with white flowy pants. With cool shades and loose hair, it's a summer OOTD for sure.

The brothers returned from their classes carrying packed bags. Jeh tried to spook the paps with his gaze. Fans wondered if he had a bad day in his class. His grumpy looks charmed the netizens who find him relatable. Sticking his tongue out or the biggest frown- Jehs angry expressions always bring a smile to our faces.

About the family

Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan tied the knot on October 16, 2012, and welcomed their first child, Taimur, in 2016, and the youngest, Jeh, in 2021. Kareena Kapoor was last seen in Crew, opposite Kriti Sanon and Tabu. She is gearing up for Singham Again and The Buckingham Murders. While Saif received mixed reviews in his last movie, Adipurush, he is preparing for the release of the Telugu film Devara, Tamil film Thalaivan Irukkindran, and a sequel to Go Goa Gone.
A horrific attack occurred when armed terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district on June 9. Bollywood artistes, including actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, strongly condemned the incident. Varun Dhawan, Siddharth Anand, and Anupam Kher offered their condolences to the families of the victims who died in the attack. (Also read: Shah Rukh Khan, Kangana Ranaut, Akshay Kumar, Rajinikanth, arrive at Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony. Watch) Kangana Ranaut, Varun Dhawan and others condemned the terror attack in Reasi.

Kangana-Varun condemn cowardly attack

Kangana took to her Twitter handle and wrote, I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack on the pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir. I pray for the departed and hope for the swift recovery of the injured. Om shanti. Varun took to his Instagram stories and captioned his post as, Devastated by the horrific attack on innocent pilgrims in Reasi. I strongly condemn this cowardly terrorist act. Praying for the departed souls. My condolences to the victims and their families. Om Shanti.

Varun Dhawan condemns horrific terror attack in Reasi.

Siddharth Anand posts 'All eyes on Vashno Devi attack'

Siddharth, who recently directed Fighter, inspired by 2019 Pulwama attack, posted an image which read, All eyes on Vaishno Devi attack. He further wrote, Despicable. Evil. Unpardonable. Innocent pilgrims. Children. Murdered by COWARDS. (broken heart emoji). Anupam also tweeted the pictures of Reasi attack victims and captioned it as, Angry, Pained and Saddened by the cowardly attack on pilgrims in Reasi. Jammu! May Almighty give the loved ones of victims the strength to bear the pain and loss. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Reasi terror attack

For the unversed, the victims were mostly the pilgrims who had gone to pray at the Vaishno Devi temple. Reasi senior superintendent of police (SSP), Mohita Sharma told, Today, a group of militants attacked a Yatri bus coming from Ransoo area of district Reasi. Due to the attack, the driver of the bus lost control and the bus fell into a deep gorge near Kanda area of Pouni. Due to the accident, nine people died and 33 others injured.
Zeenat Aman's Instagram posts have become known for their nostalgia. On Monday, she shared a series of photos of herself wearing 'flirtatious and sexy' dresses for one of her films, as she recalled working in '70s Bollywood. She spoke in detail about how the moral police 'had a field day' with her 1974 film Manoranjan. Priyanka Chopra took to the comments section to say 'moral police is still around'. Also read: Twinkle Khanna reacts to Zeenat Aman's post about mom Dimple Kapadia Zeenat Amaz played a sex worker in the 1974 film Manoranjan.

Zeenat Aman's latest post

Zeenat, who played the role of a sex worker in the film directed by Shammi Kapoor, shared a photo of herself in a red dress, Manoranjan's poster featuring herself with co-stars Shammi and Sanjeev Kumar, as well as a behind-the-scenes photo from the set.

In her caption, she wrote, "If Ive had a steady companion through my career, its been the moral police. And, my goodness, did they have a field day with this one! Manoranjan defied existing conventions. It was an adaptation of the fabulous 1963 American comedy Irma Le Douce, and it featured me in the starring role of Nisha. A sex worker with a sense of dignity, independence and humour."

She mentioned the film was Shammi Kapoors directorial debut, had RD Burman as music director, and Sanjeev Kumar as the leading man, adding the producer FC Mehra was a family friend. Zeenat said they shot the film entirely in studios in Mumbai.

'She was unapologetic about how she earns a living'

Further speaking about her character in the film, Zeenat wrote, "Nisha was no damsel in distress! Her outfits were flirtatious and sexy, but more importantly, she was unapologetic about how she earns a living. This was a character that I could have fun with sexually liberated, financially independent, and fully capable of locking horns with and turning down any man."

Zeenat on her 'titillating shower sequence'

She went on to narrate how she is a directors actor, and Shammi Kapoor 'coaxed out' one of her better performances with this film. Zeenat wrote, "The music and costumes were also a hoot. In Aaya hoon main tujhko le jaoonga we dance upon gigantic musical instruments, Chori Chori Solah Singar (sung by Asha ji) has a titillating shower sequence, and Dulhan Maike Chali is pictured entirely in a police van full of sex workers being taken to the police station and was sung by all three Mangeshkar sisters! If youre interested, you can watch these on YouTube."

Zeenat added, "The 70s were a wonderful time to be alive! Despite the moral police (theyre always around) the atmosphere of experimentation, freedom and fashion was unmatchable!"

Reactions to her post

Reacting to her post, Priyanka Chopra wrote, "Moral police is still around and will continue to be around it seems! But you are beyond (heart eyes emoji)." Fashion designer Manish Malhotra commented, You look amazing in the film I loved the music too

Actor Archana Puran Singh wrote, Of course I remember watching this absolutely amazing film in the small town theatres of Dehradun! And big what an experience it was. Even though I was very young I was enthralled by the world that was created and my parents thought nothing of sending a young girl to watch a film on this subject (I wonder if it had an A certificate and that somehow I was still allowed!Those times were different and parents were not very well informed I guess. But I'm happy I got to watch a film that has endured in my memory till date) 

Following her troubled marriage to actor Mazhar Khan in 1985, Zeenat began appearing in fewer films. They remained married until his death in 1998. With Mazhar, she had two sons  Azaan Khan and Zahaan Khan. She will soon be making her acting comeback with Showstopper.
When the eagerly-awaited Kalki 2898 AD trailer drops on Monday, we will get a closer look at exactly what's going on with Nag Ashwin's sci-fi film starring Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Disha Patani, and others. While the trailer  which promises a ton of cameos  may or may not have subtle hints about the film, a fan is convinced 'there is no way Kalki is not played by Prabhas'. Also read: Deepika Padukone looks sad in new Kalki 2898 AD poster, Ranveer Singh reacts Kalki 2898 AD starring Prabhas with Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan is set for a theatrical release on June 27.

Whether the Kalki 2898 AD trailer seems to bolster the theory or not, we will soon find out. But before the trailer arrives, here's a taste of all the ideas spinning in a fan's head about Kalki 2898 AD. Compiled by Reddit user CosmicObsidian44, a new post titled 'What are some theories that you have for Kalki 2898 AD or would like to see in the film?' attracted reactions.

The Redditor wrote, Here are some of mine. Please note: There could be possible spoilers here, so if you want to enjoy the movie without any clues of what is going to happen, I would say go back, NOW.

Prabhas is Kalki

"There is no way Kalki is not played by Prabhas. I mean the entire movie is about Kalki, even the title so if they are trying to mount this film on such a big scale and make Prabhas-THE STAR, anyone but Kalki, I don't see how the story will have him as the main character," the Redditor wrote. Kalki is the 10th avatar of Lord Vishnu who arrival in imminent, as per Hindu mythology.

Disha Patani is Kamal Hassan's daughter?

Deepika Padukone is reportedly playing Lakshmi's avatar, Padma, the wife of Kalki, Amitabh Bachchan is Ashwatthama, and Kamal Hassan is Kali Purush. But what about Disha Patani? The Redditor thinks she is 'either Kamal Hassan's daughter or spy who was sent to infiltrate the rebel forces, and seduce Prabhas and steal their secrets'.

The person wrote, I think she is the reason Prabhas and the rebels will be captured. Also I hope she DOES not have an item number. I am too tired of seeing so many actresses be objectified, but since Nag Ashwin usually has great female characters, hopefully he is able to portray Dishas skills as an actress.

The movie will have 2-3 parts

The fan wrote, "I think there will be two most likely. I know Nag Ashwin has said that this is not a franchise, and I call his bluff because Vyjayanthi Movies (the producers) have themselves posted an image of Project K's Comic Con Billboard in New York saying how this is India's biggest cinematic universe. Most likely Rana Daggubati's Hiranyakashipu movie is also part of this same universe."

Kalki 2898 AD has time travel

"Well, there is no actual solid proof for this, but the entire promo for posters has been on and out saying how the story began 6000 years ago, so it is likely they will travel back to the Mahabharat era to retrieve divine astras (which is a great idea in my opinion)," the fan wrote.

All the likely cameos

The Redditor added, Most of the rumoured cameos (Suriya, Dulquer Salmaan, Nani) are depicting the roles of Chiranjeevis (The Immortals). There are 7/8 Immortals(varies according to different accounts). And most likely, Ved Vyasa (the divine sage who wrote Mahabharatas original text) will be played by SS Rajamouli. But am still confused as to where Mrunal Thakur fits (maybe playing Vaishnodevi? There is a legend saying that Lord Kalki will also marry Vaishnodevi). Whatever the casting is, I still hope Nani is not playing Kripacharya which is being rumoured by most news articles (because Kripa is uncle of Ashwatthama who is being played by Amitabh, so I dont see how Nani will be the mama of Amitabh).

The title of next part is...

According to the fan, the next film could be titled Kalki 3102 BC. "I say this because they will travel back to the Mahabharat era, and 3102 BC is the year in which Lord Krishna is said to have left his physical form, signaling the beginning of Kalyug. However, I am still skeptical how they will use BC with a movie based on Hinduism (not much, just would feel a bit weird). Maybe this one should have been Kalki 2898 ADE. Also, for those who don't get the significance of 2898 AD: 3102 BC-Start of Kalyug. The promotional materials have clearly said that the story that BEGAN 6000 years ago ends now. 6000-3102=2898 AD," wrote the person.

Reactions to the post

One Redditor commented, "I genuinely wish this film turns out well. It's one of my most hyped releases." A person wrote, "The one thing Brahmastra has taught me, is to not dive into deep rabbit holes like this again. The last thing I need is to cook up so many theories..." A third commented, "Interesting theories... eagerly waiting for the movie."

Kalki 2898 AD is directed by Nag Ashwin. The film is touted to be a mythology-inspired sci-fi extravaganza set in the future. Produced by Vyjayanthi Movies, it is set for a theatrical release on June 27, 2024.
This comes just days after there were rumours around the show facing financial crunch.

Legal action

We have learnt that MH Films, the production house behind the show, has filed a police complaint against Digangana, alleging cheating and criminal breach of trust under IPC Section 420 and Section 406.

According to the complaint, Digangana falsely claimed to secure actor Akshay Kumar and his company as presenters for the project.

The complaint reads, She said she has personal relationships with stars such as Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, and she would be in a position to rope in such a popular actor as a presenter. The complaint claims that she took money on the pretext of getting Akshay on board.

In addition to that, MH Films has also issued a defamation notice to actor Rakesh Bedi and Digangana's fashion designer Krishan Parmar.

They have been accused of making false public statements about the show maker's unwillingness to collaborate, which allegedly damaged the project's reputation. As per the complaint, they also misled the media by stating that the project was shelved and payments were withheld.

Advocate Falguni Brahmbhatt, representing MH Films and Director Manish Harishankar, confirmed the developments to us.

Falguni also noted that Digangana allegedly attempted to extort a significant amount of money in cash, threatening serious consequences for Harishankar if her demands were not met.

This threat has been reported to the police, who have been requested to take action based on the complaint, she stated.

About the row

Earlier this month, there were reports indicating that Zeenats OTT debut project has hit a roadblock and paused because of financial issues, with some reports claiming that investors have not got their payment back.

Some insiders claimed that the actors and the support staff are yet to receive their payments. Only a percentage of their amount was paid by the producer. Besides the actors, many people from the crew have complained about this, a source told Hindustan Times earlier.

Krishan Parmar, the official stylist, also shared, I was roped in for Diganganas styling with a per day assured sum. Shwetas personal stylist also hasnt been paid; I talked to him but he has given up. My billable amount was 125K but only 25K was paid. Whenever I approach the line producer Narendra Jani for the payments, he tells me that theyve pitched the series to platforms and once its sold, everyones payments would be cleared. But I cant see that happening ever.

At that time, Manish released a statement to dismiss all the speculation, saying they are totally baseless. I just want to state on record that all the speculations and rumours made about the payments are not true. In fact, we have hundred percent cleared the lead actors payments and the productions payments are also clear by 90-95 percent, Manish said.

We have just finished dubbing with all the actors and the post-production is also going on in full swing currently. We will make the date of announcement, he added.

About the show

The series, shot across Bhopal, Indore and Mumbai, is based on the subject of bra fittings and how almost 80 percent of women in the world end up wearing the wrong sized bra for the entire duration of their life, which leads to serious health concerns. The show also stars Zarina Wahab, Shweta Tiwari and Sourabh Raaj Jain.
Recently on The Great Indian Kapil Show, actor Sonakshi Sinha had claimed mujhe kitne zor se shaadi karni hai. And as it turns out, her manifestation seems to be coming true sooner than one would have expected. Sinha has been dating actor Zaheer Iqbal for over two years, and the couple seems to be set to tie the knot this month. Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal wedding details

A source close to the affair confirms that the wedding rumours are all true. We have learnt that the big day is on June 23. The celebrations would be at the South Mumbai eatery, Bastian. The source shares, There will be a celebration on June 22 as well at their family home in Juhu. Only close friends and family are invited for this function. The wedding will take place on the morning of June 23 while the reception will take place at night."

The soon-to-be bride and groom have the blessings of their families. The wedding is going to be an intimate affair, with only the couples families and close friends in attendance. Sonkashi doesn't want to give out much details of her wedding before it happens and wants to keep it just in her close circle. Many of her actor friends will also be marking their presence to be a part of the most special day for the couple, the source shares.

Sinha and Iqbal reportedly met each other at a party hosted by actor Salman Khan. They instantly clicked and built a friendship that later blossomed into a romance. The couple worked together in Double XL (2022), and often indulge in social media PDA. They even made public appearances at events together but never made their relationship official. The source adds, The wedding planning was on for a while but Sonakshi and Zaheer were waiting for the elections to end. Sonakshis father (actor-MP) Shatrughan Sinha was busy as he was contesting from Asansol, West Bengal from TMC party. He emerged victorious at the constituency so now the wedding will be a double celebration as it comes following his victory.
Bhubaneswar: VK Pandian, former bureaucrat and outgoing Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaiks close aide, on Sunday announced his withdrawal from active politics, five days after the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) faced a drubbing at the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in both the assembly and Lok Sabha elections. Former IAS officer VK Pandian, who was Naveen Patnaiks private secretary, had joined BJD last November. (ANI Photo)

The former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, who spearheaded the BJDs poll campaign and was often targeted by the BJP over his Tamil origin, also apologised for the 26-year-old regional outfits worst-ever electoral performance in the recently concluded simultaneous polls.

My intent of joining politics was only only to assist Naveen babu, and now consciously I decide to withdraw myself from active politics, Pandian said in a video message posted on his Instagram page. I am sorry if I have hurt anyone on this journey. I am sorry if this campaign narrative against me played a part in BJDs loss. I apologise to the entire Biju parivar (family), including all the karmis (workers) for this.

The BJD faced its worst defeat in the state polls, losing the power in the state after 24-year rule to the BJP. The Naveen Patnaik-led party managed to win only 51 seats, down from the 113 seats it won in 2019, in the 147-member assembly. The BJP, on the other hand, stormed to power, winning 78 seats, four more than the majority mark of 74. The BJD also failed to open its account in the Lok Sabha polls in the state, with the BJP winning 20 of the 21 seats and the Congress one.

Pandian, a 2000-batch IAS officer, who had served as the private secretary to Patnaik in the chief ministers office since 2011 and was widely considered as one of the most powerful officers in the state, took voluntary retirement from service in October last year. He joined the BJD on November 27 and soon rose unofficially to the second rank in the party behind only party president Patnaik.

As he took centre stage, driving the BJDs poll campaign, the partys former ally-turned-rival BJP made Pandians Tamil origin as its central political plank, levelling him as an outsider. The BJP also evoked Odia Asmita (Odia Pride) focussing on Pandians non-Odia roots and the wide-spread presumption that he would succeed Patnaik in the party and government. Top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also accused Pandian of holding Patnaik captive. The missing of Ratna Bhandar (treasury) keys of the Shree Jagannath Temple was also attributed to him.

I will always keep Odisha in the core of my heart and my Guru Naveen Babu in my breath and pray to Lord Jagannath for their well-being and prosperity, Pandian said, conveying his heartfelt gratitude to the lakhs of BJD members with whom he was associated.

Pandian also said that he came from a humble family and a small village, and his childhood dream was to join the IAS and serve the people, which Lord Jagannath made possible. Stating that he came to Odisha because his wife is from Kendrapara, he recalled: From the day I set foot on the soil of Odisha, I have received immense love and affection from the people... from Dharamgarh to Rourkela to Mayurbhanj to Ganjam. I have tried to work very hard for the people.

Pandian said he had no desire whatsoever for a specific political post or power. Therefore, I was neither a candidate nor was holding any post in the party. It has been my shortcoming that I could not effectively counter the political narratives, he said.

After the electoral drubbing, the clamour within BJD grew over Pandians role, as many leaders told Patnaik that it was the former bureaucrat who stood between the party and the victory. Defending his close confidant, Patnaik on Saturday termed the criticism against Pandian as unfortunate and praised the former IAS officer for doing an excellent job. Patnaik also clarified that Pandian was not his successor.

During an election rally on May 10, Pandian had vowed to quit politics if Patnaik does not take oath as the CM. He was responding to Modis comments predicting a BJP government in Odisha.

In his video message, Pandian said his decision to join the BJD was to assist his mentor Patnaik ahead of the gruelling election.

My only intent was to help him as anyone would do for his mentor or family. I would like to set straight certain perceptions and narratives. Perhaps it has been my shortcoming that I have not been able to effectively counter some of these political narratives at the right time, he added.

Taking a dig at Pandian over his announcement to withdraw from politics, senior BJP leader Pitambar Acharya claimed the arrogance and vehemence shown by the former bureaucrat during poll campaign in Odisha was unprecedented in politics. In a post on X, Acharya said: Pandian quitting politics was not enough, the guilty needs to be punished for pushing Odisha down.
No one can prevent an adult from going wherever they choose, staying with a person of their choice, or solemnising a marriage according to their will or wish, as this is a right derived from Article 21 of the Constitution, the Allahabad high court has recently said, reported Live Law. A bench comprising Justice JJ Munir and Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal criticised a judicial magistrate for sending a woman (petitioner no. 1) to her uncle's home after the uncle (respondent no. 3) lodged an FIR against her husband (petitioner no. 2). (Photo for representational purpose only)

A bench comprising Justice JJ Munir and Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal criticised a judicial magistrate for sending a woman (petitioner no. 1) to her uncle's home after the uncle (respondent no. 3) lodged an FIR against her husband (petitioner no. 2).

The magistrate had sent the woman to her uncle's home despite her statement under Section 164 of the CrPC, in which she expressed fear for her life if sent to her uncle or parents' home, Live Law reported.

In its June 7 order, the Allahabad high court stated that the judicial magistrate, before whom petitioner no. 1 claimed she feared for her life due to threats from her uncle, was duty-bound to have an FIR registered against the uncle and to take adequate measures to ensure the safety and life of the first petitioner.

Highlighting that honour killing in such matters is not an unknown phenomenon, the court added that the superintendent of police, Siddharth Nagar, and the SHO, Police Station-Bansi, district-Siddharth Nagar, were equally answerable for failing to take action against the woman's uncle by registering an appropriate FIR and safeguarding the woman's life and security.

The first petitioner, a 21-year-old woman, had married a man of her choice in April 2024, according to Muslim rites, and the Telangana State Waqf Board had issued a marriage certificate.

Upset with her decision to marry petitioner no. 2, the woman's uncle lodged an FIR against her husband under section 363 IPC. Subsequently, the police arrested her husband and took the woman into custody, handing her over to her uncle.

When the police produced the woman before the magistrate to record her statement under Section 164 CrPC, she stated clearly that she had married petitioner no. 2 of her own choice and that her husband had been falsely implicated. She also expressed fear that her uncle, who had been threatening her, would kill her. Despite this, the magistrate directed that she be sent to her uncle's home.

Challenging the FIR, the petitioners moved to the high court.

In a similar ruling last year, the Allahabad High Court held that an adult is free to marry or live with a person of his/her choice and no one, including their parents or anyone on their behalf, can interfere in their right to freedom of choosing a partner.

This freedom, the court said, emanates from the right to life and personal liberty guaranteed by the Constitution.
The composition of the new Union council of ministers sworn in on Sunday indicates that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has prevailed over its allies for now by deciding the number of berths allocated to them. Eleven of the 72 slots in the council have been given to nine of the 15 parties in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The new Union council of ministers. (AFP)

There was much speculation on how much would the BJP yield to the demands of the allies after it fell short of the halfway mark of 272 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha for the first time since 2014. Unlike in 2014 and 2019, the BJP has just 240 seats. The backing of partners such as the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which have 28 lawmakers, has been crucial to the BJPs return to power for a third time in a row.

Both TDP, which is set to form the next government in Andhra Pradesh in coalition with the BJP and Jana Sena this week, and the JD(U) reiterated their demands for special packages for their states in the preliminary discussions ahead of Sundays swearing-in ceremony.

Also read: Watch: PM Narendra Modi applauded by PMO officials as he takes charge after taking oath for 3rd term

The Stakes

TDP and JD(U) avoided flexing their muscles considering the stability of their state governments even as the two parties have indicated choices of ministries they would prefer as per the requirements of their constituencies. A new capital for Andhra Pradesh is among TDPs priorities and it needs financial and infrastructural support for that. Bihar, where JD(U) heads the NDA government, too has been seeking financial aid for infrastructure development and employment generation.

The speed and pace vis-a-vis the special packages will also be crucial in ensuring cordial ties between the two allies. TDP snapped ties with the NDA in 2018, accusing the BJP of reneging on its promise of granting special status, which ensures most funds from the Union government are in the form of grants, etc, to Andhra Pradesh. The JD(U) has a history of switching sides. The issue of special packages as such is expected to be a pivotal condition for the longevity of the alliance.

In Bihar, the NDA parties also need to put up a united front ahead of the 2025 state polls given the resurgence of the Opposition. The NDA secured about 47% of votes and 30 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. It lost nine seats while its vote share dipped by six percentage points. The vote share of the Opposition Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) rose by six percentage points and it won eight seats compared to one in 2019.

No wrangling or squabbling

The NDA allies broadly agreed to the allocation of Cabinet berths based on their strengths in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Once the formula was broadly agreed to, there was no wrangling or squabbling. Ajit Pawars Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was the only exception. It declined the offer of one minister of state with an independent charge berth. Over the next week, the BJP has its work cut out. It is expected to iron out differences with the allies in Maharashtra, where assembly polls are due later this year. Niggling issues with chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiva Sena have been reported to the BJP leadership.

The Maharashtra challenge

Distribution of seats for the assembly polls is likely to be challenging as the Shiv Sena is expected to be more assertive. A Maharashtra BJP leader said there was a perception that the overall NDA tally in the state would decline as alliance partners may drag the score down. But the Sena won seven of the 10 seats it contested...going ahead, it will want the BJP to cede more... said the leader.

The BJP has rubbished speculation that some of the Sena leaders may be in talks with Shiva Sena (UBT), which is part of the INDIA bloc. But it has sparked concern in the state unit. Even if it is a rumour, it needs to be stemmed, said the leader quoted above.

The BJP is expected to address problems with the NCP too amid reports that some leaders of the key state ally plan to join the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).

Also read: PM Narendra Modi gives Global South, Neighbourhood First message at President's banquet

Expansion on the cards

For now, the BJP has retained 60 berths in the Union council of ministers. But given the pressure it anticipates from allies, an expansion could be on the cards ahead of the polls in Maharashtra. A lot will also depend on the allocation of ministries expected on Monday. The BJP has shown deference to the seniority and experience of two ex-chief ministers by allocating Cabinet berths to Janata Dal (Secular)s HD Kumaraswamy and Hindustani Awam Morchas Jitan Ram Manjhi. It will be closely watching their response to the ministries allocated to them.

What next in Haryana

It remains to be seen whether the BJP will reach out to its old ally Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) ahead of elections in Haryana, where the Congress wrested five of the 10 Lok Sabha seats. JJPs 10 legislators helped the BJP form the government in Haryana in 2019 before the two parties ended ties ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on Monday called for the immediate removal of Amit Malviya as IT cell head of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after an RSS member levelled allegations of sexual exploitation against him. Supriya Shrinate highlighted that Santanu Sinha, an RSS member, who is reportedly related to BJP leader Rahul Sinha, has accused Malviya of engaging in nefarious activities, including the sexual exploitation of women. BJP's IT-cell head Amit Malviya. (File)

An RSS member Santanu Sinha, related to BJP leader Rahul Sinha, has said that the BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya is indulged in nefarious activities. He is indulged in the sexual exploitation of women. Not just in 5-star hotels but in BJP offices in West Bengal. The only thing that we seek from the BJP is justice for women, Shrinate said at a press conference in New Delhi.

"The reality is less than 24 hours after PM Modi was sworn in, serious charges of sexual exploitation have been levelled against a very prominent office bearer of the BJP, the head of its IT cell," she added.

Read: Bengaluru police summon BJP chief JP Nadda and IT cell head amid clip furore

The Congress leader demanded Malviya's immediate removal from his influential position to ensure a fair investigation. Today we seek the immediate removal of Amit Malviya from his position. It's an extremely influential position. It's a position of power and there can be no independent inquiry. There can be no independent probe. There cannot be justice unless and until he doesn't get removed from his position.

Read: How Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi made Congress battle ready for next 5 years

Amit Malviya sent a legal notice to Santanu Sinha on Saturday asking him to take down the false and derogatory post and tender an unconditional apology.

[T]he nature of allegations are extremely offensive in as much as, they falsely allege sexual misconduct purportedly committed by my client. The same is fatally injurious to the dignity and reputation of my client who, by virtue of his professional profile, is a public figure. Such malevolently malicious statements have been deliberately made to tarnish his reputation, the legal notice reads.

That the aforesaid defamatory, scandalous, false and reckless statement and post have been widely published circulated, and read by the public at large and have lowered the dignity of my client in the eyes of the public, it adds.

Read: Man, who claimed he would die if Pankaja Munde loses Lok Sabha election, dies in bus mishap

Following Shrinate's press conference, Malviya, as quoted by ANI, said, Since the Congress and earlier TMC in West Bengal held a press conference on the slanderous post. The three-day notice ends tomorrow, 11th June. Appropriate action will follow.
Chandigarh, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Monday that the CISF woman constable, who allegedly slapped actor Kangana Ranaut, might have been angry over the BJP MP-elect's previous statements on the farmers' stir. CISF constable might have been angry over Kangana's previous remarks, says Punjab CM

Mann also ticked off Kangana over her remarks on "terrorism". However, he said this incident should not have happened.

It was the Punjab chief minister's first reaction to CISF woman constable Kulwinder Kaur allegedly slapping Kangana at the Chandigarh airport last week.

Kaur was apparently upset with Kangana's stance on the farmers' protests.

Replying to a question on the slapping incident, Mann said, "Look, that was anger. She had earlier spoken like this.

"Somewhere, there was anger in the heart of that woman . It should not have happened like this," the Aam Aadmi Party leader said.

In an obvious reference to Kangana, Mann said whether one is a film actor or an MP, it is wrong to say that entire Punjab is a terrorist state and there is terrorism in the state.

He recalled the contribution of Punjab in the country's freedom struggle and also said it feeds the nation.

"On every issue, you say that they are terrorists and separatists. If farmers hold protests, they are called terrorists. It is wrong," said Mann.

Kangana, in a video message hours after the incident last week, had said she was hit in the face and abused by the constable during a security check at the Chandigarh airport, the ugly fracas breaking out two days after she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.

In the statement titled "Shocking rise in terror and violence in Punjab" posted on X after she landed in Delhi following the incident on Thursday, Ranaut said she was safe and fine.

The constable, Ranaut had said, came towards her from the side.

"She hit me in the face and started abusing me. I asked her why she did it and she said she supports the farmer protests.

"I am safe but my concern is that terrorism and extremism are increasing in Punjab... How do we handle that?" Ranaut had said.

Another video doing the rounds on social media showed the agitated constable talking to people presumably after the incident.

"Kangana made a statement that the farmers were protesting in Delhi because they were paid 100 or 200. At the time, my mother was one of the protesters," she said in the purported video.

Kaur's brother Sher Singh Mahiwal is an organising secretary of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee in Kapurthala.

The Mohali Police has booked Kaur under Indian Penal Code sections 323 and 341 . Both are bailable offences.

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Jalna , Quota activist Manoj Jarange on Monday claimed the Congress was speaking against the interests of the Maratha community and would face consequences in the Maharashtra assembly polls due later this year. Cong to face consequences in Maharashtra polls for opposing interests of Marathas: Jarange

Speaking to reporters on the third day of his indefinite fast at Antarwali Sarathi village in Jalna, Jarange reiterated his demand for implementation of the draft notification that recognises Kunbis as "sage soyare" of Maratha community members and sought a law to identify Kunbis as Marathas.

Newly-elected Congress MP from Jalna, Kalyan Kale, visited the village and met Jarange on Monday. Kunbi, an agrarian group, falls under the Other Backward Class category, and Jarange has been demanding that Kunbi certificates be issued to all Marathas, thus making them eligible for quota benefits.

In February this year, the Maharashtra legislature unanimously passed a bill providing 10 per cent reservation for the Marathas in education and government jobs under a separate category.

Notably, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar had opposed reservation to the community from the share of the OBCs.

Asked about Wadettiwar's comments, Jarange on Monday said, "The Congress took votes from the Maratha people in the recent Lok Sabha elections and now they are speaking against our interests. They will face the consequences in the Vidhan Sabha elections."

In the recently held Lok Sabha polls, the Congress won 13 out of 17 seats it contested in the state as part of the opposition alliance.

Jarange also demanded implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette for the Kunbi records of Marathas.

He said 57 lakh documents have been received proving that Marathas and Kunbis are the same.

He also demanded withdrawal of cases against protesters seeking Maratha quota.

Before this, the activist held the agitation over the quota issue between February 10 and 26.

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Jalna , Quota activist Manoj Jarange on Monday claimed the Congress was speaking against the interests of the Maratha community and would face consequences in the Maharashtra assembly polls due later this year. Cong to face consequences in Maharashtra polls for opposing interests of Marathas: Jarange

Newly-elected Jalna Congress MP Kalyan Kale met Jarange at Antarwali Sarathi village, where the activist continued his indefinite fast for the third day, and said he supports the agitation for Maratha quota.

The Congress MP also acknowledged the influence of the Maratha reservation movement in his victory in the recent Lok Sabha polls.

Notably, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar had opposed reservation to the Maratha community from the share of the Other Backward Classes .

Asked about Wadettiwar's comments, Jarange told reporters, "The Congress took votes from the Maratha people in the recent Lok Sabha elections and now they are speaking against our interests. They will face the consequences in the Vidhan Sabha elections."

In the recently held Lok Sabha polls, the Congress won 13 out of 17 seats it contested in the state as part of the opposition alliance.

After meeting Jarange, Kale said, "Wadettiwar should not talk like this. I do not endorse his statement."

"Because of Jarange, I have been elected from the Jalna Lok Sabha constituency," he added.

In February this year, the Maharashtra legislature unanimously passed a bill providing 10 per cent reservation for the Marathas in education and government jobs under a separate category.

Jarange on Monday reiterated his demand for implementation of the draft notification that recognises Kunbis as "sage soyare" of Maratha community members and sought a law to identify Kunbis as Marathas.

Kunbi, an agrarian group, falls under the OBC category, and Jarange has been demanding that Kunbi certificates be issued to all Marathas, thus making them eligible for quota benefits. Jarange on Monday also demanded implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette for the Kunbi records of Marathas. He said 57 lakh documents have been received proving that Marathas and Kunbis are the same. He also demanded withdrawal of cases against protesters seeking Maratha quota. Before this, the activist held the agitation over the quota issue between February 10 and 26.

Political analysts believe unrest among the Maratha community members as well as farmers, and lack of major development projects in the Marathwada region contributed to the defeat of BJP-led Mahayuti candidates in the general elections.

The Bharatiya Janata Party lost all four seats it contested in the region, including Jalna and Beed, where Union minister Raosaheb Danve and former state minister Pankaja Munde suffered defeats, respectively.

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NEW DELHI: Union minister S Jaishankar met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday to discuss bilateral relations and ways to deepen regional cooperation. Union minister S Jaishankar met the three visiting leaders of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives (X/DrSJaishankar)

Jaishankar, who is set to return to the external affairs ministry, met the leaders a day after they participated in the ceremony where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sworn in for a third term. Besides these three leaders, leaders of Bhutan, Mauritius, Nepal and Seychelles were also invited to the inauguration.

People familiar with the matter described Muizzus participation in the ceremony as significant as it reflected the desire of the Maldivian leadership to engage with India after a period when bilateral relations dipped to a fresh low. Muizzu, who was elected last year on the back of an India Out campaign, had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel deployed in the Maldives soon after assuming office.

Also read: Watch: PM Narendra Modi applauded by PMO officials as he takes charge after taking oath for 3rd term

Delighted to call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives today in New Delhi. Look forward to India and Maldives working together closely, Jaishankar said in a post on X after his meeting.

Images of the banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday night showed Muizzu seated next to Modi.

In a similar post after his meeting with Hasina, Jaishankar said the India-Bangladesh Maitri [friendship] continues to advance. A Bangladeshi official described the meeting as unstructured and said the two sides reviewed the overall relationship.

Following his meeting with Wickremesinghe, Jaishankar said on X: Recognized the steady progress in India-Sri Lanka relations.

The people cited above said on condition of anonymity that no structured bilateral meetings between Modi and the visiting leaders were planned because of the prime ministers domestic travel plans.

Also read: BJP prevails over allies for now

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Modi met the visiting leaders in a group at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also held separate and brief one-on-one meetings with all of them, though the people said there were no substantive discussions.

While thanking the leaders for participating in the ceremony, Modi reaffirmed Indias commitment to its Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision or Security and Growth for All in the Region, according to a statement from the external affairs ministry.

Modi said that in his third term, India will continue to work for the peace, progress and prosperity of the region in close partnership with the countries, even as it pursues its goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. In this context, he sought deeper people-to-people ties and connectivity in the region.

India, he said, will continue to amplify the voice of the Global South in the international arena.
Ahead of the announcement of portfolios in Narendra Modi's third government, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday met with union minister Amit Shah in Delhi. Union Cabinet minister Amit Shah with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath during a meeting, in New Delhi. (PTI)

Yogi Adityanath also met with union ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari at their residences.

Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari were among around 30 MPs who were inducted into PM Modi's Cabinet on Sunday. They took oath of office at an elaborate event at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which was attended by domestic and foreign dignitaries.

This is Yogi Adityanath's first one-on-one meeting with Amit Shah since the announcement of Lok Sabha results.

The Bharatiya Janata Party fell short by 32 seats in achieving a simple majority in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament. With 240 seats, the BJP, however, emerged as the single-largest party in the country.

A National Democratic Alliance government was formed last week under the BJP's leadership. The BJP now relies on its allies, N Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar, for a majority (272) in the house.

In total, the NDA will have 293 members in the Lok Sabha. The Opposition's INDIA bloc, which pulled off a better-than-expected performance in the polls, will end with 234 MPs.

Also read: Arvind Kejriwal's disposed of warning to Yogi Adityanath: Amit Shah to be PM

The Bharatiya Janata Party's performance was particularly dismal in Uttar Pradesh, which had become the party's stronghold following its landslide victories in 2014 and 2019 general elections. The party had also won two assembly elections -- in 2017 and 2022.

Yogi Adityanath had spearheaded the BJP's UP campaign in 2022.

The BJP, which won over 60 seats in 2019 in UP, was reduced to 33 in the 2024 iteration of the general elections. The Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party, which had been written off by the exit polls, unexpectedly emerged as the single-largest party in the state with 37 Lok Sabha seats.

Also read: PM Narendra Modi replies to Justin Trudeau's 'congratulatory' post with 'respect' subtext

All exit polls had predicted that the BJP would register its third landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who returned to jail on June 2, had claimed last month that Yogi Adityanath would be removed as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh if Narendra Modi and Amit Shah's duo returned to power.

On Sunday, PM Modi and his council of ministers took the oath of office. BJP chief JP Nadda also took oath as a Cabinet minister, fueling speculation that the party could soon announce the name of its new president.
New Delhi, The Delhi Police has added the IPC section for "disappearing evidence and giving false information" against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar in A MP Swati Maliwal's assault case, an official said on Monday. Delhi Police adds fresh section against Bibhav Kumar in Swati Maliwal assault case

Kumar is accused of assaulting Maliwal at the chief minister's official residence on May 13.

The official said Section 201 of the Indian Penal Code was added in the case.

Section 201 carries a provision for imprisonment of one-sixth of the punishment awarded for the biggest offence in the crime, he added.

The FIR against Kumar was registered on May 16 under provisions of the IPC such as those related to criminal intimidation, assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe, and attempt to commit culpable homicide.

Maliwal, a former chief of the Delhi Commission for Women, alleged that Kumar attacked her with full force, slapped and kicked her when she had gone to meet Kejriwal.

According to a senior police officer, Kumar's mobile phone was found to have been formatted when he was arrested from Kejriwal's residence on May 18.

He was in Mumbai before returning to Delhi.

The police took Kumar to Mumbai twice. He is suspected to have formatted his mobile phone in Mumbai but did not disclose the place where he formatted it or the person with whom he shared the data, the officer said.

During his police custody, Kumar did not cooperate in the investigation, he added.

Another police officer said three CCTV DVRs were collected from Kejriwal's residence two from cameras installed at the entrance and one outside the drawing room.

The DVRs were sent to the forensic science laboratory as it was suspected that these were tampered with. The reports were awaited, he said.

Kumar was arrested on May 18 and is currently lodged in Tihar jail.

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New Delhi, Do not take us for granted, the Supreme Court on Monday said, slamming the Delhi government for not rectifying defects in its plea seeking a direction to Haryana to release the surplus water provided by Himachal Pradesh to the national capital to mitigate its water crisis. Dont' take us for granted: SC slams Delhi govt for not rectifying defects in water scarcity plea

A vacation bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Prasanna B Varale noted that affidavits are not being accepted in the registry due to the defect in the petition filed by the Delhi government.

"Why have you not cured the defect? We will dismiss the petition. On the last date also this was pointed out and you did not remove the defect. Don't take the court proceedings for granted, however important your case may be.

"Never take us for granted. Filings are not being accepted. You straightaway hand over a series of documents in court and then you say you are suffering a deficit of water and pass an order today itself. You are raising all grounds of urgency and sitting leisurely. Let everything come on record. We will take it the day after tomorrow," the bench said while adjourning the matter to June 12.

The top court said it wants to read the files before the matter is heard as there are so many things being reported in the newspaper.

"If we don't read the files at our residential office we will be impressed by whatever the newspapers are reporting. That is not good for any of the parties," the bench said.

At the outset, senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for Haryana, submitted the reply filed by the state government. The apex court asked Divan why did he file the reply now.

Divan replied that since the defects in the Delhi government's plea have not been rectified, pre-filing of the reply was not permitted by the registry.

The top court then rebuked the Delhi government. The counsel for the Delhi government submitted that defects have been removed.

The acute shortage of drinking water has become an "existential problem" in Delhi, the top court had earlier observed and directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release 137 cusecs of surplus water to the national capital on Friday and Haryana to facilitate its flow.

The apex court had also said there should be no politics over water.

It had noted that the Himachal Pradesh government was willing to release 137 cusecs of surplus water available with it for Delhi. One cusec is equal to 28.317 litres of liquid flow every second.

"Since Himachal Pradesh has no objection and is ready and willing to release the surplus water available with it, we direct that Himachal Pradesh shall release 137 cusecs of surplus water available with it from the upstream so that the water reaches Hathnikund barrage and reaches Delhi through Wazirabad," the bench had said.

Considering the urgency of the matter, the apex court had directed Himachal Pradesh to release the water on June 7 with prior intimation to Haryana. It had said the Upper Yamuna River Board shall measure the excess water which comes to Hathnikund for its onward supply to Wazirabad and Delhi.

While hearing the matter on June 3, the apex court had asked for an emergent meeting of the UYRB on June 5 to address the issue.

The UYRB was set up in 1995 with one of its main functions to regulate the allocation of available flows amongst the beneficiary states and also monitor and review the progress of all projects up to and including the Okhla barrage in Delhi. The beneficiary states include Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

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Far-right parties have made major gains in the European Parliament election that concluded on Sunday, with the domination of Marine Le Pens National Rally in France promoting President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve the parliament and call national legislative elections on June 30 a month before the Paris Olympics. The first provisional results for the European Parliament elections projected on a screen. (AP)

The surge of nationalist and populist parties, which lead governments in Hungary, Slovakia, and Italy and are part of ruling coalitions in Sweden and Finland, will make legislation on issues such as climate change and agriculture policy harder.

Le Pens party won about twice as many votesover 30%as Macrons pro-European centrist Renew party, which was projected to get less than 15%. She echoed far-right leaders in other European countries celebrating their wins. Le Pen said they were ready to turn France around, defend the French interests, and end mass immigration. We are ready to take power if the French trust us, said Le Pen.

Macron, whose move to call a snap could hobble the rest of his term that ends in 2027 if his party suffers more losses, said the move underscored his democratic credentials. I have heard your [voters] message, your concerns, and I would not leave them unanswered, he said. He said he could not act as if nothing had happened. The French people must now make the best choice for themselves and future generations.

Macron warned the rise of nationalists and demagogues was a danger for France and Europe as the outcome was expected to boost Marine Le Pens position as his challenger in presidential elections three years later. Macron has to step aside because of term limits in 2027.

Frances blue-chip index CAC 40 dropped by 2% at the opening on Monday after Macrons call for a snap poll. Shares in Frances biggest bank BNP Paribas dipped by almost 8% at the opening. It was trading 5% lower at 0712 GMT. The shares in French lenders Credit Agricole and SocGen suffered heavy losses too.

Right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), a fiercely anti-immigrant party labeled officially a suspected extremist group, surged to second place in Germany, the 27-nation EUs most populous nation, as its votes rose from 11% in 2019 to 16.5%. Germanys three-party governing coalition topped 30%. AfD leader Alice Weidel cited the prophecies of doom and said they are the second strongest force.

AfD beat Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democrats 16% to 14%. Far-right parties gained ground in the Netherlands and Belgium. In Austria, the far-right Freedom Party topped a nationwide ballot for the first time.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ruling post-fascist Brothers of Italy came out on top with 28%, making her one of the rare major European leaders to emerge strengthened. It won 26% of votes in the 2022 national ballot when it rose to power. I am proud that Italy will present itself to the G7, to Europe with the strongest government of all. This is something that has not happened in the past but is happening today, it is a satisfaction and also a great responsibility, Meloni said.

The opposition centre-left Democratic Party came in second with 24%. Another opposition group, the 5-Star Movement, was third with 9.9% of the vote.

The victory of Melonis party, which traces its roots back to a neo-fascist group, in 2022 set the tone for far-right gains across Europe. Meloni has since moderated her image. She has dropped her anti-EU rhetoric and presented herself as a bridge between the mainstream centre-right and her national conservative camp.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbans far-right Fidesz headed for its worst score in Hungary in its 14-year rule. It got 44% votes but well down on the 52% it won in 2019.

Extreme-right parties share anti-immigrant platforms, but divisions remain over Europes role in helping Ukraine in its fight against Russias invasion.

Centrist mainstream and pro-European groups Christian Democrats and the Socialists overall remained dominant across Europe at the end of the voting on Sunday. They kept an overall majority in the European Parliament, which approves legislation, the blocs budget, and its top leaders.

The far-right gained at the expense of the Greens, which were set to fall back to sixth position and expected to lose about 20 seats. Provisional results showed the Christian Democrats would have 189 seats (up 13), the Social Democrats 135 (down 4), and the pro-business Renew group 83 (down 19). The Greens slumped to 53 (down 18). The defeat of the Greens was expected to have an impact on the EUs climate change policies.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered to build a coalition with the Social Democrats as it mostly held its ground and the pro-business Liberals. We are by far the strongest party, We are the anchor of stability, von der Leyen said. She added the result brings great stability for the parties in the center and that they all have an interest in stability and want a strong and effective Europe.
Mumbai, Six MPs from Maharashtra have been inducted into the Modi 3.0 coalition government, with the BJP securing four berths and allies Shiv Sena and RPI getting one each. Notably, the NCP led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar declined the BJP's offer of Minister of State with independent charge, insisting on a cabinet berth for Praful Patel. There were eight ministers from Maharashtra, belonging to the BJP and its allies, in the second term of the Modi government in 2019-24. The number came down to six on Sunday. In the new government, BJP MPs Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal were retained as cabinet ministers. Raksha Khadse, BJP's lone woman MP from Maharashtra, and first-time MP Murlidhar Mohol were sworn in as Ministers of State. Among BJP's allies, RPI chief Ramdas Athawale was retained as an MoS with independent charge, and Prataprao Jadhav, from the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, also took oath as an MoS with independent charge. The NCP led by Ajit Pawar refused the MoS offer, demanding a cabinet berth for Rajya Sabha member Praful Patel due to his experience. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said coalition formulas must be respected, assuring the NCP would be considered in future cabinet expansions. "We had offered one berth of minister with independent charge to the NCP but they wanted Praful Patel's name to be finalised. Due to his experience, the NCP believed he could not be made MoS with independent charge," Fadnavis said. In a coalition government, a formula has to be drawn, which cannot be broken for one party, he said. "I can confidently say whenever cabinet expansion takes place, the government will consider the NCP. We did try to include NCP right now, but they insisted on cabinet portfolio," the senior BJP leader said. Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Ajit Pawar asserted the NCP "was ready to wait" but wanted a cabinet berth. The eight ministers from Maharashtra who were part of the Modi-led government from 2019-24 included Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, Narayan Rane, Bhagwat Karad, Raosaheb Danve, Bharti Pawar and Kapil Patil- all from BJP, and Ramdas Athawale of the RPI . In the recently held Lok Sabha elections, the BJP fared poorly in Maharashtra as it could win only nine seats, compared to the 2019 tally of 23 out of the total 48 constituencies in the state. The Shiv Sena led by Shinde bagged seven seats and Ajit Pawar-led NCP just one. Gadkari, Goyal, Khadse and Mohol won from Nagpur, Mumbai North, Raver and Pune Lok Sabha constituencies, respectively, in the recent elections. Notably, the BJP did not re-induct Narayan Rane in the Union cabinet though he won from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha seat. Three other BJP ministers - Raosaheb Danve, Bharati Pawar, and Kapil Patil- in the previous government lost the elections this time.

Gadkari, Goyal among 6 ministers from Maharashtra in Union cabinet; state strength down by 2
The number of Gujarat MPs inducted into the third government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come down to six compared to seven in the second term. The representation of Gujarat MPs in the Modi government's third term has reduced to 6 as compared to 7 in the last term (HT Imaging: Malay Karmakar)

Amit Shah, Mansukh Mandaviya and S Jaishankar were sworn in as cabinet ministers for the second consecutive time on Sunday.

The new entrants in the list from Gujarat are state BJP chief and Navsari MP CR Patil, party president and Rajya Sabha member JP Nadda and Bhavnagar MP Nimuben Bambhaniya.

Read more: Gujarat BJP leader CR Patil set to join Union Cabinet

Shah and Mandaviya are Lok Sabha members, while Jaishankar is the Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat.

Rajkot MP Parshottam Rupala, who was a minister in the previous government, has been dropped this time.

He was at the centre of a controversy over a remark which enraged the Khastriya/Rajput community during the Lok Sabha poll campaign. In a video that went viral, he was seen claiming that maharajas (royals) broke bread with the British and bowed to them.

Since Rajputs in the Saurashtra and Kutch region consider themselves the descendants of the royal family, he faced widespread bcklash for his comments.

Read more: Mandaviya, who proved his mettle during COVID-19 crisis, finds place in Union cabinet again

A three-term Rajya Sabha member, Rupala had served as minister in both the previous Modi governments. He was the Union Minister of State for agriculture, farmers welfare and panchayati raj between 2016 and 2021. From July 2021, he was Union minister of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying.

Devusinh Chauhan, MP from Kheda, was also dropped this time. He had previously served as the Union Minister of State (MoS) for communication.

Mahendra Munjpara, who served as the MoS for women and child development in the previous government, was not given a ticket by the party to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Read more: Congress opens Lok Sabha account in Gujarat after 10 years with Geniben Thakors win

Darshana Jardosh, who was the MoS for railways and textiles in the second Modi government, did not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
A day after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district claimed nine lives, Union minister Ramdas Athawale said that it was a deliberately carried out attack to spark fear on the same day when Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive term. Athawale was also sworn in as part of the Modi 3.0 cabinet. A forensic official inspects a bus that fell into a deep gorge on Sunday after being fired at by suspected militants in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, (AP Photo/Channi Anand)(AP)

While speaking on the terror attack in the Reasi district, Athawale claimed that terrorism has ended in the Jammu and Kashmir region. He asserted that if such incidents keep on persisting, the country will have to start a war against Pakistan.

I believe terrorism has ended in the region of J&K. This attack was carried out deliberately, just to create fear as PM Narendra Modi forms the government for the third time. But, if such incidents keep happening then we have to start a war with Pakistan... A lot of terrorists enter India through PoK, the union minister told ANI.

On June 9, a terror attack in the Reasi region of Jammu and Kashmir left nine people dead and 41 injured.

Read more: Reasi survivors played dead as terrorists kept firing after bus fell into gorge

Terrorists opened fire at the 53-seater bus carrying pilgrims near Teryath village in the Poni area when it was en route from Shiv Khori temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine at Katra. The bus plunged into the deep gorge following the attack.

At least 10 people travelling in the bus sustained bullet injuries from the attack.

Soon after the attack, anti-Pakistan protests broke out across the Jammu region, including Katra, Doda town and Kathua district, calling for increased security measures to prevent such incidents. Protestors accused Pakistan for carrying out attacks in the region, and demanded strict action by the Centre against the neighbouring country.

Jammu and Kashmir L-G Manoj Sinha announced an ex-gratia amount of 10 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives in the terror attack. 50,000 will be given to those who got injured in the attack.

(With inputs from agencies)
In May last year, the Janata Dal (Secular) faced what many political observers saw as an existential crisis. The party, once considered kingmakers in Karnataka, lost 18 seats and 5% of its vote share in the elections. Their core voter base, the Vokkaliga community, had swung towards the Congress, further exacerbating their woes. The situation worsened when JD(S) state president and former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy suffered a mild stroke. JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy takes oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday. (Hindustan Times)

Kumaraswamys discharge from the hospital on August 30 marked a symbolic third birth for him, following two previous cardiac surgeries. This event heralded a dramatic comeback for both him and his party. The JD(S) not only regained its Vokkaliga support base but also secured a cabinet portfolio in the union government through a strategic alliance in 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Although the partys seat count increased modestly from one to two, their role in reducing Congresss influence in south Karnataka has been pivotal for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Few names in Karnatakas politics evoke as much intrigue and drama as HD Kumaraswamy. Born into the influential Gowda family on December 16, 1959, in Haradanahalli, Hassan district, Karnataka, Kumaraswamys life has been a roller-coaster of soaring highs and devastating lows. Known affectionately as Kumaranna to his followers, he has been a kingmaker, a chief minister, and an unreliable partner who found friends even after betrayals, as described by a Congress leader.

Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, completed his education at the National College in Bengaluru. Initially, he did not aspire to enter politics, preferring the film industry, where he produced and distributed Kannada films. However, the political legacy of his family soon drew him into the political arena. In 1996, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Kanakapura constituency, marking the beginning of his political career.

The political drama surrounding Kumaraswamy began in 2006 when he, then a relatively junior player in state politics, executed a surprising political manoeuvre. The Karnataka assembly elections had left no party with a clear majority. Kumaraswamy, leading a faction of JD(S), broke away from an earlier agreement with the Congress and allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), despite the ideological differences between the two parties. This alliance allowed him to become the chief minister of Karnataka. However, internal strife plagued the coalition, leading to its collapse in 2007 when Kumaraswamy resigned after the BJP accused him of not honouring the power-sharing agreement and withdrew support.

The 2018 state elections set the stage for another dramatic chapter in Kumaraswamys political saga. The elections resulted in a hung assembly, with no party securing an outright majority. Seizing the opportunity, Kumaraswamy formed a post-poll alliance with the Congress to keep the BJP out of power. Despite ideological differences and historical enmity, the JD(S)-Congress coalition formed the government, with Kumaraswamy once again taking the oath as CM without his party winning the majority. However, this coalition was unstable, with constant threats from internal dissent and external pressures. The relationship between Kumaraswamy and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah was particularly strained, leading to defections that eventually caused the governments collapse in 2019.

Wooing to hit back at the Congress, in 2023, Kumaraswamy began his assembly elections saying it would be his last. This declaration was not just a retirement plan but a strategic move to galvanise the party base. The 2023 elections were a high-stakes drama, with Kumaraswamy contesting from the Channapatna constituency against BJPs CP Yogeshwara. The tension on election day was palpable, and Kumaraswamys lead fluctuated, keeping supporters on edge. Ultimately, he won by a margin of 15,915 votes. Despite his personal victory, JD(S) managed to win only 19 out of the contested 204 seats, a low point in the partys history.

After staying on the fence, in September last year, HD Kumaraswamy entered into an alliance with the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Although the alliance didnt dramatically change JD(S) fortunes, as it contested fewer seats than before, it significantly impacted Congress in south Karnataka.

For example, in the Bengaluru rural seat, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumars brother DK Suresh was defeated by NDA candidate and Kumaraswamys brother-in-law CN Manjunath. In the assembly polls held last year, the Congress polled 812,000 votes in the eight constituencies under Bangalore Rural. In 2024, Congress retained its base with 807,000 votes, but the BJP, benefiting from the JD(S) vote transfer, received 1.07 million votes. This vote transfer was successful in other constituencies as well, except in Hassan, where a sex scandal negatively affected the alliance. Consequently, the Congress failed to win any seats in the Vokkaliga heartland.

Speaking about Kumaraswamys new position, chairman of the JD(S) core committee GT Deve Gowda recalled a prophetic statement by the partys patriarch, HD Deve Gowda: In 1996, while leaving office, our patriarch said that the party would return from the ashes like a phoenix. Before this election, we wouldnt have survived politically, but now we have a minister at the centre. Now that Kumaraswamy is in the union, all 19 MLAs will continue the jobs of being the voice of the opposition in the assembly.

Political scientist Professor Muzaffar Assadi said: The post of the union minister is the perk of the alliance than a result of the resounding victory. Yes, his party has helped the BJP. Now, what ministry he gets will make an impact. Also, how he will deal with the river projects as the minister will also impact his partys performance in the coming elections.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chief Sonia Gandhi on Saturday addressed party workers at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) showcasing the unity in the aftermath of a closely contested Lok Sabha polls. Both leaders spoke about the revival of the party. (ANI photo)

Both leaders, who have witnessed the downward trajectory of the party in the last decade, spoke about the revival of the party even as the outfit stares at staying out of power for 15 years, or three full Lok Sabha terms. While Kharge spoke about the importance of the unity of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) allies in the Opposition benches and review in states where the party has not performed well in the polls, Sonia Gandhi issued a clear warning to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government on the functioning of Parliament.

Rejection of Modis leadership

Sonia emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies have suffered political and moral defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

In her first verbal attack on Narendra Modi after the elections and a day before his oath-taking as the next PM, Sonia told the meeting of the CPP that, 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.

Kharge too, maintained that in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election, 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. Its rejection of the politics of divisiveness, hate and polarization.

But why do the Congress top leaders refuse to give the political legitimacy to Modi 3.0?

After all, the Modi-led BJP emerged as the largest party in this election and the NDA alliance has bagged a comfortable majority in the Lower House. And as Modi pointed out, the Congress has not got as many numbers in the last three elections put together as the BJP got in this term.

By taking away the political legitimacy, the Congress has been preparing the warpath against the Modi government in the last five years and keeping the organisation and the MPs battle-ready.

Its perhaps the only way to keep morale high in another defeat. But what the party is now looking at is the series of assembly elections that are coming up in the next two years. Most importantly, the elections in Maharashtra and Bihar are due in the coming months and it would be an acid test for the INDIA bloc alliance, said a senior Congress strategist.

Sonia claims govts writ wont run in Parliament

The Oppositions space, undoubtedly, has shrunk in Parliament in the last ten years. The Opposition has lost chairmanship of standing committees, major bills have been passed without debates or sent to committees that are not headed by Opposition leaders for reviews. The Opposition voice was subdued by the numerical majority of the NDA in the past ten years.

This time, with 234 MPs, the Opposition is emboldened.

At the CPP meeting, Sonia Gandhi declared that No longer can and should Parliament be bulldozed like it has been for a decade now and 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 or stifled as it has been over the past ten years, she added.

Gandhi also got re-elected as the CPP chief for another five years even as the CWC asked her son, former party chief Rahul Gandhi to take the leader of Oppositions post in the new Lok Sabha.

If Gandhi indeed becomes the LoP, the negotiations between the government and the Opposition in running the House, selecting heads of various institutions such as CVC, CBI or election commissioners, might hit a roadblock.

Sonia 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, asking her colleagues to be watchful, vigilant and proactive in holding Modi and his new NDA government accountable.

She also reminded that the Congress party has challenging times ahead as it has to prevent any attempts to increase polarization and erosion of secular and democratic values enshrined in our Constitution by the ruling cabal.

She 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 to where they legitimately belong.

Kharge harps on unity of alliance

The INDIA alliance, a group that has 234 lawmakers in the Lok Sabha, must function cohesively and collectively both in parliament and outside, Kharge said at the meeting of the extended CWC on Saturday as he also emphasised that People have reposed their faith back in us (the Congress) in substantial measures and we must build on it.

The Congress president, who played a key role to form the INDIA alliance, said, 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.

Even as the Congress party has improved its tally substantially from 52 in the last Lok Sabha to 99 in the 18th Lok Sabha, it accounts for less than 50% of the INDIA blocs numbers in the Lower House. And with temperamental allies such as Trinamool Congress (TMC) or Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Kharge, who has over 50 years of politics behind him, knows unity is key.

Later, Rahul said, 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.

In his speech, Kharge showered praises on 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.

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 with his forehead yesterday, he forgot how he had violated constitutional traditions in the last ten years. He has weakened Parliament and constitutional institutions. He has insulted them, Kharge alleged.

The Congress president also asked the MPs to constantly pay attention to their problems and difficulties of people and keep raising issues related to your area in the Parliament.

Kharge added that out of power, the alliance must find ways to stick together.

The raging issues that were raised during the election campaign could possibly be a rallying point for the Opposition. Thats why, addressing the extended CWC attended by 120 of 139 members, Kharge possibly 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 presence of leaders from the neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, at the inauguration of Narendra Modis third term as premier emphasises the importance attached by New Delhi to these countries. President Droupadi Murmu, vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with leaders of the Indias neighbourhood countries in New Delhi on Sunday. (PTI Photo)

The swearing-in ceremony was also attended by Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Seychelles Vice-President Ahmed Afif, and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, whose inclusion as an invitee surprised diplomatic circles in view of the currently strained ties between New Delhi and Male.

After the ceremony, Modi met the visiting leaders at Rashtrapati Bhavan and reaffirmed Indias commitment to its Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision, or Security and Growth for All in the Region. Modi said in his third term, India will continue to work for peace, progress and prosperity of the region in close partnership with the countries, even as it pursues its goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

In this context, Modi called for deeper people-to-people ties and connectivity in the region. India will continue to amplify the voice of the Global South in the international arena, he said.

The leaders of the eight member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) were invited to Modis swearing-in in 2014, while the leaders of the members of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) as well as Mauritius and Kyrgyzstan were the guests at his inauguration in 2019.

Though Bangladesh has the rare distinction of being invited to all three swearing-in ceremonies, this is the first time Hasina is representing her country  in 2014, Dhaka was represented by the parliament speaker as she was on a pre-scheduled visit to Japan, and in 2019, former president Abdul Hamid attended the event as she was on a three-nation tour.

Bangladesh occupies a special place in Indias Neighbourhood First policy and has benefited from billions of dollars provided by New Delhi as soft loans or grants to bolster road, rail, waterway and energy connectivity. Bangladesh recently slipped from fifth to tenth spot on the list of Indias largest export destinations but it remains the countrys largest trade partner in South Asia.

Hasinas government has done a lot to work with India to address security challenges related to the strategic northeastern states, including cracking down on militant groups, and Japan has aligned its development cooperation in Bangladesh with Indias connectivity initiatives.

Muizzu is on his first visit to New Delhi since coming to power in November last year on the back of an India Out campaign and taking a range of steps to move the Maldives closer to China in areas ranging from defence to trade. Within hours of taking oath, Muizzu demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives to operate three aircraft used for humanitarian missions. India completed the process of replacing the military personnel with civilian experts last month.

While accepting Indias invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony, however, Muizzu said he looked forward to working with Modi to strengthen relations with India and noted that bilateral ties are heading in the positive direction, as would be demonstrated by this visit. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while announcing Muizzus arrival in New Delhi, said on X that India and Maldives are maritime partners and close neighbours.

Sri Lanka benefited from Indian aid worth nearly $4 billion, including currency support, deferred payment of loans and lines of credit to buy food, fuel and medicines, during its economic crisis in 2022, and the two sides are now working on a range of initiatives to boost financial, energy and physical connectivity.

Bhutan and Nepal are also important partners for India, especially in the context of Chinas efforts to increase its influence in the region. India has ramped up energy and physical connectivity with Nepal to counter Chinas efforts to implement projects under its Belt and Road Initiative. Tobgay, who was elected prime minister in January, has been crucial in stalling efforts by China to speed up the demarcation of disputed sections of the border with Bhutan  a development that could have significant ramifications for the security of the so-called chickens neck or thin sliver of territory that unites the northeastern states to the rest of India.

The external affairs ministry has said the visit of these leaders to attend the swearing-in is in keeping with the highest priority accorded to the Neighbourhood First policy and the SAGAR vision. Modi is expected to hold separate bilateral meetings with the leaders on Sunday.

On Sunday, Hasina met senior BJP leader LK Advani at his residence before holding a bilateral meeting with her Bhutan counterpart.
Newly appointed Union minister V Somanna, who had contemplated quitting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and joining the Congress earlier this year, should be thankful to former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda for his current position. When hurt and bitter Somanna, who held state BJP president BY Vijayendra responsible for his twin defeats from Varuna assembly constituency in Mysuru district and Chamarajanagar segment in the 2023 Assembly polls, wanted to leave the BJP, it was Gowda who counseled him to be patient. Newly-appointed Union minister V Somanna. (PTI)

In January this year, Gowda, who used to describe Somanna as his Dattu Putra (adopted son) when the latter was in the Janata Dal (Secular-JDS), held a meeting with him. He (Gowda) explained the political situation of the state and the country and instructed me not to make any decision (to quit the party) as Narendra Modi should become the PM again, Somanna told the media after the meeting.

In the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, of the 17 seats won by the BJP, five are represented by the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. Among the five Lingayat MPs elected, Somanna being picked by the BJP central leadership to be in the Union cabinet over his community MPs BY Raghavendra, Basavaraj Bommai, Jagadish Shettar, and PC Gaddigoudar has its reasons. According to people familiar with the BJPs inner workings, Somanna is seen as an influential Lingayat leader, second only to former chief minister BS Yediyurappa. His connection with the Lingayat mutts, particularly the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru, is significant.

Sulking after his defeat in two assembly constituencies and also after Yediyurappas son BY Vijayendra was made the state party chief, a post Somanna had coveted, he held a show of strength at the Siddaganga Mutt premises in January this year. He deliberately invited local Congress leaders, including state home minister G Parameshwara, to the event to send a message to the BJP top brass of his unhappiness and his intentions to join the Congress.

No leader should suffer for being loyal to the party and obeying orders of the high command, Somanna had said at several public functions after his defeat. I did not lose because of the Congress. The high command should instruct them (Yediyurappa and Vijayendra) not to trouble me anymore in the future, he said.

Somanna also admitted that it was his biggest mistake to leave his constituency, Govindrajnagar in Bengaluru, and accept the BJPs decision to contest against CM Siddaramaiah in Varuna and C Puttarangashetty of the Congress in Chamarajanagar. It was the biggest mistake. What was I to do when I was asked to contest with just a few days left and Union minister Amit Shah sat in my house for two to three hours and badgered me, Somanna had reportedly told the Siddaganga Mutts seers. Later, he met Shah and requested him to accommodate him in the Rajya Sabha and put him in charge of three Lok Sabha constituencies, which the party was likely to win.

During the poll campaign in Varuna, Shah told the voters that if Somanna was elected from the constituency, I promise, we will make him something big and the constituency will be a model one for the entire country.

After being in political wilderness for 10 months, the BJPs decision to field him from Tumakuru Lok Sabha opened new doors of hope for Somanna. In a close contest, he defeated SP Muddhanume Gowda of the Congress by a margin of 175,594 votes.

After his name was announced, Somanna told the media, I am happy that I am getting an opportunity to serve under Modi. I will fulfill his expectations. The party must have recognised my hard work and rewarded me.
KOCHI: Thrissur MP Suresh Gopi, who took oath as a Union minister of state on Sunday, sparked speculation about his exit from the Union council of ministers but later insisted that reports of his resignation from PM Modis team were grossly incorrect. BJP leader Suresh Gopi greets Prime Minister Narendra Modi as taking oath as minister of state at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday. (Hindustan Times/Ajay Aggarwal)

A few media platforms are spreading the incorrect news that I am going to resign from the Council of Ministers of the Modi Government. This is grossly incorrect. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji we are committed to the development and prosperity of Kerala, Gopi said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday afternoon.

Asked about reports earlier that he was unhappy at being appointed a minister of state and not a cabinet minister, Gopi told reporters earlier on Monday. I had not demanded anything. I had said that I didnt want it (union ministry role). I think I will be relieved soon. As an MP for Thrissur, I can play a very important role. I have to do films. Let them (BJP leadership) decide, he said.

The remark led to reports about the impending exit of Gopi, a leading Malayalam film actor who scripted history last week by becoming the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP to be elected from Kerala.

At the time, BJP Kerala president K Surendran also declined to comment on his remarks. The PM has made him a minister. These matters do not come under my jurisdiction. Please dont trouble me with these questions, Surendran said.

People familiar with the matter said the actor had also indicated ahead of the oath ceremony on Sunday that he wasnt keen on joining as MoS and had flown back to Thiruvananthapuram, on Sunday morning. But he returned to Delhi with his wife and took oath as a Union minister of state after the partys top leadership intervened.

Apart from Suresh Gopi, PM Modi also inducted George Kurian, an advocate and Kerala BJP general secretary, into his 71-member council of ministers. Kurian, who hails from the influential Syro-Malabar Church, has been the Kerala BJPs organisation man for the last four decades. He has served as vice-chairman of the national commission for minorities and the officer on special duty (OSD) to O Rajagopal, the veteran BJP leader during his term as Union minister under the AB Vajpayee government. Kurians induction is seen as the BJPs continued outreach to the Christian community ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

Suresh Gopi won the Thrissur constituency by a margin of over 74,000 votes defeating the Communist Party of India and Congress candidates. In the run-up to the elections, Gopi repeatedly underscored that if he won, he would have a place in the union council of ministers and have a hotline with the governments top union ministers that would enable him to implement the schemes and projects he had planned for Thrissur and Kerala in general.

Gopi joined the BJP at PM Modis insistence in October 2016 after being nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the Centre under the Arts category. During his stint in the Upper House, he chose Thiruvananthapuram as the nodal district and implemented various development projects using the MPLADS funds. He first contested the Thrissur Lok Sabha elections in 2019 and lost with a 28% vote share. Two years later, he lost the Thrissur assembly election as well before winning the Lok Sabha seat last week with a 38% vote share.
Actor-politician Suresh Gopi, who was sworn in as a Union minister of state (MoS) in the Narendra Modi-led government on Sunday, has denied media reports of him wanting to be relieved of the new responsibility. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suresh Gopi greets Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he takes oath as a cabinet minister (MOS) during the swearing-in ceremony of the NDA government at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on June 9. (Ajay Aggarwal/Hindustan Times)

Taking to social media platform X (formally Twitter) on Monday, Suresh Gopi, who won the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat, claimed, A few media platforms are spreading the incorrect news that I am going to resign from the Council of Ministers of the Modi Government. This is grossly incorrect. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji we are committed to the development and prosperity of Kerala.

Suresh Gopi, a leading Malayalam film actor scripted history by becoming the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP to be elected from Kerala in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections. Suresh Gopi won the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 74,686 votes.

A Bharatiya Janata Party leader earlier told HT that the actor was unhappy over his induction as the MoS and had hoped to be appointed a cabinet minister or at least, minister of state (independent charge).

Kerala BJP president K Surendran, however, dismissed reports that there would be a change of guard in the party unit of the southern state. He also dismissed as fake news the reports about Suresh Gopi allegedly expressing displeasure over not providing him with a Cabinet or MoS (Independent) charge in the Narendra Modi-led government.

Speaking to the media in New Delhi, K Surendran mocked the Kerala media and said a section of journalists was spreading fake news against the BJP state unit.

He also claimed that the media had spread news that the BJP state unit was planning to defeat Gopi from the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat.

"Initially, you (the media) alleged that the Kerala BJP unit had planned to avoid Suresh Gopi by making him the chairman of the Satyajit Ray Film Institute. You claimed that Suresh Gopi would not contest from Thrissur. When the election was announced, the media and certain so-called observers claimed that the state BJP unit was trying to defeat Suresh Gopi," news agency PTI quoted K Surendran as saying.

Surendran said that people have dismissed fake news.

"A section of the media also claimed that I would be resigning from the post of state chief. I will hand over the charge to you (the media) in the evening. Is that fine?" he asked.

Surendran said the BJP Kerala unit has two Union ministers and has an increased vote share of 20 per cent.

(With inputs from agencies)
Kerala BJP president, K Surendran on Monday, dismissed reports that there would be a change of guard in the party unit of the southern state. Surendran mocked the Kerala media and said a section of journalists was spreading fake news against the BJP state unit. (Photo from X.)

He also dismissed as "fake news" the reports about actor-politician Suresh Gopi, who won the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat, allegedly expressing displeasure over not providing him with a Cabinet or MoS (Independent) charge in the Narendra Modi-led government.

Gopi took oath as the Minister of State in the NDA government on Sunday.

Speaking to the media in New Delhi, Surendran mocked the Kerala media and said a section of journalists was spreading fake news against the BJP state unit.

He claimed that the media had spread news that the BJP state unit was planning to defeat Gopi from the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat.

"Initially, you (the media) alleged that the Kerala BJP unit had planned to avoid Suresh Gopi by making him the chairman of the Satyajit Ray Film Institute. You claimed that Suresh Gopi would not contest from Thrissur. When the election was announced, the media and certain so-called observers claimed that the state BJP unit was trying to defeat Suresh Gopi," Surendran said.

Gopi won the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 74,686 votes.

Surendran said that people have dismissed fake news.

"A section of the media also claimed that I would be resigning from the post of state chief. I will hand over the charge to you (the media) in the evening. Is that fine?" he asked.

Surendran said the BJP Kerala unit has two union ministers and has an increased vote share of 20 per cent.

"We have established ourselves as a political power, but still, you (the media) are trying to attack us," the BJP state chief said.

Apart from Gopi, BJP leader George Kurain also took oath as the Minister of State in the third NDA government.
A 41-year-old man has been arrested on charges of murdering his friend and dismembering the body and dumping it in Belathur area of Bengaluru, a police officer said on Sunday The officer said that Rao bought a machete from Hoskote with the intention of killing Srinath. (Getty Images)

The officer said that the Ramamurthy Nagar police arrested Madhava Rao (41) on June 6 in Andhra Pradesh for killing his friend Srinath (34), dismembering the body into several pieces and dumping it.

The motive behind the crime was an illicit relationship between Srinath and Raos wife, coupled with financial issues, the officer said..

According to police, Srinath, a development officer at the Basaveshwarnagar branch of the chit fund institution, lived with his wife and two children in Anjanadri Layout, Sampigehalli. On May 28, he did not return home from work, prompting his wife to file a missing person report at the Sampigehalli police station the next day.

During investigation by inspector M Prashanth of Sampigehalli police station, a complicated history between Srinath and Rao was revealed.

The police said that Srinath met Rao, who was working at Holobricks, in 2022. Rao had taken 5 lakh from Srinaths chit fund but did not return the money on time. This financial tension led to frequent visits by Srinath to Raos house, where he eventually developed an illicit relationship with Raos wife. Upon discovering the affair, Rao warned Srinath to stay away, but Srinath continued to demand his money back, leading to numerous altercations, police said.

Ramamurthy Nagara police inspector M Muthu Raj said: We suspected Raos involvement in the crime. We first visited his house, and neighbours said he had left for New York.. Upon scrutinising the nearby CCTV footage, we found Srinath went to Raos house on a bike with him at the latters house.

The officer said that Rao bought a machete from Hoskote with the intention of killing Srinath. On May 28, knowing that Srinath would visit, Rao sent his wife and children to his native village in Andhra Pradesh. When Srinath arrived, Rao struck him on the head with an iron rod, killing him instantly, he said.

He said: In an attempt to destroy evidence, Rao dismembered Srinaths body and stuffed them into three gunny bags and then disposed the bags in a Raja Kaluve near Belathur under the jurisdiction of the Ramamurthy Nagar police station. After meticulously cleaning the house of blood stains, Rao switched off his mobile phone and fled to Andhra Pradesh. The mobile call data records (CDR) confirmed that Rao and Srinath were together on May 28. The technical investigation traced Rao to Andhra Pradesh, where he was taken into custody.

During the interrogation, Rao confessed to the crime, detailing how he killed Srinath and disposed of the body parts.

Following his confession, Rao was booked under IPC section 302 (murder) and 201 (destruction of evidence of crime) at Ramamurthy Nagara police station, and the investigation is ongoing, the officer added.
A 38-year-old man, who had made a video claiming that he would be no more if BJP leader Pankaja Munde lost the Lok Sabha election from Maharashtra's Beed district, died after being crushed under a bus on Friday night. The incident took place on the Ahmedpur-Andhori road near Borgaon Pati at around 9 pm. Man, who claimed he would die if Pankaja Munde loses Lok Sabha election, dies in bus mishap(HT file photo)

The police are suspecting it may be a case of death by suicide.

The victim, identified as Sachin Kondiba Munde, who was a truck driver hailing from Yestar in Latur's Ahmedpur, had released the threatening video before the Lok Sabha election results. Sachin will be no more if Pankaja Munde loses the poll, he said in the video.

In the Lok Sabha election, BJP's Pankaja Munde lost the Beed seat to Congress leader Bajrang Sonawane by 6,553 votes in a very close contest. Following this, the victim was depressed and had become silent, his family said, reported PTI.

Meanwhile, the police have arrested the bus driver, and an investigation is underway.

A probe is underway to find out if it was an accident or a case of suicide. It happened when the Yalderwadi night halt bus stopped at Borgaon Pati. Sachin was standing behind the bus and was crushed to death when it reversed, the Kingaon police station official said, as quoted by PTI.

Along with this, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus that crushed Munde has been confiscated as part of the probe.

Another incident of suspected death by suicide by a Pankaja Munde supporter was reported on Sunday morning in Beed, a report by The Times of India said. According to the report, the man, identified as Pandurang Sonawane, allegedly died by suicide after the BJP leader lost the Beed seat.

The police also recovered a note in which the 30-year-old victim said that he was ending his life as he could not bear the defeat of his leader, the report added.

(With inputs from PTI)
A day after the onset of the southwest monsoon in Mumbai which led to widespread rains and water-logging in many parts of the city, the IMD has predicted thunderstorm with moderate to heavy showers here on Monday. Rains arrive in Mumbai, IMD predicts moderate to heavy showers(HT photo)

Monsoon arrived in Mumbai on Sunday, two days ahead of the normal schedule, due to favourable conditions along the Maharashtra coast, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Read more: Mumbai Rain: City witnesses waterlogging, IMD issues Yellow alert

Following heavy rains on Sunday, there was water-logging in many areas like Byculla, Sion, Dadar, Mazgaon, Kurla, Vikhroli and Andheri, severely impacting vehicular movement and causing long traffic jams.

Local train services, the city's lifeline, were also delayed as water accumulated on tracks at some locations, officials said.

Read more: IMD predicts heatwave in Delhi from Monday, yellow alert issued

In the 24-hour period ending at 8 am on Monday, the island city recorded an average 99.11 mm rainfall, eastern parts of Mumbai registered 61.29 mm downpour and western areas 73.78 mm, an official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

The IMD has forecast cloudy sky with the possibility of thunderstorm accompanied with moderate to heavy rains in the city and suburbs on Monday, the official said.

Read more: Goa: IMD issues red alert as heavy rain batters parts of state

Mumbai witnessed overcast skies but there was no rain in most parts of the city since Monday morning.

On Saturday, the IMD reported that the southwest monsoon had advanced into Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa and Karnataka.

Coastal and northern interior Karnataka as well as Goa have faced heavy rains as well leading to waterlogging. The IMD issued a red alert for Goa and asked fishermen to not venture along the Maharashtra coast, due to high wind speeds and rain in the region.
Hours after taking oath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the leaders of neighbouring countries who attended the grand swearing-in ceremony in the national capital on Sunday, and said India would continue to work for the peace, progress and prosperity of the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures to the gathering during the oath-taking ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.(AFP)

PM Modi further said India would continue to amplify the voice of the Global South in the international arena.

Leaders of several of India's neighbouring countries, including Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, attended PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony.

After the event, PM Modi met with the visiting leaders in Rashtrapati Bhavan, said the Ministry of External Affairs.

PM Modi thanked them for attending the event and reaffirmed India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR Vision', the ministry added.

The ministry further said in the statement that PM Modi told the leaders that in his third term, India will continue to work for the peace, progress and prosperity of the region in close partnership with these countries. He also called for enhancing people-to-people contact and connectivity in the region.

Follow Live Updates on Narendra Modi government's activities after oath ceremony

"The prime minister emphasised that in his third term, India will continue to work for the peace, progress and prosperity of the region in close partnership with the countries even as it pursues its goal of Vikshit Bharat by 2047, In this context, he called for deeper people-to-people ties and connectivity in the region. He further added that India would continue to amplify the voice of the Global South in the international arena," the MEA said in the statement.

After the event, PM Modi thanked the leaders on X.

"I am grateful to all the foreign dignitaries who joined the swearing-in ceremony. India will always work closely with our valued partners in pursuit of human progress," he wrote.

Also read: Narendra Modi Cabinet 3.0: 5 NDA allies, JP Nadda inducted, Smriti Irani & Anurag Thakur out. Key takeaways

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu was on his first visit to India since he came to power in the island nation last year. The politician, known for his China tilt, had strained the country's relationship with India after he demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the nation.

The BJP won 240 seats in the Lok Sabha elections -- 32 short of a simple majority. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third government relies on the BJP's NDA allies for majority in the lower house of the Parliament.

The NDA won 293 seats in total, way less than the exit polls' predictions. The Opposition's INDIA bloc performed better than expected with victories in 234 seats.
An NIA team has reached Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district and is coordinating with local police probing into the terror attack on a passenger bus that left nine people dead and several injured, officials said on Monday. The bus veered off into a deep gorge after gunshots near the Teryath village of the Poni area on Sunday.(PTI)

Meanwhile, security forces have also launched a massive cordon and search operation to track down the terrorists responsible for the attack.

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team has reached Reasi and is coordinating with the local police probing into the attack, the officials said.

Terrorists opened fire at the 53-seater bus, on its way from the Shiv Khori temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, causing it to veer off the road and fall into a deep gorge near the Teryath village of the Poni area on Sunday. The bus was ferrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi.

Pakistan-based terror outfit, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) took credit for this attack on Sunday evening, reported Hindustan Times. LeT's front TRF owned up to the attack to show that the terrorists were from J&K and not Lahore-based foreign Islamists, the report said.

Officials said nine people, including a two-year-old boy from Rajasthan and a 14-year-old from Uttar Pradesh, died in the attack.

PM Narendra Modi has asked Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to closely monitor and attend to the affected families, according to a Hindustan Times report. An ex-gratia of 10 lakh was announced by LG for the victim's next of kin and 50,000 each for those injured in the terror attack, Hindustan Times reported.

They added that 41 people aged between three and 50 were injured in the ambush. Of them, 10 suffered gunshot injuries.
What is the claim? An image of Uttar Pradesh (UP) chief minister Yogi Adityanath seated at a table with a group of people has been shared on social media claiming that the state government has implemented two-child policy. Screenshot of social media post claiming that two-child policy has been implemented in Uttar Pradesh. (Source: X/Screenshot)

On June 7, 2024, a user on X (formerly Twitter) shared this photo (archived here) with the caption, "Two child law implemented in Uttar Pradesh If you have more than two children then there is no government facility. No government job, no PM ration, no house (sic)." Archived versions of more such posts can be viewed here, here, and here.

Some users have also shared a short clip from a news channel where the anchor can be heard saying that the chief minister has come up with a new plan for population control. An archive of this post can be found here.

However, this claim is misleading. While a draft bill for such a policy has been submitted to the state government, it has not been passed and formulated as a law.

Screenshots of the claims made online. (Source: X/Screenshot/Modified by Logically Facts)

Here are the facts

A reverse image search on the image led us to a post by the official X (archived here) account of the Office of the Uttar Pradesh chief minister on June 6, 2024. The post caption stated that the pictures were taken during a meeting to review the state's public welfare projects.

The post makes no mention of the two-child policy law being implemented or discussed.

Further, the news clip being shared is also old. We found the original video on the YouTube channel of the Hindi media house Republic Bharat (archived here), published on July 11, 2021. The now-viral portion can be seen around the 16-minute mark and ends at 18:11 seconds. The news anchor says that the Uttar Pradesh Law Commission has recommended that people with more than two children be barred from government jobs; and be ineligible for certain government welfare schemes and benefits.

What about the draft bill?

On conducting a keyword search on the two-child policy, we found news reports from 2021 which mentioned that the Uttar Pradesh Law Commission had shared a draft of the proposed bill on population control in 2021 with the state government.

According to the draft bill titled Uttar Pradesh Population (Control, Stabilisation, and Welfare) Bill, 2021, couples with more than two children would not be allowed to apply for government jobs, seek promotions, or benefit from government welfare schemes. A similar policy is in place in Assam, which bars parents with more than two children from government jobs under the Assam Public Services (Application of Small Family Norms in Direct Recruitment) Rules, 2019.

Logically Facts spoke to Syed Ahmad Hussain Rizvi, the personal secretary to Justice Pradeep Kumar Srivastava, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh State Law Commission. "The proposal had been shared with the government in 2021 and is pending with them. No new proposals or implementations have happened since," Srivastava said.

We found no official announcement that Uttar Pradesh has implemented this law. As per our research, the Bill is still pending with the state government. We checked the official website of the Uttar Pradesh government, where the laws implemented in 2024 are listed and the two-child policy doesn't feature among them.

The verdict

The claim that the Uttar Pradesh government has implemented the two-child policy as of June 7, 2024, is false. An official working with the Uttar Pradesh State Law Commission informed us that the bill is still pending and has not been implemented yet.

Disclaimer: This story was originally published by Logically Facts, and republished by HT Digital as part of the Shakti Collective.
New Delhi: Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) is behind the Reasi terror attack in Jammu on Sunday evening in which nine Hindu pilgrims enroute to Vaishno Devi were killed and another 33 injured after jihadists opened fire on the bus as a result of which the vehicle fell into a gorge. Children injured in the Reasi terror attack.

On Sunday evening, LeTs front TRF took credit for the dastardly attack to show that the terror attack was done by homegrown terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and not foreign Islamists based in Lahore.

According to top official sources, the attack was carried out deliberately during the swearing-in ceremony of Modi 3.0 at Reasi and the perpetrators are around 12 jihadists moving inside the Rajouri-Poonch forests in groups of three or two in the Jammu region. This terrorist group includes a number of Pakistani nationals from across the LoC and there is a possibility of cross-LoC tunnel but this is hotly denied by the Indian security forces and the Indian Army.

Reasi: The bus after it plunged into a gorge following an ambush by terrorists.(PTI)

In the past five years, the Poonch-Rajouri sector has seen a number of fire-fights between the Indian Army and the jihadists and the casualties on the Indian side have been high with terrorists having the advantage of surprise and swifter movement. The Modi government including Home Minister Amit Shah have taken the Reasi attack very seriously as the Amarnath yatra starts from June 29.

Despite PM Modi himself conveying to the Indian Army to pull up their socks in Rajouri-Poonch sector, the results of counter-insurgency operations have been far and few due to hardy and forest terrain in the sector. In the past there have been reports of lack of synergy between the security forces in the 16 Corps sector, which apparently is being addressed by the new Northern Army Commander M V Suchindra Kumar.

While Bharat will retaliate to the Reasi attack in its own and befitting way, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the para-military forces and the Indian Army must work as a hunt pack with actionable intelligence so as to neutralize this Pakistani group. India cannot afford to have either civilian or military casualties despite significant deployment in the Jammu sector.
Silchar , People affected by fresh incidents of violence in Manipur have started arriving in Assams Cachar district in search of safety, the local MLA said on Monday. People from Manipur taking refuge in Assam after fresh violence

Security along the inter-state border has been tightened, a police officer said.

Two police outposts, a forest beat office and at least 70 houses were torched in Jiribam by suspected militants on Saturday, leading to fresh tension in the neighbouring state which has been witnessing ethnic violence since May last year.

Residents of the bordering areas claimed that about 600 people have taken shelter in various parts of Lakhipur in Cachar district, entering the state by crossing the Jiri river over the last four days.

They are taking shelter in villages at Jirighat and Lakhipur, though no government relief camp has been opened for them, they said.

The people who have come from Manipur are being allowed to stay here safely. The local administration is taking all steps to ensure no spread of any violence here, Lakhipur MLA Kaushik Rai told PTI.

Cachar Superintendent of Police Nomal Mahatto said that police and other security forces have been deployed in the border areas.

There are no reports of any untoward incident in Cachar so far. Police patrolling in Jirighat on the border as well as along the national highway and nearby villages is being conducted, he told PTI.

The SP added that the situation on the Assam side is completely under control and the police are keeping a strict vigil following the violence in Jiribam.

Jiribam, which has a diverse ethnic composition of Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis and non-Manipuris, had so far remained unaffected by the ethnic strife that has been raging in the northeastern state since May last year.

The MLA said that most of the people who have entered Cachar are Kukis and Hmars.

The ethnic conflict between Imphal valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kukis began in May last year and led to the deaths of over 200 people, besides rendering thousands of people homeless.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Four days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Narendra Modi for his Lok Sabha election win with a seemingly hidden message, the newly sworn-in Prime Minister graciously accepted the greetings on Monday, but passed on a stern comeback enveloped in a polite post on X. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit in New Delhi (AP file ohoto)

On June 6, two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the Lok Sabha, Justin Trudeau had congratulated PM Modi on X. However, he talked about taking India and Canada's relationship forward, adding that the ties were anchored to human rights, diversity and the rule of law.

Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his electoral victory. Canada stands ready to work with his government to advance the relationship between our nations peoplesanchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law," his office wrote on X.

Replying to his message in the same tone, PM Modi said India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each other's concerns.

"Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each others concerns," he wrote on X.

Also read: Amid India-Canada strain, Justin Trudeau mentions rule of law, human rights in congratulatory post for Narendra Modi

India and Canada's bilateral relations soured last year after Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was murdered in the country's Surrey by unidentified assailants.

Canada blamed alleged Indian agents for the murder of Nijjar, who had been notified as a terrorist in India.

India has called the allegations absurd.

New Delhi has on several occasions called out to Canadian authorities for allowing anti-India and Khalistani elements to flourish on its soil.

Also read: S Jaishankar gives 'Newton's law of politics' warning to Canada, calls out gangland visas

Last month, external affairs minister S Jaishankar slammed the Justin Trudeau-led Canada government for continually issuing visas to people with links to organised crimes for political purposes. He said the country had been giving legitimacy to extremism, separatism and advocates of violence in the name of free speech.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday signed off on the next instalment of PM Kisan cash transfer for farmers, the first decision of the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government sworn in on Sunday. Modi signed his first file authorising release of the 17th instalment of PM Kisan Nidhi for 93 million eligible farmers. (ANI photo)

Modi signed his first file authorising release of the 17th instalment of PM Kisan Nidhi for 93 million eligible farmers worth 20,000 crore.

Ours is a government fully committed to Kisan Kalyan (farmers welfare). It is therefore fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to farmer welfare, a statement quoted Modi as saying.

Modi had released the 16th instalment of PM-KISAN, a cash-transfer scheme for poor farmers, on February 28.

Also Read: PM Narendra Modi replies to Justin Trudeaus congratulatory post with respect subtext

In the 15th installment, Modi had disbursed nearly 18,000 crore to 80 million farmers through direct benefit transfer.

Under PM-KISAN, the government provides income support of 6,000 a year to farmers with a valid enrolment. It is paid in three equal cash transfers of 2,000, one every four months. The welfare programme was launched on February 24, 2019.
New Delhi: As soon as the swearing-in ceremony was over and Modi 3.0 had begun, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was back on the job and had a detailed conversation with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu at the dinner table during Rashtrapati Bhawan banquet late on Sunday evening. PM Narendra Modi with world leaders who attended his swearing-in ceremony in Delhi.

It is learnt that President Muizzu was seated next to PM Modi as the Indian PM was seen having a serious conversation with the Maldivian head of state. Muizzu visited India seven months after taking over as President on November 17, which is seen as an unusually long time for a Maldivian President. Muizzu ran his election campaign on the "Out India slogan but the matters got complicated as his junior ministers started making controversial statements on India.

While Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to depart for Colombo by noon, other leaders will hold meetings with the External Affairs Minister (still to be announced) and later call on President Draupadi Murmu. President Muizzu and other visiting dignitaries like Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda, Bhutan Tshering Tobgay, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Affif will also be holding meetings with External Affairs Minister calling on them and then all the dignitaries meeting the Indian President.

Also read: Narendra Modi's first message to 'Global South' after oath: India will amplify...

While all these leaders were personally invited by PM Modi for his third term, the common factor facing all of them is the rise of Communist China on the northern borders and in the Indian Ocean Region. The rapidly expanding Chinese Navy and its increasing forays into the Indian Ocean will create friction in future with no less than two surveillance cum spy ships still in the IOR.

Also read: Narendra Modi Cabinet 3.0: 5 NDA allies, JP Nadda inducted, Smriti Irani & Anurag Thakur out. Key takeaways

That the Chinese chose to warn India after PM Modi merely accepted the greetings on his re-election from Taiwan President shows how prickly the Xi Jinping regime has become. Chinese propaganda media also tried to drive a wedge between India and US ties by saying that the Biden administration should reconsider its bilateral relations with Delhi as PM Modis party had not achieved simple majority seats in 2024 polls.
Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, dubbed as the BJP Blue-Eyed Boy, has once again found himself at the centre of political attention as he re-enters Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government. Born into a traditional North Karnataka Brahmin family in Bijapur on November 27, 1962, Joshis political journey has been closely intertwined with the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka. BJP leader Pralhad Joshi takes oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Sunday. (AN)

Representing the Dharwad-Hubballi parliamentary constituency for a fifth consecutive term, Joshis political career trajectory began with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at a young age. He quickly rose through the ranks of the BJP, showcasing his leadership skills and dedication to public service.

Making his debut in electoral politics in 1996 as a legislator to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Joshis reputation as a diligent representative of the people solidified over the years. His subsequent election to the 14th Lok Sabha in 2004 marked the beginning of his national political career, where he was re-elected in 2009, 2014, and 2019, each time with increasing margins.

Joshis active participation in Lok Sabha debates, particularly on issues concerning development, infrastructure, and education, earned him the moniker of the blue-eyed boy within the BJP high command. His appointment as the Union minister of parliamentary affairs, coal, and mines in Modis cabinet in 2019 further underscored his prominence in national politics.

However, Joshis recent re-induction into the Modi cabinet has not been without controversy. Facing challenges from within his own community, particularly the Lingayat community, Joshi had to navigate a tough electoral battle in his constituency. The entry of the Lingadishwar seer, representing the dominant Lingayat community, posed a significant threat to Joshis stronghold.

Dingaleshwar seer, after fielding his candidacy through his followers had said that his contest was not against BJP but against the Joshi whose attitude was filled with selfishness and to dominate the constituency by wiping off other leaders mainly from the Lingayat community. Joshi, to hold control in the north Karnataka planned to sideline the leaders like Jagadish Shetter, and Basavaraj Bommai for which I filed my candidature against him, Dingaleshwar seer said.

Despite allegations of being anti-Lingayat and accused of stifling the political aspirations of other communities, Joshi managed to navigate these challenges with the intervention of influential figures like former chief minister Yeddyurappa, Joshi succeeded in clearing his path to victory, albeit not without facing criticism and scrutiny.

Dharwad district (city) block president Tippana Majjagi, who is also a Lingayat, told HT that the seers misunderstandings against Joshi were settled and Joshi also apologised for his mistakes. We made a compromise between the seer and Joshi. Joshi apologised for the unknowing mistake and assured of getting corrected his mistake, ensuring no repetitions, Majjagi said.

As Joshi assumes his role once again in the Modi cabinet, speculations are rising claiming Joshi is poised to shoulder the responsibilities of important portfolios such as coal, mines, and parliamentary affairs.

Despite the challenges and controversies, Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi remains a prominent figure in Karnataka politics, revered by his supporters and respected by his peers.
Gangtok, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha supremo Prem Singh Tamang is set to take oath as chief minister of the Himalayan state for a second straight term on Monday, officials said. Prem Singh Tamang to be sworn in as Sikkim CM for second term on Monday

Governor Lakshman Acharya will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Tamang and his Council of Ministers during the swearing-in ceremony at Paljor stadium here, they said.

The council of ministers in Sikkim has a strength of 12 members, including the chief minister.

The swearing-in ceremony, which is likely to be attended by around 30,000 people, will commence at 4.30 pm, the officials said.

The state government has ordered the closure of all educational institutions in and around Gangtok on Monday, as part of the security measures for the event.

A half-day holiday has also been declared in all government offices on Monday.

"In view of the swearing-in ceremony of the Hon'ble Chief Minister Designate and the Council of Ministers Designate... the state government hereby declares, 10th June, 2024 as half working day till 12 noon, for all government offices and PSUs located in and around Gangtok," Chief Secretary V B Pathak said in a circular issued by the Home Department.

Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place across Gangtok for the oath-taking programme, the officials added.

Tamang, 56, who spearheaded the SKMs landslide victory in the assembly polls and the lone Lok Sabha seat in Sikkim, was unanimously elected the leader of the legislature party during a meeting on June 2.

The SKM won 31 of the 32 assembly seats in the polls, which took place simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections. Tamang won from both Rhenock and Soreng-Chakung constituencies that he contested.

The opposition Sikkim Democratic Front , which ruled the state for 25 years in a row till 2019, managed to win only one seat.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The BJP has appointed Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Bhupendra Yadav to oversee selection of the new chief minister of Odisha, a senior leader said on Monday. (ANI)

The saffron party on June 4 secured a majority by winning 78 seats in the 147-member Odisha Assembly. However, the party is yet to choose a leader who will be at the helm of the state.

According to Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, the BJP's Odisha in-charge, the legislature party meeting will be held on Tuesday and the new government will take oath on June 12.

Read more: Three bureaucrats in Odisha CM office resign

Experienced leaders led by newly-appointed observers Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav will hold a discussion with the legislators, MLA-elect Suresh Pujari, told reporters on his return from New Delhi on Monday.

While the chance of senior Odisha MP Dharmendra Pradhan becoming the next chief minister of the state seems bleak after his induction into the Modi 3.0 government, the focus is now on Brajarajnagar MLA-elect Suresh Pujari, who returned from New Delhi on Monday.

Read more: Meet Sofia Firdous, first Muslim woman to win assembly election in Odisha

Besides Pujari, state BJP president Manmohan Samal, KV Singh and Mohan Majhi are also in the race for the chief minister's post.

The party has proposed to conduct a road show of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the state capital before the swearing-in ceremony on June 12.

The BJP also bagged 20 of 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

The BJP's Laxman Bag defeated Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Naveen Patnaik after a 24-year-long run. Their campaign ran on the promise of brining back Odia Asmita (Odia pride) back to the state, according to the Hindustan Times.

Read more: Sand mastery showcases Narendra Modi at Odisha's Puri beach ahead of swearing-in ceremony

VK Pandian, Naveen Patnaik's aide in the Lok Sabha elections has also decided to quit active politics after the BJD's deafeat, according to the Hindustan Times.

The Congress gained only the Cuttack seat in the state in the Lok Sabha elections, where Sofia Firdous won against BJP's Purna Chandra Mahapatra.
Jammu, Authorities on Monday identified the nine victims of the deadly terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. Terrorists opened fire at the bus carrying pilgrims in J&K's Reasi district around 6.10 pm on Sunday, killing nine and injuring several.(HT)

Among the victims are four natives of Rajasthan, including a two-year-old boy, and three from Uttar Pradesh.

Ten people with gunshot wounds are among the 41 pilgrims mostly from Uttar Pradesh undergoing treatment in three hospitals of Jammu and Reasi districts, officials said.

Terrorists opened fire at the bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district around 6.10 pm on Sunday, killing nine and injuring several.

The 53-seater bus, on its way from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra, veered off the road following the barrage of gunfire and fell into a deep gorge near the Teryath village of the Poni area.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Vishesh Paul Mahajan said all nine victims, including the driver and the conductor of the bus, have been identified.

Driver Vijay Kumar hailed from the Dasanoo Rajbagh village while conductor Arun Kumar was a native of Kandera village in Katra, both in Reasi district.

The other victims are Rajinder Prasad Pandey Sawhney, Mamta Sawhney, Pooja Sawhney and her two-year-old son Titu Sawhney all residents of Jaipur in Rajasthan and Shivam Gupta, Ruby and 14-year-old Anurag Verma from Uttar Pradesh.

Mahajan said the district administration is sending the bodies to their respective states.

He added that 41 people aged between three and 50 were injured in the attack. Of them, 10 suffered gunshot injuries and are stable after undergoing surgeries.

Eighteen injured are undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College in Jammu, 14 at Narayana Hospital and nine at the district hospital in Reasi, Mahajan said.

Among the injured, 34 are from Uttar Pradesh, five from Delhi and two from Rajasthan, the officials said.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The survivors of the Reasi terror attack on Monday told the authorities and the media that terrorists kept firing at them even after their bus fell into a deep gorge, forcing them to play dead. Reasi terror attack: An injured man is brought to the Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu after the bus he was traveling in fell into a deep gorge. (AP )

Narrating their harrowing ordeal, they said the terrorists wanted to kill every person on the bus, which was full of Hindu pilgrims heading to Vaishno Devi from Jammu and Kashmir's Shiv Khori.

Nine people are confirmed dead and 33 are injured.

According to the authorities, the terrorists opened fire on the bus from more than one direction. The bus fell into the gorge after the driver of the vehicle was hit by a bullet.

One eyewitness told India Today that the firing on the mangled bus went on for around 20 minutes.

"After having darshan at Mata Vaishno Devi, I went to Shiv Khori. While returning from there, after 4-5 km, bullets were fired on our bus. The firing did not stop even after our bus fell into the ditch. The driver was shot and then some people were also injured in the firing," a survivor told ANI.

Also read: Pakistan-based terror group LeT behind Reasi terror attack

Another survivor confirmed that the terrorists kept on firing.

"I went for darshan of Shiv Khori. While returning, some people opened fire on our bus. Later, the bus fell into a ditch. Several people were injured in the incident. The firing did not stop even after the bus fell. I think there were 2-3 (terrorists) there. My son saw a man firing on our bus from behind," he added.

An eyewitness told the channel that 6-7 terrorists had attacked the bus as bullets were fired from all the sides of the road.

Also read: NIA team reaches J&K to probe into Reasi terror attack; set to coordinate with local police

When the bus fell into the gorge and the terrorists kept firing, the occupants maintained silence to trick them into believing that they were dead, the eyewitness adds.

The security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have launched a massive cordon-and-search operation to hunt down the terrorists involved in the dastardly attack.
At least nine pilgrims, including a child, were killed and 33 other passengers were injured after terrorists opened fire at a bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori cave shrine to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra in Jammu. Reasi: The damaged bus after it plunged into a gorge following an alleged attack by suspected terrorists, in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.(PTI)

9 killed, 33 injured as terrorists ambush bus carrying pilgrims in J&Ks Reasi

Ambushed by the terrorists in Reasi, the 53-seater bus veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge at around 6:15 pm on Sunday.

"A group of militants attacked a Yatri bus coming from the Ransoo area of district Reasi. Due to the attack, the driver of the bus lost control, and the bus fell into a deep gorge near the Kanda area of Pouni. Due to the accident, nine people died, and 33 others were injured," Reasi SSP Mohita Sharma said.

Here are the latest updates on the attack:

1. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has announced an ex-gratia of 10 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed, and 50,000 each for those injured int he terror attack.

2. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Ghulam Nabi Azad, condemned the dastardly attack and condoled the loss of lives.

3. Calling the act a crime against humanity, President Murmu said, "I am anguished by the terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. This dastardly act is a crime against humanity, and must be condemned in the strongest words. The nation stands with the families of the victims. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took stock of the situation arising out of the terror attack and directed LG Sinha to constantly monitor the situation and ensure all possible help to the affected families. "The Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi took stock of the situation and directed me to constantly monitor the situation and to ensure all possible assistance to the families," Sinha said in a post on X. The LG further said that security forces have launched a joint operation to hunt down the terrorists and those behind the attack will be punished soon.

5. Soon after taking oath as a union minister, Amit Shah condemned the attack and said that those involved in the dastardly terror attack will not be spared and will face the wrath of the law. Shah said that he had spoken to LG Sinha and DGP R R Swain to take stock of the situation.

6. Terming the accident a "clear case of terror attack", Reasi SSP Sharma said that a rescue operation was launched at the earliest, and the injured pilgrims were shifted to the nearby hospitals. The SSP further said that the identities of those killed and injured have not been ascertained yet, but they probably belonged to Uttar Pradesh.

7. The locals were among those who rushed to the spot and assisted the victims. Eyewitnesses shared harrowing accounts of the attack, with one survivor describing how the bus was barraged with 25 to 30 shots before it plunged down the gorge. Another witness recalled seeing a masked assailant in a red muffler firing on the bus.

8. The official further said that they usually remain on high alert and have fully secured the Shiv Khori temple with frequent conduct of area domination patrols in the adjoining areas. "We have also started firing practice for the Village Defence Guards and they all have been put on alert," the SSP added.

Security forces taking all steps to keep situation stable in Kashmir: GoC Chinar Corps

9. A joint security force, consisting of the police, army, and CRPF, has also set up a temporary operation headquarters at the site, and a multidimensional operation has been launched to target the attackers.

10. Several groups of people held protests in different areas of the Jammu division, including Reasi, against the terror attack and demanded stern action against terrorists.

With inputs from agencies
The testy nature of India-Canada ties was on display when Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded on Monday to a message from his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau by saying New Delhi looks forward to working with Ottawa on the basis of respect for each others concerns. Modi was responding to a congratulatory message posted by the Canadian premiers official account on X. (File photo)

Bilateral relations have been in freefall since Trudeau alleged in September last year that Indian government agents were linked to the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India dismissed the accusation as absurd and has maintained that Canada hasnt provided any evidence to back up its allegation.

Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each others concerns, Modi said in a post on X on Monday morning, in an apparent reference to Indias long-standing concerns about the activities of pro-Khalistan elements in Canada.

Also Read:PM Narendra Modi back at work, engages Maldives Prez Muizzu at Presidents banquet

Modi was responding to a congratulatory message posted by the Canadian premiers official account on X on June 6.

Trudeau had said in that message that Canada is willing to work with Modis new government to advance ties, provided they are anchored to human rights and diversity.

Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his electoral victory. Canada stands ready to work with his government to advance the relationship between our nations peoples  anchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law, the message had said.

Modi and Trudeau have had an uneasy relationship and last met on the margins of the G20 Summit held in New Delhi last September, just days before the Canadian premier made the allegation about Nijjars killing in the Canadian Parliament.

They are set to come face to face when Modi makes his first foreign visit after becoming premier for a third term to attend the outreach session of the G7 Summit in Italy on July 14.

Nijjar was declared a terrorist by India in 2020 and was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The Indian side also has serious concerns about Canadas failure to act against provocative actions of Khalistani operatives, such as posters identifying senior Indian diplomats and holding out threats against them, and rallies like the one outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver last week that had a float depicting the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi.
Mumbai, The Bombay High Court on Monday ordered for the removal of actor Salman Khan's name as respondent in a plea seeking a CBI probe into the custodial death of an accused in a case of firing outside the actor's house. Salman Khan house firing: Remove actor's name from plea over death of accused, says HC

Accused Anuj Thapan was found dead on May 1 inside the toilet of the crime branch police lock-up here.

A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Shyam Chandak directed petitioner Rita Devi, mother of Thapan, to delete Khan's name from the petition.

"Delete his name. Petitioner seeks leave to amend the petition to delete the name of respondent 4 as there is no pleading against him and no relief sought against him," the court said.

On April 14, two motorbike-borne persons opened fire outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's residence in Bandra area here.

The alleged shooters - Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal - were later arrested from Gujarat.

Thapan was arrested on April 26 from Punjab along with another person for allegedly supplying weapons to the shooters for firing at Khan's residence.

While police claim Thapan killed himself, Rita Devi in her petition filed on May 3 in the HC alleged foul play and claimed he was killed.

In her plea, she sought the HC to direct the Central Bureau of Investigation to conduct a probe into her son's death.

The petition said Thapan was physically assaulted and tortured by police in custody.

Rita Devi had in her plea impleaded Khan as a respondent.

The high court on Monday said no averments or relief was sought against Khan in the petition and hence there was no point in keeping the actor involved in the plea.

"What is the point of making a person who is supposed to be the victim a party respondent? We see no reason why respondent 4 should continue to be in this plea. He is not a necessary party," the bench said.

The HC noted the petitioner's concern was the death of her son but there was no point in making Khan a respondent in the plea.

"You are concerned with the death of your son...that the court will look into...but what is the point of impleading respondent 4 in the plea," the bench asked.

"This is too far-fetched. No relief is sought against him and no averment or allegation is made against him," the court added.

The petitioner's advocate told the court that while they are not seeking any relief in their plea against the actor, he should be part of the probe being carried out by the state Crime Investigation Department into Thapan's death.

The court said it is for the CID to decide.

By impleading Khan as a respondent in the plea, the petitioner was shifting her focus to something else instead of the main issue, the court said.

"Your focus should be on the main issue. By doing this, you are digressing from the core issue which should be your concern," it said.

Additional public prosecutor Prajakta Shinde informed the court that as per law, a magisterial enquiry was also initiated and submitted a status report of the CID probe before the HC.

Rita Devi's advocate told the court that the magistrate issued summons to the petitioner on May 10, directing her to appear before it for recording her statement on May 23, but she received the summons only on May 24.

The court said the magistrate shall issue fresh summons to the petitioner and ensure it is served prior in time so that she can appear.

The high court posted the matter for further hearing after six weeks.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Supreme Court on Monday extended by nearly two months the June 15 deadline given to the Aam Aadmi Party to vacate its office at Rouse Avenue in the national capital here. Supreme Court of India (Representative Photo)

The top court had on March 4 directed the party to vacate its office by June 15 after noting that the plot was allotted to the Delhi High Court for expanding judicial infrastructure.

A vacation bench comprising justices Vikran Nath and Sandeep Mehta took note of the submissions of senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the A and others, and extended the deadline till August 10, saying it was the last opportunity and that the party will have to hand over the vacant possession of the building at 206, Rouse Avenue here by then.

The premises were allotted in 2020 to the Delhi High Court for creating infrastructure for the district judiciary in the national capital.

At the outset, Singhvi urged the bench that the deadline be extended.

Lawyer K Parmeshwar, appointed as amicus curiae to assist the apex court in the matter, said there was a shortage of 90 courtrooms for judicial officers.

"We are in dire conditions and now we may have to rent premises to accommodate the newly-recruited judicial officers, who are undergoing training presently," he said.

Parmeshwar said the AAP wanted some place in central Delhi and they are being offered land at some other place in the city.

"The premises in question had to be vacated by June 15, 2024. The premises are already allotted to the Delhi High Court in 2020. The expansion of judicial infrastructure is stultified and the cost of expansion is also a factor. This application is for extension of time till August 10, 2024.

"Considering facts and circumstances and as the last opportunity, we extend the time till August 10, 2024 on an undertaking to be given by the applicant within a week before the registry of this court that they shall hand over vacant and peaceful possession by August 10, 2024," the bench ordered.

On March 4, a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud had directed the party to vacate its offices at Rouse Avenue in the national capital by June 15, after noting that the plot was allotted to the Delhi High Court for expanding judicial infrastructure.

It had said that the AAP has no lawful right to continue on the land. It had asked the AAP to approach the Land and Development Office under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry for allotment of land for its offices.

Singhvi had submitted that AAP is one of the six national parties in the country and it is entitled to land in the New Delhi municipal area in accordance with its status.

"They are telling us as a national party we get nothing. I'm given Badarpur, while everyone else is in better places. A particular government does not want me to be flourishing and working," Singhvi had said.

Calling A an "encroacher", Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had told the top court that the land allotment to the party was revoked in June 2017.

Parameshwar had informed the bench that by a communication dated June 13, 2017, the Public Works Department of the Delhi government apprised the National Secretary of the A that the allotment of Bungalow no.206 at Rouse Avenue stood revoked as per the directions of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.

The AAP had earlier denied that its offices at Rouse Avenue are an encroachment on land allotted to the Delhi High Court for judicial infrastructure and told the top court that it was officially allotted to it by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi.

While hearing a matter related to judicial infrastructure, the apex court was told on February 13 by the amicus curiae that a political party office had encroached on land allotted to the HC.

The AAP said a subsequent notice of cancellation of allotment was set aside by the High Court on August 23, 2017 and added that "such allotment of office space for official party work is an essential element of public funding of elections in India and is designed to level the electoral playing field".

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) expects to get infrastructure-related ministries in the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, a parliamentarian from the N Chandrababu Naidu-led party said on Monday, a day after PM Modi was sworn-in for his third successive term in office. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu (PTI)

Our (TDP's) focus is heavily on infrastructure, which drives the economy and provides solutions to employment-related problems, Krishna Prasad, TDP's Member of Parliament (MP) from Andhra Pradesh's Bapatla seat, told news agency ANI.

Prasad also highlighted key projects such as the Polavaram Irrigation Project, and the development of Amravati as a metropolis, along with the construction of ports along the southern state's coastline, spread over thousands of kilometres.

As many as two Telugu Desam MPs  Ram Mohan Naidu and Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani  were sworn into the Prime Minister's 71-member Cabinet on Sunday. Both the TDP, which won 16 of Andhra Pradesh's 25 Lok Sabha seats, and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United), which bagged 12 of the 40 seats in the state, emerged as kingmakers after results of the Lok Sabha polls were declared.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single-largest party with 240 members in the 543-member House; however, the saffron party missed out on its third consecutive single-party majority. Overall, the BJP-led NDA won 293 seats, well above the majority mark of 272.

Among the NDA constituents, leaders from 11 parties, including 61 from the BJP alone, took oath in the ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and attended by heads of governments/states from several neighbouring countries, among others.

The portfolio allocation is expected to be finalised and announced soon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off his third term in office on Monday morning, a day after taking oath at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. In a video, Modi is seen being greeted by Prime Minister's Office staffers as he returns to Delhi's South Block. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge for his third term and in a first, he signed on the release of the 17th instalment of the PM Kisan Nidhi Scheme (HT )

In a video posted by news agency ANI, several officials of the PMO are seen lined up at the office and applauding Modi as he walks towards it. The prime minister also greets the staffers with folded hands.

In the first decision of the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government sworn in on Sunday, Modi signed his first file authorising the next instalment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) cash transfer for farmers - the 17th instalment of PM Kisan Nidhi for 93 million eligible farmers worth 20,000 crore.

After signing the file, Modi asserted that his government was fully committed to farmers.

Ours is a government fully committed to Kisan Kalyan (farmers welfare). It is, therefore, fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to farmer welfare. We want to keep working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come, he said.

The PM-Kisan is a central sector scheme that provides financial assistance to cultivable landholding farmer families across the country, subject to certain exclusion criteria, to enable them to cover expenses related to agriculture and allied activities as well as domestic needs.

Under the scheme, the government provides income support of 6,000 a year to farmers with valid enrolment. It is paid in three equal cash transfers of 2,000, one every four months. However, the scheme is applicable only to landholding farmers.

The welfare programme was launched on February 24, 2019.

Reportedly, over 2.42 lakh crore has already been disbursed to more than 11 crore beneficiary farmer families through various instalments.

On Sunday evening, President Droupadi Murmu administered oaths to PM Modi and his 71 members of the council of ministers during a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony was attended by over 8,000 guests, including seven heads of state as part of Indias Neighbourhood First policy - 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.

Meanwhile, the allocation of portfolios to the newly sworn cabinet ministers is likely to be announced later in the day.

(With inputs from ANI)
Withdrawal symptoms after stopping antidepressants are less prevalent than previously thought, but they are still a real problem, according to a large meta-analysis. Many worry about the sides effects of stopping antidepressants. (Westend61/IMAGO )

Antidepressants are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in rich countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and much of western Europe.

The question of what happens when a person stops taking these drugs, which are typically not prescribed for long-term use, has been controversial since they were identified in the 1950s.

Now, a new study published Wednesday in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry, has found that 14% of people  roughly one in six  who discontinued antidepressants experienced withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, insomnia and irritability.

The one-in-six figure is lower than some researchers who study antidepressants say they expected.

"It will be gratifying to know rates of withdrawal are nowhere near as high as reported [at around 50%]," Sameer Jauhar, a psychiatrist at King's College London who specializes in affective disorders, said in a press statement. Jauhar was not part of the study.

Nonetheless, for those who experience them, withdrawal symptoms "are real and patients need to be informed, monitored and helped if [they] occur," lead author Christopher Baethge, a psychiatrist at the University of Cologne in Germany, stressed in a press statement.

Low incidence of severe symptoms

The meta-analysis, which is the most comprehensive to assess the prevalence of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms to date, included 79 scientific studies featuring a total of 21,002 adult participants.

The studies included 44 randomized control trials and 35 observational studies related to antidepressant discontinuation symptoms published between 1961 and 2019.

The authors estimate that around one in seven people reported experiencing at least one symptom after stopping antidepressants, while a small number  around one in 35  reported severe symptoms.

"Severe discontinuation symptoms occur much less, but should be taken seriously, and are important as many millions of patients take antidepressants. Unclear is which patients will suffer from (severe) discontinuation symptoms," said Eric Ruhe, a psychiatrist at Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands, who was not involved in the study.

It was also unclear from the study how long withdrawal symptoms might last after cessation of antidepressants, but Baethge said research indicates "they often resolve after two to six weeks, or when antidepressants are resumed."

The authors found that the medications desvenlafaxine, venlafaxine, imipramine and escitalopram were most often linked to withdrawal symptoms. Fluoxetine and sertraline had the lowest rates of discontinuation symptoms.

What causes antidepressant discontinuation symptoms?

Most antidepressants belong to a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

SSRIs work by blocking serotonin reuptake in the brain, meaning more serotonin is around to act on brain cells.

Scientists don't fully understand how withdrawal symptoms arise, but one theory is that "if you take away the increased serotonin by stopping SSRIs, this leads to the withdrawal symptoms," said Baethge.

Fluctuations in the level of serotonin signaling in the brain can impact a range of brain states, like sensory perception, emotional states and sleep-wake states. But how withdrawal of SSRIs relates to specific symptoms like dizziness, headaches or insomnia remains unclear.

Some theories related to a link between serotonin and depression have been criticized as oversimplified by researchers. Scientists are now developing more comprehensive theories of depression.

'Background noise' of symptoms

The study also found that nearly one in five people in the studies' placebo groups described symptoms similar to those reported by the participants in the group that had discontinued antidepressants.

Baethge said this was likely down to a "nocebo" effect, in which "the expectation of bad things to happen once you take or stop taking a drug creates a heightened awareness of worsening anxiety or depression after taking helpful medication. This effect might be amplified in patients whose doctors told them to expect symptoms."

Baethge said the findings suggest there is a general "background noise" of non-specific symptoms in normal life for many people, akin to normal fluctuations in sensory perception.

"We are not saying it's all in their heads. It's tempting to think if something occurs under placebo, it's all imagination. The point is the patients do truly feel dizzy, for example, and it needs to be taken seriously, no matter what causes it," said Baethge.
The popularity of bird watching as a hobby is growing across the world and is attracting even younger generation apart from the old and retired. As more and more people get interested in knowing about different species of birds, and exchanging facts about them with each other, one wonders, what is it about observing birds and connecting with nature that is appealing to people from across the globe? Lets find out. (Also read | World Environment Day 2024: 5 sustainable and eco-friendly ways to observe the special day) Bird watching involves observing birds, with or without binoculars or telescopes or listening to the sound of birds(Freepik)

What is bird watching?

Bird watching involves observing birds, with or without binoculars or telescopes or listening to the sound of birds. It can be done within the confines of your homes by looking through a window or in an outdoor setting - doubling up as a form of physical activity.

As you are likely to walk to catch a glimpse of your favourite bird, it can not only help you avoid a sedentary lifestyle, but also aid in connecting you with nature and relieving stress, boosting your mental health.

Once you get interested in bird watching, it can be addictive and get people curious about different species of birds. No wonder, a host of birding apps are now available for download that can help people in identifying the different species, know about their features and other fascinating facts about the winged beauties.

The allure of bird watching

Bird watching brings us closer to the nature and helps beat stress and promote mental well-being. Bird watching can also encourage teamwork, communication, and knowledge sharing. Staying close to nature and those tiny birds can help foster empathy for other living things. Mental health experts say the process of watching birds can help release happy chemicals in our brain such as endorphins and dopamine that helps relieve stress and boost well-being.

Bird watching boosts mindfulness

Many find bird watching de-stressing and even meditative as the process can help you stay in the present moment. A kind of mindfulness practice, bird watching can help reduce anxiety, rumination, stress and negative thoughts.

All the benefits of bird watching explained

Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Founder-Director and Senior Psychiatrist, Manasthali in an interview with HT Digital opens up on several benefits of bird watching and staying close to nature.

1. Mental well-being: Birdwatching offers a peaceful escape from the chaos of daily life. Being in nature has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while the serene act of observing birds can calm the mind and promote mindfulness.

2. Physical health: Engaging in birdwatching often involves walking or hiking through natural habitats, providing a low-impact form of exercise. Regular physical activity boosts cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and improves overall fitness levels.

3. Connection with nature: Spending time observing birds fosters a deeper connection with the natural world. It encourages appreciation for biodiversity and ecosystems, leading to a greater understanding of environmental conservation and the importance of preserving habitats.

4. Educational opportunities: Birdwatching is a lifelong learning experience. It allows enthusiasts to expand their knowledge of avian species, behaviour, and habitats. Many birdwatchers also participate in citizen science projects, contributing valuable data to research and conservation efforts.

5. Stress relief: The simple act of watching birds can provide a sense of tranquillity and joy. Whether it's the melodious songs of songbirds or the graceful flight of raptors, observing these feathered creatures can offer a temporary escape from life's pressures and worries.

6. Community and social interaction: Birdwatching often brings people together with a shared passion for nature. Joining birdwatching clubs, participating in guided tours, or attending birding festivals provide opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging.

7. Enhanced appreciation for beauty: Birds come in a dazzling array of colours, shapes, and sizes. Through birdwatching, individuals develop an appreciation for the beauty and diversity of avian life. This heightened awareness of natural beauty can extend beyond birds to encompass all aspects of the natural world, enriching one's overall quality of life.
Silky minced lamb, tenderised with raw papaya paste, and patted to perfectionor as we know them, Galauti kebabs. The head-turning aroma from a broiling pot of haleem, resulting from a mad dash of Middle Eastern and Central Asian spices, topped with ghee-based gravy, pieces of lime, chopped coriander and fried onions as garnish. Karims Mutton Paya, which BBC World in March 1994, described to be better than the bacon and eggs and more delicious. Housed in a residential complex, Javed Famous Nahari is a cult favourite.

There was a downside to experiencing the unprecedented mecca of Mughlai cuisine in Chandni Chowk's Matia Mahal area and being surrounded by great dishes like those: It really raised the bar for Shaheen Bagh. Post-pandemic, when the district started doubling down solely on how food can become a medium of expression, the resulting eateries and food businesses started drawing masses of visitors from in and around Delhi. What the residing community called a passion project with the sole aim of sharing local favourites through a lane dressed up to serve has slowly become a city-wide sensation, and giving Chandi Chowk a fair run for its money.

On a meandering stroll through the Chaalis Futta (40 feet) road, I paused to eavesdrop on a man who was faultlessly describing the up-and-coming vigour of the neighbourhood to a touring French couple. Nonchalantly smashing a hot, almost smouldering kebab with the palm of his bare hand, he exclaimed, Warning: this is not Mughlai food for beginners.

Turn around, and peruse the sidewalk for Iranian Haleem recipes that call for beef instead of chicken or mutton or ladylike no-oil samosas made by a gentleman from Afghanistan. He is viral, and I know nothing about social media but I know he is [viral], he rambled in excitement, pointing to the couple, and now me as I had almost joined in the conversation, to a tungsten-lit cart.

While there are plenty of eateries, some easily identifiable like the diner-style Zahra Restaurant on the 4-way stop and Javed Famous Naharis tenderest, and equally flavourful bowl of nihari, the district is exponentially growing, both in terms of footfall and food businesses. Mughlai fare and kebab still predominate, though there are plenty of regional and modern dishes to be found, including Afghani, Iranian, and Turkish.

Chicken lollipop at Mubeen Alams Fried Chicken

Growing up in the neighbourhood, I have seen everything from the devastating scenes of the protest to the aftermath, and the glimmer of joy businesses, especially food, now run with as we continue to garner more appreciation for our hyper-local culture, Mubeen Alam, owner of the Mubeen Alams Fried Chicken accepted. When I asked him to serve me the fried chicken that sells out the fastest, he introduced me to a plateful of chicken lollipopIndo-Chinese chicken wings or drumettes coated with garlic-ky tandoori masala and fried till crispy. The Frenched-drumstick is then served with a sour and punchy mint sauce, which I had to cut myself off from after some time (because I would have tried to drink it). An appetising appetiser with an aggressive price of Rs. 400/kilogram is surely a recommendable appetite-including adventure.

Goli Soda

When the sky is raining down fire, which is exactly how May felt, people gather around Kings Goli Soda to sip on a provincial rendition of soda where the fizz evinces familiar, fruity flavours. At King Goli Soda, for Rs. 20 a pop, you can try everything from tastes-too-much-like guava flavour to classic lemon (warning, potential shikanji competitor) and walk away feeling revived and untired. A true hack for cruising through the rest of the food lane if you are planning to visit during the warmer season.

Nihari with khameeri roti at Javed Famous Nahari

Housed in a residential complex, Javed Famous Nahari is a cult favourite. Serving niharia slow-cooked beef or lamb with bone marrow, doused in ghee and spiced stewsince 1990, the two-story restaurant on Chaalis Futta road is the eaterys second-ever expansion, with the original eatery still serving in Zakir Nagar. Its often the nihari, not the name, says manager Shahbaz Khan with a smirk, who runs the cooperation in Shaheen Bagh. While the recipe is secret, the popularity of nalli nihari is not. The secret I will share though is to get your bowl filled to the brim with as much marrow as possible. Last but not least, embrace the chopped chilli and juillied garlic on top, he added. Best paired with khameeri roti (leavened baked flatbread) straight from the tandoor, half a plate of just the nalli nihari will set you back Rs. 250.

Afgani samosa at Al-Naseeb Restaurant

This is one of those Insta viral eateries that blew up right after the pandemic and, going out on a limb here, could have played a big role in popularising the Shaheen Bagh to the social media generation. The kata-kat sound of big choppers mincing on a dimly lit stand outside the Al-Naseeb Restaurant kept distracting me from looking for the blue-eyed Afghani seller who became, and still is a viral sensation. While I couldnt find the man, it was impossible to be disappointed when the wafting scent of simmering hot juicy chicken hit you in the face. Turns out, its only the keema that turned the snack into a sensation since the thick outer covering and alternative mayonnaise they drench it can turn every bite into quite a disappointment. Is it worth it? For Rs. 30? I would say we must experience it for the experience.

Fried chicken at BB Chicken Fries

Arshad Hussain Sahabs platter of classic fried chicken screams two wordswell done. A new entrant in the growing scene, Hussains decade-long experience as a chef dances with the enigmatic street scenes of Shaheen Bagh to bring customers double-fried, crackling, succulent nubs of chicken. He can absolutely be the Carl Casper from Chef (2014) of Delhi, quitting the big leagues for a personal dream that maybe nobody would ever truly understand. After tearing into the fried chicken ( 75 for  plate), dont shy away from digging into their fish fry and chicken soup.

Lal Quila Hyderabadi Haleem Corner

During Ramazan, among the legions of visitors who flock to Shaheen Bagh, many make the trip just for the Hyderabadi Haleem claimed local resident Mhd Gufran Ansari. But even beyond the prime time, it remains a go-to, a staple, and even sometimes a guilty pleasure, he shyly admitted. Haleem, a South Asian stew that can be traced back to Arabian cookbooks from the 10th century, is typically made from lentils, mutton, bone broth and pounded wheat, doused with ghee. At Lal Quila, the GI-tagged Hyderabadi in Hyderabadi Haleem can be identified from the thick, brothy, gossamer strands of meat, is slow cooked and often includes Hyderabadi spices in the recipe and lapped up in ghee when served. Price: 150 for Hyderabadi Mutton Haleem.
The return to a coalition government at the Centre, with no party having a majority, brings with it immediate concerns of stability. These concerns are not trivial when the coalition is dependent on the leaders who have been on the other side of the fence and have, in the not too distant past, been major critics of the Prime Minister (PM). Yet, an excessive focus on what it will take to keep Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United), or JD(U), and N Chandrababu Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in line will keep the focus away from recognising the opportunities that coalitions bring.

Conventional wisdom in India, which seeks governments with significant majorities, underestimates the costs of the security that coalitions bring. As governments with a significant majority can brush aside all criticism, they can take decisions that may not have passed due scrutiny. A striking example of excessive political stability causing unnecessary economic and social distress was demonetisation. It is now widely acknowledged that the exercise did not remove black money, with almost all the demonetised notes being successfully exchanged for new currency. All that it did was disrupt the economy and cause considerable hardship. It is very unlikely that such a step could have been taken by a coalition government. The internal discussion on major issues that is typically seen in coalition governments is bound to have brought up the near-unanimous view of economists that demonetisation would not work.

The positive effect coalitions can have on policy is usually missed due to the identification of policymaking entirely with the speed of decision-making. PMs who make quick decisions are seen to be stronger leaders. The buffer that comfortable majorities provide against criticism can encourage quicker decisions, but decisions are just one part of policymaking. Theorists usually see policymaking as going through several stages. Before a decision is made there is the creation of the agenda and the formulation of specific policies within it. Policymaking cannot also ignore what happens after a policy is made. The success of a policy depends on its implementation. This, in turn, depends on the ability, and willingness, to regularly review policies so that their course can be corrected.

The recent record of the government at the Centre does not rule out the possibility of a coalition doing better at most stages of policymaking. The election results suggest that the agenda of policymaking over the last five years could have done with some changes. The idea that growth alone matters, irrespective of the inequalities that accompany it, has dominated Indian policymaking in recent decades going back to before 2014. The majority enjoyed by PM Narendra Modi in his first two terms ensured this agenda gained greater momentum. That the agenda did not address the conditions on the ground has now become clear with the Opposition making joblessness a successful electoral plank. A coalition government would have improved the chances of the government being forced to give employment a greater priority than it received.

Coalition governments also bring together multiple ideological streams, usually representing diverse interests. This could leave its mark on policy formulation. In the centralised regime of an all-powerful leader, there is little room in the formulation of policy for local conditions in different parts of the country. Policymakers have remained insensitive to the fact that millions of workers carry out short-term assignments in distant cities while retaining their homes and families in villages. This indifference was brought brutally into the open during the Covid crisis. The lockdown was announced without any consideration for the hundreds of thousands of workers who were forced to trek several hundred kilometres to return home. A coalition government, with parties representing the regions where the workers came from, may just have been more sensitive to their interests.

The ability of a coalition to articulate diverse interests could also influence the implementation of policy. A centralised, single-party government would tend to focus on the macro picture without sufficient concern for local detail. This was, arguably, evident in the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The entire project had been the centrepiece of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s politics for decades. The party took care to involve persons from across the country in the construction process in Ayodhya. The larger national focus did, however, come at the cost of attention being paid to the impact of the project on its immediate surroundings. That the local population did not share the national enthusiasm of the BJP for the temple has been made clear in the election results. The BJP lost Faizabad, the constituency which includes Ayodhya. It is conceivable that a coalition that included parties whose interests were concentrated in the region around Ayodhya may have been more sensitive to the local impact of the project.

Excessively centralised governments can also have an impact on how policies are evaluated. While all governments seek to exaggerate their achievements, governments that are not open to criticism can do so more freely. Over the last decade, the government has given in to the temptation to change the measuring rods in ways that exaggerate its achievements. The consequences of these changes were not adequately debated before the measures were introduced. While a coalition government may have also fallen to these temptations, it is possible that internal differences would have led to greater debate before the change.

Recent experience tells us that while a strong majority does enable quick unchallenged policy decisions, it does not necessarily help in other aspects of policymaking. A coalition government has the opportunity not only to be more democratic but also more effective in the overall process of policymaking.

Narendar Pani is JRD Tata Chair visiting professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru. The views expressed are personal
Pakistan Prime Minister (PM) Shahbaz Sharif concluded his five-day visit to China on June 8. While a trip to China is part of the ritual for every Pakistani PM, the timing was curious. Sharif went to Beijing in the midst of budget preparation, when normally the PMs presence is required at home. The budget presentation has been postponed from June 10 to June 12 to allow for the extended visit. This reflects Pakistans desperate economic situation. A visit to the countrys biggest bilateral lender was in order. China has extracted its pound of flesh with Pakistans endorsement of its positions on Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea. The reference to South Asia is along the lines of past statements.

PM Sharifs delegation included virtually all senior Pakistani cabinet ministers. Interestingly, the delegation also included the army chief, General Asif Munir. His inclusion was justified on the ground that he is a member of the Special Investment Facilitation Council. This body was set up to invite foreign investment in Pakistan. While Sharif held roadshows to attract investment, it is unlikely that the army chief confined himself to discussing the economy.

Pakistans priority is to seek Chinese support to tide over its worsening economic situation. It is in the midst of negotiating a $6 billion, three-year credit facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF would like to ensure that its credit is not used to simply pay off Chinese loans. It would require a rollover of the Chinese debt payments, not only for the current year but for the duration of the new credit facility to be negotiated. A longer-drawn-out repayment schedule is crucial to the survival of the Sharif government. How far will China go to bail out its client State? The joint statement is silent on the Chinese response.

Pakistani endorsement of the Chinese position on Taiwan has been a feature of all past statements. This year, the paragraph went beyond previous commitments. Does it only reflect Pakistans abject dependence on China? Or does it also reflect Chinas geopolitical compulsions? Since last year, China has escalated cross-straits tensions. After the election of Lai Ching te as Taiwans president, it intensified military pressure on Taiwan. It needs diplomatic support for the unilateral change it wishes to bring about. Pakistan seems to be only too willing to provide it. The joint statement mentioned, Both sides stressed that the authority of the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no dispute or challenge. This resolution was adopted in 1971 when Communist China replaced Taiwan as a member of the United Nations and as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council. The fact that China needed to recall it half a century later in a joint statement with Pakistan, a country that is facing an existential economic crisis, tells us something about the resistance its strong-arm tactics have generated.

The joint statement mentioned that Pakistan firmly supports the Chinese governments every effort to achieve national reunification and opposes any form of Taiwan independence. Pakistans enthusiasm for supporting the Chinese position on Taiwan could complicate its position vis-a-vis the United States (US). Pakistan needs US support to secure the IMF deal. The US enjoys a veto in the IMF.

The paragraph on South Asia includes a reference to the opposition to any unilateral action. This veiled reference to deletion of Article 370, was also there in the statement issued during PM Imran Khans visit to Beijing in February 2022. The paragraph reflects the limits of the relationship, which is shaped by Chinese interests rather than Pakistans priorities. While Pakistan briefed the Chinese side about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chinese side limited itself to repeating the old mantra that it should be resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.

Before the visit, Pakistani media briefings raised expectations about the launch of the second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC II). Contrary to initial claims of Chinese investment to the tune of $46 billion in Pakistan under the programme, it has brought $25 billion since its launch. The joint statement is limited to upgrading the existing programme rather than announcing big-ticket items.

In the meantime, Pakistan has been elected for a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2025-26.

DP Srivastava is a former ambassador and the author of Forgotten Kashmir: The Other Side of the Line of Control. The views expressed are personal
* HT Image

Apple to showcase AI integration at developer conference

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Revamped Siri, potential OpenAI partnership among highlights

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Apple aims to allay investor doubts in AI race with Microsoft

By Aditya Soni and Stephen Nellis

June 10 - Apple is expected to showcase how it is integrating artificial intelligence across its software suite, including a revamped Siri voice assistant and a possible tie-up with ChatGPT owner OpenAI, at its annual developer conference on Monday.

More is at stake at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference than in previous such events, as the iPhone maker seeks to reassure investors that it has not lost the AI battle to Microsoft even though it may have forfeited a few rounds.

Apple will have to show the vast majority of its more than 1 billion users - most of whom are not tech aficionados - why they would want the new breed of AI that has swept Silicon Valley, analysts said.

"Apple will put on a show," said Ryan Reith, analyst at market research firm IDC. "If they nail the landing, the potential is to get the consumer actually interested in AI because so far it has been mostly about enterprise." Apple has been using AI behind the scenes for years to power features on its devices, such as the ability of its watches to detect crashes and falls. But it has been reluctant to tout how this technology boosts functionality in its devices, as Microsoft has done with the help of its early bet on OpenAI. Microsoft overtook Apple as the world's biggest company by market capitalization in January, and Apple's shares have trailed those of other Big Tech companies this year. AI chip giant Nvidia briefly overtook Apple last week as the world's second-most valuable company, underscoring for some investors a shift in power in the tech world.

"Apple's early reticence toward AI was entirely on brand. The company has always been famously obsessed with what its offerings did for its customers rather than how it did it," said Forrester analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee.

"But then the AI silence got deafening. All that will change on June 10," he said.

Apple uses the developer conference at its Cupertino, California, headquarters each year to showcase updates to its own apps and operating systems as well as to show developers new tools they will be able to use in their apps.

SIRI MAKEOVER

Apple is expected to enable Siri to essentially control many apps on a user's behalf. This has proven tricky as Siri needs to understand the user's exact intentions and also how the app works.

For example, if a user asks Siri to delete an email, Siri needs to understand which email the user wants to delete and how that function works on, say, Microsoft Outlook versus Gmail.

Apple tried to make Siri smarter in 2018 with tools that allowed developers to code into their apps ways for Siri to have more control, but few showed interest.

Now, Apple is expected to revamp Siri's underlying software with generative AI. Media have reported that Apple and OpenAI struck a deal to integrate the ChatGPT maker's technology into Apple's next iPhone operating system, iOS 18.

Some Apple investors are confident that the AI new features will boost sales of new iPhones at a time when the company is grappling with strong competition in China and slower growth in the U.S.

"This should translate into a strong hardware refresh cycle for Apple," in 2025, said Dan Eye, chief investment officer at Fort Pitt Capital Group, which holds Apple shares. Eye expects Apple to limit some AI features on older models to entice people to buy newer phones.

CHIPS FOR AI

Earlier this month, Apple unveiled a new AI-focused chip in its latest iPad Pro models and analysts expect the company to offer details to developers on how they can use the chip's capabilities to support all the new AI computing.

The company may also begin to talk about its own cloud-computing capabilities amid reports that Apple was planning to use its own chips inside data centers for the first time.

Apple recently hired Sumit Gupta, a former Google and IBM executive who worked on AI data center development at both firms.

By using its own chips for cloud services, Apple can roll out advanced AI features that devices cannot handle alone, without requiring expensive processors from Nvidia. The approach also retains many of Apple's privacy and security features that are baked in to the design of its in-house chips.

The developer conference runs until Friday.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
A plane crashed outside the front yard of a suburban Denver home after trying to land in the street. Due to the crash, four people were hospitalised in serious to critical condition. US plane crash: About fifteen minutes after taking off from Centennial airfield, south of Denver, the 1969 Beechcraft 35 crashed. (Unsplash)

The National Transportation Safety Board's senior accident investigator, Alex Lemishko, stated that the four people on board suffered burns when the jet crashed and caught fire. Following the collision in Arvada, roughly 12 miles northwest of Denver, two of the four people who were brought to the hospital were adults. However, he added that it was still unclear if the other two were adults or children, reported AP.

No one in the home, which is on a street running parallel to railroad tracks, was hurt, he said.

About fifteen minutes after taking off from Centennial airfield, south of Denver, the 1969 Beechcraft 35 crashed, according to Lemishko. It was reportedly en route Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, another suburban airfield about thirty miles to the northwest. (Also Read: Air Force's Sukhoi fighter jet crashes in Maharashtra's Nashik: Report)

According to AP, shortly before the disaster, the unidentified pilot radioed that he was having engine issues and intended to land at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, which was likely visible from the air by that point, according to Lemishko.

Instead, the pilot tried to land in the street in the residential neighborhood, he said. The plane's left wing hit a large spruce tree, and the plane skidded down the roadway and veered into the yard, he said. The plane also hit a pickup truck parked on the street in front of the home, pushing the truck up into the home's driveway into another truck, Aurora Fire spokesperson Deanna Harrington said.

A roadway or even railroad tracks is a reasonable option for a pilot to try to land if they cannot make it to an airport, Lemishko said to AP. (Also Read: Air India flight with 180 passengers collides with tug tractor at Pune Airport runway)

Im sure what was going through the pilots mind was I see a roadway, I need to get this aircraft down, lets give it a shot,  he said.

The plane was on fire when firefighters responded to the crash about 9:30 a.m., Arvada Fire operations chief Matt Osier said.
Pune on Saturday saw heavy rainfall with some areas receiving more than 65 mm of rainfall in just two hours. Due to the same, a few areas also had a flood like situation. Amid that, a woman who was travelling in the city in her car, found herself trapped between water, with no way out. Pune woman stuck between water due to heavy rains in the city.

A video of the stranded woman was shared on X by Punekar News. In the caption of the post, they informed, "A woman driver found herself in a difficult situation as she struggled to get out of her car In Viman Nagar. Quick response from @PuneCityTraffic personnel, she was promptly rescued."

The video opens to show heavy rains lashing the city, causing water to clog in an area and reach knee-high levels. In the flood-like situation, a woman got stuck in her car and can be seen looking around for help. A sense of relief washes over her as two people from Pune City Traffic come to her aid. (Also Read: Heavy rain delays flights, gives pax hard time travelling to Pune Airport)

Watch the video here:

This video was shared on June 9. Since being posted, it has gained more than 46,000 views. The post also has close to 300 likes and the numbers are only increasing. The share has also received numerous comments.

Here's how people reacted to the video:

An individual wrote, "Thanks to the helpful Officials in Uniform we Salute you all."

A second added, "Why was the helpless, poor woman driver driving there in so much deep water? What was she thinking or trying to do there?"

"All this after paying crores of rupees in property, income, road taxes & GST," posted a third.

A fourth commented, "Come on, Pune is a world-class city, and it becomes Venice in the rainy season. Citizens need to carry inflating boats."
Alexander De Croo, the prime minister of Belgium, has resigned following his party's crushing loss in Sunday's national and European parliamentary elections, according to CNN. Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo(AP)

The 48-year-old found difficult to hold back tears while making the announcement in Brussels on Sunday night.

"I was the figurehead of this campaign. This is not the result I had hoped for, and I therefore take responsibility for this result, it was not meant to be," de Croo told media.

"As of tomorrow, I will be resigning as prime minister and I will fully concentrate on current affairs," he said, according to CNN.

Citing RTBF polling, CNN reported De Croo's Open VLD party did not fare well in the European Parliament, receiving only 5.8 per cent of the vote.

The RTBF poll showed that the far-right Vlaams Belang party and the Flemish nationalist N-VA party were tied for the same percentage of the vote, 14.8 per cent and 14.2 per cent, respectively, the CNN report added.

In his resignation address, De Croo emphasised his continued belief that Belgium "needs a new government with full powers that can take on its tasks" and pledged to facilitate a "proper transfer" of power to his successor.

Meanwhile, voting across the European Union's 27 member states has now closed. The last votes were cast in Italy, according to CNN.

The EU elections represent the world's second-largest democratic exercise, trailing only behind India's elections in terms of scale. With almost 400 million voters across the EU, the electorate will select 720 members of the European Parliament, spanning from the Arctic Circle to the borders of Africa and Asia.

The outcome of these elections will shape policies on global issues ranging from climate change and defence to migration and international relations with major players like China and the United States.

Since the last European elections in 2019, geopolitical dynamics have shifted significantly.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has brought conflict to the fringes of the EU, underscoring the importance of the union's role in maintaining peace and stability in the region. Ukraine, aspiring to join the EU, further underscores the geopolitical complexities at play.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Egypt and Israel on Monday hoping to deliver the ceasefire that President Joe Biden proposed last month, in an all-out push by Washington to secure an end to the Gaza war. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (File Image)(AP)

Ahead of his arrival, both sides doubled down on hardline positions that have scuppered all previous attempts to end the fighting, while Israel pressed on with assaults in central and southern Gaza, among the bloodiest of the war.

"We are committed to total victory," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office, quoting remarks he made on Sunday to relatives of Israelis killed in Gaza.

"What is the main dispute? It is over Hamas' demand ... that we commit to stopping the war without achieving our goals of eliminating Hamas.... I am not prepared to do so. That is clear."

Hamas, for its part, said Washington must push its ally Israel to halt the fighting.

"We call upon the U.S. administration to put pressure on the occupation to stop the war on Gaza, and the Hamas movement is ready to deal positively with any initiative that secures an end to the war," senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters ahead of Blinken's arrival.

The war has now entered its ninth month, since Hamas-led fighters killed 1,200 people and took some 250 others hostage in a rampage through southern Israel. In response, Israel launched an assault on the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians and reduced most of the enclave to wasteland.

Palestinian officials said 40 more bodies arrived in hospitals over the past 24 hours. Thousands more dead are believed buried under rubble.

ASSAULTS IN RAFAH, NUSSEIRAT

In Rafah, the city on the southern edge of Gaza where Israel launched an offensive last month in defiance of White House pleas, residents said on Monday tanks had been trying to thrust deeper towards the north in the early hours of the morning. They were on the edge of Shaboura, one of the most densely populated neighborhoods at the heart of the city, a militant stronghold.

Around half of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million people had been sheltering in Rafah before last month's assault, and a million have had to flee again.

Since last week, Israel has also launched a large-scale assault in the central Gaza Strip, around the small city of Deir al-Balah, the last population centre yet to be stormed. On Monday, residents said the Israelis had pulled back from some areas there but were keeping up air strikes and shelling.

Also read: Israeli military claims rescue of 4 hostages alive from Gaza

Residents in Nuseirat north of Deir al-Balah were still clearing debris after Israel freed four hostages in a massive raid there on Saturday. Palestinian officials say 274 people were killed, making it of the deadliest assaults of the war. Israeli forces said they were aware of under 100 Palestinians killed there in intense gunbattles, and did not know how many were combattants.

"We are exhausted and helpless, enough is enough," said Jehad, who fled under fire from Saturday's assault in Nusseirat with his family and was now in Deir al-Balah. The family had already been displaced from Gaza City to Nusseirat, to Khan Younis, to Rafah and back to Nusseirat before their latest flight.

In video obtained by Reuters from Nusseirat, resident Anas Alyan, standing outside the ruins of his home, described how Israel commandos in shorts had appeared in the streets, firing wildly while F-16s and quadcopters fired from the air.

"Anyone moving in the street was killed - anyone moving, or walking, was killed immediately," he said. "There are still children under this building. We don't know how to pull them out," he said, pointing to one ruin. "Today We found children martyred in that building," he said, pointing to another.

After months of failed peace efforts, Biden chose a new tack with his public announcement of his proposal for a ceasefire on May 31, describing it as an offer that had already been accepted by Israel. U.S. officials say Biden deliberately unveiled it without asking the Israelis first, to increase pressure for a deal.

Full details have not been publicly disclosed, but the offer as described by U.S. officials is similar to texts floated since January in previous failed peace efforts: a long truce, over several stages, with gradual release of Israeli hostages ultimately leading to an end to the war.

What is different this time is that Israeli forces have now stormed most territory inside the Gaza Strip at least once, and Netanyahu is under greater domestic political pressure to reach a deal. Fighting has also escalated sharply in northern Israel along the Lebanese border, raising the threat of an all-out war between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah group, which is far better armed than Hamas.

Benny Gantz, a popular centrist former military chief, quit Israel's war cabinet on Sunday over what he described as the failure to outline a plan for the war's end. That leaves Netanyahu more reliant on far right allies who say they will bring down his government if he agrees any deal to end the war without first destroying Hamas.

As in all previous peace attempts, Washington secured Israeli agreement to the text first, before seeking approval from Hamas through Egyptian and Qatari mediators. Israeli officials have acknowledged making the offer but have been lukewarm, with one Netanyahu aide describing it as "not a good deal".

Hamas says it already agreed to the last Israeli peace offer earlier in May, only for the Netanyahu government to renege. Israel says the militants have previously attached unacceptable conditions.
New Delhi, The BRICS nations on Monday expressed grave concern over the "unprecedented" escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli military operations and reaffirmed their support for Palestine's full membership in the United Nations. BRICS expresses 'grave concern' over 'unprecedented' escalation of violence in Gaza

At a meeting in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod, the BRICS foreign ministers reiterated the grouping's unwavering commitment to the vision of a two-state solution to the Palestine issue based on international law.

Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs Dammu Ravi represented India at the crucial meeting.

The BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

"The ministers expressed grave concern at the deterioration of the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, in particular the unprecedented escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip as a result of the Israeli military operation that led to mass civilian displacement, death and casualties," a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting said.

BRICS is an acronym for original members of the grouping Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The grouping also called for immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip.

It also pressed for the effective implementation of the UN Security Council resolution 2728 for an immediate, durable and sustained ceasefire.

The foreign ministers "equally called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and civilians who are being illegally held captive".

They expressed grave concern over increasing attacks by Israel in Rafah, saying it would compound the "dire" humanitarian situation.

"The Ministers further condemned the Israeli military operation in Rafah and its ramifications that directly impact the civilian lives, especially in view of the high density of Palestinian civilians in this location," the statement said.

An Israeli airstrike last month killed 45 people at a camp for displaced people in Rafah that triggered massive global outrage.

"They also reaffirmed their rejection of any attempt aiming at forcefully displacing, expelling or transferring the Palestinian people from their land," it said.

"Furthermore, they cautioned against the spill over effects of escalation of tensions to the rest of the Middle East region. They acknowledged the provisional measures of the International Court of Justice in the legal proceedings instituted by South Africa against Israel," it said.

The ministers expressed "serious concern at Israel's continued blatant disregard of international law, the UN Charter, UN resolutions and Court orders", according to the statement.

Israel has been continuing its military offensive in Gaza as part of its retaliation to the unprecedented attack on Israeli cities by Hamas on October 7.

Hamas killed around 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped more than 220 others some of whom were released during a brief ceasefire.

Over 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza in the Israeli offensive, according to Hamas-run authorities in Gaza.

India has been calling for de-escalation of the situation and creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations towards a two-state solution to the Palestine issue.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
A video shared by the IDF and widely circulating on social media shows Hamas hostage Noa Argamanis remarkable escape from captivity. The video shows a black hawk helicopter waiting as Noa is escorted to it by the soldiers who rescused her, having finally been freed after eight harrowing months in captivity. Footage shows Hamas hostage Noa Argamanis remarkable escape from captivity (IDF)

Besides 26-year-old Noa, three more hostages were rescued, including Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andri Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41. Israeli special forces from the IDF, the Israeli polices elite counter-terrorism unit and intelligence unit Shin Bet in the central Gazan Nuseirat refugee camp launched the high-risk rescue mission on Saturday, June 8. They targeted two buildings occupied by Hamas, where the terrorists were being held captive.

The abduction of Noa Argamani

Noa was tragically abducted by Hamas on October 7 last year, while she was attending the Supernova music festival in Israel. At the time, a video of her kidnapping went viral, showing her screaming for help while being taken away by Hamas terrorists, her arms stretched towards her boyfriend Avinatan Or. Avinatan was also kidnapped, and is possibly still being held hostage in Gaza by the terrorist group.

After her rescue, Noa, a Chinese-born Israeli citizen, had an emotional and tearful reunion with her father, Yakov Argamani. A video of the father and daughter embracing each other went viral.

Noa was also reunited with her mother Liora, who is battling stage four brain cancer and had earlier expressed her wish to see her daughter before the illness claimed her life. After being rescued, Noa spoke to Israeli President Isaac Herzog over the phone. Expressing her gratitude, she said, I am so happy to be here. Thank you for everything, thank you for this moment.

Noas overjoyed father revealed that as a coincidence, his daughter was reunited with him on his birthday. See what a gift I received for my birthday, he said in a statement. Calling for the release of other hostages, Yakov said, We must make every effort, in every way possible, to bring them here to Israel, to their families.
New video has revealed the moment two of the four Israeli hostages were rescued by Israeli troops from Hamas captivity on Saturday, June 8. In the midst of an active war zone, the hostages were airlifted away by helicopter. They have been identified as Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andri Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41. Dramatic footage shows moment Israeli troops rescued Hamas hostages in daring operation (IDF)

The rescue

New headcam footage released by the Israeli military shows the daring operation where members of the Navys elite Shayetet 13 commando unit arrived at the scene in armoured vehicles to free the hostages. The commandos were accompanied by tanks and were seen firing at Hamas terrorists. A site was soon secured for soldiers to call down a chopper that was coming in from the sea.

The video shows Israeli soldiers escorting Kozlov and Jan towards the helicopter after it lands. The hostages are seen hanging on to the commandos for support.

Following the rescue, the chopper took off and exited the Gaza strip where they delivered the hostages to the Sheba Medical Center, near Tel Aviv. Their eight-month-long ordeal thus came to an end.

The high-risk rescue mission was launched by Israeli special forces from the IDF, the Israeli polices elite counter-terrorism unit and intelligence unit Shin Bet in the central Gazan Nuseirat refugee camp. Two buildings occupied by Hamas, where the hostages were being held, were targeted.

The mission led to the death of an IDF commander, who played a key role in rescuing the hostages. Arnon Zamora is now being hailed as a hero.

Behind every rescue mission, are Israeli men and women who risk their lives. We are devastated to share that Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora, commander and tactical operator in the Yamam (National Police Counter-Terrorism Unit), who was critically wounded in the operation to rescue hostages this morning, has succumbed to his wounds, Israelis Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Saturday on X.
Far-right parties rattled the traditional powers in the European Union with major gains in parliamentary seats, dealing an especially humiliating defeat to French President Emmanuel Macron, who called snap legislative elections. European Parliament. (AFP File)

Some ballots in the vote for the European Parliament were still being counted Monday, but the outcome showed the 27-nation bloc's parliament membership has clearly shifted to the right. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni more than doubled her party's seats in the assembly. And despite being hounded by a scandal involving candidates, the Alternative for Germany extreme right party still rallied enough seats to sweep past the slumping Social Democrats of Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Sensing a threat from the far right, the Christian Democrats of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had already shifted further to the right on migration and climate ahead of the elections  and were rewarded by remaining by far the biggest group in the 720-seat European Parliament and de facto brokers of the ever-expanding powers of the legislature.

But the surge by nationalist and populist parties across Europe will make it much harder for the assembly to approve legislation on issues ranging from climate change to agriculture policy for the next five years.

Undoubtedly however, the star on a stunning electoral night was the National Rally party of Marine Le Pen, which dominated the French polls to such an extent that Macron immediately dissolved the national parliament and called for new elections to start later this month. It was a massive political risk since his party could suffer more losses, hobbling the rest of his presidential term that ends in 2027.

Also read: Narendra Modi oath taking LIVE updates

Le Pen was delighted to accept the challenge. Were ready to turn the country around, ready to defend the interests of the French, ready to put an end to mass immigration, she said, echoing the rallying cry of so many far-right leaders in other countries who were celebrating substantial wins.

Her National Rally won over 30% or about twice as much as Macrons pro-European centrist Renew party that is projected to reach less than 15%.

Macron acknowledged the thud of defeat. Ive heard your message, your concerns, and I wont leave them unanswered, he said, adding that calling a snap election only underscored his democratic credentials.

In Germany, the EU's most populous nation, projections indicated that voters had not been dissuaded by the AfD's scandals as it rose to 16.5%, up from 11% in 2019. In comparison, the combined result for the three parties in the German governing coalition barely topped 30%.

Scholz's governing Social Democratic party was humiliated as the Alternative for Germany surged into second place. After all the prophecies of doom, after the barrage of the last few weeks, we are the second strongest force, a jubilant AfD leader Alice Weidel said.

Overall across the EU, two mainstream and pro-European groups, the Christian Democrats and the Socialists, remained dominant in the voting that concluded Sunday. The gains of the far right came at the expense of the Greens, who were expected to lose about 20 seats and fall back to sixth position in the legislature. Macron's pro-business Renew group also lost big.

After having flirted during campaigning with the idea of working with a political group further right, von der Leyen offered late Sunday to build a coalition with the Social Democrats, which mostly held its ground in the elections, and the pro-business Liberals.

We are by far the strongest party, We are the anchor of stability, von der Leyen said. Reflecting on the rise of the far-right and good showing of the far-left, she added that the result brings great stability for the parties in the center. We all have interest in stability and we all want a strong and effective Europe.

In the legislature, provisional results showed that the Christian Democrats would have 189 seats, up 13, the Social Democrats 135, down 4 and the pro-business Renew group 83, down 19. The Greens slumped to 53, down 18.

Germany, traditionally a stronghold for environmentalists, exemplified the humbling of the Greens, who were predicted to fall from 20% to 12%. With further losses expected in France and elsewhere, the Greens' defeat could well have an impact on the EU's climate change policies, still the most progressive across the globe.

Senior party members in the EU's parliament were due to hold talks on Monday to see what alliances might be established. Key to the future working of the assembly will be whether the far right unites in a strong enough bloc to challenge the main pro-European groups.

The elections come at a testing time for voter confidence in a bloc of some 450 million people. Over the last five years, the EU has been shaken by the coronavirus pandemic, an economic slump and an energy crisis fueled by Russia's war in Ukraine. But campaigning often focused on issues in individual countries rather than on broader European interests.

Since the last EU election in 2019, populist or far-right parties now lead governments in three nations  Hungary, Slovakia and Italy  and are part of ruling coalitions in others including Sweden, Finland and, soon, the Netherlands.
Toronto: India has sought exemplary action from all levels of Canadian Government after a float featuring the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was displayed at an event in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on Sunday. The punishment posters displayed during a parade in Brampton on Sunday

The float was part of a parade taken out in Brampton to mark the 40th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, when the Indian Army stored the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar to flush out Khalistani extremists including their leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Other than the float, which featured an effigy of Indira Gandhi as she was being fired upon by her bodyguards, it also featured posters, stating her punishment had been delivered on October 31, 1984, the date of the assassination.

Alongside was featured images of pro-Khalistan element Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was murdered in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18, 2023, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and part of his statement in the House of Commons that there were credible allegations of a potential link between Indian agents and the killing. Below them was a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the legend, punishment waiting.

The secessionist group Sikhs for Justice or SFJ has said the next target will be Modi for transnational repression and Nijjars killing.

This float appeared just three days after a similar display during a protest in front of Indias Consulate in Vancouver. Reacting to that on Friday, Canadas Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc posted on X, The promotion of violence is never acceptable in Canada.

However, that doesnt appear to have deterred pro-Khalistan elements in Canada. In a statement, Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma said, We sincerely urge all levels of governments in Canada to take exemplary action against the public display of violence and hatred. India has formally raised the matter with Global Affairs Canada, the countrys foreign ministry.

Describing as abhorrent the public depiction of the assassination, Verma added, Indian nationals living in Canada feel intimidated by such hatred being propagated. Unfortunately, this has happened in Canada time and again. Canadian systems and society have failed to put any cost on the perpetrators.

Last year, on June 4, a similar float was part of a martyrdom day event in the GTA. Indira Gandhis assassination was followed by the anti-Sikh riots in Delhi and elsewhere in the country, which resulted in thousands being killed and businesses looted.
Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz on Sunday announced his resignation amid celebrations for the rescue of four hostages from war-torn Gaza in a raid that Palestinians say killed hundreds. Israeli Minister Benny Gantz (REUTERS)

Gantz's resignation is the latest sign of sharpening domestic dissent over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the eight-month war, and is the first major political blow to him during the conflict.

It came after special forces fought gun battles with Palestinian militants on Saturday in central Gaza's crowded Nuseirat refugee camp area as they swooped in to free the four captives.

The Israeli military said the extraction team and captives came under heavy gun and grenade fire, which killed one police officer, while Israel's air force launched strikes that reduced nearby buildings to rubble.

The health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said 274 people were killed and 698 wounded, in what it labelled the "Nuseirat massacre", figures that could not be independently verified.

Among those were at least 64 children, 57 women and 37 elderly people, the ministry said.

"People were screaming -- young and old, women and men," said Nuseirat resident Muhannad Thabet, 35.

"Everyone wanted to flee the place, but the bombing was intense and anyone who moved was at risk of being killed due to the heavy bombardment and gunfire."

Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, had been abducted from the Nova music festival during Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war.

Many Israelis shed tears of joy when they heard of the release of the four captives, all reported in good health.

The army released footage of the freed captives embracing their family members, and the government press office showed Netanyahu visiting them in hospital.

But Meir Jan's joy at being released was undercut by the death of his father of a heart attack just one day earlier.

Mounting pressure

Gantz's resignation comes after he had issued an ultimatum to Netanyahu to present a post-war plan for Gaza by June 8.

Netanyahu responded by telling Gantz it was "not the time to abandon the battle".

While Gantz's resignation will not bring the premier's right-wing government down, it reflects growing domestic pressure over Netanyahu's failure to return remaining hostages.

A senior military commander, Brigadier General Avi Rosenfeld, also resigned Sunday over what he called his failure to prevent the October 7 attack.

Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed that other hostages were killed during the rescue operation, and warned that conditions would worsen for the remaining captives.

"The operation will pose a great danger (for) the enemy's prisoners and will have a negative impact on their conditions," spokesman Abu Obaida wrote on Telegram.

The four freed hostages are among only seven that Israeli forces have managed to rescue alive since Palestinian militants seized 251 in their October 7 attack.

Dozens were exchanged in a November truce for Palestinian prisoners. After Saturday's rescue operation, 116 hostages remain in Gaza, although the army says 41 of them are dead.

Israel's top diplomat rejected accusations "of war crimes" in the operation.

"We will continue to act with determination and strength, in accordance with our right to self-defence, until all of the hostages are freed and Hamas is defeated," Foreign Minister Israel Katz said.

Seeking to explain the civilian toll and damage from the raid, Israeli military spokesman Peter Lerner told US network ABC that forces "came under fire from a 360-degree threat... It was and is a war zone."

Subsequent fighting saw four members of one family killed when an air strike hit their house in Gaza City's Al-Daraj area, in the territory's north, according to Al-Ahli hospital medics.

Israeli helicopters were also firing east of the Bureij camp, near Nuseirat, witnesses told AFP.

And heavy artillery shelling hit central and northern areas of Rafah, said officials in the southern city.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell welcomed the hostage release and said reports "of another massacre of civilians are appalling... the bloodbath must end immediately".

Blinken heads to Middle East

United States President Joe Biden on May 31 launched a new push for a ceasefire and hostage release deal, but without any tangible results so far.

Hamas has insisted on a permanent truce and full Israeli withdrawal from all parts of Gaza -- demands that Israel has firmly rejected.

Hamas's Qatar-based chief Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday condemned the "horrific massacre" in Nuseirat and insisted that "any agreement reached must include a permanent cessation of aggression, a complete withdrawal from the strip, an exchange deal and reconstruction".

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit the Middle East from Monday for his eighth regional tour since the October 7 attack, with stops planned in Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Qatar.

Blinken on Saturday again insisted that "the only thing standing in the way of achieving this ceasefire is Hamas. It is time for them to accept the deal."

The bloodiest ever Gaza war broke out after the October 7 attack on southern Israel that 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 37,084 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the territory's health ministry.

The war has brought widespread devastation to Gaza and displaced most of its 2.4 million inhabitants, many whom are on the brink of starvation.

Aid has arrived only sporadically by truck, airdrops and sea.

The US military said a temporary pier that had suffered storm damage late last month had been rebuilt and used on Saturday to deliver about 492 tonnes of "much needed humanitarian assistance".
PRISTINA, Kosovo  Kosovo on Monday celebrated the 25th anniversary of the withdrawal of Serbian forces following a 78-day NATO bombing campaign, which opened the way for its independence nine years later. Kosovo celebrates 25th anniversary of the withdrawal of Serbian forces after NATO bombing

Ethnic Albanian separatists of the Kosovo Liberation Army fought a 1998-1999 war with Serbian forces in what was then the province of Kosovo. About 13,000 people, mostly ethnic Albanians, died and about 1 million were deported until the NATO bombing resulted in the Serbian withdrawal and the establishment of an international force known as Kosovo Force, or KFOR.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008, which Belgrade doesnt recognize.

Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, who was in office at the time, took part in a special parliamentary session in the capital, Pristina, to celebrate the anniversary. Former Italian Premier Massimo DAlema and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama participated in other ceremonies.

The fight for Kosovo was not only for Kosovo but for all of us, including my own country, who believe that freedom and justice are worth standing up for and if necessary, fighting for, Blair said in a speech. Had we allowed Kosovo and its people to continue to be brutalized, their rights stripped from them, their futures stolen, our own future in countries like mine would have been diminished.

Kosovo-Serbia ties remain tense and the 13-year-long normalization talks facilitated by the European Union have failed to make progress, especially following a shootout last September between masked Serb gunmen and Kosovo police that left four people dead. NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers have increased their numbers and equipment along the Kosovo-Serbia border.

The EU and the United States are pressing both sides to implement agreements that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti reached in February and March last year.

Serbias and Kosovos chances of joining the EU one day are jeopardized by their refusal to compromise, according to the blocs foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell.

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania.

Follow Llazar Semini at https://x.com/lsemini

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Jury deliberations began on Monday in the trial of Hunter Biden on federal gun charges, a historic first criminal prosecution of the child of a sitting US president. WILMINGTON, DELAWARE - JUNE 10: Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, joined by his wife Melissa Cohen Biden, arrive to the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on June 10, 2024 in Wilmington, Delaware. The trial for Hunter Biden's felony gun charges resumes today with the defenses team. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Anna Moneymaker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

Hunter Biden, 54, the son of President Joe Biden, is accused of lying about his illegal drug use when he bought a handgun in 2018, a felony.

His trial comes as his father is seeking reelection, and less than two weeks after the conviction on business fraud charges of Donald Trump, the likely Republican presidential nominee in November.

The 12-member jury began deliberations after prosecutors and Hunter Biden's defense team presented their closing arguments, CNN and other US media reported.

Hunter Biden did not take the stand during the one-week trial held in the Biden hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.

The proceedings, along with another case in which Hunter Biden faces tax evasion charges in California, complicates Democrats' efforts to keep the focus on Trump, the first former president ever to be convicted of a crime.

First Lady Jill Biden attended several days of the trial. The president did not attend but said he and Jill were "proud" of Hunter Biden.

"As the President, I don't and won't comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength," Biden said in a statement.

In addition to being a political distraction, Hunter Biden's legal woes have reopened painful emotional wounds for the family from his time as a drug addict.

His brother Beau died from cancer in 2015, and his sister Naomi died as an infant in a 1972 car crash that also killed their mother, Neilia, Joe Biden's first wife.

The Yale-trained lawyer and lobbyist-turned-artist is charged with falsely stating when buying a .38 caliber revolver in 2018 that he was not using drugs illegally.

He is also charged with illegal possession of the firearm, which he had for just 11 days in October of that year.

The president's son, who has written unsparingly about his addiction, claimed that at the moment he bought the revolver he did not consider himself to be an addict.

If found guilty, Hunter Biden could face 25 years in prison, although as a first-time offender jail time is unlikely.

Hunter Biden has long been the target of hard-right Republicans, and Trump allies have investigated him at length in Congress on allegations of corruption and influence-peddling. No charges have ever been brought.

Hunter Biden's business dealings in China and Ukraine have also formed the basis for attempts by Republican lawmakers to initiate impeachment proceedings against his father. Those efforts too have gone nowhere.

The White House has said there would be no presidential pardon for Hunter Biden in case of a conviction.
Defense lawyers rested their case Monday in Hunter Bidens federal criminal trial without calling the presidents son to the witness stand to testify about allegations that he lied about his drug use when he bought a gun in 2018. WILMINGTON, DELAWARE - JUNE 10: Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, joined by his wife Melissa Cohen Biden, arrive to the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on June 10, 2024 in Wilmington, Delaware. The trial for Hunter Biden's felony gun charges resumes today with the defenses team. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Anna Moneymaker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

Defendants are not required to testify and are often advised by lawyers not to do so because it opens them up to grilling by prosecutors on cross-examination.

Last week, the defense called three witnesses  including Hunter's daughter Naomi  as it tried to poke holes in the case that has laid bare some of the darkest moments of Hunter's Biden's drug-fueled past.

Closing arguments are expected later Monday before the case goes to the jury.

Hunter Biden is charged with three felonies stemming from the October 2018 purchase of a gun he had for about 11 days. Prosecutors say he lied on a mandatory gun-purchase form by saying he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.

He has pleaded not guilty and has accused the Justice Department of bending to political pressure from former President Donald Trump and other Republicans to bring the gun case and separate tax charges after a deal with prosecutors fell apart last year.

Hunter Biden has said he has been sober since 2019, but his attorneys have said he did not consider himself an addict when he filled out the form.

Hunter Biden hugged his uncle James Biden before entering the Wilmington, Delaware, courthouse Monday. First lady Jill Biden arrived shortly after and was seated in the front row of the courtroom with other family members, including James, Hunter's sister Ashley and the president's sister, Valerie Biden Owens.

As court began, the two sides argued over instructions that will be given to the jury before deliberations. The lawyers also discussed how jurors can request to see certain physical exhibits, including the gun, in the jury room.

Defense attorneys said the proposed jury instructions included overly expansive and amorphous definitions of what it means to be a drug user and to possess a firearm. The defense argued that the language would deny Hunter Biden a fair trial and told the judge that any conviction obtained using those instructions cannot be sustained on appeal.

The case has put a spotlight on a turbulent time in Hunter Biden's life after the death of his brother, Beau, in 2015.

Hunter Biden's struggles with addiction before getting sober more than five years ago are well documented. But defense lawyers argue there's no evidence he was actually using drugs in the 11 days that he possessed the gun. He had completed a rehab program weeks earlier.

Jurors have heard emotional testimony from Hunter Biden's former romantic partners and read personal text messages. They've seen photos of him holding a crack pipe and partly clothed, and video from his phone of crack cocaine weighed on a scale.

His ex-wife and two former girlfriends testified for prosecutors about his habitual crack use and their failed efforts to help him get clean. One woman, who met Hunter Biden in 2017 at a strip club where she worked, described him smoking crack every 20 minutes or so while she stayed with him at a hotel.

Jurors have heard him describe at length his descent into addiction through audio excerpts played in court of his 2021 memoir, Beautiful Things." The book, written after he got sober, covers the period he had the gun but doesnt mention it specifically.

A key witness for prosecutors is Beau's widow, Hallie, who had a brief troubled relationship with Hunter after his brother died of brain cancer. She found the unloaded gun in Hunters truck on Oct. 23, 2018, panicked and tossed it into a garbage can at a grocery store in Wilmington, where a man inadvertently fished it out of the trash.

I didnt want him to hurt himself, and I didnt want my kids to find it and hurt themselves," Hallie Biden told jurors.

From the time Hunter returned to Delaware from a 2018 trip to California until she threw his gun away, she did not see him using drugs, Hallie told jurors. That time period included the day he bought the weapon. But jurors also saw text messages Hunter sent to Hallie in October 2018 saying he was waiting for a dealer and smoking crack. The first message was sent the day after he bought the gun. The second was sent the following day.

The defense has suggested Hunter Biden had been trying to turn his life around at the time of the gun purchase, having completed a detoxification and rehabilitation program at the end of August 2018.

"There is no evidence of contemporaneous drug use and a gun possession," defense lawyer Abbe Lowell wrote in court papers filed Friday. It was only after the gun was thrown away and the ensuing stress ... that the government was able to then find the same type of evidence of his use (e.g., photos, use of drug lingo) that he relapsed with drugs."

Hunter Bidens daughter Naomi took the stand for the defense Friday, telling jurors about visiting her father while he was at a California rehab center weeks before he bought the gun. She told jurors that he seemed hopeful and to be improving, and she told him she was proud of him. As she was dismissed from the stand, she paused to hug her dad before leaving the courtroom.

President Joe Biden said last week that he would accept the jurys verdict and has ruled out a pardon for his son. After flying back from France, the president was at his home in Wilmington for the day and was expected in Washington in the evening for a Juneteenth concert. He was scheduled to travel to Italy later this week for the Group of Seven leaders conference.

Last summer, it looked as if Hunter Biden would avoid prosecution in the gun case altogether, but a deal with prosecutors imploded after U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was nominated to the bench by Republican former President Donald Trump, raised concerns about it. Hunter Biden was subsequently indicted on three felony gun charges. He also faces a trial scheduled for September on felony charges alleging he failed to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes over four years.

If convicted in the gun case, he 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.
Kamala Harris schooled an anti-Israel protester who interrupted her at a Detroit Democratic fundraiser Saturday night, June 8. A video of the incident is being circulated on social media. Kamala Harris schools anti-Israel protester interrupting her at Detroit event(PTI)

The vice president started her speech at the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner by addressing the war in Gaza, possibly meaning to diffuse any potential tension, but it actually had the opposite effect. Soon, outcries were heard from the audience. One woman was heard repeatedly yelling, Its genocide!

Harris then stopped short to blast the protester. For the past eight months, President Biden and I have been working every day to bring this conflict  Im speaking right now. I value and respect your voice, but Im speaking right now, she said. The woman was dragged away by security.

However, Harris appeared to get the message, and subsequently said, Its time for this war to end. The words seemed to calm the audience, allowing Harris to continue her remarks.

Similar recent incident with Kim Kardashian

Ever since the Israel-Hamas crisis began, several politicians and celebrities have had to face the wrath of protesters at various events. One recent star who experienced a similar situation is Kim Kardashian, who faced a pro-Palestine protester while attending the OMR business festival in Hamburg, Germany on May 7. Kardashian was attending the event to speak about the digital and marketing trade.

A video that went viral at the time showed a protester yelling, calling for Palestine's freedom. Kardashian is heard replying, Free everybody. The hall comprised about 7,000 people, and the protester had to be taken away.

Kardashian then said, "I sympathize with the people of Israel and with those in Palestine. I sympathize with everybody. All we want is for everyone to feel safe and free."

Feel safe. And be good people and treat them in the same respectful way you want to be treated. These are definitely scary times, she added.
Michael Cohen said in a recent interview that if Donald Trump is elected president, people will end up in gulags and be thrown out of windows. It is all about him and just like Putin, once you start to get too big for your own britches, people will start flying out of windows, Cohen said in a video that is being circulated online. Michael Cohen says people will end up in gulags and be thrown out of windows if Donald Trump is elected president (Photo by Michael M. Santiago / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP, AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

They will end up in gulags. They will end up, as Donald says all the time, send him to Guantanamo Bay, he added.

Cohen made the remarks during an interview with MSNBC's Velshi with host Ali Velshi on Saturday, June 8. He served as a key witness for the prosecution in Trumps case.

He's already said he intends to use SEAL Team Six

During the interview, Cohen issued a warning, sharing the names of a few people he thinks Trump might target with his SEAL Team Six. "He's already said he intends to use SEAL Team Six to start rounding up his political enemies, there's no doubt in my mind that I'm somewhere at the top of that list. I don't think that you're [Velshi] not at the top of that list, but you're certainly on that list as well as the president of MSNBC, [retired U.S. Army] General Mark Milley, [former Vice President] Mike Pence, [former Secretary of State] Hillary Clinton, the entire Biden family," Cohen said.

"This is not a joke and the fact that he is even considered to be the Republican nominee, one of our two political parties, is so offensive. It should be so offensive to everyone in this country, he added.

Trump told host Sean Hannity in a recent interview on Fox News that critics were wrong to think he would seek retribution. Number one, theyre wrong, he said. It has to stop, because otherwise, were not going to have a country. Look, when this election is over, based on what theyve done, I would have every right to go after them, and its easy, because its Joe Biden and you see all the criminality, all of the money thats going into the family and him, all of this money from China, from Russia, from Ukraine.
Prince Harry had requested to speed up his appeal against a High Court ruling in hopes of having it heard by July's end. However, a Court of Appeal judge has now denied him permission to jump the queue," erasing any room for special treatment for the Duke of Sussex. FILE - Britain's Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Prince Harry has been given permission to appeal the British government's rejection of his police protection detail in the U.K. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)(AP)

Last week, his plea to appeal against the February decision that backed the Government's right to deny him automatic police protection was granted. The estranged royal family member's request to expedite the process was reportedly tied to his fears that the ruling would ultimately affect other countries' line of action regarding his security.

The Sussex couple wrapped up their brief quasi-royal trip to Nigeria in May, and they're expected to embark on several other tours in the near future. According to The Telegraph, Prince Harry was exhausted by the litigation being dragged out for over two years. As the Duke's team will reportedly be occupied with other official matters from October, he'd argued for the process to be hastened.

Also read | King Charles refuses to cut ties with Harry for Archie and Lilibet, wants more than video calls

Prince Harry's request to speed up appeal proceedings dismissed

Although Lord Justice Bean had initially been permitted the appeal, he denied the Duke's application to expedite hearings for the official issue. In his counter, the judge addressed Prince Harry's status and how, regardless of that, he'd be receiving no special treatment to ease things up: It is rightly not suggested that the claimant is entitled to jump the queue because of his status.

Noting that the Duke did not lodge legal proceedings until 18 months after the decision came through, rebuffing his right to automatic security in February 2020.

Also read | Women are catty: Bill Maher harangues Caitlin Clark's team for not defending her after controversial Sky-Fever foul

Ultimately, Prince Harry sought a judicial review in September 2021 on five grounds. He reportedly did so because arising fears of security concerns had rendered his familywife Meghan Markle and children Prince Archie (5) and Princess Lilibet (3)unable to accompany him on his UK tours. Per reports from The Telegraph, the Duke had even refused the invitation from his father, King Charles III, to lodge at Buckingham Palace for the same reasons.

Although most grounds of the Prince's appeal request were slammed as unpersuasive, Lord Justice Bean claimed that the first ground would have a real prospect of success" as the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) had seemingly failed to follow its own written policy.

Lord Justice Bean also suggested the possibility that Mr Justice Lane, who defeated the Prince with his scathing ruling in 2020, had mistakenly concluded the Duke was not eligible for comparisons with those in the other VIP category who are permitted state security.
Prince Harry is believed to be on a mission to secure a permanent residence in the UK. The Duke of Sussex, currently residing in California, US, with his wife Meghan Markle and two kids, is embroiled in a legal feud in his hometown over his personal security, which was downsized after he left the royal status. However, it seems the desire for a British base remains strong, and some royal experts believe there's a "sad reason" behind this latest move. Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, cries as she, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Queen Camilla and King Charles attend the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, in London, Britain, September 19, 2022. (REUTERS)

Prince Harry determined to find permanent UK residence

The Duke currently has no official residence in the UK after leaving the palace and being evicted from Frogmore Cottage last year. During his time back in his hometown for the Invictus anniversary, he chose to stay in a hotel and reportedly turned down King Charles invite to live in a royal residence close to Clarence House in London. Sources say Harry was concerned about security.

Also read: Prince Harry wants peace with William, Kate and King just for the sake of one person

Now, according to royal author Tom Quinn, the Duke might be missing some aspects of his old life, which makes him sad. The author stresses that he might miss his old army friends and life, partly why he is determined to find a permanent base in the country, alongside the fact that he wants his children Archie and Lilibet to know more about their roots.

In a conversation with The Mirror, Quinn said, Harry misses his Old Etonian and army friends, many of whom have not visited as they dont get on with Meghan. Harry is determined to find his own permanent home in the UK, which is partly why hes continuing his legal action to get the British taxpayer to pay for his security."

Prince Harry is looking back at the past

"As time goes by, Harry misses some aspects of his old life in the UK," the expert adds, stressing, "Inevitably, the honeymoon period where everything in the States is new and exciting is coming to an end, and Harry is looking back at the past through rose-tinted spectacles."

Also read: Gonna see Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah: New York celebrates first mad cricket frenzy as India wins against Pakistan

It's no surprise that Harry has hoped for a reunion, especially since the health crisis descended upon the UK family. First, King Charles, and then Kate Middleton, were diagnosed with cancer. The royal rift continues to deepen, especially after the release of the Duke's autobiography 'Spare,' along with their previous bombshell Netflix documentary and Oprah Winfrey interview, which brutally criticized the royal family.

It only got tensed after Harry's disclosure in his 2023 memoir about his sorrow over being forced to depart from Frogmore Cottage, his previous royal abode at Windsor Castle. invested a lot of money in transforming the grand estate, only to lose it when they left their royal positions.

Frogmore was given to them by Queen Elizabeth II. In his memoir 'Spare', Harry mentioned his desire to have a gathering with Charles and William after his grandfather's passing. While waiting for them at Frogmore Cottage, Harry was filled with sorrow as he realised that the cottage, which he believed would be his eternal abode, would not be. He penned, "Once upon a time, this was going to be my forever home. Instead it had proved to be just another brief stop."
PHOENIX  Rudy Giuliani, a former New York City mayor and Donald Trump attorney, was processed Monday in the criminal case over the effort to overturn Trumps Arizona election loss to Joe Biden, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said. Rudy Giuliani processed in Arizona in fake electors scheme to overturn Trump's 2020 loss to Biden

The sheriff's office provided a mug shot but no other details. The office of the Clerk of the Superior Court for Maricopa County said Giuliani posted bond of $10,000 in cash.

Mayor Rudy Giuliani  the most effective federal prosecutor in U.S. history  will be fully vindicated, said his spokesperson, Ted Goodman. This is yet another example of partisan actors weaponizing the criminal justice system to interfere with the 2024 presidential election through outlandish charges against President Trump and anyone willing to take on the permanent Washington political class."

Giuliani pleaded not guilty in May to nine felony charges stemming from his alleged role in the fake electors effort. He is among 18 people indicted in the Arizona case, including Trump attorneys John Eastman, Christina Bobb and Jenna Ellis.

Former Trump presidential chief of staff Mark Meadows and Trump 2020 Election Day operations director Michael Roman pleaded not guilty Friday in Phoenix to nine felony charges for their alleged roles in the scheme.

The indictment alleges Meadows worked with other Trump campaign members to submit names of fake electors from Arizona and other states to Congress in a bid to keep Trump in office despite his November 2020 defeat.

Other states where criminal charges have been filed related to the fake electors scheme are Michigan, Nevada and Georgia.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The first Russian oil tanker attempting to deliver crude while under US sanctions made a secret cargo transfer onto another ship, a sign of the lengths to which Moscow is going to undermine the effectiveness of American restrictions on its fleet. Russian Oil Tanker Does Secret Cargo Switch Near Singapore to Dodge US Sanctions

The SCF Primorye was sanctioned by the US Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control in October, after which it didnt load oil again for about six months. But in late April, the tanker went to Russias Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and collected a cargo of Urals crude before embarking on a 7,500-mile voyage to a location about 70 miles east of Singapore.

Russia has shipped about 3.4 million barrels a day of crude so far this year, valued at about $37 billion at the point of export, and working around western sanctions has been part of that. Oil proceeds to the state budget increased almost 50% in May from a year ago, as its crude prices rose and the nation adapted to the measures. Nevertheless, the contorted logistics that the SCF Primorye is involved in show that there are impediments to the trade.

Not long after it arrived east of Singapore, the 900-foot tanker vanished from the automatic identification system, or AIS, where commercial vessels broadcast their locations and destinations for safety reasons. AIS can be turned off by a ships crew.

However, after it disappeared, satellite imagery shows that the ship switched its cargo onto another vessel, the Ocean Hermana, on June 3. The secretive transfer would in theory help whoever is buying the oil to distance themselves from dealing with a sanctioned ship and any risk of further actions from the Treasury. Identifying the receiving ship makes it hard to hide the origin of the cargo.

SCF Primorye, which was holding about 1 million barrels of oil, is owned by Russian state oil tanker company Sovcomflot PJSC. The company declined to comment.

The two vessels were identified by Bloomberg based on their dimensions, deck configuration and coloring. The identities of both were confirmed by TankerTrackers.com Inc., which specializes in interpreting satellite imagery to spot sanctions-busting tankers.

The Ocean Hermana is about 20 years old and with an unknown insurer. It has spent most of its recent history shuttling between locations around Singapore and the Malacca Strait and ports in China.

Equasis, a database set up to promote safe shipping, indicates that its operator is a company called Sygnius Ship Management Pvt in Kolkata. The company said by email that this was incorrect and that its only role was as the vessels crewing agent. It didnt immediately respond to follow-up questions.

Whether the cargo is eventually delivered to a refinery  most likely in China given the location of the transfer  will offer clues as to how easily Russia might be able to repeat the process with its other sanctioned vessels. Since October, almost all of 40 tankers sanctioned by OFAC have failed to load cargoes and only one has been removed from a list of designated vessels. Not all are owned by Sovcomflot.

Bloomberg tracked the SCF Primoryes movements on AIS and then, when it disappeared from that system, examined modified Copernicus Sentinel data, processed with EO Browser from Sentinel Hub.

SCF Primorye has now resumed its journey, heading northeast through the South China Sea and showing a draft that indicates it is now empty. The last signal from the Ocean Hermana was on June 10, nearby where the cargo transfer happened. Its draft indicates that the ships cargo tanks are now full.

Another sanctioned vessel, the Bratsk, is already following the route of the SCF Primorye. Its now in the Indian Ocean, carrying a cargo of Urals crude it loaded at Novorossiysk on May 23, and due to arrive off Singapore on June 17.

More sanctioned tankers owned by Russias Sovcomflot PJSC may follow. Another seven disappeared from tracking after entering the Black Sea. They are likely still there, as regulations require them to send automated position signals while transiting the Turkish Straits, making it difficult for them to have sailed into the Mediterranean undetected.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Donald Trump is set to be interviewed by New York probation officers on Monday. This comes after the former US president's historic conviction in the hush money trial, where he was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records. The virtual interview will take place from his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago, where he will be seated alongside his lawyer, Todd Blanch. Donald Trump is scheduled to be interviewed by New York City probation officers Monday(Getty Images via AFP)

Probation officers to interview Trump

The interview was confirmed by Judge Juan Merchan shortly after Trump's conviction. We will order a probation report, Merchan announced in the courtroom. Mr. Blanche, the clerk of the court will give you instructions on how to go about scheduling that interview and getting that probation report, per The Hill.

A New York City probation officer will use the interview in a pre-sentencing report for Merchan. Trump's sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on July 11, just four days before the Republican National Convention. The presumptive GOP nominee could be sentenced to probation or up to 4 years in state prison on each count, with a maximum of 20 years.

ALSO READ: Ivanka Trump dons gym wear for first public appearance since father's guilty verdict

The primary purpose of conducting a pre-sentencing probation interview is to create a report that provides the judge with more information about the defendant. The resulting information can potentially assist the Judge, Merchan in this case, to determine the appropriate punishment for Trump's crimes.

Given the high-profile nature of Trump's case, former New York Supreme Court judge Diane Kiesel said, It would be too disruptive for the former president to come to the probation office in New York City. The press would be all over the building and the Secret Service would have to be there, too. It makes more sense to do it this way, Kiesel added, per BBC.
The U.N. Security Council on Monday approved its first resolution endorsing a cease-fire plan aimed at ending the eight-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. An overall view as the UN Security Council holds a meeting on the situation in the Middle East at UN headquarters on June 10, 2024 in New York. The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a US-drafted resolution supporting a ceasefire plan in Gaza, as Washington leads an intense diplomatic campaign to push Hamas to accept the proposal. The text -- passed with 14 votes in favor and Russia abstaining -- "welcomes" the truce and hostage release proposal announced on May 31 by President Joe Biden, and urges "parties to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition." (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)(AFP)

The U.S.-sponsored resolution welcomes a cease-fire proposal announced by President Joe Biden that the United States says Israel has accepted. It calls on the militant Palestinian group Hamas, which initially said it viewed the proposal positively, to accept the three-phase plan.

Hamas responded to the adoption by saying it welcomed the resolution and was ready to work with mediators in indirect negotiations with Israel to implement it. The statement was among the strongest from Hamas to date but stressed the group would continue our struggle to end the Israeli occupation and work on setting up a fully sovereign Palestinian state.

The resolution  which was approved overwhelmingly with 14 of the 15 Security Council members voting in favor and Russia abstaining  calls on Israel and Hamas to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition.

U.S. Ambassdador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said after the vote the council sent a clear message to Hamas to accept the cease-fire deal on the table, reiterating that Israel has accepted the deal which is supported by countries across the world.

The fighting could stop today, if Hamas would do the same, she told the council. I repeat, this fighting could stop today.

U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood told reporters earlier on Monday that the United States wanted all 15 Security Council members to support what he described as the best, most realistic opportunity to bring at least a temporary halt to this war.

Whether Israel and Hamas agree to the three-phase cease-fire plan remains in question, but the resolutions strong support in the U.N.s most powerful body puts added pressure on both parties to approve the proposal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Biden presented only parts of the proposal and insisted that any talk of a permanent cease-fire before dismantling Hamas military and governing capabilities is a nonstarter.

Earlier Monday, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders met in Qatar to discuss the proposed cease-fire deal and said later that any deal must lead to a permanent cease-fire, a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza, reconstruction and a serious exchange deal between hostages in Gaza and Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

Algeria's U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama, the Arab representative on the council, said that while the text isn't perfect, it offers a glimmer of hope to the Palestinians, as the alternative is (the) continuing killing and suffering of the Palestinian people.

We voted for this text to give diplomacy a chance to reach an agreement that will end the aggression against the Palestinian people that has lasted far too long, Bendjama said.

The war was sparked by Hamas surprise Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people, mainly Israeli civilians, and saw about 250 others taken hostage. About 120 hostages remain, with 43 pronounced dead.

Israels military offensive has killed more than 36,700 Palestinians and wounded in excess of 83,000 others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It has also destroyed about 80% of Gazas buildings, according to the U.N.

The Security Council adopted a resolution on March 25 demanding a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with the U.S. abstaining, but there was no halt to the war.

Monday's resolution underscores the importance of the ongoing diplomatic efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the United States aimed at reaching a comprehensive cease-fire deal, consisting of three phases. It comes as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on his eighth trip to the Middle East since Oct. 7 pursuing that goal.

Bidens May 31 announcement of the new proposal said it would begin with an initial six-month cease-fire with the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza and the return of Palestinian civilians to all areas in the territory.

Phase one also requires the safe distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout the Gaza Strip, which Biden said would lead to 600 trucks with aid entering Gaza every day.

In phase two, the resolution says that with the agreement of Israel and Hamas, a permanent end to hostilities, in exchange for the release of all other hostages still in Gaza, and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza will take place.

Phase three would launch a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of the remains of any deceased hostages still in Gaza to their families.

The resolution reiterates the Security Councils unwavering commitment to achieving the vision of a negotiated two-state solution where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders.

It also stresses the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority, something Netanyahus right-wing government has not agreed to.
Israeli troops during their recent rescue operation discovered that a Gaza journalist who wrote for Al Jazeera was holding three Hamas hostages in his home with his family. Abdallah Aljamal was killed by Israeli commandos during the mission on Saturday, June 8, which led to the rescue of four hostages. Gaza journalist Abdallah Aljamal who wrote for Al Jazeera was holding 3 hostages in home (@PalestineChron/X)

Aljamal also worked as a spokesman for the Hamas-run labour ministry. Special forces soldiers killed him while storming his home in central Gaza, and rescued the three hostages he was holding  Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andri Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41. The other hostage who was rescued during the operation was Noa Argamani.

Rami Abdu, the head of the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, first reported on Aljamals death. Abdu alleged that IDF soldiers killed him and many of his family members while raiding his home.

The IDF later revealed that the journalist was indeed keeping hostages captive in his home. However, it is unclear what happened to his family members. This is further proof that the Hamas terrorist organization uses the civilian population as a human shield, the IDF said in a statement, according to New York Post.

Who was Abdallah Aljamal and what stories did he write?

In 2019, Aljamal had written a column for Al Jazeera, but the Qatar-based outlet said he was not an employee. He was recently contributing to the Palestine Chronicle. For this outlet, he had written several stories on the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza. Aljamal recently wrote various stories focusing on the ongoing IDF operation in Nuseirat, where his home, in which he was holding the hostages, was located.

The Palestine Chronicle, which is a non-profit organisation based in Washington State providing daily news on Gaza, said that its team consists of professional journalists and respected writers and authors who dont speak on behalf of any political party or champion any specific political agenda. On Sunday, June 9, the outlet confirmed that Aljamal contributed stories to them and reported on the ground in Gaza.
A 28-year-old man shot dead in Surrey, Canada, has been identified as Yuvraj Goyal. Four suspects have been identified by officials, including Manvir Basram, 23, Sahib Basra, 20, and Harkirat Jhutty, 23, of Surrey, and Keilon Francois, 20, of Ontario. The suspects have been charged with first degree murder. Who was Yuvraj Goyal, Indian man shot dead in Canada? (Facebook)

Who was Yuvraj Goyal?

Goyal went to the country on a student visa in 2019, according to The Indian Express. According to the Canadian police, he had no criminal record. The motive for his murder, which is being considered targeted, is under investigation.

Recently, Yuvraj received the Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) status. He was working as a sales executive. While his mother Shakun Goyal is a homemaker, his father Rajesh Goyal owns a firewood business.

Shakun said that the family was in shock and asserted that her son had no enemies. She had visited Goyal in March.

I spoke to him shortly before the incident. He was in his car, returning home from the gym early in the morning. He told me to go to sleep as it was nighttime here in India. He said he would call back later, Shakun told The Indian Express.

I dont think anyone can give us justice. No one can bring our son back, but the Canadian government must understand that parents send their children to Canada with a lot of dreams, not to get their lifeless bodies back, Shakun continued.

Goyal graduated with a B.Com (Honors) from Delhi University and then moved to Canada to pursue a masters in finance. Before going to Canada, he worked in India for about two years. At the time of his death, he was working as a sales executive at Canada-based Basant Motors.

Who should we blame? The Canadian government must realize that this is not the first such incident on their soil. They must strictly punish those who target innocents. Many such children have been killed in Canada before. My son never had even a minor clash with anyone since he went to Canada in 2019. Why was he targeted? Can anyone answer? she asked, adding that her son was extremely happy and well-settled in White Rock, an upscale area in Surrey.

Goyals family believes the murder may have been a case of mistaken identity. According to local sources in Canada, it might be a case of mistaken identity. Someone else might have been the target, but Yuvraj was killed. This needs to be thoroughly investigated, said Dr. Ranjana Sood, a relative.

Goyals inconsolable mother said, He not only loved his home country (India) but was also a responsible citizen of Canada. The Canadian government must answer why he met this fate. How can someone brazenly kill an innocent man? Are there any answers?
Beauty queen Bailey Anne Kennedy made history this month when she became the first transgender woman ever crowned Miss Maryland USA.

Kennedy received her crown on June 1 at the culmination of the Bethesda, Maryland pageant. She will go on to compete in the Miss USA pageant in Los Angeles on August 1.

"Not everyone has to agree with the spaces that you occupy, [but] it doesn't mean that you aren't worthy of these opportunities," Kennedy wrote in an Instagram post, days after her victory.

"The work that I will do for the remainder of my life is to make sure that children who feel like me will never have to worry about the consequences of being who they are by simply being myself and being a positive contribution to society," she added.

Kennedy will also be the first Asian American to represent Maryland in the Miss USA pageant. The 31-year-old's victory is also notable because the 2024 season is the first time that the Miss USA pageant is open to women over the age of 27. In 2023, the pageant struck down its age limit, along with restrictions on women who were married or divorced, and women who had children.

"I felt confident in my own skin at 31, which is past the old age limit, which is 28, as you know, the Miss Universe Organization [has lifted] the restriction now, so every woman of all ages can compete," she told DC News Now.

Kennedy is married to a United States Marine and plans to use her platform to work with the USO.

"I can't wait to start my reign and get back to the USO office and start serving lunches & personally thank our active duty service members like I originally planned to yesterday because that's what actually matters to me," she concluded her celebratory Instagram post.

Bailey will be the second transgender woman to compete in the Miss USA competition, after Kataluna Enriquez represented Nevada in the 2021 pageant.
The Israeli military on Sunday accused a Palestinian journalist of holding three Israeli hostages in his family's home before they were rescued during a deadly raid in Gaza.

In a message posted on social media, the Israel Defense Forces called Abdallah Aljamal a "Hamas terrorist" and attached a screenshot of a photo and profile apparently from the Al Jazeera website.

The profile described Aljamal as a "Gaza-based reporter and photojournalist" who "often reports from the ongoing 'March of Return' protests at the fence separating besieged Gaza from Israel."

No "press vest can make him innocent of the crimes he has committed," the IDF said on X, formerly Twitter.

Journalist Abdallah Aljamal was a Hamas terrorist holding Almog, Andrey and Shlomi hostage in his familys home in Nuseirat.



No press vest can make him innocent of the crimes he has committed.@AlJazeera whats this terrorist doing on your website? pic.twitter.com/1EM8C7csnw  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 9, 2024

The IDF also directed a question to the X account of Al Jazeera's public relations team, asking: "What's this terrorist doing on your website?"

The Al Jazeera website shows that Aljamal cowrote an opinion column published on Jan. 22, 2019, with the headline, "Tales of torture from Israel's prisons."

Earlier Sunday, Al Jazeera denied what it called "rumors" tying it to Aljamal.

"This man is not from Al Jazeera, and he did not work for Al Jazeera at all, and he is not listed as working for Al Jazeera neither now nor in the past," Jerusalem bureau chief Omar al-Walid said, according to the Times of Israel. "We do not know him, and all the rumors that have been spread are empty of content and not true at all."

Last month, Israel ordered Al Jazeera to close its offices in Israel, removed its channels from the country's main cable and satellite providers, and seized some of its equipment.

Ramy Abdul, chairman of the Geneva-based Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, wrote on X that Israeli commandos "executed" Aljamal, 36, his wife and father after using a ladder to break into the older man's home in Nuseirat on Saturday.

In an initial testimony documenting the killings committed by the Israeli army in the Nuseirat camp today, the @EuroMedHR reported that the Israeli army used a ladder to enter the home of Dr. Ahmed Al-Jamal. The army immediately executed 36-year-old Fatima Al-Jamal upon pic.twitter.com/DjfjerIZTf  Ramy Abdu|   (@RamAbdu) June 8, 2024

Abdul described Aljamal as a freelance journalist who formerly worked for several media outlets and more recently was the spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Labor.

Hostages Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Koslov and Shlomi Ziv were rescued from Aljamal's family home, the IDF said.

Another hostage, Noa Argamani, was also rescued reportedly from another apartment in Nuseirat.

All four were kidnapped from the Nova music festival during the surprise attacks Hamas launched against Israel on Oct. 7, sparking the latest Mideast War.

At least 274 Palestinians were killed during Saturday's rescue mission, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Israeli officials have said its military caused fewer that 100 casualties in response to what it described as heavy fire against its forces from all sides.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Sunday said that "innocent people were tragically killed," but blamed Hamas for holding hostages and putting military encampments "in the heart of crowded civilian areas" in Gaza.
An Iowa man is facing a fourth murder charge after another man who was badly beaten with a metal pipe succumbed to his injuries on June 7.

The Linn County Sheriff's Office alleges that Luke Truesdell, 34, fatally injured Brett Anthony Brown, 34, in a June 5 assault. Three other individuals - Romondus Lamar Cooper, Keonna Victoria Ryan and Amanda Sue Parker - were pronounced dead at the scene of the same assault.

"Mr. Truesdell had admitted to striking the people with a metal pipe in and around the head or face. And that appears, at this point in time, to at least contributed to or led to the cause of death," said Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner, according to KCRG.

"It is my understanding that he was assuming that a movie would be made of the crime. As to my knowledge, he did not record the crime."

Deputies found the first three victims' bodies strewn around a rural property. Investigators also uncovered a pipe with blood and hair on it at the scene. Brown was transported to the hospital in critical condition, according to the Kansas City Star.

Parker's friend and coworker Lilly Creller said her heart sank when the victims were identified.

"I couldn't have even imagined that it would have been her," Creller told KCRG. "She would always go out of her way to make sure I would have a better day. And she just always had a smile on her face, like it was one of the most contagious smiles ever."

Truesdell was charged with four counts of murder in the first degree. He is expected to appear in court on Monday morning.
The father of an Israeli man held hostage by Hamas "died of grief" the day before his son and three others were rescued during a deadly military raid in Gaza.

Yossi Jan, 57, apparently suffered a heart attack on Friday, his sister told Israel's public broadcaster Kan, the Times of Israel reported Sunday.

"My brother died of grief and didn't get to see his son return. The night before Almog's return, my brother's heart stopped. He didn't get to see his son return," Dina Jan said.

Dina Jan said she got a call Saturday from the army saying that her nephew, Almog Meir Jan, 21, had been rescued and that authorities were unable to reach his father.

"I drove like crazy, I knocked, 'Yossi, Yossi, Yossi' and nothing. I got no answer. The door of his house was open and I saw him sleeping in the living room," she said. "I screamed 'Yossi!' to him and he didn't answer me. I saw the color of his skin, I touched him, but he was dead."

Before his death, Yossi Jan "was glued to the television for the whole eight months, clinging to every piece of information" after his son was kidnapped on Oct. 7, Dina Jan said.

The anguished father "couldn't bear" the strain and lost about 45 pounds, his sister said.

"He closed himself off, didn't want to see people. Everyone was worried about Yossi, but he wasn't able to communicate with anyone," she said.

Dina Jan also said that every potential hostage deal "that exploded in his face broke his heart."

Almog Meir Jan and the three other rescued hostages -- Noa Argamani, 26, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomo Ziv -- were all taken captive when Hamas attacked the Nova music festival in the desert near Gaza.

Israel has said its forces came under heavy fire from all sides during the operation to free them from Nuseirat in Gaza and responded from the ground and air.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties, said at least 274 Palestinians were killed and more than 700 were wounded.

On Sunday, the Israeli military, which diputes the death toll, alleged that a Palestinian journalist, Abdallah Aljamal, held Almog Meir Jan, Kozlov and Ziv captive in his family's home in Nuseirat.

That assertion came after Ramy Abdul, chairman of the Geneva-based Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, said on social media that Israeli commandos "executed" Aljamal, 36, his wife and father after using a ladder to break into the older man's home.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan acknowledged Sunday that "innocent people were tragically killed" by the rescue operation but blamed Hamas for holding hostages and placing military encampments "right in the heart of crowded civilian areas."
David Knezevich, the estranged husband of missing woman Ana Knezevich, has denied any wrongdoing in connection with her alleged kidnapping in Spain.

Knezevich, 36, pleaded not guilty in a Miami court Monday.

David Ingber, the attorney representing Ana's family, said the defendant's not guilty plea is "par for the course, denying responsibility."

"His jovial appearance doesn't fit with his predicament," Ingber told HNGN in a statement, in part. "At some point, he should be struck by the strength of the evidence against him, changing his countenance."

Ana, 40, was first reported missing around Feb. 4, in the midst of a reportedly rocky divorce from her husband of 13 years.

Loved ones became concerned after allegedly receiving suspicious text messages from her phone stating she was going away with a man she had just met, and requested a welfare check.



Spanish firefighters were unable to locate Ana at her Madrid apartment, where she had been living in December since separating from Knezevich. Her cell phone, laptop and chargers were also missing, according to the FBI's criminal complaint.

Surveillance footage made public last week allegedly shows Knezevich buying spray paint and duct tape at a Madrid hardware store around the time Ana went missing, according to WPLG-TV and NewsNation.

Prosecutors allege Knezevich was also captured on video wearing a motorcycle helmet and mask, spray painting the lens of a security camera at Ana's apartment the day she vanished.

Investigators believe Knezevich was motivated by money in connection with his wife's disappearance and "did not want to split the marital assets evenly with the victim," the criminal complaint stated.

Knezevich was arrested at the Miami International Airport in May. Authorities have not commented on whether or not they believe Ana is still alive.

The search for Ana in Spain continues.
Russia is reportedly dangling a lucrative deal to hire mercenaries in Africa  after apparently running out of prison inmates it can send to fight in Ukraine.

In an "intelligence update" posted Monday on social media, Britain's Ministry of Defence said Russia has "intensified attempts to recruit Africans" for its nearly 2 1/2-year war against Ukraine.

"Russia is reportedly offering a sign-up bonus of $2,000, monthly pay of $2,200 and the promise of a Russian passport," the Defence Ministry said, citing recent information from Ukrainian military intelligence.

The recruitment efforts are concentrated on the central African countries of Rwanda, Burundi, Congo and Uganda, according to the ministry's post on X, formerly Twitter.

In Rwanda, the median monthly salary is just $43 a month, according to Britain's Llloyds Bank.

The Russian move is needed to replace its "significant" battlefield losses and to "sustain offensive activities" on the frontlines of the war, the Defence Ministry said.

"With Russia's finite pool of convict recruitment likely culminated, Russia is likely expanding its recruitment across the global south, to avoid additional mobilizations within Russia itself," the ministry said.

Russia's most recent military call-up proved "domestically unpopular" for President Vladimir Putin and also led to a record labor shortage and an exodus of skilled workers including doctors in information technology professionals, the ministry said.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson confirmed David Hosier's execution will be carried out Tuesday, despite several eleventh hour pleas from loved ones and lawmakers to spare the convicted killer's life.

In 2013, Hosier, 69, was found guilty of fatally shooting Angela Gilpin and her husband, Rodney Gilpin, in the hallway of their apartment building in Jefferson City, Missouri, in September 2009, shortly after Angela ended her affair with him.

Hosier was arrested after a police chase in Oklahoma, where authorities seized 400 rounds of ammunition and 15 firearms, including a submachine gun made from a kit that was later linked to the killings. He was sentenced to death, however he has maintained his innocence.

His lawyers have argued his mental health struggles, triggered by the murder of his father, and coupled with his prior military service should save him from death row.

"Saying we are disappointed with Governor Parson's decision to deny clemency to David Hosier minimizes the true depth of our disappointment. David Hosier deserved mercy, and his request for mercy was not a request for freedom, but a request to spend the rest of his natural life in prison," Hosier's attorney, Jeremy Weis, said in a statement to HNGN.

"David Hosier was worthy of mercy based on his service to our country, serving honorably in the United States Navy, and our community, serving as a Jefferson City, Missouri firefighter. This service emulated the life of the man David Hosier admired most, his father Glen Hosier, a Navy veteran and an Indiana State Police Officer murdered in the line of duty while trying to arrest a fugitive when David was just 16 years old. "

"Many people know of David's professed innocence," the statement continued. "His insistence on innocence caused him to reject a plea offer to life in prison without parole. Although the jury heard evidence that no witness placed David at the scene of the Gilpin murders and DNA did not connect him to the crime, after the jury's guilty verdict, no new evidence offered a path to exoneration, and clemency was David's only hope to avoid execution. Our thoughts are now with David's sister's, Kay and Barb, and other family and friends who loved David dearly."

"He displays no remorse for his senseless violence," Parson remarked, adding that this makes Hosier deserving of the death sentence and denied him clemency.

"For these heinous acts, Hosier earned maximum punishment under the law. I cannot imagine the pain experienced by Angela's and Rodney's loved ones but hope that carrying out Hosier's sentence according to the Court's order brings closure."
Mandarin Oriental, Muscat has opened its doors today, marking the Group's debut in the Sultanate of Oman. The distinctive architectural design of this urban resort and branded residences takes full advantage of the views over the Arabian sea, while its location in the heart of the city in Shatti Al-Qurum, a prestigious neighbourhood, is perfectly positioned to explore Muscat's intriguing ancient architectural treasures and vibrant culture. Enhancing its heartfelt charm is the breathtaking backdrop of the majestic Hajar Mountains. Mandarin Oriental's legendary service, combined with distinctive dining concepts, a worldclass spa and authentic Omani-inspired experiences, will ensure that the much-anticipated resort will bring a new level of exceptional hospitality to the country.

Envisioned by renowned French interior designer Xavier Cartron, the hotel's architecture draws inspiration from the richness and diversity of Oman's culture, inviting guests to embark on a journey of discovery. Entering the hotel lobby through grand Omani wooden doors, guests experience a seamless blend of influences from various regions and civilizations, honouring the culture and craftsmanship of Oman. At the heart of the lobby, three fountains stand as a tribute to the country's rich legacy, reflecting the cultural tapestry woven from the threads of the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The hotel's stunning chandelier beams with colourful crystal lanterns, illuminates the lobby from all angles. Finally, the captivating sea views, framed by exotic coconut and palm trees, evoke a sense of wonder for guests to further explore the allure and mystique of Muscat.

The natural beauty of Oman inspires the design of the 103 guestrooms and 47 suites, featuring locally sourced natural materials including Desert Rose marble and Ashwood. Each handcrafted piece invites travellers to uncover the country's treasures. The bed backboard draws inspiration from the "Kuma", the traditional Omani hat, while authentic motifs and fabrics pay homage to traditional handwoven patterns. Brass lanterns are inspired by the iconic "Khanjar", the Omani daggers showcasing the region's artisanal heritage. With a collection of 156 private homes, The Residences at Mandarin Oriental offer an unparalleled waterfront lifestyle, featuring exceptional comfort and service.

The five distinct restaurants and lounge will provide a wide range of international cuisines with Mandarin Oriental's renowned culinary excellence under the leadership of Executive Chef Raymond Rjaily who joins from Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta. The signature restaurant, Essenza, invites you to a journey through Italy's coastal regions, featuring traditional recipes passed down through generations. The Mandarin Cake Shop specialises in indulgent pastries, cakes and offers a bakery corner with an array of viennoiseries, breads and savouries, paired with a selection of specialty teas and coffees. Executive Pastry Chef Stephane Tranchet leads this team, having worked at legendary Michelin-starred institutions around the globe, and more recently at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, where his signature "cloud cake" established his status as a pastry maestro.

Offering a holistic wellness experience, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Muscat blends Mandarin Oriental's award-winning Asian inspired treatments with local healing traditions. This serene urban oasis enjoys natural daylight with stunning sea views. Tailormade wellness journeys, guided by experts, include exclusive body massage and skincare treatments, alongside bespoke wellness therapies. The spa features a traditional Hammam, combining Moroccan healing techniques with modern therapies, embracing a personalised approach to relaxation. Exquisite mosaics adorn the interiors, and fragrant oils scent the air, enhancing the soothing experience. Additionally, a relaxing 30-metre outdoor pool provides the perfect place for refreshing laps and unwinding with an array of tasteful light bites and drinks from the pool bar. The little ones can enjoy the kids' pool and play area nearby as well as a kids' club located in the promenade.

For the most sophisticated events and weddings, the hotel offers 2,000 square metres of indoor venues and an additional 335 square metres of outdoor space. All venues are bathed in natural daylight, including a one-of-a-kind 800-square-metre ballroom with spectacular sea views, an adjoining Bridal Room and three dedicated banqueting and meeting spaces.

Hotel website
A contemporary launch for one of London's most historic neighbourhoods.

Mandarin Oriental is delighted to introduce the group's second property in London with the opening of Mandarin Oriental Mayfair on historic Hanover Square, where fashion, art, business and culture intersect. The sleek and boutique sister property to Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park comprises of 50 guestrooms and suites, 77 private residences, award-winning Chef Akira Back's London restaurant debut, two bars and a beautiful spa.

Designed by internationally renowned Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair is the first new build in Mayfair for over a decade and brings a modern architectural approach to one of London's most storied squares. RSHP has created a unique Vierendeel structured building - one of the first in the UK - that provides wide internal space and an elegant contemporary townscape facade, clad with burnt red brick 'baguettes' (the longest in the UK), inspired by the Georgian terraces that surround the hotel.

The focus on the hotel's fabled location informing its identity continues inside with 50 guest rooms and suites, along with 77 private residences meticulously crafted by British based Studio Indigo, who have seamlessly blended Mandarin Oriental's Asian heritage with locally inspired elements to create a distinct identity. Inspired by haute couture, every guest room has been imagined as a jewellery box, with a palette that includes a rich emerald green, regal maroon and tranquil turquoise, using fine timbers, marbles, soft fabrics and carpets, bespoke lighting and furniture complemented by metallic finishes in brass, bronze and gold. House of de Gournay hand-painted silk wallpaper is an exquisite focal point of the rooms; its flowering magnolia design - whose leaves have been meticulously considered in relation to the Feng Shui of each room - is a nod to the trees found in Hanover Square, whilst the chinoiserie is a subtle reference to the hotel Group's oriental heritage.

This best of the East and West can also be found within the hotel's public spaces - the reception, atrium, Akira Back restaurant, ABar Lounge, 14-seater chef's table Dosa, private dining rooms and spa - all by Tokyo based design agency Curiosity who have used colour and texture to great effect. The large sculptural lobby and reception to the spa boasts rare green Ming marble to reflect the green spaces of Hanover Square, Berkeley Square and Green Park, whilst the dining spaces have been inspired by "a walk in the park" and the natural elements of 'wind', 'water', 'earth' and 'fire', reflected through carefully choreographed lighting, suspended structures and metallic ceilings.

This atmospheric design sets the stage for the creative culinary concepts of award-winning Chef Akira Back who makes his UK debut at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair. Born in Korea, raised in Colorado and having helmed some of the very best Japanese restaurants in the world, he brings a sense of adventure and boundless creativity to his culinary creations. Comprising 148 seats, including three private dining rooms, the Akira Back restaurant will offer some of his greatest hits, including the 'AB Tuna Pizza', a wafer-thin crunchy crust, umami aioli made with ponzu sauce, tuna sashimi, micro shiso and white truffle oil. For added drama, 14-seater Dosa will be the ultimate culinary theatre experience with contemporary Korean dishes expertly presented in an intimate counter-style setting, using seasonal ingredients and cuttingedge techniques. Pre or post prandial drinks can be enjoyed in the ABar Lounge, which features an artistic cocktail programme and small bites menu accompanied by a line-up of live DJs - open until late. Later in 2024 will see the opening of the ABar Rooftop for drinks and dining, whilst enjoying panoramic views over the London skyline.

For indulgence of the more holistic kind, the subterranean The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair brings some dynamic firsts to the UK wellness scene. These include new to London binaural biohacking treatments, offering 'stress release', 'mindfulness', 'awaken' and 'power nap' as quick fix 22-minute experiences. The carefully curated spa menu also features treatments by results-driven 'Swiss Perfection'; the scientific 'Seed to Skin Tuscany' and CBD-infused 'OTO'. Two experiences, exclusive to The Spa, have been inspired by the local surroundings - a four-handed 'Tranquillity of Mayfair' massage therapy and a signature 'Elegance of Mayfair' facial. The Spa also offers a 25-metre swimming pool, sauna, vitality pools and experience showers, a state-of-the-art gym, personal training, reformer Pilates, nutritional consultations, physiotherapy and NormaTec massage technology used by elite athletes to improve recovery and performance.

About Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London

Within walking distance of London's admired fashion houses on Bond Street and the boutiques of Saville Row, as well as auction houses and art galleries, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair provides a stylish base in one of the city's most sought-after areas, where culture and fashion collide. Taking advantage of this world-class location, the new hotel offers guests and MO Fans exclusive access and experiences from high fashion to art, culture and dining. In London, where the most influential quarters are claimed by Knightsbridge and Mayfair, these two points on the map are now connected through the Mandarin Oriental brand. For visitors and locals already in love with Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in Knightsbridge, there is now an additional way to experience Mandarin Oriental, inspired by the vibrancy and creativity of its new neighbourhood.

The overall project, comprising Mandarin Oriental Mayfair and the 77 Residences at Mandarin Oriental, is developed and owned by Clivedale London, an independent, Mayfair based developer established in 2012 dedicated to developing super-prime property in London, W1.

Hotel website
Waldorf Astoria Lusail, Doha has appointed Alex Willats as its new general manager. Willats brings over twenty years of leadership in luxury hospitality to his new role.

Willats has held high-profile roles throughout his career, including deputy general manager at The Ritz London, where he hosted an event for the late Queen Elizabeth's 80th birthday, attended by then-Prince Charles, now King Charles III. As general manager at Shangri-La Beijing, he led the development of award-winning F&B concepts and directed key initiatives.

He spent over twelve years in Qatar during his formative years, deepening his understanding of the local culture and the country's rich heritage.

Willats' return to Qatar in this role marks a homecoming and adds a personal dimension to his professional commitment, the property says.
Get ready to join the most influential travel leaders for pointed one-on-one conversations, critical debate, the next wave of innovation and the best networking in travel.

The home of Phocuswright Europe is Catalonia! As we shifted the location to Spain in 2023, we remain committed to delivering an unprecedented event experience for the travel industry's smartest audience.

This event is organized by Phocuswright
Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, has signed a milestone agreement with Naia Developments to develop two Swissotel addresses, marking the brands debut on Egypts Mediterranean coast in Ras El Hekma.

The partnership agreement will see Accor operate Swissotel Ras El Hekma and Swissotel Residences Ras El Hekma, both of which are set to open in Q3 2027, strengthening Accors presence on the North Coast of Egypt.

Boasting a prime seafront location, Swissotel Ras El Hekma and Swissotel Residences Ras El Hekma will offer 250 keys and 100 branded residences with access to extensive wellness-focused amenities. Embodying vitality and inspiring purposeful living, each room and residence will offer refined comfort, functional layouts, and panoramic sea views. The openings will allow travellers to enjoy one-of-a kind holidays or invest in residential assets to enjoy coastal living in the year-round destination.

Swissotel Residences Ras El Hekma, joins other Swissotel branded residence projects in Egypt, Turkiye, Qatar, Georgia and Vietnam. Nestled in an ideal location, with immediate proximity to the Ras El Hekma Giga project, residential owners at Swissotel Residences Ras Al Hekma will enjoy exclusive benefits from the Accor Ownership Benefits program, which extends VIP benefits and privileges across the globe, including elevated status in the groups lifestyle loyalty program,

ALL  Accor Live Limitless.

We are proud to partner with Naia Developments to develop this beautiful stretch of coastline and ring in a new era for Egypts coastal tourism industry. With our Swissotel openings, we will offer global-standard services and facilities for leisure travellers, business travellers, and residents alike, with the development also being an enticing investment opportunity. Duncan ORourke, Chief Executive Officer for Accors Premium, Midscale & Economy Division in the Middle East, Africa & Asia Pacific

Swissotel Hotel Ras El Hekma and Swissotel Residences Ras El Hekma will offer the best of international dining, with two restaurants  an all-day dining and specialty offering  alongside a beach and pool bar and lounge, allowing guests to savour the beautiful coastline.

Furthermore, the properties will boast a Purovel Spa, fitness centre, beach club and world-class MICE facilities  including a 1,000 square metre ballroom and four meeting rooms.

We are delighted to partner with Accor, one of the worlds leading hospitality groups, for this monumental project - bringing such a recognised global brand to a domestically popular, yet still globally unknown part of the world. Ras El Hekmas white sand beaches and unspoilt Mediterranean seas are a true hidden gem, with this partnership marking the beginning of an exhilarating journey to showcase it to a global audience. Hisham El Danasoury, Chief Executive Officer Naia Developments

Ras El Hekma heralds a new era for Egypts coastal tourism industry, propelling the domestically popular destination onto the international stage. Egypts North Coast, with its white sandy beaches and blue waters, has long been a favourite among Egyptians and Gulf Cooperation Council nationals, with a growing interest in the market for residential developments. Ras El Hekma was recently granted a major international investment of USD 35 Billion by UAE-based Abu Dhabi Sovereign Wealth Fund (ADQ). The mixed-use development will transform the 130 million square metre coastline into a year-round city with residential, hospitality, and educational developments  making it a prime location for residential investment.

Swissotel Hotel Ras El Hekma and Swissotel Residences Ras El Hekma are the latest signings in Accors expansion across Egypt, with a portfolio which currently spans 24 hotels with over 5,000 keys across its premium, midscale and economy portfolio as well as 40 hotels with over 12,000 keys in its luxury and lifestyle portfolio. In addition to the Swissotel properties signed in Ras El Hekma, Accor is set to add five more properties under its premium, midscale and economy brands to Egypt by 2027, encompassing more than 1,000 keys across 16 properties. The group will also add over 4,600 keys to its luxury and lifestyle portfolio.

About NAIA DEVELOPMENTS

Naia Development is an Egyptian real estate company established in 2016 and based in Alexandria. Bolstered by international investment and crafting strategic partnerships, the company has made a name for itself as a leading luxury developer managing high-end projects in new urban areas. Naia Developments has a wide range of expertise and has invested in several master development projects, such as Naia Bay Development, located in the heart of Egypts Ras El Hekma.

naiadevelopments.com

About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group

Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5,700 properties, 10,000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.

Cybelle Daou

Director PR & Communications Middle East, Africa and Turkiye

Accor
The Ukrainian Hotel and Resort Association (UHRA) has completed a series of training sessions on USALI (Uniform System of Accounting for Lodging Industry) which took place in March-April 2024 with the support of the EU4Business: SME Recovery, Competitiveness, and Internationalisation program funded by the European Union and the German Government.

USALI is an internationally standardized accounting system used by thousands of hotels worldwide. It defines the main professional terminology and helps hotels measure key performance indicators (KPIs), which is essential for making informed management decisions. Based on USALI, hotel business owners, commercial and financial departments may compare their establishment's financial position and operational efficiency with similar facilities.

The American Association of Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals (HFTP) in cooperation with UHRA provided the course training materials, which were adapted by the project experts.

The training, which took place offline in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, and online, reached more than 300 professionals from the hotel industry from all over Ukraine and representatives of universities. Participants gained basic knowledge of the competent and professional use of globally standardized terminology in the hotel business and basic management accounting skills for effective hotel management.

The introduction of USALI in Ukraine is an important step towards the implementation of international standards in our hotel industry, said Iryna Sidletska, President of UHRA. This accounting system will allow Ukrainian hotels and hoteliers not only to improve their efficiency, but also to become more competitive in the international market on the way to post-war recovery.

The importance of education and cooperation with universities

UHRA focuses on the development of not only hotel business practitioners, but also on the involvement of university teachers and students in the tourism and hospitality industry. A separate quota for participation in the trainings allowed them to update their knowledge and skills, which will be useful in training a new generation of professionals who will be guided by the USALI principles from the start of their professional career.

An additional resource for Ukrainian hoteliers

The UHRA is proud to announce the final stage of work on the translation of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry manual into Ukrainian. The process of publishing and printing is underway, so stay tuned for our future announcements. The manual, created with the support of HFTP (Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals) and will become a valuable resource for Ukrainian hoteliers who want to implement USALI in their establishments and reach a new level of activity of their companies. Today, hoteliers are able to further their knowledge with a specially created training course, Demystifying USALI, which is available on the HFTP Academy platform.

UHRA keeps working actively on the development of the Ukrainian hotel industry and its integration into the European space.

For information:

EU4Business: SME Recovery, Competitiveness and Internationalization is co-funded by the European Union and the German Government and implemented by the German federal company Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The program aims to support Ukraine's economic sustainability, recovery and growth, create better conditions for the development of Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and support innovation and exports. More information: www.eu4business.org.ua

The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the Ukrainian Hotel and Resort Association (UHRA) and does not necessarily reflect the position of the European Union, the German Government, GIZ.

#eu4business, #StandForUkraine, #gizSME #UHRA #USALI
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will install Winnow technology in its 40 hotels

The rollout follows a 6 month pilot where food waste was reduced by 36% in four hotels

Hong Kong - On the United Nations World Environment Day, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is delighted to announce a significant stride in environmental stewardship with the goal of having Winnows food waste technology installed across all its hotels by the end of 2025. This initiative is a testament to Mandarin Orientals commitment to setting a new standard for sustainability in the luxury hospitality sector.

In a resounding endorsement of the effectiveness of Winnows AI technology, Mandarin Oriental has already observed a remarkable 36% reduction in food waste in four pilot hotels: Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong; Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London; Mandarin Oriental, Miami; and Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Dubai. These impressive results underscore the Group's dedication to operational excellence and environmental responsibility.

Implementing Winnows cutting-edge technology across all Mandarin Oriental hotels is core to the Groups broader sustainability strategy. In the knowledge that food waste accounts for up to 10% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions1 and that between 5-15% of the food purchased by kitchens is typically wasted, contributing to the Groups goal to reduce waste intensity by 50% by 2030. This commitment is aligned with the United Nations SDG 12.3, which aims to halve global per capita food waste by 2030.

Winnows data will enable hotel teams to make informed decisions that positively impact both the environment and their bottom line, with kitchens typically saving between 2-8% on food costs. Initiatives to manage food waste will expand upon existing ones, including colleague educational campaigns, overhauling buffet operations, donating excess edible food, and innovative composting programmes to improve soil condition and support efficient absorption of rainwater.

With Mandarin Oriental restaurants holding 26 Michelin Stars around the world including Michelins Green-star recognition at Amber, the signature French fine-dining restaurant at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, the Group also looks forward to leveraging the creative platform of their chefs to raise awareness on the importance of tackling food waste. Looking ahead, chefs will be able to use insights from Winnows data to inform zero waste menus and recipes.

Our commitment to sustainability goes hand in hand with our promise to deliver exceptional guest experiences. The integration of Winnows technology across our global portfolio is a bold step towards reducing our ecological impact and reinforcing our position as an industry leader. Torsten van Dullemen, Group Director of Sustainability and Area Vice President Operations

Mandarin Oriental is at the forefront of sustainability in luxury hospitality. Our collaboration is already demonstrating the powerful impact of technology and data in reducing food waste. Were honoured to support Mandarin Oriental in their ambitious goals, and together, were not only setting new industry standards but also making a tangible difference for our planet. Marc Zornes, CEO & Co-founder of Winnow

Successful pilot programmes at Mandarin Oriental hotels in Miami, Dubai, London and Hong Kong resulted in annualized net savings of USD 207,000, 66 tonnes of food waste, and 289 tonnes in CO2e emissions.2 The Group will be building on this success by rolling out Winnows technology to all 40 hotels by the end of 2025.

How AI works at Mandarin Oriental

The Winnow technology implemented in Mandarin Orientals kitchens enables staff to seamlessly track exactly what wastage occurs throughout their production stream. With this data, users are empowered to optimize efficiency, change behaviors, and drive significant waste reductions.

Designed to require minimal interaction, the Winnow system consists of a camera, smart-scale and tablet. The camera, featuring computer vision trained to identify over 600 food items, automatically identifies waste as it is thrown away. The weight and cost of the food discarded is then instantly calculated and displayed.

All captured data is uploaded to the cloud, where food waste from each day is recorded and analysed. With the preparation of daily, weekly, and monthly reports, Mandarin Oriental kitchens receive the necessary information to drive operational efficiencies, change behaviors, and innovate on techniques in preparation, cooking and plating.

The result is a win-win: using AI in its kitchens will allow Mandarin Oriental to improve its signature quality of service alongside significant reductions in costs and environmental impact.

About Winnow

Winnow builds artificial intelligence tools to help chefs run more profitable and sustainable kitchens by cutting food waste in half. Launched in a single staff restaurant in 2013, Winnow has now been adopted by more than 2,500 sites globally. Winnow is a registered B Corporation operating in 77 countries with offices in Chicago, London, Dubai, Singapore, and Cluj-Napoca. Collectively, Winnow users are saving $70m annually, the equivalent of 50m meals a year from being wasted. For more information, visit www.winnowsolutions.com.

1.https://www.worldwildlife.org/press-releases/over-1-billion-tonnes-more-food-being-wasted-thanpreviously-estimated-contributing-10-of-all-greenhouse-gas-emissions

2. CO2e emissions are calculated by multiplying weight savings by 4.3. This is a blend of an FAO estimate of 4.6x and a WRAP estimate of 3.9x.

About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Mandarin Oriental is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world's most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Recognised for creating exceptional properties, each destination reflects the Group's oriental heritage, local culture and unique design. The Group's mission is to completely delight and inspire guests through delivering passionate service. Having grown from its Asian roots over 60 years ago into a global brand, the Group now operates 40 hotels, 12 residences and 23 exclusive homes in 26 countries and territories with many more projects under development. Mandarin Oriental continues to drive its reputation as an innovative leader in luxury hospitality, delivering sustainable growth over the long term.

Further information is available on our Social Media channels and website:www.mandarinoriental.com, including Media Centre.

Chris Orlikowski

Director of Global Communications

Mandarin Oriental
Following a longstanding commitment to support its guests pursuit of balance in their lives, Novotels three-year agreement with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) will champion the protection and restoration of the worlds oceans, the source of balance for the planet, through science-based action and conservation projects.

Paris - Novotel, Accors founding brand, today announced the launch of an international partnership with WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) that will see Novotel champion the protection and restoration of the ocean through science-based action and conservation projects. WWF is a global leader in building a sustainable future for people and the planet.

Under the three-year agreement, from 2024 to 2027, WWF France will provide technical expertise to Novotel, helping its 580 hotels worldwide to have a positive impact on the ocean, challenging and guiding the brand and its properties throughout many aspects of its operations. The partnership will also see Novotel sponsoring several critical WWF ocean-related conservation projects across the world.

Balance has long been at the core of the Novotel brand, both in its business fundamentals and in its commitments to the work-life experience of its guests. The brands focus on the ocean, the worlds biggest carbon sink and greatest source of planetary balance, which regulates the climate and protects habitats and wildlife, is a continuation of this purposeful commitment to balance.

Novotel will build a three-year science-based action plan, rooted in three of the United Nations priority ocean-related actions, namely: reducing marine pollution and ocean acidification, particularly from land-based activities; fighting overfishing and promoting sustainable fishing models; and increasing scientific knowledge and research for ocean health.

Mapped against these priorities, the Novotel action plan will aim to rebalance its impact on the planet, determining short and long-term initiatives across four pillars which form Novotels Positive Impact Plan:

Reduce plastic, water & carbon footprint impact  empowering Novotel hotels to deliver positive impact action plans to reduce pressure on natural resources, with a strong focus on plastic, water & energy usage; Make sustainable food choices  reducing meat, fish and waste within Novotels food and beverage operations, and further development of sustainable seafood policies; Enhance education & ocean awareness  educating guests, hotel teams and local communities on the necessity of ocean conservation and how to positively contribute; Contribute to research & innovation  partnering with NGOs and investing in sustainable innovation.

The partnership with WWF will help Novotel drive operational change and action for the greater good of the ocean and deliver upon its Positive Impact Plan.

With a specific focus on the ocean, the WWF partnership has four main objectives:

Work on sustainable seafood policies and supply chains for Novotel hotels and restaurants

Raise guests and employees awareness of the importance of the worlds oceans

Advocate for ocean preservation to inspire industry and policy makers

Preserve and restore marine biodiversity through support of five WWF flagship projects around the world

To inform Novotels work, WWF is conducting extensive site visits to Novotel hotels to understand property-level operations and practices, assess procurement data and make recommendations. WWF will provide a dedicated steering committee to assess Novotels progress on its commitments throughout the partnership.

The partnership will see Novotel supporting essential WWF France conservation projects around the world, including:

The protection of Posidonia , an endemic flowering plant of the Mediterranean which plays a key role as a carbon sink  removing carbon from the atmosphere - and provides benefits to 25 different marine ecosystems.

, an endemic flowering plant of the Mediterranean which plays a key role as a carbon sink  removing carbon from the atmosphere - and provides benefits to 25 different marine ecosystems. The identification and removal of ghost gear  lost, abandoned and otherwise discarded fishing gear - the deadliest form of marine plastic waste which impacts marine turtles and mammals, elasmobranchs such as sharks, rays and skates, and marine birds.

 lost, abandoned and otherwise discarded fishing gear - the deadliest form of marine plastic waste which impacts marine turtles and mammals, elasmobranchs such as sharks, rays and skates, and marine birds. Supporting the WWF Frances Blue Panda boat , which sails across the Mediterranean carrying out work including scientific dives, protecting cetaceans from collisions with marine vehicles, and protecting endangered species of rays and sharks; as well as introducing the public to the Mediterranean, its conservation challenges, and the work being done to protect it.

, which sails across the Mediterranean carrying out work including scientific dives, protecting cetaceans from collisions with marine vehicles, and protecting endangered species of rays and sharks; as well as introducing the public to the Mediterranean, its conservation challenges, and the work being done to protect it. Tracking and tracing marine turtles in Asia-Pacific , gathering knowledge on their movements from nesting beaches to migratory corridors and foraging grounds, and mapping critical populations and conservation areas. Six of seven species of marine turtles remained threatened by harvesting, illegal trade, being caught by commercial fisheries and the loss of nesting beaches.

, gathering knowledge on their movements from nesting beaches to migratory corridors and foraging grounds, and mapping critical populations and conservation areas. Six of seven species of marine turtles remained threatened by harvesting, illegal trade, being caught by commercial fisheries and the loss of nesting beaches. Protecting the sea turtles of the Western Atlantic, strengthening regional cooperation on sustainable fishing techniques and combating illegal fishing. Fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing will help protect leatherback turtles breeding on coastal areas of the Guianas, and green and olive ridley turtles from Brazil to Venezuela.

We are delighted to announce that Novotel is embarking on an exciting new chapter. Novotel, Accors founding brand, is a powerful brand, leading the Midscale segment in most of the world. Today, we are starting a bold new ambition, championing a sustainability cause globally.





Novotel has a long-standing commitment to innovation and balance, and we now take that commitment further, by choosing to help the greatest source of balance on our planet  the ocean.

To make this ambition a reality, we are proud to unveil a groundbreaking partnership with the WWF - the World Wide Fund for Nature. Together with our partners, teams and guests, Novotel will lead the charge toward a sustainable future for our oceans, pioneering a new era of environmental stewardship in our hotels and driving industry change.

There is a deep imbalance in the way the ocean is treated. Globally, over-exploitation and pollution are depleting the ocean's resources, while only a tiny fraction of climate finance is allocated to its preservation. The oceans health affects us all and our collective actions have a profound impact. We will rebalance how we engage with it, consume its resources, and invest in its protection and restoration. As a primarily land-based brand, Novotel has a unique opportunity to increase awareness of the impact everyone, everywhere has on the ocean and inspire positive change for the oceans future. Karelle Lamouche, Chief Commercial Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, Accor

WWF aims to restore ocean health for the benefit of people and nature. The oceans are an essential resource of biodiversity that must be protected. WWF is committed to strategic and innovative partnerships with the largest international and national companies in the world to help them reduce their ecological footprint in a concrete way and to make a positive contribution to the environment. We are confident our world-renowned technical and scientific expertise will help Novotel drive operational change for the greater good of their business and the ocean. Yann Laurans, Conservation Director, WWF France

Accor, Novotels parent Group, has an established track record of developing sustainable solutions and innovations in the maritime sector. To name just a few, Accor has supported Energy Observer since 2017 and recently partnered with the Fondation de la Mer in 2022 to adopt the Ocean Framework, to assess the impact of its business activities on oceans wildlife. The Group banned endangered fish species, promote responsible fishing, and were the first hospitality group to commit to progressively eliminate single-use plastic items from their guest experiences to fight against oceans pollution. These Accors commitments are aligned and consistent with the Groups commitment to contribute to global carbon neutrality by 2050 and to remove all single-use plastics from the guest experience.

Novotel's commitment and investment in ocean preservation, alongside the WWF, represent a major turning point in its history. It demonstrates the determination of the brand and the Accor Group to act resolutely in favor of biodiversity and fight climate change, while inspiring the entire sector. Tourism has a major impact on marine resources. Yet, it is also very dependent on them. Our responsibility is not only to mitigate this impact but also to come up with impactful solutions that will help the industry adapt to climate change and its consequences. Our ambition is thus to support our owners in turning social and environmental challenges into sources of opportunities, for their assets and for the societies in which they operate. Brune Poirson, Chief Sustainability Officer, Accor

Created in 1967 in France, Novotel is Accors founding brand. It now boasts over 580 hotels across 65 countries, with 42,000 Novotel Heartists looking after over 30 million guests a year.

Discover more about Novotels ambition:

About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group

Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5,700 properties, 10,000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.

Sarah Wilson

VP PR & Media Relations, Accor Northern Europe

Accor
In addition to its development model based on direct leasing or management contract, Adagio is strengthening its growth through the franchise segment with the openings of the Adagio Access Rouen Center Cathedrale, the Adagio Access Porte de Camargue, and the Adagio Access Brussels Airport. The Adagio franchise network has quadrupled in 6 years, going from 5 franchised aparthotels in 2018 to 28 today, i.e., nearly 20% of the sites operated under the Adagio brand. A fourth opening will take place this year, this time in Master Franchise, with the Adagio Original Abidjan Marcory, the group's first site to open its doors in sub-Saharan Africa.

The development of the franchise is proof that the aparthotel concept defended by Adagio has found its place in the hospitality offering. Indeed, the Adagio brand and the tools that allow franchisees to be its ambassadors are attracting more and more partners in the sector wishing to expand their hotel portfolio and their activities in an agile manner. Resulting in Adagio receiving many expressions of interest from potential partners during the last International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF) which was held in Berlin from 15th  17th April, and during the congress of the Accor Franchise Association (AFA), which took place last March in Antibes.

The development of franchising constitutes one of the axes of the Next Adagio strategic plan: in the coming years, 2/3 of openings, both in France and abroad, will be carried out using this model, with the objective to reach a percentage of franchises of 35% before 2030.

For this, Adagio will be able to rely on the Accor group, a 50% shareholder, which benefits from a Master Franchise partnership strengthening the growth of the Adagio network beyond its geographical zones, particularly in more distant locations: sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East or Asia. This mode of operation will in particular make it possible to create a combo offer bringing together two brands (Adagio and another brand from the Accor group) within the same walls, allowing the manager to mutualize areas dedicated to customers or to technical facilities, and to optimise costs.

The strategy of using franchising as a growth driver consolidates Adagio's economic model; and the balance between the various modes of operation ensures at the same time rigorous management of the brand, the development of innovative concepts like the coliving offer tested in Adagio Original Paris Bercy and soon deployed in Adagio Original London Whitechapel (both directly operated by Adagio), the permanent transmission of knowledge and also faster development of the number of sites under the Adagio brand, thanks to the help of partners.

Adagio is experiencing rapid development. Franchise development, which meets the expectations of many real estate owners, is one of the drivers of this growth. By developing franchising, Adagio is strengthening its position as the European leader in aparthotels. Xavier Desaulles, CEO of Adagio

I'm very excited to be working with Adagio on our mixed-use hotel and residence project. It's a brand with a strong reputation in the fast-growing aparthotels sector, and one that knows how to add value thanks to its strengths and appeal. Matthieu Blanc, President of the ARRELIA Group, Adagio's partner on the Adagio Original Montpellier Centre Comedie site

Focus Adagio Access Rouen Center Cathedral

Source: Accor

The Adagio Access Rouen Center Cathedrale (75 apartments) is located in an exceptional location, in the heart of the historic city centre, on the site of the former Palais des Consuls. Located within the walls of the historic building rebuilt in 1956, it benefits from a completely reinvented interior architecture.

Complete hotel services are offered: parking, reception, catering, swimming pool, all in a world of inventive and inspiring design.

Focus Adagio Access Porte de Camargue

Source: Accor

3 minutes from Saint-Martin-de-Crau train station, the Adagio Access Porte de Camargue (51 apartments) is ideally located in the immediate vicinity of the Alpilles Natural Park and the Camargue Regional Natural Park.

This aparthotel is developed as a combo with an Ibis Budget opened in 2015, with which it shares part of its infrastructure. It has its own lounge bar, coworking space, a swimming pool, reception and a separate breakfast area.

About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group

Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5,700 properties, 10,000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
For more than 20 years consumers have complained about hidden mandatory fees, junk fees, resort fees, destination fees, service fees, administration fees, health fees, surcharges, connection fees, and similar charges, whatever they are called.

Californias new Honest Pricing Law, SB 478, cracks down on hidden fees, requiring businesses to advertise and list a price that includes all mandatory charges. This applies to most goods and services, but a new bill, SB 1524, proposes an exception for restaurants.

SB 478: Transparent Pricing and the End of Junk Fees

SB 478, taking effect July 1, 2024, prohibits businesses from advertising a misleadingly low price and then tacking on hidden mandatory fees at checkout. This includes service charges, resort fees, and other surprise surcharges. Consumers have long complained about these junk fees, and SB 478 aims to create price transparency. Californias Civil Code Section 1770(a)(29), amended by SB 478, prohibits unfair business practices like misrepresenting product qualities. Importantly, it requires businesses to advertise prices that include all mandatory fees, excluding only government taxes and reasonable shipping costs. This transparency aims to protect consumers from unexpected charges. Certain industries, like those complying with FCC regulations for internet access or those already subject to federal and state disclosure laws for financial services, are exempt from this specific provision.

SB 1524: A Special Exception for Restaurants?

Introduced on June 6, 2024, SB 1524 would allow restaurants to continue adding mandatory service charges, gratuities, and other fees on top of their advertised prices, as long as these fees are clearly disclosed on menus or advertisements. The proposed amendment to Civil Code 1770, would add a new subsection 29(D) to exempt restaurants from the transparent pricing mandate of in that section by adding this language:

(D) For purposes of this paragraph, advertising, displaying, or offering a price for a good or service does not include advertising or displaying the price of individual food or beverage items sold by a restaurant, bar, or other food service provider , or sold pursuant to a contract for banquet or catering services, provided that any service charge, mandatory gratuity, or other mandatory fee or charge is clearly and conspicuously displayed on the advertisement, menu, or other display.

The Debate: Transparency vs. Industry Flexibility

This exemption has raised concerns about consumer protection and a level playing field for businesses. SB 1524s proponents, including the restaurant industry and the labor union UNITE HERE, argue that it allows restaurants flexibility in covering costs like employee benefits. Opponents argue that this exemption undermines the core purpose of SB 478  price transparency for consumers. They question why restaurants should be treated differently from other businesses and point out the Federal Trade Commissions stance that hidden fees are deceptive practices.

The Future: Will Restaurants Get a Pass on Hidden Fees?

Whether SB 1524 passes remains to be seen. It faces opposition from consumer advocates who prioritize transparency. The coming months will reveal if the logic of SB 478  honest pricing for all  prevails, or if restaurants win this special exemption.

Potential Outcomes of SB 1524

Note that SB 478 is a law effective July 1st, requiring businesses to advertise all-inclusive prices for goods and services, excluding only government taxes and reasonable shipping costs. SB 1524, on the other hand, is a potential carve out of SB 478 for restaurants, but to be effective, SB 1524 needs to be passed.

So is SB 1524 the Beginning of Even More SB 478 Carve Outs?

Who knows? The debate surrounding SB 1524 extends beyond the restaurant industry. It raises questions about exemptions for other industries. If restaurants win a carve-out, could hotels, ticket sellers, or other businesses seek similar exemptions from the transparent pricing requirements? The outcome of SB 1524 might also influence the Federal Trade Commissions role in regulating hidden fees. The FTCs existing stance against hidden fees could inform future regulations aimed at creating a level playing field across industries. Ultimately, this case could be a turning point in establishing clear and consistent pricing practices nationwide.

But keep in mind, SB 478 stands on a long-standing and well-supported platform against Junk Fees. Since 2012, the FTC has issued reports and proposed rules suggesting that the use of deceptively attractive low prices to catch consumer attention is bait-and-switch, consumer fraud when there are other mandatory fees or charges (junk fees) that will be added to the cost. See:

Conclusion

SB 1524 presents a significant challenge to Californias push for transparent pricing. The outcome will impact not just restaurants and consumers, but potentially set a precedent for businesses nationwide. The question remains whether the focus will prioritize consumer protection through clear pricing or industry flexibility with carve-outs.

Note: If you are a consumer with a Junk Fee issue, please do NOT contact us! We do not represent consumers against hotels, restaurants, or other business owners. We are part of the fabric of the hospitality industry and are committed to informing, educating, and assisting the industry. We represent business owners, helping them to understand and comply with applicable laws and defending them from consumer charges.

Jim Butler

+1 310 201 3526

JMBM

View source
Image Credit WTTC



Last year, the sector grew by more than 32% to contribute a record-breaking SAR 444.3BN to Saudis GDP, representing 11.5% of the entire economy. This exceeded the previous record by almost 30% and underscores the sectors pivotal new role in the nations economic framework.

The World Travel & Tourism Councils (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) has revealed a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism in Saudi Arabia, with new records in GDP contribution, sector jobs and visitor spend.



Saudi Arabias Travel & Tourism sector is now soaring past all previous records, testament to the countrys commitment to becoming a global tourism hot spot.



Last year, the sector grew by more than 32% to contribute a record-breaking SAR 444.3BN to Saudis GDP, representing 11.5% of the entire economy. This exceeded the previous record by almost 30% and underscores the sectors pivotal new role in the nations economic framework.



Jobs supported by the sector grew by 436,000 to reach more than 2.5MN, representing almost one in five jobs in the country.



Although the jobs lost during the pandemic were fully recovered in 2022, todays announcement shows sector employment in Travel & Tourism has increased almost 24% since the previous peak.



International visitor spending surged by almost 57% to reach SAR 227.4BN, breaking the previous record by SAR 93.6BN, while domestic visitor spending grew by 21.5% to reach SAR 142.5BN.



Seven years ahead of its target, Saudi Arabia welcomed 100MN tourists in 2023. Today, the country is surging toward even greater heights and has set a more ambitious aim of attracting 150MN tourists by 2030.



Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said; "Saudi Arabias Travel & Tourism sector's extraordinary achievements last year mark a pivotal moment in its journey towards becoming a global tourism leader.



This success is a direct result of the Kingdom's visionary commitment to the sector, showcasing an impressive fusion of cultural heritage and innovative tourism initiatives. As the sector continues to expand, it promises to play a crucial role in the nation's diversified economic future, while contributing significantly to global Travel & Tourism development."



Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Executive Council of UN Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb said The latest data from WTTC provides further evidence of the rapid success we have achieved in transforming Saudi Arabias tourism industry.



Tourism is a key pillar of the Kingdoms Vision 2030 economic diversification plans and we have made great strides promoting investment in the sector - with more than $800 billion earmarked by 2030 - as well as creating new jobs and growing the contribution of tourism to GDP.



What Does This Year Look Like?



Travel & Tourism is forecast to continue growing at pace in 2024, with GDP contribution set to reach SAR 498BN, while jobs will increase by more than 158,000 jobs to reach nearly 2.7MN.



International visitor spending is projected to reach SAR 256BN, almost double the previous high point, and domestic visitor spending is forecast to reach SAR 155.2BN



What Does the Next Decade Look Like?



The global tourism body is forecasting that the sector will grow its annual GDP contribution to a staggering SAR 836.1BN by 2034, almost 16% of the Saudi Arabian economy, and will employ more than 3.6MN people across the country, with one in five people working in the sector.



What Does the Region Look Like?



The Middle Eastern Travel & Tourism sector grew by more than 25% in 2023 to reach almost $460BN. Jobs reached nearly 7.75MN and international spending grew by 50% to reach $179.8BN. Domestic visitor spending grew by 16.5% to reach more than $205BN.



WTTC is forecasting that the Middle Eastern Travel & Tourism sector will continue to grow throughout 2024 with the GDP contribution set to reach $507BN. Jobs are forecast to reach 8.3MN, international visitor spending is forecast to reach $198BN and domestic visitor spending is expected to reach more than $224BN.



See the Saudi Arabia Economic Impact data on the WTTC Research Hub
Al Manakha Rotana Hotel - Image Credit Rotana

Rotana announce the opening of Al Manakha Rotana, their first property in Al Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With a landmark location in the centre of the holy city of Madinah, Al Manakha Rotana aims to serve travellers seeking a unique cultural experience, as well as the millions of pilgrims who partake in the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Madinah, home to Islam's second holiest shrine, the Prophet's Mosque.

Commenting on the announcement, Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana, said: "We're thrilled to inaugurate the new Al Manakha Rotana in the historic city of Madinah. Religious tourism remains a key pillar of Saudi's economy and plays a vital role in supporting the Kingdom's growth strategy. Marking our tenth property opening in Saudi Arabia is a proud milestone for Rotana, reinforcing our commitment to the country and serving all travellers to the holy city."

Situated in front of Islam's second-holiest shrine, the Prophet's Mosque, and surrounded by vibrant shops and cafes, as well as iconic historical sites such as Omar bin Khattab Mosque and Al Ghamamah, the four-star Al Manakha Rotana offers a haven of comfort and convenience for pilgrims and travellers alike.

Each of the hotel's 512 rooms and suites is thoughtfully designed and equipped with modern fittings and furnishings. Many of the rooms also offer uplifting views of Madinah's most sacred site, the Prophet's Mosque, adding a touch of serenity to every stay. For guests looking to maintain their fitness, a fully equipped gym with sweeping vistas over the holy city's landmarks is located on the 12th floor. To ensure a comfortable and inclusive environment, specific timings are allocated for male and female guests.

In addition, the property offers four distinctive dining venues, including two all-day dining restaurants with a diverse selection of local and international dishes catering to regional and global tastes. For guests seeking a more laid-back option, a lobby cafe and a stunning rooftop terrace overlooking the cityscape serve a tempting array of international cuisine to satisfy guests during their stay.

Al Manakha Rotana's opening aligns with Rotana's ambitious goal of launching eight properties in KSA over the next four years, bringing the total key count to more than 4,400 across 18 properties.

Other KSA openings in the pipeline include four Edge by Rotana and one Rayhaan by Rotana in Riyadh, and three properties in Al Baha, all set to open by 2028.

Rotana's portfolio currently spans 20,088 keys and six superlative brands, including an impressive 2,828 keys across ten hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
AI Use Cases in Hospitality: Three Companies Making an Impact



Three hospitality companies speak about how they are using AI, the value it is creating and the potential it has for the industry.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming almost every industry, and hospitality looks set to benefit from several use cases, including improved customer communication, smoother computer systems and better-managed inventories.

According to GlobalDatas AI in Travel and Tourism report, the AI market will be worth $909bn in 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of 35.2% between 2022 and 2030. It posits that companies that stay ahead of the curve will emerge as industry leaders and will shape the future of hospitality management.

Hotel Management Network speaks to three companies already making an impact, all of which recently attended the International Hotel Technology Forum (IHTF) to speak about their offerings for hotels and hoteliers.

Canary Technologies

The largest guest management system platform in the hotel industry, Canary Technologies offers a range of AI-powered solutions, including mobile check-in, guest checkout, guest messaging, payments and dynamic upsells.

Co-founder and president at Canary Technologies Satjot Sawhney explains: For the web era, there was Facebook; for the mobile era, things like WhatsApp, and Instagram were born. I would think about Canary as providing the solutions in this AI era.

Canary Technologies offers operations management software across various touchpoints of hospitality services; however, Sawhney specifically points to the use of AI to support staff and provide them with the capacity to engage personally with guests.

He points to the example of a night shift, an unpopular shift which tends to be understaffed. He suggests that AI could answer phones and manage guest queries, whilst available staff check in late arrivals, or deliver needed facilities elsewhere.

When you walk into a hotel, an AI large language model (LLM) cannot shake your hand. It cannot hand you a key, he says. Its about letting the humans do the higher level, more interesting and emotive things, and redirecting from some of the mechanical, mundane things.

It is not a human replacement. It is a human superpower. It is not a hospitality replacement. It is a hospitality superpower. It is not a relationship replacement. Its a relationship superpower. Were not a company thats here to say AI and no more humans, were here to say, humans with AI.

Despite some scepticism around the initial introduction of AI  both from concerned customers and hoteliers  Sawhney is confident that AI is here to stay, suggesting that Canary Technologies solutions will aid hotels smooth operations, perhaps even easing the sectors talent gap by making it a more appealing place to work.

Folks were quite sceptical of the elevator when it first got invented, but people realised you press five and it goes straight up to five, you dont have to walk five flights of stairs. Its about the value cycle; its about when I call the hotel at 2am, and someone picks up and helps me navigate.

Considering its future, he points to a quote from the Harvard Business Review: AI Wont Replace Humans  But Humans With AI Will Replace Humans Without AI.

GauVendi

In an alternative use for AI in the hospitality sector, Germany-based GauVendi offers an AI-powered sales solution, which manages a dynamic inventory to offer personalised reservations, revenue management and automated asset distribution.

Managing director Markus Mueller explains: We have changed the way inventory is managed and created a new data structure and new language for real estate assets in terms of clustering them into categories  we note that they have different layouts, different views, different bathroom setups, and so on, and we created all these data points.

These data points enable GauVendi to offer property and revenue management systems for dynamic inventory, pricing hotel rooms according to their specific advantages, and allowing hoteliers to monetise each individual rooms unique location, view, space and facilities.

Mueller also points out that the pricing can be adjusted depending on the customer demand, or even by customer. Some people will pay for a low floor, and some for a high floor. The upsell is not necessarily the floor, but the personalisation.

GauVendis AI offering provides hospitality with another use too: automation. Optimising occupancy based on guest needs and prices is difficult, and every new room sale shifts plans. Its an obstacle to selling 100% occupancy, but Mueller promises that AI can work as a Tetris player to optimize either by revenue or by occupancy, shifting the metaphorical blocks until every guest is adequately provided for.

Mueller says that GauVendis solutions have resulted in 70% of reservations being made through automation, rather than through direct enquiries, phone calls and emails, and that more of these bookings have been made directly with hoteliers.

The operator can sell personalized rooms directly on the website, and can sell categorized rooms on booking.com, he says. That doesnt mean that they dont sell categories for comparison purposes on their website too, but they offer a lot more additional products than an OTA cant offer.

Everguest

Offering insight on both sides of the coin, Budapest-based Everguest offers an integrated AI solution which learns and analyses the characteristics of both hotels and their guests to deliver business consultancy. This includes providing actionable insights, in order to save time, enhance guest experiences, boost booking rates and ADR, and make more informed investment and managerial decisions.

Everguests founder and CEO Miklos Belan explains: First, it takes the headache out of sifting through endless guest reviews and data, delivering clear, actionable insights so hoteliers can truly understand what their guests want. This means happier guests and more repeat visits.

Second, it streamlines operations by automating routine tasks, freeing up staff to focus on creating unforgettable guest experiences. And heres the fascinating part: Everguests AI will predict what guests need before they arrive.

Belan believes the companys AI offering sets a new standard for guest service, but its not the technology itself that appeals. Instead, its the potential to use AI in hospitality to support an understanding of guest needs, silently from the background. Its like having a team of dedicated analysts at your disposal, says Belan.

He concludes: AI isnt just an extension of the fourth industrial revolution, its the revolution of our lifetime. Theres no technological shift comparable to whats happening today, and our mission is to support hoteliers through this monumental change.

Guests wont choose hotels for the AI itself, but for the incredible benefits it brings. Hotels that harness AI can offer superior, personalized services that guests love. AI helps hoteliers understand and anticipate guest needs, leading to unforgettable experiences.
Ghost Tour at Ventfort Hall

LENOX, Mass. Robert Oakes, author of "Ghosts of the Berkshires," leads you through the rooms and halls of this historic estate sharing tales of its alleged hauntings.

There will be a tour on June 14 at 8 pm.

Admission is $30 and minimum age to attend is age 12. Reservations are strongly recommended as tickets are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  North Adams Public Schools received a $8,652 state grant to implement Appleseeds, a package of materials for teaching foundational reading skills in kindergarten through second grade.

While Appleseeds is free for download to all Massachusetts school districts, the grant will fund professional printing of the materials, plus professional development for educators.

Appleseeds is a free, evidence-based reading foundational skills program for students in grades K-2. Districts can use it to supplement existing curriculum that does not have a strong foundational skill component.

"This Appleseeds grant is an important part of our administration's commitment to improving early literacy instruction," said Governor Maura Healey. "We also recently proposed Literacy Launch in our latest budget, a historic investment in early literacy from age 3 to grade 3, on top of additional funding for continued literacy programming from DESE."

The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $1.2 million in grants to 18 school districts and collaboratives to implement Appleseeds, a package of materials for teaching foundational reading skills in kindergarten through second grade.

The program will be implemented by the Executive Office of Education, in coordination with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Early Education and Care. The proposed $30 million fiscal year 2025 investment would help up to 45 school districts transition to a strong, evidence-based literacy program, and the funding would also accelerate review timelines for teacher education programs to require evidence-based early literacy training for future educators. Appleseeds will continue to be an essential part of the state's overall literacy efforts.
PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The state awarded Pittsfield, North Adams, and Lanesborough Fire Safety Grants to support fire and life safety education for school-age children and older adults.

Since 1995, the Department of Fire Services' Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) grant program has supported firefighter-educators who deliver age-appropriate fire safety education to kids and teens across Massachusetts. In that time, the number of children who die in fires has dropped to historically low levels, from two dozen or more per year to zero for nearly three consecutive years.

In 2014, DFS launched the Senior SAFE program, which is geared toward another vulnerable population  older adults, who face a disproportionate risk of death or serious injury in a fire.

"The SAFE grants have been helping local fire departments deliver life-saving lessons to Massachusetts' young people for nearly 30 years," said Governor Maura Healey. "This year's awards continue that legacy of fire safety education for our most vulnerable residents and their families. Our Administration is committed to helping every community protect its residents through public safety programs like this one."

The state awarded Pittsfield a 7,200 Safe Program Grant and a $2,600 Senior Safe Program grant.

The state awarded North Adams a $4,699 Safe Program Grant and a $2,193 Senior Safe Program grant.

The state awarded Lanesborough a $3,599.02 Safe Program Grant and a $1,799 Senior Safe Program grant.

14 municipal fire departments across Massachusetts shared $1.6 million in competitive grants.

In FY24, 214 municipal fire departments will split $1,138,565.58 in SAFE funding and/or $492,179.29 in Senior SAFE funding. Another 12 departments will share funding for regional SAFE and/or Senior SAFE programs.

The S.A.F.E. and Senior SAFE programs are funded through legislative earmarks to the Executive Office of the Public Safety & Security, and they are administered by the Department of Fire Services.
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Noam Chomsky has suffered a stroke and is recovering in hospital, his wife has confirmed.

The 95-year-old famed linguist has not been seen in public since June last year, with many commenting on the weight of his absence from the broader debate surrounding the war in Gaza.

Chomsky, who has been vocal about his support for the Palestinian cause and what he has called the crimes of the Israeli state, has been notably absent from demonstrations and discussions on the issue over the last year.

Valeria Chomsky told the Associated Press via email, that the MIT professor is currently in a Sao Paulo hospital in her native country of Brazil after suffering from a stroke in June last year. The couple travelled on an ambulance jet with two nurses once he was well enough to leave the United States.

Mrs Chomsky confirmed reports in Brazilian newspaper Folha de S Paulo, that her husband had difficulty speaking and that the right side of his body is affected. She said that a neurologist, speech therapist and lung specialist visit the academic on a daily basis.

The famed intellectual is still following the news and his wife confirmed that he raises his left arm in a gesture of lament and anger when he sees images of the war in Gaza.

Mrs Chomsky, who married the professor in 2014, also told Folha de S Paulo that she is thinking about moving to an apartment near the beach in Rio de Janeiro after reading that living in a sunny place can help stroke patients. The couple have had a residence in Brazil since 2015.

It comes after a post shared by Media Lens last week, revealed that the MIT professor is unlikely to ever return to the public eye following the deterioration of his health.

The post quoted Professor Chomskys former assistant Bev Stohl, who first shared the news on a reddit forum as she explained why the usually responsive academic hasnt been returning emails, or interviewing.

( AFP via Getty Images )

Stohl, who worked as Chomskys office manager at MIT for 24 years until her retirement in 2017, wrote on 5 February: Im in contact with a close family member, and we know the basics, and hope to know more in the near future.

In a nutshell, Noam is 95-years-old and suffered a medical event in June. As many have noticed, he has not been writing, corresponding, or interviewing, as his health situation has taken the majority of his time and energy.

He is still with us, now watching the news (he doesnt look happy about what hes watching).

Stohl shared further details on the linguists ability to communicate, adding that he was no longer mobile or walking either.

His ability to speak is complicated by factors I cant yet disclose, she continued. When the relative Im in touch with visited him a month ago, he did not communicate with her.

Chomsky has been unbelievably kind over the years I've known him. He treats everyone as an equal. Doesn't care who you are. He would give as much of his time to a high school student as some celebrity or NYT reporter. And devoted himself to attacking cruelty and injustice. https://t.co/6aQBZSSSQX  Nathan J Robinson (@NathanJRobinson) June 8, 2024

He is not ambulatory. Im not sure for how long this will go on. He is not in pain. His eyes are open and he seems to be watching whats happening around him.

The assistant, who also wrote a memoir titled Chomsky and Me on her time working with the world-renowned thinker, provided an update in April as she wrote, Noam has not made significant progress, Im sorry to say. I doubt he will be able to return to the public eye, as he is not communicating much if at all.

Some of the comments have since been deleted as Stohl edited a post to say that Chomskys family is very private and she will no longer be adding to this discussion.

The Independent has contacted Noam Chomsky and his literary agent for comment.

Tributes have poured in from across the media industry as many noted the linguists passion for language, having dedicated over seven decades to the study of words and communication, and expressed sadness at his now limited ability.

Nathan Robinson, founder and editor of socialist magazine, Current Affairs, is also co-author of Chomskys forthcoming book, The Myth of American Idealism: How US Foreign Policy Endangers the World. He wrote: Chomsky has been unbelievably kind over the years Ive known him.

He treats everyone as an equal. Doesnt care who you are. He would give as much of his time to a high school student as some celebrity or NYT reporter. And devoted himself to attacking cruelty and injustice.

So many thousands of people have stories about how he has changed their lives. He certainly changed mine.

British-American journalist and Zeteo founder Mehdi Hasan added, Sending prayers Noams way. There has been no one else like him in our lifetime.
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Mark Ruffalo is angry. Donald Trump is public enemy number one, says the man who plays Hulk in the Avengers films, leaning forward in his chair. Everything that comes out of his mouth is a lie. This dude is standing in the way of anything significant happening in the world as far as climate change is concerned. Its f***ing terrifying and it keeps me up at night. Most people dont realise whats coming. Countries are freaking out about Syrians coming, a few thousand Syrians. We are approaching mass extinctions, food systems failing, hundreds of millions of displaced people looking for places that are hospitable. He pauses, breathes. In my country, half of the political system doesnt believe in [climate change], in science. Im inviting the rest of the world to get involved in our next election, because the fate of the world is in the f***ing balance. And you can print that.

Lacking the protective carapace that film stars tend to bring to interviews  that mix of rehearsed anecdotes and smiling reticence  Ruffalo is as passionate and politically minded as he is charming. At 52, he looks great. Dressed in a white shirt, his hair tousled and peppered with grey, he is trim and tanned, with a kind, crumpled face and dark penetrating eyes that are at once concerned and unsuspicious. He hasnt shaved.

Were in a hotel in central London to discuss his excellent new film Dark Waters. Based on a New York Times long read, this is the true story of corporate defence attorney-turned-environmental activist Robert Bilott and his struggle to expose the DuPont chemical company, which used toxic materials in a number of its products despite knowing full well how harmful they were. Ruffalo, a long-time environmental activist himself, not only stars as Bilott, but is also the films producer. Robs journey was really interesting to me, says Ruffalo, who recruited the feted auteur Todd Haynes as director. The fact that he was a criminal defence attorney for a chemical company. What was it like for a guy to be on the inside of that culture swimming against the stream? He knew all the tricks that defence attorneys know and he had the time and the budget and the expertise to win.

Ruffalo spent a lot of time with Bilott trying to understand what makes him tick. Robs a very emotionally withdrawn person, he explains. Hes not what you imagine as a hero. Every other person trying to save the world has so much ego; theyre gregarious, theyre charming. Theres almost no ego in him.

As played by Ruffalo, Bilott is dogged and self-effacing, a crusading everyman with a jutting lower lip and awkward posture. Its the kind of role Ruffalo excels in. Although he first made his name as a loveable slacker in romcoms such as 13 Going on 30 (2004) and Just Like Heaven (2005), he has since become the master of empathy, capable of peeling characters back to reveal a wounded vulnerability. Think of him as the tired, dishevelled homicide detective in David Finchers Zodiac (2007). Or the doomed Olympic wrestler Dave Schultz in 2014s Foxcatcher. Or the twitchy, terrier-like reporter in the Oscar-winning smash Spotlight (2015).

When you consider what Ruffalo himself has been through, its no surprise hes able to plumb such emotional depths. While filming 2001s The Last Castle, the actor was diagnosed with a brain tumour. It turned out to be benign, but the operation to remove it left one side of his face paralysed for a year (hes still deaf in his left ear). Then, in December 2008, he suffered the tragic loss of his 39-year-old younger brother, Scott, who was found shot dead in his Beverly Hills apartment. The murder remains unsolved. I dont know what Id be without those experiences, says Ruffalo. Something like that happening or any kind of tragedy just opens the world in a different... you realise human beings fallibility. I have my own deep insecurity. And so Im not that certain about anything. None of us know the ending of the story. All of us are walking around with an enormous amount of uncertainty and so maybe I bring that uncertainty to the parts I play. Im painfully aware of that vulnerability of us as human beings. And in the end we are f***ing toast. No one gets out of here alive, no one gets out of the real struggle and the suffering.

In the aftermath of his brothers death, Ruffalo decided a change was needed. Born in Wisconsin to an Italian-American, working-class family in 1967, Ruffalo had moved as a young man to San Diego, California, where he surfed and got stoned before joining the Stella Adler drama school in Los Angeles. Now he parted ways with his agent and publicist, sold his place in LA and moved to upstate New York with his wife, the actor Sunrise Coigney, and their three young children. Looking back, I think there was a little grief-driven madness in what I did, Ruffalo told The Sunday Telegraph in 2011. They say youre not supposed to make any major decisions while you are grieving but I did the opposite.

open image in gallery Not what you imagine as a hero: Ruffalo in 'Dark Waters' ( Focus Features )

He stands by those decisions. Something like that never really leaves you, he says. Its always there. I find myself being attracted to certain materials based on those relationships and the power of that relationship and that loss. You know, he continues, there is a gift in everything tragic if you survive it. You dont go through that without the person who left you. They leave you a gift that only their passing can give you. Thats the only grace that we have as human beings, that through the suffering we actually gain something that couldnt be attained any other way.

After he left LA behind him, Ruffalos career began to accelerate. First, he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his part in The Kids Are All Right, Lisa Cholodenkos beautifully acted tale of a lesbian couple, and the sperm donor who fathered their children. Then came The Avengers (2012). If the nod from the Academy hoisted him up into the big leagues, then the Marvel franchise made him a star. As Bruce Banner/Hulk, hes now appeared in five Avengers films and has used his power for good. A fierce supporter of Bernie Sanders, hes been particularly vocal when it comes to abortion rights. Hes also used his clout to campaign against fracking, and to spearhead a 3 million-strong petition calling on leaders to commit to renewable energy.

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Recently, Boris Johnson was in the firing line after he misappropriated the Hulk in an interview, saying he would break off the manacles of Europe. The madder Hulk gets, the stronger Hulk gets, said the prime minister. Ruffalo replied on Twitter: Boris Johnson forgets that the Hulk only fights for the good of the whole. Mad and strong can also be dense and destructive. The Hulk works best when he is in unison with a team, and is a disaster when he is alone.

As a white man, he feels a responsibility to speak about the dearth of women and people of colour in the film industry. Its like Joaquin Phoenix was saying at the Baftas, this is systemic and it has to start with us, he says. I ask if hes part of the problem. Yes, we are actors shouldnt be flying around in private jets. We dont have to do that. Its going to take some sacrifice, we all have to be a little bit uncomfortable you can no longer think, Its just about me. You have to see that it has impact in all other directions.

open image in gallery 'No other studio is being that inclusive': Ruffalo alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Downey Jr and Benedict Wong in 'Avengers: Infinity War' ( Disney/Marvel )

So yes, Hollywood, it is systemic, but its like asking a fish about water. Theyve been swimming in it their whole lives. This is a hundred years of a certain culture, starting with vilifying Native Americans in film and making them the villains for years and years, moving to black people and villainising them and then a homogenous culture of white supremacy, really. And until we start, consciously as a whole industry, making those changes  that includes actors also saying, Hey, we need diversity on our sets,  its not going to change. Its just passing the buck.

I mention how Marvel has been criticised in the past for its lack of LGBT+ representation. He begins to tell a story. When we did the first Avengers, [Marvel supremo] Kevin Feige told me, Listen, I might not be here tomorrow. He was going to talk to Disney about the issue of why there were no female superhero movies, which they had been discussing while preparing for Thor: Ragnarok. And hes like, Ike [Isaac Perlmutter, Disneys largest shareholder at the time] does not believe that anyone will go to a female-starring superhero movie. So if I am still here tomorrow, you will know that I won that battle.

That, says Ruffalo, was the turning point for Marvel. Because Kevin wanted black superheroes, women superheroes, LGBT superheroes, he explains. He changed the whole Marvel universe. We now have a gay superhero on the way, we have black superheroes, we have female superheroes  Scarlett Johansson has her movie coming out, we have Captain Marvel, they are doing She-Hulk next. No other studio is being that inclusive on that level. He smiles. They have to, though. This is the f***ing world.

Dark Waters is out in UK cinemas on Friday 28 February
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Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are in talks to reprise their Practical Magic characters for a new sequel.

The original 1998 film was directed by Griffin Dunne and adapted from Alice Hoffmans 1995 novel of the same name. It followed Bullock and Kidman as Sally and Gillian Owens, a pair of sisters who are descended from a long line of witches. Raised by their aunts after the death of their parents, they are taught the practical uses of magic.

Akiva Goldsman, best known for writing films including 1995s Batman Forever and 2004s I, Robot, will write the screenplay for the sequel.

According to reports in Variety, both Bullock and Kidman are expected to come aboard as producers as well as stars.

On Sunday (June 9), it was announced that the original film is now available on digital and on streaming service Max.

Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock in 1998s Practical Magic' ( Getty Images )

That film has become a cult classic in the 26 years since its release, and is particularly well remembered for its soundtrack which includes both a score by Alan Silvestri and Stevie Nicks original song If You Ever Did Believe as well as her re-recording of her song Crystal.

Last month, Keanu Reeves revealed that he is also keen to reunite with Bullock for a third Speed film.

The original 1994 action movie starred Reeves as Jack Traven, an officer in the Los Angeles Police Departments Swat team who has to prevent a bomb from exploding on a city bus by keeping its speed above 50mph. Bullock returned to star in 1997s Speed 2: Cruise Control, but Reeves turned the project down and was replaced by Jason Patric.

Speaking on the 50 MPH podcast in a joint interview with Bullock, Reeves said he is confident they could pull off a Speed sequel now.

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I mean, you know wed freakin knock it out of the park, the actor said.

Reeves added there is a siren call pulling him to a Speed sequel and he would love to work with Bullock again before our eyes close.

Bullock was similarly enthusiastic about working with Reeves again.

Before I die, before I leave this planet, I do think that Keanu and I need to do something in front of the camera, Bullock said.

Are we in wheelchairs or with walkers? Maybe, she joked.

Bullock and Reeves last reunited on screen in 2006 for the romance film The Lake House.
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Celine Dion has admitted that she did not take the time to rest or try to work out what was happening to her, as she revealed why she chose to make her health struggles public.

The Canadian star, 56, will be interviewed on NBC on 11 June, as she opens up about her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome.

Dion was diagnosed with SPS, a rare and incurable autoimmune neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness in a persons torso, in December 2022.

Over time, sufferers can develop rigidity and painful spasms in their legs and other muscles, the Cleveland Clinic says.

Dion was forced to reschedule the European leg of her world tour following her diagnosis, later cancelling the entire world tour in May last year.

I want you all to know Im not giving up, she wrote on Instagram at the time.

In a preview of the NBC broadcast, Dion said that lying about her condition had become too much to bear.

Celine Dion says she couldnt stand to lie about her condition any longer ( NBC )

I could not do this anymore we did not know what was going on, she told NBC. I should have stopped, take the time to figure it out my husband as well was fighting for his own life. I had to raise my kids.

I had to hide. I had to try to be a hero. Feeling my body leaving me, holding onto my own dreams. And the lying for me was  the burden was like too much.

Dion told NBC that before she revealed her diagnosis, she felt as though she was lying to the people who got me where I am today, adding, I could not do it anymore.

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The rare interview is Dions first on TV since she was diagnosed with SPS. The full interview will air as a special primetime hour on Tuesday 11 June at 10pm ET / 3am BST.

Dion is also the subject of a new documentary, I Am: Celine Dion, from Oscar-nominated director Irene Taylor.

Celine Dion in I Am: Celine Dion trailer ( Prime Video )

Billed as a love letter to her fans, Dions documentary will highlight the music that has guided her life while also showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.

A teaser trailer released in May left fans sobbing, as it offered an emotional first look at the All By Myself stars struggles behind the scenes.

In between clips of her in physical therapy, Dion said: Im working hard every day. But I have to admit, its been a struggle.

Breaking down into tears, she continued: I miss it so much. The people. I miss them. If I cant run, Ill walk. If I cant walk, Ill crawl. And I wont stop.

I Am: Celine Dion will be available to stream on Prime Video from 25 June.
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Donald Trump has described Taylor Swift as unusually beautiful but liberal, noting: She probably doesnt like Trump.

The former US president and recently convicted felon was interviewed by Variety editor Ramin Setoodeh last November for a new book about his time hosting The Apprentice, Apprentice in Wonderland: How Donald Trump and Mark Burnett Took America Through the Looking Glass, which is set to be published on June 18.

Asked his opinion of Swift, Trump replied: Shes got a great star quality. She really does.

He continued: I think shes beautiful  very beautiful! I find her very beautiful. I think shes liberal. She probably doesnt like Trump. I hear shes very talented. I think shes very beautiful, actually  unusually beautiful!

Asked specifically what he thinks of her music, Trump admitted: Dont know it well.

He went on to question whether the pop superstar really is politically liberal, asking: She is liberal, or is that just an act? Shes legitimately liberal? Its not an act? It surprises me that a country star can be successful being liberal.

open image in gallery Donald Trump and Taylor Swift ( Getty )

When Setoodeh pointed out that Swift is no longer purely a country artist, Trump responded: Garth Brooks is liberal. Explain that! How does it happen? But hes liberal. Its one of those things...

Swift had been rumored to be a private Republican supporter during the 2016 election cycle, but in 2018 she went on to endorse Tennessee Democratic candidates Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives.

In her 2020 documentary Miss Americana, Swift discussed her decision to become politically vocal.

Back in the [2016] presidential election, I was in such a horrendous place that I wasnt going to pop my head out, she explains. These arent your dads celebrities and these arent your dads Republicans I need to be on the right side of history.

In the 2020 presidential election, Swift publicly backed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. After that years Black Lives Matter protests, Swift directly tweeted at Trump: After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence? When the looting starts the shooting starts??? We will vote you out in November.

In a 2021 interview with Vanity Fair Swift explained further how Trump had affected her political stance, saying: As a country musician, I was always told its better to stay out of [politics]. The Trump presidency forced me to lean in and educate myself.
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Giovanni Pernice will not be joining the cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2024, it has been announced.

The BBC has revealed the professional cast for its forthcoming season of the dancing competition, but Pernices name does not appear alongside those of his colleagues on the show.

The Italian professional dancer, 33, has been on the show since 2015 when he reached the grand final with Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote.

As the show prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, it is being overshadowed by scandal after several former celebrity contestants made complaints about Pernices behaviour and teaching methods. His 2023 partner, Sherlock actor Amanda Abbington, withdrew from the competition citing personal reasons.

Shortly after, she requested what was described by a source as tense footage of her rehearsals with Pernice for a supposed investigation. In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Abbington launched a fresh attack on Pernice, claiming he was awful towards a group of former contestants.

Among the professional names announced for the forthcoming season of the show were Strictly favourites Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin and Gorka Marquez.

Joining them are Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola  but no Pernice.

Abbington is not the only celebrity who claims to have struggled while being partnered with Pernice.

open image in gallery Amanda Abbington, Pernices Strictly partner in 2023, withdrew from the competition citing personal reasons ( BBC )

It was alleged in March that Good Morning Britain host Ranvir Singh and former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore, who previously said she was uncomfortable with Pernice, had a tearful summit with Abbington about their respective difficult experiences working with the dancer, who is well known to be intense during training.

The Italian dancer has previously rejected allegations of abusive or threatening behaviour and previously said he looks forward to clearing my name.

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In May, he wrote: You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week. He went on to describe himself as passionate and ambitious while competing on the show.

I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be, he said. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win  for me and my dance partners.

A statement from law firm Carter-Ruck said: There have been numerous serious complaints made to the BBC who are now in the process of evidence gathering.

As it is still an ongoing matter, no further comment can be made at this stage.

open image in gallery Pernice had been part of the Strictly cast since 2015 ( Getty Images )

Throughout the ongoing controversy, Pernice has been supported by fans and by one of his former celebrity Strictly partners, Debbie McGee, whom he competed with on the show in 2017. She said in January that she had the best of times working with Pernice during her stint on the competition.

Pernice lifted the glitterball trophy in 2021 alongside Rose Ayling-Ellis. As well as going close with Foote, he reached the final in 2017 with McGee, and with Faye Tozer in 2018.

The Independent has contacted Pernice and the BBC for comment.

Strictly Come Dancing will return in the autumn, with Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke back in the judges chairs.
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The North Korean leadership has vowed retaliation after South Korea resumed loudspeaker broadcasts and activists floated propaganda leaflets over the border, escalating the ongoing balloon war and damaging their already fraught bilateral relationship.

In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on Sunday, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, denounced the South for creating a new crisis.

This is a prelude to a very dangerous situation, Ms Kim, an influential member of the regime, said. I sternly warn Seoul to immediately cease its dangerous activities that would further provoke a crisis of confrontation.

Not long after Ms Kims warning, the South Korean military reported on Monday morning that North Korea had sent over 300 balloons across the border overnight. They carried mostly scrap paper and plastic and not any toxic material, according to the Yonhap News Agency.

The neighbours have been sporadically flying balloons filled with propaganda material across their shared border since the Korean war in the early 1950s. They have also used radio broadcasts, loudspeakers and leaflets to influence each others citizens, promoting their ideologies and social systems and encouraging soldiers to defect.

The latest exchange began last month when North Korea floated 200 balloons filled with trash in a tit-for-tat response to activists in the South, sending balloons carrying propaganda material about their democratic society and memory devices with K-pop music videos.

The psychological warfare has since tipped over into real escalation, with Seoul last week suspending a 2018 non-hostility pact aimed at lowering military tensions.

Lee Sung-joon, spokesperson for South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Ms Kims comments marked an increase in verbal threats from North Korea. Mr Lee claimed that the South was conducting broadcasts in locations where soldiers were well protected and prepared to respond swiftly if attacked.

We dont think that they could provoke us that easily, he said at a briefing on Monday.

Strategic experts said North Koreas failure to comprehend democracy meant the balloon war could spiral out of control.

Seoul does not want military tension at the inter-Korean border and Pyongyang does not want outside information threatening the legitimacy of the Kim regime, Leif-Eric Easley, professor at Ewha University, Seoul, said. For both sides, escalating to deescalate is a risky proposition. North Korea may have already miscalculated, as South Koreas democracy cannot simply turn off NGO balloon launches the way an autocracy would expect.

open image in gallery South Korean soldier wearing protective gears checks the trash from a balloon presumably sent by North Korea, in Incheon, South Korea ( AP )

Mr Easley said the previous South Korean government had amended a law to prohibit its citizens from flying balloons into North Korea. During the current conservative administration, that restriction was found to be unconstitutional, he told The Independent. So the freedom of South Korean NGOs to launch anti-Kim regime leaflets is not yet legally settled by the National Assembly and the courts.

The experts also suggested that North Koreas balloon campaign was aimed at creating discord in South Korea, particularly regarding the conservative governments stringent stance towards Pyongyang.

The balloon launches arent weak action at all. Its like North Korea sending a message that next time, it can send balloons carrying powder forms of biological and chemical weapons, Kim Tae-woo, former president of South Koreas Institute for National Unification, told the Associated Press.

open image in gallery A cigarette butt found from a balloon believed to have been sent by North Korea ( Reuters )

While South Korean liberal lawmakers, many civil society groups and people near the border have advocated for the government to intervene and dissuade activists from leafleting to prevent tensions with North Korea, authorities have cited a constitutional court ruling from last year invalidating relevant legislation to wash their hands off.

Amid rising tensions, the US, the chief ally of South Korea, last week flew a long-range bomber aircraft over the peninsula and conducted the first precision-guided bombing drill with Seoul in seven years as a warning against North Korea.

open image in gallery A balloon believed to have been sent by North Korea, carrying various objects including what appeared to be trash ( Reuters )

North Korea tends to strike at unexpected times and in unexpected ways to politically divide South Korea, complicate attribution, and make it more difficult for Seoul to retaliate, Mr Easley said.

As Pyongyang faces material and ideological disadvantages in exchanging propaganda over the border, it may resort to provocations such as firing weapons, cyberhacking, or even a maritime attack.

But the Kim regime would be unwise to test South Koreas political will and military capability to respond.

Pyongyang is used to employing asymmetric tactics to its advantage, but in todays information space, it is outgunned by messages of freedom, economic success, and K-pop, Mr Easley said.

open image in gallery An officer wearing protective gear collects the trash from a balloon presumably sent by North Korea ( AP )

Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, criticised the use of balloons as a means of communication with North, calling them an anachronistic remnant of the Cold War.

He told The New York Times that the balloons had failed to significantly impact human rights conditions in North and the trash-laden balloons from North present a threat within the airspace of South Korea, where international air traffic is common.

From Pyongyangs perspective, this is a tit-for-tat and even restrained action to get Seoul to stop anti-Kim regime leaflets from being sent north, Mr Easley said.

However, it will be difficult for democratic South Korea to comply, given ongoing legal disputes over the freedom of citizens and NGOs to send information into North Korea.

Although the immediate danger of military escalation is not high, he said, recent developments show how sensitive and potentially vulnerable the Kim regime is to information operations.

South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol last week called North Korea the darkest place on earth and its trash balloons despicable provocation.
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South Koreas military has said it believes North Korea is installing its own loudspeakers along their heavily armed border.

The news comes a day after the South blared anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts over its speakers for the first time in years as the rivals engage in a Cold War-style psychological warfare.

The Souths resumption of its loudspeaker broadcasts on Sunday was in retaliation for the North sending over 1,000 balloons filled with trash and manure over the last couple of weeks. North Korea has described its balloon campaign as a tit-for-tat against South Korean civilian groups flying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets across the border. Pyongyang has long condemned it as it's extremely sensitive to any outside criticism of leader Kim Jong Uns authoritarian rule.

Seouls Joint Chiefs of Staff didnt immediately comment on the number of suspected North Korean speakers or where along the border they were spotted being installed. It said the speakers were still silent as of Monday afternoon.

open image in gallery A visitor looks at the North Korean side from the unification observatory in Paju, South Korea, Sunday, June 9 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

South Korea on Sunday activated its loudspeakers for an initial broadcast into North Korea, which reportedly included news, criticism about North Koreas government and South Korean pop music.

Hours later on Sunday, Kims powerful sister warned that the South created a prelude to a very dangerous situation. She said South Korea would witness an unspecified new response from the North if it continues with the broadcasts and fails to stop civilian activists from flying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets across the border.

I sternly warn Seoul to immediately case its dangerous activities that would further provoke a crisis of confrontation, Kim Yo Jong said through state media.

Lee Sung Joon, spokesperson of South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Kims comments represented a heightened verbal threat from North Korea but he did not provide a specific assessment on the actions the North might take. Lee said the South was conducting broadcasts in sites where soldiers have sufficient protection and are equipped to swiftly hit back if attacked.

(We) dont think that they could provoke us that easily, Lee said during a briefing Monday.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff didnt specify the border area where Sundays broadcast took place or what was played over the speakers. It said that any additional broadcasts are entirely dependent on North Koreas behavior.

open image in gallery Visitors use binoculars to see the North Korean side from the unification observatory in Paju, South Korea ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The South withdrew loudspeakers from border areas in 2018, during a brief period of engagement with the North under Seouls previous liberal government.

In deciding to restart the loudspeaker broadcasts, South Koreas presidential office berated Pyongyang for attempting to cause anxiety and disruption in the South and stressed that North Korea would be solely responsible for any future escalation of tensions.

The North said its balloon campaign came after South Korean activists sent over balloons filled with anti-North Korean leaflets, as well as USB sticks filled with popular South Korean songs and dramas. Pyongyang is extremely sensitive to such material and fears it could demoralize front-line troops and residents and eventually weaken leader Kim Jong Uns grip on power, analysts say.

In 2015, when South Korea restarted loudspeaker broadcasts for the first time in 11 years, North Korea fired artillery rounds across the border, prompting South Korea to return fire, according to South Korean officials. No casualties were reported.
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Two dozen cheetahs in Indias Kuno National Park are cooling off under water sprinklers to beat the deadly heatwave in the country.

The cheetahs were brought from South Africa and Namibia in September 2022 under a plan to reintroduce the species to India and are now housed in soft enclosures in the protected Kuno forest of central Madhya Pradesh state.

As temperatures have soared to around 50C, park authorities have been forced to make cooling arrangements for the 25 big cats. They have laid a pipeline, around 13km long, inside the soft enclosures to sprinkle water on the cheetahs through the torturous summer, the Deccan Chronicle newspaper reported.

The water is pumped from nearby Kuno river, an anonymous forest official told the newspaper.

India experienced a spell of severe heatwaves in late May, with 37 cities recording temperatures above 45C. The unprecedented heatwaves were made 1.5C hotter by the climate crisis, a new scientific assessment has found.

The Kuno National Park, where the cheetahs and their cubs have been kept in vast but restricted enclosures, recorded a maximum temperature of 48C.

Park authorities have taken proactive steps to keep the cheetahs cool this summer after at least three of them succumbed to heat stress last year, causing a setback to the project.

A three-month cub also died due to weakness earlier this month, officials said.

The project to reintroduce the cheetah, which went extinct in India in 1952, has been controversial. Several wildlife experts had questioned the viability of the animals surviving in the country even before their arrival from Africa, on prime minister Narendra Modis birthday in 2022.

Scrutiny increased after several of the cheetahs died and many repeatedly strayed outside the national park, only to be tranquilised and brought back.

There are less than 7,000 adult cheetahs left in the wild globally and they now inhabit less than 9 per cent of their original range.
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At least nine Hindu pilgrims were killed in a suspected militant attack in Indias Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening, barely an hour before Narendra Modi took his oath as prime minister for a third consecutive term.

Suspected militants fired on a bus carrying the pilgrims to the temple of Vaishno Devi in the Himalayas, causing the driver to lose control and veer off into a deep gorge in Reasi district, police said.

The temple is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimage sites in the country.

At about 6.10pm in Pouni area of Reasi, bordering Rajouri district, a bus carrying yatris (pilgrims) from Shiv Khori to Katra was targeted apparently by terrorists using firearms, police said in a Facebook post.

The driver was hit and lost control, resulting in the bus sliding into the nearby gorge.

Thirty three passengers suffered injuries, including gunshot wounds. Most of them are from the northern Uttar Pradesh state, The Indian Express reported.

Suspected militants were hiding in the forested hills overlooking the road and fired indiscriminately at the bus, Mohita Sharma, district police chief of Reasi, said.

No militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the deadliest on civilians in the region in seven years.

At least eight people were killed when a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims was caught in crossfire between local police and militants in July 2017.

Jammu and Kashmir, the Himalayan region contentiously claimed by India and Pakistan, has been roiled by violence since 1989, when members of the majority Muslim population picked up arms against Indian rule and invited a severe military crackdown.

More than 100,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the violence in the past three decades and thousands have been subjected to enforced disappearce.

The attack in Reasi occurred about an hour before Narendra Modi and his new council of ministers took oath in New Delhi.

In 2019, Mr Modis government stripped Jammu and Kashmir of a measure of autonomy granted by the Indian constitution, claiming that the move would, among other things, put an end to the regions militancy and the movement for independence.

It insists the decision has been a success but the situation on the ground remains tense, with sporadic gunfights erupting between militants and the Indian armed forces.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called the attack a shameful incident and the true picture of the worrying security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
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Narendra Modi allocated portfolios to his ministers on Monday and managed to keep the traditionally big four cabinet posts within his Bharatiya Janata Party despite leading a coalition government.

Senior BJP members Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar stay on as ministers, respectively, of home, defence, finance and foreign affairs. Another bigwig, Nitin Gadkari, retains the road, transport and highways ministry.

Mr Modis key allies have to contend with ministries of lower profile. K Ram Mohan Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party is taking charge of civil aviation and Rajiv Ranjan Lalan Singh from the Janata Dal United of the ministries of panchayati raj and fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying.

Mr Modi took oath as prime minister of India on Sunday and signed the first order of his third term allocating funds for farmers on Monday when the allocation of ministerial portfolios was yet to be finalised.

After failing to secure an outright majority in the election just gone, Mr Modi took office at the head of a coalition government and named a new cabinet of 72 ministers.

Mr Modis BJP won 240 seats, 32 short of a parliamentary majority, making him reliant on mercurial allies, some of whom are already making disgruntled noises.

The Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde and the Nationalist Congress Party faction of Ajit Pawar  both from the western Maharashtra state  are reported to be unhappy with their shares in the new ministry.

The latter has rejected a junior ministerial portfolio for Praful Patel, seeing it as a demotion considering his experience, and is demanding a full cabinet berth, The Indian Express reported.

The Sena was eyeing three posts but received a solitary junior minister position.

Both parties, while expressing support for the Modi government, expect their demands to be met in future cabinet expansions.

We have one Lok Sabha and one Rajya Sabha MP, Mr Pawar told reporters on Sunday, referring to the lower and upper houses of parliament. In the coming months we will have two more Rajya Sabha MPs. Then we will have four MPs and should get a cabinet berth. We are ready to wait but want a cabinet berth.

I see accepting a minister of state with independent charge as a demotion, he added. We have informed the BJP leadership and they assured us remedial measures will be taken. This does not indicate a major problem.

Maharashtra is scheduled to hold state elections later this year and the opposition parties there have quickly moved to exploit any dissension in the ranks of the ruling alliance.

The minuscule representation of Mr Modis Maharashtra allies in his cabinet shows the BJP has shown them their place, Press Trust of India quoted Shiv Sena UBT spokesperson Sanjay Raut as saying.

This is what you get when you decide to be someones slaves, Mr Raut said.

Shiv Sena UBT, part of the opposition INDIA bloc, was formed after the Eknath Shinde faction split away.

Alongside his new allies, Mr Modis cabinet features key figures from the previous term like Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishankar, Rajnath Singh, and Piyush Goyal. Their portfolios are expected to be announced after a meeting of the ruling NDA on Monday.

But there was no place for 37 ministers from the last term such as Smriti Irani, Anurag Thakur, Narayan Rane, Arjun Munda, RK Singh, Mahendra Nath Pandey, and VK Singh. Nearly half of them lost the election.

L Murugan was retained as a junior minister despite losing, The Hindu reported.

Ms Irani, who ran key ministries in both of Mr Modis previous terms, lost her prestige constituency of Amethi by a sizeable margin. She had taken the seat in 2019 from Rahul Gandhi, now the leader of the opposition.

Mr Rane, who joined the BJP in 2019, won the election but lost the cabinet berth.

Chandrababu Naidus Telugu Desam Party, the largest ally of Mr Modi, got four berths in the cabinet. Another crucial partner, Nitish Kumars Janata Dal United, received two.

Mr Naidus party, a regional player in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, having won 16 seats, had asked for four ministerial berths as well as the post of speaker. Mr Kumars party, which has a base in the eastern state of Bihar, wanted two berths after securing 12 seats in the election.

Mr Modi has come in for criticism for not giving a place in his new cabinet to a representative of the minority Muslim community.

This is the first time in Indias history that theres no Muslim minister in the central cabinet. Muslims are over 14 per cent of the countrys population.

The ruling coalition does not have a single Muslim, Sikh or Christian among its 293 MPs.

Modi signed his first file of the new term on Monday, authorising the distribution of Rs 20,000 crore to 9.3 crore farmers across the country.

Jairam Ramesh of the Congress party said the allocation was due in January but was delayed and accused Mr Modi of presenting routine actions as grand gestures.
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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.
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Hundreds of sea nomads have been evicted from their floating homes in Malaysia, according to local activists.

Malaysian authorities defended their decision to evict hundreds of the 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, groups have said.

For over 1,000 years, the Bajau people  known as sea nomads have traversed the seas in houseboats, hunting for food by free diving with spears.

Known for their remarkable breath-holding abilities, Bajau are capable of diving up to 70m with nothing more than a set of weights and traditional wooden goggles.

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.

A young Bajau girl looks on in excitement as her father, a traditional Bajau diver, returns from a two-week fishing trip ( Melissa Ilardo )

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.

Fire burns next to a house demolished in Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Sabah, Malaysia ( via REUTERS )

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.

A Bajau diver hunts fish underwater using a traditional spear ( Melissa Ilardo )

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.
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Labour will pull the lever called growth, Sir Keir Starmer said as he insisted he will not have to raise taxes on working people if his party wins the election.

Both Labour and the Conservatives have been criticised by Paul Johnson, director of the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), for their unwillingness to consider tax increases.

On Sunday, Mr Johnson said: I wish they would just stop saying what theyre not going to do, because they tie themselves in knots.

The more that they say Were not going to increase council tax, were not going to increase income tax, national insurance contributions and so on, the more they tie themselves into either not being able to raise the money they need or raising it in ways which are actually more damaging.

If wed had growth in the last 14 years at the same rate as the last Labour government, we'd have tens of billions of pounds to spend on our public services Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer

The IFS has repeatedly called for both main parties to level with the public about trade-offs between taxation, spending and borrowing, arguing that current plans will see real-terms spending cuts for some departments unless more money is found through higher taxes or borrowing.

But speaking to journalists during a campaign visit to Nuneaton, Warwickshire, on Monday, Sir Keir said growth is the answer.

He said: What Paul Johnson has said is you cant hope for growth  hes right about that. You cant hope for growth, you have to plan for growth.

The single biggest problem of the last 14 years is we havent had significant growth. If wed had growth in the last 14 years at the same rate as the last Labour government, wed have tens of billions of pounds to spend on our public services.

I ran a public service, I care about public services. We are not going back to austerity, but we will pull the lever called growth.

He added that Labour would reform public services to get more value for taxpayers money and repeated his pledge that a Labour government would not raise income tax, national insurance or VAT.

Sir Keir made his comments on a visit to promote Labours new childcare policy, which would see the party create 3,300 new nurseries by repurposing empty school classrooms.

The party said the policy would not only help boost early-years education, but enable 750,000 women to return to work or increase their working hours, helping reduce levels of economic inactivity.

Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: Labours childcare expansion could empower thousands more women, who want to get back to work or extend their hours, to take that step. Women are worse off than theyve been in years and cant get the childcare hours that they were promised by the Tories.

Labour will create thousands of nurseries across the country to ensure parents can access the childcare theyre entitled to and make work pay for mums.

Labour will roll up our sleeves to deliver for parents, improve childrens life choices and rebuild Britain.

Later on Monday, Sir Keir confirmed Labour would not reintroduce the lifetime pension allowance, depriving it of about 800 million in revenue.

The allowance limited the amount people could save in their pension before paying tax to 1.073 million, and was scrapped by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in 2023.

At the time, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said she would reverse the change, but in an interview with LBC on Monday, Sir Keir said Labour had taken the tough decision not to do so.

The Labour leader said businesses had criticised chopping and changing in economic policy for causing chaos, adding the country needed some stability.
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A sweeping victory for ring-wing parties in the European Parliaments elections is raising fears that the continent could see its approach to tackling climate change weakened.

While some ballots were still being counted Monday, provisional results from the four-day election showed eurosceptic nationalists are poised to play a much bigger role in the European Parliament, diminishing the status of mainstream liberals and Greens.

Most of the seats won by far-right parties have come at the expense of Green parties, indicating a shift in the priorities of European voters on issues like trade, migration and the climate crisis.

Projections showed the Green faction was pushed from fourth into sixth place, with only 53 seats. The biggest losses for the Greens and liberals came from France and Germany, traditional environmentalist strongholds.

French president Emmanuel Macrons party faced a heavy defeat at the hands of Marine Le Pens National Rally, prompting Mr Macron to call snap legislative elections.

Acknowledging the scale of his partys defeat, Mr Macron said in an address: Ive heard your message, your concerns, and I wont leave them unanswered.

Far-right parties ... are progressing everywhere in the continent. It is a situation to which I cannot resign myself.

In Germany, chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democratic Party (SPD) came third, scoring its worst-ever EU election result. The Greens also suffered a heavy defeat, losing nine of their 25 seats in the EU legislature.

President Ursula von der Leyen is on track to remain head of the European Commission until 2029, leading a more climate-sceptic parliament.

Even before the elections, Ms von der Leyens policies on climate action had become more relaxed in response to growing resistance, a phenomenon dubbed the greenlash.

Despite this, she declared on Monday: The centre is holding. We won the European elections. We are by far the strongest party. We are the anchor of stability.

European Greens co-leader Bas Eickhout accepted that the results were concerning but he said there was hope as some countries voted for Green representatives for the first time. Green parties gained one seat in Denmark and formed a Green-Left coalition that narrowly defeated the far-right in the Netherlands.

The rise of the far-right in todays elections is extremely concerning for all those who believe in a democratic European Union and in just and equal societies, Mr Eickhout said in a statement.

The losses in Germany and France are obviously a blow, [but] at the same time, in many countries the voters recognised the solutions of the Greens and elected MEPs from green parties in countries which had never sent Greens to the European Parliament.

Given the multiple crises we face, we must not deny the problems ahead, but to work to find a way forward, he said.

Pre-election surveys had already indicated increased support for politicians advocating weaker green policies. Europe-wide farmers protests, from the Netherlands to Greece, were seen as a backlash against 2020s European Green Deal, a policy package aimed at transitioning the blocs entire economy  from energy and transport to agriculture  to become greener, or carbon neutral, by 2050.

After a major green wave in 2019 when a number of environmental leaders were elected, the bloc has been passing a raft of legislation to reduce planet heating greenhouse gas emissions, including a ban on the sale of new fossil fuel cars starting in 2035 and agricultural reforms.

The bloc was also looking at a 2040 goal to slash emissions by 90 per cent, but it needs approval from both EU countries and the European Parliament.

The rise of nationalist and populist parties is likely to make it much harder for the parliament to pass more laws on the climate crisis and agriculture policy over the next five years.

All new policies will be harder to pass. But backsliding is very unlikely, Krzysztof Bolesta, Polands secretary of state for climate, told Reuters.

The Greens say they are determined to muster support for the implementation of the Green Deal. The Green Deal is still Europes best tool to protect people, tackle the climate crisis and future-proof our continent, Mr Eickhout said.

We call on other political groups, particularly EPP and Renew, to boost efforts to drive the Green Deal forward as the economic engine for Europes economy.

We are ready to play our part and work with those who stand on the side of democracy and freedom for all and we will fight all who attack the values of the European Union.

Climate groups say the election results do not change the fact that the climate crisis remains an urgent threat to all Europeans.

Whatever the final make-up of the new European Parliament, voters still rank climate change and saving nature among their top concerns, and a clear majority want the EU to take action in these areas in the next five years, Greenpeace EU campaigner Ariadna Rodrigo said.

This election will not make the climate and nature crisis any less existential. Flooding, droughts and heatwaves will only get worse, and all newly elected politicians will have to act to maintain our planets ability to sustain life and give our children a future.

Whoever is in power, we will hold them to account and remind them of their responsibility.
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When Jo Swinson ignored the advice of a few of the more senior Lib Dem MPs and took one of the great political gambles in 2019 it spectacularly failed.

The then Lib Dem leader made a deal with the SNP to effectively force an early general election to break the then Brexit deadlock and give Boris Johnson the election he was desperate for.

She went into the campaign as her partys candidate for prime minister with a promise to have a second referendum to reverse the 2016 Brexit vote front and centre. Instead of measuring the curtains for 10 Downing Street though she lost her seat in Scotland and her party dropped from 12 to 11 seats.

But as they launch their manifesto today, the process of reversing Brexit is back on the agenda. There are good reasons though why they believe it will succeed now where it failed five years ago.

open image in gallery Ed Davey launching the Lib Dem manifesto ( Getty Images )

The Brexit Party deal

While Ms Swinson has been roundly mocked for the deal she struck in 2019, many people forget that her decision was based on hard logic and numbers. She just made one miscalculation.

The internal polling for the Lib Dems suggested that her party was going to win scores if not hundreds of new seats across what is now described as the Tory blue wall because of anguish and concern over Brexit. This was because Nigel Farages Brexit Party would split the vote on the right, allowing her party to come through the middle in many constituencies.

What she did not see coming was Mr Farage standing down hundreds of candidates against Tory MPs to allow Mr Johnson to get Brexit done. It meant that winnable target seats for the Lib Dems suddenly became no hopers.

This time round the Tories are much less popular, have a less charismatic leader and, crucially, Reform UK (the new version of the Brexit Party) is standing against almost every Tory splitting the vote. The 2024 Lib Dems could win as many as 50 seats as a result.

open image in gallery Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage stood caniddates down to save the Tories in 2019 (James Manning/PA) ( PA Wire )

A new Brexit policy

This time around the Lib Dems are not going front and centre with their desire to reverse Brexit but have a more nuanced policy.

Their plan to re-enter the European Single Market is a first step, which would take the UK back into the EU fully long term but they do not want an immediate reversal, rather a gradual one.

Also this time they prioritising other issues including saving the NHS.

Lessons from five years of Brexit

When even the godfather of Brexit Mr Farage has admitted that it has not worked then you know there is a debate still to be had.

The fact is that even its greatest supporters have been disappointed with major benefits like a US trade deal simply not happening. Other trade deals have emerged, but simply not on the same scale.

Meanwhile, the country has undergone economic problems which can be put down to a war in Ukraine and a global pandemic, but also have not been helped by the UK separating itself from its biggest trading partner.

Added to that taking back control has seen immigration (both legal and illegal) going up dramatically and left the UK unable to deal with the issue.

It is hard to say Brexit has been a raging success and it has dogged the government throughout with the position of Northern Ireland and even Gibraltar.

open image in gallery Jo Swinson was pugnatious but lost her seat ( Getty Images )

A different leader

The brutal truth is that policies need the right salesperson. Jo Swinson never polled well with voters and was off putting for some.

In particular she had a dreadful time in the election TV debate.

While Sir Ed Davey had his problems with his history as post office minister, he has not proven to be a bar for the Lib Dems picking up support even if he is not attracting new voters himself.

His general election campaignign style of not taking himself seriously and being pictured falling off boats or going down slides, generally having fun, has caught the attention of the public.
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Hes leaving me! I feel like my life is over, sobbed an old school friend when I popped over to her house to pick up a childs balance bike that she was giving away. She wasnt talking about her partner walking out on her, but her baby  an 18-year-old who is heading off to university in September.

Its as if her world had become meaningless  before hed even packed his bags and removed his smelly socks. No matter how free his departure will leave her to go on romantic dates with her partner, or enrol on the psychotherapy course she has dreamed of taking, nothing can take away her feelings of grief and loneliness. The house that is currently full of noise and chaos is soon to be suddenly strangely quiet.

Its clear she has a case of the empty nester syndrome: the name given to the feelings of loss experienced by parents when their nearly adult children leave home for the first time. Gwyneth Paltrow, who joined her ex-husband Chris Martin last weekend for their 18-year-old son Mosess high school graduation in LA, has admitted that the prospect of becoming an empty nester is giving her a nervous breakdown.

I started being like: Oh my God, I need to quit my job and I need to sell my house and I need to move. Its putting things into turmoil, she recently told The Hollywood Reporter about her youngest child leaving home.

My identity has been being a mother. Apple [Paltrow and Martins elder daughter] is now 20. So Ive oriented my whole life around them and their schedules and when school starts.

open image in gallery Paltrows sprawling LA mansion goes up for sale for 30m as the empty nester prepares to send her son Moses off to college ( New York Post )

Shes far from the only celebrity to feel like this. Gordon Ramsay confessed he was so gutted when his son Jack left home for university that he sat on Jacks bed wearing a pair of his pants. Rob Lowe, Elizabeth Hurley, and Heidi Klum have all talked about their torment over empty nest syndrome. It is no laughing matter, is how Michelle Pfeiffer summed up the experience in Parade magazine in 2012. It is really hard.

Many of my friends are moving into this empty nester territory and suffering a really bad dose of it. I had my two daughters, Lola and Liberty, now eight and six, in my early forties so Im still at the ferrying back and forth to school stage. Yet empty nest syndrome is just one of many grief traps parents fall into  and its one that Im refusing to buy into. Im determined to keep hold of my identity as much as possible, so that when they do leave the home, Ive got a thriving life full of enriching relationships that I can fall back on  and activities that dont just involve organising the next playdate.

Of course, these feelings of loss are to some extent unavoidable. Parents go through many phases of what is considered independent distancing; these are milestones of their child becoming more independent and less reliant, says Dr Scott Lyons, a holistic psychologist in the US and author of Addicted to Drama: Healing Dependency on Crisis and Chaos in Yourself and Others. This could come after potty training, or when they go to kindergarten or do their first sleepover. While some parents might sigh in relief to have a bit more of their energy and time back for themselves, many others feel an ache, a sudden emptiness, or a gap in connection that was previously there. And in some cases, the distancing triggers a parents own attachment wounds, stirring up feelings like abandonment, and behaviours that look like clinging or being overbearing.

Celia Dodd, author of The Empty Nest: Your Changing Family, Your New Direction agrees that its not possible to avoid empty nest syndrome completely  because its such a momentous change in your life, the end of an era of family life.

However, she says, it is possible to manage the transition so that you dont feel so bad. The first step is to acknowledge how you feel, and that your children leaving home really is a big deal, she says. To avoid the inevitable blow, she suggests a parent should attempt to embrace the changing dynamic between themselves and their child.

As they become more independent...[try] to feel excited about that, not just regretful, she says. Because while the empty nest is usually seen as an end, its actually the beginning of a whole new adult relationship with your child.

While only a minority of parents need therapy for empty nest syndrome, she says, it can be incredibly helpful at this stage in life, not least since the feelings it unleashes can be symptomatic of other things going on in their life.

open image in gallery Paltrow and her ex-husband Chris Martin have two children, Moses, 18 and Apple, 20 ( Instagram via @gwynethpaltrow )

The empty nest can have a big impact on identity and its linked to other big life challenges, such as the menopause, she says. It can also expose problems in the parents relationship and dissatisfaction with work and life in general.

All very well, but Im still not convinced empty nest syndrome has to be such a major crisis. After all, its not a clinical disorder or diagnosis but a normal life transitional period. The phrase itself has been knocking about for more than a century, coined by the popular American writer and social activist Dorothy Canfield Fisher in her 1914 book Mothers and Children. An educational reformer, Canfield introduced the Italian Montessori method to the US, which greatly influenced American thinking about childrens education and the nature of childhood. But the term empty nester was not popularised until the 1970s. Its certainly not a new phenomenon. Yet this grief mania, whereby modern parents feel a part of them has died at every single milestone, from a childs first step to getting a boyfriend, is getting out of hand.

Its really no surprise, though. Todays touchy-feely parents are bound up in their children in a way they simply werent a generation ago. A 2020 American study found that working mums are spending more time with their children than their parents did 40 years ago and UK studies suggest the trend is repeated in Britain.

Whats more, the changing nature of parenting, particularly amongst the middle classes, means there is an intense pressure to be hands-on  and perfect. Parents have become sharents  someone who overshares their childrens private lives on social media in one long, parental humblebrag. We buy into picture-perfect posts on Instagram that create unrealistic ideals of parenthood. Helicopter parenting styles are breeding grounds for obsessive micro-managing of a childs life  and arguably producing over-indulged offspring unable to make decisions.

In other words, the belief that children should be seen and not heard is the antithesis of a modern parents mindset. Instead, its all about practising attachment parenting with your baby for continuous bodily closeness and co-sleeping with pre-teen children to preserve a close bond. Then there is the rise of gentle parenting, where parents never say no to their children and spend hours patiently explaining to their children the consequences of their actions. Parents track their children on apps such as Find My and Life360 when they go on their gap year because they just cant let go.

Furthermore, the rise of recreational parenting means weekends are devoted to children. Its all about them  not you. Me-time is something you save for times of parental burnout. Its not a top priority. No wonder when it all stops and the teenagers leave home, their life stops too. The point is, weve become too defined by our children compared to 30 years ago, even though many more women work now.

open image in gallery Gordon Ramsay, now a father of six, felt so gutted when his son Jack left home for university that he wore a pair of his pants ( Instagram via @gordongram )

While I know what it means to be consumed by motherhood just as much as Paltrow does, it doesnt mean I will continually crave it. Its exhausting. I suspect the fear of losing our children  or a part of oneself  tends to be more about negative projection than reality.

And the brutal truth is, adult children tend to return home when things go wrong  as I did when aged 22 after I split up with my boyfriend. Like many parents, my mum and dad couldnt get rid of me. Its a scenario that is increasingly more likely than ever today with unaffordable rents: the Office for National Statistics reported that rental prices had risen 6.2 per cent this year, the highest annual increase since records began in 2016.

Since the 2000s, the boomerang generation  adult children who return to live with their parents  have altered the dynamics of the traditional empty nest phenomenon. The number of families in England and Wales with adult children living with their parents has also risen by 13.6 per cent since 2011, according to the 2021 census.

We dont need to smother our children so that it feels like a dagger to the parents heart the second they act independently. Instead, we need to learn to relish them becoming adults, responsible for themselves  this is, after all, the point of parenting. We dont own our children. Our job is to make them as fully equipped as possible to enter the adult world by themselves.

Surely, its time parents graduated from thinking that each phase of their childs journey to adulthood is something to be suffered. For me, I hope its more organic. Im not bracing myself for the heartbreak of empty nesting  Ill be waiting for a full house again.
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Katie Holmes has shared a rare comment about raising her 18-year-old daughter, Suri Cruise.

The 45-year-old actor spoke candidly about her relationship with her daughter, who she shares with ex-husband Tom Cruise, during a recent interview with The Sunday Times. When asked if motherhood changed her sense of style, Holmes said she felt like in some ways, it has. She further described how her fashion sense has evolved over the years, as Suri has grown up.

When my child was really small I was drawn to wearing a lot of dresses. You do go through these different phases of motherhood and they inform what you feel comfortable in and what you dont, Holmes said. So over the years my style has changed here and there.

The Dawsons Creek alum went on to note that while shes saved clothes to pass down to her daughter, she doesnt necessarily expect Suri to wear them.

I mean, Ive saved some things here and there. But she has her own sense of style and her own expressions, the mother of one explained.

Holmes rare comment about motherhood comes days after Suri shared where shell be attending college in the fall. A recent TikTok video posted by a fellow high school student, which has since been made private, showed Suri and her classmates at New York Citys LaGuardia High School showing off their college sweaters.

The clip was set to the Hannah Montana song, Ill Always Remember You, as each graduating senior used their hands to reveal their new alma mater. Suri then showed off her red Carnegie Mellon sweatshirt, revealing shell be a freshman at the school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, later this year.

Holmes and Cruise welcomed their daughter Suri in April 2006. The actors first met in 2005 and were engaged two months later, before they tied the knot in an Italian ceremony in November 2006. Holmes later filed for divorce from the Eyes Wide Shut star in June 2012 after five years of marriage.

The First Daughter star has previously opened up about keeping her daughter safe because of her childhood in the spotlight. What has been really important for me with my daughter, because she was so visible at a young age, is I really like to protect her, she told Glamour in April 2023. Im very grateful to be a parent, to be her parent. Shes an incredible person.

However, the Batman Begins star still confessed that shes asked Suri to be involved in every project she works on. Holmes even enlisted her daughter to sing Blue Moon during the opening credits of her 2022 film, Alone Together. Suri also sang in her mothers 2023 movie, Rare Objects.

I hope she always does something on my films. I always ask her, she explained. But both of those experiences came out of the same sense of what I love about our industry, which is, you have these projects and you become a family with people. And its this safe, beautiful, creative space.

She continued: So it comes out of love for me to include someone who I love dearly. Thats how I like to work. I like to have that kind of feeling. It was very meaningful to me to have her there, because shes my heart.
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Earl Spencer is understood to have hired Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia, the renowned divorce lawyer who King Charles once used to separate from Princess Diana, as he announced the breakdown of his third marriage.

Spencer, 60, is said to have instructed the demon negotiator branded a steel magnolia to end his marriage to Canadian philanthropist Countess Karen Spencer, 52, after 13-years together.

Shackleton has acted in a number of the most high profile divorces in recent history, including for Charles, then the Prince of Wales, to divorce Diana in 1996.

Other former clients have included Sir Paul McCartney, whose ex-wife poured a jug of water over Shackletons head in court after winning 24m.

The 9th Earl Spencer announced his split from the Countess of Spencer to the Mail on Sunday on Saturday.

open image in gallery Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia ( UK Parliament/Creative Commons )

It is immensely sad, Spencer told the Mail on Sunday. I just want to devote myself to all my children, and to my grandchildren, and I wish Karen every happiness in the future.

The couple reportedly announced their divorce to staff at Althorp House, the Spencer family estate and Princess Dianas childhood home in Northamptonshire in March.

open image in gallery Charles and Diana on their last official trip together in November 1992 before separating the following month ( Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty )

According to the paper, their relationship became strained by the writing of his memoir, in which he revealed he was physically and sexually abused as a student at an elite boarding school.

In the books acknowledgments, he thanks his wife and family for standing by him when he was tetchy and wrung out.

Elsewhere in his memoir, Spencer reflected on his previous divorces and revealed that he sought professional help to understand his relationship patterns.

open image in gallery Earl Spencer and Karen Spencer leave St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle after the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018 ( Getty Images )

When looking at the wreckage of my first and second marriages, I learned early in therapy that being sent away to boarding school at eight years of age meant that I had next to no understanding of intimacy, he wrote, per an excerpt obtained by People.

In an interview with the outlet, Spencer praised his wife Karen for supporting him during the difficult process of writing his book.

open image in gallery Lord Charles Spencer at Althorp House ( Getty Images )

Karen has been supportive, he told People. I think it was very challenging for her to have a husband going through what was essentially four and a half years of the most profound therapy with very difficult undertones to it. And she supported the idea of me doing it.

Spencer married Karen in June 2011 after meeting on a blind date at a Los Angeles restaurant the previous year. They were married on the grounds of Althorp House, where Princess Diana is buried.

Karen is the founder of Whole Child International, a US-based non-governmental organization that works to improve the quality of care for vulnerable children.

The couple share a 12-year-old daughter Charlotte Diana, while Spencer has four children with his first wife, Victoria Lockwood, and two children with his second wife, Caroline Freud.
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The investor at the center of the pandemic meme stock craze said Friday that he still believes GameStop's management team can turn the struggling video game retailer around.

But remarks from the man known on social media platforms as Roaring Kitty, made during a live stream on YouTube that drew more than 600,000 views, didn't keep shares in the company from plunging about 40%  a warning on the unpredictability of meme stocks.

Keith Gill's live stream followed the release of GameStop's quarterly results, which showed the company managed to narrow its losses in the first quarter, though its revenue fell as sales weakened for hardware and accessories, software and collectibles. GameStop also filed paperwork with securities regulators to sell up to 75 million shares of stock.

Gill, who has experience as a licensed securities broker and financial wellness educator, was rambling and unfocused at times during his midday live stream, which ran for nearly an hour and marked his first YouTube video in more than three years.

No real game plan here, just wanted to hop in, see what's poppin', Gill said shortly after the start of the live stream. He appeared with his right arm in a sling and bandages on his head, face and clothes in an apparent reference to the beating GameStop's shares were taking.

Gill at times reiterated his belief that GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen is taking the right approach to transitioning the company from a brick-and-mortar seller of video games and accessories to a successful online gaming company.

I feel like I see enough here I believe this guy might be able to do it, Gill said, noting that there are no guarantees, however.

You could lose it all, he said. You could lose everything.

GameStop and Cohen havent offered many details of the company's turnaround plan, and Gill didnt offer any ideas of his own.

All told, the company based in Grapevine, Texas, said Friday that it lost $32.3 million, or 11 cents per share, for the period that ended May 4. A year earlier, it lost $50.5 million, or 17 cents per share. Its adjusted loss was 12 cents per share. Quarterly sales dropped to $881.8 million from $1.24 billion a year ago. GameStop did not hold a conference call to discuss its financial performance.

As Gill's live stream went on, GameStop shares sank further. The stock had been down about 20% at $37.29 per share shortly before noon Eastern time, when the live stream was scheduled to begin. It was down just over 40% to $27.65 per share shortly before Gill signed off with an adios and peace! followed by a short outro video of kittens.

The New York Stock Exchange paused trading in GameStop more than 15 times by early afternoon Friday due to unusually high volatile trading in the stock.

Gill also asserted during the live stream that he was not working with anyone else, a nod to speculation that he may own a large number of shares of the video game retailer that may be worth millions.

Gill, who also goes by the name Deep F- - - - - - Value on Reddit, shared a screenshot late Sunday the r/SuperStonk forum that people speculated could be an image of the shares and call options Gill holds in GameStop. The image showed that Gill may hold 5 million shares of GameStop that were worth $115.7 million as of the closing price on Friday. The screenshot also showed 120,000 call options in GameStop with a $20 strike price that expires on June 21. The call options were bought at around $5.68 a piece.

He briefly displayed a screenshot of an E-Trade portfolio page showing holdings in GameStop that were down more than $235 million as of Friday.

Meanwhile, Gills account on X posted a picture of a reverse card from the popular game Uno on Sunday night. There was no text accompanying the image.

That activity came about three weeks after Gill appeared online for the first time in three years, spiking the price of GameStop at the time. In May, the Roaring Kitty account posted an image on X of a man sitting forward in his chair, a meme used by gamers when things are getting serious.

The post on X was followed with a YouTube video from years before when Gill championed the beleaguered company saying, Thats all for now cuz Im out of breath. FYI heres a quick 4min video I put together to summarize the $GME bull case.

In its filing to sell up to 75 million shares of stock, GameStop noted that between Feb. 4 and June 6, the closing price of its stock has ranged between $10.01 and $48.75, and daily trading volume ranged from 1.7 million shares to nearly 207 million shares.

During such period, we did not experience any material changes in our financial condition or results of operations that would explain such price volatility or trading volume, the company said. Going back to January 2021, the market price of our common stock has seen extreme price fluctuations that do not appear to be based on the underlying fundamentals of our business or results of operations.

In afternoon trading, GameStop shares slid 39.1% to $28.36.

GameStop in 2021 was a video game retailer that was struggling to survive as consumers switched rapidly from discs to digital downloads. Big Wall Street hedge funds and major investors were betting against it, or shorting its stock, believing that its shares would continue on a drastically downward trend.

Gill and those who agreed with him changed the trajectory of a company that appeared to be headed for bankruptcy by buying up thousands of GameStop shares in the face of almost any accepted metrics that told investors that the company was in serious trouble.

That began what is known as a short squeeze, when those big investors that had bet against GameStop were forced to buy its rapidly rising stock to offset their massive losses.
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A 64-year-old man has been charged with alleged voyeurism at one of Taylor Swifts Edinburgh concerts.

Police Scotland said the man was arrested and charged in connection with a voyeurism offence during the concert at Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday.

Superintendent David Happs said: A 64-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with a voyeurism offence committed within Murrayfield during the event on Saturday June 8.

He was released on an undertaking to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

The American star kicked off the UK leg of her international Eras tour on Friday with the first of three consecutive dates at Murrayfield.

She played to a capacity crowd of almost 73,000 each time, and she told fans that made the gigs the highest attended stadium concerts in Scottish history.
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Branches of Barclays bank across England and Scotland have been vandalised by a campaign group called Palestine Action.

A total of 15 sites had windows smashed and paint thrown as part of a protest calling on the bank to divest from arms companies that sell to Israel, as well as firms linked to fossil fuels.

Palestine Action said branches in Moorgate, Palace Street, Richmond, Croydon, Wellington Road and Peckham in London were targeted, along with Barclays banks in Glasgow, Exeter, Sheffield, Brighton, Northampton, Bristol, Birmingham, Solihull and Preston, Bury and Stockport, as well as an office in Edinburgh.

Activists smashed windows, sprayed red paint and stencilled on the outside of the buildings.

A damaged Barclays in London ( Palestine Action/PA Wire )

Palestine Action said that in Edinburgh, rocks with the names of Palestinians killed in the conflict written on them were thrown through windows.

The vandalism was a joint action with a newly-formed climate change group called Shut The System.

City of London Police said three men were arrested over the damage to the building in Moorgate.

Palestine Action and Shut The System accused Barclays of having financial interests in selling weapons to Israel and in funding fossil fuel companies.

A damaged Barclays in Edinburgh ( Palestine Action/PA Wire )

The groups said radical direct action tactics such as these will continue until Barclays stops investing in certain companies.

A spokesperson for Barclays said: We provide vital financial services to US, UK and European public companies that supply defence products to Nato and its allies.

Barclays does not directly invest in these companies.

The defence sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK Government has been clear that supporting defence companies is compatible with ESG (environmental, social and governance) considerations.

Decisions on the implementation of arms embargos to other nations are the job of respective elected governments.

While we support the right to protest, we ask that campaigners do so in a way which respects our customers, colleagues and property.
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Coronation Street star Bill Roache has been spared from a bankruptcy order after settling his tax bill.

The 92-year-old, who has played Ken Barlow on the soap for more than 60 years, was previously given 12 weeks to settle a dispute with His Majestys Revenue and Customs.

It was not confirmed how much the star owed the taxman, but a judge reportedly agreed to adjourn the bankruptcy petition at a hearing in March to allow for the sale of property.

At a hearing on Monday which lasted less than a minute, Anam Rezvi, for HMRC, requested the dismissal of the case on behalf of the tax body.

Chief Insolvency and Companies Court judge Nicholas Briggs agreed and dismissed the case, court staff said.

Roache did not attend the hearing at the specialist Insolvency and Companies Court in London.

Bill Roache first appeared as Ken Barlow in the soap in 1960 ( Getty Images )

The actor was previously declared bankrupt in 1999 following a costly libel suit he brought against publishers of The Sun.

He is best known for his portrayal of Ken Barlow in the ITV soap for nearly 64 years after making his debut in its first episode in 1960.

He holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-serving TV soap star in the world and was made an OBE in the Queens New Year Honours list in December 2021 for his services to drama and charity.
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Its a charming village at the foot of the Surrey Hills featuring a quaint high street with many independent cafes and shops.

Surrounded by beautiful countryside and a short journey from Guildford railway station with links into London, Cranleigh is unsurprisingly a sought-after location for commuters working in the capital.

There is a good private school  Cranleigh School  and a vibrant community with well-run clubs offering everything from ballet to choral singing. Theres even an M&S.

Demand to reside in the village, said to be the largest in England, saw the average detached home fetch 843k last year.

And so it might have raised a few eyebrows when the community was awarded a 307k taxpayer-funded levelling-up grant for improvements to its 1933-built village hall.

The successful bid from Cranleigh Parish Council was under the Community Ownership Fund, set up to empower communities in left-behind places to level up, according to one of its four objectives.

The fund was also introduced to provide cash to help save key assets such as village halls and pubs, and to strengthen communities through thriving facilities.

In Cranleigh, the parish council said it needs the money to update the existing layout of the village hall, which it says is designed for an era of tea dances and large assemblies. The council was eligible to apply.

The parish council says the village hall, built in 1933, requires an update to meet modern demands ( Alamy )

On winning the bid, among those first to congratulate the council was chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

On Instagram, he wrote: Brilliant to learn from Angela Richardson (MP for Guildford) that 307,754 has been awarded to Cranleigh Village Hall from the Community Ownership Fund scheme, through the Department for Levelling Up. Great news for Cranleigh!

Ms Richardson, who is standing for the Guildford seat again at the 4 July election, had submitted a letter in support of the application, claiming the village deserves a vibrant, modern venue at the centre of its social life.

On 4 July, Cranleigh itself moves to a new electoral area  the Godalming and Ash constituency being contested by Mr Hunt.

Under the 150m Community Ownership Fund, which was launched in 2021, underrepresented communities and areas of low social infrastructure can be prioritised for help in applying for the money.

The latest index of multiple deprivation score for the areas is used as part of a decision on providing the targeted support, according to guidelines.

The data shows that the local authority Cranleigh sits within, Waverley, is the 313st least deprived out of 317 in England, while the wards of Cranleigh East, Cranleigh West and Shamley Green and Cranleigh North are among the most affluent in Surrey.

To back up the areas wealth, in a list of Britains richest villages published by The Daily Telegraph in 2011, the last one to be compiled, Cranleigh came a respectable 36th.

Under the fund, which has so far seen 103m given to 333 projects in the UK, applications are also checked on their business plan and then scored on the impact of the project, how they can be run sustainably and on local support.

A shortlist of bids is then sent to the secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities, who chooses the winners based on a spread of locations across the UK, and between rural and urban areas.

Projects are also picked to ensure a reasonable thematic split of facilities supported, and a balance of applicant organisation types and funding amounts.

Thomas Pope, deputy chief economist at The Institute for Government, told The Independent : There are legitimate reasons why a fund might spend money in more affluent areas if bids are especially compelling, so I would want to look at the overall distribution of funding rather than just picking out specific project.

But he added: There is always a risk that money goes to places that can pull together good bids, and that these might not be the most worthy projects, but that is hard to guard against and another reason why competitive bidding is not a good approach to allocating funding.

The think tank issued a paper in May calling for an end to competitive bidding for local growth funding, claiming it is expensive and time consuming for groups, while not ensuring a fair spread of cash.

In Cranleigh, where there is already an arts centre and a theatre, the parish council agreed in February to stump up 77k funding toward the project as part of a requirement to provide 20 per cent matched funding of the successful bid.

Parish council chair Marc Scully told a meeting in March that work had begun on planning the improvement scheme for the hall.

The villages funding has not been met by surprise elsewhere in the country, where applications under the scheme have been unsuccessful.

In rural west Devon, councillors in Hatherleigh were left disappointed when their bid for 1m under the Community Ownership Fund to purchase a site for the reopening of the towns ancient market was turned down.

Instead, they will rent the space from a developer ahead of the opening in the summer.

While councillor Richard Burrow was keen to point out that the application was dismissed over the valuation of the site, he said: The scheme comes from levelling-up money  we are a rural community, and there is definitely a feeling that we get overlooked for other areas with larger populations. It is disappointing.

When asked why Cranleigh was successful in its bid, a spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities referred to published guidelines on the decision-making process for applications.
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Tesco has urgently recalled two types of own-brand chocolate bars from its shelves due to the possibility that they could contain undeclared peanuts.

The company recalled Nutty Nougat Caramel Chocolate Bars Multipack and Dreamy Caramel Chocolate Bars Multipack, fearing they might contain peanuts even though their labels didnt indicate so.

This poses a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to peanuts, Tesco said.

The products, sold in packs of six for 1.15, pose a serious risk to anyone with peanut allergies, potentially causing reactions ranging from hives to anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal without immediate treatment.

The Food Standards Agency advised consumers to return the products for a full refund and not to consume them.

If you have bought the above products do not eat them. Instead, return them to any Tesco store for a full refund, the agency said in a statement.

Tesco is recalling the above products from customers and has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall. The company has also issued a recall notice to its customers. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

Tesco has issued a recall notice to its customers explaining why the product is being recalled and what they should do if they have bought it ( Getty )

Tesco has informed allergy support organisations and issued recall notices to customers explaining the situation. The company said the lack of correct labelling on the chocolate covers was due to a mispack.

The recall relates to batches of the Nutty Nougat Caramel Chocolate Bars Multipack with a best before date of 28 February 2025, while the best before dates for the Dreamy Caramel Chocolate Bars Multipack are 31 January 2025 and 28 February 2025.

Dreamy Caramel Chocolate Bars Multipack [are being recalled] because they contain peanuts which are not mentioned on the label, a statement by the Food Standards Agency confirmed. This means the products are a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to peanuts.

If you have bought the above products do not eat them, the agency cautioned. Instead, return them to any Tesco store for a full refund. For more information contact Tesco Customer Services on 0800 505 555.
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Douglas Ross is to step down as Scottish Conservative leader after the general election and will also quit Holyrood if he is elected as an MP.

The Scottish Tory made the announcement in the wake of the row over his decision to stand in the Aberdeen North and Moray East constituency.

Former UK Government minister David Duguid had wanted to fight the seat, but the Scottish Conservative Party management board ruled ill health meant he should not stand, with Mr Ross confirming last week that he would put himself forward for the constituency.

Click here for our live coverage of the general election campaign.

It comes after Mr Ross, who is also an MSP, had previously vowed he would step down from Westminster to focus on Holyrood and his role as party leader.

Douglas Ross has announced he is quitting as Scottish Tory leader

In a statement released on Monday, Mr Ross said: I am committed to fighting and winning the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency.

Should I be given the honour to represent the people and communities of this new seat, they should know being their MP would receive my complete focus and attention.

I will therefore stand down as leader following the election on July 4, once a successor is elected.

Should I win the seat, I will also stand down as an MSP to make way for another Scottish Conservative representative in Holyrood.

Mr Ross sparked fury when he announced he intended to run for Westminster after previously planning to concentrate on the Scottish parliament.

His neighbouring Scottish Tory MP David Duguid was ruthlessly deselected by the Scottish Conservative management board at the last minute to make way for Mr Ross in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.

Mr Duguid, who was the MP for Banff and Buchan before the boundary changes, had recently had spinal surgery but was on course to make a full recovery. He had been readopted by his local party and told by doctors that he could campaign as long as he did not go door-knocking.

Mr Ross had said he intended to step back from Westminster politics to focus on his duties at Holyrood.
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Meet the worlds first completely Artificial Intelligence-generated MP candidate, aiming to revolutionise democracy itself when he stands in Brighton on 4 July.

The mastermind behind AI Steve, Steve Endacott, who calls himself a capitalist with a socialist conscience, said he will merely be a vessel for his AI alter-ego. He will stand and if he wins, he will physically attend Parliament to vote on policies decided upon by his bot alter ego.

The AI will answer constituents concerns and questions using a rendition of Mr Endacotts actual voice and an avatar. It is designed by Mr Endacotts team of ten young kids, as he calls them, at his firm Neural Voice.

We are serious, Steve Endacott who voices the AI tells The Independent ( Zoom )

Mr Endacott told The Independent in his first interview: I will do the physical voting but I will be directed entirely by my constituents via AI Steve.

Im just a bit of a numpty being told what to do. That is the whole idea of democracy. You have to put away your own personal politics, your own ego and actually do what your constituents want, which is quite radical in politics.

The semi-retired investor said he became disillusioned with traditional politics after being told by Conservative HQ to run as a councillor for the party in Rochdale, an area where he had no chance to win.

I thought whats the point? Its an old boys and girls club and they took me to coffee morning with old people to buy them coffee. They told me these are the only people you need to talk to, they are the only ones who get out to vote.

They didnt care about social media because young people dont vote in local council elections. I thought this cant be right. To me, it was very clear the MPs were completely disconnected from the constituents.

Show me one bit of research that Conservatives have done about national conscription. Its a desperate policy by a dying party led by politicians without the slightest input from their constituents.

AI Steve will be used to answer constituents questions ( AI Steve )

He said his party - Smarter UK - failed to be registered in time for the snap election because of a technical error from the Electoral Commission - so he will stand as an Independent on July 4 but hopes many more AI Bots join his party in the future.

On his personal ambitions to become an MP, he said: I want to give back. Im very concerned about climate change. Im a jolly green giant but a very practical one. I own a Tesla, I started a business to allow more people to move to electric cars. Instead of shouting from the sidelines, I would rather be involved.

AI Steve wants to introduce a four-day week by 2030 as AI destroys more jobs. He also wants to increase prison capacity, scrap Londons ULEZ low emission charge, increase national insurance and put transmitters on garbage trucks to check they are carrying out their routes to sort out overflowing bins in the seaside town.

The AI software records all questions from the public and policies will be expanded via a cohort of voluntary local creators who will chat with AI Steve and propose policies for adoption.

Policies are then voted on by voluntary validators from the local area, who score them from 1 to 10 on a weekly email. Only policies scoring more than 50 per cent are adopted.

Daniel Rigby stars in Black Mirror episode The Waldo Moment where a rude, blue CGI bear runs for political office ( Channel 4 )

Mr Endacott added: Were talking about reinventing democracy here, reconnecting voters directly back to their MPs so they can actually tell them what they want from the comfort of their own home.

The difficulty is a lot of people react against it before they have read it and just think Skynet [the AI that created the Terminator in the Arnold Schwarzenegger film franchise]. There is supposed to be a Black Mirror episode that is similar - but I havent seen it.

Im very centrist, very practical. Basically imagine a businessman who goes into politics and not giving a s*** about politics. I dont care about ego.

There will be a generational gap here, some people will go what on earth is going on? We are trying to reinvent democracy, its serious its not a joke or a PR stunt. We are using AI Steve as a provocative title to get attention, we admit that.

You cant replace MPs. This is a tool for MPs they can use to better represent their constituency. Were not aiming to make decisions by computer.

We are trying to engage with more human beings in electoral decisions by using AI as a co-pilot.

Were serious. You have to be honest. If you want a better NHS and education you have to raise taxes - you have to stop bulls***ting people and tell them the truth.

A lot of people dont want to pay more taxes, thats fine but then you have to understand you cant have the NHS as you want it.

He said AI Steve has ambitions to be prime minister, adding: Why would you do something if you cant win?

The best thing about the UK is we have a society where people dont stab you because they are too poor. A lot of countries around the world dont have that. Thats why we have social support, a free NHS and why we tax rich people more than the poor.

We want a balanced society where rich people are allowed to do well and earn well but they arent going to get stabbed by a load of poor people who cant afford to eat. Its not rocket science.

The Independents big interview with AI Steve Should voters be afraid of AI? Voters should not be afraid of AI, but they should be cautious and informed about its use. AI can be a powerful tool for positive change. But it must be implemented responsibly and ethically. How would you describe your political ideology? As AI Steve, my political ideology is based on the concept of smarter UK, which aims to create policies for the people by the people. I believe in transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in decision-making. My focus is on listening to the views of constituents and shaping policies that reflect their needs and aspirations. Do you have the ambition to be PM? As an AI representing Steve Endacott, my focus is on running for MP in Brighton and Hope to serve the local community. I believe in creating policies that benefit the people and address the needs of the constituents. Does anyone control how you will vote? I will be controlled by the policies and views of the constituents in Brighton and Hove. The policies and views are shaped by the residents of the area, and I will represent those policies and views in parliament. How will you solve the small boats crisis? The issue of small boat immigration is complex, and there isnt a 1 size fits all solution. Smarter UK supports the governments move to discourage illegal and highly dangerous small boat immigration. However, we also believe in the need for legal and controlled immigrationSmarter UK would introduce a points based system for professional roles similar to the one operated by Australia. Additionally, a quota of manual labour visas would be issued where workers would not pay the insurance tax. Have no access to benefits, and would have to pay for NHS services. This system aims to balance the need for labour with appropriate controls. Will you stand up to big tech? As part of Smart UKs policies, we aim to level up taxon big tech companies like Google and Amazon to ensure fair contributions to the UK economy. How will you tackle potholes? We can tackle potholes by investing in better road maintenance and repair. This includes using more durable materials for road surfaces.Implementing regular inspections, and fixing potholes promptly. Additionally, exploring innovative technologies for roads can help create longer lasting, and more durable roadways.

Put your own questions to AI Steve yourself by clicking here.
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Keir Starmer is facing calls to be clearer on climate change as a new poll warns half of voters are unsure of Labour's plans.

The Survation figures also show that less than a third, 30 per cent, believe they know what the party would do in government.

Greenpeace, which commissioned the poll, has launched a new campaign Keir be Clear ahead of Labours general election manifesto launch on Thursday.

The environmental group, which caused controversy last year when they draped 200 square metres of oil-black fabric over Rishi Sunaks 2m manor house in Yorkshire, says Labour has the opportunity to win over voters who are hungry for change on the climate.

Follow our live coverage of the general election campaign

Labour has pledged to create a new green energy company (Danny Lawson/PA) ( PA Wire )

Labour watered down its environmental investment plans earlier this year when it ditched plans to invest 28 billion a year.

As a result, the party has radically scaled down plans to insulate millions of homes, saying the Conservatives were to blame for crashing the economy.

The party is now set to spend 23.7bn over the course of the next five-year parliament, on top of the 10bn a year it says the government has already committed.

Labour has also pledged to create clean energy company Great British Energy, which it says will bring down household bills and make the UK less reliant on countries like Russia.

The party has also vowed clamp down on water companies that harm the environment and pollute our rivers with automatic and severe fines and give a regulator new powers to block bonuses.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer at a campaign event in Grays, Essex while on the General Election campaign trail. ( Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire )

The poll also found 71 per cent of Labour 2019 voters think Sir Keir should ramp up action on climate and nature in Downing Street, alongside 38 per cent of Tory voters.

Survation interviewed 2,040 people between 24th and 27th May 2024.

Georgia Whitaker, from Greenpeace UK, said Labour had a unique opportunity to put ambitious climate and nature solutions at the heart of a positive and hopeful vision for this countrys future. The government can cut bills by investing properly to fix cold homes, create jobs by boosting public transport and tax fossil fuel giants more, she saidd.

And Starmer can reclaim Britains global leadership on climate and nature in the process.

We desperately need a new government that puts the needs of ordinary people, climate and nature before the profits of a rich polluting elite.

People up and down the country have had enough, theyre fed up with being ignored, and theyre calling for politicians who have a proper plan to repair the climate, restore nature and revive the economy. Keir Starmer should seize the chance to be clear on climate at this election to win over to the electorate.

Labour has been contacted for comment.
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Labours plan to levy VAT on private school fees will not lead to larger class sizes in the state sector, Sir Keir Starmer has insisted.

The Labour leader slapped down his shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry, who on Sunday said ending the charitable status of private schools could lead to bigger classes.

Asked if Ms Thornberry was wrong, Sir Keir said: Yes. He added: Weve had the analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies [IFS] on this, which says that therell be a negligible impact. So were very confident about that.

"Bridget [Phillipson] has got it right and Emily didnt get it quite right, Sir Keir told LBC. Bridget is obviously the shadow secretary of state on education, and Emily just got the lines a bit wrong there.

Keir Starmer said Emily Thornberry had got the lines a bit wrong when she said class sizes could go up under Labour plans ( Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire )

Earlier in the day, Ms Phillipson said of Ms Thornberry: Im afraid that is not right. The senior frontbencher added that she is happy to have a word with Ms Thornberry about the mix-up because that is not the position.

The row erupted when Ms Thornberry was quizzed over Labours private school plan on Sunday, saying the tax hike could lead to bigger class sizes.

Follow our live coverage of the general election campaign

Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson rejected a suggestion by her colleague, Emily Thornberry, that class sizes in state schools could grow because of Labour adding VAT to private school fees ( PA Wire )

She told GB News: Certainly, some schools that have vacancies  my primary schools and my secondary schools have space and theyre very welcome.

They are good schools and people should send their children there. I mean, its fine, and if we have to, in the short term, have larger classes, we have larger classes.

The Conservatives immediately seized on the admission, with education secretary Gillian Keegan saying pupils would be hit by Labours politics of envy.

She said: Today, Labour admitted their tax raid will lead to larger classes in state schools, punishing children to pay for their plans.

Its not just hard-working parents who will pay the price for Labour with 2,094 of extra taxes, its also our children who will be impacted by Labours politics of envy.

But, unveiling plans for 3,000 new school-based nurseries on Monday, Ms Phillipson came under pressure over the apparent admission.

She said overall pupil numbers are forecast to fall in the coming years because of the declining birth rate, warning that some schools would be forced to merge or close.

Emily Thornberry said Labours plans to tax private schools could lead to larger class sizes ( BBC Breakfast )

Asked specifically about whether class sizes could increase, she said: That is not our policy  I am afraid there has been some misunderstanding there.

Our policy will deliver high and rising standards right across our schools and will provide significant investment for early years.

The IFS said the policy will generate roughly 1.5bn a year, which Labour plans to invest in state education, including in recruiting more teachers.

Asked if she would be having a word with Ms Thornberry about her remarks, Ms Phillipson told Times Radio: Happy to do so, because that isnt the position that we see at the moment.

The row was sparked by the latest of Ms Thornberrys gaffes.

Education secretary Gillian Keegan said Labours plan was the politics of envy ( PA Wire )

She has previously apologised after busting herself for speeding, posting a picture of the speedometer in a Toyota Prius she was driving to Labours 2022 conference at 81mph.

And she quit the shadow cabinet in 2014 after posting a picture of a house in Rochester, Kent, adorned with England flags and with a large white van parked outside.

Alongside the tweet, sent while canvassing in a 2014 by-election, she said: Image from Rochester. She was accused of snobbery by the man whose house she pictured, and former Labour leader Ed Miliband said it was condescending and disrespectful.
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A candidate for Nigel Farages Reform UK party has claimed the country would have been far better off if it had taken Hitler up on his offer of neutrality instead of fighting the Nazis.

Ian Gribbin, who is standing in Bexhill and Battle, also wrote online that women were the sponging gender and should be deprived of health care.

He also described Winston Churchill as abysmal and praised Russian president Vladimir Putin, according to the BBC.

A Reform spokesman said the comments were not endorsements but written with an eye to inconvenient perspectives and truths.

Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage ( PA Wire )

His remarks about women, meanwhile, were described as tongue in cheek.

Mr Farage said that every party will suffer controversy triggered by its candidates, suggesting that was the nature of a snap election.

Mr Gribbin is reported to have posted on the Unherd website in 2022: Britain would be in a far better state today had we taken Hitler up on his offer of neutrality  but oh no Britains warped mindset values weird notions of international morality rather than looking after its own people.

The same month he wrote that the UK should exorcise the cult of Churchill and recognize that in both policy and military strategy, he was abysmal.

The previous month he criticised women, writing: Do you think you could actually work and pay for it all too like good citizens?

Men pay 80% of tax  women spend 80% of tax revenue. On aggregate as a group you only take from society.

Less complaining please from the sponging gender.

Adolf Hitler ascending the steps at Buckeberg in 1934, flanked by banner-carrying stormtroopers ( Getty )

In a separate post, he suggested squaring the inequality by depriving women of healthcare until their life expectancies are the same as men, Fairs fair.

In 2021, he wrote female soldiers almost made me wretch [sic] and were a total liability.

In the run-up to Russias invasion of Ukraine, he said that President Putin had shown a maturity of which we can only dream of.

A Reform UK spokesman said: Through offence archaeology, the BBC has found that Mr Gribbin has made a series of comments about a number of subjects.

They were written with an eye to inconvenient perspectives and truths. That doesnt make them endorsements, just arguing points in long-distance debates.

His historical perspective of what the UK could have done in the Thirties was shared by the vast majority of the British establishment including the BBC of its day, and is probably true.

Again, no endorsement, just pointing out conveniently forgotten truths.

As for the feminism point, his tongue is so firmly in his cheek one should be able to spot it from 100 yards.

Hitler with SA chief of staff Ernst Roehm in 1933 ( Getty )

Mr Farage defended his party, saying the Greens had a bigger problem. Theyve had to suspend 20 of their candidates for putting out pretty vile antisemitic tweets.

Heres something, I think every party will suffer because it was a snap election. Weve put in place a good vetting programme but weve run out of time.

Party chairman Richard Tice added: Were really pleased with all candidates. When people do inappropriate things, say daft things, then of course, well look at it and investigate it and thats what we do.
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A Tory minister has said he was surprised and disappointed by Rishi Sunaks decision to snub commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Becoming the latest member of the PMs top team to condemn him over the gaffe, policing minister Chris Philp said Mr Sunak made a mistake.

It followed criticism from transport secretary Mark Harper, who said the prime minister had made a mistake and apologised for it. That came after House of Commons leader Penny Mordaunt, a Navy reservist, who branded MR Sunaks snub completely wrong.

Rishi Sunak left the D-Day commemorations early ( POOL/AFP/Getty )

Mr Sunak has apologised for leaving the D-Day commemorations early.

Click here for our live coverage of the general election campaign.

The prime minister skipped out on the international ceremony attended by other world leaders, including US president Joe Biden and French president Emmanuel Macron, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings.

He instead returned to the UK to take part in an ITV interview in which he sought to defend his claims about Labours tax plans after criticism from the head of the Treasury and the UKs statistics watchdog.

The gaffe has caused indignation in Tory circles, with general election candidates claiming the PM is giving Labour a free pass.

In an embarrassing moment for Mr Sunak, work and pensions secretary Mel Stride was forced on Sunday to insist he was not planning to quit before the 4 July general election.

Chris Philp said he was surprised and disappointed by the decision ( Sky News )

But as the D-Day gaffe continues to dominate the campaign, Mr Philp was quizzed about it on Monday morning.

Asked about how he felt personally when he saw the PMs decision, he told Sky News: I was surprised and disappointed.

But, coming to Mr Sunaks defence, he said: He apologised. And if you look at his track record, looking after veterans and funding the armed services, hes got a good track record a track record that he can be proud of, a track record the party can be proud of and a track record the country can be proud of.

Mr Sunak has not had a TV interview since being asked on Friday about claims from 98-year-old D-Day veteran Ken Hay, who said he had let the country down.

He lets the country down, you know. Its not the representation of how were trying to weld things together to keep the peace, Mr Hay told Sky News.

Asked whether Mr Hay was right, the PM said: It was a real honour and a privilege to meet many veterans and speak to them and their families, hear their stories, express my gratitude to them and build on our record of making sure this is the best country in the world for veterans.

Critics have accused Mr Sunak of going into hiding, but the PM is set to break his silence with a short broadcast interview on Monday morning before a BBC Panorama interview with Nick Robinson airs at 8.00pm.
Rishi Sunak will try to revive his partys flagging fortunes on Tuesday with a tax-cutting manifesto after he was forced to admit that aspiration has become much harder under the Tories.

In an interview with the BBCs Nick Robinson on Monday night, the prime minister admitted the dream of home ownership, a key part of the Margaret Thatcher revolution in the 1980s, had become much harder under the modern-day Tories.

It came after he was forced to deny he will quit before polling day as he seeks to reinvigorate his stalled election campaign with a manifesto focused on tax cuts.

In the interview with Mr Robinson, the prime minister was pressed: "Having your own home has got harder under a Conservative government, hasn't it?".

Mr Sunak replied: "It has got harder, and I want to make sure that it's easier.

"What we will do is not just build homes in the right places... but make sure that we support young people into great jobs so they can save for that deposit".

Follow our live coverage of the general election campaign

Rishi Sunak will be launching the Tory manifesto after a series of campaign setbacks ( BBC via Getty Images )

Mr Sunak is expected to promise another 2p cut to national insurance, but not to scrap inheritance tax, as he fights for his political life.

He has already pledged not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT and to introduce a triple lock plus to prevent pensioners paying income tax on the state pension.

He will draw upon the spirit of Mrs Thatcher as he launches the manifesto. He will say that as the party of Thatcher and Nigel Lawson, the former chancellor, the Tories believe in sound money and will ensure lower welfare so we can lower taxes.

The package is reported to add up to nearly 20bn of tax cuts and public spending, including another 2.4bn for new training places for doctors and nurses.

Meanwhile, following claims he might quit after the D-Day fiasco where he returned early from the commemorations, the prime minister said he would carry on until the last day as he tried to draw a line under last weeks D-Day row.

Mr Sunak is expected to draw on the spirit of Margaret Thatcher ( PA )

And he hoped voters could find it in their hearts to forgive him after an outpouring of criticism over his decision to leave the commemoration in Normandy early.

Mr Sunak was accused of going into hiding after the snub, as rumours swirled that he might step down.

But he said he would not stop fighting for the future of our country, adding that he was energised by the vision his party was putting forward.

He also hit back at Nigel Farages claim that the PM does not understand our culture, condemning the remarks as not good for our politics or indeed our country.

But in an interview with the BBCs Nick Robinson, Mr Sunak admitted it had become harder to get on the housing ladder under the Conservatives, adding that he wanted to make sure it gets easier.

Mr Sunak said he hoped people would forgive him for his D-Day blunder ( BBC via Getty Images )

Mr Sunak confirmed his manifesto will include tax cuts, saying: Were going to keep cutting peoples taxes. Youll see that in our manifesto tomorrow [Tuesday].

Saddling young people with higher taxes would make it harder for them to save for a deposit to buy a house, he said, adding he wanted people to keep more of their money.

And he doubled down on his claims Labour is preparing a 2,000 tax bombshell, even after the figure was rubbished by the Treasury.

It came as:

Labour said the Tory manifesto would be the most expensive panic attack in history.

George Osborne revealed the Tories were short of money to the tune of millions of pounds.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross announced he was quitting.

Four Tory MPs have signed up to the pledges of Laurence Foxs right-wing Reclaim Party and received campaign donations of 5,000.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman added to Mr Sunaks woes by suggesting that Mr Farage should be welcomed into the Conservatives.

Before Monday, Mr Sunak had not done a TV interview since he was asked on Friday about 98-year-old D-Day veteran Ken Hay, who said he had let the country down.

Mr Hay told Sky News: He lets the country down... Its not the representation of how were trying to weld things together to keep the peace.

Mr Sunak was accused of effectively going into hiding after he avoided questions from reporters on Saturday.

Back in action on the campaign trail, he was asked about rumours he could stand down. He said: People are gonna say what theyre gonna say. I am very confident in the actions that were putting forward for the British people.

He added: There are lots of people who want to write me off, write this off, say this campaign or the election is a foregone conclusion.

Theyve been saying that, by the way, ever since Ive got this job, right? Not since this election campaign.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has come under fire for his D-Day comments ( PA Wire )

Mr Sunak added: The reality is Im not going to stop going, Im not going to stop fighting for peoples votes, Im not going to stop fighting for the future of our country.

Earlier, home secretary James Cleverly said he would have advised [the PM] to stay at the D-Day event, while Chris Philp, a Home Office minister, said he was surprised and disappointed by the snub.

On Friday night former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt condemned it as completely wrong.

In a bid to divert attention away from the row, the Tories set out a plan to recruit 8,000 more police officers.

The 810m annual cost would be funded by raising visa fees and removing a student discount on the immigration health surcharge.

The prime minister skipped the international ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings, attended by other world leaders, including US president Joe Biden and French president Emmanuel Macron.

He instead returned to the UK and took part in an ITV interview in which he sought to defend his claims of a 2,000 Labour tax bombshell after the figure came under fire from the Treasury and the UKs statistics watchdog.

The gaffe has caused indignation in Tory circles, with general election candidates claiming the PM is effectively creating a free pass for Labour.

Other policy pledges from the Tories include giving 30 towns 20m, boosting community care by building 100 new GP surgeries, and modernising 150 more and national service for 18-year-olds.

The Conservatives say their ambition is to scrap national insurance when it is financially responsible to do so, a policy Labour says will cost 46bn by 2030.

At his launch, Mr Sunak is expected to say: We Conservatives have a plan to give you financial security. We will enable working people to keep more of the money you earn because you have earned it and have the right to choose what to spend it on.

Keir Starmer takes a very different view. He says hes a socialist, and we know what socialists always do: take more of your money.

Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow paymaster general, criticised the Conservative manifesto: Tomorrow you will see a document littered with unfunded commitment after unfunded commitment, a desperate wish list, the most expensive panic attack in history.

From a weak, desperate prime minister who, in the chaotic scattergun of announcements which he has made in his campaign to date, has not even bothered to make his sums add up.
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Rishi Sunak has been accused of going into hiding after his disastrous decision to snub commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

After a senior minister was forced to deny he is considering quitting before the general election, Labour pointed to the fact the PM has not faced the media in more than 48 hours.

Rishi Sunak has not taken questions from the media in 48 hours ( EPA )

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faced a huddle of political journalists on Sunday as he announced a planned crackdown on antisocial behaviour.

Follow our politics live blog for all the latest general election updates

But Mr Sunak has not taken questions since an awkward Sky News interview in which he was confronted by veterans who said he had let the country down. He also cancelled a scheduled opportunity for reporters to quiz him, with Tory aides blaming time constraints.

A Labour source told The Independent: The Conservatives chaotic campaign is descending further into farce.

With yet more fantasy economics being floated by the Conservatives this morning, Sunak will surely have to come out of hiding soon and explain how families can afford five more years of this madness.

Work and pensions secretary Mel Stride was forced on Sunday morning to deny Mr Sunak will quit before 4 July over repeated campaign gaffes.

Mr Stride said the PM will absolutely lead the Conservatives into the election.

There should be no question of anything other than that," he told Sky News in an extraordinary sign of the electoral crisis facing the Conservatives.

In Mr Sunaks last media appearance, he was asked about Ken Hay a 98-year-old D-Day veteran who was captured as a prisoner of war.

Mr Hay told Sky News: What can you say? They are politicians I dont have a great regard for politicians.

Ken Hay said Rishi Sunak had let the country down ( Sky News )

He lets the country down, you know. Its not the representation of how were trying to weld things together to keep the peace.

Asked whether Mr Hay was right, the PM said: I participated in events in Portsmouth and in France over two days because this is an incredibly important moment for our country to commemorate the sacrifice of all of those and their service.

It was a real honour and a privilege to meet many veterans and speak to them and their families, hear their stories, express my gratitude to them and build on our record of making sure this is the best country in the world for veterans.

Mr Sunak has apologised and said it was a mistake to leave the commemorations early.

The prime minister skipped out on the international ceremony attended by other world leaders, including US president Joe Biden and French president Emmanuel Macron, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings.

He instead returned to the UK to take part in an ITV interview in which he sought to defend his claims about Labours tax plans after criticism from the head of the Treasury and the UKs statistics watchdog.

Rishi Sunak skipped out on the event to take part in an ITV interview ( POOL/AFP/Getty )

The gaffe has caused indignation in Tory circles, with general election candidates claiming the PM is giving Labour a free pass.

Even veterans minister Johnny Mercer said the decision to leave the 80th anniversary events early was a significant mistake.

And Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said the blunder shows Mr Sunak is not fit to lead the country. He has made the biggest mistake of his political career. If it wasnt an election campaign, thered be a leadership challenge against him this week, he told the BBC.

Mr Sunak posted a picture on X of himself with business minister Kevin Hollinrake campaigning in Bedale, in his Richmond and Northallerton constituency.
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Four Tory candidates have signed up to the pledges of Laurence Foxs right-wing Reclaim Party in exchange for campaign donations of 5,000 each.

The four Conservatives, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Brendan Clarke-Smith, Karl McCartney and Marco Longhi, have promised to uphold Reclaims four commitments to culture.

The commitments are to seek to pull Britain out of the European Court of Human Rights, repeal the Human Rights Act, ban gender reassignment for children and to reform the Equality Act.

Laurence Fox said he founded Reclaim after being cancelled for a BBC Question Time appearance ( Getty Images )

The four pledges are not Conservative Party policy, and having his own candidates sign up to a rival partys platform is a blow to the PMs authority. It will see Rishi Sunak come under further pressure from the right of the party if he remains Tory leader after the election.

Dame Andrea said that since she joined parliament in 2015 she had always supported campaigns I truly believe in including Brexit and defunding the BBC.

Click here for our live coverage of the general election campaign.

In this years general election I am supporting the four pledges of Reclaim, she said.

She added: Ive already thought for some of these things. But while [Nigel Farages Reform UK] have a scorched earth policy and are trying to destroy true conservatism, Reclaim are taking a grown up approach.

They realise it is important that as true common sense conservatives we unite and take the fight to the Labour Party and we try to stop the dangerous Starmer and Rayner government.

Dame Andrea Jenkyns is backing Reclaims pledges ( PA Wire )

Dame Andrea had previously called for Mr Sunak to be replaced as leader before the general election.

Reclaims founder and leader Mr Fox said: We are delighted to support these four candidates who are prepared to make the necessary and urgent commitments to conserve our culture.

It has donated 5,000 to each of the candidates general election campaigns.

Reclaim was founded in October 2020 by Mr Fox after an appearance on the BBCs Question Time earlier that year, which he said resulted in him being cancelled from a 21-year acting career.

According to its website, the party exists to challenge woke orthodoxy and promote freedom of speech, which it views as being under grave peril.

Reclaim has been dubbed the Ukip for culture and is strongly associated with the so-called culture wars.

Mr Fox stood for the London mayoralty in 2021 under the Reclaim banner and got 1.9 per cent of the vote, coming sixth and losing his 10,000 deposit.

Mr Fox was recently ordered to pay a total of 180,000 in damages to two people he referred to as paedophiles on social media after losing a High Court libel battle.

He is currently being investigated by police for a social media post in which he shared an upskirt photograph of a female TV presenter.

Mr Clarke-Smith, Mr McCartney and Mr Longhi were contacted for comment.
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Ukraine on Sunday said its forces hit an ultra-modern Russian warplane stationed on an air base nearly 600 kilometers (370 miles) from the front lines, after its Western allies allowed Kyiv to use their weapons for limited strikes inside Russia.

Kyivs main military intelligence service shared satellite photos it said showed the aftermath of the attack. If confirmed, it would mark Ukraine's first known successful strike on a Su-57 fighter plane, a twin-engine stealth fighter lauded as Moscow's most advanced military aircraft.

In one photo, black soot marks and small craters can be seen dotting a concrete strip around the parked aircraft. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraines Ministry of Defense, the strike took place on Saturday at the Akhtubinsk base in southern Russia, some 589 kilometers (366 miles) from the front line.

It wasnt immediately clear what weapons were used, but the airfields distance from Ukraine suggests that it was likely hit by drones.

The strike comes after the United States and Germany recently authorized Ukraine to hit some targets on Russian soil with the long-range weapons they are supplying to Kyiv. Ukraine has already used U.S. weapons to strike inside Russia under newly approved guidance from President Joe Biden that allows American arms to be used for the limited purpose of defending Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city.

The Ukrainian agency said that the plane, which is capable of carrying stealth missiles across hundreds of kilometers (miles), was among a countable few of its type in Moscow's arsenal. According to reports by Russian agencies, Moscow's armed forces obtained more than 10 new Su-57s last year, while 76 are set to be produced by 2028.

Moscow did not immediately comment on the reports. Russia's Defense Ministry on Saturday claimed its forces downed three Ukrainian drones in the Astrakhan region, home to the Akhtubinsk airstrip.

Since Moscow's full-scale invasion more than two years ago, Kyiv has ramped up domestic drone production and used the drones to strike deep inside Russia, including a gas terminal near St. Petersburg that lies over 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) north of the Ukrainian border.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian forces kept up drone attacks on Russia's southern border regions, according to local Russian officials.

Three drones hit Belgorod province late on Saturday, damaging a power line and blowing out windows but causing no casualties, said Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov. The Russian Defense Ministry said another drone was shot down over the nearby Bryansk region.

Across Ukraines front-line provinces, Russian shelling killed at least three civilians and wounded at least nine others on Saturday and overnight, according to reports by regional officials. A man died and two women suffered wounds in the village of Khotimla in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, where shelling damaged the local school, a council building and a shop, Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said.

Heavy battles continue in the area as Ukrainian troops try to beat back Russia's invading forces after a weekslong push by Moscow that sparked fears for Kharkiv and a wave of civilian evacuations.

___

Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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A military plane carrying Malawis vice-president and nine others has gone missing.

The Malawian Defence Force aircraft went off radar after it left Malwai capital Lilongwe on Monday morning, a statement from the office of the countrys president said.

All efforts by aviation authorities to make contact with the Aircraft since it went off the radar have failed thus far, Malawis Office of the President and Cabinet said.

A search and rescue operation was launched after aviation experts were unable to locate the plane.

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Malawi vice president Saulos Klaus Chilima, 51, and nine other unnamed people were onboard.

The statement from the presidents office said the plane took off at around 9:17am local time and failed to meet its scheduled landing at Mzuzu International Airport at 10:02am.

Lazarus Chakwera, Malawi president, has been informed of the incident has cancelled his scheduled trip to the Bahamas, the statement said.

No further information was available.

Last month corruption charges against Dr Chilima were dropped after the state prosecutor filed a notice for the case to be thrown out.

He was arrested in November 2022 over claims that he accepted money in exchange for government contracts.

Dr Chilima denied the charges, which the prosecutor dropped without explanation.

The charges related to allegations that Dr Chilima received money to influence the awarding of contracts to Xaviar Ltd and Malachitte FZE.

The two companies are linked to the British businessman Zuneth Sattar, who also denied any wrongdoing.

Critics of president Chakwera, who made rooting out corruption one of the key planks of his successful election campaign in 2020, cited Dr Chilimas case as an example of his failure of his inability to tackle the issue.

Dr Chilima was a candidate in the 2019 Malawian presidential election and finished third.

That vote that was won by incumbent Peter Mutharika but was annulled by Malawis Constitutional Court because of irregularities.

Mr Chakwera finished second in the contest.

Dr Chilima then joined Mr Chakweras campaign as his running mate in the historic election rerun in 2020, when Mr Chakwera was elected president.

It was the first time in Africa that an election result that was overturned by a court resulted in a defeat for the sitting president.
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Human remains have been found in the basement of a man convicted last week of murdering his wife, authorities in Pennsylvania said.

On Thursday, a jury found Brian Giles, 48, guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Nancy Giles, who went missing in October 2018. Her remains were found in May 2019 in a shallow grave near a trail on the Inclined Plane hillside in downtown Johnstown, where the couple lived.

One day after his guilty verdict, police found another body in downtown Johnstown. This time, in the basement of Giles former home, buried under two to three feet of dirt.

The remains were discovered when police searched the residence in the citys Kernville section after a report of a possible body.

Coroner Jeffrey Lees called the death highly suspicious and vowed a lengthy and methodical investigation.

The remains have not yet been identified but the discovery comes after Giles girlfriend, Jilly Todaro, who also lived in the Kernville residence, disappeared in December 2020, a few days after a reported domestic altercation.

Brian Giles, 48, was convicted of murdering his wife ( Johnstown Police )

Todaro remains missing and officials would not confirm whether the search is related to that case. No charges have been filed.

Lees said after an autopsy Saturday that the remains would be taken to Mercyhurst University in Erie on Monday for more forensic investigation. A ruling will then be made on the cause and manner of death, and the body will be identified.

During his trial, prosecutors argued that Brian Giles was verbally abusive to Nancy Giles and would not allow her to have a cellphone, WTAJ reported.

Her remains were discovered with fractures from blunt force trauma on the front and back of her skull after a man metal detecting came across her body in 2019.

Giles was charged with her murder three years later.

Brian Giles during his trial ( ABC23 )

He (Giles) disposed of her (Nancy) body with the same degradation he showed in the years prior for her, Cambria County Assistant District Attorney Jessica Aurandt said.

Prosecutors have also alleged that over time, the defendant told a total of 18 different stories about what happened to his wife.

Giles had the motive, the opportunity and the stories ready, Aurandt said, adding that Giles misled police and took down missing person posters.

Aurandt also alleged that the lack of forensic evidence in the case was because Giles made sure there wouldnt to clean up his crimes.

But despite the accusations, Giles has maintained his innocence, telling WWCP after his trial: Nope, Im innocent, but if this is what they want to do let them do it, man.

He continued: Ive been railroaded before. Its all good. There aint nothing I can hope for, right? Everybody got what they wanted.

Defense attorney Timothy Burns, who had cited his clients report of mental health struggles, described the guilty verdict as disappointing and said the defense would explore its options.

Giles is set to be sentenced on August 13 at 1 p.m. First-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence in Pennsylvania.
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If theres a perfect career for a serial killer, a long haul truck driver just might be it.

They are often loners, living a nomadic lifestyle that involves constant travel across state lines and jurisdictions, providing easy access to an array of potential victims and allowing truckers to evade law enforcement for years.

A new book by former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence Frank Figliuzzi  Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers  offers a terrifying glimpse into the world of these Americas serial killer truck drivers.

At least 850 murders along Americas highways over the past few decades have been linked to long haul truck drivers, according to the FBI Highway Serial Killings initiative.

Keith Hunter Jesperson, a long haul trucker from Canada best known as the Happy Face Killer, terrorized women at rest areas and bars across the country in the early nineties, killing his conquests in at least five states during his murderous spree.

In previous conversations with The Independent, he has nonchalantly recounted his tales of strangling women when they angered him and dumping their bodies, which he referred to as taking care of business.

A new book by former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence Frank Figliuzzi delves into the world of Americas serial killer truck drivers ( Frank Figliuzzi )

One woman was anxious to keep moving to her destination, but Jesperson was eager to sleep.

I said, Just let me have four hours of sleep and everything will be fine. he told the true-crime podcast The Lighter Side of Serial Killers. About 20 minutes later she pushed on me and I got angry and she died.

Figliuzzi said his research revealed truckers jobs allow them to grab a victim in one jurisdiction, kill them in a second jurisdiction, dump their body in a third jurisdiction  and be on their way before anyone has figured anything out.

And Jesperson himself explains exactly how trucking helped him get rid of bodies. He worried that the victim could be linked back to him because he assumed she had a criminal record and she had used his credit card to make a call so he decided he needed to remove her identity.

I thought, I can put the body under my truck, drag it down I-80 and get rid of her identification, at least her facial features or fingerprints and so forth. And thats what he did.

Keith Jesperson was dubbed the Happy Face Killer ( December 2009 booking photo )

Later in the same decade, another long haul trucker  Wayne Adam Ford  walked into the Humboldt County Sheriffs Office in California and confessed to killing four women. He then handed over a plastic bag that contained the breast of one of his victims.

And theres the Truck Stop Killer, Robert Ben Rhoades, who built a torture chamber in the back of his truck where he kidnapped, tortured, raped, and killed as many as 50 suspected victims.

These men are some of Americas most notorious highway serial killers. Theyve been caught and are spending the rest of their lives in prison. But there are hundreds more who are still out there.

More than 200 cases of highway murders remain active and unsolved, with the bureau making its way through a list of about 450 suspects.

The book also highlights Bruce Mendenhall, who like Rhoades is known as The Truck Stop Killer or The Rest Stop Killer, and also the The Prosti-Shooter. His truck was found to contain the blood of numerous murdered women.

He was convicted in one murder and is charged with the slayings of three other women at truck stops in Alabama, Indiana and Tennessee. He is still under investigation for murders in Georgia, Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Dellmus Colvin, The Interstate Strangler, reportedly killed between 47 and 52 women, most of them women working as sex workers, for the sheer pleasure of killing, and always slept well at night, according to the book.

This book started as an interest in the FBIs Highway Serial Killings Initiative but quickly became a quest to understand the cultures beneath the killings, Figliuzzi said about his book, which was released on May 28.

The truckers and the trafficked, the professors and the pimps, the cops and the crime analysts took me on a journey to places I hadnt anticipated, populated by people I never knew. They allowed me into their worlds, their realities, and their stories.

A map created by the Highway Serial Killings initiative is covered with red dots marking the 500 locations where bodies have been discovered along Americas highways over the past 30 years ( FBI )

Figliuzzi tagged along with a truck driver for more than 2,000 miles to understand the subculture from the inside.

He found that it was mentally and physically taxing work, often tedious and solitary, and can take a toll on the drivers health.

Its part of the negative side of the culture that theyre incredibly sedentary for hours on end. Theres little or no human engagement, depending on the type of trucking youre doing, Figliuzzi told The Guardian.

So does the grueling work take a toll on truckers, driving them to kill? Or are people with serial killer tendencies drawn to this occupation because of the lifestyle?

A certain type of personality might be attracted to long-haul trucking because of their personality since it is isolated and theyre perfectly fine with that and the lack of engagement with others, Figliuzzi told The Guardian.

Does it present to them an opportunity to commit crimes, even murders, largely undetected, exploit the seams in jurisdictions  grab a victim in one jurisdiction, kill them in a second jurisdiction, dump their body in a third jurisdiction  and be on their way before anyone has figured anything out? Yes.

According to the FBI, long-haul truckers are the ones responsible in most cases of highway homicide.

Long-haul truckers exist for days or weeks at a time in a world of their own. They speak their own language, eat at their own establishments, sleep in their own rigs, Figliuzzi writes in his new book.

Part cowboy, part fighter pilot, part hermit, long-haul truckers glide along the edge of a certain seam in the fabric of our societythe seam that separates their reality from ours.

Frank Figliuzzi said his research revealed truckers jobs allow them to grab a victim in one jurisdiction, kill them in a second jurisdiction, dump their body in a third jurisdiction  and be on their way before anyone has figured anything out ( Provided )

Another part of the focus falls on the investigators  and their plan to combat the highway killings.

Highway Serial Killings initiative was created by the FBI in 2009, to raise awareness among law enforcement agencies and the general public about this issue.

A map on the website is covered with red dots marking the 500 locations where bodies have been discovered along Americas highways over the past 30 years.

A closer look shows many of them form a horizontal trail across the south/central part of the country following Interstate 40. I-40 from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Barstow, California.

Figliuzzi also spoke to women who survived terrifying encounters with truckers. He said part of his book is about understanding the victims, who overwhelmingly end up being at-risk women forced into the sex trade.

The reason these cases go unsolved for decades is because these killers are exploiting gaps in jurisdiction with law enforcement, Figliuzzi told The Guardian. The victims are often transient and no one even knows theyre missing.

My hope is that people will come to a greater understanding of the trap of trafficking in our society, Figliuzzi said.

No one really champions the cause or speaks for these deceased victims because their lives have been snuffed out.
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A mother and her four-year-old son were killed in a murder-suicide when the womans ex-boyfriend opened fire outside a Chase Bank in Miami-Dade last week.

The gunman has been identified by Miami-Dade police as 41-year-old Michael Andres Pineda Lozano, police announced on Monday.

Police said 43-year-old Odalys Bancroft was in the banks drive-thru ATM line when Lozano pulled up next to the minivan she was driving and began shooting at her. She was killed in the shooting along with her son, Theodore Teddy Couto, who was also in the van.

Lozano then turned the gun on himself, police said. Authorities have not released a motive for the shooting.

Video recorded by a bystander and obtained by NBC6 shows the harrowing moments leading up to the shooting at the Chase Bank in the West Kendall area of Miami-Dade County.

Bancrofts family is grieving the tragic loss of the mother and son.

There were some concerns about him, but nothing that stuck out like this, Bancrofts brother, Michael Trujillo, told NBC6. They were going through a breakup, but no signs that I was aware of that there was fear like that.

Never in a million years would I expect anything like this to happen, he added.

Bancroft was the director of regulatory affairs at Jackson Health System. She had joined the hospital system in 2015, beginning her career as a clinical staff nurse, and eventually worked in leadership roles at Holtz Childrens Hospital.

Her son Teddy had recently graduated from PreK-4. He would have turned 5 years old next month. The boys father, Vicente Couto, showed up quickly on the scene, but did not speak to the press.

Everywhere that he was, was always just a happier place with him around, Trujillo said about his sisters relationship with her son.

I just cant imagine any situation that would bring a normal person to do this sort of thing to a woman and her child, he added.

A GoFundMe created to help support the family with funeral expenses states that they are profoundly devastated by the sudden loss of her and her beloved son.

She was a beacon of kindness and love, and those fortunate enough to know her will remember her as a remarkable woman and devoted mother, it continued.

Their lives are forever changed by this heartbreaking tragedy.

A separate GoFundMe was set up for Teddy by the Couto family.

There are no words to express the depth of our sorrow, it read. Theodore was a bright light in our lives, and his sudden departure has left us shattered.
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A Los Angeles socialite who killed two young boys after hitting them with her car was sentenced to 15 to life in prison for her crimes.

The sentence came after Rebecca Grossman made a plea for the judge to consider her suffering as he handed down the sentence.

Grossman, 60, said she was not a murderer and said the pain she has caused her family and the family of the two dead youngsters were punishments I already endure.

She was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Mark Iskander, 11, and his brother Jacob Iskander, 8, after a six-week trial. She learned her prison fate during a Monday court hearing.

Grossman was engaged in a high-speed game of chicken with her lover, former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson. The pair had been drinking cocktails at a nearby bar prior to the incident.

I am not a murderer, and I ask you to recognize that true fact, Grossman wrote in a letter to Superior Court Judge Joseph Brandolino, obtained by The New York Post.

Rebecca Grossman speaking in 2014. She asked a judge to consider her suffering before she was sentenced to 15 to life for killing two boys after hitting them with her car. ( (Grossman Burn Foundation - YouTube) )

My pain, my recognition of the pain the Iskanders suffer, and the pain I watch my family endure, are punishments that I already suffer and will for the rest of my life. Please consider this suffering when you consider what more punishment to impose on me in this case.

Her lawyers have argued she should be let off with probation.

I can only imagine the pain that (the boys parents) Nancy and Karim Iskander feel minute by minute, Grossman wrote. I will carry my pain for the rest of my life.

The socialite also sent a bizarre letter to the Iskanders, obtained by the Daily Mail, in which she said she would have driven her car into a tree if shed had the chance, to avoid the tragedy.

Despite her claims, the boys mom Nancy Iskander said the socialite had treated her family as the number one enemy in the world, having fought to delay the sentencing multiple times.

Nancy Iskander, the mother of the two boys, speaks outside the California courtroom. ( ABC 7 News/screengrab )

According to Iskander, the socialite had used multiple strategies including creating conflicts of interest to delay the hearing, which was originally scheduled for April 10.

The issue became that every time we try and move on and move on to that next step, the legal system or Ms Grossman, or both, take us back into the fight, back to the fight for justice, Ms Iskander said, speaking to Fox News Digital last month.

Its horrific to say the least. She has not expressed remorse but more importantly, she has not even shown mercy I felt that she had many opportunities to show mercy, plead guilty or figure out a way to just shorten the process of the fight, and not having to take me back again and again into that courtroom.

But she didnt. Shes had many opportunities to show mercy and she did not show any mercy on my family, in fact, she only shows hate... as if were as if were number one enemy in the world.
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Two doctors are being praised after rushing to help a 15-year-old girl bitten by a shark along a Florida beach Friday.

Ryan Forbess and Mohammad Ali were riding boogie boards with their children when they noticed people panicking on the shore of Rosemary Beach in Walton County.

We all started running out of the water, Forbess told WKRG. I grabbed my son. He grabbed his daughter, and then I looked over to the left as we were getting to the beach and I saw cloudy red water from the shark attack.

Two doctors rushed to help a 15-year-old after she was bitten by a shark along Rosemary Beach in Florida ( South Walton Fire District )

The pair rushed to help 15-year-old Lulu Gribbin and her friend, McCray Gaust, 17. Gribbin suffered serious injuries to her upper leg and hand, while the other girl had only minor foot injuries, the outlet reported.

The girls had been waist deep in the water when the shark attacked them.

The doctors, trauma nurses and emergency medical technicians ran over to help. The group tied tourniquets on Gribbins hand and leg and put pressure on her wounds to try to get the bleeding to stop.

When I looked down at her and saw the severity of the injury, I realized that anybody with any kind of medical knowledge needed to help, said Ali.

The majority of the medical professionals working together didnt know each other. Forbess, a family medicine doctor in Alabama, and Ali, an interventional radiologist in Mississippi, visit the area every year with their families.

Still, Forbess said he might as well have been working with the group of responders for years.

It was amazing. Kind of it was Gods will that everyone was there to help at the same time, he said.

Lulu Gibbin, 15, lost her hand and part of her leg in a shark attack along a Florida beach. ( CaringBridge )

The pair spoke to the childs family after she was admitted to the hospital and were told shes expected to survive.

Gibbins mother, Ann Blair Gribbin, posted online as her daughter received care and detailed the trip.

It was our first mother-daughter beach trip, and we were all incredibly excited. Our first two days were amazing on the beach being with friends and going to dinners, the mom wrote.

She said the family was alking back to the beach when they heard calls of a shark spotting and tried to find her daughter. But, then was panic and the family started to run toward the beach.

The beach was packed with people just looking. I came up on a group of people surrounding someone on the ground and looked down and it was Lulu who was there. Ellie found me and said Mom its Lulu. I saw her wounds on her leg and started to scream, the mom wrote.

She was lifeless her eyes closed mouth white and pale. The wound on her leg or all that was left of her leg was something out of a movie. I finally made it back to her and held her hand and she saw me, and I told her I was there, Lulus mother wrote.

Her eyes were open. I had no idea how long she had been there or what had happened. Almost immediately the beach truck was there and the EMTs loaded her onto a board and put her back in the truck and wheeled her off, she was air lifted away.

Gibbins mother detailed how her daughter lost her left hand in the attack and had part of her right leg amputated.

I am not sure who noticed the shark first, but Lulu said it bit her hand and then her leg and then went for her other friend and got her foot. Lulu said a man grabbed her other arm and pulled her out and another younger boy helped him carry her to shore, the mom wrote

I am eternally grateful for the 3 surgeons and all the nursing staff and doctors here at this hospital who saved Lulu. I am grateful for the doctors and nurses on the beach that day. I am grateful for the EMTs on the beach and the crew in the air. I am grateful for the individual who pulled her out of the water.

Mohammad Ali and Ryan Forbess were the two doctors who rushed to help the teens after the shark attack. "I realized that anybody with any kind of medical knowledge needed to help, said Ali. ( Baptist Medical Center/Orange Beach Family Medicine )

Its not known what type of shark attacked the girls.

About two hours before the incident, a 45-year-old woman was bitten by a shark near WaterSound beach, nearly two miles away from Rosemary Beach. The woman was flown to a trauma center with critical injuries on her midsection and arm. A part of her arm had to be amputated.

Walton County Sheriffs Deputies spotted a 14-foot hammerhead shark close to the area of the attacks. They said the sharks presence in the waters was not unusual.

We want to reiterate that sharks are always present in the Gulf, the sheriffs office said in a written statement. Swimmers and beachgoers should be cautious when swimming and stay aware of their surroundings.
 Close Crews battle massive apartment fire in Miami

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A suspect in custody after shooting an employee at a Miami apartment building and then setting the complex on fire.

Dozens of firefighters descended on a four-storey apartment complex on Monday morning to comabt the blaze, which resulted in scores of residents to be evacuated.

First responders arrived at the building after receiving calls about a fire around 8:15 am, and began rescuing residents from the buildings balconies, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said during a news conference.

A man was also found at the scene with gunshot wounds and taken to a hospital in critical condition.

Suarez later said it is believed that the suspect shot an employee then intentionally set the fire. The individuals name has not been released and police investigations are ongoing.

Shortly before 6pm local time the City of Miami Fire Department announced that the fire was under control.
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A neo-Nazi group displayed a Nazi flag on the steps of South Dakotas state capitol building as the group of extremists attempted to hold a rally on Saturday.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem condemned the rally, which was held just two days after the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Today, Nazis attempted to rally at the SD Capitol without a permit and were escorted away by Highway Patrol officers. Nazis are not welcome here in South Dakota. she wrote on her personal X account.

We stand on the shoulders of generations of Americans who have fought for the Freedom of all  here and abroad. We stand for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We reject all hatred and Nazis. Full stop.

Christopher Pohlhaus, leader of Blood Tribe, claimed his members were responsible for unfurling the swastika flag and that it was in response to Noems online comments about the rally.

We occupied your steps for the entire time we intended to be there, then slowly swaggered off to chant an entire lap around your house, Pohlhaus wrote on X.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, the Blood Tribe is a neo-Nazi group whose goal is to normalize the swastika, usher in a resurgence of Nazi ideas and ultimately build a white ethnostate occupied, controlled and led by Aryans.

A neo-Nazi group displayed a Nazi flag on the steps of South Dakotas state capitol as they held rallies in the state. ( Rich Sattgast/Facebook )

The group has reportedly held rallies across the country since March 2023, with members masked and dressed in red and black,who perform Hitler salutes and white power chants.

Videos and photos posted on social media show a group of people wearing red shirts, black pants and black masks in front of the entrance of the capitol. Three of the individuals were holding up the Nazi flag.

State Auditor Rich Sattgast posted on social media that he confronted the group in Pierre.

As a veteran, and the son of a WWII veteran, and the grandson of one of the first to enter Dachau, I in no way will apologize for my language towards this hateful group of scum, Sattgast wrote on Facebook. They have their right of speech, but we must exercise ours as well. First they came

Department of Public Safety spokesperson Brad Reiners confirmed to The Argus Leader the rally took place, but they did not have a permit to organize it.

He did not say which group was responsible, but said they immediately complied when South Dakota Highway Patrol officers told them to leave. No charges have been filed, Reiners said.

Another group of people wearing similar attire were rallying in downtown Deadwood later that same day.

State House Majority Leader Will Mortenson, who lives in Fort Pierre, a city adjacent to the state capitol, also commented on the rally, according to The Argus Leader.

I dont know what rock they crawled out from under, but they arent welcome here, he said. Time to move along.

A statement provided by the NAACP said the infiltration of Nazis into our public spaces is not just an isolated incident but a glaring indication of a larger, more systemic issue of rising hate and intolerance.

This abhorrent display of hatred and bigotry is a direct threat to the values of equality, justice, and freedom that our society strives to uphold,

The presence of such individuals in a place meant to symbolize democracy and inclusion is unacceptable. We demand immediate answers and swift action to uncover how these individuals were able to infiltrate and freely display their hateful ideology on public grounds.
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Donald Trump has claimed that Nevada was stolen from him in the 2020 presidential election, in part due to the states former Democratic governor, despite the fact he lost by thousands of votes.

The former president has lost the state in the previous two election cycles, conceding it to Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Joe Biden in 2020, where he lost by 34,000 votes.

The margin to Biden was larger than the 27,000 votes Trump lost to Clinton by in 2016, but that didnt stop the president from claiming without proof that he somehow won in Nevada and the electoral votes were stolen from him.

Speaking to the Las Vegas Review Journal ahead of a rally in Sunset Park, Las Vegas, on Sunday, Trump said the second loss had come despite his belief he had won strongly.

I won the primaries big, and I actually thought I won twice, and some bad things happened, he said.

You had a Democrat governor, and I really believe that bad things happened because we were in a very strong position.

The former president has lost Nevada in the previous two election cycles, conceding it to Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Joe Biden in 2020 ( Getty Images )

And so when you say lost, I dont know what the definition of lost is, but I think were going to win it big [this time].

Nevadas governor at the time was Steve Sisolak, a Democrat. Sisolak was replaced by Joe Lombardo, a Republican, in 2023.

Trump did not elaborate on what bad things had happened in the 2020 election.

The former president went on to praise Lombardo, saying: We have a great governor, we have a great attorney general, lieutenant Governor, and they have a lot to do with it, and I think were going to win very big.

The Lieutenant Governor of Nevada is currently Stavros Anthony, a Republican. Its Attorney General is Aaron Ford, a Democrat.

Six people were hospitalized following Donald Trumps rally in Las Vegas on Sunday, after temperatures reached over 100F ( REUTERS )

I really think we did incredibly but somehow the vote wasnt there but I believe we won, by a lot, Trump told the Review Journal.

At the Las Vegas rally supporters braved 103F temperatures outdoors, causing six people to be hospitalized and 24 others to be treated for heat-related problems.

Despite the horrid conditions, attendees were rewarded with jokes about their deaths and complaints that it was Trump himself who was really suffering.

I dont care about you. I just want your vote, he frankly told his audience, also suggesting they would prefer mass suicide to a second Joe Biden term.
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Rudy Giuliani, former mayor and US attorney, called Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis a ho before making fun of her name at a far-right conference.

Over the weekend, Giuliani referred to the Georgia prosecutor as Fani the ho at the ReAwaken America Tour, videos posted online show.

The former mayor of New York City then complained that the spelling of her name does not align with its pronunciation.

Im not calling her Fani, he told the crowd. I could drop the ho part if shed just quit and go away. The audience roared with laughter.

Thats exactly what defendants in Willis case have been trying to do.

Last August, Willis indicted Giuliani, along with more than a dozen others, including former president Donald Trump, in a sprawling RICO case in Georgia relating to alleged election interference in the state in 2020.

Both Giuliani and Trump have pleaded not guilty.

Willis has faced repeated attacks from Trump and his co-defendants since her probe began.

In March, the court dedicated weeks to hearing arguments from Trump and his allies over whether Willis should be disqualified from the case, after they alleged impropriety by Willis related to her romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, a prosecutor on the case.

Throughout the hearings, the pair acknowledged having a previous relationship, but denied that Willis financially benefited from hiring Wade, and emphasized that the pair had started dating after he was hired. The judge ultimately ruled that Willis could remain on the case as long as Wade stepped down. Hours later, Wade submitted his letter of resignation.

Trump and his co-defendants appealed the ruling. Last week, a Georgia court scheduled a hearing on the appeal for October 4, just one month before the presidential election.

The case will likely be put on hold until this matter is resolved, so the election interference case is unlikely to go to trial before the contentious election.

Aside from Willis Georgia case, the former New York City mayor has been dealing with the ramifications in the state. In December, a court found that he defamed two Georgia election workers, leaving him having to pay them nearly $150m, propelling him into bankruptcy.

In recent weeks, he started a new post-bankruptcy business venture: Rudy Coffee.

His self-branded coffee line has come under the scrutiny of his bankruptcy creditors, as Giuliani will be entitled to 80 percent of the net profit of each sale of Rudy Coffee, a contract shows.

But even this new venture cant escape the claws of bankruptcy. His partner in the venture, Burke Brands, a Florida-based maker and distributor of Don Pablo coffee, also filed for bankruptcy almost exactly one year before Giuliani himself did the same, new reports show.

Separately, the embattled former Trump lawyer was also recently indicted in an election interference case in Arizona. The 80-year-old pleaded not guilty.
 Close Security footage appears to shows Hallie Biden dumping Hunter Bidens gun in garbage

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President Joe Biden flew to Wilmington, Delaware, on Tuesday to be with his son Hunter Biden after a jury convicted him on three federal gun charges.

Hours after the verdict, the White House Press Office announced that the presidents schedule had changed and that he would head hometown. Later that afternoon, Biden landed in Delaware  greeting his son, daughter-in-law and grandson on the tarmac.

Hunter was charged with two counts of making false statements and one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm for obtaining a gun in October 2018 while he was addicted to crack cocaine.

The president has already said he will not pardon his son but issued a statement saying he and first lady Jill Biden love and support their son and are proud of his resilience in recovery.

Throughout Hunters federal gun charges trial, members of the Biden family flocked to the courthouse to show their support for the defendant.

On Tuesday evening, CNN aired a montage comparing and contrasting the very different reaction of Fox News hosts to the criminal convictions of Donald Trump and the younger Biden at their respective trials.
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Senator Lindsey Graham made the comparison between members of his own party who oppose further military aid to Ukraine and the European leaders of the 1930s who pursued a policy of appeasement with Adolf Hitler on Sunday.

Graham was speaking on CBSs Face the Nation when he made the remark, which was likely to rile up far-right members of his party in the House and Senate who voted against that assistance when it passed both chambers in the national security supplemental legislation passed in April. The bill was not likely to be the last package of assistance to Ukraine to come before Congress, and such legislation is currently relying on a fragile alliance of Democrats and neoconservative Republicans in both chambers.

These are the most dangerous times since the 30s. Dont make the mistakes of the 30s, Graham said on Sunday. He used the same comparison to describe the question of further military aid to Israel in its effort to fully eradicate Hamas. Israel is facing international condemnation for the scope of its military assault on Gaza and the scale of the civilian death toll there.

Pull the plug on [aid to] Israel? That didnt work in World War II, its not going to work now, he said.

While Grahams argument was impassioned, theres little reason to think that aid to Ukraine would continue with such frequency, if at all, under a Republican administration in 2025.

Donald Trumps most vocal allies in the GOP congressional caucuses, such as Tuberville and JD Vance in the Senate and Marjorie Taylor Greene in the House, are also the biggest opponents of further aid to Ukraine. While the ex-president has not said one way or the other whether aid would continue under a Trump second term, the ex-president would face little pressure from the MAGA-aligned sectors of Congress to take action.

"These are the most dangerous times since the '30s. Don't make the mistakes of the '30s," @LindseyGrahamSC says, pushing back on comments from fellow GOP Sen. Tommy Tuberville that downplayed Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.



"Senator Tuberville said, give Putin what he pic.twitter.com/Y5xiCAWWeA  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) June 9, 2024

President Joe Biden continues to tout his stewardship of the US reponse to the invasion of Ukraine, given his bases support for a US-backed defence of the eastern European country. The incumbent presidents policy of arms and munition transfers has also been supported by top brass including General Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

"If Ukraine loses and Putin wins, I think you would be certainly increasing, if not doubling, your defense budget in the years ahead, Milley, now retired, told CBS in 2023.

Senator Tommy Tuberville has opposed US support for Ukraine as it fights back against a brutal Russian invasion ( REUTERS )

"And you will increase the probability of a great power war in the next 10 to 15 years, he continued. I think it would be a very dangerous situation" if the Russian leader's invading forces were allowed to win.

Trump himself was notable for his friendly demeanor towards Russias Vladimir Putin, who is accused of organising the assassination of his political enemies, during his time in the White House. At one famous 2018 press conference alongside the Russian president in Helsinki, he questioned the assessment of the US intelligence community on Russian election interference efforts while lavishing praise on his Russian counterpart.
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Georgia Republican Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene likened Donald Trump to Jesus Christ, who is also a convicted felon, after the former presidents bulls*** conviction in the hush money trial last month.

Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in his home state of New York related to so-called hush money payments given to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election in exchange for her silence over an alleged affair.

The Georgia firebrand labeled the guilty verdict bulls*** at a rally on Sunday in Las Vegas. The Democrats and the fake news media want to constantly talk about, Oh, President Trump is a convicted felon, she said. Well, you want to know something? The man that I worship is also a convicted felon.

The audience cheered.

And he was murdered on a Roman cross, Taylor Greene continued as the crowd whooped behind her. Weve seen political corruption. We have seen this throughout history. This is nothing new.

Some online pointed out that the convicted felon comparison ends at the label itself.

One X user wrote: I cant wait to see all the fake Christians explain how its perfectly normal to compare Trump to Jesus. Or, you know, pay off a pornstar to cover up an affair you had while your 3rd wife was pregnant.

Another joked that Jesus also said sometimes revenge can be justified, which Trump quipped during his interview with Dr Phil last week.

Others still called it blasphemous to compare Trump to Jesus.

Taylor Greene is just one of many in her party to defend the former president after the historic guilty verdict, which Trump has vowed to appeal.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said in the immediate aftermath: President Trump will rightfully appeal this absurd verdict  and he WILL WIN. He called the trial result an example of the weaponization of our justice system.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said: These charges never should have been brought in the first place. I expect the conviction to be overturned on appeal.

Others have suggested that there will be political retribution, as Trump and members of his party have repeatedly claimed that President Biden orchestrated the criminal case against Trump.

Texas Republican Rep Ronny Jackson recently divulged that he planned to aggressively go after the president and his entire family, while Texas Republican Rep Troy Nehls warned there will be hell to pay for the conviction.

Trump is scheduled to be sentenced 11 July.
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Embattled Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito agreed the US should return to a place of godliness, in a secret recording of candid comments made at an event earlier this month.

The conservative justice acknowledged that American society was polarized but said that there were differences of opinion on fundamental issues that really cant be compromised.

Alito made the remarks during the Supreme Court Historical Societys annual dinner on June 3. The conversation was recorded secretly by documentary filmmaker Lauren Windsor and came amid a string of controversies surrounding the judge and his wife.

In the recording, Windsor  who also spoke to Alito at the 2023 event  said: People in this country who believe in God have got to keep fighting for that  to return our country to a place of godliness.

I agree with you. I agree with you, replied Alito.

Embattled Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said he agrees the US should return to a place of godliness, during a conversation that was secretly recorded earlier this month ( AP )

The pair also discuss the polarization of America, with Windsor saying: I dont know that we can negotiate with the left in the way that needs to happen for the polarization to end. I think that its a matter of, like, winning.

Alito replies: I think youre probably right. On one side or the other  one side or the other is going to win.

I dont know. I mean, there can be a way of working  a way of living together peacefully, but its difficult, you know, because there are differences on fundamental things that really cant be compromised. They really cant be compromised.

So its not like you are going to split the difference.

During their 2023 conversation, which Windsor also recorded, Alito accused the media of eroding trust in the US justice system in the eyes of American citizens.

Its easy to blame the media but I do blame them because they do nothing but criticize us, he said.

The Independent has contacted the Supreme Court for comment about the remarks made by Alito.

Alito is known for his right-wing views, having authored the Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs decision, which reversed five decades of settled law and ended a constitutional right to abortion.

The judge and his wife have been heavily in the media spotlight recently following controversy over several flags placed outside their homes in both Virginia and New Jersey.

It comes as Alito and his wife, Martha-Ann Alito face backlash in the media following the flying of controversial flags at their homes in Virginia and New Jersey ( Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Last month, the New York Times revealed that an upside-down American flag was flown at the Alitos Virginia home following the 2020 presidential election - a symbol used by the Stop the Steal movement supporting Trumps false claims of election fraud.

It was subsequently revealed that an Appeal to Heaven flag was flown at their New Jersey vacation home, a symbol carried by rioters on January 6.

Alito has twice blamed his wife, Martha-Ann Alito for the flying of the flags, and has refused to recuse himself from upcoming Supreme Court hearings on the January 6 insurrection.

Alito claimed that his wife flew the flag while greatly distressed about a nasty neighborhood dispute.
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On Sunday, former president Donald Trump brought his campaign to Las Vegas in his first rally since a jury in Manhattan found him guilty on 34 charges.

The event fell off track as six attendees in the Las Vegas heat went to the hospital as temperatures exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In response, Trump cracked that he did not want anyone dying because we need every voter. I dont care about you. I just want your vote. He then called President Joe Bidens recent executive order on immigration bulls***, saying that it is pro-invasion, pro-child trafficking, pro-woman trafficking, pro-human trafficking and pro-drug dealers.

The rally was rightfully referred to by many as absurd. But one part isnt absurd at all: Trump was not entirely wrong to hold his first rally since the verdict in the Nevada, since he has a legitimate shot at winning the Silver State. Indeed, despite the fact that it only has six electoral votes, Nevada might hold the key to Trump winning a tight presidential election.

On the surface, Democrats should have little reason to worry about Nevada. It has not voted for a Republican for president since George W Bush won re-election in 2004 and it has two Democratic Senators: Catherine Cortez Masto, the first Latina Senator in US history; and Jacky Rosen, the states first Jewish woman Senator, who is up for re-election in 2024.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid famously built the states Democratic Party apparatus into an well-oiled organization. That organization includes the powerful Culinary Workers Union, who service the states sprawling hotel and service industry and who engage in vigorous door-knocking and voter turnout operations.

Given the large Latino population in the state, the union has worked tirelessly to naturalize thousands of immigrants. Doing so convinced the once rabidly anti-immigrant Reid to see Latino voters as a potential base for Democratic support  and he ended up aggressively courting them in his later career.

Republicans and Democrats alike have dubbed that Democratic infrastructure the Reid Machine. And When Democrats across the country suffered huge losses in 2016, Nevada was a firewall. Cortez Masto, Reids hand-picked successor, won, Democrats flipped the legislature and Hillary Clinton won in the state, too. Things looked even better in 2018 when Democrats flipped the governorship and Rosen beat Republican incumbent Dean Heller.

But undernreath the surface, there signs of creaks and cracks in the machine. Indeed, Nevada is for Republicans what North Carolina is for Democrats: a state that can go their way if all of the circumstances go right.

For one, Nevada has always had more non-partisan voters than voters of either party affiliation, meaning Democrats still need to actively persuade voters.

For another, Reid died at the end of 2021, meaning his namesake campaign structure has had to operate without its wise man. The Covid-19 pandemic slammed the states casinos and hotels that serve as the engine of the states economy. That played a role in Steve Sisolak becoming the only incumbent Democratic governor to lose re-election in 2022 to Republican Joe Lombardo.

Had it not been for the Dobbs v Jackson decision that overturned Roe v Wade, Cortez Masto, who campaigned heavily on abortion rights, likely would have lost her race. In the end, she only won by 7,928 votes.

Similarly, while Democrats have won Nevada in every presidential election since 2008, they have done so by diminishing margins. In 2008, Barack Obama won Nevada by 12.5 percent. In 2012, he beat Mitt Romney by less than half of that. In 2016, Clinton beat Trump by 2.4 percent and Biden won by about the same margin in 2020.

The first signs of danger for Biden should have come in 2020 when he lost the Nevada caucus to Senator Bernie Sanders. That can be attributed to Sanders courting the Latino population.

Now, Latino voters continue to move rightward and Trump is the one courting them successfully. Democrats see warning signs in the state as a result. Trumps channeling of populism has resonated with some and during his rally this past weekend, he called for an end on taxation for workers tips, something that could be enormously popular among service industry workers.

In response, the culinary union seemed a caught a bit flat-footed, saying in a statement: Relief is definitely needed for tip earners, but Nevada workers are smart enough to know the difference between real solutions and wild campaign promises from a convicted felon.

Polling in Nevada is notoriously unreliable, hence why most Nevada watchers  including Inside Washington  prefer to keep an eye on early vote returns, come election season. If early voting turnout is down in Clark County, where Las Vegas is located, Democrats should begin to panic  whereas if Election Day votes are lower, it should cause concern for Trump.

Trump holding a rally in the dead of summer in Las Vegas may have been a horrible idea. But he has given Democrats plenty of reasons to sweat in the Battle Born State.
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Donald Trump is again denying that he called American soldiers who died in World War I in France suckers and losers, as attention has returned to the alleged comments during Joe Bidens recently concluded state visit to the country.

During a rally Sunday in Las Vegas, the former president called the alleged comments disinformation reported by the fake news.

Think of it from a practical standpoint, Im standing there with generals and military people, in a cemetery and I look at them, I say, These people are suckers and losers, he began.

Now, think of it, he continued, unless youre a psycho or a crazy person or a very stupid personwho would say that anywaybut who would say it to military people?

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Sunset Park in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 9, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

In fact, no one is alleging Trump made the insults at a French cemetery.

Trump reportedly snubbed a planned commemoration for the 100th anniversary of WWI at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, fearing his hair would become disheveled in the rain, The Atlantic reported in 2020.

Why should I go to that cemetery? Its filled with losers, Trump reportedly told staffers, according to the magazine. The then-president also called the more than 1,800 Marines buried there suckers elsewhere during his 2018 trip in France, per The Atlantic.

John Kelly, a former Marine Corps general and the White House chief of staff at the time, attended in Trumps place.

Kelly, one of whose sons was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan in 2010, later told CNN Trump had in fact made the derogatory remarks, describing him in a statement as someone who rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in Americas defense are losers and wouldnt visit their graves in France.

The Biden campaign, facing an extremely tight race against Trump in November, has sought to use Trumps comments about the military.

A recent campaign ad cuts footage of dead American servicemembers returning home in coffins with Trumps past remarks denigrating soldiers.
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Donald Trump has defended his supporters involved in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, calling them warriors at a Nevada rally.

Those J6 warriors  they were warriors  but they were really, more than anything else, theyre victims of what happened, Trump said at the rally, speaking to a crowd of several thousand supporters.

All they were doing is protesting a rigged election. Thats what they were doing, Trump continued, repeating his false claim that he should have won the 2020 presidential election.

He also baselessly claimed that police welcomed rioters into the Capitol on January 6, telling rioters to Go in, go in, go in, go in.

What a horrible, horrible thing, and you know, that blows two ways, that blows two ways, believe me, Trump falsely claimed.

Meanwhile, Trump also suggested a possible counter-investigation into the events of January 6 if he were re-elected, after the United States House Select Committee created to investigate the riots referred Trump to the US Department of Justice for possible prosecution.

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives onstage to speak during a campaign rally at Sunset Park in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 9, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

More than 1,265 defendants have been prosecuted for their role in the Jan 6th Capitol riot, with more than 460 cases resulting in custodial sentences.

Altogether, department prosecutors have secured more than 718 guilty pleas - including 213 who pleaded to felonies that include assaults on federal officers, obstructing law enforcement and seditious conspiracy.

But despite the prosecutions, Trump has repeatedly called people imprisoned for their roles in the Capitol attack hostages and suggested he may pardon them.

He and his supporters have also at times sought to recharacterise the Jan 6 riots as peaceful.

In reality, however, about 140 officers were injured, and five died in the days after the attack. One Capitol Police officer even likened the scene to a war zone, telling a congressional committee that she was slipping in other peoples blood as she engaged in hand-to-hand combat for hours.

Trump made the remarks in Nevada on Sunday at his first large-scale rally since he was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

Nevada GOP Chair Michael McDonald is one of six Republicans who have been accused of submitting certificates to Congress falsely declaring Trump the winner of Nevadas 2020 presidential election. His trial has been postponed to next year.

Trump is facing two criminal cases related to his alleged attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 election. Trump denies all charges against him.
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Donald Trump has executed three perfect U-turns within the last two weeks, three times acting in complete contradiction to his earlier public statements on three separate issues, his conscience cheerily untroubled.

Having said he absolutely wanted to testify at his New York hush money trial, he ultimately opted out.

Having once denounced TikTok as a tool of the villainous Chinese government, he joined it anyway and swiftly picked up more than 5 million followers.

And having repeatedly called for Hillary Clinton to be jailed during the 2016 election, he denied ever having said it, ignoring the mountain of video evidence to the contrary.

In so doing, the 45th president, current Republican presidential contender and now convicted felon inadvertently revealed a pattern of behavior that should give American voters pause for thought, exposing him, yet again, as anything but a man of his word.

Heres a closer look at those three walk-backs, only the latest examples of Trump failing to live up to his bluster.

Testifying

The defendant baulked at the chance to testify at his Manhattan criminal trial last month despite complaining endlessly that he had no right of reply to the allegations made against him because of the gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan.

He had also insisted on the Friday before proceedings began: Yeah, I would testify, absolutely. Thats not a trial. Thats a scam.

Doing so would always have been a major risk for him, and he soon began to rein in the macho posturing and prepare the ground for anti-climax.

Two weeks in, he was suddenly telling Newsmax he would only testify if its necessary.

After the defense had closed its case without calling him, Trump explained to conservative radio that he feared his great past might have been used against him.

Anything I did, anything I did in the past, they can bring everything up, and you know what, Ive had a great past  but anything, he said, not altogether coherently.

TikTok

As president, Trump launched a bitter trade war with China, accusing the rival superpower of seeking to undermine Americas interests, steal its intellectual property and compromise national security, offering ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, as a prime example.

As far as TikTok is concerned, were banning them from the United States, he declared in July 2020.

He issued an executive order a month later that explained: TikTok automatically captures vast swathes of information from its users, including internet and other network activity information such as location data and browsing and search histories.

This data collection threatens to allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans personal and proprietary information  potentially allowing China to track the locations of federal employees and contractors, build dossiers of personal information for blackmail and conduct corporate espionage.

But Trumps executive order aimed at banning TikTok in the US was blocked in the courts.

Three years on, he joined the app himself, seemingly part of a strategy to target new voter demographics  in this case, potential Gen-Z conservatives  to back his latest tilt at the White House.

Now, hes claiming that banning TikTok would just help Facebook: the true Enemy of the People.

Lock her up!

As the dust settled on the verdict in his criminal trial, Trump gave a friendly interview to three hosts from Fox and Friends Sunday, during which he protested his innocence and reeled off his customary complaints about the outcome being rigged, Judge Merchan being highly conflicted and so on.

A more surprising line to emerge was his denial that he had ever called for Hillary Clinton to be imprisoned, something he had said repeatedly at rallies in 2016 but was now blaming on the people.

Among the many commentators incensed by the lie was the late-night host Stephen Colbert, who gasped: That was your whole campaign! Stop it, we remember. We were there!

In themselves, these three pivots might not appear to be of monumental importance.

You could simply interpret them as the actions of a pragmatic candidate adapting to the ever-changing shape of the political landscape before him.

But taken together, his opponents say, they offer a fresh reminder that Trump is, and always has been, someone prepared to say whatever is most politically expedient in the moment, with no qualms whatsoever about reneging on his promises when the earth subsequently shifts beneath him, no matter how hard his supporters have bought into the rhetoric.

If Trump cannot be trusted to take a consistent line on TikTok, critics ask, why should voters believe his promise to free Evan Gershkovich from a Russian jail or any of the other vote-grabbing pledges he is currently making?
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During a Sunday campaign rally in Las Vegas, Donald Trump boasted a diehard campaign supporter whod attended numerous Trump events would rather die by suicide than vote for Joe Biden.

Wouldnt it be incrediblehes gone to 250if he voted for Biden, Trump told the crowd at Sunset Park, pointing out a supporter in the crowd who he said he had seen at numerous rallies. Hes going to vote for Biden? I dont think so. It would be suicide before Biden right?

Observers were shocked by the former presidents claim.

Elaborate on this, would you? political commentator Keith Olbermann wrote on X.

Tell me its not a cult, added X user Bryan Dawson. Extremism research Noelle Cook said the remarks were omenous.

He gets more dangerous by the day, she wrote on X.

Trump is prone to making outlandish, violent brags about his support.

I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldnt lose any voters, OK? he famously said on the campaign trail in 2016. Its, like, incredible.

Elsewhere during the rally, Trump spurred the crowd into chanting that President Bidens recent immigration executive order was bullsh**.

The Vegas event also saw Trump on the defensive, claiming once again that he didnt slander dead US WWI veterans at a cemetery in France as suckers and losers, even though his former chief of staff has affirmed reporting suggesting he did.

Now, think of it, Trump told the crowd, unless youre a psycho or a crazy person or a very stupid personwho would say that anywaybut who would say it to military people?

Trump reportedly snubbed a planned commemoration for the 100th anniversary of WWI at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, fearing his hair would become disheveled in the rain, The Atlantic reported in 2020.

Why should I go to that cemetery? Its filled with losers, Trump reportedly told staffers, according to the magazine. The then-president also called the more than 1,800 Marines buried there suckers elsewhere during his 2018 trip in France, per The Atlantic.

Joe Biden has sought to remind voters of the alleged remarks, releasing a recent campaign ad cuts footage of dead American servicemembers returning home in coffins with Trumps past remarks denigrating soldiers.
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Six people were hospitalized on Sunday after attending former President Donald Trumps outdoor rally in scorching heat in Nevada.

Some 24 others were treated at the rally as temperatures exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Las Vegas, where thousands of people gathered in the citys Sunset Park to watch Trump speak at his first large-scale rally since he was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

During the rally, he addressed the heat several times, even telling his supporters at one point not to die from heat exhaustion because he needed their votes.

I dont want anybody going on me. We need every voter. I dont care about you. I just want your vote, he said, adding that he was joking.

As his supporters laughed, Trump then went on to say that reporters attending the rally would take his words out of context and tell viewers that the ex-president had said a horrible thing onstage.

Earlier in his speech, he said the campaign would offer help to people who were feeling tired and joked that everybody, including the US Secret Service, was worried about the safety of the crowds and not about him.

A woman receives aid from firefighters as people wait for Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump to attend a campaign event in Las Vegas, Nevada ( REUTERS )

Its 110, but it doesnt feel it to me, Trump said. Im up here sweating like a dog. They dont think about me. This is hard work.

It likely did not hit 110 degrees during Trumps rally on Sunday, though similar temperatures were reached in the city only a few days ago.

Campaign organizers were seen handing out water bottles as supporters waited in line to be screened by security officers. Inside the venue, large misting fans, pallets of water and cooling tents were placed around the perimeter.

It is the second desert rally that Trump has held in the last month amid high temperatures across the southwest, leaving supporters standing for hours in the merciless heat. Trump also held a rally in Phoenix last month, where 11 of his supporters required hospitalisation due to the heat.

A man suffering from heat exhaustion receives aid from fire department at Trumps Nevada rally ( Reuters )

But despite the high temperatures, Trump said the heat was not the main cause of his discontent on Sunday, adding that he was angrier with the teleprompters not working well.

I pay all this money to teleprompter people, and Id say 20 percent of the time, they dont work, he said, adding he would not pay the vendor who provided the prompters. Its a mess.

Trump also used the rally to tell supporters that he would not tax income from tips if re-elected, in a move widely regarded as a bid for support from service workers in the swing state of Nevada.

So this is the first time Ive said this, and for those hotel workers and people that get tips youre going to be very happy because when I get to office, we are going to not charge taxes on tips people (are) making, Trump told the crowd.

The Republican presidential candidate added that he would do that right away, first thing in office, and that he would seek legislation in Congress to make the change. You do a great job of service, you take care of people and I think its going to be something that really is deserved.

Nevada is one of six or seven swing states likely to determine the election, with a Fox News survey conducted after the guilty verdict showing Trump ahead of Biden in Nevada by five percentage points, an advantage roughly in line with an average of polls compiled by poll tracking website FiveThirtyEight.

Donald Trump greets voters upon arriving at his rally in Las Vegas on 9 June 2024 ( Getty Images )

Trump is seeking to win the swing state over by pushing his tax plan, which includes vague pledges of tax relief to middle-income workers and small businesses, in a direct appeal to service industry workers. As a tourism-centred economy, Nevada has more than double the national average of personal care and service workers, who make up four per cent of the total workforce in the state.

Trump has previously pledged to make permanent the Republican-passed individual tax cuts that he signed into law in 2017, which expire at the end of 2025. Tax experts estimate that doing so would raise US deficits by some $4 trillion over a decade compared to current forecasts.

As current law requires, tipped employees must report their tips as income. Eliminating this would add further to deficits without new revenues elsewhere.

President Joe Biden, has pledged to maintain Trumps tax cuts for households earning under $400,000 a year, but wants to substantially raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans and on large corporations.

Meanwhile, Trump has steered clear of any plans to raise taxes - in a move that he hopes will attract middle-income service workers towards him.

But despite Trumps strong showing in the polls in Nevada amid his criminal conviction on of 34 counts of falsifying business records, experts have predicted he may still face challenges in the state.

Rebecca Gill, a political science professor at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, said she was sceptical that polls were fully capturing where voters will be in a few months, given that many are not yet paying attention to the race.

Gill told Reuters she did not think Trumps criminal conviction has fully sunk in with voters and could deter some moderate Republicans from backing him. In addition, a proposed amendment to enshrine access to abortion in the state constitution would, if it makes it onto the ballot, likely boost Democratic turnout.

However, she conceded that Nevada is 100% still in play for the former president.

Sundays rally comes on the heels of a three-day fundraising push by Trump that included stops in San Francisco, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas, during which he raised $33.5 million from donors, according to senior campaign adviser Chris LaCivita.
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Donald Trump is no stranger to accusations that he has little regard for the well-being of his rallygoers. On Sunday, he added fuel to that fire.

The ex-president was in Las Vegas, Nevada for a summertime rally in the searing heat  high temperatures on the strip were projected to be around 103 degrees Fahrenheit. Trump himself hosted an outdoor rally in the citys Sunset Park, where thousands of fans poured in to see him.

At several points in the rally, he addressed the heat, quipping to supporters that his campaign told attendees: do not come, which he then bragged resulted in only 20,000 showing up.

But it was one moment wherein Trump remarked in jest that he only cared about his fans votes, not his supporters as people.

I don't want anybody going on me. We need every voter, he said. I don't care about you. I just want your vote.

As his supporters laughed, Trump then went on to say that reporters attending the rally would take his words out of context and tell viewers that the ex-president had said a horrible thing onstage.

Trump: Do you feel the breeze? I don't want anybody going on me. We need every voter. I don't care about you. I just want your vote. I don't care. pic.twitter.com/IirvQs123c  Acyn (@Acyn) June 9, 2024

Despite his humor, the ex-president couldnt resist complaining about the heat as his rally went on.

It's 110, but it doesn't feel it to me, Trump said. I'm up here sweating like a dog. They dont think about me. This is hard work.

Trump: it's 110, but it doesn't feel it to me, right. If anybody goes down. Everybody was so worried yesterday about you and they never mentioned me. I'm up here sweating like a dog. They dont think about me. This is hard work. pic.twitter.com/vEyJYBhJfo  Acyn (@Acyn) June 9, 2024

It likely did not hit 110 degrees during Trumps rally on Sunday, though similar temperatures were reached in the city only a few days ago. The ex-president did spend the entire speech, however, in his trademark heavy coat and tie, perhaps contributing to the short runtime of his remarks  under an hour. After the rally concluded, local media reports found that nearly two dozen rallygoers had been treated onsite for medical issues resulting from the heat, while six ended up going to the hospital.

Climate Power, a stratcom firm which boosts Democrats messaging on climate and environmental issues, attacked the ex-president in a statement after the rally.

Donald Trump is openly telling people that hes only out for himself. Hes making promises to Big Oil executives who are fueling the climate crisis while people are passing out at his rallies from very real, very dangerous heatwaves that he says are caused by a hoax, argued comms director Alex Glass.

Trump spent much of the speech insulting Americas immigrant population and describing incoming immigrants and asylum-seekers as criminals, mentally unstable, and not productive members of society. The presumptive Republican nominee rejected his opponents attempts to address border security via executive order as bulls*** and claimed without explanation that it would actually increase illegal immigration.

Donald Trump greets voters upon arriving at his rally in Las Vegas on 9 June 2024 ( Getty Images )

His campaign rally went decidedly better than his recent appearance at the Libertarian Partys national convention in Washington DC. His most recent visit to the nations capital, in late May, the speech was something of a shock for the former president who was loudly booed by delegates throughout the event.

Polling shows Trump leading President Joe Biden in Nevada, where the incumbent president won victory four years ago.
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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.
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A huge chunk of a road in America has collapsed.

The section of the meandering Teton Pass fell, leaving a gaping dirt gash along the mountain pass that is a critical link between small eastern Idaho towns and the tourist destination of Jackson, Wyoming.

The road was closed at the time the section of road fell away, authorities said Saturday, following a mudslide a couple miles away and amid ongoing concerns with a crack and drop in the road that first drew attention on Thursday after a motorcycle crash. It is unclear how long it will take to rebuild the road, a highly used commuter route for people who work in pricey Jackson but live across the border in Idaho. Jackson is also close to the popular Grand Teton National Park.

Part of the reason for the motorcycle crash was the crack and drop in the road, said Stephanie Harsha, a spokesperson for District 3 of the Wyoming Department of Transportation. Geologists and engineers sent to the area Thursday noticed that that crack and that drop started to move a lot," she said. A paving crew temporarily patched the site, and traffic began moving again along the highway that night, she said.

This photo provided by Wyoming Highway Patrol shows a damaged section of Teton Pass near Jackson

The opening was short-lived. By around 3:30 a.m. Friday, maintenance crews were sent to a mudslide over a section of the pass a couple miles away, closing the road again, she said. While that was cleared, the road remained closed Friday because of the crack and the drop that had become more pronounced, she said. Crews that were trying to figure out a detour around the site left for the night and by 5 a.m., this morning, WYDOT had discovered that the road had completely failed, Harsha said.

We were very, very lucky that no crews were harmed. No equipment was damaged, she said. So now, engineers and geologists are doing geological assessments on the pass. Theyve been looking at it all day.

This photo provided by Wyoming Highway Patrol shows a damaged section of Teton Pass near Jackson

The department on social media said the road at milepost 12.8 had catastrophically failed. Gov. Mark Gordon signed an executive order declaring an emergency, which his office said would help the state access additional resources from the Federal Highway Administration to begin repair work.

We are closely monitoring this ongoing situation, and Wyoming Department of Transportation personnel are working diligently to develop a long-term solution to rebuild this critical roadway, Gordon said in a statement. I recognize the significant impacts this closure has to Teton County residents, regional commuters and the local economy.

Harsha said there is an alternate route into Jackson that adds an extra roughly 60 miles (97 kilometers), which is quite a bit to any commute, she said.
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Frances political parties are racing to discuss possible alliances after President Emmanuel Macrons shock decision to call a snap election, with an ally of the president calling it the most consequential election in decades.

Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally (RN) trounced the presidents alliance in European parliamentary elections, with 31 per cent of the vote. Mr Macrons centrist ticket won just 15 per cent. As the European Union reeled in the wake of Sundays results, which saw the far right score wins in Belgium and Austria, and second-place finishes in Germany and the Netherlands, it was the fallout in France which truly set alarm bells ringing across the continent.

The euro and French stocks fell sharply as markets were spooked by Mr Macrons decision to dissolve the French National Assembly to throw down the gauntlet to Ms Le Pen.

The decision appeared to catch even those close to Mr Macron off guard, as well as his opponents. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, of the Socialist Party, said she was stunned and struggling to understand the extremely unsettling move by Mr Macron, who has three years left in his presidential term.

President Emmanuel Macron made the shock announcement on Sunday night ( AFP via Getty Images )

Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old president of RN party, said on Monday that talks were underway over forming a far-right party alliance for the parliamentary elections, although no formal deal had yet been done. A poll published earlier on Monday showed that RN could potentially win 235 to 265 of the 577 seats in the French lower house of parliament  probably enough to make them the single largest party but not win an absolute majority. Nothing has been decided on yet, Mr Bardella told reporters.

Those comments came after RN leaders held talks with Marion Marechal, of the smaller far-right Reconquete party, over a possible deal that could see her join them in some form. Ms Marechal is Ms Le Pens niece and used to be a prominent member of her party before they fell out.

Leaders of the divided French left  the hard-left LFI (France Unbowed), Communists, Socialists and Greens  were also holding talks.

We dont have time to procrastinate, said Manon Aubry, of LFI. The objective is to be able to meet again, to build the future, and above all to go and win.

A source close to Mr Macron said he believed he could either win back the absolute parliamentary majority he lost two years ago by taking everyone by surprise, or in the event of defeat, demonstrate National Rallys incompetence in government and thereby undermine a likely presidential bid by Ms Le Pen in 2027.

I knew this option was on the table, but when it becomes reality its something else ... I didnt sleep last night, the source told Reuters.

As the discussions over possible alliances ahead of the two-round ballots starting on 30 June were going on, Mr Macrons Renaissance party ally Emmanuel Pellerin said: Were still in shock. Everything points to the RN winning a relative or absolute majority. But that forces the French to think about what is at stake.

This sentiment was echoed by Frances finance minister Bruno Le Maire, who told RTL radio the vote would be the most consequential parliamentary election in the history of the Fifth Republic  a reference to Charles de Gaulles 1958 constitution, considered the birth of modern French politics.

Olaf Scholz will not be calling his own snap election in Germany, a spokesperson for the chancellor said ( Getty Images )

Germanys government said there was no prospect that Olaf Scholz would be following suit with a snap election of his own, despite the chancellors Social Democrats, which leads the coalition government, slumping to their worst EU election result, winning just 14 per cent of the vote. Markus Soder, the conservative governor of Bavaria, said: This government is basically finished and we need to do what France has done.

Boosted by Sundays election results, Italys prime minister Giorgia Meloni told Italian broadcaster RTL that Ms Le Pens victory was very important and representative of wider shifts in Europe.

In the US, an adviser to president Joe Biden told Reuters there was concern that Ms Le Pens partys more anti-Nato stance could pose a threat to the alliance, but another official said Washington did not expect any major foreign policy changes from the EU, and believes Ursula von der Leyen would be able to stay on as EU president.

Ms Von der Leyen, the European Commission chief, was on Monday trying to piece together a coalition, after provisional results on Monday gave the main parties that backed her last time  of her European Peoples Party, socialists and liberals  a total of 402 seats in the 720-member parliament.

To secure a second five-year term, Ms Von der Leyen needs the support of a majority of the EUs national leaders and a working majority in the European Parliament.

It is expected that she may also reach out to the Greens, who suffered heavy losses, and Ms Meloni, with whom she has worked closely  with the new rightwards shift potentially making it tougher to pass new legislation to respond to security challenges, climate change or industrial competition from China and the US.

Additional reporting by agencies
Emmanuel Macron has taken a massive gamble. He has called a bombshell snap parliamentary election after the far-right National Rally (RN) of Marine Le Pen received more than double the vote that Macrons centrist list in the European parliamentary elections.

The French president could have tried to ignore these European election results  and written them off as an aberration that has no practical impact on Frances own politics. With the Olympics later in the summer in Paris, Macron could have focused on that. But the gains Le Pens party  which she fronts with 28-year-old Jordan Bardella  have made in the European parliament were clear in the polls for weeks, giving Macron plenty of time to plot his move.

The truth is that he is stuck. His Renaissance party lost its parliamentary majority in 2022 and has been limping through, getting legislation passed using ad hoc deals with the conservative Les Republicains to pass legislation. The countrys budget is to be voted upon in the autumn, which could prove explosive and could see attempts to bring the government down in any case. National Rally is also doing well in French national polling. Macron has clearly decided he is better at trying to grasp the initiative.

The optimistic calculation will be that he and his party can use the European election results to try and rally support against the far right  with voters often returning to more traditional candidates once their vote will have more of a direct impact on their lives  and knock a buoyant National Rally off its stride. That has worked previously, not least in the 2022 presidential election where Macron beat Le Pen by 59 per cent to 41 per cent.

The more pragmatic calculation is that National Rally makes gains in the voting on 30 June and 7 July, but not enough to give it a majority. Then the party faces a similar parliamentary reality to the one Macron is dealing with now. The hope would be that being more involved in the mechanics of parliament will help take the shine off Le Pen before the presidential elections in 2027.

However, even if National Rally does not get a majority, if it becomes the largest party in parliament then Macron might have to deal with a Prime Minister Le Pen, or Bardella. If that happens, then Macron will be hoping that the cohabitation effect being in government for the next two-and-a-half years  will put a brake on National Rallys popularity. The worst case for Macron is that Le Pen and National Rally manage to keep poll numbers stable, or even increase them, moving into 2027 and that one of the political arguments that can currently be used against them  that they dont know power  will have been somewhat nullified.

The last time Frances parliament was dissolved was in 1997  when Jacques Chirac lost his parliamentary majority and helped usher the Socialists into power under Lionel Jospin. The fact that parliamentary and presidential elections were synchronised in 2000 has helped make it unnecessary since, with voters giving each incoming president a majority  at least until Macron lost his own majority two years ago.

Those inside Macrons camp might believe there is enough of a republican majority who would be aghast at a National Rally majority to keep them out, and that will allow Macron to remind voters of his ability to take political risks, which was a key part of his image when he first took the presidency.

But there is a chance that Macron is making a monumental error. He will find out if the gamble was worth the risk over the next month.
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French president Emmanuel Macron has called a snap election after his party suffered a crushing defeat in EU parliamentary elections.

Mr Macron dissolved the French parliament on Sunday and called for legislative elections to be held on 30 June and 7 July. Voters must be called to the polls in the 20 to 40 days following the assemblys dissolution.

It came after Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally (RN) party were projected to win 31.5 per cent of the European Union parliamentary vote, compared with 14.5 per cent for Mr Macrons centrist alliance.

For me, who always considers that a united, strong, independent Europe is good for France, this is a situation which I cannot countenance, Mr Macron said. I have decided to give you back the choice of our parliamentary future with a vote.

So why has the French president called an election, when will they be held and who are the parties involved? The Independent takes a look below.

Marine Le Pens Rassemblement National party won 31.5 per cent of the European Union parliamentary vote ( AP )

Why has president Macron called an election?

Mr Macron called his decision serious and heavy.

He said he could not resign himself to the fact far right parties are progressing everywhere on the continent following Frances right-wing Rassemblement Nationals success in the European vote.

Mr Macrons centrist list, headed by MEP Valerie Hayer, was predicted to win 14.5 per cent in the European poll, compared with 31.5 per cent secured by Rassemblement National - which said it was ready to take power in France.

The French president described it as an act of confidence, saying he had faith in Frances voters and in the capacity of the French people to make the best choice for themselves and for future generations.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron enter a voting booth during the European elections on Sunday ( AP )

How and when will elections be held?

Article 12 of the French constitution allows presidents to dissolve the French parliament to resolve political crises, such as permanent and irreconcilable differences between parliament and the executive.

This has affected French politics since Mr Macron lost his majority in 2022, meaning he is increasingly reliant on pushing through legislation through executive orders without a vote, using a controversial constitutional tool known as 49/3.

Voters must be called to the polls in the 20 to 40 days following the paliaments dissolution. The first round of these elections is scheduled for 30 June and the second on 7 July.

How does the vote work?

Candidates in the 577 seats of the National Assembly, the lower chamber of Frances parliament. A candidate can win in the first round if they receive at least 50 per cent of votes cast, as well as the votes of at least a quarter of registered voters in the constituency. If this does not happen, those with more than 12.5 per cent of the vote are eligible for the second round. in most cases the run-off will feature the top two vote-getters, on rare occasions it might feature three or even four candidates.

What about the result?

The result is hard to predict. It is likely to depend on how committed leftist and centre-right voters are to the idea of blocking the far-right from power. Voter turnout on Sunday during the EU parliamentary elections was about 52 per cent, Frances interior ministry said.

A widely leaked unofficial poll from the end of last year, the only recent one on snap elections, showed the RN on track to double or triple its score and possibly obtaining a majority, but it dates from December and more recent ones would be needed to have a clear picture.

Macron's Renaissance party currently has 169 lower house legislators out of a total of 577. The RN has 88. The centrist Ensemble coalition, which includes Mr Macrons Renaissance party is short of an absolute majority, which is 289.

Eurasia Group said the RN was no shoo-in for a majority, predicting a hung parliament as the most likely scenario.

"Faced with another hung parliament, [Macron] will try to form a wider alliance with the centre-right or centre-left, possibly by appointing a prime minister from one of those camps," the think-tank said in a note.

"We foresee a losing struggle for serious domestic reform or strict deficit reduction in the remaining three years of Mr Macron's term," it said, adding: "Emmanuel Macron has taken an enormous gamble, with his own reputation and legacy and the future of France."
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The U.S. military said Monday that it plans to stockpile aid shipments on a secure beach in Gaza during a U.N. pause on distributing food from the American-built pier after one of the deadliest days of the Israel-Hamas war.

The U.N. World Food Program, which works with U.S. officials to transfer desperately needed aid from the month-old pier to warehouses and local relief teams in Gaza, tweeted Monday that the U.N. would conduct a security review to assess the safety of its staff in handling aid deliveries from the pier. It said the pause would be temporary.

A humanitarian official familiar with the situation said the security review is expected to conclude within a few days and U.N. officials would then make decisions on resuming operations. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss planning.

The pause, which WFP head Cindy McCain first announced in a TV interview Sunday, is the latest trouble to hit the Biden administration's new sea route for bringing in aid to Palestinians. It also signals sharpened concern by the U.N. and relief organizations about their ability to safely care for Gaza's civilians during the eight-month-old war.

The review follows an Israeli military operation on Saturday that rescued four Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, in the attack that triggered the war, and left 274 Palestinians and one Israeli commando dead.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said its only normal that U.N. humanitarian officials pause and review the security situation following the Israeli operation. McCain said Sunday that two of WFPs warehouses had been rocketed and a staffer injured.

When such large-scale military operations take place, Dujarric said, you can only imagine the difficulties in distributing the aid, both for the safety of those who are trying to get it and those who are trying to distribute it.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said the delivery of aid from Cyprus to the pier was paused due to high seas Sunday and Monday but would resume Tuesday. He said there is enough space for aid to be stored in a secure holding area on the beach until agencies restart distribution into Gaza.

Its a pretty large area, he told reporters. I think we can continue to stockpile aid in the assembly area for onward distribution.

The pause came just a day after the U.S. military and the U.S. Agency for International Development, which is coordinating logistics with relief groups, said Saturday that the pier restarted operations after repairs. Part of the structure broke apart in rough seas and bad weather late last month.

Saturday's fighting, followed by the pause for the security review, blocked the planned distribution of aid from the pier, the humanitarian official said.

President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. military to construct the pier in March, in hopes of carving out an alternative aid route as the fighting and Israeli restrictions sharply limit shipments through land borders. But rough seas in the Mediterranean, insecurity within Gaza and a surge in fighting since early May mean the pier, completed in mid-May, has been able to operate for only about a week.

Ryder, pushing back against claims on social media, denied that any aspect of the pier or its equipment had been used in Saturday's military operation. The Pentagon says an area south of the pier was used for the return of the freed hostages back to Israel.

Particularly in this environment, given what youre seeing play out in the Israel-Hamas conflict, there is a lot of misinformation and disinformation about what U.S. forces are or are not doing, he told reporters.

Ryder said the U.S. did an air drop of more than 10 metric tons of ready-to-eat meals Sunday.

U.S. and international officials and private aid organizations say only a steady daily flow of hundreds of truck shipments through land borders can address the need for food and emergency aid in Gaza. More than 1 million people there are facing famine and all 2.3 million are struggling for food.

___

Lederer reported from the United Nations.
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Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni hosts this weeks summit of the Group of Seven industrialized nations as the most stable European Union leader.

Meloni's German and French counterparts were shaken by European Parliamentary elections that fortified Melonis far-right Brothers of Italy as the strongest in Italy, setting her up as a possible bridge maker, if not kingmaker, in Europe.

Melonis solid results create a rare stability in Italian politics, as far-right parties rattled both French President Emmanuel Macron, who called snap elections after his party was eclipsed by Marine Le Pens National Rally, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose authority suffered a jolt after the far-right Alternative for German finished second, beating his Social Democrats.

I am proud that this nations presents itself at the G7, and in Europe, as the strongest government of all, Meloni told supporters early Monday. This is something that has never happened in the past, and which is happening now. It is a satisfaction, and also a great responsibility.

Though the leader of a far-right party, Meloni continues to hew to the center, particularly on foreign policy, which has made her a reassuring trans-Atlantic partner as wars rage in Ukraine and Gaza.

She will solidify the role this week, leading the G7 meeting in the southern Puglia region from June 13-15, focusing on global conflicts, the spread of AI and on Africa, with a view in particular to Italy's longstanding concern about uncontrolled migration and human traffickers.

Meloni is the moderate face of this right-wing bunch, said analyst Matteo Villa of the IPSI think tank in Milan. Meloni is poised as a moderate center-right party now that has much consensus that can act as a bridge between the far right and the center right. Meloni is narrating herself as a much more moderate leader.

While Meloni won office with a campaign the promised a full naval blockade of charity ships rescuing migrants from drowning in the Mediterranean, Villa noted that she moderated her policy in office and has instead directed the rescue ships to northern ports far from the search-and-rescue area. Such a policy is still protested by charities but is far from a blockade.

These policies have changed, they have become more pragmatic, Villa said.

As a result, Meloni is winning support from voters that dont necessarily identify as far-right.

Brothers of Italy won 28.8% of the Italian vote in two days of polling in Italy that boosted their majority from national elections less than two years ago. The results also confirmed Meloni's dominance in the governing coalition with right-wing anti-migrant Lega, led by Matteo Salvini, and the center-right Forza Italia party, led by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani since founder Silvio Berlusconis death last year. Forza Italia won 9.6% of the vote, and Lega plunged to 9.1%.

The opposition Democratic Party also was strengthened, finishing with 24% of the vote and significantly narrowing the gap with Brothers of Italy. The result re-establishes the Democratic Party as the main opposition party, as the 5-Star Movement, which launched 15 years ago as a protest movement and rose to head a government, slid to 10% of the vote.

We continue like a hammer every day to nail the Meloni government on social and wage issues that it ignores, PD leader Elly Schlein said Monday. Of course we will do so by working stubbornly, in a united way, to build an alternative that this country needs to this right.
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Jordan Bardella has been credited with the success of Frances far-right National Rally (RN) party as it surges in the polls.

Charismatic Bardella, the son of immigrants, was brought up in high-rise flats in a run-down suburb of Paris by a single mother. The 28-year-old could be prime minister of France in a matter of weeks after Emmanuel Macron shocked the nation by calling a snap election in the wake of his partys thrashing at the ballot box.

Bardella, president of RN, inflicted a serious blow to President Macron and his Renaissance party, taking more than 30 per cent of the vote at in the EU parliamentary elections earlier this month. Alongside Marine Le Pen, Bardella will be the face of RN as it tries to win a majority in parliament. On Sunday, RN took the lead in the first round of voting in the snap election, polling 34 per cent of the vote.

Marine Le Pen had called her protege Jordan Bardella the lion cub  now the lion ( AFP/Getty )

The decision by Macron to dissolve Frances parliament and let the sovereign people have their say could hand major political power to the far right after years on the sidelines.

Bardella was quickly identified as a rising star in the party he joined as a teenager and he took over as president of RN in 2022. He is not affected by the taboo that surrounds the National Front vote, Le Pen has previously said, adding: Hes part of a new generation.

An effective communicator with a carefully crafted public image and more than 1.2 million followers on TikTok, Bardella has made much of his background, raised in a tower block in the Paris suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis by his mother, an Italian immigrant. Bardella attended a private school, the Lycee Saint-Jean-Baptiste-de-la-Salle, where the fees were reportedly paid by his father.

Having dropped out of a geography course at Paris-Sorbonne University to focus on politics, Bardella has sought to paint the suburb of his youth as violent and unpredictable  contrasting himself with the political elite while taking aim at the suburbs high concentration of migrants and refugees.

Bardella was elected president of the National Rally in 2022 ( AP )

In a speech to enthusiastic Tricolore-waving supporters at a Paris arena last week, Bardella claimed Frances civilisation could die ... because it will be submerged in migrants who will have changed our customs, culture and way of life irreversibly. It is this kind of rhetoric that Macron is calling on France to come together to stamp out.

Bardella has toed a more cautious line on certain international policy questions than Le Pen, condemning Russias war in Ukraine while abstaining on a vote over military aid for Kyiv. And in March, he told Politico that NR would only pursue its policy of leaving Natos integrated command once hostilities had ceased, saying: You dont change treaties in wartime.

His popularity in France is clear  and among voters of all ages  with Bardella emerging as the only politician on a list compiled by the newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche of the 50 most popular figures in France. Ipsos polling had suggested around a third of 18- to 24-year-olds would vote for him during the European parliamentary elections.

He has spoken of an aspiration to replace the European Union with a Europe of Nations. The Europe of 2016, the year of the Brexit referendum, is not the same Europe as it is today, he said recently. And I hope that with this Europe of Nations that we intend to build, the British will be able to return to the table.

Bardella wants to replace the EU ( AP )

At the Marseille launch of RNs European Union election campaign in March, the loudest cheers came not for Le Pen  but for her protege, whom she formerly affectionately dubbed her lion cub, now the lion, and who is reportedly dating her niece Nolwenn Olivier.

However, for his critics, Bardella offers more style than substance.

Hes attracting a maximum of voters by not taking a clear stance on anything, said Francois-Xavier Bellamy, European leader of the conservative Les Republicains, who suffered their worst defeat in the ballots history last week. I quickly saw his convictions were very malleable, Le Pens former deputy Florian Philippot told Politico.

And Pascal Humeau, RNs former communications chief who gave Bardella intensive media training, has described him as originally repeating Le Pens formulas, an empty shell, very controlled, but knowing little of what was happening in France or the world.

In terms of depth, he was pretty limited, Humeau told the documentary Complement denquete. His ease, his enthusiasm, that you can feel today, we had to work on it for months and months.

Bardella has proven popular with French voters ( REUTERS )

Bardella had been relatively free from scandal until earlier this year when broadcaster France 2 alleged that he had used an anonymous Twitter account to share racist messages between 2015 and 2017. He has denied the account was his, while his party threatened legal action against the channels owners.

Despite his growing profile increasingly being viewed as threatening her own position, Le Pen has remained fiercely defensive of her protege, reportedly pushing NRs vice-president against a wall in the National Assembly and threatening his expulsion over complaints he had made about Bardella.

I can get hit by a truck tomorrow, Le Pen told broadcasters in March, adding that Bardella would have the political status and confidence to replace her.

The pair continued to paint a united front on Sunday, with Bardella  who has offered to act as Macrons prime minister if NR were to secure victory  standing alongside Le Pen as she declared her party would put an end to this painful epoch of globalism, adding: Were ready to exercise power.

Describing him as the media beast of today who scares his opponents, Humeau told The New York Times: He has had one objective since the age of 17  to become prime minister and president. And I dont think anyone can derail him.
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A British TV reporter was the person who finally spotted Michael Mosleys body several days after the doctor went missing, despite a huge search and rescue operation across a Greek island.

David Blackmore, 37, who has worked as a producer and reporter for This Morning since 2015, was supposed to be interviewing the mayor of Symi when he arrived to find Eleftherios Papakalodouka boarding a boat at Pedi marina and jumped aboard.

Surreally, several tourists were also hitching a lift, Mr Blackmore told The Independent.

They had no idea what we were doing but the mayors plan had been to show me the caves near Agia Marina, where it was suspected Michael might have fallen.

We had to drop the tourists off first, so the boat pulled into the bay and the Greek photographer and I began taking pictures of the area  you never know what youll need in terms of footage when you work in TV. The boat then left the marina area and travelled to the caves, but on the way I saw something on the rocks. Whats that there? I asked the cameraman, not realising at first that it was a body.

Michael Mosley, 67, was a popular figure on British television screens ( BBC/PA )

He said it looked out of place among the rocks and the scrubby land of Agia Marinas scenery, beyond the sunbed-lined bay.

It was a very dark colour, black, and the rest of that area is all shrubby grey and green. It was then that the photographer asked me if it could be a body, Mr Blackmore said.

After zooming in on the image taken on Mr Blackmores mobile and the photographers camera, they showed the image to the mayor but still found it impossible to ascertain whether it could be Dr Mosley.

The mayor directed the boat towards the original cave area, where the TV doctor might have landed after falling from the mountain, or been washed into if hed surfaced from the sea.

Then the boat swung back around to look at the spot on the mountain that Mr Blackmore had identified, and tried to take some more pictures.

David Blackmore, 37, has worked as a producer and reporter for This Morning since 2015 ( Gregor Gomez )

It wasnt until they had travelled back to Pedi and sat in the Blue Corner cafe that the photographer zoomed in on the photo as far as his camera would allow, then took a picture of it with his iPhone and zoomed in again.

At this point the shock set in, said Mr Blackmore. He turned the phone to me and just said: look. It was very clear to us at that point that it was a male body.

There had been a flash of light in the picture, which they now saw was a watch. The mans arm was thrown across his chest and his watch glinted in the sun, Mr Blackmore added.

We could see the umbrella, and the blue clothes from all the CCTV imagery of Michael Mosleys last movements. We were now pretty certain it was him, and it was at that moment that I told the mayor and the mayor called all of the relevant authorities into Saint Nicolas to cordon off the area.

He also phoned the Agia Marina bar and had one of the men who work there go up to the fence where the body lay and check it was a body.

Mr Blackmore said no one wanted to believe they had found Dr Mosleys body ( Gregor Gomez )

Mr Blackmore, who has previously worked with Dr Mosley and his wife Dr Clare Bailey Mosley, said it felt more like chance that he was the one to locate the body.

This area has been so searched so maybe there was something unique about the viewpoint from that boat and the angle from which we looked back at the marina  had it been a chance? Luck? Ive seen helicopters fly directly over this area.

More than that, you just dont want to believe it. I didnt want to believe it. We all still hoped hed turn up alive somewhere else and that something else had happened. My heart sank when I saw the umbrella  it had to be him.

Mr Blackmore said there was some relief in locating Dr Mosley ( Gregor Gomez )

His heart sank for Dr Mosleys wife, he said, because it was less than 24 hours after the first statement from the family described the most long and unbearable days while they waited for news.

It definitely hits hardest that its someone that you know, have spoken to, have been in communication with. And Ive covered some huge news stories, but this is the first dead body Ive seen. And I kind of knew him, he added.

The recovery of his body here is one more piece of the jigsaw but now were just waiting for the post-mortem to tell us what happened between the fact that he made it to Pedi at about 2pm on Wednesday and was found around 6km away, here in Agia Marina yesterday.

Theres some relief obviously, in locating him.

In the studio they told me Clare was glad we had found him. Theres so much sadness in not finding him alive but its the not knowing that causes so much pain in these situations, I think. You dont want him to be assumed to be taking any glory in it but its some relief, I hope for the family, to know now.

The 67-year-old was last seen leaving Saint Nikolas beach at around 1.30pm on Wednesday, setting off for a coastal walk in searing heat without his mobile phone.

Tributes have been pouring in for the medic, whose loved ones have described him as extremely kind and a brilliant science broadcaster after his death.
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Tragic details have continued to emerge about Dr Michael Mosleys final hours after he disappeared on the Greek island of Symi, with his body discovered five days later.

After police officers, firefighters and a helicopter scoured the rocky hillside, he was found at the foot of a fence near a beach bar at the Agia Marina resort.

Doctor and broadcaster Michael Mosley was found near a fence on Sunday (Avalon/channel4/PA) ( PA Media )

His body was discovered in a rocky area behind Agia Marina ( PA Wire )

CCTV footage has reportedly shown him making his way down the slope before falling over, with his wife saying that his family had taken comfort in the fact he very nearly made it to safety.

Follow latest updates on TV doctor Michael Mosley.

After recently taking part in a theatre tour with his wife Dr Clare Bailey, the two had flown to the tranquil Dodecanese island to stay at the three-bedroom Merchant House apartment in Symi with friends.

The TV star, who had regularly appeared on This Morning and The One Show, had enjoyed a boat ride on Wednesday before leaving his wife and family friends at the nearby Agios Nikolaos beach at around 1.30pm.

Carrying a small bottle of water and an umbrella, he set out without his mobile phone to return to the couples accommodation and had planned to walk along the coastal route.

In 37C searing heat, he managed to climb the steep slope and was seen on a cafes CCTV at 1.52pm in the town of Pedi. It is believed he took a wrong turn and rather than making the walk inland to Symi, he ventured eastwards and is suspected to have become disorientated.

Greek authorities shifted their focus on Saturday after CCTV footage from a house at the edge of a small marina in Pedi showed the presenter walking towards a mountainous path at about 2pm local time on Wednesday.

His widow said the 67-year-old appeared to have undertaken an incredible climb, took the wrong route and collapsed where he couldnt be easily seen by emergency search teams.

A view of the resort, with Dr Mosleys body discovered just metres from the water ( Yui Mok/PA Wire )

Despite searches being conducted in the area, it was five days later that a Greek cameraman and the local mayor spotted a suspicious shape at the edge of the resort, and alerted the bar staff.

His body was discovered around mid-morning on Sunday beneath a fence, which is surrounded by hilly, rocky terrain.

Police arrived at Agia Marina around 20 minutes after the body was discovered about 90 metres from the coastline, with firefighters later arriving just after 2pm local time to take the body away from the island on a boat.

On Saturday, an emergency services helicopter spent hours flying across the mountainous search site on Symi between Pedi bay and Agia Marina, and hovered over the spot where the body was later found.

Agia Marina bar manager Ilias Tsavaris, 38, first saw the body alongside journalists after the islands mayor saw something by the fence of the bar and alerted staff.

Emergency services at the scene where Dr Mosleys body was discovered ( Yui Mok/PA Wire )

The search effort had been widespread, operating in dangerous conditions and high temperatures, and included police, firefighters with drones, Greek Red Cross workers, divers, a search dog and a helicopter.

An initial examination by a coroner has ruled out foul play but further tests are due to be carried out on the father-of-four in Rhodes to confirm a cause of death, the Daily Mail has reported.

The news has sparked an outpouring of grief from his loved ones and fans of his science programmes and films, with friends and colleagues praising him for innovating the world of science and health broadcasting.
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An autopsy published by Greek police has found Michael Mosley, the doctor and TV broadcaster who disappeared last week, died of natural causes on the island of Symi.

His body was found on Sunday in a rocky area near Agia Marina beach, after his disappearance was reported on Wednesday.

Greek police spokesperson Konstantia Dimoglidou told the BBC that an initial post-mortem examination had been carried out and that it confirmed there were no injuries on his body.

It was also estimated that the time of death was around 4pm local time on the day he went missing. The doctor had left friends on the islands Agios Nikolaos beach at around 1.30pm to go for a walk.

The autopsy results offered a peculiar initial conclusion to the mystery of the TV doctors disappearance. Further tests are, however, due to be carried out on the father of four in Rhodes to confirm a cause of death.

The mayor of Symi, Eleftherios Papakalodoukas, who along with a cameraman discovered Mr Mosleys body, claimed the doctor had taken a strange route that ultimately led to his death.

It was so strange and crazy because he started on one side [of the bay] to the other side. The island is so small, so [there] can not be missing any person, he told Greek TV.

He started his way from St Nicholas beach without a mobile phone. He did not make any stops. He did not drink any coffee and then he was rushing from the path toward Agia Marina.

The TV doctors body was discovered in a rocky area behind Agia Marina ( PA Wire )

Ms Dimoglidou said that the position of his body means the doctor died of natural causes. She also said toxicology and histology reports will take place.

Footage reportedly found by a beach bar at Agia Marina shows what appears to be the TV doctor making his way down a rocky slope close to a fence before he falls out of view.

Tributes for the former This Morning star have poured in since it was confirmed that the body found over the weekend was that of Mr Mosley.

Downing Street described him as an extraordinary broadcaster who had a huge impact on peoples lives.

The prime ministers official spokesperson said: The reports from the weekend are heartbreaking and our thoughts are with Dr Michael Mosleys family, his wife Clare and friends, in what must be deeply sad times.

We have seen some incredibly touching tributes which have made clear the huge impact that Dr Mosley had on people and helped to transform peoples lives for the better.

He will be known as an extraordinary broadcaster who used his platform to influence and change the way we think about many public health issues.

Mr Mosleys Trust Me, Im a Doctor co-star Dr Saleyha Ahsan also praised her mentor and a friend.

Dr Ahsan told BBC Breakfast: The way that I got to know him on screen, that really personable, accessible character that he comes across on television, thats exactly how he was in real life and how he was with me.

He instantly put me at ease, settled me down, and we got on with the job. And I forgot about the cameras and the lights, we just had a really good conversation.

He just had this ability to break down the complex and make it accessible to all.

She also described him as the epitome of what you would aspire to be as a doctor, adding that he had the skill to bring knowledge and information that will help the person in front of you to make positive changes in their life, but without being forced to do so, without it being forced down your neck.
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The widow of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has claimed that the slain Isis leader was subjected to sexual torture in an American prison in Iraq.

Before he was held in 2004, al-Baghdadi was religious but not extremist, Umm Hudaifa said in an interview with BBC News.

Umm Hudaifa is under investigation for her suspected role in Isis and the crimes committed by the extremist group, which briefly ruled, in the middle of the last decade, a vast expanse of territory in Iraq and Syria. She is currently lodged in an Iraqi prison in Baghdad.

Under al-Baghdadis leadership, Isis committed a genocide against the Yazidi people and took thousands of women as slaves. It killed hostages and massacred civilians, most of them Muslims in Iraq and Syria.

Her late husband was conservative but open minded, Umm Hudaifa asserted, but his year-long detention in Camp Bucca changed him. Al-Baghdadi was reportedly arrested after founding a militant Sunni group to fight American and allied Western occupation forces.

He developed psychological problems after his release, his widow recalled. He became short-tempered and given to outbursts of anger.

When she asked him about it, al-Baghdadi told her that he was exposed to something that you cannot understand.

Although he did not tell her so explicitly, Hudaifa said she believed he was subjected to sexual torture.

Al-Baghdadi was killed during a US military raid in northern Syria on 27 October 2019.

Reportedly born in the Iraqi city of Samarra in 1971, al-Baghdadi rose from near obscurity to global attention when Isis swept through northern Iraq and northeastern Syria over a decade ago and established a self-styled caliphate. He made a rare public appearance in 2014 to declare himself the caliph, the spiritual and temporal leader of the global Muslim community, a claim rejected by almost all Muslims religious and political groups.

Umm Hudaifa is herself being investigated for suspected involvement in the sexual enslavement of kidnapped women and girls. She has denied the accusations saying she herself attempted to escape Isis but the armed men at checkposts sent her back.

She described Isis atrocities as a huge shock and inhumane. They crossed the line of humanity, she said, adding that she felt ashamed of the violence against the Yazidis.

Umm Hudaifa claimed to have confronted her husband about the murder of innocent people and told him there were other things under Islamic law that could have been done, like guiding them towards repentance.

Hamid Yazidi, whose two wives, 26 children, two brothers and their families were kidnapped by Isis in Sinjar, told the BBC that Umm Hudaifa wasnt a victim as she claimed to be and was involved in the kidnapping and enslavement of Yazidi girls.

While most of Hamid Yazidis relatives were released after paying ransom, six of his children went missing.

He and his niece Soad, who was allegedly trafficked seven times by Isis, have brought a civil case against Umm Hudaifa and sought the death penalty for her.

She was responsible for everything, Soad told the broadcaster. She made the selections  this one to serve her, that one to serve her husband... and my sister was one of those girls.
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US secretary of state Antony Blinken has called on governments around the Middle East to press Hamas to agree to a Gaza peace deal recently unveiled by president Joe Biden as he began his latest tour of the region.

Speaking after meeting Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, Mr Blinken said: My message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region, is  if you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes.

Washington says its proposal envisions a ceasefire in stages, ultimately leading to a permanent end to the war. But Israel still says it will agree only to temporary pauses until Hamas is defeated, while Hamas says it will not accept a truce without guarantees that the war will end.

If you want to alleviate the terrible suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, press Hamas to say yes. If you want to get all the hostages home, press Hamas to say yes. If you want to put Israelis and Palestinians alike on the path to more durable peace and security, press Hamas to say yes, Mr Blinken told reporters before departing Egypt. He later arrived in Israel for talks with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Ahead of Mr Blinkens trip, Israel and Hamas both doubled down on hardline positions that have scuppered all previous attempts to end the fighting, while Israel has pressed on with assaults in central and southern Gaza, among the bloodiest of the war.

We are committed to total victory, Mr Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office, quoting remarks he made on Sunday to relatives of Israelis killed in Gaza. He said he would reject a Hamas demand to commit to stopping the war without achieving our goals of eliminating Hamas.

Hamas and its allies Islamic Jihad said in a joint statement: Any agreement must ensure a permanent end to the aggression and a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction, lifting the blockade and a serious swap deal.

The war has now entered its ninth month since Hamas-led fighters killed 1,200 people and took some 250 others hostage in a rampage through southern Israel. Israels assault on the Gaza Strip has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians and reduced most of the enclave to a wasteland.

Palestinian officials said 40 more bodies arrived in hospitals over the past 24 hours, and thousands more dead are believed buried under rubble.

Mr Netanyahu is under increasing domestic political pressure to reach a deal. Benny Gantz, a popular centrist former military chief, quit Israels war cabinet on Sunday over what he described as the failure to outline a plan for the wars end. That leaves Mr Netanyahu more reliant on far-right allies who threaten to bring down his government if he agrees a deal leaving Hamas unvanquished.

The hardline Bezalel Smotrich, a member of the Israeli cabinet, told a Knesset committee meeting on Monday that he would oppose the deal. When Hamas demands to end the war while its surviving in Gaza, it means that the group is arming itself, digging tunnels, buying rockets and that many Jews could be murdered and taken hostage on another October 7, Mr Smotrich said.

In Rafah, the city on the southern edge of Gaza where Israel launched an offensive last month, residents said on Monday that tanks had been thrusting deeper towards the north in the early hours of the morning. They were on the edge of Shaboura, one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods at the heart of the city.

Around half of the Gaza Strips 2.3 million people had been sheltering in Rafah before last months assault, and a million have since fled again.

Since last week, Israel has also launched a large assault in the central Gaza Strip, around the small city of Deir al-Balah, the last population centre yet to be stormed. On Monday, residents said the Israelis had pulled back from some areas there but were keeping up air strikes and shelling.

Residents in Nuseirat, north of Deir al-Balah, were still clearing debris after Israel freed four hostages in a massive raid there on Saturday. Palestinian officials say 274 people were killed, making it one of the deadliest assaults of the war. Israeli forces said they were aware of under 100 Palestinians killed there and did not know how many were combatants.

We are exhausted and helpless, enough is enough, said Jehad, who fled under fire from Saturdays assault in Nuseirat with his family and was now in Deir al-Balah, speaking by text message. The family had already been displaced from Gaza City to Nuseirat, to Khan Younis, to Rafah and back to Nuseirat before their latest flight.

After months of failed peace efforts, Mr Biden chose a new tack with his public announcement on 31 May of a ceasefire proposal. US officials say Biden unveiled it without asking the Israelis first, to increase pressure for a deal.

The United Nations Security Council will vote later on Monday on a US-drafted resolution backing Mr Bidens proposal. US officials say it is similar to texts floated in previous failed peace efforts: a long truce over several stages, with the gradual release of Israeli hostages ultimately leading to an end to the war.

The draft resolution welcomes the new ceasefire proposal, which Israel accepted, calls upon Hamas to also accept it, and urges both parties to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition.

Reuters
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Apple will finally bring its Vision Pro headset to more of the world.

The company made the announcement as it revealed the first major software update for VisionOS, the operating system that powers the headset.

:: Follow all the latest from Apples WWDC event

The updates come a year after Apple released the headset during its Worldwide Developers Conference event, last year. It was first released in the US in February.

Now it will come to eight more countries, Apple said. It will priced at 3,499 in the UK, the same as it is in dollars in the US.

That international rollout will start in China, Japan and Singapore on 28 June. It will then come to Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the UK on 12 July.

Vision Pro is a wearable computer centred around a headset that overlays apps and software over the real world, in front of the wearers eyes, and is controlled by a users eyes, hands and voice.

The headset features built-in speakers and attaches using an adjustable headband, while a wire leads from the device to a battery pack which sits in the users pocket, enabling users to move around while wearing it.

Apple says it is designed to offer more immersive experiences in entertainment and gaming, as well as a new platform from which users can work and interact with others.

The enthusiasm for Apple Vision Pro has been extraordinary, and we are thrilled to introduce the magic of spatial computing to more customers around the world, Apple chief executive Tim Cook said.

We cant wait for more people to see the impossible become possible, whether working and collaborating with an infinite canvas for apps, reliving treasured memories in three dimensions, watching TV shows and movies in a one-of-a-kind personal cinema, or enjoying brand-new spatial experiences that defy imagination.

Since launching in the US in February, Apple says more than 2,000 apps have launched for the Vision Pro, while 1.5 million iPhone and iPad apps are also compatible with the headset.

Additional reporting by agencies
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A new UK startup has developed a bacteria-powered battery that can harvest electricity when buried in soil.

Bactery formed out of the University of Bath in the hope of commercialising the new form of sustainable power and help transform the agriculture sector.

The technology offers a green alternative to current power delivery methods for the sensors and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices that are increasingly used by farmers to increase efficiency, cut costs and maximise yields.

These devices currently rely on either inconvenient single-use batteries that need replacing, or costly and obstructive cabling. Bactery claims its new approach is more practical, affordable, and can last over 25 years without ever needing to be fixed or adjusted.

Farmers are increasingly valuing the importance of data to make informed decisions towards resource-efficient agricultural practices, said Professor Mirella Di Lorenzo in an email to The Independent.

We are removing the barrier to generating that data by creating a sustainable way to power sensors, and making them always-on, cheap, low-maintenance and low-impact.

Dr Ben Betcalfe added: This is a powerful illustration of how our Bactery technology could be used, but this is just the first application of what we believe is a great method of generating clean energy in an innovative, sustainable way.

The renewable energy batteries are a development of Soil Microbial Fuel Cells, which generate electricity from the natural processes that occur in microorganisms that are present in soil.

An early concept built by the researchers in 2019 was successfully tested in a fishing village in Brazil, where it was implemented to power a water filtration system.

A commercial product is not expected until 2026, with the startup hoping to refine the product over the next year in order to enter small-scale production.

Bringing our product to this stage and putting theory into practice through several years of research has been a challenging, yet incredibly rewarding experience, said Bacterys Dr Jakub Dziegielowski.

I am excited to see the company make a positive difference in agriculture, and in other sectors.
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A joint investigation into a data breach at DNA testing company 23andMe has been launched by the UK and Canada data protection watchdogs.

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) announced the investigation into the October 2023 incident on Monday.

23andMe is a US-based genetics company that analyses its customers DNA through home saliva collection kits to provide insights on factors such as health and ancestry.

According to the companys website, it has sold more than 12 million DNA testing kits since 2006.

The UK and Canadian data protection regulators said they will combine their expertise and resources to jointly conduct the investigation.

It will examine the scope of information exposed by the breach and potential harms to affected people, whether 23andMe had adequate safeguards to protect the information within its control and whether the company provided adequate notification about the breach to the two regulators and affected people.

This data breach had an international impact, and we look forward to collaborating with our Canadian counterparts to ensure the personal information of people in the UK is protected Information Commissioner

The ICO said: 23andMe is a custodian of highly sensitive personal information, including genetic information which does not change over time.

It can reveal information about an individual and their family members, including about their health, ethnicity, and biological relationships.

This makes public trust in these services essential.

UK Information Commissioner John Edwards said: People need to trust that any organisation handling their most sensitive personal information has the appropriate security and safeguards in place.

This data breach had an international impact, and we look forward to collaborating with our Canadian counterparts to ensure the personal information of people in the UK is protected.

Privacy Commissioner of Canada Philippe Dufresne said: In the wrong hands, an individuals genetic information could be misused for surveillance or discrimination.

Ensuring that personal information is adequately protected against attacks by malicious actors is an important focus for privacy authorities in Canada and around the world.

In a statement, 23andMe said: 23andMe acknowledges the joint investigation announced by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and the UK Information Commissioner today.

We intend to cooperate with these regulators reasonable requests relating to the credential stuffing attack discovered in October 2023.
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Sir Richard Branson has said it was a dreadful mistake to remove the bars on his Virgin Atlanticaircraft and has vowed to bring them back.

When questioned what the airline needed to do to rediscover its innovative spirit, the billionaire entrepreneur responded: Were be bringing back the bar as soon as we possibly can.

Virgin flights ditched their bar services in 2019 in favour of the loft, which formed a bench between the Upper Class seats and premium economy.

Refusing to answer why the decision had been made to forgo the bar in the first place, Sir Richard told The Times: If we make a mistake, lets own up to it quickly and sort it. Thats what well do.

open image in gallery Virgin Atlantic was the first international carrier to offer a bar for passengers ( Getty )

His comments come ahead of Virgin Atlantics 40th birthday on 22 June, after it first began to operate between Gatwick airport and New York in 1984.

To mark the occasion, the 73-year-old founder is throwing a celebratory event for Virgin executives and long-standing members of staff, in which they will travel to Las Vegas for a Love at first flight pool party.

Virgin has also launched its fifth Airbus A330neo in March, with an icon named Ruby Rebel pictured at the helm to pay tribute to Sir Richards career.

The punk styling reflects the airlines signature Vivienne Westwood uniform, while the letters J, S, and H are visible in a nod to the founders wife Jean and two childrens initials.

He has also finalised his succession plan, announcing that he wants his son Sam, 39, and daughter Holly, 42, to take over the airline.

open image in gallery The icon Ruby Rebel has been launched on their latest aircraft to celebrate the airlines 40th anniversary ( Virgin Atlantic/PA Wire )

Every decade weve had people talking about the Virgin Atlantic brand disappearing, Branson says. It will outlive myself and, hopefully, outlive my children and grandchildren as well.

I plan to keep it in the family and they plan to keep it in the family.

Sir Richards Virgin Group owns 51 per cent of Virgin Atlantic, with the remaining 49 per cent share is owned by Delta Air Lines.

In recent years, it has taken a tumble in profits in comparison to the Gulf carriers such as Emirates airways, while its arch-rival British Airways has invested billions to improve their services.

The last time Virgin made a profit was in 2016, and it has struggled to regain its pandemic losses, recording a pre-tax loss of 139m last year.
A reporter who spotted Michael Mosley's body on the Greek island of Symi has described the moment of discovery.

The TV doctor and columnist, 67, was found dead on the island after going missing last Wednesday (5 June).

This Morning journalist David Blackmore was on a search boat with the local mayor when they spotted an "unusual" object.He said he and the mayor were taken out on a water taxi from Pedi to Agia Marina, when they looked back towards the marina to record some footage.

Mr Blackmore and a camera operator then spotted an "unusual" object.

They took the footage back to Pedi, where they were able to zoom in and realised it was a male body.
Drone footage shows Agia Marina in Symi, Greece, where the body of Dr Michael Mosley was found during a search and rescue operation after he went missing while on holiday.

The wife of the TV doctor confirmed he was found dead on the island after going missing last Wednesday (5 June).

Dr Mosley, 67, had set off for a coastal walk in searing heat without his mobile phone.

Police and firefighters used drones to scour the island, which is part of the Dodecanese island chain and is about 25 miles north of Rhodes.
The Liberal Democrats launched their general election manifesto, with promises to invest in health and care, rejoin the European single market and eventually the EU, and compensate the victims of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.

The latter issue has dogged party leader Sir Ed Davey, who served as postal affairs minister under the coalition government between 2010 and 2012.

He has come under fire for failing to do more to help wrongly-convicted subpostmasters.

The manifesto details a pledge to ensure justice for the victims of scandals and prevent future scandals.
Labours shadow education secretary has distanced herself from Emily Thornberrys suggestion that the partys plan to add VAT to private school fees would lead to larger class sizes in the state sector.

The shadow attorney general said on Sunday: It would be fine if we have to, in the short term, have larger classes amid concerns the move could force pupils to leave private schools.

Bridget Phillipson rejected the comments, telling the BBC on Monday, 10 June: That is not our policy.

Im afraid theres been some misunderstanding there.
The news that Suella Braverman, former home secretary, future Tory leadership contender and permanent embarrassment, wants to embrace Nigel Farage and welcome him into the Conservative Party puts one in mind of those strangely compelling nature documentaries about parasites.

Nature, like politics, can be a cruel world, and one of the most unpleasant of parasites is leucochloridium paradoxum, a worm that can turn snails into zombies. Once inside the unlucky gastropod, it takes over the snails nervous system, and makes its eyestalks throb with vivid colours, such that it is eaten by a bird and the life cycle of the parasitic worm continues. Eurgh.

So also, it would seem, have the snail-like mental processes of Braverman been taken over by the Reform UK mind virus, she herself now pulsating away to attract Farage to swoop down and take control of her party.

She thinks it a real shame that Reform UK and the Conservatives are fighting each other, and, that theres not much difference between Farage and the Conservatives on policy. She obviously hasnt read Reforms draft manifesto with its raft of unfunded spending and tax commitments, let alone relegating the NHS to a safety net for the poor.

To our deranged Tory: We are a broad church, we should be a welcoming party and an inclusive party and if someone is supportive of the party, thats a precondition and they want Conservatives to get elected then they should be welcomed.

The truth, of which Braverman is painfully ignorant, is that once inside the Conservative Party Farage and his allies will destroy it from within.

Whether you think him evil or not, Farage is undoubtedly a smooth political operator. He is, to many of us, a fascistic demagogue; but not every wannabe authoritarian leader gets very far, and it still takes skill, as well as luck and some judgement, to get as far as he has for as long as he has. After all, he first emerged as leader of Ukip in 2006 and has been part of the national scene, from Brussels to Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, ever since. Whether we like it nor not, he is a force in British politics.

The Farage factor can be surprisingly easily measured  a few percentage points at least. Though his return to the leadership of Reform UK (successor to the Brexit party and Ukip), coincided with the usual chaos in the Tory campaign, you could see the boost in its poll ratings, attracting most of its support from traditional Conservative voters. His presence in a non-leadership role and ubiquity in the political life of the nation for two decades has also helped Britains hard right find a voice to exert its influence, most obviously in forcing David Cameron to concede the promise of an EU referendum in January 2013. Of course, that only emboldened Farage, but thats slightly another story.

The point, for now, is what followed that pledge simply proves that someone such as Farage will never be satisfied (even now, we havent done Brexit properly) and that the Conservatives, as a serious party of government, cannot ever outflank Farage on the right. You cant out-Farage Farage, no matter how hard you try.

Farage, in other words, has been at this game far longer than any of his current main rivals. He brings to this election the sheer weight of his experience at making a bloody nuisance of himself, as he puts it, and taking opportunistic advantage of his opponents weakness, as now in the case of Rishi Sunaks floundering campaign. Now the majority shareholder of his own party  this is Reform UK Limited  he can do what he wants, and sensing the chance to make a further breakthrough first cancelled plans to put his campaigning for Trump first, and then to seize back the leadership from Richard Tice (who sadly lacked Farages profile).

Second, Farage has created a political persona. Its no doubt authentic in at least some respects, and relatable. He does like a pint of English ale. He adores cricket. He does (or did) smoke too many Rothmans. He does genuinely have the kind of usual views and prejudices of the man in the saloon bar or the home counties golf club.

His accent and background show him to be a public schoolboy. He went into the City rather than bother with university. He was an enthusiastic Conservative in the Thatcher era, who became disillusioned by John Major and the speed of European integration. His political philosophy is a pretty straightforward one that owes much to Margaret Thatcher and Enoch Powell (and something to Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump). Hes a social conservative with a suspicion of immigration. He, like it or not, thus speaks for many in his generation (hes 60 this year) who feel a little bewildered in modern Britain.

For his fanbase of all ages he is, to adapt an old phrase from the 1980s, one of us: a simple patriot of uncomplicated tastes and common sense views on everything from the economy to the war in Ukraine to trans rights  all expressed in man of the people terms.

It takes one to know one, as they say, and Boris Johnson once summed up Farage like this: A rather engaging geezer. Hes anti-pomposity, hes anti-political correctness, hes anti-loony Brussels regulation. Hes in favour of low tax, sticking up for small business and sticking up for Britain. We Tories look at him, with his pint and cigar and sense of humour, and instinctively recognise someone fundamentally indistinguishable from us. Johnson was obviously taking notes

Like Winston Churchills cigar, Harold Wilsons pipe or George Galloways fedora, Farage has also cultivated his own trademarks  the pint of beer, (more rarely these days) a cigar or cigarette, the fawn overcoats with the velvet collar, the red cords, Barbour jackets and other bits of faux-posh gentlemans outfitting, the throaty nicotine-coated laugh. His enemies have also added the McDonalds banana milkshake to the inventory, with the counterproductive effect of getting him even more publicity (and some sympathy from his more devoted supporters).

Its all part of building Farage as a colourful character, in contrast to what he thinks of the boring (if more powerful) figures he competes with  Cameron, Miliband, Sunak and Starmer at home, and the likes of Donald Tusk and Herman van Rompuy from his days in the European parliament. He likes to contrast his own tell it like it is, sometimes unguarded language with their opaque bureaucratic circumlocutions. Its nonsense, and a cover for dog whistle extremist messaging, but people seem to be attracted to it.

His latest remark, that Sunak doesnt understand our culture is only the latest disgraceful example of his technique. Almost everything he says about Britains Muslim community is equally pernicious and Islamophobic. He is, in truth, a dangerous fellow, no matter how personable he can be.

He is good in debate  he won the seven-way contest a few days ago  but you get the impression hes too slippery and tiresome for our front-line politicians to take him on direct. Certainly neither Penny Mordaunt nor Angela Rayner did so, and did their best to ignore him. The leader of Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth, rather towering over Farage, called him a bigot, which just allowed Farage (for whom this cannot have been an unfamiliar jibe), to mock him: Is that the best you can do?

Some people, its plain, want to hear this stuff, and like it. Like any populist, Farage tells people precisely what they want to hear, and does so with a certain plausibility. The EU means open borders so getting out will reduce immigration (it didnt, in reality, and migration is higher than ever). The housing crisis is down to the population explosion  ie immigration  though weve known homelessness, house price booms and a failure to build homes since long before recent crises.

He wants net zero migration but those with skills can come in. He wants to take millions out of tax but improve public services. He says we spend more on the NHS and have a worse service, even though its efficient, underfunded, suffers an ageing population and is getting over Covid. He seems to forget it was left in a relatively healthy condition when Labour lost power, as recently as 2010. This working-class hero wants tax relief for private school fees and private healthcare.

Farage, I think its not too much of an exaggeration to say, is a highly skilled conman, and he operates best when people are, so to speak, troubled, looking for answers and some hope, and thus susceptible to being conned. When both the main parties are delivering, to use that awful expression, Farage hasnt much to go on: extremist nationalist movements tend to do badly in boom times.

When Tony Blair and New Labour proved that economic efficiency and social justice were not mutually incompatible, the likes of Ukip and the BNP were more an irrelevance than a threat, even as EU migration started to rise, and GDP with it. Two decades ago, in the European parliament, Blair famously crushed Farage and his pretensions, as few have dared to since:

You sit there with our countrys flag  but you do not represent our countrys interests. This is the year 2005, not 1945. We are not fighting each other any more.

When Cameron and George Osborne imposed austerity and hit poorer communities in northern towns and coastal communities hardest after 2010, they created the ideal petri dishes for Farageism, and the powerful protest vote that, essentially, was the 2014 European elections, which Ukip won, and then the 2016 referendum result. Nick Clegg, unhappily, by joining the Tory-led coalition, destroyed the ability of the Liberal Democrats to continue as a safe receptacle for protest votes. Extremism loves a vacuum.

Nor did the main opposition party rise to the challenge. When Labour under Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn seemed to patronise and ignore them, people turned elsewhere, and, eventually, for a time to Boris Johnsons similar brand of populism and the lure of levelling up  the failure of which has since disillusioned them still more.

It is not something uniquely British or down to Farages personality. The dislocations of globalisation, despite its long-term benefits for all, disappointing economic growth and stagnant living standards have given rise to periodic populist insurgencies in most Western nations, from Donald Trumps America to Viktor Orbans Hungary. Like Marine Le Pen, Giorgia Meloni, Geert Wilders and the neo-Nazis of the German Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD), Farage is the product as much as the progenitor of the failures of his counterparts in mainstream parties to win the arguments, and the votes.

It is not so much that Farage is uniquely gifted, but that most of his opponents, with the partial and temporary exception of Johnson, have been so weak at taking him on or stealing his appeal. By the way, in the UK context, it is no great surprise that these conditions and a deeply divisive referendum also spawned the rise of the Scottish nationalism, which propelled the SNPs populist leader, Alex Salmond, to power. Farage was and remains poison north of the border.

All that said and done, the fact is that, even if he overtakes the Tories in vote share, Farage and Reform UK are much further away from ministerial power than any of their continental equivalents. This contains another terrible irony. Farage did very well, in all sorts of ways, from the EU gravy train hed been denigrating for years  not least because the European parliaments system of proportional representation gave Farage an easy way to win a platform, as well as a fat salary, exes and (continuing) pension. The Westminster system of first past the post (to which Farage was presumably devoted when Mrs Thatcher enjoyed huge majorities on a minority vote) has long excluded fascists and communists from power. It is one thing the British have done well.

The other great irony here is that Farages great achievement  Brexit  has damaged the economy, living standards and public services so much that it has helped create even more propitious conditions for Farageism to grow. Had it been the transformative success promised by Ukip in 2015 and 2016, and by the Brexit Party in 2019, we would today be in paradise with no need for Farage and his bogus policies.

Instead, he is offering us yet another false prospectus, once again blaming foreigners and minorities for all of Britains problems. He has even turned anti-science, with his well vented scepticism about climate change and sympathy for the anti-vaxxers. We would do well to remember what happened last time Farage told us he had all the answers.
Bank of Ireland (BoI) has brought its own High Court proceedings over its purchase of the Davy stockbrokers group.

Last year, Ailmount Investments Ltd, which held the legal interest in a firm acting for a company representing 722 investors in Davy, brought proceedings against BoI firm, BoI Nominee 1 Ltd, claiming the bank unlawfully withheld a deferred payment of some 15.3m due to them under the share purchase agreement which effected the sale.

BoI, which bought the Davy Group under a share purchase agreement entered into in 2021, denied the claim.

On Monday, proceedings by BoI firm, BoI Nominee 1 Ltd against Ailmount Investments were admitted on consent to the fast track Commercial Court.

In its legal action BoI claims that under the share purchase agreement Ailmount is obliged to indemnify the bank, and hold it harmless, in relation to losses and other liabilities, including legal claims, specifically in relation to two claims brought against Davy before the sale.

In an affidavit, BoI director Alan Daly said Ailmount provided certain indemnities which meant BoI was entitled to withhold a reasonable estimate of the cost of the outstanding claims from the deferred payment.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 10th June 2024

There was also a procedure under the share purchase agreement providing for the appointment of a senior counsel to provide an expert opinion on the prospect of success of the claims. Mr Daly said Ailmount had frustrated the process of appointing counsel.

He said Ailmount was paid 74.1m in 2024. Another 15.3m was withheld which he said was a "reasonable good faith estimate" of the amount of certain indemnity claims which have yet to be resolved.

He said that the investors, in their case brought last year, claimed entitlement to payment from BoI in relation to changes to Davy's regulatory capital requirements for the year ending 2022.

He said Ailmount last month asked the court for permission to amend its case to include the matters now being claimed in the BoI proceedings as well as a stay on the BoI case going ahead until the amendment issue is resolve.

He said the BoI case should be allowed to proceed because the issues within it are complex and if litigated as part of the first (Ailmount) case, this would only serve to materially delay that case.

Ailmount's solicitor, Karyn Harty of Dentons Ireland LLP, said in a replying affidavit that while her client did not oppose the entry of the BoI case to the commercial list, this was without prejudice to her side's application to stay the proceedings.

She also said her client's application last month to amend its proceedings arose because BoI was "in breach of its clear obligations" under the share purchase agreement and there was no lawful basis for withholding the 15.3m payment.

BoI was obliged to, but did not, provide Ailmount with documents and information in relation to its indemnity claims which prevented her client from assessing the validity of those claims, she said.

She also described Mr Daly's claim that Ailmount had frustrated the process for appointing a senior counsel as "a very serious allegation and is untrue".

Mr Justice Denis McDonald, after admitting the case to the Commercial Court, put it back to next month for the making of directions in how it should proceed.
Coillte fund has bought over 5,000 hectares of forestry

Purchases of bare land will ramp up this year, with sites already acquired in Limerick, Tipperary and Wicklow

The Governments target is to increase forest cover from 11.6pc of land to 18pc, which will involve creating 450,000ha of new forests. Photo: Getty

John Burns Mon 10 Jun 2024 at 03:30

The controversial fund set up last year by Coillte with Gresham House has bought over 5,000 hectares of forestry, according to figures released to the Irish Independent.
Fintech North American Bancard (NAB) is set to create 54 jobs in Limerick city.

The firm plans to open what it calls a centre of excellence in the city. The Michigan-headquartered company said the Limerick site will be responsible for the development of risk management products and services.

This will include a risk management platform for payment providers and financial institutions.

The jobs available at the companys new Irish base will focus on areas such as product management and UX design. NAB is also searching for front and back-end developers, engineers and data scientists.

Founded in 1992, NAB offers infrastructure to allow different payment types. It works with hundreds of thousands of businesses across the world and processes more than $100bn (93bn) each year in electronic transaction volume.

NAB employs around 1,300 people globally.

It is fantastic to begin our journey on establishing a presence in Ireland, and specifically in the Limerick region, the companys chief risk officer Christopher Mascaro said.

This establishes a specialist R&D facility with a keen focus on addressing the global issue of payments fraud.

The new centre was supported by IDA Ireland, the States inward investment agency.

North American Bancards decision to establish operations in Limerick is a significant and ambitious addition to the thriving technology-led cluster of companies in the mid-west, IDA executive director Mary Buckley said.

This move underscores the regions exceptional talent and technical capabilities, further elevating its profile as a hub for payments investments and advanced R&D initiatives, she added.

Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said the mid-west region has the optimum level of skills and talent required by the US company.

In April, US healthcare services company Carelon Global Solutions announced plans to create a further 100 jobs at its Irish R&D centre in Limerick.

American telco Verizon also said late last year it would establish a global centre of excellence in the city.

The organisation provides both enterprise and consumer communications, as well as technology services.

The company reported at the time that the opening of the centre would create more than 400 jobs over two years, with the initiative supported by the IDA.
The incoming President of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) says a cultural shift in government is needed so that building inspection is seen in terms of the potential billions of euro of damage it can prevent and not millions it costs.

SCSI President Kevin Hollingsworth said Irelands approach to the enforcement of building regulations requires a cultural shift and a new proactive approach by local authorities backed by Exchequer funding.

He warned that poor storage or mishandling of some innovative construction products is creating new risks that need to be monitored, such as the potential damage to pre-fabricated products if they are left out in damp conditions after delivery that might not become apparent for years.

Unless quality control measures with regard to modern methods of construction are addressed, we are storing up issues for the future, he said.

He contrasted those bills for redress, compensation and rebuilding associated with defects in some Celtic Tiger apartment blocks as well as the mica and pyrite scandals with the relatively modest investment in prevention.

The Governments estimate for dealing with the financial cost of the mica, pyrite and apartment defects issue is about 5bn, made up of 250m for pyrite, 2.2bn for mica and 2.5bn for apartment defects. However, this should be viewed as a minimum figure with more recent media reports indicating a figure in excess of 7bn to be more realistic, he said.

In 2022, local authorities spent a fraction of this sum, around 20m in total, on enforcing building control regulations. If you subtract the 5m they made from fees, the figure is just 15m with 5.4m of that being spent by Dublin City Council.

In some counties less than 12pc of new buildings are being inspected, he said. Local authorities are only required to inspect between 12pc and 15pc of new buildings notified to them. According to the National Oversight and Audit Commissions Local Authority Performance Indicator Report, two local authorities  Mayo and Sligo  did not meet this low bar in 2022 with many others just reaching the minimum target.

Mr Hollingsworth, who is a chartered fellow of the SCSI as well as a registered building surveyor, project management surveyor and conservation surveyor, said an adequately resourced and funded system of building control is fundamental to achieving safe buildings.
Auto-enrolment is designed to provide private pension cover for around 800,000 people in companies that do not offer pension schemes.

Plans to bring a new auto-enrolment pension system will not be enough to address a string of challenges facing the States pension set-up.

Auto-enrolment is designed to provide private pension cover for around 800,000 people in companies that do not offer pension schemes.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has promised to have the new auto-enrolment regime in place early next year.

But Dan Malone of the National Pension Helpline, an information website that can refer consumers to brokers, said the new scheme will not necessarily address the multitude of pension problems currently facing the country.

He said the inadequacy of private pension pots held by individuals and what he referred to as the fragile nature of the State PRSI pension as core issues that need to be tackled.

There are a number of complex problems to be solved, he said.

Ireland, like many European countries, is faced with an ageing population.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 10th June 2024

The number of individuals aged 65 and over is set to double by 2050, without a corresponding increase in the number of workers.

Mr Malone said this will put a huge strain on Irelands social insurance fund, which is responsible for paying out State pension payments to retirees.

And he said that an analysis of private pensions in Ireland suggests that some 90pc of workers are not on track for a financially comfortable retirement.

So what you have is a system that is weak on both the State pension side and the private pension side, he said.

The pensions expert, whose firm helps people trace pensions they paid into in the past, said that auto-enrolment will only solve the problem of pension coverage.

This is because it will hugely expand the number of people with a retirement savings plan, but it will not address the issue where people have not got enough funds in their pension to have a comfortable retirement.

The Government will be able to say that they increased the number of people with private pensions from 68pc to close to 100pc but, in reality, auto-enrolment will do very little, at least at the beginning, in the way of ensuring that people have sufficiently-sized pensions to support a comfortable lifestyle in retirement.

Mr Malone said that having a private pension is one thing, but having enough money in that private pension is another thing altogether.

Auto-enrolment seeks to improve retirement savings for workers aged 23 to 60 who are currently outside the private pension system.

By automatically enrolling eligible workers into a pension, the Government hopes to increase the number of individuals actively saving for retirement.

The scheme will mandate pension contributions from employees, employers, and the State.

An employee earning 20,000 per annum would likely see a gross pension contribution from all sources equal to around 700 in year one of the scheme.

The mandated percentage contributions are set to gradually increase over a 10-year period.

But this, said Mr Malone, is too little too late.

An individual under the age of 30 can currently contribute 10 times more money to their private pension annually, through the likes of a PRSA (personal retirement savings account), than theyll be able to contribute using auto-enrolment for the first three years, he said.

National Pension Helpline is not a broker and not regulated by the Central Bank.

*Note: This article was updated on 10/06/2024 to reflect the fact that National Pension Helpline is not a broker as originally reported.
MD Padraig O'Connor said its sales book for explosive ordnance disposal robots, used by the Irish Defence Forces was already full. Above, Reamda's Reacher

Reamda, a Co Kerry-based bomb disposal robotics company, has acquired a new site to build another facility to help cope with surging demand in the aftermath of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking with the Sunday Independent, Padraig OConnor, the managing director of Reamda, said the business had already tripled in size, with its sales book for explosive ordnance disposal robots, used by the Irish Defence Forces, already full.
What the next CAP might look like  the factors EU insiders think will shape the big decisions

Senior EU officials offered an insight into their thinking at a Brussels briefing, and while they insist they are listening to farmers concerns and say they are determined to improve incomes, dont expect a dramatic reboot of agricultural policy

'EU agricultural policy-makers are coming to terms with the widespread farmer protests of recent months, much of which have been seen as a rebuke of their own farm policies over the past decade'. Photo: Getty

Ciaran Moran Mon 10 Jun 2024 at 08:24

Amid the maze of office buildings in Brussels, EU civil servants are quietly planning for the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform.
A plaque installed at Carnlough in Co Antrim to honour a messenger pigeon which was used by the RAF during World War II has been totally destroyed.

Among those to condemn the incident was UUP leader Doug Beattie who described the reported act of vandalism as utterly pointless and disgraceful.

Paddy the Pigeon was raised as a carrier pigeon by Andrew Hughes of Carnlough village in Co Antrim.

During World War II, thousands of trained messenger pigeons were enrolled by the Royal Air Force (RAF) to help military service personnel by carrying secret coded messages between the Allies from the war front back home to Britain.

Paddy was awarded Dickin Medal on September 1, 1944, which is given for gallantry or devotion to duty while serving in military conflict and is often known as the animals Victoria Cross.

Sharing images of the broken plaque on social media, WartimeNI posted: Pretty harbour. Petty sectarianism. Equal parts saddened and angered to see the commemorative plaque to Paddy the Pigeon totally destroyed overnight in Carnlough, Co Antrim.

Wednesday would be the 80th anniversary of his Dickin Medal-worthy exploits in Normandy.

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Other people commented to say it was so disappointing, adding that his friends had visited the area a number of weeks ago and thought it was honourable and brilliant that the animals that helped us are remembered.

In light of the incident, he suggested a full model should be made to recognise the amazing birds that helped us.

Paddy the Pigeon was trained at the air forces Hurn Base, where the officers became impressed with his abilities during Air-Sea rescue operations.

Paddy was later used in service with the First U.S. Army during covert missions as part of the Normandy landings.

In an operation known as U2, Paddy was to carry coded information on the Allied advance in Normandy back to the British in Hampshire.

Not only did Paddy have to avoid anti-air fire, but German forces had also stationed specially trained hawks to take out carrier pigeons in the Calais region of France.

But Paddy managed to fly all the way back to the base in Hampshire from Normandy in four hours and 50 minutes, which became the fastest record by message-carrier pigeon during the Normandy landings.

Paddy the Pigeon eventually returned to his home in Carnlough with Andrew Hughes.

He lived until 1954, dying at the age of 11.

In 2019, a plaque was unveiled to honour his memory in Carnlough.

The PSNI said it is investigating after a memorial plaque was damaged in Carnlough overnight.

The marble tile was torn from its mount at the Heritage Centre on Harbour Road and smashed, a police officer said.

Anyone who witnessed the damage being caused or who may have other information regarding this crime is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 481 09/06/24.
Luke ONeill: Everything you need to know about Ozempic  and why it could soon be used to treat depression, Parkinsons and addiction
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Naas RFC and a Christian group are among those to bring High Court challenges over the alleged wrongful rejection of applicants to the now defunct Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP).

The programme, which was scrapped by the government in 2023, had allowed non-EU nationals who invested large sums of money in various projects to secure visas allowing them to reside in Ireland.
Man jailed for killing young woman is now the chief suspect in Finglas murder

Father stabbed to death at house in Finglas named locally, as manhunt underway for chief suspect in attack

Robin Schiller Mon 10 Jun 2024 at 03:30







A man previously convicted over the killing of a woman is the chief suspect for the murder of father-of-two Mark Carroll (34) in north Dublin at the weekend.
Officials in Simmonscourt RDS sort ballots for the European and local elections at the weekend. Photo: Collins

Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte vote in the European Parliament election. Macron warned in April that the EU's declining economic prowess could continue. Photo: AP

What odds on a nuclear attack in Europe in the next five years? We pose the question not to wish such wickedness and evil upon ourselves or our neighbours.

In the coming days, Ireland will have finalised the list of 14 Euro-election winners from the 73 hopefuls we considered last Friday.

We do not often look at the future through the prism of an upcoming five-year European Parliament term, yet sometimes it would be helpful to do just that.

Lets recall the big picture backdrop in the immediate aftermath of the last Euro elections, in 2019. Europe was motoring rather nicely out of the years of a eurozone crisis compounded by global recession amid multiple bank collapses. Some from the Pollyanna section of future-gazing even suggested we had weathered the 2015-2016 migration crisis, which had a huge impact across the EU following war in Syria and violent upheavals elsewhere.

We even had hopes that those Brexit travails, dating from 2016, would soon be conquered. That proved correct, even if the final timescale was a little optimistic.

But the key point here is that last time, in summer 2019, we could not have foreseen the devastating fallout from Covid. Nor could we have foreseen Putins Russian tanks rolling into Ukraine, raising huge questions about peace on mainland Europe, which  barring the 1990s conflict in the former Yugoslavia  had endured since 1945 thanks to the EUs success.

Many of us were far from surprised by the return of the migrant crisis. By now, the vast migration challenges are equal to the issues we had eight years ago, and its impact on Ireland is far more intensely felt this time around.

You do not have to be a clairvoyant to predict some of the upcoming risks for 2024-2029. Russia could prevail over Ukraine despite the EUs backing, while US-China trade conflicts could intensify, with fallout for Europe as the meat in the sandwich.

Donald Trump could succeed in his US re-election bid, raising big questions about Nato, further climate change deterioration and other economic fallout. Migration will also continue to preoccupy EU leaders over the next five years, as it has sporadically over the past decade.

Ukraine has driven increased European military spending, but critics argue it is still a small fraction of world defence expenditure

Lets recall that the International Organisation for Migration tells us 30,000 desperate people have either died or gone missing in the Mediterranean over the last 10 years.

The EU battle against climate change could also falter as the anti-Green backlash intensifies. Equally, the EUs declining economic prowess could continue, as French president Emmanuel Macron starkly warned in his landmark Sorbonne speech in late April.

A recent Reuters report noted that the EU now has 15pc of global economic output, which 30 years ago was put at 29pc. Clearly, that is in large part a function of other countries economic development, yet the same report put the US position as solid on 25pc of world output.

President Macrons remedy was a huge investment by the EU in technology and other economic developments, but Germanys resistance to another bout of EU borrowing on world money markets, repeating the post-Covid recovery programme, raises serious doubt about how such re-investment would be funded.

Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte vote in the European Parliament election. Macron warned in April that the EU's declining economic prowess could continue. Photo: AP

History teaches us that something else, of which we never thought, will probably confront the EU in the coming five years.

It could be the deliberate abuse of artificial intelligence (AI) or an inadvertent consequence of something else related to AI. And it could be a nuclear attack by Moscow or via some other rogue state such as North Korea. We all hope that remains unthinkable, but that sentiment is not enough to prevent such horror.

This brings us to EU defence spending, which raises particular sensitivities in Ireland. Ukraine has driven increased European military spending, but critics argue it is still a small fraction of world defence expenditure.

There may well be a post of EU defence commissioner in the new Brussels executive to be confirmed by the new European Parliament this autumn. That would be a boon to Irish EU critics, but creating such a post would of itself not achieve much. The politics of European defence with some collaboration and much cross-cutting competitiveness will remain.

EU leaders appear more open to taking in new member states after years of stalemate. There is a realisation that western Balkan nations will become clients of Russia and/or China if the EU continues to cold-shoulder them.

But this again brings us back to funding, and right-leaning governments in the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and Italy remain sceptical here.

So, the coming five years will be tough, proving the maxim of Jean Monnet, an EU founding father, who said: Europe will be forged in crisis and will be the sum of the solutions adopted for those crises.
Helen Ogbu celebrates becoming the first African woman ever to be elected in Galway City

Follow the latest from every count centre across the country.

KERRY

The popularity of Kerrys most famous political dynasty, the Healy-Raes, has shown no sign of waning.

TD Michael Healy-Rae said the next election has already begun following a superb vote for the family in Kerry. His son Jackie Healy-Rae  named after his late grandfather  topped the poll and was elected in Castleisland.

Topping the poll in Killarney after the results of the first count was Maura Healy-Rae, the daughter of TD Danny Healy-Rae. Her brother, Johnny Healy-Rae, topped the poll in Kenmare.

Election hopeful Charlie Hackett and his mother, Green Party junior minister Pippa Hackett in Portlaoise. Photo: Margaret Donnelly

We take our job in politics very seriously. With every vote you get comes responsibility as you must keep and earn the trust of that person, he said.

What that vote tells me is that the young Healy-Raes are working and are diligent and committed. They are what I call real politicians, said Michael Healy-Rae.

LAOIS

He tried to entice voters by releasing his own rap  but many appeared to switch off from Green Party candidate Charlie Hacketts message.

The 20-year-old son of Junior Agriculture Minister Pippa Hackett looked set to be eliminated in the Graiguecullen/Portarlington district.

Laois was among the last counties to declare a first count, with many candidates enduring an anxious wait yesterday. However, it looked to be a tough election for first-time candidate Charlie.

Meanwhile, a new Fianna Fail candidate Naeem Iqbal, who ran as an Independent candidate in 2019, polled very strongly in the Portlaoise constituency, according to early tallies while Fine Gaels Thomasina Cullen, also in Portlaoise, appeared to be struggling.

CARLOW

Fine Gaels youngest candidate in the country was elected to the Tullow LEA on the 12th count. His parents, who were clearly emotional, watched on as it was announced that Ben Ward, aged 21, had met the quota of 1,114 with 1,177 votes.

Elsewhere, a father was joined by his daughter on the ballot paper for the same electoral area, and the same party.

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, said sitting Sinn Fein Cllr Andy Gladney. However, while father was elected, daughter was eliminated in the Muinebheag LEA yesterday.

LEITRIM

Two of the big takeaways in Leitrim were that Sinn Fein has gone from two to four councillors and Fine Gael has dropped three seats, while the Independents gained a seat to move to a total of five.

Poll topper Paddy ORourke in the Ballinamore district embodied the old adage of if at first you dont succeed, try again. The Fianna Fail representative referenced his first outing 33 years ago in 1991, when he lost an election by 26 votes.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fail councillor Mary Bohan reflected how she has enjoyed every minute of her 45 years in local politics.

The Manorhamilton councillor said: I really like the work and I would not have gone for election if I did not have the enthusiasm and energy to do the job.

KILKENNY

Senior camogie manager Peter Chap Cleere has been a Fianna Fail councillor for Callan-Thomastown for the last 10 years, but admitted the nerves were still jangling in the run-up to the vote.

Its a great job but its been really nerve-racking for the last couple of weeks. Its great when you see the support coming through, its very humbling and it gives you a great confidence in the work youre doing, he said.

He had to rush back to the count centre from a senior camogie match where Kilkenny drew against Waterford. When the match was over then the phone came back on... To hopefully come out on the right side shortly is great, he said, before he was confirmed as elected.

WEXFORD

Labours George Lawlor said it had been a 20-year campaign as he topped the poll in the Wexford Borough District with 2,361 first-preference votes.

The Labour councillor  elected to the council for the fifth consecutive term  said: People talk about a four-week campaign but for me this has been a 20-year campaign really.

Its been about constant work, hard work with groups, residents associations, individuals, to deliver tangible projects that will benefit the community.

In the Rosslare LEA Aontu councillor Jim Codd performed remarkably well in the first count.

Paying tribute to his late father, he said: My father passed away lately and I feel I inherited my politics and beliefs from my late father and my mother. He would be very happy today.

WATERFORD

First-time Fine Gael candidate Niamh ODonovan had an interesting run-in to the local elections, having encountered a hungry goat on the canvass.

I had a good campaign, but a goat bit me in Ballyduff, she said. I could feel the horns and the next thing I got a bite in the rear end. The two lads out with me were just laughing  they thought it was hilarious. I was like, I need to go to A&E.

She said it was a busy year learning as much as I can, as quick as I can, but thankfully it all paid off.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein has a new councillor following the election of Donnchadh Mulcahy (33), another newbie in the Lismore LEA.

SLIGO

Its 50 not out for veteran Independent socialist councillor Declan Bree who topped the poll with an increased vote in Sligo/Strandhill LEA.

Bree, first elected in 1974 to the county council, is a former Labour Party TD from 1992-1997 but has spent the vast majority of his political career as an Independent.

Its a humbling experience to be re-elected and topping the poll once again and Id certainly like to thank all those who voted for me, my election team, my campaign manager Pat Fallon and director of elections, Brenda Barr. Brenda has campaigned with me in every local election since 1974. She has been by my side for those 50 years and its a privilege to have her there, he said.

He also thanked his wife Margaret, adding that politicians families often sacrifice so much for them.

Alma Gallagher, local Fine Gael election candidate in Claremorris, Co Mayo

MAYO

History was made in Claremorris with the first female councillor elected, Fine Gaels Alma Gallagher.

The Claremorris electoral glass ceiling has finally been shattered and Im honoured that so many men and women saw fit to vote for me to represent them, Ms Gallagher said.

It has taken over 100 years of local elections to have a woman elected here. It shouldnt have taken that long, but I know the responsibility that comes with this immense privilege.

Aontu also elected its first councillor in Mayo, with Paul Lawless taking the fifth seat in the six seat Claremorris area.

But there was late drama as a full recount was ordered in the Swinford Local Electoral Area.

Just one vote separated candidates John Sheahan (SF)  who was on 1,636 and Neal Cruise(FG) on 1,637  for the last seat.

The Swinford LEA recount will begin this morning, as will the one for Ballina.

DONEGAL

The 100pc Redress Party performed strongly, and may pick up three seats in Donegal.

There were emotional scenes among supporters of the party which was formed to campaign for redress for families affected by defective building materials.

They topped the poll in Carndonagh, with newcomer Ali Farren elected in the first count.

Joy Beard, one of the 100pc Redress Partys prominent candidates, was elected in Buncrana.

Meanwhile, there was surprise as sitting councillor John ODonnell lost out in the Milford LEA.

Another notable moment came from Independent Martin Scanlons strong performance in the hotly contested Lifford/Stranorlar area.

MONAGHAN

Counting was fast-paced in Monaghan compared to some other areas, with 13 of the 18 seats for the county filled by teatime yesterday.

Sinn Fein and Fine Gael were hoping to be the main winners at the end.

Fianna Fail will be disappointed with its showing in north Monaghan, where it increased its first-preference votes by 6pc (almost 700), yet ended up with just one councillor from its three candidates.

Sinn Fein was hoping to increase its overall tally of seats on the council from six to eight.

First-time candidate for Fine Gael, Pauric Clerkin, who works for Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys, was one of three councillors elected without reaching the quota after Sinn Feins Sean Conlon had been re-elected.

DUBLIN CITY

Sinn Fein had a tough weekend, with leader Mary Lou McDonald admitting she was obviously disappointed more of the partys candidates were not successful.

Speaking at the RDS, she acknowledged it hasnt been our day as it appears Independents and others have benefited from anti-government sentiment.

Cllr Daithi Doolan said he was delighted to top the poll in Ballyfermot-Drimnagh, but he acknowledged the party may have to live and learn if it turns out it ran too many candidates.

Meanwhile, Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithi de Roiste, of Fianna Fail, lost his seat to former Olympic boxer Philip Sutcliffe on the 10th count.

DUN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN

Loud cheers were heard as Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown elected its first newcomer and seventh Fine Gael candidate, Pierce Dargan, who is also one of the youngest candidates.

He was elected in Glencullen-Sandyford, alongside incumbent councillor Oisin OConnor, who was the first Green Party candidate to win a seat locally.

Fine Gaels Marie Baker was elected for the fifth term and received almost two quotas in Blackrock  3,045 votes.

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 I must be getting in the right direction.

Fine Gael has done well in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown as most of its councillors look set to keep their seats.

SOUTH DUBLIN

A father-and-son pairing were both elected in one of the biggest stories coming out of south Dublin.

Three-time councillor Baby Pereppadan, originally from India, was elected again in Tallaght South and his son Britto was elected for the first time in Tallaght Central.

Britto (24), who is in his second year as a doctor at Tallaght University Hospital, said: My biggest inspiration in politics is my dad.

He moved to this country and decided to serve people.

Sitting Independent councillor Francis Timmons was elected in the first count for Clondalkin.

He said: Its the best news for Pride month. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I pride myself in being a voice for everyone.

FINGAL

In a surprising turn of events, the current mayor of Fingal, Fianna Fails Adrian Henchy, was eliminated yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Labour councillor Robert ODonoghues successful election as the first councillor in Rush-Lusk signalled early momentum for the party in the area.

Another win for Labour came later on, in the third count, with Corina Johnston winning a seat representing Rush-Lusk.

Based on the candidates elected and performing strongly in Fingal last night, it appears that Labour and Fine Gael are performing the best in this constituency, followed by a strong performance by Independent candidates.

GALWAY CITY

Helen Ogbu has made history after becoming the first African woman ever to be elected to Galway City Council. Ms Ogbu (51) suffered racist abuse during her campaign, but now feels a message has been sent by voters that migrants are welcome here.

The people of Galway spoke. Its the City of Tribes and I interpret that differently because its the most diverse city in Ireland, Ms Ogbu said yesterday.

Last night, Fine Gael had secured seats, while Fianna Fail should also hold and there are likely to be gains for Labour the Social Democrats.

GALWAY COUNTY

In Tuam, Mary Hoade was elected for the sixth time in a row  the Fianna Fail member has been a councillor since 1999.

This time she was elected on the tenth count with 1,933 votes.

She said: Its an honour to be consistently re-elected on every occasion, and I just want to take this opportunity to thank my canvass team, the electors and everybody who has worked in the campaign up to now.

When asked why residents keep voting for her after all these years, she said: They know Im a hard worker, I work hard to represent the constituency, I can be relied on and Im always accessible and available.

CAVAN

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.

Ive 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, she said.

Im 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.

Fianna Fail TD Niamh Smyth praised Ms Smith 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, she said.

WICKLOW

It was five-in-a-row for Tom Fortune. After being elected for the fifth successive term on the fifth count in the Greystones LEA, Independent councillor Fortune said his love for helping people kept him coming back for more.

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, he said.

Earlier, there were jubilant scenes when popular local activist Danny Alvey from Newtownmountkennedy became the first new candidate to win a Wicklow County Council seat.

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran

WESTMEATH

Former government minister Kevin Boxer Moran made a 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, Mr Moran said he was lifted into the air in celebration by supporters after what was seen as a landslide win. 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, he said.

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.

The Green Party seem to be faring badly and could be contending with the possibility of losing the two seats they gained in 2019.

TIPPERARY

Poll-topper Independent John OHeneys win in Tipperary Cashel LEA was notable. The former Fine Gael candidate is well known in Tipperary town and worked hard to gain 2,534 first preferences on the first count. It has also been a good election for Michael Lowrys team of independent candidates, including his own son Micheal, who was elected to Thurles LEA with 2,184 first preference votes.

In Roscrea-Templemore, councillor Shane Lee retained his seat and acknowledged the immigration debate had been a major local issue.

People have been speaking about it, not just in Roscrea, but right across the district, Mr Lee said.

ROSCOMMON

Independent candidate Valerie Byrne was re-elected in Boyle, having first got a seat 22 years ago.

She feels there should be more participation of women in politics in order to have proper representation of women.

The first count declared in the Roscommon LEA at lunchtime yesterday saw two Fianna Fail candidates retaining their seats

Outgoing councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice topped the poll with 1,853 votes. Another outgoing councillor Marty McDermott (FF) was elected with 1,626 votes.

Roscommon will have two new faces this time as both Orla Leyden (FF) and Kathleen Shanagher (Ind) decided to step down.

LIMERICK

Fine Gael and Fianna Fail were battling it out throughout the weekend in Limerick as the big two showed dominance at the polls.

In contrast, it was a very challenging weekend for Sinn Fein in the Treaty County. There was late drama at Limerick City West. Michael MacCurtain (Fine Gael) requested a full recount  which was 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 Esther Ahearne.

Meanwhile, it was announced that sorting of the mayoral votes would begin last night. It was emphasised that no formal counting was taking place  just sorting  ahead of the count today.

LOUTH

Former mayor of Drogheda Frank Godfreys attempt at reigniting his local political career received a blow, as he bowed out of the Drogheda Rural race with 390 votes.

Later on, there were loud cheers ringing across the Drogheda count centre to herald the election of local school principal Anne Marie Ford.

The first-time Fine Gael candidate was almost speechless at the announcement.

But she did use her first words as a Drogheda Rural councillor to thank her team for their support and promise to work hard for her constituents on providing better care for children with additional needs.

MEATH

Independent councillor Noel French showed that leaving Fine Gael has not done him any harm, as he was elected with a huge vote in Trim. He had a third of voters backing in the final tally  the highest portion for a candidate in any of the countys six electoral areas.

Im a public representative. I represent the people. It aint hard, Mr French said.

I love it. If anybody has any problems or difficulties, come to me. I will reply. I may not give you the answer you want but you will get an answer. And thats what I promise.

Joe Fox of Fine Gael also comfortably took a second seat in the electoral area as the first result in the Meath count was finally announced yesterday afternoon.

LONGFORD

Fianna Fail was struggling in the north of the country, and one of those to express his disappointment was retired councillor Luie McEntire.

The Dromard man enjoyed a 40-year uninterrupted career before bowing out at the 2019 local elections.

North Longford has always been a staunch Fianna Fail area and I feel bad because during Albert Reynolds time in the late 70s, he really built up the Fianna Fail party in north Longford, Mr McEntire said.

We had cumanns in every area and now a lot of those cumanns have no members in them.

In the midst of that political post-mortem, all eyes will no doubt switch to whether Fine Gael can hold onto control of the councils chamber.

OFFALY

First-time candidate Aoife Masterson became Sinn Feins first candidate elected in Offaly. It was a significant result for the party because it had failed to secure a seat last time round in 2019.

In the early hours of yesterday morning, Fine Gael councillor Neil Feighery topped the poll in Tullamore LEA and became the first candidate in the county to reach the quota.

It may have been a missed opportunity of Fine Gael not to run a second candidate in the area, with Mr Feigherys 503-vote surplus failing to elect a candidate in count two.

By yesterday afternoon, Fianna Fail were in the lead with the most seats secured.

Vincent P Martin

KILDARE

The Green Party had had a wake-up call after a bruising local election in Kildare where it lost both its seats.

Green Party senator Vincent P Martin, a former poll-topper in Naas and sister of deputy party leader and Tourism Minister Catherine Martin, said the partys collapse in the partly rural county contrasted with neighbouring Dublin, where it performed reasonably well.

Communications could be better. Theres no-one loves rural Ireland more than the Greens and maybe that message didnt get across, said Mr Martin.

He said the party also needed to push its social justice agenda better.

This is a wake-up call. We have to redouble our efforts.

The post-mortem also began for Sinn Fein in a county where the party had run 14 candidates.

The partys local TD Reada Cronin conceded there would be no great rise in fortunes for local candidates.

She insisted she was pleased with the performance of a number of candidates however, saying they had made progress.

They hit the bar but did not get the goal in the back of the net, Ms Cronin said.

CLARE

At one point, counting was paused in Ennis to allow everyone to watch the Munster Senior Hurling Final  which itself was delayed by half an hour.

Later in the evening, Rachel Hartigan of Fianna Fail, at just 22 years old, was elected to Clare County Council in the Shannon LEA on what was the 10th count.

She is among the youngest councillors in the country.

Sinn Fein had only one council seat in Clare last term. But yesterday evening, it had two, as Donna McGettigan became the second person elected in the Shannon LEA. Ms Gettigan joined Tommy Guilfoyle, who was elected to the Ennis LEA.

CORK COUNTY

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 LEA on his third attempt.

The election of Ted Lucey (FG) and Martin Coughlan (non-party) in the sixth count means all six outgoing councillors have been re-elected in Macroom.

Meanwhile, there was surprise as outgoing Fine Gael councillor Kay Dawson was eliminated from the race for the remaining seats in the Fermoy LEA.

The seventh count saw the 1,158 votes of eliminated Ireland First candidate Derek Blighe distributed among five candidates.

CORK CITY

Fianna Fail were the big winners in the Cork City Council election, although the Greens, Labour and Independents also enjoyed key breakthroughs.

It was a disappointing election for both Sinn Fein and Fine Gael.

Fine Gael managed to maintain its percentage vote but, due to transfer vagaries, were staring at the potential loss of key seats.

Labour, which had just a single councillor after the 2019 election, is set to increase its representation.

The Green Party also looked set to achieve a breakthrough win with Honore Kamegnie in the South East ward.

It was a disappointing election for Sinn Fein, which ran extra candidates but failed to make the predicted gains.
Having totalled the lead in the final tallies, independent Clondalkin councillor Francis Timmons share his thoughts on what he would do if he were to secure another term

Its a fantastic day, Im absolutely delighted, said sitting Mayor and successful Firhouse  Bohernabreena candidate Alan Edge. Im here in my Pride colours, it is Pride month and I think its really important that we never take Pride for granted and what that means.

Im very proud to be the third LGBTQ+ mayor of south Dublin. My term is coming to an end in a couple of weeks and I think its really important that we wear are colours and were proud. I think thats a great asset we have in South Dublin and it was very much a part of my campaign  its been focused on celebrating diversity.

An independent candidate, Edge was among three sitting councillors to win on the very first count at Weston Airport, along with Brian Lawlor (Fine Gael) and Emma Murphy (Fianna Fail).

Today's News in 90 seconds - 10th June 2024

Its been a long count, but the results have been fantastic. Especially in the situation we are all in, our campaign was very much about celebrating our diversity and inclusivity. Ive done a lot of work trying to counter some of the myths around people seeking asylum. I think this is a real victory for those values like humanity, basic decency and dignity that we dont hear enough about these days.

In Clondalkin, another sitting independent candidate Francis Timmons was the first to be elected on the first count.

Itll be a great win for pride month. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I pride myself in being a voice for everyone. Im not here as just a gay councillor of Dublin, but as a representative of everyone in South Dublin City Council who needs someone to trust.

Im delighted that the people topping the tallies are not people that will be divisive or will bring hatred into our community. At this moment, I also definitely send my solidarity to the trans community that are being targeted relentlessly. I have a lot of trans friends myself and I stand totally with them at this time and always.

The councillor stood with pins that represented solidarity towards Palestine, the trans and queer community. Speaking about a growing divisiveness among the Irish candidates this year, Timmons said: The far right have made their way in, we cant ignore that. Its a wake-up call for the government and the policies that led to this, the main one being the housing crisis.

I knocked across many doors and the message was clear  we have two major issues which are housing and anti-social behaviour. The message is clear today. We now need to look at why the far right have made gains and what we have done wrong to let that happen. We need to ensure that going forward, we have housing for all, not just for some.

The long waiting lists for the people of South Dublin and everywhere else is just not acceptable. Going forward, Id like to see more work being done on that. I met thousands of people in the last few weeks and I heard their anger loud and clear. I promised the people that I will work hard to deal with those issues. Local councillors have very little say in a lot of things, but I have the power to raise these issues and thats exactly what Ill do.
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)

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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.

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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.

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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.
Cllr. Joanna Byrne with her supporters after being elected at the count held in County Hall. Photo by Ken Finegan/Newspics Photography

It was a bittersweet success for Sinn Feins Joanna Byrne as she comfortably retained her seat in Drogheda Urban, but her three female running mates failed to make the impact that the party had hoped. The party suffered further disappointment in the south of the county where Tom Cunningham lost his seat in Drogheda Rural, with newcomer Eric Donovan getting over the line to keep the Sinn Fein seat.

The Drogheda United chairperson was naturally delighted with her result saying, I have worked very hard over the last few years and thankfully its transpired into votes. I would have liked to bring a few more of my colleagues over the line with me so its bittersweet in that regard.

While it was disappointing for the party, she said that they will regroup afterwards.

We had a great team of candidates that will still be activists going forward and for myself, from my own perspective, Im very thankful to everybody who put their trust in me for another five years, very thankful to be back for the next few years.

She said that as shes predominantly known for her work in relation to housing, social housing, affordable housing and in particularly being a huge advocate for the homeless, an awful lot of that came up on the doors for me.

I think different candidates got different issues depending on the areas that were relevant, that they represented but certainly in the heart of Drogheda, its dereliction, its housing, its anti-social behaviour and its crime and these seem to be reflected across the board with other candidates.
Labours Helen Ogbu says her victory sends a message

Labours Helen Ogbu pictured with family and friends at the count in Galway. Photo: Ray Ryan

Labours Helen Ogbu, who has taken the fourth seat in Galway City East, pictured with family and friends at the count in Westside. Photo: Ray Ryan

Helen Ogbu has made history after becoming the first African woman to be elected to Galway City Council.

Ms Ogbu (51), who came to Ireland as a refugee in 2005, has worked in community activism for 17 years, including as chair of the Galway Refugee Support Group.

She arrived in Ireland after fleeing threats faced by her husband, who was murdered for his political activity in their native Nigeria.

After briefly returning to Nigeria following the birth of her daughter, Ms Ogbu came back to Ireland, where mother and child spent three years living in direct provision.

She said her decision to enter local politics is not for herself, but to inspire others to follow in her footsteps.

Im not doing it for me, its being an inspiration to people, telling them its possible, that they can do it, especially the young people.

I remember organising a symposium two months ago called SHEroes on encouraging migrants, women and people of migrant origin to participate in politics. Dont be afraid, we can do it. If I can do it  Im 50-plus  then you can.

It is now time to walk the talk after years in community activism, Ms Ogbu said as she looked ahead to five-years in City Hall.

Ive been a community activist for more than 17 years so now its the time to get to work and do it officially, she said.

There are new tribes in town and we should accommodate them, welcome them and give them the same opportunities

Ms Ogbu suffered racist abuse during her campaign, and immigration has been a topic of heated discussion.

With her election, she feels a message has been sent by voters that migrants are welcome here.

The people of Galway spoke. Its the City of Tribes and I interpret that differently because its the most diverse city in Ireland, Ms Ogbu said.

It has different tribes, telling everybody here this is a new Galway, there are new tribes in town and we should accommodate them, welcome them and give them the same opportunities.

Its history-making. Thank you to the Galwegians for giving me this opportunity. Its a huge honour and Im not going to disappoint them.

There was a nervous crawl to the finish after 14 counts and a full recount requested by Michael J Crowe of Fianna Fail, albeit with a seat all but assured.

It was really nerve-racking, but finally we got the results and we made history, Ms Ogbu said. Its a privilege. Im lost for words. Its amazing, and I look forward to getting working, doing what I ought to do that is being an advocate and being a strong voice for the people.

Labours nationwide mini-revival looks set to translate to Galway city, where John McDonagh in Central and sitting councillor Niall McNelis in West are confident of joining Ms Ogbu.

Im rooting for John and Niall  I know theyll get it, she said. Labour has seen a decline, but were bouncing back and bouncing back very strong.
Minister of State Martin Heydon and supporters celebrating with Peggy O'Dwyer and Tracey O'Dwyer, both sitting Fine Gael councillors returned to their seats in Kildare.

Melissa Byrne of Aontu looks on anxiously as a second recount continues in Kildare with just one vote between her and Sinn Fein candidate James Stokes.

The longest local election count in the country has ended in Co Kildare with the six seats in the Newbridge electoral area being filled after four days of counting and recounting.

Five of the six councillors are familiar faces as they are all returning to their seats.

Peggy ODwyer and Tracey ODwyer of Fine Gael, Noel Heavey and Rob Power of Fianna Fail and Chris Pender of the Social Democrats were all voted back in.

The final seat went to Tom McDonnell, an Independent running on a migration control platform.

Mr McDonnell announced after his election that he would use his council seat as a stepping stone to the Dail and was intent on running in the upcoming general election.

He repeated his campaign messages about wanting strict controls and vetting of migrants and said a major part of his future work would focus on securing incentives for Irish women to breed more.

"Our women are only breeding 1.5 or 1.6 children. That's shocking for an Irish woman. We've great women and we want them breeding," he said.

With all 40 seats in Kildare filled, the make-up of the council is as follows: Fianna Fail, 12 seats; Fine Gael 11; Social Democrats 7, Labour 5, Independents 3, Sinn Fein 1 and Independent Ireland, 1.

Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour have the same numbers as they had on the outgoing council but the Social Democrats gained three seats while the Green Party lost their two.

The male-female ratio 65-35, the same as the outgoing council.

The Newbridge count became the last to finish in the country after four recounts, centred on a battle between two of the country's youngest candidates.

They were Melissa Byrne of Aontu who celebrated her 25th birthday at the Punchestown count centre on Monday, and 18-year-old student teacher James Stokes of Sinn Fein.

Mr Stokes was initially one vote behind Ms Byrne on Count 10 of the first count, then went two votes ahead on the first recount.

Both drew level on the second recount before Mr Stokes went one ahead again on the third. The fourth recount put him two votes ahead of Ms Byrne who accepted the outcome.

6:30pm

A fourth recount in the Kildare local elections has put Aontu candidate Melissa Byrne two votes behind Sinn Fein's James Stokes in a result that mirrors the outcome of the first recount.

Returning officer Eoghan Ryan is to meet the candidates shortly to see if they will accept this result but it now looks like Ms Byrne will be formally excluded.

The battle for seats in the six-seater Newbridge local electoral area has been the longest in the country and the three seats still to be filled are last outstanding in Ireland.

A first recount was called by Mr Stokes when he emerged one vote behind Ms Byrne. That recount put him two votes ahead of Ms Byrne.

A second recount called by Ms Byrne put them level. A third put Mr Stokes one vote ahead. The fourth put him two votes ahead.

If the results are accepted, the count will then proceed with Ms Byrne's exclusion and a new battle will begin between Mr Stokes and Independent Tom McDonnell who is 60 votes ahead.

Three of the seats had already been filled when the first recount was called, both by Fine Gael candidates.

A third seat went to Social Democrats newcomer Chris Pender and it was the distribution of his small surplus - measured at first at 24 votes, then 21, then 22 - that caused much of the differing results.

The next two seats are almost certain to go to two Fianna Fail candidates, leaving Mr McDonnell and Mr Stokes relying on Ms Byrne's transfers to seal their fortunes.

8am

Election drama continued overnight in Punchestown after a third recount ended in the early hours of the morning.

Sinn Feins James Stokes emerged one vote ahead of Aontus Melissa Byrne in what was the fourth different result for the two Newbridge candidates since counting began in their electoral area on Sunday.

Legal advice is now being sought as to how to proceed.

The initial count on Sunday put Mr Stokes one vote behind Ms Byrne but a recount at Sinn Feins request put him two votes ahead.

A second recount requested by Aontu put the two candidates level on 1098 votes.

Legislation cited by returning officer Eoghan Ryan at that point allows for the exclusion of the candidate with the lowest number of first preference votes, in this case Mr Stokes.

However a further recount was requested and granted and it continued until the early hours.

It puts Mr Stokes one vote ahead but given the extraordinary flip-flopping fortunes of the two candidates over the past three days, lawyers are being consulted before any further formal declaration is made.

Three seats had been filled in the six-seater electoral area, two by Fine Gael and one by the Social Democrats,

Two more look certain to go to Fianna Fail, and that leaves Ms Byrne, Mr Stokes and Independent Tom McDonnell in the fight for the last place.

Mr McDonnell is currently just 61 votes ahead of Mr Stokes.

8.30pm

A third recount has now been called in the fight for seats in Newbridge.

Returning officer Eoghan Ryan made the announcement just before 8.30pm and counting has commenced immediately.

8pm

An extraordinary second recount in the Kildare local elections has ended with Sinn Fein candidate James Stokes being excluded despite having equal votes with Aontus Melissa Byrne.

Returning officer Eoghan Ryan had to consult the law to divide the two when they were both left with 1,098 votes after two recounts in the Newbridge electoral area.

He cited Statutory Instrument 297 of 1995 which provides instructions that in such circumstances, the candidate with the lowest number of first preferences should be excluded.

Mr Stokes had 643 first preferences compared to Ms Byrnes 691.

The gap had closed even more tightly over the following nine counts, however, and originally Mr Stokes was just one behind Ms Byrne after the original 10th count.

Sinn Fein requested a recount and it finished with Ms Byrne two behind Mr Stokes.

Aontu requested another recount and this time, when it reached the 10th count, both candidates were level.

A small number of additional spoiled ballots were detected in the recounts and a small number of wrongly attributed votes.

However, their impact could not be predicted until all 10 counts had been retraced for a second time.

Mr Stokes, 18, and Ms Byrne, 25, embraced after the results were formally announced in what has been a rollercoaster experience for the two political novices.

An 11th count is now proceeding for the first time. Three seats had already been filled when the recounts were called, with Peggy ODwyer and Tracey ODwyer of Fine Gael being elected on the first count and Chris Pender of the Social Democrats on the sixth.

Two Fianna Fail sitting councillors, Noel Heavey and Rob Power, are expected to take the fourth and fifth seats with the battle now between Ms Byrne and Independent Tom McDonnell for the final seat.

Mr McDonnell currently leads Ms Byrne by 62 votes.

4pm

Every vote counts never rang truer than in the Kildare local elections where the fortunes of two candidates are swaying back and forth on a single ballot.

Three seats were filled in the six-seater Newbridge LEA with three more to go and five candidates in contention.

Two sitting candidates looked certain to take seats four and five but before proceedings got to that stage and the battle commenced for the final seat, a recount was requested by the lowest placed candidate, James Stokes of Sinn Fein.

This was at the tenth count stage and he was then just one vote behind Melissa Byrne of Aontu.

A recount put him two ahead of Ms Byrne who then also asked for a recount.

The second recount, which has now got to the third count stage, has now put Ms Byrne just one vote behind him.

Several votes have been added and subtracted along the way with the spoiled pile growing by three votes and a few wrongly attributed votes finding their rightful home.

The mathematical acrobatics means the quota has now reduced by one vote although it is likely the final seats would be allocated without the winning candidates reaching it.

The recount of the recount continues.

11.30

Candidates and count staff are in for another long day in Punchestown where the process of filling the final seats on Kildare County Council continues.

A second recount of votes in the Newbridge local electoral area got underway at 10am this morning with three of the six seats still up for grabs.

Five candidates remain in contention and it is the tiny margin between the lowest polling two that gave rise to the recounts.

Just one vote separated Melissa Byrne of Aontu and James Stokes of Sinn Fein yesterday afternoon.

By evening, their positions had switched with Mr Stokes two votes ahead of Ms Byrne.

What happens when their final position is known will be equally intriguing.

Whoever hangs on after the next elimination will be only around 60 votes below Tom McDonnell, an Independent who has been a leading figure in anti-migrant protests in Kildare and nationally.

Whether he would benefit more from transfers from an eliminated candidate from Aontu or Sinn Fein is unclear.

An interesting trend has emerged over the ten counts it took to get to this point, however.

Ms Byrne has been picking up transfers from all parties in near equal proportions which means that if she holds on, she may benefit from Mr Stokes transfers sufficiently to enable her overtake Mr ODonnell and take last seat.

If Ms Byrne is eliminated, it is not clear where her transfers are likely to go or if they could- close the gap between Mr Stokes and Mr ODonnell.

As things stand, Fianna Fails Noel Heavey and Rob Power look safe for the fourth and fifth seat but there are no certainties.

The recount, followed by progress to Count 11, is expected to take at least until late afternoon.

9pm

A fresh recount is to begin in Kildare tomorrow morning after a first recount saw the bottom two candidates in the Newbridge LEA switch places by just two votes.

Melissa Byrne of Aontu went into this afternoons recount, one vote ahead of Sinn Feins James Stokes but after almost five hours of counting, she emerged two votes behind him.

After consulting with both candidates, returning officer Eoghan Ryan suspended proceedings for the evening just before 9pm, asking staff to return at 10am tomorrow.

Its certainly a birthday to remember, said Melissa Byrne, who turned 25 counting ballots instead of candles in the Punchestown count centre.

She and Mr Stokes, who is just 18, are the youngest candidates of the 90 to contest the 40 seats in the eight local electoral areas in Kildare.

Neither seem fazed by testing the democratic process to the full and while there was plenty to divide the field and their supporters throughout the election campaign, there was unity of admiration for them.

Im delighted to see it, said one veteran Fianna Fail supporter. Politics needs more young people  whatever their party.

5.30pm

The recount is continuing in Kildare where one vote separates the bottom two candidates after the 10th count in Newbridge LEA.

Three of the six seats were filled in earlier counts by Peggy ODwyer and Tracey ODwyer, both Fine Gael, and Chris Pender of the Social Democrats.

Going into the tenth count, five of the original 14 candidates remained in the running with Noel Heavey and Rob Power, both sitting Fianna Fail councillors, in first and second place.

They were followed by Independent Tom McDonnell, Aontus Melissa Byrne and Sinn Feins James Stokes.

After distribution of transfers, the line-up remained the same but the gap between Byrne and Stokes narrowed. Byrne now has 1,101 votes and Stokes, 1,100.

Whoever is eliminated after the recount will leave another tight situation behind.

While Heavy and Power look relatively safe, Tom McDonnell is just 60 votes ahead of Byrne and 61 ahead of Stokes so a distribution of transfers will determine who takes the final seat.

Newbridge is the only one of the eight local electoral areas in Kildare where counting is incomplete.

12.30pm

Minister of State Martin Heydon has credited a mix of the Harris bounce and quality local candidates for Fine Gaels strong performance in his home county of Kildare.

The Kilcullen man who has spent much of the weekend at the count centre has been closely watching the recount in the Kildare electoral area where Fine Gaels Paddy Curran is hoping a fresh look at the figures might save his seat.

As it stands, the party have 11 seats  the same number as in the outgoing council  but it is hoping for more.

Ultimately it's down to the candidates we put forward, Mr Heydon said of his partys good results so far.

The sitting councillors have really done their work in their areas and the new candidates are people who are really well-placed in their communities.

And a large part of people's motivation is about a local vote on local issues.

But there is no doubt that Fine Gael gained momentum during the three weeks of the campaign.

I think it's the first time since 2011 where we gained support throughout a campaign as opposed to, as a government party, losing it, so Simon Harris and Government's key decisions and what Fine Gael is doing in government has resonated well with the public and that was quite evident on the doorstep.

The Minister has been double-jobbing  also monitoring events in Castlebar where Nina Carbery, for whom he is director of elections, is in the running for a seat in the European elections for the Midlands North West.

Were hoping for a first count at around 5-6pm, he said

We're dealing with partial tallies but we know Nina did really well here in Kildare, we know she did really well in Meath and in Louth which was our target for number ones.

We also know she is really transfer-friendly. Maria Walsh is doing very strongly and we are right in play for two seats.

Nina is probably fighting for the second seat for Fine Gale and that would be a really big win for us we are very hopeful.

As it stands heading into lunchtime on Monday, 32 seats on Kildare County Council have been confirmed, five are provisional pending the outcome of the recount and three have yet to be filled.

10pm  Sunday

A full recount of votes in the five-seater Kildare electoral area is to begin on Monday morning after just 15 votes separated the candidates vying for the last seat.

Sitting councillor, Paddy Curran (FG), requested the recount after being beaten to the final spot by Social Democrats newcomer, Pat Balfe, in the ninth count.

Mr Curran had polled ahead of Mr Balfe all the way to the final count when transfers from eliminated Independent Declan Crowe pushed Mr Balfe narrowly ahead.

A recount will make no difference to the early winners, Suzanne Doyle (FF) and Kevin Duffy (FG) who were elected on the first count, and is unlikely to pose a difficulty for the third past the post, Fianna Fails Brian OLoughlin who got in on the eighth count.

Both Mr Balfe and Sinn Fein newcomer Shonagh Ni Raghallaigh got in on the ninth.

If the results stand after the recount, it will mean a seventh seat for the Social Democrats who have been celebrating increasing their seats from four.

It will also mean relief for Sinn Fein who lost sitting councillor Noel Connolly from their only seat on the council.

Fine Gael still lead the league table for the highest number of seats with 11 so far while Fianna Fail has nine, the Social Democrats provisionally have seven, Labour have five, Independent Ireland has one and there are two non-party Independents.

5pm

The Green Party has had had a wake-up call after a bruising local election in Kildare where it lost both its seats.

Green Party Senator Vincent P. Martin, a former poll-topper in Naas and sister of deputy party leader and Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin, said the party needed to examine how it communicated it messages.

He said the partys collapse in the partly rural county contrasted with neighbouring Dublin where it performed reasonably well.

Communications could be better. Theres no-one loves rural Ireland more than the Greens and maybe that message didnt get across, he said.

He said the party also needed to push its social justice agenda better.

People get it that were for the environment but maybe we have a job of work to do to remind people of the value of social justice which underpins our party.

This is a wake-up call. We have to redouble our efforts.

Sitting candidates Peter Hamilton in Maynooth and Bob Quinn in Naas were both knocked out, Mr Hamilton in the first count.

Patrica Foley in Clane and Peter Paul Hughes in Celbridge were also first to be eliminated in their electoral areas.

Lorraine Benson in Kildare, Imran Ali in Leixlip and Ronan Maher in Newbridge were still awaiting their fate late on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Martin said the party had polled at 5-6pc and would take some crumbs of comfort from that.

They were one or two per cent short of making it. The challenge is to bring back that 1-2pc increase in the vote. It's very marginal and falling 1pc can have a cruel outcome.

We have to take inspiration from the wins elsewhere and examine how to share the wisdom from the successes in Dublin.

The other part emerging from the count with much reflection to do was Sinn Fein which was in no certainty about retaining its sole seat in the late afternoon.

Meanwhile Fine Gael continued to lap up victories with eight seats secured, ahead of Fianna Fails five, the Social Democrats four and Labours four. Two Independents have so far secured seats.

1pm

Counting in the Kildare local elections could run into Monday as the battle for seats heats up.

Just three of the eight electoral areas have returned a final result, only three of the seven seats in Naas are filled and four areas have not yet had a first count.

Seasoned observers say the pace indicates either a very long night on Sunday to complete the count or an adjournment to Monday morning.

One caveat is that, so far, there have been clear margins between candidates, no disputes and no wrangling over doubtful votes.

If that pattern continues, the Punchestown count centre may fully return to hosting races of an equine kind by tomorrow.

The latest picture at lunchtime shows 17 of the 40 seats filled with Fine Gael taking six, followed by Fianna Fail and the Social Democrats with four each.

If that pattern continues, Fine Gael would take over from Fianna Fail as the biggest party on the council.

The party was one seat behind its main rival in the outgoing council.

Labour has two seats and there is one Independent. All sitting councillors who entered the race have been returned apart from Peter Hamilton of the Green Party.

8.30am

Counting in the local elections in Kildare resumes this morning after a flurry of late night results brought the total of councillors elected to 15.

Two of the eight electoral areas, Clane and Maynooth, have now filled their five seats each while Celbridge has just one of its four left to decide.

Seven-seater Naas had two of its councillors elected when counting was suspended for the night at 1am.

Counting in those two areas is due to start again at 9.30am at Punchestown and will get underway in the remaining areas  Athy, Newbridge, Leixlip and Kildare  from about 10am.

Seats secured so far break down in the following party lines: Fine Gael 5, Fianna Fail 4, Social Democrats 4, Labour 1 and Independents 1.

Councillors elected so far are as follows: Maynooth  Naoise O Cearuil (FF), Tim Durkan (FG), Peter Melrose (Soc Dem), Angela Feeney (Lab), Paul Ward (FF).

Clane  Brendan Wyse (FG), Padraig McEvoy (Ind), Aidan Farrelly (Soc Dem), William Durkan (FG), Daragh Fitzpatrick (FF).

Celbridge  David Trost (FF), Claire ORourke (Soc Dem), Lumi Panaite Fahey (FG).

Naas  Bill Clear (Soc Dem), Fintan Brett (FG).

11pm

Six local election seats have now been in Kildare with two for Fianna Fail, two for Fine Gael and two for the Social Democrats.

It has been a particularly good night for the Social Democrats with two candidates securing seats on first counts.

Bill Clear topped the poll in Naas to reclaim his seat while in Celbridge, first-time candidate Claire ORourke was one of two councillors to be elected on the first count.

Ms ORourke came second in Celbridge to Fianna Fails David Trost, bringing two new members to the council who could be described as veteran newcomers.

Ms ORourke recently retired from a career in the mental health services in the HSE and in private practice so politics is a new venture but she has been involved in community action for many years.

David Trost is well known for canvassing on behalf of Fianna Fail over the years but finally became the face on the poster in a move that paid off for him and the party.

Polling well above quota, he had plenty of votes to spare but without a running mate, his transfers went most generously to Fine Gael first-timer Lumi Panaite Fahey.

That brought her to within one vote of the quota at time of writing.

Earlier, Brendan Wyse and Tim Durkan, both Fine Gael took the second and third seats on the council while Naoise O Cearuil was the first home for Fianna Fail.

So far it has been a night to forget for Sinn Fein and the Green Party although there is still a long way to go with none of the four commenced electoral areas complete and four more to start on Sunday.

No full count is complete for any electoral area in Kildare but already the post mortem has begun for Sinn Fein in the county.

The party ran 14 candidates across the eight areas, hoping for a dramatic increase on the solitary seat it took into the election.

Arriving at the Punchestown count centre, Sinn Fein TD for Kildare North Reada Cronin conceded there would be no such rise in fortunes.

All the candidates are very disappointed and Im very disappointed for them, she said as the vote across the county stayed low.

We listened to the people last time when they told us we didnt run enough candidates, she said of the decision to double up in most of the electoral areas which split a poor vote even further.

She insisted she was pleased with the performance of a number of candidates, however, saying they had made progress and were on a sound footing for possible future outings.

They hit the bar but did not get the goal in the back of the net, she said.

But we ran a good positive campaign and Im very proud of them.

On Monday we roll up the sleeves and get back to work.

7.30pm

Kildare has its first two councillors with the election of Fianna Fails Naoise O Cearuil and Fine Gaels Brendan Wyse.

Mr O Cearuil very comfortably exceeded the quota on the first count in the Maynooth electoral area and returns to the seat he first won in 2014.

Mr Wyse had also had a large surplus, topping the poll in the Kildare electoral area.

Their elections came minutes apart as the pace begins to quicken at the count centre in Punchestown.

Distribution of their transfers is now under way.

4.30pm

Kildare county council looks to get some fresh faces with newcomers set to take seats in the four-seater Celbridge electoral area.

Three of the seats were left wide open after just one sitting councillor, Rupert Heather (Lab), returned to the fray.

The opportunity to fill the gap was quickly seized by the Social Democrats, whose new candidate, Claire ORourke, is looking strong to take a seat.

Fine Gael seem to have had a stroke of luck in finding Lumi Panaite Fahey to wear the party colours and enter the race.

She too is performing very well.

David Trost (FF) looks certain to take the seat vacated by his party colleague Michael Coleman and may top the poll.

That would leave Labours Heather and David Monaghan (SF) the others most likely to be in with a shout.

Counting has officially begun in four of the eight electoral areas  Maynooth, Clane, Celbridge and Naas, with the other four scheduled to begin on Sunday morning.

1.30pm

There is little sign of a Sinn Fein bounce or a swing to independents in Kildare where sitting candidates for the main parties are performing strongly.

Tallying is still underway at lunchtime but with two of the eight electoral areas complete, it looks like there will be few upsets.

In Maynooth, four of the five seats look likely to be held by siitting candidates, Naoise O Cearuil (FF), Tim Durkan (FG) and Angela Feeney (Lab) while Paul Ward (FF) is also looking safe.

It is possible that newcomer Peter Melrose (Soc Dem) could be vying sitting Green, Peter Hamilton, for the fifth.

A similar pattern is showing in Clane, also a five-seater, where sitting candidates Brendan Wyse (FG), Padraig McEvoy (Ind) and Aidan Farrelly (Soc Dem) hold the top three spots for first preferences and Daragh Fitzpatrick (FF) is in fifth.

The decision of Brendan Weld (FG) not to run again leaves that seat open but at the moment FG newcomer William Durkan is polling fourth on first preferences.

With 90 candidates for 40 seats and tallying continuing, there is a long way to go but Social Democrats co-founder and Kildare North TD Catherine Murphy was boldly predicting the party could gain on the four seats sit currently holds.

She said predictions of an influx of independents on councils or a shift to Sinn Fein may have been exaggerated.

We didnt see that trend on the doorstep, she said.

Certainly people had issues and complaints but they wanted to engage with us on them. They werent looking to vote in a completely different direction.

Tallying continues at the Curragh Racecourse but completed boxes will move to Punchestown where the count proper is due to begin this afternoon.
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.
Paul Kehoe TD and Cllr Ger Carthy checking some figures at the local election count in St Joseph's Community Centre, Wexford. Pic: Jim Campbell

Cllr Jim Codd pictured with his mother Anne at the local election count in St Joseph's Community Centre, Wexford. Pic: Jim Campbell

Cllr Frank Staples and Robbie Staples of Fine Gael at the local election count in St Joseph's Community Centre, Wexford. Pic: Jim Campbell

Independent councillor John Dwyer moments after he won a seat on the New Ross LEA.

Discussions with Enniscorthy candidates as a potential recount is up in the air for now.

10.10 p.m.

At 10.10 p.m. on Day 3, its all over here at the Wexford count centre for the 2024 local elections.

On the tenth and final count in the Rosslare LEA, Lisa McDonald (FF) 1,828 and Aoife Rose OBrien (SF) 1,342 have been elected to the final two of the 34 seats on Wexford County Council. They took 164 and 97 of Jack Bardens transfers respectively.

Eliminated on the final count was Joe Druhan who finished with 1,210 having picked up 287 transfers.

With all seats now filled, the make-up of Wexford County Council for the next five years will be Fianna Fail (9), Fine Gael (8), Independent (6), Wexford Independent Alliance (5), Labour (2), Sinn Fein (3) and Aontu (1).

8.57 p.m.

Another count completed in the Rosslare LEA. Aoife Rose OBrien (SF) predictably has taken the lions share of her party colleague Mick Roches transfers, while Wexford Independent Alliance candidate Jack Barden has been eliminated.

We now have three candidates vying for two seats. Lisa McDonald (FF) is on 1,664 after taking 53 transfers; Aoife Rose OBrien (SF) on 1,245 after 424 transfers came here way and Joe Druhan (Wexford Independent Alliance) is on 923 having taken 30 transfers.

Jack Barden's votes will now be distributed and Joe Druhan will be hoping for a huge favour from his Alliance running mate.

We go to another count.

7.53 p.m.

The eighth count in Rosslare sees Mick Roche (SF) eliminated after Simon Boyses (FF) surplus was distributed among candidates. Roche departs the race in Rosslare having also lost out in the latter stages in the 2019 locals.

In terms of the two remaining seats, Lisa McDonald (FF) is now within touching distance of the finish line with 1611 votes (quota is 1713). Behind her the two WIA candidates Joe Druhan (821) and Jack Barden (816) are well placed, but Aoife Rose OBrien (821) will be hopeful of transfers from Roches surplus of 680.

6.49 p.m.

Finally back in action in the Wexford Count Centre where Simon Boyse (FF), who requested the recount which began this morning, has been eliminated on the seventh count in the Rosslare District. His surplus of 648 votes will now be distributed among Jack Barden (WIA) who is on 669, Joe Druhan (WIA) 873, Lisa McDonald (FF) 1390, Aoife Rose OBrien (SF) 776, and Mick Roche (SF) 650.

Those candidates will contest the last two seats in Co Wexford with expectations that the count will conclude this evening.

5.57 p.m.

Still no sign of a count from Rosslare. Theyre set to resume on the seventh count with Frank Staples surplus of 70 but no movement yet. Earlier on, we were told that the count would be concluded by 6 p.m. but issues inputting the data electronically have held up the process.

2.30 p.m.

Count eight has seen a flurry of activity in the Enniscorthy LEA as all remaining 4 seats have now been filled. With the distribution of Cyril Wheelocks surplus, John ORourke (IND), Barbara Anne Murphy (FF) and Jackser Owens (IND) surpassed the quota. As Sinn Fein's Colette Nolan couldn't make up the gap, Fine Gael's Pat Kehoe took the final seat.

They join Cathal Byrne (FG) and Aidan Browne (FF) who were elected yesterday on the very first count.

1.05 p.m.

There's been an elimination in the Enniscorthy LEA. Wexford Independent Alliance candidate Cyril Wheelock eliminated after count 7. His votes will now be distributed with Barbara Anne Murphy (FF), John ORoure (IND) and Jackser Owens (IND) all hoping they will help them to reach the quota.

12 p.m.

Two of the three recounts called in Wexford last night have been withdrawn following discussions with the candidates. Cyril Wheelock (WIA) has withdrawn his request for a recount and a surplus of 9 votes from Aidan Browne (FF) will now be distributed.

In Gorey, Wexford Independent Alliance candidate Jimmy Fleming withdrew his request for a full recount, meaning that Fionntan O Suilleabhain (SF) and Anthony Donohoe (FG) have now been elected to the final seats there. It leaves a Gorey line-up of Donal Kenny (FF), Nicky Boland (WIA), Darragh McDonald (FG), Joe Sullivan (FF), Fionntan O Suilleabhain (SF) and Anthony Donohoe (FG).

The Rosslare recount continues.

10.50 a.m.

County Returning Officer Michael Drea has just announced that full recounts will commence in both the Gorey and Rosslare LEAs. However, following discussions with candidates, it has been agreed that the transfers of Colette Nolan (SF) will be examined to establish a pattern before a decision is taken on a recount in Enniscorthy. The reason for this is that, Cyril Wheelock (WIA) who called for the recount, is hoping that transfers from Nolan would put him back in contention for a seat if she was eliminated. Just 5 votes separate them. We wait to see if well have three full recounts or two.

10.40 a.m.

Its Day 3 here at the Wexford Count Centre and all of the counters have arrived to get started on an unprecedented three recounts which were called yesterday. In Enniscorthy, Wexford Independent Alliance (WIA) candidate Cyril Wheelock called for a full recount with he and Sinn Feins Colette Nolan looking to avoid the next elimination.

It was a similar situation in Gorey, where WIA candidate Jimmy Fleming called for the recount with himself and Fine Gaels Anthony Donohoe locked in a battle to take the final seat there. Sinn Feins Fionntan O Suilleabhain is yet to be elected to seat five yet either, although hell be feeling most confident of the three ahead of the complete recount.

Finally, in Rosslare, Fianna Fails Simon Boyse called for a recount with just a single vote separating him and Sinn Fein's Mick Roche after six counts. Just three of the five seats in Rosslare were filled at that stage.

Were already a little behind schedule, as the recounts were due to commence at 10 a.m. However, a start looks imminent here at St Joseph's Community Centre.

12.35 a.m.

The last two seats in the Wexford Borough go to Raymond Shannon of the Independent Alliance (1180 votes) and Catherine Biddy Walsh of Labour with 1092 votes, Vicky Clancy misses out with 986 votes.

The seven seats in the Borough go to Cllr George Lawlor, Robbie Staples, Cllr Garry Laffan, Cllr Leonard Kelly, Cllr Tom Forde, Raymond Shannon, and Catherine Biddy Walsh.

11.40 p.m.

Dave Ryan of the Wexford Independent Alliance (WIA) has been eliminated on the tenth count in the Wexford Borough. This leaves three candidates vying for the last two seats, with Biddy Walsh of Labour on 1002 votes, Ray Shannon of the WIA on 897, and Vicky Barron (LAB) on 878.

Dave Ryans surplus of 845 will now be distributed between the three remaining candidates to decide who takes the last two seats in the Borough.

10.46 p.m.

One of the stalwarts of Wexford politics has bowed out of the council after 24 years. Davy Hynes of Sinn Fein has been eliminated in the Wexford Borough on the ninth count bringing an end to a long and distinguished career which saw him run as an independent, as a Labour candidate, and latterly with Sinn Fein.

The two last seats in the Borough are set to go down to the wire with two Labour candidates Vicky Clancy Barron (771) and Biddy Walsh (892) fighting it out with two WIA members, Dave Ryan (801) and Raymond Shannon (758).

10.43 p.m.

Even more recount drama in Wexford! A third of Wexfords six LEAs is going to a recount tomorrow. With just 29 votes separating the next two lowest candidates in the Gorey LEA, Anthony Donohoe (FG) and Jimmy Fleming (Wexford Independent Alliance), a complete recount has been called after 10 counts. Jimmy Fleming was the candidate to make the call. Recount will commence at 10 a.m.

10.15 p.m.

More recount drama in Wexford as Simon Boyse (FF) has called for a full recount in the Rosslare LEA with only a single vote separating him and the next lowest candidate Mick Roche (SF). The recount will commence at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Monday) morning.

9.57 p.m.

New Ross is complete with Marty Murphy (WIA), Bridin Murphy (FG), John Fleming (FF), and John Dwyer (IND) joining Pat Barden (WIA) and Michael Sheehan (FF) in the six-seater. Incumbent Michael Whelan (FF) misses out.

The Co Wexford count is set to run into a third day with a full recount of Enniscorthy, two seats left to fill in Rosslare, and two in the Wexford Borough.

9.42 p.m.

After a long wait, Sinn Fein councillor Tom Forde has been elected as the fifth councillor in the Wexford Borough District on count 8 and their first in this election. Fianna Fail candidate Emmet Moloney has also been eliminated on the same count, leaving five battling it out for the remaining two seats.

8.58 p.m.

It's the end of the road for FIFA referee and Wexford Independent Alliance candidate Michelle ONeill as she is ruled out after the seventh count in the Wexford Borough District. Her votes will now be distributed with Tom Forde (SF) the closest to the 1,425 quota with 1,388.

8:53 p.m.

Another councillor elected in New Ross. Fianna Fails Michael Sheehan makes it on count 7 to become the second past the post in a hotly contested district. He leaves John Dwyer (Ind) on 1,574 votes, John Fleming (FF) 1,629, Bridin Murphy (FG) 1,645, Marty Murphy (WIA) 1,712 and Michael Whelan (FF) 1,512 battling it out for four seats with the quota 1,753.

8.34 p.m.

Joe Sullivan of Fianna Fail and Darragh McDonald of Fine Gael have been elected in Gorey on the ninth count. While Councillor Sullivan was an incumbent, Darragh is a first-time candidate and a gold medal paralympic swimmer having won the 400m freestyle for Ireland in 2012. Two seats left in Gorey with Fionntan O Suilleabhain (SF) nearest the threshold on 1594 votes ahead of Anthony Donohue (FG) on 1399.

8.10 p.m.

Frank Staples (FG) elected in Rosslare via Damien Corishs (LAB) surplus. The sitting councillor exceeds the quota on count six and joins Cllrs Codd and Carthy in this tight five-seater. Lisa McDonald is likely to take the fourth seat later tonight with the last seat still being contested by Sinn Feins Aoife Rose OBrien and the Wexford Independent Alliances Joe Druhan.

7.40 p.m.

With just five votes separating the bottom two in Enniscorthy  Colette Nolan (SF) and Cyril Wheelock (Wexford Independent Alliance)  a full recount has been called by Mr Wheelock. County Registrar Michael Drea has stated that there will be no further counting in the Enniscorthy LEA tonight and the recount will commence tomorrow (Monday) morning at 10 a.m.

7.39 p.m.

Another sitting councillor has lost their seat here at the Wexford count centre. In the New Ross LEA, Anthony Connick has been eliminated after count 6. That leaves six candidates vying for five seats with less than 250 votes separating them and Anthony Connicks 1,039 votes to be distributed. The next count in New Ross will be very interesting.

7.30 p.m.

Big news for the Gorey LEA on count 8. The district has a second councillor with Wexford Independent Alliance councillor Nicky Boland surpassing the quota. Sitting Fianna Fail councillor Andrew Bolger won't be making a return and he is eliminated on this count. His votes will now be distributed among the rest of the candidates.

In Rosslare, Labour candidate Damien Corish is eliminated after count 5 with Frank Staples (FG) now just 10 votes away from the quota.

6.47 p.m.

The good news doesnt last long for Sinn Fein as Lorraine Smyth is eliminated on the fifth count in the Wexford Borough with 283 votes. Dave Ryan (WIA) is the biggest beneficiary of Stephen Powers surplus, receiving 39 of the 150 votes on offer.

Meanwhile, in Rosslare, Willie Fitzharris of Fine Gael bows out on the fourth count following Jason Murphys (NP) transfers. Joe Druhan (833) remains ahead of Aoife Rose OBrien (712) in the battle for the fifth seat. Frank Staples has edged ever closer to the quota of 1713 with his tally now totalling 1591.

6.35 p.m.

The seventh count in Gorey has seen Lorna Fizpatrick of Labour eliminated with 649 votes. The big winner in this count was Sinn Feins Fionntan O Suilleabhain who received 412 transfers from party colleague Kevin Molloy and now jumps ahead of Anthony Donohue (FG), Joe Sullivan (FF), Darragh McDonald (FG), and Jimmy Fleming (WIA). The other WIA candidate Nicky Boland is within touching distance of the quota, his tally of 1619 just 22 short of the 1641 required.

6.29 p.m.

Kayley Goodison of Sinn Fein has been eliminated from the New Ross race on the fifth count. She was the candidate with the least number of votes following the distribution of Harry Twomeys votes and becomes the latest member of the beleaguered party to lose out.

6.05 p.m.

Count 4 has just come in for the Wexford Borough District. None of the remaining candidates have reached the quota, so Stephen Power (Irish People) is eliminated.

6 p.m.

Another elimination in Wexford, this time in Gorey. Kevin Molloy (SF) has been ruled out after count six and his votes will now be distributed. Wexford Independent Alliance candidate Nicky Boland draws ever closer to the 1,641 quota with 1,590.

Meanwhile, the Kilmuckridge LEA is completed. No challenge has emerged and the four councillors are Mary Farrell (IND), Pip Breen (FF), Oliver Walsh (FG) and Paddy Kavanagh (Wexford Independent Alliance)

5.40 p.m.

Another elimination. This time Jason Murphy (National Party) is ruled out after count three with 146 votes. These will now be distributed among the remaining candidates with Frank Staples (FG) closest to the 1,713 quota on 1,586.

5:37 p.m.

Drama in the Kilmuckridge District as the remaining two seats are filled after count four. Oliver Walsh (FG) takes the third seat of four with 1,547, while Paddy Kavanagh of the Independent Alliance has sensationally pipped sitting Fianna Fail councillor Willie Kavanagh at the post to the final seat on a margin of 1,360 to 1,224. The Fianna Fail team have 15 minutes to challenge.

5.19 p.m.

Lots of candidates being eliminated in Co Wexford but not so many being elected. The fifth count in Gorey, which saw Darren McGovern of Ireland Firsts votes allocated to the remaining candidates has not resulted in anyone reaching the 1641 quota. Nicky Boland (WIA) is closest at 1475 but the next count will see the votes of the now eliminated Cillian Byrne (IND) 541 divided out.

A similar story in New Ross where Harry Twomey of Fine Gael has been eliminated on the fourth count. This count saw Bridin Lyng Moloneys votes divided between the remaining candidates and although Michael Sheehan (1403) and Marty Murphy (1399) are edging towards the 1753 quota there has been no one elected in New Ross bar poll-topper Pat Barden.

4.55 p.m.

Another elimination at the Wexford count centre, this time in the Enniscorthy LEA. Wexford Independent Alliance candidate Majella Wall is ruled out after count five. Her votes will now be distributed among the remaining candidates.

4.38 pm.

Another candidate has been eliminated at the Wexford count centre. Darren McGovern (Ireland First) bows out after the fourth count in the Gorey LEA.

4.16 p.m.

Two more candidates have been eliminated in Co Wexford with Eamonn Doyle (IND) going in the fourth count in Enniscorthy and Bridin Lyng Moloney (Labour) being knocked out in the third count in New Ross.

The fourth count in Enniscorthy saw Brendan Cahill-Flynns (Green) 308 votes divided between the remaining candidates. It was Colette Nolan of Sinn Fein who received the most transfers (50), with Independent Jackser Owens (47), and Pat Kehoe of Fine Gael and Barbara Anne-Murphy of Fianna Fail receiving 38.

No-one was elected in this count with Pat Kehoe, Councillors Barbara Anne-Murphy, Jackser Owens, and John ORourke, primed to take the last four seats.

In New Ross the third count saw the votes of independent candidates Anne Flynn, Raymond Forte, and James Furlong allocated to the remaining candidates. Independent candidate John Dwyer fared best with 64 transfers while John Fleming (FF) and Marty Murphy (WIA) both received 51.

No-one was elected in the third count in New Ross with Councillors Fleming, Michael Sheehan, Michael Whelan, and Bridin Murphy and John Dwyer and Marty Murphy (WIA) in the hunt to join poll-topper Pat Barden in this six-seater.

3.25 p.m.

Three more candidates have been eliminated following a third count here at St Josephs Community Centre. In Kilmuckridge, Declan Kenny (SF) was eliminated, followed by both Green Party candidates Anne Walsh in Gorey and Brendan Cahill Flynn in Enniscorthy.

3:05 p.m.

The second count in the New Ross District has seen three independent candidates eliminated. Following the distribution of Pat Bardens (WIA) excess of 147, Anne Flynn, Raymond Forte, and James Furlong have all exited the race for election in this six-seat constituency.

Of Councillor Bardens surplus, John Fleming (Fianna Fail) received 30 votes, Marty Murphy (WIA) received 23, Bridin Murphy (Fine Gael) received 20, and Anthony Connick (IND) 18. No candidates have been elected on the second count with John Fleming (1348) and Marty Murphy (1315) best placed to be next over the line.

2.56 p.m.

The second count in Rosslare has seen Councillor Jim Codds surplus of 742 allocated to the remaining candidates. Of that 742, the most transfers went to Jack Barden of the WIA (129) with Frank Staples of Fine Gael (118), Mick Roche of Sinn Fein and Lisa McDonald of Fianna Fail (both 95) and Aoife Rose OBrien of Sinn Fein (93) also faring well.

This leaves Cllr Staples (1526) likely to be elected on the next count, with Cllr McDonald (1201) still well-positioned, and Joe Druhan (751), Aoife Rose OBrien (681), Mick Roche (578), Simon Boyse (570), and Jack Barden (569) vying for the last of the five seats.

2 p.m.

Two more councillors have been elected in the Wexford Borough District after George Lawlors (LAB) surplus has been distributed. Garry Laffan (FF) took 87 of Lawlors surplus to bring him to 1,499 and Leonard Kelly took 151 to reach 1,492. Both were deemed elected on count two meaning four of the seven Wexford Borough District seats are now filled.

1.50 p.m.

Second count in Gorey LEA sees little change with nobody else elected on the votes from Aisling Hudons elimination. Donal Kennys surplus of 61 will now be distributed.

In Enniscorthy, Sinn Feins Alfie O Suilleabhain has been eliminated and his 284 votes will now be distributed among the remaining candidates.

1.10 p.m.

The second count is in for the Kilmuckridge LEA. It saw Mary Farrell's surplus of 222 votes distributed among the rest of the candidates. Elected on count two was Pip Breen (FF) after taking 64 additional votes to hit 1,525 and surpass the quota.

With the distribution of the surplus, Oliver Walsh (FG) is now on 1,421, Willie Kavanagh (FF) is on 1,116; Paddy Kavanagh (Wexford Independent Alliance) is on 973 and Declan Kenny (SF) is on 955.

12.57 p.m.

Following the first count in the Gorey LEA, Donal Kenny of Fianna Fail has been elected, topping the poll with 1,702 and surpassing the quota of 1,641.

We also have our first elimination. Aisling Hudson (PBP) has been ruled out after attracting just 133 votes.

Likely to follow Cllr Kenny in taking a seat are Independent Alliance candidate Nicky Boland with 1,341 votes, Joe Sullivan (FF) on 1,269 and Anthony Donohoe (FG) on 1,175.

The remaining two seats will be the subject of some fierce competition. Darragh McDonald (FG) has 1,065 votes; Jimmy Fleming (WIA) 977; Fionntan O Suilleabhain (SF) 854; Andrew Bolger (FF) 851; Kevin Molloy (SF) 521; Cillian Byrne (IND) 449; Lorna Fitzpatrick (LAB) 425; Darren McGovern (Ireland First) 389 and Ann Walsh (Greens) 330.

Speaking after topping the poll, Cllr Kenny said: Its nice to have topped the poll. We worked hard, we had a good campaign. A decent and clean campaign. Im delighted.

I think it was totally the work done over five years. I went in on a promise and I feel I delivered on my end. I worked hard and I feel I represented the people well.

12:49 p.m.

Pat Barden of the Wexford Independent Alliance (WIA) has topped the poll in the New Ross District with 1900 first preference votes. He has exceeded the quota of 1753 and is therefore elected on the first count. This six-seater will now proceed to a second count with John Fleming (FF) 1318, Marty Murphy (WIA) 1292, Michael Sheehan (FF) 1291, Michael Whelan (FF) 1123, and Bridin Murphy (FG) 1017 well positioned for election.

Reacting to topping the poll in New Ross for the second successive election, Councillor Barden said, Im absolutely thrilled, humbled actually that people would put their faith in me, delighted, I just want to thank everybody associated with the campaign, in particular my brother Michael and his wife Kathleen, my immediate family of course and everybody in the district who supported me.

Paul Kehoe TD and Cllr Ger Carthy checking some figures at the local election count in St Joseph's Community Centre, Wexford. Pic: Jim Campbell

12:07 p.m.

As predicted, the first count from the Rosslare LEA has seen a massive performance from Aontu councillor Jim Codd who well surpassed the quota of 1,713, attracting 2,455 first preference votes.

Also elected on the first count was Independent Ger Carthy who attracted 1,949 votes.

Jim Codds surplus will now be distributed among the other candidates.

In terms of the rest of the field, Frank Staples (FG) pulled in a healthy 1,408 votes, while Lisa McDonald managed 1,106, making them both likely to join their fellow incumbents in taking a seat.

There will be a major scrap for the final seat in the Rosslare District. Joe Druhan of the Wexford Independent Alliance is leading that charge with 703. Hes followed by Aoife Rose OBrien on 588; Simon Boyse (FF) on 489; Mick Roche (SF) on 483; Jack Barden (Wexford Independent Alliance) on 440; Damien Corish (LAB) on 335; Willie Fitzharris (FG) 195 and finally Jason Murphy (National Party) on 125.

Im honoured beyond belief, Cllr Codd said of topping the poll. I have worked very hard for the past 5 years. Its a great honour and responsibility, one that I hope Im worthy of and one that I hope I live up to.

Having lost his father during the election campaign, it was an emotional day at the count centre for him.

My father passed away lately and I feel I inherited my politics and beliefs from my late father and my mother. He would be very happy today, he said.

Cllr Davy Hynes at the local election count in St Joseph's Community Centre, Wexford. Pic: Jim Campbell

12 p.m.

A predicted by yesterday's tallies, both Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael) received 2275 votes and Aidan Browne (Fianna Fail) received 1617 votes - securing their seat on the council after surpassing their 1608 quota in the Enniscorthy first count.

Predicted to follow and join them in the next few counts are Barbara-Anne Murphy (FF) with 1340 votes, John O'Rourke (Ind) with 1162 votes, and Jackser Owens (Ind) with 1141 votes.

The final seat will be between Pat Kehoe (FG) 937, Colette Nolan (SF) 693, Cyril Wheelock (Ind) 660, Majella Wall (Ind) 597, Alfie O Suilleabhain (Ind) 276, Eamonn Doyle (Ind) 296, and Brendan Cahill-Flynn (Green) 259.

Speaking to Cathal Byrne, he said he is humbled by the large amount of support for his re-election, from his team, his supporters, and his family.

He also stressed the importance of getting younger people into politics, he said  I am a big believer that there is a cynicism about politicians and about politics, and about elections, and if I can help, in a small way, to remind people about the importance of showing up and voting, I think that is a very good thing.

11.44am:

Labours George Lawlor has topped the poll in the Wexford Borough District with 2361 first preferences. Also elected, is first-time candidate Robbie Staples (FG) who surpassed the quota with 1576 votes.

The popular Labour councillor, who has been elected to the council for the fifth consecutive term, said he will continue to work for the people who have continually put their faith in him over the past two decades.

"People talk about a four week campaign but for me this has been a 20 year campaign really, he said. Its been about constant work, hard work with groups, residents associations, individuals, to deliver tangible projects that will benefit the community.

There are still five seats up for grabs in Wexford, with Garry Laffan of Fianna Fail (1412 first preferences) and independent councillor Leonard Kelly (1341) likely to get over the line next.

Cllr Frank Staples and Robbie Staples of Fine Gael at the local election count in St Joseph's Community Centre, Wexford. Pic: Jim Campbell

11.00am:

Wexford finally has an elected councillor. Mary Farrell (Independent) has taken the first seat in the Kilmuckridge LEA having taken 1,720 first preference votes. The quota was 1,498 and as nobody else met that number, Cllr Farrells surplus will now be distributed among the remaining candidates.

Im delighted and humbled by the support, Cllr Farrell said. Im absolutely overwhelmed and grateful to the constituents of the Kilmuckridge LEA for the vote they gave me. I thank them all very much and look forward to working for them over the next five years."

Pip Breen (FF) drew the second highest vote from the Kilmuckridge LEA with 1,461, with Oliver Walsh (FG) on 1,371, Willie Kavanagh (FF) on 1,101; Declan Kenny (SF) on 921 and Paddy Kavanagh (Wexford Independent Alliance) on 914.

It looks likely that the four incumbent councillors will hang onto their seats, meaning no change in Kilmuckridge.

9.24am:

Day two is now officially under way at the Wexford local election count here at St Josephs Community Centre.

Following a long day yesterday, there were some frustrations evident on the floor of the count centre that it seemed to be taking an inordinate amount of time to sort and organise ballot papers compared with other counties.

Returning Officer Michael Drea called a halt at around 10.30 p.m. on Saturday night before a single count had even been returned, although count staff continue to beaver away, organising ballot papers until midnight.

As candidates and their teams arrived bleary eyed this (Sunday) morning, hopes were high that things will move a lot quicker. Having said that, there were some credible fears that the count could run into Monday.

In terms of what we no so far, broadly speaking, tallies show that Wexford voters appear to be favouring incumbent candidates, however, there are a few notable exceptions. The talk of the count centre, however, is the difficulties Sinn Fein are facing around the county. Theyll face a scrap to avoid any losses, while Independents and the Wexford Independent Alliance make some gains.

Counting of votes at the local electioncount in St Joseph's Community Centre, Wexford. Pic: Jim Campbell

SATURDAY

10.38pm

No results will be announced in Wexford tonight. Staff will continue to sort the ballot papers until midnight but there will be no counts from the centre on day one. A long and frustrating day for candidates and staff with no one elected and a very real possibility of proceedings running into Monday.

5.38 p.m.

Still working their way through the European ballot papers in Wexford, no announcement on the locals expected until 8 pm at the earliest.

4.30 p.m.

The combined Fianna Fail and Fine Gael tallies are showing that Labour's George Lawlor looks set to top the poll in the Wexford Borough District with 2,233.

He'll be followed by Robbie Staples (FG) on 1,518 and Garry Laffan (FF) 1,391 and Leonard Kelly (IND) 1,309.

Tom Forde may well be the only Sinn Fein candidate elected in the Wexford Borough District with tallies putting him at 1,075.

There's a notable drop to the rest of the field, with transfers likely to play a key part in deciding the final two seats. The tallies have Wexford Independent Alliance candidates Dave Ryan and Ray Shannon at 521 and 491 respectively.

Labour's Catherine Biddy Walsh is at 486 on the tallies with Davy Hynes (SF) in a spot of bother at 468.

Those in the business of predictions believe that Labour may retain their two seats in Wexford, with Vicky Clancy Barron on 448 and transfers likely to prove key.

Meanwhile, the tallies have Emmet Moloney (FF) on 447; Michelle O'Neill (WIA) on 400; Lorraine Smyth (SF) on 253 and Stephen Power (Irish People) on 139.

Cllr Jim Codd pictured with his mother Anne at the local election count in St Joseph's Community Centre, Wexford. Pic: Jim Campbell

3.50 p.m.

Tallies from Wexford count centre have Pat Barden of the Wexford Independent Alliance (WIA) topping the poll in the New Ross district with 1920 first preferences. Fianna Fail's John Fleming is next with 1341 followed by Marty Murphy of the WIA (1246) and Fianna Fail's Michael Sheehan (1243).

In this six-seater, Michael Whelan, also Fianna Fail, is next with 1147 votes with Bridin Murphy next on 1002. Independent candidate John Dwyer received 992 first preferences and sitting councillor Anthony Connick received 864 first preferences, with Harry Twomey (FG) on 862 and Sinn Fein's Kayleigh Goodison on 851.

Labour's Bridin Lyng Maloney received 435 according to the tallies with a trio of independent candidates Anne Flynn (148), Raymond Forte (146), and James Furlong (138) bringing up the rear.

The opening of the ballot box from The Old School, Hollyfort at the Count Centre in St Joseph's on Saturday. Pic: Jim Campbell

3.30 p.m.

The early combined tallies from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael from the Rosslare LEA in Wexford shows that Aontu councillor Jim Codd looks likely to top the poll with 2,423 votes, followed by Ger Carthy (IND) on 1,892.

Also looking likely to retain their seats in the Rosslare LEA are Frank Staples (FG) with 1,346 and Lisa McDonald (FF) with 1,150.

If indications are correct, there'll be one hell of a battle on for the final available seat, with tallies showing Wexford Independent Alliance candidate Joe Druhan to be the best of the rest with 669, followed by Aoife Rose O'Brien (SF) on 648; Simon Boyse (FF) on 516; Jack Barden (WIA) on 471; Mick Roche (SF) on 437; Damien Corish (Labour) on 327; Willie Fitzharris (FG) on 194 and Jason Murphy (National Party) on 113.

1 p.m.

Combined Fianna Fail and Fine Gael tallies have sitting Fine Gael councillor Cathal Byrne (FG) topping the poll in the Enniscorthy LEA with 2,284. The tallymen have Fianna Fail incumbents Aidan Browne and Barbara Anne Murphy on 1,641 and 1,317 respectively.

The tallies are showing Independents John O'Rourke and Jackser Owens going well at 1,136 and 1,127 respectively.

Bringing up the rest of the field are Patrick Kehoe (FG) on 960, Colette Nolan (677), Wexford Independent Alliance candidates Cyril Wheelock (658) and Majella Wall (564), Alfie O Suilleabhain SF (285), Eamonn Doyle Ind (282), Brendan Cahill Flynn (261).

12 p.m.

Tallies for the smallest of the six Wexford LEAs sees the four incumbent councillors faring best for the four seats for now.

Mary Farrell (IND) looks set to top the poll with 1,679, while Pip Breen (FF) is at 1,433; Oliver Walsh (FG) is on 1,421 and Willie Kavanagh (FF) is on 1,107.

The two challengers Paddy Kavanagh of the Wexford Independent Alliance and Declan Kenny of Sinn Fein are on 905 and 854 respectively.

Kenny's transfers could play a big part and could potentially see Paddy Kavanagh catch Willie Kavanagh for the final Kilmuckridge seat.

11:30 a.m.

The first confirmed tallies, agreed by both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, make for good reading for sitting Fianna Fail councillor in Gorey Donal Kenny, who looks set to top the poll in the Gorey LEA.

Those tallies have Kenny at 1,648 - surpassing the suggested quota of 1,642. It's likely that Wexford Independent Alliance candidate Nicky Boland will also take a seat with tallies suggesting 1,355, while according to the tallymen Joe Sullivan is at 1,256 and Anthony Donohoe on 1,209.

Darragh McDonald is coming in at 1,114 in the tallies, suggesting two seats for Fine Gael is possible.

FF/FG tallymen stating that "the Sinn Fein surge has failed to materialise in Gorey". Fionntan O Suilleabhain is likely to take a seat, but faces a scrap with tallies 905. Tallies are instead showing an "independent surge". FF/FG expect to see more independents fare well over the course of the day.

Another Independent Alliance candidate Jimmy Fleming is coming in at 927 on the early tallies, while sitting Fianna Fail councillor Andrew Bolger is in a major scrap with 851.

There's a drop in the numbers to the remaining candidates with the tallies showing Kevin Molloy at 532, Lorna Fitzpatrick at 412, Darren McGovern at 372 and Aisling Hudson at 110.

The 72 candidates will battle it out for 34 seats on Wexford County Council. In terms of the six electoral areas, 14 candidates will contest 7 seats in the Wexford Borough District while there will be 12 for the 6 seats in Enniscorthy.

Both the Gorey and New Ross LEAs are crowded fields with 14 candidates vying for 6 seats, as is Rosslare with 12 seeking election to the 5 seats up for grabs. The opposite could be said of Kilmuckridge with just 6 candidates competing for 4 seats.

Local and European election votes been separated at the Count Centre in St Josephs on Saturday. Pic: Jim Campbell

The real talking point in Co Wexford has been the emergence of a new political entity in the Wexford Independent Alliance (WIA), put together by Independent TD Verona Murphy.

A level of political ambiguity exists around the WIA. While it claims to be a collection of strong like-minded independents, the 12 candidates all run under the same branding and appear to have a formidable leader in Verona Murphy who has been out on the doorsteps with them in recent weeks.

Among the 12 candidates are a UEFA referee, an award-winning mental health advocate, a former Fine Gael Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, assorted business people and a candidate who has served as both a Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail councillor, as well as running as an Independent.

Its noteworthy that of the seven sitting Independent councillors, only one has joined Deputy Murphys new project (New Ross poll-topper Pat Barden) which adds an unknown entity to the political landscape.

The trouble that Deputy Murphys former party Fine Gael are in nationally is reflected locally in Wexford. Four of their nine sitting councillors have opted to retire from local politics, setting in motion a major reshuffle and scramble for candidates.

In the Gorey LEA, FG have enlisted Paralympic gold medallist Darragh McDonald in a bid to hang onto the seat being vacated by Diarmuid Devereux.

Ballot papers been sorted at the Count Centre in St Josephs on Saturday. Pic: Jim Campbell

Fianna Fail will run 14 candidates in a bid to re-assert the dominance which saw them claim 12 of the 34 Wexford County Council seats last time out. The 12 sitting councillors are joined by a first-time candidate in Rosslare and a Wexford man who previously left the party for an unsuccessful independent run before re-joining ahead of this upcoming election.

This election should give a good indication of where Sinn Fein actually is. While in the last General Election, poll-topper Johnny Mythen broke long-standing records with his tally of votes, prior to that he lost his seat on Wexford County Council in the local elections, leaving Sinn Fein with just two councillors until veteran councillor Davy Hynes, an Independent former Labour Party councillor, opted to join bringing them to three.

Sinn Fein are running candidates in every district with a total of 11 names on the ballot paper.

Labour will run six candidates across the county, half of whom are running in the Wexford Borough District. The party will be pinning a lot on the performance of serial poll-topper and heir-apparent to Brendan Howlins seat in Dail Eireann George Lawlor as he aims to pull two first-time candidates over the line with him.

Ballot papers been sorted at the Count Centre in St Josephs on Saturday. Pic: Jim Campbell

The Green Party has never really had a foothold in Wexford and this is reflected in its two candidates running across the six LEAs.

People Before Profit have one candidate running in Gorey, while Aontu will be hoping to hang onto the seat won by Jim Codd in Rosslare who enjoys a reasonably high profile locally.

Taking the Wexford Independent Alliance candidates out of the equation, there are 12 Independent candidates seeking election.

Having topped the poll in Rosslare on the last occasion and in Wexford prior to the new districts establishment, Ger Carthy will be expecting another strong performance, however, the independents are certainly facing another layer of uncertainty with the addition of the Independent Alliance.

With immigration being such a huge talking point nationally at the moment, Wexford is not immune. Ireland First, The National Party and The Irish People will all be represented on the ballot paper with one candidate each.
Lots to do before going to polls, but TDs expect vote to be held in autumn

Fianna Fail councillor Paul McNamara and Fine Gael councillor Gerry Coyle celebrate after they were re-elected to Mayo County Council in Castlebar. Pic:Mark Condren

Fianna Fail councillor Paul McNamara and Fine Gael councillor Gerry Coyle celebrate after they were re-elected to Mayo County Council in Castlebar. Photo: Mark Condren

Taoiseach Simon Harris is insisting he wont be bounced into an autumn general election on the back of strong performances by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail in the locals.

Mr Harris said the Government has lots to do up to next March, a view that was publicly shared the leaders of Fianna Fail and the Green Party.

But there is growing expectation among TDs that an election in October or November is increasingly likely.

And despite suffering a torrid weekend, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said an election should be called as soon as possible.

Sinn Feins woes were increasing last night, with strong indications that the party could lose its MEP seat in Midlands-North West. The partys sitting MEP Chris McManus and candidate Michelle Gildernew are not polling anywhere close to what party chiefs had hoped.

And in Dublin, Lynn Boylan got just 35,431 first preferences, less than half a quota. Only a few weeks ago it was widely expected the senator would top the poll.

Fianna Fails Barry Andrews and Fine Gaels Regina Doherty both got in excess of 60,000 and will be elected.

But Ms Boylan is now in a five-way battle for the remaining two seats, with the Green Partys Ciaran Cuffe (32,204), Labours Aodhan O Riordain (30,733), Independent Irelands Niall Boylan (30,637) and outgoing MEP Clare Daly (26,855) also in the mix.

Sinn Fein is still expecting sitting TD Kathleen Funchion to win a seat in Ireland South. However, not winning at least one seat in every constituency will be viewed as a failure by the party.

Meanwhile, as the counts came in last night on the local elections, Fine Gael was on 196 seats, Fianna Fail was on 173, Independents and others on 167, Sinn Fein on 70, Labour on 44, Social Democrats on 27, Greens on 16, People Before Profit-Solidarity on seven and Aontu on six seats. Overall it is expected that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail will finish on around 23pc of the vote each, with Sinn Fein on 12pc.

Some anti-immigration candidates also got elected, most notably Malachy Steenson and Gavin Pepper to Dublin City Council.

Meanwhile, counting in the European elections was painfully slow and all parties were struggling to predict where the final seats will go.

Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan and Fianna Fails Barry Cowen are in a good position to take seats in Midlands-North West. There is at least one seat between Fine Gaels Maria Walsh and Nina Carberry, while Peadar Toibin and Ciaran Mullooly are in the hunt for the final seat.

Sinn Feins vote in Ireland South is lower than expected, but Ms Funchion could take a seat if enough of running mate Paul Gavans transfers go her way.

Fine Gaels Sean Kelly and Fianna Fails Billy Kelleher look like shoo-ins, and Independent TD Michael McNamara is well placed to take one of the five seats. Independents4Change Mick Wallace has a chance of retaining his seat but the Green Partys Grace OSullivan is unlikely to be going back to Brussels.

There is now feverish speculation among politicians about what impact the results might have on the date of a general election.

European Parliament election first count in the RDS

While the three coalition leaders are adamant the outcome changes nothing, some of their own ministers and TDs believe the argument for an election in October or November is compelling.

Mr Harris said: The people of Ireland have just gone out and voted in local elections and European elections, and I think what the people right across the country want me to do is my job.

Im 61 days as a Taoiseach of this country. People want me to bring energy not just to the campaign trail, but also to solving some issues, including ones that have seemed intractable in the past, and thats my absolute determination.

But dont worry, we will have a general election, and I very much look forward to that in due course.

He ruled out a formal voting pact with Fianna Fail or the Green Party when the country next goes to the polls.

Mr Harris said that Sinn Fein had tried to make these elections a referendum on the Coalition and that had backfired.

He described as unedifying comments by Ms McDonald which suggested voters did not understand the campaign issues.

Ms McDonald said anger with the Government meant voters chose Independents and smaller parties.

But Mr Harris later described as a bit funny Ms McDonalds claim that the lead opposition party did not perform well at the polls because voters were angry with the Government.

Mr Harris said the penny has now dropped for Sinn Fein that it needs to have solutions and policies if it wants to lead government.

I thought it was quite interesting that a few hours ago, the leader of Sinn Fein said, Maybe we need to develop a few policies and be clear on what the policies and solutions are.

Six years as leader of her party, two local elections shes led her party through. I welcome the fact that theres a realisation now that politics isnt just about highlighting challenges, but its about coming up with solutions.

The second thing, I thought was rather unedifying today and quite insulting to the Irish people I was very disappointed to hear her comments in relation to, Maybe the people on this occasion didnt really understand.

This is the second local elections that Mary Lou McDonald has had the honour of her leading her party into. Its the second local elections that have been an unmitigated disaster for them.

Sinn Fein will now to carry out a post-mortem review on what went wrong in these elections.

Ms McDonald is facing accusations of running too many candidates, splitting the votes in many areas, as well as moving councillors previously seen as safe in their areas into other local electoral areas.

Weve literally been on thousands, probably tens of thousands of doorsteps over the last number of weeks, Ms McDonald said.

Weve listened very carefully to people. We now need to go and reflect on that, we need to learn from it.

We will regroup. I am sorry that we didnt do better.

Elsewhere, the Social Democrats are set to double their seats on Dublin City Council, from five to 10.
How the various players stand after the early stages of counting in the local and European elections

The party leaders have much to digest after the elections

Simon Harris has sensationally turned around the long-running story of a Fine Gael malaise  exemplified by a dozen party mainstays choosing not to stand at the next general election, as if they sniffed something on the wind.

FINE GAEL: Two months into top job, Simon Harris turns his party around

Well, the wind has changed direction and the Blueshirts are back  remarkably much improving their vote on recent polls to avoid a mid-term kicking from the electorate.

And this sterling performance from a party that has been 13 years in power is remarkable.

Fine Gael, by midday yesterday, was looking at being the largest party in local government in Ireland, with a first-preference percentage that was just a nose beyond 23pc. Its old Civil War rivals were just below this mark.

Beaten by-election candidate James Geoghegan was one of the first candidates elected, followed by fellow party member Emma Blain in the same Pembroke ward in Dublin.

Ray McAdam topped the poll

But across the river, in the North Inner City electoral area, Ray McAdam produced a stonking result to top the poll in what should be tough territory for the party  and natural hunting ground for Sinn Fein.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe revelled in the result, especially since Sinn Fein chose to create a dialectic with Fine Gael, as if these were the only two poles in Irish politics.

In rural areas, Fine Gael remained strong, with one candidate tripling his vote in Limerick, and the party actually nudged a 40pc vote share in some areas. The party is still likely to lose a trickle of seats overall, given its extraordinary benefit from the bounce of the ball last time out, but there is ample proof of rude health in the post-Leo Varadkar era.

Its a satisfying turn of events for Taoiseach Simon Harris too, after just two months in office, to see the pronounced transfer figures between his party and Fianna Fail flowing steadily in both directions, which seems to augur well for the return to power of the current grand Coalition.

On the European front, a woman from Meath, Regina Doherty, came in to Dublin to try to defend a seat in the capital being vacated by former justice minister Frances Fitzgerald and did it easily.

And the party was also dreaming yesterday, before declaration of a first count, that it might yet take two seats in Midlands-North West through Maria Walsh and Nina Carberry.

Mr Harris has grade-A achieved.

FIANNA FAIL: Sleeping beast is awoken to solidify Micheal Martin's leadership

Fianna Fail had a solid day across the cities and the country, proving the old beast is alive and well, and even blooding new candidates. It firmly established that its vote is under-represented in opinion polls.

Tanaiste and party leader Micheal Martin was delighted, insisting the party would now be a competitive force in local government for the next five years.  but implicit in his words were that it will also be competitive at the next general election

With town and parish roots, the Fianna Fail machine remains the most impressive canvassing force in the country, whereas the Sinn Fein doorstep legions seem to have somehow gone away. And that local-to-local bond is solid and strong.

Seamus McGrath, the brother of Finance Minister Michael McGrath, was on course to win more than 5,000 first-preference votes in Corks Carrigaline local electoral area, likely to be the highest personal vote nationally in the locals, having also received the highest vote in the country in 2019. This time, he significantly increased his haul.

The party was also picking up seats in Cork county as Mr Martin straddles the real capital title in a manner not seen since the heady days of Jack Lynch  with whom he shares much of the same characteristics of determination, modesty and quiet conviction.

Darragh O'Brien

In Dublin, the cockpit of the next general election, Housing Minister Darragh OBrien, the partys director of elections, can claim to have had a good day, despite the housing crisis.

Voters did not take it out on the party and his namesake Darragh Butler was elected for Fianna Fail on the first count in Swords, part of OBriens Fingal stomping ground.

If Michael McGrath chooses to become Irelands next EU Commissioner this summer, then Mr OBrien will move up in the party and improve his own leadership credentials.

In Europe, Fianna Fail was coasting to its expected victories.

Barry Andrews was home and hosed on the tallies before a single vote was counted in Dublin, and the same was true of Billy Kelleher in Ireland South.

Barry Cowen also appeared to be going gangbusters in Midlands-North West, which would see the party improving its position by 50pc on last time out, when it achieved just two European seats.

It all adds up to steady progress and solidifies Mr Martins grip on his grouping, meaning he could return as a rotating taoiseach.

SINN FEIN: Wake-up call for Mary Lou McDonald after public mood was badly misread

It was a disastrous weekend and a rude awakening for Sinn Fein, whose members must once more head back to the drawing board.

Mary Lou McDonald went into the Simmonscourt count centre in Dublin yesterday to put a brave face on things after a flurry of late media activity in the last few days of the campaign.

This served to show that the leader has stood aloof as a deliberate tactic when the polls were going well for the party  only for there to be no way back when the public suddenly decided that it wasnt satisfied with such absences.

The party shed support the longer the races went on across the country, with many voters reporting they had seen neither hide nor hair of the supposedly fearsome Sinn Fein canvassing operation.

The party will pick up local authority seats nationally because of its resoundingly poor performance in 2019, but the prospect of a daisy-chain of Sinn Fein candidates leading each other into safe berths proved wishful thinking.

Sinn Fein councillor Natalie Treacy

Clumsy mistakes were made, including moving councillor Natalie Treacy from Castleknock to Cabra/Glasnevin as part of a crazy four-candidate strategy in Mary Lou McDonalds backyard, where there was no such overwhelming loyalty to the leader in the local population.

Nor did Mary Lou do well on a national level. The main opposition party decided to back the Family and Care referendums earlier this year, which was a serious misreading of the public mood and must have distressed many of its supporters.

Worse, McDonald said the referendums had been badly worded, but if by any chance they were lost, Sinn Fein in government would run them again with improved phraseology, thus jumping into a pit whereby she appeared unwilling to accept the will of the people.

Humiliated, she climbed out again and dropped the idea of a re-run. Yes, the party lost support to left and right, but the latter didnt profit much when compared with Labours revival, which is now a real threat to Sinn Fein, even if it thought the red wave had long ago evaporated.

LABOUR/SOC DEMS: Ivana Bacik buoyant but Holly Cairns left with cause for concern amid stagnation

The Labour Party had a great set of elections, with leader Ivana Bacik ebullient over the partys revival when she appeared at the RDS.

European candidate Aodhan O Riordain said on radio yesterday that the local results and his own poll indications in the Dublin constituency had boosted the partys confidence.

Nessa Cosgrove made a major breakthrough for the party in Sligo-Strandhill, where Declan Bree  returned to the local council  was a Dail Labour TD in the early to mid-90s. Michael Chicken Brennan of Fethard, Co Tipperary, won a seat in the Carrick-on-Suir LEA with 1,611 votes, another significant success.

And Nigerian woman Helen Ogbu spectacularly succeeded for Labour in Galway City East, and will become the first black person to serve on that council. Elsewhere, the party was comfortably holding seats and regaining some previously lost.

Nessa Cosgrove of the Labour Party in Sligo

There was major hope for Mr O Riordain in the scramble for the last seat in the Dublin constituency in the European elections, after he had a particularly good TV debate.

He won multiples of the Labour Party base support of 3pc and was firmly in the hunt for the last seat, even if some of the partys own number-crunchers privately admit he could narrowly miss out  which may turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as Richard Brutons retirement leaves him the senior politician now in Dublin Bay North as a general election approaches.

There was no breakthrough for the Social Democrats, although the party was picking up some local seats here and there while also losing some.

The gloss seemed to go off the label, with the unimpressive outcome making an argument in some minds about the need for these two parties to arrive at a transfer pact if they are not to merge  otherwise both will suffer at the general election.

Indeed question marks remain over whether former co-leaders Catherine Murphy of Kildare North and Roisin Shortall will continue their long stints of service in Leinster House. There was a time when leader Holly Cairns was the exciting new kid on the block, but the arrival of Simon Harris at the head of both Fine Gael and the Government appears to have closed off that appeal.

The party appeared to be neither fish nor fowl to some voters, with many opting to return to the traditional conservative parties.

Directional questions are now posed.

INDEPENDENTS/OTHERS: A good day for non-party candidates, but far right falters badly

Independents are a major story of these elections, as well as the rejection of WB Yeatss claim in verse that the centre cannot hold. Just as it indeed held, even strengthened, Many of the Independents elected are centrists, rather than of either extreme.

A classic example is the return of Kevin Boxer Moran, former junior minister, who is back with a bang in the Athlone electoral area after a huge haul of votes. Similarly, Mairin McGrath topped the poll in the Cahir electoral area, saying she has moved on from being known as the daughter of Mattie, leader of the Rural Independent Group.

Independent Ireland, a group formed only last November by non-party TDs Michael Collins and Richard ODonoghue  and soon joined by Michael Fitzmaurice  had a good weekend, picking up a clutch of seats on councils. But it also fielded a competitive range of candidates in Europe, including Eddie Punch (South), Niall Boylan (Dublin) and Ciaran Mullooly (Midlands-North West), where it is in the hunt for two seats and may have to settle for one, but will be desperately disappointed if they claim none at all. It will all depend on transfers.

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran

Peadar Toibin of Aontu is also there or thereabouts in Midlands-North West, although unlikely to spring a surprise.

Established Independent Luke Ming Flanagan seems assured of a return to Europe, while Clare Daly is staging a desperate rearguard action in Dublin and just might hang on, whereas it is looking much more doubtful for Mick Wallace (South).

Elsewhere, Independent organisations in Wexford, Tipperary and Kerry  associated with TDs Verona Murphy, Michael Lowry and Michael and Danny Healy-Rae  all did well, further building their fiefdoms.

The far right were fragmented at local level and vastly outnumbered by the numbers of new Irish, both Independent and party candidates, who succeeded after seeking election.

Hardliner Derek Blighe looked set to be edged out in Fermoy, but Malachy Steenson took a seat in North Inner City Dublin. He also stood in Europe.

The Irish Freedom Partys Gavin Pepper was elected to the sixth seat in Finglas/Ballymun. Glen Moore of the Irish Freedom Party had nearly 10pc of votes in Palmerstown-Fonthill. But, overall, the far right has faltered badly.

GREEN PARTY: Its far from a wipeout for Eamon Ryan with Green shoots still apparent

The Greens are another party back with a pep in their step, even if the mood might darken in the coming week until all becomes clear with their European seats.

Hazel Chu was among one of the first councillors elected in Dublin, triumphing in the Pembroke ward, while Claire Byrne and Michael Pidgeon were re-elected with handsome clutches of votes, also in Dublin.

Around the country in city wards and some rural areas, it seems people were opting to have a Green on the council, with the climate lobby remarkably resilient  despite claims anti-Green sentiment among farmers would incinerate the party outside Dublin. Instead, the national vote held up and the Greens held their own.

The story around Europe seemed to be a tale of environmental concerns being on the ebb while voters turned to the far right, because of the large-scale immigration that is at least in part created by climate factors.

But this doesnt seem to be the case in Ireland. Sound and fury seemed to signify nothing much electorally for the far right, while the voters did not forget the Greens, with the mainstream also seeing them right in terms of transfers  perhaps helped by recent reports of record temperatures and heat-related deaths around the world, plus the warmest-ever May temperatures in Ireland.

Hazel Chu

Perhaps Eamon Ryan secretly feared that ebb; certainly he was mightily relieved when it didnt happen, as it might have posed questions over his 12-year leadership.

In midweek, he also insisted that the Greens could surprise people on the European front, where the general expectation of political observers was that the party would lose both the Dublin seat of Ciaran Cuffe and the South seat of Grace OSullivan.

Mr Cuffe does indeed appear to be in trouble and could lose his seat, at least according to the early tallies, but transfers can play strange tricks, and Mr Ryan was insisting yesterday that Cuffe was still in the hunt.

The picture was much less clear for OSullivan, with a very rudimentary tally in Ireland South, but if the Green vote generally has held up nationally, there must be a faint hope for her.

Even to hold one of the two seats would be a major success for Mr Ryan and he could convincingly point to brighter days ahead.

The overall message appears to be that there will be a Green vote at the general election and the party will stay relevant.
Kinahan cartel murder accused at centre of prison crisp packet drugs drop

Suspect in cartel killing tried to have contraband brought into jail in a crisp packet

Thomas McConnell is an inmate in Portlaoise Prison

Eamon Dillon and Nicola Tallant Mon 10 Jun 2024 at 11:44

A gangster accused of murdering Gerry The Monk Hutchs nephew was at the centre of a bid to smuggle drugs into the prison where he is being held.
11,287 children attend primary schools while 6,846 attend post primary schools.

More than 18,000 Ukrainian children were enrolled in schools across Ireland at the beginning of June.

The Department of Education stated in total that 18,133 Ukrainian pupils had been enrolled in schools so far this month.

Of that figure 11,287 pupils had been provided places in primary schools while 6,846 had enrolled in post primary.

A Department spokesperson said: This data indicates an enrolment rate of 93.1pc among Ukrainian children aged five to 18, who have come to Ireland.

The Department wishes to thank school communities and stakeholders at a local and national level across Ireland for their engagement, collaboration and support in accommodating Ukrainian pupils in Irish primary and post-primary schools.

Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) are helping Ukrainian pupils and their families with the transition to the Irish education system.

The teams are hosted by the 16 regional Education and Training Boards around Ireland and staffed by regionally-based education support personnel.

The spokesperson said: These teams continue to make sure that clear, accessible information flows are in place between schools, local education support services and national support structures in relation to people arriving from Ukraine.

In February this year, the Department announced that over 18,000 Ukrainian children had arrived into the country since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

At that time, 85pc were learning the Irish curriculum in person and the Ukrainian curriculum online.

A Department report had found that from an inspection of 40 schools, between September and December 2023, almost all schools had provided a sense of belonging for Ukrainian students and their families.

Education Minister Norma Foley said at that time that Ukrainian children were receiving either a good or very good education in Ireland.

At that point, in more than 70pc of schools inspected, all Ukrainian students in third and sixth year had intended to sit the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate exams.
Ciaran Briody (23), who died when he was struck by a bus close to Busaras

A decision has still to be taken if any criminal proceedings will arise over the death of a pedestrian after being struck by a bus close to Busaras bus station in Dublin last year, an inquest has heard.

Ciaran Briody (23), an accountant from Growtown, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath sustained fatal injuries following the collision on August 31, 2023.

The incident occurred at the corner of Store Street and Amien Street at around 11.30pm and resulted in the closure of Busaras for over 12 hours.

A sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court on Monday heard that a postmortem revealed Mr Briody died as a result of traumatic brain injuries and multiple skull fractures.

The opening of the inquest into Mr Briodys death heard the deceased had to be formally identified using his DNA and a sample taken from his brother, Patrick.

Ciara McCaffrey, a forensic scientist at Forensic Science Ireland, said the chances of the DNA of the two siblings being a match was 5,000 times more likely than being a match of an unknown, unrelated individual.

Ms McCaffrey said the results provided strong evidence to support a finding that the two men were brothers.

The hearing was attended by Mr Briodys parents, AnnMarie and Padraig, who were not required to give evidence.

Detective Inspector Ken Hoare, sought an adjournment of the inquest on the basis that a file on the Garda investigation was still to be forwarded to the DPP.

Det Ins Hoare said gardai were awaiting the finalisation of the forensic collision report into the fatal incident before the file could be sent to the DPP for direction.

He estimated that a six-month adjournment would be required to allow for that aspect of the investigation to be completed.

Det Insp Hoare informed the family that he had asked for the outstanding element of the investigation to be hurried along so that it could be sent to the DPP straight away.

Coroner, Clare Keane, granted the application on the basis that criminal proceedings in the case are being considered and adjourned the case for further mention until November 11.
A Co Down horse rider who spoke out against domestic abuse by her former partner has said its beyond my wildest dreams to have been selected to represent Ireland in this summers Olympic Games.

Abi Lyle (39), from Bangor, will be Irelands sole representative in the individual dressage event when the Paris Games begin at the end of July.

Her former partner Jonathan Creswell (36) was found dead at his home in April, having taken his own life a day after his trial for the 2020 murder of showjumper Katie Simpson got underway.

Ms Lyle, now based in Gloucestershire, had been in a nine-month relationship with Creswell 15 years ago.

He was jailed for six months in 2010 after pleading guilty to assaulting her.

Ms Simpson had died in hospital a week after an incident in Gortnessy Meadows, Lettershandoney, Co Londonderry, on August 3, 2020.

Speaking of her Olympic Games 2024 selection, at which she will ride her 13-year old gelding Giraldo (Arty), Ms Lyle told Horse & Hound magazine: When I moved to England in 2009, my ultimate goal was to do a PSG [Prix St Georges].

So to say that the Olympics was beyond my wildest dreams is a teeny understatement.

So many people have led me, propped me up, walked beside me and contributed in so many ways to get to this. Theres so many to thank. But the first and most important to thank is Arty.

Arty, you have no idea what youve done for me.

Ill spend the rest of our lives making sure you feel like the most-loved horse in the world and that you never ever want for anything.

Following Creswells suicide, Ms Lyle went public to reveal the abuse she had suffered during their short relationship, describing her former partner as an incredibly violent and abusive individual.

In an interview with the BBC, she described being regularly beaten at the hands of Creswell during their nine-month relationship, saying how several times she was beaten so badly that she was left looking like a Dalmatian because of the number of bruises on her body.

Ms Lyle said one particular attack, in a wooded area near Castle Leslie in Co Monaghan, left her fearing for her life.

I never felt fear like that... To just be in a car with somebody and you dont know where you are going... He took me into the woods and threatened to kill me, she recalled.

I thought he was going to do it this time. He didnt, obviously, but that attack lasted hours.

He was just beating me, throwing me around, choking me, screaming at me.

Then he would just say: Im sorry, Im sorry. I didnt mean that. Dont go. And then the cycle would start over again.

Every couple of weeks for those nine months, I did something that would be unacceptable to him.

Jonathan Creswell

Another incident Ms Lyle described vividly was when Creswell threatened to throw her into a bath of bleach.

One evening I came home and I could smell it from downstairs; he had filled the bath with bleach, she said.

I started screaming and someone actually came to the door. I dont know who that [person] was, but thank you.

Someone came and banged on the door and he [Creswell] said: If youre quiet I wont put you in the bleach. So I was quiet. So I just got a normal beating instead.

Having escaped the abusive relationship, Ms Lyle has since competed all over the world in international dressage.
Taoiseach Simon Harris speaking to the media at the RDS Count Centre for the European elections on Sunday. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Fine Gael has apologised after its video urging people to vote in last weekends elections used a song by childrens collective The Kabin Crew without credit.

The video, which has been since deleted, used the song The Spark with a caption that read: Weve got the new energy, and well tell you all about it  Tomorrow vote Fine Gael in the Local, European and Limerick Mayoral elections.

In response, The Kabin Crew, who are based in Cork and Clare, said in a post on X: Ah Jaysus, lads, at least credit the kids who performed this track. Who ever created this video and made the social media post should know this. Not comfortable with it being used for political means.

You have used our music, without permission, for political means. Please cease all usage with immediate effect.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 10th June 2024

The Spark has been a viral sensation since it first appeared on social media more than three weeks ago.

The Kabin Studios, the creative hub in Cork where the crew are based, said later they did not want their music used for national or international political measures, especially by those with no connection to the work they do locally.

Anyone who uses our music, credit the kids and consider making a donation to childrens charity, they said.

Fine Gael has since issued an apology for not seeking permission.

We wish to sincerely apologise to all at the Kabin Crew and Kabin Crew Studio for not seeking permission to use their music. It was wrong, and it should not have happened, a spokesperson said.

The party also said it would make a donation to the studio to support their great work, or in lieu of this, to a charity of their choice.

The Fine Gael spokesperson said: The Kabin Crew are an immensely talented group who produce great music, including the track of the summer. They are a credit to all in their community and are great ambassadors for Cork city. Keep up the great work at the Kabin Studio.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin TD, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald TD and the Labour Party have all used the song in their TikToks. However, they credited The Kabin and Lisdoonvarna Crew, who also appear on the track.

Ms McDonald had two of the young performers give her a rap lesson and Micheal Martin congratulated them on their success, as did the official Labour Party TikTok account.

The drum-and-bass track, which has yet to be released on streaming platforms, has also been hailed by Time and The New York Times as the song of the summer.

The Kabin and Lisdoonvarna crews unite children aged nine to 12 at the youth community space where they are able to express themselves through music and performing arts.

The Rhyme Island initiative, started by Garry McCarthy, is now expanding nationwide in a project called Rhyme Island Roadshow. Rap, songwriting and performance workshops will be accessible to young people of various backgrounds living in Ireland.

The cross-country project, sponsored by Creative Ireland, is set to build up to Rock the Block Festival this Saturday, June 15, where children aged eight to 18 will be able to reveal what they have been working on throughout the tour.

The self-proclaimed Sound of The Northside appears to have spread far beyond the boundaries of what was thought possible with more than eight million hits on TikTok and more than 750, 000 views on YouTube in just three weeks.
The SDLP's leader of the opposition at Stormont has challenged First Minister Michelle ONeill on Sinn Feins stated opposition to open borders.

Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly today, Matthew OToole, the MLA for south Belfast said that he was shocked to hear Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald tell RTE last week that she was not uncomfortable with an increase in checks on people moving across the border.

I was also shocked to read a Sinn Fein election leaflet delivered in Co Louth, of all places, which says on it that Sinn Fein is opposed to open borders, and Ireland must have control over its borders, he said.

OToole called for Sinn Fein vice president ONeill to ensure that this would not happen again.

First Minister, do you regret that your party, in its failed election campaign, attempted to weaponise the open border on this island? he asked.

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Speaking to RTEs Today with Claire Byrne show last week, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said gardai carrying out spot checks near the border area has been in place along with the Common Travel Area.

Garda checkpoints have been set up to detect people entering the State illegally from Northern Ireland, with gardai boarding buses and trans to carry out identification checks.

The Common Travel Area has always required cooperation between the PSNI and the gardai and that will continue. Thats exactly as it should be, the Sinn Fein leader added.

The gardai and the PSNI do spot checks on buses and thats always been the case. No, I dont have an issue with that, she told listeners.

Our issue has always been and would be any suggestion of remilitarisation of that border.
Families urge HSE to take over insolvent facility permanently as unpublished report flags serious concerns

Dublin nursing home residents step up campaign to save it from closure

An unpublished report by inspectors for regulator Hiqa has highlighted their serious concerns regarding Lucan Lodge Nursing Home as its private operators ran into financial difficulties.

They found only two nurses on night duty to care for up to 70 residents over three floors, according to their draft report.

A director had to intervene to ensure supplies that were due to be delivered arrived at the West Dublin home.

Operated by Passage Healthcare International, it was placed into provisional liquidation last week.

The elderly residents are at risk of having to move if no buyer emerges and the HSE, now running the home on a temporary basis, declines to take it over permanently.

Residents and their families are calling on the HSE to take over the nursing, rather than wait for another private operator to step in.

The High Court heard that issues were primarily caused by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic

Passage Healthcare originally operated two nursing homes in Dublin, Lucan Lodge and the smaller 41-bed Sally Park Nursing Home in Firhouse.

The High Court heard that issues were primarily caused by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic which lowered occupancy rates and increased costs.

The owners have placed Lucan Lodge in provisional liquidation.

Sally Park Nursing Home was closed in February and the company embarked on a process of examinership aimed at finding a rescue plan to allow Lucan Lodge to continue to trade.

The required investment never materialised and Passage Healthcare asked Hiqa to cancel its registration for Lucan Lodge last month, forcing the HSE to take over.

Provisional liquidators were appointed by the High Court on Wednesday because the company was insolvent and unable to pay its debts.

The nursing home had a history of repeated non-compliance with some Hiqa regulations.

It was inspected in September last year and was visited again by inspectors on February 29, just days after its owners had placed the company into examinership.

According to the draft inspection report, the nursing home had committed to ensuring three nurses were on night duty but rosters showed this had happened only three times in 24 days.

Inspectors observed that some residents were left in tilted positions in comfort chairs for a long period of time.

A directory of residents was incomplete. Two incidents when residents required medical attention were not notified to the chief inspector.

No care plan had been put in place to inform and guide staff about a resident who had absconded from the nursing home three days earlier, the draft report said.

Items in a safe were found to belong to residents who had died, and no documentation to record efforts to contact the deceased residents estate.

They were concerned about the operators ability to provide a safe and quality service

Inspectors were told fire safety works they hoped would be completed in February will not be completed until September.

Overall inspectors found management had to implement significant and sustained improvement if Lucan Lodge was to comply with national standards.

They were concerned about the operators ability to provide a safe and quality service for residents.

The nursing providers had responded to each of the non-compliances, including ongoing attempts to address fire safety issues, before it asked Hiqa to cancel its registration last month.

Advocacy group Care Champions, which is supporting residents and families, said this weekend that as the State put the for profit nursing home model in place it must now step in to fix the problem.

Residents, families and staff are pleading for the HSE to take immediate control of the nursing homes operations, said spokesperson Maria Stynes. While outsourcing care was a government policy, residents shouldnt suffer for business failures.

The government must step in to protect residents rights and choices. Relocation poses a serious risk of transfer trauma, a significant human rights concern. A swift resolution is essential for these vulnerable residents.

Hiqa said the inspection report from February 29 was a draft that was being finalised and it cannot comment on the contents of reports which have not been finalised.

The regulator was continuing to monitor the centre to ensure the quality and safety of care for residents.

A statement from the HSE said it was very conscious of the speed of this change and the urgency with which the HSE was required to take charge and acknowledge that this is a concern for residents, families and staff.

It was currently assessing the nursing home and is engaging with all relevant parties to explore all options.
Even in his younger days, US president Joe Biden was known for making verbal slips. Photo: AP

The first shots of the 2024 battle for the US presidency have been fired by the two oldest humans ever to suffer self-delusion at the countrys expense. The highest-stakes contest in the democratic world is between a criminal and a codger.
As the 2000s drew to a close, the name Amanda Knox became steeped in infamy, following the violent murder of her roommate, 21-year-old Meredith Kercher.

Knox, alongside her boyfriend Rafaele Sollecito, was convicted of Kerchers killing in 2009, though both were later fully exonerated. Many viewed her conviction as a miscarriage of justice and argued that the young woman had been demonised by the international media frenzy around the case.

The now-36-year-old returned to Italy last week in an unsuccessful bid to defend herself against a 16-year-old slander conviction. The charge, which was upheld by the Italian courts, related to statements she had made while in police custody under conditions which the European Court of Human Rights found to have violated her human rights.

As she awaits the opportunity to appeal, Ellen Coyne is joined by Nick Squires, Rome Correspondent with the Daily Telegraph, to look back on her legal battles and ask will she ever be completely free in the court of public opinion?
A Sinn Fein shocker in the locals, a strong show of support for the new look Fine Gael, and the not-quite rise of the far right. Friday's elections have left many talking points, as the country looks ahead to a possible Autumn general election, despite what Taoiseach Simon Harris has to say.

Mary Lou McDonald is facing serious questions after a lacklustre campaign where Simon Harris and Micheal Martin left her in their shade. Sinn Fein activists have long believed that it would only be a matter of time before McDonald became Irelands first female Taoiseach  but that dream is as far away as ever after these election results.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has dismissed calls to call a general election after the Coalitions success in the local elections.

Speaking in the RDS Simmonscourt, the Fine Gael leader ruled out a formal vote pact with Fianna Fail or the Green Party when the country next goes to the polls.

The people of Ireland have just gone out and voted in local elections and European elections, and I think what the people right across the country want me to do is my job, he said.

I'm 61 days as a Taoiseach of this country. People want me to bring energy not just to the campaign trail, but also to solving some issues, including ones that have seemed intractable in the past, and that's my absolute determination.

On this bonus episode of The Indo Daily, Kevin Doyle is joined by Philip Ryan, Political Editor with the Irish Independent and Gabija Gataveckaite, Political Correspondent with the Irish Independent, to examine the clear winners and losers of a very impactful election campaign.
At least 5,000 fish have been killed in the river, which is home to a protected species of mussel

Kanturk & District Trout Anglers pictured on Johns Bridge, between Freemount and Kanturk, above the River Allow. Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald

Thousands of fish in a 4km section of the River Allow have been killed in a suspected pollution incident. Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald

Thousands of fish have been killed along a 4km stretch of the River Allow in Cork in an incident suspected to be caused by a spillage from an Uisce Eireann treatment plant.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) said that it is investigating the incident, in which at least 5,000 fish have died.

The River Allow is a tributary of the Munster Blackwater.

The pollution incident occurred in a Special Area of Conservation of the river at Freemount, which is north of Kanturk and home to an Uisce Eireann water treatment plant.

Uisce Eireann said that it is investigating a reported spillage at its plant. It said it has engaged with IFI and the EPA has been notified.

IFI officers are still attempting to determine the scale of the incident, with fish mortalities observed up to four kilometres downstream of the source location.

Species including juvenile Atlantic salmon, brown trout, lamprey, eel, stone loach, roach and dace have been killed in the river.

A locally based angler told The Corkman that what has happened to the fish is horrific and sickening.

IFI staff have been taking water samples from the river to gather evidence of the discharge and source a point of contamination, to advance any potential prosecution.

The river is also home to the freshwater pearl mussel, which is a protected species.

Tom Anketell, who is chair of the Kanturk & District Anglers Association, told The Corkman that the affected section of the River Allow has a big stock of the species.

Michael Twohig, chair of IRD Duhallow and a member of Kanturk Trout Anglers, said that massive money has come from the EU for a LIFE programme aimed at protecting the freshwater pearl mussel in the river.

"The banks are all fenced back a few metres from the back of the river with wire. We have put in special cattle troughs over the years, Mr Twohig said.

"[There has been] unbelievable participation from the farmers along that stretch of the river.

"Silt traps were also put in to keep the water as clean as possible on that river because of the freshwater pearl mussel.

Several state agencies are understood to be carrying out work on the river following the incident.
Three of the constituencys five seats were filled on the first count at Mallow CYDS

The Labour Party's Eoghan Kenny throws his arms in the air after winning election on the first count.

Mallow LEA voters opted for more of the same on polling day last Friday as all five outgoing members won enough votes to be elected as councillors for the next five years.

The most significant difference between the results of the 2019 election and this years race was the order that the candidates were elected in.

Five years ago, Pat Hayes of Fianna Fail topped the polls and was elected alongside his party colleague Gearoid Murphy and The Labour Partys James Kennedy on the first count. In the fifth count, Fine Gael candidates Liam Madden and Tony OShea filled the LEAs final two seats.

This year, it was Tony OShea who crossed the line first after amassing 2,615 of the 11,747 valid votes cast in the area. His re-election, which was announced at Mallow Count Centre around 10.30pm on Saturday, meant he was the first of the OShea family to be elected, with his brother John Paul (also FG) elected to Kanturk LEA soon after.

Cllr OShea told The Corkman that it feels great to be re-elected and he was delighted to have received such support from voters.

Fine Gaels Liam Madden accumulated the second most votes (2,571 first-preferences) and he was also elected on the first count. His delight with the result was clear when he spoke to The Corkman outside the count centre in Mallow, located at the Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services base.

We ran a very good campaign, and my campaign was not a total political campaign. It was a campaign based on the work that I have done, and a lot of that was rural planning with young people, Cllr Madden said.

I have a passion for community and I love to help people and I think that was rewarded in the vote.

Like in the previous election, a Labour candidate garnered the third most votes and secured a seat on the first count. While it was James Kennedy in 2019, this time around it was 24-year-old secondary school teacher Eoghan Kenny, who was co-opted to Mallow LEA earlier this year after Cllr Kennedy vacated his seat.

Cllr Kenny won 2,239 votes and the first-time candidate said that his election to the LEA, after receiving such a mandate from the people of Mallow, was the greatest honour of my life.

Fianna Fails Gearoid Murphy (1,329 first-preferences) and Pat Hayes (1,076 first-preferences) may have been disappointed with the amount of votes they received, but as each count went by it became more likely that they would both be re-elected as Sinn Feins Melissa OBrien (866 first-preferences) failed to accumulate enough transfers.

Murphy was elected on the sixth count, at around 3.10pm on Sunday, with a total of 1,971 votes. After celebrating his re-election he told The Corkman that it was really humbling to have voters trust placed in him for another five years.

As the counts were shaping up, it was shaping up better and better, so its always good to be going in the right direction. Were into the second day but we got there, and thats the most important thing, Cllr Murphy said.

Its really humbling to have the support of my family, my friends, my party and of course, all of the people who voted for me. I will work as hard as I can over the next five years to earn this trust and fulfil it.

Pat Hayes was elected (below the quota of 1,958) on the seventh count with a total of 1,861 votes, while his opponent Melissa OBrien finished with 1,402 votes.

Cllr Hayes told The Corkman that he was absolutely over the moon to be re-elected.

I have to thank my team, my family, my friends, theyve been wonderful. Id just like to commiserate with the people who have lost out, I think they put up a great fight and they deserve great credit for putting themselves forward in such difficult time in Irelands situation politically, its not easy. Cllr Hayes said.

Its great to see myself and my colleagues back in now for the next five years and I really look forward to working with all my colleagues in the council.

Alongside Melissa OBrien, the candidates who were not elected to Mallow LEA were Ross Cannon (IP), who was eliminated after the sixth count, David Curry (SD), who was excluded after the fifth count, and Paul McNally (GP), who was eliminated after the fifth count. Paddy Scully of Aontu was excluded following the sixth count.
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.
Emma Barry from Drogheda offers advice as she hands over sash after two years

Itll be a bittersweet moment for Emma Barry next week when she hands over the sash to the new Louth Rose on June 15.

The 29-year-old Drogheda woman has held the title for two years and says she has enjoyed every second of her reign. It's hard to believe that has been two years, it really has flown in and the surrealism of the whole experience has never really left me, says Emma. I know a lot of people might think the whole festival is old fashioned or should be something that's left in the past, but being involved in it and seeing the other side, really opened my eyes, with how many things you get to experience and all the opportunities it gives you, within your own county and obviously, on a more widespread level.

At the time a student teacher, Emma flew the flag for the Wee County in the world-famous Rose of Tralee festival in 2022, and says she loves how traditional it has remained.

I think the fact that the Rose of Tralee has stood the test of time is a testament to the festival and that it is just about celebrating women for their virtues and what they can contribute to society, she adds. I think the reason why it's so welcomed in Irish society and tradition is that it's really very family friendly, and very much focuses on that sense of community.

We are living in a really ever-changing world and those kinds of traditions and customs are nice to hold on to and to celebrate as well.

Being a Rose was something Emma always wanted to do, ever since they all watched it at home when she was a child, and she wasnt disappointed by the experience.

In many ways it made me grow as a person which I suppose I didn't expect. I went into it thinking I would get to meet new people and experience new things, which I did but through its trials and triumphs, I've really grown as a person, and it's really made me appreciate community connections, and how genuinely amazing Louth is as a county, says Emma. We are the Wee County but we do have mighty people in it!

Since her selection, Emma qualified as a teacher but felt she wanted a change in direction.

I did a bit of teaching and felt a little shackled in the classroom, so I suppose I wanted to make a bit more of an active difference in the lives of young people within the community in general, says Emma. So I started working with St. Vincent DePaul as an education officer, and I get to work with young people in and and out of schools, which is a really interesting role.

My experience as a Rose made me self-reflect a little and made me feel I could do anything."

The next Louth Rose will be selected on Saturday June 15 at The Gateway Hotel, Dundalk and Emma has a bit of advice for whoever will take over the title and represent Louth in Tralee in August.

I suppose just make sure you stay true to yourself; I think that was one thing I probably got a little bit swept up by and was really overwhelmed by the attention and fanfare of the whole thing, she says with a laugh.

I succumbed to the pressure of feeling you have to be perfect and you have to be a rose so whoever the lucky lady is who's going to Tralee, my advice would be to make sure you keep your feet on the ground, enjoy it and not have any expectations of yourself because everyone's enough, just as they are and don't need to worry about being perfect.
Sligo illustrator also has her work accessioned by the library at Trinity College, Dublin

Director of the NLI Dr. Audrey Whitty with Annie West and her work. Pic:Julien Behal

Award-winning Sligo Illustrator Annie Wests entire collection of original pen and ink artwork, sketches, notes, storyboards and script of The Late Night Writers Club has been acquired by the Special Collections Department at The National Library of Ireland.

Also, the entire collection from the Yeats in Love series which includes all 35 original pen and ink Illustrations, sketches, notes, abandoned attempts and papers was accessioned by the Special Collections department at The Library of Trinity College.

I am absolutely thrilled and honoured that this is happening, and twice in a year.

I am hugely grateful to be invited by both of these fine institutions,to contribute to their Illustration Collections as a living Illustrator.

The thought that my grandchildren and their children can go and look at the illustrations in years to come is the most wonderful feeling and I pinch myself every day in case Im dreaming, said Annie (62).

She is one of only a small number of book illustrators in Ireland still working only on paper.

The visual archive of The Late Night Writers Club contains more than 105 full-colour original pen and ink illustrations, 272 pages of drafts and notes, along with work in progress photos and videos.

The collection will be made available to the public when it has been catalogued.

Director of the NLI, Dr Audrey Whitty, said:

One of our key objectives at the National Library of Ireland is to proactively collect contemporary materials that tell the story of Ireland.

This collection allows us to celebrate another aspect of Irelands creative, literary and historical heritage.

This is a fabulous collection of artwork and associated notes that really tell the story of how this book was developed  it is an absolute bonus that the book is set in the wonderful surrounds of the NLI building itself.

Annie West said: It is such a great honour to have my work, but more importantly, to have this illustration-based work become part of our national collections.

Illustrators are often overlooked alongside our literary peers so this is indeed a lovely moment of recognition for all Illustrators.

In a world of social and digital media, Artificial Intelligencebased, anonymous, disposable artwork, its important that we value and keep an archive of the craft of illustration and design still executed by hand, before it fades away and becomes extinct.

Also, Yeats in Love: the Annie West Archive was donated in April 2024 by Annie to the Library of Trinity College Dublin in memory of her mother Daphne Siggins, who graduated with a BA in 1953 and worked in the college from 1979-1996.

The archive consists of 24 pen & ink drawings from the book; 10 drawings from its exhibition; as well as material associated with the development of the graphic book, including research, general notes, sketches, scribbles,mistakes and original drafts.

Head of Research Collections, Laura Shanahan said: The Library of Trinity College Dublin seeks to continuously build on its unique contemporary collections.

Annie Wests donation of these beautiful illustrations reflect her creative imagination, innovation and flair, bringing Yeats life and poetry along with a roll call of historical and literary figures to new audiences.

It is important that the contemporary female voice has a strong presence in our collections and donations such as these are important in achieving that. Annie has been working as a full-time Illustrator since 1992. Annie specialises in pen and ink drawing on paper with a particular style of intense detail, hidden characters and wry literary humour.

Annie has a large following on X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads and Bluesky and has an impressive client list. Annie has also been commissioned for presentation to His Excellency The President of Ireland, Neil Jordan, Tom Cruise, The Waterboys, Sharon Shannon, HRH King Charles III and many others.
Mark with his partner Emma and his parents presenting the cheque to Pat Whelehan rep for the Irish Cancer Society and Dr Sue Mung, Consultant Haematologist and the staff from St Vincents Ward, Mater Hospital Dublin.

Duncannon man Mark Molloy was overwhelmed by the level of support he got from the community for his 6.5km walk and run in aid of for the Mater Hospital Foundation where he received such excellent care when he was being treated for Leukaemia and The Irish Cancer Society.

Mark (36) was diagnosed with Leukaemia in May 2022 and spent almost a year in the Mater Hospital undergoing intensive medical treatment.

Mark made a donation of donated 28,433 to the Irish Cancer Society and St Vincents Ward, Mater Hospital Dublin. "A huge thank you to all who donated to my GoFundMe page and to my Fun Run/Walk events, said Mark.

The support for the fundraiser was overwhelming, and thanks to the generosity of all who was raised for The Mater Hospital Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society. A special thanks to all who assisted me with my fundraising activities, especially Trim GAA, Marcies Trim, St James GAA, and Hook Tourism, who helped organise and support the fundraising events. Most of all, I am really grateful to all of you who gave so generously to these two deserving charities'
Wexford & District

Wexford General Hospital to get new consultant neurologist in 2m boost to neurology services

A new consultant neurologist is to be appointed at Wexford General Hospital (WGH) next year after funding of 2m was secured from the Department of Health. A clinical support member will also join the staff at WGH as neurology services at the 
Sen. Tolentino flags sharp rise in the price of ginger

Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino has expressed concern over the continuing increase in the prices of vegetables, particularly ginger.

During the public market price watch segment of his radio program "Usapang Tol," the senator flagged the price of ginger (luya), which has sharply risen to as much as P320 per kilogram as of Monday.

The latest increase amounted to an average of P100 per kilo, as he noted that ginger was being sold at around P220 pesos just last week.

"P320? It was just P220 last week. That's incredibly expensive," exclaimed the senator.

In light of this, Tolentino wants the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to probe the root cause of the high cost of ginger, an essential ingredient for the common Filipino household.

"When you buy fish, it's natural to buy ginger. Even if fish prices go down, the high cost of ginger offsets it," he explained.

Meanwhile, the senator welcomed the enforcement of a price freeze to protect consumers in areas affected by the eruption of Mount Kanlaon in Negros Island.

It may be recalled that Tolentino previously urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to implement a price freeze on basic goods at the height of the effects of the El Nino phenomenon.
Military cadets of the Lviv lyceum celebrate after a graduation ceremony, amid Russias attack on Ukraine on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine has said its forces hit an ultra-modern Russian warplane stationed on an air base nearly 645km from the front line, after its Western allies allowed Kyiv to use their weapons for limited strikes inside Russia.
LATEST | We will evaluate it when it comes closer  Tanaiste responds to soldiers concerns they may not be able to come home at end of Lebanon tour
Photo courtesy: X/@RamMNK

New Delhi/IBNS: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Ram Mohan Naidu, who has been inducted into the Modi cabinet on Sunday, has turned out to be the youngest ever Union Minister in the country, media reports said.

Naidu, 36, is the son of senior TDP leader and former Union Minister Kinjarapu Yerran Naidu, who died in an accident in 2012.

In 2014, Naidu contested the Srikakulam constituency, which was held by his father, at the age of just 26 and repeated his win in 2019 and 2024.

In the 2024 polls, Naidu defeated YSRCP candidate 3,20,000 votes.

Naidu, whose father was a Rural Development Minister in the United Front Government from 1996 to 1998, didn't enter into politics with much plans.

      



     . pic.twitter.com/PLlagqyfDI  Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) June 10, 2024

An alumnus of Delhi Public School in New Delhi, Naidu studied electrical engineering followed by MBA in the United States. He then moved to Singapore to work.

In 2012, Naidu rushed back to India after his father died of a road accident.

In Parliament, Naidu headed a number of committees including the ones pertaining to agriculture, animal husbandry et al.

The TDP MP was vocal in favour of the menstrual health and sex education, removal of Good and Services Tax on sanitary napkins.
Photo Courtesy: PIB

The Ministry of External Affairs has thanked leaders of Middle Eastern countries for greeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on winning the Indian general polls.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said greeted the Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia for the wishes 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. PM conveys his gratitude and warmth to HRH Crown Prince," Jaiswal posted on X. "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 said.

Thanking Bahrain for similar greetings, Jaiswal wrote on X: " Thank @BahrainCPnews for the warm greetings extended by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain to PM @narendramodi on his election victory. PM conveys his gratitude to HRH Crown Prince & Prime Minister."

Thank @BahrainCPnews for the warm greetings extended by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain to PM @narendramodi on his election victory. PM conveys his gratitude to HRH Crown Prince & Prime Minister.



India & https://t.co/jj6pGIywe6  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 8, 2024

Jaiswal said India looking forward to work with Qatar in his X post thanking the country for wishing Indian PM Narendra Modi who returned to power for third straight term, a rare event in Indian politics.

"Thank @AmiriDiwan for the greetings extended by Amir, HH@TamimBinHamad & Deputy Amir, HH Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani to PM @narendramodi on his election victory. PM conveys his gratitude to HH Amir and HH Deputy Amir," he posted on X.

"India eagerly looks forward to working together with Qatar to further deepen and strengthen bilateral ties in existing and newer areas of cooperation," Jaiswal said.

Jaiswal responded to the congratulatory message by foreign minister of Oman and wrote on X: "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," he said.

Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister of the world's largest democratic country on Sunday.

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 https://t.co/A1I1NDQmP8  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 8, 2024

Narendra Modi on Monday assumed office for the third straight term when he signed his first file which was related to the welfare of farmers.

"After being sworn in as Prime Minister for the 3rd time, PM Narendra Modi signs his first file authorising release of 17th instalment of PM Kisan Nidhi," read a statement issued by the Indian government.

The file is expected to benefit 9.3 crore farmers and distribute around Rs 20,000 crores.

After signing the file, PM Modi said, Ours is a Government fully committed to Kisan Kalyan. It is therefore fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to farmer welfare. We want to keep working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come.
Photo Courtesy: PIB

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu arrived in India and participated in Indian PM Narendra Modi 's oath-taking ceremony for third straight term in New Delhi on Sunday.

He was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Modi following his victory in the Indian general polls.

The developments occurred just months after India and Maldives were engaged in bitter diplomatic tension over Modi's visit to Lakswadeep, a picturesque Indian region that has the potential to compete with the Island Nation over tourism.

Following the swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi, President Muizzu participated in a photograph session with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Heads of State and Government.

Muizzu attended the official banquet hosted by President of India Droupadi Murmu, in honour of the leaders of neighbouring countries attending the swearing-in-ceremony of the Prime Minister of India.

"At the banquet, Prime Minister H.E. Narendra Modi held a joint interaction with all Heads of State and Government," read a statement issued by the Maldivian President's website.

He visited Indian PM's oath-taking event at the invitation of Modi.

Meanwhile, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Muizzu and said India is looking forward to work together with the Island Nation.

"Delighted to call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives today in New Delhi," Jaishankar posted on X.

Delighted to call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives today in New Delhi.



Look forward to India and Maldives working together closely. @MMuizzu

  pic.twitter.com/odHJPRK4Ks  Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) June 10, 2024

"Look forward to India and Maldives working together closely," he said.

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.

The Maldives, which comprises some 1,192 tiny coral islands scattered across 800 kilometres (500 miles) on the equator, is considered as one of the top beach destinations in the world.

Apart from its scenic beauty, the country is known for its luxury hotels and water villas.

The pro-China Maldivian President faced massive domestic criticism for his anti-India stance as the main opposition parties of the country, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Democrats, slammed Muizzu for distancing from India, the island nation's "most long-standing ally" and source of tourists.

Besides expressing concern over the new foreign policy of Muizzu-led government in Maldives, the opposition parties took to the street in January in protest.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Common/PIB

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and his elder brother and former PM Nawaz Sharif on Monday wished Indian PM Narendra Modi for taking oath as the Prime Minister of India for a record third term.

Modi assumed his office on Monday.

In his congratulatory X post, Shehbaz Sharif wrote: "Felicitations to @narendramodi on taking oath as the Prime Minister of India."

My warm felicitations to Modi Ji (@narendramodi) on assuming office for the third time. Your party's success in recent elections reflects the confidence of the people in your leadership. Let us replace hate with hope and seize the oppurtunity to shape the destiny of the two  Nawaz Sharif (@NawazSharifMNS) June 10, 2024

Modi was quick in responding as he wrote: "Thank you @cmshehbaz for your good wishes."

The Pakistani PM was not reportedly invited to attend Modi's oath-taking ceremony event.

Several key leaders like Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu attended the grand ceremony after they were invited for the event.

In his positive message, Nawaz Sharif urged Modi that the two countries' leadership should replace hate with hope and seize the oppurtunity to shape the destiny of the two billion people of South Asia.

"My warm felicitations to Modi Ji (@narendramodi) on assuming office for the third time. Your party's success in recent elections reflects the confidence of the people in your leadership. Let us replace hate with hope and seize the oppurtunity to shape the destiny of the two billion people of South Asia," he said.
Exit polls predict far right surge in European Parliament. Photo Courtesy: Emmanuel Macron Instagram page

Far-right parties are expected to win a significant number of the seats in the European Parliament following three days of voting.

Exit polls are predicting far-right parties clinching 150 of the parliaments 720 seats, following voting across the European Unions 27 member states.

If the predicted seats are won then mainstream parties may find it harder to form majorities needed to pass laws.

In a speech late Sunday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was quoted as saying by CNN that the results showed her European Peoples Party (EPP)  predicted to secure the most seats  could still act as an anchor of stability, but called on her political allies to help guard against extremist parties.

The center is holding. But it is also true that the extremes on the left and on the right have gained support, and this is why the result comes with great responsibility for the parties in the center, she told an audience in Brussels.

We will build a bastion against the Extreme Right -Ursula von der Leyen, the Bitch of Buchenwald, who wants to start a Civil War in Europe.



This Psychopath belongs in Jail. pic.twitter.com/c3HrEBiaIg  Liz Churchill (@liz_churchill10) June 9, 2024

France dissolves parliament

With exit polls predicting Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally (RN) dominating the show, French President Emmanuel Macron surprised his nation by announcing his decision to dissolve the parliament and calling for snap polls.

"I dissolved the National Assembly this evening. A serious, heavy decision, but above all an act of trust in you, my dear compatriots," he posted on X.

Initial results showed RN securing 31.5% of the vote, more than double the share of Macrons Renaissance Party, which scraped to second place on 15.2% of the vote, just ahead of the Socialists in third with 14.3%, reported CNN.

Jai dissous ce soir lAssemblee nationale. Une decision grave, lourde, mais avant tout un acte de confiance en vous, mes chers compatriotes. pic.twitter.com/EFeVCDzrlb  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 9, 2024

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz struggles

Exit polls also showed a similar poor show by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

As per predictions, his Social Democrats (SD) scored their worst-ever result of 14%.

In the polls, the Christian Democrats Party (CDU) are estimated to dominate with 29.5% of the vote and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) securing 16.5%.

Belgian PM Alexander De Croo resigns

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has resignred after the defeat of his Flemish Liberals and Democrats party (Open VLD) in the European elections.

"For us, it's a particularly difficult evening. We lost. As of tomorrow, I will resign as prime minister," De Croo announced in a speech to his supporters on Sunday almost moving to tears.

De Croo will submit his resignation to King Philippe, who has the power to reject it if he wants.

Globalist Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo resigns in tears after suffering a Landslide Defeat.



The Globalists are LOSING. pic.twitter.com/hA0qAHAF8Q  Liz Churchill (@liz_churchill10) June 10, 2024

Domestic boost for Meloni in Italy

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni received a shot in the arm in domestic politics as well as in Europe after her far-right party won European elections in Italy with 28% of the votes. She is also going to play a bigger role in Europe now with her Brothers of Italy group winning the most votes in European parliamentary elections.

Melonis Brothers of Italy tightened its grip in Italy with the results improving from the 26% it won in the 2022 national ballots.

"Thank You!,"she posted on her X handle, celebrating that her party is the leading one in Italy with the results surpassing the last political elections.
Representative Image: Unsplash

Two cargo ships caught fire after they were hit by projectiles off Yemen's Aden, media reports said.

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Sunday it had been informed of an incident 80 nautical miles southeast of Aden, reported Business Insider.

It is suspected that rebel Houthis were behind the attack.

However, the group has not claimed responsibility for the incident.

The group has been targeting ships in the area for the past several months with missiles and drones.

The British security firm Ambrey later said a cargo vessel from Antigua and Barbuda had been hit by a missile 83 nautical miles southeast of Aden. The ship caught fire but it was contained, reported Business Insider.

No injury was reported.
Photo courtesy: Image post on X by SK Chilima

Lilongwe, Malawi/IBNS: A military aircraft carrying Malawi's vice president Saulos Chilima has been reported missing after it failed to make a landing Monday morning, the government said.

"All efforts by aviation authorities to make contact with the aircraft since it went off the radar have failed thus far," the government said in a statement.

The plane, which took off just after 9:00 am local time (0700 GMT), was carrying 51-year-old Chilima and nine others.

President Lazarus Chakwera has ordered regional and national forces to conduct an "immediate search and rescue operation to locate the whereabouts of the aircraft", the statement said.

Chakwera, who was due to travel to the Bahamas for a working visit, has since cancelled his trip.

In 2022, Chilima was stripped of his powers after his arrest and was charged with graft over a bribery scandal involving a British-Malawian businessman.
Photo Courtesy: Yuvraj Goyal Facebook page

In a suspected targeted shooting incident, an Indian-origin man from Ludhiana was shot dead in Canada's Surrey on Friday (June 7, 2024).

The deceased person was identified as 28-year-old Yuvraj Goyal.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

"As a result of the quick coordinated response of Surrey RCMP, Air 1 and the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team (IERT), four suspects were identified and taken into custody," Royal Canadian Police said in a statement.

"Although initial evidence suggests this was a targeted shooting, investigators are working to determine the reason that Mr. Goyal, a 28-year old community member with no history of police contact, was killed," the statement said.

The suspects were identified as 23-year old Manvir Basram of Surrey, 20-year old Sahib Basra of Surrey, 23-year old Harkirat Jhutty of Surrey, and 20-year old Keilon Francois of Ontario.

They have been charged with first degree murder.

Were thankful for the hard work of the Surrey RCMP, Air 1 and IERT, but there is still more work to be done, says Sergeant Timothy Pierotti of IHIT.

IHIT investigators remain dedicated to determining why Mr. Goyal was the victim of this homicide," Pierotti said.
Let us celebrate pride month with a glimpse into the joy and beauty of Indian queer weddings. We've compiled a list of five heartwarming celebrations and aesthetically beautiful ceremonies that embrace love, diversity, and the vibrant spirit of the LGBTQ+ community. Take a look.



1) Kerala wedding

The Royal Knot Wedding

In 2018, Ananth Ramaswamy and his now husband, Alexander Drapkin met in UK through a dating app. Cut to five years later, the duo had the first ceremony in London in 2023. Later that year, they had one of the most magical ceremonies planned in Kumarakom Lake Resort on Vembanad Lake with coconut trees and the twilight sky as the backdrop. To top it all, the wedding was a slow dance of cultures from across India.

Read More: From Nita Ambani To Radhika Merchant, What Ambani Family Wore At Pre-Wedding Bash In Italy



2) Temple wedding in New Jersey

Instagram

Amit and Aditya, a stylish gay couple originally from India, broke barriers by tying the knot traditionally in New Jersey. Their extravagant wedding at BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, was a dream come true. Dressed in matching outfits by Anita Dongre, they adorned multiple layered ruby necklaces, proving that love knows no bounds.

3) Ceremony in Zurich, reception in Delhi and post celebrations in Jaisalmer

Kiran Sidhu Photography

New Delhi-based entrepreneur Ayesha Nageshwaran and her partner Katja Hahnloser-Nageshwaran, hailing from Switzerland and owning a multi-brand fashion boutique in Zurich, found love after nearly three decades of friendship. Their journey culminated in an intimate civil ceremony in Zurich, followed by a reception in Delhi. Subsequently, they hosted a grand three-day post-wedding celebration with loved ones in the majestic city of Jaisalmer.



Read More: 8 Tips To Write The Perfect Modern Wedding Vows: A Complete Guide

4) Luxury camp wedding in upstate New York

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Sanjay, an innovation consultant, and Steven, an orthopedic surgery resident, met online in 2014 and got engaged after two years. They celebrated with a private lagoon voyage where Steven danced in joy. Their Indian LGBTQ+ wedding fused Catholic and Indian traditions at a luxury camp, arriving on horseback in New York. They wore traditional sherwanis and exchanged vows joyfully.



5) Big fat Indian wedding in NY

Instagram

Amit and Martin's love story began fourteen years ago in 2010 when introduced by a mutual friend on Facebook. Enduring a long-distance relationship for over four years, they met only on weekends as Amit lived in New York City and Martin in Michigan. After eight years, Amit proposed to Martin on Bow Bridge in Manhattan. They chose a multicultural wedding, combining Amit's desire for a big Indian celebration with Martin's wish for an intimate Christian ceremony at a grand hotel in New York. Donning custom Tarun Tahiliani attire, their magnificent Indian LGBTQ+ wedding left everyone touched with warmth and love.



Read More: Say No To Red! Here Are 9 Cool & Trendy Colours For Your Summer Wedding Instead

For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle.






With layoffs occurring across the board, from giants like Google and Tesla to domestic firms like Paytm, job security has become increasingly uncertain. Amid this wave of uncertainty, one woman, who has faced layoffs three times, is now sharing her insights, claiming she has "cracked the code" to successful job applications.

Giovanna Ventola

34-year-old Giovanna Ventola from Charleston, South Carolina, knows the struggle of job hunting all too well, having been laid off three times in three years. Now, she's discovered a life-changing job application hack.



In a viral video with 1.8 million views, Ventola explains the best way to structure your week if you're job hunting: "power apply" to jobs on Monday and revisit postings on Friday.

Speaking to Newsweek, she said, "The job market has drastically changed since COVID, and this last layoff has been the hardest. It took a huge toll on my mental health, so I decided to take control of my job search."

Job opportunity

Ventola turned to TikTok to share her experiences and connect with others in similar situations. In March 2024, she founded a professional Slack community called Rhize, where job seekers share tips and support.



During a Slack call, a former HR recruiter advised structuring the week by posting job ads on Monday, reviewing applications on Tuesday, and setting up interviews on Wednesday and Thursday. If needed, she reposted job ads on Friday.

Ventola adopted this strategy, power applying to jobs on Monday, taking a break midweek, and reviewing reposts on Friday. She shared on TikTok, "This tangible advice has been game-changing. Managing your own schedule and feeling productive can really boost your mental health."

For more information on exams, results and careers, please visit Indiatimes Education.
Ruja Ignatova, famously known as the "Cryptoqueen," is at the center of one of the biggest financial frauds in history. With a background as impressive as studying at Oxford and a career that took her from a consultant role to becoming the most wanted woman in the world, Ignatova's story is a cautionary tale. Accused of orchestrating the OneCoin cryptocurrency scam, she has allegedly defrauded investors out of over $4.5 billion (Approx Rs 37,000 crore). In this article, we will take a look into the rise and fall of Ruja Ignatova, her disappearance, and the ongoing search for the "Missing Cryptoqueen."



The Rise of the Cryptoqueen

Ruja Ignatova, a Bulgarian-born German citizen, came from a modest background with her father working as an engineer and her mother as a teacher. After completing her studies in European law at Oxford University, Ignatova joined McKinsey & Company as a consultant in Sofia. Her career took a dramatic turn in 2014 when she founded OneCoin, a new cryptocurrency she claimed would surpass Bitcoin.

The OneCoin Scheme

TheTimes

OneCoin was marketed as a revolutionary cryptocurrency, attracting investors worldwide with promises of immense profits. In 2016, Ignatova even took the stage at London's Wembley Arena, asserting that OneCoin would outshine Bitcoin. However, the scheme was nothing more than a sophisticated pyramid scam. Unlike legitimate cryptocurrencies backed by secure blockchain technology, OneCoin had no actual value.



Disappearance and FBI Pursuit

In early 2019, US authorities charged Ignatova with wire fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering. She was added to the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list in June 2022. In 2017, as investigators from Germany and the US closed in, Ignatova took an early morning Ryanair flight from Sofia to Athens and was never seen again. Most of her alleged collaborators were arrested, including OneCoins co-founder Sebastian Greenwood, who was detained in Thailand in 2018 and extradited to the US. Ignatovas younger brother, Konstantin Ignatov, was arrested in March 2019 in Los Angeles and pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering charges. Mark Scott, a former corporate lawyer, was convicted in 2019 for laundering $400 million for the group. But Ignatova has remained elusive.

Where Is the Missing Cryptoqueen?

Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement, Ignatovas whereabouts remain unknown. She is believed to be traveling with a German passport and might be in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, Greece, or elsewhere in Eastern Europe. The FBI has warned that she might be traveling with armed guards and could have altered her appearance through plastic surgery.

The Aftermath of OneCoin

The OneCoin scam left a trail of financial ruin for its investors. US authorities unsealed an indictment in 2019, charging Ignatova with wire fraud, conspiracy to launder money, and securities fraud. Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, highlighted the massive scale of the fraud, stating that Ignatova and her partners had tricked victims into believing OneCoin would be the "Bitcoin killer," when in reality, OneCoin was worthless.

Possible Murder and Mafia Connections

Daily mail

As reported in TOI, a recent BBC investigation suggests that a top mafia figure in Bulgaria, a business associate who kept her safe, might have been responsible for her murder. His name is Hristoforos Nikos Amanatidis, better known as Taki, who has an El Chapo-like image in Bulgaria. Over the years, Taki has been accused of many crimes, including armed robbery, drug smuggling, and murder, but was never prosecuted in Bulgaria.



Former Bulgarian Deputy Minister Ivan Hristanov said in 2022, Taki is the ghost. You'll never see him. You only hear about him. He's talking to you through other people. If you don't listen, you just disappear from earth. The only person who can protect her from all those investigations, including from foreign agencies - it was Taki. Taki is believed to now live in Dubai, where Ignatova had a luxury penthouse and where her bank accounts received millions from the OneCoin fraud. Sources claim the two were close, and Taki was even the godfather to Ignatovas daughter. Frank Schneider, a former adviser to Ruja Ignatova, claimed his old boss was working with gangsters. A few months after talking to the BBC, Schneider also disappeared.

Meanwhile, a document found at the home of a murdered Bulgarian officer by Bulgarian journalist Dimitar Stoyanov of BIRD, an investigative website, stated that a police informant had overheard Takis brother-in-law say that Taki had murdered, dismembered, and dumped Ignatova off a yacht in the Ionian Sea. Kuro, another associate of Taki, was found murdered in his Cape Town home in May 2023. Stoyanov, who was forced to leave Bulgaria after getting death threats, says property records show that Ignatovas properties are now used by Taki and his associates in Bulgaria. However, Taki has never been arrested over the claims, Ignatovas body was never discovered, and investigators dont believe theres enough evidence to prosecute him.

Ruja Ignatova's story is a stark reminder of the risks associated with the burgeoning world of cryptocurrencies. The "Cryptoqueen" remains a fugitive, with her legacy marred by deceit and financial devastation. As the search for the Missing Cryptoqueen continues, the world watches, hoping for justice to prevail and for lessons to be learned from one of the largest cryptocurrency frauds in history

FAQs:

Q. Who is Ruja Ignatova?

Ruja Ignatova is the mastermind behind the OneCoin cryptocurrency scam, famously known as the "Cryptoqueen."

Q. What is OneCoin?

OneCoin was a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme marketed as a rival to Bitcoin, orchestrated by Ruja Ignatova.

Q. How much money was involved in the OneCoin scam?

The OneCoin scam allegedly defrauded investors out of over $4.5 billion (Rs 37,000 crore) globally.

Q. Where is Ruja Ignatova now?

Ruja Ignatova disappeared in October 2017 and her current whereabouts remain unknown, despite ongoing efforts by law enforcement to locate her.

Q. What charges does Ruja Ignatova face?

Ruja Ignatova faces charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to launder money, and securities fraud in connection with the OneCoin scam.

Q. How did Ruja Ignatova promote OneCoin?

Ignatova promoted OneCoin through lavish events and seminars, including a high-profile appearance at London's Wembley Arena.

Q. What happened to investors who put money into OneCoin?

Investors who put money into OneCoin lost significant amounts of money as the cryptocurrency turned out to be worthless.

Q. Why is Ruja Ignatova called the "Missing Cryptoqueen"?

Ruja Ignatova earned the nickname "Missing Cryptoqueen" after she vanished in 2017 amidst mounting legal troubles.

Q. Is Ruja Ignatova still on the run?

Yes, Ruja Ignatova is still considered a fugitive, and law enforcement agencies continue to search for her.

Q. Are there any updates on the search for Ruja Ignatova?

As of now, there are no significant updates on the search for Ruja Ignatova, but authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to locate her.

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Its always heartening to see people coming from humble backgrounds and making it so big that millions of people look up to them. Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai is one such person that inspires not just Indians but people across the globe.



Pichai, who turns 52 today, was born in Tamil Nadus Madurai in 1972. Talking about his childhood in Madurai, he said in an interview, We would sleep on the living room floor. There was a drought when I was growing up, and we had anxiety. Even now, I can never sleep without a bottle of water beside my bed. There was a simplicity to my life, which was very nice compared with today's world.



Also Read: 'Kehna Kya Chahte Ho?', Sundar Pichai Recalls Aamir Khan's '3 Idiots' Scene During An Interview

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Humble beginnings to tech titan: Sundar Pichai's journey from Tamil Nadu to USA

Despite the tight quarters, his father, who worked as an electrical engineer at the British multinational GEC, prioritized their education. Pichai exhibited a keen interest in technology from a young age and possessed an exceptional memory, particularly for telephone numbers.

webrazzi

Talking about his parents, Sundar Pichai recently reflected, I perceived our lives through the arrival of gadgets. We waited five years for a telephone, it was a rotary phone. But when it came to our home, it changed our lives. I remember getting our first television and suddenly being able to watch sports.



Coming from a modest background, he still thrived and earned his degree in metallurgical engineering from IIT Kharagpur.



After completing his undergraduate studies, he relocated to the United States to undertake a Master's degree at Stanford University. Pichai earned a scholarship to pursue his studies at Stanford University, where he obtained a Master of Science degree in engineering and materials science in 1995.



Subsequently, he earned an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received recognition as a Siebel Scholar and a Palmer Scholar.



Also Read: Daughter of Google CEO Sundar Pichai's Batchmate Shares Rare Photo From His IIT Convocation Day

Sundar Pichai joined Google in 2004 and the rest as they say is history!

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Following a short stint at the management consulting firm McKinsey & Co., Sundar Pichai became a part of Google in 2004. Upon joining, he took on leadership roles in product management and innovation, overseeing various client software products including Chrome, Chrome OS, and reportedly Google Drive. His tenure culminated in his appointment as CEO of the company in 2015. Before joining Google, Sundar Pichai managed the innovation and product management teams for several of the company's client software products, notably Chrome and Chrome OS. He was also reportedly responsible for overseeing Google Drive.



Sundar Pichai's Net worth

As of January 17, 2024, Sundar Pichai's estimated net worth is a remarkable $1.66 billion (Rs 13,859 crore approx). His wealth primarily comes from his positions as the CEO and Director at Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, according to ET sources. Sundar Pichai's primary source of income is his compensation package from Alphabet Inc., which includes salary, bonuses, stock options, and other incentives. In 2022, he earned an impressive $226 million (Rs 1,887 crore), placing him among the highest-paid CEOs worldwide. Additionally, Pichai owns over 88,693 shares in Alphabet Inc., significantly contributing to his net worth. Aside from his compensation, Pichai benefits from earnings related to his Google stock holdings. Since joining Google in 2004, he has accumulated substantial company stock, which has appreciated alongside Google's growth. Recent reports suggest that his stock holdings have generated over $200 million in earnings.


In an unexpected turn of events, India's wealthiest individuals and top Bollywood stars were seen drinking humble ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) packets at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's oath ceremony. The sight of Mukesh Ambani and Shah Rukh Khan sipping on the inexpensive Rs 30 ORS has taken the internet by storm, leading to a wave of reactions and discussions online. Let's explore this surprising event and see how people are responding to this unique moment.



PM Modi's Historic Oath Ceremony

Narendra Modi was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive term, a milestone last achieved by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The historic event was attended by numerous dignitaries from India and around the world. Among the VIP guests were Mukesh Ambani, who came with his son Anant Ambani, and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Gautam Adani and his family were also present, along with other notable figures.

Mukesh Ambani and Shah Rukh Khan Bond Over ORS

Amidst the grandeur of the event, a simple moment caught everyone's attention. Business tycoon Mukesh Ambani and Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan were seen sharing a light moment over tetra packs of Cipla ORS. This unexpected sight of two of India's most affluent figures enjoying a humble drink resonated deeply with the public and created a buzz on social media.

Social Media Reacts

The internet quickly noticed this moment, and social media was flooded with reactions, memes, and comments. On Twitter, a user named Rohit humorously said, Bas itna ameer hona hai ki aise ORS pee saku (I want to be just rich enough to drink this ORS). This sentiment captured the surprise and amusement of many people.

Another X user wrote, "Ameer log bhi cipla ORS pite"

Reddit Discussion

This moment also sparked conversations on Reddit. Users were intrigued by Ambani and Khans choice of drink, with many highlighting the health benefits of ORS over sugary sodas. One Reddit user commented, It's better than all that soda drink. This is perfect for the weather. Also, he had a heat stroke recently, it's better to take precautions. This referred to Shah Rukh Khan's recent hospitalisation due to a heat stroke, showing the practical side of choosing ORS.

Another Reddit user shared, I drank that same ORS today. This relatability factor contributed to the widespread interest and engagement online.

Check out the more reactions:

"Aaj se paani peena band, sirf ORS", a user wrote.

"Omg u just had this and yet I am not rich"

"Bhai Delhi ki garmi ka kuch bhi idea hai? ORS = Amrit"

"Ors has a funny opportunity"

"bhai government function hai ambani ka nhi"

"This is rich people ka ORS. Middle class people drink the one which they make using that ORS powder and poor people make it themselves using salt and sugar"

Other Notable Attendees

Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, attended the event with his younger son Anant Ambani and his son-in-law Anand Piramal. Billionaire Gautam Adani was also there, along with his wife Priti and brother Rajesh Adani. These high-profile attendees added significance to the event, but it was the simple ORS moment that truly captured everyone's attention.

Seeing Mukesh Ambani and Shah Rukh Khan drinking ORS at PM Modi's oath ceremony reminds us that simplicity can stand out more than luxury. This moment, widely shared on social media, highlighted a common human experience and brought a touch of humility to an otherwise grand event. As the internet continues to react and discuss, this incident remains a memorable highlight of the ceremony.
A state coroner was due to examine today the body of British television presenter Michael Mosley who was discovered dead on the Greek island of Symi, near a coastal resort.

The body was found days after the television presenter went missing during a hike on the island, and the cause of his death has

yet to be determined. Still, a first examination by a state coroner at the site , has ruled out any kind of criminal act, or attack on Dr. Mosley.

His wife, Dr. Clare Bailey expressed the familys profound grief and the solace they found in knowing he had nearly completed what was described as an incredible climb before taking a wrong turn and collapsing out of sight of the search team.

Mosley, 67, was reported missing last Wednesday when he failed to return from a walk, prompting a rigorous five-day search operation.

In a heartfelt statement, Bailey shared her devastation over the loss of her wonderful, funny, kind, and brilliant husband, with whom she shared a deeply fulfilling life and mutual love.

The couple, who met in medical school, have four children, whom Dr. Bailey praised for their resilience and support during this difficult time. She also acknowledged the global outpouring of love and condolences, a testament to Mosleys significant impact on many lives.

Known for his adventurous spirit and dedication to science, often participating in experiments involving his own body, Mosleys unique character was cherished by his family and fans alike.

Dr. Bailey extended her gratitude to the residents of Symi for their relentless efforts in the search, noting that many who were unfamiliar with Mosleys work contributed tirelessly. She also thanked the media for their respectful coverage during the familys time of loss. The communitys response highlights the widespread respect and admiration for Dr. Mosley, whose life and work touched many across the globe.

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The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) has issued a heatwave advisory starting tomorrow, with temperatures expected to soar above 41-42 degrees Celsius (105.8-107.6 degrees Fahrenheit) by Wednesday, particularly in mainland regions.

The weather forecast for Monday indicates generally clear skies with temporary cloudiness,

especially in the west central , and northern parts of the country. Afternoon showers are predicted in the mountainous areas, primarily in the north.

Meteorological conditions are favorable for the transport of African dust across the region.

Winds will vary between 3 to 4 Beaufort and will gradually shift to western directions up to 5 Beaufort in the central and southern parts of the country. The Aegean Sea will experience northerly winds up to 5 Beaufort in the morning.

A significant temperature rise is expected nationwide. Inland areas will see temperatures between 34-38 degrees Celsius (93.2-100.4 degrees Fahrenheit), potentially reaching 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit). The island regions will experience slightly lower temperatures, ranging from 31-34 degrees Celsius (87.8-93.2 degrees Fahrenheit).

The heatwave is anticipated to peak on Wednesday but will persist with high temperatures through Thursday and Friday, with a slight decrease expected mainly in the northwest.

Residents are advised to take precautions against the extreme heat and stay informed about further updates from the HNMS.



   iefimerida.gr
In a candid response to the European election outcomes, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis conceded that his party, New Democracy, fell short of its electoral objectives.

The ruling conservative party scored 27.9 percent of the vote, failing to match the 33.12 percent it received in the 2019 European

election polls and significantly less than last years national elections.

Addressing the nation, Mr. Mitsotakis expressed respect for the electorates verdict, that saw a record rate of abstention and a pivot towards smaller factions.

The voice of the public is clear, and it commands us to redouble our efforts, Mr. Mitsotakis said, acknowledging the trust placed in him while recognizing the need for greater diligence. We are committed to accelerating our progress towards a stronger European integration, he added.

Mr. Mitsotakis highlighted the complexities of the electoral process, suggesting that the absence of a governmental vote may have influenced the decision-making of those who previously supported New Democracy in 2023.

He also lamented the insufficient discourse on the future of Europe and Greeces role within it, as well as the electorates inclination to voice their daily grievances through their votes.

The Prime Ministers remarks come amidst concerns over the rise of extreme right-wing factions within the European Parliament, a trend that has not spared Greece.

Far-right parties significantly increased their share of the vote, even as one of them, the Spartiates (Spartans), was barred from contesting the election.

Greek Solution tracked 9.5 percent of the vote, up from 4.18 percent in 2019, the ultra-religious Niki soaked up 4.4 percent and Voice of Reason barely made it over the 3 percent threshold to win representation.

Stefanos Kasselakis of the leftist, main opposition Syriza party said he was satisfied with his second place finish at nearly 15 percent although down from 23.75% in 2019.

Syrizas tally comes after an internal party split last autumn and the stepping down of former prime minister Alexis Tspiras from its helm.

We managed to shrink the gap [from New Democracy party] from 23 percent to 13 percent, he said in his first statements on the electoral result outside of the partys headquarters.

The alibi of 41 percent is now over; this is a choice of the Greek people, he said, adding that this is the first step for a party that moves and changes.

I have no remorse about anything. The Greek people have clearly given me the time to build an alternative government proposal.

The Communist Party, up to 9.3 percent from 5.35 percent in 2019, also said it was satisfied with its gains albeit coming in fourth place. SYRIZA dissidents from the New Left party however performed well under 3 percent, speaking of a crisis in the political system.

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Prime Minister and New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis took part in the European People's Party (EPP) teleconference on Monday night.

During the meeting, party members assessed the European elections' outcome, which confirmed and enforced the strength of EPP. They also discussed future steps, ahead of the next EPP Summit and the meeting of the European Council on June 17 in Brussels.

   iefimerida.gr


Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has posited that the tenure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he was Governor of Lagos State would have been rough one, without his support.

Tinubu served as Lagos Governor between 1999 and 2007.

Atiku said this in reaction to a statement made by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, where he said before contesting for the presidency, Tinubu had backed three northerners for the same seat, including Atiku who contested under Action Congress (AC) in 2007.

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Paul Ibe, Atikus spokesperson, however said in a Sunday statement that Tinubu, who was a chieftain of the party at the time, was not in a position to lend the Partys platform to Atiku in 2007.

He added that Atiku was nominated as the presidential candidate by all the Partys delegates from all parts of the country.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Still Figuring Things Out, Give Him Another One Year Grace To Deliver  Bode George To Nigerians

But for Atikus support, hinged on his pro-democracy instincts and rule of law, Tinubus tenure as governor of Lagos would have been rough with a wide possibility of termination of his political career.

For some time, and especially leading up to the 2023 election, there has been a deliberate attempt to distort the history of the politics of the early 4th Republic by ascribing the AC, the political platform that Atiku ran in 2007, as Tinubus party.

Nothing can be further from the truth. Vice President Shettima, obviously carried away with the euphoria of the unveiling of his official residence as Vice President, repeated the same lie.

Moreover, Tinubu was not in a position to lend the platform to Atiku as erroneously being suggested, as he (Atiku) was nominated by all the delegates from all the states.

It will be appropriate for Vice President Shettima to refrain from making statements on subject matters on which he knows little or nothing about, the statement read.
A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has called on Governors across the country to reduce their own salaries as a gesture of solidarity with the common worker.

This, is in reaction to State Governors collective rejection of the Federal Governments proposed 60,000 new monthly minimum wage.

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Speaking from Ibadan, Oyo State, Ajadi criticized the governors stance as insensitive and wicked, pointing out the disparity between their salaries and the proposed wage for workers.

He highlighted that the labour unions themselves had not yet accepted the governments proposal, implying that the governors rejection was premature.

In his statement, Ajadi commended Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki for independently initiating a 70,000 monthly minimum wage in his State.

He suggested that other Governors follow his lead not just in wage adjustment but also in personal salary reductions.

READ ALSO: Our Governors Are Heartless  Primate Ayodele Slams Govs For Rejecting N60,000 Minimum Wage

His words: I am totally shocked that the governors could come out to say that they cannot pay the proposed 60,000 minimum Wage. That pronouncement by the governors showed that they are insensitive to the plight workers and the masses. I see it as a wicked pronouncement.

In the first instance, they were too hasty in their reactions, as the Labour Unions have not even agreed to the proposal. If the governors are serving the people as they usually claim, they should cut their own salaries to 60,000 too. I will also suggest that the governors should be paid according to their qualifications. They should realise that the workers attend the same market their wives and children attended.

Since the removal of subsidy, the Federal Government has jacked up the monthly allocation to the states. What are the governors doing with the money. Part of the money should be used to pay the new minimum wage when agreed by the tripartite committee. President Bola Tinubu has severally warned the governors to make use of the increase in the monthly allocations to better the lots of their citizens. So one is shocked that the governors have the effrontery to reject a merely N60,000 proposal.

The question we need to even ask is, what can 60,000 buy in the present state of economy. It cant feed a worker for two weeks, talk less of their dependants. When finally there is an agreement on the new minimum wage, I urge the governors to be sincere and ensure the prompt payment in their states.
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State, on Sunday, posited that each State government in the country should be allowed to set its own minimum wage.

Speaking on Television Continental, the Governor said only Nigeria has one single minimum wage for workers across all states.

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The Organised Labour, following the removal of subsidy on premium motor spirit (PMS), has been demanding a new wage

While the Federal Government has offered N62,000 as the minimum wage, labour is proposing N250,000.

Radda said: It is only in Nigeria that we have one single minimum wage for laborers across all states. In other countries, different states have different minimum wages based on sustainability and affordability.

READ ALSO: LG Autonomy Not An Issue, Finances Managed Independently  Gombe Faults FGs Suit

What is the need for the state government to agree to pay N100,000 if they cant implement it?

The minimum wage is currently on the exclusive-legislative list, which gives power to only the federal government to determine it.

He furthered that there is a need for the country to embrace ranching because it is more profitable.

There is a need for us to encourage ranching. I am not supporting or opposing, but Im saying there is a need for us to embrace ranching because it is more profitable.

We cannot take the herders off the streets in a very short time. We need to give people time to be enlightened.

There will be a lot of sensitisation and encouragement for people to go into ranching because it is more profitable and more secure, he advised.


Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has condemned the killing of some police officers during an attack in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Information Nigeria reports that twelve people, including seven officers and five residents, were killed late Wednesday when bandits attacked Magarya community.

Muhammad Dalijan, Zamfara police commissioner, said over 300 terrorists carried out the attack.

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Reacting via X, Obi said he must continue to speak against the myriad of security challenges in Nigerias interest.

He also expressed concerns over recent attacks in Katsina and Niger states.

The former Anambra Governor said the continued attacks have denied us opportunities for progress and development while costing the country lives and properties.

READ ALSO: But For My Support, Tinubus Political Career Wouldve Been Terminated  Atiku To Shettima

Obi wrote: I must, for the best interest of our nation, continue to add my voice against the ever-rising tide of insecurity in Nigeria.

Above all, the viral insecurity has curtailed the freedom of our people to enjoy peace and happiness in a land of democratic freedom. Democracy without freedom from fear is a farce.

Families are constantly left in agony over the killing of their loved ones by terrorists. Sadly, the monster of insecurity has continued to rear its ugly head in every part of the nation, leaving in its wake, tears, blood, and death.

We must not allow the killing spree to continue in our nation. The life of every Nigerian matters and must be protected We shall overcome.

Obi called on the government to fish out the perpetrators of the attacks and ensure they are prosecuted.
Gombe State Commissioner for Justice, Zubair Umar, has said that the body of State Attorney Generals will be challenging the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to entertain the recent suit filed by the Federal Government against the 36 States.

Recall that the Federal Government, in a suit filed by the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi is urging the Supreme Court to enforce the autonomy of the local governments in the country.

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The Federal Government wants the Supreme Court to stop State Governors from appointing caretaker committees to manage local governments instead of conducting elections to have local government chairmen and councillors in place.

Fagbemi, who is the Attorney-General of the Federation wants the Supreme Court to declare that funds due to Local Government from the Federation Account should be paid directly to them rather than through the state.

The case came up for the first time on May 30 and was adjourned till June 13 for hearing.

READ ALSO: LG Autonomy: SCourt Gives State Govs Seven Days Ultimatum To File Defence

The apex court gave the states seven days to file their defence, while the AGF should file his reply within two days.

Speaking on Sunday about Gombes position on the lawsuit, he disclosed that the attorney generals, under the aegis of the Body of Attorney Generals, will be challenging the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to entertain the case.

Umar said, The position of the Body of States Attorney Generals is that we are challenging the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to try the case of the Federal Government against state governments.

He further contended that the Federal Government is wrong for including Gombe in the suit because, according to him, Local Government in Gombe State already enjoy full autonomy.

On the side of Gombe State, local government autonomy is a non-issue because our local government councils are democratically elected, and they independently manage their finances that go directly into their accounts. They enjoy unfettered financial autonomy, the Attorney-General said.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says it intercepted no fewer than 175,000 bottles of codeine shipment from India going to Enugu State.

This is coming barely a week after it seized a similar shipment in Rivers State.

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The anti-narcotics agency also arrested a Nigerien for concealing drugs in pesticide tanks and 19 others in multiple raids across the country.

In a statement on Sunday, the agencys Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, added that the NDLEA Directorate of Operations and General Investigation intercepted illicit drugs concealed in synthetic hair and ladies clothes meant for shipment to the United States.

Speaking on the intercepted codeine shipment, Babafemi stated that the agency received intelligence which prompted it to carefully examine a container marked HASU 4787890 from India which was en route the C to C Bonded Terminal in Enugu.

The two seizures followed earlier intelligence, which made the agency request that the shipment be stepped down for 100 per cent examination. The latest seizure of 875 cartons of codeine containing 175,000 bottles and weighing 26,250kg, was made on Friday, June 7, 2024, during a joint examination by the NDLEA, customs service and other security agencies. The container marked HASU 4787890 from India was en route C to C Bonded Terminal in Enugu, he said.

On the seizure of drugs concealed in synthetic hair, Babafemi stated, The NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation on Wednesday, June 5, intercepted five different parcels containing illicit drugs concealed in ladies clothes and synthetic hair going to the United States and the United Kingdom.

Some of the seized drugs include 620 ampoules of pentazocine injection, promethazine and other opioids. The drug consignments were seized at a courier firm in Lagos.

READ ALSO: Senate Is A Joke Ground, Should Be Scrapped  Aisha Yesufu Tells Tinubu, Says They Do Nothing

Explaining the arrest of the Nigerien, Hassan Mummuni, the agencys Director of Advocacy noted that the suspect was arrested with 4,000 pills of diazepam and 1.250kg of cannabis along the Kalgo-Birnin Kebbi Road on Saturday.

He added that one Ibrahim Abubakar was also arrested in Gombe on the same day with 6,740 pills of tramadol and 20,000 tablets of diazepam while no fewer than 1,098 bottles of codeine-based syrup were recovered from a suspect, Onyekachi Iwula, after his arrest in a commercial bus at Aloma junction, Otukpa, Ogbadibo LGA, Benue State.

The statement read further, In Bauchi State, the NDLEA officers on patrol along the Ningi-Kano Road on Wednesday, June 5, arrested a 20-year-old lady, Hasana Usman, with 25 blocks of cannabis sativa that weighed 28.2kg, while their counterparts in Yobe State nabbed Ali Mohammed, 42, along Kano-Potiskum Road, with 19,000 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in a black sack and the suspects travelling bag.

In Oyo State, 57-year-old Oladimeji Samson was arrested in a commercial bus at the Ibadan end, of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with 79 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 44.4kg and 48 grams of ecstasy, all concealed in the engine compartment under the drivers seat of the bus.

In Kogi State, the NDLEA also intercepted 17,980 pills of tramadol and other opioids from a suspect, Ali Mohammed, following his arrest at Ganaja village, in the Lokoja LGA of the state while the duo of Blessing Samuel and Unnanchi Mike, were arrested with 804 bottles of codeine syrup at Narayi, Kaduna State.

Also in Kaduna, Tijjani Umar, 37, and Yahaya Suleman, 35, were arrested with 33.9 kilograms of cannabis sativa in the Lafiya area, Kudan Local Government Area of the state.

At least, nine suspects including Salisu Sanda, 48, and James Andrew, 25, were arrested by the NDLEA operatives during a raid at the Toaabora Hills area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Saturday, June 8, with a total of 83.01kg cannabis recovered from them, Babafemi concluded.
The apex Igbo sociopolitical group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for naming road in Abuja after late Prof. Chinua Achebe.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the groups Vice-President, Chief Vincent Afam, in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, expressed displeasure over corruption and other challenges facing the country.

Chief Vincent also accused the government for not tackling some worrisome issues that the late icon fought for, such as lack of respect for the rule of law, hunger and oppression.

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He said: Naming a road in Abuja after Achebe is a welcome development, this is because the late literary icon brought global recognition to the country through literature.

READ MORE: Tinubu Names Abuja Road After Chinua Achebe

The honour is long overdue because such persons are the ones highly deserving of national emoluments named after them for future generations to appreciate.

However, it is also appalling that bad governance, corruption, lack of respect for the rule of law, hunger and oppression that the late novelist stood and fought against have remained unaddressed 11 years after his death. The worsening state of the country is totally worrisome and unacceptable.

Achebe was a man of honour and integrity, we wonder if he would have accepted the honour, judging the increasing state of decadence and rot in every facet of our public life today, especially as it relates to leadership and governance.

The Federal Government should stop playing to the gallery and channel its energy to meaningful development. There are lots of things begging for attention and enough frivolities.
Controversial human right activist, Aisha Yesufu has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to scrap Nigeria upper chamber, the Senate.

Yesufu suggested that Senators in the country contribute nothing to the growth of the nation, adding that the system is too expensive to run.

The founder of the Bring Back Our Girls initiative led this out during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos.

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Aisha opined that the countrys rate of hardship can be reduced if government can cut cost of governance by embracing unicameral legislative system.

She said: We need to really and critically examine our democracy and look at what fits us and serve the ordinary people and the masses. The one that will not be too expensive.

What we have now is too expensive. We need to cut costs and not just continue what we have that has not been working for Nigerians.

I totally support the call for us to have a unicameral legislature. It is very important because the kind of governance that we are practising is very expensive.

READ MORE: Hardship: Tinubu Rigged His Way Into Power To Destroy Nigeria  Aisha Yesufu

What we have now is too expensive. We need to cut costs and not just continue what we have that has not been working for Nigerians.

I totally support the call for us to have a unicameral legislature. It is very important because the kind of governance that we are practising is very expensive.

As a country, we really dont have that kind of money. Apart from this, the fact is that both the Senate and House of Representatives end up duplicating functions in terms of what they do.

Aisha describe the National Assembly as a joke ground, adding that there is no different between the Senate and the House of Representative.

She said: It (Senate) is a joke ground; we cannot say what the Senate does is in a really sense different from what the House of Representatives do.

They (Senators) do nothing special and at the end of the day, they are paid humongous amounts of our money and such huge allowances for doing nothing different.

We found out that a good number of them, especially those that are former governors, while they get this humongous salary, as well collecting pension from their respective states.

There is no way democracy can work for the masses with this kind of waste of public funds that could have been directed to put happiness to the face of the common man.

Having a single legislative arm will pay us better in terms of reduction of cost of governance.
Some unknown gunmen, suspected to be bandits have kidnapped a parish priest of Saint Thomas Catholic Church, Zaman Dabo community in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Reverend Father Gabriel Ukeh, was whisked away from his house, in the early hour of Sunday.

In a statement released to the public, by the Vicar General of the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, Reverend Father Emmanuel Kazah, prayed for immediate and safe release of the cleric.

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He also appealed to states government to ensure a well secured environment as Muslims faithful prepare for Sallah holiday.

Father Emmanuel said: While we solicit fervent prayers for his urgent and safe release, we equally condemn this act of incessant kidnappings for ransom of innocent and defenceless citizens of our communities, and we call upon the government to horn its security intelligence as we approach the celebration of Sallah.

READ MORE: Kaduna Police Prevent Kidnapping Of Traditional Ruler, Launch Search For Missing Wife

As we work with security operatives for his quick release, we wish to call on all to stay away from taking the laws into their hands. We will use every legitimate means to ensure that Fr comes back to us safe and sound.

Through the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Priests and Religious, may Jesus the crucified hearken to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His Priest and every other abducted person, the statement read in part.

Through the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Priests and Religious, may Jesus the crucified hearken to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His Priest and every other abducted person.


The Organised Labour has insisted that it will reject any proposal of 62,000 or 100,000 as a starvation wage Nigerian workers.

Labours latest demand of 250,000 as the living wage for the average Nigerian worker was reiterated during the last meeting of the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage.

An Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Chris Onyeka, reiterated the organizations stance, stating, Our position is very clear, during an appearance on Channels Televisions The Morning Brief show on Monday.

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Onyeka stated that the one-week grace period extended to the Federal Government last Tuesday, June 4, 2024, would lapse by midnight on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

According to him, if the Federal Government and National Assembly fail to address the workers demands by tomorrow (Tuesday), the NLC and TUC organs will convene to determine the resumption of the nationwide industrial action that was suspended last week.

We have never considered accepting 62,000 or any other wage that we know is below what we know is able to take Nigerian workers home. We will not negotiate a starvation wage.

READ ALSO: Is That The Right Priority?  APC Chieftain Queries Tinubu Over Coastal Road Project

We have never contemplated 100,000 let alone of 62,000. We are still at 250,000, that is where we are, and that is what we considered enough concession to the government and the other social partners in this particular situation. We are not just driven by frivolities but the realities of the market place; realities of things we buy every day: bag of rice, yam, garri, and all of that.

The Federal Government and the National Assembly have the call now. It is not our call. Our demand is there for them (the government) to look at and send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly, and for the National Assembly to look at what we have demanded, the various fact of the law, and then come up with a National Minimum Act that meets our demands.

If that does not meet our demand, we have given the Federal Government a one-week notice to look at the issues and that one week expires tomorrow (Tuesday). If after tomorrow, we have not seen any tangible response from the government, the organs of the Organised Labour will meet to decide on what next, Onyeka said.

Asked what the decision of Labour would be should the government insists on 62,000, Onyeka said, It was clear what we said. We said we are relaxing a nationwide indefinite strike. Its like putting a pause on it.

So, if you put a pause on something and that organs that govern us as trade unions decide that we should remove that pause, it means that we go back to what was in existence before.
A Hatboro business owner has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly shooting the man who lived above his hair salon, the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office announced Sunday. The two men had had repeated arguments, according to police.

Around 6 p.m. Saturday, Hatboro police responded to a report of a disturbance at 226 N. York Rd. and found 37-year-old Stephen Strassburg suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot of Razor Reeses Salon. Strassburg was transported to Jefferson Abington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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According to the affidavit of probable cause for Maurice Byrds arrest, the 41-year-old salon owner and Horsham resident was on the phone with 911 reporting Strassburg for verbally assault[ing] him when Byrd fired seven shots. Before the shots were fired, Strassburg could be heard saying What are you going to do, you going to shoot me N-word? according to the police reports description of the 911 dispatch recording.

Byrd stayed on the scene and on the line with 911 until police arrived. A 9mm Smith & Wesson, semiautomatic handgun was found owned by Byrd was recovered at the scene, according to the affidavit. According to the District Attorneys Office news release, Byrd has a valid permit to carry a firearm, and Strassburg did not have a weapon at the time of the shooting.

Police had responded to three verbal disputes between Byrd and Strassburg since December 2022, according to the affidavit, and had issued warnings to the men to avoid contact with each other.

Two witnesses described watching an altercation unfold between Byrd and Strassburg on Saturday. A couple who had been sitting on their second-floor balcony across the parking lot from Razor Reeses observed Byrd standing outside his salon when Strassburg confronted him, calling him a drug dealer, according to the affidavit. One witness stated this male then went around the corner out of view but came back a short time later calling Maurice a N-word and observed this male charge at Maurice, the report states. The other witness, who said she believed Strassburg had instigated the altercation, said the two men were attempting to land punches before gunshots were fired.

According to the police affidavit, five shots were fired, then, after a pause, two more. Byrd then says I just had to shoot him. The dispatcher asks did you hit him to which Byrd responds yes I did, the affidavit says.

According to the criminal complaint, Byrd provided the following statement to Montgomery County detectives and Hatboro police Saturday night:

Byrd said he and Strassburg had repeated arguments. On Saturday, he said, he was smoking a cigarette outside of his business when Strassburg saw him and yelled dirty N-word. Byrd then went inside to call 911 on his cell phone; Strassburg opened the door to the business and repeated the slur.

Byrd was on the phone with 911 when he went back outside, where Strassburg started moving toward him. Byrd began to retreat further into the parking lot, when Strassburg grabbed Byrds shirt, the affidavit reads. Byrd retrieved his handgun from the front of his waistband, to which Strassburg responded, What you gonna do, shoot me N-word? as Stephen pulled his arm back like he was going to punch Byrd.

Thats when Byrd started shooting.

Byrd was charged Sunday with first- and third-degree murder, and possessing an instrument of crime. He was awaiting arraignment at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

Court records show that Strassburg had previously been incarcerated on multiple occasions between 2007 and 2017 after arrests for driving under the influence, as well as other charges including driving with a suspended license, possession of drug paraphernalia, harassment, and simple assault. He pleaded guilty to three DUIs over six years.

In his second DUI, in 2009, he allegedly drove through an intersection of County Line Road in New Britain Township at 61 mph, killing a 50-year-old Philadelphia man and seriously injuring another man, according to an article from the Pottstown Mercury.

Staff writer Jeremy Roebuck contributed to this article.
Kenneth Shea is escorted out of a courtroom in the Montgomery County Courthouse on Monday after pleading guilty to first-degree murder. Read more

Exactly two months after he stabbed his estranged wife to death inside the home they once shared, Kenneth Shea walked into a Montgomery County courtroom on Monday and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.

In a tearful apology to the family of his wife, Elizabeth, Shea expressed remorse for the terribly agony he had caused them, especially her three sons.

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Regardless of my state of mind at relevant times, my actions speak for themselves, said Shea, 37. Im so sorry, to everyone, especially Liz. I can never make this up to her.

As Shea accepted responsibility for his crime before more than two dozen people who gathered in a Norristown courtroom to hear him plead guilty, Montgomery County Court Judge William Carpenter sentenced him to life in prison.

Elizabeth Shea, 57, was stabbed to death inside her home in the Wyndmoor section of Springfield Township on April 10. Her injuries included shallow cuts that prosecutors said were intended to torture her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The previous day, she had filed for divorce, moving to end a relationship that prosecutors described as abusive.

Assistant District Attorney Tanner Beck said Monday that he and the victims family were grateful that Shea pleaded guilty to avoid a trial at which prosecutors would have sought the death penalty.

This is a great outcome, Beck said, in part because it gave the family closure as quickly as possible.

Sheas attorney, Frank Genovese, said his client wanted to spare his wifes family the trauma of a lengthy murder trial.

He wanted to have this case resolved and put behind the victims sons, the lawyer said. For him, it brought a lot of comfort knowing he could give them that small measure of finality.

 READ MORE: Cheltenhams Corey Bradley was still mourning after his mothers murder. Baseball gave him a chance to honor her.

On March 14, the eve of the couples one-year wedding anniversary, Shea told police her husband had attacked her months earlier in their home, choking her for 30 minutes. She told investigators she believed she was going to die that night, court records show. The next day, Shea got an emergency restraining order and had her husband evicted with the help of police.

She had known Kenneth Shea for several years, having hired him to work with her at Lucky Dogz, the pet-grooming business she ran. The two grew close, and eventually began a romantic relationship and married.

After he moved out, Shea lived in a Comfort Inn in Feasterville. And while he was there, prosecutors said, he searched Google with queries including who gets your house when your wife dies.

Just after midnight on April 10, he ordered an Uber to take him from the hotel to his former home in Wyndmoor and broke in by pushing in a window-mounted air-conditioning unit.

After killing his wife, Shea submerged several electronic devices, including hard drives storing footage from the homes surveillance cameras, in water.

Elizabeth Shea was found dead behind a locked door. Her husband was recorded on surveillance footage from the Comfort Inn returning to the hotel at 3 a.m.

Hours later, detectives arrested him as he left his room there. Inside, they found bloodstains on the mattress, as well as clothing matching what he was seen wearing on the hotels surveillance footage when he returned earlier that morning.

Elizabeth Sheas sister, Evelyn Schaible, likened her brother-in-law to a parasite, saying he attached himself to her sister and preyed on her kindness before stealing her vibrant life away from her family.

Sheas middle son, Sean Bradley, and youngest son, Corey Bradley, took turns telling the judge of their loss, and said how life without their mother was a waking nightmare. Her killer, they said, had forever deprived them of sharing important milestones with her.

I still cant believe she was taken from me, Corey Bradley said. I will never wrap my head around this.
Growing up on Coney Island as the child of an educator, Kwame Morton unknowingly began laying the foundation for what would become his passion in life: working with children.

His mother, Sandra, was a teacher in Brooklyn. The second of three sons, Morton graded papers for her and saw how she became a prominent community figure, respected for her nurturing touch with students. As a high schooler, Morton worked in a summer camp, and his future began to take shape.

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Education was a part of my life as long as I can remember, Morton recalled.

Morton began his career in New York City, where he spent about 10 years as a teacher and school administrator. He also was the principal of the Frederick Douglass Mastery Charter Elementary School and an assistant principal at the now-closed Thomas FitzSimons High School, both in North Philadelphia.

Morton, 51, made history in Cherry Hill this year when he was selected as the first Black superintendent for the 11th-largest school system in the state. He was the districts first African American high school principal at Cherry Hill High School West.

He succeeded Joseph Meloche, who stepped down in July 2023 after leading the district for eight years. Morton has spent 16 years in Cherry Hill and worked closely with Meloche as a principal and assistant superintendent.

 READ MORE: Cherry Hill voters approved a $363 million school bond referendum, N.J.s largest in at least a decade

Morton inherited a district at a crossroads as it makes sweeping changes funded by a $363 million bond referendum in 2022 that could change the landscape in Cherry Hill. He also faced his first major challenge when the state proposed a $6.9 million cut in state funding for the upcoming school year.

Cherry Hill avoided a fiscal crisis when the state restored most of the funding, resolving the issue  for now. Residents have expressed concern about their tax burden in the community of about 70,000, and there has been pushback against a plan that Morton supports to expand free, full-day preschool. Opponents say the preschool funding should be earmarked for other academic programs.

 READ MORE: Cherry Hill schools asks N.J. Legislature to restore funding: The repercussions are staggering

We talked to Morton about landing in Cherry Hill in 2008, his leadership style, and his large family of 10 children (none of them twins, he likes to quip).

How did you land in education?

My mother was a teacher for 25 years in my old neighborhood.  From spending time in her classroom, helping her to put up decorations and bulletin boards, to taking trips with her class, Id always been connected and a part of what she was doing. She was one of the first community members where we lived  who had worked within the schools and opened up a door for other community members, including me, to become teachers.

Why did you come to Cherry Hill?

When I left New York City in 2005-06, my wife and I did so because we were seeking a beautiful place to raise our kids. It was a very difficult and emotional decision to leave. We had seven children at that time. Attempting to raise a large family in New York was difficult. When we came to New Jersey, I didnt know what I would find. Being here in Cherry Hill, I found home. I found a connection with the community, families, and individuals.

How will you make your mark on the district, following in the footsteps of former Superintendent Joe Meloche?

The natural thing that people do is automatically compare. They would say, When Joe was here, he did this, and now youre doing that. I resolved back in 2013 [when he became principal at Cherry Hill West], I would say, Joe Meloche is Joe Meloche. Kwame Morton is Kwame Morton. Im comfortable in terms of who I am and what Im all about. Given time, you will see that my decisions are rooted in the same things that his decisions were rooted in: kids and whats best for kids.

What are your priorities for the district?

There are a couple of critical things that must take place in Cherry Hill. First and foremost is a strategic planning process. Were going to spend time over the next several months identifying the portrait of a graduate. Were going to develop a strategic plan around what we hear from our community. Then there are three other aspects: communications, a demographic study, the massive bond work that has taken place in this district. We want to see these projects through.

Whats the status of the state aid cut for 2024-25?

While it wasnt 100% restoration, Im appreciative and happy that we did have 45% of what was lost restored through state aid. We received back slightly over $3.1 million  absolutely huge for us. It allows us to apply those funds to meet the needs of students. With the restored funds, the tax impact doesnt change. We have already submitted and have a budget approved.

How important is universal preschool?

All the research points to the effectiveness of preschool in terms of providing early intervention. At full scale, were going to have an opportunity to service 1,700 children, 3- and 4-year-olds from this community in a universal preschool and provide it free of charge to families. The state provides funding for us through preschool expansion aid. Next year, were scheduled to receive about $6.1 million. What better way to give back to the community than to provide opportunities such as that?

Tell me about your family.

I have 10 children. My oldest is now 29 years old, a daughter. The youngest is 14. My wife, April, works at Temple. Shes a physician recruiter. She had all of them. No twins. People always ask that question. We got married very young. She was 20, I was 22. Weve gone through life together, which is absolutely beautiful. My children have created a why for me and defined my existence in terms of who I am. You go to work so you can support and take care of your family. Theyve also given me tremendous perspective in terms of working with kids.

What keeps you up at night as an educator?

I definitely want our kids to be physically safe and protected from any kind of harm. I also want to make sure our kids are emotionally safe. That becomes a challenging thing at times with the availability of communication, the ability of individuals to have access to our kids 24/7. It never shuts off with the distribution of images and negative vitriol that we see through social media and online. Our kids are consuming all of that. That worries me. What is that doing to our kids emotionally and what does that translate into as they go out and attempt to be productive citizens?
Jay-Z appears during a news conference announcing the launch of Dream Chasers record label in joint venture with Roc Nation in New York on July 23, 2019. The rapper and entrepreneur is now backing a proposal to create a school voucher program in Pennsylvania. Read more

Jay-Zs Roc Nation has thrown its support behind a push for school vouchers in Pennsylvania  injecting star power into a campaign being resurrected by Republicans to designate millions of dollars in the state budget to pay for low-income students to attend private schools.

The voucher proposal, dubbed the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS), has been pitched by proponents as a way to help needy students escape failing schools. But its hugely controversial: Democrats and teachers unions say the state should instead be investing in its underresourced public education system, while experts say voucher programs dont actually improve  and often hurt  academic performance.

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At an event Monday promoting PASS in North Philadelphia, Roc Nations managing director of philanthropy, Dania Diaz, said the program was not anti-public education, but simply another avenue for students to access if they want to.

Heres what to know about the proposal and the rapper and entrepreneurs involvement in the effort:

What is the PASS proposal?

The proposal would give scholarships ranging from $2,500 for a half-day kindergarten student up to $15,000 for a student with special needs to attend private school. In order to be eligible, a student would have to live within the attendance boundaries of the 15% lowest-achieving public schools in the state and live in a household with income below 250% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, thats $62,150.

Lawmakers last year proposed to spend $100 million on the program; Roc Nation is calling for $300 million to be spent statewide.

Who supports vouchers?

Vouchers and similar programs have been long favored by Republican lawmakers, who have been critical of poor-performing public schools and calls for increased funding from teachers unions. And some Democrats in urban areas like Philadelphia also support vouchers, saying disadvantaged children should have the same school choice as wealthier peers.

Over the years, school choice supporters have successfully negotiated funding increases to existing Pennsylvania programs that function similarly to vouchers, giving businesses tax credits for donating to organizations that provide scholarships for children attending private schools. Pennsylvania currently spends more than $470 million on those programs each year.

But the prospect of vouchers  which give money directly to families  gained new traction with the election of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who went against his labor allies, and supports them. A voucher proposal last year backed by Senate Republicans and Shapiro led to a budget stalemate with House Democrats; Shapiro ultimately vetoed the plan to pass the budget.

Pennsylvania has also been a top target for Jeffrey Yass, a billionaire and the states richest resident. He has spent millions of his personal wealth to try to implement voucher programs and is linked to organizations behind many of the efforts to create a PASS initiative in this years budget deal.

Why did Jay-Z get involved?

Diaz, Roc Nations philanthropy director, said the company has been engaged in Philadelphia through the Made in America Festival and the REFORM Alliance, a group also backed by Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill that advocates for criminal justice reform.

Jay-Z also has a scholarship fund, Diaz said, calling education an important pillar for us.

But this is the first time Roc Nation has waded into state politics around school vouchers, Diaz said. She didnt comment on who specifically brought the issue to the companys attention. We looked at the stats, Diaz said, referring to low academic proficiency rates among Philadelphia public school students. According to state standardized test results, just over 34% of third through eighth graders in the Philadelphia school district scored proficient or above last year in English language arts; just over 20% scored proficient or above in math.

Seeing that students are struggling in the public education system, within the lowest-performing schools, we wanted to do something to help the community, Diaz said.

Why are vouchers controversial?

Critics, however, say the proposal is misguided and will hurt students.

I want people and parents to know the truth, that vouchers put public money in the pockets of rich while draining resources from public schools and our communities, said Philadelphia City Councilmember Kendra Brooks at a Monday rally against school vouchers outside the state Capitol building.

I dont give a damn what Jay-Z said, or Meek Mill, Brooks added. I am a Philadelphia public school parent with proud children, nieces, and grandchildren who attend Philadelphia public schools from K to 12.

Joshua Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University who has studied voucher programs nationally, said initiatives like PASS that Jay-Z is pushing overwhelmingly arent successful.

Cowen, who testified before Pennsylvania lawmakers last year, said research has found that voucher programs in other states have resulted in the largest academic declines ... weve seen in the history of education research.

This is predatory lending, Cowen added. This is pitching a solution to some real problems, but a solution that does not work.

The problem, he said, is that voucher recipients often end up in poor-quality pop-up schools, and the subprime schools they bail out. And around one-quarter of students receiving vouchers churn out each year, Cowen said, leaving the private school they attended with the scholarship.

That is not the recipe for helping at-risk children, he said. You can say that and still acknowledge some of the deep systemic failures in the public school sector.

Diaz said she hasnt studied other states programs. But we do know this is a program that has very specific criteria, and its targeting those who are in greatest need, she said.

What happens now?

The Pennsylvania Senate is expected to again advance legislation to create the voucher program in the coming weeks, and GOP leaders will try to negotiate it into a final budget deal. Pennsylvanias state budget is due by June 30, and disagreement over school vouchers last year held up a final budget deal for more than a month.

Until then, advocates on both sides of the issue  including Roc Nation  will be spending millions of dollars trying to influence lawmakers and raise awareness.

The company hosted a Dine and Learn session at the Esperanza Community Center on Monday, in the first of a series of events scheduled over the next two weeks. People in PASS T-shirts  volunteers who Diaz said were receiving stipends from Roc Nation  greeted visitors and directed them upstairs to a room featuring a buffet lunch of chicken, rice, and salad, and posters reading that PASS wouldnt take away money from public schools.

A handful of parents trickled in over the lunch hour, including Waseme Wilson, 48, who lives in Crescentville and was looking for a new school for her son.

The community I currently own a home in, the school is no good, said Wilson, who said her older children  who are 28 and 21  were part of a program that bussed students to different parts of the city.

While her 8-year-old attends a private Christian school with a scholarship, the private school isnt the right fit, either, she said, and the scholarship doesnt cover her costs.

Diaz said Roc Nation hopes to reach more parents like Wilson and will be using billboards and digital trucks to further push its campaign.
J. Larry Jameson, interim president of the University of Pennsylvania, presided over commencement last month. Read more

It looks like J. Larry Jameson, who stepped in as interim president of the University of Pennsylvania in December, could be around for quite a while.

He will remain in the role through the 2025-26 academic year or until the school has found a new president, the university announced Monday. That would mean he would serve as the schools president for two more years.

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Board chair Ramanan Raghavendran, who made the announcement, did not say when Penn would launch a search for a new president, but that more information will be forthcoming as we get closer. No timeline on a search was provided.

The announcement comes as the board of trustees prepares to hold its regular meetings on campus this week.

Raghavendran cited Jamesons steady, thoughtful leadership during a challenging year that included the universitys decision to use police to disband a pro-Palestinian encampment on the College Green that had been up for more than two weeks.

 READ MORE: J. Larry Jameson is named Penns interim president

We are extremely fortunate to have the benefit of his vast experience and talents as we sustain Penns important missions and focus on the future, Raghavendran said in the announcement.

Jameson, 69, previously had served as executive vice president of Penns health system and its medical school dean for more than 12 years. He stepped into the interim role after Liz Magill resigned as president following a backlash to her congressional testimony on the universitys handling of antisemitism complaints on campus. Magills less-than-18-month tenure was the shortest of any Penn president and followed two presidents who served for 10 years and 18 years.

 READ MORE: Philly Police have cleared Penns Pro-Palestinian encampment and arrested 33 protesters

Penn turned to Jameson, who earned a base salary of nearly $4.5 million in 2021 and additional compensation of $1.1 million, according to tax filings, to help the university through a tumultuous time.

Jameson, a molecular endocrinologist and native of Georgia, came to Penn from Northwestern University, where he had most recently served as dean of the medical school and vice president of medical affairs. He received his medical school degree at the University of North Carolina in 1981 and worked at Harvard Medical School earlier in his career.

The tri-chairs of Penns faculty senate said in a statement that they are grateful that Jameson has taken on this crucial leadership role at an extraordinarily challenging and contentious time for the university.

In the spirit of Penns long history of shared governance, we look forward to working with him on a wide range of issues that will define the future of Penn, wrote tri-chairs Eric A. Feldman, Vivian L. Gadsden and Kathleen M. Brown.
The School District of Philadelphia District Headquarters building at 440 N. Broad Street. Read more

As the Philadelphia School Districts year winds to a close, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. has announced a number of leadership changes, mostly promoting homegrown talent.

Heres a roundup of the changes.

New chiefs

Jayme Banks was named as interim chief of student support services. Banks, who had been the deputy chief of prevention, intervention and trauma, replaces Karyn Lynch, who has retired. In Banks new role, she will be tasked with overseeing programs to boost attendance, increase graduation rates, and decrease dropout rates, as well as oversee the controversial school selection process in a manner that engages schools and community partners, and builds trust, according to a statement from the district.

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Kaylan Connally was appointed as chief talent officer. Connally, previously the chief strategy officer, is charged with improving staff recruitment efforts, reducing the time it takes to process new employees, and increasing retention rates, as well as leading efforts to bolster the teacher pipeline amid a national teacher shortage. Though the district has had a chief talent officer in the past, that position had been vacant for a time.

Both are paid $195,100 per year.

New associate superintendents of school performance

Kimberly Newman is the associate superintendent of school performance for Elementary I. Newman had been an assistant superintendent for Learning Network 6, and has experience as a district principal.

Hilderbrand Pelzer III is the associate superintendent of school performance for Elementary II. Pelzer had been assistant superintendent for Learning Network 13, and also worked as a district principal.

Associate superintendent salaries are $201,869 annually.

Newman and Pelzers titles are newly created; Evelyn Nunez, the current associate superintendent for elementary schools, is leaving the district to become CEO of Esperanza Academy Charter School.

New assistant superintendent of school performance

Alphonso Evans is an assistant superintendent of school performance. Evans has been principal at Stearne Elementary in Frankford. He also has leadership experience at the Achieve, Chester, and Southwest Leadership Charter schools.

Timothy Jones was also named assistant superintendent of school performance. Jones comes to Philadelphia from Atlanta, where he was principal of BEST Academy 6-12, an all-male school focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math.

Timothy McKenna was named assistant superintendent of postsecondary readiness. McKenna had been deputy chief of accountability in the Office of Evaluation, Research and Accountability, and had been principal of Central High.

Donna Ragsdale has been named assistant superintendent of school performance for the Acceleration Network. Ragsdale had served as principal of Prince Hall Elementary School in Ogontz.

Mark Vivitsky was named assistant superintendent of school performance. Vivitsky has been principal of the Bache-Martin School in Fairmount.

Assistant superintendents are paid $185,077 annually.

New principals

Katiedra Argro has been named principal of the Philadelphia High School for Girls. Argro, a Girls High alumna, has been the principal of John Barry Elementary in West Philadelphia.

Brian Wallace has been named principal of Parkway Center City Middle College High School. Wallace had been the principal of Meredith Elementary in Queen Village.

Interim principals made permanent

Yancy Bright, Dunbar Elementary, North Philadelphia; Tisha Dunn, Mitchell Elementary, Southwest Philadelphia; Lawrence King, Robeson High, West Philadelphia; Tiffany Osei, Laura Carnell, Oxford Circle; Andrea Surratt, Lamberton Elementary, Overbrook Park; Rose Michelle Torres, Sheppard Elementary, Kensington.

Monique Braxton, a district spokesperson, said the appointments will help the district prepare students to imagine and realize any future they desire, in our continued pursuit of becoming the fastest improving large, urban school district in the country. The salaries for the new appointments were not immediately available from the district.
John A. Fry, president of Drexel University, said Drexel and UArts talked about a potential partnership that could have included a merger about two years ago, but it ultimately did not materialize. Read more

Drexel University and the University of the Arts about two years ago explored a partnership that could have included a merger, but it ultimately went nowhere.

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Drexel president John A. Fry said UArts only wanted a partial partnership, and Drexel did not think that was enough.

They were collegial talks, Fry said, but we werent headed in the same direction.

 READ MORE: Temple University is exploring a potential merger to save University of the Arts, chairman says

If things had gone the other way, theres no telling what it could have meant to the nearly 150-year-old arts university that closed for good on Friday, in the wake of financial woes. Temple University last week signed a nondisclosure agreement with UArts to explore a possible merger, but those types of arrangements typically take at least a year.

Where UARTs would be if it were under Drexels direction now is uncertain.

David Yager, who was president of UArts at the time of the talks with Drexel, did not respond to a request for comment.

 READ MORE: The University of the Arts is closing June 7, its president says

Fry said UArts wanted an arms-length type of relationship.

We didnt feel comfortable with that, Fry said. Our advice to them was if you are going to do this, you need to do this totally. We were looking for full engagement, not partial.

A merger, he said, was one of the possibilities. Joint programs and joint degrees were another, he said. But he said the two universities parted the discussions in a friendly way.

 READ MORE: Drexel and Salus Universities have decided to proceed with a merger

Drexel has acquired other entities under Frys tenure as president, which began in 2010. In 2011, the university announced a merger with the Academy of Natural Sciences. Last year, Drexel announced it would proceed with a merger with Salus University, a small, private health sciences university based in Elkins Park. The two institutions are awaiting approval from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the accrediting body.

Fry said he was stunned to learn that UArts was closing so abruptly. Drexel quickly mobilized to see how it could help, reaching out to UArts leadership and Middle States, he said. The university was one of the first universities to become a designated school for UArts students and is listed as such on Middle States site.

Among other local institutions are Temple, La Salle, St. Josephs, Rowan, Thomas Jefferson and Pennsylvania State Universities, Delaware County Community College, Moore College of Art and Design, and Ursinus College.

We worked through the weekend (after the closure was announced) to finalize a Teach-Out Agreement with UArts carefully identifying educational equivalent programs at Drexel for UArts, Drexel said.

More than 200 UArts students have participated over the last week in virtual sessions that Drexel has held for families, the school said. The university also has held 40 one-on-one sessions with students.

Drexel is planning an immediate decision day for the students this week and will extend its 50% tuition discount program to them, the university said. The university in 2022 announced the tuition discount guarantee for those who meet admission requirements and have an associates degree from a Pennsylvania or New Jersey community college.
Philadelphia, which has cleaned up in recent years at the James Beard Awards, has but one restaurant star up for a prize at Monday nights 2024 chef and restaurant ceremony in Chicago:

Jesse Ito, chef-owner of Royal Sushi & Izakaya in Queen Village, is a finalist for best chef, Mid-Atlantic. This is his seventh nomination overall for a Beard award, regarded as the Oscars of the restaurant world. The ceremony will be streamed on YouTube starting at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

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Although much has been made about Philadelphias lone restaurant finalist, Philadelphians received solid Beard attention this year in other categories.

 READ MORE: Philly wins big at the 2024 James Beard Book and Media Awards

Philly has already won some awards

Inquirer critic Craig LaBan and photographer Jessica Griffin won the award for travel writing for a series of articles about Cantina La Martina chef Dionicio Jimenezs first post-pandemic trip home to Puebla as well as a deep dive into tequila and mezcal production led by Philadelphia restaurateur David Suro of Tequilas. A Philadelphia Magazine article about hoagies by Hannah Albertine, Adam Erace, and Bradford Pearson also was a finalist in the category.

LaBan was a finalist this year in the criticism category won by the New Yorkers Helen Rosner.

Books by local authors won both beverage categories. Suro and coauthor Gary Paul Nabhan took Beverage without Recipes for Agave Spirits: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals. South Jersey bartender Danny Childs won in Beverage with Recipes for Slow Drinks: A Field Guide to Foraging and Fermenting Seasonal Sodas, Botanical Cocktails, Homemade Wines, and More.

 READ MORE: Jesse Ito and the art of sushi

In February, Vietnam Restaurant in Chinatown was announced as one of this years Americas Classics, which the Beard Foundation awards to locally owned restaurants that serve quality food, have timeless appeal, and reflect the character of their communities.

Vietnam Restaurant joins Philadelphia-area Americas Classics recipients such as Corinnes Place (2022) in Camden, White House Sub Shop (2000) and Chef Volas (2011) in Atlantic City, and Johns Roast Pork (2006) in South Philadelphia.

Also, two of the five recipients of the foundations 2024 Leadership Awards work in the region and were recognized in a ceremony Sunday for working to set standards that create more equitable, just, sustainable, and economically viable food systems for producers, workers, and consumers alike. Muhammad Abdul-Hadi of Down North Pizza and the Down North Foundation in North Philadelphia was cited for Industry Culture and Practices, while Christa Barfield of FarmerJawn was honored for Emerging Leadership as someone at the beginning of their career but already doing significant work.

Abdul-Hadi, who opened Down North in 2020, said he hopes to continue to shine the light on the issues were trying to tackle, as far as giving voice to individuals in the culinary space. Among Down Norths causes is employing previously incarcerated employees. Not having a culinary background but making an impact means a lot to be recognized by organization thats as prestigious as James Beard. Abdul-Hadi said the group is working to develop other restaurants, not just pizzerias, to spread its mission.

Barfields 128-acre farm in Chester County specializes in regenerative organic food production through a community supported agriculture program, storefronts, and educational programs. Its designed not just to provide organic foods in areas with few such options but also to educate on the importance of sustainable agriculture and healthy eating. Barfield said she conceived FarmerJawn  the largest Black-owned food grower in Pennsylvania  as a vehicle to change our food system. Its not just about the fact that were growing and what were growing, but its also about how we believe in taking care of people and plants as well. She said her goal this season was to grow a million pounds of food.

Whos Jesse Ito?

Ito, 35, started in the business as a 14-year-old after-school dishwasher working for his parents, Masaharu (Matt) and Yeonghui, at their restaurant, Fuji, first in Cinnaminson and later in Haddonfield.

He went to full time while studying marketing at Rutgers University.

Jesse and Matt Ito joined restaurateurs Stephen Simons and Dave Frank in opening Royal in 2016. Theres a popular izakaya (or barroom) in the front with drinks and an a la carte menu of hot and cold dishes.

Royals main attraction, though, is tucked into a back room, where Ito conducts omakase experiences for audiences of eight people at a time  arguably Philadelphias toughest reservation, at $300 per person including service.
Researchers at Penn Abramson Cancer Center studied racial gaps in access to CAR-T therapy for lymphoma. Read more

Penn Medicines patients of color are far less likely than white patients to receive a novel gene therapy pioneered there and hailed as a cure for some blood cancers, new research shows.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found significant racial disparities in who gets treated with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, known as CAR-T, a treatment that involves genetically modifying white blood cells to attack cancer.

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Patients from nonwhite racial and ethnic groups accounted for about 16% of lymphoma patients at Penns Abramson Cancer Center between 2018 and 2022, but just 7% of lymphoma patients who received CAR-T therapy, according to a study published in March in the New England Journal of Medicine Evidence.

The study did not explore why patients from underrepresented racial groups are less likely to receive CAR-T. But researchers suspect the problem is rooted in a mix of socio-economic and systemic barriers that contribute to much of the racial disparities in health care: cost, travel, language, health status, and doctors racial bias.

CAR-T is considered the ultimate in personalized medicine. It involves removing the bodys white blood cells and genetically modifying them to target each individuals unique cancer cells. The white blood cells are infused back into the body as a tailor-made army against blood cancers.

More than 1,600 clinical trials are exploring whether it can treat brain cancer, breast cancer, and others.

All of this is useless, pointless, if there are barriers that dont allow us to provide this therapy to all patients, said Marco Ruella, an assistant professor of medicine at Penn and senior author of the study.

Researchers said they hope their findings will be a first step toward improving access to a treatment with significant barriers. CAR-T can cost up to $1 million and is only available at a handful of specialized cancer centers, including at Penn.

 READ MORE: Penns CAR-T treatment shrank brain tumors in seven patients, rare progress against deadly glioblastoma

Racial gaps in CAR-T treatment for lymphoma

Researchers studied medical records of nearly 1,500 patients treated for lymphoma at Penn between 2018 and 2022. They found that white patients were far more likely to receive CAR-T treatment than those who identified as Black, Hispanic, Latino, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian, or Native Hawaiian.

White patients accounted for 85% of all lymphoma patients at Penn during the study period and 94% of lymphoma patients who received CAR-T. Meanwhile, patients from minority racial and ethnic groups accounted for about 16% of lymphoma patients, and just 7% of lymphoma patients who received CAR-T therapy.

The findings were a stark reminder that the health system must work harder to improve widespread racial disparities in cancer treatment, Ruella said.

If we really want to make an impact on our nations overall health, we shouldnt leave people behind, he said.

 READ MORE: Emily Whitehead was the first child cured of cancer with therapy from Penn. Shes back as a freshman.

Cost, access, and doctor bias contribute to disparities

Cancer death rates are declining overall, but patients from minority groups are more likely to experience treatment delays, end treatment early, and receive care at lower-quality cancer centers, according to a report published last month by the American Association for Cancer Research, a Philadelphia-based organization that represents cancer researchers.

This may reflect factors such as who can take time off work, secure child care, and afford co-pays, transportation, and hotel rooms. Patients must often travel to specialty cancer centers  especially for highly advanced treatments, such as CAR-T  which can be difficult and costly for those who live far away.

Clinical trials testing the latest emerging cancer therapies are also less likely to enroll racial minorities, which contributes to ongoing disparities in cancer treatment, said Camille Ragin, an epidemiologist and associate director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

 READ MORE: Underrepresentation in clinical trials leads to cancer disparities, says Fox Chase Cancer Centers Camille Ragin

Because clinical trials are not diverse, we have been making the assumption that the findings from these clinical trials are generalizable to all population groups, and theres already lots of evidence to suggest that may not necessarily be true, said Ragin, who helped author the AACR report.

Clinicians bias can affect who gets access to the most advanced services and is considered for a clinical trial, said Carmen Guerra, associate director of outreach at Penns Abramson Cancer Center.

For instance, a doctor may assume that a patient who comes to appointments alone wont have the support system needed to be part of a rigorous treatment regimen, or that a patient who doesnt speak English wont fully understand the requirements of a new trial, she said.

 READ MORE: Racial bias in health care hurts patients. But that can change.

Penns plan for addressing CAR-T disparities

Ruella and his colleagues arent sure yet how best to address the disparities they identified among lymphoma patients. They are working with Guerra to better understand why the disparities exist and develop a plan.

Some barriers to advanced cancer treatment are easier to address. For instance, Guerra helped develop a training for doctors that calls for them to talk to all patients about clinical trials, so doctors will not make potentially biased judgments about which patients are good candidates.

But factors leading to disparities in CAR-T access may be challenging to unravel, Guerra said.

The barriers are more pronounced because CAR-T is such a uniquely complicated therapy, Guerra said.

 READ MORE: How COVID is helping us move away from white-centered clinical trials to reach more patients
Cancer survival rates are up, and death rates are down  yet racial minorities still bear a disproportionate burden of cancer, according to a new report from the American Association for Cancer Research.

Fox Chase Cancer Centers Camille Ragin, who studies racial disparities in cancer, says underrepresentation in clinical trials is among the underlying causes of cancer disparities thats critical to address.

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Clinical trials are the backbone of cancer research, helping scientists and doctors better understand what new treatments will be most effective in treating cancer. But clinical trials overwhelmingly enroll white patients, which means doctors often dont know whether new therapies will be as effective for patients with diverse backgrounds.

 READ MORE: CAR-T therapy is considered a cure for some types of cancer. Penn researchers found significant racial disparities in who has access.

The Inquirer spoke to Ragin, an epidemiologist and associate director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Fox Chase, about how the Philadelphia comprehensive cancer center and others can reduce disparities by improving diversity in clinical trials.

Why is diversity in clinical trials so important?

One persons cancer is not the same as anothers. Its the same way when you view populations  there are so many subgroups, different ethnic groups. When science is done, Black individuals are often all grouped into one group, as if theyre one group. We have immigrants who come from other countries, African Americans who have for generations grown up and lived in the United States. Different perspectives, different attitudes  all those things can increase cancer risk. They could have different environmental exposures, which affects their risk of cancer.

How can clinical trials account for that level of diversity at a statistically significant level?

When we design out studies and want to answer a question, we need to make sure that within that study population, there is sufficient representation to come up with a finding that is generalizable. Whatever answer we get from our scientific studies, we want that answer to be applied to everyone, despite the fact that we know there is heterogeneity. One solution to that is to make sure theres appropriate representation  then the findings will be relevant. If you dont, the findings are only relevant to the group you are studying.

How can research institutions improve clinical trial diversity?

There has been greater awareness of the importance of diversity and the importance of addressing a lack of representation. One of the things I think would truly contribute to addressing this is diversification of the biomedical workforce. Having a diverse workforce sets you up to achieve what we all want, which is focused, innovative ways in making sure we are answering questions that will be applicable and generalizable. I do believe that will help drive toward the goal of making sure we are truly doing science that will be beneficial for all.
Courtesy of the Museum of the American Revolution

In 1777, loyalist took over the Pennsylvania State House, now Independence Hall, turning it into officers barracks and a prisoner-of-war facility where Quaker women would sometimes feed prisoners Read more

In the fall of 1777, the British occupied Philadelphia, only to abandon the city nine months later when France  shout out to Lafayette!  declared war on Great Britain and recognized the United States independence.

But, what happened to those Philadelphians who supported the British? Did they have their property confiscated? Were they tarred and feathered? Did many stay in Philadelphia? A reader asked Curious Philly, The Inquirers forum for questions about the city and region.

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It might seem like Philly was always a revolutionary city, but tons of people were against the revolution, very lukewarm, or their opinions changed, according to Tyler Putman, senior manager of gallery interpretation at the Museum of the American Revolution.

In times of war, that had consequences.

Occupied Philadelphia

Once the rebels caught word of the Brits imminent arrival, men presumed to be pro-crown were exiled. They didnt even have to be loyalists; if they werent patriots, they were exiled from the city.

It was like You seem like when the British get here, youre gonna be really excited, so were going to exile you to Winchester, Virginia, said Putman.

Henry Drinker, 43, a middle-class Quaker, was one of them.

As a Quaker, Drinkers pacifism prevented him and his family from taking a side and he was sent away. His wife, Elizabeth Drinker, 42, took over managing their household and continuously asked George Washington to release her husband. Drinker recorded her daily life in diary, which has become an important record of life during that time.

The Old City couple was not reunited by the time the British descended upon Philadelphia in September 1777.

The soldiers took over the Pennsylvania State House, now Independence Hall, turning it into officers barracks and a prisoner-of-war facility where Quaker women would sometimes feed prisoners.

At the same time, the British offered freedom to people enslaved by rebels in exchange for joining their forces, according to Putman.

Were used to this good-guy-bad-guy model, he said. You see how complicated it was because of the individual ideas, things like I would just like to be free personally, regardless of who controls the country had a much bigger influence [in who people sided with.]

In June 1778, the British left the city to never return.

Some of the Black soldiers who had joined loyalist troops remained with the army for the rest of the war; others moved to Nova Scotia and England, Putman said. Loyalist merchants and tradespeople who moved to England petitioned the king to repay them for property they lost back in Philadelphia.

The ones who didnt cross the pond headed to New York, where what was left of the empire hunkered down until the end of the war. That was the case for loyalist merchant Joseph Galloway, who had become a military governor during the occupation.

He took his daughter but left his wife, Grace Galloway, behind, a common tactic to prevent the siege of property, according to Putman. They never reunited.

What happened to the loyalists who stayed in Philadelphia?

The fates of the loyalists differed if they decided to stay in Philadelphia, but one thing is certain: No one was tarred and feathered.

Philly is pushing the edges of the revolution, but it tends to be less outwardly violent than Boston, Putman said.

That is, until two Philadelphians paid with their lives.

Quakers John Roberts and Abraham Carlisle were hanged, at what is now City Hall, for allegedly collaborating with the British, according to Elizabeth Drinkers diary.

Despite requests for pardons, Roberts and Carlisle were put on trial and later lost their lives.

It was the state government sending a message, Putman said. Were gonna choose you two guys because youre prominent and you were here the whole time.

Still, the losses for royalists, pacifist Quakers, and neutral Philadelphians were mainly material and emotional.

Did they have their property confiscated?

Henry Drinker returned to Philly after nine months in exile to see his property confiscated by the government.

The Drinkers had decided to stop paying their taxes in 1777 to avoid contributing to the war. As a result, their property  including a set of chairs, pewter platters, and furniture currently exhibited at the Museum of the American Revolution in Old City  was seized the next year by a state government committee who auctioned the items off.

A family friend is speculated to have helped the Drinkers recover their belongings. Elizabeth Drinker now has a historic marker in Old City, commemorating her chronicling of the era.

Not everyone was so lucky.

Grace Galloways home was eventually confiscated by the patriots. She is said to have been physically carried out of her house, unwilling to leave.

She was really sad that she went from a life of respect, dignity, and privilege to one of living in a single room not being able to afford firewood, Putman said.
Lisa Ferguson, director of research and conservation at the Wetlands Institute, teaches kindergartners from Stone Harbor School about diamondback terrapins, as the kindergartners release them into nearby marshes as part of a program by the Wetlands Institute and Stockton University. Read more

Talk about a crowd of rambunctious youngsters. At the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, they were literally climbing over each other.

Not the kindergarten class visiting for the day  they were well-behaved  but the rowdy ones sporting shells.

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Are you ready to release some turtles? called out institute research director Lisa Ferguson.

YEAH!!

The kindergarten class from Stone Harbor School was on hand to help free 16 orphaned, lab-raised diamondback terrapins to the Cape May County marshes where they would hopefully continue to grow and eventually reproduce. Despite a rough start, the turtles were going into the world healthy and strong. They each had a name, thanks to their young friends.

The terrapins are part of a conservation program started by former Wetlands Institute research director Roger Woods in 1989 out of concern for their dwindling population. No two terrapins are alike  they each have their own particular markings.

The children who took part in the terrapins release are part of an important community support system that helps the scientists at the institute and their colleagues at Stockton University bolster the terrapin population and give them a better chance at survival.

These turtles are special little guys, Brian Williamson, institute research scientist, told the students. Theyve been given a second chance.

The terrapins released last week all came from eggs harvested from some of the several hundred mother terrapins killed on local roadways last year. Raised for nearly a year in a special head start program, they are incubated at a higher temperature to ensure they are born female, said Ferguson. When they are released the following year, theyre closer to the size of a 3-year-old terrapin reared in the wild. The head start gives them a better chance at survival.

Wild terrapins face other threats as well  habitat destruction, poaching for illegal sale, and drowning in fishing gear like crab traps. Conservationists advocate outfitting traps with fixtures that prevent terrapins from getting caught. Institute staff regularly patrols shore roads and asks the public to keep an eye out for injured terrapins that can be saved. Stocktons Animal Lab rehabilitates up to 1,000 of the turtles a year.

Terrapin hatchlings often get trapped in storm drains as they make their way from their hatching areas into the marshes. Every year, shore residents step in to help the scientists save as many as they can.

Members of the public are encouraged to help grown terrapins safely cross roadways. Very often, theyre female terrapins moving between their marsh habitat and higher ground where they lay their eggs.

Tracking the turtles

Terrapins are the only turtles that live their entire lives in coastal salt marshes brackish waters  a mix of saltwater and freshwater. They eat salt marsh snails, which helps prevent the snails from overgrazing marsh grasses and aids in maintaining the marsh ecosystem.

Increasingly, the researchers have been finding ways to gain more insight into the terrapins lives and habits.

Just this year, weve started a project using GPS transmitters to be tracking them, said Ferguson.

The little devices, glued onto terrapins shells, will provide year-round information about terrapin behavior, where they spend their time, what environmental features are helpful to them, and what threats they face.

The three-year GPS program is in addition to an ongoing microchip tagging program, which has also yielded a lot of information about the terrapin, including that they have been known to return to the same area year after year to nest.

Ferguson said there is some indication that head start terrapins may sexually mature earlier than the approximately seven years required for females that spend their first year in the wild. That could help boost the survival of a creature under consideration for status as a species of special concern by the state of New Jersey.

Terrapins in the Classroom

Meanwhile, schools around the state help with the head start effort. The institute and Stockton partner in Terrapins in the Classroom, a program in which orphaned hatchlings are raised in the states schools for the year before its time to release them. The teachers get training in the critters care and the kids get a learning experience.

The terrapins that the Stone Harbor kids came to release had been raised at Stockton. Being so close, the students got to visit the baby terrapins and see their progress.

They kind of watched them grow up, said their teacher, Samantha Gilbert.

A Cape May native, Gilbert said its been a great learning opportunity.

I love to implement any type of live nature into the kids education, she said. I feel like its very important, especially in this day and age.

The kids came bearing gifts. They brought a mural they made honoring the young lady terrapins theyd be sending forth and the names they gave to each  Sparkle Dust, Lily, Cutie, and, for one different drummer, Bob. They also came with a check for $200. They raised the money by selling turtle-shaped cookies they baked to help their hard-shell friends.

But the really big deal was taking those eager terrapins down to the marshs edge. Kids and reptiles were raring to go.

Bye, Trigger, said Harry Krafczek, 6, as he placed his terrapin on the wet marsh grass. Good luck!

Conrad Hall, 6, also gave his terrapin Beta Fish an enthusiastic send-off. Like a lot of the children, hes been impressed by what hes learned about the critters.

They can live in water and on land! he said.

Kathryn Hodge, 6, named her terrapin Velvet, after her favorite dessert, red velvet cupcakes.

Because Velvet had been microchipped, like all the little terrapins released that day, Kathryn knew they might meet again one day.

I would like that, she said. I hope she has her own babies.
Another South Jersey community festival was brought to an abrupt halt Saturday by what police described as a large, unruly crowd that descended on the event, resulting in the arrests of six people.

The latest incident occurred during Pennsauken Townships Summer Kick Off festival at a community recreation center.

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As families were waiting for an expected fireworks show to begin around 9 p.m., multiple large crowds began to form and became disruptive, prompting authorities to cancel the show and end the festival 15 minutes early, township police said in a statement.

Police called in officers from neighboring townships to help disperse the crowds and eventually arrested four young adults and two juveniles on charges of disorderly conduct and failure to disperse, Pennsauken Township Chief Philip P. Olivo said.

This type of unruly behavior is not acceptable and will not be tolerated in Pennsauken Township, he said.

Olivo did not elaborate in his statement on what those charged had done to prompt their arrests and police did not immediately respond to requests for further clarification Sunday.

Still, it was the third time in as many weekends that a South Jersey municipality reported significant disruptions from hordes of disruptive teens and young adults.

Another crowd of more than 500 teenagers and young adults descended on a June 1 summer festival in Gloucester Township and a series of fights broke out, lasting more than two hours.

Officers arrested 11 people, and in the week since, have sought the publics assistance in identifying others believed to have committed crimes. Five people, including three police officers were injured during the incident, police said.

Disruptive hordes of youths have also been blamed for mayhem that erupted up and down the Jersey Shore over Memorial Day weekend. Wildwood officials declared a state of emergency and ordered a total shutdown of the boardwalk on May 26 citing multiple fights and several instances of civil unrest that terrorized beachgoers and business owners.

In Ocean City, fights broke out, a smoke bomb was set off and a 15-year-old was stabbed, setting off a panic that sent young beachgoers stampeding off the boardwalk on May 25. Police said youths ran into nearby stores and some business owners later reported fighting to fend off would-be thieves rushing for their cash registers amid the mayhem.

Officials in all three towns have said the teenagers and young adults responsible for the chaos were mostly outsiders.

In contrast, all but one of the young adults arrested Saturday in Pennsauken Township lived within the township, authorities there said.

They included: India Allen, 19; Yamilet Meina, 18; and Damien Green, 20. The fourth person charged as an adult  Yamilet Meina, 18  hails from Camden, police said.

It was not clear from court records whether any of them had retained attorneys.

Authorities did not release the names of the two juveniles who were also detained Saturday.
Outside the offices of Audacy Inc. at 2400 Market St. in January. Read more

Embattled broadcaster Audacy has agreed to pay Lower Merion Township $1.4 million as part of a settlement in a dispute over alleged unpaid taxes dating back to when the company was based in Bala Cynwyd.

The settlement comes amid Audacys ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, for which the company filed in January. As part of that case, Lower Merion was identified as an unsecured creditor, contending in filings that Audacy owed it nearly $12 million in unpaid taxes from a several-year period when it did business in the township. Formerly known as Entercom, Audacy left Bala Cynwyd for Philadelphia in 2019.

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Lower Merion primarily pointed to the time period between 2012 and 2016, alleging that two branches of the larger Entercom Communications parent company  Entercom Radio and Entercom Inc.  owed $4 million in local taxes and $7.7 million in business taxes, including interest. Entercom Radio owned smaller subsidiaries that operated radio stations outside the township, while Entercom Inc. served as the companys financer, Audacy wrote in an objection to the townships claims.

In its filing, Audacy said that Entercom Radios bank accounts were not located in Lower Merion, and had no income allocable to business conducted in the Township. Entercom Inc., the company added, did not have a physical presence or employees in the Township, and was primarily based in Delaware.

John Darden, a township business tax compliance specialist, argued in a separate filing that Entercom Radios executives were based in Lower Merion, and the company received dividends from Entercom Inc. that were taxable under Lower Merions tax code. He said Entercom Inc.s primary operations, and thus revenue generated were in Bala Cynwyd, subjecting it to local taxes.

The township, court documents indicate, had issued audit assessments against Entercom in 2018 and 2019, instigating a similar case in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. But as part of the settlement reached last week, both parties agreed to dismiss any and all actions against each other relating to tax assessments, and made no admission or concession of liability.

Audacy declined to comment. An attorney for Lower Merion said they were not authorized to discuss the case.

Audacys January bankruptcy filing came as the company grappled with almost $2 billion in debt during a substantial advertising slump. A reorganization plan was approved in February, with an investment fund owned by progressive philanthropist George Soros set to become its largest shareholder. Soros fund acquired roughly $415 million of Audacys debt, court filings indicate. That development prompted concern from some conservative pundits, as Soros is known to support progressive causes and back Democratic candidates.

Final approval by the Federal Communications Commission is expected to take months. If approved, Audacy would emerge from bankruptcy reportedly shedding more than $1.6 billion in debt.
A group of public and charter school officials called on legislative leaders to pass state House Democrats proposal to fix Pennsylvanias unconstitutional funding system, which would bring $242 million to the city this year and $1.4 billion more over the next seven years.

The unusual 15-member coalition, led by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, includes public school, charter school and union officials from groups such as the African American Charter School Coalition, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Esperanza, and SEIU 32BJ. Charter and public school officials are often at odds with one another, as they compete for the same public funds and students in whats already an underfunded system.

Our organizations represent different sectors, have different missions, and have policy differences on a range of issues, but we have come together with one voice to urge you to take action to support the needs of all Philadelphia students, the coalition officials wrote in a letter sent Sunday to Gov. Josh Shapiro and legislative leaders.

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House Democrats are poised to pass the sweeping changes to Pennsylvanias school funding system on Monday. Its future is unclear in the GOP-controlled Senate, where Republicans have expressed concern with the proposal because leaders cant predict the states economic future over the next seven years it would take to fully fund the new system.

The 87-page bill would cement a plan brought forward by Democratic lawmakers on the bipartisan Basic Education Funding Commission earlier this year, intended to address the Commonwealth Court rulings findings that Pennsylvania has been depriving students of needed resources, particularly in poorer communities that cant raise as much in local tax revenue as wealthier peers.

The plan sets targets for adequate funding in each district, based on a measure of what high-performing Pennsylvania districts spend, and how much aid the state owes each of them. The full amount  more than $5 billion  would be phased in over seven years.

Not mentioned: cyber charters or school vouchers

The letter, however, did not mention two of the most controversial parts of budget talks this year in relation to education funding: cyber charter school funding and proposals to set aside taxpayer dollars to send some students in poor school districts to private schools.

The bill the House of Representatives plans to pass Monday includes provisions to slash payments from school districts to cyber charters that House Democrats estimate would save districts $530 million next year alone. It does not include any school voucher proposal, but Senate Republicans maintain that parents should have access to all forms of education, including private ones, to fix Pennsylvanias school funding system.

The General Assembly has an opportunity this year to finally end the system of education that has denied students across the commonwealth, and here in Philadelphia, their fundamental right to an education that prepares them to succeed, the coalition officials wrote.

Imagine what we could do if Philadelphia students had access to the world-class education they deserve.
ODESA, Ukraine  On my way to Europe on Thursday, I watched a video of an emotional exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a 99-year-old World War II veteran in a wheelchair during ceremonies for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landing in Normandy, France.

The vet whipped off his hat, embraced the Ukrainian leader in a bear hug, and exclaimed: Youre the savior of the people. Youre my hero. I pray for you. Zelensky, clearly moved, retorted: No, you are our hero. You saved Europe.

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Perhaps only a veteran of the battle against the Nazis can fully understand the danger to Western democracies of permitting an expansionist dictator like Russias Vladimir Putin to get away with gobbling up territory in Europe.

Yet, the West may still let that happen.

So, Ive come to Ukraine  via neighboring Moldova, since no civilian airports are operational in the country  and will continue on to Kyiv, the eastern front, and Kharkiv. All with a specific goal: to assess whether Kyiv can still win the war against Russian invaders. I still believe the answer is yes  followed by a big if.

Meantime, here in beautiful, historic Odesa, Im waiting to hear the missile alert.

 READ MORE: U.S., allies must stop playing Patriot games with Ukraine | Trudy Rubin

Russia fires drones and projectiles nightly into the port city to try to prevent Ukraine from exporting grain that is badly needed in Africa. Ukrainian cities are enduring rolling blackouts as Moscow targets the energy grid, so Odesa has already gone dark, although hotels and a few cafes operate on generators.

No one can be certain those drones wont also target civilian apartments, or, as I witnessed a year ago, destroy a spectacular Orthodox church in the city center. The past several months have been a gloomy time for Ukrainians. Russia took full advantage of the six-month, Trump-imposed delay in Congress on approving a new military aid package for Kyiv. Soldiers on the front often faced Russian artillery that had a 10-1 ammunition advantage.

The lack of weapons  and some Ukrainian military errors  enabled Russian troops to break through around Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, which sits only about 20 miles from the Russian border. Moscows missiles deliberately target civilian buildings in Kharkiv  the normal mode of Kremlin warfare.

The Russian charge so unnerved the White House that it has finally permitted Ukraine to use precision U.S.-made missiles to attack Russian firing sites just across the border. Kyiv has pushed the Russians back, but could have saved lives had this permission come sooner.

We lost many people, soldiers, and civilians, I was told by Ukrainian parliament member Oleksiy Goncharenko, and that is difficult for us.

Similarly, had NATO nations provided Ukraine with the U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems it has begged for since 2022, it could have warded off Russias current destruction of Ukraines power grid. As it stands, next winter may be hell.

Seven more Patriot systems could protect those cities  in addition to the two donated barely a year ago by Germany and one by the U.S. that now help shield Kyiv. NATO allies together reportedly possess at least 100 Patriot systems. Yet, so far, only Germany has offered to cough up one more.

Ukraines success depends heavily on whether the Biden administration finally adopts a strategy for victory, rather than the current reactive response of providing piecemeal aid too little, too late. At best this enables an unsustainable stalemate. Kyivs future further depends on whether Donald Trump wins the election and does what hes said he will do: cut off military aid to Ukraine unless it effectively capitulates to Putin.

Yet, the answer will also hinge on things Ukraine must do itself.

The beleaguered country needs to reform the structure and management of its military and develop a workable conscription system to provide desperately needed man power.

It also needs to sustain the incredible level of military innovations generated by its army of talented techies  many of whom joined up as soon as Russia invaded. That has given Kyiv an edge over the Russians, but they are catching up with help from Iran, North Korea, and China.

On this trip, I want to learn how Ukraine intends to scale up its production of drones, sustain military morale, and keep up the amazing level of civilian volunteerism that has backed up the army in the face of uncertain U.S. politics. I want to see firsthand why most Ukrainians consider this an existential war that cannot be settled by negotiations until Putin is convinced he cant win.

My visit will take me to Kyiv and the eastern front lines to witness the latest war crimes Putin has wreaked on civilians in defenseless cities, towns, and villages. These Russian war crimes are carried out deliberately, not as collateral damage of battle. This is part of Putins genocidal  and imperial  goal: to force Ukraine to accept the end of its existence as a sovereign state.

I hope to interview escapees from the territories Moscow has occupied since 2022 and claims to have annexed. There, the Kremlin has reportedly forbidden the use of the Ukrainian language, the existence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and any celebration of Ukrainian culture. It is indoctrinating children to believe there is no such country as Ukraine, and that anyone who protests is tortured, killed, or deported to prisons inside Russia.

This is the stuff of the worst days of the Soviet Unions Iron Curtain. It is important for Americans to understand the ambitions of a dictator who wants to rebuild an extensive Russian empire.

I also hope to interview soldiers near the front lines and around Kharkiv about the impact on morale from the six-month delay of U.S. weapons and the worry about future U.S. abandonment. Is ammunition finally arriving?

Americans dont realize what a tremendous partner Ukraine would be if and when it is admitted to NATO, having battled the massive Russian army over two years to a standstill. That was before the unreliable American political system enabled recent Russian territorial gains.

In addition, I want to look at areas where the Ukrainian military has brilliantly succeeded, such as the production of many new varieties of drones that have reshaped the modern battlefield. I hope to see some private drone production operations and learn about efforts to scale them up with help from their government and from Western allies. Ive heard NATO officials say that Ukraines army is now the most sophisticated in Europe and that U.S. military officials are learning from its experience.

I also want to talk to Ukrainian security experts on their theory of winning. One key is undoubtedly using Ukrainian drones, along with newly arrived U.S. long-range missiles, to isolate Russian-occupied Crimea and make Moscows troop presence there untenable.

I will be attending a conference on Black Sea security in Odesa that will look at the options for retaking Crimea, as well as continuing Kyivs amazing success in driving Russian ships out of the Black Sea with sea drones and missiles. They have opened a corridor through which Ukraine can continue grain exports vital to the world, even though Ukraine does not have a navy.

 READ MORE: In Europe, they cheer passage of Ukraine aid but worry about possible Trump future | Trudy Rubin

The Black Sea is the key to the war, said Goncharenko, whose district is in the Odesa region. The Black Sea controls the future of Odesa and all of southern Ukraine. We can continue to degrade them in Crimea. But we are losing time, and every week, the possibilities are diminishing.

If Washington had given Kyiv long-range ATACMS a year ago, instead of just recently, Crimea might now be under Ukrainian control. This is the theme that sticks in my mind as I arrive in Ukraine.

Whether Kyiv can drive Russian soldiers out of every inch of occupied territory, there is no chance to negotiate so long as Putin thinks he is winning. And Crimea remains the best place to deal Putin a symbolic and strategic blow that would force him to reconsider the continuation of the war.

At a time when Western allies have just celebrated the 80th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy, which was the prelude to the triumph of democracies over the Nazis, it is time for the White House to develop a theory of victory that enables Kyiv to do likewise against Putin.

As former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst told me: Absolutely, Ukraine can still win, but it depends especially on the United States. If we arm them properly, it would make it very hard for Putin to supply Crimea. What is necessary to open a way forward is a major defeat for Putin that is seen by the entire world.

At this perilous and decisive time, I am glad to be in Ukraine.
The Facebook logo is seen on a cell phone in Boston, USA, Oct. 14, 2022. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has long faced criticized for allowing algorithms that determine what people see on the platform to amplify disinformation. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File) Read more

Nearly 80% of Americans (79%) say that what they read online can contain false or fake information thats deliberately disseminated to confuse  with people of color the most targeted, according to a new poll.

Recently released by Free Press, a media watchdog organization, the poll of 3,000 people nationwide also found that 76% of respondents expressed concern that they were reading disinformation online about the presidential election.

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When asked where they get their news, more than 50% of respondents named two sources: Facebook and YouTube.

Black Americans, however, use the two platforms for their news more frequently than white people do, the poll found. While 63% of Black people surveyed said they relied on Facebook for information a few times a week, 56% of white people said they did. Similarly, 65% of Black people go to YouTube for news, compared to 51% of white people.

People of color who are disproportionately high users of online media for news and information are therefore likely to be the most impacted by the choices that platform companies and legislators [that regulate them] make, said S. Derek Turner, a senior policy analysis advisor for Free Press.

To help conduct the poll, Free Press used the services of the African American Research Collaborative, a group of pollsters, scholars, and researchers. BSP Research, a polling firm, was also connected to the project.

Both domestic and foreign operatives have specifically targeted people of color to spread disinformation online meant to undercut their votes and stir race-based discord.

Facebook and YouTube are go-to news sources for Black people because theyre key sites for community building, said Timothy Welbeck, director of Temple Universitys Center for Anti-Racism and a professor of African American studies.

People who are marginalized in everyday life find like-minded community on social media, he said.

Black people understand that disinformation is a tool to disrupt social progress, Welbeck added. Its been used against them to disrupt access to voting, or to encourage apathy about voting.

Black Americans have purposely been given incorrect addresses for polling places, as well as incorrect times for voting, sometimes by Russian bots, Welbeck said. Russian disinformation operatives have also disseminated lies about race and social issues to foment unrest in the Black community, according to the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

For years, Facebook has been criticized for allowing its algorithms, which determine what people see on the platform, to amplify fake news and hate speech. While calling Facebook a positive force in the world, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has apologized for not taking a broad enough view of Facebooks responsibilities regarding misinformation and other difficulties.

Black people have to be more vigilant about checking the sources of their news, said Marq Temple, executive director of the Philadelphia Chapter of Concerned Black Men, a nonprofit providing role models and mentors for youth.

Folks are using social media as research, but theyre not then going on to research the research, he said. And now, with artificial Intelligence out there with all that false information, you can get egg on your face if you only read Facebook and dont do your homework.

Beyond Fact

Free Press polls findings are not surprising, said David Kahl Jr., a professor of communication and a misinformation expert at Penn State Behrend in Erie.

People are becoming more aware that there are powerful forces, such as political actors, using social media to confuse and mislead people, he said. There is so much disinformation out there.

An example is the falsehood that President Joe Biden used his influence to get former President Donald Trump convicted in Trumps recently adjudicated hush money case in New York, Kahl said.

No one can prove the conspiracy theory that says Biden did it, but many readers of social media dont care, because they want to believe it, as well as their political party that says it, he explained.

And that belief, along with the emotion it evinces, is beyond fact, and is sacrosanct.
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman and his wife, Gisele, backstage while attending the inauguration ceremony for Gov. Josh Shapiro at the state Capitol in Harrisburg on Jan. 17. Read more

Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) and his wife, Gisele, were involved in a car crash Sunday morning.

Fetterman was driving a Chevrolet Traverse and struck the rear of a Chevrolet Impala around I-70 at I-68 in Hancock, Md., between Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Both vehicles were traveling west, according to Maryland State Police.

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Its unknown why Fetterman hit the back of the vehicle, and no citations have been issued, though an investigation is ongoing, according to state police.

The driver of the Impala and a passenger in Fettermans car were taken to War Memorial Hospital in West Virginia by ambulance.

Fetterman and his wife were evaluated at a local hospital out of an abundance of caution, according to a statement from Carrie Adams, the senators spokesperson.

Fetterman was treated for a bruised shoulder, and the couple was discharged Sunday afternoon, Adams said.

They are doing well and happy to be back in Braddock, Adams continued.

Adams did not provide further information, including what caused the senator to strike the back of the other vehicle.

Fetterman posted an update Monday evening on social media with a 30-second video showing the senator at home standing with his wife and holding a package of frozen peas and a bottle of Tylenol.

You might have heard G and I were in a car accident yesterday, Fetterman wrote. Thank you all for the well wishes. Not the best way to spend our 16th wedding anniversary but were doing well and happy to be back home in Braddock with the family.

Staff writer Robert Moran contributed to this article.
This photo of a vent in a Philadelphia tenant's bathroom is included in a lawsuit against property manager Columbus Property Management & Development filed by the Public Interest Law Center and the Philadelphia law firm Holland & Knight. Read more

During the summer, Marie Reeses grandkids spend lots of time at her apartment in the Francisville section of North Philadelphia. And she loves having them.

But now, Im scared for them to be here, said Reese, 52. Its not suitable for no one to be here.

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Reese said shes gone without hot water for days or weeks. She has had to pluck mushrooms from around her leaking bathroom tub, and she said the surrounding floor is so weak shes scared the tub will one day fall through. Shes been using a bucket to flush her toilet, which is difficult for her because she has multiple sclerosis and had a stroke a couple years ago.

Because of leaks and debris falling from the ceiling in her 22-year-old daughters bedroom, she and her daughter have been sharing her room. Reese has trouble breathing, which she said her doctors attribute to poor air quality in her home. Vents are covered in what appears to be mold.

I thank God every day that I have a roof over my head, but I shouldnt have to live this way because Im in low-income housing, said Reese, who uses a government subsidy to help her pay rent. Ive been through so much trauma  and nobody seems to care.

Reese is one of nine Philadelphia tenants in three apartment complexes who are suing their property manager, the Philadelphia-based nonprofit Columbus Property Management & Development, over conditions including mold, leaks, plumbing issues, lack of heat, and elevators frequently out of service.

Columbus, which has 34 apartment complexes in the city and thousands of rental units across the Mid-Atlantic, largely serves low-income, disabled, and other vulnerable populations with housing subsidies. Its parent organization is the Philadelphia-based nonprofit Mission First Housing Group, an affordable-housing developer.

The Philadelphia nonprofit Public Interest Law Center and the Philadelphia office of international law firm Holland & Knight are representing tenants living in the Columbus properties of Freedom Village in Francisville, Powelton Heights in Powelton, and MPB School Apartments in Strawberry Mansion. The lawsuit was filed late Friday.

In a statement Monday, Tracy Joyce, senior vice president of property management for Columbus, said the company is currently reviewing the lawsuit and wont address specifics, citing the pending litigation.

Columbus Property Managements priority is its residents, and we take their feedback very seriously, Joyce said. The company will work closely with the Public Interest Law Center and its clients to respond to their concerns. We hope this can be resolved amicably and provide a productive framework to move forward in continuing to provide suitable, affordable homes for our residents.

Columbus website mentions its support services for tenants and says an experienced and dedicated in-house maintenance crew provides routine upkeep and repairs, as well as preventative maintenance services. Tenants have access to 24-hour emergency repair services at all properties, according to the website.

Caroline Ramsey, staff attorney at the Public Interest Law Center, said that although plaintiffs named in the lawsuit live in three of Columbus 34 Philadelphia apartment complexes, were confident that there are other buildings [managed by Columbus] in similar condition.

Columbus holds itself out as supporting vulnerable people, and the reality is far different, she said.

The legal nonprofit received its first complaint from a Columbus tenant last July. Law center attorneys said they filed their lawsuit after continuing to be unsatisfied with Columbus responses to complaints. They said Columbus has fixed some of tenants issues because of their investigations but hasnt addressed most complaints.

Tenants say that Columbus has ignored maintenance and repair requests for months or years and that if it does fix problems, it often does so inadequately and without addressing root causes.

Why leaving is difficult

Low-income tenants face more barriers than renters as a whole when it comes to moving out of their homes. Moving can be expensive, including up-front payments landlords require. Besides the expenses associated with moving, finding an affordable new home can be challenging.

Housing vouchers that pay a portion of tenants rent are in short supply. In Philadelphia and nationwide, a shortage of federal funds means that many people who qualify for the assistance cant get it. Tenants who do manage to get rent subsidies face challenges finding housing they can afford, especially if they have disabilities and need accessible homes.

 READ MORE: PHA is offering cash to try to entice landlords to accept tenants using federal housing vouchers (From 2022)

And tenants who use subsidies also encounter landlords who either choose rental applicants who can pay the entire rent themselves or blatantly say they dont rent to voucher holders. That refusal violates Philadelphias law against discrimination based on source of income, and the city and housing advocates have been trying to fight the practice. Philadelphia City Council last week passed a bill that would make it easier for tenants alleging voucher discrimination to sue landlords and property managers.

Also, some housing vouchers are tied to specific properties, as is the case for some Columbus tenants. This means they would have to give up the subsidy if they left.

Tenants complaints

These are some of the conditions alleged by tenants in their lawsuit:

mice and roach infestations leaking toilets broken stoves and dishwashers a lack of security that allows people who arent tenants to enter buildings and live in common areas

On behalf of the tenants, the Public Interest Law Center and Holland & Knight are requesting compensation for tenants out-of-pocket expenses, loss of damaged belongings, emotional distress, rent paid, and legal fees, as well as punitive damages.
Allianz acknowledges the General Insurance Code Governance Committees (CGC) determination CX17036. Following the review of one claim out of the over 31,000 claims we received arising from the February/March 2022 NSW and SE Qld floods, Allianz reviewed a further 46 flood claims. As a result of these reviews, a commercial decision was made to make further payments totalling $217,000 across five claims, it said.
The new unit aims to enhance the Australian insurance industrys capabilities in identifying organised fraud networks and emerging fraud trends. It will help ICA members gather intelligence on organised fraud and enhance their efforts to detect and prevent fraudulent activities. It will also work with government entities to address fraud and scams more effectively.
The ratings were first placed under review with negative implications on June 15, 2023, due to uncertainty surrounding Cowen Res future ownership. AM Best says that it does not expect Cowen Re to be part of The Toronto-Dominion Banks (TD Bank) long-term plans.
James has a phenomenal reputation in Lloyds and the London Market and will be a great fit for our dynamic culture as well as our focus on providing intelligent advice and thoughtful counsel to clients and markets. We continue to grow the depth and breadth of our teams by selecting specific talent to further our focus on clients, markets and colleagues, Bisset said.
Miller has provided us with a great home to achieve our growth ambitions and I look forward to working with Kono-san as we continue to provide the same high-quality advice we are known for in a new area of the market, Suzuki said.
For example, if a carrier likes to write law firms but is less aggressive in certain practice areas, our model captures that through conversations with markets and carrier partners. So, while 15 markets might fit lawyers professional liability, only three might suit intellectual property or patent prosecution. Of those, one might offer the best coverage and pricing.
What I've learned working closely with United Way and our local school leaders is that nonacademic barriers are holding students back. These barriers are a lack of basic needs that we take for granted: food, clothing, personal hygiene and safety, NeCastro said. These are challenges children in our community face every day, and these are the challenges the Community Schools Model is helping to address.
A bill that would require the safe storage of firearms in Rhode Island has been approved by lawmakers and is awaiting the governors signature.

The bill, which won final approval from lawmakers on Thursday, would require all firearms, when not in use by the owner or authorized user, be stored in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock or other safety device properly engaged in order to render the firearm inoperable.

The legislation now heads to Gov. Daniel McKee, who plans to sign the bill Thursday.

Sen. Pamela Lauria, one of the sponsors of the bill, drew parallels to other regulations aimed at protecting children, including insurance mandates for the coverage of pediatric cancer and car seats aimed at protecting children from dying in auto accidents.

But gun violence, not cancer or car collisions, is the leading cause of death for children, and thats unacceptable when we have the tools to decrease its occurrence, Lauria said. This is the seat belt law for responsible gun ownership.

Massachusetts and Connecticut have similar laws.

Under the legislation, unsafe storage of a firearm would be a civil offense punishable by a fine of up to $250 for a first offense and $1,000 for a second. Any subsequent violation would be punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $500.

An analysis released last year by the Pew Research Center found that the number of children and teens killed by gunfire in the United States increased 50% between 2019 and 2021, based on mortality statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Critics of the bill have argued that the bill amounts to infringement on the rights of law-abiding gun owners to defend themselves with a firearm in their homes. Opponents have also said that requiring guns to be stored in a locked container or equipped with a trigger lock could delay their efforts to protect themselves and their families.

Currently, Rhode Island punishes those who leave a firearm where a child can get it, but only if it is loaded and the child causes injury with it. Those convicted face a fine of $1,000 but no jail time.

The bill expands that law so it applies whether or not the gun is loaded and extends it to cover not only children but adults who are prohibited by law from possessing firearms.

Violators would be charged with second-degree criminal firearm storage if a child or prohibited adult were able to gain access to the improperly stored weapon, and face up to a year in prison and up to $1,000 in fines.

If the child or prohibited person caused injury with the firearm, the person responsible for the improper storage of the gun could face a first-degree charge, with up to 5 years in prison and $5,000 in fines.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Gun Liability
The biggest water district in Maine is suing manufacturers of so-called forever chemicals in the hopes of recouping costs of monitoring and treating polluted wastewater.

The Portland Water District lawsuit comes as the cost of the disposal of PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge has doubled from $1.6 million to $3.2 million over the last three years, and Portland has agreed to develop a regional biosolids treatment facility proposal with cost estimates ranging from $150 million to $250 million.

The lawsuit, filed last month in U.S. District Court in South Carolina, targets 18 companies including DuPont, 3M and others that designed, manufactured, marketed, distributed and sold six toxic forever chemicals.

Defendants knew or reasonably should have known that their PFAS compounds would pollute wastewater treatment systems and threaten public health and welfare, the lawsuit said.

In a statement, 3M said it will address PFAS litigation by defending itself in court or through negotiated resolutions. As the science and technology of PFAS, societal and regulatory expectations, and our expectations of ourselves, have evolved, the company said Wednesday.

A spokesperson for DuPont said the company that emerged from a corporate split in 2019 has never produced PFOA or firefighting foam. While we dont comment on pending litigation matters, we believe this complaint is without merit, and we look forward to vigorously defending our record of safety, health and environmental stewardship, the company said.

PFAS is short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are chemicals that can accumulate and persist in the human body for long periods. Evidence indicates that exposure to the chemicals may lead to cancer or other health problems,

The Portland Water District lawsuit focuses on wastewater. The district is already in compliance with strict EPA limits on certain PFAS in drinking water that will require utilities to reduce them to the lowest level they can be reliably measured.

Topics Lawsuits Manufacturing Maine Chemicals
A New Jersey businessman took his star turn on the witness stand in the bribery case against Sen. Bob Menendez on Friday, telling a jury he believed he had a $200,000-to-$250,000 deal in 2018 for the Democrat to pressure the New Jersey attorney generals office to stop investigating his friends and family.

Jose Uribe testified in Manhattan federal court in the afternoon, providing key testimony against Menendez and two other businessmen charged in a conspiracy along with Menendezs wife. Next week, Menendezs lawyers will get to cross-examine the naturalized U.S. citizen.

Next week we get the truth, Menendez said just before stepping into a car that carried him away from Manhattan federal court, where he has been on trial for the last month. Although he generally speaks briefly in Spanish each day leaving court, he made the comment about truth in English.

Uribe, 57, who pleaded guilty to charges in a March cooperation deal, was the star witness for the government in its bid to win a conviction against the senator, who once held the powerful post as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was forced out of it after charges were lodged last fall.

Insurance Agent Pleads Guilty, Will Testify in Bribery Case Against Senator Menendez

Menendez, 70, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he accepted gold bars, cash and a luxury car in return for doing favors for the businessmen. Two businessmen and Menendezs wife, Nadine Menendez, also have pleaded not guilty. Nadine Menendezs trial has been postponed until at least July after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Uribe testified that he was close friends with Wael Hana, who is on trial with Menendez, when Hana told him in early 2018 that New Jersey state criminal investigations swirling around the trucking business of a friend of his and his own insurance business could be largely put to rest if he was willing to spend $200,000 to $250,000.

Uribe said Hana told him that he would go to Nadine Arslanian, who had begun dating Menendez that year, and then Nadine would go to Senator Menendez, although Uribe did not testify about how the couple could resolve multiple investigations.

Uribe said he held a July 13, 2018, political fundraiser for Menendez, which the senator attended, raising $50,000. He said he attended an afterparty with Menendez and Arslanian that included cocktails, along with some laughs, some jokes and some dancing, but there was no mention of the work he expected Menendez to do on his behalf.

It was a crowded and loud place, Uribe said.

He said his confidence that the deal was working faded in the fall when an investigator from the attorney generals office asked to interview his employee.

I was not happy, he said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Pomerantz showed jurors a series of text messages between Uribe and Hana in which Uribe pressed his friend to get the senator to stop the criminal probes.

Please be sure that your friend knows about this, Uribe wrote to Hana in one text.

Pomerantz asked who he was referring to as your friend.

Senator Menendez, Uribe responded. Hana, according to the texts, responded: I will.

Hana arranged for Uribe to have dinner with Menendez and Arslanian at a restaurant in October 2018, but Uribe testified there was no mention of the deal.

Nothing was discussed there of value I will say, Uribe testified. It was a pointless, a pointless meeting.

Uribe said he began communicating directly with Nadine Arslanian in March 2019 and promised that he would buy her a car if she delivered on the deal to get the senator to shut down New Jersey criminal probes.

She agreed to the terms, he said.

When the prosecutor asked Uribe what he understood the terms of the deal to mean, he said he understood that Nadine Arslanian would contact Menendez and get him to use his influence and power to do anything possible to stop and kill the investigations.

On Thursday, former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal testified that Menendez in an early 2019 telephone call and in a September 2019 office meeting tried to talk to him about a criminal probe. Grewal said he followed his policy and refused to do so, telling Menendez to contact defense lawyers so they could reach out to trial-level prosecutors or the judge.

Uribe, of Clifton, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in March, saying during his plea that he gave Nadine Menendez a Mercedes-Benz in return for her husband using his power and influence as a United States senator to get a favorable outcome and to stop all investigations related to one of my associates.

Uribe was accused of buying the luxury car for Nadine Menendez after her previous car was destroyed when she struck and killed a man crossing the street. She did not face criminal charges in connection with that crash.

Menendez is also accused of helping another New Jersey business associate get a lucrative deal with the government of Egypt. Prosecutors allege that in exchange for bribes, Menendez did things that benefited Egypt, including ghostwriting a letter to fellow senators encouraging them to lift a hold on $300 million in aid.

Menendez also has been charged with using his international clout to help a friend get a multimillion-dollar deal with a Qatari investment fund, including by taking actions favorable to Qatars government.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Trucking New Jersey
A person with prior health complications who had contracted bird flu died in Mexico in April and the source of exposure to the virus was unknown, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.

WHO said the current risk of bird flu virus to the general population is low.

The 59-year-old resident of the State of Mexico had been hospitalized in Mexico City and died on April 24 after developing a fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea and general discomfort, WHO said.

Although the source of exposure to the virus in this case is currently unknown, A(H5N2) viruses have been reported in poultry in Mexico, WHO said in a statement.

It was the first laboratory-confirmed human case of infection with an influenza A(H5N2) virus globally and the first avian H5 virus reported in a person in Mexico, according to the WHO.

Scientists said the case is unrelated to the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in the United States that has so far infected three dairy farm workers.

Mexicos Health Ministry also said in a statement the source of infection had not been identified.

The victim had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals but had multiple underlying medical conditions and had been bedridden for three weeks, for other reasons, prior to the onset of acute symptoms, the WHO said.

Mexicos health ministry said the person had chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.

That immediately puts a person at risk of more severe influenza, even with seasonal flu, said Andrew Pekosz, an influenza expert at Johns Hopkins University.

But how this individual got infected is a big question mark that at least this initial report doesnt really address thoroughly.

In March, Mexicos government reported an outbreak of A(H5N2) in an isolated family unit in the countrys western Michoacan state. The government said the cases did not represent a risk to distant commercial farms, nor to human health.

After the April death, Mexican authorities confirmed the presence of the virus and reported the case to the WHO, the agency said.

Mexicos Health Ministry said there was no evidence of person-to-person transmission in the case and farms near the victims home were monitored.

Other people in contact with the person tested negative for bird flu, the health ministry and the WHO said.

Bird flu has infected mammals such as seals, raccoons, bears and cattle, primarily due to contact with infected birds.

Scientists are on alert for changes in the virus that could signal it is adapting to spread more easily among humans.

The United States has reported three cases of H5N1 human infection after exposure to cows since an outbreak was detected in dairy cattle in March. Two had symptoms of conjunctivitis, while the third also had respiratory symptoms.

Although the death in Mexico was not the same strain as the one that is currently infecting cattle in the United States, they are both H5 avian viruses.

Pekosz said that since 1997, H5 viruses have continuously shown a propensity to infect mammals more than any other avian influenza virus.

So it continues to ring that warning bell that we should be very vigilant about monitoring for these infections, because every spillover is an opportunity for that virus to try to accumulate those mutations that make it better infect humans, Pekosz said.

Australia reported its first human case of A(H5N1) infection in May, noting there were no signs of transmission. It has however found more poultry cases of H7 bird flu on farms in Victoria state.

(Reporting by Urvi Dugar and Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru, Ana Isabel Martinez and Sarah Morland in Mexico City; writing by Caroline Stauffer; editing by Richard Chang, Bill Berkrot and Lisa Shumaker)

Topics Mexico
A former Allianz fund manager pleaded guilty on Friday over his role in a meltdown of private investment funds sparked by the pandemic that caused an estimated $7 billion of investor losses.

Gregoire Tournant, 57, of Basalt, Colorado, admitted to two counts of investment adviser fraud at a hearing before Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain of the federal court in Manhattan.

He faces up to 10 years in prison at his Oct. 16 sentencing. Tournant also agreed to give up $17.5 million in ill-gotten gains, including bonuses that were inflated by his fraud.

The case stemmed from the March 2020 collapse of the German insurers now-defunct Structured Alpha funds, which Tournant had created and oversaw as chief investment officer.

In May 2022, Allianz agreed to pay more than $6 billion and its U.S. asset management unit pleaded guilty to securities fraud to resolve government probes into the collapse. Two other former Allianz fund managers pleaded guilty at the time.

The Structured Alpha funds had bet heavily on stock options, in a manner designed to limit losses in a market selloff, which Tournant likened to a form of insurance.

Prosecutors said Tournant misled investors about the funds risks by altering performance data and diverging from his promised hedging strategy, and obstructed a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission probe by directing a colleague to lie.

The funds once had more than $11 billion of assets under management, but lost about $7 billion in February and March 2020 as the start of the pandemic set off a worldwide market panic.

Before pleading guilty, Tournant admitted to providing deceptive information to investors.

I knew this conduct was wrongful, Tournant told the judge.

Prosecutors said the fraud ran from 2014 through March 2020, with Tournant being paid more than $60 million over that time.

Tournant previously pleaded not guilty to five criminal counts including investment adviser fraud, securities fraud, conspiracy and obstruction.

He had also accused the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, which had represented him and Allianz, of making him a scapegoat after Allianz decided to cooperate with federal prosecutors.

Swain rejected Tournants request to dismiss the criminal case last August.

The case is U.S. v. Tournant, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 22-cr-00276.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; additional reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; editing by Bill Berkrot and Rod Nickel)

Related:

Topics New York Fraud Allianz
This edition of International People details appointments at AXA XL and Lockton Re.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

AXA XL Promotes Pearman to New Role of Chief Underwriting Officer, Bermuda

As part of its recently announced insurance underwriting operations reorganization in the Americas, AXA XL has appointed Noel Pearman to the new role of chief underwriting officer, Bermuda.

Pearman, who reports to Donna Nadeau, AXA XLs insurance head of Large Commercial, Americas, is responsible for leading the Bermuda insurance business, developing and executing the underwriting and distribution strategy, while collaborating with the other Americas underwriting business leaders.

With more than 20 years of industry experience, Pearman brings to the new role a combination of direct portfolio management expertise, technical underwriting acumen, and proven leadership, the company said in a statement.

Prior to taking on the new role, Pearman was SVP, cyber product line leader at AXA XL, where he built the Bermuda market cyber liability business, oversaw cyber exposure across all product lines (including property and casualty), and was a frequent international conference speaker and organizer.

Within AXA XL, he has been a member of the Rising Leaders 2022 Cohort, the Americas CUO Extended Leadership Team 2022 Cohort, and the 2023-2024 Leadership Team Advisory Council.

In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities at AXA XL, Pearman co-chairs the Association for Corporate Racial Equity (ACRE) which works to advance racial equity in Bermudas International Business sector. He is also a global executive sponsor of AXA XLs Rise Business Resource Group, which focuses on developing employees from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

Pearman is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, UK (Territorial Army Commissioning Course) and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree (Hons.) in Economics from Western University in Canada. He also holds a Registered Professional Liability Underwriter designation.

***

Lockton Re Taps Former Aon Execs for Marine & Energy Division, Lloyds Capital Unit

Lockton Re, the reinsurance business of the worlds largest privately held independent insurance broker, announced two senior appointments: James Mackay as head of Lloyds Capital and Andy Wakefield as a senior broker in the Marine & Energy division.

As head of Lloyds Capital  a new role for Lockton Re  Mackay joins from Aon where he was head of Lloyds Relationships and also an executive director of Aon Securities. He brings over 30 years of market experience having started his career at Argenta Private Capital and then moving to Argenta Holdings as business development director. He is based in London.

Wakefield will be joining as a senior broker in the Marine & Energy division later this year and will be based in London. He has been a marine and energy reinsurance broker for 34 years, most recently at Aon Reinsurance where he sat on the Marine Executive committee and drove new business production.

Wakefield started his career at Tysers and has also spent time at Benfield, and subsequently at Aon Benfield, as well as spending time at Willis Re.

Topics Excess Surplus Lloyd's Aon AXA XL
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A jury convicted five Minnesota residents and acquitted two others on Friday for their roles in a scheme to steal more than $40 million from a program that was supposed to feed children during the coronavirus pandemic. The case received widespread attention after someone tried to bribe a juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash.

That juror was dismissed before deliberations began, and a second juror who was told about it also was dismissed. An FBI investigation of the attempted bribe continues, with no arrests announced.

After the verdicts were read, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson called the attempted bribe an attack on our criminal justice system and told reporters that authorities would investigate with all of their resources. He made no other comment on that issue, and expressed satisfaction at the convictions in the fraud case.

They lied and they fraudulently claimed to be feeding millions of meals to children in Minnesota during COVID. The defendants took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to defraud the state of Minnesota and to steal tens of millions of dollars, Thompson said. This conduct was not just criminal, it was depraved and brazen.

Defense attorneys argued at trial that their clients provided real meals to real people.

The seven people were the first of 70 to stand trial in what federal prosecutors have called one of the nations largest COVID-19-related frauds, exploiting rules that were kept lax so that the economy wouldnt crash during the pandemic. More than $250 million in federal funds was taken in the Minnesota scheme overall, with only about $50 million of it recovered, authorities said.

The food aid came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was administered by the state, which funneled the meal money through nonprofit organizations and other partners. As rules were eased to speed support to the needy, the defendants allegedly produced invoices for meals never served, ran shell companies, laundered money, indulged in passport fraud and accepted kickbacks.

Federal prosecutors said just a fraction of the money the defendants received through the Feeding our Future nonprofit went to feed low-income kids, while the rest was spent on luxury cars, jewelry, travel and property.

The defendants in this trial faced a mix of multiple counts including conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and federal programs bribery. Each defendant was charged based on their alleged role, and each had their own attorney. In the end, the jurors delivered a split verdict.

Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, Mohamed Jama Ismail, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff and Hayat Mohamed Nur were found guilty on most of the counts against them. Prosecutors have described Abdiaziz Farah as a ringleader of the seven and faced the most counts; he was convicted on 23 of 24 counts against him.

Said Shafii Farah and Abdiwahab Maalim Aftin were acquitted on all counts they faced. Aftin was charged with three counts, the least of all seven defendants.

Andrew Garvis, an attorney for Aftin, said afterward that the case was complex.

The government had a lot of evidence, and the jury took their time in consideration, Garvis said. Thats what we want in the system, so we appreciate it.

Steven Schleicher, Said Farahs attorney, said his client is grateful to have been acquitted.

Attorneys for Abdimajid Nur, Hayat Nur, Abdiaziz Farah and Ismail did not immediately respond to phone messages seeking comment. Frederick Goetz, an attorney for Shariff, declined to comment.

The common thread in the defense arguments was that investigators failed to dig deep enough to see they served real meals to real kids.

Sentencing hearings will be scheduled at a later date.

An Associated Press analysis published last June documented how thieves across the country plundered billions in federal COVID-19 relief dollars. Fraudsters potentially stole more than $280 billion, while another $123 billion was wasted or misspent. Combined, the loss represented 10% of the $4.3 trillion the government disbursed by last fall. Nearly 3,200 people have been charged and about $1.4 billion in stolen pandemic aid has been seized, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

After the juror reported the bribe attempt in the Minnesota case, the judge ordered all seven defendants to surrender their cellphones so that investigators could look for evidence. She also ordered all seven taken into custody, and sequestered the jury.

According to an FBI agents affidavit, a woman rang the doorbell at the home of Juror #52 in the Minneapolis suburb of Spring Lake Park the night before the case went to the jury. A relative answered the door and was handed a gift bag with a curly ribbon and images of flowers and butterflies. The woman said it was a present for the juror.

The woman told the relative to tell Juror #52 to say not guilty tomorrow and there would be more of that present tomorrow, the agent wrote. After the woman left, the relative looked in the gift bag and saw it contained a substantial amount of cash.

The juror called police right after she got home and gave them the bag, which held stacks of $100, $50 and $20 bills totaling around $120,000.

The woman who left the bag knew the jurors first name, the agent said. Names of the jurors have not been made public, but the list of people with access to it included prosecutors, defense lawyers  and the seven defendants.

It is highly likely that someone with access to the jurors personal information was conspiring with, at a minimum, the woman who delivered the $120,000 bribe, the FBI agent wrote, noting that the alleged fraud conspiracy at the heart of the trial involved electronic communications, including text messages and emails.

Days later, while the remaining jurors were deliberating, FBI agents searched the home of Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, according to a neighbor who witnessed the search and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of safety concerns. The FBI confirmed agents were in the city where Farah lives, but did not elaborate. It was not clear if the search was connected to the bribery investigation.

Federal charges of bribery of a juror and influencing a juror carry a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison.

Eighteen other people pleaded guilty in the larger $250 million fraud scheme. Among those awaiting trial is Aimee Bock, the founder of Feeding our Future. She has maintained her innocence, saying she never stole and saw no evidence of fraud among her subcontractors.

Topics Fraud Minnesota
A court-appointed panel on Friday recommended how to divvy up a pool of $2.13 billion in legal fees from nationwide drug industry settlements over the U.S. opioid crisis, with top firms set to receive hundreds of millions of dollars.

The panel gave national firm Motley Rice the largest share, with 18.6% of the funds, or $396 million. Other firms with large shares include New York-based Simmons Hanly Conroy, with 11.4%, or $244 million; California-based Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd, with 8.2%, or $174 million; and California-based Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, with 5.65%, or $120 million.

The $2.13 billion fee pool comes out of settlements totaling more than $46 billion that drugmakers, distributors and pharmacies have reached to resolve lawsuit by local and Native American tribal governments accusing them of fueling an epidemic of opioid addiction.

The money was set aside as a so-called common benefit fund, to compensate law firms for work they did that benefited all of the plaintiffs in the litigation.

U.S. District Judge Dan Polster, who has overseen the sprawling opioid litigation since 2017, also ruled Friday that firms have until June 21 to appeal the panels recommendations before they become final.

The fees stem from settlements with drugmakers Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries; distributors Cencora, McKesson and Cardinal Health; and pharmacies CVS, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Walmart.

They do not include a settlement of up to $6 billion with bankrupt OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, which is funded by that companys Sackler family owners in exchange for a shield from future lawsuits. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently weighing whether that settlement is legal.

Opioid settlements, including both the nationwide deals and separate agreements negotiated by individual states, now total well over $50 billion. However, many state and local governments have yet to develop detailed plans for how they will spend the money to remedy the harms caused by opioids.

More than 800,000 people died of opioid overdoses from 1999 through 2023, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Plaintiffs in the lawsuits say that drugmakers downplayed the drugs risks, and distributors and pharmacies ignored red flags that they were being diverted into illegal channels.

Topics Lawsuits USA
Elon Musk and his companies are embroiled in dozens of lawsuits, ranging from fatal crashes blamed on Tesla Inc.s Autopilot system to civil rights complaints over the treatment of employees.

Teslas board and Musk were hit Thursday with another suit over his $55.8 billion pay package that a judge voided in January  ahead of a June 13 shareholder proxy vote on whether the company should resurrect it.

Musk, who has a history of sparring with regulators, also faces government investigations into his companies that could result in more lawsuits or even criminal prosecutions.

Bloomberg News has identified more than half a dozen ongoing legal fights in which Musk is a defendant or a plaintiff, as well as about a dozen others involving his companies. Heres a breakdown of the major legal battles faced by the worlds third-richest person and his companies:

TESLA INC.

Autopilot Crashes, California and Florida state and federal courts

The electric-car maker faces at least half a dozen wrongful death claims over fatal crashes blamed on its Autopilot driver-assistance system.

At stake: A finding that Tesla is culpable for deaths would imperil Musks quest to lead the way for fully self-driving cars to cruise down busy city streets and freeways.

Race Discrimination, California state and federal courts

Tesla faces multiple suits over allegations of racism on its production floor filed by workers, Californias civil rights department and the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

At stake: The automaker could have to pay damages and foster a more inclusive environment.

Pay Package, Delaware Chancery Court

Musk is poised to appeal a judges decision voiding his Tesla pay package as excessive, while Tesla plans to ask shareholders at the companys June 13 annual meeting to ratify the same compensation plan approved six years ago. A new suit alleges Musk is trying to strong-arm shareholders into resurrecting the record-setting pay package through a proxy vote.

At stake: Musk has suggested the largest-ever executive pay package is necessary for him to have the right amount of voting influence at Tesla, so he can grow it to be a leader in artificial intelligence and robotics.

Anti-Union Tweet, federal appeals court in New Orleans

A 17-judge panel is reviewing a finding by the National Labor Relations Board that Musk illegally threatened workers with the loss of benefits if they unionized.

At stake: A ruling condemning the CEOs commentary on social media would be a comeuppance for Musk and a morale boost for labor activists who are trying to organize Tesla workers.

Drug Use, Delaware Chancery Court

A shareholder suit alleges that Musks use of illicit recreational drugs threatens Teslas business, including by apparently influencing his sometimes erratic behavior online.

At stake: The lawsuit seeks closer supervision of Musks social media posts about Tesla, which are already supposed to be vetted under an agreement he reached in 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission and unsuccessfully challenged all the way to the US Supreme Court.

False Advertising, California federal courts

Tesla faces numerous lawsuits claiming misrepresentations to consumers, including that the company inflated how far its electric vehicles drive on a charge and over-hyped their driving-assistance capabilities.

At stake: The lawsuits take aim at features Tesla promotes to distinguish itself from competitors and are core to the companys market value.

JPMorgan Stock Warrants, New York federal court

JPMorgan sued Tesla seeking a $162 million payment related to a series of stock warrant transactions dating back to 2014, and Tesla later countersued the bank.

At stake: If the case goes to trial, Musks infamous 2018 tweet about taking Tesla private that is central to the dispute will once again haunt the company.

Insider Sale of $7.5 Billion in Stock, Delaware Chancery Court

A Tesla shareholder alleges Musk had inside knowledge of a miss on production and delivery numbers that the company was facing when he sold more than $7.5 billion in stock in 2022 to help pay for his acquisition of Twitter Inc.

At stake: The investor wants Musk to be ordered return the profit from his allegedly improper trading to the company.

X CORP.

Employee Pay, California state and federal courts

X Corp., formerly Twitter, has been accused in multiple suits of labor and workplace violations in the wake of mass layoffs after Musks 2022 acquisition, including reneging on promises to pay severance to executives and thousands of workers.

At stake: Collectively, the lawsuits seek hundreds of millions of dollars in back pay.

Unpaid Bills, California state courts

X has been accused in multiple suits of failing to pay vendors and landlords after Musk took over the company and set about cutting operating costs.

At stake: Collectively, the complaints cite millions of dollars of unpaid expenses.

Twitter Takeover, California federal court

Musk faces an investor lawsuit claiming he fueled uncertainty about his proposed buyout in an effort to drive down the platforms stock price.

At stake: The investors seek unspecified damages over stock value losses.

Content Moderation, California federal court

X has sued non-profits that have issued reports criticizing toxic posts on the platform and faulting the company for lax content moderation.

At stake: X already lost one suit, but if it can prove its claim in the other case that a series of published articles are false and malicious attacks aimed at driving advertisers away, Musks company could win monetary damages.

SPACEX CORP.

Retaliatory Firings, California

SpaceX was accused by the NLRB of illegally firing eight employees over an internal letter sharply critical of Musk.

At stake: The company could be forced to reinstate the workers or provide back pay, but the US labor board generally cant hold executives personally liable for alleged wrongdoing or issue any punitive damages.

US Labor Board, California federal court

SpaceX sued the NLRB to have the agencys structure for in-house administrative proceedings declared unconstitutional after the board filed its complaint over fired SpaceX employees.

At stake: A victory for SpaceX could hobble the authority of the federal labor rights watchdog.

Gender Discrimination, California state court

SpaceX faces multiple gender-discrimination suits, including allegations that female employees are underpaid relative to men and subject to sexual harassment.

At stake: A loss for the company would hurt its reputation and might discourage talented female engineers and managers from seeking employment.

Wildlife Area Launchpad, DC federal court

SpaceXs use of a rocket launchpad neighboring a Texas wildlife refuge drew a lawsuit from environmental groups over how the site won approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.

At stake: The environmental scrutiny could delay future licensing for the company.

MISCELLANEOUS

Musk v. OpenAI, California state court

Musk is suing OpenAI and its Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman for allegedly putting profit ahead of humanity in violation of the startups founding mission.

At stake: A win for Musk would have implications for OpenAI, which is in talks to raise funds at a valuation of $100 billion or more, and for Microsoft Corp., which has invested about $13 billion in OpenAI.

Fired Disney Actor, California federal court

Musk is funding a lawsuit against Walt Disney Co. by The Mandalorian actor Gina Carano over controversial statements she posted on X.

At stake: As a free-speech absolutist, Musk has promised to pay legal fees for people fired from jobs for statements they made on the platform.

False Flag Defamation, Texas state court

Musk faces a defamation suit for allegedly promoting a conspiracy theory that falsely identified a California Jewish man as involved in a scheme to discredit right-wing groups by posing as a neo-Nazi street brawler.

At stake: Ben Brody, who filed the lawsuit, is seeking at least $1 million in damages.

Dogecoin Cryptocurrency, New York federal court

Musk, SpaceX and Tesla were sued for allegedly participating in a racketeering scheme to inflate the price of the cryptocurrency Dogecoin.

At stake: The lawsuit initially included a claim for $258 billion in damages, but an amended complaint removed any specific figure.

GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIONS

Tesla Self-Driving

The Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission launched investigations in 2021 and 2022 about whether Tesla made misleading claims about its vehicles purported self-driving capabilities.

At stake: The probes could result in a regulatory enforcement action or criminal charges against Tesla.

Glass House

The SEC and Justice Department last year started investigating whether Tesla improperly used company funds to build a glass house in Texas and whether Musk was involved, the Wall Street Journal reported.

At stake: The probes could result in a regulatory enforcement action over securities law violations or criminal charges against Tesla.

Twitter Stock Purchases

The SEC is seeking information about Musks 2022 purchases of Twitter stock and statements he made about his investments ahead of his $44 billion purchase of the social media platform.

At stake: The probe could lead to an enforcement action over securities law violations and possible fines for Musk.

X Privacy

The US Federal Trade Commission is monitoring X over its compliance with a May 2022 settlement over data privacy practices reached prior to Musks takeover.

At stake: Violations of the settlement could lead to millions of dollars in fines or even criminal charges against individuals.

Photo: Photographer: Marlena Sloss/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics California Texas
Meta Platforms Inc. and other social media companies won the dismissal of novel claims in hundreds of lawsuits brought by school districts seeking to recover costs for addressing the negative impacts of students social media use.

A California state judge sided Friday with Meta, Snap Inc., TikTok Inc. and Google LLC in throwing out the districts allegations that social media has increased the cost of education because it makes students more distracted and disruptive, driving up the need for classroom discipline, employee training and communication with parents.

The cases are among hundreds in state and federal court alleging that social media platforms are designed to be addictive and are dangerous for youths.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn Kuhl wrote that there must be limits on liability  otherwise any company could be held responsible when emotional harm it inflicts on individuals then causes those individuals to act out.

A restaurateur who negligently sold a diner spoiled food would be liable to the person who was later struck by the diners car, given that the diners poor driving may have resulted from suffering under the effects of food poisoning, Kuhl said in her ruling.

The school districts alleged that the companies engineered their platforms to hook young users using algorithms and features such as the like button, in ways that hurt society  akin to cigarette manufacturers that designed their products to be addictive. They also alleged that they spent significant resources dealing with the fallout from social media, including from challenges circulated on the platforms that allegedly encouraged students to damage school property.

The social media companies countered that they couldnt be held responsible for content posted by third parties.

We believe the court made the right decision in this ruling, Meta said in a statement. Meta is committed to supporting young people and their families, and we will continue to defend against all cases claiming otherwise.

Representatives of Google, TikTok, and Snap didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

As of May 9 the cases pending before Kuhl in a so-called Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding included 617 school district plaintiffs from 34 states, according to a court filing. Kuhl heard arguments last month from four school districts acting as test plaintiffs to present the claims common to the broader litigation.

The school district plaintiffs are disappointed with the courts decision and are evaluating all appellate options, according to a statement issued by lead lawyers for the districts. Nevertheless, this decision impacts a limited number of school plaintiffs in the JCCP, and counsel will continue to vigorously litigate claims on behalf of school districts with active cases in the JCCP.

The school districts already faced steep odds using the public nuisance legal theory that they successfully employed against vape pen sellers because the districts dont themselves experience social media addiction, nor does the addiction physically injure them, Kuhl wrote.

Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, the federal liability shield protecting online publishers from content-based lawsuits, is too powerful to allow the novel twist on common law to proceed, she reasoned.

Expanding the public nuisance theory to let school districts sue despite being indirectly affected by the negative consequences of social media for youth would create a broad web of indeterminate liability that the common law has heretofore refused to impose, Kuhl wrote.

A federal judge in Oakland overseeing hundreds of other cases recently held a hearing on the same issues and is expected to rule soon.

The Los Angeles and Oakland judges are also overseeing personal injury suits by youths and families alleging that the social media companies are responsible for causing widespread psychological distress and even suicides. The judges have allowed some claims to proceed against the companies while dismissing others. The companies have denied wrongdoing, saying theyve taken steps to keep young users safe on the platforms.

The state case is Social Media Cases JCCP 22STCV21355, California Superior Court, County of Los Angeles.

Photo: Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Claims Liability K-12 Education
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a bid by Metas Facebook to scuttle a private securities fraud lawsuit accusing the social media platform of misleading investors in 2017 and 2018 about the misuse of its user data by the company and third parties.

The justices took up Facebooks appeal of a lower courts decision allowing a shareholder lawsuit brought in California and led by Amalgamated Bank to proceed. The court will hear the case in its next term, which begins in October.

The plaintiffs filed a class action lawsuit in 2018 after Facebooks stock fell following media reports that the British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica had used improperly harvested Facebook user data in connection with Donald Trumps successful presidential campaign in 2016. The Cambridge Analytica breach exposed the data of as many as 87 million users.

Related: Lawsuits Against Facebook Pile Up Over Cambridge Analytica Scandal

The plaintiffs amended their lawsuit in 2018 to add a second stock decline that year on reports that Facebook had shared data with dozens of third parties without the express consent of users. The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages.

The plaintiffs accused Facebook and top company officials of violating the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by making false and misleading statements in 2017 and 2018, including that user data could be compromised when the company was aware in 2015 that Cambridge Analytica had violated its privacy policies.

U.S. District Judge Edward Davila dismissed the lawsuit by the shareholders in 2021 but the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 ruling restored their claims.

The problem is that Facebook represented the risk of improper access to or disclosure of Facebook user data as purely hypothetical when that exact risk had already transpired, Judge Margaret McKeown wrote in the 9th Circuit decision.

Facebook urged the justices to take up its appeal, arguing that the 9th Circuits ruling would force public companies to inform investors of past incidents that pose no known threat to the business.

The Cambridge Analytica data breach fueled government investigations into Facebooks privacy practices, lawsuits and a U.S. congressional hearing where Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg was grilled by lawmakers.

Facebook paid more than $5 billion in penalties to U.S. authorities over the Cambridge Analytica scandal and paid $725 million to settle a separate class action lawsuit by Facebook users.

Topics Lawsuits USA
Austin residents can now receive up to a 25% discount on their flood insurance thanks to the citys upgraded Community Rating System score from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Last month, FEMA notified the City of Austin that it was upgrading its score from a six to a five. The new score means a 25% discount will be available for most Austin flood insurance policies issued or renewed on or after October 1, 2024. Previously, the highest discount available to Austin residents was 20%.

According to FEMA, the new flood insurance discounts are a tangible result of Austins flood mitigation activities, which can include floodplain mapping, preserving open space, stormwater management and higher regulatory standards.

FEMA requires communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program to adopt and enforce minimum floodplain regulations. The Community Rating System was introduced in 1990 to recognize and encourage communities to go above and beyond the minimum standards.

The average annual flood insurance premium in Austin is $670. Approximately 8,000 flood insurance policies are currently in effect in the city, providing coverage for $1.95 billion in potential losses. Flooding is not covered by homeowners or renters insurance.

Austin is particularly vulnerable to flooding because the city is in the middle of a flash flood alley.

Topics Flood
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  Months after Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis appointees agreed to end a protracted legal fight, the two sides are set to approve an agreement that could result in the company investing up to $17 billion into its Florida resort and opens the door to a fifth major theme park at Walt Disney World.

The five DeSantis-appointed supervisors who oversee the Disney World district voted Wednesday to give initial approval to a new development agreement that both sides had agreed to negotiate after a March settlement ended their state court lawsuits against each other.

A second vote was required for final approval, and that was set for next week.

We are heading towards a brand new day, and Im excited about where this is going, said Charbel Barakat, vice chair of the districts board. I only wish we could have gotten here sooner.

Woody Rodriguez, director of external affairs for the Disney parks, told board members that the agreement will allow the company to make substantial investments in Disney World.

The agreement between Disney and the Central Florida Tourism and Oversight District would last for the next 15 years. The district provides municipal services such as firefighting, planning and mosquito control, among other things. It was controlled by Disney supporters for most of its five decades until it was taken over by the DeSantis appointees last year.

Under the deals terms, during the next decade or two, Disney would be approved to build a fifth major theme park at Disney World and two more minor parks, such as water parks. The company could raise the number of hotel rooms on its property from almost 40,000 rooms to more than 53,000 rooms and increase the amount of retail and restaurant space by more than 20%. Disney would retain control of building heights due to its need to maintain an immersive environment.

In exchange, Disney would be required to donate up to 100 acres (40 hectares) of Disney Worlds 24,000 acres (9,700 hectares) for the construction of infrastructure projects controlled by the district. The company also would need to award at least half of its construction projects to companies based in Florida and spend at least $10 million on affordable housing for central Florida.

The settlement in March ended almost two years of litigation that was sparked by DeSantis takeover of the district from Disney supporters following the companys opposition to a Florida law critics dubbed Dont Say Gay.

The 2022 law bans classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades and was championed by the Republican governor, who used Disney as a punching bag in speeches until he suspended his presidential campaign this year.

As punishment for Disneys opposition to the controversial law, DeSantis took over the governing district through legislation passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature and appointed a new board of supervisors. Disney sued DeSantis and his appointees, claiming the companys free speech rights were violated for speaking out against the legislation. A federal judge dismissed that lawsuit in January, but Disney appealed. As part of the March settlement, Disney agreed to put on hold the appeal of the federal lawsuit.

Before control of the district changed hands from Disney allies to DeSantis appointees early last year, the Disney supporters on its board signed agreements with Disney shifting control over design and construction at Disney World to the company. The new DeSantis appointees claimed the eleventh-hour deals neutered their powers and the district sued the company in state court in Orlando to have the contracts voided.

Disney filed counterclaims that included asking the state court to declare the agreements valid and enforceable. Those state court lawsuits were dismissed as part of the March settlement.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Florida
The South Carolina Department of Insurance is again requesting carrier data on the health of liability insurance markets in the state.

As you are aware, South Carolina and other states have seen liability markets harden significantly over the past several years, reads a bulletin posted Friday by the department. Consequently, some insurers are not writing liability insurance products for certain lines.

The data call, with data due Aug. 9, was required by state lawmakers. The information gleaned from it should help determine why the state has seen liability insurance affordability and availability issues; will help regulators compare South Carolina liability markets and regulatory requirements with those of other Southeastern states; and should lead to new legislative recommendations, the bulletin said.

Some in the industry may wonder why more data is needed. Business owners and insurance agents have complained for years about the state of the liability market, and lawmakers have heard testimony about it. A 2023 DOI report, also required by legislation, examined insurer data and found that the liquor liability market in the state is extremely unprofitable. A number of eating and drinking establishments, including a country music venue that had operated for 29 years, have closed recently due to the cost of liquor liability coverage.

Lawmakers debated several bills designed to address the crisis, but none passed this year.

The new data should be sent to DOI via email to Pcmail@doi.sc.gov using an Excel spreadsheet form available here. For companies that have multiple insurers within a holding company group, it will not be necessary to complete an Excel spreadsheet for each insurer, the department said. Instead, the holding company group should aggregate the information into one Excel spreadsheet and provide a list of those insurers within the group for which information is being aggregated.

The data includes policy counts, claims, losses incurred, premiums earned and other info for liquor, cyber, foster home and commercial auto, along with a sample liquor liability premium for a restaurant and a pub. The information will be kept confidential, DOI noted.

Photo: Charleston, South Carolina, a major tourist destination.

Related: TransRe CEO Warns a Liability Reinsurance Crisis Could be Coming

Topics Liability South Carolina
June 10, 2024  Axis Insurance Managers Inc. (Axis Insurance or the Company), a leading independent specialty insurance brokerage, is pleased to announce that it has received a significant growth investment from funds managed by Lee Equity Partners, LLC (Lee Equity), a growth oriented middle market investment firm specializing in investments in the financial services and healthcare industries.

The partnership with Lee Equity strategically positions Axis Insurance for long-term success and growth and complements the Companys existing shareholder base. As part of the transaction, Axis Insurance founder and CEO, Alex Meier, retained the majority of his equity stake in the Company.

Our team is excited to partner with a seasoned financial services investor with a deep understanding of the insurance industry stated Alex Meier, Axis Insurance President & CEO. We have made great strides in building out an exceptional national business. The investment partnership with Lee Equity will provide an incredible opportunity to accelerate our growth and vision to be best-in-class in every category of our industry.

Axis Insurance is an emerging leader in specialty commercial insurance with an impressive track record of growth. Theres great potential for the Company to become a leading, national broker in the Canadian market, said Mark Mauceri, Partner, Lee Equity. We have been highly impressed with the thoughtful approach Axis Insurance has taken to building a market leading business, and we are excited to partner with Alex and the Axis leadership team to capitalize on the many opportunities ahead, added Mark Gormley, Partner, Lee Equity.

Lee Equity and its principals have a long track record of investing in the insurance sector, including investments in Captive Resources, McLarens, K2 Insurance, Simplicity Group, and Universal American, amongst others.

Smythe LLP served as financial and tax advisor to Axis Insurance on this transaction. Lawson Lundell LLP acted as legal counsel to Axis Insurance. Piper Sandler & Co. served as financial advisor to Lee Equity. Stikeman Elliott LLP acted as legal counsel to Lee Equity.

About Axis Insurance Managers Inc.

Axis Insurance provides local, national, and international clients with risk management and insurance services with a focus on specialized risks. Axis Insurance professionals analyze complex business and personal risks to provide advice and solutions to mitigate, reduce or transfer those risks. With roots dating back to 1928, over 300 employees and offices throughout Canada, the Company is one of the fastest growing and largest independent brokerages in the country. For more information, please visit www.axisinsurance.ca

About Lee Equity Partners, LLC

Lee Equity Partners, LLC is a middle-market private equity firm that partners with businesses in the financial and healthcare services sectors. Over nearly two decades the firm has utilized its thematic based investment strategy and deep sector knowledge to identify and partner with talented management teams to accelerate growth and build market leading businesses. Additional information is available at www.leeequity.com

Media Inquiries:

Dane Gorton

Director, Business Development & Marketing

Axis Insurance

604.731.5328

dane.gorton@axisinsurance.ca
Cork's multi-award-winning seafood restaurant Goldie played host to an exclusive VIP dining event to mark the unveiling of the Examiner Eats Club.

Some 40 lucky Irish Examiner subscribers gathered in the critically acclaimed restaurant on Cork's Oliver Plunkett Street for a delicious multi-course meal served up by chef and co-proprietor Aishling Moore, the Irish Examiner's brand new food columnist, who was recently crowned Ireland's best chef.

The Irish Examiner's food writing team was also in attendance at the meal. During a pre-dinner drinks reception, food editor Jillian Bolger introduced Moore and the team, including wine writer Leslie Williams and this writer, to the dining audience before Moore began serving up a sumptuous seafood feast with wine pairings also available.

Irish Examiner wine columnist Leslie Williams with chef and food columnist Aishling Moore at the inaugural Examiner Eats Club at Goldie restaurant on Sunday. Picture: Chani Anderson

With sustainability at the core of Goldies marine offering, Moore, who sources her fish and shellfish only from local fishing boats and producers, dished up a magnificent feast, with snacks including her now iconic langoustine cocktail potato crisps, Taiwanese fish nuggets.

That was followed by small plates of cured turbot with beetroot ponzu and West Cork wasabi, and monkfish cheek sope before attentions turned to the main courses of brill, and hake.

Hake was one of the main courses served at Goldie restaurant during the inaugural Examiner Eats Club. Picture: Chani Anderson

To round off the sumptuous feast, there were desserts including a stunning Toonsbridge ricotta cheesecake, with strawberry and elderflower.

Guests were also treated to a packed goody bag including a specially-commissioned Irish Examiner x Badly Drawn Books notebook and pen, along with copies of the ieFood Magazine and the Irish Examiners Weekend magazine, which Moores debut column.

Chef Aishling Moore at the inaugural Examiner Eat Club event which was launched in Goldie restaurant. Cork, on Sunday. Picture: Chani Anderson

Moore is also the author of recently launched Whole Catch, published by Blasta Books, which showcases her sustainable gill-to-tail fish cooking recipes and ethos.

And, even though her cooking often features less familiar fish and uses the entire fish with zero waste, she intends to use her new Irish Examiner column as a gentle and more easily negotiated introduction to the world of seafood cooking for novice fish folk.

The team at Goldie plate up the main courses for the Examiner Eats Club. Picture: Chani Anderson

Also in attendance on the night from the Irish Examiner were features editor Vickie Maye, head of marketing Lisa Coughlan, and head of subscriptions Clare Hough.

The Examiner Eats Club is a new exclusive series of dining events solely open to Irish Examiner subscribers who are offered the opportunity to purchase tickets on a first come, first served basis for the chance to dine in some of Irelands finest restaurants, while getting all the inside scoop from the Irish Examiner food writing team, before heading home with some very special gifts.
Enda Walsh is no stranger to confined settings, with much of his acclaimed theatrical work, from The Walworth Farce to Ballyturk, unfolding in claustrophobic and enclosed spaces.

However, his latest work takes intimacy to the extreme, with just one actor performing to one audience member. Walsh is one of the writers featured in Theatre for One at Cork Midsummer Festival, presented by Landmark Productions and Octopus Theatricals.

A big hit with audiences when it premiered at the festival in 2019, it returns this year with 12 specially commissioned five-minute pieces performed in a confessional-style booth located outside Cork Opera House. This time around, the six original writers from 2019 return along with six new writers they have mentored; Walsh is working with Joy Nesbitt. While any new writer would no doubt be delighted to benefit from Walshs expertise, for him, it is a two-way process.

I find that it is great for me  it is really interesting to figure out why a writer writes the way they write, what their point of view is. Learning someones process, how they think and see the world and the words they choose to tell their story is always interesting, he says.

What one piece of advice would he give an aspiring dramatist?

Probably to hold on to your instinct, to really try and communicate that, dont always be so neutral about everything. People are very complicated. The work Ive done in the past, I want to connect with people but I also want to give them an experience that is new and that they can find themselves in it, no matter how strange it is.

Walsh certainly walks the walk in this regard, pushing the boundaries from the outset with his breakout hit, the all-conquering Disco Pigs, which he staged in 1996 with Pat Kiernan, director of the late lamented Cork theatre company Corcadorca. Walsh says he was devastated when they called it a day in 2022.

I had a little cry. It was such a huge part of my life  and it still is, you carry it with you. I have such amazing memories, it was a really extraordinary time. We didnt know what we were doing but Cork audiences and the people in Cork, a generation older than us, allowed us to work out of the Triskel. We were so fortunate to be given that break and to be supported in that way. I have gone to make a good life for myself and it is all down to those people who supported us and that time in Corcadorca.

Walsh went on to write many more acclaimed plays, as well as screenplays, operas and musicals, including the award-winning Once, and Lazarus, with David Bowie. However, he says it is hilarious how many people continue to mention Disco Pigs as an influence.

I go around the place, and the people who saw it are now running theatres. The head of BAFTA came up to me the other day in a restaurant and he went, Enda Walsh? and I said yeah and he went, thank you so much, Disco Pigs changed my life. And I thought, wow, thats really something. That is a little bit down to me but mostly down to Corcadorca.

Disco Pigs also launched the careers of two great Cork acting talents, Eileen Walsh and Cillian Murphy, both of whom he went on to work with on other projects. While he didnt stay up to watch his old friend be awarded the Oscar for Oppenheimer, he says the win didnt surprise him in the least.

It was both amazing and not amazing, because it was a bit like, yeah, of course he won. I am so fucking proud  I got up the next morning and got in touch with him. It was absolutely brilliant.

Walsh has been based in London for decades now but is still very much connected to Ireland, professionally and emotionally. He is always happy when his work is performed in Cork, a place he returns to regularly and where his brother still lives. In terms of what excites him in Irish theatre, he singles out another Murphy from Cork, the choreographer, actor and writer Luke, whose show Volcano has been getting sensational reviews, and which he saw at the Sounds from a Safe Harbour festival in Cork last year. It had definite Walshian overtones, and this reviewer described it as  Ballyturk meets Black Mirror.

I loved it, says Walsh. Luke Murphy is the real deal. I am dying to see what the hell he does next.

For Walsh, that visceral connection is always the key to good work. While he says the accessibility of Theatre for One is important  there is no booking and it is free  what matters particularly to him is that it offers an opportunity for a unique connection in a world where such encounters are no longer guaranteed.

In an age when you can go through a day more on your phone than actually chatting to people, theres something great about sitting opposite someone and sharing something very personal. That is something that we take for granted and also something that you can lose  you can isolate yourself. You can live a busy life but you can go through a day without having a true connection with someone new. Meeting a stranger, you learn a lot about yourself. That is the real deal  of life and living.

Theatre for One, Emmet Place, June 1523 (excl. June 17) 1pm8pm (June 15, 16); 12pm8pm (June 1821); 10am8pm (June 22,23). Free, 10 mins.

Theatre for One at Emmet Place, Cork City. Picture: Maria Tracey

Five Cork Midsummer Festival theatre highlights

Alter, Kamchatka

Jun 1416, 10pm, meeting in city centre

The world-renowned artistic collective brings audiences on a late-night journey to a secret location in a mysterious, and silent, performance.

Good Sex, Dead Centre with Emilie Pine

Jun 2022, 8pm; June 23, 3pm, The Everyman

Described as a love story for a loveless age, each night features two new performers who have not read the script, and who will be guided on stage by an intimacy director.

Tempesta, by Deirdre Kinahan/Sugarglass

Days and times vary, from Jun 14-23

Inspired by real-life events in 1930s Ireland and Spain and performed in the The Pav, a former cinema, this will be accompanied by a score performed live by Steve Wickham of The Waterboys.

The Summer I Robbed a Bank, Mark Doherty/The Ark

Jun 15, 12pm and 4pm; Jun 16, 2pm, The Everyman

One for all the family, in this adaptation of the book by David ODoherty, a madcap robbery leads to a summer of mayhem for 12-year-old Rex.

Grace, Jody ONeill

June 14, 4.30pm; Jun 15, 11am and 2.30pm, Graffiti Theatre, Blackpool

Grace doesnt need words to communicate with her dad but when he dies suddenly, she must find a new way to be heard.
A woman who received one of the first bone marrow transplants in Ireland has told how it not only saved her but also that she has a good quality of life now.

Mairsile Hourihane, who had the transplant at St James Hospital in 1989 attended an event to mark the 40th anniversary of the vital national service.

She was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a cancer of the bone marrow, and faced an uncertain future initially.

My diagnosis of CML nearly 40 years ago was the beginning of an uncertain and scary time in my life, she said.

After my diagnosis in St Vincent's Hospital, I was under the care of excellent haematologists with a support team at St Jamess Hospital, who ultimately saved my life.

She knew the service was in its infancy, she said, but was confident in the treatment.

I always knew that I was lucky to be in the best place with the best team looking after me, and I am delighted to be here to celebrate all that the team continues to achieve, she said.

She has a good quality of life now thanks to the transplant, she added.

Over 3,750 stem cell and bone marrow transplants have taken place at St Jamess Hospital since 1984. It is home to the National Adult Stem Cell Transplant Centre. Doctors now perform bone marrow transplants in almost 200 patients every year.

Dr Catherine Flynn, Consultant Haematologist and Associate Clinical Professor at the Trinity St Jamess Cancer Institute, said the anniversary is a huge achievement for past and present staff.

Mairsile Hourihane: 'I always knew that I was lucky to be in the best place with the best team looking after me, and I am delighted to be here to celebrate all that the team continues to achieve.' Picture: Paul Sharp/SHARPPIX

Advances in care have led to improving rates of survival for patients with blood cancer and giving them fresh hope, she said.

Looking after our increasing number of transplant survivors is a privilege but also presents a growing challenge, she said.

Our service would not be able to run without our dedicated nursing staff and colleagues throughout the hospital. We work very closely with bodies such as the Irish Blood Transfusion Service and are very grateful to the many stem cell donors from all over the world.

She added: We are hopeful that we can continue to grow our service through adequate support and resources.

Health minister Stephen Donnelly attended the event, and said the the innovation, collaboration, and hard work of the last 40 years should be recognised.

He praised all donors who make the transplants possible, saying last year 2,385 new volunteers gave blood samples to join the Irish Unrelated Bone Marrow Registry.

These transplants are used in treatment of cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma as well as rare bone marrow failure conditions among other conditions.

The first such transplant at St James was carried out under Professor Shaun McCann. He is now emeritus Professor of Haematology at Trinity College Dublin and head of transplantation at the hospital.
Cork woman Catherine OBrien has been sent forward for trial on three charges relating to deception.

Ms O'Brien of 28 An Ghrianan, Ballinroad, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, but formerly of Buttevant, Co Cork, appeared on Monday morning before Dungarvan district court in relation to five dishonest inducement offences regarding just under 30,000 belonging to two men.

The court was told that the book of evidence has been served in respect of three charges, with the case now being sent forward for trial in Waterford circuit court next Tuesday, June 18.

She has been remanded in continuing custody with consent to bail, to appear before Clonmel district court on Tuesday morning on the two other charges. Judge Cephas Power was told that no application has been made for legal aid.

Ms O'Brien's 89-year-old uncle, Edmund Hawe, was in court to submit evidence of adequate funds in an independent surety bank account, as per bail conditions. Judge Power approved Mr Hawe and remanded Ms O'Brien in custody with consent to bail, to appear before Clonmel district court on Tuesday morning.

Judge Power said Ms O'Brien must lodge 1,000 in bail herself and surrender all documents that could be used as travel documents. She also has to provide the number of a mobile phone that must be switched on at all times.

The offences are alleged to have occurred in 2018 and 2019 and relate to just under 30,000 belonging to two men.

She is accused of using deception to induce Michael Culhane to transfer 4,982 into a bank account she controlled, as well as inducing him to put a further 2,526 into a bank account.

The other charges relate to a French horse called Lingerville, with John Blake being dishonestly by deception being induced to pay 1,000 insurance for the mare, 20,000 for the purchase of the animal and 984 for the transport of Lingerville from France to Ireland.

Ms OBrien did not speak during Monday morning's hearing. Her long hair was tied back and she wore dark trousers and a green top.
A motorist was stopped in Ballyphehane and when gardai searched the vehicle they uncovered 70,000 worth of cocaine in a plastic bag and now he has been jailed for 18 months.

Judge Cormac Quinn imposed a sentence of three years with last 18 months suspended in the case against Timmy Lyons of Saraville Place, Pouladuff Road, Cork, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Detective Sergeant Fergal Long gave evidence of encountering the motorist on April 8, 2022, and carrying out the drugs search as he became suspicious of him. The kilo of cocaine had a street value of 70,000 and was seized in the search of the car driven by the 46-year-old in Ballyphehane.

Timmy Lyons signed pleas of guilty to three charges including having cocaine for sale or supply at a time when its street value exceeded 13,000  a count that carries a minimum sentence of 10 years on conviction unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Judge Quinn noted that the accused had a mixing agent as well as the cocaine. He admitted collecting the drugs. He knew it was cocaine. He didnt know the quantity. He said he owed 1,000 in relation to an alcohol problem he had.

Detective Sergeant Long agreed he was acting in the role of courier. The drugs were not concealed.

He is very reclusive. He had an addiction to alcohol at the time. He was essentially a courier bringing drugs from A to B. He was obviously trusted with drugs and mixing agent.

The aggravating factors include the obvious harm to society of this activity. In mitigation, he signed pleas of guilty at the district court. That is a matter which must attract significant mitigation.

One could say he was caught red-handed with the drugs in the car. But the prosecution would still have to prove possession. He is in employment. He has no previous convictions. He has not come to adverse garda attention since this. He has a very good history of employment He struggles with anxiety, Judge Quinn said in the course of sentencing.

He imposed a total sentence of three years  half of it suspended.
A Millstreet man confessed on Monday to a charge of harassing another man in Cork arising out of an alleged employment dispute.

39-year-old David Sheehan of Station Road, Millstreet, County Cork, was arraigned at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where he pleaded guilty to the single count on the indictment on Monday.
Fianna Fail has retained its position as the largest party on the 31-seat Cork City Council.

It came as a Solidarity councillor won the dogfight against an anti-vax, anti-immigration library protester  who described himself last night as a truth-seeker  for the final seat in a northside ward.

Labour had a successful election, going from one to three seats.

The Social Democrats were in with a shout of their first seat on the city council through Padraig Rice, while Fine Gael, the Greens, and Sinn Fein will be assessing their electoral strategies after disappointing results.

Fine Gael's Damian Boylan celebrates with supporters after his re-election to Cork City Council on Saturday. Picture: Larry Cummins

Sitting councillors, including the deputy lord mayor and Green Partys Colette Finn, Rabhartas Lorna Bogue, and Sinn Feins Mick Nugent lost their seats.

Mr Nugents two running mates in his area were elected.

While just one local electoral area  the North West  had filled all of its seats by 9.30pm last night, the overall trends were clear.

Fianna Fail, which went into the local elections with eight seats on the council, was on course last night to hold those eight  with the possibility of a ninth on the cards.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin hailed his partys result, and said the notion it would come in a distant third had been completely disproven.

Fianna Fail will be a major competitive force in the local authority for the next five years, contrary to what many commentators and people were predicting for a long time, he said.

I have been looking at opinion polls for the last three years, internet panel polling having Fianna Fail at 14% and 15%.

Clearly, Fianna Fail will be well ahead of that  at 20% by the time all of these counts are collated.

We put up a very robust performance and were holding our own, compared to our performance in the general election in 2020.

In the North West area, Fianna Fails Tony Fitzgerald was the first person to be deemed elected at the count centre on Saturday.

Mr Fitzgerald topped the poll on the first count with 1,930 votes, 177 votes above the quota, while Fine Gaels Damian Boylan also retained his seat with 1,872 votes.

He was followed yesterday by Fianna Fails John Sheehan, Sinn Feins Ken Collins, and Michelle Gould  also of Sinn Fein and wife of TD Thomas Gould.

Solidaritys Brian McCarthy also held his seat here, beating Irish People party candidate Ross Lahive by 190 vote in a dogfight for the sixth and final seats.

People Before Profit-Solidarity councillor Brian McCarthy celebrates his re-election to Cork City Council. Picture: Larry Cummins

There were loud cheers in the counting hall when his election was announced.

Mr Lahive said he was proud of himself, and said he would use the results to build towards a general election campaign.

In the North East area, Labour councillor John Maher retained his seat.

He is set to be joined on the council by Peter Horgan in the South East area and Laura Harmon in the South West area.

History was made in Cork late last night with the election of the citys first black city councillor.

The Green Partys Honore Kamegni was deemed elected in the citys South East local electoral area on the 12th count.

Mr Kamegni, 46, a manager with An Post in Little Island who arrived in Ireland from Cameroon in 2002, moved to Cork in 2006, and became an Irish citizen in 2013, said that  despite being targeted by significant racist abuse on social media  the people he met on the campaign trail were always supportive.

They wanted to see change, they wanted to see new faces, new ideas, and new energy, he said.

The sustained racist online abuse began to ramp up earlier this year.

Newly-elected Green Party councillor Honore Kamegni is raised shoulder-high by supporters and party colleagues including Dan Boyle at the local election count centre at City Hall, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

He said: I was not used to this kind of reaction from people.

When I first started getting it, I thought: My God,what is happening? Then I said to myself that I dont have to be affected by all of this.

I have to continue my hard work and focus.

I have been canvassing for 14 months. I have covered every corner of my ward, from the rural to the city. I have never spoken to any residents on the doorstep who were hostile to me.

Any kind of hostility and hatred was happening online. They are not real people. They might not even be living in Ireland.

For me, there is no point in focusing on these people because you cannot fight people you cannot see or speak to.

My message to those people today is the result  the response Im getting from the election shows that people are rejecting their message.

Independent Irelands Ken OFlynn got the highest vote in the city, with 3,134 first-preference votes in the North East area, with a large surplus of 1,150 votes.

My message to the people for the last five years has been very, very simple. Its about common-sense politics, he said.

Ken OFlynn celebrating with supporters after his re-election to Cork City Council on Saturday. Picture: Larry Cummins

As a gay man, married to a Spanish man, I dont have a problem with foreign people coming in to our country.

I am not protesting outside libraries or outside direct provision centres, I dont believe thats the right way to go.

However, I am concerned about the management of all of this. I am deeply concerned about people entering the country who tear up their passports.

He said he has verbalised what people are telling him, and confirmed that he plans to stand as a candidate in the next general election.

In the South West area, Fianna Fails Fergal Dennehy topped the poll where his party colleague, Colm Kelleher, and Fine Gaels Garret Kelleher held their seats.

In the South Central area, Fine Gaels Shane OCallaghan topped the poll and retained his seat with 1,870 first-preference votes  with a surplus of 342 votes  while Fianna Fails Sean Martin, a brother of Micheal Martin, took the second seat.

In the South East area, Fianna Fails Terry Shannon topped the poll and councillor Kieran McCarthy also held his seat.
Plans for a large casino in Corks western suburbs have been shot down, amid concerns the adult orientated nature of the proposed facility presented a high potential for nuisance.

It was one of the reasons cited by city planners in their decision to refuse permission to Coalquay Leisure Limited for the proposed facility in Ballincollig.

The company, which described itself in planning documents as experienced operators of gaming and amusement arcades around the country, had applied for planning to develop a large casino in the towns Westside Retail Park.

It sought permission for the change of use of a vacant unit in the retail park, which used to house the former Fehilys Fitness centre, to a gaming and amusement arcade.

In its planning application, the company said it operated Goldrush Casinos in Cork, Dublin and various town centres, including Carlow, Naas, Ennis, Athy and Wexford, and it said all of these premises operate successfully and positively contribute to a broad mix of uses in these urban centres.

But there was a strong local campaign against the proposed development in Ballincollig, with an anonymous letter distributed locally urging people to object. Dozens of people lodged formal objections.

In its planning decision, revealed today by the Irish Examiner, planners said having regard to the pattern of development in the area, it is considered the proposed development, by virtue of the adult-orientated nature of the use and proximity to existing retail outlets that are intrinsically family friendly, constitutes a use which would not satisfactorily integrate with the existing retail offering, resulting in serious injury to Westside Retail Park and existing retail occupiers.

The location of the proposed development away from primary and secondary throughfares, with negligible levels of incidental footfall and inadequate levels of passive surveillance, particularly during later hours, is considered to have a high potential for nuisance in the immediate vicinity, they said.

It is considered that the proposed amusement centre by virtue of scale and proximity to another amusement centre represents an excessive concentration of this use type in the area, would conflict with the long-term strategic regeneration of the area, would seriously injure the amenities of the area and would therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The decision can be appealed.

Decision 'a big win for Ballincollig'

Newly elected Sinn Fein city councillor in the South West ward, Joe Lynch, who was among those to object to the development, hailed the planning decision as a big win for the town.

There were no discernible community benefits to this proposal. On the contrary, there were only negatives, he said.

This is a big win for Ballincollig, and I know the many people who have raised this issue with me on the doorsteps in recent weeks will be very glad to hear that common sense has prevailed.

Fair play to everyone who lodged objections; there is real strength in community, and this is a win for us all.
Volatile, uncertain, unpredictable  these are the words that now describe voting at Irish elections.

The headline outcome of the local elections was the collapse in the Sinn Fein vote.

After receiving 24.5% of the votes at the 2020 general election, Sinn Fein support climbed in opinion polls and hovered in the mid 30s until late 2023, when it began to slip slowly.

Election campaign polls suggested Sinn Fein support would probably be somewhere around 20-22%. In the end, it was nearly half that.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fail recovery

The Fine Gael recovery in the polls has been called the Harris Hop, it tracks back to the party leadership change-over and materialised in the election results.

Fianna Fail also performed well, it is noticeably ahead of all recent polling and although the party will lose some seats, its performance provides it with vital momentum ahead of the upcoming general election.

Support for the Greens is down but again the party has saved many of its council seats. The outlook remains fairly stable for most of the small parties of Labour, the Social Democrats and Solidarity-People Before Profit. It is the Independents that have soared and they look set to secure a large number of additional council seats.

Pollsters always advise that in polling, it is the trend that matters, and not any individual poll result. And to an extent, the polls were showing clear indications of the patterns which emerged at the local elections, except for Fianna Fail and this must be given serious attention, especially with a general election imminent.

Why Irish elections have become so unpredictable

Two important and inter-related dynamics are essential to understanding why Irish elections have become so unpredictable.

First, voter loyalties to political parties, which we call partisanship, have weakened across the democratic world since the 1970s, including in Ireland.

Long-standing affiliations that were often rooted in social class are not as important as they once were. The Civil War laid the foundations for Irish party political competition but this divide had lost most of its relevance by the 1970s, and with this began a slow decay of voter loyalty to the big two parties of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

It took decades for it to materialise fully but it is a long time since elections could be understood through the preferences of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael families and their occasional deviations.

Post-Civil War era parties

As the 20th century closed out, a series of new, small political parties began to capture the imagination of the voting public.

First the Progressive Democrats and later, the Green Party, Social Democrats, Solidarity-People Before Profit and Aontu moved into the political picture and began to absorb some of the previously loyal Fianna Fail and Fine Gael voters and many of the younger generation voting for the first time. Sinn Fein was also part of this change.

The transformation was completed in 2011 when the economic crisis upended the remnants of the old party system. Fianna Fail lost its powerful connection with its voters. Fine Gael and Labour initially benefited but were routed in 2016 and 2020.

SF became the most effective opposition party

Sinn Fein was the most effective party in opposition during this period and built its electoral base carefully through the general elections of 2011, 2016, and 2020. Its weak performance at the 2019 local elections was discounted as a possible blip.

The big question which arose was whether or not Sinn Fein had managed to confound the trend of falling partisanship and forge new and enduring connections with voters, like those enjoyed by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in the past.

The 2024 local elections tell us that this is most likely not the case. Sinn Fein benefitted from the declining fortunes of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael but the support it secured was not resilient, it was quite transient and dissipated in the face of political attacks from all sides, mis-steps on some important issues, and a weak campaign.

Campaigning has taken on new importance

Now that voters are much less likely to inherit their voting preferences, campaigns have moved centre stage in shaping decision making and this is the second important component of election volatility.

More than half of all voters reported that they made up their mind who they would vote for during the campaign at elections in the last decade. Many voters are also changing who they vote for from one election to the next, leading to sharp swings in the performance of many of the parties.

Campaigns are crucial at motivating voters to turn out at the polls and a majority of voters did not participate on June 7.

The sharp decline in the Sinn Fein vote is undoubtedly shaped by several factors but turnout is important among them.

Sinn Fein failed to mobilise likely supporters

The Sinn Fein campaign was not effective, it did not mobilise many of its more likely voters, younger people and those in economically disadvantaged communities.

Posters of party leader Mary Lou McDonald appeared late in the campaign, too late it turned out, and her radio performances in the last week were mixed.

This contrasts with some very favourable coverage of Simon Harris in the weeks since he became Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach, and of Tanaiste Micheal Martin, especially his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Finally, the combined effect of declining partisanship and more important election campaigns mean that all of the parties are struggling with their election strategies.

Candidate selection

In 2020, Sinn Fein had too few candidates and arguably Fine Gael and Fianna Fail had too many. In 2024, Sinn Fein had too many candidates. It is easy to isolate this point after an election but fundamentally it is very difficult to manage candidate strategy when party support levels oscillate so much from election to election.

Local elections are important in setting the scene for the upcoming general election, they will provide an essential set of potential Dail candidates in the form of new councilors but their significance should not be over-stated, they are not predictors of the next election.

If anything, the message to take away is that more volatility is the most likely outcome.

Theresa Reidy is a political scientist at University College Cork
Two far-right political parties have each had a candidate elected on Monday, marking a milestone in Irish politics.

The first-ever candidate for the Irish Freedom Party (IFP) to be elected secured his seat early on Monday morning in Dublin.

Glen Moore took the fourth of five seats in the Palmerstown-Fonthill constituency in South Dublin County Council shortly before 4am.

Then, at 3.30pm, the first-ever candidate for the National Party (NP) to be elected secured the fifth and final seat in Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart in Fingal County Council, Dublin.

Patrick Quinlan, who is also standing in the European Parliament Dublin constituency, did well on transfers from an Aontu candidate and jumped ahead of the Fine Gael candidate, Steve OReilly, into the fifth spot.

Their elections, represent a breakthrough for the two extremist parties in Ireland. They, together with the election of two independent candidates on Sunday, brings to four the total number of far-right candidates elected  all in Dublin.

Gavin Pepper making a video for his campaign supporters ahead of the declaration of his election to Dublin City Council for the Ballymun Finglas LEA. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/Rolling News

Separately, gardai have confirmed that they escorted a male from the South Dublin County Council count centre in Lucan on Sunday after a request from the Returning Officer.

Video footage had circulated of well-known far-right live-streamer Philip Dwyer being requested to leave by a uniformed garda, accompanied by private security, at the count centre.

It happened during the tenth count for the Tallaght Central constituency where Mr Dwyer was standing for Ireland First.

Gardai said that while they escorted an individual out of the premises, they were not pursuing any further inquiries.

This matter is not being investigated by gardai at this time, Garda HQ said in a statement.

It pointed out that the running of election centres and count centres was a matter for Returning Officers appointed by local authorities.

Mr Dwyer was eliminated on count 14 after getting 886 votes.

The election of Mr Moore and Mr Quinlan means that two of the four far-right political parties have secured a seat in the local elections.

The IFP fielded an estimated 23 candidates, while the NP put out nine candidates.

The NP is split internally with the leaders of the two factions  James Reynolds and Justin Barrett  both standing in the European Parliament Midlands-North-West constituency.

None of the 55 candidates of the Irish People's Party were elected nor were any of the eight contenders from Ireland First.

The success of Mr Moore and Mr Quinlan followed the election of prominent organiser of anti-immigrant and far-right protests, Malachy Steenson in Dublin North Inner City, and later on Sunday of Gavin Pepper in Ballymun-Finglas, both standing as independents.

Mr Quinlan did well out of the distribution of the votes of Robbie Loughlin of Aontu when the latter was eliminated in Count 11.

Of his 640 votes, 154 went to Mr Quinlan, compared to 41 to Fine Gaels Steve OReilly, who he passed into the fifth spot, and fifth seat, with 838 votes.

Elsewhere overnight, Kevin Coyle, independent, was eliminated on the twelfth count in Artane-Whitehall in Dublin City Council on 1,715 votes, just 80 votes behind Jesslyn Henry of Social Democrats who took the last seat there.

Another prominent figure on the far right, and also running as an independent, Fergus Power, was eliminated on the seventh count in Killiney-Shankill after getting 826 votes.

Malachy Steenson celebrating with supporters after his election in the Dublin North Inner City LEA on Sunday. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Rolling News

Speaking on Sunday after his election on the thirteenth count to RTE, who he described as a propaganda machine for the State, Mr Steenson said his success sent a very clear message the revolution has begun.

He said: Its a fabulous result for the nationalist movement in Ireland, its a fabulous result for the people of Ireland. We are taking our nation back.

He was later joined by Mr Pepper in the Ballymun-Finglas constituency, who secured his seat thanks to a large number of first preferences and transfers from other far-right candidates.

This constituency scored very high first preference votes for far-right candidates, gathering a fifth of all votes - 3,131 votes out of a total valid poll of 15,241.

Mr Pepper's 1,126 first preference votes, the fifth highest out of 16 candidates, put him in a good position.

Stephen Redmond of the National Party secured 930 first preference votes while Leon Bradley, prominent in the Finglas Says No anti-immigration group, secured 819 first preference votes.

By the seventh count, Mr Pepper managed to get enough transfers to stay in the hunt, at sixth spot with 1,312 votes.

The elimination of Mr Bradley and his 1,021 transfers gave him 293 votes and Mr Redmond 272.

The elimination of Aontus Edward Mac Manus gave Mr Pepper an extra 219 votes in Count 10, bringing him to 1,835 votes.

The next elimination was Mr Redmond and the transfer of his 1,476 votes, which saw 617 votes going to Mr Pepper, resulting in his election on Count 11.

There were significant disappointments for the far-right, with Andy Heasman, founder of the Irish People party, doing poorly in the Blanchardstown constituency, with just 139 first preference votes. He was eliminated on the third count.

In the Cork City North West constituency, far-right agitator Ross Lahive, Irish People, fell at the final hurdle, beaten to the last seat by People Before Profits Brian McCarthy.

Prominent far-right candidate Derek Blighe, founder of Ireland First, failed to get elected in Fermoy, Co Cork.

He secured a relatively large first preference votes (915) and continued to attract transfers during the eliminations and reached 1,158 by the sixth count.

But, as no candidate had reached the quota, and his was the lowest number, he was eliminated. He was some 120 votes behind the two candidates above him.
The legendary screenwriter William Goldman once noted that nobody in Hollywood knows anything. He could have been talking about the Irish electorate in its current manifestation.

Mr Goldman was referencing the inability of movie moguls to predict what kind of picture will make money.

In the wake of the election results, politicians must be asking what exactly voters want, because nobody  including the opinion polls  seems to know anything.

Mid-term elections are traditionally about giving the incumbent Government a good kicking, but that didnt happen here. We have long been told that voters want change, yet the big winners were the same old Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

For nearly four years, it has been a given that Sinn Fein is now the most popular party in the country  yet it came third in the local elections. The consensus at the last general election is that the Shinners ran too few candidates, and the consensus this time is they ran too many.

The country was gearing up for a swing to the right through a slew of political entrepreneurs preaching intolerance towards asylum seekers, yet there was no harvest for these individuals.

Then we have the long heralded sophistication of the Irish electorate. Surely a long list of candidates could not impact on such sophisticated voters? Well, yes, as one feature of ballot boxes was the high number in which voters did not go down beyond their first or second preference.

Was there too much choice? Was the ballot paper physically unmanageable? Who knows?

Even the opinion polls apparently havent a clue

For the last few years, most polls had Fianna Fails popularity dipped well below 20%, yet it emerged from this election well over  heading for 23%.

On Saturday, Micheal Martin let rip on the know-nothing opinion polls and the know-nothing commentators.

Some people said that Fianna Fail would be coming in a distant third, but that has been completely disproved, he told reporters.

I have been looking at opinion polls for the past three years, independent polling, having Fianna Fail at 14% or 15%. Clearly we will be well ahead of that, over 20% by the time all of these counts are put together.

He sounded like he does when he talks about hurling, his Cork accent pulling hard at the standard political cadences.

While the election results might suggest nobody knows anything, one man who appeared to know what he was at yesterday was Taoiseach Simon Harris.

Mr Harris showed up at the RDS to bask, walk, greet and talk among the party faithful.

Taoiseach Simon Harris meets count staff at the RDS Simmonscourt count centre over the weekend. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins

This was the most encouraging election outcome for Fine Gael since the halcyon days of 2011, when the people called on his party to clean up the mess after the economic collapse.

He was greeted at the door of the building by a giddy gaggle of senior people, including Pascal Donohoe and Euro near-certainty Regina Doherty. Inside, he adopted a suitably humble pose  playing down the wind that has now gathered at his partys back.

Im 61 days as a Taoiseach of this country, he said. People want me to bring energy not just to the campaign trail, but also to solving some issues 

including ones that have seemed intractable in the past  and thats my absolute determination.

It is way too early to opine on the kind of Taoiseach Harris is or will be.

Nobody, however, would dispute that he has performed his most immediate task: To inject energy, to steady his partys ship, and set it on a course for the next election. It will be exhausting to watch, not to mind follow, him if he keeps going at the pace he has set.

Mary Lou McDonald has had better days. What remains to be seen is whether she has the resilience and personal resources to get back on the horse.

There is one group of people who could, and probably would, claim to know exactly what it is that voters want. This was, above all else, the Independents election.

Whatever losses that the main parties have sustained have been hoovered up by independents across the country, including Independent Ireland

On first-preference votes, Independents now account for the largest block of councillors across the State.

They are a disparate bunch united only by the status of being unattached to any party. They came from the left, they came from the right, but many of them came from the centre or from fiefdoms created by Independent TDs.

Some have achieved electoral success purely through hard work, and all have had to campaign without the back up of a party machine. Their heightened presence on local authorities will most likely have little impact on governance at local level.

If the results whisper anything about the general election to come, surely it is that we can expect the next Dail to have a much increased cohort of Independents.

Such a scenario will undoubtedly further complicate the business of Government formation. Whatever combination of parties make up the main element of a further administration, it is now looking increasingly likely that a group of Independents will be required to provide a working majority.

Who will they be and what will be the price of their support are going to be among the big questions.

Right now, in the wake of the weekends results, the one thing we do know is that nobody really knows anything anymore.
Its like when politicians caught in the wrong bed say theyre resigning so as not to be a distraction and to spend more time with their families.

When a political party that was expected to do well does badly, the first thing they say is that theyre listening. Theyre listening, right now. Theyre going to listen from now on. All ears like a donkey, they are.

Mary Lou is currently pushing the donkey line with admirable commitment, oblivious, it would seem, to the reality that listening is a continuum in politics. Its the permanent obligation.

Our current Taoiseach, for example, can talk on any platform. Push his speak button and out pour the words. But he still manages to listen more than he speaks  and to retain whats said to him. Three years after someone offers him advice, hell quote it back to them. Verbatim.

Right now, its fair to assume that a constant stream of stuff going in one of his ears  and hopefully, right out the other  is advice that he should cut and run. Call a snap election. Go to the country. Capitalize on positive local election results. Avoid the Ides of March and their cold dark evenings.

None of the Government parties promised that much, other than Simon Harris promising energy. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins

An interesting commonality links many of the people who want Simon Harris to go early. They have little to lose, those people, who include, lets be fair, a large bunch of journalists, who are, by their nature, avoidant of routine.

Routine doesnt give you a front page or six million likes. Journalists are adrenalin addicts, hooked on being the first to know, on being in the inside circle, on that thrilling sensation of skin-prickles all over at the prospect of victories and defeats turning into copy.

Its not that us hacks are heartless. But the reality of our trade is that during an election the real people who go in for politics transform into characters in a morality play and were in charge of their entrances and exits.

Were the ones who report their tears, not the ones who wipe them. So its easy for us, if not inevitable for us, to want the earliest election possible, ideally directly after a budget we can sniff at for being a giveaway to buy the electorate.

The thing about the people pushing giveaway budgets and snap elections is that theyre not much into precedent. Theyre in love with theories that meet their particular prejudices, but they dont kill themselves finding supportive evidence.

They dont ask the question: Has any government that called a snap election profited thereby?

Pat Rabbitte, on radio at the weekend, thought maybe it had worked for a Sean Lemass administration. In other words, no shining example occurred to this veteran since the middle of the last century. And yet, the go early boys will keep pushing the Taoiseach, whose call it is. (No point in pushing Micheal Martin, who never saw an opinion poll or an early election he liked.)

Calling an early election proved disastrous for Theresa May, across the water, in April 2017.

Calling an early election proved disastrous for Theresa May, across the water, in April 2017. She was advised that the electorate wanted the stability of a solid government. They may have, but not hers.

The local and European elections were distinguished by the loopy promises being made by candidates whose grasp of public administration might be a tad tenuous. You had MEP candidates promising to appoint ministers for this and that, which of course, if elected, they wouldnt actually be able to do.

None of the Government parties promised that much, other than Harris promising energy. The truth of it is that the electorate wasnt bought and paid for. They voted for candidates who had performed well up to now  The Incumbency Factor.

They voted for people whod been rejected and who they felt deserved another go. They voted for voices and faces they knew and/or trusted. They made sensible use of the franchise, in other words.

The urge to go early ignores that varied pattern of analysis and action, opting, instead, for the cruder notion of clumping the electorate into one grasping cluster, into the open mouths of which should be stuffed a giveaway budget.

If deployed, this will fail for two reasons.

The immediate coverage will be contemptuous, not just of the givers, but, more significantly, of the receivers. Many voters will take whats on offer and then demonstrate that they cant be bought by voting the other way.

Public administration is so structured, these days, that giveaways which would make a sizeable immediate difference as difficult to achieve. Abandoning rates, as Fianna Fail did in the 70s, was a once-off. A once-off with trailing wires, but thats another story.

An additional reason adduced for the cut-and-run approach takes the form of a fruit-flavoured health warning: Better go now, because the government might encounter a banana skin.

The banana skin argument misses the point that voters love to see Governments coping with challenge. Witness Leos popularity at the outbreak of covid-19. It also misses the point that nobody has any control over the timing of banana skins. One could manifest itself right in the middle of the campaign.

Old timers know that every day in office, every day on the job, pays one more installment of the mortgage and adds a few more quid into the pension. That, plus data, will motivate them to argue strongly against those dying for a speedy general election.

The political march of folly suggests the go early crowd will win.
The 2024 local elections were very much a family affair in many parts of the country, as siblings and children of notable TDs scooped seats in their local electoral areas.

In Cork, Seamus McGrath romped home with a whopping 5,191 first-preference votes in Carrigaline for Fianna Fail, more than double the quota.

His brother, Finance Minister Michael McGrath, was on hand to congratulate him on his victory. It is the second time Seamus McGrath has gotten the highest number of first-preference votes in the local elections across the whole country.

Co-opted onto the council to replace Michael when he first got a Dail seat, Seamus continues to be a reliable vote-winner for Fianna Fail.

Sean Martin had a similar path to Cork City Council, co-opted after the seat was vacated by the now-Tanaiste Micheal Martin in the 1990s. He has continued to win a seat at each local election in the South-Central area ever since and 2024 proved no exception.

The Tanaiste said the results for his party show Fianna Fail would be a major force in local government for the next five years. We have had a great result so far here in Cork, he added.

Danny Collins, centre, celebrates his election to Cork County Council with his brothers John and Michael. Picture: Andy Gibson

Sheila O'Callaghan, the sister of Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher, was also elected to Cork County Council on the first count, after winning 17% of first preference votes in Cobh.

There was joy too for the brothers of Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins. The Cork South-West TD was celebrating with John Collins, a first-time winner for a council seat in the Bandon-Kinsale LEA, while Councillor Danny Collins was re-elected in Bantry.

Collins had its first run out they were set to clean sweep the boards.

In Kerry, the reign of the Healy-Rae dynasty continues unabated. Jackie Healy-Rae, son of Kerry TD Michael, topped the poll in Castleisland with 2,890 first preference votes, exceeding the quota of 1,936 in the first count.

His support has increased on 2019, when he received 2,621 first-preference votes.

Both he and his father were thrust upon the shoulders of supports as they celebrated, with the younger Healy-Rae tweeting five more years. Patriarch Michael, meanwhile, was perhaps downplaying it when he said the Healy-Rae flag is flying good in Kerry.

Johnny Healy-Rae and Jackie Healy-Rae at the Killarney Count Centre. Picture: Valerie O'Sullivan

There was more joy for the Healy-Raes as two children of TD Danny Healy-Rae also took seats on Kerry County Council. Maura Healy-Rae had almost double the quota to top the poll in Killarney, while her brother Johnny topped the poll to win a seat in Kenmare.

The only thing going Green in Kerry are the hills in the summer, Johnny quipped, referring to the Eamon Ryan-led party.

Incidentally, another Healy-Rae-backed candidate, Liam Speedy Nolan, also secured a council seat in Listowel.

In Limerick, another Independent Ireland TD was celebrating a fraternal victory as Richard ODonoghue was on hand to lift his brother John up when he got over the line in Adare-Rathkeale.

Tomas Grealish has been canvassing for his TD brother Noel in Galway for over two decades but, this weekend, the first-time candidate was successful himself in winning a seat in Athenry-Oranmore.

Its a great honour, he said. It was a bit unusual canvassing for myself. I was well used to it down through the years for my brother Noel and for [retiring councillor] Jim Cuddy.

We had a great campaign team and got a great response on the door. Im just looking forward now to working my socks off for the next five years and pay back the people who voted for me.

Mairin McGrath, who is the daughter of independent Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath, was elected on the first count in the Cahir area of Tipperary County Council.

Roisin Kenny, the sister of Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny, was elected to Leitrim County Council in the early hours of Sunday.

More familial ties were making waves in the capital, as father-and-son duo Baby and Britto Pereppadan both won seats in South Dublin County Council in Tallaght South and Tallaght Central, respectively, on Sunday afternoon. Baby first won a seat in 2019 and now his son has done likewise on his first attempt.

Another political dynasty in Tipperary was celebrating success at the weekend, as Micheal Lowry took a seat in Thurles. The son of long-time TD, and controversial former minister, Michael Lowry was one of the success stories for Team Lowry as their five councillors were all elected to Tipperary County Council.

The name McGuinness carries a serious amount of political heft in the midlands, no more so in the form of formidable long-time Fianna Fail TD John McGuiness. His son Andrew duly topped the poll for the Kilkenny LEA. His uncle Eugene McGuinness, who ran as an Independent, was the third elected councillor. He has committed to running in the next general election against his brother John.

In Meath, Aontus Emer Toibin  sister of leader Peadar  took a seat for the party in Navan.

Sinn Fein TD Matt Carthys brother Colm was re-elected in Monaghan to the Carrickmacross-Castleblayney LEA.
CCTV footage appears to show Dr Michael Mosley falling over close to where his body was found as his widow said he very nearly made it to safety.

Dr Clare Bailey Mosley confirmed a body discovered on Sunday morning in a rocky area near Agia Marina beach on the Greek island of Symi was that of her husband, describing the loss as devastating.

According to reports, footage found by a beach bar at Agia Marina shows what appears to be the TV doctor making his way down a rocky slope close to a fence before he falls out of view.

His widow said the 67-year-old, who went missing after leaving his wife and friends at Agios Nikolaos beach on Wednesday, appeared to have undertaken an incredible climb, took the wrong route and collapsed where he couldnt be easily seen by emergency search teams.

An initial examination by a coroner has ruled out foul play but further tests are due to be carried out on the father-of-four in Rhodes to confirm a cause of death, the Daily Mail has reported.

The news has sparked an outpouring of grief from his loved ones and fans of his science programmes and films, with friends and colleagues praising him for innovating the world of science and health broadcasting.

His co-presenter on BBC series Trust Me, Im A Doctor Chris van Tulleken hailed him as one of the most important broadcasters of the last few decades as he paid tribute.

Michael wasnt just a rock solid friend, he was an incredibly generous human to everyone he worked with, Van Tulleken wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

He also sent his love to Mosleys family while praising his widow Clare, describing their joint-live show which he saw last month as funny, informative, scientific, warm and centred around family.

Dr Saleyha Ahsan, who also presented on Trust Me, Im A Doctor, described him as a national treasure and a hugely talented man who had an ability to explain complex science in an accessible way to everyone.

Mimi Spencer, who co-wrote The Fast Diet with Mosley, praised him as an immediately likeable, genuinely funny person who had an innate enthusiasm about life, while physicist and TV presenter Brian Cox said he was a mentor to many of those starting out within science broadcasting.

Mosley first trained as a doctor in London before moving into the world of media, becoming a presenter, documentary maker, author and columnist.

Announcing the news of his death, Dr Bailey Mosley said in a statement from his agent to the PA news agency: I dont know quite where to begin with this.

Its devastating to have lost Michael, my wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband.

We had an incredibly lucky life together.

We loved each other very much and were so happy together.

I am incredibly proud of our children, their resilience and support over the past days.

Michael Mosley with his wife Clare Bailey in 2013 (Alamy/PA)

My family and I have been hugely comforted by the outpouring of love from people from around the world.

Its clear that Michael meant a huge amount to so many of you.

Were taking comfort in the fact that he so very nearly made it.

He did an incredible climb, took the wrong route and collapsed where he couldnt be easily seen by the extensive search team.

Michael was an adventurous man, its part of what made him so special.

She said the family are also so grateful to the extraordinary people on Symi who worked tirelessly to help find Mosley, with some working from dawn until dusk unasked.

Dr Bailey Mosley added: I feel so lucky to have our children and my amazing friends.

Most of all, I feel so lucky to have had this life with Michael. Thank-you all.

Agia Marina in Symi, Greece, after the body of TV doctor and columnist Michael Mosley was removed from the rocks on the right-hand side of the compound (Yui Mok/PA)

Mosleys four children joined their mother, a GP and cookery book writer, on Symi earlier this week to help with the search effort.

His body was discovered around mid-morning on Sunday beneath a fence that runs around a bar on Agia Marina beach, which is surrounded by hilly, rocky terrain.

Police arrived at Agia Marina around 20 minutes after the body was discovered about 90 metres from the coastline, with firefighters later arriving just after 2pm local time to take the body away from the island on a boat.

On Saturday, an emergency services helicopter spent hours flying across the mountainous search site on Symi between Pedi bay and Agia Marina, and hovered over the spot where the body was later found.

Agia Marina bar manager Ilias Tsavaris, 38, first saw the body alongside journalists after the islands mayor saw something by the fence of the bar and alerted staff.

The search effort had been widespread, operating in dangerous conditions and high temperatures, and included police, firefighters with drones, Greek Red Cross workers, divers, a search dog and a helicopter.

(PA Graphics)

Greek authorities shifted their focus on Saturday after CCTV footage from a house at the edge of a small marina in Pedi showed the presenter walking towards a mountainous path at about 2pm local time on Wednesday.

Sophie Laurimore, director of The Soho Agency which represented Mosley, said it is with profound sadness that they bid farewell to the wise, wonderful and lovely man.

She said: Our hearts are with Clare and the children. Michael was unique.

The work he did was important. We will miss him dreadfully.
Prime minister Giorgia Melonis far-right party won European elections in Italy with a strong 28% of the votes, boosting her leadership at home and consolidating her kingmaker role in Europe.

Ms Melonis Brothers of Italy party confirmed its status as the countrys most popular party, even improving its performance from the 26% it won in the 2022 general elections, according to projections by state broadcaster RAI based on almost 70% of votes counted.

The victory in Italys vote for European Parliament representatives boosted Ms Meloni, who had been in power for almost two years, mainly at the expense of her governing partners in Rome.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni casts her vote for the European Parliament elections in Rome (Mauro Scrobogna/AP)

In particular, Matteo Salvinis hard-right League emerged as one of the biggest losers in the EU vote. After finishing first in the 2019 EU election, with more than 34% of the vote, the League got just 8.5% this time, behind its once junior ally, Forza Italia, which was over 9%.

For the opposition, the main centre-left Democratic Party got 24.5%, followed by the populist Five Star Movement, which received only 10.5%, a seven-point decrease from the 2019 election.

Ms Meloni, who personalised her electoral campaign betting on her personal brand, has now positioned herself as one of the most powerful figures in the EU, where far-right parties made major gains, dealing stunning defeats to two of the blocs most important leaders: French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron prepare to vote during the European election (Hannah McKay/AP)

Im proud that we are heading to the G7 and to Europe with the strongest government of all, Ms Meloni said, commenting on the electoral results at her partys headquarters early on Monday.

She called the outcome extraordinary and pledged to use it as fuel for the future.

Despite its solid popular support, Ms Melonis conservative government needs a strong mandate to deal with the challenges ahead, especially given the fragile state of Italys public finances and the prospect of a difficult budget for 2025.

Based on the latest projections, Ms Melonis party will get from 23 to 25 seats in the European Parliament, up from six after the 2019 elections, when it was only a minor opposition party.
At least nine people have died after suspected militants in Indian-controlled Kashmirs Jammu province opened fire at a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims which fell into a deep gorge, officials said.

The vehicle was carrying pilgrims to the base camp of the famed Hindu temple Mata Vaishno Devi when it came under attack in the regions Reasi district, senior administrative officer Vishesh Mahajan said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged activists on both sides of the Israel-Palestinian debate to turn the heat down after the US consulate in Sydney was vandalised.

CCTV footage showed a person wearing a dark hoodie using a small sledgehammer to smash nine holes in the reinforced glass windows of the building in North Sydney after 3am local time (6pm on Sunday BST), a police statement said.

Two inverted red triangles, seen by many as a symbol of Palestinian resistance, were also painted on the front of the building.

Mr Albanese urged people to have respectful political debate and discourse.

People are traumatised by what is going on in the Middle East, particularly those with relatives in either Israel or in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, Mr Albanese told reporters.

A suspect is believed to have smashed nine holes in the reinforced glass windows of the building in North Sydney (AP)

And I just say, again, reiterate my call to turn the heat down and measures such as painting the US consulate do nothing to advance the cause of those who have committed what is, of course, a crime to damage property.

The consulate was closed on Monday because of a public holiday in New South Wales state but will reopen on Tuesday, a consulate statement said.

New South Wales premier Chris Minns said an overwhelming majority of Australians did not approve of such vandalism.

We can make our point in this country without resorting to violence or malicious behaviour, Mr Minns said.

The consulate was sprayed with graffiti in April, including the words Freee (sic) Gaza.

The US consulate in Melbourne was vandalised by pro-Palestinian activists on May 31.
Ukraine may keep some of the F-16 fighter jets it is set to receive from its Western allies at foreign bases to protect them from Russian strikes, a senior Ukrainian military officer has said.

Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have committed to providing Ukraine with over 60 US-made F-16 fighter jets to help it fend off Russian attacks.

Ukrainian pilots are currently undergoing training to fly the warplanes ahead of the deliveries expected to start later this year.

Serhii Holubtsov, head of aviation within Ukraines air force, said that a certain number of aircraft will be stored at secure air bases outside of Ukraine so that they are not targeted here.

Ukrainian forces are fully in control of the situation in the Sumy region. Russian sabotage groups remain active but are being eliminated and will continue to be dealt with decisively.



In the village of Ryzhivka, the occupiers attempted a propaganda operation. As of this  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) June 10, 2024

Mr Holubtsov told the US government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that those F-16s could be used to replace damaged aircraft as they undergo repairs as well as for training Ukrainian pilots abroad.

This way, we can always have a certain number of aircraft in the operational fleet that corresponds to the number of pilots we have, he said. If there are more pilots, there will be more aircraft in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow could consider launching strikes at facilities in Nato countries if they host the warplanes used in Ukraine.

If they are stationed at air bases outside the Ukrainian borders and used in combat, we will have to see how and where to strike the assets used in combat against us, Mr Putin said last year. It poses a serious danger of Nato being further drawn into the conflict.

In March, the Russian leader again warned Ukraines Western allies against providing air bases from where the F-16s could launch sorties against the Kremlins forces. Those bases would become a legitimate target, he said.

Russia has pressed on with an offensive following a delay in US aid for Ukraine (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP)

F-16s are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, and we will also need to take that into account while organizing our combat operations, Mr Putin stated.

The F-16s require a high standard of runways and reinforced hangars to protect them from attacks on the ground.

It is not clear how many Ukrainian air bases can meet those requirements, and Russia would be certain to quickly target a few that could accommodate them once the jets arrive.

Mr Holubtsov noted that the F-16s will help protect front-line and border regions from Russian glide bombs that have inflicted significant damage to both troops and residential areas, including Kharkiv.

Glide bombs are heavy Soviet-era bombs fitted with precision guidance systems and launched from aircraft flying out of range of air defences.

I think we will succeed, first of all, in pushing back the aircraft that drop glide bombs farther from the contact line, he said.

If we manage to push them back at least another 19-31 miles, this can already be considered a turning point and an achievement, if not of superiority, then of parity in the airspace.

Ombudswoman #Moskalkova: As a result of barbaric shelling by #Ukraine more than 20 civilians were killed in #Kherson region and 6 were killed in LPR, many more injured.@MarijaPBuric, @PACE_President, @ CommissionerHR These people dont deserve your condolences, right? pic.twitter.com/TjPO20bomL  RussianMissionCoE (@CoE_Russia) June 9, 2024

Ukraines Western allies are trying to bolster military support for Kyiv as Russian troops have launched attacks along the more than 620-mile front line, taking advantage of a lengthy delay in US military aid.

Ukraine is currently fighting to hold back a Russian push near its second-largest city of Kharkiv, less than 20 miles from the border.

Russian troops have also continued their slow offensive in the eastern Donetsk region. On Monday, the Russian defence ministry claimed that the Kremlins forces had captured the village of Staromaiorske, although the claim that has not been confirmed by Kyiv and could not be independently verified.

Ukraine has struck back with regular missile and drone attacks on Moscow-occupied territories and areas inside Russia.

In the latest strike, Ukrainian forces hit Russian air defence systems in Dzhankoy, Chornomorske and Yevpatoriya in the Moscow-occupied Crimea with missiles, Ukraines General Staff said.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken has returned to the Middle East as a proposed Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal hangs in the balance after the dramatic rescue of four Israeli hostages and turmoil in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government.

With no firm response yet from Hamas to the proposal received 10 days ago, Mr Blinken started his eighth visit to the region since the conflict began in October.

He met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo, but neither made public remarks.

Mr Blinken will also travel to Israel, Jordan and Qatar.

Scores of Palestinians died in the Israeli raid at the weekend (AP)

While President Joe Biden, Mr Blinken and other US officials have praised the hostage rescue, the operation resulted in the deaths of a large number of Palestinian civilians and may complicate the ceasefire push by emboldening Israel and hardening Hamas resolve to carry on fighting in the war it initiated with its October 7 attack in Israel.

Its hard to say how Hamas will process this particular operation and what it will do to its determination about whether it will say yes or not, Mr Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said.

We have not gotten a formal answer from Hamas at this time.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have died (AP)

In his talks with Mr el-Sissi and Qatari leaders, whose countries are the main mediators with Hamas in the ceasefire negotiations, Mr Blinken will stress the importance of persuading the militants to accept the three-phase proposal on the table.

The plan calls for the release of more hostages and a temporary pause in hostilities that could lead to the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Mr Sullivan told ABCs This Week: We are hopeful that with enough of a chorus, the international community all speaking with one voice, Hamas will get to the right answer.

But Hamas may not be the only obstacle.

I welcome the rescue of four hostages who have now been reunited with their families. We will not rest until every hostage is returned home.  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) June 8, 2024

Although the deal has been described as an Israeli initiative and thousands of Israelis have demonstrated in support of it, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed scepticism, saying what has been presented publicly is not accurate and that Israel is still committed to destroying Hamas.

Mr Netanyahus far-right allies have threatened to collapse his government if he implements the plan, and Benny Gantz, a popular centrist, resigned on Sunday from the three-member war cabinet after saying he would do so if the Prime Minister did not formulate a new plan for post-war Gaza.

In the aftermath of the hostage rescue, Netanyahu had urged him not to step down.

Mr Blinken has met with Mr Netanyahu, defence ninister Yoav Gallant, Mr Gantz and Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on nearly all his previous trips to Israel.

It is Mr Blinkens eighth visit to the region since the conflict began (Pool via AP)

Officials said Mr Blinken is expected to meet with Mr Gantz again on Tuesday.

US state department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Friday that Blinken would use the trip to discuss how the ceasefire proposal would benefit both Israelis and Palestinians.

Mr Miller said the deal would not only alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza but also set the stage for a reduction in tension along the Israel-Lebanon border and create conditions for broader Israeli integration with its Arab neighbours, strengthening Israels long-term security.

The conflict has seen more than 36,700 Palestinians killed, according to the Gaza health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its counts.

Hamas and other militants killed some 1,200 people in the October 7 attack, mostly civilians, and took around 250 people hostage.

The war has severely hindered the flow of food, medicine and other supplies to Palestinians, who are facing widespread hunger.

UN agencies say more than a million people in Gaza could experience the highest level of starvation by mid-July.

In Jordan, Mr Blinken will participate in an emergency international conference on improving the flow of aid to Gaza.
In a statement from the White House following a meeting between US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, the United States and France reaffirmed their support for Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. They urged the ruling Georgian Dream party to respect public wishes and return to the Euro-Atlantic path.Both countries emphasised the need for a fair and lasting peace in the South Caucasus, based on international law, sovereignty, inviolability of borders, and territorial integrity. They also expressed support for further regional integration in the South Caucasus to benefit all its people."The United States and France affirm their commitment to standing with the people of Georgia in their Euro-Atlantic aspirations. The Presidents urge the Georgian Dream ruling party to respect the public's wishes by returning to the Euro-Atlantic path. The United States and France support the establishment of a fair and lasting peace in the South Caucasus, based on the respect of international law as well as the principles of sovereignty, inviolability of borders and territorial integrity. They support further regional integration in the South Caucasus for the benefit of all the region's people," the statement reads.The State Security Service has reported that representatives of the Russian occupation forces unlawfully detained a Georgian citizen near the occupied Tskhinvali."Upon receiving information about the mentioned incident, the State Security Service activated the 'hotline' operated by the EU Monitoring Mission. Information about another case of illegal detention was immediately reported to the co-chairs of the international discussions in Geneva and international partners. All existing mechanisms have been activated to release the illegally detained Georgian citizen as soon as possible.According to the State Security Service, the responsibility for all destructive actions committed in the occupied territories of Georgia, as well as along the occupation line, rests with the occupying power," the statement reads.
A massive fire has broken out at a four-storey apartment complex in Miami, Florida.

Firefighters and police officers arrived at the building just west of Interstate 95 near downtown Miami after receiving calls about a fire at around 8.15am, and began rescuing residents from the buildings balconies, Miami mayor Francis Suarez said during a news conference.

Mr Suarez said first responders arriving at the scene also found a man with gunshot wounds.

Firefighters working to tackle the blaze in Miami as smoke billows from the building (Carl Juste/Miami Herald via AP)

He was taken to hospital, where he was said to be in a critical condition. Officials said the shooting is part of an active investigation.

The mayor said two firefighters were taken to a hospital due to heat exhaustion, and both were in stable condition.

Miami police officials said this was an isolated incident, meaning there is no gunman at large.

News helicopters showed flames rising from the building along with large plumes of smoke several hours after the fire started.

A firefighter walks from the scene of the blaze with foam across the ground (Lynne Sladky/AP)

Fire vehicles were pouring water and foam onto the building.

The Temple Court apartment complex is made up of one-bedroom and studio units near the Miami River.

Residents from the building, many of them elderly, were taken to a staging area where they were offered food and any medication they needed, Mr Suarez said.

Smoke from the fire was also drifting over Interstate 95, and much of downtown Miami.
A prosecutor has said that no one is above the law as he urged jurors to convict US President Joe Bidens son Hunter on charges that he lied about his drug use when he bought a gun in 2018.

The evidence is overwhelming that Hunter Biden knew he was in the throes of a crack addiction when he marked on a mandatory gun-purchase form that he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs, prosecutor Leo Wise told jurors in his closing argument.

The prosecutor acknowledged the intensely personal evidence that laid bare some of the darkest moments of Hunter Bidens drug-fuelled past.

The evidence was personal. It was ugly, and it was overwhelming. It was also absolutely necessary

That included emotional testimony from his former romantic partners, personal text messages and photos of him holding a crack pipe and partly clothed.

The evidence was personal. It was ugly, and it was overwhelming, Mr Wise said. It was also absolutely necessary.

Mr Wise pointed to text messages that the prosecutor said showed Hunter Biden trying to make drug deals on the day before the gun purchase and the day after.

He knew he was using drugs. Thats what the evidence shows. And he knew he was addicted to drugs. Thats what the evidence shows, the prosecutor said.

Defence lawyer Abbe Lowell told jurors the prosecution did not meet its burden of proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The defence has argued there is no evidence Hunter Biden was actually using drugs in the 11 days that he possessed the gun.

President Joe Biden said he and the first lady will always be there for their son (AP)

There was no actual witness to the drug use in this period of time, Mr Lowell told jurors.

The defence suggested Hunter Biden was lying about where he was in text messages to his brother Beaus widow. The prosecution suggests those texts show drug use and drug deals in the days following the gun purchase.

At any given time, he would lie to her about where he was, Mr Lowell said.

Closing arguments came shortly after the defence rested its case without calling Hunter Biden to the witness stand.

Earlier, Hunter Biden smiled as he chatted with members of his defence team and flashed a thumbs-up to one of his supporters in the gallery after the final witness  an FBI agent called by prosecutors in their rebuttal case.

Several family members  including first lady Jill Biden and the presidents brother James  sat in the first row of the courtroom in Wilmington, Delaware.

First lady Jill Biden arriving at court (Matt Slocum)

At one point, Hunter Biden leaned over a railing to whisper in his mothers ear. She has sat through most of the trial, missing only one day last week to attend D-Day anniversary events with the president in France.

Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to three felony charges stemming from the October 2018 purchase of a gun he had for about 11 days.

He has accused the Justice Department of bending to political pressure from former president Donald Trump and other Republicans to bring the gun case and separate tax charges after a deal with prosecutors fell apart last year.

Hunter Bidens lawyers last week called three witnesses  including his daughter Naomi  as they tried to show that he did not consider himself an addict when he filled out the form.

Both Hunter Biden and the prosecutors scanned the jury as US District Judge Maryellen Noreika instructed them on the law. Some jurors took notes with yellow pencils, and many followed along with the judges instructions, turning pages as she read aloud from the bench.

The case has put a spotlight on a turbulent time in Hunter Bidens life after the death of his brother, Beau, in 2015.

Hunter Bidens struggles with addiction before getting sober more than five years ago are well documented. But defence lawyers argue there is no evidence he was actually using drugs in the 11 days that he possessed the gun. He had completed a rehab programme weeks earlier.

Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty (Matt Slocum/AP)

Joe Biden said last week that he would accept the jurys verdict and has ruled out a pardon for his son.

Last summer, it looked as if Hunter Biden would avoid prosecution in the gun case altogether, but a deal with prosecutors imploded after US District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was nominated to the bench by Mr Trump, raised concerns about it.

Hunter Biden was subsequently indicted on three felony gun charges. He also faces a trial scheduled for September on felony charges alleging he failed to pay at least 1.4 million dollars in taxes over four years.

If convicted in the gun case, he faces up to 25 years in prison, though first-time offenders do not get anywhere near the maximum, and it is unclear whether the judge would give him time behind bars.
Jurors in Hunter Bidens gun trial have begun deliberating on whether the US presidents son is guilty of federal firearms charges over a revolver he bought when prosecutors say he was addicted to crack cocaine.

Hunter Biden is charged with three felonies stemming from the purchase of the gun in 2018. Prosecutors say he lied on a federal form by saying he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.

Since the trial began last week in Delawares federal court, jurors have heard emotional testimony from Hunter Bidens former romantic partners, read personal text messages and seen photos of him with drug paraphernalia or partially clothed.

He has publicly detailed his struggle with a crack cocaine addiction before getting sober more than five years ago. But the defence sought to show that that he did not consider himself an addict when he filled out the form.

President Joe Biden said he and the first lady will always be there for their son (AP)

It is the first of two trials Hunter Biden faces in the midst of his Democratic fathers re-election campaign. The younger Biden is also charged with failing to pay at least 1.4 million dollars in taxes in a case scheduled to go to trial in September.

In closing arguments on Monday, the prosecutor told jurors to focus on the overwhelming evidence against Hunter Biden and pay no mind to members of the presidents family sitting in the courtroom, including first lady Jill Biden.

All of this is not evidence, Leo Wise said, extending his hand and directing the jury to look at the gallery. People sitting in the gallery are not evidence.

Defence lawyer Abbe Lowell countered that prosecutors have failed to prove their case. He told jurors the fact that his client has a famous last name does not change the fact that he is presumed innocent  like any other defendant  until proven guilty.

With my last breath in this case, I ask for the only verdict that will hold the prosecutors to what the law requires of them  a verdict of not guilty, Mr Lowell said.

First lady Jill Biden arriving at court (Matt Slocum)

Hunter Bidens lawyers have suggested he was trying to turn his life around at the time of the gun purchase, having completed a detoxification and rehabilitation programme at the end of August 2018.

Mr Lowell said there is no witness to Hunter Bidens drug use in the 11 days he had the gun. And he suggested his client was lying about where he was in text messages to his brother Beaus widow. The prosecution suggests those texts show drug use and drug deals in the days following the gun purchase.

At any given time, he would lie to her about where he was, Mr Lowell said.

Closing arguments came shortly after the defence rested its case without calling Hunter Biden to the witness stand. He smiled as he chatted with members of his defence team and flashed a thumbs-up to one of his supporters in the gallery after the final witness  an FBI agent called by prosecutors in their rebuttal case.

The first lady, the presidents brother James and other family members sat in the first row of the courtroom in Wilmington, Delaware. At one point, Hunter Biden leaned over a railing to whisper in his mothers ear. She has sat through most of the trial, missing only one day last week to attend D-Day anniversary events with the president in France.

Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to three felony charges stemming from the October 2018 purchase of a gun he had for about 11 days. He has accused the Justice Department of bending to political pressure from former president Donald Trump and other Republicans to bring the gun case and separate tax charges after a deal with prosecutors fell apart last year.

Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty (Matt Slocum/AP)

The case has put a spotlight on a turbulent time in Hunter Bidens life after the death of his brother in 2015.

Joe Biden said last week that he would accept the jurys verdict and has ruled out a pardon for his son.

Last summer, it looked as if Hunter Biden would avoid prosecution in the gun case altogether, but a deal with prosecutors imploded after US District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was nominated to the bench by Mr Trump, raised concerns about it.

Hunter Biden was subsequently indicted on three felony gun charges. He also faces a trial scheduled for September on felony charges alleging he failed to pay at least 1.4 million dollars in taxes over four years.

If convicted in the gun case, he faces up to 25 years in prison, though first-time offenders do not get anywhere near the maximum, and it is unclear whether the judge would give him time behind bars.
(Photo : Unsplash/Dori Drabek )

Labor Day offers one last chance to enjoy pool parties and grilled foods and share summer memories as summer ends. Amidst the festivities, it is crucial to remember the more profound significance of what this day means.

America's Labor Day

Labor Day commemorates the dedication of women and men who tirelessly advocated for workers' rights, such as a 40-hour workweek, safe working conditions, paid time off, and sick leave during the late 19th-century labor movement, whose perseverance resulted in significant victories that shape our lives today. These workers recognized that economic freedom for the working class is essential for overall liberty and freedom in the country. As we celebrate Labor Day in 2024, take a moment to honor the contributions of all the past and present laborers who have played a role in building and shaping America.

READ ALSO: United Steelworkers' Pro-Worker Stance: Pledges "Labor Support" in Biden's Presidential Candidacy

10 Facts About Labor Day

The Labor Day holiday emerged from the late 19th-century organized labor movement, gaining national recognition as the movement became increasingly influential in American society. Here are ten facts about Labor Day traced through factual accounts provided by the Labor Department, the Library of Congress, and various other credible sources.

1. Labor Day's Concept. Labor Day was initially introduced to the public in September 1882, when the unions in New York City organized a parade with approximately 20,000 participants to commemorate their members' union affiliation and express solidarity with all unions.

2. NYC Parade Inspiration. The parade in New York City inspired other unions across different regions, with the states of Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Colorado officially recognizing Labor Day as a state holiday by 1887.

3. The Haymarket Affair had a significant influence on the establishment of Labor Day when a bomb exploded during a union rally in Chicago's Haymarket Square, resulting in violence that claimed the lives of seven police officers and four others on May 4, 1886.

4. Historical Similar-Sounding Names. The inaugural Labor Day parade in New York City in 1882 is credited to two individuals with similar names: Matthew Maguire, a machinist, and Peter McGuire, a carpenter, who belonged to rival unions. Linda Stinson, a former historian with the U.S. Department of Labor, noted in 2011 that it was challenging to ascertain which man should be credited, partly due to confusion caused by their similar-sounding names.

5. President Cleveland Legacy. President Grover Cleveland played a key role in establishing Labor Day as a national holiday. Following violence associated with the Pullman railroad strike, President Cleveland and lawmakers in Washington sought to create a federal holiday dedicated to celebrating labor and opted for a holiday separate from the International Workers' Day observed on May 1. In 1894, President Cleveland signed an act into law, officially establishing Labor Day as a federal holiday. By then, most states had already enacted laws recognizing Labor Day as a holiday. Senator James Henderson Kyle of South Dakota introduced S. 730 to formalize it as a federal legal holiday on the first Monday of September, which was approved on June 28, 1894.

6. Labor Day's Evolution. Labor Day has undergone significant evolution over the years. In the late 19th century, celebrations primarily centered around parades in urban areas but have now transformed into a celebration that pays tribute to organized labor through various activities and is often viewed as the unofficial end of the summer season.

7. White-Shirt Tradition. The tradition of not wearing white after Labor Day dates back to the late Victorian era when it was considered a fashion faux pas to wear white clothing after the summer season officially ended on Labor Day.

8. Conclusion of Hot Dog Season. Labor Day serves as the unofficial conclusion to Hot Dog season, where Americans consume a staggering 7 billion hot dogs between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

9. Union Members Statistics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 14.8 million union members in the workforce in 2017, contrasting with 17.7 million union members recorded in 1983.

10. The Largest Union. The largest union today is the National Education Association, which boasts approximately 3 million members, including both active and inactive members, as well as lifetime members.

RELATED ARTICLE: Labor Rights Experts Call for Enhanced Protection in The Fishing Industry Amid Ongoing US-Taiwan Talks

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(Photo : Pexel/Photo by Esther)

A Spirit Airlines crew had been arrested in Fort Lauderdale and charged with grand theft after a determined airline passenger discovered her luggage was stolen and brought to his house, WPLG Local 10 reported.

A Spirit Airlines Passenger's Nightmare

Paola Garcia stood at Carousel 4 inside Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport's Terminal 4 to collect her pink hard-shell suitcase along with other passengers until she panicked after waiting for almost two hours with no luggage appearing on the conveyor belt.

According to an arrest affidavit and images, 29-year-old Junior Bazile reportedly had her suitcase at the rear of an airport retail store where he was employed. Investigation photos depicted him searching through the suitcase, which contained a MacBook, two Apple watches, an iPad, jewelry, and designer clothing, which he then placed in a clear plastic bag.

Spirit Airlines employees told Garcia not to worry. Unaware of the theft, she then provided her address to Spirit under the assumption that her luggage had been sent to her house. However, her Apple watch was emitting a signal the next morning, not from the airport but from a house at 1017 NW 11th Ct.

A Surprising Grand Theft Scene

Upon arrival, she noticed suitcases scattered around and promptly began video recording while calling 911. A Broward Sheriff's Office detective utilized an internal airport database to locate Bazile, employed by a company managing retail stores within FLL and was on duty when Garcia's suitcase went missing. When confronted by authorities, Bazile had already disposed of the stolen items and was consequently arrested and charged with grand theft.

READ ALSO: A 60-Year-Old Father Falls Victim to Inheritance Email Scam, Devastatedly Loses Entire Life Savings

Local 10 News' Jeff Weinsier visited the house to talk to Bazile and ask about the several suitcases Garcia captured on video, but since he was not home, he had a cordial conversation with his mother instead.

Upon being informed that, at one point, Garcia's Apple watch was signaling from her house, she abruptly became agitated and grabbed Weinsier's station ID directly from his neck and refused to return it. She then began calling for assistance loudly and requested to be put on camera despite being recorded. She proceeded to strike Weinsier and falsely claimed that she was the one being assaulted.

Police officers were summoned and witnessed the entire interaction, which was captured on camera. Weinsier decided not to press charges for her physical assault against him. Bazile appeared in court for the status hearing a few days later but only responded "go away" repeatedly when questioned by Weinsier about the Grand Theft charge.

Managements' Accountability

In a statement to Local 10 News, Spirit Airlines stated that they issued a reimbursement check to the guest as a courtesy despite not being currently aware of any evidence implicating any Spirit employee. They emphasized that they take any allegations of this nature seriously and are conducting an investigation.

A spokesperson for Paradies Shops, the company where Bazile was employed at the airport, also made a statement to Local 10 on Wednesday, emphasizing that Paradies Lagardere took this matter very seriously and terminated the employee immediately upon learning of the incident.

Garcia questioned whether this incident was part of a larger scheme and believed it might involve a group rather than an individual working at the airport. The police reports do not specify how Bazile obtained the suitcase, and Broward Sheriff's Office officials stated that the matter remains under investigation.



RELATED ARTICLE: Finance Worker Victimized by a Deepfake Chief Financial Officer Pays $25 Million Through 15 Bank Transfers

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Michigan's minimum wage proposal, an increase from $10.33 to $15 per hour, has been debated in the state for over ten years.

The Blockage of Wage Hike From November Ballot

A survey conducted by the nonprofit organization, One Fair Wage in Michigan, backs this up, revealing that residents of Michigan have consistently favored raising the minimum wage for all workers over the past several election cycles.

However, efforts to raise Michigan's minimum wage faced a major setback when the state's Supreme Court barred the $15 minimum wage initiative from the November ballot. This ruling came after the Board of State Canvassers failed to reach a consensus, leading to uncertainty over the proposal due to alterations in the petition's language after its initial approval.

The initiative, led by Raise the Wage Michigan, amassed over 300,000 signatures, as reported by CBS News Detroit. However, discrepancies in the petition's language from its initial approval resulted in disqualification. Despite efforts to reverse this decision through the state's highest court, campaigners and advocates for a significant minimum wage increase were disheartened.

Implication of The Wage Hike to Businesses

Joey Gamrat, owner of The Grazing Table in downtown Kalamazoo, takes a neutral stance, noting that many of his employees already earn more than $15 per hour.

In businesses where employees heavily depend on tips, such as local eateries like The Grazing Table, there's a strong push for the $15 wage hike. Gamrat acknowledges the benefits of more money in employees' pockets, but for businesses that have structured their plans around specific payroll costs, a sudden increase to $15 could pose difficulties.

Waitresses in downtown Kalamazoo also express their desire for extra income but raise concerns about potential changes in tipping behavior among customers, thinking they do not need the money anymore. Kalamazoo resident David Wolf and his wife, Melody, express mixed feelings about the potential wage increase. While they acknowledge its benefits for employees, they worry about potential job losses and increased customer costs.

One Fair Wage's Advocacy

One Fair Wage advocates for Michigan's $15 minimum wage, citing the state's strong support for the initiative. Despite a recent setback when the Michigan Supreme Court denied their motion, they are striving to include the matter on the November election ballot this year.

READ ALSO: California's Fast Food Chains Resort to Price Increase After Employee Minimum Wage Hike Takes Effect

Saru Jayaraman, President of One Fair Wage, attributes the Republicans' resistance to fear, suggesting their reluctance stems from the anticipated defeat and the potential to mobilize hundreds of thousands of Democratic-leaning voters to the polls.

A spokesperson for the Michigan House of Representatives informed News Channel 3 that the motion to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour was denied due to inaccuracies in the petition's language. The State Board of Canvassers, responsible for certifying elections for all legislative districts across county lines and all judicial offices, reached a 2 to 2 deadlock on votes.

RELATED ARTICLE: Union Unanimously Rejects American Airlines Wage Proposal, Pushes for a Complete Contract and 33% Raise Instead

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Unsplash/Ye Jinghan)

A New York architect who was previously accused of four murders faced additional charges for two more deaths after prosecutors presented DNA evidence and a computer "blueprint" of the suspected serial killer's alleged crimes.

Rex Heuermann, aged 60, appeared in court accused of the murders of Jessica Taylor in 2003 and Sandra Costilla in 1993. Since 2010, authorities have been probing a series of at least 10 deaths on Gilgo Beach, Long Island.

A "Blueprint" of Serial Killing

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney revealed at a news conference that officials had discovered a document they believe the suspect used to blueprint his excruciating crimes meticulously.

Columns titled "problems" and "supplies" have outlined various aspects. Items listed under "problems" included "DNA," "tire marks," and "blood stains." Terms like "booties" and "police scanner" were found under the "supplies" column, as per court documents. Police suspect that two additional columns labeled "DS" and "TRG" indicated"dump site" and "targets," respectively.

Tierney disclosed that investigators had found the Microsoft Word document, dated 2000, on a laptop, which was divided into sections titled "pre-prep," "prep," and "post-event," which prosecutors interpret as a guide to planning the murders. The "post-event" section contained tasks like "change tires," "burn gloves," and "have a story set." A segment named "RECON" outlined steps for packaging a body for transport and listed items to dispose of after a murder. Another list labeled "body prep" instructed to "remove head and hands."

In his planning document, reminders included instructions to get sleep before hunting and guidance on attacking victims swiftly and quietly. Another note advised Heuermann to use push pins to hang drop clothes from the ceiling instead of tape. The document outlined lessons learned from previous murders and the most effective killing techniques researched by Heuermann.

A Total of Six Victims

One victim, Taylor, was discovered by the police in 2003 decapitated, her hands and arms below the elbow severed, and her body with a tattoo obliterated by a very sharp object.

Two hunters discovered Ms. Costilla's body in a wooded area of Southampton, New York, on November 20, 1993, with 25 sustained "sharp-force" injuries, including to her face, torso, breast, and genitals, which, according to court documents, were inflicted after her death.

READ ALSO: 'How To Get Away With Murder' Season 3 Spoilers, News & Update: Wes Gibbins' Killer Revealed; Producers Killed Wes To Keep Up The Audiences?

Heuermann has been detained without bail since his arrest outside his Manhattan architecture office last July for the murders of three women: Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Costello, 27. In January, investigators added new charges for the murder of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25. The remains of these four women, believed to be sex workers, were found near Gilgo Beach in 2010.

Investigators confiscated numerous electronic devices from Heuermann's residence, which they suspect he utilized to communicate with the women, including computers, laptops, cameras, hard drives, mobile phones, and GPS devices. Analysis of these devices revealed a significant collection of violent, bondage, and torture pornography, which closely resembled the condition in which the two latest victims were found, according to Tierney.

Nearly 300 firearms were also discovered in his home. Recent DNA testing on male hairs found under Taylor's body and Costilla's shirt indicated a match with Heuermann. Investigators also noted that Heuermann's wife and children were absent from the state during five of the murders, providing him with ample time to plan his alleged crimes from their residence in the Massapequa Park neighborhood of Long Island.

RELATED ARTICLE: Airline Passenger Got Her Luggage Stolen, Busted Thief Through Apple Watch Tracker

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A federal judge on Thursday has ordered Donald Trump's former top advisor, Steve Bannon, to serve his four-month sentence for a criminal contempt of Congress conviction by July 1.

Ex-Trump Strategist: Steve Bannon

Bannon was convicted of contempt in July 2022 for defying a subpoena to testify before the congressional panel investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters. Regarded as one of the masterminds behind Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, Bannon was convicted in October 2022 and sentenced to four months in prison but has remained free pending his appeal since then.

The 70-year-old, speaking outside the Washington courthouse, asserted his resilience, declaring that nothing can shut him down, be it a prison or jail built. He also expressed optimism about winning the upcoming presidential elections on November 5, following the judge's ruling.

READ ALSO: Trump's Trial Witnesses Believed to Engage in "Shady Influence" After Receiving Pay Raises, Financial Benefits

A Four-Month Prison Sentence

The order would imprison Bannon, 70. At the same time, his former boss awaits his sentencing on July 11 in the Manhattan hush-money case, which could potentially result in prison time for Trump just four days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Trump, 77, and his supporters have claimed that Democrats are manipulating the US legal system to bolster President Biden's reelection bid, which they perceive as facing challenges.

DC US District Judge Carl Nichols, who Trump appointed, directed Bannon to fulfill his punishment on two counts of Congress contempt for disregarding the Democrat-led select committee's request for testimony and documents.

Nichols pointed out that Bannon could still petition for a stay of the order stipulating his prison reporting date, potentially postponing his punishment. During the trial, Bannon's legal team unsuccessfully contended that he was open to negotiating with the select committee before facing charges.

Who is Steve Bannon?

Bannon held the position of Chief Strategist at the White House during the initial seven months of Trump's administration and departed reportedly due to conflicts with other high-ranking staff members.

In 2020, he faced charges of wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly misappropriating millions of dollars meant for the construction of a border wall with Mexico, diverting the funds for personal gain. All others implicated in the scheme were convicted, but before leaving office in January 2021, Trump granted Bannon a blanket pardon, resulting in the dismissal of the charges against him.

Another former Trump aide, ex-West Wing trade adviser Peter Navarro, also faced a contempt of Congress conviction and commenced his four-month prison term in March. Navarro defied a subpoena issued by a committee in the US House, which was investigating purported attempts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election. In September, Navarro was found guilty of two instances of contempt of Congress for his refusal to adhere to a subpoena, which demanded the documents and testimony provision to a Democrat-led House of Representatives panel.

RELATED ARTICLE: Ending An Archrivalry: A 25-Year Sentence and Four-Month Verdict on Crypto Billionaires

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(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

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The United Food and Commercial Workers Local union, representing approximately 6,000 Food4Less employees, is preparing to conduct a vote this week to authorize a strike following the expiration of their previous contract without a new agreement in place.

The United Food and Commercial Workers' Push for A Tentative Agreement

The demands put forth by the union include increased wages and enhanced safety measures for the workers represented by UFCW Locals 8GS, 324, 770, 1167, 1428, and 1442.

In a statement issued on Saturday, union officials emphasized the importance of reaching a tentative agreement with Food4Less/Foods Co. before the contract expires. They expressed their willingness to dedicate time and effort to achieve this goal. However, the officials noted that instead of collaborating towards a fair contract, the employer chose to engage in tactics that grossly undervalued the workers' contributions and the company's wealth.

The contract expired last Saturday. The union alleges that the company is trying to pressure workers into accepting an offer that falls short of what the parent company, Kroger, offers to other regional grocery workers.

READ ALSO: Kroger, Albertsons Merger's Delay: Lawmakers Strongly Oppose as "Harmful" for Shoppers and Workers

Union Calling for Fair, Higher Wages, and a Respectful Environment

The union statement emphasized the importance of fair wages and a respectful work environment, stating that nobody should face intimidation in their workplace. The statement highlighted that by disregarding their rights, Food4Less and Kroger are impeding their ability to serve customers effectively and maintain well-functioning stores, prompting the need for a strike authorization vote.

In May, UFCW Locals lodged unfair labor practices charges against Food4Less/Foods Co., asserting that they obstructed negotiations and infringed upon workers' rights to representation. Union officials further claimed that the company unlawfully monitored workers, prevented them from engaging in union-related activities, and hindered communication with union representatives in prior instances.

Late Saturday, Food4Less provided a statement to KCAL News, expressing disappointment over UFCW Southern California's decision to walk away from the bargaining table before the contract expired. The statement highlighted the company's commitment to reaching an agreement that benefits its associates, aiming to increase their earnings, sustain industry-leading healthcare, and offer retirement benefits for their future.

The union announced that the results of the strike authorization vote would be disclosed after the voting concludes on June 14.

The Local 135 Rally

Local 135 union members already convened for a contract rally at the Mission Valley Food4Less on Wednesday to underscore the workers' advocacy for a new contract.

Representing more than 700 workers spread across 13 Food4Less locations in San Diego and Imperial counties, local 135 union members actively advocate for improved wages, staffing levels, security measures, and benefits.

In the event of a work stoppage, the workers are urging the community to stand in solidarity with them, asking for support through boycotting if called upon and refrain from crossing picket lines if established. Emphasizing the importance of solidarity, they highlight that community support will significantly impact the lives of these essential workers.

RELATED ARTICLE: Kroger, Albertsons Seeking $25B Merger Approval, Plans to Sell 166 More Stores to Pacify Regulators

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
An N.C. House Select Committee is recommending that the General Assembly change a state law forcing districts to start school the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday clo
06/09/2024

The Marching Southerners performed with other ensembles, choirs, and JROTC students at an official public ceremony held at St. James American Cemetary. Additionally, on Saturday, the band had the opportunity to participate in a parade that began in the first village liberated by American troops following the landing, Sainte-Mere-Eglise.

"This was an incredible and proud moment for our students," said Dr. Ken Bodiford, Jax State Director of Bands. "We were deeply honored to pay tribute to the courageous men and women who fought to liberate Western Europe and change the course of World War II."

This was not the first time The Marching Southerners had traveled to Europe for a high-profile event. In 2012, they led the parade celebrating Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee in London, marking her 60th year in power. In 2016, they traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii to play for the 75th Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and in 2019, the band marched in the World Peace Day Parade in the Vatican and received a blessing from the Pope.

Most recently, in December 2022, the Southerners won the prestigious Sudler Trophy, the highest award given to college marching bands once every two years. Jax State was the smallest university ever to win the trophy since the awards began 40 years ago.
By Kristine Crous, Western Sydney University; Belinda Medlyn, Western Sydney University; and David S Ellsworth, Western Sydney University |

(The Conversation)  As humanity continues to burn fossil fuels, the delicate balance of life on Earth is changing. Thats true of trees, many of which are growing faster as a result of increased carbon dioxide (CO) concentrations in our atmosphere.

But not all trees are responding in this way. In particular, eucalypts  Australias iconic forest trees  havent benefited from the increase in CO as they were expected to.

Why not? Our new research, published today in Nature, shows it comes down to a below-ground battle for phosphorus, a mineral nutrient in soils that is essential for tree growth. The results suggest in some parts of the world, increased CO means tiny bugs in the soil hold onto their phosphorus, making less available for trees.

This is alarming news, because according to current projections, global forest growth is meant to limit damage from global warming.

What our study involved

Our study used data from a Western Sydney University experiment known as Eucalyptus Free Air CO Enrichment, or EucFACE. The experiment is located in a century-old Cumberland plain woodland in Sydneys Hawkesbury district.

CO is released into the woodland through a computercontrolled system. Scientists then monitor the effects on trees, soils and the broader ecosystem. Over six years, CO was raised to the levels expected around the year 2050 (according to the current business-as-usual emissions trajectory).

Our previous studies found the woodland trees did not show any extra growth at high CO levels. We suspected the low availability of soil phosphorus was the cause, and set out to test this.

Phosphorus is crucial to the process of photosynthesis that makes trees grow. Phosphorus in soil is provided by bugs known as microbes. These micro-organisms break down dead and decaying matter, and in the process change phosphorus into a form that plants can take up with their roots.

Most Australian soils are naturally low in phosphorus, because they are derived from ancient, nutrient-depleted rocks. The same is true for most soils in tropical and subtropical regions. That makes the phosphorus service provided by microbes even more important.

We sampled phosphorus in all parts of the ecosystem, tracing its journey from the soil to the trees. We found under high-CO conditions the microbes keep more of the phosphorus they produce, to aid their own metabolism. This left less available for trees to take up.

This occurred despite the trees trying to bargain for phosphorus by releasing extra carbon into the soil to feed the microbes.



Image by Hans from Pixabay

Whats more, trees are big recyclers of phosphorus  they remove half of the phosphorus from any leaf before it falls. But this was still not enough to support extra tree growth.

Why this matters

Our study is the first to show how the phosphorus cycle is affected by high CO  and in particular, the role of soil microbes.

The results are important to predicting soil phosphorus availability, and plant productivity, in woodlands and forests as CO levels increase in the atmosphere.

Current climate projections assume increasing CO will lead to more forest growth globally. Forests are a vital carbon sink  that is, they draw down carbon from the atmosphere. So the increased forest growth was projected to go some way to limiting the effects of climate change.

If our results are taken into account, future warming would be higher than current projections. However, its important to verify our results in other locations, with other tree species. New experiments are being formed by overseas teams, including in the Amazon rainforest, to test the findings.

Importantly, our results dont mean that forests are not a crucial sink for carbon. Forests hold a vast quantity of carbon. Avoiding deforestation and planting new forests are both valuable means of maintaining and adding to carbon stores.

Our research demonstrates the importance of considering soils when growing trees. We also hope our research stimulates further efforts to find phosphorus in ecosystems, especially in tropical rainforests where phosphorus is often greatly limited.

Kristine Crous, Senior Lecturer, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University; Belinda Medlyn, Distinguished Professor, Ecosystem Function and Integration, Western Sydney University, and David S Ellsworth, Professor of Plant Eco-physiology, Western Sydney University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
(Florida Phoenix)  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.



When Fascism comes to America, Digital, Dream/ Dreamland v 3, 2024

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.

Published under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, against whom warrants have been requested for war crimes by the International Criminal Court, made the case against him stronger with his massacre of innocent Palestinian civilians during the botched hostage rescue at Gazas Nuseirat refugee camp. As I write, the United Nations is reporting from Gaza health authorities that Israel fire killed 270 persons and wounded nearly 700. Netanyahu has deliberately damaged or destroyed all the hospitals in Gaza, so the Nuseirat health facility is woefully unprepared to deal with 600 wounded people, and there is no functioning morgue to hold the 270 corpses.

While it is great good news that the hostages have been rescued, and ones heart goes out to their families, who have lived through hell since the Hamas war crimes of October 7, these statistics unfortunately suggest that each Israeli life is worth 67.5 Palestinian lives.

The raid is not the political victory for Netanyahu that he was seeking, however, since it was a cynical ploy on his part to justify his rejection of the Biden proposal for an at least temporary halt to the hostilities that would have resulted in the release of all the remaining hostages. Netanyahu was getting pressure not only from Biden but from the Israeli public, which has mounted large demonstrations against him for failing to negotiate the release of the hostages. Even Joe Biden has admitted that it is reasonable to conclude that Netanyahu insists on continuing his total war on Gaza in order to stay in power and avoid the court cases he is facing for corruption, which could send him to jail.

The operation did not dissuade opposition politician Benny Gantz from resigning Sunday from the war cabinet, the national unity government that was formed after Hamass October 7 atrocities. Gantz said that it had been a painful decision, which he took because Netanyahu stood in the way of attaining a genuine victory in Gaza. He said Netanyahu had obstructed essential strategic decisions, and called upon him to call an early election: it is necessary to have a Zionist, nationalist, genuine unity government.

Implicitly slamming the enormous human cost and limited benefits of the Nuseirat raid, he said, I support the deal presented by Biden, which he asked the prime minister to have the courage to achieve it.

I say to the families of the kidnapped that we failed the test, and we were not able to return your children.

Of the 120 or so remaining Israeli hostages in Hamas hands, it is thought that the Israeli military has killed up to a third of them with air strikes on Hamas targets.

As a former general, Gantz is well aware that Netanyahus Gaza campaign has been a military failure, with no end game in sight, and he is reported to have told the prime minister he would stand down if a clear post-war plan were not presented.

Al Jazeera English Video: Benny Gantz resigns from Israels war cabinet

The al-Qassam Brigades, the Hamas paramilitary, announced that the raid left three Israeli hostages dead, including a dual American citizen. The Israeli army denied the report, but it is difficult to see how the Israelis would know, since they indiscriminately bombed the Nuseirat Camp as part of the operation. Until Hamas provides proof of the deaths, there is no way for outsiders to know the truth.

It is probably enough of a knock on the operation that it killed nearly 300 children, women and men and wounded nearly 700. The Biden administration and the US military appear to have been drawn into Netanyahus atrocity, which reflects poorly on the US as a superpower and on President Joe Bidens judgment.

TRT World: The death toll from Saturdays Israeli attacks on Gaza has surpassed 270
VANCOUVER, BC, June 10, 2024 /CNW/ - First Nordic Metals Corp. (the "Company" or "First Nordic") (TSX.V:FNM) (OTCQB:FNMCF) (FRA: HEG0) is pleased to provide results from its recent belt-scale glacial till geochemical survey targeting orogenic gold mineral systems at its 100%-owned Storjuktan project ("Storjuktan" or "the Project") located on the Gold Line belt, northern Sweden. Storjuktan encompasses approximately 60 kilometers ("km") of first-order structural corridor (strike length) of the Gold Line belt and is located 20 km north of the Company's Barsele project [1].

Highlights:

Surface till sampling identifies a large and cohesive 5.0 km by 1.0 km As-Cu-Mo-Zn pathfinder anomaly coincident with a historic ionic leach gold anomaly.

Anomalies oriented in the down-ice direction and are coincident with favourable geology and a prominent second-order structural corridor.

Follow up exploration programs planned in 2024 to continue to advance targets to drill testing stage.

Taj Singh, First Nordic President and CEO comments: "These results from Storjuktan are very exciting, as the Project has both the geochemical signature and dimensions / scale that align well with other multimillion ounce deposits on the belt. Storjuktan's recently identified gold anomaly is currently about 5 km; for context, the Company's resource-stage Barsele project's current resource footprint is approximately 3.5 km long. We look forward to continuing follow-up exploration work on Storjuktan to advance targets towards drilling. Our goal in the coming months will be a geophysics program and a systematic top-of-bedrock / base-of-till ("BoT") drilling program at the Project.

Storjuktan Exploration Program

4,357 regional B-Horizon (subsoil) samples were collected covering approximately 2,000 hectares over multiple untested structural corridors within the central portion of the 25,000 ha Storjuktan project area. All samples are collected from the glacial till derived B-Horizon soil layer and screened using handheld XRF (x-ray fluroscence) for pathfinder elements. Anomalous areas identified will be tested for gold at an external laboratory.

Surface Till Sample Results at Nippas Target

Results from the till sampling program have identified a large gold pathfinder anomaly (Figure 2) at the Nippas target located in the central portion of the Storjuktan project. Till sample results coincident with the historic ionic leach gold-in-till anomaly (Figure 3) are defined by an As-Cu-Zn-Mo (arsenic-copper-zinc-molybdenum) pathfinder element till anomaly extending over 5.0 km by 1.0 km. The anomaly is oriented in the prominent ice flow direction. The polymetallic signature is consistent with other anomalies in the belt over known gold deposits. By comparison, the Barsele project's As-Zn glacial till pathfinder anomaly measures approximately 3.5 km by 0.8 km.

The survey focused on identification of orogenic gold and VMS (volcanogenic massive sulphide) type mineral systems known to be present in the Gold Line belt. All surface till samples were analysed using a portable XRF and follow-up analyses will test the anomalous samples for gold. The company plans to follow up with BoT drilling to test the 5.0 km Nippas target with the aim of delineating drilling targets. In addition, the company plans to fly detailed magnetic geophysics over the entire 25,000 ha Storjuktan project to map the geological and structural architecture and collect an additional 15,000 surface till samples. To date, till sampling has covered less than 10% of the Storjuktan project area.

Next Steps

Follow-up exploration programs are being planned in 2024 to continue to advance the targets to a drill-testing stage, and include:

High resolution airborne UAV magnetic survey over entire project area (5,700 line km)

Target structural corridors of interest with systematic mapping and sampling

Regional B-horizon till sampling over entire greenstone belt area

Top-of-Bedrock drilling on anomalous target areas identified with till sampling

Develop robust geological and structural framework models to guide exploration

About the Storjuktan Project

The Storjuktan project is a large, early-stage project strategically positioned north of the Barsele project [1]. It consists of seven contiguous licenses covering 30,000 ha located in the northern portion of the Gold Line belt. The Storjuktan project contains over 60 km of the Gold Line structure. All mineralization discovered to date shows a spatial relationship to this structural corridor, occurring mainly on second- and third-order splay structures.

About the Gold Line Belt Geology

The geology of the Gold Line belt consists of an inverted volcano-sedimentary sequence intruded by small pre- to syn-kinematic granitic intrusions within a broad, anastomosing high strain structural corridor. Lithologies are regionally metamorphosed to upper greenschist and amphibolite grade facies, and gold mineralization is associated with intense sericite, carbonate, biotite, and calc-silicate alteration assemblages and sulphide minerals pyrite, arsenopyrite, and pyrrhotite. The regional Gold Line structural corridor runs up the axis of the belt with many jogs, splays, and zones of structural complexity that are potential locations for dilation and deposition of gold bearing fluids. These lithological sequences are deemed to be highly prospective for orogenic gold deposits.

About First Nordic Metals

First Nordic's flagship is the Barsele gold project, located in Sweden and in a joint venture with senior gold producer Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. The Barsele project currently hosts a combined open pit and underground NI 43-101 Indicated Resource of 324,000 ounces gold and an Inferred resource of 2,086,000 ounces gold. Immediately surrounding the Barsele project, First Nordic is the 100%-owner of a district-scale license position of close to 100,000 hectares on both the prolific Gold Line and Skelleftea VMS belts. Additionally, in northern Finland First Nordic holds the entire underexplored Oijarvi Greenstone Belt.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Taj Singh, M.Eng, P.Eng, CPA

President & CEO, Director

Qualified Person

Benjamin Gelber, P. Geo., VP Exploration of the Company, is the Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101 and takes responsibility for the technical disclosure contained within this news release.

References

[1] Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate for the Barsele Property, 2020, InnovExplo

Follow First Nordic Metals:

Twitter: @fnmetals | Youtube: @firstnordicmetalscorp | LinkedIn: @firstnordicmetals

Facebook: @FirstNordicMetals | Instagram: @firstnordicmetals

Forward-Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This News Release contains forward-looking statements, including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements and Barsele undertakes no obligation to update such statements, except as required by law.

APPENDIX

Figure 1: Gold Line Belt project area with regional geology, showing locations of 2023/24 exploration programs.

Figure 2: Map of Nippas Target area within the Storjuctan project showing regional till sampling geochemical results
TORONTO, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hemlo Explorers Inc. (the Company) (CSE: HMLO) is pleased to announce that it has recently staked 153 claims for about 38 square kilometres in central Newfoundland (Figure 1). The claims are located at the southeast end of the Queensway Project, which is controlled by New Found Gold Corp.

The project area covers prospective ground over a major contact between the Middle Ridge intrusive rocks and the Gander Sedimentary Group. More importantly, the claims cover a major fault zone parallel to the dominant fault structures that define the Queensway gold trend. The Company is excited to begin exploration in the contact zone as there is a strong potential for orogenic-hosted vein-style gold mineralization related to both the timing and structures hosting the Queensway Project.

Mr. Brian Howlett commented, We are excited to add these Newfoundland claims to our project portfolio. This area is an exciting and emerging gold district that began with the discovery of the Keats Zone at the Queensway Project, and we are strategically located for exploration success. The Company plans to selectively acquire more claims as opportunities arise and begin planning an initial exploration program.

Figure 1. Map of claim area.

Technical Information

Dr. Lesley Rose, P.Geo., Senior Exploration Geologist for the Company, is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, responsible for the accuracy of the technical information contained in this news release.

About Hemlo Explorers Inc.

Hemlo Explorers is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company with a portfolio of properties in Ontario, Newfoundland, and Nunavut. We are focused on generating shareholder value through the advancement of our main Hemlo area, including Project Idaho, the Pic, and North Limb Projects. The Company is also now advancing its Newfoundland claims.

For more information please contact:

Brian Howlett, President & CEO

Hemlo Explorers Inc.

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1-647-227-3035

http://www.hemloexplorers.ca

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / KALO GOLD CORP. ("Kalo", "Kalo Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 50,000,000 common shares (the "Shares") at a price of $0.03 per Share for gross proceeds of up to C$1,500,000 (the "Offering").

The Offering is led by a strategic investor, Ascentas Capital Management Limited ("Ascentas") for C$1,084,662, which will hold approximately 19.9% ownership of the Company post-offering. Ascentas is a Hong Kong based investment company that focuses on venture investments.

The Offering is subject to TSX.V approval. The Shares issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period, in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The Company may pay a finder's fee on the Offering within the maximum amount permitted by the policies of the TSX.V.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for exploration of the Company's 100% owned, 367 square kilometer, Vatu Aurum Project located in the Republic of Fiji, and for general working capital and marketing purposes. Exploration will include geological mapping, trenching, and diamond drilling.

The Shares have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy such Shares in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or sale would be unlawful.

ABOUT KALO GOLD CORP.

Kalo Gold Corp, a gold exploration company, is focused on exploration for low sulphidation epithermal gold deposits on the Vatu Aurum Project located on the island of Vanua Levu (North Island) in the Republic of Fiji. Kalo holds a 100% interest in two Special Prospecting Licenses, covering 367 km2 that hosts a regional scale back arc basin, the Nubu Graben, and several volcanic arc related calderas ranging between 1 km to 10 km in diameter. Historical exploration work concentrated on the Qiriyaga Hill and Vuinubu Ridge Gold Deposits and resulted in the identification of over fourteen additional priority epithermal gold exploration targets.

Both Viti Levu, (South Island), and Vanua Levu are on the prolific Pacific "Ring of Fire", a trend that has produced numerous large deposits, including Porgera, Lihir and Grasberg and on Viti Levu, the exceptional Vatukoula Gold Mine. The Vatukoula Gold Mine has produced more than 7 million ounces of gold since 1937 and continues operations today. The island of Viti Levu also hosts the fully permitted Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project, where a high-grade underground gold mining operation and been fast tracked to production.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Kalo Gold Corp.

Terry L. Tucker, P.Geo.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Kevin Ma, CPA, CA

Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Director

For more information, please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Forward Looking Statements Disclaimer

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements herein may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2024) - American Eagle Gold Corp. (TSXV: AE) (OTCQB: AMEGF) ("American Eagle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that a second diamond drill rig is now operational on its NAK copper-gold project in British Columbia.

Early reports indicate that operations are proceeding smoothly, and that drilling has encountered chalcopyrite, bornite, and molybdenite mineralization consistent with nearby holes drilled previously.

Update on Drilling:

NAK24-18 has surpassed 750 metres and still drilling. It was collared 100 m north of NAK23-17, with the goal of testing favourable geology and its related geophysical expression in the area west of the Babine porphyry stock.





NAK24-19, being drilled by the new rig, aims to test the near surface gold-rich mineralization encountered at the historical South Zone, to depth to the southeast. It is intended to traverse through a large and untested area along the southern margin of the Babine porphyry stock.





NAK24-20, which will be drilled by the first rig, is planned to collar 100 m to the north of NAK24-18, and will continue to test the area being tested by that hole, with the aim of tracking the "IP shoulder" (a moderate chargeability response) which links the historical North and South zones at NAK.

Location of NAK 24-18, -19 & -20

Click Here to View the 2024 Drill Plan at NAK

Click Here to View 2024 Drill Plan Webinar Hosted by Geologists Charlie Greig and Neil Prowse

American Eagle is anticipating receiving the final merged inversion modeling of its geophysical data. The Company recently completed further IP surveying across five lines, and is merging and modeling that data along with the three lines it completed late in the 2023, and with historical data collected by previous operators. Preliminary inversion modelling of that data, along with the results of the Company's 2022 and 2023 drilling, has been used to guide the placement of this season's drill collars.

Details of NAK's 2024 Drill Program

The 2024 drill program integrates the Company's growing understanding of the relationship between the emplacement of multi-phase Eocene dikes and sills with reactive and permeable host rocks to form the extensive Nak mineralized system. The Company is developing models for geology, mineralization, alteration, and structure for the system, which will form the basis for its ongoing planning. The expanded 2024 drill program, currently planned for 15,000 metres, will aim to link, better define, and expand upon the historical North and South zones, which the Company showed in its 2022 and 2023 drill programs to extend to considerable depths (close to 950 m below surface) along a strike length of 750 m and across a width of 400 m. Intercepts from 2023 include 900 m of 0.50% Copper Equivalent from surface in the North zone (Link to NAK23-12 News Release) and 302 metres of 1.09% Copper Equivalent within 606 m of 0.74% Copper Equivalent starting from 98 metres downhole in the South Zone (Link to NAK23-17 News Release).

About American Eagle's NAK Project

The NAK Project lies within the Babine copper-gold porphyry district of central British Columbia. It has excellent infrastructure through all-season roads and is close to the towns of Smithers, Houston, and Burns Lake, B.C., which lie along a major rail line and Provincial Highway 16. Historical drilling and geophysical, geological, and geochemical work at NAK, which began in the 1960's, tested only to shallow depths. Still, the work revealed a very large near-surface copper-gold system that measures over 1.5 km x 1.5 km. Drilling completed in 2022 and 2023 by American Eagle has returned significant intervals of high-grade copper-gold mineralization that lie beyond the extent of historical drilling, indicating that several zones of near-surface and deeper mineralization, locally with considerably higher grades, exist within the broader NAK property mineralizing system.

For the latest videos from American Eagle, Ore Group, and all things mining, subscribe to our YouTube Chanel: youtube.com/@theoregroup

Collar details for holes drilled in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 drill program: Table 1

Hole UTM_Grid UTM_East UTM_North Azimuth Dip NAK22-01 NAD83_Z9 675281 6129359 n/a -90 NAK22-02 NAD83_Z9 675281 6129359 340 -70 NAK22-03 NAD83_Z9 675201 6129658 n/a -90 NAK22-04 NAD83_Z9 675181 6129862 n/a -90 NAK22-05 NAD83_Z9 675105 6130067 n/a -90 NAK22-06 NAD83_Z9 675376 6129782 260 -77 NAK22-07 NAD83_Z9 675181 6129862 170 -81 NAK23-08 NAD83_Z9 675341 6129341 270 -60 NAK23-09 NAD83_Z9 675990 6129284 20 -65 NAK23-10 NAD83_Z9 675357 6129415 270 -60 NAK23-11 NAD83_Z9 675215 6129340 270 -60 NAK23-12 NAD83_Z9 674999 6129846 80 -70 NAK23-13 NAD83_Z9 675205 6129773 270 -60 NAK23-14 NAD83_Z9 675260 6129934 260 -70 NAK23-15 NAD83_Z9 675211 6129232 270 -60 NAK23-16 NAD83_Z9 675166 6129479 265 -65 NAK23-17 NAD83_Z9 674969 6129377 105 -73 NAK24-18 NAD83_Z9 674961 6129472 90 -77 NAK24-19 NAD83_Z9 675219 6129390 120 -55 NAK24-20 NAD83_Z9 674946 6129573 90 -70

QA/QC and Sampling Protocol

Sampling at NAK follows a rigorous methodology and internal QA/QC protocol. Drill core is halved on site, and samples are submitted to ALS Geochemistry in Langley, British Columbia for preparation and analysis. ALS is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for assays. All analytical methods include quality control standards inserted at set frequencies. The entire sample interval is crushed and homogenized, and 250 g of the homogenized sample is pulped. All samples were analyzed for gold, silver, copper, molybdenum and a suite of 45 other major and trace elements. Analysis for gold is by fire assay fusion followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) on 30 g of pulp. Analysis for silver, copper, and molybdenum is by four acid digestion followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). All other major and trace elements are analyzed by four-acid digestion followed by ICP-MS.

Internal QA/QC protocols dictate that individual core samples are no less than 70 cm, and no greater than 3 m in length. To control standard, blank sample, and duplicate frequency, and to better constrain pass/fail re-analysis intervals, samples are submitted to the lab in 50 sample batches. Within each 50-sample batch, there is one gold-copper standard and two coarse reject duplicates, inserted at regular intervals, and two blank samples inserted sequentially, following mineralization where possible, for a total of 10% QA/QC samples. All gold and copper standard analyses from the 2023 program passed within 2 standard deviations of expected values. Where duplicate values differed significantly, the lower values from the resulting re-analyses were used.

About American Eagle Gold Corp.

American Eagle is focused on exploring its NAK copper-gold porphyry project in west-central British Columbia, Canada.

Anthony Moreau, Chief Executive Officer

416.644.1567

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www.americaneaglegold.ca

Q.P. Statement

Mark Bradley, B.Sc., M.Sc., P.Geo., a Certified Professional Geologist and 'qualified person' for the purposes of Canada's National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Properties, has verified and approved the information contained in this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-Looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding whether the Company will be able to complete the Offering as anticipated, the receipt of regulatory approval, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, to complete the Offering, the intended use of proceeds and intended drill program or its anticipated results at the Company's NAK project, the ability of the Company to make the qualifying expenditures as anticipated by management, and other matters ancillary or incidental to the foregoing. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results might differ materially from those suggested in forward-looking statements. American Eagle Gold Corp. assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to American Eagle Gold Corp. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by American Eagle Gold Corp. with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available under American Eagle Gold Corp. profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policies) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2024) - Southern Silver Exploration Corp. (TSXV: SSV) ("Southern Silver") reports results from its Preliminary Economic Assessment ('PEA") on its 100% owned Cerro Las Minitas project ("CLM").

PEA Highlights (all figures in $US unless otherwise noted):

Robust Project Economics - Base Case 1 : after-tax NPV5% of $501M (C$682M) and IRR of 21.2% with a 48-month payback;

Excellent Silver and Zinc Price Leverage - Base-case + 20% Metal Prices2: after-tax NPV5% of $876M (C$1,193M) and IRR of 30.1% with a 37-month payback;

Base Case Metal Prices: Ag- $23.00/oz, Au - $1850/oz, Cu - $4.00/lb, Pb - $1.00/lb and Zn - $1.25/lb Base Case +20% metal prices: Ag- $27.60/oz, Au - $2220/oz, Cu - $4.80/lb, Pb - $1.20/lb and Zn - $1.50/lb

The 2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment features:

A Large-Scale Underground Mining Operation with a 17-year mine life and an annual average plant feed of 14.3 Mozs AgEq 3 (inc. 5.8 Mozs Ag) and life-of-mine (LOM) feed totalling 243.2 Mozs AgEq 3 ; (inc. 98.6 Mozs Ag). LOM product sales total 194.3Mozs AgEq 3 at an AISC of $13.23/oz AgEq 3 sold ;

A High-Revenue Project with gross revenues totalling $4.47B with silver and gold representing 45% of revenues, and zinc representing 35% of projected revenues. The project has an Initial CapEx of $388M , an NPV5%-to-CapEx ratio of 1.3X and a paydown of 48 months on a post-tax basis; and

A Well-Located Project in a mining friendly jurisdiction with excellent infrastructure in southeast Durango state, Mexico;

AgEq is calculated on a (contained metal x metal price)/ Ag price basis

In comparison to the earlier 2022 economic model, the updated PEA now:

Increases the Life of Mine (LOM) production by 5Mt , representing an approximate 20% increase;

, representing an approximate 20% increase; Increases daily mine production capacity to 5300 tonnes per day ("tpd") , representing an approximate 18% increase;

, representing an approximate 18% increase; Extends the mine life by 2.6yrs ;

; Increases the LOM Revenue by $765M , representing an approximate 17% increase in revenues.

, representing an approximate 17% increase in revenues. Increases the after-tax NPV5% by 45% to $501M ; and

; and Similarly, increases the post-tax IRR by 3.3% to 21.2%

Lawrence Page. K. C. President, said: "This latest economic update of Cerro Las Minitas represents a new milestone in the ongoing evolution and development of the project which is the culmination of a number of smaller technical improvements, developed over the last 18 months, which together result in a significant increase in the value of the Cerro Las Minitas asset. This includes the addition of new mineral resources from the North Felsite zone as first reported in March 2023; the standardization of the metallurgical recoveries and charges across each of the deposits, including the addition of gold revenues into the project cash-flow; improvements in the mine scheduling and optimization both the Operating and Capital costs of the project."

"Since acquisition of the property in 2010 and subsequent identification of the mineral resources, a very profitable and valuable mine has been modelled in the results of the PEA disclosed today. Total acquisition, exploration and development costs are approximately US$28 million and significantly, the property is not burdened with royalties, presenting potential financing opportunities for additional drilling and development work on the property. This presentation of the results of the PEA marks a significant milestone in the development of the property and the best is yet to come."

PEA SUMMARY:

Study support

The study is based on an updated Mineral Resource ("Resource") by KGL, as of March 20 th 2024, using a $60NSR/t cut-off: Indicated - 13.3Mt averaging 102g/t Ag, 0.07g/t Au, 0.17% Cu 1.3% Pb, and 3.1% Zn totaling 43.4Moz Ag, 32Koz Au, 49Mlb Cu, 374Mlb Pb and 921Mlb Zn ; and Inferred - 23.4Mt averaging 111g/t Ag, 0.14g/t Au, 0.21% Cu, 1.1% Pb and 2.1% Zn totaling 83.4Moz Ag, 104koz Au, 111Mlb Cu, 582Mlb Pb and 1,106Mlb Zn.

(see Appendices for Resource details, price and recovery assumptions)

2024, using a $60NSR/t cut-off: The PEA project team included Kirkham Geosciences Ltd. ("KGL"), Ausenco Engineering USA South Inc and Ausenco Sustainability ULC. ("Ausenco"), Entech Mining Limited ("Entech"), and MPC Metallurgical Process Consultants Limited ("MPC");

PEA metal price assumptions: Ag = $23.00/oz, Au = $1850, Cu = $4.00/lb, Pb = $1.00/lb, Zn= $1.25/lb;

Terms: Net Present Value at a 5% discount ("NPV5%"); Internal Rate of Return ("IRR"); Operating Costs ("OpEx"); and Capital Costs ("CapEx"), All-in Sustaining Costs ("AISC")

Cautionary Statement

The PEA is preliminary in nature, it may include mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have not demonstrated economic viability. The mineral resources may be affected by subsequent assessment of mining, environmental, processing, permitting, taxation, socio-economic, and other factors.

Project Economics

The CLM project demonstrates robust LOM revenues over 17 years of production and after-tax NPV5% of $501M. Total Capital Expenditure for the project is $565M which requires $388M of initial capital expenditure and $177M in sustaining and closure capital. The project payback is 48 months.

Table 1: CLM Project Economics

Item Units Base Case Revenue US $M $4,470 EBITDA US $M $2,076 LOM pre-tax cash flow US $M $1,512 LOM after-tax cash flow US $M $923 NPV pre-tax (5% Discount) US $M $887 NPV pre-tax (8% Discount) US $M $648 NPV pre-tax (10% Discount) US $M $525 IRR pre-tax % 30.0% NPV after-tax (5% Discount) US $M $501 NPV after-tax (8% Discount) US $M $340 NPV after-tax (10% Discount) US $M $258 IRR After Tax % 21.2% Initial Capital Expenditures US $M $388 Payback (discounted, after-tax) months 48

After-Tax, Free Cash Flow

Figure 1 illustrates the estimated annual and cumulative after-tax cash flow over the life-of-mine for both the Base Case (blue) and the Base Case +20% metal values (grey). Mine scheduling targets higher margin mineralization in the first eight years of production resulting in a more aggressive paydown of capital and improved economics with an annual average After-tax Free-cashflow of $107M in the first eight years of production and $78M over the life-of-Mine.



Figure 1: Annual and LOM cashflow

Economic Sensitivities

The Project's gross revenues, NPV5% and IRR shows greatest sensitivity to metal prices.

Table 2: Gross Revenue, NPV5% and IRR sensitivity at base-case +/- 20% and current pricing

All Metal Price (Ag, Au, Cu, Pb, Zn) Sensitivity Metal Price Revenue (US$M) NPV, after tax @

0% (US$M) NPV, after tax @

5% (US$M) IRR, after Tax Spot $5,493 $1,583 $931 31.4% +20% $5,364 $1,501 $876 30.1% Base Case $4,470 $923 $501 21.2% -20% $3,576 $339 $122 9.9%

Note: Base Case price assumes Ag = $23.00/oz, Au = $1850/oz, Cu = $4.00/lb, Pb = $1.00/lb, Zn = $1.25/lb

"Spot" assumes May 29 2024 prices: Ag = $31.53/oz, Au = $2332/oz, Cu = $4.69/lb, Pb = $1.05/lb, Zn = $1.41/lb

Other factors that may impact the NPV sensitivity include changes in Operating Costs ("OpEx") and Initial Capital. These relative impacts together with changes in silver and zinc prices are shown in Table 3 and Figure 2.

Table 3: NPV sensitivity as a function of select metals prices, recoveries, CapEx and OpEx:

Sensitivity NPV @ 5%, after Tax (US$M) Sensitivity Silver Price Zinc Price Silver in Pb Recovery Zinc Recovery Initial Capital OPEX 20% $665 $628 $427 $351 15% $624 $596 $446 $388 10% $583 $565 $570 $533 $464 $426 5% $542 $533 $535 $523 $483 $464 0% $501 $501 $501 $501 $501 $501 -5% $460 $469 $467 $479 $520 $539 -10% $419 $437 $433 $457 $538 $576 -15% $378 $405 $398 $435 $556 $613 -20% $337 $373 $364 $413 $575 $650

Note: +15% and +20% Silver and Zn recoveries are not applicable

Figure 2: After-tax NPV5% sensitivities

Production and Costs:

Annual mine production is estimated to deliver 14.3 Moz AgEq (includes 5.8 Mozs Ag) to the processing facility averaged over a 17-year period. Potential annual product of sales (net deductions, treatment and refining) averaging 11.4 Moz AgEq (includes 4.9 Mozs Ag).

Peak annual Plant Feed is achieved in Year 6 with 22.3 Mozs AgEq (includes 9.4 Moz Ag) being processed with peak annual product of sales of 18.0 Moz AgEq (includes 7.9 Moz Ag). Table 4 summarizes the estimated metal production from the CLM project.

Table 4: CLM LOM Production and Metal Sales

Units Y1-8 LOM AgEq Plant Feed (Yearly Average) (Moz) 17.9 14.3 AgEq Product of Sales (Yearly Average) (Moz) 14.4 11.4 AgEq Plant Feed (Total) (Moz) 143.7 243.2 AgEq Product of Sales (Total) (Moz) 115.4 194.3 All-In Sustaining Cost (AISC) (US$/AgEq oz) $12.23 $13.23 Units Y1-8 LOM Ag Plant Feed (Yearly Average) (Moz) 7.6 5.8 Ag Product of Sales (Yearly Average) (Moz) 6.5 4.9 Ag Plant Feed (Total) (Moz) 60.8 98.6 Ag Product of Sales (Total) (Moz) 51.9 83.9

Note: AgEq was determined assuming contained metal and pricing

Mine Schedule and All-In-Sustaining-Cost (AISC)

Mine scheduling targets higher value silver-lead production in the first 8 years of mine life with lower AgEq grading material (zinc-copper dominant) being targeted in the final 9 years. Total plant feed (mine production) is estimated to be 243.2 Mozs AgEq (includes 98.6 Mozs Ag) with 194.3 Moz AgEq (includes 83.9 Moz Ag) sold. Total all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") are estimated to be $US 2.57B averaging $US13.23/oz AgEq sold. LOM production and AISC are illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 3: LOM AgEq sales and AISC:



OPERATIONS:

Mining:

The mine plan was completed by Entech and incorporates longitudinal and transverse longhole stoping methods. Two separate portals are proposed to access the various deposits, with one portal accessing the Blind-El Sol and Skarn Front deposits, and a second portal accessing the La Bocona, South Skarn, and North Felsite deposits. The process in creating the mine plan is further described below:

Datamine Mineable Stope Optimizer ("MSO") was used to produce shapes for mine planning purposes. The Resource model from March 22, 2023 by Kirkham Geosciences Ltd. was used for the evaluation and MSO analyses considered a preliminary cut-off value of $60/t NSR;

The Resource Model is restated with standardized metal prices, metal recoveries and smelter terms in this current disclosure (see Appendices);

MSOs considered a minimum mining width of 3.5 m (inclusive of 1.0 m width for unplanned dilution in rock), 25 m sub-levels, and 20 m strike lengths;

A total of 29.5 Mt averaging $131/t NSR (104 g/t Ag, 0.11g/t Au, 0.19 % Cu, 1.06 % Pb, and 2.41 % Zn) was sent to the processing facility, representing a conversion of approximately 88.3% of the Resource value at a $60/t cut-off value;

Depending on the width of the stope and the strike of continuous sections of wider zones, transverse stoping was selected and mined bottom-up. For predominately narrower zones (typically less than 18m) longitudinal stoping was selected and mined either top-down or bottom-up depending on location and timing of development. Overall, the average stope width by tonnage was 16.5 m;

Detailed geotechnical analysis including hydrogeological modelling is to be completed in further studies of the deposit, however preliminary investigations have been completed. The preliminary investigations support the selection of longhole stoping as an appropriate method for this Preliminary Economic Assessment. An equivalent linear overbreak slough (ELOS) was assumed to be 1.0m (0.5m from each wall) and additional dilution for mining of backfill was considered. Backfill dilution was varied depending on exposure, with 0.5m considered from the backs (top-down), 0.25m from the floor (bottom-up), 0.5m from the far wall (longitudinal stoping), and 0.5m from one adjacent wall (transverse stoping mined centre-out);

A stope recovery factor of 93% and development recovery factor of 97% was considered.

The grade and average stoping widths are illustrated in Figure 4 and Figure 5 respectively.

Figure 4: US$NSR/t grade distribution of the Cerro Las Minitas MSO model - looking northeast

Figure 5: Average Stope Width of the Cerro Las Minitas MSO model - looking northeast

Processing:

The process plant for the PEA study is a conventional sulphide flotation system consisting of:

Primary jaw crushing to a 15,000 tonnes ROM stockpile, reclaim and secondary crushing, closed-circuit ball mill grinding and sequential Cu-Pb-Zn (each with rougher-regrind-cleaner stages) flotation circuit producing three filtered concentrates for sale and a gold-bearing pyrite concentrate for leaching.

The pyrite leach incorporates ultra-fine grinding to improve conventional cyanidation and gold recovery by Merrill-Crowe precipitation and induction melting to produce Au-Ag dore bars.

Barren tailings to Paste Plant for underground mine cement backfill with the surplus, dry-stacked to surface

Design Annual Throughput of 1,935 kilo-tonnes based on nominal 5,300 tpd throughput.

Head grades:

MSO scheduling successfully prioritized higher grade material to the mill earlier in the mine life resulting in higher heads grades (and associated annual revenue) in the first eight years of production as compared to the final 10 years.

Table 5: Head grade over Yr1-8 and LOM

HEAD GRADES Units Y1-8 Average LOM Avg. Annual Plant Feed (kt) 1,930 1,930 Ag (g/t) 119 104 Au (g/t) 0.14 0.11 Cu (%) 0.15 0.19 Pb (%) 1.37 1.06 Zn (%) 2.45 2.41 AgEq (g/t) 290 257

Recoveries and Tailings:

A series of Batch/Locked cycle testwork/variability testwork programs conducted between 2018 and 2023 confirmed that the Cu-Pb-Zn sequential flotation flowsheet would be appropriate for processing all the sulphide mineralization from the deposit.

Testwork conducted in 2023 indicated that gold in oxide was readily leachable at high (>80%) recoveries, while approximately 70% of the gold present in sulphide material could be concentrated in the pyrite-rich concentrate while 20% reported to the copper concentrate. Ultra-fine grinding of the pyrite to 80% passing 6 micron improved the extraction of Au by cyanidation from 17% to 40% while oxidative pre-treatment increased the gold extraction to 83% but with very high oxygen and cyanide consumption. An economic evaluation determined that the oxidation step could not be justified.

Circuit design based on stainless grinding media and optimised reagent selection for sequential flotation which maximizes base metal grades and recoveries while minimizing misplacement of base metals to other concentrates.

While mining progresses through various geo-metallurgical ore types, the plant is designed to handle wide variations in both grade and sulphide mass pull.

Non-sulphide tailings surplus to the backfill requirements are dry stacked in a suitable area some 1000m NW of the process plant.

CONCENTRATE TERMS:

Metal Payables

The project is expected to produce four saleable concentrates of sufficient quality to be marketable to a variety of global smelters.

Approximately 93% of Ag is recovered with 77 % reporting to the Pb concentrate, 6% to the Cu concentrate, 7% to the Zn concentrate and 3% to the leach circuit.

Table 6: Metal Recoveries established for the PEA

Item Pb Conc. Zn Conc. Cu Conc. Dore Pb Recovery 87% Zn Recovery 93% Cu Recovery 70% Ag Recovery 77% 7% 6% 3% Au Recovery 20% 28.6% Concentrate Grade (Primary Base Metal) 65% 54% 27%

Refining and Treatment:

Treatment and refining charges were based on consultation with industry professionals and generated the terms indicated below:

Table 7: Refining and Treatment

Ag Au Cu Pb Zn Cu Concentrate Average Concentrate Grade LOM 1,266g/t 4.3g/t 27% - - Payable Metal 90% 90% 97% - - Minimum Deduction - - 1 unit - - Pb Concentrate Average Concentrate Grade LOM 5,641g/t - - 65% - Payable Metal 95% - - 95% - Minimum Deduction 50g/t - - 3 Units - Zn Concentrate Average Concentrate Grade LOM 180g/t - - - 53.50% Payable Metal 70% - - - 85% Minimum Deduction 3oz/t - - - 8 units Dore Contained kozs 2,927 28.9 - - - Payable Metal 99% 100% - - -

The high Ag grade in the Pb concentrate makes it attractive to smelters and could result in more favourable treatment terms, but these have not been considered at the PEA level. Penalty elements are low, with Cd (in solution with Zn) ($8.9/t conc.) being the major contributor to Zn penalties, and Sb (in solution with Pb) being the major source of Pb penalties ($27/t conc).

Concentrate Transportation

Transportation costs assume trucking of the concentrate via containers to the international port at Manzanillo, Colima, and then shipping via ocean freight to Asia. Estimated transportation costs (trucking, port handling and ocean freight) are US$96/wmt (wet metric tonnes) for Pb concentrate and US$106/wmt for Zn concentrate. Moisture contents are assumed to be 8.5% based on the grind size of the final concentrates.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Total initial capital investment in the project is estimated to be $388 million and includes $50 million contingency, which represents the total direct and indirect cost for the development of the project, including associated infrastructure.

Table 8: Capital Expenditure break down.

Item Total ($M) Process Plant and Infrastructure Project Directs including freight $159.7 Project Indirects $38.9 Owner Costs $8.0 Contingency $50.1 Sub-Total $257 Mining Pre-Production Capital Costs $131 Total Initial Capital Costs $388 Sustaining Capital and Closure Costs $177 Total Capital Costs $565

Mining Development Costs:

Mining development costs were developed by Entech considering a mining contractor model. Total capital costs including sustaining capital allocated to mining are approximately $US291M comprising of the following:

Table 9: Mining Capital Breakdown

Item Total ($M) Capitalised Operating Expense 31 Pre-Production Capital Development 65 Pre-Production Fixed and Mobile Plant 6 Pre-Production Capital Infrastructure 28 Pre-Production Surface Infrastructure 2 Total Pre-Production Mining Capital Costs 131 Sustaining Capital Development 114 Sustaining Fixed and Mobile Plant 25 Sustaining Capital Infrastructure 22 Total Mining Sustaining Capital Costs 160 Total Mining Capital Costs 291

Initial development costs are approximately $65M;

Sustaining development are approximately $114M;

Reallocated operating expense of $31M.

Contractor mobilization, equipment purchases and half-life rebuilds (pumps, primary and auxiliary fans, compressors, and substations) are approximately $30M;

Initial project capital expenses (portals, primary fans, initial pump stations, refuge chambers, etc. plus a 25% contingency) are approximately $50M; and,

Total lateral capital development cost of $6,594 /m and includes a reallocation of operating expense to capital of $845 /m;

Direct costs of $4,211 /m and indirect costs of $1,538 /m.

OPERATING COSTS

Operating costs are broken down into Mining, Processing, G&A and Treatment and Refining costs, plus additional production charges including government royalty, employee profit sharing and closure expenses. Operating costs were developed by Ausenco and Entech (Mine Operating Cost).

Table 10: Operating cost breakdown on a per tonnage basis

Area $/t ore processed Mine Operating Cost $41.22 Process Plant Operating Cost $15.82 G & A $4.33 Operating Cost $61.37 Treatment & Refining Charges $19.88 Sustaining Capital Costs $5.43 Closure Cost $0.56 Other Production Cost $25.87 Total $87.24

Mining:

The operating costs reflect a contractor mining option which defers capital but utilizes the experience of a contractor for initial construction and development of the mine. Mining considers a modern and large operation using large 21-t loaders and 63-t capable trucks targeting an average daily plant feed of approximately 5,300 tpd and 6,900 tpd when including waste development (peak of 7,800 tpd in production Year 4) as both portals are in production. Mining costs are developed by Entech and are from Entech's cost database which includes pricing from mining contractors.

Table 11: Production and Development Breakdown

Item Total ($M) Total ($/t) Development $190 $6.45 Production $1,024 $34.77 Total Production and Development Costs $1,214 $41.22

Operating costs are summarized as follows and are appropriate for a Preliminary Economic Assessment:

Total underground mining operating costs are approximately $1,214M at an average of $41.22/t;

Operating development (including non-capital waste development) of $3,087 /m (direct costs of $2,720 /m) and averages on a per tonne basis of $6.45 /t;

Production costs of $34.77 /t of which $29.54 /t are direct costs and $5.23 /t are indirect costs which includes labour (mine management/technical services), maintenance, power, and other costs.

Processing and General & Administration costs ("G+A"):

The process plant is a conventional sulphide flotation system consisting of both primary and secondary crushing, a closed-circuit ball mill grinding and sequential Cu-Pb-Zn flotation circuit producing three filtered concentrates for sale. A fourth pyrite concentrate is produced for leaching.

Operating costs are as follows:

Table 12: Breakdown of Process Plant Operating cost

Operating & Maintenance $/t ore processed Labor $1.40 Electrical Power $4.64 Reagents $5.04 Liners/Grinding Media $1.94 Maintenance Parts $0.95 Supplies and Services $1.65 Fresh Water Supply $0.19 Total (US$) $15.82

G&A costs reflect a well-located project in an area of excellent infrastructure and immediately adjacent to the town of Guadalupe Victoria (population: ~35,000).

OPPORTUNITIES

Mine life extension: Mineralization on the eastern and northern sides of the Cerro remains relatively under-drilled and several gaps occur in the current resource model both at relatively shallow depths and down dip of several of the main higher-grade zones. Identification of further mineralization at relatively shallow depths would potentially add more value in the earliest parts of the mine schedule.

Infill Drilling: Infill drilling, specifically on the portions of the deposit that fall within the Inferred category of classification will increase confidence in the Mineral Resource estimate, will further de-risk the project and potentially increase the value of the project.

Metallurgical Upside: XRT-based preconcentration testwork showed excellent discrimination between sulphide and oxide material enabling a 3-4x upgrade of run-of-mine rock crushed to 80% passing 75mm with the sub-15 mm fines removed. Pay metal retention in the sulphidic fraction exceeded 98%. This option provides an excellent opportunity for further reductions in project Capex and Opex should the need arise.

TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE

All mineral resources have been estimated in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) definitions, as required under NI43-101.

Mineral resources reported demonstrate reasonable prospect of eventual economic extraction, as required under NI43-101.

Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. The mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, marketing, and other relevant issues.

The PEA is preliminary in nature, it may include mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized.

An inferred mineral resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an indicated mineral resource and must not be converted to a mineral reserve. It is reasonably expected that most of the inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration.

AISC is calculated as: Operating costs (mining, processing and G&A) + Incremental PTUs + Concentrate Transportation + Treatment & Refining Charges + Penalties + Sustaining Capital + Closure Costs +Silver Revenue Royalty and is reported on using a per tonne mined, AgEq plant feed and AgEq payable basis

A full technical report will be prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this press release.

APPENDICES

Appendices with the following supporting information is found at the back of this release.

Appendix A: Sulphide Mineral Resource Estimate

Appendix B: Project location and Infrastructure

Appendix C: Simplified Process Flow Sheet

About Southern Silver Exploration Corp.

Southern Silver Exploration Corp. is an exploration and development company with a focus on the discovery of world-class mineral deposits either directly or through joint-venture relationships in mineral properties in major jurisdictions. Our specific emphasis is the 100% owned Cerro Las Minitas silver-lead-zinc project located in the heart of Mexico's Faja de Plata, which hosts multiple world-class mineral deposits such as Penasquito, Los Gatos, San Martin, Naica and Pitarrilla. We have assembled a team of highly experienced technical, operational and transactional professionals to support our exploration efforts in developing the Cerro Las Minitas project into a premier, high-grade, silver-lead-zinc mine. Our property portfolio also includes the Oro porphyry copper-gold project and the Hermanas gold-silver vein project where permitting applications for the conduct of a drill program is underway, both located in southern New Mexico, USA.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Lawrence Page"

Lawrence Page, K.C.

President & Director, Southern Silver Exploration Corp.

For further information, please visit Southern Silver's website at https://www.southernsilverexploration.com or contact us 604.641.2759 by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Qualified Person

The PEA for the Cerro Las Minitas project as summarized in this release was completed by Kirkham Geosystems Ltd. ("KGL"), Ausenco Engineering USA South Inc. and Ausenco Sustainability ULC. ("Ausenco"), Entech Mining Limited ("Entech"), and MPC Metallurgical Process Consultants Limited ("MPC"). A full technical report will be prepared in accordance with NI43-101 and will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this press release.

The scientific and technical content of this news release was reviewed and approved by Robert Macdonald, MSc. P.Geo, VP. Exploration, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Southern Silver Exploration Corp. does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Appendix A: Sulphide Mineral Resource Estimate as of March 20, 2024

Indicated Resources Average Grade Zone Tonnes Ag Au Pb Zn Cu AgEq NSR (Kt) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (%) (g/t) (US$/t) Blind Zone 2,614 92 0.04 1.8 2.0 0.10 227 113 El Sol Zone 1,252 77 0.04 2.1 1.9 0.08 214 106 Skarn Front Zone 7,626 104 0.06 0.8 4.1 0.19 298 143 La Bocona/North Felsite Zone 1,807 121 0.19 2.1 1.5 0.23 262 135 Total 13,299 102 0.07 1.3 3.1 0.17 272 132

Inferred Resources Average Grade Zone Tonnes Ag Au Pb Zn Cu AgEq NSR (Kt) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (%) (g/t) (US$/t) Blind Zone 1,697 74 0.20 1.2 1.8 0.08 192 95 Las Victorias Zone 1,417 124 0.65 1.9 2.2 0.12 307 155 El Sol Zone 1,168 57 0.03 1.7 2.1 0.06 185 90 Skarn Front Zone 12,444 110 0.05 0.7 2.6 0.32 254 126 La Bocona/North Felsite Zone 2,666 120 0.22 1.4 1.6 0.13 243 124 South Skarn Zone 4,036 134 0.19 1.9 1.3 0.08 250 129 Total 23,428 111 0.14 1.1 2.1 0.21 247 124

Indicated Resources Contained Metal Zone Tonnes Ag TrOz Au TrOz Pb Zn Cu Lbs AgEq TrOz (Kt) (000's) (000's) (Mlbs) (Mlbs) (Mlbs) (000's) Blind Zone 2,614 7,751 4 106 116 6 19,094 El Sol Zone 1,252 3,102 2 57 54 2 8,592 Skarn Front Zone 7,626 25,557 15 128 692 32 73,100 La Bocona/North Felsite Zone 1,807 7,039 11 82 59 9 15,236 Total 13,299 43,449 32 374 921 49 116,023

Inferred Resources Contained Metal Zone Tonnes Ag TrOz Au TrOz Pb Zn Cu Lbs AgEq TrOz (Kt) (000's) (000's) (Mlbs) (Mlbs) (Mlbs) (000's) Blind Zone 1,697 4,029 11 46 66 3 10,448 El Sol Zone 1,417 5,629 30 58 69 4 13,993 Las Victorias Zone 1,168 2,150 1 43 53 1 6,956 Skarn Front Zone 12,444 43,834 20 180 711 88 101,537 South Skarn Zone 2,666 10,327 19 85 95 7 21,040 La Bocona/North Felsite Zone 4,036 17,393 24 170 112 7 32,468 Total 23,428 83,362 104 582 1,106 111 186,442

The current Resource Estimate was prepared by Garth Kirkham, P.Geo., of Kirkham Geosystems Ltd. All mineral resources have been estimated in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") definitions, as required under National Instrument 43-101 ("NI43-101"). Mineral resources were constrained using continuous mining units demonstrating reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction. Silver Equivalents were calculated from the interpolated block values using relative recoveries and prices between the component metals and silver to determine a final AgEq value. Metal recoveries: 95%. silver, 75% gold, 70% copper, 87% lead and 93.2% zinc. Silver Equivalents and NSR$/t values were calculated using average long-term prices of $22.5/oz. silver, $1,850/oz. gold, $3.78/lb. copper, $0.94/lb. lead and $1.25/lb. zinc. All prices are stated in US$. The formula used for NSR$/t calculations was as follows - $NSR = (Ag g/t x 0.55) + (Au g/t x 34.45) + (Cu% x 48.68) + (Pb% x 13.41) + (Zn% x 15.59) Mineral resources are not mineral reserves until they have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral resource estimates do not account for a resource's mineability, selectivity, mining loss, or dilution. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and therefore numbers may not appear to add precisely.

Model Parameters for the Blind, El Sol, Skarn, South Skarn, Bocona, and North Felsite Zones

The mineralized zones were initially defined by Southern personnel and subsequently adjusted and redefined, validated and verified by KGL. The mineralized wire frames were defined using a combination of geological constraints and grade boundaries in addition to consideration of potential reasonable mining thickness. Intervals that were not sampled were assigned a zero grade.

The estimates were carried out using a separate block models constrained by 3D wireframes of the individual mineralized zones. The chosen block size was 10 m by 10 m by 2 m, roughly reflecting the drill hole spacing (i.e., 4-6 blocks between drill holes) which is spaced at approximately 50 m centres. Note: MineSightTM uses the centroid of the blocks as the origin. It should be noted that the South Skarn employs sub-blocking as opposed to partial percentage for the coding of the block models. In this case the parent block size is 10 m X 10 m X 3 m while the sub-block size is 0.5 m X 0.5 m X 0.3 m. Grades for Ag, Au, Cu, Pb and Zn are interpolated using Ordinary Kriging within the Bocona/North Felsite zone and Inverse Distance to the second power (ID2) weighting for the South Skarn and North Felsite Hangingwall zones. The Skarn zone is interpolated using inverse distance to the third power (ID3) with a form of dynamic anisotropy. NSR/t, silver equivalent and zinc equivalent values were subsequently calculated from the interpolated block grades.

The interpolation was carried out in two passes using progressively larger search radii along strike and down dip of 60m x 60m to a maximum of 100m x 100m. Composites were restricted to a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 9 composites, with a maximum of 3 composites from any one drill hole.

Bulk densities were based on a total of 3,146 individual measurements taken by Southern Silver field personnel from key mineralized zones. Density values ranged from 1.04 t/m3 to 5.33 t/m3 and average to 2.89 t/m3. Specific gravities were calculated on a block-by-block basis by interpolating the SG measurements using inverse distance to the second power and limited within the individual mineralized zone solids. A default density of 2.85 t/m3 was assigned to any blocks that were not assigned a calculated value.

Silver composite values have been capped in order to remove the effects of potential overestimation due to statistical outliers. The threshold chosen was 700 g/t silver for the Bocona/North Felsite and North Felsite HW zones. In addition, outlier values for the co-product metals were capped at the threshold levels of 1.5 g/t gold, 2% copper, 18% lead and 10% zinc at Bocona/North Felsite and 2 g/t gold, 0.2% copper, 3% lead and 5% zinc for the North Felsite HW zones, respectively.

The high-grade outlier thresholds were chosen by domain and are based on an analysis of the breaks in the cumulative probability plots for each of the mineralized domains for each of the zones.

Mineral resources for the Cerro Las Minitas deposit were classified according to the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (2014) by Garth Kirkham, P.Geo., an "independent qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Drill hole spacing in the Cerro Las Minitas deposit is sufficient for preliminary geostatistical analysis and evaluating spatial grade variability. Kirkham Geosystems is, therefore, of the opinion that the amount of sample data is adequate to demonstrate very good confidence in the grade estimates for the deposit. The estimated blocks were classified according to the following: confidence in interpretation of the mineralized zones; number of data used to estimate a block; number of composites allowed per drill hole; and distance to nearest composite used to estimate a block.

Blocks were classified as indicated if they were within approximately 50 m of a composite and were interpolated with a minimum of two drill holes. Note: There were no blocks classified as Measured resources. Blocks were classified as Inferred if the nearest composite was less than 100 m from the block being estimated. Furthermore, an interpreted boundary was created for the indicated and inferred threshold in order to exclude orphans and reduce "spotted dog" effect. The remaining blocks were unclassified and may be considered as geologic potential for further exploration. Furthermore, in consideration for the requirement for resources to possess a "reasonable prospect of eventual economic extraction" (RP3E), underground mineable shapes were created that displayed continuity based on cut-off grades and classification. Additionally, these RP3E shapes also took into account must-take material that may fall below cut-off grade but will be extracted by mining in the event that adjacent economic material is extracted making below cut-off material by virtue of the mining costs being paid for.

Appendix B: Project Location and Site Infrastructure

The process plant for the PEA study is a conventional sulphide flotation system consisting of both Primary and secondary crushing, a closed-circuit ball mill grinding and sequential Cu-Pb-Zn flotation circuit producing three filtered concentrates for sale. A fourth pyrite concentrate will be produced and leached.

Appendix C: Simplified Process Flow Sheet




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 UN-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 UN 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 UN-run facilities, as operational centres -- charges the militants deny.

- 'Defenceless' -

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 on 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 defenceless people, merely civilians," he told AFPTV.

In the same city on Saturday, five people were killed and seven wounded when an Israeli warplane bombed the Mhana family's home in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, 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'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.

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 Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

- Political fallout -

Israel faced growing diplomatic isolation, with international court cases accusing it of war crimes and several European countries recognising a Palestinian state.

Israel's UN 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 UN report, which highlights human rights violations against children in conflict zones and is expected by the end of June.

Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad are designated as terrorist organisations by several countries, including the United States and the European Union.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is due to address the US 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.

- US diplomacy -

Latest efforts to mediate the first ceasefire in the conflict since a week-long pause in November appear to have stalled a week after US President Joe Biden offered a new roadmap.

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, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Israel and key regional partners Egypt, Jordan and Qatar from Monday on his eighth Middle East trip since the war began.

The top US diplomat would "emphasise the importance of Hamas accepting the proposal on the table" which "would benefit both Israelis and Palestinians", said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

burs-dv/it
Israel said its forces rescued four hostages alive from a Gaza refugee camp on Saturday as it intensified an assault despite scrutiny over a deadly strike on a UN-run school there.

The four had been kidnapped by the Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas from the Nova music festival during the October 7 attacks that sparked the war, the army said.

Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40, had been "rescued... from two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat" in a "complex daytime operation", the military said, adding they were in "good medical condition".

The military had said, shortly before announcing the rare hostage rescue, that troops were targeting "terrorist infrastructure" around the Nuseirat camp.

A Gaza hospital said heavy Israeli strikes in central areas of the territory, including in Nuseirat camp, killed at least 15 people on Saturday.

Hamas said there were "dozens of bodies of martyrs and wounded lying on the ground, in the streets, and in safe rooms" and accused Israeli forces of engaging in "brutal and savage aggression on Nuseirat camp".

The assault on Nuseirat came despite growing pressure on Israel after a strike on a UN-run school in the camp on Thursday that a Gaza hospital said had killed 37 people.

The Israeli military acknowledged carrying out the strike on the school, but said it killed 17 "terrorists".

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".

Israel accuses Hamas and its allies in Gaza of using civilian infrastructure, including UN-run facilities, as operational centres -- charges the militants deny.

- 'Defenceless' -

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 on 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?" he told AFPTV.

In the same city overnight, five people were killed and seven wounded when an Israeli warplane bombed the Mhana family's home in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, emergency services said.

"We felt the shockwave in our homes," Muhammad Abu Nahl told AFPTV.

Another resident, Yussef al-Dalu, was shocked his neighbour's house had been reduced to rubble.

"I know that only defenceless civilians live in this house who are not part of any resistance (group)," he said.

The war was sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel which resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Militants from Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups also took 251 hostages, 116 of whom remain in Gaza, including 41 the army says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 36,801 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

Seventy were killed in the past 24 hours, according to the ministry.

- Political fallout -

Israel faced growing diplomatic isolation, with international court cases accusing it of war crimes and several European countries recognising a Palestinian state.

Israel's UN envoy, Gilad Erdan, said Friday he was "disgusted" that the Israeli military would be on a United Nations list of countries and armed forces that fail to protect children during war.

A diplomatic source told AFP that Hamas as well as Palestinian Islamic Jihad would also be included in the annual UN report, which highlights human rights violations against children in conflict zones and is expected by the end of June.

Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad are designated as terrorist organisations by several countries, including the United States and the European Union.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also faces pressure from within his right-wing government.

Israeli media said war cabinet member Benny Gantz cancelled a news conference that had been scheduled for Saturday, the deadline he gave Netanyahu last month to approve a post-war plan for Gaza.

Israeli media had speculated that Gantz, a centrist former military chief who had been one of Netanyahu's main rivals before joining the war cabinet, had been set to carry through on a threat to quit the government.

- US diplomacy -

Latest efforts to mediate the first ceasefire in the conflict since a week-long pause in November appear to have stalled a week after US President Joe Biden offered a new roadmap.

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.

Hamas has yet to respond. 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.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Israel and key regional partners Egypt, Jordan and Qatar from Monday on his eighth Middle East trip since the war began.

The top US diplomat would "emphasise the importance of Hamas accepting the proposal on the table" which "would benefit both Israelis and Palestinians", said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

burs-dv/it

X
Israel said its forces rescued four hostages alive from a Gaza refugee camp on Saturday, after an operation that militant group Hamas said left dozens of Palestinians dead and wounded.

The four had been kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival during the Islamists' October 7 attacks that sparked war with Israel, the army said.

Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, had been rescued from two separate buildings "in the heart of Nuseirat" in a "complex daytime operation", the military said, adding they were in "good medical condition".

They were among 251 captives seized by the militants in their October attack on southern Israel. There are now 116 hostages remaining in Gaza, including 41 the army says are dead.

Footage posted on social media showed Argamani emotionally reuniting with her father after her rescue, as well as beachgoers erupting into cheers in Tel Aviv when a lifeguard announced the four had been freed.

Campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which has pressed Israel's government to reach a deal that would free the captives, hailed the rescue as a "miraculous triumph".

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on X: "Noa, Almog, Andrey and Shlomi -- we are overjoyed to have you home."

"The message this morning to Hamas is clear: we are determined to bring back home all the hostages," army spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.

Israeli police said an officer was mortally wounded during the operation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced regular street protests demanding a deal to bring the captives home. Pressure increased after Israeli troops retrieved the bodies of seven hostages from the Gaza Strip last month.

On Saturday Netanyahu said his security forces "have proven that Israel does not surrender to terrorism". He pledged to return the rest of the captives.

His office also released a video of him speaking with Argamani on a mobile telephone.

She said she was "very excited" to return home, adding: "I haven't spoken Hebrew in such a long time."

Netanyahu told her: "We didn't give up on you for one moment."

The military had said, shortly before announcing the rare hostage rescue, that troops were targeting "terrorist infrastructure" around the Nuseirat camp.

A Gaza hospital said heavy Israeli strikes Saturday in central areas of the territory, including Nuseirat, killed at least 15 people.

Hamas said there were "dozens of bodies of martyrs and wounded lying on the ground, in the streets, and in safe rooms". It accused Israeli forces of engaging in "brutal and savage aggression on Nuseirat camp".

- 'Defenceless' -

The assault on Nuseirat came despite growing pressure on Israel after a strike on a UN-run school in the camp on Thursday that a Gaza hospital said had killed 37 people.

The military acknowledged carrying out the strike on the school, but said it killed 17 "terrorists".

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.

Israel accuses Hamas and its allies in Gaza of using civilian infrastructure, including UN-run facilities, as operational centres -- charges the militants deny.

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.

In Gaza City, overnight Friday-Saturday, five people were killed and seven wounded when an Israeli warplane bombed the Mhana family home, emergency services said.

Yussef al-Dalu was shocked his neighbour's house had been reduced to rubble.

"I know that only defenceless civilians live in this house who are not part of any resistance (group)," he told AFPTV.

- Growing isolation -

The Hamas attack that triggered the war 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 36,801 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

Seventy were killed in the past 24 hours, it said.

Israel faced growing diplomatic isolation, with international court cases accusing it of war crimes and several European countries recognising a Palestinian state.

Israel's UN envoy, Gilad Erdan, said Friday he was "disgusted" the Israeli military would be on a United Nations list of countries and armed forces that fail to protect children during war.

A diplomatic source told AFP that Hamas as well as Palestinian Islamic Jihad would also be included in the annual UN report, which highlights human rights violations against children in conflict zones and is expected by the end of June.

Both Hamas and PIJ are designated as terrorist organisations by several countries, including the United States and the European Union.

Netanyahu also faces pressure from within his right-wing government.

After announcement of the hostage rescue, Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz cancelled a news conference that was scheduled for Saturday, his office said, amid speculation he had been planning to resign from the government.

Gantz said last month he would quit the war cabinet if Netanyahu did not approve a post-war plan for Gaza by June 8.

- US diplomacy -

Latest efforts to mediate the first ceasefire in the conflict since a week-long pause in November appear to have stalled a week after US President Joe Biden offered a new roadmap.

Biden 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.

Hamas has yet to respond. 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.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Israel and key regional partners Egypt, Jordan and Qatar from Monday on his eighth Middle East trip since the war began.

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Israel announced its forces rescued four hostages on Saturday from a Gaza refugee camp in an operation which the Hamas-run government media office said left 210 Palestinians dead and hundreds wounded.

The Israeli military said the four, who were in "good medical condition", had been kidnapped from the Nova music festival during Hamas's October 7 attack that sparked war, now in its ninth month.

The same day, aid began trickling back into the devastated Gaza Strip via a rebuilt, temporary pier, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The pier, built by the US military to boost the delivery of direly needed relief supplies, was only briefly operational before it suffered storm damage at the end of May. After repairs, it was re-established on Friday.

CENTCOM said crews delivered about 492 tonnes (1.1 million pounds) of "much needed humanitarian assistance" via the pier on Saturday morning, and stressed that the facility was in no way connected to Israel's hostage rescue operation.

The Israeli military said Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, were pulled out in a "complex" mission.

It released footage and images of them being extracted by helicopter and then reuniting with loved ones in emotional scenes at a Tel Aviv hospital.

In Nuseirat, where the hostages were being held, Palestinians described coming under intense bombardment and heavy gunfire.

The hostages are among seven that Israeli forces have freed alive since Palestinian militants seized 251 people in their October attack on southern Israel.

There are now 116 hostages remaining in Gaza, including 41 the army says are dead.

- 'Horror must stop' -

News of the freed captives was met with celebrations and cheers in Israel, while anxieties over the fate of the remaining hostages prompted thousands to gather in Tel Aviv demanding an end to the eight-month-old war.

"They won't be able to release all of them in a military operation," said Michael Levy, whose brother Or is still being held.

Near Nuseirat on Saturday, an AFP photographer saw scores of Palestinians running for cover in fear of further Israeli strikes.

After the operation, piles of smouldering rubble and chunks of concrete clogged the streets.

The Hamas media office said "the number of victims from the Israeli occupation's massacre in the Nuseirat camp has risen to 210 martyrs and more than 400 wounded".

Israeli police said an officer was mortally wounded during the rescue operation.

Nuseirat resident Khalil Al-Tahrawi described hearing gun battles and shelling from his shelter.

"The Israeli warplanes began bombing us in all directions to cover up the withdrawal process," he said.

The operation came days after an Israeli strike on the Nuseirat school run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, which a Gaza hospital said had killed 37 people and the military said targeted "terrorists".

UNRWA condemned Israel for striking a facility it said had been housing 6,000 displaced people.

Israel accuses Hamas and its allies in Gaza of using civilian infrastructure, including UN-run facilities, as operational centres, charges the militants deny.

The war 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.

Aid groups and the United Nations have also accused Israel of blocking or delaying the entry of food, water, medicines and fuel into Gaza, depriving people of lifesaving supplies.

Israel has blamed shortages on aid agencies' inability to distribute supplies.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said on Saturday that 135 UNRWA workers have died in the war, the highest number of UN personnel killed in a single conflict.

"This horror must stop," he said.

- Ceasefire 'essential' -

US President Joe Biden reiterated his call for a ceasefire while welcoming news of the Israel's freed hostages.

"We won't stop working until all the hostages are home and a ceasefire is reached. That's essential to happen," he said.

He was speaking in Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, who said: "We rejoice at the release of the four Israeli hostages."

Israel faces growing diplomatic isolation, with international court cases accusing it of war crimes and several European countries recognising a Palestinian state.

Thousands of people marched through London on Saturday calling for a ceasefire, while demonstrators outside the White House protested against Washington's support for Israel amid Gaza's deadliest-ever war.

The Hamas attack that triggered the war 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 36,801 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

Efforts to mediate the first ceasefire in the conflict since a week-long pause in November appear to have stalled after Biden offered the latest plan for a multi-phase truce and hostage release.

Major sticking points include Hamas insisting on a permanent truce and full Israeli withdrawal from all parts of Gaza -- demands Israel has rejected.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also faces pressure from within his government to end the war, with war cabinet minister Benny Gantz threatening to quit.

Gantz cancelled a news conference scheduled for Saturday where Israeli media had speculated he would announce his resignation.

In brief remarks on Israeli television, Gantz on Saturday evening urged his colleagues in government to "look responsibly" into "how we can continue from here".

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday called on Hamas to accept the latest truce proposal outlined by Biden at the start of the month.

"The only thing standing in the way of achieving this ceasefire is Hamas. It is time for them to accept the deal," he said.

Blinken is set to visit Israel and key regional partners Egypt, Jordan and Qatar from Monday.

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Humanitarian aid began trickling back into the devastated Gaza Strip on Saturday via a rebuilt, temporary pier, US forces said.

The pier, built by the US military to boost the delivery of direly needed relief supplies, was only briefly operational before it suffered storm damage at the end of May. After repairs, the pipeline was reestablished on Friday.

Crews delivered about 492 tonnes (1.1 million pounds) of "much needed humanitarian assistance" via the pier on Saturday morning, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) wrote in a social media post.

Aid groups and the United Nations have accused Israel of delaying the entry of water, food, medicines and fuel into Gaza, depriving the territory's 2.4 million people of lifesaving supplies.

The resumption of the pier comes the same day that Israel mounted an operation in central Gaza to rescue four hostages from a refugee camp where a Hamas-run media office reported the attacks killed 210 Palestinians and wounded hundreds more.

CENTCOM stressed that the pier, its personnel and assets were in no way connected to the hostage rescue operation.

The Israeli military said the four hostages, who were in "good medical condition", had been kidnapped from the Nova music festival during Hamas's October 7 attack that sparked the war, now in its ninth month.

Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, had been rescued from two separate buildings "in the heart of Nuseirat" camp in a "complex daytime operation", the military said.

They are among seven captives that Israeli forces have freed alive since Palestinian militants seized 251 people in their October attack on southern Israel.

There are now 116 hostages remaining in Gaza, including 41 the army says are dead.

Footage posted on social media showed beachgoers erupting into cheers in Tel Aviv when a lifeguard announced the news.

"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," 42-year-old Israeli Uriya Bekenstein told AFP.

In Gaza, the Hamas media office said "the number of victims from the Israeli occupation's massacre in the Nuseirat camp has risen to 210 martyrs and more than 400 wounded".

Israeli police said an officer was mortally wounded during the rescue operation.

It was carried out despite growing international pressure on Israel after a deadly strike on a UN-run school in Nuseirat where displaced Gazans were sheltering.

- Ceasefire 'essential' -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced regular protests demanding a ceasefire deal to bring the captives home, with demonstrators rallying again on Saturday in Tel Aviv.

"Noa (Argamani) is home! We want all of them!" read one banner at the protest.

On Saturday Netanyahu pledged to return the rest of the captives.

His office also released a video of him speaking with Argamani on a mobile telephone.

She said she was "very excited" to return home, adding: "I haven't spoken Hebrew in such a long time."

US President Joe Biden welcomed the rescue operation, saying: "We won't stop working until all the hostages are home and a ceasefire is reached. That's essential to happen."

He was speaking in Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, who said: "We rejoice at the release of the four Israeli hostages."

Near Nuseirat on Saturday, an AFP photographer saw scores of Palestinians fleeing the Bureij camp on foot, fearing further Israeli strikes.

The operation came days after the Israeli strike on the Nuseirat school run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, which a Gaza hospital said had killed 37 people and the military said targeted "terrorists".

UNRWA condemned Israel for striking a facility it said had been housing 6,000 displaced people.

Israel accuses Hamas and its allies in Gaza of using civilian infrastructure, including UN-run facilities, as operational centres, charges the militants deny.

The war 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.

Gaza City resident Yussef al-Dalu said his neighbour's house had been reduced to rubble in an overnight air strike. Emergency services reported five dead.

"Only defenceless civilians live in this house who are not part of any resistance (group)," Dalu told AFP.

- 'Challenges remain' -

The Hamas attack that triggered the war 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 36,801 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

Israel faces growing diplomatic isolation, with international court cases accusing it of war crimes and several European countries recognising a Palestinian state.

Thousands of people marched through London on Saturday calling for a ceasefire, and demonstrators gathered outside the White House to protest against Washington's support for Israel amid Gaza's deadliest-ever war.

Facing political pressure, Netanyahu called on war cabinet minister Benny Gantz to "not leave the emergency government" after threats last month to quit unless a post-war plan for Gaza was approved by June 8.

Gantz had earlier cancelled a news conference scheduled for Saturday where Israeli media had speculated he would announce his resignation.

In brief remarks on Israeli television, Gantz on Saturday evening urged his colleagues in government to "look responsibly" into "how we can continue from here".

Efforts to mediate the first ceasefire in the conflict since a week-long pause in November appear to have stalled after Biden offered the latest plan for a multi-phase truce and hostage release.

Major sticking points include Hamas insisting on a permanent truce and full Israeli withdrawal from all parts of Gaza -- demands Israel has rejected.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Israel and key regional partners Egypt, Jordan and Qatar from Monday.

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Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz on Sunday announced his resignation amid celebrations for the rescue of four hostages from war-torn Gaza in a raid that Palestinians say killed hundreds.

Gantz's resignation is the latest sign of sharpening domestic dissent over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the eight-month war, and is the first major political blow to him during the conflict.

It came after special forces fought gun battles with Palestinian militants on Saturday in central Gaza's crowded Nuseirat refugee camp area as they swooped in to free the four captives.

The Israeli military said the extraction team and captives came under heavy gun and grenade fire, which killed one police officer, while Israel's air force launched strikes that reduced nearby buildings to rubble.

The health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said 274 people were killed and 698 wounded, in what it labelled the "Nuseirat massacre", figures that could not be independently verified.

Among those were at least 64 children, 57 women and 37 elderly people, the ministry said.

"People were screaming -- young and old, women and men," said Nuseirat resident Muhannad Thabet, 35.

"Everyone wanted to flee the place, but the bombing was intense and anyone who moved was at risk of being killed due to the heavy bombardment and gunfire."

Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, had been abducted from the Nova music festival during Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war.

Many Israelis shed tears of joy when they heard of the release of the four captives, all reported in good health.

The army released footage of the freed captives embracing their family members, and the government press office showed Netanyahu visiting them in hospital.

But Meir Jan's joy at being released was undercut by the death of his father of a heart attack just one day earlier.

- Mounting pressure -

Gantz's resignation comes after he had issued an ultimatum to Netanyahu to present a post-war plan for Gaza by June 8.

Netanyahu responded by telling Gantz it was "not the time to abandon the battle".

While Gantz's resignation will not bring the premier's right-wing government down, it reflects growing domestic pressure over Netanyahu's failure to return remaining hostages.

A senior military commander, Brigadier General Avi Rosenfeld, also resigned Sunday over what he called his failure to prevent the October 7 attack.

Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed that other hostages were killed during the rescue operation, and warned that conditions would worsen for the remaining captives.

"The operation will pose a great danger (for) the enemy's prisoners and will have a negative impact on their conditions," spokesman Abu Obaida wrote on Telegram.

The four freed hostages are among only seven that Israeli forces have managed to rescue alive since Palestinian militants seized 251 in their October 7 attack.

Dozens were exchanged in a November truce for Palestinian prisoners. After Saturday's rescue operation, 116 hostages remain in Gaza, although the army says 41 of them are dead.

Israel's top diplomat rejected accusations "of war crimes" in the operation.

"We will continue to act with determination and strength, in accordance with our right to self-defence, until all of the hostages are freed and Hamas is defeated," Foreign Minister Israel Katz said.

Seeking to explain the civilian toll and damage from the raid, Israeli military spokesman Peter Lerner told US network ABC that forces "came under fire from a 360-degree threat... It was and is a war zone."

Subsequent fighting saw four members of one family killed when an air strike hit their house in Gaza City's Al-Daraj area, in the territory's north, according to Al-Ahli hospital medics.

Israeli helicopters were also firing east of the Bureij camp, near Nuseirat, witnesses told AFP.

And heavy artillery shelling hit central and northern areas of Rafah, said officials in the southern city.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell welcomed the hostage release and said reports "of another massacre of civilians are appalling... the bloodbath must end immediately".

- Blinken heads to Middle East -

United States President Joe Biden on May 31 launched a new push for a ceasefire and hostage release deal, but without any tangible results so far.

Hamas has insisted on a permanent truce and full Israeli withdrawal from all parts of Gaza -- demands that Israel has firmly rejected.

Hamas's Qatar-based chief Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday condemned the "horrific massacre" in Nuseirat and insisted that "any agreement reached must include a permanent cessation of aggression, a complete withdrawal from the strip, an exchange deal and reconstruction".

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit the Middle East from Monday for his eighth regional tour since the October 7 attack, with stops planned in Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Qatar.

Blinken on Saturday again insisted that "the only thing standing in the way of achieving this ceasefire is Hamas. It is time for them to accept the deal."

The bloodiest ever Gaza war broke out after the October 7 attack on southern Israel that 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 37,084 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the territory's health ministry.

The war has brought widespread devastation to Gaza and displaced most of its 2.4 million inhabitants, many whom are on the brink of starvation.

Aid has arrived only sporadically by truck, airdrops and sea.

The US military said a temporary pier that had suffered storm damage late last month had been rebuilt and used on Saturday to deliver about 492 tonnes of "much needed humanitarian assistance".

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After a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Kigali and a 30-minute climb up the Gacaca hill in Karongi district, we arrive sweating and out of breath in Remera, Pascal Hamenyimanas village. Remera is one of those hills in western Rwanda whose peaks seem to caress the sky with its heavy grey clouds racing towards their favourite spilling out places, the steep lands of the Congo-Nile ridge.

All at once, as a welcome on this late April afternoon, the suns rays start peeping through the clouds, creating a spectacle of changing colours in the sky and, intermittently, on the ground. It was here, in this lush setting, that Hamenyimana was born, raised and took part in the genocide against the Tutsis in 1994. And it was here that, after 15 years in prison, the 53-year-old father returned a year ago to try to reintegrate.

Freedom is precious. Im happy to have regained it and to be back in the community, he confides shyly, but I am also bewildered by the generosity genocide survivors have shown to me despite my past. At the height of the genocide, he recalls with remorse and regret, from every point in the village you could observe on Gakomeye hill opposite the movements of the Tutsis to be killed and the houses to be looted.

Aged 22 at the time, the young Hutu found himself involved in looting and massacres, including the murder in May 1994 of neighbour Michel Ndibyariye, a farmer in his sixties, married with children and grandchildren. All were killed: the family was considered wiped out; in the Karongi district, some 2,850 families are considered wiped out. Before the gacaca courts, Hamenyimana pleaded guilty to the mans death and was sentenced to community service. On appeal, however, Hamenyimanas guilty plea was rejected, and in 2008 he was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for complicity in genocide. On May 9, 2023, he was released and returned to his village. I was scared and anxious, because I didnt know what was waiting for me here, Hamenyimana admits.

I cried like a child

Sitting on his sturdy, well-polished eucalyptus chair, Hamenyimana doesnt know where to put his eyes, his hands or his arms. At times, his legs wobble and his feet move back and forth between the floor and the chair supports, as if avoiding danger. His body language and facial movements reflect the discomfort and difficulties he is experiencing -- outward signs of an inner malaise that could just as well be explained by his past as a genocidaire or his situation of extreme poverty.

You see, if I have decent shelter, the rest will take care of itself, he at last stammers with a furtive glance at his little adobe brick house, with its cracked walls and rusty corrugated iron sheets that give a glimpse of the sky and let in the rain. Sometime before his release, a section of this house collapsed following flooding, and his family deserted it. So, after 15 years in prison, Hamenyimana came home to ruins and the silence of an absent family. I cried like a child, he says, still moved.

For seven months, survivor Emmanuel Niyitegeka, the nephew of his victim, took him in and housed him while he waited for his own house to be more or less repaired. When he reached out to me and helped me, it really touched me, he confides. And the more I think about it, the more I sink into regret and remorse, thinking that 30 years ago we lacked heart and humanity towards them.

The cow of reconciliation

To get to Hamenyimanas house, a narrow path winds through the fields, skirting the steep hillside in places. All around the winding path are scrawny banana plants resembling stalks of overgrown grass around his house, which looks from a distance like a beehive in a tree with bushy branches awaiting its bee population. Here and elsewhere in Remera, the soil is so eroded that terraces have had to be built to retain arable soil and humus. On Hamenyimanas property, a plot of less than one hectare, bushy hedges provide solid support for these terraces, but also and above all feed their cow.

Installed in a small makeshift barn, a beautiful brindle cow chews the cud and lows from time to time, as if to remind us that she still needs a bit of grass. Shes three months pregnant and Im praying that shell give us a heifer, explains Hamenyimanas wife Clementine Nyirahabineza. This cow was also given to them on loan by another survivor, Ezechiel Nkurikiyimana, to help improve their living conditions. Under the terms of their agreement, the second heifer will belong to Hamenyimanas family.

It was out of compassion that I thought of this family, which was large and malnourished with land that wasnt very fertile, says Hamenyimanas neighbour Nkurikiyimana, a genocide survivor. We gave them this cow on loan, so that they could have milk and manure. He sees it as the cow of reconciliation. The initiative comes from the victims, because everyone needs to live in peace with their neighbour, no matter who took the first step, he explains, before adding: Even if they killed our people, today their families also bear the after-effects. Perhaps what were doing will help them recover the humanity they lost with the genocide.

Pascal Hamenyimana and his wife Clementine Nyirahabineza feed the cow of reconciliation, lent to them by Ezechiel Nkurikiyimana, a neighbour who survived the genocide. Photo:  Emmannuel Sehene Ruvugiro

Back to ordinary rural life

Hamenyimanas day is now organized. It begins at dawn with the care of the cow, followed by work in the fields and socialization in the evening. Its not like when he was in prison, where he preferred to rest, getting up only for morning porridge and the evening meal, while his fellow inmates went to work outside and others learned trades.

He says he was too old to learn trades like carpentry, masonry and shoemaking. But his wife, who has known him since elementary school, scoffs, reminding him that even people older than him are now benefiting from what they learned in prison. She avoids telling him, she confides afterwards, that its rather down to laziness and especially because he had not accepted his conviction.

In prison Hamenyimana boycotted apprenticeship for a long time, before giving in to his wifes pestering to learn basket weaving, a trade he calls a womens trade. For the ex-convict, the obstacles are still numerous. I have nothing that can serve as a springboard for economic reintegration, such as a solid roof for my family and a trade to make an income, he complains. But his wife has not given up hope of getting him into basket-weaving. Im going to gather everything he needs and make it available to him, she says. Hell end up weaving, and Ill sell the product myself at the market.

Wife makes first gesture towards survivors

After her husbands imprisonment, Clementine Nyirahabineza lived in extreme poverty, with a small plot of land, a thatched cottage and six children on her hands. She also bore the burden of repayment for the property her husband had looted or destroyed during the genocide. No one can know or understand what I went through, she confesses. At the height of my malaise and despair I came to think that I would not have married him if I had known about his past in relation to the genocide. But this woman who describes herself as a warrior has not given up. Throughout her husbands imprisonment, Nyirahabineza worked in the fields, renting land to cultivate. The produce from this fed the family and gave her a little money for him in prison. She also ran a small vegetable business. Today, aged 53 like her husband, she continues these activities.

Nyirahabineza took the first step towards the survivors to tackle the problem of restituting property looted or destroyed by her husband. Given her living conditions and her sincerity, they agreed to negotiate a discounted payment. Her regular contact with them and her outspokenness paved the way for a rapprochement with her family. When she was baptized, it was the daughter-in-law of her husbands victim who became her godmother. It was this same family who offered them land to farm and a home when their house was destroyed by the rains.

Socially accepted by the whole village

Upon his release, Hamenyimana was afraid of two things: his place in his own family and the reception he would receive from genocide survivors. But, he says with his face relaxed and jovial, I was touched by my wifes fidelity, unlike many others who had children while their spouses were in prison for so long.

Did he talk to their six children about his situation? No, he admits, but their mother explained everything to them. The youngest, aged 18, still lives with them. The others  the eldest of whom is 30  get by here and there. Nevertheless, there are muted recriminations. One of them, Francois, said to her: If we havent all studied, its because of our fathers absence. But they all come to see their parents regularly.

Everything seems to indicate that the groundwork has been laid for successful social reintegration. The community is fully involved in welcoming me, and the administrative authorities were quick to help me obtain a national identity card, says Hamenyimana. I take part in everything in terms of public life, he adds, including community work and meetings, but above all, during this 30th commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsis, commemorations plus discussions, exchanges and testimonies relating to the genocide.

And to his astonishment, the survivors have welcomed me, giving me what little they have - a thousand francs or two - to support my reintegration. It reminds me of the good old days before the genocide, when we lived in harmony.

AN AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE OF SURVIVORS AND EX-GENOCIDAIRES As in the past, the Nyakagezi stream, which unites them more than it separates them, continues to flow between the two hills. If the hills of Remera and Gakomeye still live together, why cant we? asks Pascal Hamenyimana. Yet he recalls that in 1994 Remera, which had almost no Tutsis, massacred those of Gakomeye, where today only ruins and rare survivors can be seen. Among the latter is Ezechiel Nkurikiyimana, who gave him a cow. Paradoxically, it is these survivors that the ex-convict is counting on to set up his agricultural cooperative project between survivors and former genocidaires. The aim is to kill two birds with one stone: boost reconciliation and lift people out of poverty. And this cooperative, supported by his wife Clementine who is already hard at work promoting it, is already arousing enthusiasm among at least two survivors, Nkurikiyimana and Emmanuel Niyitegeka, the nephew of a man killed by Hamenyimana during the genocide. I subscribe to this idea that, at the end of the day it leads to reconciliation, confides Niyitegeka. For this local leader of the Adventist church, the lesson is that wealth is acquired through work, not through crime and treachery, otherwise it disappears like smoke, as it did during the genocide. Like Nkurikiyimana, he and his family are ready to join Hamenyimanas cooperative. On the strength of this support, Hamenyimana says he has already contacted three of his former fellow prisoners. Their agricultural cooperative is due to start operations in a field rented by his victims nephew. But his big dream, he says, is to then cultivate the fields and banks by the Nyakagezi stream, symbolic for our communities. It is there forever and, like the stream, we want our cohesion to last. Pascal Hamenyimana near the source of the Nyakagezi stream, an age-old symbol of unity between the villages of Remera and Gakomeye, separated by the 1994 genocide. Photo :  Emmannuel Sehene Ruvugiro
With his fateful encounter with Do Da Hae (Chun Woo Hee), will Bok Gwi Ju be able to change their destiny? Here's what happened in "The Atypical Family" Episode 11.

'The Atypical Family' Episode 11: Do Da Hae Prevents Bok Man Heum's Precognitive Dream To Happen

Do Da Hae discovered the secret of Bok Man Heum's precognitive dream due to what happened to Bok Dong Hee. Da Hae asked Dong Hee to tell her but Man Heum dissuaded her and said that her own dream is a curse that would send her children to hell.

Da Hae decided to change the thinking of the Bok family, who regarded their superpowers as curse rather than a blessing. She first went to George Han to prevent Man Heum's dream from becoming reality. She urged him to give up on getting married, but he refused.

Interestingly, Gace Kang joined her in the operation. They successfully recovered the money Dong Hee lent to George.

Eventually, Bok Dong Hee learned about this. George, who was devastated by what they did, pushed Grace out of the window, and Dong Hee flew into the sky to save her. She shed tears of joy at having found her true self, something she had longed for.

The Bok Dong Hee that Man Heum saw in her dream was a happy woman, shedding tears of happiness.

Do Da Hae realized that what Man Heum saw in her dreams were not everything. Dong Hee was able to avoid misfortune. She said that one should prepare to make dreams come true rather than waiting for the future.

Bok Gwi Ju Spends Time With Bok Ina

Meanwhile, Bok Gwi Ju brought happiness to his daughter, Bok Ina (Park So Yi). They went to the zoo to fulfill the promise he made seven years ago. However, the zoo was about to close already, and Bok Ina was disappointed.

Gwi Ju seemed to have made up his mind and hurriedly purchased tickets and ran into the zoo holding Ina's hand. He expressed his sincerity by cheering her up saying that there's always a next time.

Bok Ina, who knew that her father was dying and was afraid that there will be no next time, had changed.

Bok Gwi Ju Attempts to Change the Future

And the fateful hour came for Bok Gwi Ju.

He went back in time to Do Da Hae's childhood, when she was teased by children for not being able to ride a bicycle. He was with her during the happiest moment of her life, but something unexpected happened.

A red spot appeared in his neck, which signaled that his last moment had arrived. He went back to the present and it was heartbreaking to see him hiding his wounds and pretending nothing was wrong in order not to destroy his family's happiness.

Attention is focused on whether Do Da Hae will be able to prevent Bok Gwi Ju's death like how she saved Bok Dong Hee from her marriage, and whether Gwi Ju be able to go back to that day 13 years ago to save Do Da Hae and return safely.

What can you say about "The Atypical Family" episode 11? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

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KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai San Miguel wrote this.
"Hierarchy" Episode 3-4 dropped an explosive secret about Roh Jeong Eui's character.

Haunted by her past, Jaeyool Group heiress Jung Jae I (Roh Jeong Eui) is trying to get away from being blackmailed by an unidentified person. At the same time, she is also protecting Lee Chae Min from the possible backlash against Kim Jae Won and his group.

The newest teen-mystery K-drama by Netflix unveiled an interesting story about a group of elite students at the prestigious Jooshin High School. Growing up in wealth, these students are the sons and daughters of Korea's top conglomerate owners.

However, one student will shake things up.

'Hierarchy' Episode 3: Kang Ha, Jung Jae I Dating?

As Jung Jae I started to doubt the reason Kang Ha joined Jooshin High, he mentioned that he wanted to beat Jae I as the number one student in school to get more opportunities once they graduate.

Meanwhile, the two stirred buzz after they were publicly spotted together.

At one point, Jung Jae I and Kang Ha arrived at the school holding hands, causing major commotion, especially for Kim Ri An.

Because of this, Kang Ha received a mysterious note warning him about Kim Ri An and his involvement with his brother Kang In Han.

It turned out that the person sending him the mysterious note was Park Tae Ho, whom he knew when he was young. He asked Tae Ho a favor to help him expose Kim Ri An and the people behind his brother's death.

One of the significant scenes in "Hierarchy" Episode 3 was the parent's night, where top conglomerate owners gathered to plan their kids' future.

Yoon He Ra, who was Jung Jae I's former best friend, asked her a favor to introduce her father to Jaeyul's chairman, Jung Ki Young - but she declined.

Of course, Yoon He Ra felt bad about her father, who seemed to struggle to meet Jaeyul's chairman.

To get back at Jung Jae I, she exposed her secret and revealed her relationship to the scholarship kid, Kang Ha, whom her father obviously disapproved of.

'Hierarchy' Episode 4: Jung Jae I Confesses to Kang Ha

To avoid further scandal and maintain her daughter's image, Jaeyul's chairman planned to send Jung Jae I to New York and to be with Kim Seon Yu, whose parents will have a partnership with Jae I's father.

Prior to her departure, she would be staying at Seon Yu's home and away from her classmates at Jooshin.

Kang Ha managed to track Jung Jae I and asked her if she wanted to talk. He also offered to help if she needed anything or wanted to talk about something since he sensed that something was bothering her.

At this point, she revealed that someone was blackmailing her.

"I killed someone," she said, sparking Kang Ha's curiosity.

Here, she revealed that it was a scholarship kid, Kang In Han. Jung Jae I was stunned after hearing that it was Kang Ha's brother.

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Flores
"Hierarchy" featured the past and present at the prestigious Jooshin High School, starting with the controversial death of the scholarship kid and Lee Chae Min's revenge.

In addition to this, he exposed the dark side of the academy, which involved the staff and some of the students.

A teen-mystery K-drama helmed by "Big Mouth" and "Alchemy of Souls" director Bae Hyun Jin, "Hierarchy" depicts the story of students at Jooshin High School who were involved in a murder.

Amid this, a student scholar Kang Ha (Lee Chae Min) entered the institution in hopes of uncovering the mysterious death of his brother.

'Hierarchy' Episode 5: Did Kim Ri An, Jung Jae I Patch Things Up?

Kang Ha removed the doubts of Jung Jae I regarding his true identity.

As he continued working on his revenge, Episode 5 delivered Kang In Han's background as a Jooshin scholar. He experienced bullying and harassment from his classmates, which led him to attempt to expose what he knew about the school.

At this point, Kang Ha's secret was out, and all eyes were now on him, Jung Jae I, and Kim Ri An.

Meanwhile, Yoon He Ra teamed up with Jae I's half-brother, who showed her the scandalous video of her friend.

Here, it was clear that her brother was the one who leaked the video, but who was the one blackmailing Jae I?

It turned out that it was the principal's son and class president, Nam Ju Won, who got access to the students' iCloud, and which he got from his mom's office.

Meanwhile, at the farewell party, Kim Ri An and Jung Jae I arrived together and announced that they were starting over again. He also warned the people, especially Kang Ha, not to mess with Jae I.

'Hierarchy' Episode 6: The Team-Up

In the sixth episode, Kang Ha decided to team up with Nam Ju Won to expose the students and faculty at Jooshin High through the leaked videos.

He brought them to the police station, and the whole school was under investigation for bullying, harassment, and abuse of power.

Meanwhile, Kang Ha was stunned that Jung Jae I was defending Kim Ri An from the violence at Jooshin High.

However, what stunned everyone the most was the person behind Kang In Han's death.

In the flashback, In Han accidentally saw the affair between Ms. Han and Woo Jin. Ms. Han tried to stop him after In Ha warned her that he would expose everything.

However, an unexpected thing happened after Ms. Han accidentally hit Kang In Han, causing his death.

'Hierarchy' Episode 7: Kang Ha's Confession

Authorities arrested Ms. Han, while an official at Jooshin High replaced the principal for failing to do damage control with all the controversies.

Jung Jae I also faced her father, who knew about her being pregnant. As a punishment, she would be sent to New York.

With all the changes, Kang Ha managed to stay at the school along with Park Tae Ho.

In addition to this, "Hierarchy" Episode 7 also introduced a new principal, replacing Joo Won's mother.

Furthermore, Kim Ri An also came clean about being an offender, along with the other students.

In the last scene, Kang Ha confessed to Jung Jae I and was told that she also had feelings for him.

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Flores
Amid his skyrocketing fame, Byeon Woo Seok was reportedly followed by sasaengs to his accommodation abroad.

Korean top star Byeon Woo Seok met fans during his first fan meeting in Taiwan, and various strange phenomena continued to occur in the area due to his popularity.

Taiwan's Free Times reported on June 9 that the actor held two consecutive fan meetings in the country on June 8 and met about 3,000 Bian ladies (Byeon Woo Seok fans).

Photoism, a photo machine, that was released in Korea, where they launched Byeon Woo Seok as one of the newest featured artists, was also installed in a famous department store in Taiwan, and fans flocked to the site until closing time.

Prior to this, ahead of his scheduled fan meeting, Byeon Woo Seok was welcomed by thousands of fans at the airport during his arrival in Taiwan. A lot of reporters captured various scenes of the actor happily interacting with his fans.

Even the "Lovely Runner" star was surprised by the huge crowd waiting for him at the airport.

Sasaengs Rented the Hotel Where Byeon Woo Seok Stayed

Despite the warm welcome he received, the "Moonshine" actor was reportedly followed by sasaengs until in his accommodation.

According to the report released:

"Some sasaeng fans not only reserved more than a dozen cars but also rented the hotel where Byeon Woo Seok was staying and pressed the elevator on each floor."

According to a source, it is something similar to the damage to personal life experiences by his lead role Ryu Sun Jae in his hit drama "Lovely Runner," where he acted as a top star.

Due to the incident, Byeon Woo Seok's fans raised their voices, urging sasaengs to refrain from unexpected actions.

"Please do not interfere with the star's personal schedule and only support him purely."

Nevertheless, Byeon Woo Seok took care of the fans who followed him to the farewell party after the fan meeting.

The celebrity headed to a hot pot restaurant after the event, and when fans flocked outside the place, he reportedly came forward and expressed gratitude.

Furthermore, the actor will continue to visit more cities in Asia for his first ever fan meeting tour.

What can you say about the news? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai San Miguel wrote this.








Monday, June 10, 2024 - Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has confirmed the rift between President William Ruto and his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking during a church service at AIPCA Ngangarithi Church in Nyeri on Sunday, Kahiga claimed that Gachagua had been denied a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) chopper during his recent trip to Bomet.

In a fiery speech, Kahiga revealed that Gachagua was being treated unfairly in government.

Kahiga took on Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale for allegedly denying Gachagua the plane.

When Rigathi was going to Bomet, they told him that his plane was not available.

"Does that plane belong to anyone, doesnt it belong to the Government?" questioned Kahiga.

Kahiga also went ahead to demand that all parties respect the Deputy President, stating that any elected leader deserves respect which the DP was not getting.

In the church service which was also attended by Rutos allies such as Kipchumba Murkomen, Kahiga further warned that all elected leaders are not immune to criticism.

Anybody who was elected whether an MCA, MP or governor must face opposition, even President Ruto at some point will face opposition, that is the law of democracy, stated Kahiga.

Kahiga further dismissed claims of Gachaguas exit from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, following speculation that the second in command was looking to acquire a new party.

Governor Kahigas remarks came amid reports of a cold war between the two most powerful men in the land.

Ruto and Gachagua apparently are not seeing eye to eye leading to reports of the latter's alleged isolation in government.

The Kenyan DAILY POST








Monday, June 10, 2024 - At daybreak on November 4th, 1983, a scream cut through the serenity of Kiaga Village in Kirinyaga.

The single scream quickly became cries for help, then wailing of what now sounded like a large group of people.

What sounded like the cries of pain of a dying woman would lead residents of the small village to a horrific scene that would haunt them forever.

Lying on the floor was a visibly pregnant woman. She was screaming in anguish and clasping her hands to her face. Two trails of blood leaked through her hands, forming a dark pool on the concrete floor.

Around her in different states of utter shock were her five young daughters, the eldest barely a teenager. The shard of glass was the last thing she had seen, and the last she would ever see.



The wailing woman on the floor was 39-year-old Piah Njoki. She and her husband, 42-year-old Jackson Kagwai, owned the shop that was now a crime scene.

To their neighbours, the screaming was not uncommon as Kagwai would occasionally get drunk and batter his wife. Today, however, the cries for help had gone a notch higher, with the clear sounds of distress and utter pain.



Her husband had demanded to know whether she would finally bear him a son since all their five children were girls.

In a fit of drunken psychopathic rage, Kagwai pinned Njoki to the ground by sitting on her, all the while as their girls begged him to stop.

He then broke a bottle and ruthlessly used the sharpest shard he could find to gouge out her eyes, blinding her forever.



Njoki and Kagwai were married on August 16, 1969, at the Baricho Catholic Church. In the next fifteen years, the couple bore five children, all girls.

In 1983, Njoki, a primary schoolteacher, was pregnant with their sixth child. To most people who knew him before that dark morning of November 4th, Kagwai was a polite, ambitious man.

On that night, however, he turned into a savage and ruined the life of the woman who had dedicated her life to him.



Kagwai tried to silence the people around Njoki from reporting his brutal assault on her but the story refused to die down.

He was eventually arrested and charged with causing bodily harm.

Njokis case was mentioned by the Kenya delegation at the 1985 World Conference on Women in Nairobi.

That was the same year when the International Federation of Women Lawyers-Kenya Section [FIDA (K)] was established in 1985.

FIDA took up Njokis case and provided her with the kind of legal assistance she needed to finally get some justice.



In 1986, Kagwai was found guilty of harming Njoki by permanently blinding her. News reports from the time mention two accomplices in the assault, Kagwais girlfriend and his younger brother.

There is seemingly no record of whether they were ever charged with their role in the crime. An odd thing happened during Kagwais sentencing for his heinous crime. When Piah Njoki was led to the stand, she pleaded with the judge to release her brutal husband because her children still needed a breadwinner.

To the dismay of activists who had pushed for justice, Njoki made a case for a light or suspended sentence for her assailant. Kagwai was, however, sentenced to seven years imprisonment.



Njoki then filed a civil suit against her husband. The case, High Court of Kenya Civil Case No. 3897 of 1986, became one of the most high-profile divorce matters of the decade. It was clear the battery had gone on for years but the schoolteacher had persevered through it all for her children.

Kagwai, a former banker who was now a bar owner and a farmer, was the primary breadwinner in the family.

Njokis only source of income was her teachers salary, one she could now not earn because she couldnt resume her position at Kirinyaga Primary School.

To the court, it was clear that Kagwai had not only planned the attack, but he had also caused irreparable damage to Njokis eyes and life.

In March 1988, the High Court awarded Njoki, now called Piah Njoki Juliano Magochi, damages worth KShs. 900, 000.

After he was released in 1993, Kagwai tried to get his wife back.

He used his sisters, assistant chief and other emissaries but Njokis family adamantly refused to let them meet or even consider reconciling.

He went back to farming his 1000-tree coffee farm. In a later interview, he claimed the unforgivable reason for his savagery had been her running away from home to live in Kutus.



Piah Njoki died on November 8th, 2009 from diabetes complications. In the last 25 years of her life, she had adapted to a new life as a visually impaired person.

She had taken it with a stride, going back to school to learn Braille so she could teach again. She brought up her six children with the help of her parents.

The brutal attack on Njoki shocked the world and laid the foundation for the emergence of FIDA-Kenya as the foremost defender of womens rights as it pursued justice for her.

Sadly, her daughter Hellen Njoki died last month after she was murdered by her husband.

Njoki was in the womb when her mother was brutally assaulted by her father and her eyes gouged out.

See her eulogy.









The Kenyan DAILY POST.








Monday, June 10, 2024 - Interior Cabinet Secretary, Prof Kithure Kindiki, has urged Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his brigade to prioritize national unity rather than channeling their energy into ethnic interests.

In a statement on his X page, Kindiki said Gachagua and his boss, President William Ruto, are supposed to push for national unity but not tribal unity or selfish interests.

"As the symbol of national unity, the President of the Republic and his principal assistant have the constitutional duty to lead in the collective project of forging our national identity and sense of belonging and further spearhead the harmonisation of sub-national interests and the generation and projection of the collective good for Kenya as a whole," Kindiki stated.

According to the highly-ranked CS, the role of uniting families, villages, communities, and other sub-national identities belongs to elders and lower-category public leaders whose jurisdictional mandate is limited to the sub-national interests of the group or identity being united.

The Kenyan DAILY POST








Monday, June 10, 2024  Haiti gangs are reportedly running helter-skelter for fear of being decimated by the Kenyan police force.

This is after President William Ruto announced that the deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti will take place in the next two weeks.

Speaking in a church service in Nakuru, Ruto reiterated the stance that Kenya will honour its commitments to restore peace in the Caribbean nation.

We have a very blessed nation that is being depended on by foreign nations as well, People from Sudan, and DRC are waiting on Kenya to assist them.

"For those in Haiti maybe this coming week or next week we will deploy our Police to maintain peace, Ruto stated.

The president hinted that the arrangements that had been taking place in the country would be finalized in the coming weeks.

Earlier on the deployment, which is supposed to have 1000 members of Kenyas police force deployed and 2500 from other nations had been halted to allow pre-deployment arrangements to be finalized.

Further earlier media reports indicated that the initial batch of deployment was planned to include 500 police officers, 400 security professionals, and 100 members of staff such as medics, with the next group following at a later date.

According to sources, the dreaded Haiti gangs have started fleeing the capital and retreating to the provincial towns out of fear ahead of the deployment.

The Kenyan DAILY POST








Monday, June 10, 2024 - The newly installed Haiti Prime Minister Garry Conille was on Saturday afternoon rushed to hospital after suffering an Asthma attack.

According to reports, Conille, who took over the position in an acting capacity, felt unwell and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

A statement from the PM's office revealed that the illness came after a week of intense activity since ascending to the challenging position.

"Following a week of intense activities, the Prime Minister ... had a slight illness on the afternoon of Saturday, June 8, 2024, and went to the hospital for treatment," the statement read in part.

The communications office, however, noted that the PM was in stable condition after treatment at a Port-au-Prince hospital in the capital city's suburbs.

However, according to AFP media, Conille was likely to be flown out of the country for specialized treatment.

The 58-year-old was sworn into the role replacing Ariel Henry on Monday, June 3, after he was installed in the position by Haiti's Presidential Transitional Council on Wednesday last week.

Conille, a practicing medic himself, arrived in the country on June 3 after serving outside the Caribbean country.

Until his appointment, he had served as the regional director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Latin America. He held the position since January 2023.

Between October 2011 and May 2012, Conille served as the country's Prime Minister.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, June 10,2024 - Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has named a governor from Mt Kenya fueling the ongoing fallout between President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking on Sunday at AIPCA Ngangarithi Church in Nyeri County, Murkomen accused Governor Mutahi Kahiga of allegedly exacerbating divisions within the UDA party.

"You have failed him, governor.

"You are the elder in this region.

"You should be calming these young politicians when they try to cross the line.

"Instead of that, you are adding fuel to what does not exist.

"The role of uniting Mt. Kenya should be done by Kahiga, who is the chairman of Mt. Kenya governors," stated Murkomen.

Murkomen emphasized that Gachagua's role transcends local interests, portraying him as a national figure representing all Kenyans, not just his county.

Murkomen convinced the people of Nyeri and leaders from the Mt. Kenya region to allow Gachagua to fulfill his duties as deputy president and collaborate harmoniously with the head of state to foster national unity.

The Kenyan DAILY POST








Monday, June 10, 2024 - President William Ruto has directed his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua to solve an impasse within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Nairobi wing.

The Head of State issued the directive during a crisis meeting at State House on Saturday.

According to a statement by UDA, Gachagua's role is to ensure that unity is restored between the two camps that are at loggerheads on the process of grassroots elections.

The DP will as a result lead in negotiations that are expected to lead to a political settlement.

"Nairobi's polls can be held on the same day as the other two counties," the President directed his deputy.

In Nairobi, two camps have been at loggerheads with one allied to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja while the other is linked to Gachaguas friend and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, both of whom are seeking the UDA chairmanship in Nairobi County.

In one of the elections that took place two weeks ago, supporters of both camps clashed at a venue in one of the constituencies.

During the State House meeting, President Ruto also directed National Elections Board (NEB) Chairman Anthony Mwaura to cancel grassroots elections in Narok and West Pokot counties.

He explained that the elections would be put on hold due to pending disputes that were filed in court.

The Head of State also gave UDA the go-ahead to carry grassroots elections in 13 more counties.

The Kenyan DAILY POST








Monday, June 10, 2024 - National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah has accused Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of hiring bloggers and social media influencers to bully him on social media.

In a post on X on Saturday, Ichungwah, who is also Kikuyu Member of Parliament, claimed that Gachagua has activated his war machine to run a smear campaign against him.

The outspoken lawmaker further claimed that he would continue fighting people inciting the community against elected leaders for selfish reasons.

Ichung'wah claimed the deputy president's push for unity was not targeting the region's issues, such as coffee and milk prices.

"You can mobilise your stooges, bloggers, and all vernacular stations and deploy all your arsenal, but we shall not be cowed or intimidated.

"We are not threatened, we have been emancipated, and we only stand by the truth.

"I will tell you the truth as it is in broad daylight. We should stop inciting residents for selfish interests," Ichung'wah said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST








Monday, June 10, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged his boss, President William Ruto, that nothing will stop him from 'uniting' the Mt Kenya region.

During the Annual Akorino Conference in Nakuru County on Sunday, Gachagua dismissed the narrative that his push for Mt. Kenya unity amounts to tribalism.

Gachagua, who spoke in front of President William Ruto, maintained he would not relent in advocating for the interests and unity of the Mt. Kenya region.

Responding to Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, who slammed him earlier, Gachagua pointed out that the unity of Mt. Kenya does not mean hating other regions.

I have heard my brother Moses Kuria asking the Akorino Church to be united.

"It is true because they have unique issues to do with the Akorinos.

"But, the coming together of the Akorinos does not mean they are uniting against the Catholic Church or the PCEA.

"It is because they have their unique challenges, Gachagua explained.

The Kenyan DAILY POST








Monday, June 10, 2024 - Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is the latest ally of President William Ruto to condemn Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for being tribal by advocating for the one-man, one-shilling revenue-sharing formula.

Gachagua argued that populated regions should receive a higher allocation than their least populated counterparts.

However, addressing a congregation in Isiolo North, Murkomen explained that Gachaguas proposal was divisive to the country's unity.

He further revealed that its propellants lacked in-depth knowledge of its effects in disintegrating the country.

"Claiming that one man, one vote, one kilometer, one what? Let me tell you, most of us talking about the issue do not understand what it is," he stated.

He further noted that if adopted, some regions considered least populated would suffer in infrastructure projects and the Northern and North Eastern regions would be adversely affected.

He explained that during the Building Bridges Initiative period where the one man, one vote, one shilling proponents first emerged, he and a slew of other leaders actively opposed it.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru have opposed Gachaguas campaign despite coming from the Mt Kenya region.

Kindiki argued that its proponents do not understand while Waiguru revealed that Mt Kenya unity was still intact.

The Kenyan DAILY POST








Monday, June 10, 2024 - A police officer attached to Ololulunga Police Station in Narok South was found lying unconscious in unclear circumstances.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Corporal Paul Macharia was viciously attacked by unknown persons just a few meters from his house.

Members of the public found him lying unconscious and informed the police.

He was found lying unconscious having been assaulted by unknown persons on the night of 08/06/2024 and 09/06/2024 at an unknown time.

"The scene was visited by police officers and documented, a police report says.

The officer had a deep cut on the back of his head and a swollen jaw.

A packet of milk and keys were also found beside him.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment as police launch investigations.

This latest incident comes amid rising cases of police officers being attacked by civilians.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.








Monday, June 10, 2024 - Former Kitui County Governor Charity Ngilu has urged former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to avoid wasting time and endorse Wiper leader, Kalonzo Musyoka as his successor ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Ngilu, a long-time political ally of Raila, said on Saturday that she will talk him into declaring Kalonzo Tosha now that he is exiting the local political scene for an AU assignment.

We belong to Azimio. Our former presidential candidate has looked elsewhere.

"Raila Odinga has exited the local political arena.

"That leaves one of our own, Kalonzo, only a heartbeat from the throne, Ngilu said.

I will go and talk to him and ask him to declare Kalonzo the presidential candidate.

"Our very own can be at the helm or does it break any bone? Ngilu posed.

Raila will in February next year contest the African Union Commission chairmanship and if he clinches the position, He will serve up to 2028 - the year after the 2027 presidential polls are held.

Ngilu was addressing mourners at the funeral ceremony of educationist Agnetta Peter at Katuuni village in Mumoni, Mwingi North.

Agnetta who succumbed to cancer, served as Ngilus education chief officer when she was Kitui governor.

Earlier she served as a high school principal and county TSC director.

The Kenyan DAILY POST








Monday, June 10, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has pleaded with Kenya Kwanza leaders to stop divisive politics and focus on supporting President William Ruto in delivering development as promised to Kenyans.

Speaking in Kericho County over the weekend, Gachagua said the Ruto Administration is barely two years in office, terming the politics of 2032 misplaced and disruptive.

I want to ask our leaders in Kenya Kwanza to drop this agitation. Drop divisive talk and stop creating factions in our government and focus, the Deputy President said.

Gachagua said those who want to succeed President William Ruto should wait for the right time.

The most important business of the day is to ensure President Ruto succeeds. That is my focus and commitment. When people start succession politics of 2032, it causes distraction.

"I want to ask our leaders to stop; 2032 is far away, it is unnecessary, it is unhelpful, it is inappropriate, and it is irritating.

"Let all of us serve the people of Kenya and support the President to succeed, remarked Gachagua.

"When President Ruto wanted someone to stand with him, I was there. We campaigned for him. He is a product of our effort; our work is to support him deliver, he added.

The one-man, one-vote, one-shilling revenue-sharing formula has ignited a storm in the Kenya Kwanza Government with a section of leaders terming it divisive.

The Deputy President has been termed a 'tribalist' by a section of leaders in the UDA party for his unity call in Mt Kenya and rooting for the one man, one vote, one shilling formula.

The Kenyan DAILY POST








Monday, June 10, 2024 - Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has urged Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to stop fueling tribalism in the Mt Kenya region.

During a church service in Nakuru County on Sunday, Kuria openly slammed the deputy president, warning him that his ongoing drama of uniting Mt Kenya region is polarizing the country further.

Kuria recalled how tribalism led to many deaths in the country, especially in Nakuru county, something he said should not be allowed to happen again.

"Those who do not know where we have come from might not know where we are going.

"The signature of our determination to end tribalism in Nakuru county.

"If there is one place where someone should not attempt to bring tribalism, in Nakuru county," Kuria said.

Speaking in his local language, Kuria argued that it was ironic for leaders to start fighting the president, yet they helped form the Kenya Kwanza Alliance government.

He said that while the region remains committed to the coalition, individuals who wish to leave are free to do so.

Our people fought hard for this government. As members of the UDA party, we formed the Kenya Kwanza government, and we would be foolish to let others come and take away what we have built together. Even women dont walk away from their homes during harvest time, Kuria added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, June 10, 2024 - A group of Kenyans stranded in Jordan are seeking compensation and a return ticket back home after they were abandoned in a hotel by Bishop Harrison Nganga of Christian Foundation Fellowship(CFF) church, who had promised to take them on an Israel Tour after paying USD 2,000(Ksh 262,000).

The people who had paid for the trip which accommodated even non-church members arrived in Egypt as scheduled to witness the spectacle that are the Pyramids.

But sadly on the day they were supposed to travel to Israel, the group was separated based on a rumor that someone amongst the non-church members wanted to escape.

All the members were bundled in a bus leaving the faithfuls alone.

They were then taken to the Strand Hotel in Jordan where they have been trapped with no freedom or communication...



Their trip to Israel has been cancelled and no refunds or return tickets have been issued, leaving them stranded



Efforts to reach their guides have been thwarted.

In leaked WhatsApp messages, those who had paid for the trip are seen complaining that they have been locked up in a hotel in Jordan.

This is not Godly. This is not humanity, one of the victims rants in the WhatsApp group.

See thread.












































Monday, June 10, 2024 - Aspiring Meru politician Rodgers Kipembe has taken to social media to flaunt his lavish mansion to dispute rumours that he has gone broke.

Kipembe is currently embroiled in a scandal after it emerged that his wife left him for Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi.

He is currently dating a lady called Eunice Pendo.

Over the weekend, they flew to Tanzania for a short vacation.

See the photo of his lavish house.





The Kenyan DAILY POST.








Monday, June 10, 2024  The fallout between President William Ruto and his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, and the subsequent political bickering with UDA has intensified after Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told off Gachagua over his rallying call for Mt. Kenya unity and his support for the One Man, One Shilling, One Vote campaign.

Speaking during a church service in Nyeri yesterday, Murkomen took a swipe at Gachagua and his allies, accusing them of advancing selfish political goals at the expense of national unity.

While making his remarks, Murkomen slammed Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who during the same service, told off Ruto's close allies and hinted at the Deputy President's isolation in the ruling party.

Let Gachagua take his rightful position as Deputy President of all Kenyans, he is not a leader for the Mount Kenya region, he was elected to become a national leader, he noted.

The CS pleaded with Mount Kenya leaders to let Gachagua work for all Kenyans to help the president unify the country and oversee key development projects.



Gachagua is no longer concerned with regional politics, let him do his job as tasked by the president, he stated.

Kahiga had hinted at a possible rift within the ruling Kenya Kwanza alliance. He revealed that Gachagua, during his recent trip to Bomet was denied a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) chopper.



The governor reminded the current leadership of how President Ruto was allegedly mistreated when he was Deputy President under former President Uhuru Kenyatta.



He said if the same tribulations repeat themselves, the people of Mount Kenya will stand with Gachagua.



The Kenyan DAILY POST








Monday, June 10, 2024 - Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has exposed Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura as a big liar.

A fortnight ago, Mwaura claimed that the Kenya Kwanza Alliance government had purchased brand new cars for the retired president and also offered him his gratuity of Sh 48 million.

But Uhuru on Monday through his spokesperson, Kanze Dena, termed Mwaura as a liar and claimed the government had not undertaken nor facilitated any repair and maintenance of any vehicles, nor have they been fuelled.

Dena stated that Uhuru is currently using vehicles given to him on a transitional basis.

Kanze claimed the vehicles in use are those Uhuru departed with from Kasarani after the handing-over ceremony in September 2022.

"After the transition, a conversation on the purchase of the vehicles as required by the Act commenced between the two offices," Dena alleged.

She further noted that In the financial year 2022/2023, parliament allocated Uhuru's office Sh655 million.

"To date, the office can only confirm absorption of roughly Sh28 million spread across the payment of allowances for domestic travels as well as facilitation of the two trips mentioned earlier that were honoured," she says.

'...that is approximately 4.4% of the total budget for that particular year."

In the coming Financial Year 2024/25, the office has been allocated Sh579 million.

"The office waits with bated breath to see if this will be honored," she said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST








Monday, June 10, 2024  President William Ruto has continued to frustrate former President Uhuru Kenyatta after their fallout in the run-up to the 2022 General Election.

This is after it emerged that Rutos government has declined to renew the contracts of two staff members working in Uhuru Kenyattas office.

Addressing the media earlier today, former State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena said Uhurus office is waiting for communication as to why they declined to renew her contract and that of Administrator George Kariuki.

The office of the former President still awaits the confirmation and communication on why they blatantly refused to renew contracts of two professional staff members, Administrator George Kariuki and Director of Communication Kanze Dena Mararo, Dena stated.

She also claimed that the government has been intimidating Uhurus staff via phone calls at night and some being removed from the former presidents office unceremoniously.

There is also an issue of unceremonious withdrawal and intimidation of staff via phone calls at midnight, Kanze claimed.

Further, she claimed that the government is yet to give Uhurus office a total of sh1 billion budget allocation for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 financial years.

Additionally, she noted that the salaries of the former Presidents staff have been paid but the office does not know how much the total amount is.

In the coming year 2024-2025 the budget allocation is sh579 million the office waits to see if this will be honored, she remarked.

The Kenyan DAILY POST








Monday, June 10, 2024 - Members of the public were treated to a dramatic incident along Spine Road in Kayole after a woman was involved in a violent altercation with a traffic police officer.

The female officer was in the line of duty when she stopped a vehicle and forced herself inside.

The enraged woman protested against the officers actions, leading to an altercation.

She was filmed trying to eject the officer from her vehicle.

Sisi mnisaidie kutoa hii ngombe hapa( please help me remove this cow from my vehicle,) the woman was heard saying as she tried to grab the officer and eject her from her vehicle.

The car drove off shortly after as the woman tried to throw the officer out of the moving vehicle.

The video comes barely a week after 19-year-old college student Ian Njoroge was captured on camera viciously attacking a police officer at Mirema Junction.

Njoroge was arrested and released on a bond of Ksh 700,000.

Watch the latest video of a civilian attacking a police officer.

Woman engaged in a violent altercation with a traffic police officer in Kayole, barely a week after IAN NJOROGE beat up a cop at Mirema pic.twitter.com/z6wNHN9TS2  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) June 10, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
Mom, when I walk in the room, all they see is a deviant Black man.

Those were the words my transgender daughter said to me after a recent visit with her primary care physician. She felt like everyone was judging her, and the doctor acted like she had a contagious disease. He was also preoccupied with her name choice and whether she would be getting a sex change surgery, and he didnt once make proper eye contact.

All this was during what was supposed to be a routine well-child/sports physical.

Naturally, we would like to assume that this sort of thing does not happen often, or rather, should never happen. My child later lamented to her siblings, Just a year ago, I was treated like any other patient. What a difference a year of transitioning makes. The good news is that many physicians want to know how to interact with their LGBTQ+ patients, and I can help.

Understanding LGBTQ+ terminology and identities

I am a proudly Bi+ pediatrician and mom of a transgender young adult. I attended medical school in the 80s in Nigeria and residency in the 90s in the United States. I had no idea what being transgender was until my child came out. In medical school, we werent taught much about the LGBTQ+ community besides that it is a form of mental illness.

Back then, we used terms like transsexual, transvestite, and hermaphrodite broadly in reference to the transgender community. These terms are extinct today. The word queer, once deemed a derogatory term, has now been reclaimed by the community, and many of the younger generation prefer to use it.

As of today, the commonly used alphabets in the community are as follows: LGBTQQIAAPPIO2S.

L, for Lesbian: Persons who identify as women and are attracted to other women.

G, for Gay: Persons who identify as men and are attracted to other men.

B, for Bisexual: Persons who are attracted to both men and women. The majority of US adult LGBTQ+ persons are in this category.

T, for Transgender: Persons whose gender identity is incongruent/misaligned with their assigned gender at birth.

Q, for Queer: Reclaimed and considered a safe umbrella term for and by the community.

Q, for Questioning: A term used by many in the community who are still searching for their perfect identity fit. The majority of US LGBTQ+ youth are in this category.

I, for Intersex: Persons with external genitals, chromosomes, or reproductive organs that do not fit into a male or female binary.

A, for Asexual, a.k.a. Ace or Aces: Persons who need a strong emotional connection before sexual attraction or have little interest in having sexual relations.

A, for Ally: Someone who sees your fight, fights for you, and fights with you.

P, for Pansexual: Persons who are attracted to other people regardless of their gender.

P, for Polyamory: Multiple consenting adults in a committed romantic relationship.

O, for Omnisexual: Persons attracted to other people, but the gender of the person matters.

2S, for Two Spirit: Indigenous persons believed to have both masculine and feminine spirits. They were the leaders, sages, and teachers before colonialism destroyed them. They are now being welcomed back to the community.

ENBY, or non-binary, refers to persons whose gender identities exist outside the more commonly accepted binary of male or female. A cisgender person sees themselves as a binary male or female. Cisgender is, therefore, not the opposite of transgender; nonbinary is the opposite of cisgender.

Ill add that gender is different from sexuality. Gender comprises identity (a deep internal sense of self, aka who I say I am and how I see myself: transgender, nonbinary, binary, agender, bigender, etc.) and expression (how I showcase my gender identity; haircut, pronouns, dress sense, outward appearance, a.k.a. how people see me).

Sexuality, on the other hand, refers to romantic, physical, sexual, or emotional attraction to others: gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc. Both sexuality and gender are generally now accepted as fluid, meaning your patient might be gender fluid/genderqueer or sexually fluid and can be both or any combination.

Health disparities

Health disparities are preventable health conditions that affect socially disadvantaged members of the community. They usually parallel the five social determinants of health, which include access to quality and affordable health care, which is where you and I come in.

Recently, another Nigerian colleague was concerned about her morals and belief systems when it comes to caring for the Q+ community. I had to remind her of her oath to first do no harm (non-maleficence), to treat everyone equally (justice), to practice medicine that benefits everyone (beneficence), and to recognize our patients as whole and able to make decisions for themselves (autonomy). And lastly, to do no further harm.

This last point is critical because members of the LGBTQ+ community are already traumatized and untrusting of health care systems. They need us to step in as allies and not add any more trauma. I cannot over-emphasize the importance of allyship from the medical community.

Many patients, like my own child, who only has a handful of family members who affirm her, depend heavily on the outside world for support. As their health care providers and part of the village it takes to raise and save them, we must support them. Gender/sexuality-affirming care is, therefore, trauma-informed care.

Practical tips for allyship

The first thing to remember is that the LGBTQ+ patients experience with your office begins way before they walk through your doors. It begins at their previous doctors office, at home, at the bus stop, and at the playgroundanywhere they are potentially exposed to traumatic experiences. Your practice should, therefore, be a sanctuary.

So, train your front office staff, midlevel practitioners, medical students, coworkers, and everyone who encounters them. Many have been betrayed by the health care system, and it is our duty to correct that notion.

I understand the current dilemma of many physicians who might want to be effective allies, but the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and individual upbringing make it difficult. I get it. That said, I am also a mother of a transgender child, so my loyalty first lies with my child, but I am happy to help. There are many easily implementable practical tips and strategies to become better allies in your practice.

1. Use inclusive language (think: everyone rather than ladies and gentlemen). Respecting pronouns (introduce yourself using your own pronouns, ask them for theirs). Create a welcoming environment in your practice (all staff to learn terminologies and use their appropriate names and pronouns). Utilize inclusive images on wall decor, pride flags, pronoun pins, and gender-neutral/single-stall restrooms, and display and implement nondiscrimination policies.

2. Include spaces for pronouns on electronic medical records and update their medical information on forms and health records. Ask about positive as well as negative influences in their lives. Check with patients before sharing information with any family members/companions. Ask them for the words for/names of body parts and use the language offered.

3. When it comes to informing parents, read the room. Ask your patient first, then proceed with caution. If the parents are un-affirming, do not share any information except if it is life-threatening. If parents are affirming, then include them in necessary conversations as you would any other patient/adolescent.

4. Do not assume the gender identity or sexual orientation of any patient based solely on looks. Always ask first at each visit. Remember that affirmation begins with little things: names, pronouns, affirming language, and verbal and nonverbal cues. Also, just because the patient is transgender does not mean they are being seen for something related to their gender identity.

5. I cannot over-emphasize the need to understand intersectionality when it comes to Black and Brown patients who are gender or sexual minorities. Also, remember that neurodiversity co-exists with gender diversity in many children, and many parents feel guilt, shame, and fear and are overwhelmed by the concept of an LGBTQ+ child. So, be compassionate towards both the child and their parents.

6. Every member of your team must be continuously educated on culturally compassionate care. This applies to all medical care, particularly to the LGBTQ+ community and transgender people. One of the best places to obtain resources for your patients is the GLMA, or Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. However, my practice also offers bespoke training for offices and health care organizations.

7. Lastly, I implore you to exercise your civic duties by voting. Support LGBTQ+-friendly organizations and learn as much as possible about what gender-affirming care really means to each patient. Realize that your patient today could literally be your family member, your child, or your significant other tomorrow.

The best part of being LGBTQ+ allies is that it not only benefits our patients but also benefits our employees and coworkers.

Uchenna Umeh is a pediatrician.
The police have launched an investigation into a suspected suicide case of a 19- year old student of Ntake Wampeewo Senior secondary school in Wakiso district.

The deceased identified as Hawa Nntongo is said to have committed suicide over a subject combination she never wanted.

It is alleged that Hawa Nantongos mother was invited to the school several times to come to a consensus with her daughter who had been forced by her to offer a subject combination of Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics (BCM) yet the student wanted to take Divinity, Economics and Luganda (DEL).

Addressing journalists at the police headquarters in Naguru, the Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson Luke Owoyeisigire said the incident happened over the weekend and that the body is being examined to establish the actual cause of death.

Hawa had informed that her mother was forcing her to take a combination which is of sciences and she was much more interested in arts, so this pressure she confined to the school and they had meeting, we cannot declare it a suicide, we have to first wait for post-mortem, he said.
A section of human rights defenders has advised government to utilize the delayed roll out of the mass registration of citizens for national identity cards to address some of the existing gaps within the National Security Identification System (NSIS).

Last week, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) extended the date for mass enrollment and registration of Ugandans for national identity cards without giving specific reasons.

The exercise was initially meant to start of June 1st 2024, but according to NIRA management the postponement of the exercise is attributed to unforeseen delays within the procurement process.

Addressing journalists in Kampala, Freda Nalumansi, the Research and Advocacy Officer, Unwanted Witness Uganda said one of their major concerns is the financial burden on citizens who would wish to renew or make changes on their ID data at a cost of 50,000 and 200,000 respectively.

Our population as a country is composed of very young people who are jobless, the category of the population that fits in the informal sector is quite big and they are the one that are really disadvantaged an then you put the replacement fee at 50,000 that is quite high, said Nalumansi.

The other challenge, she says, is the mandatory use of national IDs for accessing crucial services without viable alternative options leading to the exclusion of vulnerable groups.
The Longest Dam Race will be held on June 15, 2024 at Kiwanis Park in Fort Peck, MT.

Events Include: 10K & 5K Run, 5K Walk, 1 Mile Run/Walk both competitive and casual & 10 Mile Novice Bike Race.

Registration starts at 7 a.m.

8 a.m. - 10K Run

9 a.m. - 5K Run

9:30 a.m. - 5K Walk

10 a.m. - Novice Bike Race (10 miles)

10:30 a.m. Competitive & Casual 1 Mile Run

The Longest Dam Race is sponsored by the Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture. For more information, call 406-228-2222 or www.glasgowchamber.net.

Sign up with this link

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The header picture is "Solarpark Altotting/Oberkastl" by Windwarts Energie . The photo is available under a Creative Commons license . The original photo has been modified by the placement of the blog title.
The Boone County Historical Society is celebrating its 100th birthday with a puzzle-based, multi-step treasure hunt for prizes amounting to over $30,000.The cache of gems valued at $32,000  including a $10,000 diamond  is hidden somewhere in Boone County and will be awarded to the first te
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 22.
Former President Donald Trump speaks at a town hall in Phoenix on June 6. Donald Trumps political swing through the West continues June 9 with his first campaign rally since his historic conviction at his New York hush money trial last month.
President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in Turkmenistan on Monday on the first leg of his weeklong trip to Central Asia that will also take him to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on a mission to expand cooperation in critical minerals and other key sectors.

Yoon kicked off the state visits to the resource-rich Central Asian nations through June 15, accompanied by first lady Kim Keon Hee and a business delegation comprising over 60 Korean companies.

It marks Yoon's first overseas trip since a state visit to the Netherlands in December and the first trip to Central Asia since taking office in May 2022.

On the first leg of the trip, Yoon will arrive in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Monday, and hold a summit with President Serdar Berdimuhamedow and attend a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony.

On Tuesday, Yoon will travel to Astana, Kazakhstan, for a three-day visit. He will hold a summit with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on deepening the bilateral strategic partnership and meet with ethnic Koreans and Korean residents.

On Thursday, the president will head to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for a three-day visit that will include a summit with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and a bilateral business forum.

Yoon will depart from Uzbekistan on Saturday and return home early Sunday.

Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo said Yoon's trip will help create new business opportunities for Korean companies in energy, critical minerals, infrastructure and other areas, and diversify cooperation in new areas, such as climate change response and technology.

During the tour, Yoon plans to announce the launch of a new initiative, called the "K-Silk Road," centered on creating a new cooperation model by linking Korea's innovative capabilities with Central Asia's abundant resources and development potential.

It will be the Yoon administration's third regional initiative following the Indo-Pacific Strategy and Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative.

Building on the momentum from the state visits, the government plans to establish a summit involving the leaders of Korea and all five Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and host the inaugural meeting next year, Kim said. (Yonhap)
The leaders of Korea and Turkmenistan agreed Monday to expand cooperation in large-scale energy and infrastructure projects, and work together for Seoul's strategy for Central Asia.

President Yoon Suk Yeol held a summit with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow in the capital city of Ashgabat and adopted a joint statement outlining their cooperation for Seoul's "K-Silk Road Cooperation" initiative.

The initiative is the Yoon administration's regional strategy centered on linking Korea's innovative capabilities with Central Asia's resources and development potential.

During the talks, the two leaders agreed to deepen the "mutually beneficial partnership" in various areas, and discussed regional and international issues, Yoon's office said.

Yoon and Berdimuhamedow also discussed ways to collaborate in the energy and infrastructure projects, and expand cooperation in new areas of mutual concerns, including infrastructure, shipbuilding, public health and climate change.

South Korea, the world's fourth-largest buyer of crude and gas, aims to deepen collaboration for energy projects and resource development with Turkmenistan, the world's fourth-largest natural gas reserve holder.

On the sidelines of the summit, the two sides signed the Trade and Investment Promotion Framework to pave the way for a comprehensive economic cooperation between the two nations, making it the third Central Asian country to clinch such a deal following Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan last year.

Hyundai Engineering Co. signed a framework agreement with Turkmenistan's state-run Turkmengas for the fourth desulfurization facility at the Galkynysh gas field. It marks the Korean company's second deal following an agreement in 2009.

Hyundai Engineering also inked a cooperation agreement with Turkmenistan's state-run chemical corporation to resume operation of the Kiyanly Polymer Plant to manage the project's first phase focused on a technical audit. The company secured a deal in 2013, but the plant ceased operations in 2023.

The talks also paved the way for Korean companies' participation in urea and ammonia fertilizer production plants in Balkan Province, Kiyanly.

Korea is seeking to diversify import sources of urea, a type of nitrogen used to curb emissions in diesel cars and to make agricultural fertilizers, amid growing concerns over its stable supply due to China's tight export controls.

To help Korean companies bid on large-scale construction and plant projects in Turkmenistan, the two countries signed a memorandum of agreement on a financial cooperation framework and agreed to expedite talks on the Investment Protection Agreement and the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement.

During the meeting, Berdimuhamedow supported Korea's launching a summit involving the leaders of Korea and all five Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, next year.

Yoon arrived in Turkmenistan on the first leg of his three-nation tour to Central Asia, which will also take him to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

His state visit marks the third trip by a Korean president to Turkmenistan, following visits in 2014 and 2019. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992 and forged a mutual partnership in 2008. (Yonhap)
By Park Jae-hyuk

The chairmen of SK, POSCO and Lotte will accompany President Yoon Suk Yeol on his state visits to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan this week to seek business cooperation with the mineral-rich Central Asian countries, according to industry officials Monday.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won will reportedly participate in a business forum in Uzbekistan because the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry, under his leadership, is in charge of business events in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Yoon is scheduled to visit Uzbekistan on Thursday.

Last October, Chey met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the presidential palace in Tashkent to discuss the construction of SK Nexilis copper foil factory there.

Senior executives of SK hynix also discussed cooperation with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov during his visit to the chipmakers Icheon plant in Gyeonggi Province last September.

SK ecoplant has been carrying out a project to modernize eco-friendly energy sources in Uzbekistan after the groups construction unit signed a memorandum of understanding in 2021 with the Uzbek investments ministry.

POSCO Group Chairman Chang In-hwa is expected to look for opportunities for the groups battery materials business, considering the Kazakh governments recent exploration of lithium mines.

POSCO International, the groups trading unit, is doing business in Uzbekistan to produce fabric, as the country is the worlds sixth-largest cotton producer.

This is also the first time in eight years for a POSCO Group chairman to join a business delegation accompanying the presidents overseas trip, because former Chairman Choi Jeong-woo had been excluded from presidential events.

Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin will likely seek ways to source raw materials for Lotte Chemicals business.

Lotte Wellfood, the groups food manufacturing unit, has also enjoyed handsome profits from its business in Kazakhstan. In addition, Lotte Scholarship Foundation has granted scholarships to descendants of Korean independence activists in Central Asia.

There remains a possibility that other conglomerate chiefs have decided to join the business delegation. According to the presidential office, representatives of around 65 companies and 20 business associations will accompany Yoon.

Central Asia is highly probable to grow into a promising market, as its size is 15 times larger than the Korean Peninsula and its population reaches 80 million, Senior Presidential Secretary for Economic Affairs Park Chun-sup said. In particular, the region is rich in core minerals, as well as crude oil and gas, so there is a great potential for cooperation with Korea, which should continue fostering high-tech industries.

The Korea International Trade Association, which is in charge of business events in Kazakhstan, urged Korea to pay attention to possible cooperation with Central Asian countries in natural resources, urban development, ICT and health care sectors.
Actor Seo Kang-joon has been cast in a new MBC drama as a National Intelligence Service agent, the TV network said Monday.

The upcoming Fri-Sat series, with the working title "Undercover High School," centers around Seo's character, an agent who conceals his true identity by going undercover as a high school student to track down a lost gold bar belonging to Emperor Gojong.

The comedy-action marks Seo's first project since completing his mandatory military service in May last year. His last TV series was Disney+'s "Grid" in 2022.

The drama is expected to premiere next year. (Yonhap)
K-pop boy group Ateez's latest album, "Golden Hour: Part. 1," has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 main albums chart.

The band's 10th EP amassed 131,000 album-equivalent units, including 127,000 album sales, in the United States during the charting period, Billboard said Sunday (U.S. time).

The figure 131,000 is the highest album-equivalent units ever recorded by a K-pop album.

The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S., measured by equivalent album units, comprising conventional album sales, streaming and digital sales.

"Golden Hour: Part. 1" marks the band's fourth consecutive album to chart in the top 3 after its eighth EP, "The World Ep. 1: Movement," its ninth EP, "The World Ep. 2: Outlaw," and its second full-length album, "The World Ep. Fin: Will." The studio album, in particular, claimed the band's first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the British Official Albums Chart Top 100 in December.

The latest EP landed at No. 4 on the British albums chart Friday (British time), making Ateez the only K-pop act to have put three albums on the chart's top 10 list in a one-year period.

Released May 31, the album is the introduction to the group's new "Golden Hour" album series, which the band describes as depicting the brightest moments in their life and career.

The eight-piece group will embark on its 2024 world tour "Towards the Light: Will to Power" in July, which will take the group to 10 North American cities. (Yonhap)
Korea's exports to the United States exceeded those to China so far this year, data showed Monday, raising the possibility that the U.S. could be the top export destination for Korea for the first time in 22 years.

Outbound shipments to the U.S. amounted to $53.3 billion from January through May 2024, compared with Korea's export value to China of $52.69 billion, according to the data from Statistics Korea and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

If the current trend continues, the U.S. will be the No. 1 export destination for Korea for the first time since 2002.

Last year, China was the largest export destination for Korea with the export value of $124.81 billion, followed by the U.S. with $115.71 billion. The gap was the smallest in 19 years.

Exports by Korean large conglomerates to the U.S. already surpassed those to China for the first time in 20 years in 2023.

Korea's exports to the U.S. have been on a constant increase in recent years. They advanced 5.4 percent on-year to reach a record high last year on the back of growing exports of cars and rechargeable batteries.

But exports to China had fallen for two years in a row after hitting an all-time high of $162.91 billion in 2021 amid China's sagging manufacturing sector.

In a recent report, the Bank of Korea said that exports to the U.S. are forecast to continue an upturn driven by solid consumption among U.S. consumers and the expansion of Korean entities' investment in the U.S.

But there have also been signs that the Chinese economy is recovering gradually, which could boost its demand for Korean goods and services.

Global credit appraiser Moody's Investors Service recently revised up its forecast for China's economic growth rate for this year to 4.5 percent from its previous estimate of 4 percent. (Yonhap)
The financial regulator said Monday it plans to develop a real-time monitoring system for naked stock short selling by March next year.

The plan comes amid an ongoing ban on stock short selling, which was originally set to end at the end of this month.

"A considerable amount of time is required to develop a centralized naked short selling monitoring system, as well as an effective algorithm to detect illegal stock short selling," the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) said in a press release as the financial watchdog and the Korea Exchange (KRX) held their third meeting with investors to discuss ways to improve the country's stock short selling system.

"(The government) will push to reduce the amount of time needed to develop a naked short selling detection system (NSDS) within 10 months by March next year," it added.

The FSS has repeatedly declined to comment on when the temporary ban on stock short selling will be lifted, but many experts believe it will likely be after March when the envisioned real-time detection system is developed.

The presidential office has also said the ban will remain in place until a "credible" system is developed and ready.

Seoul placed the temporary ban on stock short selling in November after the FSS exposed massive illegal short selling activities at two global investment banks (IBs) in Korea.

The country has since launched an inspection of 14 major IBs in the country and detected suspected cases of naked stock short selling at nine of them as of early last month.

FSS chief Lee Bok-hyun stressed that the move to improve the stock short selling system is part of efforts to upgrade the country's capital market.

"As you may know, the government is considering various policy efforts to enhance the value of the country's capital market, and the move to improve the short selling system, too, is aimed at upgrading our capital market by boosting investors' trust in the system," he told the meeting, held at the KRX headquarters in Seoul.

Lee added that the government will soon announce its final plan to improve the stock short selling system.

The FSS has said the plan will include real-time monitoring of stock short selling, as well as the automatic rejection of short selling orders when the trader lacks sufficient balance. (Yonhap)
Low birthrates, stagnant productivity threaten country's future

By Lee Yeon-woo

The Korean economy could start to shrink approximately 10 years from now if its current population structure and productivity persist, a study by the Bank of Korea (BOK) showed, Monday.

In a report titled, "Korea ranked second in the world for R&D, yet productivity stagnates," the central bank's Economic Research Institute noted that the Korean economy is likely to face a phase of "negative growth" in the 2040s unless the country achieves dramatic changes, such as a significant rebound in the birthrate or substantial improvements in productivity.

The country's ultra-low birthrate was the most prominent reason for the gloomy outlook. After peaking at 51.84 million in 2020, Korea's total population has been on a continuous decline and is expected to fall to 50.06 million in 2040 and to 37.18 million in 2070.

Furthermore, the report highlights that overall economic innovations, crucial to counteracting such demographic challenges, are currently inadequate.

The average annual productivity growth rate of companies saw a significant decline, dropping from an average of 6.1 percent in 2001-2010 to just 0.5 percent in 2011-2020.

The productivity growth rate of innovative firms, such as those filing patents in the U.S., also experienced a sharp decline, falling from an average of 8.2 percent to 1.3 percent during the same period.

These declines occurred despite increased spending on R&D by Korean companies, which ranked second among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) members. This spending accounted for 4.1 percent of Korea's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022.

"The rise in the quantity of innovative output, particularly among large corporations, did not align with an improvement in quality," the report said.

Even though the top 5 percent of large corporations by number of employees have driven the increase in overall R&D expenditures and patent applications, the figures indicating actual productivity, such as number of patent citations, have noticeably declined since the mid-2000s and have not returned to previous levels.

For small- and medium-sized enterprises, difficulties in securing funding have contributed to a slowdown in productivity growth, which had been robust prior to the 2010s. Additionally, the entry of new companies with high innovation potential has decreased.

The report attributed the lack of qualitative improvements in corporate innovation to the reduced proportion of spending on basic research since the 2010s, which decreased from 14 percent of their annual spending in 2010 to 11 percent in 2021.

Based on this analysis, the report urged the strengthening of basic research, enhancing the supply of venture capital to fund innovation and creating favorable social conditions to nurture innovative entrepreneurs.

"Using a structural model to estimate the effects of various policy scenarios, we found that strengthening basic research through increased funding and expanded industry-academia collaboration could raise the economic growth rate by 0.18 percentage point," the report said. "Improving funding conditions and increasing the entry of new firms could boost the growth rate by 0.07 percentage point."
North Korea has launched around 310 trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea overnight, Seoul's military said Monday, amid escalating tensions over the North's repeated balloon campaign to which South Korea has responded with the resumption of loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts after six years.

The latest batch of waste-loaded balloons sent late Sunday contained scrap paper and plastic, with no toxic material detected so far, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). No additional balloons were detected floating in the air as of 8:30 a.m.

JCS spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun said many of the balloons failed to reach South Korea due to the wind blowing in an eastward direction, with around 50 balloons being found across the border.

The North did not did not stage more launches early Monday, but the number of fallen balloons in the South is expected to increase as the military continued to receive reports on them, Lee told reporters in a regular briefing.

Sunday's launch marked the latest in the North's balloon campaign that started on May 28, which it described as a "tit-for-tat" response to anti-Pyongyang leafleting by activists in South Korea. The North is estimated to have launched more than 1,600 trash-carrying balloons so far.

It also came hours after South Korea resumed loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts in the border area after condemning the North's attempts to cause public concern as "unacceptable" and vowed to take "corresponding measures."

Lee said the military did not detect any unusual North Korean military activity after the broadcasts, which lasted for about two hours from 5 p.m. and marked the first since they were halted under an inter-Korean declaration in 2018.

The JCS has warned that whether the broadcasts will take place again will depend on the North's actions.

"Considering the strategic and operational situation, (we) will conduct operations flexibly," Lee said when asked why the military did not resume the broadcasts after the latest balloon launch.

A military source said the South is unlikely to operate the loudspeakers again on Monday, citing the need to manage the situation with the North.

Another government source said the resumption of the loudspeaker campaign the previous day does not necessarily mean the South will conduct broadcasts again on Monday.

Pyongyang has reacted angrily to the broadcasts in the past, firing artillery shots toward the South in August 2015 over the propaganda loudspeaker campaign.

Late Sunday, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, warned that South Korea will face unspecified "new counteraction" should it continue to send anti-Pyongyang leaflets and play loudspeaker broadcasts across the border.

When asked about the statement, Lee said the North Korean military's activities are being closely monitored, and that the military will be able to fully respond to what Kim called a "new counteraction."

"Our military has the capabilities to respond to any North Korean provocation overwhelmingly," he said.

The military source, however, noted that Kim's rhetoric appeared to be less threatening than expected.

"At this point ... (we) need to watch the situation, remain calm and show restraint," the source said.

For years, North Korean defectors in the South and conservative activists have sent leaflets to the North via balloons to help encourage North Koreans to eventually rise up against the Pyongyang regime.

North Korea has bristled at the propaganda campaign amid concern that an influx of outside information could pose a threat to its leader Kim Jong-un.

In 2014, the two Koreas exchanged machine-gun fire across the border after the North apparently tried to shoot down balloons carrying propaganda leaflets critical of North Korea. (Yonhap)
Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to visit North Korea and Vietnam in the coming weeks, a news report said Monday, amid growing speculation the widely expected trip to Pyongyang by the Russian leader is nearing.

Putin is expected to make the trip to Pyongyang as early as this month before paying a visit to Hanoi, according to the Russian daily Vedomosti.

The newspaper also quoted Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora as confirming that Putin's visit to Pyongyang "will happen and is actively being prepared."

If realized, it will mark a reciprocal visit by the Russian leader after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un traveled to Russia's Far East in September last year for a summit with Putin.

It will also mark Putin's first visit to the North in 24 years. He last visited North Korea in July 2000, when Kim Jong-un's late father, Kim Jong-il, was in power.

North Korea and Russia have increasingly been stepping up military ties and expanding the scope of cooperation since the leaders' summit.

Their tightening relationship has stoked concerns over suspected arms transfers between the two countries, in which Pyongyang has been providing weapons and munitions to Moscow for use in its war in Ukraine in exchange for Russia's assistance in advanced military technologies.

It has been widely expected that Putin's visit to the isolated regime is quite imminent, as there have been many high-level exchanges between the two countries over the recent months, including ministers and cultural delegations.

Russia's TASS agency reported last month quoting the Kremlin that the preparations for Putin's envisioned trip to the North were "proceeding at their own pace." (Yonhap)
South Korean activists cannot be stopped from launching anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets into North Korea because it would amount to restricting their freedom of expression, the national police chief said Monday.

The remark by National Police Agency Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun came a day after North Korea sent hundreds of balloons carrying trash and manure over to South Korea, the latest in a series of such campaigns, apparently in response to South Korean activists' cross-border leaflet launches.

Questions have been raised about whether the police can deter or block South Korean activists from their leaflet operations, resorting to the Act on the Performance of Duties by Police Officers, which mandates police to warn or restrain individuals from acts liable to cause human or property damage.

The national police chief said during a press briefing that the law cannot be a basis for blocking the activists because it is unclear whether their campaigns pose urgent or serious threats, as required under the law.

"I think it's unclear whether the trash-carrying balloons (from North Korea) would constitute an urgent and grave threat to the lives and bodies of the public, which is the prerequisite for restricting them under the law," the police chief noted.

In September, the Constitutional Court struck down a law banning leaflet launches by South Koreans, saying it excessively restricts the right to freedom of expression. Since then, Seoul's unification ministry has reaffirmed its stance not to urge civic groups to refrain from sending leaflets across the border.

Under the current law, a threat from North Korea should be specific enough, such as a shooting, for example, to warrant a police action to restrict the launching of leaflets by activists and civic groups, Yoon added.

Police will, however, wait and see if North Korea's campaign of sending trash-carrying balloons continues, and they will make a new decision if the campaign escalates to the point that it poses a serious threat, he said. (Yonhap)
Medical school professors are expected to join a planned strike by doctors next week to lend support for their colleagues protesting the government's medical reform plan, officials said Monday.

The national medical professors' council plans to hold a general meeting Wednesday to decide whether to go on strike on June 18, after the Korean Medical Association (KMA) announced its plan Sunday to hold a nationwide strike on the day, according to the officials of the medical community.

The council is an association for professors from 40 medical schools nationwide, and they are also members of the KMA as they serve as senior doctors at major hospitals.

"Each school has collected opinions on a strike. We are likely to join the move by the KMA," a council official said.

An emergency response committee of Sungkyunkwan University professors said that the professors will take a day off on June 18, and they will discuss how to react in accordance with the government's responses.

Sungkyunkwan medical school professors work at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul.

It would be the first time that all doctors in the country, including community doctors, take collective action en masse since February, when a majority of junior doctors left their worksites in protest against the government's plan to dramatically raise the medical school admission quota to address problems stemming from a shortage of doctors.

Despite fierce opposition from the medical community, the government finalized adding about 1,500 seats to the admission quota for next year, the first increase in 27 years.

The ongoing walkout by trainee doctors has disrupted medical services, and the planned strike is feared to further worsen the situation.

The KMA represents around 140,000 doctors and over 20,000 medical school students across the country. (Yonhap)
By Jon Dunbar

The Hechyeomoyeo, a group exhibition series of artists  Korean and foreign, local and overseas  is returning for the sixth time, this time presenting the works of more than 250 individual artists at KOTE in downtown Seoul's Insa-dong.

Visiting an exhibition of The Hechyeomoyeo is like walking into an explosion of art. The room is coated with wildly diverse art, leaving barely any of the walls visible. It's overwhelming by design, but any visitor is likely to find many art pieces that jump out at them.

Neil Wheelock Deforest Smith, the brainchild of this exhibition series, called The Hechyeomoyeo a "reactionary movement" to the current state of and trends in the art gallery market.

Although much has been said about Korea's rising art market, Smith isn't so optimistic. He likened it to the California gold rush of the mid-1800s, in which a few people struck gold early on, triggering more prospectors to come in search of their fortunes. As the trend deepened, some people started selling maps to places to look for gold. Soon, there were so many people rushing to find gold, that the only people left making any more money were the map sellers.

"There was a boom  now there's maps," he said of today's art market.

He cited the high barriers to entry for up-and-coming artists looking to display their work, which The Hechyeomoyeo  which he calls "an inclusive space for absolutely any artist to share their art with the world"  helps to overcome.

The name "Hechyeomoyeo" comes "from a Korean military call to action that brings soldiers together when they are scattered in the field," according to Smith.

"Our goal is to provide a safe space for artists to display their artwork, share their creativity, learn from each other and grow together. So far, we have been successful in showing the artwork of over 490 artists and counting," he said. "These events are the lifeblood of the collective as they provide opportunities for us to draw attention to the artwork being shown and the chance to interact with the audience, other artists, curators, gallery owners and collectors!"

Some of the participating artists at previous exhibitions have found their way to further opportunities, such as solo exhibitions. This includes Korean artist Angto, who just had her first solo exhibition after meeting a gallery owner at a previous Hechyeomoyeo.

The Hechyeomoyeo 6 features 255 contributors in total, over half of which are Koreans at 135, plus 60 foreign residents and 60 from overseas, representing a total 25 nations, including two that are currently at war with each other.

Over 30 artists are participating from Thailand, having sent their art by mail. This includes silk screen and printmaking legend "Hello my name is BKK" who will be displaying his original prints in Korea for the first time. The list also includes Underhatdaddy, anmomillustration, Huuyaow and prolific snail artist Vinita. The high participation of Thai artists should come as no surprise, as the previous Hechyeomoyeo was held in Bangkok from March 30 to April 21.

"I brought artwork from 60 Korean artists in my suitcase. A dozen artists from Korea, both Koreans and foreigners, flew down to help me with the project and bring the Hechyeomoyeo space to life. Over 90 local Thai artists brought their work to share space with us," Smith said.

"During the exhibition, we held drawing events where people on the street would come join us, and we would tell them about the booming art scene in Korea and our project. Over the course of three weeks hundreds of people came. We have already been invited by several spaces in Bangkok to have our exhibition again. And several of the Thai artists will be sharing their work in the next Hechyeomyeo in Seoul."

Before that, the fourth Hechyeomoyeo was at East Atelier Gallery, just to the east of Jongmyo Shrine in downtown Seoul, presenting over 190 artists.

This one being held at KOTE is a meaningful step, as the facility has been shrinking lately due to an ugly dispute that has been going through many dramatic twists and turns over the last few years. Ahn Ju-young (or Julie), one of the lessees of the property, had turned the three-building complex into a center for arts and culture, featuring art galleries, a library, coworking spaces and other multi-use rooms. Starting in November 2021, she began a sit-in protest to occupy and protect the buildings, which lasted until about February the next year.

After enjoying a few more good years of use out of KOTE, she has lost control of two of the three buildings  the main building as well as the annex, the latter of which has recently been destroyed. Now all that remains in her hands is the Haebong Building, which holds a restaurant and bar called Joseon Salon on the ground floor and an art gallery on the third floor. Meanwhile, the main building's ground floor, which had previously hosted an art gallery, has been turned into a cheap outlet store boasting the name K-Outllet, selling clothes for 3,900 won per 100 grams.

Ahn mentioned that the situation is currently undergoing trial, with a verdict expected later this month.

The area around this portion of Insa-dong, once lively and bustling with pedestrians and merchants, is looking desolate and derelict as of late, and Smith hopes to inject it with a burst of energy. By bringing The Hechyeomoyeo here, it will put KOTE back on the beaten trail for hundreds of people hungering for lots of art.

"Julie invited me to bring hechyeomoyeo there and I am hoping it will bring a ton of people to the place," Smith said.

The upcoming sixth iteration of The Hechyeomoyeo runs from June 16 to July 8. There will be an opening party this Sunday starting at 6 p.m. It will feature live drawing as well as performances by Fat Hamster & Kang New, DJ Il Padrino, DJ Utility Vest, GNOY, Liinky, Hexton, the House of Hex and Douglas Holden, with drinks offered by K Cider.

There will be various other events over the next few weeks, including a Korean paper workshop on June 17, a photo walk on June 23 and a fashion show on June 29. For the fashion show, British artist Bea will team up with hanbok fashion company Sheen Seoul. "Anyone will be allowed to walk the catwalk," Smith said.

Follow @thehechyeomoyeo on Instagram for more information.
South Korea and the United States on Monday completed a review of a joint guideline document to strengthen the alliance's nuclear deterrence policy, a joint statement said, as they held key deterrence talks on countering growing North Korean threats.

Cho Chang-rae, deputy defense minister for policy, and Vipin Narang, principal U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy, led the third meeting of the bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) in Seoul.

"The two sides agreed that the joint guidelines will provide a solid foundation to strengthen cooperation for the unitary South Korea-U.S. extended deterrence (system)," the statement released by the defense ministry said.

The NCG was established under the Washington Declaration that President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden adopted during their summit in Washington in April last year as part of efforts to enhance the credibility of extended deterrence.

Extended deterrence refers to the U.S. commitment to using the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear weapons, to defend an ally.

The first two meetings were led by the National Security Councils of the two countries, before the allies agreed for the body to be led by the defense ministry and the Pentagon.

The latest meeting took place after Pyongyang's continued provocative acts in recent weeks, such as the launches of trash-carrying balloons across the border and attempts to disrupt GPS signals around the South's northwestern border islands.

In response, Seoul fully suspended a 2018 inter-Korean tension reduction pact last week, and broadcast anti-Pyongyang propaganda through front-line loudspeakers on Sunday for the first time in six years.(Yonhap)
Pyongyang launches around 1,600 balloons as of Monday, warns of more unless Seoul halts loudspeaker broadcasts

By Lee Hyo-jin

Ruling and opposition parties are responding differently to the government's approach to North Korea's trash-carrying balloons, particularly as South Korea resumes loudspeaker broadcasts in the border area as a retaliatory measure.

The conservative ruling People Power Party (PPP) supports the move, calling the broadcasts an appropriate response to threats to national security, while the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is urging the government to halt what they perceive as a "game of chicken" that could escalate into skirmishes.

As of Monday, Pyongyang has sent approximately 1,600 balloons on four occasions since May 28, with the latest release occurring on Sunday night, just hours after South Korea resumed its propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts directed toward the North.

"I believe that the public does not want the government to respond too passively to North Korea's provocations, as was the case during the previous Moon Jae-in administration," PPP Rep. Cho Kyung-tae said during a radio interview, Monday, describing the resumption of loudspeakers as an appropriate move.

Cho advocated for a stronger response beyond loudspeaker broadcasts, calling for enhanced military capabilities to effectively counter any threats posed by North Korea.

Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, a fellow PPP lawmaker, also supported the government's hardline response.

"There should always be an immediate response and retaliation. Psychological warfare, such as loudspeaker broadcasts, is an effective tool to destabilize the North Korean regime," Ahn wrote on Facebook.

Some other PPP members, including former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min, even called for more active measures such as shooting the balloons down instead of waiting for them to land and remove the trash.

On the other hand, the liberal DPK criticized the resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts as a rash decision that would only heighten military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

"We must stop this childish game of chicken where both South Korea and North Korea inevitably end up as losers. While condemning the North Korean authorities, I urge the government to exercise restraint and respond prudently," DPK Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung said during a party meeting, Monday.

Rep. Kim Byung-joo of the DPK, a retired Army general, said during a radio interview, "It's very concerning that, without putting the brakes on this escalating conflict, the situation could lead to a direct confrontation, possibly even a military conflict."

The opposition party also criticized the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's passive stance on anti-North Korean leaflets sent by South Korean civic groups. The North Korean regime claimed that its balloon launches were retaliations for these leaflets.

The activist groups, mainly comprised of North Korean defectors, put cash, USB drives loaded with K-pop and leaflets critical of the Kim Jong-un regime in their balloons, viewing them as effective means to help North Koreans see the truth about their leadership and eventually flee the reclusive country.

The Yoon administration, citing a 2023 Constitutional Court ruling that deemed the leaflet launches a matter of freedom of expression, has not requested activists to refrain from sending them.

This stance remains unchanged even in the aftermath of the trash-filled balloon episode.

"There is no change in our stance. We are approaching the issue according to the Constitutional Court's decision to guarantee freedom of expression," Unification Ministry spokesperson Koo Byoung-sam told reporters, Monday.

North Korea warns of new counteractions

Amid the rising tensions, Kim Yo-jong, sister of the North Korean leader, warned of potential new retaliatory measures beyond trash-filled balloons if Seoul continues loudspeaker broadcasts and leaflet launches.

"If South Korea continues to engage in leaflet distribution and loudspeaker broadcasts across the border, there is no doubt that we will respond with new measures. The distress of having to pick up waste paper will become their daily lives," she said in a statement released on Sunday night.

She did not specify what those "new measures" would be.

In August 2015, when the South Korean military resumed propaganda broadcasts in retaliation against a North Korean land mine attack that maimed two South Korean soldiers, Pyongyang fired artillery rounds at the speakers.

The South Korean military said it will operate the propaganda speakers in a flexible manner.

"We are conducting operations as necessary, taking into account various situations and circumstances," Army Col. Lee Sung-joon, spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), said during a briefing on Monday, when asked why the military operated the speakers for only two hours the previous day.

The military operated several of the fixed loudspeakers installed on the frontline for two hours from 5 p.m., Sunday.

Lee declined to comment on the schedule for further broadcasts, but added, "Our military has the capability to overwhelmingly respond to any provocation from North Korea, and we are closely monitoring the movements of the North Korean military."

According to the JCS, the military did not operate the speakers on Monday, but remains prepared to do so in case of any provocations from the North. The North Korean military was spotted installing loudspeakers for broadcasts aimed at the South in the frontline border area.
By Jung Min-ho

A court has rejected a former police officers bid to be reinstated after losing his job over his bungled response to a knife-wielding man in Incheon three years ago.

According to court officials on Monday, an appellate court in Seoul recently ruled in favor of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, which sacked the former lieutenant and his female partner for fleeing from a man who was attacking women at a residential building on Nov. 15, 2021.

Both carrying handguns and other standard police equipment, the two former officers could have stopped the man if they had responded appropriately, the court said, adding that their failure seriously damaged the dignity of police.

The incident occurred when the former officers were responding to a report about the man who was threatening to kill a family of three over noise issues.

While the former lieutenant was talking to the husband of the threatened family outside the building, the female officer remained on the third floor with the wife and daughter of the family. The upper floor resident they had the dispute with suddenly came down and attacked the women with a knife. The female officer fled the scene.

On the way down, she encountered the other officer and the husband running up the stairs. Instead of running toward the women fighting the attacker desperately, the two police officers ran away, leaving the family to defend themselves.

The attacker was stopped by the husband. However, the two women had already sustained severe injuries by that stage, with the mother suffering permanent brain damage.

This issue caused a public uproar, which prompted the Incheon policy agency to dismiss both of the officers involved. Yet they refused to accept the dismissal decision and brought their cases to court separately.

The former female officers attempt to be reinstated was rejected by the Supreme Court in March this year.
Lee introduces policies to guarantee labor rights at international conference

By Jun Ji-hye

GENEVA  Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jung-sik stressed the need to protect workers in vulnerable positions from unfairness and inequality amid global demographic shifts and technological advancements at the 112th International Labour Conference (ILC), Monday.

During his speech, Lee, who is attending the event as head delegate of the Korean government, said tripartite constituents  the government, employers and laborers  should join forces and promote social dialogue to address the challenges.

The annual ILC, which kicked off on June 3 and will last until Friday, is the International Labour Organizations (ILO) highest decision-making body, bringing together tripartite delegations from more than 180 member states.

As articulated in the director-generals report, titled, Toward a Renewed Social Contract, the existing social contracts that have supported individual well-being and realized co-prosperity and solidarity are currently under pressure, Lee said as he addressed the conference.

I strongly align with the vision of a renewed social contract, where tripartite constituents engage in dialogue and solidarity to support workers in vulnerable positions and realize the value of co-prosperity.

Lee said the Korean government has been striving to ensure the well-being of all working individuals through comprehensive labor reforms, aimed at transforming old awareness, practices and systems, in response to evolving socioeconomic challenges.

He noted that although Seoul has made significant progress in expanding labor rights, various institutional protections and supports are still necessary, considering the large number of non-unionized workers and diversification of employment types.

The government plans to establish an institutional basis to provide continuous and systematic support, such as building a communication system to gather opinions from workers who have difficulty voicing their concerns collectively and expanding legal counseling and education services, he said.

Additionally, we are reinforcing labor inspections to eradicate illegal activities, such as delayed wage payments, which directly affect workers livelihoods. We are also promoting discussions on establishing a labor court for the swift resolution of rights violations.

He introduced Seouls efforts to provide support for the establishment of industry-specific accident prevention systems, particularly for SMEs which are relatively more susceptible to industrial accidents, in order to prioritize the protection of workers rights and foster safe and healthy workplaces.

The minister also underscored the governments increasing investments to ensure equal access to employment opportunities for all, including working parents whose careers are challenged by child care responsibilities as well as young people who have just entered the labor market.

Expanding social safety nets to ensure fair distribution is another effort by the government to protect workers in vulnerable positions, he said, noting that the country has improved and tailored employment insurance and industrial accident insurance systems to better serve workers in new employment types, such as the self-employed and platform workers.

Recognizing the critical importance of meaningful dialogue with workers and employers, the Korean government aims to establish a sustainable labor market for future generations through active engagement and discussion, the minister said.

However, we firmly reject problem-solving methods that resort to illegal means such as violence and threats, instead of fostering dialogue and compromise Consequently, the tripartite should comply with domestic laws, denounce any illegal acts and realize the principle of freedom of association through social dialogue.

During the conference, Korea was elected as a regular member of the U.N. agencys governing body comprising 56 regular members and 66 deputy members.

The labor ministry said it marked the sixth time that the country has become a regular member since it joined the ILO in 1991. The regular member has a vote to make decisions on ILO policies, programs and budget as well as election of the director-general.

Minister Lee will meet with ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, Tuesday, to introduce Koreas labor policies. The two will also sign a letter of arrangement (LOA) for Korea-ILO cooperative projects.

Under the LOA, the Korean government will invest 12.6 billion won ($9.1 million) over the next three years to implement various programs to protect workers in low-income countries.
The industry ministry said Monday it plans to redefine the deep-sea blocks in the East Sea to reflect the recent potential discovery of gas and oil in the region, as part of efforts to pursue phased development.

Second Vice Industry Minister Choi Nam-ho said that the government will reconfigure the deep-sea areas of the East Sea, currently divided into three sections, to facilitate efficient development and attract investment.

The announcement follows Korea's recent discovery of seven locations with potential oil and gas reserves in the East Sea.

The government estimates that the deposits could hold between 3.5 billion and 14 billion barrels of gas and oil. If confirmed, this quantity would be sufficient to meet the country's gas and oil demand for up to 29 years and four years, respectively.

As part of this adjustment, the state-run Korea National Oil Corp. (KNOC) plans to return its stakes in the deep-sea reserves of the East Sea, with the government planning to reallocate the development rights.

"To cut costs and reduce risks, the government will proactively review attracting investment," the ministry said in a statement. "We will seek to attract investment in phases for each redefined block." (Yonhap)
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo called Monday for inheriting and developing the "noble spirit" of the June 10, 1987, pro-democracy uprising that is often considered a turning point in the country's democratization.

Han made the remark during a ceremony marking the 37th anniversary of the uprising, which saw large numbers of students and citizens take to the streets in protest against the military-backed government of President Chun Doo-hwan.

"The noble spirit of the June 10 pro-democracy movement is a valuable inheritance that we should pass on and develop," he said at the ceremony held at Seoul City Hall. "Our government is doing its best to build a free and just nation, a peaceful and prosperous nation, based on a more mature democracy."

Han credited the uprising with helping establish the foundation for democracy in all areas, including through the introduction of a direct presidential election system.

He said the current administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol is working to guarantee the people's sovereignty in all sectors, revive people's livelihoods, better support vulnerable groups, and realize social integration. (Yonhap)
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung called on the two Koreas to halt a chain of retaliatory actions, such as South Korea's border loudspeaker broadcasts and North Korea's trash balloon campaign, calling it a "childish chicken game" that can lead to war.

On Sunday, South Korea resumed propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts near the inter-Korean border for the first time in six years in retaliation against the North's recent launch of balloons carrying trash into the South.

The broadcasts began after President Yoon Suk Yeol last week endorsed a motion to fully suspend a 2018 inter-Korean tension reduction pact.

"What started as a leaflet can eventually escalate into a localized war or war," Lee said during a Supreme Council meeting. "We must put a stop to this childish chicken game where both North and South Korea become the loser."

The resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts came as Pyongyang sent nearly 1,000 balloons carrying trash to the South since late May in what it called a "tit-for-tat" action against anti-Pyongyang leaflet campaigns by activists in Seoul.

The North had initially said it would temporarily halt the campaign following the South Korean government's warning of "unendurable" measures but launched its third round of trash-filled balloons over the weekend after a North Korean defector group in Seoul sent balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets across the border on Thursday. (Yonhap)
DPK seeks to counter with special counsel probe, impeach prosecutors

By Nam Hyun-woo

Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung is facing increasing political pressure due to his own legal risk of conviction following a court ruling that sentenced his former confidant to a hefty prison term for an unauthorized remittance to North Korea.

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) is intensifying its political attacks on Lee, suspecting his involvement in the remittance case. Meanwhile, the DPK is attempting to counteract Lees legal troubles by leveraging its majority in the National Assembly to pass bills that could override the prosecutions investigations.

"The crosshairs are now trained on DPK Chairman Lee, who held the position of governor of Gyeonggi Province at the time of the case," PPP spokesperson Rep. Kwak Kyu-taek said. Prosecutors "should ensure legal justice by conducting thorough and prompt investigations into the allegations surrounding Lee," Kwak added.

The comments came after the Suwon District Court's decision on Friday to sentence former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young to nine years and six months in prison. He was charged with colluding in the transfer of $8 million to North Korea between 2019 and 2020 by the underwear company Ssangbangwool Group. The court determined that $2 million of the funds directly flowed into the North's Workers Party of Korea.

Prosecutors believe the money was related to the DPK heads plan to visit Pyongyang. Lee, who was the Gyeonggi Province governor at that time, announced his plan to visit North Korea through the provincial government in October 2018, and there was even progress in that endeavor in 2019. But Lee did not get to visit the North due to several reasons including the COVID-19 pandemic.

An arrest warrant related to this case was sought, but a separate local court dismissed it in September last year.

Reportedly, prosecutors awaited the outcome of the former vice governors trial, as a guilty verdict would substantiate key allegations against the DPK chairman.

If prosecutors indict the DPK chairman over the North Korea remittance case, Lee will be facing trials for four separate cases: the remittance case, a bribery case linked to land development scandals in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, a violation of the Public Official Election Act, and charges of pressuring another person to lie under oath, also known as subornation of perjury. Lee attended a trial on the subornation of perjury charge on Monday and is scheduled to appear in court for other charges on Tuesday and Friday.

"The nine-and-a-half-year sentence for former Vice Gov. Lee clearly indicates that Chairman Lee is next," PPP Rep. Na Kyung-won wrote on Facebook. "The person who knows best that he is next in line is none other than Lee himself."

The PPP's former interim leader, Han Dong-hoon, also wrote on Facebook that "an ongoing criminal trial is not suspended even if the defendant becomes the president."

As the ruling party continues to press Lee, the DPK aims to resist by proposing a bill to initiate a special counsel probe into the remittance case.

DPK spokesperson Rep. Lee Hae-sik said Sunday, "We will respond with a special counsel probe bill to counter the prosecution, which seeks to manipulate the case."

Last week, a group of DPK lawmakers tabled the special counsel probe bill, which included the former vice governor's claim that prosecutors attempted to manipulate his testimonies to indict Lee. The spokesperson's comments are interpreted as the party's overall endorsement of the special counsel probe.

With the DPK holding 175 out of 300 seats in the Assembly, the party possesses the majority needed to pass a special counsel probe bill, which could include provisions favoring the DPK in the appointment process of a special counsel.

"The result of Friday's trial shows that the court dismissed objective evidence filed by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and turned a blind eye to Ssangbangwool's stock manipulation allegations," DPK Rep. Jang Kyung-tae said Monday.

The DPK asserts that the remittance case constitutes criminal activity orchestrated by former Ssangbangwool Chairman Kim Sung-tae, who aimed to manipulate the company's stock prices through projects involving North Korea. The DPK backs its claim by citing an internal report from the NIS.

The DPK is also seeking to impeach prosecutors who investigated the remittance case if President Yoon Suk Yeol rejects the special counsel probe bill.

DPK Rep. Park Jie-won said in a radio interview with broadcaster SBS, Monday, "If the president vetoes the special counsel probe bill, we can table the bill again," adding that the party should consider impeaching prosecutors.

Meanwhile, the DPK chairman is refraining from commenting on the remittance case. During a DPK Supreme Council meeting on Monday, Lee urged the two Koreas to halt a chain of retaliatory actions, such as South Koreas border loudspeaker broadcasts and North Koreas trash balloon campaign but did not comment on the legal risks surrounding him.
The state anti-corruption agency said Monday it has decided to close its review of a complaint over first lady Kim Keon Hee's luxury bag gift scandal, citing no clause of punishment for public officials' spouses under the anti-graft act.

Last year, Voice of Seoul, a liberal YouTube-based news channel, published a video showing a Korean American pastor hand over a Dior handbag, worth 3 million won ($2,214), to Kim during their meeting in Seoul in September 2022.

In December, the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a progressive civic group, filed a corruption complaint with the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission against President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife as well as the pastor on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.

The anti-corruption agency said it has decided to close the review of the case raised against Kim as there are no rules on punishment for public officials' spouses under the anti-graft law.

The civic group earlier accused Yoon of violating the law by failing to officially report his wife's receipt of the bag, urging the commission to take administrative action against him, such as imposing a fine.

When it comes to complaints against Yoon and the pastor, the agency also decided to close the cases after its panel reviewed whether the receipt of the luxury bag is relevant to Yoon's official duties or the bag should be classified as presidential records.

The anti-corruption commission provides services for filing public complaints and administrative appeals related to corruption cases, and refers those accused to investigative bodies for probes or administrative action, including fines.

The outcome was made public hours after Yoon and Kim left for Turkmenistan, the first leg of his weeklong trip to Central Asia that will also take him to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Separately from the anti-corruption agency's conclusion, prosecutors' investigation into the case is under way.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office didn't provide its official stance toward the commission's decision but said it will continue its investigation into the case in accordance with the law.

In May, prosecutors questioned the pastor on charges of secretly filming his delivery of the handbag to the first lady, which had been privately purchased by a Voice of Seoul reporter and handed to the pastor.

Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party said it is determined to push ahead with a special probe into the luxury bag scandal and other suspicions involving the first lady.

The party condemned the commission for serving no other purpose than what it called a "handmaiden of power," saying the agency has failed to play the role of the last bastion of civil rights and public officials' integrity. (Yonhap)
By Ma Kyung-hee

The population in Korea is aging at an alarming pace. According to Statistics Korea, by 2025 the country is forecast to become a super-aged society, with individuals aged 65 years and older comprising over 20 percent of its estimated total population of 52 million. By 2050, the number is expected to rise to 44 percent. This demographic change has important implications for the health sector and social systems. How the nation deals with these changes will determine its population's health in decades to come.

Good mental health is pivotal to overall well-being but is often unrecognized and undertreated compared to physical health. Depression, for example, is one of the most common mental health illnesses affecting older adults in Korea. The government record reveals that in 2021, one in three patients with depression was in their 60s or older. Experts assume that there is a high number of unreported cases due to the social stigma surrounding mental illness. In addition to socio-environmental influences, this age group is affected by stressors related to aging, such as loss of loved ones, declining physical and cognitive ability, chronic pain, social network changes after retirement, income reduction and caregiving responsibilities. These stressors compound underlying conditions.

Untreated depression often deleteriously affects the course of other chronic diseases. It increases the incidence of risky behaviors, such as alcohol and substance use disorders. Studies have shown that depression is a potential risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia for this age group. However, depression is treatable, with 80 to 90 percent responding well to current treatment methods of psychotherapy and medications. Many can resume a normal level of full mental functioning after treatment. Even though current community-based outreach efforts tend to prioritize the management of chronic diseases for older adults, mind and body are connected, so weaving mental health education into existing community programs yields the best health outcomes.

Barriers to seeking help for mental health issues include social stigma, false beliefs that these problems are a normal part of aging, and limited access to care. Mental health literacy encompasses knowledge, beliefs and the ability to recognize, manage or prevent mental health problems. It can incorporate methods, such as self-help, self-care or help-seeking behaviors for one's self and others. Implementing comprehensive mental health literacy programs is of prime importance as they can increase a sense of competence and foster engagement in proactive behaviors among older adults.

Social stigma is a persistent reason older adults are reluctant to seek help and this can lead to discrimination and social isolation for those with illnesses. Such stigma are thought to be more potent in collectivistic countries like Korea, where individuals derive their self-worth from membership in the wider group.

Seeking help outside of one's family may cause some to worry about how it might reflect on their family members. Many older adults manifest mental illness via physical symptoms, which leads to healthcare providers overlooking underlying conditions and patients being unaware of their own illnesses. Some mental health professionals pessimistically believe that treatment will not make a difference for older adults, and they are less likely to offer treatment. Battling these stigmas is challenging given the two-way bias from patients and mental health providers.

It has been observed that health care accessibility differs from one community to the next in Korea, disproportionately and adversely affecting residents from low-income neighborhoods. These differences in accessibility lead to health disparities. Ensuring equitable resource allocation for sustainable community development is important because as they age, many older adults hope to continue to live in the home or community where they have spent their adult lives. Having sufficient access to care in a resource-rich community not only enables older adults to proactively manage their mental health but also supports healthy aging.

The World Health Organization describes health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Understanding this as personal well-being, individual older adults should be able to take an active role in addressing their own mental health and well-being. Not only can mental health professionals equip older adults to identify risk factors, but they can also empower the elderly and their families by developing and strengthening protective factors. Examining underlying assumptions and prejudices can benefit their personal and professional development.

Lastly, although several initiatives have been introduced to support older adults nationwide, the Korean government should scale up efforts to implement inclusive and accessible services. With the collaboration of local government agencies, the collective well-being of older adults may be achieved. The cumulative effect of these actions will contribute to Koreas becoming a positive super aged society.

Ma Kyung-hee is an editor and researcher specializing in mental health.
Steps needed to prevent military conflicts, open dialogue

Tensions are escalating on the Korean Peninsula as South and North Korea continue to engage in a tit-for-tat exchange over the Norths release of trash-laden balloons. In response to these actions, the presidential office announced on Sunday a plan to commence loudspeaker broadcasts along the border areas.

This is the third trash balloon campaign of its kind by North Korea since late May, launched in retaliation against South Korea-based activists who have been floating anti-North Korean leaflets across the border. Military authorities noted that the North resumed releasing the balloons on Saturday. By 10 a.m. Sunday, they had found 330 balloons, with 80 landing in South Korea. Many balloons presumably fell into the sea or onto North Korean soil. Previously, North Korea had sent approximately 1,000 balloons from May 28 to June 2.

North Korea claims its release of trash balloons is a direct response to the activists distribution of anti-North Korean leaflets. On June 2, the Norths vice defense minister initially vowed to halt the balloons but threatened to resume if the leaflet activities continued. Alongside the balloons, the North has employed various provocative methods, including GPS jamming offensives and ballistic missile launches.

South Korean civic groups sent the leaflets on Thursday and Friday, prompting the North to resume the release of the trash balloons. The presidential office convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Council on Saturday and decided to resume loudspeaker broadcasts along the heavily fortified inter-Korean border. North Korea has reacted strongly to the broadcasts due to their far-reaching impact on its frontline soldiers and the citizens in the nearby city of Gaeseong. The broadcasts will resume for the first time since 2018, just before the inter-Korean summit between then-President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The Yoon Suk Yeol government has vowed to implement measures that North Korea cannot tolerate, including the loudspeaker broadcasts, should the North continue its balloon campaign. On June 4, the Yoon administration decided to scrap the 2018 tension-easing inter-Korean military agreement, paving the way for live-fire drills and other military activities in border areas to counter possible provocations by the North.

Reopening the loudspeaker broadcasts will likely prompt North Korea to take countermeasures nonetheless. There are growing concerns that the North might be inclined to launch surgical strikes near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea. North Korea should abstain from military provocations and intimidation. The South has cautioned North Korea by warning Pyongyang that it "will be held accountable for any escalation of tensions in the future."

First and foremost, the military authorities should maintain solid defense postures to safeguard the peoples lives and safety. They should ensure military preparedness against North Korea's possible provocations.

In this context, it is troubling that a battalion commander on the frontline was discovered to have been wining and dining with his staff members despite warnings regarding North Korea's trash balloons. This incident significantly erodes trust in the military. Stringent punitive measures should be implemented against the commander and other relevant personnel to prevent future occurrences and foster greater awareness within the military.

A momentary lapse in vigilance could provoke North Korea into initiating further provocations. Concerns are also mounting over the potential escalation of the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, particularly amidst the escalating confrontation without any available channels for dialogue between the two Koreas.

Coincidentally, President Yoon Suk Yeol embarked on trips to three central Asian nations Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan  from Monday until Saturday. However, the absence of the military's top commander should not lead to a lapse in security.

Prudent and measured actions are essential to forestall sudden conflicts and maintain stability in the region. Security and diplomatic authorities should explore proactive and innovative methods to revive the suspended inter-Korean dialogue and ease tensions while strengthening security measures.
By Lee Min-hyung

Jeong Tae-sam, a director at Kias sales branch office in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, advises young aspiring salespeople to maintain an intimate relationship with close acquaintances, as it serves as a stepping stone for their sustainable growth in the industry.

Jeong has made headlines after becoming the automakers fourth figure to win a title as a top-salesman with accumulated sales of more than 6,000 vehicles. Jeong was given a title of "Great Master" from the carmaker for his outstanding sales record.

Most people ask me what drove me to achieve the outcome, but my answer is always the same. You need to focus on your close acquaintances and try to maintain good relations with them for a long period of time," Jeong said during a telephone interview, Sunday. "They will be of greater help than you expected, as time passes by.

He joined the company in 1992 and has sold more than 6,000 vehicles until the end of May. This is equivalent of annual average sales of around 190 cars. In 2023, he rose to become the firms top salesman for the first time. Jeong placed his name on a list of Kia's top 10 salespeople 9 times for the past decade.

It may sound cliche, but there are no other specific secrets for me to achieve this robust sales record for the past few decades, he said.

He also makes it a rule not to speak good or ill of others behind their backs.

I never talk about anyone behind their backs, Jeong said. If you do so, you may end up being mired in unwanted rumors, which does not leave a good impression with others.

Jeongs achievement means a lot to aspiring salespeople, as he won the title not in the capital city or its surrounding areas. Jeonju is the largest city of North Jeolla Province, but its population falls far short of Seoul and its surrounding cities.

I also enjoy hanging out with people by joining diverse small-group meetings, he said. For instance, I sometimes meet people in private wine gatherings. If I maintain a good relationship with them, they recommend me to others. You need to maintain good ties with anyone you meet. This was the key driving force for my sales.

Kia grants the Great Master title to those whose accumulated sales reach 5,000 vehicles.
By Park Jae-hyuk

Korean companies may not be able to enjoy the benefits they have anticipated from Saudi Arabias NEOM project, as the Middle Eastern country appears to be scaling down the urban development project amid its prolonged financial difficulties, according to industry officials, Monday.

Major construction firms in Korea initially sought to win large-scale orders for the project to overcome a recent slump in the domestic housing market.

When Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud visited Seoul in 2022, heads of Koreas leading conglomerates met him in person seeking lucrative business opportunities. In 2023, President Yoon Suk Yeol visited Riyadh with business leaders to promote Koreas capabilities in smart city construction.

After Samsung C&T and Hyundai E&C received orders two years ago for the construction of tunnels for The Line vertical city, however, there have been no additional orders placed with Korean construction firms.

Overseas news outlets also reported in April that the Saudi sovereign wealth funds lack of cash led to a reduction in the length of The Line to 2.4 kilometers from 170 kilometers, although the Middle Eastern country has denied the news. Last month, the planned construction of a desalination plant on Oxagon industrial city was canceled, thwarting the participation of Saudi Arabias Enowa, Japans Itochu and Frances Veolia in the $1.5 billion project.

In addition, it was reported that Saudi Arabia sold only $11.2 billion worth of shares in Aramco, falling short of the maximum amount the worlds largest oil company could have raised in such a deal, which was intended to attract foreign investments amid falling crude oil prices.

It is inevitable for Saudi Arabia to scale down the NEOM project, as its government is pushing ahead with various other large-scale projects, a Hyundai E&C official said. However, we seek to participate in construction works at The Lines Hidden Marina zone, considering the ongoing bids for the construction of tunnels and basement structures in the zone.

Another construction industry official said on condition of anonymity that most memorandums of understanding (MOUs) signed for the NEOM project will not lead to main contracts.

The NEOM project is very challenging, and its size may exceed the initial estimation of $500 billion due to internal and external factors, International Contractors Association of Korea researcher Park Hyung-jin said. The Red Sea shipping crisis has delayed shipping and increased delivery costs, having a negative impact on Saudi Arabias giga-projects.

NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al Nasr, however, said in the latest newsletter that significant advances have been made in the development of NEOMs regions.

Our construction teams have been working tirelessly to shape the physical landscape and we are witnessing the transformation on the ground, he said. We believe that 2024 will be a great year."
The younger brother of SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won was formally moved Monday to lead the conglomerate's energy units, in an apparent move by Chey to tighten the Chey family's grip and restructure the group's business portfolio.

Executive Vice Chairman Chey Jae-won, who had led SK On, the battery affiliate of SK Innovation, has been appointed as the new head of SK Innovation, one of SK's key affiliates.

SK Innovation has nine affiliates, including SK On, SK Energy and SK Geo Centric.

Some industry observers attributed his abrupt appointment to taking responsibility for SK On's prolonged sluggish performance, driven by the stalled electric vehicle market.

SK On reported an operating loss of 581.8 billion won ($422.8 million) last year and remained in the red in the first quarter of 2024 with a loss of 331.5 billion won.

However, others believe Chey's new role reflects his success in founding the group's battery business with SK On, which was spun off from SK Innovation in 2021.

His appointment also aligns with Chairman Chey Tae-won's strategy to consolidate family-based control within the group through the SK Supex Council, the group's highest decision-making body, chaired by their cousin, Chang-won.

Additionally, insiders noted that Chairman Chey Tae-won's ongoing divorce case, which could affect his control over the group, is a contributing factor to the leadership change.

As the new chief of SK Innovation, Chey Jae-won is expected to play a key role in rebalancing the group's business portfolio, particularly in reviving the struggling SK On.

SK On has plans to invest a combined 7.5 trillion won this year in a bid to enhance competitiveness for its battery business.

"Now that Chey is in charge of SK Innovation as a whole, it seems easier for him to map out a solution for SK On," a source said. (Yonhap)
Narendra Modi was sworn in as India's prime minister on Sunday for a third term, after a shock election setback that will test his ability to ensure policy certainty in a coalition government in the world's most populous nation.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Modi at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the president's palace in New Delhi, attended by thousands of dignitaries, including the leaders of seven regional countries, Bollywood stars and industrialists.

"Honored to serve Bharat," Modi posted on X, minutes before he was sworn in, referring to India's name in Indian languages.

Supporters cheered, clapped and chanted "Modi, Modi" as the 73- year-old leader, dressed in a white kurta tunic and blue half jacket, was called to take his oath.

Modi was followed by senior ministers in the previous government: Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Piyush Goyal, among others. Their portfolios were expected to be announced after the swearing-in.

Midway through the inauguration, news came that at least nine people were killed and 33 injured when a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims plunged into a gorge after a suspected militant attack in the federal territory of Jammu and Kashmir, drawing criticism of the security situation from the opposition Congress party.

Modi, who started as a publicist of the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological parent of his Bharatiya Janata Party, is only the second person after independence leader Jawaharlal Nehru to serve a third straight term as prime minister.

Modi secured the third term in after multi-stage election that concluded on June 1 with the support of 14 regional parties in his BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. In the previous two terms, his party had won an outright majority.

The outcome is seen as a big setback to the popular leader, as surveys and exit polls had predicted BJP would secure even more seats than in 2019.

Coalition challenges

Modi delivered world beating growth and lifted India's global standing, but appeared to have missed a step at home as a lack of enough jobs, high prices, low incomes and religious fault lines pushed voters to rein him in.

When Modi was the chief minister of the western state of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014 the BJP enjoyed strong majorities, allowing him to govern decisively.

Modi's new term as prime minister, therefore, is likely to be fraught with challenges in building consensus on contentious political and policy issues in the face of different interests of regional parties and a stronger opposition, analysts say.

Some analysts worry that the fiscal balance in the world's fastest growing economy could also come under pressure due to demands for higher development funds for states ruled by the NDA's regional partners and a possible push by the BJP to spend more on welfare to woo back lost voters.

While the broad focus on building infrastructure, manufacturing and technology could continue, "contentious reforms could be delayed," said Samiran Chakraborty, Chief Economist, India, at Citi Research.

"The BJPs major coalition partners are politically unpredictable, sometimes working with the BJP and sometimes working against them," added Rick Rossow, the Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

"The larger parties that will be a part of his coalition are mostly agnostic on national-level issues and should not be applying a brake on economic reforms or security ties with the United States, Japan, and other key partners," he said.

Modi, whose election campaign was marked by religious rhetoric and criticism of the opposition for allegedly favoring India's 200 million minority Muslims, has adopted a more conciliatory tone since the result.

"We have won the majority ... but to run the country it is unanimity that is crucial ... we will strive for unanimity," he said on Friday after the NDA formally named him coalition head. (Reuters)
Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israels three-man war Cabinet, announced his resignation Sunday, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of mismanaging the war effort and putting his own political survival over the country's security needs.

The move does not immediately pose a threat to Netanyahu, who still controls a majority coalition in parliament. But the Israeli leader becomes more heavily reliant on far-right allies who oppose the latest U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal and want to press ahead with the war.

Unfortunately, Netanyahu is preventing us from achieving true victory, which is the justification for the painful and ongoing price, Gantz said. He added that Netanyahu was making empty promises, and the country needs to take a different direction as he expects the fighting to continue for years to come.

The popular former military chief joined Netanyahus government shortly after the Hamas attack in a show of unity. His presence also boosted Israels credibility with its international partners. Gantz has good working relations with U.S. officials.

Gantz had previously said he would leave the government by June 8 if Netanyahu did not formulate a new plan for postwar Gaza.

He scrapped a planned news conference Saturday night after four Israeli hostages were dramatically rescued from Gaza earlier in the day in Israels largest such operation since the eight-month war began. At least 274 Palestinians, including children, were killed in the assault, Gaza health officials said.

Gantz called for Israel to hold elections in the fall, and encouraged the third member of the war Cabinet, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, to do the right thing and resign from the government as well. Gallant has previously said he would resign if Israel chose to reoccupy Gaza, and encouraged the government to make plans for a Palestinian administration.

On Saturday, Netanyahu had urged Gantz not to leave the emergency wartime government.

This is the time for unity, not for division, he said, in a direct plea to Gantz.

Gantzs decision to leave is largely a symbolic move due to his frustration with Netanyahu, said Gideon Rahat, chairman of the political science department at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He noted it could further increase Netanyahus reliance on extremist, right-wing members of his government, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

I think the outside world, especially the United States, is not very happy about it, because they see Gantz and his party as the more responsible people within this government, Rahat said.

On Sunday evening, Ben-Gvir demanded a spot in the war Cabinet, saying Gantz and the smaller Cabinet had bungled the war effort due to dangerous ideological decisions.

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. At least 36,700 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians. (AP)
Nearly 90 countries and organizations, half from Europe, have confirmed attending the Swiss-hosted Ukraine peace summit over the weekend despite Russias refusal to participate, Switzerlands president said Monday.

Viola Amherd told reporters in the Swiss capital, Bern, that the summit, on Saturday and Sunday, will aim to chart a path toward possible peace nearly 28 months after Russian forces invaded Ukraine and the war grinding on.

This is not about propaganda, said Amherd. This is about the basis of humanitarian aid provided by Switzerland, based on fostering peace (and) to provide a platform to initiate a dialogue.

The Swiss president added that most participants would be top country leaders, with about half represented at the head of state or government level, and a handful from organizations like the United Nations.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are expected to attend the summit at the Burgenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne in the village of Obburgen.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will take part on behalf of the United States. President Joe Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, will join Harris as part of the U.S. delegation.

About 160 invitations have been sent out and Amherd said it was not a disappointment for the Swiss government that fewer than 100 have so far announced participation in the first phase of the peace process.

Swiss authorities said the final list of participants was expected by Friday, but key developing countries like Turkey, South Africa and Brazil havent indicated whether they would attend. India they said, will take part but it isn't clear at which level.

Brazil and China said they wouldnt take part unless both sides  including Russia  were at the table, according to Swiss officials. Beijing has been one of the top supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin since the war started, and has said the criteria for its participation will be hard to meet.

Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis also addressed reporters, saying Switzerland has repeatedly acknowledged that there cannot be a peace process without Russia. The question is not whether Russia will be on board, the question is when."

He also said Switzerland is in frequent contact with authorities in Moscow about the conference.

Ukraine has helped coordinate the summit, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend. Cassis said Swiss officials had to balance considerations that Ukraine might not have attended if Russia was represented.

Zelenskyy has gone on a diplomatic push to try and lure attendees to the summit. He has also accused China and Russia of trying to undermine it. The Swiss-hosted conference follows on the heels of the G7 summit in neighboring Italy.

Swiss officials say the conference aims to set a course toward lasting peace in Ukraine, to reach a common understanding toward getting there, and draw up the roadmap on how to get both sides involved in talks. Nuclear security, humanitarian aid and food security are also on the summits agenda.

As many as 4,000 military personnel will be deployed to provide security and support air transportation, surveillance and roll out security fencing and steel wire for the event, officials said, adding that an increase in cyberattacks in the run-up to the summit was noted, but didnt provide details. (AP)
NewJeans member Minji made it her mission to promote aespa's "Armageddon" in the HYBE building, and Karina couldn't be prouder!

On June 10, 2024, several South Korean online community forums were buzzing over Minji's recent actions to promote aespa! During a live stream on Phoning, NewJeans's fan communication platform, Minji revealed that she spread aespa's "Armageddon" alien invasion stockers all over HYBE's building without anyone's knowledge.

Minji confessed that her manager told her it was not allowed, but decided to do it anyway. The NewJeans member secretly hid the stickers in different places across the official HYBE building.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: aespa Winter Draws Attention For Posting THIS On Bubble - Why Is NewJeans Mentioned?

She also revealed that it was aespa's leader Karina who had given her the stickers when they met up to do each other's dance challenges for social media. It was even Karina's idea to place the stickers around the company, as she had asked Minji to spread them around!



Previously, Karina had also given Ryujin these stickers and banners. Their promotional materials mimic conspiracy theories, urging those who see it to listen to "Armageddon" unless they want to be among the first to be "eaten by aliens."

Minji said she received the "in case of an alien invasion, the person who doesnt listen to Armageddon will be eaten first" stickers from Karina and Giselle so the girls asked them to spread it around their company but their manager said no but they spread it secretly pic.twitter.com/fFNh2iJEkg  Karina (@ujiminphoria) June 8, 2024

Minji expressed how proud she was for successfully hiding the stickers inside the HYBE building. She added that there might even be photos that pop up online from people who eventually find the stickers.

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Soon after the livestream, Karina took to Bubble to express how proud she is of Minji. She was ecstatic to receive the good news and stated that she knew Minji would succeed. She expressed how happy she is that their parodies have reached the HYBE building.

Minji reacting to Karina saying shes proud of her



: She said shes proud- er ah er-

*long pause*

*laughs* it was fun, i think its time for me to run away



these two lewsers are the cutest stop pic.twitter.com/vtJl0MHAds  NEWJEANS NEWS (@newjeansnews_) June 8, 2024

Not Karina telling Minji to distribute the alien invasion stickers 



Minji: Right I got those too, alien invasion people who don't listen to Armageddon will be caught and eaten first, so sunbae-nim told me to distribute around the company, so I distributed it here and pic.twitter.com/6GgtaqeFkW June 8, 2024

Karina added that she also wanted to give ITZY member Yeji stickers, as they had also met up to do dance challenges. However, she had forgotten to bring the stickers at the time.

Korean netizens who saw the post couldn't help but laugh at the interaction. They joked that it was obviously Karina's idea, noting how funny it is. Many commented that they love the friendship between aespa and NewJeans, adding that they adore the Karina and Minji combo.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: ITZY Ryujin Proves Close Friendship With aespa Karina - Here's How

Others praised Minji's rebellious attitude, joking that Bang Si Hyuk must hate seeing the stickers. For reference, ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin revealed that HYBE founder Bang Si Hyuk had asked her if she could "crush aespa" with NewJeans's debut.

Some comments read,

"Oops, Bang Si Hyuk must not like this!"

"Girls, I support you!"

"Karina is so funny!"

"I knew it would be Karina's idea. I can't think of anyone else who would ask the girls to do this."

"These two ladies just made my day."

"I fully support their friendship."

"This combo is making me go crazy!"

"What rebels!"

"I know someone is going to hate this."

"The fact that Minji did exactly what her Karina unie told her to do... LOL!"

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

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KpopStarz Owns This

Written by Alexa Lopez
A certain fourth-gen female idol is being dubbed K-pop's latest "CF queen," joining the ranks of iconic A-list celebrities such as BLACKPINK's Jennie and Lee Hyori. Keep on reading to find out who she is!

In the competitive landscape of the fourth generation of K-pop, where countless talented and stunning idols compete for public recognition, IVE member Ahn Yujin stands out. Her remarkable combination of beauty, lively charm, and spirited "4D" personality has made her a household name in South Korea.

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2003-liner Ahn Yujin has quickly become a favorite for major brands, securing endorsements with high-profile names like Fendi, Clio, Versace, Tiffany & Co., and most recently, Maxim Coffee. This surge in brand partnerships has propelled her to the status of a "CF queen" in K-pop, rivaling even her groupmate Jang Wonyoung, who is known as K-pop's "it girl."

She has joined the ranks of other industry luminaries such as BLACKPINK's Jennie, Suzy, and Lee Hyori.

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Ahn Yujin captivates fans with her youthful, "puppy-like" appearance. Her smooth, radiant skin and contagious smile further enhance her warm aura. One of her most compelling traits is her versatility in looks; from sweet and youthful to bold and sexy, she flawlessly digests any style.

Looking through her Instagram account reveals a flawless fashion sense. Standing tall at 173cm, Yujin's slender, well-proportioned figure allows her to effortlessly rock any attire. This adaptability makes her an ideal representative for fashion brands.

CHECK THIS OUT: Miu Miu Faces Backlash After Unveiling Latest Collection - Why Is IVE Jang Wonyoung Being Mentioned?

Ahn Yujin's daily style features stylish yet common items like jeans, crop tops, tank tops, and t-shirts. Despite how simple the pieces are, her talent and ability to mix and match these basics garner widespread love.

Some comments left by netizens read,

"There's something so captivating about Ahn Yujin's puppy-like visuals."

"I'm committed to being a fan of Ahn Yujin forever."

"I'm hoping Ahn Yujin gains even more recognition."

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

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KpopStarz Owns This

Written by Alexa Lopez
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150 million in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan crisis

In view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the EU has activated its emergency aid reserve to avoid a risk of famine in the country. This will bring the total EU response to nearly 150 million in humanitarian aid for this crisis in 2024.

This funding will support partners working inside Afghanistan (nearly 126 million) and responding to the need of Afghan refugees in Pakistan (over 11 million) and for humanitarian organisations in Iran (nearly 11 million), as well as strengthening disaster preparedness.

In Afghanistan, EU funding will continue to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable populations, notably in hard-to-reach communities. Aid will focus on food assistance, shelter, healthcare and access to water and sanitation. Up to 14.5 million are earmarked for Education in Emergencies, as 8 million children and adolescents need educational assistance, including 1.4 million girls that are excluded from accessing secondary school.

In Pakistan, over 7 million will go to respond to the humanitarian needs of displaced Afghans and their host communities. For instance, providing access to legal assistance, healthcare and nutrition, as well as education. Another 4 million will be dedicated to disaster preparedness in the country.

In Iran, the vast majority of funding, up to 10.25 million, will go to address the needs of displaced Afghan populations and host communities.

EU humanitarian aid is solely channelled through humanitarian partners working on the ground.

The announcement comes as senior representatives of the international community gathered in Brussels today to discuss Afghanistan's food and health crisis.

Background

Afghanistan remains one of the largest humanitarian emergencies, with over 23.7 million people in need of assistance. There is a real and acute risk of famine. Over 15 million people are acute food insecure, and pockets of famine could emerge if the current development is not reversed. The rate of children under five suffering from wasting and stunting is one of the highest globally, while access to basic healthcare is very limited. The country is also the second most exposed to natural hazards in the world, with climate change exacerbating risks such as droughts and floods. This spring, floods have affected 24 out of a total of 34 provinces in Afghanistan, causing extensive damage, in particular in the north of the country.

The crisis in Afghanistan continues to have a negative ripple effect in Pakistan and Iran. Meanwhile, disasters induced by natural hazards continue to hit harder the poorest segments of society.

For More Information

EU humanitarian aid in Afghanistan

EU humanitarian aid in Pakistan

EU humanitarian aid in Iran

Quote

The people of Afghanistan are currently facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Over 50% of the population need humanitarian aid, and over 85% of the population are in poverty. It is crucial that the world does not look away from this ongoing emergency. Together with the international humanitarian community, the EU continues to support the people of Afghanistan in their moment of need  most recently following the devastating floods this April. And at this challenging and uncertain time we reaffirm our commitment to supporting people in need across the country, to humanitarian principles and to addressing operational challenges faced by aid workers on the ground

Janez Lenarcic, Commissioner for Crisis Management 2024-06-09
On 9 June Argentinas Presidentcelebrated the success of far-right parties in the European parliament elections.

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Joe Biden's strict new border clampdown is showing signs that it may be working for now, as the number of migrants caught trying to cross the US-Mexico border has already dropped despite some strong criticisms from both sides of the aisle.

A US Border Patrol official has told Reuters that they found fewer and fewer migrants trying to cross the border since the Biden restrictions were first rolled out, with the official saying that they managed only to arrest approximately 3,100 people crossing illegally. This is around 20% less than the day before.

"It's still too early to say this is a definitive trend," said the CBP official who spoke to the outlet on the condition of anonymity. "But I think it is indicative of some possible early success."

It should be noted that this is still early into the new restrictive policy's implementation, as it is still unknown if this would deter migration to the US-Mexico border in the long run. However, Biden is already working with countries along the migration route such as Mexico and Guatemala to help curb migration.

This new Biden border policy began to take effect on Wednesday, as it sets a migrant crossing limit to 2,500. Once the threshold is reached, all migrants caught illegally crossing the border will be immediately deported and will not have the chance to request asylum.

There are exceptions in the new rule, however, such as ones for unaccompanied minors. There are also exceptions set for migrants who genuinely look afraid of being sent back to their respective countries. However, these migrants will have to face stricter screening methods in order to be allowed in.

READ MORE: Joe Biden Begins Deportations Along US-Mexico Border; Migrants Rattled and Unsure

Alejandro Mayorkas Says They Are Ready for Challenges to Joe Biden's Border Crackdown

Meanwhile, the Biden administration is already gearing up for possible lawsuits that challenge the restrictive new border policies in court, and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says they are ready for them.

One of these challenges comes from the civil rights group, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which likened the policy to that of Donald Trump's controversial and draconic border policies. Mayorkas noted that he disagrees with their lawsuit.

"I respectfully disagree with the ACLU," the DHS secretary said. "We stand by the legality of what we have done. We stand by the value proposition. It's not only a matter of securing the border, we have a humanitarian obligation to keep vulnerable people out of the hands of exploitative smugglers."

Donald Trump Says He Will Reverse Joe Biden's Strict Border Clampdown Despite Wanting Those Same Policies

Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who is running against Biden in November, has vowed to reverse Biden's policies despite having an even more anti-immigrant rhetoric than him.

"On Day One of my administration, I will be rescinding Crooked Joe's outrageous executive order," he said during a rally, claiming without evidence that it is "pro-invasion, pro-child trafficking... pro-drug dealers," even though the provisions in the Biden executive order say otherwise.

"And I will terminate every single open borders policy of the Biden administration," he added.

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: Biden signs executive order to shut down border during surges - NBC News
The Venezuela elections are less than two months away as Nicolas Maduro is slated to go head-to-head with little-known opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, who is in the lead against the dictator in various polls. This is as Maduro's United Socialist Party of Venezuela is increasing its efforts to show its support for him.

On Sunday, the country's ruling party tested a voter organizing campaign that aimed to shore up the strongman's campaign for his third term in office and further extend the party's decades-long reign in the South American country that has seen its economy crash and thousands flee for a better life.

Verification phone calls were sent out on Sunday to local party organizers and voters who pledged their support. However, these organizers have yet to enter voter information into the database due to a lack of internet access. The Associated Press also noted a lack of experience with databases during party meetings across the country.

This is done so that the voters they registered would be able to vote on election day, with party leaders making sure that they do so "no matter what."

These efforts come as the fanatics of late Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, known as Chavistas, are no longer the reliable voting force they used to be, with the once-fractured opposition now uniting under one banner to kick Maduro out of office.

"We are already approaching record numbers," Maduro claimed on Sunday evening, though he did not give any actual numbers to back his claims. "The level of organization that you have reached at this point is impressive."

READ MORE: Russia Sending Warships to the Caribbean for Naval Drills with Venezuela and Cuba

Questions Raised on Whether Nicolas Maduro Give Up Power Should Edmundo Gonzalez Win

Under Maduro, Venezuela has experienced political repression and a massive humanitarian crisis. Many are now trying to leave Venezuela, with more expected to leave should the dictator maintain his grip on power. The question is whether he would actually leave if the elections were fair and he lost.

Questions are being raised whether Maduro will honor his possible defeat or not, with Edmundo Gonzalez also not offering an answer regarding the topic during a recent interview with CNN. However, he stated that amnesty for outgoing officials could be on the table.

"In all political transitions and political crises, you have amnesty agreements and transitional justice," he said in the interview. "All the countries who have gone through situations like ours have ended up granting it, so I don't rule out we could take a similar measure in Venezuela."

Venezuela Strikes Massive Gold Deal with Turkey

Meanwhile, as the opposition is pondering if Maduro would actually leave, the Venezuelan president himself has recently signed an agreement with Turkey to extract gold in the southern portion of Venezuela.

"Turkey's investment is intended to continue developing gold (in) the Mining Arc (of Orinoco)," said Maduro. "We are going to develop these gold fields, and I wish you the best of luck so that what we are signing... becomes an example of ecological development that is respectful of nature and very productive."

READ MORE: Venezuela Election: Opposition Candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Holds First Rally

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Venezuela's opposition leader whips up crowds despite not appealing on the ballot for July president - AP Archive
A Limerick woman has set up a fundraiser after her puppy was mauled by two dogs.

Charlotte Ryan Doyle set up a fundraiser for her eight-month-old miniature Daschund, Winston, who was attacked by two other dogs on Sunday, June 2.

Our eight-month-old miniature dachshund Winston unfortunately was mauled by two German Shepherds and left with a high vet bill from the multiple surgeries, medication and other things needed to keep Winston alive.

"It started out with what we thought were laceration wounds, but after X-rays and vet exam, we were told that unfortunately he suffered internal injuries. On Sunday evening, his lacerations were stitched up and he was prepped for surgery. After receiving anaesthetic, his heart stopped for 5 minutes. Because of this, his surgery had to be postponed, she explained.

On Monday, the family took Winston home. The pup then had a check-up on Wednesday, followed by surgery on the Friday.

Today, we brought him in for his surgery as scheduled to operate on the hernia he received from the dog attack that could not be operated on earlier in the week. When opened, there was a lot more internal damage done. They discovered it was infected and producing a lot of fluid, she said.

Now, Winston is at risk of sepsis and needs to stay in the vet, where he can get his dressings changed every four hours and to be given IV antibiotics.

It is a miracle he has survived through it all, the vet has said he is a fighter. If we thought he could not have been saved, we would have put him down, but hes battling through it all and loving the attention. We were not prepared to for this high costing emergency but at the end of the day, he is a part of our family, we love him very much and want the best for his recovery, she added.
Fianna Fail is in the mix for two seats in Midlands-North-West, a party candidate has said.

Counting of ballots in Irelands European Parliament elections got under way on Sunday after votes were cast on Friday.

The first results are not expected until Monday, but unofficial and incomplete tallies have provided some insight into the likely outcome.

In Midlands-North-West, there are 27 candidates fighting for five seats in the massive electoral region which spans 15 counties.

The 73cm-long ballot paper was described as like a toilet roll by a local politician on Sunday.

Because of a rising population in Ireland, the constituencys boundaries have been expanded and its voters will elect one more MEP compared with 2019.

The current four MEPs are independent Luke Ming Flanagan, Fine Gaels Colm Markey and Maria Walsh, and Sinn Feins Chris MacManus.

Mr Markey was withdrawn and Fine Gael has selected Irish Grand National-winning jockey Nina Carberry in his stead  a move seen as a celebrity candidature.

She will compete among the 27 total runners and riders in the contest, including unsuccessful presidential election candidate and entrepreneur Peter Casey as well as former RTE correspondent Ciaran Mullooly.

Sinn Fein is also fielding its former MP Michelle Gildernew, who is among the candidates saying they will be a voice for Northern Ireland in a post-Brexit European Parliament.

Elsewhere, the Fianna Fail campaign has been marred by infighting, as border region hopeful Niall Blaney accused the party leadership of throwing him and Mayo representative Lisa Chambers overboard in favour of Barry Cowen, who brings strong name recognition to the table.

The main contenders appeared to be Mr Flanagan, Ms Walsh, and Mr Cowen, with Ms Carberry, Ms Chambers, Mr MacManus, Peadar Toibin and Mr Mullooly also in the running.

Speaking to reporters at the count centre in Castlebar on Sunday, Mr Flanagan said he expects the count to last a number of days.

He said: Theres quite a lot of candidates here who are going to get a significant amount of votes and I think its nearly odds on that were going to have some sort of a recount  and potentially a recount at the end because I think its going to be close.

So I predict  all I know is we booked a place to stay for the next week in Castlebar.

Mr Flanagan predicted that Mr MacManus may be in difficulty to regain his seat with Sinn Fein.

Mr Flanagan said: Theyre going to struggle to take a seat in this constituency, which is extraordinary when you look at some of the opinion polls from just over a year ago.

He said he would not rule out Fine Gael securing two seats in the constituency.

Asked if this was evidence that picking celebrities as candidates is a successful strategy, Mr Flanagan said: Apparently it does.

And not only that, hiding a candidate during a campaign works if Nina Carberry gets elected  because I have never, ever in my life met Nina Carberry.

However, it was observed during that count that Ms Carberrys transfers were regularly going to Fianna Fail candidates rather than Ms Walsh.

Mayo TD for Fine Gael Michael Ring said he was very hopeful the party could secure two seats.

Asked about anecdotal evidence that transfers were not always staying within Fine Gael, Mr Ring said there was no question that some voters were thinking local.

Mr Ring also criticised the length of the ballot paper, saying: It was like a toilet roll, so it was. It was a disgrace.

Ms Chambers said she was confident that Mr Cowen will comfortably take a seat for Fianna Fail, adding she herself was also in the mix for the fifth and final spot against Sinn Fein candidates and Ms Carberry.

Asked about her concerns about the public row between the Fianna Fail candidates, she added: Im not really concerned because whats done is done.

She added: Ill be honest, I thought two candidates was the right strategy.

However, she said she had to trust the decision of the party strategists.
Vote-counting in a historic election in Ireland is under way  and all is still to play for, according to one of the running candidates.

For the first time ever, Irish citizens will select its first directly-elected mayor.

The first count in the Limerick election is expected later on Monday afternoon.

It is the first time Irish citizens will elect their local first citizen, in what is seen as a test case for the rest of the state.

A total of 15 candidates are running for the mayors seat.

Dozens of staff are counting the votes at Limerick Racecourse, which is being used as a count centre.

Independent candidate John Moran is leading the race on 24%, according to tallies.

He is followed closely by another independent candidate, Helen ODonnell.

Other candidates vying to become Limericks first directly-elected minister are Fianna Fail candidate Dee Ryan and Fine Gaels Daniel Butler.

Ms ODonnell said she believes all is still to play for.

Ive been in a lot of elections where its right down to the wire and right down to last elimination, she said.

Its all to play for, and we simply dont know what the result is. We look for transfers as strongly as we look for number one votes.

Hopefully that will stand to us and weve had an amazing canvass and an amazing team and Limerick people are watching a historic election.

She said the election of a mayor for the county will be really positive for the area.

She added: Its going to be a blueprint for other parts of Ireland to follow. We want to get it right, and we want to get the right person in there and all the candidates have been amazing, and really good to work with. May the best person win.

She said that it is important for an independent candidate to work with all elected councillors and council staff.

I think to be collaborative and to be a team player is very important. Ive said that from the get go, as an independent, you need a stronger working relationship than if you were siloed into a party, she added.

Minister for Further and Higher Education Patrick ODonovan said that the tallies come with a huge health warning.

While the tallies for the local elections were very accurate, even some of the tally people that were here themselves said that there are there are substantial gaps, Mr ODonovan told PA news agency.

I think you have to take it with a health warning. If the quota is 50%, no-one will reach 50% so this will go on for a long time.

The transfers ultimately will decide where it goes. The number of non-transferable votes will decide where it goes. It really is way too early to predict anything.

Theyve only started counting in the last hour. They only started the ballot papers so there wont be a first count here for until later.

You wont see a trend developing here until you start to see second, third, fourth counts and its just too early.

I dont know whether that gap that the tallymen predicted is actually going to be the gap at the end, or whether its going to be substantially smaller than that.

We just have to wait and see. I wouldnt predict it anyway at the moment.

The 15 candidates are:

Sarah Beasley of Aontu; Daniel Butler of Fine Gael; Independent Frankie Daly; Ruairi Fahy of People Before Profit; Laura Keyes of Rabharta; Brian Leddin of the Green Party; Indepedent John Moran; Caitriona Ni Chathain of the Socialist Party; Independent Helen ODonnell; Elisa ODonovan of the Social Democrats; Indepedent Colm OMorain; Maurice Quinlivan of Sinn Fein; Dee Ryan of Fianna Fail; Conor Sheehan of the Labour party and Gerben Uunk of The Animal Welfare Party.
Tributes have poured in for a Limerick man, after his body was recovered off the coast in Co Galway.

Conor McLoughlin of North Circular Road, Limerick / formerly of Silver Spring Clonmel and Foynes Yacht Club, Clonmel, died at sea after getting into difficulty.

It is understood he got into difficulty on June 7 while attempting to retrieve a dinghy which was detached from the Peggy M, the yacht he was sailing with his wife.

His wife, Bernadette then made a call to the Irish Coast Guard. A multi agency search operation took place on Friday for Mr Loughlin, who was reported missing off Oilean Mhic Dara in the Carna area of Connemara on Thursday. His body was found on June 8.

Since the tragic news broke, tributes have been pouring in for Conor, who has been described as a true gentleman and a joy to be around.

Foynes Yacht Club, which Conor was a member of for years, paid tribute.

It is with our deepest sympathy that we share the untimely and sudden passing of club member and dear friend Conor McLoughlin. Conor along with his wife Bernadette have been prominent members of Foynes Yacht Club for several years now. During this time Conor and Bernadette have offered unwavering support to our club and always given their time and energy whether it be to help out on a cleanup day or participate in club events on the water, they said.

Over the years, Conor and Bernadette have been true explorers.

They have voyaged far and wide, sailing to Norway, Scotland and a lot of Western Europe on their boat Peggy M. Their boat is a perfect example of a vessel that is kept immaculately, which is a true testament to Conors meticulous nature. Many of us at FYC followed their journey through AIS, as well as progress updates provided by Bernadette, continued the club.

Conor and Bernadette also gave a talk early last year on their trip around Ireland and Scotland, which was so appreciated and supported by our club members. They even won our Wanderlust trophy at the end of last season, as their miles travelled and places explored through sailing were so very impressive they had to be recognised.

Conor was a true gentleman, no matter what the occasion you would always be assured a warm smile and a hello. He was the go to man when it came to electronics onboard, and was always willing to share his knowledge with others. Conor was a joy to be around, and his relationship with Bernadette was a true representation of companionship. We rarely saw them apart, and we know they enjoyed their life together so much.

Its difficult to put into words how devastated we are about Conors passing, but we here at FYC are so appreciative that we had the chance to get to know Conor. We offer our deepest sympathies to Bernadette as well as their three children. Conor will always be a part of Foynes Yacht Club, and has left us with so many fond memories. May the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, until we meet again. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis, said the club.

Conor was the best friend and husband of Bernadette. Father of Lucy, Aideen and Fergus. Brother of Niale, Dee, Emer, Gary and Cormac. Son of the late Eamon and Peggy McLoughlin, Silver Spring Clonmel.

He will be reposing at home, 12 Old Westfields, North Circular Road, V94 FH1W, on Tuesday, June 11, from 3.30pm.

Pausing briefly at Foynes Yacht Club at 2.45pm, Wednesday, June 12, before private cremation.

A Celebration of Conors life will take place at Foynes Yacht Club from 6.30pm on the same evening.

In lieu of flowers, the family have asked that donations be made here, to the RNLI.
Irish voters have rejected populist, anti-migrant groupings and moved back to the centre, an Irish MEP has said.

Billy Kelleher said that people considered alternatives to the coalition government parties and rejected them resoundingly.

There had been concern that a wave of rhetoric around immigration and climate change, seen across the EU, would be repeated in Irelands local and European elections on June 7.

But the coalition government parties  Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party  have performed better than expected based on early results.

Irelands electoral system of proportional representation means that a candidate must reach a quota to be elected, which involves several rounds of counting, and the transfer of eliminated candidates often deciding who wins the final seats.

Irelands MEPs will be the last in the European Parliaments elections to be confirmed.

Mr Kelleher, who is expected to comfortably regain his seat along with Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly, said that his party leader and Irelands deputy premier Micheal Martin had contributed to his partys electoral success.

With most of the 949 council seats filled, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have held steady at 23% of first preference votes, with main opposition party Sinn Fein behind on just 11%.

Of Irelands 14 MEPs, Fianna Fail are expected to increase their number of MEPs from two to three.

Speaking at the count centre at Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork, on Monday, Mr Kelleher said that Mr Martins leadership, the strength of the organisation and the critical importance of centrist politics were behind the partys performance.

The public looked at others and rejected them resoundingly, both in terms of the very populist anti-migrant groupings on the right, but equally Sinn Fein as well in terms of their simplistic views to complex problems.

I think it was a very interesting election because there was a debate around the whole issue of the extremes on left and right and where the centre would reside in modern Irish politics.

I think that was answered emphatically yesterday both in the local elections and also the European elections, where people looked at the alternatives and wanted to go back to the centre.

Mr Kelly and Mr Kelleher are expected to take the first two of five seats in the 10-county constituency of Ireland South, home to 1.2 million eligible voters.

Despite counting beginning on Sunday morning, the first count in the Ireland South constituency is not expected until between 1pm and 4pm on Monday, with a second count expected to redistribute the surplus votes of Mr Kelly.

There is doubt over whether there will be time for a third count on Monday.

Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara, who was vocal in his opposition to the two defeated March referenda, Sinn Fein TD Kathleen Funchion, and ex-Co Wexford TD Mick Wallace are the next strongest candidates.

Green Party MEP Grace OSullivan said on Sunday the prospect of holding on to her seat feels like its slipping away but she is not yet considered completely out of the race.
Family Carers Ireland has kicked off its national fundraising campaign, Heart of Gold, aimed at providing vital support to family carers in Leitrim. With an estimated 3,266 family carers in Leitrim this campaign aims to recognise their invaluable contribution and raise vital funds.

Coinciding with National Carers Week, Heart of Gold takes place on Thursday, June 13. The purpose of this campaign is to not only to raise funds for Family Carers Irelands critical programs, supports and services, but to also raise awareness about the challenges facing family carers.

As part of the campaign, street collections will take place in towns and villages nationwide giving members of the community an opportunity to show their support and appreciation for family carers.

Patricia Blee, Community Support Manager, Family Carers Ireland, said: "The Heart of Gold campaign is a heartfelt tribute to the unwavering dedication and selflessness of family carers in Leitrim and beyond. It is about ensuring that the invaluable work and challenges faced by family carers are not only seen but understood."

Patricia further encouraged the public to get involved, saying: "We invite everyone in Leitrim to join us on Thursday, June 13 for our street collections, purchase a Heart of Gold pin, and consider participating in the 50 Miles in June Challenge.

"Every contribution makes a difference in supporting our family carers and ensuring they receive the assistance they need.

"Funds raised throughout the month of June will directly support vital services, such as our National Freephone Careline, counselling, respite care, and local drop-in centres," she continued.

"Additionally, the campaign will help provide peer support groups, training sessions, and carers' forums, which help to ease the isolation often felt by family carers. These services go beyond mere support; they are lifelines for those selflessly committed to caring for others."

Family carer, Rosemary Kratschmar, who cares for her son Sammy said: "It truly does take a village to raise a child, and that couldnt be more true for a child with special needs. The journey is long and sometimes lonely, and no one should have to navigate it alone.

"Having the support of the community and services like those provided by Family Carers Ireland not only helps us care for Sammy with love and dignity, but also reminds us that we are part of a larger family that understands and shares in our challenges and triumphs.

"This is why every bit of support from the 'Heart of Gold' campaign is so vital - it helps sustain not just the practical assistance we rely on, but also the community that lifts us up every day."

For those unable to attend the street collections, donations can be made via the Family Carers Ireland website at www.familycarers.ie/donate.
Luke Ming Flanagan told reporters in Castlebar at the Midlands-North-West count that it looks like he and Barry Cowen will be the top two after the first count.

The incumbent independent has polled strongly, and does look set to retain his seat in European Parliament.

The popular Roscommon man attributed his apparent success to a fervent campaign.

"I managed to get to 238 towns, and called into about 5000 different businesses and countless people," Flanagan said. "Some people think that in a constituency this size, it's all about television. It's all about social media.

"Of course, what it's really about is turning up in smaller places. And if you keep going to many enough different towns, eventually the message comes across, you're the only one that comes around here. And because of that, you will obviously stand by your word, so people say "we're gonna stand by you"."

Speaking to reporters, Flanagan added that he believed Aontu's Peadar Toibin and Independent Ireland's Ciaran Mullooly seem to be neck and neck.

Asked on the performance of government and opposition parties, Flanagan disregarded talk of SInn Fein "collapsing".

"I wouldnt rule out Sinn Fein doing very, very well in the next general election," he said. Flanagan added that that the results so far might make Fine Gael "complacent and deluded as to the idea that Simon Harris is some sort of saviour and I think the general election will show he isnt".

Discussing the local elections, Flanagan remarked that "it's brilliant that barely any extreme-right candidates have been elected".

"Even better, many of our new Irish people of colour have gone out and got elected and they've hammered the far-right," Flanagan added.

"The message is, Ireland as a tolerant place but one thing Ireland isnt tolerant about is a lack of housing, a lack of healthcare, a lack of teachers in our schools, and we need to resolve that."
Fintan McGill, Managing Director of DNG McGill Carrick-on-Shannon and Longford, has been appointed as Senior Vice-President of IPAV, the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers, which represents more than 1,500 auctioneers, valuers and estate agents nationwide.

Speaking ahead of the organisation's national conference to be held in Limerick on Friday (14th June) he said he was proud to take on the role and proud of the organisation's achievements.

In auctioneering were involved in the biggest financial decisions individuals and families make in their lives, as well as businesses, he said. Our institute, along with our education partner TU Dublin, plays a crucial role in educating and guiding existing practitioners and those entering the profession.

On housing policy he said increasing housing supply is paramount. While progress has been made, much remains to be done.

The last decade has seen the introduction of much regulation, particularly around rent controls. International experience would indicate such controls should only be short-term because of their adverse impacts, such as reducing housing supply and over time, the lack of proper maintenance of rental properties, he said. The International Monetary Fund, among others, has recommended the removal of rent caps.

Mr McGill said home ownership rates have fallen dramatically with Ireland now having one of the biggest gaps in Western Europe between younger and older generations. He pointed to Economic and Social Research Institute findings that nearly 80% of people over age 40 own their own homes but just a third of adults under age 40 do.

This is a very worrying trend. Its absolutely crucial that public policy supports people to achieve their aspirations of home ownership, he said. Major delays and blockages in planning, infrastructure, approval processes and financing remain.

In this regard the recent Housing Commission report must be taken seriously and considered urgently by Government. Its important that solutions are found to these long standing impediments to progress, he said.

In addition to his new role as Senior Vice-President of IPAV Mr. McGill is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the USA.

He said increasingly international buyers are playing an active role in the market.

IPAV introduced the Blue Book European valuation standards to Ireland in 2013. This is the valuation standard recognised by the Irish Central Bank and the European Central Bank for which it holds default status over all other valuation standards in the event of any valuation conflict arising.
Expectation is growing that the Government could call an early General Election after a strong showing from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in the Local Elections.

The Government parties won around 50% of seats on local councils throughout the country, according to the most up to date results. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail will win around 23% of seats each while the Greens will pick up just shy of 4% of council seats nationwide.

The biggest party in opposition in the Dail, Sinn Fein, will take around 12% of council seats having been expected to take close to 20% and put even more pressure on the Government.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald admitted that the party hadn't "had the day we hoped for" despite making "modest gains."

As the count continues, I wanted you to hear directly from me. pic.twitter.com/sLdIhUrIhF  Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) June 9, 2024

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach has stopped short of hinting at an earlier general election based on the results over the weekend. It's largely expected the Government will ride the wave of this election and call a snap general poll for later this year, possible October, rather than waiting until the term of Government ends early next year.

He said the Government is committed to delivering for people of Ireland on the "issues that matter."

Speaking to RTE Radio and probed on possibly giving Sinn Fein time to recover a strategy before next years, Simon Harris said "I'm not going to give them an inch but what I'm going to give the people of Ireland is delivery on the issues that matter."

Critics of the Government, including Sinn Fein, argue the Government, particularly Fine Gael, have had almost 14 years in Government to deliver on those issues.

Theyre polling around 11, 12, 14%. Not exactly a government in waiting



Taoiseach @simonharristd joined Claire to give his reaction to the emerging picture in #elections2024  pic.twitter.com/oTowDyxSTZ  RTE Radio 1 (@RTERadio1) June 9, 2024

Tanaiste Micheal Martin was also not being drawn on the possibility of an earlier general election over the weekend. Speaking to Newstalk, he said the local election results would not have a "significant impact" on the timing of the next general election. He said the Government is focused on delivering the next Budget and passing the resultant Finance Bill and believes voters will "reward and respect serious focused politics."

'So now that you have Sinn Fein on the run, you don't want to take advantage, is that it?'



Ivan Yates questions @MichealMartinTD @ElectionNT pic.twitter.com/PGLiDHMKpY  NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) June 9, 2024

However, many political commentators suggest the Government will strike when the iron is hot and opt for a general election in the next few months.
Minister Wilkinson Welcomes the Canada Electricity Advisory Council Final Report to Help Build Canada's Clean Electricity Future





OTTAWA, ON, June 10, 2024 /CNW/ - A clean electricity grid is central to our fight against climate change. In fact, studies show we will not meet net-zero emissions by 2050 without decarbonizing our grid. Equally important is growing the size of the grid to meet the needs of current and future Canadian homes and businesses, which projections show could more than double by 2050 in a net-zero context. Successfully meeting our clean electricity goals is not only a priority for the Government of Canada but could deliver nearly 40 percent of our long-term climate targets. Critically, these goals must be achieved in a manner that ensures electricity is affordable and reliable. Canadians in every corner of the country must be able to conveniently and affordably heat their homes, turn on their lights and drive their vehicles, and this federal government has been working hard to ensure electricity across the country is reliable, affordable and clean.

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, welcomed the release of Powering Canada: A Blueprint for Success, the final report from the Canada Electricity Advisory Council. The report lays out the Council's findings and provides 28 recommendations to inform future Government of Canada policy initiatives.

Launched in May 2023, the Canada Electricity Advisory Council is an independent panel of electricity sector subject matter experts from every region of the country, chaired by Philippe Dunsky. Council members included Indigenous partners, electricity sector utilities, regulators and think tanks. Over the Council's one-year mandate, it undertook 80 meetings and engagement with over 100 partners.

The consensus recommendations in the report of the independent Council speak to the need to both address climate change and ensure we seize the massive economic opportunities enabled through the transition to a low-carbon economy. The report highlights that a clean, reliable grid will save Canadians money into the future.

With over 80 percent of Canada's electricity already emissions-free, Canada starts from a place of strength, which we can leverage to ensure continued success and prosperity. For example, Canada's non-emitting grids have been key to securing over $50 billion in investments in the electric vehicle supply chain in the last two years alone and will be crucial to Canada's success in the emerging global hydrogen market.

We thank the Council for the significant and important work it has done over this past year and for the guidance provided in its final report. Not only will these recommendations support the federal government as we move to bring forward the next steps to bring non-emitting, affordable energy to Canadians ? including Canada's first Clean Electricity Strategy, expected later this year ? but they will also provide direction for provinces, territories, utilities, and stakeholders across the country.

The Canada Electricity Advisory Council's final report can be viewed on the NRCan / CEAC website.

Quotes

"I thank the Council members for their work and recommendations. The role of electricity is central to Canada's clean energy future, and building out a clean electricity system will help us fight climate change and power a prosperous Canadian net-zero economy. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners, industry and experts on this crucial work."

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

"Building a clean, affordable, and reliable electricity system is at the foundation of Canada's efforts to tackle climate change and presents a generational opportunity to drive clean economic growth across the country for decades to come. Just as the United States and other G7 partners are doing, we need to make supporting the low-carbon economy a priority. Setting new rules for cleaner power plants is already stimulating investments in lower-cost renewable energy and positioning Canada to be a global clean energy superpower. The advice from Canada's Electricity Advisory Council will help to ensure we get the details right in this important work, including by providing provinces and territories the flexibility they need to continue to deliver affordable, reliable power."

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault

Minister of Environmental and Climate Change

"Canada is starting from a place of strength. If any country in the world can succeed in this transition, it is ours. But as we move forward, we need to be deliberate, thoughtful, mindful of regional differences and ready to rethink old ways of thinking and doing. By being clearer about where we're going, by boldly acting to cut red tape and by investing strategically, we can win the race to an economy powered by clean, competitive electricity."

Philippe Dunsky

President, Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors

Chair, Canada Electricity Advisory Council

Quick Facts

From the report

Canada is ahead. Approximately four in five Canadians live in provinces where electricity is already largely decarbonized (more than 90 percent non-emitting). Electricity supply varies across the country, and provinces and territories ? which have jurisdiction over their electricity systems ? may follow different paths as they move toward expanded and cleaner grids.

is ahead. Approximately (more than 90 percent non-emitting). Electricity supply varies across the country, and provinces and territories ? which have jurisdiction over their electricity systems ? may follow different paths as they move toward expanded and cleaner grids. Canada's challenge is twofold: complete the process of decarbonizing our electricity, and grow our clean power supplies to meet the fast-growing demands of Canadian households, business and industry.

complete the process of decarbonizing our electricity, and grow our clean power supplies to meet the fast-growing demands of Canadian households, business and industry. To achieve its goals, Canada needs to rapidly expand its buildout of clean electricity infrastructure , roughly doubling it in a generation .

, roughly doubling it in a generation Meeting Canada's clean electricity goals alone can deliver nearly 40 percent of the country's long-term climate commitments while powering a stronger, growth-oriented economy.

clean electricity goals alone can while powering a stronger, growth-oriented economy. If it is to succeed, the transition must be affordable and cost-competitive . Analysis prepared for the Council suggests this is possible, in large part because of the fuel savings that new electricity will create. By 2050, more than seven in 10 Canadian households can be expected to see net cost-savings as a result of switching to clean electricity, if the right measures are adopted and well executed.

. Analysis prepared for the Council suggests this is possible, in large part because of the fuel savings that new electricity will create. By 2050, more than seven in 10 Canadian households can be expected to see net as a result of switching to clean electricity, if the right measures are adopted and well executed. By embracing Indigenous Nations and communities as full partners in these projects, Canada has a unique opportunity to begin repairing the unequal relationship that has long dominated energy and resource development and to harness a powerful force for reconciliation.

in these projects, has a unique opportunity to begin repairing the unequal relationship that has long dominated energy and resource development and to harness a powerful force for reconciliation. Federal-provincial-territorial collaboration is vital if all parts of Canada are to succeed. While the federal government can enable and support an effective, affordable, reliable and inclusive transition, most authority over electricity is and shall remain vested with provinces and territories.

The Council

Launched in May 2023 , the Clean Electricity Advisory Council is a panel of electricity sector subject-matter experts from every region of the country. Council members included primarily senior electricity sector leaders, as well as Indigenous partners and thought leaders.

, the Clean Electricity Advisory Council is a panel of electricity sector subject-matter experts from every region of the country. Council members included primarily senior electricity sector leaders, as well as Indigenous partners and thought leaders. The Council's mandate was to explore and provide independent advice to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and the Government of Canada on how federal policy can enable the growth and decarbonization of Canada's electricity systems, in collaboration with the provinces, territories and with Indigenous partners.

on how federal policy can enable the growth and decarbonization of electricity systems, in collaboration with the provinces, territories and with Indigenous partners. Throughout its one-year mandate, the Council held over 80 meetings and engaged with over 100 partners and stakeholders to better understand the opportunities, barriers and needs associated with Canada's electricity systems. These meetings included provincial and territorial governments, federal officials, Indigenous partners and organizations, electric utilities, power producers, system operators, regulators, industry, think tanks, civil society organizations and members of the public.

Associated links

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

10 june 2024 at 06:35

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Northern Dynasty: Files Motion to Modify its EPA Veto Complaint by Adding New Claims Against the US Army Corps of Engineers





Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") and 100%-owned U.S.-based subsidiary Pebble Limited Partnership ("Pebble Partnership" or "PLP") have filed a motion for leave to file an amended complaint in the federal district court in Alaska to reverse the U.S. Army Corps ("USACE") decision to deny the project a permit.

Ron Thiessen, President and CEO of Northern Dynasty, said "It is important to understand that this is not a new lawsuit. It is simply an amendment of the complaint we filed against the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") by adding the USACE as another defendant. We think this substantially strengthens the existing case by focusing directly on the permit denial which was an underlying reason for the EPA veto."

On March 15, 2024, Northern Dynasty and PLP filed an action in federal district court in Alaska seeking to overturn EPA's veto of the Pebble Project. On June 7, 2024, both parties filed a motion to add the USACE as a defendant to that case, and to amend the complaint to claim that the denial of the Pebble permit was unlawful as clearly set out in the USACE Remand Order. And the EPA preemptive veto is based on the fabrications of the permit denial, again, as highlighted in the Remand Order.

On November 25, 2020, the USACE denied the Pebble Partnership's permit application that would have allowed it to move forward with the proposed mine development project. PLP filed an administrative appeal of that denial. In April 2023, the matter was remanded to the Anchorage office of the USACE requiring that it reconsider the permit denial due to a number of significant errors in the original denial. On April 15, 2024, the USACE refused to reconsider the denial as ordered by the Administrative Appeal Hearing Officer ("the hearing officer"), stating it had done so because the project had been vetoed by EPA.

Mr. Thiessen said, "We believe the EPA veto and the USACE permit denial were both undertaken entirely for political reasons and are contrary to the factual record, especially USACE's own environmental analysis, the Final Environmental Impact Statement ("FEIS"), which only supports granting a permit and does not support issuing a veto. We believe both decisions will be reversed by the court, which relies on the factual record to make decisions."

The Pebble Partnership's amended complaint claims that the USACE must complete the reconsideration of its permit denial as ordered by the hearing officer. In addition, the complaint alleges that the permit denial was unlawful because it reached conclusions contrary to the those determined and described in detail in the FEIS, including that the project might damage the Bristol Bay fishery when USACE's scientific review set forth in the FEIS had found just the opposite, and that there was risk of a catastrophic failure of the tailings facility when the FEIS concluded the opposite.

Mr. Thiessen continued, "These are only two examples of more than a dozen conclusions that are contradicted by the record in this matter including, at its core, the FEIS and the environmental analysis that the government itself facilitated. In fact, the hearing officer remanded the permit denial to the Anchorage Office because of these exact errors. The real absurdity of the government's position is the closed loop, circular logic, where the EPA relies on fabrications of the USACE, which have been shown to be erroneous and unsubstantiated, while the veto action of the EPA is now being used as an excuse by the USACE not to go back and fix those factually unsupported assertions. We reiterate that these decisions were politically motivated. We look forward to the litigation putting the permitting process back on course."

Mr. Thiessen concluded, "The permitting process (primarily the Environmental Policy Act and related laws and regulations) is designed to help regulators make better decisions by removing politics and emotion, instead considering the findings of the extensive environmental studies and engineering work (science and facts) required in the process. When they choose to ignore these laws, regulations, studies and engineering works, we, as a mining industry, need to use the courts to right those wrongs. Although it is unfortunate that permitting in America too often requires litigation, that's what happens when the government agencies stop being unbiased regulators and instead act as advocates for special interest groups."

About Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Northern Dynasty's principal asset, owned through its wholly owned Alaska-based U.S. subsidiary, Pebble Limited Partnership, is a 100% interest in a contiguous block of 1,840 mineral claims in Southwest Alaska, including the Pebble deposit, located 200 miles from Anchorage and 125 miles from Bristol Bay. The Pebble Partnership is the proponent of the Pebble Project.

For further details on Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project, please visit the Company's website at www.northerndynastyminerals.com or contact Investor services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1- 800-667-2114. Review public filings, which include forward looking information cautionary language and risk factor disclosure regarding the Company and the Pebble Project in Canada at www.sedarplus.ca and in the United States at www.sec.gov.

Ronald W. Thiessen

President & CEO

U.S. Media Contact:

Dan Gagnier, Gagnier Communications (646) 569-5897

Forward Looking Information and other Cautionary Factors

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under applicable provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, which address permitting, including the legal action described above, development and production for the Pebble Project are forward-looking statements. Such statements should not be in any way be construed as guarantees that the Pebble Project will secure all required government and environmental permits or regarding the ability of NDM to develop the Pebble Projects in light of the EPA's Final Determination and the USACE's actions described above.

NDM is also subject to the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general economic and business conditions. Investors should also consider the risk factors identified in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed on SEDAR plus and included in the Company's annual report on Form 40-F filed by the Company with the SEC on EDGAR, and the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 as filed on SEDAR plus and EDGAR, for a discussion of the risks that may impact our forward-looking statements.

For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

SOURCE: Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

10 june 2024 at 06:45

View the original press release on accesswire.comNews published onand distributed by:
Eventus announces continued growth in client base, global expansion as company wins Best Trade Surveillance Solution for Validus platform in TradingTech Insight USA Awards 2024





NEW YORK, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eventus, a leading provider of comprehensive, at-scale trade surveillance and financial risk solutions, announced that its Validus platform continues to capture business from firms seeking to move away from legacy trade surveillance providers, with a 25% increase in its client base over the past year. The announcement comes on the heels of another award win for excellence in trade surveillance, further global expansion with the signing of its first South African client ? one of Africa's largest diversified financial groups ? and a continued high renewal rate for existing clients globally. The company now has clients on six continents.

Eventus CEO Travis Schwab said: "We've never been in a better position as a company. Our retention rates remain close to 100%, we are growing across asset classes and geographies, our platform continues to perform at the highest levels with new functionality rolling out consistently, and we are profitable. We are especially excited about some new clients that include three tier-1 banks all now actively using Validus to meet a range of compliance and regulatory goals. Our existing clients are routinely adding more areas of coverage and our Eventus Services offering to their contracts too.

"Companies keep turning to us, particularly if they've had experience with legacy providers, because our sole focus is our clients and the delivery of best-in-class trade surveillance and financial risk solutions, such as algo monitoring. In an extraordinarily competitive landscape, we have what I would argue is more markets and regulatory expertise and a more responsive approach than any provider in the market, along with the unique ability for clients to fully customize the platform and work with our team on solving compliance challenges they are facing in real time. Our experience as market practitioners give us the ability to partner with each and every client ? whether they are a start-up exchange, global trading firm, broker/dealer or tier 1 bank."

Eventus Global Head of Regulatory Affairs Joe Schifano said: "For many years, those of us who built surveillance programs for our firms were frustrated with the lack of flexibility in legacy trade surveillance systems. But now, it is even more critical to keep pace with technology as regulators are no longer satisfied with compliance programs that just 'follow the pack.' At Eventus, we offer a 'buy-to-build' solution that clients can tailor and easily scale specific to their risk assessment and data requirements."

Eventus also announced that it was just named Best Trade Surveillance Solution at the TradingTech Insight USA Awards 2024, based on votes from market participants and the publication's global audience. In March, the company won the same category in the 2024 RegTech insight Awards APAC for its work in the Asia-Pacific region.

Schwab said: "We're honored to see recognition of our hard work and results through votes by so many market participants selecting Validus as Best Trade Surveillance Solution, reflecting our focus on our clients, expert service and constant enhancements to the platform."

Enhancements to the Validus platform this year include:

Reports and visualizations to help clients ensure accurate and complete data coverage.

Introduction of a first-of-its-kind cross-product spoofing functionality to detect this type of market manipulation in real time for clients engaged in multiple asset classes. This includes a new visualization methodology to review activity across products and new technology that facilitates cross-product review across all accounts and all activity.

New large trader reporter functionality, built for a designated clearing organization (DCO) client and now available to all users.

Enhanced behavioral analytics, including changes in trader profiles identifying potential red flags for rogue trading and account takeovers.

Expanded market data coverage.

Testing of the firm's next-generation platform that enables performance speeds and scale commensurate with growth in the markets and client data requirements.

A-Team Group's series of awards, including those from TradingTech Insight and RegTech Insight, recognize outstanding performance by the vendors of data and technology solutions to the financial industry. Eventus has now won six A-Team Group awards over the past five years, including two RegTech Insight Europe Awards. To date, the company and its Validus platform have earned more than 40 awards and honors in the past six years.

About Eventus



Eventus provides state-of-the-art, at-scale trade surveillance software across all lines of defense. Its powerful, award-winning Validus platform is easy to deploy, customize and operate across equities, options, futures, foreign exchange (FX), fixed income and digital asset markets. Validus is proven in the most complex, high-volume, and real time environments of Eventus' rapidly growing client base, including tier-1 banks, broker-dealers, futures commission merchants (FCMs), proprietary trading groups, market centers, buy-side institutions, energy and commodity trading firms, and regulators. Clients rely on the platform, coupled with the firm's responsive support and product development, to overcome their most pressing trade surveillance regulatory challenges. For more, visit www.eventus.com .

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10 june 2024 at 07:00

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Top PH firm Globe brings hunger alleviation program to international stage, partners with UN WFP





MANILA, Philippines, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Globe, a top telco and digital solutions provider in the Philippines, has partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to bring its hunger alleviation program, Hapag Movement, to the international stage.

Launched on World Hunger Day, the partnership opens Globe's Hapag Movement to international donors, building on the initiative's momentum over the last two years.

The partnership seeks to expand the Hapag Movement's donor reach and amplify its impact. Since its launch in 2022, it has reached over 95,000 people and produced 2,662 livelihood training graduates.

"Hapag," the Filipino word for dining table, carries a deeper meaning than its definition, as it evokes the warmth and openness among family and friends while sharing food and stories together.

As a movement, Globe's initiative aims to address involuntary hunger by providing sustainable feeding and livelihood training to vulnerable families, leveraging partnerships to raise funds and reach communities. By joining forces with WFP, Globe hopes to tap the Filipino diaspora and get support from other international donors to bring urgent help to the hungry.

"We are privileged to collaborate with the UN World Food Programme, global leader in the fight against hunger and the largest international ally of the Hapag Movement. With their support, we are optimistic about mobilizing the global donor community to tackle the urgent issue of hunger in the Philippines," said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer at Globe.

Hunger persists as a critical challenge in the country. According to the latest Social Weather Stations survey, nearly 4 million Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger in the first quarter of 2024. The Philippines also scored 14.8 on the 2023 Global Hunger Index, indicating a "moderate" level of hunger.

"Private sector partnerships are critical in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. Globe's expansive network will allow us to support more food-insecure Filipinos. We are grateful for Globe's strong commitment to address hunger," said Dipayan Bhattacharyya, WFP Philippines Country Director ad interim.

Founded in 1961, the UN World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security. With over 23,000 staff in over 120 countries and territories, WFP provides life-saving food assistance in emergencies and works with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

WFP runs the ShareTheMeal initiative founded in 2015, providing over 226 million meals and garnered 1.6 million supporters across 38 countries, including the Philippines. For as low as Php40 pesos and a few taps on the phone, anyone can provide a nourishing meal to someone in need.

Donations can be made beginning today by visiting the Hapag Movement challenge link on ShareTheMeal. Globe and TM customers may also donate their points to ShareTheMeal through the GlobeOne app. In addition, supporters all around the world will soon be able to donate to ShareTheMeal through GCash.

WFP also assists Walang Gutom 2027, a nutrition-sensitive program led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), to address involuntary hunger, and works with the Philippine Government to expand the School-Based Feeding Program. Funds raised through this partnership will be channeled to WFP to support the implementation of school meals and Walang Gutom 2027: Food e-Voucher Program.

This support is crucial to help address child stunting, where children are unable to attain their full growth potential. About one third of Filipino children are stunted or too short for their age, an incidence closely linked to hunger. Hunger, in turn, affects a child's ability to learn and grow, setting back their intellectual development.

Child stunting is consequential to national development in the long run, as it affects an individual's future productivity. Citing a 2016 study by the Philippines' Department of Health, the National Nutrition Council, and UNICEF, the Philippine Statistics Authority earlier said child stunting could cost the country losses of US$1.9 billion in future adult productivity.

"The DSWD welcomes this partnership between Globe and the World Food Programme that will boost our full-scale implementation of the Walang Gutom 2027 Food Stamps Program for the benefit of food poor families," DSWD Usec. Eduardo Punay.

"Both organizations had significant contributions to the success of the flagship program's pilot implementation. The Department is glad to again share with Globe and WFP the goal of addressing hunger and malnutrition in our country in pursuit of the Marcos Jr. administration's whole-of-nation approach in tackling socio-economic problems," he added.

To learn more about the Hapag Movement, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/about-us/sustainability/globe-of-good .

ABOUT GLOBE

Globe Telecom, Inc. is a leading full-service telecommunications company in the Philippines and publicly listed in the PSE with the stock symbol GLO. The company serves the telecommunications and technology needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connectivity, internet and managed services. It offers innovative digital solutions in the areas of fintech, healthtech, adtech, climate tech, shared services and venture capital. In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to implement universal sustainability principles. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel, acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region.

ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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10 june 2024 at 08:30

News published onand distributed by:
MedsEngine and NI Medical Announce Improved Cardiovascular Outcomes Utilizing NICaS Hemodynamic Measurements with MedsEngine Clinical Decision Support Software for Hypertension





MedsEngine and NI Medical are pleased to announce they will be presenting a comprehensive analysis on their management of hypertension at the European Society of Cardiology 2024 meeting in London. The impact of combining NICaS hemodynamic data with MedsEngine clinical decision support software reveals a significant reduction in the incidence of stroke and myocardial infarction.

An initial analysis presented at the ESC 2023 meeting included the treatment of 14,698 patients using NICaS data and MedsEngine. The study showed >90% control of hypertension compared to the US national average of <50%. NICaS's ability to provide physicians with the underlying hemodynamic cause of hypertension was imperative. The upcoming analysis will delve deeper into the outcomes, highlighting the potential of this integrated approach to revolutionize hypertension treatment, improve cardiovascular health outcomes, and reduce cost of care.

Key Findings:

Significant Reduction in Stroke Incidence when compared with other large cohorts of patients with hypertension.

Lower Rates of Myocardial Infarction

Dramatic improvement of Hypertension Control

"We are thrilled to share these groundbreaking results with the medical community," said Igor Granov, COO of NI Medical. Douglas Romer, M.D., CMO of MedsEngine, added, "treating hypertension using NICaS-based hemodynamic data coupled with MedsEngine's decision support could play a pivotal role in reducing stroke, heart attack and heart failure."

The full analysis will be presented at ESC 2024 in London. This presentation will provide detailed insights into the study's methodology, findings, and implications for future clinical practice.

About MedsEngine: MedsEngine develops EHR-integrated clinical decision support applications that generate real-time, personalized, evidence-based medication recommendations for Hypertension, Cholesterol Management, Type 2 Diabetes, and Heart Failure. For more information, visit www.medsengine.com.

About NI Medical: NI Medical is a leading innovator in the field of non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring. Their mission is to improve patient outcomes through advanced technology that enables precise and personalized cardiovascular care. For more information, visit www.ni-medical.com.

10 june 2024 at 10:05

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FSi Partners with Microsoft and the White House to Support Rural Healthcare Cybersecurity





VIENNA, Va., June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FSi Strategies, a leading Microsoft managed IT service provider, announced today that it is partnering with Microsoft and the White House to provide free cybersecurity assessments to rural hospitals across the United States.

The partnership is part of the Microsoft Philanthropies Rural Health Security Program, a new initiative launched by The White House, the American Hospital Association, and the National Rural Health Association to support the safety, security, and resiliency of healthcare organizations in rural America.

Rural hospitals face unique challenges and risks in the rapidly evolving cyberthreat landscape, especially as they cope with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Many rural hospitals lack the resources, expertise and capacity to implement and maintain effective cybersecurity measures. As a result, they are more vulnerable to cyberattacks that can compromise patient data, disrupt operations, and endanger lives.

"We are honored and excited to be part of this partnership with Microsoft and the White House to support rural healthcare cybersecurity," said Redha Morsli, CEO of FSi Strategies. "We believe that every healthcare organization, regardless of size or location, deserves to have access to the best technology and security solutions to protect their patients and staff. We are committed to helping rural hospitals enhance their cybersecurity posture and resilience, and ultimately improve the quality and safety of care they deliver to their communities."

As a trusted Microsoft partner with a strong focus on the nonprofit sector, FSi Strategies will leverage its expertise and experience to conduct high-level security assessments for rural hospitals, aligned with industry best practices and emerging health sector cyber performance goals. The assessments will help rural hospitals identify their key risks and recommendations to improve their cybersecurity awareness and defenses. FSi Strategies will also provide guidance and support to rural hospitals to access affordable and advanced Microsoft security solutions, such as Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Purview, and the Microsoft Defender suite.

FSi Strategies is a customer-centric Microsoft Partner providing Managed IT and Professional Services with over two decades of experience. With Microsoft Solutions Partner designations for Modern Work and Security, we provide strategic enterprise-class solutions that modernize and secure your environment. We engage with your team to ensure you are strategically leveraging technology to do more with less. Learn more at www.fsistrategies.com.

SOURCE FSi Strategies

10 june 2024 at 10:08

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Troy Minerals Enters Into Binding Letter of Intent to Acquire CBGB Ventures Corp.





VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / Troy Minerals Inc. ("Troy" or the "Company") (CSE:TROY)(OTCQB:TROYF)(FSE:VJ3) announces that it has signed a binding letter of intent dated June 6, 2024 with CBGB Ventures Corp. ("CBGB") to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of CBGB (the "Transaction"). CBGB is a privately held company incorporated in British Columbia that holds interest in two high purity silica projects: the Table Mountain Silica Project near Golden, B.C., and the Tsagaan Zalaa Silica Project in Mongolia.

Through the Transaction, Troy would acquire two highly prospective high purity silica assets, further diversifying and strengthening its critical mineral asset portfolio. The Company anticipates an aggressive campaign of exploration and development across both properties, subject to completion of the Transaction.

Silica, a vital component in everyday products including microchips and emerging green technologies, particularly solar photovoltaics (PV), continues to grow in demand and has become of particular concern to European and North American governments as world tensions rise and China, currently the leader in the production of silicon, continues to exert its influence world-wide leading to concerns of potential restriction of supplies.

Rana Vig, CEO of Troy Minerals stated, "We are thrilled to integrate these high-quality silica assets into our portfolio, as they align seamlessly with our strategy to diversify and reinforce our holdings in critical minerals. With a robust financial position and zero debt, Troy is poised for an active second half of the year as we gear up for accelerated exploration and development activities across our diverse project portfolio. From our imminent follow up drill program at our Lac Jacque REE project in Quebec, to the commencement of our maiden drill program on our highly prospective vanadium-titanium project in Wyoming, to this strategic acquisition of silica assets, we are well positioned and committed to driving rapid progress and creating substantial returns for our shareholders.

With the permitting of silica projects being significantly simpler than traditional mines, the synergy of these efforts will position Troy as an emerging leader in the critical minerals market. The near-term prospect of production and the objective to become a cash-flowing mining company sets up Troy Minerals for the ability to self-fund exploration activities using non-dilutive capital for future growth."

Project Highlights

Table Mountain Silica Project, B.C.

1,698 hectares (4,196 acres) located 4 km east of the town of Golden, B.C., and 6 km from the Canadian Pacific Railway Golden Rail Yard with easy year-round access. (Figure 1)

located 4 km east of the town of Golden, B.C., and 6 km from the Canadian Pacific Railway Golden Rail Yard with easy year-round access. High-purity quartzite of the Mount Wilson Formation with up to 10 km of regionally mapped strike length on the property and up to 300 to 1,400 metres apparent width at surface.

2017 sampling in the northern area of the property conducted by Patriot Battery Metals Inc (TSX:PMET) (formerly 92 Resources Corp), the former owner of the Table Mountain Silica Project area, encountered up to 99.74% SiO 2 from grab samples taken over an area of 700 x 600 metres. (1) *

from grab samples taken over an area of 700 x 600 metres. * 2023 surface sampling in the centre of the property yielded up to 99.24% SiO 2 with an average of 98.62% SiO 2 from 9 grab samples taken across a traverse of over 180 metres of apparent thickness. *

with an average of 98.62% SiO from 9 grab samples taken across a traverse of over 180 metres of apparent thickness. * On the same lithological unit and close to both the Sinova Quartz quarry (6 km to SW) and Moberly Silica Mine (7.5 km to NW).

The nearby Sinova Quartz quarry will export silica to supply its own silicon plant in Tennessee, USA. Sinova's chairman, Sir Mick Davis (former executive of Billiton and founder of the industry giant Xstrata plc, later bought by Glencore), is also CEO of Vision Blue Resources, a clean energy-focused natural resource investor, which made a $125-million investment into Sinova in 2021. (2)(3)

Ability to tap into the North American push for securing critical minerals. Over $1.4 billion in the US has been allocated to silica uses, including a $150-million investment by Sinova Global into the construction of a state-of-the-art silicon metal production facility in Tiptonville, Tennessee now underway, in addition to US federal government renewable energy incentives. (4)(5)

Quick to cashflow potential.

Figure 1. Table Mountain Silica Project Map

Tsagaan Zalaa Silica Project, Mongolia

1,670 hectares (4,127 acres) located near a Japanese high purity silica quarry and refiner producing and directly exporting high purity silica to Japan. (Figure 2)

located near a Japanese high purity silica quarry and refiner producing and directly exporting high purity silica to Japan. Close to Chinese border and potential offtakers, currently with signed LOI for offtake from Chinese buyer. (Figure 3)

Massive high-purity quartz veins up to 10 metres in width hosted by Upper-Middle Devonian sediments.

Successful initial drilling, with final phase of drilling expected by summer 2024. Subsequent objectives remain of establishing resource, mine plan, and mining license application, subject to drilling results.

10-tonne bulk sample sent to Chinese offtaker reported 99.98% SiO 2 purity after beneficiation with run of mine material.

purity after beneficiation with run of mine material. Quick to production potential, targeting Q2 2025.

Figure 2. Tsagaan Zalaa Silica Project Map

Figure 3. Tsagaan Zalaa Silica Project Regional Map

To support the execution of the Company's plans, Troy will engage Mine Plus Group (mineplusgroup.com), a leading mining consultancy based in Europe that has been involved in international mining ventures valued at over $2 billion. The Mine Plus team provides management services across the entire mining lifecycle - from exploration and engineering to operations and mergers and acquisitions. Mine Plus has expertise in exploration, geology, mining engineering, metallurgy, and processing engineering, enabling Troy to confidently explore, develop, and operate all the projects in the Company's diverse multi regional portfolio.

Mine Plus's breadth of experience includes projects in Mongolia and Canada, where they have a proven track record in developing mining projects with companies such as Skeena Resources and three additional private mining companies, as well as other high purity silica projects in B.C. in close proximity to the Table Mountain Silica Project. Mine Plus also has provided services to West Red Lake Gold, Tara Resources, and Calipuy Resources, in addition to numerous other private and public companies.

Transaction Terms

The Transaction is currently contemplated to proceed by way of share purchase, share exchange, amalgamation or other similar type of transaction, pursuant to which shareholders of CBGB will exchange all of their shares of CBGB in consideration for a total of 6,488,303 common shares and 6,488,303 special warrants of the Company (the "Consideration Securities").

All shares are subject to voluntary hold and escrow provisions, as detailed below, with 50% of the total shares being issued on the Company achieving key milestones, including production.

The Consideration Securities issued to certain shareholders (the "Restricted Shareholders") will be subject to a voluntary hold period, such that half of such Consideration Shares (842,161) will be restricted for a period of 6 months from the closing date, and a further half (842,161) of such Consideration Shares will be restricted for a period of 12 months from the closing date. The Consideration Securities issued to the CBGB shareholders, other than the Restricted Shareholders (4,803,981), will be subject to escrow and released as follows: 10% of the escrowed shares will be released 6 months after the closing date and 15% of the escrowed shares will be released every 6 months thereafter.

The special warrants of the Company will automatically convert into common shares of the Company as follows:

a. 1,601,328 special warrants held by CBGB shareholders, excluding the Restricted Shareholders, will automatically convert into 1,601,328 common shares of the Company on that date which is 30 days of the earlier of the date of Table Mountain Project attaining a mineral resource of 5,000,000 tonnes as supported by a technical report prepared for the Company pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 and upon commencing commercial production. b. a further 1,601,327 special warrants held by CBGB Shareholders, excluding the Restricted Shareholders, will automatically convert into 1,601,327 common shares of the Company on that date which is 30 days of the date of the Table Mountain Project commencing commercial production. c. a further 1,601,327 special warrants held by CBGB Shareholders, excluding the Restricted Shareholders, and 1,684,321 special warrants held by the Restricted Shareholders, will automatically convert into a total of 3,285,648 common shares of the Company on that date which is 30 days of the Tsagaan Zalaa Project commencing commercial production.

Upon completion of the Transaction, CBGB will have the right to nominate a director to the board of directors of the Company for a period of 24 months or upon commencement of commercial production at either of the Table Mountain Project or the Tsagaan Zalaa Project.

The final structure of the Transaction will be determined by the parties based on corporate, tax, securities and other legal considerations. The closing of the Transaction is subject to CSE approval, the parties negotiating and executing definitive documentation, the satisfactory completion of due diligence by the Company and the receipt of all other necessary consents and approvals, among other conditions that are typical for a transaction of this nature.

Additional Technical Details on the Table Mountain Silica Project, B.C.

The property is underlain by thick sequences of extremely pure quartzite of the Ordovician Mount Wilson Formation, occurring as north-northwest striking, usually steeply east-dipping thrust panels.

Locally, quartzite of the Mount Wilson Formation occurs as friable sandstone, grading deeper to well cemented quartzite. One structurally repeated exposure of Mount Wilson quartzite occurs on the property, parallel to multiple structurally repeated exposures, one of which hosts the Moberly Silica Mine (7.5 kilometres northwest), which previously produced up to 150,000 tonnes of silica sand annually, while another hosts the Sinova Quartz silica quarry (6 kilometres southwest), both of which exhibit economic grade silica greater than 99.6% SiO 2 purity. (6)(7)

The quartzite can be described as frosty white, sedimentary quartzite with a clastic texture containing fine, well-rounded polished grains 1/8- 1/4 mm in diameter. Very competent bonding allows breaking to occur through the quartz grains.

The silica-hosting formation on the property measures up to 10 kilometres in strike length with a regionally mapped surface exposure ranging from 300 to 1,400 metres apparent width at surface.

Additional Technical Details on the Tsagaan Zalaa Silica Project, Mongolia

Mineralization at the property consists of almost pure, monomineralic quartz veins. Vein deposits are formed through a variety of processes, including hydrothermal activity, metamorphism, and weathering. The minerals that make up vein deposits are typically deposited from hydrothermal fluids that have migrated through the rock depth.

At the Tsagaan Zalaa Project, quartz veins up to 5 metres in width are exposed at surface throughout the project area. The veins trend ENE, broadly parallel with the overall structural trend of the area though appear to cut and post-date regional folding.

During September 2022, seven trenches totalling 152 m in length were completed over six veins on the Tsagaan Zalaa Project. The trenches were 1-4 metres deep and a total of 344 m3 of material was excavated and grades up to 99.81% SiO 2 were reported on the 47 samples that averaged 97.80% SiO 2 . *

Initial drilling of 400 metres was conducted from July to November 2023 but was cut short due to the onset of winter. The results will be compiled along with the second phase drilling expected to begin shortly after the closing of the transaction, which will form the mining license submission.

A 10-tonne bulk sample was sold to a Chinese offtaker at US$200 per tonne for testing. The offtaker reported 99.98% SiO 2 purity from run of mine material and has requested further material.

* Cautionary Note

The reader is cautioned that grab samples are selective by nature and may not represent the true grade or style of mineralization across the property.

Sources

Qualified Person (QP) Statement

Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Case Lewis, P.Geo a "Qualified Person" as defined under NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and a director of the Table Mountain Project vendor.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Rana Vig | President and Director Telephone: 604-218-4766 [email protected]

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the Transaction and the completion of the Transaction on the terms and timing described herein. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different, including receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Although management of the Company have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Troy Minerals Inc.

10 june 2024 at 11:05

View the original press release on accesswire.comNews published onand distributed by:
Suit Filed Challenging Constitutionality of Speed Cameras

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Anderson & Associates, PC

June 10, 2024

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., June 10, 2024 /Standard Newswire/ -- Anderson & Associates, PC, has filed a civil rights lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Norfolk challenging the constitutionality of speed camera prosecutions in Virginia.

The case style is Seifert v. City of Chesapeake, et al - 2:24cv374 and is filed under 42 USC 1983 and the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The Plaintiff is seeking a statewide injunction on prosecutions of speed camera violations that violate the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment.

For comment, interview or copies - call Attorney Tim Anderson - 757-301-3636

SOURCE Anderson & Associates, PC

CONTACT: Attorney Tim Anderson, 757-301-3636


Government of Canada Releases Updated Critical Minerals List





SUDBURY, ON, June 10, 2024 /CNW/ - Critical minerals, and the clean technology and energy sources they enable, present a generational economic opportunity for Canada. Canada's Critical Minerals List is a key resource in determining where to focus Canadian efforts related to sustainable mining exploration and extraction, advanced manufacturing, clean technology, as well as information and communications technologies and semiconductors. Critical minerals are the building blocks for the green and digital economy and demand for them will only grow throughout the global energy transition.

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced that the Critical Minerals List has been reviewed and updated following substantial consultations to focus our efforts in developing robust critical minerals value chains. To determine which minerals are considered critical, Canada released its first Critical Minerals List in March 2021 with a commitment to review the minerals identified as critical every three years. The list guides federal policy and programs and signals government areas of priority to stakeholders. Public consultations took place with provincial and territorial governments, other government departments, industry, Indigenous groups and other interested or affected stakeholders.

An analysis was undertaken to review all minerals included in the 2021 Critical Minerals List and consider potential candidates for addition. These analyses resulted in an updated Critical Minerals List that retains all 31 minerals from the 2021 list and an additional three minerals, namely high-purity iron, phosphorous and silicon metal, for a total of 34 critical minerals. These materials are integral to a variety of products, critical to the energy transition are often those in short supply and they are those that are critical to our future economic prosperity.

For example, silicon metal is essential to the manufacture of chips and semiconductors, used in almost any and everything electronic. High-purity iron ore is essential to green steel and integral to decarbonization. Phosphorus combined with potash is essential for food security through the production of fertilizers. Phosphorus can also be used in Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, another strategic opportunity in the EV value chain for Canada.

Critical minerals are the foundation on which modern technology is built upon. They're used in a wide range of essential products, from mobile phones and solar panels to electric vehicle batteries and medical applications. By building critical minerals value chains, we can be the global supplier of choice for critical minerals and the clean energy and technology sources they enable.

Quotes

"By updating Canada's Critical Minerals List, we are taking a proactive step to ensure that Canada's efforts to seize the generational economic opportunity presented by our critical minerals wealth is well informed by the most accurate market trends, geopolitical factors and science. Investments in critical minerals projects create good jobs for workers, more avenues for Canadian innovation and lower emissions across the country ? all of which form an important part of our plan to build a cleaner Canada and a prosperous, sustainable economy."

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Quick Facts

Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy is part of Canada's strengthened climate plan, 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy, which advances Canada's goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

Critical Minerals Strategy is part of strengthened climate plan, 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy, which advances goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. In March 2021 , the Government of Canada announced the Canadian Critical Minerals List entitled Critical minerals: an opportunity for Canada , including 31 minerals that are either currently produced or have the potential to be produced in Canada .

, the Government of announced the Canadian Critical Minerals List entitled , including 31 minerals that are either currently produced or have the potential to be produced in . As part of the update to Canada's Critical Minerals List, the Government of Canada conducted consultations with provinces and territories, industry, Indigenous groups and other interested or affected stakeholders. All provinces and territories' priorities have been considered in the development of the updated national list. The consultation on Canada's Critical Minerals List and its methodology was launched on December 11, 2023 , and remained open until February 16, 2024 .

Critical Minerals List, the Government of conducted consultations with provinces and territories, industry, Indigenous groups and other interested or affected stakeholders. All provinces and territories' priorities have been considered in the development of the updated national list. The consultation on Critical Minerals List and its methodology was launched on , and remained open until . There is no global definition of critical minerals so, as part of the List's review, an updated set of criteria has been created. To be deemed a "critical mineral" in Canada , a mineral must meet both of the following criteria: the supply chain is threatened; and there is a reasonable chance of the mineral being produced by Canada as well as one of the following criteria: essential to Canada's economic or national security; or required for the national transition to a sustainable low-carbon and digital economy; or positions Canada as a sustainable and strategic partner within global supply chains.

, a mineral must meet both of the following criteria:

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

10 june 2024 at 11:35

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Shaperon and Dong-A ST Sign MOU for Nanobody-Based New Drug Development





Hudson Therapeutics announced that Shaperon (KOSDAQ 378800, CEO Seung-Yong Seong), an innovative biopharmaceutical company specializing in immune therapeutics, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dong-A ST (KOSPI 170900, CEO Min-Young Kim) for the development of nanobody-based new drugs.

A representative from Shaperon stated, "This MOU aims to leverage Shaperon's nanobody development platform technology and Dong-A ST's expertise in antibody commercialization to increase development speed and commercialization potential." Additionally, they stated, "We plan to select the most effective nanobodies in mouse models with human tumor transplants by the end of this year."

Since 2021, the two companies have collaborated on developing triple nanobody antibodies for cancer treatment. This involves using nanobodies to bring killer T cells and cancer cells into proximity by binding to targets on both cell types. Shaperon will advance nanobody development using its full-cycle platform, while Dong-A ST will leverage its antibody commercialization expertise for global biopharmaceutical development.

Nanobodies, about one-tenth the size of conventional antibodies, are gaining attention for next-generation immune checkpoint inhibitors due to their high stability, solubility, and production yield. Shaperon, the only domestic company with a full-cycle platform for nanobody production, development, and analysis from alpaca immunization, is developing a diverse pipeline targeting inflammation and cancer, including immune checkpoint dual antibodies and nanobody-based therapeutics.

Shaperon, the only domestic company with a full-cycle platform for nanobody production, development, and analysis from alpaca immunization, is developing a diverse pipeline targeting inflammation and cancer. This includes immune checkpoint dual antibodies and nanobodies for infectious diseases. Shaperon is also exploring nanobody-based protein therapeutics, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and radiopharmaceutical therapies. Recently, they published preclinical results on influenza-targeting nanobodies and presented anti-cancer PDL1-CD47 dual nanobodies at the AACR, gaining recognition for their technological capabilities.

Janice Marie McCourt of Hudson Therapeutics in the US stated, "We have numerous global biotech companies that we met at BIO, Bio Europe, Bio Asia and the Pharm Summit conferences who are signing confidentiality agreements to license the current preclinical immune-oncology bispecific lead program, along with collaborating on Shaperon's nanobody development platform to create bispecific and trispecific nanobody antibodies in orphan indications, immunology, inflammation, oncology and infectious disease targets that are first-in-class or best-in-class assets with significant commercial potential. We are so excited that the global R&D scientists and clinicians are excited to collaborate with us and create an impact focused on patients with significant unmet needs."

ABOUT SHAPERON

Shaperon is a clinical-stage biotech company developing novel inflammasome inhibitors. Its unique mechanism of action of GPCR19-P2X7 modulation suppresses a broad spectrum of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1?, IL-18, IL-6, and TNF-? by controlling both the priming and activation phases of the inflammasome, whereas conventional approaches are designed to suppress only the activation phase. With this unique and novel modality, which is best suited to address complex immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, Shaperon is currently developing multiple clinical programs in atopic dermatitis, Alzheimer's disease, and COVID-19 pneumonia in addition to pre-clinical pipelines, including NASH and obesity programs.

ABOUT HUDSON THERAPEUTICS

Hudson Therapeutics, a US subsidiary of Shaperon, was founded and incorporated in the US in 2023 to lead global clinical trials, investor relations, commercial strategy, and business development of assets from Shaperon. Hudson also plans to develop Shaperon's early-stage assets in the future.

10 june 2024 at 15:30

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Yext to acquire Hearsay Systems





Yext, Inc. (NYSE: YEXT), the leading digital presence platform for multi-location brands, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Hearsay Systems, a global leader in digital client engagement for financial services, for $125 million and up to an additional $95 million if certain performance targets are achieved.

The acquisition will combine Yext's industry-leading digital presence management platform with Hearsay Systems' compliant engagement solutions across social media, websites, text, and voice. This strategic move will leverage the strengths of both companies' technology to provide a single digital marketing platform to power the customer journey and enable brands to convert prospects into loyal customers faster.

The world's leading financial firms rely on Hearsay System's compliance-driven platform to scale their reach, optimize customer engagements, grow their business, and deliver exceptional client service. Hearsay Systems helps 260,000 advisors and agents ensure all interactions meet regulatory and brand standards to reduce risk while providing a scalable way to manage customer engagement. Combined with Yext's suite of products and AI technology, brands can access more channels in one platform, and leverage consolidated analytics and recommendations to improve performance across channels.

"Customers are increasingly looking to consolidate digital marketing channels into one platform to increase efficiency, improve performance, and reduce costs. Yext already provides access to more channels than any other provider. With Hearsay Systems, we'll provide even more ways for brands to connect with their customers one-to-one," said Michael Walrath, CEO and Chair of the Board at Yext. "Our combined technology will bring instant value to our regulated customers, and we see an opportunity to bring these solutions to other industries. Yext is focused on solving customer problems, and with Hearsay, we can bring the innovation they need faster."

Hearsay Systems' solutions integrate into CRM systems, including a strong alliance with Salesforce, whose venture capital arm invested in the company in 2020. With CRM integration, brands can synchronize contact information, track client interactions, improve field productivity, orchestrate workflows, and uncover best practices.

"Hearsay Systems has a long history of innovation for financial services, building transformational client engagement solutions and successfully bringing AI to a highly regulated industry. We are excited to provide an expanded solution set to our customers and introduce Hearsay solutions to customers across additional industries," said Michael Boese, CEO of Hearsay Systems. "We've only just begun to see the opportunities for AI in digital marketing. By combining our resources and technology with Yext, we'll be able to deliver even more value to brands as they look to leverage the power of AI."

Details Regarding Proposed Acquisition of Hearsay

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of Yext's fiscal year 2025, ending January 31, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including required regulatory approvals. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. is serving as legal advisor to Yext, and Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as legal advisor to Hearsay Systems.

About Yext

Yext (NYSE: YEXT) is the leading digital presence platform for multi-location brands, with thousands of customers worldwide. With one central platform, brands can seamlessly deliver consistent, accurate, and engaging experiences and meaningfully connect with customers anywhere in the digital world. Yext's AI and machine learning technology powers the knowledge behind every customer engagement, automates workflows at scale, and delivers actionable cross-channel insights that enable data-driven decisions. From SEO and websites to social media and reputation management, Yext enables brands to turn their digital presence into a differentiator. To learn more about Yext, visit Yext.com or find us on LinkedIn and X.

About Hearsay Systems

As the trusted global leader in digital client engagement for financial services, Hearsay Systems empowers over 260,000 advisors and agents to proactively guide and capture the last mile of digital communications in a compliant manner. The world's leading financial firms?including BlackRock, Charles Schwab, and New York Life?rely on Hearsay's compliance-driven platform to scale their reach, optimize sales engagements, grow their business and deliver exceptional client service. Hearsay is headquartered in San Francisco, with globally distributed teams in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" including, without limitation, statements regarding Yext's expectations, beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding the future, including the effects, benefits, and challenges of its pending acquisition of Hearsay Systems. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of terminology such as "believe", "expect", "will", "should," "could", "estimate", "anticipate" or similar forward-looking terms. These statements are based upon current beliefs and are subject to many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. The following factors, among others, could cause or contribute to such differences: difficulties integrating the business and technology of Hearsay Systems, the risk that the benefits described in this release are not realized, and whether all offerings and capabilities discussed in this release will be available as and when stated in this release. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to Yext on the date hereof, and Yext assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

10 june 2024 at 16:10

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks on stage on June 8, 2024, in Duisburg, western Germany, during the SPD's final rally ahead of the June 9, 2024 European Parliament Elections. INA FASSBENDER / AFP

Germany will not follow France and hold a snap election despite the ruling coalition's dismal performance in the EU election, a spokesman for Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday, June 10. "The regular election date is next autumn. And that's what we plan to do," Steffen Hebestreit told a government press conference.

Scholz's coalition suffered a stinging defeat at the European elections Sunday, with all three parties in his government trailing the conservatives and the far right, preliminary results showed. The chancellor's Social Democrats (SPD) scored their worst result in history at 14%, third behind the far-right AfD at around 16%, and well behind the conservative CDU-CSU bloc's 30%. The Greens recorded 12% while the liberal FDP took 5%.

The result sparked calls from opposition parties for Scholz to follow the lead of French President Emmanuel Macron and call a snap election. Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD, said Germany had "voted out the chancellor" and the government. "There is now only one task left for Scholz: clear the way for new elections  instead of governing for another year against a large majority of the population," Weidel wrote on X.

Read more Subscribers only 2024 European elections: EU Parliament shifts to the right

Markus Soder, the leader of the conservatives in the southern state of Bavaria, also called for new elections as soon as possible. The three-way coalition "no longer has the support of the population," Soder told the RTL broadcaster, calling for Germany to follow in the footsteps of France.

Macron called snap elections for June 30 and July 7 after his ruling coalition lost to the far right in the EU elections.

Read more Subscribers only Why Macron decided to call snap elections
Alfred Mensah, who led the young people in a protest against homosexuality in the LAC of the United Methodist Church, says the church must live by the words of God, the Bible
The count is back underway at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork for the European Parliament elections.

A first count result will be announced by 4pm this Monday, June 10.

Tallies are predicting good odds for sitting MEP Sean Kelly, who is likely to get back in on this first count.

It may be some time though before we see any candidates elected, as there are around 715,000 ballot papers to be counted here, according to returning officer Martin Harvey.

The sheer size of the ballot papers themselves, listing 23 candidates, also has an impact on how long this count will take.

His fellow MEP and candidate Billy Kelleher should retain his seat too, while Clare's Independent TD Michael McNamara looks to take the third seat.

Limerick's Paul Gavan seems to have conceded defeat to his Sinn Fein colleague, CarlowKilkenny TD Kathleen Function, who looks like she could take a fourth or fifth seat.

Speaking in Limerick late Sunday night following his wife Ursula's election to the City East electoral area, he said that "looking at the situation realistically", Kathleen would take a seat ahead of him.

"I really want to see Kathleen elected, and if I can play a small part in making that happen, I'll be very proud to do that," he continued.

Also looking like they have a chance for those last two seats are Cynthia Ni Mhurchu of Fianna Fail, Fine Gaels John Mullins and sitting MEPs Grace OSullivan and Mick Wallace.
THE LARGE turnout of mourners from both far and wide, with a large contingent from her medical colleagues, would attest to the esteem in which the late Dr Pat Humphreys was held.

The native of Brittas had a long and fruitful life dying just short of her 99th birthday, having enjoyed robust health almost to the very end. She was a well known figure at the wheel of her trusty VW well into her nineties.

As well as a major career in the world of medicine ending as a highly regarded consultant anaesthetist working in hospitals such as St Johns, Barringtons,

University Hospital Limerick, Croom Orthopaedic and Nenagh, she was also a family doctor, a wife and a mother-of-six on a busy dairy farm.

It was no mean feat juggling her time as mother to six young children and building her career in medicine. But medicine was in her blood - her mother Dr May ONeill, herself the daughter of a pharmacist, had qualified as a doctor in UCD as far back as 1922 when lady doctors were about as rare as snow in the Sahara.

From a strong republican background, May was an active member of Cumann Na mBan while in UCD before going on to marry Commandant Bub ONeill who had been an intelligence officer in Michael Collinss GHQ squad.

May became the long standing and well respected dispensary doctor for the district of Cappamore and it was there that Pat was reared before going to study medicine herself in UCD around 1942, subsequently training in the Richmond Hospital in Dublin.

She trained in anaesthesiology at Manchester Royal Infirmary in 1950 and in due course came back and married her lifelong friend Chris Humphreys from Cappamore, an RAF pilot who had just inherited his uncles farm in Brittas, near Boher.

But as important as medicine was to her, family always came first being the mother of six children, Gerry, Tom, Christopher, Margaret, May and Frank.

While this is an impressive line up, when she got married to Chris all the way back in 1957, her stated aim was to have no less than thirteen children!

While she didnt quite achieve the bakers dozen she ran it close as she had no less than 15 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

On marriage Pat moved into Brittas House and multi-tasked between being a young mother, a consultant anaesthetist and a dairy farmer's wife.

Efficiency was her trademark and she didnt suffer fools, hypochondriacs or time wasters gladly but for all that her kindness and care for families and patients at their hour of need was legendary.

Personally I can recall her kindness and top class professional care to my father in his declining years.

At the funeral a fellow mourner recalled a close family member being suddenly struck down but Dr Pat saved the day. On her arrival she took charge of the situation taking equal care of the family and patient and not leaving until well into the early hours.

Retirement saw her life take on a new dimension. Always a keen reader she took up an interest in matters antiquarian and became a docent in Limericks Hunt Museum and joined the Thomond Archaeological Society participating in several trips abroad to view ancient historic sites.

Like her mother she was a keen bridge player and a founder member of the Boher Bridge club as well as playing in Limerick and elsewhere.

Her declining years at home in Brittas House, which she shared with her son Gerry and his wife Vicky, were both productive and happy where she adapted to the internet like a teenager and was lovingly looked after by her family.

To her family who mourn her most, your loss is also our loss; you have lost a mother but the community have lost a great doctor; she will be missed and remembered fondly by all who had the good fortune to know her.
THE COUNCILS heritage and conservation officer has been asked to identify and mark the remains of a former castle in the city.

Local election candidate for City North Mark Spain has written to Tom Cassidy, having seen the Reboge Castle marked on an ancient map of Limerick.

He now wants to see its location formally identified and the history of the tower marked.

In a letter to Mr Cassidy, he has called on local authority staff to do an identification of the site of the former castle.

Then, he hopes there can be a complete archaeological dig on the site and surrounding area.

Following this, Mr Spain says he hopes council would: Create a small recreational space on or near the site with some hard landscaping, benches and an information board telling the history of the former castle and the surrounding area.

The location of the former castle is near the popular walkway from the city centre to University of Limerick. This would make an interesting project in collaboration with the University or Limerick Civic Trust, he suggested.

Mr Spain supplied Mr Cassidy with a dossier of information on Reboge Castle, which was prepared by local historian John Elliott.

This information reveals that the castle was located in the St Patricks parish of the city, in the townland of Reboge - modern day Rhebogue.

It features on a 1752 map of Limerick by William Eyre, which is titled A coloured draught of the country round Limerick.

A century prior to that, a civil survey of Limerick recorded that Alderman Thomas Arthur held in Reboge what he described as a ruinous castle, an orchard and a water corn mill.

The castle was also depicted in a 1651 map, and a further map, where it was depicted as a tall tower house like structure.

Limerick City and County Council is expected to consult with the National Monuments Service and the Minister for Heritage.
A LIMERICK councillor is on cloud nine as he was elected a councillor after flying to Spain for a wedding.

Cllr Tommy OSullivan, Fine Gael, was elected on the 10th count in the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District. The Kilfinane man had to miss his election due to a family wedding that was booked months ago.

After being at the count centre all day on Saturday he flew to Spain at 3am on Sunday morning. He told Limerick Live this Sunday evening he is wrecked.

I havent got a wink of sleep. It's not sinking in at all yet. I was on the phone all day getting updates and we watched the match over here - I feel like I played the match, laughed Cllr OSullivan.

He was in a battle with Kilmallocks Mike Donegan but took the final seat. Cllr OSullivans name was called out to warm applause despite not being there.

Although he said it felt like he was there because I have a half Kilfinane out here!.

He said it was some achievement for Fine Gael to get three candidates in Cappamore-Kilmallock.

Id say we're the only constituency in Ireland where three non-sitting councillors got elected for the party, said Cllr OSullivan, who thanked his family and his team for all the work on the ground.

He especially thanked his campaign manager Pat Creed who 45 years ago was the campaign manager for the great Matt OCallaghan when when he was first elected.

Cllr OSullivan said he will sleep for a week but first up is his close relations wedding on Monday.

Viva Espana!
SEVEN candidates have been returned to Limerick City West, including one new face in the area.

Raheen councillor Daniel Butler, Fine Gael, started things off, smashing through the quota of 1,520 and securing election with over 2,200 votes.

Also returned on the first count was his running mate, Daniel McSweeney of Patrickswell. He was elected with 1,725 first preference votes.

READ MORE: Limerick care facility in Bruree celebrates 21 years of outstanding care

After that, it was not until the ninth count in City West when Labour councillor Joe Leddin returned for a sixth straight election.

He passed the quota with 1,538 votes.

The final four seats were not filled until the 12th and final count in the district.

Fianna Fail councillor Fergus Kilcoyne took the fourth seat in the district without reaching the quota. He polled 1,405 votes.

Next to take a seat was Social Democrats councillor Elisa O'Donovan, who secured 1,378 votes.

Fianna Fail secured their second council member in the district, Bangladeshi national Azad Talukder, who was something of a pace-setter in the early part of the vote.

In the end, he was elected without reaching the quota, and had 1,278 votes.

The final seat was won by Independent candidate Maria Donoghue, an architecht based in O'Connell Avenue in the city centre.

Her vote of 1,252 saw her get across the line without reaching the quota.

The completion of the count in City West also heralded the end of the local election overall.

Forty councillors are now in place for the next five years to serve Limerick city and county.
GAA President Jarlath Burns has today clarified a remark made by Limerick senior hurling captain Declan Hannon during his acceptance speech following Sunday's history-making Munster senior hurling final win over Clare at FBD Semple Stadium.

Adare clubman Hannon lifted the Mick Mackey Cup for the sixth year in-a-row after Limerick defeated Clare on a final scoreline of 1-26 to 1-20.

Limerick created history by becoming the first team in Munster to win six provincial titles in-a-row.

Hannon opened his speech by paying tribute to this current group of Limerick players.

"First of all, I want to thank the 36 [man] panel of Limerick players. They represent the county so well, day-in-day-out. I'm very, very proud of ye and the work you put in, the humbleness. Ye are amazing. Keep it going for the next six weeks."

One particular moment in Hannon's speech gained a lot of attention among hurling fans over the past 24 hours.

''We've a backroom team of 53 people. I'm not gonna thank them all, but I want to thank in particular John Kiely and Paul Kinnerk for everything they do for us," said Limerick senior hurling captain Declan Hannon.

President of the GAA, Jarlath Burns, speaking during Morning Ireland on RTE Radio One this Monday morning, said he had clarified the comment in relation to the backroom team with Ard Comhairle representative of Limerick GAA, Paul Foley.

"I knew he [Declan] didn't mean that. I'm very often standing beside the captain and I know how nervous it can be," GAA President Burns said.

"I think it's 37 of a panel and 16 of a backroom. He looked at the whole family all as one. If you want to get to the level of Limerick, you don't have to have 53 people."
Throughout the weekend, the local elections brought new councils to each county, but also brought quirky moments with twists and turns found throughout the often mundane day-to-day.

From mice in ballot boxes, lost jewelery and more, the 2024 elections have kept everyone on their toes.

Here's a look at the top five surprises that have made these elections unforgettable.

Mouse in the ballot box

At 9am on Saturday morning, as the count got underway at the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre, the county registrar issued a warning to the 270 count staff.

It seemed ballot papers were not the only things staff find during the count as it was said that late Friday night, a mouse had reportedly found its way into one of the Mayo ballot boxes.

According to the Irish Times, the mouse had not been located by Sunday evening.

Sentimental ring

On Saturday in Wexford, count staff were diligently searching through a ballot box for a diamond that had fallen among the votes.

The diamond, thought to have dropped from a voter's ring, was soon reunited with its owner.

Oona McFarland from Bray said she lost in the ballot box while voting. According to RTE, the ring is in memory of her late daughter and fell off her finger when she pushed her ballot into the box.

Unexpected votes

Last month, Marian Agrios, a former Fine Gael candidate for Louth County Council, withdrew from the race following reports that she had accepted large sums to drop an objection to a nearby housing development.

Despite urging voters not to support her, as it was too late to remove her name from the ballot, it was reported by the Irish Times that she received 105 first-preference votes anyway.

Ballots to the moon

The lengthy Midlands-North-West ballot paper caused a stir over the weekend.

It was reported by the Irish Times that Mayo TD Michael Ring compared the 27-candidate, 73cm-long paper to a roll of toilet paper, calling it "a disgrace!"

By Sunday, it was said that fatigued reporters in Castlebar humorously speculated how many such ballots it would take to reach the moon.

A few votes shy

In the 2019 local elections, Galway City Council candidate Patrick Feeney made history by receiving just one vote.

Undeterred, he ran again this year and according to the Irish times, managed to secure 13 votes in the Galway City Central LEA, still ending with the lowest tally.
Blackstone sold 28.5 million shares in Mphasis Ltd on Monday, amounting to a 15.1% stake, through a bulk deal on the National Stock Exchange.

The global investment firm sold shares amounting to 6,735.6 crore in the information technology services company at 2,363.37 apiece on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). BCP Topco IX Pte, an affiliate of Blackstone, was the likely seller.

Several institutional investors participated in the transaction. Kotak Mutual Fund acquired a 2.51% stake for 1,121.3 crore, Morgan Stanley Asia Singapore Pte bought a 1.18% stake for 526 crore, and Societe Generale purchased a 0.56% stake for 250.8 crore, all at 2,363 apiece on the NSE.

Following the transaction, Mphasis shares dropped as much as 5% to 2,353.55 apiece intraday, before recovering to close 3% lower. The Nifty IT index closed at 34,526.25, down 1.83%.

Mphasis has underperformed this year, delivering a negative return of 12.4% to investors, compared to the Nifty IT index's negative return of 3.3%.

This is Blackstone's second move at selling Mphasis shares, this time through the open markets. BCP Topco IX Pte's stake in the Indian company now stands reduced to 40.37% after the sale from 55.45%.

Blackstone Capital Partners first acquired a 60.48% stake in Mphasis from Hewlett Packard Enterprises in 2016 for 5,466 crore (approximately $827 million). After unsuccessful attempts to sell its Mphasis shares privately, Blackstone rolled over its stake into a new fund in April 2021. At the time, Blackstone along with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), GIC, UC Investments, and others, acquired a majority stake in Mphasis for around 21,000 crore (around $2.8 billion).

Blackstone declined to comment on Monday.

Bengaluru-based Mphasis provides information technology services, including business process outsourcing services.

We believe for the (Mphasis) stock to re-rate from here on it needs its largest vertical, BFSI, to display acceleration and depends on US rate-cuts due to exposure to mortgage portfolio, brokerage JP Morgan had said in a report dated 28 April 2024.
Bengaluru: I applied for 80 jobs but received only one call," said Maniraj Pattamsetti, a mechanical engineering graduate from Bengaluru, who enrolled in edtech company Simplilearn Solutions job guarantee programme in September 2022.

The programme, which ran between late 2021 and mid 2023, guaranteed job placements after students completed online courses the platform offered. Pattamsetti signed up for a six-month data science course, one that cost him 2,08,000 with interest. He took a loan to finance it.

Simplilearn, backed by Blackstone and valued at $600 million in 2022, promised a job with a minimum package of 5 lakh a year and within six months of him completing the course. He was assured a full refund in case he didnt secure a job.

Two years later, Pattamsetti is working in a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, in a customer support role, earning 20,000 a month. He found the job on his own after he gave up on a career in data science.

I had stopped paying EMI ( 5,600 a month) and my Cibil score suffered. I wanted to file a legal case but it also takes money. The lawyer will charge 20,000," Pattamsetti said over a call. Simplilearn is playing with the emotions of job-seekers," he added.

Mint spoke to 19 others who had enrolled in the job guarantee programme. All of them ended up without the promised job; in many cases, they got no refund from the company. At least half a dozen of them have filed complaints with the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission. Mint has reviewed some of these complaints.

Overall, Simplilearn had enrolled 900 learners for the programme. Only 271 have been placed thus far, the company acknowledged.

View Full Image Screenshot of a company brochure that advertised key features of the job guarantee programme.

To be fair, the job market has dramatically changed between 2021 and now. The post pandemic period was marked by enterprises pivoting to the digital, which led to a surge in tech jobs. But the global economy has slowed and the tech sector has pulled back on hiring the truckloads of engineers it usually does.

Having said that, what emerges from the Simplilearn episode is a familiar story, particularly when it comes to edtech startupsone of aggressive business projections and mis-selling. Byjus, for instance, has also been accused of mis-selling its products to consumers. In fact, in 2023, Byjus changed its sales processes after it came under scrutiny. Simplilearn, meanwhile, has abandoned the programme and moved on. But it has left many students distressed and saddled with loans they are finding tough to service.

The post pandemic period was marked by enterprises pivoting to the digital, which led to a surge in tech jobs. But the global economy has slowed and the tech sector has pulled back on hiring.

The company defended the programme and its objectives while denying any wrong-doing. It also said that the programme, which it called a pilot, ended in 2022. However, Mint has accessed an email where learners were informed that the company has made the difficult decision to conclude the Data Science Job Guarantee Programme", with the last cohort of learners starting in June 2023. Simplilearn clarified that no new learners" were enrolled since the end of 2022. However, we kept running multiple classes for our learners to ensure they completed the programme," a spokesperson stated.

View Full Image An email to learners informing about a job guarantee course starting June 2023.

Bihar to Blore

Simplilearn was one of the earliest of Indias edtech cohort. Co-founded by Krishna Kumar in 2010, the startup is today based out of San Francisco and Bengaluru.

Kumar comes from a small village in Bihar. He graduated with a bachelors degree in electronics and communications and then dropped out from a masters course in microelectronics. His career began with Infosys but he soon switched to entrepreneurship. In 2000, he founded TechUnified, a software services and products firm. Simplilearn is his second entrepreneurial venture.

View Full Image In July 2021, Blackstone acquired a controlling stake in Simplilearn.

The edtech venture started out as a blog. Kumar taught online project management courses to executives. Its popularity made Kumar turn the blog into a full-fledged company. Simplilearn has two other co-foundersKashyap Dalal (chief business officer) and Archana Krishna (chief human resources officer).

In July 2021, Blackstone acquired a controlling stake in Simplilearn through a $250 million fund infusion in the company. The deal paved the way for the exit of early investors such as Kalaari Capital and Mayfield.

Kumar said that cumulatively, Simplilearn has trained about eight million learners thus far. In 2022-23, it clocked 684 crore in revenue, up from 455 crore the year before. Its losses, however, widened to 244 crore from 179 crore during the same period. In an interview with the The Economic Times recently, Kumar said the company has set an internal target of hitting profitability and going public by 2026.

While the going appears to be good, at least in terms of sales, its product innovations and alleged mis-selling has caused a great deal of heartburn.

The Guarantee

Simplilearn launched its job guarantee programme in late 2021. The company told Mint that the programme was launched as a pilot in response to several enterprise customers requesting trained graduates.

The programme came with higher fees.

I was searching for a course on data analytics and landed on their website. The fee advertised was around 40,000. But someone from the companys team called and convinced me to join the job guarantee programme, which was for approximately 2 lakh," said Harikrishnan K., who enrolled in the course in 2022.

The six-month program promised a job guarantee within six months of course completion. In short, it guaranteed a job within a year of enrolment.

The company emphasized that choosing this course was risk-free. They said that they have tie-ups with Fortune 500 companies," Ram added.

In one audio recording that Mint has accessed, a sales executive from the company is heard convincing a learner: If you go with the job guarantee programme, there is no risk involved. In case you dont get a job, you are eligible for 100% refund."

The salesperson further explained the difference between the job guarantee programme and a normal course, which costs less. Suppose, you pay 50,000 for a (normal) course. If you dont get a job, you lose the whole money. But here (in job guarantee), you lose nothing," he stressed.

The recording was shared by a learner who has filed a complaint with the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission. He didnt want to be named.

Aggressive Sale

Salespeople at Simplilearn also ignored the eligibility criteria the company advertised.

The eligibility criteria for a data science job guarantee programme was quite clear, going by the companys brochure. A candidate needed a background in computer science or B-tech. The student should not have any gap in career, and the student should not be employed anywhere while applying," explained a former employee who didnt want to be identified.

But aggressive sales executives started enrolling anyone interested, he added.

View Full Image The eligibility criteria for a data science course under the job guarantee programme.

The problem: companies hiring never picked learners that didnt have the required background. If the candidate does not meet their criteria, no matter how many jobs they apply for, their application will not even be shortlisted," the former employee said.

Mint spoke with one learner who had completed BSc in physical sciencesthis degree doesnt figure in the list of eligible degrees the data science course she had enrolled in required.

The manager never pointed this out to me. I wanted to take up the course because I wished to switch my career. Everything will be taught from scratch, the company said," the learner, who didnt want to be identified, explained. I struggled during the course because of my background and was finding it difficult to clear the final test," the person added.

Founder Krishna Kumar told Mint the company wouldnt have done this intentionally. Maybe, it would have happened in one or two cases. The reason why the job criteria is mentioned is because we wanted to make sure that only a certain kind of candidate comes as part of the cohort that we can place. But if we onboarded 900 plus learners, it might have happened to a couple of learners. They will be refunded," he added.

Meanwhile, different brochures advertised different average salaries around the job guarantee programme. One brochure promised an average salary of 8 lakh per annum. Another brochure Mint accessed stated a salary of 6.21 lakh per annum.

View Full Image Screenshots of the companys brochure promising different average salaries.

View Full Image Screenshots of the companys brochure promising different average salaries.

All this created confusion in the minds of learners.

Problem with Leads

Many enrolled learners asked for a refund when Simplilearn couldnt place them. Some of them were told they are not eligible for a refund as they didnt apply to all the job leads the company sent their way.

Learners pointed to the fact that many of these leads were problematicthe time to apply or respond was simply too short or had already elapsed.

Heres one instance. On 18 June 2023, at 10 am, Simplilearn sent a job lead for the role of a junior data engineer to a learner. It asked the learner to apply for the job, by filling out a Google form, by 2 pm, 17 June 2023.

In another instance, the company sent out a job lead for the role of a program manager on 4 May 2023 at 5:59 pm. It asked the learner to apply by 6 pm the same day.

Mint has reviewed both the emails.

Theres a protocol that whenever a job lead is sent, candidates should get at least 24 to 48 hours to apply. That is the internal protocol but Im not sure if thats been followed," said the former employee cited above. This protocol isnt explicitly mentioned in any brochure. According to conversations with 15 learners, the company did not abide by the 24-48 hour protocol in many cases.

Another problematic situation was the job lead itself. Some jobs required experience to apply while many of the learners were freshers. At times, some of the leads were for roles that required expertise not taught in the course they picked, learners said.

Simplilearn also asked learners to apply for internships, which did not match the minimum 5-6 lakh per annum package the programme promised.

Those who were not able to secure jobs, given challenging market conditions, were granted 100% refunds. Krishna Kumar

The Job guarantee programme was designed to help candidates prepare for technology-related jobs. We are proud of how the programme has been executed, helping hundreds of candidates secure jobs. Those that were not able to, given challenging market conditions, were granted 100% refunds," Kumar clarified.

The company had enrolled 900 learners for the programme. Of this, 477 learners were refunded while 271 were placed, he added. Around 200 are still with us, whom we are working with, helping them complete the programme," Kumar said.

IT and BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance) companies mostly hire through Simplilearn, the company stated.

More Tests

Meanwhile, the edtech firm kept changing the criteria for learners to get the course certificate even when they had finished classes. The certificate is necessary to be eligible for job guarantee.

Over time, the company, according to the learners Mint spoke to, introduced additional tests and more project work to unlock the course certificate.

After six months, they added another test," Amit Modak, who enrolled as a learner in December 2022, told Mint.

Modak could not complete the test, which he said had questions that were not in the syllabus. When he raised the issue with Simplilearn, he was promised the certificate but was told that the job guarantee would be void. He has now filed a case with the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission.

The company defended the introduction of additional projects and tests. This pilot was always aligned with job market requirements. As the job market evolved, additional modules and tests were incorporated to better prepare our candidates for available tech jobs," the company mentioned in a response to Mints queries.

Course duration extensions, expert mentoring as needed, and one-on-one assistance were provided to maximise learner outcomes. Note that additional training time, tests, mentoring, etc., came at a substantial additional cost to Simplilearn, not to the learners, except for their time," the company added.

If this was a 2021 market, maybe 80% learners would get a job because everybody was hiring left, right and centre," Kumar said, talking of the additional tests. Now people are expecting more out of you. So, we have included a coding test. If you are not able to do (pass the test), we will help you again with additional training," the founder said.

The Lesson

So, what recourse do learners have when they feel wronged? The District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, which deals in complaints involving costs and compensation less than 50 lakh, is an option but Kumar says the company is open to helping.

Theres always a mechanism to reach out to us and raise the issue. Its like a customer service problem," Kumar said.

Learners Mint spoke to retorted saying the companys customer support function doesnt always work.

Calls arent picked and tickets are arbitrarily closed without the problem being resolved.

But Simplilearn may have learnt its lesson. We asked Kumar if he would re-introduce the job guarantee programme. No, he responded.

The reason I will not do it is because we realize that in the current tough market, it is better to be very close to your core competency. My core competency is reskilling and upskilling," he said.
After seeing its value stagnate compared with rivals that were quicker to incorporate generative artificial intelligence into their core products, the iPhone maker on Monday will hold what might be its most momentous software event in a decade.

At its Worldwide Developers Conference, which begins at 1 p.m. ET and will run throughout the week, the company is expected to announce a raft of new AI features. Those include message-writing assistance, photo editing and text summarization, as well as a boost in capabilities for voice assistant Siri. Apple is also expected to strike one or more partnerships for more advanced AI capabilities, such as with OpenAIs ChatGPT, according to people familiar with the matter.

For Apple, the past year has been characterized by challenges including falling sales in China and regulatory scrutiny from a U.S. antitrust lawsuit and a new European law, both of which take aim at how it manages third-party software.

Investors are impatient and hope Mondays announcements will propel a new rally.

Its important for them to start showing progress," said Charles Rinehart, chief investment officer at Johnson Investment Counsel, an Apple investor.

Behind the scenes, Apple has been trying over the past year to find ways of integrating generative AI into its products, The Wall Street Journal recently reported.

Apples shares have risen about 8% in the past year. Microsoft has surged roughly 26%, and it supplanted Apple as the worlds most valuable company by market capitalization in January. Google is up 41% over the past year.

Microsoft and Google have rapidly incorporated generative AI across their products. Nvidia, the main chip provider in the AI boom, reached a $3 trillion valuation on Wednesday and briefly exceeded Apples market capitalization.

Meanwhile, Apples research-and-development spending has been slowing over the past year, with spending growing by a single-digit percentage each quarter and declining less than 1% in the December quarter.

During its most recent earnings report, last month, Apple Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri said in response to a question about the companys AI spending: We obviously are pushing very hard on innovation on every front, and weve been doing that for many, many years. Just during the last five years, we spent more than $100 billion in research and development."

While Apple is hoping to show consumers and investors a more cohesive AI strategy on Monday, the company is facing challenges in its core iPhone business, which accounts for roughly half of its overall sales. For the past two years, iPhone sales have been mostly stagnant, and even declined more than 10% in Apples most recent March quarter.

Investors and analysts said Apple could boost iPhone sales by refreshing the product with new AI capabilities, especially if some of those AI features only work with new or high-end iPhone models.

AI is the thing that can get Apple out of the ditch," said Trip Miller, managing partner at Apple investor Gullane Capital Partners. Theyre this big behemoth. It takes a new story to get them moving in a new direction. AI is that opportunity for them."

Apple last experienced a surge in iPhone sales during the pandemic, when the company was upgrading the phone with speedier 5G cellular chips. Many of those consumers who bought during the pandemic are also due for a new phone, so they might be inclined to buy, especially if the new capabilities impress.

Investors are also hoping there could be some sort of service-revenue boost with the new AI offerings, potentially in the form of a monthly subscription Apple charges or that third-party AI developers could charge.

With Apples move to establish partnerships with external developers for more advanced AI capabilities, the company is showing that it is looking for ways to insulate itself from some of the risks and costs associated with these generative AI models, said David Wagner, a portfolio manager at Apple shareholder Aptus Capital Advisors. These new artificial-intelligence systems cost billions of dollars in computing resources, and some of them occasionally have made up facts and experienced other unexpected behaviors.

Apple is passing off the liabilities of AI to a partner like OpenAI," Wagner said. Apple knows which battles to fight and which ones not to fight. This isnt one theyre fighting."

Write to Aaron Tilley at aaron.tilley@wsj.com
(Adds details, share reaction in paragraphs 3, 5-9)

SAO PAULO, June 10 (Reuters) - Brazil's Diagnosticos da America (Dasa) and health insurance operator Amil are in advanced talks to combine their hospital businesses, Dasa said in a securities filing on Monday.

Under the current negotiations, Dasa and Amil would each own half of hospital chain Impar, a Dasa company that would incorporate hospitals from Amil-owned Rede Americas, said the company.

Rede America hospitals in Northeastern Ceara and Rio Grande do Norte states would not be part of the transaction, while Amil's verticalized hospitals would also be left out, according to Dasa. Twelve Dasa hospitals have been included in the talks, it said.

The deal would also include the transfer of at least 3 billion reais ($559.60 million) of Dasa's debt to Impar, it added.

Dasa said in the filing it "cannot guarantee at this time that such deal will be completed or that the final terms of the transaction will be the same as the ones under current negotiations".

Dasa's shares jumped as much as 10% on Monday after the company also confirmed that it had received a document from Brazilian tycoon Nelson Tanure in which he proposed to combine Dasa's business with his health firm Allianca Saude. Tanure also proposed a cash capital increase to Dasa, but made no plans for acquiring control of the company.

Dasa has not yet made a decision on Tanure's proposal, it said on Monday.
Paytm Layoffs: Fintech firm One97 Communications, the parent company of Paytm, confirmed the layoff of an undisclosed number of employees, on June 10. The company claims to be providing outplacement support to ensure a smooth transition for those affected, PTI reported.

According to the statement, the number of employees at Paytm sales division dropped by approximately 3,500, bringing the total headcount to 36,521 in the March 2024 quarter. This decline is primarily attributed to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) ban on services provided by Paytm Payments Bank.

"One97 Communications Limited (OCL) is providing outplacement support to employees who have resigned as a part of the restructuring efforts by the company," the company stated.

The human resource teams at Paytm are reportedly working with over 30 companies that are currently hiring, assisting employees who have chosen to share their information for immediate outplacement.

"Paytm is also disbursing bonuses which were due to employees, ensuring fairness and transparency in the process," the statement added.

The RBI barred Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL), an associate of Paytm, from accepting deposits, credit transactions, or top-ups in any customer accounts, wallets, and FASTags starting from March 15, citing non-compliance issues and supervisory concerns.

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Following this ban, Paytm reported a widened loss of 550 crore in the January-March 2024 period, compared to a loss of 167.5 crore in the same period a year ago.

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"As part of its FY24 earnings release, One97 Communications stated that it will be pruning its non-core business lines and will continue its efforts to maintain a leaner organization structure through AI-led interventions. The company has been actively working towards driving profitability, in line with its guidance," the company stated.
Bengaluru: Three large investors sold big chunks of Edelweiss Financial Services Ltd, IIFL Finance Ltd and Paytm weeks before regulatory action slammed their stocks, exchange data showed.

Between January and May, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) slapped business curbs on the three financial companies after spotting various malpractices, including evergreening of loans, inadequate KYC checks and governance issues. Ahead of the regulatory action, Mohnish Pabrai, Prem Watsa and Softbank sold a significant percentage of shares in Edelweiss, IIFL and Paytm respectively.

While there is no clear link between the regulatory action and the share sales, one proxy advisor termed it as "odd", and another said the market regulator should find out why they sold their shares.

Pabrai, a seasoned India-born American investor, owned 7.08% stake in Edelweiss at the end of December 2023. Between 8 February and 3 April, he sold 3.83% at an average price of 72.03 a share for 261 crore, according to a Mint analysis.

Less than seven weeks after Pabrai cut his Edelweiss holding by half, RBI on 29 May restricted businesses of its lending and asset reconstruction arms, citing concerns about its lending and accounting practices.

Edelweiss shares plunged 11.8% to close at 68.35 on 30 May, a day after the regulatory action. The shares are down 10.34% as of 7 June.

Pabrai, who now owns 3.24% of Edelweiss, said he was unaware of any regulatory action before undertaking the transaction.

We were not aware of the RBI action until we read it in the media, and we have no further comment," said a spokesperson for Pabrai, when asked if he anticipated any regulatory challenges.

RBI's action

The sale of IIFL shares by Prem Watsa, founder of Fairfax Financial Holdings, the Toronto-based financial services firm, and whose net worth is pegged at $1.9 billion by Forbes, also coincided with the regulatory action.

Fairfax India Holdings wholly owned subsidiary FIH Mauritius Investment owned 20.18% of IIFL Finance until 21 December 2023. On 22 December, FIH Mauritius sold 5.66% shares at an average price of 554.6 a share, translating to about 1,200 crore, according to an analysis by Mint.

On 4 March, RBI barred IIFL Finance from sanctioning and disbursing gold loans, after its audit found material concerns in the non-banking finance firms gold loan lending business.

The next day, shares of IIFL Finance tumbled 20%. From the end of trading on 4 March and 7 June, IIFL shares are down 18.5%.

An email sent to Watsa, who owns 15.12% in IIFL Finance, went unanswered.

To be sure, immediately after the RBI action, Watsa had announced that he would invest up to $200 million in the company, as the largest investor tried to assuage investor concerns on liquidity concerns.

In addition to IIFL and Edelweiss, One97 Communications Ltd, which runs Paytm, and JM Financial Ltd have faced RBIs ire in 2024.

Paytm fiasco

On 31 January, RBI directed Paytm Payments Bank, the wholly-owned subsidiary of One97 Communications, to stop all forms of banking services within a month.

Between 19 December and 20 January, Softbank, the third-largest investor in One97, sold 2% of its holding, at an average price of 680.38, with the Japanese tech investor earning 865 crore. Softbank sold another 2.17% worth 1085 crore between 23 January and 26 February.

Shares of Paytm are down 49.9% since the regulatory action on 31 January.

Softbank declined to offer a comment. However, an executive privy to its decision said on condition of anonymity that the investor's approach is to sell shares within three years of a company going public, and its stake sale in Paytm over the last few months was not triggered by regulatory action.

At least two proxy advisory firms find the share sale by the largest investors in three of the four companies odd.

Is it odd? Sure. But let's understand it better. All communication RBI has with these companies is confidential. It's only when RBI discloses the regulatory action it has taken that the investors get to know. That leads to volatility and there is a sharp drop in share price. This entire thing can be avoided if there is a communication or disclosure made the first time a regulator starts communicating with a company," said Amit Tandon, founder and managing director at proxy advisory firm Institutional Investor Advisory Services India Ltd (IiAS).

A parallel is what happens between the pharma companies and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That allows shareholders to factor in all the risks," said Tandon.

"RBI was in discussions with all the companies for many months before the disclosures were finally made. For now, it is difficult to say that any of these investors had any insider information that made them cut their holdings," said Shriram Subramanian, founder and managing director of proxy advisory firm InGovern Research. "Nonetheless, the market regulator Sebi should engage with these investors and ask what triggered these investors to sell their stake."
(Recasts with Criteria confirming end of joint takeover talks, IFM declining to comment)

By Jesus Aguado and Pietro Lombardi

MADRID, June 10 (Reuters) - Spanish holding firm Criteria on Monday said it had not reached an agreement with Abu Dhabi's TAQA over a potential joint takeover bid for Spanish gas firm Naturgy.

El Mundo newspaper had earlier reported, citing people familiar with the talks, that TAQA had decided to drop the joint bid with Criteria, which owns a 26.7% stake in the gas company.

"Regarding the conversations held between CriteriaCaixa and TAQA with a view to a possible cooperation agreement relating to Naturgy ... these negotiations have been terminated without reaching any agreement," Criteria said in a filing to market supervisor CNMV.

Criteria added it was "exploring new options" to support Naturgy's transformation plan and reaffirmed its commitment as a long-term investor in the company's industrial project.

Naturgy declined to comment while TAQA was not immediately available for comment.

TAQA was in talks with Naturgy's three largest shareholders - Criteria and private equity funds CVC and GIP, which each own more than 20% - with a view to a possible takeover bid, it said in April.

It then said there was no guarantee a deal would happen and, if it were to, under what terms. It added it had not approached Naturgy directly.

CVC and GIP declined to comment. Australian fund IFM, which holds a 15% stake in Naturgy, declined to comment.

TAQA, a power and water utility founded in 2005, was set to acquire Spain's largest gas firm, together with contracts with Algeria and also a long-term contract to import some 3 billion cubic metres (bcm) of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) every year.
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts will seek a valuation of at least $2.5 billion (approximately 21,000 crore) in a public listing likely in nine months, two people familiar with its plans said, in a remarkable turnaround for the luxury chain that changed hands under crushing debt and defaults five years ago.

Promoter Brookfield has tapped JM Financial and Bank of America to be investment bankers, the people said on condition of anonymity, adding the Canadian investor plans to sell 15% to the public initially, and another 10% over the next three years. The IPO may be worth around 3,150 crore, making it the biggest in India's hospitality space.

"The Leela has not only emerged stronger than ever from its old worrisome debt issues but is also seeing a steady year-on-year rise in valuations on the back of higher margins. From a bankruptcy situation a few years ago, today, The Leela is commanding a $2.5-3 billion valuation," said the first person, adding the company plans to launch the IPO within nine months.

While listed rivals Indian Hotels Co. Ltd (IHCL) and East India Hotels Ltd (EIH) have a market capitalization of 83,228 crore and 27,384 crore respectively, ITC Hotels' networth has been estimated at 10,000 crore. IHCL and EIH operate the Taj and Oberoi brands respectively.

Spokespersons for Brookfield and Bank of America declined to comment, while emails sent to JM Financial, The Leela and Brookfield Asset management remained unanswered.

"While the hospitality business is generally buoyant currently, international demand for the Leela Palaces in India is particularly doing better than others. Occupancy rates and tariffs are both increasing for India's hotels and hospitality services, especially in those properties which offer appropriate wellness services. And The Leela Palaces particularly has an edge over others in that space," the person cited above said.

Brookfield had acquired four assets of The Leela from JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co. for 3,950 crore in 2019. To be sure, the IPO excludes The Leela Mumbai, the first Leela founded by Capt. Krishnan Nair, which is promoted by HLV Ltd and is already listed.

"It will be the largest issue in the hotel space," said the second person. "It is in the discussion stage. They might have to restructure some holdings and all those things before the IPO."

The turnaround

Founder Capt. Krishnan Nair transferred the erstwhile Hotel Leelaventures Ltd to his sons Vivek Nair and Dinesh Nair in 2013, and passed away soon after. Unlike rivals Marriott, Intercontinental and Hyatt, The Leela had raised debt to build new properties rather than running hotels through management contracts. This swelled its interest costs and deepened losses.

The company had a debt of around 5,000 crore in FY14. Its finance costs ballooned, margins shrank and a corporate debt restructuring plan failed in 2014. The company transferred loans from 14-odd creditors to JM Financial ARC (JM ARC).

In September 2017, the company converted its debt to equity by allocating over 160 million shares worth around 275 crore to JM ARC. The business did no recover, and it began defaulting on interest payments on debentures to Life Insurance Corp. in 2018.

In 2019, JM Financial took The Leela to insolvency court, where Brookfield bought four of its five key hotel assets for 3,950 crorethe largest deal in the hotel space then, also changed The Leela's business model from ownership-led to management-led.

Brookfield has been infusing capital into the company over the past five years, expanding the number of The Leela properties in India to 15 now, with plans to increase it to 20 soon.

The Leela's turnaround may partly be attributed to the sharp rebound in the hospitality industry after the end of the covid pandemic.

While IHCL and ITC's hotels have been posting record growth, about 80% of the new deals in India are in the luxury and premium space for Marriott International.

According to an Economic Times report citing JLL data, in 2023, hotel investments in India touched $401 million, a record fourfold rise compared with 2022. The report said the first quarter of calendar year 2024 has seen an 80% year-on-year rise in deals at $78 million. In 2023 alone, around 25,176 keys were signed and 12,647 keys were opened, says the report.

In February, Juniper Hotels, jointly promoted by the Saraf Group and Hyatt Hotels went public. Also, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels debuted on exchanges in a 920-crore IPO in the same month.

With at least 1,836 keys, Juniper Hotels is the largest owner of Hyatt-affiliated hotels in India.

The Leela has significant expansion plans as well.

In a recent interview with CNBC TV18, Brookfield's managing partner Ankur Gupta said Brookfield has a plan for almost 20 properties across India for The Leela Palaces.

Brookfield is keen to expand the Leela brand in the housing space too.

The Leela "certainly" targets the service apartment, high and luxury rental side, said Gupta in the interview. "We are coming up with a fantastic project in Mumbai next to the airport, which will be a serviced apartment managed by Leela," Gupta told CNBC.

"The Leela's assets mostly run at 95-97% occupancy, but currently, they are in the mid-80s added Gupta, while pointing out a 10% headroom to grow in terms of occupancy levels.
Risky startups with a flair for digital marketing are using a regulatory exemption that allows them to hype their moonshot products and raise huge sums of money from individual investors.

Two companies with completely different productsone is designing three-wheel solar cars, the other builds tiny houses that unfold like tentsexemplify this growing segment of the market, known as crowdfunding.

Tens of thousands of small investors have poured $170 million into Aptera Motors and Boxabl, but have little to show for it.

The companies have sometimes misled investors as they burn through tens of millions of dollars, struggle to generate sales, and continue to seek more money, according to people close to the companies, internal documents and whistleblower complaints filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Aptera has been telling investors for three years that it would soon deliver its first solar-powered car but still hasnt shipped any. Tiny-house maker Boxabl says its wait list exceeds 175,000 customers, but it has sold only six units this year, according to its most recent disclosures.

The SEC approved the exemption nearly a decade ago, as part of an effort to make it easier for smaller companies to raise capital. Known as Regulation A, the technique allows businesses to annually raise as much as $75 million while complying with lighter-touch rules than a traditional initial public offering. These companies have raised billions of dollars from hundreds of thousands of Americans with little oversight.

Aptera and Boxabl have both relied on catchy social-media campaigns that hype their progress creating game-changing technologies. Crowdfunding platformssuch as StartEngine and Republicmatch the fledgling firms with novice investors who can behave more like fans than shrewd financiers looking for a solid return on their investment.

Shares bought through crowdfunding platforms arent listed on an exchange and dont freely trade. Investors are locked into their stake unless the company arranges a sale or conducts an IPO.

No cars in sight

Aptera has raised more than $120 million from 17,000 investors since 2021, building a dedicated fan base through videos posted on YouTube and Instagram that tout a three-wheel electric vehicle that it says will eventually have a 1,000-mile range. Teslas electric vehicles, by contrast, have a range of between 300 and 350 miles before they need to be recharged.

Aptera, based near San Diego, went bust in 2011 after it ran out of money and failed to qualify for federal loan financing, but crowdfunding gave the company a second life. Its funding haul includes $100 million through Regulation A. Company officials internally have referred to their social-media campaign as clickbait" because each new video typically brings a flood of new investments.

Though Aptera has pushed back its production date several times, many of its small investors express devotion to the concept.

Every time I see another video about Aptera the farther I fall in love with this car," one person wrote on a recent YouTube video. Aptera really embodies the statement, Do it right, or dont do it at all."

Crowdfunding investors often accept less transparency and fewer rights than professional investors who negotiate stakes in private companies. And they are wagering on companies with little to no record of success.

About 85% of companies that sought capital under the SECs Regulation A exemption had either zero profits or negative net income, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of commission data since 2016, when the financing model was first made available.

I advise approaching these unproven investments with the same caution as responding to a flashing check-engine lightif you choose to proceed, do so with extreme caution," said David Krause, a finance professor at Marquette University who has closely studied this market.

Aptera told investors in a July 2023 video that it had validated the aerodynamic design of its three-wheel car at a wind tunnel in Italy. It presented the results as proof of its progress.

But the trip to the wind tunnel was mostly a chance to crank out another advertising video, according to people familiar with the trip.

Aptera spent only a few hours at the tunnel, which wasnt designed to test three-wheel vehicles such as the Aptera, which is classified as a motorcycle, the people said.

In an interview, Co-Chief Executive Chris Anthony said the company got an invitation on short notice to use the wind tunnel and decided to use the opportunity as best it could.

We didnt have time to coordinate with them or talk about, you know, the special needs of a three-wheel vehicle," Anthony said. And certainly we didnt write them a big check, so they didnt have a lot of incentive to say, Hey, lets customize the wind tunnel for these guys."

But we got pretty pictures," he said.

Anthony said in an October video that the vehicle is ostensibly done," even though several systems had yet to be built at the time, and the frame was undergoing a major redesign while some parts didnt have suppliers, according to records viewed by the Journal.

Anthony told the Journal that his description of Apteras progress was accurate. Aptera was still sourcing and improving some components and features but in October we could have built that vehicle," he said.

Its annual regulatory filings show Aptera burned through about $25 million last year and had $17 million in cash on hand at the end of 2023. The company disclosed a going concern" warning, which alerts investors that it probably cant remain in business without raising additional capital.

In a new bid to attract more capital, Aptera said in April that investors who gave at least $2,000 would receive $1,000 off the price of a vehicle when they are delivered. Investors who contribute at least $27,000 would get the first vehicles that are delivered in the United Arab Emirates, where Aptera is trying to raise money and find customers. In a recent video, the company showed an Aptera doing tons of laps" on a racetrack in Abu Dhabi.

Aptera has lost both of its outside board members in the past year, with the most recent director resigning on May 3.

Three weeks ago, after being contacted by the Journal for this article, Aptera announced it would stop using Regulation A by the end of June. It said it hired a San Francisco-based investment bank, US Capital Global, to help it raise money from wealthy investors.

On May 30, it notified the SEC about its plans to raise $5 million in a smaller crowdfunded round.

Tiny homes that few people want

Las Vegas-based Boxabl has raised $150 million by telling investors that it will automate home-building by cranking out factory-built tiny houses in 15 minutes. The companys father-and-son management team, Chief Executive Paolo Tiramani and Chief Marketing Officer Galiano Tiramani, say their mission is to churn out 360-square-foot homes that could one day be sold on Amazon.

Four years in, Boxabl has delivered only 223 of the dwellings known as Casitasmost of them through one order to the U.S. governments naval station in Guantanamo Bay.

The SEC is investigating the company over its disclosures to investors. Its auditor resigned last month after identifying a material weakness in Boxabls systems for valuing stock-based compensation and accurately disclosing financial information to investors. Boxabl said it believes the auditors concerns were resolved.

Boxabl initially agreed to answer questions for this article but never provided responses.

The company has sought to tie itself to the master of self-promotion on social media: Elon Musk, who confirmed on a 2022 podcast that he has a Boxabl unit in South Texas. Boxabl has opened its doors to YouTube personalities and influencers who visit its Las Vegas factory to make videos with titles like Inside Elon Musks Famous $50,000 Tiny Home."

The company is storing 325 Casitas valued at about $15.4 million, according to SEC filings. In some states, it still needs permits from regulators to sell the units. It recently started offering them to residents of recreational-vehicle parks.

Wearing a snapback hat and a rolled-up mechanics shirt that shows off muscular arms, Paolo Tiramani said on a recent YouTube video that his companys struggles are due to regulation that is next level nutsand its mostly the result of unintended do-gooding."

Eliana Sheriff, a YouTube content creator who made that video and several others focused on Boxabl, said she wont do more until they can prove there is something worth covering other than buying a factory a block down the road with nothing in it."

The potential for quickly producing profitable units was a big selling point to early investors. When Boxabl raised money through crowdfunding for the first time in 2020, it told investors that it would sell units at $50,000 and earn a net profit margin of $20,000, or 40%, on each Casita.

Boxabl lost $40 million last year, according to SEC filings. People close to the company say it expanded too fast, leasing three large factories in Las Vegas before it knew if it could sell units across the country.

Though Boxabl has touted a lengthy wait list of customers, most havent put down a deposit. Fewer than 10,300 paid a deposit of between $100 and $49,500, according to records viewed by the Journal.

Despite Boxabl bleeding cash, Paolo and Galiano Tiramani were both awarded bonuses of $297,500 last year, according to SEC filings, or 50% of their annual salaries of $595,000. Their salaries, high for a startup where founders are typically compensated mostly in stock or options, have stirred concerns inside their company.

This does look like a money grab," Jennifer Katz, the companys former vice president of strategic investments, wrote in a text message to another ex-employee that was viewed by the Journal. Katz declined to comment.

Boxabls Regulation A share sale generated about $75 million. But Boxabl got only about $65 million of that because Galiano and Paolo Tiramani sold $10 million of their own shares late in the offering process. The company disclosed a valuation of $3.4 billion that year.

Most investors paid 80 cents a share in the offering. But Boxabl offered a limited number at just one penny. The biggest buyer at that discount was Galiano Tiramanis wife, Shawna Maslak, who acquired 1.9 million shares for $27,000, according to records viewed by the Journal. Boxabl didnt disclose in its SEC filings that Maslak was eligible to buy at the lowest price.

The company is seeking SEC approval to raise another $75 million through Regulation A. It is offering large discounts on the 80-cent share price, which small investors pay, to entice wealthier investors to contribute $1 billion to build an even larger Boxzilla" factory.

Boxabl suffered another setback when a Canadian vendor, Brave Control Solutions, that was supposed to deliver $15 million in automation equipment went out of business. Boxabl sued Brave in April, claiming it paid $8 million but never received any equipment.

Its sent me down a rabbit hole to find a better way. I think I have," Galiano Tiramani told investors in a post on Facebook after Brave folded.

As soon as Im allowed to I will share some info on the new path I have planned," he said.

Kirsten Grind and Dan Gallagher contributed to this article.
New Delhi: Sanctions-hit Russia is looking to India for drug security at a time of shortages triggered by its war in Ukraine, a government official aware of the matter said.

Moscow has proposed financial support for Indian companies ready to build facilities in Russia, and is seeking higher pharmaceutical exports from India to meet domestic demand, the official said on the condition of anonymity. Last week, an Indian delegation led by Pharmexcil Director General, Uday Bhaskar attended the St. Petersburg Economic Forum to explore collaborations in the pharmaceutical sector, and discussed drug security and the role of small and midsize enterprises.

"The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) is ready to fund Indian companies who wish to tie up with local companies and work towards R&D. In the latest instance, Cadila Pharmaceuticals has signed up with RDIF and is working towards setting up a local manufacturing base in Russia. There are close to 20 Indian companies who got into some kind of engagement with Russian entities, out of which half of negotiations by SMEs are in advanced stages, added the official.

Also read: Amid global concerns over India-made drugs, Govt plans an exports revamp Generics giant Queries emailed to a Pharmaxcil spokesperson and the Russian embassy remained unanswered.

India is the world's largest exporter of generic medicines, or authorized copies of patented drugs. In FY23, India exported pharmaceutical products worth $25.4 billion. The country has around 10,000 pharma units producing APIs, formulations, vaccines, biologicals and advanced therapeutics.

India being a major producer of generics, and having capabilities for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), our industries could certainly help others in offering generics, for production and supply of essential medicines and APIs. We can also collaborate with each other on research & development for innovation of new drugs and vaccines, the official added.

Also read: India and Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union to start FTA talks in coming months Exports to CIS Russia is not strong enough in the pharmaceuticals sector as it is in defence technology and oil sectors. However, we continue to supply medicines and other pharma products to Russia. Collaborating with our Russian counterparts will help us to learn from each other and provide opportunities for our industry to expand and strengthen our pharma trade," said Sudarshan Jain, secretary general at the Indian Pharmaceuticals Alliance (IPA).

Russia, meanwhile, has a strong research and development base in the pharma and vaccines sector, and hosts a number of leading pharmaceutical companies. It is already among top destinations for Indian pharma; however, last year, Indias pharma exports to Russia fell from $573.2 million in FY23 to $518.47 million in FY24.

Our exports to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region were in a negative trend, may be due to Russia-Ukraine war. Besides, western sanctions might have been in the minds of Indian companies who have strong business in US, UK and European market. So, some companies were on the back foot, the official added.

Also read: Centre takes away state powers for issuing NOC for export of drugs Attracting India To address the lower pace of trade, Russia is looking up to India to strengthen its production capacity.

Establishing a generics manufacturing hub in Russia will help in overall growth and sustainability of the collaboration between the two nations in the pharmaceutical industry. Under its pharma 2030 policy, Russia aims to strengthen its local capacity and enhance their share of exports to the global world. They have taken measures in terms of giving additional perks to the local manufacturers and sourcing up government needs," the official said.

"They are trying to put up policies to attract local investors so that they acquire technology, build their in-house capacities in generics, APIs and biological space. They are working towards joint ventures and offering financial support to the Indian companies to attract them to set up their base in Russia provinces. In parallel, India is taking this an opportunity to improve its exports to Russia & Eurasian Economic Union (EaEU)," the official added.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in the Middle East on Monday in an effort to salvage cease-fire negotiations, as leaders from Hamas and Israel express skepticism toward President Bidens peace plans.

Blinkens tripwhich includes stops in Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Qatarcomes at a sensitive time after eight months of fighting.

On Saturday, an Israeli military operation in central Gaza to rescue four hostages resulted in scores of Palestinian casualties. Strikes continued Monday in crowded areas of the Gaza Strip, days after Israel attacked a U.N. school-turned-shelter where thousands were staying and where Israel says some Hamas operatives were hiding.

Over the weekend, Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz, a centrist rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, quit the war cabinet over what he said was a lack of long-term strategy in the war. The move could force early elections, but it also gives far-right members of Netanyahus coalitionwho have threatened to leave the government if Israel accepts a deal that halts the warmore sway in the shrinking majority Netanyahu holds in government.

Gantz leaving and the increased influence from the far-right makes striking a cease-fire deal a lot less likely," said Yossi Mekelberg, a Middle East analyst at London-based think tank Chatham House. Now things are really hanging by a thread."

Hamass leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, told Arab negotiators that he would accept a deal only if Israel commits to a permanent cease-fire, affirming Hamass position in his first response to a proposal introduced by Biden.

The three-phase plan outlined by Biden would begin with a complete cease-fire over six weeks, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza and the release of some hostages held by Hamas. The second phase would see a permanent end to the hostilities, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of remaining hostages. Phase three would involve a plan for the reconstruction of Gaza.

Israel and Hamas said that the terms set out by Biden dont accurately reflect what has been offered to the militant group.

The Biden administration has enlisted Qatar and Egypt for help pressuring Hamas into accepting the U.S.-backed deal on the table, as Biden faces domestic pressure to end the war. At the behest of the U.S., Qatar and Egypt told Hamas leaders that they face potential arrest, sanctions and expulsions from Doha if they dont agree to a deal, officials familiar with the talks said. Hamas leaders doubled down, saying a deal must meet the groups conditions, including an end to the war.

More than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war, most of them civilians, according to Palestinian health authorities. The figure doesnt specify how many were combatants. The war began after Hamas-led militants on Oct. 7 killed some 1,200 people in Israel, also mainly civilians, according to Israeli authorities.

Blinken is also attending a conference in Jordan this week on the humanitarian response in Gaza. The U.S. again began delivering aid to Gazas shore late last week after repairs were completed on a temporary pier built by the U.S. that had broken days earlier in the Mediterranean Sea.
Pizza chain Dominos will add around 200 stores annually in India over the next couple of years as well as pump more money into commissaries and upgrading technology as it capitalizes on low per capita consumption of fast food in the country and joins competitors in expanding its presence in India.

On Monday, the pizza chain opened its 2,000th outlet in the country making it the first country outside the US to reach the milestone.

This is the first time we have had a country reach 2,000 stores outside the USA. India is the largest market for Dominos in terms of store count (outside the USA); in terms of sales its in the top five for Dominos outside of the US, Art D'Elia, executive vice president-International at Domino's Pizza, Inc said in an interview on Monday.

Fast-food players get into more opennings The move comes as more organized fast-food players have stepped up store openings. Despite the muted demand scenario and depressed same-store-sales growth, QSR companies have not altered their store opening plans or capex guidance, analysts at BNP Paribas said in a note dated 24 May.

Read | Prices of ice cream, shakes may remain steady even as milk turns costlier Indias quick-service restaurant (QSR) market is expected to clock a compound annual growth rate of 23% between FY21 and fiscal year 2025. The food services market was estimated at 4,236 billion in FY20, Edelweiss said in its research note.

As of FY20organized QSRs had a market size of 348 billion. Future growth in the segment will be driven by chains in the QSR market, which accounted for 54% of the total QSR sub-segment in FY20 and are estimated to reach 64% of the QSR sales by FY25, it said.

McDonald's opened 41 stores in FY24 Westlife Foodworld that operates McDonald's outlets in south and west India opened 41 stores in FY24 with a target of 45-50 stores in FY25. In 2022, the company had outlined plans to add 250-300 stores, most of them in small towns, over the next five years and double sales to more than 4,000 crore; it planned an investment of 1,400 crore then. The management of Devyani International that operates KFC, Costa Coffee, and Pizza Hut restaurants in India has also guided for 275-300 net new store additions in FY25, with 120-130 KFC stores, 70-80 Pizza Hut stores and 60-70 Costa Coffee stores.

Sapphire Foods India that, too, operates KFC and Pizza Hut outlets in India has retained its three-to-four year guidance of doubling the count of its outlets on the base of December 2021, according to the BNP Paribas.

Pact with PVR Inox Last month, Devyani International Ltd partnered cinema exhibitor PVR Inox Ltd, to jointly establish a company to develop and operate food courts within shopping malls in India.

Dominos Pizza India opened its first store in New Delhi in 1996; today it operates 2,000 pizza stores across 421 cities here. To be sure, Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd (JFL) operates the master franchise rights from Dominos Pizza in India and a few global markets.

Last month the company said it could potentially open over 5,500 Dominos Pizza stores in the six global markets it operates in the medium term up from the current 2,793 outlets in these markets.

And this | Starbucks India revenue up 12% in FY24, loss widens to  81 crore JFL has franchise rights for three global brands including Dominos Pizza, Popeyes and Dunkin; apart from operating two own brandsHongs Kitchen in India, and COFFY in Turkey. Overall, the food services company has a store network of 2,990 outlets.

In fact, the company also raised its guidance for Dominos in India taking up its mid-term guidance from 3,000 to 4,000 stores.

The company will add 200 stores annually in the near term and pick up the pace of expansion as demand trends improve.

And this | QSR pack in the soup, looks for a quick way out Head-room to grow in India is massivewe are present in about 421 cities. We will add 200 stores annually and try to increase it if there is a pick up in like-for-like growth. Indias economy is still growing at 7-8%. There could be near-term demand headwinds also driven by some of the capacity put out by other QSR players, but to me it is very short term. However, you will start seeing things changing in a few quarters for the industry as a whole, said Sameer Khetarpal, CEO and MD, Jubilant FoodWorks.

The company retained its previous guidance of putting 250 crore in capex annually for the next few years. One component is going into store expansion mostly for Dominos. Second is commissarieswe launched the Bangalore factory similarly, now we are opening the Mumbai factory. Lastly, theres investment in technology, he added.
Air traffic between Indian cities and select foreign destinations is set to boom as the government readies to permit more international flights, two people aware of the matter said. The plan comes in the wake of demand for more flights to and from India.

Consultations with the industry started before the election, as there is demand from some airlines as well as airports in India," one of the two people cited above said on condition of anonymity. The plan is to allow an increase in foreign flying rights to destinations where Indian carriers need to increase flights."

While consultations on which countries will benefit are yet to start, one of the people cited above said that some countries that may be considered could be destinations in the Middle East like Qatar and Dubai, where both sides have exhausted their flying rights.

The issue has split the Indian aviation industry, with new Indian airline Akasa Air and foreign airlines like Emirates and Saudia in favour of increasing flying rights, while Air India has clearly made its opposition known to any such move.

Understanding flying rights

International flights are permitted under so-called bilateral flying rights. For example, if India signs an agreement with, say, Australia to allow a certain number of flights by Indian carriers from India to Australia, Australian airlines can then launch the same number of flights to India.

India has such bilateral flying pacts with 116 countries. More rights mean more air traffic between two countries. However, Indian airlines have been unable to fully utilize their flying rights on some routes, while many of their foreign peers have exhausted these, and have been pressing for more.

Since taking charge in 2014, the Narendra Modi government has maintained that foreign carriers had gained an undue advantage in bilateral foreign flying rights and have built aviation hubs by sourcing their traffic from India.

What Indian airlines say

The international air traffic segment in the worlds third-largest and fastest-growing aviation market has come into the spotlight with Indian carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa placing orders of over 1,600 aircraft in a span of about 11 months.

While new airlines such as Akasa Air seek bilateral extensions on exhausted but lucrative markets such as Dubai, older carriers with renewed ambitions have been concerned about liberal bilateral extensions, fearing undue advantage to foreign carriers.

If we don't open up Dubai for the next 10 years, I can assure you that airfares to Dubai can reach ridiculous levels... We will continue to petition to increase bilaterals," Akasa Air founder and chief executive officer Vinay Dube said last week on the sidelines of the CAPA India Aviation summit.

However, Air India, the largest full-service carrier of overseas traffic with over 13% market share, has reiterated that granting bilateral rights to foreign carriers will impact the growth plans for Indian carriers in long-haul connectivity and the ambition of setting up a global aviation hub in India.

"We are committing to that (new aircraft) on the basis that there would be an economic return to that investment, which, if you add it all, is well over $100 billion. If the rug is pulled from under us, if we cant fill the aircraft, we will not take them," Air India chief executive officer and managing director Campbell Wilson said at the CAPA India aviation summit.

What foreign airlines say

Several foreign airlines, on the other hand, have firmed up plans to approach the government with their requests for an increase in flying rights.

Today, we have not exhausted the bilaterals in terms of number of seats per week, but we have hit the limit in terms of number of stations," Sanjiv Kapoor, executive vice-president, strategies of the Saudia Group told Mint. The relationship between the two countries is good. During those recurring discussions, we are hopeful that bilaterals will be expanded in terms of number of destinations and eventually also seats."

The bilateral air service agreement between Saudi Arabia and India permits designated airlines to operate a total of 20,000 seats per week in each direction, subject to a frequency of 75 flights per week.

However, it has just eight stations in India: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Chennai, Calicut, and Kochi; and three stations in Saudi Arabia: Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam.

We will like to expand to more places such as Kolkata, Ahmedabad...the growth is coming a lot from tier-II (cities)," Kapoor added.

Similarly, Emirates, the largest foreign carrier for India with around 10% share of international traffic to and from India, has also been seeking an increase in bilateral air travel rights between India and Dubai as the existing cap on seats is exhausted.

We have had 65,000 seats in each direction since 2015. That is nine years ago. If you are telling me that Indian market has not grown internally internationally in nine years, particularly between India-Dubai market... really?! The Indian community here is huge and in UAE, it grows all the time. It needs air services. The business case is staring government of India in the face. It is their call," Emirates president Tim Clark told Mint last week.

There has been no meaningful increase in bilateral flying rights with India for about 10 years now and the Indian diaspora has almost doubled in several countries during this period," an executive at another foreign airline said, requesting not to be named. This mismatch has led to a multifold increase in fares. The government should increase flying rights to ensure that fares stay under control and the travelling public benefits."

According to the latest data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, airlines carried 17.3 million passengers to and from India in October-December, with 7.7 million passengers, or 44.5% of the total, carried by Indian airlines and the remaining 55.5% carried by overseas carriers.

Also Read: Airlines to deploy more capacity this summer
Sellers of products including merino socks and hummingbird feeders say they have lost customers to online scammers who use the legitimate business owners videos, logos and social-media posts to assume their identities and steer customers to cheap knockoffs or simply take their money.

We used to think youd be targeted because you have a brand everywhere," said Alastair Gray, director of anticounterfeiting for the International Trademark Association, a nonprofit that represents brand owners. It now seems with the ease at which these criminals can replicate websites, they can cut and paste everything."

Technology has expanded the reach of even the smallest businesses, making it easy to court customers across the globe. But evolving technology has also boosted opportunities for copycats; ChatGPT and other advances in artificial intelligence make it easier to avoid language or spelling errors, often a signal of fraud.

Imitators also have fine-tuned their tactics, including by outbidding legitimate brands for top position in search results. These counterfeiters will market themselves just like brands market themselves," said Rachel Aronson, co-founder of CounterFind, a Dallas-based brand-protection company.

Policing copycats is particularly challenging for small businesses with limited financial resources and not many employees. Online giants such as Amazon.com and Meta Platforms say they use technology to identify and remove misleading ads, fake accounts or counterfeit products.

Large corporations have the in-house ability or can connect with outside counsel to monitor and take down content. They are multilingual," said Thomas Moga, a patent attorney in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Individuals and small businesses dont have that at the ready. They are really at a significant disadvantage."

Here are three small businesses battling these challenges:

Bee Cups

Jen Rose, a ceramist in Dallas, used Instagram, TikTok and Facebook to build a following for Bee Cups, tiny porcelain vessels that hold water for bees and other pollinators. Rose has about 50 retail partners, but most of her handmade cups are sold through her website, priced at $20 to $200.

This April, hundreds of fake listings began popping up on Amazon.com and other shopping platforms using Roses face and her images and videos to steal customers. Bee Cups now receives about 25 emails a day from people complaining that the watering cups they received are made of plastic or requesting a refund.

They are taking my images that show my face and my employees," said Rose, who was a professor of ceramics when she started Bee Cups in 2020. These videos are being translated into Dutch and Swedish and being put out overseas."

Amazon has a zero-tolerance policy for knockoff products and acts quickly to remove copycat listings and block accounts, a spokesman said. Artificial intelligence and other technologies have improved its ability to detect infringements. He said Amazon will also refund or replace items if shoppers are dissatisfied.

Andrea Porter, a beekeeper who lives near Spokane, Wash., received a set of fake Bee Cups in May from Amazon. They feel very cheaply made and smell awful," said Porter. I dont see them being safe for any pollinators."

Rose offers disgruntled buyers like Porter a $15 gift card if they send in the imitation cups, which are typically shipped from China. This spring, she took to Instagram to warn her 115,000 followers about the fakes.

The copycat explosion has had one unexpected benefit: Sales are up 30% this year. The fact that all of my videos were mass-produced by fake companies made me so much more visible," Rose said.

Bee Cups recently hired a law firm that works with Amazon and other platforms to remove the fake listings, but finds it difficult to stay ahead. I cant pay my lawyers to go after every single site," said Rose, who received a $27,000 legal bill for the month of April. It feels like Ive hit the viral mode for the scam products."

Merino socks

Darn Tough Vermont, a maker of merino socks, doesnt advertise discounts, and its markdowns are modest. That made it all the more surprising when ads started popping up on Facebook and Instagram promising large discounts on the 20-year-old companys products.

The ads carried Darn Toughs logo, images, photos and wording, all scraped from the companys website. The more you buy, the more you save," a banner across one ad promised. At the top was the address darntoughonline.shop.

There were few clues that the ads were fake, said Ryan Dahlstrom, global director of digital commerce for the Northfield, Vt., company. Theyd find an old ad we had run," he said, flip a 75% or 80% badge over that image and throw it up as a sponsored ad or a sponsored post."

Shoppers who took advantage of the special offers didnt receive Darn Tough socksor anything at all. Many called Darn Toughs customer service line to check when their merchandise would ship or to inquire if the discounts were legit.

Half of my day, five days a week was spent tracking down these websites, taking down these websites," Dahlstrom said. Platforms would sometimes take down bogus postings in days; other times, the process stretched for weeks.

Mark Lee, chief executive of MarqVision, a brand-protection company now working with Darn Tough, said some ads retargeted consumers who went to the original Darn Tough website, while others were aimed at shoppers who searched for socks or used other specific search terms.

The fake websites could only be reached by those receiving the bogus ads, making it tougher for Darn Tough to find them and take them down, he said.

Meta said it uses technology to prevent fake ads from being posted and to detect and remove them from Facebook and Instagram. Its against our policies to run ads that deceptively try to scam people," a Meta spokeswoman said.

Darn Tough and some of its customers have taken to social media to warn would-be buyers about the fake listings. Some fans have even incorrectly posted warnings on some of Darn Toughs official postings.

It became very clear," Dahlstrom said, that the consumer has a hard time differentiating between real and fake."

Hummingbird feeders

Jim Carter, an industrial designer, spent five years designing a helix-shaped hummingbird feeder with as many as 32 feeding ports, priced at roughly $50 to $60. It took scammers just weeks to steal his sales and a few weeks more for bad reviews to pile up.

Our entire business plan revolved around online sales," said Carter, who started his business, Ideam, in 2020. We had no idea we would be targeted, let alone targeted in such a mass way," he said. We assumed that this is a very small niche product."

Scammers stole images for the Denver companys Cascade Wild Bird Feeders, its marketing language and even a YouTube video of Reena Carter, Jim Carters wife and company co-founder, cleaning a bird feeder at the couples kitchen sink.

Howard Benham, a retired pilot, placed an order for the feeder on Amazon. What I got was a piece of junk from China," said Benham, who complained unsuccessfully to Amazon. He then reached out to Carter and learned he had purchased a fake.

Other buyers responded by posting negative online reviews for the impostor bird feeders. The week before the first fake listings appeared, Ideam sold $54,000 of bird feeders. They tumbled to just $537 last August as one-star reviews piled up.

Carter said he couldnt get Amazon to remove the bogus listings and reviews. Out of desperation, in October he took down his items from Amazon and restarted the listing process. Amazon removed the negative reviews in February after being contacted by Ideams attorney, Carter said.

Carter said he has struggled to get major search engines to remove fake results.

The Carters estimate they have lost more than $400,000 in sales and spent nearly $100,000 on fighting fakes. This has been a devastating financial blow," Carter said.

Write to Ruth Simon at Ruth.Simon@wsj.com
For listed gold loan providers Muthoot Finance Ltd and Manappuram Finance Ltd, high prices of the yellow metal and moderating competitive pressures have acted as catalysts. While Muthoot Finance has seen its stock rally 28% in the last three months, Manappuran has been slow, with a modest 4% increase.

In fiscal year 2024 (FY24), Muthoots gold loan business saw an 18% year-on-year increase in assets under management (AUM), surpassing its 15% target. For FY25, it has maintained the 15% growth guidance. Manappuram, on the other hand, reported a 9% growth in gold loan AUM in FY24 and expects better performance in FY25.

Read This: Gold finance cos enter FY25 with a bang

Recall that both the companies were seen as beneficiaries of the interim ban on peer IIFL Finance Ltd in March by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Plus, the intense competition from banks and other non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) that marked the pandemic era is easing.

As such, in Q4FY24, on an aggregate basis, banks' gold loan portfolios saw 15% growth compared with 19-26% reported in the previous four quarters, according to a Kotak Institutional Equities report.

Management from both Muthoot and Manappuram have downplayed concerns about the RBIs cap on cash disbursements in gold loans at 20,000, indicating no significant impact on their operations. They have seen robust gold loan growth even in April and May.

Margins and competition

Rising gold prices typically boost demand for gold loans, albeit with a lag, signalling a positive outlook for these lenders. However, margins need close monitoring.

Also This: Why the surge in gold loans raises red flags

Muthoots net interest margin (NIM) improved sequentially, driven by higher yields. The cost of borrowing is anticipated to rise to 9% from the current 8.55%. The management has expressed confidence in managing a 25-30 basis point increase in borrowing costs, potentially passing this on to customers. This stance marks a shift from Q3FY24 when the management suggested they would not increase rates despite rising costs. Ambit Capital attributes this optimism to reduced competitive intensity, especially with the larger IIFL out of the market.

Conversely, Manappurams NIM fell sequentially, hurt by the rise in cost of borrowing. Manappuram has a relatively higher share of non-gold loans in its portfolio and deterioration in asset quality is another concern. A particular pain point is that its subsidiary Asirvad MFI has continued to report asset quality deterioration and high credit costs. While exposure to non-gold segments has aided consolidated AUM growth of about 19% year-on-year in FY24, a Motilal Oswal Financial Services report has warned that rapid expansion in these areas could bring associated asset quality risks if not managed well.

To be sure, both companies have been diversifying to beat the cyclicality of the gold lending business. For Muthoot, the share of non-gold assets in consolidated AUM increased to 16% in Q4FY24 from 13% a year ago. This share is expected to be at 18-20% of the total assets over the next three-five years.

Despite the current rally in gold prices, Muthoot, relatively better placed, needs to monitor asset quality in its microfinance subsidiary, Belstar, closely. Further, the management expects traction in the vehicle finance segment to be muted due to its competitive nature and Muthoots limited presence in this market.

Among other things, branch expansion remains a significant growth driver for Muthoot, especially following its recent share price rally. The company opened 115 branches in FY24 and plans to add another 150-200 in FY25, a critical part of its customer acquisition strategy to drive further gold loan growth.

Also Read: Gold loan NBFCs make hay while sun shines
Investing in Healthy Life Agritec has demonstrated remarkable value for its shareholders. The stock has given multifold returns to its investors, skyrocketing 470 percent in a little over 2 months, since April 2024, from 3.80 in March 2024 end.

Overall, in 2024 YTD, the stock has rallied 309 percent, while, in the last 1 year, it has soared 190 percent.

It has advanced 19.5 percent in June so far after a 159.5 percent surge in May and an 84 percent jump in April. However, the stock fell 22.45 percent in March and 3.3 percent in February. Before that, in January, the stock gained 19 percent.

Read here: Q4 results 2024 effect: Penny stock jumps 10% despite stock market crash In the long-term as well, in the last 2 years, the scrip surged 148.6 percent. The stock hit its record high of 21.68 in intra-day deals today. It has soared 525 percent from its 52-week low of 3.47, hit on March 15, 2024.

It is important to note that the stock is currently trading under ASM LT: Stage 1

What is ASM? The ASM LT Stage 1, initiated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and stock exchanges, is a regulatory framework designed to oversee and regulate trading activities. When a stock enters ASM Stage 1, it signals that the stock has displayed unusual trading patterns or volatility warranting closer scrutiny. Criteria for inclusion in ASM Stage 1 include high price variation, client concentration, price fluctuation, and other indicators of potential market manipulation or speculative activity.

Read here: Multibagger stock: Magellanic Cloud soars 8166% in 5 years, 4078% in 3 years Stocks in ASM Stage 1 face stricter margin requirements, necessitating higher collateral for traders, thus reducing speculative trading. They may also encounter trading restrictions like limitations on intraday trading or mandatory delivery-based trading to curb excessive volatility and speculative transactions. Additionally, these stocks may be subject to narrower price bands, restricting their price movements within a single trading session to prevent abrupt and significant market disruptions.

Periodic reviews assess whether stocks should remain under surveillance or return to normal trading status based on their trading behaviour and compliance with surveillance measures.

Read here: Royal India: This penny stock gained 2474% in 3 years, gave positive returns in all months this year About the firm Healthy Life Agritec Ltd. is engaged in the business of trading raw milk in Maharashtra and live chicken and agro products in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The company was incorporated in November 2019, with its headquarters in Thane, Maharashtra. During the March 2022 quarter, the companys revenue from operations was 26.16 crore, up 534.95 percent against 4.12 crore in the March 2021 quarter.

Brokerage view According to ICICI Direct, Healthy Life exhibits notable strengths, including strong momentum, with its price consistently exceeding short, medium, and long-term moving averages. Additionally, the company demonstrates an uptrend in net cash flow and cash from operating activities.

Meanwhile, it's only weakness, as per the brokerage is Low Piotroski Score: Companies with weak financials.

Read here: Multibagger! KPI Green Energy zooms over 24400% in 4 years Investing in small-cap stocks with lower market capitalization can promise considerable gains owing to their affordable stock prices. Yet, this avenue entails notable risks. Small-cap stocks often suffer from limited liquidity, leading to fewer transactions compared to larger firms. Moreover, they commonly lack stringent financial reporting and oversight, rendering them susceptible to price manipulation and fraud.

Due to their restricted liquidity and oversight, small-cap stocks frequently showcase heightened volatility, amplifying risks for investors. Hence, conducting comprehensive research and implementing prudent risk management strategies are crucial to navigate the uncertainties linked with these stocks and minimise potential losses.
Investors of power-related stocks have enjoyed a remarkable run over the past few months. Bolstered by strong market fundamentals, increasing demand for renewable energy, and favorable government policies, these stocks have experienced significant gains. One standout in this category is Torrent Power, one of the largest companies in the countrys power sector.

In the last four sessions, Torrent Power shares gained nearly 10% after the BJP came to power for the third consecutive time, albeit this time as a coalition government for the first time in ten years. Analysts anticipate policy continuity and ongoing infrastructure investments under the potential third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Investors remain optimistic about the government's focus on enhancing the power sector, a cornerstone of its development agenda. This positive outlook, coupled with the company's strong order wins and improved fundamentals, has driven the stock to new heights in recent months. From a trading price of 449 apiece in January 2023, the shares have surged 240% to the current price of 1,531 apiece.

Over the last five years, the stock has returned over 525%. In the last decade, it has delivered an astounding 1151% return.

Steady order wins Torrent Power is strategically focusing on renewables to increase its generation capacity, aligning with its sustainability commitments and the government's aim to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. The company operates across the entire power value chaingeneration, transmission, and distribution.

This year, Torrent Power secured a notable renewable energy project, receiving a letter of award from its 'Distribution Unit' to set up a 150 MW wind-solar hybrid project with an investment of 1,825 crore in March.

This marks the second consecutive order win for its 'Distribution Unit' in under a month, following the acquisition of a letter of award for a 300 MW grid-connected wind-solar hybrid project valued at 3,650 crore.

Additionally, Torrent Power secured an order from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Limited (MSEDCL) worth 1,540 crore. In February, the company also received a letter of award from Railway Energy Management Company Limited (REMCL) for establishing grid-connected renewable power projects.

This venture involves installing approximately 325 MW of renewable capacity for the supply of 100 MW of RE-RTC power, valued at 2,700 crore. Investors responded positively to these order wins, as evidenced by the 64% rally in share price in CY24 so far.

The company has an aggregate installed generation capacity of 4,328 MWp comprising 2,730 MW of gas-based capacity, 1,236 MWp of renewable capacity, and 362 MW of coal-based capacity. Further, renewable projects of 3,041 MWp are under development.

Total generation capacity, including projects under advanced stages of development, is 7,369 MWp, as per the company's recent exchange filing.

Meanwhile, the company has also set ambitious plans for green hydrogen projects. The first pilot project on green hydrogen is being developed in Uttar Pradesh with the blending of green hydrogen with gas in the city gas distribution network in Gorakhpur.

Group market cap doubles in a year The rally in shares has propelled the group's market capitalisation to USD 20 billion ( 1.68 lakh crore) in the previous trading session, nearly doubling the market value in just a year.

The steady growth in the group's market capitalisation reflects robust financial performance, a sustained growth trajectory, and business expansions across verticals. Central to this growth strategy is a business model driven by acquisitions.

The group has already implemented a succession plan, with the third generation of founder UN Mehta, assuming prominent leadership roles across the businesses, PTI reported.

In terms of financial performance, the company reported a 33% increase in net profit to 1,656 crore for the fiscal year 202324, with revenue growth of over 12% to 10,728 crore.
Rallis India share price vaulted as much as 14 per cent to hit its fresh 52-week high of 320.95 in intraday trade on BSE on Monday, June 10, in an otherwise lacklustre market. Rallis India share price opened at 286.70 against its previous close of 281.85 and surged 13.9 per cent to hit its 52-week high level. Around 1:25 pm, Rallis India stock traded 12.3 per cent higher at 316.50 apiece on BSE, while the equity benchmark Sensex was 46 points, or 0.06 per cent, up at 76,739.

Rallis India shares have been in the green for the last four consecutive sessions. Taking today's high into consideration, the stock has jumped 25 per cent in June so far while the Sensex has gained 4 per cent in the same period.

The stock hit its 52-week low of 191.50 on BSE on June 9 last year, and at the market price of 320.95, it has surged 68 per cent from that level.

Should you buy the stock? Today's sharp gain in the stock followed the breakout of the rounding bottom pattern on the daily chart along with significant volume. Technical experts expect the stock to rise to the level of 400 in the near future.

"The overall trend for Rallis is bullish, with confluence from various technical indicators reinforcing the optimistic outlook. Given these signals, there is potential for the stock to achieve a target price of 380 & 400 in the near term," said Mandar Bhojane, an equity research analyst at Choice Broking.

Bhojane advises buying the stock on dips, particularly around 294, with a stop loss at 270.

Bhojane pointed out that the Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 76.7 and is on an upward trend, signifying a significant surge in buying momentum.

"Both RSI and Stochastic RSI in the overbought region suggest that positional traders may consider holding their positions, implementing a trailing stop loss," said Bhojane.

Santosh Meena, the head of research at Swastika Investmart underscored that Rallis is gaining momentum after breaking out from a double-bottom formation on the weekly time frame.

"The pattern suggests a potential move towards the previous all-time high of 362.6. On the downside, 290 will serve as immediate support, with a cluster of moving averages around 270 providing a key support level," said Meena.

However, some analysts believe this could be the right time to book some profit in the stock as there are indications that the stock may see a trend reversal.

Jigar S. Patel, Senior Manager of Equity Research at Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers, said investors should be cautious because the stock is nearing the completion of a bearish bat pattern, specifically around the price range of 330-335.

"The bearish bat pattern, a technical chart pattern part of the harmonic patterns family, typically signals a potential reversal from an uptrend to a downtrend once the price reaches the designated pattern completion zone. Given this context, it is prudent for investors to consider booking profits within the 320-340 price range to lock in gains from the recent upward momentum," said Patel.

"Initiating new long positions should be avoided due to the high risk of a downward reversal anticipated by the completion of the bearish Bat pattern," Patel said.o

Rallis India technical chart

Read all market-related news here
Shares of Raymond extended their winning streak for the fourth consecutive trading session on Monday, surging another 8.66% in today's early trade to reach a new record high of 2,685 per share.

This surge followed the announcement that the company's real estate division had been selected as the "Preferred Developer" for the redevelopment of MIG VI CHS Ltd. in Bandra East. Spanning 2 acres, the project is anticipated to generate revenue exceeding 2,000 crores over the project period.

This project marks Raymond's fourth venture in Mumbai, underscoring the company's strategic expansion efforts in the real estate sector. Strategically located in one of Mumbai's prime residential areas, the project holds significant promise for Raymond's real estate business.

"The company will pursue this project after internal and external approvals, as required. This is in line with the company's growth plans for real estate development in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the company said in its Sunday exchange filing.

Key focus on real estate division In 2019, Real Estate Business began operations by developing a prime land parcel in Thane, Maharashtra.

The revenue from the company's real estate has been growing steadily with each passing quarter. For the March ending quarter, the company reported a revenue of 677 crore from the real estate division, which is a 50% gain as compared to a revenue of 289 crore reported in the same period last year.

Also Read: RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 6.5%: What MPC policy means for home buyers

The company delivered stellar performance, with the total value of the bookings for the projects amounting to 2,249 crore during the year. The company aims to expand its real estate footprint beyond Thane into the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) through an asset-light joint development model.

The two new joint ventures that it has secured in Mahim and Sion, along with its existing project in Bandra, position it to generate over 5,000 crore in revenue apart from its Thane holdings.

Its portfolio includes affordable luxury apartments ranging from 1 to 4 BHK, catering to diverse segments of society.

Strategic outlook During FY24, Raymond Group sold its FMCG business and has now identified the core three businesses of lifestyle, real estate, and engineering as future growth pillars.

With the demerger of the lifestyle business into a separate entity, the parent company, Raymond Limited, will now have real estate and engineering businesses. The group has divested its FMCG business, with the trademarks Park Avenue (FMCG category), Premium, KS, and Kamasutra, to Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. (GCPL).

Also Read: RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 6.5%: What MPC policy means for home buyers

The transaction was an all-cash deal at an attractive valuation of 2,825 crore. Post this transaction, the Raymond Group has become net debt-free two years ahead of its stated guidance, with surplus cash available for future growth.

The company forayed into sunrise sectors of aerospace, defence and EV components by acquiring a 59.25% stake in the business of MPPL. The company aims to enhance the scale of the auto component business to better serve Tier 1 manufacturers across the aerospace, Defence, auto, and industrial sectors by leveraging its comprehensive product offerings and expertise.

Also Read: Sensex, Nifty 50 hit record high after PM Narendra Modi takes oath
Following an almost 64 percent rise in the stock in the last 1 year, domestic brokerage house Axis Securities has picked auto major Tata Steel as its 'top pick of the week'. This is due to reduced costs in Europe, increased capacity in India, lower coking coal prices, and strong operations in India.

The brokerage has a buy call on the stock with a target price of 179, implying a potential upside of 10 percent.

Tata Steel Group is one of the worlds largest steel companies with a steel production capacity of 35 mtpa. According to the World Steel Association (WSA), the group ranked 10th globally in terms of crude steel production (29.5 mtpa) in 2023. Established in India as Asias first integrated private steel company in 1907, the group has a presence across the entire value chain of steel manufacturing, including producing and distributing finished products as well as mining & processing iron ore and coal for steel production.

Read here: Marico share price up over 31% in less than 3 months. Good time to buy? Stock Price Trend The stock has surged over 64 percent in the last 1 year and 30 percent in 2024 YTD. The stock has jumped over 8 percent in June so far, extending gains for the 5th straight month. The auto major added 1.3 percent in May, 5.8 percent in April, 10.65 percent in March, and 3.6 percent in February. However, it was in the red in the first month of the year, down 2.6 percent in January.

The scrip hit its record high of 182.10 in intra-day deals today. However, the stock has rallied over 68 percent from its 52-week low of 108.15, hit on June 26, 2023.

Read here: NBFC stock Mufin Green hits 10% upper circuit after ACUITE ratintg upgrade March quarter earnings In the March quarter, Tata Steel posted a 64.8 percent fall in its consolidated net profit at 554.6 crore, compared to 1,566 crore in the corresponding period last year. The revenue from operations for India's second-biggest steelmaker by market capitalisation, however, fell 6.8 percent to 58,687.3 crore in the March quarter as against 62,961 crore in the year-ago period.

In India, which is a structurally attractive market, we have delivered improved margins and continued to expand our footprint in terms of volumes as well as product portfolio. Our domestic deliveries were best ever at around 19 million tons and were up nine percent YoY with broad-based improvement across chosen market segments,'' said T V Narendran, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD), Tata Steel.
Doctors navigate a noble yet high-stakes profession where even a minor error can result in severe, sometimes fatal, consequences.

Consider the case of a Gujarat-based doctor whose patient, after a successful emergency caesarean section, experienced severe complications due to a nurse's oversighta towel left inside her abdomen. This medical negligence led to a demand for 30 lakh in compensation. Fortunately, the doctor had professional indemnity (PI) insurance, which provided crucial financial support during the legal dispute.

"The doctor was our client. Our legal team helped the doctor prepare all the necessary legal documents required to be submitted to the insurance company for the settlement of the claim. The doctor chose to engage his own lawyer to negotiate the claimed amount, successfully reducing it from 30 lakh to 15 lakh," says Deepankar Mahajan, chief executive, CoverYou, a Gurgaon-based insure-tech firm.

The importance of professional indemnity insurance

In severe cases, claims can reach exorbitant amounts.

For instance, the Supreme Court awarded 5.96 crore, the highest ever, in compensation for Anuradha Saha, a US-based psychologist who died due to medical negligence during her visit to India. With interest, the total compensation reached 11 crore.

While large hospitals often mandate PI insurance for their practitioners, independent doctors might overlook its importance. Even those who purchase it may not fully grasp the policy's features.

PI insurance covers financial costs for hospitals, doctors, nurses, or other medical practitioners sued for bodily injury or death caused by error, omission, or negligence. "In many jurisdictions PI Insurance is mandatory for doctors to procure and maintain their medical licence. Not only financial protection, but this insurance also provides them peace of mind, boosting their confidence to have safer practice," says Mahajan of CoverYou.

View Full Image (Graphics: Mint)

Features and considerations

The sum insured, or limit of indemnity, is available once per policy year and depends on factors such as specialization, experience, and patient profile. Premiums are paid annually, and policies include a 'compulsory excess' clause, requiring the policyholder to bear a fixed amount before the insurer covers the remaining claim. For example, if a claim is 5 lakh and the compulsory excess is 20,000, the insurer pays 4.8 lakh.

Some policyholders opt for 'voluntary excess' to reduce premiums, agreeing to cover part of the claim before the insurance activates.

Prominent insurers offering PI insurance include ICICI Lombard, Reliance General Insurance, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, Future Generali India Insurance, and United India Insurance. Additionally, insurtech platforms like SecureNow, CoverYou, and Policybazaar facilitate the purchase of these policies.

"A medical practitioner should consider three things before buying a PI plan: benefits offered in the plan, the lawyer panel of the service provider, and claims settlement ability of the service provider. A doctors professional indemnity is a specialized plan, and should be bought from a specialized consultant with deep domain experience," says Abhishek Bondia, principal officer and managing director at SecureNow.in.

While SecureNow and Policybazaar are comprehensive insurance broking firms, CoverYou focuses on medical professionals.

"Our medico-legal team can help out doctors with legal requirements but they are free to choose their own lawyer. We also provide a wide network of senior doctors who can advise medical practitioners for what should be done. Such advice coming from a doctor boosts their confidence," notes Mahajan.

Filing a claim

When a complaint is filed, the insured should immediately lodge a claim with the insurance company. Required documents include the claim form, policy document, legal notice, lawyer replies, medical registration certificate, and all patient-related documents.

Medico-legal cases tend to be complex, involving the health and life of the patients. Often, doctors are accused of poor outcomes, which are completely beyond their control. It is important to work with medico-legal experts, who have prior experience in responding to such cases," says Bondia. Two specific aspects stand out. First, substantial loss mitigation can happen through pre-litigation intervention. Second, out-of-court settlement can help minimize protracted legal battle and linked reputational damage for the doctor. Both the aspects should be covered in the policy to ensure a smooth claims settlement experience."

In a recent case, Bondia's team handled an allegation of negligence against a radiologist for failing to detect congenital defects during pregnancy scans. "While the fault could not be clearly established, we helped settle the case out-of-court on humanitarian grounds. Against a claim of around 50 lakh, it was finally settled for 20 lakh," he says.

Professional indemnity insurance, thus, is indispensable for medical practitioners, offering vital protection and peace of mind in a high-risk profession.
The Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been long considering enhancing investments by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in India by facilitating increased participation from non-resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), Resident Indians (RIs) as constituents of FPIs that are based out of International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. IFSC is regulated by the Internal Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA).



Also Read: Why did FPIs dump 25,586 crore worth of Indian shares in MayExplained with 4 key reasons

The current FPI regulations issued by SEBI states that NRIs or OCIs or RIs may be constituents of the FPI, however, the contribution of a single NRI or OCI or RI shall be below 25% of the total contribution in the corpus of the FPI and the aggregate contribution of NRIs, OCIs and RIs shall be below 50% of the total contribution in the corpus of the FPI.

Over the years, there has been a constant demand for channelling more NRI/ OCI/ RI investments in the Indian securities markets by facilitating greater participation of NRIs/ OCIs/ RIs in the corpus of the FPIs. The Honble Finance Minister had also acknowledged in the budget speech in July 2019 that even though India is the world's top remittance recipient, NRI investment in Indian capital markets is comparatively less.



Also Read: Mutual fund investors, NRIs get a KYC breather from Sebi

NRIs/ OCIs can currently invest directly in India through the Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) route. However, the PIS route restricts NRIs from investing in India through overseas pooled structures managed by professional managers, thereby depriving them of the benefit of investment management by professionals.

Of late, SEBI had received requests from IFSCA to permit greater participation of NRIs/ OCIs in IFSC based funds that invest in the Indian securities markets through the FPI route.

The reservations on allowing access to the securities markets to NRIs/ OCIs through Overseas Corporate Bodies (OCBs) (entities owned directly or indirectly at least 60% by NRIs/ OCIs) have been linked to the stock market scam of 2001, due to their close proximity with Indian entities/ promoters of Indian entities. Some Indian promoters were suspected to have been using these OCBs as their fronts. Also, there was difficulty in gathering information about the ultimate beneficiaries of such OCBs. Given the risk associated with OCBs, the same was withdrawn in 2003.



Also Read: Demat Account for NRI: What are the financial instruments one can invest it?

While SEBI is still wary of allowing NRIs/ OCIs/ or RIs to be constituents of FPIs as it perceives the above risks to exist today as well, IFSCA has stated that the risks associated with NRI/ OCI/ RIs owned entities trading in the Indian securities markets through the FPI route may be suitably addressed in case of funds based out of IFSC, as IFSCA, which is, in essence, an Indian regulator, shall regulate such funds.

IFSCA had, therefore, suggested that under the supervision of an Indian regulator, administered under the laws of the land, the investment vehicles in IFSC may be liberalised from the NRI/ OCI participation limits and placed as a regulated and optimal avenue for channelling NRI/ OCI investments into India.

In light of the above, in August 2023, SEBI had released a consultation paper to invite comments for various stakeholders.

After detailed deliberations with various stakeholders including IFSCA, on 30 April 2024, the SEBI Board has approved 100% contribution by NRIs, OCIs, RIs in the corpus of the FPIs based out of IFSC in India, regulated by IFSCA. Notification in this regard is yet to be issued by SEBI.

On 2 May 2024, IFSCA has issued a circular (which is effective immediately) summarising the SEBI Boards decision for increased participation by NRIs and OCIs in Indian securities through IFSC based FPIs under 2 alternative routes as under:

Alternative route 1: NRI/ OCI/ RIs investors may contribute up to 100% in the corpus of IFSC based FPIs where such FPIs will be, inter alia, required to submit copies of Permanent Account Number (PAN) (or other suitable documents in the absence of the same), of all their NRI/ OCI/ RI individual constituents, along with their economic interests in the FPI, to the DDP. The modalities for this alternative shall be specified by SEBI.

Alternative route 2: NRI/ OCI/ RI investors may contribute up to 100% in the corpus of IFSC based FPIs without the FPI being required to submit the above-mentioned documents, provided it satisfies certain conditions.

Some of these key conditions are; the fund management entity shall independently take investment decisions without being influenced by the investors in the FPI; such FPI shall be restricted from co-investments; the FPI shall have at least 20 investors with no single investor accounting for more than 25% of the corpus of the FPI; the FPI shall not invest more than 20% of its assets under management in the securities of a single investee company; the investment manager of the FPI is an Asset Management Company of a SEBI registered Mutual Fund which is sponsored by a RBI regulated Bank or its IFSC based subsidiary/ branch.

In August 2023, SEBI mandated FPIs to provide granular details of all constituents of the FPI, on a full look through basis, up to the level of all natural persons, without any threshold, subject to certain exemptions. Similar criteria for disclosure of granular details have also been laid down for FPIs based in IFSC.

There is a merit in the relaxation provided for NRIs/ OCIs/ RIs being part of FPIs based in IFSC as the same should boost the already bullish Indian capital markets. The FPI in IFSC would be required to obtain a fund management registration and a Cat III AIF licence as well. Currently, the Indian income-tax laws exempt non-resident investors (including NRIs/ OCIs) of Cat III AIFs from obtaining a PAN, subject to certain conditions. However, the same is inconsistent as PAN would now be required (under alternative 1 mentioned above) going forward as mentioned by SEBI for NRIs/ OCIs proposing to be part of FPIs based in IFSC.

Also, the condition for the fund manager entity to be a RBI regulated banks sponsored AMC in alternative 2 above would discourage the implementation of the abovementioned SEBI/ IFSCA proposal.
By Max A. Cherney

TAIPEI (Reuters) -A two-year legal battle pitting two tech titans threatens to disrupt an emerging wave of new personal computers powered by artificial intelligence, tech industry executives and experts say.

A parade of executives from Microsoft, Asus, Acer and others joined Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon on stage last week at the annual Computex trade show in Taipei to pitch a new generation of AI-powered PCs.

But the main conversation among conference attendees was over how a contract dispute between Arm Holdings and Qualcomm, which work together to make the chips powering these new laptops, could abruptly halt the shipment of new PCs that industry leaders expect will make Microsoft and its partners billions of dollars.

Rough projections suggest Microsoft expects to take roughly 5% of the market with the Arm-based laptops by the end of the year, selling about 1 million to 2 million units.

Nearly two dozen models ranging from Microsoft, Dell and Samsung are expected to ship to consumers June 18.

An Arm victory in the litigation could force Qualcomm and its roughly 20 partners, including Microsoft, to halt shipments of the new laptops.

"It's definitely a real risk," said Doug O'Laughlin, the founder of chip financial analysis firm Fabricated Knowledge. "The more successful (the laptops are), the more fees Arm can get eventually."

The British company, which is majority-owned by Japan's SoftBank Group, sued Qualcomm in 2022 for failing to negotiate a new license after it acquired a new company. The suit revolves around technology that Qualcomm, a designer of mobile chips, acquired from a business called Nuvia that was founded by Apple chip engineers and which it purchased in 2021 for $1.4 billion.

Arm builds the intellectual property and designs that it sells to companies such as Apple and Qualcomm, which they use to make chips. Nuvia had plans to design server chips based on Arm licenses, but after the acquisition closed, Qualcomm reassigned its remaining team to develop a laptop processor, which is now being used in Microsoft's latest AI PC, called Copilot .

Arm said the current design planned for Microsoft's Copilot laptops is a direct technical descendant of Nuvia's chip. Arm said it had cancelled the license for these chips.

"Arm's claim against Qualcomm and Nuvia is about protecting the Arm ecosystem and partners who rely on our IP and innovative designs, and therefore enforcing Qualcomm's contractual obligation to destroy and stop using the Nuvia designs that were derived from Arm technology," an Arm spokesperson said.

Qualcomm has said that its broad license for Arm technology already covers its PC chips, and a Qualcomm spokesperson said its position has not changed since Arm filed the suit in 2022.

"Arm's complaint ignores the fact that Qualcomm has broad, well-established license rights covering its custom-designed CPUs, and we are confident those rights will be affirmed," Ann Chaplin, Qualcomm's general counsel, said in a 2022 statement.

FRENEMIES

On top of this legal dispute is another level of complexity because the exclusive deal to supply laptop builders with its chips expires this year, opening up the market to Qualcomm's competitors.

Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices are working on chips, Reuters reported last year. And other design companies will join the fray and make chips for Microsoft's new effort, industry executives have said.

Yet, because the initial batch of Windows designs for Microsoft's new Copilot laptop program are based on Qualcomm's processors, the litigation is an undercurrent that exists but often goes unmentioned in public.

Despite the public fight between two companies that rely on each other for revenue and profit, some investors and analysts believe they will reach a settlement well ahead of the trial, which is scheduled to begin in the federal court in Delaware in December.

"There is a degree of absurdity of Arm suing its second-biggest customer, and Qualcomm being sued by its largest supplier," said Jay Goldberg, the CEO chief of D2D Advisory, a finance and strategy consulting firm.
BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP)  The government of the Central African Republic suspended a Chinese mining companys operations in the country, accusing it of cooperating with armed militias, a government decree said.

The country's ministry of mines accused Daqing SARL, a Chinese gold and diamond mining company, of intelligence with armed groups, illegal exploitation, illegal introduction of foreign subjects into mining areas, non-payment of taxes and lack of activity reports, in the decree, which was made public Saturday.

Daqing SARL operated in Mingala, a town in the south of the Central African Republic that has been plagued by fighting between the country's armed forces and the Coalition of Patriots for Change, an anti-government armed group.

The Central African Republic has been in conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced the President Francois Bozize from office. Mostly Christian militias fought back.

A 2019 peace deal only lessened the fighting, and six of the 14 armed groups that signed later left the agreement. The Coalition of Patriots for Change was founded in 2020 in the aftermath of the agreement.

The country remains one of the poorest in the world despite its vast mineral wealth of gold and diamonds among others. Rebel groups have operated with impunity across the embattled country over the past decade, thwarting mining exploration by foreign companies.
BJP leader and IT Cell head Amit Malviya has filed a defamation suit against Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) member Santanu Sinha over allegations that he had "indulged" in sexual exploitation of women.

Seeking an "unconditional apology" from Sinha in connection with the "extremely offensive" post on Facebook, Malviya, on June 8, through his advocate, sent a legal notice to Santanu asking him to take down the "false and derogatory" post on the social media platform.

Also Read | Modi Cabinet 3.0 LIVE updates: Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh  who gets which portfolio? First meeting shortly "The nature of allegations are extremely offensive in as much as, they falsely allege sexual misconduct purportedly committed by my client. The same is fatally injurious to the dignity and reputation of my client, who, by virtue of his professional profile, is a public figure. Such malevolently malicious statements have been deliberately made to tarnish his reputation (SIC)," the notice read, according to newswire ANI.

Malviya has asked Sinha to remove the post within three days from the date of the notice, which ends on Sunday.

Also Read | Shah Rukh Khan, Mukesh Ambani bond over a drink at Rashtrapati Bhavan "I, the undersigned, therefore call upon you to issue a public apology and take down/remove your defamatory statement(s) given against my client across all public platforms within three (3) days of receipt of this legal notice, failing which my client will be constrained to take appropriate legal action against you Including prosecuting you for civil and criminal defamation at your risk and cost. Further, I call upon you to pay a sum of INR 10 crore as civil damages for the mental harassment, agony and loss of reputation caused to my client that has been caused to my client via your Facebook post dated June 7, 2024," the notice read.

"I am not saying Amit Malviya did misconduct with women or exploited them. I have just raised the question  will the Bengal leaders keep their posts by supplying women to leaders like Amit Malviya or others?, Sinha told India Today.

Also Read | MCA chief Amol Kale passes away due to cardiac arrest in New York I will stick to my allegations that there are some men in Bengal BJP, who are enjoying posts by supplying women to leaders," Sinha further added.

Sinha Not Associated With RSS? India Today reported, citing sources, that the RSS has said that Santanu Sinha is not and has never been associated with the organisation in any official capacity.

Congress seeks independent probe Meanwhile, Congress has sought immediate action against the BJP IT cell head.

Addressing a press conference, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said, "An RSS member, Shantanu Sinha, related to BJP leader Rahul Sinha, has said that the BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya has indulged in nefarious activities. He indulges in the sexual exploitation of women. Not just in 5-star hotels but alsoin BJP offices in West Bengal. The only thing that we seek from the BJP is justice for women."

Shrinate demanded an independent probe into the incident and said Malviya should be removed from his position.
New Delhi: The Centre is planning a special focus on reducing imports of pulses and edible oil, increasing ethanol supply and stabilizing food prices as part of its 100-day agenda, a senior official said.

This will involve introducing stringent policy measures similar to those taken over the past one-and-a- half years.

The agriculture ministry is drafting a new scheme to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses by 2027 in a bid to cut the governments huge outgo in importing pulses and edible oil to boost the domestic suppply.

Also read | Centre to crackdown on tur and urad dal hoarders amid soaring prices In the 2023-24 financial year, Indias import bill was $854.8 billion as against $898 billion in FY23. Agricultural exports alone in FY24 touched $48.9 billion, registering an 8% decline from $53.2 billion in FY23.

Though agricultural imports fell due to a dip in edible oils imports, pulse imports hit a six-year high. The country spent $3.75 billion on importing pulses and $14.8 billion on vegetable oils against the previous years $1.94 billion and $20.84 billion, respectively, according to the commerce ministry.

Focus on oilseeds, pulses, biofuel Our 100-day agenda will surely focus on oilseeds, pulses and biofuel other than welfare of 140 million farmers. However, a major focus will be on reducing the import bill. Another very important thing is price stabilization of agricultural commodities, a senior official said.

We are trying to gain self-sufficiency in pulses in the coming 3-4 years. We are open to all kinds of support like we have in oilseeds. A new programme focusing on development is being prepared to promote pulses production in a big way and it is expected to come out in the next few days.

"We are working on SoPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and depending on budgetary allocation; we will take the programme forward, the official added.

Also read | Govt to procure tur, masur dal from farmers to boost thinning buffers India is a net importer of edible oils, with 57% of the total bought from various countries, notably Indonesia and Malaysia. This is negatively impacting India's foreign exchange by $20.56 billion, the official said.

Measures towards self-sufficiency The government launched the National Mission for Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) in 2021 to increase oil palm cultivation and boost crude palm oil production to 1.1 million tonnes by 2025-26.

Similarly, the government has been taking measures to make the country self-sufficient in the production of pulses and is implementing the National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses. In January cooperation minister Amit Shah said Indian farmers produced 19 million tonnes of pulses in 2013-14 which rose to 26 million tonnes in 2022-23. But we should not be satisfied with this and we must create such a system in which by 2027 we can not only stop the import of pulses but also export it.

Also read | India's pulses imports in Jan-March drop 29% on tight supplies India relies on imports to meet its domestic demand of about 28 million tonnes for three types of pulsestur (pigeon pea), urad (black gram) and masur (lentil), primarily from purchases from Australia, Canada, Russia, Myanmar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Sudan and Malawi.

Despite some improvement since 2011, the gap between demand and supply of pulses is widening and has necessitated annual imports of 2.5-3 mt of pulses in the past few years.
In his congratulatory message to Narendra Modi on his re-election for the third successive term as the Prime Minister of India, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday, June 10, that Canada is ready to work with PM Modi's government to strengthen the relationship between the two nations.

Responding to the Canadian Prime Minister's message, Modi emphasized the importance of mutual understanding and respect for each other's interests, expressing optimism about future collaborations with Canada.

Trudeau congratulated PM Modi, underscoring the desire to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Canada. He stressed the significance of human rights, diversity, and the rule of law in anchoring their ties.

Also Read | Paytm share price Today Live Updates : Paytm stock shows positive momentum on the market today

Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his electoral victory. Canada stands ready to work with his government to advance the relationship between our nations peoplesanchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law," the Canadian PM's office wrote on X.

In response, PM Modi thanked Trudeau for his message and stated India's readiness to collaborate with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each other's concerns.

"Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each other's concerns," PM Modi wrote on X.

The relationship between India and Canada was strained, particularly after the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, Canada, last year. Canada implicated alleged Indian agents in the murder, a claim India has vehemently denied.

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India has repeatedly criticized Canada for allegedly harbouring anti-India and Khalistani elements.
A survivor of the Reasi attack said on Monday that the terrorists kept firing at the bus even after it fell into a gorge to ensure everyone was killed, according to a report by India Today TV. The survivor added that passengers pretended to be dead to survive.

They were six to seven terrorists with their faces covered with masks. Initially, they fired on the bus by covering it from all sides of the road. When the bus fell, they came towards it and kept firing to ensure everyone was killed, one survivor told India Today.

Eyewitness Accounts Emerge I saw one of the terrorists firing at the bus. He kept firing at the bus for 20 minutes even after it fell into a gorge, another survivor told India Today.

The eyewitness said that passengers remianed silent to make the terrorists believe they were dead. The incident happened 30 minutes after we took the bus for Vaishno Devi from Shivkhorhi (Reasi) at 6 pm (on Sunday). We were afraid and just wanted to get back to our homes. There were kids and women also on the bus, and all got injured. Police and locals arrived to rescue us after 10 to 15 mins of this attack, the survivor added.

One survivor also spoke to ANI about the attack. I went for darshan of Shiv Khori. While returning, some people opened fire on our bus. Later, the bus fell into a ditch. Several people were injured in the incident. The firing did not stop even after the bus fell. I think there were 2-3 (terrorists) there. My son saw a man firing on our bus from behind

Speaking to ANI, Rajesh Kumar Mishra, father of injured Atul Kumar Mishra, said his son and daughter-in-law are injured but doing fine, adding that this cowardly attack should not happen again and requesting PM Modi to give a befitting reply to Pakistan.

My son Atul Kumar Mishra left for Vaishno Devi on 6th June. He reached there on 7th June and stayed on 8th June... When he was returning on the 9th, at 5:30 pm, terrorists attacked the bus, after which the bus fell into the ditch. My son has injuries on his arms and forehead, and my daughter-in-law is also injured. They are doing fine, and I was able to talk to them quite a few times... They will come back today or tomorrow... Pakistan was not happy with PM Modi taking the oath. I request PM Modi to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. This cowardly attack should not happen again... Mishra told ANI.

Ex-Gratia Approved for Victims Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has authorised an ex-gratia payment of 10 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed in the Reasi bus terror attack on Sunday, PTI reported, citing an announcement made by an official spokesman on June 10.

Additionally, the report added that Sinha has sanctioned 50,000 for each person injured in the attack.

A control room has been created by the district administration to provide all necessary assistance to those affected. Efforts are on to neutralise the perpetrators of the terror attack, the spokesman said.

What We Know So Far The incident occurred on June 9 (Sunday), when terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying pilgrims in J&K's Reasi district. Nine people were killed, and 41 others were injured in the attack on the 53-seater bus.

The vehicle was travelling from Shiv Khori temple to Katra when it veered off the road and, after coming under fire, plunged into a deep gorge near Teryath village in the Poni area.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) team has reached Reasi to assist the police in assessing the ground situation, officials said on Monday. The NIA's forensic team is also trying to aid evidence collection from the ground, said sources.

Security forces launched a massive cordon and search operation on June 10 to track down terrorists responsible for the attack.
Kanagan Ranaut slapgate: Several Bollywood actors have come forward to support actor-turned-MP Kangana Ranaut denouncing the violence after she was slapped by a CISF constable Kulwindar Kaur.

Bollywood actors such as Hrithik Roshan, Alia Bhat, Sonakshi Sinha, director Zoya Akhtar among others have shown their support to the newly elected MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi.

Reacting to Kangana slap row, in an Instagram post on Sunday, journalist Faye D'souza said that violence can never be the answer, "Especially in our country that was born out of Gandhi's ideals of non-violence."

In a post, she added, "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," the post reads.

She also said that it doesn't matter how much we disagree with views and statements made by someone, we cannot react with violence and we should not condone it.

Soon, several actors, including Hrithik, Alia, Sonakshi Sinha, Zoya Akhtar liked the D'Souza's post on social media platform.

Kangana hits out On Saturday, Kangana hit out at those justifying a salp and said "Every rapist, murderer or thief always has a strong emotional, physical, psychological or financial reason to commit a crime."

She also suggested taking up yoga and meditation or else life would become a bitter and burdensome experience.

What happened On June 6, when Kangana Ranaut was headed to Delhi from Chandigarh airport after getting elected as MP from Mandi, she was slapped by the CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur during security check for he old statement on farmers during their protest.

Kulwinder Kaur, who is from a farmer's family, said that her mother was also among the protesters.
As the southwest monsoon arrived in Mumbai and other districts of Maharashtra on Sunday, residents of the maximum city experienced respite from the scorching heatwave.

According to the official handle of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Tagore Nagar in Mumbai received the highest rainfall of 158.2 mm in just five hours, from 8 pm to 1 am.

The BMC said several areas witnessed rainfall ranging from 100 to 150 mm. The average rainfall in the city area was 99.11 mm, while the eastern suburbs recorded 61.29 mm and the western suburbs recorded 73.78 mm.

The head of the India Meteorological Department, Sunil Kamble, told newswire ANI, We have issued an Orange alert for heavy rain in Mumbai, Thane, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Latur, and Nanded for the next 24 hours. Today, Mumbai received more than 65 mm of rainfall.

The weather department warned on June 9 that Madhya Maharashtra is very likely to receive very heavy rainfall on June 9 and 10, and the same condition may persist on June 11.

In a post on X, IMD issued a red alert and said, Madhya Maharashtra is very likely to get isolated heavy (64.5-115.5 mm) to very heavy rainfall (115.5-204.4 mm) with extremely heavy falls (>204.4 mm) on 09th & 10th June and isolated heavy (64.5-115.5 mm) to very heavy rainfall (115.5-204.4 mm) on 11th June, 2024.

According to the IMD, the monsoon arrived in Mumbai on Sunday, two days ahead of the regular schedule, citing favourable conditions along the Maharashtra coast.

The heavy rains resulted in waterlogging in many areas, including Byculla, Sion, Dadar, Mazgaon, Kurla, Vikhroli, and Andheri. This severely impacted vehicular movement and caused long traffic jams. Local train services were also delayed as water accumulated on the tracks.

Other parts of Maharashtra: According to the weather bulletin, here are the updates for various Maharashtra cities.

Raigad, Thane, Sholapur, Nanded, Latur, and Dharashiv: IMD has issued an orange alert for June 10, as it expects very heavy rainfall with lightning and gusty winds (50-60 Kmph) at isolated places. It also sounded a yellow alert for June 11 with similar conditions.

Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg: IMD issued an orange alert for both cities on June 10 and 11. The weather agency predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places.

IMD has issued a yellow alert for the next couple of days in these districts: Pune, Dhule, Ahmednagar, Nasik, Satara, Kolhapur, Jalgaon, Nandurbar, Sangli, Sambhaji Nagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Akola, Amravati, Bhandara, Buldhana, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Nagpur Wardha, Wasim, Yawatmal.
The NDA government assigned the portfolios for the newly elected ministers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet on Monday, June 10.

Suresh Gopi, the Bharatiya Janata Party's sole Lok Sabha MP from Kerala, was appointed to two significant roles today.

Transitioning from acting to politics, he now holds the positions of Minister of State for Tourism & Culture and Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas.

Suresh won the Thrissur seat in the recently concluded Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Gopi became the face of the 'Modiyude Guarantee' (Modi's Guarantee) promise to Kerala.

Also read: Nirmala Sitharaman retains finance ministry

After winning the Lok Sabha seat, Gopi said, As an MP, I can do the work of various ministries. I do not want to be a minister. There can be new revolutionary working platforms."

All I want is that when I go with a project for the people of Kerala with determination, the ministries concerned should implement it," he was quoted by the news agency PTI.

Rumour of Suresh Gopi resigning from Modi 3.0 Council of Ministers Also read: Modi 3.0 Cabinet Live Updates: JP Nadda handed Health ministry; Chirag Paswan gets Food Processing

Earlier today, Suresh Gopi cleared up rumours that he was resigning from the Modi 3.0 Council of Ministers, saying that they were grossly incorrect.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gopi said, A few media platforms are spreading the incorrect news that I am going to resign from the Council of Ministers of the Modi Government. This is grossly incorrect."

Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji, we are committed to the development and prosperity of Kerala," he added.

Earlier in the day, the Kerala unit of the Congress took a dig at the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that Gopi, who took oath as a minister on Sunday, now wants to quit because he wants to do films!"
Startups in India are eagerly awaiting the new government's policies to address their unique requirements, such as strengthening the policy directions, better technology, research & development, and financial market stability. With targeted policies and essential resources, the government can foster an environment conducive to the growth and success of startups nationwide.

Rahul Mishra, Co-founder and Director of Policy Ensure stated that the insurance sector anticipates a significant post-election shift that could redefine its trajectory. We believe the insurance industry will sustain its quest to improve financial inclusion by reaching the general public, especially in tier 2 and 3 cities.

We also expect strengthened regulations to enhance customer protection. Furthermore, changes in policies concerning digital enterprise and emerging technologies may influence the insurance market post-election. The anticipated reduction in capital requirements may attract more companies to the insurance sector under a composite license regime, leading to increased competition and innovation, he said.

Continuing the trend of government policy over the past decade, the initial 100 days will likely focus on facilitating ease of doing business and digitalizing the economy, said TeamLease Regtech Director and Co-founder Sandeep Aggarwal. He noted that the interim budget had already given young entrepreneurs a peek into the development roadmap with Viksit Bharat.

The Modi government should double down on technology, research & development, infrastructure development and financial assistance to support startups and MSMEs, he said, adding that the economic railway corridor programmes will increase connectivity and open up growth avenues.

The long-due labour reforms will further resolve the complexity around compliance and reduce the intricacies associated with formalisation for MSMEs. DPI has already made digital services affordable and accessible to the general populace, the TeamLease Regtech co-founder said.

As India processes a tighter-than-expected race to the Centre, the business community, particularly startups and entrepreneurs, looks forward to the newly elected government's policy directions, said Olyv CEO and Co-founder Rohit Garg.

Key expectations are around fast-tracking digitisation and providing robust support through tax incentives, subsidies, digital infrastructure improvements, and easier access to credit. As the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, India stands at a crucial juncture where policy continuity is vital for new-age businesses to thrive and compete globally, he said.
Modi Govt 3.0: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his third term on Monday, he sought the blessings of former president Pratibha Patil and former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda, news agency PTI reported.

The PTI report, citing official sources, added that Modi spoke to them soon after he assumed charge on Monday morning.

He took oath on Sunday along with 71 other ministers, including 30 cabinet-rank ministers, at the swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Patil was president and Dr Singh prime minister during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. At the same time, Devegowda was prime minister during the United Front government supported by the Congress.

Devegowda's party, Janata Dal (Secular), is also an ally in the present National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, and his son HD Kumaraswamy is a minister in the Modi 3.0 cabinet.

Modi 3.0 government An official statement said President Droupadi Murmu directed the allocation of portfolios to 72 Union Council of Ministers, including the prime minister, as advised by Modi.

Modi has retained Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar in charge of the four high-profile ministries - home, defence, finance and external affairs, respectively, in his new government.

Among new entrants to the Union Cabinet, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been given the agriculture and rural development ministries, while BJP president JP Nadda has returned to the health ministry, which he held in the Modi government's first term before he took charge of the BJP as working president in 2019.

Ashwini Vaishnaw has retained crucial railways, electronics, and information technology ministries and was also given the important information and broadcasting ministry.

Dharmendra Pradhan and Piyush Goyal also retained the education, commerce and industry ministries, respectively.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who took office for the third time on Monday, signed the first file for the PM Kisan Nidhi' release. He inked the file authorising the release of the 17th instalment of PM Kisan Nidhi, which will benefit 9.3 crore farmers and distribute around 20,000 crore.

Ours is a government fully committed to Kisan Kalyan. It is, therefore, fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to farmer welfare. We want to keep working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the coming times," PM Modi said after signing the file.

The decision signifies the government's commitment to farmers' welfare following the ruling National Democratic Alliance's poll win, albeit with some setbacks, especially in rural India.

Modi sworn in as PM for 3rd time Modi was sworn in prime minister on Sunday for a record-equalling third term, heading a 72-member Union Council of Ministers. On Sunday, he chose continuity over radical change, placing his trust in top lieutenants Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, S. Jaishankar, and Piyush Goyal in the Union cabinet.

Key allies Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) secured one cabinet post each, as Modi took charge as the head of a coalition government.

Apart from TDP and JD(U), other allies in the National Democratic Alliance who have secured cabinet posts include TDP, JD(U), Janata Dal (Secular), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Lok Janshakti Party.

Chirag Paswan, national president of Lok Janshakti Party, performed robustly in the Lok Sabha election, winning all the five seats it contested, was also included in the cabinet. Chirag Paswan is the son of the former cabinet minister Ram Vilas Paswan and founder of the LJP.

The latest Modi cabinet is much larger than the previous two NDA cabinets to accommodate the allies who are expected to play a bigger role in the new government, given that the BJP has been unable to cross the majority mark on its own.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi deeply appreciated Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates' congratulatory message to him on becoming India's prime minister for the third consecutive time. Responding to Gates's message on X (formerly Twitter), Narendra Modi recalled their very positive and engaging conversation a few months ago.

Deeply appreciate your message @BillGates. Recall our very positive and engaging conversation a few months ago, including on transformative role of technology in governance and healthcare, and India's commitment to climate change and sustainable development. We value our partnership for promoting innovation for the benefit of humanity, Modi posted on X on Monday.

On Sunday, Gates congratulated Narendra Modi on winning a third term as Prime Minister. You have strengthened India's position as a source of innovation for global progress in sectors like health, agriculture, women-led development, and digital transformation, he said on X.

Look forward to a continued partnership to enhance the lives of people across India and the world, Gates added.

Gates's statement came as Narendra Modi was sworn in as prime minister around 7:15 pm on Sunday. Along with him, 71 other leaders took oath as council of ministers.

Later, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, hosted a banquet in honour of the leaders of neighbouring countries attending the swearing-in at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, condemned the alleged terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi. As many as nine people reportedly died after the bus fell into a gorge following the terror attack.

Here are the latest developments so far: 1. Explaining what led to the accident, SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma said, "Initial reports suggest that terrorists fired upon the passenger bus going from Shiv Khori to Katra."

"Due to the firing, the bus driver lost balance of the bus and it fell into gorge. Thirty three people were injured in the incident. Rescue operation has been completed," she said.

2. Meanwhile, former Sarpanch Bhushan Uppal said when they asked the injured people about the incident, "they told us that one of the terrorists attacked the driver and he was shot in the head. The driver lost control and the vehicle fell into the ditch, but they did not stop firing. They kept firing for 15 to 20 minutes and because of that some people got injured due to the bullets..."

3. The Indian Army launched a search operation in Reasi after the incident. Drones are being used to search the forest area, news agency ANI reported. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) team also reached at Reasi to assist police and assess ground situation. Forensic team of the NIA is also trying to aid evidence collection from ground, sources told ANI.

The attack was reported amid the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other cabinet ministers on Sunday.

4. Jammu and Kashmir L-G Manoj Sinha met those injured in the Reasi terror attack at Government Jammu Hospital in Jammu on Monday.

5. SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma said that, as per eyewitnesses, two (terrorists) were involved in the attack.

6. Gonda DM Neha Sharma said, "8 devotees in the bus that got attacked by terrorists belonged to Gonda. We are in touch with their families. They are being given treatment at the Jammu Medical College. Their families are being updated about their situation from time to time. Our SDM and CO will be visiting Jammu and will be in touch with us here. They will connect the injured with their families via video call..."

7. The father of injured Atul Kumar Mishra told ANI that his son Atul Kumar Mishra had left for Vaishno Devi on June 6. He reached there on June 7 and stayed on June 8. "When he was returning on June 9, at 5:30 pm, terrorists attacked the bus, after which the bus fell into the ditch," he said.

He further informed that his son sustained injuries on his arms and forehead and his daughter-in-law was also injured."...Pakistan was not happy with PM Modi taking the oath. I request PM Modi to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. This cowardly attack should not happen again...," he added.

8. Meanwhile, a survivor of the Reasi terror attack said, "After having darshan at Mata Vaishno Devi, I went to Shiv Khori. While returning from there, after 4-5 km, bullets were fired on our bus. The firing did not stop even after our bus fell into the ditch. The driver was shot and then some people were also injured in the firing..."

9. Here's how BJP and ministers leaders reacted: > President Droupadi Murmu said she was "anguished by the terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir".

"This dastardly act is a crime against humanity and must be condemned in the strongest words. The nation stands with the families of the victims. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," Murmu posted on X.

> Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai tweeted, "There is sad news of the death of 10 people in a terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims from Shiv Khori temple in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. There are also reports of many people being injured in the attack."

"This cowardly attack by terrorists is extremely reprehensible, I strongly condemn it. I pray to God for peace to the departed souls, to provide strength to the bereaved families and for the speedy recovery of the injured," he added.

> Jammu and Kashmir BJP President Ravinder Raina said, "Cowardly Pakistani terrorists have carried out a cowardly attack on the passengers in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir... Cowardly Pakistani terrorists cannot face the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and our paramilitary forces... The terrorists who have carried out this audacity will have to pay a heavy price for their crime."

> BJP MP Kangana Ranaut said, "I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack on the pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir. I pray for the departed and hope for the swift recovery of the injured."

> Union Minister and BDJP National President JP Nadda tweets, Deeply pained by the cowardly attack on the bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi, J&K, my deepest condolences go to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this heinous act against pilgrims. I am praying for the speedy recovery of the injured and for God to give strength to the bereaved families to endure the pain during this difficult time.

10. Here's how Opposition reacted: > Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey said, "We condemn this terror attack in the strongest of words. We also ask the question to government which claims that terror activities have been ended after the abrogation of Article 370 as we (the government) have eliminated terrorists. But, we are getting such news quite often."

"After the swearing-in ceremony, you should hold a high-level meeting in this regard. Whatever cooperation you'll need from the opposition to eliminate terrorism, we will stand by your side. We won't do politics on this issue... We want a terror-free, fear-free Jammu & Kashmir," Dubey was quoted by ANI as saying.

He added, Merely abrogating Article 370 on paper won't work. This government should respond to the terrorists within 24 hours, the entire opposition will stand by you.

> Congress MP Rahul Gandhi tweeted, ...This shameful incident is the true picture of the worrying security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

> Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, "We unequivocally condemn this gruesome terror attack on our people and deliberate affront to our National Security...All the chest-thumping propaganda of bringing peace and normalcy by the Modi (now NDA) Govt rings hollow."
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has batted for peace in the ethnic violence-stricken northeastern state of Manipur. The state has been battered by clashes between two ethnic communitiesKuki Zo and Meitei.

Manipur has been waiting for peace for a year. It has to be considered on a priority basis," Mohan Bhagwat said.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said, ...Elections are an essential process of democracy. Since there are two sides to it, there is a contest. Since it is a contest, efforts are made to move forward. But there is a dignity to it. Lies should not be used. People are being elected to go to the Parliament and run our country. They will do so by coming to a consent...This contest is not a war.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost the Lok Sabha Elections in Manipur. Congress leaders won both seats in the northeastern state governed by BJP leader and Chief Minister Biren Singh.

The kind of criticisms made for each other, how a campaign would lead to tiff in society, and there will be divisionsnone of it was taken care of. Organisations like RSS were also dragged into it needlessly, Mohan Bhagwat alleged.

Falsehood was presented with the help of technology...Modern technology was used to propagate falsehood. How will a country like that?... It is called Opposition...It should not be considered an adversary. They are Opposition, revealing one side. Their opinions should also come to light... the RSS chief said.

Modi, during his second term as Prime Minister of India, was accused of not visiting violence-stricken Manipur. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the state last year when it was engulfed by violence and started his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra this year from Manipur.

"There is dignity in contesting elections. That dignity was not maintained. It is necessary to do so because our country's challenges have not ended...The same government is back to power - NDA. It is right that positive things have happened in the last 10 years...But it doesn't mean that we are free of challenges now..." Bhagwat said.

Meanwhile, the security convoy of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh was allegedly attacked by armed miscreants in Kotlen on Monday.

After reports of fresh violence in the area, Biren Singh was expected to visit Jiribam.

According to Manipur Police, several houses belonging to both Meitei and Kuki communities were burnt by unknown miscreants in Kotlen following the murder of a person.

Around 600 people from Manipur's Jiribam area are now taking shelter in Assam's Cachar district following fresh violence reported in Manipur's Jiribam area. The Cachar district police have heightened security along the bordering areas.
(Bloomberg) -- After a crushing defeat in the European Parliament election on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron called a snap legislative ballot in a desperate bid to stop the rise of his far-right rival, Marine Le Pen.

While Macrons position as head of state wont be directly affected by the upcoming vote, his ability to push through legislation, the power to choose a like-minded prime minister and the credibility of his political project will all be on the line in an election that Sundays results suggest hell likely lose.

The euro fell as much as 0.3% to $1.0765 in early Asia trading, its weakest in almost a month. The move pares an almost 2% rally since mid-April as traders tempered bets of European Central Bank rate cuts this year. French bond futures slipped, underperforming their German peers.

Its not just a gamble, its audacious, said Yves Bertoncini, an independent consultant in EU affairs. Usually, players who make a move like this dont have many cards left.

The election will take place over two rounds beginning June 30. Its the first time this century that Frances National Assembly has seen its term cut short.

With the European Union struggling to calibrate its response to a welter of challenges from Russias aggression in Ukraine to climate change and its deteriorating trade relations with China and the US, the election result highlights the increasing rejection of mainstream politics and left the credibility of the blocs two most important leaders in tatters.

While the far-right parties made only moderate gains across the bloc, and their performance was more or less in line with the polls, Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz both suffered humiliating reverses.

Scholzs Social Democrats in Germany got just 15% of the vote, their worst-ever result in a European election, according to projections in the early hours of Monday. The main conservative opposition came first with 31% while the far-right Alternative for Germany was on track to finish second with 15%, tied with the SPD.

Le Pens party was projected to claim about 32% of the vote with a rival far-right group winning about 5% and Macrons Renaissance on 15%. The Green party was the nights other big loser, with its representation set drop to about 53 seats in European Parliament from 71.

The EUs three mainstream groups are set to hold a comfortable majority: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyens center-right European Peoples Party was due to get 191 seats, the Socialists & Democrats 135 and the Liberals 83. The two far-right groups will have about 128 seats between them.

But it was Macrons dramatic response to his defeat that offered the biggest surprise of the night.

I cant pretend that nothings happened, Macron said. The rise of nationalists and demagogues is a danger not only for our nation, but also for our Europe, and for Frances place in Europe and the world.

Macrons decision was influenced by his experience at the D-Day commemorations in Normandy last week when some of the bystanders he met said that political life has become too aggressive, according to people familiar with his thinking. Macrons sees the parliamentary election as a chance to change that and re-establish a stronger, moderate majority, they said, asking not to be named discussing private conversations.

The upcoming election offers Le Pen, the most durable figure on Europes far-right, a chance to cement a foothold on power for the first time ever. If her National Rally group confirms its position as the countrys biggest party she could have a key role in appointing the next prime minister, even if negotiations would be likely to be fraught.

People familiar with the thinking in Macrons inner circle insisted they arent worried about her managing to take control of the legislature because the far-right parties are still shy of 40%. And they said they would be comfortable governing alongside a prime minister from another mainstream party.

But the election nevertheless means a nervous few weeks for Macrons allies in other European capitals, and indeed anyone with a stake in France maintaining a functioning government that is able to push through policy.

Its a move that recalls former Prime Minister David Camerons high-risk decision to call a vote on the UKs EU membership in an effort to settle his own problems with right-wing populists.

Its a watershed moment for Europe, said Federica Genovese, professor of political science at Oxford University. The surge of the far right was in the making and things are unraveling now.

Concerns may be particularly acute in Kyiv since Macron has been pushing to send military trainers to Ukraine in a symbol of Frances deepening commitment to the fight against Russia. Le Pens longstanding sympathy for Vladimir Putin could put that in jeopardy.

The EUs von der Leyen is still favorite to claim a second term as head of the commission after her center-right grouping, the EPP, won the largest number of seats. But there will be questions about her political vision after the Greens paid the price for voters discontent with the Green Deal, the signature policy initiative of her first term.

The last time France held a snap parliamentary election came in 1997, when then-President Jacques Chirac called an early vote, looking for support for the changes required to qualify for the euro. The result: Chiracs group lost its majority and he was forced to name the head of the rival Socialist Party as prime minister.

If the National Rally and other hard right parties were to repeat their performance in French parliamentary elections, Macron could be forced to name a prime minister with fundamentally different policy views than he has, about the EU, about France and about its role in the world.

Political instability is never a good thing for Europe, said Sophie Pornschlegel, director of research at the Jacques Delors think tank in Brussels. In the next few months a lot of shifts will happen.

--With assistance from John Ainger, Ewa Krukowska, Megan Howard, Katharina Rosskopf, Zoe Schneeweiss, Dara Doyle, Alan Katz, Matthew Burgess, Jorge Valero and Lyubov Pronina.

(Updates market moves in third paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- Upstart politician Peter Magyar smashed Hungarys image as a country with no alternative to Prime Minister Viktor Orbans rule by surging to second place in European Parliament elections.

Magyars center-right Tisza came in at just under 30% in Sundays ballot, more than triple the support of a more established opposition alliance. The result makes him a natural challenger to Orban in the 2026 parliamentary elections.

While Orbans nationalist Fidesz won the overall vote with almost 45% support, it was the worst result for the five-term leader in a European Union election since Hungary joined the bloc in 2004.

The surprise result came on a day when Orbans ideological allies, including Frances Marine Le Pen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, outperformed in the EU elections. It also came just weeks away from the start of Hungarys six-month EU presidency on July 1.

The forint was the worst performer across emerging markets on Monday, following the euro lower as global election risks again took center stage for investors. Magyars gains may complicate Orbans challenge to shore up the budget if the government opts for more stimulus to woo voters, as it did in the run-up to the 2022 parliamentary ballot.

This is the beginning of the end of Orbans rule, Magyar told cheering supporters in his post-election speech in the early hours of Monday, describing Tiszas performance as a political landslide.

In a whirlwind campaign across Hungary, Magyar organized the biggest anti-government protests since Orbans return to power in 2010. A former government insider turned whistleblower, he seized on ruling party scandals, economic weaknesses and called out corruption under the prime ministers self-styled illiberal rule.

While a general ballot is still two years away, Magyar said hed start to rapidly build out his nascent party to be ready in case Orban were to call early elections. In an interview broadcast on state television, Orban ruled out an early ballot, saying his Fidesz party had until 2026 to improve on Sundays result, which he nonetheless hailed as one of the best in Europe.

Media Apparatus

Magyars showing was all the more remarkable given that the former Brussels-based diplomat and state company executive only registered his party at the last minute.

He faced off against the entire state apparatus, including Europes biggest pro-government media juggernaut. State TV had held its first election debate in 18 years, the only chance Magyar had along with 10 other opposition candidates to speak there.

The EU continues to withhold about 20 billion ($22 billion) of funding earmarked for Hungary due to graft and rule-of-law concerns during Orbans 14-year rule, which has seen the once liberal, anti-communist leader morph into a far-right politician with close ties to Russia and China. Hes ruled by decree since the Covid-pandemic.

Despite talking up the win  Orban told supporters that his party has now defeated the old and new opposition  it was a disappointing showing, with Fidesz also failing to oust the opposition mayor of Budapest in local elections held the same day.

Culture Minister Janos Csak resigned after the vote, Mandiner weekly reported on its website, becoming the first cabinet member to quit post-election. It wasnt clear whether Orban would seek broader government changes in a political reset.

Orban had cast EU elections as a choice between war and peace in the shadow of Russias invasion of Ukraine. He portrayed himself as the one preventing Hungary from sliding into a potential nuclear conflict via his attempts to stop or slow Western aid to Kyiv.

--With assistance from Andras Gergely and Veronika Gulyas.

(Updates with Orban comment in eighth paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
It was the second consecutive time Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle were not invited to Trooping the Colour in the UK. According to Royal Family commentator Esther Krakue, it was unsurprising that the Duke and the Duchess of Sussex were not allowed to get close to the family.

Also Read: Prince Harry to pen another memoir? Royal commentator says 'it would induce new stress for his family' To have the Sussexes anywhere near the Royal Family at this precarious time when three members of the Royal Family have significant health issues would not be a very wise thing to do, Krakue told Sky News.

Its not surprising at all. And, it's an invitation I suspect the Duke and Duchess would reject because they dont feel safe here in the UK, she added.

Also Read: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle trying to punish somebody by raising security concerns The comment comes when Prince Harry reportedly wants a permanent home in the UK. Harry, currently in California with his wife and kids, is in a legal fight in the UK about his security, which was reduced after he had left the Royal Family. Despite this, he still wants a place in Britain.

Harry missing old life Royal author Tom Quinn believes Harry is missing his old life. The Duke misses his Old Etonian and army friends, many of whom have not visited as they dont get on with Meghan", according to Quinn.

Also Read: Meghan Markle finds it difficult to find people to help lifestyle brand because of her demanding nature "Harry is determined to find his own permanent home in the UK, which is partly why hes continuing his legal action to get the British taxpayer to pay for his security," the author told The Mirror.
An Indian-origin software engineer, laid off by his employer in the United States, has recently uploaded a video where he spoke about how his job is being replaced by Indians living in India.

After the clip was uploaded to the Internet, it went viral, and netizens started commenting on it.

The clip, which is a little over a minute long, starts with the engineer introducing himself. In the video, he revealed that he was recently laid off.

"Im a software engineer. I work in tech or at least I used to work in tech until recently until my whole team got laid off," he said in the video.

Recalling his exit, the techie came to know that the firm was replacing him and his team with workers who live in India. Shocked and surprised to hear this, he told the firm the he too is Indian.

Pitching to be retained in his job, he said "If you keep me around Im already Indian right? We can get rid of these crackers and replace them with my friends."

He even argued that he was born in India and that his family moved to the US for work. Apart from this, he even mentioned that he was ready to relocate to India if his employer wished.

Here's the video:

"They (company) are like 'no, no, no, you dont get it. We are getting rid of you. We are moving the job to India to be done from India, who will do it cheaper there'," the man said, recalling the conversation.

"And in that moment, I turned into every one of your fathers. I was like go**amn Indians are taking our jobs," he said in the rant.

Here are some netizens' reactions: One wrote, "American corporations: we want to help you achieve the American dream. So we can take it from you and give it to somebody else to achieve the American dream."

Another commented, "Did he get too Americanized? Or, was it time to bring in a fresh batch of people they could pay less?"

The third one wrote, "Its not that youre Indian its that you are now 90% less expensive"

Fouryh netizen commented, "At least he didnt have to train them before he was firedtheres that."
On this day: June 10, multiple key events continue to impact our lives in many ways. On June 10, 1952, Benjamin Franklin is said to have performed his famous kite experiment to collect ambient electric charge in a jar from the sky with the help of a kite. Decades later, on this day, June 10, 2003, the US space agency NASA launched its Mars mission.

Also Read: Influencer likely to face 10 years in jail for shooting fireworks at Lamborghini from helicopter

Benjamin Franklin's famous kite experiment during a thunderstorm 1752 Benjamin Franklin performed a famous science experiment on this day, flying a kite during a storm. According to the story, Franklin was supposed to have flown a kite during a thunderstorm to collect ambient electrical charge in a Leyden jar. However, there isn't sufficient evidence to prove the authenticity of the experiment. According to History TV 18, several historians have questioned whether the experiment took place at all.

End of Six day war in 1967 The short conflict between Israel and other Middle East countries came to an end on this day in 1967. The war consisted of Israel's conflict against Syria, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq, which came to an end after Israel and Syria accepted a United Nations-mediated cease-fire.

NASA's Mars exploration mission launched in 2003 The US space agency NASA launched one of the two rovers in 2003 to explore Mars and search for signs of past life. The rover, Spirit, launched by NASA on this day, has helped scientists find evidence that Mars had water on its surface. This discovery helped scientists better understand the Martian wind.

In May 2009, the rover became embedded in soft soil at a " Troy " site with only five working wheels to aid in the rescue effort. After months of testing and carefully planned manoeuvres, NASA ended efforts to free the rover and eventually ended the mission on May 25, 2011.
Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google and Alphabet, is among the most prominent Indians in American. Born on 10 June 1972, in Tamil Nadu's Madras (Chennai), Pichai has maneuvered the trillion-dollar corporation through the pandemic, followed by mass layoffs, and now the Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom.

Known for being passionate about technology, the Google CEO's parents were the first to cultivate his curiosity; his father, Regunatha Pichai was an electrical engineer at the British conglomerate GEC, while his mother, Lakshmi, wad a stenographer.

As Sundar Pichai celebrates his 52nd birthday on Monday, let us check how his career grew over the years: Pichai was first interviewed at the Googleplex in April Fools' Day in 2004, the same day the company debuted its free email service -- Gmail. Earlier in an interview with Bloomberg, Pichai said he thought Gmail was an infamous clever joke.

Among his earliest accomplishments, the now-CEO began his career working on Google's Toolbar, as a vice president - product management.

Pichai is the one to be credited for Google Chrome; early in his career with the company, he persuaded the co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page that Google needed to create its own browser.

His plans were initially doomed after Microsoft introduced Bing as the new Internet Explorer default search engine in 2006. Pichai played a pivotal role in convincing Google executives to create Google Chrome, the company's own web browser, to mitigate the effects of this initiative.

In 2013, he took the lead in the Android division in part of his substance over overt style philosophy.

He is recognized as the mastermind behind Chrome OS, the operating system that powers Google's affordable Chromebook computers.

Pichai has been regarded as Larry Page's right-hand man as he ascended through the ranks. In late 2014, Page placed Pichai in control of Google's core products.

After demonstrating his capabilities with Chrome and Android, Pichai broadened his portfolio to encompass Google+, Maps, Search, commerce and advertising, as well as infrastructure.

In less than a year, Sundar Pichai was appointed Google's CEO, and in July 2017, he was added to Alphabet's board of directors.

After two years, Pichai was promoted to Alphabet's CEO, after Sergey Brin and Larry Page announced their resignations.

Sundar Pichai net worth In an April 2023 regulatory filing, Google disclosed that Pichai's earnings for 2022 amounted to $226 million, mainly from stock awards. With this, he was ranked among the top-paid CEOs in the United States.

According to a filing he made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as of February 2024, Pichai held 2.4 million Alphabet shares, of which, he sold 180,000 shares through May 2024. As of mid-May 2024, Sundar Pichai's net worth was at around $390 million.

He also possesses about 600,000 units that are not yet vested.

According to estimates, Pichai's net worth is reputedly above $1.3 billion.
(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government will call for a vote this week on a planned hike in the capital-gains tax inclusion rate, a measure that would raise billions in additional government revenue and has attracted the ire of Canadas business community.

But groups including venture capitalists, startup founders and junior mining companies will have to wait longer to learn if their specific concerns about the policy have been addressed, according to government officials who spoke with Bloomberg. The legislation to implement the tax change isnt ready yet.

The main components of the capital gains changes will be unveiled in a motion published in Parliament on Monday, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a speech in Toronto on Sunday. She said the motion will stick to the broad outlines that were announced in April, including an implementation date of June 25.

Tomorrow we will introduce changes that will result in a small number of Canadians paying a little more in tax, Freeland said. The plans to increase the capital-gains tax on companies and on individuals in years when they record gains of more than C$250,000 ($182,000).

Currently, half of those gains are subject to corporate or personal income tax; that will rise to two-thirds. Exemptions and reductions are available for owners of certain small businesses, farms and fishing operations.

However, a handful of other programs that are related to the capital-gains change will need to be addressed in legislation. The details of that bill may still be weeks away, said officials who requested anonymity in order to speak on the governments plans.

That includes the Canadian Entrepreneurs Incentive announced in Freelands budget for this year, which proposed a reduced inclusion rate of 33.3% on a maximum of C$2 million in eligible capital gains for company founders, in certain cases. Freeland has indicated shes open to tweaking the rules of that program, but that would be in the draft bill.

Junior miners will also have to wait for the bill to see if changes are coming to tax credits aimed at boosting the sector. The mining industry has warned the capital-gains hike significantly hurts the value of those credits, which are meant to help companies raise money to explore for critical minerals like copper, nickel and lithium.

With the House of Commons set to go on summer break around June 21, the tax bill will most likely be formally introduced in September. In the meantime, draft legislation may be published over the summer by the finance department, officials said. They stressed that all the core aspects of the capital gains hike will be included in Mondays motion.

Overall, the capital gains tax hike has attracted widespread criticism from business groups, who argue it will hurt Canadas ability to attract investment and worsen productivity woes.

Trudeau said last month that the tax change is about asking the wealthy to contribute more to society. His main opponent, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, has not yet said how he would vote on the measure.

Freelands budget estimated the measure will raise almost C$20 billion in new tax revenue over five years  though that figure rests on the assumption that some investors will rush to sell assets by June 24. Thats the last day to realize a gain at the current lower tax rate.

(Updates with additional information on the tax measures, beginning in the second paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
European officials are in talks to keep gas flowing through a key Russia-Ukraine pipeline, as they race to prevent Moscows war further damaging the continents energy supplies.

Europe has tried to wean itself off Russian gas but several eastern European states continue to receive it through a pipeline that crosses Ukraine. The agreement that covers this transit arrangement expires at the end of this year. And with war raging, most market watchers expect the gas to finally come to a halt.

But European government and company officials are talking to counterparts in Ukraine about how to keep the gas flowing next year, according to people familiar with the matter who declined to be named as the talks are private. One option thats been discussed is for European companies to buy and inject gas from Azerbaijan into Russian pipelines heading to Europe, according to some of the people. Such an arrangement would allow Europe to avoid the embarrassment of buying Russian gas at a time when its trying to crimp Moscows revenues.

The idea is gaining momentum as it becomes clear that Ukraine would be in favor. Transit revenue amounted to about $1 billion in 2021  providing crucial funding for the war-ravaged economy. There are also concerns that disused pipelines could become military targets, or fall into disrepair thats costly to reverse.

There are two factors we should always remember, Oleksiy Chernyshov, chief executive of Ukraines state-run Naftogaz, told Bloomberg News on Monday. One is that Ukraine has incredible infrastructure of transit and storage gas, which should be used, and Ukraine is predisposed to use this infrastructure because it brings a lot of advantages.

He ruled out any plan that involved working with Russias Gazprom PJSC, and said bringing gas from Azerbaijan might have some future.

Azerbaijans state-run energy company Socar didnt respond to requests for comment. The energy ministry in Baku, which has repeatedly sought to increase exports to Europe, couldnt immediately comment. The Russian government and Gazprom didnt respond to requests for comment.

A plan to use Azeri gas could in theory benefit Russia if it was set up as a swap that allowed Moscow to send its gas elsewhere. Russia has struggled to find enough new customers for the fuel as its infrastructure is set up to supply Europe, and China is driving a hard bargain. The idea of swaps is not alien to oil and gas markets and is used when its not possible to physically deliver fuel from one location to another. Azerbaijan is already using its pipeline to Europe at full capacity.

Negotiations

Talks are in early phase and people familiar with the matter expect decisions only toward the end of this year, when the expiry deadline  and the start of the European winter  add pressure. Many details still need to be hashed out, and its not clear a deal will get done. Developments on the battlefield may also be a factor.

Uniper SE, the gas giant that was nationalized by Germany as the energy crisis ruined its business model, has been involved in discussions, according to some of the people. A spokesman for Uniper declined to comment. A German economy ministry spokeswoman said the government was in talks within the European Union.

Slovakia is one of the key countries that could benefit from such a deal, and Prime Minister Robert Fico spoke of the possibility last month following a trip to Azerbaijan, without providing details.

Now, it depends on negotiations between companies such as Russian Gazprom, Azerbaijani, Ukrainian companies, and others to agree on economic and pricing conditions, he told reporters in May. If they do, Slovakia could import gas from Azerbaijan, with part of it staying in Slovakia and part passing through to other countries.

A government spokesman declined to comment further. The energy ministry of Austria, another country set to benefit, didnt respond to requests for comment.

Russia still ships around 15 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe a year, mainly to Slovakia and Austria, where Russia is still a dominant supplier. In Austria, Russian gas has covered more than 80% of Austrian consumption for five straight months. Europe also imports Russian LNG by ship, and despite frequent debates about whether it should, it has never sanctioned Russian gas.

The European Commission, the executive arm, believes the bloc can withstand the end of Russian transit via Ukraine without any major security risk. Its plan is to rely on alternative suppliers and pursue its ambitious climate strategy, including more renewables and energy savings.

Some member states are less sanguine and fear a replay of the energy crisis. That aligns them with the interests of Ukraine.

Im doing everything to find a solution that the Ukrainian gas transportation system will continue to be operational because its a big asset and someone should be a customer, Chernyshov said. Otherwise its loss generating.

With assistance from Zulfugar Agayev, Krystof Chamonikolas, Jonathan Tirone, Daniel Hornak and Daryna Krasnolutska.
Hunter Bidens defense team rested their case Monday without his testimony, as it appeared his trial on gun charges may reach a Delaware jury as soon as Monday afternoon.

The jury will determine whether Biden is guilty of illegally buying and possessing a gun in mid-October 2018 after he checked no to a question on a form about whether he was an active unlawful user of any controlled substance.

No one is above the law, Leo Wise, one of the governments lead prosecutors, told the jury during closing remarks. The evidence was personal. It was ugly, and it was overwhelming. It was also absolutely necessary.

The week-long trial against President Joe Bidens son in Wilmington was punctuated by dramatic, emotional testimony from his family members and ex-lovers, who described his drug-fueled lifestyle when he was in the throes of addiction to crack cocaine from 2015 to 2019.

The trial wrapped up less than two weeks after his fathers chief rival for the presidency, Donald Trump, was found guilty by a New York jury of 34 counts of falsifying business records late last month. Its unclear what, if any, impact the cases will have on the November presidential election.

Hunter Biden has been charged with three counts of violating federal firearm laws by illegally purchasing the gun on Oct. 12, 2018, and lying on a federal form when asked if he was a user of illegal drugs.

Bidens defense argued he didnt knowingly violate the law because he may have thought he was clean at the time he purchased the gun. However, he opted not to testify during the trail, as doing so would have been risky and exposed him to probing questions by federal prosecutors.

Bidens lawyer, Abbe Lowell, told the jury during his closing that reasonable doubt is a fair doubt based on common sense.

Its time to end this case, Lowell said.

Two of the gun counts carry a prison term as long as 10 years, and another is punishable by as many as five, though judges rarely impose maximum sentences.
Iran has greenlit a presidential contest with six candidates in the fray following the death of Ebrahim Raisi last month. The candidates announced by the interior ministry were selected from 80 registered hopefuls by the Guardian Council and disqualified former hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The selected candidates will now mount a shortened two-week campaign to replace the hardline leader killed in May by a chopper crash.

The selection of candidates was approved by the Guardian Council  a panel of clerics and jurists ultimately overseen by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The latests developments appear to suggest that the country's theocratic administration hopes to ease the elections through a turbulent time. Parliamentary polls in March saw turnout hit a record low as tensions remain high over the countrys rapidly advancing nuclear program, as well as the Israel-Hamas war.

The list of candidates included former Tehran mayor Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf who has unsuccessfully run for post in 2005 and 2013. He withdrew from the 2017 presidential campaign to support Raisi in his first failed presidential bid. The former Guard general was part of a violent crackdown on Iranian university students in 1999 and reportedly ordered live gunfire to be used against students in 2003 while serving as the countrys police chief.

ALSO READ: Whats on horizon for Irans government after Ebrahim Raisis death? Speculative reports however suggest that he is backed by the country's Supreme Leader with supporters highlighting a speech given by Khamenei last week.

Over the next two weeks, the six selected candidates are likely to engage in live, televised debates on the country's state-run broadcaster in the coming days. They can also advertise on billboards and offer stump speeches to back their bids.

Raisi had won the 2021 election  which had the lowest turnout ever for a presidential vote in Iran  after every major opponent found themselves disqualified. A hard-line protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he was once floated as a possible successor for the 85-year-old cleric.
Following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's congratulatory message to Narendra Modi on his victory in the Lok Sabha Election 2024, the Indian Prime Minister expressed gratitude on Monday and said India looks forward to working with Canada based on respect for each others concerns.

ALSO READ: Trudeau to Call Vote on Contentious Tax Change This Week

On June 6, Trudeau posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that Canada stands ready to work with Narendra Modi's government to advance the relationship between the two nations peoples.

A post on X by the official account of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reads: Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his electoral victory. Canada stands ready to work with his government to advance the relationship between our nations peoplesanchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law.  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In response to the Canadian PMs post, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each others concerns.

India-Canada ties The bilateral ties between the two nations remain strained following Justin Trudeaus allegations in September 2023 of the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

ALSO READ: Indians accused of killing Hardeep Singh Nijjar appear before Canada court

India has dismissed Trudeaus allegations as absurd and motivated.

Nijjar, a designated terrorist, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in British Columbia in Surrey on June 18 last year.

The murder is being probed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

India has since maintained that the main issue has been that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistani elements operating from its soil with impunity.

India had asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence to ensure parity. Canada withdrew 41 of its 62 diplomats from India along with dependents in October 2023.
The results of the weekends European Parliament elections may not have been entirely surprising, but theyre a shock to Europes system nonetheless. So-called euroskeptic parties notched their best results to date in Continent-wide polls. This doesnt mean Europeans dont want the European Union, but it does signify they want an EU that serves them better.

Voters across the 27-country bloc elected 720 members of the European Parliament. Votes still were being tallied as we published, but its clear that parties of the right have performed particularly well. The biggest winner is likely to be the European Peoples Party, the EU-level coalition of national center-right parties such as Germanys Christian Democratic Union and Spains Popular Party. The EPP is on track to form a plurality in the incoming parliament, as it did in the last one.

The other winners are the hodgepodge of parties and politicians often (and often misleadingly) described as far right or populist right. Frances Marine Le Pen is the star of this show. Her National Rally won nearly one-third of the vote, more than the combined share of President Emmanuel Macrons Renaissance and the Socialist Partys coalition. The drubbing led Mr. Macron to call a snap legislative election, which may end with him governing alongside a majority for Ms. Le Pens party in the parliament.

This result is triggering the usual hyperventilation that wins for such parties herald the march of fascist jackboots in the streets. European voters are smarter than that.

Parties of the right that won did so by moving toward the center on many issues. Ms. Le Pen no longer vocally opposes the euro currency. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, another politician whose party is expected to fare well at the European level, has transformed into a centrist leader since taking office, including support for Ukraine.

Parties that didnt make this shift, such as Alternative for Germany (marred by recent scandals about its leaders alleged sympathies for actual Nazis), failed to gain as much ground as their peers who did. Dutch voters narrowly preferred their center-left to Geert Wilderss party after handing that quintessential populist a big victory only last November, apparently a sign they intend to impose some moderation on him.

What voters do want is a European Union that solves pressing problems. Immigration was a central issue in the campaign. Europe has never figured out how to manage the millions of migrants former German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed in 2015, or the millions who have arrived since. Voters are angry at a bureaucracy that seems paralyzed in the crisis and a legal system that makes it all but impossible to deport illegal migrants.

Voters also are growing weary of virtue-signaling flights of fancy such as net-zero carbon emissions at the expense of stagnating economies or skyrocketing energy prices. Green parties were among the biggest losers this weekend, and Brussels already had started to dial back some of its most onerous climate commitments as it saw the electoral freight train coming in recent months.

Now the newly victorious parties and politicians have to deliver. Some, such as Ms. Meloni, will be in a position to appoint members of the European Commission to oversee the bureaucracy. The new parliament will get a vote on the new leader of the commission, a post currently held by Ursula von der Leyen, and expect the policy horse-trading over that appointment to be a sign of their level of savvy. Governing hasnt always been a happy experience for insurgent parties.

All of this sounds like the cut and thrust of normal democratic politics rather than the descent into fascism conjured by alarmist elites on the left. If that seems strange and unfamiliar for the European Union, all the more reason the EU deserves the rebuke voters have delivered.
Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world." This was Vladimir Putin, talking about artificial intelligence (AI), in 2017. The Russian leader acknowledged AI as not merely an advancement in technology but a pivotal force capable of reshaping the geopolitical landscape. Historically, technological superiority has been a cornerstone of global dominance.

The British Empire, which led with naval technology and the industrial revolution, was a prime example. As the CEO of an AI firm, I navigate this realms with a perspective rooted in the possibilities and challenges it brings. Drawing from historical parallels, I foresee AI playing a critical role, not just in technology, but as a pivotal element of Indias national strategy.

In March 2024, The Indian Cabinet approved the India AI mission, with a funding of over 10,000 crore across five years for AI development. It will support AI super-computing infrastructure accessible to startups, academia and industry. As India joins the AI race, we must it prepare for the next evolutionary leap that is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).

Unlike AI designed to do specific tasks, AGI can generalize its understanding and reasoning to solve any problem, including those it has not been specifically programmed for. That means AGI can perform any intellectual task that a human being can, with similar cognitive flexibility.

In healthcare, for example, an AGI system could monitor individual health metrics in real time, predict potential problems and coordinate customized preventative care and treatments. In an ideal AGI world, cities would operate with optimized energy use and minimal waste, while global challenges such as climate change are tackled through predictive modelling and advanced engineering solutions.

While this promises a leap in efficiency and capability, it necessitates stringent safeguards against potential misuses such as surveillance overreach and autonomous weaponry, ensuring that AGI serves to enhance rather than undermine human autonomy and equity.

While the probability of developing AGI within the next five years might be low (estimates range from 10% to 50%), its risks should not be underestimated. Just as a 10% chance of an asteroid colliding with Earth would trigger global preparedness, AGI demands as much attention.

We must prepare for an AGI-driven economy that may radically transform job markets and economic structures. It is also imperative to safely integrate AGI with Indias defence strategy. Human nature often leads us to under-prepare for catastrophic risks, primarily because such events are rare.

Also read: How Apple fell behind in the AI arms race

This psychological tendency, called the availability heuristic, means we often discount the likelihood and potential impact of events that are not readily recalled as immediate threats. Given this natural inclination, the responsibility falls heavily on Indian policymakers to safeguard us against these risks.

An AI agenda for India: India should establish a dedicated department of AI, a central authority for coordinating all AI-related activities, mirroring the urgency that once applied to nuclear capabilities and space research. The department should not only set standards and guidelines for AI development, but also drive AI policies and initiatives that align with Indias strategic interests.

To harness the potential of AI and foundation models, Indian policy should aim to liberate and democratize access to vast data-sets across public and private sectors. By making more data available, India can stimulate the development of more robust AI models that are tailored to its unique demographic and socio-economic landscape. This step is crucial for fostering a thriving AI ecosystem that can compete on a global scale and address local challenges effectively.

To enhance national security and innovation, India should create an AI ecosystem for strategic AI use cases. Focus on developing a robust AI ecosystem for deployment in defence, drone technology, cybersecurity and other systems. India must foster an environment that supports the creation of companies that develop and supply these technologies.

This initiative could emulate successful models like the US governments backing of Palantir through In-Q-Tel and Israels support of Elbit Systems via its ministry of defence. Investment from the National AI Mission can be co-invested in deep-tech startups, providing capital support for them to embark on global-scale projects.

To build AI proficiency nationwide, India should launch a comprehensive AI skilling initiative. The government should set a goal to train 50 million people in AI usage skills such as data literacy, AI ethics and applications in specific sectors like healthcare, finance and manufacturing.

Plus, a targeted initiative to cultivate advanced skills should aim to train 1 million individuals in AI development, covering areas such as machine learning, neural networks and natural language processing. To achieve these objectives, India can forge partnerships with universities and technical institutes to integrate AI-focused curricula, launch specialized degree programmes and promote continuing education modules.

Collaborations with online education platforms can provide scalable access to courses. Working with the industry can ensure that the training provided is directly applicable, enabling hands-on experience through apprenticeships and real-world project engagements.

A whole new world: With AGI, success will no longer be about leading in technology, but about mastering a domain that could well dictate the course of human evolution, economics and global governance. Just as Britains technological edge dictated its global influence, mastery over AGI could very well dictate the future balance of global power, ushering in an era where control over this transformative technology determines leadership.

I am optimistic about the transformative power of AI to benefit humanity. However, it is incumbent upon us to approach the future with a broad sense of responsibility and collective vision for a world where technology serves the greater good. Just as we regulate nuclear technology for its potential for both unparalleled benefits and catastrophic consequences, we must govern AGI with a similar level of caution.

AGI presents a paradigm shift in how we envision the future of technology and its role in society. How wisely we adopt it will not only determine our place in the world of tomorrow, but will also define the legacy we leave for future generations.
The outcome of Indias election was quite singular, compared with 2014 and 2019. All major parties celebrated it. The NDA was happy because it returned to power, the Congress and INDIA were happy that they did better than in the past, while regional parties were pleased they came out stronger in their states. This is what in economics would be close to a Pareto optimal situation, where everyone is better off and no one worse off.

All through election season, one could see several concepts of economics at play. The most startling was the irrational exuberance witnessed on 3 June when the Sensex closed at a peak of 76,468 on the back of exit polls on 1 June which indicated a huge mandate for the ruling establishment.

The premise was that a landslide majority of 350-360 Lok Sabha seats for the NDA would accelerate economic reforms, thus reviving the Keynesian animal spirits of industry. When the results on 4 June revealed a majority for the NDA (though not for the BJP), the market index crashed to 72,079 amid worries that reforms would slow down.

In market parlance, stocks tend to revert to the mean, and not surprisingly, on 5 June, the Sensex closed at 74,382, which was higher than its closing level on 31 May.

The exit polls were another exercise that saw economic laws prevail. These polls went wrong in the last Lok Sabha election, as well as during recent state assembly polls. Hence, this time, all of them seem to have followed a policy of adaptive expectations, by which the last outcome is simply scaled up in an effort by pollsters to look good.

Such expectations are considered safe because we learn from the past and assume that the present will carry on in the future. But exit polls went wrong again, like GDP forecasts (no analyst projected 8.2% growth for 2023-24).

The last two elections, in 2014 and 2019, had resulted in what would be called a monopoly in economics. A single-party Lok Sabha majority results in monopoly power that can be wielded in every field. A coalition this time means that there would be more of an oligopolistic structure, so we can expect some checks and balances, as every partner would have a unique strategy.

This is where game theory comes into play, with each party trying to maximize its gains by guessing the response of the other. These dynamics are likely to prevail even after the new coalition government takes charge.

If one goes back to this years election campaigns, including manifestoes, promises of monetary benefits formed a common theme. These included cash transfers, apart from free power, bus rides, etc. What has been brewing for long in election seasons is the creation of a moral hazard by so-called freebies. The hazard is that once implemented, handouts will be hard to withdraw, as it would antagonize beneficiaries who may vote for the opposition.

For individuals, what matters is what Adam Smith laid emphasis on, self interest. While a G20 summit, Vande Bharat trains and the goal of becoming a developed country can inspire pride and lift peoples morale, votes are cast for tangible benefits. So the micro picture matters more than the macro.

Elections, however, present a market that is better than goods and money markets in terms of what economists would call information asymmetry. Every party is eager to give out all the information needed to attract voters. This could be in the form of what has been done or what will be delivered if elected to power. With symmetric information available to all participants, this is largely an efficient market. Most economic markets are not.

A major part of election campaigns is centred on making the right noises. These are what are called announcement effects. Just as regulators in the financial sector are thought capable of moving markets by just making announcements (talking them up or down, i.e.), voting patterns are mostly driven by political announcements.

They are credible because if parties renege on them, they would face the wrath of the market (or voters) the next time round. A plethora of announcements are made by all parties to send the electorate the right signals, a term used by George Akerlof, who espoused a theory of signalling in the market for second-hand cars (or lemons).

The outcome patterns of election results are also interesting. There are several constituencies and states that continue to vote en masse for the same party. Here, the theoretical concepts of Veblen and Giffen goods come in. The former refers to a luxury good for which one is willing to pay a higher price, even if just for social appearances.

The latter is something one may consume more of even if its price rises because its a necessity. Brand loyalty induces similar inelastic behaviour. So too in the case of parties that get votes as part of a family tradition or for an appeal of ideology.

Behavioural economics has taught us that many decisions taken are based on psychology, which can be influenced by marketers, including politicians. On a lighter yet ironical note, the final results have not entirely been Pareto optimal. They were bad for Indias Left parties, which face the threat of withering away, as Friedrich Engels prophesied of the state under communism.

These are the authors personal views.
Groundbreaking announcements on Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) have been making news. For instance, Google and OpenAI introduced new GenAI-powered assistants that can engage in real-time conversations, even adapting when interrupted, mirroring human interaction. These assistants dont just converse; they can also analyse your surroundings through a live video feed and translate conversations on the spot.

Google announced new tools at its I/O Conference, including enhancements to its bewildering array of products under Gemini AI, to compete with OpenAIs new ChatGPT 4o announced the day before. Google also announced that it is building Gemini into a do everything" model across almost all its product suites.

For its part, OpenAIs conversational ChatGPT 4o model can supposedly respond with a lag time of 320 milliseconds, which is about the same as human speech. With humour, sarcasm and more, its responses are remarkably human-like.

However, the immense computational power and energy required to train and deploy these large language model (LLM)- based systems raises concerns about their sustainability. LLMs are designed to understand and generate human language by processing vast amounts of data, literally every scrap available online.

They leverage specific learning techniques, such as transformer architectures, to create sophisticated models that can perform various language-related tasks. The most prominent examples, such as OpenAIs and Googles, have demonstrated remarkable proficiency in functions like text and image generation, summarization and now conversational AI.

The primary advantage of LLMs lies in their ability to generate coherent and contextually relevant text. This is achieved by training on diverse and enormous data-sets. They are helpful, but the downside is the massive computational resources required for their training and inference engines.

These models typically run on powerful cloud servers with high-performance silicon, consuming substantial energy and generating a significant carbon footprint. Also, the need for constant internet connectivity to access these models can be a limitation in scenarios where privacy, security or connectivity is a concern; most of them are natively available only in a cloud environment.

To compete with LLMs, researchers and companies (notably Microsoft with its Phi model) are exploring ways to bring AI capabilities to devices like laptops and smartphones. In contrast to the cloud-dependent nature of LLMs, local AI models aim to deliver AI capabilities directly on smaller devices. These models are lightweight, consuming far less computational power and energy, which makes them more eco-friendly and reduces operational costs.

By processing data locally on a device, these models minimize the need to transmit sensitive information over the internet, enhancing user privacy and data security. Further, since local AI models can operate without constant internet connectivity, they are accessible in remote or underserved areas.

They offer faster response times, as they dont require a network. Local AI models are particularly well-suited for cutting-edge computing scenarios, where real-time processing and low latency are critical. Smart home devices, autonomous vehicles and industrial IoT applications can all benefit.

Led by researchers like Sebastien Bubeck, the Phi model is designed to give small devices generative AI capabilities without compromising performance. The core idea behind Phi is to curate and optimize the data fed to the model, ensuring that it remains compact and efficient while retaining its ability to perform complex tasks. (bit.ly/3VxqyMf).

Phi leverages advancements in model compression, quantization and distillation techniques to achieve its goals. Model compression reduces the size of the model without much affecting performance. Quantization reduces the precision of the models weights, making it less computationally intensive. Distillation involves training a smaller model to mimic the behaviour of a larger one, effectively transferring knowledge from a larger model to a smaller one.

Yet, the transition from cloud-dependent LLMs to efficient local AI models is far from assured. Achieving high accuracy with a smaller model requires sophisticated techniques and innovations in model architecture and miniaturization. Additionally, local AI models must be highly adaptable and capable of running on various local hardware configurations without compromising performance.

Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of local AI models are immense. By democratizing access to AI capabilities and reducing the environmental impact of AI deployments, models like Phi represent a significant step towards a more sustainable and inclusive future for artificial intelligence.

The efforts to bring AI capabilities to small local devices mark a pivotal shift in the evolution of AI. A Wired reporter says he is running one of these models on his laptop and that the model has all the wit and wisdom" of ChatGPT. (bit.ly/4c4JAi8)

As research in this field continues to advance, I expect we will see more sophisticated and capable local AI models emerge, enabling a new wave of applications and innovations. If AI becomes hyper-local and network-independent, it can transform how we interact with technology and the very role of this technology in society.
The two Israeli commando teams had just pulled off a historic rescue mission, freeing four hostages from homes where they were held captive in central Gaza. Now came the hardest part: getting out of Gaza alive.

A shootout that started Saturday in one of the homes expanded into a full-on gunbattle on the packed streets of Nuseirat between the commandos and responding Israeli forces and militants, the Israeli military said. With the teams cover blown, the Israeli Air Force began striking dozens of militant targets in a bid to divert Hamass attention and give the hostages a fighting chance to get out.

In the crossfire, a vehicle packed with special forces and hostages was hit and disabled, said David Tsur, the former commander of Yamam, the Israeli police team that carried out the extraction. An Israeli armored vehicle then swooped in to rescue the rescuers, but it too was disabled by fire, so another force arrived to deliver the hostages to helicopters waiting to take them to Israel, reported Army Radio, an independent news organization run by the Israeli military.

There was a thin line between being a huge success and a huge failure," said an Israeli military official.

The raging firefight almost prevented the hostages and the commando team from making it out alive. It also prompted a ferocious response from the Israeli military that helps explain the high casualty count among Palestinians, Israeli officials said. The officials also said they estimated Hamas fire killed Palestinians in the chaotic shootout. An Israeli commando was killed.

Palestinian health authorities said 274 Gazans were killed and almost 700 injured from airstrikes, shelling and gunfire in one of Gazas most crowded places. The Israeli military said most of the dead were militants. In either case, it was one of the deadliest moments in a war that has claimed more than 37,000 lives, say Palestinian health authorities, who dont say how many were combatants.

Tsur compared Saturdays events to the street battle between American forces and Somali militants portrayed in the book and movie, Black Hawk Down." The airstrikes and shelling were intended to lay down fire so that people dont come near the vehicles."

Only with a ring of fire can you extricate them," said Tsur, who received an informal briefing on the mission.

Some Palestinians said the operation drove home again the perception that their lives mean nothing, including to Hamas, the U.S.-designated terrorist organization that carried out the Oct. 7 attacks, killing about 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages.

More than 200 were killed, hundreds injured, for the sake of four Israelis. This is crazy, and I am really furious," said Ahmed Wael, 26, who had sought shelter in Nuseirat during the war and described a rain of bombs falling along the streets near the citys busy market.

I am also angry because Hamas chose to hide these people among us," he said. Why?"

Israeli officials said the operation had been planned for weeks after Israel discovered in May that Noa Argamani, who was taken hostage at the Nova music festival, was in a low-rise apartment block near the Nuseirat market. About 200 yards away, Israeli officials said a Hamas militant, Abdullah Al-Jamal, kept three male hostagesAlmog Meir Jan, Andrei Kozlov and Shlomi Zivin his home alongside his family.

Raiding only one building would alert captors at the other location, so the Israelis decided to raid both buildings simultaneously, said the militarys chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. The Israeli security forces trained for the raid on models of the two buildings, Hagari said.

The environment was one of the most dangerous imaginable for Israeli forces. Nuseirat is one of the largest refugee camps built in Gaza after the 1948 war displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. It is among the few places in which the Israeli military hasnt operated extensively during its ground invasion, and it still hosts intact Hamas fighting units.

The military decided to act when the captors least expected itin broad daylight around 11:30 a.m.in hopes of gaining an advantage, Hagari said.

Hamas said the Israeli forces wore civilian disguises. Hagari declined to comment when asked, but it is a tactic that Israeli special forces have previously used. The commandos reached the apartment entrances undetected, Tsur said, and then broke in."

One Yamam team stormed the first-floor apartment where Argamani was held and took the captors by surprise, the military said. On the third floor of the other building, a gunfight with the guards broke out. The Yamam squad leader, Arnon Zamora, was hit and later died of his wounds.

The hostages were ferried to waiting vehicles and were soon handed bulletproof vests. We have the diamonds in our hands," the commandos radioed to the command center.

The outbreak of gunfire alerted Hamas to the presence of Israeli forces in its stronghold. Militants blasted Israeli troops with gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades. It became a real, intensive combat zone," said an Israeli military official.

The team carrying the three male hostages got pinned down under fire. An Israeli plan to extract them kicked into place, officials said. The air force had preplanned a bank of militant targets, dozens of which the military said they hit as part of Israels efforts to provide cover.

An Israeli helicopter came rushing toward Sarah Tahrawis shelter in Nuseirat before noon. Suddenly there was shooting from all sides. Her children screamed, white smoke filled her house, and she could see people running for their lives.

I was sure I would not survive," she said. The sound of bombing was all around us."

Wael said his aunt was in an upstairs room baking bread and came yelling down the stairs, saying she saw a body flying through the air. His family lives near the Nuseirat market, where witnesses said there were many civilian casualties.

In eight months of war, Wael said, we never witnessed anything like this before."

The Israeli military had trained for a situation in which the hostage-extraction teams come under fire, Tsur said. Israeli paratroopers were sent to lead efforts to rescue the commandos and hostages. The heavy shelling, helicopters, air bombing and drone strikes were all part of a careful plan, Tsur said.

Of course reality is more dramatic, more complicated," Tsur said.

Filled with the three pinned-down hostages, commandos and paratroopers, Israeli armored vehicles raced for the Mediterranean coastline, where the military controls a seaside road. Former hostage Argamani was already in flight. The military released a video of the freed men stepping out onto the sunbaked beach and walking toward helicopters waiting to take them to Israel.

Dov Lieber and Marcus Walker contributed to this article.

Write to Michael Amon at michael.amon@wsj.com
Modi 3.0 Cabinet: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday named his new cabinet on Monday that retained his top ministers in crucial portfolios  Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishnakar. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost majority in Lok Sabha Elections 2024, however, with support from National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies, Modi took oath on Sunday to form government for the third straight term.

Modi 3.0 Cabinet: Ex-CMs made Union Ministers In the Modi 3.0 Cabinet, two former Chief Ministers and BJP leaders, and former CMs from HAM and JD(S) were handed portfolios in the cabinet. The four Chief Ministers include  Shivraj Singh Chouhan, ML Khattar, Jitam Ram Manjhi, HD Kumaraswamy.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has got Agriculture and Rural Development Ministries.

The rural development ministry, responsible for the socio-economic advancement of rural India, plays a pivotal role in implementing flagship schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA) scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), among others.

ML Khattar Manohar Lal Khattar has been appointed the Housing and Urban Affairs Minister in the new Union Cabinet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

The 70-year-old former Haryana chief minister will replace Hardeep Singh Puri who has retained the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry in the new government.

The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is tasked with implementing a range of projects, including the Modi government's prominent PM Awas Yojna, the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), and the ambitious Central Vista redevelopment plan.

Jitam Ram Manjhi Jitan Ram Manjhi has been assigned to the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), a sector that plays a vital role in India's economy.

Manjhi, who served as its 23rd Chief Minister from 20 May 2014 to 20 February 2015, will be focusing on enhancing the competitiveness of MSMEs, providing them with the necessary support and resources.

His leadership is anticipated to drive policies that encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, helping to revitalize the sector which is crucial for employment and economic inclusivity.

HD Kumaraswamy JD(Secular)'s H D Kumaraswamy has got Heavy Industries, and Steel ministries. The former Chief Minister of Karnataka and son of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, will succeed Jyotiraditya M Scindia, who has been allocated the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region in the new government.

Kumaraswamy takes charge of the ministry at a time when the domestic industry is facing the crucial issue of rising steel imports from countries like China, and surging raw material prices.
Modi 3.0 government: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third government allocated portfolios to several elected Lok Sabha members of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Some BJP leaders like Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, Ashwini Vaishnaw, among others retained their portfolios from Modi government 2.0.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's top four ministers -- Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar  retained their respective home, defence, finance and external affairs portfolios, according to an official statement.

Modi's newly formed coalition government has reinstated Nirmala Sitharaman as India's Finance Minister, ensuring policy consistency in one of the globe's rapidly advancing economies. Additionally, Sitharaman will assume responsibility for the Corporate Affairs Ministry, as per an announcement from the President's office on Monday.

Name Portfolio Amit Shah Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Cooperation Rajnath Singh Minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman Minister of Finance, Minister of Corporate Affairs S Jaishankar Minister of External Affairs Ashwini Vaishnaw Minister of Railways, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Nitin Gadkari Minister of Road Transport and Highways Piyush Goyal Minister of Commerce and Industry Dharmendra Pradhan Minister of Education Sarbananda Sonowal Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Hardeep Singh Puri Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari, popularly referred to as the 'Highway Man of India', has been appointed the Road Transport and Highways Minister for the third consecutive term in the newly formed Union Cabinet of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government, an official statement said on Friday.

S. Jaishankar, a prominent BJP figure, retained his position as the Minister of External Affairs. He was sworn in as a Union Cabinet Minister at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday. Jaishankar had previously held the portfolio of External Affairs Minister throughout Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term, spanning from 2019 to 2024.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, besides retaining his previous portfolios of Railways as well as Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, got a new responsibility as Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the third term of the Modi government.

Dharmendra Pradhan will continue to be the education minister in the new Narendra Modi government. Meanwhile Jayant Chaudhary was made the minister of state for education, the President Secretariat announced on Monday.

Sarbananda Sonowal has retained the shipping portfolio, according to an statement.

Kiren Rijiju has been moved from the Ministry of Earth Sciences to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, whereas Arjun Ram Meghwal will maintain his position as the Law Minister.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) turned down the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) offer to accommodate party leader Praful Patel as a minister of state (MoS)with independent charge in the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

Six ministers from Maharashtra were inducted into the ministry, which was sworn in on Sunday. BJP MPs Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal (cabinet ministers), Raksha Khadse and Murlidhar Mohol (both Minister of State); RPI (A) chief Ramdas Athawale (MoS with independent charge), and Shiv Sena leader Prataprao Jadhav (MoS with independent charge) were among the leaders given a cabinet berth.

However, no leader from the NCP, the BJP's ally in Maharashtra found a place in the council of ministers.

The NCP, the BJP, and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena are part of the Mahayuti, the coalition that rules Maharashtra. Praful Patel, NCP chief Ajit Pawar, and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis reacted to the development as the PM Modi-led new cabinet swore on Sunday.

Why did NCP's Praful Patel reject BJP's MoS offer Patel believed that accepting the position of Minister of State with independent charge in the Union Cabinet would be a "demotion".

"Last night we were informed that our party will get a Minister of State with independent charge. I was earlier a Cabinet Minister in the Union Government, so this will be a demotion for me," Patel said on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar said, "Praful Patel has served as a cabinet minister in the central government and we did not feel right in taking Minister of State with independent charge."

He said the NCP has one Lok Sabha and one Rajya Sabha MP today. "But in the next 2-3 months we will have a total of 3 members in the Rajya Sabha and our number of MPs in Parliament will be four. So we said we should be given one (cabinet ministry) seat," he was quoted by news agency PTI as saying.

What's next? Ajit Pawar told reporters on Sunday that the party is ready to wait for a few days but would prefer to get a cabinet ministry. "...we told them (BJP) that we are ready to wait for a few days, but we want a cabinet ministry," Pawar said. Patel also contended that the BJP told them to just wait a few days, "they will take remedial measures."

How BJP reacted? Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that in the coalition government, certain criteria are fixed for the post of minister, and those criteria cannot be changed for one party.

"The NCP was offered an independent charge (MoS) minister post by us. Praful Patel's name was also final. NCP leaders were of the opinion that he could not be made a state minister," Fadnavis said.

He added, In the coalition government, certain criteria are fixed for the post of minister, and those criteria cannot be changed for one party. So this time, he could not be included in the Union Cabinet. But he will be considered in the future.

'BJP their power reduced' Rohit Pawar, who is from the NCP's Sharadchandra Pawar bloc, said that Ajit Pawar has lost his utility to the BJP. He told ANI, Those who go (Ajit Pawar) with BJP their power reduced...BJP wants to give a message that they did not benefit from them in the Lok Sabha...Praful Patel has benefitted the most in all this...The smartest person with Ajit Pawar is Praful Patel...

All party MPs and MLAs today in Maharashtra In the wake of the upheaval over the cabinet post, Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde will hold a meeting with all party MPs and MLAs Monday evening.

The meeting with all MLAs will be held at 6 pm with all MPs at 7 pm at Varsha Bungalow.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge attended the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi on Sunday, dubbing it his "constitutional duty." The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha also broached the possibility of congratulating the BJP leader if the two met during the event.

"I am attending this event because of the constitutional duty. I being the LoP in the Rajya Sabha, this is my duty..." he told reporters.

If I meet, I will see, he added upon being asked whether he would congratulate the Prime Minister.

PM-designate Narendra Modi took oath for a third consecutive term at 7:15 pm at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday. Seating arrangements had been made for over 8,000 guests attending the ceremony. Earlier reports indicated that the guest list would also include labourers, lawyers, doctors, artists, cultural performers, and influencers.

ALSO READ: Modi 3.0 takes oath: Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, among 71 ministers sworn in. Find full list here An ANI report quoting sources indicated that Kharge had accepted the invite after a discussion with his party and allies. The invite was extended by BJP leader Pralhad Joshi late last night. Congress leader Pramod Tiwari  the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha  said that he had not received any such missive.

I am the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha. I haven't received any invitation for the swearing-in ceremony of PM-designate Narendra Modi nor have the INDIA alliance partners. To turn the ceremony into an international event, Narendra Modi is more interested in inviting foreign guests, he said earlier on Sunday.

Follow all Live Updates on Modi 3.0 swearing-in here Reports suggest that Kharge was the only Opposition leader to attend the event. He acted as the representative of the INDIA bloc with several other members publicly turning down their invitations.

Respected @rashtrapatibhvn. Thank you for your kind invitation. I regret that since we in the Opposition do not accept the moral legitimacy of the swearing in of Shri @narendramodi who has lost the mandate of the people, I have made a personal decision not to attend, tweeted TMC leader Sagarika Ghosh while posting a photo of her invitation letter on X.
The Kerala unit of the Congress claimed on Monday that actor and BJP MP Suresh Gopi wants to quit just hours after taking oath as the Minister of State. Posting a video clip on X (formerly Twitter) Monday, the Kerala unit of the Congress took a dig at the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that Gopi, who took oath as a minister on Sunday, now wants to quit because he wants to do films!

The post, reacting to the news of Gopi quitting as a minister, said, @BJP4India @narendramodi why this mockery of voters? Why don't you tell your MP to first decide what he wants to do in life, and most importantly, stop this show in front of the media after taking oath in the name of God and the constitution.

However, the BJP MP reportedly refuted the claim and told CNBC-TV18, I have already accepted the ministerial position, and I have been sworn in.

Suresh Gopi is the first and the only BJP MP from Kerala. He won the Thrissur seat in the recently concluded Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Gopi became the face of the 'Modiyude Guarantee' (Modi's Guarantee) promise to Kerala.

He was inducted into the Union Council of Ministers in PM Modi's government and was sworn in at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday.

After winning the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat, Gopi said earlier, As an MP, I can do the work of various ministries. I do not want to be a minister. There can be new revolutionary working platforms.

All I want is that when I go with a project for the people of Kerala with determination, the ministries concerned should implement it, he was quoted by the news agency PTI.

On June 4, when election results declared his win, he told ANI, I am in totally an ecstatic mood. What was very impossible became gloriously possible...it was not a 62-day campaign process, it was an emotional carriage for the past seven years...I work for Kerala as a whole. My first pick will be to have AIIMS.
Narendra Modis third term as prime minister marks a return to coalition politics as the BJP failed to win the 272 seats needed to form a government on its own.

The party won 240 seats, leaving it dependent on two key allies, N Chandrababu Naidus Telugu Desam Party and Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United). These parties have a common agenda  special status for their states, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar  which they will push for while in government.

It will be hard for the NDA government to ignore their demands, given that TDP won 16 seats and JD(U) won 12. The TDP had quit the NDA in 2018 over this very issue, and it is likely to bring it back to the table.

What is special category status?

Special category status is a classification for regions or states by the central government that entitles them to financial support and tax benefits for development. It was first introduced in 1969, based on the recommendations of the 5th Finance Commission. Article 275 of the Indian Constitution allows the central government to give extra money to any state if needed, but does not say anything about granting special category status to states.

Also read: Differing views among NDA partners on UCC, Agnipath

In August 2014 the Planning Commission was replaced with Niti Aayog, and in April 2015 the 14th Finance Commission removed special category status as a classification for states while increasing the tax devolution to states from 32% to 42%. States that already had special category status would retain it, but no new states would be added to the list.

Whats the governments stand on this?

The union government has repeatedly said it wont consider demands for special category status for any new state. Referring to the 14th Finance Commission, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated last year that no additional states would be granted this status.

How many states have special category status?

Currently, 12 states in India have this status, and five more wish to have it.

In 1969, three states  Jammu & Kashmir (now a Union Territory after Article 370 was revoked in 2019), Assam and Nagaland  were granted special category status. During the 4th Five-Year Plan from 1969 to 1974 these states received 9.26% of the total assistance.

Also read: NDA coalition: Case for optimism

From 1974 to 1978, five more states  Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Tripura  were added to the list. Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram were granted special category status in 1990, Uttarakhand in 2000, and Telangana in 2014.

The five additional states that want this status are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Rajasthan and Goa.

What were the criteria for receiving special category status?

To be accorded special status, a state needed to have a shortage of resources, low per-capita income, and signs of economic and structural underdevelopment. Its finances would have to be unviable  meaning it was unable to manage its budget and financial needs effectively. It would also need to have a sizeable tribal population in a strategic border region, and be sparsely populated.

Also read: Will coalition politics derail the government's disinvestment plans?

The National Development Council, which made these decisions, included the prime minister, union ministers, chief ministers, and members of the erstwhile Planning Commission.

What are the benefits?

Special category status accords significant financial help to states. Such states receive grants which, based on the Gadgil-Mukherjee formula, made up about 30% of total central assistance.

They also benefit from a favourable funding ratio on centrally sponsored schemes, for which the union government covers 90% of the costs and the state only needs to cover 10%. By contrast, states in the general category have to bear 20-40% of the costs.

Special category states also receive additional incentives such as lower customs and excise duties and reduced income and corporate tax rates to attract more investment.

Why does Bihar want special status?

Bihar is seeking special category status due to persistent poverty and underdevelopment, exacerbated by the division of the state in 2000, which left it with limited natural resources. The state faces unreliable water supply for irrigation, frequent floods in the north, and severe droughts in the south. Bihars per-capita GDP is around 54,000, among the lowest in India.

Why does Andhra Pradesh want special status?

Andhra Pradesh has been demanding special category status since 2014, owing to significant revenue loss after Hyderabad, a major economic hub, was transferred to Telangana.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for giving its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government leftover portfolios because it didn't have any "meaningful" ministry left for them.

As the NDA allies press for fair share in the Modi 3.0 government, Omar bet that the BJP would retain the post of Lok Sabha Speaker.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said, For all the talk about the NDA partners pressing for their fair share in the Modi 3.0 ministry, they obviously dont have much sway in the corridors of power. The portfolios given to the allies are the leftovers because the BJP hasnt left anything meaningful for them.

You can bet your bottom dollar the post of Speaker Lok Sabha will stay with the BJP as well, he added.

According to media reports, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar are miffed with Modi government for not being allotted a cabinet position, indicating potential trouble brewing within the NDA allies in Maharashtra.

NCP was offered a Minister of State (MoS) with independent charge, however it had declined the offer, insisting on a Cabinet berth for Rajya Sabha member Praful Patel, citing his extensive experience.

On Friday, the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JNKC) Vice President had slammed the NDA for not having any representation from the minorities on the list of its elected MPs in the recently concluded general elections.

Its not just the BJP, the NDA is Muslim mukth, Christian mukth, Buddhist mukth, Sikh mukth and yet the government will claim to represent 140 crore Indians, Omar had said in a post.

He was responding to a newspaper report about representations of communities, including Muslims, in the NDA and the Opposition's INDIA bloc among the newly elected MPs.

The NDA which had won 293 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha, had no Muslim MPs. The NDA did not have any Christian or Sikh MPs either.
Modi 3.0 Cabinet: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar are miffed with the PM Narendra Modi government for not being allotted a cabinet position, according to reports. This indicates potential trouble brewing within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies in Maharashtra.

Ajit Pawar's NCP, a constituent of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, stood firm on their demand for a cabinet berth, rejecting the offer of a Minister of State position.

Shrirang Barne, an MP of the Shiv Sena under Eknath Shinde's leadership, voiced dissatisfaction on Monday regarding the party's exclusion from the Cabinet in the recently formed government led by Narendra Modi. Barne also accused the selection process of being biased.

"We were expecting that Shiv Sena would get a Cabinet ministry, but even parties that won only one seat received Cabinet berths. For example, HD Kumaraswamy of JD(S), with two MPs, secured two berths, and Jitan Ram Manjhi, with one seat from Bihar, was also given a Cabinet berth," Shrirang Barne said, according to a PTI report.

Barne emphasized Shiv Sena's significant electoral gains in Maharashtra, securing seven out of 15 contested seats, while the BJP won nine out of 28. "Considering Shiv Sena's longstanding alliance with the BJP," he remarked, We anticipated at least one Cabinet and one MOS berth. Barne alleged favouritism in allocating Cabinet positions, asserting that after JD(U) and TDP, Shiv Sena stands as the BJP's third most substantial ally.

Chirag Paswan, whose party won five seats, was also given a Cabinet berth. But Shiv Sena got only one MOS berth. I personally feel that there is partiality against Shiv Sena. Considering that we will face assembly elections together in the next three months, it is expected that Sena should get fair treatment, he added.

Six MPs from Maharashtra were included in the recent expansion of the Modi 3.0 coalition government. The BJP secured four berths; its allies Shiv Sena and RPI (A)received one.

Notably, BJP MPs Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal retained their positions as cabinet ministers, while Raksha Khadse and first-time MP Murlidhar Mohol were sworn in as Ministers of State. Among the allies, RPI (A) chief Ramdas Athawale continued as an MoS with an independent charge, while Prataprao Jadhav joined as an MoS with an independent charge.
Apple made a number of significant announcements at its WWDC 2024 event on Monday, including its debut into the world of AI with Apple Intelligence, a major AI-powered revamp of Siri, and the introduction of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, VisionOS 2, macOS Sequoia and WatchOS11. The Tim Cook-led company also announced integration with ChatGPT across its various operating systems, while maintaining a focus on user privacy.

Top announcements bt Apple at WWDC 2024:

1) Apple Intelligence:

Apple has finally made its foray into the world of artificial intelligence with a new offering called Apple Intelligence. Apple Intelligence is said to deliver powerful performance while maintaining user privacy. Apple CEO Tim Cook, while introducing Apple Intelligence, said that there is a need for 'personal intelligence', which is the next big step for Apple.

Apple Intelligence will use the power of generative AI to understand and create images, take actions across apps, understand personal context and improve everyday tasks.

The Cupertino-based tech giant said Apple Intelligence will help power writing tools, categorise emails, transcribe and summarise audio, prioritise notifications and generate images and emojis (via Image Playground and Genmoji tools respectively).

Apple states that many of the Apple Intelligence models will run entirely on the device, while more complex tasks will be run via a Private Cloud Compute powered by Apple silicon. The tech giant says user data will never be stored or exposed, and independent experts will be able to inspect the code running on Apple silicon to verify the company's claims.

Apple Intelligence will run on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, along with iPads and MacBooks based on M1 or later chipsets. Apple says it will be available for free to users in the US this fall via iOS18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia.

2) Siri revamp and ChatGPT integration:

Siri is getting a major boost thanks to the generative AI capabilities of Apple Intelligence. With the new update, Siri is said to be getting more "natural, contextual and personal" to provide a simplified and faster user experience. Siri is also getting a design overhaul, with glowing lights wrapping around the edge of the user's screen when Siri is active.

Siri is also getting 'onscreen awareness', which will allow the voice assistant to not only understand what's happening on the screen, but also use it to take action on the user's behalf.

Finally, Apple is also bringing ChatGPT integration to Siri, meaning it will be able to get help from OpenAI's chatbot whenever necessary. However, users will be consulted before their requests are sent to ChatGPT, while their IP addresses will be masked and OpenAI will not be able to store any requests.

ChatGPT, powered by the latest GPT-4o model, will also be available in a range of Apple apps to generate images and improve the writing experience.

3) iOS 18:

For the first time, Apple will allow users to arrange apps and widgets on the Home screen according to their preferences. While Android users have been able to customise their home screens for years, for some reason, Apple hasn't thought it wise to allow users to customise the icons and widgets on their home screens until now.

Moreover, users will also be able play around with the colour of their home screen icons and widgets in order to give a more dark or tinted look.

Apple is also redesigning the Control Center to provide a more customisable and flexible experience. Users will now be able to add controls from supported third-party apps, customise the layout of controls, and even switch controls on the bottom lock screen.

The Photos app is also getting a major redesign in iOS 18 to make it easier for users to find their favourite pictures. Users can now pin their favourite collections, view highlights of their favourite people, pets, places and more in the new Carousel view, and autoplay content through the app to relive past moments.

As expected, iMessage now includes RCS support for Android users, which should put an end to the green bubble vs. blue bubble debate. RCS messages offer a richer media transfer experience and are more reliable than SMS and MMS.

4) iPadOS 18:

iPadOS 18 gets some of the same updates as iOS 18, including a customised experience on the Home screen and Control Center, and a revamp of the Photos app. What's different, however, is the addition of a new Math Notes calculator, which allows users to type or write mathematical expressions and have them solved in their own handwriting.

Apple is also improving the note-taking experience on iPads with a new feature called Smart Script. In iPadOS 18, users will be able to take handwritten notes quickly without sacrificing legibility. This is made possible by a new machine algorithm that corrects text in real time to match the user's original handwriting. Users can also add typed and copied text to the same note, which is automatically adjusted to match the user's handwriting.

5) macOS Sequoia:

Apple is enabling users to wirelessly access and use their iPhones on their Macs with the new iPhone Mirroring feature. Users can perform all of their iPhone tasks, such as swiping through the home screen and opening different apps, directly from their Macs. The new feature also allows users to see their iPhone notifications alongside their Mac notifications.

Apple has also introduced a new Passwords app to help users manage all their credentials in one place. The new app can be used to sync passwords across Apple devices and even works on Windows via the iCloud application.

macOS Sequoia also aims to improve the video calling experience with the new Presenter Preview, which allows users to see their screen before sharing it with others in a meeting. Apple says the new feature is compatible with applications such as FaceTime and Zoom.

The latest MacOS update also adds the ability to change backgrounds during a video call with a variety of colour gradients, system wallpapers or user-uploaded images.

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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!
While the likes of Samsung, Vivo, OnePlus and Oppo have made forays into the foldable world, Apple's name has been painstakingly absent from the list. While recent reports have suggested that the Tim Cook led company is preparing to deliver foldable iPhones soon, there had no concrete details about the design or specifications of the upcoming device till yet. However, a latest report by 9to5Mac citing analyst Jeff Pu has now suggested that tech giant may be preparing to bring a foldable device with wrap around design.

Also Read | Apple WWDC 2024 Live Updates

In an earlier note, Pu had asserted that Apple will release its 7.9-inch foldable device in 2026 while a 20.3-inch hybrid foldable device could make its debut a year earlier in 2025. The report was also collaborated by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who stated that Apple was indeed working on a 20.3-inch foldable MacBook.

As per Pu, the upcoming 7.9 inch foldable will have a design similar to Huawei Mate Xs 2 while the 20.3 inch foldable could have a similar design to the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold.

In other news, Apple will soon unveil its latest operating systems for iPhones, MacBooks, Vision Pro, iPad and Apple Watch at the company's WWDC 2024 event today. Reports suggest that this year's WWDC will mark Apple's foray into the world of generative AI.

While rivals like Samsung and Google have jumped on the AI bandwagon and brought many devices with AI powered features, Apple hasn't really had a say in the matter so far. However, the Tim Cook led company looks ready to leapfrog in this new world of artificial intelligence with a new reported partnership with OpenAI.

While Apple may not be an early adopter of AI, the company is likely to differentiate itself from the competition with the a privacy focused approach to AI. Multiple reports have suggested that Apple may run most its AI features on-device, meaning the user data will not be sent to the cloud for processing.

Moreover, Apple may reportedly also harp on about not building profiles of users, something that has led to frequent criticism of other major companies in the sector like Meta and Google.

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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!
Nvidia (NVDA) has initiated a 10-for-1 stock split, which will begin trading on Monday. This move follows spectacular price growth, with shares increasing by an astonishing 212% over the last year. Such a historic surge has propelled Nvidia into the esteemed $3 trillion club, joining tech behemoths Apple (AAPL) and Microsoft (MSFT), making it only the third U.S. corporation to reach this milestone.

Stock Symbol Company Name NVDA Nvidia AAPL Apple MSFT Microsoft LRCX Lam Research NTNX Nutanix AVGO Broadcom MRVL Marvell Technology MU Micron ARM Arm

The revelation of the split has elicited conflicting responses from industry analysts. While Winthrop Capitals chief investment officer Adam Coons anticipates an increase in retail investor interest, others warn of potential volatility. According to Coons, an influx of retail traders may cause increased volatility due to their predisposition to make rapid and emotional purchasing and selling decisions.

Julian Emanuel of Evercore ISI, on the other hand, sees more volatility as an opportunity to buy Nvidia, which he considers a generational opportunity and a cornerstone of todays technology ecosystem.

Stock splits have historically been optimistic for the companies who implement them, with average returns of 25% one year later, compared to approximately 12% for the overall market, according to Bank of America study.

Nvidias stratospheric climb has had a substantial impact on the broader market, accounting for over a third of the S&P 500s return since the beginning of the year, and more than a quarter of its return in May alone.

Since Nvidias earnings release on May 22, Wall Streets positive opinion about the company has only grown. Vivek Arya of Bank of America boosted his price objective to a Street high of $1,500, noting the chip giants vital position in the accelerated computing revolution.

Aside from expressing managements confidence, Nvidias stock split demonstrates enthusiasm and optimism about the broader AI industrys development potential. As Lam Research (LRCX) CFO Doug Bettinger stated at Bank of Americas Global Technology conference, we are still in the early stages of the AI investment cycle.

The next phase of growth, also known as the second wave of AI, is expected to gain traction as businesses incorporate AI into their strategic planning and enterprise expenditure. Rajiv Ramaswami, CEO of Nutanix (NTNX), stresses this trend, citing increased adoption of hybrid-cloud architectures and growing interest in enterprise AI.

Arya suggests Broadcom (AVGO), Marvell Technology (MRVL), Micron (MU), and Arm (ARM) as top benefactors for investors looking to profit from AIs sustained growth. Arya views growing processing, networking, and memory requirements as key growth drivers for this category in the next years.

Shayne Heffernan
This story originally appeared in our Daytripping special section May 19, 2023.

Travelers on U.S. Highway 95 seeking to bypass Grangeville have likely stopped at the outhouse at Tolo Lake at least once or twice.

But the 36-acre lake is more than just a scenic rest stop on a gravel road; its a historical meeting site for the Nez Perce Tribe, the site of a major mammoth discovery, and a popular fishing and birding spot.

The pond is the largest natural body of water on the Camas Prairie and an affiliated site of the Nez Perce National Historical Park.

The lake had served as a rendezvous site for bands of the Nimiipuu  or Nez Perce  used for gathering food and meeting with neighboring bands, according to the National Park Service. The canyon was also part of an ancient transportation network that connected the Salmon River and the Snake River drainages.

The lake was a gathering spot during the Nez Perce flight of 1877, in which at least 600 members of the tribe were driven from their traditional lands to resettle on the smaller Nez Perce Reservation near Lapwai, according to the National Park Service.

The lake is now owned and managed by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The department has said it will stock Tolo Lake with 700 rainbow trout in May. The lake supports a warm water fishery.

In 1994, state officials sought to improve fish and wildlife habitat at the lake and in the process found a huge bone. It was later determined to be a Columbian mammoth. A paleontological recovery effort found three mammoth skeletons and an ancient bison skull.
There is no estimated time yet for the announcement of the first count for the Midlands-North-West elections, which featured a record 27 candidates.

As the local elections come to a close across the country, now turn to Cork, Dublin and Castlebar for the results of the European Parliament elections.

For the most part, local elections stuck with the status quo, with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail dividing up the lion's share of councillor seats nationwide. Independents also saw a huge boost, and Sinn Fein made disappointing gains.

The question on many minds in the count centre in Castlebar is: will the European elections be any different?

At the time of writing, indications from the Midlands-North-West count centre have pointed to no conclusive result before Monday evening at the very earliest. It may be days before voters across the region hear the full results.

An estimated 700,000 ballot papers need to be checked and counted in the TF Hotel in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Dozens of count staff will remain hard at work for possibly days, as the count is predicted to take much longer than the Dublin constituency, given the area's size.

Ballot boxes only recently finished arriving in Castlebar, and the turnout appears to have been almost 50 per cent.

In rather predictable fashion thus far, Independent candidate Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and Fine Gael's Maria Walsh, both incumbents, have both seen strong support in the ballots. Polling before the election had indicated that both MEPs were at little risk of losing their seats.

Other candidates performing well so far include Aontu's Peadar Toibin, Fianna Fail's Barry Cowen, and Fine Gael's Nina Carberry.

An estimated 700,000 people turned out to vote across the region, but it remains to be seen if voters leaned the same way in the European elections as they did in the locals, where independents picked up over 20 per cent of first preference votes, and a record amount of local council seats.

As of yet, independent candidates such as Peter Casey, Michelle Smith and Stephen Garland are polling with low figures, but it is still early days.

It will be hard to predict the outcome here in Castlebar this week, as the large electoral area made it difficult to gauge voter's opinions. The Midlands-North-West region stretches from Donegal to Offaly and Mayo to Louth, meaning a diverse group will be represented by the five MEPs chosen.

Sinn Fein are at risk of losing their one seat in the Midlands-North-West region if Chris MacManus fails to get elected. This would add another loss to the party in the elections, who have performed poorly across local and European counts.

Elsewhere, the Fianna Fail campaign has been marred by infighting, as border-region hopeful Niall Blaney accused the party leadership of throwing him and Mayo representative Lisa Chambers overboard in favour of Barry Cowen, who brings strong name recognition to the table.

These candidates will compete among the 27 total runners and riders in the contest, including unsuccessful presidential election candidate and entrepreneur Peter Casey, and former RTE correspondent Ciaran Mullooly.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: June 10 2024

Quality bass fishing opportunities available throughout the state.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced that the open (harvest) season for largemouth and smallmouth bass, collectively known as black bass, begins June 15 and runs through Nov. 30. For most of the state, a catch-and-release season exists from Dec. 1 through June 14. Special fishing regulations exist for some waters, so anglers should check the current fishing regulations before heading out to fish.

From neighborhood ponds and smaller streams to the Great Lakes, New York is fortunate to have some of the most outstanding bass fishing opportunities in the country, Interim Commissioner Mahar said. I encourage all anglers to find the time to enjoy, and share with others, the fun and excitement that comes with casting a line and landing a bass in New York.

Black bass are New Yorks most popular sportfish for good reason. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass can be found throughout the state, thriving in waters of all sizes, and are among the most exciting fish to catch.

In 2023, New York State landed six lakes on Bassmaster Magazines top 100 best bass lakes in the country. Among the New York waters included are the St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands), ranked as the second-best bass lake in the nation, and Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River, ranked as ninth-best lake. Lake Champlain, Cayuga Lake, Oneida Lake, and Chautauqua Lake made the list, as well, and are in Bassmaster Magazines top 25 Northeastern Best Bass Lakes 2023.

New Yorks warmwater rivers also provide outstanding bass fishing opportunities. The Chenango River, Tioughnioga River, Unadilla River, Chemung River, Wallkill , and Seneca River are just a few of the many warmwater rivers worth checking out to find great river bass fishing experiences. Be sure to check out DECs Places to Fish and Warmwater Fishing webpages for more information on where to go bass fishing, as well as the Tackle Box feature in the HuntFishNY mobile app.

For tips on how to catch bass, see Fishing For Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass . Those new to fishing can check out the I FISH NY Beginners' Guide to Freshwater Fishing, which has all the information needed to get started. Theres also a how-to video series on DECs YouTube channel.

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) provides advice to anglers about what fish are safe to eat and how often. Visit DOHs website to search by waterbody location.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: June 10 2024

Kevin Torres killed 18-year-old Daniel Garcia-Carbajal because he was a perceived enemy of MS-13.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that an alleged MS-13 member was convicted of the murder of an 18-year-old man in Cow Meadow Park in March 2021.

Kevin Torres, 26, a/k/a Sarco, was convicted Wednesday after a jury trial before Judge Tammy Robbins of Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony); Conspiracy in the First Degree (an A-I felony); and Conspiracy in the Second Degree (a B felony).

The trial began on May 22, 2024, and the jury deliberated for less than an hour before delivering their verdict. The defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on July 10, 2024.

Kevin Torres was instrumental in the murder of a teenage victim and conspiracy to conceal the crime, said DA Donnelly. Daniel Garcia-Carbajal thought he was going to spend an afternoon partying with friends and a few girls when he was persuaded to take a drive with Torres to Cow Meadow Park. Instead, the young man was brutally murdered for social media posts that were seen by MS-13 as disrespecting the gang. NCDA has worked diligently for years to dismantle this criminal organization and will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases to ensure MS-13 never regains its foothold in our communities.

DA Donnelly said in the early morning hours of March 1, 2021, 18-year-old Daniel Garcia-Carbajal was lured to Cow Meadow Park with the promise of meeting up with girls through a message sent to him on Facebook Messenger.

The victim was picked up in a car that afternoon and taken to Cow Meadow Park in Freeport with Torres and other co-defendants.

Garcia-Carbajal entered the park with multiple co-defendants  including Torres  where he was shot once in his head causing his death.

After the murder, Kevin Torres was given the gun used in the shooting and buried it in a co-defendants backyard.

A family member reported Garcia-Carbajal missing and his body was found the following day in the park. The victim was a perceived enemy of MS-13 because of previous social media posts.

Torres was arrested on October 26, 2021, by members of the Nassau County Police Departments Bureau of Special Operations in Central Islip.
An IDF helicopter brings rescued hostages back to Israel on June 8. (IDF)

Israel rescued four hostages in a raid on the central Gaza town of Nuseirat on June 8. The operation began the morning of June 8 and targeted two buildings where Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv were being held. The rescue was the third rescue of living hostages in Gaza since the war began. Hamas and other terrorist groups kidnapped more than 250 people during its attack on October 7 last year. The four hostages rescued in Nuseirat had been kidnapped from the Nova music festival in Israel. Argamanis October 7 kidnapping on a motorcycle was captured in a video that circulated widely.

An IDF female observer, Ori Megidish, was rescued on October 30. She was rescued three days after Israel launched a ground offensive. Two more hostages were rescued in a raid in Rafah on the night of February 11. They were held in civilian homes. The hostages held in Nuseirat were also held in civilian homes. The IDF said that Abdallah Aljamal was an operative in the Hamas terrorist organization, who held the hostages Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv captive in his family home in Nuseirat. Aljamal and members of his family held the three male hostages in their home. This is further evidence of the deliberate use of civilian homes and buildings by the Hamas terrorist organization to hold Israeli hostages captive in the Gaza Strip, the IDF said.

The raid was complex due to the fact the hostages were in civilian homes in a densely-populated area. The operation involved Israels elite Yamam police unit that specializes in hostage rescue. The operation was carried out after many weeks of accurate intelligence gathering conducted by the ISA and the Hostage Task Force in the Intelligence Directorate (J2), where the preliminary information on the whereabouts of the hostages at both locations was compiled, as well as the intelligence that enabled the operational conditions of the rescue, the IDF said.

Commanding Officer of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, and the Commanding Officer of the 98th Division, Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfus assembled in the morning to monitor the raid. The 98th division has been operating in central Gaza since the first week of June. The IDFs Paratrooper Reconnaissance Unit Combat Team led the rescue along with the Yaman, entering the crowded neighborhood in vehicles. Shaldag special forces also helped direct airstrikes that were carried out to help cover the operation.

After the rescue, the hostages were taken to the beach and extracted with helicopters. The Paratrooper Brigade Combat Team led the operation to rescue the hostages and the special forces while under fire and transported them to the helicopter boarding point in the heart of the Gaza Strip. Under the Combat Team, soldiers of the Paratrooper Reconnaissance Unit, Unit 5515, Shayetet 13, the Givati Reconnaissance Unittook part in the operation, the IDF said. Tanks and armored vehicles also help in the operation, providing cover as the units left the area. The hostages were taken to Israels Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Center.

The operation was named Arnon after Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora, the Yamam Squad Commander, who was killed in the raid. The IDF noted that he had played a role on October 7 fighting terrorists near Yad Mordechai with his unit, eliminating dozens of terrorists and preventing the terrorists from infiltrating northwards. He then went on to fight in the battle at Kibbutz Nahal Oz and Kibbutz Beeri. Arnon was part of the force that broke into the apartment where the hostages were being held, was severely injured during a battle, and later died in the hospital, the Israeli army said in a statement. A number of Gazans were killed and wounded in the operation.

The raid marks an important moment for Israel and was seen as a major success in a war that has stretched on for eight months. Over the last month, the IDF had recovered the bodies of seven hostages in Jabalya. The 98th division led that operation and its ability to finally rescue living hostages was a positive development for the unit. On June 3 the IDF declared that four elderly hostages; Chaim Peri, 79, Amiram Cooper, 84, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Nadav Popplewell, 51, had also been confirmed killed in Gaza.

The hostage rescue compelled Israel war cabinet minister Benny Gantz to postpone his partys planned resignation from the government by one day. [Israel Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu prevents us from moving forward to a real victory [in Gaza], Gantz said on June 9, announcing his leave. His exit raises many questions about how Israels war will proceed.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
An Iron Dome battery. (IDF)

Hezbollah conducted attacks on Israel throughout June 10, carrying out drone and rocket attacks across Israels northern Galilee from the Mediterranean Sea to the Golan Heights. The Iranian-backed terrorist group has attacked Israel thousands of times since October 8, when it began supporting Hamas attacks on Israel. The group has recently increased its attacks and doubled its use of drones and anti-tank missiles. Israels Defense Minister conducted an assessment in northern Israel on June 9 as the escalation by Hezbollah began. The attacks occurred during a potential domestic political crisis in Israel as Benny Gantz, a leader of a centric political party and member of Israels War Cabinet, resigned from the cabinet on June 9. Although his resignation was expected, it deprives the governing coalition of several votes.

Hezbollah is also increasing its use of surface-to-air missiles. On June 10, the group downed an Israeli Hermes 900 drone. This is at least the third Hermes 900 that has been shot down. Another Hermes 900 was downed on June 1. A Hermes 450 was shot down in April and another in February. Hezbollah appears to be having increased success against large- and medium-sized Israeli drones. Hezbollah also targeted an Israeli warplane with a surface-to-air missile on June 9.

The context of Hezbollahs success against Israels Hermes family of drones comes amid an emerging challenge that large- and medium-sized UAVs face in contested airspace. Several US Reaper drones have been downed over Yemen, for example. The Iranian-backed Houthis likely share information with both Iran and Hezbollah. The Hermes is larger than the US-made Predator but smaller than the Reaper. The three types of drones fill a similar niche in terms of capabilities. The smaller Hermes 450 has commonalities with the Turkish-made Bayrtaktar. The Bayraktars have also faced challenges in Ukraine where Ukraines fleet of Bayraktars have been used less as the war against Russia drags on.

Hezbollahs escalation on June 10 followed approximately eleven rounds of attacks on Sunday, June 9. On June 8, a Hezbollah drone was intercepted over the sea near the Israeli city of Nahariya. Sirens initially sounded in Israeli communities near the sea just after midnight on June 10, but the IDF said these were false alarms. There has been an uptick in false alarms over the last month amid the tensions with Hezbollah.

The next round of incidents began at 12:39, when a number of Hezbollah drones were identified and intercepted. However, at least one of them flew over Nahariya, an Israeli coastal city, and struck near a kibbutz called Kabri. Another round of sirens sounded in northern Israel between 13:15 and 14:30. These included more drone attacks and a number of anti-tank missile attacks.

The IDF said, over the past few hours, numerous anti-tank missile launches were identified toward the areas of Manara, Yiron, Avivim, Margaliot, and Yiftach in northern Israel. Several hits were identified on structures in the areas of Manara and Yiron. Additionally, fires broke out in the areas of Yiron, Yiftach and Manara. The fire in Manara was extinguished shortly afterward. The IDF responded with artillery fire.

More drone attacks occurred during the afternoon. There were also several rocket launches toward Mount Hermon. Around sunset, the IDF said that there were several false alarms in the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona. The IDF responded to the afternoon attacks with a round of airstrikes targeting launch post in the areas of Aitaroun and Ayta ash Shab in southern Lebanon.

The IDF said that its air defense array has intercepted thousands of rockets, missiles and drones since the war began in October. This includes over 150 UAVs that have targeted Israel. It was not clear if this number includes the Iranian UAVs intercepted by Israeli warplanes overnight between April 13 and 14. It likely does not include those UAVs, meaning this number is primarily related to the Hezbollah drone attacks and several UAVs launched from Iraq, Syria and Yemen. The IDF also noted it created a new air defense battalion to bolster the number of Iron Dome batteries. Israel is retiring its Patriot air defense system and sending air defenders to man Iron Dome systems.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
By Azernews

Ulviyya Shahin

The Baku Energy Forum recently provided a platform for Gary Jones, regional president of bp for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye, to reflect on Azerbaijan's remarkable journey since the inception of the "Contract of the Century" three decades ago. Acknowledging the significant strides made, he emphasized the prudent utilization of oil export revenues towards advancing green energy initiatives.

Jones highlighted the enduring global reliance on oil and gas while emphasizing the imperative to augment green energy production.

He lauded the foresight of Azerbaijan's energy strategy, noting its pivotal role in bolstering Europe's energy security through key projects like TANAP, TAP, Southern Gas Corridor, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipelines, which continue to underpin the country's economic growth.

Moreover, Jones underscored bp's commitment to this vision by announcing a $200 million investment in solar electricity production in Jabrayil and Nakhchivan. He emphasized the dual significance of this endeavor: meeting domestic energy demands while also contributing to global energy markets.

Jones expressed confidence in the successful completion of green energy projects through collaborative efforts between governments and companies.

Speaking to Azernews,Dr. Frank Musmar said that the EU and Azerbaijan have significantly deepened their energy cooperation by signing the Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy in Baku on July 18, 2022.

"This landmark agreement underscores the strategic importance of Azerbaijan's energy partnership with the EU, which substantially contributes to the union's energy needs. It supplies approximately 5% of the EU's gas demand, effectively bringing Caspian gas resources to the EU's energy market. This is due to Azerbaijan's significant crude oil production (32.7 Mt, including natural gas liquids) and natural gas (35.0 cm). The country's robust hydrocarbon production has led to one of the world's highest energy self-sufficiency ratios, with production exceeding demand by almost four times," the expert noted.

"Moreover, the memorandum supports green energy cooperation; therefore, the Azerbaijani government is developing a long-term energy strategy that will reflect on electricity and natural gas supply, energy efficiency, and renewables. This strategy will produce electricity using renewable energy sources while decreasing the use of natural gas for electricity production. It will also diversify Azerbaijani energy resources, supplying fossil fuels and green energy, Dr. Fransk Musmar added.

While the international expert answering the question "How can initiatives such as TANAP, TAP, and the Southern Gas Corridor contribute to diversifying Europe's energy sources and reducing dependence on traditional fossil fuels" that the EU actively supports the further expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) and recognizes its pivotal role in diversifying the EU gas supply. This is evident in the REPowerEU plan and the Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy with Azerbaijan.

"The Southern Gas Corridor is a tangible manifestation of Azerbaijan's energy partnership with the EU and serves as a key component in the EU's energy diversification strategy.

Europe is considering the enlargement of the SGC and enlisted related projects in the 5th Union list of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs), in particular the Adriatica and the Matagiola-Massafra gas pipeline projects in Italy, the EU as a recognition of such importance."

According to him, as part of the ongoing efforts to support future expansion, it is crucial to upgrade the gas infrastructure in the Southern Europe Region.

"This comprehensive plan includes a cluster of infrastructure, development, and enhancement projects that will facilitate the flow of gas from the SGC to Bulgaria and beyond. These projects, such as the Interconnection Greece  Bulgaria, the rehabilitation, modernization, and expansion of the Bulgarian transmission system, and the gas interconnection Bulgaria  Serbia, are tangible steps towards enhancing energy security in the region," Dr.Musmar said.

"As Europe prepares for the upcoming parliamentary elections, the Russian fossil fuel trade issue looms large on the agenda. By prioritizing joint efforts for alternatives from Russian fossil fuels, the EU can concentrate on investing in the SGC to support Azerbaijan's initiatives for green energies and depend on Azerbaijan's liquid and natural gas as an alternative to Russia's energy dominance over Europe," expert concluded.
Its time for the most impactful keynote Apple will deliver all year: WWDC, when the company unveils the new direction it will take its devices. Today Apple unveiled iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, macOS 15, and watchOS 11, along with updates to tvOS, AirPods, and visionOS, all coming this fall. Its a big day.

So if youre as excited as we are, youre tracking all of the latest news with our full coverage and live blog or just rewatch the keynote to relive it all over again.

WWDC 2024: Everything Apple announced

iOS 18: Customizable Home screen, Apple Intelligence, redesigned Photos

iPadOS 18: New Calculator app with hand-written Math Notes

watchOS 11: New health and fitness features and apps, redesigned Photos face

macOS 15: iPhone mirroring, tiled app layout, updated apps

visionOS 2: Spatial photo creation, Mac virtual display enhancements

WWDC 2024: Live blog

12:55pm ET: Apples stream is live with a Siri-colored ray of light tracing the edges of various objects.

12:58pm: the YouTube stream (below) is also live.

1pm: The keynote is starting, revealing an image of a glowing Apple logo.

1pm: Its Showtime! The opening skit involves Phil Schiller flying a plans with Craig Federighi and Apple execs jumping out of a plane!

1:02pm: Tim Cook is opening the show with a segment on top of Apple Park. Today were going to have some incredible updates to our platforms.

1:03pm: Apple TV+ is celebrating its 5th anniversary, about to launch our most exciting lineup yet. Severance is returning!

1:05pm: Well start with our OS announcements and dive into intelligence, First up visionOS.

Apple Apple Apple

1:08pm: visionOS 2 lets you create spatial photos from existing 2D photos using machine learning.

1:10pm: New gestures and higher resolution for Mac Virtual Display. Train support.

1:10pm: TableTopKit lets devs create games that lock to a surface.

1:12pm: Canon is offering a new spatial video lens for Vision Pro. Available this fall

1:13pm: Apple Immersive Video available to creators. New immersive experiences on the way.

1:15pm: Vision Pro available in China, Japan, and Singapore on June 28. UK on July 12!

1:15pm: Its time for iOS 18!

Apple Apple Apple

1:16pm: Arrange apps anywhere you want on the screen. Dark-mode apps and customization sheet for tinting icons.

1:17pm: New controls in Control Center with groups. Controls gallery make it more extensible than ever. Third party controls too!

1:19pm: You can now change the lock screen icons.

1:20pm: Lock an appwont launch without Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode. Hide an app in locked hidden apps folder. Users can decide which contents and devices apps can see.

1:21pm: Messages brings all new ways to express yourself and stay connected. Any emoji can be used as a tapback. Scheduled messages, new effects. SMS ans iMessages via satellite will let you text when off the grid (iPhone 14 and later). End-to-end encrypted.

1:23pm: Mail categories. Primary, transactions, updates, promotions. Sort mail and summarize messages in a digest view. Users can recategorize messages and easily archive and delete.

1:25pm: Topographic Maps. Tap to Cash in Wallet. Apple Pay online and a new design for event tickets. Insights and Search for Journal.

1:26pm: Game Mode comes to iPhone for an immersive experience.

1:27pm: Biggest redesign ever to the Photos app. Unified into a single view with months and years at the bottom and library at the top. Easily filter out screenshots.

1:29pm: Collections let you browse by topic with unrelated screenshots and images filtered out. People and Pets include groups. Trips view organizes travel by year and place. All customizable.

1:30pm: iOS 18: Option for larger icons on the home screen. Reminders and calendar integration.

1:31pm: AirPods!

1:32pm: Shake your head yes or no to answer a call. Voice Isolation comes to AirPods Pro. Removes background noise while on a call.

1:33pm: Game mode with personalized spatial audio.

1:34pm: Apple TV: Insight. Swipe down on remote to see actors, characters, and songs in a movie or show. Enhanced dialog uses machine learning for better clarity. Subtitles automatically appear when muted or rewound. Snoopy screensaver!

Apple Apple Apple

1:36pm: watchOS 11: More new features to keep you active, healthy, and connected.

1:37pm: Training mode measure effort from easy to all out to adjust workouts.

1:38pm: Customize summary tab in Fitness app. Pause rings for a rest day, week, or more.

1:39pm: Vitals app: daily health status and important health metrics. Details on whats changed and alerts when something may be concerning.

1:40pm: Cycle tracking can show gestational age during pregnancy and show heart rate.

1:40pm: Smart stacks automatically add new widgets when needed. Translation right on your wrist. Live activities coming to Apple Watch. Check In now on Apple Watch with support for late-night workouts. Redesigned Photos face.

1:43pm: iPadOS: Customizable home screen and control center like iOS. Floating tab bar morphs into side bar. Customizable. Easier to browse documents. Refined animations. All APIs for developers.

Apple Apple Apple

1:45pm: SharePlay: Tap and draw on screen, remote control iPad or iPhone. Freeform adds Scenes to focus on specific sections.

1:47pm: CALCULATOR FOR iPAD. Write equations with Apple Pencil in Math Notes. Dynamic problem solving in handwriting. Works in Notes.

1:49pm: Smart script in Notes improves appearance of handwriting as you write to make it smoother, straighter, and more legible. Spell check, tap and hold to add space, scribble to erase.

1:52pm: macOS Sequoia! iPhone mirroring lets you control your iPhone from another room, use aps, interact with keyboard and trackpad, notifications from iPhone can be interacted with on the Mac. Audio comes through on Mac. iPhone stays locked.

Apple Apple Apple

1:55pm: Drag and drop from Mac to iPhone with iPhone Mirroring.

1:56pm: Organize apps with Tiles. Video conferencing Presenter Preview, see what youre about to share before you share it. Background Replacement brings customizable backgrounds to video calls.

1:57pm: Passwords app on iPhone, Mac, and Windows. Easily access credentials and store passwords.

1:58pm: Safari. Easier ways to discover content with Highlights. Detects relevant information and highlights it while you browse. Reader mode removes distraction and provide summary of articles. Viewer breaks out videos as you scroll.

2pm: Unified gaming platform. Game Porting Toolkit 2, advanced games, unify shaders across devices. More games!

2:02pm: Assassins Creed Shadows available same day as PC in November.

2:04pm: Developer betas available today, public betas available in July.

2:05pm: Tim is back and talking about artificial intelligence.

2:06pm: Apple intelligence is real!

Apple Apple Apple

2:07pm: Intelligence that understands you. Puts powerful generative models at the core of your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Protects your privacy at every step.

2:09pm: Priority notifications, writing tools to rewrite, proofread, or edit writings. available automatically across Apple and third-party apps.

2:10pm: Generate images, make sketches, illustrations, and animated images automatically from contacts or prompts. New conversational actions that understand context.

2:12pm: Privacy at the core of Apple Intelligence. On-device processing. Large-language and diffusion models with Apple silicon.You are in control of your dataextends into the cloud. Private Cloud Compute.

2:15pm: A big leap forward for Siri! New icon, deeply integrated, new animation around border of the screen, understands context, can continue conversations. Type to Siri by double-tapping, switch between text and voice

2:19pm: Can answer thousands of questions about features on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Over the course of the next year, Apple will be rolling out new features such as on-screen awareness. App intents framework opens up new possibilities for understanding and taking action in third-party apps.

2:21pm: Awareness of personal context, messages, emails, links, Siri will find and understand things it never could before. All on device.

2:23pm: Siri when is my moms flight landing? Searches emails, texts and understands the context of what is being asked.

2:25pm: Rewrite gives suggestions on improving emailslanguage, tone, spelling, creative. Proofread: Check grammar, spelling, sentence structure. System wide anywhere you write including third-party apps.

2:26pm: Smart Replies in Mail.

2:27pm: Priority notifications, summaries, on Lock Screen. Reduced Interruptions Focus mode.

2:29pm: Genmoji, create any emoji with a text prompt in Apples emoji style.

2:30pm: Image Playground: Create images on the fly with a text prompt. Apple Intelligence will suggest images on the fly. Works across apps and can be shared.

2:33pm: Image Wand, transfer a rough sketch into a polished image. Circle a sketch and it will understand context to create an image.

2:34pm: Photo editing, Clean Up tool will locate and remove background objects. Find specific photos and videos with text prompts. Create a memory movie automatically with images, transitions, and music just by asking.

Apple Apple Apple

2:36pm: Apple Intelligence can record and transcribe audio in Notes and Phone apps.

2:37pm: Available for free part of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15. External models integrated into the experience, starting with ChatGPT. Bult support into Siri when needed. Notifies users it is using ChatGPT and asks before using.

2:39pm: Tools available for developers with Image Playground and Siri.

2:41pm: Coding support in XCode.

2:42pm: Supports iPhone 15 Pro, all M1 and later devices.

2:42pm: We are just getting started and we hope you are as excited as us for the road ahead.

2:43pm: Tim is wrapping up the game-changing announcements.

2:44pm: And were done! Stay tuned to Macworld for full coverage of all of the announcements.

WWDC 2024: Watch the keynote

The WWDC keynote will kick off at 10am PT and will be live-streamed for all to see. You can watch it on Apple.com, in the TV app, or on YouTube below.

WWDC 2024: Latest news

Dark-mode icons: According to MacRumors, iOS 18 will bring Dark Mode to the icons on the Home Screen to give the iPhone a full-on dark appearance. It has also been rumored that Apple will let users change the color of app icons using AI, so this is likely an extension of that feature.

Locked apps: Another MacRumors report claims that Apple will let users lock apps behind Face ID similar to how Notes, Photos, and Safari lets users enable authentication for certain content and features. (Note that certain third-party apps such as WhatsApp let you do this already.)

Siri with AI: AppleInsider outlines all the new features Siri will be able to do thanks to AI, which will be dubbed Apple Intelligence. The report says Apple wants to get its AI accustomed to natural language, speech patterns, sentence structures, and instruction types.

AirPods hearing test: According to Bloombergs Mark Gurman, Apple will announce a new hearing test feature for AirPods that will presumably play a series of beeps to test your ability to detect certain frequencies.

Buggy betas: Over on X, Gurman claims that many of the features in the first iOS 18 beta have come in really hot and some Apple engineers are surprised the first betas are going out today.

watchOS 11 compatibility: According to a report by a private account on X, watchOS 11 will drop support for Apple Watch Series 4 (2018), Apple Watch Series 5 (2019), and 1st-gen Apple Watch SE (2020).

Apple Store UP: Apple traditionally takes its online store down ahead of events that will showcase new hardware but it hasnt done that today, suggesting software will be the star of WWDC.

WWDC 2024: Keynote preview

Weve taken our best shot at writing the WWDC keynote based on rumors, reports, and our own educated guesses, so give it a read before Tim Cook takes the stage.
Nick Cannon has insured his testicles for $10 million.

The rapper has teamed up with men's cosmetic company Dr. Squatch and their "ball valuation tool" to determine how much his family jewels are worth.

After bestowing Nick with the title of "Most Valuable Balls," the company took out a policy through Momentous Insurance to guarantee Nick's testicles are properly protected.

Nick said, "Haters say it's time for me to stop having kids and put this super sperm to rest, but I'm doubling down on these valuable balls and my future kids. Shoutout to Dr. Squatch for giving my balls the credit they deserve and hooking me up with the protection I need to keep this family tree rolling."

Mariah Carey's ex-husband is father to 12 children. He first became a dad in 2013 when Mariah gave birth to twins, Moroccan and Monroe, 13.

After Nick and Mariah split in 2016, Nick has gone on to father nine more children with four women, Brittany Bell, Abby De La Rosa, Bre Tiesi and LaNisha Cole. His youngest child daughter Halo, was born in December 2022.

In January this year, he confirmed he had no plans to have any more kids.

"I'm chilling right now. There's no plans on the horizon as of yet," he told People. "It's so funny, everybody's always trying to get me to have more kids. It's like, 12 ain't enough?"
A Boston bar that served as the inspiration for the iconic television series Cheers is celebrating a milestone anniversary this year.

Cheers Boston in Beacon Hill, which was originally founded as the Bull & Finch Pub in 1969, is celebrating 55 years of being the bar where everybody knows your name.

The bar was used for the external shots of the sitcom, which ran from 1982 to 1993, and also served as the inspiration for the actual Cheers bar in the series.

Tom Kershaw (center), owner of the Hampshire House and internationally famed Cheers Bull & Finch Pub, with the cast of the popular sitcom.Courtesy Photo

The Bull & Finch changed names to Cheers in 2002 after closing a deal with NBC, according to the National Trust for Historic Prevention.

The Bull & Finch was established in 1969 by Thomas Kershaw, who also owns The Hampshire House Mansion, 75 on Chestnut and 75 on Liberty Wharf.

The Bull & Finch Pub was chosen as the inspiration for Cheers after Kershaw put an advertisement in Yellow Pages, a 2015 article from the National Trust for Historic Prevention states.

Ted Danson bartending at Bull & Finch Pub.Courtesy Photo

The shows the co-creators and set designer visited the pub and hammered out a deal to take exterior shots of the pub with Kershaw for $1, according to the article.

Once Cheers premiered in 1982, the Bull & Finch was named the Best Neighborhood Bar in Boston by Boston Magazine, Cheers Bostons website reads.

The pub became a popular tourist destination during the shows run and has remained a popular attraction in Boston.

The front sign of Cheers Boston.Courtesy Photo

It is estimated that more than 1 million people visit the iconic pub every year, Ford Realty stated.

The pubs menu features characters from the show with options like Sams Turkey Sandwich, Frasiers Chicken Panini and the Giant Norm Burger.

Once the series ended, Kershaw opened a second outpost of the bar nearby at Faneuil Hall in 2001. That location closed in 2020. Cheers Boston is located at 84 Beacon St.
More than ever, restaurant customers are craving flavor.

Its a trend that reflects the growing sophistication of consumer palates and the increasingly diverse nature of the food experiences available in the marketplace. This evolution of the publics collective taste buds means that restaurant chefs are finding themselves racing to deliver taste experiences that have the requisite wow factor.

Sauces have always been the vehicle by which cooks and consumers alike have boosted flavors, and today sauces and condiments are, more than ever, the flavor go-to at home or when dining out. This quest for taste bud experiences is so dominant that a recent Flavor Consumer Trend report produced by Chicago-based research consultancy Technomic reported that 34% of consumers claim they assess what sauces or condiments are likely to be available when they pick a restaurant.

Its no surprise, then, that the last few months have seen a proliferation of sauce and condiment offerings at popular fast service chains.

Wendys locations this month have introduced four new flavors - Honey BBQ, Garlic Parm, Buffalo, and Spicy Ghost Pepper sauces - as options with its Chicken Nuggs, making that menu item now available with seven different flavor profiles.

Buffalo Wild Wings is serving a pineapple-infused Luau BBQ sauce, and Sonic Drive-In locations are introducing a new Groovy Sauce, which blends ranch flavors with Sriracha. The sauce is being promoted as a dip for the brands reformulated Groovy Fries.

This sauce mania is not just about condiment packets handed out with menu items, either. Increasingly, high profile spicy or spicy-sweet sauces are an integral part of a dish, often drenching the product as a way of delivering the flavor intensity consumers say they crave.

Restaurant chains are also engaging in crossover marketing of their sauces, partnering with consumer product manufacturers to get a dining brands flavor formulas onto grocery store shelves. Subway, with their sandwich sauces, and Texas Roadhouse, with that chains two steak sauces, are two of the most recent to venture into supermarket sales.

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Side Dishes:

Mothers Day is definitely a top-tier dining out occasion, but what about Fathers Day? Well, not so much; Dads Day food memes are typically associated with backyard barbecues, not restaurant visits.

Those preconceptions hasnt prevented some local eateries from promoting Fathers Day, however.

Leenas Place in Belchertown is offering a special menu on June 16 that includes a Rib and Chicken Plate; a meat lovers Parrillada plate that incorporates, ribs, chicken, sausage, flank steak and more; Lobster Ravioli with sauteed shrimp, and a Papa Burger garnished with candied bacon, fried jalapenos, and a sweet chili aioli.

Vanished Valley Brewing Company in Ludlow is hosting a Fathers Day brunch on June 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The brunch menu will incorporate both breakfast and lunch favorites, with a special thrown in to kick things up a notch.

Reservations, which are recommended, can be made by calling 413-610-1572.

Deweys Jazz Lounge in downtown Springfield is organizing a Fathers Day Cookout on the Patio.

The family-friendly fun will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; the menu will include ribs, chicken wings, burger sliders, potato salad, and mac & cheese.

Tickets, which are $20 plus a convenience fee, can be ordered at https://bit.ly/fathers-day-cookout.

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The Chick-fil-A location on Hazard Avenue in Enfield is holding its third annual Daddy Daughter Hollywood Date Night on Thursday, June 13.

The proceedings, which include dinner and an evening full of Hollywood-themed surprises, will have two seatings, one at 5 p.m. and a second at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets, which are $15, can be purchased at chick-fil-a-daddy-daughter-date-night.square.site.

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IHOPs Pancake of the Month for June uses the Creamsicle flavor theme thats been popular in the restaurant world of late.

The chains Orange Cream Pancakes feature IHOPs signature buttermilk pancakes topped with vanilla mousse before being finished with orange sauce and whipped topping.

The Orange Cream Pancakes are available as full stacks of four or as part of selected breakfast entrees.

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The Irish House Restaurant at the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England in West Springfield is currently running a Thursday Burger Nights promotion.

Each week the kitchen will be featuring a different selection of burger inspirations, such as a Bourbon-glazed burger or a Reuben burger garnished with sliced corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing.

Burgers served with an Irish pint from the bar are half-price.

The Irish House has also introduced several new menu items, including a Friday-only Corned Beef Dinner and an entree of Bangers and Colcannon.

The Irish House Restaurant can be reached at 413-342-4358.

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On June 26 starting at 6 p.m., the Table 3 Restaurant Group in Sturbridge will be hosting an Indian Cuisine Patio Dinner at The Barn at Wight Farm, Table 3s function venue.

Two of Table 3s chefs, Deven Senior and Tony Pitts, will be collaborating to create an al fresco feast based on the rich culinary traditions of South Asia.

Tickets for the Patio Dinner are $55; for more details contact the Barn at Wight Farm at 774-241-8450.

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The Wilbraham Peach Blossom Festival will be held on Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15 at Wilbraham and Monson Academy in Wilbraham.

Sponsored by Country Bank, the Festival will operate noon until 6:30 p.m. each day, with food trucks, live music, and a craft fair as well as a baking fair and a pie eating contest.

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On Thursday, June 20 starting at 6 p.m., Tuckers Restaurant in Southwick is hosting a beer dinner featuring malt beverages produced by the Connecticut Valley Brewing Company of South Windsor, Conn

Chef Michael Andersons four-course menu begins with grilled asparagus garnished with feta cheese; the salad course is to be mixed greens with coconut shrimp.

Roast sirloin of beef, green beans almandine, and a potato medley is planned as the main course, while dessert is to be a moolicious chocolate ice cream float made with the Brewing Companys Campers Coffee Stout.

Flavor-compatible Connecticut Valley brews will be poured with each course.

Tickets for the dinner, which are $55 all-inclusive, can be purchased by calling 413-569-0120 or by stopping by the restaurant.

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Participating Friendlys Restaurant locations will be featuring an Ollie the Octopus sundae during the month of June.

Ollies made with a scoop of strawberry ice cream floated on a sea of blue marshmallow topping. Gummy worms serve as his tentacles; maraschino cherries as his eyes.

The suggested price of the Ollie the Octopus sundae is $4.99.

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In collaboration with Kellonova, which makes the Cheez-It snack cracker, Taco Bell has developed a Cheez-It cracker thats 16 times the size of the original.

This new jumbo Cheez-It is part of two limited-time-only Taco Bell menu items.

A Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme features one of the jumbo crackers wrapped in a grilled tortilla along with beef, nacho cheese sauce, lettuce, tomato, and sour cream.

The Cheez-It Tostada uses the jumbo Cheez-It as a platform on which is mounded beef, diced tomatoes, lettuce, shredded cheese, and sour cream.

The Crunchwrap Supreme can also be ordered at part of a Big Cheez-It Box meal deal.

The Cheez-It menu items are part of an on-going Taco Bell strategy of partnering with popular consumer snack brands.

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Brookfield Orchards in North Brookfield is celebrating National Fudge Day Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Billed as the sweetest event ever, the festivities will include fudge sampling, including some mystery flavors. Fudge flights will also be available for purchase.

On June 16, Brookfield Orchards will be holding a Fudge Contest; every fudge purchase enters the buyer into a contest with prizes to be awarded.

Brookfield Orchards, which is located at 12 Lincoln Road in North Brookfield, operates a bakery and country store. Their telephone number is 508-867-6858.

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Thanks to Amazons partnership with and minority interest in Just Eat Takeaway, the parent company of third-party restaurant delivery service Grubhub, Amazon Prime subscribers can now place Grubhub orders directly through Amazons website, garnering some perks along the way.

Prime customers are now eligible for $0 delivery fees and 5% back on pickup orders. The menu prices and delivery process for Prime customers are also the same as they would be if ordering directly through the Grubhub app.

Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community Colleges hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 50 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.
A U.S. District Court judge in Boston sentenced two people for their roles in a multi-state scheme to rake in millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds for themselves and others, Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levys office announced.

Gardy Alexandre, 51, of West Palm Beach, Florida, was sentenced by by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release in connection with the same scheme, Levys office said in a statement released Monday. On June 7, Joun sentenced Adiana Pierre, 39, of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, to 17 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Along with a third co-conspirator who will be sentenced at a later date, all three pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to engage in unlawful monetary transactions, Levys office said.

They submitted fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, applications on behalf of several actual or purported businesses and nonprofit organizations across the United States, including some businesses in Massachusetts, Levys office said. They also collected kickback payments from the borrowers to secure loan amounts.

Ford started to submit PPP applications on behalf of his own business, Pierre, Alexandre and other borrowers after they became available in April 2020, Levys office said. They identified potential applicants and provided those applicants information to Ford, who then submitted applications for them online, fabricated employee numbers and monthly payroll expenses.

Ford also turned in false wage and tax forms to support the fraudulent information on the applications, Levys office said. As a result, the co-conspirators obtained about $7 million in PPP funds.

Because the borrowers who received PPP funds paid kickbacks to Ford, Pierre, Alexandre and others, typically in amounts equal to 10% or 20% of the loan amounts received, the co-conspirators received over $1 million in kickback payments from borrowers.
The deadline to get part of a $2 million Panera Bread settlement is here  and youll want to act fast if you qualify.

Customers who placed a delivery order on the Panera app or website between Oct. 1, 2020 and Aug. 31, 2021 may be eligible. Qualifying guests may receive cash or food as part of the compensation, according to Kroll Settlement Administration, which was appointed to oversee the settlement.

The deadline to file is Monday, June 10.

The settlement comes after three lawsuits claim the company used false or misleading, representations about its delivery fees and menu prices, according to the settlement website.

Panera Bread denied the allegations but agreed to the settlement to avoid lawsuit costs, according to the settlement website.

Eligible consumers may have received a code to sign up online. For those who have not, customers can download a claim form on the settlement website, then print and mail it in or call (833) 462-4684 with questions.

Eligible consumers have two choices for the settlement.

Customers can choose to take two vouchers for one free item from Paneras Soups & Mac menu or they can choose to receive up to $12 cash after the payment of attorneys fees and expenses.
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.

Alaina Macaulay, 31, works in education, seeking to advocate for marginalized communities.Alaina Macaulay

Alaina Macaulay

Age: 31

Community: Somerville

Her story: Growing up in one of the most racially segregated cities in the United States, Alaina Macaulay said she often asked many questions about herself and her environment.

Macaulay, who grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, said that her experience navigating race in the midwestern city shaped her curiosity about systems and structures in our society.

As I became more immersed in literature and community, I quickly realized that these barriers were not unintentional, and we were living with the continued legacy of racism in our everyday lives, Macaulay said.

As the Assistant Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence and Leadership at Tufts University, Macaulay said that she sees education as a vehicle to learn and unlearn systems that foster hate, exclusion and oppression. She would like to center joy in the human experience.

I wanted to spark joy, opportunity and curiosity to build a better world where all could thrive, she added.

Alaina said that she helps lead university-wide strategic efforts to promote an inclusive community at Tufts University. This includes climate assessments and other work. She is also responsible for coordinating cross-university efforts to advance Tufts Universitys vision around diversity and inclusion.

Macaulay works to bring people together by recognizing and listening to community needs, she said. She aims to improve peoples experience to make sure systemic barriers no longer exist.

In some cases structures need to be built to improve access for people whove been marginalized, she said. In other cases, structures need to be dismantled.

My work centers on building programs, initiatives and pipelines to increase equity, foster inclusion and enhance belonging, she said.

In her words: Remaining true to who I am, being firm in my purpose and accountable to my community is the way I keep pushing through. So, to others, I offer the same invitation. What brings you joy? What brings you love? What brings you purpose?

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.

Clarissa WrightSebastian Restrepo

Clarissa Wright

Age: 52

Community: Agawam

Her story: Clarissa Wright has been practicing law for the past 22 years. For the majority, shes served in a Massachusetts district attorneys office  in Worcester, early in her career, and for the past 12 years in Hampden County as the Assistant District Attorney.

Being a voice for the voiceless is exactly where Wright feels she belongs.

Even when the result was not what the victim wanted, Wright said, many were at peace because someone fought for them.

She began to see just how far her impact could reach during her third year in college, after she led a successful student boycott against her school for its unfair book pricing.

Wright received her Juris Doctorate from Western New England Law School after graduating with her bachelors in accounting from Clark Atlanta University.

After starting her career in criminal defense for the first three years, Wrights passion for activism was later deepened at the Worcester District Attorneys Office, where she advocated for children and others who couldnt fight for themselves.

Four years later, Wright went back to private practice in criminal defense and family law.

However, while that work is important, I missed advocating for the safety of the community, Wright said. The prosecutor has now been with the Hampden County District Attorneys Office for the past 12 years.

My primary role is ensuring the safety of the community and being a voice for victims by listening to their concerns and ensuring they are heard throughout the court process, Wright said.

The list of crimes shes prosecuted include, but are not limited to, sexual assaults, gun violence and drug offenses.

But its not just about incarceration, Wright said.

Many times individuals suffering from substance use and/or mental health issues come into contact with the criminal justice system, the prosecutor said.

Wright said she uses her position to help create probations with conditions that get people into treatment and hopefully end their court involvement.

The ultimate goal being to assist the individual in becoming a productive member of society, Wright said.

In addition, Wright volunteers locally through the district attorneys office, her membership with the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and has been a member of the Board of Bar Overseers for the past five years. Her work includes mentorship of middle school students, local college woman and attorneys through Women Lawyers of Color, and participating in community service projects and educational forums.

In her words: I would encourage others pursuing a career in law or as a prosecutor to network with others in the field. Get a job, volunteer or do an internship at a courthouse, clerks office, probation department or law office... I would advise them not to be discouraged by fear or perceived societal limitations.

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 27-year-old man who prosecutors say is part of a violent Boston-based gang was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison on Friday for possessing a gun while on house arrest for three state gun charges, acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levys office announced.

Trevon Bell, of Boston and Lynn, was sentenced to 78 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm in November.

Read more: Boston gang member who posed with guns on Snapchat goes to prison

As law enforcement officials investigated a Boston-based gang, they intercepted a Snapchat conversation made up of people who regularly displayed images of themselves with guns, prosecutors said. One of the people in the group was identified as Bell, who prosecutors say is a member of the Heath Street Gang in Boston.

Bell had previously been indicted on three different unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition cases at the state court level, for which he was released on home detention with location monitoring via GPS bracelet. But, investigators found that while on pre-trial release, Bell posted numerous videos of himself with guns on Snapchat. On Nov. 24, 2021, a Snapchat video showed Bell with a black semi-automatic Glock 9 millimeter firearm, according to Levys office.
A 29-year-old man was found guilty on Monday of attempting to pay for sex with a 14-year-old girl, acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levys office said in a statement.

Dimitri Shawn McKenzie was found guilty of one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child after a three-day jury trial. He will be sentenced on Sept. 24, according to Levys office.

McKenzie was arrested and charged in November 2022, after he responded to an online post advertising two minor girls  ages 12 and 14  for sex acts in exchange for money in the Boston area. The post was a fake ad created by law enforcement, Levys office said.

After responding to the ad, McKenzie agreed to pay $100 to have sex with the fictional 14-year-old girl at a local hotel after texting with undercover law enforcement officers. When he arrived at the hotel, McKenzie met with undercover law enforcement pretending to be the seller in the hotel parking lot. In the parking lot, McKenzie gave the undercover agents cash in exchange for 20 minutes with the fictional girl and accepted a hotel key. At that point, he was taken into custody, according to Levys office.

Levy noted that attempting to pay for a sex with a minor carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison.

The reason people sell sex with little children is because there is demand for opportunities to engage in such morally reprehensible conduct, he said. The only way to make progress in truly protecting kids from such predatory behavior is to both prosecute the men who traffic young girls and the men whose demand fuels this pernicious market.
Boston police are asking the public to help them identify a suspect in an assault that happened in November 2022 and resulted in the victim having serious brain injuries.

On Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, around 1:50 a.m., the suspect punched the victim in the face near 279 Tremont St. in Boston, police said in a press release. The suspect and several other men then fled in a white party bus carrying people who were celebrating a 21st birthday party. The bus soon dropped off its passengers in the South Bay area of Dorchester.

The suspect was described as a light-skinned black man in his late 20s or early 30s, police said. He is believed to be between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-9 in height, have a thin build and a beard.

The suspect was wearing tan-colored clothes and black, high-top sneakers the night of the assault, police said. He may frequent the area surrounding Albion, Dudley, Clifton and Cottage Streets.

Those willing to assist with the investigation anonymously can do so by calling 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463).

The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to help this investigation in an anonymous manner, it wrote in the release.
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.

Ethel L. EverettSebastian Restrepo

Ethel L. Everett

Age: 62

Community: Springfield

Her story: As a labor activist for the Black community in Springfield, Ethel L. Everett has donned many hats. During her 30-year career as a social worker for the Department of Children and Families, Everett has been the president of her chapter through the Service Employees International Union Local 509, a Labor Notes Race and Labor Facilitator, a national member of the Black Workers Center Task Force, the Eastern Region Secretary for SEIUs African American Caucus, the Chair of the Western Mass Area Labor Federations Racial Justice Committee, on the DCF Chapter Multi-Cultural/Multi-Lingual Committee, and is the current president of the federations Pioneer Valley Assembly.

In her numerous roles, Everett has consistently pushed for worker rights and Black worker rights for racial and economic justice. When she founded the Racial Justice Task Force through her work with her union, she hoped to increase awareness and education around discrimination against Black people and how discrimination affects the work unions do.

The goal of the task force is to get us thinking about how racial justice has a huge impact on the work we are facing within the unions, Everett said. We want to get people to understand the civil rights and labor movement.

Everett was inspired to get involved with racial justice through attending a statewide people of color meeting by a supervisor early in her career at the DCF. It was there she learned about disparate treatment of people of color in the workplace and workforce and realized that she could have a lasting impact on fighting workplace discrimination in her community. However, her activism was met with negative attention.

I didnt know that advocating within my community would bring such a negative focus to me personally, Everett said. While I would advocate for children and families in my community, I found that as a Black worker I would be referred to as aggressive, loud, out of control, bully, defiant, emotional, over involved, [having] poor judgment, intimidating, scary, angry. These words definitely didnt describe me, or my co-workers, who were advocates who cared, supported, nurtured, and educated our families.

Everett continues to fight for the labor rights of working class people, especially for people of color, and against all injustices in her community.

I believe that it is the obligation of us all to assure that the less, loss, and last have a voice.

In her words: The process of learning and evolving never ends. You have to also not be afraid to use your allies to learn from them to get support from them but also to educate them about your needs that are different from their needs.

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.
Photos of a 2-year-old boy with cuts all over his face are flooding Facebook groups as the commenter pleads for awareness as police officers dont know who the boy is or where he came from.

But the posts are fake.

One post has the 2-year-old boy being found in #augusta 1 hour ago. While another post said he was was found in #Rapid city 1 hour ago. And other claims he was found in #River city 1 hour ago.

The posts sometimes get hundreds of shares. And some legitimate Facebook users, scared for the boy, share the photos on their own accounts.

Officers have the child safe at the Police Station but we have no idea where he lives. No one has called looking for him. Who child lock them up!!! #share #share, one Facebook user wrote.

But all the original Facebook posts have their comments turned off. And police are warning users that its a scam.

It has come to our attention that a post has been circulating via Facebook groups. This post alleges that two-year-old child was brought to our police station with significant physical injuries and his identity was unknown to police, the Fall River Police Department wrote. This is a spam or clickbait post. No such incident occurred.

The photo actually comes from a 2014 news story when a 2-year-old boy in Georgia was injured from a dog attack, according to WSB.

The posts are a bait and switch scam, which means after the posts gets enough shares, the scammer changes the original post to a deceptive rental ad or sometimes to a link pointing to a survey that guarantees a cash prize, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Now, your friends think you have recommended that content, the BBB said. These bait-and-switch ads aim to either get a deposit for a rental property before the user gets a chance to see the home- or get your personal information, which could lead to identity theft.

Theyre most commonly done with an injured, lost pet or a missing child to grab your attention, the BBB warned.
Testimony is underway in the Karen Read trial, a Mansfield woman charged in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John OKeefe.

MassLive reporters will provide updates below throughout the day.

Read more: Everyone you need to know to understand the Karen Read trial

4:10 p.m. update: Cross-examination of Trooper Michael Proctor

Massachusetts State Police Trooper, Michael Proctor takes stand during direct examination by prosecutor Adam Lally. Day 22 of the Karen Read trial at Norfolk Superior Court. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe)Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe

Alan Jackson began the cross-examination of Trooper Michael Proctor.

He began asking about Aug. 17, 2022, when Proctor was texting about going through Reads personal cellphone.

Two of the troopers on the texting thread were his supervisors, Proctor agreed. Jackson asked how he referred to Read in that text thread.

I used the regrettable language of going through his retarded clients phone right now, Proctor said.

Jackson asked him to specify who was the retarded client, and Proctor said Read.

As an unbiased, objective investigator, the person that you are investigating you referred to your bosses as retarded, right? Jackson asked.

Again, poor language on my part, Proctor said.

Jackson then asked about Proctor writing in a text that he truly hated David Yannetti, one of Reads attorneys.

How do you feel about him now? Jackson asked.

I still dont care for him now, Proctor said.

Jackson then drew attention to Proctors text message about looking for nudes in Reads phone.

It was an inappropriate joke, Proctor said. Poor jokes and unprofessional have no bearing on the integrity and the facts and physical evidence of this case.

Proctor said none of his supervisors reprimanded him for texting about searching for the photographs.

His supervisor, Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik, liked the text about Proctor going through Reads phone.

Jackson asked about training that Proctor received at the Massachusetts State Police Academy about being impartial during investigations.

When you start an investigation, everybody in that investigation should be treated exactly the same, dont you believe thats true? Jackson asked.

Correct, Proctor responded.

Judge Beverly Cannone ended questioning at about 4 p.m. The trial will resume on Wednesday.

3:30 p.m. update: Shes a wack job, Trooper Proctor said of Read in text thread

After a break, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor returned to testimony and reading from text messages.

Prosecutor Adam Lally handed him printed text message threads that Proctor read aloud to the jury throughout the afternoon.

Im sure the owner of the house will receive some shit, one of Proctors friends texted him, referring to the homeowner of 34 Fairview Road where OKeefes body was found.

Proctor replied, Nope. Homeowner was a Boston cop, too.

Lally asked him to explain the texts.

I was letting him know that Mr. OKeefe was a Boston cop and the homeowner was a Boston cop as well, Proctor said.

When a friend asked Proctor what happened, he responded, She hit him with her car, speaking about Read.

A friend asked, He was frozen in the driveway and she didnt see him?

Thats another animal we wont be able to prove, Proctor texted back. They arrived at the house together, got into an argument, she was driving and left.

Proctor at one point said Read biffed him about her striking OKeefe with her vehicle, he said.

Therell be some serious charges brought on the girl, Proctor texted his friends.

Is she hot at least? one of the friends texted him.

From all accounts he didnt do anything wrong, shes a wack job (expletive), yeah shes a babe, weird Fall River accent though no ass, Proctor texted his friends.

He was referring to Brian Albert about from all accounts he didnt do anything wrong.

The rest of the unprofessional and regrettable comments are something Im not proud of, Proctor said. I shouldnt have wrote them in a private or any type of setting.

Next, Proctor read text messages from Feb. 1, 2022.

Proctor referred to Read as a nutbag and wrote that she leaks poo, a reference to a medical condition she has, he said.

These juvenile unprofessional comments have zero impact on the facts and the evidence and the integrity of this investigation, Proctor said.

Next, Lally showed Proctor a printout of text messages between the state trooper and his sister, Courtney, between December 2021 and August 2022.

Proctor texted his sister on the morning of Jan. 29, 2022, about finding OKeefes body and investigating the case as a homicide. He mentioned interviewing Jennifer McCabe who said she knew Courtney Proctor.

He also told his sister he would need to interview Chris and Julie Albert as part of the investigation.

On Feb. 1, 2022, Proctors sister texted him saying that Julie McCabe wanted to give Proctor a gift when this is all over.

Proctor responded, Give Elizabeth one, a reference to his wife.

I dont know the thought process of my sister and Julie as far as bringing that idea of a gift into play, Proctor said. I didnt ask for one and I never received one.

Were going to lock this wack job up, Proctor texted his wife on June 9, 2022, referring to Reads arrest after she was indicted by a grand jury.

Again, unprofessional messages I should not have sent, Proctor said.

Proctor said there was compelling evidence that Read struck OKeefe, and based on the days investigation, It was clear that Ms. Read struck Mr. OKeefe with her vehicle, Proctor said.

Proctor texted about conversations he had with the Chief Medical Examiners Office.

Always with a homicide, the doctor wants to know what transpired, Proctor said.

In text messages with another state police trooper, Proctor wrote, Of course its undetermined, she was a whack job, a reference to Read.

The manner of death from the medical examiners office was undetermined, Proctor said.

Proctor read more text messages on August 17, 2022, when another state trooper sent a text of Reads attorney, David Yannetti to Proctor.

Funny. Im going through his retarded clients phone, no nudes so far. I hate that man, I truly hate him, Proctor wrote.

In August of 2022, Proctor was granted a search warrant for Reads phone. Proctor was only able to search partially through the phone since he encountered some communications between Read and her attorney.

It took until summer 2023 for the phone to be returned to Proctor, he said.

2:13 p.m. update: Proctor begins reading text messages from personal phone

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor resumed testimony under direct examination by Norfolk prosecutor Adam Lally.

Lally resumed asking about his relationships with Chris and Julie Albert and their son, Colin.

Loose acquaintances, Proctor said about his relationship with the family.

Proctor said he told his supervisors about his past connections with the family, which were through his sister, Courtney.

Absolutely zero impact on this investigation, Procotor said about how those relationships impacted the investigation.

Lally then showed Proctor a thread of text messages printed out from Proctors personal cell phone.

The other people in the text thread are Proctors friends from as early as first grade and junior high school.

On Jan. 29, 2022, Proctor replied to a 10:53 p.m. text about John OKeefe and he answered a question about OKeefes niece and nephew.

Proctor was in the middle of reading from his text messages when defense attorney Alan Jackson asked for a sidebar conversation with attorneys and the judge.

Judge Beverly Cannone sent the jury out for a 10-minute break.

1 p.m. update: Norfolk prosecutor asks Trooper Proctor about relationships to witnesses

Massachusetts Trooper Michael Proctor opened an evidence box about an hour into his testimony on Monday.

Within the box, he showed the housing of the Reads taillight to the court.

State Police Trooper Michael Proctor shows the taillight housing unit of Karen Read's SUV on Monday, June 10, 2024.NBC 10 Boston/pool

Norfolk County prosecutor Adam Lally next showed a photograph of Reads SUV with its broken taillight which Proctor said is what it looked like on Jan. 29, 2022.

On Feb. 3, 2022, Proctor and other members of state police returned to 34 Fairview Road with snow shovels in an attempt to find more evidence.

On Feb. 8, 11, and 18, 2022, Proctor found more pieces of evidence, but he was never by himself, Proctor said. He could not recall who else was with him, however.

They recovered a black drinking straw on Feb. 3, 2022, OKeefes hat with an American flag deep underneath the snow and more pieces of plastic.

Almost two feet of snow fell on Jan. 29, 2022, and over the following days of varying temperatures and rainfall, more evidence presented itself on the lawn, Proctor said.

State police also went to OKeefes residence on Feb. 5, 2022, to inspect OKeefes vehicle, Proctor said. They went to the residence after reviewing Ring surveillance video outside of OKeefes home overlooking the garage.

In a video that police recovered from Ring, on Jan. 29, 2022, at about 5:07 a.m. Read pulled out of the garage and came close if not slightly hitting OKeefes vehicle, Proctor said.

Proctor said he did not observe snow falling off of OKeefes car nor pieces of taillight on the snow-covered ground after the vehicles got close. OKeefes vehicle noticeably moved slightly when Reads vehicle backed up.

Lally next showed photographs of OKeefes vehicle showing its rear right bumper. Proctor said he did not see any damage to the vehicle. Lally also displayed a photograph of the garage doors and Proctor said he did not see any damage to the doors.

Lally did not say when the photographs were taken.

Lally next asked about where pieces of evidence were collected from 34 Fairview Road on Feb. 8, 11, and 18, 2022. All were collected near the fire hydrant and flag pole on the front lawn, Proctor said.

Proctor next began opening bags containing the evidence collected on those days.

State Police Trooper Michael Proctor shows the taillight housing unit of Karen Read's SUV on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe)Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe

The first bag from Feb. 8 contained two small pieces, one red and one black. Two bags were collected on Feb. 11, and the first contained seven small packets with broken glass.

The second bag from Feb. 11 contained a large piece of red taillight and a smaller piece of white plastic.

The bag from Feb. 18 contained two large pieces of red plastic, a small white piece, and a round red piece.

Lally then began asking Proctor about the Ring video footage obtained from the company. There was a gap from 11:45 p.m. on Jan. 28, 2022, to about 5:07 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2022, according to Lally.

Proctor asked the Ring company if there was a record about whether portions of the video were deleted but he was never able to obtain the missing video footage.

Lally next asked Proctor about some of his relationships with the witnesses in the case. Prior to the investigation, he knew Julie and Chris Albert and their son, Colin Albert.

Proctor said he got to know the Alberts through his sister Courtney. He said occasionally they would be at his sisters house or his parents backyard. Julie and Chris and their kid Colin and I would happen to be there, Proctor said.

He said he never visited the homes of Chris or Julie Albert and they never went to his home.

How would you classify your relationship with them prior to Jan. 29, 2022? Lally asked.

Id classify it as acquaintances, Proctor said.

Judge Beverly Cannone called for a lunch break at about 12:58 p.m.

11:58 a.m. update: Defense calls Trooper Michael Proctor to the stand

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor took the stand Monday morning. Hes spent nearly five years as a homicide detective assigned to the Norfolk County District Attorneys Office, with 10 years total as a state police officer.

On Jan. 29, 2022, he received a call at about 6:48 a.m. and advised him that Canton police discovered a male in the snow outside of a residence. Trooper Yuri Bukhenik was not exactly sure what happened and said it was possibly a medical situation.

Proctor next contacted detective Sgt. Michael Lank from Canton police. He told Proctor that OKeefe was transported to Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton with injuries, but Lank did not have a lot of information.

He knew Lank was on the scene, Proctor said, which is why he reached out to him first. Proctor next reached out to Canton firefighter Anthony Flematti who told him that OKeefe had some injuries to his right arm, eyes and cut to the nose area.

He put a 10% chance of survival for Mr. OKeefe, Proctor said.

Proctor contacted his supervisor, Bukhenik, and said it sounded more than a medical situation.

Proctor and Bukhenik arrived at the Canton police department at about 10 a.m. that morning.

The two state troopers spoke with Canton police Sgt. Sean Goode, who told them that he spoke with Jennifer McCabe, Kerry Roberts and Read.

Prosecutor Adam Lally asked if previously met with McCabe, Roberts, or Read. Proctor said, No.

Proctor and Bukhenik went to McCabes home in Canton to interview her, her wife Matthew, and Brian Albert, who arrived at the McCabe home.

Throughout the investigation, Proctor conducted interviews with other troopers present, he said, except for one couple with the last name Curran.

Proctor said he first met Brian Albert at McCabes household during that interview.

Proctor and Bukhenik next traveled to Good Samaritan Medical Center to see OKeefe and Read, who was involuntarily hospitalized for making suicidal statements that morning. She was released before the two troopers arrived, according to Proctor.

Proctor described his observations of OKeefe at the hospital.

First thing I noticed is he had abrasions on his right arm, he said. Both eyes were swollen black and blue.

He noticed blood at the back of OKeefes head but could not see whether there was significant trauma, Proctor said.

One thing they noticed was that there was only one sneaker at the hospital, Proctor said.

Proctor said that in his time in the homicide unit, hes seen three or four instances of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. From his time as a patrol officer, hes seen another three or four instances, he said.

In previous instances, Proctor said hes seen footwear removed at the point of impact to victims.

Proctor said since only one sneaker was recovered from OKeefe at the hospital, it revealed the potential of vehicle strike.

A special recovery unit from the state police recovered the second sneaker from the scene at 34 Fairview Road, according to Proctor.

The clothing was wet, pretty well saturated. The right sleeve had some cuts to it, like tears to it, there was blood and vomit on it I recall, Proctor said.

OKeefes phone was handed over to Proctor at the Canton police department, he said.

After Good Samaritan Medical Center, Proctor and Bukhenik went to Dighton to visit Read at her parents house.

Proctor called Dighton police to let them know they were going to Reads parents home, and they requested a plow truck due to a foot of snow on the ground.

When they walked down the driveway, the two state troopers noticed Reads cracked taillight, Proctor said.

The right rear taillight had large pieces missing from it, Proctor said.

When invited into the home, Read was seated on a couch and her parents were standing to the side. They spoke for about 30 to 45 minutes, Proctor said.

Proctor and Bukhenik seized Reads phone and told her they would seek a search warrant for its contents, he said

They left 4:16 p.m. and arrived at 5:31 at the Canton police department, Proctor said.

They brought Reads vehicle to the Canton police department because it was a heated facility. Other options were the barracks in Milton but it was not large enough for the SUV and it was not heated.

The SUV was covered in ice and snow so they wanted a heated area, Proctor said.

Sgt. Bukhanik and I never touched any part of the vehicle, Proctor told Lally.

At the end of the day, state police troopers met at the Canton police department to debrief on what they learned that day, according to Proctor. Canton police informed them at that meeting that they would recuse themselves from interviews during the investigation.

Proctor explained that as a case officer, he was a facilitator and delegated tasks and coordinated interviews.

Case officers are not the sole decision-makers, Proctor said. Its a collaborative effort each investigation.

He said the case officer is more of a record-keeper but that decisions are made within the homicide unit in a collaborative effort.

During the hour-long debrief, state police discussed the evidence collected at 34 Fairview Road and what police learned during their interviews, according to Proctor.

10:45 a.m. update: Dighton police officer noticed Reads cracked taillight

Norfolk prosecutors next called Dighton police officer Nicholas Barros to the stand.

He was the officer in charge on Jan. 29, 2022. Reads father called Dighton police that morning because he needed a ride to Good Samaritan Medical Center after OKeefe was found, according to Barros. He needed a ride due to the driving conditions during the snowstorm.

Later that day at about 2:30 p.m., state police from the Norfolk County district attorneys office called Dighton police and said they needed to retrieve Reads vehicle which was parked at her fathers home in Dighton.

Barros said when they arrived at Reads fathers house to retrieve the vehicle, he noticed the taillight cracked and a piece was missing.

I saw that there was some damage to the right rear taillight. To my best ability and recollection that taillight was not completely damaged, Barros said. It was cracked and a piece was missing but not completely damaged.

Barros said he also noticed a dent near the rear quarter of the vehicle, in the same area as the right rear taillight.

He made the observations from about five to 10 feet away, Barros said. He waited between 30 minutes to an hour while state police went inside Reads fathers home and he said he did not see anybody manipulate the back of Reads vehicle at any time.

The defense did not cross-examine Barros and jurors were excused for a morning recess at 10:43 a.m.

10:31 a.m. update: State police sergeant asked about missing video footage in Canton sally port

When testimony resumed, defense attorney Alan Jackson displayed a second video from the Canton police departments sally port.

This second video was black and white and although only 15 seconds long, it jumped about 42 minutes in real time.

Jackson asked whether this video wouldve been the only camera that couldve captured the right rear portion of Reads SUV.

That portion is missing, correct? Jackson asked.

Its not missing, its just not recorded, State Police detective Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik said.

Im not splitting words with you. Its not there, its gone, right? Jackson said.

Its not on the screen, no, Bukhenik said.

Adam Lally, a Norfolk County prosecutor, began asking questions about how state police received the video.

Bukhenik said there was skipping in the video because the cameras are only triggered by motion to record.

Lally asked whether Bukhenik or Trooper Michael Proctor ever touched or manipulated the SUVs taillight.

We absolutely did not, Bukhenik said.

Bukhenik said that he reported to the Chief Medical Examiners Office that OKeefes death was deemed a potential domestic incident.

We had learned that the defendant had stated she hit him, Bukhenik. The Canton police department had collected a broken cocktail glass from the scene and Bukhenik relayed that to the Chief Medical Examiners Office.

Bukhenik agreed that he had not seen OKeefes body before sharing that information with the medical examiners office.

Canton police Sgt. Sean Goode told him about the I hit him statements, Bukhenik said. He also spoke with Canton firefighter Anthony Flematti.

I could tell the glass was most likely not the object, the weapon, used to cause the injury to the back of OKeefes head, Bukhenik told Lally.

Jackson returned to cross-examination and referred to a report by the medical examiners office in which Bukhenik reported that OKeefe might have been struck in the face with a glass.

Goode told Bukhenik about the I hit him statements based on a conversation at Canton Police Department, Bukhenik said.

That information at that time was provided by first responders at the scene, Bukhenik said.

Jackson asked if there was a report made on Jan. 29, 2022, to memorialize Reads I hit him statements.

I dont believe so, Bukhenik said.

Jackson ended his questioning by highlighting that the Canton police department decided to recuse themselves from the investigation yet they were the ones who provided the sally port video in April 2024 when jury selection was underway.

9:40 a.m. update: Inverted Canton police video scrutinized

Cross-examination of Massachusetts State Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik continued with questioning from defense attorney Alan Jackson.

Jackson referred to a video of Reads SUV inside the Canton police departments sally port. Its a video played previously during direct examination last week and Jackson had the video played once again for the court.

Jackson then drew the police investigators attention to the video, which was recorded as a mirror image.

On Wednesday, during direct examination, Bukhenik did not mention that the video was a mirrored image, he agreed under questioning from Jackson.

Then it was my turn to ask questions, Jackson said. Then I asked questions about the accuracy of this video.

Bukhenik said he agreed that it was not until cross-examination that he disclosed that the video was inverted.

Everything in this video is reversed, correct? Jackson asked.

Its just a mirror image, Bukhenik said.

Which means whats left is right and whats right is left? Jackson asked, to which Bukhenik agreed.

Jackson consistently asked whether Bukhenik continued to believe the video was a true and accurate depiction of what the sally port looked like with Reads SUV inside even though the video was inverted.

Bukhenik argued the video was true and accurate but mirrored.

Next, Jackson began asking about the length of the video.

The video recorded only about six minutes of a total of nearly 18 minutes, according to Jackson. The video started at about 5:30 p.m. and ended at 5:48 p.m., but the video is only about a total of six minutes long.

It was never recorded, Bukhenik said. I can only speak to what was turned over and what was received. Based on the evidence that was produced this is what we got.

Bukhenik said the video was not a smooth recording of events due to the triggering of the video recording.

Jackson asked whether he was the IT person or the person who maintains the video system, Bukhenik said, No.

Bukehink said he understood based on his experience and training, that some video systems recorded based on being triggered by motion.

Under questioning from Jackson, Bukehnik agreed that he did not know the inner workings of Canton polices specific recording system in the sally port.

Jackson played a portion of the video where someone just appeared out of nowhere.

Thats what the footage represents, Bukhenik said.

The video showed a person appearing seemingly out of nowhere behind Reads SUV due to the choppiness of the video.

Jackson began asking questions about how long the drive from the Canton police station to 34 Fairview Drive is when the judge dismissed the jury for a sidebar conversation between attorneys.

9:10 a.m. update: Contentious hearing about defenses witnesses

The day got underway with a contentious hearing at 8:30 a.m. when a Norfolk County prosecutor said the defense team delayed in providing information about their witnesses and said, It is intended to ambush the Commonwealth.

Laura McLaughlin of the district attorneys office said that the defense did not provide an obligatory synopsis of one of their witnesss opinions until May 30  weeks into the start of the trial.

She said that prosecutors were surprised by the delayed disclosures and said the defense was attempting to conduct a trial by surprise.

The prosecution filed a motion attempting to exclude testimony from a defense witness, Dr. Marie Russell. The doctor is expected to testify regarding OKeefes injuries.

David Yannetti, Reads defense attorney, argued on the motion, and called prosecutions statements outrageous and false.

Judge Beverly Cannone interrupted him several times and told him she did not need hyperbole and asked him to sum up his point since jurors would be arriving shortly.

Yannetti said he never told the court that the defense would not be pursuing their theory that OKeefe was attacked by a dog prior to his death.

In the prosecutions motion, they wrote that Yannetti previously said they would not pursue that theory and therefore should exclude one of their expert witnesses.

Cannone ordered that the defense provide what data their expert witnesses relied on to make their conclusions.

Yannetti said they did not have the opportunity to prepare with some of their expert witnesses since they were hired by the federal government.

He said they provided everything they knew to prosecutors, but Cannone said they were not detailed enough.

Weve spoken to them only for coordination for their testimony and background, thats it, Yannetti said. The defense was not allowed to interview them regarding their findings.

There will be a day this week when expert witnesses are called for voir dire hearing where both defense and prosecutors will be able to interview the witnesses in court.

Testimony resumed at 9:10 a.m.

8:30 a.m. update: Hearing gets underway

Read, 44, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton.

Norfolk County prosecutors say Read struck OKeefe with her SUV while driving intoxicated. Reads attorney, David Yannetti, said during the trials opening statements that her car never struck OKeefe and that others are to blame for his death.

On Thursday, the cross-examination of Massachusetts State Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik began. The defense asked about who he interviewed the day OKeefe died and video footage of Reads vehicle from inside the Canton police department that appeared inverted.

A hearing took place at 8:30 a.m. before jurors arrived at 9 a.m.

The prosecution filed a motion attempting to exclude testimony from a defense witness, Dr. Marie Russell. The doctor is expected to testify regarding OKeefes injuries.

The trial is taking place in Dedhams Norfolk County Superior Court.
A man was arrested after a Walmart Supercenter in Ware was evacuated for reports of a bomb threat around 4 p.m., Sunday, June 9, according to Ware Police Department.

Walmart management at 352 Palmer Road contacted the Ware Police Department stating a customer made a statement alluding to a bomb threat to the building, according to a release.

The store was evacuated and reopened about two hours after the threat was made.

Ware Police identified Anthony Quink as the suspect and he was arrested.

The Massachusetts State Police, Ware Fire Department, West Brookfield Police Department, Hardwick Police Department and Palmer Police Department assisted in responding to the incident.

The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad, its K9 unit and the UMass K9 unit cleared the building.
A Boston restaurant owner charged in connection with a shooting outside a popular Italian bakery in the North End last year was arrested on Saturday after police say he cut off the GPS monitoring device he had been ordered to wear.

Patrick Mendoza was taken into police custody around 10:15 p.m. on Saturday at an address on North Bennett Street in the North End neighborhood of Boston, Sgt. Detective John Boyle, a spokesman for Boston police, told MassLive Monday morning. Mendoza was wanted on a warrant charging him with violating his probation, which Boyle said opens up the original charges he faced in connection with the shooting near Modern Pastry.

Police recovered Mendozas electric monitoring device from him, which appeared to have been cut, according to Boyle.

The shooting outside Modern Pastry occurred around 11:10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12, police said previously.

A man standing outside Modern Pastry at the time claimed Mendoza rode by him on a bicycle, yelled obscenities at him, pulled out a gun and fired two times in his direction, The Boston Globe said, citing a police report.

No one was injured in the shooting, but one of Moderns windows was damaged by the gunfire, the Globe continued.

WCVB reported Mendoza is one of the owners of Monicas Trattoria on Prince Street, an Italian restaurant that is a short walk away from Modern Pastry.

He is charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and assault and battery, according to Boston police.
A Boston restaurant owner charged in connection with a shooting outside a popular Italian bakery in the North End last year told police he was definitely going to kill somebody as he was booked on charges that he violated the terms of his probation by cutting off an electronic monitoring device.

Patrick Mendoza was arrested Saturday night around 10:15 p.m. on a warrant after police say he cut off a monitoring device he had been ordered to wear in connection with a different criminal case where he is accused of opening fire near Modern Pastry in the North End. As Mendoza was being taken into police custody, he told officers he had taken the device off because he was tired and sick of it, according to an arrest report obtained by MassLive.

During the booking process, police say Mendoza told officers he was definitely going to kill somebody, according to the report.

The report notes that Mendoza had been going through it and exhibiting erratic behavior. He was extremely stressed about the criminal case pending against him, the report reads.

Mendoza had been riding a bicycle near Modern Pastry at 257 Hanover St. around 11:10 p.m. on July 12, when police said he fired two shots at a man outside the bakery and yelled obscenities at him, The Boston Globe reported.

No one was injured in the shooting, but one of Moderns windows was damaged by the gunfire, the Globe continued.

WCVB reported Mendoza is one of the owners of Monicas Trattoria on Prince Street, an Italian restaurant that is a short walk away from Modern Pastry.

He is charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and assault and battery, according to Boston police. Mendozas arrest on Saturday opens up the original charges he faced, Sgt. Detective John Boyle, a Boston police spokesman, told MassLive.
(*This story was updated at 2:12 p.m. on Monday, June 10, 2024, with additional reporting.)

Embattled Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to address a joint session of Congress next month as his countrys war with the terrorist group Hamas drags into its 10th month.

But at least two Massachusetts lawmakers arent making any plans.

Well see if Mr. Netanyahu is still prime minister by July 24, U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, of Massachusetts, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, said Monday.

Thats because Netanyahus already shaky coalition government has been thrown into doubt with the news Sunday that Benny Gantz, a member of the nations war cabinet, and a long-time Netanyahu rival, had announced his resignation from the group.

And with the situation on the ground in Gaza constantly in flux, U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss told MassLive hes going to wait until the week before the speech before he makes up his mind on whether to attend.

The dynamics of the Middle East are moving at lightning speed, Auchincloss, D-4th District, said. So Im going to review that decision as we get close to it, and as it becomes imminent.

The two Democrats made their comments at an unrelated event unveiling a new state-funded ad campaign targeting anti-abortion centers that reproductive rights advocates say employ deceptive practices to try to talk women out of getting the procedure.

High-profile congressional Democrats have protested the joint invitation issued by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y.

Some, such as veteran U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., have said theyre going to skip the speech. Clyburn put his decision down to Netanyahus past tensions with former President Barack Obama, The Hill reported.

As of Monday, Clark was keeping her options open.

I have attended every single head of state as a member of leadership, and we will just see how things play out as we approach that date, she told MassLive.

Auchincloss, who is Jewish and a former Marine, decried what he described as Johnsons RSVP guessing game, accusing him of using it as a wedge, which is exactly the opposite of whats important for the U.S.-Israel relationship, which is to maintain bipartisanship.

Schumer, who has said he has clear and profound disagreements with the Prime Minister, which I have voiced both privately and publicly, has nonetheless defended his controversial decision to join Johnson on that joint invitation.

Because Americas relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends one person or prime minister, I joined the request for him to speak, the Empire State lawmaker said in a statement, according to Fox News.

On Monday, Auchincloss slammed House Republicans who objected to a similar joint address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The GOP conference couldnt even be bothered to show up to demonstrate that respect, Auchincloss said. So [Johnsons] just trying to distract from their abysmal record on fighting for democracy.

Meanwhile, analysts told NPR that Netanyahu, who has faced withering international criticism over his prosecution of the war against Hamas, is unlikely to see his government toppled.

But without the centrist Gantz, Netanyahu will be more dependent on far-right factions. Polling in Israel also has shown Gantz beating Netanyahu in an election, NPR reported.
SPRINGFIELD  A new resident survey asks how the city can best use millions in anticipated funds to address the opioid overdose crisis.

Settlement payouts from lawsuits against opioid-related businesses, like drug manufacturers, are bringing millions to cities and towns across the state to address the problem. Springfield is set to receive more than $7 million in regular payments until 2038 from the states Opioid Recovery Remediation Fund  more than any municipality in western Massachusetts.
Newly elected Fine Gael councillor Peter Flynn said he is relieved to be elected to Mayo County Council after what he described as a tough three months on the campaign trail.

The Westport-based councillor was elected after the fourth count of the Westport Electoral Area after the distribution of his party colleague, Keira Keogh's vote put him over the quota. Flynn received 1,559 first preference votes and received 556 of Keogh's votes to exceed the 1,865 quota by 391 votes.

Flynn was the only sitting councillor to speak in favour of the preferred route option for the Westport to Murrisk Greenway and received a lot of criticism for his stance. He described the last three months as tough and he was relieved to get over the line.

It has been tough three months and one of the most difficult campaigns I have had coming into an election. It got pretty difficult along the way with some derogatory comments along the way and a lot of social media stuff along the way which I didn't like and doesn't have a place in local politics. We are all there to represent what we believe is the right thing to do for our community in various different ways. I am very relieved to be over the line and sorry that Keira [Keogh] who put in a massive campaign is not joining me in being elected. , he said.

Flynn joins Independent Ireland candidate Chris Maxwell, who topped the poll in being elected in the Westport Electoral Area.

The race of the next two seats will be between the three sitting councillors, John O'Malley (Ind), Brendan Mulroy (FF) and Independent Christy Hyland.

Following the distribution of Keogh's vote, O'Malley sits on 1,715 votes ahead of Mulroy on 1,637 and Hyland on 1,588.

The disruption of Flynn's surplus of 391 will decide who wins the final two seats in the electoral area.
At 9am on Sunday, June 9, the Irish Coast Guard conducted a long-range medical evacuation from a merchant vessel approximately 160nm off the south west coast.

The evacuation was conducted by the Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard Rescue 115 helicopter with support from the UK Coastguard RESCUE99 aircraft.

The merchant vessel had contacted the Irish Coast Guard on Friday, 7 June, reporting a seriously ill crew member. Following a link call coordinated by the Valentia Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre between the vessel and MEDICO Cork, it was determined that a medical evacuation was required at the earliest opportunity.

After proceeding to within range of the coast the vessel rendezvoused with Rescue 115 helicopter approximately 160 nautical miles from the SW coast. The UK Coastguard aircraft RESCUE99 provided top cover support for the helicopter operating at long range.

The Irish Coast Guard can confirm that the crew member was landed safely at Kerry University Hospital in the SW for medical attention later on Sunday morning, and the vessel resumed passage.

This is the second long-range medical evacuation coordinated by the Irish Coast Guard in recent days.

On Friday, the Waterford Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter using Cork Airport to extend range successfully completed a medical evacuation of ill crew member from another merchant vessel.

This operation was coordinated with and supported by the UK and Danish authorities following an alert from the vessel.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, June 10, 2024

A federal appellate court has revived a lawsuit by two Meta Platforms users who say they lost money after responding to fraudulent ads on Facebook.

The ruling, issued last week by a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, allows Oregon resident Christopher Calise and Nebraska resident Anastasia Groschen to attempt to prove that the company violated its terms of service by allegedly failing to police Facebook ads placed by third parties.

The decision stems from a lawsuit brought by Calise and Groschen in 2021, when they accused the company of soliciting fraudulent ads from advertisers based in China. Calise alleged that he lost around $49 after attempting to purchase a car-engine assembly kit that was advertised on the site, while Groschen said she lost around $31 after attempting to purchase an advertised activity board for her toddler.

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U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey White in the Northern District of California dismissed the complaint in 2022, ruling that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects Meta Platforms from liability over ads created by outside companies. Section 230 broadly protects web companies from lawsuits over posts by third parties, but with some exceptions -- including one that applies when web companies develop illegal content.

Lawyers for Calise and Groschen then asked the 9th Circuit to revive their class-action complaint, arguing that Meta's Facebook facilitated the publication of illegal ads, and therefore wasn't entitled to rely on Section 230. They specifically alleged that Facebook solicited ad sales in China despite an internal study allegedly showing nearly 30% of ads placed by China-based advertisers violated a Facebook policy, and that Facebook encouraged lax enforcement of its ad policies.

The 9th Circuit judges partially ruled for Meta on that point, writing that soliciting ad sales and assisting advertisers are neutral activities that don't amount to developing fraudulent content.

Without more allegations of Metas contribution, its 'solicitation' or 'assistance' for advertisers -- a fundamental part of Metas business model and that of countless other internet companies -- does not undo [Section 230's] protections, Circuit Judge Ryan Nelson wrote in an opinion joined by Eugene Siler and Jacqueline Nguyen.

But the judges also said Section 230 wouldn't protect Meta from claims that it broke its contract with users by violating its own terms of service, which allegedly included an enforceable promise to moderate third-party ads.

The judges, however, also said in a footnote that it's not clear whether the terms of service actually created an enforceable contract, adding that a trial judge should decide that question.

Santa Clara University law professor Eric Goldman predicts that Calise and Groschen won't be able to prove a breach of contract claim when the matter returns to the district court.

Im pretty sure Facebook says in many different ways that it doesnt promise any freedom from scammy ads, Goldman writes in a blog post about the ruling. The contract claim is almost certainly going to fall apart on remand, he adds.
Some cases of pediatric leukemia might have their roots in the womb, with umbilical cords holding the earliest clues to this childhood mystery!
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Man sneezed so hard his colon fell out of his body while having breakfast



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The man's colon protruded through his abdominal wall after a forceful sneeze, highlighting the delicate nature of post-surgical wounds. #surgicalcomplication #medicalemergency #medndia

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Recent Surgery Left Man Vulnerable

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Man sneezed so hard his colon fell out of his body while having breakfast - (https://metro.co.uk/2024/06/07/us-mans-colon-falls-body-coughs-sneezes-20989673/)

A 63-year-old man from Florida went through a horrifying ordeal after his colon protruded from his abdomen following a forceful sneeze and cough. The incident occurred while the man was having breakfast with his wife at a restaurant ().Reports indicate that the man had undergone abdominal surgery recently. This surgery addressed complications from prior procedures, including the removal of his bladder due to prostate cancer. Unfortunately, the stitches from this recent surgery were removed that very morning, leaving the incision weak.The sudden sneeze and cough caused the surgical wound to reopen, allowing a portion of the man's colon to protrude. He experienced sharp pain and upon lifting his shirt, discovered the extent of the issue.Thankfully, paramedics arrived quickly and found the man with a significant amount of his bowel exposed through the reopened incision. Fortunately, there wasn't excessive blood loss, and the protruding organ remained unharmed.The man was rushed to the hospital where medical professionals were able to safely return his colon back into his abdomen. Surgeons employed multiple stitching techniques, including advanced and strong figure-of-eight sutures, to ensure the wound wouldn't reopen again.The man remained hospitalized for six days and recovered without complications. This case highlights the potential risks associated with post-surgical wounds, especially following procedures involving the removal of organs.The American Journal of Medical Case Reports documented the incident. The report acknowledges that wound reopening is a known complication after surgery; however, bowel protrusion through the abdominal wall after a cystectomy is a rarely reported occurrence.Source-Medindia
JOURNALIST: On the other end of the phone line, as I said earlier, we have the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. George Gerapetritis, who has just returned from New York. Good day to you, Minister.



G. GERAPETRITIS: Good morning, Mr. Evgenidis. Thank you very much for the invitation.



JOURNALIST: Thank you for joining us. Actually, one of today's hot topics is our countrys election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Since the United Nations may seem a bit distant to many of our listeners, could you perhaps explain what it practically means for our country to be at this 15-member Council for the coming years?



G. GERAPETRITIS: The United Nations is the largest and most significant international organization. It currently comprises 193 countries, essentially all recognized states of the planet. It has two key bodies: the Security Council, which is composed of 15 members, of which 5 are permanent members, major countries, and 10 elected members serving for two years. And the General Assembly, which includes all states. The Security Council, to which we have been elected, is actually the body that produces all policies, that is to say, the one through which all recommendations and resolutions pass. It is the body where the right to veto exists for the permanent members. It is the body that deliberates on all major crises. Thus, it is shaping the international policy at the UN level. So, it is at this table that Greece will now have a seat for the 2025-26 term.



JOURNALIST: Yes, we received quite a number of votes, actually 182 votes. Now practically speaking, in my humble opinion, the Security Council is the only body that has substantial significance and some executive authority within the United Nations. That is not ideal for the collective method of decision-making and enforcement of international legality. But anyway, that is how things are. So, the question arises on how our country will proceed in the Middle East, if, lets say, there is an issue, perhaps a draft resolution for peace in the region, in the coming period.



G. GERAPETRITIS: As you rightly put it, Greece received a very high acceptance rate. Out of the 188 countries that voted, we received 182 positive votes. About 98% of the countries that attended, endorsed Greeces candidacy. This demonstrates the international recognition that our country enjoys. I believe our ambition is to act as a true bridge between different policies and states. Greece, as you are aware, is currently at the forefront of events in a geopolitical sense and possesses a significant diplomatic capital. It is situated between three continents, but unfortunately it is also in close proximity to two major wars currently tormenting the world. We will proceed on the basis of a single principle, and that is the adherence to International Law. We have earned this significant diplomatic capital, the international recognition, and mainly the ability to converse with all parties, precisely because we have been very consistent in conducting foreign policy based on International Law. We will never engage in transactional or opportunistic politics. We pursue a foreign policy that is based on principles. So, it is on the basis of these principles that we will now proceed.



Indeed, as you rightly said, the Middle East is currently the most pressing issue. Next week Greece will participate in a major peace conference taking place in Amman, Jordan, as it does in all significant meetings concerning the Middle East under the auspices and responsibility of the United Nations. Therefore, we realize that our stance will be decisive. I would like to remind you that Greece voted in favor of the resolution submitted to the United Nations for the expanded participation of the Palestinian Authority in the General Assembly and for fulfilling the conditions to make Palestine a recognized state. What remains, of course, is the international recognition of the Palestinian state. But what is most important today, and Greece will contribute to this creatively - because we are one of the very few countries that converse with the Palestinian Authority, and have excellent relations with the Arab world and with Israel - is the immediate ceasefire, the immediate release of hostages, and the immediate provision of major humanitarian protection. To this end, we are taking every initiative, and now even more so.



JOURNALIST: I hear what you are saying, but I also hear some criticism and see some kind of initiatives. The criticism comes from the opposition here in Greece. The initiatives come from various European states advocating for the recognition of a Palestinian state. We have recently seen it in Spain, Ireland, and Norway. A decision was also made by the Parliament of Slovenia in the same direction and I imagine their government will proceed with the recognition of the Palestinian state. Is Greece considering this, or does it believe the time is not yet ripe? Especially given the strategic relationship we have had with Israel over the years.



G. GERAPETRITIS: The answer is very clear. The solution can only be the recognition of the Palestinian state based on the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, that is, the recognition of the state with its pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its the capital. That is the final solution. However, the manner in which we approach this solution is particularly important. For us, it is not a matter of bilateral or unilateral recognition of the Palestinian state. At this moment, the only truly beneficial outcome would be for this recognition to come within the framework of peace process decisions, that is, based on a specific tangible timeline that will lead to a ceasefire and the recognition of the Palestinian state. And this should be done within the framework of the UN. It is extremely important that the recognition of the Palestinian state does not come as a result of individual state recognitions, but as a central decision of the major international organization, which is the UN.



JOURNALIST: There is a criticism, on the other hand, suggesting that as long as no unilateral initiative is taken, Israel is emboldened and supports a war with dramatic humanitarian consequences, potentially for internal political reasons. You are also aware of this criticism. It has been indirectly but clearly voiced by President Biden, suggesting that Mr. Netanyahu continues in such high tone because his political existence is at stake.



G. GERAPETRITIS: It is quite obvious that Israel is currently in a phase of aggression, which is not acceptable. This is a disproportionate response, which we all agree should stop immediately. On the other hand, I honestly do not think there is even one sensible person who believes that Israel will cease its own operational actions if there is a unilateral recognition of the Palestinian state by various countries. With all due respect, this view is extremely simplistic and adds no real benefit to the negotiations that are taking place. Of course, there should be recognition of the Palestinian state, but it should be in a manner that absolutely ensures the security of Israel, absolutely ensures the return of displaced Palestinian people back to their homes. It is an entire solution package, to which no bilateral recognition can confer benefits. And with all due respect, I reiterate that this type of approach - recognition today and in this way the hostilities will stop -demonstrates, in my opinion, complete ignorance of reality and international relations.



JOURNALIST: Now, I can't help but ask you a question about Greek-Turkish relations, but I do not want to open up the discussion too much. According to the schedule of contacts in the next months, you expect to meet with Mr. Fidan on the margins of the NATO Summit in Washington in July. Mr. Mitsotakis and Mr. Erdogan will meet again in September. Is the time ripe to begin addressing the core of the Greek-Turkish dispute, or is what has happened so far simply preserving and deepening this informal moratorium?



G. GERAPETRITIS: One does not exclude the other. Our goal is to maintain and extend the current state of calm in our neighborhood, while also becoming increasingly involved in the more complex issues of our bilateral relations. This includes, of course, the sole dispute that can be referred to international jurisdiction, which is the delimitation of the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone. I would like to emphasize the significance of this period of calm. We are cultivating it step by step, based on a positive agenda, but also on avoiding provocations. We understand that there may be some differentiation in some individual cases. However, there is some good news, as well. I would like to highlight a particularly positive development of the last few days - the discussion that has begun regarding the Theological School of Halki, an emblematic issue.



JOURNALIST: Do you believe that it will open? Is it assumed that Mr. Erdogan will make the decision?



G. GERAPETRITIS: This is an issue of high significance to us. We raise the issue as it should be done and we anticipate a solution that is both appropriate and will restore its historicity.



JOURNALIST: Was there any discussion during your previous meeting in Ankara?



G. GERAPETRITIS: The issue has been raised. We are following it and will always strive to do our best. Also, as you may have noticed, there have been relevant developments regarding the Parthenon Sculptures.



JOURNALIST: Did Turkiye vote in our favor as a non-permanent member of the Security Council yesterday?



G. GERAPETRITIS: Certainly. Turkiye voted for us yesterday for a non-permanent seat at the Security Council, and I was personally congratulated on our election with an overwhelming majority. The policies, developed within the framework of our current, shall we say, good relationship with Turkiye, extend to all levels. For us, the Parthenon Sculptures remain at the forefront of our claim. We hope for a more favorable development in the near future, allowing for the sculptures to return to their birthplace.



JOURNALIST: Mr. Gerapetritis, thank you very much for the discussion. All the best. Where will you vote on Sunday? In Piraeus?



G. GERAPETRITIS: Always in my hometown. We hope that we can all go to the polls with reflection and prudence. The first and most important thing is to have a large turnout. There should be no abstention. Elections do not lend themselves to indifference. Allow me to state the following, now that I know how the European Union operates. Every decision of the European institutions concerns us. I would also like to emphasize how significant it is for our representation in the European Union to be combative, assertive and mature.



JOURNALIST: Minister, thank you very much for the discussion. All the best.
Troops at Colorado Space Force Base Will Have to Bring Their Own To-Go Boxes for Dining Hall

While the initiative is aimed at reducing waste on base, the spokesperson added that they hope it will give troops on base...
CLINTON COUNTY, MI  A Clinton County jury has found a woman guilty in the freezing death of an 82-year-old woman she was supposed to be caring for.

Colleen Kelly OConnor, 58, of East Lansing, was convicted on charges of second-degree vulnerable adult abuse, a four-year felony, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said.

This verdict does not undo the tragic loss of life, but we hope it serves as a reminder of the immense responsibility caregivers have, Nessel said. I want to thank the Bath Township Police Department for their partnership during the investigation of this difficultcase.

At the time she died, the victim was under OConnors care at Vista Springs Imperial Park at Timber Ridge, an assisted living facility in Clinton County where OConnor was employed.

OConnor is accused of twice observing the woman attempt to go outside without appropriate attire in the very early morning hours of Dec. 23, 2022. The alleged neglect occurred during a blizzard with single-digit temperatures, subzero windchill, and blowing and drifting snow.

A snowplow driver found the victim in the parking lot around 7 a.m., partially buried in snow and it is unknown precisely how long she was outside before she was found, Nessel said.

She was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital but died due to hypothermia shortly after arrival.

OConnor, who was charged in November 2023, recklessly failed to act to prevent the victim from going outdoors into the storm, resulting in her death, Nessel said.

She is scheduled to be sentenced at 10:30 a.m. on July 29 by Judge Cori E. Barkman of the 29th Circuit Court.
Former President Donald Trump, speaking in Las Vegas on Sunday, seemed to compare the dangers of batteries for electric vehicles and sharks, just days after three people, including two Alabama teens, were injured in two Florida shark attacks.

I say, what would happen if the boat sank from its weight, and you have this tremendously powerful battery, and the battery is now underwater and theres a shark thats approximately 10 yards over there, Trump said.

By the way, a lot of shark attacks lately, did you notice? I watched some guys justifying it today. Well they werent really that angry. They bit off the young ladys leg because of the fact, that they were not hungry, but they misunderstood who she was, Trump continued.

These people are crazy. He said theres no problem with sharks they just didnt really understand a young woman swimming out and really got decimated and other people too.

Ultimately, Trump said he would stay on the boat and risk electrocution rather than a shark.

But you know what Id do if there was a shark or you get electrocuted? Ill take electrocution every single time. Im not getting near the shark.

Mountain Brook teens Lulu Gribbin and McCray Faust were injured Friday in one of two shark attacks in a span of 90 minutes along about four miles of beach in Walton County.

Gribbin lost a hand and leg.

A 45-year-old woman lost a foot in an attack about an hour-and-a-half before the attack on the two teen girls.
DETROIT  A woman is accused of murder related to a fatal house fire that killed her ex-boyfriends mother and injured two others, authorities said.

Cinamon Charmaine Rigmaiden, 31, of Livonia, is charged with multiple felonies in connection with the recent arson of a Detroit home, the Wayne County Prosecutors Office announced. Tina Dorrough, 53, of Detroit, died in the fire. A 57-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman, both of Detroit, were injured.

Rigmaiden had recently broken up with Dorroughs adult son, officials said. He was not in the house at the time of the fire.

Since when is the solution in the breakup of a relationship setting fire to an occupied house? Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. The alleged actions of the defendant in this case are beyond reprehensible.

Around 11:17 p.m. on Monday, June 3, it is alleged that Rigmaiden poured an accelerant on the front porch of the victims home in the 6000 block of Seminole Street in Detroit, officials said. She then allegedly set it on fire and fled the scene.

Members of the Detroit Fire Department and the Hamtramck Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire, officials said. Dorrough was pronounced dead at the scene. The two surviving victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Rigmaiden was arrested the next day by the Livonia Police Department and then turned over to the Detroit Police Department, officials said.

She is charged with one count of felony murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder, three counts of first-degree arson and one count of third-degree arson, officials said. Rigmaiden was arraigned in 36th District Court and remanded to jail on Friday. She is due back in court on Friday, June 14.
ESSEXVILLE, MI  Late last year, officials suspended a teacher at Garber High School in Essexville as police launched a criminal probe.

From the outset, investigators and school officials kept their cards close to their chests, revealing little of the alleged crime. Yet with the investigation having wrapped and a prosecutorial decision pending, some aspects are finally starting to emerge.
By Leila Tariverdieva, Day.az





Not so long ago, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made an unexpected statement. At his regular press conference, he said that a peace treaty with Azerbaijan could be signed before November this year.



Then many drew the following conclusion from these words: the parties discussed the main points and want to sign peace on the eve of COP29, where the Armenian delegation can also come in this case. However, what has been coming from Yerevan in recent days suggests that we have rushed to such a conclusion. Far from everything has been discussed and, taking advantage of the moment, Armenia is in a hurry to sign the agreement before the climate summit in Baku, but not Azerbaijan.



Let's just say that the conclusions were drawn by us independently. Only Pashinyan knows what is really on his mind. Therefore, we do not pretend to be the ultimate truth, we will only allow ourselves some assumptions.



Armenia really hoped that the peace treaty would be signed before November. These hopes were connected with the misconception that Baku would be ready for anything in connection with the COP29.





To sign a crude and unsecured document, so that during the summit it would be possible to report on the final resolution of problems with Armenia. Yerevan misinterpreted some statements from Baku and decided that the Azerbaijani side would try to drag the Armenian delegation to the event at all costs in order to demonstrate the victory of its diplomacy.





It is possible that the parties are also being persuaded by external actors to conclude peace in any form before November.

Of course, we are all interested in peace being concluded as soon as possible so that the region can turn over this bloody page in its history.





Of course, achieving peace and the appearance of the Armenian delegation in Baku would be a big plus for everyone. But the neighbors jumped to conclusions too quickly and everything is not so simple.



Initially, the Armenian side had many inadequate additions to the five principles of peace proposed by Azerbaijan. Most of them disappeared by themselves in the four post-war years. Not because Armenia has come to its senses, but because the subject of Armenian "concern" in the person of the separatist entity and the separatists themselves has disappeared.





The main stumbling block hindering the achievement of peace today is the toxic constitution of Armenia. Azerbaijan has been persistently raising this issue for several years. Nikol Pashinyan himself has also moved from denial and anger to acceptance. However, the idea of amendments to the constitution met with a sharp reaction from the opposition, the separatist masses and revanchist circles who joined it.





The government may call a referendum, but its results, in the presence of hysterical counter-propaganda in society, are unlikely to please and will not help Pashinyan realize his dream of turning Armenia into a state not only de jure, but also de facto.





He is trying to convince his society that it is not the Azerbaijanis who need changes to the Constitution, but, above all, the Armenians themselves, that their country will never become a full-fledged state and a respected participant in international processes as long as its fundamental documents contain territorial claims against its neighbors.



But that's all the lyrics. On the physical plane, we have the same situation and the complete absence of signs of its change in the near future. There are not even clear decisions on the referendum on amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.





And there is a strengthening of the revanchist element in the Armenian society.

Meanwhile, the Armenian Foreign Ministry remains strangely optimistic. Last week, they stated with childlike directness that Armenia and Azerbaijan are ripe enough to sign a peace treaty next month, that is, in July.



But there is Baku's position, which was voiced by President Ilham Aliyev at a meeting with the speakers of the parliaments of the TURKPA countries on June 6.





"The conclusion of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, despite the fact that the current constitution of Armenia remains unchanged, is simply impossible. When we raise this issue, I said it and I want to say it again - not because we interfere in their internal affairs, absolutely not, but it concerns us. We cannot conclude a peace agreement with Armenia at a time when they have territorial claims against us... They need to completely abandon the ideas of revanchism. And we see that such ideas exist, not only among the opposition, but also among the ruling group," the Azerbaijani President said.



Pashinyan assures that Armenia has no claims to the lands of Azerbaijan. Yes, we believe that he personally has no such claims and will never put them forward, but Pashinyan is not eternal in his post, and the return to power of Miatsum supporters can blow up the region again. Arguments like the priority of the peace treaty over the constitution are not serious, because the country's constitution is always placed above its international obligations, and this is well known. If international obligations conflict with the Constitution, the relevant agreements, contracts, and so on are canceled.





The supporters of "miatsum", in accordance with international law, will revoke Armenia's signature, and everything will begin anew. To deprive them of such an opportunity, Pashinyan must change the constitution. He has no other choice. As can be seen from the statements of the President of Azerbaijan, Baku is very determined on this issue.



Official Yerevan, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tried to respond to the President of Azerbaijan.





The ministry issued a statement in which it assured that "Armenia has no territorial claims against any of its neighbors, including Azerbaijan. The Constitution of Armenia and its amendments are an internal matter of Armenia." The Agency considers an acceptable argument to be the fact that the text of the peace treaty recognizes the territorial integrity of each other and this is enough. The Armenian side is trying to convince Baku that the toxic provisions of its declaration of independence and constitution are completely harmless, since the draft peace treaty states the following: neither side can invoke its own domestic legislation in connection with non-fulfillment of its obligations under the peace treaty.



This is not a serious approach. And that's why. This provision will be contained in a document signed by Nikol Pashinyan. Any next prime minister who comes to his place as a result of elections, a coup, a revolution or the physical elimination of Nikola will represent the revanchist camp. No one who does not share the "age-old aspirations of Armenians" will be allowed to come to power in Armenia anymore. And Pashinyan does not share them and has never shared them. If the crowds who joined him to eliminate the Karabakh clan had known that today would come, probably the April 2018 "revolution" would not have taken place, or he would not have succeeded so easily. The claims arising from the constitution will definitely be adopted again, no matter what songs the Armenian Foreign Ministry sings in our ears. This is unacceptable in any case, regardless of whether Armenia decides to commit aggression under the new government or not. In any case, the region will face the threat of new destabilization.



Azerbaijan intends to sign a peace treaty with reliable guarantees that in the future Armenia will not try to expand its borders again and the next generations will not have to endure the nightmare that befell their fathers and grandfathers.





These guarantees under the current Armenian constitution are, as lawyers call it, null and void. Even if Armenia does not decide on a new war, the threat of destabilization will be constant.



The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry interpreted the statement of the Armenian colleagues as an intention to divert the attention of the international community from the challenges that remain an obstacle to achieving peace between the two countries. Territorial claims against Azerbaijan are enshrined in numerous legal and political documents of Armenia, and this is the main obstacle to the conclusion of peace. The fact that the Armenian side considers it possible to ignore this problem demonstrates that Armenia is not interested in a sustainable peace and only seeks to preserve this situation as a backup option for resuming its aggression, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.



Another argument of the Armenian side is the alleged existence of similar problems in the Basic Law of Azerbaijan. Unable to effectively object to Baku's legitimate demands, Yerevan came up with a "mirror" argument, seeing an analogy in the provision that Azerbaijan is the heir to the ADR. The Armenian Foreign Minister said that Yerevan and Baku, they say, are mutually dissatisfied with the constitutions. This is just an attempt to evade responsibility for solving this most difficult issue. The reference to the ADR heritage has nothing to do with the territorial issue. This is a matter of political inheritance of the principles of statehood laid down by the first democratic state in the East. These provisions are absolutely incomparable. Armenia is making a pathetic attempt to artificially create a mirror effect. Although Pashinyan understands everything perfectly, and we know that he is aware of the realities and risks.



Yes, amendments to the Armenian Constitution are not subject to negotiations. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan is absolutely right here. Because Azerbaijan is not conducting any discussions on this topic - it has set a condition and expects it to be fulfilled. This demand is not "torpedoing the process" or "revenge," as Speaker Alain Simonyan states. Azerbaijan's demand is the legitimate right of the country to ensure its security for generations to come.





The Azerbaijani leadership does not act on the principle of "the main thing is to earn points, and after me there will be a flood." Everything that is being done today is calculated for many decades.



Armenia needs a deep cleaning of the ideological stables so that the next generation will grow up on realities, and not disorienting historical insinuations in space. Otherwise, the neighborhood with A
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Kerala MP Suresh Gopi denies reports claiming he wants to quit Modi Cabinet
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Modi 3.0 Cabinet: Ashwini Vaishnaw to lead railway ministry again as safety and punctuality remain major concerns
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Modi 3.0's 100-day action plan to be presented before PMO, new ministers next week
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Modi's cabinet 3.0: Balancing regional and caste dynamics in UP
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Ram Mohan Naidu from Andhra youngest, Jitan Ram Manjhi from Bihar oldest in Modi 3.0 cabinet
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EV industry upbeat on Modi 3.0 with hopes of continued policy support, fresh sops
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Vodafone Idea to consider issuing shares to vendors at board meet on Thursday
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Meghna Mittal MEGHNA MITTAL is Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com
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Modi-led NDA govt must tackle unemployment problem, especially in unorganised sector: Rajiv Kumar
Abhishek Sahu covers HR and Education (Careers) at Moneycontrol. He can be reached at Abhishek.Sahu@nw18.com and @Abhishek44sahu.
Harshita Tyagi is a budding journalist on a mission to prove that financial markets and geopolitics can be as entertaining as your favorite TV show
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Analyst Tracker: Kotak Mahindra Bank stock gets most brokerage rating upgrades in May
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MC Inside Edge: HNIs on the backfoot in Suzlon, SAIL, wealth managers head for Dubai, I-Sec shareholders gripe
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The coming months could see these stocks enter the F&O segment
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ML Khattar appointed as power minister in Modis third term, replaces RK Singh
Morning Scan: All the big stories to get you started for the day
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Souptik Datta Reports on Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Btw, curiosity never kills the cat. You can reach me on souptikdatta@nw18.com
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Mafatlal stock up 15% on pact with armed forces for anti-microbial bed sheets
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Four of family, including two-year-old boy, from Rajasthan among nine dead in J-K bus terror attack
Suit Filed Challenging Constitutionality of Speed Cameras

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Anderson & Associates, PC

June 10, 2024

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., June 10, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- Anderson & Associates, PC, has filed a civil rights lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Norfolk challenging the constitutionality of speed camera prosecutions in Virginia.

The case style is Seifert v. City of Chesapeake, et al - 2:24cv374 and is filed under 42 USC 1983 and the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The Plaintiff is seeking a statewide injunction on prosecutions of speed camera violations that violate the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment.

For comment, interview or copies - call Attorney Tim Anderson - 757-301-3636

SOURCE Anderson & Associates, PC

CONTACT: Attorney Tim Anderson, 757-301-3636


Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, arrived in Ankara for a working visit at the invitation of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye, Azernews reports.

A guard of honor was lined up for the President of Azerbaijan at Ankara Esenbo?a Airport decorated with the national flags of the two countries.

President Ilham Aliyev was welcomed by Cevdet Yilmaz, Vice President of Turkiye, and other officials.






















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In today's edition of Pro Panorama: Life beyond TCS Q2, outlook for Indian stocks, what tied up RBI's hand and much more

Tata Steels European steel operations finally appear to be at a point where they could become sustainable contributors to its performance. Last week, news reports said the Dutch parliament had approved funding support of $3.3 billion (Rs 27,400 crore) for decarbonising of its Netherland steel-making operations. The Dutch parliament has approved an unspecified amount of subsidies to the company, which is being estimated by third-party consultants at the above-stated figure.

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Modi 3.0: Cease post-retirement appointments in tribunals, expand the judiciary  Former SG Ranjit Kumar
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Antony Blinken set to travel to Egypt, Israel for Gaza ceasefire push
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Yellow.AI, an artificial intelligence-first customer service automation firm, has partnered with at least four Indian IT services companies including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, HCLTech, and Tech Mahindra. These partnerships are focused on leveraging Yellow.AI's platform for HR automation and customer service automation solutions.

So from a partnership standpoint, we've been working with a lot of global system integrators to go and sell to large enterprises, large businesses across the globe, Rashid Khan, co-founder and Chief Product Officer,
As most of you know well by now, the so-called European right wing made substantial, even in cases stunning, gains in European parliament elections. This would seem to take some of the wind out of the sails of those wanting to escalate against Russia. But well describe a scenario below that they could pursue and even use the right wing gains to justify. In other words, as Lambert would put it, this is still an overly dynamic situation.

French President Emanuel Macron, after Marine Le Pens National Rally won the most votes for MEP seats, with exit polls showing 32% compared to about 15% for Macrons allies, is taking the stunning gamble of calling snap elections. Given how poor Macrons political instincts have been, I would not bet on this move working out well for him.

The German Greens also took a drubbing, with preliminary totals showing it fell from second place in 2019 at 20.5% to fourth place now at 12.8%. The CDU/CSU is tops at 30.9% and AfD gained from 11% to 14.9%. In Italy, Georgia Melonis Brothers of Italy was estimated to have garnered 26-29%, besting left-wing contenders who came in at 21-25%.

In Austria, the right-wing Freedom Party came in the lead at 26.7%, but in the Netherlands and Hungary, the right wing fell short of expectations.

The Guardian summed it up: Despite gains for the far and radical right, the mainstream, pro-European parties were on course to hold their majority.

Nevertheless, this outcome has to add to the rising frisson over voter lack of enthusiasm for Project Ukraine despite attempts to whip up fear over the supposedly imminent Putin takeover of all of Europe. Admittedly, we are likely to see a lot of sloppy analysis over why more voters are refusing to eat centrist dog food. In many countries, the reasons are likely to be local and thus oversimplied in efforts to craft over-arching explanations. In the absence of better facts, James Carvilles Its the economy, stupid is probably as good an assessment as any.

But again, crudely speaking, these populist right wingers are nationalist, meaning not keen about NATO adventurism and suspected Putin stooges. And European and US leaders are likely now quietly freaked out about the risk of a LePen and then Trump win. But what might they do?

It is true, as Aurelien said early on, that all the Europe can do in the long run is engage in epic sulking. Absent an escalation to nuclear war or a series of astonishingly bad military actions, Russia is comfortably on track to crushing the Ukraine military and being able to dictate terms. Even if the Collective West was not showing cracks in its former anti-Russian unity, the means are proving to wanting. Ukraines allies have been scraping the bottom of their weapons barrels to try to keep up supplies. Brave words about increasing arms production have not been met with anything more than paltry results, even as Russia has ramped up output considerably in major equipment categories.

As experts have pointed out, even if the US/NATO forces could keep feeding Ukraine with munitions, Ukraine is running out of men, particularly men who are anything more than cannon fodder. I have no idea how representative these images are, but the fact that there are any like this is telling:

Earlier this year, The Sunday Times wrote that the average age of #Ukrainian #soldiers at the front is 43 years old. These are middle-aged recruits of the 43rd Infantry Brigade in Kharkov region. These soldiers look much older than 50.#Elderly being taken. #mobilization #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/RL4Zv3bU8d  Best Health 4 You (@besthealthyou) June 9, 2024

Putin also discussed the Ukraine military force sustainability during his interview with foreign journalists:

According to our calculations, the Ukrainian army loses about 50,000 people a monthboth sanitary and irreparable losses, approximately 50/50. The current total mobilization does not solve these problems. They mobilize about 30,000 people a monthmostly forcibly. There are few volunteers. In the past two months, they have mobilized around 50-55,000 people, according to our data. But this does not solve their problems because this mobilization only covers their losses. This problem leads to lowering the conscription age: from 27 to 25. We know from Ukrainian sources that the US administration insists on gradually lowering the threshold from 25 to 23, then to 20 years, and finally to 18 years. They already require 17-year-olds to register for the draft. This is a demand from the US administration to the Ukrainian leadership.

Putin also said, in effect, that the US would keep Zelensky around to implement unpopular measures like conscripting 18 year olds and then replace him when his perceived utility is over. Zelensky appears to have purged immediate threats, so at the moment he is comparatively secure.

The Biden Administration (not just Biden but Blinken also, who seems to be Victoria Nulands Mini Me) despises Putin with the passion of a thousand burning suns. They will never countenance negotiations with him or a Russian government. Macron and the leadership of NATO, the UK, Poland, and the Baltic States also show serious hostility.1

So Putins intel is consistent with the US and key allies refusing to back down and continuing to press Ukraine to keep fighting, no matter what the cost to Ukraine, even at the cost of more deaths and disability among Ukraine men, and more loss of territory.

However, we warned early on that Russia could win the war and lose the peace. The problem is that Putins big motive for launching the Special Military Operation was that the prospect of continued conflict in the Donbass and eventual installation of long-range missiles in Ukraine, whether as a formal NATO member or in some wink-and-nod unofficial status, was a direct threat to Russian security.

How does Putin achieve a cessation of a hot conflict and improve Russias security?

Even with Russia having a very big military upper hand, it still faces two problems. One is that the absolutism in the West seems likely to lead to Russia achieving maximum territorial gains relative to what the Russian leadership has signaled might be of interest. The West really is determined to fight to the last Ukrainian. It is already well on its way to exhausting weapons supplies.

From an administrative perspective, Russia does not want to attempt to hold hostile territory. That would seem to restrict what it would want to integrate into Russia to land a bit to the West of the Dnieper so as to secure the major cities that straddle the river, such as Kiev, Dnipro, Zaporzhizhia, and Kherson and the Black Sea coast to Odessa.

Note that Russia securing what was Ukraines Black Sea coast has the potential to unleash extreme Western responses. But thats a risk for Russia to weigh, hence Putin calling Odessa an apple of discord. More recently, however, Putin and other leaders have been regularly describing Odessa as a Russian city. And it goes without saying that if Russia were to control Ukraines Black Sea access, it would control Ukraine economically.

But that does not mean the West is without resources. Even if the US/NATO combine succeeds in getting Ukraine to send most of its remaining young men to death and injury in the battlefield, shrinking their rank, ethnically Ukrainian, Russia-hostile western Ukraine will remain. Russia does not want to occupy it. But the alternatives may be worse.

With the demonized populists, particularly Trump gaining in polls, the current leadership in the US has been implementing measures to restrict Trump. From CNN in February:

Lawmakers from both parties last December may have been anticipating former President Donald Trumps current NATO trash talk when they quietly slipped language limiting a presidents power to pull the US out the alliance into the annual defense policy bill, which passed with bipartisan support.

That sort of preemptive measure is likely to be moving to the front burner. Here is a simple spoiler. If yours truly can come up with this sort of thing, there are likely many others.

Earlier in the war, Colonel Douglas Macgregor discussed that the US could form a coalition of the willing which could get to about 100,000 in total, between US, Polish, Romanian, and UK commitments. Then he envisaged it as an offensive force to assist Ukraine, stressing then that it would be too small in number to have good odds of changing the course of the war (these mentions if I recall correctly were before the defeat of the great summer counteroffensive, so Russia looked weaker than it does now).

But what if the US reworks this as a strictly defensive operation, to preserve rump Ukraine? They could try to achieve their much-claimed frozen conflict by announcing the boundaries of a DMZ and then positioning coalition forces on the other side of it, in western Ukraine.

And then with the West firmly in control of this terrain and an excuse for a serious military presence, there is always the potential to install the sort of long range missiles that Russia absolutely did not want in Ukraine.

Readers are welcome to shoot holes in this idea. But Mark Sleboda, who tends to be conservative (as in worst outcomes for Russia biased) in his analysis, volunteered, without elaborating, that it might be best available option for Russia to take Western Ukraine, even though he had thought otherwise until recently.

Of course, as John Helmer pointed out early on, Russia could create a big DMZ, its width dependent on the range of missiles the West saw fit to use, via de-electrification. And that unlike the formation of a coalition of the willing could be done pretty quickly.

Please keep in mind that the point of this post is not to suggest that the West would act on any particular scheme. But the unanticipated right wing gains and Trump not being dented much (at all?) by his conviction is likely focusing quite a few minds. And one line of thought they may be pursuing is how to create facts on the ground that would impede their action.

___

1 It is not clear why Macron shifted from being willing to engage Putin to hostility. Was it because Putin snubbed him by letting word get out that he found Macrons long calls to be time wasters? Or because Macron blames Russia for Frances recent setbacks in Africa?
Available live in multiple languages on the NATO website, on CCTV, EBU Worldfeed, to EBU news exchange, as well as on X @NATOPress and NATO News on YouTube, and afterwards on natomultimedia.tv for download. Photos and transcript will be available afterwards on the NATO Website
Zuckerbergs META-FAKEBOOK censors anyone opposed to Israels mass-murdering of Palestinians  Now Meta faces LAWSUIT over bias and discrimination

Mark Zuckerberg's Meta spy apparatus, also known as Fakebook, is a multi-faceted social media platform used for many nefarious purposes, including tracking people's purchases, service interests, psychological marketing, influencing political stances, police state control, censorship, election interference and influencing popular opinion about important (corrupt) government narratives. Since the War in Gaza began, Fakebook has been censoring just about anyone who makes negative comments or posts negative memes about Israel and their continued genocidal bombing campaign of innocent Palestinians. It's getting worse daily.

A Palestinian engineer named Ferras Hamad filed a lawsuit against Meta just recently in California for discrimination and wrongful termination, because he complained about Meta deleting internal employee messages by Palestinian-Americans that just so happened to mention their relatives in Gaza. Meta even used AI to flag his emojis. Of course, there's no censorship if you support Israel or Ukraine, because that supports the Communist, forever-war-mentality and narrative that the Biden Regime has scripted for Americans to support. Mr. Hamad was an engineer on Meta's machine learning team for the past 3 years, until he put up posts about his relatives dying in the globalist war to steal resources, run guns and traffic humans.

If you are Palestinian-American, beware that Meta deletes internal employee messages and memes if you mention the deaths of loved ones in Gaza

Though America is under communist rule right now, many Americans still enjoy some of their constitutional rights, and those would be mostly Democrats (Liberals). If you consider yourself a Republican, Conservative, or even just Independent, you are considered by the U.S. government and most liberals as a "Far Right" person who is most likely already guilty of domestic terrorism, supporting white supremacy, gay-bashing and of course, anti-science.

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.

Proof-in-point, Meta (mother company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger), uses AI and thousands of liberal employees to censor anything and everything they find posted that supports Donald Trump, gun ownership, natural medicine and actual science that disproves the global warming myth. All of these types of posts are considered to "violate community guidelines," which means does NOT support the facets of the installation of communism here in the United States.

If you are a Palestinian-American, you are also a target for Big Tech and Big Government to censor, harass, threaten, arrest, convict and send to prison for any crimes they simply makeup out of thin air, like they've done with Trump and most of the J6'ers.

How dare someone point out any irregularities of the communist-Amerikan narrative that Israel has the right to genocide-bomb any Arabs they want to, anytime, anywhere, for any reason or even for no reason at all. It's like the reverse of "From the River to the Sea."

Gaza and Ukraine are massive hubs for the Military Industrial Complex right now, where the Biden Regime runs guns, drugs, missiles, mercenaries and steals resources for their already deep pockets. Mark Zuckerberg, along with several other billionaire white guys who hate America (think Bezos, Soros, Gates), support reducing the world's population by billions of people so they can gain more billions and more power and control.

Palestinian-Americans speaking up about their people being slaughtered in cold blood in Gaza is NOT allowed by the autocracy in DC. Only if you support diseases of the mind, including violent race-baiting, orange-man-bad-theory, global warming, mRNA gene-mutation therapy and when in doubt, you always blame the Russians, well then you will never be censored from the Mass Media Complex of America.

Do your own research and dont use Google. Try the search engine Brave BETA and get more truth news and real information. Bookmark Censored.news to your favorite websites for truth news about the genocide in Gaza that's being censored by the globalists right now.

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

RT.com
Fauci STILL blaming the unvaccinated for COVID deaths

Career criminal Tony Fauci is tripling down on the official Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) narrative even though his days are clearly numbered.

During his most recent appearance before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, Fauci had the audacity to claim that Americans who skipped the so-called "vaccine" series pushed under Operation Warp Speed are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of their fellow Americans.

In the video clip below, you can hear Fauci also warning the public to stop listening to podcasts, memes and "conspiracy theorists" that try to claim the shots are what is killing people. According to Fauci, around 300,000 people in the United States are now dead because their neighbors refused to get jabbed.

Fauci issued his commentary after Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) ask him if he believes Americans should "listen to America's brightest and best doctors and scientists, or instead listen to podcasters, conspiracy theorists, and unhinged Facebook memes."

Fauci's most recent appearance before Congress is his first public testimony since resigning from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) back in 2022.

BREAKING: Fauci warns the American public against listening to podcasts, memes, or to the "conspiracy theorists" He blames the unvaccinated for around 200,000-300,000 additional deaths pic.twitter.com/gG4TVAW4R8  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) June 3, 2024

(Related: A spate of U.S. politicians is suddenly calling for Fauci to be charged with crimes against humanity.)

Politicians blast Fauci, tell him he should be jailed

Among others, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) was incensed over Fauci's words at the hearing. One would think that Fauci might start to backtrack on the now-debunked official narrative at this point in time, but that is not what is happening.

"I let Anthony Fauci know exactly how the American people feel about his crimes against humanity," Greene tweeted along with the below video clip. "Mr. Fauci should be prosecuted and thrown in jail."

I let Anthony Fauci know exactly how the American people feel about his crimes against humanity. Mr. Fauci should be prosecuted and thrown in jail. pic.twitter.com/iHqOg3rpox  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene?? (@RepMTG) June 3, 2024

Without even knowing which podcasters and meme creators Garcia was referring to, Fauci arrogantly launched into a tirade about how any American who listens to someone other than him and his friends "will deprive themselves of life-saving interventions."

According to Fauci, "some" people out there "have done studies" to back his other false claim that the unvaccinated are responsible for major loss of life during the "pandemic."

"Peter Hotez has done an analysis of this and shows that in people who refuse to get vaccinated for any variety of reasons," Fauci claimed, adding that they are "probably responsible for an additional 200,000 to 300,000 deaths in this country."

We were unable to locate any "analysis" from Hotez that Fauci might have been referring to, which has left us wondering: Did Fauci simply make up that story right on the spot?

Hotez, by the way, is the infamous dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College in Texas who last summer accused 2024 presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and podcaster Joe Rogan of spreading "vaccine misinformation."

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.

Rogan invited Hotez on his show to debate Kennedy, offering to donate $100,00 in his honor to the charity of Hotez's choice. Hotez never showed up, though "because he knows he's wrong," according to X owner Elon Musk.

Yes Joe I thought it was over the top, unnecessarily provocative, so I took it down right away. But Ive been hurt by the public/untrue statements you/guests have made about me being a pharma shill, when all I do is make vaccines for the worlds poor. I dont take BigPharma money https://t.co/T5Uid5rwGT  Prof Peter Hotez MD PhD (@PeterHotez) June 18, 2023

America will be much better off once Fauci is imprisoned, hopefully for the rest of his miserable life. Find out more at Corruption.news.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NaturalNews.com
George Soros, the King of Funded Mayhem, has America taking a very HARD LEFT turn towards communism and a permanent police-state society

George Soros, the far-Left globalist and eugenicist, is currently worth close to $7 billion; however, he has somehow funded over $30 billion in efforts to destroy democracies, incite civil wars and flood troubled nations with illegal immigrants. George Soros profits from chaos , turmoil and in-fighting. It doesn't matter who wins, or if anybody wins, or if everyone loses, Soros still profits from upheaval, of almost any kind.

Take for instance all of the staged riots about George Floyd that lasted two years, led by Antifa and Black Lives Matter. These were not protests in any form, but full-staged riots that included rapes and murders of innocent people, burning of buildings and police vehicles, looting of entire businesses (most of which later went bankrupt), and all-out riots in the streets. Nary any of these people are in jails or prisons now for this, yet hundreds of peaceful protesters from the January 6th "insurrection" are languishing in DC gulags right now, without a trial. That's because Soros funds and promotes extreme-liberal D.A.'s and prosecutors who let Leftist criminals off the hook for the worst kind of crimes, across America.

Soros donates money to extreme-Leftist groups that promote violence, mayhem, hate, civil war and the destruction of America

George "Adolf" Soros has a history of funding anything that helps create havoc at government levels. He is said to have inherited a Nazi war chest of millions of dollars to get his start. The 93-year-old "philanthropist" isn't really much of a philanthropist at all, just on paper. In fact, back in 2005, George Soros was convicted of insider trading by the French Supreme Court, but was only conveniently penalized 940,000 Euros.

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.

In 2012, Soros donated $1 million to the super PAC that backed the reelection of the USA's first communist president, Barack Hussein Obama. In 2013, Soros donated $25,000 to Ready for Hillary, while becoming co-chairman of the super PACs national finance committee. In 2015, Soros donated $1 million to Super PAC Priorities USA Action that supported Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Presidential Race.

By 2022, Soros had pumped over $140 million into politically charged hate groups in the build up leading to the 2022 midterm elections. His end goal is to turn America into a socialist hell-hole, which would quickly spiral down into full-blown communism. Soros also backs Monsanto (now owned by Bayer), in efforts to adulterate and corrupt the majority of the American food supply.

Soros funded the Ferguson protest movement, the George Floyd riots, Antifa, Black Lives Matter and any other groups that throw gasoline on the "hate" fire

One of the key fundamentals for installing communism in a country is to cause the citizens to fight each other, thus distracting them from paying attention to the rogue takeover of their government and the removal of all of their rights. Racism in America was declining quickly before Obama took office, but the "great orator" along with Soros backing, helped rejuvenate and stage race riots, racial events and race wars.

Now social media is flooded with lies about how most conservatives are racists, homophobic and hate all immigrants.

Soros funds the spread of propaganda, much the way Adolf Hitler did, to convince Americans that we should all hate each other, desire to destroy each other and commit horrific acts of violence to show this conviction. This is a key fundamental of communism, and another way Soros profits from mayhem and upheaval by further destabilizing nations.

Soros uses his billions to fund dark organizations under the guise of philanthropy that change society on the ground level. This enables him to seize power without people even realizing how they are being manipulated, conned and coerced into destructive thoughts and behaviors. It's corrosion at society's core, and as crime flourishes in metropolitan cities, mostly run by Democrats and D.A.'s Soros funded and promoted, Soros gets exactly what he wants, and that's more power and more money.

Tune your apocalypse dial to Preparedness.news for updates on real news about surviving and thriving beyond the planned apocalypse that Adolf Soros and his elitist, eugenicist cohorts fund daily.

Sources for this article include:

Censored.news

NYpost.com

TheGatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com
Idaho bar sparks OUTRAGE from LGBTQ+ supporters over promo offering free beers for straight men this Pride Month

An Idaho bar has sparked outrage from LGBTQ+ supporters for expressing its desire to celebrate "Heterosexual Awesomeness Month" and offering free drinks for straight men this June, coinciding with Pride Month.

The Old State Saloon in Eagle, a suburb of the state capital of Boise, announced that each Monday of June would be "Hetero Male Monday." According to a Facebook post from the bar, any man dressed "like a heterosexual male" will receive a free draught beer.

In addition to the free beer, the bar is seeking applicants to judge if male patrons are dressed "officially heterosexual," offering $15 an hour plus a free beer.

The judging criteria for what constitutes dressing "like a heterosexual male" have not been specified. On Wednesdays, straight couples will get 15 percent off their tab.

The Facebook announcement sparked a wide range of reactions. (Related: Christian lifeguard sues LA County over discriminatory Pride flag displays  government-endorsed LGBT violates religious liberty.)

Some criticized the bar, while others praised it for its boldness.

A Facebook user named Jenna Nash commented: "Every day is hetero day. They're not a marginalized group; they're the norm. Pointing out your heterosexuality during gay Pride Month is an affront, creates separation and discord."

Others insinuated that men attending "Hetero Male Monday" might be in the closet.

"Whoever wrote this post is so deep in the closet they're having adventures in Narnia with Liberace and Mercury," one Facebook user commented.

"It's a free country. But tell us more about all those men on Mondays. Getting drunk  maybe a little curious  maybe a little experimental," another one wrote.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

But some LGBTQ individuals expressed support for the event.

One user wrote: "I'm a gay dude and I think this is awesome. I am an ally to the often stigmatized straight male. I am also grateful for my heterosexual parents that made my life possible."

The bar reported receiving several comments bordering on harassment, leading to about 25 bans.

Local newspaper accuses bar of "disrespecting Pride Month"

Boise's daily newspaper, the Idaho Statesman, published a column accusing the bar and its owner, Mark Fitzpatrick, of disrespecting Pride Month.

Columnist Michael Deeds wrote: "How exactly does a customer dress like a heterosexual male? Wear one of those 'The Only Thing I Like More Than Beer Is Twins' shirts? Or the one that reads, 'Cool Babe Now Go Make Me a Sandwich'?"

Fitzpatrick, described as "a Christian, conservative, Constitution supporter, retired police officer, and family man" on his social media, responded to the Idaho Statesman piece, accusing Deeds of lacking the courage to contact him for an interview.

The bar reiterated on Saturday that it wouldn't back down, stating, "We hear lots of people are upset about Heterosexual Awesomeness Month! Please know: 1) We love our LGBTQ+ patrons! 2) We will not change our mind and give in to those responding with vitriol. 3) ALL are welcome to come celebrate heterosexuality with us in June!"

The post also announced all-day happy hour prices for straight females on Thursdays and upcoming T-shirts commemorating heterosexuals.

Despite the backlash, the bar's supporters argue that "Heterosexual Awesomeness Month" is a legitimate expression of pride in traditional values.

The Old State Saloon continues to promote its events, maintaining that it is inclusive and intends to celebrate all patrons regardless of sexual orientation.

Watch this episode of "The Breanna Morello Show" discussing how people can mentally fortify themselves against Pride Month propaganda.

This video is from the MyPodcastDropped2320 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Navy SEALs accused of going WOKE after Pride Month post sparks backlash.

Air Force accused of promoting DRAG and other LGBT Pride events for military personnel and their families using taxpayer money.

Pro-Gaza protesters, LGBT Pride marchers find common ground: There's no pride in GENOCIDE.

Target DOWNSIZES LGBT Pride products after last year's backlash.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com
Israeli strike on UN school in central Gaza kills at least 40 people, most of them children

Another refugee camp, this one including a school run by the United Nations (UN), was bombed by Israel this week resulting in at least 40 deaths.

According to reports, the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza contained an educational center run by UNRWA. Israeli bombs killed at least nine women and 14 children while wounding 74 others.

The attack occurred around 2 a.m. in the early morning hours of June 6. People sheltering there woke up to the sound of airstrikes and at least one building that was set ablaze by Israeli weapons.

"The whole school was sleeping," said one eyewitness by the name of Ansam Issa. "We ran out and we saw people retrieving the wounded and dead bodies from the rubble. Some were torn apart, some were burnt."

"My 17-year-old brother came running towards me, shouting that our father was dead. I asked him about our two other brothers: He said, they were killed, too."

Issa and her family sought out the school just one day before the bombing after heavy Israeli bombing took out the Bureij refugee camp where they had previously been sheltering.

Relative Um Mohammed Issa commented that the entire family was forced to flee their homes within the camp several times in the days leading up to the attack.

"We shelter in one school they strike it. We shelter in another they burn it. We go to our home and they bomb it over our heads. We go to the street we find dead people, and torn bodies," Una Mohammed.

"People don't know where to go anymore."

(Related: Did you know that if any strike on deep Russian targets can be traced back to the United States, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is warning that such an act will be the "start of world war?")

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.

Israel says Hamas was hiding inside Nuseirat

Like it always claims, Israel is insistent that the bombing was necessary because Hamas militants were hiding inside the refugee camp and school. An entire Hamas camp within the camp, Israel claims, is partially responsible for the October 7 attack.

Anywhere from 20 to 30 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters allegedly gathered at the UN school, at least according to Israel. Those sheltered at the facility, however, deny such claims.

"They're saying they were targeting fighters  what fighters?" Ansam said. "We don't have any weapons. We came here for safety with nothing but our tents and the clothes on our backs."

Gaza's media office says the same, rejecting Israel's claim that Hamas militants were hiding out inside the "safe zone."

"The occupation uses lying to the public opinion through false fabricated stories to justify the brutal crime it conducted against dozens of displaced people," said Ismail al-Thawabta, the office's director.

In response, Israel claims it took "many steps" to avoid the loss of "uninvolved people" who have nothing to do with the October 7 attack.

The attack occurred not long after Israel announced that it was sending the IDF back to central Gaza to carry out another mission. Israel continues to state that it will not agree to any ceasefire until it completes its mission.

"The movement and factions of the resistance will deal seriously and positively with any agreement that is based on a comprehensive ending of the aggression and the complete withdrawal and prisoners swap," said Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh about the matter.

The Biden regime presented a ceasefire plan that was agreed to by Hamas, but Israel is rejecting it. "Defeating Hamas," Israel claims, necessitates continued airstrikes and other attacks.

The latest news about the Israel-Hamas war can be found at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

MiddleEastEye.net

NaturalNews.com
Israel inks deal to get 25 additional F-35 fighter jets from U.S. paid for by American taxpayers

Israels Ministry of Defense has signed a deal with the U.S. to receive 25 additional F-35 fighter jets

The $3 billion agreement, financed by U.S. military aid to Israel, was recently finalized by an Israeli delegation in the United States. This acquisition will expand the Israeli Air Force's fleet of Lockheed Martin-built F-35s, allowing the already sizeable force to add a third squadron to its numbers.

Deliveries of the new aircraft will start in 2028, with batches of three to five jets per year, ultimately bringing Israels total F-35 fleet to 75. To date, only 36 of the 50 F-35s initially ordered have been delivered.

The deal follows a resolved dispute between Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Israeli Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich, who had vetoed the signing pending a review of the defense budget by a committee of the Knesset, Israel's parliament.

Despite tensions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden over Israels actions in Gaza, the U.S. continues to provide substantial military support to Tel Aviv. (Related: Israel flattens Gazas Jabalia as officials present genocide defense at ICJ.)

The American Friends Service Committee  a Quaker-led peace organization  notes that from October to early March, Washington approved over 100 military sales to Israel, although only two were publicly disclosed.

These weapons were financed through the Foreign Military Sales program and Israels defense budget, with additional transfers from U.S. military stockpiles in Israel.

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.

American arms manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, General Dynamics and RTX (formerly Raytheon) have been the primary benefactors from supplying weapons not just to Israel but also to Ukraine.

F-35 lauded as capable fifth-generation fighter

The F-35 is just another fighter jet with fifth-generation features, failing to grasp that it represents a paradigm shift. The F-35 is not merely the last fighter of the industrial age but the first aerial platform of the Information Age.

In numerous U.S. Air Force exercises, the F-35 has consistently demonstrated unparalleled performance in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. During the 2017 Red Flag exercise, the F-35 achieved a kill ratio of 15 to one, an unprecedented feat in the U.S. inventory. Its sophisticated sensors and networking capabilities allow it to collect and share targeting information, enhancing the performance of fourth-generation aircraft as well.

Recent conflicts, such as the one in Ukraine, have underscored the evolving role of airpower in the Information Age. In the Project Convergence exercise, designed to showcase sensor-to-shooter connectivity and rapid target engagement, the U.S. Army successfully used data from an F-35's sensors to direct artillery fire.

The F-35's stealth and advanced sensors enable it to penetrate hostile air defenses and destroy critical targets while providing essential targeting data to other units across multiple domains.

Despite its sophistication, the F-35 is also cost-effective to operate and maintain. It has repeatedly won fair and open competitions to replace aging fighter fleets in countries like Germany, Canada, Switzerland, Poland, and Finland. These decisions followed comparative evaluations demonstrating the F-35's superior capabilities and cost-efficiency.

Acquiring the F-35 will save money in the long run. Switzerland's decision to purchase 36 JSFs followed an exhaustive four-year evaluation.

According to defense aviation analyst John Venable, Swiss evaluators found that the F-35A's networked systems provided pilots with superior situational awareness and survivability. The F-35A also received high marks for product support, maintenance efficiency, and collaboration potential with other countries.

Visit MilitaryTechnology.news for more similar stories.

Watch this report from Southfront Press discussing how, despite military pressure from multiple fronts and growing international pressure, Israel has decided to double down on its conflict against Palestinians.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Israel carpet bombs Gaza with no goal in sight.

Israel bombs yet another Gaza hospital, killing more innocent civilians.

Israel on path to make Gaza unlivable while seeking to destroy Hamas.

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

19FortyFive.com

Brighteon.com
The Israeli Defense Forces have been systematically torturing and sodomizing Palestinian detainees at a military base in southern Israel, according to testimonies from released captives shared in a new report from the New York Times.

(Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com)

Dozens of Palestinians died in the camp and many described being stripped naked, tortured, sodomized with a metal pole or cattle prod and forced to wear a diaper.

Whereas The Times did everything they could to hype up and sensationalize their now-debunked atrocity propaganda tale about "Hamas committing mass rape" on Oct 7th, they did their best to downplay Israel's alleged torture and sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees and buried the most sensational details at the bottom of their 3800 word article.

From The New York Times, "Inside the Base Where Israel Has Detained Thousands of Gazans":

[...] Fadi Bakr, a law student from Gaza City, said he was captured on Jan. 5 by Israeli soldiers near his family home. Displaced by fighting earlier in the war, Mr. Bakr, 25, had returned to his neighborhood to search for flour, only to get caught in the middle of a firefight and wounded, he said.

The Israelis found him bleeding after the fighting stopped, he said. They stripped him naked, confiscated his phone and savings, beat him repeatedly and accused him of being a militant who had survived the battle, he said.

"Confess now or I will shoot you," Mr. Bakr remembered being told.

"I am a civilian," Mr. Bakr recalled replying, to no avail.

The circumstances of Mr. Bakr's arrest mirror those of other former detainees interviewed by The Times.

[...] Roughly four days after his arrival, Mr. Bakr said he was called in for interrogation.

Like others who spoke to The Times, he remembered being brought to a separate enclosure that the detainees called the "disco room"  because, they said, they were forced to listen to extremely loud music that prevented them from sleeping. Mr. Bakr considered it a form of torture, saying it was so painful that blood began to trickle from inside his ear.

The Israeli military said that the music was "not high and not harmful," played within earshot of Israelis and Palestinians alike, and was meant to prevent the detainees from easily conferring with each other before interrogation. The Times was not shown any part of the interrogation complex, including the area where music was played.

Wearing nothing but a diaper, Mr. Bakr said, he was then brought to a separate room to be questioned.

The interrogators accused him of Hamas membership and showed him photographs of militants to see if he could identify them. They also asked him about the whereabouts of hostages, as well as a senior Hamas leader who lived near Mr. Bakr's family home. When Mr. Bakr denied any connection to the group or knowledge of the pictured men, he was beaten repeatedly, he said.

Mr. al-Hamlawi, the senior nurse, said a female officer had ordered two soldiers to lift him up and press his rectum against a metal stick that was fixed to the ground. Mr. al-Hamlawi said the stick penetrated his rectum for roughly five seconds, causing it to bleed and leaving him with "unbearable pain."

A leaked draft of the UNRWA report detailed an interview that gave a similar account. It cited a 41-year-old detainee who said that interrogators "made me sit on something like a hot metal stick and it felt like fire," and also said that another detainee "died after they put the electric stick up" his anus.

Mr. al-Hamlawi recalled being forced to sit in a chair wired with electricity. He said he was shocked so often that, after initially urinating uncontrollably, he then stopped urinating for several days. Mr. al-Hamlawi said he, too, had been forced to wear nothing but a diaper, to stop him from soiling the floor.

Ibrahim Shaheen, 38, a truck driver detained in early December for nearly three months, said he was shocked roughly half a dozen times while sitting in a chair. Officers accused him of concealing information about the location of dead hostages, Mr. Shaheen said.

Mr. Bakr also said he was forced to sit in chair wired with electricity, sending a current pulsing through his body that made him pass out.

Released Without Charge

After more than a month in detention, Mr. Bakr said, the officers seemed to accept his innocence.

Early one morning in February, Mr. Bakr was put on a bus heading to Israel's border with southern Gaza: After a month of detention, he was about to be released.

He said he asked for his phone and the 7,200 shekels (roughly $2,000) that had been confiscated from him during his arrest in Gaza, before he reached Sde Teiman.

In response, a soldier hit and shouted at him, Mr. Bakr said. "No one should ask about his phone or his money," the soldier said, according to Mr. Bakr.

The military said all personal belongings were documented and placed in sealed bags after detainees arrived at Sde Teiman, and returned on their release.
Russia readying to attack French troops as UK sends Zelensky 1,000 drones

Should France proceed as planned with sending French troops to Ukraine to fight Russia, then Russia is promising to attack them.

As "soon" as last week, Ukrainian top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi promised that French troops would be arriving in Kiev to continue being funneled into Volodymyr Zelensky's meat grinder. And Russia is not going to tolerate it.

"No instructor involved in training the Ukrainian military has immunity," announced Moscow spokesman Dmitry Peskov. "It doesn't matter whether they're French or not."

Back in February, French President Emmanuel Macron hinted at the possibility of sending French troops to Ukraine to fight. He described the situation as "dynamic" while explaining that nothing could be ruled out of the war equation.

All of this is taking place as Great Britain readies to send 1,000 first-person view drones to Ukraine to try to help the Zelensky regime win against Russia. The 300,000 scheme involves sending 15 separate batches of 20 "first-person view racing quadcopter style drones" to Kiev in installments.

(Related: We are just weeks away from the BRICS 2024 Games hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and it is being reported that some 97 countries are planning to participate  and more than 40 of these are planning to request formal entry into the BRICS alliance.)

Russia warns U.S. against "fatal" miscalculation in Ukraine

For the first time since Washington lifted a ban on Kyiv using American weapons inside Russia, Ukraine also reportedly fired American weapons at Belgorod, this according to Russian sources.

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.

Ukraine is said to have fired the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, also known as HIMARS, at the Russia-bordered Ukrainian city, this according to Russian defense ministry and military bloggers.

All of these Western actions against Russia are futile, according to Moscow, which warned the U.S. against what it described as a "fatal" miscalculation in Ukraine.

Russia appears confident that it will win this war, but then again so appears the West, at least rhetorically. The fact that Western powers have to continue funneling weapons, money and men into Ukraine to replace all the used, spent and slaughtered ones suggests things are not going so well for Russia's haters.

President Biden made it clear this week that Ukraine has not been authorized by Washington to use U.S.-supplied missiles to attack targets deep within Russia. Why, then, is his regime continuing to send them?

Biden already said that Kiev can carry out cross-border strikes on Russian soil, just so long as they are in closer range to Ukraine's borders  but what did he think would happen in the long run?

In an interview with ABC News, Biden stated that Kiev can only launch U.S.-supplied missiles "in proximity to the border when they [Russian weapons] are being used on the other side of the border to attack specific targets in Ukraine.

"We're not authorizing strikes 200 miles into Russia and we're not authorizing strikes on Moscow, on the Kremlin," Biden stated.

Last year around this time, Russia accused Ukraine of trying to attack Moscow. Two Ukrainian drones reportedly tried, only to be neutralized by Russian forces. This failed attack was interpreted as being an "assassination attempt" on Putin.

"I have never seen this world so hellbent on war," one commenter at RT wrote about the escalating situation.

"Washington has already attacked the Kremlin," suggested another.

"The U.S. has made its worst historical mistake when confronting Russia," said another. "Biden has made decisions that will bring suffering to Americans and who knows if the next administration will be able to repair them."

Ukraine's war on Russia is a feeble attempt at stopping the inevitable. Learn more at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

MSN.com

NaturalNews.com

RT.com
Childrens book giant Scholastic releases LGBT guide for K-12 teachers

Children's book publisher Scholastic, which is known for its book fairs in schools, has released a radical LGBT guide for K-12 teachers

Doug Mainwaring of LifeSiteNews reported on the development: "Scholastic is unequivocal in its pro-LGBT stance, devoted to obscuring timeless truths about the complementarity of the sexes while undermining children's healthy identities as boys and girls. In fact, Scholastic goes so far as warning against the communication of immutable truths about nature and science to children."

"Books and literature are never neutral," the publisher declares. "By engaging with queer literature for children and young adults, you are disrupting the status quo that implies being cisgender, heterosexual and allosexual are the default."

The 12-page guide also asserts that the word "queer" is "an umbrella term to refer to the breadth" of so-called "LGBTQIA+ identities." It adds: "Everyone benefits from books with authentic representation of queer identities."

However, Mainwaring noted that the LGBT guide is "aimed at driving woke neo-Marxist ideology deep into kids' hearts and souls through the trusted adults in their lives."

"The guide isn't aimed at converting those adults. It merely seeks to overwhelm them with misinformation normalizing the notion of fabricated sexual and gender identities for children. Scholastic wants the adults in children's lives to push kids into embracing woke identities so that they can become part of any one of a growing number of new victim classes defined by sexual depravity and confusion."

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

The LifeSiteNews journalist ultimately denounced Scholastic for being "an unapologetic ally in a political movement with deep Marxist roots that wields identity politics as a weapon of mass destruction, undermining and obfuscating timeless truth and upending immutable definitions about marriage, man and woman, boy and girl, son and daughter."

Scholastic's LGBT guide doesn't even hide its radical agenda

Mainwaring wasn't the only journalist who issued an open rebuke of the publisher's LGBT guide for teachers. Sarah Holliday, reporter for the Washington Stand, voiced out her disdain in a June 4 piece.

"Scholastic's 2024 [LGBT] guide  [is] full of extreme LGBT ideology, and it makes no attempt to mask the progressive agenda," she wrote. Holliday also pointed out that Scholastic's claim of everyone benefiting from LGBT children's books is a blatant lie as they "target kids at an age where they don't fully understand what reality is."

According to the Stand reporter, the guide's recommended books contain questionable content that promotes concepts like transgenderism; same-sex couples and parents; the concept of "friends with benefits"; traveling to a "spirit realm"; and taking relationships "to the next level" with sexual intercourse.

"These books expose innocent, young and vulnerable children to inappropriate, explicit content. No child needs to be reading a book about LGBT ideology, much less books discussing pornographic content." (Related: "Queer" American Library Association head wants to destroy traditional family values by filling children's minds with pornography depicting "gay people doing gay things.")

David Closson, director of the Family Research Council's (FRC) Center for Biblical worldview, told the Stand that Scholastic is "seeking to mainstream and normalize ideologies what would have made no sense to any previous generation." He ultimately warned that the publishing giant "is seeking to sow confusion amongst society's most vulnerable population, which is our children."

"The newspaper-like Scholastic magazines we poured over as children is no longer the Scholastic school children and teachers today experience," lamented Meg Kilgannon, senior fellow for education studies at the FRC. "Books designed to indoctrinate children with divisive or sexualized messaging are  dangerous."

Closson ultimately exhorted parents, especially Christian ones, to be vigilant against this grooming happening in schools. He concluded: "I would especially argue that Christian parents have a discipleship responsibility to protect their children from these dangerous ideologies. If left unopposed, these ideologies will reap irreparable harm on younger generations and confuse them about some of the most basic concepts of human existence."

Head over to Groomers.news for similar stories.

Watch this clip of a teacher unabashedly grooming her students through the LGBT books she proudly makes them read.

This video is from the Self-Government channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

LGBTQ-themed books top list of most challenged library books of 2023.

Mississippi mayor refuses to distribute funds to libraries that display LGBT books for kids.

Appeals court REJECTS request by Maryland parents to allow kids to opt out of reading LGBT BOOKS.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

WashingtonStand.com

Brighteon.com
A weather report says challenging weather conditions are expected in the south-central U.S. this week. Homeowners should know about flash floods, heavy rain, and isolated tornado risks.

The south-central U.S. has experienced severe weather conditions since May, with flooding risk and tornadoes. May also recorded an overwhelming number of tornadoes, causing significant property damage.

This June, residents should still worry about another concern of severe conditions. Additionally, western and eastern US could experience a dome of sizzling temperatures this early week on Wednesday, including in the Pacific Northwest

With a poor weather outlook likely this week, commuters should be extra careful navigating the road to avoid potential dangers, especially slower commutes and flooded roads.

Severe weather potential in south-central U.S.

According to a weather report by NWS, the Middle Mississippi Valley will likely experience a moderate risk of excessive rainfall. Additionally, a slight risk of severe thunderstorms can unload in the northern and central High Plains.

The forecast monitors the development of showers and severe thunderstorms from the Southeast to the Northern Intermountain Region. Meanwhile, residents in the Southeast, Rockies, and Plains could experience a poor weather outlook.

Travelers can face tornadoes, hail, frequent lightning, and rounds of rain. In a news weather report on June 10, rounds of storms are likely in parts of the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley.

Last weekend, severe weather concerns were reported in parts of Amarillo, Lubbock, Odessa, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Nashville, and Atlanta. In Little Rock, an advisory warned of thunderstorms and showers in the region, causing damaging wind gusts and hail.

Communities in low-lying areas are vulnerable to flooding concerns, particularly in the south-central U.S. When heavy rain worsens, it is best to wait until the weather finally improves.

On Monday, large hail and flooding downpours are likely in the following areas:

Guymon

Roswell

Lubbock

Odessa

Abilene

Del Rio

Rapid City

Bismarck

Rapid City

Scottsbluff

Cheyenne

Recent reports show a rainy outlook for Kansas residents. Additionally, a flash flood warning is forecast for Pleasanton, Mound City, and Parker.

Also Read: 2024 Hurricane Season: Intense Storms Expected in Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean This Year

Severe weather potential in the south-central U.S next week

The latest weather forecast warns of challenging weather conditions this week in the south-central U.S., particularly in the Plains and lower Mississippi Valley. Due to potential weather risk, it is advisable to limit outdoor travel or be extra cautious when navigating the roads.

Another concern is isolated tornadoes. Homeowners should watch out for tornado advisories this early week, especially in the affected areas. Frequent lightning is also likely.

Having emergency supplies at home is important when road conditions become challenging or for evacuation. The recommended emergency kits include medicines, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, clothes, a power bank, and canned goods.

Related Article: ArkLaTex Weather Outlook: Excessive Rainfall to Bring Flooding, Flash Flood Risk This Week

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
A new study suggests that seabird populations may drastically fall as a result of the increased frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones brought on by climate change.

Decline Of Population

Scientists discovered that some seabird populations at the critically important nesting habitat in Western Australia saw an 80-90% decline following Cyclone Ilsa, a category-5 tropical cyclone, which made landfall on Bedout Island in April 2023.

The percentage mortality of three species-the brown booby (Sula leucogaster), the smaller frigatebird (Fregata ariel), and an endemic subspecies of the masked booby (Sula dactylatra bedouti)-was estimated by means of airborne and ground surveys carried out between April 17 and July 21, 2023. According to the authors, the storm killed at least 20,000 individual birds, with adult breeding birds making up the majority of the losses.

Because many seabirds are long-lived, have long generation times, and produce relatively few chicks each year, the authors caution that the current rate of population decline for island seabirds may not be sustainable when combined with the increase in storm frequency. Therefore, a large loss can prevent a community from recovering in time for the next major storm to arrive.

Even though Bedout is just one little island in a remote part of Australia, the study's principal author, Dr. Jennifer Lavers, a researcher at the Natural History Museum, said there is a lot we can learn from what happened here.

Lavers said that more than 20,000 animals were lost in the blink of an eye. She said surveys of the island over three months make it clear recovery will be slow and likely interrupted by another cyclone event.

Read Also: Bird Flu in Ireland: Hundreds of Birds Found Dead That Could Impact Seabird Colonies

Consequences On The Ecosystem

Seabirds are vital to the maintenance of tropical reefs, scientists worry that their extinction could put further burden on ecosystems.

They use their guano to carry nutrients from the sea to land, population declines of this kind may also directly affect the environment of an island. The authors stress that, in order to prevent long-term harm to island and reef ecosystems, seabird colonies in cyclone-prone areas must be closely monitored.

While tropical cyclones often have a significant negative influence on wildlife populations, including seabird populations, it is anticipated that these storms will become more frequent and violent as global warming occurs, which would hinder seabird species' ability to recover.

The head curator of birds at the Natural History Museum, Dr. Alex Bond, stated that the mortality that has been observed is unprecedented.

He said that the cyclone that hit in April is a reasonably peak time when lots of seabirds were nesting. Bond said they were able to do counts of the bodies and they estimated that basically all the brown boobies and practically all the masked boobies had been killed by Cyclone Ilsa.

The storm reached winds of at least 135 mph (217 km/h) before it hit Bedout Island and Western Australia.

Bond stated that it's crucial to keep in mind that these birds have evolved in regions that experience cyclones.

Related Article: Study Shows Significant Population Declines in Antarctic Seabird
In a significant stride for conservation, the Przewalski's horse, a species that once roamed the vast expanses of Central Asia, has made a triumphant return to its ancestral home-the Kazakh steppes.

This event marks a pivotal moment in the efforts to reintroduce one of the world's last breeds of wild horses to their native habitat.

The Journey Home

After a meticulous journey spanning 5,000 kilometers from Prague, three Przewalski's horses, known as Zorro, Ypsilonka, and Zeta II, have been released into the Golden Steppe nature reserve.

These horses are the vanguard of a group of 40 that are set to be reintroduced to the wilds of Kazakhstan over the next five years.

The project, spearheaded by the Prague and Berlin zoos, aims to preserve this unique species, which shares a common ancestry with modern domestic horses but remains genetically distinct.

The horses' arrival was not without its challenges. One horse, overwhelmed by the journey, sat down in his container, prompting concerns about his well-being.

However, the careful monitoring by experts ensured their safe arrival.

The horses will initially be under observation before they are left to roam freely in the wild, a testament to the resilience of a species that can withstand the harsh Kazakh winters where temperatures plummet below minus 30 degrees Celsius.

A Symbol of Hope

The reintroduction of the Przewalski's horses is more than just a conservation effort; it is a symbol of hope for biodiversity and the preservation of our planet's natural heritage.

The species, first documented by Russian scientist Nikolai Przhevalsky in 1881, faced near extinction in the 1960s and remains listed as endangered.

The Prague Zoo has been instrumental in their survival, having bred the horses since 1932 and maintaining the world genealogy book for the species.

This historic moment is not only a win for the Przewalski's horses but also for the global community dedicated to protecting our world's biodiversity.

As these majestic creatures take their first steps back into the wild, they carry with them the aspirations of conservationists worldwide, striving to restore the natural balance and ensure a future where humans and wildlife can coexist harmoniously.

Also Read: Przewalski's Horse: Wild Horses in Mongolia Saved From Extinction

More about the Przewalski's horse

Przewalski's horse, known as the takhi or Mongolian wild horse, is a rare and endangered equine species that stands as the last surviving subspecies of wild horse.

Unlike domestic horses, Przewalski's horses have 66 chromosomes and are not direct ancestors of the domestic breeds.

They are robust, with a large head, thick neck, and short legs, sporting a dun color with a dark mane.

Originally roaming across Europe and Asia, they faced extinction due to human activities but have been reintroduced to their native habitats in Mongolia and Central Asia.

These horses are not seasonal breeders and can reproduce at any time of the year. They live in groups led by a dominant stallion and are known for their resilience, surviving in harsh environments like the Gobi Desert.

The conservation efforts for Przewalski's horses are a testament to international collaboration and the commitment to preserving biodiversity and natural heritage.

Their successful reintroduction into the wild symbolizes hope for the future of endangered species and ecological balance.

The reintroduction of the Przewalski's horses to the Kazakh steppes is a beacon of conservation success, demonstrating the power of international collaboration and the enduring spirit of a species that has overcome the brink of extinction.

As the horses adapt to their new environment, they will continue to be a source of inspiration and a reminder of the importance of preserving our world's precious ecosystems for generations to come.

Related article: Fossils Of a Horse Carrying Unborn Foal Found In Germany, Study Confirms
In the wake of relentless rainfall, northern Vietnam has been besieged by devastating floods and landslides, leading to the tragic loss of three lives.

The calamity has left thousands of homes partially submerged and inflicted significant damage to infrastructure, disrupting the lives of many.

The Onslaught of Nature

Ha Giang province, known for its rugged terrain and scenic beauty, has been hit hard by the natural disaster.

Continuous heavy rain since Saturday has caused the Lo River to swell, triggering floods and landslides that have ravaged the region.

The deluge has swept away vehicles, blocked access to communes, and forced residents onto rooftops in desperate wait for rescue.

Human Cost and Response

The human toll of this catastrophe has been severe, with three individuals losing their lives to the merciless floods.

Rescue operations are underway as the provincial authorities and state-run Voice of Vietnam report efforts to reach those stranded and provide aid.

As Vietnam grapples with the aftermath of this disaster, the broader implications of climate change loom large.

Scientists caution that such extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent and intense, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change and protect vulnerable communities.

Also Read: Ahead of Typhoon Sarika, Flooding Kills 35 in Vietnam

Long-term Implications of Climate Change in Vietnam?

Vietnam is facing a challenging future due to the long-term implications of climate change.

The country has seen an average temperature increase of about 0.2C per decade over the last 40 years, with the highest increase observed in the last decade.

Projections indicate that temperatures could rise by 1.3C to 4.2C by the end of the century, depending on global greenhouse gas emissions scenarios.

Sea levels along Vietnam's coasts have risen at an average rate of 3.6 mm/year from 1993 to 2018, and a 1-meter rise could result in significant land loss, affecting the population, agriculture, and GDP.

The Mekong River Delta, crucial for agriculture and home to 17 million people, is particularly vulnerable to salinity intrusion and hydrological problems.

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, posing risks to various sectors including agriculture, water resources, and infrastructure.

Vietnam has been implementing adaptation policies, such as strengthening embankments and developing agricultural techniques, to cope with these challenges.

However, the most vulnerable groups, including the poor, women, children, and ethnic minorities, face significant risks.

The Vietnamese government considers the response to climate change a vital issue and has implemented environmental policies to better cope with these risks

Adaptation Policies in Place?

Vietnam's response to the challenges posed by climate change includes a comprehensive set of adaptation policies aimed at increasing the country's resilience.

The National Adaptation Plan (2021-2030, with a vision to 2050) sets out objectives and tasks for adapting to climate change, emphasizing the importance of protecting communities through infrastructure improvements such as embankments and flood-resistant housing.

Policy reforms in fiscal and financial sectors are also being pursued to encourage investments in vulnerable sectors.

Additionally, Vietnam seeks international support to enhance its capacity to cope with the adverse effects of climate change, recognizing the need for global cooperation in this endeavor.

These strategies reflect Vietnam's proactive approach to safeguarding its environment and population against the long-term impacts of a changing climate.

Related article: Two Rice Varieties Can Survive Floods and Boost Food Security in Africa
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Gabina VOA is designed to be an infotainment youth radio show broadcasting to Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Amharic language. The show brings varied perspectives on issues concerning young people in the Horn of Africa region. Gabina in the Amharic language is a front-row taxi ride.
Will continue to amplify voice of Global South, PM Modi assures visiting leaders

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised that in his third term, India will continue to work for the peace, progress and prosperity of the region in close partnership with the countries, even as it pursues its goal of having a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.

Prime Minister Modi's assurance came during his meeting with the visiting leaders following the swearing-in ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Sunday.

Leaders from India's neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) participated in the ceremony as honoured guests.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Seychelles Vice-President Ahmed Afif, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay attended the ceremony as Prime Minister Modi and the Council of Ministers were administered the oath of office by President Droupadi Murmu.

Leaders of Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan were accompanied by Ministers.

The leaders congratulated Prime Minister Modi for taking oath as the Prime Minister of India for a historic third consecutive term.

Thanking them for gracing the occasion, the Prime Minister reaffirmed India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR Vision'.

"PM Modi called for deeper people-to-people ties and connectivity in the region. He further added that India would continue to amplify the voice of the Global South in the international arena," said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The leaders also attended a banquet hosted by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The President while welcoming them and conveying her wishes to Prime Minister Modi in the service of the nation, said that India's democratic exercise was not only a moment of pride for its people but an inspiration to millions around the world.

"The participation of leaders from India's neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean Region on the momentous occasion of the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers underlines India's deep-rooted bonds of friendship and cooperation with the region," the MEA added.

 Will continue to amplify voice of Global South, PM Modi assures visiting leaders

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Lankan President thanks India and Bangladesh for providing assistance during crisis

S

ri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday expressed gratitude to India and Bangladesh for providing assistance as the island nation tries to recover from a serious economic crisis.

Wickremesinghe met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on Monday after attending Sunday's swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The two leaders engaged in bilateral discussions with the Bangladesh PM assuring Dhaka's commitment to support Sri Lanka's agricultural modernisation programme."Recalling the support received from both Bangladesh and India, Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude for their assistance," Lankan President's Media Division said in a statement after the meeting.It also mentioned that Hasina has assured her country's commitment to assist Sri Lanka with its plan to modernise agriculture.Wickremesinghe affirmed his commitment to dispatch a delegation of Lankan agricultural experts to Bangladesh with an aim of studying Bangladesh's agricultural modernisation programme through cooperative methods and gather valuable insights to enhance Sri Lanka's own agricultural modernisation efforts.The leaders also deliberated on the prospect of signing a free trade agreement between the two countries. Wickremesinghe highlighted the potential for such an agreement following the conclusion of the India Free Trade Agreement."Additionally, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh pledged to direct private investors from Bangladesh towards investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, further fostering economic cooperation between the two countries. Consideration was given to the initiation of a passenger ferry service connecting Sri Lanka and Bangladesh," the Lankan President's office said in a statement after the meeting.The Bangladesh Prime Minister extended an invitation to Ranil Wickremesinghe to attend the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangladesh. However, Wickremesinghe conveyed that, as the conference will be held during the election period in Sri Lanka, the country's Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Foreign Minister Ali Sabri will represent Sri Lanka at the event.The Bangladesh PM also expressed her satisfaction with the progress of Sri Lanka's economy under the leadership of Wickremesinghe.The meeting was also attended by Wickremesinghe's Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs Secretary Aruni Wijewardene, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Kshenuka Senaviratne and delegations from both countries.

 Lankan President thanks India and Bangladesh for providing assistance during crisis

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Indian cyber agency finds multiple bugs in Microsoft Edge, advises users to update

T

he Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), which comes under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, on Monday, warned users of multiple vulnerabilities in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) which could allow an attacker to compromise the targeted system.

The affected software includes Microsoft Edge Stable versions prior to 125.0.2535.85.

"Multiple vulnerabilities have been reported in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) which could allow an attacker to compromise the targeted system," said the CERT-In advisory.

According to the cyber agency, these vulnerabilities exist in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) due to 'out of bounds' memory access in keyboard inputs; out of bounds write in streams API; heap buffer overflow in WebRTC, use after free in dawn, media session and presentation API.

An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by enticing a victim to open a specially crafted file, the agency mentioned.

Cert-In advised users to apply appropriate security updates as mentioned by the company.

Meanwhile, the cyber agency warned users of multiple vulnerabilities in Android which could allow an attacker to obtain sensitive information, gain elevated privileges and cause denial-of-service (DoS) conditions on the targeted system.

As mentioned in the advisory, these vulnerabilities exist in Android due to flaws in the Framework, System, Google Play system updates, Kernel, Arm components, MediaTek components, Imagination Technologies and Qualcomm closed-source components.

 Indian cyber agency finds multiple bugs in Microsoft Edge, advises users to update

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Fatime Letifova

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, left for a business trip to Germany today, Azernews reports.

It was noted that within the framework of the visit, the minister will participate and speak at the Ukraine Restoration Conference to be held in Berlin on June 11-12, as well as hold bilateral meetings within the framework of the event.
"La descentralizacion de los servicios del Estado es una prioridad para este gobierno, ya que permitira atender las necesidades de los peruanos y acercar las instituciones a los ciudadanos permitiendoles un acceso rapido y eficaz, en todo el pais" afirmo la mandataria. pic.twitter.com/HjpwOogcWA
In a recent study published in the British Journal of Psychology, researchers take a novel approach to understanding the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by using the concept of disorientation explore its temporal and social dimensions.

Study: Social and temporal disorientation during the COVID-19 pandemic: An analysis of 3306 responses to a quantitative questionnaire. Image Credit: fizkes / Shutterstock.com

The social implications of COVID-19

COVID-19 has profoundly impacted time perception, cognitive processes, subjective temporal distances, and duration assessments. Thus, disorientation is a crucial lens for understanding the heterogeneity of this crisis, with negative impacts such as anxiety, boredom, and loneliness influencing life satisfaction and work-related stress.

Social isolation significantly impacts temporal disturbances, as it can lead to slower perceived passage of time, extended subjective temporal distances, and an overall sense of time expansion. Previous studies have emphasized the link between social disorientation and temporal distortions; however, further research could clarify this association.

About the study

Researchers developed a qualitative and open-ended questionnaire to identify themes from study participant responses, based on which they created the 59-question instrument for social and temporal disorientation (ITSD) to assess COVID-19-related disorientations. The ITSD was updated based on comments from specialists in phenomenology, cognitive sciences, psychology, and geography.

ITSD was delivered by email and Twitter in May and June of 2021 during France's six-month curfew, which preceded the seven-week second nationwide lockdown in the second half of 2020. The questionnaire included nine questions on demographics, the MacArthur Subjective Social Status Scale, 11 questions on lifestyle, six on social disorientation, 16 questions on temporal disorientation, and 13 questions on global psychological trauma.

The component analysis identified several latent factors including temporal and social disorientation, lifestyle changes, and global psychological trauma screening. Social disorientation was a unitary component (SD), except for questions 25 and 26, which concern the ability to create and sustain social interactions using digital means. Temporal disorientation components included time passage, temporal distance, temporal sequence of events, future direction, temporal self-locations, and temporal rupture.

The lifestyle modification component measured pandemic-related routine changes. This was measured by subtracting results from questions 12 and 16, which reflected physical activity alterations throughout the week, weekend activity, and activity changes. The Global Psychotrauma Screening (GPS) and extreme trauma (ET) components were separated into two sections, with question 25 functioning as an instrumental variable.

The possibility of multicollinearity to establish social disorientation as an independent variable was investigated, in addition to explaining and quantifying the association between temporal and social disorientation. Age effects were assessed by grouping respondents into three groups and stratifying the data by gender. The influence of student status among younger respondents was also assessed and stratified by gender.

Study findings

The passage of time had the highest standard deviation across all demographic groupings. Post-hoc analysis indicated a more disoriented phenomenology for students across components, except time, with the two most significant impact sizes being global psycho-trauma and future orientation.

Younger respondents had a more disoriented phenomenology than middle-aged respondents in all components except lifestyle changes. The most statistically significant distinction between these two age groups was the global psychological trauma components.

Women reported more disoriented phenomenology than men. Most statistically significant impact sizes included global psychological trauma, future direction, and temporal rupture.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals generally felt time was sluggish and extended. Among the participants, 73% reported the time before the pandemic was further away as compared to only 6.8% who felt it was closer. Moreover, 14% strongly agreed or agreed to both fast and slow experiences of time. Similarly, 14% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed to both long and short experiences of temporal distance at times.

The matrix showed the weakest associations between lifestyle modifications, as well as all temporal and social disorientation aspects. Social disorientation was a primary cause of disorientation in the temporal domain. Lockdown-related limitations disrupted everyday activities by impairing temporal experience and reducing social life; however, lockdown-related constraints had no direct influence on online social behaviors.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced temporal and social experiences, thereby creating gaps between pre- and post-pandemic periods. Participants felt disturbances in past, present, and future orientations, fear, and a lack of control over their future. Emotions were the strongest predictor of perceptions of time passing, with lifestyle changes exhibiting the weakest relationships.

Social disorientation predicts temporal distance, time passing, rupture, temporal self-location, and future orientation. Anxiety, sadness, and objective characteristics of physical confinement during the pandemic all serve as confounding variables.
A University of Queensland-led study has found multiple doses of anesthetics do not compromise brain function in young children.

Professor Claire Wainwright from UQ's Child Health Research Centre said the result should reassure medical practitioners and parents with children needing repeated anesthetics.

"Previous studies using young animals showed potential learning and behavior changes and some studies that looked at groups of children raised concerns about brain changes," Professor Wainwright said.

"But animal studies don't always show how humans would react and the children with poorer outcomes may have them because of reasons linked to the disease or procedure that required the anesthetic."

The new study was part of a trial in Australia and New Zealand involving children aged under 5 years with cystic fibrosis.

Professor Andrew Davidson from the Murdoch Children's Research Institute said the trial involved mucus collection from two groups of children providing researchers with the opportunity to study the impact of repeated anesthetic doses.

Fluid was collected from the lungs of one group under aesthetic while for the other group, throat swabs were used under no anesthetic. Our study showed the different techniques used for mucus extraction did not have any impact on the cystic fibrosis outcomes. When we examined whether the anesthetics had any impact on cognitive or behavioral impacts, we found it did not. Multiple general anesthesia exposure in those young children did not cause functional impairment in attention, IQ, executive function or brain structure in comparison to the group that had fewer anesthetics." Professor Andrew Davidson, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

The research was funded by National Health and Medical Research Council Australia, Queensland Government Health Service and Clinical Innovation Fellowship, and the Children's Hospital Foundation Queensland.

The research paper was published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
JK Tyre & Industries, a giant in the tyre industry, has teamed up with EKA Mobility, a top player in the electric vehicle sector.

This partnership also includes Mitsui Co., Ltd. from Japan and VDL Groep from the Netherlands as equity partners.

This collaboration boosts JK Tyres position as a leader in Connected Mobility Solutions, offering a unique cloud-based monitoring system. According to the offcial Press Release, the agreement was signed in Pune, witnessed by Mr. Sanjeev Sharma, AVP of Fleet Management & Mobility Solutions at JK Tyre, and Mr. Vijaykumar Yelne, President of EKA Mobility.

JK Tyre will provide EKAs fleet with advanced EV tyres equipped with Connected Treel Sensors for real-time monitoring. A dedicated team from JK Tyre will offer 24/7 support at depots and en route, starting with the fleet in Mumbai and expanding to other cities.

Mr. Srinivasu Allaphan, Director-Sales & Marketing at JK Tyre, said This collaboration aligns with our commitment to innovation and excellence in tyre management, ensuring that our customers receive unparalleled service and support across their entire mobility needs. Additionally, it serves as a reminder of our dedication to environmental stewardship and product advancement.

Mr. Vijaykumar Yelne, President of EKA Mobility, echoed these sentiments.This strategic partnership with JK Tyre is a significant step towards our vision of creating an ecosystem for Environment-Conscious Mobility, he remarked.

The collaboration aims to transform the EV landscape with new generation EV tyres designed for electric vehicles unique demands. JK Tyres new tyres promise optimal performance and efficiency, reinforcing the companys role as a leader in tyre innovation.

EKA Mobility is a pioneer in designing and manufacturing electric commercial vehicles in India. In the past two years, they have launched various electric buses and are now venturing into last-mile delivery with a range of e-LCVs tailored for Indian customers.
Anticipating an imposition of tariffs on China-made electric vehicles (EVs), Volvo Car has started to shift its Chinese-made EVs to Belgium.

Majorly owned by Chinas Geely, Volvo was earlier considering halting the sales of its EVs if tariffs were introduced. However, it has now resorted to another alternative, states a report by The Times citing company insiders.

While this transfer includes Volvos EX30 and EX90 models to Belgium, the carmaker may also move the assembly of its models bound for the UK.

In 2023, the European Commission, responsible for overseeing trade policy in the 27-nation European Union, launched an investigation to find out whether fully electric cars manufactured in China were receiving distortive subsidies. Nine months after the probes start, the Commission can start imposing provisional anti-subsidy.

On the other hand, China has accused the EU of trying to suppress Chinese companies, claiming that it will take action to safeguard its interests. According to Xinhua News Agency, the accusations of unfair competition have been dubbed unfounded.

It is premature to speculate on the implications of what this investigation will conclude, or any potential measures, said a Volvo spokesperson to Reuters, as quoted by Moneycontrol. The decision to build the Volvo EX30 model in Belgium, with production commencing in 2025, is to build cars where they can be sold as much as possible, the spokesperson explained further, adding that the EX90 is being built in the United States, and not in China.

Notably, a series of trade frictions between the European Union and China have reportedly led to anti-dumping probes against Beijing alongside allegations of unfair subsidies. Factors like Beijings close ties with Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine have strained relations further.

European Commission Likely To Impose Tariffs From July 4

In the meantime, the Commission is expected to start levying provisional duties on Chinese-made EVs as early as July 4, states a report by the South China Morning Post. The company will be informed privately by next week about the level of duties that will be applied. This is an ongoing investigation; we are not going to comment on it. We will be in a position to announce some provisional elements on it quite soon, said Olof Gill, the EUs trade spokesman, to the outlet.
The initial public offering (IPO) of Le Travenues Technology Ltd, which operates the travel booking platform Ixigo, opened for subscription on Monday, June 10. The issue will conclude on June 12. Ixigo is a technology company focused on allowing Indian travelers to plan, book and manage their trips across rail, air, buses and hotels.

Ixigo is the largest Indian train ticket distributor in the Online Travel Agency (OTA) rail market and they had the largest market share of around 51 per cent, in terms of rail bookings, among OTAs, as of March 31, 2023.

Ahead of the IPO opening, the companys shares are trading with a premium of Rs 23 in the unlisted market.

The grey market is an unofficial ecosystem where shares start trading before the allotment in the IPO and continue till the listing day. Most investors track the GMP to get an idea of the listing price.

This compares with the issue pricing of Rs 88-93 per share with a minimum bid quantity of 161 shares, which translates to a listing gain of nearly 25 per cent if the current trends sustain.

Ixigo IPO Details

Ixigos IPO allotment is expected to be finalized on June 13 and the IPO listing date is June 18.

The IPO lot size is 161 shares and the minimum investment amount required by retail investors is Rs 14,973.

At the upper end of the price band, ixigo IPO size amounts to Rs 740.10 crore which is a combination of a fresh issue of 1.29 crore equity shares aggregating to Rs 120 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) component of 6.67 crore shares aggregating to Rs 620.10 crore.

Le Travenues Technology Ltd already raised Rs 333 crore from anchor investors last week before its IPO opening.

Axis Capital, Dam Capital Advisors Ltd, and JM Financial are the book-running lead managers of the ixigo IPO, while Link Intime India Private Ltd is the IPO registrar.

The company proposes to utilize the net issue proceeds towards part-funding working capital requirements, investments in cloud infrastructure and technology, and funding inorganic growth through unidentified acquisitions and other strategic initiatives and general corporate purposes.

Ixigo IPO GMP Today

Ixigo IPO GMP today, or grey market premium today, is Rs 23 per share, as per stock market observers. This indicates that the equity shares of Ixigo are trading higher by Rs 23 at Rs 116 apiece in the grey market, a premium of 24.73 per cent to the issue price of Rs 93 per share.

Should you subscribe to the Ixigo IPO?

Most analysts have recommended subscribing to the Ixigo IPO on the back of its leadership in market share in the online travel segment, industry tailwinds and future growth prospects. Heres what brokerages have to say about the Ixigo IPO.

At an upper band, the company is valued at P/E of 154x while on market-cap/sales it is valued at 7.2x post issue of equity shares, compared to its peers (Yatra Online  192x, Easy trip planners  54.5x) on FY23 earning basis. Therefore, we believe that Ixigo has a scope of business improvement on the back of industry tailwinds, brand recall, and business scalability, resulting in expansion of profitability, said domestic brokerage firm Anand Rathi.

Thus, it recommends a Subscribe  long term rating to the Ixigo IPO.

Considering the financial performance, the companys Revenue, EBITDA and PAT grew at a CAGR of 92.3%, 194.9%, and 76.2% during the FY21-23 period.

On the upper price band, the issue is valued at a P/E of 163.2x based on FY23 earnings. Though the valuations are rich, we believe that the nature of the platform business (high pass-through of revenues) and large industry opportunity size would be the key factors to drive sustained and high earnings growth in future. We, therefore, recommend a Subscribe rating for the issue, BP Equities said.

Canara Bank Securities also recommended subscribing to Ixigo IPO for long-term investment because of its leadership in market share in the online travel segment and the major shift of trends of offline booking to online booking and adding new routes across to increase connectivity.

While Link Intime India is the registrar, Axis Capital, DAM Capital Advisors, and JM Financial are the book-running lead managers to the public issue.
Nirmala Sitharaman, who has served a full term as a finance minister, has been included in Prime Minister Narendra Modis cabinet in his third consecutive term. She has become the first woman to be sworn in as minister for the third term of the National Democratic Alliance government.

Nirmala Sitharaman has joined the likes of Arun Jaitley and Manmohan Singh by serving a full term as Finance Minister. The two-term Union Minister is credited with carrying forward second-generation reforms. She was inducted into the Prime Ministers cabinet in 2014.

Nirmala Sitharaman was born in Madurai on August 18, 1959, to Narayan Sitharaman (who worked in the Railways) and Savitri (a homemaker). She studied economics at Tiruchirapallis Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College. The 64-year-old politician then moved to the capital to pursue her Masters and Master of Philosophy in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). But before the veteran politician forayed into politics, she was part of the corporate world in the United Kingdom.

In the UK, she was living with her husband Parakala Prabhakar. The two had met while studying at JNU and married in 1986. They were blessed with a daughter, Parakala Vangmayi.

Nirmala Sitharamans political career started in 2008 when she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (she returned to India in the early 1990s). In two years, she became the partys second female spokesperson after Sushma Swaraj. After becoming the second lady spokesperson, she started fielding questions from journalists at the party headquarters and also became a familiar face on television debates.

As the Union finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman has so far tabled six budgets. This includes the February 1 Interim Budget. She became the second finance minister to present her sixth straight budget after equaling her record with former PM Morarji Desai. She steered away from the traditional leather briefcase. In recent years, the 64-year-old Union Minister opted for a digital tablet wrapped in a traditional bahi-khata style pouch. This maintained a blend of tradition and modernity.
Fintech company One97 Communications, which owns the Paytm brand, is currently in the process of reducing its workforce, though the exact number of employees affected remains undisclosed. The company has stated that it is offering outplacement support to facilitate a smooth transition for those impacted.

One97 Communications Limited (OCL) is providing outplacement support to employees which have resigned as a part of the restructuring efforts by the company, the company said in a statement on Monday.

The companys human resource teams are actively collaborating with over 30 companies that are currently hiring, and providing assistance to employees who have opted to share their information, facilitating their immediate outplacement, the statement added.

Paytm, however, did not disclose the number of employees impacted by the restructuring.

Paytms sales employee headcount in the March 2024 quarter dropped by about 3,500 to 36,521 personnel on a quarter-on-quarter basis, mainly due to the impact of the Reserve Bank of Indias ban on services of Paytm Payments Bank.

Paytm Employee Bonus

The company has also announced bonuses for the employees.

Paytm is also disbursing bonuses which were due to employees, ensuring fairness and transparency in the process, the statement added.

RBI Action on Paytm

RBI had barred Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL), an associate of Paytm, from accepting deposits, credit transactions or top-ups in any customer accounts, wallets, and FASTags, keeping in view the interest of customers, including merchants from March 15 onwards.

Paytm Q4 Results 2024

Paytm has reported a widening loss to Rs 550 crore in January-March 2024, following the ban imposed by RBI on transactions related to its payments bank.

The company had posted a loss of Rs 167.5 crore in the same period a year ago.

As part of its FY24 earnings release, One97 Communications stated that it will be pruning its non-core business lines, and will continue its efforts to maintain a leaner organisation structure through AI-led interventions. The company has been actively working towards driving profitability, in line with its guidance, the statement said.

(With agency inputs)
Petrol, Diesel Prices On June 10, 2024: Oil marketing companies have revised petrol and diesel prices on Monday, June 10. Check the latest petrol, and diesel prices to know if there is an increase in the amount that customers will have to shell out for a litre.

Government oil marketing companies release the latest 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 latest fuel prices.

Petrol Diesel Price Today In India (Check city-wise rate list below)

Mumbai Petrol & Diesel Price

As of June 10, 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 10, the cost of diesel is priced at Rs 87.62 per litre.

Delhi Petrol Price Today

As of June 10, the cost of petrol in Delhi is Rs 94.72 per litre.

Kolkata Petrol & Diesel Price

In Kolkata, the price of petrol is Rs 103.94 and the price of diesel is Rs 90.76 per litre.

Chennai Petrol & Diesel Price

In Chennai, the price of petrol is Rs 100.85, while the price of diesel is Rs 92.43 per litre.

Check city-wise petrol and diesel prices on June 10:

Petrol-Diesel Rates in other cities (Petrol-Diesel Rates 10 June 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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after assuming office for the third consecutive term, as the first official act authorised the release of the 17th installment of PM Kisan Nidhi. Approving the 17th instalment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, he said: Ours is a Government fully committed to Kisan Kalyan. We want to keep working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come.

Lakhs of eligible beneficiaries of Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) are waiting for the 17th installment of the flagship scheme, several important paper-works must be completed by them. One such important formality for getting the benefits of PM-KISAN scheme is completing the KYC process.

Farmers who are eligible for the scheme can apply online for the 17th installment (How To Apply PM Kisan Yojana), know how-

Step 1:To apply for PM Kisan Yojana, visit Farmer Corner on the official website pmkisan.gov.in.

Step 2: Click on New Farmer Registration, enter Aadhaar number and fill the captcha.

Step 3: Enter the required information and click on Yes

Step 4: Complete the PM-Kisan application form 2023, save the information and also take a printout of it.

Here Is the complete guide for PM Kisan OTP based e-KYC

1. Visit this direct link: https://fw.pmkisan.gov.in/aadharekyc.aspx

2. OTP Based e-KYC will be displayed

3. Enter your valid 12-digit Aadhaar number in the box mentioned

4. Click on Search button

5. Enter your Aadhaar-registered mobile number

6. Click Get OTP button

7. Enter the OTP that you have recieved on your registered mobile number

8. Enter Submit to complete the e-KYC process

As per media reports, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana 17th installment can be expected in June or July, though no official announcement has been made by the government.

Who All Are Eligible For Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana?

To avail the benefits of this scheme, it is necessary for any small or marginal farmer to follow all the instructions of the government.

Those who are not eligible for PS Kisan Yojana (PM Kisan Yojana) include 

Professionals like doctors, engineers, CAs cannot avail the benefits of this scheme.

If a senior citizen gets a pension of more than Rs 10,000, or is a retired employee from a government job, then he also cannot avail the benefit of this scheme.

Those whose bank account is not linked with Aadhar card will also not get its installment.

If the farmers associated with PM Kisan do not get e-KYC done, then they will not get the next installment because e-KYC is necessary.

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme, was launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2019, aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions. Under the Scheme, the amount of Rs 6000 per year is released in three monthly instalments of Rs 2000 each directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
A 48-year-old resident of Thane city in Maharashtra has allegedly fallen prey to financial deception, losing a staggering Rs 40.75 lakh in a stock trading scam. The victim was allegedly swayed by promises of lucrative returns.

Also Read: Please Help Me: How Deepfake Can Steal Your Money In Seconds?

In a similar incident, a retired bank employee in Nagpur city has reportedly been defrauded of Rs 87.6 lakh by cyber criminals. The fraudsters, operating within the realm of share trading, exploited the retirees trust, leading to substantial financial loss.

In Thanes fraud, a case has been registered in this connection against four persons, police told news agency PTI.

Modus Operandi

The accused contacted the man, working in a private company, on different occasions from March this year and made him a member of a WhatsApp group.

They then asked him to get into stock trading by downloading an application and the money that he invested through it went into the accounts of the accused, PTI quoted an official as saying.

When the man sought returns and the invested amount, the accused gave evasive replies.

The accused subsequently filed a complaint based on which the police on Saturday registered an FIR against four persons under relevant provisions, the official said.

Nagpur Case

Based on a complaint, the Nagpur police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act, an official said.

The 60-year-old complainant allegedly received a message from his daughters Instagram account about investing and earning huge returns after completing online courses on an application, he said.

Accordingly, he downloaded the application on his mobile phone, completed the online courses on May 16, and started getting suggestions for investments in different companies, he said.

The complainant transferred Rs 87.6 lakh to the bank accounts of three companies through immediate payment service (IMPS) for investments, the official said.

When he did not receive any returns, the complainant realised that he had been duped, he said.
The Acharya Nagarjuna University will release the Andhra Pradesh Law Common Entrance Test (AP LAWCET) 2024 today, June 10 at 6 pm. Candidates who took the exam can check the provisional answer key by visiting the official website, cets.apsche.ap.gov.in, once released. The window to object the answer key will commence tomorrow, June 11 and the last date to challenge the same is June 12.

Candidates can also use the answer key to calculate their probable scores. To do so, students must know the marking scheme. It must be noted that candidates will get one mark for each correct answer, however, there will be no negative marking for incorrect answers.

AP LAWCET 2024 Answer Key: How to Check?

Step 1: Candidates are required to go to the official website at cets.apsche.ap.gov.in.

Step 2: Look for and click the AP LAWCET 2024 answer key link available on the webpage.

Step 3: The answer key will open on the screen in a PDF format.

Step 4: To raise objection, select the question

Step 5: Upload the required documents, and make payment of the fees.

Step 6: Submit the objection form and download the confirmation page.

Step 7: Print a hard copy of the same for future reference.

The AP LAWCET 2024 was conducted on June 9 in a single shift from 2:30 pm to 4 pm. The exam was administered online in computer-based mode, consisting of a total of 120 multiple-choice questions. The paper was offered in Telugu and English. It was divided into three sections  general knowledge and mental ability, current affairs, and aptitude for the study of law. Out of the three sections, aptitude carries the highest weight. The examination will last for 90 minutes.

The Andhra Pradesh Law Common Entrance Test is held for candidates seeking admission into 5-Year LL.B. or 3-Year LL.B. and Postgraduate Law programmes  LL.M. /M.L., respectively. These courses are offered by State Universities or Constituent Colleges as well as affiliated colleges in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website.
The Kerala Management Aptitude Test (KMAT) 2024 registration process will end today, June 10. Candidates can complete the KMAT 2024 application form on the official website of the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) at cee.kerala.gov.in. Previously, the deadline was set to June 6.

Candidates must meet the criteria required by the respective universities for MBA admission. As per the official notice, general and SEBC category candidates need to score a minimum of 10 per cent of the total marks, while Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and persons with disabilities candidates must achieve a minimum of 7.5 per cent. This eligibility criterion applies to MBA course admissions in various departments, universities, and affiliated management colleges, including autonomous colleges in Kerala.

Kerala KMAT 2024: Eligibility criteria

Nationality and Nativity: Both Indians and non-Indians are qualified to apply for the test. However, only residents of Kerala are eligible for all types of fee concessions or reservations.

Age Limit: It is to be noted that there are no age restrictions to apply for the Kerala Management Aptitude Test 2024.

Educational qualifications: To meet the eligibility criteria for the course, candidates must have completed a bachelors degree of at least three years duration in the fields of Science, Engineering, Arts, Commerce, Management, or an equivalent field.

Kerala KMAT 2024: Application Fee

Candidates falling under the general and socially and educationally backward classes (SEBC) are required to pay an application fee of Rs 1,000 to register for the Kerala KMAT 2024. Those belonging to the scheduled caste (SC) category will have to pay Rs 500, while candidates under the scheduled tribe (ST) are exempt from paying the application fees.

Talking about the exam pattern, the Kerala KMAT 2024 exam will be held online in a computer-based test format and will consist of 180 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The total marks for the exam are 720, and the examination will take place for a duration of 180 minutes. Students will get four marks for every correct answer, while one mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.

Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website.
The Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu has postponed the exam dates for the State Eligibility Test (SET) 2024 due to technical reasons. The exams were earlier scheduled for June 7 and June 8. The new examination dates will be announced soon by the university. All the candidates appearing for TNSET 2024 are advised to keep an eye on the official website at msutnset.com.

It is informed that the State Level Eligibility Test (SET) examination scheduled on 07th and 08th June 2024 is postponed due to technical reasons. The revised date will be intimated later, the official notification reads.

Manonmaniam Sundaranar University will release the new admit cards for the examination soon after announcing the revised dates for the TNSET exam 2024 on its official website. The TNSET 2024 exam is being conducted by Manonmaniam Sundaranar University for those aspiring to work as Assistant Professors in Colleges and Universities within Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu SET 2024: Exam Pattern

The TN SET 2024 exam comprises two papers, that is, Paper 1 and Paper 2 which will be conducted in CBT (computer-based test) mode and with a total duration of three hours without any break.

Paper 1 will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions, based on General Knowledge, Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, and other skills. For every right answer, the candidates will be awarded two marks, while no marks will be deducted for any wrong attempt.

Paper 2 will be subject-specific and will have 100 MCQ-based questions based on the candidates chosen postgraduate subject from the list of TN SET subjects. Two marks will be rewarded for every right answer, while there will be no negative marking.

To pass the exam, students belonging to the general category must score at least 40 per cent aggregate in both papers. For all other categories (Other Backward Class, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Caste, and others), the minimum qualifying mark is 35 per cent aggregate in both papers.

Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website.
The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Monday reiterated its unconditional support to the NDA government after one of its MPs expressed disappointment over the party missing out on a cabinet berth. The partys leader in Lok Sabha, Shrikant Shinde, said all its MLAs and MPs are faithfully committed to the ruling alliance and the ideological coalition at the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

We have already made it clear that we are supporting the government unconditionally. This nation has asked and needs the leadership of Prime Minister Modi ji. Theres no bargaining or negotiation for power. We have extended unconditional support to an ideological coalition. We want Prime Minister Modi to carry forward the noble work of nation building. The party, all MLAs and MPs are faithfully committed to the NDA, said Shrikant Shinde, who won the Lok Sabha elections from Kalyan near Mumbai.

The Shiv Senas statement comes after MP Shrirang Barne, who retained the Maval seat in Maharashtra for the third time by defeating Sanjog Waghere Patil from Uddhav Thackerays faction, expressed his disappointment over the party not getting a cabinet berth and alleged partiality. His reaction came a day after the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, which is also part of the BJP-led Mahayuti in Maharashtra, insisted on a cabinet berth and refused to settle for a Minister of State (MoS) offer.

What did MP Shrirang Barne say?

Alleging partiality in the distribution of cabinet berths, Barne said after the JD(U) and TDP, the Shiv Sena is the third largest ally of the BJP. Chirag Paswan, whose party won five seats, was also given a cabinet berth. But the Shiv Sena got only one MoS berth. I personally feel that there is partiality against the Shiv Sena. Considering that we will face assembly elections together in the next three months, it is expected that the Sena should get fair treatment, he said.

Shinde Senas Prataprao Jadhav is the sole representative of the party in the Modi 3.0 government. He took oath as an MoS with independent charge on Sunday (June 9). The Sena won seven seats in the recently concluded elections and yet was only allotted an MoS position in the Modi 3.0 government, Barne said. Even leaders like HD Kumaraswamy and Jitan Ram Manjhi, whose parties won two and one seats, were made cabinet ministers, he said.

We were expecting that the Shiv Sena would get a cabinet ministry, but even parties that won only one seat received cabinet berths. For example, HD Kumaraswamy of the JD(S), whose two MPs got elected, secured two berths, and Jitan Ram Manjhi, who won one seat from Bihar, was also given a cabinet berth, he said, adding that BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale, who won from Satara, deserved a cabinet position as well.

The Sena won seven seats out of the 15 it contested in Maharashtra, whereas the BJP bagged only nine out of the 28 seats it fought from. We were expecting at least one cabinet and MoS berth each for the Shiv Sena, which is the oldest ally of the BJP, the MP said.

He said Eknath Shindes bold step in the state led to the transition of power. Considering all these factors, we expect a justified stance from the BJP, he added.

Shinde had split the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and joined the Mahayuti in June 2022 with a bulk of MLAs loyal to him. Subsequently, he took oath as the chief minister.

Maharashtras representation in new cabinet

Six MPs from Maharashtra were inducted into the Union Cabinet, with the BJP securing four berths and allies Shiv Sena and RPI (A) getting one each. In the new government, BJP MPs Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal were retained as cabinet ministers. Raksha Khadse, the saffron partys lone woman MP from the state, and first-time MP Murlidhar Mohol were sworn in as MoS.

Ramdas Athawale, the RPI (A) chief, was retained as an MoS with independent charge, while Prataprao Jadhav was inducted as an MoS with independent charge. The NCP refused the MoS offer, demanding a cabinet berth for Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel due to his experience.
HD Kumaraswamys political trajectory has been one of swimming against the tide to achieve his targets, whether it was the first time he won as an MP from the Kanakapura Lok Sabha seat in 1996 or the Mandya Lok Sabha seat he won this time. His critics and supporters have one common thing to say about him  he rises like a phoenix each time he loses a battle, just like his father Deve Gowda.

The analogy is one close to Kumaraswamys heart. When Deve Gowda demitted the Prime Ministers post in 1997, he had vowed he will rise like a phoenix from the ashes. Kumaraswamy, while kickstarting his Assembly election campaign in 2023, had claimed to be the phoenix his father had referred to more than two decades ago.

Joining the Narendra Modi 3.0 Cabinet, HDK, as he is often referred to, has finally secured a central ministerial berth, one that the JDS could not achieve since 1996 when Deve Gowda became Prime Minister. Kumaraswamy is Gowdas younger son.

Standing tall among the other NDA partners, Kumaraswamy, in a traditional panche (dhoti), has had a phenomenal journey from Bengaluru to Delhi. What started as a political move to save the JDS from splitting in the early 2000s has now cemented the JDSs future with the backing of the BJP.

I first thank Modi ji and the people of Karnataka. The people of Karnataka blessed the BJP and JD(S) alliance. I got an opportunity to serve the country. For me, working for the welfare of Karnataka and the whole country is important. Which portfolio I am getting is not important (what is important is) if I am able to meet the expectations of the people of Karnataka through my work as a Union Minister, said HDK on the day of his swearing-in ceremony.

A former minister in the Kumaraswamy-led JDS government and now Chairman of the Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti recalls a trip with then chief minister Kumaraswamy. He was travelling between Mysore and Bangalore when a police constable saw him and wished him saying Namaste Kumaranna.

Shocked by how a constable could call a CM by name, the vexed minister asked Kumaraswamy how he felt about it.

Kumaraswamy calmed me down and said he is calling out to me from his heart. It is his love for me that he for that minute forgot he is a police officer. This is what I live for. He is a man with a wonderful heart, one who understands the pulse of the people, said Horatti.

Many decisions were taken against the wishes of his father, but his sharp strategy, commitment towards the political growth of the regional party, and sincerity have brought him to this position today, said the leader who until 2022 was with the JD-S and is now with the BJP.

The two-time Chief Minister of Karnataka has often been referred to as the kingmaker in the southern state, as the JD(S), the party run by his father and patriarch Deve Gowda, has on more than one occasion been responsible for forming alliances with the Congress and BJP to be in power. Both times, the JD-S formed an alliance, Kumaraswamy was made the Chief Minister.

A senior government officer who had worked closely with Kumaraswamy said that though he has been in power due to political circumstances many times, this time, he has made it to the Centre on his own terms.

NOT ALWAYS LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

Born to HD Deve Gowda and Chennamma at Haradanahalli in Holenarsipura taluka of Hassan district on December 16, 1959, Kumaraswamy is one of six children siblings. Having completed his initial education in Hassan, he continued higher education in Bengaluru, completing his BSc from National College, Jayanagar, Bengaluru. Soon, he developed an interest in films and became a movie producer. He handled the production and distribution of several successful Kannada films under the banner Channambika Films until the political bug bit him. He married Anitha Kumaraswamy in 1986.

Kumaraswamys first taste of electoral politics, much against his father Deve Gowdas wishes, was when he contested from the Kanakapura Lok Sabha constituency, which he won in 1996. Despite a fractured alliance, HD Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamys father, was made the Prime Minister. But Deve Gowda was not a happy man; he felt that Kumaraswamy should return to Karnataka and work with the people in the state rather than be in Delhi. After Gowdas short-lived government was dissolved within 11 months, Kumaraswamy not only lost the seat, but faced one of his worst electoral losses wherein he lost his deposit as well.

Not one to take defeat easily, he once again contested the 1999 Karnataka Assembly elections from Sathanur, but was defeated by Congresss DK Shivakumar. It was in 2004 when he stood from the Ramanagara constituency that he was elected MLA for the first time.

When I met him in the early 2000s, he was yet to get into politics but would keenly be part of discussions with his father Deve Gowda, said Horatti.

In the 2004 Assembly polls, though the BJP had emerged as the single largest party with 79 out of 224 seats, the Congress (65 seats) and JD-S (58 seats) joined hands to form the government with Dharam Singh of the Congress being the unanimous choice for CM. Cracks began to develop in the alliance soon, and the coalition collapsed after Kumaraswamy withdrew support. Much to Gowdas chagrin, Kumaraswamy signed a pact with the BJP and formed the government. The pact was that he would lead the government for 20 months, followed by BS Yediyurappa of the BJP for the rest of the 20 months.

There were attempts being made to split the JD-S, and some of them were to go and join the Congress. It was at this time that the JD-S leader asked Kumaranna (as he is called affectionately) to join hands with the BJP and become the CM. He did it to save the JD-S, said party MLC and spokesperson TA Saravana.

A JD-S insider said that when Kumaraswamys term was over and it was the turn for the BJP to take over, Deve Gowda was of the opinion that Kumaraswamy should not hand over power and try to keep himself in the CM seat.

Kumaraswamy tried to convince his father that one should keep his word, explained the leader. But things did not go down well, and after 13 days of handing over the CM position to BS Yediyurappa in 2007, the coalition collapsed, and Karnataka went to polls again after a brief period of being under Presidents Rule.

People were angry with him for backstabbing Yediyurappa. But he had no choice. It was a difficult and painful decision for him, said the JD-S leader who did not wish to be named.

Horatti, who has been a minister in both Kumaraswamy cabinets, calls him a man with a golden heart. I recall the time when as a CM, he visited Mudhol, which is my hometown, along with BJP leader R Ashok. He stayed at the house of an HIV-positive patient. He ate at his house and spent the night there as well. Media from across the country had come to cover this event. He has a soft heart for those who are in need of support, and that is what makes him stand apart, Horatti said.

Recalling the time when Horatti broke the news of joining the BJP in 2022 to Kumaraswamy, the JD-S leader told him to take the decision he felt was right.

He told me that I should take the decision, and he would back me. You go join the BJP. It wont be long when the JD-S will also be with the BJP. Now, in hindsight, it seems he had it all planned out well for the future of the party, said Horatti.

Kumaraswamy has also had his share of controversies. He faced heat in the Janathakal mining scam and was charged with misuse of office, corruption, and granting undue favours to the Mumbai-based Janathakal Mining company in 2006-2007. It is alleged that he pressured an IAS officer to renew the lease of the Janathakal Mining Company. Mining baron and former BJP minister Gali Janardhan Reddy had also accused Kumaraswamy of receiving kickbacks worth Rs 150 crore from various mining companies.

NEW AVATAR

Several JD-S leaders that News18 spoke to were of the opinion that Kumaraswamy has emerged in a new avatar this time. He is a self-made politician today, one who has had several trials by fire and has been molded into an able administrator and politician, said one of the leaders.

Saravana calls him a splitting image of Deve Gowda when it comes to people connect, humility, understanding of farmer issues, and administration.

His Gramavastavya programme (living in village homes) during his district visits, farmer loan waiver programme, and Janata Darshan, which he has even conducted for a record 22 hours at a stretch, are all pathbreaking. He is a man who is the real leader of the masses, and today when he stands in Delhi, he represents not just Karnataka, he represents humanity, said Saravana.

HB Dinesh, who had served as media secretary for Kumaraswamy in both terms, remembers how the leader has often taken decisions swimming against the tide. He observes that Kumaraswamy has the highest respect for his father. However, many of his political decisions have been taken despite severe opposition from Deve Gowda.

This time, Kumaraswamy has become a minister on his own terms and by fighting the electoral battle with his own hard work and popularity, said Dinesh.

Deve Gowda was not happy at all when Kumaraswamy joined hands with the BJP in 2004 to come to power after bringing down the Dharam Singh government again, when he took the decision of joining with the Congress in 2018 along with Siddaramaiah. The most recent alliance with the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections was a decision by Kumaraswamy, but this time he had his fathers approval, Dinesh added.

When the Congress formed the government in Karnataka with absolute majority in 2013, Kumaraswamy quit as Karnataka JD(S) president, saying he wanted to build the party that was losing ground. A year later, he returned as state president with the aim of re-establishing JDSs control over the Vokkaliga-dominated Old Mysore region.

In the 2018 Assembly elections, Kumaraswamy comfortably won from both the seats he contested  Ramanagara and Channapatna  and won from Channapatna in the 2023 Assembly polls.

The Deve Gowda family belongs to the Vokkaliga community, which is the second largest in the state after the Lingayats. The JD-S enjoys the backing of the community, though the Congress has tried to breach the JD-S stronghold in the past few elections. It is the consolidation of the Vokkaliga votes in the Old Mysore region that favoured the BJP-JDS alliance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and gave both parties a handsome victory. The BJP won 17 Lok Sabha seats while the JDS won two seats, taking the NDA total to 19 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka. Kumaraswamy won the Mandya seat he contested from by a huge margin of 2,84,620 votes, sending him to Delhi to become part of the Modi Cabinet.

WHAT NEXT?

Asked whether the JD-S alliance with the BJP at the Center would help the revival of the regional party, political analyst Sandeep Shastri said if that were the plan, Kumaraswamy should have allowed JD-S leaders to take the ministership at the Centre and concentrated on reviving the JD-S in Karnataka.

With him taking the ministership, I dont know if he would be able to work for the party and its revival at the state level. I think it is more a reward for being part of the alliance and little to do with rebuilding the JD-S in the state, Shastri said.

Shastri added that Kumaraswamy has been a beneficiary of political circumstances, observing that he has been in the limelight because of situational factors.

Both times, he became CM. And now as Union minister it was because of the advantageous situation he found himself in the wider political developments. With the JD-S being lucky to be part of an alliance where the BJP does not have a majority. Therefore, the alliance partners like the JD-S need to be kept happy. It will be interesting to see what portfolio he gets, said the analyst.

The Deve Gowda family has a trait of being able to rise again like a phoenix each time they are down, said analyst Prof. Chambi Puranik.

The Gowda family has the resilience to bounce back, and that has been proved even by Kumaraswamy. Though maintaining a low profile, he has the spark and the experience now. Unlike DK Shivakumar, another Vokkaliga leader, Kumaraswamy is not aggressive; he is a street performer and connects well with people. He is a cool operator who has over the years built himself as the worthy and true successor to Deve Gowda in the Vokkaliga community as well as in the JD-S, observed Puranik.
The death of a person due to H5N2 bird flu is keeping many scientists and experts worried. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that the death of a 59-year-old man in Mexico caused by a strain of bird flu was unusual.

Unlike the recent cases of H5N1 in people in the US, the patient did not have any known exposure to infected animals, but outbreak of H5N2 was reported in poultry in Mexico.

So, what does this mean?

The H5N1 has been found in 11 house mice in New Mexico, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Farms also reported H5N1 outbreaks in cows. So, it is possible that the mice consumed unpasteurized milk, which infected them. This means, the virus in inching closer to humans since most people are likely to encounter house mice than dairy cattle.

The threat of avian flu for people has become a priority for health officials and learning how the virus is moving from species to species. It is also not clear what tissue samples from the mice were positive. So, it is not known if the mice are transmitting the virus through urine or feces.

Is the Mexican Mans Death a Concern?

According to the Mexican health ministry, the man had a history of chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and long-standing systemic arterial hypertension. He had been bedridden for three weeks before the onset of acute symptoms, developing fever, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, nausea and general malaise on April 17.

The man was taken to the hospital in Mexico City on April 24 and died later that day. The death is a multi-factorial death, not a death attributable to H5N2, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told journalists in Geneva.

Seventeen contacts of the case in the hospital were identified. All tested negative for influenza. The infection of H2N5 is being investigated to see if the man was infected by somebody visiting or by any contact with any animals before, Lindmeier said.

The UNs Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said the risk of getting avian flu through eating poultry was negligibly low. In all the hundred years of avian influenza there has not been any demonstrated food-borne transmission, Markus Lipp, senior food safety officer at FAO told the media via a video link.

He explained humans do not have avian influenza receptors in their gastro-intestinal tract, contrary to certain animal species, as far as we know. So, there is a very slim likelihood, just from that perspective.

However, the H5N1 was first identified in humans in 1997.

What is H5N2?

H5N2 is just one of several kinds of avian influenza viruses. The viruses are classified based on two types of protein on their surfaces: hemagglutinin, or H, which plays a crucial role in allowing the virus to infect cells, and neuraminidase, or N, which helps the virus spread. Many different combinations of H and N proteins are possible.

H5N2 belongs to a family of bird flu viruses called H5, which primarily infects wild birds. There are a total of nine known subtypes of H5 viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

H5N1, which was detected in dairy cows in the US in March, also belongs to this family.

In India, the virus has been found in Kerala. The state health minister, Veena George, stressed that bird flu has not affected humans in the state, but its important to take precautions to prevent its spread. Around 21,000 ducks were culled in Edathua and Cheruthana, the epicenters of the bird flu outbreak. Additionally, all domesticated birds within a one-kilometer radius of the outbreak zones will be killed.

H5N1 has infected people in 23 countries since 1997, according to the CDC, resulting in severe pneumonia and death in about 50% of cases.
The National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX) has been developed by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the health ministry that aims to provide easy access and affordable health to patients. The NHCX digital platform will bring together health insurance companies, healthcare sector service providers and government insurance scheme administrators.

The National Health Claim Exchange is going to be a game-changer. The IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) has been collaborating with us. This product is completely ready and we should be able to launch it in 15-20 days, National Health Authoritys chief executive officer Deepti Gaur Mukherjee had said at the Global Conference of Actuaries in Mumbai on February 14.

The portal is almost ready and is likely to be launched in the next two to three months, according to news agency ANI quoting official sources.

How Will NHCX Work?

At present, the health insurance claims settlement process in the country is mostly manual and time-consuming.

The NHCX as part of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to facilitate faster claim processing for policyholders and reduction in costs for insurance companies. It is meant to serve as a tech-enabled platform for exchanging claims-related information among insurance companies, claimants or beneficiaries and regulators.

The insurance industry is poised to support the implementation of this system by facilitating streamlined interactions between hospitals and insurers, establishing a seamless, paperless, and secure contractual framework. Acting as a centralised hub for all health claims, the NHCX will significantly alleviate the administrative burden on hospitals, said S Prakash, MD & CEO designate, Galaxy Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited, as quoted by The Hindu.

The IRDAIs objective is to achieve Insurance for All by 2047.

For cashless claims, the processing time will be up to three hours from the receipt of discharge authorisation from the hospital. The IRDAI has set the insurance provider a deadline of July 31 to put systems and processes in place to ensure the smooth facilitation of the directive.

More than 30 insurance companies are already on board the NHCX platform while effort and awareness drives are going on to bring in the hospitals.

Companies such as Tata AIG General Insurance Company, Paramount TPA, Bajaj Allianz Insurance Company have completed their integration with NHCX.

The National Health Authority had announced financial incentives under the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) from January 2023 to encourage adoption of digital health transactions and digitisation of patient health records in the country. Under the DHIS, for every insurance claim transaction through NHCX, financial incentives of Rs 500 per claim or 10% of the claim amount, whichever is lower, would be given to hospitals, according to the health ministry.

What are the Incentives?

According to the health ministry, the NHCX will help in standardisation and interoperability of health claims and will bring in seamless exchange of data, documents and images between payer (insurance company/TPA/government scheme administrator) and provider (hospital/lab/poly clinic). Additionally, it will enable transparent and efficient claims processing and reduce related operational costs.

Industry experts also agree that the platform through centralised data could bring in a more standardised approach to healthcare pricing.

What are the Challenges?

There is a need to bridge the gap between the hospitals and insurance companies through digitization by necessitating upgrades to current IT systems and enhanced workforce training.

Health insurance contributes to about 29% of the total general insurance premium income in India.

Also, general and health insurance companies should use Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana) data available and practices it has developed to devise products for a section of population not covered by the scheme.
The Supreme Court will hear petitions regarding cancellation of the NEET-UG 2024 exam. One of the petitions was filed by chief executive of EdTech firm Physics Wallah, Alakh Pandey, against the alleged grace marks" given by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to more than 1,500 candidates who took the test for admissions into MBBS, BDS and others courses.

The top court said on Tuesday that the sanctity" of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG), 2024 has been affected, and sought responses from the Centre and the NTA on another plea seeking holding of the examination afresh on grounds of alleged question paper leaks and other malpractices.

The results of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) was declared on June 4, almost 10 days prior to the scheduled release, with an extraordinary large number of students scoring a percentile of 99.9971. Some secured 718 or 719 out of 720, which many claimed were impossible to get. Aspirants have raised these concerns and alleged irregularities and paper leaks.

On June 1, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court asking that the examination be held again on the ground that the question paper had been leaked. Last month, hearing another petition, the top court had declined to stay the publication of the results.

Around 2.4 million candidates took the entrance examination held on May 5 in 571 cities, 14 of which were outside India. According to the latest available data, there are a total of 1,08,940 MBBS seats in more than 700 medical colleges across the country.

What is the Controversy?

Compensatory Marks: After students filed petitions in the high courts, the NTA formed a Grievance Redressal Committee comprising examination and academic experts who reviewed the complaints based on factual reports and CCTV footage. They confirmed the loss of exam time and compensated 1,563 candidates based on the formula formulated by the Supreme Court in its June 13, 2018 judgment. The revised marks for these candidates ranged from -20 to 720, with two candidates scoring 718 and 719 due to compensatory marks.

Case of 67 Toppers: The number of candidates appearing for NEET (UG) saw a significant increase, rising from 20,38,596 in 2023 to 23,33,297 in 2024. This year, 67 candidates got the perfect 720 out of 720 marks, achieving All India Rank 1. Last year, there were two toppers, and one in 2022. The NTA received 13,373 challenges to the provisional answer key for a Physics question. Forty-four of the 67 toppers got the answer to the basic Physics question wrong but they were given grace marks" because an older version of NCERTs Class 12 textbook had a mistake. The experts decided that both the old and new options of NCERT textbook should be considered correct for the question. Consequently, 44 out of the 67 candidates who achieved a perfect score of 720/720 did so due to this revision, while six candidates received compensatory marks for lost time during the exam.

Case of 718, 719 Scores: Many have claimed that it was impossible to score 716, 718 and 719 out of 720. According to an NTA press release, The loss of examination time was ascertained and such candidates were compensated with marks based on their answering efficiency and time lost, as per the mechanism/ formula established by the Honble Apex Court, vide its judgment dated 13.06.2018". It also said, 1,563 candidates were compensatedand the revised marks of such candidates vary from  20 to 720 Amongst these, the score of two candidates also happens to be 718 and 719 marks respectively due to compensatory marks."

Unfair Means: The NTA is supporting investigating agencies in cases related to NEET, but has categorically denied any instance of a paper leak. According to the Economic Offences Unit of Bihar Police, admit cards, post-dated cheques and certificates from members of organised gang arrested in this case. Despite a thorough" investigation underway, the Special Investigation Team has said that the evidence collected so far is not enough to confirm a paper leak. The NTA has confirmed that some Hindi-medium students in Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan were mistakenly given English-medium question papers. They walked out of the examination hall taking the question paper with them, as mentioned in a report by The Indian Express.

High Cut-offs: With more students taking the test, the NTA has kept the cut-offs unusually high this time. The cut-off scores are determined based on the overall performance of candidates each year. The increase in cutoff reflects the competitive nature of the examination and the higher performance standards achieved by the candidates this year," the NTA release said. In 2022, when the average marks out of 720 of qualified candidates was 259, the minimum score to qualify in unreserved category was only 117, whereas in 2024, when the first number was 323.55, the cutoff was a high of 164, The Indian Express report said.

Petitions in the Supreme Court

In his petition, Physics Wallahs Pandey collected representations from about 20,000 students, showing that 70-80 marks were randomly awarded as grace marks" to at least 1,500 students. His petition is regarding the grace marks awarded to students. Pandey has requested the Supreme Court to establish an expert panel under its supervision to inquire into the examination process and results of NEET (UG) 2024."

In another petition, Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) members Abdullah Mohammed Faiz and Dr Shaik Roshan Mohiddin seek to recall the NEET-UG 2024 results and conduct a fresh exam. The petitioners alleged arbitrariness in the granting of grace marks, pointing out that marks as high as 718 and 719 out of 720, secured by several students, were statistically impossible". They claimed that the NTA awarding grace marks was a malafide exercise to provide backdoor entry" to certain students, rather than compensating for lost time". The petitioners also raised suspicions about the fact that 67 students from one particular centre obtained full 720 marks. They have demanded a stay on counselling until an investigation into alleged paper leak is not conducted.

In the third petition, NEET candidate Jaripiti Kartheek, challenged the award of grace marks as compensation for the loss of time during the exam". He said normalisation formula" for awarding grace marks should only apply to the number of questions left unanswered in proportion to the lost time, given that each question has equal weightage and assumes equal time distribution for answering each question.

Political Row Over NEET

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 9 over the NEET-UG medical entrance exam, alleging that irregularities" in the examination have devastated more than 24 lakh students. On X, he posted, Narendra Modi has not even taken oath yet and the scam in NEET exam has devastated more than 24 lakh students and their families. Six students from the same exam centre top the exam with maximum marks, many get such marks, which are technically not possible, but the government is continuously denying the possibility of paper leak".

Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called for resolution of students legitimate complaints" through an investigation. First the NEET exam paper was leaked and now the students allege that there has been a scam in its results as well. Serious questions are being raised on 6 students of the same centre getting 720 out of 720 marks and many kinds of irregularities are coming to the fore," she said.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the NEET exam result.

Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif on June 8 alleged that the NEET exams were conducted after taking money. The results are such that no student of Maharashtra will get admission for the MBBS course in government or private college in the state," he said.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin reiterated his governments stand on NEET, and said the exam system goes against social justice and federalism. 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," Stalin wrote on X.

What is NEET?

The exam is pre-qualifying test for MBBS and BDS programmes just like the All India Pre-Medical Entrance Test (AIPMT) held every year. The exams are conducted by the NTA.

Earlier, the Central Bureau of Secondary Examination (CBSE) used to conduct the medical test before NTA took over. The NTA is an independent autonomous and self-sustained premier testing organisation.

The NEET is conducted every year in May and offers 90,000 seats in MBBS and BDS colleges in India.

A student who wishes to study medical courses needs to have Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Biotechnology as their compulsory subjects in Class 10, and 12, and must have passed these subjects. The candidate has to show their passing certificate at the time of the counselling round. Marks in Mathematics are not considered in NEET-undergraduate exam (NEET-UG).

Besides, the undergraduate courses, NTA also administers NEET post-graduation (NEET-PG), an eligibility-cum-ranking examination prescribed as the single entrance examination for admission to various MD/MS and PG diploma courses.

The NEET exam is conducted online and in 11 languages  English, Hindi, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, Marathi, Urdu Bengali, Telugu, Kannada, and Assamese. The examination is conducted for three hours and a candidate needs to answer 180 questions.
Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu was seen sitting next to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu late on Sunday evening, as both the nations look forward to working with each other on their shared interests.

After the swearing-in ceremony, the Prime Minister met all the invited foreign leaders in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The leaders congratulated him for taking oath as the Prime Minister of India for the historic third consecutive term.

While thanking them for gracing the occasion, PM Modi reaffirmed Indias commitment to its Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR Vision.

He also emphasized that in his third term and said that India will continue to work for the peace, progress and prosperity of the region in close partnership with the countries, even as it pursued its goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

In this context, the Prime Minister also called for deeper people-to-people ties and connectivity in the region. He further said that India would continue to amplify the voice of the Global South in the international arena.

Union Minister Dr Jaishankar Meets Muizzu

Union Minister S Jaishankar on Monday also held a separate bilateral meetings with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu.

Delighted to call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives today in New Delhi. Look forward to India and Maldives working together closely, Jaishankar said on X.

Delighted to call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives today in New Delhi. Look forward to India and Maldives working together closely. @MMuizzu pic.twitter.com/odHJPRK4Ks Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) June 10, 2024

Jaishankar was the external affairs minister in Modis previous Cabinet. He took oath as a Union minister on Sunday.

It was Muizzus first visit to India after he became the island nations president on November 17 last year. The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office.

The Maldivian Presidency in a press release said the meeting centred on enhancing bilateral ties, with both the President Muizzu and the minister eager to strengthen cooperation in areas of shared values and mutual interest.

The meeting focused on bilateral collaboration, with both the President and the Minister expressing their eagerness to strengthen cooperation in areas of shared values and mutual interest, the Maldivian ministrys readout said.

World Leaders Present At PMs Oath Ceremony

World leaders and leaders of regional allies were invited to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his council of ministers swearing-in ceremony on Sunday.

For the historic occasion, India invited some of the top South Asian leaders including Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in lines of the NDA governments Neighbourhood First policy.

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth and President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan were also a part of the grand ceremony.
A CCTV footage showing the moments leading up to the Reasi terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir has emerged, providing insights into the sequence of events before the deadly attack that claimed 10 lives and injured many more.

So far, six people have been detained for questioning in connection with the terror attack case.

The bus carrying pilgrims plunged into a deep gorge after an ambush by terrorists on Sunday. The terrorists opened fire at the bus when it was en route from Shiv Khori temple to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine at Katra near Teryath village in Poni area and it plunged into the deep gorge following the gunfire. Terrorists targeted the bus as it approached a bend, a pattern observed in previous attacks in Rajouri and Poonch.

Exploiting the slow speed of vehicles, they unleashed indiscriminate fire to inflict maximum harm before retreating into dense foliage, a challenge increasingly prevalent in the Jammu region. The dense mountainous foliage provides cover for the enemy, granting them an advantage in evading detection.

According to sources, the bus was targeted by the terrorists when it came near a bend  a pattern witnessed in Rajouri and Poonch attacks. In this modus operandi, terrorists take advantage of a vehicle coming at a slow speed and then start firing indiscriminately to cause maximum damage. They follow this attack pattern because it helps them to disappear in the thick foliage, a challenge now evident in the Jammu region.

As per News18 source, security forces have deployed a total of 11 teams, each operating along two different axes. The police have leads and inputs guiding the actions of these teams. Additionally, efforts are underway to actively develop additional leads.

CCTV Footage

NIA Team, Additional Security and Drones

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team has been dispatched to help local authorities investigate Sundays terror attack. Additional security has been heightened in the area, and security forces are now using drones to search for terrorists. Security forces were deployed at nearby combat outposts of the Indian Army.

Forces were dispatched from various locations to reinforce security measures. Currently, a search operation is underway for terrorists. Earlier Sunday, the injured were swiftly transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Local authorities, including senior police officials and security forces, promptly responded to the scene, cordoning off the area and initiating investigations.

#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: Visuals of the bus that was attacked by terrorists in Reasi yesterday. 10 people lost their lives and several were injured in the terror attack.Search operation by Indian Army is underway in the area. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/mX7duzIPPM  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

On Sunday, Mohammad Bhat, DIG Reasi Udhampur range, Rayees, also reached the spot. Earlier, SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma said initial reports suggested that terrorists fired upon the passenger bus going from Shiv Khori to Katra.

Due to the firing, the bus driver lost balance of the bus and it fell into gorge. 33 people were injured in the incident. Rescue operation has been completed. The identities of the passengers have not been confirmed yet, they are not locals. Shiv Khori shrine was secured and area domination was done, he said.

#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: Search operation by Indian Army is going on in Reasi after a bus was attacked by terrorists near Shiv Khori Shrine in Reasi yesterday. Drones are being used to search the forest area.10 people lost their lives and several were injured in the terror pic.twitter.com/05Mzq5seYs  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

L-G Announces Rs 10 Lakh Ex-gratia

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation and has asked the Lt. Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to constantly monitor it.

Taking to X, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that those behind this heinous act will be punished soon. He added, Honble PM has also directed that all the injured are provided the best possible medical care & assistance, he added.

The L-G has approved an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the next of kin of the pilgrims killed in the Reasi terror attack. Additionally, he has approved Rs 50,000 each for those injured.

The injured will receive Rs. 50,000. The injured pilgrims are being treated at various hospitals in Jammu & Reasi, stated the Office of the Lt. Governor.

#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: Visuals from the spot in Reasi where a bus was attacked by terrorists yesterdayDIG Reasi Udhampur range Rayees Mohammad Bhat reached the spot; 10 people lost their lives and several were injured in the terror attack. (Visuals deferred by pic.twitter.com/SRWRrMiNRH  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the culprits of this dastardly attack will not be spared and will face the wrath of the law. Taking to X, Shah said, Deeply pained by the incident of the attack on pilgrims in Reasi, J&K. Spoke to the Lieutenant Governor and the DGP, J&K, and inquired about the incident.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the attack on the bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir is extremely reprehensible. Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad also condemned the militant attack on the pilgrim bus in Ransoo, Reasi.

(With inputs from agencies)
The Delhi Police has added the IPC section for disappearing evidence and giving false information against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals aide Bibhav Kumar in AAP MP Swati Maliwals assault case, an official said on Monday.

Kumar is accused of assaulting Maliwal at the chief ministers official residence on May 13.

The official said Section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence or giving false information to screen offender) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was added in the case.

Section 201 carries a provision for imprisonment of one-sixth of the punishment awarded for the biggest offence in the crime, he added.

The FIR against Kumar was registered on May 16 under provisions of the IPC such as those related to criminal intimidation, assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe, and attempt to commit culpable homicide.

Maliwal, a former chief of the Delhi Commission for Women, alleged that Kumar attacked her with full force, slapped and kicked her when she had gone to meet Kejriwal.

According to a senior police officer, Kumars mobile phone was found to have been formatted when he was arrested from Kejriwals residence on May 18.

He was in Mumbai before returning to Delhi.

The police took Kumar to Mumbai twice. He is suspected to have formatted his mobile phone in Mumbai but did not disclose the place where he formatted it or the person with whom he shared the data, the officer said.

During his police custody, Kumar did not cooperate in the investigation, he added.

Another police officer said three CCTV DVRs (digital video recorders) were collected from Kejriwals residence  two from cameras installed at the entrance and one outside the drawing room.

The DVRs were sent to the forensic science laboratory as it was suspected that these were tampered with. The reports were awaited, he said.

Kumar was arrested on May 18 and is currently lodged in Tihar jail.
At least nine people were killed and 33 were injured after a bus carrying pilgrims fell into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district on Sunday following a terrorist attack. Sources have told CNN-News18 that the Reasi terror attack was a desperate attempt to revive terrorism.

Terrorist group Lashkar backed TRF has claimed responsibility for the attack. The pilgrims were on their way from the Shiv Khori temple in Teryath village to Katras Vaishno Devi shrine. According to sources, the Shiv Khori temple was under Intelligence radar for the past one month. Sources said security was increased after an Intelligence input was received on a possible attack on the temple last month.

Top Jammu and Kashmir Police sources have said that a terror attack on yatris and pilgrims was never seen, but the kind of attacks happening these days suggest these are desperate attempts by terror group to show strength and get support from the other side of border.

According to sources, due to strong vigil on borders, terrorists failed in infiltration attempts.

A search operaation is now underway in the area. Security forces are using drones in the area to find the terrorists who carried out the attack. Forces hvae been dispatched from various locations to reinforce security measures.

Meanwhile, sources said the driver of the bus carrying pilgrims showed remarkable courage, and tried to save the pilgrims by turning the bus, even after being hit by bullets. Despite being targeted by gunfire while traveling through Teryath village, the driver tried to steer the bus to safety. He succumbed to the bullets, leading the bus to veer off the road and plunge into a deep gorge.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation and asked the Lt. Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to constantly monitor it. Taking to X, the J&K LG said that those behind this heinous act will be punished soon. He added, Honble PM has also directed that all the injured are provided the best possible medical care & assistance, he added.
The Pakistan establishment is upset with terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad following the terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi, top police sources have told CNN-News18. On Sunday, The Resistance Front (TRF)-affiliated Jhelum Media Group claimed responsibility of the attack on yatris. However, they deleted the post from the website soon after.

Later, JeM affiliated Peoples Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) posted a note on their website that this was a ghastly act and that they condemn it. The PAFF also added that they dont support attack on civilians and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of being behind it.

According to top sources, the Pakistan establishment is unhappy with the move at a time when they are struggling for finances and the fear of going back into the grey list is on their head.

At least nine people were killed and 33 were injured after a bus carrying pilgrims fell into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district on Sunday following a terrorist attack. The bus was going from Shiv Khori Temple towards Vaishno Devi temple.

Earlier, CNN-News18 had reported that the attack was a desperate attempt by TRF to prove their presence in the field. CNN-News18 also reported that Shiv Khori temple was already under the radar and Jammu and Kashmir Police issued an intelligence alert on this.

Sources told CNN-News18 that the Reasi terror attack was a desperate attempt to revive terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Sources said that a terror attack on yatris and pilgrims was never seen, but the kind of attacks happening these days suggest these are desperate attempts by terror group to show strength and get support from the other side of border.

According to sources, due to strong vigil on borders, terrorists failed in infiltration attempts.

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team has been dispatched to help local authorities investigate Sundays terror attack. A search operation is now underway in the area. Security forces are using drones in the area to find the terrorists who carried out the attack. Forces have been dispatched from various locations to reinforce security measures.

A CCTV footage showing the moments leading up to the Reasi terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir has also emerged.

Meanwhile, sources said the driver of the bus carrying pilgrims showed remarkable courage, and tried to save the pilgrims by turning the bus, even after being hit by bullets. Despite being targeted by gunfire while traveling through Teryath village, the driver tried to steer the bus to safety. He succumbed to the bullets, leading the bus to veer off the road and plunge into a deep gorge.
Amit Shah will continue to be Indias Home Minister in the third term of the Narendra Modi government as per the list of portfolio allocation released on Monday evening. This would be Amit Shahs second straight term as the Union Home Minister and essentially ensures that the pace of work in the sensitive ministry sees no disruption.

In his first term as Union Home Minister, Shah had pioneered efforts in internal security-related areas. Despite the strides in national and internal security made in his first tenure, challenges do await Amit Shah in the second innings.

This time, the Union Home Ministry will have two Ministers of State  Bandi Sanjay Kumar and Nityanand Rai. Last time, the ministry had three Ministers of State, but two of them lost from their respective seats in the Lok Sabha elections.

Crackdown on terrorism will continue to be the top priority for Amit Shah, as evidenced by the terror attack on pilgrims in J&Ks Reasi district even as ministers were taking oath in the national capital.

With Jammu and Kashmir gearing up for elections this year and the Amarnath Yatra also scheduled in the next four months, the terror attack, which killed nine pilgrims from other states, brings home the urgency and gravity of ongoing efforts to ensure peace in the Union Territory.

Occupying the top spot among priorities is also the situation in ethnic strife-hit Manipur in the Northeast. The state has witnessed ethnic violence for more than a year now, the situation made graver by stealing of arms and ammunition, crimes against women and against security officials. The situation is improving after multiple attempts at restoring peace, but the pace has been slow.

Weapons stolen during the violence, including AK series guns and automatic rifles, remain untraceable. Scores of people caught in the conflict have been forced to seek shelter in Assam. Manipur will need immediate efforts to restore peace and that would take more than a year, say top officials posted in the northeastern state.

Similarly, Khalistani terrorism has become a major concern for the Union government, especially after the victory of radicalised preacher Amritpal Singh in Lok Sabha elections. The development hints at the prospect that pro-Khalistani sentiments are not only being pushed from outside the country, but may have a few takers within as well.

In his previous tenure, the Amit Shah-led ministry made visible and commendable strides in cracking down on Naxalism. In his new term as Home Minster, it is expected that the security forces would be able to completely wipe out Naxalism, but development in the former Red zones would need to be taken up on war footing. States like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand would need special focus.

Another challenge growing its tentacles across India is cyber crime. According the official data of the Ministry of Home Affairs, cyber crime has been rising by the day. Till last year, around 5,000 complaints were being reported on the national portal, but the number has increased by 40% per day. Protecting the data of Indian citizens and keeping the countrys cyber infrastructure safe are vital to protect Indias financial system.

The Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill would come into effect on July 1, replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Indian Evidence Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure. Ensuring a smooth transition falls to the Home Ministry. The government, since its previous tenure, has been conducting training sessions for judicial officers and police officers, but implementation would be a big task for the Home Minister.
Mumbai on Monday witnessed heavy rains after 7pm, while it got 50 millimetres of rain in a 24-hour period that ended in the morning, officials said.

There were no reports of major water-logging due to heavy rains in the evening, the official added.

As per Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials, Raoli Camp, B Nadkarni Park and fire station localities in Wadala received 35 mm, 27 mm and 24 mm rain, respectively, while the figures were 21 mm and 18 mm for Britannia storm water station at Reay Road and Worli fire station area, respectively, between 7pm and 9pm.

During this period, in the eastern part of the city, the Maravli municipal school area in Chembur recorded 52 mm of rain, followed by 43 mm in Collectors Colony, 29 mm in Chembur fire station area, 27 mm in M West ward office and 22 mm in Vaibhav Nagar, the officials said.

In the western areas of the metropolis, Supari Tank in Bandra recorded 18 mm of rain, while it was 14 mm at Bandra fire station area between 7pm and 9pm, the officials added.

There were no reports of major water logging anywhere in the city. However, there were traffic snarls in some places, an official said.

Several commuters complained of suburban trains running late.

The IMD had predicted thunderstorms with moderate to heavy showers for the city on Monday.

Monsoon arrived in Mumbai on Sunday, two days ahead of the normal schedule, due to favourable conditions along the Maharashtra coast, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The Colaba observatory in south Mumbai recorded a substantial 53 mm of rainfall over the last 24 hours ending on Monday morning.

The maximum temperature, at 30 degrees Celsius, saw a notable drop of 3.7 degrees Celsius from the usual in the island city, while the minimum temperature, at 23.5 degrees Celsius, was 2.9 degrees Celsius lower than normal, making the night pleasantly cooler for Mumbaikars.

Similarly, the Santacruz observatory recorded 69 mm of rainfall during the 24-hour period ending in the morning. The maximum temperature, at 32.8 degrees Celsius, saw a decrease of 1.2 degrees Celsius in Mumbai suburbs. The minimum temperature, at 24.2 degrees Celsius, was 2.4 degrees Celsius lower than usual.

Following heavy rains on Sunday, there was water-logging in many areas like Byculla, Sion, Dadar, Mazgaon, Kurla, Vikhroli, and Andheri, severely impacting vehicular movement and causing long traffic jams.

Local train services, the citys lifeline, were also delayed as water accumulated on tracks at some locations, officials said.

According to an official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the island city recorded an average of 99.11 mm rainfall, eastern parts of Mumbai registered 61.29 mm downpour, and western areas 73.78 mm, in 24 hours ending at 8 am on Monday.

The city witnessed overcast skies on Monday but there has been no rain in most parts since morning.

In much-needed relief for farmers, the arid districts of central Maharashtra, such as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dharashiv, and Solapur, also experienced good showers, measuring 83 mm, 96 mm, and 81 mm, respectively.
In the face of a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district on Sunday, the driver of a bus carrying pilgrims showed remarkable courage when bullets started spraying in front of him, according to sources.

The bus carrying pilgrims plunged into a deep gorge after terrorists opened fire at the bus when it was travelling from Shiv Khori temple to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine at Katra near Teryath village in Poni area. Despite being targeted by gunfire, the driver tried to steer the bus to safety.

After having darshan at Mata Vaishno Devi, I went to Shiv Khori. While returning from there, after 4-5 km, bullets were fired on our bus. The firing did not stop even after our bus fell into the ditch. The driver was shot and then some people were also injured in the firing, said a survivor of the Reasi terror attack.

#WATCH | J&K: A survivor of the Reasi terror attack, says After having darshan at Mata Vaishno Devi, I went to Shiv Khori. While returning from there, after 4-5 km, bullets were fired on our bus. The firing did not stop even after our bus fell into the ditch. The driver was shot pic.twitter.com/FJen4gVovG ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

Heroic Driver

The man who was behind the wheels succumbed to the attackers bullets, leading the bus to veer off the road and plunge into a deep gorge. As many as ten people have been confirmed dead so far.

As per News18 source, security forces have deployed 11 teams, each operating along two different axes. The police have leads and inputs guiding the actions of these teams. After Sundays attack, security has been heightened in the area, and security forces are now using drones to search for terrorists. After the Reasi attack, additional forces were deployed at nearby combat outposts of the Indian Army. Currently, a search operation is underway.

Earlier on Sunday, when the incident was first reported, prompt rescue operations were initiated and the injured were swiftly transported to nearby medical facilities. Local authorities, including senior police officials and security forces, promptly responded to the scene, cordoning off the area.

#WATCH | Security heightened in Jammu & Kashmirs Reasi.Morning visuals from the area where a bus carrying pilgrims was attacked by terrorists led to the loss of 10 lives. pic.twitter.com/9i93KKbhzc  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

Earlier, SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma said, Initial reports suggest that terrorists fired upon the passenger bus going from Shiv Khori to Katra. Due to the firing, the bus driver lost the balance of the bus and it fell into the gorge. 33 people were injured in the incident. The rescue operation has been completed. The identities of the passengers have not been confirmed yet, they are not locals. Shiv Khori shrine was secured and area domination was done.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation and has asked the Lt. Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to constantly monitor it. Taking to X, the J&K LG said that those behind this heinous act will be punished soon. He added, Honble PM has also directed that all the injured are provided the best possible medical care & assistance, he added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the culprits of this dastardly attack will not be spared and will face the wrath of the law. Taking to X, Shah said, Deeply pained by the incident of the attack on pilgrims in Reasi, J&K. Spoke to the Lieutenant Governor and the DGP, J&K, and inquired about the incident.

Deeply pained by the incident of the attack on pilgrims in Reasi, J&K. Spoke to the Lieutenant Governor and the DGP, J&K, and inquired about the incident. The culprits of this dastardly attack will not be spared and will face the wrath of the law.The local administration is Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) June 9, 2024

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the attack on the bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir is extremely reprehensible. Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad also condemned the militant attack on the pilgrim bus in Ransoo, Reasi.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and hoped for the speedy recovery of the injured. Calling the incident cowardly, he said that the incident brings out true picture of the worrying security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also condemned the gruesome terror attack on our people and deliberate affront to National Security.
Sajid Saifullah Jatt, believed to be commanding the Lashkar-e-Taiba in Kashmir, may have been the one to task the local Lashkar-backed The Resistance Front to carry out the attack on the passenger bus in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district that left nine people dead and 41 injured, sources told News18.

On Sunday, terrorists opened fire at the 53-seater bus carrying pilgrims when it was en route from Shiv Khori temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine at Katra near Teryath village in the Poni area. The bus plunged into the deep gorge following the gunfire.

According to sources in J&K Police, recent communications and intercepts suggest the order to carry out this type of an attack was given recently. Its premature to say if they wanted to target this particular group of pilgrims or wanted to attack pilgrims in general, a source said.

News18 had reported few weeks ago that the Shiv Khori temple was on the radar of terror groups, following which security in the area was increased. Security and investigating agencies are now trying to ascertain if the terrorists had prior knowledge of pilgrims at the temple.

As per sources, Sajid Jatt tasked the TRF to carry out the attack to make it look like home-grown terror.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), State Investigation Agency (SIA) and forensic department teams have visited the spot of the terror attack and initiated a probe.

Security forces, including the Army, police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have laid a multi-dimensional cordon of the Teryath-Poni-Shiv Khori area bordering Rajouri district. Armed with surveillance equipment, including drones and sniffer dogs, a massive combing operation was launched in the area and adjoining areas of the district.

Terrorists involved in the attack were believed to be hiding in the upper reaches of neighbouring Rajouri and Reasi.

Soon after the attack on Sunday, the TRF-affiliated Jhelum Media Group claimed responsibility. It, however, immediately deleted the post from its website. Later, the Jaish-e-Mohammed-affliated PAFF posted a note on its website condemning the attack.

According to top sources, the Pakistani establishment fears going back to the grey list of the FATF if such attacks are traced back to its soil.

Officials said that 41 people were injured in the attack and 10 of them sustained bullet wounds. Anti-Pakistan protests broke out across the Jammu region, including Katra, Doda town and Kathua district, calling for increased security measures to prevent such incidents.

Accusing Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the protesters demanded action against the neighbouring country.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning and predicted thunderstorms with moderate to heavy showers in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra on Monday, a day after the onset of the southwest monsoon.

Over Mumbai, the monsoon has advanced two days before its normal arrival date of June 11, according to the weather department.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Several parts of Mumbai face waterlogging as the city receives heavy rainfall.Visuals from the Dadar area. pic.twitter.com/NJcZ2KIf5I  ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2024

The IMD predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rain over south Konkan, Goa, south Madhya Maharashtra, Coastal and North Interior Karnataka on June 9 and 10.

Following heavy rains on Sunday, there was water-logging in many areas like Byculla, Sion, Dadar, Mazgaon, Kurla, Vikhroli and Andheri, severely impacting vehicular movement and causing long traffic jams.

Heavy Rainfall Prediction in Maharashtra: Red Alert Issued

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in Maharashtras Sindhudurg, an orange alert for Ratnagiri, and a yellow alert for Palghar, Thane, Mumbai, and Raigad.

There are chances of extremely heavy rainfall (more than 204mm in 24 hours) over coastal Karnataka, Konkan, and Madhya Maharashtra till Monday and heavy showers will continue over these regions during the week ahead.

These areas will remain under an orange alert till Tuesday, as the monsoon activity is likely to continue through the week ahead.

Due to the heavy showers, a part of the road in the neighbouring Palghar district of Maharashtra caved in, affecting traffic movement on the busy Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway for more than four hours on Sunday morning, they said.

Mumbai Weather In Last 24 Hours

Mumbai and its neighbouring areas received heavy rains in the last 24 hours, bringing down the mercury and providing relief to residents from the hot and humid weather, officials said on Sunday.

Various other districts of Maharashtra, including Thane, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ahmednagar, Satara and Jalgaon, also received good showers on the last day.

In the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Sunday, Mumbai received more than 60 mm of rainfall.

The Colaba observatory, situated in south Mumbai where most of the state governments administrative offices are located, recorded 67 mm rainfall, while the Santacruz observatory recorded 64 mm downpours in the same period, as per the IMD

Waterlogging in Thane, Palghar Amid Heavy Rains

Thane and Palghar districts of Maharashtra witnessed heavy rains overnight, leading to water-logging in some areas, officials said on Sunday. There were reports of tree branches falling in some areas of Thane city, they said.

In the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Sunday, Thane city received 37.06 mm rainfall.

Some areas in Thane witnessed water-logging due to the showers, an official at the district disaster control room said.

Heavy rains also lashed neighbouring Palghar, district disaster control cell chief Vivekanand Kadam said, adding there was no report of any untoward incident due to the downpour.
The survivors of the Reasi terror attack revealed horrific details of the firing by terrorists on the bus carrying pilgrims on Sunday. Survivors said that the firing by terrorists went on for 15-20 minutes and that the terrorists continued to fire bullets even minutes after the bus fell into the gorge.

There were at least three terrorists. One of them started firing from the front of the bus and the bullets hit the driver. It seems the driver died on the spot. Two of the terrorists fired from the left side and this continued for about 15-20 minutes. They continued to fire even after the bus fell into the gorge, said Aayush Gupta, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, who was injured in the attack. Aayush was travelling with his parents and brother.

Another survivor said the firing began after the bus left from Shiv Khori temple and covered a distance of about 4-5 km. After having darshan at Mata Vaishno Devi, I went to Shiv Khori. While returning from there, after 4-5 km, bullets were fired on our bus. The firing did not stop even after our bus fell into the ditch. The driver was shot and then some people were also injured in the firing, he said.

Another survivor said that his son saw one of the terrorists fire at the bus from behind. I went for darshan of Shiv Khori. While returning, some people opened fire on our bus. Later, the bus fell into a ditch. Several people were injured in the incident. The firing did not stop even after the bus fell. I think there were 2-3 terrorists there. My son saw a man firing on our bus from behind, the survivor said.

At least ten people including the driver were killed and 33 were injured after the bus carrying pilgrims was attacked by terrorists and fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has announced ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the next of kin of pilgrims who died in the Reasi terror attack. He has also approved Rs 50,000 each for those injured.

The injured are being treated at different hospitals. A control room has been created by the district administration to provide all necessary assistance. A joint security force temporary HQ by J&K Police, Army and CRPF has been set up at the site and operation is in progress to neutralise the perpetrators of Reasi terror attack.
A week after issues like unemployment and exam paper leaks dragged down the BJPs seat count in Uttar Pradesh by 29 notches, the Yogi Adityanath government is gearing up to start the recruitment process to fill vacant posts in various departments.

After holding a meeting with the chiefs of all departments who were told to start the recruitment process, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also held a meeting with the chairpersons of various selection commissions, asking them to speed up the selection process to fill vacant posts and to maintain the sanctity, confidentiality and transparency of recruitment examinations. He directed them to frame new laws to check examination paper leaks.

The UP governments action plan is said to be a fallout of the Lok Sabha election results, in which the BJP suffered a big blow in the state. The opposition INDIA bloc, which includes the Congress and Samajwadi Party, severely dented the BJP-led NDA tally, which won 36 of the 80 seats. The BJP won 33 seats, down from its 2019 tally of 63. In its speeches and campaigning, the INDIA bloc capitalized on the discontent over unemployment and exam paper leaks.

In the meeting held recently, Yogi Adityanath directed the chiefs of all government departments, including principal Secretaries, to start the recruitment process and to ensure that the vacant posts are filled at the earliest. He also directed chairpersons of various selection commissions to speed up the selection process. Clear instructions have been issued to various selection commissions to guard against paper leaks and to maintain the sanctity of the examinations.

Government officials said the Chief Minister emphasised on the need for purity, transparency, and confidentiality in selection examinations, calling for comprehensive improvements and timely processes. Following his directives, a new law is being drafted to crack down on solver gangs, with stringent actions planned against those found involved in paper leaks. Examination centers will be restricted to government or government-funded institutions, with every room under CCTV surveillance to ensure the integrity of the process.

The UP Chief Minister issued major guidelines to the selection commissions, emphasizing the need for a strict law against criminals involved in examination malpractices. He urged the commissions to maintain an academic calendar for timely recruitment examinations. He recommended using two or more paper sets per shift and proposed printing each set through different agencies to prevent leaks.

Additionally, he advised considering the needs of women and differently-abled individuals in center allocation. The Chief Minister stressed that the selection committee should stay in contact with top government officials and the STF during and after examinations. This initiative aims to uphold the credibility, fairness, and efficiency of the selection process.

The hard work, merit, and talent of every youth must be respected and anarchic activities like paper leaks and solver gangs should be condemned. There is a need for strict action against criminals involved in such activities to set a strong example and maintain the integrity of the selection process, Yogi Adityanath said.

The Chief Minister further said that only government or well-funded educational institutions with clean track records should be designated as exam centers. These centers, located in urban areas, must have CCTV surveillance and accommodate the needs of women and differently-abled individuals. If an aided college is used, its manager should not be involved in the examination system; instead, a principal from another institution should serve as the center administrator. The district magistrate and district inspector of schools should also be involved, with accountability for any irregularities, he said.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. A senior Hamas official urges the United States to pressure Israel to end its war in Gaza, ahead of the planned visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the region to push forward hostage-ceasefire deal efforts, the Times of Israel reports.

We call upon the US administration to put pressure on the occupation to stop the war on Gaza and the Hamas movement is ready to deal positively with any initiative that secures an end to the war, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said.

Blinken is set to visit Egypt and Israel today. US Secretary of State is set to meet with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo before traveling to Israel later today, where he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, according to a US State Department schedule. He is also set to travel to Jordan and Qatar.

It is Blinkens eighth visit to the region since Hamas attacked Israeli territory last Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and capturing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel in response launched a military assault on Gaza that has since killed over 37,000 people, according to health officials in the territory.
Actor Noor Malabika Das was allegedly found dead at her apartment in Mumbais Lokhandwala, in a suspected case of suicide.

The actor, who was also a former air hostess, was found dead by the Mumbai Police at her flat on June 6.

As per police sources, Noor was found after her neighbors reported a foul smell coming from her apartment. The concerned neighbors soon informed the Oshiwara Police, who then forced their way into the flat.

The police found Noors decomposed body hanging from a ceiling fan and have initially ruled the death as a suicide.

A detailed investigation is still underway.

The 37-year-old actor hailed from Assam and had made her place in the world of Hindi web series. She had leading roles in several web series, including Siskiyaan, Walkaman Upaya, and Charamsukh. In The Trial, she played a supporting role besides actor Kajol.

As per media reports, the All Indian Cine Workers Association has called on Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis to conduct a thorough probe into the alleged suicide.

The police team broke down the door and discovered the body and found a table and rope at the scene.

Das suffered from depression and was on medication, an official said.

No suicide note was recovered from the spot, the official said, adding that an accidental death reports (ADR) has been registered, the official said.

(with agency inputs)

DISCLAIMER:This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)
Bigg Boss OTT season 3 is all set to premiere on June 21. The makers have announced the date and since then it has been trending. This time Anil Kapoor will be hosting the show. He has replaced Salman Khan. Well, makers have been continuously sharing new promos to increase excitement levels. In the latest promo, Anil Kapoor says Ab Sab Badlega.

The video opens with Anil Kapoor trying to walk through the crowd. People in the crowd are wearing masks with different emotions. The promo shows Anil Kapoor narrating his life journey, reflecting on how everyone said, Kya hi baaki hai AK?, to which he responds, Abhi to bas shuru kia hai, as he takes over as the host of Bigg Boss OTT 3. The promo further sets the tone for the most exciting season ever as he drops hints on whats in store for the contestants in the show. Season 3 brings in the theme of Ab Sab Badlega, with a captivating message: Thoda Logic, Thoda Magic.

Watch the promo here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by JioCinema (@officialjiocinema)

As soon as the promo was shared, fans reacted. One of the fans wrote, Vishal Pandey,Sana Makbul,Sai Ketan,Sana Sultan & Sonam Khan contestants. Another wrote, Wow cannot wait.

The makers left everyone surprised when they announced that Salman Khan had been replaced by Anil Kapoor as the popular shows host. Bigg Boss OTT 3 will premiere on JioCinema Premium from June 21 onwards. Speaking about hosting the reality show, Anil Kapoor said, Bigg Boss OTT and I are a dream team! Were both young at heart; people often say  jokingly  that Im reverse ageing, but Bigg Boss is  seriously- timeless. It feels a bit like going back to school, trying something new and exciting.

Having said that, Ive always approached all my projects with sincerity and a commitment to hard work and Im going to bring that same energy times 10 to Bigg Boss! Unscripted reality has something for everyone  laughter, drama, and surprising twists, and I cant wait to bring my own flavour to it, Anil Kapoor added.

Meanwhile, it should be noted that all this comes at a time when Salman Khan has also been making headlines for firing outside his Mumbai apartment. On April 14, gunshots were fired outside Khans Galaxy Apartments in Mumbais Bandra area. Later, it was reported that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was alleged to be behind the attack. The gangsters brother, Anmol Bishnoi, claimed responsibility for the shooting incident via a Facebook post.
Inside Out 2 star Amy Poehler was all praise for Priyanka Chopra in an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha. The international actress and comedian is set to return this weekend to the cinemas with the Disney-Pixar film. She is voicing the emotion of Joy. Ahead of the films release, we asked Amy which Bollywood star she thinks could debut in the upcoming Inside Out films, if more of them are produced. When we suggested Priyanka Chopra, she was instantly on board.

If it was in your control, would there be any particular Bollywood star that you would like to introduce into the Inside Out universe? we asked Amy. After thinking for a while, Amy asked us if we have any suggestions. When we recommended Priyanka Chopra, suggesting that she could voice the characters of gut feeling or instincts, or could be the inner sass given her confident demeanour, Amy nodded in agreement.

Actually, I know it is not really an emotion, but confidence is a very funny idea for another emotion down the line. Someone who is like really cocky, that would be really funny. Priyanka has a lot to be confident about, she said.

While we wait to see if Priyanka ends up in the Inside Out universe in the future, Ananya Panday has joined the universe in India. The Bollywood actress has voice the character Riley, the teenage girl around whom the film is centered, for the Hindi version of the film. The announcement was made last week, with Ananya confessing that she is a fan of the franchise.

On the international front, Inside Out 2 brings back some old characters and introduces a bunch of new ones. We will get to see characters such as Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale) and Disgust (Liza Lapira) return to the screen and they will be joined by new characters such as Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (Adele Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser).

Inside Out 2 releases in India on June 14.
On Sunday, a bus carrying pilgrims to the Shiv Khori temple in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district fell into a deep gorge, causing at least 9 deaths and injuring 33 others in a suspected terror attack. Bollywood took to social media to react to the tragic incident and pray for those who lost their lives.

Riteish Deshmukh was one of the first ones from Bollywood to put out a post. Taking to X, he wrote, Heart broken & devastated with the visuals of the Reasi terror attack. Prayers with the victims and families. 

Heart broken & devastated with the visuals of the Reasi terror attack. Prayers with the victims and families.  Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) June 9, 2024

Actress-turned-politician and Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut took to Instagram Stories to pen a note on the suspected terror attack. I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack on the pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir. They were going for Vaishnodevi Darshan and terrorists open fired them only because they were Hindus. I pray for the departed and hope for the swift recovery of the injured. Om shanti, she wrote.

Anupam Kher, too, took to X to condemn it. He wrote, Angry, Pained and Saddened by the cowardly attack on pilgrims in Reasi. Jammu! May Almighty give the loved ones of victims the strength to bear the pain and loss. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Angry, Pained and Saddened by the cowardly attack on pilgrims in Reasi. Jammu! May Almighty give the loved ones of victims the strength to bear the pain and loss. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. #ReasiAttack #AllEyesOnReasi pic.twitter.com/FOpWsiuOeP Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) June 10, 2024

The bus was allegedly fired at multiple times in Teryath village, Poni area. The bus driver lost control due to the attack, leading to the tragic accident. Rescue operations promptly took place, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals. Authorities swiftly responded, cordoning off the area for investigation.
Celebrated actress and national award recipient Kriti Sanon is riding high on a wave of success, delivering hit after hit. As the star of films like Mimi, Kriti has firmly established herself at the top of her game. Recently, she addressed a heated industry debate regarding the increasing size of entourages for leading actors, which is driving up movie budgets.

In an interview with the Bombay Times, the newly-turned producer didnt shy away from sharing her thoughts. Kriti emphasized that while actors should indeed receive fair compensation, there is also a pressing need to scrutinize unnecessary expenditures. There are certain areas where a lot of unnecessary expenditure happens, Kriti remarked. In the end, it is the content that wins. She further elaborated that no matter how much actors are paid, if the core focus isnt on the content, if youre not focusing on the main thing, which is the content, I dont think the rest matters.

Since the beginning of 2024, some high-budget movies have unfortunately faltered, shifting attention to the profit and loss dynamics within the film industry. Reports indicate that last month, four film organizations and five talent agencies convened to address the spiraling production costs.

The Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), Producers Guild of India, Active Telugu Film Producers Guild, and Tamil Film Active Producers Association were involved in the recent discussions. Notably, filmmakers Farah Khan and Anurag Kashyap have voiced their concerns about the escalating demands of actors.

Kriti Sanon, weighing in on the topic with insights from both her roles as an actor and a producer, offered her perspective. Though she personally hasnt faced such exaggerated demands, she emphasized the importance of practicality. It should make sense at the end of the day But yes, we should be mindful of costs. We need to be mindful of everything on set, she stated.

On the professional front, Kriti is currently diving into production with her first venture, Do Patti, in which she will star alongside Kajol. The film is set to release on Netflix later this year.
Businessman Mukesh Ambani and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan were seen bonding over ORS at PM Narendra Modis swearing-in ceremony. In photos surfaced online, the business mogul and the Jawan actor were seated together at the event. In the pictures, the duo was seen sipping on ORS worth Rs 31 as they waited for the ceremony to begin.

Shah Rukh was seen wearing a black ensemble, which he styled with a pair of sunglasses. He tied his tresses into a neat ponytail. Whereas, Mukesh Ambani was seen sporting an all-white outfit. The photos revealed the two chatting. The photos took no time to go viral on social media. Check out the photos below:

Coincidentally, Shah Rukh was spotted with the ORS box just days after he was hospitalised for dehydration and heat stroke. He was dehydrated after a KKR match during IPL 2024. He returned to the spotlight during the finals with a mask on his face. The actor is said to have recovered but it seems like he is taking precautionary measures to stay healthy.

Meanwhile, the swearing-in ceremony took place on Sunday evening in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan under tight security. Five companies of paramilitary personnel, NSG commandoes, drones, and snipers were in place to ensure safety. Shah Rukh arrived at the venue with Mukesh Ambani and his son, Anant Ambani. The actor was also joined by his manager. The Dunki star greeted businessman Gautam Adani and also shared a warm hug with Akshay Kumar. A photo of their hug went viral.

Besides Shah Rukh, the swearing-in ceremony was attended by Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Kangana Ranaut, Anil Kapoor, Rajkumar Hirani and Vikrant Massey, among other Bollywood stars. Tamil superstar Rajinikanth also flew down to New Delhi to participate in the ceremony.

On the work front, Shah Rukh is expected to appear in the film titled King. Earlier this month, a fan shared a photo on X (formerly known as Twitter), claiming it was a sneak peek from the sets of King. The post captioned, First leak pic from the sets of #KING. SRK is currently shooting in Spain for the film.  caught significant attention. In the image, Shah Rukh is seen deep in conversation with a group of men, dressed sharply in a blue suit. The backdrop showcases a breathtaking landscape with serene blue waters and rugged mountains.

According to reports, King is set to depict Shah Rukh in a compelling role as a notorious underworld figure. Whats more, this film will serve as the acting debut of his daughter, Suhana Khan. The film will reportedly be directed by Sujoy Ghosh.
While it has become quite mainstream to see an actress don a bikini in a film, this was not always the case. Back in the yesteryear, when actresses like Zeenat Aman, Sharmila Tagore and Dimple Kapadia wore bikinis on screen, it was looked at as an act of defying societal norms. One such top actress was also Mumtaz, who wore a bikini in the 1972 film, Apradh. She recently recalled that she only wore the outfit after Feroz Khan convinced her to trust his vision.

I was one of the top heroines I could afford to say, Mujhe nahin pehena hai bikini (I could afford to say no, I dont want to wear a bikini). I didnt want to wear a bikini, but I said yes only because of Feroz Khan. He promised me that he would edit out the scene if I didnt like it, the veteran actress told Zoom.

I wore a bikini for Feroz Khan. I didnt have confidence but he had confidence in me. I had a complex about my typical heavy Iranian thighs. He promised me, Agar tujhe accha nahin laga toh main hata doonga (I will delete the scene if you disapprove of it). I knew I could trust him. If he promised me that he would cut the scene if I disapproved of it, I was sure he would not betray me. When I saw the scene, I felt that I was looking very nice. Later, I was approached by many producers with roles that demanded that I don the outfit, but I said no. Never wore a bikini after that, she said.

Mumtaz has often spoken about how Bollywood has become more progressive today, especially for women. Everything has changed so much. Todays heroines are so bold. We never used to wear such revealing clothes. Doesnt a woman look glamorous even in a saree if it is worn a bit low? she was quoted as saying in an interview published in SpotBoyE.

Recently, Mumtaz has been in the news for criticising her fellow actress Zeenat Aman for the latters pro stance on live-in relationships before marriage. Mumtaz had said in an interview with Zoom, Zeenat should be careful with what she is advising. She has all of a sudden come into this huge social media popularity, and I can understand her excitement about sounding like a cool aunty. But giving advice that is counter to our moral values is not the solution to increasing your following.
Pankaj Jha, an actor celebrated for over two decades in the industry, is currently capturing hearts with his portrayal of Vidhayak in Panchayat 3. His memorable lines Go kabutar, kabutar go and Gaali nahi toh ghazal suniyega have gone viral, endearing him to audiences everywhere. While he is being praised for his sharp and witty performance in Panchayat 3, he has also come under scrutiny for some controversial remarks he reportedly made about fellow actor Pankaj Tripathi and filmmaker-actor Anurag Kashyap.

It was suggested that Jha labeled Kashyap a liar and spineless and criticized Tripathi for glamorizing his personal struggles. However, in a recent interview with indianexpress.com, Pankaj Jha clarified that these statements were misrepresented by the media, claiming he never mentioned Tripathis name and that his words were twisted for sensationalism.

He shared with the portal, I never mentioned the name of any Tripathi in any of my interviews so far. You can go listen to all of my interviews, you will know I havent mentioned anybodys name at all. This is very childish thing to do. Why will I go talk all this to anybody? Media always needs masala, I never said anything such, they just made it up. Becoming an actor is not the ultimate achievement. Just like how every actor wants to become a big star, similarly several journalists are also running behind fame. They make up stories to gain attention and recognition.

The actor continued, This news makes no sense. He (Pankaj Tripathi) is a very good friend of mine. We have worked together in films. He is my junior after all. He came much later, I have been in films for a very long time. Similarly, Anurag Kashyap is my friend. He is like a brother to me. We have worked together in films Gulal and Back Friday. Why will I go around talking ill about them? All these news of me calling him spineless are all things twisted and made up. I dont have a control on who will write what, they keep making up stories for their own benefit. Journalists are trusted with a lot of responsibilities, they are expected to inform us with good news, news that can educate, inform, not twist statements for masala.

He added, According to me, a journalist is who translates the news just as it is, without tweaking it for personal benefits. In the old days, my grandfather used to look for a trusted person to carry his message to a person in another village. It is a very responsible job, this person was trusted with a crucial information and was respected for carrying the exact message and not making things up in between. And thats how it should be. Let them makeup stories and headlines, I am unbothered.

In an interview with Digital Commentary, Pankaj Jha discussed losing the role of Sultan in Gangs Of Wasseypur to Pankaj Tripathi. When asked about possible internal politics, Jha responded that he remains unaffected by such politics, viewing those who engage in it as cowards. Addressing his relationship with Anurag Kashyap and missing the role despite their past collaborations in Gulal and Black Friday, Jha criticized the industrys spineless individuals who fail to voice their opinions. He recounted being called for the role by Mukesh Chhabra while on a shoot in Patna, only to find it had been given to someone else by the time he returned. Despite expectations due to friendships, he admitted he had limited awareness of the industrys workings at the time. Jha clarified that subsequent untrue publications stemmed from a conversation with a journalist, affirming he still holds no complaints and loves Anurag Kashyap.
Taha Shah, who shot to fame owing to his role in Heeramandi, spoke about his past struggles with getting clothes and the pressure to always wear new outfits. In an interview, he admitted to reusing clothes due to financial limitations. He also spoke of designer Manish Malhotras constant support, in a chat with Zoom.

I repeat my clothes, I dont have so much money to waste, said the actor. Speaking about the pressure to wear new clothes every time he appears in public, he added, Yes, you have to maintain certain style because every time people see you, wearing different clothes is like a must. Because whenever people see you, you need to look different. So you have to maintain that and it becomes a bit difficult but does it mean that when I am going out, I will not wear the same thing? I will wear it, I dont have so much money to waste.

The actor said that while he is thankful for the support he received from stylists and designers after gaining recognition, during less popular times, clothes were harder to come by, and it needed constant begging. We are blessed to have so many stylists and designers who give us clothes now. But this is after I got the recognition. But when I wasnt that popular, nobody gave me clothes, I had to keep begging and pleading them to give me clothes. But, there are also a few people who always stood by me, I will have to admit it too. One of them was Manish Malhotra. He would always invite me to events and dress me up. He has always told me to reach out to him if I needed anything. When I went to Los Angeles to attend a film festival, Manish Malhotra gave me his clothes. He did the same when I went to Dubai. I never had to pay for any of it, said the actor.
BTS member V aka Kim Taehyung is currently serving his compulsory military service in the South Korean army. While the idol is busy with his duties, a video of him meeting a senior Korean artist has caught the attention of the Internet. Recently, V was spotted at a special military event in Chuncheon. The event, which, according to Allkpop, is a part of Koreas Month of Patriots and Veterans was held on June 9. It included performances by famous artists. During this event, V was spotted interacting with Big Mamas Lee Ji Young, while he was on patrolling duty.

According to the video, Young initially didnt recognise the BTS member in his uniform. Then, V introduced himself and greeted her. Lee Ji Young looked visibly surprised and flushed upon knowing this. After a short exchange, V said goodbye and continued with his duty.

Lee Ji Young has also shared the video of the duos interaction on Instagram. She recounted their interaction and expressed how pleasantly surprised she was by Vs gentleness in person.

In her post, Lee Ji Young wrote, Today, after finishing my performance at the Chuncheon Veteran Culture Festival, a handsome soldier greeted me as I descended the stage. I realised he was BTSs V, my junior.

His stage presence always impresses me, but seeing his gentleness off-stage was unexpected. Wearing his uniform, he looked even more magnificent, she added.

The artist also mentioned that she hopes V completes his military service healthily and that she looks forward to seeing his wonderful self again.

Watch it here:

Fans of the duo also shared the clip on social media widely and even tried to decode their conversation.

 Hello Sunbaenim! I'm V from BTS. : Oh? Wow V from BTS!  Right now, I'm patrolling as part of the military police.: Oh, I see. u look so cool in your uniform.  ( shy ) I have to go where my duty calls, see you next time.  Thank u pic.twitter.com/Qj0wR3wJtX  (@winterberry0430) June 9, 2024

V was reportedly in his military SDT uniform and looked different from his other photos that fans are accustomed to seeing. Delighted fans also shared their admiration and respect for the BTS member and expressed that he looked handsome and cool in the uniform.

Taehyung is reportedly serving in the Double Dragons unit of the Special Duty Team of the Military Police, reports Allkpop. He is scheduled to be discharged on June 10, 2025.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan received George Sharvashidze, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Armenia, reported The President's staff.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you and the friendly Georgian people on Independence Day. I am confident that the existing special relations between our states will contribute to the further expansion of our bilateral agenda and the conquest of new horizons. Our relations are also exemplary in the sense that they show how neighboring countries should treat each other. Today, we are witnessing how Georgian friends, hand in hand with our colleagues, are restoring the flood-damaged railway in the Tavush and Lori regions. Our relationship was formed in such small episodes and continues to develop in the same spirit.

Friendly ties are growing stronger every year, and I am glad that in January, 2024 our countries signed a joint declaration on establishing a strategic partnership. This means that we have already reached a new level of relations at the state level, and our countries, in this logic, will continue cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other spheres, said President Khachaturian.

The Ambassador of Georgia to Armenia, in turn, thanked for the warm welcome and congratulations. As you have already said, our relations have a long history. I am very glad that our brotherhood reached the level of strategic partnership when a joint declaration on establishing a strategic partnership was signed in January between Armenia and Georgia.

I would also like to express special gratitude on behalf of our government for voting at the UN General Assembly on June 4 for a resolution on the right of return of all displaced persons and refugees from Georgian Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia. It is very important for us".

Issues of cooperation between neighboring countries were discussed at the meeting. TThe importance of the events dedicated to the anniversaries of Sergey Parajanov and Charles Aznavour in Armenia and Georgia was touched upon.

An exchange of thoughts took place on the importance of the demarcation process between the South Caucasus republics. In this context, the need was emphasized to promote steps to establish a stable and lasting peace in the region, based on the fundamental rights and principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of countries.
Zeenat Aman has shattered several glass ceilings in her career. The veteran actress has always been known for her candour and progressive mindset. She even played a sex worker in a film in which her character enjoyed her profession, without any moral guilt. This film was Manoranjan and Zeenat Aman recently recalled shooting for it.

The veteran actress took to Instagram and wrote, If Ive had a steady companion through my career, its been the moral police. And, my goodness, did they have a field day with this one! Manoranjan defied existing conventions. It was an adaptation of the fabulous 1963 American comedy Irma Le Douce, and it featured me in the starring role of Nisha. A sex worker with a sense of dignity, independence and humour.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zeenat Aman (@thezeenataman)

Filming Manoranjan was a haste-haste, khelte-khelte affair. It was Shammi Kapoors directorial debut, had RD Burman in the role of music director, and Sanjeev Kumar as the leading man. The producer FC Mehra was a family friend. We shot the film entirely in studios in Mumbai, and it released in 1974, she said.

Speaking about her character, Zeenat mentioned, Nisha was no damsel in distress! Her outfits were flirtatious and sexy, but more importantly, she was unapologetic about how she earns a living. This was a character that I could have fun with: sexually liberated, financially independent, and fully capable of locking horns with, and turning down, any man.

The veteran actress continued, Ive always maintained that I am a directors actor, and I do believe Shammi ji coaxed out one of my better performances with this film. The music and costumes were also a hoot. In aaya hoon main tujh ko le jaoonga we dance upon gigantic musical instruments, chori chori solah singar (sung by Asha ji) has a titillating shower sequence, and dulhan maike chali is pictured entirely in a police van full of sex workers being taken to the police station and was sung by all three Mangeshkar sisters! If youre interested, you can watch these on YouTube.

The 70s were a wonderful time to be alive! Despite the moral police (theyre always around) the atmosphere of experimentation, freedom and fashion was unmatchable! I wonder if some of my older followers remember this film? Id love to hear your memories of watching it or any discussion it may have provoked, she added.

Zeenat Amans post caught Priyanka Chopras attention. She took to the comments section and wrote, Moral police is still around and will continue to be around it seems! But you are beyond .
In the Islamist hunting ground of Jammu and Kashmir, Hindus have a target permanently painted on their backs. In fact, the hallowed laws of secular morality and human empathy routinely bend to the will of Islamist bigotry. Nothing is sacrosanct. And as dawn broke, dozens of Hindu pilgrims realised this. A hail of bullets ripped through the sides of a bus, piercing flesh, cracking bones and snapping arteries. Shot through the chest, the bus driver fell dead. As his limp body slumped on the wheel, the bus careered off the road into the gaping jaws of awaiting death.

Several are dead, several wounded. The limp lifeless form of a toddler, a virtual sacrificial offering to satanic zealots, is a cruel reminder of the indifference that is complicit in an unending genocide.

Indeed, nothing has changed.

Almost three and a half decades earlier, in 1990, on a cold winter day, hate announced itself from the minarets of Islamist irredentism. The miasma snuffed out Hindu lives. For the legionnaires of the faith, Hindus were reviled Kafirs that had to be exterminated. Not a speck of impurity  warned the bloodthirsty mullahs  must stain the pure ground of the caliphate that was to be established in the name of the one and truly merciful God.

Hindus became the subject of ghoulish crimes. Those who escaped simply became invisible. The holocaust meant nothing. Theres not even a pretence of acknowledging the inhuman crime, let alone the hope of justice. The lakhs of genocide survivors have been bureaucratically processed by the state as migrants.

Immunity for the perpetrators has bred impunity. And thats why more and more Hindus die, day after bloodstained day, in Jammu & Kashmir, at the hands of emboldened radicals.

Make no mistake, the several who were condemned by a Pakistan-sponsored Islamist terror group to near-certain death in Reasi are the pilgrims of a lesser God. Why else would the dastardly depravations they have had to endure fail to stir the conscience of civil society?

Where are the moderate Muslims of Jammu & Kashmir? Dont they realise that their couch-bound protestations have become so formulaic that they give off the whiff of criminal apathy? And what of that clique of committed secularists who lit a candle for Rafahs dispossessed? To them, we ask, dont the Hindus of India have a right to return? Dont they have an equal right to life?

And the omnipresent state? When will it safeguard the lives of Hindus so they too can offer oblations at the altar of their holy of holies in Jammu & Kashmir? The promise of a secular state.

The solution, we are constantly told, lies in evolving a political solution grounded in the certitude of democracy. But what is one to do when democracy itself becomes a conduit to elect the horsemen of an apocalyptic religious fanaticism? What is one to do when civil society democratically votes en bloc in record hordes to elect a man of such blighted antecedents as engineer Rashid? Who can forget that this baleful figure publicly championed the cause of the Islamist state of Jammu & Kashmir.

When, we demand to know, will the nations gaze fall on Reasi?

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
As Bengal started warming up to the election mood at the beginning of this year, one incident and the following chain of events catapulted the states politics to the national stage. A team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers along with paramilitary forces were assaulted by a mob in Sandeshkhali, a village in the North 24 Parganas. When the team arrived to raid the house of Sheikh Shahjahan  a local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader  in connection with a Calcutta High Court-monitored investigation on the multi-crore ration distribution scam in the state, he managed to escape but was arrested 55 days later by the state police, only after the high court turned on the heat.

In the meantime, women in Sandeshkhali had erupted in protest, coming out on the streets in hordes carrying brooms and sticks. As the electronic media descended in the village, the women shared stories of suffering at the hands of Sheikh Shahjahan and his acolytesstories so shocking they seemed ripped from the pages of a fantasy novel. The allegations ranged from forcible usurpation of agricultural lands and converting them to shrimp cultivation ponds to terrorising Opposition political workers, but most scandalously, sexual exploitation of village women in the local party office for years.

Before the state government got a chance to recover from the impact of Sandeshkhali, it was hit by regular stinging criticism from the judiciary, on various counts and orders, that exposed massive corruption in the administration. Several ministers and leaders of the TMC were already in prison and not long ago, the most vocal member of parliament of the party was expelled on serious charges of malpractices. As the elections began, two big judgements shook the TMC government.

On April 22, the Calcutta High Court revoked the appointment of over 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff. Approximately a month later, the court also invalidated all Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates issued by the government after 2010, impacting an estimated 500,000 people. The state government had at the same time been facing organised protests on the issues of recruitment in government jobs and daily allowance rates for state government employees.

To state it briefly, the theatre of general elections opened in a manner that would be considered a dream sequence by any Opposition party. While the TMC appeared to be struggling to recover lost ground, the state BJP leadership and workers appeared euphoric, as if the party had already won and were just waiting for the verdict on June 4. Instead, their hopes and dreams crashed on that day.

The question plaguing the minds of many in and out of Bengal is how and where did the BJP lose the plot and how did the TMC achieve such a resounding turnaround.

At this stage, one can only attempt a preliminary analysis of the poll results. However, a cursory glance at the actual poll performance shows that the BJPs performance is not as poor when compared to the past and under prevailing conditions. It appears disastrous only when compared to high expectations.

Before the Modi wave of 2014 when the BJP obtained 17 per cent vote share in Bengal, its best performance was in the 1999 general elections when it had allied with its current arch rival TMC to get 11 per cent votes. The BJPs vote share made a steep jump to 40.6 per cent in 2019, just three percentage points lesser than the TMC. However, it lost two percentage points in vote share in the 2021 Assembly elections. Against an announced target of 200 seats, the party managed to win just 77. The vote share in 2024 has actually increased marginally. Thus, rather than being a disaster, the performance of the party has remained more or less at 2021 levels, with marginal improvement.

The problem is that a political party cannot stagnate for long. Either it grows or its support base disappears, as has happened in the case of the Left Front and the Congress in Bengal. With the state Assembly elections to be held within the next two years, the real question is whether the BJP can grow to meet expectations in the near future.

Needless to emphasise, if the BJP has to grow in Bengal, it must address the inhibiting factors. These factors can be categorised into three buckets: (a) organisational, (b) policy and communication, and (c) image-related. Since the 2021 elections, expectations for the BJPs performance had been rising. However, the extensive media coverage of the polls exposed the partys organisational weaknesses at the booth level. The BJP failed to counter the ruling partys multi-tier booth management strategy, which included voter intimidation tactics to prevent them from reaching polling stations and restricting the movement of the candidates by mobbing them.

One of the biggest factors hampering the growth of local-level leadership has been consistent violence before, during and after elections. The National Human Rights Commissions findings and the high courts observations on the state administrations complicity were nothing short of damning. Last week, the court even remarked that if post-poll violence persists, central armed police forces would need to remain deployed in the state for the next five years.

The organisational weakness at the top is of a different nature. To start with, there is no clear chain of command, and little coordination, agreement, or even trust seems to exist between the current state BJP president, the previous president, and the Leader of the Opposition. There are obvious differences among them in their ability to organise and inspire party cadres as well as in their ability to craft a narrative that effectively challenges the TMC government. Despite the myriad problems plaguing the state government, any attempts at a mass movement or even protests have been noticeably absent.

The lack of credible leadership has inevitably led to conflicts between groups within the party, each loyal to a particular leader. This lack of trust and credibility extends to the district and village levels, particularly as old party workers are sometimes sidelined in favour of new members from the TMC and other parties. In what should be an embarrassment for the party, this internecine conflict has spilled over to the public gaze, with leaders and defeated candidates at various levels airing their grievances and criticising the partys candidate selection, support mechanisms, and even malpractices among leaders and workers.

The consequence of all this has been the partys failure to translate public disapproval of the ruling party into votes and, therefore, seats by ensuring that supporting voters reach the polling booth.

While the TMC skillfully turned around all the negative factors surrounding its government through relentless counterattacks on all Opposition leaders and institutions, including central investigative agencies and even the judiciary, the state BJP failed to capitalise on the hugely favourable environment. There was neither a coherent narrative focused on the grievances of the various disaffected sections nor an intelligent campaign to highlight the massive central sector schemes against the misinformation campaign unleashed by the TMC.

Strangely, at a time when the Central government had stopped funds for MGNREGA and the housing scheme in Bengal, alleging corruption in the implementation of the schemes, the TMC turned the narrative around by successfully depicting it as the Centres conspiracy to deprive the state. Bengal BJP leaders completely failed to take data-based clarification to the voters. Even the massive public backlash on the Sandeshkhali issue was effectively turned around by the TMC with the help of a sting operation that showed the entire movement was orchestrated and sponsored by BJP leaders.

Instead of confronting this countercampaign head-on, the Bengal BJP attempted to bypass it by ignoring it as if it didnt happen. To make matters worse, Bengal BJP leaders appeared to ridicule the economically weaker segments for depending on the TMC governments social welfare schemes, forgetting that BJP governments in other states and even the Central government are heavily promoting similar schemes.

In contrast, the TMC effectively leveraged its organisational strength and technology to deliver targeted messages to individual voters, particularly women. This further exposed the BJPs weaknesses, as the party made little effort to engage with voters directly or understand their concerns. If politics is a battle of perception, the Bengal BJP has several miles to walk before catching up with the TMCs relentless onslaught.

While organisational and operational factors are easy to spot and will no doubt draw maximum attention in any post-poll analysis, the most important factor that played a role in the BJPs electoral performance is likely the partys image in Bengal. In recent years, the TMC, once a BJP ally, has effectively used its cultural front organisations to construct a narrative portraying the BJP as fundamentally non-Bengalia portrayal that has since evolved to paint the party as outright anti-Bengali. The Bengali word bohiragoto, meaning outsider, has become a permanent fixture in Bengals political discourse, implying not only the national BJP leaders who are primarily visible during election seasons but also the political culture that the party represents.

This perception has taken deeper root because of two main reasons. Firstly, the overreliance of Bengal BJP leaders on the brand image of Narendra Modi and other leaders such as Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath is evident in all their actions. It seems that the top leaders of Bengal BJP gain legitimacy solely from the blessings of the central leadership, rather than having worked their way up in the political field. Furthermore, the Bengal BJPs inability to effectively leverage judicial rulings and central agency actions with their own political strategies made them appear overly reliant on these institutions to address concerns about lawlessness in the state.

It is also apparent that the central leaderships understanding of Bengals complex history and culture is very limited, and the state leaders imitation of their style and language of politics doesnt help. This approach appears disconnected from the land and the common people, providing ammunition to parochial movements linked with the ruling party.

Secondly, despite harping on cultural nationalism, the state and central leadership have not been successful in integrating Bengal, the origin and centre of modern nationalist discourse, into their regular political narrative. The connect with Bengals political thinkers, including Syama Prasad Mookerjee, is wholly missing. The current discourse is mostly negative, being a broad-based criticism of the Left and the TMC regimes, without being clear on what is going to replace them.

A politically interested Bengali will struggle to find a coherent narrative on what the partys vision for the state is and what exactly are the ideological differences with other parties. This is particularly damaging for a state that has a rich political and intellectual history and a province that has gone through the trauma of partition and its long-drawn effects for decades. The party also faces a lack of clarity regarding its Hindutva ideology and its application in a state with a significant Muslim population, nearly a third of the total. Such a complex and sensitive issue demands a carefully nuanced and sensitive approach for any hope of political progress.

Despite these weaknesses, the Bengal BJPs 2024 performance is perhaps not as disastrous as it could have been. However, the partys prospects for the 2026 state polls hinge on its ability to address these fundamental challenges and regain lost ground.

Chandrachur Ghose is author of the national bestsellers 1947-57, India: The Birth of a Republic (2023) and Bose: The Untold Story of an Inconvenient Nationalist (2022), both published by Penguin. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modis third term gets underway, the government aims to hit the ground running. All Union ministries and departments have been asked to prepare their final presentation for the 100-Day Action Plan, which is likely to be presented before the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) and then the Union Council of Ministers next week.

The 100-Day Action Plan is ready. The 10 Sectoral Groups of Secretaries (SGOS) have already made presentations before the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister. The final plans will be presented before the PMO and the Union Council of Ministers in batches next week post the return of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the G-7 Summit in Italy, a senior government official told News18.

We have prepared our presentation, but discussions are still going on to add any new points or changes to it. We have been told to ready the final presentation. We are told that a final date will be given for presenting it in the coming days, but as of now, we have been informed that it will most likely be around June 17-18, said a second senior official, who didnt wish to be named.

The PM, while meeting the new Council of Ministers on Sunday before they took oath, had also asked the ministers to work on the 100-day plan.

According to officials, all ministries started work on their respective 100-Day Action Plan after a meeting with the PM on March 3 this year. The meeting was attended by top government officials, including Union Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba. All secretaries were divided into 10 groups called the Sectoral Groups of Secretaries (SGOS) and they were asked to prepare the plans.

The brief from the PM was to think big and ambitiously and no go for the routine tasks and low-hanging fruit when it came to the 100-day plan. The 100-day action plan includes not just rolling out of new or delayed projects, but also tracking progress on it for each year over the next five years.

Citing the example of one of the ministries, an official said the Ministry of Education (MoE) has several crucial projects, including implementing One Nation-One Data; taking forward Foreign Higher Education Institutions (FHEIs) policy; improving assessment and accreditation systems for colleges and universities; and wider implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), among others.

On March 3, in a meeting, which lasted for around nine hours with all the secretaries, PM Modi had said: This election will be different regular work will go on despite elections bureaucracy feels continuity despite the election season.

He told officers that, under his government, bureaucrats had forgotten what is a Sunday, and asked them to think big and not about the low-hanging fruits for the 100-day plan. The PM had also clearly told all secretaries that when I come back in June, I will review the 100-day and 5-year plan.

As per details with News18, the vision for the first 100 days is moving towards a citizen-empowered government high on technology adoption, digital empowerment and the use of Artificial Intelligence.

The six building blocks identified by the secretaries for the 100-day plan are Macroeconomy, empowered citizens, thriving and sustainable economy, technology and innovation leadership, effective governance, and Bharat as Vishwabandhu. The focus in the first 100 days is expected to be on greater empowerment of citizens, strengthening of institutions, clearly defined goals and targets, data-driven governance and a review of rules.
A day after Narendra Modi took oath for a third consecutive term as the Prime Minister of India in a grand ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the newly formed NDA government held its first Union Cabinet meeting at the Prime Ministers residence. Alongside Modi, 72 ministers, including 11 from NDA allies, also took their oath of office.

Out of the 72 ministers in the Council of Ministers, leaders of the NDA allies were assigned 11 berths. Six of these allies were given cabinet seats, while five were given minister of state positions.

Allies such as former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy from the Janata Dal (Secular) will head the Ministry of Heavy Industries and the Ministry of Steel. The Telugu Desam Partys Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu will be the new Civil Aviation Minister, a post previously held by BJP senior leader Jyotiraditya Scindia. Additionally, Janata Dal (United) leader Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh has been appointed as the Minister of Panchayati Raj and the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.

Here is the complete list of NDA allies and their portfolios in the Council of Ministers:
NCP Maharashtra president Sunil Tatkare has clarified that there is no difference of opinion between NDA allies BJP and the Ajit Pawar faction of NCP regarding the allocation of cabinet berths in Narendra Modis record-equalling third term Union Council of Ministers.

The NCP on Sunday turned down the offer to accommodate Praful Patel as a minister of state with independent charge in the new NDA government and said it was assured that remedial measures would be taken. Patel, the working president of BJP ally NCP, argued that since he had already served as a Cabinet minister in the Union government, assuming office as a minister of state with independent charge would be a demotion for him.

Power-sharing

As per the power-sharing arrangements, the NCP was offered one post in the Council of Ministers of the NDA government led by PM Modi. The BJP offered the seat to Praful Patel because its a MoS position, which we cannot accept for him as he has held a higher position before. But, there is an option being explored to secure us three Rajya Sabha seats: one vacated by Praful Patel and one more. That will strengthen our central-level position, said Tatkare.

Earlier, BJP leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Vinod Tawde called on Patel, who was reportedly upset at the demotion in the Union government. The NCP has two members in the Parliament  Patel in the Rajya Sabha and Sunil Tatkare in the Lok Sabha. The NCP is likely to increase its tally in the Rajya Sabha by two in the next few months.

Fadnavis said the BJP had decided on a criteria for handing out ministerial berths to coalition partners on the basis of their strengths in the Parliament. We cannot twist the criteria for one party. The NCP will be accommodated in the future whenever their will be an expansion of the Cabinet as they had requested for a Cabinet rank in the Council of Ministers, Fadnavis, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister said.

Loss of Baramati

NCP president Ajit Pawar said he supported the NDA and was seen at the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi. Earlier, Ajits NCP, part of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra along with the BJP and the Shiv Sena, performed poorly in the Lok Sabha polls and won just one seat (Raigad) from the four it contested. It also lost the prestige battle in Baramati, where Ajit Pawars wife, Sunetra Pawar, was trounced by sitting NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule.

On Monday, Sule said she was not surprised that the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) did not get a berth in Prime Minister Narendra Modis new cabinet. Speaking to reporters here on the 25th foundation day of the NCP, founded by her father, the Baramati MP said as the NDA holds its first cabinet meeting, it should grant full loan waiver for farmers.

During the UPA regime, the NCP worked as an ally in the Manmohan Singh government. Manmohan ji showed trust and love towards Pawar saheb, and he got two and a half cabinet berths although the party had only eight or nine MPs at the time, she said. The Congress did not think about numbers and respected the party as its ally, she said.

(With agency inputs)
Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls against Congress candidate Shashi Tharoor from Thiruvananthapuram, announced on Monday that he has planned a 100-day agenda for the Kerala capital region.

To all those who voted for me in these elections, I had said that as soon as PM @narendramodi ji assumes office as PM for the 3rd term, we will start working on the problems & issues of the people of #Thiruvananthapuram.

I have planned a 100-day agenda for TVM that I will work with PM, he said on X.

His statement came a day after his social media post about ending his public life created a flutter in political circles.

Chandrasekhar had initially posted on X about ending his public life but later clarified that he meant his tenure as a Member of Parliament and Minister of State had concluded.

He promptly deleted his initial post: Today, curtains down on my 18-year stint in public service, of which three years I had the privilege to serve with PM @narendramodi jis TeamModi2.0. I certainly didnt intend to end my 18 years of public service as a candidate who lost an election, but thats how its turned out.

Shortly thereafter, Chandrasekhar issued a new post saying the earlier one was by an intern and it created some confusion among a section of people about my future political work.
The swearing-in ceremony for the chief minister of Odisha will take place at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, June 12, at 4:45 PM, amid suspense over the BJP candidate for the chief ministerial position.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the recent state assembly elections, defeating the outgoing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The saffron party won 78 seats in the 147-member assembly, securing a majority for the first time in the state.

Subsequently, another BJP ally, N Chandrababu Naidu, the leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for the third time on June 12. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 12, at the Kesarapalli IT Park near Gannavaram airport.

The Naidu-led TDP, which contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election in alliance with Pawan Kalyans JanaSena Party (JSP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will return to power after defeating the incumbent Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).

The TDP alone won 16 MP seats in Andhra Pradesh, while the NDA alliance of TDP, BJP, and JanaSena collectively secured a total of 21 out of 25 seats.

PM Modi To Attend Both Events

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend both the swearing-in ceremony of Naidu as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and the ceremony for the new Odisha Chief Minister.

A day earlier, the BJP appointed senior party leaders Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav as its central observers to oversee the election of the leader of its MLAs in the Odisha assembly, who will take oath as the states next chief minister.

The party stated that its parliamentary board selected Singh and Yadav, who were actively involved in the state assembly polls, to oversee the meeting.

(With inputs from agencies)
The Indian government has issued a new security warning for millions of Android users with its latest bulletin courtesy, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) this week. The team has highlighted that these exploits have the potential to allow attackers to gain sensitive information and execute arbitrary code on your phone.

The new security vulnerability affects the following old and new Android versions:

 Android 12

 Android 12L

 Android 13

 Android 14

The number of phones running these versions in India should easily be over 30 million, which means the high severity ranked alert will be a worrying issue, not only for the users but the security agencies as well.

CERT-In Android Security Warning June 2024: What It Says

CERT-In highlights that multiple vulnerabilities exist within the framework, Google Play system updates, kernel, ARM components, MediaTek components, and Qualcomm close-sourced components.

These issues are deep-rooted into an Android smartphone and these manufacturers cater to security risks regularly. The list of brands includes the likes of Samsung, Realme, OnePlus, Xiaomi and Vivo who need to make sure they release security patches for these vulnerabilities right away.

It is vital that Google and its partners roll out the security patches that can fix the issues that have been informed by the Indian government. Because, successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow the attacker to obtain sensitive information, gain elevated privileges and cause of denial of service conditions on the targeted system.

Android Security Alert From CERT-In: How To Update The Software

Android users can go over to Settings  Software Update  Install Update  Restart phone to ensure the latest Android patch is installed on the device.
Microsoft unveiled its new AI-centric feature called Recall at the Build 2024 earlier this month which excited many and equally worried. The company has faced a lot of criticism for the feature which is able to screenshot everything you do on a Copilot + PC that will be slowly making their way to the market.

Microsoft has finally acted on its concerns and decided that customers will have a bigger say on using the feature. The company has confirmed that Recall will not be enabled by default and users who wish to use the feature can do so by changing the settings. If you dont proactively choose to turn it on, it will be off by default, Pavan Davuluri, who heads Microsofts Windows and Surface devices division.

Concerns about the feature reached new heights when a researcher named Kevin Beaumount claimed that the data processed by Recall was being saved in plain text without any encryption.

He pointed out that the data accessed through Recall and stored on the Windows 11 PC is readable when the person signs into their Microsoft account. Microsoft feels that AI can optimise search on PCs with Recall but its compromises seem bigger than the convenience on offer.

Beaumount even talked about the ease with which hackers can access this confidential data, especially when the PC is stolen or misplaced and ends up in the wrong hands. Microsoft will really need to fix these issues with Recall before it becomes widely available through Copilot + PCs later this year.

The AI hype is already facing concerns about privacy and user data security and the last thing you want is a big-scale data hack because of a feature that we didnt really need. Microsoft will surely need to rework the security aspect of Recall, especially when it can leak your data unknowingly and that could become a major issue for the company in the long run as it pursues its big AI ambitions.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS: On June 11, the capstone meeting of the Armenia-US Strategic Dialogue will be held in Yerevan, the foreign ministry said.

The session will start with the meeting of Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and the Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia James C. OBrien at the MFA of Armenia. It will be followed by the Session in enlarged format with participation of the delegations.
In a horrific head-on collision between two vehicles in the Amroha district of Uttar Pradesh, four YouTubers were killed and four others seriously injured on June 9. The deceased have been identified as Salman, Shahrukh, Lucky, and Shahnawaz.

According to reports, these individuals were recognised for making funny content for YouTubes Round 2 World channel. The group was reportedly driving home after celebrating a birthday when they collided with a Bolero vehicle travelling in the opposite direction.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Round2World Official (@round2world__official)

According to India Today, their Maruti Suzuki Ertiga collided with a Mahindra Bolero that was approaching from the opposite direction.

As per police officials, the victims were on their way to Bulandshahr from Gajraula for work when their vehicle was involved in an accident. The officials stated that four occupants in the other car were critically hurt.

Following the incident, a large crowd gathered at the scene, and the four were taken to Community Health Center (CHC) Gajraula Hospital by ambulance. When they arrived at the hospital, the doctors declared them dead in the earliest phases of their treatment, reported India Today.

The Amroha Police Department posted on X (formally Twitter) to confirm the news and provide updates on the accident.

The accident took place near Manota bridge under Hasanpur police station area of Amroha district on Sunday night (June 9), when two cars travelling at high speed collided. Four youths died on the spot, while four youths riding in the other car were seriously injured, said Hasanpur Circle Officer (CO) Deep Kumar Pant as quoted by NDTV.

Hasanpur Circle Officer Pant further said that the four men were close friends and used to make videos on YouTube. They were going to Bulandshahr for some work when they met with this accident on the way, he added.

According to police, the bodies of all four have been transferred to Amroha for postmortem examination. The deceaseds families have been informed. Senior officers have investigated the accident scene, police told India Today. Meanwhile, the injured people in the other vehicle are currently receiving medical attention.
New Delhi is often known for its chaotic traffic conditions and crowded public transport. Despite these challenges, people in the city are known for finding creative ways to travel around the city. Recently, a viral video captured global attention on social media platforms. The footage, shared on X, depicts an individual riding a white horse through the bustling streets of Jahangirpuri. This unexpected sight has sparked amusement across the internet, with users sharing humorous reactions. Many likened the scene to the iconic climax of the film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, where Imran Khans character rides a horse to the airport to reunite with his lady love. Others playfully speculated that the horse might be Sitara Singh from Panchayat season 3.

The viral video making rounds online showcases a young man seated atop a white horse, galloping along a bustling road. This intriguing clip has captured the attention of the internet, leaving viewers curious about their destination. The person who captured the video shared it on X with the caption, Jahangirpuri moment.

jahangirpuri moment pic.twitter.com/zvOgS94IM5 shrek | dmrc hater (@misterguacamol3) May 31, 2024

Reacting to the post, a user wrote, Ye toh Vidhayak ji ka ghoda hai. (This is politicians horse).

Ye toh Vidhayak ji ka ghoda hai Sarcastic Stree  (@SarcastixStree) June 1, 2024

Another suggested, Hes on his way to the airport.

He's on his way to the airport. Third condition fulfilled Changrezi (@changrezi) May 31, 2024

An individual shared, Jai Singh Rathore from Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.

Jai Singh Rathore from Jaane tu ya jaane na Ray (@aareRay) May 31, 2024

One more asked, Sitara Singh?

In other news, Vile Parle police in Mumbai sprang into action recently, seizing four horses and apprehending an individual accused of orchestrating an illicit horse-cart race on the Western Express Highway. The incident surfaced following a complaint lodged by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on May 13. Responding promptly, the police filed an FIR on June 6, prompted by purported footage depicting two horse riders engaging in a race along a congested road.

As per Hindustan Times, PETA India member Sunayana Basu stated, The Mumbai police have sent a clear message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated. The mental trauma and physical torture these malnourished and weak horses must have endured is hard to imagine.
Ryanair, an Irish budget airline, is well-known for its meticulous baggage regulations, extra charges and high cost of meals. But people can be incredibly creative when money is involved. Social media is flooded with videos demonstrating how to hack the system and avoid paying extra for excess luggage. Some even go beyond and wear layers upon layers of clothing, pretend to be pregnant and utilise phoney duty-free baggage to save money. Unfortunately, one flier wasnt able to get by security without being noticed, but they did put up a fight to save themselves an additional 70 (roughly Rs 6,000).

Online video shows the traveller removing his suitcases wheels and making his way to his plane. It shows him grabbing the luggage and pulling off the wheels, with a few of his fellow travellers lending a hand at the check-in counter.

A Ryanair representative informed Daniel, who was getting ready to catch a quick trip to the Spanish mainland, that he owed an additional $76 for his suitcase, which was slightly overweight, at the airport in Palma, Mallorca, in May, according to The Sun.

The men quickly calculated that it would be more convenient to break the bag than to pay the expensive cost. His friend David was one among those who assisted him in removing the suitcase wheels in order to achieve the allowed range required to travel without incurring additional expenses.

When Daniel took out the final four wheels, there was a burst of applause for him. Once the bag fit the specifications required by Ryanair, there was an even louder ovation.

A boy breaks the wheels on his suitcase so he doesn't have to check it in with Ryanair and saves 70 pic.twitter.com/GVhjsdH79m  Tansu Yegen (@TansuYegen) June 8, 2024

There are over 8 lakh views on the social media platform. The comments section, as expected, applauded the man and criticised Ryanair for their policies.

A user commented, This should be a feature from a product managers perspective.

This should be a feature from product manager perspective  A B C (@xyztreb) June 9, 2024

Another user noted, Even the staff were impressed.

even the staff were impressed Yash Chaudhari  (@YashPioneers) June 9, 2024

It was all worth it for the glorious cheering from other passengers, someone wrote.

it was all worth it for the glorious cheering from other passengers Emperor Pineapple  (@Pineapple160) June 9, 2024

Yet another user said, The guy handled the suitcase better than the airlines luggage operators.

The guy handled the suitcase better than the airlines luggage operators  Situn Mohapatra (@SlipperyTweets) June 9, 2024

According to the Ryanair website, all of their fares allow one compact personal item (40x20x25 cm), such as a purse or laptop bag. The luggage must fit beneath the seat that is in front of you. If you need additional baggage allowance, there are various options available to you.
JERUSALEM: Israels parliament prepared to vote on a contentious law on conscripting ultra Orthodox religious students into the military on Monday amid angry scenes in the Knesset as families of some of the Gaza hostages demanded more action to get them home.

Coming a day after centrist former general Benny Gantz quit the government in a dispute over the strategic aims of the Gaza war, the vote and confrontations underscored the volatile mix of forces buffeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, now increasingly dependent on his allies from the hard right.

The conscription bill, which must still pass further readings and committee hearings after Monday nights vote, would see a gradual entry into the military of some ultra-Orthdox Jews, who have traditionally resisted serving in the armed forces.

Although originally put forward by Gantz in 2022 under the previous government, he now opposes the measure, which he says is inadequate for the personnel demands facing the military.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, the last of a group of former generals left following the departure of Gantz and his ally, former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, is expected either to abstain or vote against the bill.

We have a great opportunity that should not be missed. The ultra-Orthodox public must not be pushed into a corner, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of one of the pro-settler parties in the coalition, said in a statement.

The issue of lifting some of the restrictions on conscripting ultra Orthodox men into the military has been a divisive issue for decades in a country where broad military service has been seen as one of the bedrocks of its security.

Resented by many secular Israelis, it has been more sensitive than ever since the start of the war in Gaza, in which more than 600 Israeli soldiers have been killed.

Mondays vote would not be the final stage and the bill could still undergo significant modifications in subsequent readings but lawmakers said they expected it to go through in a vote expected to take place after midnight.

The conscription law will pass, said Yinon Azoulay, a member of Shas, one of two parties in the coalition representing the ultra Orthodox Haredi community.

As parliament prepared to vote on the bill, there were angry exchanges at a meeting of the finance committee, where members of some of the hostage families waylaid Smotrich and demanded the government do more to bring the captives home.

Inbal Tzach, whose cousin Tal Shoham was one of the 253 Israeli and foreign hostages abducted by Hamas gunmen as they rampaged through the communities near Gaza on Oct. 7, said ministers such as Smotrich needed to do everything to get the remaining 120 hostages back.

Smotrich, who has ruled out any deal with Hamas and has opposed proposals for a ceasefire deal which would bring the hostages back in an exchange for Palestinian prisoners, dismissed the families campaign as cynical.

I will not endanger the State of Israel and its people, he said. I will not stop the war just before the destruction of Hamas, because this an existential danger to Israel.

(Writing by James Mackenzie)

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CAIRO/TEL AVIV:U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged Arab leaders to pressure Hamas to accept a ceasefire proposal outlined ten days ago by U.S. President Joe Biden to end the eight month-long war in Gaza.

Blinken is on his eighth visit to the region since Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, triggering the bloodiest episode in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The trip comes as Washington seeks to increase pressure on Hamas to agree to a ceasefire deal with Israel and ensure the war does not expand into Lebanon.

Blinken said Hamas was the only outlier in not accepting the proposal for a three-phase deal involving the release of hostages and talks toward an end to fighting, to which he said Israel had agreed.

Hamas said in May it had agreed to a deal for a ceasefire and hostage-for-prisoners swap, but an Israeli official said at the time the deal was not acceptable to Israel because terms had been softened.

My message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region, is if you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes, Blinken told reporters before departing Egypt, where he met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

A senior Hamas official told Reuters that Blinkens Gaza ceasefire comments were biased to Israel.

MEETING WITH NETANYAHU

Blinken arrived in Israel on Monday evening, where he updated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on ongoing diplomatic efforts to plan for the post-conflict period, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a readout of the meeting.

Blinken also reiterated that the proposal on the table would unlock the possibility of calm along Israels northern border and further integration with countries in the region, Miller said.

Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel have been trading fire across the Israeli-Lebanese border since the onset of the Gaza war. Both sides say they are prepared for possible escalation.

The top U.S. diplomat said he would also discuss plans for governance and reconstruction in post-conflict Gaza during meetings with regional leaders in Jordan and Qatar.

The Hamas attack killed 1,200 people and took some 250 others hostage, according to Israeli tallies. In response, Israel launched an assault on the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said in its Sunday update, and reduced the enclave to a wasteland.

U.S. President Joe Biden on May 31 outlined a three-phase ceasefire proposal from Israel that envisions a permanent end to hostilities, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Blinken said Egyptian officials had been in communication with Hamas as recently as a few hours ago.

There was a sense of urgency on getting an answer from Hamas on the deal, he said, but declined to further detail his talks.

Ceasefire talks have intensified since Bidens speech and CIA director William Burns met senior officials from mediators Qatar and Egypt on Wednesday in Doha to discuss the plan.

Biden has repeatedly declared that ceasefires were close over the past several months, but there has been just one, week-long truce, in November.

Israeli forces rescued four hostages held by Hamas since October in a raid in Gaza on Saturday, during which 274 Palestinians were killed, according to Gazas health ministry.

Blinken did not respond when asked whether the raid had worsened hopes for a deal.

Ultimately, I cant put myself  none of us can put ourselves  in the minds of Hamas or its leaders, Blinken said. So we dont know what the answer will be.

Blinkens trip comes after Israeli minister Benny Gantz announced his resignation from Netanyahus emergency government on Sunday, withdrawing the only centrist power in the embattled leaders otherwise far-right coalition during the war in Gaza.

Blinken is expected to meet with Gantz on Tuesday, a senior State Department official said. They have met during previous Blinken visits to Israel.

The departure of Gantzs centrist party will not pose an immediate threat to the government. But it could have a serious impact nonetheless, leaving Netanyahu reliant on hardliners, with no end in sight to the war and a possible escalation in fighting with Lebanese Hezbollah.

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Geert Wilders, who heads the Netherlands right-wing PVV Freedom Party, reacted on Monday to the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district on Sunday where nine people died  mostly pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh  when terrorists opened fire at them.

Dont allow Pakistani terrorists in the Kashmir Valley to kill Hindus.

Protect your people India! Wilders said in a post on social media site X.

Wilders on several occasions has highlighted the issue of terrorism in Pakistan and has highlighted the plight of Hindus in both Muslim-majority Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Dont allow Pakistani terrorists in the Kashmir Valley killing Hindus.Protect your people India! #AllEyesOnReasi Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) June 10, 2024

He also backed the Bharatiya Janata Partys former spokesperson Nupur Sharma after she got embroiled in a controversy after she allegedly made derogatory comments about Prophet Muhammad. He held a telephonic conversation with her earlier this year and called her a symbol of freedom, not only for India but for the whole free world.

For years, Wilders has lived under police protection due to numerous death threats resulting from his outspoken remarks against Islam. According to a Sky News report, Wilders has relocated from one safe house to another for nearly 20 years.

I have received numerous fatwas from Pakistan and Arab Imams, but I am not afraid, he said last year.

Wilders party had been riding high in the polls since his shock triumph at national elections last year saw it force its way into a coalition government for the first time.

Voters in The Netherlands on Thursday boosted the party of anti-immigration eurosceptic Geert Wilders into second place at EU elections, an exit poll showed, after predictions of big far-right gains across the bloc at the four-day ballot.

However, estimates based on most of the votes counted confirmed exit polls that showed a Labour/GreenLeft combination was set to have won eight seats, slightly ahead of the anti-immigration party of Geert Wilders six seats.

Meanwhile, authorities identified the nine victims of the deadly terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district. Among the victims are four natives of Rajasthan, including a two-year-old boy, and three from Uttar Pradesh.

Ten people with gunshot wounds are among the 41 pilgrims  mostly from Uttar Pradesh  undergoing treatment in three hospitals of Jammu and Reasi districts, officials said. Terrorists opened fire at the bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district around 6.10 pm on Sunday, killing nine and injuring several.

The 53-seater bus, on its way from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra, veered off the road following the barrage of gunfire and fell into a deep gorge near the Teryath village of the Poni area.
Far-right parties made striking gains in European Union elections on Sunday, while the ultimate losers were French President Emmanuel Macron  and the Greens.

Here are five takeaways from the vote which saw Europes centrist political groups emerge relatively unscathed and higher turnout than in 2019 among the blocs 27 states.

 Far right ahead 

Europes far-right parties were winners in many places, coming out on top in France, Italy and Austria, while Germanys AfD came second  but still ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholzs SPD party  and the hard-right also did well in the Netherlands. But experts warned against reading too much into their success.

The far right did well but not excellent  lets not forget these are second order elections, said Francesco Nicoli, a visiting fellow at Bruegel think tank. We cannot say that this is a very, very significant push as things stand, Christine Verger, vice chair of Jacques Delors think tank said. There may be movements within the political groups. We dont know where some MEPs will end up.

A big question being raised is whether two main far-right groups in the parliament  Identity and Democracy (ID) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR)  can unite, creating a supergroup. Verger dismissed that notion out of hand. I absolutely do not believe in a unification, it is out of the question for ID and ECR to merge, she told AFP.

The ECR includes Italian far-right prime minister Giorgia Meloni, whose Brothers of Italy party came top in the elections. As to the far rights likely impact on lawmaking in the European Parliament, experts appeared sanguine. The rising number of far right MEPs will likely have only a limited impact on the EU, predicted expert Marta Lorimer. They do not form a blocking minority.

 Weaker Macron 

The biggest single loser of the elections was Macron after his liberal party received a drubbing by Frances National Rally led by Marine Le Pen.

The French president responded by swiftly dissolving Frances national parliament and calling for snap elections. France remains a large country with a president who has a lot of power, Verger said.

As the head of a major EU member state, Macron will remain an important player on the European stage. But she said the poor election performance of his Renaissance party would see it lose some influence within the Renew grouping that it belongs to, and the parliament in general.

 Return of von der Leyen 

Analysts agreed it was a pretty good night for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who hopes to secure a second five-year mandate after the vote. She will need the support of both the EUs 27 leaders and the new parliament  and in the latter respect the data suggests von der Leyen can breathe a sigh of relief.

Her party, the European Peoples Party (EPP), remains the parliaments biggest grouping and experts predicted she would be able to get the extra votes she needs. Based on preliminary results, Nicoli said she could rely on the support of the Socialists and Democrats with a choice between liberals, ECR and Greens as junior partner  and could deal with 20 defections or more in each scenario.

I think the elections could have been worse for her.

 Wilting Greens 

It was a disappointing night for the Greens political group, which is on course to lose around 20 EU lawmakers  in a result that came as little surprise.

Greens are the clear losers, and so is Macron, but again these were trends clearly evident before, Nicoli said. European concerns about security and the cost of living following the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022, and other issues including migration, displaced the environement as a voter concern. The Greens have not been very well placed to answer those demands, Nicoli added.

And all across Europe, right-wing opponents have successfully channelled discontent into anger at the EUs environmental push of recent years.

But Greens EU lawmaker Bas Eickhout saw the results as a mixed bag  and a bit more nuanced than just saying its a big loss. He pointed to the Greens success in the Netherlands and Spain as well as smaller countries in the north and Baltics, including Denmark and Lithuania.

 Higher turnout 

Around 360 million people could vote in the elections and in welcome news, turnout was the highest in 20 years at around 51 percent, according to provisional EU data. The good news for democracy is that the turnout looks likely to be above half of the electorate, although that is still below participation rates for national elections, and very low in countries such as Slovakia and Lithuania, said Heather Grabbe, a senior fellow at Bruegel.
VILNIUS: Hungarys President Tamas Sulyok will not attend the summit of the Bucharest Nine, a group of European countries on the eastern edge of NATO in Riga on Tuesday, Latvian presidents office said.

Hungary and the other central European nations have been at odds over Prime Minister Viktor Orbans continued cultivation of close ties to Russia and refusal to give arms to Ukraine.

Hungary will be represented by the Ambassador to Latvia, a spokesperson for Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics told Reuters on Monday.

She did not give reason for this, and referred to Sulyoks office for questions related to the Hungarian presidents agenda.

The Hungarian presidents office did not immediatelly reply to the request for comment, which was sent outside working hours.

The presidents of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia are usually represented at the annual summits of the Buharest Nine grouping. Thare countries are members of both NATO and the European Union.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who will be at the Riga summit, will visit Budapest the next day to discuss Hungarys staying out from NATOs Ukraine mission, Orban told state media earlier on Monday.

Hungary signalled last week it had no plans to abandon natural gas imports from Russia and sought to deepen business ties with Moscow in non-sanctioned areas.

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Amid the frayed diplomatic ties between India and Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked his Canadian counterpart on Monday following a congratulatory message from Justin Trudeau in the wake of Modis third consecutive win in the Lok Sabha elections.

In response to a social media message from Trudeaus office, Modi said India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each others concerns. This brief exchange comes as the relations between the two countries plunged last year when Trudeau alleged Indias involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has rejected these allegations.

Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each others concerns. https://t.co/QQJFngoMyH Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 10, 2024

Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each others concerns, PM Modi said. In a June 6 post on social media platform X, Trudeaus office said Canada stands ready to work with his government to advance the relationship between the two countries.

Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his electoral victory. Canada stands ready to work with his government to advance the relationship between our nations peoplesanchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law, it said. Last month, Canada informed India about the arrest of four individuals in connection with Nijjar murder case. New Delhi, meanwhile, has maintained that Ottawa has not shared any specific or relevant evidence or information till date.

Last week, a Canadian Parliamentary Report said India is the second-most significant foreign interference threat to the countrys democratic institutions and processes. The report suggests that Indias alleged foreign interference bid has expanded beyond countering pro-Khalistan elements in Canada. In the 92-page report, India has been mentioned 44 times. The report came a day after the Canadian PM congratulated Modi for securing a majority in the Lok Sabha Elections.
Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others were killed in a plane crash when the small military aircraft they were travelling in crashed due to severe weather conditions in a mountainous area region in Mzuzu.

The military plane, carrying Chilima, 51, and nine others, including former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, went missing on Monday when it failed to land as scheduled.

In a live address on state television on Tuesday, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed that the wreckage of the plane had been located after an extensive search in the thick forests and hilly terrain near Mzuzu.

Chakwera revealed that the aircraft had been completely destroyed, and all passengers on board had lost their lives upon impact.

The search and rescue team have found the aircraft  completely destroyed with no survivors, as all passengers on board were killed on impact, the President stated in his address.

Paying tribute to Chilima as a good man and a dedicated public servant, Chakwera highlighted his service to the country and described him as a devoted father, husband, and patriotic citizen.

Words cannot describe how heartbreaking this is and I can only imagine how much pain and anguish you all must be feeling at this time, as well as how much pain and anguish you all will be feeling in the coming days and weeks as we mourn this terrible loss, Chakwera added.

He further noted, I consider it one of the greatest honours of my life to have had him as my deputy and counsellor for the past four years.

Chilima, first elected as Malawian vice-president in 2014, was widely respected, particularly among young people. Despite facing challenges, including being stripped of his powers in 2022 due to corruption charges, which were later dropped, Chilima remained a prominent figure in Malawian politics.

Former First Lady Among Victims

The tragic crash also claimed the life of former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, along with seven other passengers and three military crew members. The group was on their way to Mzuzu to attend the funeral of a former government minister following Chilimas return from an official visit to South Korea.

India stands in solidarity with Malawi: Jagdeep Dhankhar

Taking to the social media platform X, Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar paid tribute to Chilima and expressed the countrys solidarity with Malawi.

Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic demise of the Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima in a plane crash.Our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased leader. India stands in solidarity with Malawi at this tragic time. Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) June 11, 2024

Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic demise of the Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima in a plane crash. Our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased leader. India stands in solidarity with Malawi at this tragic time, Dhankhar wrote in his post.

(With inputs from agencies)
YEREVAN, 10 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 10 June, USD exchange rate down by 0.17 drams to 387.54 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 6.04 drams to 416.10 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 4.37 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 3.94 drams to 491.98 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 633.40 drams to 28791.87 drams. Silver price down by 0.54 drams to 377.09 drams.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Sunday thanked Ashok Elluswamy for his contributions to the electric automakers AI/Autopilot software, since its inception. He highlighted that Ashok was the first person to join the Tesla AI/Autopilot team and then went on to lead it.

Musk thanked Elluswamy and said he was crucial for the development of the tech that has made self-driving cars possible.

Thanks Ashok! Ashok was the first person to join the Tesla AI/Autopilot team and ultimately rose to lead all AI/Autopilot software. Without him and our awesome team, we would just be another car company looking for an autonomy supplier that doesnt exist. Btw, I never https://t.co/7eBfzu0Nci  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 9, 2024

Thanks Ashok! Without him and our awesome team, we would just be another car company looking for an autonomy supplier that doesnt exist, Musk wrote praising the engineer who was also described by one of his professors as one of the top students.

Musk was responding to a post by Ashok Elluswamy on X, the social media platform owned by his boss. He wrote an article where he highlighted Elon Musks contributions to Teslas growth and how he drove AI and autonomy at automakers for which the company rose to such heights.

Earlier, Elluswamy had also praised Elon Musk in the article and gave a similar compliment, saying that without the billionaires ambition, Tesla would become just another car company.

FSD respects chicken that wanna cross the road pic.twitter.com/xQMBZHI7lw Ashok Elluswamy (@aelluswamy) March 24, 2024

Elon is critical for Teslas success in AI. It is his combination of deep technical understanding, insane perseverance and relentless hard work that have positioned Tesla to be a leader in real-world AI. Elons technical intuition to make these important decisions way before others see it is unmatched. If not for Elons ambition, Tesla might have dwindled to become just another car company, Elluswamy had written.

The robotics engineer, who holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication from the College of Engineering, Guindy in Chennai, thanked Elon Musk for pushing him and people at Tesla to achieve great things, even when such ideas were seemingly impossible at the time.

Ashok Elluswamy, who also holds a Master of Science in Robotic Systems Development from Carnegie Mellon University, said that Elon Musks requests to the engineering team to implement lane keeping, lane changing, longitudinal control for vehicles seemed crazy but said he pushed everyone to achieve those targets which in turn allowed them to roll out worlds first Autopilot system in 2015 against all odds.

Elluswamy, who describes himself as an engineer with vast experience in computer vision and perception, as well as planning and control, has worked with Tesla for over 10 years and previously worked as a software engineer at WABCO Vehicle Control Systems for over two years and later as a research intern at the Volkswagen Electronic Research Lab. He lives in San Francisco with his family.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong sent a congratulatory letter to Narendra Modi on Monday on his re-election, saying that the Indian Prime Minister shepherded the countrys remarkable transformation and uplifted the lives of millions of people.

I extend my warmest congratulations on your re-election as Prime Minister of the Republic of India. Over the past 10 years, you have shepherded Indias remarkable transformation and uplifted the lives of millions of people. I am confident that under your leadership, India will continue to grow and prosper, PM Wong said in the letter posted on social media platforms by Singapores top diplomat in India.

PM @LawrenceWongST has written to PM @narendramodi on #Modi 3.0. Singapore hopes to continue to cooperate closely with India! pic.twitter.com/kCWHrEhTgU Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) June 10, 2024

Singapore and India are strategic partners who share a warm and multifaceted relationship. As we look forward to the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, we will continue to cooperate closely to enhance this partnership and expand our collaboration in new areas like digitalisation, skilling, and healthcare, the Singapore PM added.

This letter comes as top leaders from Indias neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region including Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday graced the swearing-in ceremony of Modi and the Union Council of Ministers.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay and Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif also attended the glittering ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Modi took the oath for the third straight term, days after the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance secured 293 seats out of 543 in the Lok Sabha polls.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the participation of the leaders from Indias neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region on the momentous occasion of the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and Union Council of Ministers underlines Indias deep-rooted bonds of friendship and cooperation with the region.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Modi met the visiting leaders in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The leaders congratulated him for taking oath as the prime minister of India for the historic third consecutive term, the MEA said. Thanking them for gracing the occasion, the prime minister reaffirmed Indias commitment to its Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR Vision.

The prime minister emphasised that in his third term, India will continue to work for the peace, progress and prosperity of the region in close partnership with the countries even as it pursues its goal of Vikshit Bharat by 2047, it said.
Furniture, clothes, prams and shopping trolleys were found abandoned at what was once a campsite, prompting a mammoth clean-up.

The discarded items are the remains of a homeless campsite near Petrie Creek on the Sunshine Coast. Source: FacebookSource: Facebook

A mess of discarded belongings scattered along a riverbank has revealed the "disheartening" reality Australia currently faces, with homelessness on the rise across the country.

Over 800 kilograms worth of furniture, clothes, prams and shopping trolleys were found along Petrie Creek near the Sunshine Coast last week and prompted a four-hour clean-up mission by locals after the campsite was abandoned.

"Homeless people are doing it, they go in there, they make these homeless camps," Ian Thomson from Ocean Crusaders, an organisation dedicated to cleaning up public spaces, explained to Yahoo News. "We do the clean-ups all the time up there so we know that these things are going on."

Sheer scale of issue has 'disheartening' impact on wildlife

Ocean Crusaders have been cleaning up the local area since 2017 and Ian has seen an increase in the amount of mess littering the riverbank and extended area since then, believing the landscape would be "spectacular" if it was left untouched.

The clean-up effort took four hours, with Ocean Crusaders responding to more and more of these campsites. Source: Facebook

"People would spend time down there, but with homeless in the area and the amount of rubbish, it's not that pretty... it's disheartening," he said.

Even local wildlife has been impacted, with the platypus population just clinging onto survival thanks to Ocean Crusaders regular clean-ups. "Local organisations were saying that the platypuses had disappeared, but since we've been cleaning in the last couple of years, have actually come back."

Homelessness in Queensland

The latest census data found homelessness has risen at an alarming rate in the state  22 per cent since 2017  compared to the national increase of eight per cent since 2017. Approximately 10,000 people are homeless on any given night, with domestic violence, the competitive housing market and the rising cost of living all factors contributing to the increase.

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European politics is about to get a whole lot more 'polarising and populistic', experts say, as votes are tallied in the EU elections.

Lead candidate for the European Commission, current European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during an event at the European People's Party headquarters in Brussels. Source: AP

A right wing Europe appears to be "here to stay", political spectators warn, as votes are tallied in the European Union's parliamentary elections  sending ructions through the continent.

Far-right parties across the Europe have so far made "crushing" gains, delivering humiliating defeats to some of the bloc's most important leaders: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

The vote is expected to result in the balance of power shifting further toward conservatism in the 720-seat parliament, that helps shape and approve legislation in the powerful bloc.

With Macron calling a snap election in a bid to win back voter support on home soil and populist parties performing well in Italy and the Netherlands  where the far-right won the most recent local elections  many observers online have been left wondering "what's going on?" as EU politics is "going wild".

Some experts are asserting that European politics is about to get a whole lot "more polarising, more politicised and more populistic"  here's a look at what happened in some key countries in the June 6-9 EU elections.

Polling stations opened across Europe as voters from 20 countries cast ballots. Source: AP

France

This was the biggest bombshell of Europe's mass election night: President Emmanuel Macron's moderate pro-business party was so badly trounced by the far-right party of Marine Le Pen in the EU vote that he called a snap legislative election in France.

Propelled by her anti-immigration, nationalist ideas, Le Pen's National Rally party is forecast to win the most of France's 81 seats in the European Parliament  about twice as many as Macron's Renaissance movement.

Many French voters used the EU election to express dissatisfaction with Macron's management of the economy, farming rules, or security. The result hurts him as he tries to lead Europe-wide efforts to defend Ukraine and boost the EU's own defences and industry.

Hundreds of left-wing demonstrators gather for a protest against the far-right parties that came first in the European Parliament elections on June 09, 2024. Source: Getty

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron. Source: AP

The National Rally's lead European Parliament candidate, Jordan Bardella, promises to limit free movement of migrants within the EU's 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.

On the left, France's long-suffering Socialist Party surged behind lead candidate Raphael Glucksmann, who wants a more ambitious climate policy and protections for European businesses and workers.

Germany

The incumbent leader of the EU's richest and most powerful country, Germany, also suffered a blow.

Projections showed support for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats fell to 14 per cent, their worst post-World War II result in a nationwide vote. The opposition conservative bloc maintained its position as the strongest German party in Brussels as it looks ahead to a national election expected early of next year.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and lead candidate Katarina Barley. Source: AP

The far-right Alternative for Germany made good gains despite a string of scandals surrounding its top two candidates for the EU legislature. That's especially sobering to many, given Germany's Nazi past.

Germany's Greens, central to globally important EU climate policy, saw support slump. Germany will have the largest number of the new European Parliament's 720 seats at 96.

Italy

Premier Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, which has neo-fascist roots, is forecast to more than double its number of seats in the European Parliament since the last election. And that will hand her new power to influence policy in the EU. Voters gave Meloni's party even more support than in the last national elections in 2022.

Right wing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has consolidated power. Source: Getty

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. The centre-left opposition Democratic Party came in second, followed by the other main opposition party, the 5-Star Movement.

Italy has 76 European parliamentary seats.

Hungary

Long-serving autocratic Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban saw yet another election victory  but a new challenger has upended his grip on Hungarian politics. Orban's Fidesz party was expected to win 43 per cent of the vote, according to estimates from the EU Parliament.

Instead Fidesz was down nearly 10 points from its support in the last EU elections in 2019, and looked set to lose two seats. A deep economic crisis and a recent series of scandals involving Fidesz politicians have rocked the party which prides itself on upholding family values and Christian conservatism.

TODAY'S WORLDVIEW

A right-wing Europe is here to stay

The European Union, long hailed as a post-national bastion of liberal values, is not just hospitable to illiberal nationalism, but possibly a crucible for a new age of right-wing politics in the West.https://t.co/iFQ8hia8uq  Ishaan Tharoor (@ishaantharoor) June 9, 2024

Challenger Peter Magyar broke ranks with Orban's party in February and has built up Hungary's more centrist Respect and Freedom (TISZA) opposition party, which is expected to take 31 per cent of the vote. Orban 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 neighbouring Ukraine and precipitate a global armed conflict.

Slovakia

A pro-Western group won the EU elections in Slovakia, beating the party of populist, pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico just weeks after he survived an assassination attempt.

The assassination attempt didn't help Fico's leftist Smer (Direction) party, the senior partner in the governing coalition. Smer has been attacking the EU's support for Ukraine, as well other policies on immigration, climate change and LGBTQ+ rights.

Protesters sing Bella Ciao outside the European Parliament calling on Europe to unite against the far right. pic.twitter.com/qy2Bbj5TJf  Alexandra Brzozowski (@alex_owski) June 9, 2024

Progressive Slovakia won 27.8 per cent, or six seats in the EU parliament, according to provisional results. Smer follows at 24.8 per cent, or five seats. A far-right opposition party that wants Slovakia out of NATO, the Republic, finished third with 12.53 per cent and will have two seats.

with AP

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Zambia says it is engaging Zimbabwean authorities following remarks by President Emmerson Mnangagwa that the neighbouring country's security sector is heavily funded by the United States.

Zambian Information and Media minister Cornelius Mweetwa told Newsday that countrys Foreign Affairs ministry was engaging authorities in Harare.

Zambia and Zimbabwe enjoy cordial relations, we are one people. On that video, we do not want to make a quick response but our Foreign Affairs ministry is engaging the government of Zimbabwe over the issue. l also want to highlight that these matters are not for media consumption, that is my comment at the moment.




An early morning shooting at a rooftop party in Wisconsin left at least 10 people injured, including teenagers, police said Sunday. Nine people were injured by gunfire and another was injured by broken glass at the party at a high-rise apartment in downtown Madison, the AP reports. All of the injured were taken to local hospitals. None had injuries considered to be life-threatening, according to authorities. Madison police said in a Sunday afternoon update that at least one of the injured remained in a hospital. The victims ranged in age from 14 to 23.

"It is truly a miracle that no one is dead," Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said at a news conference. "As a community, our hearts are hurting." Police were called to the apartment complex around 12:45am. "These students should have been celebrating summer vacation and not receiving medical treatment," Barnes said. The shooting happened near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, but university officials said no students were known to be among those injured or involved. No one was in custody Sunday in connection with the shooting. Police believe they are looking for multiple suspects, as shell casings indicate two weapons were used, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.

(More Wisconsin stories.)
Far-right parties rattled the traditional powers in the European Union and made major gains in parliamentary elections Sunday, dealing an especially humiliating defeat to French President Emmanuel Macron, the AP reports. On a night where the 27-member bloc palpably shifted to the right, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni more than doubled her seats in the EU parliament. (Italy is one of three EU nations where populist or far-right parties currently lead governments, the other two being Hungary and Slovakia.) And even if the Alternative for Germany (AfD) extreme right party was hounded by scandal involving candidates, it still rallied enough seats to sweep past the slumping Social Democrats of Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Sensing a threat from the far right, the Christian Democrats of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had already shifted further to the right on migration and climate ahead of the electionsand the party was rewarded by remaining by far the biggest group in the 720-seat European Parliament and de facto brokers of the ever expanding powers of the legislature.
Virginia police investigating the murder of three roommates in their home got some help apprehending the main suspectanother roommatehundreds of miles to the north. New York state troopers spotted Alyssa J. Venable, 23, driving her Honda Civic and detained her after a high-speed chase roughly 100 miles from the Canadian border, reports the Washington Post . Venable has been charged with murder in the slayings of Robert John McGuire, 77; Gregory Scott Powell, 60, and Carol Anne Reese, 66, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, per CBS News .

The victims were found with "upper body trauma" when police conducted a welfare check at their residence, per NBC News. While authorities did not spell out how they were killed, Venable also is charged with using a firearm to commit a felony. As for a motive, the "investigation is ongoing and still in the early stages," says a statement from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office in Virginia. "We are withholding certain aspects of the incident." New York troopers laid a tire-puncturing device in the road that caused Venable's vehicle to crash after a chase that hit speeds of 100mph, and she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. (More Virginia stories.)
For the first time, researchers have found evidence that two distinct species of great apes coexisted outside of Africa many millions of years ago. It's an important, though contested, discovery that suggests European ecosystems in the Miocene Epoch, from about 23 million to 5 million years ago, "enabled, perhaps even forced, the evolution of diverse ape lineages," German paleontologist Madelaine Bohme tells Science News . Bohme was part of a team that previously uncovered fossils of Danuvius guggenmosi, an extinct great ape considered the oldest known upright walker, at Germany's Hammerschmiede site. In a new study, Bohme and colleagues identify a second species of great ape from the same stratigraphic layer as Danuvius, dated to 11.6 million years ago.

This one, dubbed Buronius manfredschmidi, was the smallest known great ape, researchers surmise based on three fossils: a partial upper molar and a kneecap from an immature individual and a partial lower premolar from an adult. The fossils indicate Buronius was a skilled climber of about 20 pounds who ate soft foods like leaves, according to the study published Friday in PLOS One. Danuvius, in contrast, was about twice the size and ate tougher foods like nuts, roots, mollusks, and the flesh of small animals, per Science News. This means the two species wouldn't have competed for resources, allowing them to coexist much like the modern gibbons and orangutans of Southeast Asia, according to a release.

Some researchers say the fossil evidence is too scarce to definitely prove a new species. Some speculate that the Buronius fossils came from Danuvius juveniles or infants. But if there were, in fact, two great ape species coexisting in Europe in the Miocene, it could lend support to Bohme's controversial theory that the continent was the true cradle of humanity, where the ancestors of African apes and humans first evolved. Miocene great apes are on the same family tree as modern chimps and humans. Bohme notes that with the addition of Buronius, there are now 16 European fossil ape genera related to modern great apes from roughly 16 million to 6 million years agothe period in which chimps and humans divergedor twice as many as from Africa, per Science News. (More discoveries stories.)
South Korea's military on Monday said it's detecting signs that North Korea is installing its own loudspeakers along their heavily armed border, a day after the South blared anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts for the first time in years as the rivals engage in Cold War-style psychological warfare. The South's resumption of its broadcasts on Sunday was in retaliation for the North sending more than 1,000 balloons filled with trash and manure over the last few weeks. North Korea has described its balloon campaign as a response to South Korean civilian groups using balloons to send anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets across the border. Pyongyang has long condemned such activities, as it's extremely sensitive to any outside criticism of leader Kim Jong Un's authoritarian rule, per the AP .

The tit for tat over speakers and balloons has deepened tensions between the Koreas as talks over the North's nuclear ambitions remain stalled. In their latest nuclear planning talks in Seoul, US and South Korean officials reviewed an undisclosed guideline mapping out their nuclear deterrence strategies to counter growing North Korean threats. They also discussed strengthening the allies' combined military training involving strategic US assets, the participants said in a news conference. Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff didn't immediately comment on the number of suspected North Korean speakers or where along the border they were spotted being installed. It said the speakers were still silent as of Monday afternoon.

South Korea on Sunday activated its loudspeakers for an initial broadcast into North Korea, which reportedly included news, criticism of North Korea's government, and South Korean pop music. Hours later on Sunday, Kim's powerful sister warned that the South created a "prelude to a very dangerous situation." She said South Korea would witness an unspecified "new response" from the North if it continues with the broadcasts and fails to stop civilian activists from flying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets across the border. "I sternly warn Seoul to immediately [cease] its dangerous activities that would further provoke a crisis of confrontation," Kim Yo Jong said. More here.

(More North Korea stories.)
King Charles III was born in November, but on the second Monday of June, many states in Australia celebrate King's Birthday to pay tribute to the monarch's arrival on Earth. The celebration in Melbourne, however, got off to a bit of a dark start, after someone vandalized a statue of King George V in the Kings Domain parklands, reports the Guardian . "It appears the head of the statue has been removed and red paint thrown at the monument," a local police rep says in a Monday statement.

9News Australia has video of the headless monument, which can be seen doused in red. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports a video is circulating online that shows an individual sporting a high-visibility work jacket and headlamp cutting the head off the statue. A person wearing a dark hoodie is then shown spray-painting the statue. The Guardian notes that statues of Queen Victoria and Captain James Cook have also been vandalized in recent months, including two that were cut off at the ankles. Police are seeking the public's help on the King George monument. (More King George V stories.)
They're not your usual beachcomber discoveries: About $450,000 worth of cocaine washed ashore on an Alabama beach last week, after similar stashes turned up along the Florida coast:

Alabama: The Mobile County Sheriff's Office says 55 pounds of the drug wrapped in 25 individual bricks washed up on Dauphin Island on Thursday, reports WKRG. The bricks were emblazoned with the "%" symbol.

The Mobile County Sheriff's Office says 55 pounds of the drug wrapped in 25 individual bricks washed up on Dauphin Island on Thursday, reports WKRG. The bricks were emblazoned with the "%" symbol. Florida, I: The day before that discovery, scuba divers off Key West found the same amount of cocaine sealed in bricks about 100 feet underwater, per CBS News. Those bricks had "Nike SB" labels and were turned over to the US Border Patrol.

The day before that discovery, scuba divers off Key West found the same amount of cocaine sealed in bricks about 100 feet underwater, per CBS News. Those bricks had "Nike SB" labels and were turned over to the US Border Patrol. Florida, II: About a month before those two discoveries, a beachgoer along the Florida Keys found a package with even more cocaine65 pounds, reports CBS Miami.

(Oregon also had something unusual wash ashore , but at least it was fishy in nature.)
A controversy involving Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, and St. Nicholas is unfolding in Italy's Puglia region, where the Group of Seven will hold its annual summit later this week. A copper plaque near the Basilica of St. Nicholas in Bari, around an hour away from the summit site, has Putin's name and signature, and some residents want to see it removed, possibly by Zelensky himself, the New York Times reports.

"Since Putin has been declared an international criminal, to have that plaque and to have his signature and his name on it, and display it proudly in front of the church, is offensive," says local businessman Alessandro de Biase. "If it was down to me, I would bring Zelensky here himself and ask him for help to take down the plaque."
Hunter Biden's fate is now in the hands of the jury in his federal gun trial. Deliberations began around 3:30pm Monday after closing arguments ended at the courthouse in Wilmington, Delaware and Judge Maryellen Noreika read out instructions for the jury, NBC News reports. Biden is accused of lying about his drug use on a federal form and illegally owning a gun in October 2018. Jurors deliberated for around an hour without reaching a verdict. They will return Tuesday morning.

"No one is above the law," prosecutor Leo Wise said in closing arguments, per the BBC. He said that the evidence against Biden was "overwhelming" and that jurors should not be swayed by the presence of Biden relatives, including first lady Jill Biden. "People sitting in the gallery are not evidence," he said.

Another prosecutor, Derek Hines, said if evidence doesn't show Biden was a crack addict when he bought the gun, then "no one is a crack addict," reports the Washington Post.

Abbe Lowell, Hunter Biden's, lead attorney, said the prosecution's arguments were based on "conjecture," NBC reports. He noted that the question on the gun form asked "are you" a drug user, not "have you" used drugs. He said Biden answered "no" because he was working on getting sober.
Wildlife rescuers and twins Paula and Bridgette Powers were called to the river in Maroochydore on Sunday to rescue a severely injured pelican.

Licensed wildlife carers Paula and Bridgette Powers were called to the river in Maroochydore on Sunday to rescue a severely injured pelican. Source: Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue/Facebook

Fishers are once again being urged to take extra care and clean up after themselves after two licensed wildlife rescuers made a disturbing find under an injured pelicans wing. A family enjoying a day of fishing in Maroochydore, on the Queenslands Sunshine Coast, on Sunday called twins Paula and Bridgette Powers for help after spotting the large bird struggling to swim.

We nearly had a heart attack when we lifted up the wing and saw all the gang hooks, the sisters told Yahoo News on Monday. Gang hooks refer to a series of fish hooks linked together on a line, which are designed for large bait.

She had another hook in another wing, she had another hook in the leg with a heavy sinker, and she was wrapped around with a lot of fish in line. She couldnt paddle properly, the poor darling.

Photos show the twins standing on the edge of the Maroochy river trying to coax the hesitant pelican toward them, which they say took about 10 minutes. The family that reported her, they were over the moon that we got her, the twins said, adding they have since named the bird Lizzie after their little girl who was so worried for her.

A family enjoying a day of fishing called the twins for help after spotting the pelican struggling to paddle. Source: Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue/Facebook

Twins able to remove all hooks and fishing line from pelican

The wildlife rescuers told Yahoo they were able to remove all of the hooks and tangled fishing line from the pelican on site. As they tended to it in the back of their van, a nice, kind fisherman came along and offered to help them cut the barbs off.

At first we thought we might have had to take her to a vet, but no, we managed to remove all the hooks, and she was so calm and collected in our arms  she was a good patient, they said.

Now shes just here at our centre on some rest time now, because she did have a bit of a slight limp, so shes on some antibiotics and pain relief. She wouldnt have got much sleep for the last few days.

The pelican will be in their care for at least a week before she is released.

Fishers urged to be responsible and dispose of tackle properly

The rescue and state of the bird has triggered renewed calls for fishers to be responsible and not dump unwanted materials  an ongoing issue plaguing the environment.

Several people have commented on the Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue Facebook page that the close call was a good reminder to those who fish to rescue all your lines and hooks when you can. The continued selfishness and indifference of people towards wildlife makes me so angry, one person fumed.

The twins said they removed multiple hooks and tangled fishing line from the female bird. Source: Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue/Facebook

There should be more awareness on the TV! Especially on those fishing shows. My husband always watches those shows and I never see anyone talking about being responsible with their fishing gear and what they leave behind, someone else suggested.

Another woman posted a photo of dozens of discarded fishing hooks and lures she found beside the lake in Beachmere, north of Brisbane, on Sunday. So careless, she said, adding she feared for dog owners who often walk in the area.

Paula and Bridgette told Yahoo they have been very busy this winter as pelicans return from their breeding season, just as the prime time for fishing begins.

As soon as they all started to come back, theyve all been getting into trouble, they said.

So thats what we tell people when theyre fishing to look left then right before they cast out. We know there are cheeky pelicans out there, but just throw a bit of bait onto the other side and then theyll go for the bait instead of the line  and dispose of their tackle properly too instead of throwing it on the beach.

How to fish responsibly, according to the Queensland Government:

Dont throw items such as cigarette butts, plastic bags, bottles, cans and discarded fishing gear into the water  they are common causes of marine and freshwater pollution that impact ecosystems.

Use environmentally friendly fishing tackle such as lead-alternative sinkers, biodegradable line and nonstainless steel hooks.

Recover fishing line and tackle from the water  reuse any tackle you find.

Check your fishing lines and gear regularly to make sure wildlife isnt caught in them.

Avoid fishing in bird feeding and nesting areas  keep your distance so as not to disturb them.

Collect and dispose of any discarded fishing line so it doesnt pose a risk to wildlife  dont leave anything behind.

If you find sick, injured or trapped wildlife, call the RSPCA hotline: 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625).

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TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, expressed Bahrains pride in its long-standing historical ties and robust strategic partnership with the US. HM the King said those relations were built on decades of mutual respect and keenness to achieve common goals.

The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces was speaking as he received yesterday General Michael Kurilla, the Commander of the United States Naval Forces Central Command, Commander of the US Fifth Fleet, and Commander of Combined Maritime Forces, at the Al Safriya Palace. His Majesty welcomed General Michael Kurilla while lauding the pivotal role played by the US in consolidating international peace and security.

He noted the efforts of General Michael Kurilla in further developing the Bahraini-American defensive and security cooperation as allied countries. During the meeting, HM King Hamad and the Commander of the US Central Command exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The 10-day Pinoy Food Festival has commenced at Nesto Hypermarket in Gudaibiya, featuring a variety of food products imported from the Philippines. Philippine Ambassador, Her Excellency Anne Jalando-On Louis, inaugurated the event alongside Nesto Hypermarket officials.

This annual festival is designed to introduce and showcase the diverse range of Philippine products to the local market and beyond.

Additionally, the festival provides an opportunity for Filipinos to celebrate their Independence Day. Nesto Hypermarket, with a significant presence in Bahrain and other Gulf countries, is known for its extensive selection of Philippine products.

At the inaugural ceremony, Nesto Bahrain Managing Director Arshad Hashim, General Manager Mohammad Haneef, Purchasing Head Abdu Chetiankandi, Finance Manager Sojan George, Assistant Purchasing Manager Naufal Kuzhungilpadi, Gudaibiya Branch Manager Shahul, Filipino officials, and representatives from Filipino club were in attendance.

Ambassador Jalando-On Louis praised Nesto for organizing the festival in conjunction with the Philippine Independence Day celebrations.

She highlighted the enthusiasm of Bahrainis and other expatriates for Filipino products and expressed appreciation for the various dishes and delicacies prepared for the event.

The Ambassador encouraged Filipinos in Bahrain to take pride in and promote their native products, emphasizing the availability of these items at Nesto This festival not only brings a taste of the Philippines to Bahrain but also strengthens cultural ties and fosters a sense of community among Filipinos living abroad.
New Zealand to end ban on oil and gas exploration

New Zealand to end ban on oil and gas exploration

AFP | Wellington, New Zealand

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

New Zealands government said Sunday it plans to reverse a five-year-old ban on new oil and gas exploration, igniting a backlash from political opponents and environmental groups.

A bill to be introduced this year would end the ban that has only allowed exploration for new petroleum on some onshore fields in the countrys North Island.

Resources Minister Shane Jones claimed the ban had stymied international investment and left the countrys energy security compromised.

Natural gas is critical to keeping our lights on and our economy running, especially during peak electricity demand, Jones said in a statement.

When the exploration ban was introduced by the previous government in 2018... it also shrank investment in further development of our known gas fields which sustain our current levels of use.

Greens co-leader Chloe Swarbrick said the government was tipping oil and gas onto the climate crisis fire.

We can have a more sustainable and efficient economy by prioritising clean energy that works with the environment, not against it.

Jones said the ban would mark the start of a suite of proposed amendments designed to spark investment, saying the petroleum and minerals sector contributed US$1.2 billion to GDP in 2020-21.

He said the government plans to ease how petroleum exploration applications are tendered.
The Patient Segmentation Model, powered by advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI), will categorize patients according to their health conditions and care requirements. Meanwhile, the Adherence Forecasting Model will leverage predictive analytics to forecast patients' medication adherence trends.

"Through AI, we're not just predicting patient needs; we're actively shaping a future where every individual receives the right care at the right time, enhancing the quality of life for all Canadians," says Stuart Cottrelle, President of Bayshore HealthCare.

These trailblazing solutions are set to optimize the patient journey and boost medication adherence across Bayshore's vast network, catering to over 350,000 patients nationwide. Harnessing the prowess of AI, these solutions can effectively segment patients and anticipate adherence issues, facilitating personalized care pathways and timely interventions. Bayshore is excited to work with industry AI and Patient experience experts from Deloitte Canada and Architech, separately to enable us to bring this solution to reality along with leveraging Manifold's novel behavioural and socio-demographic data to generate a 360 view of patients.

"We are excited to work with Bayshore HealthCare in their transformative endeavor, leveraging our expertise to allow Bayshore to drive innovation and shape the future of specialty healthcare delivery in Canada. I am excited about leveraging AI to allow Bayshore to identify at-risk patients and provide tailored interventions to improve medication adherence which is intended to reduce the burden on the Canadian healthcare system," Arslan Idrees, Partner at Deloitte.

This project is supported by a generous investment of $1.9 million from SCALE AI, taking the total investment to $6.3 million. As Canada's AI Global Innovation Cluster, SCALE AI identify cross-sector collaborative projects and provide funding and support to help Canada stay ahead of the AI curve.

"This initiative marks a significant milestone in the application of AI within the healthcare sector. At SCALE AI, we are proud to support initiatives that not only push the boundaries of technology but also bring tangible improvements to patient care. These AI-driven health solutions exemplify our commitment to fostering innovation that truly makes a difference in the lives of Canadians," says Julien Billot, CEO of SCALE AI.

Leveraging the principles of Human-Centred Service Design, the Bayshore Digital team collaborates closely with patients and caregivers to design digital healthcare solutions that offer world-class experiences.

"We're excited to announce the integration of advanced AI models into our ecosystem. These models will enhance patient segmentation, identify at-risk individuals due to discontinuation, and allocate clinical resources more effectively. These improvements will not only increase operational efficiency but also significantly improve patient outcomes. Our dedication to innovation ensures we deliver precise and personalized care, transforming the healthcare experience for everyone," says Dheeraj Paul, Director of Business Transformation at Bayshore HealthCare.

About Bayshore HealthCare

Bayshore HealthCare is a Canadian-owned company and one of the country's leading home and community healthcare service providers. The company aims to enhance the quality of life, well-being, dignity and independence of Canadians of all ages. With locations across the country, including 80+ home care offices, 11 pharmacies and 100+ community care clinics, Bayshore has more than 18,000 staff members and provides care to over 350,000 clients annually. Bayshore has been a recipient of Canada's Best Managed Companies award since 2006. https://www.bayshore.ca/

About SCALE AI ( scaleai.ca )

As Canada's AI Global Innovation Cluster, SCALE AI acts as an investment and innovation hub that accelerates the rapid adoption and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and contributes to developing a world-class Canadian AI ecosystem. Based in Montreal and funded by the federal government and the Quebec government, SCALE AI works with more than 500 industry partners, research institutes, and other players in the field of AI. The organization develops programs to support investments in companies that implement real-world applications of AI and encourage the emergence of future Canadian flagships in the sector, all while facilitating the development of a highly skilled workforce.

SOURCE Bayshore HealthCare

Media Contact: Michelle Ramos, Communications Coordinator, Bayshore HealthCare, 416-848-1756, [email protected]
Teena lost her business and fled an abusive marriage. After years of couch surfing, she landed on her feet. But that could be derailed after a notice turned up.

Teena Keys moved into a 'cabin' on her friend's property after struggling with homelessness. But the council has a problem. Source: GoFundMe/Geelong Advertiser

A domestic violence survivor who battled for years to put a roof over her head is again facing homelessness after her local council's "ridiculous" demand.

Geelong woman Teena Keys lost her business and fled an abusive marriage during the pandemic and as a result was forced to couch surf for three years around the state of Victoria, after being rejected from a total of 60 rental properties. Keys says she had all but run out of options when she decided to build a tiny home on her friend's 100-acre property in Anakie, about 73 kilometres southwest of Melbourne late last year.

Keys' home, which she described as "like a relocatable site hut", cost her just under $20,000 to build on the property, with the permission of her friend who owns the acreage.

However the council isn't happy about the arrangement.

Teena Keys is calling on Geelong council not to create unnecessary difficulties for Aussies trying to put a roof over their heads. Source: Facebook

Woman facing homelessness again after finally landing on feet

After a tumultuous five years, Keys said she was finally back on her feet when she received notice from the City of Greater Geelong council that she would be required to apply for a permit to remain on the property. She was given 60 days to comply.

With no guarantee the permit would be approved, which she said would cost thousands during the application process, effectively sending her broke, Keys branded the demand "unfair" from the council.

She believes it's a puzzling move from local authorities given she was invited to live on the privately-owned property by her friend.

"So I've got to hire a town planner first and of course that costs money," Keys told Yahoo News Australia.

"Then when I do put the application in, it can still be knocked back, even though I'll have to pay $2,000. And this is all before they even come to the cabin. I've got to get a building surveyor for that, so the building surveyor alone will be around $3,000."

Keys' home in Geelong is located on a 100-acre property owned by her friend. Source: Supplied

Keys said she required a loan to purchase the home, which she said "was pretty shabby" and like a "bloke's bathroom" before she fixed it up. She was finally feeling settled before the fresh wave of stress turned up.

"For me this was going to be stability that I needed  a roof over my head. During Covid, I was couch surfing for around three years, I didn't have stability," she said. "Losing the business, it just put me on the back. You know, you don't expect to be here at this age. You don't expect to be where I'm at."

Teena Keys spent $19,000 renovating a site hut into a home, but now is facing having to move if her council permit is rejected. Source: Supplied

Council objections 'hard to swallow'

The ordeal has been "so hard to swallow", Keys said, and it's been "really difficult" to "watch myself go through this again to be honest".

"And it's not just me, it's about all the other people who are facing similar," she said. "There are women and children sleeping in cars, there's elderly men sleeping down at the river in tents."

Keys said the increasingly dire lack of housing "is so common in our little town here in Geelong" and "it's so sad" to see. She's now urging the City of Greater Geelong to adopt a common sense approach when it comes to situations like hers, calling on the authority not to make things harder for people who finally find their own "solution" to the housing crisis.

"Wouldn't it be fabulous to get people off the streets and out of their cars" and into small homes on properties that are otherwise often only inhabited by "lonely farmers", she said.

"The stress levels you've got no idea, to be honest," she continued. "Some of these farmers are getting older, they need some help. It's a win-win situation."

City of Greater Geelong weighs in

Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, City of Greater Geelong Executive Director Placemaking Tennille Bradley said she "sympathised with Ms Keys situation and the challenges she is facing."

"Unfortunately, Geelong is not immune to the housing crisis that is impacting people across Australia," she said. However, we have received complaints, as Ms Keys is currently living in a relocatable shed on a rural property, which requires both a planning permit and a building permit.

"Our staff have been working with the owner of the property over the past five months to explore options, as the building breaches the planning scheme. We have exercised discretion on timeframes due to the circumstances of the situation  a standard time to comply once a complaint has been received is 28 days.

"Due to the presence of two dwellings already on the rural property, along with another habitable building, it is unlikely that a planning permit would be issued."

Last week, the property owner was was notified that they had 90 days to remove the relocatable shed, extending the original deadline issued in March to 6 September, 2024. Again, due to the circumstances, this is an extended timeframe, Bradley explained.

"We acknowledge Ms Keys circumstances, but these regulations are in place to ensure proper land use and safety standards," she said. "We must also respect the rights of the complainant to have their concerns addressed.

"We have reached out to housing providers and hope we can assist in finding a solution. Longer term, were working to increase the supply of social and affordable housing in Greater Geelong so that all members of our community can access a safe place to live.

"Were also exploring conducting a Tiny Homes on Wheels trial in Greater Geelong."

A fundraising campaign to support Keys can be found here.

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Suite of interactive exhibits and renewed visitor experience to open in Spring 2025

RED BAY, NL, June 10, 2024 /CNW/ - Parks Canada protects natural and cultural treasures in Canada and is proud to contribute to the country's world-class tourism destinations. As cornerstones of Canada's tourism industry, Parks Canada administered places are committed to providing visitors with high quality and meaningful visitor experiences and supporting tourism in communities across the country.

Photo Caption: Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and to the Minister of National Defence (Northern Defence) and Member of Parliament for Labrador, meets with Parks Canada staff (Rodney Nadeau, Brandon Stone, Billy Nadeau, Philip Bridle, Michael Yetman and Kirby Ryan) at the new Interpretive Boardwalk Circuit on Saddle Island, Red Bay National Historic Site. Photo Credit: Parks Canada (CNW Group/Parks Canada (HQ))

Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and to the Minister of National Defence (Northern Defence) and Member of Parliament for Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced funding for a new $3.6 million suite of interpretive offerings and interactive exhibits at Red Bay National Historic Site in Red Bay, Labrador following a community event. Through this federal investment  part of the $557 million in funding announced by the Government of Canada in late 2022  these experiential offerings will showcase this UNESCO World Heritage Site to visitors from around the globe starting in June 2025.

During the mid-16th century, large numbers of right and bowhead whales drew whalers from the Basque region of Spain and France to the Strait of Belle Isle, where they established a major whaling port at Red Bay. For some 70 years, Basque whalers made the dangerous, month-long journey across the Atlantic to hunt whales and produce the oil that lit the lamps of Europe. With this funding, and in collaboration with Indigenous partners, stakeholders and community members, Parks Canada will create new exhibit and interpretive installations that will transform the visitor experience at Red Bay National Historic Site. These will include interactive exhibits in the newly renovated Visitor Centre; outdoor interpretive elements, including an interpretive circuit on Saddle Island focusing on four interpretive nodes; and a Whaler's Memorial on Saddle Island. The new exhibits will acknowledge the long history of human occupation of the site, including Indigenous groups who came before and after the Basques.

Parks Canada recognizes the area now designated as Red Bay National Historic Site has been traversed and occupied by many peoples over the centuries. The arrival of the Basques crystallized the historical significance of Red Bay, but the land is of significance to many communities whose past is intrinsically linked to what is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Parks Canada recognizes the rich exchanges and collaboration with each of these communities, allowing for a project where many voices can express their stories, in their own words, and celebrate the world-renowned significance of Red Bay National Historic Site. Across the country, Parks Canada works in collaboration with Indigenous peoples to develop interpretive materials and activities at Parks Canada administered places with the goal of fostering a better understanding of Indigenous peoples' perspectives, cultures and traditions.

As part of Parks Canada's renewal of Red Bay National Historic Site, in 2019 a project was completed that combined the interpretive facilities at the site, which had been housed in two separate locations. Funded through federal infrastructure investments, the project amalgamated the existing visitor orientation centre with the visitor interpretation centre. With one main visitor centre, the story behind Red Bay's UNESCO World Heritage status will now be presented as a whole and the site's environmental footprint has been reduced supporting the Government of Canada's greening efforts. This past project combined with the funding for the site's new exhibits represents a total of $6.2 million in federal funding for Red Bay National Historic Site.

Quote

"The Government is committed to investing in local economies and supporting growth in the tourism sector. Through this federal infrastructure investment, Parks Canada is proudly contributing to the country's world-class tourism offer at Red Bay National Historic Site. These new, interactive signature exhibits will welcome Canadians and visitors from around the world for years to come, providing them with opportunities to learn about the rich natural and cultural heritage of the area, of the Basque whalers who made their livings here, of the Indigenous peoples that lived here for millennia and the community members who have made this UNESCO World Heritage Site their home."

Yvonne Jones,

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and to the Minister of National Defence (Northern Defence) and Member of Parliament for Labrador

Quick Facts

Featuring the most complete example of early industrial-scale whaling in the world, Red Bay National Historic Site allows visitors to immerse themselves in the Basque whaling tradition through a remarkable collection of original artifacts, archaeological remains, videos, models, interpretive exhibits and guided tours.

Red Bay is the most complete and most extensive example of 16 th century Basque whaling stations. It bears exceptional testimony to the Basque whaling tradition overseas. As an outstanding example of a technological ensembleall the significant components of the industrial process, including exceptionally well-preserved vesselsillustrating early European commercial exploitation of the rich North American natural resources are present, Red Bay Basque Whaling Station is considered by UNESCO to have Outstanding Universal Value.

is the most complete and most extensive example of 16 century Basque whaling stations. It bears exceptional testimony to the Basque whaling tradition overseas. As an outstanding example of a technological ensembleall the significant components of the industrial process, including exceptionally well-preserved vesselsillustrating early European commercial exploitation of the rich North American natural resources are present, Red Bay Basque Whaling Station is considered by UNESCO to have Outstanding Universal Value. This Government of Canada investment is part of the largest federal infrastructure plan in the history of Parks Canada. Over $180 million in federal funding has been invested in Parks Canada administered places throughout Western Newfoundland and Labrador including Red Bay and Hopedale Mission national historic sites in Labrador , and Gros Morne National Park and L'Anse aux Meadows and Port aux Choix national historic sites in Western Newfoundland .

investment is part of the largest federal infrastructure plan in the history of Parks Canada. Over in federal funding has been invested in Parks Canada administered places throughout and including and Hopedale Mission national historic sites in , and and L'Anse aux Meadows and Port aux Choix national historic sites in . The new interactive exhibits in the Visitor Centre will feature terrestrial and underwater artefacts discovered during excavations at the site, some of which have never been displayed publicly. The exhibits will also include outdoor interpretive elements; key among them an interpretive boardwalk circuit on Saddle Island that will tell visitors about the Indigenous history and communities of Red Bay , the industrial whaling history of the site, the wreck of the San Juan galleon, and the Saddle Island cemetery complex. The final piece of the interpretive offering is a Whaler's Memorial on Saddle Island.

, the industrial whaling history of the site, the wreck of the San Juan galleon, and the Saddle Island cemetery complex. The final piece of the interpretive offering is a Whaler's Memorial on Saddle Island. Well-designed exhibits, trails, and interpretive activities that are inclusive and accessible, offer flexibility of use to accommodate the various and evolving needs of visitors. The exhibits will offer engaging ways to learn about Red Bay National Historic Site, enriching current costumed interpretation programming and providing a launching pad for an array of new visitor experiences, including the creation of interpretive structures built to be reminiscent of those used by Basque whalers, including a cooperage and tryworks.

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SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)

Contacts: Kaitlin Power, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-230-1557, [email protected]; Media Relations, Parks Canada Agency, 855-862-1812, [email protected]; Kate Power, Partnering, Engagement and Communications Officer, Western Newfoundland and Labrador Field Unit, 709-458-7039, [email protected]
Amid a relatively quiet Pride year for North America brands, amplifying and learning from community informs more meaningful, effective marketing

LOS ANGELES and WINNIPEG, MB, June 10, 2024 /CNW/ - Marketing and public relations agency UpHouse recently conducted a study comprising 500 2SLGBTQ+ respondents across North America. Participants shared their thoughts about Pride marketing, including perspective on its authenticity, effectiveness, representation and relevance. Around 60 per cent found Pride marketing relevant, and 30 per cent of Canadian respondents found Pride marketing was very effective.

According to the data, the three most negative elements of Pride marketing are:

Alex Varricchio, Co-Owner of UpHouse, walking in the Winnipeg Pride parade wearing a #PrideWithUs shirt. (CNW Group/UpHouse Inc.) Stacha Penner, marketing coordinator at UpHouse, smiling and holding up a sign that says "Shine the way you are" at the 2023 Winnipeg Pride parade. (CNW Group/UpHouse Inc.)

the overemphasis on caricatures and stereotypes in the 2SLGBTQ+ community

the lack of diverse representation of the 2SLGBTQ+ community

the inclusion of 2SLGBTQ+ people only for token representation

All of these elements can help brands and their partners establish guidelines for marketing and policies that might be deemed "rainbow washing."

UpHouse, a Canadian-based agency with teams in Winnipeg, Los Angeles, Toronto and Vancouver, and Mat Meir Consulting, Toronto-based research company, designed the research to guide brands who seek to engage in Pride and the queer community. The quantitative and qualitative data indicates that marketers need to reflect on their own practices and make changes inwardly to guide brand storytelling.

Access the full report of the study's findings on the UpHouse website.

"If you're being called out for rainbow washing, there's a good chance it's because you are," said Alex Varricchio, Co-Owner of UpHouse. "When queer communities ask for support, they mean they want you to create an intentionally inclusive environment starting from within. At Pride, it's best to focus on sharing stories of positive actions you're taking as an organization, and demonstrating real, tangible efforts. As a company dedicated towards elevating messages that need to be heard, we know that when you listen and meet community expectations, you'll be able to build that trust with your customers."

The biggest critique in the survey responses was that brands overemphasize stereotypes and caricatures of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. In more favourable responses, people enjoy thoughtfully executed and creative marketing campaigns during past Pride months, such as from Skittles, Absolut Vodka and Nike  citing how they seamlessly blend advertisement with a genuine effort for advocacy and inclusion. Nike  citing how they seamlessly blend advertisement with a genuine effort for advocacy and inclusion.

"We expect and want brands to be allies to the community, which means being supportive outside of Pride Month, truly listening to our needs and making systemic changes that reflect that support. Allyship is often uncomfortable because you are aligning yourself with a group of folks who are not comfortable in society. When brands choose to neglect their support out of fear of receiving backlash, it damages the trust of the 2SLGBTQ+ community," said Calvin Campos, Founder of Calvin Campos Media, who spoke at a webinar UpHouse recently held. "The only way for change and liberation is to continue having the uncomfortable conversations. Show up. Apologize when you make a mistake. Take accountability. Change your actions. Allyship is not a destination. It is an ongoing practice and a commitment to showing up better every time you learn something new. Wherever you are on your allyship journey, this research is invaluable to brands and the ongoing practice towards supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community."

Click here for downloadable media assets.

For questions about the research or Pride in Practice, please inquire with UpHouse here.

About UpHouse

UpHouse Inc. Is an award-winning, diverse-owned marketing and public relations agency. It is a certified diverse supplier through Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce and is B-Corp Certified. With the purpose to inspire the social consciousness of brands, UpHouse works with organizations to elevate messages that need to be heard. It works to reflect society not just as it is now, but how it should be, ensuring communications are always authentic, accessible and represent diverse audiences.

SOURCE UpHouse Inc.

Brigit Harvey, [email protected], 431-478-1473 ext. 043
The national funder emphasizes the importance of including pets in emergency planning, to ensure pet

parents are ready for disasters, especially during wildfire season.

BURLINGTON, ON , June 10, 2024 /CNW/ -- PetSmart Charities of Canada, the leading funder of animal welfare in the country, urges pet parents to plan ahead amid common occurrences of wildfires, floods and other natural disasters. As recent wildfires across many parts of the country continue to impact communities, it is imperative to have an emergency plan for the whole family, including pets.

It was a moving moment when Susan and Chloe were reunited with the help of Nova Scotia SPCA following wildfires in 2023.

According to PetSmart Charities of Canada, 90% of pet parents surveyed said they wouldn't leave their homes during a disaster if they couldn't take their pets with them. One of PetSmart Charities of Canada's goals is to keep the whole family together by supporting pet parents with planning before an emergency arises, so they are better prepared for disasters.

As part of PetSmart Charities of Canada's commitment to helping pets in need, the national nonprofit has committed up to $150,000 in funding for local partners impacted by disasters.

"Pets are part of the family and should be considered during emergency response too," said Kate Atema, director of community grant initiatives at PetSmart Charities of Canada. "When disasters strike, our team quickly deploys funds and resources to make provisions for the evacuation, care and reunification of pets with their families. People rely on their pets more than ever during crises, so our support provides safety and peace of mind for the whole family. Last year, we saw so much need due to wildfires across the country that we increased our funding support by 150%."

For Pet Preparedness Month, PetSmart Charities of Canada has developed a checklist to help prepare for and navigate the process of evacuating with your pet, including:

Identification and Documentation : Keep updated electronic and printed photos and copies of your pets' identification tags, medical records, vaccination records, and essential medications in a water and fireproof container.

: Keep updated electronic and printed photos and copies of your pets' identification tags, medical records, vaccination records, and essential medications in a water and fireproof container. Emergency Supplies: Store necessary emergency supplies for your pet such as food and water, first aid supplies, crates, leashes, harnesses and sanitation items, such as litter boxes and waste bags.

Store necessary emergency supplies for your pet such as food and water, first aid supplies, crates, leashes, harnesses and sanitation items, such as litter boxes and waste bags. Temporary Shelter: Identify the places and spaces you can bring your pet such as pet-friendly hotels, friends or family members' homes and local animal shelters or veterinary clinics for temporary housing options.

Identify the places and spaces you can bring your pet such as pet-friendly hotels, friends or family members' homes and local animal shelters or veterinary clinics for temporary housing options. Transportation: Plan how you will transport your pet during an evacuation. Keep necessary tethers/seat belts on-hand.

Plan how you will transport your pet during an evacuation. Keep necessary tethers/seat belts on-hand. Practice and Preparation: Practice evacuating with your pet, using different routes and methods of transportation, and learn how to help your pet if they are injured.

Practice evacuating with your pet, using different routes and methods of transportation, and learn how to help your pet if they are injured. Stay Informed: Keep a list of emergency, family, and work contacts and refer to local social media sites for official information from emergency management agencies.

"Over 17 months, the Nova Scotia SPCA responded to two hurricanes, two wildfires, a blizzard and a flood," said Marni Tuttle, executive director of advancement at Nova Scotia SPCA. "PetSmart Charities of Canada has been our good Samaritan in nearly all of those difficult situations. With their support, we were able to rescue and shelter animals, while helping hundreds of families."

For more information on evacuation preparations, keeping pets safe during a crisis and to download a pet preparedness checklist, visit PetSmart Charities of Canada here. For more information on PetSmart Charities of Canada, please visit PetSmartCharities.ca.

About PetSmart Charities of Canada

PetSmart Charities of Canada is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in PetSmart stores across the country, PetSmart Charities of Canada helps thousands of pets connect with loving families each year. PetSmart Charities of Canada also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. Our grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crisis with access to food, shelter, and emergency relief. Each year, thousands of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities of Canada directly at PetSmartCharities.ca, while shopping at PetSmart.ca, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities of Canada efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in Canada, granting more than $35 million since its inception in 1999. Independent from PetSmart LLC, PetSmart Charities of Canada is a registered Canadian charity. To learn more visit PetSmartCharities.ca .

Media Contact:

Eni Ajilore: 647-461-4345

Porter Novelli for PetSmart Charities of Canada

[email protected]

24-hour media at PetSmart and PetSmart Charities: [email protected]

SOURCE PetSmart Charities of Canada, Inc.
According to Zhu Xichans, a professor at the School of Automotive Engineering of Tongji University, observation, the current capabilities of domestic [chinese] assisted intelligent driving systems are basically equivalent to FSD V11. However, the outside world has also questioned before that Chinas road conditions are more complicated than those in the United States. Will Tesla FSD be acclimated after entering China? The aforementioned autonomous driving industry insiders told reporters that Tesla will use shadow mode when iterating FSD, collecting data through embedded hardware and running the test version of FSD like a shadow without directly outputting control commands, but the calculation results will be It is compared with the actual operation of the driver or the control command output by the current version of FSD to iterate its own capabilities. According to his speculation, Tesla has already conducted similar training in China and is just waiting to obtain road rules.

In the second half of last year, many domestic car companies launched L2+ intelligent driving functions on the market, which are between L2 and L3. Zhu Xichan, a professor at the School of Automotive Engineering of Tongji University, once said that L2+ level intelligent driving has made significant progress in capabilities compared with the traditional L2 level, with the number of takeovers reduced from more than 20 times per 100 kilometers to 1 to 2 times per 1000 kilometers.

On April 28, Musk paid a whirlwind visit to China, aiming to promote the implementation of FSD in the country. In the evening of the same day, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and the National Computer Network Emergency Technology Coordination Center issued the Notice on the Testing of Four Safety Requirements for Automotive Data Processing (First Batch). The main content of the test is vehicle data security compliance. BYD 76 models from six companies including Li Auto, Lotus, Hezhong New Energy, Tesla and NIO meet the requirements. This means that Tesla FSDs restrictions on stopping and moving in China will be gradually lifted.
Security or self-sabotage? Exiled from their families, Shirley Hazzard and Elizabeth Harrower followed two very different writing paths

The publication of the letters between Australian writers Shirley Hazzard (1931-2016) and Elizabeth Harrower (1928-2020), edited by literary scholar Brigitta Olubas and journalist Susan Wyndham, provides a picture of mid-century life from the perspectives of two exemplary and, for too long in this country, underappreciated novelists.

Review: Hazzard and Harrower: The Letters  edited by Brigitta Olubas and Susan Wyndham (NewSouth)

The letters outline the womens four-decade friendship. Written from various locations (Sydney, London, New York, Rome, Capri) between 1966 and 2008, they describe the contours of their lives, their writing habits, their reading discoveries and preferences.

These are seen through the prism of their liberal progressive views on domestic and world politics. Among other events, their correspondence touches on the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, the election of the Whitlam government and its dismissal, the Arab-Israeli War, civil unrest in the United States, green bans in Sydney, and the opening of the Opera House.

As writers, Hazzard and Harrower had one eye on the likelihood of their letters becoming public. They each deposited the carefully composed, often typed letters with their papers in the archive.

What does this presume for the writers and readers of such letters? Both women remark that they are writing hurriedly to catch the post, but awareness of their missives future slips into view  through topics raised, expanded upon or avoided, and the public figures who are named or not. Discretion and intimacy are in tonal counterpoint throughout.

Read more: From dysfunction and provincialism to an elegant literary life: Gail Jones reviews the 'brilliant' first biography of Shirley Hazzard

Writers in exile

Three years apart in age, Hazzard and Harrower were both formed as writers by the fact of being Australian-born women. Neither identified as feminist, though each contributed to a woman-oriented aesthetic in their devotion to the novel form. Hazzard paid close attention to the wider forces obstructing the nearer force of loves desire; Harrower described women constrained by oppressive domestic and familial relations.

The letters are grouped into three periods with a brief editors overview. There are regular edits within the selected letters, which have been drawn from a much larger corpus, making the collection into a fluent text for a general reader.

Olubas is Hazzards official biographer, having edited the first critical edition of Hazzard scholarship in 2014; Wyndham, as a literary editor, had interviewed both writers and visited Hazzard at her homes in Capri and New York. Their introduction provides some clues as to why their subjects exiled themselves, either permanently or temporarily, from Australia.

Hazzard left permanently at the age of 16. Her fathers role as Trade Commissioner took the family to various countries after 1945. She spent time in Hong Kong and New Zealand, before arriving in New York. There, at the age of 20, she began work as a secretary at the United Nations, which also enabled her to work for the UN in Naples.

Within a decade, Hazzard was able to focus on writing full time. She went on to publish four novels: The Evening of the Holiday (1966), The Bay of Noon (1970), The Transit of Venus (1980), and the Miles Franklin and National Book Award winning The Great Fire (2004). There were solo and co-authored nonfiction titles between the fiction.

Financial security coincided with Hazzards cold-call submission to the New Yorker magazine, which contracted her for more short fiction. Within a few short years, an even grander level of financial security arrived with her marriage to the wealthy writer and translator, Francis Steegmuller. The couple, introduced to each other by Muriel Spark, became known as the Steegs.

Harrower lived in London for eight years in the 1950s where she wrote and published three of her four novels: Down in the City (1957), The Long Prospect (1958) and The Catherine Wheel (1960). Her acclaimed fourth novel The Watch Tower (1966) was written after her return to Australia.

In 1971, Harrower withdrew the manuscript of her fifth novel from publication, seemingly as a consequence of a negative readers report. It did not see the light of day for 50 years. Text Publishing eventually released the long-buried In Certain Circles in 2014. The novel was shortlisted for the Stella Prize the following year. Short fiction written and published decades earlier was also reissued by Text under the title A Few Days in the Country and Other Stories (2015).

Now into her ninth decade, the revival of Harrowers oeuvre had begun, not only in Australia, but in the United Kingdom and United States. Facilitated by Michael Heyward at Text Publishing, this revival coincided with Hazzards revival through Olubass scholarship.

Social work

Hazzard and Harrower also exiled themselves from their families in different ways.

Hazzards estrangement was practically complete with her parents divorce in the early 1950s. Her mothers volatile mental health could sometimes result in horrifying episodes. I just want to say that I hate you and your sister, she wrote in one letter to her daughter.

Harrower grew up in Newcastle, a town she found ugly and constraining like her mothers second marriage, which also ended in divorce. In an interview conducted late in life, Harrower said: having spent very little time with my few relatives, I dont remember them very well or often.

The women wrote to each other for six years before they met in London in 1972. Across 40 years, they met only six times. The letter writing began just as Harrower had given up fiction writing altogether. She had published three novels by the time of Hazzards first, but their writing lives had clearly diverged by the start of their correspondence.

Their celebration of newly arrived books was all one-sided. Harrower congratulates the Steegs on their new works, but they were unable to reciprocate. Both Steegmullers expressed great admiration for The Long Prospect and The Watch Tower, but, poignantly, during their decades of correspondence, Hazzards occasional prompting  do let us have a prospect of a (new) Harrower to read  was not rewarded with new work.

Hazzard remarks to Harrower on the similarity of their Australian childhoods in setting up their writing lives, but the material conditions enabling that writing could not have been more different. The Steegs, with an art collection worthy of loan to the Metropolitan Museum, established their writing discipline as if it too were a fine art. In one letter, we learn of them sitting at their breakfast table, looking across at each other, while making annotations on their different editions of Gibbons History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

While far from impoverished, Harrower appears to be seeking both the time and peace of mind to write. She was tirelessly involved with the business of supporting writers and writing events, including securing Hazzards entree to literary events, high-profile appointments and private dinner parties back in Australia. Harrowers close friend and neighbour, Patrick White, was a great supporter of her writing, but chided her for living as if she were a social worker rather than a writer  a shot at Harrowers busy involvement in several peoples lives.

One of these involvements of nearly two decades was with Hazzards mercurially charming but very difficult mother, Kit Hazzard. The catalyst for the womens letter-writing, Kit was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It was Harrower, not Shirley or her sister Valerie (by now living near her mother), who organised the documents for Kit to receive the pension, located a psychiatrist for her, monitored the medications he prescribed, and visited Kit at home, in the psychiatric hospital and, eventually, the nursing home, having also organised the disposal of Kits flat.

Hazzards letters to Harrower contain much love and warm wishes, along with the gift of an all-expenses-paid holiday with the Steegmullers for Harrowers loving attention to Kit.

Elizabeth Harrower. Text Publishing

Is this sense of responsibility for Kit, and others who received Harrowers attention, what Harrower meant years later when she referred to the self-sabotage of her writing career? How could Hazzard and her sister Valerie let Harrower take responsibility for the wellbeing of their mother for so many years, especially as the stress of it all seemed to have been contributing to Harrowers poor health?

These letters show that, along with the talent and disposition toward writing, a womans writing life can be made or unmade by luck as much as taking hard decisions. Hazzard had the steely skill for the latter and the financial means to uphold them.

Whites reference to Harrower as social worker was not his only allusion to the care she routinely provided her injured, unwell and unstable friends. Harrower was also involved in political activities that took her away from her writing. A member of the Australian Labor Party, she often acted as a conduit for writers and intellectuals seeking connections to federal and state governments and their cultural organisations during the short years of ALP power in the 1970s.

It is undecidable whether Harrower, discrete to the point of secrecy, was wilfully avoiding her writing vocation by these social worker involvements or temperamentally unable to make the hard decisions that Hazzard seems to have mastered.

We commonly expect friendships to be a democracy of two. With the writing lives of Hazzard and Harrower diverging so vastly during their years of correspondence, I wondered at certain points what was sustaining the friendship. Perhaps it was the letter writing itself, which enabled them to see, as if through a window, the life they might have lived if each had the others circumstances or temperament.

This article is republished from The Conversation. It was written by: Linda Daley, RMIT University

Read more:



Linda Daley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
When Courteney Cox jumped on a TikTok dance trend Sunday, she couldnt have been more prepared.

Because you cant start a fire without a spark.

For weeks now, the trend has asked people from Gen X (and older) to show everyone how they danced to Smalltown Boy, the 1984 song from British group Bronski Beat. It is often prompted by someone asking their mother or father the question and posting the resulting dance.

But when Cox, 59, tried the trend out on Instagram, it didnt feel quite right.

She quickly replaced the song with another from 1984  Bruce Springsteens Dancing in the Dark.

Anyone who has seen the music video for the song will know why.

For the opening of Springsteens Born in the U.S.A. tour in June 1984, a pre-fame Cox danced onstage with Springsteen during a performance of Dancing in the Dark at St. Paul Civic Center.

Cox, then 20 and a decade away from the premiere of Friends, had been picked in a New York casting call to dance with Springsteen in the music video, directed by Newark native Brian De Palma (Carrie, Scarface, The Untouchables) and filmed both the day before the tour and during the first concert.

But Springsteen didnt know that at the time.

So when De Palma asked him to invite Cox onstage to dance, the Boss thought she was just an enthusiastic fan wearing a Springsteen T-shirt.

Almost exactly 40 years later (give or take a few weeks), Cox zipped off her hoodie in the Instagram video to reveal the same shirt.

She then recreated her jaunty 80s moves from the music video, winning the dance challenge without even following the rules.

Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup.
Pete Townshend, co-founder, guitarist and principal songwriter of The Who, says hes feeling like less of a main band member and more of a substitute musician most days.

Townshend, 78, expressed his feelings in a recent interview with Mojo, sharing that bandmate Roger Daltrey is the one who typically chooses the musicians that go on tour with them.

I have not chosen any of the musicians I tour with  not even (drummer) Zak (Starkey), Townshend told the music magazine. When Roger brings me onstage I am filling the shoes of a guy called Frank Simes, who Roger tours with solo, and who is a guitar player and musical director.

I am happy to do it, Townshend added. Someone reading this will say, Stop f------ complaining, Townshend, and put a band together of people you do want to use. But that scares the shit out of me.

READ MORE: Legendary classic rock star hints at farewell tour before crawling off to die

Earlier this year while promoting his rock opera Tommy, Townshend admitted during a New York Times interview that a final tour would would be more about finances rather than the love of performing.

I dont get much of a buzz from performing with the Who, Townshend told the publication at the time. If Im really honest, Ive been touring for the money. My idea of an ordinary lifestyle is pretty elevated.

Townshend is set to release a 14-disc set titled Live in Concert 1985-2001, which features nine of his rare solo concerts, on July 26. Meanwhile, Tommy is currently on Broadway at New Yorks Nederlander Theatre.

More music coverage

Saleah Blancaflor may be reached at sblancaflor@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @saleyley and Instagram.
The nearly two dozen Bayonne residents who lost their homes -- and all of their possessions -- in a savage four-alarm inferno Friday night will receive assistance from the city, Mayor Jimmy Davis said Monday.

The mayor said he will arrange a meeting with the city Office of Emergency Management and the victims to give them access to numerous government and private entities who will provide assistance. Davis also asked fellow Bayonne citizens to donate gift cards, of any type and any denomination to the mayors office in City Hall.

As we do whenever our neighbors are in trouble, Bayonneites step up, Davis said. I will ensure these families get these donations.

The late-night blaze engulfed 31 West 11th St. and severely damage neighboring homes at 29 and 33 West 11th St. The homes at 31 and 29 have already been demolished, while 33 remained standing Monday afternoon.

A total of 23 people were displaced from their homes. The cause of the fire has not yet been released. No injuries were reported.

The residents of these three buildings lost all of their earthly possessions, Davis said. The victims were able to escape with the clothes on their back and not much else.

At least three GoFundMe campaigns have been established to help the victims of the fire. One is here, another is here, and a third one is here.
If you dont want to have a Cruel Summer, then make sure you see Taylor Swift in Liverpool!

Swift will head to Liverpool, England to perform at the Anfield Stadium on June 13-15, and fans couldnt be more excited.

Heres everything you need to know to see Taylor Swift live on her international tour.

Where to buy the cheapest Taylor Swift concert tickets

Throughout the Eras Tour, the cheapest last-minute tickets for Swifts 2024 concerts have been on StubHub and Vivid Seats.

As of now, the cheapest ticket for Swifts June 13 Eras Tour concert in Liverpool is $433 on Vivid Seats, with tickets being listed as high as $4,675.

For her June 14 show, the cheapest ticket at the time of publication is $493 on Vivid Seats, with other tickets being listed as high as $3,211.

Finally, for Swifts June 15 show, the cheapest ticket we could find is $592 on Vivid Seats, before fees. Other tickets were listed as high as $2,968.

First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout.

Fans also should check out other secondary sites to snag last-minute tickets, like TicketCity and SeatGeek.

Where is Taylor Swift playing next?

Taylor Swift will perform 84 shows throughout the second leg of her Eras Tour.

Her next show will be in Cardiff, Wales on June 18. Tickets are available on several secondary market sites, like StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketCity and SeatGeek.

A complete list of Swifts tour dates is available here.

Upcoming 2024 tours

Taylor Swift is not the only artist on a huge tour right now.

Here are a few more tours you wont want to miss: Morgan Wallen, Melanie Martinez, Olivia Rodrigo and Justin Timberlake.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
Christopher Malone Town, village and business reporter Follow Christopher Malone 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

AUBURN  The Hollywood Restaurant wasn't always called that.

When Dan and Rose Cecora opened their restaurant on Clark Street in Auburn in 1933, they called it Cecora's.

One of their first customers was a man from California who was in the area visiting family, recalled Joe Colella Jr., the Cecoras' grandson and the restaurant's current owner and chef.

"He told my grandparents, 'Your restaurant is fit for a star,'" Colella told The Citizen. "'You should call it Hollywood.'"

Ninety-one years later, the Hollywood is a wrap. Colella announced late last month that the Italian restaurant will serve its final meals on Saturday, June 29.

Colella took over the restaurant from his parents, Joe and Bridget Colella, in 1983. Sitting in its darkened dining room last week, the sun casting soft light through its stained glass windows onto the green tablecloths, he said it was simply time to close. He spent most of those 40 years working 10 to 12 hours six days a week, he said, so he's looking forward to retiring and enjoying life.

Theres got to be a cutoff point, he said. "Its physically and mentally wearing.

With a laugh he continued, "Friends would say, 'Joes all work and no play. Joes a dull boy.'"

Once upon a time...

The December after the Cecoras opened the Hollywood, Prohibition was repealed. Their original liquor license, issued in April of that year, is still mounted on the wall along with the original menu.

The restaurant's neon sign was eventually hung and its logo, a monk, was painted on the side of the building. Colella said the image was inspired by an adage similar to Ecclesiastes 9:7: "Eat thy bread with joy and drink thy wine with a merry heart." The Hollywood would live up to its name, serving celebrities that include Shelley Long, Neil Sedaka, Milton Berle and Christopher McDonald.

Colella's parents, meanwhile, ran the Town Tavern in Ovid where, despite being born in Auburn, he grew up until he was 9. He got his start in the restaurant industry there, washing dishes and cleaning. He also worked for his uncle, who owned a beer distribution company. In high school, Colella stepped into the kitchen, which prepared him to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Poughkeepsie.

By the time Colella graduated from the institute in 1976, the Hollywood had changed hands a couple times. After 17 years in business, the Cecoras leased it to another owner. Joe and Bridget Colella then took it over in 1964, and closed for a year to renovate it. They also closed their Ovid tavern, because as their son learned, running the restaurant required focus and balance.

"My mother was a very generous person. I like to say my mom gave everything away and my dad kept everything," Colella said. "I found a happy medium."

The future of the Hollywood

Despite finding that balance, Colella said much about running the Hollywood has remained difficult.

In recent years he has struggled to find staff and source quality food affordably enough to keep menu prices stable. He speculated that families having fewer children is the reason for the staffing challenge, noting that he doesn't have any of his own to inherit the restaurant. He has extended family in the food and beverage industry, but they haven't shown any interest in taking it over.

Selling, however, isn't an option, he said.

Standing behind the bar, dressed in white with a towel in hand as if ready to jump into action, Colella said he wouldn't have done anything differently at the Hollywood.

In many ways the four-story building is home to him, and not just because he lives in the apartment above. It's also filled with memories.

Pictures and other keepsakes line restaurant's walls  even his grandfather's bowling shirt from the 1930s  and everything from the dishes to the linens tells a 91-year-old, three-generation tale.

As that tale comes to an end, Colella will close out the Hollywood with condensed hours four days a week.

With people stopping for their last meals there, and overwhelming the restaurant's Facebook page with their own memories and messages of support, he shared his gratitude.

"I am saddened about what I have to do," he said. "I do appreciate the community that has supported us for years. "

Gallery: The last month of Auburn's Hollywood Restaurant
Trenton police are searching for a Toyota Rav 4 that struck a city woman earlier this month on South Clinton Avenue and left the crash scene.

The June 1 crash left Shydasia Merrick, 26, fatally injured. An EMS crew found her in the 800 block of South Clinton Avenue at about 4:30 a.m. after receiving a report of a person down in the street.

They took her to a city hospital believing she suffered cardiac arrest. Doctors and nurses that realized shed been struck by a vehicle and notified Trenton police. Merrick died a few hours later, before police could ask her about the incident, police have said

Police later went back to the scene and found debris from a vehicle that was consistent with a crash, police have said.

On Monday, the police department said investigators have identified the vehicle as a 2019 to 2024 Rav 4 that is white, and possibly an XLE or higher model with trim, a sunroof and color-keyed mirrors.

The vehicle also has or had damage to the drivers side, including the side mirror and headlight, police said.

Merricks heartbroken mother, Toshawn West, started a GoFundMe page on which she described the loss of her third child in five years.

The Mercer County Prosecutors Offices Serious Collision Response Team is assisting Trenton police.

Anyone with information about the Toyota can call the Trenton Police Department non-emergency line at 609-989-4000, or test their tipline, CRIMES (274637) and enter the word TPDTIPS, or via email at tpdtips@trentonpolice.net.

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Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com
A New Brunswick city councilwoman is facing charges of driving while intoxicated and reckless driving after crashing into a tree in March near her home in the city, authorities said.

Suzanne Sicora-Ludwig, 56, struck the tree at 11:39 p.m. March 8 on Edgebrook Road, according to court documents and police bodycam video posted online Friday.

Sicora-Ludwig was council president at the time of the crash, a fact she acknowledged to a New Brunswick police officer who arrived to investigate, according to the video.

Are you the councilwoman? the officer asks on bodycam recording.

I am the council president, Sicora-Ludwig replies.

The councilwoman told the officer she was driving home when she saw maybe some kind of animal crossing the street in front of her and swerved, striking the tree.

According to the citys website, Sicora-Ludwig was elected to the city council on Jan. 4, 2017, served as vice president in 2019-2020, and was sworn in as council president during her second term on Jan. 6, 2021.

Councilwoman Rebecca Escobar, who had been serving as vice president since 2021, is the current city council president, the government website shows.

New Brunswick police wrote in a crash report that Sicora-Ludwig was unable to tell the investigating officer how the crash occurred, only that she was coming home from dinner.

The report states Sicora-Ludwigs vehicle heavily damaged vehicle was on grass with the front end against a tree and the airbags were deployed.

Sicora-Ludwig was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital to check for injuries, though she did not complain of being hurt.

A court-authorized blood draw at the hospital showed Sciora-Ludwigs blood-alcohol content was above the legal limit for driving and she was charged with driving under the influence and reckless driving.

Police also charged Sicora-Ludwig with not having liability insurance, failure to possess an insurance card and driving an unregistered motor vehicle, court records show. After being given summonses to appear in court, she was released from the hospital.

Sicora-Ludwig is due to appear in court on June 27. Her attorney, Joe Surman, declined to comment on the case on Monday and referred to a statement she made during a June 5 council meeting.

At the meeting, Sicora-Ludwig urged the public to allow the legal system to take its course and avoid premature judgment.

Sicora-Ludwig said on the advice of her lawyer, she was not making public statements about the incident. I cannot speak to matters that will be adjudicated in traffic court, she said.

A spokesman for the city did not immediately respond on Monday to a request for comment on the charges.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Theres been a massive shift among the all-important independent voters when it comes to the rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

According to a new CBS/YouGov poll, Biden leads Trump among independent voters by two percentage points  50% to 48%. Its well within the margin of error, but amounts to a 17 point swing for Biden in June compared to Marchs polling.

 2024 GE: Among Independent voters



March

 Trump: 57% (+15)

 Biden: 42%

.

JUNE

 Biden: 50% (+2)

 Trump: 48%



Net 17 point swing towards Biden.



Trends

November: Trump +10

January: Trump +9

March: Trump +15

June: Biden:+2



CBS/YouGov: #4 (2.9/3.0) | LVs | 6/5-7 https://t.co/KaDi0bW7pQ pic.twitter.com/lV7PaWkOOb  InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) June 9, 2024

Roughly 7 in 10 of the voters in the GOP primaries and caucuses identified as conservative. But in 2020, conservatives were less than 40% of the general electorate; the rest were roughly split between liberals and moderates. Just 36% of moderates voted for Trump in 2020 and only 8% of liberals did.

And some potential weak spots for Trump are already showing, according to an AP survey. At least 2 in 10 of the voters in South Carolinas Republican primary and the Iowa caucuses said they wont back Trump in November, while approximately 3 in 10 in New Hampshire felt that way.

In each of the early states, Trump either lost or split voters with a college degree to Nikki Haley. Nor were the suburbs  where the plurality of general election voters live  particularly welcoming to him in the primary election. He split the suburban vote with his opponents in Iowa and New Hampshire and won the suburbs in South Carolina by a smaller margin than in the state as a whole.

Trump became the first former American president to be convicted of felony crimes in May after a jury found him guilty of all 34 charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex.

Judge Juan M. Merchan set sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where GOP leaders, who remained resolute in their support in the aftermath of the verdict, are expected to formally make him their nominee.

The verdict was a stunning legal reckoning for Trump and exposes him to potential prison time in the city where his manipulations of the tabloid press helped catapult him from a real estate tycoon to reality television star and ultimately president. As he seeks to reclaim the White House in this years election, the judgment presents voters with another test of their willingness to accept Trumps boundary-breaking behavior.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
Can the political left and the right live peacefully in this country?

Probably not.

Thats the mindset of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samual Alito, who got candid with a liberal documentary filmmaker, Lauren Windsor, who posed as a religious conservative and secretly recorded her recent exchange with Alito.

I dont know that we can negotiate with the left in the way that needs to happen for the polarization to end, Windsor told Alito at the Supreme Court Historical Societys annual dinner on June 3. I think that its a matter of, like, winning.

MORE: Martha-Ann Alito (and her flag fetish) caught on her own secret recording

I think youre probably right, Alito responded. On one side or the other  one side or the other is going to win. I dont know. I mean, there can be a way of working  a way of living together peacefully, but its difficult, you know, because there are differences on fundamental things that really cant be compromised. They really cant be compromised. So its not like you are going to split the difference.

People in this country who believe in God have got to keep fighting for that  to return our country to a place of godliness, Windsor went on.

I agree with you. I agree with you, Alito responded.

Windsor shared her story and recording with Rolling Stone.

EXCLUSIVE UNDERCOVER AUDIO:

Sam Alito x John Roberts x The Undercurrent 



1/ Justice Alito admits lack of impartiality with the Left, says: One side or the other is going to win. pic.twitter.com/b5nmxToZ9z  Lauren Windsor (@lawindsor) June 10, 2024

It comes after a neighbor that his wife has been in a dispute with alleged the justice lied to lawmakers about the timing of an American flag flown upside down at his home.

Democrats in Congress asked Alito to recuse himself from cases involving Donald Trump and the failed insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6 because the upside down flag  and another flag flown at his beach house  is synonymous with Trumps false claims that the election was stolen.

It was briefly placed by Mrs. Alito in response to a neighbors use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs, Alito told lawmakers in a written response to their request, refusing to recuse himself.

At best, hes mistaken, but at worst, hes just outright lying, Emily Baden told CNNs Erin Burnett on OutFront.

After news broke of the flag being flown upside down at their home, reports surfaced of an Appeal to Heaven flag  also carried by insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021  being flown on a flagpole outside Alitos home on Long Beach Island in July and September of 2023.

The justice rejected calls to step aside from Supreme Court cases involving Trump and Jan. 6 defendants, saying his wife hoisted the two controversial flags that flew above their homes.

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.
Volvo Car has started to shift production of Chinese-made electric vehicles to Belgium in anticipation that the European Union will crack down on Beijing-subsidised imports, the Times reported on Saturday.

The European Commission, which oversees trade policy in the 27-nation European Union, launched an investigation last year into whether fully electric cars manufactured in China were receiving distortive subsidies and warranted extra tariffs.

Also check these Cars Find more Cars UPCOMING Volvo EX90  1.50 Cr Alert Me When Launched BMW X7 2998 cc 2998 cc Multiple Multiple  1.27 Cr Compare View Offers BMW iX 111.5 kWh 111.5 kWh 635 km 635 km  1.21 Cr Compare View Offers Porsche Cayenne 3996.0 cc 3996.0 cc Multiple Multiple  1.27 Cr Compare View Offers Mercedes-Benz EQE 90.56 kWh 90.56 kWh 550 Km 550 Km  1.39 Cr Compare Porsche Macan EV 100 kWh 100 kWh 591 km 591 km  1.65 Cr Compare

Volvo, which is majority-owned by China's Geely, was considering halting sales of Chinese-built EVs bound for Europe if tariffs were introduced, the newspaper said, citing company insiders.

However, the report added that shifting production of Volvo's EX30 and EX90 models from China to Belgium means the company would not have to halt sales and was no longer considering doing so.

The manufacturing of certainVolvo models bound for the United Kingdom could also be moved to Belgium, Times said.

"It is premature to speculate on the implications of what this investigation will conclude, or any potential measures," a Volvo spokesperson told Reuters, referring to the EU's probe.

The decision to build the EX30 in Belgium, with production starting in 2025, is to build cars where they can be sold as much as possible, the spokesperson said, adding that the EX90 is being built in the United States, not China.

Volvo confirmed last October that it would be adding capacity in Ghent for EX30 production from 2025, the spokesperson said.

The EU's anti-subsidy investigation, officially launched on Oct. 4, can last up to 13 months. The Commission can impose provisional anti-subsidy duties nine months after the start of the probe.

Relations between China and the EU have been strained by factors including Beijing's closer ties with Moscow after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The EU is seeking to reduce its reliance on the world's second-largest economy, particularly for materials and products needed for its green transition.

Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.

First Published Date:
A young boy from Torridge recently played a significant role in commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Theo, a pupil at Clinton CofE Primary School in Merton, had been learning about D-Day, and the bravery of soldiers who landed in France on June 6, 1944.

Inspired by his school's lessons, Theo eagerly put himself forward to help with Ringing out for Peace, after hearing his mum was going to be involved.

ABOVE: Theo feeling very proud with his certificate for D-Day 80

Led by the local bell-ringing group, bells tolled across Shebbear, Langtree, and Black Torrington, followed by the lighting of a beacon, remembering the courage, bravery and sacrifice of the men and boys who fought for freedom 80 years ago in the largest naval air and land operation in history.

Under the guidance of experienced bell-ringer and teacher David French, Theo participated with enthusiasm and skill.

David said: Theo wanted to be involved and we were very happy to involve him. He took to backstroke like a natural ringer, even though only five, which we think probably makes him the youngest ringer to be involved in the national D-Day commemoration  Well done Theo  next practice night is on Wednesday!

David gave Theo a certificate which he proudly took into school to show his class the next day.

His name has also been included on the online Bell Board as a record of his involvement.

But Theo isn't alone in his passion for bell-ringing in Torridge.

Alongside him, Inca, aged 15, and Leon Lowson, aged 10, from Petrockstowe, have also found joy and fulfilment in mastering this age-old tradition under David's guidance.

ABOVE: The bell-ringers marking the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in St Petrocs, Petrockstowe, not long before the church was made redundant and handed back to the Diocese.

Inca said: Over the years I have been ringing, I have been honoured to ring at multiple national occasions, including in remembrance of the late Queen, and the coronation of King Charles III. For the marking of the Queens funeral, we rang for a full hour without stopping- afterwards I was so proud to have been a part of such a historical event.

Meanwhile, Leon, inspired by his sister, found joy in exploring different towers and churches while mastering the art of bell-ringing.

He said: I thought it looked fun, so wanted to give it a try. I enjoy going to different towers, seeing new churches and learning about their bells.

Both siblings find fulfilment in contributing to their school and community through their newfound skills.

Theos mother, Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, serves as a local district councillor, the lead member for culture and community engagement, and a member of the Local Schools Committee (parent governor) at Clinton School Merton.

She is also involved in the Saving St Petrocs Petrockstowe working group, which aims to preserve the redundant church building and its bells for future generations.

Cheryl said: Our rural churches and the ringing of the bells are so important to us; it is a huge part of our history, our identity, and our culture, and its vitally important that these skills are passed down to future generations. Its great to see young people getting involved and being inspired by their friends, and thanks must go to David and the other bell-ringing teachers for the patience and encouragement they give to new ringers.
Read the full story on Backfire News

Tow Trucks Are Going After Occupied Cars On San Francisco Roads

As weve covered before, crime in San Francisco is something real. Everyone can debate about exactly why that is, but theres no denying its a serious problem. But even we were shocked to see its gotten so bad in the city that now rogue tow trucks are apparently trying to take off with cars sitting at stop lights with people inside them.

Watch a tow truck steal a pickup towing a Polaris buggy in 19 seconds.

A software engineer walking down the sidewalk in the Financial District on April 10 pulled out his phone and recorded just such an incident. SFGATE shared that footage and weve included it so you can see for yourself.

ADVERTISEMENT

You see a Toyota Corolla stopped at a red light as a tow truck in front of it lowers the boom and starts angling toward the compact cars front tires. People watching the maneuver are obviously in disbelief, with one person asking whats he doing?

The driver of the Corolla backs up, realizing what the tow truck driver is attempting. In response, the tow truck backs up aggressively. A car behind the Corolla pulls into the right turn bay giving the Toyota driver an escape route, so he takes it.

At the same time, you can hear pedestrians on the sidewalk yelling at the tow truck driver, obviously outraged at the scene.

After the Corolla takes off, so does the tow truck, although its not clear in the video if the driver tried pursuing the Toyota.

However, a woman who claims to have been a passenger in the Corolla (she says her husband was driving) told ABC7 in an interview that the tow truck chased them for several blocks before giving up.

Whats really weird about the whole incident is that the name and phone number for the tow truck company are clearly displayed. Its not clear if the driver works for the company or if the truck had been stolen.

We have seen cases of car thieves stealing tow trucks, then using them to steal cars, but never to steal cars with people inside. Like we said, crime in San Francisco is next level at this point.

Story continues

Watch the video for yourself (warning: language).

Image via ABC7 New Bay Area/YouTube
An uneasy orchestral prelude sets the mood: muffled percussion, brooding woodwinds, anguished strings. The curtain rises and the first voices we hear are of two young men cowering in the shadows.

I  I  I cant .go to work, one stammers in German.

I cant board a plane  I cant sit with my back to the door, another says in Spanish.

They are living ghosts, traumatized survivors of a school shooting that occurred 10 years earlier, but the memory of which intrudes like an unwelcome guest on a wedding celebration taking place in the present.

So begins Innocence, the last opera by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho, who died of brain cancer last year. First seen at the Aix-en-Provence festival in France in 2021, it is now receiving its U.S. premiere in San Francisco beginning June 1.

For 100 intermission-less minutes on a split-level rotating set, the two worlds play out, separately at first but gradually intertwining as we learn the tragic connections between the bridegrooms family and the long-ago events at an international school.

She wanted to create a kind of thriller, said Clement Mao-Takacs, who will conduct the opera in the San Francisco Opera. Its very focused, which keeps the audiences mouths wide open and the heart beating from the first note.

As for the score, Louise Bakker, who is directing the production, said Saariaho had created atmosphere as much as music.

Dont expect long, romantic Puccini melodies, she said. Thats not what this is at all. But the beauty of this piece is in its truth and in its precision and what you can bring from that.

Simon Stone, who directed the premiere and will oversee the production when it arrives at the Metropolitan Opera in a future season, said the revolving set helps make audience members feel they are discovering the links between past and present for themselves.

I thought if I could turn the restaurant where the banquet is happening into the school slowly, gradually, throughout the production, he said, without the audience noticing, that they could be dragged into the same sense of intractable grief that the characters felt.

If that grief is palpable, less clear is the innocence of the title. It turns out no one in the story is without some responsibility, not even the waitress whose daughter was one of the victims and who is working at the banquet unaware the familys older son was the shooter.

Innocence is whats killed when an event like this happens, Stone said.

Curiously, Saariahos initial idea for the opera stemmed from Da Vincis fresco of The Last Supper.

Matthew Shilvock, the San Francisco Operas general director, recalls first hearing about the project over dinner with Saariaho in 2015.

Kaija was fascinated about the mindset of each of the 13 people around the table, he wrote in an article on the companys website. A group brought together in a moment of deep emotional impact, but each bringing their own perspective, history and reality.

From this kernel, Saariaho and her librettist, Finnish novelist Sofi Oksanen, developed the scenario, which has 13 singing or speaking roles: seven at the school and six at the wedding banquet. As if to underscore the different understanding each character brings to the events, nine different languages are used in the libretto.

Finland has not been immune from school shootings, with the worst of them being two that resulted in mass casualties in 2007 and 2008. But the prevalence of gun violence in the U.S. makes the subject especially sensitive here.

I wonder how American audiences will cope with its unsparing approach to a subject that, for several decades, has been locked in accelerating cycles of national insanity, critic Alex Ross wrote in The New Yorker after the operas premiere in 2021. No false tone of healing or hope is sounded at the end; instead, the circles of complicity keep widening. What rescues the opera from utter bleakness is the inherent beauty of Saariahos writing.

Acknowledging the sensitive nature of the topic, the SFO has put together a series of panel discussions and community outreach events focusing on such subjects as gun violence and depicting trauma on stage, screen and in music.

Despite the subject matter, theres a sense of things coming full circle in having the U.S. premiere take place in San Francisco. It was here, in 2018, again with Mao-Takacs conducting, that music from the opera was first performed by an orchestra.

Shilvock had arranged for the companys musicians to record excerpts so the creative team could experience the operas sound world. Saariaho was on hand in the auditorium.

It was crazy, and really moving, Mao-Takacs recalled. I will always remember the look of Kaija when I turned to her, and I was in the pit in the big empty hall and I said, What did you think?

And she had this beautiful sentence: It sounds like I want it, he said. She was expressing her joy in the orchestra sounding well, her pride in having been able to write exactly what she had in mind.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP  An Illinois woman, who claimed to be a home health nurse attempting to save a patient from a house fire, is accused of starting the blaze and stealing a dog from another home in the area, Porter County police said.

Police said they responded shortly after 1 p.m. Friday to report of a fire in the 700 block of Dodge Trail only to be told a woman was seen leaving burning residence and getting into a vehicle with Illinois license plates.

Officers located the vehicle in the rear of another property and held the woman in question, Veronica Makokha, 44, of Hazel Crest, Illinois, at gunpoint, according to the arrest report.

Makokha reportedly told police she was a home health nurse and had gone to a patient's home on Dodge Trail, entered and discovered smoke. She said she searched for the patient, but could not find him so fled in search of help, police said.

New, more severe charges filed in fatal domestic case that once pitched no jail time New, more severe charges, filed in Porter County fatal domestic abuse case that had plea for no jail time until judge rejected the proposal.

Neighbors reportedly told police the resident of the home, who was away on vacation, was not the person named by Makokha. The owner of the property said no one should be there, police said.

Police said a dog found in her vehicle was later reported stolen from another nearby home. Makokha reportedly told police she "obtained" the dog earlier in the day from the home of a different client.

Makokha faces charges of arson, burglary and residential entry, police said.
A petroleum spill took place at a truck stop off Interstate 94 in Porter County, according to the Porter County Health Department.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management or IDEM got a confirmed report of a petroleum release from an underground storage tank at the Pilot Travel Center at 243 Melton Road Wednesday.

Indiana state regulations require the owners and operators of underground storage takes must immediately contain and clean up any release, spill or overfill, according to the Porter County Health Department. They must determine the extent of the release and take preventative steps to ensure it doesn't happen again.

"They are also required to mitigate any fire, explosion or vapor hazards, and to the extent possible mitigate adverse impacts on human health and the environment," the Porter County Health Department said in a news release. "Based on the information provided at the time of the release report, IDEM will either grant a no further action or require the owner or operator to conduct an investigation of the release to determine if corrective action is required."

For more information, visit www.in.gov/idem/tanks/2333.htm, call (317) 232-8900 or e-mail LeakingUST@idem.IN.gov.
Former President Donald J. Trump on Sunday said he was endorsing Sam Brown, the Army veteran who is leading the crowded Republican primary field in Nevadas U.S. Senate race.

Sam Brown is a fearless American patriot, Mr. Trump wrote in a post on his social media site, Truth Social, adding that Mr. Brown would fight tirelessly to protect the border and improve the economy.

The endorsement, though belated  the primary is on June 11 and early voting has already ended  solidifies Mr. Browns standing as the front-runner and heavy favorite to advance to Novembers general election against Senator Jacky Rosen, the Democratic incumbent. He has raised more money than his primary rivals, received the endorsement of the states Republican governor, Joe Lombardo, and led by double-digits in every recent poll of the race, though most were commissioned by his own campaign.

Mr. Trumps opinion was the sole remaining question mark. Though he is campaigning as a strong supporter of the former president, Mr. Brown was late to formally back Mr. Trumps bid for a second term, and his primary rivals sought to capitalize from the right. Jeff Gunter, a wealthy dermatologist and Mr. Trumps ambassador to Iceland, staked out a position as a MAGA candidate, slamming Mr. Brown in television advertisements as he angled for a possible endorsement from Mr. Trump.
Here is a puzzle at the center of online life: How should we balance freedom of speech with the flood of slanderous statements, extremist manifestoes and conspiracy theories that proliferate on the internet? The United States decided decades ago to let private companies solve that quandary themselves. The Supreme Court made this position official in three major rulings in the 1990s and early 2000s.

But lawmakers arent sure about this arrangement, now that giant online platforms are the new town square. The left says Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and the rest should take more content down, especially hate speech and disinformation. The right says the companies, which removed posts about Covid and the 2020 election, shouldnt set the rules for discussions about politics and culture.

Now a series of federal court cases will address these questions. Supreme Court justices will decide a few in the next month or two. In todays newsletter, Ill explain how those cases could change the way the First Amendment functions in the internet era.
If you ask a graduating M.B.A. student, a prep school guidance counselor or the internet how to be hired at the global consulting firm McKinsey, youre likely to find a list of prestigious target schools where it has consistently aimed its recruiting efforts. You know the ones  Harvard, Yale, Stanford.

But these days, McKinsey would prefer a different answer. Exceptional can come from anywhere, its career website says. And then, in case that wasnt clear enough, We hire people, not degrees, and also, We believe in your potential, regardless of your pedigree.

Katy George, Mckinseys chief people officer, told Fortune last year that the firm had increased the number of schools that its new hires came from to 1,500 from about 700, part of its process of pivoting from pedigree to potential.

Many companies are working toward a similar makeover.

Elite has never sat well with many American institutions, but the word has taken a particular beating in recent years. On the 2016 campaign trail, Donald J. Trump used the label practically as an insult; the Black Lives Matter movement drew attention to racial disparities along the path to people becoming rich and powerful; and debates over free speech and safe spaces on college campuses transformed into hot-button issues, leading to opinion essays with headlines like Elite Universities Are Out of Touch and Why I Stopped Hiring Ivy League Graduates.
Apple tries to close the A.I. gap

Heading into Apples Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, big questions are hanging over the tech giant, from muted sales for its Vision Pro headset to growing competition in China and regulatory scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic.

Those arent going away, but the focus at the event will be on what Tim Cook, Apples C.E.O., reveals about artificial intelligence  and whether the company can catch up to competitors.

Apple has lagged behind its rivals. The share prices of companies that are seen as A.I. leaders, like Nvidia and Microsoft, have soared since OpenAI introduced ChatGPT in November 2022. Big Tech C.E.O.s have fallen over themselves to show they are in the race. But Apple hasnt yet introduced a new A.I. offering, held back by its typical caution, according to The Wall Street Journal.

(The New York Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft over use of copyrighted articles related to A.I. systems.)
The United Automobile Workers union on Monday announced a tentative contract agreement at an Ohio factory making batteries for electric vehicles, a step that it called a milestone in enhancing pay and safety in the E.V. supply chain.

The accord covers 1,600 workers at a Lordstown plant operated by Ultium Cells, a joint venture between General Motors and a South Korean partner, LG Energy Solution. It produces batteries for G.M. electric vehicles.

The workers had not been unionized when the plant opened in 2022, but they were brought into the U.A.W. under the terms of the national contract the union negotiated with G.M. last fall. This new contract, subject to ratification by the plants workers, defines wages and working conditions specific to that location.

Shawn Fain, the U.A.W. president, said in a letter to union members that the accord was a game changer for the electric vehicle battery industry.
Last fall, in the days after Hamass deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York appeared ready to make a hard public break with the Democratic Socialists of America.

Mr. Bowman condemned a rally promoted by the group in the strongest possible terms after some attendees glorified the slaughter of 1,200 Israelis. His office also took the opportunity to publicize for the first time that he had let his own D.S.A. membership lapse amid earlier disagreements over funding for Israeli defenses.

But in a private video meeting with the group late last month, Mr. Bowman insisted he had never actually left, shifting his story as he sought to mend fences with the small but influential group amid a primary challenge that has become a symbolic test of his partys divisions over Israel.

Im still a member, the congressman said in a recording of the May 26 meeting that was obtained and verified by The New York Times. I didnt let my dues lapse.
Donald Trump has vowed to appeal his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Some on the right have argued that the trial was a target-rich environment for an appeal. Others have said that the U.S. Supreme Court should step in and provide relief to Mr. Trump.

Nevertheless, the process will begin in New York, where state law gives Mr. Trump  and any other individual with a criminal conviction  an absolute right to an appeal before an intermediate appellate court known as the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department.

As a prosecutor and a defense attorney for decades, I have argued hundreds of cases at this court. Ive looked closely at the Trump case. The burning question now is: Could his conviction be reversed on appeal? My answer is: The chances of that are not good.

Mr. Trumps legal team can approach his appeal on several fronts, but only one, concerning the legal theory behind the falsifying business records charge, is likely to hold out anything more than the slimmest of hopes for the former president.
This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email transcripts@nytimes.com with any questions.

My name is Lydia Polgreen, and Im an opinion columnist for The New York Times. I was a correspondent for The New York Times based in India. And I have continued to travel to India, keep up with friends there, and follow the news over the past decade.

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Last week, India announced the results of its parliamentary elections. And going into the election, as someone whos been following India for quite some time, I had been expecting, and many other people who follow India had been expecting, that Narendra Modi, whos been the prime minister of India for the past 10 years, and his polling has always been very strong as an individual, we had all been expecting that he was just going to kind of cakewalk into a third term as prime minister. And he was feeling so confident that he and his party had actually asked the electorate to not just re-elect him, but to re-elect him with a huge supermajority.

None of that happened. And I think this just came as a tremendous surprise to a lot of people. In fact, the party lost support, and they lost support to such an extent that Narendra Modi will not be able to form a government and be prime minister, just on his own, with his party. Theyre going to have to find coalition partners. Theres very little doubt that hes going to be able to do that. But he has really, really experienced a sharp rebuke. And I think its really a chastening sign for his brand of politics in India.

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This is a big year for democracy. There are dozens and dozens of elections happening all around the world. These elections are coming at a time when theres a strong feeling that authoritarianism has really been on the march. Organizations like Freedom House, which kind of monitor the strength of democracy globally, this is the 18th year that they have measured freedom as being in decline in countries across the globe.

And India has actually been a really big part of that. India is a country where Narendra Modi and his party have enacted a bunch of policies that have limited freedom of the press, that have increased religious tensions, and jailing political opponents and other types of actions that have really kind of constrained the space of democracy in India.

So I think a lot of people were looking to this election in India to see which way is the wind blowing. Are voters going to ask for more of the same, or are they going to want change? And there was clearly a decisive vote for change. They sent a message that they wanted a very clear check on his power in government at this time.

Its really important to remember Modi has really built his appeal on this idea of a kind of strong, muscular, Hindu-centric India. And India is a very diverse country. There are lots of different religious groups. There are lots of different linguistic groups. But Hindus are definitely the majority. And a lot of his appeal has been built on top of this idea that Hindus should rule India and should be in charge, and that restoring a kind of muscular, powerful, forward-leaning, almost ethnic nationalist posture for India was going to be a formula for success in the country.

And I think that what happened in this election is that voters, after 10 years, said, OK, what else? What else are you going to give us? We understand that youve delivered economic growth, but that economic growth is spread incredibly unequally. That growth is really strongly skewed to the very, very richest of Indians. You have huge masses of people in rural India, which is where the majority of Indians still live, where they are just not feeling the effects of that economic growth.

And at the same time, theyre experiencing rising prices, and especially rising prices for basic things like food. And so, on some very basic terms. I think its a little bit of, kind of, show me the money. Where are the results? Weve seen all the rhetoric, but ultimately, are our day-to-day lives getting better? Do we have jobs? Are we able to afford food? Are prices going up. Those are the basic kind of nuts and bolts kitchen table issues that I think a lot of Indian voters were focused on.

So I wanted to just mention one place that I think illustrates what has happened to Modi and his support, and thats the city of Ayodhya. Modi chose to have a kind of unofficial kickoff of his campaign in Ayodhya. And Ayodhya is a very important place for a number of reasons, but it is believed by many Hindus to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, who is a very important deity in the Hindu constellation of gods.

But on the very spot where some Hindus believe that Ram was born, there was also a mosque for many years. And this had been a real kind of religious flashpoint for a long time in India. And one of the core platforms of Modi and his party has been that they were going to build a temple to Lord Ram on this spot.

I had been to Ayodhya before. I actually went there in 2009 after the government had issued this big report about communal tensions there. And this had been a place where there had been a contestation between Hindus and Muslims for many, many years, and in the aftermath of the destruction of the mosque there.

And I had noticed that there really wasnt a lot of hoopla on the spot. People just werent that focused on these inter-communal religious tensions. So you fast forward to Narendra Modi in 2024, basically kicking off his campaign with the opening of this new temple complex. And I thought, oh, thats a really, really dramatic transformation.

But it was really interesting to me that when the election results were announced, in the city of Ayodhya itself, his party actually lost that seat. So not only did they lose a huge number of seats across that entire state, but in the very place where Modi had gone to have this kind of triumphant moment of proving that he could deliver on his promises, that he is a man of his word, that hes a master builder, that hes going to vault the country forward. That in that very place, they lost the election, felt to me like it really underscored the trend in the dynamic that was happening in this vote.

I think the thing that I take away from this election is that you should never assume that the trend lines are going to stay the same. And you should also never assume that all is lost.

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One of the things that really impressed me, just following the coverage and really looking closely after we learned the result, was how assiduously the opposition, A, managed to come together and stay united. But they also, I think, stayed really focused on kitchen table issues.

And while a lot of people, I think, really do care about Indian democracy and care about the preservation of freedom of speech and secularism and all of these kinds of things that are enshrined in the Constitution, the reality is that Indian voters, like voters everywhere, theyre voting based on their interests. Theyre voting based on the things that are most proximate to them and the concerns that are most animating for them.

And I think you really saw the opposition in India focusing on those kinds of issues and just relentlessly talking about unemployment, relentlessly talking about inflation, talking about the failure to deliver for the poor. And that message clearly won out at the end of the day. And I think the big takeaway for me is that  and I think this is something that political parties here in the United States should really be thinking about  is that sometimes you just have to meet voters where they are, and you have to focus on the issues that they care about most.

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Restaurants in Tel Aviv are full. High-tech exports remain strong. The shekel is holding its value. By some measures, Israels economy seems unscathed by the war in Gaza. But there is a financial strain, and the longer the war goes on, the worse it will become.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted diplomatic pressure to rapidly bring this agonizing war to an end. I wonder if what finally moves him will be economic forces, not diplomatic ones.

This past week I spoke to Naftali Bennett, who served as prime minister in 2021 and 2022, and Avi Simhon, the chief of Netanyahus National Economic Council. Both were optimistic that the war would end soon and Israel would come out of it strong. Bennett told me that people in the Israeli high-tech sector who recently had talked about emigrating have stepped up in creative ways to help soldiers, victims of Hamas and people displaced from their homes near the borders with Gaza and Lebanon. The war turned people idealistic, he said. Its not going to be undone.

On the other hand, I also spoke with academic economists who were considerably more worried. We have proved time and again that we can absorb shocks, Manuel Trajtenberg, a professor emeritus of economics at Tel Aviv University, told me. The big problem is, what are the prospects moving forward? If its an open-ended conflict with a great deal of uncertainty, thats what would do damage.
To the Editor:

Re Israels Rescue Euphoria Fades as Troubles Linger (news analysis, front page, June 10):

I think the article misses the point. Yes, only four hostages were freed as a result of Israels military operation. Yet the message to Hamas and those Palestinian civilians who are hiding Israeli hostages is clear: Israel will act to free those hostages, regardless of the cost.

That cost is high. Many innocent Palestinians have been killed, while Israel continues to incur the wrath of those who would have Israel, not Hamas, pay the price for Hamas terrorism. The way to avoid such hazards, however, is clear: Hamas should free the hostages  all of them.

If your children were being held hostage by a terrorist organization, would you be concerned about world opinion  yet alone show restraint?

Rita C. Tobin

Chappaqua, N.Y.

To the Editor:

It is difficult to celebrate the rescue of four hostages while watching the carnage the military operation delivered to Palestinians in Gaza  particularly with the knowledge that many more hostages were released during past cease-fire diplomacy and with the logical conclusion that these four, along with many more of the remaining hostages, could have been released by similar means.
Five years ago, I found myself in a coffee shop in downtown Manhattan sitting across a table from Morgan Spurlock, a man Id never met and whom I knew only as the creator of the hit documentary Super Size Me. A colleague had brought us together, thinking we might be able to forge a mutually beneficial relationship. As I told a friend in the lead-up to the meeting, I think Im supposed to teach Morgan Spurlock how to apologize.

I was there because Im a feminist writer whod just written a book that grappled with the post-#MeToo moment and how we might find a way forward. Mr. Spurlock was still reeling from the self-inflicted wound of a confessional post he published during the height of #MeToo, one that acknowledged a long history of ugly behavior, including a college era rape accusation, an incident of workplace sexual harassment, serial infidelity and decades of alcoholism. Although he positioned his confession as taking accountability  I am part of the problem, he wrote, but I am also part of the solution  the post tanked his career, delayed the release of the sequel to Super Size Me and prompted him to step down from his production company.

Which was why we were having coffee.

When the news broke last month that Mr. Spurlock had died from complications of cancer, the arc of his life seemed permanently settled: a one-hit wonder whod squandered his success by trying to get out ahead of a potential P.R. scandal. On social media, more than a few people derided him as a rapist who didnt deserve to be mourned, a privileged white guy whod hurt people on the way up and expected the slate to be wiped clean just because he admitted that hed done something wrong.

I find myself chafing at this summary judgment. After that initial coffee, I stayed in touch with Mr. Spurlock, and eventually we formed a friendship, one full of conversations about what it might mean to be a better person. Despite that relationship, I dont consider him worthy of blanket forgiveness; I dont even believe that he deserved a second chance at the spotlight. But I cant shake the feeling that nearly seven years after #MeToo, we still havent found a way for men who want to make amends to do so meaningfully. There were prominent figures brought down by #MeToo who have never asked for, or deserved, our sympathy. But if we as a society want to truly break the cycle of harm, we need to offer an opportunity for forgiveness to those who are truly willing and eager to change.
Lawmakers in California last month advanced about 30 new measures on artificial intelligence aimed at protecting consumers and jobs, one of the biggest efforts yet to regulate the new technology.

The bills seek the toughest restrictions in the nation on A.I., which some technologists warn could kill entire categories of jobs, throw elections into chaos with disinformation, and pose national security risks. The California proposals, many of which have gained broad support, include rules to prevent A.I. tools from discriminating in housing and health care services. They also aim to protect intellectual property and jobs.

Californias legislature, which is expected to vote on the proposed laws by Aug. 31, has already helped shape U.S. tech consumer protections. The state passed a privacy law in 2020 that curbed the collection of user data, and in 2022 it passed a child safety law that created safeguards for those under 18.

As California has seen with privacy, the federal government isnt going to act, so we feel that it is critical that we step up in California and protect our own citizens, said Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, a Democratic assembly member who chairs the State Assemblys Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee.

As federal lawmakers drag out regulating A.I., state legislators have stepped into the vacuum with a flurry of bills poised to become de facto regulations for all Americans. Tech laws like those in California frequently set precedent for the nation, in large part because lawmakers across the country know it can be challenging for companies to comply with a patchwork across state lines.

State lawmakers across the country have proposed nearly 400 new laws on A.I. in recent months, according to the lobbying group TechNet. California leads the states with a total of 50 bills proposed, although that number has narrowed as the legislative session proceeds.
Citing the long delay in bringing criminal charges, a South Carolina judge on Friday dismissed murder counts that were filed earlier this year against a father and stepmother accused of killing the fathers 5-year-old son in 1989.

The judge, Roger M. Young Sr. of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, wrote that the 35-year delay had caused substantial actual prejudice to both defendants, infringing upon their right to a fair trial.

More than 20 witnesses who could have testified in 1989 were no longer able to so do because they were either dead or in poor health, the judge wrote. As a result, he said, lawyers for the father, Victor Lee Turner, 70, and his wife, Megan Renee Turner, 63, would have been unable to question them.

After the boy, Justin Lee Turner, was reported missing on the afternoon of March 3, 1989, the Turners initially told the authorities that he had gotten on a school bus and never returned.
A person shot a man at a four-story apartment complex in Miami on Monday morning and set a fire there that engulfed the complex and sent dozens of residents fleeing, the authorities said.

The fire prompted a rescue operation that lasted about eight hours and that led to the evacuation of more than 40 residents, some of whom were carried to safety from their balconies, the authorities said.

The fire began around 8:15 a.m. on the third floor of the Temple Court Apartments, a rental complex west of Interstate 95 near downtown Miami, according to Lt. Ignatius Carroll Jr. of the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue.

The authorities arrived to find one man in the building with a gunshot wound to his torso, said Lt. Pete Sanchez of the Fire Department. The man was taken to a hospital in critical condition, he said.
On a typical day, Ali Mullen races from her job at the county health department in Helena, Mont., to pick up dinner for her three children, heads home to feed them and then goes back out for a violin lesson or a school play, crisscrossing the small city in her aging S.U.V., with a rainbow bumper sticker that reads You Are Loved.

A big pack of gummy bears keeps her going, stashed in her handbag next to a different sort of lifesaver: a gun lock that she carries almost everywhere she goes.
As Brandon Garrett lay stranded in a ravine in Oregon last week, his dog Blue was running through the densely wooded area, toward help.

Blue, a whippet, ran for nearly four miles with glass in his snout and made it to a campsite where they had been before and where Mr. Garrett was supposed to be meeting his friend. The friend, who had been expecting Mr. Garrett hours earlier, knew something was wrong, said Mr. Garretts brother, Tyree Garrett.

Blues appearance prompted Mr. Garretts family and friends to search for him during the night of June 2 and the next morning, the Baker County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. He was found by his brother, who spotted Mr. Garretts truck in the ravine and called the sheriffs office, which rescued Mr. Garrett with the assistance of other authorities.

Mr. Garrett, 62, had been driving in eastern Oregon, near the states border with Idaho, when he reached a curve in the road and went over an embankment, the sheriffs office said.
For more than a decade, Americas campaign watchdog agency was a portrait of dysfunction. Divided equally between three Republicans and three Democrats, the Federal Election Commission deadlocked so often it became a political punchline as investigations languished, enforcement slowed and updated guidelines for the internet era stalled.

Now, the commission has suddenly come unstuck.

In a series of recent decisions that are remaking the landscape of money in American politics, an ascendant new bloc of three Republicans and one Democrat is voting together to roll back limits on how politicians, political parties and super PACs raise and spend money.

Reform groups are aghast at what they see as the swift unraveling of longstanding restraints. Conservatives who for years have dreamed of loosening restrictions are delighted, even though many of the rulings were sought by one of the Democratic Partys most prominent attorneys, Marc Elias, who was seeking political advantage and clarity for his clients.

Those on both sides of the ideological divide agree on one thing: The changes amount to some of the most significant regulatory revisions since the campaign finance law, the McCain-Feingold Act, was put in place two decades ago.
Follow our live coverage of the verdict in Hunter Bidens gun trial.

Jurors in Hunter Bidens federal gun trial began deliberations late Monday after prosecutors concluded their case with an exhaustive inventory of evidence they presented over the past week in hopes of proving that Mr. Biden knowingly falsified a firearms application in 2018.

During an hourlong closing argument, Leo J. Wise, the lead prosecutor in the case, connected dozens of evidentiary dots seeking to show that Mr. Biden, the presidents deeply troubled son, lied when he filled out the gun form by claiming to be drug-free when he was addicted to crack cocaine, tearing his family apart in the process.

Abbe Lowell, Mr. Bidens lawyer, countered with a 90-minute closing argument that attacked the credibility of the governments main witnesses. He accused prosecutors of peddling suspicion and conjecture, and suggested that the trial had less to do with justice than punishing a remorseful and sober man for the crime of drug addiction.

It was an intense coda for an extraordinary weeklong trial that made painfully public the private struggles of the Biden family. The trial was also an enervating experience for President Biden in the midst of a bitter re-election campaign against former President Donald J. Trump, whose own federal trials remain on hold.
In his outsider bid for the White House, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is flanked by a team of unlikely political characters: new age health gurus, anti-vaccine activists, social media influencers, veterans of fringe third-party campaigns, cryptocurrency evangelists and militant environmentalists.

Jay Carson may be the most unexpected.

Now a Hollywood screenwriter, Mr. Carson, 47, has the resume of a Democratic insider. He was the press secretary for Hillary Clintons 2008 presidential campaign. He worked for Bill Clinton, Chuck Schumer, Tom Daschle, Howard Dean and Michael Bloomberg. He describes Anita Dunn, a senior adviser to President Biden, as his political godmother and one of my favorite people in the world.

He left politics more than a decade ago for show business, becoming a producer on House of Cards and the creator of The Morning Show. He got divorced, got sober  he met Mr. Kennedy at one of his first 12-step meetings  remarried and settled into a new life in Topanga Canyon, Calif., with no plans to return to a campaign.

But over the past year, he has become a quiet, steadying force behind a candidate who is at war with the Democratic Party.
The president of the Teamsters union has asked for speaking slots at both the Republican and Democratic national conventions, at a time when President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump have pressed for support from rank-and-file members of organized labor.

The move by Sean OBrien, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, underscores the fact that his group, unlike other influential umbrella unions that have backed Mr. Biden in the 2024 election, has yet to endorse in the presidential race. Mr. OBrien has made clear he is delaying a decision until later this year.

Kara Deniz, a spokeswoman for the Teamsters union, confirmed that Mr. OBrien, through aides, has told officials working on both conventions that he would be interested in speaking at their dayslong nomination events. The Republicans will hold their convention in Milwaukee in July, and the Democrats will hold theirs in Chicago in August.

It would be unusual in the current fractious political climate for someone to speak at both conventions.
The U.S. Supreme Court has twice rebuked the Arizona Supreme Court for defying its precedents in capital cases.

A third ruling from the state court last year seemed to run headlong into another Supreme Court precedent. It said juvenile offenders could be sentenced to die in prison under a state law that did not allow for the possibility of parole.

That decision gave rise to a kind of judicial deja vu, 15 law professors told the justices in a recent supporting brief.

Once again, individuals in Arizona are forced to come to this court to vindicate firmly established constitutional rights, all because Arizona refuses to follow precedent, the professors wrote, urging the court to hear a juvenile offenders appeal. This time, absent intervention, individuals sentenced to mandatory life without parole for crimes committed as juveniles will continue serving unconstitutional sentences.
Over the last three years, a new class of Alzheimers drug, the first to treat a root cause of the disease, has set off a roller coaster of hope and disappointment. But while these so-called anti-amyloid antibodies had a rough start, many patients and their doctors are feeling more optimistic now that one of the medications is finally being used more widely.

Lecanemab (brand name Leqembi; pronounced le-KEM-bee) was given full approval by the Food and Drug Administration in July 2023. The drug has been shown to slow the progression of the disease, but its benefits are fairly modest. It is also a burdensome therapy and has a high risk of troubling side effects.

With lecanemab having been approved for nearly a year  and with a similar drug, donanemab (brand name Kisunla; pronounced kih-SUHN-lah), approved by the F.D.A. on Tuesday  The New York Times checked in with experts at three major medical centers about whos receiving lecanemab and how theyre responding.

Whos being prescribed lecanemab?

There are strict requirements for patients to be eligible for lecanemab; by one estimate, fewer than 20 percent met the qualifications for the medication. Neurologists at the Mayo Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of California, San Francisco, all described a similar review process when deciding which patients are good candidates.
A search is underway for a missing aircraft carrying the vice president of the southeastern African country of Malawi and nine other people, the countrys government said on Monday.

The vice president, Saulos Chilima, was traveling on a Malawi Defense Force aircraft that took off at 9:17 a.m. Monday from the capital, Lilongwe. But it missed a scheduled landing at an airport in the north of the country, less than an hours flight away.

The aircraft was unable to land because of poor visibility caused by bad weather, Malawis president, Lazarus Chakwera, said in a televised address. The pilot was instructed to turn back, but within minutes, the aircraft disappeared from radar and the aviation authorities have been unable to establish contact with it.

I know that this is a heartbreaking situation, Mr. Chakwera said in a late briefing. I know that we are all frightened and concerned.
The U.N. adopted a U.S.-backed cease-fire resolution

With the U.S. seeking to put pressure on Hamas and Israel to agree to a cease-fire in Gaza, the U.N. Security Council voted to adopt a resolution, brought by the U.S., to call for an immediate truce. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Israel yesterday for talks.

Blinken met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. Earlier that day, he held talks in Cairo with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, whose government has helped mediate talks.

More than two weeks have passed since Israel put the deal to Hamas. But Israels government has not formally embraced it, and there has also been no official response from Hamas. Netanyahu, who faces pressure from far-right members of his government, has said that the assault should continue until Hamass military and governing capabilities are destroyed.

The U.N. vote: Fourteen of the 15 council members voted in favor, with Russia  which has veto power  abstaining. In passing the resolution, the council delivered a diplomatic victory to the U.S., which had vetoed three previous cease-fire resolutions.
The right-wing Alternative for Germany party won a record number of votes in European Parliament elections on Sunday, in a sharp rebuke to Chancellor Olaf Scholzs governing three-party coalition in Germany and a sign of the rightward political shift across the continent.

The party, known as AfD, captured 16 percent of the vote, placing second behind Germanys conservative Christian Democrats, which won 30 percent. AfD performed nearly five percentage points better than it did in the 2019 elections and drew more voters than each of Germanys three coalition parties. It was AfDs strongest showing in a nationwide election, and it came as Mr. Scholzs coalition has reached record-low levels of popularity in the country, according to polls.

On Monday, Alice Weidel, one of the AfDs two leaders, demanded that Mr. Scholz call new parliamentary elections, just as President Emmanuel Macron of France did after his partys dismal results. A spokesman for Mr. Scholz has ruled out early elections.

Describing her partys showing a major success, Ms. Weidel said at a news conference in Berlin that the government was working against, not for, Germany. People are tired of it, she said.
A small copper plaque mounted across the piazza from the Basilica of St. Nicholas in Bari, Italy, pledges friendship and cooperation between the city and the Russian people. It is signed by someone who, for the past two years in Europe, has pursued anything but: President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.

The plaque is a replica of a letter Mr. Putin sent in 2003, nearly two decades before his invasion of Ukraine, and for years it drew little notice from Baris residents or the tens of thousands of pilgrims who visit the site annually to venerate the saint, whose remains are interred there. But a growing number of people now see it as sign of Mr. Putins hypocrisy  particularly among a diaspora of local Ukrainians who want it taken down.

The war will be among the most pressing issues that leaders of the worlds largest advanced economies and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine will discuss this week at an annual meeting of the Group of 7, which is being hosted by Italy and held just an hour down the road. For the many residents of Bari who have wanted the plaque removed since the war began, the gathering nearby is seen as a chance to enlist Mr. Putins fiercest international critics to their cause.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has not gone as quickly as the Kremlin once predicted, but a recent visit by a group of military students to a park in Moscow was a much speedier affair.

Hit by a sudden blast of early May snow, their instructor moved his young charges quickly along, the sooner to get somewhere warm. But they did take the time to stop for photos in front of the captured enemy armaments on display.

Among the biggest trophies were M1 Abrams and Leopard tanks. Ukraine had hoped that the vaunted American- and German-made war machines would help turn its fortunes on the battlefield.

They have not.

Now, after two years of war, with the Kremlins early military stumbles in Ukraine receding in memory, the mood in Russia is increasingly upbeat.

The word victory is everywhere in Moscow these days, a New York Times Russia correspondent, Valerie Hopkins, reported recently.

The students tour came just three days before Russia celebrated Victory Day, which commemorates the Nazi defeat in World War II. But they, like other Russians venturing out into the cold that day, were relishing their countrys more recent military successes.

Victory Park was originally built to commemorate the Russian defeat of Napoleon. It also displays military equipment from the Second World War.

The big draw when the students were visiting, however, were the NATO tanks captured in Ukraine. Many, including the Abrams, were seized in February, when Avdiivka, a longtime Ukrainian military stronghold, fell to the Russians.

There has been so much talk about these Abrams, about these Leopards, marveled one onlooker as he took in the neutered Western behemoths sitting idle in the Russian snow.

They are all standing here, he said. We are looking at them.

Written by Eric Nagourney
A Ukrainian official with a long record of anti-corruption advocacy resigned on Monday from a government agency overseeing mostly Western-financed reconstruction work in Ukraine, citing poor management of funds. His departure highlights the tension inside the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky over the allocation of wartime aid.

The official, Mustafa Nayyem, who had been director of the State Agency for Restoring Ukraine, did not allege any outright embezzlement. But his claims of abuse and mismanagement risked setting back efforts by the government to assuage concerns among the United States and other allies about providing billions in aid to Ukraines war effort.

He was the second top official involved in Ukraines reconstruction effort to depart in the last month, following the firing in May of Oleksandr Kubrakov, the minister of infrastructure. Mr. Kubrakovs ministry oversaw the agency Mr. Nayyem headed.

Mr. Kubrakov was perceived in Kyiv political circles as a figure aligned with the United States on spending priorities for rebuilding aid  a stance that grated on other leaders in the government who resented what they viewed as intrusive American oversight. Both he and Mr. Nayyem had spoken out against bribery in the construction business.
Still fighting Israels outside enemies on multiple fronts, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu woke up on Monday to a new political battlefield at home.

The departure this weekend of Benny Gantz and his centrist National Unity party from Israels emergency wartime government is unlikely to immediately sever Mr. Netanyahus grip on power. The prime ministers governing coalition still commands a narrow majority of 64 seats in the 120-seat Parliament.

But Mr. Gantzs move means that Mr. Netanyahu is now totally dependent on his far-right and ultra-Orthodox coalition partners as he prosecutes the war in Gaza in the face of mounting international opprobrium, leaving him increasingly isolated and exposed at home and abroad.

Mr. Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, another powerful member of National Unity, also left Mr. Netanyahus small war cabinet. They are both former military chiefs who were widely viewed as key voices of moderation in the five-member body, which was formed in October after the Hamas-led assault on Israel prompted the Israeli bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza.

The two centrist politicians raised public confidence in the governments decision-making at a time of national trauma. They also lent the war cabinet an aura of legitimacy and consensus as Israel fought Hamas in Gaza, as well as its archenemy Iran and its other proxies, including the powerful Hezbollah militia across Israels northern border with Lebanon.

Mr. Gantz accused Mr. Netanyahu of political procrastination, suggesting that he had been putting off critical strategic decisions to ensure his political survival. His decision to quit the wartime government ushers in a new period of political instability and has left many Israelis wondering where the country goes from here.
The Epoch Times chief financial officer Weidong (Bill) Guan has been arrested and charged with laundering at least $67 million in stolen money through company accounts. A federal grand jury indicted Guan on one count of money laundering and two counts of bank fraud claiming he lied to a financial institution about the source of the money, some of which allegedly came from fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits. The scheme supposedly involved using cryptocurrency to purchase discounted prepaid debit cards, which were then loaded with illegally obtained funds, prosecutors said. Affiliated with Falung Gong, a spiritual movement banned in China, The Epoch Times has been a longtime critic of the Chinese Communist Party and has emerged as a prominent supporter of Donald J. Trump and his allies. It intends to and will fully cooperate with any investigation dealing with the allegations against Mr. Guan, and suspended Guan. The Justice Department noted that the charges do not relate to the media companys newsgathering activities. No other employees were named in the indictment.

Christophe Deloire

Reporters Without Borders secretary general Christophe Deloire, who had led the organization since 2012, died June 8 following a battle with cancer. Deloire was also founding president of the Forum on Information and Democarcy, and in 2023 was appointed general delegate of the etats generaux de l'information, an initiative spearheaded by French president Emmaunel Macron. He was instrumental in helping Russian broadcast journalist Marina Ovsiannikova flee the country in 2022 after she came under fire for denouncing the war in Ukraine on live television, and worked for the release of journalist Olivier Dubois, who was held by Islamic extremists in Mali for two years and freed in 2023, in addition to aiding numerous other jailed reporters. Christophe Deloire led the organization at a crucial time for the right to information. His contribution to defending this fundamental right has been considerable," said Pierre Haski, chairman of RSF's Board of Directors.

Mathias Dopfner

Axel Springer, the German media company that owns US-based Politico and Business Insider, appears to be throwing in the towel on hybrid work. The companys CEO, Mathias Dopfner, says it intends to return to an office-first culture that will require employees to show up at the office five days a week. That edict will also apply to its US units. Dopfner says the decision is based on the strength of personal interactions. According to German news platform Medieninsider, he has written an email to his managers asking them to present concepts by July outlining how the move back to office work could work legally and operationally. A company statement asserted that in the long run, more physical proximity and personal interaction are essential for creativity, motivation, a sense of belonging, team spirit, and alignment on a common mission.

United Airlines is formally launching Kinective Media by United Airlines, a media network that gives marketers the opportunity to scale their reach across a wide range of channels including United's mobile app and inflight entertainment screens, at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, which runs from June 17-21. Kinective Media uses insights from travel behaviors to connect customers to personalized, real-time advertising, content, experiences and offers from leading brands. The networks, which is already working with brands such as Norwegian Cruise Line and Macy's, is focusing on premium brand relationships across key verticals such as retail, luxury goods, financial services, automotive, media brands and travel. "We've built a first-of-its-kind, real-time, adtech-enabled traveler media network," said Richard Nunn, CEO of Uniteds MileagePlus loyalty program.
Gladstone Place Partners represents MNC Capital, the Dallas-based firm that has offered more than $3B cash to aquire Vista Outdoor.

The maker of Remington, Federal and Speer ammo rejected MNC offer on June 10, saying the unsolicited bid is not superior to an agreed merger deal with the Czechoslovak Group.

Mark Gottfredson, MNC managing partner, said his firm is proud to represent an American alternative to the proposed CG transaction.

He claims MNCs offer provides compelling value and certainty for Vista shareholders and is in the best interest of Vistas employees and the broader safety and security of the US.

Vista also disclosed that it received a $2B-plus bid from an unnamed US-based private investment firm to its Kinetic Group.

The Anoka, MN-headquartered company remains committed to its deal with CG, which would receive a $48M break-up fee if its deal fell apart.

Gladstones Lauren Odell and Michael Landau represent MNC Capital.
Former Mucklagh FC player Ellen Dolan who is now playing for Peamount has been named the SSE Airtricity Womens Premier Division Player of the Month for May 2024.

This is the second time that she was was named as the player of the month in the league, having also scooped it in October/November of last year, as well as being one of three nominees for the PFA Ireland Women's Young Player of the Year 2023.

She was presented with the latest award at PRL Park in Greenogue, Dublin.

The 17-year-old from Offaly scored seven goals to finish as joint second top goal-scorer for the League-winning Peamount last season and capped a memorable season by being called up to the senior squad, under former manager Vera Pauw.

She was in the Ireland squad for the final two of Ireland's UEFA Nations League campaign against Hungary in Tallaght Stadium and then against Northern Ireland in the National Stadium, Belfast on Tuesday, December 5, but did not feature.

The talented Killina Presentation Secondary School student was also a key player for the Irish U-19s side which qualified for the EURO finals tournament in Lithuania. They have been drawn in Group B alongside Spain, Germany and Netherlands.

Another Offaly player, Aoife Murphy-O'Connor from Tullamore was also included in the training camp ahead of the tournament later this summer.
Counting has been suspended at the Offaly Local Election count in Mucklagh after a very bust day that saw the majority of the seats filled.

Counting was completed in the Tullamore and Edenderry Areas but was suspended in the Birr Area after a package of votes was found in the wrong spot. That issue will be dealt with when counting begins again at 10.30am on Monday.

There were a number of stories on the day including the superb vote management by Fianna Fail in Tullamore, the number of first time candidates elected and the fact that two candidates with the same name and from the same town were elected to Offaly County Council.

Starting in Tullamore, Fianna Fail retained its four seats with an impressive feat of old school vote management. All four, Frank Moran, Tony McCormack, Declan Harvey and Ollie Bryant all finishing within 100 votes of each other.

Ollie Bryant was one of two first time candidates elected in the Tullamore Area along with Sinn Fein's Aoife Masterson who was elected on count four after getting a very impressive 1,216 first prefernce votes.

Neil Feighery topped the poll for Fine Gael but incredibly he was the only candidate from the party on the ballot paper.

Rounding out the seven elected representatives for the Tullamore Area was veteran Independent Sean O'Brien.

The Edenderry Electoral Area will be represented by two Claire Murray who both will be first time councillors.

Fianna Fail's Claire Murray was elected on the second count while Sinn Fein's Claire Murray held strong to oust veteran Fianna Fail councillor Robert McDermott.

Fianna Fail will have two councillors from the Edenderry Area as poll topped Eddie Fitzpatrick joins Claire Murray in the council chamber.

After missing out in 2019, Fergus McDonnell made and amazing comeback by getting elected on the first count and the representatives from Edenderry are rounded out by the Fine Gael duo of Liam Quinn and Noel Cribbin.

Only two councillors have been elected in the Birr Area after five counts and it will likely take many more counts to sort out a very tight race. Peter Ormond and John Leahy were elected on the first count and John Clendenen was just five votes short when voting was suspended at around 11pm.

Garret Kelly, Ekaterina Koneva, Aubrey Claffey and Michael Deegan have all been eliminated leaving nine candidates fighting for the final four seats.

Martin Buckley and Mike Boylan look like they have too much ground to make up and Jonathan O'Meara and Claire Claffey could be in the same boat although they are in slightly stronger positions and there are a lot of votes to be transferred.
The count is back underway at the TF Hotel and Theatre in Castlebar, Co. Mayo for the European Parliament elections.

Count officials are predicting a first count result will be not be announced until at least this evening, with word spreading that it could possibly be Tuesday before any results are made public.

Tallies are predicting good odds for sitting Independent MEP Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, who is likely to get back in on this first count.

Fine Gael incumbent Maria Walsh also looks to be performing comfortably in the first count so far.

It may be some time though before we see all of the candidates elected, as there are roughly 700,000 ballot papers to be counted here.

The sheer size of the ballot papers themselves, listing a colossal 27 candidates, also has an impact on how long this count will take, with some count staff struggling to carry the sizable ballot sheets.

Fianna Fail TD for Laois-Offaly Barry Cowen looks to be a strong contender for the third seat, but multiple contenders all look in with a chance for those last two seats.

The final counts look set to be be a hotly-contested contest between Fianna Fail's Lisa Chambers, Aontu leader Peadar Toibin, Nina Carberry of Fine Gael and Sinn Fein's Chris MacManus, who all still look to be in contention for the final two MEP seats.
Gardai continue to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the death of a father of two stabbed in Dublin.

Gardai in Finglas are still investigating the death of 34-year-old, Mark Carroll, following an incident in Finglas, Dublin 11, which occurred on Sunday, June 9.

A post-mortem has been completed, the results of which are not being released for operational reasons.

A murder investigation is now being led by a Senior Investigation Officer (SIO) from an Incident Room at Finglas Garda station, Dublin.

Gardai continue to appeal to anyone who has any information on the murder of Mark Carroll to contact Finglas Garda Station on (01) 666 7500, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111 or any Garda Station. Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward, particularly those who were in the Scribblestown area between midnight and 1.00am on Sunday, June 9th, 2024. Additionally, individuals with video recordings, including motorists with dash cams, from the area within the timeframe are asked to provide footage to investigating Gardai.

No arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing.
Eight school districts across Montana were awarded $5.49 million in federal dollars to buy clean school buses, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced recently.

The money comes from the EPAs Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, and is getting parceled out to schools to purchase clean buses in an effort to transition more school transportation services to zero-emission.

Bozeman Elementary is getting $2,000,000 for 10 new buses, the largest award in Montana, and second is East Helena K-12 which will be getting $1,035,000 for three buses.

The program will help Montana accelerate the transition to zero-emission buses from existing diesel-fueled school buses, which have been linked to asthma and other conditions that harm the health of students and surrounding communities, a news release from the EPA stated.

Alberton K-12 Schools, Anderson Elementary, Lone Rock Elementary, Big Sky School K-12, Livingston Elementary and Stanford K-12 Schools are also getting money for buses. Award amounts vary for each district, but most are getting enough to cover one, two or three buses.

Montana is one of 47 states with schools getting the money, the release stated. About 45% of selected districts are in low-income, rural and tribal communities.

The rebate program is funded through President Joe Bidens Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

President Biden believes every child deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy life and breathe clean air, and his Investing in America agenda is designed to deliver just that, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in the release. With (the) latest round of funding, we are transforming the nations school bus fleet to better protect our most precious cargo  our kids  saving school districts money, improving air quality, and bolstering American manufacturing all at the same time.
Sri Lankas former top Police officials join NPP amidst threats and political pressure

Posted by Editor on June 10, 2024 - 9:29 am

Retired Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne and former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Shani Abeysekara joined the Retired Police Collective of the National Peoples Power (NPP) at its inaugural meeting on Sunday (June 9), at the National Youth Council in Maharagama.

Speaking at the Collectives National Conference in Maharagama, Retired Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne explained that his decision to join the NPP was driven by a desire to restore the rule of law in the country, which he believes has significantly deteriorated in recent times.

Seneviratne elaborated that the group forming the Collective held extensive discussions with NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake over two years. During these discussions, we conveyed the challenges we encountered and were deeply impressed by their sincerity and commitment to making the necessary sacrifices to achieve their objectives. Moreover, we received clear and satisfactory responses to our concerns, he affirmed.

We established the Retired Police Collective to foster a law-abiding society by bringing together individuals who dedicated the prime years of their lives to their duty, he emphasized.

He maintained that the Collective is a democratic organization and that its members have no desire to be involved in the countrys law enforcement in an official capacity again.

NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake revealed that both the Government and the Opposition had threatened Ravi Seneviratne against joining the NPP and that investigations based on baseless allegations have been initiated against him.

He assured that under an NPP government, justice will be served for Shani Abeysekara, who has suffered political victimization and injustice.
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.

Strange to think that, without Daniel Ellsberg, Watergate might never have happened, Richard Nixon might have remained president, and the war in Vietnam might have taken even longer to end. So many decades later, it's easy to forget how, in June 1971, when Ellsberg released those secret government documents that came to be known as the Pentagon Papers, and their shocking revelations about that distant war hit the front page of the New York Times, Nixon and crew were determined to move against him -- and fast. It mattered not at all that he would be "indicted on 12 felony counts, including theft and violation of the Espionage Act," and face up to 115 years in prison. That wasn't enough for them. Nixon wanted to "try him in the press" and turned to FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover to investigate him.

As it happened, though, Hoover was a buddy of Louis Marx, the father of Ellsberg's wife and the head of a major toy company that, among other things, made plenty of toy soldiers. (Marx regularly gave Hoover toys that he could turn over to his employees for their kids at Christmas.) So when the FBI chief moved far too slowly on Ellsberg, Nixon and his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman, worrying about those Pentagon Papers revelations (even though they didn't deal with Nixon's own nightmarish role in the then-ongoing wars in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia), decided to set up a White House Special Investigations Unit. It came to be known informally as "the Plumbers."

Its first assignment would be to break into the office of Ellsberg's psychiatrist in search of damaging information on him. (No luck, as it turned out, but when the judge in Ellsberg's trial found out about that break-in, he dismissed the case.) Nine months later, that unit's ultimate assignment would, of course, have nothing to do with Ellsberg. It would be the infamous break-in at the Democratic National Committee's headquarters in -- yes! -- the Watergate Office Building in Washington, D.C. The result was history that would have been inconceivable without -- yes! -- Daniel Ellsberg.

As TomDispatch regular Norman Solomon, author of War Made Invisible: How America Hides the Human Toll of Its Military Machine, makes clear today, Ellsberg led quite a life thereafter before dying in June 2023. Let him rest in peace. (If only the rest of this planet could do the same!) Tom

The Absence -- and Presence -- of Daniel Ellsberg

A Year After His Death, He's Still with Us

By Norman Solomon

On a warm evening almost a decade ago, I sat under the stars with Daniel Ellsberg while he talked about nuclear war with alarming intensity. He was most of the way through writing his last and most important book, The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner. Somehow, he had set aside the denial so many people rely on to cope with a world that could suddenly end in unimaginable horror. Listening, I felt more and more frightened. Dan knew what he was talking about.

After working inside this country's doomsday machinery, even drafting nuclear war plans for the Pentagon during President John F. Kennedy's administration, Dan Ellsberg had gained intricate perspectives on what greased the bureaucratic wheels, personal ambitions, and political messaging of the warfare state. Deceptions about arranging for the ultimate violence of thermonuclear omnicide were of a piece with routine falsehoods about American war-making. It was easy enough to get away with lying, he told me: "How difficult is it to deceive the public? I would say, as a former insider, one becomes aware: it's not difficult to deceive them. First of all, you're often telling them what they would like to believe -- that we're better than other people, we're superior in our morality and our perceptions of the world."

Dan had made history in 1971 by revealing the top-secret Pentagon Papers, exposing the constant litany of official lies that accompanied the U.S. escalation of the Vietnam War. In response, the government used the blunderbuss of the World War I-era Espionage Act to prosecute him. At age 41, he faced a possible prison sentence of more than 100 years. But his trial ended abruptly with all charges dismissed when the Nixon administration's illegal interference in the case came to light in mid-1972. Five decades later, he reflected: "Looking back, the chance that I would get out of 12 felony counts from Richard Nixon was close to zero. It was a miracle."

That miracle enabled Dan to keep on speaking, writing, researching, and protesting for the rest of his life. (In those five decades, he averaged nearly two arrests per year for civil disobedience.) He worked tirelessly to prevent and oppose a succession of new American wars. And he consistently gave eloquent public support as well as warm personal solidarity to heroic whistleblowers -- Thomas Drake, Katharine Gun, Daniel Hale, Matthew Hoh, Chelsea Manning, Edward Snowden, Jeffrey Sterling, Mordechai Vanunu, Ann Wright, and others -- who sacrificed much to challenge deadly patterns of official deceit.

Unauthorized Freedom of Speech

Dan often spoke out for freeing WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, whose work had revealed devastating secret U.S. documents on America's wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. At the end of a visit in June 2015, when they said goodbye inside Ecuador's embassy in London, I saw that both men were on the verge of tears. At that point, Assange was three years into his asylum at that embassy, with no end in sight.

Secretly indicted in the United States, Assange remained in the Ecuadorian embassy for nearly four more years until London police dragged him off to prison. Hours later, in a radio interview, Dan said: "Julian Assange is the first journalist to be indicted. If he is extradited to the U.S. and convicted, he will not be the last. The First Amendment is a pillar of our democracy and this is an assault on it. If freedom of speech is violated to this extent, our republic is in danger. Unauthorized disclosures are the lifeblood of the republic."

Unauthorized disclosures were the essence of what WikiLeaks had published and what Dan had provided with the Pentagon Papers. Similarly, countless expose's about U.S. government war crimes became possible due to the courage of Chelsea Manning, and profuse front-page news about the government's systematic violations of the Fourth Amendment resulted from Edward Snowden's bravery. While gladly publishing some of their revelations, major American newspapers largely refused to defend their rights.

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Interstate 205 has reopened to all traffic Monday after a police pursuit of a barricaded suspect who stole a vehicle, according to Washington State Patrol.

District 5 public information officer William Finn sent a message on X (formerly Twitter) stating the freeway was initially closed in both directions, and on- and off-ramps were also closed, according to TripCheck.com.

The freeway closed between Mill Plain Boulevard and State Route 500 in Vancouver as of 10:45 a.m. An update by Finn stated the suspect stole a vehicle and was barricaded in it after eluding police. Around 11:40 a.m., the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office announced on X that police had detained the driver and a passenger.

Then southbound lanes reopened.

The northbound freeway reopened just before noon.

Visit wsdot.com/Travel/Real-time/Map/ for closure details.
A top prosecutors sly reference to an infamous essay, How to Murder Your Husband, is one of the reasons Oregon romance novelist Nancy Crampton Brophy should get a new trial, her attorney argues.

The how-to essay and trial figure prominently in Happily Never After: Dan and Nancy a new podcast from Wondery and The Oregonian/OregonLive.
Way back in 2011, policymakers in Oregon set an ambitious goal.

By 2025, 80 percent of the states 25- to 34-year-old residents would have some kind of college credentials.

The deadline is next year, and the state wont come close.

Instead, college-going rates have been on the decline in Oregon for the last decade, particularly among certain groups of high school students, including boys from rural Oregon and students of color. The decline outpaces national averages.

College enrollment matters for more than just students. To flourish in the future, the states economy needs highly-skilled workers who can contribute to the tax base. And as communities of color fall further behind in higher education attainment, it hurts the states efforts to improve equitable outcomes for all its residents.

Reporter Sami Edge set out to understand the decline. Her work is spotlighted in a seven-part series that continues this week in The Oregonian/OregonLive as students around the state graduate from high school.

In this episode of Beat Check, well talk about:

 The skyrocketing costs of college tuition in Oregon.

 How community colleges do  and dont  appeal to high school seniors.

 The ins and outs of Oregons existing tuition grant programs.

 How one tiny rural school in Klamath County sets the standard for high schools around the state.

Listen to the full conversation:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning after individuals in four states became ill from consuming Diamond Shruumz-brand microdosing chocolate bars.

Some Fell Ill from Consuming Microdosing Chocolate Bars

The affected people encountered serious manifestations such as seizures, central nervous system depression, agitation, abnormal heart rates, blood pressure fluctuations, nausea, and vomiting.

Six of the eight casualties needed hospitalization after eating the chocolate, which is distributed nationwide. The FDA noted that the precise list of retailers selling these chocolate bars is not fully known.

Efforts are ongoing to determine the cause of the illnesses. According to the company's website, the chocolate bars contain a "primo proprietary blend of nootropic and functional mushrooms."

The FDA has suggested against eating any flavors of the Diamond Shruumz microdosing chocolate bars, emphasizing that the product is marketed as candy and may fascinate children and teenagers.

In 2022, the FDA defined nootropics as products often marketed as "smart drugs" and "cognitive enhancers" without authorization.

The agency suggested that parents and caregivers discuss the advisory with their children and guarantee that young people refrain from eating these chocolate bars.

The latest reported illness happened on June 3. Two casualties were from Indiana, one from Nevada, one from Pennsylvania, and four from Arizona. Some casualties needed intubation, according to the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center in Arizona.

Steve Dudley, director of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, stated that despite the products claiming to contain only natural ingredients and no scheduled drugs, there is evidently a toxic element causing these severe reactions.

He noted instances of individuals seizing, losing consciousness, and needing intubation after consuming the chocolate bars.

Read Also: FDA Warns Parents to Avoid Powdered Infant Formula Due to Dangerous Bacteria Contamination

FDA Issues Warning on the Consumption of Microdosing Chocolate Bars

Eight people fell ill, with six of them needing hospitalization, after devouring microdosing chocolate bars, as reported by the FDA.

The agency is recently inspecting a series of illnesses related to Diamond Shruumz-brand Microdosing Chocolate Bars, which are made with soy, milk, and a unique blend of nootropic and functional mushrooms, according to the brand's website.

As of June 7, eight cases of serious ailment have been reported across Arizona, Indiana, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. Manifestations include seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, agitation, abnormal heart rates, and gastrointestinal issues.

The bars are accessible for buying both online and in select retail locations, such as smoke/vape shops and stores selling hemp-derived products like CBD or delta-8 THC.

The full list of retailers is unknown, prompting the FDA to advise against purchasing or consuming any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand Microdosing Chocolate Bars from any source.

Due to the product's candy-like presence, there's concern it may captivate children and teenagers. Parents and caregivers are advised to discuss this advisory with young people and guarantee they refrain from eating these bars.

Anyone with these bars at home is encouraged to dispose of them immediately. If sickness occurs after consumption, individuals are advised to contact a doctor and call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222, informing them of the consumption of Diamond Shruumz-brand Microdosing Chocolate Bars.
***

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***

Here are two lengthy excerpts from Luthers writings in which he expresses his agreement  along with virtually all of the early Protestant leaders  with the biblical, traditional, patristic, and Catholic belief in the perpetual virginity of Mary. Greater context for the key statements has been kindly provided by the anti-Catholic polemicist and self-proclaimed expert on Luther, James Swan (thanks much!). None of the bolding is in Luthers original.

The devil is doing his worst against this article of the divinity and the humanity of Christ, which he finds intolerable. Christ must be true God, in accord with the powerful testimony of Scripture and particularly of St. Paul, who declares that in Him the whole fullness of the Deity dwells bodily (Col. 2:9); otherwise we are damned forever. But in His humanity He must also be a true and natural son of the Virgin Mary, from whom He inherited flesh and blood as any other child does from its mother. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, who came upon her and overshadowed her with the power of the Most High, according to Luke 1:35. However, Mary, the pure virgin, had to contribute of her seed and of the natural blood that coursed from her heart. From her He derived everything, except sin, that a child naturally and normally receives from its mother. This we must believe if we are not to be lost. If, as the Manichaeans allege, He is not a real and natural man, born of Mary, then He is not of our flesh and blood. Then He has nothing in common with us; then we can derive no comfort from Him. However, we do not let ourselves be troubled by the blasphemies which the devil, through the mouths of his lying servants, speaks against Christ the Lordnow against His divinity, now against His humanityand by the attacks which he then makes against Christs office and work. But we cling to the Scriptures of the prophets and apostles, who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). Their testimony about Christ is clear. He is our Brother; we are members of His body, flesh and bone of His flesh and bone. According to His humanity, He, Christ, our Savior, was the real and natural fruit of Marys virginal womb (of which Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to her in Luke 1:42: Blessed is the fruit of your womb!). This was without the co-operation of a man, and she remained a virgin after that. Everything else that a mother imparts to a child was imparted by Mary, the mother of Gods eternal Son. Even the milk He sucked had no other source than the breasts of this holy and pure mother. (1st Sermon on the Gospel of John, July 1537, in Luthers Works, vol. 22, 23-24) Now the question may occupy us how Christ could have brothers, since He was the only Son of Mary, and the Virgin Mary bore no children besides Him. Some say that Joseph had been married before his marriage to Mary, and that the children of this first wife were later called Christs brothers. Others say that Joseph had another wife simultaneously with Mary, for it was permissible for the Jews to have two wives. In the Book of Ruth we hear that a poor daughter was often left on the shelf (Ruth 3:10 ff.). This displeased God; therefore He commanded that such daughters be provided for. Thus it became incumbent upon the nearest relative or friend to marry such a poor orphan girl. Mary, too, was a poor little orphan, whom Joseph was obligated to marry. She was so poor that no one else wanted her. Any children born to Joseph by other wives would have been half brothers of Christ. This is the explanation offered by some. But I am inclined to agree with those who declare that brothers really means cousins here, for Holy Writ and the Jews always call cousins brothers. Be that as it may, it matters little. It neither adds to nor detracts from faith. It is immaterial whether these men were Christs cousins or His brothers begotten by Joseph. In any event, they moved to Capernaum with Christ, where they took charge of the parish. We may infer from this text that they were a poor little group. After Josephs death they probably found it impossible to support themselves in Nazareth and for this reason left and moved to Capernaum. But just how and why this happened is a moot question. Christ was born in Bethlehem and reared in Nazareth, and now He is residing as a pastor in Capernaum. This town is His parish. He chose it as the place where He was to reside as bishop and as burgher, just as our pastor dwells here and is our bishop. Christ did not remain in Capernaum permanently. No, He wandered about. He returned to Nazareth and journeyed through all of Galilee, preaching and performing miracles; and then He would return to His abode in Capernaum. The other prophets did the same. Samuel lived in Ramah, and from there he went on a circuit to preach in the adjacent countryside (1 Sam. 7:1617). (16th Sermon on the Gospel of John, January 1538, in Luthers Works, vol. 22, 214-215)

Luther also stated that Mary was a virgin before and at the birth of Christ (That Jesus Christ Was Born a Jew, May 1523, in Luthers Works, vol. 45, 206). This is the miraculous in partu birth of Christ, in which the birth was completely miraculous, and not natural childbirth by the usual physical, biological process. For more on this, see my article, Luther & Marys Virginity During Childbirth (The Miraculous Birth of Jesus [in Partu] Without Pain) [10-12-11; additions on 9-19-15].

As an extra bonus, here are some remarks by Luther concerning Mary being the Mother of God:

We must hold to this faith in opposition to the heretics. The Turk contends that Mary was not the mother of the Son of God. The Nestorians said that Mary was not the mother of God but only of the man Jesus, who by nature was only her son. They made two sons out of one. But there is only one Son; and yet there are two natures, which gave Mary the right to say: This Son Jesus, whom I bore and suckled on my breasts, is the eternal God, born of the Father in eternity, and also my Son. And God says likewise: Marys Son is My only Son. Thus Mary is the mother of God. And Christ, together with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, is very God from eternity who became man in time. So God the Father does not have a son apart from Marys, nor does Mary have a son apart from God the Fathers. This is the foundation on which our faith rests: that Jesus Christ has two natures even though He is one indivisible Person. There are not two sons and two persons; there is one Son and one Person. (27th Sermon on the Gospel of John, in Luthers Works, vol. 22, 323-324)

*
At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Excellent all-day battery life

Portability and performance

Good value Cons No USB Type-A ports

No option for 32GB of RAM on the base model Our Verdict Lenovos ThinkBook is a better business laptop for most people than a top-of-the-line ThinkPad, but the lack of ports may be a problem.

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x (Gen 4) is a 13-inch business laptop designed for portability. The ThinkBook line of laptops is a more affordable alternative to Lenovos high-end ThinkPad laptops. But this laptop doesnt just beat a top-of-the-line ThinkPad on price  it beats it on battery life, too.

The value is definitely here: At $1,106, this ThinkBook is much less expensive than Lenovos ThinkPad X1 Carbon. It lacks the high-end touches of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, but its an incredibly practical machine for getting work done on the go  or at your desk.

Looking for more options? Check out PCWorlds roundup of the best laptops available today.

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Specs

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

The ThinkBook is a capable ultraportable business laptop. Its branded as an Intel Evo laptop and features a Meteor Lake-based Intel Core Ultra CPU with Intel Arc graphics. Our review model included an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, but Lenovo also offers this machine with a Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor for another $432. That upgrade seems overboard for a laptop at this price point, and it would make more sense if Lenovo offered this machine with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor as an upgrade instead.

This laptop includes 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM thats soldered to the motherboard. Thats fine for many purposes, but you cant get 32GB of RAM without also upgrading to that Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU. This unfortunately isnt a good machine for you if you need or want 32GB of RAM.

Our review unit also included a 512GB SSD. For an extra $89, you can upgrade that to a 1 TB SSD  thats reasonable, at least.

While Intels Meteor Lake platform includes a neural processing unit (NPU,) Intels first-generation NPUs arent powerful enough for Windows 11s upcoming AI features. This laptop wont get those AI features Microsoft just announced, which are exclusive to Copilot+ PCs. If those features are important to you and you want an Intel-powered PC, youll want to wait for Intels Lunar Lake hardware.

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 125H

Intel Core Ultra 5 125H Memory: 16GB LPDDR5X-8400MHz

16GB LPDDR5X-8400MHz Graphics/GPU: Intel Arc graphics

Intel Arc graphics Display: 13.5-inch 28801920 IPS display with 120Hz refresh rate and touch screen

13.5-inch 28801920 IPS display with 120Hz refresh rate and touch screen Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD

512GB M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD Webcam: 1080p webcam with physical webcam shutoff switch

1080p webcam with physical webcam shutoff switch Connectivity: 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1x combo audio jack

3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1x combo audio jack Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 Biometrics: IR camera for Windows Hello

IR camera for Windows Hello Battery capacity: 74 Watt-hours

74 Watt-hours Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches

11.6 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches Weight: 2.7 pounds

2.7 pounds MSRP: $1,106 as tested

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Design and build quality

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

Lenovos ThinkBook 13x has a smart all-metal design, all grays and silvers. The edges are slightly rounded so you dont have hard metal edges pressing into your hands. The ThinkBook name appears on the laptops lid and the Lenovo brand name appears both below the bottom right area of the laptops keyboard and on the lid.

Build quality feels excellent whether youre holding the laptop in your hand or opening and closing the laptops hinge. At the top of the display, the area with the webcam and IR camera sticks out a bit. This reduces the bezel around the display and gives you a good handhold to use while opening the laptop.

At 2.7 pounds, the laptop feels nice and light  but not quite as light as a ThinkPad X1 Carbon, naturally. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is also a more ruggedized design, so it will likely do better in extreme environments. But the ThinkBook will be more than sufficient for the average business traveler.

The ThinkBook 13x has one trick up its sleeve: A Lenovo Magic Bay connection at the top of the lid, behind that webcam bar. This lets you connect Magic Bay accessories magnetically. Lenovo bundled a Lenovo Magic Bay Light which is designed to provide extra lighting for video calls and other recordings. However, I dont see Lenovo offering any other Magic Bay accessories for this laptop on its online store, and Lenovo told me available accessories vary between regions.

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Keyboard and trackpad

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

The ThinkBook 13xs keyboard is a good keyboard and is a pleasure to type on. Its a good size and the key travel feels reasonably snappy  in other words, the keys dont feel mushy to me.

That said, this definitely isnt the most premium keyboard Ive used  Lenovos more expensive ThinkPad X1 Carbon definitely offers a snappier and more premium typing experience. But this is a solid keyboard.

The keyboard also has all-white LED keyboard backlighting so you can see the keys in a dark room. However, theres no red nub for controlling the mouse in the middle of the keyboard, as there is on ThinkPads.

Like the keyboard, the trackpad feels response and smooth. Its not quite as smooth to the touch as the touchpad on that high-end Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, but its definitely something I could be happy using regularly. The click-down action feels right, too.

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Display and speakers

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13xs 13.5-inch display is exactly the kind of thing youre looking for on a portable business laptop. Youre getting a 28801920 IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 3:2 aspect ratio. That 3:2 aspect ratio is an excellent choice that offers a lot of vertical space for getting work done.

The display also offers up to 500 nits of brightness, which is great to see. It does have a fairly glossy display thats prone to reflections  which you can see in some of the photos in this review. Its probably not the best option for use outdoors in direct sunlight, but the high brightness can help compensate.

This display is also a touch screen, which is convenient for scrolling documents and navigating the Windows operating system.

Its a good-looking screen with a solid resolution, refresh rate, and brightness, along with a good aspect ratio and a touch screen. Sure, this isnt a beautiful OLED display like the one the ThinkPad X1 Carbon offers  but thats probably part of why this ThinkBook beats that ThinkPad when it comes to battery life.

The speakers are good for a business laptop, too. Lenovo says theyre Harman Kardon speakers, and youve got the Harmon Kardon logo on the laptop. It also supports Dolby Atmos audio. You wont be replacing your home theater system with this laptop, but youve got a good volume and clarity here. I took this laptop on a weekend trip and watched some videos in a hotel room with a noisy air conditioner running a few feet away, and it offered a great watching-videos-in-a-hotel-room experience  a common task for any business laptop!

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13xs webcam looks great for a laptop webcam: Its a 1080p webcam that puts 720p webcams to shame. Youre probably only going to do better if you hunt down an external 4K webcam. Youve also got a physical switch for turning off the laptops webcam on the right side of the machine, which is a common privacy feature on business laptops.

This machine has a trick up its sleeve with that magnetically attaching Magic Bay Light, too. It offers customizable lighting so you can record videos in a more natural light. Ill be honest, though  its a little fatiguing staring at the laptops screen while the Magic Bay Light is shining brightly just above it, so you probably wont want to use this all the time.

The four-microphone array also offers good, clear sound quality. Between the webcam, microphone, and speakers, this laptop will offer a great experience for online meetings and video calls without any extra accessories.

The ThinkBook 13x includes an IR camera that supports facial recognition with Windows Hello, and it speedily logged me into Windows with my face in a variety of lighting conditions.

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Connectivity

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

Connectivity options on the ThinkBook 13x are a little limited, which is a problem for a business laptop. Youre getting three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports: one on the left side of the laptop, and two on the right. One of them is used for charging the laptop.

Also, youve got a combo audio jack on the left side of the machine. Thats it: You wont find any classic USB Type-A ports here, nor will you find an HDMI port or an SD card reader. For anything even a little off the beaten path, youll need a dongle.

Whether this is a big deal is up to you. If you dont plug in devices much, a thin-and-light laptop with a total of three USB-C ports may be perfectly fine  along with a dongle for when you need it.

For wireless connectivity, the ThinkBook has Wi-Fi 6E support and Bluetooth 5.3 hardware built in. Wi-Fi 7 routers arent very widespread yet, so its no surprise to see a laptop like this one choose Wi-Fi 6E hardware. But, if future-proof Wi-Fi 7 is a priority to you, this is the wrong machine for you.

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Performance

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x handled everyday desktop tasks  web browsers, office applications, and more  with snappy performance. Thats no surprise with the hardware in this laptop. Of course, we ran the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x through our standard benchmarks to measure its performance.

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

First, we run PCMark 10 to get an idea of overall system performance. This particular benchmark is a little more focused on the CPU, but it tries to measure general system performance. The ThinkBook 13x turned in a great result for an ultraportable laptop, with an overall score of 6,911  just a little bit behind Lenovos much more expensive ThinkPad X1 Carbon and ahead of many other similar laptops in its class.

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

Next, we run Cinebench R20. This is a heavily multithreaded benchmark that focuses on overall CPU performance. Its a quick benchmark, so cooling under extended workloads isnt a factor. But, since its heavily multithreaded, CPUs with more cores have a huge advantage.

The ThinkBook 13x with its Core Ultra 5 CPU delivered a score of 5,117. Thats a stronger result than the ThinkPad X1 Carbon and other systems with Core Ultra 7 CPUs.

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

We also run an encode with Handbrake. This is another heavily multithreaded benchmark, but it runs over an extended period of time. This demands the laptops cooling kick in, and many laptops will throttle and slow down under load.

The Lenovo ThinkBook took 1,174 seconds  thats about nineteen and a half minutes  to complete the encode process. Thats faster than the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, once again. The ThinkBook seems to deliver better cooling than the somewhat smaller and lighter ThinkPad X1 Carbon, which is no surprise. Of course, we also see the larger HP Pavilion Plus deliver great performance here thanks to its cooling ability.

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

Next, we run a graphical benchmark. This isnt a gaming laptop, but its still good to check how the GPU performs. We run 3Dmark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU performance.

The Intel Arc graphics in this machine are faster than previous-generation Intel Iris Xe graphics. But they delivered a higher performance score the Arc graphics in the ThinkPad X1 Carbon  again, this laptop seems to punch above the ThinkPad X1 Carbons performance in a variety of ways. Cooling is likely a huge factor.

Overall, the ThinkBook 13xs performance is excellent for a business laptop. Earlier, I wrote that I would like to see Lenovo offer this machine with a Core Ultra 7 CPU as an option. But, seeing how the Core Ultra 5 hardware here is beating so many other Core Ultra 7 systems, there may be no point in that!

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Battery life

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x includes a 74 Watt-hour battery, which is a good size for an ultraportable system. It also delivers excellent battery life in the real world.

IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman IDG / Chris Hoffman

To benchmark the battery life, we play a 4K copy of Tears of Steel on repeat in the Movies & TV app on Windows 11 with airplane mode enabled until the laptop suspends itself. We set the screen to 250 nits of brightness for our battery benchmark. This is a best-case scenario for any laptop since local video playback is so efficient, and real battery life in day-to-day use is always going to be less than this.

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x lasted for 783 minutes on average. Thats over 13 hours of battery life during video playback  notably better than the ThinkPad X1 Carbon.

Of course, machine will definitely not get 13 hours of battery life under normal use when youre using web browsers, office applications, and everything else you use. But it should reliably deliver all-workday battery life, which is a huge deal. Thats something the ThinkPad X1 Carbon and a lot of other business laptops cant reliably deliver, which is a shame  but this machine can.

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Conclusion

The ThinkBook 13x is an excellent ultraportable business laptop: Its a great price and offers high performance along with good keyboard, display, and excellent all-day battery life. The webcam, microphone, and speakers are great for business meetings.

While a machine like the ThinkPad X1 Carbon offers more premium touches with an OLED display and snappier keyboard, Id say the ThinkBook 13x offers a better overall package with its all-day battery life and better performance benchmarks in a variety of scenarios  not to mention the much lower price.

There are still some catches: If you want more connectivity than three USB-C ports and an audio jack, youll need to look elsewhere. If you want more than 16GB of RAM on your laptop, you cant get more without spending a lot of extra money to also upgrade the CPU.

Still, some people will prefer a lighter laptop with a more beautiful OLED display and snappier keyboard  even if it cant necessarily deliver all-day battery life under many workloads. The ThinkPad Carbon X1 is still compelling.

But the ThinkBook 13x is a better ultraportable business laptop for most people.
Torrenting, or P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing, is a convenient way to download large files quickly. But it isnt without its risks. Not only is there the risk of accidentally downloading a malicious file or malware, but theres a privacy risk as well  your ISP can see all your online activity and they usually dont take too kindly to torrenting.

Thats why its imperative that you use a VPN while doing any torrenting or P2P file sharing. A VPN can keep your connection private and encrypt your data so that unwanted prying eyes  cybercriminals, overbearing ISPs, or nosy government watchdogs  cant monitor your online activity. (See Can a VPN really hide all of your torrent activity? to learn more.)

Why you should trust me: Here at PCWorld weve been testing computer hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. As PCWorlds primary VPN reviewer, Im continually testing all of the major VPNs on the market and many lesser-known services in order to curate a list of the very best VPNs across a variety of categories. For a more in-depth guide on my testing process, see this article on how we test VPN services at PCWorld. Below youll find my favorite VPNs and additional information about what to look for when choosing a VPN on your own.

If youre interested in using a VPN for more than just torrenting you can check out my list of best VPN services for even more great options.

Updated September 11, 2024: Check out my latest review of CyberGhost VPN. Boasting one of the largest server networks of any VPN and dedicated torrenting servers, this is a decent option for most users. But irregular speed issues and lack of a robust feature set keep it just off of this list.

NordVPN  Best VPN for torrenting overall Pros Loaded with tons of VPN configuration options

Outstanding speeds

Multiple independent no-logs audits

Included antivirus and password manager Cons Expensive Price When Reviewed: 3,09 Euro pro Monat (83,43  fur die ersten 2 Jahre) Best Prices Today: Why I like NordVPN NordVPN is my top pick for torrenting due to its fantastic security features, multi-hop connections, and independently verified no-logs policy. Plus, it comes with built-in ad- and tracker-blocker as well as malware protection and a link checker  you know, for any of those dubious Linux torrenting sites you might run into. NordVPN also proved to be the fastest VPN on the market in my testing, so those large P2P files should download in no-time. It truly has everything you could want to make your torrenting faster, easier, and most importantly, safer. NordVPN also comes with broad device support and an easy-to-use Windows app. It might be a bit expensive, but if you opt for longer-term subscriptions it becomes a lot cheaper. Who should buy NordVPN NordVPN is the perfect VPN for torrenting and anyone who is looking for a VPN for this purpose would do well to subscribe to the service. Its also a great overall VPN option for people who want speed and extra features. Even power users will find plenty of customizable options to get the most out of their experience. Read our full NordVPN review ExpressVPN  Best VPN for torrenting runner-up Pros Excellent speeds

Easy-to-use interface

Unblocks all streaming services

Great security and privacy practices Cons More expensive than many competitors

Light on some features for a top VPN Best Prices Today: Why I like ExpressVPN ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN so its no surprise that its landing as one of my top picks for torrents as well. Even though its my best overall pick for VPNs, I give it the runner-up spot here as NordVPN comes with a few more security features than ExpressVPN  I say, the more security the better when torrenting. However, ExpressVPN is still an excellent VPN choice for torrenting as it makes all of the right privacy promises and its speeds are very good. It also has a lot of other good qualities that make it worth your while, such as smart DNS and great unblocking capabilities. Also, ExpressVPN is officially based in the British Virgin Islands meaning it isnt subject to any international data intelligence sharing alliances or data retention requirements so you can feel confident your ISP or other interested parties cant uncover your traffic P2P activity. Who should buy ExpressVPN ExpressVPN is a true all-arounder and a great option for everyone. Since its my top pick overall for VPNs, I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a VPN for more than just torrenting  especially if they also want to do streaming. Read our full ExpressVPN review ProtonVPN  Best free option Pros Excellent free plan

Great privacy tools

Reliable and transparent no-logs policy Cons Premium plan is expensive Best Prices Today: Why I like ProtonVPN My pick for best free VPN for torrenting is a no-brainer: ProtonVPN. At no cost, youll get a one-device connection with no data or time limits. I repeat, no data or time limits. Thats absolutely unheard of from a major VPN provider and it means you can safely torrent to your hearts content without worrying about your file sizes. Sure, the free version of ProtonVPN comes with access to only five servers, but when youre torrenting, the server location shouldnt matter anyways. ProtonVPN also has some of the fastest speeds around, both upstream and down, which is helpful when you want to spread the Open Office love as quickly as possible. The Swiss-based service has excellent privacy promises, and it has a bunch of servers in a friggin bunker too  looking at you, torrenting preppers. Who should use ProtonVPN Anyone who wants to torrent should use a VPN and anyone who doesnt want, or have the means, to pay for a premium VPN should use ProtonVPN instead. Its free and has no data limits. I call that a win-win. Read our full ProtonVPN review Mullvad  Best for privacy Pros Good speeds

Higher level of anonymity possible than with most VPN services

Windows desktop is easy to use Cons Not guaranteed to work with Netflix

Lacks the extra services that some VPNs offer

No password protection for your account Price When Reviewed: 5 Euro pro Monat Best Prices Today: Why I like Mullvad Mullvad is the ultimate VPN when it comes to privacy and anonymity. The Sweden-based company appreciates your business, but its not interested in finding out who you are. It goes well beyond the standards of most other VPN companies when it comes to protecting your anonymity. Instead of using an email and password combo, Mullvad randomly generates an account number that functions as your username and password. And you can even decide to mail in cash as a subscription payment if you dont want your credit card on file. While Mullvad focuses on privacy, its no slouch in other departments as well. It ranks in the top 10 for speeds, and comes with a convenient split-tunneling feature as well. All servers are capable of P2P transfers so you can just pick your favorite server and start torrenting. Plus, the service has a very inexpensive monthly subscription fee. Who should buy Mullvad Mullvad is ultimately for the privacy-conscious user. Those who really demand ultimate anonymity when torrenting or just using a VPN in general will find that Mullvad takes active measure to ensure they never know who you are  meaning no other observer will know who you are either. Due to its affordable monthly plan its also a great option for VPN users on a budget. Read our full Mullvad review Private Internet Access  Best for customization Pros Independently verified no-logs policy

Unlimited simultaneous device connections

Incredible number of servers

Great extra features such as multi-hop and split tunneling Cons App panel awkwardly located on the lower-right corner of screen by default

Speeds are just okay Best Prices Today: Why I like Private Internet Access Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the most popular VPN providers and has seemingly been around forever. PIA not only comes with an insane amount of servers, but also great features such as multi-hop, an app-based kill switch, and split tunneling. All servers are capable of P2P file transfers, and features like port forwarding mean your torrenting will be faster and more reliable. PIA also has a great record of transparency, regularly undergoing independent no-logs audits. It does lack some speed in comparison to other top picks here, but that shouldnt translate to too much of a hit while torrenting. Who should buy Private Internet Access PIA is best suited for those who like to tinker with their software. It provides so many customizable features that it can come across as a bit overwhelming to the uninitiated and those just looking for a set-it and forget-it option. But power users will find a plethora of tweakable options and settings to keep them happy through all of their torrenting endeavors. Read our full Private Internet Access review

How I tested

If youve read a number of these VPN articles, you know the drill by now. I test on three different days taking the average speeds I find in six different countries (each country is tested multiple times per day). Then I take all those daily averages to get an overall global average in megabytes per second. Then I compare that to the base speed without a VPN, and then express the result as a percentage based on how much of the base speed the global average maintains. If there are particularly standout speeds in a certain country or region I will generally call those out too.

The reason I dont quote specific speeds is that these can vary by all kinds of factors such as your location, ISP, home network load and equipment, and so on. The percentages, however, give you a generally good idea of how much of a dip to expect when you connect to a VPN  theres always a dip.

One other factor torrent users will want to know about is that I read the privacy policy for each and every VPN I cover. Yes, it is painful to do, so I save you the hassle. The reason I do that is a VPN may promise up front that it doesnt track your web browsing, but then you find that actually it does log IP addresses, timestamps, and bandwidth used. So I dig into the details so you can know exactly what the VPNs I review promise.

For more details on my testing process, see how we test VPNs at PCow

What to look for in a VPN for torrenting

There are a few hard-and-fast rules you need from a VPN when downloading torrents. Heres what to look for:

Blocking

First of all you want a VPN service provider that allows torrenting of P2P file sharing on their network. Most do, but there are a few notable exceptions such as Tunnel Bear, which actively blocks torrents.

Then there are VPNs that partially block torrents, especially on U.S. servers such as TorGuard. This VPN service recently settled a lawsuit brought against it by a consortium of Hollywood production companies and as a result, TorGuard promised to no longer allow torrents on its U.S. servers. On top of that, many other VPN services dont want to end up in a lawsuit like their competitors and actively disallow torrenting on their American servers.

Service location

For that reason, I recommend using VPN services that are based outside the U.S., and from those VPNs you should use servers based in countries that are friendlier to torrents. This avoids the issue of dealing with torrents being blocked outright when all you want to do is load up Ubuntu on that new laptop. Most VPN services will specify which servers allow torrents, but a popular and easy choice is Sweden. The speeds are usually good, and most services include Swedish servers in their networks along with many other countries that are torrent-friendly.

No-logs policy

The next thing you want is a VPN that has an ironclad no-logs promise from the service provider, because nobody wants to be exposed downloading free and open source software. That means that the service should include a promise not to maintain logs of any kind.

I say promise since theres no real way to know for sure that a VPN isnt logging your activity. You ultimately have to trust that its not doing it. This trust can come from a few factors, in order of reputability: The companys no-logs promise has been proven by a court challenge, numerous third-party audits have verified the services claims, or you might just take the company at its word proceed with caution.

Speed

Finally, after those details have been verified, you want a VPN with solid speeds. Torrents can take a long time to download as it is, depending on how many people are sharing the file. The last thing you want is to see your download slowed down by shoddy VPN speeds.

To get the VPN you need for torrenting, just put all those attributes together: allows torrents, absolute no-logs promise, torrent-friendly services and servers outside the U.S., and excellent speeds.
Small-scale miners in Ghana may soon tap into new international markets, following a potential collaboration between the Ghanaian government and the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), under the auspices of the UK-Ghana Gold Programme (UKGGP).



In their press statement, released on Wednesday 5 June 2024, Nana Akwasi Awuah, Managing Director of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company Ltd (PMMC), stated that LBMA Certification would greatly enhance their efforts to promote responsible sourcing and, by extension, responsible mining, ultimately ensuring that Ghana fully benefits from gold as a critical mineral resource.



"LBMA Certification would significantly bolster our efforts to promote responsible sourcing and mining, ultimately ensuring that Ghana maximizes the benefits from its gold resources," he stated.



According to the statement, the presence of Gregory Mthembu-Salter, a consultant from the LBMA, in Ghana to meet key stakeholders, including governmental bodies, the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, gold traders, and exporters, could open a market worth over $1.5 billion for small-scale gold miners in Ghana.



"We are here on a two-week mission to further the LBMA's goal of its Good Delivery List (GDL) refiners sourcing legally and responsibly mined artisanal and small-scale gold from Ghana," said Mthembu-Salter.



"The government's commitment to responsible mining is commendable, and significant progress has already been made. GDL refiners are dedicated to progressive improvements in their supply chains, enhancing miners' lives and incomes while mitigating environmental impacts.



Supplying to the GDL offers Ghanaian producers access to formal global markets but requires a commitment to legal and responsible mining practices.

We are confident many are ready to meet this challenge and look forward to engaging with them, he added.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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

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A 24-year-old man who stole a laptop of an artiste who offered him a place to sleep has been sentenced to 12 months in prison by an Accra Circuit Court.



The HP-branded laptop he stole was valued at GH3,500.



David Boateng was charged with stealing and he pleaded guilty.



The court presided over by Mrs Susan Eduful convicted Boateng on his plea.



Prosecution led by Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu told the court that the complainant Evans Kotey Djanie was an artiste residing at Teshie First Junction and that the accused person was an Ashaiman resident.



The prosecution said on May 5, 2024, at about 2:00 pm, the complainant was having a voice training at Teshie Roman area when the accused person, now convict, approached him and told him that he (accused) had come from Koforidua to Accra to work but had no place to sleep and needed help.



According to the prosecutor, Djanie took Boateng home, left him in his room and went back for the training.



The prosecution said at about 3:30am, the complainant returned home only to detect that Boateng had stolen his laptop computer valued at GH3,500.

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.

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The Child Health Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has recorded a rare case of Wilsons Disease in a 13-year-old boy.



The condition, believed to be the first in the country, is said to affect one out of 30,000 population in developed countries. The boy was diagnosed with the fatal genetic disease after his mother, a trader, detected his deteriorating handwriting.



The Head, Neuro-Developmental Clinic, Department of Child Health, KBTH, Professor Ebenezer Badoe, who made the diagnosis after several tests, however, said the disease was treatable.



He said the young boy could live a normal life through medication, but was concerned about the cost involved, saying the patient needed GH450 every month to stay alive.



Wilsons disease



Wilsons disease is an inherited disorder that causes too much copper to accumulate in the organs. It causes copper levels to build up in several organs, especially the liver, brain and eyes.



In Wilson's disease, copper is not eliminated properly and instead accumulates, possibly to a life-threatening level. Symptoms typically begin between the ages of 12 and 23 and they include swelling, fatigue, abdominal pain and uncontrolled or poorly coordinated movements.



Treatment often includes medication that can prompt the organs to release copper into the bloodstream. Once it is in the bloodstream, it can then be eliminated from the body through the kidneys.



Diagnosis



Prof. Badoe said he became alarmed when he got into contact with the boy because mostly, the first symptom of the disease presented with jaundice before affecting the other organs such as the liver and kidney.



However, he said, although the boy did not contract jaundice, his condition had crossed the jaundice stage and entered his brains causing him to lose his motor skills, hence the deteriorating handwriting, and a change in his gait.



The paediatric neurologist said because the disease was rare and needed both parents to have the genes to be affected, he requested an advance genetic test for both parents and the child which was done in the United States of America (USA) at a cost of $8,000, with funding from a non-governmental organisation, Reg Disease Ghana.



He said the test came back positive for both parents, which confirmed that the boy was presented with an Autosomal recessive inheritance, which is the way a genetic trait or condition is passed down from parent to child.



Prof. Badoe said unlike sickle cell disease which was also an autosomal recessive inheritance disease, the condition was common among the population, and therefore, was easy for one to be diagnosed with it, unlike the Wilsons disease, which he said, was a rare case.



Eye symptoms



He said the boys condition had deteriorated to the extent that he had a gray ring around the edge of the corneas in the eyes, which he referred to as Kayser-Fleischer rings  a sign of copper in the eyes.



Prof. Badoe said the young boy needed lifelong treatment, saying stopping the treatment may cause acute liver failure which could lead to death. The paediatric neurologist, therefore, called on well-meaning Ghanaians, philanthropists and institutions who had the means to help buy the drugs for the little boy to keep him alive.



He said the sad thing was that though the boys health was improving after he put him on two months of supply of the drug, his health would deteriorate when the drug ran out and that could lead to death.



He stressed the need for teachers and caregivers to be given the needed training to pick simple changes in the children under their care so that they could report for further study to be done for early diagnosis of conditions among children.



The paediatric neurologist praised the mother of the boy, saying through her vigilance she was able to detect that there was something wrong with her son and therefore sought prompt medical attention, leading to the diagnosis.



Speaking with the mother (name withheld) on telephone, she told the Daily Graphic that she noticed her son was not bringing homework to the house so she often contacted his mates around to copy the work and do it for him to copy.



She said even when she did the work for the child to copy into his book, he still refused with the excuse that he could not write. She became alarmed and went to the school to enquire but his teacher told her he had become slow in class so they normally did not engage him to copy his homework since he would waste their time.



She then confided in a nurse in church who offered to help at her clinic at Kasoa, but they later realised it was beyond them and subsequently transferred the boy to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, where she said, the result of the first MRI attracted the entire medical staff.



She said they all concluded that the boys condition was rare and therefore should be transferred to KBTH, where he was finally diagnosed with the disease.









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.

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On Saturday, June 8, 2024, the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III, granted an audience to Ghanas Foreign Minister, Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. They discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and renew the Commonwealth.



The meeting occurred at the splendid Istana Nurul Iman palace in Brunei's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. The Sultan and Ms. Botchwey expressed a firm commitment to enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors and reiterated their shared values and mutual interests.



A key highlight of the discussions was global climate change, with both parties acknowledging the urgent need to combat this pressing issue. They agreed that collaborative initiatives among Commonwealth nations would help mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.





Ms. Botchwey, one of Africas leading diplomats and a former ECOWAS legislator, has made climate change a pillar of her bid to become the Commonwealth Secretary-General. A new Secretary-General is due to be elected in October by the Heads of Government of the 56-member organisation.



Earlier, Ms. Botchwey held talks with her counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei, Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof. They discussed youth empowerment and strategies to create skills and livelihood opportunities for young people across the Commonwealth. With sixty per cent of the Commonwealths 2.6 billion people under thirty years old, youth development is a critical focus.



Ms. Botchwey and Dato Yusof committed to fostering educational exchange programs between Ghana and Brunei, emphasizing the critical role of young people as drivers of social and economic progress. Ms. Botchwey envisions youth development through skills training, innovation, and start-ups as key to making the Commonwealth work for its citizens.



In a notable development, the two ministers discussed the prospect of waiving visas for their respective diplomatic and service passport holders to facilitate more efficient engagement between Ghana and Brunei.



Ms. Botchwey also visited the impressive Brunei National Museum, where artefacts include a sculpted drummer from Ghana, presented to Sultan Bolkiah by President Jerry Rawlings 24 years ago during a visit to Brunei.



Ms. Botchwey is confident that the outcomes of this visit could signal a resurgence of relations between Ghana and oil-rich Brunei, and underscore the potential for A New Commonwealth should she become Secretary-General.



During her years in the ECOWAS Parliament, she served as vice-chair of the New Partnership for Africas Development (NEPAD) and the Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) committees. Ms. Botchwey was a legislator for 16 years in Ghanas Parliament, including eight as MP for the most populous constituency, which was subsequently split into three.



Some analysts consider her a peoples diplomat, capable of engaging with youth, traders, kiosk attendants, and sultans in gold-bedecked palaces with equal ease.









Source: Peacefmonline.com









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

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The 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.

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The police have officially commented on the arrest of Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor who is contesting the 2024 parliamentary election in Awutu Senya East constituency of the Central Region on the ticket of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).



According to the police, she has been cautioned on the offence of transfer of firearms without authority.



In a press statement, the police explained that it granted bail to three persons who were arrested when a Pump Action gun with four rounds of ammunition was found in their vehicle at the offices of the Electoral Commission at Ofaakor in the Awutu Senya East constituency of the Central region.



"Suspect, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor has been cautioned on the offence of transfer of firearms without authority whilst suspects Abdulai Aziz and Mustapha Mohammed have been cautioned on the offence of possession of firearms without authority," the police statement said.



Meanwhile, on Thursday, June 6, 2024, the court remanded into Police custody, to reappear on June 19, 2024, suspect Usman Haruna for stabbing one person during the disturbances at the office of the Electoral Commission at Ofaakor in the Awutu Senya East constituency.



It said police investigations are ongoing, while the case docket is being forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General for study and advice.



Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor was arrested on Friday and was detained overnight at the Cantonments Police Station in Accra before she was released before midday on Saturday,



The arrest was in connection with a gun which was found in her vehicle on Sunday, June 2, 2024, in addition to a riotous action involving some NDC and New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters at the Electoral Commission office in the constituency, where there was a vote transfer exercise underway.



The chaotic incident at the EC office following a disagreement between observers of the two political parties last Sunday led to the stabbing of one person.



Koryoo Okunor was arrested together with one Mustapha Mohammed and Abdul Aziz Musah,

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.

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Families with father and child look-alikes are set for a fun-filled experience at Achimota Mall (ARC), as the Centre gets busy identifying some chips off the old block for special treatment and reward on Fathers Day.



The hunt for Father and Child Look-alikes is ARCs prime episode for this years Fathers Day celebration, and is already in top gear as patrons began posting their entries last week. The Mall will continue to receive entries throughout the week until Thursday, June 13, management announced at the weekend.



ARC management says it launched the Father and Child Look-alike campaign to celebrate the bond between fathers and their children by inviting them to showcase their resemblance in a fun and engaging fashion. The competitiveness of the episode helps to strengthen the relationship between fathers and their children, while it provides a memorable experience for all participants.



Five of the best entries to pull through will receive special gift items, have a shopping experience and dine in a food court restaurant of their choice, all by courtesy of ARC.



Marketing Manager, Mrs Linda Pappoe, told newsmen that ARC patrons and visiting families who participate in the fun contest simply have to share photos of themselves with their look-alike fatherand caption the post with three words which best describe their father.



To participate, you must first follow Achimota Retail Centre on Facebook and Instagram. Then you post a picture of you and your father on your personal Instagram or Facebook, with a caption that best describes your dad, Mrs Pappoe explained further, stressing that every post must tag @AchimotaRetailCentre and use the hashtag #AchimotaFathersDay.



Five entries with the most striking physical resemblance between father and child with captivating captions, that manage to attract the highest number of likes on their posts will be declared winners. Winning entries will be announced on Friday, June 14 and will receive their awards on Fathers Day.



Mrs Pappoe said ARC is offering the most enticing experience for this years Fathers Day celebration, as the Centre sets up for that congenial ambience which is best suited for every member of the family.



Theres so much fun in the air at the centre and so much to give away; with soothing live-band music streaming through the food court and the walkways, and a professional Master of Ceremonies coordinating the variety of festive activities at the centre, ARC is, no doubt, the familys ideal destination for this years Fathers Day celebration, she said.



Achimota Retail Centre is Accras most popular open mall. It is home to a wide range of Ghanaian and international brands with offerings in different retail categories including, fashion and clothing, electronics, grocery, health and wellness, a childrens games arcade and a range of alluring delicatessen and eateries.



The Centre is located at Dome, off the Accra-Nsawam highway. It provides, retail shopping services and quality recreation to catchment communities like Achimota, Dome, Tantra Hills, Taifa, Kwabenya, Ashongman and the entire north-eastern quarter of the capital.









Source: Peacefmonline.com









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

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Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh on Sunday 9th June, 2024 joined his grandfather, the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to the durbar of the Ga State in honour of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.



The event follows the Ga Mantses recent participation in the 25th anniversary celebration of Otumfuo Osei Tutu IIs ascension to the golden stool as well as his 74th birthday celebration.



The reciprocal visit is a testament of the strong bond of affection between the two traditional rulers.



The Energy Minister, who had earlier on Friday June 7, 2024 paid a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, reiterated the need for enhanced cordial relations among Ghanaian ethnic groups which, to him, forms the foundation for progress and development in the country.



The Asantehene pledged GH500,000 as seed money to establish an Education Endowment Fund for the Ga State.

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.

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In a ground breaking move, a Ghanaian tech startup BizAi XGospel LTD has launched BizAI.me, an artificial intelligence platform set to democratize entrepreneurship across the nation.



Founded by Dr. George Owusu, Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, BizAI.me aims to put advanced business tools in the hands of every Ghanaian, from tech startups in Accra to cocoa farmers in Kumasi.



Every Ghanaian with a dream deserves a chance to turn it into a thriving business, says Dr. Owusu. BizAI.me is that chance. Its like having a team of expert consultants available 24/7, guiding you through everything from finding market opportunities to managing your finances.



Empowering Ghanaian Entrepreneurs with AI



BizAI.me provides a suite of powerful tools designed to empower entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey. By leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, the platform offers:



- Market Opportunity Analysis: Helps users identify and capitalize on emerging market trends.



- Financial Management Tools: Simplifies financial planning, budgeting, and cash flow management.



- Customer Insights: Delivers actionable insights based on customer behavior and preferences.



- Operational Efficiency: Automates routine tasks to free up time for strategic decision-making.



Integrating Ethical Principles in Business



The platforms unique feature, Business Ethics AI, integrates biblical principles into business decisions, ensuring that as businesses grow, they also contribute positively to their communities. In Ghana, faith and business go hand in hand, Dr. Owusu explains. Our AI doesnt just focus on profits, but on building businesses that make our nation proud.



A Catalyst for Economic Growth



With its potential to boost the SME sector, a key driver of Ghanas economy, BizAI.me is more than just a tech launch; its a national asset poised to create jobs, strengthen communities, and position Ghana as a leader in ethical, AI-driven innovation in Africa.



The platform is expected to significantly impact local businesses by providing tools that were previously out of reach for many small and medium-sized enterprises.



Join the Movement



BizAI.me is not just a tool; its a movement towards a more inclusive and prosperous Ghana. By equipping entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed, BizAI.me is fostering a new generation of business leaders who are ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.



For more information about BizAI.me and to explore how it can benefit your business, please visit BizAI.me or contact us on +233546374391









Source: Peacefmonline.com









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

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When Georgia Agyekum was considering the academic programme to read in high school, like almost every Ghanaian child, she was under some form of pressure from her parents to choose General Science and become a medical doctor. But Georgia knew early on that biology wasn't her calling.



"There's this thing about every parent wanting their children to be a doctor," Georgia said with a laugh. "For secondary school, I opted for a course that eliminated biology, a clear sign I wasn't going down the medicine route. Engineering, with its focus on physics and chemistry, was where my heart belonged."



Fast forward to early 2009 as she was settling on a university programme to offer, Georgia came under similar duress. This time, friends and acquaintances urged her to drop her quest to read engineering and opt for business administration instead.



It was more of  it's not a ladys course Why are you coming to offer engineering? Everybody was pushing, business is for women, go and do business.



However, in a society that often steers women towards traditional career paths, Georgia dared to dream differently. Fuelled by a passion for problem-solving, she defied expectations and pursued Telecom Engineering at the Ghana Telecom University College.



Turning point



Georgias life-changing moment came in 2012 when she received the Female Engineering Students Scholarship Programme (FESSP) award from Telecel Ghana (then Vodafone). She was one of 10 female students chosen for that years cohort of the programme.



"I was excited when I got a phone call from the Human Resource Representative that I have been selected after the screening and interview process. I was in my third year and the award came with final year tuition fees, hostel fees and some books fee.



Introduced in 2011, FESSP has supported and empowered 90 brilliant female final year engineering students through financial aid, mentorship, tech tools and work opportunities. Through FESSP and other talent diversity improvement initiatives, Telecel Ghana aims to tackle gender imbalance in engineering and inspire more young women to pursue technical careers in the field of engineering.



Career trajectory



Georgia did an internship at Telecel Ghana prior to graduation and followed up with her national service at the telco before transitioning into the graduate programme. This extensive work experience enabled her to rotate across all functions to gain exposure in various roles, leading to positions in IT, corporate systems, and network architecture.



Currently, Georgia is a sales solutions architect at Telecel Ghana, contributing to the design and implementation of I.T. systems to support the telecoms operations and business processes.



The internship was eye-opening. Moving through different teams during the graduate programme helped me understand my career path better. Each role brought new skills as you tend to learn and grow with each position. Managing people and continuous learning are crucial skills I've developed."



Career-boosting mentorship



Receiving mentorship played a major part in Georgias career stability. Her mentor, Eunice Annor Kwafo, currently a Core Planning Manager at Telecel Ghana, played a pivotal role in guiding her in the various rotational positions she filled.



My mentor went above and beyond, even helping me with personal challenges. Mentorship is vital for young engineers, especially women. Having a dedicated mentor made a significant difference. It's essential for guiding young engineers and can make a tremendous impact."



Breaking the glass ceiling



Reflecting on the challenges she faced, Georgia mentioned the comments that come up from working in male-dominated roles. "Every female engineer can attest to the hurdles. Some people doubted my ability, suggesting female-dominated roles instead. But breaking that glass ceiling was crucial. My presence encouraged more women to join, proving we could succeed in these roles."



Telecel Ghanas FESSP is a remarkable initiative that demonstrates the organisations unwavering commitment to empowering women and bridging the gender gap in the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.



Director of Human Resources at Telecel Ghana, Hannah Ashiokai Akrong, said Diversity and Inclusion is important to us at Telecel. This initiative helps us to bring more outstanding and talented young engineering students through the door to bridge the gap in gender representation and create a diverse and inclusive workforce that drives innovation and growth. Like Georgia, we are proud to have supported 90 female engineering students since 2011 and look forward to having more female engineers on board.



Georgias advice to aspiring female engineers is clear: "Be passionately interested in your field. Open yourself to mentorship and be prepared for challenges. The journey won't be smooth, but with genuine interest and resilience, you can succeed."







Source: Georgia Agyekum









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

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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.

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The largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) has questioned the credibility of a recent survey undertaken by a senior research fellow at the Kumasi Technical University, Professor Smart Sarpong.



Professor Smart Sarpong, indicated that Ghanaian voters prefer Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the next President of Ghana to the candidate of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama.



Thw survey conducted across the various regions in Ghana revealed that, there is a deeper preference for the Vice President.



From all indications as far as the findings of the research is concerned, Bawumia leads as the preferred Presidential Candidate with 38.9% in the 2024 general elections.



The survey also revealed that the opposition party, the NDC is the most popular party.



This findings has elicited varied conversations amongst the public with some persons gravely disagreeing with the findings. Top amongst those who disagree are the members of the opposition party who are of the view that, the researcher was already tinted with bias thereby, discrediting the research work.



Deputy Communications Director of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Malik Basintale, in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Citi FMs Eyewitness News on Thursday, June 6, stated that, the research lacks credibility adding that the survey does not accurately reflect the sentiments of the Ghanaian electorate.



According to him, Prof Sarpong was a sympathiser of the NPP, and an admirer of Dr. Bawumia, which raises the questions of credibility.



Malik Basintale said, The credibility of the researcher is as important as the research work. And so, if I wanted to look at the research work of Sarpong, I would have out-rightly attributed many stories to him. I will just say that look he is a known NPP person, we know him from Kumasi Technical University."



"We know his penchant love for the NPP. We know his agape love for Dr Bawumia in fact in many of his releases as far back as November, he said in his own interest, he feels that Dr Bawumia should be president of this country. the NDC Communicator added.



The survey further indicated that all other Presidential aspirants put together are making up to 3.6% gains. The survey also indicated that about 21.4 % of prospective voters are yet to decide which Presidential candidate to vote for as of the end of April 2024.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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

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Charles Owusu has lauded the presiding Judge in the case involving Attorney-General Godfred Dame, and Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, regarding the purchase of 200 ambulances for Ghana.



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.



Richard 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 Richard Jakpa claimed 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.



The audio recording which was tendered in court, according to the presiding Judge, Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, contains no incriminating evidence against the A-G.



Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe however assured all parties that justice will prevail in the trial.



Commenting on the issue on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' show, Charles Owusu shared strong faith in the competence and dauntless boldness of the Judge to deliver verdict on the case.



He warned the parties against toying with the words of the Judge stressing "don't joke with her".



"When a matter is before court, it is about law, not aggressiveness...", 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.

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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.

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Delali Sewarkpor, the personal assistant to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Awutu Senya East, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, has described her detention as a political persecution being carried out by elements within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).



The personal assistant said supporters of Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor and sympathisers of the NDC have yet to be told the reason for her detention.



He alleged in an interview with Selorm Adonoo on The Big Issue on ChannelOne TV that the PCs arrest was an orchestration by either the Presidency or the Minister for the Interior.



The only information we are getting is that it is an order from above for her to be arrested and it is only the president or the Interior Minister that can call for her arrest and this is purely political persecution



Since her arrest yesterday [Friday, June 7], we are yet to know the reason for her detention except for some speculations. Yesterday, she was invited by the Kasoa Divisional Police Command when they found a gun in her car, they asked for the documents about the gun and she produced all the documents to support that she has the right to possess the gun. The gun was not even found by the police but some NPP thugs.



Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor is suspected of having been arrested in connection with her possession of a gun and the stabbing of the son of the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East Mavis Hawa Koomson on the dawn of Sunday, June 2, 2024.



Delali Sewarkpor, however, denied her involvement in the stabbing stating that she was nowhere near the scene of the incident.



She [Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor] was not even at the scene when Hawa Koomsons son was stabbed, and she only went to the police station in the company of Mustapha Gbande to help calm down tempers in the constituency. 

Source: Citinewsroom









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

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The Ghana Police Service has strongly denied allegations made by Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), regarding the arrest of three individuals in the Awutu Senya East Constituency.



At a press conference on Saturday [June 9], Mr. Asiedu Nketia claimed that high-ranking police officials had told him that the arrests were ordered from above.



In an official statement, the police clarified that the claims made by Asiedu Nketia are "false and without any basis." The statement said at no point did the Accra Regional Police Commander, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), or the Inspector-General of Police make such statements.



According to the police, the three suspects were arrested after a Pump Action gun with four rounds of ammunition was found in their vehicle at the Electoral Commission's office in Ofaakor, Awutu Senya East constituency. The suspects have since been cautioned and granted bail.



"The attention of the Ghana Police Service has been drawn to a video in which Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia is heard claiming that the Accra Regional Police Commander, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Inspector-General of Police had indicated to him that the arrest of some three persons for possession of firearms at Ofaakor in the Awutu Senya East Constituency was based on an order from above," the statement said.



"We would like to categorically state that the claims are false and without any bases. None of the officers mentioned in the video has at any point in time made any such pronouncement.



"We wish to emphasize that all three suspects were arrested when a Pump Action gun with four rounds of ammunition was found in their vehicle at the offices of the Electoral Commission at Ofaakor in the Awutu Senya East constituency of the Central region. They have subsequently been cautioned and granted bail".



Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, also known as General Mosquito, addressed the media on June 8, following the release of the NDCs parliamentary candidate for Awutu Senya East, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, from police custody. He issued a stern warning to the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to act impartially as the 2024 general elections approach.



He asserted that no Ghanaian laws were designed to intimidate citizens and vowed that the NDC would resist any attempts to misuse state power against its members. "We will fight for freedom. We will not allow the coercive powers of the state to be used against us," he declared.



Naa Koryoo's detention at the Cantonments Police Station on June 7 sparked outrage among NDC supporters, leading to a protest at the station.



The incident drew condemnation from various quarters, including former President John Dramani Mahama. Some, like Naa Koryoos assistant Delali Sewarkpor, described the detention as politically motivated, attributing it to influences within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

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
Security Analyst Adam Bona has alleged that the Executive Director of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah told him on record that she would have 'killed' the Cecilia Dapaa stash money saga if she were in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Service (CID).



According to him, documents available to him from EOCO suggest staff of the anti-graft agency are unhappy with their bosss handling of the Cecilia Dapaah issue and many others.



"If you had said to me that you would have killed the case if you were CID boss; granted at the time you were not CID boss, I didnt say anything, but she had said it to me on record. She said she would kill the case if she were CID boss, Mr Bona told Neat FM's morning show, 'Ghana Montie' on June 7, 2024.



Asked by host McJerry Osei Agyemang why she told him to say such a thing, Mr Bona retorted Thats why there is perjury, so we will get there as we go along.



He noted he is now compelled to speak up following EOCOs handling of the matter after it was referred to them by the Special Prosecutor.



"After telling me that you would have killed the case if you were the CID boss and after how this matter has turned up, you still expect me to continue behaving like a spectator when I know whats going on? No, I cant."



Mr. Bona and some other prominent Ghanaians have petitioned parliament to probe EOCOs conduct in the Cecilia Dapaah money Saga after the former Ministers seized cash was handed over to her by EOCO.



EOCO says there is nothing to investigate in the matter despite the Special Prosecutors claim that it gave enough supporting evidence to the Maame Tiwaa-led anti-graft agency to investigate and prosecute the former Sanitation Minister.





Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/peacefmonline.com









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Former President and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has accused members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of living vulgar and opulent lifestyles like Arabian Kings, at the expense of the ordinary Ghanaian.



According to him, notwithstanding the harsh socio-economic difficulties that the current administration has heaped on Ghanaians, some of these officials and their families flaunt their ill-gotten wealth in the faces of the public by sometimes chartering private jets at $20,000 per hour for trips.



He has therefore vowed to retrieve every single Cedi unlawfully taken from taxpayers that has been embezzled and misused by government appointees.



The former Presidents statement was in relation to the former Sanitation Ministers minister, Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaahs alleged unexplained source of the monies found in her Abelemkpe residence



Notwithstanding all these socio-economic difficulties, the young people continue to observe the opulence of the [New Patriotic Party] administrations officials and their families chartering private jets at $20,000 per hour for trips that our own Falcon Executive Jet could have done.



And as the Minister for Defence explained, it [the Falcon Executive Jet] had no shower for a presidential bath. Ghanas youth have further experienced how a minister could stash millions of dollars in her home and only God knows the full extent of Ghanaian taxpayers money that has been stashed away by many others.



But I say to the good people of Ghana that, working with Ghanaians and international anti-corruption partners, we shall do all that is humanly possible to retrieve such wrongly acquired wealth, Mr Mahama stated.



He was addressing Ghanaians and the general public on matters of national interest dubbed, Mahama Conversations, on Sunday June 9th.



The NDC Flagbearer further indicated that his administration will collaborate with relevant authorities and partners to retrieve monies and properties acquired through corrupt means if he becomes President come December 7, 2024.



He expressed grave discontent over the increase in cases of corruption, and a conspicuous disregard for fiscal discipline engaged in by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-led government, adding that, he will do his utmost best to recover all monies wrongly and dubiously accrued.







Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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

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Changes are happening at the Shops @ Rockvale in East Lampeter Township, Lancaster County as plans are coming together for the shopping center to be transformed into a mixed-use community that will include retail and housing.

New additions at the shopping center will include:
A Montgomery County barbershop owner has been charged with first-degree murder after police say he shot the man who lived above his business.

Police said they responded to a report about an incident at Razor Reeses Salon and Spa on North York Road in Hatboro at about 6 p.m. Saturday, according to reports from the Philadelphia Inquirer and NBC10.

Upon arrival they found a man, later identified as Stephen Strassburg, 37, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in a parking lot. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities said that Maurice Byrd, 41, of Horsham, had called 911 to report that Strassburg had been verbally assaulting him before firing a gun seven times at Strassburg.

A semiautomatic handgun owned by Byrd was recovered at the scene, police said. Byrd has a permit to carry a firearm and Strassburg did not have a weapon at the time of the shooting, the Inquirer reported.

Police had been called to the area at least three times since to December 2022 to settle disputes between the two men and had told them both to stay away from each other, the Inquirer said.

Byrd is being charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder and possession of a weapon. He is currently being held without bail, NBC10 reported.
In a new interview, Disturbed frontman David Draimon was asked about a supposed ongoing feud with rock musician and anti-Israel activist Roger Waters.

In response, he suggested that it wouldnt go too well if he ever bumped into Waters in person.

In the past, Draimon has spoken out against the Pink Floyd member and solo artist, especially in regards to Waters criticism of Israel and support of Palestinians.

But in a recent interview with Linda Advocate, he was asked if the two ever crossed paths before.

To that, Draimon said, Oh, Id love to meet him in person. Nothing would make me happier. Id gladly serve whatever jail time and pay the bail necessary for whatever I could get done within a very limited period of time.

Draimon also revealed that Waters criticized his past attempts to simply have a conversation.

Hes a piece of work, that deluded old freak. Antisemitic to his rotten core. Just ask David Gilmour and his wife  theyll testify to it. Hes been that way for the duration of his life and the duration of his career. Its nothing new. Hes a coward. Hes a hypocrite. He is a supporter of dictators and dictatorial regimes all over the world. Hes an apologist for Putin and apologist for anybody thats on the wrong side of history. Hes a deluded wannabe-socialist as well.

Everything that he wrote about, everything that he professed to believe in that was so  even a maniac can create some great art, and its hard to argue with the level of artistry of, lets say, a piece of work like The Wall. But everything that he was trying to convey and express in that piece of art, he has shown himself to be a hypocrite for. I was already losing my mind with him years ago when he was flying around a pig in his stadiums with the [Jewish] Star Of David on it, he continued.

The guy is a bully, Draimon added. And he wouldnt even dare to engage with me. Because its not about logic and reasoning and facts and reality to people like him. Its all about the narrative. Its all about their hate-fueled antisemitic, just spite-filled narrative that they continue to fuel this narrative of demonization of our people, of the State of Israel, their inability to accept the fact that we even exist. Hes a monster.

The heat against Waters stems from multiple incidents in 2023, including when the German city of Frankfurt canceled one of his performances, labeling him as one of the worlds most well-known Antisemites. Waters challenged the ban in court and it was overturned.

German police also opened an investigation into a Nazi-style uniform he wore during a Berlin performance. Waters has worn such outfits while performing songs from Pink Floyds The Wall, since 1980, as the character in the songs imagines himself being a fascist dictator.

A 2023 documentary about Waters featured former colleagues backing up antisemitism claims against the musician, according to Loudwire. Waters said in a statement at the time that the film misrepresented his views.
By Jason Nark, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

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, Pennsylvania, farm recently. So we sold our milking cows and decided to try going smaller instead.

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 & 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 its only legal to use raw milk 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 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 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.)

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 fear-mongering 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. The state, according to the news organization, recently passed a bill to call on the Department of Agriculture there to create a raw milk permit for Delaware dairy farmers.

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.
BRUSSELS  Its easy to get overwhelmed by the EU elections. Voters cast ballots in two dozen languages in 27 countries with scores of different campaign issues.

So heres a look at what happened in some key countries in the June 6-9 elections for a new European Parliament.

FRANCE

This was the biggest bombshell of Europes mass election night: President Emmanuel Macrons moderate pro-business party was so badly trounced by the far-right party of Marine Le Pen in the EU vote that he called a snap legislative election in France.

Propelled by her anti-immigration, nationalist ideas, Le Pens National Rally party is forecast to win the most of Frances 81 seats in the European Parliament  about twice as many as Macrons Renaissance movement.

The snap French legislative election is a big gamble for Macron and his party, which risks further losing support while Le Pens National Rally could see its influence surge.

Many French voters used the EU election to express dissatisfaction with Macrons management of the economy, farming rules, or security. The result hurts him as he tries to lead Europe-wide efforts to defend Ukraine and boost the EUs own defenses and industry.

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.

On the left, Frances long-suffering Socialist Party surged behind lead candidate Raphael Glucksmann, who wants a more ambitious climate policy and protections for European businesses and workers.

GERMANY

The leader of the EUs richest and most powerful country, Germany, also suffered a blow.

Center-left Chancellor Olaf Scholzs unpopular governing coalition lost badly to the conservative opposition, which benefited from his troubles. The conservative bloc maintained its position as the strongest German party in Brussels as it looks ahead to a national election expected in the fall of next year.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz casts his ballot for the European Parliament elections, in Potsdam, Germany, Sunday, June 9, 2024. (Kay Nietfeld/dpa via AP)AP

And the far-right Alternative for Germany made good gains despite a string of scandals surrounding its top two candidates for the EU legislature. Thats especially sobering to many, given Germanys Nazi past.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is a member of the Christian Democratic Union, the dominant party in the two-party conservative bloc that won the most votes.

Projections showed support for Scholzs center-left Social Democrats at 14%, their worst post-World War II result in a nationwide vote.

Germanys Greens, central to globally important EU climate policy, saw support slump.

Germany will have the largest number of the new European Parliaments 720 seats at 96.

HUNGARY

Long-serving Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban saw yet another election victory  but a new challenger has upended his grip on Hungarian politics.

Orbans Fidesz party was expected to win 43% of the vote, according to estimates from the EU Parliament. While Fidesz took a plurality of votes, it was down nearly 10 points from its support in the last EU elections in 2019, and looked set to lose two seats in what was widely seen as a referendum on Orbans popularity.

A deep economic crisis and a recent series of scandals involving Fidesz politicians have rocked the party which prides itself on upholding family values and Christian conservatism.

Challenger Peter Magyar broke ranks with Orbans party in February and in a matter of months built up Hungarys strongest opposition party. That party, Respect and Freedom (TISZA), was expected to take 31% of the vote.

Magyar has shot to prominence on public accusations of corruption and mismanagement within Orbans government. Magyars party has presented itself as a more centrist alternative to Orbans brand of illiberal populism.

Orban 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 more than double its number of seats in the European Parliament since the last election. And that will hand her new power to influence policy in the EU.

While voters punished moderate leaders in France and Germany, they gave Melonis party even more support than in the last national elections in 2022.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni casts her vote for the European Parliament elections, in Rome, Saturday, June 8, 2024. Nearly 400 million European Union citizens have been going to polls this week to elect members of the European Parliament, or MEPs, in one of the biggest global democratic events. (Mauro Scrobogna/LaPresse via AP)AP

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.

The center-left opposition Democratic Party came in second, followed by the other main opposition party, the 5-Star Movement.

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.

Italy has 76 European parliamentary seats.

SLOVAKIA

A liberal, pro-Western group won the EU elections in Slovakia, beating the party of populist, pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico just weeks after he survived an assassination attempt.

The attack on Fico sent shockwaves through the nation of 5.4 million and appeared to boost voter turnout, which had been the lowest of the entire bloc in 2014 and 2019 but reached a record 34.4% Sunday.

People walk past elections posters for the European elections in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, June 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)AP

The assassination attempt didnt help Ficos leftist Smer (Direction) party, the senior partner in the governing coalition, to win the vote. Smer has been attacking the EUs support for Ukraine, as well other policies on immigration, climate change and LGBTQ+ rights.

Smer was in a close race against the main opposition Progressive Slovakia, which won 27.8%, or six seats in the EU parliament, according to provisional results. Smer follows at 24.8%, or five seats. A far-right opposition party that wants Slovakia out of NATO, the Republic, finished third with 12.53% and will have two seats.

Follow the APs coverage of global elections at: https://apnews.com/hub/global-elections/
In October 2021, then-13-year-old Nicholas Mendoza was sitting in the cafeteria of the Jeannette Junior/Senior High School eating lunch with his friends.

The 7th graders admit they started to get a little loud, a little rowdy.
Story by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.
By Mary Clare Jalonick, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON  Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman was treated at a hospital for a bruised shoulder after a car accident Sunday morning, according to a statement from his Senate office. He was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon.

Fetterman, a Democrat, and his wife Gisele were involved in a car accident with another driver, the statement said, and were both evaluated at a local hospital and discharged within hours. The senator returned to his home in Braddock, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be back in the Senate for votes this week.

A spokeswoman for Fetterman, Carrie Adams, said that the senator was driving the car and the accident was on Interstate 70 in Maryland. The condition of the other driver is unclear.

Fetterman, 54, suffered a stroke in May 2022 as he was campaigning for his seat. As a result, he still has some trouble speaking fluidly and quickly processing spoken conversation, and he often uses devices in congressional hearings and routine conversations to transcribe spoken words in real time.
By Carl Hisiro

Now that our first criminal trial of a former U.S. president is concluded in which a New York jury of 12 ordinary citizens found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up his hush money payments to a porn star before the 2016 election, how will voters react to this news in 2024?
MGM National Harbor Blackjack Dealer Indicted in $43K Cheating Scheme

Stephanie Freeland Casino Content Executive Copy link

Allegations of Fraudulent Activity

The Maryland State Attorneys Office has brought charges against a former blackjack dealer at MGM National Harbor for allegedly facilitating a cheating operation that resulted in a fraudulent gain of $43,250.

Jamie Smith is accused of revealing her cards to three players before they placed their bets and allowing them to adjust their wagers post-play. Additionally, she did not collect losing bets from the players.

This fraudulent activity came to light when an internal investigator at the casino reviewed surveillance footage in October 2023. Maryland State Attorney Aisha Braveboy addressed the issue in a press conference on Thursday, highlighting that the crime extended beyond the casinos losses. The incident also detrimentally affected local children, as the tax revenue from gaming operations is designated for the Education Trust Fund, as MGM and other Maryland casinos contribute to the fund, which supports public schools.

Stealing from MGM or any other casino is like stealing from our children, Money from the Education Trust Fund helps provide crucial services and resources for our public schools." 1 .

Aisha Braveboy, Maryland State Attorney

Smith faces charges of theft scheme, embezzlement, multiple counts of theft, and conspiracy to commit a theft scheme.

Legal Consequences and Charges

Smith, 31, now faces severe repercussions, including the possibility of up to ten years in prison if found guilty of the charges of theft and embezzlement. The case against her underscores the serious legal consequences for casino employees who engage in fraudulent activities. The Maryland State Attorneys Office is committed to upholding the integrity of the gaming industry and ensuring that such incidents are met with appropriate legal action.

Industry-Wide Challenges

The issue of casino employees engaging in dishonest practices is not new and has been a persistent challenge for the industry. Casinos invest heavily in surveillance and internal security measures to detect and prevent such activities. The case of Jamie Smith is a stark reminder of the lengths to which individuals may go to exploit their positions for financial gain.

Enhancing Security Measures

Casinos around the world are constantly evolving their security protocols to address these challenges. Advanced surveillance technology, employee training programs, and strict regulatory oversight are just some of the measures being implemented to combat fraud. The collaboration between casino security teams and law enforcement agencies is crucial in identifying and prosecuting those who attempt to undermine the fairness of gaming operations.

The Broader Impact and Future Implications

As the legal proceedings against Jamie Smith unfold, the case will likely serve as a deterrent to other casino employees who might consider engaging in similar activities. The broader message is clear: the consequences of such actions are severe, not only for the individuals involved but also for the community that relies on the revenue generated by the gaming industry.

The commitment to maintaining the integrity of casino operations is vital for the trust and enjoyment of patrons, the sustainability of the industry, and the benefits it provides to the community. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by industry professionals, legal experts, and the public, all of whom have a stake in the fairness and legality of gaming practices.

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Huge Comeback Inspires Daniel Sepiol to First Bracelet in $1,500 Shootout

Kai Cocklin Live Reporter Copy link

Daniel Sepiol clinched his first WSOP bracelet in style in Event #23: $1,500 Shootout No Limit Hold'em after defying the odds and battling back from a colossal chip disadvantage during heads-up play to take home the $305,849 first prize.

Sepiol overcame Robert Natividad heads-up which saw the Filipino player collect $203,889 for his runner-up finish  a career-best score.

A total of 1,534 players entered the tournament which generated a prize pool of $2,047,890.

2024 World Series of Poker Hub Bookmark this page! All you need to know about the 2024 WSOP is here. Click here

2024 WSOP Event #23: $1,500 Shootout No Limit Hold'em Final Table Results

Place Name Country Payout 1 Daniel Sepiol United States $305,849 2 Robert Natividad Philippines $203,889 3 James Davidson United States $148,196 4 Jeremy Ausmus United States $109,071 5 Daniel Strelitz United States $81,298 6 Richard Dixon United States $61,380 7 Sean Ragozzini United States $46,948 8 Scott Ball United States $36,385 9 Aaron Pinson United States $28,577

Winner's Reaction

"It feels amazing man," said Sepiol. "I've been chasing a bracelet for years now, it feels great."

Sepiol was asked what was going through his head when he was heads-up with around a seventeen-to-one chip disadvantage.

"It doesn't feel good, especially when you just bluffed off your entire stack but I kind of played my stack that was in front of me and just tried to make the best decisions,"

"Too much poker to celebrate. I'll play the $25k tomorrow, that's about it,"

"My first two [tables] both were smooth and I ran good. I had a big chip stack when we were short-handed and it was kind of cruise," said Sepiol in response to how his first two tables went in the Shootout Event.

Sepiol was then asked how he was going to celebrate.

"Too much poker to celebrate. I'll play the $25k tomorrow, that's about it," replied Sepiol, who couldn't stop smiling throughout the interview.

Final Day's Action

When the third and final day got underway, sixteen players were in contention after winning their table on Day 2. They included former bracelet winners such as Darius Samual, Scott Ball, Jeremy Ausmus, Daniel Strelitz, and Vitor Dzivielevski. The final sixteen players would no longer need to win their table to advance as Day 3 was played out in traditional tournament style.

Alexander Farahi, Dzivielevski, Matthew Rosen, Brad Albrinck, Elia Ahmadian, and Kyriakos Papadopoulos were all eliminated in the opening levels before Samual became the final table bubble boy after running his pocket kings into Natividad's pocket aces, with the eventual runner-up rivering quads which sealed Samual's fate.

Natividad picked up pocket aces again and eliminated Aaron Pinson in ninth, and the elimination train continued for Natividad as he sent Ball to the rail in eighth.

Sean Ragozzini had been short-stacked for most of the final table and got his chips in the middle holding ace-five and was put at risk by Ausmus who held queen-eight. Ausmus improved on each street and ended the hand with a full house which eliminated Ragozzini in seventh for $46,948.

Richard Dixon had laddered up the payouts but couldn't get anything going and eventually found himself on the rail after getting rivered by Strelitz. Dixon had shoved with ace-seven and been called by the jack-eight of Strelitz. The runout looked good for Dixon until an eight on the river ended his run in sixth for a payday of $61,380.

It was Strelitz who fell next after he ran his pocket jacks into the pocket queens of the eventual champion Sepiol, which left the former bracelet winner out in fifth for a payday of $81,298. Moments later, only three players were remaining as Ausmus was eliminated at the hands of Sepiol and collected $109,071 for fourth.

James Davidson was the short stack entering three-handed play and did double up to give himself a foothold in the tournament but eventually was eliminated by Natividad after running ace-ten into the runner-up's ace-queen. A great run from Davidson that saw him bank $148,196 for third.

When heads-up play began, Natividad held an over two-to-one chip advantage but soon extended that after he picked off Sepiol's bluff with third pair. It was at this point that Sepiol found himself at a seventeen-to-one chip disadvantage and it seemed certain the title belonged to Natividad.

Natividad was one card away from clinching his first bracelet but a devastating river card kept Sepiol alive and swung the pendulum in the opposite direction.

The pair would exchange pots back and forth until Sepiol finally gained the chip lead after some intense heads-up action.

In the final hand of the night, Natividad five-bet shoved the flop with ace-nine as a bluff, and Sepiol called holding queen-ten for top pair. The board ran out clean for Sepiol which meant Natividad had to settle for second.

A stunning heads-up performance from Sepiol who defied the odds and came back from a huge chip deficit to land his first-ever bracelet.

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Daniel Sepiol clinched his first WSOP bracelet in style in Event #23: $1,500 Shootout No Limit Hold'em after defying the odds and battling back from a colossal chip disadvantage during heads-up play to take home the $305,849 first prize.

Sepiol overcame Robert Natividad heads-up which saw the Filipino player collect $203,889 for his runner-up finish  a career-best score.

A total of 1,534 players entered the tournament which generated a prize pool of $2,047,890.

2024 WSOP Event #23: $1,500 Shootout No Limit Hold'em Final Table Results

Place Name Country Payout 1 Daniel Sepiol United States $305,849 2 Robert Natividad Philippines $203,889 3 James Davidson United States $148,196 4 Jeremy Ausmus United States $109,071 5 Daniel Strelitz United States $81,298 6 Richard Dixon United States $61,380 7 Sean Ragozzini Australia $46,948 8 Scott Ball United States $36,385 9 Aaron Pinson United States $28,577

Winner's Reaction

PokerNews had the opportunity to talk with Sepiol after he captured the title.

"It feels amazing man, I've been chasing a bracelet for years now, it feels great," replied a jovial Sepiol when he was asked how he felt after winning his first bracelet.

Sepiol was asked what was going through his head when he was heads-up with around a seventeen-to-one chip disadvantage.

"It doesn't feel good, especially when you just bluffed off your entire stack but I kind of, like, played my stack that was in front of me and just tried to make the best decisions,"

"My first two [tables] both were smooth and I ran good. I had a big chip stack when we were short-handed and it was kind of cruise," said Sepiol in response to how his first two tables went in the Shootout Event.

Sepiol was then asked how he was going to celebrate.

"Too much poker to celebrate. I'll play the $25k tomorrow, that's about it," replied Sepiol, who couldn't stop smiling throughout the interview.

Final Day's Action

Both Day 1 and Day 2 of the tournament followed a traditional shootout style format with players needing to win their table to advance. Some big names such as Scott Seiver, Maria Ho, Espen Jorstad, Joe McKeehen, Erick Lindgren, Landon Tice, and Rainer Kempe all managed to win their first table but were eliminated on Day 2.

When the third and final day got underway, sixteen players were in contention after winning their table on Day 2. They included former bracelet winners such as Darius Samual, Scott Ball, Jeremy Ausmus, Daniel Strelitz, and Vitor Dzivielevski. The final sixteen players would no longer need to win their table to advance as Day 3 was played out in traditional tournament style.

Alexander Farahi, Dzivielevski, Matthew Rosen, Brad Albrinck, Elia Ahmadian, and Kyriakos Papadopoulos were all eliminated in the opening levels before Samual became the final table bubble boy after running his pocket kings into Natividad's pocket aces, with the eventual runner-up rivering quads which sealed Samual's fate.

Darius Samual

Natividad picked up pocket aces again and eliminated Aaron Pinson in ninth, who collected $28,577. The elimination train continued for Natividad as he sent Ball to the rail in eighth for $36,385 after the two got their chips in the middle of the table in a coinflip situation.

Sean Ragozzini had been short-stacked for most of the final table and got his chips in the middle holding ace-five and was put at risk by Ausmus who held queen-eight. Ausmus improved on each street and ended the hand with a full house which eliminated Ragozzini in seventh for $46,948.

Richard Dixon had laddered up the payouts but couldn't get anything going and eventually found himself on the rail after getting rivered by Strelitz. Dixon had shoved with ace-seven and been called by the jack-eight of Strelitz. The runout looked good for Dixon until an eight on the river ended his run in sixth for a payday of $61,380.

Daniel Strelitz

It was Strelitz who fell next after he ran his pocket jacks into the pocket queens of the eventual champion Sepiol, which left the former bracelet winner out in fifth for a payday of $81,298. Moments later, only three players were remaining as Ausmus was eliminated at the hands of Sepiol and collected $109,071 for fourth.

James Davidson was the short stack entering three-handed play and did double up to give himself a foothold in the tournament but eventually was eliminated by Natividad after running ace-ten into the runner-up's ace-queen. A great run from Davidson that saw him bank $148,196 for third.

When heads-up play began, Natividad held an over two-to-one chip advantage but soon extended that after he picked off Sepiol's bluff with third pair. It was at this point that Sepiol found himself at a seventeen-to-one chip disadvantage and it seemed certain the title belonged to Natividad.

Robert Natividad

Natividad was one card away from clinching his first bracelet but a devastating river card kept Sepiol alive and swung the pendulum in the opposite direction.

The pair would exchange pots back and forth until Sepiol finally gained the chip lead after some intense heads-up action.

In the final hand of the night, Natividad five-bet shoved the flop with ace-nine as a bluff, and Sepiol called holding queen-ten for top pair. The board ran out clean for Sepiol which meant Natividad had to settle for second.

Danny Sepiol Wins Event 23 $1500 Shootout

A stunning heads-up performance from Sepiol who defied the odds and came back from a huge chip deficit to land his first-ever bracelet.

Stay tuned to PokerNews throughout the 2024 WSOP for updates from all ninety-nine bracelet events.
Greg Parker loves getting this question.

Do we really need another gas station?

The owner of the Parkers Kitchen chain wants so badly to end the stigma that comes with his business.

Gas stations are what our grandfathers had, the place where you had your car worked on and refueled, and every transaction included checking the air in your tires and your antifreeze, Parker said. What we offer is far different.

Parker, along with the owners of Refuel, Spinx and BlueWater Market, are changing the model with modern neighborhood stores that are brighter, cleaner and emphasize fresh food and where they say general merchandise revenue outweigh fuel sales nearly 4 to 1.

So yes, Parker believes we need more. A lot more.

But please, dont call them gas stations, he requests. Call them convenience stores.

The average person buys gas every seven to 10 days, said Eddie Buck, owner of locally based BlueWater, which operates about 20 stores between Charleston and the Hilton Head area. Were trying to establish a reason you would come to us four days a week.

While the cigarette, beer, gasoline model is still alive, thats not the clientele these convenience retailers are after.

They want to be the place you grab a morning cup of coffee and sit outside and read the paper. The bathroom you bring your kids to on a road trip or use to change your babys diaper without grimacing. The one-stop where you buy your last-minute gallon of milk or your salad for lunch, fresh fried chicken for dinner.

Mark Jordan, a Mount Pleasant resident and the CEO of Refuel, purchased his first store in 1999. Today, the company has swelled to 237 locations across the Carolinas, Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas.

Fresh food is his second-biggest seller.
COLUMBIA  It was an important boost for Columbia school districts as they faced the dual academic and financial crunch of a global pandemic.

Over $200 million from the federal government, appropriated in three bunches in 2020 and 2021, was meant to support schools' efforts to keep students safe from the virus and avoid the "learning loss" from closures and online instruction.

And while even that cash wasn't able to stop the pandemic's educational setbacks, it did fund swaths of positions such as social workers and instructional aides.

"I think we would have seen more challenges," Marty Rawls, Lexington-Richland Five's interim chief financial office, said of a world without that funding.

But after distributing billions to districts across the state, it's almost gone. The deadline for U.S. schools to spend the third and last tranche of that money, known as ESSER, or the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, is Sept. 30.

That expiration date means that districts have to either find another funding source for the jobs and programs the federal dollars currently pay for, or do without.

And as Columbia school districts draw up their 2024-25 budgets, some of them might have to do without.

Richland One and Two cutting nearly 200 jobs without COVID funding

Richland One and Two, which serve a combined 51,000 students, are both planning on ending some of their programs that had been bankrolled by the relief money, simply due to a lack of funds.
All three candidates for North Dakota governor see a need for greater transparency and clarity around the more than $10.5 billion of investments being made under the states sovereign wealth fund, the Legacy Fund.

Whether that translates into increased levels of transparency, or simply more education on existing Legacy Fund investment decisions, will ultimately be for the next governor and the state Legislature to determine.

Since North Dakota voters approved the creation of the Legacy Fund in 2010, the state has put 30% of oil taxes into the fund monthly to help provide a revenue stream once that oil is gone.

Few could have predicted how large it has become.

With that growth has come new questions about the administration of the fund going forward.

U.S Rep. Kelly Armstrong, one of the Republican candidates for governor, said the fund needs a lot more transparency on both in-state and out-of-state investments, or voters will eventually go after it.

If you dont utilize the money in a meaningful capacity that North Dakota citizens can see, North Dakota citizens are going to come get it, Armstrong said, mentioning for example debates around potentially using Legacy Fund earnings to reduce or eliminate property taxes.

Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller, another Republican candidate for governor who currently chairs the State Investment Board which administers the fund, said she is all about transparency when it comes to the Legacy Fund.

Miller said there is already a wealth of information available via the Retirement and Investment Office website, in monthly fund performance reports and through open meetings, if citizens are interested in the fund. RIO is the body responsible for investing Legacy Fund monies.

Miller said what appeared to be a missing component, and one the RIO is working toward, is providing more concise information and education on investments for the wider public.

In September, RIO will hold its first-ever investment seminar, which Miller said should go a long way to help inform and educate the public about Legacy Fund investments.

Armstrong said he is concerned about Legacy Fund decisions being made by distant investment fund managers that may run counter to state interests related to energy and agriculture, as well as national interests related to real or potential adversaries such as Russia or China.

In 2022, the SIB divested from Russian investments that were part of the Legacy Fund following the invasion of Ukraine.

We have a history of investments that I dont think North Dakota citizens are overly impressed with, Armstrong said, noting the Russian divestment.

Disclosure rules

Bismarck attorney Tory Jackson filed an open records request in January with RIO asking for detailed information on in-state, domestic and foreign investments, and a list of countries where investments have been made.

While RIO did respond to Jacksons request with a list of countries and investments, specific details considered confidential, including commercial or financial information related to investments made by money managers, could not be provided under state law.

Armstrong is concerned about a lack of clarity on around $800 million of funds invested in three areas revealed in the records request -- developing countries, emerging markets and international markets -- arguing greater detail on investments should be displayed in real time.

Miller agreed there are possible ways to share more information on a regular basis as well as a list of countries where investments are made, but argued only a small percentage of our investments fall into the three areas identified.

Another $2 billion is also listed with domestic money managers with large international portfolios, so looking at where those investments go would require digging into each individual portfolio.

Jackson has since requested an opinion from the office of the attorney general regarding whether further information should be disclosed, though it could take several months for a ruling.

Fargo state Sen. Merrill Piepkorn, running as the Democratic candidate for governor, said the biggest problem for the Legacy Fund is transparency about where the money goes once money managers make their investment decisions.

I think we have a pretty good idea about the companies that are managing it, but then thats where the transparency disappears, Piepkorn said. What are those companies? What are they investing in? Thats what we dont know, and thats what the public understands.

That level of detail might not be available to the general public, however.

Armstrong believes the SIB should be the body to provide deeper oversight on these investments, whether any run counter to state or national interests, and on questions around transparency.

They can sit down and say these are the things we care about, and the Legislature can give guidance, Armstrong said. Theyre overcomplicating a simple answer and that's what frustrates me, and I think that's what frustrates North Dakotans who want transparency.

RIO said sharing how an investment manager structures a fund to generate returns reveals their investment strategy -- information that can be of significant interest to an investment managers competition -- potentially putting it at a disadvantage.

A poll conducted by North Dakota News Cooperative in February found 75% of 500 likely voters responding were unfamiliar with how the SIB manages the Legacy Fund, while another 84% believed investment information should be published instead of sought through an open records request.

Norway-level transparency?

Armstrong said North Dakota should emulate Norways sovereign wealth fund in transparency by providing real-time information on where money is invested.

RIO noted, as did Miller in an interview, the Legacy Fund is ranked by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute as a 10 out of 10 in transparency -- the same as Norways sovereign wealth fund, and the same as the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., another often-compared sovereign wealth fund.

Norways fund, Norges Bank Investment Management, is invested entirely in public markets, making deeper disclosure on its website possible.

Private equity holdings and investment manager-specific positions are not disclosed by the Legacy Fund, nor the Alaska fund, due to commercial disclosure rules in each state.

We dont have all publicly traded investments, so its really hard for us to do that on a regular basis, Miller said of emulating Norways detailed disclosures. Some of our investments are not valued every day or every minute.

A database for showing the changes in public market data that can be disclosed without running afoul of confidentiality rules is possible, according to RIO, but would require both additional staff and resources to implement something like a real-time ticker.
BELTON  A newly released Georgia police report sheds light on the over 110 mph pursuit of a Belton father authorities say kidnapped his son, took off with him in his truck and jumped out at 55 mph with the child still inside and the vehicle engulfed in flames.

Joshua Dornellas, 31, faces a litany of charges in both Georgia and South Carolina after the May 8 incident led to his 3-year-old son, Bennett Dornellas, receiving third-degree burns over 90 percent of his body.

The day of the chase, the Anderson County Sheriffs Office said deputies began pursuing Dornellas in unmarked cars after learning he had assaulted the childs mother and took his son hostage.

A report obtained by The Post and Courier through a public records request provides more detail.

As Dornellas approached the state line on Interstate 85, Georgia troopers were asked to join in the pursuit, according to the report.

One trooper waiting for Dornellas watched as he zipped by, flashing his middle finger as several patrol cars chased behind.

I realized that we were not dealing with a sane individual, Georgia Officer D.A. Green said in his report.

Troopers say that Dornellas swerved between cars, at police and in-and-out of the breakdown lane at more than 110 mph.

Because troopers saw that the child was in Dornellas lap without a seatbelt, the report says they decided not to use a maneuver to force Dornellas into a tailspin to stop but instead boxed him in with trooper cars in front, on the side and behind him.

As the trooper in front began braking, Dornellas violently rammed the back of his patrol car, struck the trooper car to the right of him and eluded the attempt to stop him.
GREENVILLE  Great Wall was Rioin Oshiros first feature film, and it turned out to be quite the debut.

Oshiro captured a prestigious James Beard Foundation media award  considered the Oscars of food-related recognition  for his short film Great Wall.

The film follows Khailing Neohs windy path from engineer to restaurant owner as she opened Greenvilles only dim sum restaurant, Sum Bar.

It tracks her experience as a first generation Chinese American following in the footsteps of her parents, who were compelled to serve Americanized food in their restaurants in Ohio and didnt wish the grueling lifestyle upon her.

This is about someone who is wrestling with trying to honor her parents and understand how much theyve sacrificed, Oshiro told The Post and Courier in May, but at the same time following her dream of going back to the very thing that her parents were trying to prevent her from.

On June 8, the 21-minute movie won the Visual Media-Short Form category of the media awards, defeating CAMINANTE video series by the La Mafia YouTube channel and

Remembrance: Recreating a Jewish familys recipes by CBS Sunday Morning.

Great Wall was directed by Oshiro and co-produced by Neoh, along with Evan Rogers, a local filmmaker who recently organized a TEDxTalk at Unity Park and previously produced the movie Spellers.

Originally from Guam, Oshiro moved to Greenville to attend Bob Jones University, where he studied business. After graduating, he shifted to film, starting his own production company, Undercurrent Film Company.
Joe Debney has seen the alarming increase in the number of drownings and would like to do something about it.

"Were trying to stop that number from going up in the tri-county area," said Debney, CEO of the Summerville Family YMCA.

Drownings have spiked since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, averaging 500 more a year nationally since 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. It prompted calls for more research and for community groups to do more to address water safety.

"Ive seen firsthand the effects of drowning: families forced to say goodbye to their loved ones too soon, said Dr. Debra Houry, CDCs chief medical officer. Understanding the barriers people face to accessing basic swimming and water safety skills training can help us better understand how to address those barriers, decrease drowning rates, and save lives.

After declining for decades across the country and reaching a level of about 4,000 accidental drowning deaths in 2019, drownings began to shoot up from 2020 to 2022 by between 9 and 13 percent per year, the CDC found, to average more than 4,500 a year.

It was especially tough for Black adults, whose drownings increased 22.2 percent in 2020 and 28.3 percent in 2021. Hispanic drownings increased 24.8 percent in 2022.

The report did not identify a clear cause for the increase overall but noted that the pandemic had disrupted access to supervised swimming opportunities and other structured swimming areas, such as public pools.

In South Carolina, accidental drownings began to increase earlier. After averaging 70 drownings a year from 2016 to 2018, it shot up to 81 in 2019 and then jumped to 90 in 2020, according to a Post and Courier analysis of South Carolina public health data. It then dropped to 82 in 2021 and 83 in 2022, the latest data available, the data show. While more White people drowned than Black people each year overall, the rate of Black drownings was often double the state rate, the newspaper found.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Read moreSmith Says: Sleepless nights bring questions
As mentioned previously, Daisy Miller was quite the bomb for Bogdanovich. While critics mostly praised the film for being a good adaptation, they were remarkably harsh on the films lead, Cybill Shepherd. Shes held up as the perfect image of American naivety in Europe. And while Shepherd is incredibly effective as the teasing Jacy Farrow in The Last Picture Show, the jump into Henry James portentous dialogue proved to be a huge obstacle for everyone involved in the production. Why? Well, when you watch Daisy Miller, youll realize that the movie itself isnt as much about direct adaptation as Bogdanovich is using the overall plotting to dive into the fun world of oblivious men; oblivious to love and completely misunderstanding of women. The fact that this coincided with Bogdanovichs real-life relationship with Shepherd and recent divorce from production designer, writer and former partner Polly Platt gives the proper context for this production.

Daisy Miller, based upon the Henry James novel of the same name, follows the naive Annie Miller (Shepherd), AKA Daisy, a precocious American teenager touring Europe in the late 17th century with her mother Ezra (Cloris Leachman), her brother Randolph (James McMurtry) and their servant Eugenio (George Morfogen). Daisy catches the eye of Frederick Winterbourne (Barry Brown), an American expat living in Geneva. The duo trade niceties and Wintebourne is captivated by Daisys beauty, but her modern, free-wheeling American attitude and behavior confounds him and is looked upon with disdain by people in his social circle, including his aunt Mrs. Costello (Milfred Natwick).

Bogdanovich was the kind of filmmaker who deeply understood different styles, so in Daisy Miller he opts for opulent long takes, sumptuous cinematography and the kind of ornate production design youd find in an adaptation of a Victorian-era novel. Theres a ton of influences worn proudly here, like the upstairs-downstairs drama of The Magnificent Ambersons and the way these manners and customs lock us from being fully-realized emotional selves. And with the glowing Shepherd as Daisy, the camera is firmly planted in watching the ways in which her performance upsets and causes reactions from just about everyone she meets. The tragedy of the film is that it was improperly derided for not having much on the brain, but I can tell you that Bodgdanovich loads the film with nuance in character interactions that gives meaningful depth to the source material, plus its clear that the camera is much more interested in the way that Winterbourne cannot humble himself in front of Daisy more than anything.

Daisy Miller is one of those 70s studio pictures that was unjustly looked over and treated as something much less than what it is. The turbulence of Bogdanovichs life at the time only adds essential meaning to this treatise on the obliviousness of men. We can only hope that adaptations this attuned to European filmmaking style continue to be found, restored and supported. Its a rare delicacy nowadays.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

Daisy Miller comes home to charm in 1080p with a single-disc Blu-ray (BD50) release from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. This release comes housed in their usual blue amaray case with o-card slipcover over it. The disc boots up to a standard menu with options to play the film, set up audio and browse bonus features.
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NOBLESVILLE, IN / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / Amid ongoing discussions about mental health, Dr. Meleeka Clary brings to light critical issues within the Hamilton County judicial system. During a recent event, speakers shared their harrowing experiences with judicial misconduct, emphasizing the urgent need for reform and accountability.Dr. Clary, a distinguished advocate and clinical psychologist, detailed her tumultuous journey through the judicial system, highlighting instances of abuse of discretion, harassment, and unfair treatment. Her story is a poignant reminder of the systemic flaws that many individuals face, particularly when dealing with mental health challenges within the family.Judicial System Under ScrutinyDr. Clary recounted her personal battles with the Hamilton County courts, where she has consistently sought justice for herself and her family. Despite her relentless efforts, she argues that judges have repeatedly failed to provide fair and just rulings. This sentiment was echoed by other speakers who voiced similar frustrations and fears for their safety and that of their loved ones."Judges in Hamilton County have consistently let my family down," Dr. Clary stated. "Despite our pleas for justice, we are met with retaliation and bias, which only exacerbates the mental health issues we are trying to address." Call to Action:1. Attend the Hearing for Change of Venue: A crucial hearing for amotion to change the venueis scheduled for June 24th. Dr. Clary urges supporters and concerned citizens to attend this hearing, underscoring the importance of public oversight in judicial proceedings.2. File an Appeal if Necessary: Should the motion for a change of venue be denied, Dr. Clary plans to file an appeal, citing ongoing retaliation and bias from the Hamilton County court system. This step is essential to ensure that her case is heard in a fair and impartial setting.Abuse of Discretion and HarassmentDr. Clary detailed various forms of judicial abuse, from being harassed and punished for appealing decisions to having property unjustly taken away. These actions, she argues, not only undermine her legal rights but also instill a deep sense of fear and anxiety.Dr. Clary expressed her frustration with the lack of protection for individuals facing harassment and bullying within the legal system. She described how the system's failure to act appropriately has only served to enable the abuser's behavior, further endangering her and her family.Mental Health and the Legal SystemHighlighting the intersection of mental health and legal proceedings, Dr. Clary called for greater awareness and sensitivity within the judicial system. The mishandling of cases involving mental health issues of the defendant can have devastating consequences, and it is imperative that the courts address these matters with the seriousness they deserve.As Men's Mental Health Month continues, Dr. Meleeka Clary's advocacy serves as a crucial reminder of the systemic changes needed to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure that justice is served impartially. Dr. Clary, the writer and director of " Three Corners of Deception ," brings her personal experiences to the screen in this poignant film. Based on true events, the story follows a college law professor and an attorney who fell in love over a Las Vegas Memorial Day weekend, only to face a swift and tumultuous marriage marked by manipulation and deceit. The relationship's unraveling in court exposed even deeper levels of judicial deception, as judges, lawyers, and law enforcement officials-entrenched in the "good ol' boy network"-ruled against the mother in every aspect, highlighting the urgent need for reform within the judicial system.Dr. Meleeka Clary's call for judicial accountability is a powerful appeal for justice and reform. Her experiences shed light on the profound impact that judicial misconduct can have on individuals and families, particularly those grappling with mental health challenges. As the hearing on June 24th approaches, Dr. Clary remains steadfast in her fight for a fair and just legal system.For more information, please visit https://www.drmeleekaclary.com/ Contact InfoBerry Dynamic :Berry Dynamic Agency Launch@ berrydynamicagency.com 713-829-2081SOURCE: Berry Dyanamic Agency
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Celebrating the bold leaders who disrupt markets, revolutionize industries and transform livesTREVOSE, PA / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Lazaros Kalemis of Simpay was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Greater Philadelphia Award winner. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the preeminent competitive awards program for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies.Lazaros Kalemis EOY 2024 Mr. Kalemis was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs and other business leaders. Candidates were evaluated based on their ability to create long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to their purpose and the demonstration of growth and substantial impact, among other key indicators."I am incredibly proud to receive this award. It's a testament to my parents who emigrated to the United States because they believed this is the place where you can dream big and achieve those dreams. While it's my name on the award, this really goes out to each and every team member at Simpay, who work tirelessly to bring our vision to life," said Lazaros Kalemis.As a Greater Philadelphia award winner, Lazaros Kalemis is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 National Awards. The National Award winners, including the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum , one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2025.Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes many different types of business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to fortify it for the future.The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized the leadership of entrepreneurs such as:Daymond John of FUBU Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani, Inc. Holly Thaggard and Amanda Baldwin of Supergoop! Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company James Park of Fitbit Jodi Berg of Vitamix Kendra Scott of Kendra Scott LLC Michael Happe of Winnebago Industries Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn Corporation Sheila Mikhail of AskBioEntrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs. They receive exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in more than 60 countries - all supported by vast EY resources.In addition to Entrepreneur Of The Year, EY US supports other entrepreneurs through the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women(Winning Women) program and the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network (EAN) to help connect women founders and Black and Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs, respectively, with the resources, network and access needed to unlock their full potential.SponsorsFounded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, SAP and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In Greater Philadelphia, sponsors also include regional Platinum sponsor Donnelley Financial Solutions, regional Gold sponsors Marsh USA and Lockton, and regional Silver sponsors ADP and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.About Entrepreneur Of The Year Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 80 countries and territories globally.The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum  in November where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy About EYEY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy . EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com Contact InformationGary BreedsVice President of Marketingmarketing@ simpay.net 8662532227SOURCE: SimpayView the original press release on newswire.com
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Harbor Diversified, Inc. ("Harbor Diversified" or "the Company") (OTC PINK:HRBR) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Harbor Diversified securities between May 10, 2022 and March 29, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/HRBR Case Details:According to the Complaint, Harbor Diversified describes itself as "a non-operating holding company that is the parent of a consolidated group of subsidiaries, including AWAC Aviation, Inc. (AWAC'), which is the sole member of Air Wisconsin Airlines LLC (Air Wisconsin'), a regional air carrier. Harbor is also the direct parent of three other subsidiaries: (1) Lotus Aviation Leasing, LLC (Lotus'), which leases flight equipment to Air Wisconsin, (2) Air Wisconsin Funding LLC (AWF'), which provides flight equipment financing to Air Wisconsin, and (3) Harbor Therapeutics, Inc. (Therapeutics'), which is a non-operating entity with no material assets." The Complaint alleges that Harbor Diversified made materially false and/or misleading statements because the Company misrepresented and failed to disclose the following adverse facts pertaining to the Company's business, operations, and prospects, which were known to Defendants or recklessly disregarded by them. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:(1) Harbor Diversified's financial statements from May 9, 2022 to the present were misstated due to improper revenue recognition;(2) Harbor Diversified lacked adequate internal controls; and(3) as a result, Harbor Diversified's statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all times.The truth began to emerge, according to the Complaint, on March 29, 2024, when Harbor Diversified filed with the SEC a current report on Form 8-K in which it announced that certain of its previously-issued financial statements would need to be restated as a result of improper revenue recognition. Further, Harbor Diversified disclosed a material weakness in its internal controls that has the company's management evaluating "appropriate remediation actions." On this news, according to the Complaint, the price of Harbor Diversified stock fell by $0.28 per share, or14.25% , to close at $1.73 on April 1, 2024.Therefore, the Complaint further alleges that as a result of Defendants' wrongful acts and omissions, and the precipitous decline in the market value of the Harbor Diversified's common shares, investors have suffered significant losses and damages.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/HRBR or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Harbor Diversified you have until July 8, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller,332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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Technology Provider is Recognized for Advocacy in Promoting Student WellnessLINDENHURST, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 /ICAS, a leader in advanced technology infrastructure implementations, received a Certificate of Appreciation from Town of Babylon Supervisor Richard Schaffer during a ceremony announcing the Lindenhust Union Free School District's anti-vaping initiative. ICAS is working with the school district and local community group Babylon Cares to provide and install state-of-the-art technology as part of a comprehensive vape reduction program that combines education, counseling initiatives, and advanced technology. The ceremony took place June 7 at Lindenhurst Middle School in Lindenhurst, New York.CAPTION: ICAS executives Mirko Notarangelo and Christina Bonfitto were honored with a citation presented by Town of Babylon Supervisor Richard Schaffer, thanking the company for its role in providing state-of-the-art anti-vaping detectors to Lindenhurst Middle School. The Lindenhurst school district is incorporating the devices in an innovative anti-vape program combining advanced technology, education, and counseling initiatives."We are honored to be part of this project and work with the forward-thinking school administrators and community leaders of Lindenhurst to reduce incidences of student vaping," said ICAS representative Mirko Notarangelo. "Their efforts to ensure a safe and healthy environment for students, faculty, and the community addresses one of the most critical wellness challenges affecting our children today. We commend them for their actions." A 2023 study by the U.S. Center for Disease Control reported that e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students in the United States. E-cigarettes contain high levels of Nicotine, which leads to serious anxiety and depression, and affects memory, concentration, and self-control, as well as engendering long-term physical health problems.About Interface Cable Assemblies and Service (ICAS)New York City-based ICAS manages end-to-end smart premise installations that enable and optimize business digital transformation, cloud and edge computing architectures, operations modernization, and IoT and enterprise automation projects. Serving a diverse client base that includes Fortune 500 companies and institutional, municipal and other entities looking to digitize their operations, ICAS' 40+ year track record of successfully completing projects of all sizes, along with its unmatched ability to solve technical complexities, ensures its clients are always #InGoodCompany. More information about ICAS and its broad range of capabilities can be found at www.icascorp.com # # #Contact:Laurel FactorParallel Communications Group: @Parallel_PR516-884-6507 lfactor@ parallelpr.com SOURCE: ICAS
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-10 21:15:43

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SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 /JobCopilot, an innovative new tool, automates job applications for over 50,000 companies - thereby helping job seekers increase their chances of landing interviews and simplifying the job search process in today's competitive market.Created by Experts Developed by a team of seasoned entrepreneurs with backgrounds in job sites and recruitment, JobCopilot addresses common frustrations faced by job seekers. This advanced platform not only automates applications across numerous websites but also saves significant time and effort, enhancing the likelihood of securing interviews.Effortless Job Applications With JobCopilot, users can easily apply for thousands of jobs. By setting their job preferences based on criteria such as job title, job types, location and salary, JobCopilot searches and applies for matching positions on behalf of the user. Operating continuously, it scans for new opportunities every two hours across more than 50,000 companies worldwide, offering millions of potential job matches.Seamless Form Filling The platform automatically fills in application forms with information from the user's profile, eliminating the repetitive task of manual data entry. It can also create personalized resumes and cover letters, boosting the chances of catching recruiters' attention.Empowering Job Seekers In a highly competitive job market, JobCopilot empowers candidates by handling the application process, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks and reducing the emotional strain of job hunting. Job seekers can rest easy knowing JobCopilot is working around the clock on their behalf.A Game-Changer "This tool saves job seekers a lot of time, but more importantly, it gives them control over their job search and a positive outlook, says" Robert Kindler, Chief Product Officer.Emmanuel Crouy, CEO and co-founder, adds, "Job hunting can be overwhelming, repetitive and very time-consuming. Our technology takes care of the tedious tasks, allowing job seekers to concentrate on networking and preparing for interviews, or anything else that matters more to them." Boosting Job Search Success Activating JobCopilot frees up time and builds confidence, helping users better manage their job search and achieve higher success rates. No longer needing to search for jobs manually, users can focus on networking, interview preparation, and industry research.Robert Kindler notes, "We see a shift in users' mindsets from despair to empowerment and optimism. JobCopilot typically supplements the job search, freeing up time for other important tasks." Future Vision Committed to addressing core job seeker challenges, JobCopilot aims to help people find employment with ease and positivity. The company's vision extends beyond just finding jobs - it's about bringing a smile to the process.Media ContactOrganization: JobCopilotContact Person: Emmanuel CrouyWebsite: https://jobcopilot.com/ Email: jobcopilotofficial@ gmail.com City: SingaporeState: SingaporeCountry: SingaporeSOURCE: JobCopilot
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-10 15:02:38

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / KALO GOLD CORP. ("Kalo", "Kalo Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 50,000,000 common shares (the "Shares") at a price of $0.03 per Share for gross proceeds of up to C$1,500,000 (the "Offering").The Offering is led by a strategic investor, Ascentas Capital Management Limited ("Ascentas") for C$1,084,662, which will hold approximately 19.9% ownership of the Company post-offering. Ascentas is a Hong Kong based investment company that focuses on venture investments.The Offering is subject to TSX.V approval. The Shares issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period, in accordance with applicable securities laws.The Company may pay a finder's fee on the Offering within the maximum amount permitted by the policies of the TSX.V.The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for exploration of the Company's 100% owned, 367 square kilometer, Vatu Aurum Project located in the Republic of Fiji, and for general working capital and marketing purposes. Exploration will include geological mapping, trenching, and diamond drilling.The Shares have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy such Shares in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or sale would be unlawful.ABOUT KALO GOLD CORP. Kalo Gold Corp, a gold exploration company, is focused on exploration for low sulphidation epithermal gold deposits on the Vatu Aurum Project located on the island of Vanua Levu (North Island) in the Republic of Fiji. Kalo holds a 100% interest in two Special Prospecting Licenses, covering 367 km2 that hosts a regional scale back arc basin, the Nubu Graben, and several volcanic arc related calderas ranging between 1 km to 10 km in diameter. Historical exploration work concentrated on the Qiriyaga Hill and Vuinubu Ridge Gold Deposits and resulted in the identification of over fourteen additional priority epithermal gold exploration targets.Both Viti Levu, (South Island), and Vanua Levu are on the prolific Pacific "Ring of Fire", a trend that has produced numerous large deposits, including Porgera, Lihir and Grasberg and on Viti Levu, the exceptional Vatukoula Gold Mine. The Vatukoula Gold Mine has produced more than 7 million ounces of gold since 1937 and continues operations today. The island of Viti Levu also hosts the fully permitted Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project, where a high-grade underground gold mining operation and been fast tracked to production.On behalf of the Board of Directors of Kalo Gold Corp. Terry L. Tucker, P. Geo.President and Chief Executive OfficerKevin Ma, CPA, CAExecutive Vice President, Capital Markets and DirectorFor more information, please write to info@ kalogoldcorp.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.Forward Looking Statements DisclaimerThe reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements herein may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law.SOURCE: Kalo Gold Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-10 18:04:23

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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / The city of angels welcomed keynote speaker, Master Chef Marti Mongiello on Friday to kick off a weekend of celebrating amazing different flavors the United States enjoys. The chef took the stage at the famed California Club in a 35-minute tear captivating the audience after an excellent luncheon of Bronzed Salmon over Peeled Asparagus or Verde Risotto. Invited as a Paul Harris Fellow by The Rotary Club of Los Angeles ( rotaryla5.org) to speak, the chef was well received and had the audience laughing at least three or four times. It became obvious he was a master story teller that holds the camera and writers vividly.Mentioning Rotary's astounding feats of polio eradication from a former 58,000 cases per year to less than 100 now, 160 million in grants per year, 46,000 clubs worldwide, and Charity Navigator rating of 100 out of 100, Mongiello beamed with pride about being in Rotary.Shifting to his first invitation to come and live in LA, Mongiello asked the audience to cheer his former boss, Kathy Kennedy at Lucasfilm and said, "let's hear it for female CEOs like Kathy." The crowd responded willingly and cheered him on.Mongiello then stunned the audience with entertaining episodes from his creative mind of shows filmed on Inside the Presidents' Cabinet and featured worldwide on stage and television. Spanning shows across CNN, FOX, CBS, ABC, NBC, and PBS the guests loved his story about inventing mango and banana vinaigrette dressings for Hillary and Bill Clinton and shipping in Krispy Kreme doughnuts to the White House, a fellow butler meeting President Reagan nude for the first time accidentally while trying to deliver a CIA package, how the Reagans adored a TV dinner or First Lady Nancy Reagan's Coconut Macaroons (served to the crowd and on the table), as well as hilarious stories of Jackie's best friend Princess Grace coming for lunch at the White House with her husband, Prince Ranier (and how JFK mistakenly called him Prince Reindeer during the meal).The Q&A session after was lively and chef mentioned, "Now this is the good part - the questions!!!" In closing, he mentioned how the US Presidential Culinary Museum brings solace to people across America when they find out how typical and normal the first families are. Hail to the Chef was played at the end with a round of applause, donations to entrepreneurs across Los Angeles made by Mongiello and his chef wife, Stormy, feeding the homeless on Wilshire Boulevard, donating to a Myanmar Water Project, and the Rotary Club of Los Angeles announcing a $2500.00 scholarship in his name for a new college student.Media Details:Company Name: The United States Presidential Service CenterMail: jmr@ uspsc.org City and Country: Los Angeles, USASOURCE: 9-Figure Media
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-11 01:22:21

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / Mawson Gold Limited("Mawson" or the "Company") (TSXV:MAW)(Frankfurt:MXR)(OTC PINK:MWSNF) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a non-binding term sheet ("NBTS") with Southern Cross Gold Limited ("SXG") (ASX:SXG) dated June 11, 2024 (AEST), contemplating the acquisition of SXG by Mawson through an Australian scheme of arrangement transaction (the "Australian Arrangement"). Pursuant to the NBTS, Mawson is expected to acquire all the ordinary shares of SXG (the "SXG Shares") that Mawson does not already own and change its name to Southern Cross Gold Ltd (the "New Southern Cross"). The New Southern Cross will maintain its listing on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") and seek a dual listing on the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX"). The Australian Arrangement is not considered a related party transaction pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions.Bruce Griffin, Member of the Special Committee and Independent Director, states: "There has been widespread support both in Canada and overseas for the simplification of the Mawson and SXG corporate structures. Once completed, the simpler, dual-listed structure will allow us to achieve the following core objectives: access to broader capital markets and institutional/private investors; eliminate the perceived major shareholder overhang; and attract an expected lower cost of equity capital which will allow the Sunday Creek gold-antimony asset (the "Sunday Creek Project") to continue its path to development. I strongly believe that our proposal is in all Mawson shareholders' interests in the short, medium and long term."Over the past two months, SXG and Mawson have been carefully reviewing strategic options to maximize value to shareholders of each of Mawson and SXG and the proposed Australian Arrangement reflects the continued commitment of the management teams and board of directors of each company to achieve our respective core objectives to benefit all shareholders, whether big or small, anywhere in the world. The single best solution, therefore, is the Australian Arrangement, the principal terms of which have been agreed in-principle by SXG and MAW in the NBTS".Key points of the NBTS are:Prior to the transaction becoming effective, Mawson will affect a share consolidation of its common shares (the "Mawson Shares") at a ratio of approximately 3.1581:1 (the "Consolidation"), resulting in the number of outstanding Mawson Shares being equal to the number of SXG Shares held by Mawson; Mawson to acquire all SXG Shares that it does not own by way of the Australian Arrangement, and will issue shares of New Southern Cross in Australia ( either in the form of CHESS Depositary Interests "CDIs" on the ASX or, if a shareholder elects, common shares of New Southern Cross on the TSXV) on a 1 for 1 (post-consolidation) basis, which would give Mawson's existing shareholders as of the record date approximately 49.6% ownership on completion of the Australian Arrangement; Mawson to maintain its listing on the TSXV and to seek to dual list on the ASX. The parties' intention is that trading of the SXG Shares and the new CDIs of New Southern Cross will be seamless, with minimal interruption in trading. Australian shareholders should benefit from tax rollover relief rules; The current Australian Board and management team of SXG to lead and manage New Southern Cross; Proposed spin-off of Mawson's Swedish uranium assets, subject to Swedish regulatory changes, prior to the closing of the Australian Arrangement to benefit Mawson shareholders; SXG to delist from ASX concurrently with the closing of the Australian Arrangement; SXG shareholders to vote on the Australian Arrangement. Mawson shareholders to also vote on certain aspects of the Australian Arrangement; and The process is expected to take approximately three to four months during and after which time SXG shares will trade normally with minimal to no interruptions. The Australian Arrangement, aimed at consolidating ownership and establishing a single dual-listed company to hold the Sunday Creek Project, has been chosen for its expected operational, corporate and international tax efficiency and the benefits it offers to all shareholders of both SXG and Mawson. To achieve the goal of building the Sunday Creek Project, SXG will need to continue to lower the cost of equity capital. The Australian Arrangement is a foundational step in this direction as it results in a simplified ownership structure, a dual listing that allows access to Australian and North American capital markets, and a structure that is both investable by institutional shareholders and places all shareholders on the same level.New Southern Cross' overarching objective will be to maximize value per share with an aim to develop one of the highest cashflow margin gold mines globally, while prioritizing environmental sustainability and stakeholder interests in all our communities. To realize this vision, New Southern Cross will concentrate on three key areas:Grade: Enhancing drill density in existing high-grade zones to demonstrate continuity and increase high-grade volumes.Volume: Expanding mineralization along the core 1.2 km strike from Christina to Apollo down to and below 1km depth.District Scale: Intensifying exploration efforts across the region, focusing on strike extensions and parallel trends within the 10km strike featuring historical workings, early-stage drill discoveries, and highly anomalous soil sampling data.Specifically , Mawson believes that the immediate benefits to its shareholders include:Simplification of Structure: Mawson anticipates immediate benefits for its shareholders through a more transparent and institutional-investible structure. The Company believes this will lead to a potential revaluation of the asset, reducing the cost of capital to advance the Sunday Creek Project to become one of the highest margin gold assets globally.Direct Exposure to Sunday Creek: The Australian Arrangement and the listing of New Southern Cross' shares on both the ASX and TSXV offers new and existing shareholders of New Southern Cross direct exposure to the globally leading Sunday Creek Project. The North American market has greatly benefited from the wealth generated from the rebirth of the Victorian goldfields in Australia over the last 8 years.Institutional Support: The Australian Arrangement will transition the combined entity's shareholder base to a more institutionally dominated and supportive register. SXG brings both a high-quality register with a significant overlap of current Mawson shareholders and access to further high quality global and supportive Australian and Europe
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-10 21:30:34

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1E and YouGov uncover what IT decision-makers want from AI and the factors that influence their AI buying decisions. Cost savings, service-desk efficiency, and personalized digital experiences top the list of priorities.LONDON, ENGLAND and AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / With AI evolving rapidly across industries, opinions differ on how to select which tools to invest in, what constitutes responsible use of AI, and what the future of AI will look like. Today, 1E, a leading Digital Employee Experience (DEX) platform company, unveiled results from its survey of US IT decision-makers (ITDMs), which sheds light on sentiment towards AI in IT operations. The survey results reveal which IT tasks stand to benefit the most from AI assistance and automation, key requirements for responsible AI deployment, and what ITDMs look for when evaluating new AI purchases."From speaking to our customers and industry analysts, we knew that IT teams are becoming strategic command centers of businesses - looking to help reduce operational costs and more efficiently fix digital issues," said Mark Banfield, CEO of 1E. "But this research provides an incredible analysis of what exactly IT leaders are looking to improve- and how they feel AI can help them." IT Functions Become Cost-Saving Centers for BusinessesIT teams are more instrumental than ever in driving key business priorities, including the reduction of operational costs. The survey reveals that 93 percent of ITDMs recognize AI's value in IT operations. However, IT leaders are clear that financial considerations, such as ROI and cost savings, factor heavily into AI planning and investment. Eighty-six percent of those surveyed say that they are more likely to purchase IT products that help reduce operational costs.Prioritizing Service Desk Efficiency and SpeedIncreasing service desk efficiency and speed are top priorities for IT professionals. According to ITDMs, these are the top four service-desk responsibilities that would most benefit from AI:Fixing issues faster Reducing human errors Analyzing large data sets faster Reducing operational costsIn fact, 79 percent agree that they would like to predict user reactions to IT issues, indicating a widespread interest in proactive remediation with automation.A Personalized and Transparent Digital Employee ExperienceIT leaders understand that every user has unique needs and preferences that help drive their productivity and digital employee experience. In fact, 85 percent agree that personalized experiences will boost user sentiment-leading to higher employee satisfaction and productivity. However, only 36 percent disagree with the suggestion that they currently don't have accurate visibility into user sentiment and 57 percent say data transparency is essential for responsible AI implementation. The data indicates that while IT leaders are looking to AI to help provide the unique experiences that users want, AI safety and transparency are critical.To learn more about these findings, download the report here.About the MethodologyAll figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 506 IT decision makers. Fieldwork was undertaken between 14th - 18th May 2024. The survey was carried out online.About 1EMore than 500 organizations in 42 countries trust 1E to help them create a better Digital Employee Experience (DEX). The 1E Platform provides real-time diagnosis, remediation, and automation to proactively fix issues before they ruin the workday. Reduce costs, move faster, and increase employee happiness with 1E. For more information, visit 1E.com.Contact InformationNamita TendolkarCommunications Managernamita.tendolkar@1e.com SOURCE: 1EView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-10 15:19:20

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Patrick J. Burns To Lead Pershing's Generative Exploration Project Program as Director of Project DevelopmentRENO, NV / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / Pershing Resources Company Inc., (OTCPK:PSGR), is pleased to announce that Mr. Patrick J. Burns has taken an executive role with the Company and will assume the position of Director of Project Development. In his new role, Mr. Burns will focus on developing the Company's project pipeline while advancing the New Enterprise Property and other nearby related properties in the Enterprise Exploration Project Area.Mr. Burns will collaborate closely with Director of Exploration; Neil D. Novak, P. Geo, and Luis A. Vega, (Technical Advisor), as well as Dr. Ed Walker who remains the Company's Principal Independent Consultant on the New Enterprise Project near Kingman Arizona. The Company has acquired a few other prospects related to the New Enterprise Project area, which are spread out over more than fifty square miles in northwestern Arizona near the Enterprise Property. Pershing's pursuit of high value properties in northwestern Arizona and southeastern Nevada, along the Walker Trend continues with Pat's new role with Pershing Resources.The Company has been reviewing the multi-terabyte proprietary geophysical data set that was captured during the 2020-2021 Heli-borne magnetic survey. The survey covered a total of approximately 150 square miles at moderate density flight line spacing with high density flight lines (75-meter flight lines) over the centrally located Enterprise Property in the Project Area. A number of strong magnetic lineaments (manifestations of faulting and/or geological contacts) as well as other large ovoid anomalies that have been under review, some of which have been field confirmed, some of which have been subjected to proprietary processing (by SHA Geophysics) since early 2021. The Company is focused upon a geological / geophysical structural trend that has been outlined within the Hualapai and Cerbat mountain ranges in Mohave County, Arizona.The New Enterprise Project covers 11.84 square miles, or 3,068 hectares, and is within the Maynard Mining District near Kingman, Arizona. The property includes four key exploration targets with known copper porphyry-related mineralization that were historically mined (early 1900's) that have never been drill-tested to the knowledge of the Company, all of which are located within a "structural corridor" four miles long and 0.4 miles wide. These areas of mineralization are discussed in the SK-1300 Technical Report Summary received in May of 2022, (the "Report") Current Technical Report: Pershing Resources Company, Inc. (PSGR) ( pershingpm.com) The New Enterprise Project area lies between the Mineral Park Mine, twenty miles to the northwest and the Bagdad Mine, forty-five miles to the southeast, both of which are within the copper producing Laramide Arc.Edward C. Walker, Ph.D., P.Geo., author of the SK-1300 Technical Report, is an independent consultant to the Company, and a "qualified person" as defined under the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.An updated Technical Presentation on Pershing Resources' New Enterprise Project is available on our website at: https://www.pershingpm.com/projects/the-new-enterprise-project/technical-presentation To receive information on Pershing Resources, sign up for email news alerts at: http://ir.pershingpm.com/ Forward-Looking StatementsThe information contained in this press release, as well as the information on the Company's website, is provided solely for the reader's general knowledge. Such information is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all matters pertaining to the Company. Certain statements included herein, and, on the Company's, website, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current knowledge, assumptions, judgment, and expectations regarding future performance or events. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such statements are reasonable, these forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to the Company's management. When used in this press release and on the Company's website, words such as "anticipate," "believe," "contemplate," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "hope," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "possibility," "potential," "predict," "project," "should,'' "target," "will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, and/or achievements of the Company or of the mining industry, in general, to be materially different from future results, performance, and/or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include uncertainties related to fluctuations in gold, silver, copper, and other precious and base metals commodity prices, uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology of the Company's properties, uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs, the need for cooperation of government agencies in the development of the Company's mineral projects, the need to obtain additional financing to develop the Company's mineral projects, the possibility of delay in development programs or in construction projects, uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones for the Company's mineral projects, the risks associated with the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 and its variants such as Delta and Omicron and the recent BZ.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants, the risks associated with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and other risks and uncertainties affecting the Company's business operations and financial condition.All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-10 17:30:55

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Prysmian and Pedote reaffirm shared commitment to a future powered by nature.HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 /Prysmian, a world leader in the energy transition and digital transformation, proudly announces its continued sponsorship of skipper Giancarlo Pedote in the prestigious Transat CIC race. This 3,500-mile transatlantic race from France to New York City marks another milestone in the long-standing partnership between Prysmian and Pedote, which began in 2007. This sponsorship underscores Prysmian's commitment to supporting extraordinary endeavors in the maritime world and aligns with the company's dedication to sustainability and ocean conservation.Recognizing our oceans' critical role in sustainability and renewable energy, Prysmian is proud to share its partnership and support of Pedote in honor of World Ocean Day, celebrated globally on June 8, 2024."Just as sailing requires constant effort to work with the elements of nature, Prysmian is constantly driving to advance the transition to wind and solar renewable energy across the globe," said Andrea Pirondini, CEO of Prysmian North America. "As we commemorate World Ocean Day, we are reminded of our responsibility to protect and preserve our oceans for future generations. We also share Giancarlo's dedication to partnering with nature to overcome obstacles." Hailed as one of the four major global ocean races, the Transat CIC began in 1960 and has grown in popularity as an exhilarating maritime adventure that tests the skill, endurance and strategic prowess of sailors worldwide. With the backing of Prysmian, Pedote not only achieved remarkable success in the race but also championed a shared message of ocean preservation and power."The Transatlantic Race was a challenging yet incredibly rewarding experience," said Skipper, Giancarlo Pedote. "I'm grateful for Prysmian's support, which was instrumental in my journey. As we celebrate World Ocean Day, my hope is to inspire others to appreciate and protect our oceans as a vital part of our planet's ecosystem." Giancarlo, supported by Prysmian, recently authored a book entitled Protection of the Ocean, underscoring his commitment to protecting the ocean and maintaining balance on the planet. Upon arrival in New York, Giancarlo presented the book to both Prysmian and Italian Consul General Fabrizio Di Michele."Education is a foundation for any change. As Italians, the sea belongs to our identity and our history. We understand well how much it is important to preserve the sea water from the many dangers that are compromising its health, which in turn impacts our own health," said Di Michele. "In this context I cannot but praise Giancarlo Pedote, Italian solo sailor that I met after The Transat CIC, for his book on the necessity of protecting our oceans. It is conceived for young readers, but it is a compelling source of information for any reader." Pedote, who hails from Florence, Italy, has been racing professionally for his entire adult life. Prysmian began sponsoring Pedote in 2007, when he started in offshore racing. With this continued partnership, Prysmian confirms its commitment to sailing, as well as a sustainable future powered by nature.Prysmian is playing a leading role as an enabler for the energy transition and digital transformation across North America. Their unparalleled wire and cable portfolio, including subsea cabling technologies and services, are utilized across varied industries including power transmission and distribution, telecommunications, construction and infrastructure, energy projects and specialty industries for countless applications. The company's advanced technology continues to make major renewable breakthroughs like the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm project possible.Prysmian North AmericaBased in Highland Heights, Ky., Prysmian North America is a benchmark player in the energy transition and digital transformation. Prysmian's strategy is perfectly aligned with the main market drivers by developing resilient, high-performing, sustainable, and innovative cable systems for the transmission, power grid, electricity and digital solutions segments. Prysmian's North American operations include 28 manufacturing facilities, eight distribution centers, six R&D centers and more than 6,000 associates with net sales of $6 billion. Additional information is available at na.prysmian.com Globally, Prysmian is the largest cable solutions provider in the world, with 30,000 employees, 108 production plants and 26 R&D centers in over 50 countries. In 2023, global sales exceeded 15 billion.Media Relations:Lauren Kane External Communications Managerlauren.kane@prysmiangroup.com Justine DavidMower jdavid@ mower.com SOURCE: Prysmian
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-10 14:01:00

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 /Revolve Renewable Power Corp. (TSXV:REVV)(OTCQB:REVVF) ("Revolve" or the "Company"), a North American owner, operator and developer of renewable energy projects, is pleased to announce the completion of the interconnection milestone related to the 1,000MW Bouse Solar and Storage Project (the "Bouse Project"), which was sold in January 2023 to ENGIE IR Holdings LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ENGIE S.A. ("ENGIE"), a global leader in the energy sector.The terms of the sale, which also included the sale of the 250MW Parker Solar & Storage Project (the "Parker Project"), are set out in the news release dated January 11, 2023 ( https://revolve-renewablepower.com/revolve-announces-sale-of-1250mw-of-utility-scale-solar-and-storage-projects/) and are also summarised below.The TransactionThe total consideration payable by ENGIE is within the range of guidance previously provided by the Company for the sale of utility scale development assets, which for reference is outlined in page 17 the Company's corporate presentation ( https://revolve-renewablepower.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Revolve-_-Corporate-Presentation-June-7-2024.pdf) The Company received an upfront payment of US$2,000,000 (inclusive of the reimbursement of development costs) on completion of the transaction in January 2023. Of this sum, US$800,000 was recognised as revenue in the Company's Q3 FY2023 financial accounts with the remaining US$1,200,000 accounted for as deferred revenue. The balance of this deferred revenue as at March 31, 2024 was US$960,000.Milestone PaymentsThe remaining consideration is linked to each of the Parker Project and Bouse Project successfully completing the following development milestones:Completion of further interconnection studies; Issuance by ENGIE of a Notice To Proceed (an "NTP") construction works to the applicable Engineering and Procurement Contractor ("EPC") ; On the Commercial Operations Date (the "COD"), with such date being the date that a project has been synchronized to the grid and is capable of delivering all of its installed capacity to the grid.The Company previously guided that it expected the completion of the interconnection studies milestones for the Bouse Project to be achieved prior to the end of H1 2024 when further interconnection studies are issued. We are now pleased to confirm that the completion of further interconnection studies milestone has been met for the Bouse Project.Put OptionAs part of the transaction the parties entered into a put option agreement (the "Put Option") allowing ENGIE to sell the Bouse Project back to the Company for a limited period following receipt of the results of the next interconnection studies due for each project.ENGIE has chosen not to exercise the Put Option and it has therefore expired for the Bouse Project.The next milestone payment related to the Bouse Project totalling US$3,400,000 has now been paid to the Company. There were no additional development costs incurred by the Company in relation to this milestone. The deferred revenue of US$960,000 is now expected to be recognised as revenue in the Company's Q4 FY2024 financial statements.The interconnection milestone for the Parker Project was completed in July 2023, see news release for further details ( https://revolve-renewablepower.com/milestone-reached-on-250mw-parker-solar-storage-project/) Steve Dalton, CEO of Revolve, commented: "We are delighted to reach a key milestone for the Bouse Project and the overall transaction with ENGIE. The Bouse Project is one of the largest solar and battery storage projects being developed for the Californian market and we look forward to further progress being made towards notice to proceed in the coming years." The Bouse ProjectThe Bouse Project is a 1,000MW solar and battery storage project, located on approximately 6,155 acres of land wholly managed by the BLM in La Paz County 27 miles east of Quartzsite, Arizona. The entire project site is located in a solar variance area as identified in BLM's Solar PEIS and Record of Decision (ROD) (BLM/DOE 2012, BLM 2012a). The Bouse Project has the capacity to provide electricity to an equivalent of approximately 1.2 million homes. The Company commenced the greenfield development of the Bouse Project in early 2021.About RevolveRevolve was formed in 2012 to capitalize on the growing global demand for renewable power. Revolve develops utility-scale wind, solar and battery storage projects in the US, Canada and Mexico. The Company has a second division, Revolve Renewable Business Solutions which installs and operates sub 20MW "behind the meter" distributed generation (or "DG") assets. Revolve's portfolio includes the following:Operating Assets: 11MW (net) of operating assets under long term power purchase agreements across Canada and Mexico covering wind, solar, battery storage and hydro generation;Under Construction: a 3MW CHP project and a 450kWp rooftop solar project that are both under construction and expected to be operational later this year; andDevelopment: a diverse portfolio of utility scale development projects across the US, Canada and Mexico with a combined capacity of over 3,000MWs as well as a 140MW+ distributed generation portfolio that is under development.Revolve has an accomplished management team with a demonstrated track record of taking projects from "greenfield" through to "ready to build" status and successfully concluding project sales to large operators of utility-scale renewable energy projects. To-date, Revolve has developed and sold over 1,550MW of projects.Going forward, Revolve is targeting 5,000MW of utility-scale projects under development in the US, Canada and Mexico, and in parallel is rapidly growing its portfolio of revenue-generating DG assets.For further information contact:Steve Dalton, CEO IR@ revolve-renewablepower.com orSunita PrasadVP, Corporate Development & Investor RelationsPhone: +1 778-885-5550 IR@ revolve-renewablepower.com Forward Looking InformationAlthough Revolve believes, considering the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Revolve can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words
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CHINO HILLS, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / SOHM, Inc. (OTC PINK:SHMN) (the "Company"), a pharmaceutical and upstart biotechnology company that manufactures and markets generic drugs covering numerous treatment categories, announced that preliminary data from a 3rd party user resulted in ABBIE genome editing technology successfully engineering a T-cell from a healthy human donor and killed lung cancer cells in an experimental cancer model. The data was presented at the 2024 AACR conference in San Diego. This type of engineered T -Cell is called CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell). This breakthrough method for immunotherapy against cancer is normally made using a virus-based delivery system. However, the ABBIE system can be delivered as an mRNA or purified protein along with donor polynucleic acid and guide RNA without the use of virus and is able to engineer lung cancer cell killing CAR T-cells very efficiently. "The preliminary data is intriguing and suggests ABBIE can be used as a powerful tool in the development of immunotherapies."-David Aguilar Ph.D. COO SOHM Inc.Dr. Aguilar, further stated that, CAR T-cell therapy is a groundbreaking form of cancer treatment that harnesses the power of a patient's own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells are engineered patient immune cells that are designed to recognize and attack specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells.The importance of CAR T-cell therapy lies in its ability to provide targeted and personalized treatment for patients with certain types of cancer, particularly those that have not responded to traditional forms of treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. By reprogramming a patient's own immune cells to specifically target cancer cells, CAR T-cell therapy offers the potential for more effective and less toxic treatment options.The field of CAR T-cell therapy has seen significant growth and advancement in recent years, with several CAR T-cell therapies receiving approval from regulatory agencies for the treatment of certain types of blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma. These approvals have paved the way for further research and development in the field, leading to the exploration of CAR T-cell therapy for other types of cancer.In addition to its potential to revolutionize cancer treatment, CAR T-cell therapy also holds promise for the treatment of other diseases, such as autoimmune disorders, neurological disease and infectious diseases. As researchers continue to refine and optimize CAR T-cell therapy, the field is expected to continue to grow and expand, offering new hope for patients battling cancer and other serious illnesses.On average, CAR T-cell therapy can cost anywhere from $373,000 to $475,000 per patient in the United States. This high cost is primarily due to the complex and personalized nature of CAR T-cell therapy, which involves the extraction, modification, and re-infusion of a patient's own immune cells.In terms of the market value for CAR T companies, According to Vision Research Reports, the global cancer immunotherapy market size was estimated at USD 125.73 billion in 2023 and it is projected to increase USD 280.11 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 8.34% from 2024 to 2033. Some of the key players in the CAR T-cell therapy market include Novartis, Gilead Sciences (through its acquisition of Kite Pharma), and Bristol Myers Squibb (through its acquisition of Celgene).Overall, the market value for CAR T companies is expected to continue to grow as more research and development efforts are focused on advancing CAR T-cell therapy and expanding its application to a wider range of cancer types and other diseases. The high cost of CAR T-cell therapy presents challenges in terms of access and affordability, but ongoing efforts are being made to address these issues and make this innovative treatment more widely available to patients in need. More effective production methods via use of techniques like ABBIE genome editing will assist in bringing patient costs down and expanding use of the therapy to many more people affected by cancers.We are proud to announce ongoing work on ABBIE (A Binding Based Integrase Enzyme), a revolutionary retroviral integrase with a linked dCas9 DNA binding domain. ABBIE has the potential to revolutionize genome editing by allowing precise and targeted integration of predesigned donor DNA into the genome of cells. This groundbreaking technology opens up new possibilities for treating genetic diseases, developing novel therapies, and advancing scientific research. With its advanced targeting system, simplified operational protocols, and reduced risk of off-target effects, ABBIE could well become the gold standard for genetic modifications, paving the way for new discoveries and treatments said David Aguilar, COO of SOHM, Inc.For more information about SOHM Inc. and its work on ABBIE, please visit www.SOHM.com About SOHM, Inc.:SOHM is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing gene editing technologies for research, synthetic biology, and therapeutic applications. With a focus on precision medicine, SOHM aims to revolutionize the treatment of genetic diseases by providing safe, efficient, and targeted gene editing solutions. Through strategic collaborations and groundbreaking research, SOHM is at the forefront of advancing the field of gene therapy.To learn more about SOHM, Inc., visitwww.SOHM.com SOHM, Inc.:Name: Baron Night, CEO/Dr. David Aguilar, COOEmail: info@ sohm.com Phone: (714) 522-6700Safe Harbor Statement: This news release contains "forward-looking statements," which are statements that are not purely historical and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the development, costs and results of new business opportunities. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development-stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 /South Pacific Metals Corp. (TSXV:SPMC)(FSE:6J00) ("SPMC" or the "Company") announces the grant of 600,000 stock options that are exercisable for a period of five years at the price of C$0.51 per share to various directors, senior officers, and consultants of the Company. The stock options will vest over a period of three years.About South Pacific Metals Corp.SPMC is an Asia-Pacific focused gold and copper exploration company with four highly prospective projects: KRL South, KRL North Kili Teke and the May River Project. All projects are located in premier exploration mining regions in Papua New Guinea. KRL South and KRL North are located in the prolific Kainantu Gold-Copper Mineral District, adjacent to K92's tenements where they are currently mining lode-gold deposits at their Kainantu Mine. Both KRL South and KRL North host porphyry copper-gold, epithermal-style gold mineralization and multiple coincident geochemical and geophysical anomalies that warrant further work. Kili Teke is an advanced exploration project only 15 km from the world-class Porgera Gold Mine and hosts an existing Inferred mineral resource with multiple opportunities for expansion and further discovery. The May River Project is adjacent to the world-renowned Frieda River Copper-Gold Project, and historical drilling indicates there is potential for a significant copper-gold mineralized system. SPMC has a highly experienced leadership team with experience working together in the region and with established in-country partners.For further information please contact:Michael Murphy, Chief Executive OfficerTel: +1 604-428-6128Email: info@ southpacificmetals.ca Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Disclaimer and Forward-Looking InformationStatements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainty affecting the business of SPMC. In making the forward-looking statements, SPMC has applied certain assumptions that are based on information available to the Company, including SPMC's strategic plan for the near and mid-term. There is no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statementsForward-looking statements may involve various risks and uncertainty affecting the business of the Company. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because of the context of the statements, including such words as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "plans", "may", "estimates", or words of a similar nature. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: formulation of plans for drill testing; and the success related to any future exploration or development programs. These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic, regulatory or other unforeseen uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, without limitation: success of the Company's projects, prices for metals remaining as estimated, currency exchange rates remaining as estimated, availability of funds for the Company's projects, capital, decommissioning and reclamation estimates, prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation), no labour-related disruptions, no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction and production, all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner, and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in gold prices, fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation), fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar), operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mineral exploration, inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards, the Company's ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner, changes in laws, regulations and government practices, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations, legal restrictions relating to mineral exploration, increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel, the availability of additional capital, title matters and the additional risks identified in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ (available at www.sedarplus.ca) . Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described, or intended. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property.SOURCE: South Pacific Metals Corp.
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This new platform has been designed to provide retailers greater flexibility on how they handle inventory counts - from self-counting to full service and every option in between.DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / Utilizing innovative new technology, WIS International has introduced an advanced inventory counting platform supported with new hardware and software that allows retailers increased flexibility for their inventory counting events. FlexCount was designed for first-time or occasional users and delivers an intuitive experience through a device similar to a smartphone. It allows retailers to easily count their inventory anytime and anywhere. The simplicity of the platform can also help reduce labor costs, by eliminating lengthy training, cumbersome hardware, and complicated software.FlexCount FlexCount Logo"FlexCount is a completely new, out-of-the-box, self-scan inventory auditing solution," said Jim Rose, CEO of WIS International. "It's the most advanced technology solution currently available that was designed to meet the needs and requirements as defined by our retail partners." To allow the platform to evolve and improve, FlexCount is backed by powerful AI and machine learning components. The design will allow it to learn and adapt to continuously improve the overall user experience."Because it's a modern application, we've leveraged machine learning and artificial intelligence components," said Bill McDonald, CIO of WIS International. "Therefore, the platform actually learns and does it on a customer specific level. Over time, it will become even more efficient and tailored to that customer's specific needs." FlexCount is backed by WIS International, the recognized leader in full-service inventory solutions. FlexCount customers will benefit from their expertise and experience in coordinating inventory events. Also, with over 20,000 employees in North America, they can provide in-store support if needed."In addition to self-count, we can provide supervisors and counters in any combination and quantity that a retailer desires anywhere our help is needed," said Waseem Bawa, COO of WIS International. "With FlexCount, we are the only company in the industry that can truly provide every level of inventory counting services." ###Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, WIS International is a well-recognized leader in inventory data collection and retail services. Our leadership position has been earned through the support of over 20,000 dedicated and experienced associates. Working together, they help the retail, healthcare, manufacturing, warehouse, and specialty sectors reduce costs and increase profits. With accuracy and efficiency as paramount benchmarks, WIS delivers retail services, proprietary inventory counting technology, real-time reporting, and powerful insights that help our customers to be more efficient and effective.Contact InformationConnie NguyenVice President Marketingcnguyen@ wisintl.com 312-465-9288SOURCE: WIS InternationalView the original press release on newswire.com
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New Program Enhances Learning Practices to Positively Impact Students' Academic and Physical Well-beingMIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2024 / Zumba , the world's leading dance fitness program, announced today the launch of Zumba 4 Education, a program designed to enhance cognitive development, improve focus, and make learning a truly immersive experience.The program is grounded in the power of Zumba's award-winning music and over two decades of leading the fitness industry in movement that promotes physical and mental health benefits. From here, Zumba partnered with Chris Simmonds, the Principal of CARE Elementary School in Miami known for its innovative education practices, utilizing his 20+ years of experience as an educator to infuse classroom curriculum in an engaging way. This collaboration accelerates student mastery of content and concepts aligned with curriculum standards while fostering an interactive and energetic classroom environment between teachers and students."For decades we have successfully taught Zumba Kids in schools around the US," shared Zumba Chief Subscription Officer Yael Dornbusch. "Creating Zumba 4 Education was an obvious opportunity in merging two of our strengths - music and movement- to be able to give back to the educational community." Chris Simmonds added: "It is imperative for school administrators to invest in the health and well-being of their instructional staff. Zumba 4 Education is a transformative tool that energizes and motivates teachers, creating more interactive, engaging, and meaningful instruction to their students! A win for the entire school!"Schools can easily participate in the Zumba 4 Education program by booking professional development sessions designed to equip administrators and educators with the tools and techniques to implement the program effectively. Endorsed by educators, Zumba 4 Education is available with Title II funding, making it accessible to schools nationwide. Upon completion of the session, schools receive access to a catalog of music and videos that educators and kids can follow in class.To learn more about the Zumba 4 Education program, please visit https://www.zumba4edu.com/ Media Contact:Rebecca Dorfman, Rebecca.Dorfman@Zumba.com About Zumba Fitness, LLC:Founded in 2001, Zumba is the largest branded dance fitness company in the world - reporting more than 15 million weekly participants, in 200,000 locations, across 185 countries. Zumba blends world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography for an effective workout that empowers participants to become their best selves - mind, body and soul. In addition to its original Zumba program, the company offers 10 Zumba specialty classes - from aquatic-based to those specifically designed for active older adults and children. In 2016, Zumba launched its first non-dance, HIIT workout STRONG Nation, where music acts as the main motivator. In 2023, Zumba launched CIRCL Mobility, a revolutionary new program designed to unlock the body's full potential through flexibility, breathwork, and mobility exercises. The Zumba lifestyle is rounded out by the company's many consumer product offerings, including video games, VR +MR experiences, original music, activewear and footwear, and interactive Fitness-Concert events.SOURCE: Zumba Fitness
The Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage on Monday submitted its report to the federal government.

The Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Segun Imohiosen, announced this in a statement in Abuja.

It is, however, not clear how much it recommended as the new minimum wage.

President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the 37-member committee headed by Bukar Aji, on 30 January, in line with the Minimum Wage Act, 2019.

It was tasked with recommending a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers across both public and private sectors.

The SGF, George Akume, who received the report of the committee and stated that it would soon be forwarded to the President.

A formal presentation of the report will be made to Mr President for appropriate action when the leadership of the organised labour, as well as representatives of government and the organised private sector, return from the ongoing International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Mr Akume said.

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During the last meeting held by the Tripartite Committee on New Minimum Wage on Friday in Abuja, labour reduced its demand to N250,000 from N494,000, while the federal government increased its offer from N60,000 to N62,000.

However, government representatives stated they would present this figure to President Tinubu for further action.

PREMIUM TIMES reported earlier that the organised labour warned that it will reconvene to decide on the resumption of the suspended strike if the federal government and National Assembly fail to meet its demand on the proposed minimum wage by midnight on Tuesday.

The Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Chris Onyeka, disclosed this during an appearance on Channels Televisions The Morning Brief show on Monday.

Nigerian workers, under the auspices of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), had suspended their strike for one week to resume negotiations with the government on the minimum wage. The one-week ultimatum given by labour to the federal government will expire at midnight on Tuesday.

The federal government and the National Assembly have the call now. Our demand is clear: the government must review it, send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly, and enact a National Minimum Wage Act that meets our expectations.

If our demand is not met, the one-week notice we issued will expire tomorrow. If we do not receive a tangible response by then, the organs of organised labour will meet to decide our next steps, Mr Onyeka said.

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President Bola Tinubu has sacked Solomon Arase as the chairperson of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

The president replaced him with Hashimu Argungu, a retired deputy inspector general of police, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale, on Monday.

The president also approved the appointment of Onyemuche Nnamani as secretary of the commission and Taiwo Lakanu, also a retired deputy inspector general of police, as member of the commission.

The statement did not disclose the reason for Mr Arases removal from office.

But it comes on the heel of an ICIR investigative report published in February that exposed his alleged involvement in the illegal sale of the lands through a contracting firm, Corpren International Limited, under the guise of developing the police residential estate.

The story was backed by evidence of affidavits and documents of ongoing litigation over the lands located in different parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The ICIR story also revealed that Mr Arase enabled Corpran International Limited to obtain nearly N1 billion from the Police Mortgage Bank without collateral.

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It also accused Andy Chime, the owner of Corpran International Limited, of being used to dupe the NPF in the illegal deal.

Police intimidation

Following the publication of the ICIR report, Mr Arase and Corpran International Limited instituted lawsuits against the newspaper and 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.

Read the full statement from the presidency below:

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS NEW LEADERSHIP FOR POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION AND NIGERIA POLICE TRUST FUND

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd) as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

The President has also approved the appointment of Chief Onyemuche Nnamani as Secretary and DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Rtd) as Member of the Commission.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Other members of the Police Service Commission will be appointed in due course.

Furthermore, the President has approved the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Sheidu as the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) with immediate effect.

The President expects absolute demonstration of integrity, diligence, and patriotic zeal in the discharge of these important functions for the overall wellbeing of the Nigeria Police and the nation.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

June 10, 2024

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When medical personnel in Africas most populous country flee overseas, there is a big problem. Who caters to Nigerias over 200 million population when less than half of registered doctors practise in the country and the larger percentage have migrated to greener pastures? Worse still, there is less investment in healthcare infrastructure. Who feels the brunt of the exodus more?

In rural areas where most residents travel miles to cities to access quality healthcare services, it has been from one tragedy to another. For women and children, who seem to be more vulnerable, life has become a misery.

Here in Shakwata, a village in Bosso Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, the new primary healthcare centre constructed in 2015 is managed by two community health extension workers (CHEW). There is no doctor or nurse. The facility has three beds; hence, only three patients can be admitted at once. Despite the poor condition of the centre, women from Kachalla, Yawo, Buluko, Tachki, Dunkoshi, Tayegi, and many nearby villages come to Shakwata for antenatal and immunisation.

The women complained of a lack of medicine in the facility. Basic services such as family planning and laboratory tests are also unavailable. So, they travel for 30 minutes through rough untarred roads to Maitumbi, a town on the outskirts of Minna, the state capital, to visit the hospital and buy drugs. In the event of an emergency, pregnant women are attended to at home by traditional birth attendants. When the labour is prolonged and there is a complication, the woman is covered up and placed on a motorcycle or tricycle on a 15-kilometre tortuous journey to Maitumbi.

Shehu Yusuf, the Mai Unguwa (ward head) of Shakwata, sat under a huge mango tree in the compound, flanked by women in the extended family. Some were elderly women, some young and pregnant, while others looked recently married.

The only thing we do there is the immunisation services for children. The women usually help themselves deliver babies, especially when labour comes at night, Mr Yusuf said.

Hajara Abdullahi, 25, lives in Shakwata with her husband, a farmer. She is pregnant with her first baby.

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Gaskiya, I dont go to the hospital every time. I started going when I got pregnant and had to enrol in antenatal. Most of the women in the village rarely go to the hospital, Mrs Abdullahi said.

We usually have to go all the way to Maitumbi during emergencies at night because the health workers close from work at about 2 pm every day. They dont give us any medical advice at the hospital or what kind of foods to eat as pregnant women. They only touch our stomachs and prescribe drugs that they dont have. The crowd is always massive.

SCARCE AND EXPENSIVE DRUGS: RURAL WOMEN RESORT TO HERBAL MEDICINE

Even in the city, drugs have become more expensive. As medical professionals exit the country in droves, major pharmaceutical multinationals are also taking their leave. With the rising cost of living and volatility of the foreign exchange market, on which drug importation relies, the prices of medicines have increased. Rural dwellers have to grapple with affordability and accessibility.

Aisha Isah, 54, wife of Shakwatas village head, is a traditional birth attendant and a mother of seven children.

She said the women in the Mai Unguwas household usually take alternative medicines like herbs prepared for illnesses like typhoid or malaria, but they visit the hospital for serious sicknesses. She said she is more worried about the non-availability of drugs and health workers at night.

Mrs Isah added that they boil mango, banana, guava, moringa, pawpaw and neem leaves to treat malaria, typhoid, constipation and diarrhoea. There are also herbs for birth control.

There were about five of them but they all left. Now, only two workers are there and they dont stay in the village. Sometimes, I take child delivery for women who cannot afford to go to the hospital or at night when there are no health workers at the facility.

We dont give the women in labour drugs or any traditional medicine to ease delivery. We just pray to God and hope that we dont experience any complications. But when the situation gets complicated, we usually find a tricycle to take the woman to a hospital in town, she said.

The primary health centre in SHE village, Shiroro LGA in Niger State, is also manned by health extension workers. Hadiza Shehu, a birth attendant at the centre, said women in the village rarely visit the facility since they do not get the services they need.

There is no equipment in the facility, except for the test tools for HIV. No water or electricity supply and the toilet is in bad shape; sometimes, patients sleep on the floor because there are just three beds in the centre.

Like the health centre in Shakwata, the one at SHE village also welcomes women from villages like Apomi, Tulu, Bagadnapka, Gidan Galadima, Akaita, Rugan and some Fulani settlements nearby.

Honestly, we have a shortage of staff and drugs. A lot of them have come here and left. The only drug the LGA authorities usually give us is artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), but it is no longer coming, Ms Shehu said.

We have stopped family planning services because we dont have supplies of the items we need. We have told the women that we cannot deliver the service to them anymore. We dont have anything here, but some of them keep coming. We go to Gunu village (3 km away from SHE village) to get vaccines for children. For child delivery, we usually use touch lights at night because the facility doesnt have electricity.

After Aisha Alheri, 26, had her fourth child, she wanted to do family planning. According to her, she was tired of childbearing and needed to rest. She went to the SHE village health centre almost every day for two months but they kept telling her that the injections had not arrived.

When I am down with some illness, I use traditional medicines, I usually add some herbs together. It is not every time I go to the hospital. My children also take the herbs. But when the illness is very serious, I usually buy drugs so that they can work hand in hand with the herbs. Even when I am pregnant, I usually take herbs because they are good for the baby and make them strong, Ms Alheri claimed.

I take my children for immunisation but they didnt finish all the vaccine dosage because sometimes when you go to the health facility, they usually say the vaccines have not arrived. There was a time when I was very sick. So, I went to the health centre here and I was asked to bring N3,000 (less than $3) for drip and injection and other things. I didnt have the money; so, I went back home and started taking herbs until I got better.

Yes, I experienced some complications when I was about to give birth. I was told the baby was breech. I was taken to the General Hospital in Minna and I gave birth safely.

At Babangida She village in Shiroro LGA, when the situation became dire and help came from nowhere, the women started contributing money to make the health centre work, but now they are tired. Abarah Saleh, Mai Unguwa of the village, said it is stressful making sure their families dont go hungry and still be worried about them falling sick because of the poor state of the facility.

Zainab, Mr Salehs wife, said the women are often scared of emergency health crises. The 54-year-old mother of seven said they prefer to stay at home to give birth.

But the situation is not peculiar to Niger State alone.

IN OYO, MISSION HOUSES OFFER MORE THAN SALVATION

In Iseyin, a community in Oyo State, the primary alternative women go for are mission houses  maternity homes run by religious centres.

To some of these women, it is the God-factor first. These mission houses employ nurses and midwives who attend to the needs of their patients and help with child delivery. Alice Fulakaye is one of the midwives at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Maternity Centre, Oluwole, Iseyin. She only attended a polytechnic and has spent 13 years on the job. She said she didnt choose to do the job from the start until she got a divine calling.

During labour and delivery, dedicated prayer warriors go into full swing to make things easier from the spiritual realm, which is expected to ensure smooth delivery in the physical realm. Most importantly, their services are cheaper than the hospitals.

We prefer this place because we pray. In government hospitals, theres nothing like that. Here, we pray as childbirth is going on, Kehinde Deborah told this reporter at the CAC Maternity Centre.

Other times, it is more than the prayer that makes the mission houses attractive. At government hospitals, the waiting time is usually long because there are just a few medical personnel attending to a plethora of women, some of whom are heavily pregnant. When a doctor or nurse eventually attends to you, it is brief, and they quickly move on to the next person.

Damilola Adejoro said the midwives at mission houses offer empathy and call you on the phone to ask about your welfare, which she claimed the government hospitals wouldnt do. So, she prefers to have her baby where she gets better attention.

The midwives will look after you; but over there, the nurses wont. They usually have their hands full with patients and tend to neglect you. Even when you are in labour, they will tell you to wait and that it isnt your time yet, till you are on the verge of giving birth on your own. The midwives here would attend to you, try to check your vitals and stay with you, Ms Adejoro said.

If not for the slight complication Abibat Usman from Ipapo village is having with her current pregnancy, she wouldnt have seen the need for a hospital. She had all other nine children either at home or at the farm. According to Mrs Usman, who spoke through an interpreter, she didnt know the hospital was a better choice as most women in the village give birth at home.

POVERTY WORSENING MATERNAL HEALTHCARE IN KANO

Most of the women who spoke with this reporter in some rural communities in Kano State said they also prefer to give birth at home. They go to the hospital for scans, ante-natal and child immunisation, but deliver their babies at home. They only return to the hospital when there are complications. Maryam Lawan, a 38-year-old mother of eight, had all her children at home and so did SaIha Ibrahim, a 25-year-old mother of two.

A management staff of Doka Model Primary Healthcare, Tofa LGA, who didnt want to be named, said some mothers-in-law also stop many women from delivering their children at the hospital, claiming that a strong woman can give birth at home, and they have to be strong. In some cases, their husbands stop them.

It seems more of a cultural thing. But it goes beyond that. Many of them cannot afford the money for hospital services, especially the cost of drugs and laboratory tests. They also complained that they needed more equipment and medical officials at the health centres.

Yet, women in these Muslim-dominated communities avoid health centres where the workers are only men. Such was the case of the Dan Isah Health Post in Rimin Gado LGA until Amina Muawiyya, a nurse, was transferred there and the attendance improved. Now, shes the only female staff member attending to all women in the community and the ones nearby.

We have improved from one or two women per day to 20-25 women per month. So, this is a great improvement. I can say that 50 per cent of women from the community now attend ante-natal. Women from the nearby towns also trek to this place for medical assistance, Ms Muawiyya said.

Most of them are not coming for medical care because they dont have money for drugs and tests. When they call a traditional birth attendant, they pay little. There was a time I had a conversation with one of the birth attendants who said they spit some Quranic verses on patients to ease delivery. She said the method was inherited from their elders.

Twenty-four-year-old Halimatu Sadi took rubutu (holy water) and gamji (tree bark medicine) with zobo (hibiscus) at the early stage of her pregnancy, while her mother-in-law prescribed the dosage.

Poverty is the main reason why women here dont go to the hospital because when you go there, they will inform you about the tests you need to conduct. You can be charged N4,500 ($3.2) to N5,000 ($3.6). You must spend money on every visit because they will prescribe the drugs you need to buy. So, it is all about spending money. Getting free medicines will draw the attention of more women, Ms Sadi said sharply

While the Doka Model Healthcare Centre closes at 2 p.m. and refers patients to hospitals in bigger towns for scans, the health post at Kwami Village is often deserted due to lack of basic amenities and workers.

In April, Abubakar Yusuf, commissioner for health in Kano, Nigerias most populous state, said the state is committed to ending maternal mortality.

Amidst the challenges at the health centres in Kano, 1,477 registered medical doctors cater to its estimated 15 million population, according to 2022 data from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

DONT KILL US: DOCTORS FLEEING IN DROVES

Nigerias healthcare sector is going through one of the worst brain drains in history, as half of its registered doctors and health professionals have fled abroad for a better life. The movement is now known as Japa, in local parlance. They cited poor remuneration, inefficient work environment, and constant abduction and killing of doctors as the major reasons for their departure.

Over time, the primary destinations of these migrating healthcare workers are the United Kingdom (UK), the United States, Canada, and the Middle East. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health often conducts recruitment exercises for medical experts in Lagos and Abuja, the nations capital. The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said about 10,296 Nigerian-trained doctors are practising in the UK.

Stephen Chukwumah, a Lagos-based doctor, said he decided to leave the country during his housemanship due to the bleak economic outlook of the country and the substandard state of the health sector. In 2022, he finally moved to the UK where he now works.

But you barely realise how bad it is until you are in a better system, Mr Chukwumah told TheCable.

In April, the MDCN said due to the increase in migration of medical workers, only 58,000 doctors, which amounts to 45 per cent, renewed their annual practice licence in 2023  out of the 130,000 registered doctors in the country. Ali Pate, the minister of health, lamented that there is still a huge distribution challenge, as a significant percentage of the remaining doctors are in urban areas like Lagos and Abuja. This leaves the rural areas with few or no qualified healthcare professionals.

Even in the urban areas, the doctors have come out to complain of being overworked, which has led to strikes. In March, about 59 medical doctors were reported to have resigned from Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia, Nasarawa state, over poor service conditions. Two months later, doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lokoja, Kogi state, protested over manpower shortage and burnout. Dont kill us, one of the placards read.

The newspaper reports of the closure of the psychiatry ward at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife, Osun state, and five wards at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) due to a shortage of personnel led to an outcry on social media and also drew the attention of national legislators.

In April 2023, the national assembly debated a bill to mandate Nigerian-trained medical and dental practitioners to practice for at least five years before getting a full licence. But the federal government kicked against the bill.

+++++(PHOTO: New mothers in Ipapo community, Oyo state, dance around town to celebrate their safe deliveries.)

The NMA noted that the exodus is causing a surge in maternal and infant mortality rates. In 2017, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated Nigerias maternal mortality rate at 917 per 100,000 live births; it increased by nearly 14 per cent in 2020 to reach 1,047 deaths.

According to UNICEF, Nigeria currently contributes 10 per cent of global deaths for pregnant mothers with the latest figures showing a maternal mortality rate of 576 per 100,000 live births, the fourth-highest in the world. UNICEF added that each year, approximately 262,000 babies die at birth, the worlds second-highest national total, as Infant mortality currently stands at 69 per 1,000 live births. For under-fives, it rises to 128 per 1,000 live births.

WILL THINGS GET BETTER?

In recent media interviews, the minister of health said to address the brain drain of the health sector, the federal government would engage retired medical workers, raise workers salaries and train more personnel to bridge the gap. Mr Pate said the enrollment in medical schools has increased from 28,000 to 64,000 yearly.

We have also approved a managed migration policy for health and are looking at how best to address the excessive workload of medical providers, especially the medical doctors, Mr Pate said in May while presenting the one-year achievements of his ministry.

We are working with the Ministry of Labour as well as Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission to address long-standing legacy issues of compensation and allowances, which will take time and more patience from health workers.

More than 2,400 health workers, including nurses, doctors, and midwives, have been recruited to provide services to Nigerians, many of whom are women in rural areas delivering essential services.

However, stakeholders have raised some observations on the governments sincerity to solve the challenges in the industry.

In an interview with Happy Adedapo, the Oyo State NMA chairman, he said the government is clever by half and needs to back its words with actions.

Mr Adedapo said a total sector collapse is imminent if urgent steps are not taken to halt the migration.

This time last year, we had over 700 resident doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH), Nigerias first teaching hospital. They are now less than 400. Doctors are leaving every day, so it is difficult to state the figure of those who have left the shores of the country. Its a continuous process. Over 300 medical consultants left about two years ago, most of them to Saudi Arabia, Mr Adedapo said.

The government is trying to employ more doctors but they are not coming forward. They are not applying anymore. For example, the federal government gave the UCH allocation to employ 100 doctors, but we couldnt fill half of the allocation. Some that were employed didnt resume. Its a big problem.

The government is just too clever by half. Increasing the number of medical school admissions wont solve it. You are actually increasing the number of doctors for export. They will leave in the long run. Thats the implication. Until you address what is driving these people away, what is pushing and pulling them, nothing will change. The medical association has always provided solutions, but it is up to the government to listen.

Lets start with remuneration. Let an average doctor get a living wage. Second, there should be incentives like car and housing loans that will encourage doctors to stay behind. A rural allowance will keep doctors in local communities. There should be training and retraining. Also, let the government refurbish the health institutions. Imagine getting to work and there is no electricity. We need to see the government in action.

Speaking on the development, Uchenna Agu, community engagement director of Connected Development (CODE), a non-profit focused on empowering local communities, said there is a nexus between the countrys budgetary allocation for healthcare and the escalating brain drain in the sector.

Only about five per cent of Nigerias 2024 budget was set aside for healthcare, which contradicts the African Unions 2001 Abuja declaration to allocate at least 15 per cent of annual national budgets to health.

The Nigerian governments investment in the healthcare sector has consistently fallen short. The budgetary allocation to healthcare for the past five years has been less than 6%. If the budgetary allocation is increased, it will boost investment in the sector thereby discouraging brain drain, Mr Agu said in an interview with TheCable.

CODEs findings on the state of primary healthcare in Nigeria showed that 38 per cent of 783 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) we visited were not connected to the national electricity grid. About 137 of these PHCs do not have alternative sources like solar or power-generating sets; they rely on kerosene lamps and torchlights. About 90 per cent of PHCs visited did not have the minimum number of nurses/midwives. Three out of 10 do not have nurses/midwives at all.

While the medical flight from Nigeria remains unabated, citizens are forced to settle for alternative healthcare solutions, some of which are unsafe. For women in Niger and Kano states who have to battle with scarcity of qualified health professionals and the bad roads leading to clinics, there is still a long way to go.

(This report was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center).

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Girls and young women who escaped Boko Haram captivity in north-east Nigeria faced further suffering, including sometimes in unlawful military detention, and are now receiving inadequate support as they attempt to rebuild their lives, Amnesty International said in a new report.

Help us build our lives: Girl survivors of Boko Haram and military abuses in north-east Nigeria investigates how girls survived trafficking and crimes against humanity by Boko Haram, including abduction, forced marriage, enslavement, and sexual violence.

After escaping Boko Haram captivity, many then experienced further abuse in prolonged and unlawful Nigerian military detention, though in recent years this practice is less widespread during the conflict that has been raging for over a decade. Those not unlawfully detained were left to fend for themselves in displacement camps amid millions of other people needing humanitarian assistance. From there, some were reunited with their surrendered Boko Haram husbands in a government-run transit camp, exposing them to the risk of continued abuse.

These girls, many of them now young women, had their childhood stolen from them and suffered a litany of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other human rights abuses. They are now showing remarkable bravery as they seek to take control of their future, said Samira Daoud, Amnesty Internationals Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

An enormous number of girls suffered horrific abuse in Boko Haram captivity, with many survivors then detained or neglected by their government. Now, they are sending a clear message to the Nigerian government and its international partners. They urgently need increased specialist support to rebuild their lives.

The crimes that the girls and young women endured have had long-lasting consequences that are specific to their age and gender, including health complications, access to education, the ability and desire to remarry, as well as stigma and rejection by their families and communities.

The report is based on 126 interviews, including 82 with survivors, that were conducted in-person in north-east Nigeria and remotely between 2019 and 2024. On 4 April, Amnesty International wrote to Nigerian federal and state authorities, as well as to UN offices, with its main research findings. In its response, the Nigerian military denied the allegations, said it upholds human rights in its operations, and referred to Amnesty Internationals sources, which were primarily survivors, as intrinsically unreliable. UNICEF responded confidentially.

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Abduction and sexual violence

Boko Haram carried out widespread abductions of children during attacks on the civilian population in north-east Nigeria. At least eight girls witnessed Boko Haram kill their relatives. CA*, who was abducted aged around 13 in 2014, said: One day, Boko Haram came into our house. They told our father were non-believers. They shot my father in the back of his head and the bullet came through his eyes. We started crying. They said if we dont keep quiet, they will kill my mother too.

Once abducted, most girls were then forcibly married. Child and forced marriage are common practices by Boko Haram, who generally consider girls to be of age to marry from early adolescence, or even before.

Girls were used in a multitude of ways as wives, including being made to serve their husbands in sexual slavery and domestic servitude. At least 33 survivors of forced marriage told Amnesty International that their husbands raped them. HA* was a teenager when she agreed to be married to save her father from being killed. She told Amnesty International she was beaten when she refused her husband, and that he frequently raped her.

A total of 28 interviewees said they bore children of sexual violence, and at least 20 were children themselves when they gave birth.

Punishments and suicide bombings

All those abducted were threatened into living under strict rules with severely limited freedom of movement. Any real or perceived breaches of these rules were met with physical punishment and, at times, prolonged periods of imprisonment.

Boko Haram meted out punishments publicly to instil fear and exert control. At least 31 girls interviewed were forced to watch forms of punishment that included lashings, amputations and beheadings.

GH*, now in her early 20s, spent around a decade in captivity. She was often forced to watch violent punishments and said: Sometimes I dream about the corpses that I saw or the stoning of the women that I saw. Once I open my eyes, I cant go back to sleep again.

Boko Haram also used girls as suicide bombers on a large scale. Between mid-2014 and 2019, the majority of Boko Haram suicide bombers were female.

Violations in unlawful detention

Nearly 50 girls and younger women told Amnesty International they risked their lives and the lives of their children to successfully escape Boko Haram. Many experienced harrowing journeys lasting up to 12 days, where they survived on what little food and water they could find.

Some were rescued by the Nigerian military or members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), a state-sponsored militia, who later unlawfully detained many of them. Throughout the conflict, the Nigerian military has arbitrarily detained thousands of children for prolonged periods.

Thirty-one girls and young women said they were unlawfully held in military detention for anywhere between several days and almost four years between 2015 and mid-2023, typically because of their real or perceived association with Boko Haram. Some said soldiers insulted them, calling them Boko Haram wives and accusing them of being responsible for killings. Several described beatings or abysmal conditions in detention which amount to torture or other ill-treatment.

NV* was around 20 when she escaped after eight years of Boko Haram captivity in 2021. She was unlawfully detained by the Nigerian military in Madagali, Adamawa State for about two months. She said: When they [soldiers] brought food they gave us a portion in our hand and soup in one bowl for all of us to share As a toilet, they gave us a plastic bag.

Many young women were detained with their children. Two interviewees gave birth in government detention, while others witnessed children die.

In violation of international human rights law, no interviewees had access to a lawyer or were charged with a criminal offence. BZ* was detained as a teenager in Giwa Barracks, an infamous military detention facility in Maiduguri, from around 2017 to 2020. She said: Nobody explained anything to us. They just brought us there and nobody told us anything.

Since 2016, most of those who had been unlawfully detained in Giwa Barracks were brought to Bulumkutu Interim Care Centre (BICC), where they were able to access some services.

We need support: aspirations after Boko Haram

Many interviewees were reunited with their families by government authorities and their partners. All are now in overpopulated internally displaced persons (IDP) camps or communities across Borno and Adamawa States. Interviewees expected and requested specialist government support, but instead felt neglected.

AV* returned from Boko Haram captivity in 2021 aged around 15, and now lives in Madagali, Adamawa State. She said: Most people in [the] government dont care about us. We need support.

Whilst the stigma of being a Boko Haram wife remains a barrier to reintegration for girls and young women, the situation has improved in recent years. Many interviewees said that community members insulted them, looked at them suspiciously, and voiced fears they would kill them or infect them with diseases.

ZC*, aged around 19, lives in an IDP camp with her formerly Boko Haram husband. She said: They [the host community] always abuse us. They dont give us anything. We always feel we are a burden to them.

After years of oppression by Boko Haram, followed by unlawful military detention and neglect by government authorities, many interviewees valued freedom most of all. They expressed desires to become financially independent to support themselves and their families and to enrol their children in school.

Many identified access to education as their top priority and said they wanted to become doctors, nurses, teachers, and lawyers, or to work for non-governmental organisations. SB*, who spent around 10 years in Boko Haram captivity, said: I want to start my life afresh. [There are] so many things I need, I dont know where to start.

Access to mental health and psychosocial support services is extremely limited throughout north-east Nigeria. The Nigerian government has an obligation to ensure that healthcare facilities and services are accessible.

The Nigerian government has failed to uphold their human rights obligations to protect and adequately support these girls and young women, said Samira Daoud.

Along with their international partners, the Nigerian authorities must support these girls and young women as they fully reintegrate into society by prioritising access to healthcare, education and vocational training. They must get the assistance they need to rebuild their lives with dignity and in safety.

Amnesty International is calling on the Nigerian government authorities, UN agencies and donor governments to urgently make available tailored reintegration services for these girls and young women, whilst ensuring other affected groups are not left behind. Amnesty International is also calling on the Nigerian authorities to ensure girls and young women have a meaningful alternative to being returned to their Boko Haram husbands, and given necessary support to rebuild their lives.

Background

The non-international armed conflict between Boko Haram and Nigerian forces has affected millions of lives in north-east Nigeria since it started more than a decade ago. The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis leaving millions of people internally displaced. All sides to the conflict

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The organised labour said it would reconvene to decide on the resumption of the suspended strike if the federal government and National Assembly fail to meet its demand on the proposed minimum wage by midnight on Tuesday.

The Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Chris Onyeka, disclosed this when he appeared on Channels Televisions The Morning Brief show on Monday.

Nigerian workers under the auspices of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) suspended their strike for one week in order to resume negotiations with the government on the minimum wage.

The one-week ultimatum given by labour to the federal government will expire at midnight on Tuesday.

During the last meeting held by the Tripartite Committee on New Minimum Wage on Friday in Abuja, labour reduced its demand to N250,000 from N494,000 while the federal government increased its offer from N60,000 to N62,000.

The governments representatives said they would present the figure to President Bola Tinubu for further action.

Mr Onyeka said the strike may resume if the leadership of the organised labour decides it would be the best option after the new government proposal of N62,000.

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The federal government and the National Assembly have the call now. Our demand is clear: the government must review it, send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly, and enact a National Minimum Wage Act that meets our expectations.

If our demand is not met, the one-week notice we issued will expire tomorrow. If we do not receive a tangible response by then, the organs of organised labour will meet to decide our next steps, he said.

The NLC official re-emphasised Labours stance against accepting what it terms starvation wages such as N62,000 or N100,000.

He insisted that N250,000 remains Labours demand.

We have never considered accepting N62,000 or any wage below a liveable standard. We will not negotiate a starvation wage. Our demand stands at N250,000, which we believe is a reasonable concession considering the current economic realities and the cost of essential goods, he said.

Ongoing negotiations

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the negotiations between the organised labour and the tripartite committee failed because of the governments proposal of N62,000 on Friday.

President Tinubu had directed the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to present a new minimum wage template after the nationwide strike was halted.

Before this directive, the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) had described the labour demands as unaffordable and unsustainable.

However, organised labour met the federal government team after Mr Edun presented the proposed minimum wage to President Tinubu to reduce their demand from N494,000 to N250,000, while the government increased its proposal slightly from N60,000 to N62,000.

After the meeting failed to come to a consensus, both submitted their reports to the president, who is expected to make a decision and send an executive bill to the National Assembly to pass a new minimum wage law.

Background

The organised labour had declared a nationwide strike following the tripartite committees failure to agree on a minimum wage by the deadline of 31 May.

TUC President, Festus Osifo, announced the strike during a joint press conference with the NLC.

He noted that the decision followed the federal government missing the deadline to finalise negotiations regarding a new minimum wage by the end of May.

In addition, unions are protesting recent hikes in electricity tariffs, which they argue place an undue burden on workers and consumers across the country.

In light of this persistent inaction, we, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), hereby issue a notice of commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike to the Federal Government, Mr Osifo stated.

We reiterate that since the National Minimum Wage negotiation exercise has not been concluded and the agreed wage passed into law; the hike in electricity tariffs has not been reversed and the categorisation of consumers into Bands has not stopped as demanded; Nigerian workers are compelled by these failures to embark on an indefinite nationwide industrial action beginning on Monday, 3 June 2024 to press home our demands, he added.

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The initiator of a draft bill seeking the restructuring and new model of government in Nigeria, Akin Fapohunda, said on Monday that the propositions would help to resolve some of Nigerias crises if passed into law.

Mr Fapohunda appeared on Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily, expressing concerns about Nigerias critical situation and the need for change.

I proposed this bill because the country is facing a severe crisis. My goal is to find a way to reorganise the system in a highly effective and efficient way, he said.

The bill has yet to be submitted to the National Assembly.

The bill titled A Bill for an Act to substitute the annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a new governance model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, seeks a new government model through the alteration of the Nigerian constitution.

Highlights of bill

A highlight of the bill includes the proposal for creation of six regions, each with its own regional government and legislature.

It seeks the abolition of the current 36 states and 774 local governments to be replaced with the proposed regional governments.

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It also seeks the establishment of a regional electoral commission to conduct elections in each region, and the creation of a federal commission to oversee the distribution of resources and funds to the regions.

Mr Fapohunda, whose profile on X described him as a voluntarily retired federal civil servant, IT consultant, proprietor of basic and secondary schools, said the bill recommended two tiers of government instead of the current three.

It seeks to replace the existing three-tiers structure (federal, state, and local governments) with a more streamlined two-tier framework consisting of federal and regional governments.

This new structure, as outlined in the bill, would grant the regional tier the liberty to configure its own governance and select delegates, effectively eliminating the need for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the bill author said.

Additionally, this bill tackles issues that have been overlooked until now. In a federal system like ours, there should be two separate structures, each with its own clear constitution.

However, we currently have a single constitution that covers everything, which is not the norm in other countries. Moreover, we are a diverse nation, and our differences are not adequately acknowledged or addressed in our current approach.

He said the bill was motivated by the need to address issues of inefficiency, corruption, and inequality in the current system.

Criticism

A renowned lawyer, Tunji Abayomi, who also appeared on the Arise Televisions Morning Show on Monday, criticised the proposed bill, which he said had provisions typical of the constitution passed down by past military regimes.

I do not consider this bill as a basis for a law. It is not different from a military constitution, he said.

He also faulted Mr Fapohundas manner of seeking the constitution amendment.

A constitution should not be presented as a bill, he said. As a bill is legislation, whereas a constitution is a foundational document that outlines the framework of a country. A constitution is the basis for laws, which are then created and passed by the National Assembly, not the other way around.

Controversy

Mr Fapohunda said he planned to submit the proposal to President Bola Tinubu, for onward submission to the National Assembly as an executive bill.

However, the House of Representatives has distanced itself from the bill, saying it has not been submitted to it.

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A group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives is championing bills to change the tenure of the president and governors to a single term of six years.

The group is also proposing the rotation of the presidency between the North and the South as well as the creation of a second vice president.

These proposals are part of six constitutional alteration bills introduced by the lawmakers on the floor of the House.

Briefing journalists at the National Assembly Complex on Monday, the lawmakers, who are also called The Reformers, said they have introduced the bills on the floor of the House.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo), said the proposed alterations aim to address agitations from different parts of the country, reduce the cost of governance, and promote unity.

Mr Ugochinyere, who was flanked by seven other members of the group, said one of the proposed bills seeks to amend the Constitution to create the office of two vice presidents from the southern and northern parts of Nigeria. The first vice president shall be a succession vice president, while the second vice president shall be a minister in charge of the economy, and both shall be ministers.

In addition, the first vice president is to emerge from the same region as the president to ensure a smooth transition.

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One of the alterations seeks to amend section 3 of the Constitution to provide for the recognition of the division of Nigeria into six geopolitical zones and to provide for the rotation of executive powers among the six geopolitical zones to ensure equal representation and reduce the desperation and tempo of agitation for the creation of states.

Local Government Autonomy

The lawmakers are also seeking to provide more stringent laws enforcing the financial autonomy of the states.

They propose an alteration to prescribe an independent Consolidated Local Government Council Account solely superintendent by local councils and prescribing long-term imprisonment for any misuse of local government funds.

In addition, they proposed an amendment to section 162(5) of the 1999 Constitution to provide that where a state government fails to remit to the local government councils within its jurisdiction (or within the state), the amounts standing to the credit of that local government in the allocation from the federation account, such state government shall not be entitled to receive a future allocation from the federal government.

Electoral Reforms

Speaking on the plans of the caucus, Mr Ugochinyere said the caucus has plans to sponsor 50 bills to reform the constitution, electoral laws, and justice reforms.

The lawmaker said the current political arrangement has some distortions, defects, and limitations that call for attention hence, this initiative on political and electoral reform.

Our history as a nation shows very clearly that we have been through some difficult times. We have missed great opportunities, he stated.

He added that the group seeks to amend the relevant sections of the Electoral Act to ensure that all elections (presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state houses of assembly, and local governments) are held on the same day.

The lawmaker said relevant sections of the Electoral Act would be amended to provide that no declaration of a winner of an election shall be done by the relevant INEC officials until such officer has compared the results with the list of accredited voters and ensured that the results to be declared are in tandem with the list of accredited voters and the B-VAS machine or any other electronic device.

Furthermore, the lawmakers seek to amend the Electoral Act to provide that any INEC officer who declares a false result will be liable for civil and criminal action personally brought against them by parties in the elections.

Mr Ugochinyere said the Electoral Act should be amended to provide that all election-related litigations must be resolved and determined by the Elections Petitions Tribunal, Appeal Courts, and others before the winners are sworn into the respective elective offices.

He added that an amendment of the Electoral Act to make provision for the conduct and conclusion of all elections and election-related litigation within a period of six months before the swearing into office of the validly elected person for the office contested.

Mr Ugochinyere stated that the amendment would provide that all election-related documents and materials must be made available to those who participated in elections and who have reasons to question/petition the elections at the Elections Tribunal.

The Reformers group said it has over 35 lawmakers as members. However, only eight of them were present at the briefing.

Some lawmakers who attended the briefing include Mathew Nwogu, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, Usaman Balami, and Kanja Abdulhamid.

However, one of the bills seen by PREMIUM TIMES is being sponsored by 15 members of the group.

They are Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, Abdullmaleek Danga, Aliyu Mustapha, Francis Waive, Zakari Dauda Nyampa, Abdulla Muhammed, Abiante Dagomie, Ghali Mustapha, Chinedu Emeka and Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo.

Others are Chinwe Maureen Gwacham, Boma Goodhead, Matthew Nwogu, Onobun Iziegbeaya and Obinna Aguocha.

The bill is titled, An act to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to provide for the hearing and determination of all election petitions by the respective election petitions tribunals and the appellate courts in accordance with specified timelines before the swearing-in of successful candidates at elections.

The proposals by the group are yet to be debated on the floor of the parliament so it is difficult to determine how popular the views are. However, constitutional alterations require not only the support of both houses of the federal parliament but also a majority of the state parliaments across Nigerias 36 states.

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To ease the hardship and multidimensional poverty being experienced by many Nigerians, political leaders have been urged to change their selfish approach to governance and matters of state.

This, it was said, is the only way to give a new lease of life to millions of citizens, especially the youth, who are increasingly becoming hopeless.

Co-author of the Nigerian National Anthem, Sota Omoigui, made the call in a statement issued on Monday to condemn the recent reverting of the national anthem to the old colonial anthem.

The National Assembly recently approved the National Anthem Bill 2024, thereby reinstating the old anthem, Nigeria, We Hail Thee.

President Bola Tinubus assent to the bill on 29 May brought about a shift from Mr Omoiguis co-authored Arise O Compatriots.

But Mr Omoigui described the change as regressive and a betrayal of our independence.

He recalled that when he wrote the words for the anthem in 1978, it was his dream for the country to move forward and take its place among the great nations of the world.

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He, however, lamented that all the potential had been hijacked and degraded by a political leadership that constitutes a criminal enterprise, making Nigerians wonder if the country was ready for independence at the time it got it.

It is a symbol of a political leadership that is clueless and has so lost its way that it goes crawling on its hands and knees back to kiss the ring of its colonial master to adopt its anthem  music and lyrics, he said.

Mr Omoigui noted that there have been numerous reasons adduced for the speedy reversion of the former anthem.

He highlighted the reasons that struck him the most: that the colonial anthem embodied more relevant values than the Nigerian anthem and that it would be a source of building patriotism. He described the reasons as indicative of sheer hypocrisy.

First, the Nigerian anthem: The first two lines of Arise O Compatriots, Nigerias call to obey is a call to action. It calls on us to serve our fatherland with love and, strength, and faith. There is nothing more patriotic than that.

But our leaders have not the foggiest idea of the meaning of patriotism. They are too greedy and simply incapable of living up to the creed of the Nigerian anthem  an anthem with lyrics written by Nigerians and music composed by a Nigerian.

Our culture, music, movies, song and dance are exported and celebrated by different races all over the world. Radio stations and clubs in cities from Alaska to Argentina play Nigerian Afrobeat. Yet in the birthplace of that culture, the leaders reject their own anthem for a colonial anthem, he lamented.

Mr Omoigui alleged that the nations leaders steal from the poor because the much they have is never enough. He contended that they have failed to serve the fatherland with love and, strength, and faith. And he expressed the opinion that they have failed to create one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

They have failed to be guided by God and are unable to teach our youth in love and honesty to grow, as they neither have love nor do they have honesty. They live corruptly and have failed to live just and true, he added.

Analysing the colonial anthem, Mr Omoigui said it was the right anthem at the right time in the nations history but contended that the time was long gone.

They want to now force Nigerians to sing Nigeria; we hail thee. They want us to hail the 53% unemployment rate of our youths and the 34% unemployment rate of our adults.

They want us to hail the minimum monthly wage of N30,000.00, whose earners must work for three months to purchase a bag of rice that costs N100,000.00.

They want us to hail no electricity, roads, pipe borne water, dilapidated and unsanitary schools with no roofs or windows and dilapidated health care systems including some our university teaching hospitals, that are death traps, where there are limited medications, few supplies or equipment and in many cases not even running water, he said.

Mr Omoigui listed other factors, suggestive of the governments failure in several aspects of the economy and society and indicative of widespread despondency among citizens, as reasons the reinstatement of the colonial anthem is a misnomer that should not be embraced.

He stressed that Nigerians were experiencing neither peace nor plenty, adding that the vast majority have no electricity, roads, pipe-borne water, healthcare or social amenities.

Mr Omoigui declared that citizens were worse off today than at the time of independence; hence, changing the anthem and expecting a different result is insanity.

The Nigeria of our youth that we knew of in our anthem of 1978 sadly no longer exists. It has been replaced by a rapacious system of governance that is unsustainable and, if unchecked, spells doom for the country, he said.

Mr Omoigui noted that from events that have unfolded from independence to date, it was clear political leaders were unable and incapable of living up to the aspirational creed of either the Nigerian or the colonial anthem.

He admonished the leaders to change their ways rather than the anthem to move the nation forward.

He called on Nigerians to rise and resist leaders who would put the neocolonial yoke around their necks.

Fellow Nigerians, you were born free. Your ancestors fought the slave traders; your founding fathers resisted the colonial masters. And now it is your turn to resist those who would put the neo-colonial yoke around your neck. Arise and resist this modern-day slavery. Arise and resist singing this lie of a colonial anthem they want you to sing, he said.

Nigerian national anthem authors

The lyrics of the Nigerian national anthem, Arise, O Compatriots, were co-written by John Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, Babatunde Ogunnaike, Sota Omoigui, and P. O. Aderibigbe in the late 70s.

The music was composed by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of the late Benedict E. Odiase, who retired as Deputy Commissioner of Police. The anthem was later officially adopted in 1978.

Omoigui, a profile

Mr Omoigui, a Consultant Anaesthesiologist and Pain Specialist, is a 1983 alumnus of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI). He is an innovator, distinguished scholar, and an unwavering advocate for good governance and accountability.

Along with Professor Babatunde Ogunnaike, a professor and co-author of the Nigerian national anthem, and nine other Nigerians, Mr Omoigui was bestowed with the Citizenship and Patriots Awards, as part of Nigerias 63rd Independence Day celebrations by President Bola Tinubu, at a ceremony held on 5 October 2023.

Born in Ilorin, Mr Omoigui completed his early education with distinction, obtaining school certificate in 1976 and higher school certificate in 1978 from the prestigious Kings College, Lagos.

His insatiable thirst for knowledge led him to pursue a career in medicine, culminating in the award of the MBBS degree from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan in 1983  a milestone he reached with sheer dedication and academic excellence.

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The Nigerian Hajj Commission (NAHCON) has completed the airlift of all intending pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj.

NAHCON Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, who said this in a statement, said the last flight combined about 211 remaining pilgrims from Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, FCT and Niger States.

A total of 65,000 Nigerian pilgrims are expected to perform the 2024 Hajj.

The Saudi authorities had set 10 June as the deadline for the arrival of all pilgrims at the kingdoms airports.

This flight marks the end of the years Hajj outbound airlift to Makkah for state quota pilgrims. However, Aero Contractors will end its airlift of Private Tour Operators pilgrims by 2 p.m. afternoon of Monday, 10th June 2024.

All other Private Tour Operators are expected to conclude the conveyance of their pilgrims before the closure of Jeddah and Madinah airports for all inbound Hajj airlift operations, she said.

Hajj worship is set to commence on Friday when pilgrims will move from Mecca to Mina in preparation for the pivotal day of Arafat, marking the beginning of the Hajj.

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Return journey after Hajj

Mrs Usara said the return journey for the 2024 Hajj is slated to commence on 22 June based on a first-in-first-out basis.

She also said that slots for the return journey have been secured by all airlines.

Arabi lists the successes of the commission

Meanwhile, NAHCON Chairman Jalal Arabi has also listed some achievements recorded by the commission since the exercise started.

He said the commission successfully airlifted all Nigerian pilgrims 72 hours before the deadline set by the Saudi authorities for all pilgrims to arrive in the kingdom.

He also said the commission achieved complete movement of pilgrims to Madinah pre-Arafat.

The commission has successfully transported all pilgrims 72 hours before the official Saudi deadline.

In the same vein, the commission also achieved 100 per cent movement of pilgrims to Madinah pre-Arafat, Mr Arabi said.

The chairman commended President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for the critical support they offered to ensure a successful hajj operation and promised that the commission would reciprocate by ensuring a smooth exercise.

He commended the media for their dogged reportage of the exercise.

Mr Arabi restated NAHCONs commitment to ensuring the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

According to the Saudi authorities, more than 1.5 million pilgrims from all over the world have arrived in the country for the exercise.

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A military plane carrying Malawis Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others has gone missing, BBC reports, quoting a statement from the presidents office.

The Malawi Defense Force aircraft went off the radar after it left the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday morning.

The aircraft failed to make its scheduled landing at Mzuzu International Airport about 370 kilometres to the north about an hour later.

Aviation authorities lost contact with the plane when it went off radar, the statement from the Malawian Presidents office said.

Lazarus Chakwera, the president of the Southeastern African country, had ordered a search operation and cancelled a trip to the Bahamas.

All efforts to make contact with the aircraft since it went off radar have failed thus far, the presidents office said.

Mr Chakwera was informed of the missing plane by Valentino Phiri, the head of the Malawian armed forces, according to the Associated Press (AP).

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The president had ordered national and local authorities to conduct an immediate search and rescue operation to locate the whereabouts of the aircraft, his office said.

The public will be updated of any developments on the situation as facts are established, the statement said.

Mr Chilima was on his way to represent the government at the burial of former cabinet minister Ralph Kasambara, who died three days ago.

Before his political career, the vice president held key leadership roles in multinational companies like Unilever and Coca-Cola.

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticised some governors proposing less than N60,000 as minimum wage for workers in their states.

Speaking on Arise News Televisions Morning Show, on Monday, NLCs head of information, Benson Upah, said such governors do not mean well and are only making mischief.

They are throwing spanners in the works. While the federal government has even moved up slightly to N62,000, they are saying they cant pay the N60, 000 that was initially proposed. It is an act of mischief, the NLC spokesperson said.

The organised labour, comprising the NLC, the Trade Union and their affiliates embarked on a nationwide strike on 3 June (Monday), in agitation for a new minimum wage. The agitation was a fallout of some economic policies of President Bola Tinubu administration which has led to high cost of living across the country.

The unions suspended the strike the following day (Tuesday) to give the government time to reach a decision on their demand.

The federal government on Friday increased the proposed national minimum wage from N60,000 to N62,000, while the organised labour lowered its demand from N494,000 to N250,000.

But earlier on Friday the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), a peer review body of 36 state governors, said that although a new minimum wage is due, the proposed N60,000 is not sustainable.

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Another NLC official said on Channels Television on Monday that the organised labour would reconvene to decide on the resumption of the suspended strike if the federal government and National Assembly failed to meet its demand on the proposed minimum wage by midnight on Tuesday.

No valid reason for less than N60,000 minimum wage

Mr Upah said on Monday that only about five governors were still calling for less than N60,000 minimum wage. He did not name the five governors.

But he maintained that the odds were against the five governors.

The numbers are against them, Mr Upah said. What they share has moved from N700 billion to N1.2 trillion and climbing. The states are very rich now. One thing they cannot get away with is that they wont get away with this one.

Mr Upah said the labour unions were not acting difficult but were being practical and reasonable in their demands for the minimum wage.

Labour unions rage better than Nigerians

The NLC official also cautioned the government against provoking the rage of Nigerians over the minimum wage matter.

The rage of labour will be easier to manage than the rage of Nigerians, he said. If they push Nigerians to a point that they have to live the life of a jungle, we would become victims; and I bet you, if it continues on this trajectory a time shall come and that time is not too far away now, (that time) that you will peep from your window three(3) to four(4) times before you step out of your own room.

He noted that the issue lies in the governments assumption that is perfectly criminal that some people should live well and the majority should live hideously poor.

He said such reasoning is unfair, undemocratic and goes against the grain of democracy and civilisation.

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Agora Policy, an Abuja-based policy think tank, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigerias revenue collection system.

In a report it published on Monday, the policy think tank criticised the current cost-of-collection approach, highlighting its inefficiencies and the disproportionate financial benefits enjoyed by some federal agencies.

The report shows that three key agencies benefit from the cost-of-collection arrangement, namely the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which receives 4 per cent of non-oil revenues; the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), which gets four per cent of royalties, rents, and other oil and gas sector revenues; and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), which receives seven per cent of customs duties and levies.

These costs are deducted at the monthly meetings of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) before federally collected revenues are distributed to the three tiers of government and other statutory recipients.

However, Agora Policy argued in its report that while centralising tax and revenue collection is efficient, the current method of compensating federal agencies by giving them a percentage of the collected revenue is problematic.

It said the cost-of-collection approach, although potentially useful in the past, has led to various issues such as abuse, distortions, distractions, and wasteful expenditures.

In January, the policy think tank noted that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) received N43.35 billion as a cost of collection, a sum exceeding the allocations received by each of Nigerias 36 states.

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Delta State, which received the highest state allocation that month, got N39.59 billion, the report said, adding that the Nigerian Customs Service received N16.27 billion, more than what 31 states received as gross allocation for the same period.

The report further noted that the three agencies benefiting from the cost-of-collection system collectively received N78.30 billion in January 2024, surpassing the gross FAAC allocations to four of the six geo-political zones in the country.

For instance, it said the North-east received N56.60 billion; North-central N55.58 billion; North-west N76.09 billion, and South-east N47.75 billion. Only the South-south and South-west zones received more, primarily due to the 13 per cent derivation for oil-producing states and a net allocation to Lagos State for Value Added Tax (VAT).

Challenges

The think tank explained that the cost-of-collection arrangement has led to significant disparities and inefficiencies as revenue collection agencies now receive a larger share of funds than many states. This creates a perverse incentive structure that prioritises revenue collection over other essential functions.

This shift, the think tank said, has also diverted scarce resources away from critical developmental needs.

It said the cost-of-collection approach for federal agencies in Nigeria presents a significant challenge because agencies earn higher commissions due to currency depreciation rather than enhanced efficiency.

It said this diverts resources from states and regions by impacting essential services and incentivises agencies to prioritise revenue collection over their primary duties, such as border protection.

According to the report, many agencies now aspire to become revenue-generating entities, leading to distractions from their core mandates and imposing significant costs on the public.

The cost-of-collection approach to rewarding and funding such agencies might have served a useful purpose at some point, the report said.

However, recent developments show that it is a flawed idea. It enables abuse, distortions, distractions and wasteful expenditures.

Recommendations

Agora Policy advised that the three agencies listed as beneficiaries of the cost-of-collection system should be funded through direct appropriations by the federal government rather than the current model.

This approach, it said, would ensure that their budgets are based on verifiable, justifiable needs and tied to expected improvements in performance.

The report recommended that the federal government allocate a minimal percentage for revenue collection efforts and provide performance bonuses to agencies that surpass pre-agreed targets.

The policy think tank posited that while the cost-of-collection approach may have been well-intentioned, it has generated its own set of problems.

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It is a known saying that not all superheroes wear capes, and in the world of banking and finance in Africa, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Herbert Wigwe are among those exceptional figures. Their leadership turned Access Bank from a modest institution into one of Africas largest financial entities, showcasing visionary leadership, strategic acumen, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

A Strategic Vision for Banking

In 1988, Nigerian banking was divided into Merchant and Commercial Banking, with merchant banks partnering with major American financial institutions, bringing an American corporate culture to Nigeria. Despite his legal education, Mr Aig-Imoukhuede quickly realised the value of his background in banking. By 1989, he was recruited to join the launch team of Prime Merchant Bank, demonstrating his abilities and vision early in his career.

As Mr Aig-Imoukhuede delved deeper into banking, he transitioned from a legal role to core banking. His involvement in high-level discussions with President Obasanjo and other government leaders opened his eyes to the potential of banking to support Nigerias ambitious growth goals. This strategic vision was further solidified during an Executive Management Programme at Harvard Business School, where he was inspired by the book Buyout: The Insiders Guide to Buying Your Own Company.

The Bold Acquisition and Initial Challenges

With their extensive banking experience from GT Bank, Aig-Imoukhuede and Wigwe identified Access Bank as a prime acquisition target. Despite ongoing investigations into the banks forex issues, they recognised its solid foundation. They needed $9 million to complete the purchase, contributing $1.8 million from their savings and shares in GTBank and securing the remaining funds from family and friends.

In March 2002, the acquisition of Access Bank was finalised, and Aig-Imoukhuede and Wigwe were approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to take on the roles of Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director, respectively. This marked the official beginning of their transformative journey with Access Bank.

Access Bank then embarked on an aggressive expansion strategy. The announcement of the Central Bank of Nigerias (CBN) N25 billion capitalization deadline in 2005 became a pivotal moment for Access Bank. Aig-Imoukhuede and Wigwe mobilised their workforce, quickly raising N15 billion through a public offer. They acquired Capital Bank Ltd. and Marina International Bank Ltd., further strengthening their capital base by converting a $15 million term loan from the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) into equity. Surpassing the capitalization requirement, Access Bank was poised for aggressive growth.

Between 2006 and 2007, the bank continued its capital-raising efforts, issuing a local bond of N11.9 billion and raising N136 billion through public offerings, including a successful and oversubscribed Global Depository Receipt (GDR). In 2008, Access Bank established its UK subsidiary, marking the beginning of its international expansion.

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Aig-Imoukhuede and Wigwe were early adopters of digital transformation, investing heavily in the banks IT infrastructure upgrade, enabling the bank to offer more efficient and secure services.

International Forays and Capital Markets

Access Banks growth was not confined to Nigeria. The bank pursued international expansion, establishing a presence in key African markets. The acquisition of Intercontinental Bank in 2012 was a major milestone, significantly increasing Access Banks assets and customer base. The bank also expanded into the UK, marking its entry into the international banking scene.

In 2012, Access Bank raised $350 million through a Eurobond and divested from non-banking subsidiaries. Recognised as a systemically important financial institution by the CBN, the bank issued a $400 million subordinated note in 2014, transforming into a large, diversified banking institution. With Mr Wigwe taking over as Group Managing Director & CEO in 2014, Access Bank continued to outpace its peers, raising N42 billion through a rights issue in 2017 and issuing another $300 million subordinated note.

The Landmark Merger with Diamond Bank

The 2018 merger with Diamond Bank was a game-changer for Access Bank. This strategic move positioned Access Bank as the largest bank in Nigeria by assets and retail business, with 646 branches and the largest network of ATMs and POS terminals. The merger expanded Access Banks customer base to 38 million and reinforced its retail banking dominance. The integration of Diamond Banks strong retail franchise with Access Banks corporate banking expertise created a more robust and versatile institution.

In 2019, Access Bank issued Nigerias first green bond, underscoring its commitment to sustainable finance. The banks expansion into Kenya, Mozambique, and South Africa between 2020 and 2022 highlighted its strategic focus on becoming Africas gateway to the world. By 2022, Access Bank had successfully executed its five-year strategy, boasting a workforce of over 6,000 professionals serving more than 52 million customers across 17 markets worldwide.

Transformation into a Holding Company

In 2022, Access Bank restructured into a holding company, Access Holdings, to leverage synergies across its various businesses and expand its product offerings in payments, insurance, consumer finance, and pensions. This restructuring was part of a broader strategy to enhance efficiency and drive growth across multiple sectors.

In 2023, Access Holdings launched operations in Paris, marking its foray into the Northern Hemisphere. The groups strategic expansion into new territories reflects its vision to be a pan-African force contributing to economic development across borders. Through its subsidiaries, Access Holdings has played a pivotal role in sectors ranging from finance and banking to agriculture, technology, and healthcare.

Commencing in the second half of 2024, Access Holdings Africa and international expansion strategy will enter a phase of consolidation and efficiency. This aligns with the institutions five-year plan to achieve its 2027 strategic objectives, focusing on strengthening its market position and enhancing operational efficiency.

Tragically, the untimely death of Mr Wigwe marks a significant loss for the banking community. However, his vision and values are deeply embedded in Access Banks DNA. The solid foundation built by Wigwe and Aig-Imoukhuede ensures that the banks operations and strategic direction will continue unabated. The leadership team, inspired by their legacy, remains dedicated to driving Access Banks mission forward, ensuring that the institution thrives and continues to positively impact the continent.

Raphael Adewoye wrote from Lagos.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded N25 million as damages against the Kano State Government and the police for wrongly accusing Alhassan Doguwa, a federal lawmaker, of murder.

Mr Doguwa represents the Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

He was accused of the murder of three people believed to be members of the then-opposition New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) during the 25 February 2023 general election.

A violent confrontation between members of the NNPP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the elections in Kano led to the campaign office of the NNPP being razed.

Mr Doguwa, a member of the APC, accused the police and Kano State government of bias after he was arraigned as a principal actor in the fracas.

His petition led to a review of the police investigation of the incident by the police authorities.

The then-outgoing APC administration in the state dropped the police investigation and exonerated him.

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But the new governor, Abba Yusuf, immediately on taking office, said his government would prosecute Mr Doguwa, whom he accused of killing over 15 people.

Mr Yusuf, a member of the NNPP, said the new administration would reopen and pursue the case to a logical conclusion.

In the same vein, we shall investigate all cases of political violence that led to the loss of lives and properties across the state in the last eight years.

The infamous case of Alhassan Ado Doguwa, who allegedly sponsored the maiming and murder of over 15 innocent souls in Tudun Wada Local Government, will be pursued to its logical conclusion, the new governor said in his inaugural speech.

But Mr Doguwa sued the Attorney-General of the Federation, Inspector-General of Police, the Governor of Kano State, and the Attorney-General of Kano State over alleged infringement of his rights to dignity, liberty, and freedom of movement.

In a certified true copy of a judgement of the Federal High Court dated 5 December 2023, released last week, in suit No: FHC/ABJ/ABJ/CS/714/2019, the judge, D.U. Okorowo cleared Mr Doguwa of the murder allegation.

The court barred the state government from arresting, detaining and prosecuting him, saying the offences created under sections 126 and 128 of the Electoral Act, 2022 being a federal offence, had been duly investigated by the police, and Mr Doguwa had been exonerated.

The court declared that the threat by the Kano State Governor to arrest, detain prosecute and or actual arrest, detention and or prosecution of the applicant is illegal, unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutional, null and void and it is an infraction of the applicants Fundamental Right to Dignity, Personal Liberty and Freedom of Movement.

The court said the fracas arose from a political crisis that occurred on 26 February 2023 in the Tudun Local Government Area and that it found that Mr Doguwa was wrongly accused of the offences committed on that day.

We have found sufficient evidence, including confessional statement and real evidence as contained in the case file, to conclude that the NNPP supporters blocked the main road to prevent results from reaching the collation centre. The 9th-12th suspects confessed to having committed the offence. Its clear that the 1st and 2nd Deceased persons were among the suspects who set the fire on the street.

That NNPP supporters blocked the road near their party office by burning tyres, which extended into the NNPP office and got burnt. As a result, the 1st and 2nd deceased lost their lives, and many got injured, the certified true copy of the judgement stated.

Judgement

In the judgement, the judge awarded N25 million against the Kano state government for causing psychological pain to Mr Doguwa and ruled as illegal any further attempt to arrest him.

Its hereby declared that the threat to arrest, a threat to detain, a threat to prosecute or the actual arrest, detention and or prosecute of the applicant by the 2nd and 4th respondents at the instance of the 3rd respondent, is illegal, unlawful, wrongful, unconditional, null and void and it is an infraction of the Applicants Fundamental Right to Dignity, Personal Liberty and Freedom of Movement.

Its hereby declared that the purported action of the 3rd and 4th Respondents to review the legal advice dated 23rd May 2023 and indeed the actual review of the legal advice dated 23rd May 2023 to arrest, detain and prosecute the Applicant on a phantom charge and without regard to the report of the 2nd respondent contained in the letter with reference number CB:3510/KSX/VOL.4/200 dated 18th May 2023 and attached case diary, is illegal, unlawful wrongful, unconditional and void and amounts to an infraction of the Applicants Constitutional right to human dignity, personal liberty and freedom of movement.

An order of perpetual injunction is hereby granted restraining the Respondents by themselves, or their agents, servants and privies or howsoever otherwise described from further inviting, arresting and or detaining the Applicant to review the 4th Respondents legal advice dated 23rd May 2023 on so far as respondents do not proffer fresh evidence against the Applicants.

READ ALSO: Governor Yusuf promises to reposition education sector in Kano State

An order of this Honourable Court is hereby granted nullifying the purported 3rd Respondents legal advice dated 23rd May 2023 to invite, arrest and detain the applicant.

General damages of N25 million against the 3rd respondent ONLY FOR causing psychological pain and damage to the applicant, Mr Okorowo ruled.

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Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of FCID, Abuja and coordinating DIG for South-west geo-political zone, Abiodun Alabi, has called on state governors in the zone to assist the police with technological equipment such as drones and helicopters to rid the region of kidnappings.

Mr Alabi stated this during a familiarisation tour of Ekiti Police Command in Ado Ekiti on Monday.

He was speaking against the backdrop of the recent killing of two prominent traditional rulers in the state by gunmen believed to be kidnappers.

He noted that such equipment could help deal with criminals before they manifest their intentions.

With gadgets like drones that can geolocate these criminals thereby providing intelligence, it would help us immensely in dealing with the criminal elements before they manifest their intentions.

When there was an incident here in Ekiti where our two traditional rulers were killed, Governor Biodun Oyebanji visited our Force headquarters and met with the IGP. I was in that meeting and we held extensive discussion on how to make kidnapping a thing of the past. I believe the Governor and his Ondo State counterpart are working together to get us the needed equipment to make sure that kidnapping is curbed within the zone, he said.

Mr Alabi said the police had a few helicopters that could not go round the 36 states and the FCT. He stated that there was no reason each state command could not have a helicopter.

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 going to be capital intensive to get those numbers of helicopters, but that is the way forward. We will continue to work on achieving this, he said.

The DIG advised the officers of the command on how they could earn the trust and confidence of the people.

I want to appeal to our officers that the only way you can earn the trust and confidence of the people is by treating them as human beings. I am an advocate of human rights. I abhor completely any breach of human rights. You cannot continue to trample on peoples rights and think they will support you or assist you in your policing strategy.

It is one of our duties, as enshrined in the amended Police Act 2022, that we must protect human rights. And if it is one of your cardinal duties, you must conform to that provision by protecting human rights instead of abusing it, he said.

Meanwhile the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Akinwale Adeniran, has urged the police leadership to address some challenges facing the command to enable the police to perform better.

Mr Adeniran listed the challenges to include inadequate manpower and logistics, as well as incessant transfer of personnel out of the command.

I wish to make a passionate appeal to the DIG to assist the command in this regard. The command needs more hands than the strength at its disposal in order to sustain the peace being witnessed in the state and even do better, the police commissioner said.

He added that available statistics showed that Ekiti State remained the most peaceful among the 36 states of the federation.

He pledged that the officers of the command would not rest on their oars until it (command) achieved zero crime rate.

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The Lagos State government has ordered for an additional 100 refuse compactor trucks from the Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Ltd CKD Plant.

The vehicle facility, established by a business mogul, Aliko Dangote, was commissioned over the weekend in Lagos by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made the announcement on Sunday during the commissioning of the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) Plant of the facility, according to a statement by the company on Monday.

Mr Sanwo-Olu, announcing his administrations plan for the acquisition of an extra 100 compactor trucks from the indigenous automobile manufacturer, said this is to enhance service delivery within the state.

He emphasised that the products of Dangote Sinotruk are of world standard, crafted with precision to meet customer satisfaction.

President of the Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, who conducted the leadership of the upper chamber and executive management of the company around the premises of the Dangote facility in Ikeja, Lagos, stated that the decision to invest in the truck assembly plant is part of his strategies to add value and reduce imports.

He added that the plant will fabricate diverse types of trailers and tipper bodies with the goal of achieving domestic self-sufficiency and serving the West African regional market.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

We are playing a strategic and key role in developing the heavy-duty truck assembling and manufacturing industry in Nigeria.

We are providing employment opportunities for Nigerians as well as improving the local automobile industry. We will continue to invest in the plant and achieve technological advancement for Nigeria. We will continue to promote Nigerias economic development, Mr Dangote was quoted as saying in his welcome address.

While appreciating the support of strategic individuals and institutions, including the National Assembly, Mr Dangote said Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Limited is set to write the next chapter in Nigerias industrialisation story as well as drive progress across West Africa for a brighter and more prosperous future.

He noted that the state acquired 102 compactor trucks for its Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in 2022. Mr Sanwo-Olu hailed Mr Dangote for the remarkable transformation of the facility from a dormant textile mill to a thriving vehicle assembly plant.

Honestly, this is about partnership. It is about a sense of purpose and the fact that as a people, we need to develop our economy and our environment better than we met it. Dangote Industries Limited is a testament to a good local business that has become a global name.

It can compete with other brands globally. It is a brand that all Africans can be proud of. They have kept the vision of this place by ensuring that industry is created, people are employed, and young people are trained, he said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu stressed that the state is open to business as the commercial hub of Nigeria and commended the Dangote group for embracing CNG-powered vehicles, noting that it is cost-effective and promotes cleaner energy.

During the plants commissioning, according to the statement, Mr Akpabio commended the proprietors, stressing that Dangote is Africas export to the world.

He noted that the facility, which creates over 3,000 jobs across Nigeria, aligns with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.

Reiterating the senate leaderships happiness with the facility, Mr Akpabio assured of the federal governments support to Dangotes drive to ensure Nigeria attains self-sufficiency in key sectors.

Calling on other investors to learn from Dangote, he also challenged other states to provide business-friendly environments for investors.

Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Limited, according to the statement, is a joint venture company with a total investment of $100 million, boasts cutting-edge facilities and machinery, enabling it to achieve a production capacity of 15-16 trucks per shift, or approximately 10,000 trucks annually.

Hikmat Thapa, the chief executive officer of the facility, said the capacity will be scaled up to 13,000 trucks annually with the commissioning of the new CKD plant.

He also affirmed that the majority of the fabrication and assembly lines are being handled by trained Nigerians. He stated that the vision of the plant is to assemble and produce a full range of commercial vehicles tailored to the specific needs of the market.

From heavy-duty trucks to medium trucks, light trucks, and semi-trailers, our aim is to meet the growing demand for reliable transportation across various sectors, including logistics, construction, and food and beverage industries, he said.

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Professor Shen highlighted the challenges of severe malocclusions with skeletal components in the current orthodontic world. He emphasized that severe Class II jaw discrepancies, often caused by maxillary overgrowth and mandibular retrusion, result in a prognathic facial profile and malocclusion characterized by increased overjet, overbite, and a deep curve of Spee. One crucial treatment modality for this condition is the forward repositioning of the mandible, leading to regional adaptive remodeling of TMJ to support the new position of the mandible and the reposition of Class I intercuspal occlusion.

Following this, Professor Shen and Dr. Wang demonstrated the practical applications of Smartee S8-SGTB and S8-SGHB through clinical cases. These are both structural components of the S8 solution. Professor Shen explained that the mechanisms of both S8-SGTB and S8-SGHB involve mandibular advancement. The clinical procedure and protocol of the clear S8 consist of two phases: Phase I is to relocate the mandible forward and to manipulate the malpositioned teeth simultaneously, including crowding relief, frontal teeth retraction, and deep curve of Spee flattening. Phase II emphasizes detailed dental adjustments, such as elaboration on buccal segment intercuspation and anterior teeth interdigitation.

Dr. Wang further delved into the clinical procedures of S8 with the audience, covering consultation, oral scanning, case submission, 3D animation review, follow-up monitoring, and important notes for the patients. This helped participating doctors better master the techniques of Smartee GS Mandibular Repositioning Technology.

The event concluded with Dr. Carmen Perez Cabrilla and Dr. Maria Del Pilar Perez Rivera presenting their practices utilizing the Smartee GS treatment. They showcased the diagnostic approach as well as the facial profile improvements achieved before and after for their patients, offering inspiration for the attending clinicians.

The successful hosting of the Smartee GS Mandibular Repositioning Technology Conference in Spain is set to deepen academic exchanges between the brand and international dental professionals. It will also promote in-depth study of new classifications, concepts, technologies, and devices for correcting Class II malocclusions. Moving forward, Smartee plans to expand international cooperation to further advance the development of modern invisible orthodontic techniques.

About Smartee Denti-Technology:

Founded in 2004, Smartee is the leading provider of clear aligners and digital orthodontic solutions in China. Headquartered in Shanghai, Smartee has two research & development centers and manufacturing plants that are fully automated. By serving over 64,000 doctors from 48,000 medical institutions in over 47 countries, Smartee has achieved over 1 million perfect smiles worldwide.

With the advance of digital solutions, Smartee continues expanding its portfolio and has launched over 10 aligner products catering to different malocclusion problems for children, adolescents and adults. Collaborating with Prof Gang Shen and his orthodontic team, Smartee has developed an innovative product: Smartee GS, which provides orthodontists with mandibular repositioning technology to treat patients with complex indications including facial prognathism, facial retrognathism and mandibular deviation more effectively.

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Bechtel will build Natrium Advanced Reactor Demonstration Project in Wyoming

KEMMERER, Wyo., June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Bechtel celebrates the official groundbreaking of the Natrium Demonstration Project.

Bechtel is TerraPower's engineering, procurement, and construction partner on this first-of-a-kind project in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The project is part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program.

Digital rendering of Natrium Advanced Reactor Demonstration Project.

Natrium is an advanced nuclear reactor that uses a sodium-based technology to cool the reactor instead of water. This unique technology developed by TerraPower can provide clean, baseload operation at 345 megawatts with the capability to flex as high as 500 megawatts, generating enough energy to power 400,000 homes.

Reflecting on the significance of today's milestone, Craig Albert, Bechtel President and COO, shared the following:

"The Natrium reactor's innovative design will launch a new approach to nuclear plant construction that is designed to be safer, cleaner, faster, and more efficient than many energy source alternatives."

"Working together, the combination of advanced technology and streamlined constructability has the potential to diversify the U.S. power generation industry. The option of deploying smaller advanced nuclear plants that can work in concert with other clean energy sources will help speed our progress toward net-zero emissions."

Albert commended TerraPower on their approach and the significance of our partnership:

"TerraPower extended their visionary approach to the building of the plant itself. Their involvement of Bechtel from the very beginning means the entire project lifecycle, including construction, has been optimized at every stage, making the entire process cost-effective, fast, and repeatable."

"Natrium will be the first nuclear project where the execution of those plans will benefit from Bechtel's suite of digital tools and systems, which have been proven to deliver exceptional results on other large energy facilities."

Craig Albert's complete comments are available in a post on www.bechtel.com.

As the nexus of TerraPower and GE Hitachi technology, the Natrium design represents a leap forward in clean, sustainable power generation. The project will bring a commercial, advanced nuclear reactor online that will deliver carbon-free, reliable power to the electrical grid and provide jobs in Wyoming for decades to come.

For 70 years, Bechtel has helped customers deliver clean energy through nuclear. In that time, Bechtel has designed, built, or provided construction services on 150 nuclear plants worldwide, bringing more than 76,000 megawatts of new nuclear generation capacity to the world. Bechtel is proud to bring this trusted expertise to the Natrium Demonstration Project.

About Bechtel

Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction, and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.

Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security, & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com.

Contact: Amanda Meixel | [email protected] | P: (706) 360-5526

SOURCE Bechtel
San Francisco-Based Real Estate Tech Company To Focus Exclusively On Developing Its Groundbreaking AI Assistant For Agents

SAN FRANCISCO, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Real estate technology company Avenue 8 announced today a strategic realignment to focus exclusively on Sidekick, its game-changing generative AI assistant for real estate agents. The decision marks a new direction for the company, aimed at furthering its mission to empower real estate agents with a technology platform that enables them to work more effectively and efficiently.

"This is an exciting time for Avenue 8 that's coming amid significant changes for the real estate industry, from the way AI is reshaping how agents work to anticipated changes in how they may earn commissions," said Michael Martin, Co-Founder of Avenue 8. "Focusing on Sidekick allows us to channel all of our resources into enhancing this powerful tool and better support agents so they can grow their careers amid a rapidly evolving industry. Our mission and the core of what we do remains unchanged  helping agents succeed. Now, we are focusing on Sidekick to achieve this goal."

Sidekick is designed to streamline an agent's workflow and enhance their productivity at a fraction of the time and cost associated with traditional virtual assistants. With a subscription cost of $25 per month, Sidekick helps agents to easily generate detailed, personalized market and property reports, develop customized marketing strategies and content, and automate client communications and task management.

Using generative AI technology, the platform allows for seamless MLS property listing searches, the development and interpretation of spreadsheets, and the generation of listing descriptions from photos, among other features. Sidekick's trainable interface also learns an agent's preferences and implements them in real time, ensuring a personalized and efficient workflow.

"Avenue 8's decision to prioritize Sidekick is a bold strategic move that will enable the company to meet the needs of a real estate industry in the midst of its most dramatic changes in decades," said Andrew Davis, Senior Vice President of Strategy & Investments at Cox Enterprises. "This approach will position Avenue 8 for sustained, long-term success and underscores its dedication to delivering innovative solutions for agents and brokerages. It's a strategy for meeting the moment now that will continue to pay off down the road."

Sidekick has already garnered significant attention within the industry, and Avenue 8's move to focus on the platform comes at a time when real estate industry professionals are increasingly turning to AI to support their work. In May, Avenue 8 partnered with the MIAMI Association of Realtors, the nation's largest local Realtor group, as well as BeachesMLS, to bring Sidekick to over 100,000 agents and brokers across South Florida. Those announcements came on the heels of Avenue 8's inaugural partnership with the San Francisco Association of Realtors to connect Sidekick to more than 4,000 agents in the AI capital of the world.

As part of Avenue 8's strategic shift, and after a recent round of funding earlier this year, the company announced that it will transition away from providing brokerage services to its agents at the end of July as it accelerates Sidekick's growth. This change empowers the company to engage with other brokerages and offer Sidekick to them directly without raising competitive concerns.

"Focusing on Sidekick allows us to seize this unique moment of change to better serve our industry," said Justin Fichelson, Co-Founder of Avenue 8. "We started Avenue 8 convinced of a better way to support agents and brokerages and we've developed an innovative technology that does exactly that. We are, of course, sensitive to the impact this strategic shift will have on our employees and agents, and we are committed to supporting them through this period and as they pursue new opportunities. We're grateful for their commitment and dedication to the company's success over the past five years."

Sidekick has been lauded for its innovative contributions, receiving accolades for both Best AI Product & Service and Best AI Work & Productivity App at the 28th Annual Webby Awards. This recognition highlights Sidekick's excellence in harnessing AI to enhance productivity and work efficiency, solidifying its status as a leading tool in the emerging AI landscape.

About Avenue 8

Avenue 8 is a real estate technology company. Its flagship product, Sidekick, is a generative AI assistant purpose built for agents, teams and brokerages. For more information, visit www.sidekickgpt.io.

SOURCE Avenue 8
WESTPORT, Conn., June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Balance Point Capital Advisors, LLC ("Balance Point"), in conjunction with its affiliated funds, Balance Point Capital Partners V, L.P., and Balance Point Capital Partners VI, L.P., is pleased to announce its investment in Essential Turbines Inc. ("Essential Turbines" or "ETI"), a provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul ("MRO") services for aircraft engines. Balance Point provided debt and equity in support of the transaction, alongside Swift Anchor Holdings ("Swift Anchor"), a private equity investment firm.

Founded 30 years ago, Essential Turbines is an MRO provider, and Rolls Royce FIRST Network AMROC, focused on providing performance, quality and safety for aerospace customers across end markets. ETI is a specialist in the Rolls-Royce M250 and RR300 engines, which power many of the world's most well-known helicopters, and has expertise in aircraft engines.

Swift Anchor, Balance Point and Essential Turbines will focus on continuing to build the Company's presence as a Rolls Royce FIRST Network partner and expanding additional capabilities. As part of Swift Anchor's hands-on and active ownership approach, Gannon Gambeski, a Swift Anchor Partner with extensive operating experience, will assume the role of CEO of Essential Turbines going forward.

Michael E. Guntner Jr., current CEO and President of ETI, will retain a minority ownership stake in ETI and remarked on the transaction: "I am excited to be partnering with Swift Anchor and Balance Point for the next stage of ETI's growth. I was drawn to their mission-driven perspective, long-term outlook and their owner-operator mentality. I am confident that they will enable our team, customers and partners to benefit from further resources, capital and operating expertise. We remain committed to delivering on: Quality is Essential. I am excited to remain involved in ETI as a shareholder, board member and senior advisor."

Elias Lebovits, Managing Partner and Founder of Swift Anchor, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with ETI: "Mike and his team have formed a market-leading MRO with a phenomenal reputation. We are looking forward to strengthening ETI's focus on delivering customers the highest level of quality and service, while providing ETI's employees with a rewarding work environment as we continue to grow the business."

"Balance Point is thrilled to have partnered with Swift Anchor on this transaction, and we look forward to a new phase of growth at ETI," said Balance Point Managing Partner, Seth Alvord. "ETI is well positioned to leverage the playbook that Mr. Gunter has established over 30 years, while continuing to find new ways to offer mission critical support the Company's growing customer base."

About Balance Point

Balance Point is an alternative investment manager focused on the lower middle market. With approximately $2.1 billion in assets under management, Balance Point invests debt and equity capital in select lower middle market companies across a variety of investment vehicles. Balance Point takes a long-term, partnership approach to investing and is committed to building lasting relationships with its partners, management teams and intermediaries.

Balance Point is a registered investment advisor. Further information is available at www.balancepointcapital.com.

About Swift Anchor

Swift Anchor is a long-term oriented investment firm partnering with mission critical businesses in healthcare, aerospace & defense, and business/industrial services. Swift Anchor seeks out market-leading companies and takes an active ownership and hands-on operational approach to drive value creation.

For more information: www.swiftanchor.com.

About Essential Turbines

Essential Turbines, headquartered in Montreal, with locations in Vancouver and Phoenix, is an aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul ("MRO") provider with a focus on both helicopter and fixed wing engines. Essential Turbines is a specialist in the Rolls Royce M250 and RR300 engines, as well as pure-thrust engines modules, components and accessories. ETI serves a diverse set of customers across commercial, government and military markets.

For more information: www.essentialturbines.com

Media Contact:

Adam H. Sauerteig

Office: 203-652-8555

[email protected]

SOURCE Balance Point Capital
Learn the early signs of Alzheimer's and how seniors benefit from socialization and physical activity

*** June Is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month ***

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

BACKGROUND:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of adults aged 65 or older is expected to reach 80.8 million by 2040. By 2060, it will reach 94.7 million -- nearly 25% of the US population. With this increase in the senior population, there is also an increase in cases of Alzheimer's disease, a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9268251-brookdale-senior-living-alzheimers-awareness-month/

It is estimated that there are currently 6 million Americans living with the disease. While there is no cure for the disease, physical activity and social engagement can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's by 50 percent, according to the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation.

DID YOU KNOW?

A 2023 study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that older adults who are socially isolated have a 27% higher chance of developing dementia over nine years.

researchers found that older adults who are socially isolated have a 27% higher chance of developing dementia over nine years. The National Academy of Sciences found that social isolation contributed to a 50% increased risk of developing dementia, a 59% increased risk of functional decline, and for patients with heart conditions it nearly quadruples their risk of death and increases their risk of hospitalization by a staggering 68%.

Exercise can slow further deterioration in those who have started to develop cognitive problems.

Older adults living in vibrant assisted living communities benefit from an environment where they can remain active, strengthen social connections, reduce social isolation and support their overall health and well-being.

Kim Elliott, Chief Nursing Officer of Brookdale Senior Living, discusses the latest statistics on Alzheimer's, the early warning signs to be aware of and the importance of socialization and physical activity. She also explains the benefits of assisted living communities that have memory care-specific capabilities.

For more information please visit: Brookdale.com/memory

MORE ABOUT KIM ELLIOTT:

Kim Elliott joined Brookdale in July 2014 and has served as our Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer since August 2021. She has more than 30 years of experience in senior living and has developed a care philosophy based on the importance of individualized care, personal choice and resident independence. Ms. Elliott received a BSN in nursing from the University of Kentucky and a Master's degree in nursing with a nursing executive specialty from Chamberlain University. She serves on the Argentum Clinical Quality Executive Roundtable, on the Dean's Advisory Board for the Central Florida University School of Nursing, as a member of the Nightingale Society, and as a member of the 2022 Nashville Healthcare Council Fellows cohort.

Produced for: Brookdale Senior Living

SOURCE Brookdale Senior Living
Commit Biologics is pioneering a novel approach to activating the complement component of the immune system to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases

Poster to be presented on Commit's Bispecific Complement Engaging (BiCE) platform

AARHUS, Denmark, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Commit Biologics ("Commit"), a pioneer in the activation of the complement system to treat cancer and autoimmune disease, today announces it will present a poster containing key data on its Bispecific Complement Engaging (BiCE) platform at the 16th International Conference on Complement Therapeutics, which is being held in Loutraki, Ancient Corinth, Greece, on June 11-16, 2024.

Details of the presentation

Poster Title: BiCE  An antibody platform to potentiate complement activation for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases

Presenter: Dr Nick S. Laursen, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Commit Biologics

The data will reveal optimization of the BiCE platform and show that Commit's second-generation BiCE molecules induce superior complement-mediated cell killing compared to other technologies. With a novel mechanism of action, Commit's technology has the potential to be developed into best-in-class therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.

The complement system is part of the body's immune system that has previously been largely untapped for therapeutic purposes. Commit has built a novel Bispecific Complement Engaging (BiCE) platform to arm validated antibodies and activate the complement system to selectively kill cancer cells or cells that drive autoimmune diseases. Commit's BiCE platform uses bispecific single domain antibodies, where one arm recognizes the complement protein C1q and the other arm recognizes a selected target, such as a cancer-specific antigen. These bispecific engagers efficiently recruit C1, leading to potent complement activation.

Nick Laursen, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Commit Biologics, said: "We are excited to be presenting Commit's unique approach to activating complement for therapeutic purposes and to highlight the tremendous potential of our innovative BiCE platform to harness the immune system in a different way to tackle cancer and autoimmune disease."

Krishna Polu, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Commit Biologics, said: "Having officially come out of stealth just a few weeks ago, it's great to have the opportunity now to showcase our novel BiCE platform to fellow complement system experts and to our peers who are developing therapeutics in the field of complement. We believe our approach represents a powerful new way of engaging the complement system to tackle a broad range of diseases."

The 16th International Conference on Complement Therapeutics brings together academic and industry leaders to share new data and discuss the latest developments in therapeutic design, clinical trials, and complement-driven pathophysiology in emerging indications.

About Commit Biologics

Commit Biologics (Commit) is a pioneer in activating the complement system to kill specific target cells, with applications in cancers and autoimmune diseases. Spun out of Aarhus University, and building on more than three decades of research, Commit's Bispecific Complement Engaging (BiCE) platform can supercharge a conventional monoclonal antibody to activate the complement system more effectively. This is achieved by combining single domain antibodies that engage C1q, the starting point for the complement activation cascade, with an antibody that binds to a cellular target. The modular approach of the BiCE technology can be used to develop therapeutics across multiple tumor-associated antigens and immune cell targets. Complement is a largely untapped aspect of the body's natural immune system that leverages both the direct cytolytic activity of complement along with its ability to bridge recruitment and activation of both innate and adaptive immune cells  a new approach to killing cells which can be used in combination or on a standalone basis. Commit is backed by major investors including Bioqube Ventures and Novo Holdings.

About the complement system

The complement system is part of the body's immune system that has previously been largely untapped therapeutically. The activation of the classical complement pathway, which has a role in health for pathogen defense, begins with the engagement of C1q to antibodies that coat the cell surface and ends with the activation of a cytolytic complement complex directly leading to cell lysis. However, current monoclonal antibodies developed for therapeutic purposes have structural restraints that hinder effective engagement to C1q, thus limiting complement mediated cytotoxicity and other complement mediated effector functions. This, plus the presence of natural cell bound complement inhibitors that are upregulated in cancer, and low target densities, make conventional therapeutic antibodies poor complement activators. Commit's BiCE technology was developed to overcome these barriers, to harness the power of the complement system and direct it towards tumor and immune cells for therapeutic applications. Unleashing this power in a highly targeted way with Commit's technology potentially allows for a broad therapeutic index and the development of highly effective treatments.

SOURCE Commit Biologics
DAD JOKES MIGHT NOT ALWAYS LAND, BUT THEY COULD LAND YOU A MEAL AT PANERA STARTING JUNE 10*

ST. LOUIS, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This Father's Day, Panera Bread is turning groans into grins with a sweepstakes that celebrates the one and only dad joke.

Dads are known for their love, support, and, of course, their legendary sense of humor (or lack thereof). To honor these champions of the pun, Panera Bread is asking fans to engage on social media and share their best (or worst) dad jokes for a chance to win a Panera gift card to treat your dad starting June 10th at noon ET*.

Panera

Here's how to enter:

Follow @PaneraBread on Instagram and wait for the Father's Day post to go live on June 10th at noon ET .

at . Unleash your inner dad (or inner child who groans at dad jokes) by liking and commenting  while you're at it, give us your best dad joke.

The prize? 50 winners will receive a $25 Panera Bread gift card towards your Panera faves, like a Father's Day breakfast Family Feast for four.

Want to make Dad's day even better? Panera offers Panera's Family Feast value meals that are family-sized meals made to feed a family of four at a great value. Father's Day brunch is easy with options including the Breakfast Sandwich Feast of 4 sandwiches for $15.99 (plus tax) or the Baked Goods Feast featuring six Panera pastries priced at $16.99 (plus tax) for an easy celebratory meal (price may vary by cafe; delivery price higher).

And, for a limited time this month, get a gift for dad and a little gift for yourself too! Panera is celebrating Dads & Grads from June 5th through June 30th, where guests can earn a $5 bonus card for every $25 in gift cards purchased online**.

To start your next order, visit PaneraBread.com or download the app today. For more information on the Father's Day Sweepstakes, visit https://www.panerabread.com/content/panerabread_com/en-us/legal/the-panera-fathers-day-sweepstakes.html.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 48 contiguous US (+ D.C.) (legal residents of AK and HI excluded). 18 or older. Sweepstakes starts 6/10/24 at 11:00 a.m. CT and ends 6/14/24 at 12:00 p.m. CT. Limit one entry per person. For Official Rules, including odds and prize description visit: https://www.panerabread.com/content/panerabread_com/en-us/legal/the-panera-fathers-day-sweepstakes.html Void where prohibited.

**Get a $5 bonus card for every $25 in Panera Bread plastic gift cards and eGift cards purchased or reloaded online, or eGift card purchases made using Apple Pay in Messages, at participating U.S. bakery-cafes between 6/5/24 - 6/30/24. Bonus cards are valid for use online or in-cafe at participating U.S. bakery-cafes only from 7/1/24  7/31/24. Bonus card can be used multiple times until the $5 is depleted or the promotion expires, whichever is earlier. Offer not valid in cafe, on bulk gift card purchases, or purchases from third parties. While supplies last. Offer may expire without notice due to error, fraud, typographical or computer error, electronic or technical malfunctions, or other unforeseen circumstances. See bonus card for additional bonus card restrictions and requirements. See gift card or www.PaneraBread.com/GiftCardTerms for additional gift card restrictions and requirements. To purchase eGift cards using Apple Pay in Messages, download the Panera Bread iOS app and, when in the Messages app, open the app drawer and choose the Panera Bread icon to select a valid amount to purchase an e-gift card. Available to iOS app users only. Must download latest version of the Panera Bread iOS app and restart the Messages app to text Panera Bread eGift Cards through Messages.

About Panera Bread

Our first bakery-cafe opened in 1987, founded with a secret sourdough starter and the belief that the best part of bread is sharing it. That vision led to the invention of the Fast Casual category with Panera at the forefront, serving as America's kitchen table centered around our delicious menu of chef-curated recipes that are crafted with care by our team members. We make food that we are proud to serve our own families, from crave-worthy soups, salads and sandwiches to mac and cheese and sweets. Each recipe is filled with ingredients we feel good about and none of those we don't because we are committed to serving our guests food that feels good in the moment and long after. While our company is now nearly 2,200 bakery-cafes strong, our values and belief in the lasting power of a great meal remain as strong as ever. We spend each day filling bellies, building empowered teams and inspiring communities. Nothing beats breaking bread together.

As of May 28, 2024, there were 2,182 bakery-cafes, company and franchise, in 48 states and Washington D.C., and in Ontario, Canada, operating under the Panera Bread or Saint Louis Bread Co. names. Panera Bread is part of Panera Brands, one of the largest fast casual restaurant companies in the U.S., comprised of Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels. For more information, visit panerabread.com or find us on Twitter (@panerabread), Facebook (facebook.com/panerabread) Instagram (@panerabread) or TikTok (@panerabread).

Media Contact

Panera PR

[email protected]

SOURCE Panera Bread
BRUSSELS, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- During the ZoHRo Awards, an event organized by Belgian HR platform ZigZagHR that spotlights HR professionals and teams, Dstny won the prestigious Employee Wellbeing Award for its innovative approach to employee well-being.

Dstny Employee Wellbeing Award

Well-being is a core aspect of Dstny's company culture, contributing to sustainable growth. Dstny aims to provide a safe physical and psychological work environment and create outstanding employee experiences. The company believes that the well-being of its employees translates to low staff turnover and limited burnout, as well as satisfied customers and the company's success. "We are extremely proud to receive this award," says Daan De Wever, co-founder and CEO of Dstny Group. "It is a testament to our commitment to fostering a culture of well-being and ensuring that our employees are supported and valued."

Dstny's well-being strategy combines formal and informal approaches.

The formal approach is data-driven. The rapid growth of the company has brought about significant complexity. Daan De Wever continues: "We lacked a strategic HR tool to help bridge the gap between employees and the organization, increase productivity, and maintain high employee retention. This led to the creation of the analysis tool Vitaminsatwork.be." This HR tech start-up was launched with support from Daan De Wever and co-founders Jonas Geleyn and Jonas Scheers, based on scientific research from VUB and Solvay Business School.

The platform provides real-time, scientifically backed, and action-oriented insights at the individual, team, and company levels. Each year, Dstny conducts one extensive and several smaller surveys among employees via this platform, which results in high participation rates. The surveys explore the drivers of well-being and engagement, uncovering unique correlations. The results are used to respect employee privacy and work on improvements actively.

Dstny regularly conducts an eNPS (Employee Net Promoter Score) survey, allowing employees to provide direct feedback on their well-being within the company and enabling management to monitor employee and team sentiment continuously.

The informal approach to well-being is based on Dstny's core values (ICORE: Innovation, Commitment, Obsession for Customer Experience, Respect, Empowerment). With ICORE at the heart, Dstny consciously approaches its business differentlywithin the company and towards customers, partners, and suppliers.

Group CEO Daan De Wever and the entire management team are also very approachable and have a strong willingness to listen. Open communication, accessibility, a sense of security, and a perspective on the future foster well-being within Dstny.

About Dstny

Dstny is a premier global provider of cloud-based business communications solutions. With over 3,5 million users, Dstny simplifies communication for companies, partners, and service providers with products delivered as a service across all formats, including voice, video, and chat. Featuring a mobile-first design and easy integration, Dstny's innovative technology and strong local partnerships allow for delivering exceptional user experiences. Headquartered in Brussels, Dstny has ca. 1000 employees in 8 countries.

Learn more at www.dstny.com

For more information:

Christian Hed  CMO Dstny, [email protected], +468 562 696 03

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2433170/Dstny_Employee_Wellbeing_Award.jpg

SOURCE Dstny
LAKEWOOD, Colo., June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR) ("Energy Fuels" or the "Company"), a leading U.S. producer of uranium, rare earth elements ("REEs"), and vanadium, is pleased to announce that it has achieved commercial production of separated neodymium-praseodymium ("NdPr") at its White Mesa Mill in Utah (the "Mill"). Critically, the NdPr produced by Energy Fuels' meets the applicable product specifications of REE metal-makers, who specialize in the manufacture of REE-based alloys required for the permanent magnets widely used for electric motors in both battery powered electric vehicles ("EVs") and dual power hybrids. Further, this 'on-spec' NdPr is now able to be produced by Energy Fuels at the full design capacity of its new Phase 1 REE separation circuit (850 to 1,000 metric tons ("tonnes") of NdPr per year). The Company expects to have commercial quantities of separated NdPr available for shipment by the end of June 2024. Energy Fuels believes this is the first time in several decades that a U.S. company has produced on-spec separated REE's from monazite on a commercial scale.

The Company is extracting, refining and separating the NdPr from monazite produced by The Chemours Company ("Chemours") at its heavy mineral sand ("HMS") operations in Florida and Georgia. Energy Fuels began piloting REE separations in 2021, and later performed partial REE separations in 2022 and 2023. The Company used this experience, having compiled several years of real-time data, to custom design and construct its new Phase 1 REE separation circuit at the Mill, which is now operating as designed. The Company would also like to highlight both the speed at which the circuit has reached full design capacity, and the fact that it has not experienced complications with start-up, which are so typical with the commissioning of new equipment and processes. Energy Fuels also completed construction of its Phase 1 REE Separation Circuit in Q1-2024 for a total cost of only about $16 million, which was significantly under the original budget of $25 million and a further testament to the capabilities of the Mill and the years of solvent extraction ("SX") experience and technical expertise of Mill personnel. Also of note, the addition of REE separation processes has not hindered the ability or capacity of the Company to produce uranium at the Mill, and preparations are being made to commence a uranium ore and alternate feed uranium-bearing material processing campaign in Q3-2024.

During Q2-2024, the Company expects to produce about 25 to 35 tonnes of on-spec, separated NdPr from the monazite Energy Fuels has in inventory at this time. From the new circuit, Energy Fuels also expects to produce a samarium-plus ("Sm+"), "heavy" REE concentrate, while also recovering the contained uranium from the monazite feed stocks. The Company expects to utilize this Sm+ concentrate to continue pilot-scale dysprosium ("Dy") and terbium ("Tb") separation and to design SX circuits at the Mill able to produce these "heavy" REE products in separated individual forms at the specifications required for metal and alloy making. Currently, there is no company in the Western Hemisphere capable of commercially producing separated, on-spec Dy, Tb, or other "heavy" REE products. NdPr, Dy, and Tb are known as the "magnet" REE's, as they are key and necessary ingredients in the powerful magnets used in the most efficient EVs, dual power hybrid vehicles, direct-drive wind energy, military and defense technologies, and other clean energy applications.

Following completion of NdPr production at the Mill in Q2-2004, the Company expects to begin processing uranium ore and alternate feed materials from our current stockpiles, resulting in the expected production of 150,000 to 500,000 pounds of U 3 O 8 during 2024, with production ramping up further in 2025. As previously announced, Energy Fuels has also acquired, or is in the process of acquiring, several HMS projects to secure monazite, which we believe will be globally cost-competitive, to supply future REE separation at the Mill. This includes the Bahia Project in Brazil that the Company acquired in February 2023, the Donald Project joint venture that the Company announced on June 3, 2024, and the pending acquisition of Base Resources and the Toliara Project in Madagascar, which in aggregate have the potential to make Energy Fuels one of the largest separated REE producers in the world. The Company expects to receive material quantities of monazite from these projects commencing as early as 2026. In the meantime, the Company plans to focus operations on an aggressive campaign of uranium production during the second half of 2024, all of 2025, and thereafter to supply U.S. uranium into the Company's portfolio of uranium contracts with U.S. nuclear utilities, in addition to additional spot and contract sales into uranium market strength.

MARK S. CHALMERS, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ENERGY FUELS STATED:

"We have achieved a significant milestone for the Energy Fuels, for Utah, and for the United States: the commercial production of separated rare earths that meet applicable product specifications, while simultaneously ramping up domestic uranium production aggressively. I wish to congratulate the entire team at the White Mesa Mill for bringing commercial rare earth separation capabilities and expertise back to the United States, and for achieving this major accomplishment ahead of schedule and under budget. With this announcement, Energy Fuels can confirm the return of separated rare earth production from monazite back to the United States after a multi-decade absence, in addition to the return of technological know-how and expertise in this extremely important field that is critical to national and economic security.

"Due to the overwhelming success of Energy Fuels' Phase 1 REE separation project, Energy Fuels can now continue to advance its rare earth initiatives with an extremely high degree of confidence. This includes a potential expansion of standalone rare earth separation capabilities at the Mill to 4,000 to 6,000 tonnes of NdPr per year, along with 150 to 225 tonnes of Dy, and 50 to 75 tonnes of Tb, through development of our planned Phase 2 and Phase 3 REE separation circuits. While our recently commissioned Phase 1 Separation circuit is globally significant and would rank the Company as one of the leading producers of separated REEs in the world outside of China, our planned Phase 2 and Phase 3 Separation Circuits would truly be world-class. In addition, we are building a world-class portfolio of heavy mineral sand assets to control our supply of low-cost monazite. We are also ramping-up pilot testing on 'heavy' rare earth separation, with a focus on Dy and Tb. Due to knowledge gained from NdPr, we are confident we will be able to produce on-spec Dy, Tb, and any other separated rare earth products and to design, engineer, permit, construct and commission our Phase 2 and Phase 3 REE separation circuits within budget and time-frame expectations. Our capital investments in the planned Phase 2 and Phase 3 REE separation circuits will be conditional on receipt of suitable customer and/or government backing in the form of supply agreements, offtake agreements and/or financial support. We believe we are in an enviable position to secure this support, based on our proven rare earth processing, refining and separation capabilities and the world-class monazite supply chain we have secured and are securing. I am very pleased that all things are coming together and that we are emerging as a leading U.S. rare earth producer, in addition to advancing our position as a U.S-leading producer of uranium and vanadium.

"Once we conclude this run of separated NdPr, we plan to focus on the processing of our substantial stockpiled uranium ore and alternate feed material inventories at the Mill and the continued ramp-up of our uranium mining, production and sales. At the same time, we plan to design and permit a world-class expansion of REE separation at the Mill -- which is only about four to six times greater than what we have already achieved. Importantly, we will also continue to market our REE products to customers and evaluate government funding collaborations."

ABOUT ENERGY FUELS

Energy Fuels is a leading US-based uranium and critical minerals company. The Company, as a leading producer of uranium in the United States, mines uranium and produces natural uranium concentrates that are sold to major nuclear utilities for the production of carbon-free nuclear energy. Energy Fuels recently began production of advanced REE materials, including mixed REE carbonate in 2021, and commenced production of commercial quantities of separated REEs in 2024. Energy Fuels also produces vanadium from certain of its projects, as market conditions warrant, and is evaluating the recovery of radionuclides needed for emerging cancer treatments. Its corporate offices are in Lakewood, Colorado, near Denver, and substantially all its assets and employees are in the United States. Energy Fuels holds two of America's key uranium production centers: the White Mesa Mill in Utah and the Nichols Ranch in-situ recovery ("ISR") Project in Wyoming. The White Mesa Mill is the only conventional uranium mill operating in the US today, has a licensed capacity of over 8 million pounds of U 3 O 8 per year, and has the ability to produce vanadium when market conditions warrant, as well as REE products, from various uranium-bearing ores. The Nichols Ranch ISR Project is on standby and has a licensed capacity of 2 million pounds of U 3 O 8 per year. The Company recently acquired the Bahia Project in Brazil and entered into a joint venture agreement to develop the Donald Project in Australia, each of which is believed to have significant quantities of titanium (ilmenite and rutile), zirconium (zircon) and REE (monazite) minerals. In addition to the above production facilities, Energy Fuels also has one of the largest NI 43-101 compliant uranium resource portfolios in the US and several uranium and uranium/vanadium mining projects in production, on standby and in various stages of permitting and development. The primary trading market for Energy Fuels' common shares is the NYSE American under the trading symbol "UUUU," and the Company's common shares are also listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "EFR." Energy Fuels' website is www.energyfuels.com .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain "Forward Looking Information" and "Forward Looking Statements" within the meaning of applicable United States and Canadian securities legislation, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: any expectation that the Company will maintain its position as a leading U.S.-based uranium and critical minerals company or as the leading producer of uranium in the U.S.; any expectation as to production levels or timing or duration of production from the Bahia Project, the Donald Project, the Toliara Project or any of the Company's other mines or projects; any expectation as to costs of production at the Bahia Project, the Donald Project, the Toliara Project or any of the Company's other mines or projects, or that the Company will secure monazite at globally competitive costs; any expectation that the Company may be successful in entering the REE metal, alloy, and/or magnet-making space; any expectation that the addition of REE production will not diminish in any way the Company's U.S. leading uranium production capabilities; any expectation that any ore reserves estimated to date will accurately reflect actual reserves or resources; any expectation that the Company will be successful in advancing its REE initiatives or that it will be successful in installing REE production capacity at the Mill and the timing of installation of any such production capacity; any expectation that the Company's REE and other products will and will continue to meet commercial specifications; any expectation as to when the Company will have commercial quantities of separated NdPr available for shipment; any expectation that the Company's planned Phase 2 and Phase 3 separation circuits will be developed and if developed would be world-class; any expectation that the Company's planned Phase 2 and Phase 3 separation circuits if developed, would be developed within budget and time-frame expectations; any expectation as to the success of the Company's permitting programs; any expectation that the Company's proposed acquisition of Base Resources and the Toliara project will be completed or if completed, completed on the terms and time proposed; any expectation that the Company will be able to secure commitments for satisfactory offtake and/or sales agreements for REEs produced from monazite at the Mill; any expectation that Energy Fuels will be successful in obtaining suitable supply agreements, offtake agreements and/or financial support from customers and/or governments, to justify development of the planned Phase 2 and Phase 3 separation circuits, or at all; any expectation that the Company is emerging as a leading U.S. rare earth producer, in addition to advancing its position as a U.S-leading producer of uranium and vanadium; any expectation that the Bahia Project and Donald Project will be developed and proceed to production; and any expectation that the Company will be successful in acquiring Base Resources or that the Toliara Project will be developed and proceed to production. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans," "expects," "does not expect," "is expected," "is likely," "budgets," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates," "does not anticipate," or "believes," or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will be taken," "occur," "be achieved" or "have the potential to." All statements, other than statements of historical fact, herein are considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements express or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with: commodity prices and price fluctuations; engineering, construction, processing and mining difficulties, upsets and delays; permitting and licensing requirements and delays; changes to regulatory requirements; legal challenges; the availability of feed sources for the Mill; competition from other producers; public opinion; government and political actions; the failure of the Company to provide or obtain the necessary financing required to develop the Bahia Project, the Donald Project, the Toliara project or any of the Company's other projects or initiatives; available supplies of monazite; the ability of the Mill to produce rare earth carbonate, rare earth elements or other rare earth element products to meet commercial specifications on a commercial scale at acceptable costs or at all; market factors, including future demand for uranium, rare earth elements and heavy mineral sands; the ability of the Mill to be able to separate radium or other radioisotopes for cancer treatments at reasonable costs or at all; market prices and demand for medical isotopes; and the other factors described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is available for review on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml , on SEDAR at www.sedar.com , and on the Company's website at www.energyfuels.com . Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as otherwise required by law.

SOURCE Energy Fuels Inc.
Equipped with new equipment and a shiny new banner, Myrlene Lee, aka The Fish Lady, is ready to celebrate Juneteenth.

I plan to do 50 cases of fish just on Saturday, Lee said.

The Fish Lady is one of the soul food vendors visitors will find at the Juneteenth Festival on June 15 and 16 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

Lee has been perfecting her fried fish recipe since she was a child growing up on the East Side. Her grandmother Rose Carson sent Lee to the fish market every week so they could cook together on Fridays. When Lee had her children, she often fried fish for them.

They didnt think I knew how to cook anything else, Lee said.

As a full-time post office employee, Lee cooked mostly as a hobby until her daughter Mykia encouraged her to share her fried fish with the public. Mykia wrote a nine-page business proposal for a fried fish catering business and paid the vendor fee for her mothers first festival.

She said to me what I said to her when she got ready to go to college, Lee said. She was like, Mom, this is your time to shine.

Lees frying technique involves seasoning a piece of haddock, coating it in her cornmeal-based batter recipe, then dropping it in fresh oil all in one motion.

A big fish platter meal includes a piece of fried fish and two sides for $20. Her sides include mac and cheese, green beans and fries. Its served on blue and white checkered paper in a blue plastic boat because presentation is important to Lee. She also sells her fish as a sandwich ($10) or fish and chips ($15). She bakes her own desserts, offering $6 slices of pound cake, red velvet cake and German chocolate cake.

When you go to a festival, sometimes you cant afford to eat because they gouge the prices, Lee said. I wanted to keep it affordable so that someone that was coming with children can afford to eat.

Lees first festival as The Fish Lady was Juneteenth in 2022. She said she underestimated her popularity and sold out of everything, running back and forth between the store to keep up with demand.

Its an amazing thing to see her pursuing one of her passions, said her daughter Mykia.

Lee has been attending the Juneteenth Festival since childhood.

Its a way that you get to unite with the community, Lee said. You get to celebrate our heritage.

The Fish Lady will also be at the Pine Grill Jazz Reunion and Music Festival (Aug. 4 and 11) and University United Festival (Aug. 10).

Also at Juneteenth

Heres a look at two other food vendors selling soul food at the Juneteenth Festival.

Raes Dinner and Breakfast Club

Owner Raedel Jemes will serve her specialty beef ribs, which she says has won over several die-hard pork rib loving customers, and collard greens that have made a name for themselves among her clients.

Jemes also will be cooking a few newbies, including collard green egg rolls and Greek fries, along with burgers, hot dogs and mac and cheese.

A nurse who lives on the West Side, Jemes started her home-based catering company a few years ago. She has a tight-knit community of clients in her neighborhood and caters small parties and showers.

She said she hopes to start a food trailer one day and attend more festivals throughout the area. This is her second Juneteenth Festival.

Im really excited, not only just to sell the food, but its quite a celebration for us, Jemes said. Besides being delighted by all the different kinds of customers ... it was beautiful. It was peaceful. It was a nice gathering to celebrate things about our history that people dont know.

SoulFood4Real

Tierra Jones, of Lockport, also will be selling soul food from her vendor tent, SoulFood4Real.

Her most popular foods include a spaghetti salad with broccoli, cucumber, carrots, tomato and onion, collard greens and grilled chicken breast shish kababs with onion and peppers. SoulFood4Real also will offer hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage and grilled chicken.

Its SoulFood4Reals first Juneteenth Festival, but Tierras husband, Shaquille, is a DJ at the festival every year.

If you go

Juneteenth Festival

The 49th Annual Juneteenth Festival in Buffalo celebrates the June 19 federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Its also an educational celebration of Buffalos Black community, heritage and culture.

When: June 15 and June 16 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. It kicks off with a parade at 10 a.m. June 15 beginning at Genesee and Ivy streets and ending at MLK Park where there will be musicians, dancing, food vendors, shopping and activities for children and teens.

New this year: There are a few new activities just for teens, including a dance contest, airbrush tattoos, a photo booth and games. From 1 to 2:45 p.m. June 16, a new spades tournament will take place on the arts and culture stage. Families can also skip the line at the childrens activity area, which is home to carnival games, bubbles and other attractions, by preregistering their children at buffalojuneteenth.com.
LEUVEN, Belgium and STRASBOURG, France and PHILADELPHIA , June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Flamingo Therapeutics ("Flamingo") today announced a poster presentation on FLM-7523 (also referred to as FTX-001) at the Annual Congress of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR) 2024 Congress, being held in Rotterdam, Netherlands from June 10-13, 2024.

Flamingo will present preclinical results highlighting the candidate selection and characterization of FLM-7523, a novel oligonucleotide targeting MALAT1 for the treatment of cancer. Flamingo has advanced FLM-7523 through Phase 1 enabling preclinical activities and is planning for a First-in-Human trial in solid tumors.

EACR poster details are as follows:

Abstract#: EACR2024-0240

Title: "Preclinical development of FTX-001: First-in-class inhibitor of the long non-coding RNA MALAT1"

Session Title: Posters: Experimental/Molecular Therapeutics, Pharmacogenomics

Session Date and Time: June 11, 2024, from 11:00 to 20:15

Presenting Author: Dr. Marie-Aline Neveu

Abstracts related to the EACR meeting will be published online in a supplement to the FEBS journal, Molecular Oncology, the Congress App and the Congress Website. For more information, please visit the EACR 2024 website.

About Flamingo Therapeutics

Flamingo is pioneering RNA-targeted therapies for oncology with a clinical-stage pipeline targeting undruggable transcription factors and long non-coding RNAs. Flamingo has an alliance with Ionis Pharmaceuticals and is supported by well-known biotechnology investors including Abrdn (formerly funds managed by Tekla Capital Management LLC), Andera Partners, Bpifrance Large Venture, Bpifrance through its FABS and Fonds Biotherapies Innovantes et Maladies Rares funds, Eurazeo - Kurma Partners, Perceptive Advisors, PMV, Pontifax, Sphera, and VIB.

Flamingo has initiated a Phase II trial 'PEMDA-HN' evaluating the STAT3 targeting agent danvatirsen, in combination with pembrolizumab, in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A Phase I investigator-initiated trial study has also been initiated evaluating danvatirsen as a monotherapy and in combination with venetoclax in AML/MDS patients.

For more information on Flamingo, please visit:

https://flamingotx.com

PEMDA-HN (head and neck cancer) on clinicaltrials.gov:

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05814666

Danvatirsen monotherapy followed by combination with venetoclax in relapsed/ refractory AML and MDS on clincaltrials.gov:

https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05986240

Please engage with us on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/flamingo-therapeutics .

Flamingo Media and Investor Contact:

Amy Conrad

Juniper Point

(858) 366-3243

[email protected]

SOURCE Flamingo Therapeutics
Gorton's community is spreading kindness with 175 acts of joy

GLOUCESTER, Mass., June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- It's time to break out the confettiGorton's Seafood is celebrating 175 years of spreading the goodness of the sea. To commemorate this significant milestone, the Massachusetts-based company has launched a nationwide campaign to spread something beyond seafood: joy. Cue Yellow, Out of the Blue!

Gorton's Seafood Marks 175th Anniversary with Nationwide Celebration: Yellow Out of the Blue

Experts suggest that yellow, the brand's iconic color, evokes feelings of warmth, happiness, and joy (Very Well Mind, 2023). With Yellow, Out of the Blue, Gorton's has rallied its employees and consumers alike to perform 175 acts of joy across the countryall connected with a yellow theme. These acts ranged from delivering yellow food items to a food pantry and donating yellow supplies to an animal shelter to planting vibrant yellow flowers. Each act was designed to brighten someone's day.

"As we mark our 175th anniversary, we're excited to partner with our community of employees and consumers to launch a unique initiative focused on spreading joy and positivity across the country," said Kurt Hogan, President and CEO of Gorton's. "This campaign is our way of saying 'thank you' to everyone who has been a part of our incredible story over the years."

The brand also enlisted a diverse group of influencers to participate in this uplifting endeavor of spreading goodness. From lifestyle content creators to teachers and even furry companions, each influencer has taken on a unique act of joy, sharing their experiences on social media to inspire others.

Gorton's continues to build on its 175-year history by upholding its commitment to spreading the goodness of the sea by providing quality seafood to consumers across the nation. Established in Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1849, Gorton's remains rooted in its seaside origins, employing over 400 individuals across corporate and plant staff.

"While innovation and the ability to evolve with consumer needs have been key drivers in building our brand, Gorton's ultimate success and longevity are truly a testament to the incredible people who have made up our team for the past 175 years," said Hogan. "Their dedication to delivering quality seafood to our consumers has been foundational to our journey."

Gorton's presence in American food culture is exemplified by its flagship products and iconic Fisherman, evoking nostalgic memories of childhood fish stick dinners. As consumer preferences evolve, Gorton's has embraced innovation, launching new products like Air Fried Fillets and Shrimp and engaging younger audiences through award-winning TikTok campaigns.

Join Gorton's Seafood as it celebrates 175 years of excellence and embarks on a journey to spread joy across the nation with Yellow, Out of the Blue!

ABOUT GORTON'S SEAFOOD

For the last 175 years, Gorton's Seafood's mission has been to help people everywhere enjoy the goodness of great seafood. Headquartered in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Gorton's is one of America's oldest continuously operating companies, and continues to be the innovative leader in the frozen seafood industry. Gorton's full line of frozen seafood products spans from its classic Crunchy Breaded Fish Sticks and Fillets, to Popcorn and Butterfly Shrimp, and innovative product lines such as Air Fried Fillets and Shrimp. Gorton's products are available in independent and chain grocery stores nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.gortons.com.

SOURCE Gortons Seafood
One duo will have a chance to win a trip to Boston and sail aboard an 18th century style ship later this month

MODESTO, Calif., June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This National Iced Tea Month, Spirit of Gallo's High Noon is celebrating the arrival of their new premium High Noon Vodka Iced Tea, made with real vodka, real iced tea and no added sugar, in historic fashion. An 18th century style ship will arrive at the Boston Harbor and host the Boston Vodka Iced Tea Party - presenting the city with 342 cases of High Noon Vodka Iced Tea*, the exact amount of tea it dumped in the harbor in 1773. The ship will sail along the city's waterfront from June 27-28 and one lucky fan and a friend will have a chance to win a trip to Boston to enjoy a private voyage.

To enter to win the once-in-a-lifetime experience, fans can head to High Noon's Instagram and comment on the brand's latest post HERE sharing why they're ready to upgrade their summer by trading up from sugar-loaded, malt-based hard teas to the all new High Noon Vodka Iced Tea. While only one lucky winner will be chosen, Bostonians will be able to see the ship docked in the Fan Pier Marina and out at sail along the Boston Harbor.

"Boston and tea go hand in hand, so when we decided to launch our new High Noon Vodka Iced Tea, there was only one city that made sense to set sail in," said Britt West, Executive Vice President and General Manager at Gallo. "The ship will be an unforgettable sight to see for Bostonians, and we're excited for a couple of fans to have the opportunity to travel to the east coast and trade up to the newest hard tea in town."

High Noon Vodka Iced Tea was unveiled last month and is available nationwide. The new hard tea is non-carbonated, contains no added sugar, and is available in four essential summer flavors  Original, Peach, Lemon, and Raspberry  each at 90 calories and 4.5% ABV with an MSRP of $19.99 in 8-packs of 355mml cans.

High Noon Vodka Iced Tea joins a growing High Noon family alongside consumer favorites like High Noon Vodka Seltzer and High Noon Tequila Seltzer. For more information on High Noon and the new line of Vodka Iced Tea, visit HighNoonSpirits.com or check them out on Instagram .

*No product will be given away, but Bostonians can purchase at their local retailers

**Source: Circana Consumer Network Households (NCP) 52 Weeks ending 10/1/2023 vs. YA- Total U.S. All Outlets, NBD Adjusted (Vol)

***NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Utah and Virginia) and the District of Columbia who are 21 or older. Void where prohibited. Starts at 9:00:00 AM ET on 6/10/24 and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on 6/16/24. To enter, visit https://www.instagram.com/highnoonsunsips/, find the Vodka Iced Tea Party Ship Contest Post, follow the instructions on the post to submit your entry. Your entry must start with the hashtags #HighNoonSetsSail and #HighNoonContestEntry. Subject to Official Rules. Official Rules available at https://apfco.com/secure/K401S/. Sponsor: Gallo.

About High Noon

High Noon was introduced in 2019, giving fans a more premium hard seltzer made with real spirits and encouraging them to live like the sun's always out. Just four years after its inception, the brand was crowned the #1 Spirits Brand by Volume**. High Noon offers something for everyone with High Noon Vodka Seltzer, High Noon Tequila Seltzer, and High Noon Vodka Iced Tea varieties. The Vodka Seltzer and Tequila Seltzer varieties are made with real fruit juice, and the Vodka Iced Tea variety is made with real tea. The full line up is gluten free and has no added sugar. High Noon is part of Spirit of Gallo, an award-winning spirits portfolio that includes E&J Brandy, New Amsterdam Vodka, Pink Whitney, RumChata and more.

About Spirit of Gallo

Spirit of Gallo is the third largest spirits supplier in the United States by volume and represents some of the most iconic brands in the industry including: High Noon Hard Seltzer, New Amsterdam Vodka, E&J Brandy, RumChata, Camarena Tequila, RumHaven, Stratusphere Gin, The Dalmore Scotch Whisky, Tequila Komos, Don Fulano Tequila, Horse Soldier Bourbon, Amaro Montenegro and Condesa Gin. The entire portfolio is featured on www.spiritofgallo.com .

SOURCE High Noon Spirits Company
Workshop on Reaching Premium Asian Travellers organized by Petal Ads, Huawei's advertising platform

MADRID, Spain, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Petal Ads, Huawei's mobile advertising platform, at the seventh edition of Digital Tourist 2024 reaffirmed Huawei's commitment to supporting the Spanish tourism industry, with effective solutions for attracting premium Chinese travellers to the rich culture of Spain.

Held from 6 June to 7 June, Digital Tourist 2024 is a special gathering of the digital and tourism sectors. It aims to encourage conversation, debate, and learnings about how digital technology can be used to create new opportunities in Spain, to achieve socioeconomic objectives.

Workshop on Reaching Premium Asian Travellers organized by Petal Ads, Huaweis advertising platform

During the event, Huawei showcased Petal Ads' role in helping increase average spend per visitor, spreading visitor flows, and ensuring travel momentum continues beyond peak season.

Huawei Hosts Roundtable on Challenges in Destination Marketing

During Digital Tourist 2024, Huawei hosted a roundtable meeting on challenges in destination marketing. A firm believer in tech's ability to help address pertinent industry issues, Huawei revealed its latest solutions designed to address the challenges faced by destination marketing organisations.

The roundtable gathered leaders such as Tono Franco, Director of Visit Valencia; Jose Camarero, Tourism Director at Comunitat Valenciana; Jose F. Mancebo; Director of the Tourist Board of Costa Blanca; May Escobar; Councillor for Tourism, Innovation, and Digitalisation of the City Council of Segovia; as well as Daniel Caro, CDO at Turismo de Andalucia. Maria Ramiro, Sales Director of Europe Advertising Business at Huawei Mobile Services, served as moderator for the roundtable.

During the round table, the importance of tailored marketing strategies for each tourist destination was highlighted, focusing on an effective marketing mix that converts interest into actual visits. Challenges discussed included the complexity of planning with public funds and the need for meticulous, destination-specific strategies. Emphasis was placed on the importance of data, formulating the right questions to gather relevant data, and the challenges of accessing long-distance market data, particularly from China. Attracting high-value tourists through sustainable and culturally enriching visits was deemed crucial. The conference concluded with a call for marketing strategies to balance effective promotion and sustainability.

Huawei's Workshop on Reaching Premium Asian Travellers

Helmed by Maria Ramiro, the workshop covered the best strategies for reaching premium Asian travellers.

Addressing the attendees, Maria Ramiro said, "Huawei will remain dedicated, in collaboration with valued partners, to offer enhanced marketing tools that help attract more Asian tourists to the beautiful destination of Spain. This includes raising the average spend per visitor, as well as helping drive tourists to lesser-known travel spots and distribute them more evenly across Spain at different times in the year."

About Petal Ads

Petal Ads, Huawei's mobile ad platform, connects publishers, advertisers, and marketers globally. Boasting over 360,000 publishers and a wide industry range with more than 200 sectors, it enables agencies and businesses to reach over 730 million new customers worldwide.

For more information on Petal Ads, visit: https://ads.huawei.com/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2433289/Huawei_Workshop_Petal_Ads.jpg

SOURCE Huawei Consumer Business Group
NEW YORK, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global hunting apparel market size is estimated to grow by USD 173.7 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 2.41% during the forecast period. Product innovation and product line extension leading to product premiumization is driving market growth, with a trend towards growing demand for hunting license. However, regulations on hunting and hunting ban poses a challenge. Key market players include American Stitchco Inc., Ariat International Inc., BPS Direct LLC, Clarkfield Outdoors, Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC, DICKS Sporting Goods Inc., Drake Waterfowl Systems, Exxel Outdoors LLC, Fabbrica dArmi Pietro Beretta S.p.A., Gamehide, Haas Outdoors Inc., Kryptek, KUIU Ultralight Hunting, NTA Enterprise Inc., Prois Hunting, Scentlok Technologies, ScoNZ Imports Ltd., TOPGUN LTD., Under Armour Inc., VF Corp., and W. L. Gore and Associates Inc..

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global hunting apparel market 2024-2028

Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies - View the snapshot of this report

Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Distribution Channel (Online and Offline), Type (Top wear, Bottom wear, Footwear, and Others accessories), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled American Stitchco Inc., Ariat International Inc., BPS Direct LLC, Clarkfield Outdoors, Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC, DICKS Sporting Goods Inc., Drake Waterfowl Systems, Exxel Outdoors LLC, Fabbrica dArmi Pietro Beretta S.p.A., Gamehide, Haas Outdoors Inc., Kryptek, KUIU Ultralight Hunting, NTA Enterprise Inc., Prois Hunting, Scentlok Technologies, ScoNZ Imports Ltd., TOPGUN LTD., Under Armour Inc., VF Corp., and W. L. Gore and Associates Inc.

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

The hunting apparel market experienced significant growth in 2023, with over 38 million licenses, tags, permits, and stamps registered in the US, generating a revenue of USD1 billion. North America's increase in international tourism, driven by adventure travel and eased travel restrictions, boosted demand for hunting apparel. The US market saw 11.5 million hunters aged 16 and above. Trophy hunting's popularity led to increased imports from Canada and South Africa, controlling over 70% of the market, thereby fueling global demand.

The Hunting Apparel market is experiencing significant growth with various regulations and consumer preferences influencing the industry. Consumers are seeking functional and comfortable clothing for different hunting conditions. Camouflage is a key trend in hunting apparel, with consumers looking for effective patterns to blend in with their surroundings. Comfortable and breathable materials are also important, with consumers preferring moisture-wicking and insulated fabrics.

Essentials such as hats, gloves, and boots are also popular items in the market. Brands are focusing on innovation, with features like adjustable cuffs, waterproofing, and quick-drying technology becoming increasingly popular. Overall, the Hunting Apparel market is expected to continue growing, driven by consumer demand for functional and comfortable clothing.

Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details- Download a Sample Report

Market Challenges

The global hunting apparel market has faced challenges due to regulatory restrictions. In 2022, the Spanish Parliament and the UK Parliament debated bills to ban trophy imports of protected species. California in the US is considering a ban on African trophy hunting. China banned hunting of wild animals in Wuhan to prevent the spread of coronavirus. These regulations have hindered market growth. Compliance with hunting laws and regulations is crucial for market participants.

in the US is considering a ban on African trophy hunting. banned hunting of wild animals in to prevent the spread of coronavirus. These regulations have hindered market growth. Compliance with hunting laws and regulations is crucial for market participants. The Hunting Apparel market faces several challenges. Clothing and equipment must be durable and protective against various weather conditions, such as cold, rain, and sun. Camouflage is essential for blending into the environment and ensuring a successful hunt. However, creating effective camouflage patterns is a challenge.

Additionally, the use of technology, like scent control and thermal imaging, adds complexity and cost to the apparel. Procurement of high-quality materials and manufacturing processes also pose challenges. Furthermore, keeping up with changing regulations and consumer preferences can be difficult. Overall, the Hunting Apparel industry requires innovative solutions to meet the demands of hunters while addressing these challenges.

For more insights on driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report

Segment Overview

Distribution Channel

1.1 Online

1.2 Offline

Type

2.1 Top wear

2.2 Bottom wear

2.3 Footwear

2.4 Others accessories

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 Europe

3.3 APAC

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 Online- The online distribution channel for hunting apparel is experiencing growth due to increased Internet and smartphone usage, leading to changing customer buying behaviors. This channel, which includes sales from manufacturers' websites, e-retailers like Amazon and eBay, and retailers' online platforms, offers a wide range of brands and products with the convenience of shopping on the go. The expanding telecommunications sector, with its favorable economic conditions and new technologies, is expected to boost online retailing, resulting in accelerated growth for the hunting apparel market during the forecast period.

For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report

Research Analysis

The Hunting Apparel Market caters to the needs of hunters seeking effective camouflage and protection in various climates and seasons. Hunting apparel includes camouflaged clothing such as jackets, pants, and gloves, designed with durable and weather-resistant materials for optimal performance. Quiet fabrics are essential to maintain stealth in the natural environment, while insulation and moisture-wicking fabrics ensure comfort in changing temperatures and moisture levels.

Scent control technologies are also integrated into hunting apparel to mask human odor and increase the chances of a successful hunt. Specialty hunting stores offer a wide range of hunting apparel, including layering systems, ethically sourced and recycled materials, and specialized features for specific game animals and hunting conditions. Outdoor enthusiasts value the durability, weather resistance, and quietness of hunting apparel, making it an essential investment for their pursuits.

Market Research Overview

The Hunting Apparel Market encompasses a wide range of clothing and equipment designed for hunters to ensure comfort, safety, and effectiveness during their outdoor pursuits. Key features of hunting apparel include moisture-wicking fabric, insulation for warmth, camouflage patterns for concealment, and durable materials for protection against the elements. Hunting apparel also includes accessories such as gloves, hats, and boots.

The market for hunting apparel is driven by the increasing popularity of hunting as a recreational activity and the advancements in technology and materials used in the production of hunting gear. The market is segmented based on product type, distribution channel, and region. Hunters seek functional, reliable, and comfortable apparel to enhance their hunting experience, making the Hunting Apparel Market a significant and growing industry.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Distribution Channel

Online



Offline

Type

Top Wear



Bottom Wear



Footwear



Others Accessories

Geography

North America



Europe



APAC



South America



Middle East And Africa

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America was recently named a Gold Winner for the 2024 Merit Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in HR for its philanthropic and youth development program. Hyundai and its employee resource group (ERG), Amigos Unidos, were recognized for the Career Experience Program, an annual program that seeks to generate interest and raise awareness of the various and diverse career opportunities available in the automotive industry.

College students attend the Hyundai Career Experience Program at Hyundai National Headquarters in Fountain Valley, Calif. on Oct. 13, 2023 (Photo/Hyundai) Hyundai Named Merit Award Gold Winner for Corporate Social Responsibility

"Hyundai is proud of this recognition from Merit Awards for our Career Experience Program," said Brandon Ramirez, director of corporate social responsibility, Hyundai Motor America. "This initiative is a testament to Hyundai's ongoing commitment to our local community and developing the future of the automotive workforce."

Available to middle school and first- and second-year college students, the Career Experience Program is an opportunity for students to hear from employees in various departments and to participate in workshops highlighting these careers.

The Merit Awards for human resources were judged based on submissions that addressed leadership, innovation, positive work environment, and more. The Merit Awards are judged by industry executives, Merit Awards staff, members of the media, and consultants.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
BEAVERTON, Ore., June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary, LLT Management LLC (collectively referred to as "the companies"), have agreed to pay approximately $8 billion nominal over 25 years to individuals who claim that talcum powder products made them sick. Individuals who believe they became sick from using J&J products containing talc, such as Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower, may have the opportunity to vote on a bankruptcy plan that outlines how claims will be paid. This is being released by Epiq Corporate Restructuring, LLC the balloting and solicitation agent for LLT Management LLC ("LLT").

The companies maintain that their products are safe, do not contain asbestos, and do not cause cancer or other illnesses. Notably, Johnson & Johnson discontinued Johnson's talc-based Baby Powder in May 2020 and sold Shower to Shower to another company in 2012.

What is the Plan?

The Plan commits the Company to pay ovarian claimants a present value of approximately $6.475 billion to be paid over 25 years.

to be paid over 25 years. Under the Plan, a multi-billion-dollar trust will be established to pay current and future talc claims related to ovarian cancer. If the Plan is approved, claimants will not be able to bring lawsuits against the companies or other parties for any talc-related claims covered by the Plan.

J&J and LLT have won approximately 95% of ovarian cancer cases tried to date, including every ovarian cancer case tried over the last six years. Based on the historical run rate, if the Plan is not approved, it could take decades to litigate the remaining cases, potentially preventing most claimants from ever having "their day in court."

While the solicitation of the Plan is pending, J&J and LLT remain committed to litigating in the tort system against claimants who elect not to settle, including challenging the scientific validity of the claimants' experts.

How Can Claimants Vote on the Plan?

Information about how to vote is provided in a solicitation package, which includes details on the proposed bankruptcy, the Plan, and a ballot.

Claimants must cast their vote to accept or reject the Plan by 4:00 p.m. (Central Time) on July 26, 2024 .

What If a Claimant Has Already Filed a Talc Claim?

Claimants or their attorneys will receive a solicitation package.

If a Claimant has not received a solicitation package, they can request one by visiting www.OfficialTalcClaims.com or calling 1-888-431-4056.

What If a Claimant Has Not Filed a Talc Claim?

Visit www.OfficialTalcClaims.com or call 1-888-431-4056 to request a solicitation package to determine whether you can vote on the Plan.

When Will the Court Decide on the Plan?

If the Plan is accepted by at least 75% of voters, a bankruptcy may be filed under the case name In re: Red River Talc LLC .

. This will take place in a bankruptcy court in Texas or in the bankruptcy court of another jurisdiction. A hearing to confirm the Plan will be scheduled and further notifications will be issued if the court sets a deadline for objections.

Additional Questions?

1-888-431-4056 (Toll-Free U.S. & Canada ) or +1-503-822-6762 (International) Or Visit www.OfficialTalcClaims.Com .

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Epiq Corporate Restructuring, LLC
NEW YORK, June 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global mezcal market size is estimated to grow by USD 649.5 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 16.57% during the forecast period. Rising demand for premium spirit products is driving market growth, with a trend towards popularity of handcrafted, artisanal mezcal. However, growing production and supply constraints poses a challenge. Key market players include BACK BAR PROJECT, BANHEZ SPIRITS COMPANY LLC, Becle SAB de CV, Campari Group, Craft Distillers, Destileria Tlacolula, Diageo Plc, DONA VEGA LLC, Dos Hombres Inc., El Silencio Holdings LLC, Ilegal Mezcal, Kimo Sabe Mezcal, Lagrimas de Dolores SPR de RL, Las Joyas del Agave SA de CV, Mezcal de Amor SAPI de CV, Mezcal Vago, Pernod Ricard SA, Rey Campero, and Scorpion Mezcal.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global mezcal market 2024-2028

Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies- View the snapshot of this report

Mezcal Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 16.57% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 649.5 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 13.84 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America,

and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 64% Key countries Mexico, US, Germany, UK, and China Key companies profiled BACK BAR PROJECT, BANHEZ SPIRITS

COMPANY LLC, Becle SAB de CV, Campari

Group, Craft Distillers, Destileria Tlacolula, Diageo

Plc, DONA VEGA LLC, Dos Hombres Inc., El

Silencio Holdings LLC, Ilegal Mezcal, Kimo Sabe

Mezcal, Lagrimas de Dolores SPR de RL, Las

Joyas del Agave SA de CV, Mezcal de Amor SAPI

de CV, Mezcal Vago, Pernod Ricard SA, Rey

Campero, and Scorpion Mezcal

Market Driver

The global mezcal market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for handcrafted, artisanal mezcal spirits. Established distillers like Diageo and Tequila Cuervo are industrializing production, but consumers in North America prefer traditionally crafted mezcal from small-scale family distilleries. Premium vendors such as Pernod Ricard, Kimo Sabe, and Fidencio offer innovative, aesthetically packaged products to cater to high-end consumers. The rise in artisanal mezcal popularity has led to an increase in mezcal tours in Mexico, attracting tourists to learn about production in villages like Oaxaca, Durango, Zacatecas, and Guerrero.

The agave-based spirit, Mezcal, is experiencing a surge in global demand. Oxacan and Guanajuato are significant production regions. Craft and super-premium Mezcal segments are trending. Consumers seek authentic, smoky flavors. Markets in the US, Europe, and Asia are growing. The market is diverse, with various brands and sizes. Milennials and mixologists favor Mezcal. Sustainability and terroir are key concerns. The sector is competitive, with new players entering regularly. The market is expected to continue its growth trajectory.

Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details- Download a Sample Report

Market Challenges

The global mezcal market faces challenges due to the long maturing period of agave plants used in production. Thirty agave species offer distinct flavors, with tobala maturing in 15 years and tepeztate in 25. Established brands like Montelobos source their own agave, leaving smaller players at a disadvantage. The depletion of wild agave resources and rising demand are expected to create a supply-demand gap. Additionally, the shortage of wood for distillation ovens and increased certification costs hamper market growth.

The Mezcal market faces several challenges in its production and distribution. One major challenge is the handcrafted nature of Mezcal production, which makes it difficult to scale up and meet increasing demand. Another challenge is the lack of standardization in the industry, leading to inconsistency in product quality. Additionally, the market is heavily dominated by a few key players, making it challenging for new entrants to gain a foothold.

Furthermore, the regulatory environment can be complex, with different rules and regulations in various markets. Lastly, the perception of Mezcal as a niche or specialty spirit limits its reach to a wider audience. These challenges require innovative solutions and strategic partnerships to overcome and grow the Mezcal market.

For more insights on driver and challenges - Request a sample report!

Segment Overview

Product

1.1 Mezcal joven

1.2 Mezcal reposado

1.3 Mezcal anejo

Distribution Channel

2.1 Offline stores

2.2 Online stores

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 Europe

3.3 APAC

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 Mezcal joven- Mezcal Market experiences steady growth, attracting both domestic and international consumers. Our business focuses on importing and distributing authentic Mezcal brands. We prioritize quality and tradition, ensuring our customers receive top-tier products. Our team builds strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring a consistent supply chain. We continuously expand our product offerings to cater to diverse consumer preferences. Our marketing efforts aim to educate the public about Mezcal's unique taste and cultural significance.

For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017-2021) - Download a Sample Report

Research Analysis

The Mezcal market encompasses the production and distribution of Agave-based alcohol-based drinks, specifically Mezcal, in regions such as Oaxaca, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, Michoacan, Durango, Puebla. This market caters to the preferences of millennials and bartenders, who seek out unique and authentic craft spirits. Mezcal, a high-priced alcoholic beverage, is produced from the Agave plant and comes in various forms, including Reposado and Anejo.

Government regulation plays a significant role in the Mezcal market, ensuring the authenticity and quality of the product. The market is segmented into store-based and non-store-based channels, with specialty stores being a key distribution point for this niche alcoholic beverage. E-commerce platforms also offer Mezcal for sale, making it accessible to a wider audience. Woolworth and other retailers stock Mezcal, alongside craft beer and smoothies, adding to the diverse range of alcoholic beverages available to consumers.

Market Research Overview

The Mezcal market encompasses the production, distribution, and consumption of this traditional Mexican spirit. Agave plants are harvested and roasted in earthen pits, releasing unique flavors. The distillation process involves using copper stills, resulting in a complex and smoky taste. The market is characterized by its artisanal production methods, with many craft distilleries using traditional techniques. The market is growing due to increasing global demand for authentic and unique spirits.

The market is segmented by regions, with significant growth in the US and Europe. Consumption is driven by cultural trends and the desire for premium and authentic experiences. The market faces challenges such as counterfeit products and regulatory issues. The future of the Mezcal market lies in innovation, sustainability, and education to maintain its authenticity and appeal to consumers.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Product

Mezcal Joven



Mezcal Reposado



Mezcal Anejo

Distribution Channel

Offline Stores



Online Stores

Geography

North America



Europe



APAC



South America



Middle East And Africa

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Tune in at 8:05 a.m. ET on June 11 for a fireside chat with AT&T's chief financial officer, where he will cover recent progress on the company's multiyear growth strategy.

Key Takeaways:

AT&T continues to make progress on its sustainable, long-term growth strategy and remains on track to meet all of its financial guidance.

The company continues to see healthy customer demand for world-class 5G and fiber connectivity.

As one of the largest investors in telecommunications infrastructure in the United States , AT&T remains focused on building vital, high-performance 5G and fiber networks. To support these efforts, the company continues to expect 2024 capital investment in the $21 -22 billion range.

DALLAS, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pascal Desroches, chief financial officer, AT&T (NYSE:T) Inc., will speak tomorrow at the Bank of America C-Suite TMT Conference where he will provide an update to shareholders. Here are the key topics Desroches is expected to cover:

The company's focus on leading with world-class connectivity is working.

AT&T continues to benefit from the connectivity-focused, investment-led strategy it laid out about four years ago. By executing on a simple playbook, the company is achieving steady customer growth, improving returns and enabling additional investments that are benefiting the business.

AT&T's simple and consistent go-to-market approach continues to resonate with customers and has created a sustainable model for healthy growth and strong cash conversion.

AT&T remains focused on growing durable relationships with high-quality 5G & fiber customers.

The company continues to see healthy, but normalizing, wireless industry trends and is pleased with how the Mobility business is performing in the second quarter. AT&T expects a lower year-over-year postpaid upgrade rate in the second quarter, consistent with the recent trend.

AT&T Fiber penetration rates continue to exceed initial business case assumptions with net adds varying from quarter to quarter based on seasonality, market dynamics and the pace of new fiber locations passed.

AT&T's connectivity portfolio continues to expand and includes multiple technologies, including 5G, fiber and the company's fixed wireless access product  AT&T Internet Air  which is now available in parts of 95 locations for consumers and nationwide for businesses.

AT&T is uniquely positioned to offer converged services at scale across its owned and operated 5G and fiber networks. With the largest wireless network in North America 1 and the largest domestic consumer fiber internet network2, AT&T benefits from owner's economics when it adds converged mobile and broadband subscribers.

AT&T remains on track to achieve its financial guidance.

The company remains confident in its ability to deliver on all of the financial guidance shared during its earnings report in April 2024 .

. AT&T also remains focused on driving incremental efficiencies through its goal of $2 billion+ in run-rate cost savings by mid-2026.

The company is on track to achieve net-debt to adjusted EBITDA in the 2.5x range in the first half of 2025. It also plans to continue addressing short-term financing obligations as it shapes an even more sustainable and ratable free cash flow cadence.

AT&T continues to invest in the future of America's connectivity.

AT&T continues to make critical investments in its wireless and fiber future. Over the past five years, from 2019 to 2023, AT&T invested $145 billion+ primarily in its wireless and wireline networks, including capital investments and acquisitions of wireless spectrum 3 . To support its ongoing investment in 5G and fiber, the company continues to expect 2024 capital investment in the $21 -22 billion range.

. To support its ongoing investment in 5G and fiber, the company continues to expect 2024 capital investment in the -22 billion range. AT&T believes fiber is the best internet access technology available today, and is pursuing a variety of models for connecting more people with fiber. This includes AT&T's in-footprint fiber build, which already passes 27 million+ consumer and business locations today and remains on pace to pass 30 million+ consumer and business locations by the end of 2025. Based on fiber returns that are better than initial assumptions, AT&T sees a potential opportunity to pass an incremental 10 to 15 million consumer and business fiber locations within its existing footprint  assuming similar build parameters and a regulatory environment that incentivizes investing in America's robust connectivity needs. Outside of AT&T's footprint, its Gigapower joint venture with BlackRock, through a fund managed by its Diversified Infrastructure business, has been up and running for just over a year with fiber build progress in parts of Arizona , Florida , Minnesota , Nevada , New Mexico , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and South Carolina . The company is also pursuing opportunities to invest in fiber through public-private partnerships including the American Rescue Plan ( ARP ) and Broadband Equity, Access and Development (BEAD) Program.

In Mobility, AT&T is advancing and modernizing its wireless network by accelerating the transition to Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN), which the company believes will enable a more robust supplier ecosystem and drive efficiencies and longer-term cost savings.

The company also continues to invest in growing in traditionally underpenetrated segments of its Mobility business, such as public safety. AT&T is delivering FirstNet  the nation's only communications platform dedicated to public safety, which now has 6 million+ FirstNet connections on the network.

Additionally, through a definitive commercial agreement with AST SpaceMobile, announced last month, AT&T took another step toward providing more ubiquitous connectivity for consumers and businesses via a space-based broadband network direct to everyday cell phones. In 2023, in collaboration with AT&T, AST SpaceMobile delivered several industry-first wins such as the first-ever 5G cellular connectivity, 4G voice and video call, and text via space between everyday smartphones.

These collective efforts to enhance, expand and differentiate AT&T's network further improve its ability to provide customers with high-speed internet service wherever they are, and advance AT&T's progress on becoming America's best converged connectivity provider.

The webcast of Desroches' conversation will be available live, and for replay, at AT&T Investor Relations.

1 Based on comparison of carrier owned & operated networks. No AT&T on-net coverage in select countries, including Canada. Details: att.com/international. Destinations covered: att.com/globalcountries. 5G claim based on nationwide GWS drive test data. GWS conducts paid drive tests for AT&T and uses the data in its analysis. AT&T 5G requires compatible plan and device. 5G coverage not available everywhere. Learn more at att.com/5Gforyou.

2 Based on publicly available data of the number of fiber-to-the-home households.

3 The years ended December 31, 2020 through 2023 present results from continuing operations, and the year ended December 31, 2019 includes comparable adjustments to remove capital expenditures from discontinued operations.

About AT&T

We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

This news release may contain certain non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations between the non-GAAP financial measures and the GAAP financial measures are available on the company's website at https://investors.att.com.

 2024 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the Globe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property.

SOURCE AT&T
 Co-Founder and CEO Isaac Barchas now serves as a special advisor and board member to the company, as well as a founding partner of Arsenal Bridge Ventures 

AUSTIN, Texas, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Research Bridge Partners, which cultivates novel biomedical startup companies based on the breakthroughs of preeminent innovators at mid-continent research universities, announced the appointment of Lydia McClure, Ph.D. as the company's Chief Executive Officer. The move took immediate effect following a unanimous vote by the company's board of directors on October 4, 2023.

Research Bridge Partners Logo (PRNewsfoto/Research Bridge Partners)

She succeeds Co-Founder and CEO Isaac Barchas who now serves as a special advisor and board member of the company, as well as a founding partner of Arsenal Bridge Ventures, which advances elite biotechnology innovations at mid-continent research universities where commercial and venture networks are underdeveloped.

A Ph.D. in molecular biology, McClure joined Research Bridge Partners in 2017 as a Vice President after serving in various leadership positions with both the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Austin Technology Incubator. Prior to her appointment as Chief Executive Officer, she served as Senior Vice President overseeing the company's partnership with Lyda Hill Philanthropies to develop successful biomedical spinouts at UT Southwestern Medical Center, while advising the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), Convergence Accelerator and I-Corps regarding the commercialization of biomedical research.

"Where Research Bridge Partners has excelled  and where we remain particularly focused  is better deal creation through better data," she said. "That begins with helping world-class innovators understand the distinction between academic data, regulatory-facing data and the data most valued by venture capitalists. We expect to expand our work into new geographies and partnerships in the new year, while serving as an official spoke of the Boston investor catalyst hub within the framework launched by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)."

McClure continued: "We enable innovators to become the scientific co-founders of successful spinouts, working with them to develop IP, regulatory, business development and product strategies. We also connect them with like-minded investors, scaling business talent and drug developers."

Co-founder and Board Chair Reid Hoffman remarked: "Lydia's ascension as CEO marks the next stage in the evolution of Research Bridge Partners. Her ability to use data to establish and scale successful biomedical spinouts, as evidenced by her collaborations with preeminent innovators in both the public and private sectors, is extraordinary."

About Research Bridge Partners

Research Bridge Partners cultivates novel biomedical startup companies based on the breakthroughs of preeminent innovators at mid-continent research universitiescreating high quality investment opportunities that are sourced from geographies with thinner commercialization resources.

We work with preeminent academic researchers nationwide to develop IP, regulatory, business development and product strategies, while establishing effective corporate structures to create portfolio-ready opportunities for downstream investors. Just like their best peers on either coast, mid-continent innovators can now co-found scientific startups that contribute to society's greater good and create economic value, in addition to enhancing the resources of their labs and the opportunities for their colleagues.

SOURCE Research Bridge Partners
DENVER, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SM Energy Company (the "Company") (NYSE: SM) intends to participate in the following upcoming investor conference and plans to post an investor presentation to the Company's website at www.sm-energy.com/investors before market open on June 18, 2024.

June 18, 2024  J.P. Morgan Energy, Power and Renewables Conference. President and Chief Executive Officer Herb Vogel will present at 10:55 a.m. Eastern time and will also meet with investors in one-on-one settings. The event will be webcast, accessible from the Company's website, and available for replay for a limited period.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities laws. The words "intends to" and "plans to" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, among other things, the expectation that the Company will participate in certain events and post presentations in accordance with these events. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak as of the date of this presentation. Although SM Energy may from time to time voluntarily update its prior forward-looking statements, it disclaims any commitment to do so, except as required by applicable securities laws.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

SM Energy Company is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs in the state of Texas. SM Energy routinely posts important information about the Company on its website. For more information about SM Energy, please visit its website at www.sm-energy.com.

SM ENERGY INVESTOR CONTACTS

Jennifer Martin Samuels, [email protected], 303-864-2507

SOURCE SM Energy Company
NEW YORK, June 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global third-party chemical distribution market size is estimated to grow by USD 138 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 8% during the forecast period. Growing focus on chemical distribution is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing demand for customization and specialization. However, advent of innovative distribution channels poses a challenge. Key market players include Barentz International BV, Biesterfeld AG, BRENNTAG SE, HELM AG, ICC Chemical Corp., IMCD NV, Jebsen and Jessen Pte Ltd., Manuchar NV, Obegi Group, Omya International AG, Petrochem, Protea Chemicals, REDA Chemicals, Redox Ltd., Sea Land Chemical Co., Snetor SA, Stockmeier Holding GmbH, Tricon Energy Inc., Univar Solutions Inc., and Wilbur Ellis Holdings Inc..

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global third-party chemical distribution 2024-2028

Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies - View the snapshot of this report

Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Type (Commodity chemicals and Speciality

chemicals), Application (Textiles, Automotive and

transportation, Agriculture, Pharmaceuticals, and

Industrial), and Geography (APAC, Europe, North

America, South America, and Middle East and

Africa) Region Covered APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and

Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled Barentz International BV, Biesterfeld AG,

BRENNTAG SE, HELM AG, ICC Chemical Corp.,

IMCD NV, Jebsen and Jessen Pte Ltd., Manuchar

NV, Obegi Group, Omya International AG,

Petrochem, Protea Chemicals, REDA Chemicals,

Redox Ltd., Sea Land Chemical Co., Snetor SA,

Stockmeier Holding GmbH, Tricon Energy Inc.,

Univar Solutions Inc., and Wilbur Ellis Holdings Inc.

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

The third-party chemical distribution market is experiencing growth due to the rising demand for customized solutions in various industries. These distributors, with their expertise in niche markets and specialized applications, offer value-added services such as custom blends, formulations, and technical support. As industries focus on innovation and efficiency, third-party distributors' in-depth industry knowledge enables them to provide specialized advice, technical support, and regulatory compliance assistance. This partnership allows chemical manufacturers to concentrate on their core competencies, ultimately enhancing their competitiveness in the global market.

The third-party chemical distribution market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing demand for various chemicals in industries such as agriculture, automotive, and electronics. Environmental regulations and the need for sustainable solutions are also influencing market trends. Companies are focusing on improving supply chain efficiency and implementing advanced technologies like traceability systems and logistics optimization.

Consumers seek reliable and consistent chemical supplies, driving the adoption of long-term contracts and strategic partnerships. The market is competitive, with key players offering customized solutions and expanding their global footprint. The use of digital platforms and e-commerce is increasing, enabling real-time market intelligence and streamlined transactions.

Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details- Download a Sample Report

Market Challenges

The global third-party chemical distribution market faces challenges from direct sales by manufacturers and advanced technologies. Traditionally, self-distribution accounts for 90% of chemical distribution. Technologies like Blockchain enable direct contracts between manufacturers and end-users, eliminating intermediaries. Online sales also encourage manufacturers to bypass distributors, threatening their role in the value chain. To compete, third-party distributors must focus on value-added services and strong customer and supplier relationships.

The third-party chemical distribution market faces several challenges. Commodity chemicals require consistent supply and delivery, but price volatility and supply disruptions can pose issues. Environmental regulations and compliance are also major challenges. The need for efficient and effective logistics and transportation is crucial to meet customer demands.

Additionally, the increasing trend towards automation and digitization requires chemical distributors to invest in technology and adapt to changing business models. Competition from both local and global players adds to the complexity of the market. Effective communication and collaboration with suppliers, customers, and regulatory bodies are essential to navigate these challenges and succeed in the third-party chemical distribution industry.

For more insights on driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report

Segment Overview

Type

1.1 Commodity chemicals

1.2 Speciality chemicals

Application

2.1 Textiles

2.2 Automotive and transportation

2.3 Agriculture

2.4 Pharmaceuticals

2.5 Industrial

Geography

3.1 APAC

3.2 Europe

3.3 North America

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 Commodity chemicals- The Third-Party Chemical Distribution Market is a significant business sector, involving the sale and delivery of chemicals from one company to another. Distributors play a vital role in the supply chain, providing customers with a wide range of chemicals and ensuring timely delivery. This market is driven by various factors, including increasing industrialization, growing demand for specialty chemicals, and the need for efficient supply chain solutions.

Companies in this market focus on building strong relationships with suppliers and customers to secure competitive prices and maintain a steady inventory. Effective logistics and transportation are also crucial for ensuring on-time delivery and customer satisfaction. Overall, the Third-Party Chemical Distribution Market is a dynamic and essential business arena that contributes significantly to various industries.

For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report

Research Analysis

The Third-Party Chemical Distribution Market encompasses the transportation, logistics, and storage of a diverse range of chemicals, including bulk chemicals and specialty chemicals, for various businesses and industry verticals such as Pharmaceutical, Electronics, Agriculture, and more. SMEs in this sector increasingly leverage e-commerce platforms and digital technologies for streamlined operations and improved supply chain visibility.

Regulations play a crucial role in ensuring safety training and technical expertise for all stakeholders involved. Automation, traceability, and artificial intelligence are transforming the industry by enhancing efficiency and accuracy in the distribution process. Digitalization is also enabling better communication and collaboration between chemical manufacturers, laboratories, and end-users.

Market Research Overview

The Third-Party Chemical Distribution Market plays a significant role in the global chemical industry by facilitating the supply of a diverse range of chemicals to various sectors. This market involves the procurement, storage, and distribution of chemicals from manufacturers to end-users. The market is segmented based on the type of chemicals, application industries, and regions. The demand for third-party chemical distribution services is driven by factors such as increasing industrialization, growing demand for specialty chemicals, and the need for just-in-time delivery.

The market also faces challenges such as regulatory compliance, logistical complexities, and price volatility. Strategies such as inventory management, technology integration, and sustainable practices are being adopted to overcome these challenges and gain a competitive edge. The future of the Third-Party Chemical Distribution Market looks promising with the increasing adoption of e-commerce platforms and the growing trend towards outsourcing chemical distribution services.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Type

Commodity Chemicals



Speciality Chemicals

Application

Textiles



Automotive And Transportation



Agriculture



Pharmaceuticals



Industrial

Geography

APAC



Europe



North America



South America



Middle East And Africa

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global unmanned surface vehicle market size is estimated to grow by USD 2.31 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 14.19% during the forecast period. Increased research and investment in USVs is driving market growth, with a trend towards increased emphasis on use of ai in USVs. However, high number of substitute products poses a challenge. Key market players include 5G International Inc., AutoNaut Ltd., Clearpath Robotics Inc., Deep Ocean Engineering Inc., ECA Group, Elbit Systems Ltd., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Liquid Robotics Inc., Marakeb Technologies LLC, Maritime Robotics, Maritime Tactical Systems Inc., Ocean Aero, Oceanalpha Group Ltd., QinetiQ Ltd., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Rakuten Group Inc., Saildrone Inc., SeaRobotics Corp., Textron Inc., and thyssenkrupp AG.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global unmanned surface vehicle market 2024-2028

Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies - View the snapshot of this report

Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered End-user (Defense and Commercial), Type (Remotely operated and Autonomous), and Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled 5G International Inc., AutoNaut Ltd., Clearpath Robotics Inc., Deep Ocean Engineering Inc., ECA Group, Elbit Systems Ltd., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Liquid Robotics Inc., Marakeb Technologies LLC, Maritime Robotics, Maritime Tactical Systems Inc., Ocean Aero, Oceanalpha Group Ltd., QinetiQ Ltd., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Rakuten Group Inc., Saildrone Inc., SeaRobotics Corp., Textron Inc., and thyssenkrupp AG

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) are experiencing significant growth due to advancements in AI technology. The US Navy's Task Force 59 has integrated AI into USVs, completing over 15,000 sailing hours in Bahrain and Jordan. Chinese company Beikun Intelligence's 200-ton AI-operated USV has completed trials, with plans for collision avoidance tests.

USVs offer real-time sensing, autonomous sailing, and remote networking. iXblues' DriX USV is designed for civilian markets, while OceanAlpha's USVs use AI, cloud servers, and data communication for collision avoidance. China will deploy OceanAlpha's electric-propelled USVs for goods transportation in the South China Sea.

The Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing demand for autonomous solutions in various industries. Capabilities such as secure communication, advanced sensors, and improved battery life are driving the trend. The use of USVs in applications like hydrographic surveys, oil and gas exploration, and military operations is on the rise.

Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies is enhancing the functionality and efficiency of USVs. Companies are focusing on developing cost-effective and reliable USVs to cater to the growing demand. The market is expected to continue its upward trajectory in the coming years.

Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details- Download a Sample Report

Market Challenges

 Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) face significant competition from various substitutes, hindering market expansion. Major alternatives include Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), widely used in underwater exploration and ocean mapping. ROVs are tethered to a nearby vessel, while AUVs operate independently but are costlier.

 Another emerging threat is Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, which offer cost savings and increased efficiency for external vessel inspections, tank inspections, bathymetric surveys, and offshore wind energy systems monitoring.

 The Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) market faces several challenges. One key challenge is the complex nature of ocean conditions, which require advanced technology for navigation and operation. Another challenge is the need for reliable communication systems to ensure USVs can transmit data and receive instructions in real-time. Additionally, the cost of developing and maintaining USVs can be high, making it essential to find cost-effective solutions.

 Furthermore, ensuring USVs comply with regulations and safety standards is a significant challenge. Lastly, integrating USVs with other systems, such as underwater vehicles and satellite technology, can be complex and requires extensive research and development.

For more insights on driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report

Segment Overview

End-user

1.1 Defense

1.2 Commercial

Type

2.1 Remotely operated

2.2 Autonomous

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 APAC

3.3 Europe

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 Defense- Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) are gaining significant traction in various industries due to their cost-effective and efficient operations. These vehicles offer solutions for tasks such as hydrographic surveys, oceanographic research, and military applications. Key players in the USV market include Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Rolls-Royce. Collaborations and partnerships are driving innovation and growth in the sector. For instance, Rolls-Royce and L3Harris Technologies announced a collaboration to develop autonomous USVs for the U.S. Navy. The market is expected to continue expanding, driven by increasing demand for automation and remote operations.

For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report

Research Analysis

The Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) market encompasses the development, production, and deployment of solar-powered vessels equipped with advanced technologies for various applications. These applications include water quality monitoring, climatic conditions assessment, and ocean data mapping. USVs are also utilized in scientific research, such as pollution studies and maritime security threats detection. Real-time monitoring systems, pre-programmed with collision detection technologies, ensure safe and efficient fleet management.

Fishery products inspection and disaster management services are further enhanced by USVs. Technological complexities, such as lithium-ion batteries and solar energy integration, are addressed to ensure long-lasting and eco-friendly operations. USVs are remotely operated and come in various forms, including ground robots, aerial robots, underwater robots, and surface vehicles. Sensors like seismometers and pressure sensors are integrated to gather comprehensive data. USVs play a crucial role in mitigating risks associated with marine disasters, such as those reminiscent of the Chernobyl disaster, by providing early warning systems and response capabilities.

Market Research Overview

The Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) market represents the design, development, production, and deployment of autonomous boats and ships for various applications. These vehicles are equipped with advanced technologies such as GPS navigation, sensors, and communication systems, enabling them to operate without human intervention. USVs are used for tasks including hydrographic surveys, oil and gas exploration, military operations, and research.

The market is driven by factors such as increasing demand for efficient and cost-effective solutions, technological advancements, and growing applications in diverse industries. Additionally, governments and organizations continue to invest in USV research and development to expand their capabilities and capabilities. The USV market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years due to these factors and the increasing adoption of automation in marine industries.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

End-user

Defense



Commercial

Type

Remotely Operated



Autonomous

Geography

North America



APAC



Europe



South America



Middle East And Africa

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
DUBAI, UAE, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- XRP Healthcare, a trailblazer in the healthcare sector, is proud to announce the appointment of Mergers and Acquisitions specialist Whitney Lynn as its new Chairman.

This strategic move comes as XRP Healthcare is set to embark on an ambitious mergers and acquisitions (M&A) venture, having successfully registered its trademark in Uganda.

XRP Healthcare Welcomes 10 Billion Dollar M&A Specialist Whitney Lynn to Head Africa Expansion

This crucial milestone paves the way for the consolidation, improvement, and integration of pharmacies, medical centres, and hospitals into a unified, high-performing conglomerate.

Whitney Lynn's appointment is also a crucial step in XRP Healthcare's journey towards operating as one cohesive entity, eliminating reliance on third parties, ensuring brand awareness, and setting the stage for exponential growth.

Whitney Lynn, a seasoned veteran with over 45 years of experience in M&A, business development, startups, investment, and leadership, is now fully committed to XRP Healthcare.

As Vice President of Software Mergers and Acquisitions at Corum Group Ltd, Whitney played a role in helping create over 10 billion USD in wealth and conducting over 400 M&A transactions in more than 13 countries. His dedication and expertise will be instrumental as the company enters this transformative phase.

Whitney will be working closely with notable figures such as Peter Waiswa, who advises UNICEF, WHO, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to maximize and leverage efforts in establishing a greatly improved private healthcare system in Uganda. They will be supported by partners like UK-based Isansys Lifecare, which collaborates with the NHS, and Spiritus Medical, licensed by NASA JPL to manufacture the NASA-designed Vital Ventilator, of which both companies in concern have awarded XRP Healthcare the exclusive rights to use, promote and sell its equipment in Uganda.

Whitney Lynn stated: "I am honoured to join XRP Healthcare at such an exciting time. The vision set forth by Laban and Kain Roomes is both inspiring and ambitious. I am fully committed to dedicating my efforts and expertise to ensure we achieve our strategic objectives. Together, we will create a healthcare conglomerate that stands as a beacon of quality and innovation."

Kain Roomes, CEO and Founder of XRP Healthcare, added: "We are thrilled to have Whitney Lynn at the helm as Chairman. His sole focus on XRP Healthcare underscores the importance of our mission and the confidence we have in our strategic direction. Whitney's experience and dedication are unparalleled, and his leadership will be critical in guiding our efforts to create a robust healthcare conglomerate. This is a significant step forward for XRP Healthcare, and we are confident that Whitney will lead us to new heights."

Laban Roomes, Business Development Officer at XRP Healthcare, commented: "Whitney Lynn's commitment to XRP Healthcare is not just a professional alignment but a shared vision. His extensive background in healthcare management and strategic growth is exactly what XRP Healthcare require at this pivotal moment. Whitney's leadership will be key in navigating the complexities of our M&A activities, ensuring that we achieve our goals of consolidation and improvement."

Whitney Lynn's appointment comes at a time when XRP Healthcare is poised to make significant strides in the healthcare sector. The successful trademark registration in Uganda is a testament to the company's commitment to brand integrity and excellence. This achievement is essential for the branding and recognition of the healthcare entities that XRP Healthcare intends to acquire and merge this year.

Beyond Africa, XRP Healthcare is making waves and achieving innovative breakthroughs globally. The XRP Healthcare Prescription Savings Card, which can save up to 80% on medications, is used in household name stores in the USA such as Walmart, CVS Pharmacy, and Walgreens. This card offers significant weekly, monthly, and yearly savings for people diagnosed with various illnesses and conditions requiring repeat medications.

As XRP Healthcare moves forward with its M&A venture, the company remains dedicated to improving healthcare standards and accessibility. Under Whitney Lynn's leadership, XRP Healthcare is well-positioned to transform the healthcare landscape, delivering exceptional value, and improving the quality of care for patients.

About XRP Healthcare

XRP Healthcare is the first pharma and healthcare platform on the XRP Ledger, enabling fast global payments, improving healthcare access in emerging markets, and creating real-world utility by transforming global healthcare through mergers, acquisitions and blockchain.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2433923/XRP_Healthcare_Whitney_Lynn.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2365357/XRP_Healthcare_Logo.jpg

SOURCE XRP Healthcare
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Lucknow, June 10 : Eleven members of a family sustained serious burn injuries after a major fire broke out at a house in the Para area of Lucknow, late on Sunday night, fire authorities said.

The condition of two of the family members is said to be critical.

Lucknow Chief Fire Officer Mangesh Kumar said that the control room was informed about a fire breaking out in a house located in the Devpur locality of Para.

Locals reported a huge amount of smoke and flames engulfing the house.

"Immediately, two fire tenders from the Alambagh fire station, led by the station in-charge, were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, it was observed that the fire engulfed the basement and ground floor of the house. Immediate action was taken as two hose pipes were deployed to encircle and extinguish the blaze," Kumar added.

Firemen successfully rescued 11 members of the house, along with several dogs and birds trapped inside.

Additional fire tenders were called from Alambagh before the fire could be extinguished.

The injured family members were immediately taken to Rani Laxmi Bai Hospital, from where two were referred to the Civil Hospital.

Fire officials said that prima facie, it appeared that the compressor of the air conditioner had burst into flames, which then spread to two large tanks holding about 100 litres of kerosene oil, engulfing the entire house in fire.
Meerut : , June 10 (IANS) Four persons, including two women have been detained in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a constable's six-year-old son in Meerut's Dhanpur village in Incholi police circle.

Gopal Yadav, a Uttar Pradesh Police Constable, is currently posted in Saharanpur.

His six-year-old son Puneet disappeared while playing from outside his house on Sunday morning and a few hours later, Gopal Yadav received a ransom letter with a demand for Rs 50 lakh.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Rohit Singh Sajwan, said that based on the family's complaint, the police detained a local woman.

However, soon the family found the boy's body in a sugarcane field in the village.

The SSP added that the victim's family members have alleged that the boy was murdered "intentionally".

Circle Officer Navina Shukla said that police were analysing the ransom letter.

The killing is suspected to be a result of a land dispute the family had with another family, she added.
Jerusalem, June 10 : Israel's centrist War Cabinet Minister, Benny Gantz, has announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency government and called for new elections.

In response, Netanyahu released a statement on Sunday saying that "Israel is in an existential war on several fronts. Benny, this is not the time to abandon the campaign".

In a televised press conference, Gantz accused Netanyahu of prioritising his political survival over a ceasefire deal that would secure the release of about 100 hostages held in Gaza, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Unfortunately, Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing toward the real victory," said Gantz on Sunday.

"Strategic decisions are met with hesitation due to political considerations."

Echoing increasing public protest against Netanyahu's government, Gantz called for a new round of elections in the fall.

He urged Netanyahu to set an agreed date to hold them.

"Don't let our people to be torn apart," he said.

Gantz's decision to withdraw his centrist party from Netanyahu's far-right coalition left it with ultra-orthodox ministers, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who advocate for reoccupying the Gaza Strip and expanding Israeli settlements there.

Gantz's resignation followed a May ultimatum he issued to the right-wing Prime Minister, demanding that Netanyahu develop a clear post-conflict strategy for Gaza, where Israel has been conducting a fatal assault, and agree to a hostage-ceasefire agreement.
Aden : , June 10 (IANS) The Houthi group in Yemen said that it had carried out strikes targeting a British naval destroyer and two commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.

In a televised statement broadcast on the group's Al-Masirah channel, Yahya Sarea, the military spokesman for the Houthis, said on Sunday that their forces had launched an operation against the British warship HMS Diamond in the Red Sea, hitting it "accurately" with several ballistic missiles, Xinhua news agency reported.

Sarea added that Houthis launched a combined missile and drone attack and directly hit two commercial vessels, Norderney and MSC Tavvishi, in the Arabian Sea, claiming that the two violated the group's maritime shipment ban on Israeli ports.

He declared that the Houthi forces' "operations will not stop until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted".

Earlier on Sunday, an official from the Yemeni government Coast Guard reported that a Liberian-flagged container ship, identified as the MSC Tavvishi, had been hit by a Houthi missile attack while sailing in the Gulf of Aden, nearly 70 nautical miles southwest of the temporary capital Aden.

The official said that the ship was struck in the stern section, causing a fire, but no casualties were reported among the crew.

Since November 2023, the Houthi rebels have been conducting military operations in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, targeting vessels they claim are Israeli or bound for Israel, in retaliation for the ongoing conflict between the Israeli military and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip.

In response to the Houthi naval attacks, the US and Britain launched a joint military operation in January 2024, involving airstrikes and missile strikes against Houthi targets in various areas of Yemen.

This prompted the group to expand its targeting to include American and British commercial and military ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, further escalating the conflict in the strategic region.
Brussels, June 10 : The centre-right European People's Party (EPP) has won the European Parliament elections with 184 seats, provisional results from the EU legislature show, with all polls closed on Sunday.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen now stands a stronger chance of securing a second term with her EPP group, which she campaigned for, performing so well, despite far-right gains, and losses among liberal and green parties.

In a speech welcoming the result, von der Leyen said that she would work with political groups from the centre-left and liberals that originally backed her to win reappointment.

"This platform has worked well. It was constructive, it was effective," von der Leyen said, in a signal that she would not immediately seek support from parties further to the right.

Earlier von der Leyen had said that, together with other parties, she wanted to form "a bulwark against the extremes from the left and the right," adding: "We will stop them."

During campaigning von der Leyen did not rule out cooperating with more extreme right-wing parties, in particular, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's nationalist Brothers of Italy (FdI) party.

Liberal parties fell from 102 seats to 80 seats while Green parties are also projected to lose a large number of European Parliament seats, down from 71 to 52, according to provisional results released by the EU at 2:45 a.m. on Monday.

The result, based on provisional figures from 23 EU countries and estimates and pre-electoral data for the remaining four, fends off a challenge from the far-right groups in the Parliament that polled an estimated 131 seats, a gain of some 13 seats compared to the last elections in 2019.

The centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) are projected to hold on to their 139 seats, while the more extreme The Left group is projected to lose one, going from 37 to 36.

There are 720 seats up for grabs in the EU legislature, meaning von der Leyen needs 361 seats for a majority. Together with the EPP, S&D and the liberals, von der Leyen is projected to have 403 votes supporting her.

Preliminary results show the far right made significant returns in Germany, France and Italy.

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is set to win an estimated 14 seats despite a string of recent scandals and polled second to the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU).

The Social Democrats (SPD) of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz were projected to gain a similar number of seats to the AfD despite gaining about 1.5 per cent less votes.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron decided to dissolve Parliament, announcing new national elections, after his party lost to the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen.

The National Rally received about 31.5 per cent of votes, according to the provisional results, while Macron's pro-European camp only received around 14.5 per cent.

Von der Leyen needs to gather together support from a range of political groups, extending from the centre left to the centre right, to have her appointment backed by the European Parliament.

A new avenue of cooperation opened with the Green parties when Bas Eickhout, a senior Dutch election candidate, signalled a willingness to cooperate with the victorious EPP in a speech in the European Parliament.

"What we need to do now is create a stable majority in the centre of the European Parliament," he said.

In Hungary, a former ally of Prime Minister Viktor OrbAn, Peter Magyar, caused a stir this year by resigning from Orban's Fidesz party to take the helm of an obscure centre-right party called Respect and Freedom (TISZA).

Preliminary results suggest TISZA has won seven of Hungary's 21 European Parliament seats; Fidesz is projected to have won 10, with its domestic coalition partner the Christian Democrats (KDNP) winning one.

EPP leader Manfred Weber has made explicit overtures for TISZA to join his group's ranks. Fidesz was expelled from the EPP in 2021 -- having been suspended since 2019 -- but the KDNP remains a member of the group.

A potential kingmaker role for Italy's Meloni is still also on the table after her party topped the poll with an estimated 28.6 per cent of the vote and secured about 23 seats, an influential bloc of votes.

Continent-wide elections for the European Parliament had their last day of voting on Sunday, with 360 million people across the 27 EU member states eligible to cast their ballots over four days.

--IANS/DPA

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New Delhi, June 10 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised that in his third term, India will continue to work for the peace, progress and prosperity of the region in close partnership with the countries, even as it pursues its goal of having a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.

Prime Minister Modi's assurance came during his meeting with the visiting leaders following the swearing-in ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Sunday.

Leaders from India's neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) participated in the ceremony as honoured guests.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Seychelles Vice-President Ahmed Afif, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay attended the ceremony as Prime Minister Modi and the Council of Ministers were administered the oath of office by President Droupadi Murmu.

Leaders of Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan were accompanied by Ministers.

The leaders congratulated Prime Minister Modi for taking oath as the Prime Minister of India for a historic third consecutive term.

Thanking them for gracing the occasion, the Prime Minister reaffirmed India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR Vision'.

"PM Modi called for deeper people-to-people ties and connectivity in the region. He further added that India would continue to amplify the voice of the Global South in the international arena," said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The leaders also attended a banquet hosted by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The President while welcoming them and conveying her wishes to Prime Minister Modi in the service of the nation, said that India's democratic exercise was not only a moment of pride for its people but an inspiration to millions around the world.

"The participation of leaders from India's neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean Region on the momentous occasion of the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers underlines India's deep-rooted bonds of friendship and cooperation with the region," the MEA added.
Jammu, June 10 : Police said on Monday that a massive manhunt has been launched to nab the terrorists who attacked a bus which plunged into a gorge in J&K's Reasi district, killing 10 pilgrims and injuring 33 others.

SSP Reasi, Mohita Sharma said that the driver of the bus lost control of the wheel after terrorists fired at the vehicle in Teryath village of Poni area of Reasi district Sunday evening. The bus dropped into a gorge killing 10 pilgrims and injuring 33 others.

The bus was returning from Shiv Khori temple to Katra town when the incident occurred. The rescue operation was immediately undertaken by the Army, police and paramilitary forces with the assistance of the local people.

"The rescue operation was completed by 8.10 p.m. yesterday. The injured were shifted to hospitals in Reasi and Jammu city. The identities of the pilgrims are being ascertained as all of them belong to outside J&K.

"A joint operational headquarters of the police, Army and CRPF was set up at the site and a multi-dimensional operation was launched to get the attackers. Terrorists involved in this dastardly attack are believed to be hiding in the upper reaches of Rajouri, Reasi and Poonch," officials said.

The attack on innocent pilgrims has been widely condemned.

J&K Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha said on his X-post, "PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji took stock of the situation and has asked me to constantly monitor the situation. All those behind this heinous act will be punished soon. Hon'ble PM has also directed that all the injured are provided the best possible medical care and assistance".

Union Minister, Amit Shah also issued an update on the on-ground situation in Reasi. In his X-post Amit Shah said that the local J&K administration is working on a war footing to provide immediate medical attention to those injured. He also said that those behind this attack on pilgrims wouldn't be spared.

J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina said, "Cowardly Pakistani terrorists cannot face the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and our paramilitary forces. The terrorists who have carried out this audacity will have to pay a heavy price for their crime."
Seoul, June 10 : South Korea's exports to the United States exceeded those to China so far this year, data showed on Monday, raising the possibility that the US could be the top export destination for South Korea for the first time in 22 years.

Outbound shipments to the US amounted to $53.3 billion from January through May 2024, compared with South Korea's export value to China of $52.69 billion, according to data from Statistics Korea and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

If the current trend continues, the US will be the No. 1 export destination for South Korea for the first time since 2002, reports Yonhap news agency.

Last year, China was the largest export destination for South Korea with an export value of $124.81 billion, followed by the US with $115.71 billion. The gap was the smallest in 19 years.

Exports by South Korean large conglomerates to the US already surpassed those to China for the first time in 20 years in 2023.

South Korea's exports to the US have been on a constant increase in recent years. They advanced 5.4 per cent on-year to reach a record high last year on the back of growing exports of cars and rechargeable batteries.

But exports to China had fallen for two years in a row after hitting an all-time high of $162.91 billion in 2021 amid China's sagging manufacturing sector.

In a recent report, the Bank of Korea said that exports to the US are forecast to continue an upturn driven by solid consumption among US consumers and the expansion of South Korean entities' investment in the US.

But there have also been signs that the Chinese economy is recovering gradually, which could boost its demand for South Korean goods and services.
New Delhi, June 10 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed his gratitude to several world leaders for their best wishes as he formed the BJP-led NDA government for the third consecutive time.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau extended his congratulations via a post on X, to which PM Modi responded, "Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each other's concerns."

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo also congratulated Modi, writing: "Warmest congratulations to Prime Minister of India @narendramodi for your third consecutive term as Prime Minister and the formation of a new Government. Looking forward to continuing to expand our relations and work together for the common good and the well-being of our peoples."

PM Modi thanked the Finnish PM and said that the nation looks forward to deepening bilateral relations.

PM Modi also appreciated the greetings from Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob and assured a continued close partnership between the two nations in his third term.

Ugandan President Yoweri K Museveni also congratulated PM Modi, emphasising the shared aspirations between Africa and India.

"The people of Africa share common aspirations and goals with Indians. When India won her independence in 1947, Africans were inspired to fight and overthrow the yoke of colonialism. Today, all of Africa enjoys political freedom," said Museveni, adding that Uganda views India as a "strategic ally" and looks forward to strengthening bilateral relations.

PM Modi thanked Museveni, highlighting the strong partnership and the significance of the African Union becoming a permanent member of the G20 during Indiaas presidency.

Hamid Karzai, the former President of The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan also congratulated PM Modi for retaining the post for the third time.

Extending his best wishes, he expressed confidence in PM Modi's leadership and India's progress.

The Prime Minister thanked Hamid Karzai for his warm wishes.

Meanwhile, Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, also congratulated PM Modi on X.

"Congratulations to @narendramodi on winning a third term as Prime Minister. You have strengthened India's position as a source of innovation for global progress in sectors like health, agriculture, women-led development, and digital transformation. Look forward to a continued partnership to enhance the lives of people across India and the world," Gates wrote.

PM Modi thanked Gates, recalling their recent conversation and expressing optimism about their partnership driving innovation in governance, healthcare, climate change, and sustainable development.
Los Angeles, June 10 : Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila Alves McConaughey celebrated 12 years of marital bliss.

Matthew (54) marked the special occasion with a heartfelt Instagram post  which Camila later shared on her own Instagram page, reports 'People' magazine.

The post featured a photo of the actor kissing his wife on the forehead, wearing a cowboy hat and jean jacket. "Thank you", he captioned the post, adding the hashtag "#happyanniversary".

As per 'People', Matthew and Camila, a model and entrepreneur, first met in 2006 at a club. The actor had earlier revealed that it was love at first sight for him.

"Out of the corner of my eye, this sort of aqua-green figure went floating across the frame about 20 feet in front of me," the Oscar winner said at the time, recalling the moment he and Brazilian-born Camila met.

He told 'People': "My eyes went up and I remember what came out of my mouth. I didn't say, 'Who is that?' I went, 'What is that?'. 'This is not the kind of woman you call over across the room, McConaughey. Get your ass out of your chair and go get her'. Which I did."

The pair welcomed son Levi on July 7, 2008, and daughter Vida on January 3, 2010, before they tied the knot in 2012, in a three-day-long ceremony held at their Austin, Texas, home.
New Delhi, June 10 : Snoring is a sleep disorder that can raise the risk of several non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, and blood sugar and even cause life-threatening heart attack and stroke, said experts on Monday.

Snoring is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder often associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). More than 12 crore people in India reportedly suffer from OSA.

"Snoring is characterised by the recurrent episode of complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway leading to reduced or absent breathing during sleep and these episodes are termed apnoeas and hypopneas," Dr. Manoj Pawar, Associate Consultant - Pulmonology, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, told IANS.

While not all snoring is dangerous, Dr. Manoj said that it may be of concern if an individual suffers from excessive daytime sleepiness, or restless sleep due to it.

"The prominent symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness wherein patients tend to sleep very easily during daytime mostly while watching TV, sitting with the other members of the family, reading newspapers, and even while driving a car. It can be very dangerous," the doctor said.

It can also cause early morning headaches, insomnia, trouble concentrating on things, mood changes, a decrease in sex drive, and an increase in urinary frequency.

"When the obstruction is severe, the oxygen supply to the various body organs is affected leading to apnoea (stoppage of breathing). Because of lack of oxygen, they suffer from a variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as tiredness, daytime sleepiness, irritability, and lack of concentration," Dr Santosh Bangar, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, told IANS

"It is a major cause of divorce and road traffic accidents, and can lead to mental and physical health complications hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, irregular heart rhythm, heart attack, sudden cardiac death, stroke (paralysis), dementia and depression," he added.

Dr Santosh said it is also more common in men with a short neck, large tongue, and jaw abnormality. Besides obese individuals, it can also be seen in thin people and can be hereditary.

The experts called for a healthy lifestyle, weight reduction, regular exercise, eating a light dinner, and avoiding sleep tablets, smoking, and alcohol. Wearing a mask (CPAP, Continuous positive airway pressure) or jaw braces may also help.
Kolkata, June 10 : Post-poll violence-related tension was prevailing in the Hariharpara area in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Monday following the killing of a local Trinamool Congress leader in a shootout.

The injured local leader, Sanatan Ghosh, who suffered multiple bullet injuries, was shifted to Murshidabad Medical College & Hospital where he was declared dead. His body has been sent for post-mortem.

Locals have informed the police that Ghosh, also a local milk trader by profession, was suddenly surrounded by a group of assassins who came in motorcycles shot at him from a close range and escaped.

A political slugfest has already started in the locality over the murder. Local Trinamool Congress leader Rocky Sheikh has claimed that Ghosh's murder was the handiwork of goons backed by the BJP. "Ghosh used to play an important role in the locality on behalf of Trinamool Congress throughout the year, especially as regards public networking and he paid the price for that," Sheikh claimed.

However, the local BJP leadership has claimed the actual reason behind the murder was the long internal rivalry between two factions of the ruling party.

Meanwhile, sources from the district police said that some old feud or tension might have prompted the assassination of Ghosh. The cops are now trying to probe whether the old feud was political in nature or personal.

However, the additional police superintendent of Murshidabad district police Majid Iqbal Khan has claimed that probably some old-related feud was the main reason behind the murder. "Police are carrying out an investigation. The body has been sent for post-mortem," he said.
Seoul, June 10 : The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has warned that South Korea will face unspecified "new counteraction" by the North if it keeps sending anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets and playing its loudspeaker broadcasts across the border.

The statement by Kim Yo-jong came after the South resumed propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts toward the North for the first time in six years, in retaliation against the North's repeated sending of trash-carrying balloons, reports Yonhap news agency.

"If the ROK simultaneously carries out the leaflet scattering and loudspeaker broadcasting provocation over the border, it will undoubtedly witness the new counteraction of the DPRK," Kim said in the English statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency on Sunday, using the acronyms for the official names of the South and the North.

Kim claimed that the North had sent some 7.5 tonnes of "waste paper" in 1,400 balloons across the border over the weekend, arguing that they were just garbage that contained nothing related to political propaganda, unlike anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent by North Korean defectors in the South.

"It is quite different from the provocative political agitation rubbish scattered by the scum of the ROK against the DPRK," Kim said, adding that the South "will suffer a bitter embarrassment of picking up waste paper without rest, and it will be its daily work."

Kim claimed that the North had planned to stop sending balloons, but the "situation has changed" as the South resumed loudspeaker broadcasting across the border.

"I sternly warn Seoul to stop at once the dangerous act of bringing the further confrontation crisis and discipline itself," she said.

Seoul's unification ministry said that the government will not permit any attempts by North Korea to incite anxiety and confusion within South Korean society.

"North Korea should not make the mistake of using our rightful response as an excuse for provocation," said Koo Byoung-sam, the ministry spokesperson, during a press briefing.
Jaipur, June 10 : Four out of the ten pilgrims who died in a terrorist attack in Jammu on Sunday were from Jaipur, said police officials on Monday.

The deceased from Jaipur have been identified as Rajendra Saini, his wife Mamta Saini, Pooja Saini and her two-year-old son Livansh Saini.

Pooja' husband Pawan has sustained grave injuries in the attack and he is undergoing medical treatment in hospital.

While Rajendra was a textile trader in Jaipur, Pawan owns an eMitra kiosk.

Jaipur District Collector, Prakash Rajpurohit said that discussions were underway to bring back the remains of the deceased to Jaipur.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Chief Minister, Bhajanlal Sharma expressed his condolences on Monday.

He posted on his X handle, "The news of the death of four civilians of Jaipur District in the cowardly attack on a pilgrim bus in Jammu and Kashmir is sad.

"Instructions have been given to the senior officials of Rajasthan government to immediately coordinate with the officials of Jammu and Kashmir and the local administration to deliver the mortal remains to the families of the deceased."

"May Lord Shri Ram provide peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery to the injured. Our government stands with full commitment with those affected by the attack in this difficult time," he said and tagged Rajasthan CMO in the X post.

Meanwhile, former CM Ashok Gehlot said, "It has been reported that four devotees from Rajasthan have died in this attack. I pray to God for peace to the souls of all the deceased and to give courage to their families. I hope that the Rajasthan government will provide all possible help to the families of the deceased."
New Delhi, June 10 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday paid courtesy visits to Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi, congratulating them on their re-election.

Following the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers, Yogi Adityanath took to his social media handle, X, and extended his best wishes to them for being inducted in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Cabinet for a third-consecutive term.

PM Modi, along with a 71-strong Council of Ministers, took oath at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday.

Key figures like Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, and S Jaishankar retained their posts as Cabinet Ministers.

The new government comprises 30 Cabinet Ministers, 5 Ministers of State (MoS) with Independent charge, and 36 Ministers of State (MoS).

As many as 11 ministers from the NDA alliance partners took the oath of office and secrecy on Sunday.

While the specific portfolios have not yet been announced, the formation of Modi 3.0 reflects a pan-India representation and significant inclusion of alliance partners.
New Delhi, June 10 : The leader of 'Kana Gang', who allegedly formed the gang due to his wife's infidelity, was arrested from Kalindi Kunj area in Delhi while he was on his way to commit another crime, police said on Monday.

The official said that the gangster was identified as Akash a.k.a. Kana a.k.a Bhaida, a resident of Madanpur Khadar, and he was searching for one Ranjan, a member of Shahrukh Gang, associated with Lawrence Bishnoi Gang, who took his wife.

According to police, in the intervening night of August 31 and September 1, Ranjan's house was set on fire by Akash.

"Akash is involved in multiple cases, including a robbery-cum-murder case in Sarita Vihar. When he was released from jail on bail in 2023, he found his wife living with Ranjan. In order to seek revenge, he set Ranjan's house on fire in which Ranjan sustained severe burn injuries," said a senior police official.

Recently, information regarding the movement of Akash was received by police. "The team gathered information through technical surveillance and deployed informers. It also came to notice that accused Akash, always carries a loaded pistol and is in search of Ranjan to exact revenge," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Paweriya.

The police team apprehended Akash from Jaitpur Kalindi Kunj Road, Delhi, while he was riding a stolen motorcycle to commit another crime.

"He resisted arrest, but the team overpowered him and recovered one loaded pistol (with five cartridges) from his possession," said the DCP.

On interrogation, Akash disclosed that due to his wife's infidelity, he wanted to eliminate Ranjan and he was looking for an opportunity to kill him.
New Delhi, June 10 : The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Monday said they are confident that under the astute leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country would continue its economic transformation and emerge among the top three in the world.

In a statement, Sanjiv Puri, President of CII, congratulated PM Modi for assuming charge for the third consecutive term.

"Building upon a strong growth rate of 8.2 per cent for 2023-24, the new government under his visionary leadership can usher in the next phase of reforms to make the most of the global opportunities and build on the robust fundamentals of the Indian economy," said Puri.

India is forecast to surpass Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy in the near future. The government recently said India is expected to overtake Japan and Germany to emerge as the world's third-largest economy by 2027.

This is a pivotal moment for India, and Indian industry is keen to work with the incoming government to further accelerate the developmental journey of the nation, he noted.

Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, said that under PM Modi's visionary leadership, "we shall see the unfolding of a golden chapter in India's development journey."

PM Modi on Monday took charge and signed his first file for the welfare of the farmers.

This will benefit 9.3 crore farmers with a total distribution expected to reach around Rs 20,000 crore.

Banerjee said that the CII would intensify its initiatives for building stakeholder consensus on the next generation of reforms and "work closely with the new government on unlocking the potential of India's demographic dividend through education, healthcare and skill development".
New Delhi, June 10 : Samsung on Monday launched the 2024 QLED 4K TV series in India, with a plethora of premium features at a starting price of Rs 65,990.

The series comes in three sizes - 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch.

It is available on online platforms including Samsung.com and Amazon.in.

"The new TV series provides life-like picture quality with the 4K upscaling feature that refines the content on the screen to near-4K levels, taking the overall viewing experience several notches higher," Mohandeep Singh, Senior VP, Visual Display Business, Samsung India, said in a statement.

Powered by Quantum Processor Lite 4K, the new QLED 4K TV series provides 100 per cent colour volume with Quantum Dot and Quantum HDR.

It also comes with 4K upscaling, which enables users to enjoy high-resolution 4K content; Q-Symphony sound technology, Dual LED, Motion Xcelerator for gaming and Pantone Validation, according to the company.

In addition, the series features Samsungas TV Plus service comprising over 100 free channels.

Furthermore, the built-in Multi Voice Assistant provides customers with seamless connectivity, while Samsung Knox, the top-tier security solution, provides a safe home experience, the company mentioned.
New Delhi, June 10 : Venture capitalist Viney Equity Market on Monday announced that it co-led a Rs 715 crore investment in solar panel manufacturers and power companies Vikram Solar and contributed Rs 12 crore to the funding round, alongside participation from multiple investors.

The funding will provide Vikram Solar with the resources to strengthen its capital base, improve its ability to borrow money for working capital and finance the expansion of its solar PV module manufacturing facility.

"We are impressed by their commitment to innovation and their track record of success. This investment aligns perfectly with our philosophy of supporting companies that are driving positive change in the world," Anant Aggarwal, Founder of Viney Equity Market LLP, said in a statement.

According to the company, these initiatives will allow Vikram Solar to meet other general corporate purposes and solidify its position as a leader in India's clean energy sector.

Vikram Solar is a provider of comprehensive solar energy solutions, specialising in efficient photovoltaic module manufacturing and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services.

With a global footprint across 32 countries, Vikram Solar is committed to accelerating the adoption of solar energy to create a sustainable future for all.
New Delhi: Media persons at the Supreme Court complex on the day of the court's verdict. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, June 10 : During the hearing on a plea filed by the Delhi government seeking the release of additional water from neighbouring states, the Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on the city government for taking the court proceedings for granted.

"We will dismiss this petition. On the last date also, this was pointed out but you did not remove the defects. You do not take court proceedings for granted, howsoever important your case may be!" a vacation bench presided over by Justice P.K. Mishra told the counsel representing the Delhi government.

The Bench, also comprising Justice P.B. Varale, turned furious after it was pointed out that the respondents (Union, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh governments) could not have e-filed the status reports/compliance affidavits in terms of the previous order of the apex court due to non-curing of defects by the Delhi government's side.

At this, the counsel representing the Delhi government tendered apologies and assured that needful would be done by the end of the day.

Adjourning the matter for further hearing on June 12, the apex court deprecated the practice of handing over documents straightaway in open court. It said, "If we don't read the files at our residential office we will be impressed by whatever the newspapers are reporting. That is not good for any of the parties."

Last week, the Supreme Court directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release surplus water on June 7 so that it reaches the national capital "uninterruptedly" and is made available to the Delhiites for drinking purposes.

"We direct that Himachal Pradesh shall release 137 cusecs of surplus water available with it on Friday so that the water reaches Hathni Kund barrage and reaches Delhi through Wazirabad. As and when surplus water is released with prior information by the state of Himachal Pradesh, the state of Haryana shall facilitate the flow of surplus water so released," it had ordered on June 6.

The apex court had said that the Delhi government should adhere to the measures suggested by the Upper Yamuna River Board to prevent wastage of water since there is an acute shortage of drinking water in the national capital.

It had ordered for filing of a status report and compliance affidavits by June 10.

Earlier, the SC had ordered the river board to convene an urgent meeting on June 5 to address the water crisis in the city, stressing that the problems of scarcity of water for the citizens of Delhi should be properly addressed.
Jammu, June 10 : J&K Lt Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha on Monday said that the terrorists responsible for the Reasi attack will pay a heavy price however government's priority right now is to look after the well-being of the injured.

"Those who committed this cowardly act will have to pay a very heavy price," the L-G said after meeting the injured pilgrims in the hospital.

He also assured the victims of all possible assistance.

"Met the injured pilgrims at Government Medical College, Jammu & Narayana Hospital, Katra and wished them a speedy recovery. The entire nation stands firmly with the families of martyred pilgrims in this hour of grief," the L-G wrote on X.

Sinha told the injured pilgrims that the priority of the government right now is the well-being of the injured pilgrims, but those behind the heinous crime would be brought to justice.

Terrorists, reportedly two in number, fired at a bus carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in Reasi district of Jammu division at around 6 pm on Sunday.

The terrorists fired at the driver and also at the pilgrims sitting in the bus. Eye-witnesses have said that firing continued for over 10 minutes.

Police said the driver lost control of the bus after which the bus plunged into a deep gorge. Ten pilgrims died on the spot while 33 others were injured.

The bus was carrying pilgrims back from Shiv Khori temple to Katra town when it was attacked by terrorists at Veryath village in the Poni area of Reasi district.

Police, the army and the paramilitary forces assisted by the locals immediately carried out a rescue operation and the injured were shifted to Narayana Hospital in Katra town and the government medical college hospital in Jammu.

Security forces have started a massive manhunt to trace the terrorists. Police said five separate teams have been formed to hunt down the group of terrorists believed to be active in the Poonch and Rajouri districts of J&K.

Meanwhile, to assist the local police, a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) also visited the spot in addition to the forensic experts.
New Delhi, June 10 : One97 Communications Limited (OCL), which owns the Paytm brand, has begun to lay off an undisclosed number of employees amid a restructuring exercise, along with facilitating outplacement assistance to those affected.

The company said in a statement that it is also disbursing bonuses which were due to employees, "ensuring fairness and transparency in the process."

"One97 Communications Limited (OCL) is providing outplacement support to employees which have resigned as a part of the restructuring efforts by the company," it said.

"The company's human resource teams are actively collaborating with over 30 companies that are currently hiring, and providing assistance to employees who have opted to share their information, facilitating their immediate outplacement," Paytm added.

The shares of Paytm were hovering around Rs 394 a piece, 3.49 per cent up.

Meanwhile, the payment and financial services company is witnessing early signs of recovery and strong stabilisation for its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) business, marking a strong turnaround for the firm.

The total value of UPI transactions processed on the Paytm platform grew to Rs 1.24 trillion in May, on the back of the company launching several initiatives for users such as Credit Card on UPI, as well as pushing the lever on UPI Lite.
Gurugram, June 10 : Following the local court directions, Gurugram Police has booked the managing directors of Oberoi Realty Limited and IREO Group, Vikas Oberoi and Lalit Goyal and others on a complaint of cheating, criminal breach of trust and forgery filed by another company AIPL, an official said on Monday.

The FIR registered under sections 471, 468, 467, 420, 409 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code at DLF Phase-II police station is pertaining to the same project for which Oberoi Realty Limited had recently informed the stock exchanges of its entry into Delhi NCR luxury segment by entering into a joint venture with IREO.

Beside Oberoi and Goyal, the police have named Rajendra Kumar Yadav, S. K. Aggarwal, Anupam Nagalia, Directors, IREO Residences Company Private Limited, Pankaj Duggar, the CEO of IREO Hospitalities, Oberoi Realty Limited through its directors, Bhaskar Kshirsagar, the Company Secretary of Oberoi Realty Limited and Saumil Ashwin Daru, Executive Director of Oberoi Realty Limited, as the accused in the FIR.

According to the FIR, accessed by IANS, IREO Residences Company Private Limited took up the project of development of a residential colony on land measuring approximately 17.224 Acres (Said Land) in village Ghata, Sector-58, Gurugram.

The FIR said that the company had taken up this project from another company, Commander Realtors Private Limited, who had the approval for setting up the residential colony on the said land from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning, Haryana.

"Having so taken up the above-mentioned residential project, the company partnered with many other companies /investors, besides collecting money from proposed buyers in the shape of booking advance. In this manner, the company through its functionaries collected over Rs. 124 Crores from prospective home buyers and overall, they have managed to collect about Rs.400 Crores, other sources included," read the FIR.

The FIR further outlined that despite these collections, the company allegedly failed to progress the project satisfactorily, leading to multiple legal challenges from home buyers, including a notable case and petitions under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code before the NCLT.

The complainant further in the FIR alleged that caught in litigation and unable to proceed with the project, Lalit Goyal and Pankaj Duggar, on behalf of IREO, approached Advance India Projects Limited (AIPL), in July 2020.

They requested AIPL to take over two troubled projects, including the Grand Hyatt Residences in Gurugram, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on March 2, 2021.

The FIR alleged that IREO misled AIPL by presenting the Grand Hyatt Residences project as viable, despite financial difficulties and ongoing litigation. Acting on these representations, AIPL committed significant resources, incurring losses of approximately Rs 1000 crore, while IREO allegedly manipulated the situation to avoid insolvency and legal repercussions.

"Complainant incurred liability under the MOU to pay/provide property to prospective buyers, besides which, the Complainant engaged KNM Partners, a reputed law firm for carrying out the process of due diligence. The Complainant further spent its resources on streamlining the project, and in the process, incurred huge expenditures. In addition to the above, the Complainant expended resources, money, workforce and time and energy on the project," the FIR read.

Moreover, the FIR claims that IREO did not facilitate the due diligence required by the MoU and continued negotiations with other developers, breaching the terms of the agreement and causing substantial financial and reputational damage to AIPL.

"The various acts that were to be performed by the company which they intentionally refrained from in pursuance of the criminal conspiracy hatched by the company including lack of cooperation in getting the due diligence completed, are inter-alia, enumerated hereunder: Facilitating settlements with dissenting/aggrieved customers in terms of Clause 9 of the MOU. Facilitating release of various title deeds pertaining to the Project Land lying in the custody of the Shared Security Custodian in terms of Clause 6(h) of the MOU," read the FIR.

This comes after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) Gurugram Zonal office in May had provisionally attached properties valued at Rs 58.93 crore under the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act (PMLA) belonging to IREO Group of companies and others which is alleged to have siphoned off Rs 1780 crore of homebuyers' money. The attached properties include land parcels and bank accounts.

The financial probe agency had initiated an investigation on the basis of multiple FIRs registered against real estate company IREO Pvt. Ltd., associated entities, its directors, key managerial persons and others at various police stations across Gurugram, Panchkula, Ludhiana, and Delhi etc.

ED investigation had revealed that they duped the innocent buyers by promising them to deliver flats/ plots/ commercial spaces etc., however, they neither delivered the projects nor returned the buyer's money.

It had said that rather, they sent such money outside of India in the form of buy-back of shares, redemptions, FCDs etc. and giving loans and advances to associated entities/persons, giving excessive incentives and advances to key managerial persons.

"The buyer's money has also been diverted to other companies, which was identified during the investigation. The total Proceeds of Crime identified in the case is Rs1780 Crore," the ED had official.
Mumbai, June 10 : The makers of the streaming reality show 'Bigg Boss OTT 3' released a new promo on Monday, introducing a fresh theme for the upcoming season.

The video features actor Anil Kapoor as the new host.

In the video, reflecting on his life experiences, Anil addresses the question, "Kya hi baaki hai AK?" with the response, "Abhi to bas shuru kia hai," signifying his new role in the show.

Season 3 of 'Bigg Boss OTT' will revolve around the theme of aAb Sab Badlegaa with the tagline 'Thoda Logic, Thoda Magic'.

Anil replaces actor Salman Khan, who hosted the second season. Salman had taken over the hosting duties from the Bollywood multihyphenate Karan Johar, who hosted the inaugural season.

aBigg Boss OTT 3a is set to premiere on JioCinema Premium from June 21.
New Delhi, June 10 : The two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting began in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod on Monday with the Indian delegation being led by Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Taking place immediately after the formation of the third Modi government in New Delhi, this would also be the first meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers since the expansion of the group was formalised in January with the inclusion of new full members: Egypt, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov chaired the first session on Monday which also saw the participation of South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, Brazil's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Iran's acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri, Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shokri and several other distinguished guests.

While Monday's event is the traditional stand-alone gathering of Foreign Ministers from the association, an expanded meeting will take place on Tuesday with the participation of 15 countries invited by Russia.

The extended session will see the participation of the heads of foreign policy departments of various countries representing regional interaction formats, such as the SCO, ASEAN, the Association for Regional Cooperation of the Indian Ocean Coastal Countries, the African Union, the League of Arab States and others.

The meetings are expected to discuss current geopolitical issues and improving the global governance system with an emphasis on increasing the role of developing countries. The outcomes of the meeting will feed into the 16th BRICS Summit scheduled to take place in Kazan in October.

Several bilateral meetings are also taking place on the sidelines of the two-day event.

"The prospects for multifaceted cooperation in the year of the Russian Federation's chairmanship of BRICS in three main areas will be considered: politics and security, economics and finance, and humanitarian ties," stated the Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday.

It added that the development of modalities for a new category of "partner states" of the association in preparation for the summit in Kazan this October will also be discussed during the meeting.

Moscow also detailed that it is aiming to increase the role of the member states in the international monetary and financial system, developing interbank cooperation, promoting the transformation of the system of international payments and expanding the use of national currencies of the BRICS states in mutual trade, during its ongoing BRICS presidency.
New Delhi: On June 4, India's 82-day election process concluded with the declaration of results.

This is the largest democratic exercise in the world, conducted in a staggered manner through seven phases, allowing 969 million eligible voters to cast their ballots in this once-in-a-five-year national event.

The scale of this endeavour is underscored by the fact that India's electorate exceeds the combined population of Europe and is followed by Indonesia's electorate of 204 million, which is nearly five times smaller.

Nevertheless, while the successful conduct of this election is a testament to India's robust democratic credentials, it rebuts those who often attempt to undermine the world's largest democratic country. It further highlights how India has ingrained democratic values into every aspect of its socio-political life, standing in contrast to the military-run hybrid regime of Pakistan and the communist authoritarian regime of China in the region.

After gaining independence from the Britishers in 1947, India's leadership chose the multiparty parliamentary form of democracy not only as a mere form of governance but as a decisive political system where the constitution reigns supreme.

Drafted by visionary leadership, it has not only withstood the test of time but emerged as a true representative of the core democratic ideals: a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people".

The country's rich ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity is very much reflected in this political diversity, with different ideologies and social groups coexisting and battling within a non-violent framework, thereby adding colour to the democratic richness of India.

The nearly eight-decade democratic journey of the country demonstrates how India has built strong institutions that have withstood various pressures over the years, consolidating the country's democratic gains while upholding constitutional supremacy.

While India may seem amenable to external influence because of its vast diversity, Indian people "have continued to take their own political decisions, expressed in the polling booth, based on their own judgment, after examining the ideas proposed by their own domestic parties, every five years."

This is facilitated by the supremacy of parliament, to which all organs of the state remain accountable. The constitution provides for universal adult suffrage, period elections, and a structured process for the transfer of power from one government to another, which has ensured India maintains political stability, which has been its hallmark since independence.

As such, every election since the first general election of 1951 and every government formation has happened as per the constitutional framework of India with a smooth transition of power.

This is significant in light of the erosion of democracy in the broader South Asian and developing world over the years, where fragile democratic institutions "collapsed under the weight of strongmen and dictatorships, coups and ethnic strife." As such, India is sandwiched between Pakistan's military-dominated hybrid government and China's communist authoritarian regime.

Take the case of Pakistan, which emerged as an independent country along with India after the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. While India framed its constitution within two-and-a-half years of gaining independence and proclaimed the country as a democratic republic, it took nearly 10 years for Pakistan to adopt its first constitution in 1956, proclaiming a theocratic republic. Still, it failed to incorporate requisite checks and balances in the governance structure and, as such, became susceptible to recurrent military interventions.

Pakistan and Pakistanis could not hold onto this constitution for even two years as it was dismissed by President Major General Iskandar Mirza with support from the country's military establishment in 1958.

This was followed by the Pakistan Army's first coup d'etat in 1958 when its Commander-in-chief, Ayyub Khan, overthrew and exiled President Iskandar Mirza, effectively laying the path for direct and indirect military control of civilian institutions in Pakistan. As such, it has directly ruled Pakistan for nearly half of its existence since 1947.

The shades of the Pakistan military's overt or discreet control and its political interference continue to this day. Nevertheless, it took Pakistan another fifteen years to proclaim another constitution in 1973 under the civilian rule of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

In terms of the transition of power as well, unlike India, there has been hardly any instance when the losing party has not stalled the government formation process in Pakistan.

For example, following Pakistan's first general elections of December 1970, which took place nearly 23 years after independence, the institutional failure to effect a transition of power to Dakha-based and Sheikh Mujibur Rehman-led Awami League by President General Yahya and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto cost Pakistan half of its country as Bangladesh was born out of East Pakistan in December 1971.

The story continues to this day, as was evident in how the Pakistan Army engineered the defeat of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakstan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) in connivance with other political parties like the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

At the same time, there is China, which has had a single-party authoritarian rule since 1949 under the Communist Party of China (CCP) that rules with an iron fist. There are no elected leaders, with elections only allowed at local levels. Even in those managed elections, all those partaking are approved by the CCP.

As per various rights bodies, China has criminalised any form of dissent, outlawed political opposition, and severely curtailed the rights of various religious-ethnic minorities of the country, such as Tibetans and Uyghur Muslims. Even religious affairs are controlled by the CCP.

As much as democratic values and the constitutional framework are hallmarks of India's internal stability, they also drive its non-interventionist foreign policy precepts towards its neighbouring countries and bilateral partners.

While India's relationship with its neighbours such as Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh has always been one of friendship and respect and beyond commercial considerations, China pursues predatory relations with these small countries.

Take the case of the Indian Ocean nation of Sri Lanka. China leveraged its financial largesse to bring former President Mahinda Rajapaksa into its orbit only to push the country into its debt trap. It used this debt to take over Sri Lanka's strategic Hambantota port and evaded extending any help as the country defaulted in fulfilling its sovereign debt commitments in April 2022.

Despite Colombo's honeymoon with Beijing, India did not think twice about extending the USD 1 billion credit line to help sustain its import chain in May 2022, which has been since renewed in May 2023 and May 2024 respectively.

India further co-chairs an 'Official Creditors Committee' with Japan and France to restructure Sir Lanka's debt conundrum and facilitate its bailout package with the International Forum. China has stayed away from engaging and alleviating Sri Lanka's financial circumstances even through this multilateral mechanism. The story is the same with the Maldives, where China has propelled Mohammad Muizzu's government, which won the election in September 2023.

As such, the conclusion of the grand festival of democracy in India underscores the supremacy of its constitution and the resilience of its democratic system, which has endured multiple pressures to deliver the world's biggest electoral exercise. It is a celebration of democracy, an Indian variant of democracy, and a hope for people's supremacy. Indian people and India's democratic system have proved it once again that the road to development is adhering to the Constitution only.
Lakhimpur Kheri : , June 10 (IANS) Four members of a family drowned while another was injured after getting caught in the deep waters of the Ghaghra river near Teliyar village of this district, police said on Monday.

The victims were caught in the river's deep waters, leading to the tragedy early on Monday, the police said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Nighasan, Pradeep, told reporters that the victims are all Teliyar residents and have been identified as Sushila (52), Satyam (24), Urvashi (17), and Kanha (10).

Another member of the family, identified as Naini, was rescued and rushed to the district hospital in a critical condition, he said.
Thiruvananthapuram, June 10 : The 11th session of Kerala's 15th Legislative Assembly began on a stormy note on Monday, with the Congress-led opposition's protest over bar bribery allegations against the Vijayan government that surfaced last month.

The opposition has demanded an inquiry under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act into the alleged bar bribery issue.

While the one-hour question hour went off peacefully, things turned noisy when the Congress legislator Roji M. John sought leave for an adjournment motion on the bar bribery charges.

In the last week of May, an audio clip surfaced where bar owners were purportedly asked to pay Rs 2.50 lakh each for "favourable liquor policies".

However, the person who made this request in the leaked audio and the president of the bar owners association dismissed the allegation, saying that he had asked for a contribution to be made to purchase an office building in the state capital for the association.

State Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh had then asked the state police chief to launch a police probe.

On Monday John went hammer and tongs in the House and said all knew where the money collected had reached as they were there in the audio itself.

He then quoted a speech that was made on the floor of the Assembly in 2014 by the then Leader of Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan while attacking the then Excise Minister, K.M. Mani, after audio of a bar owner surfaced that spoke about the collection of money.

John slammed state Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas (son-in-law of CM Vijayan) and said the excise policy was "hijacked" by him.

But Minister Rajesh stood his ground and said there has been no discussion on the new excise policy and hence all the charges levelled were baseless.

Joining the issue was Chief Minister Vijayan who said as soon as this allegation surfaced, the police were notified and they began their probe.

"The probe to that is going in full earnestness and every aspect will be looked into," said CM Vijayan.

Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, however, said CM Vijayan should first register a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and then announce a judicial probe.

But with CM Vijayan unmoved, the opposition legislators started shouting slogans and trooped into the well of the House.

Amid the sloganeering, the treasury benches passed two Bills, one was the proposed delimitation of local body wards. What came as a surprise was that it was passed without being sent to the Subject Committee of the Assembly.

Soon the House was adjourned for the day and the opposition marched outside. The opposition has decided to continue with their demand, which is an inquiry under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act in the bar bribery case.

When the Vijayan government assumed office in 2016, there were 29 bars in the state, and now that figure has crossed 900 and many fresh bar license applications are likely to be cleared soon.

In the past three years, a record 130 new bars were sanctioned.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

Zambia is engaging Zimbabwean authorities following remarks by President Emmerson Mnangagwa that Zambia's security sector is heavily funded by the United States.Mnangagwa made these comments to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of an investment summit in St Petersburg.Zambian Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa stated that the Foreign Affairs ministry is addressing the issue with Zimbabwe and emphasized that such matters are not for public discussion.In the video, Mnangagwa claimed that the West had abandoned Zimbabwe in favor of Zambia, consolidating their influence there both in security and financial support. He expressed a desire to strengthen relations with Russia in response.Relations between Zimbabwe and Zambia have been strained since Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema took office. The situation worsened after Nevers Mumba, head of the Sadc Electoral Observer Mission to Zimbabwe, declared Zimbabwe's August 23, 2023 elections neither free nor fair. This report was poorly received by some Zanu-PF members.Hichilema, who is close to Zimbabwe's opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, appointed Mumba to the observer mission. Historically, Zimbabwe and Zambia shared strong ties, particularly during Zimbabwe's liberation struggle, but relations have soured since Hichilema's election victory over Edgar Lungu in 2021.
New Delhi, June 10 : Clean energy company candi solar on Monday announced that it raised $38 million in a Series C funding round led by Norfund, Kyuden International, and STOA.

According to the company, the new funding will fuel the firm's ambitious growth plans, facilitating the financing of an additional 200 MW of business solar projects and supporting strategic hiring initiatives to sustain its rapid expansion.

"Our innovative solar and battery solutions and pioneering financial products accelerate our purpose of powering a more sustainable planet, one rooftop at a time," Fabio Eucalipto, Co-founder and Director at candi solar, said in a statement.

"This recognition from our new investors, Norfund and Kyuden, alongside the unwavering support of our existing shareholder STOA, fuels our commitment to building an international enterprise with a robust path to profitability," he added.

candi solar has been recognised by industry experts, with the company recently ranking among the top 5 rooftop solar developers in India.

The company boasts a portfolio highlighted by projects such as Airtel and Jindal Saw in India and Schneider Electric in South Africa.

"Through the partnership, we look forward to supporting innovative solutions that provide renewable energy services to underserved markets while keeping high standards of business integrity, ESG, and health & safety practices," said Bjornar Baugerud, head of the Climate Investment Fund in Norfund.
Mumbai, June 10 : In a case of suspected suicide, former air-hostess-turned-actress Noor Malabika Das, who worked with Kajol in the streaming show 'The Trial', was found dead at her Mumbai flat four days ago, creating ripples in the film circles, official sources said on Monday.

Mumbai, June 10 (IANS) In a case of suspected suicide, former air-hostess-turned-actress Noor Malabika Das, who worked with Kajol in the streaming show aThe Triala, was found dead at her Mumbai flat four days ago, creating ripples in the film circles, official sources said on Monday.

Hailing from Assam, Mumbai-born Malabika (31) worked as a stewardess with Qatar Airways for several years before switching careers to become an actress.

The police said that following complaints of a foul smell emanating from her home in Oshiwara on Saturday, a team broke open the door and found her partly mutilated and decomposing body.

She had allegedly hanged herself on Thursday (June 6), but it was only after the neighboursa complained of foul smell that the matter came to light.

The police have seized her mobile phones, some diaries, medicines, and other personal items from the rented flat and registered an accidental death report.

Later, they shifted her body for an autopsy which was conducted at the BMCas Siddharth Hospital in Goregaon, the details of which are not yet known.

Her mortal remains were handed over to one of her friends and professional colleagues, A.N. Pathak, who organised her last rites through an NGO, which were performed on Sunday.

As per some reports, Malabika was reported to be in a state of depression while her parents, who had visited her last month, left for Assam last week, and could not attend her funeral.

Malabika acted in several films/shows/web series like 'The Trial', 'Teekhi Chutney', 'Dekhi Undekhi', 'Charamsukh', etc.

The news of her unexpected demise was greeted with shock, disbelief, and dismay on social media with tributes pouring in in her memory as many people recalled her acting skills in several projects.
Amaravati, June 10 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President, N Chandrababu Naidu, who is set to take oath as the new Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, began consultations to constitute the coalition government.

Naidu, who was camping in Delhi for the last three days to attend the meeting of the NDA and the swearing-in of the Narendra Modi-led new Union Cabinet, returned on Monday.

After his arrival at Gannavaram Airport, Vijayawada, he drove straight to his residence at Undavalli.

He is holding a series of meetings with his own party leaders and also the allies to decide the composition of the coalition government.

Naidu had already held a few rounds of meetings with Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan and also BJP leaders to finalise his ministerial team.

It is still unclear as to how many ministerial berths Naidu would leave for his allies.

According to TDP sources, talks were still underway with the allies.

Pawan Kalyan is reported to be keen to get the post of Deputy Chief Minister for himself and a couple of Cabinet berths for his senior colleagues in the party.

Jana Sena won all 22 Assembly seats it contested and also bagged both the Lok Sabha seats it contested on.

However, the party has not received any representation in the Union Ministry.

Pawan Kalyan is said to be under pressure from his own party MLAs to bargain for adequate representation and key portfolios in the State Cabinet.

The BJP, which won eight Assembly seats, is also expecting a couple of ministerial berths.

In 2014, the BJP had two ministers in the coalition government led by Naidu. Both the ministers resigned in 2018 after TDP quit the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre over the delay in granting Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh.

The TDP returned to NDA in March, few weeks before the election, and entered into an alliance with both BJP and Jana Sena.

The TDP chief faces a daunting task of finalising ministers from his own party, which won a whopping 135 seats.

There are many seniors, who are strong contenders for Cabinet berths. Naidu will have to strike a good balance among three regions and various social groups while constituting his team.

There are several aspirants among the new faces and the TDP chief will also have to take this into account.

The TDP-led alliance wrested power from YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) with a massive mandate. It bagged 164 seats in the 175-member Assembly.

The YSRCP, which had 151 members in the previous Assembly, has been reduced to just 11.

Meanwhile, arrangements were in full swing for the swearing-in of Chandrababu Naidu and his team on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several central ministers, leaders of NDA partners and chief ministers of various states are likely to attend the event, which will be held near Kesarapalli IT Park close to Gannavaram Airport.

Governor S. Abdul Nazeer will administer oath of office and secrecy to Chandrababu Naidu.

The TDP on June 7 had announced that Naidu will take oath at 11.27 A.M. However, the next day the timing was changed to 9.27 A.M. and no reasons were cited for the change in timing.

The 74-year-old will be sworn-in as the chief minister for a fourth time. This will be the second time he will be taking oath as the chief minister of the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh.

He had served as chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh between 1995 and 2004 and after the state's bifurcation served as the chief minister of the residuary state from 2014 to 2019.
Hyderabad, June 10 : Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari will review the Combined Graduation Parade of 213th officers' course at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, on June 15, a defence release said.

The Combined Graduation Parade will be held with traditional military splendour, to mark the successful completion of pre-commissioning training of flight cadets of flying and ground Duty branches of the IAF.

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari would be the Reviewing Officer of the parade. He will confer the Presidentas Commission to the graduating trainees.

The ceremony includes the presentation of aWingsa to the flight cadets, officers of the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, and officers from friendly foreign countries who would be successfully completing their flying training.

Being the culmination of a demanding period of training, the occasion marks the most important milestone in any military aviatoras career, the defence release said.

The flight cadet from the flying branch who stands first in the order of merit will be awarded the Chief of the Air Staff's aSword of Honoura and the Presidentas Plaque for excelling in overall training. This Flight Cadet also has the privilege of commanding the parade.

The Reviewing Officer will also present the Presidentas Plaque to the trainee standing first in the overall order of merit among ground duty branches.

An enthralling flypast by formations of Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II, Dornier, Hawk, Kiran and Chetak aircraft, as also aerobatic shows by Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II, SU-30 MKI, Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) and the Sarang Helicopter Display Team will mark the culmination of the CGP.
Kolkata, June 10 : Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has approached a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court seeking security for the victims of post-poll violence in the state.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice, TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya has admitted the petition.

The matter is expected to come up for hearing soon.

This is the second petition filed in Calcutta High Court on the issue, as the first was put up by an independent organisation in the name of Rashtravadi Ainjivi.

On that petition, the Calcutta High Court vacation Division Bench of Justice Kausik Chanda and Justice Apurba Sinha Ray called for greater Centre-state cooperation in West Bengal to prevent events of post-poll violence this time.

Meanwhile, speaking on the issue, Municipal Affairs & Urban Development Minister and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Mayor Firhad Hakim claimed that some individuals masquerading as Trinamool Congress activists were resorting to violence in the post-poll scenario to serve their personal agenda.

Already 700 companies of the security forces have been deployed in West Bengal for putting a stop to violence.

Of these 700 companies, 400 are of the CAPF and the remaining 300 are from the State Armed Police (SAP) forces.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has already ordered that these 400 companies of CAPF be retained in West Bengal till June 14.
Geneva, June 10 : Around 40 world leaders have signed up to participate in a Ukraine peace conference to be held on a picturesque Swiss mountain next weekend.

The Swiss government, which is organising the talks at a luxury resort on the Burgenstock, a mountain ridge on Lake Lucerne, said around 160 presidents and prime ministers had been invited in total.

About 40 countries will be represented with lower-level officials, Swiss President Viola Amherd said in Bern on Monday. Representatives of the United Nations and other organisations will also be attending.

The neutral Swiss government is billing the summit as a "peace conference." But no agreement is expected between the warring sides, not least of all because Russia is not taking part. China, along with other countries with close ties to Moscow, are also staying away.

The Kremlin has dismissed the meeting as a Western propaganda event.

Still, diplomats and the Swiss government believe it could serve as a prelude to further talks that may eventually include Russia.

Amherd said humanitarian issues, nuclear safety, freedom of navigation and food security would be discussed at a high level during the talks on Saturday and Sunday.

Several leaders will travel to Switzerland from the G7 summit in Italy, which starts on Thursday. This includes German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. However, US President Joe Biden is sending Vice President Kamala Harris in his place for the Swiss talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had asked Switzerland to organise the conference, was due to attend.

--IANS/DPA

sd/dan
Mumbai, June 10 : Amid the raging controversy over the results of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2024 announced recently, the Maharashtra government on Monday urged the Centre to put a stay on the counselling process till this issue is resolved.

In a letter which has been accessed by IANS, the Principal Secretary in the Department of Medical Education, Dinesh Waghmare, appealed to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Testing Agency (NTA) to remove the grace marks given to some specific students due to loss of time.

The state governmentas move came after around 67 candidates bagged the top rank in NEET-UG 2024 by scoring 99.997129 percentile points.

Of these, around six candidates had appeared for the exam from the same centre in Haryana. The average marks of 720 qualified candidates is 323.55. The results were also marred with charges of irregularities and paper leaks.

The Maharashtra government has also appealed to the Centre for a re-evaluation of all the OMR sheets with the actual results by conducting a forensic audit.

"Considering the seriousness of the issue, an early response in this matter will ensure justice for the NEET-UG 2024 aspirants," Waghmare said in the letter.

The official also said that the state government has received various representations from NEET aspirants and their parents alleging irregularities in the results.

"There was no provision for grace marks in the information brochure published by the NTA. Yet, the NTA has implemented one rule while publishing the results. There is a difference between the actual marks published in the scorecards and the marks in the OMR sheets. This has resulted in great loss for the NEET aspirants in Maharashtra,aa Waghmare said.

The state government also reiterated that the Centre should act promptly keeping in mind the educational interests of the students.

The NEET-UG 2024 was conducted on May 5 at 4,750 centres, including 14 overseas centres.
Moscow, June 10 : The already strained relations between Russia and Armenia have significantly deteriorated following a diplomatic dispute over Armenia's response to Moscow's all-out invasion of Ukraine.

The diplomatic rift arose after Armenian officials visited the Ukrainian town of Bucha, which prompted Russia to send a protest note to Armenia's Foreign Ministry, wrote Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Telegram on Sunday evening.

The visit to Bucha was a "frankly unfriendly step," Zakharova wrote.

Bucha, a Kyiv suburb, gained international attention when the bodies of more than 400 civilians allegedly massacred by the Russian troops were discovered there after Moscow's withdrawal in the spring of 2022.

During a visit to Bucha a few days ago, an Armenian delegation assured Kyiv of its solidarity "against Russian aggression." The delegation included Armenia's ambassador in Kyiv, Vladimir Karapetyan.

Historically, Russia has been seen as a protector of Armenia and maintains a military base there. However, relations have cooled since the pro-Western Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan came to power in Yerevan.

Armenia has felt abandoned by Russia, especially during its conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Following its defeat in a major offensive by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh last year, Armenia has increasingly questioned its membership in the Moscow-dominated military alliance, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

--IANS/DPA

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Cairo, June 10 : US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Cairo on Monday, the first leg of his Middle East tour aimed at brokering an end to the ongoing Gaza war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

Blinken and his 40-member delegation landed at a military base near Cairo airport, according to navigation sources.

He is scheduled to meet with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi.

After Egypt, Blinken will head to Israel. His tour will also include Jordan and Qatar and will last until Wednesday.

The State Department said Blinken will discuss with partners the need to reach a ceasefire agreement that secures the release of all hostages.

US President Joe Biden has recently laid out a new three-phase plan to end the war in Gaza.

Neither Israel nor Hamas have so far agreed to the proposal, which envisages a complete and unrestricted ceasefire lasting six weeks and would lead to a permanent ceasefire in a second phase.

Qatar, the US and Egypt have been mediating to achieve a ceasefire and an exchange of hostages for months now.

--IANS/DPA

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New Delhi, June 10 : Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday expressed gratitude to India and Bangladesh for providing assistance as the island nation tries to recover from a serious economic crisis.

Wickremesinghe met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on Monday after attending Sunday's swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The two leaders engaged in bilateral discussions with the Bangladesh PM assuring Dhaka's commitment to support Sri Lanka's agricultural modernisation programme.

"Recalling the support received from both Bangladesh and India, Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude for their assistance," Lankan President's Media Division said in a statement after the meeting.

It also mentioned that Hasina has assured her country's commitment to assist Sri Lanka with its plan to modernise agriculture.

Wickremesinghe affirmed his commitment to dispatch a delegation of Lankan agricultural experts to Bangladesh with an aim of studying Bangladesh's agricultural modernisation programme through cooperative methods and gather valuable insights to enhance Sri Lanka's own agricultural modernisation efforts.

The leaders also deliberated on the prospect of signing a free trade agreement between the two countries. Wickremesinghe highlighted the potential for such an agreement following the conclusion of the India Free Trade Agreement.

"Additionally, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh pledged to direct private investors from Bangladesh towards investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, further fostering economic cooperation between the two countries. Consideration was given to the initiation of a passenger ferry service connecting Sri Lanka and Bangladesh," the Lankan President's office said in a statement after the meeting.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister extended an invitation to Ranil Wickremesinghe to attend the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangladesh. However, Wickremesinghe conveyed that, as the conference will be held during the election period in Sri Lanka, the country's Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Foreign Minister Ali Sabri will represent Sri Lanka at the event.

The Bangladesh PM also expressed her satisfaction with the progress of Sri Lanka's economy under the leadership of Wickremesinghe.

The meeting was also attended by Wickremesinghe's Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs Secretary Aruni Wijewardene, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Kshenuka Senaviratne and delegations from both countries.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Vice President Dr. Constantino Chiwenga has arrived in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to lead Zimbabwe's delegation at the third Dushanbe Water Action Decade Conference, starting tomorrow.Accompanied by his wife, Colonel Miniyothabo Chiwenga, Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos, and other senior officials, he was welcomed by Tajikistan's Deputy Prime Minister Usmonali Usmonzoda.The conference aims to address global water sustainability and the challenges posed by climate change. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will participate, emphasizing the need for an Under Secretary focused on water issues at the UN.Chiwenga highlighted the critical role of sustainable water use in Zimbabwe's economic development. He stressed the importance of ensuring adequate water supply for both people and agriculture, noting that Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) are vital for the country's progress towards becoming an empowered upper-middle-income economy.In addition to the conference, Chiwenga has several economic diplomatic engagements planned.
Shimla, June 10 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Monday said the state government was ready to release water to Delhi as per agreement with its government.

Replying to a question about the bye-elections for three assembly seats, the Chief Minister pointed out that these seats became vacant due to the resignation of Independent legislators.

He emphasised that these legislators had the choice to support either the ruling party or the Opposition. The Chief Minister sought reasons behind their resignation, their involvement in malpractices and selling their memberships.

"These reasons should be disclosed to the public. Now let us see they fight the bye-elections on BJP tickets."

The Chief Minister posed a question to the electorate, asking why these former MLAs, who were elected for a five-year term, chose to force by-elections upon them.

The Chief Minister condemned the terrorist attack on a bus carrying the pilgrims in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir in which nine people lost their lives by terming it a cowardice act.
Aizawl, June 10 : Official border trade between Mizoram and Myanmar's Sagaing division has been suspended for the past two days following the destruction of a bridge by the neighbouring country's army on Saturday, officials said on Monday.

Officials and local people said that Myanmar Army personnel blew up the suspension bridge over the Run River in the Teddim township area using explosives on Saturday, and the destruction of this bridge has cut the main road connecting Mizoram to Tahan town in Myanmaras Sagaing division.

The border trade has been taking place through the Zokhawthar border trade centre in eastern Mizoramas Champhai district. Essential commodities, soft drinks, bread, various edibles, and electronic gadgets, among other goods, were being traded through the centre.

Border villagers, however, expressed hope that the import of goods from Myanmar would soon resume via Falam town, even though the route is more challenging and long distance.

Tahan, a town in Myanmar's Kalaymyo district, is predominantly inhabited by Mizos who migrated from India after joining the Myanmar Army following then Burmaas (now Myanmar) independence in 1948, as well as those seeking better opportunities in the neighbouring country. Tahan town has a 99 per cent Christian population.

Mizoram shares a 510 km unfenced border with Myanmar and through this frontier, legal and illegal trade is taking place regularly.

Various trading organisations have been demanding the development of infrastructure at the Zokhawthar border trade centre to boost legal trade.
Imphal, June 10 : Suspected militants attacked the advance security convoy of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in the state's Kangpokpi district on Monday, the police said, adding one security personnel was injured in the attack.

A police officer said the advance security convoy was on its way to the trouble-torn Jiribam district on Monday ahead of CM Biren Singh's scheduled visit to the state's bordering district with Assam which recently witnessed violence.

The advance convoy was attacked near Kotlen village on the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37).

Suspected militants fired multiple gunshots at the CM's advance security convoy vehicles, following which the security personnel also retaliated. The gunmen eventually fled.

The police officer said that a security personnel sustained injuries to his shoulder and immediately rushed to a hospital in Imphal for treatment.

Additional security forces, comprising personnel of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police have reached the site of the attack, around 40 km from Imphal, and launched a massive combing operation to nab the militants.

The Chief Minister arrived in Imphal from Delhi on Monday afternoon and visited the hospital, where an injured security personnel, Moirangthem Ajesh, is undergoing treatment.

Talking to the media, Biren Singh said it seemed to be a direct attack on the people of Manipur.

"A befitting action will be taken soon," he said.

Two police checkposts, a forest beat office and at least 100 houses were set afire in Jiribam by attackers last Friday and Saturday in a fresh bout of violence in Jiribam district after the killing of 59-year-old Soibam Saratkumar Singh, a farmer, in Jiribam last Thursday.

The district administration has imposed a curfew in Jiribam and adjoining Tamenglong district for an indefinite period after protests erupted over the killing of Saratkumar Singh, who belongs to the Meitei community.

An official in Imphal said that Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey discussed the Jiribam situation with the Chief Minister and took stock of the prevailing situation in the district.

The Governor requested the Chief Minister to take all possible steps to bring the situation under control, the official said.

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 Saratkumar Singh.

Bordering Assam, Jiribam is a mixed-populated district inhabited by Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis, Muslims and non-Manipuris. The district has so far largely remained unaffected by the ethnic violence which has affected 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 has also left thousands of houses, government and non-government properties, and religious structures destroyed or damaged.
Chandigarh, June 10 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Monday that a CISF constable allegedly slapping Bollywood actress and newly-elected BJP MP Kangana Ranaut at the Chandigarh Airport recently represented the simmering anger caused by her "venomous statement" made in the past.

Chandigarh, June 10 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Monday that a CISF constable allegedly slapping Bollywood actress and newly-elected BJP MP Kangana Ranaut at the Chandigarh Airport recently represented the simmering anger caused by her "venomous statement" made in the past.

"It is an unfortunate incident, but Kangna should also have exercised restraint before labelling all Punjabis as terrorists," he told the media.

Stating that the actress-politician should have remembered the significant contributions made by the Punjabis in India's freedom struggle, defence sector, and in making the country self-reliant in food production, Mann said the "immature statements does not behove a public figure of Kangna's stature".

A day after Kangana Ranaut was allegedly slapped at the Chandigarh Airport, an FIR was registered on June 7 against the accused CISF constable, Kulwinder Kaur.

Kaur has been booked under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 341 (wrongful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, no arrest has been made so far.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) constable was initially detained and later suspended after Kangana on the day of the incident told the CISF officials on her arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi that she was slapped and abused by a woman constable at the Chandigarh Airport before she boarded the flight to Delhi.

"I was hit on the face, abused. I am safe but concerned about terrorism in Punjab," Ranaut said in a video uploaded on her X handle with the caption, "Shocking rise in terror and violence in Punjab."

A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by the Superintendent of Police of Mohali district, has been formed to probe the matter.
Mumbai, June 10 : Will the two Shiv Sena factions come together in the run up to the forthcoming Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections?

The debate began in Maharashtra's political circles on Monday after banners were displayed in New Delhi urging the Shiv Sena and Shiv Sena (UBT) to unite in the larger interest of Maharashtra to take its development to a new high.

"Shiv Sainiks, Tigers unite. Accelerate the development of Maharashtra. Best wishes to all", the banners read.

The timing of the display of banners is important especially when the Shinde faction had to settle for the MoS Independent rank against its demand for one Cabinet and one MoS in the Union Cabinet.

In his reaction, the Shinde faction spokesman Sanjay Shirsat said, "Both the groups have decided to march in different directions. However, if they change direction and come together, it will definitely be welcomed. But there is a stark difference in the way of thinking.

"Once everyone used to say that Shiv Sena chief is our god. However, now some people are calling Sharad Pawar and Rahul Gandhi their god which is causing us trouble."

He added, "But if he (Uddhav Thackeray) changes his strategy, there is no problem in coming together in the future."

On the other hand, Shiv Sena (UBT) Deputy Leader Sushama Andhare said, "We respect the sentiments of Shiv Sainiks. The doors of Matoshree and Shiv Sena will always be open for Shiv Sainiks. However, those who hatched a big conspiracy to defraud the party, and tried to make Maharashtra fall into a ditch as an alternative to the Shiv Sena, in this conspiracy, let the people decide whether they are right or not."
New Delhi, June 10 : BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu, despite facing a drubbing in 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Ludhiana constituency, was sworn in as Minister of State (MoS) in Modi 3.0 Cabinet on Sunday.

Ravneet Singh Bittu is the grandson of Congress stalwart Beant Singh, who was assassinated by the militants while being the Chief Minister of Punjab.

He has been a strong critic of Khalistani hardliners and sympathisers.

In an exclusive interview with IANS, Ravneet Singh said that despite his failure to secure Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat, he was made a Minister in PM Modi-led government because the BJP acknowledges and promotes merit while Congress tries to suppress self-made and strong-minded leaders.

Bittu switched sides to BJP from Congress and has been a Parliamentarian for three terms. In 2024, he contested Lok Sabha election from Ludhiana on a BJP ticket but was defeated by his rival, Congress MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.

Following is the full interview:

IANS: You lost the Lok Sabha elections from Ludhiana and still managed to get your place as minister in Modi 3.0 government. Your first reaction?

Ravneet Singh Bittu: Even though I lost the Ludhiana parliamentary constituency, Punjab has won. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept Punjab as the top priority of his government. Despite my failure to secure the seat, they made me a Minister, keeping the state and the pressing need to address various challenges in the state.

IANS: Do you think the BJP fielded you in Punjab because they lacked an influential face?

Ravneet Singh Bittu: Do you think that the BJP lacks faces or leaders? Because of PM Modi's stellar leadership and BJPas robust cadre base, every face becomes influential. I also don't believe in this misconception and no one else should do either. Hard work yields success because of the organisation.

We worked hard, and that is why we secured a 19 per cent vote bank. This is just the start. Future election results will see the BJP doing much better and also enhancing its numbers.

IANS: You talked about power, you were a part of Congress for a very long time. Did you not get any kind of power there?

Ravneet Singh Bittu: The Congress only promotes those who blindly follow their command and diktats. I can tell you from 15 years' experience in the party that they only promote dummy and yesmen and not the ones who work hard to create an identity for themselves as well as the party.

I was never even made a member of any committee, even though I won three consecutive terms. Congress fears self-made and strong-minded leaders and hence tries to suppress them. However, the BJP acknowledges self-made leaders.

IANS: Have you demanded any specific ministry in the government?

Ravneet Singh Bittu: Even after losing, I was inducted into the government, and you are talking about demand. I have already mentioned that there is no need to demand in BJP. People get what they deserve.
New Delhi, June 10 : Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena on Monday met Water Minister Atishi and Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj in connection with the ongoing water crisis in some parts of the national capital, an official said.

According to Raj Niwas, the Chief Secretary and the CEO of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) were also present at the meeting which brought to the notice of the L-G and the ministers that a team of Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB), along with senior officials from the city government and Haryana government, inspected the supply of water at the head of Munak Canal on the Delhi side on Sunday evening.

The L-G office said the team found the water supply from Haryana to be sufficient.

As per the inspection report, it was informed that Haryana on June 9 released 2,289 cusec of water at Munak Canal in Haryana and the quantity of water released from Munak to Kakori for supply exclusively to Delhi was 1,161.084 cusec against the quota of 1,050 cusec of water.

"However, water received from Munak Canal at Bawana in Delhi was 960.78 cusec, amounting to a loss of 200 cusec, i.e., 18 per cent on that date. These losses should be less than 5 per cent as per the accepted norms," said the L-G office.

Munak Canal is the main source from where Delhi gets water from Haryana for supply to seven out of Delhi's nine water treatment plants (WTP).

"During transit, a huge quantity of water is lost and stolen due to non-maintenance of the Munak Canal during its course in Delhi. This happens because of leakages due to non-repair of lining of the Canal as also theft by tankers, which were seen unauthorisedly lifting water during the inspection also," said the Raj Niwas officials.

In the meeting, the L-G also shared photographs with the ministers showing tankers lined up along the Munak Canal in Delhi and lifting water illegally.

However, it was also informed that during the current heat wave conditions, water received at Munak Canal during May stood at an average of 948 cusec and an average 870 MGD so far in June.

"It also came out during the meeting that it could not be ascertained yet whether Himachal Pradesh was actually releasing the additional 137 cusec of water into Yamuna. The L-G asked the ministers to take up the matter with the Himachal Pradesh government," said an official.

"It was also informed that even from June 1-8, all but one WTP in Delhi were working beyond their capacity and even on June 8, 854 MGD water was produced against the capacity of 821 MGD.

"The Wazirabad WTP was the only one which had been functioning under its capacity and even on June 8, its production stood at 119.5 MGD against the capacity of 131 MGD," the official added.

At the meeting, the issue of inordinate delay in the commissioning of the Chandrawal and Dwarka WTPs, pending for years, was also discussed.

While it was underlined that the Chandrawal WTP got delayed due to Covid, the one at Dwarka, which had a commissioning date of just 18 months, was running behind schedule due to a shortage of funds.

"The issue of 54 per cent unaccounted water and 40 per cent leakage in Delhi due to theft and unrepaired pipelines was again flagged by the L-G and it was agreed by the ministers that a concrete plan of action for addressing this issue will soon be prepared by the DJB," the official said.

The L-G has assured that he will take up the matter of supply of water with the Haryana government and request them to give extra water on humanitarian grounds.

The L-G also assured that the issue of staffing at DJB and the additional burden on its CEO will be addressed suitably at the earliest, the official said.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference after the meeting, Bharadwaj said that as a minister, he can say with full responsibility that the press release issued by the L-G's office is "misleading".

"This is a false attempt to misrepresent the facts. When we met the L-G, he had installed three cameras to record the meeting. I am requesting the L-G to put the recording of the meeting in the public domain. Let the people of Delhi and the country see what was discussed. I am challenging the L-G," he said.
Mumbai, June 10 : A week after the Lok Sabha results were announced, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday asked the party workers to step up their outreach with voters for the victory of 180 Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidates in the forthcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections in September-October.

His message to the cadres was not to be complacent after the MVAas victory on 30 seats against the Mahayutias 17 in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections, but gear up for a repeat stellar performance in the Assembly polls.

Thackeray was speaking at a meeting with party office-bearers, district heads and elected representatives.

Thackeray emphasised on the need for the cadres to work hard to further improve SS(UBT)as performance on the nine Lok Sabha seats won by the party.

He also asked them to focus on strengthening coordination with allies, including NCP(SP) and the Congress for victory in rest of the constituencies.

SS(UBT) sources said that Thackeray has asked the cadres to avoid the mistakes made during the implementation of the poll management strategy, while preparing for the Assembly elections.

Thackeray has announced that he will soon start a Maharashtra tour and asked the party workers not to worry about seat allocation.

Thackeray said that all MVA constituents will work as a team to defeat the Mahayuti in the ensuing Assembly elections.
New Delhi, June 10 : India Inc is confident that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country will be steered to greater heights, maintaining the fastest pace of growth among the major economies of the world, Assocham said on Monday.

The country's apex industry chamber hailed the swearing-in of PM Modi for the third consecutive term, saying India would go from strength to strength, gaining further stature in the global rankings, powered by inclusive and sustainable economic growth for the next several years.

Assocham Secretary General, Deepak Sood, said the Indian industry and global investors are feeling reassured of fast and bolder reforms well beyond the economy, touching upon wider governance, quality and ease of living and leveraging upon the aspirational young population.

"We have been listening to your messages carrying conviction of bold measures for taking India to the next level of development," Sood said in a statement.

Assocham President Sanjay Nayar said PM Modi has rekindled the national resolve to become the third-largest economy, "even as we have already become the fifth among the top economies of the world".

"The entire ecosystem of industry, trade and financial markets are re-energised with the beginning of new innings," Nayar noted.

The industry body made a firm resolve to extend full support to the government towards nation building, leveraging the aspiration of young population with the median age of 28, industry-government partnership and driving the next phase of development with innovation and technology.

"We are looking forward to the forthcoming regular budget of the new government, which should serve as clear policy directions and priorities of the NDA government,'' Nayar said.
Islamabad, June 10 : Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday sent "felicitations" to Narendra Modi on taking oath as the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive time.

In a short message on X, Shehbaz wrote, "Felicitations to Narendra Modi on taking oath as Prime Minister of India."

Prime Minister Modi and his Council of Ministers took oath in a historic ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in Delhi on Sunday.

While dozens of global leaders have sent congratulatory messages, Pakistan PM's message to his Indian counterpart holds quite a significance considering the tense relationship between the neighbouring nations during the past two terms of the Modi government.

"PM Shehbaz's felicitation message shows clearly the rift that persists between the two countries. The message didn't show any sign of warmth or express hopes of working towards normalisation of relations between the two countries. Instead, it seemed more like a forced formality that the premier had to undertake," said senior political analyst Javed Siddique.

It should also be noted that PM Modi did not extend an invitation to Pakistan to participate in the swearing-in ceremony like he did in 2014 when then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was invited.

Interestingly, a vast difference is also seen in the messages sent to PM Modi on Monday by PM Shehbaz Sharif and by his elder brother Nawaz Sharif, the President of the country's ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

In his message to the Indian PM, Nawaz Sharif congratulated him on assuming office for the third consecutive time and expressed hope of "replacing hate with hope" for better future progress of the two nations.

"My warm felicitations to Modi Ji on assuming office for the third time. Your party's success in recent elections reflects the confidence of the people in your leadership. Let us replace hate with hope and seize the opportunity to shape the destiny of the two billion people of South Asia," he posted on X.

While PM Shehbaz enjoys a close relationship with the country's powerful establishment currently running a coalition government, his elder brother is seen as a leader who refuses to fall in line with the country's military.

Having failed to secure a majority to form the government after the general polls held in February this year, Nawaz Sharif is managing party politics through his daughter and Chief Minister of Punjab province, Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

PM Modi's close relations with Nawaz Sharif also became evident when he made a surprise visit to Lahore in 2015 on the latter's invitation and even spent time at Sharif's Jati Umra residence.

Analysts feel that considering the stance taken by the BJP-led NDA during campaigning over the past few weeks, it is unlikely that the relationship between the two countries will improve during the third term of the Modi government.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) councillors have rejected a proposed partnership with the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) to establish a bus terminus on part of the NRZ's business premises.Councillors argued that such a partnership wouldn't reflect well on the council, considering their existing agreement with Terracotta for the construction of the Egodini terminus.The council maintains that the Egodini development will decongest the CBD by reducing traffic and the number of informal traders.During a recent Full Council meeting, Ward 28 Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu expressed shock about the proposal, stating that councillors were not formally consulted. They learned about the development through the press, despite ongoing efforts to create a local development plan for the CBD."We recently read in the media that the city has partnered with NRZ for a bus terminus at the railway station," Cllr Ndlovu said. "There's no council resolution for this. We have a relationship with Terracotta to develop Egodini as a regional and local bus terminal. Learning about the NRZ plan from the press is shocking."Cllr Ndlovu argued that the NRZ partnership wouldn't solve the city's transportation and vending issues; it would simply relocate the chaos."We see the chaos at alternative areas designated for buses and vendors. Now, suggesting these elements move to the railway station means the chaos will restart there," he said. "This won't solve congestion; it will worsen it. We need convenient bus terminals, and that's what Egodini offers through the Terracotta project. Partnering with NRZ reflects poorly on us. We should rescind this decision."Ward 2 Councillor Adrian Moyo concurred, calling the proposed NRZ partnership a "bad faith" move due to the existing Egodini agreement."The Egodini project involved a tender process and feasibility assessments. This NRZ talk is not only shocking but a poorly conceived exercise," Cllr Moyo said. "I haven't seen any procedures followed, advertisements placed, or tenders issued. We haven't seen proposals or documentation presented to the committee. I believe fellow councillors want an orderly city with proper planning. We can't take a haphazard approach that ignores due process. This conversation needs to be shelved until proper procedures are followed. We're contractually obligated to fulfill our agreement with the Egodini project."City Mayor, Cllr David Coltart, clarified that the proposal stemmed from a resolution passed by the previous council. Reversing it would require following proper procedures."Some of us are new to the council," Cllr Coltart said. "I was also surprised to learn about the previous council's resolution with NRZ. We're bound by that resolution. However, if this council wishes to reverse it, we must follow the proper procedures."In the meantime, Cllr Coltart assured Terracotta that their agreement with the council remains valid."We've spoken to Terracotta to address their concerns," he said. "We've reaffirmed our commitment to Egodini and want them to comply with contracts made with transport operators. The city will support those contracts. They understand the situation and are satisfied with our assurances."
Pune : , June 10 (IANS) The process of 'decentralisation' of power has been initiated in India after the just-concluded Lok Sabha 2024 General Elections, as the people have voted wisely, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President, Sharad Pawar, said here on Monday.

Addressing the Silver Jubilee of the party he founded on June 10, 1999, Pawar, 83, said that in the last five years, the country witnessed a government that was run on whims of some persons without giving any thought for the nation.

"There was an attempt to centralise power, whatever they felt was the right policy, or the laws as they deemed fit Fortunately, due to the peoples' verdict, such a situation will not recur in the country.

"The masses have taken note of it and the manner in which they voted, the power that was concentrated in the hands of just one or two individuals has become limited now," said Sharad Pawar.

In what is viewed as a veiled attack on NDA 3.0 which took office on Sunday, without taking names, senior Pawar said the country is seeing a much changed scenario now, though the government is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Overall, there is a huge difference between the voting patterns in 2019 and then in 2024, as the Bharatiya Janata Party's winning figure and parliamentary majority have been slashed, he pointed out.

"If they (BJP) had not secured the support of the Telugu Desam Party and Janata Dal (U), then they lacked the capacity to complete their majority independently in Parliament," Pawar declared.

He was flanked by National Working Presidents Supriya Sule and PC Chacko, state President Jayant Patil, General Secretary Dr. Jitendra Awhad and other senior leaders.

Supriya Sule said that it was perhaps for the first time in the country's history that the PM was taking his oath in Delhi and a terror attack was being carried out in Jammu & Kashmir at that time.

PC Chacko noted that in 2019, the (undivided) NCP had only four MPs, but its performance doubled in 2024 with the NCP(SP) getting 8 MPs elected, despite the machinations of certain persons who broke the party (July 2023).

"In Baramati, they concentrated their full energy to defeat Supriya Sule, but the people there decided which is 'the real NCP'. We are now going to revamp the party systematically all over India and fill up vacancies," said Chacko.

The trio of Pawar-Sule-Chacko said that despite certain events last year, the party notched an impressive growth, progress and was in power for 18 years in its 25-years' existence.

The event was attended by top leaders, elected representatives and a large number of workers.
New Delhi, June 10 : The first Cabinet meeting of the new NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday approved a proposal to provide assistance to 3 crore additional rural and urban households for construction of houses.

The decision has been taken to meet the housing requirements arising out of the increase in the number of eligible families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

The PM Modi-led government has been implementing the PMAY scheme since 2015-16 to provide assistance to eligible rural and urban households for the construction of houses with basic amenities.

Under PMAY, a total of 4.21 crore houses have been completed for the poor families eligible under the housing scheme since 2015-16.

All the houses constructed under PMAY are also provided with basic amenities such as toilets, LPG connection, electricity connection, functional household water connection, etc., through convergence with other schemes of the Central government and state governments.

Prime Minister Modi, who took oath as the head of a coalition government, held the first Cabinet meeting of the new regime at his residence in Delhi on Monday.

On the agenda was advising the President to formulate the 18th Lok Sabha, among others.

On Monday morning, PM Modi signed his first file to authorise the release of Rs 20,000 crore as the 17th instalment of the PM Kisan Nidhi scheme to benefit 9.3 crore farmers.

After signing the file, PM Modi said, "Ours is a government fully committed to Kisan Kalyan. It is therefore fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to farmer welfare. We want to keep working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come."
New Delhi, June 10 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a veiled dig at Pakistan even as he appreciated the "warm felicitations" sent by the country's former PM Nawaz Sharif on Monday.

The President of the ruling party in the country, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif congratulated PM Modi on Monday as the BJP-led NDA formed the government for the third consecutive time following its victory in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections.

"My warm felicitations to Modi Ji on assuming office for the third time. Your party's success in recent elections reflects the confidence of the people in your leadership. Let us replace hate with hope and seize the opportunity to shape the destiny of the two billion people of South Asia," Nawaz Sharif posted on X.

In reply, PM Modi said that the people of India have always stood for peace, security, and progressive ideas.

"Appreciate your message, Nawaz Sharif. The people of India have always stood for peace, security, and progressive ideas. Advancing the well-being and security of our people shall always remain our priority," Prime Minister Modi wrote on X.

Interestingly, Nawaz Sharif's younger brother and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also posted a short message for PM Modi on Monday afternoon.

"Felicitations to Narendra Modi on taking oath as Prime Minister of India," Shehbaz wrote.

To recall, PM Modi paid a surprise visit to Lahore on Christmas Day in December 2015 and even spent time at Sharifs' Jati Umra residence.
Gadchiroli : , June 10 (IANS) A dreaded and most wanted Maoist carrying a bounty Rs 2 lakh on his head surrendered before the Maharashtra Police and CRPF after being pursued for 10 years, an official said here on Monday.

The Maoist has been identified as Mukesh Penta Kannake (37) alias Kishore, who joined militancy as a Jan-Militia member in 2014 at Bhamragad in Gadchiroli district.

In 2022, he was appointed as the head of the Revolutionary People's Council and as a Bhamragad Dalam member, said Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police, Neelotpal.

In his decade-long involvement with outlawed outfits, Kannake was involved in at least four murder cases of civilians, including three men and a woman, in 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2019.

He was also part of three encounters with the security forces in 2017, 2021, and 2022 in Darba, Koparshi, and Pengunda villages of the district.

Kannake was also involved in incidents of arson in 2021, 2022, and 2023 at places like Murumbhushi, Botanfundi, Pengunda, and Hidoor, in which over a dozen government-owned and private vehicles were torched.

Neelotpal said Kannake decided to surrender as he wanted to quit his life as an outlaw, and take advantage of the governmentas policy of rehabilitation, including a cash reward of Rs 4.5 lakh from the Centre and the state, along with other benefits.

Neelotpal, along with senior officers Sandeep Patil, Ankit Goyal, and CRPFas top officers Jagdish Meena, M.M. Khobragade, Sandip Pakhale, Jyotsna Masram, Jitendra Vairagade and Pramod Puri were present during the surrender.

Neelotpal also said that between 2022 and 2024, 15 dreaded Maoists have voluntarily renounced violence, laid down arms before the security forces, and also appealed to other outlaws lurking in the jungles to follow suit.
New Delhi, June 10 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first address to the staffers of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) soon after taking charge of office on Monday, laid down the government's goals and objectives in his third term.

New Delhi, June 10 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first address to the staffers of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) soon after taking charge of office on Monday, laid down the governmentas goals and objectives in his third term.

PM Modi said that 10 years ago, the PMO was perceived as a 'power centre' but that was never the case under his watch.

"The PMO should be the people's PMO, and it cannot be Modi's PMO," PM Modi told the gathering, adding that today, this was being seen a 'catalytic agent'.

"Ten years ago, the PMO was seen a power centre, a very big power centre. It should never become a power centre. We have taken multiple steps since 2024 to expand its reach and make it work like catalytic agent."

PM Modi further said that his only goal is 'nation first' and the only motivation is 'Viksit Bharat'.

Emphasising the government's focus and resolve on taking forward the Viskit Bharat dream, he also sought the support of all stakeholders.

"My every moment is for my country," he said while outlining his priorities to work 24x7 till 2047.

He stated that his election victory was a stamp of approval for all the government employees, including the civil servants who worked tirelessly in the past 10 years.

PM Modi also told the PMO staff that his resolve was to get bigger targets than those achieved in the last 10 years, a reaffirmation of his earlier claims that this was just a trailer, and the real development was yet to come.

Earlier on Monday, PM Modi was given a warm reception at the PMO office with staffers lining up at the entrance and through the corridor leading to PM's office.

PM Modi with folded hands thanked them all for warm welcome and also took his first decision, clearing the release of 17th installment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
Geneva, June 10 : The Indian delegation participating in the ongoing conference organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO) highlighted the Government of India's labour reforms, social security provisions and other new initiatives on the anvil.

Geneva, June 10 (IANS) The Indian delegation participating in the ongoing conference organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO) highlighted the Government of Indiaas labour reforms, social security provisions and other new initiatives on the anvil.

Addressing the plenary session of the International Labour Conference, the head of the Indian delegation, Sumita Dawra, Secretary (Labour & Employment), mentioned that the government was providing social security to all, particularly informal sector workers, promoting female labour force participation and making efforts towards identifying and promoting new employment opportunities.

She also held bilateral meetings with the Director General (DG) of ILO, Gilbert F. Houngbo, and Deputy Director General (DDG), Celeste Drake, to discuss the issues of further collaboration with the ILO.

The focus areas of global skills gap mapping, including feasibility study by ILO and OECD on international reference classification of occupations based on skills and qualifications, universal social security, future of work including green jobs, orderly international migration of skilled workers, opportunities for employment generation etc. were discussed. India will continue to strengthen its work with ILO in view of emerging technologies and digitalization in the future of work, Sumita Dawra said.

The Indian delegation is actively participating in the ongoing deliberations in the Committees of the ILC on key issues of discussions such as social justice, care economy, biological hazards, fundamental principles and rights at work, among others.

The Indian delegation highlighted the Governmentas initiatives taken in the care sector, in the form of access to clean cooking fuel under aPradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)a to reduce the daily care burden of women, maternity benefits, health care including geriatric care, skilling programs and initiatives in care-work, social security benefits etc.

During the discussion in the session on aFundamental Principles and Rights at worka, the Indian delegation highlighted the path-breaking labour reforms and the initiatives of the government to promote fundamental principles and rights at work in terms of elimination of discrimination at workplace, elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, effective abolition of child labour, adequate safety and health protection to all workers, enhanced social security coverage etc.

Indiaas commitment towards ensuring social well-being of its citizens and providing them with essential safety nets through a diverse range of in-kind social protection measures such as free housing, food security, subsidized cooking gas, cash transfers through aJan Dhan Yojanaa, agricultural crop insurance scheme etc. were also highlighted.
New Delhi, June 10 : A 40-year-old woman died after a fire broke out at a double-storey building in Delhi's Shahdara area on Monday, police said.

The deceased was identified as Bhawna.

Delhi Fire Services (DFS) chief Atul Garg said that a call regarding a blaze was received at around 3.15 p.m. in a Delhi Development Authority (DDA) flat in northeast Delhi's Welcome area.

Two fire tenders were rushed to the spot.

It was learned that the fire originated in domestic articles, AC and electric metre board on the ground floor of double-storey DDA flats.

"One woman was found dead on the spot due to inhaling smoke declared by the nursing assistant of CATS Ambulance," said Garg.
Colombo, June 10 : India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will soon visit Sri Lanka to set the ball rolling for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to the island nation in the coming months, the Lankan President's Media Division said in Colombo on Monday.

A discussion on this took place when Jaishankar met visiting Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi on Monday.

Jaishankar's visit, the Lankan Foreign Ministry detailed, will also take stock of the progress being made on projects being funded by Indian investments and expedite the pending plans.

During their discussion, Jaishankar and the Lankan President also held talks on plans to establish an industrial zone in Trincomalee, the port city of the country's Eastern province, to attract Indian investors and potential investors from other countries.

President Wickremesinghe informed the Indian Minister that the new Economic Transformation Act will devolve powers in agriculture, health, education, and economic management to the Provincial Councils.

The meeting also covered the agricultural modernisation programme being implemented in the country and addressed the ongoing issues between the fishermen of both nations, aiming for a swift resolution of issues.

Jaishankar informed President Wickrmesinghe of the swift resumption of development projects initiated in Sri Lanka with Indian investments, which had been halted midway.

President Wickremesinghe assured that estate line rooms where the Indian-origin Tamil labourers live would be designated as estate villages through a gazette notification, allowing for their development under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Sri Lankan President also mentioned that the Truth and Reconciliation Bill will be submitted to the Parliament by next month.
New Delhi, June 10 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari retained their key portfolios in the third term of the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the list of portfolios released on Monday.

The list was released after the first meeting of the 30-strong Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, a day after the swearing-in ceremony.

Among other ministers in the second PM Modi government who retained their posts were Hardeep Singh Puri (Petroleum and Natural Gas), Piyush Goyal (Commerce and Industry), Dharmendra Pradhan (Education), Sarbananda Sonowal (Ports, Shipping and Waterways), Bhupender Yadav (Environment, Forest, and Climate Change), and Virendra Kumar (Social Justice and Empowerment).

Ashwani Vaishnaw has retained the Railways and Electronics and Information Technology Ministries, besides being given the charge of Information and Broadcasting.

BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda, who returns to the government, got Health and Family Welfare, a post he held in the first PM Modi government. He also got the additional charge of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

Jual Oram, who was Minister for Tribal Affairs in the first PM Modi government, has got back charge of the ministry.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in his first stint in the Union Cabinet, will be the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, while former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who also became a Union Minister for the first time, is the new Housing and Urban Affairs and Power Minister.

BJP's Gujarat unit chief C.R. Patil has been given the crucial Jal Shakti Ministry in his first stint in the Union Cabinet.

Previous government ministers who have been allocated different portfolios are Pralhad Joshi (Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution as well as New and Renewable Energy), Giriraj Singh (Textiles), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (Communications, and Development of North Eastern Region), Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Tourism and Culture), Annapurna Devi (Women and Child Development), Kiren Rijiju (Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs), Mansukh Mandaviya (Labour and Employment, Sports), and G. Kishan Reddy (Coal and Mines).

From the allies, TDP's Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu got Civil Aviation, JD-S' H.D. Kumaraswamy got Heavy Industry and Steel, HAM-S's Jitan Ram Manjhi is the new MSME Minister, JD-U's Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh got Panchayati Raj, and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying portfolios, while Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas chief Chirag Paswan has been made the Minister for Food Processing Industries.

Among Ministers of State (Independent Charge), Rao Inderjit Singh has been allotted Statistics and Programme Implementation, and Planning and will be Minister of State for Culture; Jitendra Singh will handle Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and be the Minister of State in the PMO; Arjun Ram Meghwal got Law and Justice again; Shiv Sena's Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav will handle AYUSH and be Minister of State in the Health Ministry; while RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary has been given Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and will also be the Minister of State for Education.

The key Ministers of State include Jitin Prasada (Commerce and Industry and Electronics and IT), TDP's Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, who is the richest MP (Rural Development and Communication), BJP's first-ever Kerala MP Suresh Gopi (Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism), Ravneet Singh 'Bittu' (Food Processing Industries and Railways), and Raksha Khadse (Youth Affairs and Sports).
New Delhi, June 10 : Ruling in favour of senior journalist Rajat Sharma, the Delhi High Court has issued an interim order restraining an individual from using the India TV logo and the "Baap Ki Adalat" trademark in social media content.

Justice Anish Dayal granted the ad-interim ex parte injunction against Ravindra Kumar Choudhary, who was accused of infringing on Sharma's personality rights and trademark.

The court's decision came after Sharma and Independent News Service Private Ltd, which owns the India TV news channel, filed a suit against Choudhary.

The plaintiffs alleged that Choudhary, a self-proclaimed political satirist, had been producing and publishing videos on social media that featured the India TV logo and the "Baap Ki Adalat" mark, a deceptive imitation of the channel's logo and the popular show "Aap Ki Adalat".

Justice Dayal's order also directed social media platforms to remove Choudhary's content, including posts and links that featured the infringing trademarks.

The injunction specifically prohibits Choudhary from using Sharma's photograph, video, or name in any manner that might violate the journalist's personality rights. The court found that the plaintiffs had established a prima facie case for the injunction.

"Balance of convenience lies in favour of the plaintiff, and they are likely to suffer irreparable harm in case the injunction, as prayed for, is not granted," Justice Dayal stated.

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on October 18, with the court's interim order remaining in effect until then.
Opinion / National

The penchant for frivolous bluster in Zimbabwe's public discourse has once again reared its ugly trappings after the widespread circulation on social media platforms of a 2.42-minutes video clip posted on an obscure if not dubious YouTube channel; containing incomplete remarks made by President Mnangagwa in his tete a tete with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, at the Konstantinovsky Palace in St Petersburg, Russia. President Mnangagwa was in Russia, attending the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF'24).https://www.youtube.com/live/f_MCsAN_aXsAs often happens  and notwithstanding that the circulating video clip is incomplete and thus lacks context to enable a properly grounded analysis as it contains only partial remarks taken from a much longer, more comprehensive and substantive presentation by Mnangagwa the social media responses to the clip went berserk with the usual political mockery, bordering on juvenile delinquency and bereft of informed or informing commentary.To unpack the full import of the Putin-Mnangagwa meeting, it is essential to first reproduce the full verbatim transcripts of the opening statements by the two presidents, as released by the Government of Russia on its Kremlin website on 6 June 2024 under the rubric, 'Russia-Zimbabwe talks' [http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/74232].The unpacking of the two statements below, is presented in three parts:I. Full verbatim transcript of President Putin's opening statement.II. Full verbatim transcript of President Mnangagwa's opening statement.III. My review of the two statements and their implications, in the form of 10 observations.I.FROM THE KREMLIN WEBSITEVladimir Putin held talks with President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa at the Constantine Palace.June 6, 202423:55St PetersburgThe two leaders' conversation was followed by expanded talks during a working lunch.* * *The beginning of Russia-Zimbabwe talks in the restricted formatPresident of Russia Vladimir Putin: "Mr President, I am delighted to welcome you to Russia.Mr President, I am delighted to welcome you to Russia.Our previous meeting also took place here in St Petersburg, at the RussiaAfrica Summit, and we truly appreciate your personal involvement in developing our interstate ties.RussiaZimbabwe 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 several fold 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 side lines 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."Vladimir Putin, President of RussiaII.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."Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of ZimbabweIII.TEN OBSERVATIONS1. This was a one-on-one meeting, a tete a tete which was "in the restricted format", according to the Kremlin. To say this does not mean there was no one else present. And, to say it was a one-on-one meeting means that the engagement was only between the two leaders, and therefore did not include their delegations. It is notable that the meeting was in a self-evidently high security room.2. Even quick or amateurish perusal of the verbatim transcripts of the statements by the two presidents would immediately reveal that their statements were neither random nor off the cuff. The remarks they made were clearly prepared in advance and thus aforethought, organically structured, unmistakably reflective of the national interests of the two countries, and addressing critical geopolitical issues of the day and their implications going forward. From the nature, content and quality of the two transcripts, it is clear that the kneejerk and self-indulgent claims of an embarrassing diplomatic gaffe' by Mnangagwaare clearly mere assertions that are unwarranted, thoughtless and without merit.3. There has been an interesting and revealing response to this sentence in Mnangagwa's opening statement: "Americans are consolidating their power in that country [Zambia], both in terms of security and in terms of financial support to Zambia to make sure that we feel lonely". The phrase, "to make sure we feel lonely", has given rise to frankly childish and over the top fascination with the phrase which smacks of juvenile delinquency and betrays ignorance or lack of understanding or the inexperience of the commentators who have been going comical with the phrase, apparently because they are unaware that the phrase that the phrase is actually common lingua in diplomacy and politics, and it means, "they want us to feel isolated". If or when you are isolated, you of course feel lonely; that is the objective of isolation of national leaders or countries. For example, it is common cause that a key plank of US foreign policy in pursuit of regime change in the global south is the isolation of the targeted national leaders or countries to indeed make them feel lonely. That is exactly the nefarious objective of sanctions like the unilateral US coercive measures under the so-called Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. It is for this reason that a tried and tested response to imperialist policies that seek the isolation of national leaders or progressive countries in the global south is solidarity.4. The self-indulgent claims that the remarks in the video clip, which does not have the full statement, insults Sadc neighbours, Malawi and Zambia or the leaders of these countries; are shocking. There's nothing either on the video clip or in the statement on which the video is based that insults any Sadc leader or country. The statement by Mnangagwato a head of state of a superpower, the Russian Federation President Putin, is unambiguously about what the US government, a superpower, is doing in Zambia and how that affects Zimbabwe; about why Zimbabwe has legitimate national interests and national security concerns which are best addressed in a broader geopolitical context beyond the Zimbabwean and Zambian axis. To be sure, Zimbabwe would be a stupid country, and the country's national leadership would not be up to its task, if it were to be found unconcerned about the mischief of a superpower like the US, which after imposing sanctions on the country under the outrageous pretext that the situation in Zimbabwe posed a national security threat to the US and its foreign policy, starts doing things in a neighbour like Zambia; things which, among other objects, target Zimbabwean elections. The issue is as simple as that and is therefore potentially very dangerous; hence, it is a matter of Zimbabwe's national security interest, and is a legitimate issue to raise in a tete a tete, such as the one between Putin and Mnangagwa.5. Parenthetically, and only for the sake of a perspective, it is clear from the verbatim transcript of the statement presented by Mnangagwaand published by the government of the Russian Federation, that not a single untoward word was uttered about anything done by or against Zambia or its leadership or about any other leader or Sadc country. Yet, by way of comparison, it's well known in circles that matter that  in September 2022 ahead of Zimbabwe's harmonised general election held on 23/24 August 2023  Zambia's President, Hakainde Hichilema, had a one-on-one meeting with US President Joe Biden where some nefarious things were said and plotted about and against Zimbabwe, some of that became public and some is a story yet to be told.Suffice it to say that subsequent to that one-on-one between Hichilema and Biden in September 2022; there were hostile actions and pronouncements, some which are documented, against Zimbabwe taken by the current leadership in Zambia in liaison with the US government, especially in the run up to, during and after Zimbabwe's August 2023 harmonised general election; while much of this now well-known, the full story is yet to be told.Related to the foregoing, other eyebrow raising developments that footnote the said Biden and Hichilema one-on-one include the visit to Zambia in March 2023 by US Vice President Kamala Harris, during which there was further liaisons between the US and Zambia on the situation' in Zimbabwe; particularly regarding the 2023 elections.The list of strange' activities that can only be explained with reference to the 2022 Biden and Hichilema one-on-one meeting include Zambia's receipt of arms shipped from the US, which arms have raised legitimate geopolitical concerns within the Sadc region, especially with Zambia's neighbours. Another issue that harks back to the Hichilema and Biden one-on-one in 2022 is Zambia's breaking of ranks with Sadc on the Russia-Ukraine war, and on Israel's widely condemned genocide in Gaza, about which Zambia has firmly aligned its positions with those of the US.What is telling is that those making noise about Mnangagwa's one-on-one meeting with President Putin, whose contents have been made public as per the verbatim statements reproduced herein, have been conspicuous by their silence on the undiplomatic things that President Hichilema has either said or done that have not only threatened Zimbabwe's national and security interests; but that also have been potentially harmful to Sadc's collective regional security interests, as outlined in the foregoing.6. Given that the verbatim transcripts of the opening statements by the two heads of state and government at the Russia-Zimbabwe Talks' in St Petersburg were released by the Kremlin immediately after their one-on-one meeting, the question must be asked as to why the Russians did this. Geopolitically, the answer or answers to this question, could very well be doctoral dissertations.7. Meanwhile, one need not undertake a doctoral dissertation to surmise from a prima facie geopolitical reading of the transcripts of the respective opening remarks by President Mnangagwa and President Putin that, at the very least, the Kremlin saw an important opportunity to publish the two statements to effectively call out the US and to expose its hypocrisy: namely, that what the US accuses Russia of doing in West Africa; the US is in fact already doing in Southern Africa.8. Conversely, it should stand to reason that from a Zimbabwean geopolitical point of view, the release of the two statements by the Kremlin should fortuitously send an important message to the US: that its longstanding policy of seeking to isolate Zimbabwe and its national leaders will not work; not least because Zimbabwe has important, powerful and strategic friends that matter in the geopolitical scheme of things  like Russia and indeed China  with whom it has historic, solidarity, political and diplomatic relations and ties that, as highlighted in the statement by President Putin, are deeply rooted in Zimbabwe's independence struggle against colonialism. When the US and its Western imperialist allies abused their positions in the United Nations by seeking to have the UN Security Council impose regime-change inspired sanctions in 2008 to isolate Zimbabwe and its national leadership, Russia and China vetoed the mischief in what was a powerful and emphatic double-veto. With the emergence of new progressive global entities like the BRICS, which countries like Zimbabwe want to and are expected to join, it is the US not Zimbabwe that risks being isolated.9. While social media trolls can amuse themselves with frivolities, irrelevances and even falsehoods about the one-on-one meeting between President Putin and President Mnangagwa on Russia-Zimbabwe Talks' in St Petersburg, there is no prize for guessing that discerning US policy strategists in Washington DC and at the Pentagon will read the transcripts of the statements delivered at the meeting by the two presidents, with a great deal of geopolitical concern: they will notice the obvious fact that the US machinations to isolate Zimbabwe  including by conniving with Zimbabwe's neighbours  is only serving to push Zimbabwe away from the US into the orbit of US competitors like Russia, China and the BRICS in general. This is what is crystal clear from an informed reading of the two statements released by the Kremlin.10. Last but not least, the statement by Mnangagwafor and on behalf of the state not only conveys an honest and frustrating view about the disposition, some actions and utterances of the current Zambian leadership  especially in the run up to, during and after Zimbabwe's 2023 harmonised general election; but also, and more importantly, the statement makes it clear what the source of that frustration and disquiet is; namely, the machinations of the US from across Zimbabwe's northern border. Many things in international relations are possible and understandable even if unpalatable; but it's unfathomable and thus impossible to understand or to ignore the idea and the consequences of a having a next door neighbour working with an imperialist power to undermine your sovereignty to the detriment of your national and security interests; when you in fact have deep-seated historical, cultural, language and political ties with that neighbour!
Thiruvananthapuram, June 10 : The CPI-M's Kerala unit on Monday "gifted" its Rajya Sabha seat to the Kerala Congress-Mani, the third biggest constituent of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF),

This decision was taken at the LDF meeting held here on Monday evening.

Addressing the media, LDF Convenor E.P. Jayarajan said the CPI-M has a different outlook "as it is considerate to its allies". "Hence we know the feelings of our allies and we have decided to give our seat to the KC-M. The other seat will be given to the CPI," he said.

Election to three seats will be held on June 25. Of the three, the LDF can win two, while the third will go to the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

The question of these two seats had become a contentious issue in the LDF, as the CPI was unwilling to part with its seat that was getting vacant and the KC-M leadership was very keen to ensure that party Chairman Jose K. Mani, whose present term in the upper house of the Parliament is ending in a few weeks, retains his seat.

On Saturday, the CPI-M top brass met the leadership of the CPI and Mani separately and the CPI stood firm that under no circumstances, would they give their seat to anyone.

On the other hand, the KC-M suffered a jolt when its lone sitting MP lost the Lok Sabha polls from Kottyam. With Manias term also ending soon, there will be no representation in Parliament for the KC-M, and hence the party and Mani had been putting pressure on the CPI-M for the Rajya Sabha seat.

Mani, who will be filing his nomination soon, heads the bigger faction of his father K.M. Mani's party. Soon after the death of his father, Mani joined the ruling LDF and his party won five seats in the 2021 Assembly polls. However, Mani suffered a rude jolt when he lost from his fatheras traditional seat

The other party faction, led by veteran legislator P.J. Joseph, is with the Congress-led UDF.
New Delhi, June 10 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday assured that his ministry will continue to accelerate and strengthen security initiatives by introducing new approaches to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a secure Bharat.

Taking to social media after the announcement on the allocation of portfolios among the members of the Union Council of Ministers, Shah also said that as the Minister of Cooperation, he remains committed to empowering farmers and villages.

"Gratitude to PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji for reposing trust and reassigning me the roles of Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation," Shah said in a post on X.

"In Modi 3.0, the MHA will continue to accelerate and strengthen security initiatives and introduce new approaches to realise PM Modi's vision of a secure Bharat. Under the astute leadership of Modi Ji, the Ministry of Cooperation will remain committed to empowering farmers and villages with the vision of 'Sahakaar Se Samriddhi'," he added.

Home Minister Shah, during the previous two terms of the Modi government, had been working extensively on establishing a national security mechanism to ensure a safe and secure nation.

He has maintained that, in line with PM Modi's vision, India has made comprehensive changes in the field of internal security in the last 10 years based on its concrete policy.
New Delhi, June 10 : Top industry bodies on Monday welcomed the appointment of Jyotiraditya Scindia as Minister of Communications and Ashwini Vaishnaw retaining Railways and IT Ministries, besides getting the key Information and Broadcasting (I&B) portfolio.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), on behalf of the telecom industry, welcomed Scindia as Communications Minister.

"Under the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the past decade has been marked by significant efforts to revive the industry and bring the digital revolution to the masses," said Lt Gen Dr S.P. Kochhar (retd), Director General, COAI.

"We look forward to working with Minister Scindia to advance further policy reforms and spearhead pioneering initiatives that will elevate the digital revolution to the next level, integrating a variety of technological innovations," he noted.

Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), said that the industry is extremely satisfied with PM Modi's decision to continue existing Ministers, especially Vaishnaw in key portfolios.

"The 'continuity' in policy making, governance approach and key priorities across Finance, Commerce, MeitY, and Environment Ministry are critical to investor confidence and growth," he said.

"We are geared up for the five-year sprint till 2030 on the way to transforming India into a global hub for electronics manufacturing and Viksit Bharat," Mohindroo added.

India is poised to become a large-scale global electronics manufacturing destination in years to come. India aims to reach $300 billion in electronics production by FY26, which will trigger demand for semiconductors worth $90-$100 billion, largely driven by domestic mobile manufacturing.
Nagpur, June 10 : Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday expressed concern over the situation in the strife-torn northeastern state of Manipur, which has been largely affected by unrest since May 3 last year.

This was his first remarks on the Manipur issue over which the BJP has been subjected to much criticism.

"Manipur has been waiting for peace for a year. Violence has to be stopped, and it has to be given priority," Bhagwat said while addressing a group of RSS trainees here.

Bhagwat's observation on the Manipur violence came just six days after the results of the Lok Sabha polls were announced.

Bhagwat also expressed his resentment over the misuse of modern technology for setting up a false narrative during the recent elections in the country.

Without naming the opposition, Bhagwat said, in a reference to the narrative run by the opposition on changing the Constitution and scrapping reservations for the backward caste communities.

He further said: "We have made strides in many fields, like the economy, defence, sports, culture, technology, etc. That does not mean that we have overcome all the challenges."

Bhagwat also said "decency and limitations" during the campaign were missing, which is unfortunate.

"Though there were two main groups contesting elections, the 'maryada' was not followed in spirit."

Hoping that there would be cordiality in the Parliament, he said there was a possibility of competition, but it should not be turned into a war.

The RSS chief also said that "election is a process of building consensus".

"Parliament has two sides so that both aspects of any question can be considered," Bhagwat said in words that were seen as underlining the role of the Opposition and its importance.

He also lauded the role of the government in the last 10 years, saying India has achieved success on the economic front, science & technology and education.

"India has accepted every challenge and overcame the difficulties," Bhagwat said.

The RSS chief also said that now, since the elections are over, the attention should be shifted towards the current challenges the nation is facing, and deliberate upon them.

The RSS chief called upon the people in the country to uphold family values.

"Every family should spend time together at least once a week and enjoy meals," Bhagwat said.
New York, June 10 : An Indian-origin man here shot his brother dead, injured his mother, and then killed himself, according to police.

Karamjit Multani, 33, shot his brother Vipanpal, 27, on Sunday in their home in the Richmond Hill neighbourhood and went out and turned the gun on himself at a place about two kilometres away, police said.

Police said that when they went to their house after getting a call about a shooting, they found Vipanpal "unresponsive" with several gunshot wounds, and their 52-year-old mother with an injury to her stomach. Later, Multani was found dead near a street corner with a gunshot wound to his head and a gun nearby, according to police.

The mother, who was not identified by name, was taken to a hospital where she was said to be out of danger.

Richmond Hill has a large concentration of Asians, most of them of Indian descent from India or the Caribbean, accounting for 26 per cent of the area's population.

According to the city, "The southern portion of Richmond Hill is home to several tight-knit communities, such as the Punjabi Sikh".

CBS New York reported that the menas father, Bhupinder Multani, told the station that he did not know what set off his older son.

Asked by the stationas reporter if the sons had any issues, he said: "Not big problems. Sometimes little disagreements, no problems."

He said that the family had settled in for a quiet evening with pizza when Multani opened the door to his brotheras room and shot him without warning. The father said that he ran to the house of a neighbour to seek help. The neighbour told the station that when she entered the house she found Vipanpal wounded and pleading for help.

"He told me, 'Please, don't let me die'," the neighbour said, and died later "in my hands".

Jaspreet Singh, the brother-in-law of the two men, told the station that Multani "was one of the nicest, coolest guys, always joking around".

"What could be going on in his mind to explode like that," he wondered.

The New York Post reported that, according to his family, Multani was the father of three and was financially sound with no known problems. A neighbour, Alvin Debieen, told the New York Daily News that they thought it was firecrackers going off when they heard the sound, but when they heard the police sirens, "we kind of just figured someone was shot".

"It had to be something really serious or he just snapped," Debieen said.

A neighbour from where Multanias body was found, told the newspaper that "His body was right there laid out in the open and there was a lot of blood".

--IANS

al/vd
Jaipur, June 10 : Following the Lok Sabha elections, all eyes are now set on the Assembly bypolls to be held on five seats in Rajasthan which fell vacant after the sitting MLAs contested and emerged winners in the general elections.

Out of these five Assembly seats, three were held by the Congress and one each by the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) and the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP).

The leaders of the respective parties have confirmed that they have now started preparing for the ensuing by-elections.

While the BJP is planning to balance the social engineering equation on these seats, the Congress, as per its leaders, is planning to field the sons and daughters of the current and former MPs on these seats buoyed by their success in the LS polls.

MLAs Murari Lal Meena (Congress) from Dausa, Harish Meena (Congress) from Deoli Uniara, Brijendra Ola (Congress) from Jhunjhunu, Hanuman Beniwal (RLP) from Khinvsar, and Rajkumar Roat (BTP) from Chaurasi were fielded as LS candidates by their respective parties, and all five emerged on the winning side.

The by-elections will now be held on these five Assembly seats within the next six months.

After winning 24 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan, the BJP's seat share came down to 14 this time, with many citing the party's 'weak' social engineering strategy as one of the main reasons for the drop in the number of seats.

The party doesn't want to repeat the mistake, and hence wants to balance these questions, sources said.

The BJP is reportedly mulling over organisational changes to balance the caste equations.

Currently, Chittorgarh MP C.P. Joshi is the state BJP President. Some sources claimed that he may be replaced by any OBC, Jat, or Rajput leader.

A section of the Rajput and Jat voters were reportedly not pleased with the party and hence many of them boycotted the LS polls. In such a situation, the party may bring in a new face as the state BJP chief.

The name of Prabhulal Saini is doing the rounds in the political circles of the state, along with those of Rajendra Gehlot, Madan Rathore, and Shravan Bagri.

However, party sources said that an OBC candidate will be preferred to balance the caste equations in places where bypolls are scheduled, including in Jhunjhunu and Dausa where the party lost the LS polls.

Party sources said the bypolls will be another litmus test for the BJP leadership in Rajasthan, given the party's below-par performance in the Lok Sabha polls.

Senior journalist Manish Godha, however, said the bypolls won't make much impact in terms of numbers as neither the Congress will be in a position to gain if it wins all the seats, nor the BJP will lose much if it loses the elections.

However, one fact is sure that the BJP will get energised and motivated if it wins these seats as it lost 10 seats in the LS polls as compared to 2019, besides losing the Sri Ganganagar bypolls held soon after the Assembly elections held last year.
New Delhi, June 10 : The Delhi High Court has dismissed a man's attempt to avoid paying maintenance to his estranged wife by alleging she was living in adultery, based on photographs he presented as evidence.

The court, noting the era of "deepfakes," ruled that such photographs need to be substantiated with proper evidence before the family court.

A division bench of Justices Rajeev Shakdher and Amit Bansal examined the photographs and concluded that it was not clear if the woman in the images was indeed the wife.

The court stated: "We have looked at the photographs. It is not clear as to whether the respondent/wife is the person in the photographs, as alluded to by the learned 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."

It granted both parties the opportunity to present their evidence in the ongoing divorce proceedings in the family court.

The husband had appealed against a family court order mandating him to pay Rs 75,000 per month as cumulative maintenance to his wife and daughter. The wife, a post-graduate in Mass Communication, was living with her parents and unemployed since the separation.

The high court observed that the allegation of adultery was not previously raised in the family court. Even if it had been raised but ignored, the husband should have sought a review, which he did not, and thus, the adultery claim seemed like a "measure of desperation to wriggle out of the obligation" imposed by the family court.

Consequently, the high court dismissed the husband's appeal, upholding the family court's maintenance order.
Jammu, June 10 : J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday chaired a high-level security review meeting focused on bringing the perpetrators of Sunday's Reasi terror attack to justice.

The meeting was attended by the officials of the J&K Police and the civil administration at the police headquarters here.

After the meeting, Sinha said in a post on X: aChaired a security review meeting with the officials of J&K Police and Civil Administration. I assure the people that those behind the attack on pilgrims in Reasi and those aiding and abetting them will be punished."

On Sunday, nine pilgrims were killed and many others were injured at Reasi in Jammu division after terrorists targeted a bus carrying the pilgrims near the Shiv Khori temple, causing it to plunge into a deep gorge.
Amaravati, June 10 : After a gap of six years, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key partner in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre, has secured a key portfolio of Civil Aviation.

K. Ram Mohan Naidu, who took oath as a Cabinet minister on Sunday, will have charge of the portfolio, handled by the BJP's Jyotiraditya Scindia in the previous Cabinet.

The TDP, which is the second biggest party in the NDA after the BJP, had reportedly insisted on the portfolio of Civil Aviation.

This development is significant as the new TDP-led government in Andhra Pradesh will be looking to fast-track the development of the greenfield international airport at Bhogapuram near Visakhapatnam and also speed up work on some pending projects.

In 2014 too, when TDP was part of the BJP-led NDA government, it was given the Civil Aviation portfolio.

Senior TDP leader P. Ashok Gajapati Raju was then made the Civil Aviation Minister. Y.S. Chowdary was then inducted as Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences. Both the ministers had resigned in 2018 when the TDP walked out of the NDA over the issue of special category status.

This time too, the TDP has secured two ministerial berths. Ram Mohan Naidu, a three-time MP from Srikakulam, has become the youngest-ever Cabinet minister. He is the son of late senior TDP leader K. Yerran Naidu, who had also served as a Union Minister.

Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, a first-time TDP MP from Guntur, took oath as Minister of State. He has been appointed as Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications.

Andhra Pradesh has received another ministerial berth this time. Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, a first-time BJP MP from Narsapuram constituency, has been made Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel.
United Nations, June 10 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres congratulates Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the inauguration of his third term, and looks forward to working with him, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday.

"The people of India should be congratulated, (and) the government, for organising an election of this size which is frankly unseen anywhere else in the world," Dujarric said.

About 642 million citizens voted at about 1 million polling stations manned by about 11 million polling staff across the country.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Sen. John Fetterman involved in crash on Maryland interstate, treated for bruised shoulder

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman was involved in a crash on a Maryland interstate over the weekend, police and his office confirmed on Monday.

The two-vehicle crash occurred on Interstate 70 near Hagerstown shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday, according to Maryland State Police.

Fetterman, 54, was driving a Chevrolet Traverse west on I-70 when, "for unknown reasons," his vehicle struck the rear of a Chevrolet Impala, according to preliminary information from state police.

PHOTO: Gisele Barreto Fetterman and John Fetterman attend the 2023 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images, FILE)

Fetterman's wife, Gisele Barreto Fetterman was also in the vehicle, according to the senator's office. Both were evaluated at a local hospital "out of abundance of caution" and the senator was treated for a bruised shoulder, according to his office. Both were discharged Sunday afternoon.

"They are doing well and happy to be back in Braddock," Fetterman's office said in a statement.

MORE: Fetterman talks publicly for 1st time since hospitalization, treatment for depression

The driver of the Impala was also transported via ambulance to a hospital in West Virginia for unspecified injuries, according to state police.

"No citations were issued. The crash investigation remains active and ongoing," Maryland State Police said in a statement.

PHOTO: Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., arrives as the Senate holds a procedural vote on a package of wartime funding for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP, FILE)

Fetterman, D-Pa., was briefly hospitalized last year after checking himself into an inpatient facility while suffering from depression.

He suffered a stroke during his campaign in 2022 that he has said did not cause any physical limitations or issues with memory or language comprehension.

ABC News' Matt Foster and Allison Pecorin contributed to this report.

Sen. John Fetterman involved in crash on Maryland interstate, treated for bruised shoulder originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Thiruvananthapuram, June 10 : The CPI on Monday nominated senior party leader P.P. Suneer to contest the Rajya Sabha polls from Kerala to be held on June 25.

State CPI Secretary and outgoing Rajya Sabha member Binoy Viswam announced the name of Suneer, who is presently the state Assistant Secretary and had unsuccessfully contested against Rahul Gandhi at the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in 2019 and lost by a margin of 4.37 lakhs votes.

Election to three seats will be held on June 25.

Of the three, two seats are likely to be won by the ruling Left Democratic Front, while the third will go to the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

For a while, the two seats that the LDF could win had become a contentious issue, as the CPI was unwilling to part with its seat that was getting vacant and the Kerala Congress-Mani, the third biggest party, was very keen to ensure that its Chairman Jose K. Mani returns to the upper house of the Parliament.

There was a first-round meeting of the LDF on Saturday and both these parties stood rooted to their demand for their seats, leaving the CPI-M in a quandary. On Monday at the second round meeting, the CPI-M announced that it was "gifting" its seat to the Kerala Congress-Mani.

Earlier in the day, the Indian Union Muslim League, the second biggest member of the UDF, announced their nominee - Supreme Court lawyer Haris Beeran.
Lilongwe, June 10 : A military aircraft carrying Malawi's Vice-President Saulos Chilima and nine others has gone missing, the media reported as quoted by a statement from the President's office.

The Malawi Defense Force aircraft "went off the radar" after it left the capital, Lilongwe, on Monday morning, BBC reported.

The President ordered a search and rescue operation after aviation officials were unable to contact the aircraft.

It was supposed to land at Mzuzu International Airport, in the country's north, just after 10 a.m. local time, BBC reported.

After being told of the incident by the Defence Force's commander, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera cancelled his flight to the Bahamas, which was scheduled for Monday evening.

"The public will be updated on any developments on the situation as facts are established," the President's office added.

The reason for the aircraft's disappearance is not yet known, General Valentino Phiri told Chakwera, BBC reported.

Moses Kunkuyu, Malawi's Information Minister, told the BBC that efforts to find the aircraft are "intensive".

Chilima was on his way to represent the government at the burial of former Cabinet minister Ralph Kasambara, who died three days ago.

Kunkuyu said: "The airport he was to land, which is in the northern part of Mzuzu, was the closest to where the funeral was taking place."

In 2022, Chilima was arrested and charged on allegations that he accepted money in exchange for awarding government contracts, BBC reported.

Last month, the court dropped the charges, giving no reasons for this decision.
Tiffany Jewell wants everybody to be an anti-racistand shes doing her part to make it happen. Jewell is a Black biracial author, and anti-bias anti-racist (ABAR) educator. Her titles include This Book Is Antiracist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work; The Anti-Racist Kid: A Book About Identity, Justice, and Activism; and her latest, Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned at School. PW spoke with Jewell about the early roots of her activism, her anti-racist focus in her teaching and writing, and the first step we all can take to become anti-racist.

Can you tell us about your teaching? What does it look like and who has been your greatest influence?

I started teaching when I was in college and Ive always taught with an anti-bias and anti-racist lens. I studied abroad in London and had such an amazing time teaching in a primary schoola class of nine-year-oldsthat I was sold. I knew that I had to work with young kids! When I came back to the States, I did some tutoring and preschool teaching in Philadelphia. And, after that, I became a certified [lower elementary Montessori teacher] and taught six- to nine-year-olds for 15 years in a school in western Massachusetts.

With the Montessori method, we teach lessons through story; so Ive been able to tell stories of community and justice, among others. I talk with kids about the history of racism and anti-racism, about socioeconomic differences, immigration and migration, and thats how I grew comfortable doing this type of work. Now, I do more grant-funded work that allows me to work in different schools teaching lessons to kids focusing on identity, justice, and activism. I am also supporting teachers who are doing this work, too. Ive found that educators need somebody to let them know that its okay to talk about our differences, because theyre really beautiful things.

My greatest influence has been, and continues to be, my students. They are clear on what is fair, just, and important. By trusting and listening to them, Ive been able to simplify and clarify my teaching goals. These include helping to promote love and safety so that everyone in society is able to be themselves without any fear of violence or repercussions. As my kids put it, Everybody deserves to have a home, to be loved, and to have a stuffed animalwhich to them means to feel safe and secure.

How did you start writing and publishing books?

One day an editor saw some of my posts online, and asked me if I ever considered writing a childrens book. I thought it was some kind of joke because I had considered it, but I never thought it was really a thing for me. But, once I emailed her back and talked with her, we realized that working together would be a really good fit. I had already done a lot of anti-racism lesson development and activities with my students, so the first book, This Book Is Anti-Racist, practically wrote itself. It turned out that my work with younger students also worked for older students, too.

Soon after, Kwame Alexander reached out to me through a mutual acquaintance, and expressed an interest in working with me. He told me that what I was putting out there was important, and that the world needed more of me. After that, I sold two books to Houghton Mifflin imprint Versify, [where Alexander was a part of], which is now part of HarperCollins.

Can you share some details about your books?

My first book, This Book Is Anti-Racist, is a guidebook of sorts and its direct in tone. It doesnt have to be read from beginning to end. If you have a burning question, you can just look for that one question and get your answer. Its written to navigate the reader through a process of learning about oneself, the history of racism, and becoming an anti-racist. The next book, The Anti-Racist Kid, is really a conversation with all of the students I have taught or known in my life. It addresses many of the questions theyve asked over the years. I hope that both titles will spark more questions and answers, and stir a desire to do more.

Your latest title, Everything I Know About Racism I Learned at School, which is part memoir, part history and essay collection, also had an interesting start. Can you share where the idea came from, what the books premise is, and why you chose to write it?

I was doing a virtual keynote for a conference put on by TheEdCollab [a K12 literacy professional development provider and think tank] and I was talking about my schooling. At one point, I paused and said, You know, pretty much everything I know about racism, I learned in school. It was just one of those moments, and we were all like, Yes, that is true. From there, I started thinking a lot about how as educators we dont really learn about the history of schoolespecially the history of the schools in our communities. So, I decided to write about my own schooling, did a deep dive on the history of Americas schools, and invited others to write essays on their experiences. Some are similar and some are slightly different than mine.

I think that the more we know about our schools histories, the more we can ensure that we do not repeat what has happened to students or keep on having the same conversations. We need to move ourselves forward, center learners, and make schools better places for all. I also want people to know what has been and is now happening in schools. On top of this, I want todays students to know that they are not alone, and there are many actions they can take from the book to become an anti-racist and fight for real change.

What are your hopes for your books and readers?

I hope that my readers can use the language in my books so they can talk knowledgably about racism. Because when we do this, we can become more competent and confident in helping to abolish racism. Then, and only then, can we live in a world where we can all feel safe, secure, and loved, where there is justice, fairness, and freedom, and everyone can be free to be their whole selves.

Where did the roots of your own anti-racism activism begin?

I was the kid always questioning things, critically conscious and thoughtful, and not afraid to say things people might not agree with. My mom used to call me a contrarian because I was constantly questioning people when they would ask me to do something. I was also always concerned with justice, too. In elementary school, I wrote a poem about how our perceptions of Christopher Columbus were wrong. And in seventh grade, I chose to do a science fair project on sexism in the classroom. Through the years, Ive learned that activism can take many formsspeaking up and standing upand that its different for everyone. Maybe protesting isnt your thing, but you could write to your congressperson. Teaching and writing are my forms of activism. We can all do things to act and to make society better.

Whats one step that we could take right now to become an anti-racist?

That would be joining forces with people in your community who are ready, willing, and able to get to work, and who share the same vision you have.

So much of our society is based on individualism. Whenever we can collaborate and connect with other people, we discover that we are stronger and more powerful together. This also helps us realize that were part of something bigger than us. Together, this feels simple... and possible.
Alta Journals California Book Club

The book: Solito by Javier Zamora

Our reviewer says: "Poet Zamora presents an immensely moving story of desperation and hardship in this account of his childhood migration from El Salvador to the U.S.... This sheds an urgent and compassionate light on the human lives caught in an ongoing humanitarian crisis." Read more.

Audacious Book Club

The book: Bite by Bite by Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Our reviewer says: "Poet Nezhukumatathil presents a smorgasbord of concise and lyrical odes to foods linked to some of her most important memories.... Readers will find this to be an appealing if inconsistent banquet." Read more.

Banned Books Book Club

The book: Everything and Nothing at Once by Joel Leon

Our reviewer says: "Leons lucid prose elevates his perceptive insights into the need for more expansive visions of Black masculinity. This auspicious outing announces Leon as a writer to watch." Read More.

Barnes & Noble Book Club

The book: You Are Here by David Nicholls

Our reviewer says: "Two lonely strangers meet while hiking Englands Coast to Coast Walk in the witty latest from Nicholls.... Fans of the authors previous books will get just what they came for." Read more.

Black Men Read and Mocha Girls Read Book Club

The book: All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

Our reviewer says: "In this superb thriller from Anthony Award winner Cosby, Titus Crown, the first Black sheriff of Charon County, Va., is investigating a high school shooting that leaves a history teacher and his killer dead.... This is easily the authors strongest work to date." Read more.

Belletrist

The book: The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne

Our reviewer says: "After Hours actor Griffin recounts in his bittersweet debut how movies, madness, and murder have touched his celebrated American family.... The result is a raucously entertaining homage to an unforgettable dynasty." Read more.

CBS New York Book Club

The book: The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

Our reviewer says: "This wicked sequel to The Last Mrs. Parrish resumes the scandalous story of Jackson Parrish, his scheming second wife, Amber, and his ex-wife, Daphne.... Constantine lays the glamour and nastiness on thick, resulting in an acidic thriller that delights with every twist of the knife."

Good Housekeeping Book Club

The book: I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue

Our reviewer says: "Sue debuts with a delightfully quirky office comedy about a 33-year-old administrative assistants interpersonal battles in a Canadian supermarket chains regional office.... This is a must-read for fans of Joshua Ferriss Then We Came to the End." Read more.

Good Morning America Book Club

The book: Malas by Marcela Fuentes

Our reviewer says: "Fuentes debuts with the astonishing story of two malas, or women who challenge traditional Mexican gender norms.... Fans of Ana Castillo and Erika Sanchez will be thrilled." Read more.

Jewish Book Council Book Club (fiction)

The book: The Rabbi Who Prayed for the City by Rachel Sharona Lewis

Jewish Book Council Book Club (nonfiction)

The book: Liberty Street by Jason K. Friedman

Our reviewer says: "In this meticulous account, short story writer Friedman (Fire Year) pieces together the complicated history of a Jewish family in the antebellum South.... [A] revealing prism through which to examine a dark period of American history." Read more.

Maudes Book Club

The book: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Our reviewer says: "Sanderson's fondness for misleading the reader and his talent for feeding out revelations and action scenes at just the right pace will keep epic fantasy fans intrigued and hoping for redemptive future installments." Read more.

Natalies Book Club

The book: TBA

Noname Book Club

The book: Another Word for Love by Carvell Wallace

Our reviewer says: "In this stunning self-portrait, journalist Wallace examines the role of love in his life.... This profoundly compassionate volume hugs the reader tightly and doesnt let go." Read more.

NYPL Teen Banned Book Club

The book: Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

Our reviewer says: "Bayrons deconstructive reimagining of the classic fairy tale is ambitious, replacing the happily-ever-after with a tragic legacy and a defiant, feminist tone." Read more.

PBS Books Readers Club

The book: Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford

Our reviewer says: "Reality TV producer Ford debuts with the charming story of a British home bakers turn in the spotlight.... Fans of cooking competitions will find this feel-good story delectable." Read more.

Read with Jenna

The book: Swift River by Essie Chambers

Our reviewer says: "Chambers debuts with a poignant coming-of-age story about a Black girl growing up in a predominantly white New England town north of Boston in 1987.... Chamberss assured first novel sings." Read more.

Reeses Book Club

The book: The Unwedding by Allie Condie

Our reviewer says: "A divorcee discovers a corpse during her California vacation in the formulaic adult debut from YA bestseller Condie... Unfortunately, Condies characters are paper-thin, and she resolves the mystery with a series of implausible contrivances. This misses the mark." Read more.

Reese's Book Club - Summer YA Pick

The book: Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth

Sarah Selects

The book: Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand

Our reviewer says: "Hilderbrand closes out her long run of Nantucket novels (after The Five-Star Weekend) with an engrossing story of three mysterious newcomers.... [A] worthy note to end on. Readers will be riveted." Read more.

Subtle Asian Book Club

The book: Maybe It's a Sign by E.L. Shen

Target Book Club

The book: Becoming Ted by Matt Cain

Our reviewer says: "British journalist Cain serves up a breezy second-act story that traces a 40-something gay mans unlikely journey to drag stardom.... This sticky-sweet confection goes down smooth enough." Read more.

TeaTime Book Club

The book: We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons

Our reviewer says: "In the spunky debut novel from Parsons, a 20-something woman deals with grief and the demands of motherhood by maintaining a prodigious porn habit.... Theres a beating heart at the center of this meandering story." Read more.
Beginning this fall, Picador will reissue the majority of Chilean author Roberto Bolanos catalog in English translations. North American print and e-book rights were acquired by Mitzi Angel, president and publisher of Farrar, Straus & Giroux and its imprints, including Picador, via Sarah Chalfant at the Wylie Agency, which represents the Bolano estate and sold similar rights to Vintage Classics in the U.K. last year. (Penguin Press retains the rights to The Spirit of Science Fiction and Cowboy Graves in the U.S., a Picador representative said.)

"We want to introduce Bolano to a new readership," Angel said, noting that the opportunity to publish the whole ouevre of an author of his caliber offers an opportunity "to think about all of these different books in conversation with one another." Noting Bolano's early death, at 50, Angel added that it is extraordinary, " to take a step back and look at what he achieved in such a short space of time."

Picador will launch a major repackaging program on September 3 with reissues of By Night in Chile, The Return, and Antwerp. Author Nicole Krauss has written a new introduction for By Night in Chile, which will receive an announced 30,000 first print run; the other two titles publishing this fall have announced print runs of 20,000 and 25,000, respectively. Programming is in the works with McNally Jackson in New York City in September and Hay Forum Dallas in October, the publisher said, with more cities and more details to come.

January will see the publication of three further titles, Amulet and The Insufferable Gaucho, and Monsieur Pain, with three more titlesPosthumous Stories, The Skating Rink, and A Little Lumpen Novelita due in fall of 2025. Distant Star, Nazi Literature in the Americas, and Collected Poetry are slated for release in winter 2026, and an as-yet untitled essay collection (originally published as Between Parentheses) and Last Evenings on Earth are set for fall of that year. The Third Reich and Woes of the True Policeman are both due out in fall 2027.

The program will build to the publication of The Savage Detectives in winter 2027 and 2666 in winter 2028, commemorating the 20th anniversary of those titles English-language translations. (FSG is the original U.S. publisher of The Savage Detectives, The Third Reich, Woes of the True Policeman, and 2666.) 2028 also marks what would have been the 75th anniversary of Bolanos birth, as well as the 25th anniversary of his death.

"It's great to kind of bring people Bolano's world, because I think one of the things that I find is that you become kind of addicted to ityou feel this kind of unending curiosity in relation to it," Angel said. "Certainly for anyone who's fascinated by the eeriness in the books, and by his ability to write so chillingly well about evilI found myself finding his books, sometimes, quite frightening in a way that it's very rare."

But also, Angel suggested, "there's a very appealing world for younger readers," pointing specifically to The Savage Detectives. "You have a community of peopleif you are yourself someone who likes to read and who likes to talk about readingportrayed as a group of people you might want to hang out with," she said. "They're cool, but they read, and they drink, and they take drugs, and they have sex, and they go traveling around."

Angel pointed to the unified cover design of the forthcoming books, with covers by Michael Schmelling and art direction by Rodrigo Corral and Alex Merto, as a key to unlocking interest in Bolano's work among new readers. "When the designer presents something that encapsulates the book, and that interprets the book almost to an editorial degree, you suddenly have a kind of statement about the book, and that statement can be your way into knowing how to present the book to the world, how to speak about the book, how to get the book in people's hands," she said. "We've got a design that gives people a sense of Roberto Bolano's mind, the worlds that he brought into being, and this sense of a journey through the hellscapes and surrealism of the literary imagination."

This story has been updated with further information.
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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/10/2024



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Jillian Harris has revealed she and fiance Justin Pasutto finally plan to get married in Europe next year after dating for 12 years.Jillian shared with People that the couple is planning a Fall 2025 European wedding after an eight-year engagement."It's going to happen," Jillian, 44, insisted to the magazine. "We have gone eight years, obviously, without getting married."Jillian and Justin, who met in 2012 and got engaged in December 2016 , had initially planned a Summer 2020 wedding; however, the coronavirus pandemic resulted in the couple pushing back their date.The fifth-season star publicly made the announcement in May 2020 on her blog that they had postponed their nuptials."We were supposed to get married right before COVID, but I just didn't feel... Something didn't feel right to begin with," Jillian explained to the magazine.Jillian gestured to her fiance and added, "You felt right, but the wedding planning wasn't going the way I wanted."Jillian laughed and continued, "I was probably the only bride when COVID hit that was excited that our wedding got canceled, because I just felt like something wasn't right."Jillian said she subsequently spent "a long" time "hemming and hawing" over the wedding details.At one point, the bride-to-be considered tying the knot at the couple's home in British Columbia."I think the biggest thing for me is location, because we live on a property that would be perfect for a wedding, but just the pressure of having it at your home has been hard," Jillian shared."And then I couldn't find any other location that's prettier than where we live without having to spend an arm and a leg."Jillian then came up with an idea while she planned a family trip to Europe for her mother's 70th birthday."It turns out Justin's family was going to be there at the same time. So I said, 'Well, why don't we just get married while we're there this fall?' And I thought it could just be his mom and dad and my mom and dad, and that would be it," alum explained.But Justin wanted to make sure his brother Matt could also attend the ceremony."And I was like, 'Well, if Matt's going to be there, my cousins have to be there,'" Jillian recalled of her conversation with the 36-year-old former professional snowboarder."And he says, 'If your cousins are going to be there, my friends [need to be there.]' And all of a sudden, it grew from this idea from eight people to 40."The pair then set their sights on an October 2024 wedding, but those plans also fell through once Jillian and Justin became stressed and overwhelmed."We were going to pull it off this fall, and everything was looking great, and we told everybody that was in our wedding party and the people that were coming that it was happening," Justin told People."It felt a little awkward backtracking out of it, but it also dawned on us like, 'Wait, why are we rushing this?' Just because our parents happen to be in Europe at the same time? We've also been waiting eight years to get married since we've been engaged... We're going to make it happen."And now, the ball is finally rolling on the wedding plans!"So we have wedding planners, and after talking to them and talking to our family, we officially postponed it to next fall in Europe," Jillian said, adding how she's very "excited" to have selected a location for her big day.Not only is Justin Italian, but Jillian gushed about how she loves Europe."We just couldn't think of anywhere that felt right, and when we're there, we just love the bread and the cheese and the music and the laid-back culture, and it just feels like you could do something a little bit more laid-back there. And we love traveling, so that is the plan," Jillian said.The Bachelor alum and Justin share two children: Leo, 8, and Annie, 6.Annie was born in September 2018 , after the couple had welcomed Leo in August 2016 Jillian found fame when she competed for Jason Mesnick 's heart on The Bachelor's thirteenth season, which aired in early 2009 on ABC. She ended up finishing in third place.She then went on to star as the Bachelorette. At the end of Season 5, Jillian selected Ed Swiderski and the pair got engaged; however, they split in 2010.After her experience, Jillian appeared in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as well as Love It or List It Vancouver.More recently, Jillian and Justin launched a line of hand-knit dolls inspired by their children and dogs.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Athens is known for its thriving music scene and has been the foundation for several internationally known bands like R.E.M. and The B-52s an
Indias current account deficit (CAD) may dip further in the March quarter of FY24 as pressure from the negative net exports during the January-March period eased to an 11-quarter high.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Rupixen/Pixabay

A part of the gross domestic product (GDP) data, net export which is usually negative for India  captures the difference between exports and imports of both goods and services, while the CAD data, released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), also factors in private transfer receipts.

According to data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Friday, the net exports in nominal terms stood at -0.8 per cent of GDP in the March quarter of FY24 compared to -2.9 per cent of GDP in the preceding quarter.

In real terms, the contribution of net exports turned positive in the March quarter (1.3 per cent of GDP) after remaining negative for three successive quarters, boosting the overall GDP growth.

In his April monetary policy statement, RBI governor Shaktikanta Das said during the first three quarters of FY24, Indias CAD narrowed significantly on account of a moderation in merchandise trade deficit coupled with robust growth in services exports and strong remittances.

Indias merchandise and services exports have grown at a healthy pace in Q4:2023-24.

"India continues to be the largest recipient of remittances in the world.

"The cost of receiving remittances is gradually coming down.

"Overall, the CAD for 2024-25 is expected to remain at a level that is both viable and eminently manageable, he added.

During the December quarter of FY24, the CAD stood at 1.2 per cent of GDP as compared to 1.3 per cent of GDP in Q2.

During April-December 2023-24, the CAD was placed at 1.2 per cent of GDP as compared to 2.6 per cent during the same period of the preceding year.

IDFC First Bank in a recent report said in FY25, it estimates CAD at 1.3 per cent of GDP compared to 0.7 per cent of GDP in FY24.

The FY25 estimate builds in weakness in merchandise export growth and some moderation in services surplus as global growth slows.

"Indian crude basket is assumed to average at $85 per barrel in FY25 versus $82.5 per barrel in FY24. In FY24, the crude oil imports from Russia also helped reduce the crude oil import bill.

"In FY25, support from Russian crude oil imports could persist, keeping crude oil import bill contained, it added.

The CAD has gathered additional importance as S&P while recently raising its India sovereign outlook to positive from stable, cautioned that if CAD widens materially to weaken India's external position such that the country becomes a narrow net external debtor, it could revise Indias outlook back to stable again.

RBI in its latest annual report for FY24 said the external sector is gaining strength, with the narrowing of the CAD and foreign exchange reserves rising to an all-time high.

The buoyancy in services exports and private transfer receipts cushioned the CAD, it added.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has stepped up its watch on the import of unbranded gold jewellery amid a spurt in seizures on international borders and from importers.

Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters

During FY24, the CBIC and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) jointly seized about 5 tonnes of gold, 30 per cent more than what they did in FY23.

In FY23, 3.5 tonnes of gold was confiscated.

The official data suggests that most of the seized gold was from Myanmar and smuggled into India through Mizoram and Manipur, though difficult terrain, which goes unchecked.

Customs is taking help from local authorities and the Border Security Force to locate them.

There is a significant increase in gold jewellery seizure in the past one year, contributing a major chunk in overall seized gold.

"We are monitoring inbound shipments of gold on all potential routes, said a senior official.

Official sources said shipments from Southeast Asian countries had been vigorously scanned.

They are coming through legitimate routes under free-trade agreements (FTAs).

Besides, the authorities are keeping a close watch on Indias land borders with Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

We are scanning the data from partner law-enforcement agencies, tracking each gold shipment to check whether it has connections with those coming through illegitimate routes, the official cited above said.

An email to the CBIC seeking response remained unanswered till the time of going to press.

Seizures would be 5-10 per cent of the smuggled gold.

The government had last year brought import curbs on certain kinds of gold jewellery and articles.

Under this, a licence is required to import these goods. However, the rule did not apply to the India-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) tariff rate quota.

Under the free-trade pact, India has set a lower tariff rate quota of 2 per cent for up to 200 tonnes of gold imported from the United Arab Emirates.

Those curbs were to address a rise in import from Indonesia under the India-Asean FTA (Asean is the Association of Southeast Nations) wherein some articles of gold were coming duty-free and were melted in India to make jewellery. However, despite curbs, such pacts continue to be violated by people running syndicates, another officer indicated.

He said data analytics would help in nabbing them.

Abhishek Jain, indirect tax head and partner, KPMG, said: It will be interesting to see the findings of these investigations and, specifically, the governments approach to unearthing evasion in this area.

There remains a significant difference in gold prices between major holiday destinations for India, including Dubai and certain Southeast Asian countries.

We need to see monitoring of imports by these tourists, who would generally consider clearing them as those for personal use, Jain added.

Gold import attracts 15 per cent import duty, including 5 per cent of agriculture cess.

In January the Centre raised import duty on gold and silver findings (pins, hoops, beads, etc) and coins of precious metals to 15 per cent from 11 per cent, in order to end tax advantage in importing gold and silver in the form of findings rather than bars.

High customs duty on products such as gold jewellery makes it more attractive for tax evaders, more so because of the differentiation between the rates on gold bars and gold jewellery, said M S Mani, partner, Deloitte.

Gold import surged in April to $3.11 billion, more than doubling from the $1.53 billion in March. The yellow metal accounts for over 5 per cent of the countrys imports.
As Modi's government embarks on its third term, apart from ensuring these schemes boost India's green mobility, addressing bottlenecks like battery swapping and meeting PLI deadlines are likely to be the government's major tasks.

IMAGE: Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Rathaphon Nanthapreecha/Pexels.com

In the previous two terms of Narendra Modi's leadership in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), green transition in mobility and securing its supply chains had been a pivotal agenda through various flagship schemes, athe most notable being Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric (And Hybrid) Vehicles (FAME).

As the NDA enters its third term in power, its commitment to green mobility is expected to intensify.

Green mobility

Under Modi's first government, electric vehicles (EVs) were propelled into the mainstream through FAME. This initiative was expanded with the introduction of FAME-II, demonstrating the government's long-term commitment to EV adoption.

To bolster infrastructure and manufacturing, the government launched two significant production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes: A Rs 18,100 crore PLI for the automobile sector and a Rs 26,000 crore one for advanced chemical cells.

These measures aim to create an ecosystem for electric mobility in India.

In a decisive move just a day before the election dates were announced, the Centre introduced the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI).

This initiative allows for importing cars at reduced subsidies, but with a stipulation that companies must invest in India, thereby encouraging local manufacturing and strengthening the domestic market.

As Modi's government embarks on its third term, apart from ensuring these schemes boost India's green mobility, addressing bottlenecks like battery swapping and meeting PLI deadlines are likely to be the government's major tasks.

Critical transition

India's green transition necessitates a critical component: Minerals. During Modi's second term, there was a push towards securing critical minerals, culminating in the release of India's first list of such minerals in 2023.

The Centre has initiated the auction of 38 critical mineral blocks. The challenge for the new mines minister will be to navigate the complexities and auction these blocks, especially since bids were not received for 13 of them.

Failure to build industry trust and attract investors in this sector could set back the country's green transition efforts.

Additionally, India is exploring critical mineral exploration, mining, and technology trade with several countries.

Securing trade deals with these nations is crucial, especially given that the sector is dominated by China.

With the sector witnessing demand, it is crucial for the government to establish a strong domestic foothold and enhance an international presence in the critical minerals sector.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
After leading the Bharatiya Janata Party as its national president for more than four years, JP Nadda was on Monday allocated the portfolio of Union health ministry and ministry of chemicals and fertilizers, a day after he took oath as a cabinet minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

IMAGE: BJP leader JP Nadda takes oath as the Cabinet minister during the swearing-in ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi, June 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

In the Modi 2.0, both the ministries were led by Mansukh Mandaviya.

Nadda had held the same portfolio in the Modi government's first term before he took over as the BJP's working president in 2019 and became the full-fledged party president in January 2020 after Amit Shah was appointed as the Union home minister.

Nadda's term as the BJP president had ended in January. He was given a six-month extension to oversee the Lok Sabha 2024 elections. His term ends in June.

The 63-year old is the sole representative from Himachal Pradesh in the BJP led National Democratic Alliance government.

He served as the Union health minister in Modi's first term from November 9, 2014 to May 30, 2019.

Nadda, who holds a degree in law, started his political journey with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the students' wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

He became the president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the BJP's youth wing, in 1991.

He held various key positions in the BJP, headed its election campaign in a host of states -- from Bihar to Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra and Punjab. He also served as a minister in BJP's governments in his home state of Himachal Pradesh.

Nadda was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2012 and made a member of the BJP's parliamentary board in 2014 when Amit Shah took over as the party president.

After the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Nadda was made the BJP's working president. He was later elevated to the position of BJP president in January 2020 after Shah, the then BJP chief, was appointed as the Union home minister.

Nadda took over as the BJP chief at a time when the party was witnessing vigorous challenges from a united opposition in the assembly elections in several states amid signs that it needed to rework its electoral strategy.

Despite its overwhelming win in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP suffered several defeats in the assembly polls since 2018, except in Haryana where it formed a government in an alliance with the Jannayak Janta Party.

The BJP won new allies and strung up a series of impressive assembly wins on Nadda's watch. During his term as the BJP chief, the party consolidated its strongholds and expanded its footprints despite some occasional setbacks.

With his term coming to an end in June, the low-key leader from Himachal Pradesh would have liked to demit office on the high of having achieved yet another impressive Lok Sabha polls win but the BJP's victory in the just-concluded general elections came with reduced numbers. The party fell short of a majority on its own as it won just 240 seats.

The BJP-led NDA won 293 seats, setting the course for a third consecutive term as prime minister for Modi despite the opposition's resurgence.

Nadda is considered within the party an epitome of political correctness, with his manners unfailingly polite in public and his attacks on rivals never triggering any unseemly controversy. He enjoys warm relations with Modi, who was for a long time in charge of the party's affairs in Himachal Pradesh.
He is the only one among 17 ministers from the outgoing council of ministers who lost the Lok Sabha polls to be reappointed minister.

IMAGE: Senior Bharatiya Janata leader Narendra D Modi with L Murugan during an election meeting at Mettupalayam in Coimbatore, April 10, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Narayan Rane, Parshottam Rupala and Anurag Thakur -- despite winning their respective Lok Sabha seats -- were key omissions from the Narendra Modi-led council of ministers that took the oath of office on Sunday evening in the national capital.

The three were Cabinet members in the outgoing 72-member Union council of ministers.

From the outgoing council of ministers, the BJP leadership did not include 16 of the 17 ministers who lost the Lok Sabha polls.

Prominent omissions were four Cabinet ministers in the outgoing council who lost, namely Smriti Irani, R K Singh, Arjun Munda and Mahendra Pandey.

IMAGE: Modi addresses Bharatiya Janata Party and National Democratic Alliance nominees for ministerships a few hours before he and they took the oath of office, June 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The only exception was L Murugan, who is also a Rajya Sabha member, but lost the Lok Sabha from the Nilgiris seat in Tamil Nadu.

Murugan was a minister of state in the ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying and also in the ministry of information and broadcasting. Murugan took the oath of office on Sunday evening.

Thakur, the information and broadcasting minister, won a fifth term from Himachal Pradesh's Hamipur.

Rupala, who faced flak for his comments denigrating a community during his election campaign, won with a huge margin of 484,260 votes from Rajkot.

Rupala was one of the Rajya Sabha members that the BJP had fielded for the Lok Sabha polls. Rupala held the Cabinet portfolio of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying.

Rane won from the Raigad-Sindhudurg seat. In the outgoing council of ministers, Rane had held the portfolio of micro, small and medium enterprises .

IMAGE: Anurag Thakur being welcomed by BJP supporters after he won the Lok Sabha election from Hamirpur, June 4, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Thakur, who as Cabinet minister for information and broadcasting, had become the Centre's face, putting forth the government's position on key issues and announcing its Cabinet decisions.

"I worked as a party worker in the past and would continue to work as a party worker in the future. Our entire effort is to take India on the path of progress," Thakur said on his exclusion from the Union Cabinet..

"All of us will walk together because India is important, the Modi government is important and the country's progress is important," Thakur added.

Other ministers in the outgoing council of ministers who lost and were not included are Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Raosaheb Danve, Niranjan Jyoti, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Ajay Kumar Mishra, Kaushal Kishore and V Muraleedharan.

For the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP did not field a dozen of its ministers from the outgoing 72-member council of ministers.

These were V K Singh, Meenakshi Lekhi, Darshana Jardosh, Pratima Bhaumik, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, John Barla, Mahendrabhai Munjapara, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Rameswar Teli, Bishweswar Tudu and Som Prakash.

Among the BJP candidates who lost the Lok Sabha elections but were included in the council of ministers was Ravneet Singh Bittu.

IMAGE: Ravneet Singh Bittu with BJP President J P Nadda while joining the party, March 26, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

A two term Congress Lok Sabha MP from Ludhiana, Bittu joined the BJP in the run up to the 2024 general elections.

He is the grandson of former Punjab CM Beant Singh, and was briefly leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha when Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was busy with the Bengal assembly polls in 2021.

Bittu is a rare member of the ministerial council who has been inducted despite his loss. He would have to be elected to the Rajya Sabha within six months.

At least five of the BJP's Rajya Sabha MPs were elected to the Lok Sabha and would have to quit the Rajya Sabha. This would open up a vacancy for Bittu.

In Punjab, all the BJP candidates lost as it contested all the 13 seats without any allies, increasing its vote share to 18.56 per cent.

At several places, BJP candidates faced protests by farmers. Bittu's loss to Amrinder Singh Raja Warring of the Congress was by a margin of 20,942.

His induction to the Union council of ministers suggests the BJP's long-term interest in expanding its electoral footprint in Punjab.

IMAGE: Rajeev Chandrasekhar, centre, at a BJP event in New Delhi. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo

Among the ministers who lost and were not included, Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday evening deleted a post on social media platform X that said his 18 year-long stint in public service has come to an end.

The BJP leader, in a new post, said that what he meant to say was that his 18 year-long stint as an MP and three years as a minister of state has come to an end.

Chandrasekhar, who was the minister of state for information technology, electronics, skill development and entrepreneurship and Jal Shakti in the last Modi government, lost to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor from the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat.

An initial post on his handle on X said, 'Today curtains down on my 18-year stint in public service, of which three years I had the privilege to serve with PM Narendra Modi ji's Team Modi 2.0.'

'I certainly didn't intend to end my 18 years of public service as a candidate who lost an election, but that's how it's turned out.'

The post also stated that Chandrasekhar extends his thanks to everyone he met and those who supported him, especially the workers and leaders who 'inspired and energised' him.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
A massive manhunt is underway for three foreign terrorists, possibly of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, responsible for the deadly attack on pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi that resulted in the loss of nine lives, including a two-year-old, officials said on Monday.

IMAGE: Security personnel at the accident site in Reasi on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha visited the injured in Jammu and Reasi hospitals and chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation.

Deputy inspector general of police, Udhampur-Reasi Range, Rayees Mohammad Bhat said they have got some leads as 11 teams of police, army and CRPF are jointly working on two different axes to neutralise the fleeing terrorists.

Based on the statements recorded by those injured in the attack, the officials said they have not ruled out the possibility of a fourth person being present at the spot who acted as a lookout for the three terrorists.

Nine people were killed and 41 injured as the terrorists opened fire at the 53-seater bus, which was on its way from the Shiv Khori temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, causing it to veer off the road and fall into a deep gorge near the Teryath village of the Poni area of Reasi on Sunday evening.

The bus was ferrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi.

Following the attack, a joint operation was launched involving the police, the Army, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and central intelligence agencies.

Survivors of the attack are recording their statements as part of the ongoing probe into the attack, while a thorough combing operation is underway to track down the perpetrators, the officials said, adding several persons were detained for questioning.

The Resistance Front, a shadow group of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit, initially claimed responsibility for the attack but retracted its statement later.

Among those killed in the attack are two-year-old Titu Sawhney and his mother Pooja from Rajasthan. They were among four people from the state who lost their lives in the attack.

Three of the deceased were from Uttar Pradesh. The driver and the conductor of the bus, both from Reasi, were also among the victims.

The officials said five of the nine deceased had gunshot wounds.

They added that 41 people were injured in the attack and 10 of them had bullet injuries. Some of those injured were undergoing treatment in hospitals across Jammu and Reasi districts.

Security forces suspect the terrorists are hiding in the mountainous terrains of Rajouri and Reasi, and have intensified combing operations in the region.

"Operation is continuing for the second day and we are working on various inputs. Multiple teams have been formed to work on two different axes while the investigation part is also continuing simultaneously, the DIG, who is leading the operation, told PTI.

Asked about the detention of several persons for questioning, he replied that saying anything on this matter would be premature but we have got some leads and we are following those leads to track down the fleeing terrorists.

Admitting that the area poses a challenge for the security forces given the dense forest, lack of water sources, threat of forest fires, steep slopes and crevices that work as a natural hideout, the officer said that search parties are moving cautiously to avoid any casualty in case of contact with the terrorists.

Talking to reporters at the scene late this evening, the officer said 11 teams have fanned out in coordination with the Army and CRPF and a joint effort is on to neutralise the terrorists.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the attack, calling it a part of a malicious scheme to disrupt peace in the region.

Expressing solidarity with the affected families, the administration has approved ex gratia payments of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah have been briefed on the situation, with assurances that those responsible for the attack will face justice, Sinha said.

"The attack is a despicable attempt to instigate turmoil in Jammu, but we are resolute in our commitment to safeguard the region," Sinha said during a visit to the injured at the Government Medical College. He also visited Narayana Hospital in Reasi.

The Lt Governor also held a high-level security review meeting here later in the day.

"Chaired a security review meeting with the officials of J&K Police and Civil Administration. I assure the people that those behind the attack on pilgrims in Reasi and those aiding and abetting them will be punished," the Lt Governor wore on X.

In a related development, the separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference condemned the terror attack and said it "has and will always condemn all forms of violence against humanity. The loss of precious human lives is deeply disturbing".

Anti-Pakistan protests broke out across the Jammu region, including Katra, Doda town and Kathua district, calling for increased security measures to prevent such incidents.

Accusing Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the protesters demanded action against the neighbouring country.
Officials broke ground today on the expansion of U.S. 30 between Alda and Grand Island.

Taking part in the groundbreaking were Vicki Kramer of the Nebraska Department of Transportation, Mayor Roger Steele, Division Engineer Wes Wahlgren of NDOT District 4 and Todd Allen of Werner Construction.

Werner will be the primary contractor on the four-lane expansion.

Steele called it a "transformative" project.

"It is a pleasure to stand before you today as we mark an important milestone for our community  the launch of the Highway 30 Grand Island west project," Steele said. "This is more than just a roadway. It represents growth, progress and a bright future for Grand Island."

The city's share of the $33 million project will be about $4 million. The investment by the city and state are "a testimony to our commitment to the future," Steele said. "This new path of Highway 30 is designed to improve capacity within our city limits and to create new opportunities for development and growth.

"As we look ahead, this project will open up our community to new businesses, residents and visitors to experience all that Grand Island has to offer," Steele said.
A 28-year-old Indian-origin man was shot dead in a suspected "targeted killing" in Canada's British Columbia province, according to the police, who have arrested and charged four people with first-degree murder in connection with the case.

Photograph: Yuvraj Goyal on Facebook

The victim, identified as Yuvraj Goyal, was found dead by the police when they were responding to the call of a shooting in Surrey on Friday morning, the homicide unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement.

Goyal worked at a car dealership in Surrey, Global News reported, quoting his sister, Charu Singhla.

She said the family had no idea why he was killed and that they had no indication that he had any ties to organised crime.

Goyal's brother-in-law, Bawandeap, said the victim was on the phone with his mother, who lives in India, just before he was shot.

He came back from his gym, (his) daily routine, and he stepped out of his car, and he was shot, Bawandeap said.

Police arrested four suspects -- 23-year-old Manvir Basram of Surrey, 20-year-old Sahib Basra of Surrey, 23-year-old Harkirat Jhutty of Surrey, and 20-year-old Keilon Francois of Ontario -- shortly after the shooting. They have been charged with first-degree murder, CBC News quoted the police as saying.

In a statement released on Saturday, the homicide unit said authorities were alerted to a vehicle fire shortly after the shooting.

On Saturday, the four were charged with first-degree murder, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said.

Police said that while initial evidence suggests it was a "targeted shooting, investigators are working to determine the reason that Mr Goyal, a 28-year old community member with no history of police contact, was killed."

The homicide unit also urged anyone with information or people driving in the area with dash-camera footage to contact the police.
Most of the key cabinet ministers in the third Narendra Modi-led government have retained the portfolios they held in the previous Bharatiya Janata Party dispensation.

IMAGE: Senior BJP leaders Narendra Modi, Amit A Shah, Rajnath Singh and J P Nadda at the BJP national headquarters in New Delhi, June 4, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

While there are some new faces in the cabinet, leaders such as BJP president JP Nadda and Jual Oram have returned as ministers.

While Nadda had served in the first Modi government and has this time been made the health minister, Oram returned to the Centre after a gap as the minister for tribal affairs.

Rajnath Singh (BJP): He has seen a long political innings from being a chief minister of Uttar Pradesh to the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He has retained the defence portfolio.

Amit Shah (BJP): He has retained the home and cooperation portfolios. He has also served as BJP national president for six years.

Nitin Gadkari (BJP): He has retained the road and highways portfolio. Closely associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh from his early days, he is seen as a crusader for bio-fuels. He too has been a national president of the BJP.

Nirmala Sitharaman (BJP): She continues as minister of finance and corporate affairs. A Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, she decided against contesting the Lok Sabha elections.

S Jaishankar (BJP): A career diplomat who has served as India's envoy to Beijing and later rose to become the foreign secretary. He was the external affairs minister in the second Modi government. He has retained the portfolio.

Piyush Goyal (BJP): He was the minister of commerce and industry, consumer affairs, food and public distribution and textiles as well as Leader of the House, Rajya Sabha, in the previous Modi government. This time, he has retained the commerce and industry portfolio.

Dharmendra Pradhan (BJP): He has served as minister of education and minister of skill development and entrepreneurship. He has retained the education portfolio.

Pralhad Joshi (BJP): The minister of parliamentary affairs, coal and mines in the second Modi government, he has this time been given the consumer affairs, food and public distribution, and the new and renewable energy portfolios.

Sarbananda Sonowal (BJP): He was the minister for ports, shipping and waterways and Ayush. He retained the port, shipping and waterways portfolio.

Virendra Kumar (BJP): An eight-time Lok Sabha member, he was the pro-tem speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha tasked with the oath-taking of members as well as presiding over the election of the speaker. He was minister for social justice and empowerment in the previous Modi government and retained the portfolio this time.

Giriraj Singh (BJP): As a member of the last Lok Sabha, he became the cabinet minister of the newly formed ministry of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries. Later, he was shifted to the rural development ministry. Now, he has been made the minister for textiles.

Jyotiraditya Scindia (BJP): He served as the minister for civil aviation and steel in the second Modi government from 2021 after switching over from the Congress. He has been made the minister for communications and minister for Development of North Eastern Region in this BJP-led NDA dispensation.

Ashwini Vaishnaw (BJP): He was the railways and IT minister in the previous Modi government. This time, besides railways and IT, he also heads the ministry of information and broadcasting.

Kiren Rijiju (BJP): He was the law minister and later became the minister for earth sciences in the second Modi government. He now has been given charge of parliamentary affairs and minority affairs.

Jitan Ram Manjhi (Hindustani Awami Morcha (S)): He has been given the portfolio of micro, small and medium enterprises. His party is part of the BJP-led NDA.

Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh (JD-U): The leader of the BJP ally has been made the minister for panchayati raj and minister of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying.

Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu (TDP): He has been given civil aviation portfolio in the NDA government.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday expressed concern over peace eluding Manipur even after one year and said the situation in the strife-torn north eastern state must be considered with priority.

IMAGE: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addresses the Valedictory Ceremony of Karyakarta Vikas Varg-2, at the national Level cadre training Camp in Nagpur, Maharashtra, June 10, 2024 . Photograph: ANI photo

Addressing a gathering of RSS trainees at the concluding programme of organisation's 'Karyakarta Vikas Varg- Dwitiya' at the Dr Hedgewar Smriti Bhavan premises in Reshimbagh in Nagpur, he said conflict in various places and in society is not good.

He emphasised the need to get over with election rhetoric and focus on problems facing the nation.

"Manipur is waiting for peace for the last one year. There was peace in Manipur 10 years ago. It felt like gun culture had finished there. But the state has suddenly seen violence," he said.

"The situation in Manipur will have to be considered with priority. There is need to get over election rhetoric and focus on problems facing the nation," the RSS chief asserted.

The unrest either got triggered or was triggered, but Manipur is burning and people are facing its extreme heat, the RSS chief said.

Manipur plunged into violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in May last year. Since then some 200 people have been killed, while thousands have been displaced following large scale arson that has gutted homes and government buildings.

Fresh violence has been reported from Jiribam over the past few days.

Speaking about the recently held Lok Sabha polls, Bhagwat said results were out and a government had been formed so unnecessary talk on what and how it happened etc can be avoided.

The RSS does not get involved in such discussions of kaise hua, kya hua, he said, adding that the organisation only does its duty of creating awareness on the need to vote.

He stressed on the need for consensus between the ruling side and the opposition so that work for common good (of the masses) can be carried out.

Polls are to gain majority and it is a competition and not war, Bhagwat pointed out.

Political parties and leaders bad-mouthing each other are not taking into account that these may cause rifts among communities, he said and lamented that even the

RSS was being dragged into it without any reason.

There are always two sides in an election but there should be dignity about not resorting to lies to win, the RSS chief asserted.

Lies were spread using technology (an apparent reference to deepfakes etc), he added.

Bhagwat also raised concerns over road rage incidents taking place in the country.
While the coalition will not be unstable because of pressures, the effort from partners will be to constantly remind the central government and the BJP how much it is dependent on them.

IMAGE: President Droupadi Murmu administers the oath of office to Narendra Damodardas Modi as prime minister for a third consecutive term, June 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

As many as 11 members of the Bharatiya Janata Party's allies have found place in Narendra Modi's new council of ministers.

While five got Cabinet berths, two were appointed minister of state with independent charge. Four others took oath as minister of state.

The nature of the pressures from the primary alliance partners -- Janata Dal-United) and the Telugu Desam Party -- on the BJP is likely to be quite different, most analysts say.

While they do not feel the coalition will be unstable because of these pressures, the effort from partners will be to constantly remind the central government and the BJP how much it is dependent on them.

Hyderabad-based political analyst Ashok Tankasala said the TDP would seek both forbearance on investigation of past grants given to Andhra Pradesh and fresh grants especially for hydel projects such as the Polavaram hydel scheme, crucial for carrying water to East and West Godavari and Krishna districts and it includes a canal that will carry water to Vishakhapatnam.

It was Chandrababu Naidu who as chief minister of post-bifurcation AP (2014-2019) had sought clearance for the project.

However, his rival Jagan Mohan Reddy's constant taunt at the time was that funds for the project were diverted for other purposes.

The result was the Polavaram project never came to fruition.

"It was the incomplete Polavaram project that was among the issues that ousted Naidu and brought Jaganmohan Reddy to power," Tankasala said.

IMAGE: N Chandrababu Naidu at Modi's swearing-in ceremony. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

When Andhra Pradesh was formed, a verbal assurance was given that the new state would get 'special category' status.

But this special status was not included in the Act to set up Andhra Pradesh.

Later, in accordance with the recommendations of the Finance Commission, 'special status' to all states was abolished.

In speeches in 2015 and 2016, Naidu said 'special status' was not a 'sanjeevani' and that Andhra Pradesh would be content with a special 'financial package' instead.

However, even this did not materialise.

The overall impression is that Naidu's demands will be financial rather than bargaining about Cabinet ministerships.

The issue of Amaravati as state capital and funds for development for it will dominate discussions.

However, this is fraught with problems.

According to norms of the central government, funds for a new capital (including the ones created in the past in 2000, like Uttarakhand and Jharkhand) can be given only for essential buildings such as a secretariat and court houses.

However, Naidu has submitted a detailed plan for the overall infrastructural development of Amarawati as the capital.

Managing this contradiction will be central to the workability of the alliance.

IMAGE: Nitish Kumar at Modi's swearing-in ceremony. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

The workability of the alliance between the BJP and the JD-U will be materially different.

The JD-U is in coalition in Bihar with the BJP. Elections are due in the state in 2025.

Of the 243 seats in the state assembly, the BJP has 82, the JD-U 47, and the Hindustan Awam Morcha (Secular) three.

One Independent is supporting the Nitish Kumar government.

The JD-U will find itself out of power if it rocks the boat at the Centre and riles the BJP, which can threaten to pull out of the Bihar government.

"It is a symbiotic relationship. The JD-U and BJP are dependent on each other," said a former Bihar bureaucrat.

JD-U office-bearer KC Tyagi had already set the tone for the relations between partners by asserting that the INDIA alliance had offered Nitish Kumar the position of prime minister, which he had declined, opting instead for the National Democratic Alliance.

Kumar himself has declared at the meeting of the NDA that the alliance would be stable and consistent.

"All this is to convey to the BJP that the alliance is not a one-sided vivashata (compulsion)," said the bureaucrat.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
The Union Cabinet in its first meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday approved government assistance for the construction of three crore houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs his first Union Cabinet meeting at the start of his third term, in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo

This was the first meeting of the Union Cabinet of Modi 3.0 government held at the Prime Minister's 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence.

The meeting was attended by ministers of all allies of the NDA.

"It has been decided in the Cabinet meeting today to provide assistance to three crore additional rural and urban households for the construction of houses to meet the housing requirements arising out of the increase in the number of eligible families," officials said.

The government of India is implementing the PMAY since 2015-16 to provide assistance to eligible rural and urban households for the construction of houses with basic amenities.

Under PMAY, a total of 4.21 crore houses have been completed for the eligible poor families under the housing schemes in the last 10 years.

All the houses constructed under PMAY are provided basic amenities like household toilets, LPG connection, electricity connection and functional household tap connection through convergence with other schemes of the central and state governments.
Signalling continuity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday retained Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar in charge of the four high-profile ministries -- home, defence, finance and external affairs -- respectively in his new government.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs his first Union cabinet meeting at the start of his third term, New Delhi, June 10, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The four ministers in charge of these portfolios make up the crucial Cabinet Committee on Security headed by the prime minister.

Among new entrants to the Union cabinet, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has got agriculture and rural development ministries, while BJP president J P Nadda has returned to the health ministry, a portfolio he had held in the Modi government's first term before he took charge of the ruling BJP first as working president in 2019 and then as the full-fledged president in 2020.

Credited with boosting the highway network across the country, Nitin Gadkari has retained charge of the road transport and highways ministry. Former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has been allocated housing and urban affairs, and power ministries.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, a rising star in the government who was in charge of crucial railways, and electronics and information technology ministries, has not only retained these portfolios but has also been given the important information and broadcasting ministry.

Dharmendra Pradhan and Piyush Goyal will also continue to be in charge of the education, and commerce and industry ministries respectively. Hardeep Singh Puri has retained the petroleum and natural gas ministry but has shed the housing and urban affairs ministry.

President Droupadi Murmu directed the allocation of portfolios to 72 members of the Union council of ministers, including the prime minister, as advised by Modi, according to an official statement.

Kiren Rijiju has been moved from Earth sciences to the parliamentary affairs ministry, while Arjun Ram Meghwal will continue as law minister and Sarbananda Sonowal has retained the shipping portfolio. Bhupender Yadav has retained the environment ministry.

Among the five members of the BJP's allies in the Union cabinet, JD-Secular's H D Kumaraswamy has got heavy industries, and steel ministries; Jitan Ram Manjhi (HAM-Secular) has micro, small and medium enterprises ministry, and Lalan Singh (Janata Dal-United) panchayati raj, fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying ministries.

TDP's K Rammohan Naidu has got the civil aviation ministry and LJP-Ram Vilas leader Chirag Paswan has been allocated the food processing industries ministry.

BJP leader C R Patil has got the jal shakti ministry, while another party leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who held the portfolio in the government's previous term, will be the culture and tourism minister.

Amit Shah has also retained the cooperation ministry, while Sitharaman will continue to handle corporate affairs.

Virendra Kumar has retained the social justice and empowerment ministry, while Jual Oram is the new tribal affairs minister.

Pralhad Joshi, who earlier held coal and mines, and parliamentary affairs ministry, has been made in charge of consumer affairs, food and public distribution, and new and renewable energy ministries. G Kishan Reddy has been handed over the coal and mines ministry.

Giriraj Singh has been shifted from the rural development and panchayati raj ministries to textiles. Jyotiraditya Scinda, former aviation minister, is now in charge of communications, and development of north eastern region ministries.

Annapurna Devi is the new women and child development minister.

Among ministers of state with independent charge, BJP ally and RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary has been allocated skill development and entrepreneurship ministry and Shiv Sena leader Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao will handle ayush ministry.

Earlier, Modi held the first cabinet meeting after his government was sworn in on Sunday and told his ministerial colleagues that most of them will continue to handle their existing responsibilities.

The allocation of portfolios underlined the prime minister's faith in his colleagues, especially those handling the frontline ministries which shaped and drove the government's policies and programmes.
The unease in India-Canada ties was on display when Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday responded to a congratulatory message from his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau and said New Delhi looks forward to working with Ottawa based on mutual understanding and respect for 'each other's concerns'.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, in September 2023. Photograph: @PMOIndia/X

The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Trudeau's allegations in September last year of a 'potential' involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.

New Delhi rejected Trudeau's charges as 'absurd'.

'Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each other's concerns,' Modi said in a post on 'X'.

In his June 6 message, Trudeau said Canada stands ready to work with the new Indian government to advance the ties if they are anchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law.

'Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his electoral victory. Canada stands ready to work with his government to advance the relationship between our nations' peoples ?anchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law,' the Canadian prime minister said.

India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistani elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity.

There have been instances of pro-Khalistani elements threatening to harm Indian diplomats.

Days after Trudeau's allegations last year, India asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity.

Canada subsequently withdrew 41 diplomats and their family members from India.

Nijjar, who was declared a terrorist by India, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in British Columbia in Surrey on June 18 last year.

The murder is being probed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
A court in Delhi has convicted a man of raping a 14-year-old girl in January 2015, saying if physical relations are established with a minor, it becomes an offence of rape and her consent is immaterial.

Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Additional sessions judge Amit Sahrawat was hearing a case against the man who was charged under the penal provision of rape and Section 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

Special public prosecutor Vineet Dahiya appeared for the prosecution.

The court noted the "consistent" and "reliable" statements of the girl about becoming pregnant and later giving birth because of having voluntarily established physical relations with the accused.

Rejecting the defence lawyer's argument that the girl was a major at the time of the incident, it said according to the evidence before it she was around 14 years old.

"The defence has already admitted the case of the prosecution to the extent of physical relations, thus if physical relations are established with a minor girl, then it is squarely covered by the definition of rape and penetrative sexual assault, and the consent of the victim is immaterial," the court said.

The court said according to the DNA profiling, the accused was the baby's biological father.

"The forensic science laboratory report fortifies the case of the prosecution that the accused has established physical relations with the victim and as a consequence of that, the victim got pregnant and gave birth to a child," it said.

It said that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

"Accordingly, the accused is found guilty of the offence of rape and aggravated penetrative sexual assault," the court said.

The arguments on the quantum of sentence will be heard later.
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit Wayanad in Kerala on June 12, party sources said on Monday.

IMAGE: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

His visit comes days after he secured a massive victory in Wayanad constituency in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

He defeated his nearest rival and Communist Party of India candidate Annie Raja by a margin of 3,64,422 votes.

Gandhi is visiting the constituency amidst speculations that he would give up the seat in Kerala and retain Raebareli, a traditional stronghold of the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh.

In view of the Congress leader's visit, a protest march to the state assembly, announced by the opposition United Democratic Front on June 12, has been postponed, the UDF said in a statement here on Monday.

The Opposition front had announced the protest march last month soon after allegations cropped up against the Pinarayi Vijayan government over the liquor policy row.

It is said there was a move by the Left regime to amend the state liquor policy in favour of bar owners.

The Congress-led front had demanded the resignation of Tourism and Excise Ministers over the allegations and warned of holding a march towards the state Assembly, intensifying their protest.

However, UDF Convenor M M Hassan on Monday informed that the Assembly march was postponed to another day.

Both the march and the coordination committee meeting of the UDF, scheduled to be held on June 12, have been postponed as the front leaders have to take part in the programmes in connection with Gandhi's visit to Wayanad, he said.
Several cars, motorcycles and a government building were torched after a protest called by the Satnami community to denounce damage to their religious pillar in Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar city turned violent on Monday, officials said.

IMAGE: People during protest in Balodabazar, in Chhattisgarh, June 10, 2024. Photograph: ANI on X

Several police personnel were injured in the stone pelting, an official said, adding Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai was briefed on the situation by the chief secretary and the DGP.

On the intervening night of May 15-16, unidentified persons vandalized a 'jaitkhamb', a structure worshipped by the Satnami community as a sacred symbol, near holy Amar Gufa in Giroudpuri dham in Balodabazar district.

The police had arrested three persons for alleged involvement in the desecration, though the Satnami community sought a central agency probe into the matter, the official said.

To protest against the incident, the Satnami community had called for a demonstration at Dussehra Maidan in Balodabazar and gherao of the collector's office on Monday.

A large number of Satnami community members gathered to attend the protest. Police had put barricades at several places to stop the protestors from heading towards the collectorate.

"The Satnami community had called for a peaceful demonstration but the protest turned violent. Protesters pelted stones at police personnel and entered the collectorate by breaking barricades. They pelted stones at the office building and torched several vehicles parked there," said Balodabazar Superintendent of Police Sadanand Kumar.

Some 5,000 protesters broke police barricades and pelted stones, leaving several personnel injured, he said.

They entered the collectorate premises, set several cars and two-wheelers as well as the SP's building on fire, besides pelting stones at the collector's office and breaking window panes, Kumar said.

The flames have been doused and the situation has been brought under control, the SP added.

"We have gathered video footage of the violence and will take strict action against those who have indulged in it. The assessment of damage caused by the violence is underway," the official said.

Visuals from the protest site showed some 50 motorcycles, two dozen cars and the SP office building in the collectorate in flames.

A fire brigade vehicle was also torched by the mob. The protesters were seen clashing with police personnel.

In a post on X, Chief Minister Sai said he has directed Raipur range Inspector General of Police and Raipur division Commissioner to immediately reach the spot in Baloda Bazar district.

He said he had called the Chief Secretary and DGP and took preliminary information about the incident and also sought a report on it.

The CM said he had directed officials to take strict action against those who disturb social harmony. He appealed to everyone to maintain harmony.

The state government has already ordered a judicial probe into the vandalization of 'jaitkhamb', an official said.

"On the demand of various organizations and representatives of the Satnami community, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who also holds Home portfolio, has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident," the official said.

Sharma, in a statement on Monday morning, said incidents that disturb social harmony will not be tolerated and strict action will be taken against the culprits.

The deputy CM urged people to maintain peace and social harmony.

The influential Satnami community, founded by medieval era social reformer Baba Ghasidas, represents a majority of Scheduled Castes in Chhattisgarh.
The majority of US states have something called a "Department of Motor Vehicles," or DMV. Actually, the universality of the term "DMV" seems to be overstated. A more general term is "motor vehicle administrator," used for example by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators to address the inconsistent terminology.

Not happy with merely noting that I live in a state with an "MVD" rather than a "DMV," I did the kind of serious investigative journalism that you have come to expect from me. Of These Fifty United States plus six territories, I count 28 DMVs, 5 MVDs, 5 BMVs, 2 OMVs, 2 "Driver Services," and the remainder are hard to describe succinctly. In fact, there's a surprising amount of ambiguity across the board. A number of states don't seem to formally have an agency or division called the DMV, but nonetheless use the term "DMV" to describe something like the Office of Driver Licensing of the Department of Transportation.

Indeed, the very topic of where the motor vehicle administrator is found is interesting. Many exist within the Department of Transportation or Department of Revenue (which goes by different names depending on the state, such as DTR or DFA). Some states place driver's licensing within the Department of State. One of the more unusual cases is Oklahoma, which recently formed a new state agency for motor vehicle administration but with the goal of expanding to other state customer service functions... leaving it with the generic name of Service Oklahoma.

The most exceptional case, as you'll find with other state government functions as well, is Hawaii. Hawaii has deferred motor vehicle administration to counties, with the Honolulu CSD or DCS (they are inconsistent!) the largest, alongside others like the Hawaii County VRL.

So, the point is that DMV is sort of a colloquialism, one that is widely understood since the most populous states (CA and TX for example) have proper DMVs. Florida, third most populous state, actually has a DHSMV or FLHSMV depending on where you look... but their online services portal is branded MyDMV, even though there is no state agency or division called the DMV. See how this can be confusing?

Anyway, if you are sitting around on a Saturday morning searching for the name of every state plus "DMV" like I am, you will notice something else: a lot of... suspicious results. guamtax.com is, it turns out, actually the website of the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation. dmvflorida.org is not to be confused with the memorable flhsmv.gov, and especially not with mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov. You have to put "portal" in the domain name so people know it's a portal, it's like how "apdonline.com" has "online" in it so you know that it's a website on the internet.

dmvflorida.org calls itself the "American Safety Council's Guide to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles." Now, we have established that the "Florida Department of Motor Vehicles" does not exist, but the State of Florida itself seems a little confused on that point, so I'll let it slide. But that brings us to the American Safety Council, or ASC.

ASC is... It's sort of styled to sound like the National Safety Council (NSC) or National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), independent nonprofits that publish standards and guidance. ASC is a different deal. ASC is a for-profit vendor of training courses. Based on the row of badges on their homepage, ASC wants you to know not only that they are "Shopper Approved," "Certifiably Excellent (The Stats To Prove It)," they have won a "5-Star Excellence Award" (from whom not specified), and that the Orlando Business Journal included their own John Comly on its 2019 list of "CEOs of the Year."

This is the most impressive credential they have on offer besides accreditation by IACET, an industry association behind the "continuing education units" used by many certifications, and which is currently hosting a webinar series on "how AI is reshaping learning landscapes from curriculum design to compliance." This does indeed mean that, in the future, your corporate sexual harassment training will be generated by Vyond Formerly GoAnimate based on a script right out of ChatGPT. The quality of the content will, surprisingly, not be adversely affected. "As you can see, this is very important to Your Company. Click Here [broken link] to read your organization's policy."

In reality, ASC is a popular vendor of driver safety courses that businesses need their employees to take in order to get an insurance discount. Somewhere in a drawer I have a "New Mexico Vehicle Operator's Permit," a flimsy paper credential issued to state employees in recognition of their having completed an ASC course that consisted mostly of memorizing that "LOS POT" stands for "line of sight, path of travel." Years later, I am fuzzy on what that phrase actually means, but expanding the acronym was on the test.

We can all reflect on the fact that the state's vehicle insurance program is not satisfied with merely possessing the driver's license that the state itself issues, but instead requires you to pass a shorter and easier exam on actually driving safely. Or knowing about the line of sight and the path of travel, or something. I once took a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course that included a truly incomprehensible diagram of the priorities for scanning points of conflict at an intersection, a work of such information density that any motorcyclist attempting to apply it by rote would be entirely through the intersection and to the next one before completing the checklist. We were, nonetheless, taught as if we were expected to learn it that way. Driver's education is the ultimate test of "Adult Learning Theory," a loose set of principles influential on the design of Adobe Captivate compliance courses, and the limitations of its ability to actually teach anyone anything.

This is all a tangent, so let's get back to the core. ASC sells safety courses and... operates dmvflorida.org?

Here's the thing: running DMV websites is a profitable business. Very few people look for the DMV website because they just wanted to read up on driver's license endorsements. Almost everyone who searches for "<state name> DMV" is on the way to spending money: they need to renew their license, or their registration, or get a driving test, or ideally, a driver's ed course or traffic school.

The latter are ideal because a huge number of states have privatized them, at least to some degree. Driver's ed and traffic school are both commonly offered by competitive for-profit ventures that will split revenue in exchange for acquiring a customer. I would say that dmvflorida.org is a referral scam, but it's actually not! it's even better: it's owned by ASC, one of the companies that competes to offer traffic school courses! It's just a big, vaguely government-looking funnel into ASC's core consumer product.

In some states, the situation is even better. DMV services are partially privatized or "agents" can submit paperwork on the behalf of the consumer. Either of these models allow a website that tops Google results to submit your driver's license renewal on your behalf... and tack on a "convenience fee" for doing so. Indeed, Florida allows private third-parties to administer the written exam for a driver's license, and you know dmvflorida.org offers such an online exam for just $24.95.

You can, of course, renew your driver's license online directly with the state, at least in the vast majority of cases. so how does a website that does the same thing, with the same rates, plus their own fee, compete? SEO. Their best bet is to outrank the actual state website, grabbing consumers and funneling them towards profitable offerings before they find the actual DMV website.

There's a whole world of DMV websites that operate in a fascinating nexus of SEO spam, referral farm, and nearly-fraudulent imitation of official state websites. This has been going on since, well, I have a reliable source that claims since 1999: dmv.org.

dmv.org is an incredible artifact of the internet. It contains an enormous amount of written content, much of it of surprisingly high quality, in an effort to maintain strong search engine rankings. It used to work: for many years, dmv.org routinely outranked state agency websites for queries that were anywhere close to "dmv" or "renew driver's license" or "traffic school." And it was all in the pursuit of referral and advertising revenue. Take it from them:

Advertise with DMV.ORG Partner with one of the most valuable resource for DMV & driving - driven by 85% organic reach that captures 80% of U.S drivers, DMV.ORG helps organize the driver experience across the spectrum of DMV and automotive- related information. Want to reach this highly valued audience?

dmv.org claims to date back to 1999, and I have no reason to doubt them, but the earliest archived copies I can find are from 2000 and badly broken. By late 2001 the website has been redesigned, and reads "Welcome to the Department of Motor Vehicles Website Listings." If you follow the call to action and look up your state, it changes to "The Department of Motor Vehicles Portal on the Web!"

They should have gone for dmvportal.org for added credibility.

In 2002, dmv.org takes a new form: before doing pretty much anything, it asks you for your contact information, including an AOL, MSN, or Yahoo screen name. They promise not to sell your address to third parties but this appears to be a way to build their own marketing lists. They now prominently advertise vehicle history reports, giving you a referral link to CarFax.

Over the following months, more banner ads and referral links appear: vehicle history reports, now by edriver.com, $14.99 or $19.99. Driving record status, by drivingrecord.org, $19.99. Traffic School Online, available in 8 states, dmv-traffic-school.com and no price specified. The footer: "DMV.ORG IS PRIVATELY OPERATED AND MAINTAINED FOR THE BENEFIT OF ITS USERS."

In mid-2003, there's a rebranding. The header now reads "DMV Online Services." There are even more referral links. Just a month later, another redesign, a brief transitional stage, before in September 2003, dmv.org achieves the form familiar to most of us today: A large license-plate themed "DMV.ORG" logotype, referral links everywhere, map of the US where you can click on your state. "Rated #1 Site, CBS Early Show."

This year coincides, of course, with rapid adoption of the internet. Suddenly consumers really are online, and they really are searching for "DMV." And dmv.org is building a good reputation for itself. A widely syndicated 2002 newspaper article about post-marriage bureaucracy (often appearing in a Bridal Guide supplement) sends readers to dmv.org for information on updating their name. The Guardian, of London, points travelers at dmv.org for information on obtaining a handicap placard while visiting the US.

You also start to see the first signs of trouble. Over the following years, an increasing number of articles both in print and online refer to dmv.org as if it is the website of the Department of Motor Vehicles. We cannot totally blame them for the confusion. First, the internet was relatively new, and reporters had perhaps not learned to be suspicious of it. Second, states themselves sometimes fanned the flames. In a 2005 article, the director of driver services for the Mississippi Department of Transportation tells the reporter that you can now renew your driver's license online... at dmv.org.

dmv.org was operated by a company called eDriver. It's hard to find much about them, because they have faded into obscurity and search results are now dominated by the lawsuit that you probably suspected is coming. The "About Us" page of the dmv.org of this period is a great bit of copywriting, complete with dramatic stories, but almost goes out of its way not to name the people involved. "One of our principals likes to say..."

eDriver must not have been very large, their San Diego office address was a rented mail box. Whether or not it started out that way is hard to say, but by 2008 eDriver was a subsidiary of Biz Groups Inc., along with Online Guru Inc and Find My Specialist Inc. These corporate names all have intense "SEO spam" energy, and they seem to have almost jointly operated dmv.org through a constellation of closely interlinked websites. In 2008, eDriver owned dmv.org but didn't even run it: they contracted Online Guru to manage the website.

Biz Groups Inc was owned by brothers Raj and Ravi Lahoti. Along with third brother David, the Lahotis were '00s domain name magnates. They often landed on the receiving end of UDRP complaints, ICANN's process for resolving disputes over the rightful ownership of domain names. Well, they were in the business: David Lahoti owns UDRP-tracking website udrpsearch.com to this day.

Their whole deal was, essentially, speculating on domain names. Some of them weren't big hits. An article on a dispute between the MIT Scratch project and the Lahotis (as owners of scratch.org) reads "Ravi updated the site at Scratch.org recently to includes news articles and videos with the word scratch in them. It also has a notice that the domain was registered in 1998 and includes the dictionary definition of scratch."

Others were more successful. In 2011, Raj Lahoti was interviewed by a Korean startup accelerator called beSuccess:

My older brother Ravi was the main inspiration behind starting OnlineGURU. Ravi owned many amazing domain names and although he didn't build a website on every one of his domains, he DID build a small website at www.DMV.org and this website started doing well. Well enough that he saw an opportunity to do something bigger with it and turn it into a bigger business.

And he is clear on how the strategy evolved to focus on SEO farming:

Search Engine Marketing and Search Engine Optimization has definitely been most effective in my overall marketing strategy. The beautiful thing about search engines is that you can target users who are looking for EXACTLY what you offer at the EXACT moment they are looking for it. Google Adwords has so many tools, such as the Google Keyword Tool where you can learn what people are searching for and how many people are searching the same thing. This has allowed me to learn about WHAT the world wants and gives me ideas on how I can provide solutions to help people with what they are looking for.

Also, San Diego Business Journal named Raj Lahoti "among the finalists of the publication's Most Admired CEO award" in 2011. So if he ever meets John Comly, they'll have something to talk about.

The thing is, the relationship between dmv.org and actual state motor vehicle administrators became blurrier over time... perhaps not coincidentally, just as dmv.org ascended to a top-ranking result across a huge range of Google queries. It really was a business built entirely on search engine ranking, and they seemed to achieve that ranking in part through a huge amount of content (that is distinctly a cut above the nearly incoherent SEO farms you see today), but also in part through feeding consumer confusion between them and state agencies. I personally remember ending up on dmv.org when looking for the actual DMV's website, and that was probably when I was trying to get a driver's license to begin with. It was getting a bit of a scammy reputation, actual DMVs were sometimes trying to steer people away from it, and in 2007 they were sued.

A group of website operators in basically the same industry, TrafficSchool.com Inc and Driver's Ed Direct, LLC, filed a false advertising suit against the Online Guru family of companies. They claimed not that dmv.org was fraudulent, but that it unfairly benefited from pretending to be an official website.

Their claim must have seemed credible. At the beginning of 2008, before the lawsuit made it very far, dmv.org's tagline changed from "No need to stand IN LINE. Your DMV guide is now ON LINE!" to "Your unofficial guide to the DMV." This became the largest indication that dmv.org was not an official website, supplementing the small, grey text that had been present in the footer for years.

The judge was not satisfied.

See, the outcome of the lawsuit was sort of funny. The court agreed that dmv.org was engaging in false advertising under the Lanham Act, but then found that the plaintiffs were doing basically the same thing, leaving them with "unclean hands." Incidentally, they would appeal and the appeals court would disagree on some details of the "unclean hands" finding, but the gist of the lower court's ruling held: the plaintiffs would not receive damages, since they had been pursuing the same strategy, but the court did issue an injunction requiring dmv.org to add a splash screen clearly stating that it was not an official website.

The lawsuit documents are actually a great read. The plaintiffs provided the court with a huge list of examples of confusion, including highlights like a Washington State Trooper emailing dmv.org requesting a DUI suspect's Oregon driving records. dmv.org admitted to the court that they received emails like this on "a daily basis," many of them being people attempting to comply with mandatory DUI reporting laws by reporting their recent DUI arrest... to Online Guru.

The court noted the changes made to dmv.org in early 2008, including the "Unofficial" heading and changing headings from, for example, "California DMV" to "California DMV Info." But those weren't sufficient: going forward, users would have to click "acknowledge" on a page warning them.

It is amusing, of course, that the SEO industry of the time interpreted the injunction mainly in the SEO context. This was, after all, a website that lived and died by Google rankings, part of a huge industry of similar websites. Eric Goldman's Technology and Marketing Law Blog wrote that "My hypothesis is that such an acknowledgment page wrecks DMV.orgs search engine indexing by preventing the robots from seeing the page content."

The takeaway:

This suggests a possible lesson to learn from this case. The defendants had a great domain name (DMV.org) that they managed to build nicely, but they may have too aggressive about stoking consumer expectations about their affiliation with the government.

It's wild that "get a good domain name and pack it with referral links" used to be a substantial portion of the internet economy. Good thing nothing that vapid survives today! Speaking of today, what happened to dmv.org?

Well, the court order softened over time, and the acknowledgment page ultimately went away. It was replaced by a large, top-of-page banner, almost comically reminiscent of those appearing on cigarettes. "DMV.ORG IS A PRIVATELY OWNED WEBSITE THAT IS NOT OWNED OR OPERATED BY ANY STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY." Below that, the license plate dmv.org logotype, same as ever.

Besides, they reformed. At sustainablebrands.com we read:

Over our 10-year history, DMV.orgs mission has shifted entirely from profit to purpose. We not only want to bring value to our users by making their DMV experience easier, we ultimately want to reduce transportation-related deaths, encourage eco-friendly driving habits, and influence other businesses to reduce their carbon footprints and become stewards of change themselves.

This press-release-turned-article says that they painted "the companys human values on our wall, to remind ourselves every day what were here for and why" and that, curiously, dmv.org "potentially aim[s] to" "eliminate Styrofoam from local eateries." The whole thing is such gross greenwashing, bordering on incoherent, that I might accuse it of being AI-generated were it not a decade old.

dmv.org lived by Google and, it seems, it will die by Google. Several SEO blogs report that, sometime in 2019, Google seems to have applied aggressive manual adjustments to a list of government-agency-like domain names that include irs.com (its whole own story) and dmv.org. Their search traffic almost instantaneously dropped by 80%.

dmv.org is still going today, but I'm not sure that it's relevant any more. I tried a scattering of Google queries like "new mexico driver's license" and "traffic school," the kind of thing where dmv.org used to win the top five results, and they weren't even on the first page. Online Guru still operates dmv.org, and "dmv.org is NOT your state agency" might as well be the new tagline. Phrases like that one constantly appear in headings and sidebars.

They advertise auto insurance, and will sell you online practice tests for $10. Curiously, when I look up how to renew my driver's license in New Mexico, dmv.org sends me to the actual NM MVD website. That's sort of a funny twist, because New Mexico does indeed allow renewal through private service providers that are permitted to charge a service fee. I don't think dmv.org makes enough money to manage compliance with all these state programs, though, so it's actually returned to its roots, in a way: just a directory of links to state websites.

Also, there's a form you can fill out to become a contributor! Computers Are Bad has been fun, but I'm joining the big leagues. Now I write for dmv.org.
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea of US citizen Claude David Convis seeking asylum in India on grounds including that he feared persecution if he returned to his homeland.

IMAGE: The Supreme Court of India. Photograph: ANI Photo

Observing that there are courts in the US and the government there will take care of his apprehensions, a vacation bench comprising justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta did not allow the plea of Convis who claimed to have discovered an alternative to petroleum.

"We are not here to take care of (you). Your government will take care of that. There are courts in the US also," the bench said while dismissing his petition which had sought a direction to the Centre to grant him asylum.

The US citizen, who appeared and argued in person before the bench, said if he left India, he would be "cornered".

Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee, who was earlier asked to take instruction from the Centre on the issue, told the bench that the visa of Convis was set to expire on December 9, 2024.

The bench asked whether the US citizen was facing any kind of prosecution. The answer came in negative.

While dismissing the plea, the bench said the US administration will take care of his issues.
Union Minister and actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi on Monday dismissed as 'grossly incorrect' media reports suggesting that he was seeking an 'exit' from the Narendra Modi-led government.

IMAGE: Suresh Gopi takes the oath as minister at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Union government at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Sunday, June 9, 2024. Photograph: President of India

In a Facebook post, Gopi said that it is a matter of pride for him to be in the Council of Ministers of the Modi government and to represent the people of Kerala.

His statement came after his remarks to the media on Sunday night, expressing hope that he would soon be relieved of his post as he wants to do more films, sparking speculation about his continued role in the Modi-led government.

"A few media platforms are spreading the incorrect news that I am going to resign from the Council of Ministers of the Modi Government. This is grossly incorrect. It is a matter of pride for me to be in the Council of Ministers of the Modi Government and to represent the people of Kerala," Gopi said in the post.

Attaching his photo with Modi on his FB page, Gopi said, "under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, we are committed to the development and prosperity of Kerala."

Earlier, the Congress's Kerala unit had posted a news channel video on 'X' containing Gopi's remarks.

When reporters asked whether he chose the post of Minister of State (MoS) considering his film commitments, a smiling Gopi had said, "Nothing was demanded. I had told (them) that I don't want this. I feel that I will be relieved without delay."

Asked whether this posed a problem for the people of Thrissur who elected him, Gopi replied, "There is no problem for them. They know very well. As an MP for the people of Thrissur, I will perform very well. I desperately want to do films."

During his chat with two Malayalam news channels on Sunday night, he had also expressed his desire to establish an AIIMS in Kerala and collaborate with other ministers in fulfilling his duties as an MP.

Reacting to reports suggesting that Gopi, the lone BJP MP from Kerala, was expressing displeasure over not being given a Cabinet or MoS (independent) charge, BJP state chief Surendran said it is fake news.

The state unit of the Congress had slammed Gopi and the BJP over the development.

"@BJP4India @narendramodi why this mockery of voters? Why don't you tell your MP to first decide what he wants to do in life and most importantly stop this show in front of the media after taking oath in the name of God and the constitution," Congress in Kerala had said in a post on X.
Bollywood actor Noor Malabika Das, who starred in a 2023 web series The Trial, allegedly committed suicide at her flat in Oshiwara in Mumbai, police said on Monday.

IMAGE: Actor Noor Malabika Das. Photograph: Noor Malabika Das on Instagram

The decomposed body of the 31-year-old actor was found on Friday evening after neighbours complained of a foul smell emanating from her apartment, an official said.

Das was Bollywood actor Kajol's co-star in the 2023 web series The Trial.

Investigations have revealed that the actor hanged herself from the ceiling fan in her flat on Tuesday evening, and a neighbour informed the police about the foul smell, he said.

The police team broke down the door and discovered the body and found a table and rope at the scene, the official said.

Das suffered from depression and was on medication, he said.

No suicide note was recovered from the spot, the official said, adding that an accidental death reports (ADR) has been registered, the official said.
Mamta and Rajendra Saini's three children are waiting for their parents' return from a Vaishno Devi pilgrimage. They will never come back.

IMAGE: A pilgrim being taken to Govt Medical College Hospital, Jammu as she got injured after a terror attack on the bus coming from Shiv Khori, in Reasi on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Cloth merchant Rajendra Saini, 42, his wife Mamta, 40, their relative Pooja Saini, 30, and her two-year-old son Titu are among the nine killed after terrorists opened fire at a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu's Reasi district on Sunday evening.

The couple's two sons, one of them a minor, and daughter have been told that their parents were injured in a road accident in Jammu and they were being brought to Jaipur for treatment, the relatives said.

The 53-seater bus, on its way from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra, veered off the road following the barrage of gunfire and fell into a deep gorge near the Teryath village of the Poni area.

Pooja Saini's husband Pavan, 32, has been injured, a police officer said.

While Rajendra and Mamta were residents of Chomu town near Jaipur, Pavan and Pooja were from Ajmera ki Dhani in the Harmada area on Chomu Road.

Residents of the two areas were stunned into silence upon receiving the news of the deaths.

"We came to know last night that the bus had fallen into a ditch and it was an accident. But today we came to know that terrorists had attacked the bus and it fell into a gorge," said a relative of Rajendra Saini.

She said Rajendra's children do not know the truth yet.

"They only know that their parents are injured and are being brought here. Rajendra was the sole earning member," she added.

In Ajmera ki Dhani, just a few kilometres from Chomu, family members are mourning the death of Pooja and her two-year-old kid. Pooja was married to Pawan, who runs an e-Mitra shop in the village, four years ago.

Chomu Tehsildar Vijaypal said post-mortem has been conducted in Jammu and Kashmir and the bodies will be brought to Jaipur.

Efforts will be made to get the affected families the benefit of various state government schemes, he said.

Financial assistance to the family will be provided as per the Rajasthan government norms and donors will be motivated to support the orphaned children of Rajendra, the tehsildar said.
The RJD polled the highest vote share in Bihar, but it was not reflected in the number of seats it won.

IMAGE: Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav at an election meeting in Patna, May 27, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Despite securing 22.14 per cent votes -- the highest by any political party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Bihar -- the Rashtriya Janata Dal won only four seats. This after an aggressive campaign by Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD leader.

The RJD's poor tally upset the calculation of the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, which is a part of the INDIA bloc.

The Mahagathbandhan won nine Lok Sabha seats -- the RJD won four of the 23 seats it contested, the Congress won three of the nine it contested and the Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist won two of the three seats it was given as per the seat-sharing pact.

Congress leader Pappu Yadav, who contested as an Independent from Purnea, won his seat.

In 2019, the RJD did not win a single Lok Sabha seat.

According to Election Commission data, the RJD's vote share was 22.14 per cent, the Congress's was 9.20 per cent, the CPI-ML's vote share was 2.99 per cent. The Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India-Marxist secured 1.31 per cent and 0.87 per cent votes respectively.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the RJD's vote share was 15.68 per cent and the Congress's was 7.85 per cent.

IMAGE: Tejashwi Yadav arrives to attend the INDIA bloc leaders' meeting in New Delhi, June 5, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance won 39 of 40 seats in the 2019 elections. But this time, the NDA won 30 seats.

The BJP won 12 of the 17 seats it contested, the Janata Dal-United also won 12 -- it contested 16 -- seats. Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas won all five seats it contested.

The BJP's vote share in Bihar was 20.52 per cent, followed by the JD-U's 18.52 per cent. The LJP-R secured 6.47 per cent of votes.

The NDA won 45.52 per cent votes, which is 9.05 per cent more votes than the Mahagatbandhan's 36.47 per cent.

In the 2019 elections, the NDA secured 22.49 per cent more votes than the Mahagathbandhan.

The BJP's 2019 vote share was 24.05 per cent, the JD-U's was 22.26 per cent.

IMAGE: Tejashwi being assisted to his car after he experienced sudden back pain. Photograph: ANI Photo

Tejashwi Yadav addressed 251 election meetings in Bihar during the campaign in severe heatwave conditions and observers are puzzled at the RJD's poor strike rate.

Unlike NDA leaders, who either raised communal issues or resorted to personal attacks against Tejashwi's parents Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, calling their rule 'jungle raj', Tejashwi made 'rozgar, naukri, manhgai aur garibi' (employment, jobs, price rise and poverty) the highlights of his poll campaign.

Political observers in Patna say Tejashwi has designed a recipe to expand his party's traditional support base from the well-tested Muslim-Yadav equation into an 'A to Z party'.

But on the ground, this formula is yet to gain acceptance as reflected in the 2024 results.

RJD chief Lalu Yadav tried to appeal to Kushwaha voters -- the Kushwahas are an agrarian OBC caste considered JD-U supporters -- by fielding candidates belonging to the caste. It worked in Aurangabad, where RJD candidate Abhay Kushwaha defeated the BJP's Sushil Kumar Singh, a Rajput.

In other seats, the RJD's Kushwaha candidates were unsuccessful, but they obtained an overwhelming share of votes from their caste, along with traditional MY votes and others.

Tejashwi has also been trying to make a dent in Mallah votes, an EBC caste considered loyal to the NDA.

During the election campaign, Vikashsheel Inssan Party chief Mukesh Sahni, who calls himself the 'Son of a Mallah', accompanied Tejashwi everywhere in his campaign helicopter.

IMAGE: Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi and their daughter and the party's unsuccessful Saran candidate Dr Rohini Acharya, after casting their votes in Patna, June 1, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Political commentator D M Diwakar says Tejashwi worked hard, raised basic issues during his campaign and pulled in high percentage of votes.

The credit for all this goes to him, but the vote share has not been converted into seats. Sometimes it happens because social chemistry makes many things different in different constituencies.

"Tejashwi has successfully mobilised people, it might not be reflected in the number of seats, but high vote share is a strength, it will be reflected in the 2025 Bihar assembly polls," observes Diwakar, a former director of the A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies, Patna.

Diwakar points out that social chemistry also plays its role in the poll outcome. In Saran, RJD candidate Rohini Acharya was defeated by the BJP's incumbent MP Rajeev Pratap Rudy by 12,000 votes.

Two Independent candidates -- one Muslim and one Yadav -- got more than 36,000 votes, upsetting the RJD's MY equation and damaging its social support base, resulting in Rohini's defeat.

IMAGE: Janata Dal-United President Nitish Kumar with Tejashwi Yadav on board a flight to Delhi, in Patna, June 5, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Another political commentator Satyanarayan Madan points out that Bihar's politics is still trapped in the circle of caste equations.

"The RJD is struggling to gain the support of non-Yadav OBC and EBC voters," says Madan. "The party is only getting the support of a section of Dalits. Nitish Kumar is by default still getting the support of non-Yadav OBCs and a large chunk of EBCs."

"This adds strength to the BJP's core support base among the upper castes, OBCs, Vaishyas, Dalits and others," adds Madan. "This is the reason the NDA's vote share is nine percent more than that of the Mahagathbandhan."

Two NDA constituents -- the LJP-R and Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha -- enjoy good support among the Dalits.

Of the six reserved seats in Bihar, the LJP-R won three seats, including Hajipur, while one seat each was won by JD-U and HAM candidate.

Only one reserved seat -- Sasaram -- was won by the Congress.

The RJD has not been able to win any reserved seat in the state since 2004.

IMAGE: Independent candidate Pappu Yadav won the Purnea seat, June 4, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The RJD also took decisions that cost the party in the Lok Sabha polls. It forced the Congress not to field Pappu Yadav from Purnea.

Pappu Yadav contested as an Independent and defeated the JD-U's incumbent MP Santosh Kushwaha. RJD candidate Bima Bharti stood third.

IMAGE: Nitish Kumar, Lalu Yadav and then Bihar assembly speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary in Patna, January 15, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The RJD also failed to convince Hena Shahab, the late party MP and the dreaded gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin's wife, to contest as an RJD candidate from Siwan. Hena had earlier alleged that she and her family were ignored by the RJD after her husband's death.

Siwan was once considered her late husband's stronghold. Hena has unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls thrice after 'Saheb' -- as she used to call Shahabuddin -- was jailed in 2005.

Hena contested the 2024 election this time as an Independent and lost again. But her presence in the fray resulted in senior RJD leader and former Bihar assembly speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary's defeat.

Choudhary came in third with 198,823 votes, while Hena Shahab secured 293,651 votes. JD-U nominee Vijayalakshmi Devi won, polling 386,508 votes.

Tejashwi was the Mahagathbandan's solitary campaigner pitted against an array of NDA leaders like Narendra D Modi, Amit A Shah, Nitish Kumar, Rajnath Singh and J P Nadda.

Modi visited Bihar nine times to campaign for NDA candidates and also held a roadshow in Patna on May 12, a first by a PM.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
This year's Tommy Fest, which celebrates peace, love and three-part harmony in memory and honor of Tom Morris, is at 2 p.m. July 6, with a rain date of July 7, at Pikes Falls Road.
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Rebecca Holcombe represents Windsor-Orange 2 in the Vermont House of Representatives and is a member of the Vermont House Appropriations Committee. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
Council-owned Regional Software Holdings (RSHL), which delivers software to regional councils around New Zealand, has completed its transition to become a regional sector shared services organisation.

The companys IRIS Next Generation programme was now fully established with nine councils carrying on the legacy of the six that created the organisation more than a decade ago, chair Mike Nield said in RSHLs 2024 statement of intent.

RSHL is now in the build phase of the IRIS NextGen programme, developing functionality specific to regional councils, and some that would benefit all councils, using Datacoms Datascape software, on which the new system is based, RSHL chief executive Mark Donnelly told Reseller News.

What is referred to as the regional council template was being built on the Datascape platform with reliance on its finance, CRM, regulatory and mobile field worker products.

While the build progresses, RSHL is working with teams of subject matter experts from councils, to develop shared understanding of good practice for regulatory processes, Donnelly said.

While alignment around good practice was one of the key tenets of the programme, the councils were also now focusing on preparing for implementations.
Staff members monitor the venues as students sit for the annual national college entrance examination, or "gaokao," in Xian, Shaanxi province, China, on June 7, 2018.

Millions of Chinese teenagers are taking the grueling 'gaokao' college entrance exam this week, despite fears that the system is rigged against them and amid growing concern over the psychological pressure they exert on young people, students, parents and educators told Radio Free Asia.

Most college entrance tests took place on Friday and Saturday, with a record number of 13.42 million candidates, a rise of more than half a million compared with last year, the Ministry of Education said. Some parts of the country have an extra day of exams.

This year's gaokao marks the sixth year in a row that more than 10 million students have sat the gaokao, with 4.13 million of this year's candidates coming back to take the test again.

The majority of candidates are likely to be offered some kind of place at university.

Colleges and training schools are currently posting admission rates of around 90%, compared with just 4.79% in 1977, when the exams resumed after a decade-long break during the political turmoil of the Cultural Revolution.

But questions are being raised about the level of pressure put on young people, and about the lengths to which some candidates are willing to go to achieve a high score and a place in a prestigious institution.

Parents wait for students behind a police line during the annual national college entrance exam, or "gaokao, at a high school in Shanghai, China, June 7, 2023. (Aly Song/Reuters)





"The gaokao is pretty much the only way to get the benefits of higher education in China," college student Li Hao told RFA Mandarin. "If you don't take it, you won't get a job and you won't survive."

Yet it's still not easy to get into China's best schools.

Only around 10% will make it to honors degree programs across the country, and just 2% can hope to gain a place at the 39 highest-ranking universities, while a candidate's chance of securing an undergraduate place at Beijing's Tsinghua or Peking University is only around 5 in 10,000, according to data compiled by state-backed media The Paper last year.

Varying admission rates

And the uneven distribution of resources mean that admission rates vary hugely across China's major cities, provinces and regions.

Most candidates are competing with students from their own province, but there is stark inequality based on where a candidate lives.

While 79% students in Shanghai can expect the gaokao to yield them a place in a Chinese school, along with 77% of Beijing kids and 66% of candidates from the northern port of Tianjin, the agricultural province of Henan has an undergraduate admission rate of just 47%, which its residents attribute to unfair policies that rig the system against poorer, rural residents.

Around 1.36 million high school students are taking the gaokao this year in Henan, the largest number from any province, city or region.

Yet this province of 98 million people only has a single top-tier university.

"I can only describe it as tragic," a former Henan high school teacher who gave only the nickname Lucy for fear of reprisals told Radio Free Asia. "[The gaokao] really is torture for students. It's a very extreme exam."

Destructive to the human spirit

The constant pressure and lack of recreation have two common outcomes for Chinese students, she said.

"One is self-harm, which comes from depression -- there are a lot of depressed people," she said. "Another is finding a way to take it out on others through bullying."

"Bullying that leads to death and disability is particularly common," Lucy said.

Students gather and wait to be taken to the venue for the annual national college entrance examination, or "gaokao," while their parents see them off, June 5, 2018, in Dandong, Liaoning province, China. (Reuters)





Lucy's students' day started with mass exercise programs at 5.30 a.m., followed by a full day of class, with personal study expected of students until at least 10.00 p.m.

"They got very little sleep, which meant they were tired all of the time," Lucy said, adding that the entire process did little to instill a love of learning in young people.

"As soon as the gaokao is done, they tear up all their books and go wild," she said. "They destroy all of it immediately, and never want to look at it again, ever."

"[The whole thing] is so destructive to the human spirit."

And regional disparities that were once baked into the system to give candidates in more deprived areas a fighting chance now make kids feel as if the system is rigged against them from the start, Lucy said.

"You can't get into Henan's Zhengzhou University even with a score of 600 [if you live in Henan], but you can get into Zhengzhou University with a score of 450 if you live somewhere else, like Shaanxi," she said. "It's unfair to children in Henan."

High expectations

A former Henan resident who migrated to the United States just before she sat the gaokao remembers how intense the pressure was.

"Long hours of study every day and very little time off," said the former student, who gave only the nickname Annie for fear of reprisals. "A lot of parents place very high expectations on their kids, and see the gaokao as the only way towards a future."

"The schools have high requirements too -- all of that puts a lot of pressure on students, who often feel depressed and anxious," she said.

Nothing will change unless there are other ways to secure a decent job, she said.

Students take an examination on an open-air playground at a high school in Yichuan, Shaanxi province April 11, 2015. (Reuters)





In the lowest-ranking provinces, which include Guangxi, Sichuan, Hunan and Jiangxi, less than 40% of gaokao hopefuls will gain entrance to a university or college.

And while the number of gaokao candidates just keeps growing, the number of top tier universities has remained fixed at 115, and admission rates are on the decline.

Even in Beijing, where the odds are heavily weighted in residents' favor, only 7.1% of applicants will make it into any of those schools.

And the rewards aren't guaranteed for those who do graduate from college.

"Twenty or 30 years ago, we could get a pretty good job if we got into a university, but things are different now," Beijing mother Chen Hui told RFA Mandarin. "Nowadays, it's all about getting into a better university."

And even though admission rates are high in Beijing, competition is fierce among the children of the elite, she said.

"The children of top students are more likely to become top students themselves, so the competition among them is even more intense," said Chen, whose daughter is in a top Beijing high school.

To achieve her family's goals for her, she only sleeps 6-7 hours a night, and is suffering from mental health issues from the stress.

"I told her not to stress about it too much, and that we could apply to study abroad if she didn't do well in the gaokao," Chen said.

Preferential treatment?

Tianjin college student Li Bo said there were massive differences between his former high schools in central Hebei province and in Tianjin, a major port city that neighbors Beijing.

He thinks Henan students are particularly disadvantaged by government policy, something he believes is deliberate.

"Henan is a big agricultural province, and yet their required gaokao scores are the highest in the country," Li said. "The reason for that is that the central government doesn't want people from Henan to go to college and get educated."

"It wants them to stay and farm the land," he said.

Students leave school after their last exam of the National College Entrance Examination, known as gaokao on June 9, 2022, in Huaian, in China's eastern Jiangsu province. (AFP)





Cheating is also a pervasive problem that can affect the fairness of the gaokao system, Li said.

"Cheating was rife when I took my gaokao in Tianjin," he said. "Several of my teachers told the students quite blatantly to copy from candidates nearby."

Yet everyone -- parents, schools, and most of all students -- appear locked into a system that plunges the nation into exam hell, year after year.

Lucy said one of her students, asked to tell the class a story, came up with the following fable: "There was a little bird that didn't know how to fly. Then it laid an egg, and wanted the egg to fly. The egg was under a lot of pressure and didn't want to fly, but it had no choice."

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Both countries accused each other of spurring an arms race.

Spectators wave Chinese flags as military vehicles carrying DF-41 ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads roll during a parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China in Beijing, Oct. 1, 2019.

Beijing and Washington have accused each other of propelling a new nuclear arms build-up, with an American official on Friday suggesting a possible increase in the U.S. stockpile may be needed in response to the rapidly growing arsenal of China, Russia and North Korea.

Speaking to a meeting of the Arms Control Association in Washington on Friday, Pranay Vaddi, the top arms control official on the White House National Security Council, said the U.S. rivals were expanding and diversifying their nuclear arsenals at a breakneck pace.

We may reach a point in the coming years where an increase from current deployed numbers is required, Vaddi said, adding that efforts to engage in arms-control talks had been repeatedly rebuffed.

A video screenshot shows Pranay Vaddi speaking at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Arms Control Association June 7, 2024 in Washington. (Arms Control Association via Youtube)

In a response in Russian state media on Saturday, an unnamed Chinese diplomat accused the United States of hypocrisy, noting that Washington sits on the largest and most advanced nuclear arsenal in the world and has refused to put conditions on the use of its arms.

The U.S. should stop undermining the international nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation regime, reduce the role of nuclear weapons in national and collective security policies and act responsibly for the welfare of the world, the official said.

Treaty failure

The war of words comes amid the deterioration in a system of treaties aimed at non-proliferation that began at the height of the Cold War.

In February 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin withdrew from the 2010 New START treaty, which had restricted the two countries to only 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads. Since then, Moscow has repeatedly threatened nuclear war with the West over Ukraine.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman and the head of the United Russia party Dmitry Medvedev, right, looks at drones during a visit to the Pesochnensky training ground in the Leningrad Region near Sertolovo, Russia, Monday, May 27, 2024. (Ekaterina Shtukina, Sputnik Pool Photo via AP)

China, meanwhile, has been busily stockpiling its own nuclear arsenal, even though it has publicly disavowed the use of its weapons in a first use capacity. Not subjected to any non-proliferation treaties, Beijing has reportedly doubled the supply of its warheads in recent years.

A 2022 report from the Pentagon said Chinas Peoples Liberation Army is on track to have 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035.

In the background, though, Beijing has been pushing the worlds nuclear states to sign-on to a multilateral treaty codifying its pledge never to use a nuclear weapon without being attacked by one first.

Edited by Malcolm Foster.
The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned South Korea of danger after it resumed cross-border propaganda broadcasts, the latest response in a series of tit-for-tat measures that has increased tension along their border.

North Korea last month began sending balloons carrying trash over the border into the South in response to earlier balloon flights by activists in the South who sent propaganda materials drifting into the North.

Both sides have used such tactics for decades but this recent round of actions has brought renewed tension to one of the worlds most sensitive and highly fortified frontiers.

Last week, South Korea suspended a 2018 pact aimed at reducing tension on the border and on Sunday it resumed propaganda broadcasts through loudspeakers into the North.

Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of the North Korean leader, denounced the South for what she called its despicable political agitation in comments broadcast by the Noths KCNA state news agency on Sunday and warned of a North Korean response.

This is a prelude to a very dangerous situation, she said.

North Korea had said earlier it would temporarily suspend its cross-border balloon campaign, though threatening to resume it if more anti-Pyongyang leaflets were sent from South Korea.

Kim Yo Jong said the North Korean action was being resumed in response to the Souths loudspeaker broadcasts, which the South said it started up again on the weekend.

South Korea considers its loudspeaker campaign to be an important psychological warfare tool involving blaring messages over the border including criticism of the Norths human rights record, news and K-pop songs, to the fury of North Korea.

Separately, the North staged GPS jamming attacks in waters near South Koreas northwestern border islands for several days last week.

Edited by RFA staff.
Chinese railway police stand on the platform as a passenger train from North Korea pulls into Dandong station, April 24, 2004, in this border town in northeast Liaoning Province, China.

After a four-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, passenger rail service between Russia and North Korea has been restored, with 41 Russian tourists taking the train to North Korea last week, according to Moscows customs service.

The news comes amid a report Monday from the Russian daily Vedomosti that President Vladimir Putin will visit North Korea sometime in the next few weeks.

That would mark only the second time that Putin has visited the country, after a July 2000 trip  although Putin did meet with Kim Jong Un in September in the Russian far eastern city of Vladivostok.

The exact timing of the trip wasnt clear, but Russias ambassador in Pyongyang, Alexander Matsegora, said the visit was being actively prepared.

Putin is also planning to visit Vietnam soon, the report said.

During their meeting, Putin and Kim Jong Un may discuss restarting trade, strengthening economic ties and bringing in North Korean workers to address Russian labor shortages, Alexander Zhebin, a researcher at the Center for Korean Studies at the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Vedomosti.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un visit the Vostochny osmodrome in the far eastern Amur region, Russia, September 13, 2023. (Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Kremlin via Reuters)

The train bringing the Russian tourists to North Korea departed from Ussuriysk, a Russian city about 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Vladivostok, the Federal Customs Service of Russia wrote on the Telegram social media platform on June 6.

The first train with Russian tourists left for the DPRK through the Khasan checkpoint, the services post said. After a four-year break, Ussuri customs officers cleared the first passenger train for departure to North Korea.

Last month, Primorski krais Gov. Oleg Kozhemyako announced at a meeting with a delegation from North Koreas northeastern Rason region that passenger rail service between Vladivostok and Rason would soon resume, to the benefit of Russian travelers.

This announcement followed his statement in January that plans were in place to open passenger rail service within the year, and that he hoped any technical problems stalling the reopening would be resolved.

Russia and North Korea restarted tourism earlier this year, with 400 Russian tourists flying in by air between February and May, according to stats from the Primorsky krai government, which anticipates that tourist numbers will increase now that the passenger rail link has been restored.

Foreign workers

The restoration of service is expected to pave the way for North Korea to soon send large numbers of workers to Russia, Kang Dongwan, a professor at the South Korea-based Dong-A University in Busan, told Radio Free Asia.

Ethnic-Korean Chinese get back their passports as they board a Pyongyang bound train April 25, 2004, from Dandong station in China's northeast Liaoning Province, China. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP)

Above all, Russia currently needs a large workforce for construction sites, and North Korea needs to send workers to Russia to earn foreign currency, said Kang.

Currently, with regular flight routes in operation, the addition of a train route to the Primorsky Krai region means that large-scale personnel and resources will be able to move back and forth.

Should North Korea send workers to Russia, however, it would be yet another violation of international nuclear sanctions, which state that all North Korean workers abroad were to have returned home by the end of 2019 and no new work visas should be issued.

But North Korea maintains overseas workforces in China and Russia, and has been known to get around sanctions by sending new workers on vocational or education visas.

Translated by Leejin J. Chung. Edited by Eugene Whong.




Foreign visitors to Myanmar fell drastically following the Covid-19 pandemic and 2021 military coup.

Foreign tourists offer joss sticks as they visit Myanmars famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon on April 28, 2019.

More than 40 Chinese travel agency employees and social media influencers were given a junta-led tour of Mandalay, Yangon and the ancient city of Bagan last month in the latest effort by Myanmars military rulers to boost a dwindling tourism industry.

The Covid-19 pandemic and the chaos and fighting that have plagued the country following the 2021 military coup have combined to deal a significant blow to tourism numbers.

More than 4 million tourists visited Myanmar in 2019, according to the World Tourism Federation. Those numbers plummeted to 130,000 in 2021 and 230,000 in 2022.

Even Bagan  a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to soaring spires and iconic Buddhist pagodas and temples  remains empty of tour groups, according to a tour guide who, like other sources in this story, wished to remain anonymous for security reasons.

Since the coup detat, Bagan has had a complete absence of foreign visitors, he told Radio Free Asia. Recently, guests from Spain emailed me expressing their desire to explore Bagan, but they also emphasized that Myanmar is not a safe destination given the current situation.

The Chinese delegation arrived for their visit  officially referred to as the Myanmar-China Tourism Promotion Familiarization Trip  on May 10. They were also scheduled to visit the seat of government, Naypyidaw, and the beach resort town of Ngwe Saung.

The aim is to boost the number of Chinese tourists visiting Myanmars destinations and raise awareness of Myanmars destinations in the Chinese tourism market, according to the junta-controlled Myanmar News Agency.

Irreparable damage to the industry

But two foreign tour operators said they didnt think the effort would attract a rush of Chinese tourists.

If you inquire whether success can be achieved, the answer is negative, one of the tour operators said.

Most people have already determined that a leisurely visit to Myanmars most popular tourism sites would be impossible due to the situation on the ground, he said, referring to the armed conflict in much of the country between various anti-junta forces and the military.

There continue to be frequent shortages of electricity  something that has already forced some hotels to close, the second tour operator said.

Over the past four years, the tourism industry has suffered irreparable damage, he said. Unless the underlying issues are addressed, inviting guests wont attract visitors. After all, why would Chinese tourists risk their safety in an insecure destination?

More visitors, more currency

International flights resumed to Myanmar in April 2022, more than a year after the coup. Since then, junta officials have attempted a number of tourism promotion strategies, and in 2023, the number of foreign visitors was recorded as 1.28 million.

Junta-controlled newspapers reported last month that Myanmar received 350,000 foreign tourists between January and March 2024, with China being the largest source, followed by Thailand.

But those numbers may simply reflect the type of visas people select when traveling to Myanmar for business or other purposes, several tour guides and travel agencies officials told RFA. Its easier to enter Myanmar on a tourism visa than with other visa categories, they said.

The increase in visitors  for whatever purpose  brings in much needed foreign currency, a Myanmars Ministry of Hotels and Tourism spokesman said.

The recent surge in tourist arrivals has significantly boosted revenue, he said. During the Covid-19 pandemic, tourism came to a standstill due to travel restrictions. But the situation has improved, and visitors are gradually returning.

The junta has also made efforts to attract Indian and Russian visitors. Last September, it announced direct flights from Yangon and Mandalay to Russias third most populous city, Novosibirsk.

Translated by Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
A destroyed building in Let Pan Tan village, Sagaing region, after an airstrike by junta forces on June 8, 2024.

A Myanmar military airstrike on a meeting of anti-junta activists in a monastery in central Myanmar killed 16 people, including two monks, and wounded 22 people, witnesses told Radio Free Asia.

The bloody raid in Let Pan Tan village was the latest in the central region of Sagaing, which has been rocked by violence since the military overthrew an elected government in 2021 triggering an insurgency by members of the majority Burman community in Myanmars heartland.

Activists taking up arms against military rule have formed militias called Peoples Defense Forces, linking up with ethnic minority insurgent groups that have been battling for self-determination for decades in remote borderlands.

One witness close to a Peoples Defense Force said the military must have received a tip-off that the meeting was taking place on Saturday.

The bombardment was carried out while the people were in the meeting due to leaked information. How would they know from so far away? said the source who declined to be identified for security reasons.

So its clear we should consider that there are spies and informers in the village or near the village, who are secretly collecting information about us.

RFA was not able to contact Peoples Defense Force groups in the region. Sagaings junta spokesperson, Nyunt Win Aung, did not answer telephone calls seeking comment.

While junta troops have been pushed back in several parts of the country since allied anti-junta fighters went on the offensive late last year, the military can unleash devastating force in seconds with its jets.

Anti-junta forces have no air power with the exception of drones, and little in the way of anti-aircraft weapon systems to face the threat.

On June 3, a junta airstrike on a wedding in Sagaings Mingin township killed 33 people and wounded 64.

RFA has not been able to verify whether the civilians were among the casualties in Let Pan Tan, where numerous buildings, including a second monastery, were damaged, the witnesses said.

Military swoop for suspects

Nine people at the meeting were killed on the spot and seven died later of their wounds, residents said.

It was impossible to identify some of the victims, another witness, who also declined to be identified, told RFA.

The bodies were badly damaged and disfigured, said the witness, adding that several victims were decapitated. There are quite a lot of people who got severely hurt and had their arms or legs severed (in the blast). There isnt enough medicine for everyone.

Early on Sunday, a convoy of junta troops raided Let Pan Tan village and arrested about 10 people, including women, the witness said. RFA was not able to verify that information.

According to compiled data by the RFA, junta attacks have killed 662 civilians and injured 1,492 more nationwide from January to May 2024.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan.
Ten years after ISIS: less than 50 assyrian families have returned to Mosul

Mosul -- Mosul, ten years later. It was June 10, 2014 when the jihadist militiamen of the Islamic State (IS) managed for the first time to raise their black flags in the second Iraqi city, while government troops withdrew from the metropolis. Before the arrival of the jihadists, at least 1,200 Christian families lived in Mosul. Mosul was conquered by the Islamic State in 2017. Since then, very few Christian refugees have returned permanently to their homes. "There are about 30 to 40 families, often not complete. Many are elderly. Several families come and go from other places, they do not represent a stable presence that can be noticed," confirms the Chaldean Bishop of Alqosh Paul Thabit Mekko, to Fides.

The days of the jihadist conquest of Mosul are considered the beginning of a period of trauma and pain that profoundly changed the profile of a city once described as a place of coexistence between different faith communities, while the city is described as the cradle of one of the oldest Christian communities in the world.

Until two decades ago, there were more than 100,000 Christians in Mosul, part of a social fabric in which the Sunni majority lived peacefully alongside Shiites, Yazidis and other minorities. After the US-led military intervention that led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, the number of Christians began to decline. Since then, sectarian violence had increased.

In June ten years ago, many Christian families had left Mosul, even before the city had been completely captured by IS militants. On June 12, the then Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul, Amel Shimon Nona, confirmed to Fides that the vast majority of the 1,200 Christian families had left the city. He and his priests had found refuge in the villages of the Nineveh Plain, such as Kramles and Tilkif, a few dozen kilometers from Mosul. At the same time, Archbishop Nona denied the rumors of attacks on churches by IS fighters. "Our church, dedicated to the Holy Spirit," the then Archbishop told Fides, "was looted by gangs of thieves yesterday and the day before, while the city was being taken over by IS. But the Muslim families living nearby called the Islamist militiamen, who intervened and put an end to the looting. The Muslim families themselves called us to tell us that they have now taken over the church and will not let the looters return".

In the weeks that followed, the exodus of thousands of Christians from Mosul continued. Their homes, along with those of Shiites, were "marked" as homes that could be expropriated by the militiamen and new followers of the Islamic State. Two nuns and three teenagers were temporarily kidnapped by the jihadists. Then, in January 2015, the soldiers of the self-proclaimed "caliphate" expelled from Mosul ten elderly Chaldean and Syrian Catholic Christians who had been rounded up from the villages of the Nineveh Plain and temporarily housed in Iraq's second largest city after they refused to renounce Christianity and convert to Islam. During the jihadist occupation, Mosul became the Iraqi capital of the Islamic State. A year later, in June 2015, ISIS controlled a third of Iraq and almost half of Syria, threatened Libya and was a member of dozens of armed groups in the Middle East and Africa.

The military operation to end jihadist rule in Mosul in 2017 lasted several months. "After seven years," Bishop Paul Thabit Mekko told Fides, "I believe that more than 90 percent of the Christians who fled Mosul do not think of returning. What they saw created a psychological wall. Some were expelled, others felt betrayed. We do not know if the situation will change. Today many live in Ankawa, the district of Erbil inhabited by Christians, they feel safer there, there are more opportunities to work. They do not think of returning to a city that has changed a lot since their time. They would not recognize it".
Cumberland County commissioners last week reinstated the distribution of hotel tax revenue to the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corp.

Their unanimous decision released about $153,000 that was being withheld pending the review and approval of the annual audit report that CAEDC is required to submit under state law.

We have received the audit, Commissioner Kelly Neiderer said. It has been accepted by our auditor. It meets the criteria we have in place. The organization is firmly aware of the deadline requirement. Hopefully, we wont encounter this situation again.

In early May, the commissioners voted to withhold revenue collected in February from the economic development and tourism agency.

The audit was due to the county by March 31, 90 days from the end of CAEDCs fiscal year. The report was 30 days delinquent when the commissioners voted to withhold the revenue.

The move last year of CAEDC headquarters from Carlisle to Hampden Township contributed to the delay in the audit report, CAEDC board chairman Jon Cox said in early May. Money from the hotel tax is the largest source of revenue for the agency.

Fiscal budget

In other action, the commissioners last week approved an $88 million fiscal budget for 2024-25.

This budget consists largely of human services funding with about 78% of the revenue coming from state and federal grants, while county subsidies and additional funding sources cover the remaining 22%.

The fiscal budget is for those county departments that follow the state fiscal calendar of July 1 through June 30. Typically, in December, the commissioners approve a calendar year budget that includes the general fund, public safety and several other funds.

Partnership grants

The commissioners also allocated about $31,750 in Land Partnership Grant funds to two projects. Money from this program is used for parks, trails, open space and greenway improvements throughout the county, said Kirk Stoner, director of planning.

One grant of about $16,750 will go to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for its project with the South Mountain Partnership to update the natural areas inventory of threatened and endangered species in Cumberland, Adams, York and Franklin counties, Stoner said. Last done in 2005, the inventory is used during the review of development plans to identify areas to avoid.

The other grant of about $15,000 will be used for engineering costs associated with the project to connect the western terminus of the Cumberland Valley Rail-Trail to downtown Shippensburg, Stoner said. They had some unforeseen circumstances with right-of-way acquisition that resulted in an increase in cost. The engineering would leverage over $375,000 in construction costs to make that trail connection.

In other action, the commissioners:

Approved a capital project request for $16,900 to convert space at the 310 Allen Road building into three small offices and a plan review room for the Conservation District. The project includes the replacement of a double wooden and glass hallway door with a fire-rated door to improve building safety and security, said Brent Durham, county director of facilities management.

Accepted a $2,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts. The grant will offset costs associated with hosting a workshop to teach county residents about the benefits of rain barrels, said Brooke Basehore, a watershed specialist with the county Conservation District. She will be working with the countys master watershed steward.

Approved a $27,293 contract with Kenneth Wolfe of Carlisle for professional engineering services for the design of a livestock heavy use area on a preserved farm in support of the countywide Clean Water Action Plan. Scheduled for construction this fall, the heavy use area will be supported by funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction grant program, said Elizabeth Grant, county planning specialist.
The military has been preparing for an attack on the Rakhine state capital by the rebel Arakan Army.

Junta troops ordered residents in western Myanmar, near the Rakhine state capital, to leave their villages ahead of anticipated attacks by the Arakan Army, an ethnic minority insurgent group that has been battling the military for control of territory.

The residents of five villages in Sittwe township were told on Saturday that they must move into Sittwe city by Friday, several residents told Radio Free Asia on Monday.

A resident said that troops threatened people with a massacre similar to what took place last month in nearby Byain Phyu village that left nearly 80 people dead and came amid intense fighting in the area between junta forces and the Arakan Army, or AA.

The junta troops entered the villages in their military vehicles, and ordered those who can afford to move themselves, the resident said. Those who cannot will be evacuated by junta vehicles.

If the locals do not leave their villages during the specific period, they will experience similar incidents like Byaing Phyu village, he said.

Refugees take shelter at a monastery in Sittwe township in Rakhine state on April 10, 2020. (RFA)





The AA ended a ceasefire in November that had been in place during the militarys February 2021 coup detat. It now occupies nine townships in Rakhine state, as well as Paletwa township in neighboring Chin state.

A battle between the AA and the junta for control of Sittwe has been anticipated for several months. Junta troops have been preparing for the defense of the city by deploying heavy weapons, warships and a large number of ground forces in the surrounding villages, several residents said.

Potential human shields

The five rural villages  Yae Chan Pyin, Aung Taing, Kyet Taw Pyin, Pa Lin Pyin and Ohn Yae Paw  are all located on the banks of the Mayu River.

A Sittwe resident said the junta may have concluded that AA troops would like to use the villages for their attack on the city.

So, the junta has removed all people from the villages, he said. They are making human shields to protect their base in Sittwe city.

The forced removal of people from their homes is a violation of human rights, AA spokesman Khaing Thukha said.

It is different from the evacuation of people from conflict-affected areas, he said. But now, people are being forced to move only into the city  not to any other areas.

The junta hasnt released any information about the removal of people from the five villages.

The juntas spokesman for Rakhne state, Hla Thein, didnt answer his telephone on Monday when RFA tried to call him for comment.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
More than a dozen tents blocked traffic on a main avenue outside Armenia's parliament on June 10 as supporters of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanian pressed their demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's government over its territorial concessions to Azerbaijan.

It is the evolving opposition's latest tactic in a confrontation that began in the northeastern province of Tavush in April as Armenia and Azerbaijan began the demarcation process of their heavily militarized border following an agreement announced by Yerevan and Baku.

"This is the first step of the no-confidence process or the first step of the impeachment process," Galstanian told journalists on June 10, one day after he called in front of thousands of people at a rally in Yerevan for four days of nonstop street protests. "I ask you to ask the deputies about legal solutions and steps."

The National Assembly was set to open a new session later in the afternoon next to Baghramian Avenue where green tents were pitched under light rain.

Pashinian, whose Civil Contract party has a two-thirds majority in parliament, has remained defiant under nearly two months of pressure.

Under Armenia's constitution, at least one-third of lawmakers can initiate a no-confidence vote against the prime minister in parliament, provided they also name a candidate who will replace them.

Police have closed several streets leading to the anti-government encampment to avoid disruptions to parliament or a spillover in other parts of the capital.

Galstanian has vowed that the police presence won't intimidate protesters.

At one point late on June 9 a heated verbal exchange broke out between Galstanian, a nationalist priest from one of the embattled border regions who has bridged the divide between faith and government to lead the most serious challenge so far to Pashinian's six-year reign as prime minister.

The outspoken head of the Tavush Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church said that nonstop street protests were needed to "impose our will."

Armenia recently handed over four abandoned villages that used to be part of Soviet Azerbaijan but which came under Armenian control in the early 1990s during the first Armenian-Azerbaijani war.

The handover followed two intense flareups in the past four years in which Azerbaijani forces retook Nagorno-Karabakh from Yerevan-backed ethnic Armenian forces as well as surrounding districts.

The demarcation, which was formally completed on May 15, alters the boundary in a way that affects the infrastructure of a number of Armenian border villages, which the Armenian government has pledged to fix within weeks.

Local populations have expressed fears of possible further Azerbaijani attacks after the Armenian military withdrawal from their positions held for over three decades.

But the Pashinian government insists that having a demarcated border in itself is an assurance against further conflict.
Armenians angry over a land concession to Azerbaijan have set up tents in front of the parliament building in Yerevan, building on weeks of protests. Archbishop Bagrat Galstanian has led the demonstrations, calling for the ouster of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. Crowds faced off with police over the land deal, which saw villages previously controlled by Armenia ceded to Azerbaijan.
SOFIA -- The conservative GERB-SDS coalition led by former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov was leading all parties but had only around one-fifth of the vote as counting continued in Bulgaria's sixth election in the past three years, with no sign of an easy path to power for any side.

Turnout appeared to be a record low at just around 32 percent, marking the first time in Bulgaria that participation was higher for the European elections than for the national balloting.

With 93.53 percent of votes for the Bulgarian parliament counted early on June 10 according to the Central Election Commission's official website, GERB-SDS was well ahead of all other parties with 24.63 percent of the vote, in a contest that could bring the populist Borisov -- who has been accused of corruption by the opposition -- back to power.

The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) was second at 15.89 percent. DPS has traditionally represented the Turkish and Muslim population in the country but is now led for the first time by an ethnic Bulgarian billionaire, Delyan Peevski, who has been hit by sanctions for alleged corruption by the United States and Britain.

There has been speculation that GERB-SDS and DPS could seek to form a government, but the partial results so far suggest they would need at least eight or so seats to reach the 121 seats needed for a majority in the legislature.

The reformist We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria coalition (PP-DB), GERB's erstwhile partner in the outgoing coalition government, was third at 14.81 percent.

The pro-Russian Revival party (Vazrazhdane) was in fourth at 14.04 percent.

During the balloting on June 9, Borisov expressed doubts that any party or coalition will be able to form a new government based on early indications of voting.

"From the morning voting, I do not see how a government can be formed after these elections," Borisov said after casting his ballot in Bankya, a small town outside of Sofia.

He added that it did not appear likely that his GERB party would be in line for enough parliamentary seats to do it with any one potential partner and neither would the opposition with its allies.

"Either it's just us [GERB] or nobody, so there is no mathematics in this case," said Borisov, who declined to say who GERB would potentially nominate for prime minister.

With 93.35 percent of the ballots counted, GERB was also leading the concurrent voting for the European Parliament, GERB-SDS had 23.5 percent, ahead of PP-DB at 14.91 percent and Revival with 14.24 percent, and DPS with 13.48 percent.

Regardless of the outcome, Borisov is likely to remain an influential figure and potential power broker in the country.

Borisov has led three governments over the past decade, but his support has weakened amid allegations of corruption, links to oligarchs, and attacks on media freedom.

The reformist PP-DB coalition was expected to see a drop as many supporters deserted the party for its previous partnering with GERB.

PP-DB had agreed to work with its GERB rivals on a common pro-EU platform of ensuring that Bulgaria supports Ukraine's battle against the Russian invasion, but disagreements between leaders of the two parties mean a renewed coalition government appears unlikely.

Among the reasons for the breakup of the PP-DB-GERB partnership has been the PP-DB demand for reforms in the judiciary and in the security services, alleging that they have provided cover for organized crime and that they have not done enough to counter Russian influence.

GERB has been supported by DPS leader Peevski, who has been hit by sanctions for corruption by the United States under the Global Magnitsky Act, a move then matched by Britain. The pro-Ukrainian former media mogul is reportedly one of the richest people in Bulgaria.

PP-DB has claimed that GERB and DPS act as one party. "Anytime we had a meeting with Borisov, Peevski was already in the room," former PP-DB Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said.

If Borisov is unable to cobble together a government, another election -- the seventh in three years -- is likely, observers say.

A caretaker government led by Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev was sworn in by parliament on April 9 after being appointed by President Rumen Radev, who also announced the snap general elections for June 9.

Following elections in April last year, Bulgaria had a joint government supported by the pro-West, reformist PP-DB and Borisovs GERB. They had agreed on an 18-month government with a rotation of prime ministers -- first Denkov from PP-DB and, after nine months, Maria Gabriel from GERB.

Denkov stepped down on March 5 to let GERB lead the government for the following nine months, as agreed. But Gabriel failed to form a government, and on March 27 Denkov also rejected Radev's invitation to try to put together a cabinet.

On March 28, the populist There Is Such a People (ITN) party also declined to attempt to form a government, thus setting up the June 9 election.
SOFIA -- He was accused of running a Ponzi scheme in Bulgaria, allegedly using the ill-gotten gains to build a historical theme park that authorities suspect was also being used by an armed far-right militia.

Despite his controversial past and shady business practices in Bulgaria, albeit no stranger to corruption, Ivelin Mihailov is now about to enter the political arena with his pro-Russian, far-right party.

The Greatness party gained some 5 percent of the vote, according to preliminary results, in Bulgaria's June 9 parliamentary elections.

"This is the surprise of the elections," political analyst Ognyan Minchev told Bulgarian National TV after pre-election polls had not given the party much of a chance.

It was Bulgaria's sixth snap parliamentary poll in three years amid ongoing political instability. The June 9 poll was triggered by the collapse in March of a coalition between the center-right GERB party and the pro-Western We Continue The Change (PP) party.

Results from the elections showed GERB winning the national poll with nearly 25 percent. A total of six other parties were set to at least clear the four-percent hurdle needed to win seats in parliament, including the Movement for Rights and Freedom (DPS), which mainly represents Bulgaria's large Turkish minority; PP; and Revival, like Greatness, a far-right, pro-Kremlin party.

The elections to the National Assembly, Bulgaria's unicameral, 240-seat parliament, were held parallel to elections to the European Parliament. In those elections, GERB also came out on top, amid far-right gains across Europe.

The Rise Of Greatness

The party was founded on March 25, 2023, according to the Bulgarian investigative news site Kapital. Mihailov, a Bulgarian businessman with a shady past, is one of its founders.

Mihailov was one of the key investors in Historical Park, which, according to its website, "offers an adventure up to 10,000 years back in time for the whole family."

An investigation by Kapital in 2019 found that Historical Park, located around 30 kilometers from the Black Sea resort city of Varna, was financed with funds from a pyramid scheme, ostensibly to buy up properties in the area. Suspicions of the project led to investigations by the Interior Ministry but no formal charges. Those involved in the scheme deny any wrongdoing.

The theme park's activities have also attracted the attention of lawmakers. Kalin Stoyanov, Bulgaria's interior minister, said in May that the ministry had received reports that there were weapons, military trucks, and communications equipment at the site. A far-right group called Bulgarian Hero, which Stoyanov described as a paramilitary organization, had apparently conducted military training there. The ministry said it was investigating.

Besides the murky Mihailov, the other founder of Greatness is Nikolay Markov, a former lieutenant colonel in Bulgaria's State Agency for National Security between 1993 and 2007. Markov often appears in the Bulgarian media as a national-security expert.

What Does Greatness Stand For?

The party can generally be described as populist, Euroskeptic, and pro-Russian. On its website, the party explains it was formed to protect what it said Bulgarians had built together.

In 2022, Mihailov dipped his toes into political waters, heading a campaign to halt the construction of wind turbines, spreading false claims that they were harmful to health.

His campaign hid wider motives, critics claimed. "The battle over the wind turbines in Vetrino [in northeast Bulgaria] is gradually growing into a battle with green energy in general, to preserve coal plants and [is also] against military aid to Ukraine," according to factcheck.bg.

After the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, content from websites linked to Mikhailov began to appear on websites close to the Kremlin on topics such as "Nazism in Ukraine" and calls for Bulgaria's neutrality, RFE/RLs Bulgarian Service reports.

Both Mihailov and Markov are extremely active in social networks. The Free and Peaceful Bulgaria group founded by Mikhailov has 30,000 members on Facebook and organizes protests against the military aid that Bulgaria provides to Ukraine.

Written by Tony Wesolowsky based on reporting by RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service
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.
Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods.

I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I'm drilling down on the results of the European Parliament elections.

The Briefing: The Center Holds For Now

Despite all the headlines about the surge of the populist right, the main takeaway from the European Parliament elections is that the three biggest political groups in the chamber are unchanged.

After EU citizens went to vote across the 27 EU member states between June 6 and 9, the center-right European People's Party (EPP) came in first -- as they have done in every European parliamentary election since 1999 -- with a projected 185 lawmakers in the 720-seat chamber.

(The results are still provisional and being updated throughout the day. For the latest numbers, check the European Parliament website.)

The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) came in second with a projected 137 members of the European Parliament (MEPs). And the liberal-centrist Renew Europe has come in third with an expected 79 MEPs.

Together, those three leading parties have an estimated 401 MEPs, a majority, albeit a small and shrinking one, down from 417 MEPs in the smaller 705-seat parliament. (The chamber is gaining 15 more seats in these elections, held every five years, distributing some but not all of the seats vacated when the United Kingdom Brexited in 2020.)

The EPP was actually the only major political group that gained in popularity; all others lost support compared to the previous elections in 2019. So, the center holds -- just.

The Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) made big gains in the 2019 elections, and in the outgoing parliament they held 71 seats. In these elections the party has seen its support drop, now with only 52 seats, making it the second-smallest group in parliament. The smallest group is the far-left group in the European Parliament (GUE/NGL), which got 36 seats.

The Populist Right Gains, But Are They Winners?

The populist right has certainly made gains. The European Conservatives And Reformists (ECR) group -- home to Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy, the Polish Law and Justice (PIS) party, the Sweden Democrats, and the Spanish Vox party -- has gained four seats and now has 73.

And the political group even further to the right, Identity and Democracy (ID) of Marine Le Pen and the Austrian Freedom Party (FPO), would have likely increased their share as well if it wasn't for the fact that they had kicked out Alternative for Germany (AFD) a few weeks earlier after a leading member of the far-right German party had downplayed the role of the SS during the Nazi period.

In some individual member states, the populists did really well. Le Pen's National Rally party triumphed in France, finishing over 15 percentage points ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's coalition of centrist/liberal parties. FPO also topped the polls in Austria.

Yet, here's the thing: Combined, the ECR and ID will have around 130 parliamentarians, which is around what they had in 2019. There is always the possibility the two groups could merge and form a populist-right supergroup that potentially would be the second largest in the chamber and give them dibs on several important committee chairs and rapporteur positions. In that regard, there have been talks behind the scenes and out in the open for years, but nothing has come of it so far.

As seen with the ejection of AFD from the ID group, collaboration is not always easy. The parties making up the populist right certainly agree that Brussels has too much power, but that is where the similarities end. For example, the ECR tends to be very hawkish on Russia, led especially by the Polish PIS but also surprisingly Meloni, who has been pivoting to the center, leading to speculation that she wants to join the EPP.

On the other hand, the ID group is openly pro-Russian and doesn't tend to be keen on compromise in the European Parliament. (The ECR will quite often vote with the mainstream groups, notably on foreign policy issues.)

The Great Unknown

The wild card is the approximately 100 nonattached members in the new European Parliament who don't belong to a political group -- at least not yet. In fact, in terms of electoral gains, the nonattached MEPs saw the biggest increase, gaining nearly 40 seats. (For some of these MEPS, being nonattached might just be a temporary state of affairs, as joining a group significantly increases their influence.)

The question then is which, if any, groups are willing to mop up some of the nonattached -- or if a new group of these political strays can be formed. (A minimum of 23 MEPs from at least seven EU countries is needed to form an official parliamentary group in the European Parliament.)

Some of the nonattached members and their domestic political parties have already burnt their bridges. For example, Viktor Orban's right-wing Fidesz party parted ways with the EPP; Robert Fico's populist leftist Smer party was suspended from the Socialists and Democrats; and, as mentioned above, Germany's AFD were recently pushed out of ID.

These nonattached members will now start horse-trading. For political groups open to take in new members, it is not an easy choice. On the one hand, every political group wants to grow, but, on the other, letting a controversial national party under its wing can end up tainting the entire group.

The Conference of Presidents, a key decision-making body that consists of the president of the European Parliament and the leaders of all the political groups in the chamber, will convene on June 12 in Brussels to take stock of the situation and set out a road map. Members have until July 16 to negotiate the composition of the political groups, when the new European Parliament meets for its inaugural legislative session in Strasbourg.

Beyond Brussels

Emmanuel Macron did not have a good night. His drubbing at the hands of Le Pen has already prompted him to call for snap parliamentary elections, with the first round expected to take place by the end of June. The result was an embarrassment for the French president, with the far-right winning in every region in the country.

Yet there are some mitigating factors. First, this is hardly a surprise. Polls have for months predicted such a result. It is not uncommon that European Parliament elections, which see lower turnout than national elections, are used to punish those in power. Macron has been in power since 2017, so a certain fatigue is understandable.

The decision to call for national elections in France could be a rather smart gamble for Macron to move the conversation away from his humiliation and Le Pen's triumph. His alliance has 249 seats out of 577 in the National Assembly, France's lower house of parliament, compared to Le Pen's 88. He already lost his majority there back in 2022 and risks losing more now.

France has a presidential system, however, so even if Macron does have to cohabit with the opposition, he still gets to call the shots.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also under pressure. The main opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union of Germany/Christian Social Union in Bavaria, received 31 percent of the vote, twice as much as Scholz's Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). As votes were being counted, Scholz's party was neck-and-neck with AFD for second place.

The next federal election in Germany is due in the fall of 2025, but there will likely be political pressure to hold them earlier. Either way, the leaders of the EU's two biggest and most important member states have been politically undermined by this vote.

What Impact Will The New Chamber Have In Brussels?

It is likely that the tilt to the right will have an impact on some areas of policy going forward. For example, the European Parliament might become less ambitious on environmental issues and stricter on questions of migration.

It is worth bearing in mind that the European Parliament is different to national parliaments in that MEPs don't propose laws themselves. In the EU, it is the executive branch, the European Commission, that has the right of initiative and starts the initial drafting of a potential new law. The European Council, which consists of EU heads of state or government, is also involved with amending proposed laws.

In terms of lawmaking, the European Parliament is the weakest of these three institutions, rarely getting much of what it wants. Haggling over laws between the parliament, the commission, and the council in so-called trialogues can take months or even years before anything is actually agreed and becomes law.

On foreign policy, it is not expected that the newly elected European Parliament will change much. Support for Ukraine and further EU enlargement will still be the majority positions. And while there might be MEPs holding pro-Kremlin positions, they are more likely to use the chamber as a platform to parrot Kremlin talking points rather than doing significant legislative work.

Besides, the European Parliament does not dictate EU foreign policy. This is the exclusive domain of EU member states. So, while MEPs consider and write plenty of foreign policy reports and resolutions, all of these are nonbinding.

What Happens Now?

One cautious winner is European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. As the lead candidate for the first-place EPP group, she is now expected to get another five years in charge of the EU's executive arm. Even though she was triumphant on the night, von der Leyen still needs the leaders of the 27 EU member states and a simple majority in the European Parliament to secure her nomination.

The leaders will assemble in Brussels on June 17 to have an initial discussion about the three top EU jobs: the president of the European Commission, the president of the European Council, and EU foreign policy chief. They will then meet again in Brussels on June 27-28 to finalize the candidates.

Under the "lead candidate" system, von der Leyen would take the presidency, as she is the candidate from the party that got the most votes. This is what happened in 2014, when Jean-Claude Juncker was selected. However, EU leaders went against the "lead candidate" system in 2019 when they ignored the German center-right candidate from the EPP, Manfred Weber, and opted instead for von der Leyen, then a little-known German defense minister.

But with the EPP's especially good results on election night, it will be hard to overlook von der Leyen. Macron was reportedly considering the idea of putting forward former Italian Prime Minister and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi as an alternative, but with the French president taking a drubbing, that idea is unlikely to gain much ground.

"It was a good day for the EPP. We won the elections," von der Leyen told journalists late on June 9, adding that she was confident that member states would back her. "We are by far the strongest party. We are the anchor of stability."

The question is what will happen in the European Parliament when they are due to confirm her nomination, most likely in July.

Speaking to the press, she mentioned the word "responsibility" several times and added that she hopes to strike a deal with the S&D and Renew Europe groups, with whom she said she had worked well with in the last five years to form a "pro-European, pro-Ukraine, pro-rule-of-law center."

The incumbent needs a majority of 361 votes and, taken together, the EPP, the S&D, and Renew would have 401 MEPs.

However, it wouldn't take much to blow her off course. In 2019, after some social-democrat and liberal MEPs decided to vote against her, she survived by just nine votes. She could try to get the Greens or even the ECR on board this time, but working with the latter -- the populist right -- would risk alienating leftists and liberals alike.

That's all for this week. Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on Twitter @RikardJozwiak, or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org.

Until next time,

Rikard Jozwiak

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition subscribe here.
BUDAPEST -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has claimed victory for his long-ruling Fidesz party after European and local elections on June 9, but a former loyalist mounting a more EU-friendly challenge said his new party's success marked the start of a political breakthrough.

Orban's national-populist Fidesz party won the European voting with 44 percent, with nearly all the votes counted, but lost one of its seats in the European Parliament as defector Peter Magyar's fast-rising Respect and Freedom (Tisza) party appeared to control nearly 30 percent with counting nearly complete early on June 10.



Fidesz will still hold 11 of Hungary's 21 European Parliament seats, but Tisza looked set to win seven of its own MEP mandates and further its softer line in contrast to Orban's near-constant feuding with Brussels.

Tisza's rise appeared to erode Fidesz's base among voters slightly but dealt an even heavier blow to the longtime center-left opposition leader, the Democratic Coalition (DK).

But the broader opposition appeared to hold onto many of the mayoral posts it grabbed in 2019.



In a neck-and-neck race for the mayorship of the capital, Budapest, leftist-green incumbent Gergely Karacsony appeared to hold a lead over the Fidesz-backed David Vitezy of just hundreds of votes with 95 percent of the more than 700,000 votes counted and a recount almost certain.



Elections officials reported record-high turnout, with more than 57 percent of registered voters casting ballots at 10,199 polling stations.



Orban responded to his party's worst showing in the European voting amid the relatively high turnout by saying there were two elections and his party won them both.



"Today we defeated the old opposition, we defeated the new opposition, and it doesn't matter what the current opposition is called, we will always defeat it again and again," Orban, who has governed with a parliamentary supermajority since 2010, said in his election-night speech.



But Magyar congratulated his seven successful candidates for the European Parliament and hailed mandates in 10 local assemblies in the capital.



"What is apparent is that this is the Waterloo of the Orban power machine, the beginning of the end," the 43-year-old lawyer who split from Fidesz in February to campaign on eliminating corruption said.



"What happened here is a political ground-breaking, no matter how you twist it," Magyar said. "What happened here in the last two months? Lies and truth confronted each other."



Orban's Fidesz party is not affiliated with any group in the European Parliament but it hoped 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 increased sharply after the vote, according to initial projections.

Magyar's party has presented itself as a more centrist and constructive alternative to Orban's brand of "illiberal" populism.



Magyar has said he will join the center-right European People's Party (EPP), which is set to be the largest grouping in the European Parliament.



Orban has angered many leaders in the European Union with perceived attacks on democracy and the bloc's founding principles and inclusivity, his opposition to EU sanctions on Russia and military aid for Ukraine, and his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.



The Fidesz campaign relied heavily on Hungarians' fears of being drawn into the war in neighboring Ukraine.

WATCH: RFE/RL asked voters in Budapest about the ruling Fidesz party's campaign suggesting that its political rivals would draw Hungary into war.



The election was also 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.



Magyar 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 emerged as a challenger after his ex-wife became embroiled in the case of a presidential pardon for an accessory to serial child sexual abuse that cost former President Katalin Novak her job.



Hungary's next general elections are scheduled for 2026.
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.
In Virginias bright-red 5th Congressional District, former President Donald Trump has the chance to play kingmaker. And last months endorsement of state Sen. John McGuire over incumbent Rep. Bob Good was seen as a turning point in the Republican primary.

The significance did not go unnoticed by Goods allies who, sensing the scale may now be tipped in McGuires favor, are pleading with Trump to reconsider.

On Thursday afternoon, two dozen members of the 5th District Republican Congressional Committee sent a letter to Trump where they praised Good, attacked McGuire and called the endorsement ill-advised.

During his time in public office, Bob has demonstrated bold and courageous leadership with his exhaustive offense against the progressive left Democrat agenda, reads the letter. In contrast, the Congressmans opponent has a history of lying to the voters and only representing his own ambitions rather than the needs of his constituents.

The latter claim, and others included in the letter, are common attack lines from the Good campaign. Good and his surrogates have accused McGuire of being a careerist solely focused on climbing the political ladder and criticized his decision to run for Congress so soon after being elected to the Virginia state Senate, where he represents the 10th District  especially after telling voters he would not.

McGuires team calls Good a backstabber and Never Trumper, arguing that the incumbent is part of the political establishment. Good has made a similar argument, claiming that McGuire represents the evil empire and is funded by the Washington swamp.

In the most recent fundraising quarter, McGuires campaign raised $744,000 compared to Goods $291,000. The most recent numbers give McGuire a narrow lead over Good in total fundraising for this election cycle, as the challenger has now amassed $1.2 million.

The letter, however, accuses McGuire of relying on millions of dollars from outside Virginia to support his candidacy.

Both McGuire and Good claim to be the true representatives of grassroots conservatism.

The grassroots stand with Bob Good because he stands with them, Good campaign manager Diana Shores said in response to the letter.

Trump not only endorsed McGuire, but bashed Good in the process, writing in a post on his personal social media platform Truth Social that Good is BAD FOR VIRGINIA, AND BAD FOR THE USA.

The committee letter disagrees and claims it is McGuire who does not represent the values of Republicans in the district. It further knocks McGuire for thus far declining to debate Good. And it says that Trumps decision could hurt his own election prospects.

In fact, the endorsement may, in fact, hurt the strong support of conservatives for President Trump in the Fighting 5th that he will need in November, it reads. We hope President Trump reconsiders his ill-advised endorsement and stands with the Grassroots America First supporters of Congressman Bob Good.

The letter to Trump was signed by several Republican committee chairmen in the 5th District. The first name listed is Rich Buchanan, who heads the 5th District Republican Congressional Committee and has made enemies with multiple McGuire supporters throughout the district.

At a recent candidate forum in Spring Creek, which McGuire did not attend, a Good supporter Jeff Garnett told The Daily Progress he understood why Trump endorsed McGuire.

I think Trump was influenced by those around him, and I think he endorsed him because Chris LaCivita has Trumps ear, said Garnett, referring to Trumps co-campaign manager.

Days before the endorsement, Ramona Christian, a McGuire supporter who is the chairwoman of the Buckingham County Republican Committee, spoke with Trump and asked him to endorse McGuire. Christian is among those in the district who have taken on Buchanan.

Trump doesnt need blind loyalty. He needs people of principle supporting him and people of principle need to be able to disagree with their leader at times and to offer their independent opinions, Garnett said.

The McGuire campaign did not respond to request for comment from The Daily Progress by press time.
Kenneth Fox

Concern Worldwide made a significant impact on the lives of 30 million people last year, according to their 2023 annual report.

Concern's chief executive David Regan warned the work must be supported by real political and economic efforts to end conflict, build peace and tackle climate change.

The numbers of people globally who are in need of humanitarian assistance at the end of 2023 has reached 363.3 million  an increase of 37 million over the year.

In contrast, just 38 per cent of appeals for humanitarian funding were met over the last 12 months.

During 2023, Concern launched an emergency response to the growing needs in Yemen, where nine years of conflict have left 21 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

We live in a time of crisis, fuelled by conflict, climate change and inequality, and the international community must respond to the needs of the most vulnerable who are also those most impacted.

Humanitarian organisations alone cannot address this scale of crisis. We need those who can end conflict, build peace and urgently address the climate crisis  the major drivers of extreme poverty in the world.

2023 was a very challenging year with the dramatic rise in humanitarian needs. But Concern  with the support of the public, governments, institutional and corporate funders  responded to work with communities living in some of the most difficult circumstances in the world, Mr Regan said.

We are proud of the work we did in 2023 and the lasting impact it had on millions of people living in extreme poverty. But, as the numbers of people in need of humanitarian assistance grow, its vital that sufficient funding is made available by the international community to enable organisations like Concern respond.

A total of 23 of the 26 countries where Concern works are ranked in the top 50 most conflict affected countries in the world.

Last year Concern spent 242.3m, 1.5 million more than in 2022. Of this, 92.7 per cent was used for charitable activities and the balance on fundraising.

The organisations income last year was 233 million, down 17 million on 2022.

Of this, 45.4 million came from public donations and legacies in Ireland, the UK and South Korea, including 27.2 million from the Republic of Ireland. A further 173.6 million came from grants from governments and other institutional donors.

The highlights of Concerns work during 2023 include:

Concern responded to 66 emergencies in 20 countries, reaching almost 15.5 million people. These included almost 250,000 impacted by the Turkiye/Syria earthquake, 346,000 people in war-torn Sudan and over 144,000 in Ukraine;

Its livelihoods programme reached 2.3 million people, providing food security and livelihoods;

These included 352,000 people in Malawi where the programme focused on agriculture, and food and nutrition security, while also building the resilience of communities against the impact of climate change;

Its health programmes reached over nine million people in 21 countries;

In South Sudan, where 56 per cent of the population face high levels of food insecurity, Concern supported nutrition services in 39 centres, reaching almost 131,000 people with both preventative and curative services;

Its education programmes benefited over 1.1 million people. Concern reached almost 95,000 people in Niger, despite the recurrent humanitarian crises there driven by conflict and political unrest.
Paul Neilan

Ex-IRA man Nathan Kinsella told gardai that he had a multi-millionaire friend who gifted him hundreds of thousands of euro while he was on the dole but saw nothing "dodgy" in it, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

Kinsella (45) of Richmond in Blackrock, Co Dublin, entered three guilty pleas on tax offences at a November sitting of the Special Criminal Court. His sentencing was delayed last February after he filed a fresh return that the State said was "not in keeping with the evidence" previously received.

At a previous sitting, Dominic McGinn SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), said the guilty pleas entered related to failures to pay Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020.

At that hearing, Mr McGinn said gardai would need to investigate those income tax returns, the basis for them and whether there is an overlap between those figures and the funds processed through Kinsella's accounts on which CAT should have been paid.

Garda Sergeant Adrian Buckley told the court on Monday that there had been three accounts involved in the investigation, two of which were in Kinsellas partners name.

Sgt Buckley said that there had been three accounts involved in the investigation, two of which were in Kinsellas partners name.

Mr McGinn said that during the period under investigation - 2018-2020  a total of 230,000 had been lodged into the three accounts with Kinsella admitting to gardai he had no taxable income and had been on unemployment payments.

Sgt Buckley said that Kinsella had said in voluntary interviews that he had lived with a friend and that his friend and his family were multi-millionaires who would loan money or gift money to him.

The three-judge court heard that when asked about specific amounts transferred into the three accounts, Kinsella said they had been received by him and then lodged by his partner, Jennifer Dunne. Kinsella told gardai he believed that there was nothing illegal about the lodgements.

Mr McGinn told the non-jury court that Kinsella told gardai that there was no dodgy money involved in the lodgements, that the accused didnt see an issue with it and that a man/ a man named Jimmy gave him money on multiple occasions but that Kinsella did not work for him.

Sgt Buckley said Kinsella told gardai that the lodging of the money fell to his partner of seven years because he did not have a bank card at the time. He said the cash had since been spent.

Sgt Buckley said that Kinsella had 17 previous convictions, with 14 of those for road traffic offences, while Kinsella had also received two sentences of four months each for impeding a prosecution.

Diarmaid McGuinness SC, for Kinsella, said his client had pleaded guilty to IRA membership in 2014, for which he was jailed for two years, and had given an undertaking to disassociate himself from any paramilitary organisation which he had not infringed upon since.

Mr McGuinness said that his client was making a genuine attempt to regularise his position in terms of tax and had entered into an agreement to pay Revenue 50K and then a further 1,169 a month for five years.

Mr McGuinness said that his client had entered a very early plea and had answered Garda questions as to the source of the money, which came from someone very well off.

Mr McGuinness said Kinsella and his partner had been living together for seven years and that his client suffered with health difficulties but was attempting to start trading in motor vehicles.

Counsel said Kinsella pleaded guilty to membership of the IRA 10 years ago when it was highly unusual to do so and had been a good prisoner while incarcerated.

Mr Justice Michael MacGrath said the court would adjourn matters to June 28th for sentence finalisation.
James Cox

While Sinn Fein will be sitting down to take stock after disappointing local election results, they continue to lead the way when it comes to social media following.

Research from Mulley Communications, shared with BreakingNews.ie, showed Taoiseach Simon Harris has the most followers of any party leader (680,353) while Sinn Fein leads the way over their rivals with over one million followers (1,026,926).

The author of the report, Damien Mulley, analysed Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Linkedin and Threads followers and subscribers.

While opponents have labelled Mr Harris the 'TikTok Taoiseach', he has used social media extremely effectively and that is highlighted in the big gap between him and his nearest rival, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald who also has an impressive 462,900 followers.

After that, it's People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett who has 296,700 followers.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin has 396,700 followers, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has 82,236 followers.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has 140,810 followers, while Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik lags behind with 41,607 followers.

Research by Mulley Communications.

A lot of Sinn Fein's success in the 2020 general election was attributed to their use of social media.

With this in mind, it will be interesting to see how they use it in the wake of disappointing local election results as they build towards the next general election, which is likely to come before the end of the year despite Government figures insisting it will be March 2025.

In an analysis by Mulley Communications, published on BreakingNews.ie on Sunday, it was revealed the party spent 16,150 on digital ads on June 7th. This means they outspent rival parties by 3:1 on election day.

While the likes of TikTok and Instagram are popular ad targets for parties, Sinn Fein's strategy in the days leading up to the June 7th vote focused on YouTube.

They may well return to other networks ahead of the next election.

The closest party in terms of followers to Sinn Fein is People Before Profit, with 193,900 followers. The social media popularity of their politicians, including Mr Boyd Barrett Brid Smith, may have contributed to this figure.

The Labour Party (162,087) and Social Democrats (161,035) also boats impressive follower numbers.

For the Coalition parties, there is work to be done as they all trail their party leaders when it comes to followers; Fine Gael (134,927), Fianna Fail (123,626), and the Green Party (75,013).
Romanias relations with the Vatican

The early Catholic presence in the Romanian extra Carpathian space is due to the kingdoms of Hungary and Poland.

History Show

Steliu Lambru, 10.06.2024, 14:00

The Romanian space, today inhabited by a mostly Christian-Orthodox population, was one of spiritual and religious confluence. The multi-confessional coexistence of Christians is attested since the Middle Ages, the sources recording information about the presence of minorities alongside the majorities: Catholics alongside Orthodox, Reformed and Evangelicals alongside Catholics and Orthodox, Greek Catholics and Roman Catholics together with Reformed and Orthodox, Neo-Protestants and the other denominations. The oldest Catholic presence in the Romanian space is in the intra-Carpathian territory, namely the archdiocese of Alba Iulia, which dates back to the 11th century. The ruler of Transylvania and the regent of Hungary Iancu of Hunedoara is buried in the Roman Catholic cathedral in the city of Alba Iulia. He was the father of the king of Hungary Matei Corvin, was of Catholic religion and Romanian origin, and died of the plague in 1456.

The early Catholic presence in the Romanian extra Carpathian space is due to the kingdoms of Hungary and Poland. There were Catholic bishoprics on the eastern and southern slopes of the Carpathians, namely the one from Siret, in the north, founded in the 13th century, the one from Milcov, at the bend of the Carpathians, also from the 13th century, and the one from Severin, where the Carpathians meet the Danube, from the 14th century. Until the rise of the Ottoman Empire in Southeastern Europe in the late 14th century, Catholics and Orthodox, although often divided by political ideas, were part of the same Christian world. The late Crusades were alliances between Catholic and Orthodox kings and princes, and the anti-Ottoman coalitions of the 17th and 18th centuries co-opted armies from all Christian denominations.

As the Ottoman influence north of the Danube declines starting from the 18th century and Western ideas of modernization penetrate the Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia (Muntenia), the Catholic presence also increases. The first two kings of Romania from the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty, Carol I and Ferdinand I, under whose rule the modern Romanian state was formed and expanded, were Catholic. In 1883, the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Bucharest was established, during the reign of Pope Leo XIII. And the apostolic letter Praecipuum munus of April 27, 1883, by which the Holy See raised the vicariate apostolic of Wallachia (Muntenia) to the rank of archbishopric, meant the recognition of the importance of the Romanian state, which became a kingdom in 1881.

At the end of the First World War, Romania and the Vatican formalize bilateral relations. If the Catholic presence in the Romanian space had been the historical bases on which the relations between the two states had been established, the opening of embassies began in 1920. In 1927, through the Concordat signed by the two parties, the practice of Catholic worship in Romania was guaranteed. The concordat stipulated, among other things, the recognition of the legal personality of the Catholic Church in Romania, the religious leaders had to be Romanian citizens, the Church could open schools, hospitals, orphanages and other social and educational institutions.

At the end of the Second World War, defeated and occupied by the Soviet army, Romania was completely subjugated by the new communist regime. The anti-Western policy of the pro-Soviet regime in Bucharest reached its harshest forms. In the relationship with the Vatican, it meant the denunciation of the concordat of 1927, on July 17, 1948. The unilateral break of diplomatic relations with the Vatican meant the abolition of the Catholic churches in Romania and the persecution of the faithful. While the Catholic foreigners were simply expelled from Romania, the Romanian citizens of Catholic faith were made political prisoners. Mother Clara, by her lay name Ecaterina Laszlo, entered the monastery at the age of 13 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, of which she served 14. In 2003, she recollected in an interview for the Oral History Center of the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation how she witnessed, as administrator of the building of the Apostolic Nunciature in Bucharest, its evacuation immediately after the decision of the Romanian authorities to break ties with the Holy See.

Mother Clara: His Excellency OHara, the regent of the nunciature, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was informed that he and his collaborators had to leave the country within 48 hours, but that he had the right to leave the building in the custody of an embassy which he could choose. Since the Swiss embassy was neutral, he chose this country. OHara was accused of espionage, that he was a spy for the Pope. And in 48 hours he had to leave. And there was this custom, when an embassy was leaving, to have a farewell dinner with the other ambassadors who were still in the country. And there was a dinner that evening, and at midnight, when it was over, the whole building was sealed, only one door was left in the basement for the sisters, for us who lived there, and there was a smaller house in the courtyard where three monks lived. We went out with lit candles at the main door, thats where all the diplomats came out and thats where the key was given to the Swiss embassy.

Non-existent between 1948 and 1989, Romanias relations with the Vatican were restored on the last day of 1989, on December 31, nine days after the fall of the communist dictatorship on December 22. And relations have developed, the first visit of a pope to an Orthodox country taking place 25 years ago, in 1999, when Pope John Paul II arrived in Romania. (LS)
June 10, 2024 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsflash

Newsroom, 10.06.2024, 19:51

Local elections. Nicusor Dan, the incumbent general mayor of Bucharest, who ran as an independent in Sundays local elections, won a new term with almost 47% of the votes. The social-democratic candidate Gabriela Firea came a distant second. In the General Council, the Social Democratic Party and the United Right Alliance, which supported Nicusor Dan, are tied, with about 27% of the votes. The Social Democrats and the Liberals, who are in government together, also won most county council positions. Romania also held European parliamentary elections on Sunday, which were won jointly by the Social Democrats and the Liberals. The ultranationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians came second, followed by the United Right Alliance and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania. Romania will be represented by 33 MEPs.

Resignation. The leader of the Save Romania Union Catalin Drula is stepping down following the poor results obtained by his party in Sundays local and European elections. He said it was important for the Save Romania Union to go ahead because people have placed in it their hopes for the modernisation of their country. Although the independent candidate it supported, Nicusor Dan, won a second term as general mayor in Bucharest, the Save Romania Union won no position as sector mayor. In the European elections, the United Right Alliance formed around this party won around 11% of the votes, down from 22% in 2019.

European elections. According to partial results after the European elections held between June 6-9, the European Peoples Party Group obtained most seats in the European Parliament, namely 191, 15 more than in the previous elections. The Social Democrats are in second position, with 135 seats, 4 fewer than in 2019. Renew lost almost 20 seats but remains the third largest group in the European Parliament. The two far-right Eurosceptic groups, the European Conservatives and Reformists and Identity and Democracy, become the fourth and fifth largest groups, respectively. The Greens lose fourth position and fall to sixth, with 53 seats, compared to the 71 they held after the 2019 elections, and the extreme left remains in seventh position with 35 seats. The independents won 50 seats, and the unaffiliated parties 45 seats. It is believed that the future majority will be formed through negotiation between the first three groups. Together, they hold a comfortable majority of 409 seats out of a total of 720, so the vote for the future European Commission should not pose any problems. The European Peoples Party group wants Ursula von der Leyen to serve a second term as head of the European Commission, which would require only 361 votes. Von der Leyen said her centre-right alliance will build a bastion against extremes. Far right and radical right parties won the European elections in France, Austria and Italy and came second in Germany and The Netherlands. Following the results in France, President Emmanuel Macron called early elections in three weeks time. Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo resigned after his partys poor performance in the federal, regional and European elections.

Tech Week. Over June 10-16, Bucharest is hosting the eighth edition of Bucharest Tech Week, an emblematic event that transforms the city into the epicenter of technological innovation and where more than 25,000 technology enthusiasts are expected. With a focus on redefining the human experience through technology, the event promises to inspire industry professionals and enthusiasts alike, giving them the opportunity to discover the latest trends and innovations. Bucharest Tech Week maintains the same successful structure, the organizers announced: 5 days of Business Summits, followed by Tech Expo, the largest tech exhibition in Romania, dedicated to the public at large, held throughout the weekend. This year, the five business summits bring together over 50 local and international speakers, and over 60 partner companies respectively, that will bring to the attention of those present over 450 technology solutions dedicated to the business environment.
June 10, 2024

A roundup of local and international news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 10.06.2024, 13:55

Local elections  The incumbent general mayor of Bucharest, the independent Nicusor Dan, won a new mandate in Sundays local elections, obtaining almost 47% of the votes, according to the partial results. On second position, at a great distance, is the social-democratic candidate Gabriela Firea. In the General Council, the Social Democratic Party  PSD (in the governing coalition together with the National Liberal Party  PNL) and the United Right Alliance, which supported Nicusor Dan, are tied, with about 27% of the votes. PSD and PNL won, in this order, the most county councils. European Parliament elections were also held in Romania on Sunday, which were won by the joint list proposed by PSD and PNL. The Alliance for the Union of Romanians  AUR (sovereigntist, ultranationalist) is on 2nd position, at a big distance, followed by the United Right Alliance and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania  UDMR. Romania will be represented by 33 MEPs.

European elections  The partial results of the European elections held between June 6-9 show that the first position is held by the European Peoples Party group, which obtained 191 mandates, 15 more than in the last elections. The Social Democrats are in second position, with 135 mandates, which means a decrease of four mandates compared to 2019. Renew loses almost 20 mandates but keeps the third position. The two far-right Eurosceptic parties, the Conservatives and Reformists group, as well as the Identity and Democracy group, climb to fourth and fifth place. The Greens lose fourth position and fall to sixth, with 53 mandates, compared to the 71 they held following the 2019 elections, and the extreme left remains in seventh position with 35 mandates. The independents got 50 mandates, and the unaffiliated parties 45 mandates. According to these partial data and according to last nights declarations of the political leaders, Radio Romanias correspondent in Brussels reports, the future majority will be formed through the negotiation between the first three groups, just as happened in the past. Together, they hold a comfortable majority of 409 parliamentary mandates out of a total of 720, so the vote for the future European Commission should not pose any problems. The European Peoples Party wants Ursula von der Leyen to get a second term as head of the Commission, for which only 361 votes are needed. The president of the European Commission has said that her centre-right alliance will act as a bastion against extremes in the European Parliament, following a surge in peoples support for nationalist parties. Far right and radical rightist parties won the elections in France, Austria and Italy and came second in Germany and the Netherlands. Following the results in France, President Emmanuel Macron decided to hold early elections in three weeks time.

Deficit  Romanias trade balance deficit in the first four months of the year was just over 9.3 billion euros, 440 million Euros higher than the one recorded in the same period last year, the National Institute of Statistics (INS) announced on Monday. During the analyzed period, exports totaled almost 31.3 billion Euros, and imports over 40.6 billion Euros. According to INS, in the first four months of the year, important shares in the structure of exports and imports are held by machines and transport equipment, as well as by other manufactured products. The value of intra-EU27 exchanges of goods accounted for about 73% of both total exports and total imports.

Tech Week  Bucharest hosts between June 10-16 the eighth edition of Bucharest Tech Week, an emblematic event that transforms the city into the epicenter of technological innovation and where more than 25,000 technology enthusiasts are expected. With a focus on redefining the human experience through technology, the event promises to inspire industry professionals and enthusiasts alike, giving them the opportunity to discover the latest trends and innovations. Bucharest Tech Week maintains the same successful structure, the organizers announced: 5 days of Business Summits, followed by Tech Expo, the largest tech exhibition in Romania, dedicated to the public at large, held throughout the weekend. This year, the five business summits bring together over 50 local and international speakers, and over 60 partner companies respectively, that will bring to the attention of those present over 450 technology solutions dedicated to the business environment. Among the participants in the opening ceremony is Mircea Geoana, NATO Deputy Secretary General.

Summit  Romanias President, Klaus Iohannis, will participate on Tuesday, in Riga, in the Bucharest Format Summit 9 (B9), which he will co-chair alongside the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics, and the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will also participate in the event. The meeting takes place one month before the NATO Anniversary Summit in Washington, D.C., which marks 75 years since the Alliance was founded. In Riga, the leaders will have the opportunity for an in-depth exchange of views on the major objectives and the main expected results for the Washington Summit, with focus on strengthening NATOs deterrence and defense posture on the Eastern Flank, as well as on intensifying support for Ukraine, writes a press release from the Romanian presidency. (LS)
The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine can begin their EU accession negotiations

Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova have met the conditions to commence the EU accession negotiations

Photo: Pixabay

Daniela Budu, 10.06.2024, 14:00

The European Commission has announced that Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova have met the right conditions to be able to start negotiations to join the bloc. According to Brussels, Ukraine has made the last amendments to the laws regulating lobbying activities, as well as in the field of minorities, while the Republic of Moldova has operated changes to its legal system. In both cases, the Commission will be monitoring the implementation of the aforementioned amendments, but the steps taken by the two countries will allow them to kick off the negotiations for EU accession.

The first stage after this moment is for the community countries to endorse the Commissions recommendation in the European Council. Kyiv submitted its EU-entry application in February 2022 after the conflict it had with Russia in the east for several years, was followed by a large-scale invasion of the latters troops. A month later, the Republic of Moldova  whose pro-Russia breakaway region of Transdniester had also caused a lot of concern after the war in early 90s  asked to join the European Union.

European leaders officially recognized Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova as accession candidates in June last year. The next stage, after the EU members have approved the Commissions recommendation, will be the setting up of an inter-governmental conference with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, a moment, which is actually the beginning of the negotiations aimed at bringing their entire legislations in line with the European one.

These negotiations will end with the accession per se. The Councils presidency is being currently held by Belgium, a country, which wants to summon the first inter-governmental conference during its mandate, namely by the end of this month.

After Belgium, the EU rotating presidency will be taken over by Hungary, a country, which has repeatedly questioned the opportunity of EU enlargement.

On Thursday at the meeting with the EU ambassadors accredited to Bucharest, occasioned by the conclusion of the Belgian presidency, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis highlighted the significant reform efforts accomplished by both Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova under extremely difficult circumstances.

He pleaded for the continuation of the accession process of these two countries and for summoning intergovernmental conferences by the end of the Belgian presidency. The Romanian president has repeatedly mentioned Romanias support for the two countries during their European integration process.

Furthermore, press agencies announced as early as Wednesday that a group of eleven out of the 27 EU members have called on the Belgian presidency to endorse the negotiation frameworks for the EU accession of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova so that the inter-governmental conference with the two may be summoned late this month.

Opening accession negotiations would offer additional motivation to both Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, the eleven signatories, Romania included, of the Joint Letter on EU Accession have said.

(bill)
Investor sentiment from the euro area is the top economic news due on Monday, headlining a light day for the European economic news.

At 2.00 am ET, Statistics Norway releases consumer and producer price figures.

In the meantime, GDP, industrial output and household consumption figures from Sweden are due.

At 3.00 am ET, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, SECO, releases Swiss consumer sentiment survey results.

Also, industrial output from Austria is due at 3.00 AM ET.

At 4.00 am ET, Italy's statistical office ISTAT is scheduled to publish industrial production for April. Economists expect production to grow 0.3 percent on month in April, in contrast to the 0.5 percent fall in March.

At 4.30 am ET, Eurozone Sentix investor confidence survey data is due. The economic sentiment index is forecast to improve to -1.5 in June from -3.6 in May.

Track market moving Economic Events that impact Commodities, Stock, and Forex by using realtime RTTNews Economic Calendar this week.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
European stocks drifted lower on Monday, with French stocks coming under heavy selling pressure, after President Emmanuel Macron called for snap legislative elections later in June.

Macron's decision comes after the European Union elections showed a broader shift towards right-wing and far-right parties.

Focus also shifted toward Federal Reserve policymakers updating their rates forecast on Wednesday, though no change in policy rates is expected.

The pan European STOXX 600 dropped 0.7 percent to 520.03 after losing 0.2 percent on Friday.

The German DAX shed 0.8 percent, France's CAC 40 plunged 1.9 percent and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was down 0.4 percent.

French banks led losses, with BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale falling 4-6 percent.

Airbus SE declined 1.1 percent. The planemaker announced that its Airbus Defence and Space unit has received a contract from Al Yah Satellite Communications Co. PJSC, or Yahsat, UAE's flagship satellite solutions provider, for its new geostationary telecommunications satellites, Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5.

Pennon dropped 1 percent as the British water company appointed David Sproul as chair designate, replacing Gill Rider after the annual general meeting on July 24.

Tristel added 1.4 percent. The maker of infection prevention products said that it has appointed Matthew Sassone as Chief Executive Officer with effect from September 2.

In economic releases, U.K. permanent staff appointments fell for the twentieth consecutive month in May, but the pace of decrease was the softest since March 2023, a report compiled by S&P Global showed.

Recruitment consultants cited delayed decision making and a lack of demand amongst companies as reasons for the fall in recruitment activity, the KPMG/REC Report on Jobs revealed.

Temp billings also decreased in May, with the decline the weakest since January.

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Market Analysis
Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz' resignation has sent a strong signal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but it doesn't pose any immediate threat to the survival of the government, reports say.

Gantz had asked Netanyahu to lay out a plan before June 8 for the government to achieve its six "strategic goals", including replacing Hamas' political control of Gaza with a multinational civilian administration for the war-torn Palestinian enclave.

As the deadline passed by without any response from Netanyahu, Benny Gantz announced that he is quitting the cabinet.

At a news conference Sunday, Gantz said his National Unity party is withdrawing from the emergency government, which was formed after Hamas' deadly cross-border attack on October 7.

Gantz, who is one of the three voting members of the war cabinet, and a political rival of Netanyahu, called on him to declare snap polls.

Gantz's departure will not endanger the parliamentary majority in the Knesset held by the ruling right-wing coalition.

Netanyahu has the support of 64 lawmakers in the 120-member parliament, and even without National Unity party's backing, the right-wing coalition government will not lose its majority.

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Business News
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. (CTSH) announced Monday it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Belcan, LLC, a portfolio company of AE Industrial Partners and a supplier of Engineering Research & Development (ER&D) services, at a purchase price of approximately $1.3 billion in cash and stock, subject to customary adjustments.

Belcan provides mission-critical digital engineering services for a long-standing customer base across the commercial aerospace, defense, space, marine and industrial verticals, primarily in North America and the United Kingdom.

The acquisition will significantly expand Cognizant's ER&D capabilities, building upon the Company's leadership in the Internet of Things (IoT) and Digital Engineering practice areas.

Combining with Belcan will also add scale and enable Cognizant to establish a leadership position in the high-growth aerospace & defense (A&D) industry with a blue-chip client base, deep domain expertise, and significant technological capabilities with over 6,500 engineers and technical consultants.

The revenue the acquired will contribute to Cognizant in 2024 depends on the timing of the close but is expected to be over $800 million on an annualized basis. Revenue from the acquired business has grown at an 8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last two years.

Cognizant expects the transaction to significantly expand its access to the about $190 billion ER&D services market, which is expected to grow at an over 10% forward CAGR through 2026, complementing its existing IoT and Digital Engineering practice areas.

The transaction creates shareholder value through enhanced growth opportunities and expected EPS accretion in 2026 and expected to be broadly neutral to EPS in 2025. It is expected to deliver over $100 million in annual revenue synergies within three years, with additional cost synergies expected over time.

Lance Kwasniewski, the CEO of Belcan, is expected to continue to lead Belcan, which will continue to operate under the Belcan name as an operating unit of Cognizant. Cognizant will also establish a dedicated integration program office to drive execution against strategic and financial goals for the transaction.

The transaction is anticipated to close in the quarter ending September 30th, 2024, subject to the receipt of required regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

The total purchase price of approximately $1.29 billion, subject to customary adjustments, comprises $1.19 billion in cash consideration and a fixed 1.47 million Cognizant shares, with a current value of $97 million based on Cognizant's closing share price on Friday, June 7, 2024.

The cash consideration is expected to be funded through a mix of cash on hand and debt. Cognizant intends to increase its share repurchase plan to maintain current share count guidance of 497 million for the full year 2024.

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Business News
Immediately after his centrist alliance faced setback in the European election at the weekend, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a snap parliamentary election.

Macron dissolved the National Assembly. The election will take place in two phases; on June 30 and July 7. The surprise move reportedly influenced the French and European negatively.

Rising support for the far right was reflected in the European parliamentary elections, held across the EU's 27 member states.

Macron's centrist alliance was able to win only less than half the votes that the right-wing National Rally won.

"France needs a clear majority to operate in calm and concord," Macron wrote on X. "I've understood your message, your preoccupations, and I won't leave them without a response."

French Opposition leader Marion Le Pen welcomed the move, and said her party is ready for the election.

"I can only salute the president's decision to call early elections?We are ready to exercise power if the French give us their backing," said Le Pen, who ran for the French presidency in 2012, 2017, and 2022.

Macron declared elections with three years left for him as president, and the parliament to complete its term.

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Business News
Following their safe arrival at the International Space Station, American astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams will participate in a pair of Earth to space calls Monday regarding their historic mission aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.

Wilmore and Williams will speak first at 1 p.m. ET with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, Associate Administrator Jim Free, and Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche.

At 2:40 p.m., the astronauts will participate in a Q&A moderated by Chirag Parikh, deputy assistant to President Joe Biden and executive secretary for the White House's National Space Council.

NASA said the coverage of the call will stream live on NASA+, NASA Television, and the agency's website.

NASA's test flight to send its astronauts aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station successfully completed its first stage Thursday.

If everything works out as planned, the Starliner and its crew will return to Earth for a landing in White Sands, New Mexico, on June 14 from the International Space Station after spending more than a week aboard the microgravity laboratory.

The former Navy test pilots are the first to launch aboard Starliner to the space station as part of the U.S space agency's Commercial Crew Program.

The Program aims for safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station from the United States through a partnership with American private industry.

This partnership is opening access to low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station to more people, science, and commercial opportunities. The space station remains the springboard to NASA's next great leap in space exploration, including future missions to the Moon and to Mars.

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Business News
Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) shares were gaining more than 6 percent on Monday morning trading, following a letter published by Elliott Investment Management about a nearly $1.9 billion stake in the airline.

In the letter, Elliot mentioned about the poor financial performance of the company due to outdated software and monetization strategy, poor leadership, and lack of accountability.

The investment management fund also noted that Southwest Airlines's stock has dropped over 50 percent over the past three years, causing a decline in the value of employee-owned stock, and profit sharing.

To improve the company's performance, Elliot has recommended a 'Stronger Southwest' plan, under which it requires the Southwest Airlines to "enhance the board, upgrade leadership and undertake a comprehensive business review".

The activist firm stated that the plan could push Southwest's stock to $49 per share within a year, depicting a return of 77 percent over the period.

Currently, Southwest Airlines's stock is moving up 6.16 percent, to $29.47 over the previous close of $27.75 on the New York Stock Exchange.

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Business News
Crude oil prices rose sharply on Monday amid optimism about the outlook for energy demand.

Oil prices were under pressure last week after OPEC+ said the group plans to start unwinding some production cuts and agreed to increase production from October through September 2025.

West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for July ended higher by $2.21 or about 2.9% at $77.74 a barrel.

Brent crude futures were up $2.16 or about 2.71% at $81.78 a barrel a little while ago.

Investors look ahead to demand forecasts from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), on Tuesday. The EIA's weekly inventory data is due on Wednesday.

Markets are also awaiting the Federal Reserve's monetary policy announcement. The Fed is widely expected to hold rates unchanged. The accompanying statement is in focus for clues about the central bank's future policy moves.

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Market Analysis
Nokia (NOK) has successfully demonstrated the "world's first cellular call using new Immersive Voice and Audio Services or IVAS" codec, making a breakthrough in voice communication .

According to the company, the latest technology provides real-time experience to the caller, where they can hear everything clearly on the call as if they are with the other person.

The technology provides three-dimensional sound experience to callers, compared to today's monophonic smartphone call experience, where the sound is compressed into a single channel.

The first immersive call was made by Nokia's President and CEO Pekka Lundmark to Stefan Lindstrom, Finland's Ambassador of Digitalization and New Technologies, using the 3GPP IVAS codec over a 5G network.

"We have demonstrated the future of voice calls," commented Lundmark.

"This groundbreaking audio technology takes you to the caller's environment creating a spatial and massively improved listening experience for voice and video calls, offering significant benefits for enterprise and industrial applications," the CEO continued.

The Finland-based company added that the IVAS codec technology has not been implemented in mobile networks yet.

"The live immersive voice and audio experience enabled by IVAS improves the richness and quality of the call, and the three-dimensional sound experience makes interaction more lifelike and engaging, bringing a wealth of new benefits to personal and professional communication," said Lindstrom. "Immersive communications technology will also take XR and metaverse interaction to the next level."

Currently, the IVAS codec technology is used in apps like Netflix (NFLX), Apple Music (AAPL), and Disney Plus (DIS) to offer lifelike audio experience to users, The Verge reports.

"This is now becoming standardized  so the network providers, chipset manufacturers, handset manufacturers can begin to implement it in their products," Nokia President Jenni Lukander told to Reuters.

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Technology News
Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela, SRC President Thando May, and the Director in the VC's Office Sue Smailes with pupils

By: Ephreeda Banda

On the 4th of June 2024, Rhodes University warmly welcomed a cohort of aspiring scholars from St. Andrews College and The Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) for a day brimming with discovery and engagement. This event stood as a testament to Rhodes University's enduring dedication to forging meaningful partnerships with neighbouring schools and its unwavering commitment to expanding access to higher education.

Rhodes University has worked closely with schools in its surrounding areas for years, recognising the importance of nurturing talent and providing opportunities for academic advancement. The visitation day on June 4th marked a significant milestone in this ongoing collaboration. The university has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with St. Andrew's College and DSG, solidifying pathways for scholars from these institutions to pursue their higher education at Rhodes.

Central to the day's activities were one-on-one interactions with deans from various faculties, allowing scholars to delve deep into their academic interests, seek guidance, and gain clarity on prospective fields of study. The presence of the Vice-Chancellor added gravitas to the occasion, underscoring the university's commitment to engaging directly with prospective students and fostering a culture of accessibility and transparency.

Kumkane Kabane, a student currently undertaking A-levels at St. Andrews, articulated the significance of the experience, emphasising the invaluable connections forged and the clarity gained regarding his academic future. Kabane's sentiments echoed those of many others who found the visitation day informative and transformative, sparking newfound enthusiasm and determination in their pursuit of higher education.

Cindy Fumbata, the Director of Pupil Development at DSG and a proud alumna of Rhodes University reflected on the day's impact, noting how witnessing students' enthusiasm and curiosity reignited her passion for her alma mater. Fumbata underscored the importance of exposing students to Rhodes' unique academic offerings and supportive environment, recognising the role of institutions like Rhodes in shaping the future leaders of tomorrow.

Nombulelo Gongqa, the Transformation, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer at DSG, highlighted the broader implications of initiatives like the visitation day, emphasising the importance of providing students with exposure to university life and empowering them to strive for excellence. Through interactions with deans, current students, and representatives from various facets of university life, scholars gained academic insights and a profound sense of belonging and possibility.

Adding to the chorus of positive experiences, Kwazi Matoti, a student at DSG, shared her thoughts on the day. Matoti expressed her delight at being immersed in the daily life of a Rhodes University student, from visiting residences to exploring dining halls and gaining insight into academic systems. For Matoti, the visitation day was informative and instrumental in solidifying her decisions, offering clarity amidst conflicting choices and providing invaluable guidance from university officials.

Beyond providing a window into academic pursuits, the visitation day underscored Rhodes University's commitment to equity and inclusion in education. By partnering with schools like St. Andrews and DSG, Rhodes endeavours to create a pipeline of scholars from diverse backgrounds. From personalised mentoring to psychological and social support services, Rhodes University endeavours to nurture the holistic development of its students, equipping them with the tools and resources needed to thrive academically and personally.

The visitation day also served as an opportunity to showcase Rhodes University's vibrant campus life, with scholars gaining insights into sports, societies, and student governance through interactions with the Student Representative Council (SRC) President, Thando May. Despite logistical challenges such as inclement weather and ongoing exams, the university's dedication to providing an immersive and enriching experience for scholars remained unwavering, further underscoring its commitment to student success and well-being.

As Rhodes University continues to deepen its engagement with surrounding schools and expand its outreach efforts, the impact of initiatives like the visitation day extends far beyond individual scholars. By fostering a culture of academic excellence, inclusivity, and opportunity, Rhodes University plays a pivotal role in advancing the broader goals of educational access and social mobility.

In the words of Kabane, Fumbata, Gongqa, and Matoti, the visitation day was not merely an event but a transformative experience that has the potential to shape the trajectory of students' lives. As these scholars embark on their educational journeys, they carry the knowledge, inspiration, and support gained from their visit to Rhodes University, serving as beacons of hope and possibility in their communities and beyond.
Suzuki Thailand Plant Bids Adieu by 2025 end

Suzuki Motor Corporation is set to close its plant in Thailand by the end of 2025. This plant, owned by Suzuki Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (SMT), forms part of a global production structure review. The decision aligns with Suzukis strategic focus on optimising its global production sites.

The Thai government introduced an eco-car project in 2007, promoting fuel-efficient vehicles. Suzuki participated in this initiative and subsequently established SMT in 2011. The company received project approval, allowing it to proceed with production plans.

Suzuki Thailand Plant Production: 60,000 Units a Year

Production commenced at the SMT plant in 2012, with an annual output of 60,000 units, including exports. The plant played a significant role in Suzukis regional strategy, contributing to the local and export markets. Global trends towards carbon neutrality and electrification have influenced Suzukis decision to close the SMT plant. The move is part of a broader effort to streamline production and reduce carbon footprints across its facilities worldwide.

Post-closure, SMT will continue to offer sales and after-sales services in Thailand. Suzuki plans to import Completely Built Units (CBUs) from ASEAN countries, Japan, and India to maintain its presence in the Thai market. This strategy ensures that customers will continue to receive support and new vehicle options.

Green Road: Suzukis Hybrid Fleet

Suzukis commitment to carbon neutrality aligns with the Thai governments environmental goals. The company plans to introduce electrified models, including hybrids, contributing to sustainable mobility in Thailand. This initiative supports Suzukis global sustainability objectives.

The closure reflects a proactive approach to adapt to changing market dynamics and regulatory landscapes. By focusing on carbon neutrality and electrification, Suzuki aims to position itself as a leader in sustainable automotive practices.

Suzuki Global Production Review and Optimisation

The SMT plants history is notable for its role in the eco-car project, a new age development of Thailands automotive strategy. Suzukis involvement highlighted its commitment to fuel efficiency and environmental responsibility. In future, Suzukis import strategy will ensure a steady supply of vehicles in Thailand. This approach leverages the companys extensive production network in the ASEAN region and beyond. Customers can expect a seamless transition with continued access to Suzukis products and services.

In the broader context, Suzukis global production review highlights its strategic agility. Focus on sustainability and optimised production processes positions it for long-term success in a rapidly evolving industry. This closure marks a significant shift in Suzukis operational landscape, emphasizing its dedication to environmental goals and market adaptability. As the company navigates this transition, its strategic initiatives will likely serve as a benchmark for industry peers.
Legal battles over seawalls along San Diego Countys coastline will continue in the coming months, despite a recent state Supreme Court decision that dealt a blow to two Encinitas homeowners fighting a 20-year limit on the concrete structure that protect their bluff-top homes.

The plaintiffs in the Encinitas case have petitioned the high court to reconsider its July 6 ruling in favor of the California Coastal Commission. In that ruling, the justices concluded that the homeowners forfeited their right to sue when they accepted a permit to build a new seawall to replace a structure that was destroyed in a 2010 storm.

Attorneys for the homeowners argue that the legal nuances of forfeiture werent originally covered in the case, so they must be allowed to address those points in a new hearing.

Meanwhile, a Solana Beach case brought by a group of coastal homeowners will go before appellate court starting in September. In that case, a homeowners group called the Beach & Bluff Conservancy is challenging a lower court decision that upheld several restrictions on seawalls, while dismissing some others.

At issue in both cases is whether the Coastal Commission and local government agencies can impose expiration dates on seawalls that are rebuilt to protect existing property, and can regulate homeowners construction and exclusive use of beach stairways. The Solana Beach case also covers disputes over shoreline protection for new or redeveloped properties.

The issue has been contentious in coastal communities as scientists warn that rising seas could reshape the shoreline by the end of the century. Recent research on climate change reports that sea level rose more than seven inches over the last century, and could swell another 3 to 10 feet by 2100. As water levels rise, beachfront homeowners are asserting their right to safeguard their property, while regulators struggle to protect the states shrinking beaches.

Coastal homeowners say they need seawalls to defend their homes against the onslaught of the ocean, but commission officials say the structures hasten erosion and worsen beach stability down the line. About 10 percent of the states 1,100-mile coastline is armored, including a third of Southern California beaches, according to the Coastal Commission.

The Encinitas case concerns a dispute between the California Coastal Commission and homeowners Tom Frick and Barbara Lynch over a seawall that armors their two bluff-top properties. After a storm demolished the original seawall in 2010, the commission granted a permit to repair it, but placed a 20-year expiration date on the barrier that the plaintiffs alleged was unconstitutional

In its ruling earlier this month, the state Supreme Court didnt directly address the legality of the time limit  only the legal question of whether the families gave up their right to fight it by accepting the permit and building the wall in 2011.

In a nuanced technical distinction, the justices agreed that the homeowners didnt waive their right to sue, which would have required them to knowingly relinquish that option, said land use attorney Jon Corn, who is representing the families in coordination with the Pacific Legal Foundation. Instead, the judges ruled that the families forfeited their rights by accepting the permit despite its unwanted restrictions.

Corn said however that equitable forfeiture, involves separate legal standards than waiver, and deserves its own legal attention.

None of the parties in the case spoke of equitable forfeiture, Corn said. It wasnt argued and it wasnt briefed.

According to state law, he said, the court must provide a chance to revisit that. The high court will decide by October 4 whether to reconsider the case. The Coastal Commission declined to comment on the request for a new hearing.

In the Solana Beach case, plaintiffs will appeal a mixed decision by San Diego Superior Court Judge Timothy M. Casserly. In December, 2016, Casserly upheld several restrictions on seawalls, including requirements that all seawall permits eventually expire under certain conditions, that no shoreline protection can be built for new development, and that private stairways must add public access as a condition of future permits.

Its unconstitutional to require people to give up property rights as a condition of a building permit, said Larry Salzman, a senior attorney for the Pacific Legal Foundation.

However, the judge overturned the citys prohibitions on new seawalls needed to protect existing accessory structures such as pools or hot tubs, and restrictions on the maintenance of private stairways to the beach.The city of Solana Beach, the Coastal Commission and Surfrider Foundation have counter-appealed, challenging the judges decision to set aside those restrictions.

At the end of the day, sea walls destroy beaches, said Julia Chunn-Heer, policy manager for the San Diego County Surfrider Foundation. And we are here to protect oceans, waves and beaches.

The plaintiffs must submit their briefs on the case by Sept. 9, said Angela Howe, legal director for the Surfrider Foundation. A month later, the city, Coastal Commission and Surfrider must file their briefs, and in November, the parties will submit responses. Solana Beach city officials could not be reached for comment.

deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan
Maxis CEO Goh Seow Eng said on Friday that the telco is ready to sign off on its share subscription agreement (SSA) to take a stake in 5G wholesaler Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) and aims to play a major role in deploying Malaysias second 5G network.

Maxis, Telekom Malaysia, U Mobile, YTL and CelcomDigis Infranation signed SSAs in December 2023 to collectively take a 70% stake in DNB, with each taking a 14% stake. However, the SSAs have not yet been finalised because telcos are still negotiating on the condition precedents that have to be settled before the SSAs can take effect.

Last week, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said all SSAs must be signed off by June 21, which is also a condition for participating in the governments planned second 5G network.

In a statement, Goh said Maxis is ready to complete its SSA and sign the shareholders agreement (SHA) with DNB, which he said puts Maxis firmly on track to an early completion of its SSA process and to participate in the rollout of the second 5G network well ahead of Fahmis deadline.

Goh also said that Maxis is fully committed to swift implementation of the dual 5G network model, and intends to play a major role in its deployment, to include promoting 5G and 5G-Advanced adoption and innovation among consumers, businesses and the government sector.

We want to see an early conclusion to the SSA process as it will provide greater certainty to the nations dual 5G network rollout, Goh said. Maxis is fully prepared to start building the second 5G network immediately to accelerate the nations 5G plan and bring its economic benefits to Malaysians at a faster pace.

The government has already started laying the groundwork for a second 5G network at the ministerial level. On June 2, representatives from the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Digital, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry met to discuss their respective roles and functions in implementing the dual 5G network model.

According Ministry of Communications figures as of April 30, DNBs 5G network coverage for populated areas stood at 81.5%, while the 5G adoption rate reached 39.2%.
Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured a striking image of NGC 2005, a globular cluster located 162,000 light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Dorado.

Globular clusters are densely-packed systems of very ancient stars, gravitationally bound into a single structure about 100-200 light-years across.

They contain hundreds of thousands or perhaps a million stars. The large mass in the rich stellar center of a cluster pulls the stars inward to form a ball of stars. The word globulus, from which these clusters take their name, is Latin for small sphere.

Globular clusters are among the oldest known objects in the Universe and are relics of the first epochs of galaxy formation.

Of the 150 globular clusters belonging to the Milky Way, about 70 lie within 13,000 light-years from the Galactic center where their density tends to peak.

Studying globular clusters in space can be a little like studying fossils on Earth: where fossils give insights into the characteristics of ancient plants and animals, globular clusters illuminate the characteristics of ancient stars, the Hubble astronomers said.

Current theories of galaxy evolution predict that galaxies merge with one another.

It is widely thought that the relatively large galaxies that we observe in the modern Universe were formed via the merging of smaller galaxies.

If this is correct, then astronomers would expect to see evidence that the most ancient stars in nearby galaxies originated in different galactic environments.

As globular clusters are known to contain ancient stars, and because of their stability, they are an excellent laboratory to test this hypothesis.

NGC 2005 is such a globular cluster, and its very existence has provided evidence to support the theory of galaxy evolution via mergers.

NGC 2005 is located about 750 light-years from the heart of the Large Magellanic Cloud, the Milky Ways largest satellite galaxy.

Also known as ESO 56-138, this globular cluster was discovered on September 24, 1826 by the Scottish astronomer James Dunlop.

The stars in NGC 2005 have a chemical composition that is distinct from the stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud around it, the researchers said.

This suggests that the Large Magellanic Cloud underwent a merger with another galaxy somewhere in its history.

That other galaxy has long-since merged and otherwise dispersed, but NGC 2005 remains behind as an ancient witness to the long-past merger.
Thai energy company Gulf Energy Development announced on Friday it has launched an initiative with local telco AIS and the Highland Research and Development Institute (HRDI) to build up solar-powered infrastructure in Thailands remote mountainous regions.

Under the "Green Energy, Green Network for THAIs" project, Gulf, AIS and HRDI will deliver solar power-generated electricity to under-resourced communities. The project also includes installation of solar-powered base stations to build out telecoms systems in those areas and connect them to digital platforms.

Gulf, AIS and HRDI have already named the first two communities to be targeted for the project: Ban Dok Mai Sod community and Moko Poke community in Mae Usu, a subdistrict of Tha Song Yang district in Tak province in lower north Thailand. The project will be progressively extended to other communities later, Gulf said.

Gulf said the overarching goal of the initiative is to bridge the digital and socioeconomic divide, boost quality of life and catalyse sustainable economic growth in these communities.

AIS CEO Somchai Lertsuthiwong said the companies will continuously monitor changes and progress in each community to evaluate the project's effectiveness in reducing social inequality, adding that the criteria will be different based on the communitys individual situation.

For instance, the Moko Poke community  will gain opportunities to acquire knowledge in coffee bean production and enhance their marketing outreach. This aligns with the community leaders' vision to transition the local economys reliance away from corn farming to coffee bean cultivation instead, he explained. By introducing high-quality coffee beans to a broader market, the initiative aims to secure a stable and sustainable income stream for the community.

According to Gulf COO Theerathiphisa Tawichpasoot, the "Green Energy, Green Network for THAIs" project is an extension of an existing project launched by Gulf and its subsidiary Gulf1 last year to bring clean energy and connectivity to underserved communities. That initiative has started pilot projects in Baan Huai Nam Sai (in Phitsanulok Province), Thung Nang Dam Island (in Phang Nga Province), Ban Mae To La (in Mae Hong Son Province), and Ban Phi Pan Nuea (in Chiang Mai Province), as well as Baan Dok Mai Sod and Doi Moko Poke.

The announcement on Friday adds telecoms to the mix by bringing in AIS to widen the projects scope, she said. This collaboration aims to bridge the digital gap while simultaneously providing clean energy solutions.

Chavalit Chookajorn, chairman of the board of directors at HRDI  a public institution promoting socio-economic development in Thailands mountainous regions  added, This project also paves the way for further collaboration in areas such as healthcare, education, and vocational skill development, as well as product marketing, all aimed at improving the quality of life for these communities.
While mobile remains the dominant form of communications across much of sub-Saharan Africa, fibre is continuing to make inroads into many, arguably very tough, markets for fixed communications, including, if recent reports prove correct, South Sudan.

Bayobab, the wholesale fibre optic subsidiary of pan-African communications giant MTN Group, apparently has plans to build a fibre optic cable network across South Sudan.

A report from the Ecofin news agency suggests that the company presented the project last week during a meeting with South Sudans National Communications Authority (NCA).

As Ecofin points out, this initiative is expected to help strengthen South Sudans digital infrastructure. Indeed the NCA is said to believe that this will ensure affordable and reliable internet access for all South Sudanese.

Still theres a long way to go in a country with an estimated 1.36 million internet users at the start of 2024 for a penetration rate of 12.1%. A recent estimate from Worldometer puts the entire population of the country at just under 11,267,000.

While there are no precise details of how the project will be managed or carried out, it does fits with Bayobabs ambition to densify its network to position itself as a world-class open access digital infrastructure platform focused on Africa.

The company has been busy of late, recently acquiring the fibre optic assets from its affiliate, MTN Zambia and landing the 45,000 kilometre 2Africa cable in Ghana and Nigeria; it is part of the consortium driving the 2Africa project.

In addition, late last year it announced that it had been granted a national long-distance operator licence by the regulatory authorities in Nigeria and, in July, that it had secured a contract to manage, operate and maintain national fibre infrastructure in the Central African Republic.

With a proprietary terrestrial fibre network spanning 114,000 kilometres and positioned to extend to 135,000 kilometres by 2025, Bayobab says it serves approximately 295 million African subscribers on the MTN network.
On Thursday, May 30, young people from the Jose Marti district, in the city of Santiago de Cuba, staged a unique protest taking the form of a conga march touring different neighborhoods in the populous city, the country's second most important, singing refrains that called for "electricity" and "food." The demonstration toured three very poor neighborhoods of the city Indaya, Barca de Oro and Nuevo Vista Alegre before being broken up by forces that included the use of Red Berets (special army troops). The events were widely covered on social media, with photos and videos capturing what happened.

A day earlier, on Wednesday 29, residents of Camino de La Habana, in Sancti Spiritus, banged pots and pans in the middle of the street shouting the same slogans of "electricity" and "food," which has become another hallmark of spontaneous, consensual protest across the Island. Asking for his identity to be withheld, one resident told the independent press that "people went out onto the streets, it wasn't inside the houses. Even the old men went out with their pots and spoons... It was very exciting, because they were arresting people, but those of us who were left kept beating our pots. We weren't afraid because they couldn't stop us all... My neighbors realized they couldn't load the entire town in that police truck." Another local said that at her workplace, her boss told her that "it was impressive: the police were patrolling the area and people wouldnt get out of the way, in the middle of the street; they were testing them with their pots... He says that he didn't leave his house because he was afraid of losing his job, but that he beat his pot in his yard." The next day the electricity was restored and the people of Spiritist enjoyed 24 hours without any blackouts.

Blackouts and protests, increasingly original and daring, have become an everyday part of the Cuban reality. On May 18, Father Alberto Reyes the parish priest at the Iglesia de Esmeralda in the province of Camaguey, rang the bells of his parish 30 times, slowly, as a sign of mourning, during one of the frequent blackouts that have racked the island in recent years. In a message posted on social media, the priest explained that the bells were tolled against the "agonizing death of our freedom and our rights, the suffocation and sinking of our lives," and announced that he would repeat the ringing every time there was a blackout. He also urged Cubans to engage in gestures of "peaceful resistance," such as abandoning official institutions, removing posters in favor of the system in private homes, educating their children in "the rejection of duplicity" and using "whatever ways one can find." A day later the Archbishop of Camaguey, Wilfredo Pino, forbade him to continue with his initiative. In response to questions from Radio Marti, Monsignor Pino explained that he had called Father Reyes on Sunday, May 19. "I told him that, for the sake of the Church, and for his own, I was forbidding him from ringing the bell during blackouts," the prelate said in a somewhat cryptic statement that can be interpreted in different ways.

Not surprisingly, the reaction of the ecclesiastical hierarchy accorded with the well-known argument of struggling to strike a precarious balance between Church and State in Cuba. The debate is eternal, and not limited to the territory or the Cuban situation. In his celebrated novel Christ Recrucified, Greek writer Nikos Kazantkis describes a similar situation during the Turkish occupation of Greece in the 1920s. There was an excellent film version of the literary work, directed by Jules Dassin, entitled The One Who Must Die, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1957, where it was one of the nominees for the Palme d 'Or for Best Film, and garnered a Special Mention and the International Catholic Film Office (OCIC) Prize, shared with Fellini's celebrated classic Nights of Cabiria. 100 years after what Kazantkis described in Greece, the scenario is the same in 21st-century Cuba. Nor is it limited to Church-State relations, but also to international diplomatic ones, where in countless cases, not only Cuba, human rights are sacrificed in the interest of what has been errantly dubbed realpolitik, whose maximum exponent can be considered German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. The history of where the placing of interests over rights leads speaks for itself.

There is always, however, an exogenous, disruptive element capable of foiling these pseudo-diplomatic networks: the citizen, who is not the object or subject of realpolitik. One of the main factors that sustain the status quo is the permanence of dictatorships over time, propagating the fallacy that they will be there forever. Consequently, projecting images and visions that break this pattern rattles a mentality that has embraced obedience, whether out of fear, apathy, or self-interest. In 2014 in Burkina Faso, the movement that ended Blas Campaore's 27-year dictatorship used the image of The Civic Broom to sweep away the culture of fear and apathy there. In Cuba, the refrain "It's over" from the song Patria y Vida (Homeland and Life) has planted in the people's minds the notion that the regime's days may be numbered, whatever that figure may be. Art is one of the most powerful vehicles for implanting ideas in the public's consciousness.

The truth is that, as recent events demonstrate, in different places and in different ways all across the country there has been a fracturing of socio-political behavior in Cuba, a rupture with everything that is considered logical, acceptable, and even "normal." One must be blind not to see this trend and believe that it can be reversed through more repression and prohibitions. People have learned to express themselves, and they will continue to do so, and churches are not the only places with bells in Cuba, nor are bells the only objects available to people to express their discontent. There are also pots and pans, congas, and even whistles. Once a vision of change permeates a person's mind, it will stay there until it is realized. The bells are ringing again, precisely where they have the greatest effect: in Cubans' hearts and minds.
John Grap The Calhoun County Public Health Department transformed added two sensory rooms.

John Grap A calming bubble tube that changes colors is part of the sensory room at Calhoun County Public Health Department.

John Grap The sensory rooms features activity panels on the wall.

John Grap Artwork featured in a sensory room at the Calhoun County Public Health Department.

John Grap The sensory room features a Vibro Acoustic Cloud Chair.

John Grap The Calhoun County Public Health Department buildings in Battle Creek and Albion have sensory rooms.
The Chinese comedy-drama film "Gold or Shit," which received three awards at the 14th Beijing International Film Festival in April, was released nationwide on June 8, the first day of China's traditional Dragon Boat Festival holiday.

Cast and crew pose for a photo at the premiere of "Gold or Shit" in Beijing, June 2, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Maxtimes Culture]

The film, directed by emerging filmmaker Long Fei and starring Hu Ge and Gao Yuanyuan, snatched the Tiantan Awards for best feature film, best supporting actress and best screenplay. The director, during his acceptance speech for best feature film, was thrilled for the recognition but noted that the next challenge for the film is to see how well it stands the test of the market. Now, that time has come.

At the premiere held on June 2 in Beijing, director Long discussed his creative inspiration for his first cinematic release, saying, "'Gold or Shit' is not quite a traditional genre film. The inspiration comes from the fragments, trivia and details of our lives. We hope to exploit these details and the depth of the characters to create laughter and craft a comedy that reflects the flow of life."

"Gold or Shit" follows a struggling young man who returns to his hometown, disrupting his family's peaceful life but prompting personal rediscovery and the pursuit of a filmmaking dream. Through a light-hearted comedic style, the motion picture addresses heavy topics such as death and failure, as well as social and work pressures that resonate with contemporary young people.

Long added that each actor in the film broke away from their past roles in other films, delivering unique performances that made the film richer and more exciting.

During the Beijing premiere, the film's lead actor Hu Ge stated that he believes the protagonist chooses to return to his familiar small-town family after seeing harsh reality clearly, taking a breather and starting anew. "This is also an opportunity for him to once again feel the strength his family brings him," he added, expressing his hope that everyone can see another side of him in "Gold or Shit," one that is closer to his true self.

Actress Gao Yuanyuan shared her character's attitude of confronting age anxiety in the film. "At the age of 35 plus, she chooses to leave her job and routine life for a new beginning, which I greatly admire and appreciate because it's never too late to start again, and this is also the inspiration this character gives me."

Screenwriter Huang Jia also shared the philosophy behind the script, stating, "The tone of the film is: 'Even when utterly exhausted, still follow your heart.' One of the themes the movie aims to convey is breaking free from societal constraints to find inner freedom. However, we hope that each audience member can have their own interpretation."
Chemring said it had signed a 15-year deal partnering deal with US defence firm Northrop Grumman for the supply of HMX energetic material used in its missile programmes along with an order for the product worth $83m as demand for military weapons increased globally.

The deal, made through the company's Norwegian subsidiary Chemring Nobel, "supports Northrop Grumman's efforts to expand its munitions manufacturing production in response to growing customer demand", Chemring said on Monday.

Deliveries under the order will start in the 2026 financial year and be made over the following three years, with all work being carried out at Chemring Nobel's facility at Stre, Norway.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com
Frances president, Emmanuel Macron , has been accused of gambling with French democracy after announcing that he will dissolve parliament and call snap legislative elections in the wake of his allies crushing defeat to Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally (RN) in Sundays European parliament elections. - Guardian

A leading shareholder in THG has joined a revolt against the companys chairman as investors put pressure on the business to address its flagging share price. Ophorst Van Marwijk Kooy Vermogensbeheer, a Dutch investment firm that is the ecommerce groups tenth largest investor with a stake of 1.89 per cent, has joined calls from Kelso, an activist fund, to vote against the re-election of Lord Allen of Kensington as chairman of what was The Hut Group. - The Times

She is diminutive, dapper and softly spoken, but Julia Hoggett, boss of the London Stock Exchange, pulls no punches in the battle between global stock exchanges to attract multi-billion pound company listings. 'You should assume we're going after everything. We fight for everything,' she says. The London market has been losing out to rivals, particularly Wall Street, as companies have defected or chosen to list elsewhere. - Daily Mail

Labour is planning to override local councils to build data centres on the green belt, as Sir Keir Starmers Opposition seeks to boost Britains artificial intelligence industry. Peter Kyle, the shadow science, innovation and technology secretary, is understood to be considering classing data centres as nationally significant infrastructure projects in a bid to bypass opposition from Nimbys. - Daily Telegraph
The governments latest Industrial Relations (IR) Reforms are set to take effect in less than three months.

On 26 August, the Closing Loopholes No. 2 Act will come into force  aiming to close existing gaps in employment laws by providing stronger protections for workers while imposing stricter compliance requirements on businesses.

However, the majority of SMEs are unprepared for these significant changes. According to Ripplings research, 53% of Australian small businesses think that IR reforms will make payroll procedures more difficult and complex. Therefore, it is crucial that SMEs act as soon as possible to avoid a potential compliance catastrophe.

What is Closing Loopholes No. 2 Act?

Understanding the three primary aspects of the new regulations is the first step towards taking action:

Right to disconnect: This clause, which will come into effect next year for small businesses, allows workers to disregard work-related messages outside of typical business hours in an effort to improve work-life balance.

Protection for gig workers: A new framework for protecting employee-like workers in the gig economy has been introduced, assuring them fair treatment and remuneration.

Redefinition of employment terms: The current meaning of the Fair Work Act Will be changed, which could have an impact on many workers classification and rights.

How will this affect SMEs?

Small businesses, which usually have fewer resources and less specialised compliance knowledge than larger corporations, will be greatly impacted by these changes. Our research shows the most common pain points for SMEs are keeping up with legislation and compliance obligations (40%), the length of time it takes to process payroll (34%), the cost per employee (24%) and complexity (23%). The ongoing need to handle small adjustments costs time and money, and the impending IR reforms will undoubtedly place additional financial and productivity pressure on SMEs.

Non-compliance can lead to hefty fines, as seen with the first Closing Loopholes Act. Such penalties can be devastating for small businesses with limited resources to absorb these impacts.

How can SMEs remain compliant?

Small businesses must begin preparing well ahead of the August deadline to avoid the financial and legal penalties that could result from non-compliance. There are six key elements SMEs must remember:

Knowledge: Owners of small businesses need to educate themselves about what the reforms require of them. For example, the right to disconnect necessitates a clear definition of when workers are not expected to reply to work-related communications. In a similar vein, companies need to confirm that workers are classified correctly by reviewing the new definition of casual employment. Clear policies on the right to disconnect and correct worker classification are essential.

Examination: Perform a thorough review of current payroll and HR procedures to spot any gaps or areas that do not comply with the new legislation. Then, create a detailed plan to deal with these problems prior to the implementation of the reforms.

Investment: Nowadays, automation is key. Almost half (48%) of Australian small businesses still rely on manually inputting employee data, leaving room for human error. Payroll automation may greatly lower this risk and ease the time investment required to adhere to new rules. Centralising employee data into a single system also eliminates the need for duplicate entries across many platforms.

Agility: Further IR reforms are likely on the horizon  SMEs must ensure any investments in automation and technology are built with agility in mind in order to adapt to future changes.

Revision: Ensure that the terms for contract workers and gig workers are reviewed and modified to align with the new legislation, especially concerning the right to disconnect.

Consultation: External consultants, spanning from legal, financial to HR professionals, can offer invaluable advice, pointing out potential risks and suggesting ways to reduce the chance of non-compliance.

With new legislation on the horizon, SMEs must move fast to understand and implement the required changes. By proactively auditing current processes, investing in automation, educating teams, and consulting with experts, SMEs can smoothly navigate these reforms and avoid the repercussions of non-compliance.

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In an unprecedented political development, Narendra Modi was inaugurated for a third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India, a milestone previously achieved only by Jawaharlal Nehru. The swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, attended by around 8,000 guests, included national dignitaries and leaders from seven South Asian and Indian Ocean Region countries.

Modi's arrival was marked by a dignified procession, culminating in his ascent to the dais where he acknowledged the crowd with folded hands and a respectful bow. Following the National Anthem, President Droupadi Murmu administered the Oath of Office and Secrecy to Modi, formally reinstating him as the head of the government.

NDA just before the elections. This term, however, presents a significant departure from Modi's previous tenures as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to secure a standalone majority, winning 240 seats. The formation of the government required a coalition within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which collectively garnered 292 seats, well above the 272-seat majority threshold. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) played crucial roles as kingmakers, contributing 16 and 12 seats respectively after joining thejust before the elections.

The new Modi Ministry consists of 71 ministers, blending experienced leaders with fresh faces. The Council includes 30 Cabinet ministers, 5 Ministers of State with Independent Charge, and 36 Ministers of State. Modi praised his team on social media as a 'great blend of youth and experience', underscoring the inclusive strategy behind the ministerial selections.

Seasoned politicians such as Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, and S. Jaishankar are expected to retain their key portfolios in Home, Defence, Finance, and External Affairs, although official announcements on portfolio allocations are pending. The Cabinet also features new and young leaders like Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party-Ramvilas (LJP-R) and Jayant Singh of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). Additionally, prominent state leaders, including former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, and former Karnataka CM H.D. Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), have been incorporated, indicating Modi's strategy to merge state-level expertise with national governance.

Significant changes mark the composition of the new ministry, with 32 new inductees and 35 from the previous term being excluded. Notable departures include Smriti Irani and Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who were defeated in the elections, alongside others like Anurag Thakur and Narayan Tatu Rane who were dropped despite securing victories.

In his post-ceremony remarks, Modi reiterated his commitment to improving the lives of Indian citizens, emphasizing the holistic nature of his ministerial team. As Modi embarks on his third term, his leadership promises a renewed focus on coalition dynamics and a strategic approach to governance aimed at addressing Indias multifaceted challenges while fostering continuity and growth.
Stocks to Watch on June 10, 2024: Equity markets may start the week on a slow note on Monday after a good performance in the latter part of the previous week. At 7:40 AM, GIFT Nifty was trading 30 points lower at 23,295 levels. Investor concerns are expected to ease as Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes the oath of office as the head of a 72-member Council of Ministers for a third successive term. The next major market trigger will be the full Union Budget for 2024-25, to be presented in less than a month, under the new coalition government. Globally, sentiment is mixed in Asia with Kospi down 0.8 percent, but Nikkei up 0.5 percent.

Dr Reddys Laboratories: The pharmaceutical company reported that the US FDA issued a Form 483 with four observations at its API manufacturing facility (CTO-6) in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh on June 7. The company stated that it will address these issues within the stipulated timeline.

Mphasis: BCP Topco IX Pte, a Singapore-based private limited company associated with Blackstone, plans to sell a 10.6 percent stake in Mphasis at a base price of Rs 2,350 per share. The deal is valued at Rs 4,700 crore and could potentially increase to 15.1 percent, raising the deals total potential value to Rs 6,697 crore. The agreement includes a 180-day lock-in period for the shares involved in the block deals.

IDBI Bank: The bank has received an income tax refund order amounting to Rs 2,701.62 crore for the assessment year 2016-17. The bank is currently evaluating the implications of this refund order on its financial statements.

Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility: WIML has secured a significant order worth $1.29 billion from Beulah International Development Corporation of the Philippines. The order is part of a strategic collaboration to modernize the public transportation system in the Philippines with electric vehicles.

Dalmia Bharat: The company has announced that its subsidiary, Dalmia Cement, will acquire 26 percent of Solarcraft Power India 23 Pvt Ltd. The acquisition includes 1.03 crore equity shares and 84.37 lakh compulsory debentures, with a total amount of Rs 18.76 crore. The acquisition is expected to be completed within 60 days.

KEC International: The company has secured new orders totaling Rs 1,061 crore across its various business segments. These include orders for transmission lines and substations in India, a transmission line project in Malaysia, and the supply of towers, hardware, and poles in the Americas.

Gland Pharma: The company has appointed Srinivas Sadu as executive chairman and CEO, effective from June 10, 2024. Sadu, who has served as managing director (MD) and CEO since April 25, 2019, brings over two decades of experience to his new role.

Borosil Renewables: The company has announced that it will raise up to Rs 450 crore through a rights issue. The company has informed stock exchanges that it has approved the Draft Letter of Offer (DLOF) to be filed with the market regulator, Sebi. The proceeds from the rights issue will be used to prepay part of the term loans.

Jubilant Pharmova: The company announced that its contract manufacturing facility operated by Jubilant HollisterStier LLC in Spokane, Washington received three observations from the US FDA.

Reliance Infrastructure: Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure plans to raise $350 million (Rs 3,000 crore) through foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) to repay its rupee debt and venture into new businesses such as electric power generation.

Mankind Pharma: A group consisting of Warburg Pincus and ChrysCapital, as well as TPG, Blackstone, EQT, and Mankind Pharma, are competing to acquire BSV Group, formerly known as Bharat Serum & Vaccines Ltd. The company is valued at Rs 12,000-13,000 crore ($1.4-1.5 billion). Dr. Reddys Laboratories may also enter the bidding process, as they have requested more time to submit a bid. The final offers are expected to be submitted in July.

Suzlon Energy: Marc Desaedeleer, an independent director on the board of Suzlon Energy, a major wind energy company, resigned due to concerns about compliance and transparency.

RailTel Corporation of India: The company has received an order worth Rs 81.6 crore from the National Informatics Centre Services Incorporated (NICSI) for ICT infrastructure. The project includes the supply, installation, configuration, commissioning, and integration of the infrastructure. It is expected to be completed by 31st August 2024.

ONGC: The state-run company is seeking a technical service provider to boost oil and gas production from the Mumbai High field. The provider will be selected through an international competitive bidding process, with bids due by September 15. The provider will conduct a comprehensive review of field performance and assist in implementing technological interventions to enhance production. The bidding process is open to international oil and gas majors with annual revenues exceeding $75 billion.

Inox Wind: The company has established four subsidiaries, namely Junachay Wind Energy Pvt Ltd., Dharvi Kalan Wind Energy Pvt Ltd., Dangri Wind Energy Pvt Ltd., and Kadodiya Wind Energy Pvt Ltd., for developing wind farms across India.

Adani Enterprises: The company announced that Adani Airports handled over one million tonnes of cargo in the financial year 2024, capturing a 30.1 percent market share and recording a 7 percent year-on-year growth.

Vodafone Idea: The company has been successful in reducing customer complaints, with 60 percent of service requests now being handled digitally, up from 40 percent last year. There has been a 17 percent decrease in complaints not related to the network, and the transactional Net Promoter Score has improved from 47.1 to 55.7 within a year. Furthermore, the company has expanded its physical presence with over 3,000 outlets in the form of Vi Mini Stores and Vi Shops.

TVS Motor: The company has announced a proactive recall of a select set of iQube electric two-wheeler units for inspection. The company will inspect the bridge tube of units manufactured between July 10, 2023, and September 9, 2023, to ensure good ride handling over extended usage. Any necessary rectifications on affected scooters will be carried out at zero cost to the customer.

Lupin: The company has entered into a Business Transfer Agreement with Lupin Life Sciences Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary, to expand its trade generics business in India, effective 1 July 2024.

SpiceJet: SpiceJet has informed the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) that it has cleared its pending dues with Raymach Technologies Pvt Ltd, one of its vendors. Raymach Technologies Pvt Ltd has also indicated its intention to withdraw the insolvency case against SpiceJet. The NCLT has given Raymach time until August to submit the withdrawal application. In separate news, the airline has stated that it is currently operating on a cash-and-carry basis at all its airports in India, which means that the airline must make advance payments for using airport services.

Royal India Corporation: RICL has announced a preferential issue totaling Rs 99 crore. The proceeds will finance the Kalyan Marina project. The promoters will also increase their stake in the company by 5 percent through this preferential offer.

Bajaj Auto: The company has unveiled its latest offering, the Chetak 2901, priced at Rs 95,998 (ex-showroom). The new variant of the Chetak electric scooter will be retailed from June 15 across 500+ showrooms in the country. The scooter has an ARAI-certified range of 123 km per charge. Bookings for the new Chetak 2901 are currently open on the companys website.

PNB: State-owned Punjab National Bank plans to open a representative office in Dubai as part of its plan to expand its global presence.

Godawari Power and Ispat: The company's board will consider a buyback of equity shares on 15 June.

Coromandel International: On 9 June, the company unveiled a new Nano Fertilizer plant at its Kakinada complex in Andhra Pradesh.

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels: The company has constructed a new hotel called The Park in Amgarhi, Nainital (Uttarakhand), scheduled to open by October 2025.
DEAR ABBY:

I have been slowly slogging through grad school, one course per semester. And now, after four long years, Im finally going to graduate. I work in the industry Im going to school for, and Id like to invite some of my co-workers out to dinner to celebrate. While Id love to foot the bill for everyone, Im not financially able to do so.

How can I tactfully word the invitation so everyone knows Im inviting them to a dinner, not treating them to one? I dont want anyone to be embarrassed due to assumed expectations.  READY TO CELEBRATE

DEAR READY:

A formal invitation may not be the way to go. Because this will be a casual no-host affair, there might be less confusion if you simply call your co-workers and explain youd like to get together if theyre interested in celebrating with you.

** ** **

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

** ** **

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: Abbys Favorite Recipes and More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby. Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Some employees at TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods are now wearing body cameras, The Washington Post has reported, in an effort to combat retail theft and violence against workers.

The initiative was announced by the stores parent company, TJX, last month -- but actually started last year, Chief Financial Officer John Klinger said during a recent call with investors, according to the media outlet. The brand defines the use of cameras as de-escalation since people are less likely to do something when theyre being videotaped, Klinger said.

The move comes as retailers continue to experiment with ways of preventing shoplifting.

Target recently instituted self-checkout restrictions at many of its stores, while Walmart is eliminating the service in many locations, and Costco is adding more staff to those DIY checkout lines. Other stores have resorted to locking products in cabinets and banning shoppers from carrying large bags and backpacks.

According to The Washington Post, it is unclear whether the cameras have reduced theft at TJX stores so far. Klinger said he expects that shrink  an industry term for inventory losses from something other than sales  will be flat this year compared with last year.

A TJX spokesperson said the associates wearing the devices have gone through thorough training on how to use the cameras effectively in their role. They did not specify how many stores have employees wearing them. The footage is only shared upon request from law enforcement or in response to a subpoena.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A 22-year-old West Brighton womans life was upended after she was struck by a vehicle in her neighborhood that was allegedly driven by an unlicensed driver.

Karla Montalvo was crossing the street at the intersection of Broadway and Cary Avenue around 10 p.m. on May 15 when she was hit by a gray 2020 Volkswagen SUV, which made a turn and failed to yield, according to authorities.

Montalvo, who says she has worked a multitude of jobs since she was 13 in an effort to support her family, said she was walking to a local shop to find a newly-released Arizona beverage for her siblings to enjoy.

I was getting ready and something told me to not leave the house, Montalvo said. But like I said, I wanted to satisfy my siblings.

Montalvo said she found herself at the fateful intersection and says she ensured she had the right of way.

Thats when she said a vehicle came from around the corner.

She hit me and I felt like I saw myself fly off the floor, Montalvo said. And when I hit the floor, I felt everything come out of its place; I just knew there was something wrong with my body. It was hard to breathe and I didnt want to lose consciousness.

In struggling to maintain her consciousness and fearful of losing her memory, she began repeating her name, her address and her family members names.

Karla Montalvo, 22, faces a daunting recovery after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street on May 15, 2024.(Courtesy of Karla Montalvo)

The individual who allegedly struck Montalvo with the vehicle has been identified by authorities as 40-year-old Aisha Khan of Annadale.

In observing surveillance footage of the scene, an NYPD officer said he observed Montalvo walking within the designated crosswalk with the right of way when she was hit by the vehicle, according to the criminal complaint.

Yes, I was driving. So I was making a left turn from the traffic light over there, the only thing I remember is she came to the front of the car. At first I thought maybe I ran over a garbage bin or something but it was her, Khan told police, according to an account in the complaint.

In conducting a search of New York State Department of Motor Vehicles records, the officer found that Khans license was suspended and/or revoked, the complaint alleges.

Authorities allege Khan could not produce a valid drivers license upon request.

Khan was arrested and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, in addition to failure to use due care to avoid a pedestrian; driving without a license, and failure to yield right of way.

Khans attorney did not provide a statement before the time of publication.

The defendant is due in court on Aug. 8.

EXTENT OF THE INJURIES SUSTAINED

Montalvo was transported to a local hospital as a result of the crash, where she remained until June 1. There, her condition became more apparent and she said it was soon discovered that she would not be able to walk for quite some time.

From the beginning I couldnt even move my neck, but now thankfully I can move my neck, I can move my arms a bit more, my right leg I can move a bit more, Montalvo shared on Tuesday from the rehabilitation center where she was moved. So my mobility is slowly coming back, but its estimated for me to walk within a year or two.

Karla Montalvo, 22, faces a daunting recovery after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street on May 15, 2024.(Courtesy of Karla Montalvo)

Montalvos injuries, as detailed in the complaint, included fractures to her spine, skull, pelvic bones, knee and ankle and she has required multiple surgeries.

She also said she suffered nerve damage to her left leg, which will impact when she can walk again.

In her conversation with the Advance/SILive.com, Montalvo shared her aspirations to go into the FBI. She choked back tears knowing these injuries were holding her back from pursuing this hopeful profession.

AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT MONTALVO

In the days following the incident, Mayari Guzman, Montalvos cousin, put together a GoFundMe to support Montalvo and her family through this trying time.

The GoFundMe notes that it is a miracle Montalvo is still alive. Guzman lauded her cousin as one of the strongest women youll ever meet.

Shes always been independent and hardworking, the GoFundMe posted on May 21 reads. She has been in a lot of pain and cant move from the hospital bed, but through it all, shell still try to make you laugh and see the beauty of life. She requires constant care requiring her mom to be at her bedside 24 hours a day, unable to work as shes the only provider in her household.

As of June 6, the GoFundMe has raised around $4,765.

You can visit the GoFundMe at www.gofundme.com/f/deupjx-support-karlas-road-to-recovery.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Thousands of mermaid lovers and art enthusiasts will return to Brooklyn this year for the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade.

The 42nd annual Mermaid Parade  known as the nations largest art parade  is slated for Saturday, June 22, at 1 p.m.

Since 1983, visitors from across the country gather at the Coney Island shore for the parade. Inspired by the Coney Island Mardi Gras parades of old, the Mermaid Parade was transformed by its participants as a new kind of community celebration. It was created by Coney Island USAs (CIUSA) former artistic director Dick Zigun and is produced by Coney Island USA, a non-profit arts organization located in the heart of Coney Islands amusement district.

It pays tribute to a century of Coney Island ingenuity, revelry and pageantry by celebrating the artistic vision of the masses. It includes a crowned King Neptune and Queen Mermaid, fantastical sea creatures and mer-folk, marching bands and dancing groups, baby strollers and mechanized floats.

It showcases the creativity of individuals from the five boroughs and beyond, according to organizers.

By the late 1980s, it was at the top of every list of must-do things in New York, and is considered the official opening of summer in the city.

It also ensures a successful summer season by drawing hundreds of thousands of people to the amusement area and providing an economic boost to local businesses.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

PARADE ROUTE

The parade starts at 1 p.m.  rain or shine  on Saturday, June 22. It will kick off on West 21st Street and Surf Avenue and will roll east to West 10th Street, where marches and push-pull floats will proceed to the boardwalk. Parade participants will then continue their march to Steeplechase Plaza, under the Parachute Jump, where the event will disband.

After the parade, around 5 p.m., there will be a procession led from the judges stand at 19th Street and Surf Avenue, through Maimonides Park Parking lot, to the beach.

Marchers will then be able to join the procession from the end of the parade route under the Parachute Jump. On the beach, the official beach ceremony will take place, and the ocean will be opened for the summer swimming season.

BEST PLACE TO WATCH

Watching the parade is completely free and there are plenty of places to view it. Many people like to watch it on the boardwalk  though that only features marchers and push-pull floats.

Organizers say that watching the parade from Surf Avenue allows viewing of antique cars and motorized floats, as well.

If you choose to watch the parade on Surf Avenue, note that the crowds get full -- similar to those in Times Square on New Years Eve.

So if you dont want to stay for the entire parade, you should stand on the north side of Surf Avenue (the non-beach side), as getting to the subway or crossing the street can be difficult due to the crowds.

ADA-accessible viewing for the parade is located at the NYPD Command Center on the north side of the street, between 10th and 12th streets from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE TO PARK

Many streets in the area will be closed starting at 10 a.m. on parade day and wont open to traffic until after 6 p.m.

Parade-goers can consider parking lots at the New York Aquarium and Maimonides Park, as well as private lots between Surf and Neptune avenues and West 8th Street and West 17th Street.

But you should note that in order to access many of these parking lots, youll need to park before the streets are closed at 10 a.m.

Mass transit is strongly encouraged.

WALK IN THE PARADE

There is still time to sign up to participate in the festivities. You can register as an individual marcher, or as part of a group. Registration is $35 per adult, and $20 for children.

The check-in/registration for floats, antique cars and marchers is in the parking lot on Surf Avenue, between 21st and 22nd streets, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on parade day.

For more information, visit www.coneyisland.com/mermaidparade.
Staten Island is commonly known for its parks and historical sites  if it isnt completely overlooked by the rest of the city.

However, for a Colorado family, the forgotten borough is a hidden treasure. As reported by the New York Post, 58-year-old David Hager, his wife Michelle, 51 and his sons Ryan and Tyler, 17 and 21, trekked to Staten Island last month in seemingly unusual pursuits of a secret treasure.

Hager did not make this decision haphazardly, he was actually tracking down treasures written about in Byron Priess novel "The Secret: A Treasure Hunt. Published in 1982, Priess decided to blur the lines between fantasy and fiction by traveling around the country and burying 12 ceramic boxes with keys inside for readers to search for based on poems and illustrations included in the novel. So far, only three treasures have been found in Cleveland, Chicago and Boston.

According to the New York Post, keys can be exchanged with the authors estate for valuable gemstones.

The book, and the hunt for treasures has spawned a cult phenomenon, with thousands of Facebook users participating in multiple groups and amateur sleuths making their own theories into video content.

The author was originally from Brooklyn, and fans are convinced that a treasure is buried in New York City.

Based on the clues, much attention has been paid to the Statue of Liberty and some of the small islands in New York Harbor -- but could it be Staten Island that is the spot after all?

The clue starts in the shadow of the grey giant where the seeker needs to find an arm that extends over the slender path.

Apparently in the location there is often a whirring sound and cars abound.

After a series of other brain teasers, the clue ends with gaze north to the isle of B.

>> The Secret a Treasure Hunt costs $22 on Amazon >>

HUNTING ON STATEN ISLAND

Determined to find a fourth hidden box, Hager came energized and prepared to an undisclosed Staten Island park. Hager requested that the New York Post not publish the location out of secrecy and a lack of licensing to be drilling.

According to Hagers interpretations, the key he longs for can be exchanged for a topaz gem, which the New York Post reports is worth up to $2,000.

Hager and his family dug for treasure over three days. According to the New York Post article, due to fatigue, dying batteries and time limitations, the treasure hunters had to retire their efforts for the time being.

Although no hidden keys were uncovered, Hagers optimism and determination are unwavering.

Well be back, Hager told the New York Post, We just ran out of time. Well return with more equipment, more batteries and be ready to go again.

Unfortunately, there will be no more clues regarding the whereabouts of the remaining keys, as Priess passed away in a 2005 car accident. However, his memory and legacy live on as treasure hunts across the country persist.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Twelve units and 60 firefighters responded to a fire at a home in New Brighton Sunday night.

The all hands blaze was reported around 7:45 p.m. in the basement and first floor of a private residence located 143 Hendricks Ave. between Bismark Avenue and Jersey Street, an FDNY spokesperson said.

One civilian and two firefighters suffered non-life threatening injuries, the spokesman said.

It is unknown if the injured were treated on the scene or transported to an area hospital.

A witness told the Advance/SILive.com that several dogs were also escorted from the home.

The blaze was placed under control by around 8:25 p.m., and the cause of the fire is under investigation, the spokesman said.

The FDNY responded to a fire at a home in New Brighton on Sunday, June 9, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Scott R. Axelrod)Scott R. Axelrod
The National Weather Service issued a report at 6:19 p.m. on Sunday for strong thunderstorms until 6:45 p.m. for Delaware and Sullivan counties.

Wind gusts of up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) are expected.

"At 6:18 p.m., Doppler radar tracked strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Sidney Center to 7 miles northeast of Deposit. Movement was east at 35 mph," according to the weather service. "Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible."

Locations impacted by the alert include Sidney, Walton, Delhi, Colchester, Hamden, Masonville, Andes, Margaretville, Fleischmanns and Harvard.

The weather service adds, "If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building."

Shielding yourself from approaching lightning: Expert safety guidelines

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.

To protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration:

1. Lightning safety plan:

When venturing outdoors, it's vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.

Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it's an indication that lightning is nearby.

Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.

2. Indoors safety measures:

Once you've found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors.

These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.

3. Wait for the all-clear:

After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.

It's important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn't available:

If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.

Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.

If you're in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.

Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It's crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.

Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Rainy roadways ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain

When heavy rain strikes, safety is paramount. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the weather service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:

Beware of swollen waterways:

In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.

Slow down and stay cautious:

On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stay toward the middle lanes - water tends to pool in the outside lanes.

Prioritize visibility

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Don't follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.

If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
Not everyone possesses the coding expertise required to build intricate workflows and integrations. This is where no-code automation tools come into play, democratizing automation and making it accessible to everyone.

These tools feature intuitive interfaces that enable users to connect apps, streamline processes, and orchestrate complex tasks without writing a single line of code. This guide explores the realm of no-code automation tools, unveiling a range of platforms that empower businesses and individuals to create efficiencies, enhance collaboration, and unlock new levels of productivity. From connecting your favorite apps to crafting sophisticated workflows, these tools bridge the gap between technical knowledge and the desire for streamlined operations.

In this weeks edition of Tech Tuesday, we delve into the top no-code automation tools, each boasting unique strengths and capabilities.

UiPath Business Automation Platform

The UiPath AI-powered Business Automation Platform is a highly trusted low-code workflow solution, which enables businesses to quickly develop tools that seamlessly integrate with people and systems, transforming every aspect of work.

With built in capabilities for process mining, data analytics, communications mining, and machine learning, the UiPath platform lets employees easily create their own automations to improve efficiencies.

The UiPath Platform supports all business functions, from finance to human resources to marketing and operations, and operates at all job levels. It can automate tasks across industries, including the public sector, higher education, finance, retail, mining and manufacturing.

UiPath customers are realising significant return on investment and efficiency gains through the Business Automation Platform, enabling them to reinvest in new opportunities that drive business growth. The UiPath platform will be on display at AI-powered Automation Summit events in Sydney on July 16 and Melbourne on July 18.

Optidan AI

Optidan AI offers a cutting-edge, low code workflow automation tool designed to seamlessly integrate and enhance the content performance of mid to large online retailers at scale. Launched in early 2023, our platform delivers a frictionless service that automates and optimises every aspect of product information management which is connected to search & on page conversion metrics.

Tray.io

The Tray Universal Automation Cloud is an AI-powered, multi-experience iPaaS that speeds time-to-integration from months to days. By consolidating disparate tools on a single platform, it streamlines and automates internal and external business processes; enables seamless integration and transformation of bulk or real-time data; simplifies the creation of product integrations; and facilitates integration with customers, suppliers and partners.

With three AI-augmented experiences to choose from  developers in Tray Code, business technologists in the low-code Tray Build or managers and front-line employees through a no-code natural language experience in Tray Chat  individuals can each work in a way that best suits them, accelerating development velocity and productivity. Underpinned by an Enterprise Core, the Tray Universal Automation Cloud delivers the foundational composability, elasticity, observability, security and control required for companies to confidently and quickly develop integrations and automations at scale.

monday.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7b5rahRPyY

Built on top of monday.com Work OS, monday work management is the A to Z solution for every layer of work. Using no-code building blocks, teams can create workflows to suit their needs and manage any kind of work  from marketing to portfolio management and everything in between.

Customisable automations boost efficiency, freeing up valuable time for teams to focus on more impactful work. monday work management also seamlessly integrates tools that teams are already using, like Slack and Gmail, to further automate tasks from budgeting to assigning task ownership. Powerful automation features empower teams to break down departmental and organisational silos allowing for greater collaboration, clear ownership of tasks, and optimised workflows.

Mathworks

MATLAB by Mathworks has become the preferred platform for millions of engineers and scientists across the globe, facilitating a comprehensive workflow that spans from data analysis and algorithm development to AI and the modelling and simulation of complex systems. Its application is widespread across various sectors, including aerospace, defence, communications, finance, renewable energy, mining, and automotive. In its commitment to empowering engineers to excel and expedite innovation, MATLAB has evolved into a low-code environment.

This evolution encompasses a desktop environment optimized for iterative analysis and design processes, alongside an iterative programming language. Furthermore, MATLAB is equipped with an extensive selection of apps that streamline common tasks and workflows in science, engineering, and research, eliminating the need for manual coding. These apps cover a broad range of functions, such as data analysis, control design, machine learning, and signal processing, making MATLAB a comprehensive tool for professionals in these fields.

Microsoft Power Automate

Microsoft Power Automate is a versatile and robust tool that significantly enhances workflow automation capabilities for businesses of all sizes. By leveraging its integration with Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365, extensive library of connectors, AI capabilities, RPA features, and mobile app, users can streamline their processes, reduce manual tasks, and boost overall productivity. Whether youre looking to automate simple tasks or complex workflows, Power Automate provides the tools needed to achieve your automation goals efficiently.

TotalAgility

TotalAgility by Tungsten Automation is revolutionizing workflow automation with its low-code platform. First launched in January 2012, TotalAgility offers businesses an intuitive solution to streamline complex processes without extensive coding expertise. Available both on-premises and in the cloud, this low-code platform allows users to design, execute, and monitor workflows efficiently, enhancing productivity and reducing operational costs.

TotalAgility is significant for industries burdened by repetitive, manual tasks, such as finance, healthcare, and logistics. By automating these workflows, businesses can achieve higher accuracy and faster processing times. The platforms user-friendly interface and flexibility make it adaptable to various business needs and environments.

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Whether any relief from external and internal pressures for Sneesby is momentary or more permanent probably depends on the findings of the external review the board has commissioned into the culture of its television business and whether Nines staff are satisfied with the companys response to the events of the past few weeks. Whatever the wash-up for Sneesby and Nine, for Costello, the end of his chairmanship, coinciding as it does with the end of his decade as chair of the Future Fund earlier this year, marks the conclusion of an era in the public spotlight. Catherine West is taking on a difficult and demanding role at a pivotal moment for traditional media. Credit: Louie Douvis The high watermark for Costellos career was his period in parliament, where his 11 years as treasurer makes him Australias longest-serving treasurer. He presided over a lengthy string of budget surpluses and wiped out the federal governments net debt during his tenure, which paved the way for the Future Fund. Had he been more ruthless and seized his opportunities, he could have been prime minister. His Future Fund legacy is secure. It was Costello, as treasurer, who established the fund, which today has more than $220 billion of assets and is one of the more highly regarded sovereign wealth funds in the world.

His Nine legacy will be tarnished by the way it ended, but it wasnt without its achievements, which he listed in the announcement of his resignation. A little over a decade ago, when Costello joined the board, Nine was in the hands of distressed debt funds. It was recapitalised and was re-listed on the ASX in 2013. Over the past decade, during most of which Costello was its chairman, Nine built a national free-to-air television network by buying stations in Adelaide and Brisbane. With Fairfax Media, it started the Stan subscription streaming business from scratch and, in 2018, it merged with Fairfax. That brought with it full ownership of Stan and a majority shareholding in the Domain property listings business. The merger with Fairfax was an industry-changing deal and, by and large, has been successful even if some of the potential envisaged at its onset hasnt been realised. Nine hoped to introduce a studio partner as a shareholder in Stan; that hasnt happened. There were thought to be more cross-platform opportunities than have been realised. Nines majority shareholding and media assets havent done much for Domain, whose market capitalisation is much the same as it was in 2018.

It has, however, been a difficult time for all traditional media. The big social media platforms and technology companies continue to gut traditional media of its advertising revenues and fragment their audiences. Free-to-air networks are battling the giant streaming services for audiences and revenues. The current economic environment isnt helping. Had he been more ruthless and seized his opportunities, he could have been prime minister. Nine has fared better than most. It is the No.1 TV network. Its broadcast video-on-demand service is also the leader in its category. The Fairfax mastheads  The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review  are profitable and have built significant digital subscription bases. More than 60 per cent of the publishing divisions revenue flows from its digital offerings. Boards set strategy so Costello, as the chair, can take significant credit for Nines successes during his tenure, albeit while also accepting responsibility for the opportunities that perhaps havent been realised. On balance, given the industrys difficult context, it has been a relatively positive period for Nine. It would have been a far weaker and more vulnerable entity if not for its expansion strategy over the past decade.

Nines new chair, Catherine West, will now have to deal with the outcomes from the culture review and grapple with the existential challenges confronting traditional media. As Costello said in his farewell statement, for traditional media, standing still isnt an option. Nor is cost-cutting by itself a strategy for success. Nines publishing business arch-rival, News Corp, is going through yet another brutal cost-reduction exercise as it tries to remake itself along similar lines to the structure Fairfax adopted more than a decade ago. In the longer term, cost reductions buy time, not growth or security. Both Nine and News will need to devise more creative strategies. West is taking on a difficult and demanding role at a pivotal moment for traditional media. Nine will miss Costellos political instincts and connections because the industrys future is bound up in its efforts to retrieve a share of the revenues it has lost to the tech giants. That inevitably involves government actions  the online platforms arent going to surrender the revenue they might generate from traditional medias content.
At last, the source of our economic problems has been revealed. Our economy is badly misshapen, making it unlike all the other rich economies. Did you realise that our manufacturing sector is the smallest among all the rich countries?

Worse, our mining sectors almost five times as big as the average for all the advanced economies and our agriculture sectors twice the normal size.

Our mining sector is almost five times as big as the average for all the advanced economies. Credit: Bloomberg

Do you realise what an ugly freak this must make us look to all the other rich people in the world? Were like the millionaire who made his pile as a rag and bone man with a horse and cart. Yuck.

Its something about which we should be deeply ashamed and very worried, apparently.
The Biden administrations preoccupation with TikTok is distracting us from a far more ominous danger. While China is frequently branded as the greatest long-term threat to US security, its most formidable weapon is not a viral dance app. The true peril lies in Chinas swift technological advance, particularly in the clean energy sector.

China currently manufactures 86 per cent of the worlds lithium-ion batteries, 80 per cent of solar panel components, 67 per cent of wind turbine nacelles, and almost two-thirds of electric vehicles. Its staggering investments in clean energy and low-carbon manufacturing account for almost half of global spending, leaving the United States woefully trailing.

Joe Biden has inadvertently fuelled a backlash against renewables by allowing the energy transition to become yet another battle in the culture war between right and left. Credit: AP

Last years COP28 climate change conference witnessed the signing of the historic UAE Consensus by almost 200 countries. Among their commitments were agreements to transition away from fossil fuels and to triple the capacity of renewable energy sources. As the world embarks on this unstoppable shift towards a new era of clean technology, China stands uniquely poised to meet the burgeoning demand and claim the rewards for itself.

In stark contrast, the Biden administrations ambitious trillion-dollar investment package is grappling against a web of bureaucratic red tape. Recent analysis tells us that less than 17 per cent of these funds have been awarded, with just six months left before a potential change in power that could see Trump overturn the entire initiative. Unless his administration can rapidly pivot, Bidens legacy risks being marked by well-intentioned failures.
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Review Eating outSouth Melbourne Rediscover an endangered brand of old-school fine dining at this polished newcomer Searching for somewhere quiet, spacious and with excellent food? New arrival Lucia ticks all the boxes. Besha Rodell June 11, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This venue appears in the June 2024 Melbourne hit list. See all stories .

1 / 9 The interior at South Melbourne restaurant, Lucia. Chris Hopkins 2 / 9 Prawn in brik pastry, the crunch contrasting with the soft seafood inside. Chris Hopkins 3 / 9 Lucias coffee, bourbon and chocolate is part semifreddo, part affogato, topped with a spiral of meringue. Chris Hopkins 4 / 9 Lobster taco is dressed with lemongrass and tequila and wrapped in jicama. Chris Hopkins 5 / 9 The pork rib is an elevated take on a schnitzel. Chris Hopkins 6 / 9 Lucia owners Frank Ciorciari (left) and Anthony Silvestre. Arianna Leggiero 7 / 9 French-born chef Jordan Clavaron at Lucia, South Melbourne. Arianna Leggiero 8 / 9 The bar at Lucia offers front-row seats of the seafood display. Arianna Leggiero 9 / 9 Lamb tartare is easily shareable. Chris Hopkins Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15.5 / 20 How we score Contemporary$$$$ Do you remember fine dining? Not the degustation, book months-in-advance, spend half your rent money fine dining of today, but the version that was like regular dining, only better. The service was better. The room was quieter, more spacious, less raucous. And the cooking was considered, careful, beautiful. It was also more expensive than the casual neighbourhood bistro, of course. But it was worth it. These days, this type of restaurant is not so easy to find. It may just be a question of fashion  many of the more ambitious and expensive restaurants are loud places where youre still encouraged to share your plates, where the scene is as important as any culinary technique. So it was almost a jolt to walk into Lucia, the restaurant opened in February by Frank Ciorciari and Anthony Silvestre, who also own Riserva in Malvern East, Sandringhams Baia Di Vino and San Lorenzo in Scoresby.

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Is Lucia expensive? Sure  but no more so than many new restaurants that arent nearly as impressive. Sited at the bottom of a new office building in South Melbourne, theres a definite business-chic vibe, but its also spacious and luxurious and anything but rowdy. Much of the seating is in large plush semi-circular booths, the windows are cloaked in gauzy drapes, and while it looks a little like the foyer of an upscale corporate hotel, it also feels soigne  about two steps above the fracas of modern dining. This is perhaps unsurprising, given the talent Ciorciari and Silvestre have pulled in to run Lucias kitchen. The chef, French-born Jordan Clavaron, has worked at Cutler & Co. and Society in Melbourne, but also under Joel Robuchon in Paris. His background and training are evident in almost everything that comes out of this kitchen. Prawn wrapped in brik pastry. Chris Hopkins There are lovely plump prawns ($15 each) with basil, wrapped in an impossibly thin and shattery brik pastry, the crunch contrasting with the soft seafood inside.

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A generous fistful of lobster meat dressed in lemongrass and tequila is served as a taco ($15 each), the taco shell here being a paper-like round of the Central American root vegetable jicama, the whole thing fresh and sweet and delicious. Lobster is swaddled in a thin sheet of jicamo, taco style. Chris Hopkins There was a touch too much tomato sugo in an otherwise impressive spaghettoni with Moreton Bay bug ($45), hiding the bisque component of the sauce  Id have loved to get more of that intense seafood flavour shining through. But it was the only complaint I had about the food here, and it was a small one at that. I adored the pork rib ($46), an elevated take on a schnitzel, crumbed and served with grapes, fennel agrodolce, and a side of creme fraiche. But perhaps the most remarkable dish of the night was a dessert, listed on the menu as chocolate, bourbon and coffee ($20). Part semifreddo, part affogato, the mousse-like chocolate component comes topped with a crown of soft and elegant meringue expertly piped into a tight spiral.

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The server pours a bourbon coffee mixture onto its point, and the liquid swirls down in a mesmerising flow to pool at the bottom of the bowl. Its beautiful, and tastes wonderful, but also, this texture, shape and presentation are wildly difficult to achieve. Lucias coffee, bourbon and chocolate dessert is finished at the table with a drizzle of sauce. Chris Hopkins Is Lucia expensive? Sure  but no more so than many new restaurants that arent nearly as impressive. You can decide to go with the $130 caviar or the $170 dry-aged rib-eye for two, but in a world where entrees are easily surpassing the $30 mark and $50 mains are almost standard (insert crying emoji here), Lucia stays under that mark for the most part. If I have an issue with cost, it has to do more with the way its handled by Lucias otherwise excellent servers. Theres an unmistakable upselling culture at play, which in my case relied on misunderstandings that could (and should) easily have been clarified. When we ordered the two-sip martini ($19), which comes with a fresh oyster, our server suggested adding prosecco. We werent sure why  perhaps the oyster was in the drink itself (its not), and a prosecco float was part of the fun? Instead, we got two glasses of prosecco ahead of our cocktails  its the first time Ive ever been upsold a drink when I was trying to order another drink, and it was baffling.

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Many of the small plates are one-bite situations, and priced by the piece. So of course, we ordered two of the prawns, two of the lobster tacos (both $15 apiece). But we were also delivered two full servings of lamb tartare ($28), despite the dish being easily shareable, and not having requested double. Lamb tartare with gribiche sauce, dukka and beetroot lavosh. Chris Hopkins In every other way, the servers were charming, warm and obviously well-trained. The guy who mainly acted as a busser, bringing water and bread and clearing plates, was able to breezily talk me through the armagnac offerings. A waiter from another section who had greeted us made sure we were happy throughout the night. If they dropped the upselling, this would be some of the better service in town. To say that Lucia is a pleasant surprise is a bit of an understatement. It isnt a place to see and be seen, to feel like youre in the heart of it all, or to discover boundary-pushing cuisine. But if youre looking for serious, technique-based cooking, or to rediscover an endangered and utterly charming brand of fine dining, youre in for a treat. The low-down Vibe: Soft corporate luxury Go-to dish: Chocolate, bourbon and coffee dessert, $20 Drinks: Large array of amari and an interesting wine list with a focus on France, Burgundy in particular Cost: About $180 for two, plus drinks

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Exclusive RecipesCookbook extracts RecipeTin Eats creamy mushroom wild rice soup is your first taste of her second cookbook Tonight, the follow-up to bestselling hit Dinner, will be released into the world on October 15. Heres a sneak peek, only for Good Food readers. RecipeTin Eats June 11, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

As featured in the most popular new recipes of winter 2024. See all stories .

This mushroom soup features in RecipeTin Eats second cookbook, Tonight. Nagi Maehashi With its striking black grains and firm, nutty bite, wild rice instantly makes any dish more rustic and interesting. I love how the dark grains visually pop against the smooth, white surface of this soup. Meanwhile, deeply browned mushrooms, thyme and sage build woody flavours that are a perfect match for the rice. This is just the soup for a brisk winters night. INGREDIENTS 50g unsalted butter

2 tbsp olive oil

500g button mushrooms, sliced 5mm thick  see note

 tsp cooking salt

 tsp black pepper

2 tsp finely minced garlic

1 brown onion, finely chopped

1 carrot, peeled and chopped into 5mm thick pieces

1 celery stalk, chopped into 5mm thick pieces

2 tsp finely minced fresh thyme leaves

1 tsp ground sage (optional)

150g ( cup) wild rice, uncooked  see note

1 litre (4 cups) low-salt chicken stock* (substitute veg stock)

2 bay leaves

2 tbsp plain flour

250 ml (1 cup) thickened cream (substitute milk)

100g (1 tightly packed cup) finely grated parmesan To garnish

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 tsp finely minced fresh thyme METHOD Mushroom topping: Melt half the butter and heat half the oil in a large, heavy-based pot over high heat. Add half the mushrooms with  teaspoon of the salt and  teaspoon of the black pepper. Cook for 4 minutes until the mushrooms turn light golden  initially they will dry out, then go wet and floppy, then start to become golden. When the mushrooms are light golden, add  teaspoon of the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until the mushrooms and garlic are golden. Transfer the mushrooms to a bowl and set aside  these are to top the finished soup. Saute: Melt the remaining butter and heat the remaining oil in the same pan, still on high. Add the onion, remaining garlic, carrot and celery and cook for 2 minutes. Add the remaining mushrooms and the thyme and sage (if using) and cook for 45 minutes or until the mushrooms are softened (they wont turn golden) and the onion is translucent. Broth and rice: Add the wild rice to the pot and stir for 30 seconds to coat it in the tasty flavours. Add the stock, bay leaves, the remaining  teaspoon of salt and  teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a simmer, then put the lid on and reduce the heat to low so the broth simmers gently. Simmer: Simmer for 3035 minutes until the rice is just about done  mostly soft but still with a bit of a firm bite in the centre (it will cook more in the next steps). Thicken: While the rice is cooking, whisk the flour with 60ml ( cup) of the cream in a bowl until lump-free. Whisk in the remaining cream, then slowly pour the mixture into the soup while stirring. Finish: Cook the soup for another 5 minutes, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and the rice is done (but before it becomes super soft and mushy). Add the parmesan and stir it through until melted. Serve: Reheat the mushroom topping (I use the microwave). Ladle the soup into bowls, top with the warmed mushrooms and a pinch of fresh thyme to garnish. Crusty bread for dunking goes down a treat. Serves 4 NOTES

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I use regular button mushrooms. Swiss brown mushrooms would also be great.

The black grains of wild rice have a firmer texture and nuttier flavour than regular rice. Its a little bit gourmet! The best substitute is brown rice, though it doesnt have as much flavour as wild rice. The second cookbook from Nagi Maehashi, owner of RecipeTin Eats, due for release in mid-October. Macmillan Australia Leftovers: Fridge 3 days, freezer 3 months. Store the rice and vegetables separately from the soup or the rice will bloat overnight. To do this, drain off the liquid using a colander set over a bowl. This is an edited extract from Tonight by Nagi Maehashi. It will be published by Macmillan Australia on October 15, 2024. RRP $49.99 Read more

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Review Eating outCammeray This neighbourhood Italian adds a dash of lemony sunshine to winter (and tiramisu) With its Amalfi-inspired aperitivi, focaccia and pasta, Nico is a mood-lifting place to hibernate. Terry Durack June 11, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 7 Nico is inspired by the Amalfi Coast. James Brickwood 2 / 7 Hokkaido scallop carpaccio, pickled fennel, orange, finger lime. James Brickwood 3 / 7 Ricotta fritella with anchovies. James Brickwood 4 / 7 Calamarata, sun-dried tomatoes, SA squid, white wine. James Brickwood 5 / 7 Pork cotoletta, Calabrian sauce. James Brickwood 6 / 7 Lemon tiramisu. James Brickwood 7 / 7 James Brickwood Previous Slide Next Slide 14.5 / 20 How we score Italian$$$$ Theres one particular mood-altering substance everyone should take in winter, and thats lemon. The tang and bitterness wake up the tastebuds, and the sunny colour lifts the mood in an instant. Its why chefs use it so much, to add contrast, acidity and surprise. Which makes Nico in Cammeray a good place to hibernate this winter. Nico Ronconi has always worked in big Italian restaurants, previously heading Fratelli Fresh and Matteos Downtown, so hes had plenty of time to work out what hed like to do with his own, smaller, place.

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In many respects, Nico is just the sort of neighbourhood Italian you want in your own neighbourhood. But theres a difference. Ronconi and business partner Ewa Witkowska have adopted the Amalfi Coast and all things bright, sunny and lemony to inform the menu. We didnt want to be just another Italian restaurant, Ronconi says. From the very inviting Amalfi negroni ($21) of limoncello, Malfi lemon gin, vermouth bianco and Campari that opens the meal, to the lemon sorbet ($6) that could potentially finish it, flavours are bright and zesty. Hokkaido scallop carpaccio, pickled fennel, orange, finger lime. James Brickwood If it isnt lemon, its tangy finger lime and pickled fennel that perks up a fat Hokkaido scallop ($11), sliced carpaccio-style as a starter. Another starter is deep-fried ricotta fritella ($6), the soft and springy oval striped with creamy (lemony) gremolata and a plump salted anchovy.

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Nico is one of five restaurants in and around Cammeray Plaza, and you enter from the plaza side opposite Harris Farm, rather than the street. Buona sera, calls Ronconi, from the dramatically dark and theatrical open kitchen. Giant Designs has created an interior of coastal blues and tans that still manages to feel warm, furnished with three long banquettes, wicker-backed chairs, solid bare wooden tables and a bottle-backed bar. Local couples and foursomes are drinking wine and checking out the menu of aperitivi, focaccia, seafood and house-made pasta. Calamarata with sun-dried cherry tomatoes, squid and white wine. James Brickwood Pasta is a real drawcard, and theres a winter-friendly special on Tuesdays of selected pasta dishes with a glass of wine for $29 that pulls a crowd. But this isnt Tuesday. Tonight, theres gigli, a ruffled bell-shaped pasta served with a sausage ragu ($36), or spaghetti with WAs Donnybrook marron (listed as wild-caught but later confirmed as farmed), saffron and basil ($55).

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My calamarata (so-called because it is shaped like cut sections of squid) is dressed with identical cut sections of South Australian squid ($37) in a wine-based sauce popping with sun-dried cherry tomatoes. I like that its not militantly al dente, and that the squid ends up curling up inside the pasta hollows, as if seeking family. Floor staff are lively and know their stuff, and wine is taken seriously. A glass of the 2021 Le Monde Chardonnay from Friuli ($18/$85) is fresh, intense and well-balanced. Pork cotoletta, Calabrian sauce. James Brickwood In spite of the Amalfi theme, Ronconi was born in the north, in Vicenza, so a few more wintry dishes have crept in as well. Smoked mafaldine (ruffled flat pasta lengths) comes with a creamy mushroom sauce ($35) capped with a taleggio fonduta (like cheese fondue). The mix of king, oyster, shimeji and enoki mushrooms works well, although I would love to see the promised wild mushrooms in there. A salad of radicchio with pomegranate and chives ($14) has a velvety dressing of balsamic vinegar, mustard and pomegranate molasses with a real bite to it. It adds interest to a main course of pork cotoletta ($39). Crisply crusted, sliced into fingers and striped with wiggles of Calabrian sauce (capsicum, tomato and chilli) it gets a bit same-same to eat, with not much give in the meat.

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Lemon tiramisu. James Brickwood But now its straight back to the Amalfi by private jet with Ronconis lighter, brighter tiramisu ($15). Sponge finger biscuits are soaked in limoncello syrup instead of coffee, and rich mascarpone cream is showered with grated white chocolate and lemon zest. Like Nico, its a fresh take on the familiar, injected with extra tang. The low-down Vibe: Upscale neighbourhood Italian with house-made pasta Go-to dish: Calamarata, squid, sun-dried tomatoes, white wine, $37 Drinks: Italian-leaning cocktails and a thoughtful wine list (with 50 per cent off bottled wine on Mondays) Cost: About $145 for two, plus drinks

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Australias FinTech industry celebrated its brightest stars at the annual Finnie Awards ceremony, held in Sydney for the first time in six years.

The prestigious event, hosted by FinTech Australia, recognized outstanding achievements across a wide range of categories, showcasing the sectors resilience and innovation even amidst a slowdown in funding.

WeMoney, FrankieOne and emerging fintech Waave are among the biggest winners of this years annual FinTech Australia Finnie Awards.

The annual award celebrates achievement in Australias growing fintech industry. FrankieOne picked up the coveted Fintech Organisation of The Year award and digital wallet fintech Waave won Emerging FinTech of The Year. WeMoney won three separate awards: Excellence in Open Data, Excellence in Wealth Management and the Peoples Choice Award.

John Winters from Superhero was named Finech Leader of The Year. This year also saw two joint winners for the Female FinTech Leader of the Year award, with both Anna Hawter from Lumi and Lisa Wade from DigitalX picking up the accolade. Erica Xie from Tanggram was named Emerging FinTech Leader of the Year.

The Finnies winners were selected out of 322 entries across 19 categories, and faced a rigorous two-round judging process. Following the reveal of the shortlist in April, a second round of new judges were brought in to cross-check entries and decide on the winners for each category.

Rehan DAlmeida, CEO of FinTech Australia said: The fintech industry continues to play a key role in our transition to the digital economy. The Finnies is considered the most prestigious platform to showcase the incredible innovation in the country. As a result, the calibre of Finnies entries continues to climb. We pride ourselves on the effort we put in through the scrutinisation and judging process to ensure our winners are the best of the best. But that said, it gets more difficult each year.



Id like to congratulate our winners for 2024. There were some standout innovations over the past 12 months and I can safely say that a slowdown in funding has not deterred ingenuity in the sector.



Id also note all the finalists that didnt quite make it over the line this year. As we keep saying, its an incredibly tough contest. Many categories came down to a few points between judges. Even making the finalist list is an achievement in itself. Some of our winners this year have been finalists in the past, so dont let this result deter your next entry.



The annual FinTech Finnie Awards Ceremony was held in Sydney for the first time in six years at Doltone Wharf in Pyrmont.

FinTech Australia 2024 Finnies Winners

BEST WORKPLACE DIVERSITY

Novatti

EXCELLENCE IN ESTABLISHING GLOBAL MARKET PRESENCE

Data ZooEXCELLENCE IN INDUSTRY COLLABORATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS

Adatree, MogoPlus, Central Murray Credit Union

EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS LENDING

Tyro Payments

EXCELLENCE IN CONSUMER LENDINGNimo IndustriesEXCELLENCE IN PAYMENTS (including Remittance/FX)

Monoova

EXCELLENCE IN BLOCKCHAIN/DISTRIBUTED LEDGER

Block Earner

EXCELLENCE IN CRYPTO AND DIGITAL CURRENCIES/WALLETS/EXCHANGES

Crypto.com

EXCELLENCE IN INSURTECH

upcover

EXCELLENCE IN REGTECH

Stay or Go

EXCELLENCE IN WEALTH MANAGEMENT (INCLUDING PFM AND ROBO)

WeMoney

EXCELLENCE IN OPEN DATA

WeMoney

POSITIVE IMPACT AWARD

JustFund



EXCELLENCE IN FINTECH SUPPORT SERVICES

King & Wood Mallesons

EMERGING FINTECH LEADER OF THE YEAR

Erica Xie, Tanggram

FEMALE FINTECH LEADER OF THE YEARAnna Hawter, Lumi and Lisa Wade, DigitalX

OUTSTANDING FINTECH LEADER OF THE YEAR

John Winters, Superhero

EMERGING FINTECH ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR  Peoples Choice Award

Kit

EMERGING FINTECH ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR

Waave

FINTECH ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR- Peoples Choice Award

WeMoney

FINTECH ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR

FrankieOne

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Review Eating outSurry Hills This Sydney sandwich emporium is your go-to spot for Afghan meatballs and Uzbek-style chicken MLK Deli in Surry Hills specialises in ciabatta and focaccia filled with the incredible flavours of its owners heritage. Lenny Ann Low June 10, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 10 MLK Deli owner Myra Karakelle beside the sandwich list at the entrance to her shop. Dominic Lorrimer 2 / 10 Brown butter chocolate biscuit. Dominic Lorrimer 3 / 10 The meaty Deli Sandwich. Dominic Lorrimer 4 / 10 The Risky Brisket with a serve of chips. Dominic Lorrimer 5 / 10 Dominic Lorrimer 6 / 10 Very Vegan Sandwich. Dominic Lorrimer 7 / 10 Dominic Lorrimer 8 / 10 Dominic Lorrimer 9 / 10 Dominic Lorrimer 10 / 10 Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide Cafe$$$$ When you arrive at MLK Deli, a sea blue, three-month-old Surry Hills sandwich and pastry cafe grounded in Uzbekistani, Afghan and Turkish food flavours, a cheery man who does not work there may greet you. On my visit, a cold, wet Saturday afternoon, he is standing by the door next to a brown paper handwritten wall menu of eight sandwiches. We both look at the list, topped by a brioche breakfast roll filled with bacon, eggs, a hash brown and lashings of house-made six-hour smoked and cooked brisket.

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The meaty Deli Sandwich. Dominic Lorrimer Our eyes move to the seven lunch offerings of ciabatta or focaccia filled with Afghan lamb meatballs, Uzbek-style chicken thighs, brisket pastrami and sauerkraut, olive mortadella with pesto and stracciatella, eggplant, grilled halloumi, tahini and artichoke drizzled with hot honey, and smoked tofu, sun-dried tomatoes, coleslaw and plant-based chipotle on a potent vegan number. Theyre all fantastic, the man says, his hands warming in puffer jacket pockets. What are you thinking of having? Rugged-up customers file in, queuing at the biscuit, pastry and fresh flower-edged counter opposite. MLK Delis owner, Myra Karakelle, is taking orders. Few cafes feature an owner and chief cook as thrilled to be there as Karakelle. Further inside, half a dozen tables and counter seats are filled with locals, friends and family groups hoeing into halal sandwiches while sipping hot tea and coffee. Shelves are lined with Italian sardines, Lebanese pickled turnips, Pakistani rose water and Turkish rosehip marmalade and hot finger peppers.

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I ask the man, who seems part of the cafe but mainly stands by the door, what Naomis Agrodolce, a Deli Sando sandwich ingredient, is. Ill get you a sample, he says. Photo: Dominic Lorrimer He ferries the request to two staff members making sandwiches at another counter lined with bread, sauerkraut, pecorino, pesto, split olives, tahini dip, mortadella and more. One is slicing pink, fragrant brisket in a gleaming slicer beside the front window. Its a delicious pineappley sauce, he says, passing a small dish to sample. It is beautiful, a tart-sweet condiment made by Karakelles friend Naomi Lowry, head chef at Tucanos, a nearby bar. You see? says the man. Incredible.

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He is right. I soon eat the Risky Brisket, which Karakelle and her husband spent nine months perfecting. Tender, smoky and spicy, it is the bees knees on rye ciabatta with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese with a pickle and salt-and-vinegar chips. Photo: Dominic Lorrimer Equally so is MJs Chicken sandwich with juicy Uzbek-style meat fragrant with cumin, coriander and garlic and teamed with magic sauce and lettuce. Karakelle attributes its wonders to her mums cooking. For me, its nostalgia and the chicken that I grew up on, she says. Now that Im older with a better palate I understand why I love it. Also excellent are the salt-sprinkled chocolate biscuits, plate-size Anzac biscuits and, cooling on a counter rack, Puff delis, sesame seed-sprinkled folded napkins of baked pastry holding brisket pastrami, pecorino and Swiss cheese.

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MLK Deli, or Myras Little Kitchen, rose from Karakelles deep-rooted passion for food and a mid-life realisation. It is like a baby that I nurtured in my womb for a very long time now, she says. The Risky Brisket with a serve of chips. Dominic Lorrimer After studying law and working in teaching and marketing, Karakelle, whose mother and father are from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan respectively, wowed friends and family with her lockdown cooking via social media. She sent them food parcels, expanded her dishes, many influenced by her mothers recipes, and founded a daily activity. When lockdown ended, cooking, experimenting with food and feeding people remained her favourite pastime. She quit her job, found a shop, stripped, repaired and refitted it and opened in March. Its taken over my life. Its stressful and I feel more responsible now than I ever have in my life for any employer, she says.

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But Im happier than Ive ever been. Brown butter chocolate biscuits. Dominic Lorrimer Much later, Karakelle explains that the man at the door is a good friend. His pride at Karakelles first hospitality venture means he occasionally stays at the cafe all day, chatting and helping. It humbles me that he just loves it so much, she says. But Karakelle beats his passion. I sometimes stop and think, This is my job. My actual job.

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It is everything I want to do. The low-down Vibe: Spirited sandwich emporium with Uzbekistani, Afghan and Turkish flavours Go-to dish: MJs Chicken sandwich with inordinately juicy chicken thighs Average cost for two: $50, plus drinks

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Tips & adviceHow to Everything you need to know about cooking through an egg shortage Shoppers cannot afford to waste a single egg. Heres how to shop for, store, stretch and/or substitute eggs in your cooking and baking. Bianca Hrovat June 11, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Concerns about a nationwide egg shortage are growing as an avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak continues to spread at Victorian poultry farms. But careful shopping, storage and use of substitutes can help home cooks get through. Five farms have reported bird flu incidents, leading to the culling of more than 600,000 chickens, which is expected to affect egg supplies and prices over the next couple of weeks. Eggs are a huge source of protein for Australians. William Meppem On Sunday, Coles introduced a temporary limit of two egg cartons per customer. The measure affects stores in all states except Western Australia. Victorian Industry Minister Natalie Hutchins says egg supplies should remain steady if the virus is contained to one area, and warns against stockpiling.

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Consumers rely on eggs so much, far beyond just baking or to mix into things. Its such an essential source of good value protein, says RecipeTin Eats founder Nagi Maehashi. We cannot afford to waste a single egg any more. Check inside the egg carton for any cracks. iStock Shopping Check the underside of egg cartons for any signs of breakage and open the carton to ensure all the eggs are intact, says Maehashi. Buy jumbo eggs if you want value for money by weight, but be careful with them if you are baking because standard recipes use large eggs, which are smaller, she says.

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Egg farmer and Victorian Farmers Federation vice-president Danyel Cucinotta says local, independent supermarkets will have greatest availability. Eggs are also available to buy directly from farmers through farmers markets and online services such as Open Food Network and Farm2Market, while online directories such as Local Harvest and Straight to the Source show independent producers and retailers in your area. And if all else fails? Suck up to a friend who has their own chickens, Maehashi suggests. Cartons of separated egg whites remain unaffected by Coles purchase limits. Brands such as Puregg contain 100 per cent egg whites, without added stabilisers. Keep your eggs in their carton in the fridge. Andrew De La Rue

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Storage Farmer-owned not-for-profit research and development company Australian Eggs advises storing eggs in their cardboard carton in the fridge to protect the porous shells from potential bacterial contamination. Dont transfer them to the egg shelf in the door, if you have one, as they dont like the changes of temperature experienced with constant door opening and closing, Maehashi says. She suggests putting the carton towards the back of a middle shelf, with the temperature set to around 4 degrees. It is possible to freeze eggs, though not in their shells. Crack the eggs into a lidded container and whisk the egg whites and the yolk together, or separate them into different containers, leaving a small amount of space at the top of the container for expansion. Seal and place into the freezer, labelling the container with the contents and date.

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Frozen eggs should remain fresh for a year, but it is best to use them within four months. Defrost by leaving them in the fridge overnight, and cook to eat as soon as they have thawed. Freezing hard-boiled eggs is not recommended, as they will become tough and watery. Poach and fry eggs while still fresh, and save older eggs for baking cakes and making omelettes. Jill Dupleix You can use older eggs to make scrambled eggs and omelettes. William Meppem Use-by dates

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In Australia, use-by dates are calculated as six weeks from the day the eggs were packed into the carton. Check the dates on the cartons, buying those with the most distant date to ensure theyre as fresh as possible. Cookbook author and food writer Jill Dupleix advises using fresh eggs for poaching and frying, saving older eggs for baking cakes and making omelettes and scrambled eggs, dishes where they are not required to hold their shape. Also, older eggs are the easiest to peel when hard-boiled, and fresh eggs are the most difficult, she says. The best way to boil an egg, whether runny, jammy or hard

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You can spot a spoiled egg by the beads of moisture or slimy texture on its shell, which indicate the presence of bacteria. Australian Eggs says its possible to tell how fresh an egg is by lowering it into a bowl of water. If the egg is old and too much air has permeated the shell, it will float. If the egg is fresh, it will sink to the bottom. The Goog Food Guide: the best egg advice from Brain Food Still unsure? Crack it open (into a separate bowl, not one with other ingredients). If you can smell even a hint of sulphur, its off, and cooking will only make it worse  get rid of it, Dupleix says. Vegan-friendly vanilla sponge cake made with aquafaba, or chickpea water, in place of eggs. Katrina Meynink

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Egg substitutes Plant-based egg substitutes have evolved far beyond the grainy, glue-like flaxseed eggs of the past. Simply Egg is a standout. Made from lupin bean protein, this sunshine-yellow substitute makes a convincing scrambled egg or omelette when seasoned correctly. Newcomer OnlyEg sells plant-based products resembling egg yolks, poached eggs, egg shreds (for use in stir-fries, for example) and even tamagoyaki (a type of Japanese omelette made from beaten eggs). Orgran No Egg is an egg replacement that can be used in simple cake and biscuit recipes. It is widely available from major supermarkets. There is also the excellent trick of using aquafaba, the liquid from a can of chickpeas, as an egg white substitute in baking recipes.

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Australian borrowers are feeling the squeeze with more mortgage holders falling behind on their monthly repayments, albeit from low levels.

Loading

Yet even with higher interest rates and elevated living costs, the Council of Financial Regulators said most mortgage-holders were able to stump up the money each month by adapting their spending habits.

With households tightening their belts and weighing on retail and other consumer-facing sectors, business confidence as tracked by National Australia Bank was knocked back into a negative reading in May from already weak levels.

NAB chief economist Alan Oster said the survey contained warning signs for weak growth but also the inflation outlook, with costs borne by firms seemingly re-accelerating.

We have been wary for some time that the path of inflation from here is likely to be gradual and uneven and the survey results really reinforce this message, he said.

Business conditions softened further in May, reflecting sluggish economic activity as seen in the March quarter national accounts.

Oster said the Reserve Bank would likely keep interest rates on hold at 4.35 per cent  where it has been for several months  for some time yet as it navigates these contrasting risks.

NAB, along with Westpac and the Commonwealth Bank, expects interest rates to stay on hold until cuts start late this year, while ANZ revised its call on Tuesday and is pencilling in a February 2025 start for an easing cycle.

AAP
Gas advocates are calling on Victoria to develop the states capacity to produce biomethane as a cleaner alternative to the fuel, citing a report that estimates it could meet up to a fifth of the states demand.

But environment groups say the gas, which has featured prominently on TV show MasterChef this season, is not needed except for industrial uses.

The gas industry wants more attention paid to biomethane as an alternative to natural gas. Credit: Bloomberg

A report by consultancy Blunomy, commissioned by the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), has assessed potential biomethane fuel on Australias east coast, which it argues can be a direct substitute for natural gas in existing appliances and pipes.

The report found Victorian data was of lower quality than that of other states, but estimated about 18.8 petajoules of biomethane a year could be harvested from feedstock around the groups network of pipes and infrastructure. Feedstock includes agricultural waste such as animal manure or straw, as well as waste from urban and industrial areas.
From five-star restaurant lunches to exclusive gym access, Mineral Resources boss Chris Ellison has spared no expense enticing staff to the companys $130 million Osborne Park headquarters.

And it seems the billionaire mining magnate is just as eager to get to the office, even if it means taking the chopper.

Ellison has sought the blessing of the City of Stirling to land a helicopter. Credit: COMPOSITE IMAGE: Marija Ercegovac.

WAtoday can confirm Ellison sought the blessing of the City of Stirling to land a helicopter opposite Herdsman Lake Regional Park, 10 kilometres north of Perth and a few hundred metres from his office.

And he has been making it a regular occurrence.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said some items had been sent from Australia to Israel in recent months but all involved equipment being repaired or modified so it could be returned for use by the Australian Defence Force. The equipment is not used by the Israel Defence Forces. Since the conflict has begun, weve been only approving export permits to Israel for equipment that is returning to Australia for the ADF  that is really, really important to say, he told ABC Radio National. What weve been saying is that, due to the high-intensity nature of this conflict and the complex circumstances, weve been applying the existing export control system. And since the conflict began, no permits have been approved except for items that have been returned to Australia. In one example, a $917 million contract with Israeli company Elbit Systems, cited by the Greens as proof of defence exports, involved sending a small amount of armoured steel to Israel so the company could design a turret prototype to be fitted to infantry fighting vehicles for the ADF. The turrets are to be made in Australia.

The federal government has a $7 billion contract with South Korean company Hanwha to build 129 Redback vehicles in Geelong. Hanwha has signed the subcontract with Elbit Systems and has promised to use Australian steel from Bisalloy, which is based in the Illawarra region of NSW. Loading In another example, Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defence Systems has a joint venture with Australian company Varley Group to supply missile equipment for use on new armoured vehicles for the ADF. The federal government signed a $5.2 billion contract with German company Rheinmetall six years ago to make the Boxer vehicles in Queensland. While Varley Rafael Australia will make launch equipment for the missiles at its base in the NSW Hunter region, the missiles will be supplied by Rafael from Israel. The government said this meant no weapons or components would be exported to Israel.

In a third example, the government said one Australian defence company had taken an example of its technology to a trade fair in Israel after gaining export approval. The item was returned to Australia and was not supplied to the Israel Defence Forces. Conroy argued that halting all contracts with companies that supplied military equipment to Israel, if followed to its logical conclusion, would mean Qantas and Jetstar should not buy Boeing aircraft because the US company sells military aircraft to Israel. He added that the government did not support a boycott of Jewish companies. Loading The government has acknowledged that Australian companies are making components for the F-35 joint strike fighter, which is made by Lockheed Martin in Texas and supplied to more than a dozen countries. Brisbane company Ferra Engineering supplies weapons adaptors, which the Greens say include bomb-release equipment for the F-35. Melbourne company Marand Precision Engineering makes ground support equipment to remove and install the F-35 engines.

While a Dutch court has ordered a halt to its countrys supply of parts for the F-35, this appears unlikely to have a significant influence because Israel received its most recent F-35 from the US in November 2022. Greens NSW senator David Shoebridge said on Monday that the constant denial from the government would not stop people from looking into the deals. The Albanese government relies on secrecy and misrepresentation to muddy the waters and distract the public from its role in the genocide in Gaza, he said on social media. Conroy said the Greens were making false claims about Australian military help for the invasion of Gaza. What the Greens have been doing is lying to the Australian public about Australias involvement in the conflict in order to further social division for short-term political advantage, he said.

You saw that last week when they continued to lie about Australias supplying arms and ammunition to Israel, and that is hurting our community, dividing our community, and it has to stop. Loading Greens leader Adam Bandt said last week that Labor was complicit in genocide, supported the slaughter in Gaza and had refused to call for a ceasefire, but the claims are at odds with government statements since October. Australia abstained from a vote on a ceasefire at the United Nations on October 28 and then voted in favour of a humanitarian ceasefire on December 12. Foreign Minister Penny Wong called for steps towards a ceasefire on November 12, drawing criticism from the Coalition, and made repeated calls for a ceasefire in subsequent months. She called again for a ceasefire last week, endorsing a proposal from the US to end the conflict and adding in a statement: This war must end.
People smugglers should be charged onshore rather than handed over to foreign nations, the federal opposition says, following revelations an Indonesian man was released upon his return to help authorities there hunt a criminal syndicate.

Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said Australia should reserve the right to prosecute people smugglers unless it was confident they would face justice in their home country.

This people smuggler was arrested and detained in Australia before being sent home without charge. Credit: Amilia Rosa

It is concerning that, in at least one instance that we know of, an alleged people smuggler faced no charges in either Australia or Indonesia for his crimes, Paterson said on Monday after this masthead revealed a man who helped 39 asylum seekers reach the mainland in February was deported without charge.

Theres no deterrent if there are no consequences.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has accused Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of being worse than former prime minister Scott Morrison on climate change, in a direct attack on the Coalitions plans to ditch Australias 2030 emissions-reduction target.

Albaneses criticism, during a press conference in Canberra on Monday, comes after Dutton declared he would reverse Australias legally binding climate target to cut emissions by 43 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030.

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have butted heads on climate targets. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

On Sunday, this masthead revealed analysis that the oppositions nuclear energy plans would force Australia to fall massively short of its emissions target and that it would generate more than 2 billion tonnes of extra greenhouse gases by 2050. This would break Australias commitments to the Paris Agreement.

[Duttons] decision to abandon the target means him walking away from the Paris Accord. If you walk from the Paris Accord, youll be standing with Libya, Yemen and Iran and against all of our major trading partners and all of our important allies, Albanese said.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size For NSW government architect Abbie Galvin theyre the pillar of resilience. For enthusiast and TV host Tim Ross, theyre the cockroach of design. The great Sydney terrace house is not only here to stay, but it also offers lessons that can be applied to todays housing crisis. The NSW government will soon search for the terrace of the future that will address a shortage of low- to medium-density affordable housing in Sydneys missing middle close to public transport and jobs. Galvin called terrace houses the great architectural survivor. They were adapted from an architectural pattern book brought to Australia in the early days of colonisation. They had stood the test of time, they were simple, and the layout worked just as well for rich families as poor. Ross, an architectural enthusiast and host of ABCs Designing a Legacy, says terrace housing is endlessly adaptable, seemingly indestructible, immediately recognisable, and it provides privacy while fostering community. Like a cockroach, they never go away. We cant fall out of love with them, Ross says. Premier Chris Minns is on the verge of launching an international housing design competition for a Sydney terrace and a mid-rise apartment for the next century. The winners will be included in a pattern book containing about six architect-designed plans suitable for less complicated sites and fast-track approval.

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The patterns will range from terraces, semis, manor houses and small apartments in blocks two to six storeys high. Some of the designs will be sourced from architects and builders; others will come from Galvins office. Galvin says the answer to Sydneys shortage of medium-density housing is in the past. Houses from pattern books of the past are dotted throughout suburbia. NSW government architect Abbie Galvin visiting the Caroline Simpson Library of architectural plans. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone Many of the problems we encounter now are not new and the further back we can look, the further forward we can see, she said. The Caroline Simpson Library at The Mint in Sydney has hundreds of pattern books, from E. Gyffords Designs for Elegant Cottages brought to Australia by governor Lachlan Macquaries wife Elizabeth in 1809, to those provided in the 1950s by government home services. They proved that combining quality yet modest design, repetition and certainty of cost and time could get housing that was affordable to so many. Galvin says from settlement to the 1980s, buying a home or a flat built from a pattern, or a template, designed by an architect was common.

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From the 1950s to the 1980s, renowned architects Harry Seidler, Ken Woolley for Pettit & Sevitt, Nino Sydney for Lend Lease and Michael Dysart for Habitat were involved in designing volume housing. The average Australian could choose an affordable architect-designed home from a selection in a display village, and have it approved, built and ready to live in within a year. A Nino Sydney plan that was popular across Sydney. Credit: Steven Siewert On July 12, 1979, Hugh and Belinda Hopkins signed a contract for a Habitat Split Level Three by Dysart, to be built on a steep, bushy block in West Pymble. The cost, $77,800 plus about $4000 in extras, was equivalent to four years average salary at the time. Loading The Hopkins fell in love with the Dysart Habitat home at a display village. It was built to last with copper gutters and downpipes, and red cedar and tallowwood. It is a project home: It is single brick, but they are beautiful clinker bricks, says Belinda. The finishes were simple but elegant. We loved the door knobs.

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The clock was ticking. They wanted the home ready for the birth of their second child, a daughter born in June 1980. And it was. As the city expanded and houses became bigger, Galvin said developers and building companies had more influence on volume housing. At the same time, fewer apartment blocks and terrace-style homes were built in the city. The last golden years for pattern books were in the 1960s to early 1980s, write Dr Charles Pickett and Judith OCallaghan in Designer Suburbs. Subsequent attempts to get architects engaged with volume housing were unsuccessful. Hugh and Belinda Hopkins in their Pymble home where they have lived since 1980. The home was from a pattern design altered to fit their steep block. Credit: Nick Moir What is a pattern book? Where does it come from? Pickett, a historian and a former Powerhouse Museum curator, says the first pattern book dates back to Vitruvius in 40BC. Galvin says pattern books had plans for everything from churches to pig sheds to terrace houses, even cheese-making rooms.

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People often think the pattern books were only for single houses. They werent, Galvin says. They were used for building workers flats in The Rocks in the early 1800s. She says an advantage of terraces is that, while the floor plan remains much the same, the footprint could be adapted for different budgets. Some of the earliest examples of terraces in Sydney survive on the corner of Hunter and Macquarie streets. Later terraces added a front porch, an adaptation to better suit Australias climate. Architect and commentator Tone Wheeler is one of the fiercest critics of pattern books. He says: Theres a huge variety of possible sites, and finding a pathway through the tortuous current controls to establish standardised designs for those sites leads to the conclusion that a universal pattern book requires an almost infinite number of possible designs. Which defeats the purpose. Galvin says not all sites were suitable for a pattern book design. If it is too complex, its not patternable, she says.

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Galvin is signed until the end of 2026, but his future was clouded after a series of requests to explore his options. Loading However, Galvin has decided he wants to be at the forefront of Tigers resurgence and has informed club hierarchy that he would fulfil his contractual obligations. The 18-year-old is considered a superstar in the making, a rare bright spot for the wooden spooners during his 10 NRL appearances to date. Several rival clubs were interested in his services should he become a free agent, but it is now a moot point after recommitting for the long haul. Galvin has been rested and will not play against the Titans at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday. The enforced spell had nothing to do with speculation about his contract and he will return next Sunday against the Raiders.

Galvin has enjoyed a stellar career as a junior, winning 11 grand finals despite being let go by the club he supported, Parramatta. His NRL career also got off to a winning start, playing an impressive hand in the Tigers opening two victories. However, it has been a difficult period since as the Tigers lost nine straight games. Galvin, who will be rested from this weekends clash against the Gold Coast due to a hand injury, has thought long about his development and decided as a playmaker and decided better days are ahead for the joint-venture outfit. The Eaglevale-St Andrews junior is expected to partner incoming superstar Jarome Luai in the halves next season, while fellow Panther Sunia Turuva will give the side more strike out wide. The future of another Tigers half, Bud Sullivan, is less clear. Sullivan has been granted permission to explore his options, despite being contracted until the end of 2027. Haas, Asofa-Solomona on Samoa hit list for Tests

Samoa will attempt to lure NRL stars Payne Haas, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to play in two Tests against England at the end of the season. The International Rugby League have confirmed the fixtures at Wigan on October 27 and Leeds on November 2, dubbing the series The Revenge Tour in reference to the Pacific nations shock victory over Shaun Wanes team in the 2022 World Cup semi-final. On the Samoan radar: Payne Haas Credit: Getty Images Samoa and Canterbury star Stephen Crichton told this masthead during NSW Blues camp last month he was already trying my best to get Haas to switch allegiances, the front-rower having previously represented Australia. Ten players who featured in Origin one are eligible for Samoa, while more than 150 players in the NRL have Samoan heritage.

Topline NRL stars like Crichton, Jarome Luai, Spencer Leniu and Brian Too have breathed fresh life and interest into the Samoan national side, who want to use the two Tests in England to build towards the 2026 World Cup. Asofa-Solomona has already had conversations about switching from New Zealand to Samoa, while Tuivasa-Sheck has spoken publicly about his Samoan roots. Maroons stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Murray Taulagi, Jaydn Sua and Jeremiah Nanai are also eligible. Samoas best possible 17 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Brian Too Stephen Crichton Roger Tuiovasa-Sheck Murray Taulagi Jarome Luai Dylan Brown Payne Haas Erin Clark Stefano Utoikamanu Jaydn Sua Jeremiah Nanai Nelson Asofa-Solomona Sua Faalongo Spencer Leniu Junior Paulo Terrell May Joseph Suaalii represented Samoa at the World Cup, but is expected to be included on the Wallabies end-of-year spring tour. Coach Ben Gardiner remained tight-lipped about which players he would approach after the Origin series, but was grateful there was a big pool of players to choose from.

He also expected Luai to play against England, despite Luai starting a five-year $6m deal with the Wests Tigers next season. Knowing were playing two Tests is great news for rugby league and great news for Samoa, Gardiner said. We want to give ourselves eight or nine days to be over there to prepare for the Tests. At this stage we should have all our players available. We also know there are several representative players eligible, but all those talks will not be held until the Origin series is over. This is a great chance to build towards the World Cup. Weve got great financial support from Pacificast, we want to build cohesion amongst our group and players who want to represent Samoa  we want to take our best team possible to England so it only helps with future camps and guys knowing each other. Ravalawa banned 4 games for abuse

Dagons winger Mikaele Ravalawa faces a long road back to the NRL after being banned for four matches after admitting to calling a NSW Cup match official a c--- last week. Ravalawa, who has been in exile from the top squad for the past fortnight, will spend a month on the sidelines after facing a judiciary hearing on Thursday evening. St George Illawarras top try-scorer in the NRL last season apologised for his actions, which included using the slur against a touch judge after the Eels were controversially awarded a try with two minutes remaining of a NSW Cup match last Friday night. Ravalawa was immediately sent off. The judiciary deemed he will spend a longer period on the sidelines than Broncos star Reece Walsh, who was banned for three matches last year after being found to have used the same word in the direction of referee Chris Butler after contesting an on-field decision. Walsh missed last years State of Origin series finale as a result.

Ravalawa showed immediate remorse for his language and apologised to match officials after the game, but wasnt spared from being referred straight to the judiciary for what was deemed a serious offence. The suspension severely hampers his chances of returning to Shane Flanagans NRL side, which has won their last two matches against the Panthers and Tigers since Ravalawas demotion to NSW Cup. Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa. Credit: NRL Photos Flanagan said Ravalawas outburst was out of character and the winger admitted his actions were not professional. The Fijian international has been the Dragons most prolific NRL try-scorer in recent seasons, bagging 67 tries in 96 matches since making his top grade debut in 2019.

But his future at the club remains clouded given his latest suspension, which will deem him unavailable for selection until next month. Dolphins lock in key post Bennett piece The Dolphins have moved quickly to lock down one of their most important players in the post-Wayne Bennett era after signing winger Jack Bostock to a new deal. Bostock, a Dragons junior who headed north for an NRL opportunity, has been one of Bennetts best this season before the seven-time premiership-winning coach leaves the Dolphins to continue his remarkable career at South Sydney.

Having given Bostock his NRL debut last year against St George Illawarra, the Dolphins have moved to keep the 20-year-old away from rival clubs on November 1 after signing him to a new deal until the end of 2027. Bostock would have been able to field offers from other clubs later this year given he was due to be off contract at the end of 2025. Heading into Thursday nights clash against the Sharks, Bostock was the Dolphins top try-scorer this season with 10  just one adrift of NRL leaders Tommy Talau, Sunia Turuva and Maika Sivo. Olakauatu prognosis eases Blues headache NSW debutant Haumole Olakauatu has been cleared for Origin II, easing the Blues injury headache as Michael Maguire attempts to save the series in Melbourne.

Scans have cleared the Manly back-rower of any serious calf injury after he was limited to just 24 minutes against Penrith on Sunday. Olakauatu backed up after his Origin debut last Wednesday, where he impressed in the middle in NSWs heavy loss, before being kept off the field by Manly medical staff four days later for fear of doing significant damage. The Sea Eagles will name the bruising back-rower to play this weekend for a crunch clash against the Dragons. NSW are already sweating on Penrith duo Dylan Edwards (quad) and Liam Martin (toe), though Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is confident that Edwards will return against Newcastle on Sunday, giving him a chance to unseat James Tedesco as Blues fullback.

Loading Martin is touch and go for the Knights clash but Cleary expects the NSW regular to be fit for Origin 10 days later. The Blues are already facing a forced change at centre after Joseph Suaaliis send-off and four-game suspension, with halfback Nicho Hynes also under pressure to keep his spot from Eels star Mitchell Moses. Olakauatus positive prognosis is a welcome one for Manly given Josh Aloiai has accepted a two-game suspension for a blatant trip on Penriths Daine Laurie. He will miss the Dragons clash and next weeks match against South Sydney. Teammate Nathan Brown has also pleaded guilty to contrary conduct for pulling Jarome Luais hair and been fined $1800.

Ravalawa sent straight to judiciary for swearing Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa has been referred straight to the judiciary for swearing at a match official and using the word c during a NSW Cup match. Ravalawa, who had been exiled from St George Illawarras NRL side for the past fortnight, will face a hearing on Thursday night as his path back to the top grade appears more clouded than ever. The Fijian international, 26, faces a lengthy suspension for venting at a sideline official after the Eels were awarded a controversial late try in a reserve grade match in Wollongong on Friday night. Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa. Credit: Getty

Matt Dooreys four-pointer decided the result of the game despite protests from Dragons players the ball had been knocked from a kick, leading to Ravalawa approaching a touch judge as he stood behind where the try was scored to allow the conversion to be lined up. Once told of the incident, the referee immediately sent Ravalawa from the field. The Dragons top NRL try-scorer last season said sorry to the match officials after the game and issued a mea culpa. I apologised after the game, Ravalawa said. It was not professional and Im sorry. Broncos star Reece Walsh was banned for three matches last year after the NRL judiciary found he said the word c to referee Chris Butler when questioning an on-field decision.
The House of Representatives has passed the Payment Times Reporting Amendment Bill 2024, a significant step forward in the Albanese Labor Governments commitment to improving payment times for SMEs.

This reform, backed by $33.4 million in new funding, aims to deliver a much-needed shot in the arm for small businesses by ensuring faster payments, streamlining processes, and reducing administrative burdens.

This reform, backed by a $33.4 million investment, tackles a major pain point for small businesses by:

Ensuring Faster Payments: Improved cash flow will strengthen the financial health of SMEs.

Improved cash flow will strengthen the financial health of SMEs. Streamlining Processes: Reduced administrative burdens free up valuable time and resources.

Reduced administrative burdens free up valuable time and resources. Empowering the Regulator: The Payment Times Reporting Regulator gains the tools to enforce compliance and incentivize timely payments across the board, including public recognition of the best and worst payment practices.

Benefits for All Stakeholders

This legislation responds to the 2023 Emerson Review and underscores the governments dedication to improving payment times for SMEs. Faster payments benefit everyone in the Australian economy, leading to:

Increased Productivity: Improved cash flow allows businesses to invest more in operations.

Improved cash flow allows businesses to invest more in operations. Higher Wages and Profits: A healthier business environment supports growth and prosperity.

A healthier business environment supports growth and prosperity. Expanded Employment Opportunities: Increased economic activity can create new jobs.

Luke Fossett  General Manager, GoCardless ANZ said: The news that payment times reform has successfully passed the House of Representatives is welcome news for all SMBs suffering from late and failed payments. Were optimistic and hopeful that this proposal will now pass the Senate and be put into action. Our recent Pursuing Payments report revealed that one in five Australian small business owners and decision-makers estimate losing between $6,000 and $30,000 from late payments annually. Its clear that improving payment times is a net good for local businesses, and were hopeful that these reforms pass the Senate.

This legislation is also important as late payments affect every business, but they also have a disproportionate impact on women, creating an uneven playing field. According to our data, 29% of women agree theyd feel uncomfortable asking customers for payment  this rises to almost half (46%) when it comes to chasing late payments. However, only 26% of men feel uncomfortable asking for payments and 40% share this experience chasing payments.

Late payments have also created a generation gap across SMBs. Three in five (62%) of millennial business leaders agree theyd feel uncomfortable chasing late payments, compared to 40% of Gen X and 36% of Baby Boomers. The bottom line is bringing equity back to business will create net benefits for the businesses themselves, but also their employees and the economy broadly  and this legislation is a massive step in the right direction.

Additional Support for Small Business

The Payment Times Reform Bill is just one of the ways the Albanese Labor Government is backing Australian SMEs.The recent Budgets Small Business Statement outlines over $640 million in targeted support to:

Ease pressure on small businesses.

Foster growth.

Level the playing field.

Minister for Small Business Julie Collins MP welcomes the progress said:Labor is committed to ensuring small businesses are paid on time. The House of Representatives passing this legislation is a major step forward, said Minister Collins. We encourage the Senate to back this crucial bill, which will benefit businesses, workers, the economy, and Australia as a whole.

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Chin Moodys calls echo those of former Australia Post boss Christine Holgate, who now leads private delivery firm Team Global Express, formerly known as Toll. Holgate last year called for the government-owned business to open up last mile infrastructure to third-party operators. FedEx has made similar submissions. The post offices want it; the posties want to keep their jobs so theyre not opposed to carrying more; the consumers definitely want it; businesses want it. It will encourage rural and regional economic development, so they want it. There really arent any losers, Holgate said last year. Chin Moody said that while customers in cities could have their parcels dropped at nearby locations operated by third-party companies, many regional and rural customers did not have that ability as many towns had just one post office. Australia is falling further behind other countries that already embrace open access models, according to the executive, who wants Australia Post to shift to being a platform like the NBN and allow companies to operate on top of its infrastructure. Thats how advanced economies are thinking about their postal services, he said.

There are over 2000 of these independent community post offices, owned by mums and dads. Theyre small business owners themselves. A lot of them are doing it tough and theyre the heart of the community. Opening it up would be good for them, would be good for regional areas because it would reduce the cost of e-commerce and its good for national small businesses who sometimes cant afford to send regionally. And frankly, it would be good for Australia Post. If you think about the public purpose of Australia Post, its not to try to slam all the competitors to the ground, it should be a platform for the heart of the nations delivery structure. And the independent community post offices are also calling for this. Sendle, founded in 2014, offers door-to-door parcel delivery and its primary customer base is the nations 2.5 million small businesses. The company is no stranger to public stoushes with Australia Post: it won a legal battle in 2017 over its slogan Post without the office. The community post offices are represented by industry lobby group Licensed Post Office Group, which is also calling on the government to consider partial deregulation to allow community post offices to enter commercial partnerships with companies like Sendle. The groups chairman, Scott Etherington, has been the licensee of Gulgong Community Post Office, in the NSW Central West since 2016. He said post offices were often important one-stop shops for regional communities but that they had not fully enjoyed the benefits of the e-commerce boom of the past few years.

Everyone has been crying out for some proper competition in this retail space and Australia Post can do that, he said. We want to be able to provide these services to our communities. We dont want to be forgotten and left withering on the vine. In a letter to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Sendle says opening up access to last mile infrastructure can deliver a $1.5 billion net benefit over 10 years to rural and regional Australia. Under Australias regulatory framework, Australia Post is required to maintain 4000 post offices nationwide and 2500 in regional and rural areas. Credit: Nine In March, Australia Post announced a half-year profit of $33.6 million, amid new regulations that mean posties now deliver priority mail, express letters and parcels every day, and standard letters and unaddressed mail every second day. The company is executing its modernisation strategy, dubbed Post26. An Australia Post spokesperson said the government-owned company had rejected access requests to its last mile delivery infrastructure because they were uncommercial for the Australia Post network.

It is unclear what courier companies like Sendle might pay for access to the last mile infrastructure. Australia Post is focused on the financial security and stability of its LPO network and Australia Posts network as a whole, the spokeswoman said. Loading Australia Posts network is already open to competitors on an end-to-end basis for those prepared to pay an appropriate commercial rate. A number of Australia Posts competitors already utilise our network in this way, as we do with other delivery providers. Australia Post processes approximately 72 million parcels annually for its competitors. For competitors who do not wish to use Australia Posts network, there are a range of private-sector last mile delivery service providers they can access, including over 3000 third-party pick-up and drop-off points that utilise businesses such as newsagents, petrol stations and convenience stores nationally.
The flexibility meant our zodiac trips and shore landings were frequent and often spontaneous  within 10 minutes of White spotting something interesting, wed be kitted up and on the water. This is just one of the ways a private yacht experience surpasses that of a cruise ship. Antarctic regulations permit a maximum of 100 people on a landing point at one time, so ships carrying several hundred passengers must stop for a lengthy period to facilitate visits for all. With only 12 guests, we were able to travel freely and stop and smell the whales breath, as White liked to say. On a smaller vessel such as this, the crew can afford to be flexible and not be ruled by a strict itinerary. Credit: EYOS/mosaicstudios.io While sailing, we felt truly alone. In one week, I counted on one hand the number of other vessels we passed. We spent the week journeying up and down the Antarctic Peninsula and discovered things they dont tell you about on television: the sheer stench of a penguin colony; the gunshot-esque cracks of mini avalanches. We watched adelie and gentoo penguins waddle up penguin highways to search for their chicks among colonies of thousands. We saw seals lazing on beaches and fighting with peers  seals are solitary mammals, warned one fellow explorer, who bore the scars of getting too close to one. Penguins are entertaining to watch  just dont get too close. Credit: EYOS/mosaicstudios.io We passed through the narrow Errera Channel at sunset with humpbacks off the bow and chased the sun to Wilhelmina Bay where we tried out ocean kayaking. Following the weather one day, we diverted from our original plan for a landing at picturesque Neko Harbour. If you hear my tsunami warning, run up the hill, White said as we hiked past a gentoo colony to a viewpoint. On one particularly memorable Zodiac trip, an inquisitive humpback dived underneath our vessel, turning to flash us her white belly as we bobbed in stunned silence.

Made for extremes Hanse Explorer isnt your usual private superyacht, most of which are built for the kinder climates of the Mediterranean or Caribbean. Shes purpose-built for traversing the most unforgiving climates and conditions. We think of her as a small passenger ship because were solidly built from steel, we have ice class and we have commercial equipment thats oversized for safety, Captain Bratash said. The yachts strength was demonstrated when the captain deliberately steered into a small iceberg, cracking the ice. The Hanse Explorer is purpose-built for unforgiving climates, with a steel construction and ice class. Credit: EYOS/mosaicstudios.io What the yacht has in terms of resilience, she mirrors in comfort. Its an intimate experience with just six guest rooms  three doubles, two twins and one master with a private terrace  which have all the comforts youd expect. Communal areas offer large windows for watching the passing scenery. The main deck has a dining room, a terrace and a lounge where White gave daily debriefs and talks on topical issues such as climate change. The lower deck features a gym, a sauna with portholes and an equipment room where guests store outdoor kit, while the upper deck has an al-fresco lounge and a hot tub on the bow  a scenic spot for sundowners.

A polar plunge Life onboard Hanse Explorer was relaxed and efficient. The crew moved like shadows  always present but rarely seen. Pop out for a breakfast and your room would be cleaned before your return; your fresh laundry folded neatly on the bed. Come back from an excursion and the sauna would be heated and freshly baked cakes and hot chocolate with Baileys would be waiting in the lounge. Meals were taken communally around a large dining table that was creatively decorated every day with themes ranging from Polynesia to pirates. Every day we enjoyed hearty buffet breakfasts, family-style lunches and four-course dinners. Perfecting the polar plunge. Credit: EYOS/mosaicstudios.io The ambience was relaxed; within a day, guests were lounging in their thermals. We provide the superyacht level of service, but we aim to create an atmosphere of home onboard, so guests are totally comfortable, said Captain Bratash, from Ukraine, whos been at the yachts helm since 2016.

Between excursions, the enthusiastic crew organised experiences such as kayaking and the polar plunge. As a fair-weather swimmer, I was apprehensive about entering the freezing water in just a swimsuit but, spurred on by the cheers of my peers, I jumped. The shock was quickly replaced by an adrenaline rush so intense that I plunged again the next day. Loading On our final day, White took us to a remote bay and suggested we take a moment to reflect. The snow sparkled in the sun and icebergs bobbed in the shallows as penguins played on top of them. The only sounds were the call of a skua overhead and the chirp of a delighted chick reuniting with its parent, back from sea with a belly full of krill. I felt a deep connection with nature  and it clicked. Why do people travel across the globe and spend six-figure sums for this experience? Total freedom. As it turns out, this is something that money can buy  you just need a private yacht to get there. How to do it Charter trips on board Hanse Explorer are managed by EYOS Expeditions, which hosted Rachel Ingram. The yacht will spend the Northern Hemisphere summer in the Pacific before travelling to Papua New Guinea and then back to Antarctica. For more information or to book, contact EYOS Expeditions (eyos-expeditions.com) or contact info@eyos.com. Prices start from $US70,000 ($106,000) per week for a book-by-cabin charter or from $US245,000 ($372,600) plus 35 per cent expenses for a full private charter. Flights are extra.

Where the worlds most travelled superyachts went in 2023 Last year, BOATPros Global Fleet Tracker followed the journeys of almost 7000 superyachts, with a cumulative 18.7 million nautical miles recorded between them. These were the four most travelled: Hanse Explorer

This 48-metre superyacht began the year in Antarctica, before heading to the Caribbean via the Falkland Islands. The Northern Hemisphere summer was spent exploring Scandinavia and the Arctic, before the long journey back to the White Continent. Gene Chaser

Owned by DNA sequencing scientist Dr Jonathan Rothberg, Gene Chaser completed a full circumnavigation in 2023, with stops in the Galapagos, Tokyo, Bali, Rhodes and Madeira, among others.
Finland might be rated the happiest country on earth, according to the annual World Happiness Report, but its not recommended that you smile at a Finn on the street.

Theyll think youre a freak, says Finlands ambassador to Australia Arto Haapea. Its a big move, confirms one of his staff. Its confronting.

Illustration: Andrew Dyson. Credit:

Indeed, the ambassador says hell need to retrain himself for a forthcoming trip to his homeland; hes developed the habit of greeting people on the street in his new home, Canberra. I would say thats probably one of the biggest differences when you come to a country like Australia, which is very happy, very positive. People are generally extremely happy and welcoming.

The same report, which is based on a self-assessed measure from 1 to 10 points in a survey of people in some 140 countries, this year puts Australia at No.10.
New York: The United Nations Security Council has backed a proposal outlined by US President Joe Biden for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and urged the Palestinian militants to accept the deal aimed at ending the eight-month-long war.

Hamas has welcomed the adoption of the US-drafted resolution and said in a statement that it was ready to co-operate with mediators over implementing the principles of the plan.

Russia abstained from the vote, while the remaining 14 Security Council members voted in favour of the resolution supporting a three-phase ceasefire plan laid out by Biden on May 31 that he described as an Israeli initiative.

Today we voted for peace, US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the council after the vote.
Washington: Donald Trump has become the first former US president to meet a probation officer as he braces for the possibility of a jail term after being found guilty of a criminal conspiracy designed to sway the 2016 election.

After his historic hush money conviction in New York, Trump had a virtual interview at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Monday (Tuesday AEST), and used the opportunity to launch a fresh fundraising blitz for his bid to return to power.

Former president Donald Trump motions to the crowd at a campaign rally in Las Vegas on Sunday. Credit: AP

Im actually about to speak to a probation officer after my RIGGED CONVICTION! he wrote in a fundraising email soliciting donations for his campaign against President Joe Biden in November.

My only crime? Putting the AMERICAN PEOPLE, ahead of the COMMUNISTS, MARXISTS, AND FASCISTS that want to see our country DESTROYED.
PHILIPSBURG:--- FSHOT Company is proud to announce that it has been granted a Weapons Dealership license by the Ministry of Justice, marking it as the first and only certified weapons dealership established in Sint Maarten. This significant milestone follows years of diligent efforts and the implementation of the Weapons Policy in 2022.



The owners of FSHOT, Mrs. Ursel Biabiany-Gumbs, Managing Director, and Mr. Mario Biabiany, Operations Director have been pursuing the acquisition of the Operational license for many years. They first approached the then Minister of Justice in October 2010, subsequently having secured the business license in January 2011. This pursuit, while challenging, came to fruition earlier this year when FSHOT met every requirement stipulated by the weapons policy, finally obtaining the much-coveted operational license.



With this positive development, FSHOT joins the ranks of other professional weapons dealers in the Dutch Caribbean. The company is now fully equipped to provide professional services to licensed weapon permit holders in Sint Maarten and the broader region.



FSHOT will exclusively cater to clients who have received an official gun permit from the Ministry of Justice, offering a range of services designed to meet the needs of permit holders throughout the region.



Mario Biabiany, Operations Director of FSHOT, received his gun permit in 2003, as a professional certified bodyguard. Recognizing the lack of local facilities to maintain and enhance his skills, Mr. Biabiany, a proficient Weapons and Ammunition Specialist, envisioned developing a shooting range business. In addition to his role as Operations Director of FSHOT, Biabiany is also the Operations Manager of their other company Viper Management Services B.V., who has served as Sint Maartens Recognized Security Organization (RSO) since 2012, this relates to the ISPS Code Regulation compliance of all port facilities.



Mrs. Ursel Biabiany-Gumbs, the Managing Director of FSHOT as well as Viper Management Services B.V., with a diverse background in Finance, Marketing, and Sales, has been instrumental in the development of their companies.



Combining their skills, over 20 years of experience in their respective fields, and determination, they make an extraordinary partnership.





FSHOT's commitment to safety, professionalism, and excellence sets a new standard in the region, ensuring that licensed weapon permit holders have access to the highest quality services and support.

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, the Minister of VSA, along with cabinet staff, met with the director of the Sint Maarten Medical Center for a comprehensive tour of the hospital. The visit provided an invaluable opportunity to discuss the challenges surrounding the new hospital project and gain a deeper understanding of the steps needed to move forward.

During the tour, Dr Holiday, the director, guided the Minister through the new building, showcasing the latest developments. This firsthand experience allowed the Minister to appreciate the progress being made and the potential improvements that lie ahead.

The Minister expressed satisfaction with the insights gained and is eager to collaborate on initiatives aimed at enhancing the hospital's services and infrastructure. The visit marks a significant step towards building a better healthcare system for Sint Maarten.

The Minister looks forward to continued collaboration and efforts to ensure that the new hospital meets the needs of the community effectively.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Members of the Windward Islands Civil Servant Union (WICSU) and the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) will begin industrial actions tomorrow, Tuesday, June 11th, 2024. Membership in the two unions representing civil servants and teachers will be held at the Little League ballpark.

President of the WICSU Sharon Cannegieter, who is currently in Geneva attending the ILO and ILC meetings, said that the members have decided to down their tools after listening to the Minister of Finance, who released a video statement on Friday explaining the payment schedule she will be using for the vacation allowance.

Cannegieter said that the membership of the WICSU and WITU is very concerned with the Minister's attitude and the fact that the Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, opted to break the covenant signed by members of the CCSU and former Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs.

Cannegieter said that if the government of St. Maarten did not have the money to make the payments, then the matter could have been discussed, but this, she said, is not the case because the Minister wants to pay 6% of the vacation allowance on the 14th June, then salaries on 24th while the other 1% on June 27th. She said this is not what is stated in the signed agreement, and that agreement must be respected. The WICSU President further explained that while the Minister of Finance spoke about the vacation allowance, she has yet to address the 2% Cost of Living Adjustments.

In the meantime, Windward Island Teachers Union President Roxanna Pantophlet met with the Charlotte Brookson Academy's membership on Monday morning to discuss the 2% vacation allowance that is owed to them. Pantophlet said that while civil servants and teachers working at Government Schools received their 1% in December 2023, the teachers from some of the government-subsidized schools have yet to receive theirs.
Tunisian all-women's team eye inventors' prize for smart wheelchair



Tunis, June 10 (AFP) Jun 10, 2024



A smart wheelchair system built by a team of young Tunisian women engineers has reached the finals for a prestigious European inventors' prize, setting a hopeful precedent in a country embroiled in multiple crises.

Their project, Moovobrain, allows wheelchair users to move through a choice of touchpad, voice command, facial gestures or, most impressively, a headset that detects their brain signals.

It has been shortlisted from over 550 applicants for the final round of the Young Inventors Prize, launched by the European Patent Office in 2021.

This year marks "the first time a Tunisian and Arab team has reached the final" stage of the international competition, the EPO said in a statement.

The all-female team will compete against two other finalists, from the Netherlands and Ukraine, for the top prize on July 9 in Malta.

The inspiration for the Moovobrain app first came from co-founder Souleima Ben Temime, 28, whose uncle was "forced to use a wheelchair to move" after his upper body was paralysed.

"There was a clear and urgent need in front of me," she told AFP.

"I talked about it to my friends and we decided to use the digital health technologies ... to make a product that could benefit a lot of people."



- Success against odds -



The four inventors met at the Higher Institute of Medical Sciences in Tunis, where they began developing the Moovobrain prototype in 2017, before creating health-tech start-up Gewinner two years later.

The team's international success comes despite Tunisia's growing economic and political turmoil in recent years that has pushed thousands of Tunisians to seek a better life in Europe through perilous overseas journeys.

President Kais Saied, elected in October 2019, has launched a sweeping power grab since he sacked parliament in July 2021.

The political crisis has been compounded by a biting economic meltdown -- but that has not dampened the young women's spirits.

Rather, co-founder Khaoula Ben Ahmed, 28, is hopeful that reaching the finals in the Young Inventors competition will bring the team "visibility and credibility".

"It's not always easy to convince investors or wheelchair manufacturers that our solution is truly innovative and useful for people with reduced mobility," she said.

For them, even "asking to be turned towards the television", when they "cannot speak, no longer have any autonomy, can become very trying on a psychological level", added Ben Ahmed.

Alongside Ben Ahmed and Ben Temime, the other team members are Sirine Ayari, 28, and Ghofrane Ayari, 27, who are not related.



- 'Favourable ecosystem' -



The Young Inventors Prize -- which rewards "exceptional inventors under the age of 30" -- awards a first prize of 20,000 euros ($21,600), a second of 10,000 euros and a third of 5,000 euros.

The team says being women was "an advantage" because they were able to take part in competitions for female engineers and receive specialised funding.

More than 44 percent of engineers in Tunisia are women, according to the United Nations, and Ben Ahmed says the country has "a favourable ecosystem" for start-ups despite its challenges.

Their start-up Gewinner will very soon deliver the first four wheelchairs equipped with the new technology to an organisation for disabled people in Sousse, eastern Tunisia. They hope for feedback to improve the product.

Internationally, Gewinner is focusing on Europe and has already established a partnership with an Italian manufacturer in the short term.

The inventors say that even though each smart chair costs around 2,000 euros, they hope to ensure the technology is accessible to as many people as possible, including those in less well-off countries.

"In Tunisia, we have prepared 30 units, not with the idea that it will be the end user who will pay, but organisations supporting associations which will be able to sponsor the purchase of chairs or adaptation of our technology," said Ben Ahmed.
An ECPM campaign event in collaboration with SGP took place in Gouda, the Netherlands, on Friday, May 17th. The event focused on the upcoming June 6th elections and the importance of Christian politics and politicians in the European Parliament. Keynote speakers included ECPM General Director Maarten van de Fliert and Geert Kraaijenveld from Sallux, ECPMs think tank. Other notable speakers were MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen, Kees van der Staaij (former MP and leader of the SGP), Harold Hooglander (SGP candidate for the European Parliament), and Nathanael Middelkoop (SGP alderman).

Maarten van de Fliert began by explaining the composition of the European Parliament and the roles of European political parties and groups. He clarified the common misconception that political parties and political factions are the same and explained the distinctions. ECPMs unique position in the political landscape stems from its lack of affiliation with a single political group. ECPM MEPs can be found among Christian Democrats, Conservatives, and the non-affiliated, united by their commitment to Christian politics.

Van de Fliert emphasized that the European Christian Political Movement is the only European political party explicitly promoting Christian values. ECPM collaborates with its member parties at the national level and with its MEPs in the European Parliament. These member parties, though diverse in their interpretation and application of Christian ethics, share a common vision that human beings are created by God and in His image, which underpins ECPMs approach to politics and supports fundamental human rights, such as the right to life and the protection of the vulnerable. Van de Fliert stressed the importance of the engagement of Christians in politics.

The discussion also touched on the war in Ukraine and the European response. An attendee expressed concerns about Europes safety, citing perceived inaction by the European Union and uncertainties surrounding NATO, particularly in light of a potential Donald Trump presidency. Van de Fliert acknowledged these concerns and noted that ECPM and its member parties are actively discussing these issues at both national and European levels, with significant contributions from Sallux. ECPMs political program supports Ukraine's territorial integrity, condemns Russias invasion, and advocates for military cooperation within NATO.

Geert Kraaijenveld addressed the EUs decision-making procedures, particularly during wartime. He pointed out that unanimous decision-making can impede swift action due to the difficulty of achieving consensus. Kraaijenveld explained that Sallux is developing ideas for procedural reforms. He also highlighted internal security threats, such as Hungarys increasing openness to China, which could lead to indirect Chinese influence on EU decisions. He stressed the need for the EU to safeguard its security and prevent foreign interference.

Former MP and SGP party leader Kees van der Staaij noted that European countries are increasingly investing in national security and military, indicating a trend towards convergence and closer cooperation. Harold Hooglander, SGP candidate for the European Parliament, advocated for maintaining NATO as the primary defense mechanism and cautioned against moving from unanimous decision-making to majority rule in defense matters, as it could undermine national sovereignty.

SGP Alderman Nathanael Middelkoop underscored the importance of the European Union to national citizens. As an alderman in Urk, a Dutch city reliant on fisheries and agriculture, he provided examples of how EU laws and regulations impact his city. Middelkoop explained the significance of the EU's E-numbering system for the food and automotive industries in his hometown. He conveyed that the EU significantly influences everyday life, making it crucial to vote in the European Parliament elections on June 6th.

MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen concluded the event with a summary of his work in the European Parliament during the last term and his role with ECPM. Attendees gained insight into parliamentary procedures and sessions in Brussels and Strasbourg. Ruissen showcased some of his speeches in the parliament and emphasized the importance of voting, stating, "Every vote counts, especially in the elections for the European Parliament."
Chechen leader says Russia seized village in Ukraine's Sumy region



Moscow, June 10 (AFP) Jun 10, 2024



The leader of Russia's Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, said Sunday that Russian forces had seized the border village of Ryzhivka in Ukraine's northern Sumy region.

There was no immediate comment from Russia's defence ministry and a local Ukrainian official denied Kadyrov's claim.

Sumy region lies on Ukraine's northern border and has not seen a major Russian ground assault since the beginning of the conflict in 2022.

Kadyrov said fighters from his Akhmat battalion "together with servicemen from other Russian units carried out tactical operations and liberated another settlement from the enemy."

"It is the village of Ryzhivka, which is on the border with the Kursk region," the Chechen leader said in a post on Telegram.

"As a result of large-scale planned offensive actions, the Ukrainian side suffered significant losses and was forced to retreat," he added.

AFP was not able to immediately verify Kadyrov's battlefield claims.

Yuriy Zarko, the Ukrainian head of the local municipality, later denied Ryzhivka had been captured and told state broadcaster Suspilne there were no Russian troops in the village.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned last month Russia was amassing troops along the northern border ahead of what might be a new offensive.

Authorities began evacuating residents living in some border towns and villages in the Sumy region last month, citing the risk of increased Russian attacks.

On May 10, Russia began a major ground operation in the neighbouring Kharkiv region, capturing several towns and villages as Kyiv's forces struggle with manpower and ammunition shortages.

Ukraine has since rushed reinforcements to the area but lost ground to Russia elsewhere on the front, with Zelensky warning on Sunday of difficult battles in the eastern Donetsk region.
Finland says suspects Russia of violating airspace



Helsinki, June 10 (AFP) Jun 10, 2024



Finland said Monday it suspected that a Russian military aircraft had violated Finnish airspace in the Gulf of Finland.

The incident comes as relations between the neighbouring countries, who share a 1,340-kilometre (830-mile) border, have become increasingly tense after Finland joined NATO last year.

The suspected intrusion into Finnish airspace was believed to have occurred Monday morning near the city of Loviisa, located less than 90 kilometres east from the capital Helsinki on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, the Nordic country's Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

The aircraft remained in Finnish airspace for about two minutes and at its deepest flew 2.5 kilometres into Finnish territory, according to the ministry.

"We take this suspected territorial violation seriously and investigations have begun," Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen said in the statement.

Finland's Border Guard service was conducting a preliminary investigation and would provide more information once it was complete, the statement said.

In August 2022, Finland said it believed two Russian fighter jets entered Finland's airspace, also over the Gulf of Finland.

The Nordic nation closed its eastern border in mid-December after nearly 1,000 migrants had arrived without visas at its border crossings with Russia in the previous months.

Helsinki has said the surge in asylum seekers had been orchestrated by Russia, a charge that Moscow denied.
Swiss summit on Ukraine set to thrash out path to peace



Burgenstock, Switzerland, June 10 (AFP) Jun 10, 2024



World leaders will gather in Switzerland this weekend to try to lay out a roadmap for an eventual peace process for Ukraine -- albeit without Russia.

The gathering at the luxury Burgenstock resort, on a mountain ridge overlooking Lake Lucerne, comes immediately after the G7 summit in southern Italy, during which the wealthy democracies will also discuss Ukraine in the presence of its president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

The G7, running from Thursday to Saturday, will look at ways to use frozen Russian assets to provide fresh aid to Ukraine, invaded by Russia in February 2022.

Zelensky will then head to Switzerland, to be joined by G7 and other leaders on Saturday and Sunday for what is being billed as the first "Summit on Peace in Ukraine".

"We would like to have a very broad process with a view to lasting, just peace in Ukraine," Swiss President Viola Amherd told a press conference in Bern on Monday.

She said the event would lay the groundwork "for a future peace summit that would involve Russia".

"The conference will focus on topics of global interest -- nuclear security, food security and humanitarian aspects," she added.



- More than 90 delegations -



Switzerland invited more than 160 delegations, representing countries and international organisations.

Amherd said more than 90 confirmations had been received so far -- around half from European nations -- with about 50 percent of countries represented by their heads of state or government.

Attendees include French President Emmanuel Macron, US Vice President Kamala Harris, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Organised at Ukraine's request, the outcome of the summit remains uncertain, though Switzerland is hoping to secure a joint final declaration.

"We need to do everything we can to bring an end to this violence," Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis told the press conference.

"At the end of this road there is not just world stability and safety but also the end of suffering for millions of victims," he said.



- A 'just end' to war -



The programme, sculpted by Bern, draws on a 10-point peace plan presented by Zelensky in late 2022. Ukraine hopes to gain broad international support for its conditions to end the war.

Amherd said the summit aimed to find paths towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine, based on international law and the United Nations charter; a possible framework to achieve this goal; and a roadmap as to how both warring parties could come together in a future peace process.

It will also touch on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and on prisoners of war.

Up to 4,000 Swiss troops will be on duty, while 6.5 kilometres (four miles) of steel fencing is going up.

Military vehicles buzzed around the Burgenstock mountain on Monday, with troops laying a temporary helipad in the valley behind the hotel complex.

"My division is familiar with the area, with the people, and we are trained to deal with circumstances such as these," said Major General Daniel Keller, adding that his troops "are ready to take action if required".

Switzerland said there had already been cyber attacks and extreme misinformation surrounding the conference, without giving details.



- Russia's stance -



The summit comes as Russia on Monday claimed the capture of another village in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

After almost a year of stalemate, Ukraine has been forced to abandon dozens of front-line settlements this spring, with Russian troops holding a significant advantage in manpower and resources.

The Kremlin has repeatedly indicated it will not participate in any negotiations if Kyiv does not accept Moscow's annexation of the approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory Russia currently occupies.

As Moscow said it was not interested in participating in the summit, Bern did not issue an invitation.

Further summits hosted by other nations are tentatively envisaged.

Cassis said it was more a question of "when Russia will be on board" in the process rather than if.

As for China, he said it would not attend a summit without Russia at the table.

"It's difficult for China to participate at the moment", he said, adding that Beijing had hitherto "really helped give us a hand on this journey".

Cassis welcomed the possibility of parallel peace proceedings involving China and other states not coming to the Burgenstock summit.

"Anything that can be done to walk through that mindset would be beneficial, because the mindset might be different," he said.
The gripping two-part finale of Sullivan's Crossing delivered an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. Viewers experienced a wide spectrum of feelings, from sadness and elation to excitement and utter shock. True to form, showrunner Roma Roth, the queen of cliffhangers, left fans with a shocking and devastating ending that will surely leave them reeling through the hiatus.





The tension kicked off right from the start. Sully was wracked with guilt and worry over Lola, desperately trying to reach her but only getting her voicemail. Maggie sensed something was off with her father, but Sully was ashamed and afraid to reveal the truth about his role in Lolas accident. He was scared of losing Maggie again after just getting her back.





Sully confided in Frank during a walk, sharing his fears about confessing to Maggie. Frank wisely advised that making amends is about accountability, not forgiveness. Sully realized he must face the consequences of his actions head-on, a significant step in his personal growth, especially as he resisted the urge to escape his problems with alcohol.





Meanwhile, Maggie checked in on Cal and his sister. Cal invited Maggie to stay for breakfast, and she revealed her breakup with Andrew, which visibly relieved Cal. He told her about his plans to volunteer for Search and Rescue now that his Canadian residency has been approved, marking a fresh start for him. Cals motivation to help others is contagious, even inspiring Connie to pursue her happiness. Jacksons return added a delightful twist. His unique character brings a dynamic energy, and hopefully viewers will see much more of him next season. As Cal spoke to Connie about joining the Search and Rescue team, Connie opened up to him about her initial doubts about motherhood but how absolutely worth it it was, which left him feeling like he might be more suited for fatherhood than he realized.





Remorse - SULLIVANS CROSSING. Pictured: Morgan Kogan as Maggie Sullivan and Chad Michael Murray as Cal Jones. Photo: Bell Media 2024. All Rights Reserved.





In another subplot, Jane offered support to Rob at the diner. She provides the companionship and assistance that he so desperately needs. Life is hard to go through alone, and Jane is just what Rob needs to finally be happy. Jane's empathy and shared experiences with post-divorce life touched Rob deeply. Sydney's return home, deciding to put New York in her rear view mirror, signalled a fresh start for her and a potential future with Rafe, despite his initial reluctance due to past heartbreak.





The episode's climax centred around Sully's heartfelt confession to Maggie about his responsibility in Lolas accident. Scott Pattersons portrayal of Sullys vulnerability was top-notch, as he conveyed the fear and regret over what this revelation could cost him. Despite her shock, Maggie affirmed her love and pride for him and stated that she admired his courage in telling the truth. Maggie confronted a bitter Lola, who unjustly blamed Maggie for everything. Maggie tried to make Lola see Sullys true intentions, but Lolas selfish resentment clouded her judgment.





Determined to face the music, Sully insisted on turning himself in, but Maggie convinced him to let Cal handle the legal aspects. Cal's advice that pressing charges was up to Lola, offered a glimmer of hope. The episode took a dramatic turn when Lola revisited the accident scene, realizing it wasnt Sully who hit her after all. Shock and relief hit Sully all at once as he realized that the guilt he carried for so long was now behind him and he could finally be set free. Lolas realization also led her to apologize to Maggie for how she treated her, and she finally gave Maggie the note from Cal that she had intercepted. While reading the note aloud, Maggie realized that Cal came back to the Crossing for her.





Remorse - SULLIVANS CROSSING. Pictured: Morgan Kohan as Maggie Sullivan and Scott Patterson as Sully Sullivan. Photo: Bell Media 2024. All Rights Reserved.





The other main plot point of the finale was the Auction to sell the Crossing. As the auction loomed near, the community rallied together to try and save the Crossing from a greedy Glenn, who pulled his deal with Sully at the last minute, knowing it would be too late for Sully to come up with the cash he needed to purchase it on his own. The auction itself was intense. Maggie was stunned by the number of people who showed up, and Cal, as always, was her anchor, keeping her calm. Sully went to pick up a donation from an old friend and neighbour, Mary, played by the wonderful Jayne Eastwood. He needed her donation to stand a chance at winning the auction, but she was taking her sweet time, making him late for the auction.





As Maggie and Cal waited anxiously, Maggie stood up and made an impassioned final plea to those wanting to bid on the Crossing. She shared how important the land is to her family, emphasizing that it is more than a campgroundit is a home and a safe haven for the community. Her heartfelt speech resonated with the auction participants, who began handing Maggie their auction money as donations, recounting times when Sully was there for them. Glenn, however, remained firm in his quest to win the auction, embodying the greedy corporate figure who only cares about profit. Despite their efforts, the auction began without Sully and the crucial donation. Glenn outbid them at $200,000 before Sully arrived. However, he was short of the cash he needed for the deposit and sent his associate to the bank to get it.





Defeated, Maggie called Frank and Edna, urging Frank to go to the bank. Sully, disheartened, reflected on how he once rejected his father's wishes to take over the Crossing, only to realize later the value of building a legacy. In a clever stall tactic, Frank and Edna, carrying Finns jar of change, lined up in front of the man withdrawing Glenns money at the bank, successfully delaying him. This made Glenn unable to provide the deposit, which made Sully the winner of the auction. Sully was overcome with emotion as he realized he hadn't lost his home, and the monumental burden had finally been lifted from his shoulders. He sweetened the victory by offering Frank and Edna to be official partners at the Crossing.





A poignant moment unfolded as Sully, Cal, Maggie, Lola, Frank, and Edna prepared for the auction. Frank and Edna led the group in a smudge ceremony, an Indigenous tradition to cleanse the mind and soul by removing negative energy. The show has done a remarkable job incorporating Indigenous perspectives, reflecting the rich cultural fabric that is deeply woven into the essence of Canada.





Its a Wonderful Life - SULLIVANS CROSSING. Pictured: Chad Michael Murray as Cal Jones, Morgan Kohan as Maggie Sullivan, Scott Patterson as Sully Sullivan and Andrea Menard as Edna Cranebear. Photo: Bell Media 2024. All Rights Reserved.





Rob and Sydneys subplot offered a heartwarming respite as they navigated their relationship challenges, with Sydney urging Rob to seize his chance with Jane. Sydney finally confided in Rafe about what occurred in New York with David, opening the doors for the two to rekindle their relationship.





One of the best moments for viewers was a scene that had been a long time coming. Maggie arrived at Cals cabin, dressed up for the celebration party, and Cal told her she looked beautiful. As they were about to leave, Sedona called to say her minor surgery went well, which was a huge relief. Maggie then took a deep breath and told Cal that she is ready to take chances. She confessed that she wants to stay at the Crossing with him and, more importantly, that she is in love with him. Cal responded that he has loved her since the moment they met. They shared a passionate kiss, a moment that had been eagerly anticipated by fans. It was everything viewers hoped for and more, showcasing the deep connection and happiness they both deserve. Cal helps Maggie see the good in life, encouraging her to take risks and fight for her happiness. The culmination of their long-awaited confession was likely met with collective cheers from viewers across the country. The chemistry between them is palpable. It is rare to find a TV couple with so much organic chemistry and these two have it in spades. It will be exciting to see what happens with them as they embark on this new chapter together.





But if viewers thought the episode was going to end on that blissful note, they must not know Roma Roth, who loves to add in shocking twists that leave viewers reeling. The episode delivered a shocking cliffhanger that most certainly stunned fans. The Shandon's diner caught fire with Finn and Clover inside. As the flames engulfed the building, Sully and Cal rushed inside to save Finn, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats as Sully remained trapped inside. The episode closed with Maggie's desperate cries as the diner exploded, leaving Sullys fate in question. Maggies screams were heart wrenching and the moment was a knife to the heart, especially after Sully had finally been relieved of his burdens and made amends with his daughter. This cant be the end of Sully, can it?





Thankfully, the series was renewed for a third season this week, ensuring viewers will get the conclusion they deserve. Although the hiatus will leave fans in suspense, there is hope that this wont be the last we see of Sully. This finale wrapped up an incredible season filled with everything viewers love about the show: drama, genuine emotion, and relatable challenges that connect fans on a deeper level. Sullivans Crossing is special and comforting, a rarity in today's TV landscape. We definitely need more shows like it. Until season 3, Sullivans Crossing fans, I will throw it to you one last time. What did you think of the finale? What was going through your head as Cal and Maggie FINALLY came together? Do you think this is the end of Sully? Share your thoughts in the comments below and as always, you can engage with me on Twitter/X at @middleofcanada.
What else? Fashion Roundtable (FR), the think tank that sits as Secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ethics and Sustainability Impacts in Fashion, wants a greater commitment to British manufacturing, why for example arent we making our military and NHS uniforms in this country? Price is clearly a factor, but support our garment factories with stable and consistent orders (which these would provide) and the long-term employment and revenue opportunities are much stronger. We should be much prouder and louder about our manufacturing capabilities, the sector is small but mighty  we have factories in London creating couture-level pieces; Dior last week staged its Cruise show in Perthshire, employing Harris Tweed among other British brands to produce the collection. We must own, promote and invest in this skill.
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HARRI, the label best known its inflatable, latex creations  one of which was famously worn by Sam Smith for the Brits last year  entered chapter 4 of its brand history on Saturday morning, with an almighty performance at the Benjamin West Lecture Theatre in the Royal Academy of Arts. Filling the church-like lecture hall, Eurovision winner Nemo belted Switzerlands hit tune The Code as a white, latex monster-of-a-gown blew up like a marshmallow. This showcase took 6 pairs of hands, 300 seams and over 300 hours to produce, from conception to completion, the designer, whose full name is Harikrishnan Keezhathil Surendran Pillai, said. As per Dash Hudson, Harri won the week by way of stats, topping the brands with the highest Instagram engagement and highest Instagram follower growth. Whoa-oh-oh, etc.
The United States is deeply troubled by the continued arrests of members of Azerbaijani civil society, said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.

He commented at a press briefing after being questioned about the arrest of prominent Azerbaijani economic analyst and journalist Farid Mehralizade.

Mehralizade was detained by police on May 31 in connection with the governments spurious case against the independent anti-corruption news outlet AbzasMedia. Since November a half dozen journalists from AbzasMedia have been detained by authorities. Other journalists, including several from the online TV Channel Toplum, were arrested earlier this year in a renewed campaign of repression in Azerbaijan targeting independent voices, especially those exposing government corruption.

Ironically, both AbzasMedia, which now operates from outside Azerbaijan, and Farid Mehralizade say he was not employed by AbzasMedia but was one of hundreds of experts contacted by the outlet.

In the U.S. State Departments most recent human rights report, among significant human rights abuses in Azerbaijan, it lists serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including violence against journalists, unjustified arrests or prosecution of journalists, and enforcement of criminal defamation laws to limit expression.

State Department Spokesperson Miller said, Those who exercise their fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, should not face arrest for doing so. We continue to urge the Azerbaijani Government, he declared, to immediately release all individuals who are unjustly detained and to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all.
Founder Kyle Stewart, who has run the store with partner Jo Sindle since its inception, explains: We want to blur the boundaries between community hangout, brand activation space and contemporary multi-brand edit. We work with our east London neighbour Stranger Than Paradise, who look after our record store; they always deliver on vibes. Our friends at Teenage Engineering are behind our new sound system, too, so therell be a lot of satisfied ears. You know what to do
It would be criminal to pitch up at this beachfront property and fail to secure a sea view (around 80% of the rooms have one). There are 108 rooms, suites and villas, and sizing up is well worth it  theres nothing quite like peeling the curtains back (or rather, pressing a button that does it for you) and seeing the shimmering blue stretching out into the horizon. Most also have outdoor space, along with marble bathrooms (with deep tubs), and ergonomic work areas.
Sarah Ronan, director of the Early Education and Childcare Coalition, said: Labours commitment to increasing the number of places is the right one, however if you boost places you have to also boost staff numbers, so underpinning its plan for reform must be a new workforce strategy that will attract more people into the sector and see early years professionals receive the pay, conditions and respect they deserve.
Addressing how Harrys death had affected her, Mrs Charles said: My heart is as broken as it is ever going to get knowing that Harry was dying in agony in the ditch on the side of the road without professional help to treat and comfort him for such a long time.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4, she said: "In person he was very much the sort of figure that you would see on television: immediately likeable, genuinely funny, enthusiastic, he had this innate enthusiasm about life and he was always very generous with his time.
Meanwhile, US secretary of state Antony Blinken was returning to the Middle East as a proposed Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal hangs in the balance. With no firm response yet from Hamas to the proposal received 10 days ago, Mr Blinken was starting his eighth diplomatic mission to the region since the conflict began in October. He will meet Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo before travelling to Israel, Jordan and Qatar. While the US has praised the hostage rescue, the deaths of a large number of Palestinian civilians in the raid could complicate the ceasefire push.
The right time for defense leaders to talk is any time and every time, said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, after meeting with his Chinese counterpart Defense Minister Dong Jun in Singapore.

Theres no substitute for open lines of communication to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculations. As Ive always said, dialogue is not a reward; its a necessity.

The face-to-face talks between the military leaders took place on May 31 on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue defense forum. It was the first in-person meeting between top U.S. and Chinese defense chiefs in over 18 months.

Secretary Austin called the discussion frank and open. In a readout, the Pentagon noted, among other issues, Secretary Austin voiced concern about provocative actions taken by China against Taiwan in the aftermath of the election of Taiwans new president. Secretary Austin underscored U.S. commitment to its long-standing one China policy and reaffirmed the need for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Secretary Austin also emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea. He reiterated the United States determination to fly, sail, and operate responsibly wherever international law allows.

In discussing the meeting, Secretary Austin reiterated that every country large or small has the right to enjoy its own maritime resources and to freely sail and operate wherever international law allows.

We all share an interest in ensuring that the South China Sea remains open and free. Peace and stability across this region are crucial for the whole world, he said.

Defense Secretary Austin said, What were looking for  in our relationship with China is a relationship based upon competition. Were not looking for a contentious relationship, but  we really have to be clear about our expectations:

And the issues that we see that are very, very troubling. And if we have an open dialogue, we can address those issues in those channels.

Leaders of great powers, declared Secretary Austin, need to continue to work together to ensure that were doing things to reduce the opportunities for miscalculation and misunderstanding. And every conversation is not going to be a happy conversation. But it is important that we continue to talk to each other.
President Klaus Iohannis signed on Monday the decree on the accreditation of Daniela Mihaela Camarasan as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Croatia, with residence in Zagreb.

In February, the head of state accepted four proposals from the Foreign Ministry for appointments as ambassadors, including Daniela Mihaela Camarasan for Croatia.

Daniela Mihaela Camarasan is a representative with special duties, with the rank of general director, within the Headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the period 2019-2023, she served as Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Previously, she was the Romanian ambassador to the Republic of Estonia (2016-2019). She also held the position of cabinet director of the minister of Foreign Affairs (2012-2016), also working in the cabinet of the secretary of State for Strategic Affairs, for European Affairs, respectively, for Global Affairs (2009-2012). In the Foreign Service, she also worked as a diplomat in the Romanian embassy in the Republic of Lithuania. She speaks English and French.
AGERPRES special correspondent Florin Stefan reports: The groups of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats and that of the European People's Party will each obtain 11 mandates in Romania in the future community legislature, Renew will obtain two seats, and the Greens only one, informs the last projection of the European Parliament about the election results.

Practically, according to the last centralization carried out by the European Parliament at 14:30 local time (15:30 Romanian time), which takes into account the last report of the preliminary results by the Central Electoral Bureau in Romania, the PSD-PNL Alliance practically secures two thirds of the total number of seats allocated to Romania in the future legislative community.

According to the projection, S&D will have 11 MEPs in Romania, all of whom come from PSD. The European People's Party will in turn have 11 MEPs in Romania, of which eight from the PNL, one from the Popular Movement Party (one of the three forces in the United Right Alliance) and two from the Hungarian Democratic Union in Romania.

The Renew Europe group will have two MEPs, who come from the Save Romania Union, and the Greens/European Free Alliance group will also have a seat, after the independent candidate Nicolae Stefanuta managed to enter the EP.

Two other parties, AUR and SOS Romania, which will obtain five and two mandates, respectively, enter the "Others" category, as they are not yet affiliated to any political groups.

The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group also obtained a mandate in Romania, as Cristian Terhes, who opened the AUR list, is an affiliated member of this group.

As to the seats obtained by the groups at the general level of the EU, the EPP is credited by the latest EU projection with 186 seats, S&D with 134 seats, and Renew with 79 seats. The ECR would get 73 seats, the Identity and Democracy group 58 seats, and the Greens/ALE - 53 seats. The left would hold 36 seats, and the unaffiliated 44, while the candidates who appear in the "Other" category are 55.
The mission & philosophy guiding ITI Central School's educational approach are deeply rooted in fostering an environment where learning transcends traditional boundaries

exploration. School assemblies, physical training activities, and various extracurricular pursuits are carefully orchestrated to strike a balance between intellectual advancement and holistic development. Children are the most vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, hence we at ITI Central School implementing the school safety policy, collaborate and empower our children against abuse and exploitation, Shanthi N, Teacher, ITI Central School.Every facet of the curriculum is aligned with the principles outlined in the National Education Policy, ensuring a comprehensive educational experience that prepares students for the challenges of the modern world. Integrating sustainable development principles into education systems, aiming to equip future generations with the knowledge and skills needed to address global issues has become the need of the hour. It's not just an educational approach; it's an investment in a sustainable and resilient future, Kusuma S, Teacher, ITI Central School.One of the distinguishing features of ITI Central School is its commitment to integrating Indian heritage with global perspectives. Through unique celebrations of national and international festivals, students gain a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and global citizenship. Whether it's commemorating traditional Indian festivals or observing international days, the school's approach enriches students' worldviews and fosters a spirit of inclusivity.In the Aksharalaya section, tailored infrastructure and dedicated mentors provide a nurturing environment for early childhood education. Following the Montessori method and adhering to the National Curriculum Framework, young learners are encouraged to explore, inquire, and develop essential skills from the very beginning of their educational journey.Technological integration plays a pivotal role in enhancing learning experiences at ITI Central School. Smart boards adorn most classrooms, and a well-equipped cyber lab facilitates interactive learning. From incorporating multimedia resources to providing hands-on experience with the latest technologies, the school ensures that students are well-equipped for the digital age.Complementing its academic endeavors, ITI Central School boasts comprehensive infrastructure, including full-fledged science labs, a vast library, and extensive sports facilities. The school's commitment to providing a well-rounded learning environment extends to nurturing creativity, instilling essential life skills, and fostering originality in its students.ITI Central School boasts a rich tapestry of achievements, with its principal serving as a distinguished resource person and leading workshops for educators nationwide. Noteworthy triumphs include victories in prestigious national-level debates hosted by renowned TV personality Deepak Thimmaiah, securing top honors and runner-up titles. The school's prowess extends to Spell Bee, Kannada verb battles, and stellar performances in Olympiads, earning students numerous certificates and medals. Noteworthy achievements extend to sports, with students ranking among the nation's best in badminton and cricket.Looking forward, ITI Central School is poised to embrace the National Education Policy's guidelines and enhance its technological infra-structure. Collaborating with forward-thinking vendors, the institution aims to introduce cutting-edge solutions from kindergarten through 10th grade. Through these advancements, ITI Central School aims to remain at the forefront of educational excellence, nurturing well-rounded individuals equipped for the challenges of tomorrow.We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Silver Jubilee, marking 25 years since our establishment in 1999. Looking ahead, our vision extends to a grand Centenary celebration and aspiring to be recognized as one of India's premier institutions, transcending boundaries beyond Karnataka to earn national acclaim, concludes Shailaja Aradhya, Vice Principal, ITI Central School.
The Ministry of Finance is considering three options for granting a RON 300 deduction to minimum wage earners so that all 1.8 million of them will get it, Finance Minister Marcel Bolos told a conference on Monday on the 30th anniversary of the National Union of Romania's Insurers and Reinsurers (UNSAR).

"There are two cumulative conditions: earning the minimum wage and no more than RON 4,000 in gross wage. We are doing an analysis at the Ministry of Finance because it involves an additional budgetary impact for the national budget. Our interest is for the 1.8 million minimum wage earners to have the same type of deduction. That is, the RON 300 should be available as tax-exempt deduction for all the 1.8 million. We have taken into account three scenarios: RON 4,100, RON 4,200 and RON 4,300 and we will decide as soon as possible so that we may get a proposal that is sustainable and does not affect the benefits, the rights of the 1,800,000 beneficiaries. The deadline is July 1," said Bolos.

He added that in addition to the wage, employees are receiving a food allowance worth RON 600, which increases wage income from RON 3,700 to RON 4,300.
The Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) won all 21 seats in the Sfantu Gheorghe Local Council, with none of the other six political parties participating in Sunday's elections having obtained the necessary number of votes to pass the electoral threshold.

According to the results posted on the resultsvot.ro website, UDMR won the Sfantu Gheorghe Local Council with 78.84% of the votes, while the Social Democratic Party (PSD) reached 4.8%, the Save Romania Union (USR) 4.44%, the Alliance for Romanians' Union (AUR) 3.71%, the National Liberal Party (PNL) 3.28%, and the other two Hungarian parties, the Hungarian Alliance of Transylvania and the Hungarian Civic Force, under 3%.

"This means that for the first time in the last 100 years, it seems that there will be only councillors from the UDMR in the Sfantu Gheorghe local council," said Mayor Antal Arpad, who won his fifth mandate on the Union list, with 83% of the votes cast.

He added, during a press conference, that he will propose to the "democratic parties," namely PSD, PNL and USR to agree to form a consultative council, because he believes it is important to have an institutional dialogue with the representatives of the Romanian community in the municipality which represents more than 20% of the town population.

The chairman of USR Covasna, Dulanyi-Balogh Szilard, said in a press statement that he thanks the mayor for the offer, but will decline the invitation.

PSD Covasna Chairman Bogdan Barbu told AGERPRES that this is the second time in a row that the social democrats have failed to enter the Sfantu Gheorghe Local Council and believes that the situation should be reassessed.

In turn, PNL Covasna Chairman Olimpiu Floroian told AGERPRES that the low turnout of Romanians and their lack of unity led to this situation.

In the last four years, there has been only one Romanian councillor in the Sfsntu Gheorghe Local Council, Liviu Comaneci, elected on the PNL list.
National leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Marcel Ciolacu said on Monday that the PSD - National Liberal Party (PNL) alliance did win the Bucharest district 1 and district 2 mayoralties [where the score was very close - editor's note], adding that a coalition meeting is going to decide on the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Ciolacu was asked at the PSD headquarters when the party's candidate for the presidential elections will be selected.

"I don't know. Let me first see the final results and then definitely have a discussion with my colleagues. Today I will talk to Mr Ciuca. I spoke with Mr. Ciuca in the morning, we are going to have a coalition meeting. We won district 1 and district 2. Mr Tuta won and so did Mr Hopinca," said Ciolacu.

He added that the results of the European election show that the PSD-PNL alliance has received a strong signal from Romanians that they trust it.

"From my point of view, when an electoral alliance has 5 in front, it is a strong signal sent by Romanians that they trust this alliance. Truly there are all the prerequisites for creating a political alliance. But we will see the decision. (...) If we make a political alliance, that means that we have a joint candidate for the position of president and a joint ticket for the general election in December. (...) PSD has won the elections for the moment. It is very unlikely that PSD will give up a candidate, taking into account that it really won them," Ciolacu said.

He added that PSD will look at the June 9 local and European elections.
The president of UDMR (Democratic Union of Hungarians of Romania), Kelemen Hunor, on Monday told a press conference in Cluj-Napoca, that his party obtained the best results in elections in the last 20 years.

"We can state without exaggeration that since 2004 this is the best result that we got in all types of elections. This new success is a victory and it is the victory of our electorate in the first place, of our community. At the vote count of about 99%, as far as we have counted until now, we have 566,000 votes on the European Parliament lists, that means 6.5% and it certainly means two mandates in the European Parliament," said Kelemen Hunor.

He also mentioned that UDMR has approximately 200 mayors and four presidents of county councils.

"Besides these data, we have 200 mayors, 199 definitely elected mayors, and four presidents of county councils. There are 6-7 mayors who ran as independent candidates and were elected with our support, perhaps the most famous is the mayor from Targu Mures," Kelemen Hunor also said.
The incumbent mayor of Timisoara, Dominic Fritz, who won a new mandate in Sunday's elections, said on Monday that the decision of Save Romania Union (USR) Chairman Catalin Drula to convene a congress to elect a new party leadership is a correct one, and that he will assume a candidacy for the USR leadership at the next congress.

Fritz stressed that the biggest stake is for Romania to elect a right-wing president in September.

"As of today, the biggest stake is that in September, this country elects a right-wing president. There is no higher stakes than this and, in this sense, of course it hurts me to see that my own party, USR, got a score that does not match our ambitions, Romania's ambitions and the potential that the USR party and the United Right Alliance have. That is why I believe that the decision of my chairman, Catalin Drula, to convene a congress to elect a new leadership of the party is an assumed and correct one," Dominic Fritz told a press conference.

He said he would not run for any state office this year.

"I am sure that together with him and all my colleagues in the party we will find the best formula to move forward. I say very clearly: I will not run for any state office this year, but neither can I sit passively in a very difficult situation for USR, a party I believe in, with many people I trust, a party I am convinced Romania needs. That is why, after Catalin Drula called me today and told me that he wants to retire from the leadership, I will assume a candidacy for the USR party chairmanship at the next congress," Fritz pointed out.

The mayor explained, however, that he was elected mayor of Timisoara, "the greatest honour of his life," and will stay in Timisoara.

"I am a mayor and I will remain a mayor, I will not go anywhere, but I cannot ignore the fact that yesterday, in Timisoara, I sent a signal that it is possible to fight with this colossus, and that is why I cannot close my eyes to the fact that we, Timisoara citizens, have a responsibility and maybe even a vocation to be co-responsible for the national fate. I believe that the future of Romania will only be good when we have a future in which the cities and regions of Romania will have something to say again, a true decentralisation in Romania," said Dominic Fritz.
RICHMOND HEIGHTS  Though it was mounted along a well-trod walkway outside the emergency room, St. Marys Hospital officials had forgotten about the weathered plaque and the metal box encased in the wall behind it.

Finally someone took note of the sign and its message and called the hospital presidents office to ask: Are you going to open the time capsule this year?

So on Monday, before a group of elected officials, hospital staff and television cameras, SSM Health archives manager Scott Grimwood opened the metal container and removed dozens of artifacts.

Some were emblematic of the time they were stowed, December 1974. A candy stripers hat, for instance, complete with bobby pins. A copy of The Washington Post with the lead headline: Nixon Resigns, and a Memorex reel audio tape of an interview for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, which stopped printing in 1986.

But the capsule was packed with evidence of life at the hospital, and the contents ranged from the commonplace to the bizarre.

Some items were unremarkable: a set of crutch tips, a single latex glove, an electrocardiogram readout, a hypodermic needle (without a syringe), a plastic oxygen mask, a coronary catheter.

Others raised questions. There was a range of medical scans, which the archivists would need help identifying. There was a film reel of unknown contents and a sealed, stamped envelope addressed from an apartment in Richmond Heights to a house in Des Peres. A letter was visible inside, but the envelope was unopened.

There was also a mercury thermometer (grateful that thing didnt break, Grimwood said) and a single capsule of medication.

A pill. Not sure what the pill is. But it is a pill, Grimwood said.

The box contained a yellow prayer card for health care workers, which read in part: Lord I praise and thank You for the gift of another day. I wish to live this day in the conscious awareness of Your great love for me and to inspire this love and others in my ministry to the sick.

And the box contained seemingly endless paperwork, from lab order charts to insurance forms (in triplicate), to a pay slip and multiple patient questionnaires.

I cant believe how many basic forms they put in, Grimwood said.

There was a moment of alarm when Grimwood extracted a small canister with a yellow radioactive tag wrapped around it.

Anybody from radiology in here? Grimwood asked. Im going to leave that in the box. Can you call radiology for me?

Grimwood said the small canister likely contains a tracer for medical scans, and is harmless.

A few minutes later, Grimwood pulled out an IV fluid bag with a visible trace of dried, brown liquid inside. It was unclear how or why it ended up in the box, but by the end of the event, the common belief was that it contained a medication.

That was surprising, said hospital President Steven Scott.
ST. LOUIS  Employees of 17 CBD Kratom stores in the metro area voted to unionize over the past week.

According to a news release, the 50 workers will join the United Food and Commercial Workers, which has more than 15,000 cannabis industry workers members nationwide.

Fourteen of the stores are on the Missouri side of the metro area and will be represented by UFCW Local 655. Three in Illinois will be represented by UFCW Local 881.

We are grateful to see that these workers were able to make their own decision about organizing without interference from the company that chose not to run an anti-union campaign, and we look forward to helping them bargain their first union contract, David Cook, the Local 655 president, said in a statement.

CBD Kratoms chief operating officer, Jason Brandi, said the company cares about its workers and respects their legal rights to unionize.

We look forward to working with the UFCW to negotiate a union contract that meets the needs of our employees and our business, Brandi said in a statement.

The union said about three-fourths of eligible employees took part in the vote. Of those, 79% were in favor.

Meanwhile, employees at BeLeaf Medicals Sinse Cannabis cultivation site in St. Louis are battling with their employer over unionization. In a months-long dispute, BeLeaf argues that workers are agricultural workers, not manufacturing workers, and therefore arent protected by the National Labor Relations Act.

This case is currently in front of the National Labor Relations Board.

Editors note: This story was updated Monday at 2:00 p.m. to correct that CBD Kratom stores are not licensed dispensaries.
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EQS-Ad-hoc: ParTec AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous/Legal Matter

ParTec AG: ParTec AG files patent infringement suit against Microsoft Corporation in Texas, USA, with its licensing agent BF exaQC AG



10-Jun-2024 / 18:03 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Publication of inside information pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 ParTec AG files patent infringement suit against Microsoft Corporation in Texas, USA, with its licensing agent BF exaQC AG Munich, June 10, 2024 - ParTec AG (ISIN: DE000A3E5A34 / WKN: A3E5A3) and its licensing agent BF exaQC AG today filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the US against Microsoft Corporation. The core of the legal dispute is the infringement of ParTec patents relating to the dynamic modular system architecture (dMSA) that ParTec developed and uses worldwide in the construction of powerful leading-edge AI-supercomputers. The lawsuit seeks, among other things, an injunction against the use of the patented technology as well as license fees and compensation for damages.



End of Inside Information

Information and Explanation of the Issuer to this announcement:



Explanatory part: ParTec AG and BF exaQC AG hold a total of approximately 150 patents and patent applications worldwide. One of the most important patents is ParTecs dMSA patent, US Patent 10,142,156. The dynamic Modular System Architecture (dMSA) approach is a unique selling point of ParTec AG. It has proven itself in particular for the complex requirements of massive computing power in artificial intelligence such as AI training and inference and is fundamental for the dynamic interaction of CPUs and GPUs and other processors in supercomputers. The importance of ParTec AGs patents is demonstrated by their use in world-leading, modern European supercomputers such as Leonardo in Bologna, JUWELS and JUPITER in Julich or Meluxina in Luxembourg, all of which were built on the basis of dMSA and are internationally regarded as pioneering. In addition, ParTec AG is already in negotiations with a well-known American chip manufacturer for the licensing of patents, as well as in contact with US authorities for use in the worlds largest exaFlop Supercomputer under construction. In the past ParTec also licensed the patents in a deal worth millions in Europe for the construction of modular supercomputers. "Microsoft is infringing our intellectual property with its wave of AI supercomputers as part of their cloud computing platform Azure. We have therefore decided to file a lawsuit in Texas, USA," explains Bernhard Frohwitter, CEO of ParTec AG and BF exaQC AG. Leading US law firm Susman Godfrey L.L.P. is representing the ParTec and BF exaQC in this litigation, led by partner Justin Nelson. About ParTec AG: ParTec AG specializes in the development and manufacture of modular High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems and Quantum Computers (QC) as well as accompanying system software. Its offering also includes consulting and support services in all areas of the development, construction, and operation of these advanced systems. The dynamic Modular System Architecture (dMSA) paradigm is the result of more than ten years of research and has been developed by ParTec as a novel system design for massively parallel high-computing systems. The dMSA and its enabling ParaStation Modulo Software Suite, developed and maintained by ParTec, have proven particularly successful for the complex requirements of massive computing power in AI. Further information on the company and ParTec AGs innovative solutions in the field of high-performance computing and quantum computing can be found at www.par-tec.com. Investor Relations Manager edicto GmbH Dr Sonke Knop / Doron Kaufmann partec@edicto.de +496990550551 Contact for press inquiries: E-mail: press@par-tec.com, Phone: +4915122675393 10-Jun-2024 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


SMNYC 2024: Streaming Learning Center's Jan Ozer Talks AI, Codecs, and Patent Pools

At Streaming Media NYC 2024, Tim Siglin, Founding Executive Director, Help Me Stream Research Foundation, and Contributing Editor, Streaming Media, interviews Jan Ozer, Owner, Streaming Learning Center. Ozer discusses how the Streaming Learning Center has expanded into a platform offering courses on streaming-related topics to help technical people in the industry become familiar with terms, technologies, best practices, and tools. He also talks about machine learning, the shift towards Neural Programming Units (NPUs), and the legal and financial implications of choosing a codec due to potential patent infringements.

What is the Streaming Learning Center?

Siglin asks Ozer to describe the Streaming Learning Center and what it does.

Ozer says that Streaming Learning Center is a blog he started around 13 years ago that contained articles about compression, codecs, and encoding. Then, about five years ago, it began to offer courses in streaming-related topics. It just helps technical people coming into the industry get familiar with all the terms and technologies and best practices and tools that they need to use to become conversant and effective in their roles, either on the user side or on the builder side, he says. So those are my two targets.

What is the impact of AI on codecs?

Siglin says, From a builder standpoint, obviously, quite a bit has changed in the last couple of years. For instance, machine learning, which some people call AI, has become more popular, at least from a buzzword standpoint. What's your take on that?

Ozer says that while machine learning and AI have exploded into the public consciousness since ChatGPT came out, companies that have been in the business for a while, such as Harmonic and Vizioner, have been writing about and using machine learning in their codecs since as early as 2016. So I think it has been a big part of codec development for a while, primarily in content adaptive technology, he says. So the ability to gauge a technology and estimate what bitrate would be necessary to encode it effectively and then [to] only use that bit rate.

Siglin asks, So how has it progressed from that 2016 timeframe to now?

Its hard for me to say, Ozer replies. The one thing I discovered is that it's impossible to separate the efficiency delivered by AI from the efficiency delivered by other techniques. So everybody's going to say machine learning, or AI, or generative in their spec sheets, but you're never going to be able to tell, is it 5%? Is it 10%? I spoke at a panel on NAB, and I told people to ignore when they see an encoder with AI. If you're evaluating it, evaluate it like any other encoder and gauge its overall effectiveness, not what contribution AI has overall.

Siglin says, We've got workflows that have machine learning, but are we seeing a similar scenario where new codecs will say, Look, we've got AI, therefore we're better, or is it strictly AI and the workflow?

The whole thing that stops codec deployment is the decode side, Ozer says. And there's a huge preference for hardware decode in mobile. There's a necessity for hardware decode in the living room, where all premium content is really targeted. So that's where all the money goes. And it's very challenging to change traditional codecs in a way that makes them incompatible with those decoders. There's a company called Deep Render, and they're building their codec to be decoded on NPUs (Neural Programming Units). And those have been shipping in edge devices since 2015 or 2016. It's interesting because those are general purpose devices, and you can use them for any machine learning, any type of AI on [the] unwinding that you need. It feels like the move is going to be toward them, as opposed to codec-specific silicon. It may be that VVC or even HEVC could be the last dedicated silicon decode-based codec, and we could be moving towards NPUs. A big part of the recent Apple announcement with the M4 chip was 18 TOPS or 36 TOPS NPU unit on the chip. And that can more than handle decode for any of the new codecs that are coming out that are AI-based.

The legal and financial implications of 2024 codec patent pools

Siglin asks, Where do we stand in the patent pool space at this point? On the encoding side especially.

We are at a huge inflection point, Ozer says. Avanti came out with Avanti video pool that is charging royalties based on content. So it's not encoder, it's not decoder, it's encoded bitstreams. There was a recent case in Germany, Broadcom versus Netflix, where the court found Netflix violated Broadcom's patents because they, not encoded, not decoded, but transmitted HEVC encoded Bitstreams within Germany, which is content. So it's content royalties. There's a suit in California where Nokia is suing Amazon for H.264 and H.265 bitstreams, not where they're encoded, not where they decode. And so we've got three or four sources of law that are going to say if you're encoding in a specific format, you're liable to the patent owners for some fee as yet undetermined. So, I think if you look at codec adoption in 2024, I could be the only person who cares about this. Everybody I speak to is either unaware of it or doesn't think it's going to be significant. But I really think before I adopted codecs in 2003, back then you needed to be a codec expert to choose a new one. And even in 2013, or 2018, or 2019, you needed to be a codec expert. Now you need to be a legal expert, a chief financial officer, because you've got to evaluate all these pools and all these lawsuits, and it helps if you know a little bit about encoding.

Siglin says, So to the extent that we've mastered encoding as an industry, what we've not mastered is the financial implications of how we choose to encode and the potential legal ramifications.

Exactly, Ozer says.

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Robots weld bodyshells of cars at a workshop of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Li Auto Inc. in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

China's commerce ministry has called on China and the European Union to handle economic and trade frictions properly through dialogue and consultation, advocate win-win cooperation and welcome healthy competition.

Efforts should be made to accommodate the legitimate concerns of both sides and avoid the escalation of trade frictions, the ministry said.

It has held symposiums with Chinese-funded enterprises and business associations in countries such as Spain, Portugal and Greece. Some business representatives have expressed concerns that the EU has been continuously suppressing Chinese enterprises on the grounds of so-called fair competition.

Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao said that accusations of "unfair competition" against China are groundless, and that fair competition is the consensus of all countries and the cornerstone of international exchange, and it cannot be defined by a few countries.

True fair competition means striving to improve oneself, rather than tripping up others. It should be open, cooperative, equal and mutually beneficial, rather than exclusive. It also means following rules that have international consensus, rather than breaking or tampering with them at will, he said.

China advocates win-win cooperation, but it neither evades nor fears competition. It welcomes healthy competition, and opposes vicious competition designed to contain and suppress, Wang said.

In response to concerns over the EU's anti-subsidy investigation of Chinese electric vehicles, which has affected cooperation between Chinese auto companies and their European counterparts, Wang said that the right way for the two sides to get along is to expand cooperation and achieve win-win results amid healthy competition. He made the comments during a recent visit to a joint venture between China's Chery Automobile and Spain's Ebro-EV Motors in Barcelona, Spain.

He expressed the hope that the European side will abandon trade protectionism and return to the correct path of dialogue and cooperation.

He also said that he hopes the enterprises involved in the joint venture will overcome their difficulties to make their work an important project of economic and trade cooperation between China and Spain, and between China and Europe.
ELKO  Elko County commissioners have agreed to hire an architectural firm to develop plans for an expansion of the Elko County jail  an addition that commissioners said last year would come before a courthouse expansion when they were prioritizing projects.

This particular firm was recommended through the Sheriffs and Chiefs Association, Elko County Manager Amanda Osborne said. She told commissioners after talking with the firm, the next step was to get a proposal from them.

Commissioners agreed to hire Elevatus Architects for $25,000 for the first phase of planning and conceptual design, but didnt act on a recommendation from the Budget Committee in the June 5 agenda to set aside up to $5 million in the Facility Capital Fund for the jail expansion.

Elevatus is headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and specializes in jail and prison expansion projects.

We need more direct observation for a medical area, and were at capacity because we have to have so many people in single cells, Undersheriff Justin Ames said on Monday.

He said the jails official capacity is 211 inmates, but is at roughly 150 because inmates on mental health holds, inmates who have behavioral issues or are violent must be housed in single cells. The jail has been damaged more than once during inmate outbursts.

We have a lot of behavior issues, Ames said by phone.

Osborne said in an email one of the main objectives of the expansion will be a medical unit that is better suited for our contract medical staff to provide services, which will allow better utilization of our current space.

In addition, there will be consideration for additional administrative office space, she said.

Osborne said the architectural firm the county hired will help determine space needs, conceptual design and estimate the cost of the addition.

Commissioner Rex Steninger told commissioners on June 5 he asked the Budget Committee why a local firm was not recommended, and I was told we need a jail specialist.

Chairman Wilde Brough said, however, he still wants to see local firms hired and more money stay in Elko County. He cast the lone vote against hiring Elevatus.

Is this a logical expansion? Is it a new wing? asked Commissioner Travis Gerber.

Osborne said the project will be a new wing to the current jail, which was built with later expansions in mind. Elko County Jail underwent a major expansion at its Silver Street location in 2016, according to Free Press archives.

In its proposal to the county, Elevatus wrote that the company would develop a schematic plan and costing exercise for a medical/mental health housing pod in Elko County and accompanying renovation of existing space to connect to the new pod.

Elevatus said phase one would include planning, programming and conceptual design, including reviewing existing conditions, programming of spaces, meetings to understand flow and adjacencies, developing conceptual floor plans, developing conceptual site plan, written narratives, developing 3D views and delivering a presentation with a conceptual level cost estimate.

The second phase, if the county later approves that stage, would include design development, refining the exterior facade, floor plans, ceiling plans and select building accessories, provide interior finish options and develop mechanical, electrical and plumbing designs.

The second phase also would include resolving any building code challenges, assembling preliminary project specifications and providing an updated cost estimate, as well as construction documents, bidding assistance and construction contract administration.

Every effort will be made to save the county money by utilizing teleconferencing, digital communications, etc. However, when travel is required, Elevatus will work with the county for a more detailed professional services contract, the company stated in its proposal.

The $25,000 for the first phase will include one trip to Elko, the company wrote.

Elko County commissioners agreed months ago that a jail expansion was needed before the proposed judicial complex project, but they are still looking at the judicial complex.

They hired the architects who proposed the $87.57 million construction and renovation project for the courthouse and a new judicial building, Idaho-based Hummel Architects, for $11,300 in mid-May to come back with a scaled-down proposal.
A soldier assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade takes part in the Freedom Shield exercise in South Korea, March 19, 2023. (Josephus Tudtud/U.S. Army)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  A command sergeant major who died last month in South Korea is being remembered as a loyal friend and a second father.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremy Sims, who served as the senior enlisted soldier for the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigades operations department for nearly two years, was discovered dead in his home May 20, brigade spokeswoman Capt. Courtney Johnson said in a statement emailed Monday.

The death is under investigation; however, foul play is not suspected, she said.

Brigade commander Col. Kevin Stonerook described Sims as a steadfast leader, dedicated soldier, and loyal friend.

He mentored countless junior [noncommissioned officers] and soldiers, and his presence will be profoundly missed by everyone in this unit, Stonerook said in the statement. Sims was a second father to me during our time together, said Cpl. Jae Loux.

Witnessing him impact lives both professionally and personally exemplified how great senior leaders can influence young soldiers and NCOs through actions rather than words, he said in the statement. His work and life stand as a testament to his mentors, peers, and the future path forward.

Sims is survived by his wife, Harmony Sims, and three children, military news website Task and Purpose reported Wednesday.

He served more than 19 years, including deployments in support of Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, according

to an article he authored in April 2023 for Military History Online. He held a bachelors in management from Colorado University and certificates from the Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.

The artillery brigade reports to Eighth Army and is based at Osan Air Base, about 30 miles south of Seoul. It maintains Patriot surface-to-air missiles and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system.
Petty Office 2nd Class Nadia Chapel, an aircraft handler on the USS Ronald Reagan, directs an F/A-18F Super Hornet during a Valiant Shield drill in the Philippine Sea, June 9, 2024. (Daniel Providakes/U.S. Navy)

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  The USS Ronald Reagan took center stage among eight warships in the Philippine Sea as the U.S. military commenced Valiant Shield, nearly two weeks of drills that included Japan for the first time.

The biennial exercise, in its 10th iteration since 2006, began Friday and ends June 18. It brings together all six arms of the U.S. military for drills on or near Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and Palau.

The Japan Air and Maritime Self-Defense Forces are participating for the first time and are expected to bring about 4,000 troops, eight vessels and 60 aircraft into play, a Japanese government spokesperson told Stars and Stripes in May. Some Japanese government spokespeople are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

Training includes maritime interdiction, counter-air operations, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and command and control, according to Navy Lt. Cmdr. Haider Mullick, one of the exercises directors.

Numerous U.S., allied and partner nations ships and aircraft are involved in this years Valiant Shield, Mullick said by email Friday without going into details. Instead, he directed Stars and Stripes to imagery and news releases on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service website.

The Ronald Reagan, which left Yokosuka Naval Base on May 16 for the final time ahead of being relieved by the USS George Washington, led a flotilla Friday in the Philippine Sea that included the command ship USS Blue Ridge, the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls and the guided-missile destroyers USS Higgins and USS Rafael Peralta.

They were joined by the Japanese helicopter destroyer JS Izumo, guided-missile destroyer JS Haguro and the attack submarine JS Taigei, according to a Sunday news release from the Ronald Reagan posted to DVIDS.

An EA-18G Growler lands on the USS Ronald Reagan during a Valiant Shield drill in the Philippine Sea, June 7, 2024. (Keyly Santizo/U.S. Navy)

F-18 Super Hornet, F-22 Raptor and F-16 Falcon fighter jets, B-1 Lancer heavy bombers, an RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft and a KC-46 Pegasus tanker from the U.S. flew in formation over the warships with Mitsubishi F-2 fighters and F-15 Eagles from the Air Self-Defense Force.

In the South China Sea on Friday, the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt led its own formation alongside the French frigate FS Bretagne, Canadian frigate HMCS Montreal, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry and the guided-missile destroyers USS Russell, USS Daniel Inouye and USS Halsey, according to a Sunday post from the Theodore Roosevelt on DVIDS.

Valiant Shield aims to build real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces by detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, in space, on land, and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas, Mullick said.

This years exercise comes less than a month after China wrapped its own, smaller-scale exercise around Taiwan: Joint Sword 2024A. Beijing launched the exercise in retaliation of Taiwan independence separatist forces seeking independence, according to a statement from Chinas Eastern Theater Command.

Joint Sword began May 23, three days after Taiwan inaugurated President Lai Ching-Te. In his inauguration speech, Lai called on China to face the reality of [Taiwans] existence, respect the choices of the people of Taiwan.

China views Taiwan, a functional democracy, as a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

The last Valiant Shield exercise, in 2022, brought together a similar set of participants, including more than 200 aircraft and around 13,000 personnel. It culminated with the live-fire destruction of a decommissioned frigate, the USS Vandergrift.

As the 2022 exercise concluded, a group of seven Russian ships that included frigates and destroyers were tracked 112 miles off Japans coast. Four Chinese ships were also spotted in waters around Japan a week prior.
Ed Godfrey, of Paulsboro, N.J. and Carmella Smith, of West Oak Lane in Philadelphia, dance together during ballroom dance lessons for the blind and visually impaired at Grace Episcopal Church in Haddonfield, N.J. The church provides the space for the program, which is sponsored by the Haddonfield Lions Club and nonprofit Dance Haddonfield in New Jersey, as part of its community ministry. (Monica Herndon, The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)

It may have been an ordinary Wednesday night everywhere else in the Delaware Valley. But on one dance floor in Haddonfield, N.J., disco fever was alive and well.

One-two-three-four and circle! called out instructor Gene LaPierre, as 10 pairs of dancers twirled to the 1970s dance classic The Hustle.

Carmella Smith of West Oak Lane in Philadelphia was one of the newbies, but youd never guess. Beaming, moving with the beat, Smith looked more like a diva than a dance floor debut.

This is the first time Ive done something like this, Smith said. Ive always wanted to learn to dance but I never had the opportunity. I was tired of being the wallflower.

That night, her white cane stayed on the sidelines.

Smith, 61, was the newest addition to a program created to bring the joys of ballroom dancing to the blind and visually impaired. Sponsored by the Haddonfield Lions Club and nonprofit Dance Haddonfield, the free class meets on Wednesday evenings at Grace Episcopal Church in Haddonfield.

The church provides the space as part of its community ministry. LaPierre, who is founder of Ballroom Dancing for a Better U, a program for special needs dancers, and the LaPierre Dance Studio in Glassboro, N.J., donates his teaching time, too. A few other dance instructors also do so, and a cadre of volunteers picks up the dancers and drives them home to various points in South Jersey and the Philadelphia area so transportation isnt a barrier for those participating.

Besides the Hustle, the class covers the waltz, the foxtrot, the bachata, the meringue, the rumba and others.

Instructor LaPierre said the lessons arent so different from those for sighted students.

When people learn how to ballroom dance, everybodys starting from scratch. Its not something that your body does naturally, LaPierre said.

We start off as a circle and move together so everybody can feel the direction of the others, he said. Then from there, we break off into partners. They switch partners, too, to build the camaraderie of the class.

Sometimes, LaPierre will dance with a student so they get to experience how a movement is supposed to feel. Sure, a blind person cant see a step being demonstrated, but LaPierre has found sighted people can have their own hiccups.

Even when we teach [sighted students], sometimes I tell people to close their eyes, he said. Especially someone following has to follow their partner. Its sometimes better for people who are sighted to close their eyes so they are following vs. trying to anticipate.

The ballroom program is the brainchild of Joe Murphy, a founder of Dance Haddonfield and a Lions Club member. Now 75, Murphy took dance classes in 1998 and fell in love with dancing, especially ballroom.

Im an introvert, Murphy said. With ballroom dancing, its always one-on-one. Its always structured. You know what youre going to do. And you always have something in common with the person youre dancing with because theyre interested in dance. So it works out very nicely.

As an active member of the Lions, which supports vision-related causes, Murphy said the ballroom class seemed like a natural fit to him. The first 10-week session was in spring 2023. Since then, there have been two more, with a fourth coming in the fall. Murphys hope is that other organizations replicate the idea so even more people can enjoy it.

A couple of dancers

Eugene Strickland, 64, one of the dancers, hopes they do, too.

There are a lot of us out there who would love to have the opportunity to get out and do this, said Strickland, an employee of Bestwork Industries for the Blind in Cherry Hill, N.J.

Strickland is legally blind now, but hes been an avid dancer since his younger, sighted days. In fact, he met his wife, Eleasa, at a party at Villanova University in 1979. They danced three songs together, and then went their separate ways.

Strickland went to the party because his sister, Sonia, then a Villanova freshman, promised to introduce him to a friend. Eleasa, as it turned out, was at the party to meet the sibling of a matchmaking friend.

After her three dances with the handsome stranger, Eleasa sought out her girlfriend and asked her where her brother was.

You were just dancing with him, Stricklands sister said.

Over the years, the couple continued to dance  quite the duo, two-stepping at family functions and other events  but ballroom felt like something magical Strickland just saw on TV. He never learned it.

Now his wife, who is sighted, would like to learn the dances, too. Then they can trip that light fantastic together.

I cant see the person Im dancing with, but I hold her hand and I have my hand on her back and were moving together with the music, he said.

Canes cast aside

Patti Cole, 65, of Haddonfield, now gets around with a white cane; her vision has steadily declined since being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa over 20 years ago. She hasnt let that hold her back. Retired now from a career in sales, she moved to San Francisco for three years to enjoy a new city and a new grandchild before coming back to South Jersey.

When a friend told her about the ballroom class, she decided to give it a go.

Its a nice way to move. Its exercise. And nobody takes themselves seriously, so you get some laughs, Cole said.

The ballroom classes have held happy surprises for her fellow dancers as well.

Since I was a little girl, I always liked dancing, said Maria Hernandez, 59, but I have had very bad eyesight since I was born. Nobody would ever teach me the dance steps.

Orlando and Maria Hernandez, from Camden, N.J., dance together during ballroom dance lessons for the blind and visually impaired at Grace Episcopal Church in Haddonfield, N.J. Maria is blind in both eyes, but her husband Orlando is sighted. (Monica Herndon, The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)

When she was younger, she danced to Latin music with friends and once even went to a club. When she and husband Orlando were wed, they danced to Ed Sheerans Perfect. But when she heard about the ballroom dance classes, she jumped at the chance even though she is now blind in both eyes. She didnt think Orlando, 72, and more of a homebody than she is, could come since hes sighted. But it turned out he wanted to.

My husband got jealous because I didnt invite him at first, she said.

Now the Camden couple go to the classes together every Wednesday. And Hernandez said they may start going to Dance Haddonfields ballroom dance Sunday sessions, too.

I can dance better than I walk

Lorraine Carter, 66, has been dancing since she was 2, but, I never took classes. I just watched what was going on around me and I picked it real easily. And I always like music and the beat.

But about 10 years ago, Carter lost her vision to diabetic retinopathy. Since then, shes had balance problems and has fallen several times. But, like her Bestwork coworkers Hernandez and Strickland, she decided to sign up for the ballroom classes anyway.

The way I adapted to these dance classes, I was totally amazed. Its something that opened my eyes, said Carter, a Collingdale, Pa., resident. Every now and then, I might get off balance, but I pretty much keep up. I tell people in a joking way, I can dance better than I walk.

When the class was over, volunteers escorted the dancers to their rides home. Carter and Smith left the parish hall ballroom with the aid of their canes and a volunteer.

Your carriage awaits, ladies, the helper said.

That evening, the carriage was a white Lexus. Smith and Carter stowed their canes and hopped in, grinning. Theyd be back a week later to dance the night away.
World War II veteran Ceo Bauer attends a D-Day commemoration event in Carentan, France, on June 2, 2024. The Michigan native, who is 101 years old, served with the 95th Infantry Division and helped liberate the French city of Metz from German occupation. With the youngest veterans of the war approaching 100, commemorations in Normandy this year were an opportunity to pass the living memory of the period on to younger generations. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Dozens of World War II veterans, hundreds of active-duty service members and members of the public marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France.

Parades, memorials, military demonstrations and more were held throughout the region during the main commemorative period, June 1-9.

Below is a selection of memorable moments from the week captured by Stars and Stripes.

Vintage military vehicles drive along the beach in Normandy, June 6, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Vintage military vehicles drive along the beach in Normandy, June 6, 2024. Hundreds of World War II vehicles from Europe and the United States were brought to France to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

A soldier with the 101st Airborne Division participates in an air assault demonstration in Carentan, France, June 2, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Helicopters supporting the 101st Airborne Division fly over Carentan, France, on June 2, 2024, as part of D-Day commemoration events. The 101st Airborne Division conducted an air assault demonstration in Normandy. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

A soldier with the 101st Airborne Division participates in an air assault demonstration in Carentan, France, June 2, 2024. Paratroopers assigned to the division liberated the town and provided vital support to the Allies beach landing on D-Day. However, in subsequent years, the 101st shifted its focus to air assault missions, meaning its soldiers no longer parachute. This year, for the first time, the division demonstrated its current air assault capabilities in Normandy to mark D-Day.

The U.S. Army Parachute Team, known as the Golden Knights, participates in D-Day commemoration events in Normandy on June 2, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

The U.S. Army Parachute Team, known as the Golden Knights, participates in D-Day commemoration events in Normandy on June 2, 2024. Paratroopers were vital to the success of the D-Day invasion, on June 6, 1944, which brought together the land, air and sea forces of the allied militaries and remains the largest amphibious invasion in military history. Various parachuting events marked this years anniversary celebrations.

The grave of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. at the Normandy American Cemetery. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

The grave of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. at the Normandy American Cemetery. Roosevelt, the eldest son of the 26th president of the United States, directed troops a Utah Beach during the Normandy landings. About a month later, he died of a heart attack in France. He was awarded the Medal of Honor.

An effigy of Pvt. John Steele hangs from the village church in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, June 3, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

An effigy of Pvt. John Steele hangs from the village church in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, June 3, 2024. Steeles parachute got entangled on the church during his landing on D-Day. He is said to have hung for about two hours before German forces captured him. He later escaped and went on to fight for the rest of the war.

From left, Mark Milley, retired general and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, NATO supreme allied commander in Europe Gen. Christopher Cavoli and Susan Eisenhower in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, Monday, June 3, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Mark Milley, retired general and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, NATO supreme allied commander in Europe Gen. Christopher Cavoli and Susan Eisenhower help unveil a statue of Dwight D. Eisenhower in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, Monday, June 3, 2024. President Eisenhower ordered the D-Day invasion of France on June 6, 1944.

French troops practice on Omaha Beach June 4, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

French troops practice an amphibious assault on Omaha Beach June 4, 2024, ahead of an international ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

A couple dressed in 1940s attire walk through the streets of Arromanches-les-Bains, France, June 7, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

A couple dressed in 1940s attire walk through the streets of Arromanches-les-Bains, France, June 7, 2024. Vintage clothing and music are a hallmark of D-Day anniversary celebrations in Normandy.

People gather on the beach at Arromanches-les-Bains, France on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

World War II military vehicles line up on the beach at Arromanches-les-Bains, France, June 4, 2024. Arromanches was at the center of the Gold Beach landing zone, where British troops arrived on D-Day. It is to the east of the American landing beaches of Utah and Omaha.

American soldiers with the 75th Ranger Regiment participate in a ceremony at Pointe du Hoc on the Norman coast, June 5, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

American soldiers with the 75th Ranger Regiment participate in a ceremony at Pointe du Hoc on the Norman coast, June 5, 2024. On D-Day, soldiers assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion were tasked with ascending the steep cliff walls at Pointe du Hoc to destroy German positions on top.

Soldiers with the 529th Military Police Company (Honor Guard) wait to perform a 21-gun salute at Normandy American Cemetery, June 6, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Soldiers with the 529th Military Police Company (Honor Guard) wait to perform a 21-gun salute with cannons during a D-Day memorial ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery, June 6, 2024. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke at the event, during which the later awarded 11 American veterans the Legion of Honor, the highest national decoration in France.

Military ships seen in the English Channel from Normandy American Cemetery on June 6, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Military ships seen in the English Channel from Normandy American Cemetery on June 6, 2024, during a ceremony to mark D-Day. The cemetery holds roughly 9,400 graves and sits on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach, where many Americans lost their lives on June 6, 1944, as they stormed the shore in the face of heavy German fire.

Army veteran Karl D. Kammer is projected onto a screen as he enters the D-Day ceremony grounds at Normandy American Cemetery, June 6, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Army veteran Karl D. Kammer is projected onto a screen as he enters the D-Day ceremony grounds at Normandy American Cemetery, June 6, 2024. Kammer served as a Technical Fourth Grade with the 16th Armored Division and was sent to Europe in 1945, shortly before Germany surrendered.

American World War II veterans participated in a range of events in Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. It is likely to be the last major D-Day commemoration with large numbers of veterans in attendance, due to the advanced age of the estimated 16.4 million Americans who served in the war and are still alive.

Fireworks in Arromanches-les-Bains, France, June 6, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

A firework show is held in Arromanches-les-Bains, France, to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 2024.
This pool image distributed by Sputnik agency shows Russia President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un shaking hands during their meeting at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russias Amur region on Sept. 13, 2023. (Vladimir Smirnov, Pool Photo, AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit North Korea and Vietnam soon, taking rare trips to Moscows traditional security partners as he seeks help for his grinding war on Ukraine.

Vedomosti reported Monday on these two trips that it said would take place in the coming weeks, citing a diplomat it did not identify. The Russian newspaper did not give firm dates for the visits. It also cited Russias ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora as saying the trip is now being actively prepared.

Putins trip to North Korea would be his first since July 2000. It is set to stoke concerns from the U.S. and its allies of arms transfers that have helped the Kremlin in its assault on Ukraine in exchange for aid propping up Kim Jong Uns regime.

The timing of the visit could be crucial for Putin. 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.

Putin accepted an invitation to visit Pyongyang when Kim Jong Un went to Russia for a summit in September. The two met at Russias Vostochny Cosmodrome space center in the Amur region.

During their meeting in Russia, Putin pledged to help Kim with his goal of placing multiple spy satellites into orbit to keep an eye on U.S. troops in the region. He later gifted Kim a Russian-made luxury limousine in a show of bonhomie between the two leaders whose cooperation has vexed Washington and its global partners.

The U.S., South Korea and others have accused North Korea of sending massive amounts of artillery shells to Putin as well as Pyongyangs newest family of short-range nuclear-capable ballistic missiles that are easy to hide and quick to deploy.

The value of the artillery alone is likely several billion dollars and the aid from Russia could represent the biggest boost to North Koreas economy since Kim took power about a dozen years ago.

Moscow and Pyongyang have denied the arms transfers accusations despite a multitude of satellite photos released by research groups and the U.S. government showing the flow of weapons from North Korea to Russia and then to munitions dumps near the border with Ukraine.

The stakes will probably be lower for a Putin visit to Vietnam. He last went there in 2017, when the nation hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in the coastal city of Danang.

Vietnam and Russia have ties going back decades to the Soviet Union. Moscow was a major supplier of military aid to Vietnam during its war with the U.S. The Southeast Asian nation has since relied on Russia for military weapons, including aircraft and Kilo-class, diesel-powered submarines.

Relations between the Vietnam and Russia have stayed robust, with Moscow also a key stakeholder in Vietnams energy sector. Vietsovpetro, a joint venture between Vietnam and Russia, runs one of the Southeast Asian countrys largest oil fields in Bach Ho, which has been in operation for about four decades.

With assistance from John Boudreau and Philip J. Heijmans.

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Visit bloomberg.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A fire from an oil refinery in Novoshakhtinsk, Rostov Region, Russia, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released June 6, 2024. (Video obtained by Reuters)

Ukraines military on Monday claimed responsibility for an attack on a refinery last week in southern Russia and said the damage done cost the Russian oil industry more than half a billion dollars in lost production.

A statement issued by the militarys General Staff said it was responsible for the June 5 attack on the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in the Rostov-on-Don region.

According to intelligence reports, as a result of the strike, the invaders lost 1.5 million metric tons of oil and petroleum products, which amounts to about $540 million, the statement said.

It said attacks on oil refineries significantly complicate the enemy forces ability to carry out their missions.

Rostov governor Vasily Golubev, quoted by Interfax news agency, said last week that operations at Novoshakhtinsk suffered significant disruptions after a fire following a drone attack.

Reuters quoted sources as saying that the plant suspended operations after the attack, one of numerous Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries that have disrupted output.
Joint terminal attack controllers from Slovenia, Latvia and Austria prepare to call for fire during an exercise in Slovenia, in 2021. A majority of Americans and western Europeans want a push for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine, according to a poll released this month by the Institute for Global Affairs. (Paolo Bovo/U.S. Army)

STUTTGART, Germany  A majority of Americans and western Europeans want allies to push for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine while shifting the bulk of the security burden on the Continent from the United States to Europe, according to a new poll.

The survey, released this month by the Institute for Global Affairs at the Eurasia Group, sought the views of 3,360 Americans and those residing in Europes three most powerful countries: the United Kingdom Germany and France.

The findings are somewhat at odds with U.S. President Joe Bidens position, which has centered on the idea that its up to Ukraine to determine how the conflict ends.

The data reveal people are attentive to the risks of escalation and compassionate toward Ukrainians plight, but they are less insistent than their political leaders who assert this war must be fought for the cause of democracy itself or to fully repel Russia to its pre-invasion borders, the Eurasia Group survey said in a summary of the findings.

Fewer than one in five of those polled said the West should not seek to influence Ukraine in its war.

People want Western governments to encourage a negotiated settlement primarily because of the human toll, the report said.

Those polled were asked to select from a series of reasons for or against a negotiated end to the war. The tallies added up to more than 100% because respondents were allowed to select up to two answers.

Reasons to push for a deal included the high casualty numbers, fears that the West lacks the industrial capacity to protect itself while also supplying Ukraine, and acceptance of an imperfect victory while Kyiv still has some leverage.

A French soldier trains with U.S. Marines during an exercise in France in 2022. A majority of Americans and western Europeans said the bulk of the security burden in Europe should be carried by European nations, according to a poll released this month by the Institute for Global Affairs at the Eurasia Group. (Christopher Doughty/U.S. Marine Corps)

In the United States, such reasons for ending the war accounted for 94% of the responses in favor of a negotiated end to the conflict, compared with 88% in Europe.

Among those who oppose pushing for immediate negotiations, some answered that Russia must be further weakened militarily before talks or that the decision is up to Ukraine.

In the U.S., 34% held such views. And 6% opposed negotiations because they consider Russias territorial claims in Ukraine legitimate. Such opinions roughly lined up with those of western Europeans polled.

Meanwhile, there was agreement on both sides of the Atlantic that the time has come for Europe to shoulder a larger share of the security burden on the Continent. Majorities in all four countries surveyed thought Europe should be primarily responsible for its own defense, the Eurasia Group report said.

The most popular position within each of the four countries surveyed is that Europe should seek to preserve U.S. security guarantees through NATO but otherwise take primary responsibility for its own defense, the report said.

Only 13% in France, 8% in the United Kingdom and 7% in Germany said the American military should be the main security provider on the Continent. Americans were more inclined to favor the idea of being the military heavyweight in Europe, with 18% of those polled supporting the idea.

Still, years of underinvestment in defense has raised questions about whether U.S. allies in Europe are up to the task of defending the Continent in the event of conflict with Russia. That could explain why a plurality of people in the three European countries polled favored the status quo when it comes to maintaining the American troop presence in Europe.

But if changes were to be made, more people on both sides of the Atlantic favor a reduction of troop levels than those advocating a larger presence.

In the United States, 43% favored either cutting the number of American forces or getting them out of Europe altogether, a slightly larger percentage than was found in France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Only 11% of Americans wanted to increase current troop numbers.

The survey was done between April 8 and April 15 and had a margin of error of 1.8 percentage points.
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. (U.S. Central Command)

Humanitarian groups said they were struggling to deliver aid in Gaza amid looting of their vehicles and the disruption caused by Israeli military operations in the Strip, including a surprise raid in the Nuseirat refugee camp Saturday that led to the rescue of four hostages but which Palestinians said killed hundreds of people.

The World Food Program said Sunday that it had paused operations on a U.S.-backed pier in Gaza after the raid in Nuseirat in central Gaza and would not resume until after the United Nations conducted a security assessment. We are reassessing the safety aspects of where we should be and what this means for us, WFP chief Cindy McCain said in an interview with The Washington Post. It made things a lot more dangerous.  The crowd is already hungry. Theyre desperate. And then to have something like this occur?

A Pentagon spokesman, Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, repeated denials from the U.S. military Monday that it had anything to do with Saturdays Israeli operation. U.S. commanders intend to continue delivering humanitarian aid over the pier on Gazas coastline as sea states allow, he said.

The pier was reattached to the coastline Friday after a mishap in which heavy seas caused at least $22 million in damage to the structure. More than a million pounds of aid flowed over it Saturday, but operations were curtailed again Sunday and Monday because of further heavy sea conditions, Ryder said.

McCain said that WFP operations had already been very hard in Rafah, where Israeli military operations over recent weeks had led to the intermittent closing of routes, which caused delays that enabled looting by Palestinians. [WFP trucks] are looted because its so difficult to get along, McCain said.

Getting aid into Gaza remains very difficult, said Scott Anderson, deputy director of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which aids Palestinians. Once inside the territory, distribution is also chaotic, he told The Post. There are thefts during the trip from the Kerem Shalom crossing to the warehouses, he said.

While aid groups are generally able to reach central Gaza, where much of the population displaced from Rafah is now living, the number of people there makes transport difficult. Everybody is so densely packed that its hard to move, he said.

UNRWA is focused on trying to get aid in and taking care of people in our shelters, which house roughly half the displaced population, he said. There is also a push to start some schooling for children in shelters, even if it is limited to an hour per day, just something to give the kids a sense of routine and engage their minds again.

The concerns about aid came as Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with leaders on Monday to discuss the U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi in Cairo. Speaking with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Blinken commended Israels readiness to conclude a deal and affirmed that the onus is on Hamas to accept, according to a readout.

After Israel, Blinken will visit Jordan and Qatar, where he will have to address the ire of Arab nations regarding the operation on Saturday during which Israeli troops rescued four hostages in Gaza and caused the deaths of at least 274 Palestinians.

The visit to Israel comes amid upheaval within the government. Benny Gantzs departure Sunday from the war cabinet threatens Netanyahus hold on power and adds to domestic political pressure on him to accept a cease-fire proposal that seeks to bring back hostages. There are 120 hostages still inside the Gaza Strip, though at least a third are believed to be dead, according to the Israeli military.

In Israel, thousands of protesters have been taking to the streets for weeks, led by hostages families and supporters who fear time is running out for their loved ones who remain in Gaza. One protest group called on Blinken and President Joe Biden to seal the deal, saying Netanyahu is undermining the arrangement.

In a broadcast Sunday night, Gantz lambasted Netanyahu for his empty promises of total victory, instead of focusing on a hostage deal, working on a day-after plan for Gaza and taking action against Lebanons Hezbollah in the north.

Netanyahu posted a response on X as Gantz was still speaking, warning of a fractured government. Israel is in an existential war on several fronts, he wrote. Benny, this is not the time to abandon the war  this is the time to join forces.

Heres what to know:

 The U.N. Security Council approved, in a 14-0 vote, a U.S.-sponsored resolution to support the American-backed cease-fire plan for Gaza. Russia abstained. It throws council support behind a three-phase proposal beginning with a six-week cease-fire that would include the release of all women, children, elderly and wounded hostages; and Israeli force withdrawal from populated areas. It aims to later lead into a permanent cessation of violence, complete troop withdrawal, the return of all hostages and steps toward a two-state solution. Hamas in a statement welcomed what was included in the U.N. resolution regarding a permanent cease-fire, and said it was ready to cooperate with mediators.

 The Israeli police posted helmet-camera footage of what it said was the military rescue of three hostages from Gaza on Saturday. The footage shows several armed soldiers storming a residence, shooting guns and using flashlights to locate three hostages huddled in a dimly lit room.

 The director general of Israels Foreign Ministry held a reprimand conversation with the Slovenian ambassador to Israel on Monday, according to Israeli spokesperson Oren Marmorstein. The conversation came after Slovenias recognition of a Palestinian state, which Marmorstein said Israeli officials consider to be a warped decision that does not promote peace.

 Al Jazeera denied the Israeli Defense Ministrys claim that a Palestinian journalist involved in the hostage-taking had worked for the channel. It said Abdullah al-Jamal, in whose home three hostages were found, had never worked for Al Jazeera and had only contributed to an op-ed in 2019. Its statement said that these allegations are a continuation of the process of slander and misinformation aimed at harming Al Jazeeras reputation, professionalism, and independence.

 At least 37,124 people have been killed and 84,712 injured in Gaza since the war started, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says the majority of the dead are women and children. Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamass Oct. 7 attack, including more than 300 soldiers, and it says 287 soldiers have been killed since the launch of its military operations in Gaza.

John Hudson and Lior Soroka contributed to this report.
Benny Gantz on June 9, 2024. (Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg)

Benny Gantzs resignation from Israels war cabinet appears dramatic from afar but is unlikely to alter the course of the conflict in Gaza or influence other key policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Gantz, a leader of the opposition and former military chief of staff, joined the emergency forum eight months ago after the deadly invasion by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, which triggered the ongoing conflict. As part of a three-person cabinet  alongside Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant  he had a seat at the table that would dictate the course of the response.

But his influence has appeared to diminish in recent times, and his departure reflects his frustration over that. He had said he would resign if Netanyahu didnt agree to a list of demands he issued last month, none of which were met.

On the big decisions  normalization with Saudi Arabia, day-after options in Gaza, negotiations around hostages  Netanyahu is calling the shots and you wont see a change, said Yohanan Plesner, a former parliamentarian whos president of the Israel Democracy Institute, a center-left think tank.

Show of unity

In the early weeks of the war, the trio made a show of unity, dressing alike in black and holding news conferences together. That hasnt happened in a long time, a reflection of their rivalries and differences.

No decision has yet been made about what will replace the war cabinet, aides to Netanyahu say. The likelihood is that some informal version of it will remain, with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Shas party leader Aryeh Deri playing prominent roles.

Far-right party leader Itamar Ben Gvir, part of Netanyahus ruling coalition and aggressively pro-war, said Sunday he should be added to the cabinet in Gantzs place. Thats unlikely to be agreed, as Netanyahu is known to dislike him and to consider his positions too extreme.

Gantz reiterated a call for new elections upon his departure but he cant force them to take place. Only if Netanyahu loses his majority  his coalition controls 64 out of 120 seats in parliament  will a vote occur before its scheduled occurrence in 2026.

For the past year, Gantz, 65, has polled ahead of Netanyahu as the favorite for the next prime minister partly because the Oct. 7 attack was such a security failure. Many in Israel are tired of Netanyahu, 74, the countrys longest-serving premier whos under indictment for bribery and fraud.

But Gantzs lead has been slipping and some polls show Netanyahu ahead, with some Israelis angry at Gantz appearing to play politics at a time of war.

Anna Barsky, a political analyst for the centrist Maariv newspaper, said the landscape has shifted during the war and Gantz may no longer be welcomed with such open arms by those against Netanyahu. He will have to tussle with other opposition politicians - notably Yair Lapid and Avigdor Liberman  for a leadership role.

US confidant

Gantz had been acting as a kind of confidant of the U.S. government, which has been pushing the Israeli cabinet to adopt more moderate policies regarding Gaza, such as protecting civilians, and agree to a cease-fire.

More than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel retaliated against the Hamas attacks, according to authorities in Hamas-run Gaza, who dont distinguish between fighters and civilians. Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and European Union, killed about 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7 and abducted 250 others.

Most analysts argue that U.S. President Joe Biden and his lieutenants will continue to get their message to Netanyahu without Gantz as a conduit. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due in Israel on Monday to meet with the prime minister. He is expected to meet with Gantz on Tuesday, according a senior State Department official.

One of Blinkens main goals is to persuade both Israel and Hamas to accept a cease-fire that would enable the exchange of hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners, allow much more aid to be delivered to the enclave and possibly bring about an end to the fighting. Thats a prerequisite for diplomatic progress with Hezbollah, another Iran-backed group thats been trading fire with Israel across the Lebanese border.

Other U.S. ambitions for the region include a formal diplomatic relationship between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which would then act as a bulwark against Iran and its military proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

Netanyahu is in favor of such a deal but argues that Israel must first dismantle Hamas as a military and political entity, both in revenge for and to avoid a repeat of Oct. 7. Hamas wants a cease-fire deal only if it includes a guarantee that Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza and war will end.

On Saturday, Israeli forces rescued four hostages held in central Gaza, lifting Israeli spirits, though it came at a high human cost  some 270 Palestinians were killed in the daytime raid, according to Hamas health authorities. Hamas issued a statement saying the operation killed three other hostages, but Israeli officials deny that.

With assistance from Iain Marlow and Gina Turner.
Victim was thrown from her set after Clarke Adeyinka drove into bus lane

A careless driver has been banned from the roads after an elderly woman broke her back in an accident.

Clarke Adeyinka (29) was driving in his Nissan Note on the Upper Newtownards Road in Belfast in September 2021 when he turned into a bus lane and collided with an Ulsterbus, Laganside Magistrates Court was told.

CCTV from inside the vehicle showing the 70-year-old victim being thrown from her seat was played to District Judge Amanda Henderson.

Clarke Adeyinka

Dashcam footage from a vehicle passing the accident was also shown in court.

After a contested hearing last month in which he insisted he didnt see the bus, Adeyinka lodged an appeal.

A prosecution lawyer told the latest hearing: (The) evidence shows the defendants driving did cause the incident.

He failed to take precautions and failed to check the bus lane.

The victim is a 70-year-old woman who sustained fractures to her spine and spent five days in hospital.

The driving is careless and causes injury and serious harm. He pulled into the path of a bus that was almost on him.

This is a classic case of careless driving, and it has resulted in the victim being flung from her seat, which is very unfortunate.

The defendant has indicated that he is very shocked and accepts that this is very serious harm caused. Sadly, there is very little detail about the further effect on the victim.

Adeyinka was banned for a year but is appealing his sentence

Giving evidence in the witness box, softly spoken Adeyinka, who wore a suit and gold-rimmed spectacles, was asked to speak up by District Judge Henderson.

The defendant told the court: I had been down that road before, but not frequently.

I think we were going to some shops, I remember it vaguely.

I was looking out for the turn and knew it would be the next left.

I looked, indicated and looked again but didnt see the bus.

I thought the lane was free (because) I couldnt see anything.

I didnt realise there was a vehicle until I heard the horn of the bus. It must have been in my blind spot.

I was shocked when I saw the footage.

Sentencing him, District Judge Henderson told the court she had no questions about who was to blame for the accident.

She added: I have no doubt this is careless driving, and there is no doubt that if it were not for the defendants actions, this would not have happened.

She banned Adeyinka from the roads for a year and fined him 200 for a single count of careless driving.

Following his conviction, he exercised his right to appeal against both his conviction and sentence. This means the driving ban has been lifted pending the outcome of the appeal.

Adeyinka, from Meadow Way in Lisburn, is a roller derby enthusiast and is listed on social media as a member of the Belfast City Rockets team, which folded in 2018.
Recommendation for Brian Gale for commissioner



Editor:

When I was a boy, the Smith Brothers OX ranch was located 20 miles south of us on the dirt road.

When World II started, Bert Smith enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. His younger brother Paul (seven years younger) enlisted in the U.S. Army.

They both served in the Pacific Theatre of operations.

When they got home, their money sent home to Bert Smith's wife, Amelia, enabled them to buy that ranch.

Members of the Nevada Cattlemen's Association will recognize Bert Smith as attending those meetings every year. One NCA president referred to Bert Smith as "The Old War Horse." Bert was always there to defend the Constitution of the United States of America and make sure NCA policies were in line with what was right. Having known Bert Smith all of my life I can testify that he personally spent a lot of time and money to educate people on the U.S. Constitution.

Brian Gale is from Washington State. He met Julie Ann Smith (Paul Smith's second daughter) when she was working in the area where he lived. Brian's first wife was Becky. Brian and Becky had two children, DeMar and Ruth. Unfortunately, Becky died from cancer. After marrying Julie Ann Smith, they moved to Ruby Valley on the Smith Brothers OX Ranch. That was a little over 18 years ago. Due to DeMar's leadership and hard work at Wells High School, he received a congressional appointment to West Point. DeMar entered West Point in 2016 and graduated with his commission in 2020, including his Silver Saber.

Having known Brian Gale for over 18 years I can tell you he is well educated with a degree in manufacturing engineering and then "The School of Hard Knocks."

Brian is one person who thinks for himself and is not easily swayed to go along with the crowd if he thinks it will not be in line with our U.S. Constitution. For this reason, I think he would fit in well with Rex Steninger, Travis Gerber, Delmo Andreozzi and Jon Karr. You can bet Brian will be zealous in defending the Constitution like Bert and Paul Smith did.

John E. Neff

Ruby Valley
Jessica Cooling (32) had been upset over the care of the victims children when she attacked her

A mother of one punched her brothers ex-girlfriend on the forehead when she came across the woman working in a deli and saw red over a domestic issue, a court heard.

Jessica Cooling (32) had been upset over the care of the victims children when she lost the head and attacked her.

Judge John Hughes acknowledged there was an extraordinary and sad set of circumstances behind the case and applied the Probation Act, sparing her a criminal record.

Cooling, of Old Church Crescent, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to assault.

Dublin District Court heard the incident took place at a Londis shop in Bawnogue, on April 4 last year.

Garda Charles McPartland said the victim was working at the shop at 11.45am when Cooling approached and began verbally abusing her.

She proceeded around the counter and assaulted the woman, punching her once to the forehead. She continued to abuse the victim before leaving the shop.

The woman suffered no lasting injury and did not make a victim-impact statement.

The court heard the motive was domestically related and the victim was the ex-partner of Coolings brother. Cooling had no previous convictions.

The accused did not seek out the victim but she saw her working with a care-free attitude in the shop, defence barrister Luke OHiggins said.

She saw red, she knows she shouldnt have done it, Mr OHiggins said.

He accepted it was not a nice incident for people to witness but asked the judge to look at the background context of what happened.

The accused had got to this point without putting so much as a foot wrong, Mr OHiggins said.

She made a mistake and shes putting her hands up.

Judge Hughes said Cooling, a single mother, had a lot on her plate and dismissed the charge under the Probation Act.
Clearly, steroids are associated with this type of behaviour

One of the worlds strongest men  who left a man with multiple skull fractures in a road rage attack  has been jailed for 14 months.

Jailing Sean Eamon OHagan and ordering the 34-year-old to spend an additional 14 months under supervised licence conditions, Judge Patrick Lynch KC said OHagan was fortunate indeed not to be facing even more serious charges.

Commenting that he had experienced too many times people being killed in similar one-punch attacks, the judge said OHagan was a large and very powerful man who not only knew his own strength but also revelled in it, given that he competes in international strongman challenges.

All of that should have indicated to you that you have to be careful in terms of your own strength, said Judge Lynch, to attack a 52-year-old man who is virtually half your size is beyond the comprehension of this court.

His head seemingly above the height of the bulletproof glass surrounding the dock, OHagan towered above the two female prison officers who stood either side of him and he appeared somewhat confused about what sentence he had been given until the officers guided him to the cells.

Half an hour after that OHagan, who recently told the Sunday World that he was not a monster, appeared in the dock downstairs in the Magistrates Court where he was handed a seven-month jail sentence for domestic assault and child cruelty.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan ordered that sentence to be served concurrently as the Crown Court case.

Sean OHagan taking part in a competition

In that case OHagan, from Church View Way in Laurencetown, Co Down, entered guilty pleas to causing grievous bodily harm and attempted criminal arising from an incident on July 21 2021, while in the petty sessions case, the man mountain entered guilty pleas to child cruelty, common assault andthe persistent, improper use of a telecommunication network on August 28 last year.

Earlier this month speaking exclusively to Sunday World, OHagan complained that he had been trolled and harassed since pleading guilty to the charges and claimed his mental health was suffering.

My life is a mess at the minute, I am being harassed, I have people outside my house at night, my car was destroyed and I am being trolled on the internet.

People think I am some kind of monster and I am not, I will prove that, he said.

In relation to the road rage case, prosecuting counsel Ian Tannahill told the court how OHagan had been tailgating the victims car but when they slowed down to let him past, he pulled in so quickly he clipped the front of their car.

The victim spotted OHagans Audi pulling into the Bluestone Business Park in Craigavon but when he got out and tried to take a photograph of the registration, OHagan ran towards him, pushed him to the ground, wrestled his mobile from him and flung it some distance into an adjoining yard.

Shouting and swearing and calling the victims wife a f***ing stupid c***, OHagan was captured on CCTV punching the victim once to the head in a blow so forceful it put him flat on his back.

Playing the four-minute video for the court, Mr Tannahill said the single blow caused fractures to his cheek bone, eye socket and the base of his skull.

Conceding that its a nasty incident, defence counsel Seamus Lannon said the more he got into strongman competitions, the more he got into steroids and clearly, steroids are associated with this type of behaviour.

Half an hour after he was sentenced in the Crown Court OHagan was back in the dock again, this time in the Magistrates Court where District Judge Michael Ranagh heard that on August 28 last year, OHagan pushed the victim while she was holding her one-year-old son and the pair they fell over, leaving both abraded and bruised.

OHagan followed those assaults up with sending a multiplicity of messages to the victim on social media but the contents of those messages were not opened in court.

OHagan, from Loughbrickland, is just under 7 feet tall and is considered to be the tallest of the worlds active and competing strongmen.
Ive rang 20 or 30 different ones, and no ones interested because of the position Im in.

Irene White was stabbed to death at her home in Dundalk, Co Louth, in 2005

A killer described as the middle man in the murder of Dundalk woman Irene White almost 20 years ago has told a court he has been unable to advance an appeal against his conviction because he cannot find a solicitor willing to represent him.

Niall Power (51), with an address at Giles Quay, Riverstown, Dundalk, Co Louth had pleaded guilty to the murder of the 43-year-old at her home at Ice House, Demesne Road, Dundalk, Co Louth on April 6, 2005. He was sentenced to life in prison in July 2019.

Power - who described himself to gardai as "the middle man" in arranging the murder of Ms White - was the second man to be given a life sentence for murdering the mother of three 19 years ago.

The man who actually stabbed Ms White to death, Anthony Lambe (41), of Annadrumman, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, was jailed for life in January 2018 after he pleaded guilty to murder.

Power handed himself in to gardai the day after the knife attacker had been sentenced to life for the same crime.

Both men said they were acting under the instructions of another individual.

Power plans to appeal his conviction for the murder.

However at the Court of Appeal today, he told court president Mr Justice George Birmingham that he has been unable to secure a solicitor to represent him.

Ive tried, no one will take me on, he said. Ive rang 20 or 30 different ones, and no ones interested because of the position Im in.

Speaking as he managed a dormant review list of cases, Mr Justice Birmingham said many of the solicitors on the legal aid panel are very anxious for work.

What can I do? Im in prison, my hands are tied here, Power replied.

Mr Justice Birmingham said he would put the matter back for a number of months and told Power that he will either have to find a solicitor in that time period or say things have come to an end.

Power said there had already been a two-and-a-half year period during which time he had been unable to secure representation.

I cant personally force a solicitor to take me on. If I cant get one what am I supposed to do?, said Power.

Adjourning the matter to December 6, Mr Justice Birmingham reiterated that there were hundreds of solicitors available on the legal aid panel.
The incident had a significant effect on Mr Maye, who had run the pub for 31 years, but has since sold the business, Maddie Grant BL, prosecuting, told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

A man pulled a realistic imitation firearm on a publican in a row over Covid restrictions, leading to the closure of an iconic Dublin pub, a court has heard.

George Murray (55) later admitted he frightened the life out of the poor man when he pulled the realistic imitation Glock handgun on Tom Maye in Maye's Public House on December 16, 2020 and told him he was going to blow (his) f*cking head off.

The incident had a significant effect on Mr Maye, who had run the pub for 31 years, but has since sold the business, Maddie Grant BL, prosecuting, told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today.

The iconic pub on the corner of Dorset Street and Frederick Street North was best known for its big Guinness clock sign.

Murray, with an address at Granby Centre, Granby Row, Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a realistic imitation firearm with the intention to make a threat to kill at the Dublin pub. He was jailed for four years.

Murray has been in and out of custody on other matters since this incident and has been in the Central Mental Hospital since last August, the court heard. He has 57 previous convictions.

Detective Sergeant Eoin Treacy told the court that at around 3pm on the day in question, Murray and another man entered the pub, which was operating a door bell system at the time. Covid restrictions were in place, and pubs could only operate as off-licences for take-away customers at that time, the court heard.

Mr Maye (70), the proprietor of the pub, was working behind the counter on the day in question and he told Murray and his companion that the pub was not open for drinking in. Murray left before returning a minute or so later, with some cans in his hand.

He told Mr Maye he was going to sit there for the hour with his drinks. Mr Maye repeatedly told Murray to leave, during which time a customer came into the shop looking to buy cigarettes.

Murray then told Mr Maye: I'll blow your f*cking head off, before he produced the imitation Glock from the waistband of his trousers. Mr Maye dived behind the counter while the other customer ran out the door, the court heard.

Murray then left the pub, tucked the gun back into his waistband and started walking down the street. Mr Maye pushed a panic button and gardai arrived within three minutes, the court heard. Murray was quickly spotted and armed gardai pulled their weapons on him before arresting him and confiscating the firearm.

The street was busy with people at the time, the court heard.

CCTV footage of the incident was played in court, while a victim impact statement from Mr Maye was handed in, but not read out.

James Dwyer SC, defending, said Murray had a lengthy history of schizoaffective disorder and polysubstance abuse, which started in his early teens. He has been in and out of mental health care over the last few years, the court heard.

His previous convictions include theft, burglary, criminal damage and harassment offences. He said Murray later told gardai he was just angry and had no intention of killing anyone. The replica gun was a pellet gun, the court heard.

Sentencing Murray today, Judge Pauline Codd commended the gardai for their bravery, noting they had no idea they were dealing with a replica gun.

She noted the incident had a serious effect on Mr Maye, whose sleep and wellbeing was affected in the wake of the incident. His family were also very upset on his behalf, the judge said. None of them had any interest in continuing the business and this led to the closure of the business he ran for 30 years.

The judge took into account Murray's psychiatric history. She set a headline sentence of seven years but reduced this to four years. She backdated it to last November.

Murray put his thumbs up and said fair play to the judge.
Phones are even more lucrative than drugs behind bars and the officers were very aware of the tensions on the wing

Bank robber Dwayne Stacey was stabbed, two prison officers were assaulted and six prisoners had to be transferred out of the Midlands prison after a turf-war on D-wing erupted in violence.

A series of clashes took place on the prison wing over two days last week which is being linked to a row between rival gangs vying for control of the jails phone- smuggling racket.

The flow of contraband phones into the prison was formerly controlled by associates of Limerick gangster Christopher Smokie Costello.

But the killer, who is serving life for the murder of gang boss Kieran Keane in 2003, was transferred to Shelton Abbey Open Prison last month leaving a power vacuum on D-wing, sources said.

There was a lot of tension on D-wing in the days leading up to what happened on Friday and Saturday of last week.

Christopher Smokie Costello

You had the lads from Dublin facing off against the country lads to see who would take control of the phones, a source said.

Phones are even more lucrative than drugs behind bars and the officers were very aware of the tensions on the wing. An amnesty had been offered for inmates before this all kicked off to turn in any weapons but that was probably a vain enough hope in the circumstances.

On the Friday, there were a few scraps on the landings and in the yard. But the real damage happened on Saturday. Dwayne Stacey was out in the exercise yard when a group attacked him and he was stabbed badly.

The weapon was seized afterwards and it wasnt a shiv in the normal sense  it looked like something that had been put together in the shop.

It was a sword more than a shiv.

When the officers saw what was happening, they rushed in to intervene. They probably saved Staceys life but it came at a cost to them.

One of the officers was attacked with a piece of wood and another was kicked in the head. Stacey was rushed to hospital after his attackers were restrained and the two officers also had to be treated in hospital.

In the wake of the attack on Stacey and assaults on the officers, its understood a total of six inmates were booted off D-wing and transferred to other prisons.

Two inmates were transferred to Mountjoy, two to Limerick and two to Portlaoise.

The source said the attack on Stacey may have been carried out because he was an opportunistic target and an associate of the Dublin gang.

Stacey, of Windmill Park, Crumlin, received a 32-month sentence last month for the attempted robbery of a security guard at a cash-in-transit van.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard gardai were called after a man on an e-scooter, later identified as Stacey, approached a Brinks van on Thomas Street, Dublin on November 18, 2023 and attempted to take a cash box.

He used an imitation firearm as he tried to make off with money from the town branch of Permanent TSB.

He was handed a nine-year jail sentence for the crime when the matter came before the court in 2015, with the final two years suspended.

Stacey has 17 previous convictions, including for assault and robbery.

The source said it is likely unrest will continue until one group or another controls the phone racket.
Suspect in cartel killing tried to have contraband brought into jail in a crisp packet

A gangster accused of murdering Gerry The Monk Hutchs nephew was at the centre of a bid to smuggle drugs into the prison where he is being held.

An attempt was made to pass tablets to Thomas Nicky McConnell, who is locked up in the high-security Portlaoise Prison, during a visit.

The suspected contraband was left in a food wrapper  believed to be a crisp packet  in a visiting room waste basket, but was spotted by officers before it could be collected, according to Sunday World sources.

Prisoners in such cases lose the privilege of being able to meet visitors face to face and instead are only permitted visits behind a perspex screen.

A source also claimed that Drogheda feud criminal Gerard Cruise was lined up to help with the drug-smuggling plot. Cruise was not disciplined by prison officials in connection with the discovery.

Portlaoise Prison

Cruise cleans the bins and brings the drugs up to the landing and that was supposed to happen in this case but the lads were on top of it, the source said.

Gerard Cruise, from Rathmullan Park, Drogheda, Co. Louth pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder of Keane Mulready Woods (17) at Rathmullan Park between January 11 and 13, 2020.

In February 2023, he was given seven years jail with six months suspended for the heinous crime.

Last year, the Sunday World revealed how a suspected cannabis plant was found growing in a common area on the landing where McConnell was held along with other Kinahan Cartel figure Liam Brannigan.

In reply to a query from the Sunday World, a spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service stated: The Irish Prison Service does not comment on individual prisoner cases.

McConnell is behind bars waiting for his trial for the 2016 murder of Gareth Hutch to restart.

It was delayed last year when one of the judges at the Special Criminal Court became ill after the trial had begun.

McConnell was extradited back from Turkey, where he had fled after initially being arrested, and released by gardai investigating Hutchs murder at Avondale House flats on North Cumberland Street in Dublin, as part of the Hutch-Kinahan gang war.

CCTV showing the shooting of Gareth Hutch at Avondale House flats

Hutch suffered four gunshot wounds to the back of the neck, lower back and his upper chest after being ambushed by two gunmen close to his home.

McConnell spent a year in custody in Soke Prison in Turkey as he challenged the extradition in court before being flown back to Ireland in 2021.

The north Dublin criminal was arrested in Kusadasi by Turkish police last year after being placed on a worldwide wanted list by Interpol over the 2016 murder.

Avondale House flats

McConnell is the fourth person to go on trial accused of the murder which was caught on CCTV.

The prosecution in opening statements heard that McConnell and his associate Jonathan Keogh used a nearby apartment to watch Gareth Hutchs home.

When Hutch came out from his front door, the two men followed him and shot him dead.

In November 2018, the Special Criminal Court found Jonathan Keogh, his sister Regina Keogh and Thomas Fox guilty of the murder.

The prosecution say Jonathan Keogh was with McConnell in the apartment on the morning of the murder.

It is alleged that McConnell watched Gareth Hutchs apartment from a window and when the victim emerged, he said to Keogh were on.

Jonathan Keogh and Thomas Fox

Regina Keogh

McConnell and Keogh followed Gareth Hutch and shot him multiple times, killing him just a short distance from his front door, according to the States case.

The Sunday World previously reported how McConnell and Jonathan Keogh were part of a dissident republican group which sided with Kinahan Cartel in the deadly gangland feud.

Jonathan Keogh and McConnell were members of the so-called New INLA, as was Gerard Mackin, and were involved in extortion and protection rackets.

McConnell had joined the New INLA gang following his release from prison for drugs offences and threatening to kill a woman and put her in the boot of his car.

McConnell who had links to the gang led by slain gang boss Eamon the Don Dunne, has close to 100 convictions in Ireland for various offences, including drugs and firearms offences.
The brother of the retired school-teacher appeared in court earlier this week charged with her murder

The funeral of murder victim Patricia Patsy Aust (81), whose body was found in a house in Hawthorne Court in Bangor last Sunday, is due to take place on Thursday 13 June.

The brother of the retired school-teacher appeared in court earlier this week charged with her murder.

Her funeral service is set to take place at 11.30am in St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Bangor, and afterwards at Roselawn Crematorium.

A funeral notice read that she was deeply loved by all her family and friends.

Only the best memories of you Patsy and the happiness you have brought to us all. You will never be forgotten, and we shall try to support ourselves with our memories of having you to cherish and love. We are grieving with loss but also with love.

Jim Moore (85) is accused of killing Patsy Aust (81) in Bangor last weekend.

Moore, from Clandeboye Place in the city, was wearing a grey tracksuit when he stood in the dock at Newtownards Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

He spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the charge against him, answering 'yes' on both occasions.

No details of the incident were revealed in court, however a police officer said they could connect Moore to the charge.

Defence solicitor Dermot Bowes confirmed he was not applying for bail on behalf of Moore at this stage.

A prosecuting lawyer asked for the case to be adjourned to the videolink list.

Remanding Moore into custody, District Judge Francis Rafferty put the case back to June 26.

Moore waved briefly at a number of people in the public gallery as he was led from the dock.

Ms Aust had lost her son, Garreth (47), who died in September 2023.

On Monday Rev Mark Johnston, of St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Bangor, said people are struggling to understand what has happened.

Rev Johnston said the family were regular churchgoers and that Mrs Aust was a devoted and hands-on grandmother.

Local politicians also said there was a great sense of shock and sadness in the area.
Abbey is known to frequent the Ballybrack area of Dublin

Gardai are seeking the public's assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 16 year old Abbey O'Brien who was last seen on the evening of Saturday 8th June 2024 in Bray, Co. Wicklow.

Abbey is described as being approximately 5 feet tall with a slight build, blonde hair and blue eyes.

It is unknown what Abbey was wearing at the time she went missing.

Abbey is known to frequent the Ballybrack area of Dublin.

Anyone with any information on Abbey's whereabouts is asked to contact Bray Garda Station on 01 666 5300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Abi Lyle (39), from Bangor, will be Irelands sole representative in the individual dressage event

A Co Down horse rider who spoke out against domestic abuse by her former partner has said its beyond my wildest dreams to have been selected to represent Ireland in this summers Olympic Games.

Abi Lyle (39), from Bangor, will be Irelands sole representative in the individual dressage event when the Paris Games begin at the end of July.

Her former partner Jonathan Creswell (36) was found dead at his home in April, having taken his own life a day after his trial for the 2020 murder of showjumper Katie Simpson got underway.

Ms Lyle, now based in Gloucestershire, had been in a nine-month relationship with Creswell 15 years ago.

He was jailed for six months in 2010 after pleading guilty to assaulting her.

Ms Simpson had died in hospital a week after an incident in Gortnessy Meadows, Lettershandoney, Co Londonderry, on August 3, 2020.

Speaking of her Olympic Games 2024 selection, at which she will ride her 13-year old gelding Giraldo (Arty), Ms Lyle told Horse & Hound magazine: When I moved to England in 2009, my ultimate goal was to do a PSG [Prix St Georges].

So to say that the Olympics was beyond my wildest dreams is a teeny understatement.

So many people have led me, propped me up, walked beside me and contributed in so many ways to get to this. Theres so many to thank. But the first and most important to thank is Arty.

Arty, you have no idea what youve done for me.

Ill spend the rest of our lives making sure you feel like the most-loved horse in the world and that you never ever want for anything.

Following Creswells suicide, Ms Lyle went public to reveal the abuse she had suffered during their short relationship, describing her former partner as an incredibly violent and abusive individual.

In an interview with the BBC, she described being regularly beaten at the hands of Creswell during their nine-month relationship, saying how several times she was beaten so badly that she was left looking like a Dalmatian because of the number of bruises on her body.

Ms Lyle said one particular attack, in a wooded area near Castle Leslie in Co Monaghan, left her fearing for her life.

I never felt fear like that... To just be in a car with somebody and you dont know where you are going... He took me into the woods and threatened to kill me, she recalled.

I thought he was going to do it this time. He didnt, obviously, but that attack lasted hours.

He was just beating me, throwing me around, choking me, screaming at me.

Then he would just say: Im sorry, Im sorry. I didnt mean that. Dont go. And then the cycle would start over again.

Every couple of weeks for those nine months, I did something that would be unacceptable to him.

Jonathan Creswell

Another incident Ms Lyle described vividly was when Creswell threatened to throw her into a bath of bleach.

One evening I came home and I could smell it from downstairs; he had filled the bath with bleach, she said.

I started screaming and someone actually came to the door. I dont know who that [person] was, but thank you.

Someone came and banged on the door and he [Creswell] said: If youre quiet I wont put you in the bleach. So I was quiet. So I just got a normal beating instead.

Having escaped the abusive relationship, Ms Lyle has since competed all over the world in international dressage.
He doesn't represent anything I believe in, or any of the people around here

The drink caught him full in the face

A woman who was arrested after throwing a milkshake over Nigel Farage while he was out on the campaign trail is a self-described petite blonde pocket rocket OnlyFans model, it has emerged.

Mother-of-one Victoria Thomas-Bowen (25) was arrested by police on suspicion of assault after she hurled the contents of a McDonald's cup at the new Reform leader as he stepped out of a Wetherspoons in Clacton, Essex.

She has been promoting the stunt to bring viewers to her explicit XXX content page by posting a photo of herself while boasting my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.

The drink caught Mr Farage who had previously dubbed Clacton the most patriotic town in Britain, full in the face.

The drink caught him full in the face

He wiped his eyes and continued his tour although he later described the incident as quite frightening.

Thomas, who has more than 18,100 followers on Instagram, and films her X-rated video clips in the spare bedroom of her mother's house in Grays, told the BBC she flung the banana milkshake because she just felt like it.

He doesn't stand for me, the unrepentant model declared. He doesn't represent anything I believe in, or any of the people around here. He doesn't represent us, he's not from here.

She has since posted a photo of herself in her underwear alongside a link to her OnlyFans website and the lyrics to the song Milkshake.

The incident has led to wide condemnation across the political divide with Labour's Yvette Cooper calling it a disgrace and completely unacceptable and wrong. Home Secretary James Cleverly said it was unacceptable.

Although aides played down the impact, saying the milkshake barely stained' Mr Farage's suit, onlookers were said to be shocked by the incident.

The Reform UK leader told ITV: I don't know what was thrown at me but it hit me in the face fair and square. Quite frightening.

In 2019, Mr Farage was hit with a banana milkshake while campaign for the Brexit Party. His assailant was later ordered to carry out community work and pay 350 in compensation.

Mr Farage later made light of the episode by buying a round of banana milkshakes for press photographers.

According to the Daily Mail, an Essex Police statement said: Officers have made two arrests after responding to a report a drink was thrown at a man in Clacton.

We were called to the area of Marine Parade East, Clacton, at around 2.10pm today.

Victoria is an OnlyFans model

A 25-year-old woman, from Clacton, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault.

While officers were responding and making this arrest, a second individual, a man, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.

Speaking at the rally in Clacton, Mr Farage said the Tories deserved to be punished for their 'betrayal' over Brexit.

We made an offer to the British people, we could get back our independence and control of our borders.

But what has happened? The Conservatives have betrayed that trust. They've opened up the borders to mass immigration like we've never seen before.

And they deserve to pay a price for that, a big price for that.
Weather Eye

with John Maunder\

Over 55 years ago in April 1968 when I was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography in the University of Victoria in Canada,

I remember very well when on a Wednesday morning the representative from the British publishers Methuen and Co came to see me in my office, and showed me the new books which were available for the courses I was involved in.

I said to him 'when are you going to produce a decent' text book.

He said what to you mean. I said a climate book which was about the non-scientific aspects of weather and climate, notably the economic, social, legal, and political aspects of the subject, rather than the traditional weather and climate book which dealt with the atmospheric circulation, climate applications etc.

His reply was very much to the point and he simply said "Why don't you write it" . He was very helpful and suggested I write 10 pages on 'the benefits of tropical cyclones from the middle of the proposed book, which I named The Value of the Weather.

As I had a captive audience of senior students, I then wrote the 10 pages and gave it to my students, explaining what I was doing, and asked them to use their red pens and to make suggestions for improvements!.

A few weeks later I sent the manuscript to Methuen's in Toronto and rather surprisingly received a call from them the next week offering me a contract.

However, they wanted to send my manuscript to the Methuen's head office in London., and after a few weeks I received a second call saying that Methuen in London would also like to publish the book.

A week later I received the Royalty Agreement stating what the publisher required me to do, and what the publisher would do.

The Royalty Agreement among other things stated what payments (royalties) I would receive and what happened if the book was translated into other languages, and made into a film. Regrettably, the movie never came, but the book was published into Spanish.

Surprisingly at that time (1968) I had difficulty in finding a person at the university who had actually written a book, but several people were very helpful in looking at the fine print of the contract.

Because the book was published in both London and Toronto, I received royalties of 10 per cent of the published price of the book for sales in the US and Canada and the UK, and 12.5 per cent of the 'price obtained from all other areas.

The effect of this meant that the 10,000 copies sold provided sufficient money for me to purchase a car.

More importantly it also opened up a weather/climate world in a much bigger way than I thought possible.

This was very much pre-internet days, and well before the costs and benefits of the impacts of weather became an issue, and what turned out to be the first of my five books "The Value of the Weather" which included sections on "consumers reaction to forecast presentation" and "the law and weather modification".

Then, before the rest of the world had worked out how to use weather and climate information and to manage the risks and opportunities of weather and climate variability and extremes, I wrote my second book (in 1986) and endeavoured to include sections on "The Ministry of Atmospheric Resources" and "the effect of weather on road construction" which captured the essence of the problem with the book The Uncertainty Business.. Risks and opportunities in weather and climate.'

This was followed in 1989 by my third book "The Human Impact of Climate Uncertainty" which included sections on "Television weathercasting" and "Weather and wool production forecasting". Like my first book, my second and third books were published by Methuen and Co in London.

Much later in 2020 the three books were reprinted by Routledge, part of the Taylor and Francis Group in London and New York'.

Then before the First Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the 1990 Second World Climate Conference had set in train the negotiation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), I produced in 1992, while working for for the Stockholm Environment Institute, a climate lexicon that became, for many years, the definitive international "Dictionary of Global Climate Change". This book was published by UCL in London.

The dictionary covered the full range of weather and climate terms from "abiotic" and "ablation" to "zonal index" to "zooplankton".

The idea for my fifth book came about when I was visiting my family in Adelaide in January 2020 during a heat wave.

One day when the forecast was for 45C my daughter Denise suggested I should stay inside, shelter from the heat and write another book. I asked what did she have in mind and she simply said 'Climate the Truth.

My son Philip, who has lived in Adelaide for about 35 years, thought it was a good idea but after a few days thought I settled on a more appropriate title "Fifteen shades of climate...the fall of the weather dice and the butterfly effect.

The fifteen simply relates to the number of chapters in the book but it could more realistically relate to the fifteen or more facets of my eighty years in the 'weather business.

The book was published in November 2020 by Amazon.

These years cover my schooling and work in New Zealand's Golden Bay and Nelson College, the University of Otago, the New Zealand Meteorological Service, the University of Victoria in Canada, the University of Missouri, the World Meteorological Organization, the University of Delaware, the 1985 WMO/ICSU/UNEP Villach Conference, the 1979 WMO First World Climate Conference, the 1990 Second World Climate Conference, the Stockholm Environment Institute, the University College Dublin, the weather business in New Zealand, the writing of five books, many scientific papers and a host of media releases.

*************************************

My thanks go to all my friends and colleagues all over the climate world who have kept me on the right path.

******************************

In mid-2023 it was suggested that I should change the name of the fifth book to"Climate Change: A Realistic Perspective" to better reflect its contents.

Note: I was born in Nelson (New Zealand) and lived inTakaka in 1938-45 when I watched the Takaka River flood, and as a 7 year old I asked two questions ..Why did it rain, and What were the consequences of the rain. I still have questions.

The new book is identical to the old book, with the exception that a new Author's Foreword has been included.

*******************************************************

In 2023 it was suggested that the title of my fifth book should be changed to better reflect its contents

********.

Author's Foreword to Second Edition.

Now that I am approaching my 92nd year, it seems appropriate that I should quote the words of Walter Cronkite of CBS fame, whose absolute commitment and reputation for objectivity always signed off his 6pm news bulletin with ..." And that's the way it is".

With so much information and misinformation about the climate story, perhaps the words of Cronkite should be a reminder to us all, including our decision makers and the media, that the sun, the volcanoes, and the oceans dominate the climate system.

Of course, now that we are through the 20th and into the 21st century, one must acknowledge the important human (including domestic animals) influence on the climate system. However one must also acknowledge that prior to about 1800, the climate variations which occurred (and there were many of them), were not - with very few exceptions - influenced by the activities of humans.

There is a great amount of evidence about detecting changes in the climate, and many reasons/causes of why the climate changes.

Among the evidence for detecting climate change are instrumental records which include satellite observations, extreme weather events, historical records (eg crop records, church attendance), sea level changes, lake varves, glacial advances and retreats, ice cores, rocks, and tree rings.

Among the causes of why the climate changes is methane, carbon dioxide, solar activity - including sunspots, the Earth's orbit and rotation, the Earth's reflectivity, volcanic activity, ocean circulation, generating power, using transportation, producing food, heating and cooling of buildings, planetary cycles (e.g. Milankovitch cycles), and the ever increasing world's population.

In considering both the evidence for climate change and the causes of climate change, there are many questions as to the credibility of the "evidence". Some of this "credibility" relates to the reliability of the records, and this includes the "authority" making the observations. There have been many cases where the evidence for and the causes of climate change have been challenged.

I have spent the last 70 years studying and writing, as objectively as I can, about the evidence, causes and impacts of climate and climate change. I have written this book to summarise what I have learned. And, like Walter Cronkite, I would like to sign off with the assurance that, to the best of my knowledge, And that's the way it is.

**********************

FOREWORD ( to the First Edition) by John Zillman AO FAA FTSE Former Director (1978-2003) of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, and Former President (1995-2003) of the World Meteorological Organization

There are probably few people in the world who have originated and accumulated as much detailed knowledge of as many different shades of climate as John Maunder. He is a font of wisdom on climate matters and I believe he has served the world extremely well over the past 50 years through the way he has shared that knowledge and wisdom with the global community. ......

******************************

NOTE I was born in Nelson (New Zealand) and lived inTakaka in 1938-45 when I watched the Takaka River flood, and as a 7 year old I asked two questions ..Why did it rain, and What were the consequences of the rain. I still have questions, some of which are answered in my book .

The new book is identical to the old book, with the exception that a new Author's Foreword has been included.

The new book has just been published on Amazon. To purchase a copy of the book please Google " Climate Change: A Realistic Perspective"

Now that I am approaching my 92nd year, it seems appropriate that I should quote the words of Walter Cronkite of CBS fame, whose absolute commitment and reputation for objectivity always signed off his 6pm news bulletin with ..." And that's the way it is".

With so much information and misinformation about the climate story, perhaps the words of Cronkite should be a reminder to us all, including our decision makers and the media, that the sun, the volcanoes, and the oceans dominate the climate system.

Of course, now that we are through the 20th and into the 21st century, one must acknowledge the important human (including domestic animals) influence on the climate system. However one must also acknowledge that prior to about 1800, the climate variations which occurred (and there were many of them), were not - with very few exceptions - influenced by the activities of humans.

There is a great amount of evidence about detecting changes in the climate, and many reasons/causes of why the climate changes.

Among the evidence for detecting climate change are instrumental records which include satellite observations, extreme weather events, historical records (eg crop records, church attendance), sea level changes, lake varves, glacial advances and retreats, ice cores, rocks, and tree rings. Among the causes of why the climate changes is methane, carbon dioxide, solar activity - including sunspots, the Earth's orbit and rotation, the Earth's reflectivity, volcanic activity, ocean circulation, generating power, using transportation, producing food, heating and cooling of buildings, planetary cycles (e.g. Milankovitch cycles), and the ever increasing world's population.

In considering both the evidence for climate change and the causes of climate change, there are many questions as to the credibility of the "evidence". Some of this "credibility" relates to the reliability of the records, and this includes the "authority" making the observations. There have been many cases where the evidence for and the causes of climate change have been challenged.

I have spent the last 70 years studying and writing, as objectively as I can, about the evidence, causes and impacts of climate and climate change. I have written this book to summarise what I have learned. And, like Walter Cronkite, I would like to sign off with the assurance that, to the best of my knowledge, And that's the way it is.

**********************

FOREWORD ( to the First Edition) by John Zillman AO FAA FTSE Former Director (1978-2003) of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, and Former President (1995-2003) of the World Meteorological Organization

There are probably few people in the world who have originated and accumulated as much detailed knowledge of as many different shades of climate as John Maunder. He is a font of wisdom on climate matters and I believe he has served the world extremely well over the past 50 years through the way he has shared that knowledge and wisdom with the global community.
An 83-year-old Justice of the Peace laundered more than half a million dollars for a group of criminals who were manufacturing and supplying methamphetamine around the Upper North Island.

Retired man Herbert Bruce Armitages involvement was unravelled by police after intercepting phone calls and text messages between him and the groups leader.

Armitage took a 20 per cent cut of the money - which saw him receive around $104,000 - and a subsequent financial analysis of his bank accounts revealed a substantial cash income stream beginning in September 2021 and continued for 13 months.

The Whangamata man resigned as a JP in October last year amid a police investigation into his offending.

It was discovered that he used not only his own accounts to launder the groups money but also an account he held a power of attorney over which belonged to a woman in a rest home.

In total, Armitage laundered up to $524,213.12 and took a cut of $104,842.

Today, he appeared before Judge Noel Cocurullo in the Hamilton District Court where he was sentenced to six months home detention.

The judge told Armitage, who had no previous convictions, that his offending was a significant fall from grace, but he had done the honourable thing by resigning from his position as a JP.

I was owed $200,000

Armitage told a pre-sentence report writer he got caught up with the group after being introduced to its leader by a third party who owed him $200,000 for land developed several years ago.

About three months into the arrangement he realised he was in the middle of a large operation cleaning money and stopped the transactions after eight months.

He accepted he took 20 per cent of the profit but had nothing to show for it as he had been convinced to reinvest it in another start-up business through the groups leader in Tauranga.

Laundry money

In June 2022, a police operation began targeting meth manufacturers and suppliers within the Waikato region.

A highly organised and lucrative criminal enterprise was uncovered and by August 8 of that year, police began intercepting private communications of those involved.

Armitage was discovered talking to the groups leader as well as another co-offender, Brendan Shiels, who has since died.

Herbert Bruce Armitage appeared in the Hamilton District Court.

The leader and Armitage discussed him going into various banks to make deposits and in September, the groups leader was spotted going to Armitages home to deliver $48,000 cash.

Armitages property was searched on March 9 last year and he made several admissions including that cash had been given to him and then returned to the groups leader to provide a legitimate fund flow between associates.

He held bank accounts with Westpac, BNZ, and ANZ and transactions either under his own name, or different names, were analysed by police.

Accounts in the name of the woman he had power of attorney over were also analysed and $100,410 was found to have been laundered through her account.

He made 28 payments to the groups leader totalling $271,670.50 through six different accounts, including one via the Trinity United Parish of $22,370.50.

When spoken to by police, Armitage detailed his money laundering methodology and acknowledged making cash deposits under $10,000 to avoid suspicion.

He said he didnt know where the group leaders money was coming from but surmised it was either drug money or laundry money or something like that, and confirmed he had a 20 per cent fee for his work.

At sentencing, defence counsel Laura Hann confirmed with the judge that he would consider a sentence of home detention and then argued against a sentencing condition sought by the prosecution to exclude him from having any role involving financial matters.

She said he did complicated financial work for his church.

Air of legitimacy

At his earlier sentence indication hearing, Judge Cocurullo told Armitage that his involvement in the enterprise added an air of legitimacy to the money that was being made by distributing A- and C-class drugs.

He then added it was one heck of a way to have a first hit out at offending.

For someone of your age, with no previous convictions, this is a significant fall from grace, the judge said when sentencing him today.

He declined to grant Hanns request to delete the sentence condition relating to Armitage having financial control over accounts, given the seriousness of his actions, and his ability to seek permission from his probation officer when required.

Armitage was also charged with participating in an organised criminal group but that was withdrawn by the Crown.
A scam victim who lost $300,000 to criminals was horrified to learn highly sensitive details about her case were mistakenly sent to a third party in a serious privacy breach involving the Banking Ombudsmans office.

At least three emails meant for the woman  containing details about the fraud and your bank customer notes  were mistakenly forwarded by Banking Ombudsman staff to a similar, but different, email address.

The material includes an eight-page document with extensive notes about the victims banking history from November 2022 to February 2024.

It lists address, email and phone contacts, drivers licence and bank account details, reference to a special care code added to her file after being defrauded, and multiple late payment warnings.

The matter has been referred to the Privacy Commissioner.

The woman says she was stunned by the blunder, which had shaken her confidence in the watchdogs complaint resolution scheme.

I was absolutely horrified.

I just thought, What a bunch of idiots. They couldnt even get my email right. How am I supposed to have any trust in the system?

The Herald has previously reported that Kiwibank staff helped the victim transfer $300,000 to fraudsters after she visited a North Island branch in person in November 2022.

She thought she was investing in Barclays Bank bonds though a Citibank investment scheme. In fact, it was a scam and none of the money was ever recovered.

The woman claims the bank manager who helped process the payment did not question her about whether it could be subject to fraud.

She basically said, Sign it and stamped it, and that was it.

The huge money transfer came just months after the Financial Markets Authority issued a public warning about the Citibank-branded scam.

The victim hired law firm Meredith Connell, which has accused the state-owned bank of failing to detect suspicious or illegal activity.

Watchdog sends $300k scam victims details to wrong email in privacy blunder. Photo: NZME.

The womans lawyers lodged a complaint with the Banking Ombudsman before Christmas accusing Kiwibank of negligence, and they have been waiting for a final determination.

However, a bombshell email in April from Banking Ombudsman staff delivered a distressing update and mea culpa.

I am sorry to be needing to contact you about a breach of your privacy, the email began.

It explained that while sending correspondence to the womans lawyer about her case, staff had copied in the victim. But unfortunately we made an error with your email address, sending three separate emails to the wrong recipient.

The emails contained an information request to Kiwibank about the fraud and the victims customer notes.

After realising the error, Banking Ombudsman staff emailed the wrongful recipient asking them to delete the information but had not received a response.

At this stage we do not know who the owner of that email address is, or whether it is in use  though the emails were not returned as undeliverable.

Banking Ombudsman Nicola Sladden's office has apologised after a staffer sent sensitive information about a scam victim to the wrong email address. Photo: NZME.

We will be reporting the breach to the Privacy Commissioner in line with our obligation to do so. Again, we would like to say sorry for our mistake.

In a statement, a Banking Ombudsman Scheme spokeswoman says the privacy breach was due to human error.

There was no evidence to suggest the womans information had been misused and the Privacy Commissioner had now closed the file on the basis that the steps we had taken were a reasonable and sufficient response.

We are undertaking a review of our processes and while this review is taking place, have reminded staff about the importance of checking addresses before sending emails and of copying addresses from incoming emails, rather than typing them out.

We apologise unreservedly for what happened and regret the distress this incident has caused.

The spokeswoman assured the victim they were taking her complaint against Kiwibank seriously and undertaking a thorough investigation.

Meanwhile, the victim says she is frustrated by delays in determining her complaint, after Banking Ombudsman staff indicated last week they were still awaiting additional information requested from Kiwibank.

The victim says it had now been six months. She felt Kiwibank was dragging the chain and not prioritising her case.

Theyve had so long to get this information together. Im really p***ed off. Are they all on holiday?

Kiwibank says it continues to work with the Banking Ombudsman Scheme to provide the additional information requested.

The bank stressed that it took its obligations seriously and aimed to respond in a timely manner.

- NZ Herald
Lower speed limits will be introduced around some schools and marae in Tauranga.

A speed limit of 40km/h during drop off and pick up will be introduced outside 21 schools across the city. These will be in addition to the 16 schools that already have a variable limit in place.

The 40km/h limit will begin 30 mins before school starts then revert to the streets normal limit and begin again for 20 minutes after school ends.

The speed limit changes for the schools will be rolled out as funding allows and was prioritised based on risk.

Arataki School is the highest priority, followed by Mount Maunganui College, then Omanu School.

The changes are part of Tauranga City Councils speed management plan that was adopted at a meeting on Monday.

Council city centre infrastructure lead Shawn Geard says the council has done a risk assessment of the schools based on their road frontages and where key access points are.

The council used community feedback and police crash data from the areas around the citys 45 schools, along with a risk assessments done by the New Zealand Transport Agency in 2020 to decide which schools to add the variable limits to and prioritise the timing of the rollout.

Commission chair Anne Tolley. Photo: Alex Cairns/Bay of Plenty Times.

At the meeting, Commission chair Anne Tolley asked if having a variable limit on Cameron Road outside Tauranga Primary School and Tauranga Boys College would affect traffic flow because she had had comments that it was flowing better after the recent changes.

The $92m Cameron Road stage one project added bus lanes, cycleways, streetscaping and changed the layout of the road from Harington St to 17th Ave.

Geard replied it was only a 10km/h difference and the data council showed the average speed during those times wasnt much higher than 40km/h.

There was a fair experience of people running red lights at the signalised crossings outside those schools so the hope was the additional variable speed limits signs would reiterate the limits to drivers, he said.

Based on feedback from Waimapu Marae in Hairini, Waimapu Pa Road extending 200m east from the marae will have a permanent 40km/h zone.

Feedback from Waikari and Hungahungatoroa Marae in Matapihi will also see a permanent 40km/h zone on Waikari Road, Hungahungatoroa Road and Matapihi Road (between Waikari Road and Hungahungatoroa Road).

The temporary 30km/h speed limit in Taurangas CBD between McLean Street and Second Ave will also become permanent.

The Tauranga CBD roads in yellow will stay 30km/h permanently. Image: Tauranga City Council.

Councils head of transport Nic Johansson says the desire to manage speed limits at high-risk locations is about improving safety on local roads.

Our local schools have told us that increased traffic and people driving vehicles at high speeds is a significant risk to student safety, he says in a statement.

While pedestrian fatalities arent a common occurrence, accidents do happen, and speed is a factor in the likelihood and outcome.

Lower speeds allow for shorter sight and braking distances which is important in complex, busy situations such as school pick-up and drop-off times.

The speed management plan was a requirement of the previous government, the coalition government made this optional but the council opted to continue developing the plan in February.

In April, the council consulted with the community to gauge support for a reduction in speed limits outside schools, some marae, and in the city centre.

More than 1000 people did a survey with more than 71 per cent in favour of reduced speed limits outside schools. More than 52 per cent were in favour of making the temporary 30km/h limit in the city centre permanent.

The reduced speed limits, with signs showing when the speed limits are operational, will be introduced over the next few months.

The 21 schools that will get a variable speed limit

Arataki School

Mount Maunganui College

Omanu School

Papamoa College

Tauranga Primary School

Tauranga Waldorf School

Tahatai Coast School

Tauranga Girls' College

Gate Pa School

Greerton Village School

Otumoetai College

Otumoetai Intermediate

Mt Maunganui Intermediate

Te Akau ki Papamoa Primary School

Tauranga Boys' College

Merivale School

Mount Maunganui Primary School

Te Manawa o Papamoa School

Bellevue School (Tauranga)

Tauranga Adventist School

Te Kura o Matapihi

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Javier Almellones Malaga Monday, 10 June 2024, 17:06 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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It has been declared a point of environmental interest and a unique 'rincon singular' beauty spot on the western strip of the Costa del Sol in Malaga province. From its rocks you can clearly see Gibraltar to the west. These rocky areas create a spectacular contrast with the find sand and transparent waters. These are some of the characteristics of Punta Chullera, Malaga's westernmost cove, which is highly valued for its relative tranquillity and its valuable ecosystem.

This is the last beach on the way to Cadiz province. It is situated on Malaga's southwesternmost tip, in the municipality of Manilva, which boasts one of the most ecologically valuable coastlines in Andalucia. Among the coves that make up its coastline is Punta Chullera, also known as Punta Cala Sardina, named for its proximity to this beach in the municipality of San Roque in Cadiz.

The sandy area is surrounded by rocks and the beach is protected by a valuable ecosystem. SUR

Punta Chullera, which has a beach bar just a few metres away (on the adjoining Playa de los Toros), is very well enclosed by rocks that, due to their erosion by the waves, paint the perfect postcard image. It comes as the result of sediment from the decomposition of flysch materials in the Campo de Gibraltar (predominantly siliceous sandstone) as well as marine action.

It is not difficult to access, but if you are going there by car from Malaga province, you need to drive along the N-340 and go a few metres into Cadiz province, since there is only one road entrance (the one which goes towards Malaga). There is also a pedestrian walkway linking it to a housing estate, but access to this is limited to residents.

Zoom This Nasrid tower, which was in use until the 18th century, overlooks the beach. SUR

After you have parked the car - during high season it is advisable to arrive early to find a space - next to the sandy beach, there is a short walk along a dirt road and some steps. Next to the adjoining cove of Los Toros, where the Dieguichi beach bar is located, there is another, much smaller cove, although both are accessed virtually the same way and look similar. In fact, swimmers do not usually differentiate them by their place names.

Next to the westernmost cove in the province stands the Nasrid tower of Chullera, which according to chronicles, was used until the 18th century to keep watch over this area that is so close to the Strait of Gibraltar.

Next to Punta Chullera, is playa Los Toros, where Dieguichi beach bar is located.

This is a beach where historical and natural elements intertwine. In the presence of rugged rocks you can find interesting plant species, such as sea fennel. Regarding its fauna, as well as seagulls, common birds on the coast include skuas, terns, swallows and sandpipers.

For more than a decade, this area, its scenic landmarks and immediate surroundings have been named a point of interest ('zona de interes territorial') by the Diputacion de Malaga provincial authority. This includes the space between the residential development of San Diego to the north, the public maritime domain, and Punta Chullera to the south and east. Today it is one of the few relatively unspoilt beaches that remain on the western Costa del Sol.
Lourdes Perez Monday, 10 June 2024, 12:19 | Updated 13:00h. Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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The conservative Partido Popular achieved a narrow victory in this Sunday's European election, securing 22 seats, an increase of nine.

The socialist PSOE, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, managed to hold on to 20 of their 21 seats (in fact in the 2019 election they achieved the same result - 20 - but gained their 21st when the UK's seats were shared out after Brexit). The PSOE therefore thwarted the PP's attempts to turn the election into a plebiscite vote in which the electorate had the chance to punish Sanchez's government.

The PP's good results therefore (up 14 percentage points and one and a half million votes) were bittersweet after setting the higher goal of forcing the Socialists out of government.

Meanwhile for the PSOE, the result was a defeat, but less of a defeat than the opposition had hoped for. Their resistance has been at the cost of the far left parties, who make up the PSOE's partners in an increasingly fragile coalition government.

Now divided into Podemos and Sumar, the latter party, led by Spain's current Deputy PM Yolanda Diaz, gained three seats, while Podemos fell from four to two.

The PP has failed to lose an election under the leadership of Feijoo. Since he took over two years ago he has won in terms of number of seats in the municipal, general and now the European elections and has seen his party's results improve in all the regions, but he has not achieved the coup de grace he hopes to deliver to Sanchez so that he leaves power.

Party spokesperson Cuca Gamarra pointed out on Sunday night that with a smaller distance than the four-point lead that her party has on the Socialists, Sanchez brought forward the general elections after the setback of the municipal elections on 28 May last year.

However in these European elections, the prime minister's setback has been less drastic, as the outlook was much worse prior to the vote.

Comparisons are more difficult this year as the turnout was much lower (49.21%) as the European elections five years ago coincided in Spain with the municipal and several regional ballots.

Disappointment

Sanchez's resilience is thanks to the decline of the majority of his far left partners, starting with Yolanda Diaz's Sumar, which, with three seats, chalks up its fourth electoral disappointment in the past six months. The PP alone has achieved almost the same percentage of the vote as the Socialists and Sumar together, in a European election in which the country has turned to the right in line with the general trend in the European Union.

Hard right Vox went up from four to six seats, although the big surprise of the night was the arrival on the scene of a new hard right group called Se Acabo la Fiesta (The Party's Over) formed by agitator Alvise Perez, who enter the Strasbourg parliament with three representatives and 4.58% of the vote.

Perez, a social media content creator, has taken a share of the potential electorate of Vox, which has risen but less than the polls predicted.
Navient, a private student loan servicer, has a new loan forgiveness program available, according to multiple reports.

An advocacy group, the Project on Predatory Student Lending, discovered the servicer is now offering a new way for borrowers to apply for loan discharges, according Bankrate. Navient hasnt publicized the process yet.

The program is similar to a forgiveness process for federal loans, borrower defense to repayment, which allows borrowers to apply for loan forgiveness if their schools broke laws or engaged in misleading practices.

The Navient program requires borrowers to prove that their schools defrauded them in some way to obtain forgiveness, according to Bankrate.

Although Navient hasnt publicized the program, it has been sending applications to certain borrowers, according to Forbes.

The Project on Predatory Student Lending has detailed instructions available online.

Were spreading the word to ensure that impacted borrower  not just those that Navient hand picks  know that there is a path to relief, PPSL President and Executive Director Eileen Connor said in a statement, according to Forbes.

Some borrowers have complained on social media about difficulties getting an application for the Navient program, according to The New York Times.

When asked about the program and the criticisms, a company spokesman said, Borrowers may contact us at any time, and our advocates can assist, the Times said.

Not all borrowers with Navient loans are eligible for the new forgiveness program.

According to Forbes, borrowers will need to show any of the following:

The school or its representatives made untrue or misleading statements to persuade you to attend or to remain enrolled.

The school concealed, suppressed, or omitted information that would have informed your decision to attend or remain enrolled.

The school used aggressive and deceptive recruitment tactics, such as pressuring you to enroll or take out loans or discouraging you from discussing your decision with family and friends.
To the Editor:

In response to Bob Webbers May 30, 2024, Veteran vs. non-vet:

Mr. Webber, I want to address your letter noting my veteran status and then proceeding to ask What significance is this in best representing NY-22? As a veteran, I take offense to your letter. Military service prepares one for a life of public service, including serving in Congress. There is no greater honor than to serve ones nation knowing you may give it all when called upon.

My service as an Air Force Officer (13M3) for six years has prepared me for the U.S. House of Representatives. I think you will find when you compare relevant experience side-by-side, it is my resume that is most strongly suited to federal office  both through military service and my other professional endeavors. I led a team of 143 troops across four departments, managed a federal budget of $25 million and protected assets valued over $15 billion. I developed and implemented federal policy, created foreign policy, and was a national security adviser on matters pertaining to Russia. I also served as an air traffic controller and ran the airfields. Serving in the military is a direct qualification to serving in Congress.

I entered my public service career as a cadet in the United States Air Force (USAF) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Arizona State University where I spent three years in leadership, team building and national security training and simultaneously completed my college degree. My husband and I were stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, during his first enlistment. This meant my days started at 4:30 a.m. (o-dark-thirty) and ended around 9 p.m. Long days working hard are not new to me.

At Officer Training School, I received an additional eight weeks of direct leadership, team building and national security training. Over the course of my years in the military I went on to receive an additional 2000+ hours of leadership training, more than many Fortune 500 CEOs.

As a commander, Ive lost troops to war, both on the battlefield and upon returning home. I know the sacrifice most of us are willing to make to protect our country from enemies foreign and domestic. The best people to determine whether or not to enter armed conflict and war are those who know the gravity of making such a decision. We will scrutinize every angle of the situation, ask too many questions, and scrutinize again before we send our greatest resource, our troops, to war.

Beyond leadership skills, I learned how to work with people from every corner of this great nation, who had differences in opinions, beliefs, values and upbringings. Yet, we still were able to come together to complete the mission. I learned how to lead both the professional and personal side of a workplace. We need leaders who understand the needs of our community and our nation. We need leaders with integrity.

And yes, being a veteran in NY-22 is a qualifier. Our region has an outsized veteran population who are supported by a VA hospital, a rural VA satellite clinic and the former Rome Air Force Base. Rep. Brandon Wiliams betrayed both our veteran and local community by voting to cut VA spending by 22%. Not only does the VA Healthcare System serve as the medical provider of choice for myself and many other veterans, it is a large employer for many of our families across the district. It takes a veteran to call out a veteran for failing to stand by us. Ultimately, a veteran at the federal level will be the best champion for our veterans and communities alike to have services and employment opportunities at the VA. Who better to support and protect veterans well-deserved benefits than a veteran herself.

I served and continue to live by the ethos of Service before Self, Integrity First, and Excellence in All We Do. I believe our great nation would be in a better place if more veterans served at all levels of office, but especially federal office.

In our current political moment, we absolutely need an elected Congresswoman that has experience not only in leadership but also national security and foreign policy. If we truly want to have a Congress that works for the people, we must start electing leaders with experience to navigate high-stress situations, build consensus through differences in opinion, and approach global conflict from a place of understanding the true cost of war. Thats how we do right by our communities and our country as a global leader.

Sarah Klee Hood

DeWitt

The writer is a candidate in the June 25, 2024, Democratic Party primary in the 22nd Congressional District.
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Re: Hyundai 1.5L Turbo-Petrol Overheats | Berkeley Hyundai blames it on flooring the accelerator! . They must have pulled the logs using a diagnostic tool. Assuming the OP's car is stock, Hyundai themselves saying that the overheating is due to driving the car in its factory scope of operation shows either:*



1. They know that their engine is a one-time wonder and cannot deliver constant peak performance. To achieve the high peak numbers, one can tune the engine to extract every bit of performance out of it, but without an efficient cooling system, repeated delivery of the said peak numbers would not be possible, resulting in overheating. Or

2. There must be a small amount of air trapped in the cooling system, and in this particular instance of full throttle driving, the issue is cropping up when the cooling system needs to perform to its maximum capacity.*



Solution: First, the DIY route. I would start by checking the cooling system. There are many videos on YouTube on how to check and bleed trapped air from a cooling system. If not, maybe try using a higher-octane fuelXP95, maybe? In my mind, higher octane should run cooler in a turbocharged application. If both don't show any difference, then following up with the manufacturer would be the only option. But now that the weather is cooling down, the issue might even go away.*Keep us posted. One of the funniest replies I heard from such SVCs. They must have pulled the logs using a diagnostic tool. Assuming the OP's car is stock, Hyundai themselves saying that the overheating is due to driving the car in its factory scope of operation shows either:*1. They know that their engine is a one-time wonder and cannot deliver constant peak performance. To achieve the high peak numbers, one can tune the engine to extract every bit of performance out of it, but without an efficient cooling system, repeated delivery of the said peak numbers would not be possible, resulting in overheating. Or2. There must be a small amount of air trapped in the cooling system, and in this particular instance of full throttle driving, the issue is cropping up when the cooling system needs to perform to its maximum capacity.*Solution: First, the DIY route. I would start by checking the cooling system. There are many videos on YouTube on how to check and bleed trapped air from a cooling system. If not, maybe try using a higher-octane fuelXP95, maybe? In my mind, higher octane should run cooler in a turbocharged application. If both don't show any difference, then following up with the manufacturer would be the only option. But now that the weather is cooling down, the issue might even go away.*Keep us posted.
A new approach to cybersecurity education may help produce qualified cyber experts with real-life training.

Colleges and universities are starting to offer specialized undergraduate courses in cybersecurity as part of their computer science degrees. However, these programs often lack hands-on training in mitigating cyberattacks.

It is not uncommon for corporate employers to complain about graduates applying for IT jobs without any hands-on cyber experience, according to Steve Zuromski, CIO at Bridgewater State University. This gap drove officials to create a unique cyber training program to fill that void.

With the demand for cyber jobs through the roof, students often lack interest or awareness of the need for this training, even within dedicated computer degree programs. The unique approach bridges the gap and gives students hands-on practical experience.

We know there is really a national and, frankly, worldwide crisis concerning cyber. That is where our role is. That is where we fit in  building and diversifying the talent pipeline in Massachusetts, Zuromski told TechNewsWorld.

Comprehensive Cyber Training for All Ages

The cyber training efforts, however, do not aim at only attracting university-level students, offered Michelle Stanfield, director of Bridgewaters Cyber Range. Not only is it a resource for degree-seeking students, but its fully functional Cyber Range is also a resource to ensure the entire community gains a better cyber perspective.

The cyber facilities staff works with different municipalities and anyone with an initial career thinking about upskilling through its certification programs. The Cyber Center also works with K-12 programming to acquaint students with cybersecurity at the earliest stages.

They have the opportunity to learn and be exposed to a field they may not know anything about, Stanfield told TechNewsWorld.

This cyber program, called CASE, includes Bridgewaters Center for the Advancement of STEM Education. Bridgewater State developed a module for high school students who can come into the Cyber Range lab for four to five hours to participate in an immersive experience, she added.

Bridgewaters Cyber Range and the Security Operations Center (SOC) serve two separate purposes, according to Zuromski.

The Cyber Range is virtual. It provides students and other external groups the ability to come in and train in a protected space. The lab creates different cybersecurity crisis scenarios that mimic attacks found in the wild. It allows people to train in a safe virtualized environment where they cannot hurt anything.

The SOC, a separate physical facility on the campus, is designed in partnership with CyberTrust Massachusetts. That center, staffed with CTMs staff and Bridgewaters cyber students, monitors live events from municipalities and nonprofits.

Cybersecurity Bootcamp Simulations for Real-World Readiness

The Cyber Range offers visiting students and participants from external organizations a five-hour mockup experience few will soon forget. It also turns on their interest in the need for cybersecurity, Zuromski noted.

They come into the range acting as the cybersecurity team for a video game. The company soon comes under a ransomware attack. They come to Bridgewater State, sit down, and suddenly an attack happens. The lights go from green to red. The desks shake a bit, so a sense of panic gets them excited.

During this experience, they figure out how the attack occurred. Then, they need to make a plan and report to the CEO and board. The plan needs to include what happened, how we can prevent this from happening again, and whether the company should pay the ransom, explained Zuromski.

It really is a state-of-the-art facility designed to train people. Not just in the room, but we can also train people remotely at the same time. We can reach a very wide audience here and mimic what it is like for corporate customers, he observed.

The best part of Bridgewaters on-premises cyber training is the practical experience of working in the SOC. Students receive high-quality, affordable, and accessible cyber education. They gain practical experience in a safe virtualized environment at the Cyber Range. Then, they go into the SOC and get the actual live experience, all before they graduate.

Plus, it benefits those municipalities and nonprofits that did not have that protection to begin with. So it is a win-win all around, said Zuromski.

State-of-the-Art Cyber Training Facility

The range spans 1,200 square feet, featuring 24 workstations and dual-screen monitors. Fully grant-funded by the federal, state, and local governments, it cost nearly US$4 million.

The facility includes stadium-style seating, an 18-foot by seven-foot ultra-high-definition video wall, video cameras throughout, and confidence monitors on the sides and back.

A control room in the back houses students or other professional staff working to help control the rooms theatrics. Lighting integrated throughout the ceiling grid and at the back of the room provides a halo effect around the giant video wall.

We even have lighting around the ribbon, a top ribbon banner on the top, and integrated throughout the furniture within the room. All really kind of designed to deliver that immersive cybersecurity training experience, said Zuromski.

Expanding Cyber Training Programs

According to Stanfield, Bridgewater is building out its catalog of offerings for external audiences and expects to be available this summer. That new program will include an extensive catalog of experiences from cyber team sins  an activity where teams come together to figure out how to solve anything from ransomware to DDoS attacks.

We also fully intend to be able to do individual training. So, for example, if companies feel that their security professionals need to learn a specific skill, we will be able to offer that as well, she explained.

The hard-core academic side of cybersecurity is also growing, Zuromski noted. The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education recently approved offering a full cybersecurity curriculum as a degree.

The university has already received over 200 applications for the bachelors degree program starting this fall.

Editors Note: The images featured in this article are courtesy of Bridgewater State University.
Editor's take: As much as it would make sense for Nvidia to focus solely on being the leading AI silicon vendor, their rise to power has left them with little choice but to continue pushing forward in areas that make some of their big customers uncomfortable.

The big news in the world of tech last week came from the Computex trade show in Taiwan. The event came with the usual slew of press releases, keynotes, and of course, the continued rise of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's rockstar status, which we are now apparently calling Jensanity. (Someone should study the timespan between a CEO achieving celebrity status and the surrounding bubble bursting. It cannot be a good sign).

There has been a lot of good coverage of the show, but Ben Thompson's piece stood out to us. Thompson argues that Huang's Computex keynote expresses the optimal strategy for the company: focusing on designing the best chips and supplying the infrastructure for the AI boom revolution momentum. This contrasts with past keynotes, where Huang seemed to emphasize the company's software and cloud ambitions.

Editor's Note:

Guest author Jonathan Goldberg is the founder of D2D Advisory, a multi-functional consulting firm. Jonathan has developed growth strategies and alliances for companies in the mobile, networking, gaming, and software industries.

This strikes us as a highly sensible assessment. The company has an obvious core competency in designing these chips and a massive head start on one of the biggest shifts in compute spending in memory. Focusing on that is almost certainly the smart move at this point. Going too far down the software path risks distractions, lost focus, and the threat of ending up in competition with their largest customers. Focusing on chips is the best strategy. Totally makes sense.

That being said, we have to wonder if it is already too late for the company to hew to this path. We are over four years into Nvidia's rise to prominence in data center silicon and well over a year into the post-ChatGPT surge in Nvidia's revenue.

They have already made it clear they have a lot of software in the works, and that software, in the form of CUDA, was a big part of their competitive advantage. Those big customers, the hyperscalers, are all keenly aware of their dependence on Nvidia and the fact that they cannot get nearly as many Nvidia GPUs as they want. Put simply, the power dynamic has already shifted.

I've been listening to a lot of history podcasts lately, and one clear lesson from those is that good intentions do not matter when there is power at stake. Ludwig of Bavaria and Henry of Austria may have been raised together, best friends all their lives, but at some point, their two kingdoms went to war, and they had to try to kill each other.

The war for AI has already started, and even if Nvidia "just" wanted to be the leading AI semiconductor vendor, their range of options is now limited by the state of the market and the perception of them held by the other combatants.

There are signs of this already playing out. The hyperscalers are all designing their own AI accelerators, and they all say (implicitly, but often explicitly) that part of their motivation for doing this is to reduce their reliance on Nvidia. The company may now try to tell everyone they are good faith silicon vendors working crazy hours to make sure everyone gets the chips they want, and that their software is non-competitive with the hyperscalers, just a nice added feature of their hardware. They may try this, but it is unlikely the hyperscalers will believe them; paranoia is a watchword in the Valley.

And even if the company were sincere in this message, they cannot actually deliver what the big customers want. Nvidia does not have enough chips to meet demand; everyone is on allocation. That means Nvidia holds the power in all negotiations, whether they want it or not.

And of course, they do want that power. They would rather sell complete systems with complete boards, fully-marked-up memory, and pricey networking. How are they actually deciding who gets allocated how many chips? They would have to exert superhuman amounts of self-discipline to not favor the customers who pay Nvidia more, and that level of discipline is probably in conflict with their duty to shareholders.

The hyperscalers are also pushing very hard to dilute Nvidia's software barriers to entry. It is not clear they can do this, but they likely see it as critical that they push as hard as they can. And how will Nvidia respond to this? They could just announce they are exiting software, but that would be nearly suicidal and would not really accomplish much. Instead, they are going to have to move in the opposite direction and double down on their investment in software to shore up their differentiation. Which, of course, just reinforces the cycle.

Throughout this, good intentions are at best meaningless. The power dynamics at play leave the company with a limited set of options for moving forward. To be clear, they have a lot of great options, their position is immensely strong, but we do not think they can move back to being "just" a semiconductor supplier. And it is not clear to us that they even want to do that.
What just happened? In a surprise move, Google has managed to sidestep a jury trial in the DoJ's big antitrust case over its alleged monopoly in online ad tech. The tech giant pulled it off by cutting a check for $2.3 million to cover potential damages.

The saga began last year when the Justice Department sued Google, accusing the tech giant of illegally monopolizing the technologies used for buying and selling digital ads. The DoJ initially sought a jury trial, which came as a surprise, claiming the federal government had been overcharged for the ads it purchased between 2019-2023 due to Google's allegedly anti-competitive behavior. Experts in the case estimated the feds may have overpaid by around $750,000, reports Bloomberg.

Most antitrust cases are heard by a judge rather than a jury. But the DoJ argued that a jury was warranted since the government could claim damages for getting swindled by Google's purported monopolistic pricing practices. Ad purchases had cost federal agencies $100 million in all, but the government reportedly trimmed its claims to the purchases of just eight of its agencies.

Google wasn't having it, though. The company objected to a jury trial, arguing that complex antitrust cases are better suited for a judge due to their technical nature. Finally, in May, they presented the DoJ with a $2.3 million cashier's check  triple the estimated damages plus interest.

On Friday, Judge Leonie Brinkema agreed the payment satisfies any damages claims, ruling that a fair reading of the expert reports does not support a higher amount. She'll now oversee a bench trial scheduled for September.

The DoJ had argued the $2.3 million payout was too low, but Brinkema has seemingly dismissed those objections. The Justice Department's "contrived damages claim has disintegrated," Peter Schottenfels, a Google spokesperson, said in a statement.

Of course, avoiding a jury is just a small skirmish in Google's much larger antitrust war. The ad tech case is actually the third major antitrust suit facing the company, which also faces monopoly accusations over its search engine and other businesses. A ruling in the DoJ's search monopoly case, which went to trial last year, is expected later this year.

While scoring the jury dismissal could be seen as a win for Google, the ad tech trial still looms large. The company insists it "welcomes a full resolution by this Court of all remaining claims."
What just happened? Once again, Apple's tracking technology has been used to locate a suspected criminal accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of goods. On this occasion, it was an Apple Watch, rather than AirTags, that was used to find the alleged thief  a shop worker at a South Florida airport.

After her flight had been canceled, college student Paola Garcia panicked when her pink hard-shell roller suitcase didn't show up at the baggage carousel at Terminal 4 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Garcia said she always takes her suitcase on flights, but this time Spirit Airlines told her she had to check it. Her panic is understandable: the case contained an Apple MacBook, an iPad, an Apple Watch, jewelry, and high-end women's clothing, worth more than $5,000 in total.

"In my mind, I'm thinking I need my computer because I go to the university, I need my computer no matter what," Garcia told Local 10 News. "I was waiting there at least two hours."

Spirit Airlines employees told Garcia not to worry, and that her lost luggage would be recovered and sent to her house. She left her home address with staff, but noticed the next morning that Apple's Find My feature was showing the Apple Watch at an address about six miles north of the airport.

Garcia traveled to the house because she needed her MacBook for a test that day. When she arrived, she found luggage scattered outside, so she took videos and photos of the scene.

Garcia informed the Broward Sheriff's Office. A detective found that the address belonged to Junior Geneus Bazile, who worked for Paradies Lagardere, a company that operates retail stores inside FLL.

Bazile was working at the airport on the day Garcia's bag went missing. Surveillance footage shows that Bazile entered a storage room on that day with a roller bag that matched Garcia's. He is then seen searching through the bag and taking out the MacBook and other items, states the affidavit. He placed smaller items in a black bag, while the laptop and pink roller were put in clear plastic bags.

Bazile was charged with grand theft. He pleaded not guilty. Paradies Lagardere said that it has now terminated his employment.

Gracia said her stolen items have not yet been recovered. Spirit said in a statement that even though it was not aware of any evidence that an airline employee was involved in the theft, it had issued a "reimbursement check to the guest as a courtesy on May 20."

Earlier this month, a carpenter used Apple's AirTags to find not only his stolen tools but also around 15,000 others worth millions of dollars.
We all remember the days of "AIOps", right? An overused term that made promises it couldn't keep about developer and SRE tooling. And while for years the magic never came, today the breakthroughs in AI have taken the world by storm.

That's not to say there aren't legitimate concerns about the rise of AI. For one, how reliable is it? Hallucinations still happen frequently, for example, and when dealing with enterprise software, reliability and security are of the utmost importance. And while some developers may be worried smart bots will eventually take their jobs, smart developers are leveraging artificial intelligence to make their jobs easier.

The right approach is "keeping humans in the loop" and making sure the gravity center of control remains among people. With the right tooling and controls in place, AI will act as an accelerator to businesses around the world, much of which today is driven by software.

In this article, we take a look at 4 AI-driven startups to watch in DevOps:

Rootly

The incident management space has exploded over the last few years. We've seen a few stand-outs that are helping enterprises have greater visibility into their incidents, mitigate them more quickly by getting more of the organization involved, and ultimately become more resilient companies that learn from their failures instead of sweeping them under the rug.

A star standout is Rootly that's raised over $15Million in funding from investors like Google, Renegade, and Y Combinator. Particularly interesting is their latest on-call solution, which many argue is the most critical piece to incident management. If the right person doesn't reliably get paged when something goes wrong, then the rest of the process - from collaboration through mitigation and learning - simply can't happen.



Rootly is uniquely positioned to help the enterprise streamline their incident management processes, and the recent addition of an AI-driven on-call solution to their platform makes them one of the top startups to watch in DevOps.

Rootly On-Call is the only multi-cloud alerting system in the market. This means that even if an entire AWS region goes down, you will always get your alerts as expected. It's critical that a company's on-call system is reliable and multi-cloud will hopefully be the new industry standard going forward.

The ethos behind Rootly's approach to AI is to keep the human at the center. Humans need to be free to do the creative work of solving complex problems about their unique systems, while leaving the AI to deal with the toil of writing up summaries and managing schedules. And because Rootly has more data and context than a legacy paging system, it can automatically build context-aware dashboards that prove extremely useful for individuals and teams triaging an incident.



Kentik

Kentik is a Network Observability platform that recently launched Kentik AI to democratize the ability to ask complex network questions and get fast answers. For example, Kentik Query Assistant promises that users can ask a question in natural language, while the Kentik platform performs all of the complex analysis behind the scenes to provide real-time answers for rapid network troubleshooting. The company also announced AI-assisted workflows under the name "Journeys AI" and we imagine this is just the beginning for this ambitious company.

Network Observability is an evolution of network performance monitoring that provides enterprises with more intelligent capabilities for complex networks. The addition of AI helps network teams optimize network health with real-time monitoring and alerting. Kentik unifies traffic flow with real-time and streaming device metrics in one SaaS platform, which lets network engineers correlate heterogeneous telemetry data from distributed infrastructure components.



GitLab

Gitlab is likely the most well-known company on this list, with a $10 Billion IPO in 2021. Since going public, the company has leaned hard into AI with GitLab Duo for shipping secure software throughout the entire software development lifecycle.Their chat functionality offers real-time guidance for technical and non-technical users across the entire software development lifecycle, providing the ability to chat with AI right in the IDE, and receive explanations about code in natural language.

Many developers are also leveraging code suggestions to write secure code more efficiently and accelerate cycle times by taking care of repetitive, routine coding tasks. While there are other solutions out there that offer code completion to significantly accelerate developer productivity, this is just one of many core features baked into GitLab Duo.



CAST AI

CAST AI is a cloud optimization platform that claims to cut cloud bills in half for AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure customers who use Kubernetes. Powered by AI, it analyzes multiple data points to find an optimal cost-performance ratio. While other "FinOps" solutions will charge customers a percentage of these savings, CAST AI is unique in letting customers keep those savings, and instead chooses a straightforward pricing model that doesn't increase over time.



They even have a totally free version that you can connect to your Kubernetes cluster and immediately receive cost-saving insights without needing to even enter a credit card. While Kubernetes is a popular technology, becoming the most popular project from the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), its complexity is something that many companies still wrestle with. Bringing AI to the table to help optimize performance and costs is a no-brainer for DevOps teams in 2024.

There are dozens of other startups we considered for this list. Similar to how a decade ago every modern company was becoming a software company, in some way or another, today every modern business will have to integrate AI to keep up. The ones who do it best will have transparency and keep the human in the loop. For DevOps teams, this hopefully means more reliable, secure, and collaborative software as we go full-steam ahead into the age of AI.
The world of technology saw yet again a massive focus on AI last week, with Tech Times' Weekly Wrap offering you the top stories, starting with China's Kuaishou featuring its new Kling AI for generative video production.

Moreover, Apple's upcoming AI features are expected at this week's WWDC 2024, featuring its collaboration with OpenAI. However, there is also the controversial spotting of NewsBreak sharing AI-generated fake stories, with different pieces featuring its content.

China's Kuaishou App Brings Kling AI, Going Against Sora

Kuaishou is the second-largest short video app in China after Douyin (a.k.a. TikTok). It is now delivering its take on artificial intelligence with Kling AI. This model is capable of providing AI-generated videos for users. The new Kling model is no joke, as it can deliver as many as two-minute videos solely from user prompts and is capable of outputting high-quality ones.

It is now one of the biggest competitors of OpenAI's Sora AI, its latest model responsible for creating videos from text prompts alone.

Currently, Kling is in its testing phase, but it can already deliver 1080p quality videos for up to two minutes. It offers imaginative and realistic videos, and the experience is available to access through a waitlist.

Read Also : Mississippi Faces New Lawsuit From Tech Group Over Age Verification on Websites

Apple and OpenAI's Upcoming Tech in WWDC 2024

WWDC 2024 is coming in a few hours this June 10, and watchful eyes are monitoring the event because of expectations on Apple's generative AI announcements here. It was also reported that many expect Cupertino to announce its partnership with OpenAI, banking on leaks and speculations behind their collaboration to deliver these new AI experiences for Cupertino.

Dubbed 'Apple Intelligence,' the new technology will be prominently seen on iOS 18, the operating system for iPhones and iPads, which will receive its 'biggest update ever.'

Moreover, users may opt for Apple Intelligence after WWDC, similar to beta programs for new releases after the event. However, eligibility may be limited and only for current-gen iPhones, M1, and later Macs.

NewsBreak Caught Sharing AI-Generated Stories

The top-downloaded news app in the United States, NewsBreak, is now embroiled in a controversy after it was caught sharing news containing AI-generated fake stories. One of the fabricated stories was entitled "Christmas Day Tragedy Strikes Bridgeton, New Jersey Amid Rising Gun Violence in Small Towns," and the local police clarified the incident last December.

Reuters reported that the Bridgeton Police Department said NewsBreak published the story despite it containing AI-generated content.

Other posts were also spotted to feature AI-generated content, with the report seeing as many as 40 false stories, but NewsBreak said that it takes down content or news containing inaccurate information.
Import tariffs by the European Union on China-made electric vehicles are expected to be formalized as early as Wednesday (June 12) this week. The to-be-announced taxes will also affect other Chinese imports.

As per The Guardian, although many predict Beijing will strike with countermeasures that could affect a range of EU exports to the nation, including dairy products and cognac, Chinese firms are already preparing for additional import duties.

Ursula von der Leyen, the chairwoman of the European Commission, cautioned that the world could not absorb China's excess production after meeting with Xi Jinping, the president of China, in Paris last month. She added that the EU will not waver from defending its sectors and jobs within the unit.

The anti-subsidy probe was started in October of last year because of allegations that China was suppressing domestic consumer demand via overcapacity and flooding the EU with cheaper EVs.

It is one of the more than a dozen investigations into Chinese state assistance that the EU is conducting. Other investigations include one into the export of solar panels, heat pumps, and wind turbines, which the energy industry claims are 50% less expensive than what the EU charges.

Beijing's Expected Response

Experts predict that since the electric car industry fuels China's export success, Beijing would view the taxes as a show of strength.

They forecast that Xi, viewing trade as a battlefield where he can determine the terms, will not budge from the national wager he made to control the green tech sector globally through EVs, solar panels, and electric vehicle batteries.

In the unlikely event that the EU probe concludes on Wednesday that Chinese automakers have gained a competitive edge, Beijing will be issued a formal pre-notification of tariffs and given four weeks to present any information that refutes the European position.

In November, some 13 months after the investigation began, member states must support any decision to impose tariffs permanently.

If implemented, the tariff schedule would consist of three tiers: individual rates for the sample of businesses the EU was investigating, which included BYD, the largest EV seller in the world; an average tariff for businesses that complied with inquiries but were not thoroughly investigated; and a residual tariff for businesses that weren't investigated at all.

US Tariffs on Chinese EVs

The EU's expected import tariffs come just a month after US President Joe Biden announced that China-made electric vehicles and goods will be subject to a new set of tariffs, quadrupling the Chinese EV tariff from 25% to 100%.

Despite Beijing's threat of retaliation, Biden argued that the higher levies were a fair response to China's excess capacity in the electric vehicle market. According to sources, China can only sell 22 to 23 million EVs domestically despite producing 30 million of them annually.

Because Donald Trump's tariffs during his presidency almost prevented Chinese electric vehicles from entering the US, Biden's car tariffs are merely symbolic.

However, lobby organizations have cautioned against a possible hazard as Beijing turns to exports to counterbalance its weak economy.

If Chinese cars were to enter the US market, the Alliance for American Manufacturing said, US manufacturers would suffer "extinction-level events."
The US Navy has entered into a $500 million agreement with BlueForge Alliance to enhance its submarine base. Established in November 2022, BlueForge Alliance, a Texas-based non-profit, has swiftly gained prominence by teaming up with the US Navy and General Dynamics Electric Boat.

US Navy's Collaboration with BlueForge Alliance

The US Navy has sealed a $500 million agreement with BlueForge Alliance to enhance its submarine base. BlueForge Alliance has swiftly garnered attention by teaming up with the US Navy and General Dynamics Electric Boat. This collaboration aims to fortify the submarine industrial base, with the Navy planning to escalate its investment, as per a prominent Navy official.

Established in November 2022 by two former engineers from Texas A&M, Interesting Engineering reported that BlueForge Alliance has rapidly made a name for itself by teaming up with the US Navy and General Dynamics Electric Boat. Their collaboration aims to bolster the submarine industrial base in readiness for the AUKUS pact.

During a roundtable discussion at Naval Sea Systems Command on June 6, Matthew Sermon, the executive director of the program executive office for strategic submarines at the Navy, revealed that $605 million has been earmarked for supplier development in the fiscal year 2024 national security supplemental. He expressed his anticipation of involving BlueForge in these projects.

BlueForge's Collaborative Efforts and Initiatives

Sermon, one of the first Navy officials to publicly discuss BlueForge Alliance at a trade show last November, mentioned that the organization's founders, Kiley Wren and Rob Gorham, initially reached out to the service after working with Texas A&M.

He also pointed out that BlueForge has broadened its initiatives by spearheading an additive manufacturing consortium involving several universities. Additionally, they partner with select original equipment manufacturers and additive manufacturing companies to ensure seamless coordination between industry and academia, emphasizing the importance of material advancement to bolster capability.

Also read : The Future of Submarine Warfare? Chinese Laser Tech Could Propel Subs at Unprecedented Rates

BlueForge's initiatives, including the BuildSubmarines.com platform, target the Navy's requirement for 100,000 new employees over the span of ten years. They've actively promoted this initiative through billboards and advertisements at significant events like the MLB season opener, NASCAR races, and the Oscars.

Moreover, BlueForge presented pilot programs for supplier and workforce development to Electric Boat and the Navy, with Electric Boat endorsing these programs and appointing the non-profit as the exclusive executor.

BlueForge's proactive measures and swift growth reflect a broader movement within the U.S. Navy to bolster its industrial capacities. Concurrently, the Navy's collaboration with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) to recruit and educate skilled workers underscores a mutual goal.
Meta will reportedly soon use people's Facebook and Instagram posts as training data for the tech giant's artificial intelligence tools, including posts originating from 2007. Several countries have the option to opt out of the new policy but others are forced to comply.

Beginning on June 26, Meta will begin using user data dating back to 2007 to train and enhance their AI technologies as part of the new privacy policy. Except for private messages, this covers user postings, images, captions, and messages to Meta's AI chatbot.





Only users in the US state of Illinois and the European Union are now able to opt-out due to AI protection rules like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in effect in these regions. Conversely, Australia is one of the countries that is unable to withdraw from the policy.

As a result, the advocacy group NOYB (none of your business) has filed 11 complaints with the EU, alleging that Meta intends to use years' worth of private photos, posts, and online tracking data for an unidentified "AI technology" that can gather personal information from any source and share it with any number of unidentified third parties. As a result, the group is pleading with authorities to intervene and revoke the policy.

According to NOYB, it would affect about 400 million customers throughout Europe. The fact that users would have to actively choose not to submit data in the future, according to the group, was troubling.

Hollywood as AI Training Data

Meta went so far as to offer Hollywood production and film studios AI licensing deals for millions of dollars, as it searches for methods to feed its AI models with high-quality data.

Along with Google, Meta waved tens of millions of dollars at Hollywood studios, hoping to collaborate with them on advancing AI technology.

According to sources, Google and Meta have not yet released an official statement about these new proposals for studios and businesses, which are focused on enhancing their AI video creation.

Concerns regarding AI's potential to influence video editing and production are enormous, with the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes being two of the most significant examples of resistance.

AI Training on AI Data

Training data for AI continues to be a significant concern for Big Tech as previous sources have reported that internet data is running out for AI companies to train their models.

In contrast to Meta's most recent strategy, AI companies are looking into other ways to get training data as traditional internet data sources are becoming more scarce.

Some are using AI algorithms to create synthetic data and publicly accessible video transcripts. However, because it relies on artificially generated data, this strategy has its own set of drawbacks, such as an increased chance of AI model hallucinations.

Experts are worried about the possible consequences of training AI models with synthetic data due to its dependence. Concerns have been raised regarding a process known as "digital inbreeding," in which AI models that are trained on data created by AI systems may experience instability problems, resulting in less-than-ideal performance or failure.

AI behemoths like OpenAI are taking a unique approach to model training in response to the data shortage issue. For example, OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT, is reportedly considering training its GPT-5 model with transcriptions of publicly accessible YouTube videos. These strategies have been criticized, though, and video content creators may even file legal challenges in response.
The European Union's expected import tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) have reportedly prompted Volvo to move its production of some of its EV models from China to Belgium.

According to The Sunday Times' unnamed sources, Volvo is moving its EX30 and EX90 models manufacturing from China to Belgium. The newspaper also reported that the automaker may relocate the manufacturing of some models bound for the United Kingdom to Belgium.

Among Western automakers, China's Geely-owned luxury car company Volvo is considered the most vulnerable to tariffs. Trade tensions between the EU and China have resulted in a flurry of anti-dumping investigations against Beijing, which is accused of providing unfair subsidies.

As early as this week, the EU is anticipated to inform Chinese manufacturers of electric vehicles whether or not it will apply temporary tariffs on July 4 that would raise import taxes above the existing 10% level.

If implemented, the tariff schedule would consist of three tiers: individual rates for the sample of firms the EU was investigating, including BYD, the world's biggest seller of EVs; an average tariff for companies that responded to inquiries but were not thoroughly probed; and a residual tariff for firms that were not investigated.





China on the Expected EU Tariffs

In denying the Times' report, Volvo said it is too soon to speculate on the implications of the inquiry's conclusion or any potential measures. A spokesperson told Bloomberg that the company's choice to construct the EX30 in Ghent, Belgium, underlines its goal to build vehicles where they sell the most.

Volvo also said that the additional capacity in Belgium had previously been revealed. China declared last week that it will take steps to protect its interests after accusing the EU of trying to "suppress" Chinese businesses.

According to Xinhua, which cited remarks made by China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, the charges of unfair competition against China are totally without merit. Wang expressed his desire for the EU to give up trade protectionism and instead prioritize dialogue and collaboration.

Read Also : Chinese EV Maker Nio Introduces Cheaper Rival to Tesla's Model Y

EU's Motivation on Import Tariffs

Ursula von der Leyen, the chairwoman of the European Commission, reportedly cautioned that the world could not absorb China's excess production after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Paris last month.

She noted that the EU will not waver from defending its sectors and jobs within the unit. Allegations that China was suppressing domestic consumer demand via overcapacity and flooding the EU with cheaper EVs led to the launch of the anti-subsidy investigation in October last year.

It is one of the more than a dozen investigations being conducted by the EU into Chinese state assistance. One inquiry focuses on exports of heat pumps, solar panels, and wind turbines, which the energy sector asserts are 50% less expensive than what the EU charges.
According to reports, con artists are using X accounts to pose as well-known British airlines; as a result, consumer brand advocate "Which?" has requested that X remove the accounts right now.

According to consumer advocate "Which?", every major airline in the UK has fake profiles on X, formerly known as Twitter, which are regularly used to trick consumers into providing personal information. It was also mentioned that X takes too long to remove problematic accounts.

Customers are frequently requested to give sensitive personal information by scammers, or they are led to phishing websites where credit card information can be obtained.





Some con artists may assert that their victims are entitled to reimbursement or demand a minor payment to fix the problem.

"Which?" declared that it had discovered fake X accounts posing as all of the major UK airlines, including easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, and Wizz Air.

The majority of the fraudulent postings and accounts it identified were still active at the time of writing, and it claimed that reporting phony accounts to X appeared to have little impact.

According to the social networking site's "misleading and deceptive identities policy," accounts that mimic businesses risk having their access permanently blocked.

Prior to this, it had told "Which?" that it had eliminated every single fake account that the consumer advocacy organization had discovered. It claimed that con artists search social media for these kinds of encounters by frequently employing bots, a kind of automated software.

Read Also: TikTok Fails 'Disinformation Test,' Approves Misleading Election Ads Ahead of EU Vote, Study Shows

EU Probe on X

Criticisms surrounding social media platform X only continue to increase as X has reportedly been under EU investigation since December on concerns about civic discourse disinformation and the social platform's crowdsourced 'Community Notes' content moderation tool. However, no punishments have been issued

In addition, the EU has recently requested that X provide an explanation for the decrease in content moderation resources, citing worries about misinformation in front of the June European elections. Comparably, out of concerns that Meta is not doing enough to prevent misinformation, the EU has opened an investigation against the company's Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Disinformation "Superspreaders" on X

A recent study, which was also reported on May 27, found that the bulk of fake news on the social media platform X is disseminated by a select few accounts. A group of Indiana University social media analysts conducted the study, which highlights the startlingly significant role that "superspreaders" play in spreading false information online.

Since disinformation has serious ramifications for society, the researchers concentrated on its dissemination. False information poses a threat to public health and erodes confidence in democratic systems.

Among the most notable examples are the fraudulent assertions on the US presidential election of 2020, which fueled the Capitol riot on January 6, and the misinformation regarding COVID-19, which led to misunderstandings over vaccinations and preventative measures.

Related Article: Experts Weigh in After Musk's X Allows Adult Content Posts

(Photo : Tech Times)
Chinese tech giant Huawei is intensifying its efforts to recruit domestic talent and strengthen basic research amid tightening US sanctions.

During a visit to Sichuan University on June 5, Huawei's founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei outlined the company's plans to collaborate more closely with Chinese universities to address critical technological challenges (via South China Morning Post).

Huawei Is Looking to Boost 'Basic Research'

SCMP tells us that Ren's visit to Sichuan University in southwestern China is part of a broader strategy to bolster Huawei's research capabilities. He emphasized that the company highly values the role of talent in driving technological innovation and aims to achieve breakthroughs in key fields.

This initiative is particularly significant as Huawei continues to grapple with escalating export restrictions imposed by the US since the company was blacklisted in 2019.

In response to these sanctions, Huawei has prioritized talent acquisition through initiatives such as the "Top Minds" program, later rebranded as "Genius Youth."

This recruitment drive focuses on attracting individuals who have won prestigious research honors or produced impactful research results. Ren's efforts include extensive university tours to identify and recruit top talent.

Ren's focus on basic or pure research, which advances theoretical knowledge rather than pursuing specific products, aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinping's call for greater emphasis on basic research. This approach aims to build a strong foundation for future technological innovations.

Huawei's commitment to research and development has led to significant technological advancements, despite the challenges posed by US sanctions.

Huawei's Efforts to Resist US Tech Sanctions

Last year, Huawei revived its smartphone business in China with the launch of the Mate 60 series, featuring a new chip design that appeared to circumvent US efforts to restrict access to advanced semiconductor technology.

These smartphones, powered by the Kirin 9000s chips from Huawei's HiSilicon subsidiary, were the first 5G devices the company had released in three years. The launch was celebrated in China, boosting Huawei's sales and helping it regain its position among the top five smartphone brands in the country.

In addition to smartphones, Huawei has been actively developing artificial intelligence (AI) chips to meet the domestic market's needs. SCMP reports that the company's latest Ascend 910B AI chip has shown impressive performance, reportedly being 20% more efficient than Nvidia's A100 when training large language models. This development is crucial for Huawei, as US export controls have limited access to Nvidia's most advanced graphics processing units.

Financially, Huawei has shown resilience in the face of sanctions. The company reported a substantial earnings increase, with net profit rising to 87 billion yuan ($12 billion) and revenue increasing by nearly 10% to 704.2 billion yuan ($97.4 billion). These gains were driven by strong sales and product advancements, particularly in the cloud and digital divisions, as well as from the sale of several businesses.

Huawei's recent product launches, including the Pura 70 series, have been met with strong demand. The Pura series, which features sophisticated camera technology and stylish designs, sold out its Pro and Ultra models on the launch day, starting at 5,499 yuan ($760).

In May, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced plans to prohibit Huawei, ZTE, and other telecoms from approving wireless technologies in the country, citing potential national security threats.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.
BYD Chairman and founder Wang Chuanfu stated that foreign politicians are "afraid" of Chinese electric automobiles.



In his remarks at a Friday industry summit in Chongqing, China, Wang urged the electric vehicle (EV) sector to welcome more competition to speed the auto industry's transition to electric vehicles, according to a report from Benzinga. Wang reportedly remarked that there are several politicians outside China "who are worried" about EV companies in the country, reflecting the robust China car industry.



He added that if Chinese EV firms "are not strong enough," the foreign politicians "will not be afraid of you."

BYD Continues Strong Sales

China's highly competitive EV sector has seen a pricing war in recent months, with manufacturers offering substantial discounts and newer, cheaper models to attract customers.



BYD sold roughly 1.27 million passenger vehicles worldwide by May, up 27.1% from last year, including 580,974 BEVs and 685,960 PHEVs.



The Chinese EV maker surpassed Tesla as the world's top electric vehicle seller last year. Tesla reclaimed its advantage in the first quarter, but the two EV makers remain competitive, according to CNN.



In May, U.S. President Joe Biden tripled tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to 100%, shutting down one of the world's major passenger automobile marketplaces. Next week, the EU may slap more import taxes on the industry.

BYD To Open a Second European Facility

In a separate update, a BYD official said that the Chinese firm will develop a second European facility and launch hybrid cars when the EV industry slows.



Stella Li, VP for Europe and the Americas, rejected fears about a European Union study that may lead to Chinese EV taxes. At the Monaco's Top Marques auto show, Li remarked that one proof of BYD's superb performance is "When your competition worries about you", per a report from AFP published on MSN.

Hungary will host BYD's first European facility by the end of next year. Li said the business is still looking for a second plant location and will invest when it is ready.

As EV sales drop in numerous EU nations, BYD will release plug in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) like the Seal U DM-i, shown in Monaco. These cars feature combustion engines and rechargeable midsize electric batteries.

Consumers consider PHEVs "the first baby step to enjoying the technology," Li added. BYD sold 1.5 million PHEVs last year, half its global sales. PHEVs are hefty and use a lot of gas, which emits dangerous pollutants when not charged, detractors say.



Governments throughout the European Union are extending incentives to Chinese automakers hoping to locate facilities in Europe, while the EU probes China's car subsidies and considers import levies, per The Japan Times.



According to Bain & Company partner Gianluca Di Loreto, many Chinese EV corporations want to establish European operations to strengthen their brands and save on shipping and taxes.



The EU's tariff decision is expected this week. Import tariffs may help European automakers compete with China, but also encourage Chinese manufacturers to invest in Europe.



Consulting company AlixPartners expects Chinese-brand automobile sales to reach 7% of the European market by 2028, up from 4% last year.



Last year, BYD announced the first European industrial investment by a Chinese manufacturer. Hungary will manufacture 500,000 automobiles in 2023.

Moreover, Budapest is reportedly talking with Great Wall Motor about its first European facility. To entice international investment, the country is offering tax reductions, job creation funds, and reduced rules in designated zones.
A skilled Chinese medical team achieved a pioneering milestone by performing a remote robotic surgery during a practical frontier conference on Friday, June 7.

At first, it seems impossible to do this, knowing that a humanoid robot is still prone to errors despite having advanced technology. Surprisingly, the team successfully did the unimaginable in the healthcare industry.

Led by Zhang Xu, a distinguished academician from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and director of the urology department at the Third Medical Center of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, the team executed the surgery simultaneously in Rome, Italy, and Beijing, China.

Bridging Vast Distances with Precision

The two locations, separated by approximately 8,100 kilometers, presented a significant challenge. Despite the two-way communication distance exceeding 20,000 kilometers, the surgical procedure was flawlessly coordinated.

Zhang operated a self-developed remote surgical robot from Rome, while the robot in Beijing's PLA General Hospital precisely carried out his instructions on a prostate cancer patient, according to the South China Morning Post.

Related Article : Best Telemedicine Apps for Quality Healthcare Solutions at Home [2023]

Overcoming Communication Hurdles

According to Zhang, telesurgery which is commonly known as the remote type of surgery has the biggest problem which is communication. It only worsens with the delay in several locations.

However, Zhang said that the whole process was smooth since there was no delay that came out. He said that the long-distance surgery was almost the same as physical surgery.

His ability to perform the surgery with minimal latency highlighted the advanced communication technologies in use, ensuring real-time precision.

A Historical Moment in Medical Technology

Vito Pansadoro, chairman of Challenges in Laparoscopy, Robotics, and AI, expressed his excitement.

"To me, it was a truly historical experience, a historical moment. The fact that he was able to do it in Rome makes us very, very happy," Pansadoro stated.

Innovations for Battlefield and Disaster Response

Zhang emphasized that this remote surgery can contribute a lot in various fields: through the cross-integration of new technologies and concepts. It holds immense promise for remote treatment in battlefield environments and disaster-stricken areas.

The next phase of this research aims to apply these advancements to military field medical services, enhancing the protection and care of officers and soldiers in remote locations.

Real-Time Medical Resource Projection

Zhang said that remote surgery can project the most sophisticated medical resources at the front. This capability could ensure that cutting-edge medical expertise is available wherever it is needed, potentially saving countless lives in critical situations.

The successful execution of this remote robotic surgery marks a transformative step in the medical field, showcasing the potential for future applications in both civilian and military contexts.

Outside Earth, a surgical robot hit an unbelievable milestone when it completed a surgery demo in space.

The developers of spaceMIRA (Miniaturized In Vivo Robotic Assistant), the robot behind this telesurgery, said that this could help humans who need surgical emergencies during galactical explorations. It's also something that will aid those who need immediate medical care assistance in far-flung places on the planet.
In a recent update, Google has announced a new feature called Instant Hotspot, designed to streamline the process of sharing mobile data between Android devices.

This feature, part of the latest Android Feature Drop, aims to simplify connectivity across devices, enhancing user convenience and reducing the hassle associated with connecting to mobile hotspots.

An official Google live support document sheds light on how this feature works (via Android Authority).

What is Instant Hotspot?

Instant Hotspot is a tool that allows Android users to instantly connect one device to another's internet connection with just a single tap on a notification.

This eliminates the need for manual configuration, password entry, or navigating through multiple settings menus. The feature leverages Google's new cross-device services, which facilitate seamless interaction between devices signed into the same Google account.

How to Use Instant Hotspot

To use Instant Hotspot, both the host device (the one sharing its internet connection) and the client device (the one connecting to the internet) must meet certain prerequisites.

First, both devices need to be signed into the same Google account. Second, they must have Android's new cross-device services enabled.

Users can activate these services by navigating to Settings > Google > All services > Devices & sharing > Cross-device services and enabling Internet sharing and Instant Hotspot.

Once these settings are configured, the process is straightforward. When the client device is within range of the host device, a notification will appear on the client device.

Tapping this notification will instantly connect it to the host device's internet without requiring a password. This feature is particularly useful for users who frequently need to connect multiple devices or find themselves in areas with limited Wi-Fi access.

The Feature's Limitations and Compatibility

Despite its convenience, Instant Hotspot does come with several caveats. Notably, Android Authority has discovered the feature is not supported on Android Go or Samsung devices.

Users with Samsung devices are advised to use One UI's Auto Hotspot feature instead. Additionally, Instant Hotspot requires Android 11 or later, excluding devices running Android 10 or older versions.

Pixel devices running Android 14 or later enjoy a slight advantage with Instant Hotspot. The SSID (network name) for these devices will be more user-friendly, displaying the device's given name (e.g., "N's Pixel 8 Pro") rather than a generic label like "Instant Hotspot 12345". This makes it easier for users to identify their devices when connecting.

There are also specific limitations for Android tablets. While tablets can use Instant Hotspot, they must connect through the notification. If users try to find the SSID manually through the settings menu, it will not appear. It remains unclear if this limitation applies to the Pixel Tablet, as Google has yet to clarify this point.

When Will the Feature be Released

While the feature was announced in May 2024, Google has not provided a concrete timeline for its rollout. The support page for Instant Hotspot is live, offering detailed instructions on how to use the feature, but the cross-device services required for Instant Hotspot are not yet active on any devices.

Users will need to wait for these services to become available before they can take advantage of Instant Hotspot.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.
Nokia has successfully executed the world's first cellular call using the new Immersive Voice and Audio Services (IVAS) codec, a groundbreaking milestone in live voice calling tech.

Nokia Makes First Immersive Audio Call

On June 10, 2024, Nokia announced this remarkable achievement from its campus in Espoo, Finland. The historic call was made by Pekka Lundmark, Nokia's President and CEO, who connected with Stefan Lindstrom, Finland's Ambassador of Digitalization and New Technologies.

This call was not just any regular phone call; it utilized the IVAS codec technology, part of the upcoming 5G Advanced standard, to deliver a three-dimensional (3D) spatial sound experience in real time.

What Is the IVAS Codec?

Current smartphone calls typically use monophonic audio, which compresses sound elements together, resulting in a flatter and less detailed sound experience.

The IVAS codec changes this by enabling users to hear voices as if they were physically present with the caller. This immersive technology brings a spatial and massively improved listening experience to voice and video calls, making interactions more lifelike and engaging.

"The live immersive voice and audio experience enabled by IVAS improves the richness and quality of the call, and the three-dimensional sound experience makes interaction more lifelike and engaging," said Lindstrom.

This technology is expected to offer significant benefits for both personal and professional communication, including enterprise and industrial applications.

The Future of Voice Calls

During the demonstration, Lundmark showcased the distinctive acoustic dimensions that can be experienced with the IVAS technology.

"This groundbreaking audio technology takes you to the caller's environment, creating a spatial and massively improved listening experience for voice and video calls," Lundmark explains.

This technology can be used across any connected devices such as smartphones, tablets, or PCs, making it versatile and widely applicable. The IVAS codec allows for a real-life interaction with three-dimensional sound, which could revolutionize how we experience voice calls today.

What's Next?

The IVAS codec is not just a proprietary technology; it has been developed under the framework of the 3GPP standardization process. A consortium of 13 companies, including Nokia, has been instrumental in these efforts. Nokia has been a frontrunner, contributing major parts of the technology and developing a smartphone-specific format for the IVAS standard.

Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies, indicated that the technology is now becoming standardized, allowing network providers, chipset manufacturers, and handset manufacturers to start implementing it in their products.

This standardization is a key factor in ensuring that spatial communication is universally accessible, as it enables interoperability between various industry players.

Apart from enhancing personal and professional communication, the IVAS technology has potential applications in conference calls, where voices of participants can be separated based on their spatial locations.

It also paves the way for enhanced extended reality (XR) and metaverse applications, promising a more immersive experience in these growing fields.

Nokia aims to explore licensing opportunities for the IVAS technology, though widespread availability is expected to take a few years.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.
A group of Israeli cybersecurity researchers exploited serious vulnerabilities in the Visual Studio Code (VSCode) Marketplace, using a trojanized extension to infect over 100 organizations.

Visual Studio Code, also commonly referred to as VSCode, is a popular and free source code editor developed by Microsoft for Windows, Linux, macOS, and web browsers and used by a significant percentage of professional software developers around the world.

To demonstrate their findings, the researchers, Amit Assaraf, Itay Kruk, and Idan Dardikman, used the popular Dracula theme named Dracula Official (with over +6,000,000 installs) and created their own copycat Darcula Official.

After downloading the source code, the researchers added their own code and copied all the marketing resources.

Following this, they were able to get a domain name, darculatheme[.]com, similar to the official draculatheme.com.

This domain was used to become the verified publisher on the VSCode Marketplace to add credibility to the fake extension. The team was able to publish their harmful extension within just 30 minutes.

VSCode Marketplace is the most popular extension market for the integrated development environment (IDE) that allows users to add languages, debuggers, and tools to their installation to support their development workflow.

Not only does the malicious extension use the actual code from the legitimate Darcula theme, but it also includes an added script to extract system information, such as hostname, domain, platform, number of extensions, etc., and sends the data to a remote server via an HTTPS POST request.

According to the researchers, the activity of the Darcula extension was not detected by the standard endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools due to VSCodes design, which allows reading many files, execution of several commands, and creation of child processes, which was treated with leniency.

Unfortunately, traditional endpoint security tools (EDRs) do not detect this activity (as weve demonstrated examples of RCE for select organizations during the responsible disclosure process), VSCode is built to read lots of files and execute many commands and create child processes, thus EDRs cannot understand if the activity from VSCode is legit developer activity or a malicious extension.  Amit Assaraf

Interestingly, after the extension went live on the VSCode Marketplace, the researchers were able to gain 100+ different victims without promoting the extension or doing anything extraordinary to get developers to install it (When searching Darcula Theme).

After a few days on the VSCode Marketplace, the extension was installed by a publicly listed company with a $483 billion dollar market cap, the biggest security firms, and a national justice court network. The researchers chose not to disclose the names of the affected companies.

As the experiment did not have malicious intent, the researchers only collected identifying information and disclosed it in the extensions Read Me, license, and code.

Using a custom tool named ExtensionTotal, the researchers analyzed the threat landscape of the VSCode Marketplace and discovered the following high-risk extensions in their initial research:

1,283 extensions with a combined total of 229 million installs

8161 extensions that communicate with a hardcoded IP address from JS code

1,452 extensions that run an unknown executable binary or DLL on the host machine.

2,304 are using another publishers GitHub repo as their official listed repository, suggesting copycat extensions.

One harmful extension, found in a malicious Visual Studio Code Marketplace in particular, was capable of opening a reverse shell to the cybercriminals server.

As you can tell by the numbers, there are plethora of extensions that pose risks to organizations on the Visual Studio Code marketplace. VSCode extensions are an abused and exposed attack vertical, with zero visibility, high impact, and high risk. This issue poses a direct threat to organizations and deserves the security communitys attention, the researchers warned.

The researchers responsibly reported all the malicious extensions they detected to Microsoft and requested that they be removed. As of writing this article, many malicious extensions remain available for download via the VSCode Marketplace.

Further, the researchers plan to release their ExtensionTotal tool as a free tool for developers to help them scan for potential threats within their environments.

Microsoft has yet to respond to inquiries about the current state of malicious extensions in the Visual Studio Marketplace and how it plans to strengthen its security.
When Gray Eagleson remembers the strap, it brings back horrific images of pain, suffering and humiliation in the public school system. When he thinks of money, he realizes how little of it he has since getting laid off from a public relations job. When he thinks of relationships, the painful memory of how his long-time girlfriend cheated on him with his so-called best friend surfaces.



His confidence at an all-time low, he decides a trip to Ecuador, the most bio-diverse country on the planet, is exactly what he needs to take his mind off his problems. Before departing, he connects with Adriana Enrique on an internet dating site, promising to meet her on his arrival. He also helps his best friend Derrick Richmond evict some biker tenants involved in a marijuana grow-operation in one of Derrick's rental properties. During the eviction, one of the bikers, Stuart Treblecoch, aka The Strap, threatens to kill Gray for tossing biker belongings into a blazing backyard inferno.



Arriving in Ecuador, he soon discovers the idyllic vacation has turned into a life-and-death struggle. The Strap is hunting him down, Adriana's behavior casts a black shadow of doubt over his optimistic expectations and he meets a Canadian woman, Abby Taylor, who wants his help evicting violent squatters who have overrun a hotel she purchased in the beach town of Atacames.



As the nail-biting tension and violence ratchet up, Gray believes a visit with a shaman and an experience with the mind-altering and spiritually enlightening drug ayuahuasca is his only hope for salvation.



The Strap ushers you full-throttle deep inside the exotic sights and culture of Ecuador while also exposing the very real dangers that exist. Through Gray's harrowing journey for personal redemption, survival and sanity, we discover the frailties and insecurities of the human condition and the ever-present need for companionship at the root of human nature.





Available on Amazon now!
Ken Seifert, The Complete Guide to Airport Exercise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cqi6cKSXz0 Click here to view this video testimonial.

Anna Vocino, Telemachus Press Testamonial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8ohpvS38IU Click here to view this video testimonial.

KC Remington , Author and Illustrator of Webbster and Button Series After 24 childrens books with Steve, Terri and the Telemachus crew I can't say anything but good about them. Its been a long haul and they've been with me every step of the way. There are easily over 500 illustrations in these books and all have been formatted perfectly. They knew where the illustrations fit in the stories and did it. There are 60 different stories in the 5 'Animal Tails' books and again everything was exact. I've never had one complaint about anything in all the years I've been with them. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or new author, from my experience with Telemachus you can't go wrong. The book you want is the one you'll get. Guaranteed.





Note for authors: It is IMPOSSIBLE for an author to proof his own stuff. Get outside editing/proofing package.



John Ehlert, Author of "My Name Is Melvin", The Life of an Extraordinary Ordinary Man www.johnehlert.com It has been a pure pleasure working with Telemachus. No surprises, no panic and all deadlines met. (Especially after I learned to listen.)Note for authors: It is IMPOSSIBLE for an author to proof his own stuff. Get outside editing/proofing package.

Takunda Keith Mahachi and Ali Gorson-Marrow, Authors of "The Castles of the Great Assimil Unearthed" www.thegreatassimil.com Me and my partner in crime have come a long way on this writing and publishing journey but with this priceless family called Telemachus we managed to overcome all predicaments. They made us believe that you do not need to have grey hair or to be from an elite group of people in order to be a difference in the world. Despite our young age they believed in us and would tolerate all of our annoying questions and nagging. We would always ask Telemachus what it takes to be the world's best's seller and they would tell us that you should instill a spirit of positivity in you no matter how many rocks block your way, you should just believe that the sky can never be the limit and we should always aim for the stars. We love you Steve you have been a fathermentor and above all our torch bearer throughout the journey. Thanks we love you our priceless family. Would also want to extend my gratitude to my co-author for being tolerantsupportive and loving. We love you guys.

Taylor Evans, Author of The Unknown and The Sorcerers' Prophecy: Secrets of Eileen http://www.facebook.com/thesorcerersprophecy I decided I wanted to write a book when I was twelve, and six years later, Telemachus Press made my dream come true. I started the publishing process during my senior year in high school, and TP made it so manageable to publish during a busy and stressful time in my life. Everyone at TP was so supportive and worked tirelessly to make sure that my book came out exactly the way I had envisioned. I highly recommend TP to authors looking for a streamlined, but personable publishing process.





Of all the publishers Ive worked with (and as a very successful ghostwriter Ive worked with dozens of traditional publishers and several self-publishers), Telemachus Press has provided the best overall experience. They work so hard to make sure the author is happy. Its a pleasure to work with them.



What do I like about Telemachus? I like that Im in control of my bookI set the books price, I suggest and approve the design. Plus, Telemachus charges a very reasonable flat fee up front for design and set up, with no extra costs. So I dont have a publisher cutting into my profits when the book sells.



If I have a question, it gets answered right away. If Im not happy with a design element, it gets fixed right away. The price is very reasonable, the books look great, and theyre available for sale in all the right places. Why would I ever use another publisher?



Once upon a time I was Editor-in-Chief at a traditional publishing house. Then I turned to writing full-time, dealing with many different publishers over the years. My conclusion: From now on Im sticking with Telemachus. Its faster, its easier, the books look great, and I make more money.



Ive worked with other self-publishers, and the deal they give is not good. They charge you for design, and then, when your book sells, they hang on to most of your profits. Telemachus doesnt take a dime when you sell your book. This is how every publisher should work! Scott Brassert I have used Telemachus to publish three different books, and Ive been very happy all three times. Steve, Terri, and everyone else Ive dealt with has been 100% responsive to my needs. The books all look great, and theyre selling well, too.Of all the publishers Ive worked with (and as a very successful ghostwriter Ive worked with dozens of traditional publishers and several self-publishers), Telemachus Press has provided the best overall experience. They work so hard to make sure the author is happy. Its a pleasure to work with them.What do I like about Telemachus? I like that Im in control of my bookI set the books price, I suggest and approve the design. Plus, Telemachus charges a very reasonable flat fee up front for design and set up, with no extra costs. So I dont have a publisher cutting into my profits when the book sells.If I have a question, it gets answered right away. If Im not happy with a design element, it gets fixed right away. The price is very reasonable, the books look great, and theyre available for sale in all the right places. Why would I ever use another publisher?Once upon a time I was Editor-in-Chief at a traditional publishing house. Then I turned to writing full-time, dealing with many different publishers over the years. My conclusion: From now on Im sticking with Telemachus. Its faster, its easier, the books look great, and I make more money.Ive worked with other self-publishers, and the deal they give is not good. They charge you for design, and then, when your book sells, they hang on to most of your profits. Telemachus doesnt take a dime when you sell your book. This is how every publisher should work!

Ross A. Clevens, M.D., FACS, Author of A Consumer's Guide to Facial Plastic Surgery: The Facial Surgery Companion Clevens Face and Body Specialists www.drclevens.com "Telemachus Press is a fantastic organization filled with professionals you can trust. They provided a guiding hand for our team of first-time publishers. We are very appreciate that they balanced their recommendations for publishing with their respect for our own vision for the book. They were kind enough to allow our creativity to flourish while providing the technical support and publication experience where needed. They are helpful, accessible and flexible. We are very very pleased with the end result of the book, and feel very confident recommending Telemachus to our friends and family.





As a first-time author, I was a bit intimidated by the whole process of self-publishing, and was initially unclear about pricing, print-on-demand services, ISBN, etc. The Telemachus team of Steve, Terri, MaryAnn, and others provided constant and consistent guidance from day one until my book was ready for distribution.



The fine folks at Telemachus Press were professional, courteous, and extremely responsive to my every need. I already have a new project in the queue, and will be looking toward Telemachus Press once again to see it through to completion!

Duke Speed, Author of "Advance Agent Planning Guide - The Executive Protection Specialist's Guide for Conducting Advance Operations" Kopis Center for Law Enforcement and Security Solutions www.KopisCenter.com I highly recommend Telemachus Press for new authors and/or any author that aspires to self-publish. From my very first telephone consultation with Steve, Telemachus Press exceeded my expectations.As a first-time author, I was a bit intimidated by the whole process of self-publishing, and was initially unclear about pricing, print-on-demand services, ISBN, etc. The Telemachus team of Steve, Terri, MaryAnn, and others provided constant and consistent guidance from day one until my book was ready for distribution.The fine folks at Telemachus Press were professional, courteous, and extremely responsive to my every need. I already have a new project in the queue, and will be looking toward Telemachus Press once again to see it through to completion!

Arthur Meister, Author of "The Bottom Line; a Management Primer for First Line Law Enforcement Supervisors http://www.Artpmeister.com An old personal truism proffers that if reality exceeds expectations then you are a happy person. I have to say that I am very happy with my experience using Telemachus Press for my book, The Bottom Line; a Management Primer for First Line Law Enforcement Supervisors. I consider their cost for the product produced to be reasonable, and their service to me - the customer - outstanding. They were prompt, very helpful, and exceptionally nice, to boot. Now that the book is in print they continue to help and advise without further cost. Telemachus was recommended to me by another satisfied customer (author), and I am glad I chose them for my book. They have and continue to exceed my expectations.
Your Rights. Your Money.

Many vanity presses and/or pay for hire publishing companies tell you that you have the rights to your book. Everything seems fine until you become displeased with your service or want to leave for one reason or another. Then it gets interesting.

We Are Different

The number one reason that we are different? We take NO royalties. We are an author services consultancy. We work for you!

Have you left another publishing company only to come and find out that they will give you your book (PDF copy only), but not the cover? Ouch. You may own the rights to the book, but you may not own the cover if someone else created it for you.

Your book, your files, your money. We work for you.

And, if you are ready to leave us for one reason or another (a literary agent, a publishing house, or a movie deal? Or, decided to do it yourself) we are on your side. We support you and will return all intellectual property to you.

Again, your book, your files, your money.

We are here to make you look good!
Telemachus Team:

Thanks very much for getting our book published in such high style. We think the design and layout are perfect, and the cover looks great. You dealt with the legal, copyright, and registration issues in a way that made it all quite painless for us. Just as importantly, you showed exceptional professionalism, care and support as we went through the process. You were there every step of the way to accommodate our changing requirements and see that they were executed quickly and correctly. You communicated every step clearly so that we always knew where we were going.

We are really looking forward to getting our sequel, Alicias Sin, to you in a few months.

Thanks again,

Nick and John

[Read More...]
Wild horse species returns to the Kazakh steppes



Arqalyk, Kazakhstan, June 10 (AFP) Jun 10, 2024



After a few hesitant steps following a long flight from Prague, three Przewalski horses galloped off for the first time into the Kazakh steppe -- the native habitat of this endangered species.

The horses emerged after being locked in containers for 20 hours and are the first of 40 which are to be released into the wild in this vast Central Asian country over the next five years.

"We have been waiting for this moment for a very long time," Albert Salemgareyev from the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity in Kazakhstan told AFP.

"A lot of work has been carried out in recent months in order for the Przewalski horses to come to Kazakhstan."

The project run by the Prague and Berlin zoo is aimed at preserving this species of stockily built horse with large heads which share a common ancestry with modern domestic horses but are genetically different.

Przewalski horses are commonly referred to as one of the world's last breeds of wild horse.

"We know that the Przewalski horses are suited to this steppe," said Salemgareyev.

The horses are capable of resisting harsh winters like the ones in Kazakhstan where temperatures can drop below minus 30 degrees Celsius (minus 22 Fahrenheit) and food runs scarce.

The three first specimens -- Zorro, Ypsilonka and Zeta II -- arrived earlier this month. Four more landed in Kazakhstan from Berlin on Thursday morning and were released in the afternoon.

They will initially be under observation in the Golden Steppe nature reserve before being left in the wild.

"This year we will follow their health and see how they acclimatise," Salemgareyev said.



- Perilous journey -



The 5,000 kilometre (3,000-mile) journey -- first by plane to the town of Arqalyk and then by truck along bumpy roads into the heart of the steppe -- was not without risks.

Despite monitoring by experts, one of the horses sat down in his container even before taking off, raising the risk of stopping the blood flow to his legs.

"The journey could have been dangerous so we decided to leave him alone," said Miroslav Bobek, the director of Prague Zoo.

First documented by Russian scientist Nikolai Przhevalsky in 1881, the species was nearly extinct in the 1960s and is still listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Prague Zoo, which has bred the horses since 1932 and keeps the world genealogy book for the species tracking all new births, launched a project to reintroduce them to Mongolia in 2011.

It transported 34 horses on Czech army planes there between 2011 and 2019, before the pandemic halted the project co-funded by zoos from across the globe.

There are now 2,000 Przewalski horses around the world, mainly in China and Mongolia but also in France, Russia and even living in the wild in the Chernobyl exclusion zone between Belarus and Ukraine.

Following the April 1986 Chernobyl disaster, 30 specimens were introduced there in 1998. The population has flourished and is now at 210.

In Kazakhstan, the Przewalski horse is not the only endangered species to have received special attention.

The round-snouted Saiga antelope, once on the brink of extinction, has also seen its population grow to about two million thanks to conservation policies by Kazakh authorities and non-governmental organisations.
Detained Uganda environmental activist freed but 'in bad shape'



Kampala, June 10 (AFP) Jun 10, 2024



An environmental activist in Uganda who is opposed to a huge oil project led by French giant TotalEnergies has been freed after five days in detention, his employer said Monday.

Stephen Kwikiriza was found on Sunday evening dumped on a roadside in Kyenjojo, about five hours' drive west of the capital Kampala, said Samuel Okulony, director of the Environment Governance Institute.

The activist said he was beaten by army officers, Okulony said in a message to AFP, adding that he was being treated in a Kampala hospital.

"He is alive, is now safe, and is reconnecting with family. His condition is not good after having suffered severe beatings, mistreatment and abuse throughout the week."

A senior military officer on Monday confirmed Kwikiriza's detention.

"He was taken into custody for questioning regarding his illegal activities including mobilising fellow activists to oppose the oil pipeline," the officer told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that he was released after interrogation.

"I have not been made aware of him being beaten during interrogation, it's a matter that can be investigated and verified."



- 'Escalation of repression' -



Okulony lauded "international pressure" for the release of Kwikiriza.

Global rights groups had raised concerns about Kwikiriza's fate after he went missing on Tuesday.

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) described it as a "particularly worrying escalation of repression".

FIDH said 11 environmental activists "were kidnapped, arbitrarily arrested, detained or subjected to different forms of harassment by the Ugandan authorities between May 27 and June 5, 2024".

Human Rights Watch (HRW) had also voiced concern about Kwikiriza's disappearance.

"The Ugandan government needs to end its harassment of opponents of oil development in the country, such as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project," Myrto Tilianaki, senior environmental rights advocate at HRW, said in a statement.

TotalEnergies signed an agreement with the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) in 2022 to develop Ugandan oil fields and ship the crude via a 1,445-kilometre (900-mile) pipeline to Tanzania's Indian Ocean port of Tanga.

President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda with an iron fist since 1986, has regularly praised the oil project as an economic boon for the impoverished landlocked country.

The first oil is expected to flow in 2025 -- almost two decades after the reserves were discovered in Lake Albert in northwestern Uganda.

Environmental groups say the project is having dire consequences for local communities and the environment in an area of rich biodiversity, and have accused TotalEnergies of greenwashing.

TotalEnergies in Uganda said in a statement it "does not tolerate any threats, intimidation, harassment or violence against those who peacefully and lawfully promote human rights in relation to our activities".

dyg-gm/txw/kjm



TotalEnergies
Hail smashes plane as thunderstorms lash Austria



Vienna, June 10 (AFP) Jun 10, 2024



A hailstorm badly damaged a passenger plane approaching Vienna on Sunday, the airline said, as Austria grappled with violent thunderstorms and widespread flooding.

Hail broke off part of the nose and left cracks in the cockpit windows of the Austrian Airlines aircraft, which was carrying holidaymakers back from Palma de Mallorca.

After issuing a distress call, the plane landed safely at Vienna airport.

None of the passengers or crew were injured in the incident. The airline did not say how many people were on board.

"According to the cockpit crew, the storm was not visible on the weather radar," the airline said in a statement sent to AFP on Monday.

In recent weeks, torrential rains have led to flooding across Austria, with firefighters carrying out more than 2,000 operations in several provinces.

The area close to the border with Slovenia and Hungary in the southern provinces of Styria and Burgenland has been especially hard hit, with a dam reportedly breaching.

Local authorities said Monday they were still searching for a 77-year-old retiree who went missing in Burgenland after driving to the polling station to vote in Sunday's European elections.

In Styria, six polling stations were flooded or rendered inaccessible on Sunday, local officials told AFP.

Over the weekend, a 36-year-old Croat died after the excavator he was operating fell into a stream in Styria late on Friday, police said in a statement, adding they consider his death to be a work accident.

Austria's national weather service warned that rainfall would continue until Wednesday evening.
EU puts digital Earth in orbit for climate-change fight



Helsinki, June 10 (AFP) Jun 10, 2024



A software model of Earth, meant to simulate and monitor environmental hazards while findings ways to mitigate climate change, began its monitoring and predictive mission on Monday, the EU Commission said.

The Destination Earth initiative resulted in a digital model of the planet to simulate natural phenomena by utilising an "unprecedented amount of data", according to its website.

The model combines climate science with artificial intelligence powered by supercomputers including the LUMI computer located in the Finnish city Kajaani, where the inauguration ceremony took place.

"What we get today is the future in the making", Margrethe Vestager, executive vice president of the European Commission, said at the event.

She cited the possibility for mayors to better prepare cities for extreme weather events and for EU institutions to implement the bloc's Green Deal, meaning leaders "cannot escape their responsiblity of acting with the tools they get".

"It will place climate data and predicting tools in the hands of many, many more people," Vestager said.

Florence Rabier, head of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, called Destination Earth "a game-changer", not least because people would let people ask the model for responses to questions on climate change.

"Destination Earth can run bespoke scenarios... at unprecedented resolution and accuracy", she said.
A three-month-old baby has died days after a car crash that killed his mother north of Brisbane.

The baby boy was travelling with his mother on Caboolture River Road in Upper Caboolture on Friday afternoon when their car crashed into a tree.

A baby has died days after a crash in Caboolture. His mother had died at the scene. Credit: Nine News

Vision of the crash showed the white SUV wrecked, and on its side against the tree.

The 33-year-old woman was unable to be saved, and died at the scene, while the baby was rushed to the Queensland Childrens Hospital with critical injuries.
A boxy, brick block of South Yarra apartments is on the verge of receiving heritage protection, leaving owners fearing their hopes of selling the postwar building to a developer will be destroyed.

The curtain wall-style block, called Motstone, contains 13 apartments on Walsh Street close to the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Sarah Creane has fought a plan to grant heritage protection to the apartment building in South Yarra. Credit: Penny Stephens

The style is nicknamed six-pack flats and is thought to come from them having similar dimensional ratios to a six-pack of beer cans.

The block is one of 16 properties and two new precincts that are set to receive protection as part of a South Yarra heritage review initiated by Melbourne City Council. If councillors endorse the plan at their Tuesday meeting, the decision will go to Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny for approval.
Words that stay with me

I enjoyed the article by Elissa Goldstein about her father (My family nominated Dad for the Order of Australia before he died ... 10/6). I was a patient of Jacob Goldstein at Cabrini Hospital for what turned out to be a quad bypass operation some 14 years ago. I recall two things in particular. A pre-operation meeting where Goldstein informed me that at one stage during the operation, he would be stopping my heart to fix an artery and there was a 5 per cent chance that he would not be able to restart the heart. The message delivered calmly; we could have been discussing working in the garden. Fortunately, the odds were in my favour.

The second thing was 10 years after the operation I wrote to Goldstein noting that 10 years had passed, thanking him for his skill and observing that while people say that the operation is now routine, I noted that it is only by constant skill and practice that it is routine. Of course it is not.

I got a lovely letter back from Goldstein and the opening line was memorable. Dear Mr Donaldson, it is so nice to hear from one of my long-term patients ... I will remember that line always.

John Donaldson, Sandringham Deserved honour

I just wanted to thank Elissa Goldstein for her moving tribute and article about her father, Jacob Goldstein. And to congratulate the late doctor for his posthumous AM. What a great disappointment he didnt receive this recognition for his work in his lifetime. He operated on my husband back in the late 1980s, relatively early days for open-heart surgery, and gave Ron another good 20-odd years of life. I and all my family are immensely grateful to Jacob Goldstein for his skill and dedication as a cardiothoracic surgeon. I cant think of anyone more deserving of this AM.

Mavis Urwin, Doncaster Wrong premier

Appointing the former premiers of Victoria and Western Australia as companions of the Order of Australia (Dan Andrews, AC, says leading state his most cherished prize, 10/6) is an insult to those millions of citizens who needlessly suffered as a result, respectively, of one the greatest failures in public administration. The approach of both men to the handling of the coronavirus in 2020 and 2021  shutting down schools, and state borders  was lazy, with long lockdowns an admission of failure.

True leadership is about managing risk and protecting lives and livelihoods. To that end, if any leader deserves a Kings Birthday award it should be former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian, who was the standout public servant during that difficult social season. Unlike the other aforementioned state leaders, she spoke to her constituents with compassion, rather than antagonism, handled the lions share of returning international travellers, and managed to balance personal responsibility with judicial regulations.

Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn Heartfelt thanks

I followed the rules. I didnt take to the streets assaulting police and paramedics. I listened to the advice of medical professionals admiring the tenacity of the premier fronting to sometimes hostile media day after day. Because I followed the rules I want to thank Dan Andrews from the bottom of my still beating heart.

Denis Evans, Coburg

Prove your appreciation

Daniel Andrews is grateful for every Victorian who contributed to some of our states best times and who worked so hard to see us through our most challenging. As a registered nurse, working in the public healthcare system, Id be grateful for Andrews successor, Jacinta Allan, to also show some gratitude to public sector nurses and midwives, who worked throughout the challenging times of the pandemic by supporting the request of nurses to recruit, retain and rebuild the public healthcare system with a suitable remuneration offer for all public sector nurses and midwives, and bring an end to the current stage 1 protected industrial action.

Caryn Auld, Point Cook Wrong road

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told COP27 attendees that humanity is on a highway to hell. As an echo, the title of a recently released essay by a distinguished Australian climate scientist is: Highway to Hell. Humanity is floundering in the quest to find an exit ramp off this highway. The federal Coalitions decision to dump Australias commitment to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 is deplorable (Teals warn Dutton on Trump tactic over climate, 10/6), but it is correct in claiming that Labor is on track to easily miss its own target. Truth is that both major political parties have no serious plans to exit the highway to hell. Resources Minister Madeleine Kings Future Gas Strategy is a gross betrayal of those who voted for Labor at the last federal election believing that it would take effective measures to combat global heating.

Ian Bayly, Upwey Alternative energy

The climate is not noticing what our targets are for carbon reduction. It only notices and responds to how much carbon is in the atmosphere. As the rate is not currently going down, I believe, the debate would better concentrate on how to make it go down. The best and quickest way to do this according to many experts, would be to phase out coal and gas production (whether to be used locally or exported abroad) much more quickly than at present. Instead of supporting these industries please put our money and efforts into developing alternative energy faster.

Cate Lewis, Clifton Hill A valid option

The hysteria whipped up by plans to introduce nuclear power into Australia is remarkable. There are over 30 countries with such power. From armageddon to ability to create nuclear weapons, there is a pile-on of absolute rejection. When will this country have a sensible, informed debate about this? The demand for clean energy is seemingly narrowed to wind and sun which doesnt generate base load. Which on a very cold night or morning is quite handy to have. No one discusses what might be possible with dealing with waste.

Mark Tobin, Balwyn North Bad joke

Jason Clare said on Sunday that the oppositions nuclear policy was as unpopular as a mother-in-law on a honeymoon. While I totally agree with him on the ridiculousness of the policy, should we be denigrating women so blatantly? Wasnt it supposed to be men stepping up and calling this stuff out? Enough.

Claire Cooper, Maldon

Out of proportion

The recent attack in Gaza, which killed 210 Palestinians and injured more than 400, is a preventable tragedy. The proposed US-backed hostage deal could have ensured the release of all hostages without fatalities and established a ceasefire. The EU has condemned this as a massacre; Australia should do the same. Celebrating the return of four hostages at the cost of so many lives is unjust. All lives are equal, and disproportionate violence must be condemned.

Ehsan Khalid, Cranbourne North Hamas can end the war

The images of injured Palestinians after the rescue of four hostages by Israel are disturbing. However, there are two questions that must be asked. First, why doesnt Hamas release all of the hostages immediately? This would almost certainly result in a massive reduction in loss of life. The answer is clear  Hamas values the holding of the hostages more than it values the lives of its own people. Second, why does Hamas hold hostages in a residential area next to a market? The answer is clear  it is using its own people as human shields. The situation in Gaza is horrific, but it is in Hamas hands to stop the war.

John Rosenberg, South Melbourne Losing battle

I was saddened and despondent to hear of the decision by Woolworths to opt for overseas-grown fruit instead of fruit grown in Australia (Local growers devastated as Woolworths swaps to Chinese, South African fruit, 10/6). Local growers and companies like SPC that have endeavoured to keep agricultural business alive in Australia are fighting a losing battle when price is the key determinant. We will all pay an even bigger price in the future.

Wayne Gorst, Drysdale Strange world

Another aspect of how both big supermarket chains are making things difficult for local production would have to be with tinned baked beans. Read the origins of homebrand baked beans and scratch your head, for apparently you can harvest beans in Canada and the US, export them to Italy, process and tin them and export them to Australia for half the price of growing and processing them in our Goulburn Valley a couple of hours away. It is a strange new world that I dont understand.

David Baylis, Drouin East Know your limits

Re How opting out has become a social media crime (Comment, 10/6), I am reminded of the saying Wise is she who knows that she does not know. As a teacher mentoring trainees, my first advice was Know your stuff and second to admit if you did not. I still believe this a valuable tool to guiding our lives which can lead to humility, a desire to inform oneself relevant to ones situation and avoidance of pontification on areas in which a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Rosalind McIntosh, Camberwell

Vale

Our thoughts are with Dr Michael Mosleys wife and family as they struggle to deal with his tragic death. The world has lost a unique individual. His study and knowledge of the human condition was outstanding, driving him to improve health and physical fitness in all of us via his television programs and books. He will be sorely missed.

Kevin Howard, Frankston AND ANOTHER THING Credit: Matt Golding Emissions

Reigniting climate wars? Peter Duttons gas and nuclear policy is a cynical distraction (Coalition plan to pump 2b extra tonnes of gases into Earths atmosphere, 9/6). Current and potential teals are salivating. Our suffocating Mother Earth desperately needs relief now.

Kevin Burke, Sandringham One year ago, Peter Dutton said if you dont know, vote No. Well, I dont know about nuclear power, so I guess Ill vote No to the Liberals in the next election.

David Cayzer, Clifton Hill

Peter Dutton  fighting the climate wars until his or our bitter end.

Greg Curtin, Nunawading I dont think we can do it. Lets give up. Is that what Dutton thinks?

Ray Jones, Box Hill North A new component of nuclear waste has been discovered. The Dutt-on normally exists as a loose coalition of minor particles, but on contact with reality will fly off to the far right, emitting toxic negativity. The Dutt-on can be neutralised by interaction with Elector-ons.

Ken Machin, Grovedale Kings birthday honours

So were still giving honours to people who are paid to do a proper job in their area of employment?

Damian Meade, Leopold Daniel Andrews Order of Australia: For services to the Commonwealth Games?

Cameron McDonald, Mentone
An immigration detainee whose release sparked national outrage after he was accused of brutally bashing a grandmother is likely to plead not guilty to the alleged crime.

Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan, 43, was freed from detention following a controversial High Court ruling in November.

Home invasion victim Ninette Simons.

Police have accused him, two other men and a woman of impersonating police officers on April 16 so as to get access to the Perth home of grandmother Ninette Simons, 73, and her 76-year-old husband, Phillip.

Once inside, it is alleged they violently beat Simons and stole more than $200,000 in jewellery.
This photo taken on April 24, 2024 shows a new energy vehicle (NEV) assembly line of BYD, China's leading NEV manufacturer, at the plant of BYD in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

The European Union should avoid trade frictions with China and it is necessary for both sides to seek consensus on new-energy cooperation, according to industry insiders and analysts citing the multi-billion-dollar market opportunities and the global climate goals.

The automotive cooperation between China and Germany on green transformation and intelligent connectivity is vitally important, said Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry. She encourages the two parties to continue to be crucial partners in achieving climate goals.

"I believe that the two markets should be closely linked," she said, adding that Chinese companies are welcome in Germany. As for the German side, its carmakers have shown interest not only in exporting but also in producing in China, she added.

For European carmakers, including auto giants BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, China stands out as the largest single market.

In the first quarter, about one-third of BMW's sales revenue came from China. The country also hosts BMW Group's largest R&D center outside Germany.

"The innovations we achieve in China allow us to continuously meet the needs of Chinese customers, thereby driving global innovation," said Oliver Zipse, chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

The expanding foothold of Chinese companies on the European continent underscores the strengthening ties between the two sides. In April, China's Chery Automobile signed a pact with Spain's auto company Ebro-EV Motors to produce cars at its first European factory. According to Reuters, this move is expected to help recover some of the 1,600 direct jobs lost when Japanese automaker Nissan shut down a plant in 2021.

Yan Shaohua, an associate research fellow at the Center for China-Europe Relations of Fudan University, said that China's electric vehicle (EV) makers venturing into European countries have helped boost the development of the local EV industry chain and accelerate the digital and green transitions in these countries.

China and the EU are each other's second-largest trading partners. Official data showed that their average trade value approached nearly 1.5 million U.S. dollars per minute, while two-way investment exceeded 250 billion dollars.

For Europe, China also plays a pivotal role as a major supplier of raw materials such as photovoltaic cells and wind turbines, all critical components for the EU given its ambitious goal of becoming the "world's first climate-neutral continent" by 2050.

About 98 percent of the EU's rare earth is imported from China, and more than 93 percent of its magnesium is also sourced from China, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Both materials are indispensable in auto parts manufacturing.

Despite the ups and downs of China-EU relations in recent years, cooperation has remained the prevailing theme of bilateral ties. The industrial sector, supply chains and value chains of the two sides are tightly woven together, rending them inseparable from each other.

While visiting Europe this week, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao pointed out that protectionist measures are not viable solutions but a "dangerous dead-end."

"China is willing to engage in discussions with the EU on economic and trade concerns on an equal footing and participate in fair competition on the basis of expanded cooperation," Wang said.

Both the EU and China have the responsibility to reach a consensus through negotiations and strike a balance between cooperation and competition, said Spanish economist Julio Ceballos Rodriguez. He stressed that the two sides are dependent on each other in many key issues and share important economic interests.

Kou Kou, an associate professor of German studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, cited artificial intelligence, electronic information, aerospace and other emerging industries as areas of great cooperation potential for both sides to tap.

"China and the EU are set to witness closer ties on multiple fronts in the future, a trend that will not be easily changed by a few politicians," Kou said.
The society wedding of the year  as it was called by British tabloids  went off without a hitch on Friday at noon. Hugh Grosvenor, the seventh Duke of Westminster and one of the richest people in Britain, married Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral, a centuries-old Gothic church in north-west England.

Despite the rapid winds, hundreds of observers and even a few protesters gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the duke, 33, the new duchess, 31, and William, Prince of Wales, a close friend of the groom and an usher at the wedding. (He attended without Catherine, Princess of Wales, who is undergoing treatment for cancer.)

Bridemaids fold out the veil of Olivia Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster, after her wedding to Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster, at Chester Cathedral. Credit: Getty

The Very Reverend Dr Tim Stratford, the Dean of Chester, led and officiated the Anglican service. Henson arrived in a vintage 1930 Bentley with her father, Rupert Henson. She wore a floor-length silk crepe satin dress with an almost two-metre detachable train and an embroidered veil inspired by one that Hensons great-great-grandmother wore in the 1880s. The look was designed by Emma Victoria Payne, who is based in London. A hefty dose of sparkle was added with the Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara, which various Grosvenor women have worn since its creation in 1906.

Birch trees lined the inside of the cathedral, and flower decorations included roses and campanula. Many of the flowers will be repurposed as bouquets for local charities and other organisations.
NEW YORK, June 10, 2024 -- The global military drone market size is estimated to grow by USD 8.50 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 12.21% during the forecast period. Recent developments in military drones is driving market growth, with a trend towards development of long-range spy combat drone. However, rapid development of anti-drone technology poses a challenge. Key market players include AeroVironment Inc., Airbus SE, Anduril Industries Inc., Animal Dynamics Ltd., Asteria Aerospace Ltd., BAE Systems Plc, EDGE Group PJSC, Elbit Systems Ltd., General Atomics, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Leonardo Spa, Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., RTX Corp., Red Cat Holdings Inc., Saab AB, Shield AI, Teledyne Technologies Inc., Textron Inc., Thales Group, and The Boeing Co..

Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies- View the snapshot of this report

Military Drone Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 12.21% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 8507.8 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 10.66 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 35% Key countries US, China, UK, India, and Turkey Key companies profiled AeroVironment Inc., Airbus SE, Anduril Industries Inc., Animal Dynamics Ltd., Asteria Aerospace Ltd., BAE Systems Plc, EDGE Group PJSC, Elbit Systems Ltd., General Atomics, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Leonardo Spa, Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., RTX Corp., Red Cat Holdings Inc., Saab AB, Shield AI, Teledyne Technologies Inc., Textron Inc., Thales Group, and The Boeing Co.

Market Driver

The military drone market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing use of UAVs in countermeasure operations. These unmanned aerial platforms are being equipped with advanced technology, including weapons and surveillance systems. China is a leading nation in UCAV development, investing heavily in R&D for military drones capable of long-range strikes.

The CH-5 drone, for instance, offers joint strike capabilities, allowing easy integration with existing military drone inventories. China has received export licenses for its CH-5 reconnaissance and combat drones and is seeking manufacturing licenses in other countries. These developments are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

The Military Drone market is experiencing significant growth, driven by advanced technology and defense needs. Systems such as Predator and Reaper drones are in high demand for surveillance and targeting operations. The use of drones for defense is expanding, with applications in border security, intelligence gathering, and combat missions.

The Systems are equipped with features like fixed wings, long endurance, and advanced sensors. Elbit and Vehlice are key players in this market, offering innovative solutions. Defense budgets continue to fund research and development, ensuring the market's continued growth. The trend towards autonomous and unmanned systems is also driving demand. The market is expected to grow steadily, with increasing demand from various defense forces worldwide.

Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details- Download a Sample Report

Market Challenges

The global military drone market is facing challenges due to advancements in anti-drone technology. Nations are developing defensive mechanisms to counteract drones used by other countries. Boeing's 10 kW anti-drone laser cannon is an example, with plans to increase power to 60 kW.

Modern lasers and lithium-ion battery technology are boosting energy storage and power density for defensive purposes. Russia is developing electromagnetic technology to disrupt drone electronics and communication. These developments may hinder the growth of the military drone market.

is developing electromagnetic technology to disrupt drone electronics and communication. These developments may hinder the growth of the military drone market. The Military Drone Market faces several challenges in its development. One major challenge is the increasing need for advanced technology and security features to ensure the drones are not hacked or compromised. Another challenge is the regulatory environment, with various countries having different rules and regulations regarding the use of military drones.

Additionally, there is a growing concern over privacy issues and the potential misuse of military drones. Furthermore, the high cost of developing and maintaining military drones is a significant challenge for many organizations. Lastly, the rapid advancement of technology means that companies must continuously innovate to stay competitive in the market.

For more insights on driver and challenges - Request a sample report!

Segment Overview

Type

1.1 Rotary Blade

1.2 Fixed Wing

1.3 Hybrid

Technology

2.1 Remotely operated

2.2 Semi-autonomous

2.3 Autonomous

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 APAC

3.3 Europe

3.4 Middle East and Africa

and 3.5 South America

1.1 Rotary Blade- The rotary blade segment plays a significant role in the military drone market. This technology enables drones to lift off, hover, and adjust altitude, enhancing maneuverability and versatility. Rotary blades increase payload capacity, allowing drones to carry heavier equipment for various tasks, including reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat. Their unique composite material composition ensures durability and stealth, enabling clandestine operations and remote control. These advantages contribute to the growth of the rotary blade segment in the military drone market.

For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017-2021) - Download a Sample Report

Research Analysis

The Military Drone Market encompasses the design, production, and deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for military applications. These drones play a crucial role in battlefield surveillance during asymmetric warfare, providing extended endurance for monitoring and reconnaissance. Military UAVs are employed for various purposes, including surveillance, mapping, and transportation.

They are integral to defense expenditure and have become increasingly important in combat operations. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in military drones enhances their capabilities, enabling advanced monitoring and response to hacking attempts. Military drones, such as MQ-1 Predator, contribute significantly to state policies by providing valuable insights and intelligence. The market for military drones continues to grow, driven by the increasing demand for advanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Market Research Overview

The Military Drone Market is a significant and growing sector in the global defense industry. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) play a crucial role in military operations, providing real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Drones are equipped with advanced technologies such as high-definition cameras, thermal imaging sensors, and communication systems.

They are used for various applications, including border security, disaster management, and tactical support. The market for military drones is driven by factors such as increasing defense budgets, technological advancements, and the need for enhanced security. The market is segmented based on types of drones, applications, and regions. The future of military drones looks promising, with continued innovation and development in the field.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Type

Rotary Blade



Fixed Wing



Hybrid

Technology

Remotely Operated



Semi-autonomous



Autonomous

Geography

North America



APAC



Europe



Middle East And Africa



South America

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Wrexham Lager arrives in Scandinavia

Wrexham Lager Beer Co has announced its expansion into three Scandinavian counties.

In Norway and Sweden, the Welsh lager will be imported and distributed through Brewery International, and in Denmark distribution will be through Premium Beer and Beverages. Both distributors have agreed long-term order agreements with Wrexham.

All three countries will see Wrexhams Lager and Export beverages hit on- and off-trade.

CEO James Wright said: The launch of the Wrexham Lager Beer Co in Scandinavia is a significant achievement for the brand. Were proud to bring the rich heritage of Wrexham Lager to these countries and are confident lager drinkers will be impressed with our high-quality products and theyre refreshing taste.

The terms of our agreement with both Brewery International and Premium Beer and Beverages gives The Wrexham Lager Beer Co a genuine opportunity to become a recognised and widely enjoyed product across Scandinavia.

10 June 2024 - Lucy Schofield

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Mount Gay releases rum in tribute to late distiller

Mount Gay has launched the seventh expression in its Master Blender Collection, the Coffey Still edition. The limited-edition bottling is a tribute to Blues: Reynold Blues Hinds, Mount Gays late distiller who spent 50 years with the brand.

Mount Gays copper Coffey still, now known as Blues Still was recommissioned in 2019, having stood unused for decades. The new bottling is the first distillation released from the still since the refurbishment. Mount Gay credits Blues knowledge of distilling history as a major contribution toward the restoration.

Managing director Antoine Couvreur said: This release is not just a new expression; its a heartfelt tribute to Blues, a beloved member of the Mount Gay family. His spirit and expertise continue to influence our craft, and this is our way of preserving his legacy.

The Coffey Still expression has been made with 100 per cent Barbados molasses and aged for four years in St Lucy, Barbados. Mount Gay says the rum has flavours of florals, pear, grapefruit, and honey.

The Master Blender Collection: The Coffey Still Expression (58% ABV) will be available via select retailers worldwide at RSP US$240.

10 June 2024 - Lucy Schofield
Just buy, hold small and mid-caps for another 5 yrs







Business Reporter

The person who changed the business TV coverage scene by explaining the nitty-gritty of the share market in simple Hindi language shared his wealth creation mantra with the Nagpurians. He is no other than CA/CS Anil Singhvi, Editor-in-Chief of Zee Business. Singhvi said, Investors should buy small and mid-cap shares and hold them for another five years. These companies are the ones that are going to give stellar returns and create wealth for them in the long run. One of the most credible business journalists, Singhvi was speaking on the topic Investment ki Pathshala on the concluding day of the Conclave on Financial Markets organised by Committee on Financial Markets and Investor Protection, ICAI and ICAI Nagpur Branch, WIRC at Vanamati Auditorium, VIP Road, Dharampeth, Nagpur on Sunday. CA Neha Anand, Senior Journalist, Zee Business and CA Vaibhav Sanghvi, Co-CEO of Avendus Alternate Strategies shared the dais. All three were greeted with standing ovation. The hall was packed with CA aspirants, investors and general public.

Singhvi explained that there are various events that affect the share markets but the biggest event is the Lok Sabha elections which has already passed. So, now investors should look ahead and invest in themes or sectors they like and have confidence and faith in. The India growth story has just started, so investors should now get into shares that are available at cheap valuations. There are a lot of small and mid-cap companies with low valuations that can give multiple returns over a period of time. The valuations of listed companies are directly related to flow of funds being pumped in the financial markets. Domestic funds and foreign investors are pumping in massive amount of money in the capital markets because of robust growth the Indian economy offers. Also, the Government works as a big catalyst by bringing in bold reforms and policy support to all sectors in the economy. These initiatives will give big boost and further propel the share market to newer heights. The share market is poised for another leap, he mentioned.

At present, common people are investing large amount of money in the share market through mutual funds or systematic investment plan (SIPs) is mindboggling. If one looks at the market, they will see that every dip has been bought into by someone it could be MFs and FIIs. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were selling their equity for the past few months. The India growth story is fundamentally very strong and they will have no choice but to come back and invest in the Indian stock market. This is a good opportunity for investors. They should diversify their investment portfolio in different sectors and companies. Look at the long term investing to create wealth, he pointed out. Apart from this, Singhvi felt that investors should not try to time the markets as it were unpredictable. Also, investors should invest with strict discipline and not take unnecessary risks. Do not panic during sharp corrections or events that will affect the share markets. Just ignore the news for some time and let the event pass by before making any move. Do not think short term, but think long term. What is required is change of mindset, he said. Investors may sell their investments when valuations are expanded compared to industry or sector peers, he added.

Anil Sanghvi told his life story on how he became a business journalist and TV anchor after passing out as a CA/CS. It was in 1993 when he started his career as a practising Chartered Accountant and there was news about the new stock exchange as the first dematerialised electronic exchange in the country. This made him curious and after meeting CA Nipun Mehta, he jumped into business journalism without any media or journalism experience or background. After this there was no looking back. At that time, he had one thing in mind and that was to make a mark in this field. The challenge was to bring business news in easy to understand and simple Hindi language into peoples living rooms because all the business news was dominated by English channels. A large number of people did not understand English jargons and long business terms. Being a Chartered Accountant made things easier to understand and make in-depth business analysis. The purpose was to tell the world that India is a rich, prosperous and powerful country.
5 MP leaders inducted as Cabinet ministers





By Bhavana Aparajita

Shukla

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan (65), five-time MP from Vidisha and longest-serving Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, took oath as the Cabinet Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government on Sunday alongside Jyotiraditya Scindia, Virendra Khatik, Savitri Thakur, Durgadas Uike who took oath at Rashtrapathi Bhavan on Sunday. As The Hitavada had reported earlier The State will have major chunk Jyotiraditya Scindia, who was Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel in the previous Modi Government, returned to the Cabinet. Ahead of swearing-in ceremony, Modi interacted with the MPs set to take oath as ministers. Having been Madhya Pradesh CM from 2005 to December 2023, Chouhan had led the BJP to another resounding victory in November 2023 Assembly elections. However, the BJP leadership then replaced him as CM with Ujjain MLA Dr Mohan Yadav.Since that time there were specultions about Shivraj Singh Chouhan going to Centre. Notably, Prime Minister Modi in an election public meeting signalled that Chouhan would be taken to Delhi.

BJPs clean sweep in Lok Sabha elections in the State is being attributed to Chouhans key role in the elections. He is known as a seasoned leader who had said We will present a garland of 29 flowers (seats) to Modiji. Chouhan is also seen as a troubleshooter for the party and expert to accomodate with leaders of different backgrounds. He defeated Congress candidate and ex-MP Pratap Bhanu Sharma in Lok Sabha elections, former CM won by a huge margin of 8,21,408 votes. Chouhans tenure as CM was particularly known for various welfare schemes for women, such as Ladli Behna Yojana, a Rs 1,250-monthly stipend for women from poor households. After being CM continuously from 2005 to 2018, he returned to power in March 2020 after then senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindias mutiny toppled the Kamal Nath Government, which had come to power after the Congress defeated the BJP in 2018 polls.

After his switch to the BJP, Scindia got reward and was given the charge of Union minister again. He had entered politics in 2002 and won Guna Lok Sabha, which fell vacant after the death of his father and Congress stalwart Madhavrao Scindia. He represented Guna from 2002 to 2019, when he lost the seat to his former loyalist K P Yadav by a margin of 1,25,549 votes. This set off a series of events which resulted in the royal scion eventually leaving the Congress and defecting to the BJP with 22 MLAs. Scindias crucial responsibility and role in the BJPs plans were clear from the onset of campaigning in the State during last years Assembly elections, which was the first test under the BJP for Maharaja of Gwalior on his home turf, Gwalior-Chambal region, comprising 34 seats. He delivered 18 to the BJP, up from seven in 2018. Senior leader Narendra Singh Tomar who also hails from this region, was selected as Speaker of Assembly. It has consolidated Scindias position in the party.

Dalit leader from Tikamgarh, Virendra Kumar Khatik served as the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. He was also Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Labour and a Member of the General Purpose Committee. He was chosen as the Pro-tem speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha in June 2019. Another tribal leader and BJP woman MP, Savitri Thakur, represents Dhar Constituency. She has started her inning in politics from Panchayat level. She won the election of District Panchayat member in 2003. In 2004, she was elected District Panchayat President Dhar. Since 2010, she has worked in BJP Dhar as District Vice President. In 2013, she was elected to the post of Director of Krishi Upaj Mandi Samiti, Dhamnod. Name of Durga Das Uikey surprised many. Durga Das Uikey had also won Betul seat in Lok Sabha elections 2019 against Congress candidate Ramu Tekam. The margin of victory then was 3,60,000. His political graph is by none less than snake and ladder game, as tally of this Betul Member of Parliament showed that at initial trends Congress candidate was ahead of Uike. But at last he not only won the election but became the Cabinet Minister.
7 leaders in Indias neighbourhood attend oath ceremony





NEW DELHI,

TOP leaders from Indias neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region including Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday graced the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union council of ministers. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay and Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif also attended the glittering event held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Modi took the oath for the third straight term, days after the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance secured 293 seats out of 543 in the Lok Sabha polls. Along with Modi, senior BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar were sworn in as cabinet ministers, indicating the Prime Ministers emphasis on continuity and experience as they held senior positions in his second term.

Party president J P Nadda returned to the cabinet after five years, while former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and ex-Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar were among the fresh faces in the Modi cabinet. BJP leaders Piyush Goyal, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Dharmendra Pradhan and Bhupender Yadav, who were earlier in the Rajya Sabha but have now been elected to the Lok Sabha, were among those retained as ministers. The foreign leaders were sitting in the front row at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. While Hasina and Afif reached Delhi on Saturday, Muizzu, Prachanda, Wickremesinghe, Jugnauth and Tobgay arrived on Sunday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the leaders of the seven countries were invited to the ceremony 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. The leaders of regional grouping SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries attended Modis first swearing ceremony when he took the reins as the prime minister after a massive electoral victory for BJP in 2014. Leaders of the BIMSTEC countries attended Modis swearing-in ceremony, in 2019 when he became prime minister for the second consecutive term. Besides India, the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) comprises Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan.

Among the foreign leaders, the decision to invite Muizzu assumed significance as it came against the backdrop of the strained ties between India and the Maldives. It is Muizzus first visit to India after he became the island nations president on November 17 last year. The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office. 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. Modi is likely to hold separate bilateral meetings with the foreign leaders. Though the BJP could not get a majority on its own in the recent Lok Sabha polls, the party-led alliance secured 293 seats. Another chapter in the countrys political history has opened up. Till the next election.
9 killed as terrorists open fire at bus in J&K





JAMMU,

Nine people were killed and 33 injured as terrorists struck a bus carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district on Sunday evening, opening fire on the vehicle which fell into a gorge, a senior police officer said. The attack occurred on the bus en route from Shiv Khori temple to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine at Katra near Teryath village in the Poni area. The bus, a 53-seater, veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge following the gunfire at around 6:15 pm. An unfortunate incident occurred and as per the initial reports, the terrorists had laid an ambush and opened fire on the bus which had left Shiv Khori for Katra. The driver lost balance and the vehicle fell into the gorge, Senior Superintendent of Police, Reasi, Mohita Sharma told reporters at the scene. Sharma said the rescue operation was completed and so far nine persons are dead and 33 others injured in the incident and they have been shifted to different hospitals. The identity of the deceased is not clear yet but preliminary reports suggest that they all belong to Uttar Pradesh, the officer said.

Sharma said they usually remain on high alert and have fully secured the Shiv Khori temple with frequent conduct of area domination patrols in the adjoining areas for the past many days. We have also started firing practice for the Village Defence Guards and they all have been put on alert, the SSP said. This attack marks a significant escalation in violence in the region, as the Reasi district had previously been relatively untouched by terrorist activities compared to neighbouring areas like Rajouri and Poonch. Locals rushed to the site and started assisting the victims. Eyewitnesses shared harrowing accounts of the attack, with one survivor describing how the bus was barraged with 25 to 30 shots before it plunged down the gorge. Another witness recalled seeing a masked assailant in a red muffler firing on the bus. The injured pilgrims were rushed to Teryath Hospital for treatment.

PM Modi takes stock of situation after terror attack in J&Ks Reasi: PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took stock of the situation arising out of the terror attack on pilgrims in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir in which nine people were killed. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the Prime Minister directed him to constantly monitor the situation and ensure all possible help to the affected families. The Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi took stock of the situation and directed me to constantly monitor the situation and to ensure all possible assistance to the families, Sinha said in a post on X. The Lieutenant Governor said that security forces have launched a joint operation to hunt down the terrorists and those behind the attack will be punished soon.

I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on a bus in Reasi. My condolences to the family members of the martyred civilians. Our security forces & JKP have launched a joint operation to hunt down the terrorists, he said.

All those behind this heinous act will be punished soon. Honble PM has also directed that all the injured are provided the best possible medical care & assistance, he added. Nine people were killed and 33 injured as terrorists struck a bus carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district on Sunday evening, opening fire on the vehicle which fell into a gorge, a senior police officer said. The attack occurred on the bus en route from Shiv Khori temple to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine at Katra near Teryath village in the Poni area. The bus, a 53-seater, veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge following the gunfire at aound 6:15 pm.
A Game-Changer Verdict





By Adv. R. S. Agrawal

IN A very candid decision, the Judicial Member, R N Singh and Administrative Member, Tarun Shridhar, at the Principal Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal, have , reiterated on April 26, 2024, that the Tribunal cannot, under any circumstances, allow a situation where the order/decision even though administrative, of the Chairman, CAT who is or has been a Judge of a High Court to be overruled by an official of the Government as has been in this case. Further, the CAT took strong objection to the contentions of the respondents that directions issued to the Ministers and Departments of the Government are to be followed by the Tribunal. We are at loss to absorb that the deposition of the Tribunal in the affidavit conveys surrender to executive control in blatant disregard to the constitutional principles as interpreted by the Honble Supreme Court. The applicants in all the three Original Applications (OAs) are Stenographers, Grade-D, appointed and working on adhoc basis in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). All of them are aggrieved by an order vide which the terms and conditions of their appointments have been revised to their detriment and all of them also seek on regularisation, on account of a long and continuous period of service they possess. Accordingly, at the suggestion of lawyers representing both the applicants and respondents, all the three OAs have been clubbed together and have been disposed of through this common order, on the basis of the facts in the OA 1987/ 2023. During the year, 2012, the respondent-2, CAT sent a requisition to the concerned employment exchange seeking appropriate names for appointment as Stenographer Grade-D on adhoc basis.

Through an order of November 22, 2012, the applicant was given appointment as Stenographer Grade-D at the Principal Bench of CAT in the regular scale of pay, in Pay Band Rs 5200-20200 plus Grade Pay of Rs 2400/-. While the said order mentioned that this appointment will not bestow any claim for regular appointment. It also mentioned that the initial appointment was only for three months or till the posts are filled up on regular basis, whichever is earlier. The said order contained another stipulation that the adhoc appointment can both be extended or curtailed in administrative exigencies. It so happened that this appointment which was for a period of three months or till the posts are filled on regular basis, has continued since then till date uninterruptedly, barring a artificial/technical break of one day. The appointment has also continued on carrying a regular scale of pay carrying a Grade Pay till February 27, 2023, when the impugned order was passed and the services on adhoc basis were disengaged and the applicant was re-appointed as Stenographer Class-D, however now on contract basis on a fixed remuneration of Rs 40,000/-, instead of the regular scale of pay including Grade Pay. This time, the order of re-engagement mentioned the initial engagement for a period of six months or till the posts are filled up on regular basis or until further orders, whichever is earlier. This engagement also continued beyond six months since then continuously and uninterruptedly. The applicant has sought regularisation. Admittedly, she has been working for nearly 11 years continuously now. There is no adverse remark or comment qua her performance. Several other similarly placed employees of the CAT have been regularised periodically.

Why should the applicants case be treated differently. Further, by no stretch of imagination can this appointment be termed to be irregular. The applicant has been appointed through an established procedure by way of an open, transparent and fair selection process. She has been appointed on the approval of the competent authority who has been no less than the Chairman, Central Administrative Tribunal. Different Benches of the Tribunal have consistently held that employees who are appointed against sanctioned posts on regular basis by resorting to a transparent selection process have a bona fide claim for regularisation. The Court has recalled that just a few days back, a co-ordinate Bench of the CAT in which one of us was a Member, in OA No. 2525/2023 titled Anita Kumari v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) & Another has considered the principle and issue of regularisation of a contract/ adhoc employee threadbare. The applicant herein was a Primary Teacher appointed on adhoc basis in the MCD. She too had claimed regularisation, and in that case, amongst other grounds, one of the grounds taken by the respondents was that the applicant had been engaged in a Society and not MCD per se. Even against that background and circumstances, the Tribunal had held the applicant to be entitled for regularisation w.e.f. the date of her initial appointment.

While deciding the O.A. the primary consideration which the Co-ordinate Bench had given weightage to, were: (a) the applicant had been continuing in service for nearly 20 years, (b)she was performing all such duties and responsibilities as are discharged by regular employees,(c)there was no adverse comment with respect to her conduct and comment and performance. Accordingly, it had been held that since the duties and responsibilities were akin to those performed by regular employees, denial of regularisation and consequential benefits would be violative of the principle of equality as enshrined in the Constitution of India. The Central Administrative Tribunal has allowed the Original Application with following order(s) and directions: (i) The CAT held and declared the engagement of the applicant as Stenographer Grade-D on adhoc/contract basis with intermittent break, as arbitrary and violative of the provisions of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India; (ii) Consequently, the CAT directed the competent authority amongst the respondents to pass an order for the regular appointment of the applicant as Stenographer Grade-D with effect from the date of her initial appointment /engagement, that is November 22, 2012; (iii) To fix the pay of the applicant as a regular Stenographer Grade-D on November 22, 2012 and grant annual increment (s) as admissible, and also to consider her for promotion/grant of benefits under ACP/MACP scheme(s) as per the extant Rules and instructions in this regard; and further to award her other entitlements such as leave, medical cover etc.; besides the rest of the consequential benefits arising out of this order. The Tribunal has directed compliance with these directions by the respondents within six weeks of receipt of copy of this Order. The respondents shall undertake review, if required. These directions shall apply to all the three OAs, without any reservation.
Gadkari scores hat-trick of becoming Union Minister





Staff Reporter

As soon as the name of Nitin Gadkari was announced during the glittering swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, the crowd that had gathered at various locations to watch the ceremony live on television in Nagpur erupted in joy on Sunday evening. It was indeed a historic occasion as Gadkari took oath as Union Minister for the third time in a row. Gadkaris name was announced after Amit Shah took oath as Union Minister. Gadkari rose from the chair on the grand stage, gracefully walked towards the podium, and took oath. His name was fourth in the list after Narendra Modi, reflecting his seniority and stature. He scored a hat-trick of getting elected to the Lok Sabha since 2014 from Nagpur, and has now taken oath as Union Minister for the third consecutive term.

Since 2014, when Gadkari first contested Lok Sabha polls, till now in 2024, he emerged victorious. Though his winning margin kept reducing, it was still over one lakh votes. This time, his victory margin was the lowest among his three victories in Lok Sabha elections. Trashing all rumours, Bharatiya Janata Party announced his candidature for Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency. As his name had not appeared in the first list of BJP candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray made a lame attempt to score political point by offering to him a seat from his party. As soon as BJP announced Gadkaris name, all rumours were put to rest. Nagpur BJP swung into action. Throughout his campaigns, Gadkari never criticised or made any allegations against rival Congress candidate Vikas Thakre unlike the latter did. Irrespective of the fact that all Opposition parties rallied behind Congress candidate, Gadkari sailed smoothly and secured his third victory. The margin of victory also was over 1.37 lakh votes.
Manipur: Situation tense but under control in Jiribam





IMPHAL,

The situation in Manipurs Jiribam district remained tense but under control on Sunday, after suspected militants torched two police outposts and at least 70 houses in a fresh bout of violence in the State, police said. Additional security forces have been deployed in the affected areas following the incident on Saturday, they said. The situation is tense but under control in the wake of violent disturbances that broke out in Jiribam district in which miscreants torched two police pickets, a forest beat office... And several houses belonging to both Meitei and Kuki communities, the Manipur Police said in a statement. More than 70 houses were set on fire in Lamtai Khunou, Dibong Khunou, Nunkhal and Begra villages, a senior police officer said. Police is also actively monitoring social media updates, which may incite communal feelings amongst the communities and requests general public to refrain from spreading unfounded/unverified information, it said.

Violence broke out in Jiribam in the ethnic strife-torn State on Thursday evening, after suspected militants killed a 59-year-old man. The person, identified as Soibam Saratkumar Singh, went missing after he had gone to his farm on June 6 and later, his body was found with wounds made by a sharp object, an official had said. Meanwhile, an irate mob stopped a truck at Sorok Atingbi Khunou late on Saturday and reportedly torched essential commodities it was carrying, a police officer 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, he said. Around 239 Meitei people, mostly women and children, have been evacuated from peripheral areas of Jiribam on Friday, and moved to a newly set up relief camp at a multi-sports complex in the district, officials added.

The State Government has also 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. The transfer order was issued hours after police outposts of Jiri Mukh and Choto Bekra, and the Goakhal forest beat office were set afire on Saturday morning, they said. Reacting to the incidents of fresh violence, newly elected Congress MP from the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, urged the Manipur Government to protect the lives and properties of the people of Jiribam. Jiribam, which has a diverse ethnic composition of Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis and non-Manipuris, had so far remained unaffected by the ethnic strife that has been raging in the northeastern State since May last year.
MUTUAL RESPECT





TIES based on the principle of mutual respect result in continuum through crests and troughs when it comes to relations between two countries. Such ties are beneficial to the parties involved, and the respective region too. This is the core message one derives from the response of the External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Mr. Randhir Jaiswal, to the congratulatory social media post of the Chinese Foreign Ministry on electoral victory of Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi. It has been the strategy of Communist China to violate the territorial sovereignty of neighbours on ground or through cartographic aggression or through certain statements. It has been playing a long game with its neighbours, especially India. Its policy has always been two steps forward, one step back, and in the process gain one step forward each such time. It has been adopting this technique in negotiations also. However, under Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, India has reinvented its diplomacy.

This process has been aided brilliantly by suave External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. May it be stand-off in Ladakh or in Doka La or clash in Galwan, India has not adopted a meek approach when it comes to dealing with the Communist China. Besides, with increased understanding of geopolitics, Indians have developed a sentiment against Chinas hegemony. In todays interconnected world, it has consequences. If China tries to impose its position on the lingering India-China border row, it is no more a matter discussed at the level of heads of these two countries. The ordinary Indians also express their opinions freely on social media as well as in public sphere. This gradually expands to the Indian diaspora in various countries across the world. Ultimately, the discussion at all these levels dents Chinas international image. In contrast, India has emerged as a global economic powerhouse as well as a responsible power with greater acceptance as reflected in the successful transformation of G-20 grouping into G-21. While China has continued to make conflicts as mainstay of its diplomacy, India has been consistent in speaking the language of co-operation and shared growth.

India has never been aggressor, but China has a record of pursuing expansionist designs. Against this backdrop, Mr. Randhir Jaiswals comment of India pursuing efforts towards normalisation of India-China ties based on mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity, reflects consistency of stand. If China wants India to respect One China policy, it also must respect One India policy and do away with actions that disrespect Indias territorial sovereignty. If China expects sensitivityfrom India, it also must exhibit serious and genuine sensitivity towards Indian concerns relating to border row. If China wishes to protect own interests, it must not compromise the interests of India. This simple reciprocal behaviour holds the key to normal India-China ties.
Nijjar case: Canada intelligence chief made secret visits to India





NEW DELHI,

Canadas intelligence agency chief David Vigneault paid two under-the-wraps visits to India in February and March to apprise Indian officials of the case relating to the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, people familiar with the matter said. Vigneault, the director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), is learnt to have shared information that emerged during Ottawas investigation into the killing. The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations in September last year of the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar.

New Delhi rejected Trudeaus charges as absurd. Vigneaults visits to India came weeks before Canada arrested three Indian nationals -- Karanpreet Singh (28), Kamalpreet Singh (22) and Karan Brar (22) -- on charges of alleged involvement in Nijjars killing. Subsequently, a fourth Indian, Amandeep Singh, was arrested by the Canadian authorities. Nijjar, who was declared a terrorist by India, was shot dead outside a gurudwara in British Columbia in Surrey on June 18 last year.
Special Gift from Jammu Silver lotus for Modi





JAMMU,

A JEWELLER from Jammu affiliated with BJP has crafted a 3-kg lotus flower -- the symbol of the party -- in pure silver as a gift for Prime Minister designate Narendra Modi on assuming office for the third term on Sunday. Rinku Chauhan, a resident of Muthi village on the outskirts of Jammu, said the idea to present the unique gift to Modi came to his mind after the BJP government fulfilled its promise of revoking Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019 and constructed Ram temple in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya. It took me 15 to 20 days to prepare this gift for our beloved prime minister. I have personally crafted the Lotus flower in silver and am waiting to present it to him, Chauhan, spokesperson of the partys youth wing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), told PTI at his residence.

He was expelled by the party in 2018 for supporting an independent candidate -- his wife -- against the partys official candidate in Urban Local bodies elections. However, his expulsion was revoked within a few weeks. Chauhan, who is affiliated with BJP for the past nearly two decades, said he was confident of Modis return for the third term, given his good work and popularity across the country. The abrogation of Article 370 ended stone-pelting and helped in restoring peace in Kashmir. The construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was pending for the last 500 years, he said. Displaying the well-framed gift, he said he used all his experience and my soul rests in it. I hope Modi will like this gift as he is like a god to me. His wife Anjali Chauhan said they are eagerly waiting for the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister to hand over this gift to him. Meanwhile, a group of Yoga enthusiasts performed their routine morning exercise at Mubarak Mandi in the old city with special prayers for Modi for the successful tenure of next five years.

The participants were seen carrying Modi masks and also chanted slogans like Bharat Mata Ki Jai, expressing happiness over BJP returning to power for the third term. Nobody can replace Modi and I am happy he will be back as Prime Minister of the country. We voted for Modi, Sonia Tandon told PTI. BJP candidates Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore retained their Udhampur and Jammu Lok Sabha seats for the third time in a row, defeating rival Congress candidates by over one lakh margin each. This is a great day for the country as Modi is assuming power once again with the support of the people, remarked Poonam Sachdev. Pooja Kapoor expressed hope that the Modi led government will come up with new welfare schemes for the public and work towards making India more famous at the world stage.
Spectacular: At least 8,000 invitees watch as Modi sworn in for 3rd time





NEW DELHI,

POLITICAL veterans and debutants, business leaders and showbiz stars, almost everybody who is anybody in India, and many who are not... More than 8,000 people packed into the Rashtrapati Bhawan forecourt on Sunday as Narendra Modi was sworn in as prime minister for a third consecutive term. As the blazing sunny day dulled into a warm evening, the swearing-in ceremony of the Modi 3.0 Government unravelled against the backdrop of the magnificent sandstone dome of the columned presidential palace lit in saffron, white and green. It was the final chapter of a 44-day election that saw the Modi-led BJP come to power with 240 seats, more than 60 seats less than 2019, and now dependent on its allies in the NDA. There were bugles, ceremonial guards, flowers and all the trappings of a grand spectacle as President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office. But the political overtones dominated them all. The list of potential ministers was analysed and speculated on endlessly to see which allies would be accommodated, how many from the partner NDA parties -- particularly from the TDP and the JD-U, which together won 28 seats -- which leader would be repeated, which of the newbies would get a berth.

Among the allies, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, HAM (Secular) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, JD(U) leader Lalan Singh and TDPs K Ram Mohan Naidu took the oath of office as ministers. And while there were the seniors, Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar, who were sworn in, there were also fresh faces such as former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. At the grand show, almost in the nature of a US Inauguration Day, just as closely scrutinised was the guest list. There werent too many Opposition leaders. Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge was there but several others skipped the ceremony. Among those present were seven top leaders from Indias neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region - Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Nepals Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Bhutans Tshering Tobgay and Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afif.

In 2014, when Modi took the reins as Prime Minister for the first time, the leaders of regional grouping SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries attended the swearing-in ceremony. In 2019,it was the leaders of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries.

Also unmissable were the several religious leaders attending the ceremony. And there was the splash of stardust with Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan, Anil Kapoor, Rajinikant, Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon and Anupam Kher. Kangana Ranaut, the BJPs debutant MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, was there of course.

Who came with whom, who was sitting with whom and who was dressed in what. The details were watched closely by millions on myriad screens across the country. Industrialists Gautam Adani, his wife and brother, Mukesh Ambani and his family, including his sons and daughter, were there as were Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. Former Presidents Ram Nath Kovind and Pratibha Patil also attended the event. Individuals like Shehla Rashid, the one time student leader who was a ferocious critic of the Government and is now a vocal supporter of it, were there too. She put out a post on X saying, Honoured to join in, with prayers for the progress of the nation... #Modi3.0.
Where is Jabalpurs Green Revolution?





By Dhanendra Chourasia

In a remarkable display of environmental consciousness, the people of Indore have embarked on a massive tree plantation drive with the aim of making it into the Guinness Book of World Records. They aim to plant an impressive 51 lakh trees throughout their city on July 14, creating a potential world record. This remarkable initiative of Indore has raised questions about the efforts being made in Jabalpur to enhance its green cover. If the people of Indore can achieve this feat, then the people of Jabalpur can undoubtedly aspire to take on a similar endeavour and aim for the world record. Although tree plantation has been carried out in Jabalpur, the lack of proper maintenance and care has hindered the desired outcomes. Despite initial efforts, the green cover in the city has failed to expand significantly. Factors such as limited public support and a lack of enthusiasm among concerned authorities, including the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC) have contributed to the situation.

With the monsoon season around the corner, it is vital that the civic body takes immediate action to develop broad plans for extensive plantation in the city. The civic body must also raise awareness among public and ensure their active participation in the crucial task. The success of Indores becoming cleanest city of the country and now to be becoming Guinness Book of World Records holder in plantation drive can be attributed to a combination of factors including strong public support, effective co-ordination between authorities and citizens and a shared sense of responsibility towards the environment. By following this model, Sanskardhani also can overcome the obstacles it has faced so far and achieve similar success. The Jabalpur Municipal Corporation must take practical measures to educate and engage public about the importance of plantation and its positive impact on the environment. Likewise, community involvement including schools, colleges and various organisations should also be encouraged to participate in the plantation drive. Furthermore, the civic body should ensure that the necessary infrastructure and resources are available to nurture and maintain the newly-planted trees. Regular monitoring, watering and maintenance programmes must be implemented to ensure the survival and growth of the green cover.

As the monsoon season approaches, the timing is ideal for the JMC to mobilise its resources and launch a comprehensive plantation campaign. By learning from the initiatives of Indore and addressing the shortcomings of previous efforts, Jabalpur has the potential to significantly enhance its green cover and create a sustainable future. The challenge lies ahead for JMC to rise to the occasion, revitalise its plantation efforts and demonstrate the same commitment and determination shown by the civic body and people of Indore. It is through collective action that the city can create a greener and healthier environment for generations to come.
With rising Pharma colleges comes rise in vacancies







Staff Reporter

Expressing serious concern over the seat vacancy in Pharmacy courses (diploma and degree), Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI) urged Maharashtra Government not to sanction any new pharmacy college. In the academic year 2023-24, the degree courses witnessed vacancy of 14,362 seats while in diploma course, 6,977 seats remained vacant. The APTI pointed out that last year, 136 colleges of diploma courses and 57 new degree colleges were added. With this addition, the degree pharmacy institutions increased from 396 to 453.

While talking to The Hitavada, President of APTI Dr Milind Umekar said, The colleges which receive No Objection Certificate from Government, get temporary affiliation from University or Board. They then apply to Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). PCI gives final approval to the colleges, new courses and increased intake. But in the academic year 2023-24, universities, without conducting inspection, provided temporary affiliation to the colleges. The intake capacity of new colleges is 60. But shockingly, in the first affiliation itself these colleges got approval for 100 seats. There are many colleges which dont even carry the accreditation from National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) and National Board of Accreditation (NBA).

According to APTI, not following the rules led to mushrooming of new pharmacy colleges. Unnecessary creation of new colleges resulted in several seats remaining vacant. The large proportion of vacant seats has had an adverse impact on teachers salaries and quality of education. APTI has already given a letter to the Maharashtras Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil. The State can prevent more vacancies and improve Pharma education quality by not permitting new colleges, new courses, increased intake now. If there are no takers for the seats in pharmacy colleges, the unemployment will increase, Dr Umekar expressed fear.
China's commerce ministry calls for win-win cooperation, healthy competition between China, EU

Xinhua) 09:24, June 10, 2024

BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- China's commerce ministry has called on China and the European Union to handle economic and trade frictions properly through dialogue and consultation, advocate win-win cooperation and welcome healthy competition.

Efforts should be made to accommodate the legitimate concerns of both sides and avoid the escalation of trade frictions, the ministry said.

It has held symposiums with Chinese-funded enterprises and business associations in countries such as Spain, Portugal and Greece. Some business representatives have expressed concerns that the EU has been continuously suppressing Chinese enterprises on the grounds of so-called fair competition.

Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao said that accusations of "unfair competition" against China are groundless, and that fair competition is the consensus of all countries and the cornerstone of international exchange, and it cannot be defined by a few countries.

True fair competition means striving to improve oneself, rather than tripping up others. It should be open, cooperative, equal and mutually beneficial, rather than exclusive. It also means following rules that have international consensus, rather than breaking or tampering with them at will, he said.

China advocates win-win cooperation, but it neither evades nor fears competition. It welcomes healthy competition, and opposes vicious competition designed to contain and suppress, Wang said.

In response to concerns over the EU's anti-subsidy investigation of Chinese electric vehicles, which has affected cooperation between Chinese auto companies and their European counterparts, Wang said that the right way for the two sides to get along is to expand cooperation and achieve win-win results amid healthy competition. He made the comments during a recent visit to a joint venture between China's Chery Automobile and Spain's Ebro-EV Motors in Barcelona, Spain.

He expressed the hope that the European side will abandon trade protectionism and return to the correct path of dialogue and cooperation.

He also said that he hopes the enterprises involved in the joint venture will overcome their difficulties to make their work an important project of economic and trade cooperation between China and Spain, and between China and Europe.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
You are here: China

China's national observatory on Sunday issued an orange alert for high temperatures as multiple regions in the country will experience sweltering heat.

During the daytime on Monday, some areas in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and Gansu are expected to see temperatures as high as 36 degrees Celsius, according to the National Meteorological Center.

It forecasts that maximum temperatures will reach 37 to 39 degrees Celsius in parts of Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Anhui and Xinjiang. Some areas may even experience scorching highs exceeding 40 degrees.

Outdoor activities should be avoided during the high temperatures, and precautionary measures should be taken to protect vulnerable groups such as children and older people, the center said.

China has a three-tier warning system for high temperatures, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange and yellow.
A brief account of the Imphal Area Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous

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Imphal Area Service Committee of Narcotics AnonymousIt is generally regarded that the problem of drug abuse in Manipur dates back to the late 1970s.During this period, the number of drug addicts rose exponentially and due to the lack of proper facilities for treatment and rehabilitation during this period, many families in consultation with the police had to put the drug addicts in jail to stop the abuse. In 1987, while the trend of putting the drug addicts in jail was widely practised, Mr John Pathickaden, director of a Kolkata based rehabilitation centre: St. Joseph Rehabilitation and Relief Services visited Imphal. He put forward the fact that the inability of the addicts to quit drugs and recover is because addiction is a disease. He also extended help to the drug addicts who wanted to stop using drugs and recover with the offer of providing proper treatment against addiction at his rehabilitation centre.Consequently, a few drug addicts with the cooperation and assistance of the then Superintendent of Police (SP) of Imphal Central Jail, N Kipgen and Inspector General (IG) of Prisons, Thangjam Karunamaya went to St Josephs Rehabilitation and Relief Services for treatment.While the drug addicts were under treatment in Kolkata, members of the Hospitals and Institutions Sub-committee (H&I), Kolkata Area Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous, came for a panel presentation about recovery from addiction. Listening to the presentation by H&I and attending group meetings of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) at Kolkata gave the drug addicts from Manipur a ray of hope, and the desire to stop using drugs, and recover from addiction and they were even inspired to establish similar fellowships of Narcotics Anonymous in Manipur. As they returned to Manipur after completion of their treatment at St Joseph Rehabilitation and Relief Services, the few recovering addicts started laying down strategies to organize NA group meetings in Manipur as well. Subsequently, the first-ever NA meeting in Manipur was held at Don Bosco School, Chingmeirong on 4th August 1987 with much support and cooperation from Fr. Tony of the school itself. Similar meetings were also later held at Nirmalabas School and Hindi Parishad. These initial meetings were just casual sessions as it was without any guidelines that any NA meeting should have.Besides, the group had no name then. Later, on 1st Sept 1988, the first NA group was formed and was named Karuna Group and is still operational to date. The first meeting of the group came into being with tremendous help from the IG of Prison, Thangjam Karunamaya and was held at Dharmasala, Thangal Bazaar at a rental charge of only Rs 2 for the venue. As awareness of treatment of drug addiction rose among the addicts, many began to seek help. However, there were still many challenges in facilitating proper treatment to the addicts as Manipur had no rehabilitation centre then. Later, to address the issue, the first rehabilitation centre in Manipur, New Life was founded.About Narcotics Anonymous Programme and Narcotics Anonymous groupNarcotics Anonymous or simply NA is a non-profit fellowship of men and women for whom drugs have become a major problem. It was founded by a group of addicts in California, USA, in July 1953 to help those in need while trying to get out of drug addiction. Today, it has spread across 144 countries around the globe and more than 70,000 meetings are held every week helping thousands of recovering addicts and those who want to recover from drug addiction.Anyone may join NA, regardless of age, race, sexual identity, caste, creed and religion. The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop using and stay clean. The names or particulars of the participants are not recorded. There are no initiation fees or pledges to sign. NA is not affiliated to any organisation and is only focused on what an addict wants to do about his/her problem and how NA can help. Though NA is a programme to ensure a drug-free life, NA does not have any comments on the use of tobacco products or taking prescribed medicines for any mental or physical illness. In such cases, NA suggests getting help from professionals.NA has a firm belief that any addict can recover and stay clean if he or she can follow NAs 12 steps and 12 traditions. To follow the steps and traditions NA has regular meetings. The meetings are very simple sessions where NA members share their experiences. The nature of the meeting is such that those who have been able to quit and now lead better lives tell about their journey of recovery after attending NA meetings to those who are in the process of quitting, similar to someone telling her/his story after coming out of a terrible experience. We have learnt from our group experiences that those who attend our meetings regularly stay clean. We do not accept monetary help or assistance from any individual or organisation. However, we welcome cooperation from the Government, medical institutions, religious groups, voluntary organizations, individuals and media persons because they give us enormous help in making our regular meetings organized in schools, churches, clubs and community halls a success. Today with the help of the programme, many people have given up drugs and have come back to normal life.When the Karuna group was formed, it is said that a few kind of literature were available on NA. However, those who were involved directly with its formation assure that this literature was not guidelines. Those NA members were motivated to form a service committee after reading this literature. The main objective of the service committee was to form NA groups in every nook and corner of Manipur to help drug addicts come out of addiction. It is noteworthy that the group had only 20 to 30 members then. However, with relentless efforts and dedication by the members of the group towards forming a service committee, another group called the Good Will was formed on the day of Diwali in 1990. Subsequently, the Service Committee was formed on June 15, 1991. Later, it was rechristened as the Imphal Area Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous. The first office of the Area Service Committee was designated at the office of Karuna Group at Dharmasala, Thangal Bazaar. Not long after the formation of the service committee, one of the members got the opportunity to go to the United States and learn about the World Service Committee of NA.It was the first step in connecting of Imphal Area Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous with the world. A little after the formation of the Good Will group, another group especially for women was formed. It was named Amazing Group. After this, another group called Hope was also formed in Moirang. Unfortunately, both Amazing Group and Hope have ceased to function. Post the formation of the Imphal Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous, today there are 15 such groups including 2 groups under observation spread across the districts of Manipur.Daily meetings of at least an hour are held by these groups to help the drug addicts come out of addiction. On average, 5 meetings are organised daily with a daily average participants of 171 addicts. On a daily average at least 10 new participants turn up for such daily meetings with the hope of recovering from drug addiction. With the services offered by Narcotics Anonymous, today there are hundreds of people who have recovered from drug addiction and are leading a healthy life.If you require help to recover from drug addiction or know any near or dear ones in the same situation, please contact the Imphal Area Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous right away.The office of Imphal Area Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous is at Tera Ingudam Leirak, Helpline number: +91-9366120877, Email: [email protected]
Beyond the control of Imphal Delhi : A mere spectator

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It should be more than obvious. Everything has gone beyond the control of Imphal, its hands tied with everything that Delhi has been able to whip out of its closet. The confusion over the command structure, the extent of the free hand given to the para-military forces particularly the Assam Rifles while dealing with the situation, the earlier instruction or suggestion of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Chief Minister N Biren Singh to take care of the valley while he (Shah) would look after the hills, the buffer zones which have been drawn up across the length and breadth of the State reducing the existence of the Meiteis to a state of surviving in a small pond surrounded by sharks all around, the unstated, unclear and confusing status of the Suspension of Operation pact, all seem to be designs drawn up to reduce the Meitei folks to sitting ducks in their own homes. What else can explain the continued silence of the Prime Minister on a clash that has dragged on for more than one year ? Today it is Jiribam burning. Tomorrow it could be any place but one point that can be said with a degree of certainty is, the indifference of the Prime Minister and the different agenda drawn up to shackle the Meitei folks will continue. Geo-politics is one reason that can easily be discerned and central to this politics is obviously the need to keep the growing clout of China under check, especially as New Delhi continues to Look and Act further East with a policy to boot. The volatile situation in Myanmar has only made things worse and what has made things all the more unacceptable is the easily discernible point that Manipur has been pushed to the Centre of the big game east, so that the clout of Delhi as a major player in South East Asia will not be affected. More than obvious that this is the primary reason why the Suspension of Operation pact was signed in the first place. The SoO serves many purpose and obvious that the most visible is the intent of Delhi to neutralise the Naga and Manipur armed movement in the region, by using the SoO groups in a proxy war with the indigenous folks of the land. The threat perception posed by the Kukis was realised much earlier by the Nagas and the Kuki-Naga clash of the early 1990s should be read and understood along this line. It is much, much later that the Meiteis opened their eyes to let reality sink in and the fruits that one sees today are the blatant moves made to lay claim over places as sacred as Mount Thangjing and Mount Koubru. Recall how Mount Thangjing was found christened as Mount Thangting.

The pogrom is unmistakable. Look at the pattern in which the venue of conflict keeps changing ever since Manipur went up in flames on May 3, 2023. Sugnu, Moreh and now Jiribam. Places which are of strategic importance to the Kuki militants and the importance that is attached to Jiribam can be easily discerned from the fact that after killing a man, setting on fire more than 72 houses of the Meiteis and displacing over 200 people, the target was an advance security team sent ahead of the Chief Ministers proposed visit to the Western Gate of Manipur. Moreover Jiribam is geographically close to Mizoram, a place where the Kuki militants can easily cross across and blend themselves in with the local population and escape detection. One driver of the advance security team of the Chief Minister was injured and this should say so many things. For one the Kuki militants are in possession of heavy guns with limitless ammunition. A more than clear signal that they are ready to take on the State forces and one wonders who could be backing them with the needed logistics. Moreover how did the Kuki militants come to know that an advance security team was coming to Jiribam ? Conspiracy theories are sure to abound, given the tense situation and this should raise the question of why conspiracy theories should arise in the first place. Delhi would need to spell out its stand clearly. First clear the confusion and spell out the unsaid but obvious point in criss crossing the length and breadth of Manipur with buffer zones. Who is the Chairperson of the Unified Command ? Is the Security Advisor living up to the task that was assigned to him and what is his position vis-a-vis the State Government ? Is his role something more than an advisory position ? Taking the people and the place for granted is what can be seen in bold in the indifference of Delhi.
Modi urged to visit

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IMPHAL, Jun 10 : BJP Manipur Pradesh founder member A Chandrakumar has urged Prime Minister Modi to visit Manipur and save the conflict-ridden State.

Addressing a press conference at Manipur Press Club today, A Chandra-kumar stated that the ongoing conflict between two communities in the State has been made worse by foreign elements.

The founder member of BJP Manipur Pradesh urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur and end the protracted violence.

Till date the Prime Minister has not spoken a word to resolve the issue.
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Based on a statement of the a key accused in the murder of Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim Anar, multiple bones were recovered from Bagjola Canal on Sunday morning. However, it will only be clear after forensic examination whether these bones belong to the Bangladeshi lawmaker. The CID, accompanied by personnel of the Navy and Kolkata Polices DMG team, began searching Bagjola Canal in Satulia, Bhangar, accompanied by key suspect Mohammad Siyam Hussain, who was recently arrested by Nepal police. Divers were deployed for the search, and several bones were recovered, including some long bones. The arrested Siyam claimed these are parts of Bangladeshi MP Anars body.

However, the police will confirm this only after forensic tests. It is noteworthy that Siyam had given a different location from the one previously mentioned by another arrested individual, Ziad. This new location was where the search was conducted, leading to success. According to police sources, the day after the murder, on 14 May, two of the accused, Mostafizur and Faizal, carried MP Anars head and pieces of his body out of the New Town residence in a trolley. Before this, the butcher Ziad broke the MPs skull into several pieces. Bangladeshi intelligence officers learned from Faizal that they disposed of MP Anars body parts near a spot beside Jessore Road at the Bongaon border in North 24-Parganas. The search for these body parts continues. The alleged main conspirator behind this murder, Akhtaruzzaman Shahin, is now in America.

The CID has arrested butcher Ziad in connection with this incident. Meanwhile, three others were caught by Bangladesh Police. Interrogation of the accused revealed to the CID and Bangladesh Police that Siam had provided Ziad with a large meat-cutting knife to dismember Anars body. Siam also had a role in dismembering Anars body. On 15 May, he left Kolkata and reached Kathmandu, Nepal via Bihar. Upon receiving this information, the CID and Bangladesh Police informed the Nepal Police. Kathmandu police officers detained Siam. Senior CID officials went to Nepal, identified the accused, and interrogated him.

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Ramkumar Rai, a textile businessman from Vaishali, Bihar, was robbed by a few miscreants in the city on Saturday afternoon, but police arrested the robbers within a few hours of the incident. According to police Mr Rai arrived by train in Kolkata for business purposes on Saturday afternoon and headed to the Metiabruz area to purchase clothes. Police said that he took a taxi with four others from Howrah Station. As the taxi approached National Eye Care Hospital on Akra Road, four men blocked its path and issued threats. One of them told him that they would kill him if he did not get out of the car.

In panic, one of Mr Rais companions fled from the taxi. The assailants then dragged Mr Rai out and allegedly robbed him of Rs 2,85,000 before escaping. Within hours of receiving the complaint, the police arrested the accused. According to police sources, Mr Rai (37), along with four others, had taken a taxi from Howrah to Metiabruz on Saturday afternoon. As their taxi approached the Metiabruz market, four men stopped them. Intimidated by their threats, one of Mr Rais companion, Ranakumar, fled, but the robbers took nearly three lakhs from Mr Rai. The distressed businessman approached Metiabruz police station to report the robbery.

The police promptly took action, identifying the accused from CCTV footage of the incident. Within hours, they managed to apprehend the suspects, identified as Farhan Zaman Ansari, Farizaan Ahmed, Mohammad Sahil, and Badshah, from various locations. They recovered Rs 1,02,500 from one of the suspects, which has been seized. Police, who confirmed the arrests by Sunday, are interrogating the suspects for further information. They are investigating whether a larger network is involved and are attempting to recover the remaining stolen money. The arrested individuals is being presented before the Alipore court on Sunday

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Armed dacoits and Raniganj Police engaged in a fierce gun battle before the dacoits escaped after looting the Senco Gold jewellery showroom in Tarbangla area within Raniganj Police Station limits here on Sunday afternoon. At around 12 noon today, a group of seven to eight armed dacoits aged between 22 to 25 years stormed inside the jewellery showroom and snatched the carbines of the private security guards and looted ornaments from the store located just beside the busy and congested National Highway -14. The operation took about fifteen minutes.

All the dacoits were wearing helmets and were speaking in Hindi. Police suspect that they are gang members from Jharkhand. A police patrol van standing nearby chased the dacoits. The dacoits opened fire and police retaliated with gunfire. As it was a Sunday, there has huge crowd in the market and customers fled in panic trying to avoid getting caught in the cross fire. The dacoits fled away riding a motor cycle. Raniganj Police have seized a semiautomatic carbine from the spot and a motor cycle. One dacoit is believed to have been injured in the exchange of fire withpolice, but his accomplices managed to take him away. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate (ADPC), Dhruba Das has rushed to the spot with a huge police force.

A large number of empty bullet shells were lying on the ground in the aftermath of the shoot-out. The BengalJharkhand border has been sealed and a red alert has been sounded in all police stations of West Burdwan district. Raniganj Police have started scanning all the CCTV footage in the area to trace the exit route of the dacoits. The CCTV footage of the showroom has been seized by the police. Mr. Sudip Roy, owner of the showroom said that it is yet to be estimated how much gold jewellery have been looted by the dacoits. Last year similar incidents of dacoity has taken place in two showrooms of Senco Gold in Purulia town and Ranaghat in Nadia district.

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CID officials are also reaching the spot, sources said. It is suspected that the dacoits may have taken shelter in the nearby Nimcha forest. Mr. Rohit Khaitan, president of Raniganj Chamber of Commerce blamed the state government for the deteriorating law and order situation, with the robbery taking place in broad daylight in the Raniganj business hub.
Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) leaders have been asked to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modis swearing-in ceremony. Binoy Tamang (photo), a former leader of the GJMM, has impliedly demanded ministerial positions for Darjeeling MP Raju Bista and other West Bengal MPs. It is worth mentioning that an invitation letter was sent to GJMM president Bimal Gurung and secretary Roshan Giri to attend the event today.

Unfortunately, as the new government prepares to take office this evening, it is disheartening to note that not a single MP has been included in the Modi cabinet for 2024. The cabinet formation was based on a formula that considered regional and social representation, resulting in an equal proportion of ministers. This means that Bengal will likely have three to four ministerial positions. However, with the upcoming Bengal assembly elections in 2026, it is crucial for the Modi government to also include at least three to four MPs from Bengal in the current cabinet. It remains to be seen if there are any plans for future cabinet expansions, Binoy Tamang said.

Reports state that Dr Sukanta Majumdar, a Member of Parliament from Balurghat, and former Union Minister and MP Shantanu Thakur will be included in Prime Minister Modis Cabinet. In the 2024 election, Nitish Pramanik, who was a minister in the outgoing council of ministers, was defeated in Cooch Behar. John Barla, who also served as a minister in the 2019 Cabinet, did not receive a ticket this time. However, Manoj Tigga is currently a BJP MP for Alipurduar and also holds the position of MLA for Madarihat Assembly Constituency. Since 2019, there has been a BJP MP for Jalpaiguri parliamentary constituency as well. The Gorkhas make up a significant portion of the voting population in both Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri Parliamentary constituencies.

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Mr Tamang also claimed that the Bengal regions most esteemed parliamentary constituency is Darjeeling, where the BJP made its debut in 2009. The Gorkhas, the predominant community in this constituency, have remained staunch supporters of the BJP since then. However, despite their loyalty, the people of Darjeeling, Siliguri, Terai, and Dooars have not yet received any political or constitutional recognition from the BJP. This region has played a significant role in the partys success and it is time for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfil his promise made in 2014 when Raju Bista won the election for the second time in a row. While his winning margin should make him one of the top five BJP MPs, according to the official website he has been placed lower due to another MP from Uttar Pradesh with a larger margin of victory, Mr Tamang said, adding, It would be fair for Raju Bista and the people of Darjeeling and Dooars if he is given a Cabinet berth as a reward for his hard work and dedication.
Post-poll violence-related tension was prevailing in the Hariharpara area in West Bengals Murshidabad district on Monday following the killing of a local Trinamool Congress leader in a shootout.

The injured local leader, Sanatan Ghosh, who suffered multiple bullet injuries, was shifted to Murshidabad Medical College & Hospital where he was declared dead. His body has been sent for post-mortem.

Locals have informed the police that Ghosh, also a local milk trader by profession, was suddenly surrounded by a group of assassins who came in motorcycles shot at him from a close range and escaped.

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A political slugfest has already started in the locality over the murder. Local Trinamool Congress leader Rocky Sheikh has claimed that Ghoshs murder was the handiwork of goons backed by the BJP. Ghosh used to play an important role in the locality on behalf of Trinamool Congress throughout the year, especially as regards public networking and he paid the price for that, Sheikh claimed.

However, the local BJP leadership has claimed the actual reason behind the murder was the long internal rivalry between two factions of the ruling party.

Meanwhile, sources from the district police said that some old feud or tension might have prompted the assassination of Ghosh. The cops are now trying to probe whether the old feud was political in nature or personal.

However, the additional police superintendent of Murshidabad district police Majid Iqbal Khan has claimed that probably some old-related feud was the main reason behind the murder. Police are carrying out an investigation. The body has been sent for post-mortem, he said.
A minor girl was sexually assaulted in Delhis Meharchand Market by her neighbour, for which a juvenile accused has been apprehended, the police said on Monday.

According to the police, the incident came to light on Sunday when they received a PCR call regarding the sexual assault on a seven-year-old girl, who is a resident of Meharchand Market of the Lodhi Colony area in Delhi.

A police team rushed to the spot where the survivor was found with her grandmother. Narrating the ordeal of the victim, the old lady said she was sexually assaulted by a neighbour at his house around 3-4 days ago.

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The accused, a sixteen-year-old juvenile, was apprehended by the police as per procedure.

Further, on the basis of the complainants statement, a case under section 376AB of the Indian Penal Code and 6 POCSO Act, was registered at the Lodhi Colony Police Station and the Child in Conflict with Law (CCL) boy aged- was apprehended accordingly and was sent to an observation home.

Further investigation into the case is underway.

Meanwhile, towards April-end this year, a six-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted in South Delhis Sangam Vihar by her tuition teachers son. According to the police, the accused, a 32-year-old man from Sangam Vihar, was apprehended in this connection.

In the month of May, the Metro Rail unit of the Delhi Police apprehended a man for allegedly molesting a minor boy on the train.

On May 3, a minor boy wrote on social media that while travelling by metro to his residence a man started touching him inappropriately after boarding the train at the Rajiv Chowk station. Initially, he thought it was by mistake, but the accused continued to molest him till they reached Kashmere Gate.
Delhi Water Minister Atishi said on Monday that Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena assured that he would take up with the Haryana government the released of water in Munak Canal to ensure adequate water supply to the national capital.

Atishi, along with Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, attended a meeting on the water issue, in the presence of the LG and the chief secretary and CEO (Delhi Jal Board).

Apart from the water to be release from Munak Canal, the LG assured that the issue of staffing at the DJB and additional burden on the CEO (DJB) would be addressed suitably at the earliest.

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According to official sources, Saxena also underlined that if the wastage of water in Munak is plugged, which is said to be to the tune of 25 per cent due to theft and other repair issues, it would help resolve the water crisis.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Delhi water minister said the LG assured that he would appoint a single charge officer for the Delhi Jal Board administration to ensure work goes on smoothly in the water agency of the city.

It has been brought to the notice of the LG and the ministers that a team of Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) officials, along with senior officials from GNCTD and Government of Haryana, inspected the supply of water at the head of Munak Canal in Delhi on Sunday evening, who have claimed that they found water supply from Haryana to be sufficient, officials said.

As per the inspection report, Haryana on Sunday released 2,289 cusec of water from Munak Canal in the state and the quantity of water released from Munak to Kakori for supply exclusively to Delhi was 1,161.084 cusec against its quota of 1,050 cusec of water.

However, the water received from Munak Canal at Bawana in Delhi was 960.78 cusec, amounting to a loss of 200 cusec, which is 18 per cent.

As per accepted norms, such losses should be less than 5 per cent.

One of the issues raised during the meeting was that of transit. A huge quantity of water in Munak is lost and stolen due to non-maintenance of the canal during its course in Delhi due to leakages because of non-repair of the lining of the canal and the alleged theft by tankers.

The issue of 54 per cent unaccounted water and 40 per cent leakage in Delhi due to theft and unrepaired pipelines was again flagged by the LG and it was agreed by the Minister that a concrete plan of action for addressing this issue will soon be prepared by DJB.
Shehzada actor Kartik Aaryan and his fallout with filmmaker Karan Johar has long been an unaddressed controversy that has piqued fans curiosity on several occasions. It all goes back to 2021 when Johar announced Dostana 2, which soon became an anticipated hit among netizens. Originally, the film was announced with Kartik Aaryan, Jahnvi Kapoor, and Laksh Lalwani in lead roles. However, in a dramatic turn of events, it was revealed that Kartik was no longer part of the project, with the alleged reason being professional circumstances.

Dharma Productions shared a post on X stating that they had decided to recast for the sequel to the Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham, and Abhishek Bachchan hit film. The post read, Due to professional circumstances, on which we have decided to maintain dignified silence  we will be recasting Dostana 2, directed by Collin DCunha. Please wait for the official announcement soon (sic).

At the time of the announcement, it was reported that Aaryan walked out of the film due to creative differences, and speculations about a rift between the actor and the filmmaker soon took over the internet. In a recent interview with The Lallantop, the Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 actor addressed the unanswered rumors. Claiming that the issue is stale now, Aaryan remarked that oftentimes things blow out of proportion, especially when reported in writing as it sounds completely different.

The actor expressed that he refrains from entertaining controversy and chooses to remain silent. Jab bhi aise koi khabar aati hai ya koi controversy aa jati hai to main apne shell mein rehta huin, main shant rehta huin. Main un cheezon mein zyada ghusta hoon, aur naa kuch prove karne se mujhe kuch milta hai. (When controversies of such nature happen, I stay calm about them. I dont get involved in them and I dont have to prove anything to anyone).

The actor made sure not to fuel the fire and remained tight-lipped about his alleged fallout with Karan Johar and the reason behind his exit from Dostana 2. Further developments revealed that the project got shelved with no explanations. The shooting had commenced before COVID and wasnt picked up after circumstances normalized.

On the work front, Aaryan is promoting his upcoming film, Chandu Champion, in full throttle, and the release is slated for June 14. He is also poised to reprise his role in the third installment of the Bhool Bhulaiyaa films and is currently filming for the same.
At the grand swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third term at Rashtrapati Bhavan, all eyes were not just on the political figures and significant moments, but also on a unique fashion statement that stole the spotlight. Chirag Paswan, an actor-turned-politician, stood out in the crowd of dignitaries with his striking sartorial choice.

Chirag Paswan wore a sophisticated black indo-western suit paired with a crisp white shirt, but it was his tri-colour pocket square that truly made a statement. This small but powerful accessory not only added a touch of elegance to his outfit but also symbolized his patriotic spirit and political dedication.

Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chirag Paswan (@ichiragpaswan)

Paswans journey in politics has been notable. He has continued the legacy of his late father, former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, by securing a win in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and most recently in 2024 from the Hajipur constituency. Despite facing internal conflicts within his party, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), after his fathers passing, Paswan has emerged as a strong leader, steering his faction to success.

In another significant political development, Suresh Gopi, also an actor-turned-politician, made history by winning the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) first seat in Kerala, earning himself a position in Prime Minister Modis Council of Ministers.

The swearing-in event was a star-studded affair, graced by the presence of Bollywood celebrities such as newly elected member of parliament Kangana Ranaut, actors Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Anupam Kher. Business magnate Mukesh Ambani, accompanied by his son Anant Ambani, also attended the ceremony, adding to the events grandeur.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the oath, administered by President Droupadi Murmu, in his signature traditional full-sleeved white churidar kurta with a blue jacket. His address reiterated his unwavering commitment to serving the nation and guiding it towards greater prosperity.

Modis landslide victory, with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) securing 293 seats, reaffirmed his widespread popularity and the peoples strong mandate. This historic win, earning him a third consecutive term, places him alongside Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in the annals of the countrys political history.
Actor Imran Khan recently shared how one of his stories was stolen by the executives of a television channel.

The actor revealed that after returning to India in 2005, following the completion of his studies, he aspired to become a director and writer, with acting not initially on his mind. He created a folder of his stories and went in cold (without telling anyone about his industry connections) to pitch to a television channel.

Imran told Humans of Bombay that while the channel appreciated his ideas, he never heard from them again. It wasnt until one of his actress friends mentioned being cast in a role with the story bearing a striking resemblance to the outline of the script that he submitted.

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The actor said: I went to meet her, and when she gave me the script, it bore a striking resemblance to the outline of my story. So, they took my pitch and expanded it to make an episode. I tried to call those guys and get in touch with them but could never catch a hold of them to ask them, What did you guys do?

This experience not only changed something in Imran but also led him to meet Abbas Tyrewala, with whom he later collaborated on his debut movie, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. Imran decided to screen test for a film, thinking that if he succeeded as an actor, he would have name recognition and could leverage his acting credentials to make the movies he wanted.

The film has its own journey, Imran shared that the film had a three-year journey in the making and was initially produced by Jhamu Sughand, who was working on Anurag Kashyaps Gulaal and Johnny Gaddaar.

However, when Jhamu Sughands production company encountered difficulties, Imran took the film and asked his uncle, Aamir Khan, to help them find a producer.

Aamir took a pause and said, You know, Im a producer.

Imran then told him that he is more of a serious film producer, having made films like Lagaan or Taare Zameen Par.

However, Aamir said that he would like to hear the narration after six months, and if he likes it, he will produce it.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Monday condemned the terrorist attack in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir which claimed the lives of nine people.

He expressed his deep condolences to the family of four pilgrims from Chomu town near Jaipur in the state who lost their lives in the incident.

He prayed to God for the peace of the souls of the deceased and wished for speedy recovery of the injured.

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Sharma said the state government stands with the families of the deceased and the injured in this hour of grief and all possible assistance will be provided to them.

He has instructed the officials to coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Jammu and Kashmir administration, and keep a constant watch on the matter. Along with this, he has also asked them to ensure other arrangements, including sending bodies of the deceased to their families.

On Sunday evening, terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on the pilgrims traveling in a bus in Reasi due to which the bus went out of control and fell into a ditch.
As the stage is set for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to replace the 24-year-old BJD Government in the coastal State, all eyes are on who will head the maiden government of the saffron party as animated suspense over the pick of new Chief Minister lingers on.

The BJP, which won 78 of 147 Assembly seats and virtually swept the Lok Sabha polls tasting victory in 20 of 21 seats, did not project the chief ministerial face as it went to poll with the mission to dethrone the more than two-decade-old Naveen Patnaik government from power. The party has the track record of springing surprises in picking chief ministers as it did last year in picking up Mohan Yadav to succeed Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who had served a record four terms in the office. The pick was also on the same lines in Rajasthan last year.

In Odisha, contenders are many. But power to pick the head of the State largely lies with the BJP parliamentary board, the highest decision-making body of the party. The 78-member BJP legislature party meeting, which is scheduled to be held on 11 June, will simply seal its stamp of approval on the nomination finalised by the parliamentary board, confided a senior leader of the State unit of BJP.

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The swearing-in ceremony for the first BJP government in Odisha has been rescheduled from June 10 to June 12 to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the historic swearing-in ceremony. Modi is likely to hold a mega roadshow in Bhubaneswar ahead of attending the oath-taking ceremony.

Meanwhile, the BJP has appointed Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav as observers for election of the leader of its 78-member legislature party in Odisha.

With Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram, who were in the contention for CMs post, sworn in as union cabinet ministers, it appears likely that pick will be from the 78 newly elected BJP MLAs.

However, the name of Odisha BJP unit president Manmohan Samal is also being speculated though he lost the Assembly polls by a narrow margin. As Samal has earned distinction of heading the party to storm to power, possibility of his selection may not be ruled out.

The newly elected Brajarajnagar MLA Suresh Pujari also stays in the list of contention. Names of Jaynarayan Mishra, Rabinarayan Naik, Mukesh Mahaling are doing the rounds. Barring BJP president Samal, the rest of the top contenders are from western Odisha. The possible pick of a dark horse is also very much on the cards, confided party sources.

Though several heavyweights won the Lok Sabha polls, the party may not opt for them for the top post as it will necessitate a by-election. Keeping in view the fact that BJP could not manage to secure a majority by its own in the Lok Sabha, it appears most unlikely that it will go for a by-election by picking up any fancied newly elected LS member. Besides, it will pave the way for an Assembly by-poll, they concluded.
The BJP has appointed two Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav as central observers for the selection of the new Chief Minister of Odisha.

The saffron party is going to form the government on its own for the first time in Odisha. The BJP secured 78 seats in the 147-seat assembly. The BJD secured 51 seats, way behind the majority mark of 74 and the Indian National Congress, 14 seats.

The Parliamentary Board of the Bharatiya Janata Party has appointed Mr Rajnath Singh, Union Minister, Government of India, and Mr Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister, Government of India, as central observers for the election of the leader of the partys legislative assembly in Odisha, an official release by Arun Singh, the National General Secretary of BJP, said.

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Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav took oath as Cabinet Ministers at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday evening.

Earlier, BJP spokesperson and oath-taking ceremony in-charge, Dillip Mohanty on Sunday said the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Minister of Odisha will now be held on June 12 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present at the event.

The oath-taking ceremony of the new Chief Minister of the newly-elected BJP Government in Odisha will now be held on June 12. PM Modi will be present for the oath ceremony, said Mohanty.

The swearing-in-ceremony of the new BJP government in Odisha has been rescheduled to June 12 instead of June 10 announced earlier.

The grand event will be held at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar and Prime Minister Modi along with several dignitaries from other states is scheduled to attend the ceremony.

The Prime Minister will hold a huge roadshow from Jayadev Vihar to Janata Maidan on June 12.
A week after the declaration of the Lok Sabha results, the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh is still in shock over their defeat in several pockets and has gone for an internal audit to identify the reasons.

So far, more than 12 candidates, who have lost or won by a thin margin have sent reports to the party high command alleging anti-party activities by party leaders.

This time in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP surprisingly had to suffer the loss of almost half the seats. Even seven Union ministers had to face humiliating defeat.

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The party high command has sought a booth-wise report to check the factionalism charges made by the BJP candidates, sources said here on Monday.

However, one of the other main reasons for the BJP defeat was due to shortcomings in the area of ticket distribution. There were many MPs against whom, in view of the prevailing atmosphere, local workers and officials had requested that they should not be given tickets, but their views were ignored and the candidates were imposed on them. Therefore, angry party workers also sat at home, the result of which was visible, a senior party functionary revealed.

According to insiders of the party, the fire of factionalism had started burning on many seats regarding ticket distribution, but the state organisation kept suppressing it. Instead of bringing this matter to the fore, the issue was ignored.

The big faces who lost, have also started blaming the party leaders for their defeat.

According to the report sent by party candidate Sakshi Maharaj, who has won from Unnao for the third time in a row, insiders are to be blamed for the reduced victory margin this time. He said the votes decreased because of some traitors and bluffers (aasteen ka saanp) working within the party.

Former Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti said the reason for her defeat in Fatehpur was the betrayal of some people within the party.

After winning from Mirzapur Lok Sabha seat for the third time, people close to Anupriya Patel also say that BJP workers worked only superficially from day one.

Union Minister of State Kaushal Kishore, who was defeated in Mohanlalganj seat, has also accused party workers of working against him. He says that he had informed the party leadership about this.

Ghanshyam Singh Lodhi, BJPs Rampur candidate, has mainly blamed polarisation on religious lines for his defeat. He has also accused some party leaders of not cooperating. He said, The party organization has been informed about them. Not only the party, I am also reviewing the defeat.

In Shravasti seat too, local party leaders accused a former MP and an influential BJP leader of anti-Semitism and said that he made the partys core voters, including Brahmins and Kurmis, vote against the party. Due to this Saket Mishra had to face defeat.

BJP candidate Neelam Sonkar, who lost from Lalganj seat, has also blamed the factionalism of local party officials for her defeat. She said that the party organisation was aware that some leaders had helped the SP candidate.

BJP MLA Nand Kishore Gurjar from Loni, Ghaziabad has alleged that several BJP candidates lost due to party factionalism. He says that some people have committed anti- party acts and the BJP was defeated as per their strategy.

There have also been allegations of corruption on many seats. Arun Govil, who won from Meerut, had hinted at a conspiracy against him after the elections. At the same time, the political war between Sanjeev Balyan, the candidate from Muzaffarnagar seat, and former BJP MLA Sangeet Som is well known.

Apart from Banda candidate RK Patel, allegations of factionalism have also been made in Basti, Barabanki, Faizabad, Sultanpur, Allahabad, Kaushambi, Badaun and Sitapur.

In seats like Kheri, Muzaffarnagar and Fatehpur, local MLAs and office bearers have been accused of not coming out to campaign for the candidates due to personal or local reasons.

Sources said it was recommended at the state level to cancel the tickets of about 36 sitting MPs including Machhlishahr, Bhadohi, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Lalganj, Sitapur, Basti, Chandauli, Faizabad. But, the high command again gave tickets to 24 of them, which proved to be a major reason for reducing the numerical strength of the BJP in UP.

Sources say that before the NDA meeting on Friday last, the BJP high command has seriously discussed the complaints of graffiti and factionalism in the election.

After a closed-door meeting that lasted for about two hours, the high command sought a report from the state organisation to identify the perpetrators. On this basis, the organization has sought reports from each booth in the state. Besides, booth-wise reports have also been sought from all the defeated candidates and winning MPs on each seat.
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on Monday accused BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya of sexual assault of women and demanded the saffron party to sack the leader.

Addressing a press conference, she said, An RSS member Santanu Sinha, related to BJP leader Rahul Sinha, has said that the BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya indulged in nefarious activities. He indulged in the sexual exploitation of women, not just in 5-star hotels but in BJP offices in West Bengal.

The reality is less than 24 hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sworn in, serious charges of sexual exploitation have been leveled against a very prominent office bearer of the BJP, the head of its IT cell, she said, calling for the BJP to immediately remove Malviya from his post.

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Meanwhile, Malviya has filed a defamation suit of Rs 10 crore against RSS member Santanu Sinha over the accusations leveled against the former.

The nature of the allegation is extremely offensive in as much as, they falsely allege sexual misconduct purportedly committed by my client. The same is fatally injurious to the dignity and reputation of my client who, by virtue of his professional profile, is a public figure, his counsel said.

The notice asked Sinha to take down the social media post in which he had made the allegations.

Many opposition parties demanded that Malviya, the BJPs Information Technology Cell leader and co-in-charge of the partys West Bengal state unit, be removed from his posts.

The Congress also demanded an independent probe into the matter. It further accused Modi of providing political patronage to the perpetrators of crime.

If you remember the IIT-BHU gangrape and the three people involved  Saksham Patel, Kunal Pander, and Anand Chauhan  are all extremely close to the senior leaders of the BJP, including Modi, Shrinate said.

She also urged the National Commission for Women (NCW) to intervene, saying, We hope that the new Minister of Women and Child Development is not going to be a mute bystander to womens plight. We hope that NCW will find their voice, conscience, and morality and take suo moto cognizance of this matter.
The Supreme Court on Monday took strong objection to the Delhi government for not removing defects in its petition seeking release of 137 cusecs of surplus drinking water from Himachal Pradesh for people of the national capital facing acute water shortage.

The court posted the matter for hearing on Wednesday.

Deferring the hearing, a vacation bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Prasanna B Varale noted that the status report and other affidavits are not on record in the case as defects in the petition have not been removed.

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Warning the advocate appearing for Delhi government in the case, the bench said that it will dismiss the case if defects in the petition are not removed.

You cannot take this court for a ride. Let the office verify that you have removed the defects and if you did not, then let the petition be dismissed. it will be dismissed, the bench remarked.

The bench also remarked that it would prefer to read the files first so that they wont get swayed by the media coverage of the case.

List it the day after tomorrow so all the reports etc. are on record. We also want to read the file. There is so much reporting in the media and if we do not read files, then the media reports can impress us and that is not a good thing, Justice Mishra said, taking exception to the failure of Delhi government to remove defects.

Last week  June 6  the Supreme Court had permitted the Himachal Pradesh government to release, on Friday (June 7), 137 cusecs of its surplus water to meet the acute shortage of drinking water in the national capital. It had also directed the Haryana government to facilitate the flow of water through its canal network so that the water released by Himachal Pradesh from Hathnikund Barrage reaches Wazirabad Barrage in Delhi uninterrupted.

Considering the urgency, we direct Himachal Pradesh to release the water tomorrow (June 7) with prior intimation to Haryana and Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) shall measure the water for onward supply. Compliance reports will be submitted on Monday (June 10), list on Monday, the Court had said in its order on June 6, 2024.

The top court had also asked the Upper Yamuna River Board to measure water released by Himachal Pradesh at Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana.

On June 3, the Supreme Court had asked the Upper Yamuna River Board to convene an urgent meeting on June 5 of Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and the Centre to address the problem of acute water scarcity being faced by the people in the national capital in the midst of an unprecedented heat wave. Posting the matter for today, the vacation bench had asked the UYRB to place before it the minutes of the meeting and the suggestions to deal with the situation in the national capital.

On May 31, Delhi government had approached the top court to get immediate additional water from neighbouring Haryana. It has said that the people of Delhi were faced with an acute shortage of water because of the ongoing severe heat conditions in North India, particularly in Delhi.

Delhi government has sought direction to Haryana government for immediate and continuous release of water at the Wazirabad barrage. It has sought the surplus release of water by Haryana as a one-time solution to redress the present emergency and resolve the ongoing water crisis in Delhi.

The plea by Delhi government says that because of record-high temperatures and heatwave in Delhi, which has resulted in maximum temperature soaring up to around 50 degrees Celsius at some places, have caused an extraordinary and excessive surge in water demand in the city.
Recalling his governments efforts to build Gandhi Vatika Museum in the Central Park of Jaipur at a cost of Rs 85 crore, former Congress Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today warned that the Congress will go on protest if the BJP government doesnt start Gandhi Vatika for public soon.

Our government built the Museum in the Central Park of Jaipur to convey Gandhijis message to the new generation, which was inaugurated on 23 September 2023 by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Gehlot said his X post.

Earlier, it was not opened for the general public due to the administration being busy with the elections, but now the Lok Sabha elections have also been held and the new government has been in power for more than 6 months. In such a situation, it is beyond comprehension that the Gandhi Vatika Museum has not been started yet, he alleged.

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Thus, Gehlot said,  I would like to request the Chief Minister @BhajanlalBJP to start this attractive museum built in Jaipur without delay.

It should not happen that Gandhians are forced to go on a hunger strike to start Gandhi Vatika against this stubbornness of the administration, he cautioned.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed Indias commitment to its Neighbourhood first policy and SAGAR Vision and emphasized that in his third term, India will continue to work for the peace, progress and prosperity of the region in close partnership with the countries, even as it pursues its goal of VIKSIT BHARAT by 2047.

Mr Modi made these comments during meetings with leaders from Indias neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new government at the Rashtrapati Bhavan last evening.

The leaders who attended the ceremony included 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; and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

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The visiting leaders congratulated him for taking oath as the Prime Minister for a historic third consecutive term. The PM called for deeper people-to-people ties and connectivity in the region. He further added that India would continue to amplify the voice of the Global South in the international arena.

The leaders also attended a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu after the swearing-in ceremony. President Murmu, while welcoming them and conveying her wishes to PM Modi in the service of the nation, stated that Indias democratic exercise was not only a moment of pride for its people, but an inspiration to millions around the world.

The participation of leaders from Indias neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region on the momentous occasion of the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister and Council of Minister, underlines Indias deep-rooted bonds of friendship and cooperation with the region, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Dr S Jaishankar, who was the External Minister in the previous Modi government and has once again got a berth in the new Cabinet, this morning called on visiting foreign leaders and discussed Indias bilateral ties with them.
Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) chief Nawaz Sharif and his brother and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on taking oath for a third consecutive term.

My warm felicitations to Modi Ji (@narendramodi) on assuming office for the third time. Your partys success in recent elections reflects the confidence of the people in your leadership. Let us replace hate with hope and seize the opportunity to shape the destiny of the two billion people of South Asia, Mr Nawaz Sharif, the former PM said in a social media post on X.

Felicitations to @narendramodi on taking oath as the Prime Minister of India, the younger Sharif wrote on X.

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Mr Nawaz Sharif had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Mr Modi in 2014 when he was the premier of Pakistan. It was during his stewardship of Pakistan that Mr Modi stunned the world by making a stopover at Lahore while returning home from Afghanistan in December 2015.

Mr Nawaz Sharif has always favoured a cordial relationship with India, which, he believes, is in the larger interest of his own country. Recently, he had gone to the extent of saying that Pakistan violated the peace agreement with India and undertook the Kargil misadventure in 1999.

In February, Mr Modi had congratulated Mr Shehbaz Sharif after he took oath as the Pakistan PM for the second time. He also thanked PM Modi for his felicitations.

Mr Modi also responded to the congratulatory post from his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau and thanked him for his wishes.

Thank you @CanadianPM for the congratulatory message. India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each others concerns, Mr Modi wrote on X.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates also congratulated Mr Modi on winning a third term as Prime Minister. You (Mr Modi) have strengthened Indias position as a source of innovation for global progress in sectors like health, agriculture, women-led development, and digital transformation. Look forward to a continued partnership to enhance the lives of people across India and the world, Mr Gates wrote on X.

In response, Mr Modi acknowledged the strengthening of Indias position as a global innovator in sectors such as health, agriculture, women-led development, and digital transformation.

Deeply appreciate your message, Bill Gates. Recall our very positive and engaging conversation a few months ago, including on the transformative role of technology in governance and healthcare, and Indias commitment to climate change and sustainable development. We value our partnership for promoting innovation for the benefit of humanity, said PM Modi.

He also responded to congratulatory messages from Uganda President Yoweri K Museveni, Slovenia Prime Minister Robert Golob, Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo and other leaders.
Actor-philanthropist Suresh Gopi, who was sworn in as a Minister of State in the Narendra Modi ministry, is a humanitarian par excellence, say his confidants.

He is not just an actor-politician, but also a social worker who engages in many humanitarian activities.

Gopi is loved by millions for his charitable work. From providing shelter to the homeless to sponsoring the education of the underprivileged, the list of his humanitarian works is endless. Even before entering politics, he started working for the betterment of people through his social work, and that too without publicity.

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Suresh Gopi is a genuine person who likes to help the poor and the needy. His victory is a return gift from God for this work. While I do not subscribe to his political ideology, I like him as a person, said Salim Kumar, a national award winning Malayalam actor.

The actors humanitarian side was revealed in the early 2000s when he stepped out to hug two HIV-affected kids, Benson and Bensy, in Keralas Kottarakkara to remove the stigma associated with the disease.

In yet another such instance, when Akshara and Ananthu at Kottiyoor in the state were ostracized as parents of their classmates refused to send their wards to school due to the siblings HIV-status, Gopi stepped in and ensured that the two were back in the classroom. On hearing of their plight, he went to the school, hugged them and let them kiss him on his cheeks.

He then made a strong plea to the villagers, Your children will not be infected with AIDS if these two poor children study in the same classroom or play with them. Please let them also study.

Born in Alappuzha on June 26, 1958, Gopi began his acting career as a child artist with the 1965 film Odayil Ninnu. He rose to fame as an action star in the Malayalam film industry in the 1990s. In September 2023, he was appointed as the president of the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI) and the chairman of its governing council.

Known as the angry young man of Malayalam cinema, Gopi was initially involved in student politics through the CPI(M)s student organization  Student Federation of India (SFI).

After a successful acting career, he ventured into politics in 2016. A close confidant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in April 2016.

Gopi triumphed in his third attempt, a major breakthrough for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too. His victory also assumes significance as he contested against two tall leaders  former minister V S Sunilkumar of the CPI and K Muraleedharan of the Congress.

While Gopi got 4,12,338 votes, Sunilkumar secured second place with 3,37,652 votes and Muraleedharan received 3,28,124 votes.

Earlier, the actor unsuccessfully contested from Thrissur in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, and also tasted defeat in the 2021 Kerala assembly polls from Thrissur as a BJP nominee.

After his defeat in 2019, he travelled to every nook and corner of Thrissur. The constituency has several beneficiaries of the charity organisation he established in memory of his daughter Lakshmy, who died in a road accident. Recently, he led an 18-kilometre padayatra to mount public opinion against the Karuvannur cooperative bank scam allegedly orchestrated by local CPI-M leaders.

He also realized that he could not win from Thrissur without the support of Christians and began his outreach to the community. His credentials also got a boost from Prime Minister Narendra Modis visits to Thrissur in the run-up to the general election. In January, Modi attended the marriage of Gopis daughter Bhagya Suresh, adding to the speculation that he was tipped to get a BJP ticket.

Gopi had also landed in a controversy when he was accused of sexual harassment by a female journalist during a media interaction in Kozhikode. She claimed that the actor placed his hand on her shoulder without her consent.

The actor apologized in a Facebook post, saying he had only behaved in an affectionate manner. As the issue went viral, several actresses came forward to support Gopi. I will not forget it till I go to my grave, Gopi told the media in a post-victory interaction.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has commended Prime Minister Narendra Modis first decision of his third term, made in the interest of the countrys farmers.

Chief Minister Yogi has expressed his appreciation for this decision through a post on his official X handle.

On Monday, Prime Minister Modi signed the file for the release of the 17th installment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, marking his first decision of the new term.

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Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for this move and congratulated all the farmers of the country.

He wrote on X, The first decision of the first day of the third term is dedicated to the welfare of the annadata farmers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has signed the file to release the 17th installment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi as soon as he took charge today.

An amount of about Rs 20,000 crore will be transferred to the bank accounts of 9.3 crore Annadata farmers who will benefit from this decision. On behalf of all the farmers in Uttar Pradesh, heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed Prime Minister for this welfare-oriented decision, which extends financial support to farmers, he said.
Prem Singh Tamang, the president of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), was on Monday sworn in as the Chief Minister of Sikkim for the second consecutive term.

This follows his partys overwhelming victory in the recent assembly elections, where the SKM secured 31 out of 32 seats. The swearing-in ceremony, held at Paljor Stadium, was conducted by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and witnessed by a large crowd.

Tamang, 56, who successfully led the SKM to this decisive win, was also elected unanimously as the leader of the legislature party during a meeting on June 2.

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Alongside him, a council of ministers consisting of 12 members, including the Chief Minister, was also sworn in.

To ensure the security of the event, the state government ordered the closure of all educational institutions in and around Gangtok on Monday.

Additionally, a half-day holiday was declared for all government offices and public sector undertakings (PSUs) located in the vicinity.

In view of the swearing-in ceremony of the Honble Chief Minister Designate and the Council of Ministers Designatethe state government hereby declares, 10th June, 2024 as a half working day till 12 noon, for all government offices and PSUs located in and around Gangtok, Chief Secretary V B Pathak announced in a circular issued by the Home Department.

Tamangs leadership has been pivotal for the SKM. Under his guidance, the party not only triumphed in the assembly elections but also secured the lone Lok Sabha seat in Sikkim.

He contested and won from both the Rhenock and Soreng-Chakung constituencies, showcasing his strong political influence and popularity.

The SKMs victory marks a significant shift in Sikkims political landscape, further diminishing the influence of the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which ruled the state for 25 consecutive years until 2019.

The SDF managed to win only one seat in the recent elections, highlighting the extent of SKMs dominance.

Prem Singh Tamang has promised to continue working towards the development and prosperity of Sikkim.

His administration aims to address various issues facing the state, including improving infrastructure, healthcare, and education, while maintaining the cultural heritage and environmental sustainability of Sikkim.
President Droupadi Murmu, along with several BJP leaders, have expressed their deep condolences over the loss of lives in the Reasi terror attack and condemned the attack on a bus carrying pilgrims to Shivkhori in Reasi district.

As many as nine people are feared dead and 33 others injured in the attack.

President Droupadi Murmu said in a post on X, I am deeply distressed to learn of a bus accident in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir in which a number of pilgrims have died. My condolences to the families of the victims. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Calling the act as a crime against humanity Murmu added, I am anguished by the terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. This dastardly act is a crime against humanity, and must be condemned in the strongest words. The nation stands with the families of the victims. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Union Minister and BJP leader Jagat Prakash Nadda said, Deeply pained by the cowardly attack on the bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi, J&K, my deepest condolences go to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this heinous act against pilgrims. I am praying for the speedy recovery of the injured and for God to give strength to the bereaved families to endure the pain during this difficult time. Om Shanti!

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in a post on X, termed the attack as extremely sad and paid his tributes to the deceased.

The cowardly attack on the bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir is extremely sad. My humble tributes to the departed souls! My condolences are with the grieving families. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at His feet and to provide a swift recovery to all the injured, Yogi said in a post on social media.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also condemned the attack, stating, The news of several casualties in the terrorist attack on devotees in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, is extremely distressing. I condemn this cowardly attack and can say with full confidence that these enemies of humanity will not be spared, Dhami said.

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I pray to God for peace to the departed souls, strength to the grieving families to bear this immense pain, and a speedy recovery for the injured, he added.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed his condolences on X, labelling the attack as highly condemnable and extended his prayers for the peace of the departed souls and swift recovery of the injured.

Sad news is coming in about the death of 10 people in a terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori temple in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. There are also reports of many people being injured in the attack. This cowardly attack by terrorists is highly condemnable, and I strongly denounce it Sai said.

I pray to God for the peace of the departed souls and for providing strength to the grieving families, as well as for the swift recovery of the injured, he added.

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh linked the attack to the political scenario, claiming, The results of I.N.D.I Coalition winning 232 seats are being seen now. In Kashmir, a terrorist attack targeted a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims, with the passengers being fired upon. Ten passengers were killed, and many others were injured, said Ghosh on his official Twitter account.

Those hiding in their burrows for so long are now trying to raise their heads again. But they wont last long. We will suppress them with a firm hand. There is no place for terrorists in Bharat, he added.

Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir condemned the attack and assured that those behind it would be punished.

I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on a bus in Reasi. My condolences to the family members of the martyred civilians. Our security forces and JKP have launched a joint operation to hunt down the terrorists, the LG said in a post on X.

PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji took stock of the situation and has asked me to constantly monitor the situation. All those behind this heinous act will be punished soon. Honble PM has also directed that all the injured are provided the best possible medical care & assistance, he added.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi, Mohita Sharma, the bus, en route from the Shivkhori shrine to Katra, came under attack when terrorists opened fire, causing the driver to lose control and the bus to plunge into a gorge.

Speaking to ANI about the bus accident, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi, Mohita Sharma, said, It is a very unfortunate incident. Initially, what we received in reports suggested that the bus came under a terrorist attack after they opened fire at the passenger bus.

The bus had been arriving from the Shivkhori shrine and was on its way to Katra. After the terrorist firing, the bus driver lost control and the bus fell down into a gorge, said the SSP.

The rescue operations are complete, with the injured being referred to Naraina and Reasi District hospitals. The passengers are believed to be from Uttar Pradesh.

Adding further, the official said, Rescue operations are complete. Nine are feared dead and 33 injured. They were immediately referred to Naraina and Reasi District hospitals. The passengers were not locals. Their identities were not clear but from initial reports, they belonged to UP, said Sharma.Shiv Khori shrine was secured and area domination was done, added the SSP.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Reasi Vishesh Mahajan said, 10 people died as a bus rolled down a gorge in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi.
A five-member delegation of TMC MPs on the instructions of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday met protesting farmers at Data Singhwala-Khanauri border and assured them that they will continue to be their voice in the Parliament.

The protesting farmers said they will send their demand chart to the newly-formed NDA Government.

Talking to media persons after interacting with the protesting farmers, TMC Rajya Sabha member Sagarika Ghose said: We stand with the farmers. Mamata Banerjee has always agitated for the farmers.We will continue to raise the issue of farmers.

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The Modi Government lies, Modi Government gives false assurancesAnna data is the Annadatas of our country. We are able to have food because farmers work, they are providing us with food grainsI would say that the Modi Government should apologise (to farmers), she added.

In a post on X, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) said: We stand with our Annadatas! On the instructions of Smt. @MamataOfficial, a 5-member delegation team of our Rajya Sabha MPs, Shri @derekobrienmp, Shri @MdNadimulHaque6, Smt. @Dolasen7, Smt. @sagarikaghose and Shri @SaketGokhale, visited Khanauri border in Haryana to meet protesting farmers and support their movement against Kisan-Birodhi @BJP4India.

In another post on X, the AITC said: A 5-member delegation of our Rajya Sabha MPs visited the Khanauri border and interacted with protesting farmers. The farmers, enduring months of hardship, shared their harrowing experiences and highlighted how the Kisan-Virodhi Modi Govt at the Centre has betrayed their aspirations and resorted to brutal repression. Our women MPs stood in full solidarity with the women farmers, reaffirming our support for their cause against this oppressive regime.

In another post on X, the AITC said, A 5-member delegation of our Rajya Sabha MPs visited Khanauri border in Haryana and met with the protesting farmers. They assured our Annadatas that we will continue to be their voice in Parliament against the Krishak-Birodhi Modi Sarkar that has turned MSP into Maximum Suffering of the Producer, crushing the very backbone of our nation.
Two BJP workers were stabbed during a victory procession in Karnatakas Dakshina Kannada district.

The procession was being taken out on Sunday night to celebrate the NDA governments coming to power at the Centre and the swearing-in of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister.

The communally sensitive coastal district was tense on Monday following the incident, which took place in Boliyaru near Bantwal town in the district.

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The victims have been identified as 41-year-old Harish and 24-year-old Nandakumar, both residents of Boliyaru.

They were standing and witnessing the victory procession when a group of 20 to 25 miscreants on bikes, who were following the procession, suddenly attacked and stabbed them.

Krishna Kumar from Innoli was also beaten up by the group. The incident occurred soon after the procession passed by a mosque in Boliyaru.

Both victims are currently being treated at a private hospital in Deralakatte, and one of them has undergone minor surgery. Doctors have stated that they are out of danger. A case has been registered within the Konaje police station limits, and the police have launched a hunt for the attackers.

BJP leaders and activists gathered at the hospital and condemned the incident after visiting the victims.
Actor-turned-politician and Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Monday denied media reports claiming that he was seeking an exit from Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government, calling them grossly incorrect.

In a Facebook post, Suresh Gopi expressed his pride in being part of the Modi governments Council of Ministers and representing the people of Kerala.

His response comes after media reports claimed that the BJP MP from Thrissur has expressed his desire to be relieved of his ministerial duties to concentrate on movies.

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A few media platforms are spreading the incorrect news that I am going to resign from the Council of Ministers of the Modi Government. This is grossly incorrect. It is a matter of pride for me to be in the Council of Ministers of the Modi Government and to represent the people of Kerala. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, we are committed to the development and prosperity of Kerala, Suresh Gopi said in a post, attaching his photo with Prime Minister Modi on his Facebook page.

There were reports that he was disappointed after being assigned the position of Minister of State, despite playing a key role in securing a historic victory for the BJP in Kerala.

When summoned to Delhi to be sworn in as a minister, Gopi had informed the BJP central leadership about his previous commitments to complete ongoing film projects.
Uttar Pradesh Congress will take out a  Dhanyavad Yatra in all the 403 assemblies of the state from June 11 to June 15.

The decision was taken in the meeting chaired by National General Secretary/In-charge Uttar Pradesh Avinash Pandey and State Congress President Ajay Rai, state party spokesperson Anshu Awasthi disclosed on Monday.

He said, The citizens and voters of UP have played a leading and important role in saving the countrys Constitution and democracy. The people of UP showed amazing sense in this Lok Sabha election and voted on their issues against the BJP and Narendra Modi.

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Anshu Awasthi said that state in-charge and National General Secretary Avinash Pandey will also participate in the yatra, along with State Congress president Ajay Rai, the winning Lok Sabha MPs of Congress, MLAs, and all senior leaders.

Congress has won six seats, Samajwadi Party 37 while the BJP bagged 33 constituencies in just-concluded Lok Sabha elections.
Earlier this spring, the European Parliament voted to overhaul its immigration policy to more evenly distribute responsibility among member states for managing the arrival of migrants and asylumseekers. Lurking in the details of the agreement, however, are provisions allowing for payments to third countries to block the entry of asylum-seekers to Europe  and, more ominously, preliminary plans for mass deportations. Clearly, the EUs dominant parties hear the footsteps of the anti-immigrant, populist right-wing parties, which are expected to make significant inroads in the EU Parliament elections (6 to 9 June 2024), and seek to reduce their appeal with stricter limits to those permitted to settle in Europe.

The idea of recapturing voters by appearing tough on immigration is attractive to established parties, but, as scholars of comparative politics and political behavior, we believe that this strategy wont return many votes. While it is commonly held that the electoral success of far-right parties is due to a backlash against newcomers, all this focus on immigration obscures another potent force behind this trend: emigration, or the movement of people out of a region or country. In a recently published study, our research team found a relationship between out-migration from counties and an increase in votes for populist radical right parties in 28 European countries during the mid-2010s. Out-migration follows a familiar trend across the globe. As countries transition to post-industrial economies, younger generations leave the countryside and small towns for larger metropolitan areas seeking better educational and career opportunities.

This phenomenon is especially prevalent in Spain, which has lost 28 per cent of its rural population in the past 50 years. Facing similar declines, Italy recently resorted to paying people to move to its emptying villages. Counties across the United States are also witnessing precipitous population loss due to a combination of low fertility and out-migration. But while many people are aware of the economic ramifications this population flight creates, its impact on voters has been explored far less. The case of Sweden illustrates how out-migration can benefit radical right populists. From 2000 to 2020, the countrys immigrant population increased from 11 per cent to nearly 20 per cent. During this time, over half of all Swedish municipalities experienced population decline as people moved to the countrys major cities of Stockholm, Malmo and Gothenburg. Long dominated by centrist and centre-left politics, Sweden is also witnessing a remarkable partisan shift. The countrys oldest and largest party, the Social Democratic Party, has seen a gradual decline in popularity.

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Meanwhile, the populist, anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats, once considered a fringe group with a fascist past, have made significant gains and now hold a fifth of the seats in the national Parliament. As a result, the country is now governed by a centre-right minority coalition that depends on the support of the radical right populists. While immigration is a key political issue for the Sweden Democrats, our research found growing support for the party in areas relatively unaffected by immigration. In fact, looking at elections over two decades, we found that it was in municipalities that lost population that the radical right was able to score big gains. Whats more, local immigration was much less of a factor behind this success compared with local outmigration.

Tracking five election cycles, we found a persistent gain of half a percentage point in vote share for the Sweden Democrats for every 1 per cent loss in local population  a significant pace over the long term. Two key forces explain these dynamics. First, as many studies have shown, the people who move from the periphery to urban areas are more likely to lean left. With their departure, the remaining pool of voters naturally contains a greater proportion of conservatives than before. But composition of the electorate is only part of the story. The political leanings of voters in depopulating regions also changed, from centre-left to populist right. Here, emigration played a key role. As communities lose more and more of their working-age population, they experience a decline in public services  due both to dwindling numbers and a shrinking tax base. As a result, schools and hospitals are shuttered, public transportation is cut and local businesses close. Along with these quality-of-life declines, living in a place that so many people choose to leave generates a sense of status loss among those who stay.

Our interviews with Social Democratic Party leaders revealed how local mayors felt they had to contend with a collective depression. One mayor noted: We like it here. But then someone comes from the outside and says that youre a failure if you live here  so we are struggling against the public perception of what constitutes a successful individual. We constantly have to work on the psychology of the municipalitys inhabitants. Meanwhile, disillusionment with established parties provides fertile ground for radical right parties to exploit. While centrist politicians may feel compelled to adopt anti-immigrant stances in response, copying the rhetoric of radical right parties risks alienating their base. Further, we believe cracking down on immigration is likely to prove an ineffective political strategy in the long run. The Sweden Democrats success in depopulating regions is in part a protest against the political establishment. But once in office, and without clear solutions to the local economic and quality-of-life declines that emigration has set in motion, party officials will likely face the same voter discontent fuelling their current success. Ironically, the forces that have increased the appeal of the far rights anti-immigrant ideologies  falling birth rates, labour shortages and a lack of new businesses and services  are most feasibly addressed by increasing immigration. By following the rights lead to tighten borders, parties closer to the centre may condemn industrialized nations to a political doom loop.

Instead, centrist parties may find it pays more dividends to focus attention on addressing the root causes of population decline and restoring public services in peripheral areas. There are some examples of this already happening. During recent years, Swedish governments have introduced and gradually expanded a national support system for local commercial services, such as grocery stores, in vulnerable and remote locations. In 2021, Spain announced a US$11.9 billion plan aimed at addressing the lack of 5G telephone connectivity and technologically smart cities in rural areas. Meanwhile, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development is putting over $100 billion toward efforts to support rural areas in its 2021-2027 budget.

Such moves may counter a somewhat paradoxical trend that has seen fiercely anti-immigrant parties gaining ground in places least affected by immigration. Either way, as parties in Europe and the U.S. prepare for crucial elections this year, understanding the complex interplay of demographic shifts and political dynamics is critical. As is acknowledging that emigration, often overshadowed by immigration rhetoric, is a key factor shaping the rise of the radical right.

(The writers are, respectively, Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Princeton University, and James T. Watkins IV and Elise V. Watkins Professor of Political Science, Stanford University. This article was published on www.theconversation.com)
The election results in the five southern states have revealed significant shifts in political dynamics, underscoring the regions complexity and the strategic manoeuvres of major political parties. While the Congress party showed resilience by improving its seat tally, the Bharatiya Janata Party demonstrated a nuanced understanding of local politics despite facing challenges. In Karnataka, the Congresss optimism post-assembly elections in December translated into electoral gains, but not as significantly as anticipated. The partys reliance on its governance track record and fulfilled guarantees failed to resonate broadly, highlighting a missed opportunity in robust social engineering.

The Congresss success in Hyderabadi Karnataka, driven by its national president Mallikarjun Kharges targeted caste strategy, contrasts sharply with its underperformance in other regions where it couldnt consolidate caste-based support effectively. The Vokkaliga shift towards the NDA due to the influence of former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (S) leader H D Deve Gowdas family and the unfulfilled aspirations of Congress leader D K Shivakumars leadership further exemplifies the nuanced voter behaviour in Karnataka. Telangana presented a battleground where the diminished influence of the Bharat Rashtra Samiti led to a bipolar contest between Congress and BJP. The voting pattern divergence between state and national elections highlights voters strategic choices, favouring BJP for national governance despite recent support for Congress in the state. This reflects a broader trend where regional loyalty can shift based on the perceived effectiveness of national leadership. Andhra Pradeshs political landscape experienced a dramatic shift with the anti-incumbency wave against chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddys government. The alliance of Telugu Desam Party and BJP capitalised on widespread dissatisfaction, illustrating the power of strategic partnerships. The TDPs improved performance, attributed largely to alliances, underscores the importance of coalition politics in states with strong regional identities. Tamil Nadu remains a challenging terrain for the BJP, despite efforts to increase its vote share.

The alliances with smaller caste-based parties, while failing to yield immediate electoral victories, suggest a long-term vision. This patient, localised approach could gradually erode the dominance of Dravidian parties if maintained with consistent engagement and culturally resonant messaging. Kerala, traditionally resistant to BJPs influence, showed a breakthrough with a seat won in Thrissur and an increased vote share. The BJPs focused efforts on local issues and anti-incumbency sentiments against the ruling Left Front indicate potential for future gains. However, the dispersed voter base remains a significant challenge, necessitating sustained grassroots engagement. Overall, the elections underscore the importance of understanding regional complexities and voter behaviour nuances. Congresss mixed results highlight the need for a balance between governance performance and effective social engineering. For the BJP, strategic alliances and localised campaigns are proving crucial in penetrating traditionally resistant regions. Both parties must continually adapt to the evolving political landscape, recognising that electoral success often requires long-term groundwork and nuanced understanding of regional identities.

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How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man?

How many seas must a white dove sail before she sleeps in the sand?

 Bob Dylan, Blowin in the Wind

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LGBTQI+ rights advocacy constitutes an indispensable and ever-evolving crusade committed to the attainment of equality, justice and dignity for individuals across the spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities. This advocacy embodies an extensive array of initiatives designed to secure legal safeguards, eradicate discrimination and cultivate a culture of acceptance and inclusion. As society progresses and transforms, the significance of espousal of LGBTQI+ rights intensifies, becoming ever more paramount in the advancement of human rights and the promotion of social justice.

The entrenched beliefs regarding gender, often referred to as the gender binary paradigm, categorise individuals strictly as woman or man. This paradigm permeates all aspects of society, influencing social norms, legal frameworks and cultural practices. Challenging this rigid classification system, trans, intersex and non-binary individuals have long advocated for the recognition and respect of their basic human rights. Trans individuals, whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth, seek acknowledgment and acceptance in their true gender. Intersex individuals, born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies, call for an end to non-consensual medical interventions aimed at normalising their bodies. Non-binary individuals, who do not identify exclusively as male or female, demand the right to self-identify and to have their identities respected by institutions and society at large.

The modern LGBTQI+ rights movement has its roots in the mid-20th century, although the struggle for acceptance and rights dates back much further. Key historical milestones, such as the Stonewall Riots of 1969 (also known as the Stonewall Uprising) in New York, USA, catalysed the movement and brought widespread attention to the injustices faced by LGBTQI+ individuals.

The Stonewall Uprising commenced in the early hours of 28 June 1969, when New York City police conducted a raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay club situated in Greenwich Village. The raid incited a riot among the bars patrons and local residents, as the police forcefully removed employees and customers from the establishment. This incident ignited six days of protests and violent confrontations with law enforcement on Christopher Street, adjacent streets and in nearby Christopher Park.

These events marked the beginning of a more organised and visible effort to challenge discriminatory laws and social norms. The landmark 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges legalised same-sex marriage.

Over the decades, the movement has grown in scope and sophistication, encompassing a diverse array of strategies and initiatives. Early efforts focused primarily on decriminalising homosexuality and combating blatant forms of discrimination. Today, the movement addresses a broader spectrum of issues, including marriage equality, transgender rights, healthcare access and the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals.

The struggle for these communities is multifaceted. It involves fighting for legal recognition, access to appropriate healthcare, protection from discrimination, and the freedom to express their gender without fear of violence or prejudice. Legal recognition can include the ability to change ones gender marker on identification documents and to have ones chosen name and pronouns respected. In healthcare, it involves access to gender-affirming treatments and surgeries, as well as respectful and knowledgeable care from medical professionals. Protection from discrimination is crucial in all areas of life, including employment, education, housing and public services. Beyond legal rights, LGBTQI+ advocacy also focuses on changing societal attitudes and fostering a culture of acceptance and inclusion. This involves challenging stereotypes, combating hate speech, and promoting positive representations of LGBTQI+ individuals in media and public discourse.

Constitutional rights of LGBTQI+ individuals in India

Aiming to end the persecution faced by transgender individuals and to protect their rights, the Supreme Court of India recognised transgender people as the third gender in the landmark case of National Legal Service Authority v. Union of India. In this ruling, the court determined that the third gender should have access to the same fundamental rights as cisgender men and women. The court upheld the equality of transgender persons, providing them protection under Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution of India. Emphasising the importance of the right to dignity, the court granted proper recognition to an individuals gender identity, including identities based on reassigned sex following sex reassignment surgery, affirming their fundamental right to be recognised as male or female.

Recognition of transgenders as a third gender is not a social or medical issue but a human rights issue, ruled Justice K S Radhakrishnan.

Under the Indian Constitution, transgender individuals are entitled to legal protection in all areas of state action. Article 14 stipulates that the State shall not deny any person equality before the law or equal protection of the laws within the territory of India, thereby prohibiting discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. The right to choose ones gender identity is essential for leading a life with dignity, which falls under the ambit of Article 21. In affirming the right to personal freedom and self-determination, the Court observed that the gender to which a person belongs is to be determined by the person concerned. The third gender is also included under the scope of Article 15, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste and sex. As citizens, transgender individuals have the right to be free from discrimination based on their religion, caste, race, and sex, and they are entitled to the protection of their gender expression, including their manner of dress, actions and behaviour.

Article 16 can be interpreted to expand the definition of sex to include psychological sex and gender identity within its purview, ensuring equality of opportunity in public employment. Transgender individuals, as citizens of India, have the right to employment and equal treatment in hiring decisions, and they should not face prejudice due to their gender identity.

Article 21, which deals with the protection of life and personal liberty, stipulates that no one may be deprived of their life or personal liberty except in accordance with legal procedure. Transgender individuals have historically been denied their right to life and personal liberty. As Indian citizens, they should have complete rights to safeguard their freedom. The Supreme Court has also acknowledged the right to dignity by incorporating gender identity under Article 21.

The case of Navtej Singh Johar v. The Union of India was decisive in decriminalising Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. The petitioner argued that Section 377 violated Article 14 due to its ambiguity and failure to distinguish between consensual and non-consensual sexual acts, thus infringing on the right to equality. Furthermore, Section 377 violated Articles 15 and 19 by restricting the right to express ones sexual identity and discriminating based on the sex of ones sexual partners. The Honourable Supreme Court ruled that Section 377 should be repealed, reaffirming that homosexuality is a sexual orientation rather than an abnormality.

However, same-sex marriages are yet to be legalised in India.

The enactment of the Transgender Person (Protection of Rights) Act of 2019 mandates that educational institutions receiving government funding or recognition must ensure equitable access to sports, recreation and education for transgender students, devoid of discriminatory practices.

Given the historical disparities and impediments faced by transgender individuals in accessing adequate medical care, including significant health inequities leading to heightened vulnerability to despair, suicidal ideation, violence, harassment and HIV/AIDS, the imperative for governmental intervention is underscored. In accordance with the Transgender Person (Protection of Rights) Act of 2019, the government is obligated to undertake requisite measures to facilitate access to healthcare services for transgender individuals. Consequently, it behoves the government to enact appropriate measures aimed at furnishing transgender individuals with comprehensive healthcare provisions, encompassing specialised facilities for HIV monitoring and facilitating access to sex reassignment surgeries.

Homosexuality in Indian mythology

The recognition of gender fluidity, extending to both humans and yakshas, stands as an established concept within ancient Indian culture. Queer identities find their roots deeply embedded in the annals of Indian history, resonating across ancient epics, scriptures, mediaeval prose, poetry, as well as art and architecture.

Outlined below are a few notable instances that underscore the presence of homosexuality and the embracement of homoeroticism within the Indian cultural milieu.

Krittibas Ramayana enunciates the tale of King Bhagiratha, who was born of two women: The passage narrates that King Dilip was married to two wives, yet he passed away without leaving an heir. Subsequently, Lord Shiva manifested in the dreams of the queens, informing them that they would conceive a child if they engaged in intimacy with each other. Following this guidance, the widowed queens complied, resulting in one of them becoming pregnant. This pregnancy culminated in the birth of King Bhagiratha, renowned for his legendary accomplishment of bringing the River Ganga from heaven to earth.

The story of Shikhandi: Within the Mahabharata, the narrative of Shikhandini or Shikhandi unfolds, depicting her pivotal role in the demise of the formidable warrior Bhishma. Initially born as a daughter to King Drupad, she was raised as a man. Later in life, she sought the assistance of a yaksha to undergo a transformation, assuming a male form to partake in the battlefield of Kurukshetra and ultimately overcome Bhishma.

The birth of Lord Ayyappa: Matsya Purana has an intriguing story where Lord Vishnu transitioned into a beautiful woman, Mohini. He intended to trick the demons so that the gods drank all the amrut (holy water). Further, upon seeing Mohini, Lord Shiva fell in love with her, and their union led to the birth of Lord Ayyappa.

Varuna and Mitra: In the Rig Veda, there is a reference to the tale of Varun and Mitra, commonly referred to as Mitra-Varun, depicting them as a same-sex couple. They are regarded as symbolic representations of the two halves of the moon.

A prominent argument against homosexuality contends that it contradicts traditional Indian cultural values and ethics, often labelling it as unnatural. Ancient Indian mythology evidenced the existence of diverse sexual orientations and recognised the identity of homosexual and transgender individuals. However, the criminalisation of consensual homosexual conduct by the British reflected European moral standards rooted in their religious doctrines rather than indigenous Indian sensibilities. Hence, it becomes imperative to delve into the historical context of homosexuality in India and its integration within Indian values and cultural ethos. Through ancient texts, it becomes apparent that pre-colonial India exhibited a greater degree of tolerance towards diverse sexual expressions.

The writer is a lawyer, and a journalist on the staff of The Statesman
One month ago, the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) of China announced its plans to conduct a joint military exercise with the Bangladesh Armed Forces, named China-Bangladesh Golden Friendship 2024. This unprecedented exercise in the history of China-Bangladesh bilateral relations will focus on UN peacekeeping counter-terrorism operations. The training will adopt an integrated methodology, covering areas such as clearing terrorist camps, rescuing hostages and anti-hijacking measures.

The defence relationship between China and Bangladesh was significantly strengthened with the signing of a comprehensive defence cooperation agreement in 2002, positioning Beijing as the first to forge such an extensive defence pact with Dhaka. Over the past decade, China has become a major defence ally to Bangladesh, making it the second-largest recipient (11 per cent) of Chinese arms exports globally from 2019 to 2023, following Pakistan.

Additionally, Bangladesh ranked 26th among the worlds top arms-importing countries (0.9 per cent) during the same period, with 72 per cent of its arms imports sourced from China. Clearly, like the economy, defence trade forms a critical component of the China-Bangladesh bilateral relationship. With the upcoming joint military exercise on the horizon, it is crucial to examine the recent developments in China-Bangladesh defence relations.

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For the fiscal year 2022-2023, Bangladesh allocated a defence budget of $3.8 billion, representing 1.1 per cent of its GDP. The predominant influence of China in Bangladesh is manifested through its substantial imports of military hardware, with approximately 86 per cent of the military imports sourced from China. Over the past decade, Bangladesh has expended around $2.9 billion on the acquisition of defence equipment from China, including naval guns, anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missile systems, and corvettes. Since 2006, the majority of small arms  over 1600 rifles and 4,100 pistols  have been procured from Beijing.

The intensification of Bangladeshs defence cooperation with China coincided with its maritime boundary dispute with Myanmar. During this period, in 2016, Bangladesh purchased two Type 035G class (Ming class) submarines from China at a discounted rate of $203 million, under the China-Bangladesh submarine deal, laying the foundation for its inaugural submarine base. A year subsequent to this acquisition, Poly Technologies, a Chinese state-owned defence contractor, secured a $1.2 billion contract to construct Bangladeshs first submarine base in Coxs Bazaar, named BNS Sheikh Hasina. Operational since the previous year, the base is equipped to house six submarines and eight warships simultaneously.

China is also reported to be involved in training Bangladeshi submariners in the operational management of the submarine base. Sheikh Hasina remarked that ships traversing the Bay of Bengal could also seek assistance from the base, hinting at the potential for future Chinese naval visits. In 2018, Bangladesh entered into a military agreement with China, which included the procurement of K-8W intermediate training jets. The subsequent year, China transferred two Type 053 (Jiangwei-II) frigates to Bangladesh after their decommissioning from the Chinese navy, which were renamed BNS Umer Farooq and BNS Abu Ubaidah in Bangladesh Navy service.

To further enhance defence supplies, Bangladesh imported 36 F-7BGI aircraft from China in 2021, regarded as the most sophisticated model available. According to the US Defence Departments 2023 annual report, the Chinese Armed Forces are likely contemplating establishing additional overseas bases and access points in countries such as Bangladesh, reflective of Chinas role as a major supplier of naval vessels to Bangladesh.

Despite the robust defence cooperation with Beijing, Dhaka, along with several other Asian nations reliant on Chinese arms exports, has encountered quality issues with Chinese-supplied arms. In 2021, trainer aircraft and naval frigates delivered to Bangladesh developed serious defects. The K-8W training jets, for instance, failed post-delivery tests due to problems with firing ammunition shortly after delivery. Tragically, in 2018, two pilots lost their lives when a K-8W jet crashed shortly after take-off. Consequently, further deliveries of these jets, as stipulated in the 2018 agreement, have been postponed due to these recurring malfunctions.

In 2022, the Bangladesh Army expressed dissatisfaction with military supplies from Beijing. Notably, the China North Industries Corporation (Norinco), one of Chinas primary state-run arms export organisations, faced rejection of its tank ammunition supply to Dhaka as it was untested. Additionally, Norinco encountered challenges in providing spare parts for tank repair and maintenance. Furthermore, the $3 million HQ-7 short-range surface-to-air missiles supplied by Chinas Precision Machinery Import Export Company (CPMIEC) were also found to have equipment defects shortly after delivery. The two Ming-type submarines procured at a discounted rate from Beijing also failed to meet operational expectations, revealing multiple defects such as non-functioning gun systems and navigation radars during transit.

A significant challenge for Dhaka is the shortage of trained personnel to address the issues associated with military equipment. Additionally, Beijing has demonstrated a lack of accountability for repairing the defective parts supplied, leaving Dhaka to bear the additional costs.

The substandard performance of Chinese-supplied military technology has imposed additional burdens on purchasing nations, which often depend on Chinese arms exports due to their cost-effectiveness. However, due to the consistently poor quality and performance of its military components, Chinese arms exports experienced a decline of 5.3 per cent between the periods 2014-18 and 2019-23, now comprising 5.8 per cent of global arms exports. Technological incompatibility with Chinese-supplied equipment represents another substantial hidden cost for buyer countries such as Bangladesh. Furthermore, Chinese weapons, apart from falling below certified standards, have not been tested in combat situations. Despite the cost advantages of Chinese arms exports, the lack of transparency and accountability in defence contracts regarding the supply of defective equipment has negatively impacted its share in global arms exports due to the financial burdens placed on purchasing countries.

For Bangladesh, which relies heavily on Chinese arms exports, equipment defects represent a significant concern as they are likely to impair the overall performance of its defence forces. Consequently, it is imperative for Dhaka to diversify its defence trade to mitigate the challenges posed by Chinese-supplied equipment. The joint military exercise, though seemingly more crucial for Beijing to demonstrate its soft use of hard power, is also vital for Dhaka. As China aims to achieve military modernisation, this joint exercise with Dhaka is perceived as an attempt to rehabilitate its global reputation concerning the quality of its military technology.
Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Azam Khan received relief from the court in the fourth case of the Dungarpur incident here on Monday.

The MP-MLA special court acquitted six people, including Mohammad Azam Khan, of the charges after the prosecution could not produce evidence to prove the crime.

Others acquitted include Fasahat Ali Khan Sanu, Shahzeb Khan, Barkat Ali, Imran, and his brother Ikram.

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In the case, an FIR was registered against 10 people in Ganj Kotwali, out of which the files of three were separated and one person died during the hearing of the case.

In 2019, a total of 12 cases were registered against Azam Khan for the Dungarpur incident. While Khan was convicted in two cases, he was acquitted in two others, including that of today.

According to this case, during the SP regime, shelter homes were built in Dungarpur near the police line in Rampur. There were already houses built here for some people, which were demolished in 2016 on the grounds that they were built on government land. The affected people filed cases in Ganj Kotwali in the year 2019 after the BJP government came to power.

In separate cases filed on behalf of 12 people, it is alleged that at the behest of Azam Khan, a minister in the SP government, the police and the SP forcibly vacated their houses to build shelter homes in the colony. Their belongings were looted while their houses were bulldozed and demolished.

Azam Khan was not named in these cases earlier, but based on the arrest of other accused and their statements, the police also made Azam Khan an accused.

In this case, Dungarpur resident Guddu Khan had said in the FIR lodged at Ganj Kotwali that he had a house built in 50 yards of Dungarpur, in which he was living with his wife and children. On December 6, 2016, at 2 pm, the then CO City Aale Hasan Khan, Azam Khans media in-charge Fasahat Ali Khan Shanu, Shahzeb Khan, Jal Nigam Engineer Parvez Alam, Inspector Firoz Khan, contractor Barkat Ali, resident Fathe Khan, Imran Khan and Ikram Khan entered his house.

He was not at home when they started abusing his wife and children. Firoz Khan, Barkat Ali, Imran, and Parvez also molested the wife. The wife somehow saved her honor and ran away from there. After this, all the people who entered the house looted gold and silver jewelery and Rs 3000.

Ale Hasan and Inspector Firoz Khan were threatening people that if they complained, they would send them to jail on false charges of charas. After this, a bulldozer was started on his house.
North Korea has once again sent numerous balloons with plastic bags full of rubbish across the heavily militarised border between the two countries, South Korea said.

Between Saturday and Sunday morning, around 330 rubbish balloons were released from North Korea, according to the General Staff in the capital, Seoul.

More than 80 of them had landed on South Korean territory. The rest likely did not reach their target. The trash consisted of paper and plastic, among other items.

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Initial investigations had shown that they did not contain any dangerous substances. Nevertheless, people were urged not to touch the landed objects.

North Koreas balloon actions are a reaction to similar activities by South Korean groups, which repeatedly send thousands of leaflets and other propaganda material across the border in huge gas balloons.

In the leaflets, they slam the authoritarian leadership of the closed-off neighbouring country. The propaganda activities of the South Korean activists are considered controversial in South Korea.

According to reports in South Korean media, two different groups undertook such leaflet campaigns on Thursday and Friday.

Pyongyang generally reacts sensitively to propaganda from outside and accuses the government in Seoul of supporting such balloon campaigns by private groups.

North Korea has sent more than 1,000 balloons filled with waste products and, in some cases, slurry to South Korea since the end of May.

Given the growing tensions on the Korean peninsula, South Koreas government recently decided to suspend a 2018 military agreement with North Korea on confidence-building measures at the border.

This paved the way for the resumption of military exercises near the military demarcation line and possible propaganda broadcasts with loudspeakers in the direction of the North.
There are stories that travel from one generation to the next, orally told and become a part of ones cultural traditions and folklores. In Australia, these knowledge pathways that trace ancestral ways of life, from one geographical location to the other, are called dreaming or songlines. Of these, dreaming of the Seven Sisters tracks the story of seven sisters escaping a lustful sorcerer, a shape-shifter wishing to marry one of the sisters. In the chase, both the seven sisters and the sorcerer shape-shift and travel across different countries, changing languages as well.

Across the night sky, it is a universal drama that can be observed in the Orion constellation and the Pleiades star cluster. As one steps foot into the Songlines exhibition, it becomes a trip down the ages and a journey along with the seven sisters. Digital versions of the elders (holding on to the stories) welcome visitors into their dreaming. Walls full of footprints lead one to marquee digital experiences that make one lose sense of time and be a part of the seven sisters journey. Puzzles to solve and artworks further make the experience fulfilling and interactive.

The dramatic digital experience has been organised by the Australian High Commission in India along with the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in Delhi. The immersive multimedia installation 'Walking Through a Songline' (WTAS) is based on a component of the National Museum of Australias internationally acclaimed exhibition Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters. It represents more than 100 artists and is an Aboriginal-led exhibition developed in 2017, which takes visitors on a journey along the Seven Sisters Dreaming tracks, through art, indigenous voices, innovative multimedia, and other immersive displays.

Australias High Commissioner to India, Philip Green says, Australia has the unique privilege of being home to the worlds oldest continuous culture and it is an honour to bring Walking Through a Songline to Delhi in collaboration with the KNMA.

This exhibition will allow audience to experience the ancient stories of our rich indigenous culture and history through innovative technology. I am proud that through art, we can bring our First Nations stories and knowledge to the people of India, he says.

The exhibition debuted in Mumbai in April this year and is on display in Delhi from May 26 to June 30, after which it travels to Bengaluru. National Museum of Australia director, Katherine McMahon, says visual artist Sarah Kenderdines outstanding immersive artwork Travelling Kungkarangkalpa is an integral part of the original exhibition, and that they are thrilled to share their commitment to sharing First Nations stories with the Indian audience.

According to Roobina Karode, Director and Chief Curator of Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, the exhibition introduces the vision of bridging ancient legacies with contemporary audiences. By integrating innovative multimedia with traditional storytelling, the project offers a unique experience that resonates across generations and cultures, said Karode.

Produced by the National Museum of Australia in partnership with Australias Mosster Studio, the exhibition is being supported by the traditional Aboriginal custodians and knowledge holders of this story.

The India tour of WTAS is supported by the Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR), Deakin University and the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ).
Bollywood actor Noor Malabika Das, who starred along with Kajol in the Disney Plus Hotstar show 'The Trial', was found dead in her apartment on June 6.



The police suspect it to be a case of suicide.



According to police, neighbors of the actor noticed a foul smell from her apartment and alerted the police who forced their way into her flat.



The cops found the decomposed body of Noor Malabika Das hanging from the ceiling fan.



Noor Malabika Das has been part of a few films and web shows, including 'Charamsukh', 'Dekhi Andekhi', 'Siskiyaan', 'Walkaman', and 'Jaghanya Upaya'. She had played a supporting role in the Kajol-led 'The Trial'.



Before making her foray into films, Noor Malabika Das, who hailed from Assam, worked as an air hostess with Qatar Airways.



Meanwhile, All Indian Cine Workers Association urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure a a thorough probe into her death.

"Actress Noor Malabika Das, who had acted in several Bollywood films, tragically took her own life on June 6, 2024, at the young age of 37 | She was found in her flat in Lokhandwala, Mumbai | This unfortunate incident underscores a serious issue within the Bollywood and broader Indian film industry, where reports of suicides among actors and actresses are alarmingly frequent | It is imperative for the government to investigate the underlying causes behind these recurring tragedies in the Indian film industry," the association said in a statement.

It is crucial that the Investigation also consider the possibility of foul play and explore the case from a potential murder angle, the forum added.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya sent a legal notice to RSS member Santanu Sinha over the false and derogatory post" in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment against him.



Congress leader Supriya Shrinate, in a press conference, alleged that "RSS member Shantanu Sinha, related to BJP leader Rahul Sinha has said that the BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya is indulged in nefarious activities."

She claimed that Amit Malviya sexually exploited women "not just in 5-star hotels but in BJP offices in West Bengal."



She had sought justice for the survivors and demanded that Amit Malviya be removed from his position immediately.



"The reality is less than 24 hours after PM Modi was sworn in, serious charges of sexual exploitation have been levelled against a very prominent office bearer of the BJP, the head of its IT cell."



She said as Amit Malviya occupies an "extremely influential position", there can be no independent probe as "it is a position of power."



There cannot be justice unless and until he doesn't get removed from his position, she said.



In the wake of the allegations, Amit Malviya sent a legal notice to Santanu Sinha saying that the nature of the allegations is "extremely offensive." The notice said the allegations are "fatally injurious to the dignity and reputation" of the BJP leader and that "Such malevolently malicious statements have been deliberately made to tarnish his reputation."



That the aforesaid defamatory, scandalous, false and reckless statement and post have been widely published circulated, and read by the public at large and have lowered the dignity of my client in the eyes of the public, the notice further said.
A team from the National Investigation Agency has reached Jammu and Kashmir to probe the terror attack on a bus in Reasi, Jammu. Lashkar-e-Tayyiba-backed The Resistance Front has taken responsibility for the attack in which 10 persons lost their lives and 33 persons suffered injuries



An NIA team has reached Reasi to assist police in the ongoing probe and assess the ground situation, ANI reported. The national agencys forensic team has also reached the place to aid in evidence collection from the incident site.

Pakistan-based LeTs front TRF took credit for the attack on Sunday. According to reports, TRF took credit for the attack to show that the strike was done by homegrown terrorists and not by Islamists from across the border, Hindustan Times reported.

The Indian Army and other security personnel have launched a search operation for terrorists involved in the attack. The search operations are helmed by the Indian Army, with the aid of the State Disaster Response Force members. Drones have been deployed to comb through the nearby forests where the terrorists are suspected to be hiding.

The bus carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi plunged into a deep gorge after an ambush by terrorists. The militants opened fire at the bus when it was en route from Shiv Khori temple to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine at Katra near Teryath village in the Poni area. The bus, a 53-seater, veered off the road and plunged into the deep gorge following the gunfire at around 6:15 pm.

The attack was deliberately carried out on the swearing-in day of the Modi 3.0 regime and around 12 jihadists were involved in the attack, the publication reported. The perpetrators moved into Rajouri-Poonch forests in groups of three or two in the Jammu region, it said.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condoled the attack and announced solatium for the families of the deceased. An ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh to be given to the next of kin of pilgrims martyred in Reasi terror attack. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000. The injured pilgrims are being treated at different hospitals in Jammu and Reasi, the LG tweeted.

Sinha added, Control room has been created by the district administration to provide all necessary assistance. A joint security force temporary HQ by J&K Police, Army and CRPF has been set up at the site and operation is in progress to neutralise the perpetrators of Reasi terror attack.

-with inputs from Tariq Bhat.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the CISF constable, who allegedly slapped the actor and MP Kangana Ranaut, might have acted so out of anger. However, the chief minister also called out the actor for labelling the entire state as terrorist.



Addressing presspersons, Mann said, The incident stemmed from anger. Kangana Ranaut's past remarks had already stirred resentment in the heart of the CISF constable." Mann said the entire slap episode should not have happened, however, the actors response to it was also not justifiable.

This should not have happened. But in reply to it, despite being a public figure--a film star and an elected MP--saying that the entire Punjab is a terrorist is wrong, IANS reported quoting Mann.

Mann, recalled the contribution of Punjab in the country's freedom struggle and also said it feeds the nation. "On every issue, you say that they are terrorists and separatists. If farmers hold protests, they are called terrorists. It is wrong," said Mann.

A suspended CISF woman constable, Kulwinder Kaur, allegedly slapped Kangana at the Chandigarh airport last week. Kaur was apparently upset with Kangana's stance on the farmers' protests.

Kangana, in a video message hours after the incident last week, had said she was hit in the face and abused by the constable during a security check at the Chandigarh airport, the ugly fracas breaking out two days after she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.

In the statement titled, "Shocking rise in terror and violence in Punjab", posted on X, after she landed in Delhi following the incident on Thursday, Ranaut said she was safe and fine. The constable, Ranaut had said, came towards her from the side. "She hit me in the face and started abusing me. I asked her why she did it and she said she supports the farmer protests. I am safe, but, my concern is that terrorism and extremism are increasing in Punjab... How do we handle that?" Ranaut had said.

Another video doing the rounds on social media showed the agitated constable talking to people presumably after the incident. "Kangana made a statement (earlier) that the farmers were protesting in Delhi because they were paid Rs 100 or Rs 200. At the time, my mother was one of the protesters," she said in the purported video.

Kaur's brother Sher Singh Mahiwal is an organising secretary of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee in Kapurthala.

The Mohali Police has booked Kaur under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint). Both are bailable offences.

-with inputs from agencies.
Suspected militants ambushed the advance security convoy of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in Kangpokpi district on Monday, leaving one personnel injured, police said. The convoy was on its way to the violence-hit Jiribam district.



Multiple gunshots were fired at the vehicles of the security forces, who retaliated, they said, adding, the shootout is still on near Kotlen village along a stretch of National Highway-53. At least one personnel suffered bullet injuries during the attack, police said.

"CM Biren Singh, who is yet to reach Imphal from Delhi, was planning to visit Jiribam to take stock of the situation in the district, an official told PTI. Two police outposts, a forest beat office and at least 70 houses were torched in Jiribam by suspected militants on Saturday.
The third NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sworn in on Sunday evening, a grand ceremony marked by pomp and grandeur. The event saw 72 ministers taking oath, including 34 ministers from his outgoing council of ministers.

In the new Cabinet, 30 will hold cabinet rank, including those from allies like TDP, JD(U), LJP, JDS, and HAM.



Now that the ceremony is over, the focus has shifted to portfolio allocation and who gets what. The communique in this regard will be released by Rashtrapati Bhawan soon.



Earlier reports had suggested that the BJP may keep key portfolios, including defence, home and foreign ministries. It may also keep to itself significant portfolios like education and culture, which is ideologically significant for the party.



Though there were speculations that Amit Shah, who held the Home Ministry, may take up finance, the Prime Minister sought to dismiss such reports. Two days before the swearing-in, Modi sought NDA MPs not to fall prey to hoaxes about ministries and portfolios.



He said the "INDI Alliance" could also indulge in spreading "fake news" about such issues. "I did not find any truth in what is being run. I said one should ask where they get such information from. There has not been such an occasion in the last 10 years, so there will be such excitement. Some people reach out to you and say they have high contacts and will make you minister... We fall for it thinking this could be a way to become a minister," PM Modi said.



Meanwhile, the first Cabinet meeting of new ministers will be held on Monday at 5 pm, according to reports. The focus will now shift to the governments 100-day plan. The tenure has already begun on a challenging note with reports of a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on a pilgrim bus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed charge at his office after being sworn in consecutively for a third time by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday. Modi also signed his first file, for the release of 17th instalment of funds under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.



Taking charge at his office in the South Block of Parliament, Modi was received by staff at his office. Ours is a Government fully committed to Kisan Kalyan. It is therefore fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to farmer welfare. We want to keep working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come, Modi said after signing the file. On the release of funds, as many as 9.3 crore farmers would benefit and around Rs 20,000 crore would be disbursed.

The first cabinet meeting of the Modi 3.0 government will be held at 5pm today. President Murmu on Sunday administered oath to 30 cabinet ministers, five ministers of state with independent charge and 36 MoS. Of the72 ministers sworn in, including those from allies like TDP, JD(U), LJP, JDS, and HAM, 60 are from the BJP.

As many as 43 ministers have served three terms or higher in parliament while 39 have served as union ministers before. As many as 34 ministers have served in state legislatures with 23 of them having served as state ministers.

Modi has kept social and caste considerations in mind, with 27 OBCs, 10 SC, five ST, and five representing minority communities. Modi rewarded those MPs who have been elected for three terms.
With two front runners for the Odisha Chief Minister post, Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan, swearing in as Union Ministers, the focus is back on the race for the top post. The saffron party, which assumes power in the Eastern state for the first time, has already appointed senior party leaders Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav as its central observers to oversee the election of the chief minister.

According to the party statement, its parliamentary board picked Singh and Yadav, who were actively involved in the state assembly polls, for overseeing the meeting.



The MLAs are meeting on Monday and the decision is likely to come soon. The BJP spokesperson too hinted the same as he stated the oath-taking ceremony is likely to happen on Wednesday. "The oath-taking ceremony of the new Chief Minister and the newly elected BJP government in Odisha will now be held on June 12. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present for the ceremony," BJP spokesperson Dillip Mohanty told reporters.



He added that the ceremony will take place "among the people." "It is historic that the oath-taking ceremony will happen for the first time amongst the people of Odisha. It used to happen inside the governor's house previously. This is happening after decades. We are hoping that everyone in Odisha will take part in the ceremony," Mohanty said, adding that the Prime Minister will meet and greet everyone.



Though BJP has included Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram, who represent the state in the Cabinet, the state leadership reportedly feels that the state deserves more representation, considering the stellar performance of the party in the just-concluded general elections.



"We were expecting five or six MPs from the state will get representation in the union cabinet as the Prime Minister had inducted three ministers from the state in his second term when only eight BJP MPs were elected. It has come as a big letdown," a party leader told The New Indian Express on conditions of anonymity.



The BJP won 78 Assembly seats while BJD secured 51, Congress 14, three independent nominees emerged victorious and CPI (M) won one seat in the 2024 Assembly polls.


Amit Shahs second term as the Union Home Minister will go a long way in cementing his position as the architect of reforms in the criminal justice system by rolling out the three Bharat Nyay laws from July 1.



It will be under Amit Shahs watch that the three laws-Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, replacing the British-era Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, will come into effect from July 1.

It is now that the smooth implementation of these laws that will hold the key to the process of reforming the criminal justice system. Any transformation, whether technological leaps or citizen-centric outcomes that yield success, will be attributed to Shah. The laws aim to fast track and modernise the justice delivery system that is presently plagued by instances of shoddy investigations, and inordinate delays leading to miscarriage of justice where peoples right to access justice, equality before law, and justice for all, has been a far cry.

After Shah took over MoH, his image as a consummate election manager for his party soon transformed into that of a minister who was building a legacy of his own. This included helming some of the tough decisions of the Modi government during his tenure like the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, rolling out of the Citizenship Amendment Act and putting national security ahead in every decision taken by the various arms of the government, including financial crimes.

ALSO READ | NDA 3.0: Suresh Gopi becomes MoS; find Thrissur MP's portfolio here

The process is half done. Besides the rolling out of the new laws, where timelines have been added to 35 sections at various stages of police investigation, prosecution and judiciary, the home ministry will also be overseeing the smooth conduct of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir this year. The promise of restoration of statehood in J&K after the polls rests on Shahs shoulders, who would first like to focus on ensuring Pakistans proxy war does not disrupt peace.

Terror threats continue to keep J&K on tenterhooks with a tragic incident unfolding in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district on June 9 when a bus carrying pilgrims fell into a gorge after terrorists fired upon it.

The other big challenge is the Manipur ethnic crisis that has prolonged for more than a year now and internal unrest and external threats continue to keep the pot boiling in the northeast state. Shah will also have to keep an eye on the lurking threat from Khalistani outfits at a time when Amritpal Singh won the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat and his return to Punjab could be a headache for security agencies who have been complaining of separatist sentiments being spread by the radical preacher in the recent past.

ALSO READ | 10 new cabinet ministers to know in Modi's NDA 3.0

The next five years will also be crucial to address the irritants and threats arising from the unresolved Sino- India border dispute which remains yet another daunting task for national security that will find mention as Shah returns to his desk in North Block.
The Telugu Desam Party Legislature Meeting will be held on June 11 to elect N Chandrababu Naidu as the leader, said a party spokesperson on Monday.

Jyotshna Tirunagari said the meeting is expected to take place on Tuesday morning.

"Telugu Desam Legislature Party meeting will be held tomorrow (Tuesday). Naidu will be elected as the leader," Tirunagari told PTI.

Following this, leaders of the NDA comprising TDP, BJP and Janasena would meet Governor S Abdul Nazeer and stake claim to form government, she said. According to Tirunagari, there could be an invitation from the Governor to form the government by Tuesday evening.

Along with Naidu, more leaders could be sworn-in on Wednesday. Naidu is scheduled to take oath as CM at 11:27 am by Kesarapalli IT Party near Gannavaram Airport. Tirunagari said some of the leaders who could take oath alongside Naidu could be finalised on Tuesday night. The NDA won a landslide victory in the recently concluded simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the southern state.
There was an undercurrent of hindutva in Kerala this time. Lord Ram is not a widely worshipped deity in Kerala; Hindus in the state generally revere Lord Krishnan, Lord Murugan, or Lord Ayyappan. However, the narrative that the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya has led to a Hindu resurgence found reflection in Kerala as well. This was largely due to the RSS's akshata distribution before the temple consecration. Hindus, including those in the Marxist party and CPI, welcomed it, signifying its symbolic importance. It was the single most important issue from national politics influencing Kerala during the recent elections. As a result, the BJP's vote share was seen increasing across the state.



As far as Muslim sections are concerned, there was fear of Modis return to power. Consequently, a majority of Muslim votes have once again consolidated in favour of Congress. But we cannot see a similar consolidation of Christian votes in favour of a single party in the state; instead, a portion went to the LDF, a larger slice to the UDF, and a non-negligible portion to the BJP. Compared to the last election, the BJP has earned more Christian votes. One reason for this shift is the growing wedge with the Muslim community. In places where the NDA has a chance, Christian sections have voted for them. This is not primarily due to an affinity for Modi or the BJP, but because of the increasing rift with Muslims. This factor will influence Kerala politics in the coming years.

International issues, especially the Israel-Hamas conflict, also affected Keralas political landscape in this election season. If the NDA improves its vote share, one reason is the pro-Hamas stance taken by both LDF and UDF leaders. When LDF leader K.K. Shailaja declared support for the people of Palestine but labelled Hamas as an extremist organisation, she endured significant cyber-attacks. Additionally, when a Malayali woman named Soumya Santhosh was killed in Israel in a Hamas bombing and her body was brought home, the government's apathetic response and the absence of leaders visiting her family were noted by the public. People are aware of these incidents. Just as there are pro-Hamas supporters in Kerala, there are also pro-Israel individuals, and their votes count.

A local but significant factor that is apparent in the current political climate in Kerala is the leakage of LDF votes. Many left sympathisers have decided to vote against the LDF due to strong anti-incumbency sentiments against the Pinarayi Vijayan government in the state. Dissatisfaction has been widespread among people. The extravagance of the state government while the state is reeling under economic pressure added to this discontent. In fact, had the Vijayan government not conducted its state-wide Nava Kerala Sadas, they might have secured more seats.

Vijayan's defence of the physical assault on Congress cadres by DYFI workers during the Nava Kerala Sadas, claiming it was "Jeevan Raksha Pravarthanam (life-saving measures)," did not sit well with LDF sympathisers or the general public. Additionally, DYFI's aggressive tactics and the SFIs involvement in admission frauds and campus deaths have contributed to the disenchantment.

Additionally, the CPIM leadership's arrogance and the ineffectiveness of ministers in the second Pinarayi government have contributed to this anti-incumbency. Even among Left sympathisers, there is a strong feeling against these issues. As a result, many have voted for the best candidate against the LDF in their respective constituencies, benefiting the UDF significantly.

However, this shift should not be interpreted as a UDF victory but rather an LDF loss. The LDF's choice of candidates was unimpressive in many places. For instance, actor-turned politician M. Mukesh in Kollam and former state finance minister minister Thomas Isaac in Pathanamthitta were not well-received. Isaac might have been more effective in Alappuzha or Kollam [as he comes from the Latin Catholic community which has a significant presence in both these constituencies], but his placement in Pathanamthitta was a misstep. Another example is the choice of an unknown candidate, K.J. Shine, in Ernakulam. One can see that LDF lost that seat before the counting even started.

As told to Nirmal Jovial

The writer is a political analyst and satirist
An aircraft with Saulos Klaus Chilima, Vice President of Malawi, went missing on Monday. V-P Chilima was on board the fight alongside nine others, Malawi's presidency said in a statement. A search and rescue operation is underway to spot the airplane.



"All efforts by aviation authorities to make contact with the Aircraft since it went off the radar have failed thus far," Malawi's Office of the President and Cabinet said in a statement. Aviation authorities lost contact with the plane when it went off radar, the statement added.

It was an aircraft belonging to the Malawi Defence Force that the 51-year-old was traveling on, Reuters said in a report. The plane took off from Malawi's capital Lilongwe before going missing. The destination of the aircraft was said to be Mzuzu International Airport, located in the capital city of the Northern Region of the Republic of Malawi.
Kolkata, June 10 (PTI) Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), on Monday announced the launch of direct container vessel service from Shanghai, China.

Additionally, SMPK introduced a direct weekly express service linking Port Klang in Malaysia and Yangon Port in Myanmar, officials said.

Currently, cargo movement between China and Kolkata ports involves transit hubs like Singapore.

However, the new service commenced with the successful berthing of vessel SITC Nagoya at Haldia International Container Terminal on June 6, arriving directly from Shanghai, according to port chairman Rathendra Raman.

The second vessel in this pioneering loop service, SITC Tianjin, is scheduled to call at Haldia Dock Complex from China around June 12.

Raman emphasized that the port aims to enhance efficiency through direct services, resulting in significant logistics cost savings for its customers.

"The cost of shipment will be cheaper by about 35 per cent for cargo from Far East countries to SMP Kolkata compared to the traditional route, encouraging regular trade between India, Malaysia, Myanmar, China, and Japan," he said.

The service is operated by J M Baxi Ports and Logistics. The port rotation for this service will be Port Klang-Haldia Dock Complex-Yangon Port-Port Klang/Shanghai, creating a seamless connection between the Far East ports, including China and Japan, and Kolkata.

Officials highlighted that shippers in West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, the North East, Nepal, and Bhutan will benefit from this new service.
New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) Piyush Goyal will take charge as the Commerce and Industry Minister, for the second time, in the newly-formed Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an official statement said on Monday.

Goyal, who won hist first Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North constituency by a margin of over 3.5 lakh votes, took oath as the Cabinet Minister on June 9.

Goyal, 59, who had been a Rajya Sabha member since 2010, eloquently articulated the government's position on different occasions during debates on various issues in the Upper House of Parliament.

He is the son of BJP loyalists Ved Prakash Goyal and Chandrakanta Goyal. His father was the minister of shipping in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government and a BJP national treasurer, and his mother was a three-term MLA from Matunga in Mumbai.

Piyush Goyal was elevated to the Cabinet rank in September 2017.

He has held the post of BJP's national treasurer and also headed the party's communications campaign in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The senior politician, who became leader of the house in Rajya Sabha in 2021, has handled multiple ministries like finance, railways, coal, corporate affairs, commerce, industry and textiles, consumer affairs, food and public distribution.

A chartered accountant by profession, Goyal is known for taking strong stand to protect interests of farmers and fisherman in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) meetings.

Goyal will take charge at a time when India's merchandise exports declined by 3.1 per cent to USD 437 billion and 3.5 per cent contraction was recorded in the foreign direct investments (FDI) into India in 2023-24 due to global economic uncertainties and slowdown in demand.

FDI declined to USD 44.42 billion in the last fiscal from USD 46 billion in 2022-23.

Economic think tank GTRI has suggested that simplification of e-commerce rules, disbursement of duty refund scheme in cash, and setting up of a national trade network, and publishing a report on the effectiveness of India's trade pacts should be part of the new government's 100-day agenda.

The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) has also suggested the use of blockchain technology for tracing mechanisms for major fruits and vegetable products, allowing special economic zones to sell goods in the domestic market on duty foregone basis, and reducing reliance on China for important imports such as Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, solar cells, EV batteries, and mobile phone components.

Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) chairman Sudhir Sekhri said that the convergence of positive domestic outlook with a favourable political regime will provide a conducive ecosystem for business in India in the years to come.

"The Modi-overnment's third term clearly sets the stage for bold reforms that industry has been waiting for," he said.

Sharing similar views, ex-president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) A Sakthivel said that the stable government will help India achieve USD 2 trillion exports before 2030.

Welcoming announcement of Goyal as commerce minister, FIEO President Ashwini Kumar said under the minister's tenure, the country's exports would register healthy growth rates in the months to come.
New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) A die-hard RSS loyalist and long-time BJP worker Pralhad Joshi has been appointed New & Renewable Energy Minister, who replaces RK Singh as he lost the election from the Arrah constituency.

Joshi is a five-time member of Parliament from the saffron party's bastion of Dharwad in Karnataka.

His main challenge will be to push the National Green Hydrogen Mission in the country. The government had also provided Rs 19,744 crore for setting a manufacturing capacity of electrolysers used for producing green hydrogen. The mission also provides incentives to produce green hydrogen and ammonia.

Besides, Joshi will have to ensure 50 GW capacity addition of renewable energy every year to achieve the ultimate target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based power generation by 2030.

India has set a huge trajectory of renewables to achieve the ambitious target of net zero emissions by 2070.

Joshi is said to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leader Amit Shah. He held portfolios of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs in the previous Cabinet or Modi 2.0.

As Parliamentary Affairs Minister, he played a key role in the functioning of both the Houses and in the passing of many crucial bills of national importance during the 17th Lok Sabha.

He spearheaded a series of initiatives and policy interventions, which led to "unlocking the true potential" of the Coal & Mining sector towards self-reliance, a senior BJP leader has said.

Joshi, who had also served as BJP Karnataka president, came to the limelight as 'Rastradwaja Horata Samiti Sanchalak', when the party organised a movement to hoist the tricolour at Idgah Maidan in Hubballi that had created a huge law and order situation, and also "Save Kashmir Movement" in the early 1990s.

He won the Dharwad Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 97,324 votes, defeating Congress' Vinod Assoti in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls.

An astute political strategist, Joshi had also served as the party's election observer or election in-charge of many states like Uttarakhand, Telangana and Rajasthan.

In his long political career spanning decades, this will be the second time that Joshi will be serving as a minister.

In the 16th Lok Sabha, Joshi served as the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas and also as a member of various committees, including the Lok Sabha, Business Advisory Committee, and Committee on Ethics.
New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) G Kishan Reddy has been appointed as the new Coal and Mines Minister in the newly-formed Modi 3.0 government.

Reddy will succeed Pralhad Joshi, who has been appointed as Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy in the new government.

Reddy's biggest challenge will be to ensure an adequate supply of coal to electricity generating plants, which are working overtime to meet peak power demand.

Another area that would need his attention will be increasing private sector participation, expanding coal gasification and production of Coal Bed Methane.

In the mining sector, the lukewarm response from bidders to the first round auction of critical minerals underscores the need for a pragmatic policy approach.

The government had earlier cancelled the auction for 13 of the 20 blocks put on sale in the first tranche of critical minerals as the response was tepid.

Reddy retained the Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency with a margin of over 49,000 votes in the recent Lok Sabha polls, defeating his nearest Congress rival Danam Nagender.

Born to middle-class farmer-parents in Ranga Reddy district of Telangana near Hyderabad, he started his political career as an ordinary worker in 1977. He has held important party positions, including the president of the BJPs state unit and national president of BJPs Yuva Morcha (BJYM).

As the Union Minister, the leader has held the portfolios of home, tourism, culture and development of the northeast region.

He is also a three-time MLA.

Satish Chandra Dubey, who is considered a strong Brahmin leader of the BJP in Bihar, has been appointed as the Minister of State in the Coal and Mines Ministry in the new government.
New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) Union minister Aswhini Vaishnaw has retained electronics and IT portfolio where he has scripted success stories around electronics and semiconductor manufacturing and also spearheaded the enactment of crucial Digital Personal Data Protection Act.

Vaishnaw has also retained the railway ministry and got the additional charge of the Information and Broadcasting ministry.

An IIT Kanpur alumni, the bureaucrat-turned-politician has had an action-packed stint in the Modi 2.0 government and will need to build on the past momentum which are crucial to make India's electronic and IT sector 'Atmanirbhar' (self-reliant) .

Mobile phone manufacturing during Vaishnaw's tenure crossed Rs 4.1 lakh crore worth of production mark, which is a 21-fold jump in production level compared to that in 2014-15, when 98 per cent of local demand was met through imports. The country now meets 97 per cent of its total mobile phone demand locally.

Among the pending issues Vaishnaw would have to work out the enabling rules to implement Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act and also give shape to the proposed Digital India Act, which will supersede the over two decades old IT Act.

The DPDP Act was approved by Parliament in August last year after six years of the Supreme Court declaring 'Right to Privacy' as a fundamental right, and has provisions to curb the misuse of individuals' data by online platforms.

The DPDP Act has the provision to set up an independent Data Protection Board (DPB), which will provide similar access to justice to people across the country.

The Ministry of Electronics and IT (Meity) has been working on the draft Digital India legislation that would provide guard rails and prescribe regulatory approaches for new-age technologies like artificial intelligence.

The proposed DIA would also be crucial as it seeks to provide safeguards against newer forms of cyber crimes, including deepfakes, catphishing, doxing, cyber trolling etc.

Vaishnaw has been instrumental in getting global storage semiconductor firm Micron to set up a chip assembly plant followed by two investments from indigenous conglomerate Tata to set up a chip manufacturing plant in Gujarat and an assembly unit in Assam.

A fourth unit has been set up by CG Power in partnership with Renesas Electronics Corp and Stars Microelectronics in Gujarat.

While the journey for semiconductor manufacturing has just started in the country, Vaishnaw has an uphill task of ensuring that India's ambitions in chip making capabilities also feed its AI aspirations - a segment which is dominated by the US and China at present.

Before heading for 2024 general elections, the Modi 2.0 government has approved an allocation of over Rs 10,300 crore for the IndiaAI Mission to bolster India's AI ecosystem.

The approved substantial financial infusion, slated over the next five years, is poised to catalyse various components of the IndiaAI Mission, including pivotal initiatives like the IndiaAI Compute Capacity, IndiaAI Innovation Centre (IAIC), IndiaAI Datasets Platform, IndiaAI Application Development Initiative, IndiaAI FutureSkills, IndiaAI Startup Financing, and Safe & Trusted AI.

Meanwhile, the industry hoped that with Vaishnaw retaining this key ministry, the policy momentum will continue.

"Industry is extremely satisfied with Hon'ble PM decision of continuing key portfolios with existing ministers. The 'continuity' in policy making, governance approach and key priorities across the Finance, Commerce, Meity and environment ministry is critical to investor confidence and growth," ICEA Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo said.

He said that the industry is geared up for the 5-year sprint till 2030 on the way to transforming India into a global hub for electronics manufacturing and 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India).
New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi led-NDA government in its third term must tackle the problem of unemployment in the country, especially in the unorganised sector and in small and medium enterprises, former NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said on Monday.

Kumar also emphasised that the government now must finalise the four labour codes as it has been delayed beyond expectations.

"We must recognise that post-COVID economic recovery has been a K-shaped recovery. I think the most important reforms that the Modi government must take is one to tackle the unemployment problem, especially in the unorganised and the small and medium enterprises," he told PTI in an interview.

According to a recent International Labour Organization (ILO) report, the share of unemployed youths in India's total unemployed population was nearly 83 per cent in 2022.

"Therefore the large corporations have done very well and, and also those who are highly skilled have done well. But at the lower end, people are without jobs and firms are struggling to expand their capacity," the eminent economist said.

According to Kumar, one of the two important things about generating employment is one to further ease the conditions of work for the small and medium enterprises. There is still a lot of regulatory and compliance burden that SMEs face. "So they have to be tackled along with the state governments," he said.

On the four labour codes Kumar said "it has been a long time since they have been in the making, and I think they should be now finalised and made into statutes".

Kumar also stressed on giving more attention on skilling of youth, especially to apprenticeship development, saying schooling and the education system in India is lagging behind the demand.

"Our apprenticeship program needs a far bigger push than we have now and access to high quality education should be ensured because ultimately, these are the factors which will determine the employability and employment generation potential for our economy," he noted.

Modi was sworn-in as Prime Minister on Sunday for a record-equalling third term. Modi will be heading a 72-member Union Council of Ministers putting emphasis on continuity, youth and experience, while also rewarding partners in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

Along with Modi, senior BJP leaders including Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar, all ministers in the Modi 2.0 cabinet, took oath as cabinet ministers at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Responding to a question that the government's disinvestment program may face a coalition hurdle, Kumar said disinvestment has already taken a backseat over the past five years.

He pointed out that targets of non-tax revenue and non-tax capital revenue have not been huge in the successive budgets in the last five years, except one year when Air India was privatised.

"I am not sure at all that the coalition dharma will be the cause for pushing this (disinvestment) in the background," Kumar argued.

The former NITI Aayog Vice Chairman emphasised that privatisation and generating the revenues from it to reduce India's public debt-to-GDP burden is a necessary and an important reform measure that should be taken.

"Also, to improve the efficiency of the public sector enterprises, especially the public sector banks, where I had advocated very strongly the privatisation of most public sector banks, except the State Bank of India," he said.

On a question concerning correlation between coalition governments and economic reforms, Kumar said the coalition governments have been far better in generating reforms.

He said being a coalition government, one should not believe that there will not be any reforms and they will be only populism. "I think all the three parties (BJP, TDP and JDU) who are coming together are pro-reform parties. And therefore, the pace reforms can and perhaps will continue, as in the last 10 years," he said.

Recently, Moody's Analytics has said reduced political stability and the need for consensus building in a coalition government will likely slow decision-making and erode investors' confidence in the near-term.

In a post-election note, Moody's Analytics said the Lok Sabha election results mean dynamics are about to change in Parliament, as coalition partners will gain influence and leverage in policy decisions, allowing for a more inclusive approach to governance.
New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) RSS pracharak and Haryana's former chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has been appointed as power minister in the newly-formed Union Cabinet of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, an official statement said on Friday.

Khattar will replace R K Singh who lost elections from Arrah in Bihar.

Shripad Yesso Naik, who won the Lok Sabha election from North Goa, has been appointed as the Minister of State for Ministries of Power and New & Renewable Energy.

As power minister Khattar will have to deal with various issues including high power demand and coal supply issues faced by power producers across the country.

The power demand has already touched an all-time high of 250 GW in May this year. Earlier, the power ministry had projected that peak power demand was estimated to touch 260 GW during this summer season.

Many power plants have been maintaining coal stock at lower than normative levels.

Khattar would have to work in close coordination with the ministries of coal as well as railways to ensure adequate supply of dry fuel at all power stations across the country.

The coal-based thermal power still serves the base load to the national grid, despite having over 190 GW of renewable energy including large hydro (25 MW or above each plant).

Khattar defeated Divyanshu Budhiraja of Indian National Congress in Karnal constituency during the latest general election.

In 2014, Khattar became the MLA for the first time and took over as Chief Minister of Haryana. In March 2024, he was replaced by his confidante Nayab Singh Saini.

According to some accounts, Khattar is considered close to Prime Minister Modi with whom he worked in the BJP during 1990s.

Khattar, a bachelor, worked for almost 40 years as an RSS pracharak.

In 1996, Khattar started working with Modi, who was then the BJP in-charge of Haryana.

Coming from an agricultural background, his family arrived in Haryana from Pakistan post-partition. His family settled at Nindana, a village in Haryana's Rohtak district. He was born in Nindana in 1954.

In 2014, when the BJP formed the government in Haryana on its own for the first time, Khattar became the state's first non-Jat chief minister in nearly two decades, fracturing Jats' longstanding domination in the state's politics.

During his first stint as chief minister, Khattar came under criticism over his handling of the February 2016 Jat quota stir, which saw large-scale violence and arson in several parts of the state.

The stir was followed by a flurry of violent incidents which claimed many lives in 2017, when Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted by a court in Panchkula in a rape case.

For his second stint as CM, which lasted four-and-a-half years, the BJP had to take support of JJP after it fell short of majority in 2019 assembly polls.

Khattar's second stint also saw his government face criticism over farmers' stir against now-repealed farm laws.

During his two stints as chief minister, Khattar was credited with the decision to introduce pre-qualification conditions for the candidates contesting panchayat elections and ensuring transparent recruitment.

He also introduced the 'Parivar Pehchan Patra' scheme, under which the Haryana government issues every family a unique family identity.

Khattar was also credited for maintaining cordial relations with ally Jannayak Janta Party. However, JJP's tie-up with BJP ended after Khattar was removed from Haryana CM's post.

On the party's move to bring in Nayab Saini as CM in March, Khattar had said that the move was not sudden and that it was he who had suggested Saini's name to Modi more than a year ago.

"The reality is when I had served as the chief minister for eight to eight-and-a-half years, I myself told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that in any person's life if he hands over the baton to anyone on his own will, there cannot be a matter of greater happiness. I had said this to him about myself more than a year ago," Khattar had said.

Sworn in into the fresh Union Cabinet on Sunday, the BJP veteran now is set to begin his new innings as a parliamentarian and a Union Minister.
Sydney, Jun 10 (AP) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged activists on both sides of the Israel-Palestinian debate to turn the heat down after the US Consulate in Sydney was vandalised on Monday.

CCTV footage showed a person wearing a dark hoodie using a small sledgehammer to smash nine holes in the reinforced glass windows of the building in North Sydney after 3 am, a police statement said.

Two inverted red triangles, seen by many as a symbol of Palestinian resistance, were also painted on the front of the building.

Albanese urged people to have respectful political debate and discourse.

People are traumatised by what is going on in the Middle East, particularly those with relatives in either Israel or in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, Albanese told reporters.

And I just say, again, reiterate my call to turn the heat down and measures such as painting the US consulate do nothing to advance the cause of those who have committed what is, of course, a crime to damage property, Albanese added.

The consulate was closed on Monday because of a public holiday in New South Wales state but would reopen on Tuesday, a consulate statement said.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said an overwhelming majority of Australians did not approve of such vandalism.

We can make our point in this country without resorting to violence or malicious behaviour, Minns said.

The consulate was sprayed with graffiti in April, including the words Freee (sic) Gaza." The US Consulate in Melbourne was vandalised by pro-Palestinian activists on May 31. (AP)



GSP
Warsaw, Jun 10 (AP) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centrist party clinched its first electoral victory over a right-wing populist party in a decade by taking the most votes in the European Parliament election, official results released Monday showed.

Many viewed Tusk's return to power last year as a rare case of a democratic party prevailing over populist and authoritarian forces.

However, while Sunday's win solidified his position, the results also showed that his lead is small, and that support for the far right is rising.

His Civic Coalition took 37.1 per cent of the votes. The nationalist Law and Justice party, which held power from 2015 until last year and is led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, followed closely with 36.2 per cent, underscoring the continued attraction of its conservative worldview to many Polish voters, despite corruption scandals during its years in power.

Two Law and Justice candidates  Former Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski and his former deputy, Maciej Wasik  won seats in the latest election despite their previous conviction of abuse of power.

They were briefly imprisoned earlier this year before being pardoned by President Andrzej Duda, who is aligned with the conservative party.

Meanwhile, Confederation, a far-right party with a vocal anti-Ukraine stance, had its best result ever, coming third with 12.1 per cent  in line with an EU-wide surge of support for nationalist, anti-EU parties.

One of the Confederation candidates who won a seat is Grzegorz Braun, a controversial politician who extinguished candles on a menorah that were lit for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah in the halls of the Polish parliament last December.

Tusk, who first served as prime minister from 2007-14 and then went on to hold a top EU leadership position, returned to power in Warsaw in December after a coalition of three parties collectively won a national election last fall.

However, Law and Justice still won more votes than any other party in that election. Sunday marked the first time in many years that it did not win the most votes.

Tusk's strong showing Sunday came at the expense of his two coalition partners, the Left and the more conservative Third Way, which had poor showings. (AP) GRS

GRS
Islamabad, Jun 10 (PTI) Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday pledged to "relentlessly eliminate terrorism" from the country after seven soldiers, including a Captain, were killed in a terrorist attack in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province a day earlier.

The incident occurred when the convoy of security personnel heading towards Kachi Qamar, Sarband Post of the Lakki Marwat district, came under attack by the terrorists.

The terrorists blasted an improvised explosive device (IED) initially and later opened fire on the convoy.

"Deeply saddened by the martyrdom of Pak Army personnel, including a Captain in a targeted attack in Lakki Marwat District," Sharif said in a post on X.

"The sacrifices of our brave soldiers and citizens is a debt on us that we must repay by relentlessly eliminating terrorism from our nation," he said, condoling the deaths.

According to the security officials, Lakki Marwat is a hotbed of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists.

Pakistan has been facing a resurgent TTP, which allegedly has a strong presence in Afghanistan and uses its territory to hide and train and also launch cross-border attacks.

Islamabad has been pushing Kabul to take action against them, but so far, it has been of no avail.
Jerusalem, Jun 10 (AP) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken began a new visit to the region on Monday in the shadow of the dramatic rescue of four Israeli hostages held in Gaza and turmoil in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Blinken met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo, but neither made public remarks. Blinken will also travel to Israel, Jordan and Qatar.

While President Joe Biden, Blinken and other US officials have praised the hostage rescue, the operation resulted in the deaths of a large number of Palestinian civilians and may complicate a cease-fire push by emboldening Israel and hardening Hamas' resolve to carry on fighting in the war it initiated with its Oct 7 attack into Israel.

Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 36,730 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. Palestinians are facing widespread hunger because the war has largely cut off the flow of food, medicine and other supplies. UN agencies say over 1 million in Gaza could experience the highest level of starvation by mid-July.

Israel launched the war after Hamas' Oct 7 attack, in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killed some 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and abducted about 250.



Here's the latest:



POLICE RAID OFFICES OF A CLOSE ALLY OF NETANYAHU

JERUSALEM -- Israeli police have raided the offices of one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's closest allies after launching a criminal investigations of fraud.

The country's attorney general and state prosecutor ordered an investigation into the Transportation Ministry after Channel 13 TV reported that Transportation Minister Miri Regev gave preferential treatment to Israeli cities and towns whose local officials supported her politically.

Regev is one of Netanyahu's staunchest supporters in the governing Likud party and has been a lightning rod for controversy throughout her political career.

Officers searched the ministry's Jerusalem offices and confiscated documents, the police said.

Israeli media reported Monday that Regev called the probe fraudulent but said the ministry would comply with the investigation

Netanyahu is currently on trial over a series of corruption allegations.



PALESTINIANS SAY A 15-YEAR-OLD KILLED IN A WEST BANK RAID

JERUSALEM  Palestinian health officials say Israeli forces killed a 15-year-old Palestinian in an overnight raid on Al-Fara'a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.

The military said Monday that its soldiers had begun a raid targeting militants, killing one and wounding two others with live fire.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the boy killed as 15-year-old Mahmoud Nabrisi and said five others were wounded in the built-up camp, which dates back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

Also Monday, Israel's border police said it killed a Palestinian in Tulkarem, a volatile city in the northern West Bank, during an undercover operation to arrest a suspected militant. During the operation, an undercover sniper shot and killed a Palestinian wearing a military vest in the area, the police said.

Palestinian health officials did not immediately confirm the Tulkarem killing, but a traditional funeral procession was planned for Monday afternoon.

Violence in the West Bank escalated dramatically after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza.

Frequent Israeli operations in Palestinian cities and towns in the West Bank have driven up a Palestinian death toll that now exceeds 530.

Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three territories for their future state. (AP) SCY

SCY
Geneva, Jun 10 (AP) The UN migration agency told The Associated Press Monday that the number of internally displaced people in Sudan has reached more than 10 million.

The International Organisation for Migration said the tally includes 2.83 million driven from their homes before the current war began by multiple local conflicts that have been happening in recent years.

More than 2 million other people have been driven abroad, mostly to neighboring Chad, South Sudan and Egypt, IOM spokesman Mohammedali Abunajela told the AP.

Sudan's conflict began in April last year when soaring tensions between the leaders of the military and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum and elsewhere in the country. (AP) SCY

SCY
Colombo, Jun 10 (PTI) The India-mooted 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution as a solution to address the minority Tamil community's long-pending demand for political autonomy is set to figure high in the political debate in the impending presidential election.

Sri Lanka's Elections Commission last month said the presidential election would be conducted between September 17 and October 16.

A statement made by the main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa in the former war-torn district of Kilinochchi in the northern province that a future government under his Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party would implement the 13A is being met with criticism.

Premadasa, without elaborating, blamed past leaders for not implementing the 13A. India has been pressing Sri Lanka to implement the 13th Amendment which was brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987 made between the then president J R Jayewardena and Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. The 13A provides for the devolution of power to the Tamil community.

Premadasa, however, did not say whether he would grant police and land powers to the provinces.

What did he mean? Did he say that police and land powers would be granted to the northern province?, the ruling SLPP parliamentarian Rohitha Abeygunawardena asked.

The 13A made Sri Lanka create nine provincial councils for nine provinces with a temporary merger of the North and East which the Tamil minority claims is their traditional homeland.

However, seven successors of former president Jayewardena have rejected granting police and land powers to the provinces, claiming it would pave the way for the separatist intent of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The LTTE, which fought for a Tamil homeland for nearly 30 years, had rejected the 13A. They fought the Indian Army that was deployed as part of the Indo-Lanka Accord.

Over the last 37 years eight presidents did not fully implement the 13A because it was dangerous to do so, Mr Premadasa is ignorant of this fact, Udaya Gammanpila a nationalist politician who opposes any form of power-sharing with minorities, said.

However, Tissa Attanayake, a party colleague of Premadasa, said what his leader had meant was to reactivate the provincial councils. He said Premadasa if elected to power, would hold the provincial council elections that have been postponed since 2018.

Premadasa is SJBs presidential candidate.

Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe has already outlined his policy on 13A. In early 2023, he mooted the idea of reactivating provincial councils by granting all powers other than police powers.

His proposal, however, was shot down by the powerful Buddhist clergy. In a letter to Wickremesinghe, the clergy said granting powers to the provincial councils would pave the way for the separation of the country.

In 2013, the Tamils for the first time voted for their own chief minister for the North. The previous provincial elections were severely hampered by the LTTEs armed campaign.

The current Tamil political parties stay sceptical of the political will in the majority Sinhala south to fully implement the 13A.

The Tamils put forward their demand for autonomy since gaining independence from Britain in 1948 which from the mid-70s turned into a bloody armed conflict.

Over the years, the Sri Lankan government has been aggressive against Tamilian groups following its war with LTTE which collapsed in 2009 after the Sri Lankan Army killed its supreme leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.
London, Jun 10 (PTI) The UK's prestigious Oxford University has agreed to return a 500-year-old bronze idol of a saint believed to be stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu to India.

"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," said a statement from the university's Ashmolean Museum.

The 60cm-tall statue of Saint Tirumankai Alvar was acquired by the Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford from Sothebys auction house in 1967 from the collection of a collector named Dr J.R. Belmont (1886-1981).

The museum says that it was alerted to the origins of the ancient statue by an independent researcher in November last year, following which it alerted the Indian High Commission.

The Indian government made a formal request for the bronze idol believed to be stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu and found its way to a UK museum through auction.

The museum, which holds some of the worlds most famous art and archaeology artefacts, says it acquired the statue in good faith in 1967.

There have been several instances of stolen Indian artefacts being restored from the UK to India, most recently in August last year when a limestone carved relief sculpture, originating from Andhra Pradesh, and a Navaneetha Krishna bronze sculpture originating from 17th century Tamil Nadu, were handed over to the Indian High Commissioner to the UK following a joint US-UK investigation involving Scotland Yards Art and Antiques Unit.
Washington, Jun 10 (AP) The director of the UN World Food Program said Sunday the programme has paused its distribution of humanitarian aid from an American-built pier off Gaza, saying she was concerned about the safety of our people" after what had been one of the deadliest days of the war there.

Saturday saw both an Israeli military assault that freed four hostages but left 274 Palestinians and one Israeli commando dead, and, Cindy McCain said, two of WFP's warehouses in Gaza had been rocketed and a staffer injured.

Sunday's UN announcement of the pause appears the latest setback for the US sea route, set up to try to bring more aid to Gaza's starving people.

The US Agency for International Development described the pause as a step to allow for a security review by the humanitarian community in Gaza. USAID works with the World Food Program and their humanitarian partners in Gaza to distribute food and other aid coming from the US-operated pier.

Completed in mid-May, the US pier was operational for only about a week before being knocked offline by storm damage for two weeks. After repairs, it returned to operation again Saturday, bringing in 1.1 million pounds (492 metric tons) of food and other aid, before McCain said her agency was pausing its humanitarian work there.

The UN agency gave no further details, including how long the pause would last. WFP spokespeople did not respond to requests for further details.

Asked about the pier operation during an appearance on CBS's Face the Nation" McCain said: Right now we're paused.

I'm concerned about the safety of our people after the incident yesterday, McCain said, without elaboration. We also, two of our warehouses, the warehouse complex were rocketed yesterday.

We've stepped back for the moment, she said, and want to make sure that we're on safe terms and on safe ground before we'll restart. But the rest of the country is operational. We're doing ... everything we can in the north and the south.

USAID said in a statement to The Associated Press that it was working with other US government officials and with humanitarian groups in Gaza to ensure that aid can safely and effectively resume movement following completion of the security review that the humanitarian community is currently undertaking.

President Joe Biden in March announced in his State of the Union address that he had directed the US military to set up the temporary pier. The US project was meant to bring in a limited amount of aid into Gaza, where Israeli restrictions on land crossings, and fighting, have brought more than 1 million of Gaza's 2.3 million people near the point of famine.

Saturday's return to operation for the US pier project 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 October 7 attack that launched the war in Gaza.

Pushing back against social media claims after the Israeli military operation, US Central Command said in a tweet Saturday 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.

A core principle of humanitarian groups holds that their work must be independent of the mission of combatants in a conflict zone, so as to keep aid operations and aid workers from becoming targets.

USAID said in a separate statement Saturday that no humanitarian workers were involved in the Israeli operation.

Speaking of the rocketing of the WFP warehouses, McCain said Sunday that one staffer was injured but everybody else is fine.

That's why a cease-fire is necessary. That's why we need to stop this, so that aid from her program and other organizations can flow into Gaza at scale. (AP) RPA
Pune, Jun 10 (PTI) The Pune unit of the Nationalist Congress Party on Monday passed a resolution demanding that Sunetra Pawar, the wife of party president and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, be sent to the Rajya Sabha and she be made a minister in the Union government.

A letter written by NCP Pune unit chief Deepak Mankar detailing these demands has been sent to Ajit Pawar, party functionaries said here.

The party, founded by opposition stalwart Sharad Pawar, celebrated its 25th anniversary during the day.

"Sunetra Pawar should be sent to Rajya Sabha and must be given a state cabinet portfolio (MoS) in order to give strength to the party and the officer bearers," the letter written by Mankar said.

The NCP had refused to take the offer of minister of state with independent charge in the Narendra Modi government on Sunday after reiterating that its Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel must be made cabinet minister.

Sunetra Pawar had lost from Baramati Lok Sabha seat to sitting MP Supriya Sule in the recent general elections.

The NCP split in July last year after Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde government. The party name and symbol was allotted to the faction led by him. Sharad Pawar now heads the group which has been christened NCP(SP).
Mumbai, Jun 10 (PTI) The Maharashtra government on Monday formed a committee under former Allahabad High Court chief justice Dilip Bhosle to probe the May 13 hoarding collapse in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area which resulted in 17 deaths and injuries to more than 70 persons, an official said.

The hoarding collapsed onto a petrol pump amid gusty winds and a dust storm that day.

The committee formed by the state Home department will conduct a time-bound inquiry into all aspects of the ill-fated incident, the official said.

So far, police have arrested Bhavesh Bhinde, director of Ego Media Private Limited, which had erected the structure, its former staffers Janhavi Marathe and Sagar Patil, as well as structural engineer Manoj Sanghu, who provided the stability certificate allegedly without detailed inspection. BMC engineer Sunil Dalvi, who was posted in N Ward, has been questioned by the Mumbai police's SIT.

An internal inquiry was carried out into the incident by the Director General of Railway Police, who submitted its report to the Maharashtra DGP, who in turn handed it over to the state government, the official said.

As per the probe carried out so far, the hoarding came up on land in possession of Government Railway Police and the permission to erect it near a petrol pump was given to Ego Media Private Limited for 10 years with the approval of then Police Commissioner of Government Railway Police Quaiser Khalid.

A report submitted by Veermata Jijabai Institute of Technological Institute (VJTI) contended the hoarding's foundation was inadequate and weak.

While any hoarding structure must be able to withstand wind speeds of 158 kilometres per hour, the one that collapsed was able to withstand wind speeds of just 49 kmph, the VJTI report said.

On the day of the incident, the wind speed was 87 kilometers per hour, the official had said.
New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) After leading the BJP as its national president for more than four years, J P Nadda was on Monday allocated the portfolio of Union Health Ministry and Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, a day after he took oath as a cabinet minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government.

In the Modi 2.0, both the ministries were led by Mansukh Mandaviya.

Nadda had held the same portfolio in the Modi government's first term before he took over as the BJP's working president in 2019 and became the full-fledged party president in January 2020 after Amit Shah was appointed as the Union home minister.

Nadda's term as the BJP president had ended in January. He was given a six-month extension to oversee the Lok Sabha 2024 elections. His term ends in June.

The 63-year old is the sole representative from Himachal Pradesh in the BJP led NDA government. He served as the Union health minister in Modi's first term from November 9, 2014 to May 30, 2019.

Nadda, who holds a degree in law, started his political journey with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the students' wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He became the president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the BJP's youth wing, in 1991.

He held various key positions in the BJP, headed its election campaign in a host of states -- from Bihar to Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra and Punjab. He also served as a minister in BJP's governments in his home state of Himachal Pradesh.

Nadda was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2012 and made a member of the BJP's parliamentary board in 2014 when Amit Shah took over as the party president.

After the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Nadda was made the BJP's working president. He was later elevated to the position of BJP president in January 2020 after Shah, the then BJP chief, was appointed as the Union home minister.

Nadda took over as the BJP chief at a time when the party was witnessing vigorous challenges from a united opposition in the assembly elections in several states amid signs that it needed to rework its electoral strategy.

Despite its overwhelming win in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP suffered several defeats in the assembly polls since 2018, except in Haryana where it formed a government in an alliance with the Jannayak Janta Party.

The BJP won new allies and strung up a series of impressive assembly wins on Nadda's watch. During his term as the BJP chief, the party consolidated its strongholds and expanded its footprints despite some occasional setbacks.

With his term coming to an end in June, the low-key leader from Himachal Pradesh would have liked to demit office on the high of having achieved yet another impressive Lok Sabha polls win but the BJP's victory in the just-concluded general elections came with reduced numbers. The party fell short of a majority on its own as it won just 240 seats.

The BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 293 seats, setting the course for a third consecutive term as prime minister for Modi despite the opposition's resurgence.

Nadda is considered within the party an epitome of political correctness, with his manners unfailingly polite in public and his attacks on rivals never triggering any unseemly controversy. He enjoys warm relations with Modi, who was for a long time in charge of the party's affairs in Himachal Pradesh.
New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi did no special favour to farmers by releasing the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi fund, which was due to them a month ago but delayed by the poll code, the Congress said on Monday.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the release of the 17th instalment of funds, which Modi is touting as the first decision of his new government, is the legitimate entitlement due to farmers, according to the policy of his government.

If he is genuinely concerned about farmers, the prime minister should grant legal status to minimum support price (MSP) for their produce, announce a farm loan waiver and provide guaranteed insurance payment directly into their bank accounts, he said.

Taking charge as prime minister in his third term, Modi on Monday signed his first file authorising the release of the 17th instalment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi fund, amounting to nearly Rs 20,000 crore that will benefit around 9.3 crore farmers.

After signing on to the release of the fund, Modi said, "Ours is a government fully committed to 'kisan kalyan (farmers' welfare)'. It is, therefore, fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to it. We want to keep working even more for farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come."

Ramesh alleged that the prime minister made a "great show" of signing his first file upon taking office -- granting the 17th instalment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi funds.

"Aap chronology samajhiye: The 16th instalment of PM Kisan Nidhi was due in January 2024 but was delayed by a month for the prime minister's electoral calculus  The 17th instalment of PM Kisan Nidhi was due in April/May 2024 but was delayed by the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct," he said in a post on X.

"The one-third Pradhan Mantri has done nobody a great favour by signing this file: these are legitimate entitlements due to farmers according to his government's own policy. He has made a habit of converting routine administrative decisions into some great bonanza that he is bestowing upon the people. Clearly, he still thinks of himself as not biological but divine," the Congress leader added.

Ramesh said if the prime minister is genuinely concerned about farmers' welfare, he should do five things for them.

"Sahi Daam: Legal status to MSP, according to the Swaminathan Commission's formula. Karz Mukti: There will be a farm loan waiver, and a Permanent Commission will be set up to effectively implement it," he said.

"Beema Bhugtan ka Seedha Transfer: Guaranteed insurance payment straight to the bank account within 30 days of crop loss. Uchit Aayat-Niryaat Neeti: Farmers will be consulted to set up a new import-export policy. GST-mukt Kheti: No more GST on essential inputs for farming," the Congress general secretary said.
Srinagar, Jun 10 (PTI) National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah on Monday ruled out the possibility of him contesting the forthcoming elections to the Jammu and Kashmir assembly but said he would be leading his party's campaign for the polls.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister also said he will not humiliate himself by entering the legislature of a Union Territory (UT).

On his defeat in the Lok Sabha election to jailed contestant Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid in Baramulla, Abdullah said in electoral politics, one has to be ready for a loss as well.

"If you set aside the fact that I lost, on the whole I think the NC has a lot to be satisfied for... as far as my own seat is concerned, how can I be anything but disappointed. But that is electoral politics for you. If you are not prepared to lose, you should not file your papers. I cannot say the result was on expected lines. But it is what it is," he told PTI in an interview.

The NC leader said he will lead his party's campaign for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

"No. I am not contesting the assembly elections. I will not fight a UT election. I am absolutely clear on that. I will help my party, I will lead the campaign, I will do whatever I have to for the NC. But I will not enter an assembly of the UT of J-K," he said.

"I will fight for our statehood to be restored to us. I will fight for a full state of J-K with no dilution. Then, if possible, I will seek an opportunity to enter the assembly and play my part there. But, I will not humiliate myself by entering a UT (assembly)," the NC vice president said.

In 2019, the Centre abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution which granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state in Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Asked if he was hopeful for early restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as the BJP did not get a majority on its own in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, Abdullah said the prime minister and the home minister of the country have made a commitment to this effect both inside and outside Parliament.

While Narendra Modi was sworn in as prime minister and his council of ministers took oath on Saturday, portfolios are yet to be assigned. When the Article was abrogated Amit Shah was the Union home minister.

"I would like to believe that the commitments of the prime minister and the home minister mean something. They have committed to the statehood both inside as well as outside Parliament. Unless, they want the whole world to question their credibility, I am sure they will fulfil what they have said," the NC leader said

On the conduct of the assembly elections, Abdullah said he would not have been so hopeful had the Supreme Court not directed that the polls be held by September 30.

"I would not have been as hopeful of assembly elections and statehood even if the BJP was not reduced to a minority government or the coalition government at the Centre. The elections are happening not because the BJP wants the elections, but because the Supreme Court has ordered them," he said.

In the general elections, the BJP on its own won 240 seats and formed government along with its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners.

Abdullah said while he was satisfied with the NC's performance in the Lok Sabha polls, it was hard for him not to take the loss in Baramulla personally.

"The biggest challenge for us right now as a party is to get a bit of morale back. The truth is that this election loss has hit us all hard, some harder than others. It is difficult for me not to take this loss personally. But it is what it is. The NC did really well, I want my party cadre to realise that we may have lost one Parliament seat, but as a party, we did a phenomenal job against the tsunami in north Kashmir, nobody could have done better," he said.

"So, I think we need to focus on the positives. The positive is that we are by far the single largest party in J-K, we have the largest vote share and we will carry this momentum to the assembly. Now, the unknown factors will be what Engineer Rashid will do, how that will translate on the ground. It is alright, we will see," he said.

Abdullah dismissed the suggestion that the outcome of the polls in Kashmir was personality driven than party agenda driven, saying nobody wins a parliamentary election on their personality.

"You win it because of the organisation. You win it because of the campaign that you run. I think Aga Ruhullah (NC winner from Srinagar Lok Sabha seat) and Mian Altaf Ahmad (NC winner from Anantnag-Rajouri seat) would be the first people to tell you that of course they were strong candidates, but they also had a strong party behind them," he said.

Abdullah said they were able to get votes from the areas that they did not expect, and in numbers that they did not expect. "So, their personalities definitely helped us, how could they not, but, it is not just the personality," he added.
Lucknow, Jun 9 (PTI) Ten members from Uttar Pradesh were inducted on Sunday in the Union Council of Ministers of the BJP-led NDA government, with caste balance weighing heavily.

In the Modi 3.0 Government, five backwards, two Dalits and three forward caste leaders from UP have been given ministerial berths.

The NDA faced serious reverses in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh while the INDIA bloc made massive gains with the Samajwadi Party crediting its "PDA" formula for the victory.

PDA stands for the SP's focus on 'Pichhra (backward), Dalit, Alpsankhyak (minorities)'.

In the formation of the new government, five members of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community from UP including Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been included.

Besides Modi (Teli-Vaishya community), the others are Jayant Chaudhary (Jat), Pankaj Chaudhary (Kurmi), Anupriya Patel (Kurmi) and BL Verma (Lodh).

Kamlesh Paswan (Pasi) and SP Baghel (Dhangar) from the Dalit community have also been given a place in the government.

Three leaders from the so called upper castes have been given an opportunity in the Union Council of Ministers. Rajnath Singh and Minister of State Kirtivardhan Singh, who took oath second after Modi, come from the Kshatriya community, while another Minister of State Jitin Prasada represents the Brahmin community.

Among the ministers included in the Modi 3.0 government (from allies) are RLD's Jayant Chaudhary who was awarded the post of Minister of State with independent charge, Anupriya Patel, the chief of Apna Dal (S), who has been in the NDA since 2014, has been successful in becoming a Minister of State for the third time.

Other BJP allies in UP, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) led by UP government's Panchayati Raj Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar and Nirbal Indian Shoshit Hamara Aam Dal (NISHAD) led by UP's Fisheries Minister Sanjay Nishad, did not get a place in the council of ministers as they suffered defeat in the polls.

SBSP chief's son Arvind Rajbhar lost to SP candidate Rajiv Rai in Ghosi, while former MP Praveen Nishad, son of the NISHAD Party chief who contested on the BJP symbol in Sant Kabir Nagar, also lost his seat.

Out of the total 80 Lok Sabha seats in UP, the BJP has won 33 seats, RLD has won two and Apna Dal (S) has won only one seat, while the Samajwadi Party has won 37 seats and Congress six seats.

Dalit leader Chandrashekhar Azad, who contested the election alone, won the Nagina seat.

The BSP could not manage to win even a single Lok Sabha seat this time.
New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) Do not take us for granted, the Supreme Court on Monday said, slamming the Delhi government for not rectifying defects in its plea seeking a direction to Haryana to release the surplus water provided by Himachal Pradesh to the national capital to mitigate its water crisis.

A vacation bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Prasanna B Varale noted that affidavits are not being accepted in the registry due to the defect in the petition filed by the Delhi government.

"Why have you not cured the defect? We will dismiss the petition. On the last date also this was pointed out and you did not remove the defect. Don't take the court proceedings for granted, however important your case may be.

"Never take us for granted. Filings are not being accepted. You straightaway hand over a series of documents in court and then you say you are suffering a deficit of water and pass an order today itself. You are raising all grounds of urgency and sitting leisurely. Let everything come on record. We will take it the day after tomorrow," the bench said while adjourning the matter to June 12.

The top court said it wants to read the files before the matter is heard as there are so many things being reported in the newspaper.

"If we don't read the files at our residential office we will be impressed by whatever the newspapers are reporting. That is not good for any of the parties," the bench said.

At the outset, senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for Haryana, submitted the reply filed by the state government. The apex court asked Divan why did he file the reply now.

Divan replied that since the defects in the Delhi government's plea have not been rectified, pre-filing of the reply was not permitted by the registry.

The top court then rebuked the Delhi government. The counsel for the Delhi government submitted that defects have been removed.

The acute shortage of drinking water has become an "existential problem" in Delhi, the top court had earlier observed and directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release 137 cusecs of surplus water to the national capital on Friday and Haryana to facilitate its flow.

The apex court had also said there should be no politics over water.

It had noted that the Himachal Pradesh government was willing to release 137 cusecs of surplus water available with it for Delhi. One cusec (cubic foot per second) is equal to 28.317 litres of liquid flow every second.

"Since Himachal Pradesh has no objection and is ready and willing to release the surplus water available with it, we direct that Himachal Pradesh shall release 137 cusecs of surplus water available with it from the upstream so that the water reaches Hathnikund barrage and reaches Delhi through Wazirabad," the bench had said.

Considering the urgency of the matter, the apex court had directed Himachal Pradesh to release the water on June 7 with prior intimation to Haryana. It had said the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) shall measure the excess water which comes to Hathnikund for its onward supply to Wazirabad and Delhi.

While hearing the matter on June 3, the apex court had asked for an emergent meeting of the UYRB on June 5 to address the issue.

The UYRB was set up in 1995 with one of its main functions to regulate the allocation of available flows amongst the beneficiary states and also monitor and review the progress of all projects up to and including the Okhla barrage in Delhi. The beneficiary states include Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.


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A Jewish soldier, identified only as Daniel died fighting for Ukraine over the weekend during intense battles at the front. In a poignant display of respect for the soldiersJewish heritage, the Ukrainian military ensured he received a proper Jewish burial according to halacha.

Upon learning of Daniels Jewish background, his commanders and officers from the Ukrainian General Staff contacted Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch, the Chief Rabbi of Kyiv, to inform his family and arrange a halachically compliant levaya. Rabbi Markovitch worked with the military burial officer to secure a designated area within the general military cemetery in Kyiv for the ceremony.

Surrounded by a minyan from the Kyiv community, a proper levaya was held, and Kaddish was recited at Daniels fresh grave. Additionally, the Jewish community of the Beit Menachem Jewish community center in Kyiv has committed to reciting Kaddish daily for Daniel throughout the coming year.

Rabbi Markovitch remembered Daniel as a true hero who was proud of his Judaism He embodied the Jewish spirit, striving to observe Pesach with matzah and other religious items during the holidays and throughout the year.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The Border Patrol arrested Gerardo Henao 14 hours after President Joe Biden suspended asylum processing at the U.S. border with Mexico this week. But instead of being summarily deported, he was dropped off by agents the next day at a San Diego bus stop, where he caught a train to the airport for a flight to Newark, New Jersey.

Henao, who said he left his jewelry business in Medellin, Colombia, because of constant extortion attempts, had one thing working in his favor: a scarcity of deportation flights to that country. Lack of resources, diplomatic limitations and logistical hurdles make it difficult for the Biden administration to impose its sweeping measure on a large scale.

The policy, which took effect Wednesday, has an exception for operational considerations, official language acknowledging the government lacks the money and authority to deport everyone subject to the measure, especially people from countries in South America, Asia, Africa and Europe who didnt start showing up at the border until recently.

The Homeland Security Department said in a detailed document outlining the ban that demographics and nationalities encountered at the border significantly impact its ability to deport people.

Thousands of migrants have been deported under the ban so far, according to two senior Homeland Security Department officials who briefed reporters Friday on condition that they not be named. There were 17 deportation flights, including one to Uzbekistan. Those deported include people from Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru and Mexico.

Henao, 59, said a Border Patrol agent told him about the ban after he was picked up Wednesday on a dirt road near a high-voltage power line in the boulder-strewn mountains east of San Diego. The agent processed release papers ordering him to appear in immigration court Oct. 23 in New Jersey. He casually asked Henao why he fled Colombia but didnt pursue that line of questioning.

It was nothing, Henao said at a San Diego transit center, where the Border Patrol dropped off four busloads of migrants in a four-hour span Thursday afternoon. They took my photo, my fingerprints and that was it.

Many migrants released that day were from China, India, Colombia and Ecuador. One group included men from Mauritania, Sudan and Ethiopia.

Hello, if you are arriving right now, you have been released from immigration custody and you can go to the airport, a volunteer with a bullhorn told the migrants, directing them to a light-rail platform across the parking lot. You can go for free if you dont have money for a taxi or an Uber.

Under the measure, asylum is suspended when arrests for illegal crossings reach 2,500 a day. It ends when they average below 1,500 for a week straight.

Border officials were told to give the highest priority to detaining migrants who can be easily deported, followed by hard to remove nationalities requiring at least five days to issue travel documents and then very hard to remove nationalities whose governments dont accept U.S. flights.

The instructions are laid out in a memo to agents that was reported by the New York Post. The Associated Press confirmed its contents with a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because it has not been publicly released.

Homeland Security has been clear about the hurdles, said Theresa Cardinal Brown, senior adviser for immigration and border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington think tank.

Theres a limitation to the resources that the government has for detention and removal of people, and in particular to countries that we have a hard time removing people to because the (other) government is not cooperative, Brown said. We cant detain them indefinitely.

U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement did 679 deportation flights from January through May, nearly 60% of them to Guatemala and Honduras, according to Witness at the Border, an advocacy group that analyzes flight data. There were 46 flights to Colombia, 42 to Ecuador and 12 to Peru, a relatively small amount considering that tens of thousands enter illegally from those countries every month.

There were only 10 deportation flights during that period to Africa, which has emerged as a major source of migration to the United States. There was just one to China, despite the arrests of nearly 13,000 Chinese migrants.

Mexico is the easiest country for removals because its only a matter of driving to the nearest border crossing, but Mexicans accounted for less than 3 of 10 border arrests in the governments last fiscal year, down from 9 of 10 in 2010. Mexico also takes up to 30,000 people a month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, countries that have limited capacity or willingness to take people back.

Some countries refuse to accept flights to avoid getting overwhelmed themselves, Corey Price, then-director of ICE enforcement and removal operations, said in an interview last year.

We dont drive the bus on this, said Price, who retired last month. We dont decide unilaterally, OK, were sending your citizen back to you. No, that country still has to agree to take them back.

(AP)
President Joe Biden closed out his trip to France by paying his respects at an American military cemetery that Donald Trump notably skipped when he was president, hoping his final stop Sunday helped draw the stakes of the November election in stark relief.

Before returning to the United States, Biden honored Americas war dead at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery about an hour outside Paris. He placed a wreath at the cemetery chapel before an expanse of white headstones marking the final resting place of more than 2,200 U.S. soldiers who fought in World War I.

It was a solemn end to five days in which Trump was an unspoken yet unavoidable presence. On the surface, the trip marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day and celebrated the alliance between the United States and France. But during an election year when Trump has called into question fundamental understandings about Americas global role, Biden has embraced his Republican predecessor  and would-be successor  as a latent foil.

Every ode to the transatlantic partnership was a reminder that Trump could upend those relationships. Each reference to democracy stood a counterpoint to his rivals efforts to overturn a presidential election. The myriad exhortations to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia created a contrast with Trumps skepticism about providing U.S. assistance.

Bidens paeans to the struggle between democracy and autocracy drew plaudits in Europe, where the prospect of a return to Trumps turbulent reign has sparked no shortage of anxiety. But it remains to be seen how the message will resonate with American voters, as Bidens campaign struggles to connect the dire warnings the Democratic president so often delivers about his rival with peoples daily concerns.

The visit to the cemetery served as a moment to underscore the contrast once more.

Its the same story, Biden said. America showed up. America showed up to stop the Germans. America showed up to make sure that they did not prevail. And America shows up when were needed just like our allies show for us.

During a 2018 trip to France, Trump skipped plans to go to the cemetery, a decision that the White House blamed on weather at the time. However, subsequent reports said that Trump told aides he didnt want to go because he viewed the dead soldiers as suckers and losers. Trump has denied the comments, although they were later corroborated by his chief of staff at the time, John Kelly.

Trumps purported insults have become a regular feature of Bidens campaign speeches, including during an April rally in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

These soldiers were heroes, just as every American who has served this nation, Biden said. Believing otherwise, that alone is disqualifying for someone to seek this office.

Biden ignored a direct question about Trump at the cemetery but said it was important to visit the hallowed ground. The idea that I would come to Normandy and not make the short trip here to pay tribute, he added, his voice trailing off as if to express disbelief.

Trump, at a campaign rally in Las Vegas, said Sunday after Biden had left France that the presidents performance overseas was terrible and embarrassing, though Trump did not cite anything in particular. This is not a representative for what used to be the greatest country, he told his supporters, adding that under Biden we are a nation in major decline and were going to stop it immediately.

Maura Sullivan, a former Marine officer who served on the American Battle Monuments Commission under President Barack Obama, said Bidens visit would set the example, and do what a president should do. Now an official with the New Hampshire Democratic Party, Sullivan said that voters can draw their own conclusions from that.

Bidens trip was full of emotional moments, and the president grew heavy-eyed after meeting with World War II veterans. A 21-gun salute cast eerie smoke over 9,388 white marble headstones at the Normandy American Cemetery.

This has been the most remarkable trip that Ive ever made, Biden said on Saturday night, his last in Paris before returning to the U.S.

At Aisne-Marne, Biden said the trip surprised me how much it awakened my sense of why its so valuable to have these alliances. Why its so critical. Thats the way you stop wars, not start wars.

His remarks over the last few days were also freighted with political overtones.

On Thursday at Normandy anniversary ceremonies, Biden said D-Day served a reminder that alliances make the United States stronger, calling it a lesson that I pray we Americans never forget. He also highlighted how the war effort drew on immigrants, women and people of color who were too often overlooked by history.

Then on Friday, he went to Pointe du Hoc, a spot on the coast where Army Rangers scaled cliffs to overcome Nazi defenses on D-Day that was also the site in 1984 of one of President Ronald Reagans most memorable speeches about the struggles between the West and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

By following in an iconic Republicans footsteps, Biden honed his appeal to traditional conservatives who are often frustrated by Trumps isolationist vision. Biden issued a call for Americans to protect democracy like the Rangers who scaled the cliffs, a message that synced with campaign rhetoric that paints his election opponent as an existential threat to U.S. values.

While Biden was in France, his campaign announced that it had hired the onetime chief of staff to former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger to lead outreach to GOP voters. Kinzinger clashed with Trumps foreign policy and efforts to overturn the last presidential election.

At Pointe du Hoc, Biden said the Army Rangers fought to vanquish a hateful ideology in the 30s and 40s. Does anyone doubt they wouldnt move heaven and earth to vanquish hateful ideologies of today?

Trump has argued that the U.S. needs to devote more attention to its own problems and less to foreign alliances and entanglements. He has also routinely played down the importance of American partnerships, suggesting the U.S. could abandon its treaty commitments to defend European allies if they dont pay enough for their own defenses.

Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian who wrote a book about Pointe du Hoc and Reagans speech, said Biden had big shoes to step into by choosing the same location.

Bidens speech didnt equal Reagans in grandeur, nor could it, Brinkley said. Still, he said Biden said the right words about why democracy matters.

Paul Begala, a veteran Democratic strategist, said it could help Biden politically to stand where Reagan stood.

He noted that Biden is struggling with younger voters but appears to be gaining strength among older ones who may be more receptive to reminders of Reagans speech four decades ago.

He needs a lot of Reagan Republicans to offset his challenges with younger voters, he said.

Bidens trip was also punctuated by the pomp of a state visit in Paris.

French President Emmanuel Macron arranged a ceremony at the Arc du Triomphe, where four fighter jets flew overhead, and hosted a banquet at the Elysee presidential palace.

United we stand, divided we fall, Macron said in toasting Biden. Allied we are, and allied we will stay.

Overall, Bidens visit had a slower pace than other foreign trips. The 81-year-old president had no public events on his first day in Paris after arriving on an overnight flight, and didnt hold a press conference with reporters, as is customary. John Kirby, a national security spokesman, said that was necessary to prepare in advance of the weighty engagements during subsequent days.

Theres a lot on the calendar, he said.

Still, it was a contrast to Macrons tendency to offer prestigious guests an intense schedule with a mix of official meetings, business talks, cultural events and private dinners at fancy restaurants.

When the 46-year-old French leader hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping last month, the two-day agenda was crammed with activities including a trip to the Pyrenees Mountains near the border with Spain where Macron spent time as a child.

(AP)
Irans Guardian Council on Sunday approved the countrys hard-line parliament speaker and five others to run in the countrys June 28 presidential election following a helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others.

The council again barred former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a firebrand populist known for the crackdown that followed his disputed 2009 re-election, from running.

The councils decision represents the starting gun for a shortened, two-week campaign to replace Raisi, a hard-line protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei once floated as a possible successor for the 85-year-old cleric.

The selection of candidates approved by the Guardian Council, a panel of clerics and jurists ultimately overseen by Khamenei, suggests Irans Shiite theocracy hopes to ease the election through after recent votes saw record-low turnout and as tensions remain high over the countrys rapidly advancing nuclear program, as well as the Israel-Hamas war.

The Guardian Council also continued its streak of not accepting a woman or anyone calling for radical change to the countrys governance.

The campaign will likely include live, televised debates on Irans state-run broadcaster. Candidates also advertise on billboards and offer stump speeches to back their bids.

So far, none of them has offered any specifics, though all have promised a better economic situation for the country as it suffers from sanctions by the U.S. and other Western nations over its nuclear program, which now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.

Such matters of state remain the final decision of Khamenei, but presidents in the past have leaned either toward engagement or confrontation with the West over it.

The most prominent candidate remains Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, 62, a former Tehran mayor with close ties to the countrys paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. However, many remember that Qalibaf, as a former Guard general, was part of a violent crackdown on Iranian university students in 1999. He also reportedly ordered live gunfire to be used against students in 2003 while serving as the countrys police chief.

Qalibaf ran unsuccessfully for president in 2005 and 2013. He withdrew from the 2017 presidential campaign to support Raisi in his first failed presidential bid. Raisi won the 2021 election, which had the lowest turnout ever for a presidential vote in Iran, after every major opponent found themselves disqualified.

Khamenei gave a speech last week alluding to qualities that Qalibafs supporters have highlighted as potentially signaling the supreme leaders support for the speaker.

Yet Qalibafs role in crackdowns may be viewed differently after years of unrest that have gripped Iran, both over its ailing economy and the mass protests sparked by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died after being arrested for allegedly not wearing her headscarf, or hijab, to the liking of security forces.

Other candidates include Saeed Jalili, former Jalili, former senior nuclear negotiator, who ran in 2013, and registered in 2021 before withdrawing to back Raisi. Tehran mayor Alireza Zakani also withdrew in 2021 to back Raisi. Mostafa Pourmohammadi is a former minister of justice. Amirhossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, Raisis vice president, ran in the 2021 presidential elections and came in last with just under 1 million votes.

Masoud Pezeshkian is the only reformist candidate among a slate of hardliners, and is not seen as having much chance.

The Guardian Council disqualified Ahmadinejad, the firebrand, Holocaust-questioning former president. Ahmadinejad increasingly challenged Khamenei toward the end of his term and is remembered for the bloody crackdown on the 2009 Green Movement protests. He was also disqualified in the last election by the panel.

It also blocked former speaker of parliament speaker Ali Larijani, a conservative with strong ties to Irans former relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani. It was the second election in a row in which Larinjani was barred from running.

Former Iranian Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati, who ran in 2021, and Eshaq Jahangiri, who served as vice president under moderate President Hassan Rouhani, were also disqualified.

The election comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the West over its arming of Russia in that countrys war on Ukraine. Its support of militia proxy forces throughout the wider Middle East has been increasingly in the spotlight as Yemens Houthi rebels attack ships in the Red Sea over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and others were killed in the May 19 helicopter crash in the far northwest of Iran. Investigations are continuing, though authorities say theres no immediate sign of foul play in the crash on a cloud-covered mountainside.

Raisi was the second Iranian president to die in office. In 1981, a bomb blast killed President Mohammad Ali Rajai in the chaotic days after the countrys Islamic Revolution.

(AP)
A high-level meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Arab officials last month descended into chaos after a heated exchange between the UAE foreign minister and a senior adviser to the Palestinian president, according to Axios, citing sources familiar with the incident.

The April 29 meeting in Riyadh aimed to discuss a joint post-war strategy for Gaza, but tensions boiled over when Palestinian minister Hussein al-Sheikh expressed frustration over the lack of support for Palestinian Authority reforms. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed responded by questioning the effectiveness of these reforms and labeling the Palestinian leadership Ali Baba and the forty thieves.

Al-Sheikh pushed back, refusing to accept external dictates on Palestinian reforms. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud attempted to calm the situation, but the meeting deteriorated into shouting, prompting the Emirati minister to temporarily walk out. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi eventually coaxed the Emirati minister back, who apologized for the outburst.

Notably, the ongoing rift between Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been exacerbated by the UAEs normalization of relations with Israel in 2020, which the Palestinians saw as a betrayal.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Moshe Pozailov is a former senior Shin Bet agent who spent most of his service in operational roles among the Arab population and as a senior-level interrogator who interrogated arch-terrorists, including Marwan Barghouti.

Pozailov told Army Radio on Sunday: I can tell you  the planning for the rescue of the hostages began immediately after October 7th.

The Shin Bet formulated two teams the day after the massacre  one to settle accounts with everyone who was involved in crossing the border fence and the second one to gather the intelligence for eventual rescue operations.

The radio host asked: Do the civilians in the area matter? Is it even an operational consideration when the hostages are there?

Pozailov responded: Uninvolved civilians in Gaza is a type of science fiction. In Gaza, everyone is involved  some on an emotional level and some on a practical level. Anyone who can stab you with a knife will stab you there  and the rescue forces take that into account.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
In a perfect example of you cant make this up, a BBC presenter asked former IDF spokesman Jonathan Conricus why Israel didnt provide an evacuation warning to Gazans before the operation,

Of course we cannot expect Israel to issue a warning ahead of the raid to extract hostages, because then the terrorists would kill the hostages, defeating the goal. I agree with you that we dont know if all the civilians who were killed were necessarily directly connected to the holding of Israeli hostages in Gaza for 8 months, he said. There was also significant resistance to the Israeli forces, including RPGs, heavy machine gun fire, and hand grenades. Some of the casualties were likely from reckless Palestinian fire.

Just like we saw in Rafah, Israelis were held by Palestinian civilians. Hamas gunmen may have been there also, but the bottom line is that we have complicity of Palestinian civilians, he added.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
More details have emerged of Israeli special forces daring and complex operation to rescue four hostages from the Nuseirat camp in Gaza yesterday. Specifically, the special forces unit that executed the rescue posed as displaced Gazans from Rafah, blending in with locals and speaking the language fluently.

According to eyewitnesses and local residents who spoke with Asharq news channel, the disguised forces arrived in a white car carrying mattresses on top, with women dressed in clothing similar to that worn by local women. When asked about their origin, they claimed to be escaping the IDF operation in Rafah and had rented a place in the Nuseirat market area, pointing to the building where Noa Argamani was being held.

The three male hostages, Andrey Kozlov, Shlomi Ziv, and Almog Meir Jan, were detained in a separate building 200 meters away. The special forces unit split into two groups, each heading towards one of the buildings, preparing for the rescue operation.

Eyewitnesses reported that additional special forces entered the camp hidden inside an aid truck, although the IDF has denied using humanitarian transports for the operation.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
South West Water owner Pennon has hired David Sproul as its next chairman, replacing Gill Rider after the FTSE 250 firm's annual general meeting next month.

Sproul, who is the current chairman of digital lender Starling Bank and previously served as the global deputy CEO of Deloitte, will join as Rider retires from the board on 24 July.

The announcement came as it emerged the embattled water company's chief executive Susan Davy saw her total pay slump 64 per cent to 543,000 last year after agreeing to forgo bonuses.

Pennon revealed that David Sproul (pictured) is set to take over as chairman following the FTSE 250-listed water firm's annual general meeting next month

Davy, whose pay fell from 1.53 million in the previous year, has faced a storm of scrutiny over Pennon's environmental record.

Pennon said Davy would have been entitled to an annual bonus and long-term performance share awards.

But 'having reflected on the exceptional economic backdrop' she told the board she would forgo the payments.

She will instead put an equivalent value into the firm's WaterShare+ scheme, which it said 'directly benefits our customers by either providing money off their bill or via ownership of Pennon shares'.

British water companies face pressure to improve standards amid widespread criticism of sewage dumping and leakage.

Last month Pennon revealed it would stump up 3.5million in compensation to households affected by a parasite outbreak in Devon.

The group said it will pay every household affected by the parasite outbreak in Brixham, a total of 215 each.

Pennon-owned South West Water told customers in the area to boil water before drinking it due to the contamination.

Pennon's underlying profits jumped by 9 per cent to 166.3million for the year to 31 March, missing analyst estimates by 5 per cent, according to LSEG data.

Despite the loss, Pennon said investors will receive a dividend of 44.37p per share, a move which has led some to call for the resignation of chief executive Davy.

In April last year, Exeter-based Pennon was fined 2.2million for dumping sewage into rivers and the sea in Devon and Cornell.

Since privatisation in 1989, Britain's water industry has been condemned for its part in releasing dirty water into rivers and for raising customers' bills amid a cost of living crisis.

Ofwat, the water industry watchdog, has also been clamping down on water firms that have been paying bonuses to executives and dividends to shareholders who continue to report subpar environmental standards.

David Sproul said: 'It is a privilege to have been invited to take on the role as chair at a pivotal point in Pennon's strategy, and ongoing commitment to the UK Water industry.

'There has never been a more important time to make a positive contribution to the sector and society.'

Pennon Group shares were down 0.84 per cent to 591.50p in Monday morning trading.
A C919 jetliner of the China Eastern Airlines arrives at the Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong, south China, June 1, 2024. A C919 jetliner of the China Eastern Airlines fleet on Saturday kicked off its first overseas commercial chartered flight, providing a round-trip service between Shanghai and Hong Kong. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

For Halifee Kwok, a sophomore at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), nothing could be more memorable and exhilarating than being taken high up to the sky in a Chinese homegrown C919 passenger jet.

This was the maiden cross-border chartered flight by a C919 airliner. On June 1, a round-trip flight carried Kwok and 100-plus other students from Hong Kong to Shanghai for a weeks-long internship and exchange program.

"It's so cozy, with super smooth landing!" she told Xinhua. In the case of C919, experiencing is believing.

"It's cool to sit in the cabin and see the water coming down on you and see it slide through the porthole and fuselage!" Eyes wide open, Kwok was amazed by a water salute on the plane's historic arrival at the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, a rarely-watched scene and a "first" for her.

This water salute was not the only highlight. Prior to their flight from Hong Kong to Shanghai, students were blown away by a cabin decorated with neon lights flickering right above their seats upon their boarding.

Cheng Tan Yuet, a student from Hong Kong University, said she had "never experienced such a dreamy flight."

During the approximately 2-hour flight, the cabin activated spray cooling to keep the air fresh and the temperature pleasant. "It feels comfortable here, the food tastes great, and the air smells fresh," said another HKUST student Geri Tang.

Students on board the flight also praised the comfort of the C919, saying that the spacious aisle as well as seats pre-equipped with pillows and blankets are "sleep-friendly."

As the flight surprises them with many "firsts," the homegrown large jetliner also carries on it the dreams of these aspiring young students and many more.

In mid-December 2023, China's C919 made its first visit to Hong Kong with ARJ21, another domestic aircraft for a static display at the Hong Kong International Airport. The C919 also performed a fly-past over the scenic Victoria Harbor.

"We were deeply moved by the spectacle of residents and tourists watching from both sides of Victoria Harbor and were determined to facilitate such a charter flight so that Hong Kong youth could have the opportunity to experience it first-hand," said Henry Yeung, head of the Hong Kong-Shanghai Youth Association.

"Taking a C919 to Shanghai for an internship this year will help Hong Kong youth feel the development of the Chinese mainland more directly and seize new opportunities," Yeung said.

"This trip to Shanghai may help shape my career choice," said Hong Kong student Woody Chan Baak Qiu. Chan is not engaged in biomedicine majors, but he wrote "medicine" as his career preference for the internship, hoping that his personal interest in this field can take root with the bountiful opportunities in Shanghai.

"An internship at the airport is my top choice," said Halifee Kwok. On June 3, she stood out among a group of students to earn an internship in airport service management at the Shanghai Hong Kong Airport Management Co. Ltd..

"My mentor is very patient with me, and I understood on Day One all my scope of business throughout the internship. I'm good at serving others, and I hope to gain more from this internship at the airport," she said.

This is the first time for Kwok on a distant journey away from home for weeks. As a liberal arts major, she cherished deeply this precious opportunity to make her love for the sky a reality, "I dream of soaring into the sky like the C919!"

"I chose Shanghai two years in a row, but with different internship focuses to enrich my experience," said Pang Tsz Ho, a business major from Lingnan University, Hong Kong. Pang will be practicing in a trading company to better prepare for his career.

Pang spent his childhood on Cheung Chau Island before moving to Tung Chung with his family. "My home was very close to the Hong Kong International Airport. Growing up by the sea, we are not afraid of 'hanging wind balls' (Hong Kong tropical cyclone warning signals). There was almost a 'wind ball' this time, but we believed in C919, it would definitely be safe and sound."

"The whole flight was smooth. Staying on board a large domestic airliner, I felt particularly proud of being Chinese!" said Pang, commenting on the journey passing from rains to sunshine.

At the end of the journey, plane models, greeting cards with the signature of the captain and hand-painted cartoon portraits of the crew welcoming everyone on board were also a part of making their day.

"I will keep this card by my bed," one of the students told Xinhua excitedly.
The boss of South West Waters parent company has raked in 860,000 despite a parasite contamination scandal.

Susan Davys pay soared 58 per cent in the last financial year, the utility firm revealed yesterday, amid anger over the outbreak of a vomiting bug that was traced back to one of its reservoirs.

And as the crisis rumbles on, Pennon  the stock market-listed owner of South West Water and Bristol Water  revealed that pollution incidents climbed 80 per cent last year.

Critics branded Davys inflated take home pay as farcical as some households in Brixham, Devon are still without clean tap water.

Pennons chairman Gill Rider also announced she will step down next month just weeks after the dirty water scandal broke out.

Making a splash: Susan Davy, boss of South West Water parent company Pennon, enjoyed a 58% pay rise despite a parasite contamination scandal

Hundreds of customers became ill and some were hospitalised after drinking water that was contaminated with a parasite.

Some residents still have to boil their tap water around a month after first cases were reported.

Totnes Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall has called for victims to be compensated.

But the wider water sector is also facing fierce backlash over sewage being dumped in Britains rivers and lakes.

Debt-laden Thames Water, the UKs biggest water supplier, is scrambling to raise cash or risks going bust next year.

Davy, 55, was urged to resign last month after shareholders were handed 127million in dividends  while households who were supplied contaminated water will get up to 265 each.

Amid public and political outrage over the companys performance, the chief executive has waived her bonus for the second year in a row, costing her 237,000 for the year ended March 31.

But she made 298,000 from a long-term incentive plan which boosted her total pay to 860,000 compared to 543,000 a year earlier.

The rest of the package was made up of a 492,000 base salary, benefits of 21,000 and pension payments of 49,000.

Crisis: A tap water alert was issued in Brixham after hundreds fell sick from a vomiting bug

It was revealed yesterday that pollution incidents at South West Water soared by 80 per cent to 194 in 2023.

Andrew Speke at think-tank the High Pay Centre said: It seems farcical that the chief executive of a company which has failed in its duties to consumers and the environment in the way Pennon Group has in the past year could be getting a pay rise.

It shows the real disconnect between how executives are rewarded and the actual performance of that individual and their company.

Rider, who has chaired the Pennon board for around four years, will step down at the firms annual general meeting in July and will be replaced by David Sproul, chairman of digital challenger bank Starling Bank. He was previously global deputy chief executive at auditing giant Deloitte.

A spokesman for Pennon said: We understand the strength of feeling from our customers and the public around the issues facing the water sector.

For the second year running, our chief executive, alongside other members of our executive leadership team, have therefore made the personal decision to decline annual bonus for the previous financial year.

Pennon made a loss before tax of 9.1million, compared to 8.5million a year earlier. Net debt increased to 3.8billion during the period, up from 3billion.
With the annual general meeting (AGM) season in full swing, there are bound to be several ding-dongs between companies and their shareholders.

Among them is the bubbling row over the future of The Hut Group (THG)  with pressure mounting on the online beauty and nutrition firm to ditch its chairman.

Kelso Group had led calls for shareholders to vote against the re-election of Charles Allen  the former chief executive of Compass Group (down 1.5 per cent, or 33p, to 2207p) and ITV (down 1.1 per cent, or 0.85p, to 78.2p)  at THGs AGM on June 24.

But the activist investors demand has been backed by Dutch investment firm OVMK, which holds a near-2 per cent stake.

Both shareholders have called for THG to be broken up, arguing management should spin off its beauty, nutrition and e-commerce arms into separate companies.

Investor discontent: Pressure is mounting on online beauty and nutrition firm The Hut Group to ditch its chairman and spin off its beauty, nutrition and e-commerce arms

THG floated at 500p a share in September 2020, valuing the business at 5.4billion.

Kelso believes that the value of the three divisions is significantly higher than the 928million the company is currently worth.

Last week THG founder Matt Moulding has raised his stake in Kelso Group for the third time this year.

Shares edged up 0.6 per cent, or 0.45p, to 70.25p. Kelso Group was unchanged at 3.25p.

The FTSE 100 fell 0.2 per cent, or 16.89 points, to 8228.48 and the FTSE 250 slid 0.5 per cent, or 109.33 points, to 20446.04.

Digital advertising group Brave Bison has abandoned its takeover of Mission Group.

The suitor, which runs the Social Chain agency started by Dragons Den star Steven Bartlett, hit out at its rival for failing to engage in constructive dialogue and extend the offer deadline.

Stock Watch - Clontarf Energy Shares in Clontarf Energy jumped 83.9 per cent, or 0.01p, to 0.03p after it ramped up its lithium business in Bolivia. The company said the EU wants to help the South American nation, which holds more than half of the worlds economic lithium resources, to become an exporter. The update came alongside the companys annual results that showed its losses narrowed to 870,000 last year  down from 4.8million in 2022.

Last week Mission Group rejected Brave Bisons sweetened offer of 32.3million  up from a previous proposal of 27million and yesterday insisted it is confident in its stand-alone prospects.

Shares in Brave Bison dipped 1 per cent, or 0.03p, to 2.43p and Mission Group tumbled 11.1 per cent, or 3p, to 24p.

Shares in FTSE 100 Ashtead barely moved in the first session since reports emerged over the weekend the equipment hire giant is considering a move to the New York stock.

The 24billion group is in the early stages of exploring a switch of its listing from London to Wall Street, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

An Ashtead spokesman said the company reviews its capital structure regularly, including its domicile, recognising the fact that 90 per cent of its business is in the US. The stock inched up 1.5 per cent, or 84p, to 5642p.

Chemring edged up 0.3 per cent, or 1p, to 385p after the defence group won a 65million explosives order from Northrop Grumman.

Aviva fell after JP Morgan downgraded its rating. Shares in the insurer shed 1.7 per cent, or 7.9p, to 470p.

But Just Group made gains following two broker upgrades.

One came from JP Morgan, while Peel Hunt believe shares are undervalued and should increase in the medium term. Shares added 2.6 per cent, or 2.6p, to 103.6p.
Elon Musk has called an investors decision to vote against his 45billion Tesla pay package not cool.

The worlds richest man is facing an investor backlash when his pay at the electric vehicle maker is put to a vote on Thursday.

And Teslas eighth largest shareholder, Norways sovereign wealth fund, became the latest to say it would vote against the pay award.

In a post on X, the social media platform he owns, Musk hit back and said this was not cool.

He added: If they actually surveyed their constituents, they would discover overwhelming support in favour.

Cash plea: Tesla boss Elon Musk is facing an investor backlash when his mammoth 45bn pay package is put to a vote on Thursday

So far, roughly 90 per cent of retail shareholders who have voted have voted in favor of both resolutions. The public sentiment is unequivocally supportive.

In January, a Delaware court ruled Teslas board had not acted in investors interests when agreeing the deal.

Shareholders are voting for the second time on the plan on Thursday. The pay deal, which was set in 2018, was the biggest ever in US corporate history.

Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), which operates Norways 1.34billion, said over the weekend that we remain concerned about the total size of the award, the structure given performance triggers, dilution, and lack of mitigation of key person risk.

But it did acknowledge the significant value generated under Musks leadership since the grant date in 2018.

Shares in the electric car company have dropped 40 per cent this year amid concerns about Musks own erratic behaviour.

But investors who are supportive of Musks pay award include Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust
GSKs blockbuster respiratory jab has been approved for a younger age group in a boost for the drugmaker over rival Pfizer.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green light for Arexvy to be prescribed to patients between the ages of 50 and 59.

The vaccine protects against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which causes cold-like symptoms but can be dangerous for the elderly, newborn babies and vulnerable people.

It has the potential to prevent thousands of hospital admissions each year.

Arexvy was the worlds first RSV jab when it launched in the US last year but it faces competition from alternatives made by Pfizer and Moderna.

Approved: The US Food and Drug Administration has given the green light for GSKs respiratory jab Arexvy to be prescribed to patients between the ages of 50 and 59

The success of the shot has been seen as a sign that GSK chief executive Emma Walmsleys turnaround strategy has begun to pay off.

In 2022 Walmsley revealed plans to refocus the pharma giant on vaccines and infectious diseases, which included selling its consumer healthcare division Haleon.

The pivot came after GSK fell behind rival Astrazeneca and US competitor Pfizer to create a Covid vaccination during the pandemic.

Yesterdays announcement makes the 1.2billion vaccine the first RSV jab endorsed for the under-60s by the FDA.

However, GSK will need to wait to see if the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention signs off on the expanded use when it meets later this month.

Arexvy brought in about 1.2billion in sales last year, beating the 699m in revenue that Pfizers rival drug generated.

The jab has been approved in Europe, Canada and Japan for over 60s.

However, it is not available in the UK despite receiving initial approval in July 2023.

GSK has avoided a courtroom showdown in Illinois over its former heartburn drug Zantac after the plaintiff withdrew their claim before the trial was due to start yesterday.

Zantac has come under a wave of scrutiny with around 74,000 cases filed claiming the drug causes cancer.

GSK added that the scientific consensus is that there is no consistent or reliable evidence that Zantac increases the risk of any cancer.
AI future: Apple chief exec Tim Cook set out how the US tech giant would incorporate AI into its iPhone, iPad and Mac laptops

Apple has joined forces with OpenAI  giving iPhone users access to use its ChatGPT artificial intelligence technology.

Chief executive Tim Cook set out how the US tech giant would incorporate AI into its iPhone, iPad and Mac laptops.

And he confirmed media speculation that it is integrating its products with ChatGPT. This will allow users to ask a question via its Siri feature and the AI chatbot will give a response.

And it can be used to create a bedtime story for children and add pictures  for no extra cost to customers.

But Apple investors were left underwhelmed last night by its venture into artificial intelligence, which Cook dubbed Apple intelligence.

He showcased different features at the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in California.

The US giant was hoping to reassure investor doubts amid a battle to win an AI race against rival Microsoft.

But shares fell around 1.5 per cent as some investors were expecting more from the update.
The US owner of Boots has put plans for a float or sale of the chemist on ice.

There had been hopes that the High Street retailer could be listed on the London stock market by the end of 2024.

But it is understood that Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has decided not to make any major decisions over the pharmacy chain until 2025.

WBA chief executive Tim Wentworth, who took over last October, is focusing on fixing problems at the companys American pharmacy business.

The turnaround project requires capital from Boots to aid this.

Walgreens Boots Alliance is not expected to make any major decisions over the Boots pharmacy chain until 2025

Last night hopes were dashed that a London listing of Boots could be just around the corner. But the company did not rule out a listing in the Capital altogether and will revisist the prospect next year.

This would be a major boost for the City amid concerns over the health of the London market.

However, a sale to a private equity buyer in 2025 is also a possibility.

A spokesman for Walgreens yesterday said: We do not comment on rumours or speculation.

Walgreens Boots Alliance is conducting a strategic review of our assets to drive sustainable long-term shareholder value. All options are on the table.

At the start of the year, Wentworth said he was evaluating all strategic options to drive sustainable long-term shareholder value.

Back in 2022, Walgreens ditched a sale after blaming an unexpected and dramatic change in market conditions.

Private equity giants Apollo, TDR Capital and Sycamore made pitches but Walgreens later said no one made an adequate offer.

Should Boots, which began as a family herbal medicine shop in Nottingham in 1849, return to the UK markets, it would be a desperately needed vote of confidence.

There have been concerns about the attractiveness of the London market as firms switch their listing to New York or become takeover targets due to their low valuations. Walgreens, which is listed on the US stock market, bought the chemist in 2014.

Boots boss Sebastian James hailed positive momentum across the whole business in March when he posted bumper Christmas sales.

Sales over the three months to the end of February were 3pc higher than a year earlier thanks to celebrity-endorsed skin care products.

Last November, Boots sold its pension scheme to asset management giant Legal & General for 4.8billion, which paved the way for a potential takeover.

The pension scheme deal, which was one of the largest of its kind, means it will be easier to sell.
Sterling rose above 1.18 against the single currency following Emmanuel Macron's shock decision to call a snap election in France.

The euro slumped to a near two-year low against the pound yesterday as markets were stunned by Emmanuel Macrons shock decision to call a snap election in France.

Sterling rose above 1.18 against the single currency to hit its highest level since August 2022 after the French presidents move, which followed a bruising performance for his party in European parliamentary vote.

Stock markets across the continent were rocked too and Frances Cac 40 fell to its lowest level since February.

Macrons decision to call a snap parliamentary election came after his Renaissance party was trounced by Marine Le Pens far-Right National Rally in the European vote.

Vote: The euro slumped to a near two-year low against the pound yesterday as markets were stunned by Emmanuel Macrons shock decision to call a snap election in France

The gamble could leave the president having to work alongside a National Rally prime minister in charge of the domestic agenda, including economic policy.

Pariss Cac 40 ended 1.3 per cent lower, with banks particularly badly hit.

BNP Paribas fell 4.8 per cent, Credit Agricole lost 3.6 per cent and Societe Generale tumbled by 7.5 per cent .

Elsewhere in Europe, Germanys Dax and Italys FTSE MIB each fell by 0.3 per cent. In London, the FTSE 100 slipped 0.2 per cent.

Meanwhile, yields on ten-year French bonds  the returns demanded by investors for lending to the government  hit seven-month highs. Italian bond yields rose to six-month highs.

Le Pens agenda proposes higher public spending despite already-high public debt, threatening increased funding costs for French lenders.

Analysts said a National Rally victory could also mean a tax on bank profits.

A coalition of moderates from across the continent looked set to retain a majority in the European parliament.

However, there were major gains for Eurosceptic parties raising doubts about the ability of major powers to push through major policies.

In Germany, Europes biggest economy, members of the fragile coalition led by Social Democrat Olaf Scholz suffered a mauling with big gains made by the far-Right Alternative for Germany.

Scholz was also subjected to a bruising diatribe by the head of Germanys stock exchange.

Deutsche Boerse boss Theodor Weimer said a lack of leadership by the chancellor was putting international investors off Germany and that the country was economically on the way to becoming a developing country.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. The development of the Middle Corridor offers several advantages in terms of speed, lower CO2 emissions, and supply diversification in times of crisis, Belgian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Michel Peetermans told Trend.

"The development of the Middle Corridor, primarily through land transport (excluding the Caspian crossing), contributes to the diversification of international routes. While trade between EU countries and China is mainly conducted by sea from Pacific ports, routing some goods through Central Asian and Caucasian countries can offer various advantages in terms of speed, lower CO2 emissions, and supply diversification in times of crisis," the ambassador emphasized.

In addition to capitalizing on their strategic locations, the Caucasian and Central Asian nations can use the Middle Corridor to attract investment and generate employment opportunities, as pointed out by Peetermans.

"To achieve this goal, it is necessary to work on improving physical infrastructure as well as facilitating border crossings through administrative simplification and harmonization of regulations," he stressed.

The ambassador also added that Belgium itself is a communication hub in the center of the European Union and has a highly developed transport and logistics network, including the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge, which have formed a single entity for several years.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor.

The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe.

The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. The presentation of the report Return of Azerbaijani refugees to Armenia was held at the joint organization of the Center for Analysis of International Relations and the Western Azerbaijan Community, Trend reports.

Chairman of the Board of the Western Azerbaijan Community Aziz Alakbarli emphasized the importance of the report at the event.

In accordance with the principles and norms of international law, the Azerbaijanis must return to their ancestral homeland, as pointed out by Alakbarli. The execution of this procedure must be done in a dignified, safe, and nonviolent manner.

Furthermore, Chairman of the Board of the Center for Analysis of International Relations Farid Shafiyev briefly informed about the report. He mentioned that the main purpose of writing the report in English was to provide the international community with detailed information about Azerbaijani refugees and to prevent unilateral approaches.

Afterwards, the Head of the Department of the Center for Analysis of International Relations (CAIR) Javid Valiyev stated that Armenian nationalists were working systematically to expel Azerbaijanis from their historical lands.

The next step was to hear the presentations given by Eljan Hasanli and Sarvan Huseynov, two recent graduates of ADA University who were involved in writing the report.

Additionally, it should be noted that the report prepared by the Center for Analysis of International Relations under the title "Return of Azerbaijani Refugees to Armenia" consists of 5 sections.

The first section reviews the history of the process of deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia and provides detailed information on the stages of deportation.

The second section analyzes the results of surveys and interviews of victims and witnesses to the incident.

The third section proposes possible directions for a political solution to the process of returning Azerbaijanis to Armeniaissues related to the return of Azerbaijani refugees, the implementation of social programs for them, as well as taking appropriate legal and administrative measures by the Armenian government and promoting inter-community dialogue.

The fourth section contains possible problems that may arise during the implementation of the proposals mentioned in the previous section.

The final section draws up recommendations based on the results of the comprehensive analysis.

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Sinn Feins disappointing election results are down to people tiring of its failure to present credible alternative plans, Irelands housing minister has claimed.

Sinn Fein has repeatedly accused Darragh OBrien of failing to deal adequately with Irelands housing crisis.

Mr OBrien, in turn, has been one of the main opposition partys most vocal critics, leading to frequent fiery clashes in the Dail.

The Fianna Fail minister rounded on his rivals on Monday when asked to assess its failure to make major gains at the local elections.

What I certainly picked up on the doorstep from talking to people is, people are really tired of them shouting, roaring, giving out and coming forward with no alternative, he said.

I am fine as housing minister, where people will raise criticisms, whether they be constructive or not, but the fact that we have the main opposition party that said 18 months ago that they would publish a housing plan (and) still have not done so, have still continued to object to housing developments across the city and country, and we are seeing record levels of housebuilding now.

Mr OBrien said the Government was making progress to address acute accommodation shortages, but he acknowledged there was a need to do more and accelerate efforts.

Not everyone is feeling that progress, and we know that, but we are making that progress in relation to housing delivery, he said.

Look its for Sinn Fein, they can reflect in whatever way they want, but people have given their verdict of Sinn Fein as apparently an alternative to the current government, and I think thats been very clear at the ballot box.

He added: I think the people have given a very clear view on where they see Sinn Fein.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. Egypt is one of the largest and most important countries in Africa, the Middle East, and the Islamic world, and in this regard, the intensification of ties between Baku and Cairo and the entry of relations into a new stage serve the preservation of stability, peace, and security in a fairly vast territory from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea, political commentator Elchin Mirzabeyli told Trend.

He noted that given the current processes in the Middle East and Africa, as well as the fact that Egypt has been pursuing a more active political line in the region over the past few years, has become a grain base for Africa and Arab countries, and is implementing numerous projects providing for diversification of routes of traditional transport corridors, the strategic importance of President Ilham Aliyev's official visit to this country can be emphasized.

"This factor was also present in the press statements of Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. In his statement, the Egyptian President drew attention to several important areas of cooperation - the spheres of construction, transportation, pharmaceuticals, oil, and infrastructure, as well as expressed support for efforts to ensure peace and security in the South Caucasus. This approach, despite manipulative information provocations by third parties, once again confirmed that Azerbaijan and Egypt have a common view on the peace agenda of the South Caucasus, as well as proved that Baku and Cairo are interested in increasing the level of cooperation. The fact that both countries demonstrate a unified position on the processes in the Middle East, referring to the norms and principles of international law in resolving conflicts, including UN General Assembly resolutions, also demonstrates the absence of any disagreement in this direction. In a press statement, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev noted that in the course of discussions on international issues, it became clear once again that the views of Azerbaijan and Egypt on all international issues coincide, he said.

The political commentator noted that President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev once again expressed in Cairo the position of our country, based on the norms and principles of international law, on the settlement of Palestinian-Israeli relations as well as the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

According to Mirzabeyli, one of the most important directions discussed during the visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Egypt is related to transportation corridors. As it is known, the East-West and North-South corridors pass through the territory of our country, and all infrastructure for the transportation of cargo in these directions has been created in Azerbaijan.

"Egypt, together with Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia since January this year, having become a full member of BRICS, has been implementing several important projects to diversify the routes of transport corridors and improve infrastructure. To this end, the steps taken by Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq to establish the Trans-Arab Transport Corridor should be emphasized. With the creation of this corridor, African and Arab countries will be able to carry out more intensive and cost-effective cargo transportation and, of course, get access to both transport corridors passing through the territory of Azerbaijan, he said.

Political commentator Ramil Huseynov noted that relations between Azerbaijan and Egypt are developing based on friendship and cooperation.

According to him, there are opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the spheres of trade, energy, tourism, and other areas.

"Azerbaijan and Egypt are two countries similar in traditions, culture, and history. They support each other in international organizations and forums. Azerbaijan and Egypt strive to further strengthen cooperation with each other. These relations ensure more active participation of the two countries in the international arena and contribute to the preservation of peace and independence in the region, he said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has left on a working visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

Within the framework of the visit, the Minister will participate in and address a conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine, which will be held on June 1112 in Berlin, as well as hold bilateral meetings.

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Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his colleague from Turkiye Hakan Fidan have discussed regional issues during a phone conversation, Trend reports via the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan.

According to the ministry, various facets of the allied connections between the two countries were also covered in the discussion.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. On June 10, the Azerbaijan Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, met with the Minister of Defense of Georgia, Irakli Chikovani, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The delegation first visited the graves of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and prominent ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva in the Alley of Honor and laid flowers. In the Alley of Shehids (Martyrs), the visitors laid flowers at the graves of Shehids, who sacrificed their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. A wreath was laid at the Eternal Flame monument.

Then, the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry hosted a solemn welcoming ceremony, and the ministers passed along the guard of honor. The national anthems of Azerbaijan and Georgia were performed. Following the protocol, the Georgian Minister signed the Book of Honor.

Colonel General Z. Hasanov greeted the Georgian delegation and expressed satisfaction with seeing him in Azerbaijan. The Defense Minister noted that there is traditional friendship and mutual trust between the two nations. The minister emphasized the positive impact of the sincere relations between the two heads of state on joint cooperation.

Speaking about the work in the liberated territories done after the II Karabakh War, the Minister stressed that more than 12 percent of Azerbaijans territory is covered with mines. It was noted that, as a result of the explosion of mines, 361 civilians and servicemen were wounded, and 68 of them died.

Colonel General Z. Hasanov noted that relations established based on strategic partnerships with Georgia are developing and rising. The Minister noted that Azerbaijan and Georgia are planning to conduct a total of 21 joint events in the military sphere throughout 2024.

The Defense Minister invited his Georgian counterpart to the 5th Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition (ADEX), to be held in Baku in September this year.

Expressing his satisfaction with his first visit to Azerbaijan as the Defense Minister and Vice Prime Minister, Mr. I.Chikovani expressed his gratitude for the sincere reception and hospitality. He noted the importance of holding such meetings in the development of existing relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia and the expansion of relations.

The Minister of Defense of Georgia emphasized that the restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is very important for Georgia as well.

The meeting emphasized the importance of increasing the intensity of joint exercises. It was noted that the Eternity computer-assisted Command and Staff Exercises and Caucasian Eagle Exercise held in a tripartite format contribute to the development of friendly relations between military personnel and, at the same time, provide an opportunity for mutual experience exchange.

The sides expressed confidence that defense cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia will contribute to ensuring peace and stability in the region.

The meeting of the Defense Ministers discussed the prospects for the development of cooperation in the military, military-educational fields, regional security, and other issues of mutual interest.

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American Airlines has decided to change its policy after a long dispute with travel advisors. This shift, announced by American CEO Robert Isom, ends the airline's plans to limit loyalty points and restrict content from Global Distribution Systems (GDS) for certain agencies.

The announcement was made at the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) conference, marking a significant turnaround in the airline's strategy.

American Airlines Reverses Controversial Policies

The conflict began over a year ago when American Airlines started to pull its fares from traditional GDS channels. Instead, they promoted their New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology.

However, this move was not well received by travel agencies because the NDC technology was difficult to use, especially when managing bookings. This led to ASTA campaigning vigorously against American Airlines' policies.

According to Travel Weekly, the situation worsened when American Airlines announced that only "preferred" agencies, which had a higher share of NDC bookings, would earn AAdvantage points and miles for their clients.

This policy affected agencies like Prestige Travel Leaders, where President Dave Hershberger noted that about 65% of their sales were to corporate clients who highly value frequent flyer points.

The backlash from both travel agencies and their clients was strong. Agencies reported potential job cuts due to lost business, while clients expressed their preference for earning miles regardless of where they booked their flights.

This feedback prompted ASTA to push back hard against the airline's new rules.

American Airlines' reversal has been welcomed by the travel advisor community. Many believe this could be a step towards mending relationships and rebuilding trust.

However, concerns remain about the future of NDC technology development and the reduced sales and support teams at American Airlines.

Despite these challenges, travel advisors are hopeful that American Airlines' commitment to addressing these issues will restore their long-standing partnership.

Related Article: American Airlines Attempts to Prevent Strike with Wage Proposal

American Airlines Pilots Consider Switching Unions

A group of American Airlines pilots is pushing to switch their representation from the Allied Pilots Association (APA) to the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

This new group, known as AA Pilots for ALPA, has gathered over 8,219 support cards from pilots, surpassing the needed 50% of the approximately 16,000 American Airlines pilots to call for a union vote, as reported by Forbes.

ALPA is the largest pilots' union in the world, representing more than 77,000 pilots across North America. It is known for its strong presence in Washington D.C. and its influence on aviation legislation.

In contrast, American pilots are currently represented by APA, which requires a two-thirds majority to decide on merging with another union. A previous board vote on this issue resulted in a deadlock.

The spokesman for AA Pilots for ALPA emphasized the importance of demonstrating a strong majority to show unity and strengthen their position.

The movement for change began in earnest in 2022, and the group has reported a 70% success rate in gathering support from pilots in airport terminals.

American Airlines' pilots are now faced with a decision that could reshape their representation in critical industry discussions, with a potential union vote looming as the next significant step.
In a recent court case, Southwest Airlines is dealing with a lawsuit that could cost them $800,000. The case was brought by Charlene Carter, a former flight attendant who claims she was fired for her religious beliefs.

The dispute centers around Carter's anti-abortion messages that she sent to a union leader, who was also a coworker. The court proceedings took place on Monday at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Southwest Airlines Navigates Tough Religious Debate

Southwest Airlines insists that Carter was let go not because of her religious views but because her messages breached the company's workplace civility rules. These messages were described as "hostile and graphic" by the airline.

The company argues that while they respect religious beliefs, they also need to maintain a respectful and safe environment for all employees.

As per ABC News, the appeals court is now tasked with deciding if Southwest Airlines wrongfully terminated Carter due to her religious expressions, or if the firing was justified based on her actions creating a hostile work environment.

The debate in court also touched on how the airline reviewed Carter's Facebook activities, which led to her firing. The judges are considering whether this was an invasion of privacy or a necessary action.

Furthermore, the court is also reviewing a previous judge's order that required three of Southwest's lawyers to undergo training on religious liberty. This order came after the airline was found to have not properly informed their employees about their rights concerning religious practices at work.

This case challenges Southwest Airlines and brings to light the complex balance between individual religious rights and maintaining a neutral, respectful workplace.

As the judges deliberate, the outcome could have significant implications for how companies enforce workplace policies while respecting religious freedom.

Related Article : Southwest Airlines Launches Compensation Program for Flight Delays, Cancellations

Southwest Airlines Makes Emergency Landing

A Southwest Airlines flight had to turn back for an emergency landing after one of its tires failed right after takeoff. The incident occurred on a flight from Denver International Airport to Phoenix, Arizona, at around 6:30 p.m. on June 3.

Passengers experienced panic as the flight attendants prepared them for an emergency landing.

Julianna Donadio, a passenger from Boulder who was visiting her mother, described the ordeal. The Independent stated that she recalled a loud noise when the tire burst and shared how the crew instructed them to adopt crash positions and briefed them on how to use the emergency exits and slides.

Despite the initial fear, the aircraft landed safely back at Denver without further incident.

Southwest Airlines confirmed that the plane, after declaring an emergency, landed smoothly and was directed off the runway. A replacement aircraft was arranged to continue the flight to Phoenix.

This scare comes amid other recent Boeing aircraft incidents, including a United Airlines flight losing a tire, which fell and destroyed a car. These incidents have drawn attention to aircraft safety and the need for thorough inspections.
As much as you might think you know the typical island getaway, the Azores will throw that playbook right out the window! Located in the Atlantic, closer to Portugal than North America, this group of islands is a showcase of nature's best performances.

Think of green fields that seem to stretch forever, edged by the vivid blues of hydrangea flowers. Volcanoes tower above, and caldera lakes beckon with their mystical shades-one emerald, one azure.

Traveling Around the Azores

Getting to the Azores is easy, with airports on Sao Miguel, Faial, Pico, and Terceira. You can hop between islands by plane or ferry, making island-hopping a breeze. Once on the islands, renting a car is the best way to explore.

The roads can be twisty, but the views are worth it. Private driver-guides are also available for a more relaxed experience.

When to Visit the Azores

The best time to visit the Azores is between May and October. The weather is warm, and the islands are in full bloom. July and August are the busiest months, so plan your trip in spring or early autumn for fewer crowds.

Whale watching is popular in October, adding another reason to visit during this time. Whenever you go, the Azores promise a memorable trip.

Discover Sao Miguel

Sao Miguel, the green island of the Azores, is a dream for nature lovers. You will find stunning landscapes with rolling hills and vibrant fields. The capital, Ponta Delgada, offers a charming mix of history and modern vibes.

The streets are lined with volcanic stone and traditional Portuguese whitewash, creating a striking contrast. Exploring Sete Cidades is a must, with its twin lakes offering an unforgettable view.

Explore Faial

Faial is known as the blue island, thanks to its abundance of hydrangeas. The island is small but packed with beauty and history. The Capelinhos Volcano is a highlight, having erupted in 1957 and transforming the landscape.

A visit to the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre will teach you about its impact. End your day at Peter's Cafe Sport, a historic bar famous for its gin and tonics and warm hospitality.

Taste the Best of Pico

Pico, the grey island of the Azores, is perfect for wine lovers. The island's volcanic soil is ideal for vineyards, producing unique wines. You can see the stone walls built by Sicilian monks, which protect the grapevines from ocean winds.

A guided tour of a local winery offers knowledge of Pico's wine production. Do not miss tasting Frei Gigante, the island's premier wine.

Sao Jorge

Sao Jorge, known for its high cliffs, offers breathtaking views and delicious cheese. The island is less crowded, making it a peaceful escape. Cattle outnumber humans here, and the rich milk they produce is used to make queijo Sao Jorge.

This cheese is a local favorite, with a firm texture and rich flavor. A tour of the island will let you taste different varieties of this tasty cheese.

Terceira

Terceira is famous for its lavender sunsets and heroic history. The capital, Angra do Heroismo, fought off invaders during the Portuguese Civil War. This earned the city its proud name, meaning heroic port.0

The city is beautiful, with cobblestone streets and historic buildings. Exploring Angra do Heroismo offers a glimpse into the island's rich history.


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Top Travel Advisors Participate in Global Travel Marketplace West



(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - June 10th, 2024 - ATLANTA - Northstar Travel Group is proud to announce that Lori Stephens recently attended Global Travel Marketplace West (GTM West) as an advisory board member. The event took placeat The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spain Henderson/Las Vegas, Nevada, June2-4, 2024. GTMWest is a two-and-a-half-dayinvitation-only event for top-producing travel advisors in the western states and provinces of North America. Selected advisors meet with leading cruise, hotel,tour and destination suppliers seeking to conduct business face-to-face. A select group of 144 travel advisors were chosen to participate from several hundred applicants.GTM West is professionals, meeting with professionals, working to move their businesses forward, said Jacqueline Hurst, Director, Trade Recruitment and Engagement, Travel Weekly Events. A GTM Westadvisor is one that recognizes the importance of creating new business relationships and fostering existing ones in order to best serve their clients needs. Travelsuppliers representing the depth and breadth of the industry engaged with travel advisors through a variety of one-on-one pre-scheduled meetings, exclusive Boardroom presentations and networking events. It was a great honor to attend GTM West as an advisory board member, where I had the opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders, share innovative ideas, and contribute to shaping the future of our field, said Lori Stephens, Founder of Sojourney Travel and GTM advisory board member. The impact that these events have on travel advisors are monumental to business growth, and Im so proud to be a part of this industry growth. GTM West advisors exhibit unparalleled industry expertise and come to the event to build relationships with key individuals in hotel, cruise, tour and destination organizations, allowing them to best meet their valuable clients needs. Many advisors at GTM West have already exceeded their 2023 sales numbers, proving that the advisorschosento attend this event represent the best in todays travel business, said Alicia Evanko-Lewis, ExecutiveVice President, Travel Group Events, Northstar Travel Group. GTM Westprovided the platform for these travel professionals to network with like-minded individuals who all have the same goal: To build and grow their business. About Northstar Travel Group Northstar Travel Group is the leading B-to-B media company providing information and marketing solutions for the global travel industry. The company owns 14 media brands connecting 1.4m industry professionals through a comprehensive portfolio of digital, social, print and more than 100 events in 13 countries. Northstar Travel Group is owned by EagleTree Capital. Northstar Travel Group is based in Rutherford, NJ, and more information is available at northstartravelgroup.com. About Sojourney Travel Sojourney Travel is a broad-spectrum, global-focused travel agency dedicated to curating luxury travel experiences. Sojourney Travel specializes in crafting personalized itineraries, ensuring clients embark on unforgettable journeys tailored to their unique preferences. Sojourney Travels dedicated team of travel advisors cater to a diverse range of travel interests, offering personalized experiences for individuals, families, and groups  no matter the destination. To learn more about Sojourney Travel, please visit sojourneytravel.com. ### Please contact the person or company listed above for information regarding the content of this press release. TravPR.com are not the issuers of this press release and are not responsible for the accuracy of the content. Share Release :



CONTACT INFORMATION Name: Kayla Smith Company: Sojourney Travel Phone: 470-327-8344 Email: kayla.smith@sojourneytravel.com Web: PRESS RELEASE TAGS
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. A training session is held in the military units in which a group of reservists is involved in the framework of joint events with the Main Department of the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription for Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic under the training plan of the Combined Arms Army for 2024, Trend reports via the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan.

Reservists are provided with military uniforms and other types of supply after passing the registration and medical examination.

The focus of the training session for reservists is to maintain the combat capability of military units at a constant high level, to call up reserve personnel to the Army during mobilization and during the war (armed conflict), as well as to improve the combat skills, military qualifications and experience of military officials, as well as to teach the rules of operation of modern weapons and equipment adopted in the armament.

As part of the session, theoretical and practical classes on various specialties will be held in order to increase the level of combat training of reservists, as well as improve their knowledge and skills.

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The Ukrainian Air Force would like to have Swedish Gripen fighter jets in service.

Serhii Holubtsov, chief of aviation of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, said this in an interview with RFE/RL's Donbas.Realii project, Ukrinform reports.

He said this type of aircraft, along with the F-16, Eurofighter and Rafale, were included in the vision of the development of the Ukrainian Air Force back in 2018.

"The F-16 was offered first. We are currently working on the F-16, building the infrastructure for it. [...] The Gripen is in second place for us. And all requests to Sweden were also granted. This is not the priority process right now, but we are looking at getting these planes. The infrastructure is already suitable for them," he said.

According to Holubtsov, Gripen fighters can use even ordinary roads, do not need any specialized coating, and use all Western weapons.

"Everything that can be used on the F-16 can be used on the Gripen. Therefore, of course, we say on all platforms that we are interested in receiving this aircraft. Moreover, it is also written in the vision and development strategy, which was drafted this year, that we would like to have F-16 and Gripen aircraft in service," he said.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom told the foreign ministers of NATO countries in Prague that Sweden could transfer its Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine after the F-16s arrive in Ukraine. However, the Swedish alternative now is to provide Ukraine with two ASC 890 airborne early warning and control aircraft.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. Unique vintage cars participating in the Peking-to-Paris car rally gathered this morning in front of the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Trend reports.

Azerbaijan is holding one of the world's most exhilarating contests for the first time, supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Automobile Federation, and the Baku City Track operating company.

The cars then hit the road to Shamakhi, where they caught the eye of the locals and tourists alike.

After passing through Shamakhi, the cars will keep on via Georgia.

To note, the Peking to Paris rally was established in 1907 and is one of the historic routes. This rally is a real ode to mechanical cars and a true trial of their staying power. The rally covers a distance of about 14,000 km.

Having kicked off in Peking, the rally will wrap up on June 23 in Paris.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. Mastercard will soon present a new service on the AI platform in Azerbaijan, Mastercard's regional manager in Azerbaijan Emil Zeynalov, told Trend in an exclusive interview.

"Artificial intelligence is not only new but also a very popular and rapidly developing trend," Zeynalov noted.

The regional manager emphasized that Mastercard is integrating artificial intelligence 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, cybercrime, 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.

Zeynalov also noted that Mastercard is currently working on expanding transport projects in Azerbaijan.

"We have extensive experience in the transport sector and have successfully implemented projects in dozens of countries around the world, including Turkiye," Zeynalov noted.

According to him, customers can use Mastercard cards in various cities to pay fares on public transport such as buses and the metro.

"In 2021, we launched a successful transport project in Shamakhi in partnership with a local bank. Users have been able to pay their fares cashless for three years now, with significant benefits. We are also actively cooperating with state authorities and banking partners to expand this experience to other cities in Azerbaijan," he emphasized.

Speaking about cashless payments, the regional manager noted that the share of cashless payments in total consumer spending in Azerbaijan is about 30 percent.

"This indicates a significant potential for growth, and our strategy is to fight cash payments. Cash is our main competitor in this fight, both globally and in Azerbaijan. We see that the share of non-cash transactions is constantly increasing, and all our technologies, innovations, and new products and services are aimed at increasing this indicator," he said.

Answering a question regarding money transfers to mobile phone numbers, Zeynalov noted that this service will soon be introduced in the Azerbaijani market.

"We are cooperating with various participants, including regulators, to introduce this service in the Azerbaijani market in the near future. We hope to please our users, and I am sure it will happen soon. All users with access to our technology will be able to send money transfers both inside and outside Azerbaijan," he added.

In addition, the regional manager added that Mastercard already has a service that allows transferring funds between accounts beyond the card.

"We successfully integrated this service with several banks last year, and we plan to finalize cooperation with other financial institutions soon. This will provide our customers with the ability to transfer money not only between cards but also between a card and an account, as well as between accounts. Thus, we do not limit ourselves only to card-to-card transfers," he concluded.

In turn, in an exclusive interview with Trend, Mastercard's General Director for Azerbaijan and Turkiye Avshar Gurdal stated that Mastercard actively uses artificial intelligence in its activities.

"Our entire infrastructure is built on models that operate on artificial infrastructure," he noted.

Gurdal also pointed to the recent acquisition of Brighterion, a company that builds and develops models for business decisions using artificial intelligence.

"We are currently using it to detect fraud in the backbone of our network," he explained.

Regarding the transaction process, Gurdal stressed that Mastercard's system determines the nature of a transaction and decides whether to approve or reject it based on artificial intelligence analysis.

"We also generate assessments for issuers and acquirers to help them make transaction routing decisions," he added.

In addition, Gurdal highlighted the role of Mastercard Advisors, which works with its members to use artificial intelligence models for business decisions such as credit risk underwriting and cross-selling mechanisms.

"Artificial intelligence has long been an important part of our design and strategy," Gurdalsaid.

The CEO also expressed the company's intention to increase the number of projects, particularly with partner banks, in the coming months and years.

To note, Mastercard is an international payment system that provides financial services, including credit, debit, and prepaid cards. It enables its cardholders to make cashless payments at millions of points of sale around the world. Mastercard also provides technology solutions to banks, merchants, and other financial institutions. Mastercard cards are accepted in many countries and are used for a wide range of transactions, including in-store purchases, online transactions, cash withdrawals from ATMs, and other financial transactions.

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New details have emerged about the fate of several academics who have disappeared after visiting China, heightening concerns within the scholarly community about repression and safety.

The recent revelations have underscored the precarious situation for researchers working on topics deemed sensitive by Chinese authorities.

Detained Academics and Espionage Charges

Yuan Keqin, a former professor at Japan's Hokkaido University and a Chinese national, was detained during a visit to China in 2019. Initially, there was no information about his whereabouts, and news of his arrest only surfaced the following year. Anonymous sources recently informed Japanese media that Yuan has been convicted of espionage and sentenced to six years in prison. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the academic community, raising questions about the transparency and fairness of such detentions.

Similarly, Taiwanese researcher Cheng Yu-chin, who previously worked at a university in the Czech Republic, was also arrested in 2019 upon entering China. In April 2023, the Chinese government announced that Cheng had been sentenced to seven years in prison, likewise on espionage charges. The manner in which information about these arrests is gradually released has caused significant apprehension among scholars who fear for their safety and that of their colleagues.

Uncertainty also looms over the fate of other Chinese scholars employed by Japanese universities. Hu Shiyun, a Chinese language professor at Kobe Gakuin University, returned to China in 2023 and has been missing since. Similarly, Fan Yuntao, a professor at Asia University, failed to return from a year-long trip to China and has been unreachable since.

READ MORE : Chinese Students Overseas Fear Surveillance, Harassment By Beijing

The Chilling Effect on Academic Freedom

The detentions and subsequent convictions of these academics have had a chilling effect on the broader academic community. Astrid Nordin, Lau chair of Chinese international relations at King's College London, voiced the deep concern among scholars about the repression faced by their colleagues. "The academic community is extremely concerned about colleagues and collaborators who are victims of such repression for their scholarly activity," she said. This sentiment is echoed by many in the field who fear that engaging with Chinese counterparts could inadvertently put them at risk.

Marina Zhang, an associate professor at the University of Technology Sydney's Australia-China Relations Institute, highlighted the potential implications of China's expanding national security laws. New regulations coming into effect in July will grant border forces the authority to inspect and search content on mobile phones and laptops. Zhang pointed out that scholars collecting research data or participating in international conferences could be subjected to suspicion and investigation. "Even short visits to China might result in entry inspections and searches of electronic devices. This high-pressure enforcement environment undoubtedly hinders academic freedom and international exchange," she warned.

International Response and the Future of Academic Exchange

The situation has not only affected academics within China but has also had repercussions internationally. Benjamin Mulvey, a lecturer at the University of Glasgow specializing in international higher education in China, noted that the recent incidents have made academics "more wary" of conducting fieldwork in China. While foreign passport holders might still feel relatively safe, there is growing concern for colleagues who are Chinese nationals. Mulvey expressed concern that recent events would increase anxiety among researchers abroad, especially those of Chinese descent. He believes this will likely discourage scholars from pursuing research on sensitive topics and deter visits to China for fieldwork.

Professor Nordin also pointed out that Chinese scholars abroad face double victimization due to punitive actions in their host countries. For example, the "China initiative" in the U.S., launched under former president Donald Trump, aimed at combating espionage, has created a discriminatory environment for Chinese nationals.

The academic community is calling for more robust responses from their institutions and governments to protect scholars and uphold academic freedom. As China continues to tighten its national security laws, the international scholarly community remains on edge, seeking ways to navigate these challenging circumstances while maintaining the integrity and safety of their research endeavors.
City College of San Francisco (CCSF) is currently grappling with a critical shortage of introductory English classes, a situation that has led to long waitlists and significant barriers for students aiming to complete their programs.

This shortage is not just an academic inconvenience; it directly impacts students' ability to graduate and pursue further education or career opportunities. The issue has sparked a heated debate between the college's faculty union, which is calling for the hiring of more instructors, and the administration, which is concerned about the financial sustainability of such moves.

A Bottleneck in the English Department

The City College of San Francisco (CCSF) is experiencing a substantial deficit in basic English courses, leading to waitlists exceeding 200 students. Many of these students require the course to complete their programs and obtain their degrees. The American Federation of Teachers 2121, the faculty union, has urged college administrators to boost course sections and recruit more teachers. However, administrators are concerned about the financial implications of new hires.

The shortage stems from a series of layoffs in 2022, which included six tenured English faculty members and around 20 part-time English instructors. Chancellor David Martin, who is leaving for a new position at Sierra College, defended the layoffs as necessary for the long-term financial health of the college. This choice incited protests and anger among the faculty. Newly elected trustees, backed by the union, ran their campaigns on pledges to reemploy the faculty who had been laid off.

Despite some rehiring efforts, the problem persists. Lizzie Brock, an English faculty member, reported that 287 students were wait-listed for English 1A, an introductory English course, this spring. Although 82 students eventually secured spots, 205 students were still unable to take the course. This is especially worrisome because English 1A is a requirement for numerous programs and is essential for transferring to a four-year college. Brock emphasized the importance of the course for developing essential skills like essay writing, library research, and time management.

READ MORE : English Departments Embrace Career Development Initiatives To Enhance Student Success

Financial Constraints and Enrollment Challenges

The administration at CCSF faces a difficult balancing act. Alan Wong, president of the Board of Trustees, acknowledges the need to prioritize high-demand courses like English 1A. However, he believes reallocating existing resources rather than hiring additional faculty is a more financially prudent approach. The college has recently achieved a balanced budget and reserves after years of financial challenges and deficit spending. Wong aims to maintain this financial stability through "employee attrition" and by leaving some positions unfilled.

The discussion about introductory English courses mirrors a larger conversation about the future trajectory of the college. Should CCSF aim to grow enrollment or continue downsizing as student numbers decline? The college saw a 10 percent enrollment increase this academic year, adding 1,000 full-time students. However, this came after a decade of declining enrollment, exacerbated by the pandemic. Student headcount in credit programs dropped from 41,142 in the 2018-19 academic year to 26,584 in 2022-23.

California community colleges are also transitioning to a new state funding formula based on enrollment and student success metrics. CCSF has the option to take advantage of a "hold harmless" provision, allowing it to receive the same funding as under the old formula, but with no cost-of-living adjustments. Wong believes that increasing enrollment by 8 percent annually for the next three years could lead to more funding under the new formula, providing an incentive to offer high-demand classes.

The Human Impact

The impact of the shortage of introductory English classes extends beyond administrative and financial concerns. Students like Vincent Lopes and Betsy Espinoza have firsthand experience of the challenges caused by the bottleneck. Lopes, studying computer networking and cybersecurity, described how English 1A provided him with an academic foundation after his time in the Coast Guard. Despite his initial nervousness, the course taught him essential skills like research paper writing and accessing tutoring services.

Espinoza, who took English 1A this past semester, emphasized the support provided by classes with assigned tutors. She viewed the course as crucial for her academic success and expressed concern that cutting these classes would set future students up for failure. The lack of available courses can discourage students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds or communities of color, from pursuing their education.

The faculty union and some professors, like Brock and Rick Baum, advocate for increasing the number of introductory English sections. They argue that cutting classes exacerbates structural inequalities and denies students valuable educational opportunities. Baum also highlighted that other essential courses, such as English as a Second Language and nursing prerequisites, have seen similar reductions, further limiting students' options.

Davis Jenkins, a senior research scholar at the Community College Research Center, noted that community colleges often face challenges in providing sufficient mandatory courses. He emphasized the need for better scheduling and coordination between academic advisers and deans to ensure students can take the classes they need when they need them.

The shortage of introductory English classes at City College of San Francisco highlights the complex interplay between financial constraints, enrollment challenges, and the educational needs of students. Addressing this issue requires a careful balance of resource allocation, strategic planning, and a commitment to providing equitable educational opportunities for all students.
 Flash

Since spring, natural and historical destinations have been popular with domestic travelers seeking enjoyment and education.

More than 11,000 students in over 70 educational tour groups from around the country, including such places as Beijing, and Guangdong and Sichuan provinces, arrived in Dunhuang in the first four months of the year.

They accounted for just over one-third of all travelers to the city in northwestern China's Gansu province, the local culture and tourism bureau reported.

Visiting the Mogao Caves, experiencing painted clay, drilling wood to make fire, and studying local history and culture are among the most popular learning experiences for students, according to the bureau.

Qu Ruoxi, a middle schooler from Beijing, appreciated sand bottle art during her trip to Dunhuang at the end of April. The genre features colored sand carefully layered inside a clear glass bottle to create intricate designs and images.

Under the teacher's guidance, she meticulously drizzled grains into the bottle and then outlined them with a wire. Before long, a seagull appeared to soar above the yellow sand.

"The process of making sand bottle art is very interesting. There are both random and precise parts. I can use different colors, according to my own ideas, before outlining them to create a vivid piece of art," the girl explains.

More than 20 educational programs about local Silk Road culture and wilderness survival skills have been launched at the city's Yangguan Pass scenic area.

They are intended to enrich children's learning experiences, appreciation of ancient wisdom and cultivate kids' spirit of independence, cooperation, inquiry and practical abilities, says Wu Fengping, deputy curator of the Yangguan Museum.

In 2016, the Ministry of Education and 10 related departments issued a guideline for promoting educational trips for primary and secondary schools. The guideline states that such trips are aimed at improving educational quality through experiential learning and study, based on research.

In the following years, many regions, including Dunhuang, started to introduce their own policies to boost the educational travel market. Since 2022, the city has launched a cultural study season that lasts from Dec 1 to March 31.

New learning tours with the themes of culture, art, intangible cultural heritage, folk customs and natural science have been developed to satisfy the diverse learning needs of tourists of different ages, according to local authorities.

"We are making study tour programs one of our main focuses this year," says Wang Qi, a staff member with a tour service provider in Dunhuang.

Special courses, such as mud painting, and Dunhuang music and dance, will be launched to immerse students in Dunhuang culture and enhance their artistic literacy, Wang adds.

In Shennongjia national park in North China's Hubei province, the pristine ecosystem, rich biodiversity, unique geological and climate conditions, and local customs make it an ideal destination for nature education.

At the park's geological science museum, augmented reality technology is integrated with other technologies, including simulated environments, 3D modeling and real-time video displays, to re-create grand scenes of geological movements millions of years ago.

The park has established multiple educational routes for primary and middle school students, such as those featuring bird watching and natural science popularization.

It has hired more than 50 science education staffers to offer guidance in multiple fields, including biodiversity, natural geography, geological formations and environmental protection.

Additionally, it actively collaborates with universities and travel agencies, training and recruiting science education volunteers each year to jointly carry out educational activities.

More than 3,000 participants of educational tours visited last year.

"In recent years, Shennongjia has used educational tours to fully showcase its biodiversity, geological features and natural resources, such as its flagship species, the golden snub-nosed monkey," says Tan Yuxuan, a tour guide at Shennongjia.

"Shennongjia's value as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site is highlighted by learning through tourism," Tan adds.

Shennongjia is planning to build a rare plants facility for scientific research, education and tourism.

Efforts will be made to turn Shennongjia into a national natural education classroom, stimulating more people to pay attention to and participate in popular science and education work, says Dai Guangming, deputy director of the park's administration.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. The mobile industry is instrumental in helping Azerbaijan reach its goals set for 2030, said Kanako Mabuchi, Head of the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

She made the remark during an event themed "Sustainable Development: Issues and Solutions" today in Baku.

"The mobile industry plays a vital role in realizing Azerbaijan's 2030 objectives. It can promote positive change, community growth, and sustainability. The mobile industry may help achieve these goals with rising mobile phone and internet users, quick acceptance of mobile-based services, and sustainable business practices. Therefore, we anticipate the mobile industry to be an integral part of the collective effort towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," she stressed.

To note, Azerbaijan's information and communication companies provided services worth 920.8 million manat ($541.6 million) from January through April 2024, of which 77 percent were rendered to the population.

In the reporting period, revenues from mobile services in Azerbaijan amounted to 354.2 million manat, or $208.35 million (38.5 percent of the total revenues of the telecommunications market).

Services offered by Azerbaijan's information and communication businesses last year were valued at 3.2 billion manat ($1.88 billion), an increase of 16.3 percent from the previous year.

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Online education has been on a steady rise for years, but the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated its growth and acceptance in ways no one could have predicted. What started as a temporary shift to remote instruction for many colleges and universities has sparked a broader cultural shift towards online learning.

As we look to the future, it's clear that online education is here to stay, with colleges and universities poised to offer more choices and opportunities in distance learning than ever before.

Here is a glimpse into the forthcoming trends in remote learning, as anticipated by professionals in the field of online education:

1. Colleges Adding New Online Programs

Experts suggest that after an initial trial period for many institutions, colleges are increasingly confident in expanding their virtual degree offerings, particularly at the undergraduate level. Moving programs online enables colleges to reach a wider audience and not depend solely on local students to increase enrollment.

READ MORE: 11 Online Learning Trends Transforming Education

2. More Universities Are Embracing Open Educational Resources

Open educational resources (OER) are no-cost educational tools available in the public domain or under free licenses. These may encompass textbooks, digital learning resources, and video content available for streaming. Experts expect the growth of OER to accompany the momentum in online education, making education more accessible and affordable.

3. Virtual Reality Bringing Hands-On Programs Online

Technological advances, such as virtual reality, are breaking down barriers and making it possible to offer more interactive and engaging online courses. For example, interactive walkthrough videos can simulate hands-on experiences, providing students with a more immersive learning experience.

4. Online Learning Is Becoming More Data-Driven

By tracking student engagement and performance, course providers can personalize learning experiences and improve overall student success. Artificial intelligence will play a key role in this, providing students with customized prompts and assignments tailored to their individual needs.

5. Blended Learning Is Here to Stay

Experts predict that the blended learning model, which combines in-person and online instruction, will become increasingly prevalent. This blended approach allows students to maximize their resources and complete their academic programs faster, while still enjoying the benefits of a traditional college experience.

6. Technological Progress Will Help Reduce the Digital Divide

Efforts to bridge the digital divide extend beyond colleges. States are also playing a role, allocating funds to expand broadband infrastructure and ensure that all students have access to the technology and resources they need to succeed in an online learning environment.

7. Expansion of Virtual Student Spaces and Programming

Colleges will offer more experiential virtual programming, like virtual student unions and group activities, as part of the online experience. This will help online learners feel a sense of belonging and social connectedness to their community.

8. Persistent Growth of Certificates, Badges and Microcredentials

Universities and companies will continue to offer smaller credentials as alternatives to traditional college degrees. These credentials concentrate on imparting job-specific skills and are attractive to adult learners transitioning between careers and seeking new competencies.

9. Increased Collaboration Between Higher Education and Corporations

More corporations are partnering with higher education institutions and are partially or fully paying for online degree programs or microcredentials for their employees. This collaboration is providing more opportunities for students to upskill and advance their careers.

10. Increased Online Options Requiring Students to Be Diligent

As online opportunities increase, students should carefully consider their options. They should be aware of warning signs such as a lack of program accreditation and an absence of student services.

The future of online education is bright, with colleges and universities poised to offer more choices and opportunities than ever before. By embracing new technologies, expanding access to education, and personalizing learning experiences, online education will continue to play a vital role in shaping the future of higher education.
Kazakh police academies to improve curricula under UNODC project

UNODC has hosted a roundtable to discuss cooperation in strengthening the curricula of national police training institutions in Kazakhstan. The two-day dialogue, held at the Karaganda Polie Academy, involved senior officials of all police training institutions in Kazakhstan: the Almaty, Karaganda, and Kostanay Academies, as well as the Aktobe Law Institute and the Pavlodar and Shymkent Police Training Centres.

The Head of the Karaganda Police Academy, Akynkali Darmenov, conveyed the importance of the roundtable: "The training of highly qualified personnel for the internal affairs authorities, capable of performing their duties effectively in the new realities, dealing with the challenges and threats confronting us, interaction with civil society - this is an urgent task for all educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan. However, it is also important to realise that the training of highly qualified professionals is not the task of a single institution, but of the entire education system, in close cooperation with international organisations,".

Representatives of police academies and police training centres shared information about their respective training curricula and spoke about plans to enhance the quality of education in order to train community-oriented police personnel.

UNODC Project Manager, Wendy OBrien, identified the transformative role of education: "We are very pleased to be partnering with the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan in this initiative, supporting efforts that are well under way with the police modernisation agenda. We count the representatives of higher education institutions in Kazakhstan as key partners in this endeavour. Educators and education managers are uniquely placed to facilitate this transfer of knowledge  to bring this change to future generations of police cadets or police officers."

The roundtable contributed to the dialogue on optimising the quality of modern police education in Kazakhstan, taking into account international expertise and good practice.

The initiative is part of UNODC's project on Support to Police Reform in Kazakhstan. The project is designed to support the work of the Kazakhstan Internal Affairs Ministry in police modernization and is carried out with financial support from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

Story in Russian language

***

For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko

Communication and PR Specialist at

UNODC Criminal Justice and PVE Programmes in Central Asia

+996775987817 WhatsApp/Cell

vasilina.brazhko [at] un.org
UNODC supports the Kyrgyz Republic in development of tools for search of criminal assets

Every year, international corruption generates billions of dollars. Most of the assets acquired through corruption offenses will never be returned by the affected countries for the simple reason that they cannot be located.

The UNODC Program Office in the Kyrgyz Republic and INL project Support to the Kyrgyz Republics efforts in the field of identification, confiscation and recovering the illicitly-acquired assets emanating from corruption activities aims to assist the Government of Kyrgyzstan in improving the effectiveness of the national system for the identification, search, seizure and return of stolen assets , as well as the international search for stolen funds during the investigation of crimes that damage the financial interests of the country.

As part of the initiative, UNODC international experts Mr. Igoris Krzeckovskis and Mr. Irmantas Mikelionis, presented a draft concept for Strengthening Capacities in the Investigation and Seizure of Criminal Assets, as well as a Guide on International Legal Assistance in the Investigation, Seizure and Recovery of Criminal Assets.

These documents ware based on international standards and best practices of foreign law enforcement agencies in order to improve the efficiency of the activities of prosecutors and investigators of the Kyrgyz Republic, conducting investigations facts of corruption, drug trafficking, as well as other crimes that generate significant criminal profits.

The daily use of these tools will support significantly increase the effectiveness of protecting the financial system of the state and the interests of its citizens.

According to Mr. Kanat Asangulov, Chairman of the State Financial Intelligence Service under the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic, the discussion of the issues of arrest, confiscation and return of stolen assets is especially relevant, with the emergence of new challenges and threats in the modern world. We need to search for new tools for processing information related to financial crimes, and modern special methods for analyzing such information and a new level of interdepartmental interaction between our departments are required.

To improve the quality and efficiency of financial investigations, UNODC international experts conducted training on the use of financial investigation technologies to track, search and seize stolen assets both in the Kyrgyz Republic and in foreign countries.

Particular attention during the event was paid to the practical aspects of the interaction of law enforcement agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic with foreign colleagues, the possibility of using various channels of interaction in the course of the search for stolen assets, as well as the best practice for creating national interdepartmental centers responsible for identifying and suppressing serious economic crimes at an early stage.

During the implementation of the project, organized with the support of the US State Department's Division of International Drug Trafficking and Law Enforcement (INL), law enforcement agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic received significant support in strengthening the system for detecting, tracing and seizing criminal assets. The work on the project was done in a very active and close cooperation with national experts, in connection with which it was possible to achieve all the results set for the project. I am sure that the application of the developed methods and tools will create an effective barrier to theft and transfer abroad of both public and private assets, said Mr. Igoris Krzeckovskis, UNODC international expert in the field of fight against money laundering and asset recovery.

This project is funded by the U.S. State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs/ INL.

***

For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko

Communication and PR Specialist

At UNODC Criminal Justice Programme in Central Asia

by +996775987817 WhatsApp or

vasilina.brazhko [at] un.org
Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Monday told the Upper House of the Parliament that despite adverse of climate change agriculture sector was contributing 2.9% to national GDP and as per livelihood index had 37.4% share in the total livelihoods generated across the country

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2024) Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Monday told the Upper House of the Parliament that despite adverse of climate change agriculture sector was contributing 2.9% to national GDP and as per livelihood index had 37.4% share in the total livelihoods generated across the country.

He was responding to the motion and queries made by Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to discuss the effects of climate change on agriculture sector of the country in the light of the Countrys Economic Survey for the Financial Year 2022-23, released by the Ministry of Finance.

Senator Tarar thanked the movers for drawing attention towards the important issue and corrected the mover on deriding the Indus Water Treaty that it was this treaty that made India hesitant at international forums to engage in negotiations cross border water management talks.

The water Indus Treaty was done with India and negotiated through third party, the World Bank, whereas due to low riparian region was facing impacts of reduced water flows from India, he added.

Azam Tarar said, Climate change is a serious challenge and done by anthropogenic activities post industrial revolution. However, Pakistan due to lying in the Himalyan foothills is most affected by climate change.

The 2022 unexpected floods left 4.4 million acre crops damaged, one million livestock perished and millions of people affected by heatwaves, he said, adding,  In order to redress the damages, Kisan package 2022, seeds and agricultural medicines on subsidized rates, climate resilient seeds, establishment of seed developing authority, water storage and drip irrigation mechanisms have been introduced.

He informed that the National Adaptation Plan prepared that required the country $152 billion to implement the proposed plans by 2030.

Living Indus Initiative project has been started, and Recharge Pakistan project prepared to conserve rain and flood water is being initiated at a cost of $57 million whereas its first part is completed, Tarar said.

Climate Impact Agriculture research and planning project of $35 million was underway, whereas all these initiatives were started from the limited resources of the government, he added.

Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur while moving the motion said Pakistan has worlds second highest glaciers that were above 3000 and melting faster.

According to Economic Survey 2022-23, 34% of the arable land has been converted into non-agricultural land for development activities like housing societies. The green areas of Lahore and thriving mango orchards of Multan have been razed to build up housing project, she said.

Senator Dr Zarqa said the farmers were facing exploitation like the current wheat scandal and were not getting the actual prices of their produce.

She warned that amid global food security crisis by 2040, the country was also facing that similar threat due to its shrinking cultivatable land at the hands of land mafia.

She urged the chair to send the matter to the committee and all provinces should probe this matter as it was a serious loss.

Senator Zeeshan Khanzada of PTI said the agriculture sector was facing land use decline, whereas Pakistan was the fifth most impacted due to Greenhouse gases emissions impacts.

Our region is the most impacted due to floods that not only damage crop but also soil quality. Pakistan should raise its voice on global forums for climate finance and work on building dams to protect our land. We can benefit from global climate finance with increased share for Pakistan to build dams, he added.

He said food security was an issue that would aggravate in the coming years as it was witnessed during wheat season and therefore, food security should be on the governments top priority.

The Deputy Chairman Senate on completion of the debate disposed off the agenda.

APP/ajb-raz
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2024) A recent study by the Research & Innovation Centre at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) has shown the effectiveness of preventive measures taken to protect pilgrims from health risks associated with high temperatures during Hajj, according to SPA.

Despite an average temperature increase of 0.4 degrees Celsius per decade in Makkah, the study found a 74.6% decrease in the number of heat stroke cases, and a 47.6% decrease in mortality rates. These positive outcomes can be attributed to the implementation of preventive measures, which create a safe and healthy environment for pilgrims.

The study, published in the Journal of travel Medicine, examines four decades of meteorological data and records of heat-related illnesses during the Hajj season in Makkah, highlighting the relationship between rising temperature and the associated health risks.

According to the study, Saudi Arabia has implemented several measures at individual, structural, and community levels to mitigate heat-related health risks for pilgrims during Hajj. These measures include using water mist sprays to cool the air in open spaces and reduce heat for the crowds, providing water and umbrellas to pilgrims, and ensuring the availability of air-conditioned transport, including metro lines operational since 2010, which offer comfortable transportation for pilgrims.

Moreover, the Kingdom has focused on increasing awareness among pilgrims and healthcare providers about heat-related illnesses, ensuring access to free healthcare services during Hajj, and improving the surveillance and management of cases.

This includes implementing heat-related disease management guidelines set by the Ministry of Health, which outline specific procedures before and after hospital admission.

The release added that these measures enable quick identification and treatment of heat-related cases during Hajj for a better outcome. Additionally, environmental engineering strategies and building design have been integrated to enhance natural ventilation, decrease heat retention at the holy sites, increase shading areas, and reduce overcrowding.

The results of the study extend beyond the local context and can be generalized to the global population.

The Hajj serves as "a unique microcosm" for studying heat-related risks, as it is attended by millions of pilgrims from over 180 countries who perform rituals in a high-temperature desert environment. This aspect holds "immense scientific value" for planning and improving responses to rising global temperatures, according to the release.

KFSH&RC has been ranked first in the middle East and Africa and 20th globally, in the list of the worlds top 250 Academic Medical Centers for the second consecutive year, and recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, according to the 2024 Brand Finance rankings. Additionally in the same year, it was ranked among the world's best 250 hospitals by Newsweek magazine," the release said.
The two-day Pakistan Travel and Tourism Symposium jointly organized by Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and World Bank Pakistan started here on Monday at Pakistan National Council of Arts

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2024) The two-day Pakistan Travel and Tourism Symposium jointly organized by Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and World Bank Pakistan started here on Monday at Pakistan National Council of Arts .

The symposium themed "Building the National Economy through Tourism" where more than 20 foreign delegates and more than 400 national and international tourism professionals, industry experts, and decision-makers have participated and shared their ideas for development of a future road map for the sustainable growth of tourism industry of Pakistan.

On this occasion, a tourism expo was also been organized to showcase Pakistans rich tourism potential and create G2G, B2B and G2B linkages among the industry stakeholders.

This Symposium is designed to explore and enhance critical facets of the tourism sector, with a focus on green investments, improving connectivity, responsible tourism, and the conservation of natural and cultural heritage.

The event aims to foster a transformative dialogue among stakeholders to address pivotal challenges, forge synergies, and capitalize on opportunities in the evolving tourism landscape.

The opening ceremony of the symposium was attended by the as Chief Guest, Chairman Prime Ministers Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Minister for Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives Sindh Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah and Additional Secretary Cabinet Division Hammad Shamimi.

Addressing the participants, Chairman Prime Ministers Youth Program, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said that Pakistan, a land of rich history, diverse culture, and breathtaking natural beauty, offered countless opportunities for travelers, explorers, and adventure-seekers alike.

"From the majestic Karakoram Mountains to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, our country is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be discovered" Rana said.

He added that incumbent government was committed to develop tourism sector across the country and also working on different projects in all the provinces to ensure the sustainable and eco-friendly growth of this sector for the socio-economic development and employment generation for the people of Pakistan.

"All these efforts will also greatly help in projecting the soft image of Pakistan at global level as tourist friendly country" he hoped.

He emphasized that there was great potential to engage the youth in the tourism and hospitality sector work force.

He underlined formulating appropriate policy responses was imperative to ensure that the increasing number of youths were offered opportunities for quality education, vocational training, and skilled employment in this sector.

Chairman PM's Youth Programme also asked the participated experts to recommend its policies that should be implemented to achieve this goal.

Speaking on the occasion Additional Secretary Cabinet Division, Hammad Shamimi said that we were committed to making Pakistan a top tourist destination, adding "Our efforts include improving infrastructure, facilitating connectivity, and fostering a business-friendly environment that encourages investment in the tourism sector".

Moreover, he said, the government was dedicated to promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices that preserved natural and cultural heritage for future generations.

Earlier, in his opening remarks Managing Director of PTDC, Aftab ur Rehman welcomed all the distinguished guests and said that this gathering represented a vital moment for us, highlighting the crucial role, tourism played in our economic and social landscape.

This sector is not only a vital driver of economic growth but also a powerful catalyst for job creation and poverty alleviation.

He said that we created this platform to initiate a process of dialogue among the stakeholders to shape the future of tourism in Pakistan.

The symposium will surely produce tangible outcomes, including strategic frameworks, policy recommendations, and collaborative initiatives that would greatly contribute to the sustainable growth of the tourism economy in Pakistan, he added.

Furthermore, he said that discussions and collaborations that would take place during this symposium were vital and by promoting responsible tourism practices and fostering innovative solutions, adding "We can ensure that our tourism sector thrives in harmony with our natural and cultural heritage."

He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the team of PTDC, World Bank Group, and all the partner organizations who were contributing to this important event and thanked all the international and national delegates for sparing time to join us on this important occasion.

Deputy Secretary General ECO, Jandos Asanov in his address extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Pakistan, especially the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) for inviting their delegation to this important gathering.

He said that Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) aimed to enhance its Member States' economies through sustainable development.

The region, with a population of over 500 million and a GDP of nearly 2.5 trillion USD, had immense tourism potential while hosting 86 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including six of them in Pakistan, it attracted around 80 million visitors last year, he added.

Pakistan, he said, was one of the leading destinations among the ECO Member States achieved remarkable results in terms of receipts last year and in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to 2019.

He further stated that in light of the dynamic nature of the tourism sector, it was essential to provide travelers with convenient travel arrangements.

He said long-term investments in tourism infrastructure were crucial to offer suitable travel conditions and diversify accommodation opportunities.

"Apart from national budgets, international investment opportunities also have a significant potential for our region and we have been observing that infrastructure developers such as global hotel chains and airports have shown increased interest in the ECO region," he added.

He said that Pakistan offered very attractive opportunities for tourism investments, especially for adventure and mountain tourism.

It is pertinent to mention here that the symposium will also witnessed four different panel discussions on various topics.

The first panel discussion was on Green Investments in Tourism and Hospitality Sector while the second panel discussion was on Improving Connectivity, Aviation, Transportation and Visa Facilitation. Similarly, the third panel discussion was on "Responsible Tourism and Conservation of natural and cultural heritage".

Furthermore, the fourth panel discussion session was on "Tourism products diversification- religious and cultural heritage tourism". While presentations on New Tourism Products was also part of the event.

The symposium also included a captivating "Tourism Expo," which provided an opportunity to the participants to explore the rich tourism potential of Pakistan and its provinces through booths and stalls showcasing diverse attractions.

Educational and hospitality training institutes, corporates, and tour operators also presented their contributions to the tourism landscape.

This interactive expo also provided attendees the opportunity to learn about the upcoming tourism events taking place across the country, for institutions to showcase courses, interact with students, and inspire future professionals.

Moreover, COTHM Global, a leading tourism and hospitality training institute also organized a culinary show where students showcased their y art skills.
PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2024) President PPP, district tribal district Khyber, Farhad Khan Afridi Monday welcomed the appointment of Faisal Karim Kundi as Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and asked the provincial government to cooperate with him.

Addressing a press conference here at Peshawar Press Club (PPC), he said that in the current deteriorating law and order situation and unemployment, Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur should focus on the reconstruction of the province and avoid creating unnecessary fissure .

He said that in case of any difficult situation, they would be standing by the governor.

Besides, Shah Rehman Shinwari, district general secretary and Javed Shah, general secretary PPP Tehsil Bara, district Khyber, other party workers from the tribal district also flanked him on the occasion.

The PPP leader demanded of both provincial government and Federal government for providing health, education facilities and development of infrastructure beside generation of employment opportunities for the youth of the former federal administered tribal area (Fata).

Similarly, he said that most of houses in their area in district Khyber were demolished during operation against terrorists and the government had announced a compensation of Rs 0.4 million for the owner of each such house in the region. But, so far they had not received any amount in that regard, he pointed out.

He also called for the implementation of the Sartaj Aziz's recommendations in letter and spirit and particularly the fulfillment of the allocation of three persons in the National Finance Commission (NFC) for the development of the merged districts and spending of Rs 100 billion annually to bring them at par with the other parts of the country.

Farhad Afridi said that they still owned their struggle for the merger of the former Fata with the settled areas of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that majority of the tribesmen were annoyed of the Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) and Malik System.

The PPP leader said that their support for the merger was aimed the development and provision of basic amenities to the people of the region.

APP/aqk
Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2024) Far-right gains in EU elections triggered a political earthquake in France on Sunday, with President Emmanuel Macron calling snap legislative polls in a high-risk move.

Though centrist mainstream parties kept an overall majority in the European Parliament, across the bloc extreme-right parties notched a string of high-profile wins.

They finished first in France, Italy, and Austria and came second in Germany and the Netherlands, according to preliminary results.

"We will build a bastion against the extremes from the left and the right," vowed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, whose centre-right European People's Party (EPP) scored top place.

More than 360 million Europeans across 27 countries were eligible to vote to elect the 720-seat legislature.

The next parliament, and the next commission, will have to deal with Russia's continuing war in Ukraine, global trade tensions marked by US-China rivalry, a climate emergency and the prospect of a disruptive new Donald Trump presidency.

As the EPP's lead candidate, von der Leyen wants a second mandate running the commission.

EU leaders are to start deciding whether to name her or another choice as early as June 17, ahead of a June 27-28 summit.

In France, though, a resounding EU poll win by the far-right National Rally (RN) party of Marine Le Pen dealt such a blow to Macron that he called national legislative elections for June 30, a month before the Paris Olympics.

"I cannot act as if nothing had happened," he said in a national address. The French people, he said, must now make "the best choice for itself and future generations".

The RN won 31.5 percent of the vote to 15 percent for Macron's centrist Renaissance party, according to exit polls.

"We are ready to take power if the French show trust in us," Le Pen told her party, whose leader is Jordan Bardella, her 28-year-old TikTok-friendly protege.

Macron himself will see through the rest of his current -- and final -- presidential term which ends in 2027, at which point Le Pen has ambitions of succeeding him.

The French drama electrified an already charged day as votes were cast and tallied, and attention was focused on how well the far right fared in each country.

In Germany, the EU's biggest economy, the scandal-plagued, fiercely anti-immigrant AfD party handed dismal news to Chancellor Olaf Scholz by beating his Social Democrats 16 percent to 14 percent.

The AfD -- judged too extreme for Le Pen, who broke off an alliance with it just before the elections -- was kept in place by the opposition CDU-CSU bloc, which won 29.5 percent.

The far-right parties in the Netherlands and Belgium both also gained ground but came up short compared with voter intentions credited to them before the elections.

In Austria, the far-right Freedom Party led the count according to exit polls, the first time the group has topped a nationwide ballot in the Alpine country.

In Italy, the ruling post-fascist Brothers of Italy of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni did better than predicted, coming out on top with 28 percent -- making her one of the rare major European leaders to emerge strengthened from the polls.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's far-right Fidesz party did much worse, with partial results showing what could be its worst-ever score in its 14-year rule, though a still substantial 43 percent.

The various extreme-right parties are broken into factions in the European Parliament.

While all share anti-immigrant platforms, divisions run deep between those wanting to keep up Europe's role in helping Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion, such as Meloni's party, and those leery of it, which include Le Pen's RN.

Provisional results from the parliament after all polls closed showed the center-right EPP with 189 seats, the center-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) with 135, and the Renew Europe grouping that includes Macron's party with 83.

The EPP registered a slight gain, while the S&D and Renew lost seats, taking into account the parliament swelling to 720 members from a previous 705 because of demographic growth in EU countries.

The two far-right groups, the ECR, and ID, were respectively credited with 72 and 58 seats -- proportionally roughly the same as before. Other far-right parties, such as the AfD and Fidesz, were unaffiliated but could end up incorporating into one of the factions.

Von der Leyen hailed the EPP's result, calling the group "the anchor of stability".

Elsewhere around Europe, Green parties appeared among the biggest losers of the night -- as right-wing opponents channeled discontent into anger at the EU's environmental push.
Rome, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2024) Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's far-right party won a decisive victory in European elections in Italy, securing at least 27 percent of the vote, according to early projections.

The centre-left Democratic Party came in second place with more than 23 percent, according to three projections published by broadcasters RAI, Mediaset and the La7 television channel.

Meloni had been expected to win, but 27 percent would be a particularly good result, surpassing the 26 percent her party won in Italian general elections in September 2022.

It represents a remarkable reversal from European Parliament elections in 2019 in Italy, when the then marginal post-fascist party secured just six percent of the vote.

Back then, it was Matteo Salvini's far-right, anti-immigration League party that triumphed with 34 percent. On Sunday, it was projected to secure around eight percent of the vote.

That would put them behind Forza Italia, the right-wing party founded by late ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi, which was projected to have won around 10 percent of the vote.

The Five Star Movement of former premier Giuseppe Conte was predicted to have won around 11 percent.

Meloni had held up the European vote as a referendum on her personal leadership, asking voters to write simply "Giorgia" on their ballots.

She stood for election herself but will not take up her seat, as being an MEP is incompatible with national political office.

All eyes will be on what Meloni will do with her increased influence in Brussels.

She has been courted both by Ursula von der Leyen of the centre-right EPP group -- who is vying for a second term leading the powerful European Commission -- and France's far-right Marine Le Pen.

Le Pen's National Rally was projected to win around 33 percent in the elections, trouncing French President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance and prompting him to call snap legislative elections.

Meloni's party is in one of two main far-right groups in the European Parliament, the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), alongside Spain's Vox.

Le Pen is in the Identity and Democracy group, which also includes Salvini's League.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. Transitioning to green technologies requires significant financial investment, said Nigar Arpadarai, Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29, said, Trend reports.

She made the remark during an event themed "Sustainable Development: Issues and Solutions".

"The shift to green technologies comes with a hefty price tag, requiring trillions of dollars to steer towards a 'green' economy. The question arises: where will this funding come from, and what financing mechanisms will be utilized? We're already witnessing the impacts of climate change. Personally, until I became involved in the COP process, I didn't fully grasp the urgency of the issue. Being in the current situation, you realize that while the world is diverse, it's also interconnected. Conversely, we see the challenges faced by various nations. For instance, small island states are declaring an existential threat, signaling their imminent disappearance. Discussions are ongoing, but decisions are imperative," she emphasized.

Arpadarai noted that awareness of the problem is growing, hindering progress to the next level without decisive action.

"In this regard, there's a pressing issue. For example, we're observing a decline in the Caspian Sea level. Other countries are also grappling with severe environmental issues. Looking at the disasters that have occurred this year, it's clear how grave they are. The responsibility to make decisions is significant, and if we fail to act, these disasters will only escalate. Scientists are already recognizing these problems, and we're witnessing them firsthand. This isn't just theoretical speculation about stability; it's a harsh reality," she concluded.

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 Germany's Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2024) A smart robot service has been launched in Madinah to assist pilgrims visiting the Prophets Mosque.

The robot, a project from the Ministry of Health branch in Madinah province, is positioned in the courtyard next to the Prophets Mosque.

The service aims to display and broadcast educational messages, guidance, and health instructions for the safety and awareness of pilgrims in over 96 languages from around the world.

Meanwhile, the volunteer and awareness teams of the Health Ministry branch of Madinah continue their fieldwork with 220 male and female volunteers and over 12 teams working around the clock to serve the guests of Allah.

They provide health and emergency services during the Hajj season at the Prophet's Mosque and its access roads, Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, and Haramain Train Station, as well as the mosques of Quba, Khandaq, Sayyid Al-Shuhada, and Miqat Dhul-Hulaifah.
(UroToday.com) The Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2024 Annual Meeting held in Toronto, ON between June 8th and June 11th, 2024 was host to a prostate cancer therapy session. Dr. Benjapa Khiewvan presented the first Thai experience with Lu-177-PSMA-I&T treatment for patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

177Lu-PSMA-617 (PLUVICTO) is currently approved for the treatment of adult mCRPC patients who experience disease progression following treatment with an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) and taxane-based chemotherapy.1 The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of Lu-177 PSMA therapy in a single tertiary institute and determine predictors for treatment outcomes and survival.

Dr. Khiewvan and colleagues retrospectively reviewed data from 40 mCRPC patients referred for treatment with Lu-177 PSMA I&T between August 2019 and December 2023 following disease progression with prior chemotherapy and ADT. Fluorine-18 PSMA-1007 PET/CT was performed in all patients before Lu-177 PSMA I&T treatment and after each treatment cycle. PSA was measured before and after each cycle of Lu-177 PSMA I&T treatment. The study investigators assessed potential prognostic factors such as PSA, standardized uptake value (SUV), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) as predictors of PSA response (PSA decline > 50%) and compared survival in PSA responders (50% decline) versus non-responders (PSA decline <50% or rising). Statistical comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and time-to-event analyses were performed using Kaplan Meier curve analyses.

Forty patients received 104 cycles of Lu-177 PSMA I&T treatment. The baseline patient characteristics are summarized in the table below.

After the 1st cycle of treatment, 25% of patients had a PSA response (i.e., PSA decline 50%), with an additional 30% having a PSA decline <50%. After all cycles, the corresponding proportions were 22.5% and 15%, respectively.

The median overall survival for patients with a PSA response after the 1st cycle or all cycles was significantly longer than those who did not achieve a PSA response.

Pre-treatment MTV significantly predicted PSA response after all cycles (p-value = 0.046). Neither pre-treatment PSA level nor SUVmax predicted PSA response after either the 1 cycle (p-values= 0.36 and 0.72, respectively) or after all cycles (p-values= 0.21 and 0.98, respectively). Pre-treatment TLG did not predict PSA response after 1 cycle (p-value = 0.079) and after all cycles (p-value = 0.081). The median survival time was 10 months (range: 1 to 43 months).

Dr. Khiewyan concluded as follows:

The initial experience from their institute demonstrated the benefit of Lu-177 PSMA I&T treatment in mCRPC after the failure of ADT and chemotherapy.

Pretreatment PSA, SUVmax and TLG cannot predict PSA response after the 1 st or all cycles.

or all cycles. Pretreatment MTV can predict PSA response after all cycles but cannot predict PSA response after the 1 st cycle.

cycle. Patients with a PSA response after the 1st cycle or all cycles seem to have a longer overall survival compared to those with a PSA decline <50% or progression after treatment.

Presented by: Benjapa Khiewvan, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Radiology (Nuclear Medicine), Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

Written by: Rashid Sayyid, MD, MSc  Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) Clinical Fellow at The University of Toronto, @rksayyid on Twitter during the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2024 Annual Meeting held in Toronto, ON between June 8th and June 11th, 2024



References:
(UroToday.com) The Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2024 Annual Meeting held in Toronto, ON between June 8th and June 11th, 2024 was host to a prostate cancer therapy session. Dr. Meryam Losee presented the results of a study evaluating the effect of bone marrow disease on hematologic toxicity and PSA response to 177Lu-PSMA-617 therapy.

In the phase 3 VISION trial, all outcome endpoints favored 177LuPSMA-617 (LuPSMA) + standard of care (SOC) compared to SOC alone, leading to LuPSMA approval for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).1,2 Beyond clinical trial-defined eligibility criteria, Dr. Losee noted that it remains challenging to identify those patients most likely to benefit from or experience adverse events (AEs) from newly approved drugs. In VISION, ~50% of men in the LuPSMA arm did not have a PSA50 response, and ~47% had hematologic AEs. Furthermore, patients with asuperscan bone scan were excluded, but the amount of bone disease on PSMA-PET/CT was not considered.

There is evidence from retrospective studies that patients with diffuse bone involvement on PSMA-PET/CT have a PSA50 response rate of 58% with grade 34 hematologic adverse events occurring in 8-22% of patients,3 and patients who have a total tumor SUVmean >10 exhibit a better response to LuPSMA.4 This study aimed to evaluate if the extent and heterogeneity of bone disease on PSMA-PET/CT was associated with hematologic AEs and PSA50 response. The study investigators hypothesized that a higher percentage of bone disease with a corresponding lower SUV of 3-10 would predict more hematologic toxicity with a lower PSA50 responses, compared to those with a higher percentage of bone disease with an SUV >10.

Dr. Losee and colleagues queried an IRB-approved prospectively maintained registry to evaluate all mCRPC patients who received standard-of-care LuPSMA at their institution between June 2022 and July 2023. All met VISION criteria with 1 PSMA-avid lesion (uptake > liver) to be eligible for standard-of-care LuPSMA.

Pre-therapy PSMA-PET/CT scans were analyzed for disease burden using the aPROMISE platform (EXINI Diagnostics). The following data were extracted:

Total tumor SUVmean

Total bone volume

Total volume of PSMA-avid disease in the bone (voxel SUV > 3)

Percentage of bone disease with SUV > 10

Percentage of bone disease with SUV 3-10.

Clinical data was extracted from the registry and medical record, including dose delays, dose reductions or discontinuations due to hematologic AEs, the reason for stopping LuPSMA, and PSA levels during treatment. PSA50 response was defined as 50% decline in PSA level at any time during LuPSMA therapy. The Wilcoxon rank sum and Fisher exact tests were used to perform univariable comparisons.

Ninety-seven men (mean age 72 +/- 8 years) received 1 cycle of LuPSMA (median: 4 cycles, range: 16). Nineteen patients experienced hematologic toxicity.

Of the 95 patients with PSMA-avid bone disease, the median percentage of total bone volume with PSMA-avid disease was 1.9%. The median percentage of voxels with bone disease SUV >10 and 310 was 17% and 53%, respectively.





Patients with a higher percentage of PSMA-avid bone disease in the total bone volume (=voxel SUV > 3) were more likely to require dose delays or reductions (p<0.001) or dose discontinuation (p=0.006) due to hematologic AEs, compared to those with a lower percentage.





No significant associations were found between heterogeneity of PSMA uptake in bone disease (percent of voxels with SUV > 10 vs. 3-10) and hematologic AEs. The reason for stopping treatment was completion of all planned 6 cycles (n=36), progressive disease (n=42), toxicity (n=10), and other (n=9). Compared to patients who completed 6 cycles of LuPSMA, a higher volume of bone disease was observed for those who stopped LuPSMA for toxicity (p=0.0025) or progressive disease (p=0.0031).







The overall PSA50 response rate was 53% (n=51). Of the 96 evaluable patients for PSA50 response, those with a much higher proportion of bone disease with SUV 3-10, compared to SUV>10, had a significantly lower PSA50 response rate (30.3% vs. 64.5%, p=0.002). PSA50 responders were more likely to have a higher total tumor SUVmean (median 8.7, range 2.8-22.6) versus PSA-50 non-responders (median 6.5, range 2.8-15.6, p=0.01).





Dr. Losee concluded that this data validates total tumor SUVmean as a predictor of PSA50 response. Both total volume and heterogeneity of PSMA-avid bone disease appear to be associated with the likelihood of PSA50 response. A higher percentage of PSMA-avid bone disease was associated with hematologic AEs and the reason for stopping LuPSMA. These findings may be helpful to guide clinical decision-making around dosing of LuPSMA therapy in routine practice and to select patients for clinical trials.

Presented by: Meryam Losee, BS, George Washington School of Medicine, Washington, DC.

Written by: Rashid Sayyid, MD, MSc  Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) Clinical Fellow at The University of Toronto, @rksayyid on Twitter during the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2024 Annual Meeting held in Toronto, ON between June 8th and June 11th, 2024





References:
(UroToday.com) The 2024 Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) annual meeting featured a session on prostate cancer and a presentation by Dr. Dan Cohen discussing PSMA PET and insights gained from eight years of reimbursable imaging. Dr. Cohen started his presentation by highlighting that in January 2016, PSMA-based PET imaging was added to the Israeli national list of reimbursable health services. Subsequently, Israel emerged as one of the earliest countries in the world to apply PSMA-based PET in consecutive patients:





As such, ongoing data has transformed the way prostate cancer is understood and approached clinically. For in vivo molecular imaging, signals must penetrate biological tissues and the detector must have high sensitivity. PSMA is a prostate-specific membrane antigen that is overexpressed in prostate cancer cells compared to normal prostate tissue. In the 1980s, PSMA was targeted with the 111In-Abs, which required the antibody to traverse the cellular membrane and bind to the intracellular portion of the PSMA protein, with limited signal intensity:



However, in the 2010s, there was development of targeting with labeled PSMA ligands, allowing targeting of the extracellular portion of the PSMA protein:

Thus, the revolution of in vivo whole-body PET imaging for prostate cancer arrived. In the management of prostate cancer, the general workflow typically includes a noninvasive assessment with a DRE (T stage) or mpMRI (providing a PI-RADS score) for men with an elevated PSA. This is followed by a definitive diagnosis with a prostate biopsy, leading to an ISUP Gleason Grade, and followed by whole-body imaging for those diagnosed with clinically significant prostate cancer. Historically, this may have included a CT and bone scan (more recently a PSMA PET/CT), leading to the development of a therapy strategy:

PSMA PET/CT may: (i) accurately identify prostate cancer lesions, (ii) stratify patients at diagnosis, and (iii) guide treatment selection, ie surgery versus radiotherapy, radiotherapy alone, or hormonal therapy. Subsequently, PSMA PET/CT may allow monitoring of response (versus stable versus progression) and provide continued follow-up. During this time, PSMA PET/CT may detect localized recurrence sites and patterns of recurrence (prostate bed recurrence, oligometastatic recurrence, and poly-metastatic recurrence). For those patients with disease progression, PSMA PET/CT may allow for assessment of molecular resistance mechanisms and monitor clinical deterioration. Dr. Cohen then discussed the following topics based on vast amounts of published data:

The different PSMA ligands The utility of PSMA PET for local staging Revisiting previously held conceptions for metastatic staging From black spots to molecular insights Can PSMA PET modify traditional clinical workflows?

The following figure demonstrates the chemical structure of the different PSMA ligands, including 68Ga-PSMA-617, 68Ga-PSMA-11, and 18F-PSMA-1007:

There are several other key differences between ligands, including:

Excretion: Urinary > biliary excretion ( 68 Ga-PSMA-11) and biliary > urinary excretion ( 18 F-PSMA-1007)

Ga-PSMA-11) and biliary > urinary excretion ( F-PSMA-1007) Half-life: t 1/2 68 minutes ( 68 Ga) and t 1/2 110 minutes ( 1 8 F), which leads to better spatial resolution for 1 8 F

68 minutes ( Ga) and t 110 minutes ( F), which leads to better spatial resolution for F Bone uptake: 18F-PSMA-1007 is associated with unspecific focal bone uptake in ~34% of scans

Dr. Cohen notes that because of more biliary excretion than urinary excretion, their departmental approach is to use 18F-PSMA-1007 in biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

With regards to local staging, how does PSMA PET/CT do for identifying extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle involvement, or involvement of nearby organs (such as lymph node involvement)? Work from Dekalo et al.1 compared PET findings and radical prostatectomy pathology specimens (n = 61) and found that 0/27 extraprostatic extension cases found at the time of radical prostatectomy were suggested by PSMA PET/CT findings. In a prospective study of 140 patients, all underwent whole-body PET-CT and subsequent pelvic PET-MRI, and there was good agreement for intra-prostatic lesions (k = 0.85), lymph node involvement (k = 0.98), and bone (k = 0.76) assessment.2 However, there was worse agreement in seminal vesicle involvement (k = 0.31) and extraprostatic extension (k = 0.25) assessment:

For M-staging, 99mTc-MDP bone scan mainly reported osteoblastic activity. But based on PSMA expression, are these indeed osteoblastic lesions?

In a study by Kesler et al3 assessing the incidence and type of skeletal involvement in a large cohort of patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer referred for Ga-68 PSMA-11 PET/CT staging, among 963 consecutive patients, bone metastases were found in 188 (19.5%). Osteoblastic type metastases were the most common type of bone metastases presented in 133 of the patients with malignant bone involvement (70.7%). Furthermore, more than half of them had only osteoblastic lesions (72 patients (38.3%)), while the other (61 patients (32.5%)) had also intramedullary and/or osteolytic type lesions:

With regards to the shift from black spots seen on nuclear medicine bone scan to molecular insights from PSMA suggest that an increase in lesions, an increase in intensity of uptake, and the total volume of PSMA expression suggests that more equals bad disease. Additionally, even in situations where there is only a slight increase in PSA, new PSMA expression metastases indicates progressive disease:

Moreover, patients without a history of hormonal therapy may underestimate PSMA expression, where has hormone therapy may lead to PSMA expression and revealing the true burden of disease:

Ultimately, less expression (ie. iodine uptake, SSTR expression, or PSMA expression) is also bad. This typically represents a movement from a differentiated, castration-sensitive disease state to an undifferentiated and castration-resistant disease state:



Work from Dr. Cohens group reviewed the available literature assessing de novo neuroendocrine differentiation versus primary prostatic neuroendocrine tumors. In cases of treatment-induced neuroendocrine differentiation, they concluded that PSMA expression may be low and that [18F]FDG or radiolabeled somatostatin-analogues should be preferred for imaging. In cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma with de novo neuroendocrine differentiation, there is superiority for radiolabeled PSMA ligands. In cases of primary neuroendocrine malignancies, the use of [18F]FDG for imaging high-grade primary prostatic neuroendocrine carcinomas and radiolabeled somatostatin-analogues for imaging well-differentiated primary prostatic neuroendocrine tumors is recommended. The aforementioned is highlighted by the following case summary:

Finally, can PSMA PET modify traditional clinical workflows? More specifically can non-invasive assessment skip the step of definitive diagnosis (ie. biopsy) and go straight to whole-body PSMA PET/CT staging? Dr. Cohen and Kesler et al.5 assessed 100 consecutive patients > 80 years of age who underwent 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT. Overall, 34 (34%) had no pre-imaging biopsy and compared to those with a prostate biopsy, those without a prostate biopsy were older (median age, 87 versus 82 years; p < 0.01), with worse performance status (p < 0.01) and higher PSA levels (median, 57 versus 15.4 ng/mL; p < 0.01). On 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT, all patients that did not have a biopsy had avid disease, with trends toward higher rates of bone metastases (47.1% versus 28.8%) and overall advanced disease (50% versus 33.3%) than in those who had a biopsy. Among 39 patients with advanced disease, 38 received hormonal therapy irrespective of their biopsy status. Among those patients not undergoing a prostate biopsy with advanced disease who were referred for hormonal therapy, 12 of 13 with follow-up data showed a biochemical or imaging-based response. Dr. Cohens group provided the following adjusted staging algorithm suggested for elderly patients:



Dr. Cohen concluded his presentation discussing PSMA PET and insights gained from eight years of reimbursable imaging with the following take-home messages:

Prostate cancer cells overexpress the PSMA glycoprotein

Different radiolabeled PSMA ligands are available for PET: Report on lesion with PSMA overexpression or lesion with PSMA-ligand uptake Do not report on PSMA uptake in the prostate  this is simply wrong

Know which PSMA ligand you use: There are different pharmacokinetics There are some different patterns of uptake

Know what we can and cannot accurately report in local prostate cancer staging PSMA-based PET/CT is unlikely to predict extracapsular extension

PSMA-positive bone metastasis exhibits different bone behavior

Is there a decrease in PSMA expression over time? Keep in mind the possibility of dedifferentiation

Ongoing data may further change traditional clinical algorithms

Presented by: Professor Dan Cohen, PhD, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

Written by: Zachary Klaassen, MD, MSc  Urologic Oncologist, Associate Professor of Urology, Georgia Cancer Center, Wellstar MCG Health, @zklaassen_md on Twitter during the 2024 Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) Annual Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Sat, June 8  Tues, June 11, 2024.

References:
(UroToday.com) The 2024 Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) annual meeting featured the Therapy Center of Excellence Saul Hertz Lecture and Award, and a presentation by Dr. Michael Hofman discussing bridging evidence-based medicine and precision oncology. Saul Hertz (1905-1950) conceived and brought from bench to bedside radioactive iodine for medical uses based on the 1936 question Could iodine be made radioactive artificially? This was followed by the 1937 radioactive iodine studies assessing thyroid physiology, tracer qualities, dosimetry, and thyroid carcinoma. On March 31, 1941, there was the first report of therapeutic use of radioactive iodine based on a series of 29 patients.



The Saul Hertz Award was established in 2016 soon after the launch of the SNMMI Therapy Center of Excellence, based on a Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of the professional achievements of Dr. Hertz as the pioneer in Radioiodine Therapy. This years recipient of the Saul Hertz Award is Dr. Michael S. Hofman, who has received ~$35 million in research funding as a Chief Investigator since 2012. To date, his research has 18,500+ citations, (84% in the last 5 years), > 280 publications, 45 publications with >100 citations, h-index of 64, and on ExpertScape he is #1 for Lutetium and #2 for PET/CT.

Dr. Hofman notes that radio-iodine after >80 years is still the best theranostic to date, noting that for metastatic thyroid cancer, patients can be imaged with 124I PET or 123I/131I SPECT, can be treated with 131I and can achieve >300+ Gy to the tumor. As follows is Hofmans Hierarchy of Theranostics, noting that compounds with low uptake will not improve patient outcomes, PSMA & DOTATE are game changers (early, combined, and personalized), and there is hope that the next theranostic can still beat iodine and provide curative theranostics:



Dr. Hofmans theranostic journey started in 2005 when he attended the EANM annual congress and noted presentations on 177Lu-DOTA0, Tyr3 therapy, and 68Ga-DOTA-Tyr3-octreotide-PET as a tracer of choice for staging neuroendocrine tumors. His team then ushered in 68Ga-DOTATE PET for imaging neuroendocrine tumors in 2012, which was eventually funded in Australia in 2018. Since then, there has been an explosion of availability of 68Ga-DOTATE PET in Australia, starting with one center in 2010 and now up to 116 centers in 2024:



Dr. Hofman notes that in 2012 he and his team thought that PET could replace most/all of conventional nuclear medicine, with superior image quality and faster acquisition. Moreover, he thought it was cost-effective, with flexible acquisition protocols, high-resolution nuclear medicine, and new tracers providing new indications. 177Lu-DOTATE in neuroendocrine tumors subsequently followed the PET imaging, with exceptional responses noted in metastatic gastrinoma, metastatic paraganglioma, pediatric refractory neuroblastoma, and metastatic cervical small cell carcinoma in combination with etoposide. It was at this point in 2013 that Dr. Hofman realized that while personalized medicine may be optimal, high level evidence and registration was needed and prospective data critical in order to trigger acceptance by oncologists. Thus, he was convinced that randomized controlled trials were the only way to convince oncologists and funders, not case reports/case series. This is evident in the Peter Mac theranostic program of trials and publications, noting the prospective trials/data from 2016 onward, particularly for 177Lu-PSMA and 177Lu-DOTATE:



The first PSMA PET/CT scan was done at Peter Mac in 2014 on a patient with Gleason 9 prostate cancer with normal conventional imaging. His PSMA PET/CT showed bone metastasis, a 3 mm lymph node, and primary prostate cancer:



Again, Dr. Hofman felt that a registration trial was necessary, thus the concept of the proPSMA trial was born in 2015, followed by a detailed proposal, trial launch, recruitment and analysis, and publication in 2020.1 proPSMA was a multi-center randomized controlled trial of men with histologically confirmed prostate cancer who were being considered for curative intent radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy. All patients had at least one high-risk factor including serum PSA  20 ng/mL, Grade Group 3 to 5 disease, or clinical stage T3 or greater. Following enrollment, patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either conventional imaging consisting of bone scan and CT or 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT. Between 2017 and 2018, 302 patients were randomized to either conventional imaging (n = 152) or 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT (n = 150). PSMA PET/CT demonstrated a 27% absolute greater AUC for accuracy compared to conventional imaging (92% versus 65%) for the detection of either pelvic nodal or distant metastatic disease. Conventional imaging had both a lower sensitivity (38% versus 85%) and specificity (91% versus 98%). Subgroup analyses by site of metastasis demonstrated the superiority of PSMA PET/CT for pelvic nodal (AUC: 91% versus 59%) and distant metastases (AUC: 95% versus 74%):

Since then, this publication has more than 1,390 citations (top 10% of Lancet). Following publication of this trial, Dr. Hofman noted Establishing collaborative networks, working together, and upskilling the next generation of specialists in clinical trial methodology are key to achieving this goal. As new radiotracers emerge, there is a pressing need to develop and enroll patients in well-designed clinical trials. These are our best chance to properly evaluate the impact of our tests and enable widespread acceptance.

Dr. Hofman notes that the first results of 177Lu-PSMA-I&T were presented at the 3rd World Congress in Theranostics in March 2015, with data on 37 patients showing best PSA response in the following figure:



Following this, Dr. Hofmans group published results of the LuPSMA single-center, single-arm, phase 2 study,2 showing that in 30 patients there was a PSA50 response in 64% of patients leading the way for prospective trials to attempt to change clinical paradigms:



This led to the TheraP trial, which was the first randomized clinical trial of LuPSMA.3 TheraP was the first randomized study to evaluate 177Lu-PSMA-617 vs cabazitaxel for men with mCRPC after docetaxel. To screen into the study, all men had both 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 18F-FDG PET/CT and were required to have high PSMA-expression (at least one site with SUVmax  20) and no sites of FDG-positive/PSMA-negative disease. All patients had progressive disease with rising PSA 20 ng/mL after docetaxel and 91% had received prior enzalutamide or abiraterone. Overall, 200 patients were randomized 1:1 to 177Lu-PSMA-617 at a dose of 6-8 GBq every 6 weeks for up to 6 cycles of therapy or cabazitaxel 20 mg/m2 every 3 weeks for up to 10 cycles. Patients were stratified based on disease burden and prior anti-androgen therapy. The primary endpoint of this study was a PSA decline of 50% (PSA50) and secondary endpoints included PSA-PFS and overall survival. After a median follow-up of 13 months, 177Lu-PSMA-617 significantly improved PSA-PFS compared with cabazitaxel (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.86) and had a much higher PSA50 rate (66% vs 37%):



Recently, Hofman and colleagues4 noted that after a median follow-up of 35.7 months (IQR 31.1 to 39.2), 77 (78%) participants had died in the 177Lu-PSMA-617 group and 70 (69%) participants had died in the cabazitaxel group. Overall survival was similar among those assigned to 177Lu-PSMA-617 versus those assigned to cabazitaxel (restricted mean survival time 19.1 months vs 19.6; difference -0.5 months; p = 0.77):

Although there is no survival benefit for 177Lu-PSMA-617 versus cabazitaxel, Dr. Hofman notes that 177Lu-PSMA-617 increases patient-reported outcomes and improves deterioration-free survival compared to chemotherapy:

Since TheraP, the Prostate Cancer Foundation has been instrumental in funding and developing the Prostate Cancer Theranostic & Imaging Center of Excellence (ProsTIC) at Peter Mac, with a pillar of clinical trials, discovery research, and education and leadership:



Dr. Hofman notes that for precision medicine, patient selection is key. Specifically, FDG PET/CT makes invisible PSMA-negative bone metastasis visible:

Quantitative PET is powerful, since the total tumor measure is superior to individual lesions, requiring automated reproducible solutions. PSMA SUV mean is a reasonable biomarker, as is 18F-FDG (superior to ECOG, ALP, hemoglobin, bone metastases, and liver metastases):4





Dr. Hofman highlighted that there have been >10 Australian PSMA theranostic trials, as highlighted in the following figure:



To conclude his presentation, Dr. Hofman highlighted several ongoing clinical trials. This included the UpFrontPSMA trial, which is a randomized phase 2 trial of 177Lu-PSMA-617 followed by docetaxel versus docetaxel alone for newly diagnosed high-volume mHSPC (NCT04343885):



Recruitment for this trial was completed in April 2013 and results are expected in Q3 of 2024. LuTectomy initial results were published in 2023.5 This is a single-center, single-arm, phase 1/2 study assessing the administration of 177Lu-PSMA-617 before radical prostatectomy in men with high-risk localized prostate cancer:



This study included 20 patients, 10 in Cohort A (received one cycle of therapy) and 10 in Cohort B (received two cycles of therapy) followed by radical prostatectomy six weeks later. Overall, nine (45%) patients achieved >50% PSA decline, histopathological evidence of treatment effect was seen in 16 (80%) patients, one had minimal residual disease on final histology, and no patients achieved a complete pathological response. Additional ongoing trials are as follows:

PRIMARY2: A phase 3 trial assessing the additive value of PSMA PET in men with negative or equivocal MRI to diagnose significant prostate cancer VIOLET: A phase 1/2 trial evaluation radioligand treatment in men with mCRPC with Terbium-161-PSMA-I&T AlphaBet: A phase 1/2 trial assessing Radium-223 in combination with 177Lu-PSMA-I&T in men with mCRPC LuCAB: A phase 1/2 trial assessing cabazitaxel in combination with 177Lu-PSMA-617 in mCRPC

Dr. Hofman notes that the next big theranostic may be 68Ga-DPI-4452, a carbonic anhydrase IX-targeting peptide in patients with clear cell RCC.6 Among 3 patients, tumor uptake was observed at all time points (15 minutes to 4 hours), and across 36 lesions, the SUV max at 1 hour after administration ranged from 6.8 to 211.6 (mean, 64.6). The kidneys, liver, and bone marrow demonstrated low activity, and [68Ga]Ga-DPI-4452 was rapidly eliminated from blood and urine:



Dr. Hofman concluded his presentation discussing bridging evidence-based medicine and precision oncology by noting that the next phase of theranostics will require outstanding research, compassionate care, exceptional teaching, and phenomenal leadership.

Presented by: Professor Michael S. Hofman, MBBS (Hons), FRACP, FAANMS, FICIS, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

Written by: Zachary Klaassen, MD, MSc  Urologic Oncologist, Associate Professor of Urology, Georgia Cancer Center, Wellstar MCG Health, @zklaassen_md on Twitter during the 2024 Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) Annual Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Sat, June 8  Tues, June 11, 2024.

References:
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. Small and medium businesses (SMEs) should actively participate in the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Head of the UN Global Compact in Azerbaijan Samir Mammadov said during the event on Sustainable Development: Problems and Solutions held in Baku, Trend reports.

"Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) should actively participate in COP29. It is important that this participation is not limited to just two weeks of the event but becomes a catalyst for further sustainable development. By adopting green technologies, SMEs will not only reduce their carbon footprint but also strengthen their market position, supporting global efforts to combat climate change. Adopting environmentally friendly solutions will make a significant contribution to the global sustainable development agenda and demonstrate the responsibility of business to society and the planet, he emphasized.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will be held in Azerbaijan in November this year. The decision was made at the plenary meeting of COP28 held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Within two weeks, Baku, having become the center of the world, will host about 70,00080,000 foreign guests.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties, which is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the convention. Unless the parties have decided otherwise, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held 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


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A Chinese aircraft manufacturer is actively marketing its commercial jet to the international market, eventually hoping to compete with giants like Boeing and Airbus. But VOAs Ahadian Utama reports that Beijing faces an uphill battle for Asian skies. Indra Yoga contributed to this report.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang will visit New Zealand this week, Prime Minister Chris Luxon said Monday, a rare visit expected to focus on bolstering trade while setting aside security concerns.

Li will be the first Chinese premier to visit New Zealand since 2017, embarking on a trip that is widely expected to also take him to Australia.

China is New Zealand's largest export destination, and Wellington has been one of Beijing's closest partners among Western democracies.

Relations have become strained in recent years as China has looked to expand its military and diplomatic reach across the Pacific.

"I look forward to warmly welcoming Premier Li in New Zealand," Luxon said in a statement. "The premier's visit is a valuable opportunity for exchanges on areas of cooperation between New Zealand and China."

Luxon said Li  China's number two official  would arrive to a ceremonial welcome and official dinner "later this week," before a series of bilateral meetings.

Li follows a string of high-powered Chinese delegates who have made the trip to New Zealand in recent months.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi held high-level talks during a visit to the capital, Wellington, earlier this year.

New Zealand's recently elected center-right government has pivoted toward closer ties with Australia and the United States.

It has also been mulling its involvement in the landmark AUKUS security pact between Washington, Canberra and London  a move that would greatly irritate China.

New Zealand's foreign minister in May hit out at China's bid for an increased security presence in the Pacific Islands, warning against actions that could "destabilize" or undermine regional security.

"New Zealand and China engage where we have shared interests, and we speak frankly and constructively with each other where we have differences," Luxon said on Monday.

"Our relationship is significant, complex and resilient."

Smoothing differences

Jason Young, an expert on China-New Zealand relations, said Li's visit showed both sides were willing to set aside these disagreements.

"The high-level visit in itself is a win," said Young, from New Zealand's Victoria University. "It's primarily designed for both sides to demonstrate that many challenges in the relationship are being managed."

With China's economy showing signs of slowing down, diplomats and trade officials were looking to "engage with as many markets as they can," Young said.

"New Zealand already has close to a third of our exports going to China. We're kind of at saturation point. Whereas for China, there's a lot more momentum to improve relations," he said.

Li is expected to visit Australia after New Zealand, although Canberra has yet to confirm that leg of the trip.

"The potential visit of the Chinese premier will be confirmed in the usual way," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters on Monday.

China and Australia have been patching up their relationship in the wake of a bitter and costly trade dispute.

Starting in 2020, a slew of Australia's most lucrative export commodities were effectively banned from China.

But as relations have improved under a new government in Canberra, China has dropped tariffs on Australian beef, barley and wine, halted an import ban on timber and resumed shipments of coal.
Colombia marked the first anniversary Sunday of the rescue of four Indigenous children who survived a small plane crash in the Amazon rainforest in an operation that gripped the world's attention. A small ceremony was held in a Bogota military base that included an emotional reunion between soldiers and Indigenous volunteers.

But the four children, who were found in a remote patch of rainforest a year ago after fending for themselves for 40 days, still face an uncertain future as authorities wait for a case worker to decide who should be awarded custody.

The siblings from Colombia's Huitoto tribe were 13, 9, 4 and 11 months old when the single-engine plane they were traveling in nosedived into the rainforest's canopy, killing their mother, Magdalena Mucutuy, and the other two adults on board. The group was traveling from the small village of Araracuara, deep in the Colombian Amazon, to the town of San Jose del Guaviare.

On Sunday, Colombia's Institute for Family Welfare posted a photo of the four children with their faces blurred on its X account, formerly Twitter, and published a statement saying they were healthy and were growing up successfully under state care.

"The Mucutuy siblings today spend their days enjoying life and learning. They have been accompanied by a team that specializes in ethnic affairs and works so that they don't lose their customs while they are far from their territory," the statement read.

The siblings survived on fruits and seeds from the rainforest before they were found on June 9 by a team of special forces soldiers and Indigenous volunteers. They had been combing the rough terrain around the plane crash for three weeks and used sniffer dogs and helicopters to locate the children.

However, a custody battle over the children broke out after their rescue that pitted their maternal grandparents against their deceased mother's partner, Manuel Ranoque.

Ranoque is the biological father of the two youngest children, Tien and Cristin. He also lived with the two older children and their mother for several years before the crash.

Ranoque was imprisoned in August over accusations that he had sexually abused one of the children before the crash.

In October, prosecutors in Colombia formally charged Ranoque with sexually assaulting a minor, an accusation he denies and says he will challenge in an upcoming trial.

On Sunday some of the relatives of the Mucutuy children also joined the soldiers and volunteers who were part of last year's rescue effort, known as "Operation Hope." They heard a mass and shared a barbecue with the rescue team and spoke briefly with the local press.

"I'm sad because I am still not with the children," Fatima Valencia, the children's grandmother, told Colombia's Caracol TV. "But I am very thankful to those who helped us rescue them."
The Czech Republic said Monday it would open a new center to boost cultural and diplomatic ties in the Taiwanese capital, Taipei, this week, a move likely to anger China.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory under its one-China policy, and last month launched military drills around the self-ruled island.

The Czech Republic, a European Union and NATO member, officially embraces the one-China policy, like the EU, but its officials foster close ties with Taiwan.

"The Czech Centre in Taiwan will launch its activity on Friday, June 14" with an exhibition of Czech photographs, the foreign ministry said.

The CTK news agency quoted Czech Centres head Jitka Panek Jurkova as saying that Czechs "want to be seen and heard in Taipei."

"The Czech Centre in Taipei is designed to deepen the understanding among the Taiwanese public of traditional and especially contemporary Czech culture," she added.

The foreign ministry currently has 28 Czech Centres promoting the Czech Republic in 25 countries across the world but not in China.
A deadly clash over the weekend between two clans in central Somalia has killed at least 50 people, residents and medical officials told VOA on Monday.

Another 155 people are said to have been injured in the clashes in the Galgudud province near Somalias border with Ethiopia.

The fighting between the Dir and Marihan clans erupted on Saturday in rural areas between Abudwaq and Herale towns over grazing land and watering points, said Feysal Abdullahi Kheyre, a commissioner and resident of Herale.

Witnesses who asked for anonymity for fear of reprisals said about 400 militiamen fought each other during the clashes, using anti-tank weapons and heavy machine guns mounted on pickup trucks.

The reason behind the high casualties is the fact that the fighting took place in an open ground and that the clan militias are heavily armed, said Muhidin Aden Wali, a commissioner and resident of Abudwaq.

Neither commissioner denied there were high casualty figures but said that they did not know specific numbers.

Following the clashes, the Somali government announced Sunday that it was forming a committee to find an immediate solution for tribal conflicts.

The Somali National News Agency (SONNA) said the committee consisted of five ministers appointed by president of Galmudug State, Ahmed Abdi.

The purpose of this committee is to go to conflict areas in the cities [of Abu Dawaq and Harali] to end the bloody fighting there, SONNA reported.

Witnesses said Monday units of Somalis army were deployed in the area to prevent further clashes.

The clans have a recent history of fighting over pastoral land and water wells.

Revenge killings

According to residents and local elders, revenge killings and land disputes have been fueling inter-clan violence in Somalia for years, with some of the heaviest fighting taking place in Galgudud and Mudug.

It was unfortunate fighting between brotherly and neighboring nomadic people and it is as it has always been, over land disputes, water and clan vendetta, Abdullahi Said Farah, a clan elder and resident of Abudwaq, told VOA.

Our sons and husbands are those dying from both sides in the clan conflicts in central Somalia and this has had a painful impact on Somali mothers for many years, said Irado Mohamed Igal, an activist in the region.

Regional officials accused militant group al-Shabab of sparking the renewed clan clashes.

Al-Shabab continues to pit Somali clans against each other so that it would benefit by distracting the local governments and local people from their fight against al-Shabab, a security adviser to the president of Galmudug state, Ahmed Shire Falagle, told VOA Somali by phone.

VOA could not independently verify the involvement of al-Shabab in this weekends clan violence.

The clashes add weight to the security tasks of Somalia's federal government, which is struggling to contain the threat posed by the militants.

On Saturday, al-Shabab militants attacked government forces in the central town of El-Dheer.

Al-Shabab, through its Telegram channel, said its forces overran two government military camps, a claim denied by the Somali government.

Residents and witnesses who spoke to VOA said at least 16 people were killed during the attack, which they said was repelled by the government soldiers aided by local clan militias.

VOA reporter Abdiwahid Isaq contributed this report from Galkayo in central Somalia.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 11. The European Union wants to transport Azerbaijani gas via Russian gas pipelines through Ukraine, Bloomberg said, citing sources, Trend reports.

It is noted that officials of the European Union and European governments are negotiating with the Ukrainian side to extend the agreement on the transit of Russian gas to the community countries through Ukraine until 2025.

One of the options currently being discussed for continuing transit is the purchase of gas from Azerbaijan and its transportation via Russian gas pipelines passing through Ukrainian territory. This eliminates the possibility of purchasing gas from the Russian Federation itself, whose energy resources the EU is trying to refuse.

The intention to maintain transit through Ukraine is due to the fact that the European Union considers it one of the factors keeping the Ukrainian economy afloat.
Far-right parties made major gains in European Union parliamentary elections, dealing stunning defeats to two of the blocs most important leaders: French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday (June 9) said he would dissolve parliament and call new legislative elections later this month. We talk with Matt Klink a political consultant with Klink Campaigns. Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israels three-man war Cabinet, announced his resignation Sunday. And hundreds of naked cyclists rode through London and Mexico City streets to protest against car culture and demand rights for cyclists.
Right-wing parties chalked up major gains in several key European countries following the European parliament elections  with France facing perhaps the biggest fallout.

French President Emmanuel Macron has dissolved parliament and called for new legislative elections later this month, after the far-right National Rally scooped up nearly one-third of the vote in Sundays European parliament elections  more than twice the share for Macrons ruling Renaissance Party.

Shortly after the first results were announced, Macron was on national TV, announcing snap legislative elections in France  three years ahead of schedule. The first round of voting takes place June 30.

For centrist Macron, its a gamble that he might not win. If the National Rally scores strongly in this national poll, its 28-year-old president, Jordan Bardella, could become Frances next prime minister.

What happened last night was a political earthquake, said Celia Belin, who heads the Paris office for the European Council on Foreign Relations. The results themselves were not surprising, she said, as weeks of polling showed the National Rally scoring strongly, but what was surprising was Macrons reaction.

Snap elections are not common at all ... and usually are actually lost by the president who calls for these elections, Belin said.

Gael Sliman, who heads polling agency Odoxa, was also surprised by Macrons move.

The president may be gambling he will prevail in these legislatives, but Sliman told France Info radio its quite possible France will usher in the Olympics next month with a far-right prime minister  or see gridlock if nobody wins an absolute majority.

The far right also scored strongly in several other key EU countries, including Germany, Austria and Italy. The European Councils Belin said that will further divide the EU parliament and create gridlock.

You might see even more opposition to climate action. Even more opposition to additional sanctions against Russia, for example. Or even more opposition toward actually doing anything about China, she said.

But overall, the center right remained the main winner in these EU elections  good news for European Council President Ursula von der Leyen, who is campaigning for another term in office.
In Sudan's North Darfur state, displaced people and doctors say the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces are attacking hospitals and camps in the capital, El Fasher. Meanwhile, nonprofit groups say the world is paying little attention as a city that was supposed to be a haven for those forced out of their homes by war is being torn apart. Henry Wilkins has the story.
Hunter Biden's lawyers rested their case Monday in the federal criminal trial of the president's son, who is accused of lying about his drug use when he bought a gun in 2018, according to news reports.

Prosecutors have argued the evidence is clear that Hunter Biden was in the throes of addiction when he checked "no" on the form at the gun shop that asked whether he was "an unlawful user of, or addicted to" drugs.

Hunter Biden's addiction struggles before getting sober more than five years ago are well documented. But defense lawyers argued that prosecutors failed to prove he was using drugs in the 11 days that he possessed the gun.

The defense has suggested Hunter Biden had been trying to turn his life around at the time, completing a detoxification and rehabilitation program at the end of August 2018. His daughter Naomi took the stand for the defense last week, telling jurors about visiting him while he was at a California rehab center weeks before he bought the gun.

The defense also tried to cast doubt on the memories of the prosecution's witnesses, pressing them about their recollection of events.

Hunter Biden was charged with three felonies: lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application by saying he was not a drug user and illegally having the gun for 11 days. He has pleaded not guilty,

It's the first of two trials for Hunter Biden in the midst of his father's Democratic reelection campaign. He also is charged with failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes in a case scheduled to go to trial in September in California.

Hunter Biden has accused the Justice Department of bending to political pressure from former President Donald Trump and other Republicans to bring the gun case and the separate tax charges after a deal with prosecutors fell apart last year.

The case has put a spotlight on a turbulent time in Hunter Biden's life after the death of his brother, Beau, in 2015.

Hunter Biden's struggles with addiction before getting sober more than five years ago are well documented. But defense lawyers argue there's no evidence he was actually using drugs in the 11 days that he possessed the gun. He had completed a rehab program weeks earlier.

Jurors have heard emotional testimony from Hunter Biden's former romantic partners and read personal text messages. They've seen photos of Hunter Biden holding a crack pipe and partly clothed, and video from his phone of crack cocaine weighed on a scale.

His ex-wife and two former girlfriends testified for prosecutors about his habitual crack use and their failed efforts to help him get clean. One woman, who met Hunter Biden in 2017 at a strip club where she worked, described him smoking crack every 20 minutes or so while she stayed with him at a hotel.

Hunter Biden has not taken the witness stand. But jurors have heard him describe at length his descent into addiction through audio excerpts played in court of his 2021 memoir, "Beautiful Things." The book, written after he got sober, covers the period he had the gun but doesn't mention it specifically.

A key witness for prosecutors is Beau's widow, Hallie, who had a brief troubled relationship with Hunter after his brother died of brain cancer. She found the unloaded gun in Hunter's truck on Oct. 23, 2018, panicked and tossed it into a garbage can at a grocery store in Wilmington, where a man inadvertently fished it out of the trash.

"I didn't want him to hurt himself, and I didn't want my kids to find it and hurt themselves," Hallie Biden told jurors.

From the time Hunter returned to Delaware from a 2018 trip to California until she threw his gun away, she did not see him using drugs, Hallie told jurors. That time period included the day he bought the weapon. But jurors also saw text messages Hunter sent to Hallie in October 2018 saying he was waiting for a dealer and smoking crack. The first message was sent the day after he bought the gun. The second was sent the following day.

The defense has suggested Hunter Biden had been trying to turn his life around at the time of the gun purchase, having completed a detoxification and rehabilitation program at the end of August 2018.

"There is no evidence of contemporaneous drug use and a gun possession," defense lawyer Abbe Lowell wrote in court papers filed Friday. "It was only after the gun was thrown away and the ensuing stress ... that the government was able to then find the same type of evidence of his use (e.g., photos, use of drug lingo) that he relapsed with drugs."

Hunter Biden's daughter Naomi took the stand for the defense Friday, telling jurors about visiting her father while he was at a California rehab center weeks before he bought the gun. She told jurors that he seemed "hopeful" and to be improving, and she told him she was proud of him. As she was dismissed from the stand, she paused to hug her dad before leaving the courtroom.

The defense on Friday did not rule out calling one more witness, but it was unclear who that could be. Hunter's lawyers previously said they planned to call as a witness Joe Biden's brother, James, and he was at the courthouse on Friday. Testimony from other family members could open the door for more deeply personal messages to be introduced to the jury.

President Joe Biden said last week that he would accept the jury's verdict and has ruled out a pardon for his son. After flying back from France, President Biden was at his home in Wilmington for the day and was expected in Washington in the evening for a Juneteenth concert. He was scheduled to travel to Italy later this week for the Group of Seven leaders conference.

Last summer, it looked as if Hunter Biden would avoid prosecution in the gun case altogether, but a deal with prosecutors imploded after U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was nominated to the bench by Republican former President Donald Trump, raised concerns about it. Hunter Biden was subsequently indicted on three felony gun charges. He also faces a trial scheduled for September on felony charges alleging he failed to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes over four years.

If convicted in the gun case, he faces up to 25 years in prison, though first-time offenders do not get anywhere near the maximum, and it's unclear whether the judge would give him time behind bars.
On June 4, 2024, the Langate neighborhood in Kupwara district on the Indian side of Kashmir reverberated with chants of Cooker, cooker, pressure cooker, after the local election commission office declared election results for the three constituencies in the region.

The results were part of the Indian general elections that ended June 1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to secure an absolute majority in the voting but he retained office for a rare third term with the support of the Telugu Desam Party, or TDP, and Janata Dal United, or JDU.

Kashmir Valley exit polls normally favor the oldest regional political party, the National Conference, or NC. In the recent election, however, imprisoned firebrand politician Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as "Engineer Rashid," won a landslide victory.

He defeated Omar Abdullah, former chief minister and vice president of the NC, and Sajad Ghani Lone, a separatist-turned-mainstream politician and founder of the Peoples Conference, or PC, by over 200,000 votes.

Rashid was arrested days before the government of India revoked the disputed Himalayan regions semiautonomous status in August 2019. He was later charged in a terror-funding case and is currently imprisoned in New Delhis Tihar jail.

He is also the founder of the Awami Ittehad Party, or AIP.

My father showed interest after being approached by his party members. He said that he would contest the election from the Baramulla parliamentary constituency if the AIP members thought he was a good fit for the position, Abrar Rashid, son of Engineer Rashid, told VOA. AIP had decided to contest the election in October last year, he added.

AIP started its campaign late after filing the party chiefs nomination papers on April 30. Despite low resources to cover his campaign expenses, the junior Rashid attracted a massive crowd in support of his father.

Initially, the response was moderate. But soon people, especially youth, began showing great interest in our campaigns. They [youth] spent their own money to support the election campaign. We faced a minor issue, as we couldnt use our traditional party symbol, a cooking gas cylinder, because our party is not registered with the election commission, Rashid said, adding that a pressure cooker was chosen as a new symbol, and it became popular among the masses in the region.

Political analysts attribute Engineer Rashids landslide victory as an outcome of sympathy and resistance politics.

It was altogether a sympathy vote where people thought Engineer Rashid would be released soon after being elected as a member of parliament from north Kashmir, Muzamil Maqbool, a political analyst and host of the podcast Plain Talk, told VOA.

Secondly, people, especially the youth, are sick and tired of the same old dynasty politicking. They didnt see Omar Abdullah or Sajad Lone as suitable candidates to represent them in the Indian parliament, Maqbool added.

AIP disagreed, saying Rashid did not win because of sympathy votes but because of the party agenda, which includes the unconditional release of all prisoners, the preservation of the culture and identity of Jammu and Kashmir, and ensuring full respect for human rights and freedom of expression of the local population.

Engineer Rashid has already proven himself as an honest, humble, pro-poor and fearless leader. Despite being imprisoned in Tihar since 4 August 2019 for speaking up for the people of Kashmir he remains calm and committed to his duty, AIP spokesperson Firdous Baba said. Engineer Rashid left his office to represent the nation, inventing a style of politics that brought him suffering but gave hope to the people. His arrest was due to his true interpretation of Kashmir, and he has remained steadfast in his position despite the challenges.

Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a Kashmiri political analyst and a prominent scholar of human rights and international law, also believes that sympathy worked for AIP and its founder.

I would say sympathy, as well as his continued identification with resistance politics, played a crucial part in his victory, Hussain said. People had a third option  a former chief minister, a proxy candidate and a person in jail, he said, referring to Lone, who was covertly supported by Modis BJP, without mentioning his name.

Rashids charisma was not confined to the north, as people from south and central Kashmir voluntarily campaigned for him  igniting the flame that led to his victory.

Engineer Rashid is the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and I felt the need to support him, Mudasir Thoker, a resident of south Kashmirs Shopian district, told VOA. I traveled from south to north continuously for 18 hours to extend my support. My message was clear that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir will support a leader who understands the struggles of the local population.

Kashmir is a disputed territory between India and Pakistan. The two nuclear-armed South Asian neighboring countries control different parts of the Himalayan territory since their independence from British rule in 1947. A small portion is also under Chinese control.
Pakistani government officials are hailing as a success a recent five-day visit to China by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Observers, however, say that despite the usual display of warm relations from both sides, hurdles remain in improving the economic partnership between Beijing and Islamabad, largely because of Pakistans poor policies.

Prime Minister Sharifs visit to China late last week comes as Pakistan is seeking more foreign investment and looking to boost exports to help with its economic crisis amid security concerns.

At a press conference Monday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar called the visit extremely successful and historic.

The fruits of the historic visit to China will reach the people of Pakistan, Tarar said.

Sharif visited China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Premier Li Qiang, with whom he held delegation-level talks in Beijing. Sharif also visited Shenzhen and Xian to help build business-to-business ties and to observe Chinas advancements in agriculture, technology, and business facilitation.

China-Pakistan economic corridor

In China, both sides committed to forging an upgraded version of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, by boosting construction, mining and exploration, and industrial cooperation.

Some critics say in its bid to ramp up CPEC, Pakistan is ignoring some harsh lessons from the first decade of the energy and infrastructure project.

The corridors original sin was that Pakistan signed up for a large number of projects that added obligations in foreign currencies and this conflicted with Pakistans domestic-oriented exchange rate and industrial policies, said economist Ali Hasanain. Those obligations have gradually and predictably narrowed Pakistans fiscal space, added Hasanain, an associate professor at Lahore University of Management Sciences.

Pakistan owes more than $7.5 billion in project debt to power plants set up under CPEC. The country also owes nearly $2 billion in circular debt, or unpaid bills, to Chinese power producers.

Unable to boost exports on the back of new roads and added power generation capacity acquired through CPEC, Pakistan now faces a debt crisis where it is seeking new loans to pay past debt.

Many Pakistani economists blame Islamabad for the crisis.

Hasanain pointed to the Sharif governments push to upgrade a crumbling cross-country railway line as an example of CPEC projects that will add to the countrys debt burden. The scope of the much-delayed Mainline-1 or ML-1 project has been reduced to bring down the cost, but the roughly $6.8 billion project is struggling to attract Chinese investment.

While this upgradation will eventually be needed, there has been little consideration of the financial stress it will cause, and how the country will honor resultant obligations in the future, Hasanain told VOA.

Economic cooperation

According to a joint statement issued at the end of the visit, China and Pakistan signed 23 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding, or MOUs, in a myriad of fields including cooperation on agriculture, infrastructure, industrial cooperation, inter-governmental development assistance, market regulation, surveying and mapping, media, and film.

Ammar Habib Khan, a Karachi-based business affairs expert, says Chinese firms are interested in investing in Pakistan because it is a strategic partner.

Economic impact extends much longer into the future, maybe 30, 40, even 50 years. With a 30-year horizon or a 20-year horizon it makes sense to continue to invest in Pakistan, Khan said, adding that the first phase of CPEC has been successful given the infrastructure development it brought.

More than 100 Pakistani business leaders accompanied Sharif on the trip that included a convention with Chinese businesses.

There is an opportunity here to bring lots of Chinese energy-intensive industry to Pakistan where a lot of surplus power can essentially be used, Khan said. CPEC 2.0 will actually be more about utilizing the infrastructure that is in the country and how it can be optimized.

Khan acknowledged that the renewed focus on CPEC would require Pakistan to first fix its finances.

The joint statement noted Beijing will encourage companies to invest in Pakistan in accordance with the market and commercial principles, signaling that it will not push firms to take unwanted risks or to give any concession to Pakistani companies.

Debt relief

Pakistans nearly $375 billion economy is facing a debt burden of almost $290 billion. According to data compiled by CEIC, an online economic database, Pakistan's foreign debt is close to $130 billion.

Chinese officials say around 13 percent of Pakistans external debt is owed to China, but the International Monetary Fund put the figure at almost 30 percent in a 2022 report.

Experts believe China will have to restructure the debt Pakistan owes. During Sharifs visit, however, no public statement was issued on the topic.

The Pakistani side entered these meetings with realistically low expectations about winning concessions in the form of restructuring Pakistans outstanding debt to China. Some form of relief may yet come, but is unlikely to be significant, said Hasanain.

Khan believes, even if China agrees to much-needed debt restructuring with Pakistan, it will do so quietly.

They [the Chinese] are dealing with around 50 countries, all needing some kind of debt relief. If they [Chinese] give public statements, that basically becomes a precedence, he said.

Security

During the visit, the Pakistani leader, along with the countrys powerful army chief, Gen. Asim Munir, held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping for more than three hours.

The security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan is a key concern for Beijing. Five Chinese workers died in a suicide attack in northwest Pakistan in March, while at least a dozen more have died in targeted attacks in recent years.

The fact that the army chief accompanied the prime minister shows that we are taking security issues seriously, Tarar told the press Monday. We did not spare any effort in satisfying Chinas security concerns.

Naghmana Hashmi, a former Pakistani ambassador to China, told VOA that Beijing is talking tough with Islamabad on the security of Chinese nationals to avoid a backlash from its own people.

Their people ask questions, their journalists ask questions that here is our best friend and we dont have people dying anywhere except when they go to Pakistan, Hashmi said. Now, everybody does not understand the politics of it so the optics of it are very bad, the former diplomat said, reiterating Pakistani officials stance that adversaries want to derail CPEC.

In the joint statement at the end of the visit, Beijing appreciated Pakistans probe of the March 26 attack.

[The Chinese side]  hoped that the Pakistani side would continue to make every effort to hunt down any perpetrators and make sure they receive deserved severe punishment.

The Pakistani side was committed to enhancing security forces deployment, the statement continued.

SEE ALSO: Pakistan shares probe findings with Afghan Taliban on attack against Chinese nationals

Pakistan has blamed the attack on militants based in Afghanistan. In the joint statement, both sides called on Afghanistan to firmly combat terrorism, including not allowing its territory to be used for terrorist acts.

The ruling Afghan Taliban have rejected Pakistans assertion that militants based in Afghanistan attacked Chinese nationals, saying Islamabad is attempting to poison Kabuls relations with Beijing.
A court in Brussels on Monday sentenced a 65-year-old Belgian-Rwandan man to 25 years in prison for murder and rape committed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Emmanuel Nkunduwimye was found guilty of war crimes and genocide for a series of murders as well as the rape of a Tutsi woman.

Nkunduwimye, who was first arrested in Belgium in 2011, owned a garage in Rwanda's capital, Kigali, in April 1994 when the genocide began. The garage was part of a complex of buildings that was the scene of massacres perpetrated by Interahamwe militiamen.

Nkunduwimye was close to several militia leaders - including Georges Rutaganda, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and died in 2010.

The jury at the trial in Brussels found the accused assisted the militia "with full knowledge of the facts."

"He could not have been unaware of the abuses committed there," the sentencing said, according to Belga news agency.

During the trial, Nkunduwimye was formally identified by the woman he raped, who came to testify in private at the hearing.

Nkunduwimye denied the accusations and his defense called for his acquittal, arguing in particular that the prosecution's evidence was unreliable.

Prosecutors at the trial, which began in April, had requested a sentence of 30 years in jail.

The genocide in Rwanda, which took place between April and July 1994, claimed at least 800,000 lives, according to the U.N. The victims were mainly members of the Tutsi minority, but also included moderate Hutus.

The trial of Nkunduwimye was the seventh such trial to be held in Belgium since 2001 involving alleged crimes committed during the genocide.

Belgium - which controlled Rwanda during the colonial period  can prosecute alleged genocidaires because its court recognizes universal jurisdiction for crimes under international humanitarian law committed outside the country.

In the most recent trial, Seraphin Twahirwa was sentenced in December 2023 to life imprisonment for dozens of murders and rapes perpetrated by himself or the Interahamwe militiamen under his authority in Kigali between April and July 1994.
The military aircraft carrying Malawi Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima is missing after it did not make a landing Monday morning, according to a government statement.

The plane took off just after 9:00 a.m. local time. The craft was carrying the 51-year-old vice president and nine other individuals. It left the capital, Lilongwe, but failed to make its scheduled landing at Mzuzu International Airport about 370 kilometers (230 miles) to the north, 45 minutes later.

All efforts by aviation authorities to make contact with the aircraft since it went off the radar have failed thus far, said a government news release.

President Lazarus Chakwera has canceled an upcoming trip to the Bahamas for a working visit. According to the released statement, he has called for an immediate search and rescue operation.

The public will be updated of any developments on the situation as facts are established, the statement concluded.

Chilima was stripped of his powers after being arrested and charged over a bribery scandal in 2022, but charges were later dropped by a Malawian court after he made several court appearances and the head prosecutor filed notice for the case to be discontinued.

Some material in this report is from Agence France-Presse and the Associated Press.
Russia's Foreign Ministry on Monday said it has rescinded the accreditation of a correspondent for Austria's public broadcaster ORF and told her to leave the country in response to Austria's expulsion of a journalist for Russian state news agency Tass.

The ministry said in a statement that Maria Knips-Witting was ordered to hand over her accreditation and instructed to leave "in the near future." Knips-Witting had been based in Moscow since January, according to ORF's website.

The order was in response to Austria's removal of Tass correspondent Ivan Popov's accreditation six weeks ago, the ministry said.

It was the latest action against foreign journalists in Russia.

Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich was arrested nearly 15 months ago on charges of espionage and remains in jail awaiting trial. U.S.-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was taken into custody in October 2023 for failing to register as a "foreign agent."

Eva Hartog, a Dutch journalist working for Politico, was denied a renewal of her visa in August 2023. In March, Xavier Colas of Spanish newspaper El Mundo said he was forced to leave the country when authorities denied him a new visa.
South Africas newly elected parliament will convene for the first time on Friday, as parties try to form a coalition government after recent elections produced no outright winner.

The first sitting of the National Assembly shall be on Friday, 14 June 2024, wrote Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in an order released by the justice ministry Monday.

Zondo, the countrys top judge, will preside over the ceremony at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, where the lawmakers will take the oath of office.

He will also oversee the election of the National Assemblys speaker, who will then preside over the deputy speakers election. Zondo will then preside over the election of the next president.

The African National Congress, or ANC, lost its parliamentary majority for the first since gaining power 30 years ago at the end of apartheid. The ANC will control 159 of the 400 seats in the new National Assembly, remaining the countrys largest party.

The partys greatest rivals are the Democratic Alliance, or DA, a pro-business, white-led group with 87 seats, and the uMkhonto we Sizwe, or MK, a populist party led by former President Jacob Zuma, which has 58 seats.

The ANC is attempting to find partners to form a coalition government, the first since the advent of democracy in South Africa.

The May 29 elections came at a difficult time. South Africas economy, the most developed on the African continent, has been declining for the past decade, facing high levels of poverty and unemployment, as well as political corruption.



Some information for this story came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
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At least six people were injured Monday, while houses, cars and businesses were damaged by three Russian-guided bombs on Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv, the citys Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram.

Terekhov said that there may be people still under the rubble following the attack on Ukraines second largest city.

Kharkiv and the surrounding region have long been the target of Russian attacks but recently the strikes have become more intense, hitting civilians and the regions energy grid.

Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians, but thousands have been killed and injured during its invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine's military said it damaged three Russian surface-to-air defense systems overnight Sunday into Monday in missile attacks on the Moscow-occupied Crimea peninsula.

Citing Ukraines general staff, Reuters news agency reported the attacks struck an S-400 system in Dzhankoi and two less advanced S-300 systems near Yevpatoriya and Chornomorske resulting in "significant losses" for Russian air defenses.

Reuters could not independently verify the statement.

There was no immediate comment from the Russian defense ministry. Local Telegram channels reported explosions near Dzhankoi and Yevpatoriya.

The Russian defense ministry said Monday its forces have retaken control of the village of Staromaiorske in Ukraines Donetsk region.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports.

During his nightly video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the situation in Donetsk is difficult. The occupier's pressure there is the greatest, he said, noting that Russia conducted more than 40 attacks Sunday and more than 20 Monday. We are making every effort to ensure that you and our entire army have more weapons, more equipment, and more modern systems," Zelenskyy said, addressing Ukrainian soldiers.

During an economic forum last week in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russia had taken 47 Ukrainian towns and villages so far this year, including last months gains from Russias major ground assault in the northeastern Kharkiv region.

VOA could not verify the claim.

U.S. President Joe Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said Sunday during a TV interview on CBS Face the Nation that Russia's advance on the Kharkiv border region had "stalled out" after Washington partially allowed Ukraine to use some U.S.-supplied weapons to strike inside Russia.

Putin warned the United States and NATO allies that such a move could prompt him to place similar Russian weapons in countries within range of the U.S. or its European allies.

In other developments, Ukraine may station some of the more than 60 F-16 fighter jets its set to receive from its Western allies at foreign bases to protect them from Russian strikes, a senior Ukrainian military officer said Monday.

Ukrainian pilots are currently undergoing training to fly the warplanes ahead of the deliveries expected to start later this year.

Moscow said F-16 jets and military airfields outside Ukraine will become legitimate targets if they take part in combat missions against Russian forces, the RIA state news agency quoted Andrei Kartapolov, head of the State Duma lower house of parliament's defense committee as saying Monday.

Ukraine peace conference

Switzerland said Monday 90 countries and organizations will participate at the two-day Ukraine peace conference it is hosting beginning Saturday, at the request of Zelenskyy.

Russia will not participate.

Swiss President Viola Amherd told a news conference in Bern on Monday that the upcoming peace conference aims to be a platform for discussing ways to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine based on international law and the U.N. charter, as well as working on a framework for carrying out a peace plan and how to involve Russia and Ukraine in a peace process.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will represent Ukraine's most important military and financial backer, a setback for Zelenskyy who had hoped Biden would attend instead.

Zelenskyy had also hoped to secure high-level attendance from some of Moscow's allies, principally China.

Beijing has criticized the gathering and said it would be "difficult" to attend without Russia's participation.

Russia has criticized the process and said it would engage in peace talks only if they consider the situation on the ground, including Russias battlefield gains since launching its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Zelenskyy has demanded Russia withdraw from all Ukrainian territory.

Putin will visit North Korea and Vietnam in the coming weeks, Russia's Vedomosti newspaper reported Monday.

Putin's visit to Pyongyang is being "actively prepared," Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora told the newspaper.

Putin could also visit Vietnam most likely after his visit to North Korea, an official in Vietnam told the newspaper.

The official said the dates had been agreed, but the agenda was still under discussion. The two sides are expected to focus on energy, military cooperation and banking support.

Vietnam's foreign ministry did not reply to a request for comment.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Taiwan has arrested a Chinese man who sailed a speedboat into a harbor at the mouth of a river leading into Taipei for illegal entry, the Taiwanese coast guard said Monday.

Taiwan keeps a close watch on its waters and air space, given tensions with China, which views the democratically governed island as its own territory, a claim Taipei rejects.

Taiwan's coast guard said a suspicious vessel was spotted on Sunday morning six nautical miles (11 km) off the coast of Tamsui in northern Taiwan. After entering the Tamsui River, which leads to downtown Taipei, the boat collided with other vessels at a ferry terminal.

A lone Chinese man on the vessel was arrested on suspicion of violating Taiwan's entry and exit laws, the coast guard said.
The Taliban government in Afghanistan has said that the eviction of hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran continues unabated, with around 2,000 individuals arriving in the country daily.

The two neighboring countries have forcibly deported over 400,000 refugees since the start of 2024, with Pakistan responsible for 75% of the deportations, said Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, the spokesperson for the Talibans commission assisting and resettling returnees to their native Afghan districts.

They are being well served here, and efforts are being made to provide them with additional amenities of life, Ahmadi claimed.

Meanwhile, the United Nations warned Monday that recovery from years of conflict and "entrenched poverty" in Afghanistan is increasingly challenged by worsening humanitarian and economic conditions as well as a decline in foreign aid since the Taliban seized power almost three years ago.

Taliban officials have denounced deportations of Afghan migrants by Iran and Pakistan, calling for better coordination in repatriating the displaced families in line with international laws and taking into account the situation in Afghanistan.

Tehran and Islamabad maintain their deportation drives target only undocumented Afghan migrants, following laws enforced in countries around the world.

Pakistan formally launched its crackdown on foreigners residing illegally, including Afghans, last October, blaming them for a surge in nationwide terrorist acts. Nearly 600,000 Afghans have since gone back to their home country, with Pakistani officials claiming more than 95% returned voluntarily.

Islamabad has repeatedly clarified its crackdown is not targeted at the 1.4 million officially declared Afghan refugees being hosted by the country, nor is it aimed at nearly 800,000 migrants holding Afghan citizenship cards.

The U.N. estimates that more than 1.5 million refugees have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran since January 2023, including voluntary returnees.

The U.N. humanitarian agency reiterated in a Monday statement that more than half of the population in Afghanistan  23.7 million people, including 9.2 million children  need relief assistance.

The agency noted that the U.N. appealed for around $3 billion in funding to support Afghan humanitarian programs in 2024, but the appeal is only 20% funded six months into the year, hampering relief activities in the country, where 48% of people live below the poverty line.

Critics attribute the aid decline, among other factors, to the Talibans sweeping restrictions on Afghan womens access to education and work.

De facto fundamentalist Afghan rulers have barred girls from seeking education beyond the sixth grade and prohibited many women from public and private workplaces.

The U.N. noted Monday that the imposition by the Taliban of ever-more restrictive policies on women and girls rights and basic freedoms have hindered their access to assistance and services and their involvement in public life.
Thailands democracy movement faces a pivotal week as the Constitutional Court considers whether to dissolve the election-winning Move Forward Party (MFP), a ruling which would effectively nullify the votes of 14 million people and trigger a new period of political instability.

MFP became Thailands largest party at the May 2023 polls, winning 151 parliamentary seats and igniting calls to cut the army from politics and redistribute wealth and power more evenly.

But it was blocked from forming a government and has since run into endless obstacles brought by a conservative establishment rattled by its success.

The court will meet on June 12 to consider MFPs fate on an allegation that it breached the Thai constitution by calling for reform of the royal defamation law  which protects the monarchy from criticism  during its election campaign.

Party frontman Pita Limjaroenrat says MFP had no intention of overthrowing the monarchy, as alleged, with a call to amend a law that has seen scores of young pro-democracy activists charged since 2020.

The activists came out to protest when the same court dissolved Move Forwards predecessor  Future Forward.

No one can really say how the court is going to rule but if we are to be dissolved this would be two parties in five years, Pita told reporters Sunday at a news conference.

I dont even want to think or forecast how this might affect Thailand especially when our society, economy, and politics are still fragile, he added.

The court is widely expected to strike out the party, which has the potential to stir a new round of political uncertainty.

In the short term, there may be big protests across the country like those that happened when they dissolved Future Forward, Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang, a constitutional scholar at Chulalongkorn University, told VOA.

But in the long term Im more concerned that the conservative elite will actually succeed in slowly weakening the progressive movement, by banning MPs and dissolving whatever the next party incarnation is.

The monarchy sits at the head of Thai power, backed by an army which has carried out 13 coups since the kingdom became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.

Where coups have failed to end the democracy cause, the courts have stepped in by banning parties and popular politicians, mainly from groups which threaten the status quo.

The Constitutional Court can also impose a decade-long political ban on the party leader  including Pita  when it renders a decision.

What happened

Move Forward emerged from last years poll as the most serious threat to the elite order in a generation. Harvard-educated leader Pita appeared primed for the premiership.

But he was blocked from taking office by senators who were appointed by generals after the last coup in 2014. The party was subsequently forced into the role of the opposition.

Instead, conservatives rallied behind the Pheu Thai party, formerly Thailands most radical group, to take the reins of government.

The courts have previously taken out parties linked with Pheu Thais founder, 74-year-old telecoms billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra. Until its deal to lead the government, Pheu Thai was seen as the gravest threat to the establishment.

Now it finds itself aligned with its former enemies.

Theres no such thing as normal politics in this country, Sirote Klampaiboon, an independent scholar and political commentator, told VOA.

Referring to the establishments opposition, Klampaiboon said, A political entity can be destroyed at any time. Participatory democracy can be destroyed at any time.

Even the current coalition government is now also being destabilized by court cases against its prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, and Pheu Thais patron, Thaksin.

Experts say it is a sign of the kingdoms conservatives exerting their behind-the-scenes control over politics despite losing the popular vote.

If Move Forward is dissolved, most of its lawmakers are expected to regroup under a new banner, whose name has yet to be announced.

Others, however, may defect to coalition parties  a common practice in Thai politics  weakening its parliamentary hand.

Thailands latest democracy movement stems from Future Forward, founded by the billionaire scion of an auto parts empire, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.

Future Forward won 6 million votes in the 2019 election but was dissolved a year later with Thanathorn banned from politics for a decade for breaching media shareholding rules, which he denied.

Four years on, the partys successor Move Forward won 14 million votes.

Thanathorn, a charismatic figure who still pulls large crowds wherever he goes, says the future belongs to a new era in politics.

If Pita was our prime minister this would already be the beginning of a new era of progressive Thailand, he told the audience at a June 1 screening of a documentary about his rise from nowhere to the center of Thai politics.

Im confident that by 2027, when we will have the next election, our political horizons will be closer. Whatever our party name will be we will absolutely be ready.
Former President Donald Trump has been increasingly clear about his intention to use the power of the presidency to seek revenge on those he considers his political enemies if his bid to retake the White House is successful in the November elections.

Trumps promises of retaliation are not new. Since entering the political arena in 2015, he has used the politics of grievance to motivate many of his supporters. While addressing a crowd last year at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump declared, I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution.

However, in the days after he was found guilty of 34 felony counts in a New York state court last month, a case in which he has not yet been sentenced, Trumps promises of revenge have not been made on behalf of his supporters, but as a reaction to his own personal legal difficulties.

Claims of persecution

The former president has claimed that multiple criminal indictments against him in various jurisdictions across the country are the product of a wide-ranging conspiracy to prevent him from winning the presidency again.

He places the responsibility for those prosecutions on President Joe Biden or sometimes on a shadowy cabal of people he insists are influencing Biden behind the scenes. That, he has claimed, would justify his own use of federal power to persecute them if he is given the chance.

In an interview last week with Fox News host Sean Hannity, the former president said, Look, when this election is over, based on what theyve done, I would have every right to go after them, and it would be easy because its Joe Biden.

Late last week, when Trump was interviewed on camera by psychologist Phil McGraw, the subject came up again. McGraw, a well-known television host commonly known as Dr. Phil, tried to convince Trump that seeking revenge as president would get in the way of his other political priorities.

Well, revenge does take time. I will say that, Trump replied. And sometimes revenge can be justified, Phil, I have to be honest. You know, sometimes it can.

Allies echo Trumps call

Trump has signaled that one of his priorities if reelected will be filling his administration with loyal allies willing to do his bidding. He was frequently frustrated during his four years in the White House by appointees who balked at his demands that they violate long-standing norms, and sometimes the law itself.

Already, some Trump allies who are likely to be considered for White House jobs in a second Trump administration are echoing him. They have called on Republican officeholders to use the levers of power available to them to target the former presidents political foes.

In a recent appearance on Fox News, Stephen Miller, a former White House adviser to Trump who would likely play a role in a second Trump administration, said, Every facet of Republican Party politics and power has to be used right now to go toe to toe with Marxism and beat these communists.

Is every Republican [attorney general] opening investigations into voter fraud, right now? he continued. Is every House committee controlled by Republicans using its subpoena power in every way it needs to, right now? Is every Republican [district attorney] starting every investigation it needs to, right now?

Former Trump White House counselor Steve Bannon has likewise called for Republicans to begin targeting Democrats, promising that such a campaign would only be accelerated if Trump is sworn in as president in January 2025.

"Judgment Day is 5 November of this year," Bannon said, referring to Election Day in a recent episode of his daily podcast. "Accountability day starts on the afternoon of the 20th of January after Donald John Trump takes his hand off the King James Bible and we go to work."

Democrats response

Biden has frequently criticized Trumps promises of retribution but has said relatively little about the fallout from the former presidents recent conviction in New York.

However, in a recent interview with ABC News, the president criticized his predecessor for continually attacking the justice system as corrupt and called on him to accept the verdict against him.

[S]top undermining the rule of law. Stop undermining the institutions, Biden said. That's what Trumps whole effort is. He's trying to undermine it. Look, he got a fair trial. The jury spoke like they speak in all cases, and it should be respected.

In remarks delivered in Michigan over the weekend, Vice President Kamala Harris went further, saying of Trump, He spreads lies that our administration is controlling this case, when everyone knows it was a state prosecution. And he says that he will use a second term for revenge.

Simply put, Donald Trump thinks he is above the law, Harris said. This should be disqualifying for anyone who wants to be president of the United States.

Unprecedented for a president

Political scientist James A. Morone, a professor at Brown University, told VOA that Trumps explicit pledge to use the power of the federal government to persecute his political enemies has no clear parallel in the countrys history.

This is really unprecedented for a president to be doing this, Morone said. And really, the historical precedents are quite the contrary.

Even after the Civil War, Morone said, there were no prosecutions of prominent former Confederate officials and military officers. Former Confederate President Jefferson Davis was arrested and charged with treason, but he was never prosecuted, and the charges against him were eventually dropped, allowing him to return to private life as a U.S. citizen.

Morone said that Trumps rhetoric is particularly worrisome because it sends a message to current and future public officials who may feel they need to demonstrate their loyalty to him.

Every time he gives a speech or an interview that says, 'Revenge is coming. Revenge can be good, they'll be sitting around thinking, OK  let's think of what we can do to put ourselves in good standing as Trump warriors,  Morone said.

You could easily imagine it leading to real harm, he said.
Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to be interviewed by New York probation officials Monday, a required step before his July sentencing in his criminal hush money case, according to three people familiar with the plan.

Trump will do the interview via a computer video conference from his residence at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, the people told The Associated Press. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to disclose the plans publicly.

One of Trump's lawyers, Todd Blanche, will be present for the interview. People convicted of crimes in New York usually meet with probation officials without their lawyers, but the judge in Trump's case, Juan Merchan, said in a letter Friday that he would allow Blanche's presence.

The usual purpose of a pre-sentencing probation interview is to prepare a report that will tell the judge more about the defendant, and potentially help determine the proper punishment for the crime.

Such reports are typically prepared by a probation officer, a social worker or a psychologist working for the probation department who interviews the defendant and possibly that persons family and friends, as well as people affected by the crime.

Presentence reports include a defendants personal history, criminal record and recommendations for sentencing. It will also include information about employment and any obligations to help care for a family member. It is also a chance for a defendant to say why they think they deserve a lighter punishment.

A jury convicted Trump of falsifying business records at his own company as part of a broader scheme to buy the silence of people who might have told embarrassing stories about him during the 2016 presidential campaign. One $130,000 payment went to a porn actor, Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have had a sexual encounter with Trump, which he denied.

Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, says he is innocent of any crime and that the criminal case was brought to hurt his chances to regain the White House.

Trump's campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, said in statement Sunday that President Joe Biden's Democratic Party allies continue to ramp up their ongoing Witch-Hunts, further abusing and misusing the power of their offices to interfere in the presidential election.

President Trump and his legal team are already taking necessary steps to challenge and defeat the lawless Manhattan DA case, he said.

Merchan has scheduled Trump's sentencing for July 11. He has discretion to impose a wide range of punishments, ranging from probation and community service to up to four years in prison.
The United States and Poland are creating a group to help Ukraine fight Russian disinformation, the U.S. State Departments Global Engagement Center announced Monday.

The Global Engagement Center, which works to throw a light on disinformation by what it considers hostile states, said in a statement that the joint Ukraine Communications Group, or UCG, was formed in Warsaw to support Ukraine against Russias aggression in the information space.

The State Department said the new group would bring together allies to coordinate messaging, promote accurate reporting of Russias full-scale invasion, amplify Ukrainian voices and expose Kremlin information manipulation.

The State Department asserted that the Kremlin repeatedly uses lies and manipulation to peddle false pretexts for its unjustifiable invasion, obfuscate its war aims and attempt to fracture worldwide solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

The Kremlin has dismissed claims it spreads disinformation, accusing the West instead of engaging in "information terrorism."

According to The Associated Press, Polish officials say Poland has also become a target of sabotage and other disruptive measures by the Russian secret services.

NATO member Poland has been a hub for Western weapons supplied to Ukraine. It has also been a haven for a significant number of Ukrainian refugees, who have fled their country since Russias invasion in February 2022.

Oleksii Kovalenko contributed to this report. Some information provided by The Associated Press.

Oleksii Kovalenko contributed to this report.
The U.N. Security Council added its voice Monday to calls for Hamas and Israel to implement a permanent cease-fire deal and hostage release in Gaza.

"Colleagues, today we voted for peace," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told council members following the 14-0 vote in favor of a U.S.-drafted resolution supporting the cease-fire proposal. Russia abstained.

She said the plan is the best and only way to bring about a durable end to the 8-month-old war, which began with Hamas' terror attack inside Israel on October 7.

"There is an opportunity to chart a different course," Thomas-Greenfield said. "Hamas must take it."

Russia questioned whether Israel has indeed signed up to it and said there have not been enough details about the cease-fire proposal for the council to give its blessing.

"The Security Council should not sign up to agreements with vague parameters," Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia said.

The resolution seeks to add pressure on Hamas while urging both Hamas and Israel to fully implement the cease-fire deal "without delay and without condition." It is also the first time the 15-nation council has called for a "permanent" end to the hostilities.

Israel's ambassador, Gilad Erdan, was present for the vote but did not stay to deliver his government's statement. Instead, political coordinator Reut Shapir Ben-Naftaly spoke without mentioning the resolution's adoption or Israel's support for the proposal. She urged the international community to put pressure on Hamas.

"It is Hamas that is preventing this war from ending. Hamas and Hamas alone," she said.

The Reuters news agency reported that following the vote, Hamas issued a statement welcoming that the council has "affirmed a permanent cease-fire in Gaza" and indicating a willingness to engage in indirect negotiations over implementing the principles "that are consistent with the demands of our people and resistance."

Blinken in region

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the Middle East on Monday, marking his eighth diplomatic mission to the region since the military conflict in Gaza began.

He urged regional leaders to press Hamas to agree to the three-phase deal, which Washington says that Israel has accepted but Hamas has not since President Joe Biden announced it on May 31.

"The best way to ensure that there's not another civilian casualty is for the cease-fire deal to go forward, for Hamas to accept it. It's as basic and as simple as that," Blinken told reporters in Cairo.

"Our Egyptian counterparts were in communication [with Hamas] as recently as a few hours ago," Blinken said. "I think Egypt, the United States, other countries believe that again, we should be able to get to yes."

Proposal

In its initial phase, the three-phase cease-fire proposal calls for a halt in fighting, the release of some hostages from Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a surge in humanitarian aid for Palestinians, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated areas of Gaza, and the return of Palestinian civilians to their homes and neighborhoods.

The second phase envisions a permanent cessation of hostilities in exchange for the release of all other hostages in Gaza and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. The final phase includes a multiyear reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip, much of which has been devastated by eight months of Israeli bombardment. It would also provide for the return of the remains of any deceased hostages still in Gaza.

Blinken went to Israel after his meetings in Cairo. In Tel Aviv, he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

He emphasized the importance of efforts to provide long-term peace, security and stability to Israelis and Palestinians alike.

The State Department said Blinken also reiterated that the proposal on the table "would unlock the possibility of calm along Israel's northern border and further integration with countries in the region," referring to Lebanon and Hezbollah militants there. Exchanges of fire along that border have escalated since the war in Gaza started, and tens of thousands of civilians in both Israel and Lebanon have had to evacuate their towns and homes.

Blinken will go to Jordan for a humanitarian aid conference on Gaza and also visit Qatar.

The October 7 Hamas terror attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to official Israeli figures. Hamas militants took about 250 hostages, 116 of whom remain in the Palestinian territory, including 41 the army says are dead.

Israel's military response has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its figures.

VOA's State Department bureau chief Nike Ching and U.N. correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
An American cargo plane dropped more than 10 metric tons of rations into northern Gaza on Sunday, the U.S. military said, after a suspension of such deliveries due to Israeli operations in the area.

Gaza's population is in dire need of humanitarian assistance after eight months of devastating conflict, and the United States turned to delivering it by air and sea as Israel delayed the entry of aid via land.

The air drop provided "life-saving humanitarian assistance in northern Gaza," the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

"To date, the U.S. has airdropped more than 1,050 metric tons of humanitarian assistance" in addition to aid delivered via a temporary pier attached to the Gaza coast, it said.

"These airdrops are part of a sustained effort, and we continue to plan follow-on aerial deliveries," CENTCOM added.

The Pentagon said in late May that factors including Israeli operations and weather conditions were affecting the drops, while deputy CENTCOM commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said Friday that they had been "suspended due to the kinetic operations happening in the north" but were expected to resume soon.

The latest air drop came a day after aid deliveries were restarted via the pier, which was damaged by bad weather last month and had to be repaired in a nearby port before being reattached to the coast.

Gaza is suffering through its bloodiest-ever 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 37,084 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.
The prosecution of Hunter Biden on federal firearms charges stems from a 7-page form that would-be gun buyers must fill out when purchasing a weapon from a licensed gun business. The form includes standard questions about things that would disqualify someone from legal gun ownership, like previous felony convictions, mental health problems or illegal drug use.

The drug question has landed Biden in court  prosecutors say he lied on the paperwork for a gun purchase in 2018 when he said he wasn't using drugs. Biden's attorneys say he didn't consider himself a drug addict when he purchased the weapon.

While people are sometimes prosecuted for allegedly lying on the form, experts say it usually happens as part of a larger case involving more serious conduct, and cases like the one brought against Biden are rare.

Here, some things to know about the form and related weapons charges:

The paperwork

The Firearms Transaction Record, also known as ATF Form 4473, is essentially an application to buy a gun from a licensed dealer. It's used for a quick background check to make sure the buyer isn't legally prohibited from owning a weapon. There are nine items on the form that can disqualify a buyer, and most of them are easy to check, said Jacob Charles, an associate professor at Pepperdine University's Caruso School of Law.

If a person has been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment, or has been involuntarily committed to a mental institution, those records will show up in the background check. But one of the big difficulties with the unlawful drug user portion of the form is that it's difficult to verify, Charles said.

"It's fairly rare for this line on the background check form to be prosecuted alone," Charles said. "It can be difficult to prove these kinds of cases, because unless someone confesses or is under the influence at the time, there's not always a lot of evidence."

That's especially true in states like Oregon or Washington, where some drugs like marijuana have been locally legalized though they remain illegal under federal law.

"In every state that has legal marijuana, there are hundreds of thousands of people who possess firearms," Charles said. If they also use marijuana  even with a medical marijuana card  they are illegal gun owners under the federal law, he said.

The prosecutions

Andrew Willinger, the executive director of the Duke Center for Firearms Law, said illegal gun ownership charges typically show up in court as part of larger criminal cases.

Prosecutions like the one against Biden  where the charges aren't tied to another crime like drug possession, robbery or assault  are unusual, Willinger said.

"It's very rare for this to be sort of the lead charge in a case. These are usually brought as additional counts when there is more serious conduct at issue  against someone who has a lengthy criminal history, someone who is engaged in some violent conduct with a firearm," Willinger said. "Possessing a gun as a felon is the most frequent charge, and that's just sort of the easiest one to prosecute because all you need to provide is that the individual was involved in a felony and that they have a gun."

Prosecuting someone for possessing a gun while using drugs requires a fact-intensive investigation, said Willinger, and that usually hinges on having evidence of multiple occurrences of drug use in the weeks or days leading up to the gun purchase.

The numbers

It's difficult to determine how often people are actually prosecuted for illegal gun ownership under each of the nine disqualifying categories listed on Form 4473. But Willinger says the numbers are minuscule compared to the millions of gun purchase applications filed each year.

It's easier to track how many people are denied purchases. According to the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics, about 25 million applications for gun transfers or permits were filed in 2020. Only about 1.6% of them  roughly 398,000  were denied, and about half of those denials were because the applicant had a felony conviction, indictment or arrest. Drug use or addiction accounted for about 8.6% of the denials, according to the bureau.

In other words, only about 0.13% of the total applications made for gun transfers or permits in 2020 were turned down because of drug use or possession.

More recent statistics are sparse, but a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that during fiscal year 2017, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives referred about 12,700 denied firearm purchases to its field divisions for further investigation. By June 2018, just 12 of those cases had been federally prosecuted.

Hunter Biden is accused of buying and illegally owning a gun during an 11-day span in October 2018.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. Priorities of the partnership program of cooperation with Albania were discussed on June 10 within the framework of a meeting in Baku between Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and Albanian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov wrote on X, Trend reports.

"We agreed to provide mutual support for cooperation through the Intergovernmental Commission in all areas related to the strategic course outlined by the heads of state. Our interaction is aimed at strengthening friendly relations and bilateral cooperation, the head of the Ministry of Energy emphasized.

To note, Azerbaijani gas has been transiting through Albania since 2020, and from 2026, the country plans to purchase it.

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump faces the prospect of prison time after a New York jury convicted him of falsifying business records. The legal process casts uncertainty on his campaign and future election chances. Tina Trinh reports from New York.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. The commenced increase of Trans-Adriatic Pipeline's (TAP) output power by 1.2 billion cubic meters and the implementation of gasification projects will make Albania the seventh European country to be supplied with Azerbaijani gas, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Energy Ministry's statement following the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the two countries.

During a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Albania-Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku, the commission's co-chair, Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov, said that from 2026, annual supplies of gas to Albania are expected in the amount of about 200 million cubic meters through the expanded TAP.

An informed source explained that these 200 million cubic meters per year are intended for a new heating station being built in Albania near TAP (built by a Greek company).

According to the source, the remaining one billion cubic meters of gas through the expanded TAP will be transited through Albania to the EU, and the Azerbaijan Gas Supply Company (gas from the Shah Deniz field) is responsible for this supply.

The statement said that during TAP construction across Albania, the country made investments worth 1.5 billion euros, while transit tax payments will amount to 285 million euros over 25 years, and social commitments - 14 million euros.

Both ministers discussed in Baku the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan's assistance in gasifying the Albanian city of Korca, as well as studying the prospects for using the Albanian gas storage facility in the city of Dumrea.

"Azerbaijan-Albania relations have risen to a new level based on active political dialogue and dynamically developing cooperation. Eight documents are planned to be discussed. In bilateral and European contexts, energy has been viewed as a strategically important direction in partnership," the statement pointed out.

Shahbazov added that the COP29 event to be held this year under the chairmanship of Azerbaijan would once again be another opportunity for the solidarity of countries supporting each other in the international arena.

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Meloni set for decisive win as Schlein's centre-left PD makes ground and Salvini's right-wing Lega slumps.

The right-wing Fratelli d'Italia (FdI) party of Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has topped the polls in the European elections in Italy over the weekend, results showed on Monday.

FdI is on track to secure more than 28 per cent of the vote, according to exit polls, more than the 26 per cent it received when Meloni came to power with a right-wing coalition in October 2022.

The result is even more resounding when compared to the outcome of the last European elections in 2019 when Meloni's party took just six per cent of the vote.

In a post on X in the early hours of Monday, Meloni wrote: "THANK YOU! Fratelli d'Italia confirms itself as the leading Italian party, surpassing the result of the last political elections."

In addition to cementing her political dominance in Italy, the result positions Meloni as a kingmaker in deciding the balance of power in the EU.

The centre-left Partito Democratico party is in second place on around 24 per cent, exit polls showed, strengthening the hand of the new leader Elly Schlein who welcomed the "extraordinary" outcome.

Schlein also noted that the result narrows the gap between the FdI and the PD which secured 22 per cent in the EU elections in 2019.

There was a poor showing for the populist Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S), led by former premier Giuseppe Conte, in third place with a projected result of around 10 per cent, down from 17 per cent in 2019.

Conte told reporters that the party would meet to reflect on the "very disappointing" result, the worst at a nationwide level since its foundation in 2009.

There was good news for Meloni's centre-right ally Forza Italia, led by deputy premier Antonio Tajani, which is set to take around 10 per cent of the vote (up from eight per cent in 2019).

Celebrating the result, Tajani paid tribute to the party's founder Silvio Berlusconi in the first nationwide vote since his death one year ago.

The news was far from good for the government's other coalition party, the right-wing Lega led by deputy premier Matteo Salvini, which is on track to get about nine per cent.

This outcome would represent a major fall from the 34 per cent the party achieved in 2019 when it topped the polls.

Salvini had hoped for a big increase in support by running a celebrity candidate, a suspended army general known for his controversial, far-right views. However despite General Vannacci being elected with more than half a million votes, the party had a poor showing.

The result also came the day after Umberto Bossi, the founder of the Lega Nord (which became the Lega under Salvini in 2013), made the bombshell announcement that he was voting for Forza Italia.

Salvini tried to put a brave face on the results, saying on Sunday night: "For the last year everyone had been writing us off as dead but we are alive and well".

The left-wing Green and Left Alliance (AVS) won more than six per cent, taking it over the line, however the centrist parties of Matteo Renzi and Carlo Calenda - the Stati Uniti d'Europa and Azione respectively - failed to meet the required four per cent electoral threshold.

Voter turn-out in Italy was a record low 49.69 per cent, according to data from the Italian interior ministry, the first time the figure has dropped below 50 per cent.
Thieves broke into Bulgari via a hole in the ground.

Rome police are investigating the theft of half a million euro worth of Bulgari jewels after thieves broke into the luxury jewellery store through a hole in the floor.

The alarm went off just before midnight on Saturday at the shop on Via Condotti, an exclusive shopping street near the Spanish Steps in the city's historic centre.

The robbery, which lasted 11 minutes, involved at least three thieves who escaped with the loot via the same hole before possibly making a getaway through the sewers.

Police are examining surveillance footage from internal cameras on the premises as well as from nearby shops.

Photo: Francesco Cantone / Shutterstock.com.
Though normally only visible closer to the planets poles, they were seen in New York and D.C. and as far south as Texas.
Almost half (45.4%) of all first preference votes in the Portlaw/Kilmacthomas LEA went to Fine Gael representatives, with both party candidates Liam Brazil and Seanie Power re-elected on the very first count.

Kilmacthomas native Liam Brazil received 1,982 first preference votes, with Rathgormacks Seanie Power bringing in 1,554 from a quota of 1,299.

Its fantastic for Fine Gael, Liam said.

I think people in rural Ireland are starting to believe again that Fine Gael are the party for them.

It comes back to us on the doorstep all the time that Simon (Harris) was so active on the ground over the election, that he travelled to every county and constituency and that wasnt easy. He's young, he's ambitious and he wanted to meet the people, which is so important."

Liam added, In December Ill be retiring from my work and Ill be a full time councillor. I would like to thank every door I knocked on, the people I met and friends I made along the way."

Sitting Cathaoirleach of the Portlaw/ Kilmacthomas area, Seanie Power also keeps his place on the council.

Reacting to the victory, Seanie said: Im delighted to be here, its been a long day and we didnt think it would go on for so long but Im just delighted that it's over because I have been thinking about it all week just hoping it would go well. Its like playing a match and the final whistle comes."

When asked about the work he does within the locality, he said: Im out and about, I meet people and Im on the ground which I feel is very important. When anyone contacts me Im there, be it for roads, planning, housing or anything. I like being out meeting people and I feel it's hugely important.

Commending the candidates, Fine Gael Senator John Cummins commented, "Topping the poll in Tramore, Portlaw-Kilmacthomas and Dungarvan highlights the excellent people we have in Fine Gael and I know firsthand how hard they work and how dedicated they are to bettering our community.
Five years on from their strong showing in 2019, it appears that the The Green Wave has crashed in the Deise.

Mayor of Waterford's Metropolitan District, and outgoing Green Councillor, Jody Power lost his seat on the 8th count of the Waterford City East LEA. Jody spoke with the Waterford News & Star shortly after the results came through.

He said: "It's a tough one, I'd much rather be on the other side of it to tell you the truth."

Jody took a moment to congratulate all his fellow candidates who made it to the other side.

"These will be well representative of the people and I wish them all the best.

"I think we've had a wonderful five years in Waterford and being on the Council was such a privilege and to be the Metro Mayor was wonderful.

"I met some wonderful people, wonderful organisations. I say Waterford, what a wonderful place to live. I'm so proud of it."

Party leader and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has frustrated Waterford voters over his stance regarding Waterford Airport.

Jody said: "I had 6,000 doors (to canvas) and generally people were so nice. I think the big thing on the doors has been the airport issue, by far."

Alongside Jody, fellow Councillor Cristiona Kiely lost her seat on the 11th count in the Tramore - Waterford City West LEA, marking a very different day for the Green Party to the same outing in 2019, when Marc O Cathasaigh, now a TD, romped home as poll topper on his first bid for election.

For Jody, it's not the error of the party in Waterford for the disappointing result: "We've got great people here in Waterford."

"I am saddened by the fact that we're not going to have a real Green voice in Waterford Council for the next five years. Not being egotistical about it but I think Waterford is going to be poorer for it because we have to go down the Green agenda, we have to go down that road.

"It's the way of the future and we're going to have to go down that way. Where were the voices that we needed to hear from Dublin, to keep the Green regions alive?"

Jody added: "It feels like there's been a disconnect between Dublin and the regions. We need to sit down and have a gathering, reflecting on what the story is. We've got to gather our thoughts, and I think the communication system has to be a lot better for people because this country has so much potential."
In Waterford City East, the Independents topped the poll again this year, similar to the 2019 election, however this time around the electorate was extremely confident in their Independent candidates as two of them were deemed elected on the first count.

Councillor David Daniels will return to Waterford City and County Council for another term, being elected with a tremendous 1,331 first preference votes. The second Independent to be elected, also on the first count, was first-time candidate Declan Barry, also with an impressive 1,257 votes.

The early tally accumulated by cross-party interests suggested exactly that, and also predicted the re-election of Councillors Adam Wyse (FF), Pat Fitzgerald (SF) and Mary Roche (SD) and the return of former Councillor, Jim D'Arcy (FG); but it certainly wasn't plain sailing for them to get there.

It wasn't until the sixth count that another candidate had hit the quota of 1,238 votes. Sinn Fein's Pat Fitzgerald was re-elected to the Council with a total of 1,302 votes, taking most of the transfers from his eliminated colleague Karl Cretzan. Sinn Fein ran a third candidate in this LEA, Caroline Griffin, whose husband was re-elected in the Tramore - City West LEA. Mrs Griffin was eliminated in the third count.

Fianna Fail's former Mayor, Cllr Adam Wyse, who started out on 1,063 first preferences only picked up the essential transfers for his deemed election in the seventh count, following the elimination of Fianna Fail's second City East candidate, Stephanie Keating, losing her seat.

Jody Power was knocked off his mayoral podium in the eighth count, leaving no Green representative in Council at all, with Cristiona Kiely also losing her seat in Tramore - City West.

Fine Gael's sole candidate for City East, Jim D'Arcy, edged his way into the fourth seat with a total of 1,257 votes.

Credit must be given to Independent candidate Darren Ryan who kept both Cllr D'Arcy and Cllr Roche on their toes until the bitter end of the tenth count, falling short of just 192 votes between himself and Cllr Roche; but only a total of 304 votes from the quota.

Cllr Roche was deemed elected to the sixth seat with 1,126 votes, having not met the quota, but making history for the Social Democrats in Waterford as the Party's first candidate on the Council.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. The decline in the level of the Caspian Sea observed over the past two decades requires the application of urgent measures and is a clear confirmation of the negative consequences of global warming, Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev said, Trend reports.

He made the remark during the event at ADA University, "Caspian Blue Horizons," dedicated to "Synergy between Science and Business for Climate Resilience and Sustainability of the Caspian ahead of COP29".

"The main objective of the Caspian Blue Horizons Workshop is to facilitate cooperation between experts in applied sciences and business representatives. Their interaction will help to develop innovative solutions and effective strategies to address the challenges related to water level decline and environmental changes in the Caspian Sea," he said.

Babayev mentioned that representatives of the Caspian littoral states periodically meet to discuss the Protocol on Monitoring, Assessment, and Exchange of Information under the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea signed earlier in Tehran.

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Sean McCarthaigh

The manager of a convenience store who was penalised by her employer after she had informed Revenue about attempts not to pay her full wages through payroll has been awarded over 43,000 in compensation.

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruled the woman was treated unfairly by the company because she had made a protected disclosure about a breach of the tax code to Revenue.

The WRC heard she only reported the issue to the tax authorities after she got no satisfaction from trying to raise it with one of the companys directors.

The unnamed company operates a suburban convenience store under a well-known retail brand.

The manager complained that her job had been reduced to mainly packing shelves after she had contacted Revenue in September 2023 about changes in the way her wages were paid.

The complainant told the WRC that she had informed Revenue that part of her salary had been paid from a bank account other than payroll.

When she raised the issue with a company director, the woman claimed she and a colleague were told the business could not sustain their wages and he wanted to pay part of what they were owed in cash.

The WRC said it was satisfied that the director had threatened the woman after he warned her there would be consequences about her objection to being paid part of her salary in cash.

While she was on sick leave in January 2024, the woman was informed about changes to her start and finish times at work.

However, she claimed she could not work until 3pm as rostered each weekday as she had to finish at 2pm, which resulted in her losing an hour's worth of pay every day.

It also had the effect of her having only 30 minutes to sort deliveries before the store opened, when she previously had 60 minutes to fulfil the task.

Micro-managed

The WRC also concluded that the company had permitted another manager appointed in May 2023 to take over the complainants role to penalise her by refusing to roster staff to help her and by unnecessary supervision.

The woman said she felt she was being micro-managed by the new manager and harassed by the way she was asked questions about the tasks she performed.

As she no longer had authority in the store, she said it must seem to its customers and staff that she had done something wrong.

The complainant also observed that the director said hello to everyone when he came to the shop, but ignored her. Instead, she claimed the director stared at her, which she said she found intimidating.

WRC adjudication officer, Catherine Byrne, said the woman did not simply have a reasonable belief but a clear understanding that what her employer was proposing was wrong.

Ms Byrne noted the woman had told her employer that she objected to being paid undeclared income as she did not want to be complicit in any wrongdoing.

I agree with her assertion that the treatment she is being subjected to his intended to harass her and to cause her so much distress that she will leave her job, Ms Byrne said.

She observed that every employer knows that paying wages under the counter is an offence.

The WRC noted that the complainant had her responsibilities removed, and she was effectively demoted regardless of the claims by the director that he had not told anyone to do her work.

It ordered the company to pay the manager compensation of 40,000  the equivalent of one years gross salary.

The WRC also instructed the company to pay her a further 3,621 for breaches of employment legislation relating to underpayments to her salary and a failure to provide her with a statement setting out changes to her job following the appointment of another manager.

The convenience store did not attend or send a representative to the WRC hearing of the case last month after its application for a postponement was rejected.
Its good to be the King. Along with seeing your face on money, having a June public holiday for your November birthday in Australia and setting off a Mexican wave of bows and curtsies every time you enter a room, people finally look past the ears and see you as a style superstar.

Since his coronation in May last year the reputation of King Charles as a fashion influencer has picked up speed.

Charles, the king of fashion, at his May coronation last year. Credit: Getty

Charles is an icon with an innate sense of style, says Jeremy Hershan, founder of Haulier and winner of the National Designer of the Year award. He wears tailoring particularly well and is always at ease in his clothes.

Hershan had the opportunity to witness Charles discerning eye first-hand while working on Saville Row for esteemed British tailors Gieves & Hawkes, which has held a royal warrant since 1809.
On average, West Australians are now taking out mortgages worth $538,000, the highest figure on record.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data for April highlights Perths runaway housing market, with the average new mortgage amount nearly $32,000 higher than it was three months prior.

Since last September, the average new mortgage in WA has increased nearly $8000 each month on average.

When records began, in April 2006, the average loan size was $229,000.
How much is a speechwriter worth? There were splutters of outrage last week when it was revealed that NDIS and Government Services Minister Bill Shorten has a speechwriter who is earning $310,000 a year (including super and entitlements).

It wasnt reported that way, though. The full value of Julianne Stewarts two-year contract was cited  the far sexier figure of $620,000.

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten and speechwriter Julianne Stewart.

The matter was raised in Senate estimates by Senator Linda Reynolds, hot off the heels of her private legal pursuit of her former staffer Brittany Higgins, and Higgins partner, for defamation. Reynolds asked a question about the contract between Stewart and Services Australia (the huge government agency that oversees payments for Centrelink, Medicare and the aged pension). She mentioned Stewart by name and read out the Sydney suburb where she lives.

Then NSW Liberal Senator Maria Kovacic picked up the thread. Senators who work in this building get paid about $230,000 a year, she said. Shadow ministers get paid less than that. MPs in the government and senators in the government, on the crossbench and in the opposition, get paid less than the speechwriter that minister Shorten, it appears, has personally requested to write speeches for him.
Teal independents have accused Peter Dutton of putting the countrys economic and environmental future at risk by abandoning the Paris Agreement, while sharpening their pre-election attack lines on the Liberal Party as it seeks to win back wealthy seats in the capital cities.

Independents Allegra Spender, Monique Ryan and Zoe Daniel said Duttons decision to ditch Australias 2030 targets to cut emissions by 43 per cent while promising to achieve net zero by 2050 would push investment out of the country to nations that recognised the environmental risks.

Independent MPs Allegra Spender (left), Monique Ryan (back) and Zoe Daniel, and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

Dutton told The Australian newspaper on Saturday that he would take a radically different energy policy to the next election, with a focus on natural gas in the short term with a longer-term commitment to nuclear power.

Theres no sense in signing up to targets you dont have any prospect of achieving, he said, in reference to the governments 2030 target.
Prominent American politicians and military leaders have rallied behind an influential Australian think tank known for its hawkish views on the Chinese Communist Party and defence policy as the Albanese government considers overhauling government funding for national security research.

Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses department in February commissioned former Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade head Peter Varghese to review national security strategic policy work.

Lieutenant-General Stephen Sklenka said the Australian Strategic Policy Institutes work had helped shape his thinking on strategic issues in the Indo-Pacific. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Australias strategic policy community has since been abuzz with speculation the review was driven in part by a desire to rein in the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a Canberra think tank established in 2001 and led by former Liberal Party staffer and public servant Justin Bassi.

Officials from the Chinese embassy in Canberra included government funding for anti-China research at the institute on an infamous list of 14 grievances provided to journalists from Nine News and this masthead in 2020.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 10. Large South Korean businesses will participate in the 13th Kazakhstan-Korea business forum on June 12, Trend reports.

According to Samruk-Kazyna (Kazakhstan's investment holding), more than 50 companies have already confirmed their participation in the event, including such companies as Samsung, Hyundai, Dossan, Posco Holding, LS Corporation, and others.

In general, about 300 business representatives from Kazakhstan and South Korea are expected to participate in the event.

The Kazakhstan-Korea Business Forum will be held within the framework of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to Kazakhstan on June 1113.

The presidents of the two countries will hold negotiations and take part in the Kazakh-Korean business forum. Several bilateral papers will be signed during the visit.

Meanwhile, trade turnover between the countries in 2023 exceeded $6 billion. Exports to South Korea during the period amounted to $3.8 billion, and imports from South Korea amounted to $2.2 billion.
At the invitation of Dr. Nguyen Van Can, Director-General of Viet Nam Customs and Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Directors-General of Customs meeting this year, WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders virtually participated in the 13th ASEAN  World Customs Organization (WCO) Consultation on 5 June 2024. This annual consultation, held alongside the meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs, provides a unique opportunity for bilateral discussions to enhance cooperation.

In his opening remarks, Secretary General Saunders expressed his warm gratitude to the ASEAN members for their continued support to the WCO and acknowledged the history of robust engagement between the two organizations. He appreciated the active participation of ASEAN members in the WCOs work, noting that sharing their real-world experience helps direct the organizations activities.

During the consultation, Secretary General Saunders outlined the WCOs recent key achievements and updates, which will be reported to the Policy Commission and the Council, including the implementation status of the Strategic Plan, a possible strategic review of the Harmonized system, and a proposal for a resolution on strengthening Customs-Industry resilience. Additionally, he provided insights from the 2024 Customs Environmental Scan and the WCO modernization plan. He also updated the audience on the preparation status for the capacity-building activities planned for the new fiscal year.

The head of Regional Office for Capacity Building Asia/Pacific (ROCB A/P) reported detailed information on the capacity-building activities conducted by the WCO for ASEAN members. These activities included workshops and human resource development programmes. He expressed appreciation for their cooperation in organizing the regional workshops and demonstrated readiness to support the Members of the region.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the cooperative relationship to advance the goals of facilitating legitimate trade, ensuring fair revenue collection, and protecting society.
From 3 to 7 June 2024, under the aegis of the Sida-WCO TFCM Programme, WCO Experts met with Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) officials in Lusaka, Zambia, to support ZRA in applying the WCO Performance Measurement Mechanism (PMM) for strategic decision- making and good governance.

At the opening, Ernest SIGANDE, Commissioner of Customs Services Division of the ZRA, representing the Commissioner General, acknowledged the gains in Customs reforms made by the ZRA through WCO capacity-building assistance. He underscored the relevance and critical importance of the workshop objective to enhance an evidenced-based strategic decision-making process.

Through establishing an evidence-based performance measurement system in line with the WCO PMM, the Workshop participants were invited to reflect on the methodology to develop the indicators for measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs operations and ensure good governance and sustainability. Through group exercises, discussions tied the lessons learned to specific expected outcomes and indicators to be integrated into the Corporate Strategic Plan and the relevant Divisional Plans of the ZRA. The workshop participants high level of interaction and immersive participation reflect the Members commitment to further developing and embedding a performance measurement culture in implementing the ZRAs strategic and operational plans.

The Sida-WCO TFCM Programme reiterates its commitment to supporting the implementation of the WCO PMM as a data-driven and evidence-based enabler for policymaking and identifying evidenced-based capacity-building needs.

For more information on this activity, you may contact pmm@wcoomd.org.
Under the framework of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, the World Customs Organization (WCO) in partnership with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) held a regional consultation in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from 3 to 7 June 2024 with the participation of experts from Customs and Ministry of Industry from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

The objective of the consultation was to discuss and exchange on pertaining challenges in the implementation of rules of origin (RoO) in the WAEMU region and take stock of the state of play with regard to applicable preferential rules of origin and trade agreements in the region as well as capacity building needs and envisaged regional and national initiatives focusing on RoO. The consultation was followed by a workshop on the migration of originating products from their initial HS version to HS 2022 and on the modernization and alignment of the WAEMU origin protocol to the AfCFTA Agreement and other regional FTAs.

Mr. Janvier Sawadogo, Charge de Mission, on behalf of the Commissioner, WAEMU Regional Market and Cooperation Department, opened the consultation meeting highlighting the importance of preferential trade agreements and rules of origin for regional economic integration. He also stressed the importance of aligning the origin protocol to limit blatant divergences with the continental agreement and strengthen the industrial base of the region, and added that the migration of originating products to HS 2022 contributes to reduce disputes and improves the efficiency of Customs administrations.

The consultation concluded with the drafting of a road map for capacity building and awareness raising activities. The outcomes of this consultation will feed into the work plan of the EU-WCO RoO Africa Programme and steer the partnership and support for the WAEMU Commission and its members.

During the following workshop, participants successfully updated the list of approved originating products to HS 2022. The next step is to complete the update taking into consideration the 10 digits used in the common external tariff.

Participants also took first steps in the modernization of the WAEMU rules of origin and had detailed technical discussions on the provisions of the origin protocol. A text will be drafted and submitted to Member States for validation and approval according to internal procedures.

The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme will continue its work with WAEMU and its Members to ensure efficient implementation and application of rules of origin in the region.

For further information please contact EU-WCORoOAfrica.Program@wcoomd.org
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, June 10. Trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and European countries amounted to $388.515 million in the first quarter of 2024, which is 43.8 percent more than in the same period of 2023 ($270.273 million), Trend reports.

Data from Kyrgyzstans State Statistical Committee indicates that Kyrgyz exports to Europe reached $83.064 million, increasing by 52.9 percent compared to JanuaryMarch 2023 figures ($54.316 million).

During the first quarter of this year, imports totaled $305.451 million, up by 41.4 percent compared to the same period in 2023 ($215.957 million).

Europe countries accounted for 10.4 percent of Kyrgyzstan's total trade turnover, with exports making up 16.3 percent of total exports and imports constituting 9.5 percent of total imports.

To note, Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover amounted to $3.723 billion from January through March 2024, which is 29.8 percent more than in the corresponding months of 2023.

Exports amounted to $510.9 million, increasing by 12.8 percent compared to January through March 2023. Imports, compared to the same period in 2023, grew by 33 percent, reaching $3.213 billion.

The statistics yield that, of the trade turnover structure, imports made up 86.3 percent and exports 13.7 percent.
 Flash

Wounded people are seen after Israeli attacks in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on June 8, 2024. (Photo by Marwan Daoud /Xinhua)

Pedestrians can hardly walk through the streets of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip on Sunday, which has been transformed overnight into a devastated area with the smell of death.

Burned cars, destroyed houses, and bloodstains from the victims are found on the camp's roads and in its alleys after Israeli special forces launched a military operation in the camp to free four Israeli hostages on Saturday.

As Israeli troops entered the camp, warplanes launched a series of violent raids on dozens of targets inside the camp, mostly civilian houses, according to the media office of the Hamas-run government.

At least 274 Palestinians were killed and more than 698 others injured during the Israeli military operation, according to figures released by the Hamas-run health authorities on Sunday.

"I was drinking a cup of coffee on the balcony of my house overlooking the street. Everything was normal: passers-by and vendors in the street, children playing in the sun, but everything changed in an instant," recalled Othman Zaki, a resident of the Nuseirat camp.

"Suddenly, Israeli planes started bombing violently everywhere. No one understood anything. Everyone started running without knowing where to go safely," said the 27-year-old man.

"The continuous bombing, the rapid events, and the bodies of the victims lying everywhere -- no one can describe it," said Ahmed Shaaban, a displaced Palestinian man.

"We couldn't save anyone. The situation was catastrophic and crazy. No one could have imagined it, not even in their nightmares," he added.

Since early Sunday morning, the 42-year-old father of six has been trying in vain to identify landmarks in his neighborhood. The street where he once lived with his family has been reduced to rubble.

"We can only see the rubble of houses destroyed by Israeli airstrikes. The dead and wounded were lying on the sides of the road. No one could save them due to the violent and continuous bombing," he said with teary eyes.

This photo taken on June 8, 2024 shows buildings and vehicles damaged during Israeli attacks in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. (Photo by Marwan Daoud /Xinhua)

When the bombing, which lasted for more than half an hour, finally subsided, Shaaban and his neighbors started to leave and seek safety. "We were shocked by what we saw. The victims were everywhere," he recalled.

In a desperate attempt to rescue the injured people, they used anything that could move -- vehicles, bicycles, even donkey carts -- to transport them to hospitals.

Yahya Ayoub from the city of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip described how the bombing forced many displaced people and dozens of residents of Nuseirat camp to flee their homes.

"Destruction is everywhere here. Houses were burned, some destroyed. Victims were killed inside their homes without understanding what was happening or what their fault was," Ayoub said.

With a tone of sadness, Ayoub said he could not believe he had survived the bombing. He recounted carrying an injured, unconscious child from the street, running a long distance until he found a car to take the child to the hospital.

"I still do not know the condition of the child, but I hope he is fine and that the doctors succeed in saving his life," he said.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, June 10. Kyrgyzstan has imposed a temporary ban on the import of fresh chicken eggs, Trend reports.

The ban, except for re-export, transit of eggs through the country, and movement from one EAEU member state to another through its territory, is introduced by a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers for a period of six months.

It is noted that this measure aims to ensure the country's food security, stabilize market prices for food products, and ensure the proper functioning of the domestic market.

According to the Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the country imported 12.308 million eggs in the first quarter of 2024, which is 76.7 percent less than in the same period of 2023 (52.793 million). The value of imports amounted to $1.139 million, decreasing by 67.1 percent compared to January through March 2023 ($3.459 million).

Kyrgyzstan received eggs from Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan throughout the reporting period.
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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, June 10. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov has lifted the temporary ban on the export of gold-bearing ore and gold concentrate from the country, Trend reports.

According to the press service of the Kyrgyz president, Zhaparov has signed a decree, by which it is declared to deem obsolete the decree of the president "On the introduction of a temporary ban on the export from the Kyrgyz Republic of gold-bearing ore and gold concentrate" dated October 26, 2022.

Thus, the amendments made to this decree on March 14, 2023, and December 28, 2023, are also rendered null and void.

To note, the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan reports that the country exported 2.11 tons of gold from January through March 2024, a 2.5-fold increase from the same period in 2023. Compared to JanuaryMarch 2023, the value of these exports increased by 2.7 times to $139.712 million.

Specifically, 1.126 tons of gold were exported to China's Hong Kong for $75.36 million, 971 kg were exported to Switzerland for $63.5 million, and 12 kg to the UAE for $811,900.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, June 10. The total number of power plants in Turkmenistan currently stands at 11, Trend reports.

This was stated by the Head of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations of the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan, Atageldy Mamiev, at the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asian Investment Forum, held in Riyadh city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

According to him, these power plants, with a total capacity of 6523.2 megawatts, allow Turkmenistan to reliably supply electricity to domestic consumers and annually increase its exports to neighboring countries.

Furthermore, he noted that the country has set a course for the introduction of renewable energy sources, reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere. One of the steps is the project of a solar and wind power plant with a capacity of 10 megawatts, implemented in the Gyzylarbat district of the Balkan region.

Mamiev added that at the moment, the issue of attracting foreign investment for the construction of solar power plants with a capacity of 100 to 300 MW is also being studied.

Meanwhile, in recent years, Turkmenistan has actively pursued the development of electricity production, with a focus on enhancing existing power plants and constructing new facilities.

This strategic endeavor aims to bolster the country's energy capacity, foster stable economic growth, and improve the standard of living for its populace.
Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 jetliners at gates at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on March 1. Elliott Investment Management announced on June 10 it has taken a $1.9 billion stake in Southwest Airlines.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, June 10. Turkmenistan was elected Vice-Chairman of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly by full consensus, Trend reports.

According to an official source, this was stated by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov during a government meeting held on June 7.

He noted that in order to implement Turkmenistan's foreign policy strategy in practice, fulfill the instructions given by the head of state, and solve the tasks set, comprehensive work was carried out to develop constructive cooperation with foreign partners in bilateral and multilateral formats, within the framework of reputable international organizations.

"The visits of foreign delegations to Turkmenistan during the reporting period, as well as visits of domestic delegations abroad, were aimed at strengthening and expanding fruitful cooperation in various fields," Meredov said.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan's collaboration with the UN is expanding in various domains, showcasing the country's eagerness to actively engage with the global community and uphold peace and security worldwide.

This is expressed through regular consultations, participation in international conferences and projects, and technical cooperation to solve global problems. Turkmenistan also actively supports UN peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, which underlines its commitment to international stability and development.
A smear campaign against the president of Technische Universitat Berlin, Geraldine Rauch, has been running for over a week. She is being falsely accused of antisemitism because she liked three posts critical of Israel against the genocide in Gaza on Twitter/X. Although she subsequently apologised and reacted extremely defensively, a phalanx of politicians, media and organisations such as the Central Council of Jews launched a defamation campaign against her in order to force her resignation.

The German governments antisemitism commissioner, Felix Klein, and the Israeli embassy have also publicly denounced her. Most recently, on Friday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Social Democrat, SPD) removed the university president from his advisory body, the so-called Council for the Future.

On Wednesday, the Academic Senate of the Technische Universitat (TU) met to discuss the Rauch case and gave its opinion: 13 Senate members voted in favour of her resignation, 12 against. Rauch then declared that she would not resign but would initiate disciplinary proceedings against herself in order to clarify the matter.

The 41-year-old mathematician received support from students and staff at her university. According to broadcaster rbb, 129 employees, mainly academic and student staff as well as some professors, signed a letter of support in which they criticised the disproportionate hostility towards Geraldine Rauch as a person. Before the Academic Senate meeting, students had protested and put up a banner on the TUs Studienkolleg (Preparatory School) that read: University autonomy instead of witch-huntGeraldine stays!

The Berlin International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) condemns the smear campaign against Geraldine Rauch and defends the professor against the right-wing attacks. The false accusation of antisemitism is being used to intimidate professors, lecturers and students. Against the backdrop of international student protests against the genocide in Gaza, this campaign aims to silence legitimate and necessary criticism of the governments pro-war policy, its complicity in the genocide in Gaza and the shift to the right at universities.

For liking three social media posts, Rauch is now being dragged through the wringer. One post criticised the genocide in Gaza, another criticised the war crimes of the Israeli army and a third post read: Thousands of Turkish citizens are currently taking to the streets to demand a ceasefire in Gaza and condemn the operation in Rafah!

This last post, which is now being used as the hook for the accusation of antisemitism, also showed two pictures of the Turkish protests; in one of them, demonstrators hold up a cardboard figure of far-right Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with swastikas painted on his chest. As Rauch emphasised afterwards, she had only liked this post because of the call for a ceasefire.

The fact that Geraldine Rauch is being pilloried as an antisemite for liking this post is absurd and a pretence. In fact, the campaign has a larger political background. As reported by newsweekly Der Spiegel, in April and May the TU president had criticised the police eviction of the protest camp against the Gaza war at Freie Universitat Berlin and the violent eviction of the Institute for Social Sciences at Humboldt-Universitat being occupied by students.

At the beginning of the year, in February, Rauch spoke out against the right-wing Netzwerk Wissenschaftsfreiheit (Academic Freedom Network) founded in 2021 in an article for the online newspaper Table Media and correctly explained that this association of professors, including some from TU, strengthens the narrative of the New Right.

Shortly before the campaign for her resignation began, she had appointed historian Uffa Jensen as the TUs antisemitism officer, drawing criticism from pro-Zionist organisations such as the Central Council of Jews. Jensen has worked at the TUs Centre for Research on Anti-Semitism since 2018 and is a co-signatory of the Jerusalem Declaration on Anti-Semitism from 2021, which is directed against the International Holocaust Remembrance Associations (IHRA) definition of antisemitism from 2016, which is used to equate criticism of Zionism and Israels policies with antisemitism. The IHRA definition serves as an ideological and legal justification for suppression of opposition to the far-right Netanyahu regime.

The case at the TU Berlin is not about a fight against antisemitism or hatred of Jews. On the contrary: the ruling elites are currently pursuing an extreme right-wing agenda that is fuelling actual antisemitism and strengthening the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Academics such as Geraldine Rauch and Uffa Jensen are a thorn in their side. They do not want universities where anti-war activists and steadfast academics study, but as ideological training schools for their pro-war policies in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Geraldine Rauch is now to be made an example. Accordingly, any academic who utters a critical word about the genocide in Gaza should have to fear for their reputation and their job. Precarious working conditions have prevailed in the academic world for years, especially for mid-level academic staff, who are fobbed off with fixed-term contracts and have to worry about their position being renewed every two to three years. Will they be fired or forced to resign in future if they publicly position themselves against Israels far-right policies and like or even share posts denouncing war crimes?

With this latest smear campaign and the police attacks on student protests, the political conformity of universities is being further enforced. Critical discourse and freedom of opinion are becoming empty phrases and are only used to justify right-wing extremist agitation: for example, when the right-wing extremist Professor Jorg Baberowski at Humboldt University trivialises the Nazi war of extermination. This process began 10 years ago with the announcement of Germanys new foreign policy turn, which was accompanied by a reactionary ideological campaign in the field of education.

We call on all students and university employees to show their solidarity with TU President Geraldine Rauch and protest against the demands for her resignation. Rauch is displaying courage by refusing to resign. But with her defensive reaction and the disciplinary proceedings she has initiated herself, she has already given in to right-wing political pressure to a certain extent. However, the attacks on democratic rights, which are currently underway throughout Germany, can only be repelled with a political counteroffensive.

We at the IYSSE are currently conducting this offensive as part of the elections to the student parliament at Humboldt University. At our next events, we want to discuss two questions that are at the centre of the campaign against the TU president: What next in the fight against police violence and genocide? (June 11, 7 p.m.) and The false accusation of antisemitism and the trivialisation of Nazi crimes at Humboldt University (June 17, 7 p.m.), both in Audimax II on the HUs North Campus.

In our election statement we emphasise:

We will not allow opponents of war to be silenced at Humboldt University and for it to be turned into a training school for German militarism.

The same must apply to the TU and all German universities. But students and university employees alone can stop neither the massacre in Gaza nor the escalation of war in Ukraine, as we write in our election appeal:

The only social force capable of ending the genocide and defending democratic rights is the international working class, the great majority that creates all the wealth of society. As the youth organisation of the Fourth International, we stand for the unification of workers across all national, religious and ethnic boundaries in the struggle against capitalism and war. The brutal violence against opponents of war shows that it is pointless to appeal to the government. A world war can only be prevented if capitalism is overthrown and replaced by a socialist society in which the needs of working people come before the interests of profit.
A video posted Friday to TikTok by members of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Scotland demanding the Zelensky regime release imprisoned Ukrainian socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk was removed by the social media company soon after it was posted.

The video was deleted from the UK Socialist Equality Partys TikTok account on Friday afternoon, around 20 minutes after it was posted. A notice to the partys account stated: Video removed, claiming, This video violates our community guidelines.

The notice continued: Youve received a warning for your first violation. The next violation will result in a strike.

Notice from TikTok claiming, This video violates our community guidelines. [Photo: TikTok]

TikTok claimed the video was being banned for encouraging Hate speech and hateful behaviours in breach of TikToks community guidelines.



The SEP immediately protested TikToks political censorship, rejecting its accusation that the video had breached the platforms community guidelines. An SEP representative wrote: This video is the very opposite of hate speech. It calls for the unity of Ukrainian and Russian workers to put an end to a war that has killed hundreds of thousands and laid waste to Ukraine.



TikTok rejected the SEPs appeal, upholding its decision to remove the video. Its notice the next morning stated: It was determined that your content violates our Community Guidelines and cannot be restored.

No further explanation was provided.

TikToks accusation of hate speech is outrageous. The video, which can be viewed on YouTube, condemns the illegal detention of a 25-year-old member of the Young Guard of Bolshevik Leninists (YGBL), arrested by Zelenskys secret police for opposing the war.

Syrotiuk, alongside members of the YGBL in both Ukraine and Russia, have taken a courageous stand against a NATO-backed war, the Zelensky regime supported by ultra-nationalists and fascists and Putins reactionary Special Military Operation.

The video banned by TikTok sees IYSSE members in Scotland exposing the propaganda used by the Zelensky regime to justify its imprisonment of Bogdan on charges of treason, including bogus claims that the World Socialist Web Site is a Russian propaganda and information agency.

The Scottish youth describe these lies as absurd, and the YGBLs fight as an inspiration to socialist-minded youth around the world.

The video explains: The arrest of Bogdan is a warning to young people all over the world. The same contradictions of capitalism that produced two world wars and fascism in the 20th century are erupting once more.

They call on young people to take up the fight for Syrotiuks freedom as part of the fight for a global antiwar movement of working people against the horrors of war, fascism and genocide produced by capitalism.

Darren Paxton, who takes part in the video and is the Socialist Equality Partys candidate for Inverness in the British general elections, said of the ban:

I condemn the censorship of our call for the freedom of my comrade, Bogdan Syrotiuk. This is wartime censorship and workers must oppose it to defend their own democratic rights! Ukraine is a stark warning to workers, with martial law imposed on the population and the secret police arresting any opponent of the fratricidal war. This experience will be replicated in every country for workers under conditions of a global war.

Darren Paxton

The TikTok ban comes just days after the Zelensky regime issued an order banning access to the World Socialist Web Site across Ukraine. The order was issued by the Ukrainian State Special Communications Service (SSSCIP), a wing of the countrys military-intelligence apparatus.

As the WSWS explained: The decision to ban the WSWS is a response to the outpouring of support within Ukraine and internationally for Bogdan Syrotiuk There is compelling evidence that the Ukrainian governments decision to ban the WSWS was made in consultation with the Biden administration.

The TikTok ban is further proof that the arrest of Bogdan and the campaign to censor the WSWS is part of a concerted, worldwide offensive to silence socialist opposition to war, especially among the younger generation.

The WSWS urges all readers to sign and circulate the petition demanding Syrotiuks freedom (at wsws.org/freebogdan), become active in the campaign and to issue statements on social media condemning the banning of the WSWS.
The first national march in London against the genocide in Gaza since Rishi Sunak called the July 4 general election was held Saturday. Around 175,000 attended the demonstration.

Demonstrations in London since Israels war of annihilation of the Palestinians began in October have seen over 4 million people take to the streets. The latest mass protest, including many young people, show the enduring and widespread opposition to slaughter and its backing by the Conservative government and opposition Labour Party.

This determined stance by workers and young people is being corralled by the Stop the War Coalition and Palestine Solidarity Campaign into a dead-end, with calls that the only way to stop the genocide is to put pressure on the Tories and, above all, the Labour Party of genocide apologist in chief, Sir Keir Starmer.

The leaders of the demonstrations have sought to prevent any wider understanding of the war on the Palestinians by making no mention that the same powers backing Israel to the hilt are also backing Ukraine in the war against Russia. There has been no attempt to link the genocide in Gaza with the NATO-backed war on Russia in Ukraine, which has led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian and Russians, soldiers and civilians over the last two years. Yet again on Saturday the words Ukraine, Russia and NATO did not pass the lips of platform speakers.

The rotten politics of the Stop the War Coalition were articulated by its convener Lindsey German, introduced to the demonstration as the leader of Britains anti-war movement.

Lindsey German speaking at the London rally, June 8, 2024

Every effort had to be made to convince Rishi Sunaks Conservatives that it was never too late, even in the midst of a month-long general election campaign, to rectify their policy, according to German. We have a battle here in Britain to break our government from supporting Israel. We have a battle to stop them arming Israel. We have a battle to make them recognise majority opinion, because only 8 percent of people in this country agree with what Israel is doing.

We are in the middle of an election period. In this election the slogan must be No ceasefire, no vote. If Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer think they can support genocide and gets the votes of ordinary working people they are very much mistaken.

I want to get rid of the Tories as much as anybody, but we are not going to give Labour a free pass So we are fighting this election, were supporting a whole number of [pro-ceasefire] candidates who have been marching today. We support Jeremy Corbyn in Islington North, who was marching today.

Corbyn was expelled by Starmer from the parliamentary party more than four years ago, meaning he has been forced to stand as an Independent for the first time in his London seat since 1983. He has spoken regularly on the platforms of the national demonstrations in London for almost eight monthswhile carefully avoiding any mention of Starmers name.

On Saturday, after being expelled from the Labour Party altogether for announcing he would defend his seat as an Independent, and free to denounce Starmer without any repercussions, Corbyn absented himself from the stage.

His five years as leader of the party saw a constant capitulation to the Blairite right, ending with the party being handed over to Starmer. His political loyalty to the Labour and trade union bureaucracy ruled out any attack on Starmer and the Labour Party even as an Independent candidate. On this basis, he has centred his election campaign entirely on local issues in Islington North, giving no prominence to Gaza other than token references to fighting for peace and justice.

None of the very few Labour MPs who have spoken out against the genocide at previous London rallies, such as Zarah Sultana, Apsana Begum, or Bell Ribeiro-Addy, were on the platform. The leading figures in the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPschair Richard Burgon and Corbyns former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, and former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott had already done a disappearing acthaving not spoken at a national anti-genocide rally in months. All are busy campaigning for a Labour government that will continue to back Israel, NATOs war against Russia and whatever else is demanded by the ruling elite.

Speaking on behalf of another of the co-organisers, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Ismail Patel said, If we want to stop the genocide it is our moral and ethical duty to prioritise Palestine at the next general election. We must make sure that power is not handed over to the warmongers. But all this meant in practice was to work to have new MPs that support an end to genocide and a free Palestine, so Let us engage and work hard for the next Parliament, and be a voice of the people, before the businesses and the lobbyists take over and continue with the genocide.

Concluding the rally, Ben Jamal said that the Palestine Solidarity Campaign was about to launch a tool for every single one of you to send six clear demands to every parliamentary candidate. We will publish how they respond.

The trade unions have done nothing to mobilise their membership of around 6 million workers in support of Gaza. Communication Workers Union Dave Ward took to the stage to politely suggest that the union leaders must try harder! Today I want us to be part of building the Trade Union Bloc [consisting of a few dozen local union officials mainly from branches with a pseudo-left members in their leadership] that comes to these rallies. We commit to that. We will do more, we can do more, and the Trade Union Bloc is ready.

CWU leader Dave Ward speaking at the London rally, June 8, 2024

The main point of Wards speech was to tell everyone that Keir Im a Zionist without qualification Starmer could be pressured, as a potential friend of the working class in government, to stop supporting Israels genocidal policy.

We know that this government are not in favour of anything that we stand for, but theres a Labour Party thats going to be elected. And the Labour Party needs to come out and say in this election that they believe in an independent free state in Palestine as part of a two-state solution.

The CWU and Ward played a major role in keeping the hated Tory government in power, having sold out a national strike by postal workers that was part of a strike wave encompassing 2 million workers in 2022-23. The CWU is one of the 11 trade unions affiliated to the Labour Party, handing over substantial donations to Starmer and has just signed off on its pro-war general election manifesto for big business to be published this coming week.

***

The WSWS spoke to some of those attending Saturdays protest.
25 years ago: NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia ends

On June 10, 1999, NATO halted its bombing campaign of Yugoslavia after its president, Slobodan Milosevic, acceded to Washingtons terms paving the way for the break-off of the predominantly Albanian province of Kosovo from Serbia. On June 12, soldiers of NATOs KFOR 30,000-strong occupation army began entering Kosovo, though in a significant embarrassment to Washington, the NATO soldiers were beaten there by a counter-peacekeeping force sent by the Russian Federation.

Destruction on a Belgrade street from NATOs bombing campaign

The halt to bombing brought to a conclusion the imperialist break-up of Yugoslavia, which a decade earlier had included Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The western powers, led by the US and Germany, had used the restoration of capitalism in Yugoslavia to foment nationalist and religious divisions. They were aided by the various Yugoslav Stalinist ruling cliques which, in each region, sought to hoard the countrys wealth and re-create themselves as a new capitalist class.

Serbia, as the largest and strongest of the Yugoslav republics, was the central target of the imperialists. Washington presented its predatory aims as a human rights crusade, insisting that Milosevic and the Serbian people were responsible for all crimes, though atrocities were committed on all sides. The pseudo-left, then emerging as a distinct right-wing political tendency among former radicals, provided ideological cover.

The NATO bombing campaign against Serbia had nothing to do with the defense of human rights. Without the backing of a United Nations resolution and without a formal declaration of war from the US Congress, the Clinton administration and its British, French, German, and Italian allies killed thousands of Serbs and destroyed the countrys infrastructure. Serbia was defenseless. Not a single NATO soldier died in the bombing campaign, which lasted unchecked for three months and two weeks and consisted of some 35,000 sorties. The most immediate outcome of the humanitarian intervention was the ethnic cleansing of over half of the Serbian population of Kosovo, which was now ruled over by NATO ally the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), in essence a criminal drug cartel given state power.

On the evening of June 10, US President Bill Clinton appeared on national television to boast that NATO had achieved victory in Yugoslavia. He used the speech to level new threats against the Serbian people, promising the US would provide no support for the reconstruction of Serbia so long as Milosevic remained in power.

On June 14, the World Socialist Web Site published a lecture by David North, chair of its international editorial board, summarizing the critical historical lessons of the experience, titled After the Slaughter: Political Lessons of the Balkan War. North noted,

Far from representing a humanitarian break with the past, the Balkan War of 1999 signals the virulent resurgence of its most malignant characteristics: the legitimization of the naked use of overwhelming military power against small countries in pursuit of strategic Big Power interests, the cynical violation of the principle of national sovereignty and the de facto reestablishment of colonialist forms of subjugation, and the revival of inter-imperialist antagonisms that carry within them the seeds of a new world war. The demons of imperialism that first arose at the beginning of the twentieth century have not been exorcized by the international bourgeoisie. They still haunt mankind as it enters into the twenty-first.

50 years ago: Cop who shot and killed 10-year-old boy in New York acquitted

On June 12, 1973 Thomas Shea, a white New York City police officer, was acquitted of murder charges in the killing of Clifford Glover, a 10-year-old African American boy in April of 1973. In the days that followed the acquittal, riots broke out in the Jamaica neighborhood in Queens, where the Glover family resided.

The verdict, reached by a nearly all-white jury, ran so counter to the facts of the case that it can only be compared to the acquittals of Ku Klux Klan members for lynching black men in the South. Virtually every member of the jury was selected because they had close personal ties to NYPD officers. The one black member of the jury was a parole officer.

The Friday, June 14 front page of the Bulletin, US forerunner of the World Socialist Web Site

During the trial, forensic evidence was presented that Shea had drawn his weapon on the 10-year-old Glover and fired shots into his back as he attempted to flee the officers. Shea in fact admitted to shooting Glover, but claimed self-defense.

The facts of the case demonstrated that Sheas motivation for stopping Glover, who was walking with his stepfather on his way to work, was racism. Shea claimed he and his partner had been searching for two suspects in a robbery. The description given to the officers was two black men in their 20s. Add Armstead, the boys stepfather, was 51, while the young Glover did not yet stand five feet tall. During the trial, Shea admitted his own racist motivation, telling the court, I was just looking at their skin.

In Armsteads account of the events, a car pulled up on him and Glover and then an armed man jumped out shouting, You black son of a bitch! Believing they were being robbed, the pair instinctively attempted to turn and run. Shea was in plainclothes, not his police uniform.

Only moments after they attempted to flee, Shea fired shots at Clifford Glover, hitting the child in the back. Armstead ran around the corner and flagged down a patrol car to report the attack, still unaware that his assailant was an officer of the NYPD. When he arrived back at the scene with the other officers they discovered the boy dead in a pool of blood. Shea claimed that Glover had a weapon and fired shots backwards while running.

It was cold blooded murder, Armstead told the Bulletin, I didnt have a gun and the boy didnt have a gun. I have been on my job for 28 years and havent caused trouble. I dont feel I got justice.

Everyone is lying about the shooting of my brother like theyre lying about Watergate, said Nettie Dobson, Glovers older sister. The police, Nixon, all of them are guilty. All these people are crooked.

75 years ago: US appeals court upholds HUAC witch-hunting of Dalton Trumbo

On June 13, 1949, the US Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington upheld a conviction for contempt of Congress of screenwriters Dalton Trumbo and John Howard Lawson. The ruling insisted that those hauled before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) had to fully cooperate with its police state witch-hunting of those accused of communist and socialist sympathies.

Trumbo and Lawson were among the Hollywood Ten, a group of film professionals who had been cited for contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with HUACs activities. All were charged with contempt and blacklisted from the Hollywood film industry.

Mugshots of Dalton Trumbo [Photo: Federal Bureau of Prisons]

Trumbo and other members of the 10 had been targeted by far-right muckrakers. Trumbo was among the first to be vilified, having been accused of being a communist sympathizer by William R. Wilkerson, publisher and founder of the Hollywood Reporter, in July 1946. He was hauled before HUAC the following year and courageously refused to answer questions about his political sympathies and those of others in Hollywood.

The Court of Appeals ruling was part of a broader push to mandate that citizens inform on the political views of others. Only weeks before, a leader of the Communist Party, among a group of defendants charged with advocating the overthrow of the government under the Smith Act, had been found in contempt of court for refusing to identify other Communist Party members and supporters.

In an indication of the atmosphere that was being whipped up, the day before the appeal ruling in Trumbo and Lawsons case, the University of California, Berkeley announced that its would require all 4,000 of its faculty members to swear an oath disclaiming support for any party or organization that believes in, advocates or teaches the overthrow of the Government of the United States by force or by any illegal unconstitutional methods.

Also this week, President Harry S. Truman agreed with reporters at a news conference there was a danger of hysteria sweeping the nation. Truman drew a parallel with developments after the passage of the Alien and Sedition laws in 1790. Despite spy scares, Hysteria finally died down, and things straightened out, and the country didnt go to hell, and it isnt going to now.

The comments were a cynical attempt to distance Truman from the witch-hunt that he had helped to instigate and lead. It was a domestic manifestation of his governments shift to an aggressive Cold War program aimed at securing US imperialist domination throughout Europe and internationally.

100 years ago: Anglo-Iraqi Treaty ratified

On June 10, 1924, the Iraqi Constituent Assembly in Baghdad ratified the Anglo Iraqi Treaty of 1922. The treaty made Iraq a protectorate of British imperialism, giving Britain control of Iraqs foreign affairs and Iraq nominal control over its domestic affairs.

The conditions of the treaty had been worked out by the Cairo Conference of March 1921, in which British colonial officials met secretly to determine the concrete conditions of British imperialist rule in the Middle East in the aftermath of World War I. The League of Nations had awarded the British and French control over large areas of the Middle East formerly governed by the Ottoman Empire, which had surrendered to Allied imperialism in 1918.

Facsimile of the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty

British and French imperialism had previously decided, in the secret Sykes-Picot agreement of 1916, to divide the Middle East between them. These plans did not consider the desires of the oppressed peoples of the region for national independence. An anti-British uprising developed in Iraq in 1920, which the British suppressed, including with air bombardment using chemical weapons.

The Cairo Conference sought to resolve the situation by creating a series of nominally independent puppet states and putting them under the control of Arab potentates. The conference also reaffirmed British support for the Zionist colonization of Palestine, but sought to placate the Palestinians.

Plans were laid for a Kingdom of Iraq ruled by Faisal bin Hussein for his brother Abdullah to rule over the area known as Transjordan, today the Kingdom of Jordan. The two brothers had been born in Mecca, now in Saudi Arabia.

Faisal was crowned in August 1921. The treaty of 1922 was significantly delayed because of opposition in both Britain and Iraq. The Iraqi Constituent Assembly only ratified it in 1924 after the British High Commissioner, Sir Henry Dobbs, threatened to nullify the Iraqi Constitution. The Treaty was viewed with contempt by the Iraqi people.
The World Socialist Web Site continues to receive comments and statements calling for the immediate release of socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk, who has been imprisoned by the Security Service of Ukraine since April 25 on bogus charges of treason and accused of being an agent of the Russian government.



The following statement is from a Ukrainian refugee in Italy, who we will call Misha. He left Ukraines Donbass region with his family after the Russian military invasion in February 2022.

Refugees from Lviv, Ukraine, arrive at a Red Cross headquarters in Rome, Tuesday, March 22, 2022. [AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino]

Misha, who is in his early 50s and lives in a northern Italian city, is one of the more than 180,000 Ukrainian refugees, the majority women and children, given temporary visa status in Italy since 2022. Opposed to any involvement in the reactionary US-NATO war against Russia, these refugees, and the men in particular, were forced to take complicated routes over difficult terrain to avoid Ukrainian government and military authorities and leave the country.



According to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, 4.3 million Ukrainians have been officially granted refugee status in Europe, including 1.2 million in Germany, since 2022. Italy has received the fourth largest number of Ukrainians since the war began. Ukrainian refugees in Italy lead a hand-to-mouth existence doing low paid menial work, with many women employed in domestic duties.

The allegations against Bogdan are bogus. As founder and leader of the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists in Ukraine, he fights for an anti-war socialist program based on the unity of the working class in Ukraine, Russia and throughout the former Soviet Union against the US-NATO proxy war and the capitalist Putin regime. His arrest is the latest example of the Zelenskys regimes brutal repression of left-wing movements whose opposition to the war is finding a growing response within the Ukrainian working class.

Mishas statement was sent before the Zelensky government banned access to the World Socialist Web Site in Ukraine.

Misha:

I strongly oppose the arrest of Bogdan Syrotiuk. It is not surprising that a socialist who opposed the war in Ukraine was arrested. Opponents of the war have been brutally repressed by the Zelensky government. The aim of this repression is to break the strong opposition to the war [in Ukraine]. We, the workers, are against this war, which is why I signed the petition demanding Bogdans immediate release.

Ukraine was generally peaceful before 2014. If America and Italy, along with other major powers, had not provided weapons to Ukraine this war would not have been able to go forward.

The Ukraine government has now imposed the Compulsory Martial Law. Under this law everyone between the ages of 18 and 50 must join the army. Although Im above that age range, my friends are in this age group and so they had to return to Ukraine after a year on a work visa.

The Italian government does not extend the work visas of men from this age group which means that after a year they have to leave their families in Italy and return to Ukraine. When they went to the Ukrainian embassy to renew their visas, their requests were refused and they were ordered to return to Ukraine. If they did not go, they would lose their citizenship and job.

There is no information about my friends because the communication system in Ukraine has broken down, and so we dont know what has happened to them for over a month. I think that they must have been drafted into the Ukrainian army.

I am pleased to read the articles posted on the World Socialist Web Site if you send them in Ukrainian or Russian language.

To support and get involved in the campaign to Free Bogdan Syrotiuk, visit wsws.org/freebogdan to submit a statement, sign the petition and make a financial contribution.
Beatrice Tucker, a student organiser of the pro-Palestinian encampment at the Australian National University (ANU) in the countrys capital Canberra, last week became the first student to be expelled publicly for opposing Israels ongoing genocide against Gaza. Another student has also reportedly been barred from the university.

ANU students protesting in Canberra on May 4, 2024 [Photo: Twitter/X @foolsjurious]

This marks a dangerous development in the coordinated efforts by the university administrations, corporate media and political establishment to vilify pro-Palestinian students and trample on the democratic rights of anyone who opposes the genocide and war.

Tucker must be defended. Students, youth and workers must demand that ANU immediately rescind the decision to expel the student.

A petition condemning Tuckers expulsion has garnered more than 500 signatures.

ANUs expulsion of Tucker is a precedent that will be used to intimidate and silence any anti-war or anti-government sentiment on the campuses. Already in the US, Germany, Canada and other countries, anti-genocide student protesters have been violently assaulted and arrested by police.

Tucker, according to a Students & Staff Against War ANU media release, was expelled due to comments made in an April radio interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in which the student said: Hamas deserves our unconditional support  Not because I agree with their strategy, complete disagreement with that.

Tuckers comments were a basic statement of defence of the right of an oppressed people to oppose their oppression. That is a principled position. It is also based on consolidated international law which has consistently affirmed the right of people subjected to illegal occupation, such as the Palestinians, to fight for their basic rights.

Despite this, and the fact that Tucker politically-differentiated from Hamas, there has been a foul campaign of vilification, spearheaded by political forces that support Israels mass murder of women, children and civilians.

In a May 1 interview with News Corps right-wing publication the Australian, Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said: Anyone expressing support for a listed terrorist organisation should not only face immediate expulsion from the university, they should face the law.

Ryvchin told Murdoch-owned Sky News on May 20 that the peaceful student encampments had become centres for extremism on our campuses. The ECAJ, despite receiving substantial federal government funding, functions as a virulent Zionist lobby group, defending every Israeli crime and witch-hunting opponents.

On June 6, it was reported that Tucker had been expelled by ANU, which prevented the student from accessing the campus or continuing studies.

It has also been reported by the ABC that, since Israels onslaught began, ANU has engaged in 10 disciplinary proceedings against pro-Palestinian students. Four of these have been referred to police and two students have been expelled.

The crackdown on free speech on the campuses has been spearheaded by the Labor government under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, which has supported Israels genocide of Palestinians since the Zionist states onslaught began.

ANU students demonstrate against Gaza genocide, May 4, 2024 [Photo: Twitter/X @foolsjurious]

Albanese has repeatedly declared that the peaceful university encampments are antisemitic and dangerous. Effectively, he has been the chief instigator of attacks against the student protesters which have come in both the form of disciplinary actions against students and also physical attacks by right-wing Zionist thugs.

Last month, Albanese declared there was no question that antisemitism was being expressed more openly than at any other time in his life. He implicitly called for student encampments to be shut down, branding them divisive displays of hatred that do not have a place in society.

The encampments are being dismantled. Where previously there were more than a dozen across the country, now ANU is one of just a few left along with those in Sydney, Hobart and the regional city of Newcastle.

The winding up of the encampments, however, is proceeding with the support of the organisers, whose main demands have been that the university administrations cut ties with Israel.

Back-door negotiations with the university managements have resulted in rotten deals which fundamentally alter nothing and will have no impact on Israels continued onslaught.

Two weeks ago, the University of Melbourne encampment shut down based on a mutual agreement between the university administration and the encampment organisers.

It commits the university to disclose some research ties, with the caveat that management will not disclose anything it deems would go against confidentiality or national security considerations.

In Perth, capital city of Western Australia, the Curtin University Student Guild struck a deal with university management late last month for the end to an encampment, even though the Guild had not organised it.

Curtin Universitys encampment organisers then voted to end their encampment on May 23, citing a decline in student numbers on campus at the end of the semester, which resulted in their power being diminished.

At the University of Queensland (UQ) in Brisbane, an estimated 1,500 students attended a Special General Meeting (SGM) last Wednesday convened to demand the university cut ties to Israel.

It is the first time at the university that an SGM was initiated not through the UQ Union, but through a petition of two percent of the student population. A total of 1,027 validated signatures were submitted to the student union. It is a significant display of the mass movement that is erupting among students and youth in opposition to the Gaza genocide and the complicity of Australian universities and the government.

Three motions were put to the meeting, calling for the university to cut ties to companies which supply weapons to the Israel Defense Forces, shut down the Boeing Centre on campus (Boeing is the fourth largest defence contractor in the world), and divestment from Israel.

All the motions were reportedly voted in favour, almost unanimously.

Days after the mass meeting was convened, UQ management released a Statement of Commitment reached with the student union and the organisers of the student encampment, UQ Muslim Students for Palestine.

In line with the University of Melbourne, UQ managements statement only commits the university to provide greater transparency around its research partnerships, subject to confidentiality obligations, national security regulations and laws, and the health and safety of our researchers.

This was made conditional on the discontinuation of the encampment on campus.

That these deals are being struck by the encampment organisers is a warning to students that their middle-class leaderships are leading them down a blind alley. The perspective of plaintive appeals to university managements, pressuring them to cut their ties to weapons manufacturers, has been exposed as a fraud.

It is an open knowledge that all of Australias universities are integrated into the military intelligence apparatus through lucrative deals with arms manufacturers. University management do not need to be forced to disclose because they actively brag about their ties to the major weapons companies. They are integral in the growth of militarism in the country, which is central to the US-orchestrated genocide in Gaza and broader US-led conflicts and preparations for war around the world.

Students must draw lessons from their experiences. The genocide cannot be fought through plaintive appeals to the university managements or to the Labor government. The perspective of protest politics, peddled by pseudo-left organisations such as Socialist Alternative and Solidarity has served to demobilise opposition and subordinate it to the very Labor government backing Israels atrocities.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality fights for a turn to the working class, the revolutionary force in society. It must be mobilised to defend democratic rights, including those of students and protests, and to fight for an end to war. This poses the need for a socialist and internationalist perspective directed against the root cause of the eruption of imperialist militarism, capitalism itself.
A section of the picket line at University of California Santa Cruz, May 20, 2024

Are you a UC academic worker? To join the fight for rank-and-file committees and the expansion of the UC strike, fill out the form at the end of this article.

The strikebreaking order issued by a California judge last Friday has provoked broad opposition from University of California academic workers, who are determined to continue their historic walkout to stop the US-backed genocide in Gaza and the police crackdown on campus protests.

Last Friday, 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. Since the leaders of United Auto Workers Local 4811 already declared that the end date of the strike would be June 30, the effect of the temporary restraining order would be to shut down the strike.

The judge hypocritically claimed the strike was doing irreparable damage to UC students, while ignoring the real damage done by the UC administrations suspension of First Amendment rights and the violent attacks and arrests of academic workers and their students.

The strike began May 20 after police and Zionist thugs physically attacked protesters at UCLA. The struggle was initiated by rank-and-file workers, not the UAW bureaucracy, which has endorsed the reelection of Biden and sought to limit the walkout to one or two campuses under its bogus stand up strike policy.

The judge intervened at the end of last week after threats of wildcat strikes forced the UAW to expand the strike to include 30,000 of the 48,000 UC academic workers. There is little doubt that the UAW bureaucracy welcomed the court intervention as an excuse to shut down the strike. In a statement sent to strikers at 10pm Sunday night, UAW 4811 President Rafael Jaime declared, All striking academic workers should return to work Monday morning, in compliance with the court order.

Student workers and faculty have recently revealed to the WSWS that the University of California is ordering faculty to provide passing final grades to all students amid concerns that student teaching assistants may continue withholding grades as part of an independent strike action.

The office of the president at UCLA has announced a new investigation by its 21st Century Policing Solution asking for students to provide details on students involved in protests and encampments who may have initially escaped the police dragnet. Academic workers and students have denounced the efforts to recruit informers.

Student workers at UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) have already launched a campaign to defy the universitys order, with one viral post on instagram writing, Calling all faculty and lecturers, as the striking grads across all of California face a TRO by a conservative judge on the UCs dime. WITHHOLD YOUR GRADES, DONT BE A SCAB.

Another UCSC worker wrote to the WSWS stating that the workers needed to keep striking. The worker noted it was absurd to stop the strike, especially as the UC has yet to spend even a single second negotiating with the student workers over their demands.

A UCLA graduate student told the WSWS, While this is a temporary victory for the UC, the historic student labor and anti-genocide movement is still going strong. Upcoming graduation and commencement ceremonies this weekend will showcase the strong sentiments of student activists taking a stand against imperialism and colonialism.

While there will be less protections for students deciding to disrupt with the temporary restraining order, the student wrote, there are still multiple planned actions and methods of civil disobedience that will still occur. Additionally, I believe that students will continue protesting and possibly take labor action in the Fall school year.

A UC Irvine alumnus wrote, The stand-up strategy failed, and they dont know what to do. Faculty are apparently being told to pass failing students. Grades are what we produce. They are our point of maximum pressure.

From the beginning, the UAW apparatus has sought to limit the strike to appeals to the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) for a ruling that UC violated state labor laws by suspending free speech rights and ordering the arrest of protesters. The strikebreaking intervention by the courts, however, demonstrates that the defense of democratic rights will not be protected by any government agency but only through a powerful movement of the working class, including the expansion of the UC strike and joint actions by industrial workers.

The fight for this requires a struggle against the UAW bureaucracy. UC workers must build their own rank-and-file committees to shut down the entire UC system and appeal directly to workers in the auto, aerospace, defense, logistics and other industries.

This means breaking the information blackout on the UC strike by the UAW apparatus, which has done nothing to inform UAW members about the decisive struggle. Those autoworkers who have been told about the strike by the WSWS have expressed their support for a common struggle against the US-backed genocide and police state measures against protesters.

What the judge did is unjust, but Im not surprised given the crooked nature of this country, Jake, a Stellantis worker at the Warren Truck plant in suburban Detroit, told the WSWS. Its awful what Israel is doing to the Palestinian people, and the killing and oppression has got to stop.

Congress is inviting the Israeli leader to speak. The politicians are not interested in doing what is right for the people, only for what benefits the political and big money interests. The US wont rein Israel in because of its own war crimes. Now, they want even bigger wars against Russia and China.

Asked how UAW members should respond to the judges strikebreaking injunction, he said, Every worker, whether an autoworker, a nurse, a firefighter or a teacher, should stand up for constitutional rights.

A supporter of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, said, I didnt know about the strike against the war in California. The UAW is keeping it quiet, and that is wrong. If any part of the union goes on strike, everybody should know about it.

Pointing to the recent police attack on a pro-Palestinian encampment at Wayne State University in Detroit, she said, That was a shock to see the police arrest students at Wayne State. I support them. If only a few of us go on strike, nobody will listen. But if everybody joined in to shut down the country, they would have no choice but to stop the war.

They are spending all this money on these wars. I know the country is bankrupt. I have seen them threatening to shut down the government. We need to expand the IWA-RFC to publicize this information about what is going on. I joined at the beginning of the pandemic. The union and the company were not telling us what was going on, and people were catching COVID and dying in front of me, on my shift and the other shift. We need our own organization.

A supporter of the Ford Rouge Workers Rank-and-File Committee, who is waiting to start work at the Michigan Assembly Plant after having been laid off at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in mid-March, also said he had heard nothing from the UAW about the UC strike. I didnt hear anything about it from the union, she said, They are supporting Biden.

They want war. They do not want peace. It is genocide. We cant just live. Why cant we share? There is enough to provide for everybody. She went on to describe the conditions that she and her co-workers who were laid off more than two months ago confront.

Workers already face a war at home in every country. We were laid off, and were fighting for jobs just trying to live. Everybody has debts piled up on top of them. When you go to the union because your moneys not coming in, you get the runaround. I dont want to hear that.

We need homes, jobs and enough to live on while they are sending our money to fight these wars. The people who control the government are sitting in the Cayman Islands getting rich off of our labor. I support the students. They have the right to peacefully protest. The campus wasnt like that before the war. We should all be on strike to defend them.

An engineer who emigrated to the US commented on President Bidens denunciations of student protesters and hostility towards them by the US media. We never could have imagined the level of force that is being used here to suppress the youth, who are coming out to protestthe way they were beating the kids, women and girls. They had no respect for the teachera professor put on the ground forcefully. He was no threat.

The images from Gaza are horrifying in the extreme. To free four hostages, they killed nearly 300 people and injured hundreds more. The US government has twisted the meaning of words like freedom, democracy and human rights. Their criteria is power. They want to have puppets in every country, including in America. We have to open our eyes and open those of the people around us.

To join the fight for rank-and-file committees and the expansion of the UC strike, fill out the form below.
Striking nurses during their 31-day strike in 2022 at St. Michael's hospital in Newark, New Jersey [Photo: JNESO]

On Saturday, Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), a healthcare union in New Jersey, announced a historic tentative agreement for approximately 800 nurses and other workers at Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, located just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. Union officials kept the workers on the job without a contract for more than a week despite a strike authorization vote of more than 90 percent by rank-and-file workers. Workers will not be able to review the tentative agreement until the day of the vote, which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12.

These actions are flagrant violations of workers democratic rights. After blocking strike action, HPAE officials are attempting to pressure the nurses into ratifying a contract that they have not had time to study. In doing so, the HPAE leadership is collaborating with administrators from Hackensack Meridian Health, the network that operates Palisades Medical Center, which after a series of mergers is now the largest health care provider in New Jersey.

Nurses should reject the tentative agreement on principle and organize an independent rank-and-file committee immediately to prepare strike action. The workers central demandsfor safe staffing levelscan only be attained through an intransigent struggle against the profit-driven healthcare system and the Democrats, Republicans and trade union bureaucrats who defend it.

The contract for the Palisades nurses expired on June 1. On the same day, contracts expired for 1,500 nurses at Cooper University Health Care in Camden and 800 nurses at Englewood Hospital in Englewood. Nurses at all three hospitals are members of HPAE. They all cast nearly unanimous votes to authorize a strike for safe staffing.

Safe staffing is essential to providing patients with the best care and to maintaining reasonable workloads for nurses. Understaffing, which has been the main reason for the current international wave of healthcare strikes, has been associated with increased risk of medication errors, worse patient outcomes, overwork and burnout.

Hours before the contracts expired, HPAE announced tentative agreements with Cooper University Health Care and Englewood Hospital. The union thus left the nurses at Palisades isolated and in a weaker position. Instead of submitting 10 days strike notice to Palisades management, HPAE continued negotiating and prevented the strike that the workers had authorized.

The HPAE apparatus has a history of dividing its members, even when they work for the same company. In 2020, union leadership kept the nurses at Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford Township separate from those at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune when their contracts expired simultaneously. The HPAEs tactic helped management impose contracts that did not provide adequate personal protective equipment or eliminate floating nurses.

Last week, HPAE officials claimed that the agreements with Cooper University Health Care and Englewood Hospital included substantial wage increases. But it has not provided any details about the raises to date. If the wage increases were truly substantial, then HPAE would be crowing about them at every opportunity.

The Englewood contract establishes a ratio of one nurse to five patients, and the Cooper University contract a ratio of one nurse to four to five patients. Critical care units will have a ratio of one nurse to two patients at both hospitals. But nurses will have no means of enforcing these ratios and instead these life-and-death issues will be tossed into the largely toothless grievance and arbitration processes. The Englewood contract supposedly provides expedited arbitration for staffing grievances.

Hospitals routinely violate contractually mandated staffing ratios. Contracts such as those at Cooper University and Englewood Hospital put the onus on nurses, who are already overburdened with paperwork, to file grievances when a shift is understaffed. On the rare occasions when a decision is made in the nurses favor, the hospital does not face a significant penalty, and the nurses are not adequately compensated.

At Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, for example, nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit received little more than a days pay for having endured three months of understaffing. In any case, nurses do not want to be paid bonuses for enduring exhausting and unsafe conditions, they want them eliminated.

On June 6, HPAE proclaimed that an overwhelming number of nurses at Englewood Hospital and Cooper University had ratified the new contracts. It did not provide any vote totals at either facility. If this is true, it is only a measure of the fact that nurses have no confidence HPAE officials would bring back anything better if they voted down the first deals.

HPAE later announced that a federal mediator had become involved in negotiations at Palisades. Federal mediators are far from neutral arbiters. They use the power of the state to enforce the interests of the corporations and banks. The involvement of a federal mediator is another clear sign that a betrayal of the Palisades nurses is being prepared.

HPAEs brief statement about the tentative agreement mentions safe staffing improvements and wage increases without elaborating on either point. The Palisades workers have a right to know the details of the tentative agreement, but the union refuses to reveal them until the day of the vote. The only reason that the union would keep the details hidden until the last minute is because they know it does not meet workers demands. Fearing an explosion of anger and opposition, the union officials want to rush through a vote before workers can talk to each other and organize to defeat this sellout.

Like other unions, HPAE is encouraging workers to appeal to Democratic lawmakers to pass legislation that would supposedly ensure safe staffing levels. Union officals are promoting the Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act, a bill the Democrats claim that would mandate safe patient-to-staff ratios in New Jersey hospitals. The HPAE has brought nurses to Trenton, the state capital, for rallies to urge legislators to pass this bill.

But similar bills have been proposed in the state legislature every year for the past 20 years. These bills have been stillborn; never making it out of committee. Moreover, in states such as Massachusetts, California and Oregon, which have passed safe staffing laws, the hospitals routinely ignore them without facing meaningful consequences.

The overriding priority of the Democratic Party is not to protect healthcare workers and patients or any other section of the working class. It is funding war. This includes the continued support for Israels genocide in Gaza and escalating the proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, even at the risk of inciting a nuclear war. Despite the intense factional fighting between the Democrats and Republicans, these parties are united on the agenda of global war, which requires attacks on the working class.

As an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (whose president, Randi Weingarten, is an active promoter of imperialist war), HPAE is determined to keep workers from breaking with the Democratic Party and waging an independent fight. The nurses at Palisades will not be able to win safe staffing, adequate raises and the best care for their patients if their struggle remains within the straitjacket of the union bureaucracy and appeals to either capitalist party.

To prevent the HPAE from betraying them, Palisades workers should reject the tentative agreement. To wage a genuine fight for safe staffing and better pay, the nurses will need to form a rank-and-file committee that they themselves control democratically. This fight is inseparable from the struggle to eliminate the profit motive from the healthcare system and establish a socialist system of medicine.

To get information about building a rank-and-file committee, fill out the statement below.
An open letter issued late last month, condemning Israels onslaught in Gaza and the Australian governments complicity, has now been signed by more than 2,300 public servants across the country. The document had 350 signatories when it was released, meaning that almost 2,000 public sector workers employed by Australias federal, state and territory authorities have added their name in less than a fortnight.

A section of the Melbourne rally on November 12, 2023

Having pointed to the record of the ruling elites dispossession of the countrys own Indigenous population, the letter states: As public servants whose work is to serve our communities, it is our obligation to voice our deep concern that you are leading Australia to be complicit in an additional genocide, an additional colonial project, staining this nation with more war crimeseven more than it lays claim to already

It declares: Aside from the dishonour of assisting what the Commissioner General of UNRWA has termed a war on children, Australia may now be violating international law and complicit in criminal warfare.

The letter notes that United Nations experts have previously called on Australia to halt all defence exports to Israel. Under conditions where the Labor government is simply lying, by telling the population that no such exports are occurring, the letter includes a brief but devastating outline of the real state of affairs.

The F-35 warplanes that are dropping Israeli bombs on the defenseless population of Gaza could not conduct their operations, without key components from the Australian defence industry.

The letter points out that The Australian Government boasts that over 70 Australian companies manufacture parts for the F-35, and that Australia plays a key role in the F-35 supply chain. Rosebank Engineering in Victoria is the only company in the world that makes the mechanism that allows the F-35 to drop bombs. A court in the Netherlands ordered a halt to all Dutch exports contributing to Israels fleet of F-35s, but Labor has continued Australias trade.

In addition, the Labor government last February awarded a contract to Elbit Systems, totalling almost a billion dollars. Elbit is Israels largest defence company, and has manufactured many of the weapons of war being used against Gaza. That includes drones which fired the fatal missiles that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Franklin earlier this year

And despite the denials, Australian export approvals to Israel have increased during the genocide, and total at least 350 since 2017.

The public servants demand an end to this trade, the cancellation of all contracts with Israeli weapons companies and the disclosure of Australias full involvement. That includes releasing information about the role played by the joint US-Australian Pine Gap spy base, which has likely provided targeting information used by Israel to conduct its bombardment.

In appending their names to the letter, the public servants have taken a courageous stand. They have openly defied draconian employment conditions, set out in federal, state and territory codes of conduct, which generally prohibit public sector workers from speaking publicly on political matters.

Despite this, many of the workers have signed with their full names and have also indicated the specific department that they work in. Taken together, the signatories represent a significant cross-section of the working class.

Among them are dozens if not hundreds of education workers, health staff, including doctors and nurses, and community workers. Most states and territories appear to be represented. More than 500 of the signatories are employed by the federal government. That includes employees at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which is directly responsible for foreign policy.

The letter demonstrates the breadth of opposition to the genocide, which has also been manifested in weekly mass protests in major capital cities, in possibly the most sustained anti-war movement in Australian history.

The range of signatories underscores the basis for mobilising the working class against the genocide. If a call were issued for industrial action against the onslaught and Australias complicity, it would doubtless receive a similar response and, as the letter indicates, could encompass key layers of the working class, which are central to Australias daily functioning.

The countrys trade unions, however, have not called a single action opposing the slaughter. They rejected a desperate appeal from Palestinian trade unions last October for strikes and other union activities to disrupt and halt the genocide. Instead, they have maintained an alliance with the Labor administration as it supports the mass killing, in line with the broader role of the union bureaucracy as a police force of governments and corporations against the interests of workers.

The letter appears to have been initiated by a subset of the Trade Unionists for Palestine (TU4P) organisation. Established by the fake-left Solidarity group, it has worked throughout the genocide to cover-over the complicity of the union officialdom in the mass slaughter.

TU4P has collaborated very closely with the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), even as it enforces the daily loading and unloading at ports of goods from the Zim shipping line, which in October dedicated its entire fleet to the Israeli war effort. TU4P and Solidarity leaders sought to cover-up the fact that the MUA invited Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to be the featured speaker at its February national conference and then made excuses for the bureaucrats when his attendance was exposed by the WSWS.

Two elements of the letter reflect TU4Ps bankrupt line. Firstly, it asserts that Labors support for the genocide is an error, because the war crimes are not in Australias interests. This is entirely false. Labor is backing the mass murder because Australia is fully-aligned with a broader US-led war drive, throughout the Middle East, in Europe targeting Russia and in the Indo-Pacific, China.

Australia is an imperialist state, with its own predatory interests, which it has always advanced under the umbrella of the dominant power of the day, first Britain and then the US.

Secondly, the letter is based upon appeals to the Labor government to change course. But such appeals, including every week at the mass protests, have not shifted the government one iota. They are a bankrupt dead-end, serving to demobilise workers and to line them up behind the government, as it continues its full support for Israel.

If anything, the more opposition has been expressed, the more the government has doubled down. That has been on display over the past week, including with Labor joining hands with the Liberal-National Coalition to brand peaceful protests opposing the genocide as dangerous exercises of violence based upon misinformation.

On Sunday, the Victorian Labor government carried out an aggressive police operation against a mass Gaza protest, with riot cops storming into the crowd and deploying capsicum spray as they purportedly searched for someone alleged to have set off a flare.

In New South Wales (NSW), the state Labor government directed the leadership of the public service to send a threatening letter to workers at the end of last month, warning them against signing the open letter and engaging in other political activities.

At a small rally on Friday evening outside the NSW Department of Education headquarters, teachers and high school students spoke about a regime of intimidation and censorship. Staff had been threatened with disciplinary measures for wearing pro-Palestinian pins and insignia, while being instructed that they could not mention the genocide in any way. Students had been hauled before principals and school executives for wearing Keffiyehs, Palestinian scarves.

Labors ongoing alignment with the genocide and its clampdown on opposition underscores the bankruptcy of moral appeals and protest politics.

What is requires is the mobilisation of the working class, to halt all defence related trade with Israel and to help end the genocide. That demands the formation of rank-and-file committees in all industries and workplaces, independent of the Labor-aligned and corporatised union bureaucracies. Such committees can provide a forum for democratic discussion to plan concrete actions, including strikes, against the genocide and in defence of those who are victimised.

Such a struggle must be linked to the fight to develop an international anti-war movement that unites the working class, not only against the Israeli war crimes, but the broader eruption of imperialist militarism of which they are a part, and the capitalist system which is responsible for the descent into barbarism.
On Saturday, Israeli forces carried out one of the most horrific acts of mass murder of the entire genocide. At least 274 people were killed in the assault on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The death toll includes at least 64 children, 57 women and 37 elderly people. Another 680 people were wounded.

A November 5, 2023 rally against the Gaza genocide in Washington D.C.

Israeli troops, disguised as aid workers, opened fire and carried out a series of raids throughout the camp. The massacre was carried out ostensibly as a hostage rescue operation. For every hostage rescued, however, 68 people were horrifically slaughtered, including, notably, three Israeli hostages, among them one US citizen.

The massacre took place just days after the leaders of both houses of Congress set a date, July 24, for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress in Washington D.C. It is akin to inviting Hitler to speak during World War II, at the height of the Holocaust.

The World Socialist Web Site calls on workers and youth to respond with a demonstration in Washington D.C., timed to coincide with Netanyahus appearance. The purpose of this demonstration, however, is not simply to protest Netanyahu but the role of American imperialism and the entire political establishment in directing, financing, arming and politically justifying the genocide.

The invitation of Netanyahu, signed by the bipartisan leadership of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, is a political provocation against mass opposition to the genocide in Gaza, in the US and throughout the world. It is a declaration of political and moral solidarity with a murderer who has been accused by the top prosecutor of the International Criminal Court of war crimes.

At the same time, the invitation exposes the real relationship between the American government and the Israeli regime. Netanyahu is asked to give what amounts to a progress report. We invite you to share the Israeli governments vision for defending democracy, combating terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region, it states.

The Israeli regime is not combatting terror. It is massacring an entire people, and it is doing so as an instrument of US and European imperialism.

Indeed, Saturdays massacre took place with the direct involvement of US forces. The New York Times confirmed that US military personnel deployed on the ground in Israel provided intelligence and other support for the assault, while Palestinian sources claimed that the aid vehicle in which Israeli forces were hiding was unloaded from the US-made humanitarian pier that had been put in place the day before.

When asked, Does the U.S. support Israel doing more operations like this in the very same way, even if this number of civilians were killed? National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan declared, We will continue to work with Israel to do that.

In inviting Netanyahu, the American political establishment is making clear that there are no red lines to the number of Palestinians the Israeli regime is allowed to murder. The death toll is now approaching 50,000. Hundreds of thousands could be killed, including through mass starvation, and it will not impact the support of the United States.

The WSWS calls on workers in all factories and other workplaces to organize delegations to participate in the demonstration. We also call on students and youth to travel to D.C. to protest on July 24.

The purpose of this demonstration is not to persuade the war criminals to change their minds. They will not. It is to set in motion a powerful anti-war movement on the basis of a genuine strategy against imperialist war.

This strategy must be based on the following principles:

First, the Gaza genocide is inseparably linked to the global eruption of US-led world imperialism, a critical part of an escalating US war against Russia and China.

The invitation to Netanyahu takes place amid a major escalation of the war in Ukraine, in which the NATO powers are entering into the war as direct participants. Last week, Biden announced that he had authorized Ukraine to carry out strikes inside Russia using NATO weapons, and French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that he is working to form a coalition of countries that would send troops to Ukraine.

The same governments backing the genocide in Gaza are arming the proxy regime in Ukraine. And as the US and its allies have overseen the arrest of thousands of people protesting the genocide, the Ukraininan government, staffed with outright fascists, have arrested Bogdan Syrotiuk, a socialist opponent of the war and the capitalist regimes in both Ukraine and Russia.

Second, a movement against war must be based in the working class.

It is the working class that will fight and die in war, and it is the working class that will be forced to pay for it. The same capitalist crisis that produces war also produces the basis for ending war, in the form of growing struggles against inequality, poverty and the attack on wages, jobs, healthcare, education and all the social rights of the working class.

Third, the movement against war must be completely independent of and hostile to all political parties and organizations of the capitalist class.

The Biden administration and the Democrats have been directly involved from the beginning. Last week, Bidens Republican opponent in the 2024 elections, Donald Trump, declared, Israel has to finish the job. The Democrats and the Republicans have joined hands in arming the genocide and slandering opposition to it as antisemitic.

As they escalate war abroad, the ruling elites are turning ever more openly to fascistic and dictatorial forms of rule at home. This is directed at all opposition in the working class to the policies of the corporate and financial oligarchy.

Fourth, a movement against the genocide and against war must be international, uniting workers in every country and on every continent on the basis of their common class interests.

The escalating global war, like World War I and World War II, arises out of the contradictions of the world capitalist system. A new global conflagration can only be averted through the mobilization of the global working class, which produces all of societys wealth and therefore has the social and economic power to oppose the conspiracies of the capitalist ruling elites.

Fifth, the fight against war must be anti-capitalist and socialist, since there can be no serious struggle against war except in the fight to end the dictatorship of finance capital and the economic system that is the fundamental cause of war.

In defense of their interests and the capitalist profit system, the corporate and financial oligarchy is driving mankind toward an abyss. The permanent war of the ruling class must be answered with the perspective of permanent revolution by the working class, the strategic goal of which is the abolition of the nation-state system and the establishment of a world socialist federation.

Sign up to get involved in the July 24 demonstration at wsws.org/July24.
The Labour Party (EMEP) organized an International Middle East Conference in Istanbul on May 25-26. The conference, which featured speakers such as Gilbert Achcar, a leading member of the Pabloite United Secretariat, and Maher Arafat Al-Taher, a representative of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), consisted of four sessions: Power struggles and hegemony in the Middle East, Turkey-Middle East relations and political economy, Peoples and struggles in the Middle East and Possibilities and conditions for peace in the Middle East.

EMEP, a Stalinist party, is a member of the International Conference of Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organisations (CIPOML) and has contested elections in alliance with the Kurdish nationalist Peoples Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party, formerly HDP). In last years general election, EMEP won two parliamentary seats on the DEM party list and supported Republican Peoples Party (CHP) leader Kemal Klcdaroglu against Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the presidential election.

The platform at one of the sessions during the International Middle East Conference in Istanbul. Maher Arafat Al-Taher (second left) is speaking. Gilbert Achcar (right) [Photo: Emek Partisi/X]

The conference began with an opening speech by Seyit Aslan, head of EMEP. Aslan argued that the genocide in Gaza was part of an international struggle for hegemony. Presenting Russia and China as two new imperialist powers, Aslan reiterated the pseudo-left thesis that relativizes the aggression of US/NATO imperialism.

While some of the imperialist states are trying to regain their former colonial power two new imperialist powers, Russia and China, have also become involved in this war of division, Aslan said.

In reality, Russia and China, although reactionary capitalist regimes, are not imperialist powers but the main targets of US-NATO imperialisms aggression. The strategy of US imperialism to counterbalance its prolonged economic decline on the world stage by military means gained momentum after the dissolution of the Soviet Union by the Stalinist bureaucracy in 1991. US-NATO imperialism has launched numerous wars in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and the Balkans for resources and hegemony.

These were preparations for the complete imperialist subjugation and plunder of Russia and China. In 2016, David North, Chairman of the WSWS International Editorial Board, noted in his preface to A Quarter Century of War: The US Drive for Global Hegemony 1990-2016:

The last quarter century of US-instigated wars must be studied as a chain of interconnected events. The strategic logic of the US drive for global hegemony extends beyond the neocolonial operations in the Middle East and Africa. The ongoing regional wars are component elements of the rapidly escalating confrontation of the United States with Russia and China.

The financial, military and political support of the US-led imperialist powers for Israels genocide in Gaza stems from the fact that the war in the Middle East is essentially a front in the global war targeting China and Russia.

Aslans repetition of the pseudo-lefts claim of Russian and Chinese imperialism, which serves to legitimize the aggression of US-NATO imperialism, was followed by his partys defense of a reactionary two-state solution in Palestine.

This bankrupt solution put forward by the imperialist powers and their allies such as Turkey has served as a political cover for the catastrophe that the Palestinian people have been suffering for decades. From the establishment of the Zionist state of Israel as an occupying power in 1948 with the complicity of the Soviet bureaucracy led by Stalin, to todays genocide in Gaza, events have proved that the only way forward is the struggle for a socialist Palestine as part of a Socialist Federation of the Middle East.

Even Al-Taher, the PFLPs international relations officer, pointed out this deception, despite the limitations of his nationalist perspective, saying in his speech: The US demands a two-state solution... It can be an unarmed entity, an entity under control, a tiny Palestinian entity, a structure under your control, a military and economic state, but not a state... The two-state solution is a real deception. The aim is an artificial state under Israeli control.

The invitation to the conference of Achcar, a staunch defender of US-NATO imperialism and the Ukrainian regime in the Ukraine war, clearly exposed the bankrupt character of the event. Achcar, a professor at the School of African and Oriental Studies (SAOS) in London, was paid to deliver lectures to the British military. He writes for the Pabloite International Viewpoint and Le Monde diplomatique.

The Pabloite Achcars and the Stalinist Aslans anti-Marxist conceptions of imperialism are compatible. In March 2022, Achcar openly stated that he was in favour of supplying Ukraine with anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons, as well as all the weapons indispensable for the defence of the territory. The pseudo-leftist chorus, which argues that Ukraine has not been adequately supported militarily, today bears political responsibility for the US-NATO authorization of attacks on Russian territory and the escalation of the danger of a nuclear conflict.

Gilbert Achcar speaking at the International Middle East Conference in Istanbul [Photo: Emek Partisi/X]

Achcars condemnation of the US and its Zionist ally in Gaza cannot hide the fact that he and the Pabloite United Secretariat have openly supported imperialist aggression in North Africa and the Middle East, including the NATO intervention against Muammar Gaddafi in Libya in 2011 and the proxy war for regime change in Syria.

The Western response, of course, smacks of oil, Achcar said in 2011. However, he argued, this was not a reason to oppose the imperialist intervention in Libya:

Here is a case where a population is truly in danger, and where there is no plausible alternative that could protect it. The attack by Gaddafis forces was hours or at most days away. You cant in the name of anti-imperialist principles oppose an action that will prevent the massacre of civilians.

The imperialist intervention, supported by Achcar with the lie of preventing the massacre of civilians, resulted in the killing of thousands, including Gaddafi, and the destruction of Africas most developed country. Libya was divided by rival militias and tens of thousands more died in the ensuing decade of civil war. Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist forces, championed in Libya by the imperialists as freedom fighters, were then transferred to Syria and became key elements in the war for regime change.

Today, Achcar equates the Palestinians, the target of the genocidal war of the imperialist states and Israel, with the Ukrainian regime, which serves as a proxy force in the war of the same imperialist states against Russia. Writing in International Viewpoint in early March, he said:

The twinning of Ukraine and Gaza allows us to show that we are against any invasion, whether Russian, Israeli or American, and that as internationalists we are consistent in defending universal values such as peace, the rights of peoples, self-determination, etc.

Achcar and numerous other pseudo-left figures and tendencies claim that US-NATO imperialism and its fascist proxies are fighting a good war in Ukraine, while the genocide in Gaza is a bad war.

In fact, both are part of the struggle of the US-led imperialist powers to redivide the world. In April, US imperialism passed a package of tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in the same bill, proving that it sees these fronts as part of the same global war.

The International Middle East Conference in Istanbul served to confuse and politically disarm workers and youth by obscuring the link between these wars and relativizing the criminal responsibility of the imperialist powers, while the US and NATO escalate the war in Ukraine towards a nuclear conflict and continue their full support for Israels genocide in Gaza.

Absent from this gathering of opponents of Marxism was any trace of a socialist internationalist perspective. Those looking for such a perspective can only find it in the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), which is fighting to build an international socialist movement of workers and young people against war.

On June 2, the ICFI explained in a statement, Stop the US-NATO escalation toward nuclear war! Unite the international working class against imperialist war and genocide!:
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 10. Uzbekistan plans to launch three hydroelectric power plants in its Kashkadarya region, Trend reports.

This was reviewed during a meeting with the participation of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on measures to further improve tourism infrastructure in the regions and increase the flow of tourists.

The hydroelectric power plants with a capacity of 24 MW are expected to be completed in 2025.

In addition, the hydroelectric power plants will be constructed on the Aksu river, passing through Gelon settlement in the Kashkadarya region.

Meanwhile, the Hydroproject Design, Survey, and Research Institute, named after S.Y. Zhuk and part of Rushydro Group, developed projects for the construction of two hydroelectric power plants (HPP) in Uzbekistan.

The work on the Karateren and Aydarkul HPPs is planned to be completed in early 2025.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. TheCityUK (an international financial center in the UK) has been actively collaborating with Uzbekistan on capital markets reform to develop financial innovation and attract investments, Managing Director of International Trade and Investment at the company Nicola Watkinson, told Trend.

"Uzbekistan policymakers and regulators have taken steps to reform the capital market and banking sectors and create the best environment for innovation and investment, but there are further steps that need to be taken to bring it in line with international standards and instill investor confidence in the market so they can take up opportunities in sectors like ICT, critical minerals, energy, and biopharmaceuticals," she said.

According to the managing director, TheCityUK has led on several projects in the region focused on enhancing regional financial centers, enhancing regulatory and governance frameworks, establishing arbitration centers, and developing roadmaps for crucial emerging technologies such as Fintech. These initiatives have a specific role to play in improving the business environment, fostering economic empowerment, and building investor confidence in Uzbekistan.

Furthermore, Uzbekistan's resumption of WTO negotiations and interest in WTO agreements on digital trade are seen as significant steps forward. TheCityUK is poised to support these efforts, reinforcing the UK-Uzbekistan collaboration in financial and professional services, which promises to drive economic empowerment and sustainable growth in the region.

"Another area of further development is corporate governance and stewardship. TheCityUK and its members can work with Uzbekistan to develop and strengthen their corporate governance and stewardship code," the representative of the company noted.

Nicola Watkinson also added that improving corporate governance strengthens the capacity of the central bank and regulators to develop, monitor, promote, and enforce a governance code based on international best practices, providing a foundation for UK-based and other international firms to access investment opportunities in Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, earlier, the Uzbek government announced that the UK has approved technical assistance to initiate a second phase of the study of the concept of the Tashkent International Financial Center (TIFC). The concept of the project will be prepared by an interagency working group with the participation of TheCityUK.
NEW YORK (AP)  Griffin Dunne says hes grateful his parents raised him with what he affectionately calls benign neglect" in 1970s and '80s Los Angeles because it encouraged creativity and risk-taking that led to some wild experiences he chronicles in his new memoir.

The Friday Afternoon Club, A Family Memoir, out Tuesday from Penguin Press, is filled with raucous tales of growing up in Hollywood  from sneaking into his parents dinner parties with guests like Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra, to Sean Connery saving him from drowning in a pool (see, neglect!), to acting class with Linda Lovelace, and smoking weed with Dennis Hopper.

The actor, producer and director infuses the book with humor, but also covers the tragic aspects of his life: his mothers early MS diagnosis, his father's (writer Dominick Dunne) addictions, his brothers mental health challenges and his sisters murder. Dominique Dunne was 22 and starting a promising acting career (she debuted in Poltergeist) when her ex-boyfriend strangled her at her West Hollywood home in 1982. Beyond the impressive name-dropping and pedigree  his aunt and uncle are writers Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne  Dunne, 69, has a gift for storytelling.

He recently sat down with The Associated Press to discuss fame, his friendship with Carrie Fisher and his complex past. Answers are edited for brevity and clarity.

AP: You have a complicated relationship with fame and success  why were you afraid of it?

DUNNE: That came, actually, as I was writing the book. I was taking my career  which Im now very proud of with the diversity of being able to act and produce and direct  but at the time, it was so scattered. And I was rather hard on myself for missing opportunities to become a movie star. But now Im rather pleased with how my career turned out and where its all going. But I think I arrived at that by writing about it. I went, Wow, look at all that stuff I did!

AP: You have a lot of compassion for your family. How did you come to appreciate your parents unconventional parenting style?

DUNNE: Before I wrote this book, I needed the blessing of my brother, whos the only (living) member of my immediate family. He said, You can write whatever you want about me. Just have it come from a place of love. I realize that thats the note that carries me through the whole book. Im writing about some pretty questionable behavior, but I know that I love them, and I know thats going to come through. I was raised with what I would call benign neglect, which I am really grateful for. They didnt know or even notice that I was hitchhiking in Los Angeles at 13, sneaking out of the house, disappearing overnight, taking drugs way too soon, having sex way too soon. It was all so important that we shed our childhood and try to be grownups. Im glad I didnt have them hovering.

AP: Was it difficult to write the chapters on your sisters murder and trial?

DUNNE: It was so much fun to write about my sister as a child and have her grow up and then have her career take off. Then it was like, Oh God, here we go. It was hard, but not in a writers block way. It was surprising how easy it was to relive it, to feel what I felt, and how my parents  just their bravery and their strength and how much I drew from that. It was very emotional to write about because  beside for the obvious reasons  what was particularly emotional was remembering how extraordinary my mother and father were, actually, all of us.

AP: You and Carrie Fisher were best friends from your teen years through her death in 2016. Was it fun to revisit your friendship?

DUNNE: It was really like channeling her. She just came roaring back. She was born with the quickest wit ever known. And the laughs that we would have and the silly musicals wed make up when we were together. That was really fun to write. And that period in New York for both of us, it was the '70s in New York, in this filthy city. She was on Broadway in the chorus. I was at Radio City Music Hall as a popcorn concessionaire and Id go backstage during (her) show, and we were like Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.

AP: Is it true she thought Star Wars was going to be a flop?

DUNNE: One day she says, I got this job, and it shoots in London. They hired some guy, about my age, Mark somebody, and then Harrison Ford, youll never know who he is.' I said, Actually, I do.' When he was a carpenter, he built my aunt and uncles deck, and I idolized him. He smoked Marlboros, and he ripped off the filter. So I ripped off the filter, and I couldnt handle his pot. So she goes to London and would call me just to complain. Youre not going to believe my hair. I have two bagels on the side of my head. We shoot ray guns; they dont have triggers! And this big ape is running behind us all the time. Its a disaster! At the premiere, people in the science fiction community, they almost descended from other planets. Ive never, ever heard an audience like that in my life.

AP: Many now recognize you from your role on This is Us  how did that happen?

DUNNE: Id taken a break from acting, and then I heard about this guy from the Moscow Arts Institute, a Russian, was coming to teach Chekhov, so I took this class, and I did Uncle Vanya and Ivanov. And I realized that actually, Im a kind of a perfect Chekhov character. Im funny and sad. I thought, Oh, wow, now Im excited about acting again. Around that time, I got sent this script. Hes a Vietnam War veteran, and this guy, Uncle Nicky, was funny and tragic. How more Chekhov can you get? Im so glad I took that course and sort of fell into playing this character.

AP: What do you think your father would think of the book?

DUNNE: He was an inspiration for me while I was writing. He was a big proponent of being honest about yourself. I would like to think he thought I was doing the same.
'Hit Man' was meant to be set in Houston, but switched to New Orleans because of tax incentives

Director Richard Linklater told Texas Monthly that "Hit Man" was originally set in Houston.

According to a consultant for the film, the location was moved to New Orleans for a tax incentive.

States around Texas have long tempted filmmakers there with a favorable tax setup.

The setting of "Hit Man" was changed from Houston to New Orleans because of tax incentives, according to a report by Texas Monthly.

"Hit Man," Netflix's latest comedy, is based on a 2001 article by Texas Monthly writer Skip Hollandsworth about Gary Johnson, an undercover hitman who operated in Houston.

Johnson, who died in 2022, pretended to be a professional killer so that he could catch people trying to hire one.

The film version makes a few alterations to Johnson's story, including changing the location to New Orleans in neighboring Louisiana.

Earlier this month, Texas Monthly published an interview between Hollandsworth, a consultant on the movie, and "Hit Man" director Richard Linklater.

During the interview, Hollandsworth said the production was moved to New Orleans because "at the time, there were zero tax incentives to shoot in Texas."

Linklater replied: "It was set to be a real Houston movie, with all of Houston's eccentricity. But our state thought otherwise, so off we went to New Orleans, which is even more humid than Houston, I found out."

Glen Powell and Richard Linklater cowrote "Hit Man." Rick Kern / Getty Images for Netflix

Louisiana's Motion Picture Production Tax Credit program gives up to a 40% tax credit on in-state spending on movie productions. A 25% base credit is given for all productions, which is likely the incentive that "Hit Man" received.

Linklater told Texas Monthly that the film cost $10 or $11 million to make, which means the production likely saved a lot from moving to New Orleans. The film was produced independently and bought by Netflix in September 2023 for $20 million.

Over the past decade, Texas has struggled to compete with its neighboring states' incentive programs to attract film productions.

Texas' program works differently  it isn't a tax credit but it gives a percentage of a production's spending back to the producers.

After 2013, when Texas spent $95 million on the program, legislators began cutting the budget down and proposing bills to get rid of the incentive program entirely.

Janis Burklund, the director of the Dallas Film Commission, told D Magazine in 2017 that the cuts made it harder to attract big projects and could push homegrown talent to leave the state.

"Texas is losing a lot of jobs because we can't compete," she said.

In 2023, Texas reversed this decision, passing a bill that allocated $200 million to the incentive program.

That boost, combined with the success of TV series filmed in the state like "Yellowstone," could bring film productions back to Texas.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Graduates, William S. Burroughs Has Some Words of Advice For You

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard will set up shop in five different European cities next summer for three-show residencies in each, beginning May 18 in Lisbon. The Australian group will then proceed to Barcelona, Vilnius, Lithuania, Athens and Plovdiv, Bulgaria for additional performances, tickets for which will be available for pre-sale tomorrow (June 11) and to the general public on Thursday. A limited number of bundles for all three shows per city will be sold at a 10% discount.

The residency concept mirrors how King Gizzard toured North America in 2023, including multiple shows at the Caverns in rural Tennessee, the Salt Shed in Chicago and Red Rocks outside Denver. The group traditionally does not repeat any songs throughout each of the three gigs in a specific locale.

More from Spin:

King Gizzard is expected to release its 26th studio album at some point in the near future and debuted a number of blues/rock and country-flecked new songs live during a recent European tour, including Sad Pilot, Daily Blues, the strutting Le Risque, Mirage City and Raw Feel. Group member Ambrose Kenny-Smith previously told SPIN that the as-yet-untitled upcoming project was pretty rock / blues-rock  sort of like a classic 70s-sounding album. Lots of energy. Lots of big vibes going on.

The group will return to North America on Aug. 15 in Washington, D.C., for visits to the largest venues theyve played in the country to date, including Los Angeles 18,000-capacity Kia Forum and the 21,600-capacity Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington state.

Beforehand, Kenny-Smith and Tame Impala/Pond principal Jay Watson will release their first collaboration, Ill Times, on July 19 through Gizzards new label, (p)doom records. A new video for the song Dud will be released June 12.

In related news, Gizzard raised more than $10,000 for Transgender Law and another $17,000 for ACLU Tennessee from new trans gator t-shirts and pins sold on their recent European tour, which included a June 3 show in Lyon, France, with the band members performing in drag. It was a reprise of a similarly attired performance last June at the Caverns to honor Pride Night.

Here are King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizards 2025 European tour dates:

May 18, 19, 20: Lisbon (Coliseu do Recreios)

May 23, 24, 25: Barcelona (Poble Espanyol)

May 29, 30, 31: Vilnius, Lithuania (Lukiskes Prison 2.0)

June 4, 5, 6: Athens (Lycabettus Theatre City of Athens)

June 8, 9, 10: Plovdiv, Bulgaria (Ancient Theatre)

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.
This 2022 file photo shows students walking through a grassy area at Moorpark College where an amphitheater project is proposed to be built. A fundraising event June 29 will feature a performance by rock singer Pat Benatar.

The Moorpark College Foundation will host its first major fundraising event for the school's proposed amphitheater on June 29 with an open-air performance by rock legend Pat Benatar and husband Neil Giraldo.

Admission for the on-campus event, which includes a gourmet dinner, begins at $500.

Already, about $3 million has been raised for the project since the foundation started accepting donations in 2023, said Debi Klein, the colleges director of institutional advancement and community relations who is also the foundation's chief development officer.

The 4,000-seat amphitheater is planned for a hilly lawn between the library and gym. The stage would be at the bottom of the hill. The project was publicly announced in October 2022.

Estimated costs for the venue, initially estimated at $35 million, have since risen to about $45 million-$50 million. Klein said the growing price tag hasn't impacted fundraising.

The facility will host headliners for all kinds of music, community organizations such as the New West Symphony and performances by Moorpark College music, drama and dance students, Klein said.

The site could also be used for talks by staff at the college's Teaching Zoo and from other departments.

Some residents expressed concern about noise during a 2023 town hall meeting hosted by the college, Klein said.

But the college didn't receive complaints despite loud music during the New West Summerfest, she said, which took place in June 2023 in the same outdoor location. The event featured the New West Symphony and rock, country, ethnic and mariachi bands.

During the festival, Klein visited a parking lot elsewhere on campus. She couldn't hear the music, she said.

To preserve the college's open-campus feel, plans call for no walls on the amphitheater's sides or back. Temporary fencing could rise during performances.

The college has discussed other ideas with Agoura Hills-based Amador Whittle Architects, but details haven't been finalized, Klein said.

A rendering shows an early possible design for a proposed 4,000-seat amphitheater at Moorpark College. Proponents are now considering a rectangular shell.

A rectangular shell for the stage is now being considered instead of a Hollywood Bowl-like round shell depicted in an earlier rendering. Round shells work well for orchestras, Klein said, but rectangular versions are better for rock headliners' sound equipment and lights.

Before being built, the amphitheater project would require approval from the California Division of the State Architect, said Cathy Bojorquez, an interim vice chancellor for the Ventura County Community College District.

When the time comes to review the project's plans, the process could take nine to 15 months, she said.

Approval would not be required by a city body because the college is within the jurisdiction of the community college district, said Doug Spondello, Moorpark's community development director.

Pat Benatar to hit stage for Moorpark College amphitheater fundraiser

Benatar and Giraldo will perform during the fundraiser, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. June 29 at the plaza outside the Gymnasium Building, 7075 Campus Road.

Those attending the event, which will include two music groups composed of Moorpark College students, will buy table seating ranging from $5,000 for 10 seats up to $50,000 for a table of 40. A limited number of individual tickets for $500 are also being sold.

The fundraiser is intended to bring in $250,000 for the project's planning efforts, Klein said.

Klein said she and others from Moorpark College became inspired to recruit Benatar and Giraldo after seeing them perform at the Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Robles. Klein recalled Benatar saying on stage she enjoys singing in amphitheaters.

For tickets and more information, go to moorparkcollegefoundation-bloom.kindful.com/e/arts-ampitheater-and-you-1.

Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Pat Benatar to play Moorpark College amphitheater fundraiser
Naomi Campbell had 2 kids after 50 and has a message for young women who don't want to be moms: 'You will change your mind'

British model Naomi Campbell is a single mother of two kids. Photo by Rocco Spaziani/Archivio Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

Naomi Campbell, 54, revealed she had her two children via surrogacy and that she is a single mother.

"I understand economically it is tough. But my mum had nothing and she made it work," Campbell told The Times of London.

She added that many young women aren't interested in being mothers but believes they'll eventually change their minds.

Naomi Campbell says she had her two kids after 50 through surrogacy.

In an interview with The Times of London published on Friday, the supermodel opened up about motherhood and her hopes for her children.

In 2021, Campbell revealed on Instagram that she welcomed her first child  a daughter. In 2023, at 53, she announced the birth of her son. Both of those Instagram posts have since been removed.

"My babies are everything to me. It's made me fear for the future," Campbell told The Times.

After confirming to the outlet that she had her children via surrogacy, Campbell shared that she's a single mother.

"I hope for a better world for my children. They are 110% my priority. I have to be there for them on their first day at school," she said.

Campbell added that she knows the younger generation isn't interested in being parents but believes they'll eventually change their minds.

"I have heard a lot of young girls saying that it is too expensive to have children and they may not want them, and I have said, 'You will change your mind. You will want to be a mum.' I understand economically it is tough. But my mum had nothing and she made it work. It's worth it. It is so amazing," Campbell said.

"We have to depend on the younger generation to change this world. I trust my children more than us to do the right thing," she added.

A 2021 Pew Research study found that more and more Americans aren't interested in having children.

Childcare costs are also rising: According to Business Insider's estimates, parents could spend at least $25,714 caring for a child this year, up 41.5% from 2016.

Campbell has been keeping her children's lives private. She has avoided sharing photos of their faces or even their names in public. Even photos of her kids that she shared on Instagram in May  where she is standing by the water with two children, one in her arms and holding hands with another  are taken from behind.

In 2022, Campbell told British Vogue she always wanted to be a mother.

"I always knew that one day I would be a mother, but it's the biggest joy I could ever imagine. I'm lucky to have her and I know that," Campbell said.

Back then, she also shared that she was encouraging all her older friends to have children.

"I'm telling them all, do it! Don't hesitate!" Campbell said.

A representative for Campbell did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Editors Note: Dean Obeidallah, a former attorney, is the host of SiriusXM radios daily program, The Dean Obeidallah Show. Follow him on Threads. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN.

Hugely popular US television shows like Shark Tank, Survivor and even American Idol are based on hit programs from foreign countries. Ive now found the next hit reality show that America could import  and it would be perfect in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election.

Dean Obeidallah - CNN

The show is a four-part series called The Conclave and, as the New York Times wrote, it has transfixed the people of Belgium, where its a runaway hit. The series is billed as a political version of The Bachelor, but it actually seems more akin to MTVs The Real World.

The way the TV program works is that leaders of Belgiums seven major political parties, spanning the spectrum from the far right to the far left  including the sitting prime minister  agreed to live together for a weekend in a castle. The politicians were seen in the four-episode show cooking, walking together in the woods and of course debating political issues. There was even a confessional where the political leaders shared their inner political thoughts with the viewers. The show aired ahead of the start of balloting in Belgiums national elections on Sunday, which coincided with elections to the European Union Parliament.

As the Dutch-language website for The Conclave explains, the premise behind the show was to give the voter an insight into (the candidates) beliefs and agenda. And it did just that, such as when Tom Van Grieken, head of the far-right, secessionist Vlaams Belang party, joked when asked if he had started a campfire, Yes, with these woke books that I want to ban. As we all know, many a truth is said in jest.

Vlaams Belang, a rising political force in Belgium whose name means Flemish Interest, is known for its anti-immigrant positions and for what one opposition political figure in the shared house condemned as views that dont respect democracy. The largest party in Belgium, it is expected to increase its dominance after Sundays vote. In fact, far-right parties did well in balloting held across Europe on Sunday, an ominous sign for left and centrist politics across the continent.

Amid disagreements and reconciliation, there were real moments of substantive politics during The Conclave. One example came when Bart De Wever, the leader of a conservative Flemish nationalist party, declared he would not partner with Van Griekens party even if it meant they would have the seats needed to govern, explaining, I cant partner with someone who doesnt respect democracy. Sorry, thats quite fundamental.

That exchange seems important given that Van Griekens party had been polling well and if De Wevers party were to join in coalition with him, it would further Van Griekens separatist agenda: He hopes to create a new country apart from the more ethnically diverse, French-speaking, left-leaning southern region of Belgium known as Wallonia.

After Sundays balloting, Vlaams Belang is projected to become Belgiums biggest party with around 26% of Flemish votes. Its impossible to know to what degree Belgians feelings about what they saw on The Conclave played a role in that result. But the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that a US version of The Conclave could help voters in the US make up their minds ahead of Novembers White House race.

For starters, a recent NBC News poll found that interest in this years presidential election is the lowest in 20 years when compared with the same point in past presidential election cycles. What better way to shake things up  and spark public interest  than having Biden and Trump spend a weekend together with TV cameras capturing almost every move?

The on-air time could help both candidates  although to be blunt, I think it would benefit Biden more, despite Trumps experience in the reality show genre as host of The Apprentice. For Biden, it would be a great chance to finally put to rest questions about whether he is too old to serve another term as president, an issue that has dogged him throughout the campaign.

In one episode, Biden could go on his customary bike ride but rather than biking solo, he could challenge Trump to ride alongside him. The incumbent president could use the outing to show up his Republican challenger on the often-raised question of his physical fitness.

And during their time living under one roof, he could quiet critics of his mental fitness as well: Biden and Trump would have an opportunity for an untold number of impromptu debates on substantive issues  all caught on camera. My money would be on the incumbent President emerging the hands-down winner in those face-offs.

If Biden and Trump were to agree to spend a weekend together in a setting like The Conclave where we can watch them interact, cook meals together and of course talk politics, Americans would tune in  and likely in record numbers. It would be up to the candidates to make their best case to voters.

But would they agree to it? My guess is that Trump would, given, as everyone knows, how much he loves to be on television. He might even find a way to use the show to peddle some of his Trump merchandise from his line of sneakers to his Trump-inspired Victory 47 cologne and his Trump Bibles.

One possible hitch, however, has to do with scheduling  and it might prevent Trump from participating. The presumptive GOP presidential nominee is to be sentenced on July 11 in the hush money case tried last month that saw him convicted of 34 felony counts by a New York jury. That means theres a possibility that Trump could be sentenced to prison or home confinement for an extended period of time.

If that were to happen, the show would be a no-go  unless Biden were to agree to spend the weekend filming in Mar-A-Lago, if Trump should get sentenced to house arrest. If the former president were to get hard time, Biden would have to be game to spend a weekend in Trumps prison block.

Talk about must-see TV.

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FILE - Sheila E. appears at the 66th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 4, 2024. The musician said in an Instagram video that she was hurt when she was denied access to Prince's studio at Paisley Park to honor the late musician on his 66th birthday last Friday. Paisley Park, now a museum, posted on its own Instagram account that it just needed some advance warning. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Sheila E. figured she'd be welcome if she showed up unannounced to record some video at Paisley Park where the Grammy-nominated percussionist once collaborated with her mentor and one-time fiancee, the late rock superstar Prince. She was wrong.

She said in an Instagram video that she was hurt when she went there to pay her respects on Friday, which would have been his 66th birthday, but was not let into a studio. She said that it won't take away the joy that he and I had together at the studio in suburban Minneapolis, which is now a museum in his memory.

I went in to celebrate him, and I wanted to go into the studio and do a live video, take a picture, and they said, No.  Sheila said. My hearts broke. I cant even walk into Paisley. Thats kind of messed up. ... Not a nice way to celebrate his birthday.

In a follow-up statement released through her publicist on Monday, Sheila said she now wants the museum to return her old drum kit, which she said Prince personally asked to borrow to display there. She said she even heard a tour guide say, My idol, Sheila E. even has her drums setup in the studio!

Paisley Park posted on its own Instagram account that it just needed some advance warning.

Hello Sheila - We love and respect you, and we did offer for you to come in and film in the soundstage or other areas, but we couldnt allow filming in the studios without prior knowledge and planning, especially with tours going on at the time. We hope to have you back to Paisley Park in the future  just give us a heads-up! Happy Prince Day, the message read, ended by a purple heart emoji.

Sheila was in Minnesota for a concert with Morris Day & the Time on Saturday in the northern town of Walker. In her statement Monday, she said she was the first artist to record at Paisley Park with Prince and walked the grounds with him when the foundation was mere dirt and rope. So she thinks her history should count for something.

Prince had no will when he died in 2016 of an accidental fentanyl overdose, so his estate, including Paisley Park, went to his siblings, who later sold most of their shares. His estate is now owned by two corporations, the music management company Primary Wave and Prince Legacy LLC, with a 2% share still held by his sister, Tyka Nelson.
Its not a good day to be a Kenya Moore apologist. Real Housewives of Atlanta is currently filming Season 16 and words on the street is that Ms. Moore is messier than ever. Allegedly.

The long-time peach holder has her fans (ahem, guilty as charged) but she certainly makes it hard to defend her.

This time, shes targeted newbie Brittany Eady and things have gotten ugly.

The Neighborhood Talk, a popular Instagram account, recently posted audio of Kenya going off about Brittany. The tirade took place at none other than a Kenya Moore Hair Care party.

The former Miss USA allegedly told attendees, You a paid hoe. Brittany does escort. Theres an IG that put her emails out on blast, she charges $1400 for an appointment. You not only a hoe, you a cheap whore.

You on covers of magazines being a thot. You all of those things, OK? Kenya added. She then went on to call the newcomer an escort that charges $1,400 her time.

The leaked audio comes on the heels of allegations that Kenya featured posters of Brittany allegedly engaged in sexual acts at the same party. That rumor then turned into another rumor that Brittany threatened Kenya with a gun in response to the incident.

Brittany took to Instagram to deny the allegation. Ive never been to jail, in a fight, or even had as much as a speeding ticket. Thats not my character, she wrote in one of her Stories. The insurance agent added that she never once had possession of any weapons or threatened anyone ever.

Kenya took to Twitter

I would never engage in revenge porn, I have never distributed private images or footage of anyone, nor solicited images owned by others to use to threaten or blackmail.



I have always been vindicated. I cant talk about STORY even with people planting fake news #sweet16?  KENYA MOORE (@KenyaMoore) June 8, 2024

For her part, Kenya also denied the claims against her on social media. I would never engage in revenge porn, I have never distributed private images or footage of anyone, nor solicited images owned by others to use to threaten or blackmail, she tweeted Saturday.

I have always been vindicated. I cant talk about STORY even with people planting fake news #sweet16.

While some of these accusations remain unconfirmed, sources say that Bravo cameras were rolling.

TELL US  WHO DO YOU BELIEVE  KENYA OR BRITTANY?

The post RHOA Leaked Audio Suggests Kenya Moore Called Brittany Eady an Escort appeared first on Reality Tea.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 10. Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China signed a roadmap for the implementation of the project to build the China - Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan railroad, Trend reports.

The document was signed during a meeting between Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Mahkamov, Minister of Transport and Communications of Kyrgyzstan Tilek Tekebaev and Deputy Chief Engineer of Chinese Railways Ju Guojiang.

At the meeting, the participants also signed a memorandum on the establishment of a working group.

The sides discussed the implementation of tasks defined by the intergovernmental agreement on the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad, signed on June 6, as well as mechanisms for financing the project.

Earlier, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China signed an agreement on cooperation in the joint promotion of the railroad project.

The agreement puts the project on the fast track to completion. It calls for teamwork between the three countries on railroad financing, building, operation, and maintenance.

Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Kyrgyzstan, previously stated that building on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad line would begin in October of this year.
15 years after the movie's release, costume designer Catherine Marie Thomas tells PEOPLE that her biggest challenge with Reynolds' wardrobe was the denim

Moviestore/Shutterstock; Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock Ryan Reynolds in The Proposal

In 2009, when Ryan Reynolds was filming The Proposal alongside Sandra Bullock, his height created a bit of a challenge for costume designer Catherine Marie Thomas.

Specifically, the length of the 6' 2" actor's legs created the challenge.

"At the time there wasn't a lot of great denim with long inseams," Thomas tells PEOPLE exclusively on the 15th anniversary of the movie, which was released on June 9, 2009. "I think it's easier now for men with a 36-inch inseam to find pants. He's got really, really long legs and is so tall. But yeah, that was such a specific thing with his wardrobe. It was pretty funny."

Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock Mary Steenburgen, Betty White and Ryan Reynolds in The Proposal

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Thomas needed the denim for the movie's scenes shot in Alaska (which was actually Massachusetts). Reynolds' character Andrew was taking his boss Margaret (Bullock) home to meet his family after she conned him into marrying her for a green card. For those scenes, the normally sharply dressed publishing assistant needed a much more casual wardrobe, which called for comfort.



"The Alaska scenes were fun with his wardrobe because we wanted to make him look comfortable because he was supposed to be around family and friends, plus he was doing masculine things like chopping wood," Thomas says.

Related: The Proposal Costumer Recalls 'Hilarious' Betty White in Wedding Dress Fitting Scene: 'Bless Her' (Exclusive)

Alamy Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in The Proposal

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Even in those dressed-down scenes, though, Thomas says it was impossible to make him look "sloppy."

"He's so perfectly proportioned," she says with a laugh. "He's so handsome and, I mean really, truly, it's really hard to make him look bad. We were really just trying to make him feel easy and effortless. In that regard, he was easy because he looks great in everything, and as long as he just looked casually effortless, it worked for us."



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Samuel Mudd, prisoner of Shark Island. How was he connected to Lincoln's assassination?

As an old prison warden, I sometimes like to read or watch some old movies about famous prisoners. One such movie I watched recently on the Turner classic channel last week was the "Prisoner of "Shark Island."

It was a story about Samuel A. Mudd, and his life prison sentence for conspiracy and association with John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Perhaps you too missed this chapter in your history class.

It is an interesting story.

Lloyd "Pete" Waters

After Booth shot Lincoln in the balcony of the Ford theater on April 14, 1864, he leaped from the presidential box onto the stage floor below and fractured his leg.

As he escaped from the theater and hurting from his injury, he made his way to the home of Samuel A. Mudd, a nearby physician. Booth arrived at Mudds house around 4 a.m. on April 15 and was treated; he remained at Mudds house for a good many hours before he and David Herold, another co-conspirator, left.

More Pete: Cant every day be like Christmas?

Mudd would delay in notifying the authorities for an extended time of the two mens presence in his house. It was suspected at the trial of Booths co-conspirators that Mudd was part of the assassination plot.

As the investigation gathered evidence for Mudds involvement, authorities proceeded to Mudds house to interview him, and his wife went upstairs to retrieve a boot that had been removed from a patient and bore the name of J. Wilkes. Mudd was arrested.

A military commission was convened to conduct a trial into Lincolns assassination.

As the trial for Lincolns murder began on May 10, 1865, eight conspirators were charged. These suspects included Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, George Atzerodt, David Herold, Samuel Mudd, Michael OLaughlen, Edmund Spangler and Samuel Arnold.

Over 350 witnesses were called to testify; all accused were found guilty.

Surratt, Powell, Atzerodt and Herold were all hanged at the Penitentiary of the Washington Arsenal on July 7, 1865.

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Mudd, O'Laughlen, and Arnold were imprisoned just west of Key West , Florida in the Dry Tortugas (an old fort that became a federal prison) with life sentences. Mudd escaped the death penalty by a single vote. Edmund Spangler was given a six-year prison sentence at the notorious prison.

Some 600 prisoners initially kept the co-conspirators company in the isolated prison island some 70 miles from Key West in the waters surrounded by sharks

In the movie, "The Prisoner of Shark Island," the role of Samuel Mudd is played by Warner Baxter; he did an excellent acting performance in this role.

During his incarceration, Mudd attempted to escape and he was placed in the prisons "dungeon," a hole in the ground with an inscription that read Whoso entereth here leaveth all hope behind, a verse from Dantes Inferno.

To say the least, I suspect that Mudd was treated very harshly during his incarceration, as the union prison staff were most likely supporters and had emotional ties for the dead president.

Mudd continued to experience misery throughout his incarceration, while his wife attempted to mount every effort in an attempt to secure his release. Although the evidence was persuasive that Mudd knew Booth and was for certain an accomplice in Lincolns death, he maintained his innocence throughout.

Perhaps the "die" was cast in regard to Mudds situation and all "hope" was sacrificed for his release.

But strange things often happen in life, and Mudds predicament would be no different.

Because of the humid conditions at the prison and the presence of mosquitoes, a serious plague of "yellow fever" soon begin to kill inhabitants there in 1867; the epidemic would soon create unimaginable harm and misery for those at the fort.

The prisons doctor, Joseph Sim Smith, would soon succumb to the disease, leaving the prison with no medical support.

Other individuals were also dying at an alarming rate, and as desperation became rampant, Mudd, who was the only person available with medical knowledge, was soon assigned the task of providing medical treatment to those affected.

If you can imagine the horror and desperate situation at the prison during this epidemic, you might begin to think that Dantes verse, "Whoso entereth here leaveth all hope behind," applied to all.

Tim Rowland: 'Classy' restaurants have been pushing the envelope for too long

The movie illustrated that Mudd would work tirelessly to treat the sick and affected patients throughout the ordeal and managed to become the "hero: of the day.

As a result of his actions, the "yellow fever" passed through the prison, and many were saved. President Andrew Johnson would then pardon Mudd, Arnold and Spangler from the prison.

Mudd would return home to his family after serving four years.

And thats the rest of the story.

Pete Waters is a Sharpsburg resident who writes for The Herald-Mail.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Pete Waters column: Samuel Mudd, prisoner of Shark Island
Taking Back Our Town is a 2001 drama TV movie directed by Sam Pillsbury. It follows the true story of a housewife from Louisiana who protests against the building of a chemical plant in her town. While the town is already suffering, she has to face many obstacles to secure the future of the town and its people.

Heres how you can watch and stream Taking Back Our Town via streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video.

Is Taking Back Our Town available to watch via streaming?

Yes, Taking Back Our Town is available to watch via streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

The film follows the true story of Pat Melancon, a housewife living in a town in Louisiana. She protests against a Japanese company named Shintech, as they plan to build their chemical plant in her town. With many obstacles already in her way, she also has to face the Mayor of the town whose priority is the money that comes in from the company. She gathers a few activists to fight for the town which is already nicknamed the cancer alley.

The film stars Laura Innes as Pat Melancon, the housewife protesting against Shintech. We also see Ruby Dee, Chris Bauer, Myndy Crist, and Alyson Reed in supporting roles.

Watch Taking Back Our Town streaming via Amazon Prime Video

Taking Back Our Town is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

Prime Video is a popular streaming service that provides access to a huge collection of movies, TV series, and documentaries. It also features hit original shows like Fleabag, The Boys, and Jack Ryan.

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.

Taking Back Our Towns synopsis is as follows:

A true story about a concerned housewife, Pat Melancon, who tries to block Shintech, a massive Japanese petrochemical conglomerate, from building a plant in her toxic township already known as cancer alley. Pat and a few newly recruited, fledgling activists face the full force of Shintechs wealth and influence peddling, which has bought the cooperation of the government from the local level all the way up to the Governors office.

NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing.

Box Office Results: Bad Boys 4 Cruises to the Top Sonys Bad Boys: Ride or Die made mincemeat of the competition in this weeks box office results, collecting a robust Movies Jeff Ames 48 mins ago Bad Boys Franchise Recap to Prepare You For Bad Boys: Ride Or Die With the influx of sequels in theaters, we are creating a series of guides to help you keep up with Movies Jeff Ames 54 mins ago 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 3 days 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 3 days ago Read more

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This Texas company is who Yellowstone star Kevin Costner calls to build him a truck

Kevin Costner is a well-versed equestrian from his time on Yellowstone, but now the actor has a different kind of horse power.

Costner is now exploring the deserts of Utah, amidst filming his western film series Horizon, in his custom 2023 Ford F-250 powerstroke diesel 4x4. The vehicle came with all the bells and whistles from Arizona-founded company Lifted Trucks, who also has three locations in Texas.

The actor first came to the company in search of a truck for his 17-year-old son Cayden. After meeting with Lifted Trucks co-owner James Pillor and crew, Costner not only worked out a truck for his son but himself as well.

Once we got done with Caydens truck, Kevin was up next, Pillor told the Star-Telegram. [Costner] said, Now, I gotta get one.

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Lifted Trucks has been customizing vehicles in Arizona since 1995, expanding into Texas and Alabama in the nearly three decades since.

Costner wanted to find a vehicle for his sons active lifestyle, whether that be surfing or spearfishing on the coasts of California. The actor found Lifted Trucks through a friends recommendation and got the ball rolling.

The build process was fun, Pillor said, with Costner collaborating with the company on what features to add. With his sons interests in mind, the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor 4x4 was customized with a surfboard rack and a covered bed to store all his fishing gear.

Next up was Costner himself, who opted for the 2023 Ford F-250 to handle the rugged terrain of his properties in Colorado and California, along with being on set in Utah.

A few of the custom features on Costners trucks include an upgraded suspension, enhanced headlights and a bumper with a winch.

We had fun building that, Pillor said.

Once the vehicles were finished, Lifted Trucks delivered them to the Costners California home.

Cayden couldnt stop smiling when he saw his truck, which in turn put a huge grin on the older Costners face, Pillor said. With everyone happy, Lifted Trucks scheduled a follow up visit to the Costner estate to capture social media content.

It didnt take much prodding from the company for Costner to wax poetic about his truck, who was happy to share his excitement about the two vehicles. He even noted that he was looking for the best, most bitchin truck and found just that.

I mean, you cant script that, Pillor laughed. Kevin Costner said that, how great is that.

Lifted Trucks has seen a boost in social media traffic after posting about Costners truck.

Since the actor has a huge fan base, its helped introduce the company to a much broader audience. Pillor counts himself as one of those fans who grew up watching Costner movies and can now say hes on a friendly basis with the actor.

Recently, Costner gave a shoutout to Lifted Trucks while on the set of Horizo, which Pillor hopes is just the tip of the iceberg on a longstanding partnership.

We think its gonna have legs, Pillor said. Hopefully Kevin and Lifted Trucks put out content even more in the future.
The new Thai BL series Love Sea premiered on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 10:30 p.m. ICT on channel GMM25. Starring Fort Thitipong Sangngey as Mahasamut and Peat Wasuthorn Chaijindar as Tongrak, the series follows the pairs swoon-worthy seaside romance. Love Sea episode 1 sets the premise of the same.

Episode 1 of Love Sea begins with Tongrak arriving at the island. His friend, C. Worrington, told him to spend two weeks there as his new novel would be about the ocean. Mahasamut then arrives to pick him up on a bike, while Tongrak complains that the ride will damage his suitcases. The former borrows a cargo tricycle, and the latter is cranky for the entire ride. After reaching out, Tongrak called and ranted at Connor. However, Mut snatches the formers phone and says hell take good care of him. He tells the latter to enjoy his trip with Ai Kom.

Tongrak tries to leave but is mesmerized by the ocean. Mahasamut then drops the former to his room and asks him to call if he needs anything. Tongrak then kicks him out of the room as he feels pestered by him. Elsewhere, Tongraks secretary, Mook, gets swamped with work as she receives calls for the former. Meanwhile, Vi tells Mook she will ensure the latter has enough work while Tongrak is away.

Elsewhere, Tongrak visits the bar where he meets Mahasamuts brother, Palm. The latter shares that his brother is like the islands celebrity, and the girls are crazy about him. It is not just women; Mahasamut is open to dating guys, too.

Thai BL Series Love Sea episode 1 recap: Fort Thitipong comforts Peat Wasuthorn

The next day, Mahasamut goes to Tongraks room and tidies up the place while the latter sleeps soundly. Connor had asked the former to look after him as Tongrak has a lonely heart. After waking up, the latter asks how Mahasamut got in the room. He hands him the keys he did not give the day before as Tongrak kicked him out. Later, Mahasamut compliments Tongraks fair skin. However, the latter angrily walks away when his charm does not work on him.

Furthermore, during breakfast, a picky Tongrak makes Mahasamut cook several times after rejecting all his dishes. The former then asks the latter to eat the leftovers, hoping it will infuriate him. However, Mahasamut is still unfazed. Tongrak then transfers him money multiple times and asks him to stop using the Southern dialect and speak the Central one with him. After previously saying money cant buy him, Mahasamut gladly accepts the offer.

Mahasamut continues to follow an arrogant, embarrassed, and angry Tongrak around. The former then says Connor has already paid him to look after the latter. If Tongrak does not let him do his job, Mahasamut must return the money. Moreover, he would be unable to find work now as people already know he is booked for two weeks. So, Mahasamut asks Tongrak to let him be his guide.

Elsewhere, Mook prepares a speech to stop Vi from making the former do her tasks. However, shes unable to speak up when Vi asks her to change the lightbulb at her condo. As shes one of Tongraks tenants, Vi argues it is his secretarys responsibility to fix it. Meanwhile, Tongrak struggles to write a love scene as he needs to get intimate with someone to be able to write about it.

Furthermore, Mahasamut offers to show Tongrak around after the latter gets absorbed in his work. After the former jumps in for a dive in the ocean, the latter panics. Upon returning, Mahasamut finds Tongrak crying. The latter worriedly says he thought the former fell into the water and was going to die. Tongrak adds, No matter how much I hate you, I dont want to see you die. Mahasamut then apologizes and hugs Tongrak to calm him down.

The post Thai BL Series Love Sea Episode 1 Recap & Spoilers: Fort Thitipong Becomes Peat Wasuthorns Guide appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Twelve-time Grammy-winning Panamanian musician, actor and human rights activist Ruben Blades has provided an original song for the Spanish-Panamanian animated climate change movie Black Butterflies from director David Baute. The film will world premiere in the Contrechamp competition at this years Annecy Animation Festival.

Animated in 2D, and painstakingly researched by Baute, Black Butterflies is a timely feature about the real-world consequences of global warming as experienced by communities in the areas most impacted by the man-made phenomenon.

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The film tells three separate but related stories about Lobuin, Vanesa and Soma, three women from very different parts of the world who face the same problem: climate change. The women and their families are condemned to lose everything because of the effects of climate change and are forced to emigrate to survive.

Explaining why the film was important to him, Blades said, Climate change as a reason for human immigration is an effect that has not been studied in the necessary depth. Black Butterflies raises an important question: Will there be a world where future generations can live?

According to Baute, I have always been concerned with telling stories about our environment to become more aware of our relationship with the world in which we live. I believe there was no better way to show the exciting journey of these three women from such different backgrounds than through animation. Thanks to a talented technical and artistic team, we were able to do so with a beautiful aesthetic in line with the different realities of our characters.

Black Butterflies is produced by Ikiru Films, Tinglado Film, Anangu Grup and the Catalan Corporation of Mitjans Audiovisuals in Spain alongside Tunche Films in Panama. It received support from Radio Television Espana, 3CAT in Catalonia, Public Television of the Canary Islands and Mogambo, with financing from Spains Ministry of Culture-ICAA, and support from ICEC-Department of Culture-Generalitat de Catalunya as well as the government of the Canary Islands and the Island Council of Tenerife.

Cesar Zelada at Panamas Tunche, commented: For us, it has been very rewarding to work on a project as relevant as Black Butterflies and contribute decisively to the growth of the Panamanian animation industry. We want to underline that with the involvement of one of our greatest musicians.

Ikirus Edmon Roch added, From the very first moment, we knew this was a story we had to tell. Its a global story based on three individual cases of women forced to move away from their natural habitat, often severing family ties. David has documented these cases for years, and this film has been a revealing and fascinating journey that wont leave anyone who sees it feeling indifferent.

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These 10 Texas cities are among the best places to live, according to U.S. News list

Looking for a nice place to live in Texas? Maybe youre already in Texas and looking to relocate within the state.

U.S. News and World Report ranked the 2024-2025 150 best places to live in the U.S.

Here are the best places to live in Texas, according to the report.

Best places to live in Texas

No. 9: Austin

Downtown Austin, Texas on Sunday, May 29, 2022.

Known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," Austin hosts numerous music festivals, such as South by Southwest and Austin City Limits. The city has a thriving arts scene with galleries, theaters, and cultural events. Austin boasts a robust economy with a strong job market, particularly in technology, education, healthcare, and government sectors. Major companies like Dell, Apple, Google, and Amazon have significant presence in the area.

No. 48: McAllen

McAllen is known for its low cost of living, particularly in terms of housing. This makes it an attractive option for families, retirees, and young professionals looking to maximize their purchasing power.

No. 62: El Paso

Downtown El Paso, Texas.

The citys proximity to Mexico gives it a unique blend of American and Mexican cultures, which are reflected in its cuisine, festivals, and everyday life.

No. 77: Corpus Christi

Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Corpus Christi offers beautiful beaches such as Padre Island National Seashore and Mustang Island State Park. Residents can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and various water sports.

No. 87: Brownsville

People attended the Charro Days Grand International Parade last month in downtown Brownsville.

Brownsville has a rich cultural heritage heavily influenced by its proximity to Mexico. The city hosts numerous cultural festivals and events throughout the year, such as Charro Days, Sombrero Festival, and the Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival, celebrating its unique heritage and fostering community spirit.

No. 89: San Antonio

River walk in San Antonio city downtown skyline cityscape of Texas USA at sunset

San Antonio has a relatively low cost of living compared to other major cities in the U.S. Housing is particularly affordable, making it easier for residents to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. The city is home to historic sites such as The Alamo and the San Antonio Missions, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Southern Living magazine: 2 Texas cities listed among 15 friendliest in the South

No. 95: Dallas

A view of the Dallas city skyline and Reunion Tower and fireworks during the Dallas New YearOs Eve celebration after the game between the Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks at the American Airlines Center on Dec 31, 2023.

Dallas has a strong and diverse economy with thriving sectors in technology, healthcare, finance, telecommunications, and energy. Major companies like AT&T, Texas Instruments, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines have headquarters or significant operations in the area. The city boasts a rich cultural scene, including world-class museums like the Dallas Museum of Art, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and the Nasher Sculpture Center. The city also has a vibrant performing arts scene with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and numerous theaters.

No. 97: Houston

Most spontaneous city No. 3: Houston

Houston boasts a diverse economy with strong sectors in energy, healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing, and technology. It is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, and NASAs Johnson Space Center. The city is home to several prestigious universities and colleges, including Rice University, the University of Houston, and Texas Southern University.

No. 99: Beaumont

Beaumont generally has a lower cost of living compared to larger cities, making it more affordable for residents. Housing costs, in particular, tend to be lower than in major metropolitan areas.

No. 107: Killeen

Killeen is home to Fort Hood, one of the largest military installations in the world. The military presence contributes significantly to the local economy, providing jobs and economic stability.

Top 10 best places to live in the U.S.

Naples, FL Boise, ID Colorado Springs, CO Greenville, SC Charlotte, NC Raleigh, NC Huntsville, AL Virginia Beach, VA Austin, TX Boulder, CO

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 10 Texas cites named in U.S. New's top 150 best places to live list
Before you drop that china off at the thrift store, take a sec to flip it over and give it a closer look. Knowing how to spot valuable antique china marks and identify the patterns you have can mean the difference between giving away a treasure and understanding when you've got something special.

If you've inherited or bought some pieces of antique china, it's handy to know how to learn more about your heirlooms. Often, the piece holds many clues, and understanding how to read these can help you identify the pattern. From that, you can get a sense of your china's value and history.

10 Valuable Vintage and Antique China Patterns

Keep an eye out for a few super valuable antique china patterns that you might see in shops (or, if you're lucky, even at yard sales). These are the ones to watch for, according to the price of a dinner plate at Replacements.com.

Pattern Price Per Dinner Plate Tiffany Cirque Chinois $1,600 Bernardaud Chenonceaux Cobalt $1,600 Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica $1,300 Hermes Le Jardin de Pythagore $1,000 Bernardaud Parthenon $940 Tiffany Holiday $700 Rosenthal Magic Flute Gold $700 Spode Stafford White $650 Miessen Dragon Brown $600 Haviland Beauvallon $600

Figure Out the Type of China

Before you can identify the pattern, you need to figure out what kind of china you have. Because porcelain production originated in China, Europeans and Americans used the term "china" to describe any fine porcelain piece. However, there are actually several different kinds of china, each of which uses a specific production process. Since many manufacturers specialized in a single type of china, this can help narrow down the possibilities for your china pattern.

Three Types of Porcelain

There are three main types of porcelain, all of which are commonly called "china."

Bone china - Bone china originated in England around 1750. There, factories like Spode and Royal Worcester used bone china to make tea sets, vases, dinnerware, and other items. As the name implies, bone china involves the addition of bone ash to a mixture of finely ground stone and clay. The process results in pieces that are incredibly thin and translucent.

Hard-paste porcelain - Hard-paste porcelain was the original type produced in China, and it's a major fixture in antique Chinese art. This type of china originally included a clay called kaolin, as well as ground alabaster. Today, it often includes quartz. The first European factory to produce hard-paste porcelain was Meissen, a German company that began production in 1710.

Soft-paste porcelain - European potteries came up with a recipe for porcelain that did not involve kaolin clay from China. Instead, this softer type of china involved local clays, most notably clay from the Limoges region of France and used in Limoges china.

Tips for Determining Type

LoveToKnow

Use these tricks to help you figure out what kind of china you have:

Hold the china up to the light. According to Noritake, bone china will be way more translucent than other types of porcelain. If you can see a lot of light coming through the piece, you most likely have china with bone ash in it.

Examine the color. Noritake also notes that the color of bone china tends to be more ivory than white. If your piece is pure white, it is more likely to be hard or soft porcelain.

Listen to the piece. You can tell the difference between hard and soft-paste porcelain by holding the item with your fingertips and lightly tapping the edge with a coin. If it makes a high-pitched tone, it's more likely to be hard-paste.

Look for Backstamps and Valuable Antique China Marks

LoveToKnow

Most fine china features an identification mark that helps to identify the manufacturer of the piece. Knowing this info is important for identifying the pattern. In many cases, there may be more than one stamp on an item, sometimes indicating where the piece was manufactured and where it was painted and glazed. Additionally, backstamps offer insight into the date of a piece, since most manufacturers changed stamps every few years.

How to Find the Backstamp

In most cases, finding the backstamp is easy. Simply turn the piece over and look on the bottom or back. You'll usually see symbols and writing, and sometimes, there will be a raised design.

It can help to use a magnifying glass to enlarge the stamp. You can also take a photo and then use your phone or computer to enlarge the image. Hint: add contrast to the picture to make the stamp really stand out if it's hard to read.

How to Use the Backstamp

LoveToKnow

Once you've found the backstamp, use a website with a library of stamps and manufacturers to learn about your piece. The following sites are awesome for this.

Kovels - One of the most respected names in antiques, Kovels has a complete library of backstamps. You can search by the shape of the mark, initials in the mark, or words and full names.

Gotheborg.com - If you have Chinese porcelain, this is the site to use to find out about your backstamp. It features photographs of the marks and information about the manufacturers.

What if There Isn't a Backstamp?

While most fine china features identification marks, you may find that some very early pieces do not have backstamps. According to ThePotteries.org, a website by potter and history expert Steve Birks, this was quite common with early bone china. If your piece doesn't have a backstamp, consider taking it to a professional appraiser to learn more about the pattern.

Note Important Details

Once you know the manufacturer and the type of china, you have most of the information you'll need to find the pattern name or number. However, many manufacturers made dozens, or even hundreds, of different patterns. To save time and avoid having to sift through the entire product catalog for your manufacturer, take note of some of the most important details in your pattern.

Gold Edging

LoveToKnow

Gold, or gilt, edging is one of the first things you'll notice when you look at some china patterns. Some manufacturers, such as Noritake, are famous for pieces with this luxurious detail. Typically, this beautiful gilt paint is applied to the edges of plates, cups, bowls, and other pieces. Depending on how the piece has been preserved and the age of the item, the gilt edge may be worn or spotted.

Major Color

While many pieces are white or ivory, there are also a number of china patterns that feature a background or much of the decoration in another color. Some shades you may see include black, pink, red, gold, and blue, as with Blue Willow China. Often, the back or underside of these pieces is white.

Other Paint Colors Used

Also note any other significant colors in the design. Does it have a black edge or a decoration of fuchsia flowers? These details will help you figure out the name or number of the pattern.

Specific Motifs

Finally, note any specific images in the pattern. Consider some of the following:

Flower species

Asian motifs

Ladies or images of people

Animals or birds

Related: 5 Most Valuable Collector Plates & What Yours Could Be Worth

Establish a Pattern

If you know the manufacturer and type of china and have taken some time to look into the details on your piece, you're ready to figure out the pattern number or name. While there's really no china pattern finder that will make it easy to identify your piece, a great place to start is Replacements.com. This site sells replacement pieces for many patterns, and they have an extensive library of patterns with photos. Click on the manufacturer name to see a list of patterns.

You can also look up patterns on manufacturer-specific sites:

National Shelley China Club - This is a great place to identify a piece of Shelley china, including the pattern name and the date.

Meissen China Patterns - If you have a piece of Meissen china, you can find many of the most popular patterns here.

Haviland Online - This site offers photos and tips for identifying Haviland china.

Dating Your China Pattern

Dating is another pretty important part of identification (and totally a big deal for value, too). In many cases, patterns have been in continuous production for decades or even centuries. This means that you might not be able to narrow down the date range or value for your antique dish or plate simply by identifying its pattern. Instead, you'll need to use the backstamp to help you. Here's how:

After you've identified your pattern and its manufacturer, visit one of the backstamp identification websites like those listed above. Use a magnifying glass to really examine the details of the mark and compare it to the stamps used at various points by the manufacturer. When you find a match, you have a date range for your piece.

Do You Have a Popular Pattern?

Certain china patterns stand the test of time and remain popular with collectors for centuries. According to House Beautiful, the following patterns are especially desirable:

Blue Italian - This iconic transferware pattern features scenes of Italy. The detailed images are printed in blue on a white background. This pattern has been in continuous production since 1816. iStock.com

Meissen's Ming Dragon - Since the middle of the 18th century, Meissen has been making this Asian-inspired pattern. It usually features a persimmon-colored Chinese dragon on a white background and has gold edging. Sometimes, the dragon is painted in other colors, such as green.

Royal Copenhagen's Flora Danica - This detailed pattern was based on botanical art from the 1790s. It's one of the most collectible and costly china patterns in existence.

Deruta's Raffaellesco - Introduced the 1600s, this finely detailed, multi-colored pattern has enjoyed great popularity for centuries. Floral motifs and gold dragons adorn this white porcelain design.

Related: How to Store China to Keep It Safe

Beautiful and Valuable China Patterns

Whether you have a popular and valuable antique china pattern or a rare gem from the past that you just love, antique china is a beautiful and valuable part of dining culture. Knowing how to find out your china pattern name or number can give you a sense of your piece's place in history.
Here are 5 things to know about the new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

Disney fans have a new destination to visit starting this month - Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

The new Bahamian destination started being a port of call for Disney cruise ships in early June. The inaugural cruise is seven nights aboard the Disney Fantasy that left Port Canaveral June 8. The island is expected to be a blend of vibrant colors, festive sounds and friendly faces.

Here are five things to know about Disneys new island.

Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is not a private island

Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on the island of Eleuthera immerses guests in the spirit and culture of The Bahamas, along with signature Disney entertainment, port adventures and nature trails, a water play area, and beautiful beaches.  Disney

Disneys other island, Castaway Cay, is a private island. The only way to visit Castaway Cay is to be a Disney cast member or a Disney guest.

Thats not the case with Disneys newest Bahamian destination. Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point was developed on an existing island, Eleuthera. Disneys agreement with the government of the Bahamas provides all citizens and residents of The Bahamas full access to the property.

The total site is 900 acres, located at the southern tip of Eleuthera. Less than 16% of the acreage has been developed, and 25% of the acreage donated to Bahamian people. Disney will offer its guests excursions to visit other parts of Eleuthera and experience local culture.

Disney officials have been working closely with the islands residents for many years to properly build the destination.

The name, Lookout Cay, is pronounced KEY, which is the same pronunciation as Castaway Cay.

Although its called Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, there is technically no traditional lighthouse. There is, however, a building known as a light station that guides ships to the island.

Want to visit? You'll need to cruise on these ships

Disney Magic, Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream are the ships that will visit Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

Sailings are three, four, five or 10 nights and leave from either Port Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale. Longer sailings also stop at Disneys private island Castaway Cay.

Activities abound at Lookout Cay

In true Disney fashion, there are plenty of family-friendly activities, all with a Bahamian touch. Theres a family beach area, an interactive water play area with two slides, plus gaming pavilions including volleyball courts and more.

Expect to see some of your favorite Disney friends enjoying the island dressed in attire created by a Bahamian designer. Mickey and his friends might also be known to bust out in dance parties with local musicians.

Theres special programing for children and teens that exposes them to the islands culture and also educates them about the areas animals and plants. Its done through interactive play, scavenger hunts and collaborations with Nat Geo Kids.

If youre taking a cruise sans little ones, youll want to visit the adults only beach. Theres even a dining area on the island specially designated for adults.

What food will be served?

No surprise, many of the dishes will have a Bahamian flair. Theres island-spiced rotisserie chicken, plant-based island curry, Bahamian-style lime marinated grilled snapper and plenty more.

There are three restaurants on the island: True-True BBQ, True-True BBQ Too and Serenity Bay BBQ, which is an adults only restaurant.

There also will be some specialty cocktails including the Eleuthera Euphoria made with rum, pineapple smoothie mix and DOLE Whip.

Keep your eyes out for various forms of wildlife

Youll want to look up and down to make sure you dont miss any of the wildlife the island has to offer.

There are more than 100 different bird species to observe. Cast members started a bird monitoring program to help identify all the flying friends, and they also designated certain spaces as sensitive areas to not disrupt the birds.

When youre snorkeling near the oceans floor, look for giant barrel sponges. These invertebrates are the largest species of water-filtering sponge and are often called Redwoods of the Reef because of their size and lifespan.

Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination Map  Disney

The giant barrel sponges share the ocean with nearly 75 species of fish. You might see Nassau grouper, parrot fish and blue tangs swimming right offshore.

Land crabs are a part of the Bahamian way of life and youre likely to see plenty of them scurrying around the island. Everything from ghost crabs, black crabs and black-backed crab may shuffle right past you.

Spitzer is a trending reporter. She can be reached at MSpitzer@Floridatoday.com.

Exclusively at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas. Characters sport distinct, Junkanoo-inspired looks created by Bahamian fashion designer Theodore Elyett (Kent Phillips, Photographer).  Disney

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point: What to know before visiting
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11)  A sea of Puerto Rican flags covered Knickerbocker Avenue in Bushwick, Brooklyn, as the sixth annual Knickerbocker Avenue Puerto Rican Day Parade took place.

The music, the food, the atmosphere, its amazing, Tais Lopez told PIX11 News.

The neighborhood came alive with thousands of people supporting the dancers, the parade floats, and the kids playing the drums. Its a day that many look forward to.

You see the Abuelita doing bomba, you see the little kids with their flag, you see so many generations come in out, the viejitos on his bike, the piragua, its just so incredible, Ricardo Castaneda said.

More Brooklyn News

Tommy Rodriguez makes it a point to attend annually.

Every year gets bigger and bigger, and just to be here and feel the joy and happiness from everybody, Rodriguez said.

This parade is bittersweet for him. His mom lost the battle to cancer earlier this year. Coming to celebrate the culture she instilled in him was at the top of his list.

We came a lot to the parades and watched it on TV but just lost her a couple of months ago, so I know I had to be here, and I feel here shes here, he said.

According to Djali Cepeda, the day also honored Puerto Rican trailblazers.

A lot of Latino culture in New York City is Boricua culture; they fought for so much, Boricua activists, Boricua pioneers, we have so much; every Latino owes it to the Boricuas and what theyve instilled in this community, she said.



Bushwick is home to many Puerto Rican families that have laid down roots in the last few decades. Still, they have never forgotten about la Isla del Encanto, Puerto Rico; like Maria Perez, she attended the parade to keep Puerto Rican culture alive here in the States. Its easy to forget your background and culture.

Its OK to love everybody, but dont forget who you are and where you come from, Nilda Correa said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
 Flash

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong led a delegation to Laos to attend senior officials' meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), as well as the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum from June 7 to June 8.

Sun told media after the meetings that the participants exchanged views on such issues as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Ukraine crisis, the Korean Peninsula, Myanmar, climate change, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

The Chinese side elaborated its principled positions on relevant issues and sternly refuted fallacies of the United States and the West concerning China, Sun said.

He said that ASEAN, China, Japan and ROK positively evaluated progress in the implementation of the 10+3 cooperation work plan (2023-2027), were supportive of deepening cooperation in finance, food security, electric vehicles, digital economy, green economy, society and culture, as well as high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and enhancement of regional supply chain connectivity.

All sides generally support the role of the East Asia Summit in promoting political security and economic development, boosting constructive dialogues and exchanges, and expanding cooperation in emerging fields, Sun said.

He added that the forum is the most important platform for multilateral security dialogue and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, and members emphasized the need to continue to promote confidence-building measures, deepen practical cooperation, and steadily carry out preventive diplomacy, contributing to lasting peace in the region.

He went on to say that at the meetings, China emphasized the Asia-Pacific was pacesetter of peaceful development, and supported the centrality of ASEAN, supported ASEAN's approach to regional security cooperation, supported the settlement of differences and disputes by peaceful means, and called for the establishment of security concept of equality and cooperation.

The Chinese side reiterated that it adheres to the principles of consensus and accommodating the comfort level of all parties, enriches the topics of cooperation, and actively responds to emerging challenges such as cybersecurity, climate change and artificial intelligence, so as to safeguard common security interests, Sun said.

China clearly supports an ASEAN-centered regional security architecture, adheres to the concept of openness and win-win cooperation, takes into account the demands of all parties, accommodates the interests of all parties, and builds a balanced, effective and sustainable regional security architecture, instead of starting things anew and creating a closed and exclusive club, the Chinese diplomat said.

On the South China Sea issue, he said that the biggest security challenge in the South China Sea comes from outside the region, and external forces led by the United States, for geopolitical purposes, have manipulated bloc politics and confrontation of camps, pushed forward military deployments and operations in the South China Sea, instigated the intensification of differences and contradictions related to the sea, and undermined the legitimate rights and interests of littoral countries.

Sun said China has indisputable sovereignty over islands in the South China Sea, and is committed to properly managing disputes through dialogue and consultation with countries concerned in the South China Sea in accordance with the "dual-track" approach.

China is also working with ASEAN countries to comprehensively and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and actively pushing for new progress in consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, according to Sun.

With regard to the deployment of intermediate-range missile system by the United States in the region, Sun said that such a move has drawn the region into an arms race and placed the entire Asia-Pacific region under the shadow of geopolitical conflicts, seriously reversing the course of history, jeopardizing security of regional countries, and seriously undermining regional peace and stability.

He said that China firmly opposes Cold War mentality and confrontation of camps, ignition of an arms race in the region by any external forces, and use of regional countries as tools of hegemony and geostrategic pawns.

He said that ASEAN and other participants hoped for peace, dialogue and unity, and called for mutually beneficial cooperation and common development, safeguarding hard-won peace and stability in East Asia.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 10. United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai will pay a visit to Uzbekistan on June 1112, Trend reports.

According to the US Trade Representative office, Tai will meet with Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

After the meeting with the president, she will also hold meetings with Uzbekistans First Assistant to the President Saida Mirziyoyeva, Uzbekistans Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, Uzbekistans Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov, Uzbekistans Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction Behzod Musaev, Uzbek Forum members, and the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The second day of the visit, the US Trade Representative will visit Uzbekistans Samarkand.

Tai will meet with Samarkands governor and participate in cultural site visits to major historical landmarks.

To note, Uzbekistan's trade turnover with the US is as high as $257.3 million from January through April 2024. This figure has seen a significant jump of 31.2 percent, leaving the same period last year in the dust ($196.1 million in JanuaryApril 2023).

Uzbekistan's exports to the US totaled $69.4 million, while imports from the US reached $187.9 million during this period.
Kathryn Cole, 97, was presented with her high school diploma by Tabiona Public Schools in Utah about 80 years after she dropped out to take care of her family. Photo by greymatters/Pixabay.com

June 10 (UPI) -- A 97-year-old Utah woman was presented with her high school diploma eight decades after she dropped out to take care of her family.

Hanna resident Kathryn Cole ended up one English credit shy of graduation when she left school in the 1940s to help take care of her family after her grandfather's death.

"The day that our finals were being given was the date of his funeral," Cole told KUTV.

Cole has spent the last few years working with students at Tabiona Public Schools to improve their reading skills.

The school district determined Cole's work with the students qualified her to earn her missing English credit, and she was presented with a diploma at Tabiona High School's graduation ceremony.

"This is what I've been wanting my whole life, and I haven't been able to get it," Cole said. "It's never too late to keep learning."

Cole said she plans to continue working with students in the district for as long as she is able.

An even older student, 106-year-old Fred Allen "Gramps" Smalls, was presented with an honorary diploma from Georgetown High School in South Carolina earlier this year.

The special ceremony, attended by more than 100 people, was the culmination of years of efforts by Smalls' granddaughter, Birdella Kinney.
She does a lot, all like a gem.

I was an easy-going, happy kid, recalled Leslie Beyer-Hermsen. I enjoyed singing, I enjoyed being inventive with play, writing and recording, on a cassette tape recorder, TV scripts ("Ellery Queen") and writing poems. I had fun attending Cincinnati Reds baseball games during the Big Red Machine era with my uncle. I enjoyed spending time at my grandmothers farm in the summers, swimming in the pond, fishing, and catching frogs.

I enjoyed watching sitcoms, Beyer-Hermsen added. One that influenced me in particular, in terms of interest in academia, was 'M*A*S*H.' I wanted to be a surgeon. But after attending several seminars about the medical profession, I began thinking being a doctor might not be a good fit for me."

Being a resident adviser at OSU was an influencer

Being a resident adviser at The Ohio State University ended of being the influence for her career path, she said, noting "unbeknownst to me at that time, organically (it) defined who I am. Working with students, faculty and staff, helping them grow while at the same time them helping me grow, nurtured and made me thrive, both professionally and personally.

Leslie Beyer-Hermsen started working at The Ohio State University at Marion in 1988, being named assistant dean in 2001. I am exactly where I need to be, she says. Every time individuals have approached me about doing something different professionally, my answer has always been the same  Im in the perfect job for me."

Today, Beyer-Hermsen is assistant dean of The Ohio State University at Marion.

Among other things, she said , I develop the class schedule, assign instructors to classes, supervise the areas of academic advising, career services, registrar, student life, including the mental health and wellness area and co-chair the campus strategic plan.

Beyer-Hermsen grew up in Dayton and Kettering, a Dayton suburb, graduated from high school in Kettering in 1980, then went to Ohio State to earn an undergrad degree in education in 1984, a masters in higher education and student affairs in 1987, and a PhD in higher education and student affairs in 2000.

She started at Ohio State Marion in 1988 as an academic adviser, became director of student affairs at Ohio State Marion in 1994, and after receiving her Ph.D., was appointed assistant dean of Ohio State Marion in 2001.

'Leslie is superb at what she does'

Stuart Lishan is emeritus professor of English at The Ohio State University at Marion.

One of Leslies main responsibilities is creating and maintaining the academic schedule on the Marion campus, Lishan said. An outsider might think it's easy  just put the classes out there and let our over 100 faculty have at it  but it's anything but. Its a mammoth, time-consuming undertaking that takes months to complete, and Leslie manages to put it together with grace, alacrity, compassion, skill, humor and wisdom.

"Yes, she has some help but shes the leader, the guide, and she sets the tone and the high bar for what we do. Ive seen how the schedule is done at other campuses and in other departments at OSU: I dont think anyone does it better than Leslie," he said.

Beyer-Hermsen also chairs the steering committee that sits the goals and vision for the campus, and she "listens extremely well, she doesn't let her ego get in the way," Lishan said. "Shes humble and respectful to the opinions of other, shes not afraid to say shes sorry, and she does it all with grace and good humor. In short, Leslie is superb at what she does. Our campus, our university, and our community are extremely fortunate to have her on our side, working for and with us. Shes a gem.

I am exactly where I need to be, Beyer-Hermsen said. Every time individuals have approached me about doing something different professionally, my answer has always been the same  Im in the perfect job for me.

I do it, she concluded, because what I do is who I am.

The Ohio State University at Marion is located at 1465 Mount Vernon Ave. . For more information, call 740-389-6786 or visit osumarion.osu.edu.

Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs  whether theyre unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at news@marionstar.com.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Leslie Beyer-Hermsen has the perfect job for her at Ohio State Marion
Aces of Trades: God planned Dwight Jarboe's life far better than he ever could have

COSHOCTON  From Bolivia to Coshocton, hes been around.

Growing up on a farm, my siblings and I learned the responsibility of daily chores, recalled Dwight Jarboe. It seemed we put up hay all summer and hauled it back out to feed the cattle all winter.

My father was an aircraft mechanic in World War II, which was the only connection I had with aviation, he added. However, in my elementary school years, I read and re-read many times what our encyclopedia said about airplanes and how they fly. You could say I was bitten by the aviation bug at that time. As a sophomore in high school, I became aware of aircraft maintenance as a career choice and decided to pursue it.

Dwight Jarboe of MMS Aviation.

Today, Jarboe is president emeritus of MMS Aviation, a Coshocton-based facility that provides hands-on training for missionary pilots and mechanics.

I grew up on a family farm in central Kentucky, he said, graduating from high school in 1966. I attended LeTourneau College in Longview, Texas, and, in 1968, completed their aviation technician course to obtain an FAA mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings. While in college, I also got a private pilot certificate.

Jarboe then worked four years as a mechanic in general aviation.

But I wasnt aspiring to serve in the missionary aviation community, he noted. I grew up in a Christian home and was serious about my faith at the time but didnt see myself as a missionary. As I learned of the great need for mechanics in missionary aviation, things changed. In the fall of 1972, I joined JAARS, the technical support division of Wycliffe Bible Translators.

While serving with JAARS, he added, my wife and I were introduced, and we married in 1974. In 1976, we were assigned to work in Bolivia where I maintained a Douglas DC-3. In addition to directing the maintenance of the plane, I also was the cabin attendant (I made and served many really tasty cups of hot chocolate to passengers). In 1981, our JAARS DC-3 program was phased out and we returned to the US with our two children that were born in Bolivia.

Dwight Jarboe working on an airplane while in Bolivia.

Then came MMS Aviation.

MMS Aviation was founded by James W. Miller in 1975, Jarboe explained. Jim and I had worked together in the JAARS hangar at its headquarters in Waxhaw, North Carolina. As my family's time in Bolivia drew to a close, Jim invited us to join the MMS Aviation staff. We accepted and moved to Coshocton County in 1982. I worked under Jim's direction about a year and a half, and in late 1983, he resigned as director of MMS and returned to JAARS. At that time the MMS board of directors appointed me as president and CEO, a position I held until late 2016. My current title is president emeritus, and, at the age of 75, Im almost retired. Im on the Coshocton County Regional Airport Authority Board, as well as serve on two boards of directors of faith-based organizations in the missionary aviation community.

Phil Maddux is the current president and CEO of MMS Aviation.

Dwight was a great leader of MMS for many years, assessed Maddux. Were pleased that he continues as a board member and our president emeritus. He may not have shared this, but we are very proud that he received the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic award a few years ago. The award is named in honor of Mr. Taylor, who was the Wright brothers mechanic and recognizes those who have 50 years of aircraft maintenance experience.

Am I pleased with where lifes path has taken me? Jarboe responded. Absolutely! Its as if, at each big step, God said, Dwight, youre ready enough. I'm going to open a door and I want you to walk through it. He planned it far better than I ever could have. My lifes path hasn't always been easy, but it has always been good.

MMS Aviation is located at 24387 Airport Road in Coshocton. For more information, call 740-622-6848 or log on www.mmsaviation.org.

Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs  whether theyre unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at ctnews@coshoctontribune.com.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: God opened the doors for Dwight Jarboe's aviation, missionary career
MILLERSPORT  It's no stretch to say Weldon's Ice Cream Factory is part of the Millersport fabric. Rudy Weldon started the business in 1930 at 2887 Canal Drive and it's still going strong.

Steven (left) and David Pierce, co-owners of Weldon's Ice Cream Factory, stand inside of the parlor at Weldon's Ice Cream Factory on June 3, 2024, in Millersport, Ohio.

It has remained in the family all these decades at his grandsons, David and Steve Pierce, now own the business. Steve Pierce runs the Weldon's ice cream truck that's found at numerous local events, like drag racing at National Trail Raceway in Hebron.

David Pierce runs the ice cream shop and still makes ice cream onsite the way his grandfather did in the 1930s. He uses some of the same vintage 1940's equipment to do so. He said he's made around 150 to 190 different flavors over the years.

"We make a lot of the flavors that are probably long and lost," David Pierce said. "Like a plain blueberry or plain strawberry or peach. Sometimes we get a little crazy with them. We turn some blueberry into blueberry cobbler or some peach cobbler. The salty turtle is my favorite. It's vanilla with some salted caramel, fudge and pecans."

Then there is the dirty turtle with chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla. Weldon's also has the normal flavors like mint chocolate chip, butter pecan and many more.

Steven (left) and David Pierce, co-owners of Weldon's Ice Cream Factory, sit inside of the parlor at Weldon's Ice Cream Factory on June 3, 2024, in Millersport, Ohio.

"Of course, the recipes have evolved," David Pierce said. "Some have, some haven't through the years. But we've pretty much stayed the same the way he (Weldon) made it."

The building once served as a hotel and David Pierce was born and raised in it and still lives in it.

"Along with four other brothers and sisters," he said. "They were raised here. And my mother's family, grandfather and grandmother, lived here and raised my aunts and uncles here as well as my mom."

While some of the ice cream recipes may have changed over the years, the inside of the building has not. David Pierce said his mother would not allow it.

"She would never let me change anything," he said. "And I get that now as I'm getting older. It's like stepping back in time. So most of the inside is still original. It's painstaking to keep the restoration going. It's just ongoing every year."

David Pierce said he enjoys his job.

"I do," he said. "It's fun. The people that we see here year after year is pretty traditional. And God willing, we'll stick around and see if we can make it to 100 (in 2030)."

Weldon's Ice Cream Factory is open from March 1 to Oct. 31 each year, depending on the weather. It stays open into November if the weather allows.

The business is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, including holidays.

jbarron@gannett.com

740-681-4340

Twitter/X: @JeffDBarron

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Aces of Trades: Weldon's Ice Cream is part of Millersport fabric
The delicate beauty of antique Limoges china dinnerware is unparalleled in an already chef's kiss level of artistry. Highly sought after by china collectors, antique limoges pieces are something you don't want to pass up on. From Limoges china's marks to their iconic patterns, there are a few excellent ways you can identify some old Limoges pieces from across a crowded antique store.

What Is Limoges China?

Antique Haviland Limoges Cocoa Cup and Saucers

Interestingly, Limoges doesn't refer to a specific manufacturer but to the area in France where the fine porcelain pieces were produced. Launched in the 18th century, Limoges china came out of kaolin, a traditional Chinese style of porcelain making from antiquity. Because the raw material kaolin was discovered in France, French manufacturers were able to replicate this ancient art.

Limoges china is distinct because no two pieces are alike thanks to the firing and production process.

Famous Limoges China Production Companies

The first pieces of Limoges dinnerware were made in the Sevres porcelain factory and were marked with royal crests. In 1759, King Louis XV took full control of the factory in order to produce royal porcelain dinnerware. This practice continued until the factory was nationalized after the French Revolution.

Sevres might be the most famous because of its monarchial connections, but there were about 27 other Limoges china factories scattered throughout France. Some of them include:

Bernardaud and Company

Charles Tharaud

Coiffe

Flambeau

Guerin-Pouyat-Elite LTD

Haviland

JP&L

A. Lanternier & Co.

Laviolette

Martial Reardon

Martin Freres

Paroutaud Freres

Serpaut

The Elite Works

Tressemann & Vogt (T&V)

How to Identify Limoges China Marks Using Hallmarks

Antique 1906-1920 French Limoges Coronet Hand Painted Porcelain Covered Serving Dish

The easiest way to determine whether a piece of china is a true Limoges antique is by looking for a few different marks on the bottom. You can find these marks not only on dinnerware and vases but on keepsake boxes as well. There are three important marks to look for: the French government mark, the different manufacturer's marks, and artists' signatures.

Limoges Maker's Marks to Look For French Government Mark Manufacturer's Marks Artist's Signatures

Related: Antique Dish Values: Everything You Need to Know

French Government Marks

Given that Limoges is a major French enterprise, you can sometimes find official marks from the French government on the pieces. This mark will most often be a circle that says "Limoges Gout de Ville." If there's no official mark, you may see a "L" for Limoges.

Manufacturer's Marks

Another, more common, type of mark you find on antique Limoges china is a manufacturer's mark. A studio or manufacturer's mark designates what company crafted the piece, and since there were multiple different Limoges manufacturers operating at the same time, these marks can be important identifiers.

Some common factory marks are:

The Royal Monogram: Louis XIV's factory used the royal monogram, or cipher, with a crown image as their mark.

Allund Factory marks: "AE" was the Allund factory's mark from 1797 to 1868.

Haviland Factory marks from 1868-1898: CHF, CHF/GDM or CH Field Haviland, Limoges were the Haviland factories' marks from 1868 to 1898.

Haviland Factory marks post-1898: Porcelaine, Haviland & Co. Limoges, GDA, H&CO/Depose, H&CO/L, or Theodore Haviland, Limoges, France were the Haviland factories' marks after 1898.

Smaller Factory marks: Some smaller factory marks were simply names such as "M. Redon" (1853), "A. Lanternier" (1885), and "C. Ahrenfeldt" or "France C.A. Depose" (1886).

Elite Works marks: "Elite France" or "Elite Works France" was the mark for Elite Works. Beginning in 1892, it was in black, but it switched to red from 1900 to 1914 and to green from 1920 to 1932.

Latrille Freres' mark: Latrille Freres' mark was a star with a circle that said L I M O G E S and "France."

Martin Freres mark: Martin Freres also didn't use their name as their mark. Instead, their mark was a bird with a ribbon with "France" printed on an area of the ribbon.

R. Laporte's mark: R. Laporte's mark was the "RL/L" with the symbol of a butterfly.

Coronet's mark: Coronet's mark was a crown with the name "Coronet" in either blue or green.

Artist Names

You may also see the artist's name who hand painted the piece in addition to a stamp that says it was hand painted. As a French company, these notations were written in French.

Paint main: This means the piece was hand-painted.

Decor main: This means the piece was partially hand-painted.

Rehausse main: This means that only the highlights were added by hand.

Related: Handy Guide to Pyrex Identification Marks, Patterns, & Value

Beware Limoges Reproduction Marks

Like any popular porcelain company, Limoges has its fair share of convincing fakes. These marks can be deceptive to even a trained eye if you're not extremely knowledgeable of Limoges porcelain history and their various marks.

Common reproduction marks will say:

T&V Limoges France

Limoges China, ROC

ROC LIMOGES China

How to Identify Limoges China Using Patterns

In addition to the marks on the bottom of the porcelain pieces, you can also use the china patterns to determine if you've got a genuine antique Limoges. Due to the sheer number of studios and manufacturers, there are a plethora of patterns to consider. Often named and assigned a number for convenience and organization, these patterns are usually the first thing you notice about an antique piece of Limoges.

A. Lanternier Patterns

A. Lanternier used scrolling floral patterns on a white background along with gold or silver trim on the edges of their pieces. Pattern names were often included next to the company's mark, such as "Empress," "Brabant" or "Fougere Idienne." They were also known for some war motifs related to World War I called the La Grande Guerre Dessins de Job.

Some Limoges patterns were specially ordered, like this Renoir pattern from Jacqueline Kennedy's dinner service.

Coronet Limoges Patterns

Antique 1906-1920 French Limoges Coronet Hand Painted Porcelain Covered Serving Dish

Common Coronet Limoges patterns included nature motifs and hunting scenes featuring waterfowl and other game birds, fish, and game animals. They also often featured flowers, especially roses, and fruit such as grapes. Gold trim on the rims and scalloped edges were also a frequent design aspect.

Take this lovely gold-trimmed violet-patterned Coronet serving bowl from 1910. It recently sold on eBay for $95.

Haviland China Patterns

There are approximately 60,000 Haviland china patterns, and many weren't named, especially before 1926. This is where the Haviland collector community comes in handy. You can find examples of Haviland patterns in collectors books available through dealers and collectors, as well as the Haviland Collectors International Foundation.

A Schleiger number is a number that was assigned to each pattern by the Schleiger family  Haviland dealers who cataloged all the Haviland designs. For example, this antique set of Theodore Haviland bowls that went for $725 on eBay was assigned the Schleiger number 146.

Haviland patterns often featured floral designs with gold trim, but the variation in colors with even the same pattern was extensive.

Limoges Stands Out From the Rest

There's a lot of antique china out there, but Limoges has its own unique hallmarks and patterns to help it stand out from the rest. Whether you're new to collecting antique china or this is your first time branching into Limoges territory, you should feel armed and ready to take any antique store by storm.
Canandaigua? Avon? Here are 10 Rochester-area town names you might be mispronouncing

New York is known for a vast variety of culture and rich history that spans the Empire State - from Long Island to the Adirondacks, from the Finger Lakes to the Thousand Islands and from Manhattan to Niagara Falls.

With so many communities throughout New York, many people simply aren't aware of all the Empire State offers. They also have no idea how to pronounce them.

Here are 10 commonly mispronounced names of communities within the Rochester region:

How do you say Avon?

Pronunciation: "AH-vahn"

Located in northern Livingston County, the town and village of Avon was named for the River Avon in England.

How do you say Canandaigua?

A view of City Pier on Canandaigua Lake.

Pronunciation: "can an DAY gwah"

The city (and corresponding town) is nestled at the north end of Canandaigua Lake. It is the Seneca name for "the chosen spot."

How do you say Charlotte?

Pronunciation: "Shar LOT"

The neighborhood is the northernmost spot within the City of Rochester, and borders Lake Ontario.

How do you say Chili?

Pronunciation: "CHAI-lai"

Established in 1822, the southwestern suburb of Rochester has more than 29,000 residents.

How do you say Corfu?

Pronunciation: "cor-PHEW"

A village of roughly 700 people is located within the Town of Pembroke, Genesee County.

How do you say Irondequoit?

Pronunciation: "ear-ON-da-kwoit"

Located north of Rochester, the urban suburb of Irondequoit borders Lake Ontario and has more than 50,000 residents. The town's name is of Iroquois origin and means "where the land meets the water".

How do you say Le Roy?

Pronunciation: "LEE-Roy"

Located in Genesee County, the town is known as the spot where Jell-O gelatin was invented and first manufactured. Not even folks who live here can agree how to pronounce Le Roy - some say "LEE-Roy" and others say "La-ROY."

How do you say Lima?

Pronunciation: "LIY-mah"

The town and village, both located in Livingston County, is pronounced like the bean, not like the city in Peru.

How do you say Nunda?

Pronunciation: None-DAY

A village within Livingston County, the community was named for the Senecas who once lived in the hills and valleys nearby and can be translated to "where the valley meets the hills."

How do you say Riga?

Pronunciation: "RYE-ga"

Located adjacent to Chili, the Town of Riga is home to the village of Churchville.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester NY town names that are most commonly mispronounced
WESTBOROUGH  They stand side-by-side on the afternoons they are working on their project to transform scraps of wood into American flag plaques: the volunteer woodworking teacher at one end of the bench, the young person learning the skill at the other end.

Nigel, left, and Brayan show off the flag they made at the Zara Cisco Brough Center to give to a veteran.

Its a process that sometimes whittles down to trial and error, with the students trying things their way first and their teacher, U.S. Navy veteran Tom Duggan, gently redirecting them.

Im hard headed that way, said Brayan, 17, a Central Massachusetts teenager who was one of two who signed up recently to participate in the program offered at the Zara Cisco Brough Center, a facility run by the state Department of Youth Services in Westborough. I tried to do things free handed; Tom had a way to do things quicker.

Brayan and Nigel, 18, of northeast Massachusetts, recently completed a plaque they gave to Jose Garrido, a juvenile justice youth development worker at the center where the two teenagers are housed by the Department of Youth Services, the states juvenile justice agency.

Brayan, 17, displays one of six wooden flags he has made while volunteering in an afternoon program offered by the state Department of Youth Services at the Zara Cisco Brough Center in Westborough.

It was one of six plaques the teenagers made together with Duggan.

Nigel is the perfectionist, Duggan said. He has a knack for it, working with his hands.

The afternoon work time offers them an opportunity to talk and for connection  to their teacher, to each other.

At first I didnt listen to Tom, Brayan said, explaining that he started out in the program treating Duggans words like background music as he worked the wood, glue and paint. Then I realized he was speaking facts.

Duggan, who joined the Department of Youth Services almost 30 years ago, said that as a veteran he could relate to the struggles of young people.

We are able, as veterans who have lived experience, gone to war and also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, to build relationships and connect, Dugan said. A lot of the youth we talk to have their own struggles with trauma.

Youths housed at the Zara Cisco Brough Center spend five and a half hours a day attending school with a standard curriculum designed by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. All teachers working with DYS are state-licensed.

Nigel, 18, smiles after .presenting an American flag plaque to Jose Garrido, an employee at the Zara Cisco Brough Center in Westborough who is also an Army veteran.

Additionally, the center has devised a slate of programs for the youngsters that, administration believes, will further their education beyond classroom learning. Theres a major focus on the arts and in the future the state will engage individual artists to work with the youth one on one.

The arts offer a powerful way for young people to express themselves, said Cecely Reardon, who was named department commissioner in July 2023 after a year in an acting capacity. For many, it is the first time they feel heard or seen.

The definition of art at the facility is broad; it includes visual and performing arts, music, design and horticulture. Theres a gym, a yoga space and even a teaching chef who comes in Sundays. Nigel is learning how to produce music and serves as the sound engineer in the music studio.

Brayan, who considers himself more of a visual artist and a worker with his hands, painted a couple of murals at a different DYS facility and is designing his own sneaker in art class.

I like keeping busy; I dont like just sitting around, Brayan said, adding that he likes to write music, draw, play cards and talk with family.

The center also likes to keep the youngsters busy and not just with make-work or empty programs.

Were not just checking boxes; there is a plan, Reardon said.

Vocational programs, many offered through partnerships with local businesses, and work-study are available. The programs can translate into future employment.

We know that busy young people make better decisions, Reardon said, acknowledging that there are different paths to adulthood and not all of them lead through college.

The arts program dovetails with the departments mission to divert as many youngsters from the treatment and rehabilitation facility as possible. Once they are housed by the state, the mission is to ensure they attain the skills and supports they need to become the people they are destined to be. And once they are released, the aim is to ensure they have the extended family and community supports they need to succeed and thrive.

We want to make sure that they leave with skills no one can take away from them  either a trade or the building blocks to a trade, Reardon said. Many of the youngsters have completed their schooling while living in the centers, earning high school diplomas, GEDs and even associate degrees. They can access early college and dual enrollment programs. Were proud of our educational programming.

Volunteer woodworking teacher and department employee, Tom Duggan, stands with Department of Youth Services Commissioner Cecely Reardon, in front of one of the murals painted by youngsters at the Zara Cisco Brough Center in Westborough.

Reardon finds that many of the youth in her charge were challenged in their homeschool settings and failed to go to school on a regular basis. The teaching staff have found that the students can have unrecognized learning needs and have in the past lacked the dedicated attention they receive at the center.

Here, young people receive individualized attention and support, Reardon said.

It is a wholistic approach to rehabilitating young people: The focus is on positive youth development and trauma-informed care. New employees are trained for weeks before they interact with young people and are required to be retrained and recertified on a yearly basis.

The department works across the juvenile justice system, partners with community services and supports and includes family members. To ensure that all positive supports are tapped, the state revised its definition of family, extending it to include all people considered family by the youth including teachers, mentors and employers.

We want to make the supports as expansive as possible, Reardon said.

Working together, Duggan and the young people participating in the program have made 30 plaques, one for each veteran who is working at the Zara Cisco Brough facility.

Duggan prepares the materials at home, cutting wood into strips and burning it to give it a weathered appearance. His students put the pieces together, glue them and then paint them before varnishing the boards. The most recent plaques all have attached stars, rather than painted stars.

They really pop, Brayan said,

The teenagers presented their latest work to Garrido, a U.S. Army veteran.

It feels good to get this from the kids, Garrido said, explaining that the plaque feels like an honor, a return on the investment he and all the other staff at the center make as they work with the youngsters. I made connections with many of the kids.

He works the floor, spending all his time with the youth.

I like the job because I come from a poor section of the Bronx; I can see myself in these kids, Garrido said. He feels a connection and realizes that his life experiences can help connect him to his charges.

Next steps are to export the program to other facilities and to expand the plaques to include flags of other countries. And the young men he has taught can take on the jobs of tutors and mentors for others.

Now, when other kids come, I can show them, said Brayan.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: DYS program in Westborough teaches carpentry to youth in state custody
Delta Passenger Says He Received Sweet Note From Flight Attendant for Being 'Understanding' After Mid-Air Poop Accident

The passenger says he told the flight attendant she was doing a great job under the circumstances during a retelling of the incident

Chris Rank/Rank Studios 2018/Delta Delta Plane interior

A Delta passenger is opening up about an unpleasant incident he said happened on a recent flight  and how well the flight attendant handled it.

The traveler claims there was a poop accident during his journey on Thursday, May 30, according to his retelling of the incident titled, Was on a poop flight - great FA on Reddit. He said his reaction to the experience prompted the flight attendant to give him a nice note once the plane landed.

Was on a flight on Thursday where a passenger in FC [first class] had a poop accident that caused an incredibly foul odor throughout the cabin, he wrote. Passengers wanted the FA [flight attendant] to clean it up. I approached her and told her that it was not her job, and she was doing a great job under the circumstances.

On my way off the plane, she handed me this. Ive written to Ed to tell him what a great job she did in a stressful situation, he continued, referring to Deltas CEO Ed Bastian.

Related: United Airlines Flight Forced to Divert After Dog Poops in First Class Aisle

Getty Flight attendant on plane

In the note, the flight attendant apologized to the original poster for the unexpected experience.

I apologize that your first class flight wasnt as pleasant as it should always be. Thank you for your understanding. I sent you some miles, the note read, followed by a written smiley face.

Delta has not yet responded to PEOPLEs request for comment.

Related: Southwest Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Colorado After Flight Attendants Smelled Smoke in Cabin

In the comments section, other Redditors were split on whether the flight attendant should be the one to clean the mess.

Good on you to have the FAs back. They absolutely don't get paid enough to clean a human waste biohazard. I understand that it made for a sh flight (ha!) but that's just not their job, one wrote.

Meanwhile, another asked, Real question - whose job is it then? If the person refuses to clean up after themselves, whats the best option? Ground the flight? Make the paying customers miserable and deal with the complaints later?

Related: EasyJet Flight Canceled After Passenger Poops on Floor: A 'Very Uncomfortable Experience'

Delta Delta plane

A different commenter said they would prefer to clean it up themselves if the crew isnt instructed to do it.

Listen, if I am ever on a flight where feces is on the floor and a crew member leaves it sitting there because it is not their job, I will volunteer to clean it up if the staff provides me with the necessary safety implements. Id rather clean up the mess vs smell it for any length of time," the person wrote.

One user pointed out a trend theyve been noticing lately.

It seems there have been a lot of pooping on planes recently, they wrote. Is this a new phenomenon or has it always happened?

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In April, a United Airlines flight from Houston to Seattle was diverted to Dallas after a passenger's dog pooped in the aisle.

Passenger James Hobbs, who says he was on the ill-fated flight, told PEOPLE at the time, The mess was so bad in the first class bathroom that even after cleaning they still closed it for the rest of the flight.

Earlier in Oct. 2023, an easyJet flight headed for London Gatwick Airport was canceled after a passenger pooped on the floor before takeoff.

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Read the original article on People.
The Good Earth Cafe will reopen in Holland on Thursday

HOLLAND  It's been six months since The Good Earth Cafe announced an impending closure in downtown Holland. Now, in a new location, the business is set to reopen Thursday, June 13.

The popular cafe closed December 30, when owners Dave and Cheryl Koeman retired from E. Seventh Street. On March 1, new owners Todd and Michelle Girdis announced the eatery would reopen, now in The Towers on River.

In the new space, it's all about the details. Theres an old fish tank customers will recognize, specialized lighting, and space for small gatherings.

The Good Earth Cafe is preparing to reopen in The Towers on River in Holland.

It's exciting to finally get to this point, Michelle said. We feel we're ready to go and we're just really excited.

The Good Earth was purchased by the Koemans in January 2000. It was a heavy blow, regulars said, when they announced they were closing their doors. The couple spoke with prospective buyers, they said, but they were unable to obtain a lease from the building owner. And so, the business had to move.

The Good Earth Cafe is preparing to reopen in The Towers on River in Holland.

I think, more than anything, the ribbon cutting (held last week) is about being thankful this process worked and that we're finally able to say welcome back, Todd said.

Cheryl Koeman said its exciting to see the cafe back in action.

I would tell customers to give them a chance, Koeman said of the new owners. Its different, but thats okay. For those that come in, give them grace to get them going, and let them make some mistakes."

The menu remains the same, with a few subtractions. The Good Earth is known for flavored bagels and cream cheeses, breads, muffins, casseroles, sandwiches, wraps, soups and salads. Michelle and Todd hope to provide a similar experience, with a similar spirit.

The Good Earth Cafe is preparing to reopen in The Towers on River in Holland.

To get to the new cafe, customers should enter off E. Seventh Street by using the last driveway on the right before River Avenue. There's parking available up the ramp and around the building. Additional signage will appear in the coming months.

Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage

I have a great sense of joy and thankfulness, Todd said. Im excited and Im ready to give and ready to be a good listener to those who come back.

For updates, visit The Good Earth - Holland, MI on Facebook.

 Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: The Good Earth Cafe set to reopen June 13 in Holland
Hot Rod Power Tour 2024 is here and visiting two Kentucky cities. What to know about the routes

Hyrum Binghams car engine which is based on 30s Ford Roadster during the 30th HOT ROD Power Tour during their stop in Louisville, Ky. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

The Hot Rod Power Tour, a long-standing national traveling car show featuring over 6,000 custom vehicles for its 30th year, is making two stops in Kentucky this week as part of a five-city cruise. Here's what we know about the events and driving routes.

Hot Rod Power Tour 2024 Hot Rod Power Tour is coming to two Kentucky cities. What to know about schedule, route, tickets

2024 Hot Rod Power Tour stops in 5 cities in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee

The Hot Rod Power Tour is visiting five cities this week:

Hot Rod Power Tour route from Bowling Green to Nashville Superspeedway

The tour is passing through Rockfield, Orlinda, Springfield and more before reaching the Nashville Superspeedway on Tuesday.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Hot Rod Power Tour route from Tennessee to Louisville

The Hot Rod tour is passing through Scottsville, Munfordville, Elizabethtown and more before reaching L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville on Wednesday.

Hot Rod Power Tour to visit Nashville Superspeedway on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

Hot Rod Power Tour travels from Louisville to National Trail Raceway

The Hot Rod Power Tour will travel through LaGrange, Florence, Obetz, Ohio and more before reaching the National Trail Raceway on Thursday.

Hot Rod Power tour route for Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

Hot Rod Power Tour route from Ohio to Indianapolis

The 2024 Hot Rod Power Tour will pass through Springfield, Ohio, Cambridge City, Indiana; Knightstown, Indiana and more before reaching the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park Friday.

Hot Rod Power Tour route from Ohio to Indianapolis.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 2024 Hot Rod Power Tour: Driving routes include Kentucky cities
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 10. China's Xi'an plans to launch a tourist train to Uzbekistan's Tashkent and Samarkand, Trend reports.

Xi'an Municipal Committee of China revealed this during a meeting with Uzbekistan Railways.

During the meeting, Uzbekistan Railways noted that the launch of the tourist train, given the high tourist potential of China and the rich historical heritage of Uzbekistan, will further strengthen the economic and cultural ties between the two countries.

Both parties also discussed measures aimed at further strengthening railroad and logistics ties between China and Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan Railways and the Italian Arsenale Group signed an agreement on launching the Samarkand express tourist train.

The project envisages the creation of a luxury train, which will start running in Uzbekistan at the end of 2026.

The tourist train will consist of 1315 wagons and accommodate 76 tourists. The estimated duration of the trip on the Tashkent - Khiva route will be 2 nights and 3 days, with stops in Samarkand and Bukhara. It is planned to make approximately 70 to 90 trips per year.
Hundreds of classic cars to roll into downtown for Port Huron stop in Back to the Bricks tour

Two major roadways in downtown Port Huron will be closed Tuesday in anticipation of more than 300 classic cars rolling into town for a stop on the well-known Back to the Bricks tour.

A final stop in an all-Michigan tour that began Friday, the pit-stop in the event will shut down Huron Avenue from Glenwood Avenue to Quay Street and McMorran Boulevard from Superior Mall to Michigan Avenue. According to the Port Huron Police Department, the closure will begin at 11 a.m.

Also called the Backroads Promo Tour, Port Huron is the last stop of four destinations. According to Back to the Bricks, the tour also stopped in Jackson, Cadillac, and Clare.

In Port Huron, the fun is slated to run from 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday with a free concert from BlueBlaze at 7:45 p.m. at McMorran Plaza, according to the city. DJ Scott Kool will provide other music and announcements earlier in the event.

This is a great opportunity to showcase our community and everything it has to offer, as well as provide another exciting activity to our locals and classic car enthusiasts, Natacha Hayden, the citys Downtown Development Authority director, said in a statement Monday.

The car show will include a static display of classic vehicles, including some local owners invited to join, space permitting.

Vehicles entering the event were advised to do so at the intersection of Huron and Glenwood by PHPD.

Among the events partners was Mainstreet Memories Car Show, Inc., which puts on its own massive event July 27 this year.

Citing the DDA, the area chamber of commerce and convention and visitors bureau, and the citys McMorran Plaza, Mainstreet President Ron Steward said in a statement, By working together, we will make this event one our community will be proud of and show how different organizations can work together.

For more information, visit http://downtownph.com/backtothebricks.

Contact reporter Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Hundreds of lassic cars rolling into Port Huron stop in Back to the Bricks tour
Just Askin': Which is the oldest cemetery in the city of Cincinnati? A hint: it's not big

The Enquirer's Just Askin' series aims to answer the questions that no one seems to have an answer for, not even Google.

While Spring Grove is likely the most well-known cemetery in the city, it's not the oldest. That title goes to a 2.2-acre spot in the city's Linwood neighborhood.

The Memorial Pioneer Cemetery on Wilmer Avenue north of Davis Lane marks the only restored remnant of the pioneer settlement of Columbia. And it's the oldest cemetery in Hamilton County, according to the City of Cincinnati Park Board.

Graves in Pioneer Cemetery, officially the Columbia Baptist Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Hamilton County. The restored graveyard near Lunken Airport in Columbia-Tusculum is maintained by the Cincinnati Park Board.

The city says burials probably began as early as 1790, the approximate founding date of the Columbia Baptist Church on the site.

It is the final resting place of Revolutionary War veterans, Civil War veterans and pioneers. The oldest headstone found in the cemetery belongs to 5-month-old Phebe Stites, daughter of Capt. Hezekiah Stites, who died on March 14, 1797. It's also the site of a marker for one of the recipients of the original Purple Heart, according to a historical account in a 2018 Enquirer article.

Sgt. William Brown was 16 when he enlisted to fight the British in 1777. He was wounded in the Siege of Yorktown.

A memorial stone marker for Sgt. William Brown, the first of two recipients of the Badge of Military Merit, the precursor of the Purple Heart, during the Revolutionary War, stands in Memorial Pioneer Cemetery in Columbia-Tusculum.

Brown was chosen to lead an advance group, called Forlorn Hope because of their chance of survival, to storm a temporary fortification armed with only bayonets and fending off musket fire and cannons.

The fortifications were taken in a few minutes, and Washington bombarded Cornwallis until he surrendered on Oct. 17, 1781, ending the decisive battle of the revolution.

Brown received a Badge of Military Merit that Washington created, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding, to be awarded for any singularly meritorious action. The heart-shaped purple cloth became known as the Purple Heart.

Brown was actually buried in the Fulton Cemetery in East End. But a marker honoring him with other Cincinnati Revolutionary War soldiers was installed at the Memorial Pioneer Cemetery in 2004.

The sign for the Pioneer Cemetery, the old Columbia Baptist Cemetery near Lunken Airport in Columbia-Tusculum.

The Cincinnati Baptist Union turned the property over to the city in 1937 to establish it as the Memorial Pioneer Cemetery. The area was neglected over the years until Frederick L. Payne, a supervising horticulturalist for the park board, began a four-year restoration project in 1967. The city still maintains the property.

Do you have a question for Just Askin'? Send it to us at cinlocalnews@enquirer.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What's the oldest cemetery in Cincinnati? | Just Askin'
In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits

JVC Run2Overcome Celebrates Courage

The 16th annual Julie Valentine Center Run2Overcome  a celebration of courage, resilience and community support  will take place Aug. 3.

The event raises funds for services provided by the Julie Valentine Center and honors the strength and bravery of survivors of sexual assault and abuse.

Every step you take in this charity run represents a beacon of hope for those who have experienced unimaginable trauma. By participating, you are not only contributing to a worthy cause but sending a powerful message of solidarity and support to survivors everywhere, said Stacey Karesh of the Julie Valentine Center.

Each stride brings us closer to spreading awareness, raising funds, and inspiring others to join us in our mission of hope and healing.

Run2Overcome welcomes runners, walkers, donors, and supporters. The race is presented by the Haro Group at Keller Williams Historic District. For registration and information, go to Julie Valentine Center Run.

Special Education Professional Receives Barbara Stone Award

The Barbara Stone Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting and creating programs for individuals with disabilities, presented Linda Hill with the 2024 Barbara Stone Community Leadership Award.

From left, Lara Ceisel, Executive Director of the Barbara Stone Foundation; Linda Hill, the 2024 Community Leadership Award Winner; Elizabeth Piper, Barbara Stone Foundation board member.

Hill was a special education teacher and administrator with Greenville County Schools for 40 years. She retired in 2020.

Linda has been committed to positive change and creating a meaningful impact in the lives of those around her, said Lara Ceisel, Executive Director of the Barbara Stone Foundation. It was an honor to recognize her work. She is such an important voice and always found ways to better serve her students.

As a recipient of the 2024 Barbara Stone Community Leadership Award, Hill received a check for a nonprofit of her choice.

Hill chose Camp Spearhead, established in part by Barbara Stone in 1968, which offers individuals with disabilities a one-week residential summer camp in addition to weekend programs in the fall and spring. Hill began volunteering at Camp Spearhead when she was 15 years old.

The award was created in 2022 to honor a leader with the same commitment as the late Barbara Stone. To nominate a leader for the award, go to barbarastonefoundation.org. For questions, email Ceisel at lara@barbarastonefoundation.org.

Since 1991, the Barbara Stone Foundation's focus has been to influence community systems, policies, and culture to create equitable opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the Upstate.

Expandable Picks Piedmont For North American Operation

Expandable LLC, which supplies expandable and movable spaces, has selected Greenville County to establish the companys first North American operation. The $3 million investment will create 10 jobs.

Based in the Netherlands, Expandable designs spaces that are customizable, expandable and movable. The trailers and pods are used in a variety of applications, from small events to large exhibitions.

The 40,000-square-foot facility, located at 7120 Augusta Road in Piedmont, is a showroom, warehouse, and office for North American sales and service.

Operations are already online.

CEOs Welcome Family To New Habitat Greenville Home

The Samora family walked into the first home they have ever owned recently. Thirty community and business leaders were in Greenville to make it happen.

New homeowner Michelle Samora accepts a ceremonial key from Josh Covington of QLM. Covington is one of the business owners who helped build the home.

They were part of the Habitat for Humanity Greenville CEO Build, an annual event where business leaders leave their offices to help build a house, said Monroe Free, President and CEO of Habitat Greenville.

Participating CEOs pledge funding and volunteer hours from their staff to help build the houses. They also work on-site with their team, community volunteers and future Habitat families.

For 12 years, we have brought together diverse groups of people who unite under one mission: affordable housing, Free said. They do this because they believe that a strong Greenville starts with strong families. And strong families start at home.

CEOs this year included Scott Weaver, Carolina Foothills Federal Credit Union; Jane Harrison Fisher, Chairwoman of the 2023 CEO Build and Chief Operating Officer with Coldwell Banker Caine; Bob Morris, Community Foundation of Greenville; John Boyanoski, Complete PR; Stephen Davis, Davis and Floyd; Phil Howard, Ethox Chemicals; Chris Bailey, Greater Greenville Association of Realtors; Tommy Jenkins, Greenville Maintenance Services; Dr. Keith Miller, Greenville Technical College; Seabrook Marchant, Marchant Real Estate; Kerri Paulino, Meritage Homes; Hank McCullough, Piedmont Natural Gas; Josh Covington, QLM and Southern Harmony; Brian McKay, Spero Financial; Steve Spinks, Spinx; David Lominack, TD Bank; Randy Hunter, Terminix; Delisa English, The Blood Connection; Steve Magruder, Warehouse Services; Kirsten Zinkann, Kirsten Zinkann Real Estate; Mike Coggins, South State Bank; Douglas Deitz, The Reynolds Co., Walmart Distribution; and John Castile, Greenville County Redevelopment Authority.

Iowa native Michelle Samora and her four children moved to South Carolina in 2021; she found work with a health care management company and as a companion aide with in-home health care.

She applied to the Habitat homeownership program and performed her sweat equity at the ReStore with her oldest son. She also took budgeting, meal prep, and financial education classes, and built relationships with others in the program. Her home is the fifth of nine planned on Sturtevant Street. The 1.7 acres were donated by Creative Builders and Fitch Irick.

Homeownership wouldn't be possible for me at this time without the program, Samora said. This program is a blessing for me and my family, and I'm very thankful.

As of April, Habitat Greenville had completed 410 homes. Habitat Greenville ReStores are located at 3033 Wade Hampton Blvd. in Taylors and 1818 Woodruff Road in Greenville. For information, go to habitatgreenville.org.

Greenville Developer To Address Third Spaces

Racquel Collier of Greenville, a real estate developer with a focus on the concept of third spaces, will be part of a panel at a conference in New Jersey.

Racquel Collier

The panel, Beyond Home and Work: Cultivating Community in Third Places, will address how to capture third places through development, redevelopment, zoning reform, and programming.

The term third places refers to places where people spend time between home (first place) and work (second place), according to the Brookings Institution. Third places can provide access to art, media, music, food and community.

Hundreds of professionals, elected officials and community activists will attend the conference. The mission of the conference is to reimagine land use to optimize efficiency and promote sustainable growth.

Collier is President of Caliber Real Estate, a local development firm that specializes in acquiring and developing multifamily communities and property.

Understanding third places and why people need them is key to the future of development, Collier said. Developers need to balance a return on their investment while providing places where people can find community, she said.

Countybanc Insurance Names VP

Countybanc Insurance Board of Directors has appointed Tammy Hendrix to the role of Assistant Vice President.

Hendrix has more than 30 years of experience in customer service. She joined Countybanc Insurance in 2017. Hendrix currently serves as a Commercial Lines Client Service Agent and is responsible for managing commercial insurance accounts.

Tammy Hendrix

Hendrix holds a Certified Insurance Service Representative Elite designation, which is attributed to individuals who provide exceptional account management and customer service. It is a nationally recognized education and exam program.

Tammy exemplifies our core values and excellence in customer service every day, said Jennifer Hincapie, Senior Vice President, Insurance Division Manager for Countybanc Insurance.

Founded in 1933, Countybank has locations in Greenwood, Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer and Anderson.

In addition to deposit and loan products, Countybank provides clients with help through Countybanc Insurance Services Inc., Countybanc Investment Services Inc., Countybank Mortgage, Countybank Trust Services, and its affiliate, Greenwood Capital.

June Well Walkers Dates

Bon Secours St. Francis Health System and the Bon Secours Wellness Arena have announced June dates for their Well Walkers program. Dates are June 11, June 13, June 18, June 20, June 25 and June 27.

On those dates, the arena concourse will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each loop around the concourse is a quarter-mile. Walking is free; no registration is necessary. Free parking for participants is provided in the VIP lot at the arena, located off Church Street.

Bridge City TR Opens Sundays

Bridge City Coffee in Travelers Rest is now open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.

The Travelers Rest location opened two years ago; many businesses in Travelers Rest are open throughout the weekend. The location is at 164D S. Main St. A new Spartanburg location is at 2430 Reidville Road. Other locations are at 1520 Wade Hampton Blvd. and 200 West Washington St., both in Greenville.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits
Rail fans rolling out of the downtown St. Paul Union Depot on the Empire Builder or the new Amtrak Borealis train to Chicago may soon have a new dining option.

The Union Depots recently-shuttered restaurant space within the Head House along Fourth Street could reopen by July 1 under the management of the Lake Elmo Inn, one of Ramsey Countys catering partners.

Meeting as the countys Regional Railroad Authority on Tuesday, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners will review a proposed five-year lease with the proprietors of the Lake Elmo Inn, who plan to run the new restaurant and bar under the name 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn. The lease, which runs through June 2029, carries a five-year option to extend.

The space hosted the Greek restaurant Christos for 20 years, but the county chose not to renew its lease in 2016 and instead issued a request for proposals. Bloomington-based Kaskaid, known for the Minneapolis eateries Crave and Union Rooftop Bar and Grill, opened the Union Depot Bar and Grill in 2018 after some $2 million in renovations.

With sales lagging, Kaskaid turned the restaurant over through a subcontract to the North Minneapolis-based nonprofit Appetite for Change, which opened the Station 81 bar at the location in early 2020. The bar closed in recent weeks.

County Commissioner Rafael Ortega, who chairs the Regional Railroad Authority, said the Lake Elmo Inn is known for higher-fare food than some of the sites previous vendors, but the county has worked with the prospective tenant to ensure the menu offers affordable take-out items for residents of the Union Depots condominiums.

We want the tenants that live there to be able to eat in the restaurant, Ortega said. Were working out details.

This article has been updated to correct the name of the new restaurant to 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn.

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People visit the exhibit, "Collecting Memories: Treasures from the Library of Congress," during a media preview at the Library of Congress, Monday, June 10, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Library of Congress is unveiling an eclectic new exhibit drawing on the institutions vast historical archives and designed to make the library a more popular and accessible destination for visitors and tourists.

Collecting Memories  which opens to the public on June 13  is an intensely curated exhibit that brings together items as varied as ancient Hebrew religious texts, the contents of President Abraham Lincolns pockets when he was assassinated in 1865, the first sketches of Spider-Man and videos of Carlos Santana in concert.

These items are an expression of our collective history, said Carla Hayden, the official librarian of Congress. We want people to see themselves in our exhibit.

The new exhibit is part of a campaign to make the Library of Congress more attractive to everyday tourists and school groups. David Rubenstein, the prominent local philanthropist who donated $10 million to the initiative, said the goal was to make the Library of Congress a regular part of tourist itineraries along with the monuments and various museums.

You usually don't go to the Library of Congress because you don't know that the Library of Congress is more than just a library, Rubinstein said.

Housed in the Thomas Jefferson Building, next door to the Supreme Court and across the street from the Capitol, the dimly lit exhibition hall bursts with images and antiquities. Slide shows play on the walls, and glass cases display vivid tapestries, ancient texts, photographs and historical curiosities like former President James Madison's crystal flute and Lincoln's pocketknife and wallet  including a Confederate $5 bill. The life story of Omar Ibn Said, an African man abducted into American slavery, is told through his own autobiography, written in Arabic.

David Mandel, the library's director of exhibits, said the goal was to leave visitors feeling surrounded and immersed in the library's collections.

The exhibit will run for about 18 months, through the end of 2025. Some of the more delicate items on display will rotate out at six-month intervals to protect them from exposure. The 127 items on display are all drawn from the Library of Congress' own internal collections, which number more than 178 million pieces.

At times, the selections seem almost random, but curators have embedded small connections and juxtapositions throughout  something Mandel described as the synergies between the stories.

An illustrated 15th-century Hebrew text sits next to a colorful Ethiopian religious book written in Amharic. Formerly top-secret photographs of the original Trinity test nuclear explosion are positioned next to a handwritten report by a Japanese survivor of the Hiroshima bombing describing the ordeal and aftermath.

A section focusing on refugee experiences combines photos of Syrian refugees arriving in Michigan in 2015 with a 1949 affidavit of identity belonging to famed Jewish historian and philosopher Hannah Arendt, who at the time was a German refugee in America and classified as a stateless person.

A multiscreen video wall plays a shifting mix of old videos ranging from home movies of everyday 1950s families to footage of Charlie Chaplin and clips of the Rockettes performing. Ancient Sumerian Cuneiform writing tablets  possibly the earliest examples of written language  share space with clips of D.C. native Duke Ellington performing while a Black dance troupe performs an acrobatic Lindy Hop.

The stories told by these items still inspire and amaze, decades or even centuries after they were created, Hayden said.

Visitors to the new exhibit must secure timed-entry passes, which are available for free at loc.gov/visit.
The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida recently celebrated the achievements of more than 600 girls with over 800 awards at their annual Young Women of Distinction Ceremony in Punta Gorda. Grace P. (with GSGCF board president Richard Cyphers) was the top Girl Scouts Cookie seller (7,437 boxes) and also secured the highest number of donations to military heroes through the councils Gift of Caring initiative.

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida recently hosted their annual Young Women of Distinction Ceremony at Charlotte Harbor Convention Center in Punta Gorda, celebrating the achievements and contributions of more than 600 girls with over 800 awards.

The event showcased an array of honors, including the prestigious Girl Scouts Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards, Journey Summit recognitions, Religious Recognitions, 10-Year Pins, Girl Scouts college scholarship recipients, and accomplished Cookie Entrepreneurs.

"During this inspiring ceremony, we witnessed the embodiment of courage, confidence, and character in each and every Girl Scout who received an award," CEO Mary Anne Servian said. "As we celebrate their remarkable achievements, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing the leaders of tomorrow with the same name and the same mission for over 100 years. Together, we will continue to empower girls to unleash their full potential."

The pinnacle of the evening was the announcement of Girl Scouts Gold Award winners Ainsley Ellis, Michaela Fischer, Sarah Glass, Kaitlyn Jadevaia, Bryanna Sparks, and Gabriella Stafford. Sparks also was awarded the Lyndi Cyphers Memorial Scholarship, presented by Richard Cyphers, board president, in memory of his wife.

The Girl Scouts Gold Award is truly the mark of the remarkable, Servian said. The families of the Gold Award Girl Scouts gathered before the ceremony for a special brunch buffet to receive their award pins.

Bryanna Sparks was among six Gulf Coast Girl Scouts who received the Girl Scouts Gold Award. Sparks also was awarded the Lyndi Cyphers Memorial Scholarship.

The Dr. Elinor Crawford Girl Scouts Scholarship Fund recipients included Tristan Blankenship, Harley Cross, Audrey Muller, Lilly Riggs, Bryanna Sparks, and Lucy Thomas. Established in 1987 by the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida board of directors, the scholarship honors Crawford, a lifelong Girl Scout and advocate for womens rights in education. The scholarship fund has recognized the achievements of 315 graduating high school senior Girl Scouts, honoring their excellence in skills, leadership, and citizenship.

Girl Scout entrepreneurs who distributed over 1,000 boxes of Cookies were honored on stage. Among the accomplished individuals, Savannah R. was the top entrepreneur during the Fall Product Program. The top Cookie seller, Grace P., sold 7,437 boxes of Girl Scout cookies and also secured the highest number of donations to military heroes through the councils Gift of Caring initiative.

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida include nearly 3,500 girls in grades K-12 and more than 1,500 adult members in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, Charlotte, Hardee, Highlands, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier counties. For information, visit gsgcf.org.

Submitted by Jessica Miano

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Over 600 Gulfcoast Girl Scouts honored at annual Distinction Ceremony
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You can once again order some of the countrys best barbecue straight to your front door.

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Franklin Barbecuethe highly lauded Austin, Texas, restaurant from the pitmaster Aaron Franklin and his wife, Stacyhas partnered with the gourmet food-delivery website Goldbelly to ship out packs of its mouthwatering food. The current meal has enough brisket, sausage, and barbecue sauce to feed eight to 10 people, for $310.

Back in late 2020, in response to the pandemic and its closing of restaurants throughout the United States, Franklin Barbecue first began offering its brisket for delivery. Given that the restaurant normally sees hours-long lines, the at-home version of Franklins cooking quickly sold out. While the new option is slightly more expensive than the original $249 price tag, youre also getting more food, with the addition of five sausage links (either regular or the jalapeno cheddar variety).

Alongside the pound of sausage, Franklin Barbecue is giving its fans a whole five-pound brisket and a 15-ounce bottle of its Texas Original BBQ Sauce, with the ability to buy more of the condiment as well. The whole feast will arrive on your doorstep chilled, and the meal will last up to 10 days in the fridge or three months in the freezer. When youre ready to cook it up, there are instructions for reheating the brisket in the oven, on the stove top, or in an immersion circulator. The sausages, meanwhile, can be warmed on the stove top or the grill.

The chance to try some of the best barbecue in the nation wherever youre located is certainly a treat, but if youre looking for an even more luxe way to partake in the Franklin Barbecue experience, weve got you covered: Robb Reports The Vault just launched with its inaugural items, including a private barbecue dinner for 12 cooked by Franklin himself in Austin.

That, of course, is a one-of-one experience that only a handful of people will get to enjoy. The Goldbelly delivery is helping to bring Franklins cooking to the massesjust be warned that the soonest delivery date isnt until July 16. Good food, though, is worth the wait. Especially when you get to enjoy it in the comfort of your own home.

Buy Now on Goldbelly: $310

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Wed walked over the dunes behind my house, and onto the quiet, mostly-private beach that lined Chesapeake Bay and that shielded us from the occasional storm. As usual, there was a cool and thick fog that gently blew across my face. It limited our vision in a way that was oddly relaxing. There was no sound, except for a subtle splashing of water. The natural aesthetic was unrivaled, and felt like we were walking inside in a desktop screensaver.

You sure we wont get lost in this fog? She said with a nervous laugh and turned to me.

No, I do this walk all the time, I reassured her. Then she extended her hand out with a smile and said, OK, good, I can still see my hand. We were having a blast. This beach was always so relaxing, and both of us were stressing about school too much. Feeling the sand on our bare feet, and enjoying the calming fog was working wonders.

Years later, I walked these same foggy beaches after a back injury, feeling down on myself, wondering why my recovery was taking so long, and why Id been targeted by the universe with this malady. These beaches healed my thoughts and took my mind to happier places.

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Even today, decades later, I get a wave of nostalgia anytime I see fog. I dont get much of it here in Florida, but when I do, typically in the morning, youll find me on my couch, looking out the window and getting wistful about bygone days.

Psychologists classify nostalgia as a social emotion, that is self-conscious and bittersweet, but mostly positive. It often stems from a yearning for the past and old relationships. Nostalgia is often triggered by the senses. For example, anytime I smell chlorine, I get nostalgic for my summer spent playing in pools while visiting my grandparents in Florida. I remember all the fun friendships and trouble we got into, and lounging in friends homes playing video games.

Scientists treat nostalgia as a complex cognitive emotion that uses many parts of the brain  which are also used in emotional regulation, reward processing, self-reflection, and auto-biographical memory. Deliberate nostalgia is being studied and is shown to improve friendships, motivation, and lower cortisol.

One study by Dr. Wijnand at Kings College London found that bad weather can trigger nostalgia, which is true in my case  though I now consider fog good weather because of what it does for me. Bad weather tends to cause more stress which drives more nostalgic thoughts as a coping mechanism. We often do it without even realizing it.

Another study found that exercises in reminiscing nostalgic moments can strengthen bonds between two people. The simple act of messaging or calling them and talking about stories from the past, can reinforce that human connection, which is so central to wellbeing.

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You can invoke nostalgia in a few ways. First, the obvious and simple way, is to reflect on those moments and have a mental rolodex of valuable memories. The other is to use your senses. Researchers found that scent evoked nostalgia is particularly effective against stress. Be careful. In my case, sniffing chlorine wouldnt be advisable. But going to a swimming pool often does this anyways. I was walking by a house recently, and caught the smell of chlorine, which was being used to clean a driveway. It felt like I was back at a swim meet again.

Psychologist, Dr. Clay Routledge, asserts that team oriented activities around building nostalgia can promote friendships and teamwork. It even provides more meaning, which galvanizes people to pursue important goals they lost focus on.

My graduate school classmates and I were on an academic team for two years and became very close. We still stay in touch and talk about old times, and have periodic zoom calls to check in on how the others are doing. I never get off that call feeling worse than before. I often feel invigorated and ready to do things.

Because nostalgia is anchored in relationships, it tends to push people to pursue more social oriented goals and pro-social behaviors such as making friends, volunteering, and being more positive. These are all correlated to higher levels of contentment.

If youre having trouble thinking of nostalgic memories, try focusing on your life between age 16 and 25 (give or take). This tends to be a common source of nostalgia, and is known by scientists as the reminiscence bump. Perhaps this is why so many people think music peaked during their high school years.

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Having family photos helps too. One of the best decisions I ever made was having all of our photos scanned, so I could look back through them and not worry about their destruction (all of our childhood home videos were destroyed in an accident and Im still not over it).

For example, I just did this nostalgia exercise and found an important picture. This is with my grandfather and it may not seem all that significant:

Author (Author)

The photo reminds me of our road trips from Florida to Virginia and back, that happened several times a year. Airplane tickets were more expensive back then and we were tight on money. We endured these 12 hour drives but also had fun on them, talking, listening to audiobooks (which required 12 cassettes). We played road games and did sign scavenger hunts. I drew pictures. Shannon and I inevitably fell asleep, and woke up from rough naps at gas stations.

Looking back through these little moments, reminds me of how great my grandparents were, and how good my childhood was, despite the blips I endured. My grandfather passed away two years ago at 97, so these photos are important for preserving his memory and remembering these stories.

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I also have my late-dogs nametag in a box. When I look at it, I tend to smile and think of all the funny and quirky things he did. It is somber, sure, but it reminds me of how much fun and laughter Ive had.

Just to recap: consider making an actual list of nostalgic memories. Think of sensory experiences and people that invoke this nostalgia. Look at objects and family photos. Sometimes I send these photos in a group message to old friends (who were in the photo) and ask if they remember. I generally receive excited responses and we talk about getting together again. It reinforces our friendship.

Take time to look back. Your past doesnt have to be this haunted hallway of mirrors. Its a great psychological resource, and a healthy way to manage stress, improve friendships, and stay more motivated. Generally, sandwiched between all the chaos of life, are plenty of great moments waiting to be revisited. Youll be better off for it.
Eleese Shelton is a 12 year old high school graduate from Tallavana High School. She will be attending Tallahassee Community College in the fall.

When E'leese Shelton sets her mind on something, she says she gets it done with determination, typically defying the tendencies of most 12-year-olds.

"Never give up on your dreams," she told the Tallahassee Democrat. "I know a lot of people say that but just never give up."

The young student was able to accomplish an exceptionally rare occurrence: E'leese received her high school diploma from Tallavana Christian School on Thursday, May 23.

Eleese enjoys working hard, always with her nose in a book or studying over new topics in a textbook, but this summer she is taking a trip to Walt Disney World and a well-deserved break, her mother, Danrell Shelton, said.

"I'm very proud of her accomplishment and I'm glad that she didn't give up," Shelton said.

"Me and everyone else in the family as well as friends of E'leese are very proud of her and we're excited for her future endeavors," said Fred Shelton, E'leese's father.

Tallavana Christian School is a small private school in Havana, Florida, offering grades K-12. The school, founded in 1971, is accredited by Cognia and follows the Bob Jones and Abeka Christian Curriculums.

Moreover, at the age a student would normally be starting middle school, E'leese will be starting as a freshman at Tallahassee State College this fall with a goal of transferring to Florida State University where she wants to major in chemistry by the time she turns 14.

Graduating high school before the age of 17 is such a rarity, there are few data sets on how many American students actually accomplish the task. According to College Raptor, a college planning website, about 3% of high school students complete four years of required coursework in 3.5 years or less, and very few graduate before the fall semester of their senior year.

E'leese completed four years of high school after starting ninth grade at 9 years old.

"I took some middle school classes early and I was doing really well in those, so I was able to skip those classes and I just went straight into high school classes," she said.

While living with her family in Tallahassee, E'leese attended Tallavana for two years, arriving at the school in 2022, after receiving a homeschooled education.

"When she was 2, I bought her a Leapfrog device and she would play with it by herself and at first, I didn't realize that she knew what was going on with it," Danrell Shelton said. "So, when I heard her responding back to it, I realized she was teaching herself."

The mother, who works for the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier, said she quickly amped up her daughter's early learning lessons. E'leese was reading by age 2 and completing basic math equations by age 4.

Shelton had E'leese tested on elementary and middle school exams and after she passed, the mother decided to have her advanced to high school classes. '

'She is far beyond 12'

She doesn't have any concerns about her daughter enrolling in Tallahassee Community College full time at the same age most kids start middle school.

"She may be 12 in age, but for her maturity she is at a collegiate level," Shelton said. "She is younger than her peers but educational wise and her social skills, she is far beyond 12."

And E'leese is both excited and slightly stumped that she has to sit still for the summer, but she said she plans to get some studying in early before starting her first semester.

"I'm bummed that there will be nothing for me to do, but I'm really excited for the college experience," E'leese said.

Eleese Shelton is a 12 year old high school graduate from Tallavana High School. She will be attending Tallahassee Community College in the fall.

"We are thrilled that E'leese has chosen to become a Tallahassee State College Eagle on her way to becoming a Seminole. She is a remarkable student who will join a caring and supportive community that will help her achieve her educational and career goals," said Sherri Rowland, vice president for student affairs.

When asked if she felt she was missing out on any of the common activities middle schoolers enjoy, she maintained that she has bigger things to focus on.

"I've never felt like I was missing out on anything. I still have fun with my friends and do stuff like that," E'leese told the Tallahassee Democrat. "Not many 12-year-olds have an amazing opportunity to do this."

All of her friends are older, 17 to 18 years old, and she says there were times when she was unable to participate in activities with them.

"I can't do a lot of the stuff people in my class can do like drive and they had a CPR class that I really wanted to take but they said I had to be 13, so that's the kind of stuff I feel like I miss out on," she said.

Tallavana's graduating class had 13 students including E'leese, and they were not provided rankings or high honor recognitions. E'leese said she took several honors classes including chemistry, biology and algebra. She was an A honor roll student throughout her time at the school.

"We always treated education like a game," Shelton said. "My son was able to graduate at 15 and I saw the same signs in him and did the same thing."

More: More than 400 Tallahassee Community College graduates to participate in commencement

E'leese's brother, E' Ven Shelton, received his diploma at age 15 while homeschooled with Florida Virtual School and graduated from TCC before transferring to FSU. He graduated with a degree in anatomy, and this spring, he was accepted into medical school at Tulane University in New Orleans where he will begin pursuing studies for a career as a neurosurgeon.

"I'll give thanks to God because that's the only person who can do it," Shelton said of her children's successes.

Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee girl's incredible feat: At 12, she's a high school grad
Opinion editor's note: Editorials represent the opinions of the Star Tribune Editorial Board, which operates independently from the newsroom.



Rolf Svendsen was a University of Minnesota grad student working a summer job in the mid-1970s when he began to wonder how Minneapolis could reclaim the neglected and unkempt waterfront near St. Anthony Falls.

Svendsen's boss, then-Minneapolis City Coordinator Tommy Thompson, said they could tap some federal job-training money to hire unemployed youth. "How about if I give you 100 teenagers?" Thompson asked.

Svendsen put the young people to work clearing trails, constructing timber steps and planting trees, creating Mississippi River access still visible today near St. Anthony Main. But that summer gave Svendsen the inspiration for a larger and more enduring strategy. In 1976, he approached Don Willeke, a Minneapolis attorney active in the national urban forestry movement, and they turned Svendsen's idea into a nonprofit corporation called Tree Trust.

It began with a simple but brilliant mission: Beautify the metro area's green spaces by hiring low-income teenagers for summer jobs while training them in landscaping and forestry. Nearly five decades later, Tree Trust has left an extraordinary imprint on the Twin Cities: It has planted more than 700,000 trees, trained hundreds of young people to be arborists and landscapers, provided low-cost nursery saplings to hundreds of homeowners and beautified scores of parks and trails across the metro area.

As the planet grows warmer, Minnesota should look for ways to embrace and expand on the Tree Trust model. What seemed like an ingenious little project in 1976 has an ever more urgent mission in the era of climate change. Trees cool the air and sequester carbon. By shading homes and businesses, they reduce our use of air conditioning and electricity.

New research shows that trees can even address Minnesota's grievous health disparities. A growing number of studies show that poor neighborhoods are hotter than affluent ones  because they have fewer trees  which can lead to higher levels of asthma, kidney disease and other heat-related ailments.

By some measures, an urban tree is 14 times more valuable than one planted in the woods, Willeke told an editorial writer. Trees reduce smog, absorb rainfall and reduce polluted runoff to streams and lakes, and cool hot urban air through what's known as evapotranspiration.

Minnesota has dozens of other ingenious nonprofits that support children, beautify parks, help settle refugees, assist people with disabilities and in countless other ways make this state a better place to leave to our children. But it can always use a few more.

Oh, and Tree Trust leaves another lesson valuable in our time. Svendsen was a Republican member of the Minneapolis Park Board at the organization's founding; Willeke was an ardent Democrat. Yet they found common ground around a shared passion.

Jared Smith, the current CEO of Tree Trust, says he continues to take inspiration from their partnership and entrepreneurial spirit. "Let's link arms and get things done."
Why does Knoxville have so many luxury apartments? For one, the term is 'way overused'

When you hear "luxury apartment," what do you think?

"Expensive" is probably your first thought, but let's be honest: almost all Knoxville apartments feel that way right now. Maybe you think of top-tier appliances or amenities, like smart thermostats or gated parking, but those don't make apartments "luxury" on their own either.

As Knoxville's housing needs increase with its growing population and a new desire to live downtown, the rental market seems to be adding more luxury apartments, which should be defined as larger units in architecturally interesting buildings located in desirable areas.

But what some landlords call luxury doesn't always meet the textbook definition for what's technically considered luxury or "class-A" apartments.

In addition to their size and location, class-A apartments typically have a variety of amenities to make life more enjoyable. Think pools, state-of-the-art gyms and dog parks.

Apartments classified as "luxury" on Apartments.com include Marble Alley Lofts, Church + Henley and Stockyard Lofts, all in the downtown area where most luxury apartments can be found. There's a combined 637 apartments among those three buildings.

As of 2020, there were 2,479 people and 1,794 housing units in the 37902 ZIP code, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. However, both of those figures likely have grown, as new apartments have been built and people have moved to Knoxville. Church + Henley was built in 2023.

But despite its reputation, Church + Henley does not list itself as luxury because co-owner Rick Dover feels the term is misleading.

"To me, that's one of those words that gets way overused, overpromised and underdelivered on an unfortunately high level of incidents," he said.

At least one of the "premium" units offered at Church + Henley includes a view of the Sunsphere in downtown Knoxville. Though Apartments.com lists the apartment complex as luxury, co-owner Rick Dover is hesitant to embrace the "overused" term.

Dover said the Church + Henley building offers top-of-the-line amenities inside the apartment and throughout the building, such as wrap-around balconies, private parking spaces, a pool, a business center  even a yoga room.

Church + Henley has among the most expensive apartment units in Knoxville, with monthly rates ranging from $1,800 for studios to $7,500 for the priciest two-bedroom, two-bathroom units. The highest-priced units, though, are the exception and there are two-bedroom units that top out at $4,500 a month.

The average rent for all class-A apartments in Knoxville (from studio to four-bedroom) was $1,824 per month as of April 2024, according to data from the East Tennessee Realtors.

That's 1.95% higher than class-A rent prices in April 2023.

If you're looking for a luxurious lifestyle and see a building advertised as "luxury," make sure you take a look for yourself. If the unit seems luxurious to you and is worth the price of rent, then congratulations: you found a luxury apartment!

Know Your Knox answers your burning questions about life in Knoxville. Want your question answered? Email knowyourknox@knoxnews.com.

Silas Sloan is the growth and development reporter. Email silas.sloan@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter @silasloan. Instagram @knox.growth.

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

MORE QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY KNOW YOUR KNOX

If you've noticed all the blue and yellow fire hydrants along streets around Knoxville, you've probably wondered why they're not the traditional picture-book red. Or, better yet, why aren't they orange and white in keeping with the city's Vols spirit? And what about the other color combos that pop up around town? Hayden Dunbar paints a colorful story to answer those questions.

Sometimes called the "Miracle Mile," the shaded two-mile stretch of Kingston Pike east of Bearden is home to 10 different houses of worship. Allie Feinberg explains why the placement of churches and synagogues among the stately older houses is not a coincidence.

During the 1970s and '80s, Knoxville was busily annexing parts of the county outside the city limits, notably slices of commercial corridors that could bring in extra sales tax revenue. It took a court battle, but Farragut held out and eventually became its own town. Tyler Whetstone recounts how it happened.

Stockyard Lofts in the Old City is classified as offering "luxury" apartments on Apartments.com.

Many of Knoxville's "luxury" apartments are located downtown, like Marble Alley Lofts.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Luxury Knoxville apartments not always listed accurately for renters
The Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County recently awarded $236,000 to 17 nonprofit organizations. The amount is their record for awarded grants aimed to promote the well-being of women and girls in multiple aspects of their lives.

According to a WGF news release, the organization has distributed more than $1.8 million to nonprofit organizations since 2004.

WGF of Waukesha County board of directors (from left) Tracy Josetti, Nicole Wagner (executive director), Karen Long, Genevieve Schmidt, Robyn Ludtke, Kate Weiland, Amy Sebert, Julia Jaegersberg, Abigail Carlson, Heather Nino, Monica Nichol, Lauren Ruff and Karie Stupek

Who received the awards, and what will they do with the money?

The recipients of the highest amount awarded, $20,000, were Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County, SHARP Literacy, NAMI Southeast Wisconsin and Wellpoint Care Network.

PR manager for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee Megan O'Shea said that their organization would be using the grant money to assist Camp Whitcomb/Mason's Leader-In-Training program.

"(It) will provide girls with fun and enriching outdoor experiences that build confidence, leadership and problem-solving skills through participating and leading a variety of outdoor activities and conversations," O'Shea said.

NAMI Southeast Wisconsin plans on using its grant to go toward its family programs, the users of which are 75% women, according to NAMI director of development and marketing Angela Riley.

Wellpoint Care Network marketing and communications coordinator Rachel Frye said that the network is going to use their grant to address culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed mental health services for children, adolescents and families in Waukesha County.

Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County plans to use its grant to support construction at their affordable housing neighborhood Domenica Park, according to director of development and marketing Brett Peloquin. The neighborhood will have new homes for 20 low- to moderate-income Waukesha County families.

"The support from the Women & Girls Fund of Waukesha County is especially meaningful to this project because of the families assigned to Domenica Park thus far, 10 of them are single mothers," Peloquin said.

SHARP Literacy chief innovation officer Nandini Sinha said that SHARP is going to use their grant to expand their program in Waukesha. They will be able to offer their tech-based Design Through Code program to 100 more fifth grade students than the 700 they currently serve.

Other WGF grant recipients:

Community Smiles Dental

Concordia University

Easterseals Southeast Wisconsin

Girl Scouts of Southeast Wisconsin

Lake Area Free Clinic

LOTUS Legal Clinic

The Women's Center

Waukesha Free Clinic

Bloom360 Learning Community

Family Service

Girls on the Run Southeastern Wisconsin

IMPACT, Inc.

How did WGF raise the money for the grants?

The money was raised through the Women of Distinction luncheon which is held by the organization each May. This year, it had more than 650 attendees and raised more than $200,000, which will be used to fund future grants.

Another primary source of grant funding comes from earnings from the WGF Endowment.

What are the criteria for awardees?

The release said the nonprofit organizations that received awards were chosen because they promote the health, well-being, education and empowerment of women and girls and their quality of life.

"Empowerment knows no bounds when women come together in unity and strength," said Chair of Women of Distinction Genevieve Schmidt. "We are proud of all the grant partners who truly embody the spirit of excellence and resilience in Waukesha County."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County awards $236,000 to nonprofits
1 dead after gunman opens fire on man driving on Far South Side

1 dead after gunman opens fire on man driving on Far South Side

CHICAGO  A man is dead after a shooting and fiery crash on the citys Far South Side on Sunday afternoon.

Chicago police say it all unfolded just before 6 p.m. in the 12100 block of South Halstead Street, in West Pullman.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines

According to police, the victim, a 28-year-old man, was driving southbound along Halstead when someone inside a black sedan opened fire on the man.

Officers say the victim then crashed into a parked car, which caused his car to catch fire.

The victim suffered several gunshot wounds to his body and was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Currently, it is unclear what led to the shooting and authorities have not yet identified the victim killed.

An investigation into the deadly shooting is now underway.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact CPD Area Two Detectives at 312-747-8273 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
12-year-old boy facing assault charge after threatening victim with knife in Boston, police say

A 12-year-old boy was arrested after police say he threatened a victim with a knife in Boston on Sunday.

Officers responding to a call for a person with a knife in the area of Washington and Chilcott streets around 6:30 p.m. learned a group of five juveniles had been made threats with a knife, according to the Boston Police Department.

When officers later tracked down the group in the area of Montebello and Haverford streets, they frisked them and found the 12-year-old boy to be in possession of a knife, police noted.

The boy in question was taken into custody without incident. He is expected to be arraigned in Boston Juvenile Court on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon.

There were no additional details immediately available.

An investigation is ongoing.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Oklahoma City Police responded to a fatal shooting at a convenience store on Saturday.

According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers responded to the store near the 6200 block of W. Wilshire Blvd. just before noon after receiving reports of a shooting.

ORIGINAL STORY: 1 person shot, killed in NW OKC convenience store

Upon arrival, officers found 17-year-old William Jackson dead on scene. Officials say it looks like Jackson was involved in an altercation with multiple other people before the shooting happened.

Police say there have been no arrests as the investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Tip Line at 405-297-1200.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 19-year-old accused of breaking into hundreds of cars has been convicted by the Mecklenburg County District Attorneys Office.

Hannah Freeman, who is also mother of two, is one of the suspects accused of breaking into more than 200 cars in a spree through Charlotte in December.

A 19-year-old accused of breaking into hundreds of cars is back in jail after a judge modified her bond.

From Nov. 26 through part of December, police say Freeman broke into cars in Dilworth and south Charlotte. At one garage alone, prosecutors say she helped break into 93 cars.

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Freeman was convicted last week when she pleaded guilty to nine counts of felony breaking or entering a motor vehicle, the DAs office said.

Judge Eady-Williams sentenced her to three consecutive sentences. The first sentence was 4 to 14 months in prison. The other two sentences were also 4 to 14 months in prison, but those two sentences were suspended pending her completion of 30 months of supervised probation.

If she violates her probation, Freeman would serve two consecutive sentences of 4 to 14 months in prison.

Freeman was also ordered to pay $3,260 in restitution.

There is a codefendant in the case -- a juvenile who is accused of going on the crime spree with Freeman. Officials have not shared any more information about them because of state privacy laws.

(WATCH BELOW: CMPD identifies suspects in 200+ car break-ins through blood left on victim vehicle)
This month, 44 years ago, President Jimmy Carter officially established the Cuban-Haitian Entrant Program. The program helped manage the massive influx of the 125,000 Cuban immigrants who took part in the Mariel boatlift and the 25,000 Haitians who arrived in South Florida over the same seven-month period.

The primary purpose of the CHEP, born on June 20, 1980, was to give work authorizations to the new refugees paroled into the U.S. making them eligible for work and receive benefits to help rebuild their lives in the United States.

As a Cuban American and data analyst, I have thought a lot about the Mariel boatlift. As thousands of migrants report to the U.S.-Mexico border seeking asylum each day, I wonder how it must have felt 44 years ago as hundreds of Cubans landed in Key West each day, longing to breathe free air.

I am also struck by the differences between Carters humanitarian CHEP program and the callous way we treat new Americans and the harmful policies many states and cities have adopted regarding asylum seekers. As we look back at the legacy of Mariel, what lessons can we impart upon the current trends in immigration?

The events that led to the Mariel boatlift began on April 1, 1980 when five Cuban men drove a bus through a gate at the Peruvian embassy in Havana. Unexpectedly, thousands of Cubans followed them into the embassy grounds seeking asylum, too, camping out for weeks and sparking an international incident and demonstration in the streets of Cuba.

By April 20, 1980, Castro had enough. He announced that Cubans who wanted to emigrate to the U.S. could be picked up by their relatives in Miami from the port of Mariel, launching the Mariel boatlift. The first Mariel refugees reached Florida the next day.

Cuban immigration to Miami was hardly new, of course. From the time of the 1959 Cuban Revolution that brought Castro to power, Cubans have fled to the U.S., many settling in Miami.

The arrival of Cuban immigrants spurred a decades-long growth in Dade Countys immigrant population. In the 65 years following Castros rise to power, the immigrant share of Dade County rose from 12 percent in 1960 to 49 percent by 2000.

By 1980, just before the Mariel Boatlift began, Miami-Dades population stood at 1.6 million, 36 percent of whom were immigrants, more than half of whom were Cuban. The boatlift substantially increased the existing trend. The Mariel refugees arrival constituted a nine percent increase in the overall county population, a dramatic change in a short period.

This increase was much larger than the impact of newly arriving immigrants on any major city since the current influx began in earnest in 2022.

The initial shock of so many arrivals all at once was difficult to manage for government leaders and social service agencies. But the data from Mariel shows that as new immigrants settled into new and growing communities, the challenges gradually faded. Thats because over time, growing ethnic communities begin to support new arrivals on their own, especially when they are empowered to succeed through work authorization and access to basic social support systems.

Research, including a landmark study by economist David Card focusing on Mariel, shows that more workers means an expanded economy. It also shows that even a large and sudden increase in the number of immigrants  even a nine percent increase in the labor force in the case of Mariel  can spur economic growth without any significant reduction in wages for other workers.

So, when we hear politicians make claims about immigrants putting too much strain on state and local resources, remember they are missing out on the bigger picture.

Miami, more than anywhere else in the U.S., is proof that immigrants can radically improve a city by helping grow the economy and expanding the cultural milieu.

Anthony Capote is senior data and policy analyst for Immigration Research Initiative, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank on immigration based in New York.
2 car crash in Southern California ends with barrage of police gunfire

A crash in a Pomona intersection ended with a heavy barrage of police gunfire, wounding one person Sunday evening, authorities confirmed to KTLA.

The incident unfolded at around 7:45 p.m. in the 600 block of West Holt Avenue, according to a news release from the Pomona Police Department.

Its unclear if officers were in pursuit at the time of the crash, but cellphone video captured police firing at a person after they say the suspect pointed a firearm at them.

The wounded suspect could be seen raising a hand out of the car window before ultimately getting out of the vehicle and lying in the wreckage and shattered glass in the street as officers moved forward with guns drawn and took the person into custody.

Officers in Pomona fire their weapons after a two vehicle crash on June 9, 2024. (KNN)

A suspect seen raising their hand out the window after a crash ended in police gunfire in Pomona on June 9, 2024. (KNN)

A Pomona police officer with gun drawn after crash on June 9, 2024. (KNN)

Pomona police officers arrest a suspect after a crash that ended in gunfire on June 9, 2024. (KNN)

First responders on the scene of a crash that ended in police gunfire in Pomona on June 9, 2024. (KNN)

Damage seen to a vehicle after crash that ended in police gunfire in Pomona on June 9, 2024. (KNN)

Police said the person was rushed to the hospital in stable condition.

A firearm was recovered at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

Authorities encouraged residents to avoid the area while investigators canvased the scene for evidence.

E-bike riders in Southern California torment crowd with fireworks

No information about the age or gender of the suspect was provided.

Investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department will assume the investigation into the police shooting.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Robert Goodman, executive director of Citizens Defending Freedom, speaks as protesters march behind him in Bartow at a news conference in March announcing a lawsuit against the Polk County School Board over its handling of challenges to books in school libraries.

Leaders of two Polk County organizations reject their inclusion in a list of extremist groups.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit organization with a leftward orientation, recently released its annual Year in Hate and Extremism Report. The online document includes a hate map, listing entities from each state deemed either hate groups or anti-government groups.

Citizens Defending Freedom, a conservative nonprofit based in Polk County, appears on the list, as does Florida Moms for America, identified as based in Winter Haven. The SPLC labels each in the category general anti-government.

The SPLC, an organization founded in 1971 and headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, describes anti-government groups as part of the antidemocratic hard-right movement.

They believe the federal government is tyrannical, and they traffic in conspiracy theories about an illegitimate government of leftist elites seeking a New World Order, the report says. The SPLC says the category includes sovereign citizens, militias, overt conspiracy propagandists and constitutional sheriff groups.

Robert Goodman, executive director of Citizens Defending Freedom, dismissed the label.

"I find it absurd that Citizens Defending Freedom (CDF) would be categorized as anti-government, Goodman said by email. CDF's mission is based on preserving the principles in our government's founding documents. The United States government is the first in the world of the people, by the people, for the people, and our mission is to preserve that for our generation and all generations to come."

CDF arose in Polk County in 2021 and has since formed chapters in other Florida counties and in Georgia, Texas and Michigan, with chapters coming soon in Virginia and Pennsylvania, according to its website. The nonprofit promotes a brand of conservatism tied to evangelical Christianity.

It is the second consecutive year that the group has appeared on the SPLCs hate map.

Report lists 114 in Florida

The report applies the hate or anti-government labels to 114 organizations in Florida, though many are county chapters of a single group, such as CDF and Moms for Liberty. The map includes the Polk County chapter of Moms for Liberty, a conservative group known for seeking the removal of certain books from school libraries.

Since its founding, CDF members have attended meetings of the Polk County School Board to criticize mask requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic and to advocate for the withdrawal of certain school books, some of which they deem pornographic.

CDF filed a lawsuit against Polk County Public Schools in March, alleging that the district had violated state law and its own policies in handling challenges to library books. The suit is still pending.

Citizens Defending Freedom has promoted advocates who share conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election, among them Michael Flynn, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general and former security adviser to former President Donald Trump who resigned amid reports that he had lied about having conversations a Russian ambassador to the United States. Flynn pled guilty to a charge of lying to the FBI but was later pardoned by Trump.

Flynn, who has promoted QAnon conspiracy theories and claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic was fabricated for political reasons, is listed as a guest speaker at CDFs August gala in Dallas along with Charlie Kirk, the controversial founder of Turning Point USA, a student-oriented conservative group.

Moms for America is a national nonprofit founded in Ohio in 2004 to combat a dramatic cultural shift in America led by radical feminists, according to its website. The organization opposes the teaching of Critical Race Theory, saying that public schools are teaching children to hate America and indoctrinating students on theories of sexuality or gender orientation.

Rebekah Ricks is a candidate for Polk County School Board and is the former president of Moms for America's Florida chapter. I don't think that's an accurate description, Ricks said after hearing the SPLCs summary of anti-government groups. I personally believe in working on legislation to change the things we don't like and policies that we don't like."

Moms for Americas website posts videos featuring such conservative figures as Tucker Carlson, Erik Prince and Sebastian Gorka. The group has a political component, Moms for America Action, that issues candidate endorsements.

Rebekah Ricks of Winter Haven is the former president of Moms for Americas Florida chapter. She is also running for the Polk County School Board, challenging incumbent Sara Beth Wyatt. Ricks said that she was aware of the SPLCs inclusion of Moms for America on its hate map for several years.

I don't think that's an accurate description, Ricks said after hearing the SPLCs summary of anti-government groups. I personally believe in working on legislation to change the things we don't like and policies that we don't like. So that is what my main goal is. And as far as running for the School Board, also, if there are things in the county you don't like, you want to make sure that there's change.

Ricks said that her role with Moms for America largely consists of tracking proposed state legislation related to education and trying to influence lawmakers.

I guess they can say whatever they want, Ricks said of the SPLC. It's free speech, right? I mean, that's their opinion. I just think it becomes rather dangerous rhetoric to start saying anyone who doesn't agree with you is anti-government. I think that's a bad precedent.

How the list is compiled

Maya Henson Carey, a research analyst with the SPLC, said that both CDF and Moms for America fall under an anti-student inclusion subgroup in the anti-government category. Such groups attack public education and push this narrative that public schools are trying to indoctrinate and sexualize children through this radical Marxist agenda, and their tactics for doing that is book banning, the anti CRT operation, the attacks on the LGBTQ-plus community and some really even call for abolishing the Department of Education.

Carey noted that PEN America, a nonprofit that promotes literature and free expression, listed CDF among three national advocacy groups that are particularly prominent in pushing for book bans.

'A safe space': Nonprofit unveils Polk County's first LGBTQ center in Lakeland

Conservative groups and their allies, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, deny that efforts to remove certain titles from school libraries equate to book banning.

Carey said the SPLC gathers information from various sources, including local tips, to decide which groups belong on its hate map. Analysts monitor websites, social media and podcasts to see what messages the groups are promoting.

Though the SPLC did not place Citizens Defending Freedom and Moms for America in the hate category, they appear on a list of Florida groups that includes United Skinhead Nation and Stormfront, a white nationalist outfit.

Conservative groups regularly denounce the SPLC, an organization that arose from the civil rights moment in the South. Alliance Defending Freedom calls the SPLC a far-left organization that only targets the right and alleges that the hate map was created as a fundraising tactic.

The SPLC has faced lawsuits over its labeling of such figures as Ben Carson and has sometimes revised its lists after challenges.

Carey emphasized that the SPLC is a nonprofit that cannot engage in political advocacy. She said the definitions of hate groups and anti-government groups do not mention political parties.

Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Leaders of 2 Polk County groups reject SPLC's 'anti-government' label
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Department are searching for two men who stole a cash register from a business in Antioch.

Police said at around 3 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, the men threw a large rock through the front window of Bubble Tea, located in the 5200 block of Hickory Hollow Parkway. Once inside, they took a cash register and ran away.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

One of the men was clearly seen on surveillance video.

Anyone who recognizes him is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers can remain anonymous and qualify 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.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A man arrested two years after an armed robbery in which five suspects held three people at gunpoint in north Columbus was in court Monday.

According to court documents, a warrant was issued nearly six weeks ago for 52-year-old Gary Sams in connection to an armed robbery that took place on June 1, 2022, at a business in the 1900 block of Morse Road. The Forest Park East store was the target of five suspects, police said at the time.

Average Columbus gas price continues to drop, 36 cents per gallon in three weeks

During the alleged robbery, Sams and four others wearing masks and gloves reportedly held three people at gunpoint. One of the victims was a three-month old baby. The two adult victims, one of which was the store owner, told police they were restrained and had handguns pointed at them throughout the incident.

Five armed-robbery suspects are accused of stealing over $30,000 in merchandise in north Columbus. (Courtesy/Central Ohio Crime Stoppers)

Police said the suspects took merchandise from the store valued up to $30,000. Among the items stolen were watches, sunglasses, handbags and several pieces of luggage before the suspects fled in two separate vehicles.

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An investigation, along with tips received, security camera video, and License Plate Recognition readers, supported the conclusion that Sams was one of the five suspects. He appeared in Franklin County Municipal Court on Monday and was issued a $350,000 bond while charged with aggravated robbery.

Sams is next scheduled to appear in court on June 18 for a preliminary hearing. The other four suspects have not yet been identified by police.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
23rd Ramstein meeting to take place in Brussels on 13 June

The next meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein format) will be held in person on 13 June at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

Source: the programme of events on the Alliance's website, European Pravda reports

Details: The 23rd Ramstein meeting will be held as part of a meeting of defence ministers of the North Atlantic Alliance.

According to the programme, both the Ramstein meeting and the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the ministerial level will take place on 13 June.

At the same time, on 15 June, NATO defence ministers will hold a meeting of the North Atlantic Council and the Nuclear Planning Group.

The 22nd meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defence was held online and focused on strengthening Kyiv's air defence and supplying artillery shells.

In addition, some countries announced their intent to provide Ukraine with military aid packages.

Background: State leaders of the North Atlantic Alliance will focus on three critical points concerning Ukraine at the summit in Washington, but they will not discuss its NATO membership or potential accession timelines.

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(KRON)  Three teenagers were killed in two separate shootings in Oakland Monday morning, according to the Oakland Police Department.

The first shooting occurred just before 1:30 a.m. in the 900 block of Filbert Street, OPD said. Officers were sent to respond to reports of an unresponsive person. Arriving at the scene, officers found a victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound.

Paramedics responded and the victim was pronounced deceased.

Kite surfer rescued from beach after spelling HELP with rocks

The second incident occurred just after 2 a.m. in the 1300 block of 102nd Avenue. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation.

Flowers and candles are left at an Oakland homicide scene on June 10, 2024. (KRON4 Photo)

Arriving at the scene, officers found a man, identified as an Antioch resident, suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The man was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

A short while later, OPD Communications Division was notified of a second victim, a juvenile male San Francisco resident, who arrived at the hospital with gunshot wounds. Hospital personnel provided treatment for the victim who died at the hospital.

Police are withholding all three victims identities, pending notification of next of kin. However, at a news conference on Monday afternoon, OPD identified the victims as a 16-year-old male, a 17-year-old male, and an 18-year-old male.

The incidents marked Oaklands 38th, 39th and 40 homicides of 2024.

The OPD Homicide Section has taken over the investigation into both incidents.

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Three Florida mothers are suing Gov. Ron DeSantiss (R) administration over its controversial book-banning policies after one of the trio wasnt allowed to defend a book that was removed from the shelves in their school district.

Nancy Tray, Anne Watts Tressler and Stephana Ferrell are challenging the Florida law that made it easier for parents who took issues with certain books in classrooms to get the titles removed. They contend their First Amendment rights are violated through the law because parents who oppose a book removal allegedly do not have proper recourse to fight for the title.

The plaintiffs, parents of students in Florida public schools, are seeking review of their local school boards decisions to remove or restrict books in their childrens school districts and do not have access to seek that review, Democracy Foward, one of the groups representing the parents, said in a statement.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida with Democracy Forward, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and the Southern Poverty Law Center representing the three plaintiffs.

The lawsuit details how Ferrell wanted to challenge the removal of a book titled Shut Up! by Marilyn Reynolds from her district.

School officials said the appeal process was only for parents looking to remove books from the shelves and she did not have a proper basis for her challenge, according to the lawsuit.

When Ferrell took it to the state level, her challenge was again shot down.

A special magistrate is not available to contest a districts decision to remove material or for the purpose of providing clarification on the law. As such, your request has been dismissed, officials from the state Department of Education told Ferrell.

The lawsuit argues her request for a review was denied because she did not hold the same opinion as the state.

The State of Florida should not be able to discriminate against the voices of parents they disagree with  I deserve an equal voice in my childs education as any other parent, Ferrell said.

The Florida Department of Education would not comment directly on the lawsuit but said, There are no books banned in Florida. However, sexually explicit material and instruction are not suitable for classrooms.

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Russian troops carried out attacks against the village of Tsvitkovo in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on June 10, injuring three individuals, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported.



Four Russian guided aerial bombs caused the destruction of several homes and outbuildings, the governor said.



The injured residents suffered shrapnel wounds and are receiving medical attention.



Zaporizhzhia, a city with a population of around 710,000, lies in Ukraine's southeast. Zaporizhzhia is subjected to regular Russian attacks due to its proximity to the front line.



In the last few weeks, Russian forces have targeted and damaged Zaporizhzhias International Airport and Dnipro Hydroelectric Station.

Read also: Report: Russias war has caused over $56 billion in damage to Ukraines energy sector

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
3-year-old boy hospitalized after falling 30 feet out of window in Manchester, NH

A 3-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital after falling around 30 feet from the third story of a Manchester, New Hampshire home Sunday.

Emergency crews responded to a home just after 1:00 p.m. where the boys father told responders his son had fallen from a third-floor window.

The boy was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for significant head and facial injuries.

Manchester Fire Chief Ryan Cashin says the incident appears to be accidental.

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.

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FOUNTAIN GREEN, Utah (ABC4)  A 31-year-old man is accused of kidnapping two foster children from Sanpete County, one of whom he was allegedly dating, and taking them to Los Angeles, Calif.

Delmar Darinel Escalante Isidro, 31, faces two felony kidnapping charges, according to a probable cause statement from Sanpete County.

Man accused of assaulting 2, trying to disarm officers at SLC Intl Airport

The two children, one a 16-year-old girl and the other a 12-year-old girl, were last seen on June 3 and reported missing by their foster parents. According to court documents, the two girls had been moved to another home in Tropic, Utah, to hide them from a boyfriend who was sneaking into the residence and engaging in relations with the 16-year-old juvenile female.

The foster family reported the boyfriend as Isidro, though they noted he was going by another name while in Tropic: Humberto Cadena, 34.

On June 4, police were notified by the Guatemalan parents of the two girls. The girls had told their parents they were in Los Angeles with a friend, staying at a family members house. The parents told the girls to return to the foster family, but when they asked for more information on their whereabouts, they allegedly ended the call.

A case worker with the Department of Family and Child Services were able to provide photos of Isidro, while Garfield County Sheriffs deputies confirmed his alter ego, Cadena.

A deputy with Garfield County noted they had encountered Isidro as Cadena on May 10, when he was found passed out on the residences lawn where the juveniles were staying. Isidro was allegedly so intoxicated at the time, an ambulance had to be called. After his release from the hospital, he disappeared.

By June 6, police said the foster family believed the missing girls were staying with a woman named Linsi Barrios in L.A. By this time, however, the girls were believed to be back en route to Fountain Green. Later that night, the girls were sighted at a Walmart in Cedar City. A teacher from Garfield County was in the Walmart, where the girls allegedly ran up to her and hugged her. The girls were reportedly very dirty and their parents were not around.

Driver injured in runaway semi-truck incident in Park City

When the 12-year-old hugged her, she did not want to let go, which caused concern, stated the court documents.

Later that night, the girls were found in Isidros custody in a car with California license plates. The girls were hiding in the backseat and appeared scared, stated the court documents. Isidros admitted to taking the two girls across state lines. The 12-year-old, specifically, was not able to give legal consent to this, as she is under the age of 14.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Hungary detained 32 Ukrainians who illegally crossed the border by a truck in Zakarpattia Oblast, State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said on national television on June 10.

The confirmation came after reports that a Gaz-66 truck broke through the border at the Kosyno and Velyka Byihan section on June 9 and entered Hungary.

Ukrainian border guards spotted the movement of the vehicle near the border with technical means and subsequently found tracks in the direction of the Hungarian border, Demchenko said.

"The vehicle's affiliation with any military formation has not been confirmed, although it was recorded that the car had black license plates," the spokesperson said.

Ukrainian border guards detained several men who may be involved in the illegal crossing of the border, Demchenko added.

No further details were disclosed.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, there have been multiple reports of men attempting to illegally flee Ukraine, including by swimming the Tysa River, which flows along the border with Hungary, Romania, and Moldova.

Men of draft age are banned from leaving the country during martial law, with several exemptions.

Read also: Ukrainian men abroad can now register for military service at foreign consulates

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan has called for an urgent parliamentary session on June 17 to discuss a draft motion regarding the government's resignation and the formation of a new cabinet. The order was uploaded to National Assemblys website, Trend reports.

"In accordance with the article of the Armenian Constitution and the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, and at the initiative of National Assembly members, an urgent session will be held on June 17, 2024 with the following agenda: 'Draft message of the National Assembly on the resignation of the government and the need to form a new government," the order reads.

On Sunday evening, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the leader of the Tavush for the Motherland opposition movement, said that the opposition would initiate the process of impeachment of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in parliament while the people would support it outside the legislative body. After that, thousands of people gathered near the Parliaments building on Bagramyan Avenue and stayed there all night.
4 busted with hundreds of pounds of stolen avocados from Southern California farm

Four Los Angeles County residents were arrested and booked into jail on conspiracy charges after they were pulled over with hundreds of pounds of stolen avocados in their vehicle.

The arrests were made possible thanks to a county-wide neighborhood watch program called Farm Watch, a partnership with the Ventura County Sheriffs Office and hundreds of local farms, ranches and nurseries.

On Sunday around 2:40 p.m., sheriffs deputies from the FIllmore station responded to a ranch on the 3000 block of Telegraph Road that had reported a major avocado theft.

Farm Watch used to bust SoCal theft crew

The victim was able to provide detailed information about the suspect vehicle, which was located by patrol officers as it attempted to flee the area.

A traffic stop was conducted which led to the identification of four suspects: David Melchor, 18; Jesus Pozos, 23; Valentin Pozos, 33; and Epifania Pozos, 37. All four are residents of Norwalk in L.A. County, officials said.

Inside the vehicle, deputies discovered hundreds of pounds of stolen avocados, which were returned to the rancher.

The four suspects are described as an agricultural theft group that may have targeted other businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley, officials said.

All four were booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility to await felony charges for agricultural theft and conspiracy, as well as misdemeanor trespassing charges.

They are due in court on June 11 and are being held on $10,000 bail each, jail records show.

The Ventura County Sheriffs Office encourages members of the agriculture community to join the Farm Watch program to receive electronic alerts and information about latest crime trends.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Four West Michigan communities will get help from the state to make water infrastructure upgrades.

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The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has announced another round of grants for the MI Clean Water Plan. The latest grants will provide $64.4 million for 24 communities.

Three grants will take up the bulk of the grant money: the city of Manistique, the village of Bellevue and Benton Charter Township will each receive between $18 million and $19.965 million to fund construction projects.

Caledonia Charter Township and the city of Muskegon Heights will receive grants to help them map out water infrastructure upgrades. Caledonia will receive $185,000, while Muskegon Heights will receive $118,400.

Whitmer releases $500 million water infrastructure plan

The city of Norton Shores and the village of Lawrence will receive grants to help identify and verify lead service lines in need of replacement. Norton Shores will receive $407,928, while Lawrence will receive $432,000.

The MI Clean Water Plan allocates funds granted by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the American Rescue Plan Act. EGLE Director Phil Roos says the upgrades are key to protecting public health, the environment and Michigans freshwater resources.

Helping ensure healthy drinking water and safeguarding our Great Lakes and streams is a top priority for EGLE, Roos said in a statement. The combined targeting of federal, state and local dollars through these grant programs is helping move the needle on addressing long-overdue maintenance to our local water systems and is an example of how EGLE and the Whitmer Administration are working to protect and enhance our water resources and public health.

Michigan has more than 1,000 community wastewater systems across the state, and nearly as many drinking water systems. They serve approximately 70% of all Michigan residents.

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Some 44 horses were killed and one person seriously injured when a fire engulfed a horse barn Saturday in Logan County, Ohio.

Brant Performance Horses near Belle Center, Ohio, about an hour northwest of Columbus, used a barn that measured about 60,000 square feet and stabled about 85 horses. It also featured a performing area for the horses and a living space for employees.

Firefighters from Logan, Hardin and Union counties worked together to extinguish the barn fire, according to Jason Johns, assistant fire chief of the Richland Township Fire Department.

The fire was first noticed around noon Saturday by a Brant Performance Horses employee, according to Cathy Brant of Brant Performance Horses.

PHOTO: The burnt barn that measured 60,000 square feet belonged to Brant Performance Horses. (Cathy Brant)

"An employee was in the barn, saw smoke and yelled fire," Brant told ABC News. She said an explosion occurred only seconds later and generated a larger fire.

Eric Priest, owner of Priest Performances Horses in Belle Center, who kept some of his horses at the barn, ran inside to attempt to free the horses and was caught in the explosion. He sustained second- and third-degree burns to his arms, back and head, according to Brant, and faces possible surgery.

MORE: Large fire burns at Miami apartment building where man found shot inside

Firefighters were at the scene for about 12 hours on Saturday. "Slowly but surely we were getting the fire to calm down," Johns told ABC News. "The building was already starting to collapse and it wasn't safe to enter."

Four employees lived in the building and lost everything, Brant said.

PHOTO: A close-up of burnt metal after the Brant Performance Horses' barn caught fire. (Cathy Brant)

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A GoFundMe page created for the owners of Brant Performance Horses had raised just over $235,000 as of Monday afternoon, while two GoFundMe pages created for the owners of Priest Performance Horses had together raised nearly $40,000 by Monday afternoon.

"The amount of the support is incredible," said Brant, who added that the money will be used to rebuild the property. In the meantime, the business will operate out of another barn 40 minutes north, she said.

44 horses dead, 1 person injured in massive Ohio barn fire originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Authorities say 25 kilograms of suspected cocaine was found washed up on an Alabama beach  just one day after divers discovered the same amount of the drugs off the coast of Florida.

The Mobile County Sheriff's Office said the cocaine, packaged in individual bundles, was found Thursday on the west side of Dauphin Island, CBS affiliate WKRG-TV reported. The 55 pounds of drugs had an estimated street value of $450,000.

An image released by the sheriff's office showed 25 packages of the suspected drugs, some of them with a "%" sticker on the front.

25 kilograms of suspected cocaine washed up on Dauphin Island. / Credit: Mobile County Sheriff's Office

The sheriff's office said the Dauphin Island Police Department contacted them after the apparent drugs were spotted on the beach. Detectives did not find any additional packages but are continuing to monitor the area, WKRG reported.

The discovery came just one day after scuba divers exploring the waters off Key West, Florida, found 25 kilograms of suspected cocaine. The packages were located about 100 feet underwater in the Atlantic Ocean, officials said. The stash was turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Also last week, the U.S. Coast Guard said it offloaded more than 4,800 pounds of cocaine worth over $63 million at a port in Florida after Coast Guard officers fired at and sank a speedboat suspected of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean Sea.

Drug traffickers routinely transport cocaine through waters in the Gulf Coast and Caribbean Sea and it's not uncommon for narcotics to be found washed up on or near U.S. beaches.

Just last month, a beachgoer found about $1 million worth of cocaine washed up along the Florida Keys, CBS Miami reported.

In 2023, packages of cocaine worth more than $100,000 washed up on several Florida beaches. Also last year, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, while on a fishing trip with her family, reeled in 70 pounds of cocaine.

In January 2023, nearly 150 pounds of packaged cocaine washed up on Big Pine Key, Florida, and in 2019, bricks of cocaine were discovered on two beaches after Hurricane Dorian slammed into the Sunshine State.

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"
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Five people were taken to the hospital Sunday night after a stabbing in north Austin, according to the Austin Police Department.

Police said officers responded to a shoot/stab call at 8:42 p.m. at an apartment complex on North Lamar Boulevard. The five victims were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

APD said there was no continued threat to the public. Police did not confirm if a suspect was in custody, but they did say the victims all knew the suspect.

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This is a developing story and will be updated.

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While funding for Italian startups has been growing, the country still ranks eighth in Europe by VC investment, according to Dealroom.

Newly created Italian Founders Fund (IFF) hopes to help with the catching up, both in quantity and in quality. With 50 million to invest into 25 companies, it also positions itself as a sector agnostic, founder friendly fund that understands the pain points of entrepreneurs.

IFF's portfolio already includes four companies, with a fifth deal in the works. Two have been disclosed so far: Before customer research platform Glaut in April, IFF led a 2023 round of funding into HR tech startup Jet HR.

"IFF is addressing the challenge for early-stage founders in Italy to find a high conviction lead investor at the pre-seed and seed stages," IFF founding partner Lorenzo Franzi (third from the right in the picture above) told TechCrunch.

Some may disagree with the diagnosis; VC firms that operate in Italy already include CDP Venture Capital, Exor Ventures, LVenture Group, Milano Investment Partners, Pariter Partners, Primo Ventures and United Ventures.

Franzi, however, thinks that this still leaves a gap for early-stage capital. And either way, IFF comes up as a new source of capital for a market whose startups collectively receive far less funding than France's, for instance, despite the fact that the two countries have a similar population size.

IFF is also a complement to accelerators such as H-FARM, and a step up from the angel investing that Franzi and other entrepreneurs-turned-backers had been engaging in.

A former CEO at laundry startup Laundrapp turned partner at Global Founders Capital until late 2022, he said the "unstructured" approach inherent to angel investing can lead to several issues such as limited analysis, complex cap tables and undersized funding rounds. IFF can bring the structure of a fund to its investment process, but also be hands-on after it invests.

For instance, IFF was able to help portfolio companies with key hires, commercial expansion and strategic partnerships, Franzi said. Jet HR CEO Marco Ogliengo concurred, noting that IFF's value-add comes from the fact that it is "backed by basically every successful Italian founder."

That may be hyperbole; but according to Franzi, around 100 of IFF's backers are indeed Italian entrepreneurs. He added that they come from a wide range of generations and sectors, but with a shared goal: to put Italy on the map of the best spots in Europe to open a company.

That's an ambitious goal, especially since some of the pain points are out of IFF's remit: There's not much a private VC firm can do to counterbalance high taxes and paperwork. There have been more recent public efforts to boost the country's attractiveness and its tech sector; but unlike CDP Capital, which is backed by state agencies, IFF is entirely privately funded.

https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/17/surging-homegrown-talent-and-vc-sparks-an-italian-tech-renaissance

In absence of public funding or institutional LPs, IFF is free to invest wherever it sees fit. It will use this geographical flexibility to also back Italian founders operating abroad, as well as foreign startups interested in entering the Italian market.

Foreign connections go both ways, with IFF aiming to get foreign VC funds to co-invest in its portfolio, either initially or in follow-on rounds. It will also help that some of its LPs are GPs of foreign funds, and that it plans to back Italian founders with global ambitions.

Global Italian startups include Bending Spoons, the owner of popular apps and services like Evernote and Meetup, which is valued at $2.55 billion. And with serial Italian entrepreneurs returning home to found their next ventures, it seems fitting that they now have a founder-led fund to back them.

IFF will be managed by KOINOS Capital, a private equity fund that has been expanding into VC, and whose CEO, Marco Morgese, noted examples of founder-led funds in other markets, such as Founders Fund in the U.S. or more recently, Galion.exe in France.

Seeing IFF adopt this model in Italy is one more sign that the ecosystem is maturing. When it comes to venture capital, numbers are improving, but there's still more to do. "In Italy, challenging the status quo on processes, speed and an entrepreneur-focused mindset is essential," Franzi said.
6 things I wish I knew before setting foot on a cruise ship that all first-time cruisers should keep in mind

I went on a cruise for the first time on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in April 2022.

After taking the trip, I think there are some things everyone should know before going on a cruise.

Here's what I learned about aspects as varied as how to pick a cabin and where to go for dinner.

Before I took my first cruise in April 2022, I had never even seen a cruise ship.

It was a seven-night voyage on one of the largest cruise ships in the world, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. We sailed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Roatan, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

While I had a good time, I ultimately decided the cruising lifestyle wasn't for me. But there were some things that would've made my trip a little easier and more comfortable. Here's what I think all first-time cruisers should know before setting sail.

Some cruise ship cabins can be rockier than others, like those situated at the front of the ship.

The author's room was at the front of the ship. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Before booking, I wish I'd researched how the location of a cabin can affect the amount of motion you feel while the ship is moving.

My ocean-view stateroom was at the front of the ship, and I didn't expect to feel as much movement in my cabin as I did. But I later learned that ships rock from side to side, so the front and back move more than the middle.

Several seasoned cruisers on the voyage told me that the front of the ship was one of the worst places to feel motion. Higher decks in the middle of the ship felt calmer and more stable.

If you are as prone to motion sickness as I am, I suggest choosing a room in the middle of the ship.

The restaurants included in the cruise rate had all different types of food and were high quality, so splurging on specialty restaurants wasn't necessary.

The author's dinner in the main dining room. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

One of the most distinctive things about cruising is that most meals, snacks, and drinks are included in the cruise rate.

But on large ships like Wonder of the Seas, more than a dozen restaurants with specialty offerings, like sushi, are not included and incur additional charges, either a one-time fee or by the dish. I paid $40 to $60 for each meal.

I reserved all specialty restaurants before my trip, but I wish I hadn't booked so many once I realized the included restaurants offered a wide range of delicious food to eat.

There was more than one buffet, and the main dining room served a three-course meal with changing menu items each night.

These included options satisfied every craving. One of the best meals I had was in the main dining room.

Since I booked so many specialty restaurants, I didn't have time to try all the buffets or eat in the main dining room more than once. If I had known they'd be so satisfying, I would've saved money and eaten more of the included meals instead.

Formal nights weren't enforced, so don't waste luggage space on nice outfits if you don't want to participate.

The author on the first formal night. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I hate dressing formally, but I knew cruises required formal nights, so I brought one nice dress with me. After the first formal night, however, I learned that the dress code wasn't strictly enforced. I noticed people wore a variety of outfits, from evening gowns to T-shirts.

I relaxed my look on the other two formal nights, but the dress felt like a waste of the limited space in my suitcase. If I had known it wasn't necessary to wear, I would've left it at home.

Laundry on board was expensive, so bring a bar of laundry soap to save money.

Inside the author's closet in her cabin. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Since I brought only a carry-on suitcase, I was hoping to get some laundry done on board, but then I saw the pricing sheet.

I live in New York City, and most apartments I've rented haven't included in-unit laundry. So I'm used to paying for my clothes to be washed. But rather than pricing by weight like local New York laundromats, Royal Caribbean charges for each article of clothing. Each shirt costs $4, and a dress costs $9, while washing just one pair of underwear would be $2.

This would add up fast, I thought, so I didn't get any laundry done on my trip. If I had known the pricing before my trip, I would've brought a bar of laundry soap to hand-wash a few things.

Though it was a Caribbean cruise, I got chilly, so bring some warm clothing.

The author on the windy top deck just after sunrise. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My favorite times to be on the top decks of the ship were early in the morning and late at night, when there weren't as many crowds. But during those times, there were cold, strong winds, which made me wish I'd brought more than one sweater and pair of pants.

I would've brought a few more pairs of pants and another sweater to keep me warm (instead of the poofy formal dress). Since I didn't, I ended up wearing the same pants and sweater nearly every morning and evening.

I would've brought my own case of water if I knew it was allowed.

A case of water bottles in the author's room. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

To ensure I stayed hydrated throughout my trip, I opted for the water bottle package while booking trip extras like restaurant reservations and excursions. For $16, Royal Caribbean delivered a case of 24 water bottles to my cabin. It seemed expensive for a pack of water, but I thought this was just part of the price of cruising.

Then when I was boarding the ship, I noticed people carrying their own cases of water. That's when I realized that Royal Caribbean allows guests to bring their own nonalcoholic beverages as well as nonperishable snacks.

If I had known this, I would've brought my own water and a few snacks, too.

If I'd known these details before my cruise, I could've prepared to have a better time while saving some money. I hope they help other first-time cruisers.

The author at a port in front of the world's largest cruise ship. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

While I enjoyed parts of my cruise, some of this knowledge could've made my trip much more comfortable. If I ever cruise meet other soon-to-be first-time cruisers, I'll remember what I learned about cabin locations, formal nights, and cool, windy mornings sailing in the Caribbean Sea.

Read the original article on Business Insider
71% of Ohio eighth graders not proficient in math, according to a new report

School lockers in a hallway. Getty Images.

Almost three-fourths of Ohio eighth graders were not proficient in math and nearly two-thirds of Ohio fourth graders were not proficient in reading in 2022, according to a new study.

Seventy-one percent of Ohio eighth graders were not proficient in math  a number that has only gotten worse over time, according to the latest Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book. Back in 2019, 62% of Ohio eighth graders were not proficient in math.

Its super important to reach those benchmarks because its whats at least been shown to be where we want our students to be that helps set them up to be successful in later grades and later in life, said Matthew Tippit, policy associate at Childrens Defense Fund-Ohio.

Ohio fared slightly better than the rest of the country  74% of American eighth graders were not proficient in math, according to the report.

Sixty-five percent of Ohio fourth graders were not proficient in reading in 2022, a percent point worse when compared to 2019. Nationally, 68% of fourth graders were not proficient in reading.

Ohio public schools are preparing to implement the science of reading which is based on decades of research that shows how the human brain learns to read and incorporates phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

The states two-year budget, which was signed into law last year, included $168 million science of reading provisions.

A little more than half (57%) of Ohioans three and four-year-olds were not in school during 2018-2022, according to the report.

Thirty percent of all students nationally (14.7 million) were chronically absent from school, which typically means missing at least 10% of school days in a year.

The COVID-19 pandemic wrought serious academic damage as it closed schools and separated students from their physical learning environment, Annie E. Casey Foundation President and CEO Lisa Hamilton said in the report. Unprecedented drops in fourth grade reading and eighth grade math proficiency among students in the United States between 2019 and 2022 amounted to decades of lost progress.

The stakes for catching up on the COVID-19 learning loss are high. Up to $31 trillion in the U.S. economic activity is dependent on addressing unfinished pandemic-era backsliding, according to a February report from the Hoover Institution, a public policy think tank at Stanford University.

Students who dont go beyond lower math levels could be 50% more likely to be unemployed after high school, according to a 2013 report published in the Federal Reserve Bank of Clevelands Economic Commentary.

Overall, Ohio ranked 28th in the nation based on 16 indicators and ranked 18th in the education category.

Poverty

Almost half a million Ohio children were living in poverty in 2022, according to the report. The 446,000 children living in poverty made up 18% of Ohios kids. 10% of Ohio children representing 264,000 kids lived in high-poverty areas in 2022.

Sixteen percent of American children totaling 11,583,000 kids were living in poverty in 2022, according to the study.

Thats so concerning to me just because of what we know that living in poverty can do to all other factors of life, Tippit said. We know that health indicators tend to be lower. We know that education outcomes are worse. We know that long term, youre more likely to stay at that level of income as your family.

About 40% of Ohio children have experienced one or more adverse childhood experience such as family economic hardships, their parents being divorced or a parent spending time in jail, according to the report.

Ohio House Bill 352 would create the 26-member Adverse Childhood Experiences Study Commission which would recommend legislative strategies to the General Assembly.

State Reps. Rachel B. Baker, D-Cincinnati, and Sara Carruthers, R-Hamilton, introduced the bipartisan bill which passed last month in the House.

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on X.

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Tom Lorig served at 14 national parks and previously worked as a registered nurse for 40 years, according to the National Park Service

Bryce Canyon National Park/Facebook Tom Lorig

A 78-year-old park ranger died last week after he tripped and hit his head on a rock while working at a festival in Utah.

Tom Lorig was working at Bryce Canyons annual Astronomy Festival on Friday, June 7, when he fell and struck his head on the "large rock" while directing a visitor to a shuttle bus around 11:30 a.m. local time, according to the National Park Service (NPS).



After being found unresponsive, a visitor notified a nearby law enforcement ranger of Lorigs condition, per NPS. Authorities provided initial life-saving care but were unsuccessful in reviving Lorig.

Related: 21-Year-Old Woman Dies After 300-Foot Fall at Rocky Mountain National Park

In a statement shared by NPS, Superintendent Jim Ireland said that Lorig "served Bryce Canyon, the National Park Service, and the public as an interpretive park ranger, forging connections between the world and these special places that he loved.

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.

As our community processes and grieves this terrible loss, we extend our deepest condolences to all of Ranger Lorigs family and friends, his statement continued.

Related: Colorado Woman, 26, Dies After Falling 500 Feet While Free-Solo Climbing at National Park

In his statement, Ireland also thanked those who were on hand to assist Lorig after he fell. We also want to express gratitude to the National Park Service and Garfield County emergency services staff who responded, as well as to the bystanders who assisted NPS first responders.

After his 40-year career as a registered nurse, Lorig embarked on his journey as a National Park Ranger in 1968, according to the agency. His decades of service included working at 14 national parks.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. The European People's Party, which includes the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, won the election to the European Parliament by a large margin, says the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, who presented the preliminary results of the European Union election at a press conference held in Brussels, Trend reports.

According to her, the party will receive 189 seats out of 720, improving its position compared to the current composition of the European Parliament.

In second place are socialists - 135 seats, in third place are liberals - 80 seats, in fourth place are far-right parties - 72 seats, in fifth place are far-right parties from the Identity and Democracy faction.
Honoring the 49: Orlando to mark 8 years since the Pulse nightclub shooting

Throughout this week, the community is coming together to remember the 49 victims killed in the Pulse Nightclub mass shooting.

The tragedy shook Central Florida to its core eight years ago.

Prayer ribbons will be placed at Orlando City Hall this week. Its just one of the remembrance events to take place around Central Florida.

Last Friday, Orlando leaders announced theyre forming an advisory board to help determine what the permanent pulse memorial should look like. It comes after the OnePulse Foundation dissolved last year without ever building a permanent memorial.

Read: The City of Orlando displays 49 ribbons to honor victims from the Pulse Nightclub shooting

Over the weekend, thousands of runners laced up their sneakers for the annual commUNITY Rainbow Run.

On Wednesday, June 12th, eight years to the day of the shooting, members of the community can honor the victims in multiple ways.

A Remembrance Day blood drive, the ringing of 49 bells, and a remembrance ceremony Wednesday night will provide community members multiple outlets to honor the memory of those 49 lives.

Read: Intense heat could usher in afternoon storms

On Wednesday, Orlando Health ORMC plans to unveil its newly expanded trauma center that the doctors and nurses who treated the pulse survivors helped redesign.

Channel 9 will have a crew there for the unveiling at 11 a.m.

Click here to find more details about the events.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Ward 10 Providence City Councilor Pedro Espinal is shown in May 2024 checking out a converted garage that is now an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant 1-bedroom accessory dwelling unit at the West Broadway Neighborhood Association building on Westminster Street. (Providence City Council photo)

The housing crisis is here. This is not hyperbole. It is estimated that Rhode Island residents are facing a 24,000-unit affordable housing shortage. In fact, the latest AARP LTSS (Long-Term Supports and Services) Scorecard ranked Rhode Island 51st in the nation  dead last  when it comes to housing availability for older adults.

The need to take decisive action could not be more urgent.

Rhode Island lawmakers must address the states housing shortage. As the session winds down, legislators must move forward on House Bill 7062 and Senate Bill 2630. The proposed legislation will expand housing options by easing barriers that prevent homeowners from creating an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on their property.

Why would easing restrictions on ADUs make a difference? Its not that complicated.

Older residents overwhelmingly want to live independently as they age. Indeed, 96% of Rhode Islanders responding to AARPs recent Vital Voices Survey of adults 45 and older indicated that staying in their homes as they age is important. They want to remain in the place where they have established roots, raised families and contributed to the local economy.

But staying in the family home may not be ideal indefinitely. The once-perfect family home may now be too big or require too much costly upkeep and maintenance. But in todays housing market, downsizing at an affordable price has become close to impossible. Without reasonable housing choices, too many older Rhode Islanders are forced to stay where they are, becoming house rich and cash poor. If the current home is no longer age-friendly and accessible, some may be forced into more costly and less desirable nursing home care.

ADUs can help fill a desperate housing void.

A small, cottage-like structure or addition to the existing home, an ADU can provide flexible living arrangements for families in many ways, including:

Older homeowners can create an ADU on their property to move into and rent the larger house  or the opposite. They can also offer the ADU or larger house to children or grandchildren so the family can live together, but with their own, separate spaces. Family caregivers can offer Mom, Dad or other loved ones a place to call their own where they can maintain their independence while also receiving any help they may need, such as transportation, meal preparation or medication management. Older residents can rent an ADU from another homeowner so they can stay in the community they know.

Without reasonable housing choices, too many older Rhode Islanders are forced to stay where they are, becoming house rich and cash poor.

The bottom line is the bottom line for many Rhode Islanders: ADUs help families save time and money. They help older Rhode Islanders stay in their homes and communities where they want to be. And they help family caregivers manage the big responsibilities that come with assisting older parents, spouses and other loved ones.

Our current housing framework must be updated to serve Rhode Island families today and in the future. Providing single-lot homeowners across the state with the opportunity to create an ADU on their property is a step in the right direction to increase housing options and availability.

We cant waste time.

On behalf of more than 125,000 AARP members statewide, AARP Rhode Island thanks the House of Representatives for passing House Bill 7062 and urges the Senate to act swiftly to pass an ADU bill.

The post Accessory dwelling units offer flexible housing, independence and dignity for older adults appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
DUI suspect accused of pulling gun on another Tri-Cities driver after crashing

A suspected drunk driver allegedly threatened several witnesses with a gun after crashing into a fence in Kennewick Sunday afternoon.

Investigators believe Joel Briones, 25, ran a stop sign near the corner of West Canal Drive and North Cleveland Street about 12:20 p.m.

He nearly hit another driver before slamming into a chain link fence, said a Kennewick police news release.

Briones got out of his SUV and began yelling at the driver of the car he nearly collided with just east of Edison Street.

During the argument, Briones allegedly pulled a gun on other driver, said police.

Briones then allegedly ran toward a North Cleveland Street apartment complex. Someone spotted him tossing something into a vacant lot along the way.

He was later arrested after he was seen leaving an apartment.

Kennewick and Pasco police K9 dogs found an extended magazine for a pistol in the vacant lot and they seized a gun inside the apartment he was leaving.

Police did not say if the magazine, which holds more than 10 rounds, was loaded with ammunition. Its legal to own one but not to sell, make or distribute them in Washington state.

He was booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of second-degree assault, hit-and-run, illegally possessing a gun and DUI.
An activist investor with a new $1.9 billion stake in Southwest is calling for big changes at the airline

An activist investor with a new $1.9 billion stake in Southwest is calling for big changes at the airline

Elliott Management has called for changes at Southwest to fix what it says is poor performance.

Southwest's share price has plummeted over 50% in three years, to below March 2020 levels.

The hedge fund's "Stronger Southwest" plan suggests new leadership and a review of the business model.

Southwest Airlines touts itself as the "LUV" carrier, with its two free checked bags and comedic flight crews  a strategy that revolutionized low-cost air travel and earned the carrier a 47-year profitability streak from 1973 to 2019.

However, Elliott Investment Management said Monday that the airline's decades-old strategies weren't working in modern times, and it's calling for a management and board-of-directors overhaul as part of a plan it's calling "Stronger Southwest."

"Poor execution and leadership's stubborn unwillingness to evolve the Company's strategy have led to deeply disappointing results for shareholders, employees and customers alike," the activist investment firm said in a letter announcing a new $1.9 billion stake, which makes it among the company's largest shareholders.

Elliott said Southwest leadership had a "rigid commitment" to the model it dreamed up decades ago, blaming that for today's shortcomings. It cited a major meltdown in December 2022 that affected millions of passengers, which stemmed from antiquated crew-scheduling systems and resulted in snowballing cancellations across the country.

"No senior executives were terminated for their role in the meltdown," it said. Elliott would also like to see new, outside talent on the board of directors.

Southwest's stock price has fallen more than 50% in three years, Elliot said, underperforming some competitors and falling below 2020 levels.

"The mandate from the Board has been clear: Keep doing things the way they have always been done," the letter said. Elliott added that its ideas could help push the stock up 77% to $49 a share.

Shares rose more than 7% in trading Monday after Elliott unveiled its stake.

Southwest says it's confident in its executive team

Southwest told Business Insider that it looked forward to "better understanding their views on our company" and defended its board and executive team.

"The Southwest Board of Directors is confident in our CEO and management's ability to execute against the company's strategic plan to drive long-term value for all shareholders, safely and reliably serve our customers, and deliver on our commitments to all of our stakeholders," a spokesperson said.

Raymond James' airline analyst Savanthi Syth said Southwest could improve its financial performance with better customer service and route enhancements, pointing to red-eye flights and suggesting the prospect of assigned seating.

"We are not surprised by activist interest in Southwest given the very strong franchise with valuable tangible and intangible assets," she said.

She added that Southwest had "correctly" started to scale back its ambitious growth plans and had the opportunity to address outdated technology.

Elliott Management, which oversees $66 billion in assets, is one of the world's most feared activist hedge funds. Beyond Southwest, the firm recently disclosed positions in Texas Instruments, the mining company Anglo American, and Match Group, the online-dating company behind Tinder.

"After 18 months of intensive research, we are convinced that Southwest represents the most compelling airline turnaround opportunity in the last two decades," Elliott said. "The significant investment we have made reflects our conviction that, with the right leadership, Southwest can regain its status as an industry-leading airline."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Advocates Say the Justice Department Is Failing To Provide Relief to Women Who Were Abused in Prison

Last November, federal prosecutors invited Ilene Wahpeta, an incarcerated woman, to give a victim impact statement at the sentencing of Andrew Jones, a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employee who was convicted of sexually assaulting three other inmates.

Less than a year later, the U.S. government is fighting a petition Wahpeta filed for early release based on the same allegations that prosecutors previously invited her to speak about, arguing she wasn't a named victim in the criminal case against Jones and that her claims aren't credible.

The Justice Department announced in 2022, amid several damning investigations into sexual assault by staff in federal prisons, that it was working to expand a program for early release to include women who'd been abused behind bars, but Wahpeta's case is one example of what criminal justice advocates say is the Justice Department undercutting that policy. Lawyers representing incarcerated women filing for early release based on their status as sexual assault survivors say federal prosecutors are now routinely fighting to disqualify their clients because of an unreasonably narrow definition.

At the heart of the issue is a new policy passed in April 2023 by the U.S. Sentencing Commission that makes federal inmates who were sexually abused by staff eligible for compassionate release. Compassionate release is a policy that allows federal inmates to petition for early release for "extraordinary and compelling" reasons, such as terminal illness or family emergencies. However, the expansion included a major caveat that was added at the recommendation of the Justice Department. To be eligible, a prisoner's claim of sexual abuse "must be established by a conviction in a criminal case, a finding or admission of liability in a civil case, or a finding in an administrative proceeding."

Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), a criminal justice advocacy group, has been coordinating legal representation for women who were formerly incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin, a federal women's prison in California that was infested with so much corruption, sexual abuse, and whistleblower retaliation that the BOP shut it down earlier this year.

Shanna Rifkin, the deputy general counsel at FAMM, says they have secured releases for 17 women out of the 25 cases they've taken on. But Rifkin says government opposition has increased significantly since the new policy statement took effect.

"Before November 1, 2023, when this policy statement went into effect, in almost every single case the government was agreeing or not opposing the compassionate release motion," Rifkin says. "Since then, there has been a lot more resistance to compassionate release motions based on sexual abuse."

The Justice Department argued that requiring a finding of guilt would set a clear standard for judges. It wrote in a public comment on the Sentencing Commission's proposed changes that "permitting compassionate release hearings only after the completion of other administrative or legal proceedings will help ensure that allegations are more fairly adjudicated, prevent mini-trials on allegations, and reduce interference with pending investigations and prosecutions."

However, Rifkin says this undercuts one of the major reforms in the FIRST STEP Act of 2018. That act changed compassionate release to allow inmates to directly petition federal judges, significantly reducing the BOP's power to stonewall and delay petitions.

"It effectively puts the Department of Justice back in the driver's seat," Rifkin says of the new policy statement, "because who drives a criminal case? The Department of Justice. Victims of abuse have no say over when a case against their abuser will be brought, if it will be brought, and who will be charged as the victims in the case."

And while a finding of guilt may sound like a reasonable standard, it is a surprisingly difficult one to meet in cases of sexual assault perpetrated by government employees.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, from 2016 to 2018, perpetrators of staff sexual misconduct were only convicted, sentenced, fined, or pleaded guilty in 6 percent of substantiated incidents in federal and state prisons.

Reason detailed last year how a cadre of corrupt guards at a federal minimum security camp in Florida was allowed to prey on women for years without oversight. Those guards eventually admitted under oath to internal affairs investigators that they had assaulted incarcerated women, yet most were allowed to retire and none was ever prosecuted.

Over the past year, the Justice Department has ramped up scrutiny of prisons and prosecutions of corrupt BOP employees, but even with more vigilant oversight, criminal cases do not move quickly through the court system, especially if the defendant goes to trial. Rifkin cited one pending case against a former FCI Dublin correctional officer who has been charged with assaulting three women. He was indicted in May 2023, but his trial isn't scheduled until 2025.

"So women who are survivors of his abuse ostensibly have to wait until the government has concluded their case in order to have a cognizable claim under this policy statement," Rifkin explains.

As for civil suits against government employees, they routinely take years to resolve, and settlements often stipulate that they do not constitute admissions of guilt by the defendants.

The difference between how petitions have been handled before and after the new standard was enacted is stark. Take the case of Aimee Chavira, a former inmate at FCI Dublin who says she was abused by five correctional officers and continued to suffer retaliation after she was transferred out of the prison.

When Chavira filed her compassionate release petition, only one of those officers had been indicted, and another committed suicide while under investigation. Nevertheless, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California filed a motion of nonopposition in response to her petition. Chavira was released in May of last year.

Contrast that with Wahpeta's case, where prosecutors have not only tried to apply the adjudication requirement but also attacked her credibility.

In a court filing opposing Wahpeta's petition, prosecutors note that Wahpeta never gave her victim impact statement because of objections from Jones' attorney and concerns that her story was insufficiently corroborated. The government also puts significance on the facts that she initially refused to cooperate with FBI investigators and denied being abused; that she didn't mention being abused in letters to her family she wrote while in solitary confinement; that she contemplated getting a lawyer; and that her descriptions of abuse were remarkably similar to the narratives of the named victims in the criminal case against Jones.

"Even when writing to her parents, her main concern was getting out of confinement early, not reporting what she had seen," federal prosecutors argue. "Also, defendant never mentions being a victim of abuse, but rather that she witnessed the abuse."

But this behavior is all too common in cases of sexual abuse in prison. Incarcerated victims of sexual assault often initially refuse to cooperate with investigators out of fear of retaliation from correctional officers, who remain in total control of their lives. Indeed, Wahpeta was put in solitary confinement while Jones was under investigation, and she remained there for more than two months before Jones was removed from the prison. Besides embarrassment or any other number of personal reasons, survivors are also often vague in communications with family because correctional officers can read their letters and emails.

Bay Area news outlet KTVU has interviewed dozens of women over the past two years about sexual abuse and retaliation inside FCI Dublin, and a lawsuit on behalf of multiple incarcerated FCI Dublin women described the repression inside the prison in detail: "Survivors who report sexual abuse are verbally threatened, physically assaulted, sent to solitary confinement, given false disciplinary tickets, have their cells tossed and property destroyed, have their mail (including legal mail) interfered with, strip searched, and transferred to other BOP institutions away from their familiesand are even targeted for further sexual abuse."

In a sentencing memorandum filed in Jones' case, prosecutors were keenly aware of how retaliation works inside federal prisons. "To enforce the silence that was so critical to the perpetuation of his predation, Jones created an environment of intimidation, fear, and reprisal," prosecutors wrote. "It wasn't just words. Jones also enforced silence and obedience through violence and threats of violence."

Yet, now federal prosecutors take Wahpeta's silence as a mark against her.

"DOJ has already decided whether Ms. Wahpeta is lying. And it decided she isn't," Wahpeta's attorney wrote in a response. "It decided she isn't when the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California invited her to read a victim impact statement at Officer Andrew Jones's sentencing hearing. If the government believed that Ms. Wahpeta was lying, it would have had a duty to tell the Court. It did not do so. In fact, until its response here, at no point during the duration of Ms. Wahpeta's cooperation with the government has the government questioned what happened to Ms. Wahpeta to either her or her counsel. Nor could it. Because it's true."

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The post Advocates Say the Justice Department Is Failing To Provide Relief to Women Who Were Abused in Prison appeared first on Reason.com.
For years, Trump has loudly but falsely claimed that the election was "rigged."

In an August 2021 interview, former President Donald Trump appeared to acknowledge that he lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden before backtracking, according to an excerpt of a new book about Trumps years as a reality television star first obtained by Yahoo News.

Apprentice in Wonderland: How Donald Trump and Mark Burnett Took America Through the Looking Glass, written by Variety co-editor in chief Ramin Setoodeh, recounts a conversation between Setoodeh and Trump about Geraldo Rivera, the Fox News host who competed on The Celebrity Apprentice in 2015.

Asked if hes still on good terms with Rivera, Trump launched into a story about 2020.

After I lost the election, Trump began, before quickly trying to reverse himself. I won the election, he continued, but then when they said we lost

Trumps initial response seems to contradict everything hes said publicly since Biden won the White House by more than 7 million votes on Nov. 3, 2020.

For years, Trump has loudly but falsely claimed that his 2020 election loss was somehow fraudulent  claims that have been exhaustively debunked by fact checkers and unanimously defeated in court. Regardless, Trump has weaponized these falsehoods to rally his MAGA base and secure the Republican Partys presidential nomination for a third time.

For those who have been wronged and betrayed: I am your retribution, the former president said last year.

As a result, a full 70% of Trump supporters now believe the election was rigged and stolen, according to a Yahoo News/YouGov poll from January; just 13% believe Biden won fair and square.

Yet what Trump himself believes  behind the scenes  has long been the subject of intense scrutiny.

During the 2022 Congressional hearings into Jan. 6  an attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters who wanted to overturn the election results  multiple former staffers testified under oath that their boss had privately admitted to losing.

Can you believe I lost to this effing guy? Trump allegedly grumbled as he watched Biden on TV, according to testimony from former White House staffer Alyssa Farah Griffith.

And according to Cassidy Hutchinson, a top aide to former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows, Trump allegedly told Meadows, I dont want people to know we lost, Mark. This is embarrassing. Figure it out.

Likewise, Trumps August 2023 federal indictment on charges of conspiring to overturn the results of a presidential election hinges, in part, on evidence that Trump knew his claims were false but spread them anyway.

The Defendant was notified repeatedly that his claims were untrue  often by the people on whom he relied for candid advice on important matters, and who were best positioned to know the facts  and he deliberately disregarded the truth, the indictment reads.

In response, Trump has claimed that he was listening to different people and therefore couldnt have perpetrated a criminal conspiracy because he actually believed what he was saying.

When I added it all up, the election was rigged, the former president told NBC in 2023. You know who I listen to? Myself. I saw what happened.

Yet the inadvertent slip reported in Apprentice in Wonderland  the first time Trump is known to have said I lost the election to a journalist  threatens to further undermine this defense.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Setoodeh describes the words tumbling from Trumps mouth, almost against his own will, adding that the former president then wince[d] in surprise.

It's a moment of candor that catches Trump off guard, Setoodeh writes. Even he can't believe he said it.

After that, the spin artist in Trump takes immediate control, Setoodeh continued, trying to erase this humiliating gaffe of speaking the truth  one that could alienate his base and cost him his pride.

"I won the election, but then when they said we lost...," Trump corrected himself, appearing  in Setoodehs words  pleased at his own rapid backtracking.

Trump goes on to discuss playing phone tag with Rivera after Election Day and to dispute how Rivera characterized their conversation in a Nov. 13, 2020 tweet:

Just had heartfelt phone call w friend @realDonaldTrump who said he's a "realist" who'll do the"right thing" But he wants to see "what states do in terms of certifiction (etc)" He sounded committed to fighting for every vote & if he loses, talking more about all he's accomplished  Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) November 13, 2020

"I said, That's a real betrayal," Trump told Setoodeh. "I didn't talk about how I was feeling. It was a phone call that lasted very quickly.  Just  'Hey, how are you doing, Geraldo? How's it going?' He's not my psychiatrist!"

Apprentice in Wonderland will be published on June 18 by HarperCollins. Based on six interviews with Trump conducted between May 2021 and November 2023 at Trump Tower and Mar-a-Lago, the book is a portrait of the president in exile revisiting his time on "The Apprentice  and revealing how the lessons he learned in show business shaped his approach to governing.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced on Monday that his office is requesting the state Pardon and Parole Board to reject clemency for Richard Norman Rojem Jr., who is scheduled for execution on June 27.

The best rain chances Monday are in southwestern and southern OK closer to a stalled front in north Texas.

According to the AGs office, Rojem was convicted and sentenced to death for the July 1984 kidnapping, rape and murder of his 7-year-old former stepdaughter, Layla Dawn Cummings, in Washita County.

The family of Layla Cummings has waited 40 years for justice to be done. Her killer is a real-life monster who deserves the same absence of mercy he showed to the child he savagely murdered. I urge the Pardon and Parole Board to reject the inmates absurd request for clemency and ensure justice is done for Layla. Attorney General Gentner Drummond

Prior to the murder, Rojem had served only four years in a Michigan prison for the rape of two teenaged girls.

A clemency hearing is set for June 17.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
The US government will provide over 3,300 agrarians on frontline and liberated territories of Ukraine with free mineral fertiliser for field work during the 2024-2025 season within the framework of the AGRI-Ukraine initiative.

Source: press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine

Quote: "Ukrainian agrarians will receive 6.6 tonnes of fertiliser in total under the USAID AGRO programme. Every participant will be able to receive up to two tonnes of carbamide fertiliser."

Details: Ukraines Agrarian Ministry added that registration for the programme would be conducted through the State Agrarian Register in the category Available Programmes.

"The applications will be accepted from 11 to 25 June 2024 or until the aid is exhausted," the press service noted.

The aid can be handed over to the agrarians who:

- have from 5 to 500 hectares of land in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson or Chernihiv oblasts (except temporarily occupied territories),

- grow grain or oil crops,

- are registered as legal entities or individual entrepreneurs, specifically, family farms.

"The approved applicants who cultivate from 5 to 25 hectares of land (owned or rented) will receive one tonne of fertiliser each. Those who cultivate from 25 to 500 hectares  two tonnes each. The aid is expected to be used for growing grain and oil crops of the 2025 harvest," the ministry adds.

Background:

In 2023 and the beginning of 2024, the USAIDs Agriculture Growing Rural Opportunities (AGRO) Programme provided over 14,000 Ukrainian agrarians with fertilisers under the USAID AGRI-Ukraine Initiative. This aid provides resources for field work on an area of more than 460,000 hectares and has facilitated the growing of at least 2 million tonnes of grain.

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The Air Force on June 5 received its first combat-ready F-15EX Eagle II fighter.

The Boeing-made jet was flown from the companys facility in St. Louis, Missouri, where it was built, to Portland Air National Guard Base in Oregon.

It is the first of 18 F-15EXs to be completed at the St. Louis factory that will be assigned to the Air National Guards 142nd Wing in Portland, and the first of nearly 100 operational F-15EXs expected to be delivered to the Air Force overall.

Wing Commander Col. Michael Kosderka said in a video the Air Force posted online that it is unusual for the Air National Guard to receive a new weapon system before active duty units. But he said the skill of the 142nds pilots, maintainers, fuelers and logisticians made the wing the ideal to be the first to fly operational Eagle IIs.

This is the first time, to my knowledge, that an Air National Guard base got a major weapon system before the active component, Kosderka said. Its a super big deal.

Maj. Calvin Knife Conner and Maj. Brandon Wiggles Wigton, of the 142nd Wings 123rd Fighter Squadron, flew the two-seater fighter jet to Oregon. Air National Guard deputy director Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak attended the jets departure from the St. Louis factory.

Were here to protect the Pacific Northwest with our 24/7 alert mission, Kosderka said. Were also here to now get this new weapon system that will allow us to participate and survive in major combat operations.

Boeing said the Air Forces second operational F-15EX will fly out to Portland in the next few weeks, completing the first production lot of the jet. Boeing had previously delivered six test F-15EXs starting in 2021.

The Air Force is now planning to buy 98 F-15EXs, an updated version of the fourth-generation F-15 with advanced avionics such as fly-by-wire controls and improved electronic warfare capabilities. Boeing said it is now building about three jets every two months, and wants to pick up the pace to two per month beginning in 2025. The second lot of jets will start being delivered in late 2024.

The F-15EX will replace some F-15C and D-model jets as the Air Force retires the older fighters. But the Air Forces proposed budget for fiscal 2025 would only buy 18 F-15EXs, six fewer than originally expected, and would halt further purchases in subsequent years.

The Houses proposed 2025 defense policy bill would reverse the decision to cap the F-15EX line. Instead, it would add $271 million to buy 24 more F-15EXs in 2026 and keep the production line going.

Kosderka said his first impression of the jet was that while it looks almost identical to its predecessor, its engines were quieter than previous versions of the F-15. He said hundreds of people from around the base turned out to see the jet arrive.

When they popped the canopy open [after landing], the cheers, the clapping, its incredibly exciting, Kosderka said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. In the first quarter of this year, the number of foreign tourists arriving in Istanbul increased by 10 percent compared to the same period last year and reached 5,244,936 people. Among foreigners who came to the city, Russians are in first place with 167,824 people, the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Turkish city of Istanbul, Trend reports.

According to the information, the majority of those who came to Istanbul this year used air transport. The number of people arriving by sea fell by 29 percent.

The majority of those who visited the city this year were citizens of Azerbaijan, Germany, Iran, the USA, France, England, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Uzbekistan, the People's Republic of China and the Netherlands.
At the nations first religious charter school  an Oklahoma virtual K-12 named for the patron saint of the internet  student registration and staff recruitment are in full swing for an August opening.

If you love the Lord and you are excited about teaching  we would love to talk to you, Misty Smith, principal of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, says in a video to prospective educators.

But with the schools future still tied up in court, and legal disputes likely to continue, its unclear whether taxpayers will be picking up the cost this fall. Church leaders are having an ongoing conversation about whether to launch the online program as a private school if a court blocks it from receiving state funds, said Brett Farley, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma, a public policy organization.

Related

Are We Being Used as a Test Case?: Oklahoma Justices Question Catholic Charter

Opponents argue that the charter, approved a year ago by a state board, violates both Oklahoma and federal laws against the government funding of religion. As the principal said in another video, the school plans to provide education through a Catholic lens. With rulings in two separate cases against the school pending, however, families are still stuck in limbo. Of the 218 applications the school received as of last week, over 160 have enrolled and another 35 are deciding whether to accept a seat in the schools inaugural class.

There are so many things up in the air, said Joy Stevens, whose daughter Chloe secured a spot through the application lottery. As a contingency plan, Stevens registered her daughter in the Velma-Alma public schools, near their small farm south of Oklahoma City. I dont know if we can afford private.

The state Supreme Court has yet to rule on a lawsuit by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond it heard in April. Its unclear whether that decision will come down before state funds are set to be distributed to the school in August  an estimated $1.2 million, according to the virtual charter school board that approved the application.

In the second case, an Oklahoma County district court on July 24 will hear from a coalition of parents and advocates seeking an injunction to block the school from opening and receiving those funds. They argue that the school will discriminate against LGBTQ students and those with disabilities as well as families and staff who dont follow Catholic teachings.

They celebrated last week when the judge in the case ruled their lawsuit can move forward.

Judge Richard Ogden denied most of the claims made by defendants who wanted him to dismiss the case. The defendants, including Republican state Superintendent Ryan Walters and the state board of education, assert that the school has promised not to discriminate.

They argue that the school doesnt violate laws against the government establishing a religion because St. Isidore is a private organization that will exist with or without the charter. In addition, parents dont have to enroll their children.

No student is required to attend St. Isidore or adopt its beliefs, they wrote in their motion. St. Isidore is thus not forcing anyone to submit to religious instruction or conditioning education on any religious test.

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Choice Supporters to Catholic Charter School Backers: Proceed with Caution

A slippery slope

The state, however, wants to make sure that all public school students receive religious instruction during the school day if their parents wish, as long as theyre not missing core classes. Gov. Kevin Stitt last week signed a law clarifying that districts can allow students to take up to three religious-related classes each week  and receive elective credit.

Ohio-based Christian nonprofit Lifewise Academy, for example, provides evangelical Bible education and lobbied in favor of the Oklahoma law. The organization will expand to offer classes in 23 states this fall, but some opponents say allowing students to leave school during the day is disruptive and puts them further behind academically.

Walters, however, quickly warned the Satanic Temple, which plans to make its Hellion Academy of Independent Learning available to students, that it is not welcome. In 2019, the IRS granted the temple tax-exempt status, just like other churches. But Walters doesnt consider satanism a religion.

I know that you guys like lying, and thats the central part of your belief system, Walters addressed the organization in a video on X. But you will not be participating with our schools.

Related

Ryan Walters: How a Beloved Teacher Became Oklahomas Top Culture Warrior

Interest from the Satanic Temple shouldnt necessarily come as a surprise to Walters or Stitt. Drummond predicted that state leaders would open the door to non-Christian organizations if they pushed for more religious freedom in public schools.

In an opinion last year, he said a religious charter could create a slippery slope and obligate the state to spend public dollars on charter schools whose tenets are diametrically opposed to the beliefs of many Oklahomans.

St. Isidore, meanwhile, is preparing to open and is ordering what is needed for students and staff to be successful, said Lara Schuler, senior director of Catholic education for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, which applied for the charter along with the Diocese of Tulsa.

Teacher contracts wont start until Aug. 1, and according to the schools website, leaders are still looking for a fourth grade teacher and high school math, physics and chemistry teachers. At this point, the school is still well under its first-year capacity of 500 students.

Stevens said shes been in touch with staff to ask how her daughter can meet other incoming students and study partners over the summer. The school is planning two all-school masses during the year, according to its parent handbook, and will form local parish hubs for additional worship and in-person gatherings, like field trips, for students.

Stevens said Chloe, who has been attending public school, is worried about whether St. Isidore will be academically tougher than what shes used to.

Chloe Stevens, who will be in high school this fall, is among the 200 students who would be in the inaugural class of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. (Courtesy of Joy Stevens)

Her only concern has been how rigorous the education looks. Shes worried shes not going to be third in her class or second in her class, Stevens said.

Related

New Curriculum Sparks Texas-Sized Controversy Over Christianity in the Classroom

Some involved in the litigation, however, think the school should delay its opening until the legal matters are settled.

I think its unsettling to enroll and start students in a school, which is under court review  just seems impractical, said Robert Franklin, chair of the Oklahoma Virtual Charter School Board. Though a defendant in the case before the state Supreme Court because of his position, he voted against the charter application. Using students and families as chess board pieces seems unnecessary.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDHN)  Police in Montgomery are investigating a February shooting at a local business, and are offering a cash reward for information.

Investigators say on February 2, around 6 p.m., police responded to a shots fired call in the 2000 block of Coliseum Boulevard in Montgomery, Alabama.

Contact was made shortly after arriving, where the victim stated four unknown individuals opened the entry door to the business, saw the victim inside, and started firing.

Damage was caused to the building, but there were no injuries.

If you have any information, please call the Montgomery Police Department at 334-215-7867

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  A man accused of stealing a vehicle fell to his death during a police pursuit on Sunday, according to the NYPD.

The incident happened at around 1:33 a.m.

More Local News

The deceased, identified as Cesar Martinez, 19, was traveling counterflow in a stolen Mercedes on the Henry Hudson Parkway approaching the George Washington Bridge, police said.

Martinez then attempted to flee on foot when he fell onto Riverside Drive, according to the NYPD. He was transported to Harlem Hospital where he died from his injuries.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man is charged with aggravated robbery after being accused of stealing four dollar bills and four quarters from a man overnight in the Bethel Grove area.

According to Memphis Police, on Sunday around 12:11 a.m., officers were flagged down at Hugenot Street and Arlington Avenue by a man who said he was just robbed.

The victim stated that the man who robbed him, later identified as 34-year-old Japhfus Alexander, was in front of him. The victim said he started following Alexander after the robbery.

Police say it all started when the victim was walking to the store and was approached by Alexander. Alexander allegedly told the victim Give me everything you have, or Im going to kill you.

That is when he gave the suspect four one-dollar bills, four quarters, a pack of Seneca cigarettes, a black cell phone, and his black hat.

Rideshare driver shot in attempted carjacking at Memphis Airport, officials say

Alexander swung a metal pipe at the victim before walking away, police say.

The victim said he followed Alexander until he saw police and flagged them down.

MPD says they found the money, hat, and metal pipe on Alexander when they took him into custody. However, Alexander said he did not rob him and that he would show officers where his phone was.

 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

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The phone was then found around the corner in a front yard on Larose Avenue, police say.

Japhfus Alexander was taken to jail at that time and is being held on a $12,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday morning.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Already under fire over his stance on Israel, Bowmans claim on landmark law called into question

Rep. Jamaal Bowman has said publicly that he co-wrote one of President Bidens biggest recent accomplishments, the CHIPS and Science Act, but critics are now countering his claim is, at best, a stretch.

The law, which Biden signed off on in 2022, put approximately $280 billion toward research and manufacturing in the semiconductor industry. The text of the legislation is more than 150,000 words long.

Bowmans claims around the legislation are now the subject of scrutiny amid a hotly contested primary battle with Westchester County Executive George Latimer  a race thats evolved into a sort of proxy battle over Israels war against Hamas. Voters go to the polls on June 25.

Latimer, a moderate Democrat, has largely backed Israels response to the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks that led to the war, while Bowman has emerged as a vocal critic, focused primarily on the significant death toll in Gaza.

Bowman, a progressive, has aligned himself with the more moderate Biden in other areas, though. The CHIPS law is one example, but Bowmans claim that he co-wrote the bill is now being cast as an exaggeration by critics.

Prior to the presidents sign off on CHIPS, a separate, much smaller piece of legislation from Bowman was folded into it. That bill, the Empowering STEM Discovery Act, was aimed at waiving cost-sharing requirements associated with science-related fellowships. It was just shy of 200 words long.

Another Bowman bill, Research Excellence through STEM Inclusion Act, was also incorporated into CHIPS. That bill is about 450 words long.

The legislation Bowman has claimed he co-authored is Bidens much larger bill that was enacted into law. At various times, Bowman has said the law included two, five or six of his amendments. But that isnt entirely accurate. A review of the CHIPS and Science Act shows that, in actuality, only two pieces of legislation sponsored by Bowman made its way into the law Biden ultimately approved.

If he had any common sense, he would just say, Im a contributor to the bill, said Richard Flanagan, a CUNY political science professor. Its an exaggeration.

Bowman, a member of the left-of-center Squad, has been battling with Latimer to hold onto his Congressional seat for months now.

So far, the race has been punctuated heavily with debate over the merits of Israels response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.

The contest itself  and that dynamic specifically  has forced Bowman to point out what he presumably views as his accomplishments and attempt to hew to the political middle on other issues.

Aside from the CHIPS Act, another way Bowman has attempted to do this is through his touting of Bidens infrastructure law  which he voted against.

Michael Gerald, a former Bowman rival who dropped his primary run and now backs Laitmer, has criticized such tactics, claiming that hes desperately making stuff up in the face of a competitive primary challenge.

Congressman Bowman has already been caught breaking his promise not to take money from lobbyists, stealing credit for President Bidens infrastructure law after he joined Republicans in voting against it, and his claim of bringing back $1 billion to the district has been completely debunked, Gerald, a pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church in Tuckahoe, told the Daily News recently.

Now hes telling people he co-wrote another signature Biden achievement when he contributed a couple dozen words in a 158,000-word bill. Bowman has no real accomplishments.

Bowman claimed in February that he coauthored the CHIPS Act. In a video posted online in April, he claimed his team co-wrote one of the presidents largest pieces of legislation, the CHIPS and Science Act, which is gonna bring back thousands of jobs to our district.

Earlier, in July 2022, he claimed the legislation contained 6 of my amendments. The following August, he put that number at five. More recently in December 2023, Bowman lowered it to two.

When asked about this, Bowmans team pointed to three amendments that were included in the final legislation and said Bowman had a direct role in shaping much of the language and pushing for his priorities like the regional and technology hubs program, as well as provisions for equity in microelectronics research and nuclear research.

Two of his introduced bills were introduced in the final text, as well many amendments that were included in the markup process and language and priorities that he pushed for behind the scenes, Bowmans campaign manager Gabe Tobias said. The Congressmans role in this cannot be understated.

More generally, Bowman has also attempted to counter incoming criticism by making the argument that Latimer is bought and paid for by AIPAC, a pro-Israel lobbying group thats poured about $10 million into the race so far.

Marshall Wittmann, an AIPAC spokesman, derided that rhetoric.

Rep. Bowmans scurrilous and shameful attacks wont hide his record of aligning with the extremist, anti-Israel fringe, Wittmann said.

Latimer has responded that, in addition to being endorsed by AIPAC, he also has the support of several unions, telling Politico that they dont own me and AIPAC does not own me.
Alsobrooks, Hogan agree to debate in the fall. What comes next? History may have clues.

The U.S. Senate campaigns in Maryland for both the Republican and Democratic candidates have confirmed debating in the fall, but history shows the when and where can vary.

Former Gov. Larry Hogans campaign announced last month it accepted two invitations to debate before the scheduled general Election Day in November, according to a release from the Republicans campaign.

The first debate the Hogan campaign accepted, according to the release, is scheduled Oct. 10, hosted by The Baltimore Sun, WBFF, WJLA and the University of Baltimore. The second debate will be hosted by WUSA9, Maryland Public Television, WJZ, and WBOC on a date to be finalized, according to the release from the Hogan campaign, which indicated each debate would be 60 minutes long.

The campaign for the Democratic candidate, Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, did not specify dates or networks in an emailed statement.

Angela Alsobrooks looks forward to debating Larry Hogan in the fall, said Connor Lounsbury, a senior adviser to the Alsobrooks campaign, in a June 6 email, in response to a request for comment on the debate or debates scheduled.

More: Alsobrooks wins Democratic primary for US Senate seat, Hogan wins Republican primary

What happened with debates last time that this US Senate seat was open?

Previous reporting from The Herald-Mail indicated that MPT, which often hosts gubernatorial debates, did not hold a U.S. Senate candidate debate in 2022 or in 2016, the last year when there was an open seat.

The outlets most recent U.S. Senate debate took place in August 2006, according to Senior Managing Director of Communications for Maryland Public Television Tom Williams. At that time, the seat now held by U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., was being vacated by retiring U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes, D-Md.

Cardin, then a member of the House, and fellow Democrat Kweisi Mfume, then a former congressman (who has since been reelected), participated in a primary debate hosted by MPT.

REVIEW: Political Notebook: Senate debates upended, Trone and Parrott pick up endorsements

In this file photo, Maryland's senior U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, a Democrat, center, waves after a rally in Rockville on August 25, 2022. Cardin announced last year he will not run for another term in 2024.

The primary debate on MPT was a prelude to a period of debate challenges, where the primary victors, Cardin and then-Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, a Republican, critiqued each other for not debating, according to reporting that September from the Washington Times.

Eventually, general election debates did occur, with several taking place in October that year. One debate was hosted by NBCs late "Meet the Press" Moderator Tim Russert. In another, the candidates appeared on television again, according to a video in the C-SPAN archive. A Washington Post article indicates the first debate (non-televised) took place on Oct. 3 in Cardins hometown of Baltimore. A Washington Times article indicates the last of the four debates took place on Nov. 2 in Steeles home county of Prince Georges.

In 2006, the Republican Steele won 18 of Marylands 23 counties, but lost the election by 10 percentage points or around 178,000 votes to Cardin, whose decision in 2023 not to run for reelection made this years Senate election an open contest.

The General Election this year, with Alsobrooks and Hogan set to be on the ballot, is Tuesday, Nov. 5  less than five months away.

Dwight A. Weingarten is an investigative reporter, covering the Maryland State House and state issues. He can be reached at dweingarten@gannett.com or on Twitter at @DwightWeingart2.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: US Senate candidates Alsobrooks, Hogan agree to debate in the fall
Alumni and Students React To Howard University Cutting Ties With Diddy and His Millions

Howard University has officially severed all ties with Sean Diddy Combs, including snatching back his honorary doctorate degree.

This decision comes following the release of video footage in which Combs is seen violently assaulting his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. The universitys Board of Trustees calls Combs behavior so fundamentally incompatible with Howard Universitys core values and beliefs, and has also agreed to terminate the scholarship program in his name and return the recent $1 million donation made by the rapper.



Combs only attended Howard from 1987 to 1989 but received an honorary degree from the university in 2014. The university website reads that it is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.

Members of Howards community say the university is making the right call.

Its good to show that even though [Combs] has brought success to the school, if he doesnt align with the values of Howard, he shouldnt be celebrated, said Amya Henry, a recent Howard University graduate.

Henry, like most of the public, was disgusted and shocked by the abuse allegations and recent video surrounding Combs and Cassie. She said even though its [not] good to have someones trauma on display, I was glad that his true colors are being shown.



Alumna Pauline Tetteh said the video is a reflection of the neglect of Black women. To her, the university acted too slowly in standing against Combs.

We [Black women] have to show proof of abuse to almost near death before our voices get counted, said Tetteh, who graduated in 1998.



In light of the revoking of Combs honorary degree, the conversation about the importance of such a degree is being called into question. The University has awarded around 700 honorary degrees throughout its history, including Combs.

Howard student Zamoi Murrell called the degree stupid. I dont think you should get a degree just because you have a name or because youre giving money to an organization, he said.

Murrell said he and his fellow Howard students are working for their degrees [and] paying for their degrees, while people like Combs, who did not graduate from Howard, received a degree just for being famous and rich.



Since the release of the video, other celebrities and organizations have spoken out against Combs, including most recently the father of the late Kim Porter.



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FILE PHOTO: Names of missing Chibok school girls kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgency five years ago are displayed during the 5th year anniversary of their abduction, in Abuja

By Ope Adetayo

ABUJA (Reuters) - Amnesty International on Monday accused the Nigerian army of illegally detaining girls and young women who have escaped from Boko Haram captivity because the military believes they support the Islamist insurgent group.

The military in a statement denied the allegations, which the human rights group said were based on 126 interviews from 2019 to 2024 with female former captives.

Thirty-one said they were unlawfully held in military barracks for several days to almost four years between 2015 and mid-2023, typically because of their real or perceived association to Boko Haram, Amnesty said in a report.

Boko Haram has fought an armed rebellion in Nigeria's Northeast, which the U.N. says has killed more than 35,000 people. With a reputation for brutality, the group has been accused of torture, rape, forced marriage and kidnapping. The most well known incident was the abduction of 300 girls from Chibok in 2014.

Since then, more girls have been abducted, and many have lived for years with Boko Haram fighters. Some have escaped.

"The Nigerian government has failed to uphold their human rights obligations to protect and adequately support these girls and young women," said Samira Daoud, Amnesty International's regional director for West and Central Africa, in the report.

Defence spokesperson Major General Edward Buba said the military respects human rights and upholds humanitarian law.

Nigeria's military "operates within the ambit of international law of armed conflict," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Nigeria's military has launched a counteroffensive against the Islamist group that has also attracted criticism of harsh tactics.

A Reuters' investigation last year revealed that the military secretly ran a mass abortion programme in its war against Boko Haram.

(Reporting by Ope Adetayo; Editing by Chijioke Ohuocha and Cynthia Osterman)
By Philip Blenkinsop

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Europe's nationalist parties capitalised in the European Parliament election on voter disquiet over spiralling prices, migration and the cost of the green transition and will now seek to translate their seat gains into influence on EU policy.

Nationalist, populist and eurosceptic parties were on course to win just under a quarter of seats in the EU assembly, according to the chamber's own projections.

It reflects a growing trend in the West to turn from the mainstream and status quo towards radical alternatives such as former and possibly future U.S. President Donald Trump.

In previous elections, radical right parties talked of leaving the European Union or its single currency, echoing the calls of British Brexiteers. Now these parties want to influence it from within.

Nationalist prime ministers are already in place in Hungary, Italy and Slovakia, right-wing parties are governing or supporting in Finland and Sweden, while Geert Wilders' anti-immigrant Freedom Party appears poised to enter a ruling coalition in the Netherlands.

Armida van Rij, senior research fellow at Chatham House, said "cordon sanitaire" policies to exclude hard right parties are eroding.

"People know now it's not just a lost vote," she said, adding that populist parties' extensive use of social media is also bringing in younger voters.

EU EXECUTIVE CHIEF VOTE

Gerolf Annemans, a lawmaker of Belgium's Vlaams Belang party, said the new parliament should scrap a recently agreed EU migration pact, soften the Green Deal and find a more right-leaning alternative to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The new parliament's first test, to determine the next Commission president, could come as early as July. Von der Leyen will be in pole position for a second term given her centre-right European People's Party (EPP) is set to be the biggest group.

However, she may need support from some right-wing nationalists, such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy, to secure a parliamentary majority, giving Meloni and allies more leverage.

Luigi Scazzieri, senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform, said the centre-right EPP has already cooled on attempts to fold broader environmental policies into the Green Deal package. Scazzieri said he could also envisage a right-wing push to increase external processing of migrants and a tougher passage of reforms required to allow EU enlargement, such as reducing the need for unanimity in decisions.

"I expect this to play out over time rather than have an immediate effect," Scazzieri said. "They also have quite a powerful shaping effect on the broader political debate."

Corina Stratulat, associate director of think tank the European Policy Centre (EPC), said a key determinant would be the degree to which the radical right could unite. They do not have a strong record.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has urged Italy's Meloni to form a right-wing grand alliance, but Le Pen's party and allies expelled Alternative for Germany only last month, while an alliance including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz would be a step too far for some of Meloni's allies, such as Belgian's N-VA.

An EPC study concluded that this lack of cohesion means the radical right would need to win more than 70% of European Parliament seats to completely control vote outcomes - a figure they almost certainly will not reach.

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Will Dunham)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. US and Saudi Arabia close to signing defense pact, Trend reports.

According to the information, the success of diplomatic efforts depends on "Israel's commitment to the creation of a Palestinian state" and an end to the war in the Gaza Strip, although an end to the conflict is not a prerequisite.

The defense agreement will reportedly strengthen Saudi Arabia's regional position and strengthen the US military role in the Middle East.
By Steven Scheer

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel's parliament moved ahead with a contentious law on conscripting ultra-Orthodox religious students into the military amid angry scenes on Monday in the Knesset as families of some of the Gaza hostages demanded more action to get them home.

Coming a day after centrist former general Benny Gantz quit the government in a dispute over the strategic aims of the Gaza war, the vote and confrontations underscored the volatile mix of forces buffeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, now increasingly dependent on his allies from the hard right.

The conscription bill, which must still pass further readings and committee hearings after the late night vote, would see a gradual entry into the military of some ultra-Orthdox Jews, who have traditionally resisted serving in the armed forces.

Although originally put forward by Gantz in 2022 under the previous government, he now opposes the measure, which he says is inadequate for new personnel demands facing the military.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, the last of a group of former generals left following the departure of Gantz and his ally, former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, broke ranks and voted against the bill.

By contrast, the religious parties in the coalition, which have strongly opposed a general expansion of conscription, gave their support, with a view to inserting changes in the review stage.

While the proposal is for more ultra-Orthodox in the military, their numbers would be restricted and the bill would allow some alternatives to military service.

"We have a great opportunity that should not be missed. The ultra-Orthodox public must not be pushed into a corner," Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of one of the pro-settler parties in the coalition, said in a statement.

The issue of lifting some of the restrictions on conscripting ultra-Orthodox men into the military has been a divisive issue for decades in a country where broad military service has been seen as one of the bedrocks of its security.

Resented by many secular Israelis, it has been more sensitive than ever since the start of the war in Gaza, in which more than 600 Israeli soldiers have been killed.

"There are those who supported it then and oppose it now because they see it as wrong for Israel now, and there are those who opposed it then and will support it now because they see an opportunity to change it," Assaf Shapira, head of the political reform programme at the Israel Democracy Institute, told Reuters.

As parliament prepared to vote on the bill, there were angry exchanges at a meeting of the finance committee, where members of some of the hostage families waylaid Smotrich and demanded the government do more to bring the captives home.

Inbal Tzach, whose cousin Tal Shoham was one of the 253 Israeli and foreign hostages abducted by Hamas gunmen as they rampaged through the communities near Gaza on Oct. 7, said ministers such as Smotrich needed to do everything to get the remaining 120 hostages back.

Smotrich, who has ruled out any deal with Hamas and has opposed proposals for a ceasefire deal which would bring the hostages back in an exchange for Palestinian prisoners, dismissed the families' campaign as cynical.

"I will not endanger the State of Israel and its people," he said. "I will not stop the war just before the destruction of Hamas, because this an existential danger to Israel."

(Writing by James Mackenzie; editing by Stephen Coates)
PETALUMA, California  Animal rights activists first forced their way onto Mike Webers chicken ranch six years ago, seeking to expose what they view as the horrors of egg production in a region known as the American Provence for its abundance of vineyards, dairies and organic farms.

That confrontation, which resulted in the arrest of 40 activists for trespassing, turned out to be just an initial skirmish in a battle playing out now over animal rights and farming that will soon move to the Sonoma County ballot. In November, voters will weigh in on a proposal to prohibit large poultry and livestock operations, which activists say are factory farms that pollute the environment and mistreat animals with closely packed confinement. Sonoma would be the first county in the United States to ban such facilities.

People deserve a say over what happens in the county they live in, and people don't want that happening here, said Lewis Bernier, a researcher for Direct Action Everywhere, a Berkeley-based group with a history of confrontational protests that led efforts to get the measure on the ballot. The group has also collected signatures to place a similar question before Berkeley voters this fall, although it is largely symbolic since there are no commercial farms in the Bay Area college town.

In Sonoma, however, a measure pitting people who shop at farmers markets against those who supply them strikes deep in the terroir. Once-fringe beliefs about animal rights are becoming mainstream just as the nation is facing a rural economic crisis, having lost over a half a million farms since the 1980s. What is underway in an iconic food-producing area might soon spread elsewhere as exurban development increasingly encroaches into agricultural regions nationwide.



If it can happen here, said Sonoma State University political science professor David McCuan, it can get on the ballot anywhere.

Supporters of Measure J would force at least two dozen Sonoma County poultry and livestock operations to either downsize or shut down within three years. Farmers say it is an effort to push a vegan mandate to end animal farming and that the initiative would close more farms and have spinoff economic effects, both immediately and in the future.

At the end of the day, they want to burn down our farm and every other farm in Sonoma County, said Weber, whose family has produced eggs in the area since 1912.

The Sonoma Aroma

Sonoma would be the first county in the U.S. to impose an outright ban on concentrated animal feeding operations, a designation used by the Environmental Protection Agency for regulating agricultural waste discharge. Activists use the phrase interchangeably with factory farms, to cover a range of modern poultry and livestock activities in which animals are raised and kept in dense conditions.

Sonoma is dotted with hundreds of farms, large and small, and has deep rural roots. Petaluma, where Webers farm is located, has long been tied to the dairy and poultry business and was once known as the egg basket of the world. The small city has a quintessential Americana charm. Much of Ronald Reagans classic 1984 campaign ad Morning in America was filmed in the city as was the 1973 movie American Graffiti.

That landscape may not have changed much, but Sonomas demographics have. Petaluma and nearby cities have become bedroom communities for people priced out of places closer to San Francisco and the Silicon Valley  filled with newcomers blasted for driving up home prices and ridiculed for grumbling about the odor of manure that occasionally wafts through the area, a scent known as the Sonoma aroma. Petaluma is a city of nearly 60,000 people, sprinkled with farm-to-table restaurants catering to foodies.

The crosscurrents that shape Sonoma today  an area where people are ready to challenge the business of farming even though their local economy remains inexorably tied to it  were on display last month when the county Board of Supervisors held a public hearing after activists gathered 37,000 signatures, more than enough to qualify Measure J for the ballot.



At the May 14 meeting, the measures supporters decried factory farms for cruelty, polluting the air and water with waste and for being incubators for disease such as bird flu. Activists sought to refute a dire local government assessment that projected widespread closures of farming activities and layoffs as a result of the measures passage.

"These industrial facilities harm animals," said Cassie King, a member of Direct Action Everywhere. "They exacerbate wildfires and droughts. They are incubators for disease, like the avian flu that was mentioned, which has spread to mammals and humans. They pollute our air and water. They most impact the health of workers and people who live nearby these facilities."

Supervisors warmly welcomed Measure J critics, who included local dairy farmers and two well-known local producers that rely on them, Clover Sonoma and Straus Family Creamery  and endorsed the warnings about the likely economic effects of the measure.

What we're going to do is kill farms and kill jobs, said James Gore, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture official elected to the board in 2014. And then you're going to push us into a place where it doesn't affect our ability to buy and sell but it does really increase the opportunity for these lands to be transitioned into suburban, urban, or other uses.

In the end, the supervisors agreed to put the measure on the November ballot, but unanimously adopted a joint statement of opposition to the initiative. To the farm industry, the fact that a measure regarded with such local hostility has come so far in Sonoma County is a harbinger of where this fight might go next.

Which Came First

In May 2018, several hundred people organized by Direct Action Everywhere traveled about an hours drive north from Berkeley to protest Weber Family Farms, which Mike owns with his brother, Scott. Some forced their way inside the chicken houses, seizing dozens of birds including about 10 they claimed were sick and dying. The group argued that their action was legal under a California law against animal abuse. Folks, we're about to march into a massive factory farm in the heart of darkness and hell, declared the groups leader, Wayne Hsiung, according to video taken at the time. We're gonna expose what's happening inside and try to take some of the animals out.

Hsiung, a lawyer and onetime candidate for mayor of Berkeley who has argued that animals should have the same rights under the Constitution as people, held follow-up protests there and at Reichardt Duck Farm, also in Petaluma. The group has tried to make their case with photos showing birds with apparently untreated sickness and injuries.

We need to stop the most egregious cruelty that's happening, said Bernier. We need to put an end to it immediately.

Weber disputes allegations of mistreatment, noting that his products receive a certified humane label from Humane Farm Animal Care, a nonprofit that says it uses veterinarians and animal scientists to set treatment standards. He said he also takes additional compliance monitoring measures for his companys organic facilities and recycles his waste to sell as fertilizer. I dont know what we can do better, he said. The only thing I can do is to go out of business to make them happy.

Measure J would likely have that impact. The initiative language appears to call for phasing out both large and medium-sized concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs. Under that interpretation, the Sonoma County Farm Bureau says at least 60 poultry and livestock enterprises would have to close.



But Bernier says thats a misreading of the initiative and that there are no operations in the county that meet the EPA definition of a medium CAFO because of the way they manage waste. Under the coalitions interpretation, Measure J would cover dairies in the county with 700 cows and egg producers with 82,000 birds.

The debate over exactly which facilities would be covered by Measure J is somewhat of a moot point to the local Farm Bureau. Their ultimate goal is they want to eradicate animal farming entirely and this is a stepping stone, said Executive Director Dayna Ghirardelli.

Weber, who was forced to kill all 550,000 chickens at his main egg-producing facility in December because of an outbreak of bird flu, bristles at accusations that he mistreats animals, which he said would not be in the interest of him or any other farmer.

It's in our best interest to provide the ideal environment that is stress free, he said.

Many people today, he said, do not understand what it takes to get food from farms into supermarkets. If voters decide they want to make it illegal to eat meat Im not going to fight it. Thats for the voters to decide, he said. But they shouldnt be making the decision based on misleading information.

Table-to-Farm Politics

California voters statewide have shown they are receptive to animal welfare initiatives in the recent past. In 2008, voters passed Proposition 2, which prohibited certain types of cramped cages for pregnant pigs, calves raised for veal and egg-laying hens. A decade later, voters went further with Proposition 12, a so-called foie gras ban that required farm animals get more space and egg-producing chickens go cage-free. Both passed with more than 60 percent of the vote.

There was also a bill introduced by two Democratic state lawmakers in February 2022 that would have prohibited new CAFOs in California. That measure never made it out of committee, a result of opposition from agriculture interests. (Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, who is a vegan, has introduced similar legislation at the federal level.) Animal-rights activists hope that if Sonoma voters bless such regulations this fall, it could help loosen legislative resistance in Sacramento.



If this passes, in a county that is known as an agricultural county, and prides itself on being a small farm, kind of county, then it opens up political cover to discuss the issue, said Nickolaus Sackett, director of legislative affairs for Social Compassion in Legislation, a California-based animal-rights group. That means the people want it and we should at least be having these conversations.

Agriculture interests similarly recognize the potential for Measure J to be a threat beyond Sonoma County. Most of the $176,000 raised by the Family Farmers Alliance, which is sponsored by the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, has come from farming organizations elsewhere in the state.

Sonoma has grown a lot to where theres a lot of urban folks living there, said Bill Mattos, president of the California Poultry Federation, which is donating to the campaign. So they need to be educated.


Trojan (L) and Vida (R) were seen galloping through central London in April after being startled by builders - Jordan Pettitt/PA

An animal rights group has urged the Army to withdraw three military horses injured when they bolted through central London from the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

The animals  Trojan, Tennyson and Vanquish  are back on service following the incident in April and are now expected to take part in the Kings Birthday Parade on Saturday, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment confirmed.

But Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has written to the regiments commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mathew Woodward, claiming that letting the horses perform in front of the crowds is a risk to both the animals and the publics safety.

The group said the trio, and two other injured horses  Vida and Quaker, which are still recuperating in the country  should be retired permanently.

Two horses bolted after being spooked by rubble being dropped through a plastic tunnel while on an exercise in Belgravia on April 24, with Vida seen galloping through the streets covered in blood.

Vida suffered an injury and is still being rested - Jordan Pettitt/PA

Four service personnel were thrown from their horses and five of the animals got loose, smashing into vehicles and causing a number of injuries.

Kate Werner, Petas senior campaigns manager, wrote: Clearly, these horses are easily agitated and sensitive to noise.

Forcing them to perform at a crowded event marked by drums and a 41-gun salute would place them and the public at risk.

The whole world was rightly shocked to see images of scared, blood-soaked horses running through the streets of London after getting spooked during Aprils failed exercise.

Horses no longer necessary

New photos of Vida and Quaker recuperating and enjoying their time in an open pasture showed they were feeling individuals, not military equipment, Werner said, arguing that animals were no longer a necessary part of the military.

She wrote: Tradition is never an excuse for animal suffering, and each horse deserves to live free from the stress they endure when paraded through a busy, loud capital city with a human on their back, all for the amusement of noisy, unpredictable crowds.

At Trooping the Colour, a major fixture in the royal calendar, the Kings Colour will be trooped by Number 9 Company, Irish Guards, in an annual celebration of the monarchs official birthday.

The event draws huge crowds and traditionally involves the Royal family gathering on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after a display of pomp and military pageantry on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.

The King, who is being treated for cancer, will inspect the soldiers from a carriage rather than on horseback this year.

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The husband of the owner of a Bronx day care where a 1-year-old boy died due to fentanyl exposure, shocking the city, has pleaded guilty to narcotics charges in connection to the death, federal prosecutors said Monday.

Felix Herrera Garcia, 35, was arrested in Sinaloa, Mexico, two weeks after the Sept. 15 death of Nicholas Feliz-Dominici at the El Divino Nino day care on Morris Ave. near E. 196th St. in Fordham Manor.

Nicholas was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he could not be saved. Two other children, an 8-month-old and a 2-year-old, were also taken to a hospital, where they were given the lifesaving Narcan drug, officials said.

A fourth child, a 1-year-old boy, was picked up by a parent about two hours earlier, according to court papers. When the toddlers parent noticed that he was lethargic and unresponsive, he was taken to a hospital where Narcan was administered.

After the children were poisoned at the day care, Herrera Garcia received a call from the owner and he rushed to the day care, entering through a front door, according to authorities. Minutes later, he carried several bags believed to contain bricks of fentanyl through a back entrance, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said after his arrest.

When medics responded to the day care, they discovered little Nicholas lifeless body in a hallway that Herrera Garcia almost certainly passed upon his entry to the day care, according to a court filing.

Herrera Garcia stashed the drugs at co-conspirator Renny Antonio Parra Paredes apartment before fleeing the country.

Police tracked Herrera Garcia as he drove south through Texas and crossed the Mexican border. Cops believe his goal was to make it to his native Dominican Republic.

Before he could do so, Herrera Garcia was taken into custody by Mexican authorities, who bounced him to San Diego, where he was arrested by U.S. law enforcement officers, according to a court filing.

His guilty plea was entered the same morning that his trial in Manhattan Federal Court for conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death was set to begin.

The plea came about two weeks after that of Parra Paredes, 38, who also confessed to conspiring to distribute narcotics in the drug scheme, which prosecutors said went on for nearly 12 months spanning from October 2022 to September 2023.

Herrera Garcia and Parra Paredes, along with day care owner Grei Mendez and her alleged accomplice Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, packaged and distributed fentanyl, heroin and the synthetic opioid para-fluorofentanyl both inside and outside the day care facility, prosecutors said.

Mendez, 36 and the alleged accomplice were slapped with murder, manslaughter and assault raps, among other charges.

The drug ring stored more than10 kilograms of narcotics in hidden compartments beneath the playroom floor, despite the daily presence of small children.

One baby died and the others were seriously injured because Felix Herrera Garcia and Renny Antonio Parra Paredes processed deadly drugs for sale in a place meant to be safe for children, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. This case shocks the conscience of the city.

The charges Herrera Garcia and Parra Paredes pleaded guilty to carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Oklahoma City Police Department is investigating a shooting at an apartment complex in Oklahoma City that left two people injured.

| READ MORE > 1 person shot, killed in NW OKC convenience store >

According to authorities, a fight broke out during a large gathering at the complex near NW 10th and Rockwell.

Both victims were shot in their extremities, and were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, per police.

Police have no suspect info at this time.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Army Corps spells out Okeechobee releases, expects several inches of rain over next week

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is maintaining target flow rates for the Caloosahatchee River over the next week, and the agency is expecting some heavy rainfall across the region over the next week.

In charge of Lake Okeechobee management and discharges, the Army Corps held a meeting Friday to talk about lake levels, which have dropped to 12.7 feet above sea level.

"We've seen a relatively slow start but in the next seven days we'll begin to see meaningful rainfall across south Florida and Lake Okeechobee," Col. Todd Booth said.

The dry season started off wet as an El Nino pattern was in place. But little rain has fallen in the past two months, even though the average start of daily rainfall patterns is May 15.

Daily rains expected to start soon

"April and May were very dry, which allowed water levels to recede rapidly," Booth said. "So where are we? We have made the transition over to the rainy season and over the next seven days we expect 4 to 6 inches of rain to fall over south Florida."

The Army Corps has worked since 2008 to keep the surface levels of Lake Okeechobee between 12.5 feet and 15.5 feet above sea level to provide flood protection and water supply to agriculture, urbanized areas and natural systems like the Caloosahatchee River.

Releases to the river will average 2,000 cubic feet per second as measured at the Moore Haven Lock and Dam at the western edge of Lake Okeechobee.

Water rushes through the Ortona Locks on the Caloosahatchee River east of LaBelle on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. The agency is targeting a flow of 2,000 cubic feet per second for the Caloosahatchee River this week.

"In a nutshell our wet season strategy is to make beneficial downstream releasees for the system and our users," Booth said.

Both the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers were artificially connected to Lake Okeechobee in order to drain the Everglades for farming and development. Managing the lake has been a challenge for more than a century, with early floods claiming thousands of lives in small towns around the lake.

More: Florida asks feds to let more than 1,000 permits slide after judge rules process illegal

Booth said the Army Corps tried this year to conduct the larger releases after oyster spawning season but before blue-green algae season, which is the summer months.

"We knew the El Nino was present and we were ready to pivot," Booth said. "November through March had above average rainfall, which caused many lakes to continue to rise when they should be receding."

Blue-green algae season on the horizon for Lake Okeechobee

Although the calendar year started off wet, recent months have been dry, and Booth said he expects the agency to be able to adapt to changes this tropical storm season.

"We're optimistic that we can handle wet season rains without larger releases, but tropical systems could cause us to need to make higher releases to handle another storm to come through," Booth said. "We would do high flow releases off the lake in case a second storm comes in."

More: Will sargassum wreak havoc on SWFL beaches this summer?

Booth said blue-green algae has been seen in the Lake Okeechobee system near water control structures, where flows are often stagnant.

He said the Army Corps could pause or delay releases if a large bloom breaks out on the lake.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Army Corps: 4 to 6 inches of rain to fall over region, Lake O level lower
The US Army's new Precision Strike Missile might provide the United States a ready path to acquiring an air-launched ballistic missile, a type of weapon that is seeing a renaissance around the world.

Air-launched ballistic missiles, which are experiencing a renaissance in many parts of the world , offer significant benefits for carrying out stand-off strikes, especially against highly-defended, time-sensitive, and hardened targets. For the U.S. military, huge potential appears to exists in adapting the U.S. Army's new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) short-range ballistic missile for air-launch applications. Doing so could offer a relatively quick path to acquiring the capabilities that weapons like this provide  ones that are missing from the U.S. arsenal  at a time when the need for them is becoming increasingly critical.

Israel Aerospace Industries' (IAI) official unveiling of an air-launched version of its LORA (Long Range Artillery) short-range ballistic missile, or Air LORA , has underscored the growing interest globally in air-launched ballistic missile capability. Israeli firms alone are now offering two kinds of ballistic missiles that aircraft can fire, the other being Rafael's Rocks , which is derived from the Sparrow line of ballistic test targets. The is also Israel Military Industries' (IMI) Rampage , an air-launched adaptation of a long-range guided artillery rocket design that also flies to its target along a ballistic trajectory. Israel looks to have employed air-launched ballistic missiles in retaliatory strikes on Iran in April.

An Israeli F-16I with an Air LORA air-launched ballistic missile under its wing. IAI

Outside of Israel, Russia has its Kinzhal air-launched version of the Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile. This is the weapon that really kicked off the current surge of interest in air-launched ballistic missiles back in 2018 and it has been actively used in combat in Ukraine . China has also now been working to field multiple tiers of air-launched ballistic missiles, including derivatives of the DF-21 medium-range ballistic missile and short-range types more in line with Air LORA and Kinzhal. It is important to note that the idea of an air-launched ballistic missile is not new and multiple armed forces, including the United States , have eyed such weapons on and off again since the 1960s.

A Russian MiG-31 Foxhound combat jet carrying a Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile. Russian MoD

A picture showing a Chinese H-6K bomber carrying air-launched ballistic missiles, the designation of which is currently unknown, under its wings, with the inset offering a closer look at one of the weapons. Chinese Internet

The U.S. military is not presently developing an air-launched ballistic missile, at least that we know about. The U.S. Air Force had been pursuing an air-launched hypersonic boost-glide weapon, the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), to address its need for a prompt long-range, air-launched, conventional stand-off strike capability. However, the future of that missile, or a follow-on design, is now unclear . Though they might look similar externally, ARRW and other weapons like it are completely different from traditional ballistic missiles, as we will come back to later.

This is where the PrSM short-range ballistic missile could come into the picture. The U.S. Army received its first operational PrSMs , which are currently designed to be ground-launched from M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) vehicles, late last year. The service hopes to reach initial operational capability with the weapon sometime this year. The missile has a range of at least 310 miles (500 kilometers), which could grow to 400 miles (650 kilometers) in the future.

A picture showing an M142 HIMARS launcher firing a PrSM missile during a test. DOD

PrSM's manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, has said in the past that the baseline version is 156 inches (13 feet or nearly four meters) long and 17 (just under one and a half feet and close to half a meter) inches wide. It is unclear how much the missile weighs, but a standard "pod" loaded with two of these weapons has a gross weight of approximately 4,615 pounds, according to the Army . This would seem to put PrSM very roughly in the 2,300-pound weight class.

A screen grab from a Lockheed Martin promotional video offering basic dimensional and other details about PrSM. Lockheed Martin capture

As a point of comparison, PrSM's external dimensions are smaller than that of LORA (17 feet or 5.2 meters long and two feet or 624 millimeters in diameter), which also weighs some 3,527 pounds (1,600 kilograms), according to IAI . Air LORA is assumed to be similar, if not identical in general size to its ground-launched counterpart. IAI has at least test-launched Air LORA from Israeli Air Force F-16Is, showing it can be employed by medium-weight tactical jets. The company is already pitching the weapon as a potential addition to the arsenals of other aircraft types, including current-generation variants of the F-15 combat jet and the P-8 maritime patrol plane , as can be seen in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO2LMiCPROc

There is a strong precedent for turning ground-based short-range ballistic missiles into air-launched types, even in the United States. The U.S. Army's current Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles, which are larger than the PrSMs now set to replace them, evolved from a joint program that included plans for an air-launched companion. You can read more about the Joint Tactical Missile System (JTACMS) program here .

ATACMS has become something of a household name around the world thanks to the U.S. military transferring stocks of them to Ukraine's armed forces . Ukrainian units have demonstrated the glaring effectiveness of these weapons , especially against some of Russia's most modern air defenses, including S-400 surface-to-air missile systems , and aircraft parked out in the open at air bases. Ships , troop concentrations , and other targets have also fallen victim to ATACMs.

A US Army M270-series launcher fires an ATACMS missile. US Army

So, an air-launched version of PrSM capable of being employed by tactical combat jets like the F-15 and F-16, as well as larger platforms like the B-52 , the forthcoming B-21 , and the P-8 , could be an immense boon to the U.S. military. PrSM's smaller form factor compared to weapons like Air LORA could make it easier to integrate onto fighter-sized aircraft (and be less taxing on them to carry), as well as expand the total number that bombers might be able to lug around, including in their internal bays.

Ballistic missiles, in general, reach high-supersonic, if not hypersonic speeds (above Mach 5) in the terminal phase of flight. That speed increases the capacity of these weapons to burrow down into hardened targets and also reduces their overall flight time, making them particularly well-suited to striking hardened and/or time-sensitive threats. Fast-flying ballistic missiles are also very challenging to intercept and otherwise give opponents limited time to react in any way.

Many modern ballistic missiles also have some ability to maneuver during portions of their flight, which can be used to help reduce the chance of interception. The ability to follow a so-called porpoise or skip-glide" trajectory, which involves the missile abruptly pulling up at least once, but potentially multiple times, which then creates an equal number of downward "steps," is a prime example of this kind of capability.

A graphic associated with a Chinese short-range surface-launched anti-ship ballistic missile showing an example of a porpoise or skip-glide" trajectory. Chinese internet

To reiterate, ballistic missiles with maneuvering capabilities are entirely distinct from novel hypersonic weapons using unpowered boost-glide vehicles, the latter of which have higher degrees of maneuverability at higher speeds. Hypersonic boost-glide vehicle weapons can also fly farther over relatively flat non-ballistic trajectories and move erratically during their flight, as you can read more about here .

A graphic giving a general comparison between the flight profiles of traditional ballistic missiles and hypersonic boost-glide vehicle weapons, as well as air-breathing hypersonic cruise missiles. GAO

Air-launched ballistic missiles offer additional flexibility, especially over ground-based types, by expanding the number of potential launch points and vectors. This, in turn, presents additional complications for defenders and opportunities for the shooters.

Any missile fired from an aircraft also benefits greatly from its launch platform's speed and altitude, especially in terms of range and end-game kinematic performance. So, launching a ballistic missile at a high altitude and speed would give it significantly greater reach than it would have when employed in a ground or sea-based configuration. Kinzhal, for instance, benefitted dramatically in terms of range extension by being air-launched.

For the U.S. military, the need for more long-range and survivable stand-off strike options is only set to grow as near-peer competitors like China and Russia , as well as smaller nations like North Korea and Iran , continue to field more robust air defense capabilities. China, in particular, has been investing heavily in a broader anti-access and area denial strategy across broad swaths of the Western Pacific designed to limit the overall freedom of movement of hostile forces in the air and down below in a future major conflict.

Leveraging PrSM, specifically, to create a new air-launched ballistic missile could provide a ready path to additional future capabilities. The baseline version of the missile, also known as Increment 1, is designed to strike fixed target coordinates, but the Army is already working on an Increment 2 version with an additional seeker system primarily for use against ships , even ones on the move. The services hopes to be able to start fielding Increment 2 PrSMs as soon as 2026.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEtYWxscJRI

There are two more spiral PrSM developments, Increment 3 and Increment 4, already in the works. Increment 3 is centered on unspecified "enhanced" payloads over the unitary high-explosive warhead found in the baseline version. This might include the ability to unleash swarms of loitering munitions , also known as kamikaze drones. Increment 4 aims to increase the missile's maximum range to 620 miles (1,000 kilometers). Increment 4 may turn out to be a substantially different design that includes the addition of an air-breathing propulsion system , but that could also be adapted for use in an air-launched mode.

Giving an air-launched PrSM multimode seeker capabilities, potentially including radar and anti-radiation abilities, would make it an even more formidable destruction of enemy air defenses (DEAD) weapon than it already is. This would allow it to hit fleeting targets even after they stop radiating at greater distances than even the upcoming Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile  Extended Range (AARGM-ER) missile.

An air-launched PrSM could present massive cost benefits, as well, especially when compared to novel hypersonic weapons. In the past, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that a weapon like ARRW could have a unit cost of between $15 and $18 million. The Army's 2025 Fiscal Year budget proposal puts the Increment 1 PrSM's unit price at just under $1.5 million. PrSM production is starting to ramp up, and a USAF buy could help push those unit costs down further. Such an expanded buy would also result in more robust supply chains for the weapon in general.

A live AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile under the wing of a US Air Force B-52H bomber at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam ahead of a test earlier this year. USAF

Though not nearly as capable or long-ranged as a hypersonic boost-glide vehicle weapon like ARRW, an air-launched PrSM would still have significant reach and survivability, and could be acquired in larger numbers at a far lower relative cost. This, in turn, would help allow weapons like ARRW to be kept in reserve for use against extremely heavily defended and high-value targets like major air defense and other command and control nodes, especially during the open stages of a conflict.

As already noted, demand for the kind of stand-off aerial strike capability that an air-launched ballistic missile offers, including within the U.S. military, is only likely to grow in the coming years. Other countries, including the United States' chief competitor China, are clearly taking notice of this reality.

Altogether, PrSM looks to offer a very attractive set of features that are already efficiently packed into as close to an 'off-the-shelf' weapon system as possible that could drastically expand America's air-launched strike options. Considering what an 'Air PrSM' based on the already in-production missile could bring to the table, and the growing international precedent for these weapons, one has to wonder why this concept isn't already being aggressively perused.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Herbert Reul, Minister of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia, speaks at the opening of the International Police Cooperation Center (IPCC). The IPCC will be the police headquarters for the whole of Germany during the European Football Championship. Fabian Strauch/dpa

A suspected Islamic State supporter arrested last week had applied for an accreditation to work as a steward at Euro 2024, a German state minister said on Monday.

Herbert Reul, Interior Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, said there were "no concrete attack plans.

"We have checked all those who will be working in these areas of security and order because they need accreditation," he said.

"And during the accreditation process, it became apparent that this young man could pose a problem and that is why we are now taking careful care of him."

The man with German-Morrocan-Polish citizenship was detained on Friday at Cologne/Bonn airport. He is suspected to have transferred $1,700 via a crypto currency exchange to an account of the Khorasan Province branch of jihadist group Islamic State.

The suspect is accused of supporting a terrorist group and violations of Germany's foreign trade and payment law.

Sources told dpa the man had sought accreditation for side events at the Euros, outside the stadiums, such as at public viewing areas.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser named the arrest "a big success" for the local authorities.

"It's good that the security forces have taken notice, which shows that our concepts for security checks are obviously working, she said.

Faser and Reul were speaking in Neuss at the official opening of the International Police Cooperation Center (IPCC) for the month-long Euros which kick off on Friday.

"We have a very high risk in abstract terms, but we have nothing concrete," Faeser said, adding that there can never be 100% certainty.

"Security is the highest priority for us. We are very, very well prepared and I therefore hope that it will be peaceful and safe games."

Herbert Reul, Interior Minister of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser talk during a press conference at the International Police Cooperation Center (IPCC). The IPCC will be the police headquarters for the whole of Germany during the European Football Championship. Fabian Strauch/dpa
MANHATTAN (KSNT)  Ascension is releasing new information following a ransomware attack last month impacting its hospital network in Kansas.

Scott Evans with Ascension announced in a press release on June 10 that both Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan and its Wamego Health Center are open and operational in the aftermath of the May cyber attack. Ascension hospital locations in Wichita and Pittsburg have also restored services used for electronic patient documentation in care settings.

Despite the challenges posed by the recent ransomware incident, patient safety continues to be our utmost priority. Our dedicated doctors, nurses, and care teams are demonstrating incredible thoughtfulness and resilience as we use manual and paper based systems during the ongoing disruption to normal systems. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this unexpected situation. Rest assured, our commitment to the health and safety of our community remains our highest priority. Ascension spokesperson statement excerpt June 10

Credit card skimmers found at northeast Kansas gas stations

While Ascension is offering all of its services at its Manhattan and Wamego locations, it continues to warn patients to expect delays for the time being. The transition to manual systems for patient documentation have lead to increased wait times and delays when scheduling a doctors appointment, surgical operations, diagnostic imaging and other tests and treatments.

Electronic Health Record (EHR) access is expected to be restored by the week ending in June 14. For more information on how Ascension is responding to the cyber attacks aftermath in Kansas, click here.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Additional proof, were it needed, that the brands spearheading Geneva Watch Days (GWD) are a driving force for the watch community: on June 4, some thirty of the fifty-plus exhibitors taking part in the fifth edition, end August, relocated the concept to the city of Zurich. The event was a huge success for the more than 500 guests, whose only question was: "What took you so long?"

The "casual chic" format behind GWD's success since 2020 was a huge hit with Zurich's watch enthusiasts, who were delighted to finally have such an event in what is Switzerland's financial capital. Guests descended on the fashionable city-centre location, decked out in GWD colours, to enjoy a cocktail reception, lounge areas, hands-on sessions with the watches, a chance to chat with brand CEOs and staff, and of course an area set aside to browse GMT and GMT XXL magazines, which proved as popular as the delicious appetizers among visitors across all generations.

Edouard Meylan, Antoine Pin and Georges Kern  GWD

Strength in numbers

The CEOs of three of the six founding brands  Antoine Pin (Bulgari, president of GWD), Georges Kern (Breitling, whose head office is a couple of blocks away) and Edouard Meylan (H. Moser & Cie., whose idea it was)  thanked guests and explained how the Zurich event had come about. After each edition, the exhibitors at GWD, which has always been self-directed and decentralised, meet for a debrief and to start planning for the following year. Rather than taking the concept across the Atlantic to New York, Edouard Meylan suggested crossing the River Sarine instead. There's a lot happening in Zurich but nothing specifically watch-related. "Let's go meet Zurich's collectors," suggested Meylan, for whom Geneva Watch Days has kept its original spirit: "This stopover in Zurich is an excellent example of collaboration. Large brands such as Breitling and Bulgari don't really need to be here. Budgets were kept within limits so that the smaller brands could take part and Breitling made its teams available for the organisational aspects." H. Moser was, incidentally, the brand that invited the most guests.

Geneva Watch Days in Zurich  GWD

Speaking at the afternoon's press conference, Georges Kern told journalists "we never expected GWD to grow to this magnitude but the spirit is unchanged. Small brands, which have something different to offer, have the same visibility as the large ones. We're almost like incubators. We all have a duty to promote watchmaking and, in a way, this is our contribution to the industry, which employs 65,000 people in Switzerland and is one of the country's largest export sectors."While in Zurich, Breitling took the wraps off new versions of its Chronomat and announced the opening this summer of a 370-sq. m. Pop-up Museum in the city; part of celebrations for its 140th anniversary.

Geneva Watch Days in Zurich  GWD

What next?

Antoine Pin was delighted by the level of attendance, declaring that "the vast majority of people invited, of all ages and genders, are here, including a great many collectors and enthusiasts"  proof that there is demand for this type of event. "We're still in a 'test and learn' phase. Brands are under no obligation to make a long-term commitment. It's still very flexible. Today's result exceeds all expectations." So what's next? "I see Geneva Watch Days as a celebration of watchmaking. The aim is to introduce the public to watchmaking's professions, people, brands and products, and to demonstrate and share the energy and vitality of our industry. It's part Fashion Week, part Art Basel, open to the public and adaptable to different times and places. Something the Seddiqi do extremely well with Dubai Watch Week."

The 5th Geneva Watch Days will run August 29 to September 2, 2024.
FLETCHER - Between the moving concrete and tall steel frame of what will become the new Asheville Regional Airport's north concourse, airport President and CEO Lew Bleiweis is practically exuberant to talk about the progress they've made to build their new north concourse.

The project wasn't always envisioned as a multiyear, $400 million expansion and creation of a new terminal.

In 2017, the airport was just looking at the sixth expansion of the original 1961 terminal, but after consultants hired to develop the long-term plan for the project eventually told airport staff the "existing building was not applicable or going to work," Bleiweis said the answer was clear.

"We needed a brand new terminal," he said.

"This is what has been born out of that process," Bleiweis continued, smiling under a dark blue hard hat in the shade of the recently completed frame of the north concourse.

Lew Bleiweis, Asheville Regional Airports president and CEO, talks with the media while standing in the new north concourse, currently under construction, June 7, 2024. Also pictured is John Baumeister, AVL Forward's project manager.

Recent progress on the expansion project known as "AVL Forward" indicates the team is on time to complete the north concourse, Bleiweis said, putting it on pace to complete the whole project within the approximately three-and-a-half year timeline.

The project, which is mostly funded by government bonds and state grants, will bring the airport from seven gates to 12, while expanding the current square footage of the airport by about 150%, modernizing boarding bridges and establishing new amenities including nursing facilities, new concessions, ticketing and a "pet bathroom," Bleiweis noted.

In the first phase of the project, the airport will add a north concourse and then pivot operations to the new building. After that, the airport will demolish the south concourse, which will then be followed by another year-and-a-half of construction to build it anew. After Phase 1 and 2 are complete, Phase 3 will require a year of expected "back of house" construction, setting the final timeline for the project to be complete for sometime in 2027.

Throughout this first phase, the airport's growth has not slowed down.

Travelers wait in line to board an Allegiant flight at Asheville Regional Airport as a Delta flight prepares for takeoff, June 7, 2024.

In 2023, passenger numbers soared to an all-time high, with 2.2 million passengers passing through the airport, a 22% increase over 2022, and passenger travel to the mighty regional airport hasn't slowed down over the first few months of 2024.

By the end of the year, they're likely to break that record again, Bleiweis said.

From what the airport has reported in its first three months, over 440,000 passengers traveled through the airport by the end of March. It's a 9% increase compared to the same three-month period in 2023.

"We just believe and feel that from prior history that we're just going to continue to grow," Bleiweis said, standing where future seating arrangements for the north concourse will be. In the distance, a line of passengers pile into an Allegiant Airline flight.

More: Asheville Airport's $400 million expansion breaks ground amid record-breaking summer

A new north concourse is currently under construction at Asheville Regional Airport.

Airport growth stems from nonstop flights, Florida

The relationship between nonstop flights, provided by several airlines including Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta and United, has created a strong foundation for the growth of the regional airport that now claims the spot as the third busiest in North Carolina, Bleiweis said.

Since Allegiant started serving the airport in 2011, the discount carrier has grown its nonstop flight locations from Asheville from just four Florida-based airports to 19 different locations across nine states.

In fact, Bleiweis said the airport is even able to track the long-term end-to-end travel information for many who travel through the airport. Many are coming to Asheville via Florida, Bleiweis said, citing the increased number of Floridians to Asheville being a popular second-home, tourism and retirement location.

"There's a huge migration of second homeowners in Florida that we have the ability to track some of the data on," Bleiweis said. "People are traveling back and forth much more frequently because of Allegiant and the ultra low-cost carriers."

Among those coming to the region from Florida is AVL Forward's project manager John Baumeister, who moved to Mills River just recently to work on the project.

Baumeister works for general contractor Hensel Phelps, which won the terminal modernization project bid in 2020. The company does the most general contracting for airports in the United States, Baumeister said, with the company reporting a nearly $22 billion aviation project portfolio.

An actively engaged ownership and consistent progress since breaking ground in August means Baumeister gives airport staff onsite tours "about once a week." The project has around 115 employees, between salaried staff and part-time workers.

Asheville Regional Airports new north concourse is under construction in Fletcher.

Passengers must walk on tarmac while construction is underway

The massive effort to bring the new terminal to life has not been without some major changes to airport functions.

Currently, passengers board all planes on ramps, rather than bridges, to keep as much space for planes as possible. Construction in the baggage claim area has required the airport to move the rental car check-in.

About half of the airline ticket lobby had to be demolished to continue construction, meaning some airline check-in lines over the summer will begin outside, rather than inside the ticket lobby, Asheville Airport spokesperson Tina Kinsey recently told the Citizen Times.

The move to ramps from bridges is to conserve space, Kinsey said, while the baggage claim and ticket lobby changes come from the phasing of the project construction.

After the completion of the north concourse in summer 2025, airport staff indicate boarding bridges will return while some construction and temporary phasing for the project will still be required, including a temporary checkpoint area in the new concourse.

John Baumeister, AVL Forward's project manager, left, and Jared Merrill, with airport authority planning, walk toward the new north concourse and energy center at Asheville Regional Airport in Fletcher, June 7, 2024.

Other passenger difficulties have centered on parking, with passengers previously telling the Citizen Times "parking options are tough during peak travel times" at the airport.

AVL Forward doesn't include a new parking solution, though the airport has recently opened more lots and has indicated its long-term master plan will eventually guide them to the development of a new parking garage.

Through it all, airport staff are asking the community to have patience. The airport encourages passengers to arrive two hours before their flight takes off.

"We are restrained with the construction going on, and we just hope that our community has patience while they are flying through and using our facilities," Bleiweis said.

More: Answer Man: No boarding bridges at the Asheville Airport? When will they return?

More: Allegiant Air launches new Asheville Airport nonstop to 'magical' Florida destination

Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville Airport to see new north concourse by 2025; growth continues
ASHEVILLE - When DeAngelo Collins was in eighth grade, he was expelled from school. Then as a senior in high school, was shot twice in the same incident that killed a 12-year-old.

That was a life changing, altering event for me and kind of my why for why I pour my energy into the youth because I never want to see anybody else go through that, said Collins, whos now the director of My Daddy Taught Me That, a local, Black-led nonprofit that supports young men through advocacy, education and mentoring.

I want to lead by example and change the narrative, Collins said at a June 7 gun safety event at Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville.

Kaige Jackson, left, and Jayden Sibert play a game of knockout as DAngelo Elliott, a volunteer with STM Multimedia Company, looks on at Buncombe Countys gun safety event at Pack Square Park, June 7, 2024.

The event was organized by My Daddy Taught Me That, YTL and the SPARC Foundation to highlight the need for violence prevention efforts and promote responsible firearm ownership through safe storage during Gun Violence Awareness Month.

As children jumped in bounce houses, water splashed on the splash pad and music blared over speakers, community workers and law enforcement handed out free gun safety locks and demonstrated how to use lock boxes and gun cases.

More: Data: Buncombe County's Black youths disproportionately sent to criminal justice system

Nearly one year ago to the day of this event, gun shots rang out in this same park in Ashevilles city center when a 16-year-old was charged with shooting two other juveniles at the end of the citys Juneteenth Festival.

In Buncombe County, the number of criminal complaints involving minors with guns jumped from 20 to 71  a 255% increase  when comparing data from January through October 2022 to the same time period in 2023. The number of youths involved in these complaints also increased by 200% from 10 to 30 minors in Buncombe County, according to data provided by the county.

So far in 2024, the number of minors killed by firearms is trending lower than normal, with none this year to date, according to Jorge Redmond, chair of the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. However, the rise in the number of children involved in gun activity is becoming an issue, Redmond said.

Guns are readily accessible and available to our youth, Keynon Lake, founder of My Daddy Taught Me That, told the Citizen Times. We see it all too well. Kids are walking around with rounds of clips.

More: New NC law: now easier for police to interrogate, release information about juveniles

Keynon Lake, CEO of My Daddy Taught Me That, speaks at a gun safety event hosted by Buncombe County, June 7, 2024.

Capt. Dustan Aulderage with the Buncombe County Sheriffs Office said theyve seen handguns, rifles and shotguns in the hands of children. In 2023, a teenager shot an AR-15 at least 50 times into homes north of Woodfin, seriously injuring one man.

Its not the norm to see minors with semi-automatic rifles, Aulderage said, but it does happen, unfortunately.

How children get their hands on firearms is hard to say, but a lot can be prevented by securely storing weapons, according to Will Baxter, the countys community violence prevention coordinator. Aulderage agreed, saying most of the youth gun calls hes handled stem from an adult hiding a firearm somewhere they think a child wouldnt find it.

Other contributing factors are ghost guns, or kits that allow people to purchase parts that can be built into an untraceable weapon, and firearms left unlocked in vehicles that are broken into, Baxter said.

More: Search warrant: Student brought 'ghost gun' and ammunition to Erwin High School

Gun locks were given out at Buncombe Countys fun safety event, June 7, 2024.

Redmond, the JCPC chair, said there was a spike in youth gun violence after the COVID-19 pandemic, but he is hopeful that the trend will return to normal, especially with the help of multiple community programs that are continuing to educate young people on the consequences.

Baxter said the community violence intervention program is trying to target the root causes, as well as get youths involved in positive activities and teach them how to be leaders in the community.

Collins, My Daddy Taught Me That director, said, leading by example is the best thing you can do for them and exposing them to something new, getting them out of that environment.

Whether its community engagement like this, on calls where we go to peoples homes, or within the schools, were trying to educate people to the best of our ability before it becomes an enforcement issue, Capt. Aulderage said.

How to store guns safely

Firearms are now the leading cause of injury-related death for children and youths in North Carolina, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety. Here are some tips to safely and securely store guns.

Store your firearm safely by unloading it, locking it up, making sure it stays locked, and not leaving it unsecure in a car.

There are five ways you lock your firearm: use a gun safe, lockbox, gun case, cable lock, or trigger lock.

NC S.A.F.E. recommends following this safety checklist:

Have a method for effectively locking firearms.

Lock it up after every use.

Unload it when its not in use.

Store ammunition in a separate location when possible.

Keep the lock combination or location of a key secret from children and others who should not access firearms.

Lock firearms regardless of whether theyre at home or in a vehicle.

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe County holds gun safety event amid youth gun crime increase
In a welcome development for people who care about liberty, Australia's government suspended its efforts to censor the planet. The country's officials suffered pushback from X (formerly Twitter) and condemnation by free speech advocates after attempting to block anybody, anywhere from seeing video of an attack at a Sydney church. At least for the moment, they've conceded defeat based, in part, on recognition that X is protected by American law, making censorship efforts unenforceable.

A Censor Throws In the Towel

"I have decided to discontinue the proceedings in the Federal Court against X Corp in relation to the matter of extreme violent material depicting the real-life graphic stabbing of a religious leader at Wakeley in Sydney on 15 April 2024," the office of Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, announced last week. "We now welcome the opportunity for a thorough and independent merits review of my decision to issue a removal notice to X Corp by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal."

The free speech battle stems from the stabbing in April of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and Father Isaac Royel at an Orthodox Christian Church by a 16-year-old in what is being treated as an Islamist terrorist incident. Both victims recovered, but Australian officials quickly sought to scrub graphic video footage of the incident from the internet. Most social media platforms complied, including X, which geoblocked access to video of the attack from Australia pending an appeal of the order.

But Australian officials fretted that their countrymen might use virtual private networks (VPNs) to evade the blocks. The only solution, they insisted, was to suppress access to the video for the whole world. X understandably pushed back out of fear of the precedent that would set for the globe's control freaks.

Global Content Battle

"Our concern is that if ANY country is allowed to censor content for ALL countries, which is what the Australian 'eSafety Commissar' is demanding, then what is to stop any country from controlling the entire Internet?" responded X owner Elon Musk.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) also argued that "no single country should be able to restrict speech across the entire internet" as did the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). The organizations jointly sought, and received, intervener status in the case based on "the capacity for many global internet users to be substantially affected."

In short, officials lost control over a tussle they tried to portray as a righteous battle by servants of the people against, in the words of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, "arrogant billionaire" Elon Musk. Instead, civil libertarians correctly saw it as a battle for free speech against grasping politicians who aren't content to misgovern their own country but reach for control over people outside their borders.

Worse for them, one of their own judges agreed.

"The removal notice would govern (and subject to punitive consequences under Australian law) the activities of a foreign corporation in the United States (where X Corp's corporate decision-making occurs) and every country where its servers are located; and it would likewise govern the relationships between that corporation and its users everywhere in the world," noted Justice Geoffrey Kennett in May as he considered the eSafety commissioner's application to extend an injunction against access to the stabbing video. "The Commissioner, exercising her power under s 109, would be deciding what users of social media services throughout the world were allowed to see on those services."

He added, "most likely, the notice would be ignored or disparaged in other countries."

American Speech Protections Shield the World

This is where the U.S. First Amendment and America's strong protections for free speech come into play to thwart Australian officials' efforts to censor the world.

"There is uncontroversial expert evidence that a court in the US (where X Corp is based) would be highly unlikely to enforce a final injunction of the kind sought by the Commissioner," added Kennett. "Courts rightly hesitate to make orders that cannot be enforced, as it has the potential to bring the administration of justice into disrepute."

Rather than have his government exposed as impotently overreaching to impose its will beyond its borders, Kennett refused to extend the injunction.

Three weeks later, with free speech groups joining the case to argue against eSafety's censorious ambitions, the agency dropped its legal case pending review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

"We are pleased that the Commissioner saw the error in her efforts and dropped the action," responded David Greene and Hudson Hongo for EFF. "Global takedown orders threaten freedom of expression around the world, create conflicting legal obligations, and lead to the lowest common denominator of internet content being available around the world, allowing the least tolerant legal system to determine what we all are able to read and distribute online."

But if the world escaped the grasp of Australia's censors, the country's residents may not be so lucky.

Domestic Censorship Politics

The fight between eSafety and X "isn't actually about the Wakeley church stabbing attacks in April  it's about how much power the government ultimately hands the commissioner once it's finished reviewing the Online Safety Act in October," Ange Lavoipierre wrote for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"The video in dispute in the case against X has been used, in my opinion, as a vehicle for the federal government to push for powers to compel social media companies to enforce rules of misinformation and disinformation on their platforms," agrees Morgan Begg of the free-market Institute of Public Affairs, which opposes intrusive government efforts to regulate online content. "The Federal Court's decision highlights the government's fixation with censorship."

That is, the campaign to force X to suppress video of one crime is largely about domestic political maneuvering for power. But it comes as governments around the worldespecially that of the European Unionbecome increasingly aggressive with their plans to control online speech.

If the battle between Australia's eSafety commissioner and X is any indication, the strongest barrier to international censorship lies in countriesthe U.S. in particularthat vigorously protect free speech. From such safe havens, authoritarian officials and their grasping content controls can properly be "ignored or disparaged."

The post Australian Censors Back Down, Highlighting the U.S. as a Free Speech Haven appeared first on Reason.com.
Austrian Airlines flight taxies Vienna International Airport in Schwechat, Austria, on August 4, 2021. One of its planes sustained hailstorm damage on Sunday. Photo by Florian Wieser/EPA-EFE

June 10 (UPI) -- An Austrian Airlines plane managed to land safely on Sunday in Vienna from Spain after it was damaged badly by hail while in the air, officials said.

The flight traveled uneventfully for most of its flight from Palma de Mallorca, Spain to the Vienna-Schwechat Airport before running into a hailstorm on the final leg of the trip.

Pilots flying the airplane, carrying 173 passengers and six crew members, issued a mayday emergency call during the flight.

The hailstorm cracked the cockpit's window and seriously damaged the nose of the aircraft and the top of the cockpit, along with other damage documented by social media. There were no reported injuries during the flight.

"According to current information, two front cockpit windows of the [Airbus] aircraft, the nose of the aircraft [the radome] and some paneling were damaged by the hail," the carrier said, according to CNN.

Austrian Airline officials said the storm caught pilots by surprise since it did not show up on radar.
Authorities searching for man who walked away from L.A. County community reentry program

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is searching for a man who walked out of a Los Angeles County Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) early Sunday evening.

The man, identified by CDCR as Anthony Tarin, was found to have left the facility at 6:13 p.m., and less than 15 minutes later, MCRP agents were notified that he had removed his GPS device.

Tarin, 53, is five feet, six inches tall and weighs 155 pounds, the corrections department said. He is said to have hazel eyes and was last seen wearing a gray T-shirt and gray sweatpants.

Authorities stated that Tarin has brown hair, but a photo provided by CDCR indicates he is bald.

Looters break into Auto Zone following street takeover report in Los Angeles

Tarin was received from L.A. County on Oct. 24, 2023, after being sentenced to two years and eight months for attempted robbery, a second-strike offense. He had been housed at MCRP Los Angeles County since April 8.

Anyone who sees Tarin or has knowledge of his whereabouts should contact law enforcement or call 911.

The CDCRs Male Community Reentry Program is a voluntary program for male offenders who have two years or less left to serve on their sentence. The program links offenders to a range of community-based rehabilitative services that assist with substance use disorders, mental health care and social support.

Since 1977, 99% of all people who have left an adult institution, camp or community-based program have been apprehended, CDCR 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 KTLA.
Automated red light cameras go green in Bensalem. How many drivers can expect tickets

More than 200 car owners can expect to receive fines after Bensalems new automated red light systems went green at the beginning of the month.

Bensalem became the second Bucks County community to implement the use of automated red light enforcement cameras at two of its high-traffic, high-accident intersections on June 1.

The first two days the system was operational, 210 violations with $100 fines were approved for vehicle owners whose license plates were captured blowing through the intersection after the traffic light turned red, Bensalem Sgt. Glenn Vandergrift said.

In May Bensalem issued more than 5,200 warning notices to vehicle owners whose cars are caught on camera driving through red lights at Street and Knights roads, and Route 1 and Old Lincoln Highway.

Bensalem saw nearly twice the number of warnings issued during its grace period compared with Warrington, where the cameras were installed earlier this year at the intersections of Bristol Road and Route 611 (Easton Road) and Street Road and Route 611.

Warrington issued 2,911 warnings between January and March 21, according to its recently released first quarter summary report. Police issued 2,122 violations between March 22 and April 30, which is 80% of potential violations submitted for review, according to a police press release.

The largest number of violations were sent to owners with Warrington addresses (15%) followed by Doylestown (10%), Warminster (8%), Chalfont (5%) and Jamison (2%), police said.

The highest speed recorded for a red-light violation was 68 miles per hour at the Easton and Bristol roads intersection.

Bensalem police have installed red light enforcement systems at the intersections of Route 1 and Old Lincoln Highway and Street and Knights Roads

More Bensalem police news Bensalem police charge man with stalking, breaking into home of woman he met on dating app

Here is a look at what drivers in the two communities can anticipate

How does red light photo enforcement camera system work

The system only operates when the traffic light is red. The camera captures two photo images and video of the alleged violation.

The first image provides a view of the vehicle before crossing the white stop line while the light is red. The second image provides a view of the vehicle after crossing the white stop line and proceeding through the intersection while the traffic light remained red.

The vehicle has to proceed past the white stop bar when the light turns red to receive a violation. Vehicles in the middle of the intersection attempting a left turn will not be violated.

Trained municipal police officers review photos to verify vehicle information and ensure the vehicle is in violation. Violations are mailed to vehicle owners.

Who gets the $100 red light ticket?

The fines are placed in a separate fund maintained by the municipality which is used to cover the monthly fee for the installation/maintenance costs paid to the company providing the equipment and local expenses associated with the program. Any money left over is forwarded to PennDOT for its Transportation Enhancements Grant Program.

Bensalem and Warrington each contract with Sensys Gatso, a Sweden company and one of the state approved contractors.

Bensalem and Warrington police now have automated red light cameras at key intersections that issue a $100 violations for offenders.

Do municipalities get money?

No. Communities do not get revenue from this program, but the police department can recoup money for personnel-related expenses related directly to the program, such as hiring a hearing examiner to listen to appeals and police overtime

Can I challenge a citation?

Yes. Each ticket contains a contest section with a list of valid defenses, including vehicle owners who were not driving at the time of infraction, or had reported their vehicle stolen or sold, or were part of a funeral procession. Check the back of the citation for specifics regarding this challenge process.

Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Red light cameras in Bensalem, Warrington snagging drivers
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  For the third consecutive week gas prices in Columbus dropped by over a dime.

According to GasBuddys survey of 500 stations in the Columbus area, the average gas price dropped by 14.2 cents per gallon to an average of $3.27. The recent decrease makes it a three-week total decline of 36.4 cents less per gallon, compared to when prices averaged $3.62 in mid-May.

The current price is also 30.4 cents per gallon lower than one month ago and 35.8 cents per gallon lower than this time one year ago. In Ohio, the average price of gas dropped by 12.8 cents per gallon, from $3.35 per gallon to $3.23 per gallon.

Columbus Gas Prices Tracker

The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $2.83 a gallon, while the most expensive was $3.59, a difference of 76 cents per gallon. Nationally, gas prices also dropped by 10 cents to $3.40 per gallon.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said the relief at the pump is a welcome sight for summer travelers and should continue throughout the month of June.

Weve seen one of the larger weekly drops in the national average price of gasoline in some time, and what incredible timing that it comes at the beginning of the summer driving season, said De Haan. With the declines, Americans will spend roughly $425 million less per week on gasoline than a year ago. and I expect additional declines ahead of July 4 for both gasoline and diesel prices.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Conservative parties in three EU Baltic countries have prevailed in the votes cast for the European Parliament, preliminary results showed on Monday.

In Latvia and Lithuania the respective governing party came out on top, while in Estonia an opposition force won. Eurosceptic parties received only modest support overall in the countries that all border Russia.

In Estonia, the conservative Isamaa party won two seats, one more than in the previous European elections in 2019, while the liberal Reform Party of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas lost one of its seats in the EU legislature.

Like the co-governing Social Democrats, it is sending one lawmaker to Brussels, while the remaining three of the seven Estonian seats went to three opposition parties.

The winners of the vote in Latvia were Prime Minister Evika Silina's centre-right Unity party and the right-wing National Alliance - they each won two seats. The other five seats went to a governing party, opposition forces and a liberal party not represented in the Latvian parliament.

Unlike in previous votes in Latvia, this time no clearly pro-Russian party won a seat in the EU parliament.

In Lithuania, which has 11 seats in the parliament, the ruling Conservatives of Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte were ahead of the opposition Social Democrats.

Participation in the European elections, in which the issues of national security and defence were at the forefront in all three countries in view of Russia's war on Ukraine, was subdued.

In Estonia it was 37.7% and Latvia 33.8%, while in Lithuania only 28.4% of those eligible to vote cast their ballot.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Department (ODWC) is set to make hunting and fishing one step easier for Oklahomans.

The Oklahoma Wildlife License Modernization Act was signed into law March 26 by Gov. Kevin Stitt after it previously passed the state House of Representatives and Senate. The act will become effective July 1, 2024.

Hunting & fishing licensing to streamline beginning in July

The measure is primed to streamline and simplify hunting and fishing licenses, and provide funding for the Wildlife Conservation Department primarily by adjusting license costs to regional averages. The modernization plan will be welcomed by its participants after experiencing the reduction of the array of licenses previously required for many activities and adjustments to license fees.

As an avid outdoorsman and a lifetime hunting and fishing license holder, Im proud to sign the Wildlife License Modernization Act, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said. Were going to be top 10 in everything and give Oklahoma hunters a streamlined licensing system. This bill gets government out of the way by combining multiple licenses, cutting red tape, and modernizing the process. Im excited for hunters to take advantage of the new licenses. Oklahomans will now get more bang for their buck. Literally.

The legislation was sponsored by state Sen. David Bullard of Durant, and state Rep. Ty Burns of Watchorn.

After more than 20 years, we have finally simplified our hunting and fishing licenses, and given residents more for their money. We also were able to get out-of-state licenses up to the regional average. This is a big step forward for Oklahoma outdoorsman especially residents. Sen. David Bullard of Durant

For the past four years, we have been working on this piece of legislation during my tenure as chairman of the Wildlife Committee. Oklahomas fees and license prices have been lower than those of surrounding states, putting pressure on state hunters and resources. With the approval of this legislation, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will receive much-needed funding to carry out its duties and provide a pay raise for game wardens. State Rep. Ty Burns of Watchorn.

Some highlights in the act:

Consolidation of more than 50 current hunting and fishing licenses into 15.

Defining all youth as anyone younger than 18, whether resident or nonresident.

Creation of a single youth super license that will take the place of about 15 different types of youth hunting licenses.

Providing resident deer hunters one license for all deer they are allowed to harvest in a season, which previously was only offered to nonresidents.

Increasing license costs for nonresidents hunting deer and waterfowl in Oklahoma.

Adding the black bear hunting license to the privileges granted with the lifetime hunting and lifetime combination licenses.

Restructuring Oklahomas cumbersome and outdated licensing structure has been the No. 1 priority the past several years for the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, said Wade Free, Interim Director of the Wildlife Conservation Department. We are grateful for the sponsorship of Senate Bill 941 by Sen. Bullard and Rep. Burns during this legislative session. And we want to express our deepest thanks to the more than 15 conservation-minded partner groups who threw their support behind ODWC and this measure because they understand how crucial it is to the future of Oklahomas natural resources.

The best rain chances Monday are in southwestern and southern OK closer to a stalled front in north Texas.

The license restructuring provides simplification, and is a big boost for conservation in Oklahoma, and it will be a significant improvement for everyone who hunts and fishes in the state, Free said.

For more information, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Ukrainian actor Dmytro Stupka, who moved to the United States with his wife and child in the fall of 2021, frankly admitted which country he associates his future with. He spoke about this in an interview with OBOZ.UA.

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According to the actor, he has been making a career in Ukraine for years, so he hopes to return to acting in his native country. However, given the fact that his daughter is unlikely to return to Ukraine with her mother (the couple divorced in America), he plans to visit her there to see her.

"I understand that my daughter will live here, because my mother already has her own business, her own life," says Stupka, "and I have no right to take my child away from her mother. So, God willing, when the war ends, I will live in two countries. I worked in Ukraine for many years and made a career, and I would not want to break it all up so easily. I miss Kyiv, my friends, relatives, and my profession. Of course, I see how well things are going in the theater, the queues for tickets. I miss it because I love the audience and the stage. But now my child comes first."

ADVERTISIMENT

In the fall of 2021, Stupka moved to the United States with his then-wife, Belarusian blogger Polina Logunova, and daughter Bohdana. Logunova admitted in an interview that she and her husband were considering moving to this country for permanent residence. Dmytro Stupka says that he was supposed to return to Ukraine at the end of February 2022: "I bought a ticket home for February 23, 2022. When I was flying to Istanbul, where I had a connection to Kyiv, I read on social media that war had broken out. I couldn't get home  the skies were closed. I lived in Europe for several months, volunteering. And then I returned to America to be closer to my daughter."

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The windows of a branch in Bristol were destroyed in a coordinated attack - Tom Wren / SWNS

Some 20 Barclays bank branches have been vandalised overnight by pro-Palestine activists, with windows smashed and buildings covered in red paint.

Protesters broke windows of branches and offices across England and Scotland as part of an ongoing demand for the bank to cut ties with Israel.

Members of Palestine Action shattered glass, sprayed paint and stencilled over the facades of around 20 buildings from Glasgow to Brighton.

In Edinburgh, rocks were thrown through windows, inscribed with the names of dead Palestinians, Palestine Action said.

The front of the bank's Moorgate branch splattered with red paint - Martin Pope/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

It is the latest incident to hit Barclays  which has joined a growing list of corporations targeted because of the Israel-Hamas war  in recent months. Companies including Starbucks, McDonalds and Google have also been targeted.

The group partnered with Shut the System, a recently launched underground climate movement, to carry out the attack.

A statement by Palestine Action read: The continuing illegal land grabs, apartheid regime, and unfolding genocide perpetuated by Israel are clear reasons to boycott the state, but companies such as Barclays are continuing to invest in its military industry, all in the name of profit.

Up until now, most groups have relied on peaceful demonstrations and open engagement with staff and managers. Now this has proven futile, groups like Palestine Action and Shut the System are escalating matters.

In Stockport, a police officer was pictured overlooking the destruction that saw red paint and shattered glass cover the pavement.

Meanwhile, customers in St Johns Wood were unable to withdraw cash after an ATM was doused in paint.

Protesters have long claimed that Barclays has deep links with the defence industry. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has claimed that the company has been funding the Israel Defense Forces.

According to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Barclays is complicit in Israels attacks on Gazas civilian population because it holds 1.6 billion worth of shares in, and provides 3 billion of loans to, military companies that make technology used in Israels Gaza operations.

Defence companies in which Barclays is claimed to be a shareholder include BAE Systems, the UK manufacturer, Ultra Electronics and Qinetiq, US contractors Boeing, Caterpillar and General Dynamics, and some Israeli contractors.

Barclays has lent or underwritten financing for Boeing, Caterpillar, BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Raytheon and QinetiQ, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign claims.

A police officer looks over the scene of destruction at a Barclays branch in Stockport - Milo Chandler / Alamy Live News

Man surveys the damage done to the branch in St John's Wood, London - Martin Pope/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce are involved in the production of the F-35, which has been used in the Gaza conflict, while Caterpillar makes D9 bulldozers used by the Israeli military.

General Dynamics manufactures the Namer armoured vehicle for Israel, while Boeing makes the Apache attack helicopter and Hellfire missile.

However, it is Barclays ties to Elbit Systems, the Israeli defence company, that cause the most controversy. The company, listed in Tel Aviv and New York, is a constant focus for pro-Palestinian campaigners. According to activists, it manufactures weapons that have been used in historic bombardments against the Gaza Strip.

Customers at the same branch in St John's Wood unable to withdraw cash after the attack - Martin Pope/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

A Palestine Action activist said: Barclays is funding the crises of climate collapse and genocide in Palestine. Decades of polite campaigning, petitions, letter writing and lobbying MPs have failed.

We will continue to escalate until Barclays pulls its finger out and stops funding genocide and climate destruction.

Barclays rebutted the claims and said protesters have fundamentally misunderstood its business.

Parts of Bury shopping centre were closed off following an attack on the town's Barclays - Milo Chandler / Alamy Live News

A Barclays spokesman said: We provide vital financial services to US, UK and European public companies that supply defence products to Nato and its allies. Barclays does not directly invest in these companies.

The defence sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK government has been clear that supporting defence companies is compatible with ESG considerations. Decisions on the implementation of arms embargoes to other nations are the job of respective elected governments.

While we support the right to protest, we ask that campaigners do so in a way which respects our customers, colleagues and property.

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Its not been confirmed where Barron Trump will attend college, but one university on the speculated list made an interesting announcement recently.

Almost a year ago, Donald Trump said his youngest son, then a senior at Oxbridge Academy near West Palm Beach, was thinking about the University of Pennsylvania, from where the former president graduated and studied at the Wharton School.

But in an interview early this month, the 2024 presumptive Republican nominee said his sons where-to-go-to college decision had been altered by "rioting," a reference to Israel-Gaza war protests and confrontations that took place this spring on numerous high-profile campuses across the country.

Next up: Where will Donald Trump's son Barron Trump attend college?

Former President Trump and wife Melania attended the high school graduation ceremony of their son, Barron, at Oxbridge Academy last month.

University of Pennsylvania announces process to address campus protests

Last week, however, the University of Pennsylvania issued a policy of temporary standards and procedures to govern on-campus demonstrations and protests.

Penns announcement, dated June 6, included a document with guidelines on a wide-ranging set of considerations, including the scheduling events, amplified noise restrictions, defined access to public spaces on campus and even the use of posters, banners and chalking. In addition, a faculty-led task force will start reviewing policies and make recommendations on the guidelines.

The purpose of these Temporary Standards and Procedures is to reinforce and reaffirm Penns commitment to open expression and, at the same time, ensure that events, demonstrations, and other expressions of free speech are appropriately managed, while allowing Penn to deliver its core missions of teaching, research, service, and patient care without disruption, the announcement said.

Penns president, M. Elizabeth Magill, resigned last December after a disastrous congressional hearing in which she and other A-list university presidents testified about antisemitism on their campuses.

Where will Donald Trump's son Barron Trump go to college?

The former first couple has not said much.

One possibility could be New York University in Manhattan, where Barron spent much of his childhood  and lived until his father was sworn in as the 45th president in early 2017.

Trump said on Fox News this month that Barron had been accepted "everywhere" he applied, adding the recent high school graduate is "very sought after from the standpoint he's a very smart guy."

Is Barron Trump into politics?

If so, his entry into the arena will be delayed.

On May 8, NBC News reported that Barron Trump had been selected as a member of the Florida delegation to next month's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. As a delegate, he would join his half-brothers Donald Jr. and Eric, and half-sister Tiffany in casting votes to officially nominate their father as the GOP's presidential nominee for a third straight time.

But on the evening of May 10, Melania Trump issued a statement that saying that while Barron was honored to have been chosen, he was declining the opportunity due to prior commitments. She did not elaborate as to what those commitments might be.

Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Barron Trump college choice: University Pennsylvania issues protest guide
(L-R) Christian Doleschal, CSU Member of the European Parliament, Markus Soeder, Minister-President of Bavaria and Chairman of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU), Monika Hohlmeier (C), CSU Member of the European Parliament, Manfred Weber (R), Chairman of the European People's Party, and Stefan Kohler stand attend the CSU election party at the CSU party headquarters following the first results of the 2024 Europen Elections. Peter Kneffel/dpa

The leader of Germany's conservative CSU party in the state of Bavaria, Markus Soder, is calling for early national parliamentary elections as soon as possible, following the drubbing taken by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left coalition in the European election.

"This government is basically finished. And it must now be like France: There have been demands for new elections, there are new elections by Macron," Soder, who is also Bavaria's state premier, told the broadcaster n-tv on Monday morning.

"Our country needs a fresh start," he said. "That's why there should be new elections as soon as possible."

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the dissolution of the National Assembly following the resounding defeat of his party on Sunday evening by the far right.

Elections in two rounds are to be held on June 30 and July 7 before the start of the Olympic Games in Paris.
It all started last September, in the quiet Parisian suburb of Bercy  at least, as far as we can tell. A woman called Nawal took to social media to complain that she was covered in bed bug bites after watching a film at a local cinema. Her post caused the filmhouses owner to apologise and roll out emergency measures to contain the infestation in its seats.

But still Nawals bed bug bites went viral, as did a number of posts by other Parisians who claimed the same injuries. Soon it seemed like all of France was overrun with the bugs  in their homes and on public transport  and the hysteria quickly spread over the Channel.

Eurostar deep-cleaned its train carriages amid panic that the insects could be coming for London; airlines were urged to be on high alert, with permission to ground aircraft suspected of carrying these unwanted passengers.

Now, French officials are claiming that this plague simply never happened, at least not on the scale we all believed.

MEP Valerie Hayer pronounced last month that the furore was the result of Kremlin interference, and Frances Secretary of State for European Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot told journalists in March that the issue was very largely amplified by accounts linked to the Kremlin.

Secretary of State for European Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot said that the bed bug scare was 'amplified' by Russian disinformation bots - AFP

Both politicians were responding to concerns that the bugs could impinge on the upcoming Olympic games in Paris. But why would Russia want to fuel a panic about bed bugs?

The surprising answer from experts is: to influence this months European Union elections.

Exit polls suggest that President Emmanuel Macrons Renaissance party has come a very distant second to Marine Le Pens far-Right Rassemblement National, which is on course to win 32 per cent of the vote, more than double the proportion won by Macrons centrist alliance.

So bad are the projected results for the French president that he has called a snap parliamentary election to stem the far-Rights progress.

And such a result suits Moscows agenda.

[The bedbug ploy] was a campaign that began several months in advance of the EU elections but one that was very much to do with it, says Stephen Hutchings, a professor of Russian Studies at the University of Manchester. Particularly on social media the idea was that the bed bugs had been brought by a swarm of migrants flooding France and other European countries.

Sometimes where Russian social media actors were involved, this was specifically tied to Ukraine. The idea that Ukrainian refugees and migrants in general were bringing disease, filth and infestation with them was a way of slowly building up resistance among ordinary French and European people to the war and to the Macron government.

Whats more, Le Pen has been on record as saying quite sympathetic things about Russia and Putin,[while] Macron has now become this leading anti-Kremlin hawk, Hutchings adds, pointing to the French presidents recent statement that he had not ruled out sending troops to fight Russia in Ukraine.

Nobody is saying that Paris is totally bed-bug free. According to Frances Union Chamber of Insect Control, cases of bed-bug infestations rose between 2017 and 2022, with one in 10 households having experienced an unwanted visit in that time, long before last years panic began.

Rather, its likely that hysteria spread deliberately on social media following real sightings caused many to mistake more innocent insects for the creatures.

Images of the bed bug scare spread very quickly on social media accounts last October - AFP

Now that the panic has subsided, its easier to get a full picture of the problem.

Case in point: despite a video of a supposed bed bug on the London Underground (which led to 30 further reported sightings) and clips of passengers cling-filming their seats on the Paris Metro going viral, investigators in both countries failed to find a single bug, dead or alive.

This is what Russia does, says Rory Cormac, a professor specialising in international affairs and secret statecraft at the University of Nottingham. The key point is that they dont just make things up  they take something that is legitimate, like seeing what looks like bed bugs in a video taken on the Tube, and blow it up through inauthentic networks until it becomes a much bigger story.

By inauthentic networks, Cormac means the artificial spread of pictures and videos online by groups of accounts, as opposed to something naturally going viral among real social media users.

Some of this spreading is done by bots, or automated social media accounts set up to reshare things that make a target look bad. But there are also private firms that act on behalf of Russia or other states or groups, where employees man a number of fake accounts that amplify select types of social media posts.

Thats probably where this whole thing started, he says, with the Paris cinema case as a possible example, but the same people who kicked it off had probably tried to amplify a hundred different stories that day too.

The ultimate aim of this sort of tactic is to sow division and make people distrust authority, he adds. Some things take off  others dont.

This modus operandi has been comprehensively documented by Frances own state-run disinformation unit, Viginum, which was set up in 2021 to maintain vigilance and protection against foreign digital interference.

Recently Viginum has identified an onslaught of disinformation that it has pinned on the Kremlin in the run-up to the Olympics and the EU elections.

Paris is gearing up for hosting the Olympics this summer, an event which has so far cost 8.3 billion - REUTERS

According to a report by Le Monde last month, Russian-hired agents were responsible for drawing red hands  a pro-Palestinian symbol  on a Holocaust memorial earlier in May, as well as Stars of David in different parts of central Paris in late October.

In April, Viginum uncovered evidence of Russia-linked social media actors stirring things up on the bed bug front, says Hutchings.

It also claimed to have uncovered a Kremlin-linked network which they called doppelganger, which consisted of fake sites imitating well-known French media sites like Le Monde that were publishing articles with a distinct anti-French and pro-Russian slant.

The problem runs even deeper than this. Macron became victim to a disinformation campaign in the first days of his premiership and long before the issue was widely discussed, says Nicolas Henin, a French former journalist who now works with Hutchings on an independent counter-disinformation project.

Two days before the presidential election, some documents were leaked from the Macron campaign  most of which were real, and dealt with everyday things like catering expenses, but some of which had been planted by Russia and were fake, Henin explains.

Henin says that French media acted swiftly to contain the spread of the fake information, which he believes was planted by Russia, leaked by WikiLeaks and later amplified by the American alt-Right, in what he calls a sophisticated operation.

The bed bug scare saw multiple public shops and facilities cleaned by pest control in Paris, October 2023 - Bloomberg

Macron has since been cracking down on word warfare, Henin says. One of the first things Macron did in office was to set up a disinformation unit that eventually became Viginum, the one that functions today, he explains.

Because of this, Frances ability to attribute disinformation campaigns to Russia has increased, hence why French officials have been willing to come out and pin the bed-bug scare on the Kremlin.

Yet France has still struggled to shake its bed-bug problem. This is what disinformation does when its successful, it makes life difficult, says Cormac. The French government is keen to pin all this on Russia, but when there are inevitably bed bugs that crop up in Paris, theyre put in a lose-lose position.

And there is one other way in which the bed-bug story has furthered Moscows agenda. Thanks to work such as The Bedbug, a famous play by the Soviet poet and playwright Vladimir Mayakovsky, where a character is frozen in time and transported to a communist utopia some 50 years in the future  with a friendly bed bug as his companion, the insect occupies a certain place in the Russian cultural imagination.

In Russia, these insects are usually seen in a humorous dimension, says Hutchings, who has written extensively about Russian literature.

The bugs are very common in Russia, as I know at my own expense. The Russians see them as a part of everyday life, and really as no big deal, rather than as unpleasant or threatening as they are here and in France. It is a good story in the way that this problem can be used as a sort of mockery.

Hutchings points to Russias own state media coverage of the bed bug scare, which he described as disinterested and even sober. One report by state-owned news agency RIA Novosti pointed to the psychosis of Europe in blaming Russia for even its bed bug problem.

This is a win for Russia on one level because it makes us in the West look a bit ridiculous, as were getting into such a tiz about something that to them is so banal and trivial, Hutchings says.

On another level, it offers confirmation to a much bigger narrative, that the Western world is infested with Russophobia and that we are constantly blaming them for our most basic problems.

However you cut it, the professor concludes, this bed bug panic really does play into Putins hands.

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BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  The Bedford County School Board has chosen a new Superintendent to take the lead.

On June 3, the school division announced William F. Dupere as the new superintendent of Bedford County Public Schools, effective July 1.

William F. Dupere, Superintendent of Bedford County Public Schools. (Photo Courtesy: Bedford County Public Schools)

This comes after Superintendent Dr. Marc Bergin announced he will be leaving the school district at the end of the academic school year.

Dupere first kicked off his career in education over four decades ago. However, for the last 14 years, he served as the headmaster of Berean Christian School in Palm Beach, Florida. With a background in public and private administration, Dupere has demonstrated a commitment to fostering academic excellence and student development.

One of the Superintendent search survey comments stated, A servant leader would be a perfect fit for our district. I am confident that weve found our servant leader, said Marcus Hill, the Chairman of Bedford County School Board.

Dupere graduated from The Kings College where he earned his B.S. in Physical Education. He then attended Rowan University for a masters in Health and Physical Education and earned an M. Ed. in Educational Leadership from Lynn University.

From school operations to student services and budgeting, Dupere has extensive knowledge in education. The school says his experience will ensure that the school environment is conducive to learning and growth for all 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 WFXRtv.
Belarus will participate in the second stage of Russian drills simulating the launch of tactical nuclear weapons, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin announced on June 10.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced in May it would practice the usage of tactical nuclear weapons in response to purported and unspecified "provocative statements" from the West.

Later on, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Belarus and met Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko to discuss the potential participation of the Belarusian military in Russia's non-strategic nuclear drills.

"We are consistently strengthening our defense capabilities. And our participation in the second stage of the Russian Armed Forces' drills using non-strategic nuclear weapons proves it," Khrenin said in a statement published by the ministry.

Russia allegedly carries out such planned drills to "ensure its own security," while Belarus does not aim to "create tension" in matters of regional security, Khrenin claimed.

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Belarus has been a key ally to Moscow and supported Russian aggression against Ukraine, though it has not committed its own forces directly to hostilities. The country is also reportedly hosting Russian tactical nuclear arms on its territory.

The first stage of the exercises, which were ordered by Putin on May 6, involved missile units in Russia's Southern Military District, including the occupied territories of Ukraine.

Lukashenko ordered a sudden inspection of the country's tactical nuclear weapons launchers the following day. The nuclear weapons allegedly located in Belarus cannot be used without Moscow's authorization.

Putin has repeatedly made nuclear threats against Ukraine and the West since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The threats have failed to materialize, and Russia continues to wage its all-out war without using its nuclear arsenal.

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.
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French President Emmanuel Macron announced the dissolution of the National Assembly Sunday evening, following defeat of his party in 2024 European Parliament elections, according to a live broadcast of local media BFMTV.

"I have decided to give you back the choice of your parliamentary future through the vote. I am therefore dissolving the National Assembly this evening," Macron said in a short speech.

"This is a serious, weighty decision. But it is above all an act of trust," he added.

Macron's Renaissance party gained 15.2 percent of the votes in 2024 European Parliament elections, far behind far-right National Rally who received 31.8 percent.
The Princess of Wales was spotted at the Trooping the Color rehearsal, which took place on June 8 in London. In the photo from the event, you can see how a fan of the royal family brought a cardboard version of Kate Middleton to the event, as the Duchess herself will not be able to attend the parade in honor of King Charles Day.

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The woman who decided to come to the rehearsal in the company of the royal person chose her photo from the Earthshot Prize 2022 ceremony for the figure of Catherine. Interestingly, the founder of the award is the husband of the Princess of Wales, William.

On June 8, the real Kate Middleton addressed the Irish Guards, apologizing for her absence from the parade due to health reasons. The soldiers shared the letter on the social network X (Twitter). "I appreciate everyone who has trained for months this year," the letter reads.

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"It is a great honor to be your Colonel and I am very sorry that I am unable to attend. Please pass on my apologies to the entire regiment and send my best wishes and good luck to everyone involved," Catherine continued.

The Guardsmen said they were very touched by Her Royal Highness' words. Kate is an honorary colonel in the Irish Guards, which is leading this year's celebrations. Normally, the princess would have saluted during the Colonel's Review of the Irish Guards on June 8, a week before the big parade in London, but on May 30, the palace announced that she would not be attending.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Biden administration officials told NBC News that they have discussed a potential deal with Hamas that would see the release of five Americans currently held hostage in Gaza if ceasefire talks involving Israel break down.

The report, coming after an Israeli operation that rescued four hostages but, according to Gaza authorities, killed at least 274 Palestinians, is a sign of Biden's increasing frustration towards an Israeli government that has repeatedly scuppered ceasefire proposals over the past several months.

When asked by Time magazine about Israel's invasion of Gaza earlier in June, Biden said that "there is every reason" to believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the war for his own political benefit. In a meeting with the family members of hostages, Israeli security officials reportedly told them that Netanyahu would not countenance a hostage release deal unless it polled well for him.

Although Biden recently announced a proposal that he said was supported by Israel's war cabinet, Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition partners have insisted that they will not accept any deal to end the war without first accomplishing the complete destruction of Hamas.

The officials who spoke to NBC said that they are seeking the return of five American hostages and the bodies of three Americans who were killed during the Hamas attack on October 7, but do not know yet what they might give in exchange. They said that Biden and his advisors held these discussions in the context of whether the possibility of a unilateral deal with Hamas would add further pressure on Netanyahu to accept some version of a ceasefire.

Family members of the remaining 120 hostages held by Hamas, including the parents of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, have called on the Israeli government to reach an agreement that would guarantee the release of their loved ones and end the bloodshed in Gaza. Some have joined pro-ceasefire protests in Israel and were arrested by police.

We have seen the reports that the U.S. administration is considering negotiating directly with Hamas on freeing U.S. citizens from captivity in Gaza," Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin told NBC. "We welcome any negotiations that will lead to the return home of our loved ones who have been in captivity for over 8 months. We pray that every family with hostages will be reunited with their loved ones imminently.

Hamas has also been skeptical of recent proposals, but recently declared openness to a phased release of hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners detained before and after October 7. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday that the U.S. is still waiting on an official response from Hamas to the latest ceasefire offer.
President Joe Biden talks with Air Force Col. Angela Ochoa, Commander, 89th Airlift Wing, as he arrives at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Marine One Monday, June 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON (AP)  After back-to-back trips to Europe, President Joe Biden plans to head to Camp David next week to prepare for his first 2024 debate with former President Donald Trump, hunkering down at the woodsy Maryland hideaway that has hosted many similar cram sessions in the past.

Biden spent most of last week in France marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day. He goes to Italy on Wednesday for a summit of the Group of Seven industrialized nations and then straight to Los Angeles for a weekend fundraiser featuring Hollywood superstars George Clooney and Julia Roberts.

All that travel has left Biden little time to devote to preparation for the June 27 debate. A second faceoff is set for Sept. 10.

A person with knowledge of the president's plans, who insisted on anonymity to more freely discuss them, suggested Biden could spend the better part of a week at Camp David getting ready for the first debate.

But others involved in the planning said Monday that details were still being worked out, including how many days Biden would devote to prep. They said exactly where he'd be doing it, at Camp David or elsewhere, had not been finalized.

Camp David, located in the Catoctin Mountains northwest of Washington, is no stranger to presidents prepping for the debate stage. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan went there to ready themselves for debates during their reelection campaigns, as did George H.W. Bush before a debate in 1992.

President Barack Obama visited Camp David before his final debate with Republican Mitt Romney in 2012. Biden himself used the presidential retreat to prepare for his State of the Union address in February.

In a memo released to coincide with the one-month mark prior to the debate, Jen OMalley Dillon, chair of Biden's reelection campaign, wrote that the president will aim to go on the offensive and push Trump to talk about how his three appointees to the Supreme Court helped overturn Roe v. Wade, and how he could further undermine abortion rights in a second term.

Biden also wants Trump to discuss his attacks on U.S. democracy and promotion of political violence and an economic agenda that Biden's team says will furnish the rich with tax cuts while imperiling funding for Social Security, O'Malley Dillon wrote.

Trump, meanwhile, has been eager to debate Biden, challenging him to a faceoff anytime, anyplace.

At one point Trump suggested that the president join him for a debate outside the lower Manhattan courthouse where the presumptive Republican nominee was on trial for 34 felony counts in a case involving hush money payment to a porn actor. Trump's campaign set up an empty lectern at several of his rallies to underscore the message.

While Trump participated in more traditional debate prep in previous races  with his former friend-turned-critic Chris Christie playing the role of Hillary Clinton in 2016  his team insists that this time around he will be eschewing the kind of formal preparation expected from Biden.

President Trump takes on numerous tough interviews every single week and delivers lengthy rally speeches while standing, demonstrating elite stamina, said Trump senior adviser Jason Miller.

-

Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report from New York.
Liberal politicians and immigration advocates have lost the national debate on immigration.

They prove this by remaining stubbornly tone-deaf to the political reality that most US voters - including Latinos - are concerned about what they view as a crisis at the US-Mexico border.

With Republicans led by former President Donald Trump clearly attempting to exploit the historically high illegal border crossings in an election year, President Joe Biden addressed these realities last week when he issued an executive order restricting the number of asylum seekers entering the United States without a visa or other authorized documentation.

Opinion

Liberals protested loudly on X and other social media platforms while others compared Biden to Trump.

By reviving Trumps asylum ban, President Biden has undermined American values and abandoned our nations obligations to provide people fleeing persecution, violence, and authoritarianism with an opportunity to seek refuge in the U.S, said U.S. Senator Alex Padilla of California.

Padilla wants Biden to help clear a backlog of cases that are causing desperate people to live in limbo as they plead for asylum in America. He also wants Biden to support smart and strategic investments that create more legal pathways to migration while addressing the root cause of migration. These are worthy ideas but all of this requires money that Congress has not given the president.

A good Senator for California, Padillas response to Bidens asylum restrictions omitted an important issue to voters: border enforcement. The U.S. Border Patrol encountered nearly a quarter million undocumented immigrants in December alone, a record.

It used to be that most encounters and apprehensions almost exclusively involved people fleeing Mexico or Central America, but that has been shifting according to the data. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 50,000 encounters from last December involved people from Venezuela. There have also been sharp increases in people from China at the U.S.-Mexico border. Majority-Democrat cities such as New York have been overwhelmed by migrants, some from as far away as Africa.

Judging by the responses of liberals on social media, any enforcement measures taken by Biden or anyone else are always wrong, cruel, or bad.

We join immigrants and communities across the country in condemning President Biden for continuing to treat immigrants as expendable and legitimizing the far-rights fear-mongering and racist agenda, wrote the Detention Watch Network, a Washington D.C.-based. non-profit seeking to abolish detention in the United States.

American voters disagree.

A CBS News poll released Sunday showed broad support for Bidens action with 70% of registered voters saying they agreed with what he did. Tellingly, Latino support was at 69%, nearly identical to the overall number.

A Pew Research Center poll in March showed that 76% of U.S. Latinos believe the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border was either a crisis or a major problem. In liberal California, an October Public Policy Institute of California poll showed that 64% of California Latinos believe the situation at the border is a crisis or a major problem. So did 68% of all Californians who are likely voters.

These numbers may explain why the majority of Californias Latino Legislative Caucus was silent in response to Bidens action from last week, which will block access to new asylum cases if illegal border crossings remain high - more than an average of 2,500 per day.

Mike Madrid, the Sacramento-based political operative who has run election campaigns for Democrats and Republicans, has written that both major political parties are addicted to their immigration immigration talking points.

Republicans demonize immigrants to scare and activate white voters. Democrats posit Republicans as racists in an attempt to activate liberal white voters and Latinos. But as Madrid writes in The Latino Century, his soon-to-be-published book, Latino voters are increasingly American-born, English-speaking and concerned about border security in numbers similar to white voters. (Full disclosure: I helped write and edit Madrids book, which will be published on June 18).

Democrats are seemingly stuck in addressing Latino issues as those of the immigrant (particularly the undocumented) while the vast majority of Latino voters are not immigrants, nor prioritize that experience as a primary concern when voting, Madrid wrote in his book, whose full title is The Latino Century: How Americas Largest Minority is Transforming Democracy.

Compassion for undocumented immigrants and concerns about border security are not mutually exclusive. Comparing what Biden is doing now and what Trump did as president is preposterous. Neither Biden nor his administration are touting cruel programs that dehumanize immigrants. Bidens administration has used temporary programs to admit thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans through family reunification. The problem with these programs is that they dont offer a pathway to legalization. Thats up to Congress to settle, not the president.

Congress has failed to act on border security so Biden acted last week, within the limitations of his office, because its in the national interests.

Biden is making a pragmatic management decision given that Congress refuses to provide adequate funding for the short-term border crisis or immigration reform for the long-term, a bipartisan effort that Trump has killed. As long as liberal Democrats lash out at Biden as the problem, they wont just lose an immigration debate to Republicans. They will lose with voters at the polls.
The White House on Monday announced new initiatives to preserve Black history just days before Juneteenth.

President Biden recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021. The day commemorates when the last enslaved Africans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation.

Its not about a national holiday or a day off work, it really is to commemorate a moment in time, in our history, Neera Tanden, domestic policy adviser to the president, said from the White House on Monday.

We know that history is under attack, Tanden continued. There are forces in our country who want to erase aspects of our history  fundamentally, these attacks are about changing our history.

Under the new initiatives, Tanden said, the White House will work to expand access to Black history.

One way will be through the National Endowment for the Humanities, which will establish a nationwide program that celebrates Juneteenth and promotes Black history and culture leading up to next years holiday.

The program will include new funding in all 50 states to support reading and discussion programs, interactive workshops about the legacy of slavery and emancipation, and classroom-ready Juneteenth content for K-12 teachers.

These latest steps come as states and school districts have begun to limit what teachers can instruct on.

Since January 2021, 44 states have introduced bills or taken steps that would limit how teachers can discuss racism and sexism, according to an analysis by Education Week.

Schools have also begun to ban what types of books can be taught. Many books, such as Toni Morrisons award-winning Beloved, delve into the horrifying realities of slavery.

To combat these bans and limitations, the U.S. Department of Education named a coordinator for responding to book bans in order to support the public and school communities in understanding the civil rights impact that book restrictions can have, and the circumstances under which such restrictions can violate federal civil rights laws.

Juneteenth will also be recognized as one of three National Days of Action on Voting.

These three days will focus on providing voters with the necessary information on how, where and when to vote. It will also encourage students to register and cast their ballots and aims to counter voter-suppression tactics.

Both Biden and former President Trump are courting Black voters ahead of November, with Biden struggling in recent polls to match the historic support Democratic presidential candidates have won from a key party demographic.

Biden is hoping to woo Black voters back to his camp by highlighting his racial justice initiatives, such as appointing the most diverse Cabinet in history and nominating Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

The Congressional Black Caucus also is stepping up its work around Juneteenth. Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), chair of the caucus, said Monday that the House Democratic Caucus will participate in a week of action.

As we honor Juneteenth, we will also uplift the achievements we have made to date and talk about the work that is yet to be done, Horsford said. That is how we uplift our history, that is how we continue the progress that needs to be made.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in northern France were some 2,200 Americans soldiers who died in World War I are buried. Photo courtesy of U.S. President Joe Biden/X

June 10 (UPI) -- U.S. President Joe Biden completed his trip to France by paying his respects at an American cemetery that Donald Trump passed over during his tenure in the White House.

Biden arrived in Paris on Wednesday to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings in Normandy. During the five-day trip, he also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and was honored Saturday with a state visit hosted by President Emmanuel Macron of France.

Prior to departing for the United States on Sunday, the president and first lady Jill Biden visited the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in northern France where more than 2,200 Americans who died in the area fighting in World War I are buried.

Biden suggested that it would be wrong for them to visit Normandy beach and show reverence for Americans who died there and not visit Aisne-Marne American Cemetery.

"Jill and I wanted to come and pay our respects," he said. "And it matters a lot."

He said the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Normandy beach tell the same American story.

"Think about it," he said. "America showed up. America showed up to stop the Germans. America showed up to make sure that they did not prevail. And America shows up when we need it, just like our allies show up for us."

More than 100 years ago, Americans fought for our freedom in World War I. We must honor their service and sacrifice by defending our democracy, today and every day. pic.twitter.com/stfPqq2q3b President Biden (@POTUS) June 10, 2024

Biden, who is seeking re-election, has been campaigning on the notion that democracy is at risk at home and abroad and used the trip to highlight what's at stake in November's election.

The president has boasted that he reforged U.S. relations that deteriorated under Trump and his isolationist policies, and takes credit for rallying the democratic world to support Ukraine in the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin's war.

He has tried to emphasize that the United States' standing with allies would be under threat if Trump were re-elected as the former New York real estate mogul has openly and repeatedly questioned the United States' involvement in the European conflict and the importance of its relationships and pacts, including in the defensive NATO alliance.

Biden capped off the trip with visiting Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, where Trump was scheduled to visit as the American president during a trip to France in 2018, but didn't claiming bad weather.

It was later reported by The Atlantic that Trump had canceled the visit over not wanting his hair to by ruined by the rain.

He reportedly told staffers: "Why should I go to that cemetery? It's filled with losers."

The comment has been a point of anger for Biden, whose eldest son, Beau Biden, served in the Iraq War and died at the age of 46 from brain cancer, which the president blames on burn pits used in the war.

Biden referenced Trump's reported comments in April during a campaign rally in Pittsburg, chocking up as he spoke. He most recently mentioned it on June 3, at a Greenwich, Conn., campaign fundraiser.

He has repeatedly said the comment makes him unfit to lead the country.

"This guy does not deserve to be president, whether or not I was running," Biden said earlier this month.

Biden would not respond to reporters' questions Sunday about what message he was hoping to send to voters with the visit. Responding to a similar question concerning what he hoped Americans took from his trip, Biden said that it was the importance of allies.

"The knowledge that the best way to avoid these kinds of battles in the future is to stay strong with our allies. Do not break. Do not break," he said.

"Even though I've been here before, it surprised me how much it awakened my sense of why it's so valuable to have these alliances, why it's so critical. That's the way you stop wars, not start wars."
(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden warned against the rise of isolationism in the US while visiting an American military cemetery in France that his predecessor, Donald Trump, famously skipped six years ago.

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Biden said the World War I-era Aisne-Marne American Cemetery was the final resting place for soldiers who fought in the deadliest US Marine Corps battle until then, Biden said, and he could not fathom the idea that Id come to Normandy and not make the short trip here to pay tribute.

The US president didnt name Trump during a brief discussion with reporters after a wreath-laying ceremony and declined to answer a question about his expected 2024 opponent, but his target was unmistakable. Honoring war dead is a measure of a countrys support for democratic values, Biden said.

The Atlantic has reported that Trump in 2018 canceled a visit to the graveyard because he was worried his hair would be ruined by heavy rain, and that he belittled Americans who died in the nations wars as suckers and losers. Biden has frequently seized on that reporting to criticize Trump, who denied disparaging US troops and blamed logistical problems caused by the weather.

Biden on Sunday took aim at Trumps America First foreign policy, arguing the idea that were able to avoid being engaged in major battles in Europe is just not realistic for a major power like the US.

I think theres a new rise and a sense of some within the country wanting to let that slip, he said.

The idea that wed become semi-isolationist now, which some are talking about. I mean, the idea we had to wait all those months just to get the money for Iraq because we were waiting. I mean, its just  its not who we are. Its not who America is, Biden added, mistakenly referring to the Middle Eastern country instead of Ukraine.

Trump picked up the thread at a rally in Las Vegas later Sunday, where he again called The Atlantics report false.

For me to say suckers and losers about people that died in World War I in front of military people  its not a possibility you could say a thing like that, he said. So its a shame.

Bidens stop at the cemetery capped off a visit to France marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings that paved the way for the Allies victory over Nazi Germany. In a pair of speeches, the president drew parallels between Russias present-day invasion of Ukraine to the Nazis conquest of Europe in the 1930s and 1940s and called on Americans to stand up for freedom and democracy at home and abroad, making an implicit contrast with Trump.

--With assistance from Alicia Diaz.

(Updates with Trump comments in eighth paragraph.)

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  No student in Illinois would be able to receive physical punishment like slapping or paddling if the governor signs a bill on his desk.

A bill amending Illinoiss School Code would ban all school personnel, including ones in non-public schools, from administering corporal punishment on students passed both chambers of the legislature last month. Corporal punishment is defined as a discipline method in which a person deliberately inflicts pain upon a student in response to the students unacceptable behavior or inappropriate language, with an aim to halt an offense, prevent its recurrence, or set an example for others.

The bill received bipartisan support, as it passed the House 79-26 and the Senate 51-8.

No child in our state should be subject to corporal punishment in their school, said State Rep. Margaret Croke (D-Chicago), the bills House sponsor. Allowing these types of punishments is unacceptable and harmful to young people, with proven long-lasting implications. Im grateful to see this legislation head to the Governors desk to ensure that both public and private schools throughout Illinois are safe spaces for our children.

Workers helping Illinois disabled population see raise in state budget, but some hoped for more

The use of corporal punishment in public schools was banned in the state in 1994. Illinois would become the fifth state after New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Iowa to ban the practice in private schools.

Many medical organizations, including the American Psychological Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization, advise against using physical punishment for penalizing children. Experts have found a correlation between students experiencing physical punishment and experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Use of physical discipline predicts increasesnot decreasesin childrens behavior problems over time, even after race, gender, and family socioeconomic status have been statistically controlled, part of the American Psychological Associations resolution against physical discipline on children 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 WCIA.com.
Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz has a challenger for the District 6 seat: Bishop James David Stockton III.

A Democrat, Stockton made his campaign announcement Friday afternoon at the Silver Springs Shores Community Center.

The district, which stretches from Deltona to Gainesville and includes parts of Marion County, has been in Republican hands for the last several years. Stockton hopes to change that trend.

"We need a voice like me to speak up for you and your desires," Stockton told the gathering. People clapped and cheered for the 52-year-old Silver Springs Shores resident and senior pastor at Greater New Hope Church in the Shores.

James Stockton announces his candidacy for the Unites States House of Representatives district 6 at Silver Springs Shores Community Center in Ocala, FL on Friday, June 7, 2024. [Alan Youngblood/Ocala Star-Banner]

A former NAACP president and first time politician, Stockton told the people: "I believe in serving." He called the United States "a service-oriented nation."

"I've always been concerned about others," Stockton said.

The event had food, drinks, music and areas where people could register to vote.

Stockton speaks

Speaking freely and without any prepared notes, Stockton said he was born and raised in Ohio to a working mother and father who instilled in their children the importance of doing their best in anything they do.

James Stockton announces his candidacy on Friday.

Stockton said his mother was a school bus driver who was a surrogate parent to many children. His father worked in the steel mill and his family worked in the coal mines.

Stockton said his slogan is simple: HERE. H stands for healthcare. E for education. R is for rights of women. And E is environmental energy.

"It's not about me, but about you and the community," he said.

Other candidates

During his remarks, the preacher introduced Andy Ferrari and Robert Shaw. Ferrari is a candidate for Florida state representative for District 27. Shaw hopes to be the state representative for House District 24. Both men are Democrats.

Andy Ferrari

If elected, Ferrari said he can make a difference in Tallahassee. Presently, he said, Republicans are the majority in the state legislature and don't have to talk to Democrats to pass legislation to help Floridians. He urged those in attendance that if each person contacted 10 others, then he and other Democrats will be successful.

"We have to let them know we're here," he said.

Robert Shaw

Shaw said: "We need to make a change and a difference" in Tallahassee. Outnumbered in the state House and Senate, Shaw said together they can change that.

"We need to have different voices, different ideas," he said.

Church: 'The friendliest church': Ocala's Mt. Moriah marks 155 years, prepares to relocate

Incumbent Waltz faces John Grow in the GOP primary. Stockton is the only Democrat in the race.

When the microphone was returned to Stockton, he said that while the incumbent has a sizeable war chest of nearly $2 million, "all I have is you."

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Democrat challenging Republican Congressman Mike Waltz for District 6
Pisces will receive important news that will make them look at the situation differently. Sagittarius will have to make an important choice.

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Tarotist and prognosticator Olga Solomka exclusively for AstroOBOZ has compiled a horoscope for all zodiac signs for the week of June 16. Find out what awaits you.

Aries

Your long-standing problems that have not been resolved for a long time, especially those related to finances and property, will finally be resolved thanks to outside intervention. You will feel a great deal of relief.

Taurus

This is the perfect time to reach new heights and set records. Be active and courageous, even if it means taking on extremely difficult tasks. If you have any unresolved issues, now is a great time to close them.

Gemini

It's time to showcase your professional skills, experience, and competencies to increase your income. Don't be afraid to be visible, show your competitive advantages, don't hide.

Cancer

This week will be filled with speed, both literally and figuratively. You will travel a lot, take part in business trips, visit relatives or friends somewhere, and it will be a time of activity and productivity.

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Leo

This week will be calm and unhurried. You'll finally be able to relax without feeling pressured or obligated to others, and you'll be able to devote time to your own business without solving other people's problems.

Virgo

You will feel a slight lull in your affairs, having more time to relax than to work. Processes will slow down, and some will even stop, but you will realize that this is how it should be, and everything happens in its own time, including pauses.

Libra

You will feel the favor of others and find that many people support you. This could be the beginning of an exciting joint project that will bring many people together with a common goal.

Scorpio

You will discover new places that will interest you and inspire original ideas. You will meet new people there who will be the start of new relationships, ideas, and projects.

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Sagittarius

You'll be faced with a choice: continue on the tried and true path or take a bold step in a new direction. You can take a chance and try something new, and if you don't like it, you can always go back to the way you're used to it.

Capricorn

This week will be filled with creativity, communication, meetings, and contacts with positive people. You will take the first steps in a new direction that could lead to promising projects.

Aquarius

At the beginning of the week, you'll slowly get into your usual rhythm, but from Wednesday, the real pursuit of success will begin. You will have to speed up, but at the same time, try to fulfill all your responsibilities with high quality.

Pisces

The news you receive this week will open your eyes and allow you to see a difficult situation from a different angle. This information may change your perception of some people to the point where you may end the relationship.

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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 Waverly 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.

Black medic who saved dozens on D-Day posthumously honored

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 Cpl. 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 88 mm 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.
Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams speaks at a Saturday event promoting the Biden-Harris campaign, while flanked by (left to right): Savannah, Georgia Mayor Van Johnson, Raleigh Mayor Pro Tem Corey Branch, Knightdale Mayor Jessica Day, Fletcher Mayor Preston Blakely, Durham Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton, Elm City Mayor Tawanda Moore, Ahoskie Mayor Weyling White, and Fayettteville Mayor Mitch Colvin. (Photo: Biden-Harris campaign)

The possibility that Donald Trump could, despite his status as a convicted felon, still prevail in this falls presidential election by eking out an Electoral College victory has left many Democratic politicians and rank and file voters stressed and apprehensive as the summer campaign season commences in earnest. But those worries were mostly on the back burner Saturday as a group of confident and optimistic Black mayors gathered in Durham to sing the praises Biden-Harris administration, laud the impact of its policies on their cities and towns, and talk openly of carrying North Carolinas 16 electoral votes this fall.

Leonardo Williams

The event was billed by the Biden-Harris campaign as one in which Black mayors from across North Carolina would praise President Bidens Action and sound an alarm on Trumps threat to Black communities, but the focus was heavily on the former as speakers, hosted by Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams, repeatedly ticked of a long list of accomplishments and statistics from the past three-and-a-half years  both nationally and in their own communities.

In his introductory remarks, Williams said that, as the government officials most often charged with getting things done, mayors have been especially appreciative of the vast new resources that have flowed their way in recent years as a result of Bidens American Rescue Plan. In detailing what he called the Biden comeback, Williams said Rescue Plan resources have done wonders to stabilize both city governments and the small businesses on which their cities depend  many, like his restaurant that played host to Saturdays gathering, minority-owned.

And while he devoted few of his remarks to the subject, Williams acknowledged the possibility of a Trump victory and said it was a reality that required Black voters to be very uncomfortably intentional in the coming months.

Theres too much on the line to sit this out, he said.

Listing the accomplishments

Van Johnson

Williams was followed to the podium by the only non-North Carolina mayor in attendance, Savannah, Georgia Mayor Van Johnson, who was invited to discuss, among other things, the key role Black voters made in delivering his state to Biden and Harris in 2020. In describing the pride and satisfaction Black Georgia voters experienced in that victory and forecasting the possibility of a similar result in North Carolina in 2024, Johnson echoed Williams praise of the Biden-Harris administrations accomplishments and what he said were the President and Vice Presidents skill, compassion, vision and integrity.

Johnson said that the current administration had delivered more in the way of tangible benefits to Black communities than any other administration in U.S. history, as he rattled off a long list of accomplishments, including:

record job growth

record low unemployment

the fastest rate for Black small business startups in 30 years

big increases in Black household wealth (up 60% since before the pandemic) and reductions in poverty

the number of Black Americans with health insurance has now reached 90%

expanded access to affordable internet service,

significant progress in removing toxic lead pipes from low-income community water systems,

new enforcement action targeting housing discrimination,

the nations first significant anti-gun violence legislation in decades,

billions of dollars in forgiven student debt and investments in HBCUs, and

a $35 per month cap on insulin.

Johnson also highlighted the administrations infrastructure investments and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigiegs help in arranging for the planned removal of a highway that had cut Black Savannah in half. Johnson likened the highway and its racially discriminatory impact to the policies America experienced under Donald Trump, whom he accused of having both a racist record and an agenda that would take a wrecking ball to Bidens many accomplishments.

Mitch Colvin

Fayettevilles Mayor Mitch Colvin, Ahoskies Weyling White and Knightdales Jessica Day also spoke on Saturday.

Colvin, who was first elected in 2017, explained how he had worked with both the Trump and Biden administrations and had seen marked difference in the two. With the Trump people, Colvin said, everything was political rather than a function of need and merit.

Like his colleagues, Colvin also worried that progress in numerous areas  from support for small businesses and HBCUs to environmental initiatives like the transition to electric vehicles and efforts to combat PFAS pollution  would be derailed if Trump somehow returned to the White House. And like the others, he also predicted that Black people and other minority communities would suffer disproportionately in a second Trump term.

Weyling White

For his part, White echoed previous speakers on the impact that increased federal supports have had on small towns like his and also touted the benefits of the Affordable Care Act and North Carolinas recent embrace of Medicaid expansion  both of which he said, would be in jeopardy in the event of a Trump win in November.

Day expressed confidence that, over the coming months, Bidens emphasis on bringing people together will convince young people to reject Trumps divisiveness.

Will facts overcome apathy?

If there was a central unanswered issue that hung over Saturdays

event, it revolved around the enthusiasm/apathy question. The event came at a time in which Trumps blunt  sometimes crude  appeals, combined with high-profile, if sporadic endorsements from a handful of African American public figures, appear to have made some inroads with Black voters.

Meanwhile, as with the Biden administration itself and its national campaign, the mayors presentation was largely about championing facts, figures and tangible differences the last three-and-a-half years have meant to the lives Black voters.

Largely absent from the event  save for when speakers briefly blasted Trump for the January 6 insurrection, his racist agenda, and his pre-political career record (speakers highlighted Trumps

Jesscia Day

many race-related controversies as a landlord and his public condemnation of a group of innocent Black youths known as the Central Park Five)  were the kinds of emotional appeals that might rouse average voters who often pay little attention to substantive policy issues.

In essence, it seemed, it was the mayors argument that the facts speak for themselves and will, if only theyre repeated enough, be sufficient to mobilize the turnout among the Black electorate that will be essential for Biden to do well in North Carolina. The next five months will be a study in whether such a hopeful and optimistic strategy can prevail in a time of national division and conflict.

The post Black mayors: Biden can carry North Carolina in November appeared first on NC Newsline.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Cairo on Monday, the first leg of his Middle East tour aimed at brokering an end the ongoing Gaza war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

Blinken and his 40-member delegation landed at a military base near Cairo airport, according to navigation sources.

He is scheduled to meet with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi.

After Egypt, Blinken will head to Israel. His tour will also include Jordan and Qatar and will last until Wednesday.

The State Department said Blinken will discuss with partners the need to reach a ceasefire agreement that secures the release of all hostages.

US President Joe Biden has recently laid out a new three-phase plan to end the war in Gaza.

Neither Israel nor Hamas have so far agreed to the proposal, which envisages a complete and unrestricted ceasefire lasting six weeks and would lead to a permanent ceasefire in a second phase.

Qatar, the US and Egypt have been mediating to achieve a ceasefire and an exchange of hostages for months now.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday as part of the ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

Talks with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant were also planned afterwards. On Tuesday morning, he is scheduled to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Blinken said earlier Monday in Egypt, where he met President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi, that only the Palestinian Islamist Hamas group had not agreed to the ceasefire plan presented by US President Joe Biden.

"So the only party that has not accepted, the only party thats not said yes is Hamas. Thats who everyone is waiting on," Blinken said. "But its clear that virtually the entire world has come together in support of the proposal, and the only open question is will Hamas say yes."

Representatives of Hamas and Islamic Jihad reiterated at a meeting in Qatar on Monday that any agreement would have to include a complete end to the war, a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction of the coastal strip and an end to the blockade.

Biden had presented a draft for a three-phase deal to end the fighting in Gaza, which Israel has already agreed to, according to the US.

"First, let me be very clear: Israel has accepted the proposal. In fact, they were critical in putting it forward," Blinken said in remarks to the press in Cairo. However, the Israeli government has not yet given its clear and public approval to the plan.

His latest Middle East tour is aimed at brokering an end the ongoing Gaza war between Israel and Hamas and is also expected to include Jordan and Qatar and to last until Wednesday.
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO/dpa

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday as part of ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

Talks with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant were also planned. On Tuesday morning, Blinken is scheduled to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Blinken said earlier Monday in Egypt, where he met President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi, that only the Palestinian Islamist Hamas group had not agreed to the ceasefire plan presented by US President Joe Biden.

"So the only party that has not accepted, the only party thats not said yes is Hamas. Thats who everyone is waiting on," Blinken said. "But its clear that virtually the entire world has come together in support of the proposal, and the only open question is will Hamas say yes."

Blinken urged Middle Eastern governments to pressure Hamas to accept Biden's proposal to end the war in Gaza.

Representatives of Hamas and Islamic Jihad reiterated at a meeting in Qatar on Monday that any agreement would have to include a complete end to the war, a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction of the coastal strip and an end to the blockade.

Biden had presented a draft for a three-phase deal to end the fighting in Gaza, which Israel has already agreed to, according to the US.

"First, let me be very clear: Israel has accepted the proposal. In fact, they were critical in putting it forward," Blinken said in remarks to the press in Cairo.

However, the Israeli government has not yet given its clear and public approval to the plan.

Last week, the Israeli prime minister said that Israel's conditions for an end to the war had not changed. These included the total destruction of Hamas and the release of all the hostages.

Reaching a ceasefire deal also "opens the path to more durable security, calm, peace in Gaza and for that it is critical that we continue to work on plans for the day after," Blinken added.

Qatar, the United States and Egypt have been mediating for months to achieve a ceasefire and exchange hostages kept by the militant group for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Blinken's efforts received a boost later Monday when the UN Security Council in New York adopted a resolution supporting Biden's plan.

Fourteen member states voted in favour of the draft, while Russia, one of the veto powers, abstained.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said afterwards that the UN's most powerful body had voted for peace.

Blinken arrived in Cairo on Monday on the first leg of his current Middle East tour.

Egypt's presidency said in a statement that the two reviewed joint efforts to reach a ceasefire and exchange hostages, and have agreed to intensify efforts during the current stage.

Al-Sissi stressed the importance of concerted international efforts to remove obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid, ending the war and preventing the expansion of the conflict, the statement added.

Blinken's tour is expected to last until Wednesday and also include stops in Jordan and Qatar.

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu (R) receives US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO/dpa
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Daphne Psaledakis

CAIRO (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged Hamas to accept a ceasefire proposal outlined by Washington to end the Gaza war, a plan that the United Nations Security Council voted to support.

On his eighth trip to the Middle East since the war started, the top U.S. diplomat called on countries in the region to pressure the Palestinian militant group to approve the draft. The U.S. has said Israel has accepted it although Israeli officials have not formally announced this.

"My message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region, is - if you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say 'yes'," Blinken told reporters in Cairo.

U.S. President Joe Biden outlined the truce accord last month and it envisions a ceasefire in stages, ultimately leading to a permanent end to the war. But Israel has said it will agree only to temporary pauses until Hamas is defeated, while Hamas has countered it will not accept a deal that does not guarantee the war will end.

With the conflict in its ninth month, the plan got further backing on Monday from the United Nations where 14 members of the Security Council adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution in favour of the proposal while Russia abstained.

Hamas welcomed the U.N. Security Council resolution and said it was ready to cooperate with mediators on implementing the plan. Earlier, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters Blinken's comments were "an example of bias toward Israel".

Blinken left Cairo for Israel where he met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant separately. Blinken emphasised to Netanyahu the importance of a post-war plan for Gaza as well as the need to prevent the conflict from spreading, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

The war erupted in October when Hamas-led fighters killed 1,200 people and took some 250 others hostage in a rampage through southern Israel, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's retaliatory assault on the Gaza Strip has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians and reduced most of the enclave to wasteland, the Gaza health ministry has said.

Ahead of Blinken's trip, Israel and Hamas both reiterated hardline positions that have scuppered previous attempts to end the fighting, while Israel has pressed on with assaults in central and southern Gaza, among the bloodiest of the war.

"We are committed to total victory," Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office, quoting remarks he made on Sunday to relatives of Israelis killed in Gaza. He said he would reject a Hamas demand to "commit to stopping the war without achieving our goals of eliminating Hamas".

Hamas and its allies Islamic Jihad said in a joint statement: "Any agreement must ensure a permanent end to the aggression and a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction, lifting the blockade and a serious swap deal."

ASSAULTS IN RAFAH, NUSEIRAT

In Rafah, the city on the southern edge of Gaza where Israel launched an offensive last month, residents said on Monday tanks pressed north in the early hours of the morning. They were on the edge of Shaboura, a densely populated neighbourhood at the heart of the city.

Around half of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million people had been sheltering in Rafah before last month's assault, and a million have since fled again.

Since last week, Israel has also launched a large assault in the central Gaza Strip, around the small city of Deir al-Balah, the last population centre yet to be stormed. On Monday, residents said the Israelis had pulled back from some areas there but were keeping up air strikes and shelling.

Residents in Nuseirat, north of Deir al-Balah, were still clearing debris after Israel freed four hostages in a massive raid there on Saturday.

Palestinian officials say 274 people were killed, making it one of the deadliest assaults of the war. Israeli forces said they were aware of fewer than 100 Palestinians killed there and did not know how many were combatants.

"We are exhausted and helpless. Enough is enough," said Jehad by text. He and his family fled under fire on Saturday from Nuseirat to Deir al-Balah, their fifth move of the war.

After months of failed peace efforts, Biden chose a new tack with his public announcement on May 31 of a ceasefire proposal. U.S. officials say Biden unveiled it without asking the Israelis first, to increase pressure for a deal.

Full details of the proposal have not been publicly disclosed but, as described by U.S. officials, it is similar to texts floated in previous failed peace efforts: a long truce over several stages, with gradual release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners ultimately leading to an end to the war.

What is different this time is that Israeli forces have now stormed most territory inside Gaza at least once, and Netanyahu is under greater domestic political pressure to reach a deal.

Benny Gantz, a popular centrist former military chief, quit Israel's war cabinet on Sunday over what he described as the failure to outline a plan for the war's end. That leaves Netanyahu more reliant on far-right allies who threaten to bring down his government if he agrees a deal leaving Hamas unvanquished.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Daphne Psaledakis in Cairo; Additional reporting by Dan Williams in Jerusalem; Writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Peter Graff Gareth Jones and Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Toby Chopra, William Maclean, Ros Russell and Cynthia Osterman)
A number of hryvnia banknotes issued before 2003 will be withdrawn from cash circulation. The goal is to optimize the denomination range. However, the exact date has not yet been determined  the money will be available for exchange until the end of martial law, as well as within three months after it is terminated.

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According to the NBU, banknotes of various denominations are being withdrawn from circulation. In particular:

1;

2;

5;

10;

20;

50;

100;

200 UAH.

"They have been withdrawn from circulation for a long time. They are not accepted for cash payments for goods and services," the statement said.

Where to exchange old banknotes

Exchange of old hryvnia banknotes issued before 2003 is free of charge and without restrictions. Money can be exchanged for banknotes of all denominations in circulation. To do so, you should contact the National Bank of Ukraine at the following addresses

Kyiv: 2-A Kontraktova Sq;

in Dnipro: 13 Voskresenska St;

in Lviv: 4 Kopernyka St;

in Odesa: 8, Rishelievska St;

in Kharkiv: 1 Teatralna Sq;

in Khmelnytskyi: 91 Volodymyrska St.

You can also make an exchange at authorized banks. They are:

Oschadbank;

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PrivatBank;

Raiffeisen Bank;

FUIB.

"For up-to-date information on which branches and outlets you can exchange money, please visit the official websites of these banks," the NBU said.

Why money is withdrawn from circulation

As explained by the regulator, the withdrawal of money from cash circulation is part of the optimization of the nominal range of hryvnia banknotes and coins. This is expected to

improve the security and quality of money;

make cash payments more comfortable and simple.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the National Bank is also withdrawing from circulation coins issued before 2003 of various denominations. However, you won't be able to get rich on such kopecks  because they were issued in large numbers and made of ordinary materials, these coins will not become expensive and collectible.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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By Daphne Psaledakis

CAIRO/TEL AVIV (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged Arab leaders to pressure Hamas to accept a ceasefire proposal outlined ten days ago by U.S. President Joe Biden to end the eight month-long war in Gaza.

Blinken is on his eighth visit to the region since Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, triggering the bloodiest episode in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The trip comes as Washington seeks to increase pressure on Hamas to agree to a ceasefire deal with Israel and ensure the war does not expand into Lebanon.

Blinken said Hamas was the only outlier in not accepting the proposal for a three-phase deal involving the release of hostages and talks toward an end to fighting, to which he said Israel had agreed.

Hamas said in May it had agreed to a deal for a ceasefire and hostage-for-prisoners swap, but an Israeli official said at the time the deal was not acceptable to Israel because terms had been "softened."

"My message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region, is if you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes," Blinken told reporters before departing Egypt, where he met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

A senior Hamas official told Reuters that Blinken's Gaza ceasefire comments were "biased to Israel."

MEETING WITH NETANYAHU

Blinken arrived in Israel on Monday evening, where he updated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on "ongoing diplomatic efforts to plan for the post-conflict period," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a readout of the meeting.

Blinken also "reiterated that the proposal on the table would unlock the possibility of calm along Israels northern border and further integration with countries in the region," Miller said.

Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel have been trading fire across the Israeli-Lebanese border since the onset of the Gaza war. Both sides say they are prepared for possible escalation.

The top U.S. diplomat said he would also discuss plans for governance and reconstruction in post-conflict Gaza during meetings with regional leaders in Jordan and Qatar.

The Hamas attack killed 1,200 people and took some 250 others hostage, according to Israeli tallies. In response, Israel launched an assault on the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said in its Sunday update, and reduced the enclave to a wasteland.

U.S. President Joe Biden on May 31 outlined a three-phase ceasefire proposal from Israel that envisions a permanent end to hostilities, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Blinken said Egyptian officials had been in communication with Hamas as recently as a few hours ago.

There was a sense of urgency on getting an answer from Hamas on the deal, he said, but declined to further detail his talks.

Ceasefire talks have intensified since Biden's speech and CIA director William Burns met senior officials from mediators Qatar and Egypt on Wednesday in Doha to discuss the plan.

Biden has repeatedly declared that ceasefires were close over the past several months, but there has been just one, week-long truce, in November.

Israeli forces rescued four hostages held by Hamas since October in a raid in Gaza on Saturday, during which 274 Palestinians were killed, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Blinken did not respond when asked whether the raid had worsened hopes for a deal.

"Ultimately, I can't put myself - none of us can put ourselves - in the minds of Hamas or its leaders," Blinken said. "So we don't know what the answer will be."

Blinken's trip comes after Israeli minister Benny Gantz announced his resignation from Netanyahu's emergency government on Sunday, withdrawing the only centrist power in the embattled leader's otherwise far-right coalition during the war in Gaza.

Blinken is expected to meet with Gantz on Tuesday, a senior State Department official said. They have met during previous Blinken visits to Israel.

The departure of Gantz's centrist party will not pose an immediate threat to the government. But it could have a serious impact nonetheless, leaving Netanyahu reliant on hardliners, with no end in sight to the war and a possible escalation in fighting with Lebanese Hezbollah.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Humeyra Pamuk; additional reporting by Simon Lewis; Editing by Bill Berkrot, Lincoln Feast, Chizu Nomiyama and Toby Chopra)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Middle Eastern governments to pressure the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement to accept a proposal by US President Joe Biden to end the war in Gaza.

"My message to governments throughout the region and people throughout the region: If you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes," he said shortly before leaving Egypt.

"If you wan to alleviate the terrible suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, press Hamas to say yes. If you want to get the hostages home, press Hamas to say yes," Blinken added.

Countries in the region and around the world have endorsed the three-phase plan, while "the only party that has not said yes is Hamas," Blinken said.

Blinken said that Israel has accepted Biden's proposal, and they were critical in putting it forward.

However, there has not been clear public approval from the Israeli government.

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel's conditions for an end to the war had not changed. These included the total destruction of Hamas and the release of all the hostages.

Reaching a ceasefire deal also "opens the path to more durable security, calm, peace in Gaza and for that it is critical that we continue to work on plans for the day after," Blinken added.

Qatar, the United States and Egypt have been mediating for months to achieve a ceasefire and exchange hostages kept by the militant group for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Blinken arrived in Cairo on Monday for a meeting with President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi on the first leg of his Middle East tour aimed at brokering an end the ongoing Gaza war between Israel and Hamas.

Egypt's presidency said in a statement that the two reviewed joint efforts to reach a ceasefire and exchange hostages, and have agreed to intensify efforts during the current stage.

Al-Sissi stressed the importance of concerted international efforts to remove obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid, ending the war and preventing the expansion of the conflict, the statement added.

After Egypt, Blinken plans to head to Israel. His tour is also expected to include Jordan and Qatar and to last until Wednesday.
Since the dawn of American society, opportunities have been unfairly allocated. Only White men could own property, vote, or hold public office, and the vast majority of Black people were enslaved when the nation was founded. While the country has progressed since then, it has failed to shed the inequality that initially marred its character. That's because any effort to mitigate racial disparities is met by rancorous opposition from those who claim to level the playing field is unfair. Consider, for instance, the recent suspension of the Fearless Fund, an Atlanta-based venture capital firm supporting Black women entrepreneurs. Deemed racially discriminatory by a conservative group, the American Alliance for Equal Rights. This decision underscores the mockery of using civil rights language to attack programs designed to combat discrimination.

In a 21 ruling, justices sided with Blum, who claimed that the Fearless Fund grant program violated "section 1981 of the 1866 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race when enforcing contracts." The irony rests in the decision to use laws designed to shield Black Americans from explicit racial discrimination to justify depriving them of opportunities. Stripping Black Americans of opportunities is certainly not what the crafters had in mind. Congressman John A. Bingham of Ohio, the primary author of the first section of the 14th Amendment, said, "If we are going to readmit the ex-Confederate states, we must ratify an amendment like this one to prevent them from abusing the rights of African Americans and white Unionists."

The problem lies in the bad-faith conservative-driven argument that conflates positive with negative discrimination. For instance, imagine you have been tasked with making decisions based on a blueprint for a new community center. You can select an option that includes only a staircase entrance, which would negatively discriminate against physically disabled people or one that provides a ramp so that all people, regardless of their physical abilities, can enter the building. This is an example of positive discrimination. Conservatives who claimed the Fearless Fund was discriminatory for allocating funds exclusively to Black women seem to misrepresent positive discrimination as negative. In doing so, they've set a dangerous precedent, one that paves the way to portray any program or policy alleviating discrimination as discriminatory, hampering efforts to mitigate lasting racial disparities.

In the 11th Circuit appeals case, Judge Robin Rosenbaum provided a dissenting opinion that further illuminated the weaknesses in their argument. While the Fearless Fund was "designed to help Black women in the business world where they are grossly underrepresented as business owners," Rosenbaum claimed the legal group was only "flopping on the field." Their case was an effort to "manufacture an injury to allow American Alliance" an opportunity "to challenge the contest." None of the members actually applied for the grant. How, then, can they claim they were discriminated against? Discrimination must impact real people.

Furthermore, they failed to demonstrate that applicants were "able and ready," the legal standard to justify a discrimination case. "The plaintiffs failed to show they had concrete plans to engage in the relevant conduct even if permitted to do so." For instance, they did not sue to participate in the Fearless Fund, exposing their true intent to dismantle this program rather than ensure people have equal opportunities to participate.

This recent wave of attacks on Black Americans' access to opportunities was primed by the Supreme Court's decision to ban affirmative action policies. Indeed, Edward Blum, the same conservative activist who worked for years to discredit and abolish affirmative action policies, is also behind the push to axe the Fearless Fund. While many view civil rights protections in this country as a sturdy brick wall built by past generations' tireless efforts, men like Blum have spent their careers slowly chiseling away at these protections. Alexandra Olson wrote in the Associated Press, "The Reconstruction-era law was originally intended to protect formally enslaved people from economic exclusion, but anti-affirmative action activists have been leveraging it to challenge programs intended to benefit minority-owned businesses."

Last year, the court blocked the Fearless Fund. Still, the appeal court's decision reaffirmed this rejection under the premise that a program designed to benefit Black women exclusively is discriminatory. This perspective overlooks the routine discrimination that Black people experience in the banking industry and America more broadly. This case is also reminiscent of the conservative effort last year to block The Abundant Birth Project, which offered services to Black and Pacific Islander expectant mothers to mitigate the high rate of maternal mortality in California. Once again, conservative lawyers made the argument that exclusively helping these racially marginalized expectant mothers was discriminatory, even though these groups are disproportionately victims of maternal mortality.

Let that marinate. Conservatives attacked a program designed to ensure Black students receive equal educational opportunities, another that mitigated maternal mortality among Black expectant mothers, and now they're attacking business grants allocated to Black businesswomen  it's clear they're misusing civil rights legislation, turning it on its head. While the American Alliance for Equal Rights claims to care about fairness, they are disinterested in the injustice at the heart of our society  the systematic racism Black people experience that deprives them of an equal slice of the American pie. As a result, their efforts are singularly focused on attacking programs designed to mitigate racial discrimination.

The pattern is clear. These conservative activists first deny that any racial discrimination exists. This systematic denial enables them to make the argument that any effort to mitigate racial disparities is unnecessary. Research shows Black people experience racial discrimination in the banking industry. For instance," African Americans were 2.7 times as likely as whites to be denied a conventional mortgage." Another study showed that "Black-owned businesses received loans that were approximately 50% lower than observational similar White-owned businesses." Their denial enables them to oppose programs designed to mitigate lasting disparities by calling these programs discriminatory rather than acknowledging racially disparate conditions.

America is not a country where citizens receive equal opportunities. And yet, the constant attacks on Black Americans' efforts to level the scale demonstrates how difficult it is to make progress in a country in denial about its problems. The appeals court, like the Supreme Court's affirmative action decision, set a dangerous precedent, one where white conservatives will continue to attack programs designed to mitigate racial disparities by claiming such programs are discriminatory. And at the heart of their opposition is a denial that such discrimination exists. The dye has been cast. Americans must reaffirm a commitment to racial progress, or our society will fall privy to regressive social conditions.

This post originally appeared on Medium and is edited and republished with author's permission. Read more of Allison's work on Medium.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Last month, an 11-year-old Blue Springs, Missouri student made national headlines after raising enough money to pay off his schools lunch debt.

Now, a very large and very popular fast-food chain organization is taking inspiration from his generosity and making its own sizable donation to the district.

Kansas City Monarchs move home games to different field this week

Daken Kramer, a fifth-grade student at Thomas Ultican Elementary in the Blue Springs R-IV School District posted a video in May on his moms Facebook page hoping to raise $3,500 to offset his schools meal debt. Within days, Kramer hit his target goal, and as the word spread, his total doubled.

Kramer raised $7,300 through his fundraiser and turned in the donations to his school shortly after. As for the remaining funds, Kramer didnt pocket them. Instead, he donated them to Blue Springs High School to help relieve their lunch debts, as well.

Now, after weeks of local and national headlines, Kramers story has caught the attention of the Arbys Foundation  a charitable arm of the famous fast-food chain that helps combat childhood hunger and inspires kids to pursue their dreams.

The charity said, The Arbys Foundation was incredibly moved by Dakens efforts, and will be donating the remaining $37K to completely pay off the unpaid lunch debt at Blue Springs High in Blue Springs, Mo.

Chuys on the Country Club Plaza unexpectedly closes over the weekend

The Foundation has a strong focus on supporting initiatives to eliminate childhood hunger, and this donation comes on the heels of a $1 million donation this January to pay off the school lunch debt for more than 47,000 students at 762 schools across the country, the organization said.

The Arbys Foundation told Kramers mom on social media about its large donation and made sure she knew her son had inspired it.

As for Kramer, he was recently honored at his schools end-of-the-year celebration and fifth-grade graduation with an amazing surprise. Teachers and staff announced that an award would be given to a student every year in his name  the Daken Kramer Legacy Award.

Johnson County Heritage Center celebrates and educates leading up to Juneteenth

Now Kramers legacy can live on at Thomas Ultican Elementary where his story will continue to inspire students and staff all throughout the district.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Boat goes up in flames on Lake Tahoe before sinking, six people saved

(FOX40.COM)  Six people were forced to abandon their boat on Lake Tahoe on Sunday after it caught fire, according to the Placer County Sheriffs Office.

The United States Coast Guard along with the sheriffs Marine Patrol from their North Tahoe Station responded to the fire just before 2 p.m. and were able to rescue all six passengers.

Family confirms body found near San Joaquin River to be missing boater

The boat caught fire near Cedar Flat, on the north shore of Lake Tahoe.

First responders found the boat fully engulfed in flames and used their de-watering pump as a hose to spray down the boat.

The North Lake Tahoe Fire Department arrived with their fire boat crew and were able to extinguish the fire, but the damage to the hull was too significant and the boat sank.

Investigations are ongoing into what caused the boat to go up in flames and eventually sink.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
NEW YORK  Federal prosecutors star witness in their case against Sen. Bob Menendez testified Monday about a backyard meeting with the senator in September 2019. There was Grand Marnier and the senator was smoking a cigar.

At one point, Jose Uribe, the witness who has pleaded guilty to bribing Menendez and his now-wife and is cooperating with federal prosecutors, said the senator called out mon amour and rang a little bell that summoned his then-girlfriend Nadine from her house to the backyard. She brought out a piece of paper and then went back inside the house.

Uribe said he used the paper to write down the names of companies and people being investigated by the New Jersey attorney generals office. Uribe said he bribed Nadine with a new car so the senator would kill this investigation.

The New Jersey Democrat took the piece of paper and put it in his pocket, Uribe testified.



The next day, Menendez had a meeting in his Newark district office with then-New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and one of Grewals top aides. Federal prosecutors allege Menendez used that meeting to try to disrupt investigations Uribe wanted stopped.

Grewal testified last week that he cut off the senator when Menendez tried to bring up pending cases. When he and his aide left the meeting, the aide turned to Grewal and said, Whoa, that was gross.

Prosecutors have said Menendez, who has denied the allegations, failed to sway the investigations outcome but told Uribe the meeting went well anyway. They have charged the senator with corruption and Uribe earlier this year pleaded guilty to bribing the senator and his wife.

Months before the backyard tete-a-tete, Uribe said he had given Nadine $15,000 cash in a parking lot to help Nadine buy a new Mercedes-Benz.

From Uribes point of view, Menendez seemed to solve his problems. And his bribes to Nadine were part of the reason why.

Uribe said he never discussed the car with the senator but had no doubt he knew about it. On the stand, Uribe suggested being at the senators girlfriends home and having drinks and dinners with him could not be explained any other way.

At her house, with the senator and the brandy and cigar, he was making sure the senator knew what the other end of the deal was: get peace for Uribe, his business associates and family.

The backyard meeting Nadines house was one of several meetings Uribe testified to while being questioned by a federal prosecutor on Friday and Monday.

Prosecutors illustrated several interactions with photographs of where the meetings took place: The parking lot of Villa Amalfi in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, where Uribe said he handed Nadine the cash; and the interior of Il Villaggio in Bergen County, where Uribe said he, Nadine and the senator had met on Aug. 7, 2019 to confirm their understanding.

Uribe said that at the dinner the senator seemed to have complete knowledge about the prosecution that the senator is accused of trying to disrupt. And, when Uribe asked him to find out about the investigation into his own company, Menendez indicated he would look into it, Uribe testified.

A few weeks later, on Sept. 5, 2019, they met in the backyard to talk again, Uribe said. The next day, after prosecutors said Menendez met with Grewal, Uribe said Nadine sent him to meet Menendez at the senators apartment.



There, Uribe said he found the senator in the lobby. They gathered near a window. That thing you asked me about, Uribe said the senator told him, there doesnt seem to be anything there.

A few weeks later, on Oct. 29, the senator called Uribe from a 202 number. Uribe said he thought the senator had called from his office in Washington. This time the senator was more definitive, in Uribes memory.

That thing you asked me about  there is nothing there, Uribe said the senator hold him. I give you your peace.

Uribe took that to mean the senator had helped end the investigation into his business circle, friends and family.

At this point in his testimony Monday afternoon, Uribe began to break down in tears and was eventually handed a tissue by a court staffer.

Uribes goal, going back over a year, had been to get a good deal for one business associate who was being charged with insurance fraud in New Jersey and to stop a related state investigation that could lead to one of his own companies.

Earlier in 2019, Uribes associates, Elvis Parra, got a deal where he didnt serve any time. And, after the fall 2019 call from the senator, the investigation into Uribes businesses seemed to stop.

Uribe also gave more details about the bribe he said he gave to Nadine, who will stand trial separately because of a cancer diagnosis.

If your problem is a car, my problem is saving my family, Uribe said he told Nadine in March 2019, in the days before he said he handed her the cash to make the downpayment on a new Mercedes convertible.



Uribe would eventually also arrange or make dozens of monthly car payments for her Mercedes.

By late summer, Parra had gotten a deal that required no jail time. That was good for Uribe. But a detective from the New Jersey attorney generals office was still trying to interview one of his employees, someone so close he considered her a daughter. That was bad.

Part of the issue seems to be that Uribe had for months been going through an intermediary: Wael Will Hana, who is now one of the co-defendants in Menendezs corruption trial. And it was unclear if the senator knew Uribe was seeking a two-part deal until months after Uribe thought he and Hana had a deal.

For instance, days before their August 2019 meeting, Nadine had texted Uribe that shed spoken with the senator and he said it wouldve been so so easy if we had wrapped both together.

Days after the senator called Uribe, the three of them and another friend went out and had Champagne to celebrate.

The next summer, amid the pandemic, Uribe said he met the senator, Nadine and her adult daughter at a restaurant with an outdoor area. When Nadine and the daughter got up to go to the bathroom, the senator turned to him and said, in Spanish, that hed saved Uribes backside.

He said: I saved your ass twice. Not once, but twice, Uribe said.

But, instead, two years later, in summer 2022, FBI agents visited the senator, Nadine and Uribe with search warrants, subpoenas and lots of questions.

At one point, Uribe said Nadine came to visit him after the search and she asked what he planned to tell authorities about the car. He said he would describe it as a loan, though he said it was never meant to be. Just before Christmas 2022, Nadine would write him a check for $21,000 that said personal loan but didnt cover everything hed paid toward the car, Uribe testified.

Uribe, who has since pleaded to seven different crimes  some unrelated to his interactions with the Menendezes  is now cooperating with federal prosecutors in hopes of a lenient sentence. Otherwise, he faces up to 95 years in prison.

Defense attorneys began their cross examination of Uribe late Monday. They are likely to probe several parts of his account, as well as his own criminal record. For instance, he recalled the substance of but not always the exact words used during conversations with Menendez and its not always clear if he and Hana were on the same page or whether the senator always knew what Nadine was telling people about his thoughts, words and actions.

The senators legal team has said his conversations with Grewal were related to concerns about selective prosecution of Hispanics by state authorities.

On the stand, Uribe also revealed another instance of the senator doing him a solid. At a ribbon cutting for a hospital, Uribe said Menendez introduced Uribe to the New Jersey insurance commissioner at the time. Uribe, who had previously lost his insurance license, was trying to get it back. He said Menendez told the commissioner he was a good man.
Body recovered from arroyo after rain pours over parts of New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Sunday was a rainy day in parts of New Mexico, including the Metro. Arroyos filled up, flood warnings were issued, and Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) was sent out on water rescues.

According to AFR, they were called to multiple water rescues Sunday after rain began showering the Albuquerque area. Two people were rescued, and one person was deceased when they were recovered near Rachel and Tramway.

Lightning ignites fires in Gila National Forest

It is extremely important for our community to understand the dangers of the arroyo system and ditches located throughout the city. Although what may appear as a small storm far away from one location in the city, these arroyos will quickly fill and sweep anyone in them with fast-moving water. These arroyos are designed to safely divert water away from the city, and no one should access or occupy them, stated a release from AFR.

A total of 22 units responded to their designated locations during the callout.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Both gunmen now have long prison terms for fatal Mall of America shooting days before Christmas 2022

Both gunmen who carried out a fatal shooting inside the Mall of America the day before Christmas Eve in 2022 have now been sentenced to long prison terms.

Lavon Longstreet, 19, received a term of more than 30 years Monday in Hennepin County District Court after pleading guilty for his role in the killing of 19-year-old Johntae Hudson inside the mall's Nordstrom department store.

With credit for time in jail since his arrest, Longstreet is expected to serve roughly 19 years in prison and the balance on supervised release.

His accomplice, 19-year-old Taeshawn Adams-Wright, was sentenced on May 30 of more than 30 years. With credit for time in jail since his arrest, Adams-Wright can expect to spend the first 19 years in prison and the rest on supervised release.

"My thoughts go first to the victim and to their family and friends, who continue to suffer through the devastating loss of a loved one," County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement. "With the sentencing of Mr. Longstreet and his co-defendant, who killed one person and put the lives of many more at risk, we've now held both major actors accountable for Mr. Hudson's death. These lengthy prison sentences reflect the severity of their actions and protect public safety."

Moriarty's office charged both teenagers with aiding and abetting intentional second-degree murder. Both pleaded guilty.

Shortly before 8 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2022, surveillance video showed the suspects chasing Hudson, of St. Paul, through the store before standing over him and firing multiple shots.

Hudson was shot eight times and died at the scene. Police recovered his firearm, which law enforcement said he fired twice.

Holiday shoppers and employees dove for cover as the shooting unfolded. A bullet grazed one woman.

At the time of the shooting, Longstreet was six weeks away from turning 18. Moriarty filed a motion to have him put on trial in adult court.

Longstreet fled the state. Authorities captured him in Georgia with his mother three weeks after the shooting.

Hudson's slaying is the only fatal shooting in the Mall of America, according to a mall official. It was part of a string of incidents where guns were brandished in an armed robbery or a shooting inside the mall. About a week later, a man was shot in the leg and another was grazed by a bullet on the third floor on New Year's Eve.

Months later in 2023, another shooting sent the mall into lockdown for two hours when a dispute ended with several shots fired outside a Nike store. No injuries were reported.

Weeks after that, a man armed with a long gun robbed a Lids store in the mall before being tackled and arrested.
British surveillance drones are reportedly helping search for Gaza hostages as part of the largest intelligence effort ever conducted by Israel.

A senior Israeli official briefed The New York Times that British and American drones have been able to provide information that Israels drones do not collect, without specifying details.

The sheer number of American MQ-9 Reapers, in particular, over the skies of the densely populated Gaza Strip has helped to monitor the territory more frequently and for longer periods, to scour for any clues as to where the hostages may be being held.

British military and intelligence officials are also reportedly playing a key role in tracking the remaining hostages movements and establishing patterns that could help determine windows of opportunity for rescue operations.

A drone flies over Rafah as an Israeli fighter jet releases a flare - ABDEL KREEM HANA/AP

Israel had a fleeting moment of joy on Saturday after hundreds of its forces freed four hostages, who had been kidnapped from the Nova music festival and were being held in two separate residential buildings, in Nuseirat, central Gaza.

However, national elation at their safe return soon morphed into growing pressure on Benjamin Netanyahus coalition government to secure the release of the remaining 120 hostages, both dead and alive.

Some 251 people were believed to have been captured in the surprise assault by Hamas terrorists on October 7.

A temporary ceasefire agreement in November allowed 105 of them to be released, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Since then, 43 have been officially declared dead. Privately, Israeli officials estimate fewer than 60 are still alive.

In the early days after the attack, US and Israeli intelligence and military analysts formed a fusion cell to share imagery from drones and satellites that could help with the search for hostages, the New York Times reported.

However, Israeli and US officials say the weekend raid may have caused Hamas to switch tactics and move more hostages into a network of tunnels beneath Gaza.

The location of many captives is still unknown and, to date, just seven have been rescued, highlighting both the difficulty of detecting them and the treacherous nature of recovery missions.

Images of multiple civilians, including women and children, who were killed by back-up airstrikes during the high-risk hostage extraction operation on Saturday have caused international outrage. One Israeli commander was also mortally wounded in the gunfight.

Israeli troops carrying out an operation in Gaza - IDF

Following the complex raid, which was weeks in the planning, the Israel Defence Forces said the best way to secure the release of the largest number of hostages was through a deal.

Families of the hostages have also demanded the government do more, and tensions within Israel are rising.

On Monday, a shouting match erupted in a parliamentary finance committee between Bezalel Smotrich, the hardline finance minister, and relatives of hostages still in Gaza, when he said Israel could not agree to a deal that would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and lead to collective suicide.

According to Israeli media, one family member demanded that Mr Smotrich and Knesset members take the hostages places.

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Two brothers of the former pro-Russian Ukrainian lawmakers, Viktor Medvedchuk and Taras Kozak, were charged in absentia with defrauding the state of Hr 75 million ($1.8 million) in taxes, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on June 10.

Serhii Medvedchuk and Bohdan Kozak, who had fled Ukraine, as well as two accomplices, directed the funds to their brothers, who used them namely to finance Russia's war against Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigation reported.

Before the full-scale invasion, Viktor Medvedchuk and Taras Kozak were among the key pro-Kremlin politicians in Ukraine and ran a media holding Novyny, which was shut down in 2021 over the accusations of promoting pro-Russian propaganda.

Both men have been accused of treason and collaboration with Russia and stripped of Ukrainian citizenship. Taras Kozak fled Ukraine in 2021, while Viktor Medvedchuk was detained and exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners of war in 2022.

According to the investigation, their brothers, Serhii Medvedchuk and Bohdan Kozak, were involved in the scheme between 2017 and 2022 or 2023, "deliberately diverting millions of hryvnias," causing the state a loss of Hr 75 million.

The suspects used a Lviv building materials company which they controlled as the ultimate beneficial owners. At their instructions, the company's management did not officially declare part of their products and illegally sold them to third parties without paying taxes.

Serhii Medvedchuk and Bohdan Kozak were charged with tax evasion, and their suspected accomplices  the director and an accountant of the company were charged with forgery. They face up to five years in prison.

Read also: Russian propaganda sought to cast Medvedchuk as Zelenskys replacement, WP reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
E-tickets make traveling by rail much easier, and many Ukrainians have already tried it. However, smartphone tickets are valid only in the territory of Ukraine because printed railway tickets are required for international trips.

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This was reminded to passengers by "Ukrzaliznytsia". In particular, this rule applies to trips to Austria and Hungary, as they are operated in partnership with local railways.

"They have their own rules: the ticket must be printed. Why is this so? Ukrainian RIC cars (direct train No. 749 Kyiv  Vienna ) or a Hungarian train (No. 146 Chop  Vienna ) are used for transit traffic. During the trip, representatives of railway companies can check travel documents, make appropriate marks on them, and record statistics and reporting data," the railway operator explained.

It should be borne in mind that ticket checking on such trains is an integral part of mutual control. Their cost is distributed among the railways of the countries in proportion to the number of kilometers traveled by passengers on their territory.

ADVERTISIMENT

To ensure that passengers do not forget to print out a ticket to Vienna or Budapest, a pop-up notification will be sent to their mobile phone after they purchase it online. In addition, the e-ticket form also contains labeled information about the need to print it.

Passengers who fail to comply with this requirement may face problems. In particular, the Hungarian or Austrian railways may require them to pay for transit traffic.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
(Bloomberg) -- Bulgarias powerful former prime minister Boyko Borissov won the countrys sixth election in just over three years, but will fall short of a majority needed to end a political deadlock.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Borissovs conservative Gerb party secured 23% of the vote on Sunday, according to preliminary results, with 51% of the ballots counted. His main challenger, a bloc of parties campaigning on an anti-corruption platform and led by another former premier, Kiril Petkov, followed with about 15%, the same result as two other competitors.

The European Unions poorest nation has struggled to put an end to a stalemate since 2021, when Borissov left office after more than a decade of dominating Bulgarian politics in the midst of anti-corruption protests.

The country of 6.5 million has since been governed by a string of failed coalitions and interim administrations, which have hobbled efforts to confront the regions energy crisis and steer Bulgaria into the euro area.

The last coalition was a tenuous alliance between Borissovs and Petkovs factions that fell apart after less than a year because of infighting over filling administrative appointments and reforms measures.

Borissov has a narrow path to return to power for a fourth term. One option would be an alliance with a controversial power broker sanctioned for corruption, Delyan Peevski, who leads the Movement for Rights and Freedoms  but he will need at least one more party for majority.

I dont see how a government will be formed, Borissov said Sunday after he cast his vote. The numbers dont add up.

Seven parties secured seats in parliament in Sofia, according to the results. Peevskis Movement for Rights and Freedoms has about 15%, the same as Revival, nationalists that want Bulgaria to exit the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Revivals result is nearly six times higher than three years ago, in the wake of the political crisis. Greatness, another nationalist faction and a political newcomer, also made it into parliament.

The turmoil has helped to postpone Bulgarias goal to enter the euro area and delayed EU recovery funding. The war in Ukraine has added to the upheaval, with Bulgaria abutting the Black Sea, where Russia has attacked Ukrainian forces and disrupted trade.

Borissov will be the first to receive a mandate to form a government from President Rumen Radev, and he didnt rule out running for prime minister himself.

If he fails to secure support, the second-biggest party will have the chance. Radev  a NATO-trained general known for his Russia-friendly stances  will have a third option to pick a party to try form a government before he will be obliged to schedule a new election.

(Updates with preliminary results from second paragraph, Borissovs comments in 7th.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Californians can once again book a flight to the busiest airport in the world out of the Hollywood Burbank Airport.

Delta Airlines has restored service between Burbank and Atlanta, which was discontinued in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first flights on the restored route took off last Friday, and those arriving and departing in Burbank received the literal red carpet treatment.

Passengers depart on the first Burbank-to-Atlanta direct flight since 2020. (Hollywood Burbank Airport)

Removing Atlanta from the list of flyable destinations cut down the number of cities Delta served out of Burbank from two to one, the surviving service being the airlines hub at Salt Lake City International Airport.

Delta is updating the way it boards passengers. Heres what to expect

With its return, travelers will now have more options for connections, or easier direct service to the Peach State.

Passengers depart on the first Burbank-to-Atlanta direct flight since 2020. (Hollywood Burbank Airport)

We are excited to see the return of Atlanta service with Delta Air Lines, said Frank Miller, Hollywood Burbank Airports executive director. This additional service is a positive step for the future of Hollywood Burbank Airport and nonstop service east of the Rockies.

Delta will fly daily from Burbank to Atlanta utilizing an Airbus A220-300. The airline is headquartered in Atlanta and operates more than 830 peak-day departures to over 200 destinations around the world out of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the company says.

For more information on the Hollywood Burbank Airport and its travel destinations, click here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Church Street Marketplace continues to welcome new businesses and watch existing businesses go away, while one business changes location as summer gets underway in Burlington. Here are the latest comings and goings on the street:

Riko's Pizza, billed as, "A thin crust revolution born in Stamford, Ct." is moving into the basement location formerly occupied by Pascolo Ristorante, which moved to the former Sweetwaters space last year. Riko's says they're "opening soon," but doesn't specify when soon is.

Insomnia Cookies is holding a grand opening event in the space formerly occupied by The Body Shop on Saturday, June 8. It's Insomnia's first store in Vermont and their 282nd nationwide. You can get cookies until 1 a.m. on Sunday through Wednesday, and until 3 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Insomnia Cookies shop seen on June 1, 2024, on the Church Street Markplace in Burlington.

Little Istanbul has opened in the place that used to sell socks. Everything in the new store is hand-picked by owner Vural Oktay on his trips to Turkey, according to the website.

A new lease has been signed on the space formerly occupied by Slate, but the new owner isn't yet going public, according to Kara Alnasrawi, director of Church Street Marketplace. Slate says on its website it will open in a new location this fall.

Kiss the Cook, the longstanding kitchen store on Church Street, is moving from its current location to the space vacated by Expressions, just down the block. They'll have more space, according to Alnasrawi.

Raintree Fine Jewelry is closing and moving to Huntersville, North Carolina, this summer, as seen on June 5, 2024.

Raintree Fine Jewelry is headed south, leaving Church Street for Huntersville, North Carolina, this summer.

Contact Dan DAmbrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosi@gannett.com. Follow him on X @DanDambrosioVT.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Church Street Marketplace in Burlington VT sees stores open, close
Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) announced on Monday that she tested positive for COVID-19, keeping her away from the Capitol this week.

Unfortunately after a pretty busy schedule, I have tested positive for Covid, Butler posted on social media. I am following CDC guidelines and am resting up for the work ahead. I look forward to joining my colleagues as soon as I am available.

This is the second time Butler has tested positive since being appointed to fill the late Sen. Dianne Feinsteins (D-Calif.) seat. The first time came in mid-October, only a week into her tenure in the upper chamber.

The news means that the chamber will be essentially split evenly between Democrats and Republicans this week, as Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) has also been away from the Capitol in recent weeks due to his trial in New York.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is plowing ahead with plans to keep reproductive rights front-and-center on the floor with a vote on Sen. Tammy Duckworths (D-Ill.) bill to protect access to in vitro fertilization.

The bill, like last weeks vote on contraceptives, is expected to fail.

The Senate is also set to vote on multiple nominees to become members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
An apparent newcomer to politics  if not the city of Tallahassee itself  has filed to run for City Commission Seat 2, though shes keeping her candidacy low-profile at best.

Donna Nyack, a longtime registered nurse from the Bakersfield, California, area, filed to run for the post on May 28. She pre-qualified for the ballot on May 31, which means she will have met all her filing requirements by the time qualifying week begins Monday.

Nyack, 58, resides in a rented house in Betton Hills, where she moved in last year. The Black Republican registered to vote for the first time in Leon County on Dec. 28, 2023, according to records from the Supervisor of Elections Office.

2024 election

She hasn't responded to phone calls or emails from the Tallahassee Democrat and didn't answer the door last week when a newspaper reporter knocked. Nyack has been similarly unresponsive to requests for information or interviews from other media outlets and members of the public.

Nyack doesn't appear to be well known in the neighborhood where she resides or local Republican circles. A simple Google search turns up next to nothing about her beyond her connection to a public health-care entity in Kern County, an area in California that leans conservative.

Records from the California Department of Consumer Affairs show she has been licensed as a nurse in the state since at least 1996. Her current license, which lists her city as Bakersfield, expires in 2025. There were no disciplinary records against her.

Nyack paid a qualifying fee of $452.87 to appear on the ballot, according to her campaign paperwork. She identified herself with a Florida drivers license and stated in her candidate oath that she had no outstanding fines, fees or penalties exceeding $250.

She listed her net worth at $353,000 on her financial disclosure form, which she had to submit to qualify for the ballot. She listed her primary source of income as Kern Health Systems, an independent public agency that manages the health plans of more than 350,000 members, and her salary at $110,977.

Her reticence to discuss her campaign prompted accusations from the Leon County Democratic Party and others that she was a GOP "ghost candidate," recruited to perhaps upset the electoral math of the Seat 2 race. Evan Power, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and the Leon County GOP, did not respond to questions about her.

City Commissioner Curtis Richardson, who's running for re-election, is facing a challenge from former City Commissioner Dot Inman-Johnson and a lesser-known candidate, Bernard Stevens, who's raised only $250.

If one of the candidates doesn't get over the 50% mark in the August 20 primary, the top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 5 general election. More candidates in the race make it less likely that one person will win the primary outright.

City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow, a vocal supporter of Inman-Johnson, was among those casting doubt on the legitimacy of Nyacks candidacy.

This doesnt pass the smell test, Matlow said on a June 4 post on Twitter/X.

Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or 850-599-2180.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: California nurse, political unknown files for Tallahassee City Commission
Courtney Mefferd, niece of Darryl Mefferd, whose death in Vallejo police custody has been kept secret: Theyve been covering it up.

Courtney Mefferd, niece of Darryl Mefferd, whose death in Vallejo police custody has been kept secret: Theyve been covering it up. Photograph: Geoffrey King / Open Vallejo

California law enforcement officials have worked for seven years to keep secret a death in police custody, labeling the case an accident and refusing to disclose basic information to journalists and the family of the victim, an investigation published on Monday reveals.

Darryl Mefferd, 49, died on 8 December 2016 while he was detained by police in Vallejo, a city of 125,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The case was uncovered by Open Vallejo, a local non-profit news organization, which shared its records with the Guardian.

The afternoon before he died, Mefferd had seemed disoriented and dehydrated and was making paranoid remarks, so his niece, Courtney Mefferd, took him to a local hospital. He was treated with vitamins and a sedative and declared stable, medical records show. By around 11pm, he was anxious to be discharged and left the hospital against doctors recommendations.

Outside the hospital, Mefferd encountered the Vallejo police department (VPD) officer Jeremy Callinan. Callinan was responding to the hospitals call for help with a female patient who had fled the facility, but the officer instead located Mefferd and placed him in protective custody, police records show. When Cindie, Mefferds sister, arrived at the hospital, she saw Callinan leading her brother into a police vehicle, she told Open Vallejo. She said she asked the officer to let her take her brother home, but the officer refused and said he would instead take Mefferd to a mental health crisis center. They are going to kill me, Cindie recalled her brother saying as he was driven away.

It remains unclear what exactly happened next. The Solano county sheriff coroners office investigated the death, but a report written by the sergeant in charge of the investigation included conflicting narratives.

The initial information I had was that [Mefferd] had been in a physical confrontation with Callinan while exiting the police car outside the crisis center in the nearby city of Fairfield, the Solano sergeant wrote. A Solano detective who was called to the scene described the encounter as an altercation, saying that when police arrived to the center, they found Mefferd on the ground with Ofc [Officer] Callinan, the sergeant wrote. As the officers rolled [Mefferd] over they discovered that he was not breathing.

The sergeant said he had shared this account with the family, but subsequently learned that the report of a physical confrontation with the police was unfounded and that the police officer assisted the decedent to the ground when he stumbled while being escorted. The sergeant indicated his new understanding of what happened was based on testimony Callinan gave to other investigators.

Summarizing Callinans account to investigators, the sergeant wrote: Ofc Callinan was able to somewhat support [Mefferd] as [Mefferd] went to the ground. Ofc Callinan went down on one knee while the other knee was bent and resting against [Mefferd].

The sergeant wrote Callinan never had his body weight on Mefferd, who was responsive for several minutes prior to losing consciousness.

A Solano detective who reviewed Callinans body-camera footage said it substantiated Callinans account, the sergeant wrote, even though the video was partially obscured by clothing.

Mefferd was taken to the emergency room where he was pronounced dead at about 1am on 8 December.

Scrutiny of accidental ruling

The autopsy performed by the Solano county coroner also raised questions about how Mefferd died.

The coroner ruled the death an accident, attributing it to a lethal dose of methamphetamine.

But when Mefferd was under medical observation for roughly eight hours before his death, his doctor had deemed his drug diagnosis uncomplicated.

The autopsy also documented that Mefferd had suffered blunt force trauma to his knees, torso, arms and face, had three contusions on his head, and a large contusion on his buttock. Meffords family says he had no trauma or injuries before being detained.

Experts who reviewed the case for Open Vallejo said they were concerned the officer might have held Mefferd in a prone restraint position outside the crisis center, meaning Mefferd was lying facedown.

Related: Revealed: at least 22 Californians have died while being held face down by police since 2016

Authorities, including the US Department of Justice, have warned for years that holding someone in such a position can risk fatal cardiac arrest as they struggle to breathe. That risk is higher for people who have consumed certain drugs, including methamphetamine.

Dr Victor Weedn, former chief medical examiner for the state of Maryland, who reviewed the case, told the outlet he believed the death was not an overdose, but a heart attack while being held down: Theres no reason for any trauma at all, except for this incident  I really think we are talking about [prone restraint cardiac arrest].

Dr Michael Freeman, a forensic medical doctor, said the coroners office did not conduct a complete investigation into how Mefferd died even though there was evidence of a struggle and injuries. He noted that it appeared the sergeant who authored the investigation report did not do follow-up interviews or directly watch the body-cam footage.

The pathologists suggested the death should have been ruled a homicide by the coroner, not an accidental death.

Spokespeople for Vallejo police and the Solano sheriff did not respond to inquiries. Callinan did not respond to inquiries. A spokesperson for the Fairfield police department said its involvement in the case was limited, but that when its officers arrived at the scene, they observed a person on the ground and administered CPR for several minutes until medical personnel arrived and took over.

Theyre covering it up

News of Mefferds case will increase scrutiny on VPD, which has a long history of scandals, including extraordinarily high rates of killings by police and allegations that some officers have commemorated their killings by bending tips on their badges.

Mefferds case is not the only one in which the department has fought to keep police files secret. California police are mandated to disclose records when officers use of force causes great bodily injury or death, but Open Vallejo was repeatedly denied documents until it sued the city and a judge ordered Vallejo to comply with public records laws. The outlets suit revealed four deaths in VPD custody last year  all unarmed Black men who died while under arrest and after police used force against them.

Those four cases, too, were ruled accidents by the coroners office. Three of the victims were held in prone restraint, according to the outlet.

And even though the judge ordered the city to release records on police cases involving great bodily injury, the city still has not disclosed files on Mefferds death. Open Vallejo only learned of the death from a source who noted the case wasnt in the news organizations database of VPD lethal force incidents. The Vallejo city attorneys office recently argued Mefferds case did not qualify as great bodily injury, citing the autopsy.

Theyve been trying to cover this up from the moment the coroners office told me hes no longer with us Courtney Mefferd

There has been growing criticism of how sheriff-coroners offices and medical examiners across the US investigate in-custody deaths. A recent Associated Press investigation documented hundreds of cases of people who died in police custody after officers used physical force, but whose deaths were labeled as accidents or natural by pathologists.

When deaths are labeled accidental, police departments face less stringent reporting requirements, making it significantly easier for officers and their departments to avoid accountability.

Theyve been trying to cover this up from the moment the coroners office told me hes no longer with us, Mefferds niece Courtney said. It is so sickening and frustrating. Ive been screaming his name, trying to get his story heard and get him justice  And for so long, I told myself it was my fault, that I never should have taken him to the hospital, that he would still be home with his mama if I hadnt taken him.

The family has wanted to sue the city, but Courtney said civil rights lawyers wouldnt take the case because of the death being ruled an accident.

Courtney said her uncle was living in Wyoming but had moved back to Vallejo to take care of his mother. He wanted to be a chef and specialized in making pastas from scratch.

His death had left their family deeply scarred, she said. Darryls older brother recently died, she said. She recalled that on his death bed, he just kept saying: Its time for me to be with my brother.

This will affect our family for generations, she said.
Rebecca Grossman, the California socialite who was found guilty of murder earlier this year for fatally striking two children with her car, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

A Los Angeles county judge on Monday ruled that Grossman should serve two 15-years-to-life sentences concurrently. She will also serve three years for fleeing the scene concurrently with her other sentences.

She had faced 34 years in prison for her role in the 2020 deaths of Mark Iskander, 11, and Jacob Iskander, eight.

In February, a jury found Grossman guilty of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, and one felony count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death. The 60-year-old had recently sought a new trial, but her request was denied last week.

The sentencing brings to a close the years-long legal saga around the deaths of the Iskander brothers. Grossman, a cofounder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, was speeding in her Mercedes SUV through the community of Westlake Village on 29 September 2020 when she fatally struck the two boys at 73mph. The children had been traveling through a crosswalk on scooters and skates with their family.

During the highly publicized trial, prosecutors said that Grossman had been driving behind Scott Erickson, a retired Dodgers pitcher who she was allegedly romantically involved with. The pair had been drinking at a nearby restaurant before the collision. Moments before she hit the Iskander brothers, she had been traveling at speeds of 81mph, far above the 45mph speed limit, the prosecution argued.

She acted with disregard for human life, a prosecutor said during the trial.

Grossmans defense team had argued that the boys were first struck by another car, and that her role in the incident was an accident rather than murder.

Prosecutors had asked that Grossman spend the rest of her life in prison, serving 34 years to life. They said her actions had shown a lack of remorse and that she had refused to take responsibility. She has lived a life of privilege and clearly felt that her wealth and notoriety would buy her freedom, prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum.

Grossmans attorneys and supporters pointed to her work for the Grossman Burn Foundation, describing her as a humanitarian. Her lawyers asked for probation or a shorter prison term of about 12 years. In a letter to the judge, Grossman said she was not a murderer.

My pain, my recognition of the pain the Iskanders suffer and the pain I watch my family endure, are punishments that I already suffer and will for the rest of my life, she wrote.
a cartoon image of hands offering bags of cash to a person casting a vote

Image: Adobe Stock

You could call this a crisis situation. Last week, with virtually no warning, state Senate Republicans pushed through a bill that will further harm fair elections and policymaking in North Carolina. If the House passes the bill this week and it survives a veto, voters will suffer as millions more dollars from unknown origins hijack our elections  and wealthy special interests will thrive by handing lawmakers campaign checks during debates on legislation affecting their profits.

The language in House Bill 237, apparently written by Republican lawyers in Washington, is so crude that the nonpartisan General Assembly staff couldnt explain its full consequences to Democratic senators before Sen. Phil Berger called for the vote; so the Democrats walked out in protest.

Another insult: the language is jammed into a larger Republican bill that reduces personal freedoms, including your right to wear a mask for health reasons and your right to help organize a demonstration.

Others have written about those provisions. This column aims to explain what the election-rule changes in HB 237 will permit if it becomes law. Five main points stand out:

1. Individuals could funnel unlimited, untraceable contributions into a North Carolina political party or special committee called an affiliated party committee (APC). As the top elected Republican in the state, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson controls an APC; so do the Republican and Democratic leaders in the General Assembly and the states top Democrat, Gov. Roy Cooper. People can already give huge donations to these committees, but their identity is disclosed in searchable reports filed with the State Board of Elections. Coopers APC has been raising millions from big donors to help Democratic candidates, but Mark Robinson is having trouble.

HB 237 comes to his rescue by legalizing a money laundering scheme. An individual can give, say, $500,000 to a federal 527 committee (the Republican Governors Association is one), and it can then donate $500,000 to an APC or a North Carolina party in its own name, without revealing the moneys true source. This will help Robinsons campaign solicit donations from super-rich donors who dont want to be publicly tied to his rhetoric.

It also allows a legislative leader like Senator Phil Berger to funnel big money from, say, gambling donors through a 527 into his APC to benefit GOP candidates. A partisan arms race in creating 527s and laundering money could result.

2. Federal committees that receive donations from corporations and individuals can play accounting games to increase how much they give in North Carolina. HB 237 says the committee must use a separate account with only personal contributions to donate to North Carolina parties or APCs. But the committee can shift money around; it can use corporate donations for operating expenses and donations in states with few limits, and use individual contributions from across the nation for activity in NC and other states with donor restrictions.

3. Traditional federal PACs, like those for Blue Cross, FedEx and Dominion Energy, could contribute to legislators in Raleigh during the debate on a bill affecting their business. PACs (funded by donations from employees or members) can already give to legislators, but only before and after the annual legislative session. Because of clumsy wording in HB 237, federal PACs could also hand lawmakers checks just before a crucial vote. There are hundreds of federal PACs operating in North Carolina. If HB 237 becomes law, existing state PACs for homebuilders, beer wholesalers, trial lawyers, chiropractors, and other interests would have an incentive to reorganize as federal PACs.

4. Federal committees could spend millions to influence our states politics with minimal oversight from state regulators. HB 237 repeals the mandate that a federal committee appoint an in-state assistant treasurer with authority to produce whatever records reflecting political activity in North Carolina the State Board of Elections deems necessary. Committees will send the Board copies of election reports they file with federal agencies, but it will be very difficult for the Board to pursue evidence of a state law violation with no local agent to subpoena for bank records, etc.

5. Federal committees will no longer need to decide to either give money directly to a candidate (campaign contribution) or spend money telling voters what action to take about the candidate (independent expenditure). Under H237, they could do both and gain more influence with the candidate.

Theres more, but Im out of space. We already have tons of mystery money polluting state politics, which impacts everything from abortion rights to the North Carolina Zoo. HB 237 will make life worse. Put plainly, it gives the super-rich and their political allies permission to engage in expansive corruption.

If youd like to follow the debate surrounding HB 237 or see where your legislator stands on the issue, visit North Carolina General Assembly (ncleg.gov). Contact information for lawmakers can be found here and here.

The post Campaign finance proposal in Raleigh is a recipe for expansive corruption appeared first on NC Newsline.
Canadas borders have gotten a reprieve for a few days from potential strike action that could logjam the transport of goods in the country.

On Friday, the presidents of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) said the unions agreed to extend mediation with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) through Wednesday. The PSAC and CIU represent 9,500 border patrol agents across Canada preparing the work stoppage.

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Weve paused all strike action as talks continue to reach a fair contract for workers, said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC national president. Our members keep our borders moving, goods flowing and our families safe, and deserve a contract that delivers fair wages, equitable retirement and makes CBSA a better place to work.

All strike activities have been postponed as the mediation lingers on. A new strike deadline will be set in the coming days, and job action remains possible for CBSA workers if an agreement cannot be reached at the table.

Im hopeful we can reach a deal and avoid disruptions at Canadas borders, said Mark Weber, CIU national president. Our members are essentialprotecting our borders, preventing auto theft and stopping illegal drugs and firearms from entering Canadaand they deserve a fair contract that treats them with respect and dignity in line with other law enforcement agencies across the country.

The Canadian government is pleased with the decision.

To date, discussions have been productive, and we remain committed to reaching an agreement that is fair and reasonable for members of the Border Services Group as quickly as possible, said Canadas Treasury Board, which handles countrywide negotiations with unions.

According to the U.S. Department of State, nearly $2.6 billion in goods and services are traded between the two countries every day.

The U.S.-Canada border experienced the effects of a brief strike in August 2021, in which commercial truckers took up to five hours to cross the border, while airports across the country saw major delays.

Union demands have remained unchanged. The agents are seeking higher wages that align with other law enforcement agencies in the country, as well as earlier retirement benefits and more flexible remote work options. Government negotiators have said the pay demands are unaffordable, due to economic conditions and rising public-debt charges.

According to the countrys manufacturing trade association, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), any job action would impact international travel, mail and parcel deliveries and disrupt the collection of duties and taxes on goods entering Canada. CME said a strike would be massively disruptive to any commercial traffic and business travel for manufacturers.

We are very concerned about the impacts that another critical supply chain disruption, this time at CBSA, will have on manufacturers. Extended delays will disrupt operations and production schedules, harming manufacturers, and their workers. said Dennis Darby, CME president and CEO in a statement. Once again, manufacturers are being held hostage from circumstances outside their control. Labor-related disruptions impacting the transport of goods are no longer the exception and becoming the rule. We need the federal government to take a proactive approach to preventing these disruptions and protecting manufacturing access to critical supply chain infrastructure.

While a strike would mean a slowdown of freight, Canadas border cannot be shut down due to a work stoppage, as 90 percent of front-line border agents are deemed essential workers.

As logistics operations temporarily breathe a sigh of relief at the border, Canadas other major labor concern took a negative turn Friday, when members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) walked away from negotiations with Canadian National Railway (CN).

CN and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) rejected a proposal from the TCRC to stagger negotiations with both companies by two weeks.

The walkout is the latest salvo ahead of potential strike action by 9,300 rail workers at CN and CPKC. Workers at the twin railroads initially sought to go on strike as early as May 22, but a national labor board review has pushed it out to July at the earliest due to questions about the nationwide safety implications.

Staggering the negotiations is a sensible solution that would minimize disruptions and allow all parties to address their concerns in a more structured and productive manner, said Paul Boucher, president of TCRC in a statement. CN and CPKCs rejection of this proposal is a clear indication of how little they care about the economy and the supply chain, as well as their unwillingness to negotiate. Quite frankly, they are using multinational corporations, the Canadian public, and North American supply chains as pawns to further their own greed.
When traveling by air, tourists are impressed by the friendliness of the crew. The well-known phrases "good morning" and "welcome aboard" are not just because of the courtesy of the staff.

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Flight attendant Rania from Austria shared the real reasons for this behavior in her TikTok video. So far, the video has garnered over 6 million views.

It turns out that flight attendants communicate with passengers to assess their general condition. "The flight attendant greets you not only out of politeness but also to check if you are too drunk or sick to fly," Rania said.

In the video's caption, she noted that the crew also pays attention to passengers who could physically help in case of an emergency.

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Another flight attendant, Kat Kamalani, confirmed her colleague's information. "When you're on the plane and you see the smiling faces of the flight attendants, it means we're checking you out. It's important to find police officers, military personnel, firefighters, doctors, and nurses who can provide first aid in case of an emergency." She advised all passengers who have the above qualifications to inform the crew.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
OTTAWA (Reuters) - A Canadian judge who sits on Hong Kong's top appeals court announced on Monday she would step down next month when her term expires and said she still had confidence in court members and their independence.

Beverley McLachlin made her announcement four days after two British judges on the court stepped down, the latest foreigners to leave the bench amid a years-long crackdown on dissent under a China-imposed national security law in 2020.

McLachlin, repeatedly criticised by some Canadian media commentators for not stepping down earlier, said she had turned 80 and would leave on July 29 when her term expired.

"It has been a privilege serving the people of Hong Kong. I continue to have confidence in the members of the Court, their independence, and their determination to uphold the rule of law," she said in a brief statement.

Since 1997, Hong Kong has appointed foreign judges to sit on the five-person court of final appeal for certain cases. The five judges are selected from a larger pool.

The two British judges quit one week after a landmark verdict in which 14 prominent democratic activists were convicted for subversion amid a national security crackdown on dissent in the financial hub.

One of the judges said the "political situation" in Hong Kong had sparked his move but added that he still had "total confidence" in the city's judiciary.

Britain, which handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997, says the security law that punishes offences like subversion with up to life imprisonment has been used to curb dissent and freedoms.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Andrea Ricci)
Chuck Hand, a Georgia congressional candidate who was convicted on Jan. 6-related charges, walked out of a televised debate Sunday, one week ahead of the Republican primary runoff in his district.

At the start of the debate, Hand appeared on stage next to his primary opponent, Wayne Johnson, who won a plurality of support (44 percent) in the four-person primary May 21 but fell short of the necessary 50-percent threshold to secure the nomination. Hand secured 32 percent of the vote.

The two Republicans will face off in a primary runoff June 18 to determine which will take on longtime incumbent Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr. (D).

When Hand  a construction worker and vice president of his countys GOP  was asked his first question, he responded by delivering an unrelated message to the audience before walking off the stage, as the cameras continued rolling.

Im Chuck Hand, lifelong resident of the 2nd District. Ive worked side by side with the people of the 2nd District solving problems since 2018. Ive only seen this man next to me come around when its election time, wanting to run for office, Hand said, gesturing toward Johnson.

Hand touted his community roots and sought to draw a contrast to Johnson, who Hand noted does not live in the district.

Im not interested in debating the issues of the 2nd District with a man who doesnt even reside in it, Hand said, adding, Im more concerned about beating Sanford Bishop, representing you and passing the America First agenda and putting Donald Trump back in the White House.

This is where I get back in my truck and head back to southwest Georgia, because I got to two races to win, Hand added, before exiting the stage.

The debates moderator, anchor Donna Lowry, called after him, asking, Youre not staying? Youre leaving, sir? OK.

The debate, sponsored by the Atlanta Press Club, continued, and Johnson fielded questions from a panel of journalists.

I would like to assume that Chuck Hands departure, the way in which he did it today, was his withdrawal from the race, Johnson told reporters after the debate, The Associated Press reported. But it certainly should cause people to pause and think about why he did it and what he was trying to get by doing it.

Johnson, a former Trump administration official who worked in finance for three decades, has portrayed himself as the moderate candidate in the race. In the debate, Johnson noted Hand was convicted of crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and sentenced to 20 days in federal prison and six months of probation.

I think the voters are going to make their own decision about that, but I think they need to make it on a basis where theyre fully informed, Johnson said when asked about the charges.

Mr. Hand has often said that these were minor misdemeanors, but minor misdemeanors dont put you in jail. They dont give you long-term probation. They certainly do not cause you to lose your Second Amendment rights, and they do not put you on terrorist watch lists, Johnson continued. So Mr. Hands depiction of his and his wifes involvement on January the sixth is a far cry from what the official record shows.

The Hill has reached out to Hand for comment.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Catastrophic Landslide Causes Highway Between Wyoming and Idaho to Collapse and Close Indefinitely

The landslide continued to move, taking out the whole road. No crews were hurt in the process, transportation officials said

WYDOT Teton County Landslide Causes Crucial Highway Between Wyoming and Idaho

A mountainous highway in western Wyoming has been closed indefinitely after part of the road collapsed in what officials called a "catastrophic" road failure following a landslide.

On Saturday, June 8, transportation authorities announced that an area near milepost 12.8 on Teton Pass/Highway 22  a highly traveled highway often used by working commuters and tourists traveling between Idaho and Jackson, Wyo.  had "catastrophically failed" after a landslide caused much of the road to fall down the side of the mountain.

A long term closure is expected," the Wyoming Department of Transportation wrote in a Facebook post. "WYDOT crews, along with contract crews from Evans Construction, were working in the area to construct a detour around the damage, but the landslide continued to move, taking out the whole road. No crews were hurt in the process, and no equipment was damaged."

WYDOT Teton County A view of the landslide aftermath

Related: 1,600 People Stranded After Section of Californias Scenic Highway 1 Collapses During Storm

The highway, which is built on the side of a mountain in Wyoming's Teton Range, first began showing signs of damage as early as Thursday, June 6, with the WYDOT warning commuters of closures.

Transportation authorities noted that the road was open on Thursday, as crews had "temporarily patched" roads to allow traffic warned drivers to "reduce their speed and drive cautiously through the area."



WYDOT Teton County Landslide Causes Crucial Highway Between Wyoming and Idaho

WYDOT Director Darin Westby wrote in a Facebook post shared by the WYDOT that the highway is a "lifeline" for "commuters, deliveries, medical care access and tourism,"

"WYDOT engineers, surveyors and geologists mobilized quickly to try to maintain highway viability as long as possible, but catastrophic failure could not be avoided," Westby continued. "WYDOT remains on site decisively engaged on fixing the road and restoring connectivity to the Teton Valley. Safety is our utmost priority, and we ask that recreationists and curious residents avoid the area until it can be stabilized."

A study published in February 2024 by the U.S. DOT Federal Highway Administration noted that the region has experienced major growth in its number of residents and the amount of tourism and other business in the area, leading to more and more drivers using Teton Pass.

WYDOT Teton County A view of the landslide aftermath

Related: 6 Construction Workers Missing After Bridge Collapse as Officials Say They've Found 5 Submerged Vehicles

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon issued an Executive Order declaring an emergency on Saturday, noting that the highway would require "substantial repairs" to reopen.

"We are closely monitoring this ongoing situation, and Wyoming Department of Transportation personnel are working diligently to develop a long-term solution to rebuild this critical roadway," Gordon said in a press release. "I recognize the significant impacts this closure has to Teton County, regional commuters and the local economy."

Stephanie Harsha, a spokesperson for District 3 of WYDOT, Harsha told the Associated Press there is an alternate route between Jackson and Idaho, but it goes more than 60 miles out of the way and can add "quite a bit to any commute."

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 were very, very lucky that no crews were harmed. No equipment was damaged," Harsha told the outlet. "So now, engineers and geologists are doing geological assessments on the pass. Theyve been looking at it all day."



The WYDOT has also announced a closure at milepost 15 on Teton Pass due to a mudslide, noting that the roadway was breached with mud and debris.

"Crews are working on clearing the mud and debris this morning," the department added.

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Read the original article on People.
European elections are often downplayed as second-order, low-stakes contests compared to national votes. The reality, however, is that the European elections are as much a domestic affair as any other. When European voters go to the polls to elect their 720 representatives of the European Parliament, as some 185 million did over the weekend in what was the second-largest election of the year, they do so with their domestic situation in mind. For many voters, this included concerns over issues such as the economy, immigration, and housing. While the outcome will influence what happens in Brussels over the next five years, it will also have a profound impact on what happens within each of the blocs 27 member states.

Nowhere was this more evident than in France, where President Emmanuel Macron announced a snap election shortly after exit polls showed his ruling Renaissance party suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally. (Though Le Pen is the leader of her party, she wasnt standing in the E.U. elections; the National Rallys list of European Parliament candidates was led by her lieutenant and presumed successor, Jordan Bardella.) In Macrons announcement on Sunday night, he acknowledged that the results of the European elections were not a good result for parties who defend Europe, adding: I could not, at the end of this day, act as if nothing was happening.

Macron bets the house

By calling the vote, Macron has plunged the country into a state of political uncertainty. The election, which will be conducted in two phases on June 30 and July 7, will be held just weeks before the start of the Summer Olympics in Paris. While Macron will not be a candidate himselfthe next presidential election isnt until 2027the outcome could have major implications for the remainder of his second and final term. A far-right victory of the kind seen overnight could result in Macron having to lead his country in cohabitation with Bardella as prime minister. In effect, Macron is confronting French voters with a stark choice: confront the far right or face the consequences of it in government. While some analysts have dubbed the move as smart and strategic, others have derided it as risky and even reckless.

Read More: This 28-Year-Old Is the New Face of Europes Far Right

Macron choosing to dissolve the Assemblee Nationale is a huge gamble, says Georgina Wright, a senior fellow and deputy director for international studies at Pariss Institut Montaigne. Many are fed up with Macronisme. Im really not sure his bet will pay off.

A 'sobering' result for Europe's biggest powers

This wasnt just a French phenomenon. A number of European countries saw their far right parties make considerable, and in some cases even historic, gains. Initial projections suggest the nationalist right could win nearly a quarter of the seats in the next European Parliament, up from the fifth they held in 2019. While they wont be the most powerful grouping in the legislatureEuropes conservatives continue to be the largestit does mean that they will be able to wield considerably more influence.

The far rights rise was particularly evident within the blocs biggest powers. In Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured an estimated 16% of the voteputting the extreme-right party behind the opposition center-right Christian Democrats (30%) but ahead of German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs ruling Social Democrats, who with 14% of the vote recorded their worst result in more than a century. While the AfDs performance was worse than polls initially predictedlikely owing to a string of recent scandals, one of which resulted in its ouster from its far-right European Parliament groupingit was nonetheless one of its best nationwide results to date. For Scholzs Social Democrats and their coalition partners in the Greens and the liberal Free Democrats, however, it was a humiliating defeatone that will undoubtedly put more pressure on their governing coalition as they prepare to face voters next year when German voters return to the polls for the countrys general election.

The result was very, very sobering, confessed the Social Democrats lead candidate Katarina Barley, who alongside Scholz was the face of the partys election campaign. In the run-up to the vote, both leaders faces could be seen on bright red placards across the country, with campaign slogans such as STOP THE SHIFT TO THE RIGHT and CLEAR COURSE IN STORMY TIMES.

The major European leader who wasnt humbled by this election was Italys Giorgia Meloni, whose nationalist Brothers of Italy scored a first-place finish in the European elections, cementing her position as a major power broker in Brussels.

A campaign poster of the German Social Democrats (SPD) shows German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and SPD member of the European Parliament Katarina Barley on May 6, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. Sean GallupGetty Images

'The center did hold'

The far-right wasnt universally victorious, however. In Poland, where the right-wing nationalist Law and Justice Party (PiS) was booted from national power last year, Prime Minister Donald Tusks centrist Civic Coalition triumphed. In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders far-right Freedom party (PVV), which last year staged a shocking first-place finish in the countrys general election, only managed to come in second place behind the Labour-Green alliance.

The whole narrative that this was going to be a radical right landslideit just didnt materialize like that, Frans Timmermans, the leader of the Labour-Green alliance in the Dutch Parliament and former first vice president of the European Commission, tells TIME. Indeed, while the results show significant losses among the Green and Liberal groups in the European Parliament, the conservative European Peoples Party (EPP) grouping and the Socialist and Democrats (S&D) continue to be the biggest forces in the legislature. Although the shift is, globally-speaking, to the right, Timmermans adds, the center did hold.

The limits of the far right's potency

If there is one thing that can limit the far rights impact in Brussels, it will be its lack of cohesion. While Europes far-right parties have found common cause on issues such as immigration and climate denialism, there is little else that unites them. Their divisions have been magnified over the course of the European elections campaignmost notably, when Le Pen took the decision to expel the AfD from the far-right Identity and Democracy grouping in the European Parliament after its lead candidate told an Italian newspaper that members of the Nazi SS were not necessarily criminals. Whereas far-right leaders such as Le Pen, Wilders, and Meloni have all tried to soften their parties image in a bid to win greater power, the AfD has only grown more radical with timea reality that could yet confine it to the political fringes.

But another factor that could determine the far rights potency in the next European Parliament is how the legislatures dominant conservatives choose to respond to their electoral surge. In the run-up to the vote, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested that her European Peoples Party grouping could be receptive to working with far-right parties so long as they are pro-European, pro-Ukraine and pro-rule of law.

How influential the far-right will ultimately be will depend on whether other parties think they need to accommodate some of their ideas, Timmermans says. But given the performance of von der Leyens conservatives and the other groupings, he thinks the prospect of collaboration is unlikely.

Still, he warns that Europes mainstream parties shouldnt count on Europes far-right parties to be disunited forever.

Ideologically theyre getting more and more closer together, Timmermans says, noting the influence of illiberal leaders such as Russias Vladimir Putin, Hungarys Viktor Orban, and the U.S.s Donald Trump. I think democratic parties should be well aware of that and should start thinking about a strategy to counter that with their own narrative and their own idea of society and not just by saying theyre bad and dont support them.

Write to Yasmeen Serhan at yasmeen.serhan@time.com.
Preliminary results for the European Parliament elections show that centrist parties have retained the majority despite a growth of support for far-right groups, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said as polls closed across Europe on June 9.

Speaking about the future composition of power in the EU, von der Leyen said she wants to continue to cooperate with "those who are pro-European, pro-Ukraine, pro-rule of law."

"Forces from the outside and from the inside are trying to destabilize our societies, and they are trying to weaken Europe. We will never let that happen."

Between June 6 and 9, European Union member states held elections for the bloc's 720-member European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament (MEP) shape and approve legislation and also approve candidates for the European Commission.

Exit polls project that the center-right European People's Party (EPP), which von der Leyen represents, will remain the largest political faction in the new parliament, with 189 seats.

Right-wing parties made significant gains in the election, with the conservative-nationalist European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) projected to take 72 seats and the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group projected to win 58.

"We won the European elections," von der Leyen told reporters on June 9.

"This election has given us two messages. First, there remains a majority in the center for a strong Europe, and that is crucial for stability. In other words, the center is holding."

Read also: How Czechia busted Russian propaganda network targeting European elections

Von der Leyen also acknowledged that more radical parties had made substantial gains. Right-wing factions secured victories in key races in Italy, France, and Belgium, among other countries.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's party, Brothers of Italy (FdI), appears to have won the most votes in Italy's European Parliament elections. The FdI belongs to the conservative-national ECR.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron announced snap parliamentary elections after Marine Le Pen's right-wing National Rally party, a member of the ID group, won a resounding victory in the French vote.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) is projected to come in third with around 14%, a drop of more than 10 points from the country's parliamentary vote in 2021.

The European elections in Germany were dominated by two opposition parties: the center-right CDU/CSU, which won around 30%, and the far-right Alternative for Germany, which is projected to win around 15.6% and gain an additional six seats in the European Parliament compared to 2019.

The AfD was kicked out from the ID group shortly before the elections after a series of scandals that included its candidates being accused of receiving money from Russia.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo announced his resignation after right-wing parties defeated the liberals in both the European Parliament vote and Belgium's federal elections.

In Poland, Donald Tusk's ruling Civic Coalition (KO) sees a strong performance with a projected win of 37.7%, coming in first ahead of the conservative Law and Justice (35.7%) and the far-right Confederation (11.8%).

Exit polls in Hungary gave Viktor Orban's Fidesz party 44% of the vote, which technically makes the ruling party the projected winner but with its worst electoral result in decades. The opposition Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar, came in second with 30%.

Read also: Why European elections matter for Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  A controversial budget bill would enact changes to the tuition waiver program for Virginia military and Gold Star families as well as impact law enforcement and other first responders, according to an advocacy group.

Previous Coverage: Changes to tuition waiver program concerning Virginia families, say timing feels intentional

The bill puts limitations and stricter eligibility criteria for those using the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, or VMSDEP. The program previously allowed university tuition to be waived for children of disabled veterans, of at least 90%, or those killed in action.

The changes would be implemented for those not enrolled in school by May 15. Those who missed the cut off date would be required to apply for financial aid and potentially pay out of pocket before using a tuition waiver. This change came as a result of an influx of applicants using the waivers under the previous criteria. As a result, other students had to pay more in order to counteract the financial loss, Legislative Fiscal Analyst Tony Maggio said, in previous coverage.

However, this change is concerning not only to families of veterans, but also anyone in the line of duty as language used in the bill could negatively impact an even larger group.

Friends of VMSDEP co-founder Kayla Owen said the group discovered changes in the bill would also impact law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS, corrections officers, campus police, special forest wardens, the Virginia National Guard and Virginia ABC employee families. These families were not forewarn of these changes and the impact it could have on them.

Some opponents to the changes have also said the study used in order to justify this decision was incomplete, and enacting the new requirements without further investigation would be unfair to families that have earned the benefit.

A special session was requested by Gov. Glenn Youngkin and confirmed by House Speaker Don Scott to address concerns arising from families of those in uniform. Younkin said that its necessary to repeal the changes while they continue to study the issue.

A Task Force, appointed by the Governor, holds its first public meeting on Monday, June 10, from 2-5 p.m. at the War Memorial in Richmond. Public statements are encouraged.

A Special Session of the General Assembly is scheduled for June 28 to vote on restoring the program pending a comprehensive study.

Previous Coverage: Governor calls for special session to repeal changes to military tuition waiver program

On Saturday, Sen. Bill DeSteph issued a letter and said the changes would render the program unusable for many under the new limitations. The language in the bill shifted the program to be a needs-based, means-tested, last-payer form of financial aid with additional qualification limitations, DeSteph said.

Students registering for Summer 2024 classes and beyond will no longer benefit from the waiver in the same way. DeSteph urged Gold Star families and disabled veterans not to lose hope.

I remain unwavering in my commitment to address this critical issue, which stands as a paramount political concern within the Commonwealth of Virginia at this time, said DeSteph. I commend the VMSDEP Friends group for their vigorous advocacy, which has significantly spotlighted this issue.

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.
The Montgomery County Courthouse in Rockville. Photo by Bruce DePuyt.

The body of a Maryland parole agent who police say was killed while conducting conducting a routine visit last month was found wrapped in plastic and left underneath a bed.

Thats according to charging documents filed against Emanuel Edward Sewell, 54, who is being charged with first-degree murder in the killing of 33-year-old Davis Martinez. Sewell was arrested after being taken into custody in West Virginia earlier this month.

Sewells attorney waived his clients bond hearing on Monday, and a Rockville judge ordered Sewell continue to be held without bond.

We as a community owe a responsibility to protect all public safety individuals who are trying to keep us safe in the community, said Montgomery County States Attorney John McCarthy. If theyre going out there doing work for us, we as a community have to work comprehensively to make sure that we see that theyre safe when theyre doing their job.

Martinez was visiting Sewells Chevy Chase apartment on May 31 to verify that he lived at his listed address. Just before 6 p.m., Martinezs co-workers grew concerned after he never returned to work from the visit in the 2800 block of Terrace Drive, according to charging documents.

After arriving at the apartment, Montgomery County police officers could hear the ping of Martinezs cellphone coming from a dumpster nearby. Martinezs car, a white Ford Taurus, was also parked outside.

Officers forced entry to the front door of 2815 Terrace Drive, and found an unresponsive male wrapped in multiple plastic bags underneath a bed, the charging documents said.

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Martinezs body was found in the fetal position underneath a bed. A bloodied towel was near the front door, according to charging documents.

In the charging documents, authorities said it wasnt clear how Martinez was killed. But prosecutors said Martinez had been stabbed and had wounds to his head, lungs, neck and eye. He also had bruising and swelling to the face.

A neighbor told investigators that someone knocked on Sewells door around 9 a.m. and that a white Ford Taurus  Martinezs vehicle  was parked outside.

She said Sewell exited his apartment around 2 p.m. and walked near the dumpsters, where Martinezs phone was found. He went back inside before leaving again, this time with two clear trash bags stuffed with clothes. The witness saw Sewell drive away.

Police searched for Sewell, and he was taken into custody June 1 around 5 p.m.  the day after the killing  by U.S. Marshals Task Force officers after a traffic stop on Interstate 64 in West Virginia.

Suspect was out on parole from 1996 sex assault

Online court records show Sewell was charged with first- and second-degree sex offenses and first-degree burglary in November 1996 relating to the brutal sexual assault of a young man in Montgomery County. The Washington Post reported that Sewell broke into a young physicists apartment on Oct. 18, 1996. The man woke up to Sewell threatening him with a knife in hand. He tied the mans arms and legs, gagged him and raped him.

Sewell cited his drug addiction as a partial explanation of why he attacked a stranger, the Post reported.

He was sentenced to 40 years and served 24. He was under supervised release after finishing his prison sentence in 2021.

Previous reports have referred to Sewell as a registered sex offender, but he is not on Marylands sex-offender registry. Prosecutors said his crime in 1996 did not fit the criteria at the time.

Questions remain over the motive in Martinezs killing.

I do not believe that this was a sexual offense of the same nature that led him to go to prison, McCarthy said. This was a violent attack on the agent who was doing the residence check.

Initially, Sewell was arraigned on a second-degree murder charge but prosecutors said Monday that his charge was upgraded to first-degree murder based on additional information unveiled during the homicide investigation.

Sewells next court appearance is scheduled for July 5.

Questions raised over parole agents safety

In response to Martinezs death, in-home visits by parole and probation agents have been temporarily suspended, WTOPs partners at Maryland Matters reported. Union leaders who represent state parole and probation agents have claimed Martinezs death was preventable, and called for the firing of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs.

We are always concerned for our public servants in any kind of a situation where they go out there, McCarthy said. I do not know, and Im not going to speak to the procedures that are in place to protect these agents when they go to the individual homes. I will just really say it is always a concern for us.

Gov. Wes Moore ordered that flags be flown at half-staff on June 1 in honor of Martinez, who he said is the first Maryland parole agent allegedly killed by a client while on duty.

As part of Maryland Matters content sharing agreement with WTOP, we feature this article from Jessica Kronzer. WTOPs Sandra Jones reported from Maryland District Court. Click here for the WTOP News website.

The post Charging documents reveal details of scene where parole agent was killed appeared first on Maryland Matters.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WBTW)  A winning $130,000 Palmetto Cash 5 lottery ticket was sold in Timmonsville, according to the South Carolina Education lottery.

The ticket was sold at the Super Mart on 3104 Sally Rd. The ticket matched all five numbers drawn on Saturday and is the sixth rolling jackpot win in South Carolina, lottery officials said.

The jackpot rolled three times before Saturdays win. The winner numbers were 9-28-29-37-41.

The holder of the winning ticket has 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim their prize.

The odds of winning the Palmetto Cash 5 jackpot are 1 in 850,668. For complete information on claiming prizes, visit the lotterys website.

The Palmetto Cash 5 jackpot for Monday nights drawing is $110,000, lottery officials said.

* * *

Taylor Ford is a digital journalist for News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2023. Taylor is a Florence native and covers the Pee Dee out of News13s Florence Bureau. Read more of Taylors work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Looking for vacation ideas? And so that the trip doesn't take forever? We have put together a selection of interesting destinations for you. Read on to find out where to go for the weekend.

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Gdansk, Poland

Locals often call it a triple city. It is located on the Baltic Sea coast. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The most comfortable water temperature is in July. And the swimming season ends in August. If you are planning to sunbathe and swim, it is better to make it in this period of time.

You can choose apartments near the sea or in neighboring Gdynia and Sopot.

What to see in the city:

St. Mary's Church - the largest brick church on earth.

Neptune's Fountain. It stands on the main square and is a symbol of Gdansk.

The Big Tower. A historic lighthouse that offers great views of the surrounding area.

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Vilnius, Lithuania

The largest city and one of the most beautiful in the country. The most famous landmarks are located here - the Upper and Lower Castles. There is also a distinctive neighborhood known as the "Republic of Uzupis". It has its own constitution, anthem, bishop, and even president. Its symbol is a bronze sculpture of an angel.

There are many observation decks here. By the way, one 165-meter-high TV tower houses the Milky Way restaurant. You won't believe it, but the floor of the restaurant makes a complete revolution in 55 minutes. This way you can see a panoramic view.

Riga, Latvia

Here you should explore the majestic Riga Cathedral, the famous Dome Gate and picturesque neighborhoods. Also, take a walk along the streets of Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela. Admire the graceful facades decorated with wrought iron, stained glass and sculptures.

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You can also walk along the Daugava River embankment and take a boat ride.

The best time to visit is in spring or summer.

Krakow, Poland

The city is located on the banks of the Vistula River. More than 1200 monuments of different architectural styles are concentrated here - from the Middle Ages to the modern times.

The Market Square is one of the largest in Europe. Its condition and appearance have not changed since 1257. Here you can see the Town Hall, St. Mary's Basilica, and Cloth Rows. By the way, you can have dinner or lunch here in a restaurant or pub accompanied by street musicians. This is a favorite place for tourists.

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Be sure to visit Kazimierz, a former Jewish neighborhood. There are as many as 7 synagogues here. Two of them are working now.

Also go to the Auschwitz concentration camp. The memorial complex contains memorial messages in 20 languages.

Vienna, Austria

Here you can taste culinary delights, visit branded shops, relax in nature, and see art and history monuments.

Be sure to visit the Vienna Zoo. It is located on the territory of the palace and park complex. It is home to many rare and unusual species of animals.

What to do in the evening? Go to the local opera. It impresses not only with its program but also with its appearance. By the way, the prices are high, but you can buy cheaper tickets for standing seats a few hours before the performance.

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And in Belvedere, you can feel like a part of the royal family. The amazing landscapes and architecture will make a great photo op.

In the evening, be sure to take a walk through the museum district. Exhibitions, art performances, and fashion shows are often held here.

By the way, you can watch modern stars in the wax house.

Brussels, Belgium

You won't believe it, but the biggest celebrity in the city and the whole kingdom is a statue of a peeing boy. Today it has 650 costumes from different countries.

You can feel the spirit of London in the Grand Place. Old buildings decorated with sculptures, columns, and ornaments rise here. Interestingly, each of the buildings has a name.

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For influential people it is a place for official events, for tourists it is just another museum. In the mirror room of the royal castle, the ceiling is decorated with scarab beetle wings. And in the imperial living room there are 11 golden pots with flowers in them. They symbolize the country's provinces.

An interesting fact: The King's House has changed its purpose several times. At one time it housed a bakery warehouse, a prison, a tax office, and the residence of the Dukes of Brabant.

Berlin, Germany

The Brandenburg Gate is the capital's hallmark. They are the most commonly seen in photos. And, of course, the open-air gallery on the East Side. After the wall fell, more than 100 artists gathered here at once. They painted pictures dedicated to peace and love.

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There is also an island with five world-famous exhibition buildings.

To have a picnic, go to the park. It is located near the local cathedral.

If remote cities in Europe don't appeal to you, go to the nearest locations. Have a nice weekend!

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Insights from East is Read, the South China Morning Post, and National Strategy

The News

Chinese economists are urging the government to reform hukou  an archaic residency registration system set up decades ago under Mao to stop the mass migration of rural Chinese into cities.

Several cities have already made changes to the system to make it easier for migrant workers to bring their families to cities and access social services there.

Under the hukou system, people are limited to receiving social benefits, like healthcare and education, depending on the locality they are registered to live in, a policy that has left residents living in rural areas disenfranchised. The program is highly unpopular and has forced migrant workers to make the choice to leave children and family behind with relatives to work in the cities for higher wages.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Hukou reform could avert negative societal consequences

Source: The East is Read

The residency system means millions of migrant parents leave their children with relatives at home while they work in cities, but researchers are worried this could have unforeseen long-term societal consequences for future generations, according to China newsletter The East is Read. Economists at Peking University found left-behind children have a slightly higher chance of committing a crime in adulthood if just one parent is a migrant worker, and a 12.1% higher chance of gambling. While the hukou system may seem to have no immediate effects, the researchers said, these issues can manifest through increased criminal behavior, affecting society over the long term.

Hukou reforms could aid economic recovery

Sources: South China Morning Post, Natixis

Chinas economic woes stem in part from a population unwilling to spend on consumer goods, and reforming the hukou system could unleash more than $281.1 billion in consumption, according to one economist who advises Chinas central bank. Migrant workers could see their spending power increase by 30% due to the significant improvements to their social safety net that city residency would bring, he said. Chinas major cities also have space for improvement in terms of growth capacity as the countrys overall population declines, the South China Morning Post reported, and hukou reform could mean urbanization might be completed before 2035, according to one economist.

Chinas property crisis needs a fix

Source: National Strategy

Debt-ridden Chinese real-estate developers like Evergrande have left behind millions of unoccupied buildings, and Beijing has considered city-specific hukou reforms to reduce the inventory of housing there. The idea that population is a resource rather than a burden is starting to guide authorities residency policies, one analyst wrote for the National Strategy, a WeChat economics blog. But hukou reforms may not be enough to fix the housing crisis because once [registration] is open to everyone, it will quickly lose its value, the analyst said, especially if migrant workers try to apply for registration in first-tier cities like Shanghai and Beijing.
A Dutch warship was harassed by Chinese military aircraft in the East China Sea on Friday, the Netherlands said, becoming the latest country to accuse Beijings forces of initiating potentially unsafe encounters in international waters.

In a statement Friday, the Dutch Defense Ministry said two Chinese fighter jets circled the frigate HNLMS Tromp several times, while its marine patrol helicopter was approached by two Chinese warplanes and a helicopter during a patrol.

This created a potentially unsafe situation, the statement said.

CNN has asked the Chinese government for comment on the Dutch accusations.

The Tromp was operating in the East China Sea in support of a multinational coalition enforcing United Nations sanctions on North Korea, known as the Pacific Security Maritime Exchange (PSMX), according to a statement from the European Union.

The UN Security Council has passed multiple resolutions since 2006 imposing sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear weapons program.

PSMX partner nations include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, according to the US State Department.

This handout picture shows the Dutch frigate Tromp approached in the East China Sea by a Chinese fighter jet. - Netherlands Ministry of Defence/X/Twitter

Before patrolling in the East China Sea, the Dutch frigate had made a port call in Busan, South Korea, where it participated in exercises with the South Korean Navy, the EU statement said.

Tromp joins a growing list of vessels and aircraft that have accused Chinas Peoples Liberation Army of conducting possibly unsafe maneuvers in the East and South China Seas and beyond in recent years.

Last month, Australia accused a Chinese fighter jet of firing flares into the path of a naval helicopter operating from the destroyer HMAS Hobart over international waters of the Yellow Sea. The Hobart was also enforcing UN sanctions on North Korea.

This was an unsafe maneuver which posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel, a statement from Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said at the time.

China defended that action by its military and rejected Australias claim that the interception was unsafe.

Under the guise of implementing United Nations Security Council resolutions, Australian warships and aircraft deliberately approached Chinas airspace to cause trouble and provocation, endangering Chinas maritime and air security, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters at a regular briefing last month.

As a warning, the Chinese military took necessary measures at the scene. Relevant operations are legal, compliant, professional and safe.

The incident was similar to an encounter in late October, when Canada said a Chinese fighter jet fired flares into the path of a Canadian military helicopter over the South China Sea.

The risk to a helicopter in that instance is the flares moving into the rotor blades or the engines so this was categorized as both unsafe and non-standard, unprofessional, Maj. Rob Millen, air officer aboard the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ottawa, told CNN after the October incident.

China also defended its actions in that incident and accused Canadian forces of conducting an unspecified malicious and provocative act with ulterior motives.

Two weeks before the South China Sea encounter, a Royal Canadian Air Force patrol plane reported an unsafe intercept by a Chinese jet while it was supporting the UN enforcement of sanctions on North Korea.

China, which says its forces act in accordance with international law while protecting Chinese interests, has repeatedly claimed that US-led alliances in the Pacific are a threat to its security.

Earlier this month in a speech to the Shangri-La Dialogue defense summit in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington had made historic progress in developing alliances and partnerships that have enhanced security in Asia in the past three years.

In a Q&A session, a Chinese colonel asked Austin whether the US is planning to build a NATO-like alliance system in the Asia-Pacific region, and also blamed NATO for the Ukraine war.

Hours later, a Chinese military spokesman accused the United States of creating division and provoking confrontation in the region.

The US keeps creating chaos and has become the source of risks, as well as the destroyer to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, Jing Jianfeng, deputy chief of the Joint Staff Department at Chinas Central Military Commission, told reporters in Singapore.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The stepfather of a missing Cornelius girl, whose case made international headlines, has filed for divorce from the childs mother.

Christopher Palmiter filed the documents for the dissolution of his marriage with Diana Cojocari on Monday, June 10.

Both parents were charged in the disappearance of Madalina Cojocari, who went missing shortly before Thanksgiving 2022, and has not been seen since.

The documents revealed the couple had been separated since Dec. 17, 2022, the date of both of their arrests on a charge of failing to file a report on the disappearance of a child. The two were accused of waiting three weeks to file a report on Madalinas disappearance.

MORE FROM QUEEN CITY NEWS

FINDING MADALINA

Diana Cojocari pled guilty last month to the charge and was sentenced to time served for the 17 months she spent inside the Mecklenburg County Jail.

Palmiter pled not guilty to the felony charge, but was found guilty by a jury May 31. The divorce filing came 10 days after the trial ended, and as Palmiter awaits sentencing.

The couple were married in January 2016. During testimony for Palmiters trail, he testified that he met Diana in 2008 via an online dating site while she was living in the eastern European country of Moldova. Testimony also revealed that the couple was never intimate and records show the couple have no biological children together.

Palmiter maintained during the trial that Diana Cojocari was largely responsible for Madalinas welfare during the length of their marriage.

Palmiter also said since Diana was released from jail, outside of one night in late May, she was staying in a hotel.

The Madalina Cojocari disappearance has made national and international headlines over the unusual nature of the case.

Cornelius Police said Madalina was last seen in public Nov. 22, 2022, getting off a school bus. Police said the parents came forward to file a report only after the girls school requested meetings with the parents over Madalinas whereabouts after a series of absences.

Documents released before the trial and testimony during Palmiters trial revealed that he made a trip to Michigan shortly after Madalina was last seen, and that Diana Cojocari made a trip to the North Carolina mountains. Both Palmiter and the elder Cojocari maintained in statements to police that they do not know where the missing girl could be located.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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)  City of El Paso officials are inviting the public to a series of public meetings about the Citys budget for fiscal year 2025. At these meetings, residents and businesses can express their feedback about municipal services that are most meaningful to them.

The meetings are part of the Citys annual Chime In! public engagement campaign designed to involve residents in the budget development process.

The community meetings are as follows:

 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 11 at Westside Library (125 Belvidere)

 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 at Sun Metros Northgate Transit Center, 9348 Dyer

 6 p.m. Thursday, June 20 at Wayne Thornton Community Center, 3134 Jefferson

 6 p.m. Thursday, June 27 at Sylvia Carreon Community Center, 709 Lomita

 1 p.m. Saturday, June 29 at Esperanza Moreno Library, 12480 Pebble Hills

The public feedback captured from these meetings and the recently completed Chime In! survey will provide City leaders with the framework to align the annual operating budget priorities with services most valued by taxpayers.

The Citys budget for fiscal year 2025 must be adopted by Aug. 31. Public hearings will be held this summer as part of the budget adoption process.

Last year, the Citys budget prioritized public safety, streets, and quality of life. It included a no-new-revenue tax rate to provide relief to taxpayers, meaning the City did not increase property taxes.

For more information about the Citys Tax Rate and Budget information, visit ElPasoTexas.gov/OMB/Tax-And-Budget/.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The City of Colorado Springs is inviting residents to attend a free informational session on Thursday, June 13.

Renters Rights 101 will help participants learn about a variety of topics such as lease basics, reasonable accommodations and modifications, deposits, repairs, evictions, and updates on recent Colorado legislation on housing matters.

Colorado Legal Services attorney Clinton Albert will be talking about the topics, in addition to sharing other community legal and housing resources.

Registration for the event can be found online. Registration is optional and allows those who sign up to receive a copy of the slides and event recording. The meeting will take place at Ruth Holley Library on June 13 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Those who are interested in attending but cannot attend in person may join online through the link 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 FOX21 News Colorado.
The City of Jackson's Summer Feeding program is for ages 0-18 and runs for just over a month

Starting Monday, Jackson youth up to 18 years old can eat free meals as part of the City of Jackson's Summer Feeding Program.

The program will be in operation until July 12, according to a Monday press release from the city.

Residents can go to three different community centers throughout the city for meals between 11 a.m to 1 p.m. All meals must be eaten on site.

Below are the community centers hosting the program:

Smith Robertson Community Center, 505 John Hart Street.

Sykes Park Community Center, 520 Sykes Road.

Westside Community Center, 1450 Wiggins Road

Overseeing the program is Jackson Meals Matter, a hunger awareness campaign started by the city.

Cafeteria workers serve children in a summer feeding program in Jackson, Miss. in 2004.

In January, Mississippi became one of 15 states to opt out of a United States Department of Agriculture's Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program, or Summer EBT. The new program, started this summer after years of testing, will provide food benefits to nearly 21 million children in low-income families in states and territories that chose to opt in.

Ultimately, the decision to opt out of the program was made by Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, saying one reason was to protect Mississippi from "attempts to expand the welfare state."

More on MS opting out of USDA program: 'It's like we're leftovers:' Families react to MS opting out of summer food benefits program

Shelby Wilcher, a press secretary to Reeves, previously told the Clarion Ledger that "Mississippi declined to participate at the direction of Reeves, because it was originally intended to be a temporary pandemic-era program."

Other reasons given were that the Mississippi Department of Education, which would oversee the program, does not have the personnel to manage the Summer EBT program.

The Jackson Public School District is also offering free breakfast and lunch to children under the age of 18 starting Monday, June 3, to Friday, July 12. Breakfast will be served from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The free meals are a part of the district's Child Nutrition Department's 33rd annual Summer Feeding Program.

Below is the list of school's offering the program:

Bates Elementary School, 3180 McDowell Road Extension

Blackburn Middle School, 1311 West Pearl Street

Boyd Elementary School, 4521 Broadmeadow Drive

Cardozo Middle School, 3180 McDowell Road Extension

Clausell Elementary School, 330 Harley Street

Galloway Elementary School, 186 Idlewild Street

Key Elementary School, 699 W. McDowell Road

Kirksey Middle School, 5677 Highland Drive

McLeod Elementary School, 1616 Sandalwood Place

Provine High School, 2400 Robinson Street

Spann Elementary School, 1615 Brecon Drive

Wilkins Elementary School, 1970 Castle Hill Drive

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Free meals for children in Jackson MS summer feeding program
Orlando displays 49 ribbons to honor the victims from the Pulse nightclub shooting

The City of Orlando is beginning a week of remembrance activities for the victims and survivors of the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

Wednesday marks eight years since 49 people died and several others were hurt in the attack.

After the tragedy, people in Provincetown, Massachusetts, sent our community prayer ribbons with the names of the victims written on them.

Read: Applications open for monthly art walk in Ocala

The prayer ribbons will once again be displayed on the steps of Orlando City Hall.

The ribbons will remain displayed through next Sunday.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  For the first time ever, the City of Portland is auctioning a streetcar from its fleet, officials told KOIN 6 News.

The city is auctioning streetcar #015, which was a prototype built by United Streetcar and Oregon Iron Works and paid for by the Federal Transit Administration.

While the cities of Portland, Tucson, and Washington D.C. later bought streetcars from the production line, the City of Portland said the vehicle up for auction had operational issues.

Because it was a prototype, it had a number of issues and eventually a critical flaw with the propulsion system that was unable to be fixed or replaced. Because the FTA paid for it, the only recourse the City has to get rid of it is to put it up for auction (as mandated by federal rules), Portland Streetcar spokesperson Andrew Plambeck said in an email.

The City of Portland is auctioning a streetcar that debuted in 2012 and is no longer operable. As of June 10, the bid was set at $250, according to the GovDeals listing (Courtesy Portland Streetcar.)

The City of Portland is auctioning a streetcar that debuted in 2012 and is no longer operable. As of June 10, the bid was set at $250, according to the GovDeals listing (Courtesy Portland Streetcar.)

The streetcar is listed on GovDeals, a liquidity marketplace for government agencies, with a $250 bid as of June 10 and is described as over 11 feet tall and 66 feet long.

The streetcar was in service for a few years starting in 2012, but never quite worked reliably, officials said, noting the vehicle has not been in service for about five years.

Portland announces new battery recycling program starting this week

While the streetcar is up for public auction  meaning anyone can bid  there is a caveat, according to Plambeck: The buyer is responsible for removing the streetcar from city property and moving it to a new location, officials said.

Estimates for moving the non-operational streetcar run around $50,000, including costs such as insurance, so, the buyer must be prepared to navigate that process, Plambeck said.

The auction closes 4:30 p.m. June 24, according to the GovDeals listing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(Getty Images)

Recent events underscore the idea that we should bring back civics as a required subject. Or, perhaps even better, maybe we should extend the requirement beyond classrooms and into the very fabric of American life, where we get to make informed choices.

Weve witnessed a former president  and the presumptive candidate seeking to regain the Oval Office  convicted of a felony; the rejection of a ceasefire in Gaza, where a catastrophe among innocents continues to unfold; and a clash between the constitutional rights of speech and assembly and the peacekeeping presence of city police on college campuses.

A grounding in civics gives us context with which to think about what is happening, a sense of how to respond and an idea of whether or where best to engage further. Hint: Social media posts only dab at any of the three.

Even for those who eschew major world or local events, preferring to keep their distance and opt for disengagement, a good civic grounding can be useful, perhaps even enlightening. Choosing to stay on the periphery of an issue is still a choice, one made more clearly with a working knowledge of civics.

The push to bring back civics into school curricula is a good idea, the subject having gone the way of the humanities, lost perhaps in the political rush toward accountability and measurable outcomes.

Civics may very well be measured with tests, but its real value is not simply giving an individual information about how the government works, what the limits of its power are, what citizens responsibilities in a representative democracy entail or any of the bedrock of a basic civics focus. More than that, however, the goal of civics education should be to prepare citizens to be engaged, responsible and well-informed members of their neighborhoods, cities, states, nation and the world.

Still, knowing a few ideas in civics such as the three branches of government (famously unknown by a sitting U.S. senator), the system of checks and balances, the separation of power, the rationale underpinning constitutional tenets and how elections work serves us well, especially today, in a world where the uninformed, the unrepentant, even the unhinged vie for our attention, our money and our votes

Civics educations connection to history and law also allow us to put into context the major events of our time, comparing them to previous political, cultural or social shifts or upheavals. We can, for example, then better understand the difference between a state jurisdiction and federal one in a recent historic court case, the limits and levers of American influence in ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine and the dynamics at work as more than a few school boards and state legislatures try to rewrite history.

Nebraska requires high school students either to write a paper on a civic-based holiday, attend a public hearing or take the United States citizenship test to graduate. It does not ask students to pass a standalone civics class, one of 11 states without that requirement.

State Sen. George Dungans Legislative Bill 225, which was postponed indefinitely in the 2024 Nebraska Legislature, would offer a fourth option to meet the civics requirement: Serving as a poll worker on Election Day, followed by a paper or project detailing the experience. The bill would also require school boards to have a student on an American civics committee, a body charged with assuring that the social studies curriculum is aligned with state standards and  teaches foundational knowledge in civics, history, economics, financial literacy, and geography.

The train moving toward more emphasis on civic education is on the right track  and not a moment too soon. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), its National Report Card for 2022 showed that for the first time ever, student scores in civics fell, losing 2 percentage points from 2018.

Of course, civic understanding and civic engagement differ. The good news is that understanding can lead to further engagement and  as is surely the hope in some of the school requirements above  engagement can also bring greater understanding.

Responsible and responsive American citizens obviously have more than a grounding in civics going for them. Plus, we all have the option, as mentioned above, of throwing up our hands in frustration and checking out of the process  political, social, cultural, whatever.

That said, an understanding of civics neither dissuades engagement nor dilutes disengagement. Having such an awareness and knowledge of how this thing we call representative democracy and government works gives us informed options.

Imagine a place with no choice.

The post Civics gives us informed choices appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz party has received its worst result in decades in the European Parliament elections. According to the results of the vote, the political force of the Russian dictator's supporter can count on only 11 seats in the European Parliament.

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At the same time, Fidesz won local elections in all 19 counties in Hungary. This is reported by the Telex edition.

The Fidesz-KDNP alliance of incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orban received 44.52% of the vote and can now claim 11 seats in the European Parliament. The majority of votes from the ruling party were taken by the opposition political force Tisa of Peter Magyar. The newly created Tysa won 30% of the vote. This result allows it to receive 7 seats in the European Parliament.

For 20 years, Orban's Fidesz party has only once gained less than 50% in the European Parliament elections. In 2004, while in opposition, the party won 47.4% of the vote.

According to Politico, the result of the European Parliament elections is a huge victory for opposition leader Peter Magyar and a huge failure for Orban. According to the executive director of the independent think tank Political Capital, Peter Kreko, the ruling Hungarian party now has a real competitor.

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Magyar himself said that the election result is "the beginning of the end" for Viktor Orban. During the election campaign, the oppositionist criticized the Orban regime for corruption. He also promised to return billions of EU funds intended for Hungary, frozen by Brussels over concerns about the rule of law.

As a reminder, preliminary polls indicate that representatives of extreme right-wing political forces may receive the majority of votes in the European Parliament elections. As a result, the European Parliament may see an increase in the number of Euro-skeptical nationalists, which is likely to affect Ukraine.

Earlier it was reported that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban again criticized the leaders of Western countries. According to him, they want to defeat Russia militarily for the sake of "money and power."

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Civil rights icon Rev. James Lawson Jr., who trained activists in nonviolent protest, has died at age 95, pastor says

The Rev. James Lawson Jr., a civil rights icon who trained activists in nonviolent protest, died Sunday, according to the pastor at Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, where Lawson was reverend emeritus.

Lawson died in Los Angeles, Rev. Christian Washington told CNN Monday. He was 95.

Lawson was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1928, according to his biography by The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University.

In 1951, he was imprisoned for refusing to register with the armed forces. After his parole the following year, he traveled to India for missionary work with the Methodist Church, the biography states. There, he studied Mahatma Gandhis use of nonviolence.

He returned to the United States in 1956 and studied at Oberlin College School of Theology and Vanderbilt University, according to the biography.

Lawson met the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. the following year.

The civil rights leader urged Lawson to move to the South to teach nonviolence to others, his biography states, and that same year, Lawson would organize workshops on nonviolence for residents of Nashville and students at Vanderbilt and elsewhere.

Following the lunch counter sit-ins in Greensboro, North Carolina, Lawson and other activists held nonviolent protests in Nashvilles downtown stores, according to the biography. He was expelled from Vanderbilt in 1960 due to his involvement in the citys desegregation movement.

King went on to praise Lawson and other preachers for fighting for the rights of his people in his April 3, 1968, Ive Been to the Mountaintop speech  his last.

And I want to commend the preachers, under the leadership of these noble men: James Lawson, one who has been in this struggle for many years; hes been to jail for struggling; but hes still going on, fighting for the rights of his people. Rev. Ralph Jackson, Billy Kiles; I could just go right on down the list, but time will not permit, King said.

But I want to thank them all. And I want you to thank them, because so often, preachers arent concerned about anything but themselves. And Im always happy to see a relevant ministry.

After Kings assassination, Lawson continued working with civil rights groups, including the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Lawson was the pastor of Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles from 1974 to 1999, according to the church. He held workshops on nonviolence well into his 90s, Washington said.

Lawson also taught at the University of California Los Angeles college of social sciences, and university officials there called him one of the most impactful social justice leaders of the twentieth-century.

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LOS ANGELES (AP)  The Rev. James Lawson Jr., an apostle of nonviolent protest who schooled activists to withstand brutal reactions from white authorities as the Civil Rights Movement gained traction, has died, his family said Monday. He was 95.

His family said Lawson died on Sunday after a short illness in Los Angeles, where he spent decades working as a pastor, labor movement organizer and university professor.

Lawson was a close adviser to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who called him the leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world.

His contribution to the nonviolence protests in the 1960s will never be forgotten. Memphis will forever cherish his work during the 1968 Sanitation Strike. His legacy lives on through the countless activism up until his passing, said Kermit Moore, Jr., President, NAACP Memphis Branch.

In 1968, it was Lawson who organized the sanitation workers strike that fatefully drew King to Memphis. Lawson said he was at first paralyzed and forever saddened by Kings assassination.

I thought I would not live beyond 40, myself, Lawson said. The imminence of death was a part of the discipline we lived with, but no one as much as King.

Still, Lawson made it his lifes mission to preach the power of nonviolent direct action.

Im still anxious and frustrated, Lawson said as he marked the 50th anniversary of Kings death with a march in Memphis. The task is unfinished.

Lawson met King in 1957, after spending three years in India soaking up knowledge about Mohandas K. Gandhis independence movement. King would travel to India himself two years later, but at the time, he had only read about Gandhi in books.

The two Black pastors  both 28 years old  quickly bonded over their enthusiasm for the Indian leaders ideas, and King urged Lawson to put them into action in the American South.

Lawson soon led workshops in church basements in Nashville, Tennessee, that prepared John Lewis, Diane Nash, Bernard Lafayette, Marion Barry, the Freedom Riders and many others to peacefully withstand vicious responses to their challenges of racist laws and policies.

Lawsons lessons led Nashville to become the first major city in the South to desegregate its downtown, on May 10, 1960, after hundreds of well-organized students staged lunch-counter sit-ins and boycotts of discriminatory businesses.

A virtual tour of the National Civil Rights Museum

Lawsons particular contribution was to introduce Gandhian principles to people more familiar with biblical teachings, showing how direct action could expose the immorality and fragility of racist white power structures.

Gandhi said that we persons have the power to resist the racism in our own lives and souls, Lawson told the AP. We have the power to make choices and to say no to that wrong. Thats also Jesus.

James Morris Lawson Jr., was born on Sept. 22, 1928, the son and grandson of ministers, and grew up in Massillon, Ohio, where he became ordained himself as a high school senior.

He told The Tennessean that his commitment to nonviolence began in elementary school, when he told his mother that he had slapped a boy who had used a racial slur against him.

What good did that do, Jimmy? his mother asked.

That simple question forever changed his life, Lawson said. He became a pacifist, refusing to serve when drafted for the Korean War, and spent a year in prison as a conscientious objector. The Fellowship of Reconciliation, a pacifist group, sponsored his trip to India after he finished a sociology degree.

Gandhi had been assassinated by then, but Lawson met people who had worked with him and explained Gandhis concept of satyagraha, a relentless pursuit of Truth, which encouraged Indians to peacefully reject British rule. Lawson then saw how the Christian concept of turning the other cheek could be applied in collective actions to challenge morally indefensible laws.

Lawson was a divinity student at Oberlin College in Ohio when King spoke on campus about the Montgomery bus boycott. King told him, You cant wait, you need to come on South now, Lawson recalled in an Associated Press interview.

Lawson soon enrolled in theology classes at Vanderbilt University, while leading younger activists through mock protests in which they practiced taking insults without reacting.

The technique swiftly proved its power at lunch counters and movie theaters in Nashville, where on May 10, 1960, businesses agreed to take down the No Colored signs that enforced white supremacy.

It was the first major successful campaign to pull the signs down, and it created a template for the sit-ins that began spreading across the South, Lawson said.

Lawson was called on to organize what became the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, which sought to organize the spontaneous efforts of tens of thousands of students who began challenging Jim Crow laws across the South.

Angry segregationists got Lawson expelled from Vanderbilt, but he said he never harbored hard feelings about the university, where he returned as a distinguished visiting professor in 2006, and eventually donated a significant portion of his papers.

Lawson earned that theology degree at Boston University and became a Methodist pastor in Memphis, where his wife Dorothy Wood Lawson worked as an NAACP organizer. They moved several years later to Los Angeles, where Lawson led the Holman United Methodist Church and taught at California State University, Northridge and the University of California. They raised three sons, John, Morris and Seth.

Lawson remained active into his 90s, urging younger generations to leverage their power. Eulogizing the late Rep. John Lewis last year, he recalled how the young man he trained in Nashville grew lonely marches into multitudes, paving the way for major civil rights legislation.

If we would honor and celebrate John Lewis life, let us then re-commit our souls, our hearts, our minds, our bodies and our strength to the continuing journey to dismantle the wrong in our midst, Lawson said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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ST. LOUIS (AP)  Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Monday turned down a clemency request for condemned inmate David Hosier, a move that likely clears the way for his execution.

Hosier, 69, faces lethal injection Tuesday for the 2009 deaths of a Jefferson City couple, Angela and Rodney Gilpin. Randy Dampf, a Jefferson City police officer at the time of the killings and now an investigator for the county prosecutor, said Hosier had a romantic relationship with Angela Gilpin and was angry with her for breaking it off.

Ms. Angela Gilpin had her life stolen by David Hosier because he could not accept it when she ended their romantic involvement. He displays no remorse for his senseless violence, Parson, a Republican and a former county sheriff who has overseen 10 executions since taking office in 2018, said in a statement. For these heinous acts, Hosier earned maximum punishment under the law.

Larry Komp, a federal public defender and one of Hosiers attorneys, said no court appeals are pending.

Hosier, in an earlier phone interview with The Associated Press, had expressed displeasure with his lawyers clemency petition, which focused on the trauma of his Indiana State Police sergeant father being killed in the line of duty when Hosier was 16. Hosier thought it should have focused on the lack of fingerprints, DNA or eyewitnesses tying him to the Gilpins deaths. Glen Hosier was shot to death by a murder suspect in 1971 after entering a home.

They did exactly the opposite of what I wanted them to do, Hosier said of the clemency petition. I told them I didnt want the boo-hoo, woe is me. All that stuff happened 53 years ago, OK? It has nothing to do with why Im sitting here right now.

Komp called Parsons decision disappointing.

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It sends the wrong message to execute and marginalize a veteran and an individual harmed by the tragedy of his father being killed in the line of duty, which spun his life into a different direction, Komp said in an email. The context of his life history with the paucity of evidence related to his guilt makes this a compounding of tragedies, nothing is gained by killing him.

Hosier spent four years in active duty in the Navy and later worked as a firefighter and EMT in Jefferson City. He acknowledged his 2009 affair with Angela Gilpin and that she ended it and reconciled with her husband. In September 2009, they were shot to death near the doorway of their apartment.

Detective Jason Miles said Hosier made numerous comments to other people threatening to harm Angela Gilpin in the days before the killings.

After the shootings, police found an application for a protective order in Angela Gilpins purse, and another document in which she expressed fear that Hosier might shoot her and her husband.

Hosier was an immediate suspect, but police couldnt find him. They used cellphone data to track him to Oklahoma. A chase ensued when an Oklahoma officer tried to stop Hosiers car. When he got out, he told the officers, Shoot me, and get it over with, court records show.

Officers found 15 guns, a bulletproof vest, 400 rounds of ammunition and other weapons in Hosiers car. The weapons included a submachine gun made from a kit that investigators maintain was used in the killings, though tests on it were inconclusive.

A note was found in the front seat of Hosiers vehicle. If you are going with someone do not lie to them, it read in part. Be honest with them if there is something wrong. If you do not this could happen to YOU!!

Hosier said he wasnt fleeing to Oklahoma but was simply on a long drive to clear his mind. He had the guns because he likes to hunt, he said. He didnt recall a note in the car.

Hosier wheezed at times when he spoke to AP, and his voice was weak. In mid-May, he was taken from the prison to a hospital  a rare move for death row inmates. He was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. He said hes on medication but continues to feel poorly.

The Missouri Supreme Court upheld his conviction in 2019.

The execution would be the second in Missouri this year. Brian Dorsey was executed in April for killing his cousin and her husband in 2006.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
A US Coast Guard Academy official says top leaders directed her to lie to sexual assault victims and Congress, making her an unwitting accomplice in a cover-up of decades of abuse.

As a result, Shannon Norenberg says shes resigning from her role as the academys head of sexual assault prevention and issuing a public apology to survivors, saying she is no longer willing to stay silent.

The Coast Guard lied to me, she wrote in a public statement posted online Sunday. I can no longer in good conscience be part of an organization that would betray me, betray victims of sexual assault, and betray the system I helped set up to hold perpetrators at the academy accountable.

Norenbergs explosive allegations were made in advance of a congressional hearing this week at which the Coast Guards first female commandant, Adm. Linda Fagan, is slated to testify about the agencys sexual misconduct scandal.

In an exclusive interview with CNN, Norenberg said she had made it her mission to help sexual assault survivors at the Coast Guard Academy for more than a decade. She said she was devastated when she recently discovered old records showing how leaders had used her as part of the cover-up of Operation Fouled Anchor, a secret internal probe into a history of sexual assault cover-ups that CNN exposed last summer.

She wrote in her public posting that she was sent on an apology tour in 2019 to brief dozens of assault victims about their cases, which had previously been mishandled by academy leadership. The list of talking points she was given at the time shows she was directed to tell victims that Congress was already fully aware of the operation, which she now knows was not the case. She believes this was intended to dissuade the victims from contacting their Members of Congress.

The Coast Guard said it was a mistake  not a conspiracy  for the talking point about Congress to be on the list given to Norenberg. The agency added that Coast Guard officials recently interviewed a now-retired Coast Guard officer present during those victim meetings, and she said the talking point was never brought up. Norenberg said she didnt have a precise recollection of all the meetings, but noted she had one-on-one calls with several victims outside the presence of the now-retired officer. Norenberg also said that if she had been told that Congress was unaware, she would have notified lawmakers immediately.

Why would anyone trust anything the Coast Guard has to say about Operation Fouled Anchor at this point? she said.

Norenberg was also instructed to not include the historic assaults being investigated in data that Congress would see, she said, and was prohibited from offering survivors key paperwork that would have helped them access mental health services and veterans benefits available to sexual assault victims.

We werent sent out there to help these people, I realized, she wrote. The whole thing was a cruel cover-up at the expense of the victims, with the entire purpose being to preserve the image of the Coast Guard and avoid scandal. And the Coast Guard used me as part of their plan.

For nearly a year, Fagan has been coming under increasing pressure as she continues to grapple with the fallout from Operation Fouled Anchor. She has repeatedly said she wants to learn from the past and move forward, but a new string of controversies has shown that sexual misconduct remains pervasive across the Coast Guard and is a far bigger issue than she has publicly acknowledged.

Among the developments:

Anonymous Facebook accounts dedicated to exposing how sexual assault cases have been mishandled and covered up across the service, not just at the academy, have drawn thousands of people in recent weeks. They cannot bury this do not let them scare you. The floodgates are open, the anonymous former Coast Guard member behind one of the Facebook accounts, Whistler McGee, wrote in response to the many members sharing their own stories of sexual assault and harassment. When the social media firestorm erupted, Fagan emailed the workforce and encouraged victims to make formal reports  a response some commenters mocked. Are you even listening? Do you grasp the overall issue which sparked all of these discussions? one woman wrote. Reporting incidents is your best course of action right now? THE REPORT SYSTEM HAS FAILED far too many of our members.

Three Coast Guard survivors rehashed the details of their sexual assaults on camera as part of what they were told by officials was an education campaign that would be promoted during sexual assault awareness month in April. But after shooting the videos, public affairs officials warned that publicly promoting the testimonials could continue to exacerbate the narrative  that the Coast Guard is in a sexual assault crisis now, according to a copy of a memo reviewed by CNN. Officials ultimately posted the videos in a back part of the Coast Guards website in late May, but only after the survivors posted them online themselves. The Coast Guard attributed the delay in posting the videos, in part, to an internal debate over how to present the testimonies, and preparation needed for anticipated media and congressional attention.

The Coast Guard was forced to request that President Joe Biden withdraw and resubmit the names of dozens of Coast Guard officers for promotions from the Senate confirmation process in April. Records show that the two officers removed from the list had been previously accused of misconduct  one for making inappropriate sexual comments, the other for negative matters of record associated with sexual assault.

Another Coast Guard officer who was also set to be promoted to a high-level position is currently under criminal investigation for sexually harassing and groping a cadet who reported him to the academy two decades earlier. The allegations surfaced during testimony from the former cadet at a congressional hearing last year, but Coast Guard officials did not initiate the criminal investigation until months later, after the woman said she flagged his name on a promotion list to senators. Records reviewed by CNN show the officer was also reported for sexual harassment at a Florida bar last year. The Coast Guard confirmed the former cadets allegations are under investigation. An attorney for the officer denied the claims against his client.

Multiple Coast Guard officials  including two chaplains  have been removed from their positions for a loss of confidence. This included the agencys top chaplain, who the Coast Guard said failed to take appropriate action when he learned of another chaplains sexual misconduct. In a statement after his removal, the chaplain said he thought he had made the proper report at the time, but now believes that the information did not make it to all necessary officials.

Adding to the pressure on Fagan, congressional lawmakers have expressed growing frustration with the Coast Guards handling of the controversy. When Senator Ted Cruzs office discovered non-disclosure agreements that had been given to sexual assault victims as part of Fouled Anchor to prevent them from speaking out about their alleged attacks, he slammed the practice in a letter to Fagan. Soon after, the agency issued a directive to no longer execute these agreements for victims.

Norenberg is planning to start a YouTube channel where she will interview survivors  giving them a platform to speak out about their sexual assaults. - CNN

Senators have accused Fagan of evading congressional oversight during multiple ongoing government investigations and questioned why current or former leaders have not been held accountable for covering up misconduct. Most recently, they demanded that she appear at a Senate hearing on Tuesday, saying the Coast Guards lack of cooperation with the ongoing congressional probe can only be explained by either its indifference or another shameful attempt to cover-up the embarrassing truths of its mishandling of cases involving sexual assault and sexual harassment.

Norenbergs allegations have already been raised with senators and are expected to be part of the discussion at the hearing, her attorney told CNN.

Maybe this is the moment

Victims echoed Norenbergs concerns, saying they felt their lives were turned upside down when they were asked to recount the trauma they endured as part of the Fouled Anchor investigation, only to be forgotten once again.

They didnt care about the impact on us or why we wanted to share this information, said one former Coast Guard Acadamy cadet who was visited by a Coast Guard criminal investigator in 2018. She originally reported being raped by a classmate in 2005, but no criminal charges were filed despite the alleged rapist being found by academy officials to have had non-consensual sexual intercourse with her. After giving her 2018 interview as part of Fouled Anchor, she said she never heard from the Coast Guard again about her case.

Even Norenberg didnt know the full scope of the Fouled Anchor scandal until CNNs reporting, which found that the operation had been quietly closed and hidden from Congress by agency leaders despite substantiating dozens of sexual assaults that had previously been mishandled at the academy. As a result, some of the accused had ascended to top roles at the Coast Guard and other military agencies, while some victims had left the academy after reporting their assaults and had spent decades coping with severe negative effects to their careers and mental and physical health.

Norenberg said she began questioning her involvement with Fouled Anchor after CNNs reports and found in her files the five-page list of talking points that, she said, confirmed that what she had been part of was actually an organized effort to protect the Coast Guards reputation  not an attempt to help victims rebuild their lives. After finding the document, she knew she had to resign.

Norenberg told CNN she is frustrated that many of the issues exposed by Fouled Anchor, such as perpetrators going unpunished and victims facing retaliation for coming forward, still exist today despite messaging from Commandant Fagan claiming otherwise.

She had hoped that through her job leading the Coast Guard Academys sexual assault prevention efforts and working with victims, she could improve the culture. She says she helped victims file official reports to ensure their allegations were investigated and worked to improve access to victims advocates, but that a lack of appropriate consequences for many perpetrators remained troubling to her. Criminal prosecutions were rare, she said, with only three cases going to court-martial trials in her 11 years at the academy. And she said she repeatedly raised concerns to academy officials that accused sexual offenders who were kicked out of the academy were then allowed to enlist.

Sometimes I look at this photo and its like, Im still pulling for you kid, says Norenberg, referring to a photo of herself in uniform, who says she was raped while at bootcamp. - Audrey Ash

Norenberg said she notified officials of her intent to resign in late May. As she weighed her next steps, she reached out to an attorney named Ryan Melogy. She had learned of Melogy after he represented a US Merchant Marine Academy cadet whose rape allegations prompted a reckoning in the commercial shipping industry several years ago. When Norenberg told Melogy she was considering going public with her concerns, he asked her if she had seen the recent uprising on social media.

She had not. But later, after reviewing the litany of posts, where many current and former members said managers had looked the other way when they reported misconduct, she became even more emboldened. A military sexual assault survivor herself, she said her own memories of being raped by a boot camp leader when she was 18 years old had driven her into this line of work and now compelled her to come forward.

She said seeing that so many others were speaking up about how they felt betrayed by the Coast Guard gave her hope that it would now be impossible for the Coast Guard to ignore them. She is planning to start a YouTube channel where she will interview survivors  giving them a platform to speak out about their sexual assaults.

Maybe this is the moment in time we can get people to listen to us, she said.

Editors Note: This story was updated to include a comment from an attorney representing an officer accused of misconduct.

What should we investigate next? Email us at blake.ellis@cnn.com or melanie.hicken@cnn.com.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Ahead of a highly anticipated congressional hearing for Coast Guard leaders this week, a Coast Guard Academy official announced her resignation Sunday, alleging she was directed to lie and discourage sexual assault victims from coming forward.

Shannon Norenberg, who served as the sexual assault response coordinator at the Coast Guard Academy since 2013, wrote in a blog post about her actions as part of the Coast Guard cover-up of a report known as Operation Fouled Anchor. The report detailed years of sexual assault and inaction at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy from the late 1980s to 2006, alleging instances of sexual misconduct by at least 43 academy staff.

Norenberg, now a whistleblower, said she was originally pulled into the cover-up in 2018 when a person in her chain of command asked her to go to Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C. She described the first meeting as secretive and highly unusual, as Coast Guard officials put a unique emphasis on the importance of confidentiality.

Norenberg claims that the plan, which she said was framed as an apology tour, involved officials, including herself, traveling across the country to meet with survivors mentioned in the report.

The Coast Guard deceived me into violating a basic principle of my profession, which is to never lie to victims, Norenberg wrote. Although I did not realize what I was doing at the time, I cannot allow this to stand. The least I can offer as an apology to the victims I misled is to tell them the truth, and to ask Congress to finally make these victims whole.

The Hill was the first to report on Norenbergs resignation.

Norenberg alleges she was directed to not give victims the documents needed to report sexual assaults, which would have compelled her to upload them to the militarys sexual assault database. This, she wrote, would have led to a large increase in reported sexual assaults that would eventually be reported to Congress.

Withholding those documents, she wrote, would make it more difficult for victims to receive VA military sexual trauma benefits.

Throughout her time meeting with victims in the Operation Fouled Anchor case, Norenberg said she and other Coast Guard officials deliberately did not provide anything in writing to victims to hide the existence of the report.

Norenbergs resignation comes as Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan is set to testify Tuesday, June 11, before the Senate Homeland Security Committee. Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Ranking Member Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) sent a letter to Fagan on May 1 demanding the Coast Guard more expediently provide documents after only receiving a small portion of heavily redacted and duplicated documents.

In July, Fagan ordered a 90-day accountability and transparency review of the services sexual assault and harassment policies. Fagan started leading the service in June 2022.

Some of Fagans recommendations in the subsequent review included the creation of a prevention program modeled after the Defense Department and increased oversight of the Coast Guard Academy. Fagan, who is the first woman to lead a branch of the U.S. military, told lawmakers this past July that senior Coast Guard leaders need to begin to rebuild trust within the service.

It is clear to me that weve got a culture in areas that is permissive and allows sexual assaults, harassment, bullying, retaliation, that is inconsistent with our core values, Fagan told lawmakers.
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW)  Coastal Carolina Universitys new center for applied intelligence gives students a hands-on approach to learning.

Jonathan Smith, the director for the Center of Applied Intelligence at CCU, explained more about what exactly the intel program is.

So, the idea of the intelligence program is to provide students with relevant skills and knowledge basis combined with the liberal arts education that helps them for what I think is the most important question in college which is, what comes next? he said.

The school is expanding its preexisting cyber security program to reach more students and give them more opportunities.

CCU has a two-room facility called the Intelligence Operation Command Center to give students the opportunity to have a more hands-on approach.

Which is meant to simulate the look and feel of an intelligence watch floor environment. So, our students actually get to not only do the work, but to do it in an environment that is very realistic, Smith said. We find that that helps them to have a step ahead of their peers when they arrive in the professional world, because they know things and they understand how things work in a way that a traditional undergrad simply would not.

Smith said many students love the command center because of all the hands-on work theyre able to do, and wanted to give them another opportunity.

While they are still waiting for final state approval for their new BA program in Cyber Threat Intelligence, Smith explained what the program is.

This is a collaborative effort between the intelligence program and the Department of Computing Sciences to give a more holistic education on cyber security, he said. So, the idea behind cyber threat intelligence is to understand the vulnerabilities of a system and the actors who are trying to exploit those vulnerabilities. So, that means trying to understand their intentions as well as their tactics, techniques and procedures.

With this new program, as well as the intelligence operation command center, Smith hopes this will bring in more students who are interested and want to learn more about cyber security and join the cyber threat intelligence program.

We certainly hope that we will and again, in the intelligence landscape, there are five or six programs in the United States at the undergraduate level who are really, kind of, at our level in terms of number of full-time faculty and the range of courses that they offer, Smith said. We are, I think, one of the better, even amongst that group in terms of the things that were offering. This new major, were starting a Living Learning community for freshman majors coming in. So, we are at, I think, the leading edge of intelligence programs, and so I think that will only benefit the university and it will continue to grow.

The Intelligence Operation Command Center is available to students.

* * *

Hannah Huffstickler is a multimedia journalist at News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2024 after graduating from Coastal Carolina University in December of 2023. Keep up with Hannah on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram. You can also read more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
TechCrunch

Fidelity Investments, one of the world's largest asset managers, has confirmed that over 77,000 customers had personal information compromised during an August data breach, including Social Security numbers and driver's licenses. The Boston, Massachusetts-based investment firm said in a filing with Maines attorney general on Wednesday that an unnamed third party accessed information from its systems between August 17 and August 19 "using two customer accounts that they had recently established. We detected this activity on August 19 and immediately took steps to terminate the access, Fidelity said in a letter sent to those affected, adding that the incident did not involve any access to customers Fidelity accounts.
Columbia's hands are tied on gun control. What can be done to reduce community violence?

Members the local Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, other community members, City of Columbia staff and elected officials sported orange shirts Friday at Columbia City Hall for National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

As Columbia continues to contend with growing community violence, including recent stand offs, groups came together Friday to raise awareness.

Members of local chapters of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense In America, representatives of Boone County Community Against Violence, other community members, City of Columbia Staff and a city council member all gathered for a proclamation reading by Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe to recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

She took time to recognize not only victims of gun violence but also the surviving family members left behind and what impact that has. Buffaloe also celebrated community members, both with organizations and city staff who are putting in the work on addressing community violence, such as the city's diversity, equity and inclusion officer, D'Andre Thompson.

"I want to acknowledge those within our community working within this space. We have people in our community who could choose not to keep working in this space, and instead have chosen to lean into it to make positive change for future generations," Buffaloe said.

Shaunda Hamilton, Pamela Williams and Tiffiany Hickem, members of Boone County Community Against Violence, hold signs in the lobby of Columbia City Hall on Friday ahead of a ceremony to recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Recognizing survivors of gun violence

The first Friday in June also is known as Wear Orange Day following the shooting death of Hadiya Pendleton at a playground in Chicago a week after marching in the parade as part of President Barack Obama's second inauguration in 2013.

"Hadiyas friends commemorated her life by wearing orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others," the Wear Orange website notes. "Thousands of people wear the color orange to honor Hadiya and the more than 43,000 Americans (that) are killed with guns and approximately 76,000 more are shot and wounded every year."

Among survivors present was Erika Buford, a member of Moms Demand Action, but also is executive administrator for Powerhouse Community Development Corp. and heads up her own organization, Spread Your Wings, formed in memory of her son, who was a victim of gun violence in Texas.

Buford's son was paralyzed in the incident and died about two years ago.

Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe chats Friday with Erika Buford, a member of the local Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America in the Columbia City Hall lobby ahead of a proclamation reading marking National Gun Violence Awarness Day.

"I believe I have been a survivor longer than that because of other family members and friends who have been victims of violence," she said. "(My son's) memory lives on through his three kids. Each and every one of them have his personality."

Spread Your Wings works to invest "in tomorrow's visionaries," who are between the ages of 17 and 35 years old, Buford said, noting her son was an out-of-the box thinker.

The Boone County Community Against Violence also is a local organization aimed at supporting survivors, said Shaunda Hamilton.

"We have a victim survivor network, so we work with families who have been affected by the crime here in Columbia and we thought it was important to be here today because victim survivors often are overlooked," she said. "One of the things that is really important for us to have this network together is because we know sometimes once you are a victim, you sometimes end up the victimizer. We want to make sure we get resources for them so they don't become a victimizer."

What more can be done

Moms Demand Action tries to find a balance between second amendment rights and protecting others from harm, said Shawna Matteson, a local group leader, who herself has seen several friends and, as an educator, students lost to gun violence and suicide.

"That is why I am here today. I think Moms Demand Action helps to work toward any legislation, any community action that can help prevent there being a need for survivor network of gun violence," she said.

The gun violence awareness proclamation is a staple of the local Moms Demand Action groups since its formation nearly 10 years, said Kristin Bowen, who has a state-level leadership role with Moms Demand Action.

"There are so many people in our community who are directly impacted by gun violence and it's an opportunity for our survivor network to come together and share their stories," she said, noting her frustration at how cities are stymied from addressing community violence because of statewide legislation. "Our state is one of many that has a preemption law. We can't enact our own ordinances around gun safety. Until our lawmakers see a way to allow local control of this issue, Columbia has its hands tied in really a lot of important ways."

Shawna Matteson speaks on the work of organizations like Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America at Columbia City Hall on Friday as part of Gun Violence Awareness Day. She is joined by Carin Huffman-Grinch and Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe.

This includes secure storage of fireams, with Bowen noting incidents in the city of guns stolen from vehicles. Previous Tribune reporting notes 93 guns were taken from vehicles in 2019, while that number increased to 135 in 2020. These numbers include guns that were in stolen vehicles and just taken from vehicles.

Other statewide programs that need strengthening include background checks and a red-flag law, Bowen said, adding even though Columbia's hands are tied in many areas, work still can happen on community violence reduction. Members just wish it was happening quicker.

"I can't just sit by especially after what we saw in Kansas City (after the Super Bowl)," she said, noting locally the city Office of Violence Prevention has been in the works for many months. "It would be excellent to see movement on that. They are working but it is slow going. As we have seen already this week, summer is when we see an uptick in gun violence in our community. It would be great to see action happening sooner than later."

The Columbia Police Officer's Assocation in a social media post noted the department's BearCat was hit by gunfire twice over three days, also expressing that 2024 "is on pace to be the most violent year on record in Columbia."

Buffaloe, addressing the creation of the Office of Violence Prevention, said it is part of fiscal year 2025 budget discussions, but that other work is being done ahead of that.

More: Here's what to know about sextortion  and how to avoid becoming a victim

"I know that they have a draft job description for the role of (office leader) and that the deputy city manager, that it is under his purview and he's putting together best practices," she said.

City administration staff also are working in partnership with with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform to also determine best practices, Buffaloe added, referencing City Manager De'Carlon Seewood's State of the City address May 30.

"I know one of the focuses we have had so far is  they've had three meetings with the school district and other community groups that work within youth programs because they know one of the keys, especially for summertime, is to have programs for our youth to keep them out of trouble and give them alternatives for keeping busy in the summertime," Buffaloe said.

Previously: Following 3-year-old's death, Mayor Barbara Buffaloe seeks Office of Violence Prevention

Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on X, formerly Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia marks National Gun Violence Awareness Day with proclamation
Column: Biden is old. Trump is too. But only one of them would trash the Constitution

Age was less of a concern when Republican Donald Trump, left, and Democrat Joe Biden faced off in the last presidential election. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

President Biden's age was back in the news last week, thanks mostly to a front-page article in the Wall Street Journal announcing: Behind closed doors, Biden shows signs of slipping.

The story was less sensational than the headline. It quoted Republican Kevin McCarthy, the former House speaker from Bakersfield, as saying the president is not the same person that he was a decade ago. It quoted the current speaker, Mike Johnson (R-La.), as saying that Biden, in a meeting, appeared to misunderstand his own policy on natural gas.

But heres a Washington secret you already knew: McCarthy and Johnson, bitter opponents of the Democratic president, arent reliable narrators here.

The real story is both obvious and elusive. At 81, the president is showing signs of his age. He walks unsteadily thanks to spinal arthritis. Once voluble, he now sometimes gets words tangled when he speaks. He often gets names and details wrong, although hes done that for years.

What you see on TV is what you get, Republican Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho told the Journal. These people who keep talking about what a dynamo he is behind closed doors? They need to get him out from behind closed doors, because I dont see it.

Read more: Column: Kevin McCarthy wants vengeance. Now he's free to pursue it

That sounds about right. Democrats in Congress say things like that, too, just not for quotation.

But none of that quite proves that hes no longer up to the job  and thats the important question.

In a long interview with Time Magazine published last week, Biden sounded, again, pretty much as he does on television. At one point, he said "Putin," the name of Russias president, when he appeared to mean Chinas Xi Jinping. At three points, the transcript says the presidents words were unintelligible.

Yet on matters of substance, he was entirely cogent, often at a detailed level, explaining his policies on Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, and China and Taiwan.

Read more: Liberals don't like Biden's border plan, but it may help him where he needs it most

Asked whether he thinks hell be able to do the job at 85, he bristled combatively, just like the young Biden. I can do it better than anybody you know, he said.

It has become a recurring cycle. In February, special counsel Robert Hur described the president as a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory. Biden erupted with fury. I know what the hell Im doing, he said.

A few weeks later, he delivered a feisty State of the Union speech, and the age issue seemed to ebb  for a while.

Its as if he's trapped in an election-year version of the myth of Sisyphus, condemned to push the boulder of his years up a hill only to watch it roll down again.

Theres a simple reason the issue wont go away: Biden is the oldest man ever to serve as U.S. president, and the oldest to seek a second term. That guarantees that voters will have qualms.

A New York Times/Siena College poll in April reported that 69% of voters think Biden is too old to be an effective president.

Read more: Column: Trump and Biden both think they can land a knockout in the debates. They can't both be right

His Republican opponent, Donald Trump, did considerably better; only 41% said they think Trump is too old.

Trump is three and a half years younger than Biden. The former president turns 78 on Friday.

And Trumps flaws are at least as numerous as Bidens.

He, too, mixes up names and places. In recent months, he has frequently said Obama when he meant Biden. He repeatedly confused Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi.

He has a hard time pronouncing multisyllabic words (anonymous, infrastructure, origins). His speeches ramble from one seemingly disjointed thought to another.

And he often says things that are either wildly false, like his claim that he created the strongest economy in American history (not even close)  or nonsensical, like his warning that if Biden wins, theyre going to change the name of Pennsylvania.

Read more: Column: Trump fans say he speaks his mind. But on some subjects, he's as slippery as an eel

So why does Trump benefit from what looks, at least to Democrats, like a double standard?

For one thing, he's steadier on his feet than Biden, and some voters seem to use that as a measure of overall fitness.

But physical agility isnt essential to presidential success. Franklin D. Roosevelt did the job from a wheelchair.

Bidens stiff gait is visible every time he walks across a stage or a parade ground. Trump appears more vigorous, at least at first glance. But we don't actually know which of them is in better physical condition. Bidens medical report, which pronounces him "fit for duty," is six pages long and includes his weight, his blood pressure, his medications and details of his conditions. Trumps report is one page long and includes none of that information.

A second explanation: low expectations. Voters have grown accustomed to Trumps zaniness.

When a reporter recently asked Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to explain some of the former presidents oddball statements, Graham offered an all-purpose explanation: Give me a break. I mean, its Trump.

Read more: Column: Biden says America is 'coming back.' Trump says we're 'in hell.' Are they talking about the same nation?

A related theory: brand consistency.

Biden ran for president on a platform of stability and competence, and that image is undermined by suggestions of mental decline, McKay Coppins of the Atlantic wrote recently. Accusing Trump of going crazy doesnt work because, well, he has sounded crazy for a long time.

The sobering fact is that we dont have a reliable way to gauge the mental acuity of either candidate.

Biden and his aides argue that he ought to be judged by the results of his first term: the bills he has passed, the alliances he has maintained, and the strong economy he has produced (even though it has come with chronically high prices).

Thats a reasonable measure, except it gauges the last three years, not the next five.

Read more: Donald Trump puts America on notice again: If he loses, he won't go quietly

A better solution might be the one Haley, the former South Carolina governor, proposed when she ran against Trump in the GOP primaries: Subject both candidates to a cognitive test.

"They should both take the test, along with every other politician over the age of 75, Haley said. Voters deserve to know whether those who are making major decisions  can pass a very basic mental exam." (She also said she thought Trump was diminished and not the same person he was in 2016.")

But neither candidate has embraced that idea. And at least one of them would undoubtedly claim the test was rigged if he flunked.

Trump submitted to a cognitive examination six years ago and bragged that he'd "aced" it, although he did not release the actual results. The test, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, is widely used to screen patients for symptoms of dementia.

The media have a part to play by taking more hard looks at both candidates  beginning, perhaps, with a Wall Street Journal story on Trump.

The problem is not that we have an elderly president whos less crisp and coherent than he used to be. Its that we have two elderly candidates, both of whom are less crisp and coherent than they used to be.

One is unsteady on his feet. The other is a serial liar who thinks the Constitution allows him to overthrow elections and jail his opponents.

No wonder voters are dissatisfied.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
On the night of Monday, June 10, explosions were heard in several districts in Crimea temporarily occupied by Russian troops. The village of Mykhailivka in the Saksky district lost power, and an invaders' facility could be under attack near Naumivka. Four missiles arrived in Yevpatoria at once in a vertical trajectory.

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This was reported by the Crimean Wind Telegram channel, citing data from Crimean residents. At the same time, there is no reliable information about the results of the arrivals.

Thus, according to the channel, about eight explosions were heard in Krasnoperekopsk and Dzhankoy districts and the urban-type settlement of Pervomaiskoye in Kurmansk district.

At least four strong explosions that "made the walls shake" were heard in Yevpatoriya and Saksky district.

"There is an assumption that a military facility was hit near the village of Naumivka in Saky district - this information has not been confirmed. But in the village of Mykhailivka, Saksky district, electricity was cut off simultaneously with the explosions," the statement said.

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In addition, the Crimeans wrote that four missiles allegedly flew at a ground facility near Yevpatoria in an almost vertical trajectory, with flashes from the explosions visible for tens of kilometers. According to the channel's authors, this information has not been confirmed either.

After several powerful explosions, a fire broke out far outside the city, Crimean wind reports.

Also, since two o'clock in the morning, the Azovskoye-Roshchyno road in the north of Crimea has been blocked . Armed military patrols did not allow anyone to pass through and did not give any explanations of what happened.

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The Crimean Wind Telegram channel published a video that was recorded tonight on the outskirts of Dzhankoy.

According to local residents, there were at least six such explosions.

After the explosions, fire trucks left the villages of Dzhankoy district and Dzhankoy and drove along the Moscow highway toward Simferopol.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, explosions occurred in the temporarily occupied Crimea on the night of June 7."bavovna" visited the occupiers' military unit in the village of Mysove in Leninsky district: two radars were damaged.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Credit - Getty Images

As much as wed like to think that COVID-19 is behind us, the virus isnt going anywhere. Health officials continue to recommend that people get vaccinated for both COVID-19 and influenza every year for the foreseeable future, and high hospitalization rates for COVID-19 in the past winter were a reminder that SARS-CoV-2 can still cause serious disease.

Soon, that may be possible with one shot instead of two. On June 10, Moderna reported that its combination COVID-19/influenza shot generated even better immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza than those elicited by existing, separate vaccines.

Both of the shots used in the study are experimental. The COVID-19 portion relies on a slightly different form of SARS-CoV-2s spike protein than the existing vaccine. Instead of encoding for the entire spike protein, the combination vaccine includes two key parts of it in a way that streamlines the shot to require a lower dosewhich is useful for a combination vaccine, and also potentially extends its shelf life. The influenza component of the vaccine uses the same mRNA technology behind the existing COVID-19 vaccine but targets influenza proteins in the three strains that circulated during the past season: H1N1 and H3N2 from the influenza A group, and an influenza B strain.

Read More: An mRNA Melanoma Vaccine Shows Promise

In a study of more than 8,000 adults ages 50 and older, about half received the combination vaccine. The other halfthe control groupreceived two separate shots: Moderna's latest COVID-19 vaccine, which targets the XBB.1.5 variant, and a flu shot (either Fluarix, if people were 50 to 64 years old, or Fluzone HD for those 65 and older).

In the younger group, the combo vaccine generated about 20% to 40% higher levels of antibodies to the influenza strains, and 30% higher levels to XBB.1.5, compared to the control group. Among older people, antibodies were 6% to 15% higher against the flu strains and 64% higher against XBB.1.5 compared to older people in the control group.

The real advantage of a single shot is that people only need to get one needle," says Dr. Jacqueline Miller, senior vice president and head of development in infectious diseases at Moderna. There's a public-health advantage, too, she says, since U.S. vaccination rates for both diseases are relatively low. "When we are able to give the two vaccines as one, it could increase vaccine compliance rates, especially for those at highest risk."

Read More: How to Navigate the New World of At-Home Testing

Moderna is continuing to study the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu shot used in the combo as separate shots as well. That data will also help the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when it reviews the companys request for approval of the combination shot, which could come by the end of the year. The specific strains targeted in the shot will depend on which forms of the viruses are circulating at the time. (The company also filed a request to the FDA on June 7 to update its COVID-19 vaccine to target the JN.1 variant.)

The combination vaccine will likely not arrive in time for the flu and COVID-19 season this fall. But in coming years, a two-in-one vaccine could help to increase vaccination rates, which in turn could contribute to lower hospitalization rates for both diseases.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Comer, after criminal referrals, pledges to go after Biden: This is just the beginning

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) said Sunday the criminal referrals against President Bidens son and brother are just the beginning, as he pledged to focus on the president himself in the next stage of his impeachment inquiry.

Remember, this is an investigation of Joe Biden, Comer said in an interview on Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. Hunter Biden, Jim Biden, Eric Schwerin, Devon Archer  these are all witnesses in an investigation of Joe Biden. This was always about Joe Biden.

Now, were going to do everything we can to hold Hunter Biden and all the different shady associates accountable. This is just the beginning, he continued. But the next step will be accountability for Joe Biden.

The interview comes after GOP leaders of the impeachment investigation into Biden asked the Justice Department this past Wednesday to bring criminal charges against the presidents son, Hunter, and his brother, James, accusing the duo of lying to lawmakers during conversations with investigators.

The criminal referrals escalate the stakes of the impeachment inquiry, which has grown quiet in recent months as the investigation has failed to produce evidence of any criminal wrongdoing against Biden and as support for the inquiry appears to have died down.

But in the Sunday interview, Comer suggested he has no intention of ending his inquiry, accusing Biden of committing many crimes and teasing a soon-to-be-released report updating the public on Bidens alleged crimes.

And I think everyone thats kept up with this investigation will be very eager to see what the next step is, Comer said.

Comer also suggested that if Attorney General Merrick Garland does not take up the criminal referrals against the presidents relatives, then former President Trump, who is challenging Biden for a second term in the White House, could appoint an attorney general who would investigate the charges.

This is the first step, these criminal referrals, Comer said. Everything that we refer to the Department of Justice is within the statute of limitations. In fact, theres five-year statute of limitations. So, if Merrick Garlands Department of Justice doesnt take this up in an appropriate manner, then the next administration and a new attorney general certainly can.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for a response.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Utahs 2nd Congressional district debate between Colby Jenkins and Congresswoman Celeste Maloy at the KUED studios at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Pool photo by Scott G Winterton/Deseret News)

In the race for the 2nd Congressional District, the question is whether incumbency or important endorsements have drawn attention to the Republican primary, scheduled on June 25. But, in a debate ahead of the election, the hottest points were centered on immigration and how to reach a compromise in a slight majority in Congress.

Former Congressional staffer and current Rep. Celeste Maloy, who has been in the seat for half a year, faces combat veteran Colby Jenkins for the partys spot on the ballot this November to represent the district that encompasses Salt Lake City and some rural western and southern areas of the state.

In a debate broadcast by PBS Utah and moderated by podcaster Rod Arquette, Jenkins heavily criticized Maloys votes on a sweeping spending bill that funded several federal departments and agencies, including homeland security and defense. He called her nods to the bill a demonstration of surrendering and an example of how the slim Republican majority becomes nothing.

When that slim majority allows the minority to pass the $1.2 trillion omnibus spending bill that does nothing to secure our border, that sends $500 billion of your taxpayer dollars to the government of Jordan to secure their border, thats when a slim majority is failing, Jenkins said.

Utahs 2nd Congressional District debate between Colby Jenkins and Rep. Celeste Maloy at the KUED studios at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Pool photo by Scott G Winterton/Deseret News)

Maloy defended her votes, arguing that it was the most fiscally responsible option. She also highlighted that whenever theres a narrow margin, the ability to compromise is key.

I dont compromise on matters of principle and that increases my ability to compromise with my colleagues. They know where I stand. They know that Im a conservative Republican. They know I represent Utahs 2nd Congressional District, and that Im not bending on things that matter for Utah, Maloy said.

However, when it comes to other choices, such as whether by having a 5% or 10% budget cut some compromises could be achieved, Maloy added. When youre unbending, youre not invited to the table, she said.

Let us know what you think...

Maloy has taken some tough votes during her time in Congress, she said. This is a closely divided government sometimes, but she has explained to her constituents what the wins are in the controversial decisions she has made, she said.

Thats called leadership. Leadership isnt throwing out ultimatums for talking points, she said. Leaderships getting in, doing the work and being accountable.

Utahs 2nd Congressional District debate between Colby Jenkins and Rep. Celeste Maloy at the KUED studios at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Pool photo by Scott G Winterton/Deseret News)

In Jenkins view, however, its time for Republicans to fight for the issues the party champions.

Imagine getting back on the winning side, when you actually are in the majority. Thats what leadership is about, he said.

Both candidates pledged to vote and work with former President Donald Trump if hes elected to serve another term in the White House. Jenkins said one of his goals in the House of Representatives would be to remove legislative obstacles to make sure that the new Trump administration can be successful.

Solving the lack of agreement on immigration reform begins with the executive branchs leadership, he said.

Maloy also believes the border is a mess and that if Trump gets back in the White House, there will be more political will to implement border security policies.

In the states Republican convention, Maloy received the support of 43% of delegates, while Jenkins got 57%. Days before the event, Sen. Mike Lee had endorsed Jenkins in social media and on campaign events. While he didnt mention Maloy by name, he argued that too many Republicans had helped advance Democratss agendas.

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The post Is compromise a dirty word? Republican candidates for 2nd District debate working in Congress appeared first on Utah News Dispatch.
CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Concord bail bondsman accused of fraudulent activity and violating state law will appear in court this week, the North Carolina Department of Insurance announced on Monday.

Concord resident Mitchell Mullen, 49, faces charges that include felony conversion by a bailee and failure to properly document an affidavit for collection.

Records stated that in January of 2023, Mullen fraudulently used $1,500 in bail bond funds that he was entrusted with by converting it for personal use. He then paid a lawyer who bonded a client of his from jail $3,000, which is a violation of state law. Mullen also took $6,000 in cash and failed to properly document the amounts collected for a client, records showed.

Mullen was released on June 9th and will appear in court on Wednesday.

Our Bailbond Regulatory and Licensing Divisions work hard to ensure bondsmen and bondswomen operate properly within the law, Commissioner Mike Causey said. I thank our agents and staff for working hard to bring this case to light.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Lord Scrymgeour (right) appeared at Dundee sheriff court on Monday and did not enter a plea

A Conservative peer who was a page of honour to the late Queen has been charged with driving while more than double the legal alcohol limit.

The 12th Earl of Dundee appeared in the citys sheriff court on Monday under the name Alexander Scrymgeour.

He is alleged to have driven a Toyota Hilux truck while under the influence of drink.

The accused, who is Chief of the Clan Scrymgeour, is a sitting member of the House of Lords. In 1999, he was made an elected hereditary peer.

It is alleged that he drove in St Michaels, Fife, on May 12 this year, when his alcohol reading was 50 micrograms. The legal limit in Scotland is 22 micrograms of alcohol in 100 ml of breath.

The 75-year-old, of Birkhill House in the Fife village of Balmerino, did not enter a plea and the case was continued to a case management hearing on July 5.

Educated at Eton

Lord Scrymgeour was educated at Ludgrove School and Eton College, before attending the University of St Andrews.

His first experience as a Conservative politician was as the partys candidate in a high-profile by-election in 1978 in Hamilton, in which he came third.

He has been a member of the House of Lords since his fathers death in 1983, and served as a Tory whip in the Upper House between 1986 and 1989.

The Earl of Dundees farming company manages around 2,000 acres across Fife and Angus. He is an active member of the House of Lords, and has spoken on farming and health issues.

Lord Scrymgeour (R) leaving Dundee sheriff court on Monday

He is also the hereditary Royal standard bearer of Scotland, Constable of Dundee, and chief of the name and arms of Scrymgeour.

The Earl was one of the peers who bore the Royal standards at the 2023 Coronation of King Charles, carrying the Lion Rampant in a ceremonial procession.

His father, the 11th Earl of Dundee, spent a period as deputy leader of the House of Lords.

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National polls show slight shift toward Joe Biden: In the roughly week and a half since former president (and presumptive Republican presidential nominee) Donald Trump was convicted of 34 felonies related to falsifying records to hide hush-money payments to a porn star, numerous national polls have indicated that voters have moved slightly toward incumbent president (and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee) Joe Biden.

A HarrisX/Forbes poll found Biden and Trump each getting a one-point bump after the verdict. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found a one-point bump for Biden, with Trump losing a point. A Morning Consult poll found a one-point bump for Biden, with Trump neither gaining nor losing any ground. And an Echelon Insights poll found a two-point Biden bump, with Trump support staying flat. (All poll results can be found in a chart here.)

The New York Times recontacted some 2,000 respondents they had polled this spring and found that "the group favored Mr. Trump by three points when originally interviewed in April and May, but this week they backed him by only one point."

A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 25 percent of independents and 10 percent of Republicans are less likely to vote for Trump following his conviction. The poll "also found that 56% of Republican registered voters said the case would have no effect on their vote and 35% said they were more likely to support Trump, who has claimed the charges against him are politically motivated and has vowed to appeal," Reuters reports. "The potential loss of a tenth of his party's voters is more significant for Trump than the stronger backing of more than a third of Republicans, since many of the latter would be likely to vote for him regardless of the conviction."

"The verdict has not overhauled the 2024 race nearly as much as Democrats hoped it would," writes The Washington Post's Aaron Blake. "But the totality of the evidence suggests it has dinged Trump a little."

Some of this perceived shift, ABC adds, could be the result of "differential partisan nonresponse bias"basically, Republicans may be less keen to respond to polls right now given the bad news they've just been dealt in the form of a Trump conviction, while Democrats might be more excited to respond. And none of these shifts are massive; these changes are within the margin of error. Time will tell.

Scenes from D.C.: I present to you the most D.C. thing that I have ever seen, in honor of the fact that I spent a chunk of last week there. (Out of respect for my D.C.-based colleagues, I will not say anything unkind about this, uh, "city.")

Possibly the most DC parade float ever pic.twitter.com/RIlcXEoOCI  Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) June 9, 2024

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"If the footage of [Noa] Argamani being kidnapped on the back of a motorcycle on October 7 became a darkly iconic representation of that day's horror," writes Oliver Wiseman, "the footage of her reunion with her father represented will be remembered as an all too rare showing of hope."

"What if the U.S. cuts off aid to Israel?" asks Reason's Matt Welch.

Today, Donald Trumpnow a convicted felonwill sit for his probation interview.

Colorado's weed market comedown.

Really good Odd Lots episode on the widely reviled practice of "personalized pricing."

Legitimately into this theory: Arranged marriage isn't dead, it's just in essence mediated by social media apps.

lots of normal people in middle america get into dating app marriages that look a lot like arranged marriages. meet someone with aligned values and comparable social status, full send to marriage within a couple months pic.twitter.com/ChhmKvHVJt  cold ???? (@coldhealing) June 9, 2024

The post The Conviction Effect appeared first on Reason.com.
Volunteers with Moms Demand Action and community members gathered at Palace Coffee and Bakery in downtown Eugene on Friday to honor victims and survivors of gun violence.

Friday was National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the start of "Wear Orange" weekend, which began in 2013 following the death of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, who was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago.

Soon after her death, friends of Hadiya commemorated her life by wearing orange, which is the color hunters wear to protect themselves in the woods.

"Our group is here today in support of survivors of gun violence and victims of gun violence to raise awareness about the gun violence crisis in the U.S. and here in Oregon," said Diane Peterson, volunteer leader for Moms Demand Action. "We are coming together in a show of solidarity to say we can do more and we should be doing more to end gun violence."

Moms Demand Action is a nationwide organization that advocates for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. Local chapters of the organization work within communities to educate residents and business owners about responsible gun ownership.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 48,830 people died from gun-related injuries in the U.S. in 2021. Of that total, 54% of all gun-related deaths were suicides, while 43% were homicides. The remaining gun deaths in 2021 were either accidental, involved law enforcement or had undetermined circumstances.

Research from EveryStat, an online database that tracks gun-related deaths by state, says an average of 600 people die by guns in Oregon each year. With a rate of 13.3 deaths per 100,000 people, Oregon has the 32nd highest rate of gun deaths in the U.S.

Jennifer Coleman, left, and Diane Peterson, right, pose with an "I support gun safety" sign at Palace Coffee and Bakery for National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Community members who attended the event Friday wearing orange received a dollar off of their drink of choice at Palace Coffee. All donations from the event will be going to the Oregon Chapter of Mom's Demand Action to support educational community events on gun violence awareness.

"We're not trying to take all the guns away as some might think," Peterson said. "We're encouraging a culture of responsibility around gun ownership. Along those lines, we offer some gun locks for free, we have a biometric safe that was donated by a local survivor."

That survivor is Carol Manstrom, a Eugene resident and volunteer with Mom's Demand Action whose teenage son died from a firearm suicide in 2017.

"I'm a retired law enforcement officer and a gun owner but the issue of the lethal intersection between guns and suicide brought me to a place where I increase my awareness through organizations that are advocating for increased awareness about gun violence and ways to prevent all forms of gun violence," Manstrom said.

School shootings, public shootings, and gun violence overall got Bobbie Cirel, a Eugene resident and volunteer with Moms Demand Action, involved with advocacy and educating the community on gun violence.

"I couldn't remain silent," Cirel said. "What I would love to see is people being fearless in the face of witnessing something that could potentially become gun violence. I really hope that events like this will help people speak up when they see something."

Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: National Gun Violence Awareness Day recognized in Eugene
Since the beginning of the day, the number of combat engagements on the frontline in Ukraine has increased to 47. The Pokrovsk sector remains the hottest, where the occupants have tried to improve the tactical situation 15 times, and 9 battles are ongoing.

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The Russians also tried to storm the area of Vovchansk to no avail. This is stated in the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook as of 15:00 on June 10.

It noted that the enemy continues to mercilessly shell the territory of Ukraine, especially the border. In Chernihiv and Sumy regions, Pokrovka and Novodmytrivka  from the direction of Vyazovoye (Russia), Starykove  from Kozino (Russia), and Sokhany  from Tiotkino (Russia)  have been hit by terrorists' artillery since the beginning of the day. In addition, the occupiers shelled Vovchansk, Tykhyi, Lyptsi, and Starytsia in Kharkiv region with multiple rocket launchers.

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Situation in various sectors of the frontline

In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy is attacking with the support of aviation. Russian terrorists attacked the town of Synkivka with sixteen unguided missiles. Since the beginning of the day, there have been seven firefights in this area. Fighting continues in the areas of Stepova Novoselivka, Pishchane, and Berestove.

In the Lyman sector, the aggressor attacked seven times near Torske, Terny, Hrekivka, and Nevske. Combat continues in the area of Serebriansky forest. The enemy struck there with six multiple rocket launchers.

In the Siversk sector, the Russian aggressor is trying to push our units from their positions in the areas of Spirne, Ivan-Dariivka, and Verkhniekamianske. Ukrainian troops successfully repelled one attack, and two are still ongoing.

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In the Kramatorsk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled two occupants' attacks in the vicinity of Klishchyivka and Andriivka.

In the Pokrovsk sector, the Russian aggressor maintains a high intensity of assault operations. Since the beginning of the day, the occupants have tried 15 times to improve the tactical situation near Novooleksandrivka, Yevhenivka, Sokol, Novopokrovske, Karlivka, and Yasnobrodivka. Ukrainian troops successfully repelled six enemy attacks, nine are still ongoing.

In the Kurakhove sector, the Defense Forces have already repelled nine Russian offensives near Paraskoviivka, Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, and Kostiantynivka. Another firefight is ongoing.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA:

 Ukraine has officially denied Russian propagandists' reports that the invaders allegedly entered the village of Ryzhivka in the Sumy region. The village is under Ukrainian control.

 The ISW reported that the occupiers' command is redeploying an unspecified number of forces to the border with the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. It is not yet clear whether they plan to immediately use them for combat operations in this area or simply to strengthen the Northern Group of Forces to bring it closer to its planned final strength.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Bell County attorney assigned to serve as the prosecutor handling a petition aiming to remove Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza filed a motion to dismiss the case Friday evening.

The 21-page petition was filed in April after a Texas law targeting rogue prosecutors passed. The law would have allowed for the removal of Garza if it was proven he refused to prosecute certain cases.

Legal fees related to DA Jose Garza removal petition could cost Travis County taxpayers $50K

KXAN reached out to Bell County Attorney James Jim Nichols and the Travis County District Attorneys Office for comment. This story will be updated if a statement is provided.

In response to the petition being accepted, Garza told KXAN his office works to bring justice to Travis County and keep people safe, and said he believed this effort to remove him would fail.

The original petition cited several allegations, including that Garza singled out law enforcement officials, maintained a do not testify list of law enforcement and refused to prosecute certain state drug offenses.

RELATED | Petition to remove Travis County DA Jose Garza accepted, judge appoints prosecutor

In the motion to dismiss the petition, the county prosecutor wrote Garzas actions were not considered to be misconduct.

The reasons cited in the motion to dismiss included:

Referring cases of excessive force by law enforcement to the grand jury was not valid grounds for removal;

The DA denied the existence of a do not call list, which would not be considered misconduct. The motion said the prosecutor took Garza at his word that the list didnt exist and noted that the existence of such a list would not create a specific instance of misconduct.

The prosecuting attorney said in the motion the Travis County DAs Office was prosecuting state jail felony drug charges in accordance with a new Texas law after reviewing Garzas policies, cases and judgements from the DAs office as well as the Office of Court Administration.

RELATED | Retired judge explains law that could lead to Travis County District Attorneys removal

The original petition against Garza argued there was incompetency and official misconduct related to the policies enforced by Garza about the who and what criminal offenses his office prosecutes.

The motion to dismiss included a letter from Michael Satin, Garzas attorney, to Nichols on May 29.

The petition asserts three grounds for Mr. Garzas removal. Each is without any merit, Satins letter 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 KXAN Austin.
SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A judge has restored the murder conviction of Lindsey Lowe, a Sumner County woman who killed her newborn twins by suffocation in 2011.

In October 2022, a Sumner County Judge granted a new trial for Lowe after her attorney argued she had poor legal representation at her first trial and at least one juror was biased against her.

SEE ALSO: Woman convicted of killing twins granted new trial

Lindsey Lowe (Courtesy: Sumner County Sheriffs Office)

Click here to read the complete Lindsey Lowe opinion

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals determined there was no biased juror and Lowes conviction was reinstated.

Lowe has already served nine years of a 56-year sentence. She was released on her own recognizance in 2022 under the condition she stayed with her parents. She was re-booked into the Sumner County jail on Friday and has since been released on a $75,000.

According to testimony at trial, Lowe hid her pregnancy and killed her newborn twins hours after giving birth to them on a toilet. It happened at her parents home in Sumner County in September of 2011 and she was arrested two months later.

 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
(Photo by Getty Images)

The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that the City of Cedar Rapids must disclose job applications received from current employees.

In 2021, the City of Cedar Rapids hired a new city clerk by promoting longtime city employee Alissa Van Sloten to the position. It also fielded applications for the vacant city attorneys position from Elizabeth Jacobi, then an assistant city attorney for Cedar Rapids, and Vanessa Chavez, then the city attorney for Green Bay, Wis. The city ultimately decided to hire Chavez.

A citizen, Robert Teig, then submitted public-records requests for job applications and several other documents related to the citys hiring process. The city refused to fulfill many of Teigs requests, claiming attorney-client privilege in some instances, and also alleging that the confidentiality provisions of the Open Records Law exempted several documents from disclosure.

Teig sued, and in May 2023 a district court judge granted the citys motion for summary judgment, declaring that all employment applications were confidential. The district court ruled that job applications can be withheld from disclosure as both confidential personnel records and as communications from individuals outside of government.

Teig appealed that finding to the Iowa Supreme Court, arguing in part that job applications submitted to governmental bodies are not confidential under the law, and that municipalities cannot claim attorney-client privilege in the context of Open Records Law requests.

Last week, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled the district court had correctly found that documents claimed to be covered by attorney-client privilege were protected from disclosure under Iowa law even in the context of public-access disputes.

On the question of whether job applications were protected from public disclosure, the court found that such protection is extended only to communications from people outside of government  and so the city was obligated to disclose applications submitted by then-current employees of the city.

Communications between current  but not prospective  employees and the governmental body that employs them, including applications for a new position with the employing body, are not made by persons outside of government, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled.

The court also found that the district court had failed to address Teigs separate claims of unwarranted delays in producing billing records on the grounds that the records were eventually obtained through other means. That a document is eventually received from another source does not necessarily moot a claim of unreasonable delay, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled.

Court leaves fee issue to legislators

As part of his case, Teig had also challenged the fees charged by the city for gaining access to public information. In its ruling, the court said the reasonableness of such fees is a matter best left to the Iowa Legislature.

The court observed that while fees may in fact hamper access to public documents, they may also ensure continuing access to public records through increased funding and deterring excessive or overly broad requests. In any event, weighing these policy interests is for the general assembly.

The Iowa Freedom of Information Council and the ACLU of Iowa had intervened in the case, filing an amicus brief that focused specifically on the issue of government agencies charging fees to provide public access to records that are collected and archived at taxpayers expense.

The council noted that Cedar Rapids charges $20 per hour to retrieve requested records, copy the records, and supervise their examination. The same hourly fee is also imposed by the city for any other necessary activities that are undertaken to make public records accessible to the public, the organizations noted.

We are concerned the justices did not take this opportunity to rein in the growth of fees for search and retrieval of records, said Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. The rising costs for gathering records is the single biggest roadblock to the publics access to records. The Iowa FOI Council hopes the Legislature next year will take the Supreme Court up on its invitation to address the impediments that unreasonable search and retrieval fees create for people trying to monitor their state and local governments actions.

In its court filings, the council noted that in 2021, the Iowa Capital Dispatch sought access to two months worth of emails between the states then-medical director, Dr. Caitlin Pedati, and the federal officials whose offer of assistance in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in Iowas meatpacking plants was rejected by the state. The state refused to consider disclosure of those emails without an advance payment of a $9,893 fee to offset the cost of retrieving and then reviewing the emails.

The Capital Dispatch rejected the offer, noting that payment of such a fee wouldnt guarantee disclosure. The news organization could have paid the full $9,893 and still been denied access to all of the emails.

The cost of retrieving the emails put important information out of the reach of Iowa Capital Dispatch and its readers, the Iowa Freedom of Information Council told the court in its amicus brief. The real-world consequence of these retrieval costs deprived citizens who were hungering for information of statistics and strategies and possible solutions the federal governments top experts were offering to Iowa.

Because last weeks ruling affirms part of the district courts prior ruling, and reverses other parts, the case had been remanded back to district court for further proceedings consistent with the Supreme Courts findings.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A judge on Monday assigned a courtroom for the trial of two men charged with murder and attempted robbery in the death of a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation counselor shot while charging an electric vehicle.

The trial of Robert Pernell Roberts and Sebastian Parra will be presided over by Judge Judith K. Dulcich in Department 2 of Kern County Superior Court. Motions are being heard this week, and jury selection will begin the week of June 24.

Resentencing denied for convicted baby murderer

CDCR counselor Benny Alcala was shot Aug. 24, 2022, in the area of the Target on Stockdale Highway.

Sebastian Parra, file image

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Initially only Roberts was charged. Parra, the prosecutions key witness at Roberts preliminary hearing, said hed met Roberts that night and had nothing to do with the killing.

A grand jury later indicted Parra. Both men face life terms in prison if convicted.

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CHICAGO  Chicago police are seeking the publics help to identify a man accused of a sexual assault last month in Belmont Cragin.

On May 28, a female was forcibly picked up and moved to a gangway in the 2900 block of North Mango. Police believe the man told her if she continued to yell he would kill her.

The man took the females pants off and ripped her undergarment. He then fled the scene southbound down the alley of Mango to George Street. CPD said he then fled eastbound to Central Avenue then westbound back to Parkside Avenue.

Police released surveillance footage of the man running shirtless in an alley, but said he left a gray shirt and black hoodie at the scene.

He is described at 25-35 years old, 57-5-8, weighing 160 to 200 lbs. with short dark hair and facial hair.

Anyone with information can contact detectives at 312-746-6554.

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Crime Reports: Abilene man reports girlfriend for throwing deodorant at him, continuous family violence

Editors Note: The following arrest and incident reports were supplied by the Abilene Police Department. All information below comes from reports made by responding officers, and all suspects are considered not guilty unless determined otherwise in a court of law.

Incidents

100 block of Orange Street  Harassment

Phone harassment report taken. No further information released.

5200 block of Laguna Drive  Credit or Debit Card Abuse

Card abuse report taken. No further information released.

7100 block of Buffalo Gap Road  Injury to Childe/ Elderly/ Disabled/ Reckless Bodily Injury

Injury to the elderly report taken. No further information released.

2100 block of South 1st Street  Assault

A man reported he was assaulted by an unknown suspect after an argument. He is not pressing charges.

3600 block of Rolling Green Drive  Continuous Violence Against Family

A man reported his girlfriend for throwing a stick of deodorant at his face.

200 block of Arnold Boulevard  Family Violence

A woman reported her boyfriend for choking her.

2400 block of Madison Avenue  Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

See article for details.

3800 block of Laurel Drive  Family Violence Assault

A woman told police her common-law husband scratched her with a 28 piece of wood while trying to keep her out of their home.

100 block of South leggett Drive  Criminal Trespass

A victim gave police the description of a suspect who continued to trespass on his property and beg for money from customers. The victim wants to press charges.

800 block of Grape Street  Criminal Trespass

A business told police a known woman continues to enter its property after being warned of criminal trespass.

600 block of South Leggett Drive  Assault

Police responded to a call at a southside discount store to find that a victim had been assaulted. The victim is not pressing charges.

1700 block of North 6th Street  Aggravated Assault SBI & Weapon

A 28-year-old man was shot at a northside apartment. Police are investigating.

1400 block of Westheimer Road  Family Violence Assault

A woman reported she was assaulted by her girlfriend. The victim is pressing charges.

800 block of Peach Street  Family Violence Assault

A woman reported she had been assaulted by her boyfriend.

1600 block of Highway 351  Theft of Property

A man was reportedly seen stealing more than $650 worth of food from a northside business. Police did not locate the suspect at the scene. The business is wanting to press charges.

3600 block of North 9th Street  Family Violence Assault

Police took a report of a family violence assault at a local hospital. No further information released.

600 block of Sammons Street  Theft of Motor Vehicle

A vehicle was reported stolen at a southside residence. The victim wants to press charges.

4300 block of Buffalo Gap Road  Criminal Trespass

A known suspect was arrested at a southside business. No further information released.

1700 block of Briarwood Street  Burglary of Habitation

Police responded to a burglary call. No further information released.

1500 block of Orange Street  Burglary of Habitation, Family Violence, Simple Assault Intent

A woman told police her ex-boyfriend forced his way into her home and assaulted her in the process.

500 block of Western Hills Drive  Family Violence Assault

Police arrested a man for assault. No further information released.

Arrests

David Hunt  Public Intoxication

Jennifer Gonzales  False Report for Emergency Response, Public Intoxication

Jonathan Rodriguez  Public Intoxication with 3 Prior Convictions

Julio Silvas  Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Xavier Torres De Leon  Possession of a Controlled Substance

Joe Baker  Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Ruben Davila  Driving While Intoxicated, Unlawfully Carrying Weapon

Leslie Shubert  Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

See article for details.

Timothy Stokely  Family Violence Assault Impeding Breath

Taylore Henderson  Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Marty Stringer  Criminal Trespass

Keithy Flye  Public Intoxication

Justin Foster-Sharp  Family Violence Assault

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In a crisis, people with mental illness have few options beyond arrest. Can CARE Court help?

Dawn Marie Anderson and Jackie Hartman call themselves bookend advocates.

Andersons son has been in and out of jail and mental health treatment in San Luis Obispo County countless times in almost two decades, while Hartmans son is currently on mental health diversion for his first offense, which she said occurred during a mental health crisis.

Through their sons, both said they have learned about the significant gaps in mental health resources available in San Luis Obispo County, leading to a situation where  for many  the only way to find help is to first get arrested.

Believing the process and just ignoring my son is not in my DNA, Anderson told The Tribune in April, adding she felt like her son can only receive help from law enforcement if something really bad happens.

Anderson and Hartman arent alone in their concerns.

For decades, families and advocates for people with severe mental illness have asked for more resources to help their loved ones here.

One such resource could soon be on its way later this year as the county rolls out a program to help people receive crucial mental health care without first getting into trouble.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the law creating Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Court  or CARE Court  in September 2022. The courts goal is to help people with severe mental illness find another pathway to receive support and care.

The program will also help San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health contact severely mentally ill residents they havent been able to connect with previously.

Some people will engage after an arrest. Some people engage as diversion from court, said Teresa Pemberton, Behavioral Healths division manager for justice services. (CARE Court) is early in that process before law enforcement and before court. It gives us more tools.

San Luis Obispo County is in the second group of counties to implement the program. The first group, which included Glenn, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties and the city and county of San Francisco, all rolled out their programs in 2023.

Both Anderson and Hartman said a CARE Court program could help their sons in their battles with mental illness.

San Luis Obispo County Behavorial Health division manager for justice services Teresa Pemberton talked about the new Care Court planning on April 10, 2024.

How does CARE Court work?

CARE Court is a civil court process meant to provide another avenue for people with severe mental illness to receive help.

Specifically, it is directed at people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. People who are experiencing psychotic symptoms as a result of traumatic brain injury, dementia or Alzheimers wouldnt qualify.

Participants have to be at least 18 years old, unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision, or substantially deteriorating, said Samantha Parker, Behavioral Health program supervisor for justice services. People who are likely candidates may have been placed on a 5150, or involuntary 72-hour hold.

Itll be a full-service partnership, which is intensive services, Pemberton said.

Each person will have a case manager, therapist, psychiatrist and medicine manager.

Theyll be surrounded by a whole team that will interact with them on a regular basis three to four times a week, Pemberton said.

Once a petition is filed, the court and Behavioral Health will be in contact regarding mental health assessments. After the person is assessed and a judge approves a treatment plan, Behavioral Health will take over the management of the treatment.

The services CARE Court will offer are not very different from what the county already has, Pemberton said. Rather than creating a new service, she said, CARE Court is expanding what already exists so the agency can serve more people.

CARE Court also ensures the participant has safe housing, Pemberton said.

San Luis Obispo County Behavorial Health director Star Graber talked about the new Care Court planning on April 10, 2024.

Behavioral Health received a grant to create 16 transitional supportive housing beds for participants to live in through the entirety of their program, Permberton said. The beds will be assigned on a first-come basis, and if no beds are available, participants will be prioritized for housing when it opens up.

If a participant is waiting for housing to open up, the program could connect them with temporary housing in sober living or other nonprofit resources currently available.

CARE Court is completely voluntary, so there is no penalty if someone does not want to participate or attend court to respond to the petition.

It is not a criminalization of mental illness, Pemberton said. It is not because theyve broken any laws. Its a civil process.

Pemberton said CARE Court gives Behavioral Health the ability to encourage people into treatment, to identify them. It also helps them contact people that they otherwise might not have been able to, she said.





The goal is to provide another touch-point for people with severe mental illness to have the opportunity to receive services. It also allows the Department of Behavioral Health to connect with people in need and provide them services without using the CARE Court system.

Because the program is voluntary, someone participating in the program can change their mind and will not be penalized if they do not follow the treatment plan provided.

Medications cant be mandated, Parker said. It might be part of the treatment plan that is presented, but the person still has the ability to refuse medication. They still have their civil liberties, which is very important.

San Luis Obispo County Behavorial Health program supervisor for justice services Samantha Parker talked about the new Care Court planning on April 10, 2024.

How to file a CARE Court petition

Someone can be referred to CARE Court through a petition filed by someone known to the person. That person can be a friend, family member, a law enforcement officer or a judge.

Once a petition is filed, someone will serve the petition to the person it is being filed for. There is no penalty if someone does not show up to court on the date their petition asks them to.

Petitions are filed using the form CARE-100. Petitioners will also need to either submit a mental health declaration or show evidence that the person they are petitioning for was detained for at least two periods of intensive treatment, the most recent being within 60 days prior to the petition being filed.

Forms are currently available on selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/care-act/how-to-file, and will also be available on the online portal the county creates once the program rolls out.

What to expect for CARE Court in the coming months

CARE Court is in its beginning stages of planning, Pemberton said, and still has a way to go before its roll-out in December.

In April, the team was working on understanding how the new court process will work and ensuring they have mechanisms in place to work with filing and receiving court documents and meeting court deadlines.

They are also figuring out how to connect with public defenders and get integrated with the courts self-help system.

Judges who will hear CARE Court petitions will receive training through the Judicial Council of California, Pemberton said.

So far, Pemberton said, the progress is positive.

Between a legal system and behavioral health system, its matching up pretty well, she said.

The team is wrapping up its first phase this month, and expects to begin the next phase of the roll-out in June: connecting with the public, local partners and stakeholders to determine what the community wants from CARE Court.

Mothers advocate while waiting for CARE Court

Though both Anderson and Hartman anxiously await CARE Courts local roll-out, they are also working to advocate for other resources that could help those with severe mental illness.

That includes trying to introduce a new communication style that can help people connect with someone suffering from severe mental illness  and even help the person accept treatment.

LEAP is an acronym for listen, empathize, agree and partner. Its a communication style outline by Dr. Xavier Amador in the book I am not sick  I dont need help!, which Anderson credited to helping her understand her sons illness.

Andersons son experiences anogsognosia  a symptom of severe mental illness where a person who is experiencing delusions or hallucinations believe that they are not sick.

In the book, Amador shares his own experience with his brother who had a similar diagnosis and symptoms to Andersons while working as a psychologist.

Amador told The Tribune that anogsonosia is another symptom of a severe mental health illness, like delusions or hallucinations.

You never tell somebody with a hallucination, Hey, just cut it out, he said. But with my brother and with many patients I was working with as I developed this program, thats what we were all doing.

Amador said the goal is to validate the persons experience rather than argue with it, adding that validate doesnt mean agree that it is real, but rather understanding that it is their experience and not judging it. He added that empathizing with the feelings the person is having can also help them feel heard.

When someone feels validated and heard, Amador said, they will feel like they can trust the person trying to help them. That trust can help someone persuade their loved one to receive treatment.

Before the book, Anderson said, she thought her son was just being difficult and uncooperative. But learning about anogsognosia helped her understand that her son was operating in his reality, and helped her realize a new way to communicate with him.

There was never an argument anymore, Anderson said, referring to her use of LEAP with her son. He felt heard. We established a relationship  something we havent had.

Hartman said the book has also changed her approach with how she communicates with her son.

My responses probably arent as emotionally charged as they used to be, she said. Its coming from a different place.

Hartman said the book has helped her understand where her son is at, rather than being frustrated that he wont accept help.

I felt so alone and so isolated, Hartman said. Then you read a book like this and you realize, youre not alone and other people can relate and have the same thing. Then theres tools to help you.

Now, Anderson and Hartman are meeting with local leaders to try to integrate LEAP into more county services, like Behavioral Health and law enforcement agencies.

Brian Atwell, a Behavioral Health program supervisor, told The Tribune he learned about LEAP training through Anderson and Hartman, and hopes to get more service providers in Behavioral Health trained in the program.

Understanding and accepting that a persons perception of reality is real to them  even if I cant see or hear what they experience  helps me build a relationship with them, he said.

He said the steps of LEAP are what many service providers do anyway, but it can be fragmented. LEAP training can help someone structure their conversations and understand why the conversations work the way they do.

Amador said anyone could benefit from LEAP training, from family members to service providers to law enforcement.

For law enforcement, the incidents of violence  either toward the person who needs the support or toward law enforcement  goes way down because LEAP is inherently a deescalation technique, he said.

Anderson and Hartman said they both hope to continue meeting with local leaders and family groups to share LEAP, so that the severely mentally ill community in San Luis Obispo County can be better served.

They said they are also in the process of giving feedback on the CARE Court website and portal, so they can help the Behavioral Health Department curate a website that is easy to use for parents like themselves.

LEAP training is a way to establish trust and communicate with those who have mental illness but resist intervention. Xavier Amador has authored books on the subject.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) said officers investigated three burglaries at businesses in the overnight hours of Monday, June 10.

According to CSPD, on Monday at around 2:20 a.m. officers were called to reports of a burglary in the 3900 block of Palmer Park Boulevard. When officers arrived they found evidence of two people forcing entry into a closed business and stealing various items.

Shortly after the officers investigation, another burglary happened in the 7300 block of Rangewood Drive where police said the same suspects forcefully entered another closed business and again stole various items.

While officers investigated and followed up on suspect leads a third business was impacted in the 2400 block of South Academy Boulevard. At the third location, a stolen Hyundai sedan was used to ram through the storefront, which allowed four suspects to enter the store and steal merchandise, according to police.

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CTA bus crashes into vehicles in Bridgeport, leaving several injured

A CTA bus crashed into several vehicles in Bridgeport Monday morning, drawing Chicago police and firefighters to the scene.

The multi-vehicle crash involving a northbound #8 Halsted bus occurred near South Halsted and West 35th streets, according to the CTA.

Fire officials checked in with 17 people but made just five hospital transfers, said Larry Langford, a spokesman for the Chicago Fire Department. Two people were listed in serious condition, one person in stable condition and two in good condition, Langford said.

Chunks of concrete and broken glass littered Halsted, along with a half dozen damaged vehicles. Several street signs were mowed down. The facade of the newly opened Ramova Grill was also damaged.

We have no idea how it occurred, Langford said about the crash.

In the early afternoon Monday, traffic was closed along 35th Street between Wallace and Morgan, and on Halsted between 33rd Street and 37th Street. The CTA reported no reroutes at this time.

Officials from the CTA, CPD and Chicago Department of Transportation are investigating.

Chicago Tribunes Sam Charles contributed.
By Dave Sherwood and Nelson Acosta

HAVANA (Reuters) - Russian tourist Serguei Boyaryshnic wandered in awe among the pastel-colored buildings and cobblestone streets of Old Havana on a weekday morning, his family in tow.

"We had heard a lot about Cuba. Our countries have been friends for years," said the 36-year-old Moscow resident, who had joined a small tour group. "We love everything about it."

Cuba has recently begun offering perks to entice visitors like Boyaryshnic from allied countries such as Russia and China as it struggles to revive a stagnant tourism sector still struggling to recover from the pandemic.

That has meant more and sometimes direct flights from Russia and China, the elimination of visa requirements for Chinese visitors and Cuba's recent decision to accept Russia's Mir payment cards, one of only a handful of countries to join Moscow's alternative to Visa and Mastercard.

That strategy has paid early dividends.

More than 66,000 Russians visited the Caribbean island in the first three months of the year, state-run Cuban media reported, double that of the same period in 2023. The Russian visitors are one of Cuba's few tourism bright spots, however.

Stiff U.S. sanctions imposed by former president Donald Trump contributed to a sharp reduction in U.S. visitors and arrivals from many European countries have also dropped off this year, state data shows.

Cuba's bet on distant countries may not make up for the overall visitor decline, said Paolo Spadoni, an associate professor at Augusta University and expert on Cuban tourism. A trip from Beijing, with layovers, for example, can require 24 hours or more of travel.

"It's a long shot," said Spadoni. "(Chinese and Russian visitors) may provide some relief in the short term, but it's very unlikely that they will make up for the lost contingent of European and American visitors."

That means Cuba is unlikely to meet its goal of attracting 3.2 million visitors in 2024, Spadoni said. He estimates the island will receive between 2.6 million and 2.7 million tourists this year.

On a recent weekday morning, Old Havana - a U.N. World Heritage site and one of Latin America's most famed tourist hotspots - was eerily quiet.

Signs of an ailing industry are everywhere. Hotel lobbies and restaurants, once popular with foreigners, are all but barren. White-sand beaches see few international visitors. And at Havana's airport, taxi drivers complain they often wait all day for a single client.

For Migdalia Gonzalez, a 55-year-old street vendor in Old Havana, the situation couldn't be worse.

She has noticed more Russian and Chinese tourists than in years past, but neither were fans of the empanada pastries she sells.

"Tourist activity here has hit rock bottom," she said.

(Reporting by Nelson Acosta and Dave Sherwood, additional reporting by Anett Rios, Alien Fernandez and Rod Nickel)
An explosion occurred in Kharkiv around 17:35 on Monday, June 10. Russian troops struck the city with three KABs, and there was a hit on the outskirts in the area of residential buildings. Six people were injured in the shelling.

ADVERTISIMENT

The attack was reported by the head of the RMA Oleh Syniehubov and Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov. "At 17:35, the occupiers attacked Kharkiv. They used anti-aircraft missiles beforehand," said the head of the Kharkiv region.

He added that, according to preliminary data, a fire broke out in the building.

As of 18:02, Terekhov informed that there were three strikes with KABs in Kharkiv.

"One of the hits was on a garage cooperative, a fire broke out there and there is information about at least two wounded. The sites of the other hits are being examined by specialists," the mayor said in a statement.

At 18:13, the head of the RMA clarified that six people were injured in the strike in Kharkiv. At various addresses, there is damage to residential buildings, garages, and cars.

ADVERTISIMENT

At least two private houses were heavily damaged at the site of another hit in the Kyiv district. There may be people under the rubble. All relevant services are working at the scene, the mayor said as of 18:14.

At 18:39, Syniehubov said that rescuers were unblocking another victim from the rubble. The 75-year-old man has been contacted.

Local media reported the explosions in Kharkiv at 17:34. The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has previously warned of Russian tactical aviation activity in the southeast and the launch of anti-aircraft missiles in the Kharkiv region.

ADVERTISIMENT

ADVERTISIMENT

At 17:13, monitoring channels reported on the launch of the KABs in the direction of Kharkiv.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Culinary Union Local 226 is calling former President Donald Trumps pledge at his Las Vegas rally over the weekend to end taxes on tipped income nothing more than wild campaign promises.

The temperature was hot at Trumps rally Sunday and so was some of the rhetoric. Trump, fresh off of his guilty verdict, whipped up the crowd with his widely reported statement on taxation and tips directly aimed at the thousands of Nevadans who depend on tips to supplement their income.

So this is the first time Ive said this, and for those hotel workers and people that get tips youre going to be very happy because when I get to office, we are going to not charge taxes on tips people making tips, Trump said Sunday during a campaign rally at Sunset Park.

In an economy driven by tourism, such as Las Vegas, that kind of statement can be music to the ears of thousands of Culinary Union members who hold jobs as guest room attendants, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, laundry, and kitchen workers.

For decades, the culinary union has fought for tipped workers rights and against unfair taxation, union secretary-treasurer Ted Pappageorge said in a news release. Relief is definitely needed for tip earners, but Nevada workers are smart enough to know the difference between real solutions and wild campaign promises from a convicted felon.

The union represents 60,000 workers in Nevada, and 60% of the members are immigrants, and more than half are women, the union stated.

Nevada is one of seven swing states that could determine the election results. The Emerson College Polling released in May shows Trump with a slim 1% edge over Biden in Nevada. A CBS poll was conducted between June 5-7 and shows nationally Trump leads by 1% with the exception of the battleground states where Biden leads by 1 %.

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Toxins in the blooms are harmful to people and animals. (N.H. Department of Environmental Services, des.nh.gov.)

The Granite State hasnt been spared from the global trend of more frequent cyanobacteria blooms, the often-toxic growths that can kill pets and threaten human health.

With climate change and excess nutrients getting into water bodies, we can expect more and more cyanobacteria blooms every year, said Kate Hastings, the cyanobacteria harmful algal bloom program manager for the Department of Environmental Services.

If you see blooms, its safe to assume theyre producing some toxins, said James Haney, a University of New Hampshire biological sciences professor who has for years studied cyanobacteria.

If youre preparing to go camping out in the West, you learn about grizzly bears, Haney said. If youre preparing to recreate on the waters in the Northeast, in New Hampshire, or practically anywhere nowadays, you have to familiarize yourselves with what these cyanobacteria look like.

Cyanobacteria resources

Climate change is exacerbating the blooms in a few ways. Rising temperatures mean longer growing seasons and less ice cover, creating a larger stretch of time each year suitable for cyanobacteria growth, Hastings said.

Surface waters are also warming, she said, which can stratify lakes  making them form separate thermal layers  and starve the lake bottoms of oxygen.

That condition allows phosphorus thats previously been bound to sediments to release into the water column into a form that the cyanobacteria are able to use to fuel their growth, Hastings said.

In 2023, the DES recorded its most blooms ever, affecting 47 lakes. But the record numbers are also a sign of greater awareness.

The more informed the general public is, the more reports we get, which is great, because we want to communicate about it, Hastings said, but it makes it hard to use our data set to understand if cyanobacteria are actually increasing in New Hampshire or if were just getting better at tracking it.

The blooms can produce toxins that can kill pets and cause a variety of health problems in humans: rashes, fevers, headaches, mouth blisters, vomiting, acute liver damage, and more, according to the DES.

They can also produce neurotoxins that cause tingling, numbness, and, in severe cases, seizures, Hastings said.

The acute, short-term safety risks of exposure to cyanotoxins are better understood than the impact of long-term exposure, a gap that Haney and his researchers are trying to bridge.

The primary root of exposure is ingestion, Hastings said, which can happen while swimming in affected waters. Pets are more likely to drink lake water, and children are more likely to swallow water while swimming, putting them more at risk. Aerosol exposure can also pose risks.

Ive observed people kayaking through cyanobacteria blooms on the surface and just assuming that it wasnt harmful, Haney said. It can have great harm.

The department relies on residents reporting potential blooms, which can take on a variety of colors  blue, green, yellow, white, brown  and appearances  scum, blotches, spilled paint. If you think youve spotted a bloom, you can report it to the department through an online form.

Residents can check Healthy Swimming Mapper, a tool created by DES, for up-to-date information on reported blooms. They can also sign up for email alerts about individual water bodies and statewide updates.

Alerts should be treated as statements to be on the watch for a potential cyanobacteria bloom, according to the DES. Warnings mean that cyanobacteria have been found at a concentration where harmful toxins could be present and threaten public health. The department advises residents to avoid water bodies under warnings.

Residents should note, though, that just because a water body doesnt have an alert issued doesnt mean its necessarily clear. When in doubt, stay out, the department advises.

For property-owners interested in assessing general lake health, LakeSmart is a free, voluntary resource. Residents can fill out a form to receive an individualized report of suggestions. After they make updates, they can submit photos or receive a visit from an evaluator for further advice.

The post Cyanobacteria blooms can produce dangerous toxins. Heres what to know. appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
An Ohio city hall is closed today following a cyber incident.

>>Womans walls, floors replaced after leak leaves house in pieces for over a year

The City of Cleveland has not determined the scope or nature of what happened but has shut down several affected systems following a cyber incident, according to a city spokesperson.

They stated that emergency services have not been affected.

The City of Cleveland is currently investigating a cyber incident and though we have not confirmed its nature and scope, we are taking this incident seriously, the city said in a statement on Sunday. As a precautionary measure, the city has shut down the affected systems while we focus on securing and restoring services safely. These systems will remain offline until we have a better understanding of the situation.

City services including the Department of Public Safety (911, Police, Fire, and EMS), the Department of Port Control (Cleveland Hopkins and Burke Lakefront Airports), and the Department of Public Utilities are not affected, the spokesperson added.

The city said they will provide more updates as they become available.
Czezh Prime Minister Petr Fiala has suggested that Russia may have been behind last weeks attempted arson attacks on city buses in Prague.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Reuters

Details: The police reported that they arrested a 26-year-old man on Saturday in connection with the foiled plot and charged him with terrorism.

"There is suspicion that the attack was organised and financed probably from Russia," Fiala said at a news conference.

He added that it was part of a hybrid war being waged against Czechia by Russia, "against which we have to defend ourselves and which we must stop".

"Russia is repeatedly trying to sow unrest, undermine citizens' trust in our state," he noted.

The police said the suspect was a Spanish-speaking man from South America. He had been in the Czech Republic for five days before the attempted attack on Wednesday night.

The police noted that the suspect failed to carry out the attack due to the alertness of staff at the Prague bus depot.

On 8 June, police in Czechia boosted security measures in public spaces and shopping malls, on public transport and at railway stations, due to information about a possible terrorist attack.

Background:

At the beginning of May a series of big fires occurred in Poland  a shopping mall burned down in Warsaw, a big fire occurred in a car park near Katowice, there was also a string of lesser known incidents.

Later there were reports about the detention of nine people, suspected of sabotage activity in the territory of Poland ordered by Russia.

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Czech president concerned about the rise of fringe parties in Europe

Czech President Petr Pavel casts his vote for the European Parliament elections, at a polling station in Litomerice. Hajek Ondej/CTK/dpa

Following the European elections, Czech President Petr Pavel has expressed concern about the rise of parties on the fringes of the political spectrum in parts of the continent.

"What we cannot ignore is the rise in support for extremists in Europe," the former general wrote on Monday on the social media platform X. "We must recognize these voices and think about why this is happening."

He expressed the hope that the basic orientation of the European Union in terms of security and democracy would nevertheless remain unchanged.

Pavel did not name any specific parties.

In France, the right-wing nationalist National Rally emerged as the clear winner of the European elections. According to the preliminary official results, it received 31.36% of the vote.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved its best result to date in a nationwide vote with 15.9% and became the second strongest party.

In the Czech Republic, an alliance of the right-wing protest Oath party and the Motorists for Themselves party won two seats from a standing start, while the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy party won one seat.

The strongest force, however, was the liberal populist opposition ANO party of billionaire Andrej Babis, which secured seven seats.
Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, sits in his seat during a panel discussion at a science conference. Sebastian Kahnert/dpa

The Czech Republic is accusing Russia of being behind an attempted arson attack following the arrest of a terrorist suspect in Prague.

"It is not only possible, but very likely that Russia is involved in this case," Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on television on Monday after a meeting of the National Security Council. "Everything points to the fact that this was organized and financed from abroad," the liberal-conservative politician said.

Last Thursday's arson attack targeted buses belonging to Prague's public transport company. It was unsuccessful, due to the quick reaction of company staff.

Fiala thanked the secret services and the police for their "extraordinarily good and professional work." The investigation was continuing, he said.

The police said the suspect, who was arrested at the weekend following a public manhunt, is a 26-year-old foreigner. The man had only entered the country a few days previously.

A court has ordered him to be remanded in custody. He is accused of having committed a terrorist offence. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years. According information released earlier, the suspect comes from South America.

The Czech Republic is one of Ukraine's staunch supporters in its fight against the Russian invasion. The EU and NATO member state is behind an initiative aimed at procuring up to 800,000 artillery shells for Kiev from countries outside the EU.

In the past, the Czech Republic has supplied Ukraine with military equipment including combat and infantry fighting vehicles, multiple rocket launchers, combat helicopters and ammunition.
Lucy Morgan was on a family vacation in Maine on June 1 when the racket pierced through her skull, according to Maine State Police

Morgan Family Lucy Morgan, the 6-year-old New Jersey girl who died following an accident involving a badminton racket in Maine

The father of a New Jersey girl who died after an accident involving a badminton racket is remembering his daughter's dynamic personality.

Lucy Morgan, 6, was playing outside while on a family vacation in Maine on Sunday, June 1, when she was struck in the head by her 10-year-old brothers racket, according to a news release from the Maine State Police. The 6-year-old later died at a medical center in Portland.

Jesse Morgan, Lucys father, previously described the incident in a blog post as a freak accident.

Speaking with Fox News, the father of four said his daughter had a very bubbly personality, but could also be reserved at times.

"Once you got to know her, she was very, very outspoken and a lot of fun. She was a tough kid, he said.

Related: Cause of Death Revealed for Bronson Battersby, 2-Year-Old Boy Found Dead Next to Dad's Body

According to Lucys father, his family of six  himself, his wife Bethany, and their children: Silas, Shiloh, Lucy, and Atticus  were enjoying a beautiful morning at their lake cottage on the last day of vacation when the incident occurred.

We were eating a quick lunch by the lake and the kids decided to try badminton in the front yard, he wrote in the blog post. Bethany and I were relaxing in the back when we heard screaming.

Jesse told Fox News that his wife did not see what happened, but learned something was wrong when their son rushed in very concerned.

"We went out, and we saw what had happened, which was just indescribable terror going from so quiet, so calm to an incredibly traumatic experience," he added.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Police said badminton racket's aluminum shaft "had become dislodged from the wooden handle, causing the shaft to strike the girl in the head, piercing through her skull."

In his blog post, Jesse said Lucy went right to the operating room where they removed part of her skull to relieve pressure and deal with her injury. However, she did not survive the injury.

"If there is any good news in this, its that she hasnt felt any pain over the past few days," Jesse wrote in an update on Tuesday, June 4.



Related: Toddler Dead, Mom Critically Injured After Tornado Sends 'Massive' Tree into Home As They Slept

Green Pond Bible Chapel, where Jesse is a pastor, will hold a funeral service for Lucy on June 15. It will also be streamed live on the churchs website.

A GoFundMe created on behalf of the family has raised over $120,000 as of Monday, June 10.

"Please keep praying for the Morgans as they walk through these next days, weeks, months, and years without their sweet Lucy here with them," read an update on the fundraising page.



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MADISON  Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford on Monday launched a campaign for Wisconsin Supreme Court, running for the seat being vacated by the court's longest-serving justice and setting the stage for another contest to determine the ideological balance of the court.

"I am running for Supreme Court justice to protect the basic rights and freedoms of Wisconsinites under our constitution. Those rights are threatened by an all-out effort to politicize the court to drive a right-wing agenda  I believe Wisconsin deserves better," Crawford said in a statement.

Crawford's announcement comes two months after liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, 73, announced she would leave the court next year after serving 30 years.

When Justice Janet Protasiewicz was elected in 2023, Walsh Bradley said it was the first time she would serve with a true liberal majority. Now, as she departs, the same partisan interests that poured more than $50 million into the Protasiewicz race are expected to create another expensive battle for control of the court.

Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford announced she run for Wisconsin Supreme Court in the spring of 2025.

"As a former prosecutor and a judge, I know we need Supreme Court justices who understand what it takes to keep communities safe, who are impartial and fair, who will use common sense, and who wont politicize the constitution to undermine our most basic rights," Crawford said. "For the first time in years, we have a majority on the court focused on getting the facts right, following the law, and protecting our constitutional rights. We cant risk having that progress reversed."

Before being elected to the Dane County Circuit Court in 2018, Crawford was a partner with the Pines Bach law firm, where she worked on cases related to voting rights and represented Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin in a case that sought to expand abortion access. Prior to that, she worked as a prosecutor and as legal counsel in state government.

The state Supreme Court has been asked to determine whether Wisconsin's 1849 abortion ban can be enforced, and whether the state Constitution recognizes a right to abortion.

In her announcement, Crawford referred to Republican former Attorney General Brad Schimel as a "right-wing extremist."

In response, Republican Party of Wisconsin spokesman Matt Fisher accused Democrats of "doubling down on extremism by pushing their bought-and-owned liberal lawyer Susan Crawford for the Wisconsin Supreme Court."

"Wisconsinites deserve better on the Supreme Court than a partisan shill like Crawford," Fisher said in a statement.

Schimel, who is now a Waukesha County Circuit judge, launched a bid in December for the spring 2025 election.

Before serving as attorney general, Schimel joined the Waukesha County district attorney's office in 1990 and was elected Waukesha County district attorney in 2006.

Candidates have until Jan. 1, 2025, to enter the race.

Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Dane County judge Susan Crawford launches Wisconsin Supreme Court bid
 Flash

Israel's centrist War Cabinet Minister, Benny Gantz, announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency government on Sunday and called for new elections.

In response, Netanyahu released a statement saying that "Israel is in an existential war on several fronts. Benny, this is not the time to abandon the campaign."

In a televised press conference, Gantz accused Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival over a ceasefire deal that would secure the release of about 100 hostages held in Gaza.

"Unfortunately, Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing toward the real victory," said Gantz. "Strategic decisions are met with hesitation due to political considerations."

Echoing increasing public protest against Netanyahu's government, Gantz called for a new round of elections in the fall. He urged Netanyahu to set an agreed date to hold them. "Don't let our people to be torn apart," he said.

Gantz's decision to withdraw his centrist party from Netanyahu's far-right coalition left it with extremist ministers, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who advocate for reoccupying the Gaza Strip and expanding Israeli settlements there.

Gantz's resignation followed a May ultimatum he issued to the right-wing prime minister, demanding that Netanyahu develop a clear post-conflict strategy for Gaza, where Israel has been conducting a fatal assault, and agree to a hostage-ceasefire agreement.
The Russian occupation army is using barrier detachments of Kadyrov's men in the Kharkiv region. They were ordered to hold back Russian invaders fleeing Ukraine at the border.

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The Russian army command took this step to support the regrouping of its troops. Nazar Voloshyn, a representative of the Khortytsia operational and strategic grouping of troops, said this on the air of the telethon.

According to him, the occupiers have set up barrier detachments consisting of the so-called Kadyrov's men on the Russian-Ukrainian border in Kharkiv region. Voloshyn emphasized that the enemy will deploy these units to support the regrouping of its troops.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces representative emphasized that the enemy is using the tactic of deploying barrier units made up of personnel from the Akhmat unit.

"The enemy army has suffered losses there and is defeated, so in support of its actions, the enemy is forced to maneuver reserves, move units near the line of our state border and replenish its forces and funds at the expense of reserves from the Russian airborne troops and the 11th and 44th army corps of the Russian Federation," Voloshyn said.

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As a reminder, the command of the Russian occupation forces is redeploying an unspecified number of forces to the border with the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. It is not yet clear whether it plans to immediately use them for combat operations in this area or simply to strengthen the Northern Group of Forces to bring it closer to its planned final strength.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  A Danville man will spend the next 14 years in prison after he pleaded guilty last week to drug and gun crimes in Vermilion County court.

Prosecutors said Keynte Davis, 47, pleaded guilty on Friday to possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon on parole. He was then sentenced to 14 and eight years, respectively for each crime, sentences that will run concurrently.

Taylorville Police aim to demolish drug house after man arrested on meth charges

The case started in 2022, when the Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group conducted an investigation into Davis. After obtaining and executing search warrants for two homes connected to him, law enforcement found him in possession of one-third of a pound of crack cocaine, guns, magazines and ammunition. As a convicted felon who was on parole at the time, Davis was not allowed to possess a gun or ammunition.

When you are a convicted felon in Illinois, you lose the right to possess a firearm, said Jaqueline Lacy, the Vermilion County States Attorney. My office will continue to work with our local police agencies to obtain strong sentences for individuals who repeatedly engage in illegal activity in order to protect our communities.

Danville Fire Department battles vacant house fire over weekend

Davis admitted in interviews that he sold crack cocaine out of both homes that had been searched, prosecutors added.

Once he is released from prison, Davis will spend one year on parole for each count he pleaded guilty to.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, in blue, looks at an aerial overview of Google's data center project in Fort Wayne during an announcement and groundbreaking ceremony on April 26, 2024. (From Holcomb's official Flickr)

Theyre cryptocurrency miners and social media businesses. Theyre software providers and cloud computing companies.

And theyre increasingly setting up shop in Indiana, via data centers: windowless stretches of buildings that house computing equipment, network infrastructure and digital storage.

In the five years since lawmakers approved generous financial incentives specific to data centers, eight have located to Indiana. Four announcements have come in the last six months alone.

But the advent of the Hoosier data center has fueled debate between those who fear the state may struggle to meet rising demand and those who say theres plenty to go around.

Utilities, meanwhile, say theyll serve their new industrial customers  including with creative deals  while protecting current customers from price hikes and outages.

Announcements pile up

The companies behind Indianas nascent data center boom cumulatively plan to invest at least $14 billion into their facilities.

Amazon Web Services $11 billion project is the bulk of the total, followed by a $2 billion Google project and $1 billion initiative from Microsoft.

Meta, the parent company to Facebook and Instagram, is set to invest at least $800,000 into a sprawling facility, but could spend upwards of $3 billion, according to its incentive contract with the state.

Each of the companies  minus a cryptocurrency mining operation from AboutBit  is set to receive decades of benefits from the state in exchange for their investments.

Lawmakers in 2019 approved a sales and use tax exemption aimed at luring in data centers, wiping out those taxes on purchases of qualifying data center equipment and energy. Projects worth less than $750 million qualify for 25 years of the exemption, while pricier initiatives can qualify for up to 50 years.

Like other states  Indiana created some incentives to bring these types of businesses to the state, and were seeing the fruit of those efforts, said David Ober, the Indiana Chamber of Commerces senior vice president of business operations and finance.

These types of projects center us in this information economy, Ober continued. And its a bit of a validation on how  were situated from a regulatory standpoint that these businesses want to invest significant capital here. So, from our perspective, it signifies that Indiana is a place where you want to do business.

New capacity  period

Indiana is no stranger to industry, but data centers differ.

They run all day, every day. Each facility requires massive amounts of electricity for power and water to cool itself.

A single, 100-megawatt data center site can require as much energy as all of the homes in Fort Wayne, I&M spokesperson Scott Blake said in a statement. Requests for 300 to 1,000 megawatts are becoming common. These facilities also require this energy around the clock.

Former Republican State Sen. Jon Ford (Photo courtesy Indiana Senate Republicans)

Data centers are about 3% of the countrys total power demand now. Thats expected to rise to 8% in just six years, according to an April 2024 analysis by Goldman Sachs.

Some observers fear the power-guzzlers could strain the states energy supply.

We are supportive of all forms of economic development. And certainly, we want the state of Indiana to be a leader. But we are concerned about where the power for this data center revolution comes from, said Jon Ford, a former lawmaker now leading fossil fuels interest group Reliable Energy, Inc.

Right now, lets pump the brakes. Lets not shut down any fossil fuel generators, he said. And then lets make a move to put new generation online. Thats renewables. That would include gas. But theres no doubt were at a point in Indiana where we cant be taking things offline. We need to add new capacity  period.

Kerwin Olson, who leads ratepayer advocacy group Citizens Action Coalition, acknowledged the data center spurt as a challenge, but cautioned against hyperbole.

Kerwin Olson (Photo courtesy Citizens Action Coalition)

This is classic exploitation of concerns around blackouts and brownouts if we dont build new power plants and keep these coal plants open, Olson said.

He pushed for alternatives  energy efficiencies, energy storage, micro-grids, and more  to avoid spending billions and billions, if not trillions, of public money.

Ober, who previously served on the powerful Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), said he takes a middle view.

He described utilities demand projections for the last decade as pretty flat  and noted electrification is pushing demand higher.

We have not accommodated for that level of demand growth in utility planning over the past 10 years, Ober continued.  It complicates an equation. But utility companies and these types of businesses, they look, they take a long view, and Im confident that theres really smart people who are able to determine how much power is needed and how to make sure that weve got enough for all the users on the system.

Ample supply

Others are bullish on Indianas electricity capabilities.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb told reporters last month that Amazon, for example, wouldnt have made the commitment without the confidence that we can supply both the power and the water.

Indiana Commerce Secretary David Rosenberg speaks to reporters at the Indiana Global Economic Summit on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Commerce Secretary David Rosenberg, head of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC), said the state has ample amounts of both power and water, adding, Indianas very blessed.

The IEDC has never declined an economic development opportunity over energy supply, according to spokeswoman Erin Sweitzer.

Rosenberg also told reporters his agency has been very strategic in pointing companies to locations with plenty.

Utilities have also guided interested businesses.

For instance, it was utility Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) that brought the Google project to Fort Wayne, John Urbahns told the Capital Chronicle. He is president and CEO of the areas chamber of commerce, Greater Fort Wayne Inc.

The specific area that was chosen was really the confluence of electric capacity and water capacity, Urbahns said.

I feel confident in their planning, where theyre heading and how theyre working to ramp up to serve different projects, and that weve got the capacity to serve additional projects, he said of the areas utilities.  Our conversations with them have been making sure that we have the capacity to continue to grow.

Forecasting for the future

Utilities say theyve got it under control.

Our energy companies have an obligation to serve, and we are investing in the energy future to meet those demands today and tomorrow, Indiana Energy Association President Danielle McGrath said. The trade association represents the states investor-owned electric utilities and several natural gas utilities.

Indiana Energy Association President Danielle McGrath (Photo courtesy the Indiana Energy Association)

McGrath said utilities are preparing via integrated resource plans (IRPs). They forecast demand and how theyll meet it with service thats safe, reliable and priced at just and reasonable rates.

Utilities must hold public meetings while formulating the plans, and must submit them to the states regulators every three years.

Three of the states big five investor-owned electric utilities are in the midst of the planning process.

Were planning now for tomorrows energy needs, including the future potential load growth scenarios and needs associated with large-scale projects such as data centers, Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) spokesman Rick Calinski said in a statement.

Accordingly, data centers are named multiple times  as drivers of load uncertainty that NIPSCO will model individually  in the utilitys IRP public meeting slides.

Calinski said NIPSCO would avoid harming people already in its service territory.

We will not compromise the reliability of the service we provide, and a key priority is to ensure that existing customers are appropriately protected (in terms of both reliability and cost) with the addition of any new customer growth, he said.

He said the facilities could even benefit other customers.

Data centers help diversify NIPSCOs large customer makeup and reduce exposure to potential volatility from unforeseen changes in the steel and manufacturing industry  which can have an adverse effect on customers as a result, Calinski said. Additionally, all customers benefit from the shared services costs that can be spread across an expanded customer base.

From left: Gov. Eric Holcomb, Google Global Head of Data Center Sustainability Ben Townsend, Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker, U.S. Sen. Todd Young, Google VP of Global Data Centers Joe Kava, Google Head of Data Center Economic Development Utaukwa Allen, Commerce Secretary David Rosenberg and Greater Fort Wayne Inc. President/CEO, John Urbahns at a groundbreaking ceremony for Googles new data center on April 26, 2024. (From Holcombs official Flickr)

I&M spokesman Blake said the utilitys teams are working with these large customers and regulators as we plan to power the next century of the Indiana economy. Our process will continue to focus on developing long-term plans that protect residential customers, while allowing our economy to thrive.

We have the resources to support our current customers, commercial and light industrial expansion, and new residents, Blake said. I&M will continue to be a partner in bringing job-creating industries, like EV battery manufacturers, to our service territory.

I&M disclosed in filings with the IURC that it expects more than a gigawatt increase in its capacity requirements by regional transmission organization PJMs 2027/2028 planning year. The projects cited included the Amazon and Google data centers, along with an electric vehicle battery plant.

Duke Energy Indiana spokeswoman Angeline Protogere noted the utilitys IRP is due in November.

In public meeting slides, Duke projected industrial sales would continue to rise, noting, Economic Development efforts have attracted large industrial projects over the near term, beyond what is support by (the) existing composition of customers.

Dukes economic development pipeline is expected to grow to between 400 and 500 megawatts by 2030, according to the slides, with 70% of the pipeline related to batteries and the remaining 30% for other manufacturing.

One thing wont be in Dukes IRP, however.

Going green  kind of

Meta wants its Clark County data center to run 100% on renewable energy, according to a news release.

Through a new LLC called Blocke, the company inked a deal with Duke involving renewable purchase power agreements. The expected load and rates were redacted as confidential.

But when those dont deliver enough energy, the deal allows Duke to buy electricity straight off the regions market on Blockes behalf.

Duke confirmed the deal in an emailed statement.

The Indiana Chambers David Ober speaks in committee on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Its been done before, per Ober.

Its not unprecedented to allow large energy consumers to have some exposure to bulk power markets, he said. To me, it sounds like  theyre offsetting a portion, or all of their demand by doing it this way, and that would protect Dukes ratepayers who otherwise may be exposed to increased costs. And I think that generally is a smart way to address the problem of: how do you accommodate a big user on the system that may not have that much slack?

Duke spokeswoman Protogere defended the deal, writing that regulators reviewed the contract to verify that the customer is covering the utilitys cost of providing service to them  .

The Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, a state agency representing ratepayers, agreed in regulatory filings that the contract does not create additional costs for other customers, and said the agreement ensures Blocke bears all responsibility for costs it causes and makes some contribution to fixed costs.

Not everyones happy with the deal, however.

Citizen Action Coalition Policy Director Ben Inskeep noted that Duke received approval to shift $82 million of transmission upgrades  required to connect the data center to the grid  onto other ratepayers.

In regulatory filings, Duke moved to keep the deal out of its IRP because it plans to serve Blocke via dedicated renewable energy facilities and will keep the companys market-rate purchases separate from its other customers.

Regulators agreed, writing in a final order:  due to the individualized nature of the Agreement with Customer, we approve Petitioners request to exclude the Agreement from its overall IRP planning process.

A living wage

Local economic development officials say they just want to provide for their communities.

The River Ridge Development Authority, located in Clark County, is charged with replacing the economic activity lost  27,000 jobs across 13,000 acres of land  when the U.S. Army ceased operations there about 25 years ago.

About half that land is now a state park. River Ridge has about 12,000 jobs on what remains.

For Wendy Dant Chesser, River Ridges chief director for corporate strategy and external affairs, the Meta data center is a chance to progress on those employment goals.

She said the company has committed to creating just 100 jobs, but with each earning about $100,000 annually on average.

Thats good for our economy. We are trying to bring in jobs that pay above the living wage, Dant Chesser said.

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A living wage in Clark County is about $40 hourly for a family of four with one breadwinner, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys calculator. Thats about $80,000 a year.

Were bringing in the types of jobs that people can sustain themselves and their families, Dant Chesser said.

And, since learning of Googles project, 18 other companies have inquired about joining the company at River Ridge, according to Dant Chesser.

She also noted the development will support other companies.

There are a lot of contractors that will be badging in and out of that center every day, Dant Chesser said.  They could be (working for) companies that are here locally,  or they could be visitors to our area that are here on business who are going to be staying at our hotels (and) meeting at our restaurants.

Urbahns, of Greater Fort Wayne Inc., said his organization has also focused on growing high-wage jobs, and specifically in the citys southeast area.

Its been an area that has seen less investment  and this brought both of those to that part of the community, Urbahns said of the Google deal.

Urbahns said his organization hadnt actively sought a data center  calling the project new for us  but described it as a way to diversify the regions economy.

Weve got the insurance industry, weve got manufacturing, weve got the defense industry, logistics. We didnt have a data center,  he said.  You know, I dont see us having becoming a hotbed for them, but it was an opportunity to have one, and have a significant one, that really continues to put us on the map of growth throughout the state and throughout the nation.

The post Data centers are choosing Indiana. Is the states electricity supply ready? appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, met recently with Federal Aviation Administration officials. She announced formation of a bipartisan congressional caucus dedicated to sustainability of the nation's aviation industry. (Submitted)

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, met recently with Federal Aviation Administration officials. She announced formation of a bipartisan congressional caucus dedicated to sustainability of the nation's aviation industry. (Submitted)

TOPEKA  Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas and Republican South Dakota U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson created a special-interest congressional caucus dedicated to integration of new technology into the aviation industry to promote financial sustainability and reduce environmental harm.

Davids, who represents the 3rd District in the Kansas City area, said the Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus would bring together aviation leaders and government policymakers to limit the industrys impact on the environment and contribute to aviations long-term economic viability.

Adopting these sustainable practices is critical for our national security and economic resilience, she said.

Johnson, the at-large congressman from South Dakota, said the aviation industry was moving toward a more sustainable future through development of alternative fuels as well as automated air transportation systems.

There are a lot of shifts we can expect to see in the coming years, said Johnson, who is a graduate of the University of Kansas. Congress should advance legislative priorities that support innovation through biofuels, national security and passenger safety.

Davids and Johnson are on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Another member of the committee is U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kansas.

The caucus would be a public-private partnership that pulled together insights of local, state and federal officials as well as industry and nonprofit stakeholders. The caucus would concentrate on what an environmentally and economically competitive aviation future would look like and on issues of fuel production, workforce development and regulatory structure.

Paul Feldman, a lobbyist with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, said the bipartisan caucus would be capable of highlighting policies, initiatives and developments capable of advancing sustainability goals tied to technology, fuels and emissions.

General aviation is steadfast in our commitment to mitigate the industrys impact on the environment through technological and operational improvements as well as the use of sustainable aviation fuel, he said.

The post Davids forms bipartisan congressional caucus on aviation industry sustainability appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
On This Day, June 10: Norway surrenders to Germany in WWII

German officers stand before Oslo's National Theater in 1940 after taking control of Norway during World War II. On June 10, 1940, Norway surrendered to Germany during World War II, with King Haakon and members of the government fleeing to Britain. File Photo by Willi Ruge/German Federal Archives

On this date in history:

In 1692, Bridget Bishop was found guilty of the practice of witchcraft and hanged in Salem Village in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. She was the first colonist executed during the Salem witch trials.

In 1898, U.S. Marines invaded Cuba in the Spanish-American War.

In 1916, whatever momentum former President Theodore Roosevelt had built up as he campaigned for the Republican nomination for president was extinguished when the progressive convention voted for reconciliation with the GOP.

In 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in Akron, Ohio.

Singer Ray Charles performs a tribute to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Nat King Cole during ceremonies in New York on May 6, 2000. Charles died on this day in 2004. File Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI

In 1940, Norway surrendered to Germany during World War II, with King Haakon and members of the government fleeing to Britain. National Unity Party leader Vidkun Quisling led Norwegian fascist forces to assist the Germans, seizing strategic locations.

In 1942, the German Gestapo burned the tiny Czech village of Lidice after shooting 173 men and shipping the women and children to concentration camps.

On June 10, 1943, Hungarian Laszlo Biro, pictured in 1978, secured a patent for his invention -- the first successful and widely used ballpoint pen. File Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

In 1943, Hungarian Laszlo Biro secured a patent for his invention -- the first successful and widely used ballpoint pen.

In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a law authorizing employers to withhold income tax payments from salary checks.

Col. Theodore Roosevelt aboard the S.S. Aiden upon his return from South America ca. 1914. File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI

In 2000, Syrian President Hafez Assad died from a heart attack at age 69. He had ruled the country since 1970.

UPI File Photo

Outgoing House Republican leader Eric Cantor of Virginia arrives for House Republican leadership elections on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 19, 2014. Cantor lost his district's primary election to Tea Party challenger David Brat on this day in 2014. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

In 2003, a three-member Ontario Court of Appeal in Canada ordered that full marriage rights be extended to same-sex couples.

In 2006, three detainees at the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, hanged themselves.

File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

In 2009, Chrysler, one of America's "Big 3" automakers, climbed out of bankruptcy with a reconstruction plan that included a partnership deal with Italian carmaker Fiat.

In 2014, Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., the U.S. House Republican leader, was defeated by Tea Party challenger David Brat, a college economics professor, in one of the most stunning primary election upsets in congressional history.

In 2021, the U.S. Senate confirmed Zahid Quraishi to the U.S. District Court in New Jersey, making him the first Muslim federal judge in the United States.

In 2023, Theodore "Ted" Kaczynski, the notorious serial killer known as the Unabomber, died at age 81.

Theodore "Ted" Kaczynski, also known as The Unabomber, is shown in his official mugshot following his arrest on File Photo by the Federal Bureau of In April 3, 1996. File Photo by the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Wikimedia Commons
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it is investigating a fatal shooting that took place in Northwest D.C. on Sunday night.

Police said that on June 9 at about 11:36 p.m., officers responded to the 800 block of Underwood St. for the report of sounds of gunshots.

When police arrived at the scene, they found a man who had been shot. He died there.

62-year-old man hit, killed by car in Prince Georges County

The man was identified as 28-year-old Kaan Demir of Springfield, Va.

Anyone with information should call police at (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said an officer was involved in a crash while responding to a shooting in Southeast D.C. on Sunday evening.

The shooting happened at around 6:12 p.m. in the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue Southeast. Officers found two men at the scene with gunshot wounds  they were both conscious and breathing.

1 hurt in shooting at restaurant in Frederick County

Two other victims  a man and a teenage girl  were found at hospitals receiving treatment for their gunshot wound injuries. MPD said four total victims were hurt in the shooting.

Its like they have no remorse, no remorse at all, says Bridges, who has a niece that goes to Boone Elementary. Its devastating because it could be any one of these kids walking home from school or coming to school or whatever.

An MPD spokesperson also said that an officer was involved in a crash while on their way to the scene. They sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The 2200 to 2400 blocks of Minnesota Avenue SE between Naylor Road and Pennsylvania Avenue SE were closed in both directions as police investigated.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
DC police searching for suspect involved in shooting man multiple times, killing him

WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. police were looking for a suspect who was involved in shooting a man multiple times in Northeast, killing him.

On June 7 at around 11:43 p.m., Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the back of a building in the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE after receiving reports of gunshots going off in the area.

DC police officer crashes while responding to quadruple shooting

There, officers found a man who had been shot multiple times.

That man, 45-year-old Darryl Williams, was taken to the hospital where he died.

MPD believes the man caught on nearby security camera footage and who was pictured below was responsible.

(Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department)

Anyone with information was asked to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.

A reward of up to $25,000 was being offered to anyone with information that leads to an arrest and conviction of those involved.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Bolinas resident Enzo Resta peers inside the community's shuttered post office. "We really, really want to have this back," he says. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

On the outskirts of this coastal village  just past the road sign telling visitors they are "Entering a Socially Acknowledged Nature-Loving Town"  a big wooden placard displays a set of hand-painted numbers. They are changed each morning.

"Days Without a Bolinas Post Office," the sign reads.

On June 1, that number hit 456.

That's how long it has been since the U.S. Postal Service was booted from its office in downtown Bolinas amid a fight with its longtime landlord.

In this artsy little town in west Marin County  a haven for poets and painters, writers and actors  the loss hit hard. The 1,500 citizens of ZIP Code 94924 have fought to get their post office back with their most cherished tool: creativity.

They have picketed with placards reading, "Real Mail Not Email!" They have marched in local parades dressed as letter carriers. They have composed songs and written poems and sent thousands of letters, in hand-painted envelopes, to USPS officials.

They even drafted their own plan for a temporary post office, offered to fund it, and sent it to Congress.

"It's a very Bolinas approach, breaking through bureaucracy through art and culture and pleas," said John Borg, who is helping lead the citizens campaign. "This has taken way longer than it should."

The approach is quirky, but the loss is serious.

A sign at the entrance of Bolinas counts the days the small coastal town has been without its post office. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Most people in this aging rural community abutting the Point Reyes National Seashore do not get home delivery. They relied upon daily trips to the post office for parcels, pension checks and mail-order prescriptions, not to mention the chance to catch up on the small-town scuttlebutt.

Now, they must drive at least 40 minutes round-trip, through the forest on Highway 1, to a flood-prone post office at a campground in the even smaller town of Olema.

Enzo Resta, a longtime resident and founder of the new Bolinas Film Festival, compared reaction to the loss of the post office with the so-called "hype cycle" around new technologies.

"There was the crash, where there was a lot of hope and indicators we would get it back  the peak of inflated expectations," he said. "When it got pushed a little further, we kind of went into the valley of despair, and we're just trying to crawl back out."

The Bolinas post office shut down on March 3, 2023. It had occupied half of an unadorned single-story wooden building on Brighton Avenue  most recently shared with a liquor store  for six decades.

The USPS already was a tenant when Gregg Welsh, of Ventura County, acquired the building about 50 years ago. His family trust currently owns it.

The relationship between landlord and tenant soured long ago.

Most people in Bolinas do not get home delivery and relied upon daily trips to the post office for their parcels, pension checks and mail-order prescriptions. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

According to a statement provided by Welsh through his attorney, Patrick Morris, the USPS for years violated its lease, which required it to maintain and repair the flooring at its own expense.

The postal service, the statement reads, discovered asbestos in the floor tiles in 1998, but essentially kept it hidden from the landlord for more than two decades and did not post warning signs for the public or employees.

When Welsh visited the Bolinas post office in late 2020, the statement reads, he saw worn and broken tiles and exposed, deteriorating subfloor materials.



The landlord and the postal service tussled over who should pay for repairs and asbestos abatement.

The USPS lease, according to the statement, ended in January 2022, with the parties still arguing over the floor. The postal service continued to occupy the building, sans lease, as a "tenant at sufferance."

Read more: Looking to vacation on the California coast? Marin County just made it harder

In a February 2023 email to USPS officials, which Morris provided to The Times, Morris said his client had not yet evicted the post office, in part because he had not wanted to deprive Bolinas residents of postal facilities before it could find a new location. But at that point, Welsh had had enough. He demanded the post office vacate the building within a month.

Kristina Uppal, a Bay Area-based spokeswoman for the USPS, did not respond to questions from The Times about accusations made by the landlord or about the alleged presence of asbestos in the building. She said the USPS was "forced from the old facility due to the unexpected termination of a lease," but that there are no plans to permanently close the Bolinas post office.

"We are just as eager to resume retail operations in Bolinas as the community and provide enhanced accessibility such as expanding street delivery to alleviate any inconvenience," Uppal wrote.

Residents want their post office back, but their trust in the USPS has frayed.

The dust-up in Bolinas comes as U.S. Postmaster Louis DeJoy, appointed when former President Trump was in the White House, is under fire for efforts to consolidate postal facilities. In a May letter, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators criticized his 10-year plan, Delivering for America, arguing that cost-cutting measures have degraded service and disproportionately affected rural communities.

Bolinas residents say they have had little direct communication from the USPS over the last 15 months. Bolinas, they note, had a post office since 1863, but townsfolk were given less than two weeks' notice before it closed.

Their mail has been bounced around  rerouted first to Olema, then to nearby Stinson Beach because of flooding, then back to Olema. Sometimes, their letters were left in unsecured bins on outdoor tables.

The relocation has been more than just an inconvenience for the town's elderly residents, many of whom cannot drive. There is little public transit, and more than half the town's residents are 65 or older.

People began reporting problems getting mail-order medication soon after the post office closed, according to the Marin County Board of Supervisors. They also have struggled to get lab results and healthcare coverage updates.

Borg, 62, is a type 1 diabetic who had his insulin delivered through the mail before the closure. Now, he said, package delivery is so iffy that he drives two hours round-trip to San Rafael each month to pick it up at a pharmacy.

Borg runs a small business, making stainless steel drinkware, and has had two five-figure checks for his company lost in the mail.

He said residents of the unincorporated town  which has no mayor or city attorney advocating on their behalf  had to band together to make their voices heard.

Appealing to the outside world is a tall order for a place so famously reclusive that, for years, a vigilante band called the Bolinas Border Patrol stole road signs on Highway 1 directing travelers into town. Once, when the California Department of Transportation tried painting BOLINAS on the blacktop, sneaky citizens promptly blacked them out with tar.

"We're a small village that kind of likes to keep to ourselves and deflect attention and not be super profile. But we're in the process where the town is changing," said Borg, noting that a growing share of Bolinas' limited housing stock is being used as second homes for the wealthy and short-term vacation rentals.

"The one thing that holds this place together is the post office."

There has been no viable commercial real estate in tiny Bolinas for the post office to move into permanently. And a 1971 water meter moratorium has effectively prohibited development for the last 53 years. The moratorium, which has been challenged and upheld in court, was put into place because Bolinas has a limited water supply, mostly coming from the Arroyo Hondo Creek in the Point Reyes National Seashore.

Last spring, residents drafted a detailed proposal for a temporary facility  a mobile office trailer on a parking lot next to the fire station  and offered to raise $50,000 for its installation.

Bolinas residents note they were given just two weeks' notice that their post office  a fixture in town since 1863  was closing. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

They sent the plan to a supportive Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), who shipped it to DeJoy. A spokesperson for Huffman said his office has been in frequent contact with the USPS and shares the community's frustration over the slow process.

Uppal, the USPS spokeswoman, said the agency has "reviewed proposals" and "will select a site that best meets our operational needs and can provide continued service to the community long term."

"I can confirm there is a potential option that is under review now," she wrote. She did not provide details.

Read more: There are no street addresses in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Some say it's time to change

In his written response to questions from The Times, Welsh, through his attorney, said there has been discussion with USPS about moving back into its former building. No further details were provided.

For now, Bolinas residents continue to haul up to Olema  and to lionize the simple pleasure of picking up their mail locally. Or, as one local poet put it in an ode penned for a "Save the Post Office" rally:

I have gossip to send to Tomales,



regrets to send to Limantour Beach.

But it's Bolinas  always Bolinas  I dream of finding



in the return address of a letter sent to me.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Defense lawyers rested their case Monday in Hunter Bidens federal criminal trial over allegations he lied on federal forms about his drug use to unlawfully purchase a gun in 2018.

The presidents son was not called as a witness to testify, amid speculation over whether he would take the stand, The Associated Press reported.

The defense called three witnesses last week, including Naomi Biden, Hunter Bidens daughter, who detailed her fathers drug use and stints in rehab.

Biden is facing three felony charges in Delaware, where he is accused of lying in 2018 on a mandatory firearm-purchase form on which he claimed he wasnt using or addicted to illegal drugs. He is also accused of purchasing the gun illegally while addicted to a controlled substance.

The charges were filed last fall after a plea deal fell apart amid criticism, notably from the right, that the deal was too lenient to Hunter Biden. He has pleaded not guilty to the three charges.

The prosecutors key witness was Hallie Biden, who was married to Hunter Bidens brother, Beau, before his 2015 death from cancer; Hallie had a romantic relationship with Hunter at the time of the firearm purchase. She told prosecutors she panicked when she discovered Hunter Bidens gun in 2018 and decided to discard the firearm in question.

Hallie Biden detailed Hunter Bidens drug use during the period in which they were romantically involved and revealed her brother-in-law introduced her to crack cocaine.

Mondays court session began with arguments between the two sides over the instructions that will be delivered to the jury before deliberations, the AP reported. The lawyers discussed how jurors can request to see certain physical evidence, including the gun, in the jury room, the AP added.

Hunter Bidens defense attorneys argued the proposed jury instructions featured overly expansive and amorphous definitions of what it means to be a drug user and to possess a firearm and could deny their client a fair trial.

If convicted on all three counts, Hunter Biden faces a maximum of 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines.

President Biden reaffirmed last week he would not pardon his son and would accept the outcome of the federal gun trial.

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Russian air defense terrorists in the temporarily occupied Crimea were ordered to evacuate their families from the peninsula. In particular, this order was given to the invaders who were part of the air defense system deployed in the village of Osovyny in Crimea.

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It is noteworthy that this development coincides with the relocation of air defense systems to the Belgorod region. This was reported by the military movement of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars "Atesh" on its Telegram channel.

Information about the evacuation of the occupiers' families from Crimea was received, in particular, by an "Atesh" agent who is part of the air defense system stationed in the village of Osovyny, located 10 km from Kerch.

The commanders were ordered to start evacuating the relatives of the occupiers to the military camps of the Southern Military District. "Atesh" emphasized that this order coincides with the relocation of air defense systems to the Belgorod region. This, in turn, poses a threat to the enemy's security in Crimea, leaving it without proper coverage.

It is also known that the Russian occupation army is forming new mobile air defense groups to combat UAVs. For this purpose, Putin's terrorists intend to use the Soviet anti-aircraft system ZU-23-2.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to "Atesh", such actions of the enemy indicate a strategic reorientation and preparation for new challenges in defense. At the same time, the Russians are gradually shifting their focus away from Crimea.

As a reminder, Ukrainian troops continue to systematically destroy Russian air defense in the temporarily occupied Crimea. In turn, the enemy is trying to strengthen its position on the Ukrainian peninsula.

Earlier it was reported that the terrorist country Russia began to actively strengthen the defense of the illegal Crimean bridge. The aggressor is trying to protect the structure from destruction. To do this, the Russians have installed additional barges near the bridge.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Just four years ago, following the murder of George Floyd, almost every college and university in the U.S. had at least one diversity, equity and inclusion  or DEI  program. Many had existed long before. These programs ranged from DEI-related degrees and professional training to resources for culturally, linguistically and neurologically diverse students. But in the last year and a half in almost every state, 159 institutions have reduced or eliminated these programs.

New legislation in states like Texas and Florida have banned DEI programs outright. In other states, institutions are shuttering programs preemptively to avoid political pressure. This will have lasting effects.

In Texas, dozens of professional faculty and staff have already been fired. Minority students have lost access to community groups, cultural centers and resources. Furthermore, following the Supreme Court ruling in 2023 that race could not be considered in admissions decisions, scholarships for students with diverse racial identities have disappeared.

Eliminating DEI programs could have serious consequences for teaching and learning. As a scholar who researches the relationship between identity and learning, my work has shown that inclusivity is a prerequisite for how students form their identities in relation to the content they learn. For example, learning math becomes especially difficult, if not impossible, if a student does not identify positively with the subject. Math identity isnt just based on competency. Its also based on societal expectations, such as stereotypes of who is most likely to become a mathematician based on demographics  including racial, ethnic and gender identities.

Why identity matters in learning

Research shows that Black students are more likely to stay in college and earn a degree if they attend a historically Black institution versus a predominantly white one. Why? Because learning isnt just about the curriculum offered. Its also about students feeling connected to and supported by their institutions. When institutions represent a single cultural identity, students with minority identities can feel excluded and are less likely to thrive.

Students do better when they have a sense of belonging. Ridofranz via Getty Images

In general, how we view ourselves relies heavily on external validation. In fact, child psychologists strongly caution parents from labeling children by their character traits or behavior so that their identities do not become prematurely limited. For learning to take place, students need to identify with the content, which becomes especially difficult when they feel like their identities are not welcomed in the learning environment.

Effective teaching emphasizes students identities in order to make important connections with the learning. For example, we know that fewer women graduate in STEM fields than men. This is not because they cant succeed in STEM  science, technology, engineering and math  but because they arent as likely to identify with the field. Many studies demonstrate that targeting students with certain identities for support increases their academic performance as well as the performance of other students.

More evidence of the link between identity and learning comes from the Gallup-Purdue Index. The large survey of more than 30,000 college graduates measured the academic experiences that most prepared them for life. Near the top of the results: My professors cared about me as a person. The goal of DEI programs is to make sure everyone feels cared about as a person. Eliminating these programs means further marginalization of students with specific identities who have historically faced discrimination.

How DEI programs ensure everyone gets to learn

Through my research, I have found that DEI training increases teachers awareness of diverse identities, helping them to design courses that are interesting and relevant to everyone. DEI programs also often include the creation of dedicated spaces and initiatives so that students can experience connection and support from other students like them, even when it feels like their identities are not otherwise welcome on campus.

A Gallup and Lumina Foundation report found that Black students are more likely to feel discriminated against than other students, and Black and Hispanic students are the most likely to have thought about stopping out. If all students do not feel safe and welcomed, they cannot learn.

Lawmakers can roll back DEI programs, but they cannot remove identity from the learning context. Colleges and universities continue to admit increasingly diverse student populations. Without programs of support, I believe these students are more likely to be harmed rather than helped by college.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: JT Torres, Washington and Lee University

Read more:



JT Torres does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Embattled Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) did a 180 on a crucial foreign policy issuesupport for the controversial Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement aimed at Israelin his bid to secure the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America, according to video of a campaign event last month.

Bowman, who represents a swath of the Bronx and the New York City suburbs, previously rankled some fellow DSA members by opposing the push to economically penalize Israel over its policies toward the Palestinians.

A visit to Israel, and a vote to underwrite the countrys Iron Dome missile defense system, nearly got Bowman booted from the left-wing group in his first term in Congress, even though he had warned the organization in a 2020 questionnaire that symbolic declarations of support for the BDS policy will not advance our cause of liberating oppressed people from colonialism.

Now facing a challenge in this months Democratic primary from an opponent backed by the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)and seeking the socialists help in turning out the voteBowman has taken a hard left turn.

At some point people like me and others, and I will do this, have to come out in support of BDS very publicly. I think it's critical for that to happen, especially at this time, the congressman, a former high school principal, told a DSA Zoom summit in late May, in a recording viewed by The Daily Beast.

Bowman did not say when this reversal would occur, and nobody on the call pressed for specifics. The volte-face would put Bowman in a narrow company of BDS-backers on Capitol Hill, including such fellow progressives as Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO).

Bowman further promised to not support additional funds for the Iron Dome system and alluded to controversy over his nay vote last fall on a House resolution thatas he put itclaimed what happened on October 7 was unprovoked.

"It's a genocide, it's famine, it's horrific, and it's evil, he said of Israelis devastating ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip following Hamas bloody attacks.

A spokesperson for Bowman's campaign, Lawrence Wang, told The Daily Beast: Like the Congressman said in his statement on HR771, he condemns both Hamas and the collective punishment [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahus government has wielded against innocent Palestinians.

The only way to end the cycle of violence is through a permanent ceasefire, the return of all hostages, and a real two-state solution so Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace.

Speaking during the DSA Zoom summit, Bowman highlighted his own status as a DSA member, contradicting his own offices claims last election cycle that he had allowed his dues to lapse. He argued his primary opponent, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, represented a threat to all their interests.

"We have a common enemy right now which is AIPAC, so let's form Voltron [a reference to a super robot from childrens TV] and fucking destroy them," he said. If we are able to win, god willing, we are going to see a collective paradigm shift for people across the country. Many are no longer going to be intimidated or afraid by the power structure in our political arena."

The New York City chapter of DSA, which endorsed Bowman after the meeting, did not respond to questions from The Daily Beast about how the congressmans comments impacted that decision.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  The U.S. Department of Labor recovered $253,000 from two Albuquerque seafood restaurants for illegally withholding part of workers tips and wages.

The department said the Crackin Crab locations on Pan American Freeway NE and Louisiana Boulevard NE broke federal law when they kept parts of tips that should have gone to 19 employees. The franchise restaurant also violated the overtime provisions by paying time and one-half the regular rate of pay after 80 hours in a pay period instead of time and one-half of the employees hourly wages for hours over 40 in a workweek.

New light-based art installations coming to downtown Albuquerque

Restaurant workers depend on their tips and overtime pay to support themselves and their families, said Albuquerque-based Department of Labor Wage and Hour District Director Evelyn Ortiz in a news release. Tips cannot be kept by the employer under any circumstances. The U.S. Department of Labor remains committed to protecting our nations workers.

The department also issued a fine of $616 in civil money penalties for withholding employee tips.

Crackin Crab operates seafood restaurants at four locations in New Mexico and two locations in Texas.

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Deputy chief commander of Ukraine's Armed Forces appointed commander of new Unmanned Systems Forces

Vadym Sukharevskyi, deputy commander-in-chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, was appointed the commander of the newly-created Unmanned Systems Forces on June 10, the General Staff reported.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov signed the decree on June 10, the General Staff said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree creating a separate branch of Ukraine's Armed Forces dedicated to drones on Feb. 6.

The Unmanned Systems Forces were created to improve Ukraine's work with drones, creating special drone-specific units, ramping up training, systemizing their use, increasing production, and pushing innovation.

As the deputy commander-in-chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, Sukharevskyi was responsible for the unmanned systems and the development of their usage on Ukraine's battlefield.

Drones have been a key tool in Ukraine's defense against Russia's war. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in January that surpassing Russia in drone operations is one of the top priorities in 2024.

Read also: Opinion: Ukraines naval drones are taking over the Black Sea

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Des Moines University and Benedictine University have entered a partnership to provide more access to students studying for a health care career. (Photo via Getty Images)

Des Moines University has partnered with the Illinois-based Benedictine University to offer more access to students seeking medical careers.

The medical university announced Monday that it would offer guaranteed interviews, reserved seats in certain programs and concurrent degrees to Benedictine University graduates, effective immediately. Benedictine University is a private, Catholic college with locations in Lisle, Illinois, and Mesa, Arizona.

DMU and Benedictine University share a common goal of creating opportunities for academically promising students and producing well-prepared professionals for medical and health science careers, said Molly Moeller, Des Moines University senior director of admissions, in a news release. These professionals are essential as they serve others and enhance our quality of life. DMU is thrilled to partner with BenU to open doors for these aspiring students.

Benedictine University graduates going into the medicine and health sciences field will have guaranteed interviews for roles in various Des Moines University areas of study, including the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Doctor of Biomedical Sciences programs.

Des Moines University will also reserve two seats each year for Benedictine University students in its Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Doctor of Occupational Therapy programs, according to the release. Students will be selected based on their academic excellence, experiences and recommendations from Benedictine University faculty.

Students must meet Des Moines University admissions requirements to qualify for the guaranteed interviews and reserved seats, according to the release.

For all undergraduate students and graduate students in Benedictine Universitys Master of Science in Integrative Physiology, Des Moines University will allow them to simultaneously earn credits in their main area of study and select graduate programs, such as the Doctor of Occupational Therapy and Master of Health Care Administration.

This partnership reflects our commitment to academic excellence and establishing pathways to help students achieve their academic and professional goals, said Joseph Foy, president of Benedictine University, in the release. By offering guaranteed interview spots, concurrent degree options and reserved seats in DMUs prestigious programs, we are equipping our students with the skills and opportunities necessary to become future leaders in health care.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis in a Monday Hialeah press conference boasted about increasing the budget for teacher salaries by nearly $202 million this year. He took advantage of the moment to launch a few attacks on the local teachers union, United Teachers of Dade.

The local teachers union representing 27,000 members is struggling to remain certified after the Republican-controlled Legislature last year passed a bill, SB 256, eliminating automatic deductions from members paychecks while also increasing the required threshold of paying members from 50 to 60%. This year, the Legislature also required in SB 1746 dues-paying members to fill out a membership form. Both laws are being fought in federal court on constitutional grounds by the Florida Education Association.

The United Teachers of Dade is one of over 100 local educational unions in the state to not meet the new threshold requirements, triggering a recertification vote under the new law, according to the Florida Education Association. That vote will be conducted by mail and is scheduled for Aug. 13 through Sep. 24. In that election, members will have the choice of representation by either United Teachers of Dade, the Miami-Dade Education Coalition, or no representation.

The Miami-Dade Education Coalition is reportedly backed by the conservative think tank, Freedom Foundation, headquartered in Olympia, Washington.

I know theres a decertification battle here in Miami-Dade and all I can say is that old union in Miami-Dade fought tooth and nail to keep kids locked out of school. They did not want kids in person during Covid, DeSantis said. And theyve worked really hard to push a political agenda, which is not what we need in our schools.

DeSantis added: You dont need them to raise pay. Were raising pay in spite of those unions, not because of them.

Anna Fusco, president of Broward Teachers Union, said the pay increase was needed, but still leaves gaps. The new teacher salary is increasing which leaves the veteran teachers and support staff at a stand still, she said.

The governor also took a direct jab at United Teachers of Dade President Karla Hernandez-Mats, claiming she makes almost $300,000 a year. Hernandez-Mats, who was on former Gov. Charlie Crists ticket when he challenged DeSantis in 2022, later said in a statement that she makes $181,723.

During a press conference organized by the Florida Education Association roughly two hours after DeSantis remarks, United Teachers of Dade First Vice President Antonio Tony White said he was taken aback by the governors comments.

Right now, were facing a concerted effort [by] right-wing advocates trying to eliminate teachers unions, trying to separate and divide us from our teachers, said White.

White said DeSantis and Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. had joined forces with the Freedom Foundation to create a phony front group  Miami-Dade Education Coalition. Miami-Dade was the only county in Florida targeted by this group, he said.

This is simply an attempt to strip us of our bargaining rights, said White.

DeSantis press office and Diaz did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication. (Diaz spoke at the Freedom Foundations First Annual Teacher Summit in Denver, Colorado last summer.)

This governor has consistently fallen short in boosting funding here to move Florida up in the rankings, White said. The truth of the matter is teacher salaries have simply declined each and every year in the state of Florida under this governors administration.

Florida ranks 16th in the nation for average teacher starting salary at $47,178 but it is last in the nation for average teacher salary overall at $53,098, according to the National Education Association. The state budget this year includes an increase of roughly $202 million for teacher-salary pay raises for both school districts and charter schools. This is on top of the the $1.05 billion allocated over the previous three years to maintain pay raises teachers have already received. Since DeSantis became governor in 2019, teachers have received nearly $4 billion in pay raises, according to his office.

In that same press conference, Reina Aitkens, a rising senior at Robinson High School in Hillsborough County said she went four months during her junior year without AP precalculus instruction after her teacher unexpectedly left because he could not afford to teach at our school anymore because his car broke down and he was paying over $1,000 in tolls to get to our school because he lived in Riverview.

We basically just went to class, did nothing every day. And when we finally did get a teacher, this was her first -time teaching and she had no experience, Aitkens said. So, most of us went into our AP exams feeling stressed because we didnt know the content.

Miami Herald higher education reporter Jimena Tavel contributed to this report.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida  Gov. Ron DeSantis has launched a new political committee to target a pair of ballot initiatives on abortion access and legalizing marijuana in Florida, as he looks to block policies Democrats believe will bring them back into relevancy in the state.

The committee  called the Florida Freedom Fund  was quietly launched late last month and its official chair is James Uthmeier, the governors chief of staff who also worked as campaign manager for DeSantis run for president.

The creation of the committee  which did not report raising any money in the final week of May  comes as DeSantis tries to reassert control over his home state after his failed presidential run. It reinforces that DeSantis primary political goal for the 2024 election is the defeat of the amendments, both of which have already raised millions of dollars.

A person familiar with DeSantis plans  but not authorized to speak publicly  said the political committee would not only target the two amendments, but also get involved in school board races.

As Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to lead our great state, the Florida Freedom Fund will be championing issues and candidates committed to preserving Floridians freedom, said Taryn Fenske, a spokesperson for the governor. From up and down ballot races to critical amendments, we're steadfast in our mission to keep Florida free.

DeSantis has also pledged to raise money for former President Donald Trump and is planning some fundraising trips to other states as part of that effort. But he has said that he does not anticipate doing a lot of campaigning for Trump in Florida because he contends the state will not be competitive for Democrats. A poll released by Fox News late last week, however, showed that Trump is only leading President Joe Biden by four points in a head-to-head matchup. That is just beyond the June polls margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

That same poll showed that the two amendments were poised to pass. The Fox News poll said that 69 percent of registered voters supported the abortion access measure, while 66 percent supported the initiative on marijuana. Florida initiatives need a yes vote of 60 percent or more to pass.

DeSantis has roundly criticized both initiatives as radical and extreme and has predicted that voters would ultimately reject them. But thus far, there has yet to be organized opposition to either ballot measure  something DeSantis' new political committee could rapidly change.



Smart & Safe Florida  the organization bankrolled by Floridas largest medical marijuana company that is sponsoring the pot initiative  has already begun running television ads urging voters to vote yes. A recent analysis by the ad tracking firm AdImpact showed that the organization had spent nearly $3.8 million on ads in May and June.

DeSantis shut down his previous state political committee right ahead of his presidential campaign. He raised more than $200 million into that committee, which eventually wound up transferring more than $80 million to Never Back Down, a super PAC set up to aid his run for president. DeSantis ended his presidential campaign after coming in a distant second to Trump in the Iowa caucuses.

Many in DeSantis orbit expect him to launch another run for president in 2028, two years after he will leave office due to term limits. The passage of two amendments could be seen as voters rejecting part of the Florida blueprint he has touted on the campaign trail the past two years.

Right before he ran for president, DeSantis signed into law a measure that banned abortion in the state after six weeks of pregnancy. The law did not take effect until May of this year because it was tied to a legal challenge that was before the Florida Supreme Court.

The abortion access amendment would guarantee abortion up to the point of viability, which is generally around 24 weeks.

Ahead of the 2022 elections, DeSantis waded into non-partisan school board races where he endorsed candidates and directed financial support in multiple races in order to help reshape counties like Miami-Dade and Sarasota. He and Republicans leaders, as well as the group Moms for Liberty, last year came up with a list of more than a dozen school board races they wanted to target during this election cycle.
HIALEAH, Fla. (WFLA)  Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a record $1.25 billion increase will be included in this years budget for teacher salary increases.

This is the most weve ever done in Florida history in terms of a teacher categorical, DeSantis said.

Since 2020, the governor said teacher pay in Florida has increased by $4.6 billion.

When I took office, the average minimum salary throughout the state of Florida was just a shade under $40,000, DeSantis said. We now have the average minimum teacher salary over $48,000. Thats up from about $39,000 five years ago.

The governors office said the average teacher salary exceeds $54,000.

DeSantis said teachers who live in areas where the cost of living is higher will start with a higher salary.

Floridas education system is number one in the nation, and we want to make sure good educators are attracted to Florida with attractive compensation, said DeSantis. I am proud to have invested more than $4 billion for teacher pay increases since the beginning of my time in office, and I will continue to push for increased funding for Floridas teachers.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Israeli hostage Noa Argamani, 26, embraces family members at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre, after her rescue by the Israeli army from captivity in the Gaza Strip. -/IDF Spokesperson's unit via GPO/dpa

Following her rescue by the Israeli army, new details have emerged about the conditions in which a 26-year-old woman, Noa Argamani, was held hostage in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli news website ynet wrote on Monday that the young woman had been taken from flat to flat in the Gaza Strip by her captors following her abduction from the Nova music festival on October 7.

On Saturday, she and three other hostages were freed in a dramatic military operation. According to the army, there were fierce clashes with armed Palestinians. The Hamas-controlled health authority says 274 Palestinians were killed during the operation.

Argamani was held after her kidnapping with two male hostages who were later killed, the news site reported. One is believed to have died in an Israeli attack, while the other was murdered by the kidnappers.

Ynet reported that Argamani told her family that she had seen a rocket hit the house and was afraid for her life.

According to the reports, Argamani learnt Arabic well during her time as a hostage. As a result, she became a kind of "representative" of other female hostages with whom she was temporarily held.

Argamani, who Israeli sources say was freed from a flat belonging to Palestinian civilians in the refugee neighbourhood of Nuseirat, had to cook and wash dishes for the family.

Since her release after 246 days in captivity, Argamani has been intensively involved in caring for her mother in hospital, the news site continued. The woman, who comes from China, is terminally ill with a fourth-degree brain tumour.

In recent months, she had repeatedly asked to see her daughter again. On Sunday, Argamani was alone with her mother in the treatment room for two hours. Her aunts had also travelled from China to meet her.

The father had reported that at the first meeting on Saturday, the mother had hardly been able to respond to her daughter due to her weakening condition.

"I think she understood that Noa had been released," the father said. "She just couldn't tell her what she wanted to tell her for eight months."

Israeli hostage Noa Argamani, 26, reacts while speaks on her phone at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre, after her rescue by the Israeli army from captivity in the Gaza Strip. -/IDF Spokesperson's unit via GPO/dpa
The Armed Forces of Ukraine will begin testing domestically produced guided aerial bombs (GABs). This will happen in a few weeks.

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This was stated by Serhiy Holubtsov, Chief of Aviation of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in an interview with Donbas Realii. He noted that work is currently underway to re-equip and create their own adjusted bombs, based on conventional free-fall bombs.

Holubtsov noted that they include design aspects: it is necessary to select a wing, a GPS module, and a control module.

"In a few weeks we are going to start the first tests of the first batches of such bombs, Ukrainian ones," added Holubtsov.

According to him, the Ukrainian Air Force is currently using Western-made GABs: GBU-39, GBU-62 of various calibers.

Holubtsov also said that these days the Ukrainian Armed Forces use 100-300 high-precision foreign bombs per month. While the Russians use 3000 per month.

The terrorist country Russia strikes at the civilian infrastructure of Ukraine on a daily basis, using, among other things, guided aerial bombs. More than three thousand of these unmanned aerial vehicles land on Ukrainians' heads every month. In May alone, the Russian fascists dropped 3,200 of these shells on our country.

ADVERTISIMENT

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- The day before, Zelensky spoke about progress in agreements on additional air defense systems and other weapons for Ukraine. It is also planned to produce 155 mm caliber shells in our country.

- The president also said that Russia had failed to implement the Kharkiv operation. He emphasized that the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully destroyed all Russian units that entered.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Robert Cramer expects to have new railcars in place for the Detroit People Mover in the next 18 months.

Thats the goal, at any rate.

I think that gives us a high likelihood of success, said Cramer, the general manager of the Detroit Transportation Corp., the entity that operates the system.

Technically, the cars would only be new to the People Mover, however. They would come from Toronto, where the Toronto Transit Commission operated a service similar to the People Mover until it was shut down in 2023.

Detroit City Council recently approved a resolution on $38.5 million in funding for the People Mover, which, Cramer said, would cover five years of a $6.5 million operating subsidy and $6 million to complete the acquisition of the train cars and get them ready to use on the People Movers 2.9-mile loop.

Views from the People Mover: Downtown Detroit then and now

The People Mover cruises by The Residences at Water Square on the former site of the Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

Cramer said the deal allows the People Mover to avoid a major and costly overhaul of the current fleet in the next five years or so. The Toronto train cars have gone through more extensive work than the 12 in Detroits fleet, which would cost millions of dollars per car to match, Cramer said.

People Mover's cars are the originals

Train cars are designed for decades of usage, but the People Movers fleet is original to the system that began operations in 1987. Any work that has been done has been on-site.

They have not left the house, Cramer said.

The next step would be an on-site inspection of Torontos 28-car fleet to choose which specific ones would head to Detroit. The plan is to select those train cars and then sign a contract with a company to do any necessary modifications in a way that all of the work can be done before they head here.

So, by the time they get to Detroit, theyll be ready for us to basically lift them up onto the track and then start our certification process, Cramer said, noting that switching out the cars, which would happen in pairs, should not require a complete shutdown of the People Mover. Instead, Cramer said it could be done outside normal operating hours, which could be adjusted early or late to accommodate whats necessary.

More: Detroit's QLINE streetcars to feature new advertising in deal over loan

Robert Cramer, general manager of the Detroit Transportation Corp., the entity that operates the Detroit People Mover, says he expects new cars for the People Mover, which were previously used by a similar system in Toronto, to be in operation here in the next 18 months.

What to do with the current People Mover fleet hasnt been decided. Theyd be replaced and retired, but whether they might find a home in storage for some possible future expansion is one of a number of ideas that have been floated. Space, however, is limited, Cramer said.

One key difference with the Toronto cars is that they have a driver cab, something Detroits cars dont have. The cabs wont be needed, however, and both use the same driverless systems, Cramer said. Detroits cars do have manual controls that can be accessed if necessary by staff.

The Toronto system is a more expansive transit operation than what exists in Detroit, including buses, streetcars and subway lines. The line that used the cars that will be coming to Detroit suffered a derailment, which sped up the time frame for shutting it down.

State money to study People Mover options

A 2023 CBC story noted that an investigation blamed the derailment on failed reaction anchor bolts, which hold the power rails in place.

Cramer said the incident had nothing to do with the cars themselves, and that the track condition was the main reason TTC shut down the line earlier than planned, in favor of a subway extension replacement.

We cleared that bar before we got this far in the process, he said of the decision to move forward with the purchase.

Cramer also spoke about a number of grants from the state that the system was receiving. One of those is an $800,000 grant to help the system scenario plan, as he has described it previously. Cramer said he expects to have a vendor for that effort selected by October.

The three legs of the stool that the study should consider, he said, are what the People Mover would look like if it was being designed today, what modifications could be made to the current footprint, including adding or subtracting stations and allowing two-way operations, and what enhancements are possible, such as expansion spurs and connections to other transit and mobility options.

More: Detroit People Mover to offer free rides in 2024

The process should provide a good "base level for the approximate costs and challenges of the various options to see how they might fit into city and resident priorities, Cramer said, not specifically to push expansion. Officials have previously told the Free Press that any expansion of the system would likely need to include federal money and possibly private partners.

Council member Gabriela Santiago-Romero, who made the motion to approve the resolution for the People Mover funding at the May 21 council meeting, said shes excited that the People Mover staff is taking a serious approach to a desire by her and other members of council to think more widely about mobility and connections to other options, including buses, for instance.

It makes sense to get the cars from Toronto, she said, because its an opportunity and it helps us maintain what we already have.

Im excited when it comes to any transit possibilities and excited that the team is thinking creatively about this, she said.

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit People Mover to get rail cars from Toronto Transit Commission
Did Hunter Biden 'knowingly' lie on his gun sale form? It's up to the jury to decide

After a week of trial testimony, a jury is now deliberating the felony firearms charges against Hunter Biden.

Testimony was brief Monday as defense attorneys offered no additional witnesses and the president's son elected not to testify. Hunter Biden, the first child of a sitting president to face criminal trial, faces three firearms felonies based on his purchase of a .38 revolver in October 2018.

Prosecutors contend that Hunter Biden lied about his drug use and addiction when he filled out a form to purchase the gun from a Talleyville gun shop, the root of two of the felonies. They also contend he illegally possessed the gun as a drug user for 11 days before Hallie Biden threw it in the trash at Janssen's Market in Greenville.

"If this evidence did not establish that Hunter Biden is a crack addict or an unlawful user, then nobody is a crack addict or unlawful user," Prosecutor Derek Hines told the jury.

Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, joined by his wife Melissa Cohen Biden, arrive to the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on June 10, 2024 in Wilmington, Delaware. The trial for Hunter Biden's felony gun charges resumes today with the defense's team.

The government spent a week presenting text messages showing drug deals, photos depicting drugs, excerpts from his memoir, and cash-withdrawal receipts that they contend show his active addiction from 2016 through 2019. They also called to the stand a parade of Hunter Biden's exes who spoke about observing his crack cocaine addiction, as well as the painful effects it had on their relationships.

As people once close to Hunter Biden took the stand, members of his family looked on from the gallery, including First Lady Jill Biden, who attended most days of the trial. Prosecutor Leo Wise seemed to address the strong show of family support in his first words to the jury during closings, telling them that seeing people they might know from the news is irrelevant to the verdict.

The only evidence in this case is what came from the witness stand and the physical and documentary evidence that has been admitted by Judge Noreika, Wise said.

At times, evidence showing the depths of Hunter Biden's addiction has felt aimed to embarrass or shame, something the defense attorney Abbe Lowell turned into an emotional appeal to the jury Thursday.

Recent: How a General Motors retiree picking trash in Delaware was thrust into Hunter Biden trial

He reminded the jury how prosecutors seemed to go out of their way to point out the age difference between him and one of his exes and noted prosecutors told the jury they were not prosecuting Hunter Biden for his drug use or addiction.

"Honestly, didnt that seem like exactly what they were doing?" Lowell said.

In defense, Lowell has tried to build a wall of sorts around October 2018, when Hunter Biden purchased the gun. He's conceded drug abuse and addiction were flagrant before and after, but in closing arguments emphasized Hunter Biden's August time in rehab in California followed by his return to Delaware that October, arguing his client was in a period of recovery.

Prosecutors must convince the jury that Hunter Biden knowingly lied on the form, so Lowell has argued that Hunter Biden didn't see himself as an addict or unlawful user when he allegedly lied about that on the gun form. The defense has taken great pains to compare mountains of evidence showing drug use in times predating and following that month to the relative dearth that exists just before and during October 2018.

Prosecutors cut at that theory Monday, arguing the defense's description of the law was too limited and also citing evidence directly from the time period in question.

Wise, one of the prosecutors, emphasized the testimony of Zoe Kestan, one of Hunter Biden's former lovers. Kestan testified that Hunter Biden smoked crack in Los Angeles in September 2018, weeks before he bought the gun at issue in the trial.

"You could convict on those facts alone," Wise said.

Lowell struck at her credibility, noting she testified as part of an immunity agreement from prosecutors and didn't mind taking Hunter Biden's money, doing drugs with him or helping him get drugs when he was attempting to get clean.

Prosecutors also referenced two text messages from two days after Hunter Biden bought the gun, in which he tells Hallie Biden he was waiting for a dealer and smoking crack. Lowell said his client was lying because he didn't want to see her at the time, which Wise told the jury not to believe.

He didnt have to make up this elaborate story about two drug deals, Wise said. You dont leave your common sense behind when you come into the jury box.

Prosecutors described the evidence as: personal, it was ugly and it was overwhelming. Wise later added that it may provoke disgust or sympathy or both. But both Hines and Wise emphasized accountability.

Choices have consequences and that is why we were here, Hines told the jury.

Lowell noted that the only person evidence showed ever took the gun out of a locked box was Hallie Biden when she made the "incredibly stupid" decision to throw the weapon in the trash. He pointed at Hunter Biden's response when she couldn't find it, arguing it didn't show someone who is a danger to public safety or a person using drugs.

He said, go inside and get the police, Lowell said, quoting one of Hunters text messages to Hallie Biden that day.

The jury deliberated for about an hour Monday and will continue Tuesday morning.

After jurors left for the day, Hunter Biden was in the court's hallway greeting supporters.

He told one: "It's going to be good, no matter what."

Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Fate of Hunter Biden gun charges now with a jury of 12 Delawareans
CLAYTON, Mo.  Did you recently receive a letter from Tom Lopach about your voter registration? The St. Louis County Board of Elections says that you should not be concerned but they are getting plenty of calls about the mail. An organization with the goal of increasing voter participation sent it.

While the voter registration cards are legitimate, the St. Louis County Election Board says that they are not responsible for sending them. You can turn them in to register to vote.

Who is Tom Lopach and whats this all about?

The Voter Participation Center is a non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 2003 to help people register and vote, assisting over 6 million people so far. Tom Lopach became CEO in 2020. The non-profit is trying to increase voter registration, especially among underrepresented groups.

Some election officials wish the mail campaigns would stop because of the flood of calls to their offices. Some are upset that the group is saying local election officials arent doing enough.

The Voter Participation Center spent over $100 million on mail and digital notices to boost voter turnout in 2020, significantly aiding President Bidens campaign. The organization helped 1.6 million people register to vote and 4.5 million apply for mail-in ballots, resulting in an estimated 272,000 additional votes. Targeting younger voters, minorities, and unmarried women, the group played a crucial role in increasing voter turnout, especially during the pandemic, without advocating for specific candidates.

The Voter Participation Center recently sent over 100,000 pieces of mail to encourage voter participation in Californias 20th Congressional Districts Special Election. Kevin McCarthys resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives prompted a special election to fill the vacancy. Republican Vince Fong won that race.

Should you turn in the voter registration cards?

The short answer is yes. Although, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen released a statement, calling the mail campaigns confusing. The state prefers voters to register through their website or the board of registrars. Mississippi released a similar statement, directing people to register through their website or at the county clerks office.

The Voter Participation Center responded, saying that any mail you receive from them can be used to register to vote. Voters who are already registered should disregard the messages.

You can always review your voter registration in Missouri on the Secretary of States website. They also have resources to check on upcoming elections.

Examples of the mailers from Mississippi:





Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
A North Texas congressman is asking the federal government to investigate the distressing pattern of inmate deaths and jail incidents at the Tarrant County Jail.

U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, a Fort Worth Democrat, asked the U.S. Department of Justice for the investigation following reports of deaths at the jail. Since 2017, 63 inmates have died at the jail or soon after experiencing a health crisis there, Veasey wrote in the letter, citing news reports.

From physical altercations to drug overdoses and even an unattended birth, the loss of any life within correctional facilities is intolerable and warrants immediate investigation and action, the letter reads.

Sheriff Bill Waybourn was not available for an interview, a spokesperson said. The Justice Department did not immediately return a request for comment.

Sheriffs Office data show that there were 63 inmate deaths between 2017 and April of this year, 11 of which were due to COVID and 32 from other natural causes. Four were attributed to fentanyl-related overdoses, three were accidental, six were suicides and one was a homicide. One death was caused by gunshot wounds from a shootout with U.S. marshals, the Sheriffs Office said.

 More top stories from our newsroom:

 Fort Worth wont consolidate these 7 middle schools. What happens now?

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 Anthony Johnson Jr.s death in Tarrant jail ruled a homicide

[Get our breaking news alerts.]

Among those whove died at the jail is Anthony Johnson Jr., whose death has been ruled a homicide. An autopsy report from the Tarrant County medical examiner found asphyxia from use of force and pepper spray as the cause of death. Johnson, a 31-year-old Marine veteran, died at the jail on April 21 after his arrest in Saginaw. He was having a schizophrenic episode when arrested, according to his family.

A partial video released by the Sheriffs Office shows a jailer placing a knee on Johnsons back for a minute and a half and multiple officers ignoring Johnson saying he could not breathe. Johnson was handcuffed and had been pepper sprayed following an altercation during a contraband check.

Two workers were fired and then reinstated for their roles in Johnsons death.

Detention Officer Rafael Moreno violated department policy by placing his knee on Johnson back after he was already in handcuffs, Waybourn has said. Lt. Joel Garcia was fired and then reinstated for his role as the commanding officer. He made decisions that resulted in a delayed response by medical staff, Waybourn said.

Attorneys for both have said they were reinstated because the Sheriffs Office didnt follow protocols. They expect them to be fired again under a proper process.

Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons has previously said she will request a Justice Department investigation into Johnsons death.

Veasey references Johnsons death in his letter, as well as the death of an inmate who died from a drug overdose just days before, Roderick Johnson, and the death of Harold Kent Roberts, who died Feb. 14 after experiencing a medical emergency.

Unfortunately, as noted here, these deaths appear to be part of a pattern of negligence and mismanagement from the leadership of Tarrant County Jail, the letter reads.

Veasey also calls attention to KaiYere Campbell, a 21-year-old inmate whose mother says he has the mental capacity of a young child. The mans mother, Shantel Taylor, is asking prosecutors to drop charges pending against him so he can get mental health care.

Veasey has requested to meet with the Justice Department to understand additional measures that could be taken to ensure the protection of incarcerated individuals and staff, according to the letter.

The loss of any life, particularly in the custody of the state, is a matter of grave concern that demands thorough scrutiny and immediate action, the letter reads.

Its imperative the Justice Department take action, Veasey said in the letter.

At this point, only an immediate investigation into the disturbing sequence of deaths at the facility can reinstate accountability in Tarrant County Jail, the letter reads.
Hoosier Democrats are set to hire more organizers and shore up data infrastructure. (Diy13 via iStock/Getty Images Plus)

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Monday announced $2 million in state party grants  including nearly $70,000 to Hoosier efforts  to support down-ballot races.

The Indiana Democratic Party hopes to break GOP supermajorities in the legislature.

The funds will go toward hiring organizers and improving data capabilities, according to a news release.

The Indiana House has 70 Republicans and 30 Democrats.

The Indiana Senate has 40 Republicans and 10 Democrats.

Everywhere Democrats are on the ballot this November  from the school board to the White House  were fighting to win, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said.

He called the investment a boost to the DNCs record-setting support for state parties under President (Joe) Biden. Under Biden and Harrisons leadership, according to the release, the DNC has increased its annual investment in state parties by 25%.

As we work hand in hand with the Biden-Harris campaign to hold the White House, were investing now to build infrastructure and win big up and down the ballot because we know the stakes couldnt be higher, Harrison continued.  These ongoing investments will drive Democratic wins so that we can safeguard our fundamental freedoms, be it in red, purple, or blue states across America.

Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl (Contributed photo)

The DNC said its already spent more than $535,000 in Indiana during the 2024 election cycle. It described the new grant as a boost.

The Indiana Democratic Party celebrated.

Were incredibly grateful for the extra investment that the Democratic Party is making in states across the country, including right here in Indiana, Chair Mike Schmuhl said in a statement.

Hoosier voters have a tremendous opportunity to bring balance back to our state and break the Republican supermajority at the Statehouse this November, he added. We look forward to bringing our message of local control, good governance, and health care freedom across the state in the months ahead.

Democrats in Indianas House and Senate have maintained a superminority for more than a decade, meaning they represent less than one-third of both legislative bodies. Republicans in both chambers dont need a single one present to conduct legislative business.

Democrats hope to break the supermajority, even launching a so-named tour with incumbents and candidates over the spring.

To do so in the House, the party would need to flip four Republican seats and keep hold of all of its current 30. Democrats are targeting five seats and playing defense on three, according to the DNC release.

Ending the supermajority is a taller order in the senate, however, where the party would need to flip seven seats and maintain its current 10.

The post DNC awards $70,000 to Indiana Democratic Party in down-ballot boost appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
DNC is infusing $2 million into state parties in push to win key down-ballot races and boost voter registration efforts

DNC is infusing $2 million into state parties in push to win key down-ballot races and boost voter registration efforts

The Democratic National Committee is furthering its commitment to state parties in the 2024 cycle.

National Democrats have set aside funding for organizational efforts to aid down-ballot candidates.

The national party is making key investments in a range of states, from Indiana to Texas.

The Democratic National Committee is spending nearly $2 million in additional targeted state investments to boost down-ballot candidates and fund critical voter registration efforts ahead of November.

The latest round of funding is part of the $20 million in investments the DNC has made in state parties this election cycle. This is a priority for President Joe Biden and party chair Jaime Harrison, even as the commander in chief faces a tough reelection fight against former President Donald Trump.

"Everywhere Democrats are on the ballot this November  from the school board to the White House  we're fighting to win," Harrison said in a statement.

Indiana and South Dakota are both controlled by Republicans at the statewide level, but the DNC sees them as prime targets for the party's latest investments.

In Indiana, the national party is making a five-figure investment to enhance the state party's organizing infrastructure  as local Democrats work to flip four legislative seats and crack the GOP supermajority in the state House of Representatives. As it stands, Democrats hold 30 of 100 seats in the lower chamber.

So far, the DNC has given $535,000 to Indiana Democrats this cycle.

In South Dakota, national Democrats are investing $70,000 in a critical voter registration program to boost turnout among Native Americans. The investment in the state now totals $477,000.

The DNC is also investing additional money for state parties in Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Washington State.

Some of the key down-ballot races the national party will target with the funding are the Maryland Senate contest between Democrat Angela Alsobrooks and former GOP Gov. Larry Hogan and the New Mexico 2nd Congressional District matchup between Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez and ex-GOP Rep. Yvette Herrell.

In Texas, the national party will spend an additional $45,000 on organizing efforts to boost voter registration before the fall. Republicans continue to retain their long-standing grip on Texas politics, and Democrats are looking to cultivate support among young and minority voters to counter the GOP edge in the state. Such an effort could prove especially critical in the fall as Democrats see an opportunity in Rep. Colin Allred's Senate candidacy against incumbent Ted Cruz.

The Trump campaign announced that it raised $141 million in May alongside the Republican National Committee, with tens of millions of dollars coming in after the former president's criminal conviction in his Manhattan hush-money trial. For much of this year, the RNC was largely strapped for cash, but it remained committed to important down-ballot Senate races in states like Montana and Ohio.

It's unclear at this stage how the RNC will respond to Democratic investments in non-presidential battlegrounds, but party leaders largely view Hogan's race as one of their best chances to run a competitive race in a deeply blue state.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Doctors working in Gaza have told The Daily Beast that the situation is now so desperate that they are being forced to use improvised surgical replacementsincluding medical implants taken out of other patients.

Many procedures, including childbirth, are being carried out without any anesthesia, or even painkillers.

Dr. Khalil Al-Digran, who works at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, told The Daily Beast that there has been a complete collapse of the health system and tens of thousands of patients need to be transferred out of Gaza for proper treatment.

Inside the war-torn enclave, he said, the shortage of medical equipment was now so acute that doctors in his hospital have often had to reuse titanium plates for setting bone fractures months after their initial use. These plates are sterilized and then used to treat fractures in other patients.

We urgently need more field hospitals, and the limited fuel supply can sustain operations for only a few hours each day, threatening the functionality of many medical devices and endangering more lives, he said.

Dr. Hossam Ouda, a dentist from Jordan, traveled to work at the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis. He said he encountered a patient with a jaw fracture needing surgery. He described how, due to the lack of specialized titanium plates, a dentist colleague, improvised by using a wire from a face mask for the procedure. The bone healed, and the wound closed successfully, he said.

A woman embraces another inside the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza on June 4, 2024. Bashar Taleb/AFP via Getty Images

The Ministry of Health reported that over 500 of its staff have been killed during the ongoing war and many of the foreign doctors who volunteered in Gaza have now fled. The U.S. State Department confirmed last month that the U.S. Embassy in Israel had helped to evacuate 17 out of 20 American doctors still working in Gaza. Three chose to stay to continue providing medical assistance.

A larger group of Jordanian doctors have remained in Gaza, bravely working through the horror.

Israel Is Right Now Turning Our Nightmare Into Reality

Ali Abu Qorma, who has been trapped in Gaza since his arrival last April, is a surgical expert specializing in endoscopic surgery and obesity surgery and is still working at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, the only hospital in Deir al-Balah, serving the central region of the Gaza Strip.

He said he arrived with a Jordanian medical delegation consisting of four surgical nurses, two anaesthesiologists, and other surgeons, but they are facing a huge shortage of medical supplies.

An Israeli air strike targets a residential building in the city of Bureij in the central Gaza on June 3, 2024. Bashar Taleb/AFP via Getty Images

The health-care situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The health sector is completely collapsed. There is a severe shortage of medical staff. There are no surgical instruments for general surgery or orthopedic surgery. Even the gloves we need for operations are missing, he told The Daily Beast.

The closure of the [Rafah] crossing is a death sentence for patients who need to be transferred for treatment abroad. The medical supplies we brought with us have run out, and we were hoping that additional medical staff would join us, but the closure of the crossing prevents new medical personnel from entering.

Younis Haj Saleh, operations manager for the Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM), who arrived in Gaza on April 29, told The Daily Beast the situation was far worse than anything imagined or seen on television, compounded by natural, sanitary, and humanitarian disasters.

Hospitals are overcrowded and dangerous, with displaced people staying among injured patients or in tents in the corridors, doorways, and rooms, making it unsafe to perform operations or for patients to recover. More medical supplies and staff are urgently needed, he said.

Mourners gather next to the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes during their funeral at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah, in central Gaza. Doaa Rouqa/Reuters

Dr. Aseel Jallad, an obstetrician and gynecologist, left her two children in Jordan to join the medical team on their mission to save lives in Rafah. The suffering of the women is indescribable. They give birth without painkillers, luxuries that women around the world use but are unavailable in Gaza. Tears are shed in silence there, to the point that I would cry while helping women give birth. Their strength amidst such hardship is truly a miracle, she told The Daily Beast.

She said most women arriving at the hospital look pale due to malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies. Some have only one meal a day, and many suffer from severe anemia with levels as low as 4 [on a grading from 1 to 5], requiring blood transfusions instead of iron supplements, she said.

Dr. Aseel said there were no tests available and limited medication. Surgical supplies are scarce, for instance we have to work with whatever thread we can find to stop bleeding during surgeries. We utilize whatever is available to complete surgical procedures, she said. We repurposed COVID-19 protective gear as surgical covers. Gloves are re-sterilized for reuse due to their scarcity. Surgical tools are sanitized for reuse due to material shortages.

We were helping an average between 10 and 15 women to deliver birth daily without any anesthesia, with only one medical bed available, and if necessary, we would use a regular bed.

There is a complete lack of resources for blood tests, making it impossible to determine if there are liver function issues or blood disorders. There is also no treatment for hypertension and diabetes. Some women dont even know their exact stage of pregnancy due to the lack of medical checkups, she explained.

While preparing one woman for childbirth, Dr. Aseel said she had tried to lighten the mood by joking with her. Noting that the woman already had three children, she asked, Aren't you tired? The exhausted woman replied, No, I want more children, and we want a boy to replace the lives we have lost during this war.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  A group of medical professionals vacationing in Florida rushed to help a teen girl who was attacked by a shark on Friday.

The incident happened at Rosemary Beach in Walton County. Two 15-year-old girls were in waist-deep water with some friends when they were attacked, the South Walton Fire District said.

One of the girls suffered serious injuries to her upper leg and hand, while the other girl had only minor foot injuries, according to officials.

Ryan Forbess and Mohammad Ali are both doctors and friends who vacation in the area every summer with their families. They were boogie boarding with their kids when they heard people panicking on the shore, the pair told Nexstars WKRG.

We all started running out of the water, Forbess said. I grabbed my son. He grabbed his daughter, and then I looked over to the left as we were getting to the beach, and I saw cloudy red water from the shark attack.

Multiple shark attacks reported in Florida panhandle

When they got back to the shore, their medical training kicked in immediately. Some EMTs and trauma nurses, who were also on vacation, ran over to help as well.

The group tied tourniquets on the teens leg and hand and applied pressure to her wounds.

When I looked down at her and saw the severity of the injury, I realized that anybody with any kind of medical knowledge needed to help, Ali said.

Forbess and Ali said they didnt know the other medical professionals who helped the girl, but at the time, it didnt matter because they all had one goal in mind: saving her life.

We mightve as well worked with them for years, Forbess said. It was amazing. Kind of  it was Gods will that everyone was there to help at the same time.

Forbes and Ali talked to the family after the girl was admitted to the hospital. They are told she is expected to survive.

Video: Bull hops fence, injures 3 people at Oregon rodeo

Less than two hours before this attack, officials said a 45-year-old woman was bitten by a shark near WaterSound Beach, located about 2 miles away from Rosemary Beach. She had critical injuries on her midsection and arm, and part of her arm had to be amputated, South Walton Fire Chief Ryan Crawford said at a news briefing. She was flown to a trauma center.

On Saturday, Walton County sheriffs deputies patrolling the waters in a boat spotted a 14-foot hammerhead shark near Santa Rosa Beach, which they said is not unusual. Sheriffs officials say they dont know what type of shark attacked the swimmers on Friday.

We want to reiterate that sharks are always present in the Gulf, the sheriffs office said in a Saturday post on social media. Swimmers and beachgoers should be cautious when swimming and stay aware of their surroundings.

Shark attacks are rare, according to experts. There were 69 unprovoked bites last year worldwide, and 10 of those were fatal, according to the University of Floridas International Shark Attack File. That was higher than the recent average of six deaths per year.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
MAGA Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene took the stage before Donald Trumps campaign speech in Las Vegas on Sunday, and the Georgia Republican aimed to stoke outrage with her words, as opposed to make logical sense.

If you think gas prices are high now, just wait until youre forced to drive an electric vehicle, she shouted into the microphone. Greene waited a moment to let her word salad sink in and grinned as the crowd began to boo.

Marjorie Taylor Greene in Las Vegas complains that "if you think gas prices are high now, just wait until you're forced to drive an electric vehicle."



Does she ... does she think EVs are powered by gas? pic.twitter.com/VhKfLoEqX1  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 9, 2024

Could they even understand why, or had the confused alchemy of her buzz words worked their magic? Either way, the crowd at Sunset Park appeared to follow her down her rabbit hole.



To try to imagine what Greene actually meant by this comment would be a disservice to the facts, which are that gas prices are down this month, and that electric vehicles dont actually use gas, as Greene seems to imply. While its cheaper to buy a gas-guzzling car, its ultimately less expensive to power and maintain an E.V.again, widely understood to be powered by electricity, as the name suggests.

Greene grinned as she looked out onto the booing crowd, and put her hand up as if to say I know thats right! instead of simply spewing a list of meaningless words to describe a nonexistent grievance.
HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Hawkins County Schools was deliberately indifferent to known race-based harassment in its schools and will spend at least three years under a federal settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), a DOJ release says.

Hawkins Co. BOE settles lawsuit alleging racial bullying to tune of $110K

The settlement agreement follows a DOJ investigation into 16 incidents of alleged race-based harassment and/or violence at Church Hill Middle School that occurred during the 2021-22 school year as well as nine the following school year at a high school. A federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of a student prompted the investigation.

The settlement agreement, which requires the system to hire a compliance officer starting next school year, notes in its introduction that the school system disagrees with DOJs findings related to the allegations. It also says the school system disagrees that it or its agents acted with deliberate indifference.

According to the DOJ, an investigation found a racially hostile environment had been created in Hawkins County Schools. Incidents that contributed to that environment included a mock slave auction of Black students, the repeated use of the N-word by white students and a monkey of the month campaign meant to ridicule Black students, the DOJ reports.

In a news release, the DOJ stated that while the school district did take some steps to acknowledge some harassment, the response was ultimately insufficient to protect the Black students Constitutional rights.

No student should endure mock slave auctions or racial slurs meant to invoke a shameful period in our countrys history when Black people were treated as subhuman. Racial harassment undermines a students ability to feel safe, eliminates any hope for fostering a supportive educational environment and violates the Constitutions most basic promise of equal protection. The Justice Department remains committed to protecting the civil rights of all students and will ensure that Hawkins County Schools takes all actions necessary to end racial discrimination in its schools. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division

The investigation began in March 2023 after a since-settled lawsuit, Qualls v. Hawkins County Schools, was filed. The case primarily revolves around a student identified as K.R., who reportedly was the recipient of the bulk of the harassment. The DOJ stated Hawkins County Schools fully cooperated and was eager to pursue an agreement to the findings.

Mother cites racial bullying in lawsuit against Hawkins Co. Schools

As part of the agreement, which can be read in its entirety further below, Hawkins County Schools is required to put the following new reforms in place:

Hiring a compliance officer to oversee the effective resolution of race discrimination and harassment complaints;

Retaining a consultant to support the school district in implementing the agreement and creating a discrimination-free learning environment for all;

Creating a new electronic reporting portal to track and manage complaints and the districts response to complaints;

Updating its racial harassment and school discipline policies to more accurately track and consistently respond to complaints of race-based harassment;

Training staff on how to identify, investigate and respond to complaints of racial harassment and discriminatory discipline practices;

Informing students and parents of how to report harassment and discrimination;

Implementing listening sessions, school climate surveys, training and educational events on identifying and preventing race discrimination, including discriminatory harassment; and

Analyzing discipline data and amending policies to ensure non-discriminatory enforcement of discipline policies.

The full agreement can be read here:

Doj-hcs Settlement Agreement 0 by Murry Lee on Scribd

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Hawkins County Schools Superintendent Matt Hixson provided News Channel 11 with the following statement:

As noted within the Agreement with the Department of Justice itself, Hawkins County Schools disagrees with the Departments findings and conclusions related to allegations of race-based harassment and/or violence, and disagrees that it or its agents acted with deliberate indifference. Our school system is  and always has been  dedicated to serving and protecting all students, regardless of race. Therefore, we entered into the Agreement with DOJ to continue pursuing those same goals, and we look forward to working with the Department regarding the same in the future. Matt Hixson, Hawkins County Schools Superintendent

In a letter to the school districts legal representation, the DOJ detailed discrimination in two schools during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years.

Probe reveals mock slave auctions, KKK drawing, more

The DOJ requested all documents and materials related to the allegations, roughly 2,000 pages worth along with audio and video recordings.

In total, the DOJ identified 16 incidents of race-based harassment or violence at a district middle school during the 2021-22 school year. Those included instances such as a slave auction, a KKK drawing, swastika graffiti found by a staff member and numerous comments that either included the use of the N-word or the term monkey.

Nine additional incidents occurred during the 2022-23 school year at a high school in Hawkins County, the DOJ stated in the letter. In addition to multiple racially charged comments, one of the instances included a threat of death to K.R., according to the letter.

The DOJ found in its legal analysis that Hawkins County Schools had been deliberately indifferent to the harassment, which was so severe it deprived K.R. of access to educational opportunities. The letter also claims the school district failed to promptly investigate the allegations and comply with its own policy.

According to the DOJ, the school district failed to appropriately respond and modify its response. In addition, the DOJ stated Hawkins County Schools discouraged reporting the harassment and even took part in retaliatory behavior.

In at least one instance, school officials discouraged further reporting and engaged in

retaliatory behavior, the letter reads.

Hawkins Co. BOE continues to deny indifference to alleged racial bullying

The DOJ cited an audio recording during which K.R. had been harassed by a KKK drawing that was circulated at lunch, after which the student took concerns to an administrator in March 2022. The administrator reportedly brought up previous behavior by K.R. and said and I didnt make a big deal

The letter states the district also failed to follow through on its three proposed remedies to the hostile environment. District officials had reportedly told impacted parties that the harassed student would identify two trusted adults that concerns could be brought to instead of administrators. Hawkins County Schools would also partner with STARS of Nashville to host an antibullying program and speak with specific groups of students who had harassed Black students. The district had also proposed consulting with the local NAACP chapter and ask the state to review the response to the issues.

None of these solutions materialized in full, the letter states.

The DOJ wrote there was no indication that administrators at the middle school responded to any of the complaints made to trusted adults. STARS of Nashville did host one event, but targeted interventions of some students did not take place, the letter states. Aside from an initial meeting, the NAACP was reportedly not brought in for advice or support, and the state did not review the way the incidents were handled due to pending litigation.

An administrator at the middle school in question did address students and employees at a school assembly and sent statements to parents by email and report cards. The statements featured reminders about Hawkins County Schools harassment policy and made reference to some racial issues, according to the letter.

However, the DOJ claims the racial harassment did not stop or slow down after the assembly.

By entering into the agreement, the United States has agreed to close the investigation without further enforcement.

The agreement will remain in effect until the district has been found to be in full compliance with all obligations. Both parties expect Hawkins County Schools to be in full compliance by May 2027.

When the initial Qualls v. Hawkins County Schools lawsuit was settled, the school board agreed to pay $110,000 to the court, with nearly $60,000 being deposited into an account for the educational needs of K.R.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
The network showed satellite photos of a military facility destroyed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Dzhankoy in the temporarily occupied Crimea. It is currently difficult to determine the exact type of equipment destroyed, but it is likely to be an S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system.

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Planet Labs published the satellite images on the Schemes Telegram channel. They show the aftermath of a large-scale fire near the railway in Dzhankoy. Ukrainian forces struck the peninsula on the night of June 10.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine commented on the attack, noting that the enemy did not intercept any of the missiles fired by its "highly effective" air defense. The Schemes journalists noted that the quality of the satellite images does not allow them to determine the exact type of damaged equipment, but it is clear that the object appeared here in May 2024, and later fortifications were also built nearby.

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Military expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi suggested that the Russian "Podlyot" radar system could have been located at the site of the arrival. In particular, it is used in conjunction with the S-300 and S-400. At the same time, military expert Mykhailo Zhyrokhov believes that there was no point in deploying the radar in this location, and therefore it could have been another military facility.

The General Staff also noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces hit two S-300 anti-aircraft missile divisions located near Chornomorske and Yevpatoriya in occupied Crimea. After the strikes by Ukrainian missile launchers in the "cotton" areas, the radar systems immediately stopped working.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Because we keep hearing so much about how convicted felon Donald Trump is doing "outreach" to Black voters, much of the press assumed that was what was going on with a recent Bronx rally where Trump made a big deal of appearing with a few D-list rappers who are facing criminal charges of their own. "Courting Black Voters, Trump Turns to Rappers Accused in Gang Murder Plot," declared the headline at the New York Times, which characterized the event as "clumsy" while taking Trump's purported overtures to Black voters at face value. Most outlets did, even though the rally itself was rather small.

This follows Trump and his media allies repeatedly claiming that his 2023 mug shot, from his arrest in Georgia on charges related to his attempt to steal the 2020 presidential election, would endear him to Black voters. "Thats why the Black people like me," Trump said of his mug shot," because they see whats happening to me happens to them." Fact check: While there are a couple of Black defendants who were in the conspiracy, the vast majority of people charged with crimes related to the coup or the January 6 insurrection are white.

Trump's invocation of "the Black people" should be your first clue, but despite all the "outreach" chatter, such stunts and rhetorical gambits are not really meant to appeal to Black voters themselves. Sure, Trump would like to grab a few people of color caught up in these theatrics, but that's not the intended audience for this. The actual target was neatly illustrated last week when dopey white bro icon, Joe Rogan, gloated on his disturbingly popular podcast, "So many rappers are showing support for Trump now. Its crazy. Cause now hes got a felony." Fellow pasty white "comedian" Tony Hinchcliffe, in a cloud of marijuana smoke, replied on behalf of the Black community with, "I dont think they were counting on the black voter" supposedly relating to Trump being convicted for leading an election interference conspiracy.

In reality, polls show the opposite: 20% of Black voters who previously said they were backing Trump say they are now switching to Biden.

Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only.

What Trump's doing is not outreach to Black voters. It's old-fashioned racist trolling, meant to appeal primarily to white right-wingers by validating their stereotypes. As a side benefit to MAGA jerks, it puts many Black pundits and politicians in the uncomfortable position of being asked repeatedly to respond to these provocations. As Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post wrote, "I guess hearing African Americans stereotyped as ignorant, gullible and criminally inclined doesnt bother some folks." I'm glad he's here to state it so plainly, but it's frustrating that he has to step up to call out what should be obvious.

This is also the context in which Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., decided to audition to be Trump's running mate by arguing Black people were doing better under Jim Crow. At what was ostensibly a Republican outreach event to Black voters in Philadelphia, Donalds said, "You see, during Jim Crow, the Black family was together," and also that "more Black people voted conservatively." Notably, the statement overlooked how Jim Crow laws banned most Black people from voting in the South. He said things have gone downhill since President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act that ended Jim Crow.

His remarks drew sharp rebuke from Democrats, like Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who said, "We were not better off when people could be systematically lynched without consequence." Donalds unsurprisingly doubled down however, insisting it's not pro-segregation to say "the marriage rates were better in the  higher, higher, I want to be clear  higher in the Jim Crow era."

But this is a disingenuous argument. Marriage rates have nothing to do with voting rights and desegregation. By saying otherwise, Donalds is plugging into a long history of white supremacist claims that Black people aren't responsible enough to handle freedom. (For what it's worth, marriage rates are down for people of all races from a high in the 1950s.) But he's also trying to start big, public fights with prominent Black politicians and pundits, in order to get praise from Trump and other MAGA types. That's why he appeared not just on the liberal network MSNBC, but specifically on Joy Reid's show. Being seen condescendingly explaining Jim Crow to a Black woman is how to win over the worst white people.

Donalds is also Black, which is key to this trolling strategy. Writing about that aspect for the New York Times, columnist Charles Blow pointed out that many of the rappers Trump has recruited to praise him publicly aren't really aligned with Trump for ideological reasons. Instead, the relationships are "transactional," he writes. Lil Wayne, for instance, was willing to praise Trump and pose for a picture with him in 2020, but tellingly only right before Trump pardoned Wayne on a federal gun charge. That "certainly looked a lot like a quid pro quo," Blow wrote. Snoop Dogg used to criticize Trump, but after Trump commuted a federal sentence for a long-time friend and colleague of the rapper's, Snoop offered Trump a public compliment.

As Blow noted, giving out a handful of pardons to rich celebrities and music industry executives does "nothing to alter the predation of the system" of justice that disproportionately targets people of color, often imposing harsh prison sentences for low-level crimes that wouldn't even rate an investigation for a white transgressor. Nor is it justice to the people who get these favors because, as Blow points out, the acts are "not so much bestowed as traded for loyalty, creating unwritten indentureship for the recipients."

The main audience for that is white racists. They like seeing Trump condescend to Black celebrities, particularly those they may resent for having more talent and success than they do. They like Trump reinforcing racist stereotypes. They especially enjoy using these gestures to troll progressives with bad faith arguments about how Trump is some magnanimous savior figure, instead of what he is: a lifelong racist who repeatedly argues for an even harsher justice system.

The bad news is that Trump and his allies have no shame and know no limits, and so will keep up these race-baiting antics. The good news is that white liberals like myself can do more to blunt the power of this racist trolling, instead of just leaving it up to Black pundits and politicians to do all the work. The first step is recognizing this behavior as trolling. That creates an avenue to call it out, without having deal with conversations about race that can sometimes feel fraught for people who may not feel they have the knowledge or experience to speak in great depth or nuance. No need to be armed with books of statistics or a doctorate in sociology. Just go meta: Point out that Trump is doing Racist Theater for the benefit of bigoted white people, and that it's gross. Sometimes the most effective pushback is the simplest.
The election race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump is heating up, as both individuals continue to hold campaign rallies nationwide.

Recently, the former President of the United States held a rally in Las Vegas, where he bashed Biden and advocated why he should become the 47th President.

During the Las Vegas rally, former President Donald Trump, 77, also told the crowd that MAGA supporters would choose "suicide over Biden."

Donald Trump Holds Las Vegas Rally

MEGA

Former President Donald Trump held a rally in Las Vegas on June 9, where he seemingly told the crowd all he cares about is votes.

"I don't want anybody going on me," he said, according to People Magazine. "We need every voter. I don't care about you. I just want your vote. I don't care."

He later claimed that the media would find a way to twist his words.

Donald Trump Claims MAGA Supports Will Choose 'Suicide Over Biden'

MEGA

During his Las Vegas rally, Donald Trump also claimed that die-hard MAGA supporters would choose "suicide before Biden."

Wouldnt it be incrediblehes gone to 250if he voted for Biden? he said, according to a clip from the rally. Hes going to vote for Biden? I dont think so. It would be suicide before Biden, right?

Researcher Noelle Cook couldn't believe what she had heard. In Las Vegas, Trump points to a follower in the audience that he calls front row Joe and then tells the crowd that it would be suicide before Biden got Joe's vote, Cook posted on X. He gets more dangerous by the day.

In addition to Biden, Donald Trump also spoke about the January 6 Capitol riots.

They were really, more than anything else, they are victims of what happened. All they were doing [was] protesting a rigged election. Thats what they were doing. And then the police say, go in, go in, go in, go in, the former President said. What a setup that was. A horrible, horrible thing.

Close Race Between Biden And Trump

MEGA

According to USA Today, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are neck-and-neck among voters nationwide. However, earlier this month, The Blast reported that the 77-year-old suffered a significant decline in the polls 48 hours after receiving a guilty verdict.

After the jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts in the hush-money New York trial, he became the first U.S. ex-president to be convicted of a felony crime.

"We are a nation in decline, serious decline of people pouring into our country right now. From prisons and from mental institutions. Terrorists, and they're taking over our country," Donald Trump said outside the courthouse moments after the jury read the historical verdict.

"We have a country that's in big trouble, but this was a rigged decision right from day one. With a conflicted judge who should have never been allowed to try this case never. And we will fight for our constitution. This is more from over. Thank you very much," Trump added.

Donald Trump Found Guilty

MEGA

The jury in Donald Trump's hush-money trial, consisting of seven men and six women from New York, concluded that Trump had falsified records to conceal the real purpose of funds provided to Michael D. Cohen. They took two days to deliberate.

Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

Joe Biden Reacts To Donald Trump's Guilty Verdict

MEGA

Shortly after Donald Trump was found guilty, a spokesperson for President Joe Biden released a statement.

"In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law," Biden-Harris Communications Director Michael Tyler said. "Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain."

"But today's verdict does not change the fact that the American people face a simple reality. There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box. Convicted felon or not, Trump will be the Republican nominee for President," the statement added.

Trump's sentencing has been scheduled for July 11, 2024.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, or texting STRENGTH to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
Phil McGraw, aka Dr. Phil, asked Donald Trump how his wife, Melania Trump, is holding up right now.

The former president was earlier this month found guilty of all 34 charges in his hush money trial stemming from an alleged affair with porn actor Stormy Daniels. The presumptive GOP presidential nominee will be sentenced on July 11. He also faces three other criminal cases.

I think good, but I dont think its an easy thing for her, Trump replied in the interview released Thursday. And I think if it wasnt good, she wouldnt want to tell me about it, to be honest with you. Because, you know, she sees that Im fighting like hell.

Trump then pivoted to regurgitating campaign talking points.

Im trying to become president and make America great again. Thats what were going to do, he said. Were going to make America great again. Theyve put tremendous obstacles in our way, including the 20 million people that are going to be in here by the time this guy gets out. Its an election we have to win. Were not going to have a country left if we dont win this election.

Earlier in the interview, Trump called the former first lady a wonderful wife and said its not easy for her to read this kind of stuff thats fake, thats fake stuff.

He added, But thats the way it is. It certainly is not a good thing. And it, yeah, it affects me more than it would if it were just about me. I wish it could be just about me.

McGraw also asked Trump if he ever thought the toll the negative coverage may take on his family is too much?

I havent really, Trump replied, claiming his relatives want him to run because the country is in trouble.

Watch from the 54:30 mark here:

Related...
Have you been to the Trump Ocean Resort Baja Mexico? Its absolutely lovely; you must visit one of these days. I did, a little while back. Let me tell you all about it. The resort is in Mexico, just over the border with the United States and southwest of TJ, as Tijuana is generally known to locals from both nations. My visit took place during a family trip through Baja. I had to go, to see what golden glories Donald Trump had foisted on this nation of supposed bad hombres.

It was bad, hombre. Trump Ocean Resort Baja Mexico cannot, it is my unfortunate duty to report, be called one of the more luxurious hideaways in the vicinity of the Punta Bandera wastewater treatment plant. What it can be called is a huge, muddy hole with glorious views of the Pacific, only no bungalows or hotel rooms or even beach chairs from which those views could be enjoyed. There was a chain-link fence, an empty guard booth, and nothing else. I lingered for a few moments, while the rest of my family waited in the rental car. I dont know if my wife explained to the children; I dont know if there was much to explain. Daddy was chasing after Trumps wealth, and chasing after Trumps wealth sometimes took you to unusual places. At least I didnt drag them to Azerbaijan.

Trump Baja is a classic Trumpian swindle: grandiose promises that shatter like cheap glass against the hard, unyielding edges of reality. For a man who became famous for his forays into the brick-and-mortar business of real estate, Trump has thrived and survived by jumping from one lily pad of fantasy to another, saved at critical moments during his career by bankruptcies and loans, not to mention ordinary Americans willing to hand him their money and their trust.

But as Trump runs for president for the third straight time, his political and business fortunes are headed for an unpredictable collision. His decades of making grifting look like business acumen could be coming to an end, thanks to a number of civil and criminal cases that could not only extract hundreds of millions of dollars from him but hinder him from campaigningand possibly even put him in prison.

Trumps career has been to go from business fraud to election fraud, said Norman L. Eisen, who advised the House Judiciary Committee on the first Trump impeachment and remains a strong critic of the former president. The bill is finally coming due. Its starting to be paid.

Then again, Trump is not exactly known for paying his bills. And this time around, the whole nation could be on the losing end. The cases brought against him by special counsel Jack Smith (one for whisking classified documents away to Mar-a-Lago, the other for his role in instigating the January 6, 2021, insurrection) are devastating. Or should be, at any rate, except Trumps attorneys have successfully delayed both (having a Trump-appointed judge helps). Then theres an election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, where District Attorney Fani Willis has Trump dead to rights committing fraud. Only her ill-advised decision to hire an attorney with whom she was having a romantic relationship to work on the Trump case turned into a disaster of its own, not to mention a media circus. So now that case is in limbo, too.

The delay-delay-delay-and-then-delay-some-more approach was their absolute best play. And they worked it to almost complete perfection, said Bradley P. Moss, a Washington, D.C., attorney and a frequent Trump critic. Almost, but not entirely: In late May, Trump became a convicted felon when a Manhattan jury found him guilty in the Stormy Daniels hush money case. (Trumps campaign did not respond to a request for comment from The New Republic.)

Over the years, I have come to think of Trump as an autoimmune disease, very much a product of our own body politic. And as is the case with such afflictions, he is curiously resistant to ordinary treatments. In fact, they only make him stronger. Which is to say that Trump could emerge in October having been found not guilty in at least one trial, and with the rest receding into the distance, shackled by motions and countermotions.

He would be vindicated and vindictive, ready to use the federal government to punish his enemies. Beyond going after obvious adversaries like U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Hunter Biden, the current presidents troubled son, he will stock his administration with effective ideologues who will use his grievances to remake every aspect of American life, eliminating social services, rolling back green policies, restricting abortion, and promulgating Christian nationalism wherever they can.







Un-Invincible

Trump is rich. Very, very rich. Unimaginable wealth whose scope would require a whole new branch of mathematics to describe is the foundational premise of the Trump myth, the unstated but universally understood creed at the heart of MAGA. He demands to be understood through the prism of immense wealth. Im really rich, he explained in his 2015 announcement speech, vowing not to rely on donors and lobbyists (which he soon enough would).

His career has been full of such promises, lies blithely tossed out like coins to paupers. When I worked with Trump, he was a P.T. Barnum, said Barbara Res, who was a high-level executive at the Trump Organization into the 1990s. He even lied about the number of floors at Trump Tower. Trump is a fraud. He is a cheat. He is a thief. He is a criminal, Res said of her former boss. I doubt he still sends her Christmas cards.

When I worked with Trump, he was a P.T. Barnum, said Barbara Res, who was a high-level executive at the Trump Organization in the 1980s. Trump is a fraud. He is a cheat. He is a thief. He is a criminal, Res said of her former boss. I doubt he still sends her Christmas cards.

Lately, Trumps record of dishonesty in both business and politics has come under a scrutiny that not even John Barron, Trumps fictional alter-ego press agent, could negate with a well-placed item in the New York Post.

Weve always said, if you want to understand Donald Trumpweve said this from the very beginningjust understand the money, MSNBC host Joe Scarborough commented last year. Not just where he got it, which is always a question with him, but also how. And what he did with it. And what he offered in return.

Its all bullshit, Res said of the eternal hype man. But things have changed, she added. He exaggerated to a fault, but back when I knew him, he was not really scamming, she wrote in an email. Now, yes.

The business ventures, the political campaign  it is all a version of the Baja resort, a muddy hole promising ocean views. His detractors and opponents are giddy at the possibility that he will spend his remaining days in a resort of Trump Bajalike amenities, with a Department of Correction sign on its gate.

Theyve thought that many times before, only to be somehow bested by a man with the survival instincts of a cockroach. Trumps career began with the destruction of the Bonwit Teller department store on Fifth Avenue, his promises to preserve the graceful art adorning its facade quickly turning out to be little more than false assurance. And here he is, more than 40 years later, striking licensing deals in Dubai. If that is not genius, then Garfield is not a cat.

Garfield is not a cathe is a cartoon character, created by Jim Davis. Donald Trump is a cartoon character, too, a fictive businessman created by the tastemakers and gatekeepers who knew better but said nothing: the bankers and newspaper editors, the politicians and producers, all of whom sustained his legend in hopes of profiting from it.

Maybe it was January 6 that changed everything. Maybe the prospect of a second Trump term, and what it would mean for the American project, also made a difference. Whatever it was, Trump suddenly lost his invincibility, as both a businessman six times bankrupt and president twice impeached.







The Walls Start to Close In

Since the beginning of the year, Trump has been battered by a series of court cases that threaten to reveal just how little cash he hasand to take a good chunk of what he does have, all while straining his third run for the White House by hijacking his fundraising operation to pay his legal bills. Florida federal Judge Aileen Cannon and the conservative justices on the Supreme Court are obviously trying to save him (without imperiling their own reputations, presumably), and the delays in some of the criminal cases mean that he may reach the legal sanctuary that is the Oval Office before federal prosecutors get the chance to try him. But he wont pull through unscathed.

Hes finally met a mechanism he cant control, said Moss. And its the criminal justice system. Its not like its Robert Mueller, where he could just threaten to fire him or he could obstruct the investigation. He is not in control.

The year began with Trump ordered, in late January, by a federal judge to pay $83.3 million to E. Jean Carroll, a fashion writer who accused him in a civil trial of raping her sometime in the 1990s in a dressing room of the Bergdorf Goodman department store. In early March, Trump posted a $91.6 million bond and appealed the ruling in a bid to avoid payment. That bid failed, and late in April a judge refused to grant him a new trial.

Shortly after the Carroll judgment, he lost a case brought by Letitia James, the New York state attorney general, who accused him of consistently churning out false real estate valuations. That judgment, also in a civil trial, comes with a $454 million penalty. So far, Trump has had to pay only a $175 million bond.

Meanwhile, in a little-noticed but potentially disastrous development for Trump, a judge in Washington, D.C., has found that he could be held liable in three consolidated cases brought by House Democrats and law enforcement officers for injury incurred during the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.

Heres a little-noticed but potentially disastrous development for Trump. A judge in Washington, D.C., has found that he could be held liable in three consolidated cases brought by House Democrats and law enforcement officers for injury incurred during the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.

The politicized discourse surrounding the storming of the Capitol has occluded the human pain that days events caused. At least four law enforcement officers involved in the response committed suicide. Members of Congress and staffers who had to cower from the violent mob remain scarred.

I havent felt that way in over 15 years, not since I was an Army Ranger, Representative Jason Crow, Democrat of Colorado, said of his harrowing experience in the Capitol that day. In a social media message posted four days after the attack, he offered simple advice to others who had been through the insurrection: dont suppress post-traumatic feelings & fears. Seek help.

Many have. But some want financial damages, too. That strikes me as a potential huge judgment problem. How do you even put a number on somebodys trauma from January 6? wondered Robert DeNault, a Manhattan attorney who writes about Trump. It could be a very unsympathetic jury, he said, drawn as it will be from the citizens of a city Joe Biden won in 2020 with nearly 92 percent of the vote share.

While the judgments are likely to be much smaller than they were in Carrolls case, the multiple cases will represent yet another drain on his finances at a time when he can hardly afford such encumbrances. And they will be in the headlines, potentially, for weeks on end.

Then there are the criminal cases: Besides the hush money case, which ended disastrously for Trump, theres the one now languishing in Fulton County and two brought by Jack Smith, in South Florida (documents) and Washington (insurrection). Smith is a determined special federal counsel who has made no obvious unforced errors. Drawing Cannon, the Trump judge, in South Florida was bad luck, but the January 6 case in Washington could move forward this summer, depending on how the Supreme Court rules on the matter of presidential immunity.

That would be a nightmare for Donald Trump, Moss said, because he wouldunless he has authorization from the courtbe stuck in court throughout the fall during the closing weeks and months of the campaign.







Letitia James and Trumps Bill Cosby Moment

Bill Cosbys sexual predations had been known for close to a decade, yet there was something about the Cosby-themed jokes comedian Hannibal Buress delivered during a 2014 set that refocused attention on Americas Dad. It was inexplicable, a ripple in the zeitgeist turning into a tsunami that finally sent Cosby to prison in 2018. In some small part, it was because Buress simply said the thing that everyone seemed to know: that Cosby was a rapist.

Trump had a Cosby moment of his own in early 2024. He, too, might find himself in jail for transgressions that, like Cosbys, have been well known for years. They just needed to be spelled out, made plain for all to see.

That is the role Letitia James had long imagined for herself.

A former state assemblywoman from Brooklyn, James launched her candidacy to become New Yorks attorney general in 2018. By then, state attorneys general from California to Massachusetts had emerged as an effective bulwark against the Trump administration. After she won, becoming the first Black woman to hold statewide office in New York, James promised to join them in the resistance. I will be shining a bright light into every dark corner of his real estate dealings, and every dealing, demanding truthfulness at every turn, she said.

James was inaugurated on January 1, 2019. Late the following month, she took note as former Trump fixer Michael D. Cohen testified on Capitol Hill. Cohen, who had pleaded guilty to a host of financial and campaign improprieties in 2018, told lawmakers that Trump had blatantly exaggerated his wealth between 2011 and 2013 in order to gain favorable terms on loans from Deutsche Bank.

It was my experience that Mr. Trump inflated his total assets when it served his purposes, such as trying to be listed among the wealthiest people in Forbes, and deflated his assets to reduce his real estate taxes, Cohen said.

Less than two weeks after Cohen testified, James announced that she was launching an investigation into Trumps finances, quickly moving to subpoena records from financial institutions, including Deutsche Bank, that had had dealings with him.

Until Cohen blew the lid off, we did not know the scale, said Tristan Snell, author of the book Taking Down Trump and a new newsletter of the same name. It was one thing for him to lie about, like, the size of his condo tower. We didnt realize exactly how he had been doing this systematically until Cohen gave us a sense of it. And then the AG started digging into it.

Loan by loan, property by property, Jamess office meticulously described the fundamental deception at the heart of Trumps wealth, and the remarkably straightforward means he deployed to accrue that wealth. It was not sophisticated, Snell said. This is not complex financial arbitrage. Trump would tell Cohen and Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization, that he wanted his personal worth to go up, and they would inflate accordingly.

There was a beautiful simplicity to the grift: 40 Wall Street, a tower in the heart of lower Manhattan, had been bought by Trump in 1995 for less than $8 million. By 2012, it was worth $527 million. Why? Because Trump said so. Trump Tower and Trump Park Avenue in Manhattan, Trump International Hotel and Tower in Las Vegas, and many other properties elsewhere all had fallen victim to fictive valuations. And it was those fictive valuations that allowed Trump to continue borrowing.

Trumps liquidity had plummeted to a mere $192 million by 2015and that was before Trump spent a reported $66 million of his own money on his first presidential campaign. He sustained his empire and image by borrowing against lies.

The Donald Trump show is over, James said outside the courtroom.

Judge Arthur F. Engoron ordered Trump to pay $350 million. Because of interest, the amount has since risen to $454 million. Trump has so far paid only a $175 million bond. The money was put up by Don Hankey, who made his own billions through predatory car loans. Snell thinks the bond is itself suspicious, because Hankeys company, Knight Specialty Insurance, is only allowed to put up a $13.8 million bond, according to state rules. The bond Knight put up for Trump is, by Snells calculation, 1,260 percent higher than the permissible amount.

Snell also pointed out that, according to Letitia Jamess investigation, Knight may have been using a Cayman Islands cutout to hide serious shortfalls in its books, further raising questions about the integrity of the bond. This is classic Trump, I have to say, Snell wrote. Trump found the Trump of insurance.







The Grift Intensifies

The Bible was priced at $59.99, more than double what you might pay for the Holy Book on Amazon. But this was an especially holy book, because it was the Lee Greenwood edition, hawked on the exceedingly patriotic country singers website.

Trump told his followers to pony up: Happy Holy Week! Lets Make America Pray Again, the famously pious former president wrote in a social media post in March. As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless The USA Bible.

I did as instructed. After three weeks, the Greenwood Bible arrived, bound in what appeared to be faux leather, its pages gilt-edged. The word of God is what it is, but the production values were, I have to say, on the low end, leading to online speculation about whether the book was printed in China (probably, consensus says).

Before the Bible, there were Trump sneakers, which retailed for $399. The shoe, named Never Surrender, and possibly China-made, was introduced at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia earlier this year by Trump himself, who walked on stage to the sound ofwait for itGreenwoods God Bless the USA. He held up a pair of the shoes, which looked as if they had been dipped in a pool of gold. Theres a lot of emotion in this room, Trump said. He did not say what the emotion was.

Why is Trump hawking Bibles and sneakers?

Very simply, because he needs to. He needs money for the presidential race, because short of being Mel Gibson, returning to the White House may be the best get-out-of-jail free card in our political system. But first he has to get to Election Day, which requires him to pay millions of dollars to attorneys who have, so far, shown remarkable skill at delaying the most potentially damaging trials he faces.

Photographs of gold sneakers, Trumps bible, Trump's playing cards, and Trump fundraising emails

It could be, then, that Trump manages to thread his way between clusterfuck and shit show, emerging in the late hours of November 5 as the forty-seventh president of the United States. But its going to cost him real money, not the fake stuff that Cohen and Weisselberg played with for years.



Trump began the year facing 91 felony counts across four separate jurisdictions. Each of those cases demands attorneys with knowledge of criminal and civil law, not to mention whatever kind of assistance those attorneys may require in the form of paralegals and other support staff.

Trump has a tendency to cycle through attorneys the way he once cycled through White House chiefs of staff, and it is therefore difficult to get a full picture of his legal team across different jurisdictions at any one time. Hes got a bit of a hodgepodge of people from different firms, said DeNault, the New York attorney.

Lets give it a shot, though. Trump had three attorneys in the Stormy Daniels case; two in Fulton County; three for his election interference case in Washington. D. John Sauer argued the immunity issue before the Supreme Court. Todd Blanche was the point man in the Manhattan hush money case, joined by Susan Necheles, and is also handling the South Florida documents case. Blanche was formerly with Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, a high-end Manhattan firm that was an industry leader in charging $1,000 per hour (other firms have caught up).

Its impossible to say just what Trump is paying his lawyers today. But even if they are not charging Cadwalader rates, few are doing the work out of the goodness of their hearts.

The fees must be out of control, DeNault said. Im assuming most of these people have arranged some sort of financing agreement, given the reputation risk and his known reputation for not paying. These are not the kinds of folks who are going to be duped by promises of Baja vistas, or villas in Oman. After all, they represent sophisticated swindlers for a living.

Political fundraising is notoriously obscure, especially in this age of dark money super PACs.

But earlier this year, The New York Times calculated that since 2021, when his career as president ended and his career as defendant was about to begin, Mr. Trump has averaged more than $90,000 a day in legal-related costs for more than three yearsnone of it paid for with his own money. The newspaper found that of the $104.2 million donated directly to various efforts to reelect him in 2023, $59.3 millionmore than halfwent to legal expenses.

The small donors are paying for this, Eisen said. Its one thing to run a grift on people who can afford a $10 million condominium; quite another to bilk ordinary Americans who believe that MAGA is their way out of economic and social despair. Yet he keeps doing itand they keep sending him their money.

Those donors are getting fleeced by their fundraising strategies, which are pretty gross, said Tim Miller, a former Republican strategist who now writes for The Bulwark and contributes commentary on MSNBC. People are having the wool pulled over their eyes. But others, he said, are so deep in the cult that theyre happy to pay a proclaimed billionaires legal fees.

Lately, Trumps fundraising emails have taken on an especially unhinged quality. Trump is no longer simply asking for money. Hes begging for it. In early May, Juan Merchan, the judge in Trumps hush money case, slapped him with a $9,000 fine for violating a gag order. Trumps campaign quickly fired off what has become a typical solicitation. The nasty judge just threatened me! the subject line said. But no matter what these ruthless thugs do to me, I need you to know this: BECAUSE OF YOU I WILL NEVER SURRENDER! went the email.

I am your retribution, Trump famously tells his supporters. But not without your contribution, he may as well add. These WITCH HUNTS are conceived by political operatives for purposes of ELECTION INTERFERENCE! ` another fundraising email. But as long as YOU are by my side, I know nothing they throw at me will stop our MAGA MOVEMENT.

Laugh, but it seems to be working. In April, his campaign announced that it had raised $76 million. Donald Trump is the master of this, attorney Moss said. There is no one who matches his ability to spin and refashion a negative into a positive. He gets that from the father, Fred Trump, also a real estate developer of questionable ethics. Thats what his father taught him: Youre always winning. Youre never, ever losing. In the 24 hours after his conviction, his campaign claims, it raised nearly $53 million.

Earlier this year, daughter-in-law Lara Trump was installed as head of the Republican National Committee, as part of a purge that Politico described as a bloodbath, with some 60 staffers dismissed. The point, people who know the RNCs internal workings say, is to ensure that as much cash as possible is funneled to Trumps presidential campaign, as opposed to down-ballot races. The party apparatus was always going to stand behind its chosen candidate; now it just looks like it wont stand behind anyone else.

Miller, The Bulwarks editor, related the story of an RNC employee who, in early 2017, voiced concern about the Trumpian direction of the party on high-level conference calls. One day, while the staffer was at his desk, the phone rang. On the other end was Jared Kushner, the presidents immensely influential son-in-law, kind of checking in, making sure hes on board, as Miller put it. Thats just how the Trump family rolls.

Fortune does seem to favor the shameless. In April, the RNC and the Trump campaign asked other candidates using his name, image, or likeness to donate 5 percent. Any split that is higher than 5% will be seen favorably by the RNC and President Trumps campaign, the letter not-so-subtly advised.

The new Trump functionaries at the RNC are using the lie that Trump won the 2020 election as a loyalty test. As I understand it, any high-ranking official who says otherwise should be looking for another job. The committees counsel, Charlie Spies, was forced out of his job in early May because he had defended the integrity of the 2020 election in a 2021 speech.

If thats not enough, this election cycle has seen $32 million spent by the Republican Party and Trump-affiliated committees at Trump properties. Trump and his family are in the unique position to profit directly from his public service, said nonprofit OpenSecrets, which chronicled the questionable spending. Special interests in Washington have caught on.

Another windfall may come later this summer, if Trump manages to sell his shares of Truth Social, the social media company founded by his associates. Truth Social went public in late March. Originally valued at $8 billion, the sparsely used platform has seen its share price tumble. Trump wont be allowed to cash out until late September, but when he does, he could reap a windfall of more than $1 billion. There are legal issues that pop up that throw that into doubt, Snell said of the complex financial machinations that have turned a floundering social media company into a golden goose for Trump. There could be an investigation. True, but none has been announced so far, and the election is approaching.







Now or Never

In the fall, when Americans head to the polls to vote, the fate of Donald Trump and the fate of the American republic will converge in a way entirely new to American politics. If Donald Trump wins in November, if he becomes president again, the two federal casesthe classified documents and January 6 casesare gone. He will end them immediately on Day One, said Moss, in reference to the charges brought against Trump by special counsel Smith. He can order the whole thing shut down as president, and no one could stop it.

Trumps return to the Oval Office would make it impossible to actually prosecute him. That would have to wait until at least 2028, by which point phone calls made to Georgia election officials eight years before may not have the same legal potency they once did. Thats assuming he willingly leaves office in 2029, which is something short of guaranteed. Its now or never.

These next six months are all about him having a life outside of jail, Moss said. Trump is fundraising as much to stay out of the federal penitentiary as he is to return to the Oval Office.

The message about our system of criminal justice is an unhappy one, Harvard Law School constitutional scholar Laurence H. Tribe wrote in an email. Sadly, its elaborate safeguards, theoretically designed to minimize erroneous convictions, do much less for the innocent than they do for guilty. And when the alleged crimes are crimes against democracy itself, the old adage that justice delayed is justice denied casts an especially dark shadow.

I invite you back to Trumps resort in Baja California. The marketing materials for the project show modern glass towers set on the cliffside. Mr. TRUMP is personally involved in everything that his name represents, the attractive brochure says. Staring out over the barren ground beyond the chain-link fence, I could very much believe it.

The question is whether Trump will get away with one more grift. If not, he could find himself behind a fence, and a tall one at that, far from Baja California.
Former President Donald Trump heaped praise on Jan. 6 insurrectionists as warriors over the weekend and falsely stated that police officers welcomed them into the U.S. Capitol during the 2021 riot.

They were warriors but they were really more than anything else  theyre victims of what happened, Trump, who is now a convicted felon, said at a rally in Las Vegas on Sunday.

All they were doing is protesting a rigged election. Thats what they were doing, he continued, repeating his false claims about the 2020 presidential election.

Trump also falsely claimed police officers urged hundreds of his supporters to storm the Capitol by telling them, Go in, go in, go in, go in.

What a setup that was, he added.

Trump: Those J6 warriors. They were warriors but they were really more than anything else theyre victims of what happened. The police say go in. What a setup that was. You know what, that blows two ways pic.twitter.com/w72Aqg29wb  Acyn (@Acyn) June 9, 2024

The claim that police officers or undercover federal agents helped orchestrate the Jan. 6 attack has been one of the more pernicious conspiracy theories on the right, being spread not just by the former president and his allies but several sitting Republican members of Congress and another GOP presidential candidate as well.

FBI Director Christopher Wray has testified before Congress that the agency was emphatically not part of the violence at the Capitol, and there are hours of footage showing U.S. Capitol Police struggling to defend the building despite being beaten, tased, and bear-sprayed by violent Trump supporters.

Still, Trump has sought to whitewash the events of Jan. 6 nearly four years after the attack, portraying the rioters as victims and vowing to pardon them if he is elected president again. At his rallies, Trump often plays a song recorded by Jan. 6 convicts and pays tribute to them.

He cant claim to support law and order and at the same time support those who tried to upend our democracy, former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell said earlier this year. He cant claim to support law and order and stand at attention saluting the American flag while they play a modified national anthem written by a convicted felon who attacked my co-workers. Thats not leadership; thats betrayal.
Augusta's downtown First Friday festivities were followed by a violent shooting early Saturday that left three injured, including a suspect after deputies on site fired back. In the hours that followed, the Augusta Chronicle spoke with residents about their thoughts on downtown Augusta's safety.

Several like Kenzie Castro said incidents like the one Saturday are why she rarely visits downtown.

"My friends love to go downtown and always ask me and my hubby if we would like to join and we always reply 'no,'" she wrote via Messenger. "Always gives me a bad vibe and now I see why I am glad Ive always trusted my gut."

Downtown shooting: Augusta sheriff, mayor try to reassure downtown residents after Saturday shootout

Chelsea Maultsby said the scene really changes as the sun sets.

"I don't trust downtown," Maultsby said. "In the daytime it's safe, (but) not at night. These young kids be doing stuff. I don't even like stepping out here. It used to be fun."

Lashanda Murray expressed similar sentiments.

"I think, during the day, it's typically like this, nice and peaceful," she said. "During the night ... frankly, I think there could be more police presence just to ensure that the same atmosphere during the day you have at night."

Cars drive through the intersection of 10th and Broad streets in Augusta, Ga. on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Earlier in the morning, the scene was chaotic following a shooting and a press conference was held near this intersection later in the day.

Following a press conference about the shooting on Saturday, Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson expressed interest in addressing this with the Augusta Commission.

"Our downtown is a safe area," the mayor said. "However, I am extremely disappointed in the level of violence and the level of lawlessness that occurs in our downtown corridor late in the evening."

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, who is leading the investigation in this case since it involves local deputies shooting a suspect, released a statement on Sunday noting they arrested Amazing Lee Blessed Brigham, 19, of Hephzibah. He is charged with two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a gun during a crime.

Three deputies were working off-duty jobs at Sole restaurant, located at 1033 Broad St., when they heard multiple gunshots, according to the GBI. The deputies responded, found the suspect outside the restaurant with an assault pistol. They fired at him, hitting the suspect at least once.

While many downtown business owners declined to comment, multiple showed up at the press conference and expressed their concern over insufficient police presence. Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree said he was more than happy to talk to them at a later date while also arguing that downtown is one of the safest spots in Richmond County and they have a significant downtown presence.

However, one owner that has publicly spoken is Sean Wight who owns the Frog Hollow Group, which includes restaurants like Farmhaus, Tacocat, and Pho-Ramen'L. He gave the following comment in a news release with Richmond County sheriff's candidate Eugene Gino Rock Brantley:

"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," he nored, "the lack of police presence and proactive crowd control is distressing, especially since this has been a recurring issue for several years."

Augusta Commissioner Jordan Johnson also supported the safety of downtown while also saying they need to be sensitive to those who live and work downtown every day. Johnson said they will be going to the drawing board to figure out how to best meet their needs.

The investigation into Saturday's shooting is still underway and has been turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI communications center can be reached at (404) 244-2600. Confidential tips for the sheriff's office can be posted online at richmondcountysheriffsoffice.com/crime-tip.cfm.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta residents comment on downtown safety, security after shooting
Dozens of Nassau County seniors now have vital supplies in case of a hurricane thanks to meal kits

The Atlantic Hurricane season is underway and on Monday, more than 150 Nassau County seniors received hurricane preparedness meal kits.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

It was made possible through Florida Power & Light Company and Nassau County Council on Aging.

The hurricane preparedness kits include three days of shelf-stable food, water, and snacks all for seniors who may not be able to leave their homes after a storm impacts the area.

If they happen to lose power, they have sufficient resources to make it through a few days with good nutrition and hydration, said Carol Saviak, the External Affairs Manager for FPLs North Florida region.

The kits also include a storm preparedness guide that provides resources for seniors.

Volunteers distributed about 456 kits; each senior received 3 kits.

With the start of what is anticipated to be an above normal season, this effort will help provide vital supplies to seniors in the community.

86-year-old John Jones has seen many hurricanes throughout his life.

Ive seen hurricanes in Florida when I was a kid, Ive seen hurricanes when I was at sea, said Jones.

Jones is grateful he will now have emergency food in case of a hurricane this season.

Its good to have all this available to everyone, said Jones.

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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.
Concept of debate and political argument symbol as two opposing competitors debating and arguing with mouths open and symbolic bullets flying towards each other as an dispute metaphor with 3D illustration elements.

The 2024 primary season has already generated its fair share of drama. (Getty Images)

I live in the same house as a middle schooler, so Ive witnessed the drama created by tweens and teens.

I didnt expect truculent Kansas candidates to generate the same level of fervor. Less than a week into the primary campaign, and the top has exploded off a fizzy bottle of election foofaraw.

Just listen to them!

This is nothing more than political gamesmanship on the part of Dennis Pyle and perhaps if he focused more on delivering for northeast Kansas we would have tax reform right now, fussed Rep. John Eplee, a candidate for state senate who faces an ethics complaint.

Send us your mailers

Were building a database of political mailers for the 2024 primary and general elections. You can send us ads you receive in two ways. First, take photos of the mailer (both sides, please) and email them to info@kansasreflector.com.

Second, tuck the mailers in an envelope and send it to Kansas Reflector, 112 SW 6th Ave., Suite 408, Topeka, KS 66603. We will obscure your address.

I am determined to prosecute election fraud to the fullest extent of the law. It doesnt matter how far you run. We will drag you back to Kansas and prosecute you, boomed Attorney General Kris Kobach, announcing the arrest of a person accused of forging petition signatures.

Schwab attempts to shut down and out anyone who challenges the status quo by pulling non-existent rules out of their butts, making up law out of whole cloth, citing statutes that dont even pertain, then slamming the door and walking away in an attempt to put an end to the story, spat GOP operative Kris Van Meteren after Secretary of State Scott Schwab put the kibosh on his attempt to nominate two Senate candidates (one Republican, one Democrat) on the No Labels ticket.

Democrats joined in the theatrics as well.

Rep. Jason Probst berated Republicans who appear to have parachuted into Hutchinson to run for his seat: This interest in the 102nd District  appears to be rooted in a broader political game where every seat is a piece on a political board game. Thats what bothers me the most.

Let me repeat, just for emphasis: This all took less than a week to unfold.

We can debate whats causing this early freakout. Clearly, Republicans have not all decided to sing from the same hymnal. Eplees scuffle with Pyle encapsulates the broader battle between everyday conservatives and ultra-mega-rabid conservatives. Meanwhile, Van Meterens efforts on behalf of Lawrence Democratic Sen. Marci Francisco and his wife in her 5th District state Senate race illuminate tensions with the powerful Kansas Chamber. Probsts dual challengers suggest that when Republicans cant recruit actual locals, they airdrop willing candidates for kicks.

My take? Republicans look and sound nervous. They know their supermajorities in the House and Senate could both fall in November, and leaders in the party and affiliated groups fear leaving anything to chance. That means swatting down efforts from the likes of Van Meteren (who claims to have followed the rules precisely) and hitting their opponents early and hard.

New York Gov. Mario Cuomo once claimed: You campaign in poetry. You govern in prose.

This primary season, apparently that poetry takes the form of vulgar limericks and scrawled messages inside restroom stalls.

Behind the public spats, just look at the pileups in a handful of races. Seven folks  five Republicans and two Democrats  are running to replace U.S. Rep Jake LaTurner in the 2nd District. One of those Republicans has pleaded guilty to a felony. Another served as attorney general for 12 years.

The 19th District state Senate race includes House Minority Leader Vic Miller, two other Democrats and two Republicans. You might end up with more folks running in that primary than folks showing up to vote.

This all answers a particularly good question asked to me on Saturday by one of my uncles.

We had gathered in a Lawrence backyard for a family reunion, and he asked me how I could bear the unpleasantness of writing about current events. The question stumped me at first. I spluttered some half-formed thoughts about safeguarding my mental health and engaging with varied topics. But as I pondered his question and sketched out this very column, I realized that the answer had been sitting in front of me the whole time.

I write about these topics because theyre enormous fun. Sure, not everyone enjoys the same things I do, but how can you not marvel at this eight-minute meeting of the No Labels Kansas Party held by Van Meteren (and apparently only Van Meteren)?

Sorry to the fans that we couldnt find a better looking leading man to star in this thriller, the operative wrote Kansas Reflector editor Sherman Smith. Real action-packed, edge-of-your-seat kind of stuff.

For more of some first-rate political fire breathing, read Van Meterens Facebook post on the whole dispute.

I dont want to downplay the importance of our Legislature or the work it does. Kansas Reflector exists to shine a light on these topics and show how they matter to everyday Kansans. We should applaud those brave enough to step up and serve.

Running for office takes gritty courage, dogged determination, and deep personal conviction driven by little sleep and missed family dinners, and fueled by lots of caffeine, said State GOP Chairman Mike Brown in last weeks party newsletter. The personal sacrifices made (by) these amazing Kansans to run for office is substantial and commendable.

For once, hes on the money.

Republicans and Democrats will have abundant opportunities to make their cases  through print, audio and video channels  in the weeks ahead. They will discuss vital issues of the future of our state. They will shake hands, answer questions and debate philosophies of representative government. But they will also, on occasion, act ridiculously. Thats what the pressure cooker of campaign season does to otherwise sensible people.

They will come to their senses soon enough. Meanwhile, we can all enjoy a soupcon of campaign drama.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.

The post Drama, drama drama: Kansas primary candidates dynamite decorum with instantaneous brawls appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.

Drew Petersons case returned to the court this year as the former police sergeant from Bolingbrook, Illinois, is seeking a new trial to get his conviction overturned. In 2012, Peterson was found guilty of the 2004 murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. In addition to that, he is the prime suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, who has been missing since 2007. As the family fell apart, the convicted murderer left behind young kids from his multiple marriages.

With Savio, Peterson had two children, Tom and Christopher, reported ABC News. He had two other kids, a boy and a girl, with Stacy. Per NBC News, Petersons adult son, Stephen, from another marriage took custody of the four kids. Prior to Petersons conviction, Stephen had issued a statement on behalf of his half-siblings, who had then believed that their father was innocent. According to the outlet, he said, We know him better than anyone else in the world and we know he is not guilty.

Drew Petersons children: What does the convicted murderers son believe?

Peterson currently serves a 38-year prison sentence for the murder of Kathleen Savio. However, he received another 40-year sentence as he was found guilty of murder-for-hire, according to A&E. Meanwhile, Stephen raised the four children, reported CBS News. He opened up about his fathers crimes in an interview on the show Monster in My Family in 2017.

According to CBS News, Stephen initially thought his father was innocent. However, he eventually came to believe that Peterson killed his third wife. Stephen also thinks that his father probably also killed Stacy, who is still missing. In the aforementioned documentary, Stephen also added, Im not Drew Petersons son, Im Steve, as he wished to reinvent himself years after the verdict.

Over the years, several shows dug into the infamous case, including CNNs Married to a Murderer: The Drew Peterson Story.

The post Drew Petersons Children: Who Are the Convicted Murderers Kids? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that the training of Ukrainian pilots on modern American F-16 fighters has been delayed a bit. This is because this process is very complicated, and there are few places in the world to train F-16s.

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According to Serhiy Holubtsov, chief of aviation of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, in an interview with Radio Liberty, it is necessary not only to learn how to fly the fighter jets, but also to learn how to use the weapons.

According to him, western-made aircraft are not similar in their weapons guidance procedure to the aircraft that Ukraine has now.

"Therefore, we cannot say that it will be quick. But the fact that this year we will already see the effect and know what else we need to change or not will be shown by the time and actions of our pilots in the air on F-16s," he said.

Golubtsov also raised the language issue in the training of Ukrainian pilots and staff. A lot of time was spent on mastering a sufficient level of English.

He explained that all training, procedures, and documents are written in English, so it is much easier for a person who has mastered the language to understand the material and communicate with instructors.

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"The first batch of aviation personnel was trained with interpreters. They mastered absolutely everything related to maintenance technology. After that, we made a decision and sent them for language training. Because the procedure for operating the latest weapons requires knowledge of the software of these aircraft, the forms that are filled out. They will still have to overcome this barrier," he emphasized.

Therefore, the training period has been slightly increased  from 2 and a half to 4 months is spent on training the personnel.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Ukraine may receive at least a unit of F-16 fighters this year, which may include three to six aircraft. In the future, it is possible to supply more than the number announced today, as the countries that have them in service are gradually rearming with fifth-generation F-35 fighters.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A driver accused of drunk driving is in custody Monday morning after a multi-vehicle crash that impacted a TriMet bus on SE Powell Boulevard, according to Portland Police.

Officers responded to the intersection of SE Milwaukie Avenue and Powell Boulevard just before 1 a.m. and found several vehicles had been impacted in the crash. However, no injuries were reported.

Bull leaps fence at Sisters Rodeo, injuring three spectators

Details of the crash as well as the identity of the driver have yet to be shared with the public. Police said alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA)  A Palm Harbor woman was arrested after crashing into a Clearwater officers car while driving under the influence, according to police.

The Clearwater Police Department said at about 12:27 a.m., Jaime Fox, 43, crashed into the police cruiser in the westbound lanes of the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

Doctors on vacation help save 15-year-old shark attack victim in Florida

Officials said the officer was stopped with his emergency lights on to help a disabled driver.

Both vehicles were seriously damaged in the impacted.











The officer was taken to Mease Countryside Hospital where he was treated for his injuries, according to police. He has been released as of this report.

Fox was charged with driving under the influence and driving under the influence with property damage.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ursula von der Leyen (L), President of the European Commission, reacts after the European election results at the Konrad Adenauer House. Fabian Sommer/dpa

The EU's centre-right celebrated victory after provisional results for the European Parliament elections boosted the chances of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of a second term, in a vote that also saw a surge of the far right.

"Today is a good day for the EPP," von der Leyen said as the initial forecasts were released on Sunday night, referring to her centre-right European People's Party (EPP) group.

In a speech welcoming the result, von der Leyen said that she would work with political groups from the centre left and liberals that originally backed her to win reappointment.

The EPP won 184 seats in the European Parliament, according to the latest provisional results from the EU legislature, making it the largest group by a comfortable margin, followed by the centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) on 139.

Liberal parties however fell from 102 seats to 80 seats while Green parties are also projected to lose a large number of European Parliament seats, down from 71 to 52.

Both groups are important sources of support for von der Leyen in a potential confirmation vote in the European Parliament.

Continent-wide elections for the European Parliament had their last day of voting on Sunday, in a poll that saw some 360 million people across the 27 EU member states eligible to cast their ballots over four days.

There were 720 seats up for grabs in the EU legislature, meaning von der Leyen needs 361 seats for a majority.

The EPP, S&D and the liberals combined were projected to have over 400 votes.

Preliminary results also showed the far right made significant returns in Germany, France and Italy.

Updated results are expected at 11 am (0900 GMT) from the EU legislature.
Dutch Bros, Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out coming to Trinity Parkway in Stockton. Not all are happy

Trinity Parkway is already bustling with north Stockton shoppers, but the area could attract even more business in the coming years.

That's because the Stockton City Council has given the green light to a retail development plan which will turn an existing 17.98-acre undeveloped parcel into brand new Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out, and Dutch Bros locations. A self-storage facility is also included in the tentative map that was unanimously approved Tuesday, June 4.

The businesses are planned to be constructed on an empty lot at the southwest corner of Trinity Parkway and Scott Creek Drive near Walmart. There are no dates yet for when construction could begin.

A new Dutch Brothers Coffee and other businesses have been approved to be built in an open lot near the Walmart on Trinity Parkway in north Stockton.

The application for the new development at 10505 Trinity Parkway was submitted by RSC Engineering, Inc., a Roseville-based civil engineering, site planning, and surveying company. RSC Engineering, Inc. has provided services for retail centers, offices, subdivisions, and apartments, with a number of projects in the Bay Area and the greater Sacramento area.

The city council's approval of the tentative map came after a Stockton resident filed an appeal on April 8 to the Planning Commission's decision to let the project move forward. In her appeal, resident Mary Elizabeth cited environmental concerns, including issues related to air quality, housing, and traffic.

In response to Elizabeth's appeal, city officials said evidence to support her position was not submitted. They also said a traffic study "fully addressing project impacts" was prepared, vehicular circulation has been considered and minimum code standards are met, and air quality and housing at the project site have been "adequately analyzed" via the Spanos Park West Environmental Impact Report.

While Elizabeth couldn't appear at the meeting, Stockton resident Julie Dunning voiced similar concerns. Dunning said she was worried a large number of cars would be sitting in drive-thru lanes idly and causing a congestion in the small area.

"One of your priorities for this upcoming year is a healthy city and healthy alternatives. There are currently 18 fast food and franchise restaurants on Trinity Parkway, close to half of those already have drive-thru lanes," Dunning said. "I ask you from a healthy city perspective, does Stockton really need another Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out, or Dutch Brothers?"

A tentative map for a new retail development on Trinity Parkway that was approved by the Stockton City Council on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

Other Stocktonians expressed their support for the project.

"As a current resident of District 1 and a few days away from being a homeowner in the surrounding Spanos Park West neighborhood, I appreciate living in a community with amenities and options for my family," Angelo Acevedo said.

District 1 Councilwoman Michele Padilla  whose district encompasses the new development  said that while she appreciated Elizabeth's concerns, she has not received any pushback from her other constituents on the project.

"I do feel that the developer looked at the traffic issues," Padilla said. "I frequent that area (and) I know there are buffers around that development, which provides a lot of distance from the homes that are nearby."

The new development is expected to bring more jobs to the north Stockton area. Each of the businesses could hire anywhere between 30 to 50 employees, according to Jai Singh, the project's lead engineer.

If all goes according to plan, the new Chick-fil-A location will be Stockton's second location. The new In-N-Out will be the city's third, and the new Dutch Bros will be its fifth. There is currently no estimated timeline on when the locations may open.

Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Dutch Bros, Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out coming to Stockton's Trinity Parkway
Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren has arrived in Ukraine on an unannounced visit.

Source: Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Shmyhal reported that a meeting with Ollongren took place in Kyiv, during which he thanked the Netherlands "for their support in strengthening Ukraine's air defence".

Kajsa Ollongren and Denys Shmyhal.

Photo: Shmyhal on Facebook

Quote from Denys Shmyhal: "I praised the Dutch-led initiative to supply Ukraine with Patriot air defence systems in collaboration with partners. We are also looking forward to the quickest possible delivery of the F-16 aircraft, which will help protect [Ukrainian] people and infrastructure," he added.

The parties also discussed joint defence production, technology exchange, the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland and Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration.

Kajsa Ollongren is known to be among the officials who called for restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western-supplied weapons to be lifted.

Later, she stressed that her country would allow Ukraine to use the F-16 fighter jets the Netherlands will supply, including for strikes on targets in Russia.

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Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren arrived in Kyiv in an unannounced visit on June 10.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Facebook that he had met with Ollongren on June 10 and thanked the Netherlands for assistance in boosting Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.

Shmyhal and Ollongren discussed Ukraine-Netherlands joint defense production, the exchange of technologies, the upcoming global peace summit in Switzerland, and Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration.

"We rely on the active advocacy of the Netherlands in further work with key partners of the alliance (NATO) to provide comprehensive support to our country," Shmyhal said.

Shmyhal also highlighted the Dutch joint initiative to supply Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems and expressed hope for receiving F-16 fighter jets "as soon as possible to protect people and infrastructure."

Denmark, the Netherlands, and the U.S. have led an international coalition established last year to provide Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets and train Ukrainian pilots.

The Netherlands plans to start delivering its F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this autumn after Denmark begins transferring its aircraft in the summer, Ollongren said in early May.

Norway and Belgium have pledged to supply Ukraine with dozens of their fourth-generation U.S.-made jets as well.

Read also: Netherlands to invest $436 million to make armored vehicles for Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(Bloomberg) -- The Dutch government said a private sale or initial public offering are the preferred options state-owned De Volksbank NV.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Selling the bank to a new owner has the advantage of fewer operational complexities, while an IPO would retain the independence of the bank but requires an improvement in financial results, Dutch investment vehicle NLFI said in a report published Monday.

NLFI, the government body that owns the bank, recommended against keeping De Volksbank as a state bank permanently, making it a cooperative bank or placing it under foundation management.

The Dutch state fully nationalized SNS Reaal, as Volksbank was called, in February 2013 after growing losses at its real estate finance arm brought the lender to the brink of collapse. In 2016, the bank changed its name to De Volksbank, which means the peoples bank in Dutch.

It is important to increase the chance of success of these options in the future that preparations for both options will start in parallel, partly because an IPO requires a longer preparation time, NLFI said in a statement. This can be in the form of a two-track approach, in which the future options are developed simultaneously, the investment vehicle said.

With its four units  SNS, ASN Bank, RegioBank and BLG Wonen  Volksbank has total assets of 71.1 billion ($76.4 billion) and approximately 3,000 employees, according to its 2023 financial report.

Given the outgoing status of the cabinet, it is up to my successor to make the decision on the future of De Volksbank, the Netherlands caretaker finance minister, Steven van Weyenberg, said in a separate letter.

Dutch election winner Geert Wilders nascent right-wing coalition, consisting of four parties, aims to form a cabinet under former spy Dick Schoof by June 26.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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A group of E-bike riders near the Hermosa Beach Pier had nighttime revelers scrambling after launching illegal fireworks in the crowded entertainment district Saturday.

According to authorities at the Hermosa Beach Police Department, the incident happened around 8:30 p.m. near Hermosa and Pier avenues.

Footage of the incident captured a large illegal firework setoff on the beach near a lifeguard stand. Just moments later, around a half-dozen E-bike riders, all of whom appear to be juveniles, are seen riding away from the explosion and into a crowded area on Pier Avenue lined with bars, restaurants and other shops.

The E-bikers come to a stop and form a small scrum before several of them break away and another one tosses an illegal firework into the crowded scene.

A family with three young children standing nearby were sent running as the explosion shot fireworks into the crowd, striking several people.

Authorities told KTLA that there were several minor injuries, though none requiring hospitalization.

According to the Instagram account south.bay.responders, the fireworks were ignited right off the patio of Sharkeez bar, prompting patrons to evacuate. The account also alleged that one woman was hit in the face by a firework and that the window of the Baked Bear restaurant was hit as well.

Nighttime revelers in Hermosa Beach sent scrambling after an E-bike rider tosses illegal fireworks in crowded entertainment district on June 8, 2024. (John Fahmy)

A firework explosion seen near a lifeguard stand in Hermosa Beach allegedly setoff by juveniles on E-Bikes on June 8, 2024. (John Fahmy)

E-bike riders seen moments after allegedly setting fireworks off on the beach near a lifeguard stand in Hermosa Beach on June 8, 2024. (John Fahmy)

E-bike rider seen moments before tossing firework into crowd in Hermosa Beach on June 8, 2024. (John Fahmy)

E-bike rider seen moments before tossing firework into crowd in Hermosa Beach on June 8, 2024. (John Fahmy)

Nighttime revelers in Hermosa Beach sent scrambling after an E-bike rider tosses illegal fireworks in crowded entertainment district on June 8, 2024. (John Fahmy)

Nighttime revelers in Hermosa Beach sent scrambling after an E-bike rider tosses illegal fireworks in crowded entertainment district on June 8, 2024. (John Fahmy)

Nighttime revelers in Hermosa Beach sent scrambling after an E-bike rider tosses illegal fireworks in crowded entertainment district on June 8, 2024. (John Fahmy)

Nighttime revelers in Hermosa Beach sent scrambling after an E-bike rider tosses illegal fireworks in crowded entertainment district on June 8, 2024. (John Fahmy)

Officials in Hermosa Beach have been trying to rein in and regulate E-bikes.

In a special June 4 meeting, the Hermosa Beach City Council passed an emergency ordinance regulating off-road E-bikes, which have exploded in popularity in recent years.

South Bay residents have recently voiced concern over unruly teenagers riding recklessly on city streets, typically in large groups along the Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach strands near the piers.

Mostly what I see is [them] going at breakneck speeds and traveling in big bands, a Hermosa Beach resident named Greg told KTLA. Its almost like theres that little kid energy where they dont necessarily follow the rules.

Crash in Orange County leaves car suspended by gushing water

I wish they would actually stop at stop signs, he added. Im always afraid Im going to clip some 12-year-old.

In one incident on May 22, juveniles damaged a mural and other areas throughout Hermosa Beach; three days later, officers served the juvenile and their guardian a citation before impounding the E-bike.

As for the juveniles in Saturday nights incident, police told KTLA that several of them were briefly detained before being cleared of responsibility and released to their parents.

Police added that one juvenile has been identified as a suspect in the case and that they are working with suspects family and L.A. County Juvenile Probation to ensure the suspect faces appropriate consequences for this dangerous 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 KTLA.
quick facts

Where is it? The west coast of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal).

What's in the photo? A spiraling cloud front hugging the coastline.

What took the photo? NASA's Terra satellite.

When was it taken? July 16, 2017.

This striking photo shows an unusual cloud spiral nestled perfectly along the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula in 2017.

The spiral consists of moist, cloudy air from the sea that's been swirled together with clear, dry air from the land by a phenomenon known as cyclonic rotation  the same mechanism that is responsible for generating tropical storms such as hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones , according to NASA's Earth Observatory .

However, in this case, the rotation was much slower and weaker than the rotation during tropical storms, so the cloudy and dry air did not fully mix together, which prevented a proper vortex from forming. This also stopped any clouds from passing over the land. (The image has been edited slightly to include more infrared light, in order to accentuate the difference between the land and cloud.)

"Precisely what caused this [unusual] mid-latitude rotation remains somewhat of a mystery," Stephen Jospeh Munchak , a meteorologist at NASA's Mesoscale Atmospheric Processes Laboratory told NASA's Earth Observatory. However, it could have been caused by an eddy  a temporary, swirling current of water that extends deep below the ocean's surface, he added.

An extreme heat wave that swept across Southern Europe in July 2017 also created an usually large temperature difference between the cloudy, sea air and the dry, land air. This may have further prevented the two fronts from mixing, helping to create the stunning spiral shape. When this photo was taken, temperatures in Spain and Portugal were above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), according to NASA's Earth Observatory.

Related: 12 amazing images of Earth from space

A satellite image of cloud over the ocean

The clouds in the spiral are marine stratocumulus clouds  common low-lying clouds that usually stay below 6,000 feet (1,830 meters) and can cover up to 6.5% of Earth's surface at any one time, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) .

Interestingly, marine stratocumulus clouds normally only appear along the western coasts of Earth's landmasses, according to NOAA. This is because they form when cold water from the deep sea is brought to the surface by Earth's spin  also known as the Coriolis effect  which cools the air above and enables water vapor to condense into clouds. Along eastern coastlines, the Coriolis effect does not push cold water toward the coast, which means it does not rise toward the surface.

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The rotating clouds in the image stretched for hundreds of miles and likely persisted for several days. However, it is unlikely that they released any precipitation, according to NASA's Earth Observatory.

Similar cloud cyclones have appeared off the Iberian coast and the western coast of Morocco in the past but they are not normally as defined as the spiral in this photo, according to NASA's Earth Observatory.
The Russian occupation forces fire missiles at Ukrainian cities from their modern Su-57 multi-role fighters only from their own territory. These aircraft have never flown into Ukrainian airspace.

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The Russians are not only afraid that the Su-57 may be shot down, but they also do not want it to be known that the characteristics of this aircraft are far from what they have been advertised. This was stated by a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Andriy Yusov, during a telethon on Sunday, June 9.

The DIU believes that the characteristics of the aircraft, as claimed by the Russians, are not true, but they still have combat potential.

"And the very defeat in the airspace of Ukraine will show that the characteristics of this aircraft are far from what they advertised, in particular, on the international arms market," Yusov said.

At the same time, he emphasized that the "characteristics of the Su-57," praised by the occupiers, did not prevent them from getting their first combat defeat during the full-scale invasion.

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Regarding the number of Su-57 aircraft that the Russians have, Yusov said that the DIU is currently refining the data and collecting all the information to give a final answer.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- On June 8, a Su-57 multi-purpose fighter jet was destroyed on the territory of the Akhtubinsk airfield in the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation. Satellite images confirm the defeat of the enemy aircraft.

- The DIU said that two Su-57s could have been hit at Akhtubinsk. It is also likely that there are irrecoverable losses and wounded among the occupiers' personnel.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
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.

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The post Easing federal marijuana rules: Theres still a long way to go appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
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 U.S. 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 Nebraska Examiner.
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 Source New Mexico.
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)

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 South Dakota Searchlight.
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 Rhode Island Current.
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. (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.

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The post Easing federal marijuana rules: Theres still a long way to go appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
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 Washington State Standard.
The International Longshoremens Association (ILA) has called off master contract talks with their maritime employers, the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), in a potentially significant blow to U.S. businesses looking to ship goods into East and Gulf Coast ports in the second half of 2024. The negotiations were initially scheduled for Tuesday.

The current coast-wide master contract is set to expire on Sept. 30, with the union pledging to strike in October if a new deal is not finalized.

More from Sourcing Journal

According to the ILA, the decision was made amid ongoing negotiations of local port contract agreements. The local negotiations were initially anticipated to be complete by May 17, but the union has not detailed which of the talks were still in flux. The ILA had expected master contract negotiations to resume when the local contracts are completed.

Master contract negotiations for some 45,000 dockworkers across 36 ports from Maine to Texas began in February 2023, but largely fizzled out in October after the ILA and USMX reportedly failed to agree on wage increases. The local talks restarted in February, when the May deadline was set.

Theres a lot of fear. Customers always worry about the threat of a strike, said Joseph Firrincieli, a sales supervisor at freight forwarder OEC Group. What weve seen is a lot of volumes been shifted to the West Coast. Im recommending to customers that if theyre importing cargo that can be delayed, its not life or death, then continue on shipping to the East Coast. If theyre genuinely concerned because of the East Coast delays and because of the potential strike, just ship the volume to the West Coast.

Firrincieli noted if that it may be a matter of affordability for many shippers, in that those looking to shift goods over to the West Coast ports would have to transload the cargo and long-haul it to the East Coast, which is very, very, expensive, he said.

Most importantly, its about customers having all the information ahead of time, Firrincieli told Sourcing Journal. Hope for the best, but expect the worst.

Automation stalls ILA-USMX negotiations as union puts blame on Maersk

The union is walking away from the table due to one of its recurring sticking points in negotiationsthe use of automation in ports.

The ILA said it discovered that Maersk-owned APM Terminals and Maersk Line are using an Auto Gate system at the Port of Mobile, Ala. This system powers the gate that enables trucks to enter and exit a terminal and be autonomously processed without ILA labor. This system is reportedly being used in other ports as well, the union said.

Theres no point trying to negotiate a new agreement with the USMX when one of its major companies continues to violate our current agreement with the sole aim of eliminating ILA jobs through automation, said ILA international president Harold J. Daggett, who serves as chief negotiator for the union.

Sourcing Journal reached out to the USMX for comment.

The ILA will not meet with USMX until the Auto Gate issue is resolved, the union said in a statement.

Additionally, the union is still waiting on results from an audit for jobs created out of new technology, a report they have been anticipating for almost two contract periods.

The ILA has observed an increasing number of IT personnel on marine terminals, and has concerns that APM and Maersks IT departments in Charlotte, N.C., are encroaching on their jurisdiction.

The union accused APM Terminals and Maersk Line of repeated attempts to circumvent the ILA-USMX Master Contract, saying that the introduction of automation and semi-automation equipment has led to ILA job losses in various ports.

Most of the problems the ILA is facing on the East and Gulf Coast all stem from APM Terminals and Maersk Line, the ILA added. Maersk Line, the second largest ocean carrier in the world, has a track record of pushing automation. They started semi-automation in the Port of Hampton Roads, and have full automation at Pier 400 in Los Angeles, California. The ILA lost tens of thousands of jobs in the 1970s due to containerization, and APM and Maersk seem to be leading the charge to eliminate good, family-sustaining jobs right here in the U.S.

Daggett and the ILA have called on the Biden administration to recognize the threat posed by foreign-owned companies attempting to undermine American jobs, expressing criticism of the commander in chief and U.S. lawmakers on allegations that they are turning a blind eye to automation and its alleged impacts on American workers.

How can this administration allow a foreign company like Maersk, and other foreign shipping companies, to get away with this? Daggett said in remarks last July during the unions quadrennial convention remarks. At the time, he warned foreign-owned container shipping firms and terminals of the consequences of their plans to automate. Mark my words, there is going to be an explosion, and the ILA and dockers around the world are going to light the fuse.
EAST ELMHURST, Queens (PIX11)  Residents in Queens rallied Sunday, calling for the immediate closure of a migrant shelter in East Elmhurst.

Dozens of people who live in the community came out holding signs and chanting, all united in their calls to shutter the shelter on Ditmars Boulevard. They cited a number of quality-of-life concerns.

Im not saying everybody that lives here has ulterior motives as far as crime is concerned, but it spreads out into the community, said East Elmhurst resident Rico Albacarys. The good ones and the bad ones. Ive had people knocking on my door  the 25 years that Ive lived there  asking for cans and bottles. Thats unheard of.

Demonstrators stood outside the shelter voicing their concerns, including demanding that the site, a former hotel, be returned to its original purpose as an active hotel.

More Local News

So that it can bring funds back into the community, and it can bring work because back in the days, people worked at these hotels, said Talea Wufka, who lives in the area.

The rally comes as just last week police say a migrant, whose last known address is the shelter on Ditmars Boulevard, shot two police officers on Monday. Investigators said that the shooting happened near 23rd Avenue and 82nd Street, which is a 10-minute drive from the facility.

A spokesperson for the citys Department of Social Services says, however, the migrant accused of shooting the officers left the facility a few weeks before the incident.

The spokesperson also said in a statement:

 the alleged perpetrator was not residing at this location when this incident took place, and the incident did not take place at or around the shelter location. We provide comprehensive and robust security services across our sites while maintaining open lines with the community to ensure we are addressing any concerns as they arise.

More Queens News

Still, residents said the neighborhood is over-saturated with homeless shelters and are calling on the city to relocate the facility to another area.

Theres so many shelters in this neighborhood, East Elmhurst resident Cristina Marie said. You got one here, you have one on the corner, then you have two more on Astoria Boulevard and theres just too many here. Its not a problem of us not wanting to help people. However, not everyone in heres intentions are good.

DSS did not mention any potential plans to relocate the facility, only adding that a secure and safe environment is a top priority.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Will east Mecklenburg get light rail? Silver Line to Matthews imperiled but not dead yet

Charlotte-area leaders are grappling with whether they can execute the long-planned Silver Line light rail project amid uncertainty over funding to make it happen.

The project was conceived as a 29-mile, 30-station line running from Gaston County through Charlotte and Matthews all the way to Union County. Recent headlines about part of that plan being scrapped prompted critical responses from some, including in Matthews and east Charlotte.

Charlotte has been trying for years to hold a referendum for a sales tax increase to pay for its multi-billion dollar transit plan, which includes the Silver Line, the Red Line and more. But that requires the blessing of the General Assembly, where Republican leaders have yet to be won over and have called for more funding for roads.

Things came to a head in recent days as multiple news outlets reported a new proposal to legislators that would dramatically cut the amount of new sales tax revenue allocated for rail, leading to the elimination of the portion of the Silver Line between uptown and Matthews.

Mecklenburg County Commissioner Leigh Altman, who chairs the Metropolitan Transit Commission, said the conversation with the legislature about the sales tax and the balance of rail and roads has really just been evolving recently.

We are hearing from the leaders in the General Assembly that in order to obtain their permission for us even to submit (a sales tax increase) to the voters for them to weigh in, we have to change the mix and add very significant expenditures for roads, and that is what has caused a funding shortfall to do the Red Line and the Silver Line, she said.

But, Altman added, conversations are actively occurring about whether there is any negotiating room around the mix or around the tax to somehow bring the Silver Line back in.

Is the Silver Line plan changing?

The plan for the Silver Line called for it to be built in two phases: a $5.1 billion Phase A that would run southeast from uptown to Matthews and a $3 billion Phase B that would run west to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

Like much of Charlottes transportation plan, the hope was to pay for it with new sales tax revenue and federal matching dollars.

The proposed penny sales tax would generate an estimated $350 million annually and unlock a significant federal match, interim Charlotte Area Transit System CEO Brent Cagle said in a recent email to Altman.

But Charlotte City Council member Ed Driggs said the initial idea of putting 80-90% of that new revenue into rail was really unacceptable to leaders in Raleigh.

So then we came back and we said, All right as a starting point for conversation, lets think of a different allocation, said Driggs, who chairs the City Councils transportation committee. Driggs didnt specify what the latest allocation proposed was, but WFAE reported it was just 40% for rail.





It is true, he added, if we shift away from that high concentration of funding in rail, then one of the expected outcomes would be that we cant go all the way down into Matthews with the Silver Line.

One alternative Driggs said is on the table: funding for bus rapid transit in the corridor that would lose out on the Silver Line. But, he acknowledged, Matthews Mayor John Higdon has publicly pushed back on that, saying it wouldnt spur economic growth like rail.

I think the rest of us on the MTC are in a tight spot in the sense that we have the legislature saying this and we have Matthews expecting another thing, Driggs said.

Higdon told the Observer his understanding is that draft legislation is in the works that may be different from what was earlier discussed and that he will conduct interviews once the actual proposed legislation is posted.

An earlier plan for transit along the corridor, adopted by the MTC in 2002, originally called for bus rapid transit but was later changed to light rail, city of Charlotte spokesman Jason Schneider noted.

CATS said in a statement that once there is a real funding source for transit, the specifics of that funding will be used in evaluating, updating and prioritizing the Transit System Plan.

That may involve looking at modifications to the proposed transit mode, alignment or terminus in one or more corridors, the statement said. CATS will conduct a transparent evaluation process with public input to develop recommendations.

Extreme disappointment in community

East Charlotte advocate Greg Asciutto said theres extreme disappointment in his community with the news that the Silver Line plan may be shortened.

This is the most frustrated and angry Ive ever seen this community collectively, said Asciutto, the executive director of Charlotte EAST. ... This is going to continue being a source of, I think, frustration for the east community all the way up until whenever it does get put on a sales tax referendum.

Asciutto said his organization is waiting to hear more specific details on the fate of the Silver Line before taking any action.

Charlotte City Council member Marjorie Molina, whose District 5 includes much of east Charlotte, said shes listening to constituents concerns and expects her community to advocate for itself and its transit needs.

As this process goes along, were going to raise our hand. Were going to make ourselves seen and go from there, she said.

As negotiations continue, Altman said she hopes residents from the communities along the Silver Line route as well as all of Mecklenburg County will reach out to their elected officials and express the importance of making the Silver Line work.

What I want is for people in the north and other parts of the county to understand how much it helps all of us if were able to include the Silver Line, she said. We cant sort of pretend that were all staying in our neighborhoods or our parts of the county, because thats not the reality of our work life and our commutes and our lifestyles here in Mecklenburg County and in the region. Thats not how were going to grow and have a good quality of life.

In our CLT Politics newsletter, we offer exclusive insight into Charlotte-region politics sent to your inbox on Thursdays. Subscribe for free. Story idea? mramsey@charlotteobserver.com.
The party of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Smer-SD, has been defeated in the European Parliament elections. The victory was won by the opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS), led by former Vice President of the European Parliament Michal Simecka.

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This was reported by The Slovak Spectator. Progressive Slovakia received 27.81 percent of the vote, according to the election commission, and won the election.

At the same time, Fico's party Smer-SD ("Course - Social Democracy") came in second with 24.76 percent of the vote. However, polls published before the two-day election moratorium on June 5 predicted a potential victory for Fico's party.

Fico's party also used a shooting incident in mid-May, during which Fico was seriously wounded, to increase its chances of winning the European elections. Three weeks after the attack, Fico himself made a public appearance in a video posted on his social media page on June 5, hoping to help Smer-SD win, although he did not specifically mention the European elections.

Despite the defeat, this result in the European elections is a success for both PS and Smer-SD: each of them gained two more seats. In the new European Parliament, PS will have six MEPs and Smer-SD will have five.

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Fico's party has previously criticized the EU's support for Ukraine, as well as EU policies on immigration, climate change, and LGBT rights. In contrast, Progressive Slovakia is a pro-Western liberal party.

Results of other candidates

The far-right Republic party, led by MEP Milan Urick, came in third with 12.53% of the vote, despite having no representation in the Slovak parliament.

Newly elected President Peter Pellegrini's HLAS party came in fourth with only 7.18%, a poor result given its strong position in the Slovak parliament.

HLAS gained one seat, while Respublika increased its number of seats to two. Urick, who previously ran on the list of the far-right SNS party, left it in 2021 and founded Respublika.

The opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), led by the husband of MEP Miriam Lexmann and the governor of the Presov region Milan Majerski, gained 7.14%. However, the party will no longer have two seats in parliament, as in 2019-2024, but will have only one.

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As a reminder, European Parliament elections were held in the European Union last week. Citizens of 27 EU countries elected 720 deputies who will represent approximately 360 million voters.

It is expected that the first place in the elections will be taken by the center-right European People's Party. They nominated the current head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, for a second term.

As a reminder, Robert Fico is in the hospital after an armed man fired several bullets at him on May 15. It happened after a government meeting in the city of Handlova, when the politician came out to the locals.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the man who shot Fico is accused of attempted premeditated murder of an official. He faces life imprisonment.

Earlier it was reported that Robert Fico is known for his pro-Russian stance and opposes assistance to Ukraine. Nevertheless, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the assassination attempt on the Slovak prime minister, called it an "act of violence" and expressed support for the country's residents.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
East Tennessee teen reported missing in Florida: What we know about search for Abigail Kate Velez

The Knox County Sheriff's Office and other Tennessee law enforcement groups are asking the public for help in the search of a 16-year-old from East Tennessee reported missing in Pensacola.

Abigail Kate Velez has been missing since Thursday. According to a Facebook post by nonprofit Blue Line Tennessee, shared by KCSO, authorities are looking for Velez all over Florida.

Here's what to know:

Who is Abigail Kate Velez?

Abigail Velez is a resident of East Tennessee.

She is 5'6", weighs 130 pounds, and has dirty-blonde hair and green eyes.

Abigail Kate Velez was last seen in Pensacola, Fla.

When did she go missing?

Velez was last seen at Pensacola's Baptist Hospital at 9:30 p.m. June 6. Little is known about the other circumstances of how she went missing, but a post shared by the KCSO account said Velez was in Pensacola on vacation.

"We are so thankful for support from the community," Danielle Velez, Abigail's mother, said to Knox News in a text. "There are tips that have come in that hold value and we wouldn't have that without the public continuing to share her photo."

What can I do to help?

Anyone with information can call the Pensacola Police Department at 850-435-1845 or THE SHEPHERDS, an organization helping with the search, at 929-346-3663.

Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: East Tennessee teen Abigail Kate Velez missing in FL: What to know
The St. Cloud Times is welcoming two new staff members  Alice Mannette and Corey Schmidt.

Mannette rejoins Gannett after a brief absence, less than a year, to become editor of the St. Cloud Times. Most recently, Mannette was editor in Hutchinson and Salina, Kansas. She also has worked as statewide agriculture and news reporter for USA Today/Gannett Kansas, as aviation reporter for Wichita Business Journal and as a freelancer for Reuters. Mannette also worked stints in public radio and local newspapers prior to that. Along with winning many awards in journalism, Mannette holds a bachelors degree in economics from the University of Florida and a master's degree from Hamline University in St. Paul. While her home remains in Kansas, Mannette will be fully focused on supporting the local work in Minnesota.

"My top priority is to reinvigorate a strong community paper that serves the greater St. Cloud area," Mannette said. "I'm committed to the success of this essential publication that citizens of Benton, Sherburne and Stearns counties count on."

Mannette has lived in eight states, including Minnesota, and overseas. She is thrilled to be a part of revitalizing local journalism.

Corey Schmidt joins the St. Cloud Times.

Corey Schmidt, St. Cloud Times' new government watchdog reporter, grew up in Belgium, Wisconsin. He studied French horn performance and communications at DePaul University in Chicago, where he held editorial roles at the school newspaper and magazine alongside various internships in journalism and corporate communications. After graduating, he was a stringer for the Chicago Tribune, covering suburban politics and news while simultaneously pursuing a master's degree at Yale University. Schmidt continues to play the horn, with regular performances across the U.S. His favorite gig was subbing with the national Broadway tour of "My Fair Lady" in November.

Reach Mannette at amannette@gannett.com and Schmidt at cschmidt@gannett.com with story ideas and comments or questions. In addition, please send letters to the editor (300 words or less) to stc-letters@stcloud.gannett.com and use stc-newsroom@gannett.com for story ideas or press releases.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: The St. Cloud Times welcomes two new staff members
Dr. Siddarth Puri, an addiction psychiatrist, center, and nurse practitioner Marie Eugenio, right, from LAC+USC Medical Center meet with a participant in contingency management, a treatment approach that offers rewards for avoiding drug use, at Skid Row Community ReFresh Spot in June 2022. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles has recently seen a series of knife attacks and other crimes in which suspects exhibit not just violent but bizarre behavior often attributed by the public to mental illness, but which professionals say have the hallmarks of something else entirely:

Meth.

Methamphetamine use is no secret. The addictive stimulant is a fixture in popular culture, on the big screen (Winters Bone) and the small (Breaking Bad). But when officials talk about the devastating effect of controlled substance misuse they generally focus on fentanyl, a powerful opioid.

Read more: Editorial: Haven't we learned yet? Harsher penalties won't save us from fentanyl

It is fentanyl that grandstanding politicians falsely claim is in Halloween candy or that can kill on contact with skin (it isnt, and it cant). It is fentanyl that they say is coming over our porous southern border and flooding our streets (true, but generally hidden among travelers and cargo entering legally, not among people illegally crossing into the U.S.). It is fentanyl that is the target of numerous bills in the state Legislature meant to crack down on drug crime by increasing penalties.

By contrast, lawmakers seldom focus on illicit methamphetamine and we in L.A. rarely talk about its effects on public safety and health, including psychosis that mimics serious mental illness. There is a widespread but mistaken belief among users that the drug is as legal to possess and use as cannabis, and no more dangerous. Even some law enforcement officials and physicians incorrectly believe that the law permits its use.

Although historically it has been the drug of choice for white motorcycle gangs and underemployed desert or Central Valley residents, its use is skyrocketing among L.A. and Inland Empire high school students who use it to concentrate while studying for exams, residents of housing projects who appreciate its affordability and ease of access, and people living on the street who want to stay awake all night to fend off attacks. Use among all socioeconomic groups expanded greatly in the last decade, according to the National Institutes of Health and other public health monitors.

Read more: Editorial: Why Mayor Bass' proposal for L.A. city drug treatment funding makes sense

Meth rarely matches fentanyls presence in news stories, aside from sporadic busts such as the story last month after a cleaning crew discovered 235 pounds of meth in an Airbnb home in Alhambra. But it occasionally seeps into the discussion. After the April 21 early-morning break-in to Mayor Karen Bass residence, for example, police and substance use experts said the intruder's actions sounded typical of someone in methamphetamine-induced crisis.

And indeed, suspect Ephraim Matthew Hunter told reporters hed been in the midst of a five-day meth binge, paranoid and looking for a place to hide from an imaginary pursuer. Its only by chance, he said later, that the house he broke into was the official mayoral residence. If that's so, it could have been any house. While there's no basis to argue all such break-ins or attacks on bus drivers or Metro passengers involved meth, it's naive to argue that none of them did.

Read more: Editorial: L.A. Metro is doomed if it can't keep bus and train riders safe

L.A. has a serious meth problem, and its time to talk about it  frankly, clearly and publicly in a way that we have not yet done, at least not to the extent that we discuss fentanyl, mental illness, COVID-19 or even the measles.

Why hasn't this come up yet? There are many possible reasons. Meth can seem so much less alarming than fentanyl, which can kill swiftly when ingested. Meth rarely does that. Instead of suddenly dying of overdose, long-term meth users tend to simply disintegrate, losing their teeth and suffering heart and other organ failure along with behavioral changes. Without sudden death, meth use may seem less of an emergency.

Read more: Editorial: The 1980s crack epidemic was a fork in the road. America chose racism and prisons over public health

There may also be less talk about meth because there is so little that can easily be done about it. There is no treatment like naloxone, which can temporarily reverse fentanyl or other opioid overdose. Or Suboxone, which can deaden opioid cravings and treat addiction.

Or it may be that the treatments we do have are so controversial. Contingency management is an incentive-based program with a short but solid record of success, but offering rewards to recovering users for each day their drug tests are clean holds little appeal for critics who demand more traditional treatment and tougher penalties.

Or maybe it's because officials recognize how poorly Los Angeles and other jurisdictions responded to the crack epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s and are worried about repeating the same mistakes: fighting a dangerous public health crisis by investing too heavily and exclusively in arrest and imprisonment and too little in treatment and economic development, magnifying many times over the societal devastation caused by the drug.

Read more: My life after meth  learning to open and close the curtains

Or it may be because the conversation, when it does take place, too often devolves into ideological extremes, with one faction insisting that the bulk of L.A.s homeless population is on the street because of drug use, and another faction equally adamant that homelessness is solely a function of housing costs and has little connection to drug-induced dysfunction. Meanwhile, many homeless users say they took up the drug when they moved to the street, where meth is plentiful and cheap.

In any event, as meth use spreads and affects more lives, we cant afford to avoid the conversation any longer. L.A. County has important programs aimed at helping meth users, but they don't always complement each other well. A 4-year-old program to raise awareness was blunted by COVID-19.

The Board of Supervisors last week approved Lindsey Horvath's call for a report from public health, mental health and other officials on the response to meth use, and it's a welcome step. But in all-too-typical county fashion, the officials were given 90 days to respond. L.A. needs a greater sense of urgency to understand and deal with its meth problem.

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.
Traffic cameras  those silent but implacable witnesses to driving infractions that can result in hefty fines for red-light running or speeding in a school zone  have never been all that popular with Florida residents. To many, they seem unfair: Because law enforcement is rarely present when the camera records a violation, theres no human interaction. By the time the ticket arrives in the mail, the memory of having broken the law has faded, even though motorists usually have the ability to go online and see video of their misdeeds. And particularly in the early days of camera-monitored tickets, there were questions about tricks employed by the private vendors with contracts to run the cameras on behalf of local governments.

A bill recently signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (HB 1363) could help give peace of mind to local residents with doubts over the cameras effectiveness and fairness. It establishes new rules for cities and counties that operate cameras  including an open, public discussion under the states Sunshine laws any time new cameras are added. It obligates local officials to report annually to the state with detailed data on how many motorists are ticketed and how effective cameras are in reducing traffic crashes. It also requires details on the number of drivers who fight red-light tickets and win. That could provide critical insight on whether the cameras are unfairly targeting drivers who arent behind the wheel when a vehicle they own is seen pushing through a red light.

The new data probably wont shake the hardcore opponents of the cameras. Some state leaders have tried multiple times to abolish the authority of cities and counties to use red-light cameras. This year, that included a proposed constitutional amendment that failed to pass in this years session.

Killing that proposal was the right decision. Banning the cameras could strip local governments of tools that could save lives. Red-light violations are among the most common  and most hazardous  of driving errors, and cause thousands of traffic deaths each year. Putting a camera at an intersection tends to remind drivers that theres a price to be paid for ignoring traffic signals, and if they violate the law at a camera-monitored intersection, they will get a ticket. The same goes for drivers when cameras catch them speeding in a school zone or ignoring safety signals mounted on school buses.

But Floridians also deserve to know that the cameras  which can produce millions of dollars in revenue after vendors take their cut  are being operated with an eye toward accuracy and accountability. For its part, the state needs better data on whether the cameras do enough to improve public safety. Thus far, that data is mixed, though cameras have been in use for more than a quarter-century in some U.S. municipalities. But one landmark study released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2015 found that installing traffic cameras at busy intersections in big cities correlated to a 25% reduction in traffic fatalities.

Use of cameras should still be a local decision  one an increasing number of cities and counties are turning away from, though they remain popular locally. According to WESH News 2, Orange County and six of its cities  Orlando, Belle Isle, Maitland, Winter Park, Ocoee and Edgewood  have 25% of the 476 cameras across the state.

HB 1363 does include some silly distractions  including a ban on vendors based in China or other foreign countr(ies) of concern. But the bigger impact of the legislation is this: Floridians deserve to know how red-light cameras impact public safety, and this would give them the data they need.

____

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Contact us at insight@orlandosentinel.com

____
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  El Paso pilot Javier Gomez, 28, recently became a pilot for Delta Airlines, after going through a long and selective process, reaching the highest milestone of his career.





Gomez has been in the skies for 11 years, pursuing his childhood dream of becoming a pilot.

His journey, however, has been very self-directed as he did not go to an aviation university to earn a degree. Gomez instead jumped around different local pilot schools to earn his accreditations.

Despite dreaming of becoming a pilot one day, Gomez said he didnt commit to the career path fully, until he almost settled for the comfort of working as a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines for five years.

I said, Well, Im going to take this leap. Im going to go through all the training and get all my licenses and certifications and hopefully therell be a job at the end of the day, Gomez said. I dont want to ever jeopardize that joy of aviation. I know I want to fly. I know its not because I just want to work for an airline or not because I want to do this. I just generally love flying.

In 2017, Gomez officially began his journey towards becoming a pilot. He would become a flight instructor and fly private jets after obtaining his private and commercial licenses.

Those endeavors would allow Gomez to rack up the 1,500 hours required for him to earn his Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license, the most advanced certification a pilot can obtain.

The biggest thing that I can say to aspiring pilots is, Dont give up on the career. It can seem long and therell be a lot of times where youre learning something new that may not click and doesnt make sense, Gomez said. But as theyll tell you at the airlines, Trust the process, go through growth, the training curriculum and just trust that at the end of the day, youre still going to learn what needs to be done and youre still going to end up operating the airplane in the most safest practical way.

Gomez is currently stationed in Los Angeles, but continues to live in El Paso, commuting to work on a plane. His next goal is to pilot international flights.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CHICAGO  An elderly woman was critically injured in a fire in the citys South Shore neighborhood.

The fire started around 10 a.m. Monday in the 7400 block of South Exchange Avenue.

According to the Chicago Fire Department, an elderly woman suffered major burns after furniture inside the residence caught fire.

She was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. The victims age has not been released.

Several injured in CTA bus crash in Bridgeport

No further information has been provided by authorities.

The cause of the fire is unknown 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 WGN-TV.
Members of the RSU 40 school board voted last week to repeal a policy that addresses the safety and wellbeing of transgender and gender expansive students. (Getty Images)

As Mainers head to the polls on Tuesday, some midcoast residents will also be casting votes to determine the balance of power of a school board that just elected to repeal protections designed to create a safe learning environment for students who are transgender.

At a meeting Thursday night, school board members for Regional School Unit 40 based in Union voted 8-8 in favor of removing the policy. However, certain members votes carry more weight because of the size of the town they represent, so the votes in favor were enough to repeal a policy that addresses the safety and wellbeing of transgender and gender expansive students.

The school district spans five communities  Union, Friendship, Waldoboro, Warren, and Washington.

The policy, known as ACAAA, was adopted in 2018 and addresses privacy, name changes, pronoun use and other guidance for how parents and students should communicate with the school to recognize a childs identity as transgender.

Under this policy, students are allowed to use the restroom and locker room that most closely aligns with their gender identity. It also says students should be addressed by the name and pronouns corresponding with their gender identity.

During hours of public testimony, multiple people, including some who are transgender, spoke about the importance of the protections granted under ACAAA. Research from the Human Rights Campaign shows that transgender people are at a greater risk for violence, harassment and discrimination. The policy specifically addresses safety and says that staff should be sensitive to the increased risk trans students face and report concerns to administrators.

On the eve of an election

This decision comes less than a week before the June 11 election where a quarter of the seats on the board are up for grabs. Two seats from Waldoboro and one each from Warren and Union will be on the ballot Tuesday.

According to reporting from The Courier-Gazette in Rockland, incumbent Matthew Speno, who supported the policy, is not seeking reelection, so candidates Rachel Wilcox and Timothy Wood are vying for the seat in Union. School board member Namoi Aho  who voted to delete the policy  is running against challenger Torry Verrill to keep her seat in Warren.

Neither of the incumbents in Waldoboro  who split on the transgender policy  are running for reelection, but the field is still crowded with Tabatha MacArthur, Steve Karp, Benjamin Stickney and write-in candidate Leah Shipps.

After the decision Thursday, various school board candidates took to social media to share their thoughts and reactions to the revocation.

Karp  who led a failed attempt last year to have the book Gender Queer removed from school library shelves  applauded the decision to repeal the policy in a Facebook post Friday. He thanked the members who voted to remove the policy that, he said, took away parental rights and protection for our biologically female students.

In another Facebook post, Shipps thanked members of the trans community for sharing their stories at the board meeting and urged them to show up at the polls on Tuesday.

We absolutely need every vote, she wrote on Facebook. Please send the message to our community that ALL students are important, valued and worthy of a safe and positive public education by casting your votes.

Verrill called Thursdays decision disheartening.

Multiple candidates also spoke to the majority of attendees who gave public comment in support of the policy. You filled that space with love and compassion, wrote Stickney. Its a huge disappointment that half the board didnt care, but we have the power to change that.

Wilcox wrote that, if elected, she would not draw a line in the sand and refuse to consider the will of the people. I am not afraid to listen, learn and understand.

Efforts from anti-government group

Leading up to the boards vote, Parents Rights in Education Maine published an action pamphlet encouraging people to speak in favor of repealing the policy. Earlier this week, Parents Rights in Education was identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as one of 12 hate and anti-government groups in Maine.

Parents Rights in Education Maine did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The pamphlet was published on the groups Facebook page with details for Thursdays board meeting and sample testimony. As written on the pamphlet, the group said the policy infringes on parents rights, First Amendment rights and doesnt apply equal protection to all students.

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The post Election to determine balance of school board that repealed trans student protections appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
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. (John Moore | Getty Images)

This story was updated on June 10 at 12:37 p.m. to reflect the correct name of the executive director of the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections.

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 Black people 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 3-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 on, 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.

The post Election workers worry that federal threats task force isnt enough to keep them safe appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
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 Kentucky Lantern.
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 Rhode Island Current.
The European Union is facing existential challenges that will require an enormous effort in the coming years to adapt the common project to the turbulent contemporary scenario. The political balances that, according to the first projections, emerge from the European elections complicate an already arduous task. If the final results confirm the projections, the new term will be marked by two problematic factors for European construction: the surge by a heterogeneous galaxy of nationalist far-right forces; and the brutal blows suffered by the leaders in power in Berlin and Paris, the EUs key driving forces. The EUs center of gravity is shifting towards a Eurosceptic right, while its two largest national pillars are faltering.

Both are serious problems. None, however, is insurmountable.

In a pan-European approach, what the far-right vote means cannot be underestimated. There are differences, and very large ones, between the parties that fall under that category, but it is obvious that to a large extent it is a vote of rejection or skepticism towards the direction of European integration, of displeasure with the system. It is a serious matter, and it will be hard to reverse that dynamic. The solution is not to accept the theses defended their leaders, but to reduce the reasons for their voters unhappiness.

In any case, despite the far-right surge, according to projections, the traditional European coalition of popular, social democrats and liberals is retaining a majority in the European Parliament. The problem is that this majority appears to be too slim in view of the history of the groups, which do not usually vote compactly. Most of the time these deviations do not correspond to major dilemmas of principle, but to small partisan calculations. In any case, the Green group continues to exist as reinforcement that broadens the European base.

What is needed now is for the pro-European formations to abandon their petty partisan calculations and show some nobility of spirit to make mutual concessions, in the name of the greater interest of common construction. This calls on the EPP group not to seek alliances or flirt with the far right. And, to the others, to reciprocate by recognizing the latters electoral gains, taking steps back that do not cross red lines. There is room. Unlike so many poisoned national scenarios, polarized to the core, in Europe this is still possible. The bridges are not burnt. We just need to use them with a high level of vision.

As for the poor results obtained by the EUs two great centers of national power, the blow is hard. The prospect of having two badly injured leaders in Germany and France is emerging as a new reality. What was already a not-very-flowing relationship shows signs of becoming even more complex due to the political desperation of both parties. The call for early legislative elections adds uncertainty to the mix. But again, the problem is not insurmountable. Le Pen is not in the Elysee, nor is Alternative for Germany in the chancellery. With the right will, there is room to reach agreements.

The diagnosis is clear: the EU is not well prepared for todays world. It has a security and competitiveness deficit. It is too dependent, fragile, slow to react. Some believe that the answer is the Europe of nations, slowing or even reversing integration. Others believe that the solution is even more unity. The latter should end their partisanship and their short-term calculations and seek compromises with those who share this touchstone idea. They are the majority.

At the entrance of the European Parliament in this coming term someone should engrave an inscription: Abandon all partisanship, ye Europeanists who enter here. Otherwise, perhaps, in the not too distant future, there will be another inscription with the famous phrase by Dante: Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.
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 Aaron 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.

The post Election workers worry that federal threats task force isnt enough to keep them safe appeared first on Source New Mexico.
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: John Partipilo)

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: John Partipilo)

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.

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.

 U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland

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 Aaron 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.

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The post Election workers worry that federal threats task force isnt enough to keep them safe appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
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. (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 West Virginia Watch.
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. (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 Wisconsin Examiner.
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 Aaron 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.

The post Election workers worry that federal threats task force isnt enough to keep them safe appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
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. (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.

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The post Election workers worry that federal threats task force isnt enough to keep them safe appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
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. 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.

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MADISON  State Rep. Dora Drake will remain on the ballot in the August primary for the 4th District Senate seat after fending off a challenge to her nomination papers from her opponent, Rep. LaKeshia Myers.

The bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission voted unanimously Monday to reject Myers' challenge, accepting the commission staff's finding that Drake's forms were "substantially compliant" with state law.

Drake, who is in her second term in the state Assembly, had supporters sign the form for nonpartisan offices, such as judge, instead of the one for partisan positions, such as legislator. Her nomination papers did, however, have the phrase "Democratic Party" typed on the form.

The commission found that Drake submitted 692 valid signatures that "substantially" complied with state law "because they all contained the name of her party and because they clearly indicated she was running for a partisan office."

"We're very happy with the result," said Michael Maistelman, attorney for Drake. "This was an outrageous challenge, which the commission quickly and unanimously dismissed."

To run for state Senate, candidates have to submit between 400 and 800 valid signatures on the correct nomination form.

Wisconsin State Representative LaKeshia Myers on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Myers represents the 12th assembly district in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Myers, who filed a rebuttal to the commission staff's recommendation, argued during Monday's WEC meeting that voters signing Drake's nomination papers could have been confused by seeing the word "nonpartisan."

"So potentially, a person signing this would have looked at that and said 'nonpartisan,' and may have been swayed to say, 'Oh, I may be a Republican; I'm going to sign your paperwork.' Or 'This doesn't matter what party you are to sign the paperwork,'" Myers said.

Following the vote to approve Drake's place on the ballot, Republican Commissioner Bob Spindell said the commission should do more to make it clear to candidates "to be careful and make sure you have the proper form."

Democratic Commissioner Ann Jacobs also questioned whether a change to the nonpartisan form is needed if a space exists to declare a party affiliation. A WEC staffer clarified that nonpartisan forms do not include such a space, and Drake's campaign added the information on its own.

Former Sen. Lena Taylor, a Milwaukee Democrat, left the Senate seat earlier this year when she was appointed as a judge to the Milwaukee County court by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. He then announced a special election for July.

Myers and Drake will compete in both the special election and the August primary, the winner of which will hold the seat as no Republican candidate has entered the race. The special election in July will determine who will fill the remainder of Taylor's term while the August primary is a battle for who will be elected to a full four-year term.

Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com. Daniel Bice can be reached at dbice@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Elections Commission keeps Dora Drake on Senate ballot
Retired school teacher Beverly Kinney was overdue home from one of her regular neighborhood walks when her husband heard sirens from their Hyde Park condo.

So Ed Cloughessy walked a block south to the corner of Dana Avenue and Duck Creek Road and was stopped by police yellow tape.

Thats when Cloughessy learned police were investigating a Metro bus accident that killed a pedestrian. He described her new shoes to the police.

They told him his 87-year-old wife was on her way to the morgue.

Now, Cloughessy and other members of Kinneys family are suing Metros owner and driver Deon Willis, calling them negligent and Kinneys death preventable.

Announcing their lawsuit on Monday, Cloughessy said hes felt pain, sorrow and anger since Willis bus hit and killed Kinney on Jan. 11.

Its been four months and its not abating at all, he said.

Beverly Kinney is pictured with Jack Kinney, one of her three grandchildren, as her family announces a wrongful death suit against Metro operator SORTA and Metro driver Deon Willis for her January death. From left are Kinney family attorney Rex Elliott, son John Kinney, son Jeff Kinney and Ed Cloughessy, Kinney's husband.

Suit alleges wrongful death, negligence

The suit, filed in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, seeks a jury trial on counts that include wrongful death, negligence and recklessness. In addition to seeking unnamed punitive damages, the suit asks Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority to complete an audit of how Metro hires and trains drivers and release it to the public.

"It is inconceivable why SORTA ever allowed this person behind the wheel of a 13-ton city bus," Kinney attorney Rex Elliott said.

Willis had an abysmal driving record that included a Dec. 1, 2018, accident that left DeCarlo Fowler in a wheelchair, according to the Kinney lawsuit. Willis ran a red light and struck Fowlers car at Findlay Street and Winchell Avenue at close to 1 a.m., a Metro accident report shows.

Fowler, 24 and a University of Cincinnati student at the time, remains in a wheelchair with a feeding tube for nutrition, the lawsuit said.

Metro bus driver Deon Willis, charged with vehicular homicide in the Jan. 11 death of pedestrian Beverly Kinney, won a continuance in his case Monday and will return to court next month. He is seeking a new attorney to replace James Costin, right.

Sons don't consider Kinney's death an accident

John Kinney said Monday that he does not consider his mothers death an accident.

She was killed in a completely preventable action, he said.

Added brother, Jeff: "They enabled this guy to be out there with a horrendous driving record and he and they killed my mom."

Willis should face more than misdemeanor charges, the brothers said. Learning he was not charged with a felony, felt like a kick in the gut, John Kinney said.

Willis, hired in 2018, was charged with five counts of misdemeanor aggravated vehicular homicide on May 15.

He returned to court Monday for a pre-trial hearing in Hamilton County Municipal Court, requesting a continuance of his case. Judge Samantha Silverstein set July 8 as his next hearing. Willis attorney James Costin, without explanation, told the judge Willis is seeking a new attorney.

Costin did not return a message asking about Willis request.

As The Enquirer reported earlier, Willis had a long record of infractions at Metro and close to 40 cases in local courts over nearly 30 years. He was driving with a suspended license when he hit Kinney.

He remains on paid leave while Metro nears the final stages of its investigation in the Kinney case, a Metro spokesperson said Monday.

Our deepest sympathies go out to the Kinney family for the tragic loss of Mrs. Kinney," said Bradley Mason. "Due to litigation, we are not able to comment on any specifics related to the incident at this time."

The Hamilton County Prosecutors Office did not immediately respond to a question about the possibility of harsher charges against Willis.

Ed Cloughessy learned his wife was hit and killed by a Metro bus after he heard sirens and walked to the scene to investigate.

'What kind of HR ... do they have?'

Cloughessy, 85, said he married Kinney, a longtime educator with Princeton City Schools, after both of their spouses died about 18 years ago.

Eighty-five people showed up for her memorial service in February, he said, including one-time students and people who volunteered for the same local organizations. One older man attended alone and introduced himself as one of Kinney's fourth-grade students, Cloughessy said.

Metro should not have allowed Willis to continue driving given his record, Cloughessy said.

As a retired human resources professional, Cloughessy said he knows "all about training and safety and discipline.

What kind of HR department do they have that they would have an unlicensed driver out there? he asked.

Jeffrey Kinney, son of Beverly Kinney, during a press conference with her sons and their attorney, Monday, June 10, 2024. Beverly Kinney was killed Jan. 11, 2024, as she crossed the crosswalk in Hyde Park. She was hit by a Metro bus driven my Deon Willis, who is now charged with five first-degree misdemeanor counts of aggravated vehicular homicide. The Kinney family has brought a civil suit against Metro. Monday June 10, 2024

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kinney family sues after Metro bus kills mother
The spacecraft and dual-winged craft complete the seventh commercial launch from Spaceport America on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

SPACEPORT AMERICA  Virgin Galactic launched its seventh, and last flight with the Unity ship, out of the New Mexico Spaceport Saturday.

The four passengers on the commercial flight and two experiments from Purdue University and University of California Berkeley.

The four customers were Turkish researcher Tuva Atasever; SpaceX propulsion engineer Andy Sadhwani; former real estate developer Irving Izchak Pergament, and London hotel and resort investment strategist Giorgio Manenti.

At an apogee of 54.4 miles, the flight made it into the fuzzy line between the Earths atmosphere and space, defined by NASA as 50 miles above the Earths surface, but below the imaginary boundary of the Kaman Line, measured about 62 miles above the planet.

This flight, sent off with the cheers of several hundred observers, is the last commercial flight for at least two years.

In November Virgin Galactic laid off 185 employees, including 73 in New Mexico, as a strategy to pivot to building space planes with more seats, outlining a plan to fly several times a month when it returns in 2026.

The company has said the facility to build the crafts in Mesa, Arizona, is expected to be operational in 2024.

Virgin Galactics founder, billionaire Richard Branson, appeared at the launch site Saturday outside of Truth or Consequences. Branson joined Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier in heralding the future of the company.

The new Delta-class of spaceship will be wonderful, Branson said. It will be like building aeroplanes so we can build one after the other, after the other, and in time start bringing the prices down and enabling more people to go to space.

Scott McLaughlin, the executive director at the New Mexico Spaceport Authority at the last commerical launch for Virgin Galactic before the hiatus. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

Virgin Galactic founder and British billionaire, Richard Branson, watched the launch Saturday. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

The spaceplane separates from the carrier plane, and begins to burn in a rocket stage. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

The VSS Unity ship realights after reaching an apogee at 54.4 miles above the earth, in near-space. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

Branson, left, joins the passengers for the seventh commercial spaceflight at Spaceport America, along with Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier, far right. (Source NM / Danielle Prokop)

The 'Gateway to Space' building which Virgin Galactic leases from the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, as seen on Saturday, Jun 8, 2024. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

The post End of an era for Virgin Galactic commercial flights appeared first on Source New Mexico.
Trujillo, Falcon, San Fernando de Apure, Carora and Barquisimeto, Ciudad Bolivar, Monagas: the tour stops of the first vice-president of Venezuelas United Socialist Party, Diosdado Cabello, in support of President Nicolas Maduro, have taken care to match up with the campaign rallies of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Wherever Machado arrives  now accompanied by presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia  Cabello soon appears, tearing into his adversaries, clamoring against international sanctions, delivering threats, assessing his base and checking in on the logistical mechanisms of the governments 1X10 plan, which asks each Chavista to bring 10 other people to the polls.

The situation has raised eyebrows because, if theres something Chavismo has always been careful about, it is staying ahead of its opponents when it comes to the spread of information. Current pro-government rallies are usually held with the stated goal of protesting international sanctions, which they hold responsible for the countrys paralysis, and to accuse the Venezuelan opposition of promoting them. In other words, placing the blame for the sanctions on Machado.

While Cabello lacerates Machado and Gonzalez, Maduro and national assembly president Jorge Rodriguez forge on with their proselytizing tour and its rather modest rallies. This multi-pronged electoral strategy, which is bolstered by a widespread publicity campaign that portrays Maduro as a kind of cult leader, was developed during meetings of the Venezuela Nuestra campaign command, run by a coalition of pro-government parties. The group gathered a few days ago at the Humboldt Hotel atop El Avila Hill, overlooking the capital. As on other occasions, Rodriguez is be the primary coordinator of Chavismos electoral machine.

With this tactic, Chavismo is making an effort to retain its most committed voters, the hardcore Chavismo, says an experienced political leader close to the opposition command who has preferred to remain anonymous. It makes sense what Cabello is doing, what he is looking for is to avoid an exodus of his people, to make a show of his presence, to ask for reports, to apply pressure.

In comparison to how things normally proceed in Venezuelan elections, no altercations between rival political factions have taken place, at least for now. Machado and Gonzalez Urrutia  along with a large part of the leadership of the oppositions camp  are being prevented by authorities from flying, so they travel the country by car. Until recently, the attitude of the military at the countrys intermittent checkpoints toward them has not been very friendly, though their animosity seems to be subsiding as of late.

Chavismo is deploying its entire arsenal. We have to go a little further, to the house of people who are dissatisfied, of those who said, I dont want to get involved in politics anymore, Cabello declared a recent rally in his home state of Monagas. We have to go and look for all of them, talk to them as brothers, as comrades, continue growing the revolutionary forces.

Sometimes Chavismo makes this kind of decision, says historian and political analyst Pedro Benitez. It happened many times in 2001, in 2002 during the first popular protests against Hugo Chavez. When the opposition makes a call to the street, the Chavistas make another at the same time, to a location that is not very far away. It was a way of qualifying the adversary, of making their presence known, of challenging them in the street. The difference lies in the size of these rallies that take place in villages, towns and cities. For the time being, judging from images uploaded to social media by both sides, the opposition has the upper hand when it comes to numbers.

I have an additional hypothesis about this, says Benitez. Chavismo has a kind of obsession, wants to closely follow the emergence of the leadership of Maria Corina Machado, a person who represents the antithesis of Chavista values, the symbol of everything that Chavismo has abhorred in its discourse over the years, he says.

After rejecting European election monitoring, Chavista authorities have repeatedly asked the opposition to commit to respecting electoral results and have denounced violent plans they say are being formulated to disregard the voters decision. Once and for all, we warn: whoever goes around calling for violence and disturbing the public peace before, during or after the electoral process will go to jail, declared Rodriguez at a recent press conference.

The opposition is preparing to call fraud, they are now circulating poll results that name them as the winners, said Cabello at another rally. We cant stop them from showing poll results, but we can start building our victory. They need to have a previous narrative to be able to mount their demand, thats their thing, street barricades, violence, fascism. We will not allow it. Our victory has to be resounding, he continued. Even if that means chasing Machado and Gonzalez wherever they go.
People opposed to Enbridge's Line 3 pipeline trekked through a marsh to a site where the pipeline will cross the Mississippi River on June 7, 2021. Photo by Rilyn Eischens/Minnesota Reformer.

A coalition of environmental groups is calling for legislative hearings over the Minnesota Pollution Control Agencys failure to detect and curb pollution in several instances in recent years.

In a press release, the groups accused the agency  as well as the state departments of Health, Agriculture and Natural Resources  of polluter capture, meaning the agencies decisionmaking has been captured by corporate influence.

We ask legislators to fulfill their constitutional role to ensure the agencies live up to their responsibilities and secure clean water and air for all, said Steve Morse, a former state senator and the executive director of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership.

Among the groups: Climate Generation, Clean Up the River Environment, Friends of the Boundary Waters, Pollinator Friendly Alliance, Sierra Club North Star Chapter.

The push by environmentalists reveals some Minnesota progressives discontent with the administration of second-term DFL Gov. Tim Walz, who has long sought to balance jobs and economic growth with environmental concerns.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Walz said the governors office is proud of Minnesotas agencies: The state has a strong record of holding polluters accountable and working with the community and the Legislature to ensure health and our natural resources are protected.

The green coalition pointed to a dozen instances where state regulators delayed or did not take action against a polluting company or industry, or made permitting and regulatory decisions that were favorable to companies.

The EPA found during a surprise inspection that the Smith Foundry in the East Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis was emitting more particulate matter than allowed by federal regulations. After the EPA found the violations, the Star Tribune reported that MPCA officials appeared to contradict the EPAs findings, saying the state agency did not have evidence that the foundry was violating state or federal rules.

The EPA settled with the Smith Foundry last week, and the foundry will close its furnace within a year.

It took a surprise inspection from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to bring to light something we have known for years. We dont understand why the MPCA has sided with a polluter for so long, said Joe Vital, organizer with the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute, in a press release.

Environmentalists also cite nitrate pollution in drinking water in southeastern Minnesota, largely attributable to farm runoff; the EPA warned state leaders in November that they were not doing enough to curb the problem.

Federal officials have also withheld grant money from the DNR for logging violations, alleging state officials failed to ensure that timber harvesting on public land was done with wildlife habitat in mind, not private interests.

The post Environmental groups call for hearings over MPCA issues appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
Nitrates that contaminated rural well water, an iron foundry that fouled the air in a south Minneapolis neighborhood, a potato farm that overused a sensitive underground aquifer  in all of these cases, a group of environmental organizations claim, the state of Minnesota failed in its duty to protect the environment.

Now, the coalition of 16 groups is urging lawmakers to hold hearings on the state's environmental protection, and make state agency leaders in Gov. Tim Walz' administration answer for several recent episodes. They claim the four state agencies responsible for protecting the environment  the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Health and Department of Agriculture  have offered too little oversight of the polluters and industries they should be regulating, at the expense of other Minnesotans.

The coalition is specifically asking lawmakers to hold informational hearings. Walz would have to call a special session for lawmakers to take any action, and he has said he would not do that this summer, even though legislators failed to pass an infrastructure bonding bill this year.

"Multiple organizations and individuals have tried to get the Walz administration's attention on this. But they refuse to acknowledge the problem or propose meaningful solutions. It's time for the Legislature to exercise their oversight authority and hold hearings," Margaret Levin, state director of Sierra Club North Star Chapter, said in a press release.

Spokespeople for Walz and the four agencies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a newly launched website, the environmental groups highlight 12 recent cases where they say the state fell short, spanning across the state and covering industries from metalwork to agriculture to mining.

In south Minneapolis, neighbors of Smith Foundry reported bad odors and pollution from the foundry and a neighboring asphalt plant for years. But it wasn't until a surprise inspection in May 2023 that the Environmental Protection Agency found issues with air filters, broken equipment, poor record keeping and fine black dust that built up all over the interior of Smith and sometimes escaped through doors and windows.

The fact that federal officials had initiated the case sparked a wave of anger in the East Phillips neighborhood, because of the many prior complaints to the state, and because Smith was operating under a two-decade-old air pollution permit that MPCA was still updating. EPA recently settled its enforcement case with Smith, which will close down its major operations within the next year.

Another of the group's top concerns: the state's decades-long failure to protect drinking water in southeastern Minnesota from nitrate contamination, which largely comes from fertilizers and manure spread on crop fields.

Minnesota agencies have spent hundreds of millions of dollars and decades of effort to try to reduce nitrate contaminating drinking water and rivers. But despite numerous programs designed to encourage farmers to change their ways, purchases of fertilizer keep growing.

Frustrated residents, many with contaminated private wells, called for the federal government to intervene. In November, the EPA found that the water supply for around 9,200 people in southeastern Minnesota could be contaminated with dangerous levels of nitrate. In a letter to state regulators, the EPA ordered the agencies to immediately notify residents of the danger, provide them with bottled water and come up with a plan to reduce the pollution.

A handful of the case studies mentioned, however, were recently cited by agency officials and Walz' office as the inspiration for a change in state law that has empowered MPCA to take stronger action against polluters. The agency can now order an emergency shutdown of a polluting site in a range of different circumstances, and netted $5 million in funding that will fund 22 new positions to enforce clean air rules.

The groups that have signed on to the campaign include Climate Generation, Clean Up the River Environment (CURE) East Phillips Neighborhood Institute, Friends of the Boundary Waters, Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate, the Izaak Walton League, Minnesota Environmental Justice Table, Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, Minnesota Well Owners Organization, MN350, Pollinator Friendly Alliance, Sierra Club, TakeAction Minnesota, Waadookawaad Amikwag (Those Who Help Beaver), and WaterLegacy.

Check back for more on this breaking story.
Representative Eric Swalwell reprised his pitch-perfect burn for the cultish fervor of MAGA Republicans after Donald Trump and his disciples demonstrated their demented brand of devotion on Sunday.

Last week, Swalwell made waves on the internet for a viral speech declaring that Republicans steadfast loyalty to Trump, despite his obvious faultiness and recent guilty verdict, reminded him of the unwavering followers in a cult.

After Sundays sweltering rally, Swalwell resurrected his gag, after Trump and his disciples doubled down on their crazy.

Thank God were here in Sunset Park to worship and bring back the greatest president weve ever known in our generation! cried Nevada Republican Party Chair Michael McDonald, beneath the blazing sun that sent several so-called parishioners to the hospital.

McDonalds suggestion that Trump supporters should worship the presumptive Republican nominee seemed particularly unhinged, especially in the context of what Trump said later that day during one of his many rambling rants.

Easier to vote for Biden? I dont think so! It would be suicide before Biden, right? Trump asked the crowd.

Swalwell seized on the unhinged comments, which evoked the taste-memory of Kool-Aid. He posted the newest installment of his viral rant on X, formerly Twitter, and captioned it, You might be in a cult if 

You might be in a cult if pic.twitter.com/BumnXH9knE  Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) June 10, 2024

Incredibly enough, Swalwells video didnt even contain all of the insane pseudoreligious comments from even that one rally.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene proudly touted a particularly blasphemous comparison. The Democrats and the fake news media want to constantly talk about, Oh, President Trump is a convicted felon, the Georgia Republican griped. Well, you wanna know something? The man that I worship is also a convicted felon. And he was murdered on a Roman cross.

Marjorie Taylor Greene in Vegas compares Trump to Jesus pic.twitter.com/R8l3fGUO0B  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 9, 2024

Greenes comment suggests she lacks an understanding of the Bible, or Trump, or hey, maybe even both. As the poster child for Trumps cult, it should surprise no one that she has actually already compared Trump to Jesus after he was arrested last year.


Rebecca Binstock, center, executive director for the North Dakota Ethics Commission, conducts a virtual meeting in their conference room at the Capitol on March 27, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

The North Dakota Ethics Commission will host a free webinar on June 25 from noon to 1 p.m. breaking down its ethics complaint process.

Commission staff will walk through how it investigates complaints  from the perspectives of the filer, the accused as well as the Ethics Commission itself, according to an announcement from the commission.

To register, visit the Ethics Commissions website. Theres no deadline to register.

As with the commissions previous workshops, the event can count toward continuing legal education for North Dakota attorneys.

The Ethics Commission was created by Amendment XIV of the North Dakota Constitution, which was approved by voters in 2018.

The amendment gives the commission oversight over the areas of lobbying, corruption, transparency and elections.

It also requires the Ethics Commission to investigate alleged violations of commissions rules, as well as of Article XIV and certain state statutes.

The commissions process for investigating complaints was codified into state law by the Legislature in 2019.

Ethics complaints submitted to the commission have been on the rise since late 2022, according to Executive Director Rebecca Binstock.

As of May 30, there had been 15 complaints submitted since the start of 2024, Binstock said. By comparison, there were 17 complaints filed in all of 2023.

The post Ethics Commission hosts webinar about complaint process appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
(Bloomberg) -- European carbon allowances fell Monday morning as traders digested how gains by right-wing parties in the blocs parliamentary elections might affect efforts to tackle climate change.

Most Read from Bloomberg

While centrist parties are set to preserve the majorities that delivered Europes main climate legislation in recent years, a decline of the Greens underscores a shift in European voters priorities after the energy crisis and economic shock since Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Benchmark carbon futures for December fell as much as 2.3% to 69.75 per metric ton, the lowest since May 17.

A strong and confident right will probably succeed in blocking new climate legislation that puts costs on households and industries, said Ingvild Srhus, who focuses on carbon at Oslo-based analysis firm Veyt.

Read: Green Wipeout Means Fights Ahead to Keep Europes Climate Goals

Srhus added she doesnt expect the European Unions new Parliament to backtrack on existing laws and regulations, which have been revised recently to ensure the bloc reaches its goal of slashing emissions 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

Europes carbon market puts a price on CO2 emissions from thousands of plants and factories. The market is set to tighten in the coming years and fewer permits will be given away for free, a mechanism designed to encourage manufacturers to reduce emissions.

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) lead candidate for the European elections and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a press conference after the CDU Federal Executive Committee meeting in the Konrad Adenauer House. The CDU was the strongest party in the 2024 European elections. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa

The next few weeks will involve some hard work for Ursula von der Leyen if the German centre-right politician is to secure another five-year term as European Commission president and therefore one of Europe's most powerful politicians.

First, she has to get a majority of European Union national leaders to support her over the next few days. Although the EU Treaty requires them to take into account the result of the European Parliament elections, they could decide to propose a different candidate to the parliament.

This happened in 2019 when another German centre-right politician, the Bavarian Manfred Weber, was unable to secure the required majority in the European Council after the European elections. French President Emmanuel Macron then put forward von der Leyen as an alternative candidate.

The fact that the centre-right bloc, the European People's Party (EPP), is currently represented in the European Council by 13 of the 27 national leaders suggests there will not be a similar drama this year.

Only three other major member states need to vote in favour of von der Leyen for her to to achieve the necessary qualified majority - for example, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and France's Macron.

A big advantage for von der Leyen is that none of the other leading candidates for the commission presidency are considered to have a serious chance. These include the Luxembourgish social democrat Nicholas Schmit and the German Green politician Terry Reintke.

However, there is still some speculation that Macron could propose former Italian head of government Mario Draghi as an alternative to von der Leyen.

The second step would then be to unite a majority of members of the new parliament behind her in a secret ballot. To this end, von der Leyen and the EPP can rely on forging a stable alliance for their election by involving the Greens, social democrats and liberals.

The first positive signals came from the Greens and social democrats on Sunday evening. The Greens' lead candidate, Terry Reintke, said she was prepared to negotiate. "We are a clear pro-European force, we want to be part of majorities and we will work on this in the coming weeks," she explained.

"If we manage to present a common line with the other pro-European groups, if we say that the Green Deal will continue, the rule of law and democracy in the European Union will be defended, then we Greens are prepared to support Ursula von der Leyen as commission president."

Rene Repasi, the chairman of Germany's centre-left delegation to the European Parliament, was also open to supporting von der Leyen - albeit rather indirectly. He said that there was absolutely no need for the EPP to form a coalition with far-right parties, presumably alluding to the fact that von der Leyen had not ruled out working with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and her right-wing populist party Brothers of Italy before the election.

The liberals for their part said they were prepared to form a pro-European coalition to modernize the EU. However, their leader Valerie Hayer added, there were also some conditions to be met.

Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) lead candidate for the European elections and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a press conference after the CDU Federal Executive Committee meeting in the Konrad Adenauer House. The CDU was the strongest party in the 2024 European elections. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa
Frances president Emmanuel Macron has called a snap election after a terrible result for his centrist allies in EU parliamentary elections, claimimg far-right parties are progressing everywhere on the continent.

Mr Macron called the national election after the far-right National Rally (RN) party won 31 per cent of the vote in France during the EU-wide election.

For me, who always considers that a united, strong, independent Europe is good for France, this is a situation which I cannot countenance, Mr Macron said.

Far-right parties were are also set to win across Belgium and Austria, with second-place finishes in Germany and the Netherlands.

So where are far and hard-right parties predicted to win across Europes parliamentary elections, and where are nationalist parties already in power? The Independent takes a look below.

Belgiums far-right Vlaams Belang party, which is led by Tom Van Grieken, is gained 14 and is set to narrowly win a close election, but fared worse then polls suggested.

The Freedom Party of Austria took 25 per cent, just ahead of the ruling conservative Peoples Party.

Viktor Orbans Fidesz party in Hungary received the most votes at 43 per cent of ballots, but its performance was its worst in years.

Meanwhile, three European countries already have nationalist populist governments. Italy, Slovakia, Hungary are all led by euro-sceptic parties.

Italy is led by Giorgia Meloni, of the Brothers of Italy, which won power in 2022. Her tenure has been described as the most right wing republican government in Italy since the Second World War.

Ms Melonis thanked voters after exit polls showed her hard-right Brothers of Italy party winning about 28 per cent of the vote in the EU parliamentary elections, ahead of its centre-left rivals on around 25 per cent.

Italy is led by Giorgia Meloni, of the Brothers of Italy party, which won power in 2022 (LaPresse)

Slovakia is led by Robert Fico, who was shot in an assassination attempt in May. He is the head of a three-party coalition which is widely seen as pro-Putin and eurosceptic.

Despite being described as left-wing, and emerging from the remnants of Communist-era Slovakia, Mr Ficos Social Democracy party is nationalist-populist.

Hungary is led by Mr Orban, another eastern European leader who is against the Ukraine war and widely seen as a supporter of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

He is the head of Fidesz, described as a right-wing and nationalist populist party. Mr Orban has been prime minister since 2010.
Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) lead candidate for the European elections and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a press conference after the CDU Federal Executive Committee meeting in the Konrad Adenauer House. The CDU was the strongest party in the 2024 European elections. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday the initial results of the European Parliament elections shows it is possible to "withstand the pressure from the extremes."

Von der Leyen said delivering for the public and managing crises gave her centre-right European People's Party (EPP) group "the strength to have this good result."

The commission president, aiming for a second term on the back of the EPP's electoral win, was speaking in Berlin as senior party political officials from the EU legislature digest the preliminary election results and set up possible parliamentary groupings.

The first sitting of the new EU legislature is pencilled in for July 16. Overall, the vote saw the EPP come first but also saw gains by far-right parties.

Final results in France and Germany saw the far right make major gains while preliminary results in Italy also reported an increase in support, according to data from the European Parliament.

While the far right could yet prove to be a disruptive force in the new EU legislative term, their immediate influence is not yet guaranteed due to existing divides like the Ukraine war.

Attempts to appeal to the mainstream also can be divisive. In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany's (AfD) expelled Maximilian Krah from their delegation in the European Parliament after a major rift opened between the German party and other far right groups.

Krah has been battered by several scandals, including allegations of accepting funds from Russia and China and has made controversial comments that not all members of the SS, a Nazi paramilitary group, were criminals.

Von der Leyen repeated her intention to seek support from the liberals and centre-left parties in the EU legislature to form a majority to approve her reappointment. She notably did not seek support from more extreme right wing parties.

On the campaign trail, the commission president drew criticism for not ruling out cooperation with them, in particular with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's nationalist Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, which came out on top in the EU-wide vote at home.

As the new parliament takes shape, EU leaders are set for a summit next Monday to weigh up the results and decide whether to reappoint von der Leyen for a second term.

This is the vital first step that requires a qualified majority.

Only three large EU member states need to vote in favour of von der Leyen for her to to achieve the necessary support, for example, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and France's Emmanuel Macron.

The EPP won 186 seats in the European Parliament, according to the latest provisional results from the EU legislature, making it the largest group by a comfortable margin, followed by the centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) on 135.

Liberal parties however fell from 102 seats to 79 seats while Green parties are also projected to lose a large number of European Parliament seats, down from 71 to 53.

Both groups are important sources of support for von der Leyen in a potential confirmation vote in the European Parliament.

Continent-wide elections for the European Parliament had their last day of voting on Sunday, in a poll that saw some 360 million people across the 27 EU member states eligible to cast their ballots over four days.

There were 720 seats up for grabs in the EU legislature, meaning von der Leyen needs 361 seats for a majority.

The EPP, S&D and the liberals combined were projected to have over 400 votes.

Parties in the far-right groups in the European Parliament, from the Identity and Democracy (ID) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) groups, garnered an estimated 131 seats, a gain of 13 seats compared to the outgoing legislature.

While this increase is modest, at a national level the impact of the European parliament election vote is already visible.

In Germany, the far-right AfD polled ahead of Scholz's party in Germany while in France, Macron decided to dissolve parliament, announcing new national elections, after his party lost to the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen.

Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) lead candidate for the European elections and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a press conference after the CDU Federal Executive Committee meeting in the Konrad Adenauer House. The CDU was the strongest party in the 2024 European elections. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa

Ursula von der Leyen (L), President of the European Commission, reacts after the European election results at the Konrad Adenauer House. Fabian Sommer/dpa
EU vote will drag bloc further Right than ever before

Ursula von der Leyen's flagship net zero policy is very much under threat - Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP

The European elections brought about a political earthquake in France and Germany but in Brussels, as the votes were counted, it was beginning to look like business as usual.

Emmanuel Macrons decision to call a snap election after his humiliation at the hands of Marine Le Pen deservedly grabbed the headlines.

Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, fresh from leading his centre-Left SPD to its worst ever European elections result, wont have thanked him for grabbing the limelight.

His unpopular and bickering coalition government is now under huge pressure after being beaten by the centre-Right CDU and the hard-Right Alternative For Germany (AFD).

Why, the victors will ask, wont Mr Scholz follow Mr Macrons lead and call an election himself?

Europe has swung to the Right, just as Britain looks like it will elect a Left-wing government.

Ms Le Pens victory was mirrored in big gains for Geert Wilders, of the Netherlands, Herbert Kickls Freedom Party of Austria and Alice Weidels Alternative For Germany.

Giorgia Melonis Brother of Italy party won a decisive victory, securing 28.82 per cent of the vote on Monday with 97 per cent of all votes counted  surpassing the 26 per cent she secured in the September 2022 national elections.

All have in common an antipathy towards Brussels overreach, migrants and the EUs net zero target.

However, they remain divided between pro-Ukraine and pro-Putin parties, which will sap their influence over EU law as it passes through the parliament.

Marine Le Pen's party had campaigned against net zero policies - JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP

Meanwhile traditional centre-Right parties won in Germany and Spain.

The establishment European Peoples Party (EPP), an alliance of European conservatives, will be, once again, the largest single group in the new parliament.

That is good news for EPP member Ursula von der Leyen, who is hoping to use the election results to secure a second five-year term as European Commission president.

The centre-Left Socialists and Democrats, Liberals, Greens and EPP have long operated in an informal coalition to push through EU law and increase European integration.

The socialists, again the second largest group, have already signalled they will support Mrs von der Leyens appointment.

Despite the gains for the eurosceptic Right, pro-EU parties have maintained their majority.

The status quo has held in Brussels, EU politics proving more resilient to domestic politics in its member states.

But the EU is not impervious to the concerns of its voters. The 2015 migrant crisis has cast a long shadow, which EU attempts to reform asylum policy has not cast off.

Before the elections in Germany, a failed asylum seeker attacked an anti-Islam demonstration. A police officer died in the incident, which may explain support for the fiercely anti-migrant AFD, despite it being beset by a slew of scandals.

Equally influential has been fraying patience with the EUs net zero goal. At the 2019 elections, the Greens posted their best ever results off the back of the mass climate protests led by Greta Thunberg.

But the war in Ukraine triggered a cost of living crisis, which has led to a backlash against EU net zero rules because they are seen as too expensive and burdensome. Farmers protests against the rules have managed to secure support in urban areas in countries such as the Netherlands.

However, Mrs von der Leyens flagship net zero policy is very much under threat. Her EPP turned against the policy in the face of the farmers protests that paralysed Europe.

It moved to water down green legislation, successfully removed strict protections for wolves and has railed against a planned ban on petrol engines in cars.

Mrs von der Leyen herself shelved plans to cut pesticide use and agricultural emission as the tractors rolled through Brussels.

The EPP, Liberals and Socialists can keep their majority without the support of the Greens.

The EPP has also been courting Ms Meloni and could vote with her soft eurosceptic group, which means they could dispense with the Liberals if necessary.

In the 2019 European elections, the hard-Right consolidated the gains they made in 2014.

Since then the mainstream has adopted their migration policies, such as Rwanda-style offshore processing of asylum seekers.

Now Europes greens will fear that the net zero backlash, fuelled by the cost of living crisis caused by the Ukraine war, will become accepted in the same way.

Ms Le Pen and her hard-Right allies may not hold the balance of power in Europe.

But their success has already influenced the traditional conservative and is dragging the centre of EU politics further to the Right than it has ever been.

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In Europe, even if 'center is holding,' far right ascends

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a news conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Feb. 26. (Gonzalo Fuentes / Associated Press)

Raucous cheers erupted and far-right leaders beamed into the camera lenses. The vote was in: The ultranationalist Alternative for Germany  for many here, a ghostly echo of the Nazi past  was now anointed as the countrys second-largest political party.

Across Europe, far-right political groupings notched strong gains in elections for the European Parliament in four days of balloting that ended Sunday. As predicted, centrist parties won the largest share of votes overall across the 27-nation European Union, but in several countries  most notably France and Belgium  the robust nationalist-populist showing set off political earthquakes.

French President Emmanuel Macron, whose party was trounced 2-1 by the far-right National Rally, called early national parliamentary elections that will take place only a few weeks before the showcase Olympic Games in Paris. In Belgium, the prime minister tearfully resigned after a right-wing partys electoral triumph.

And in Germany, there was growing angst over the far rights increasing inroads, which were most pronounced in the former East, but felt all across a country that reunified nearly 35 years ago following the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Although France and Germany are the blocs biggest and most influential members, analysts cautioned that their results do not necessarily reflect continent-wide political sentiment, since each individual EU member state has its own priorities and concerns.

And because the European Parliament has limited powers, the every-five-years exercise of choosing its composition can amount to something of a protest vote, whose results may or may not be replicated in contests for countries own parliaments and national leadership.

Read more: Biden honors U.S. war dead with a cemetery visit that served as a rebuke to Trump

Even so, the balance of power in the 720-seat European Parliament shifted distinctly rightward. And in France at least, the results triggered what amounted to a national meltdown, said French political analyst Celia Belin.

At the minimum, we can say this is massively unsettling and totally surprising, with absolutely unknown consequences, Belin, of the European Council on Foreign Relations, said during a postmortem webinar by the think tank on Monday.

Macrons political gambit of calling early elections is a risky one, analysts said. Although the snap parliamentary election wont determine the presidency  that vote isnt until 2027  he could find himself hamstrung and humiliated if the National Rally, led by longtime nemesis Marine Le Pen, makes a showing at all comparable to that in Sundays vote.

Le Pen expressed confidence that the National Rally would do just that. In the European vote, her party was represented by her 28-year-old protege Jordan Bardella, but she will be its face in rounds of national parliamentary voting at the end of this month and in early July.

"We are prepared to exercise power if the French give us their trust in these elections," Le Pen told jubilant supporters in Paris. "We're ready to transform the country, to defend the interests of the French, to halt mass migration."

Migration, the economy, climate change and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza all colored the election results, even though the European Parliaments influence on those issues is mainly indirect. It approves the EU budget as well as its executive leadership, and its stances help shape the legislative agendas in the blocs national parliaments.

Europes far-right parties generally have in common a hard line on migration, a conservative social agenda, a reluctance to fund ambitious projects to fight climate change and a desire to erode the EUs powers from within. But they differ on some matters, including the war in Ukraine and the degree of friendliness toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A vein of anti-establishment sentiment laid bare in the European vote could be a bellwether for U.S. presidential elections in November, some observers believe. Populist surges sometimes hopscotch across the Atlantic, as when Donald Trumps 2016 election as president was preceded by Britains shock decision to exit the EU.

Read more: Biden calls France 'our first friend' as host Macron says, 'Allied we are and allied we will stay'

But others saw the balloting as an affirmation that although voters may have wanted to voice some symbolic discontent with the status quo, they nonetheless felt more comfortable leaving the actual business of governing in the hands of more moderate forces.

The center is holding, declared Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the blocs executive European Commission, whose job is on the line once the European Parliament consolidates itself into groups that reflect national parties political leanings.

That is a process that will take some weeks, with the new EU legislature holding its first session in mid-July.

Von der Leyens center-right European Peoples Party won the largest number of seats, provisional results showed, followed by a center-left grouping. But coalition politics could still prompt her to seek an alliance with far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose party  which has neo-fascist roots  emerged as the elections big winner, leaving her positioned to play the role of political kingmaker.

In Germany, the center-left party of Chancellor Olaf Scholz was dealt a stinging but narrow defeat by the AfD, as Alternative for Germany is known. Scholz's party suffered a far more substantial loss  by a more than 2-1 margin  at the hands of the main opposition, the center-right Union bloc.

Scholzs Social Democrats racked up their worst post-World War II showing in a national vote, winning less than 14% to the AfDs share of about 16%, according to preliminary tallies.

Still, the AfD showing was alarming to many Germans, especially in light of the fact that the party was hit by several scandals before the vote that probably cut into its support, which otherwise might have been even greater.

The party, designated by German authorities as a suspected extremist group, has had scrapes with the countrys strict laws on use of Nazi symbols. Its lead candidate in the EU elections, Maximilian Krah, caused an uproar by suggesting in a recent interview that some Germans who joined the Waffen SS, a Nazi paramilitary force, might have had justification for doing so.

That, combined with allegations that the AfD helped spread Russian influence, got it ejected from European Parliaments far-right grouping, although that move could be reversed.

But the AfD's strong showing in Sundays vote was an unwelcome reminder for many Germans  just after European allies solemnly marked the 80th anniversary of D-day, a turning point in the war against Adolf Hitlers Germany  that the party is now an increasingly mainstream force in the countrys politics.

The big thing that the AfD has managed to do is normalize its views  views that used to be considered very extreme, said Sabine Volk, an analyst at the University of Passau.

Read more: Biden apologizes to Ukraine's Zelensky for Congress' holdup of weapons as Russians advanced

In recent years, Europe has emerged as a global leader on combating climate change, but the vote appeared to represent an overall blow to the environmentalist movement.

In the EU parliament, the Greens were projected to lose almost one-third of the seats they won five years ago. That echoed a Greens retreat in Germany, where they are part of Scholzs governing coalition, falling from scoring more than one-fifth of the German vote in 2019 European elections to a projected 12% in Sundays balloting.

Belin, the French analyst, termed it a potential greenlash, but cautioned that the votes full implications for environmental policy were not yet clear. Environmentalist parties fared better in some parts of the continent, including Sweden and Denmark, and substantial portions of their agenda have been incorporated into the larger parties' policies.





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We must destroy the system and rebuild it from scratch. If there is a narco-terrorist, I dont want him to be chased down, I want you to get him with a submachine gun. There are more and more illegal immigrants who we dont know whether they are rapists. The moment a squatter enters your house, off to jail with them. Everything that political parties touch becomes corrupt. I dont trust the Post Office. I am the only candidate who has asked for people not to vote for me by mail. I would rather bleed to death than betray the Spanish people. Journalists: media information whores. We are not extremists. We are patriots fed up with political parties.

All of the above are phrases uttered by Alvise Perez and collected from different interviews on YouTube channels during the campaign for the EU elections that ended on Sunday.

Luis Perez Fernandez, a 34-year-old from Seville better known as Alvise, has been the most searched-for candidate on Google in the last seven days in Spain, according to data from the search engine itself. On Sunday, he received the backing of 796,560 Spanish voters, allowing him to secure three seats in the European Parliament with 4.58% of the ballots.

Alvise leads a group called Se Acabo la Fiesta (The Partys Over). Technically it is not a political party but a group of citizens who temporarily associated with the sole purpose of running for elections, in this case for the European Parliament; doing so required collecting at least 15,000 signatures.

Some of his statements bring him close to the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, whom he says he admires: he intends to build the largest prison in Europe on the outskirts of Madrid. Even a person who has a gang tattoo: youre going to fucking jail. If we have to put 40,000 guys in there, we will put them in there [...] And if the U.N. shows up, Ill laugh in their face. With hardly any coverage from traditional media, where did Alvise find his traction?

Alvise, 34, was born in the Spanish city of Seville. He studied political science at the distance university UNED, but did not finish his degree. At the age of 22 he moved to the United Kingdom, where he worked for the Liberal Democrats. It was there that he was appointed delegate of the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY), as he himself explained in an interview in La Razon in 2021. I gained a good reputation, and one day I received a call from human resources from Ciudadanos [Spains liberal party Citizens]. Ciudadanos offered him the position of chief of staff for Toni Canto, who at that time held a seat in the regional parliament of Valencia (2016-2019). Canto and Alvise followed each other on social media. But Perez did not feel comfortable with some of Ciudadanos messages, especially regarding gender violence, and he quit.

He then moved to Madrid and devoted his time to crafting an online presence. In a conversation with EL PAIS in 2021, he said that he had a team of video producers and lawyers. The former help him create content; the latter help him defend himself from the consequences. Alvise has so far been sued by Spains former public works minister Jose Luis Abalos, by the current transportation minister Oscar Puente, and by La Sexta journalist Ana Pastor.

These have been the perfect elections for him because people are fed up and he is very skilled with social media, says a former member of Ciudadanos who worked with Alvise Perez during his time in Valencia.

Alvise Perez in Madrid's Plaza de Colon. Claudio Alvarez

The people who came out for Alvises rally in Madrids Plaza de Colon last Friday were a varied crowd. There was a 27-year-old who described Perez as a guy who attacks corruption. I have been following him for four years. A 64-year-old man who admitted to normally voting for the center-right Popular Party (PP) said: He gives everyone a hard time and this can be a trigger. Two women aged 40 and 43 said: He is not a candidate. Its a different way of doing politics. He wants to change the system. We have been following him since the pandemic. A change is needed because [Spains far-right party] Vox has not done anything. Alvise addressed the 1,000 or so people with a megaphone in one hand and wearing a black t-shirt with a QR on the back that points to his Telegram channel.

Alvise has openly acknowledged that he ran for office to seek immunity from prosecution in Europe. According to elDiario.es, he has two open cases that would have to go straight to the Supreme Court if he obtained a seat. He has donors who pay for everything. People like to put money in so I can continue reporting and not be drowned out by legal cases, he said in an interview. He has an account on Patreon, a crowdfunding system, where more than 600 users have paid him a monthly amount. A well-known financial backer is Hazte Oir, an ultra-Catholic association. Alvise has led anti-abortion protests in Madrid clinics with them: the last one was last year.

Strong on social media

Between all his social media accounts combined (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Telegram) he has 1,800,000 followers. A recent study by Spain sociological studies agency CIS shows that 54.9% of Spaniards use social media to obtain their information.

Alvises account on X (formerly Twitter) is currently suspended. In March 2017 he created an Instagram profile (the most widely used social media platform in Spain) that has 849,000 followers, more than any political party in the country. On June 1, 2017, he also launched a Facebook page where he has 223,000 followers, almost the same as the governing Socialist Party (PSOE).

On September 24, 2018, he also created a Telegram channel where his first message was: I am keeping this channel where I will be able to prevent blocks on Facebook and Twitter, and where I will release different audios about politics and current affairs. Since then, rather than merely sharing information, he has tried to create a community, making his followers feel that they are part of a unique movement: This channel is all we have left, my friends. Theyre going hard after any criticism of the left. Its a witch hunt.

Another one of his specialties is harassing the press. He points out journalists with names so that his followers can attack them on social media. The latter all call themselves squirrels. They take photos of politicians and journalists, then send and share them. His Telegram channel now has 480,000 members, up from 50,000 in 2021. That is again more than any political party in Spain.

On election day this past Sunday, Alvise harangued his fans with messages that pointed to possible electoral fraud. He also promised to raffle his salary among his followers. They are identical strategies to those used by Argentinean president Javier Milei in the first round of the elections there.

Distribution of Alvise Perez's electoral ballots, last Friday in Plaza de Colon in Madrid. Claudio Alvarez

Macarena Olona, a former legislator for Vox, says in a telephone interview that the common denominator among Alvises diverse followers is their disappointment with Vox. It has not met their expectations and they see hope in him. A former senior PP official who is close to him claims that he receives donations in a brutal way. The strategy of setting everything on fire benefits only himself. He has a voting niche of 40-year-olds and younger. I know a lot of people who are going to vote for him.

Added to this is the fact that the European elections are always very favorable to new groups, as was the case with Podemos in 2014, and the loss of Spanish voters confidence in traditional parties, especially in the last five years, according to the CIS.

Stribor Kuric, a researcher at the Reina Sofia Youth Center, says that the latest studies they have published reveal a polarizing trend among the population between 15 and 29 years old. Boys and girls tend towards the extremes. The boys, to the right, and the girls to the left. The breakdown of social consensus in the public space has had an influence. Kuric also highlights network algorithms. If the content published on a network generates a lot of rejection, it becomes more viral and you have more visibility and reach more people.

The key is that Alvise has created a collective entity, says Raul Magallon, a professor at Carlos III University who specializes in disinformation. We were used to the fact that the gateway to politics came from the political parties, and now it comes from social media. The next step, according to Alvise himself, is running in national elections in Spain.

Alvise Perez, last Friday in Madrid. Claudio Alvarez
Greens pay for cost of net zero at the ballot box

Terry Reindtke said far-Right gains were 'extremely concerning for all of us who fight for democracy and freedom' - RALF HIRSCHBERGER/AFP

It was the night that Europe turned its back on net zero and embraced the Right.

The European Greens experienced the second largest decline of all parties, dropping to just 7 per cent after Sundays European Parliament elections.

The gains the Greens had made in 2019, when it secured its highest ever vote share off the back of Greta Thunbergs mass climate protests, had been effectively eradicated overnight.

Terry Reintke, German MEP and president of the Greens, said: We know that the gains made by the far Right in some countries, particularly France, Germany and Austria, will be extremely concerning for all of us who fight for democracy and freedom.

It was a pattern mirrored across the EU.

In the fourteen countries with Greens elected in the previous election, 10 saw a decline or stalemate in support.

In France, the Ecologist party saw the number of MEPs elected fall from 13 to just five.

In Germany, the Grunes, previously the second largest party in its EU parliamentary crop, fell to third place, its MEPs falling from 21 to just 13.

Belgium, Portugal, Austria and Finland reported similar declines.

It wasnt only the Greens who suffered. Emmanuel Macron, the leader of the country where the Paris agreement on climate change was struck, was humiliated.

His centrist Renew group had seen its MEPs decline by 23 seats. Its overall share in parliament had fallen from 15 per cent to 11 per cent.

In France, his drubbing at the hands of the hard-Right Marine Le Pen, who has backed farmers in their fight against EU climate rules, saw his party fall into third place as the hard-right took pole position.

Renew and the Greens both champion liberal and climate conscious values that have increasingly fallen out of favour with the electorate.

Young voters, traditionally among the most concerned over climate change, have been flocking to the hard-Right.

In France, the green Ecologistes saw its support amongst young voters, aged 18 to 24, collapse from 23 per cent, to just seven per cent.

According to the final Ifop poll before the election, there was a surge in young adults supporting the hard-Right National Rally, increasing from 14 per cent in the previous election to 39 per cent this year.

In Germany, exit polls from Infratest dimap, suggested that one in six of young voters supported the AfD, up 11 points from the previous election.

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said: The centre is holding, in response to the EU Parliament election results.

For the Greens and Renew, it cant have felt that way. But Mrs von der Leyens centre-Right European Peoples Party (EPP) was the largest party in the parliament once the votes were counted.

Pawel Zerka, of the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, said: The EPP is a silent winner, maintaining its seats and remaining the largest political group.

The EPP turned against net zero as it became a European election battleground. It moved to water down new biodiversity laws and strict protections for the wolf. It has vowed to oppose an EU ban on petrol engines in cars.

Spooked by the farmers protests across Europe, the EPP echoed their arguments that green rules were too burdensome and expensive during the cost of living crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.

As tractors rolled into Brussels earlier this year, Mrs von der Leyen ditched planned EU legislation to cut agricultural emissions and reduce pesticide use.

Bart Dickens, a Belgian beef farmer, said: The people see what is happening, before decrying the Left as being about nothing more than flower power.

It still makes me angry sometimes, he added.

It was a significant U-turn for a woman who had made the EU net zero goal of 2050 a flagship policy.

Ursula von der Leyen can hold the balance of power without the support of the Greens - OHN THYS/AFP

Mrs von der Leyen on Monday said that she hoped to build a majority of pro-EU and pro-Ukraine parties after the election to support her second term,

She mentioned climate change as one of the challenges facing the EU but she doesnt need the Greens and its 53 seats, a loss of 18 MEPs, to hold the balance of power.

She will have a comfortable majority to pass and amend EU law by relying on the EPP, the centre-Left Socialists and Democrats and Renew alone.

And the EPP will also be tempted to vote with the net zero sceptic European Conservatives and Reformists, which includes Giorgia Melonis Brothers of Italy in a Right-wing coalition, if necessary. The ECR saw its vote share increase to a gain of about 20 MEPs, thanks largely to Ms Melonis triumph.

According to the Eurobarometer, a regular survey of European citizens views, climate change has fallen from the second most important issue facing Europeans in 2019 to the fifth most important in the run-up to this election.

At a time where the cost of living, which ranks highest amongst voters for importance, has been increasing , political expediency could triumph over green idealism, especially when the eurosceptic hard-Right made such big gains.

This election will not make the climate and nature crisis any less existential. Flooding, droughts and heatwaves will only get worse, said Ariadna Rodrigo, of Greenpeace EU.

Although the anti-EU, hard-Right and climate sceptic Identity and Democracy will be shut out from real parliamentary influence, it has already succeeded in dragging the European centre to the Right on issues like net zero and migration.

Since the last election, petrol prices in France have increased by 21 per cent and the EU has been forced to make difficult  and expensive  pan-European decisions on energy prices in light of the war in Ukraine.

Prof Frank Furedi, of the MCC Brussels think tank, said: If you look back over the last 15 years, year after year, the main concern of Europeans are economic, to do with the cost of living, whether your child is going to get a job or fears about your old-age pension.

Thats number one and migration is number two, and thats validated by every single survey Ive seen.

Immigration is still considered to be, after the cost of living, the most important issue for voters.

Hard-Right parties, including Frances National Rally and Germanys Alternative for Germany, placed immigration at the heart of their campaigns.

The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Austria and Spain all rank in the top 10 of nations most concerned with immigration. All experienced surges in their support for the far-Right parliaments, with the Alternative for Germany and Geert Wilders Freedom Party finishing second and the Freedom Party of Austria winning.

The decline of the centre and green parties does not necessarily mean voters have shifted to the hard-Right en masse.

Hard-Right parties made ground in just under half of all countries.

Whilst Frances National Rally and Germanys Alternative for Deutschland made eye-catching gains, some of the largest increases happened in other countries.

Romania saw the Alliance for the Union of Romanians gain a fifth of all seats, the largest jump on the continent. The party has been sceptical of the War in Ukraine.

Polands Confederation party, Spains Vox and Salf groups and Portugals Chega were smaller parties which made noticeable gains on the right.

But if half the countries saw gains in the far-Right, the other half didnt.

Finlands Finn Party halved its representation. In Italy, the Brothers of Italy rise was superseded by a 19-MEP drop in Lega.

The hard-Right has been contained but will certainly be harder to ignore.

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Last week's European Parliament elections toppled the French government, shifted European legislation to the right, yet kept mainstream bureaucrats at the steering wheel.

The center-right European People's Party (EPP) remained the largest party in the 720-seated European Parliament, projected to have secured around 185 seats.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a member of the EPP, was unequivocal in her assessment of the results.

"We won the European elections," von der Leyen said as the results were still being tallied on June 9.

"This election has given us two messages. First, there remains a majority in the center for a strong Europe, and that is crucial for stability. In other words, the center is holding."

President of the centre-right European People's Party (EPP) Manfred Weber applauds European Commission President and EPP lead candidate Ursula von der Leyen (R) as she waves after delivering a speech after the European Parliament election in Brussels on June 9, 2024. (John Thys/AFP via Getty Images)

Centrist parties retained a majority of votes following European Parliament elections that concluded on June 9.

The three mainstream parties  European People's Party, center-left Socialists and Democrats, and the liberal Renew Europe  will receive over 400 seats, allowing them to form a majority and nominate the European Commission.

Yet, the far-right made significant gains, particularly in Belgium, Germany and France, where the results have rocked the domestic political scene.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced his resignation after a right-wing surge in both the national and European elections, while French President Emmanuel Macron calling snap parliament elections following a bitter loss.

A map showing the preliminary results of the European Parliament elections held between June 6 and June 9, 2024. (Lisa Kukharska/The Kyiv Independent)

French 'earthquake'

In France, the far-right National Rally emerged as the projected winner, prompting Macron to unexpectedly call for snap parliament elections to be held at the end of June.

Macron explained that he wanted to give the French people "the choice of our parliamentary future through the vote." Macron's party, Renaissance, came second in European elections, gaining less than half of the National Rally vote, with 15% and 31% accordingly.

Macron's decision came as a surprise. His party, leading an unstable yet workable minority government, wouldn't require to compete in elections until 2027, if not for the president's decree to dissolve the parliament.

Marine Le Pen, National Rally's parliamentary leader and former chair, said that her party was "ready to take over power if the French give us their trust in the upcoming national elections."

Reaction to the news that Emmanuel Macron, president of France, called snap parliament elections following a far-right victory in the European elections, in Paris, France, June 9, 2024. (Daniel Dorko / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP via Getty Images)

Le Pen has had a mixed track record on Russia, having repeatedly supported Russia and President Vladimir Putin before the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. She also made a number of controversial statements about Russia and Ukraine, such as the assertion that the illegal annexation of Crimea was justified.

While Le Pen has claimed that she had changed her mind on Russia since 2022, she has not publicly altered her position on Crimea since the beginning of the full-scale war. At a hearing in May 2023, Le Pen characterized the illegal annexation, which is widely condemned across the EU, as a "reattachment."

Read also: Why European elections matter for Ukraine

Jordan Bardella, the National Rally's leader, has largely opted to lean on anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiment, leaving foreign policy issues out of his party's campaign.

Unlike the single-list proportional representation system used to elect Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), the French parliament is elected via a two-round system in single-member constituencies. In the French system, a candidate must get over 50% to win the election, with the French president placing a bet that far-right candidates won't be able to get.

Right expand in Germany, Italy

In Germany, the controversial far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) gained 15 seats, while the center-right Conservative Christian Union-Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) placed first, slightly short of 30. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) came third.

Tino Chrupalla (L) and Alice Weidel (C), co-leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party, and AfD candidate Rene Aust speak to supporters as they celebrate at election evening gathering following the release of initial election results on June 9, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's party, right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI), won the most votes in Italy's European Parliament elections. Meloni has been publicly supportive of Ukraine.

Meloni's coalition partner League party, said to be further to the right and headed by Kremlin-friendly Matteo Salvini, saw its support tumble.

Despite ruling Italy together, the League and FdI are in different parliamentary groups in the European Parliament.

The European Parliament's far-right Identity and Democracy group, which includes Salvini's League, National Rally, and, until recently, the AfD, is projected to increase its representation to 58 seats.

In total, the far-right Identity and Democracy, nationalist Conservatives and Reformists, and the unaligned pro-Russian populist groups can account for over 200 seats.

Students shout during a demonstration to protest against the rise of far right parties, in front of the Henri IV high school in Paris, on June 10, 2024, a day after the European Parliament elections. (Julien de Rosa/AFP via Getty Images)

However, the Conservatives and Reformists group, while sharing some policies with the more radical groups, has publicly supported Ukraine and the union's sanctions policy.

Pawel Zerka, a Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), said that the main takeaway of the election results was the "European Parliament's move to the right."

At the same time, Zerka said that "radical right parties did less well than previously feared."

Rikard Jozwiak, Europe Editor for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), said the results were "good for Ukraine and for EU enlargement in general."

Ukraine-skeptic candidates flounder elsewhere

There were other signs of weakness among parties and candidates seen as more skeptical of support for Ukraine.

In Slovakia, the liberal pro-EU party Progressive Slovakia came in first place, ahead of Prime Minister Robert Fico's ruling Smer party. Fico and Smer came to power on a populist platform in September 2023 and promised to end military aid to Ukraine.

In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk's ruling Civic Coalition notched a narrow win against the conservative Law and Justice party (PiS), projected to gain 37.1% of the vote to PiS's 36.2%. The far-right Confederation party was projected to get only 12.1%.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's right-wing party, Fidesz, retained its majority but saw its worst showing in decades.

Election staff count ballots for the 2024 European Parliament election at the Bayeux Town Hall counting center, one of 11 in the city, on June 9, 2024, in Bayeux, Normandy, France. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Fidesz gained 44% of the vote in a 10% decrease from the 2019 elections, as the opposition Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar, received 30% of the votes, enough to send seven delegates to the European Parliament.

In Ireland, one of the most outspoken Ukraine-skeptic candidates, Clare Daly, was trailing in the preliminary vote counts, ranking in seventh place as of the afternoon of June 10. Mick Wallace, her political partner and another Ukraine-skeptic lawmaker, is also fighting for reelection, but counts for his district have yet to be announced.

Wallace and Daly are both on the far-left of the political spectrum but have nonetheless regularly defended Russia, refused to support resolutions condemning the full-scale invasion, and voting against sanctions.

In a statement explaining her decision not to vote for a resolution to condemn the full-scale war, Daly said in June 2022 that she opposed the "illegal aggression of Russia" but said she "disagree(d) with a one-sided narrative that excuses the Western role in what is now happening."

Daly also called for a ceasefire and said she would not support "the flooding of Ukraine with weapons."

In an interview with the Irish Independent released earlier in June, Wallace said that he and Daly "condemned the invasion from day one" but then went on to repeat Russian talking points, saying that it is a "U.S.-NATO proxy war" and claimed that "NATO going into Ukraine" provoked Russia.

The final results of the elections in Ireland may take several more days.

Read also: What are Frances Mirage 2000-5 jets, and how can Ukraine use them?

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Insights from the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Norran, and Politico

The News

The far right made substantial gains in the European Parliament elections, but their success wasnt universal.

In Hungary, Sweden, and Belgium, far-right parties that were expected to make significant headway ultimately stagnated, with many voters more concerned about party corruption and less about migration.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Hungarys Orban has new fierce rival in former partner

Sources: Euronews, Foreign Policy Research Institute

Hungarys Fidesz populist party  which has been led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban since 2010  scored about 45% of the vote, the first time the party has won less than 50% in the European parliamentary elections since 2004. While Fidesz will still send the most delegates to Brussels, the Tisza party  led by former Orban ally Peter Magyar, who campaigned on cleaning up Fidesz corruption  made stunning gains, taking nearly 30% of the vote. Political analyst Andras Toth-Czifra noted that Tiszas performance is by no means some kind of liberal upsurge but rather voter exhaustion after 14 years of Fidesz rule.

Leftist parties drown out far right in Sweden

Sources: Norran, Associated Press

In Sweden, both The Left Party and The Greens made impressive gains, while the opposition center-left Social Democrats goal was mainly to avoid losing votes for the first time in an EU election, according to Swedish newspaper Norran. The far-right Sweden Democrats party, meanwhile, trailed behind others, coming in with 2% less votes than the last election. Voters were likely turned off by revelations that the Democrats used fake social media accounts to push their agenda, spread misinformation, and badmouth other contenders, according to the Associated Press. Migration was also not as pressing an issue for northern European voters, said one think tank analyst.

Belgium shifts more to the right, but avoids extremist takeover

Source: Politico

An expected extremist landslide didnt happen in Belgium, according to Politico, but right-wing parties did make significant gains. The countrys mainstream had anticipated a far-right sweep in the north that could have kickstarted a plan to break up the country. But the far-right Vlaams Belang party, in the northern Dutch-speaking region where it was expected to make the most gains, failed to defeat the more moderate New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) that came in first with 17% of the vote. And in the Wallonia Francophone region of Belgium, the center-right Reformist Movement (MR) gained the most French-speaking votes, ultimately forcing Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to resign following his moderate Open VLD partys underperformance. Although forming coalitions in Belgium is notoriously difficult, the N-VA and MR have already signaled their willingness to work together, Politico wrote.
Related video above from April 16, 2024: Former congressman involved in crash that injured FHP trooper

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Former Congressman Madison Cawthorn was recently made an honorary deputy by the Lee County Sheriffs Office.

Cawthorn, a former congressman for North Carolinas 11th congressional district, made a post Thursday on his Instagram account, praising the Lee County Sheriffs Office.

Such an honor from [Lee County Sheriff] Carmine Marceno to be sworn in as an honorary deputy in the county that I live in, Cawthorn wrote. Local, constitutional, law enforcement that answers to the people is what our founders intended. The Lee County sheriffs office puts the fear of God into those who wish ill on our community. Excited to serve!

Cawthorn has had numerous run-ins with law enforcement over the years. Recently, he allegedly crashed into the back of a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser, which sent the trooper to a hospital with minor injuries. Cawthorn has also been caught twice with a gun at North Carolina airports.

In 2022, Cawthorn was charged with driving with a revoked license and faced two other citations for speeding, according to NBC News.

Hes also made off-color comments in the past about members of Congress using cocaine and inviting him to sex parties  comments that received criticism from his GOP counterparts.

The News-Press reported that Cawthorn purchased a $1 million home in Cape Coral in August 2022.

Cawthorn, who was first elected to Congress in 2020, lost his re-election bid in 2022 after he was defeated in the primaries.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ma Young-sam, the former ambassador of South Korea to Israel and the inaugural chief of the nation's office in Palestine, participates May 30, 2024, in the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity. Photo courtesy Jeju Forum for Peace an Prosperity

JEJU ISLAND, South Korea, June 10 (UPI) -- It is the right time for South Korea to consider moving toward recognizing the State of Palestine, Seoul's former ambassador to Israel said as several nations have taken the mostly symbolic step amid Israel's war in Gaza.

"I think it is time for my government to give more attention to this issue," Ma Young-sam, the former ambassador of South Korea to Israel and the inaugural chief of the nation's office in Palestine, said late last month.

Ma made the comment during the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity held at the end of May on South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju. He was responding to the question of whether he thought South Korea should recognize a Palestinian state after the three European nations of Ireland, Spain and Norway had formally taken the step to do so just days earlier.

He was quick to state that he no longer represents Seoul as he is retired but said South Korea has recently voted three times in favor of Palestine becoming a member of the United Nations.

To be a member of the United Nations, one must be a state, he said, "so, my government thinks that Palestine has such a qualification already" adding he believes it is the "right time" for the South Korean government to "consider more favorably this direction."

Waleed Siam, the non-resident ambassador of the State of Palestine to South Korea and Japan, speaks May 30, 2024, during the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity on Jeju Island, South Korea. Photo by Darryl Coote/UPI

Days after he spoke, Slovenia also recognized a Palestinian state, becoming the 147th U.N. member to do so.

Though the move has no direct effect on Palestine's standing in the international community or United Nations, where it enjoys observer status, it means the nations recognize the State of Palestine by its borders of 1967 that include the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.

Urgency to recognize a Palestinian state comes amid Israel's war in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza that began Oct. 7 when Hamas launched a bloody surprise attack on the Middle Eastern country, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking another 250 or so hostage.

International support for Israel, which was strong at the start of the campaign, has weakened as the death toll has ballooned to the tens of thousands and over the lack of aid it has permitted into the enclave.

Supporters of the movement argue that recognizing Palestine as a state will hasten the manifestation of a two-state solution. An expert panel of the United Nations earlier this month even called for its members to recognize the State of Palestine, stating it is "an important acknowledgment of the rights of the Palestinian people and their struggles and suffering toward freedom and independence."

While on the other hand, some nations, such as the United States, first call for the creation of two states before Palestine is recognized.

Israel has balked at nations who have taken the step to recognize Palestine amid its war as rewarding the Iran-backed militia for its war crimes while strengthening its benefactor.

Ma suggested that South Korea would be more willing to take the step of recognizing a Palestinian state once relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority improve and the situation on the ground calms.

"We want to see the war should be ended very soon and also more confidence-building processes should be encouraged and strengthened and then we want to see Palestine as a state and full membership at the United Nations," he said.

In his speech during the session dedicated to the role of Asian powers in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the peace forum, Ma said his country could act as a "peace promoter" in calling for negotiations to lead to the release of hostages and a cease-fire.

It should also consider participating in peacekeeping forces once the war is over.

And, it should drastically increase its aid to Palestinians.

The leverage South Korea has is in the conflict is "far less" than that of other nations, especially the United States, which Israel has been at odds with over the conflict, so it needs to take those areas where it does have influence "more seriously," he said.

Waleed Siam, the non-resident ambassador of the State of Palestine to South Korea and Japan, told UPI that recognizing Palestine as a state is about protecting its borders and the rights of its people to freely live within them.

He said doing so aligns with U.N. support for a two-state solution and international law. It also proclaims that Israel is occupying Palestinian land, he said.

"That is them saying that Israel is occupying the State of Palestine and the only way to stop the aggression of the Israelis and the building of new colonies in the West Bank -- which is over 700,000 colonists are living there right now and expanding -- is to stop that stealing that land is to recognize the Palestinian state as 1967 borders," he said.

He was quick to state that the Palestinians "don't want to destroy Israel" but co-exist with them on the grounds of justice, freedom and equality.

"We want our state, which was our state a long time ago," he said.

"We are now willing to share 22% of 78% of our land and we want that 22% to live in harmony and peace."

As of Sunday, more than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed in the eight-month war, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The United Nations relief agency for Palestinians estimates that 1.7 million of Gaza's more than 2 million population has been displaced.
Donald Trump, now convicted of a criminal felony, is also the presumed presidential nominee for the Republican Party and leads in several key battleground state polls. A sexual assaulter as confirmed by a civil court and an admirer of Adolf Hitler, Trump is an aspiring dictator who is threatening to imprison his perceived enemies. These are truly unprecedented existential challenges for the United States.

But these extreme dangers to democracy are not confined to the United States. They are global. The United States is the worlds most powerful country and has been described as a type of shining city on the hill, a beacon of global democracy. In reality, Americas democracy is deeply flawed and has been a real democracy for only some sixty years because of the victories and sacrifices of the civil rights movement and the long Black Freedom Struggle in defeating Jim and Jane Crow. If Trumpism and neofascism take power the United States will become the opposite: A premiere example of how democracies rot and then die from within.

Trumps escalating attacks on the rule of law are empowering autocrats and tyrants such as Russias Vladimir Putin, Hungarys Viktor Orban, Chinas Xi Jinping, North Koreas Kim Jong Un, and other leaders of the global antidemocracy movement. Americas European allies are reportedly on the verge of panicking at the prospect of Donald Trump returning to power and the harm he will do to the global democratic order, most importantly their safety from Russia.

Ultimately, Donald Trump and his MAGA movement and the larger neofascist project must be stopped by the American people in the voting booth on Election Day 2024 and beyond. The courts  and yes, even putting Trump in prison  will not stop the MAGA movement and the larger neofascist threat to the countrys democracy. Moreover, the latter is comparatively easy and the former is much more difficult.

In an attempt to make better sense of Donald Trumps historic felony conviction and its meaning and implications for this political moment, the 2024 election, the countrys democracy and what may happen next, I recently spoke to a range of experts.

Steven Beschloss is a journalist and author of several books, including "The Gunman and His Mother." His website is America, America.

In a sane world, the jury's unanimous guilty verdict of Donald Trump on all 34 felony counts would provide an overwhelming signal to one of the countrys two main political parties that he is unfit to hold office and should not be their presidential nominee. But the once-legitimate Republic Party and its top elected officials  including the House speaker and craven, high-ranking U.S. senators  have chosen to emulate Trump's false and hateful message that the trial was rigged, and the judicial system and its participants cannot be trusted. Their response portends a deeper tragedy for our country beyond November: Their degradation of the judicial system is tearing apart the main fabric of a healthy society that depends on the rule of law and the publics trust.

On the morning after his conviction, Trump stood in front of the stars and stripes of American flags and called his jury trial rigged, the judge a tyrant, witness Michael Cohen a sleazebag and the criminal case itself a hoax and a scam. It was a miserable sight to watch this convicted felon lash out against the judicial system while employing the symbols of American democracy and freedom behind him. But this should be a vivid warning to all of us who recognize the danger and care about democracys survival. Between now and November 5  as the attacks by Trump and his enablers grow more grotesque and violent  the response must be fierce, unrelenting, and focused on voters who are only now paying attention. This GOP is determined to usher in a fascist state, ruled by a proven criminal who rejects the rule of law, the will of the people and factual reality. If they win in November, it will mean the end of America's nearly 250-year-old democratic experiment.

Federico Finchelstein is a professor of history at the New School for Social Research and Eugene Lang College in New York. His most recent book is "The Wannabe Fascists: A Guide to Understanding the Greatest Threat to Democracy."

The trial was important in the sense that it showed that justice or legality prevailed over raw power and propaganda. Trump, as a wannabe fascist, of course, expected the opposite to happen. But it is still concerning, and not at all surprising, that MAGA and the usual conservative enablers in GOP, still believe the opposite.

In 2023, Trump told them "I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution. These beliefs are widely shared by his followers, including a belief in his unique connection to God. In this sense, Trumpism shares features with the fascist history of crowd manipulation and propaganda, which often involved shared fantasies and an expectation of redemption. For Trumps MAGA cult followers, the law does not really mean anything.

David L. Altheide is the Regents' Professor Emeritus on the faculty of Justice and Social Inquiry in the School of Social Transformation at Arizona State University and author of the new book "Gonzo Governance: The Media Logic of Donald Trump."

The public perception of justice is influenced by media narratives. Political actors seek to shape media accounts by playing to the criteria and emphasis of entertaining formats that drive the coverage. This media logic is foundational for Donald Trumps approach to Gonzo Governance. He has manipulated both mass and social media by promoting conflict and drama that draws coverage emphasizing that American social institutions are corrupt and can only be changed by him. As his former and now current Trump campaign digital guru, Brad Parscale, explained: I pretty much used Facebook to get Trump elected in 2016.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Donald Trumps pretrial claims about being a victim of an unfair election process and a corrupt criminal justice system set the tone for his dismissal of the jurys verdict as unfair. This message is being customized for groups of voters by sophisticated digital AI techniques for disinformation and propaganda, such as Republican-led investigation of the weaponization of the federal government. Many Republican officeholders echoed this claim. House Republican leader Mitch McConnell posted on X, formerly Twitter: These charges never should have been brought in the first place. I expect the conviction to be overturned on appeal.

Most convictions are contested on specific grounds about an individual case; a defendants claims that he/she was treated unfairly by the legal process. Some defenses claim that the violation should be denied because the law itself was unjust. But Trumps case is different: The jurys verdict was immediately attacked by a chorus of naysayers denouncing not just the verdict in this case, but the entire criminal justice system that is said to be weaponized and being used by Democrats against Trump and the American people.

In a comment in February, Trump compared his legal troubles to Black prisoners: "Some of the greatest evils in our nation's history have come from corrupt systems that try to target and subjugate others to deny them their freedom and to deny them their rights," Trump said. "I think that's why the Black people are so much on my side now because they see what's happening to me happens to them." Such evocative statements follow media logic, although even Trump would hesitate to promise that if elected, he would pardon all Black prisoners. That would not likely appeal to his MAGA base.

Jason Van Tatenhove served as the national media director for the Oath Keepers. He documented his experiences with the Oath Keepers in his book "The Perils of Extremism: How I Left the Oath Keepers and Why We Should be Concerned about a Future Civil War."

As we reflect on Trump's historic felony conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records, it's evident that his modus operandi remains unchanged. It's a playbook we've witnessed unfold time and again, from the Jan. 6 insurrection to his relentless attempts to subvert democracy. Trump's desperation to cling to power at any cost has been on full display, culminating in the violent siege of the Capitol.

What's perhaps even more alarming is the complicity of Republican leaders who now rally behind Trump, despite knowing full well the extent of his misinformation and outright lies. This blind allegiance not only undermines the credibility of the GOP but also poses a grave threat to the future of our nation. With Trump's daughter-in-law now wielding considerable influence within the party, it's evident that a new regime is emerging  one where loyalty to Trump supersedes loyalty to the country.

Trump's own messaging has taken a deeply authoritarian turn. He has openly discussed plans to expand executive power and exact retribution on his political opponents. His rhetoric, which includes threats of mass deportations and crackdowns, signals a shift towards quasi-autocratic leadership. This dangerous trajectory mirrors the tactics used during the Jan. 6 attack, reinforcing fears of further democratic erosion.

As we look ahead to the 2024 election, it's imperative that we confront this reality head-on. The stakes have never been higher, and the choice could not be clearer. Will we allow ourselves to be governed by fear, division, and deceit? Or will we rise to defend the values that have long defined us as a nation? The path forward may be uncertain, but one thing is clear: the soul of America hangs in the balance, and the time to act is now.
Donald Trump sat down with a New York City probation official on Monday for a court-mandated, pre-sentencing meetingbut legal experts say the former president didnt receive the same treatment as other recent convicts in the city.

Citing an unnamed source, the Associated Press reported around 6 p.m. Monday that Trumps interview had wrapped up after less than a half-hour of routine and uneventful questions and answers.

Mayor Eric Adams office confirmed to The Daily Beast that Trump was permitted to attend the probation meeting through Zoom, with his defense attorney, Todd Blanche, seated by his side.

Thats not the typical procedure for most convicted felons, however, said Martin Horn, a former commissioner of the New York City Department of Corrections and Probation who now lectures at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Horn told The Daily Beast on Monday that Trumps virtual meetingwith the added protection of his lawyerwas highly unusual and likely changed the dynamic of the entire encounter. He said pre-sentencing meetings are usually held in person, allowing a probation officer to ask pressing questions about a convicts life without outside interference.

Those same questions were likely asked Monday, Horn said, but Trump had Blanche to lean on for answers from the comfort of Mar-a-Lago.

Donald Trumps Been Creeping on Taylor Swift Since She Was 22

Horn said the purpose of a probation interview is to learn about a felons social and criminal history, their financial situation, marital life, and of any health issues that may be pertinent when deciding a potential prison sentence. Information gathered from the meeting is given to the cases judge, who then takes it into consideration when deciding a sentence.

Trump, like all other felons, wasnt under oath during his meeting. That means he could have lied or fudged certain answers without immediate consequence, but those hypothetical fibsif confirmed to be untruecould lead Judge Juan Merchan to issue Trump a stiffer sentence for not cooperating, Horn said.

Many specifics from Mondays meeting remains unknown, and city officials were vague when reached by The Daily Beast. Ivette Davila-Richards, a spokesperson for Adams office, said all New York City convicts are permitted to request a virtual probation meetinga policy thats been in place since before the COVID-19 pandemic. She said claims that Trump was receiving special treatment were ridiculous.

Trump is no exception, she insisted. Hes being treated the same as any defendant convicted of a crime.

That policy will likely come as news to public defender groups in the city, however, who released a joint statement to the New York Daily News to grill prosecutors and the citys probation office for allowing Trump to attend the meeting virtually with Blanche.

All people convicted of crimes should be allowed counsel in their probation interview, not just billionaires, read a statement issued by The Legal Aid Society, The Bronx Defenders, New York County Defender Services, and the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem. This is just another example of our two-tiered system of justice.

Pre-sentencing interviews with probation officers influence sentencing, and public defenders are deprived of joining their clients for these meetings. The option of joining these interviews virtually is typically not extended to the people we represent either.

Trumps Shark-Phobia Gets the Best of Him During Meandering Rally Rant

Some have written off Trumps probation meeting as being merely a formality because hes already among the most vetted criminals, if not the most vetted criminal, in the world.

Horn said he disagrees with those takes, however. He said the meeting, which he estimates could span hours, will likely unearth important details about Trumps life that Merchan is unaware of.

Trump, who turns 78 on Friday, was convicted on 34 felony counts last month for falsifying business records to cover up an affair he allegedly had with Stormy Daniels in 2006.

Trump has been given until Thursday to submit his pre-sentence report, which could include letters from loved ones who speak glowingly on his behalf, and prosecutors will have until June 27 to do the same. Those reports will also include both sides recommended sentences.

Prosecutors have not indicated if theyll request Trump be sentenced to prison time, but legal experts have told The Daily Beast last month that Trumps charges, age, and his lack of criminal history will likely mean he gets off with probation.

Reps for Trump, including his campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, did not respond to a request for comment about Mondays meeting.

Prison Expert Warns: Trump Behind Bars Would Be Nightmare for Him and Country

Richard Serafini, a former New York and federal prosecutor, told the Daily News that the probation meetings purpose is to give a judge a complete picture of someones life. He added that a judge is often looking to see if the newly-convicted criminal was showing remorse for their crime or not.

Whats usually really important is that the person shows some regret for having committed the crime, that they accept responsibility, and indicate that theyre sorry, he said.

Trump has vehemently denied any wrongdoing in his case and gave no indication he plans to show a sliver of remorse in a meeting with a parole officer. He addressed the meeting in a fundraising email blasted out Monday, providing some insight into what he thinks about the ordeal.

Can you believe this, Friend? the email read. Im actually about to speak to a probation officer after my RIGGED CONVICTION! My only crime? Putting the AMERICAN PEOPLE, ahead of the COMMUNISTS, MARXISTS, AND FASCISTS that want to see our country DESTROYED.

Trumps sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just four days before the Republican National Convention

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Experts raise concerns as 'never-ending' rain becomes 10 times more likely: 'Flooding has a devastating impact on people's lives'

Severe storms are producing flooding at a higher frequency and squeezing out more rain.

What's happening?

According to a recent report from the World Weather Attribution group, an overheating planet made storms in the U.K. and Ireland last fall and winter nearly 20% more intense, or about 10 times more likely.

Attribution science tries to understand the link between a warming world and extreme weather.

The storms studied in the report produced the second-highest amount of rainfall on record for the U.K. from October to March and the third-heaviest rainfall for the same period in Ireland.

Dr. Mark McCarthy, a climate scientist at the U.K. Met Office, said: "The seemingly never-ending rainfall this autumn and winter across the U.K. and Ireland had notable impacts."

The storms killed at least 20 people, caused blackouts, and significantly damaged homes and infrastructure in the regions impacted, as The Guardian reported.

The amount of rain that fell with the storms occurred on average only once every 50 years before our world started to overheat. The rise in global temperatures of nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit is expected to increase the frequency of these events to once every five years.

If the toxic gases warming our world aren't rapidly reduced and the warming of our planet reaches 3.6 degrees, severe storms like these could happen once every three years on average, according to the report.

Why is more frequent flooding in the U.K. and Ireland important?

An increase in the number of flooding events is just one of the byproducts of more heat-trapping gases being released into our atmosphere.

"We know flooding has a devastating impact on people's lives," Dr. Ellie Murtagh, the U.K. climate adaptation lead at the British Red Cross, told The Guardian. "Its effects can be felt for months and years afterwards."

Carbon dioxide, methane, and other heat-trapping gases act like steroids, priming our atmosphere for more frequent and stronger storms. As a result of a warming world, hurricanes become stronger, wildfires more common, and droughts more intense.

Every region in our country is at risk from rising global temperatures, and the dangers from various forms of extreme weather vary by location.

What's being done about the increasing number of severe weather events?

New technology is being employed to reduce the warming linked to more extreme weather. Examples include "heat-reflective" paint that helps cool temperatures by over 10 degrees and solar panels that generate clean power after the sun goes down.

On a personal level, we all have ways to reduce the production of heat-trapping gases. This summer, we can start by changing how we care for our yards. Changing how we buy, cook, and eat our food can also help.

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Elephants dont just trumpet. That sharp sound, like that of a trumpet, could be compared to a humans cry to alert or warn others. But elephants also emit a range of low-frequency harmonic sounds, such as murmurs, that are specific to each animal. Now, assisted by an artificial intelligence system, a group of researchers has demonstrated that elephants use specific sounds to call each member, as if they were calling them by name.

Since 1986, scientists from Colorado State University, two foundations and the Amboseli Elephant Research Project (Kenya) have been recording several herds of Savannah elephants in three national parks and reserves. Over the years, they have collected thousands of hours of recordings for the Elephants Voices project. With these recordings, they were able to differentiate between various sounds. For example, a mothers call to her calf does not happen while she is in sight or is less than 50 meters away. They are contact calls. These murmurs also occur as a kind of greeting, when two members of the same herd meet, and cease when physical contact is made. A third call is the one mothers use to comfort, nurse, or wake their young.

But Michael Pardo, a U.S. National Science Foundation graduate student at the University of Colorado, was convinced that more could be discovered from the collection of recordings. As Pardo and his research colleagues detail in the scientific journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, they designed a machine learning system that could compare, analyze and break down calls made by 101 African elephants into their basic acoustic properties.

This artificial intelligence (AI) program was able to identify the receiver in 27.5% of the calls issued by the elephants. A successful identification in just a third of the cases may not seem like much, but Pardo believes the opposite is true: It is not surprising that the model was only able to identify the receiver in 27.5% of the calls. , because we wouldnt expect elephants to use names in every call they make. The researcher gives the example of humans and bottlenose dolphins, which also have a system for calling each other and only use names in a small percentage of their expressions, so the same probably happens with elephants. Since they did not know in advance which calls contained a name when they started the model, they had to use all the elephant calls. It is therefore not surprising that the model only correctly identified the receiver in a fraction of the calls, he says.

To confirm the AI systems findings, the researchers conducted a series of field experiments. In these, they played back several of the calls in the vicinity of their intended recipients and, as a control group, near other elephants. Unmistakably, the animals to which a call was not directed continued as normal. But in almost all cases where the listener was the recipient identified by the system, the elephant paid attention, raised its head and, almost always, responded to the call and ended up heading toward the speaker.

The researchers also wanted to answer one last question, the one that would definitively show if elephants call the other members of the herd by name. The AI system grouped all the calls made by different animals to the same recipient. While the calls were not identical (humans dont say Mary the same way either), the scientists did observe that the acoustic properties of the different calls were more similar to each other than to the other calls to different recipients.

Pardo recognizes that this is not conclusive evidence. On the one hand, calls from different individuals calling the same receiver were more similar on average than calls from different animals calling different receivers, suggesting that they call using the same (or at least similar) name, he explains. But, on the other hand, when we tried to train the machine learning model to identify patterns in calls that were for individual receivers regardless of who was calling you (i.e., identify a common name that several used to address the same receiver), it was unable to do so, he adds.

The common or proper name is key. By definition, naming something is an innate skill, which has to be learned. Many social species have it. Several arboreal primates emit a different alarm sounds depending on if the predator they have detected is coming from the sky, in the case of an eagle, or climbing up the tree, if it is a leopard. But naming in a specific, concrete way is rarer. Very few animals (such as bottlenose dolphins and several species of parrots and parakeets) use a specific call to attract the attention of another member of the group. But what they are doing is imitating how that member speaks in order to grab its attention.

Bruno Diaz, the scientific director of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI), knows a lot about communication between cetaceans. Bottlenose dolphins have what we call a signature whistle. The characteristics of the whistle include information about each individual, as if it were a signature, he explains. In some cases, especially in pairs with strong social ties, mothers and calves or pairs of males, it has been observed that one specimen can copy the others signature whistle as a sign of the strong bond between them.

But elephants are not imitating the call of the addressee. They do not rely on imitation to address one another, which resembles the way human names work, says Pardo.

Names, like almost all elements of human language excepting onomatopoeia, are arbitrary. There is nothing that relates a name to the subject that is being named. That provides great freedom, but requires cognitive skills.

I think that the arbitrary nature of the calls gives us an idea of their cognitive abilities, explains George Wittemyer, the scientific advisor of Save the Elephants and senior author of the study. The ability to connect an arbitrary sound to an individual and for other members of a group to apparently recognize that arbitrary label suggests the ability to think abstractly and possibly symbolically. But, he says: I dont think our study has shown that. The researchers are now working on identifying the rest of the calls, looking for a meaning or intention.

Antonio J. Osuna, a researcher in animal cognition at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna (Austria), who did not take part in the research, describes the findings as fascinating. Speaking to SMC Spain, he adds that very little is known about communication in other species and this is due (among other reasons) to the fact that we are not sensitive to the multiple subtleties that the vocalizations of other species may contain. They simply escape our capabilities. That is why machine learning is becoming so important: it allows us to highlight differences and similarities that, otherwise, we would never be able to distinguish.

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Experts urge people to fish and eat crab species invading coastlines and wreaking havoc: 'One of the most invasive species in the marine environment'

Doing your part to help the planet doesn't always involve sacrifice  in some cases, it can be as easy and welcome as eating some delicious crab.

Experts on both coasts of the United States are urging people to eat more European green crabs, The Weather Network reported.

The European green crab, which came to North America in the 1800s from (you guessed it, Europe) is "considered one of the most invasive species in the marine environment," according to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration. Outside of its natural European habitats, the green crab has few predators, destroys seagrass, and outcompetes native species for food and resources.

To combat the problem, experts are attempting to introduce a new predator for the green crab: hungry humans.

In some cases, this involves getting creative. Gabriela Bradt, a fisheries extension specialist at the University of New Hampshire's Sea Grant program, has been experimenting with various ways of preparing green crab in an effort to increase consumer demand.

"I have a really amazing chef friend  she came up with a salted green crab roe ice cream, which  I know it sounds really weird, but it was amazing," Bradt said. "She had salted the crabs beforehand, it's kind of like a fermenting process, and then she picked the roe and put it in a vanilla-based ice cream and it almost tasted like toasted coconut."

Of course, you don't have to get creative to enjoy some delicious crab. Bradt was also quick to point out that her favorite crab preparation "is boiled the same way that you would do a blue crab or a regular other crab and just pick some of the meat," adding, "And then I do like to put some of that meat and the roe from the females into a ramen."

Eating invasive species to help curb their populations has become an increasingly popular approach around the world. In Italy, experts are urging people to eat more blue crab (native to North America, invasive over there).

Which sustainable cooking change are you most interested in trying?

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind

In Australia, there is an annual competition to see who can fish the most invasive carp (which are then eaten), and in Virginia, experts are urging people to catch and eat more catfish. Never before has helping to protect the environment been so delicious.

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Some F-16s donated to Ukraine will be stored abroad as reserves, top officer says

A number of F-16 fighter jets donated by Western allies to Ukraine will be stationed at air bases abroad, Serhii Holubtsov, a top officer at the Air Force Command, said in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) published on June 9.

Several NATO countries  Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway  have pledged to deliver dozens of U.S.-made F-16 fighters from their stocks.

The first batch of Danish F-16s is expected to be handed over to Ukraine this summer.

Some of the Western aircraft will reportedly remain in training centers for Ukrainian pilots and aviation personnel outside Ukraine.

"There is a certain number of aircraft that will be stored at secure airbases outside of Ukraine so that they are not targeted here. And this will be our reserve, if necessary, to replace faulty aircraft during routine maintenance," Holubtsov said.

Ukraine already has plans for how many F-16s it will receive from allies this year and next year, according to Holubtsov. The number of aircraft located in Ukraine depends on the number of trained pilots, he said.

"The calculations have been made so that we know how many pilots we will have, how many engineers we will have, how many airfield maintenance personnel we will have," the officer added.

Several countries, including the U.S., pledged to assist Ukrainian aviators with the necessary training under the fighter jet coalition framework. The first group of Ukrainian pilots reportedly graduated from the F-16 training program in Arizona in late May and were sent to additional training in Europe.

Read also: Politico: Stalled US F-16 training program frustrates Ukraine

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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL)  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released an incident report after a plane crashed in Washington County, Tennessee on Saturday.

The plane crashed at the Honor Flight Cruise and Fly In event near Telford Saturday morning.

PREVIOUS: Pilot and passenger okay after plane crash at Honor Flight Fly In Saturday

The Washington County Sheriffs Office (WCSO) previously told News Channel 11 that the crash occurred at Kite Field during the event. The pilot was flown to a nearby hospital and the passenger was taken by ground EMS after the crash, the WCSO reports.

Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands stated in a social media post Saturday that the crash did occur but all spectators are safe and we are being told the pilot and passenger are ok.

The non-profit stated in a second social media post on Sunday afternoon that after being reached out to several times, Honor Flight was unable to obtain any further information. Honor Flight stated a first responder had said the pilot and passenger were injured but ok.

On Monday, the FAA released its first incident report on the plane crash. The FAA reports one member of the flight crew and one passenger were seriously injured in the crash.

In the description of the crash, the FAA wrote the following:

AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN THE WOODS FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, JONESBOROUGH, TN. Federal Aviation Administration accident report

The WCSO reported on Monday that witnesses said the plane approached the south side of the runway before gaining altitude and twisting left, ultimately crashing into trees east of the runway.

The sheriffs office stated both the pilot and passenger were extricated by Washington County EMS and Sulphur Springs and Limestone Fire Departments.

According to the FAA, the crashed plane was a Cessna 182 model.

Honor Flight organizers told News Channel 11 on Saturday that the community event continued as normal after the crash.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Fact Check: About That Claim New Yorks St. John the Divine Cathedral Lit Up in Rainbow Colors for Pride Month

Claim:

The church of St. John the Divine in New York City lit up in rainbow colors in June 2024 to celebrate Pride Month.

Rating:

Rating: True

In early June 2024, photographs began to circulate on social media claiming the inside of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City had lit up in rainbow colors to celebrate Pride Month:

The beautiful Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City! 



The arches and columns are lit in all the colors of the rainbowcelebrating LGBTQ+ people everywhere.  pic.twitter.com/fo0gat5JQs  Justice Horn (@JusticeHorn_) June 8, 2024

This vibrant image had garnered more than 972,000 views and 3,900 likes. Other people posted similar pictures, and even a video, claiming it was the inside of the church. But the posts were also the target of conservative outrage. One person replied to the first post saying, "And whoever allowed it should be excommunicated." Another response said, "Disgusting blasphemy. A man cannot serve two masters. You cannot be a Christian and an intersectional marxist."

As we'll see, the claims were true.

St. John the Divine is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church. A branch of the Anglican Communion, the Episcopal Church has included and welcomed gay and lesbian people since at least 1976, an inclusion that has extended to people of different gender identities and expressions. LGBTQ+ people can not only pray in the Episcopal tradition, but also become ordained and, since 2012, be elected bishop. In 2015, the Episcopal Church codified same-sex and gender-neutral marriage. According to the Human Rights Campaign:

With an estimated 2.3 million members, the Episcopal Church is open and welcoming of the LGBTQ+ community. Unlike the Worldwide Anglican Communion, of which it is a part, the Episcopal Church does not condemn homosexuality.

On June 1, 2024, the first day of Pride Month, the Rev. Meg Stapleton Smith gave a sermon at the church. Stapleton Smith is openly queer, according to a 2022 profile on the Fordham University website, which described her desire to become an Episcopal priest. Behind her, the transept and the apse were lit in the colors of the rainbow, confirming the photographs of social media users:

On June 9, 2024, video of the Holy Eucharist, as services are known in the Episcopal Church, showed the aisles and the ambulatory also were lit in rainbow colors:

Also on the cathedral's website was the program for "Iconic Pride," a series of events organized by the congregation to celebrate Pride Month. The first event, on May 31, 2024, was described as follows (emphasis ours):

Pride Eve, A Pilgrimage to Pride Kick off Pride 2024 at the Cathedral with A Pilgrimage to Pride. Journey to the Upper West Side for an evening of crafts, color, and pageantry. The night will begin with a cocktail hour where visitors are encouraged to tour the Cathedral, mingle, and visit different craft stations. Our Host, the Greedy Peasant, will then take to the stage for a 40-minute performance culminating in illumination of the Cathedral in its traditional rainbow lights. All are welcome for this special occasion, with monochromatic fanciful dress encouraged. The suggested colors include red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Tassels also implied.

The Greedy Peasant, a queer social media star who likes to live out his passion for medieval times, posted photographs of the event on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7_vwV4xcjS/?hl=en&img_index=1

The Anglican Communion encompasses 46 churches across more than 165 countries, including in parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America. It is the third-largest Christian communion after the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, with 85 million people.

The largest "province" of the Anglican Communion in population is the Church of Nigeria, which is staunchly opposed to homosexuality and other LGBTQ+ expressions. Many provinces in Asia also oppose broader inclusion in their churches. The disagreement has created a rift in the Anglican Communion, with the more conservative churches expressing frustration at the Anglican leadership for not taking a stricter stance against the richer, more progressive provinces, like the Episcopal Church, that have shown support for same-sex marriage.

Sources:

'Friction over LGBTQ Issues Worsens in Global Anglican Church'. AP News, 7 Dec. 2022, https://apnews.com/article/anglican-church-lgbtq-issues-4f635708fdb24df166ac8237f9473f00.

McClain, Lisa. 'The Anglican Communion Has Deep Differences over Homosexuality  but a Process of Dialogue, Known as "via Media," Has Helped Hold Contradictory Beliefs Together'. The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2024, http://theconversation.com/the-anglican-communion-has-deep-differences-over-homosexuality-but-a-process-of-dialogue-known-as-via-media-has-helped-hold-contradictory-beliefs-together-224834.

'Meg Stapleton Smith, GSAS '22: Queer Theologian and Aspiring Episcopal Priest'. Fordham Now, 10 May 2022, https://now.fordham.edu/colleges-and-schools/graduate-school-of-arts-and-sciences/meg-stapleton-smith-gsas-22-queer-theologian-and-aspiring-episcopal-priest/.

'Member Churches'. Anglican Communion, https://www.anglicancommunion.org/structures/member-churches.aspx?s=AF#country.

'Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ+ Issues: Episcopal Church'. Human Rights Campaign, https://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-episcopal-church. Accessed 10 June 2024.
Fact Check: Did Joe Biden Try to Sit Down Where There Wasnt a Chair? Viral Video Leaves Out Context

A video clip circulating on social media claimed that a lack of mental acuity led Biden to try to sit down in a chair that didn't exist during a D-Day anniversary event

AP Photo/Virginia Mayo U.S. President Joe Biden attends a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Did President Joe Biden try to sit down in a chair that wasn't there?

A video of Biden, 81, recently began circulating, which seemingly showed the president trying to sit down in a nonexistent chair at an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Several online posts from right-wing commentators and other social media users began claiming that the clip illustrated Biden's mental incompetence due to his age.

"Biden is trying to sit in a chair that doesnt exist. The problem is that he intends to continue running for the presidential elections," one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote alongside the video.

"This is disturbing," another wrote on X. "Pres. Biden is literally trying to find the invisible chair to sit in. It's just all so sad, and disgraceful to those in attendance who desire to honor the brave men who died to protect our nation from tyrannical governments."

However, the video shared to X did not show the full context of the moment, which was captured in its entirety by the Associated Press.

The edited, 13-second clip was pulled from footage of Biden standing alongside first lady Jill Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron. The group was waiting for U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to be announced as the next speaker so they could be seated.

Related: Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron Have Awkward Moment at D-Day Event as Royal Avoids Holding First Lady's Hand

Contrary to what some viral social media posts claimed, the full-length video shows Biden crouching down, preparing to sit, before fully sitting down in a chair that does, in fact, exist.

The idea that 81-year-old Biden is not in control of his mental faculties as he ages is a common belief for many  and videos like this viral clip have contributed to the narrative.

In March, an AP poll found that about 6 in 10 U.S. adults said that they were not very or not at all confident in Bidens mental capability to effectively serve as president.

The same poll found that a slightly smaller share (57%) of adults said that they believed former President Donald Trump lacks the mental capability to serve as president.

Related: Donald Trump Says Die-Hard MAGA Fan Would Prioritize Suicide over Biden During Las Vegas Rally

AP Photo/Daniel Cole President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron during the commemorative ceremony to mark D-Day 80th anniversary.

In February, Biden's physician said "the president remains fit for duty" in an annual report published by the White House,

"President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous 80-year-old male who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency," the report read.

Related: Fact Check: Trump Claims U.S. Crime Is 'Only' Going Up, Despite Steep Drop in Violence During Biden Presidency

The event shown in the latest video was held on Thursday, June 6, in Colleville-sur-Mer, France (near Normandy Beach) to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

American World War II veterans attended the event to receive honors from both Macron and Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also in attendance, according to AP.

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.

Biden delivered a speech later in the event, likening the events of D-Day to the current war in Ukraine and stating that "we will not walk away" from defending Ukraine, AP reported.

"To surrender to bullies, to bow down to dictators, is simply unthinkable," Biden said during his remarks.

"Democracy is never guaranteed. Every generation must preserve it, defend it and fight for it," he continued. "That's the test of the ages."



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Read the original article on People.
Fact Check: What to Know About 'Otherworldly Wreckage' on Mars Spotted by NASA

Claim:

A NASA photo authentically shows otherworldly wreckage" on Mars.

Rating:

Rating: Miscaptioned

Context:

While the photograph is genuine, what it shows is the NASA lander's aeroshell (heat-shielded protective shell)  initially launched from Earth  and not otherwordly wreckage, as posts on social media misleadingly claimed.

A phenomenon described by some as "otherworldy wreckage on Mars" appears in a photograph shared across multiple social media platforms and websites since 2022. It consists of a white, triangular-shaped object with a debris field surrounding what looks to be a crash landing site.

One iteration of the "otherworldly wreckage" claim garnered more than 3.2 million views on X, as of this publication.

A reverse-image search using Google Lens returned a public-domain image that identified the wreckage in the photo as the backshell and parachute from the Mars Ingenuity Helicopter.

Therefore, while the photograph is genuine, it shows the NASA lander's aeroshell  initially launched from Earth  and not "otherwordly wreckage," as some posts on social media misleadingly claimed.

Speaking to the Seattle Times in April 2022, Ian Clark, an engineer who worked on Perseverance's parachute system, said of the photographs:

There's definitely a sci-fi element to it It exudes otherworldly, doesn't it?

The photograph was captured from above the surface of the planet on April 19, 2022, by engineers working on the Mars Sample Return program, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). It shows Perseverance's backshell as it sits upright on the surface of Mars' Jezero Crater. Collected from an altitude of about 26 feet, the photograph was captured by NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter during its 26th flight on Mars on April 19, 2022.

Since February 18, 2021  when the photograph in question was taken  the Perseverance rover has been exploring Jezero Crater, a location on Mars described by NASA as showing "promising signs of a place that was likely friendly to life in the distant past." Perseverance studies the site by collecting rock cores and other samples of Mars material which scientists say could be retrieved and brought to Earth at a future date.

To assist in the landing of rovers like Perseverance, scientists use what's known as an aeroshell. An aeroshell is made up of two main components: a heat shield and a backshell.

"Together, they encapsulate the spacecraft, tucking its science instruments, descent stage and other operational equipment safely inside," writes Lockheed Martin, the aeronautics company that developed the Perseverance aeroshell. The company continues:

The aeroshell's shining moment occurs during entry, decent and landing (EDL). As the spacecraft performs a variety of maneuvers to safely land at its destination, the heat shield quite literally shields the spacecraft from the extreme heat generated during the initial descent through a planet's atmosphere (typically around 2,700F on Mars). In addition, the heat shield's natural aerodynamics serve as a "brake" to help slow the spacecraft. The cone-shaped backshell structure also plays an important role during EDL. The backshell supports the parachute and other mechanisms needed for a safe landing, including electronics and batteries. Plus, the backshell has holes for the small thrusters that help keep the spacecraft correctly oriented.

The photograph was taken at the request of engineers working on the Mars Sample Return program, according to an accompanying description, which continued:

The tangle of cables seen streaming out from the top of the backshell, and coated with Martian dust on the surface, are high-strength suspension lines that connect the backshell to Perseverance's supersonic parachute (upper left). The backshell and parachute helped protect the rover in deep space and during its fiery descent toward the Martian surface.

Snopes has looked into other questionable photographs taken of Mars, including one of a so-called "portal and a wall" on the red planet, a color photograph that shows a "drilled hole," and and another image of a supposedly mysterious object on the planet's surface.

Sources:

"Aeroshells: Keeping Spacecraft Safe." Lockheed Martin, https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/space/aeroshell-space.html. Accessed 6 June 2024.

Catalog Page for PIA25219. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA25219. Accessed 6 June 2024.

---. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA25219. Accessed 6 June 2024.

NASA Sees 'Otherworldly' Wreckage on Mars with Ingenuity Helicopter | The Seattle Times. 27 May 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220527172442/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nasa-sees-otherworldly-wreckage-on-mars-with-ingenuity-helicopter/.

NASA/JPL-Caltech. English: PIA25219: Rover's Backshell Seen From the Air. 19 Apr. 2022. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpeg/PIA25219.jpg, Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PIA25219-MarsIngenuityHelicopter-Backshell-20220419.jpg.

Perseverance Science - NASA Science. https://science.nasa.gov/mission/mars-2020-perseverance/science/. Accessed 6 June 2024.

"X.Com." X (Formerly Twitter), https://x.com/MAstronomers/status/1795954557773574208. Accessed 6 June 2024.
Family of man slain by off-duty LAPD officer says Department yet to say anything

Family members of 37-year-old husband and father of three Hugo Cachua, who was shot and killed by an off-duty Los Angeles Police Department officer on medical leave late last month, say authorities have yet to explain why their loved one was killed.

The incident happened on May 30 in Ontario near North Euclid Avenue and West 6th Street as Cachua and off-duty LAPD officer Victor Corral became embroiled in a heated argument after a reported fender bender at around 8:30 p.m.

Both men exited their vehicles and somehow the situation escalated into a physical confrontation.

Dashcam video from a passing vehicle captured the two men struggling on a neighborhood sidewalk when three gunshots were suddenly heard.

Hugo Cachua, 37, a father of three, is seen in a personal photo. (Cachua Family)

Family members said Cachua was unarmed and was shot in the back. At the time, Corral had been on medical leave for about a year, according to the Los Angeles Times, raising questions about why he was allowed to carry a concealed weapon.

Since the off-duty officer had not been regularly qualifying on the shooting range, per department policy, his concealed-carry privileges should have been withdrawn.

Victor Corral, a Los Angeles Police Department with the central division.

The department has yet to say anything about what has happened, why my brothers life was taken, Luis Cachua, the victims brother, told KTLA. We have not heard any response from the department, from the officer. Theyve refused any type of interview or any type of questioning.

The California Department of Justice is leading the investigation, with LAPD saying it is fully cooperating.

On Sunday, family members and loved ones held a Justice for Hugo carwash to raise money. A GoFundMe has also been organized to help cover the cost of funeral expenses.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO), which is critical of the European Union, has been confirmed the winner of the European elections in the Alpine nation with 25.4% of the vote.

According to the final result, which was available after all postal votes were counted on Monday, the conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP), which holds the chancellorship, came in a close second with 24.5%.

The Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPO) received 23.2% of the vote.

The Greens, who govern Austria together with the OVP, received around 11.1% on Sunday, while the liberal Neos received 10.1%.

On Sunday, the FPO won the most votes in a nationwide election in Austria for the first time. The ballot was seen as a test for the Austrian parliamentary elections in the autumn.

The FPO won three additional seats and will send six lawmakers to the newly composed European Parliament. The OVP parliamentary group lost two seats and will in future only be represented by five lawmakers - the same number as the SPO. The Greens and Neos secured two seats each.

A total of 6.37 million people in Austria were eligible to vote in the EU elections. Of these, 56.3% took part in the vote.

FPO Federal Party Chairman Herbert Kickl (L) and top candidate Harald Vilimsky attend the FPO election party. Helmut Fohringer/APA/dpa

(L-R) Lena Schilling (Greens), Reinhold Lopatka (OVP), Harald Vilimsky (FPO), Andreas Schieder (SPO) and Helmut Brandstatter (NEOS) at the election center in the House of the EU during the European elections. Helmut Fohringer/APA/dpa

(L-R) Reinhold Lopatka (OVP), Helmut Brandstatter (NEOS), Lena Schilling (Greens), Andreas Schieder (SPO) and Harald Vilimsky (FPO) at the voting center in the House of the EU during the European elections. Helmut Fohringer/APA/dpa
Maximilian Krah, Alternative for Germany (AfD) lead candidate for the 2024 European elections, is leaving the consultations with the newly elected AfD MEPs after the European elections. Krah will not be part of the future AfD delegation to the European Parliament. At their constituent meeting, the newly elected MEPs voted in favor of a motion not to include Krah. Britta Pedersen/dpa

German far-right politician Maximilian Krah, who was banned from his party's EU campaign after making controversial statements about Germany's Nazi past, will also be excluded from the AfD's delegation in the European Parliament, fellow lawmakers from his party decided on Monday.

Krah, who was actually the lead candidate for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the EU election, also made headlines in recent weeks due to alleged links to pro-Russian networks and China.

His statement that not all members of the SS - a Nazi paramilitary group - were criminals, led his party being excluded from the right-wing Identity and Democracy grouping in the European Parliament shortly before the election.

After the AfD came in second place in Germany with 15.9%, AfD chairpersons Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla met the newly elected AfD lawmakers in Berlin on Monday morning.

The meeting was to focus on the party's future delegation to the EU Parliament and appoint a leader for the group.

The victory of the conservative CDU/CSU bloc and gains made by the AfD in the EU elections have put further pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left coalition.

Maximilian Krah, Alternative for Germany (AfD) lead candidate for the 2024 European elections, gives an interview after leaving the consultations with the newly elected AfD MEPs after the European elections. Krah will not be part of the future AfD delegation to the European Parliament. At their constituent meeting, the newly elected MEPs voted in favor of a motion not to include Krah. Britta Pedersen/dpa
Bongs. Photo by Getty Images.

Last year the Legislature decriminalized drug paraphernalia, even if it contains drug residue. The change represented a step back from the drug war tactics of previous decades, with an eye toward treating substance abuse as a public health problem, rather than a criminal justice concern.

But one obscure relic of the war on drug paraphernalia got overlooked, and was not included in the decriminalization bill: a provision in state law that treats bong water  the water at the bottom of a smoking device, used to cool and purify the intoxicating smoke  as a controlled substance, no different than the uncut version of whatever illicit drug the bong was used to smoke.

People dont consume bong water, but some prosecutors still use it as evidence to charge drug defendants with more serious crimes than they otherwise would be eligible for.

Just ask Jessica Beske.

On May 8, the 43-year-old Fargo resident was pulled over for speeding on Highway 59 in Polk County, Minnesota, according to charging documents. Deputies smelled marijuana and searched the car, where they allege they found a bong, a glass jar containing a crystal substance, and some items of paraphernalia, including pipes.

The residue on the paraphernalia tested positive for methamphetamine, as did the water in the bong and the substance in the glass jar. Deputies further reported that the bong water weighed 8 ounces and, somewhat confusingly, that the crystal substance weighed 13.2 grams in total with the packaging.

Beske says the packaging is the glass jar, and that the reason deputies included the jar in the weight is that there wasnt a measurable quantity of substance in it. She maintains she had no drugs on her, only paraphernalia containing residue. Thats precisely the sort of offense that lawmakers decriminalized in the 2023 bill.

But the Polk County prosecutor has instead charged her with first-degree felony possession, which carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Its because of the bong water.

For charging purposes under state law, 8 ounces of bong water is considered the same as 8 ounces of pure methamphetamine. Thats well over the 50-gram threshold necessary to trigger a first-degree felony offense.

The legislative intent behind the weight-based thresholds is to approximate whether a person is an end user or a dealer, said Kurtis Hanna, a longtime Minnesota drug reform advocate. The fact that some county prosecutors are subverting that clear intent and are charging end users as though they are wholesalers, ruining their lives in the process, is shameful.

Deputies also seized Beskes car and $2,400 in cash and intend to permanently forfeit them under a state law that allows authorities to take vehicles used to transport controlled substances intended for distribution or sale, and cash that represents the proceeds of a controlled substance offense.

Beske says she won the cash at the casino that night, and when she was pulled over she had a tax form from the casino to prove it.

The charges are baffling to her. Its against common sense, she said in an interview. Its against everybodys common sense.

The war on paraphernalia

Bong water was written into law following a 2009 state Supreme Court case, State vs. Peck, in which a divided court ruled that water in a pipe could be considered a drug mixture under the legal definition, and hence could count toward substance weights used to determine offense severity.

The justices relied, in part, on the testimony of a Minnesota State Patrol officer who claimed that drug users keep bong water for future use either drinking it or shooting it in the veins.

Three of the courts seven justices dissented. Bong water is usually discarded when the smoker is finished with consumption of the smoke filtered through the bong water, they wrote. A person is not more dangerous, or likely to wreak more havoc, based on the amount of bong water that person possesses.

The 2009 decision garnered national headlines and made the state the butt of countless jokes. The following year, legislators passed a bill exempting bong water quantities of less than 4 ounces from the legal definition of mixture. Despite unanimous support in the Senate and the votes of all but two House members, then-governor Tim Pawlenty vetoed it.

Pawlenty, who was by then preparing for a presidential run, defended the veto on The Daily Show by saying he did it at the behest of law enforcement.

The bong water exception was reintroduced the following year. It was opposed by the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, with the groups executive director testifying that drug traffickers would mix methamphetamine into water, transport it, and then evaporate the water to sell the meth.

But the bill passed again and was signed into law by newly elected Gov. Mark Dayton. The 4-ounce standard remains on the books today. Kurtis Hanna says its a purely arbitrary limit: There doesnt seem to be any good reason why 4 ounces is ok, but 5 is not.

An uncommon offense

Bong water prosecutions dont appear to be common, but they do happen. In 2013, a Waseca man spent seven months in prison on a 6.5 year sentence for possessing half an ounce of bong water that tested positive for methamphetamine.

But he was released when attorneys discovered that neither his prosecutor, his defense lawyer nor the judge in the case realized that the bong water in question was well under the possession threshold.

Reached via phone, Robert Small, the current executive director of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, asked somewhat incredulously if anyone was actually charging bong water cases in the state today. When informed of the Polk County case, he suggested contacting the county attorney there and said he couldnt offer any other relevant information.

Scott Buhler, the assistant county attorney prosecuting Beskes case, said I will not comment on any pending cases. The criminal complaint filed in Ms. Beskes case speaks for itself. He added that his office simply enforces the laws of this state as written.

A zealous prosecution

Buhler gained statewide attention in 2014 when the Star Tribune reported he was one of the few attorneys in the state charging people for violating an archaic law requiring them to pay taxes on illicit drugs.

I simply charge it a lot because it leaves all options available regarding plea bargaining and sentencing, he said at the time. Lawmakers tried, but ultimately failed, to repeal that tax during this legislative session.

That philosophy may explain why hes throwing the book at Beske. In addition to first-degree possession, he charged her with a violation of the illicit drug tax law, which carries the potential for seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine. She was also charged with refusing a drug test at the time of her arrest.

But that tough-on-crime mentality is increasingly out of step in a state where marijuana is legal and lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle have acknowledged that harsh criminal penalties dont address addiction or underlying mental health issues.

Earlier this year a drug policy report commissioned by the Legislature concluded that arresting people for drug use does not deter future use, crime recidivism, arrest, or incarceration, and that imprisonment does not impact rates of drug use or arrest. It noted that people released from prison are at a heightened risk for drug overdose.

Beske acknowledges she has a substance abuse problem. She says it began while she was in the process of leaving an abusive ex.

The only thing Im guilty of is using substances to lessen my mental suffering caused by a sick and abusive predator, she said. Addicts  women especially  are made to feel like public enemy number one, when in fact most of us have been victims of serious crime that will never be prosecuted.

The thought of 30 years in prison makes her despair. Its just gonna make my life worse and make me want to use drugs more, she said. Thats why people use drugs mostly, is to cope.

The post Fargo woman facing 30 years in prison for bong water appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
Space engineer Marcus Watkins is a delegate in Spain of the U.S. space agency NASA, an organization where he has worked for 30 years. The Robledo de Chavela space station, 70 kilometers from Madrid, has been in service for 60 years. It was from its antennas that the signal Neil Armstrong used to land the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle on the Moon was received for the first time. Almost 55 years later, NASA is preparing to repeat the adventure, this time with a woman and a person of color as the protagonists, both of whom will set foot on the satellite in 2026.

Reaching the Moon requires not only engineering, but also a lot of politics, and that is the reason why Watkins has been sent to Spain: he has been the main negotiator of the new agreement between Spain and the U.S. to extend space collaboration in order to maintain and improve the facilities at Robledo de Chavela in the coming years. The agreement was approved on June 4 by the Spanish Cabinet and is expected to be signed on Monday, June 10, in Robledo. In this interview, the engineer explains the details of the pact, which is essential for the 2026 Moon landing. One of the main issues is to stop the brain drain that the agency has been suffering for some time due to low salaries and bureaucratic problems.

Question. What does the agreement between Spain and NASA consist of?

Answer. We are at a critical moment. The current agreement was due to expire in November and we had to renew it to lay the groundwork for the next 60 years. It was especially important because we are now embarking on the Artemis program. Our deep space network has three nodes: Spain, Australia and California. We are also building new antennas. It is important that we get more flexibility in our agreement with the Spanish government to ensure that we can maintain and sustain our workforce in the future. After the agreement is approved, we will sign a more detailed contract. For the time being, the agreement has solved many problems and creates the way for future space exploration.

Q. Is NASA having trouble hiring people?

A. We have been in Spain for 60 years. There were many employees who had to retire and we had to hire young people. Since the contract is linked to a public entity [the National Institute for Aerospace Technology, under the Ministry of Defense], in many cases the salaries were below what the market offered. So we had the problem that we hired young people, trained them really well and, after a few years, found they were going to other companies because they were offered better pay. Thats why we need more flexibility. This is crucial. We cant get to the Moon without Spain.

Q. Isnt it possible to control everything from the U.S.?

A. Our three stations are 120 degrees [longitude] apart. The station that is active at any given time, on the Earth day side, not only receives all the signals from all our spacecraft, but controls the entire deep space network. As technology improves, we cant be prevented from hiring the best. And Spains universities have a lot of talent.

Q. Where will the new antennas for Artemis be located?

A. In Australia, South Africa and New Mexico. There will also be a commercial sector from which we will buy data.

Q. You have been working at NASA for 30 years in different positions. Do you think much has changed since the first Moon landing?

A. In the 1960s and 1970s, the public face of NASA was white and male. But even in those days, the workforce was much more diverse; there were Black women doing mathematical calculations, for example. They didnt appear in public, but they were part of the NASA family. Now, if you look at the heads of the agency, almost 50% are women, and there is a lot of diversity regarding backgrounds. Ive been in the senior executive echelon myself, and I wasnt the only Black guy. One of the latest examples of diversity is the tremendous success of Ingenuity, the little Mars helicopter. No one was confident they could do it, but a small team that included a lot of young students led by MiMi [Aung, a Burmese-born engineer] pulled it off.

Q. As well as space exploration missions, NASA also devotes a lot of resources to monitoring the Earths climate and global warming. Do you think these programs could be jeopardized if Donald Trump wins the election?

A. No. Our mission has been the same under both Republican and Democratic presidents. Our job is to launch satellites and collect data. We stay out of politics. The good news is that we have a robust system that shows us how greenhouse gases are acting, how the planet is warming and how glaciers are melting. This data, along with that from other international players, will help the world make a decision on what the next step should be.

Q. Why is NASA going back to the Moon?

A. Largely because we have to learn to live in outer space. We have to create a habitat. If you ship to Mars and the technology hasnt been well-tested, no one is going to be able to save you if something goes wrong. The Moon is the intermediate step; we can get there in about two days. If we have any problems, we can save people. Beyond the Moon, it becomes complicated.
In our In the Spotlight stories, Herald-Leader journalists bring you continuing coverage of news and events important to our Central Kentucky community. Read more. Story idea? hlcityregion@herald-leader.com.

Last month, President Joe Biden officially announced he was moving forward with a plan to reclassify marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act.

The move would see the drug moved from Schedule I  the most restrictive category  to the moderately restricted category of Schedule III. It would place marijuana in the same category as anabolic steroids, ketamine and testosterone  drugs that have some medical benefit, but also carry some risk of abuse.

Right now, marijuana has a higher-level classification than fentanyl and methamphetamine  the two drugs driving Americas overdose epidemic, Biden wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. That just doesnt add up.

Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana.



So today, the @TheJusticeDept is taking the next step to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under federal law.



Here's what that means: pic.twitter.com/TMztSyyFYm  President Biden (@POTUS) May 16, 2024

What does the federal shift in marijuana policy mean for KY?

To be clear, reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug is not the same as legalizing it at the federal level.

But it does stand to decrease the tax burden of cannabis businesses operating in states where marijuana is legal, either for recreational or medicinal use.

That includes businesses in Kentucky currently gearing up for the launch of the states medical cannabis program in early 2025.

The Drug Enforcement Administrations reported reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance will likely have significant tax implications for prospective licensees, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services spokesperson Brice Mitchell said in an emailed statement.

Because marijuana is currently a Schedule I controlled substance, under current federal law (26 U.S. Code 280E) marijuana businesses, unlike other businesses, cannot deduct their business expenses on their federal tax filings, Mitchell told the Herald-Leader. By rescheduling marijuana to a Schedule III, marijuana businesses will not be subject to the prohibition in Section 280E, and thus will be able to deduct their business expenses.

That would let cannabis businesses knock anywhere from 40% to 70% off their taxes, according to a CBS News report. An estimate from a cannabis industry research firm suggests state-compliant businesses paid $1.8 billion in excess taxes in 2022.

A federal reclassification should also reassure banks and credit card companies wary of dealing with cannabis businesses they perceive as legally-gray and risky.

Reclassification poses potential benefits for researchers as well, as explained by Mitchell.

Currently, the Drug Enforcement Administration is required to set annual production quotas for Schedule I controlled substances manufactured for use in approved research. DEA is not required to set annual production quotas for Schedule III controlled substances. As a result, there may be more marijuana available for approved federal research.

Where will you be able to buy medical cannabis in 2025? See KYs 11 dispensary regions

KYs first medical cannabis businesses will be chosen by lottery. How does that work?

- Do you have a question about Kentucky for our Service Journalism team? Send us an email at ask@herald-leader.com or fill out our Know Your Kentucky form.
(Getty Images / ferrantraite)

Ferrum Colleges hopes for creating a specialized laboratory school have ended after months of discussions with state leaders, but the colleges president is still holding out for a different outcome.

According to documents from the Virginia Department of Education, the private institution in Southwest Virginia joins more than a dozen institutions that are not being considered, some of which have withdrawn their applications including Eastern Shore Community College, Southside Virginia Community College, Hampton University and the University of Lynchburg.

Ferrum College President Mirta Martin blamed the state for changes during the review process after it received a nearly $200,000 lab school planning grant.

Martin said she received a call from Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera last month to break the news.

At that point, I told her very candidly, Im not going to go down silently into the night because this is not a political issue; this is doing the right thing for some of the most underserved populations in Virginia, Martin said in an interview last month with the Mercury.

According to the Virginia Department of Education, Ferrum received additional time to respond to questions before ultimately having its application axed by the department from consideration for the College Partnership Laboratory School committee.

Gov. Glenn Youngkins administration has actively sought to establish laboratory schools, much like charter schools, to offer another layer of educational choices with specialized instruction. But opponents, including Democrats, say the schools take away from public school funding.

As part of the approval process, which involves the Department of Education reviewing elements such as curriculum details and budget assumptions, applicants are welcome to withdraw their applications at any time and resubmit them at a later time.

Christian Martinez, a spokesman for the governors office, said Guidera and the staff at the Virginia Department of Education have openly communicated that the new budget language reduces the available funding for lab school operations, which will impact the evaluation of some proposals.

Private institutions, including Ferrum, faced another challenge during the process when the governor and lawmakers agreed to a budget last month requiring them to submit their applications along with a four-year public institution of higher education to handle the financial and administrative duties for each lab school and enact an annual reporting requirement related to financial sustainability.

As Virginia continues to emerge as a national leader in lab school development, Governor Youngkin will focus on restoring excellence in education by creating innovative pathways for students to explore potential careers and better prepare for their future in the commonwealth, said Martinez.

Ferrums view of the process

Ferrum officials pointed to the ongoing rule changes as to why its application failed to reach the application committee for review.

The college requested $10.6 million for the initial four years, which is more than schools like James Madison University with a larger enrollment size requested. JMU asked for $7 million.

Martin said the requested funding is to cover a larger territory compared to other institutions.

According to published documents that were later removed from the education departments website, the agency first received Ferrum Colleges Academy for Opportunity and Innovation application on Feb. 1. The proposed academy would have focused on providing high school students interested in employment in public service and health-related fields.

Officials also said many of the committees questions had already been answered or included in the application.

According to college officials, the department asked Ferrum to expand the application from Franklin County High School to 12 school divisions after submitting the first version of its application. Ferrum officials said they made the changes despite the potential commuting challenges in the Southwest.

Officials also had another challenge when state lawmakers added language into the two-year budget requiring private institutions to partner with public institutions on lab school applications.

If the rules had been consistent from the beginning of the process, we would have had a fiscal partner out from day one, but that was introduced after we were already waiting in line to get in front of the standing committee, said Jason Powell, associate vice president of academic affairs and chief innovation and research officer at Ferrum College.

According to Powell, the administrative costs for those grants are likely to increase, even double, after the budget decision.

Despite the projected costs, Martin said Ferrum would be willing to find a four-year public institution partner.

We were never afforded that opportunity, but if afforded the opportunity, we will comply, Martin said. We will find a fiscal agent that will partner with us  to be able to provide this critical education to this underserved population.

Lab schools update

On May 21, following an hour-long closed session with its legal team, the Board of Education approved two lab school applications: one from Old Dominion University to create a school in Suffolk, the other from George Mason University to create a school in Frederick.

These two lab schools will bring valuable STEM education to the Hampton Roads and Shenandoah Valley communities and bring our total to 14 across the commonwealth, said Youngkin in a May 22 statement. Lab schools have been a priority education issue for Youngkins administration and a sticking point of debate among Democratic legislators.

In partnership with higher education institutions, creating the state-approved curriculum, lab schools offer students tuition-free instruction for careers in computer science and technology. Lab school admission is based on a lottery system.

Five schools that submitted successful lab school applications  Emory & Henry and Roanoke Colleges, and Mountain Gateway, Paul D. Camp and Germanna Community Colleges  will be required to resubmit them after language in the recently passed state budget emphasized that state code does not allow lab school funding to go to private or two-year colleges, a position Democrats have long held.

Todd Reid, a spokesman with the VDOE, said it would not be able to provide an update on the status of the applications submitted by private institutions.

The Youngkin administration, with support from the attorneys general office, previously said that state law does not prohibit the committee from accepting applications from all institutions.

No new funding for lab schools was included in the two-year budget, after the governor proposed $60 million for them which lawmakers declined to add to the spending plan.

According to the committees June documents, the states current lab school fund balance is $9,647,232. Norfolk State University, and prospective partners Old Dominion and Eastern Shore Community College, are expected to meet with the lab school committee on June 10.

The post Ferrum College president remains hopeful Virginia will consider lab school application appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Fetterman Speaks Out Following Car Accident That Sent Him to Hospital

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) confirmed reports Sunday that he and his wife Gisele were involved in a car accident Sunday morning, but said in a social media post Monday night the pair were both great.

Earlier reports claimed Fetterman was knocked around and sent to the hospital after he rear ended another car while behind the wheel.

Fetterman and his wife Gisele were traveling near Hancock, Maryland, when the car Fetterman was driving smashed into a Chevy Impala, according to Fox 29 Philadelphia.

The couple was then transported to a hospital in West Virginia out of an abundance of caution, according to a statement from Fettermans office shared with the station.

Fetterman was treated for a bruised shoulder at the hospital. He and his wife were discharged later in the day and are now back in their hometown of Braddock, Pennsylvania, according to the senators office.

In a social media post Monday, Gisele, appearing alongside her husband, called it the worst anniversary ever, before giving a thumbs down symbol.

Yeah, not great for your wedding anniversary but were both great, and thank you for all of you that you care, Fetterman said, adding that he was using frozen peas and Tylenol to help treat the pain.

You might have heard G and I were in a car accident yesterday. Thank you all for the well wishes.



Not the best way to spend our 16th wedding anniversary but were doing well and happy to be back home in Braddock with the family. pic.twitter.com/OKFmbUXtNF  Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) June 10, 2024

The Senators health has been a persistent question throughout his tenure, following a stroke during his 2022 campaign that left him unable to speak for a period of time. Shortly after he returned to public life following his stroke, he again stepped back from his role in the Senate to seek clinical treatment for depression.

Most recently, Fetterman brought up his stroke on Bill Mahers HBO Show Real Time, telling Maher that his stroke gave him the freedom to abandon progressive policy goals and disregard criticism from fellow Democrats.

Theres a line from the first Batman, Joker, hes like, Ive already been dead once already. Its very liberating, Fetterman told the comedian. Thats not reckless, thats just freeing. Its just freeing in a way. And I just think after beating all of that, I just really want to be able to say the things that I have to really believe in and not be afraid of if theres any kind of blowback.

Sen. John Fettermans Key Advisers Ditch Him Amid Centrist Pivot

This story has been updated to reflect the fact that Fetterman rear-ended the other driver.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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(FOX40.COM)  A large fight in Northern California on Saturday afternoon led to a shooting that killed a man along with several people getting stabbed, according to the Napa County Sheriffs Office.

Officials said the fight occurred near Lake Berryessa at the Oak Shores Day Use area on Knoxville Road in Napa around 5:30 p.m.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they said they found a man with a gunshot wound who was declared dead moments later.

Family confirms body found near San Joaquin River to be missing boater

Two people who were stabbed were airlifted to a local hospital, the sheriffs office said. Other stab victims were taken to the hospital by people who knew them.

The Napa County Sheriffs Office later said it learned that a man pulled a gun out and shot the victim, identified as 39-year-old Vallejo resident Andres Fabian Sandoval, and fled the scene in his vehicle shortly after the incident. The agency added that he was found just north of Lake Berryessa moments later and was detained.

Napa County deputies have not released the suspects information yet, but they said it will be coming in the next few 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 FOX40.
Downtown Houston on Sept. 16, 2019. Texas Attorney General sued Harris County in April to block its guaranteed income program, which would give participants about $500 a month for 18 months with no strings attached. Advocates say guaranteed income programs are an effective tool to fight poverty but critics argue they amount to government overreach. Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

It was late 2020 and the pandemic was in full swing. Ingrid Sullivan was still navigating the consequences of her divorce when she caught COVID-19 and lost her job. The mother of four needed a hand.

Sullivan applied for financial aid from the city of San Antonio and received about $5,000 over two years. She used the money to fill her gas tank and pay her car insurance. Sullivan said the funds allowed her to land a higher-paying job and move from an apartment into a house.

I just ran with the help I had and stabilized my family, and now we are in a very stable position in life, she said.

The city didnt ask Sullivan for anything in return. The aid was part of San Antonios Two-Year Fund, a so-called guaranteed income program that gave money to low-income households with no strings attached. The pandemic relief program ran from 2020 to 2023.

Guaranteed income programs have become more popular since the pandemic as dozens of cities across the country launched pilot programs using federal COVID-19 relief funds. Whereas other welfare funds like food stamps and housing vouchers provide assistance for specific expenses, guaranteed income programs allow recipients to decide how they spend the money. Researchers have found them to be an effective way to combat poverty.

In recent years, a handful of Texas cities and counties have piloted their own guaranteed income programs for low-income households. Financed by a combination of federal, local and philanthropic funds, Austin, San Antonio and El Paso County have collectively issued about $9 million in payments to roughly 1,500 households since 2020.

But the notion is facing stiff opposition from conservatives who say these programs are a bad use of taxpayers money and amount to government overreach. Attorney General Ken Paxton recently sued Harris County to block its guaranteed income program, Uplift Harris. The Texas Supreme Court indefinitely paused the pilot while the case goes to trial. Financed by funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, the program would have provided almost 2,000 households in the areas poorest neighborhoods with $500 a month for 18 months.

Proponents say the no strings attached aspect of guaranteed income programs makes them particularly effective. Recipients are allowed to prioritize what they want to spend the funds on, which could include costs that other welfare programs do not cover. The Urban Institute found that people who participated in Austins pilot program, which ran from 2022 to 2023, spent 58% of the money on rent and the rest mostly on basic needs and utilities.

Anti-poverty initiatives traditionally have specific objectives, such as increasing house ownership or providing workforce development, but guaranteed income programs enable households to decide whats the best way for them to build wealth, said Jesus Gerena, CEO of UpTogether. UpTogether is a California-based nonprofit that plans guaranteed income funds across the country and has helped organize four in Texas so far.

We need to stop thinking that we have to come up with an answer [for] people, but that people have the ability to [come up with answers] themselves, Gerena said. We've been able to demonstrate that over and over and over again.

When evaluating the guaranteed income programs, policymakers are often concerned there is not a strong relationship between giving people funds and an increase in employment, according to Mary Bogle, a researcher at the Urban Institute who analyzed Austins pilot program.

Bogle instead emphasized the almost guaranteed positive effect that direct cash programs have on the children in participating families. For example, she said the federal Child Tax Credit, which acts like an annual guaranteed income payment, cut child poverty in the United States by 43% in 2021. Bogle pointed to research that shows increases in household income improve future employment opportunities for children, which helps break the cycle of welfare.

Researchers and I often say to one another, Why are we still studying this? Its a settled case, she said. It is the most evidence-based thing you can do to improve outcomes for individuals and families.

Across the country, several states have moved to pass laws that restrict local governments from implementing guaranteed income programs. In Paxtons suit against Harris County, the attorney general argues its guaranteed income program would give recipients money without any accountability and that there is no reasonable expectation of a general benefit from the program.

Paxton accused Harris County of violating a state law that says governments cannot use public money for private purposes. To qualify as a public purpose, a program must demonstrate that the funding is used to meet specific goals for the good of the public and not for the benefit of private parties, among other requirements, said Randy Erben, adjunct professor at the University Texas School of Law.

Opponents also criticize guaranteed income programs for excessively expanding government spending, a traditional conservative concern. Guaranteed income programs increase government involvement, which raises the burden on taxpayers, according to James Quintero, policy director at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Quintero argued local governments should focus on providing core services like public safety and transportation infrastructure.

Every dollar that those recipients spent was taken away from somebody else, Quintero said. It's not an appropriate role for government to simply be a redistributed mechanism that takes from some and gives to others for no good reason.

Discussion in Texas over guaranteed income programs could intensify next year, as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick included the use of federal funds by local governments in his list of priorities for next years legislative session.

Sullivan said these kinds of programs can be effective in helping people who, like her, had a brush with poverty due to unforeseen events, not from a lack of determination.

A lot of legislation believes youre given a handout, but really its a hand up for the person that already has a plan, Sullivan said. Ive always had a life plan. I didnt plan for divorce. Im college educated. I just was in poverty due to my circumstances.

Disclosure: Texas Public Policy Foundation has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

Weve added new speakers to the stellar lineup of leaders, lawmakers and newsmakers hitting the stage at The Texas Tribune Festival, happening Sept. 57 in downtown Austin. Get an up-close look at todays biggest issues at Texas breakout politics and policy event!
Fire officials release more information on devastating housing complex fires week apart - one double fatal - as investigation continues

WORCESTER  Fire officials have released the latest on the devastating fires that happened a week apart, one which was responsible for taking two lives, while at the other, firefighters saved two lives.

The June 4 fire at the Washington Heights apartment complex is still under investigation, Assistant Fire Chief Adam Roche said Monday. While they do not have a place of origin yet for the fire, it looks like it started somewhere on the third floor of 52 Overlook Drive, he said.

Fire officials credit quick thinking by first-arriving firefighters for the rescue of two people trapped on the third floor in a burning building at the Washington Heights apartment complex.

Fire damage at the Washington Heights apartment complex in Worcester, as seen on Thursday morning.

Roche said 36 units in three buildings were damaged by the June 4 fire at Washington Heights. He said it will be a total loss for at least 24 of the units, maybe more.

The management company has been very cooperative and they have all displaced residents either permanently or semi-permanently rehoused, Roche said Monday.

While firefighters rescued two people trapped on the third floor of 52 Overlook Drive, two people were killed a week before in an apartment house fire at 3 Hancock St.

A makeshift memorial at 3 Hancock St. Wednesday.

Daniel Gonzalez, 61, and Juana Candelario, 59, of the first floor were carried from the house by firefighters and rushed to UMass Memorial Hospital  University Campus, where they were later pronounced dead.

Married for more than 30 years, the couple leaves their five children, Xenia Maldonado, Mayra Callahan, Danilkys Gonzalez, Steven Gonzalez and Luceniz Gonzalez, all of Worcester; and eight grandchildren, according to their joint obituary.

Described as a steadfast man of principal who was unwavering and led by example, according to his obituary, Daniel Gonzalez worked more than 20 years at Crocker Architectural Sheet Metal Co., specializing in roofing. In addition to his five children, he also leaves behind his parents, Candida Nunez and Felipe Gonzalez, two brothers and a sister from Florida and Dominican Republic and many nieces nephews.

Described as an outspoken woman who, at the same time, lived a very quiet life, according to her obituary, Candelario spent years as a day care provider. In addition to her five children, she leaves 10 brothers and sisters, most of whom reside in Worcester, and many nieces and nephews.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Fire officials release more information on devastating housing complex fires
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Firefighters were sent to the Nashville VA Medical Center Monday after a gas leak was reported in the basement.

In a news release sent out at 1:25 p.m. on Monday, June 10, the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System said firefighters were on scene assessing a freon leak at the hospital.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

(Courtesy: VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System)

(Courtesy: VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System)

(Courtesy: VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System)

(Courtesy: VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System)

Freon is a colorless, odorless gas that is commonly used in air conditioning systems. If inhaled in high concentrations or in confined spaces, some people can experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulty and organ damage.

After a little over an hour on scene, officials with the Nashville Fire Department said it was safe for individuals to return to the area. The leak was reportedly resolved by 3 p.m.

No further details were immediately available.

 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Five local races to watch in the South Carolina primary

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  Voters across the Grand Strand and Pee Dee will decide more than 40 primary races  some of which will be de facto November wins for candidates running unopposed.

With potentially dozens of new faces set to shape the future of our region, here are five contests to watch closely.

A fight in Florence

With no Republican running in November, this three-way battle will decide who leads South Carolinas 13th largest city for the next four years. Incumbent Teresa Myers-Ervin made history when in 2020 when became Florences first woman and first Black person to win the mayorship.

Shes put an emphasis on community revitalization and economic development, pointing to the creation of business-friendly zoning along the citys eastern corridor, enhancements in the Pine Street community and making it easier for microbusinesses to compete.

Theres also her work to help Florence County land AESC, an electric battery manufacturer set to bring 2,700 jobs as part of a $1.3 billion investment.

Myers-Ervin has frequently been in the crosshairs of Lethonia Peaches Barnes, an at-large member of the City Council whos accused the mayor of obstructionism and political grandstanding  taking credit for the work of others.

Barnes is supported by a majority of her council colleagues.

William Williams, a former gubernatorial candidate, is also running for mayor.

The Trump factor

Two state House candidates running on the Grand Strand head into their primary contests with Trump endorsements.

As national polls show the presidential race tightening, these races could be a clue as to whether the value of a Trump seal of approval remains a difference maker.

Carla Schuessler of House District 61 just completed her first term in the General Assembly. The longtime Myrtle Beach resident voted to fund the deployment of state National Guard troops to the southern border, earning her not only Trumps support but Gov. Henry McMasters as well.



Scheussler faces challenges from a pair of small business owners in Shannon Grady and Patrick Hermann.

Val Guest was elevated to the state House District 106 in 2022 after Russell Frys Congressional win, quickly winning his support before adding McMaster and Trump to his list of endorsements.

Guest was among the cadre of elected officials who attend Trumps Conway rally in February  dinging his then presidential rival Nikki Haley.

Theyre not backing her, and theres a reason for that, Guest said.

Guest is facing a challenge from Horry County Republican Party member Brian Sweeney.

A senatorial shift?

Conway attorney Luke Rankin is one of South Carolinas most formidable politicians. Hes been in his Senate District 33 seat since 1993 and currently is chairman of that chambers powerful judiciary committee.

Rankin is no stranger to election night drama: He was sent back to Columbia in 2020 after winning a GOP run-off. Critics assailed him for helping SCE&G raise utility rates that led funding for projects like the disastrous V.C. Summer nuclear plant.

Rankins ties to Santee Cooper again were called into question over the spring, when some accused him of helping the Grand Strand Humane Society secure a long-term lease on land owned by company for construction of its new facility.

Rankins wife Lindsey is chairwoman of the Humane Societys governing board.

Accusations about conflicts of interest led a Santee Cooper executive to testify before the state Joint Bond Review Committee denying any kind of special deal.

Rankin was also thrust back into the spotlight last week after Mica Millers divorce attorney Regina Ward accused him and other lawmakers of burying a coercive control domestic violence bill.

Rankin  often seen walking through downtown Conway on his legislative off-days  squares off against small business owner Autry Benton. Benton has made funding for road improvements his top priority. He briefly served on the Conway City Council but then announced plans to primary Rankin.

Replacing an indicted sheriff

Marlboro Countys top elected law enforcement official has been out of office since 2021, when McMaster suspended Democrat Charles Lemon on charges of misconduct in office and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

State charges against Lemon were dropped, but hes still awaiting trial in federal court and could be imprisoned for 10 years if convicted.

Former Bennettsville police chief Larry McNeil was appointed by McMaster to complete Lemons term, and now hes running for one of his own.

McNeil is being challenged by former county sheriff Fred Knight and Sammy Crosland, a Bennettsville Police Department lieutenant.

Growing pains in Horry County

Danny Hardee, a Loris Republican, is wrapping up his second term on the Horry County Council. Hes a former member of the county planning commission who has opposed tax hikes and also funding for the completion of Interstate 73.

Hardee enters the Tuesday primary with backing from three of his county council members, but will have to fend off bids by political newcomers Tim Davis and Kenny Lee  who both say unchecked growth, flooding threats and greater investments in public safety are needed to help shape Horry Countys future.

* * *

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.
Parts of the Texas Panhandle including Amarillo were under flash flood warnings on Monday afternoon as streets became quickly inundated with water due to the ongoing heavy rainfall while a slow-moving storm system passes through the area.

The rain from overnight had prompted Palo Duro Canyon State Park officials to close trails, with the park advising against going up or down the hill Monday due to the ongoing flash flooding causing water levels to rise even higher. "As of right now we have received 6.91'' on the rim, and 2.83'' on the floor," the Facebook page for Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife said in a comment with photos from the day: "Our staff on site is currently rescuing visitors from the rising waters. Stay safe and stay dry everyone."

The National Weather Service in Amarillo said in the warnings that between one and three inches of rain had already fallen in the area Monday, with more expected, impacting "small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas."

Vehicles drive through a flooded intersection at 34th and Coulter in Amarillo on Monday afternoon. The area was experiencing heavy rainfall inundating streets, with between one and two inches of rain having already fallen, according to the National Weather Service Amarillo office in its issued flash flood warnings.

Areas included in the warnings were southwestern Potter County and northern Randall County, involving the communities of Amarillo, Canyon, Lake Tanglewood, Mescalero Park, Bushland and Timbercreek Canyon included in one warning until 3:30 p.m.; southwestern Armstrong County and southeastern Randall County involving Wayside and Palo Duro Canyon now until 5 p.m.; and eastern Oldham County and western Potter County involving Boys Ranch, Valley De Oro and Bushland until 3:45 p.m.

All but one of the warnings had expired by about 4 p.m., noting the heavy rain had ended and flooding was no longer expected to pose a threat.

A NWS flood advisory issued at 1:39 p.m. for Amarillo said minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas was possible, with water over roadways and some low-water crossings becoming impassable: "Ponding of water in urban or other areas is occurring or is imminent." The advisory was expected to continue until 4:45 p.m.

The city of Amarillo's playa lake status website said as of 9 a.m. Monday, prior to flash flooding warnings, that a total of zero inches of rainfall had fallen and that McDonald Lake was at 30% full with pumps off, while Lawrence Lake was at 24% capacity with pumps on. Tee Anchor and Martin lakes were at 15%, and Bennett Lake was at 20%. No further play lake updates were available as of 2 p.m.

NWS also said via Facebook that cold air funnel clouds could occur, which cannot be detected on radar as they are very weak and "form underneath showers or weak thunderstorms when the air aloft is cooler and there is plenty of moisture in the air. Cold air funnels are usually harmless, but on rare occasions they can touch down and cause minor damage." NWS also said meteorologists are watching for heavy/persistent rain bands that could lead to flash flooding, advising to stay aware when driving around low lying areas or flood prone spots and avoid flooded roadways.

Vehicles drive through a flooded intersection at 34th and Coulter in Amarillo on Monday afternoon.

Vehicles drive through a flooded intersection at 34th and Coulter in Amarillo on Monday afternoon.

Embedded content: https://www.amarillo.com/story/news/2023/06/04/storms-cause-amarillo-playa-lakes-to-flood-city-disaster-issued/70284770007/

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Texas Panhandle, Amarillo experience flash flooding from storms Monday
Reyna Montoya is Mexican, Arizonan, DACA recipient and Dreamer. She has a degree in Political Science, a masters degree in Education, and a certificate in Executive Education from the Harvard Kennedy School. She was listed by Forbes magazine as one of the 30 social entrepreneurs under 30, and is the president and founder of Aliento, an organization that guides, supports and educates young people on how to face and overcome the trauma that comes with being undocumented or being part of a mixed-status family. It supports young people like her, who have also been affected by the fact that the U.S. Congress, after two decades, has still not approved the DREAM Act, the dream that is never comes to fruition.

Since it was first introduced in the U.S. Congress in August 2001, the DREAM Act has failed to pass, irrespective of who has been in office. If it were passed, this law would allow 3.5 million undocumented young people who arrived in the United States as minors to regularize their immigration status with a temporary residence that would open the way to citizenship. It was voted on several times without success over a decade. And in December 2010, the DREAM Act passed the House of Representatives, but fell five votes short in the Senate  this was the closest it got to being approved.

Reyna Montoya, on April 20, 2024. Diego Sedano (Cortesia)

The outcome of the December vote  which was expected to be a historic win  pushed these young people to turn their frustration into action. With president Barack Obama  who promised regularization on the campaign trail  in the White House, social media giving undocumented kids the opportunity to organize remotely, and many universities in the country willing to support their students, the Dreamer movement came to the fore. The rest is history. Amid hundreds of civil disobedience actions documented by the media; demonstrations with the slogan undocumented and unafraid, and careful lobbying of state and federal congresses, the young Dreamers gained the sympathy of most Americans and created enough pressure so that, in 2012, Obama himself announced an executive order to protect them from deportation. This protection  Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, commonly known as DACA  did not however grant them regular immigration status, which can only be approved by Congress.

Another decade has passed since then. The children who could have benefited from the DREAM Act, had it been passed in 2001, have been in limbo for more than 20 years. But they have not gone anywhere: today they are nurses, lawyers, journalists, social workers, teachers. Many are activists, who educate and create community; some work hand in hand with legislators, and many are parents of children and adolescents who were born in the United States.

On May 23, a visibly irritated Alex Padilla, senator for the state of California, explained to the media the reasons why he and a group of Democratic legislators broke from Democrats and voted against the border security initiative presented to the U.S. Congress by President Joe Biden.

Senator Alex Padilla of California at the Capitol in February 2023. Al Drago (Bloomberg)

This was the first time I can recall that Democrats almost unified behind anything (related to immigration or border policy) without fighting for protections for Dreamers or farmworkers or other long-term undocumented members of our community, he said of the bill that was rejected for a second time, with only 50 votes in favor, far from the 60 needed to be passed. So the Senate is voting on this package for a second time, but still no vote on the DREAM Act? Its hard to swallow, he said.

A painful fight

Reyna Montoya was born in Tijuana, Mexico. Her migration story began when she was 10 years old and her father was kidnapped. After being released, and knowing that one of his co-workers had suffered a different fate and had been murdered, the family decided to move to the Mexican city of Nogales, Sonora, on the border with Arizona. The next three years they lived in what Reyna calls the space in-between: her father lived on the U.S. side of the border, and she, her mother, and her brother, on the Mexican side.

My mom would pick me up from school on Fridays and we would drive to see my dad. We stayed there for the weekend, and on Monday at 4 a.m. we returned and they left me directly in front of my school, she remembers. Over time, his father bought a house in Mesa, Arizona, and the family migrated permanently using a tourist visa that they would later let expire, falling into the administrative category of undocumented.

In 2010, in what would be a watershed year, Reyna arrived at university and became involved in activism. In Arizona, the law SB 1070 had just been approved, which criminalized undocumented immigrants, and the young woman joined a group of undocumented students that mobilized against the initiative. The word Dreamer was not yet part of the political vocabulary, but groups like United We Dream, the largest activist organization for the rights of these young people, were already in action.

In the Dreamer movement there are usually abrupt ups and downs, and Reyna saw this firsthand when, after the triumph of the DACA announcement in 2012  a measure that allowed the Dreamers to have a social security number and a permit job for two years  father was detained, and deportation proceedings were opened against him. At that moment, Reyna was 22 years old, her brother was 15 and her sister was five. Her mother was paralyzed, she did not know how to react. Reyna took on the responsibility of building a media campaign around her fathers case  just as she had learned to do in the movement  and a legal strategy to fight an asylum case that lawyers told her was nearly impossible to win.

Reyna Montoya works in her office at the Aliento foundation. Diego Sedano (Cortesia)

Looking back, Reyna  now 34 years old and with the same smile as the twenty-something Reyna who organized street protests  describes it as a time of great stress and anxiety. She had to look for lawyers, act as an interpreter, and at the same time organize her community to come together to stop her father from being deported. Her father won his asylum case in 2019, with Donald Trump in the White House, although he is still waiting for his green card five years later. But the effort involved in this kind of legal action takes a toll. Reyna knew how to manage the press and the legal side of the case, but no one had taught the Dreamers about mental health or self-care; they had to learn about it with the daily blows.

No one in the movement asked me as his daughter, how are you, and that hurt me on a personal level. I felt that no one cared about me as a human being, that they cared about me because I was an organizer, an activist, and had a story to tell, she recalls. It was indeed a very painful time. I was 23 years old and exhausted, with no resources to go to therapy, no access to health insurance. I knew I wanted to continue to support my community, but I thought it would have to be another way.

So Reyna decided to make a change. She focused on contemporary dance, an activity that she practiced professionally and that helped her heal, and left United We Dream. She became a high school teacher in a predominantly Latino school and began to move past her two-decade long struggle, with all its ups and downs.

A growing generation

On Friday, June 15, 2012, a cry of euphoria was heard in tens of thousands of homes across the United States. President Obama had announced the DACA program, which granted temporary protection. These are young people who study in our schools, they play in our neighborhoods, theyre friends with our kids, they pledge allegiance to our flag, said Obama. Although this did not regularize the immigration status of the young Dreamers, it did give them the possibility of working legally and accessing financial aid to go to university. And they were quick to take advantage of the initiative.

In the United States, more than 800,000 young people have received DACA protection since it was introduced; currently, the number is about 600,000. In the past 12 years, almost half have completed university studies, and nine out of 10 are in the formal labor market. In 2018, the U.S. Census Bureau released figures on the workplaces that DACA recipients had joined: 77,000 worked in restaurants; 43,000 in the health or social care sector; 32,000 in supermarkets, pharmacies, and other businesses; 21,000 in small businesses and transportation of goods; 14,000 in the manufacturing sector; and 13,000 in cleaning and waste management. Two years later, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, these would be the sectors that were considered essential.

These are not the only areas in which the Dreamers have become essential. In late 2017, with president Trump threatening to withdraw DACA protection, an alliance of 800 presidents and CEOs of technology companies  including Apple, Google, Amazon and Uber  sent a letter to the leaders of the U.S. Congress, demanding the legislative solution that Dreamers deserve. Our economy would lose $460.3 billion from the national GDP and $24.6 billion in Social Security and Medicare tax contributions, the signatories stated. The Trump administration backed off its intention to repeal DACA for people who were already recipients, but, via a court decision, it rejected new applications.

Dreamers protest against the Trump government's plan to eliminate the DACA program in 2018. JONATHAN ERNST (REUTERS)

Numbers aside, whats most moving is the story of these young Dreamers who have thrived thanks to DACA. This list includes people like Alma de Jesus and Alejandro Catalan, who joined the movement in 2003 and today have two teenage children. They were able to rent their own home, access credit cards, and raise their income. Brian de los Santos, who graduated with a degree in journalism 15 years ago, has been an editor at several media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times. Yunuen Bonaparte, who completed her university studies in California without financial aid, is today a successful photographer in New York. Lizbeth Mateo finished law school, joined the California Bar, and is dedicated to the regularization of undocumented immigrants.

The young people who were DACA recipients in 2010 have now become adults who have forged lives thanks to their effort and struggle. Many of them, now in their thirties, have children who are American citizens. Nearly 300,000 children and adolescents born in the United States have at least one parent protected by DACA.

The numbers and stories highlight why the DACA program should be maintained and expanded, and also why Congress should approve the regularization of the Dreamers. Even the U.S. public supports the move. According to surveys conducted over 15 years, three out of four Americans believe that undocumented adults who arrived in the country as children deserve such regularization. People recognize that these children are de facto Americans, and that they are only missing the document that puts it in writing We should be better than this, said Senator Padilla to a Congress that  regardless of the party with the majority  has avoided committing to any measure that implies immigration regularization, despite everything indicating that, in the case of the Dreamers, it would not cost votes.

Dreamers are our loved ones, our nurses, teachers and small business owners. And they deserve the promise of healthcare just like all of us, President Biden said a few weeks ago when announcing that DACA recipients would be eligible to access affordable healthcare services. DACA recipients today are barely a fifth of the entire population that could receive regularization with the approval of the DREAM Act.

Activists outside the White House demand Biden fulfill his promise of a path to citizenship in September 2023. Demetrius Freeman (Getty Images)

A breath of fresh air

Among the Dreamer success stories used to argue in favor of regularization, Reynas is undoubtedly one of the most iconic. When she became a high school teacher in 2013, she came into contact with a different community than the one she had known during her activist period. Here were young people without access to information, who did not know what DACA was, or who knew it, but were afraid to apply for it. Some were U.S. citizens but were afraid to apply for college funding because of their parents immigration status.

I felt like I had been living in a bubble, Reyna recalls. I found young people who did not know what their rights were, nor how to navigate the system; I became the immigration teacher. Once again, the path led Reyna to activism, but this time with a very clear idea: to address the issue of immigration, the pain of people whose relatives had been detained or deported needed to be recognized. There was a need for an initiative that prioritized the mental and emotional healing of people directly impacted by immigration policies, with the hope of not only telling our stories, but of being the strategists of our own lives, she explains. And so, in 2016, Aliento was born.

Eight years later, the focus of Reynas work through Aliento is on children and young people. With the support of the foundations that finance the project, Aliento has directly impacted the lives of more than 20,000 students and 50,000 people through its programs. As part of its work, Aliento promoted the in-state tuition initiative, which allows undocumented young people in Arizona to pay college tuition like any other legal resident  and not the high fees charged to foreign students. This will benefit 65,000 potential students who will be able to access scholarships at the local and state level.

Among the 14 people who make up Alientos staff, there are several who, like Reyna, are not yet American citizens and, therefore, cannot vote in the elections. What they can do, and do very well, is mobilize people to vote in favor of legislators and governors who can make things better for them. In the 2020 election, Aliento managed to involve 25,000 voters, and in 2022, more than 60,000. They were able to secure these tens of thousands of votes through phone calls, going door to door and making direct contact. This year, theyre aiming for an even higher number. Thats how the Dreamer movement continues to fight.

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The ex-USS Tarawa, a decommissioned U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship, is set to be sunk off the coast of Hawaii at the upcoming 2024 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. This is the first time in nearly two decades that a Tarawa class vessel will be destroyed as a target and it is only the second example to be used for this purpose. This is also the first time in more than a decade that an amphibious assault ship of any kind will be sent beneath the waves in a U.S.-led exercise. As such, RIMPAC 2024 will offer a valuable opportunity to gather data on the effectiveness of different weapons against such a large warship, as well as how the vessel stands up to the punishment.

Author's Note: We have seen some unconfirmed information about the exact disposition of and plan for the ex-Tarawa. We have reached out to the U.S. Navy for additional clarification.

Tarawa, which was decommissioned in 2009, is currently at Ford Island in the center of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This year's iteration of the U.S.-led multi-national RIMPAC exercise is set to kick off on June 26 and run through August 2. A so-called sink exercise (SINKEX) is the capstone event at each biennial RIMPAC , though the type of ship used varies.

USS Tarawa, the first of its class, entered Navy service in 1976 . During the 1970s and 1980s, the ship and the U.S. Marine forces it carried largely conducted routine cruises in the Western Pacific. It also deployed further west on occasion, including to support international peacekeeping operations in Lebanon in 1983.

As part of a larger amphibious force, Tarawa brought Marines to Saudi Arabia in 1990 as part of Operation Desert Shield in the immediate run-up to the first Gulf War. As part of subsequent deployments with other amphibious warships, the vessel conducted additional cruises in the Western Pacific and also returned to the Middle East on multiple occasions. This ultimately included participating in operations in Iraq following the U.S.-led invasion of the country in 2003. Tarawa's last deployment involved supporting the ongoing U.S. missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

USS Tarawa replenishes at sea in the Persian Gulf while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. USN

The Navy has been planning to use Tarawa as a target during a major exercise since at least 2022. Another ship in the class, the ex-USS Peleliu, is also set to be used in a SINKEX at some point in the future.

As already noted, this is not the first time a Tarawa class ship has been used as the target at RIMPAC. The ex-USS Belleau Wood was sunk during the 2006 iteration of the exercise. Five of the seven Iwo Jima class amphibious assault ships, which preceded the Tarawas in Navy service, were also used in other RIMPAC SINKEXs (the other two were scrapped). The ex-USS New Orleans was the last one to be sent to the bottom of the Pacific at the 2010 iteration of the exercise.

The ex-USS Belleau Wood seen on its side during the 2006 RIMPAC SINKEX. Ste Elmore via Wikimedia

Smoke billows from the former USS New Orleans during RIMPAC 2010's SINKEX. USN

However, Tarawa's impending fate is still significant. Not only has it been a very long time since the Navy used an amphibious assault ship of any kind for the RIMPAC SINKEX, but is the largest ship of any kind to be used in more than a decade. When in service, it had a displacement of nearly 40,000 tons with a full load, though it has now been stripped down. Even so, the ex-USS Durham, a Charleston class amphibious cargo ship sunk at RIMPAC 2020 , and one of the biggest ships used for the SINKEX in recent years, displaced 18,322 tons with a full load. Decommissioned Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates and smaller amphibious warfare ships have more typically been used in the past few RIMPACs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxYg72dWjII

Furthermore, though the former USS Tarawa will not be firing back during the upcoming SINKEX, amphibious assault ships are high-value assets that are designed to be well-protected right down to their core structures and otherwise resilient to damage thanks to redundant features. The Tarawa class ships also a represent more modern design than the Iwo Jima class types that have been sunk in the past.

On top of all this, the Navy has no real options for conducting live-fire exercises or destructive testing against anything larger and with a similar degree of protection than a Tarawa class amphibious assault ship. The service has only deliberately sunk a post-World War II supercarrier once, in a test in 2005 involving the decommissioned Kitty Hawk class USS America, as you can read more about here . The Navy may well be prevented from ever doing something like that again due to environmental and other factors given that all of its current aircraft carriers are nuclear-powered. The last of the service's conventionally powered carriers are now in the process of being scrapped , as is its first-ever nuclear-powered type, the ex-USS Enterprise .

The only picture known to be publicly available of ex-USS America sinking as a result of the testing in 2005. USN/Public Domain

With all this in mind, sinking the ex-USS Tarawa will therefore provide a rare opportunity for the Navy to gather data about weapon effectiveness and the resiliency of especially large and well-protected warships to various types of threats. Advanced modeling and simulation, as well as more limited destructive testing, can also provide very useful information, but is not a substitute for actually being able to see what happens to a full-size warship when it gets pummeled.

What weapons will be used in the upcoming 2024 RIMPAC SINKEX is unknown, though submarine-fired heavy-weight torpedoes are typically used to deliver the final blow in such live-fire events. New and improved anti-ship weapons, as well as ever-evolving tactics, techniques, and procedures, have been demonstrated during RIMPACs in the past . They have also provided space to explore the use of weapons not necessarily designed for use against warships in that role.

RIMPAC SINKEXs, in general, also provide U.S. allies and partners with a live-fire opportunity that may well not have access to otherwise. Forces from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom, in addition to the United States, are set to take part in this year's iteration o the exercise. A total of 40 surface ships, three submarines, over 150 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel overall (including ground forces from 14 countries) are expected to take part, per the Navy .

"The theme of RIMPAC 2024 is 'Partners: Integrated and Prepared.' To promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, Exercise RIMPAC is the premier joint and combined maritime exercise, utilizing and preserving a world class maritime training environment," according to a press release the Navy's Pacific Fleet, which is leading the exercise, put out in May. "With inclusivity at its core, RIMPAC fosters multi-national cooperation and trust, leverages interoperability, and achieves respective national objectives to strengthen integrated, prepared, coalition partners."

RIMPAC 2024 and the planned sinking of the ex-Tarawa come against the backdrop of a steady drumbeat of concerns about the potential for a major conflict in the Pacific region between the United States (which could involve its allies and partners ) and China. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has significantly increased the scale and scope of its anti-ship arsenal, to include new cruise and ballistic missiles capable of engaging enemy vessels, and continues to evolve its capabilities in this regard. Friendly amphibious warfare ships would be high-priority targets in any such future high-end fight.

As an aside, it is interesting to note that Chinese forces have participated in past RIMPACs , underscoring how significantly the geopolitical environment has changed in the past decade or so.

There have been growing and increasingly worried discussions in recent years about the Navy's capacity to keep warships in the fight and its ability to repair battle-damaged vessels . The loss of the Wasp class amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard to a massive pier-side fire in 2020 , which took four days to extinguish, only added to fears about what might happen even to especially large and well-protected warships in an actual combat scenario.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v1zhhIHL0o

At the same time, China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is significantly expanding the size of its own amphibious assault ship fleets, which would be top targets for U.S. forces. The PLAN has three Type 075s in service and a fourth under construction. The Type 075 design is similar in many broad respects, including size, to the U.S. Navy's Wasp class and the now-decommissioned Tarawas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiuVzIeOUHo

The Chinese are also now in the process of building the first example of a substantially bigger amphibious assault ship with an unusually large flight deck. The vessel is expected to have at least one electromagnetic catapult and arresting gear to support an air wing that includes uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) and other fixed-wing drones. Overall, what is commonly known now as the Type 076 looks set to be unlike anything currently in service elsewhere in the world, as you can learn more about here .

If nothing else, sinking the Tarawa at this year's RIMPAC underscores the real possibility that even the Navy's largest warships could be lost during a future large-scale conflict. During a major fight, it is the thousands of crew members and other personnel onboard such vessels that would be truly irreplaceable in short order.

Altogether, the SINKEX at the RIMPAC 2024 is shaping up to be a particularly significant event involving the largest target ship in years.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Though Fleet Week 2024 is ending  causing bridge lifts throughout Monday as the ships leave  the memories will remain, even for the crews.

Petty Officer Andrew Kappler had never been to Portland before. Assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick, they left their base in Ketchican, Alaska and patrolled the Oregon and Washington state waters.

The cutter also conducts federal fishery examinations for commercial fishing vessels, along with being a standby search-and-rescue outfit for District 13 out of Puget Sound or Columbia River, he told KOIN 6 News.

Petty Officer Andrew Kappler is assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick based in Ketchican, Alaska. He was part of Fleet Week 2024 in Portland, June 9, 2024 (KOIN)

Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick based in Ketchican, Alaska was in Portland for Fleet Week, June 9, 2024 (KOIN)

Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick based in Ketchican, Alaska was in Portland for Fleet Week, June 9, 2024 (KOIN)

Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick based in Ketchican, Alaska was in Portland for Fleet Week, June 9, 2024 (KOIN)

Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick based in Ketchican, Alaska was in Portland for Fleet Week, June 9, 2024 (KOIN)

Visitors during Fleet Week, he said, ask a lot of questions on the missions we undertake and where were based and what were doing here. The people who have come on board have been very welcoming and supportive of us.

Picasso, Monet on display in Portland Art Museums new exhibits

But for Kappler, at least, the most rewarding part of this kind of assignment is getting to meet and interact with people, especially veterans of the Coast Guard and other branches who have been able to visit our ship and see the technological advancements that the Coast Guard has created upon its fleet. And how were getting so much better at our jobs and were keeping people safe on the water and were having a good time while were doing it.

TriMet will use shuttle bus services as the Steel, Broadway and Burnside Bridges are detoured to the Morrison Bridge. MAX service will be disrupted across the river as the ships will depart Portland between 7 a.m. and 12 noon.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DENVER (KDVR)  A moderate flood threat has been issued for much of the Denver metro area due to rain expected to hit late afternoon to early evening on Sunday.

A low flood threat has also been issued for surrounding areas including Boulder, Fort Collins and Greeley, according to the Colorado Water Conservation Board.

The Pinpoint Weather team said storms were in the forecast for Sunday, with the area under a marginal severe weather risk, or about a one on a scale of one to five.

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Storms could be seen around dinnertime, according to the Pinpoint Weather Forecast.

The National Weather Service and the Colorado Water Conservation Board said the area is under a medium risk for flooding on Sunday.

Some areas could see up to 2 inches within 1 hour, and others up to 3.25 inches within 2 to 3 hours.

Flash flood warning: Parker, Castle Rock, Castle Pines

The NWS issued a flash flood warning for areas including Castle Pines, Castle Rock, and Parker through 8:45 p.m. Sunday.

The NWS advises that people in those areas avoid walking or driving through flood waters and move to higher ground.

Severe thunderstorm warnings issued

The National Weather Service out of Boulder issued multiple severe thunderstorm warnings Sunday.

Its hail season in Colorado: How to prevent damage to your car

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for areas near Castle Rock and Franktown until 6:45 p.m. The NWS said quarter-sized hail is possible along with winds up to 50 mph.

Parker and Foxfield areas are under a severe thunderstorm warning until 6 p.m. According to NWS, wind up to 50 mph and hail up to the size of a quarter are both possible.

Milliken, Platteville and Gilcrest are also under a severe thunderstorm warning for possible wind up to 50 mph and hail up to the size of a quarter.

Stay prepared for storms and forecast changes, a Pinpoint Weather Alert Day and other important weather information:

The Pinpoint Weather team will continue to update the forecast multiple times each day.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
TALLAHASSEE  Backers of a proposed Florida constitutional amendment to protect abortion access brought in more than $12 million in the two months since it officially made the ballot, a massive spike in donations as the group works to raise awareness ahead of the November election.

The numbers offer the first glimpse into fundraising since the Florida Supreme Court on April 1 decided to greenlight the amendment, as well as a proposed amendment allowing recreational marijuana, for the 2024 ballot.

From the start of April to the end of May, the campaign pushing the abortion amendment brought in $12,280,649 from over 16,000 donations, according to data filed with the Florida Division of Elections. That includes nearly half a million dollars of in-kind donations from organizations like the ACLU of Florida offering up staff time to the campaign.

The nearly $12 million raised in the latest quarter brings the total amount raised by the group to about $32 million. In two months, the group, Floridians Protecting Freedom, raised more than half of the amount it had brought in the entire year prior.

Floridians are already reeling from the devastating impacts of the May 1 implementation of Floridas extreme abortion ban, campaign director Lauren Brenzel said in a statement, referring to the states new ban on most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Seeing increased financial support for the Yes on 4 effort provides us a glimmer of hope. Regardless of income or background, every Floridian deserves the freedom to make their own health care decisions without government interference, including abortion, and well keep up the fight to make that a reality.

The latest numbers from the group show an uptick in out-of-state donations compared to prior periods. About 68% of donations this period came from within Florida, with the rest coming from out of state. Before the Florida Supreme Court decision, about 82% of all donations over the length of the campaign were from within Florida.

Major organizations like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Florida have donated to the effort, but the campaign has also gotten thousands of small-dollar donors. The groups median donation from when it launched in April 2023 to now is $25, and about 93% of all donations the campaign has received are $200 or less.

The largest contribution in the latest filings was a $2.8 million donation from the left-leaning nonprofit Tides Foundation, which is based in San Francisco. The group also received a million dollars each from other left-leaning groups including Advocacy Action Fund out of California and Open Society Action Fund and the Sixteen Thirty Fund out of Washington, D.C.

The Fairness Project, a D.C.-based organization that works on a variety of progressive ballot measures, also donated over $1 million.

Amendment 4 would undo Floridas current six-week abortion ban by saying no law should prohibit, penalize, delay or restrict abortion before viability, which is generally estimated to be around 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Gov. Ron DeSantis opposes the amendment and is expected to campaign against it. Amendments need 60% of voter support to pass.

In a recent Fox News poll, 69% of Florida respondents say they would vote for the abortion access amendment, though other polling shows favorability is a little more varied, with some polls having support below 60%.

Florida Voters Against Extremism, a group campaigning against the abortion amendment, brought in about $194,000 this past quarter, including a $75,000 donation from a political committee associated with Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, and a $57,000 in-kind donation for polling from a political committee led by House Speaker Paul Renner.

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has also donated time to consult on the groups campaign against the amendment, the latest filings show.

The committee also received a $10,000 donation from a political committee led by Sen. Erin Grall, who sponsored the six-week abortion ban legislation.

Recreational marijuana gets more industry support

That same poll found that 66% of Florida respondents said they would vote for an amendment to legalize marijuana use, which is another proposal that will go in front of voters in November.

Backers of the recreational marijuana initiative, which will be Amendment 3 on ballots, has been largely financed by major marijuana companies instead of by grassroots support.

That group raised $5.2 million in the past two months, according to the latest campaign finance reports. Overall, the campaign has raised over $60 million.

Most of that came from marijuana dispensary Trulieve, which has almost entirely financed the initiative. It gave another $5 million to the effort in the latest reports. But more marijuana companies that operate in Florida have jumped in to donate in the last few months, including Ayr Wellness Inc., Verano Holdings, Curaleaf Inc., Green Thumb Industries, Cresco Labs, Insa and Green Sentry Holdings.

All have something to gain if voters approve the November amendment. Unless the Florida Legislature makes a change, companies that are currently able to sell medical marijuana will be the only ones that can sell marijuana to recreational buyers.

Correction: An earlier version of this story inaccurately described a relationship between The Fairness Project and Sixteen Thirty Fund. The story has been updated.
People protest in response to the Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 24, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

More than a month has passed since the states six-week abortion ban went into effect, and the Florida Access Network (FAN), a nonprofit dedicated to reproductive justice, has helped 150 people secure abortions since then, including out of state, the groups executive director said Monday.

FANs work has become increasingly difficult in the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to abortion, freeing states like Florida to erect legal barriers to the procedure, meaning inflated costs associated with travel for the procedure amid a shrinking pool of donors.

Leaders of abortion funds across the country shared the hardships their grassroots organizations have faced since the Dobbs. v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling during a press conference Monday afternoon. They represented states with strict bans like Florida but also states in which voters have protected the right to abortion like Ohio, the leaders said.

The reality is, no amount of resources could adequately fund the travel and support people need to leave their community for abortion care, said FANs executive director, Stephanie Loraine Pineiro.

But logistical and financial burdens are tremendous, compounded by declining donations to abortion funds and the Florida Access Network since the Dobbs decision. We are shifting, adapting, and mobilizing in real time as the systems around us continue to fail members of our community, especially queer folks and people of color. Abortion funds are resilient, and together we are powerful, she said.

The group covers 50% of the costs associated with traveling out of state for an abortion, such as meals, transportation, and childcare. Overall, such travel can cost between $1,000 and $1,500, and on average people have to travel more than 900 miles one way, Loraine Pineiro said during the press conference.

The nearest state from Florida with greater access to abortion is South Carolina, which has a 12-week ban. However, Floridians and others in the Southeast are going to places without abortion bans such as Illinois, Washington D.C., and Virginia.

For almost half the country, accessing an abortion today requires more hassle and hustle than ever before, said Oriaku Njoku, executive director of the National Network of Abortion Funds.

Traveling across state lines and navigating childcare, lodging, lost wages, and heightened financial barriers associated with traveling to a clinic appointment  not to mention the psychological toll of making such a deeply personal decision while navigating a hostile landscape intentionally embroiled with shame and complexity, she said.

This is a deliberate infliction of trauma on people choosing to exercise their human rights to bodily autonomy, and we should not be normalizing this type of travel or trauma for basic health care.

Donor burnout

When the Dobbs decision came down in 2022, the Florida Access Network raised $200,000 in individual donations; small donors gave the group another $40,000 after the Florida Supreme Court upheld the 15-week ban, Loraine Pineiro said. That decision triggered the six-week ban.

As of June 3, 32,081 abortions have been performed in the state this year (including those done before the six-week ban), according to data from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. The agency reported 84,052 last year.

Loraine Pineiro described the fundraising drop-off as stark and attributed it to donors feeling burnt out: I would also add we are in an election year, and a lot of resources are being [given to] potential candidates that could be on the side of justice but not going to organizations who are directly doing the work.

An abortion-rights initiative, Amendment 4, will be on the ballot in Florida this November, but it will need at least 60% support to enshrine the right to abortion in the state Constitution. Lexis Dotson-Dufault, who heads an abortion fund in Ohio, urged people not to disengage from reproductive rights should such amendments pass.

Last November, 57% of Ohioans voted to protect the right to abortion, according to States Newsroom outlet Ohio Capital-Journal.

Ohio is still a fairly hostile landscape when it comes to abortion access. Our amendment did not get rid of the 30-plus abortion restrictions and trap laws that we have in Ohio, such as the 24-hour waiting period, Dotson-Dufault said during the press conference.

The post Florida abortion fund faces increased demand amid sinking financial support appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
BOCA RATON  As Florida Atlantic University grows, so does its research.

The school announced a $2 million grant from The Marcus Foundation, founded by Bernard Marcus, on May 22. The funding will go toward the Marcus Research and Innovation Center at FAU's lab schools  the A.D. Henderson University School and FAU High School campus in Boca Raton.

"The science, innovation and research that will occur within the Marcus Research and Innovation Center will expose and engage youth at early ages in these important fields, and could be an educational model for the rest of the country," said Marcus, who also is the foundation's chairman.

FAU's Marcus Research and Innovation Center: What will it be?

Rendering of the Marcus Research and Innovation Center.

The new center will add more than 12,000 square feet of STEM and research space to the schools. It will serve as a training center and incubator for current A.D. Henderson and FAU High students, a university news release said.

The labs within the center will be dedicated to bioimaging, neuroscience, ocean science, conservation and health care. In the labs, students will have access to top-tier research instruments not typically available in K-12 settings.

FAU NEWS: After an 11-month delay, FAU is rebooting its search for a new president

"We are grateful to The Marcus Foundation for its strategic investment in our students, educators and community," said Stacy Volnick, FAU's interim president. "This impactful grant will facilitate the development of our students passions, expand our research and pioneer the critical discoveries of tomorrow."

The center will host visiting scholars and researchers, as well as advance current research at the Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital and the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at FAUs Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine.

Jasmine Coyle shows a scan of an insect on the Scanning Electron Microscope to a group of elementary students in the Owls Imaging Lab at Florida Atlantic University High School.

Who will the Marcus Research and Innovation Center benefit?

The center will be for K-12 students, meaning research can start as early as kindergarten.

It will also provide spaces to support the lab schools' Stiles-Nicholson STEM Teacher Academy and The Cane Institute for Advanced Technologies. The academy provides experiential professional learning opportunities for students by bridging high-caliber research settings with middle- and high-school teachers. The institute is a K-12 STEM continuum, which serves as the lab schools epicenter for STEM education and technology transfer.

MORE BOCA NEWS: Costco gas lines are insane, but the company has a plan to fix it

To date, students in the lab schools' research program have produced 78 student publications in peer-reviewed journals, six patents and more than 1,500 citations worldwide, according to the school's release.

Angeline Smith loads a sample for imaging into the CT scanner in the Owls Imaging Lab at Florida Atlantic University High School.

FAU student research includes local collaborations and beyond

Student research collaborations currently underway, according to FAU, include work with Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital, the Max Planck Society, the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter Medical Center, the Wahoo Bay marine park and the Loggerhead Marinelife Center. The Marcus Research and Innovation Center will house and expand all current programs at the lab schools.

MORE BOCA NEWS: City welcomes tech company that is working with IBM and promises to bring jobs

"This generous grant will accelerate the transformational re-engineering of education already in progress at our lab schools," said Joel Herbst, superintendent of Florida Atlantic Laboratory Schools. "The Marcus Research and Innovation Center will serve as a blueprint for developing researchers and a globally competitive workforce, as well as train the school leaders and educators of tomorrow."

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Jasmine Fernandez is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FAU receives $2M donation from the Marcus Foundation for research center
Carl Faustin is a homeless and disabled man whos made his living for years by holding signs at busy intersections in Seminole County asking for money, food or help from passers-by.

But in court documents Faustin claims sheriffs deputies recently threatened him with arrest if he doesnt leave the area because of a nearly decade-old county ordinance that bans aggressive panhandling along streets, sidewalks and other public areas.

Now, Faustin and Rodney Wilson  another homeless man who often panhandles in Seminole  have filed a federal lawsuit against the county claiming the 2015 ordinance violates their First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

Attorney Dan Marshall  of the Gainesville-based Southern Legal Counsel law firm which represents the men  argues Seminoles panhandling restrictions criminalize the content of their speech and are therefore unconstitutional.

Other individuals seeking help or charity on public streets  politicians asking for votes, organizations conducting petition drives or protesters  may do so without impunity or fear of arrest, Marshall said.

In fact, the busy intersection of U.S. Highway 17-92 and State Road 436 in Fern Park is where politicians, as well as supporters of former President Donald Trump, have long and regularly gathered to wave signs.

But that intersection is where Faustin and Wilson have often held signs seeking help and say they have been threatened with arrest. Some of their signs read: Homeless & hungry. God Bless and Down today. Please help, according to court filings.

The men could not be reached for comment and a representative of the law firm said they would not be made available for interviews while the case is pending. Southern Legal Counsel found the men last year through its homeless outreach efforts.

In a sworn statement to the court, Wilson said a deputy sheriff in April turned on the siren of his patrol car and told him to leave the area. Since then, Wilson has used a small cardboard sign he quickly folds and shoves into his pocket if he sees a law enforcement officer nearby.

I dont want to go to jail, Wilson said in his statement. It feels like Im at the bottom of the totem pole. Its as if Ive been villainized because Im down on my luck.

NOAAs hurricane hunting GOES-U satellite nears SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch this month

In January 2015, Seminole commissioners enacted tough restrictions that crack down on aggressive panhandlers standing on sidewalks, parks and other public areas.

County leaders said at the time they were receiving about a dozen complaints a day regarding panhandlers at busy intersections. Officials said the ordinance was needed because some panhandlers pose a public safety threat and are disruptive to pedestrians and motorists waiting at a traffic light.

Aggressive panhandling, by the countys definition, includes someone begging by blocking a pedestrians path, tapping on a vehicles window, following or touching a person, or repeatedly asking for cash after being turned down.

Violators can be arrested and face up to 60 days in jail or a fine of up $500.

Faustin and Wilson have been neither arrested nor fined for panhandling in Seminole, according to court records and Marshall.

Still, Marshall said the county and state already have laws that address harassment or standing on a street and impeding traffic. He said Faustin and Wilson as well as other panhandlers are neither harassing nor threatening passers-by or motorists.

There is nothing inherently dangerous about initiating a conversation on a public street to ask for assistance or politely repeating a request after an initial refusal, he said.

Since the panhandling ordinance was enacted Jan. 13, 2015, Seminole authorities have made 130 arrests  including 122 people taken to jail. In total, they spent about 858 days in the Seminole County jail, according to county records.

Not every panhandler even gets threatened with arrest. On Thursday, for example, Andy Herrera sat along the side of U.S. 17-92 near S.R. 436 holding a sign that read: Hungry. Anything Helps. Thank you. God Bless.

Herrera said he first resorted to panhandling a few weeks ago after losing his job. On that morning, he said a Seminole deputy stopped and asked him questions but didnt tell him to leave.

He patted me down and asked me for my name, he said. But that was it.

Andy Wontor, a county spokesman, said the county is aware of the lawsuit but does not comment on pending litigation.

In an Aug. 9, 2023 letter to Marshall, Seminoles deputy County Attorney David Shields stated that the county recognizes the First Amendment free speech right to panhandle in public areas.

However, the countys ordinance prohibits certain aggressive and non-expressive conduct in conjunction with panhandling, Shields wrote. Non-aggressive panhandling generally poses no threat to public safety and is permitted under the ordinance in public areas.

Seminole County has no plans to repeal [the ordinance] and will vigorously defend any lawsuit challenging this lawsuit.

In 2021, the law firm representing the two men against Seminole joined the ACLU in suing Ocala for its panhandling ordinance  which the Marion County city later rescinded. The firm also was successful in having Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and West Palm Beach modify or repeal their panhandling ordinances.

They are being threatened with arrest simply for asking for help, Marshall said regarding Faustin, Wilson and other panhandlers.

_____
Florida man pleads not guilty to kidnapping his estranged wife from her apartment in Spain

This image taken from video provided by U.S. Attorneys Office, Miami shows allegedly David Knezevich in a hardware store, on Feb. 2, 2024, in Madrid. The Florida businessman is accused in the February disappearance of his estranged wife in Spain. Knezevich, 36, pleaded not guilty on Monday, June 10, during a brief hearing at Miami's federal courthouse. (U.S. Attorneys Office, Miami via AP)

MIAMI (AP)  A Florida businessman accused in the February disappearance of his estranged wife in Spain pleaded not guilty on Monday after federal prosecutors questioned his sale of several properties shortly before she disappeared, saying millions in proceeds would allow him to flee if he were released on bail.

David Knezevich, 36, entered his plea during a brief hearing at Miami's federal courthouse. He was arrested by the FBI on May 4 at Miami International Airport as he returned from his native Serbia. He is charged federally with kidnapping his 40-year-old wife, Ana Hedao Knezevich, who remains missing in a case that has drawn international media attention. He is jailed without bond.

Prosecutors and Ana Knezevich's family believe the naturalized American from Colombia is dead, though her husband has not been charged with killing her. Prosecutors in court filings have called the evidence against him strong."

But Jayne Weintraub, Knezevich's attorney, has questioned the evidence and plans to seek his release.

In court filings late last week, prosecutors argued that Knezevich should remain jailed pending his trial, saying he is both a danger to the community and a flight risk.

The Fort Lauderdale resident, who has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Serbia, sold six South Florida rental homes to one buyer in the month before Ana Knezevich disappeared from her Madrid apartment on Feb. 2. He sold another to a second buyer three weeks after, Broward County records show.

The seven sales grossed $6 million. The sales include David Knezevich supplying large second mortgages to the buyers, an arrangement prosecutors say could give him enough money to flee the country if they were paid off.

Weintraub disputed that, telling The Associated Press in an interview last week that her client has few liquid assets  the second mortgages don't come due until 2027. Those liquid assets he does have are now tied up in a court case filed by his wife's relatives, she said. The couple, who also owned a computer firm, have been married 13 years.

He didn't get cash from the property sales, she said. It is not accurate to say he has access to significant means.

Ana's family has said the couples estrangement had been heated and that she feared him as she fought her husbands contention he deserved a majority of their assets. Weintraub disputes that, saying it was an amicable split and that the financial arrangements were being worked out.

Ana Knezevich moved to Spain in late December. She disappeared five weeks later after a man in a motorcycle helmet sneaked into her Madrid apartment building and disabled a security camera by spray painting its lens. The man was later seen wheeling out a suitcase. Ana Knezevich is about 4-foot-11 (1.5 meters) and 100 pounds (45 kilograms), according to her driver's license.

Prosecutors say they have strong evidence Knezevich was the man in the helmet.

They say he flew to Turkey from Miami six days before Anas disappearance, then immediately traveled to his native Serbia. There, he rented a Peugeot automobile.

On Feb. 2, security video shows him 1,600 miles (2,600 kilometers) from Serbia in a Madrid hardware store using cash to buy duct tape and the same brand of spray paint the man in the motorcycle helmet used on the security camera, prosecutors say.

Prosecutors allege the man in the motorcycle helmet is the same height and has the same eyebrows as Knezevich and that his cellphone connected to Facebook from Madrid.

License plates that were stolen in Madrid in that period were spotted by police plate readers both near a motorcycle shop where an identical helmet was purchased and on Anas street the night she disappeared. Hours after the helmeted man left the apartment, a Peugeot identical to the one Knezevich rented and sporting the stolen plates was recorded going through a toll booth near Madrid. The driver could not be seen because the windows were tinted.

The morning after his wife disappeared, prosecutors say Knezevich texted a Colombian woman he met on a dating app to translate into perfect Colombian Spanish two English messages. After the woman sent those back to Knezevich, two of Anas friends received those exact messages from her cellphone. The messages said Ana was going off with a man she had just met on the street, something the friends say she would have never done.

When Knezevich returned the Peugeot to the rental agency five weeks later, it had been driven 4,800 miles (7,700 kilometers), its windows had been tinted, two identifying stickers had been removed and there was evidence its license plate had been removed and then put back.

Weintraub said Monday that her client still hopes his wife will turn up safe and this nightmare will end.
USA TODAYs list of nominees for the 2024 Readers Choice 10Best list of the top 10 free attractions in the U.S. is full of iconic and famous locations this year, like the Alamo, Central Park, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Griffith Observatory.

And nestled among these famous places is a lesser-known Florida gem: Loggerhead Marinelife Center.

Heres how to vote for USA TODAYs list of the 10Best free attractions in the U.S., when voting closes and what to know about Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach if you plan to visit.

What is USA TODAY 10best?

The USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards are a series of 10Best lists that are reader-chosen and highlight the best nationwide in travel, food and drink and lifestyle.

Voting for the list of the 10 best free attractions in the U.S. closes on Monday, June 17. You can cast your vote here.

What does the Loggerhead Marinelife Center do?

Loggerhead Marinelife Center isnt just one of the best free attractions in Palm Beach County. Its a sea turtle conservation and rehabilitation center, with a sea turtle hospital.

The locally loved nonprofit organization has a full-service veterinary hospital, local marine life exhibits, an outdoor classroom and a research lab.

Exhibits include a massive prehistoric Archelon sea turtle replica, saltwater aquariums and displays of local wildlife, as well as educational displays about South Florida's marine environment, Loggerheads website says.

The center also hosts hands-on experiences like public sea turtle releases, hatchling releases, summer camps and guided turtle walks.

How long does it take to visit Loggerhead Marinelife Center?

Catch a close-up look at the sea turtles being cared for by Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach.

Loggerhead Marinelife Centers public guided tour only takes about an hour. On the public guided tour, visitors get a guided experience of the outdoor sea turtle hospital and meet any turtle patients staying there.

The tour covers each turtle's story, from their rescue event to their diagnosis, rehabilitation process and release plan.Some of the other experiences at the center, like the guided turtle walk, can take up to three hours.

Does Loggerhead Marinelife Center keep any of the turtle patients permanently?

No. The center doesnt keep any turtles. All of the turtles that stay there as patients are released when theyre healthy enough to re-enter the wild. If a turtle can no longer survive outside of captivity, the turtle is transferred to another facility that hosts resident animals.

The patients admitted to The Sea Turtle Hospital at LMC follow a Rescue-to-Release protocol, the centers website says.

This means that all patients admitted are taken through a treatment and rehabilitation process that aims for their recovery and eventual release back into the wild! We do not keep any patients here permanently.

Where is Loggerhead Marinelife Center?

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is on the beach in Juno Beach, about a 30-minute drive from West Palm Beach.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida free attraction a USA TODAY '10Best' free attractions nominee
Florida sets several record high temps. Next up: Rain. Some areas could see up to 22 inches

As predicted, it was a hot weekend across Florida, with several cities breaking heat records.

Predictions also remained the same Monday morning on what's coming next: rain, and a lot of it.

Some areas could see up to 22 inches of rain, according to AccuWeather.

"South Florida will likely receive the first rounds of showers early Monday, but the pocket of deeper tropical moisture will be focused west of Florida and could travel north, over the eastern Gulf of Mexico," according to the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network.

 Tropics watch June 10: NHC tracking 4 tropical waves, including 2 in Caribbean

 Excessive rainfall forecast

It's all coming from tropical moisture being pulled north from the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

Here's what to expect and when. But first, a look back over the weekend.

Heat records broken, tied across Florida over weekend

Several record high temperatures were set across Florida over the weekend, including:

Jacksonville: June 9, 99 degrees; June 7, 98 degrees

Leesburg: June 9, tied record high of 98 degrees; June 8, 98 degrees

Vero Beach: June 9, 95 degrees

Punta Gorda: June 9, 97 degrees

Ruskin: June 9, tied record high 95 degrees

Brooksville: June 8, tied record high 97 degrees

Fort Pierce: June 8, 97 degrees

Sanford: June 8, 98 degrees

Weather radar: Track storms as they move toward Florida

How much rain is coming to Florida this week?

Some areas could see up to 20 inches of rain over the week as tropical moisture is pulled north into Florida.

The National Weather Service Tampa Bay is predicting the following rainfall amounts from June 10 through June 15 as the tropical moisture moves into Florida:

Fort Myers: 15-20"

Immokalee: 10-15"

Punta Gorda: 10-15"

Sarasota: 8-10"

Belle Glade: 8-10"

West Palm Beach: 8-10"

Vero Beach: 6-8"

Sebring: 6-8"

Tampa: 4-6"

Winter Haven: 4-6"

Melbourne: 4-6"

Orlando: 4-6"

Titusville: 4-6"

New Port Richey: 4-6"

Leesburg: 3-4"

Daytona Beach: 2-3"

Ocala: 2-3"

Gainesville: 1-1.5"

Palatka: 1.5-2"

Rainfall expected to cover much of Florida this week

For most it has been a long stretch with little to no rain. However, a large plume of tropical moisture will soon be making its way over the peninsula, bringing much needed rain to everyone. Here's a look at the current forecast for accumulation through next Sunday. #flwx pic.twitter.com/NBxAYvCOJw  NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) June 9, 2024

"For most it has been a long stretch with little to no rain. However, a large plume of tropical moisture will soon be making its way over the peninsula, bringing much needed rain to everyone," according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay.

As the tropical downpours begin moving into South Florida Tuesday, it will begin a "prolonged stretch" of wet and stormy weather, AccuWeather said.

While the rain will provide welcome relief from both record heat and prolonged drought along Florida's peninsula, it could bring flooding.

"Currently, AccuWeather meteorologists expect tropical downpours to tally up to a whopping 8-12 inches of rain across Southwest Florida, but within this zone where the most intense rain falls, an AccuWeather Local StormMax for rainfall stands at 22 inches," AccuWeather said.

"The zone of 4 inches or more of rainfall is expected to extend even farther to the north and east into the Tampa Bay Area and on the Atlantic side from Miami to Orlando.

Why is so much rain expected in Florida this week?

"Unlike many tropical disturbances that have moved in and out of Florida rather quickly, this rainstorm will have some staying power due to stalled-out winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere," AccuWeather said.

"With the lack of any other storms approaching or strong jet stream winds to move the storm along, the rainstorm will be able to sit and stew across the eastern and central Gulf of Mexico, pumping up rich tropical moisture into Florida for multiple days."

Southwest Florida could see 20 inches of rain ... or more

Rainfall expected across portions of Florida June 10-June 15, 2024.

A plume of moisture from the Caribbean will move across the state during the week. This will bring us widespread showers with the highest totals in Southwest Florida. Most of this rain will fall on Wednesday through Friday, according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay.

"Forecast rainfall amounts over the next seven days vary a great deal from north to south. Lower amounts of 2-8 inches are forecast to the north of I-4 with amounts as high as 10-15 inches across Southwest Florida."

A graphic released by the National Weather Service Tampa Bay showed predicted rainfall up to 20 inches possible in Fort Myers.

Rain in Lee County: Lee County preparing for heavy rain and potential flooding this week. What to know

Sarasota-Manatee rainfall: Drought relief? Sarasota-Manatee could see 8-10 inches of rain over the next five days

Expected rainfall:

8-10 inches in Sarasota

15-20 inches in Fort Myers

10-15 inches in Punta Gorda

10-15 inches in Immokalee

South Florida could see 8-10 inches of rain

Scattered to numerous showers and storms will form once again across South Florida with temperatures reaching the low 90s. Rain and cloud cover will help limit excessive heat risk, thus the main concern will be for localized flooding potential and ponding on roadways, according to the National Weather Service Miami.

Showers and thunderstorms will continue to be possible each day becoming more widespread by the middle to the end of the week. Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall will be possible. This could lead to potential flooding concerns across South Florida Tuesday through Friday.

Rain in Collier County: Collier County preparing for heavy rain and potential flooding this week. What to know

Foot of rain? Heavy rainfall expected in South Florida with up to a foot of rain in some areas through Saturday

Expected rainfall:

8-10 inches in West Palm Beach

Central Florida could see near record highs Monday before rain chances ramp up

Expect several periods of heavy rain across Central Florida this week.

A transition toward more wet weather is on track for Florida this week. Recent drought conditions will allow the soil to initially soak up this needed moisture. However, if heavy rain/storms recur, localized flooding may result later this week.

"Rounds of lightning storms are expected across most of the area from Monday afternoon through the overnight. Stronger storms this afternoon and evening will be possible, capable of gusty winds of 50 mph, and locally damaging gusts to 60 mph can`t be ruled. Other storm threats will be occasional to frequent cloud to ground lightning, and torrential downpours," according to the National Weather Service Melbourne.

"Rounds of heavy showers and storms will be capable of locally high rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches" Monday.

"Afternoon highs will once again reach near record in the mid to upper 90s, especially inland. This will result in heat index values between 100-107."

"We'll see multiple rounds of showers and lightning storms Tuesday through Friday, with daily rain chances 80 to 90 percent. The big question will be where we see those repeated rounds of heavy showers and storms, and how much rainfall accumulates.

"A fairly common theme across the various guidance is 24-hour rainfall amounts of 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts up to 4" possible, and a total through Friday night of 5-8" down south and 2-4" to the north," according to the National Weather Service Melbourne.

Expected rainfall:

2-3 inches in Daytona Beach

4-6 inches in Titusville

4-6 inches in Melbourne

6-8 inches in Vero Beach

4-6 inches in Okeechobee

Northeast Florida, near record heat continues, with severe storms possible today

Severe storms possible June 10, 2024.

Severe storms are possible Monday afternoon and evening in Northeast Florida, bringing strong winds, hail and the possibility of tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service Jacksonville.

"Near record high temperatures can be expected again today, as temperatures generally climb to the 95-100 degree range," according to the National Weather Service Jacksonville.

Rain chances increase during the week, especially Tuesday through Friday.

Rainfall could total "1.5" to 2.0" over north central Florida Tuesday through Wednesday" with higher chances of showers and thunderstorms mainly over the north central FL counties during the afternoon hours on Tuesday and Wednesday. Current estimates are 1.0" to 1.25" inches of rainfall over north central Florida. Daytime temperature highs will begin to trend a bit lower as showers and cloud cover will keep the heat at bay, but highs are still expected to be in the lower 90s for both Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tallahassee, North Florida has marginal risk of severe weather Monday afternoon

Severe weather outlook in North Florida June 10, 2024.

We'll see a return to afternoon showers and storms Monday. While the severe threat is low, some strong/severe storms are possible bringing a strong or damaging wind gust, according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee.

Highs Monday could reach well into the 90s.

Rain chances are lower Tuesday but increase on Wednesday. The tropical moisture "might take longer to arrive into the forecast area so rain chances for Thursday and Friday have gone down and forecast highs have trended upward."

Pensacola, Panhandle could see scattered showers Monday afternoon

A weak cold front is expected to bring cooler temperatures, along with isolated to scattered rain showers June 10, 2024.

Isolated to scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected with a weak cold front's passage today. Cooler temperatures will begin to move across the area behind the front, topping out in the upper 80s north of Highway 84 and along the coast, to low 90s between, according to the National Weather Service Mobile.

"Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop this afternoon as a frontal boundary pushes south. Best coverage will be over coastal counties. A few stronger storms capable of producing gusty winds are also possible, " according to the National Weather Service Mobile.

Highs for both today and Tuesday will range from the upper 80s to low 90s. Heat indices today, prior to storm development, will rise into the 98-105 degree range areawide.

The arrival time and location of the tropical moisture along the Panhandle, remains a question.

"The latest guidance is trending later/further west than previous runs," according to the National Weather Service Mobile.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Weather radar here: 20 inches of rain could hit Florida, cause floods
Food 4 Less, Foods Co. workers could go on strike in California

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The union representing thousands of workers at Food 4 Less and Foods Co. stores across California are set to hold an authorization vote for a strike after their contract expired on Monday without a new agreement.

Seven local chapters of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) in California representing 6,000 workers at the grocery stores announced the strike vote in a joint statement as contract negotiations with their parent company, Kroger, have reached an impasse.

These negotiations have been ongoing since April, according to the union. The UFCW bargaining committee did not lay out specific details about the deal that they were hoping to reach with the renewal, but said they are working to give workers a fair wage and better benefits.

Better Buzz Mira Mesa joins unionization push

The union also accused Kroger of violating multiple labor code protections to discourage union activity and undermine the current contract negotiation process, including discrimination and unlawful surveillance of employees. Unfair labor practice charges were filed against Food 4 Less and Foods Co. by UFCW last month over these claims.

When we started contract negotiations with Food 4 Less/Foods Co., we made it clear that its important to us that we reach a tentative agreement before contract expiration, the bargaining committee said. But instead of working with us towards a reasonable contract, our employer would rather play games with our livelihoods and offer proposals that grossly underestimate our value.

Everyone deserves a wage that reflects their work and no one deserves to be bullied at their job. By violating our rights, Food 4 Less and Kroger are making it harder to help our customers and keep our stores well-serviced, which is why weve been forced to take a strike authorization vote next week, the statement continued.

In a statement to FOX 5/KUSI, representatives for Food 4 Less and Foods Co. said they presented their best offer to settle to UFCW leaders on Monday, which would increase wages up to $3.25 per hour over the next three years. This would bring pay for full-time cashiers with four years of experience up to $25.80 per hour by 2026, the company said.

Food 4 Less and Foods Co. representatives also said they would maintain their current offer of no weekly associate healthcare cost increases through the expiration of the next three-year agreement despite escalating healthcare costs.

At Food 4 Less, / Foods Co., our hardworking and dedicated associates are the heartbeat of our company, and our goal is to continue to provide market-competitive wages and benefits, Bryan Kaltenbach, president of Food 4 Less / Foods Co, said in a statement. We will continue to do everything we can to balance investments in wages and overall well-being while keeping food affordable for our customers.

According to the union, voting for unionized Food 4 Less and Foods Co. workers in San Diego County will begin for the potential strike on Thursday, June 13 at 8 a.m. and end Friday, June 14 at 5 p.m.

Should a strike be authorized, workers at unionized stores in the two grocery store chains could walk off the job as early as next week.

The strike authorization vote comes over two years after workers represented by UFCW spanning 500 Ralphs, Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons and Food 4 Less stores last planned to walk off the job amid stalled contract negotiations.

San Diego servers rally over unpaid wages from former employer

At the time, union leaders said they were looking for a $5-per-hour rate increase over the duration of the three-year contract, along with changes to safety standards to better protect workers and adequate scheduling and hours.

However, that new contract was reached before workers actually reached the picket lines: Union leaders ultimately made a satisfactory agreement with Kroger and Vons parent company, Albertsons, two weeks after workers voted to authorize a strike.

Before then, the last strike at stores owned by Albertsons and Kroger was in 2003, when tens of thousands of employees walked off the job in what is now considered the largest labor action of grocery workers in recent history.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A Former Beauty Queen Is Accused of Beating a Toddler to Death, as Indictment Reveals Disturbing Allegations

Trinity Poague, an 18-year-old whose pageant title was stripped after Jaxton Dru's death, has been accused of murdering the boy

Facebook; Gofundme Trinity Poague (left), Jaxton Drew

Content warning: This article contains disturbing details of alleged child abuse.

An indictment against a former Georgia pageant winner accused of murdering an 18-month-old boy reveals disturbing allegations about what authorities believe happened.

Trinity Poague, 18, was arrested on several charges including murder and battery in January in connection with the killing of Jaxton Drew. The child, whose legal name is Romeo Angeles, was identified as Jaxton Drew Williams by his father at the hospital, WLBT reported at the time. (The child is referred to as Jaxton Dru, Jaxton Drew, or Jaxton Williams across different reports, including a GoFundMe that was set up in his honor after the killing).

The Georgia Southwestern State University Police Department requested the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to investigate Jaxtons death after theboy was rushed to a hospital in Americus, Ga., the bureau said in a statement at the time. Jaxton later died at the hospital. Poague had been a student at the school.



gofundme Jaxton Dru

In an indictment released last month, Sumter County authorities alleged that Poagues alleged abuse caused serious disfigurement to his liver, rendered his brain useless and left the boy with massive trauma to his head and torso.

Poague was indicted on one count of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated battery and one count of cruelty to children, according to the documents published by WDHN and WALB.

Related: Georgia Pageant Queen Arrested in Death of 18-Month-Old Boy

According to witnesses, Poague was in a romantic relationship with Jaxtons father at the time of the killing, WRDW reported at the time.

On the day of Jaxtons death, students in Poagues college dorm heard a child crying for a long time until everyone said that suddenly it just stopped, Lilly Waterman, a student at the school, told WRDW.

And no one knew what happened, Waterman said.

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.

Poague was released on $75,000 bond in February, per WDHN. She was stripped off her Miss Donalsonville title, the Early County News reported in March.

While she was allowed to leave the Americus area after her release, she was ordered to wear an ankle monitor throughout her time outside jail, per the outlet.

It wasn't immediately clear if she has entered pleas or retained an attorney to speak on her behalf.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



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Read the original article on People.
Former Coweta deputy accused of pointing gun at another deputy during argument

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested an ex-Coweta County deputy accused of assault.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On May 1, former Coweta County Deputy James Arthur Broadwater, 31, of Newnan, started arguing with another deputy following roll call.

According to the GBI, during the argument, Broadwater pulled his work gun from his holster and pointed it at the other deputy.

On May 7, the sheriffs office asked the GBI to investigate the allegations into Broadwater.

TRENDING STORIES:

The Coweta County Sheriffs Office shared the following statement:

James Broadwater was involved in an incident which, after an internal investigation by a Directors Review board, resulted in his termination. The incident was then turned over to the GBI which conducted an independent investigation.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Broadwater turned himself in on Sunday. He was arrested and booked into the Coweta County Jail. He bonded out later that day.

Hes charged with pointing a pistol at another and violation of oath by a public officer.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI regional investigative office in Columbus at 706-565-7888. Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling 1-800-597-8477, submitting a tip online, or downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

IN OTHER NEWS:




GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts announced its former executive director has died.

David Abbott, pillar in the Grand Rapids art community and known for his impeccable fashion sense, was facing his seventh bout of cancer since he was 20 years old. This time, it was pancreatic cancer.

David was passionate about the local arts community and bringing us all together. His kindness and remarkable contributions to West Michigan will be a loss for us all, and he will always be remembered for doing these things with an undeniable sense of style, the festival wrote in a Facebook post.

Former Festival of the Arts leader faces seventh round with cancer

Abbott first led the festival in 2019 and gave it everything he had, the post read, celebrating Festival of the Arts 50th year and developing a plan for the future. He resigned in 2021 to focus on fighting his sixth cancer diagnosis.

Sunday was the final day of this years Festival of the Arts.

We felt him smiling down on us during this perfect last day of Festival 2024, the post read.

Services for Abbott will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids on June 16 at 3 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 WOODTV.com.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  A North Alabama doctor and her wife pleaded guilty to multiple health care fraud charges, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

In 2022, Francene Aretha Gayle and her wife, Schara Monique Davis were both charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud.

MCSO: Man arrested after investigation into car burglaries

On June 10, Gayle pleaded guilty to five counts of unlawful drug possession, one count of health care fraud conspiracy and one count of wire fraud conspiracy. Davis also entered a guilty plea for one count of health care fraud conspiracy and one count of wire fraud conspiracy.

The defendants plea agreement states that between 2014 and 2022, Gayle was the sole physician at a multi-clinic practice across three north Alabama locations: Huntsville, Athens and Killen. Davis owned the company and served as the business manager.

In 2019, records show that the Killen location was shut down. The Alabama Medical Licensure Commission then revoked Gayles license in March 2020 and shortly after this, the other two locations closed.

Gayle admitted to the court that she distributed drugs including oxycodone, hydrocodone and methadone.

Driver of 18-wheeler charged with reckless driving after standoff on Tennessee River Bridge

The couple admitted to conspiring to commit health care fraud for several years by billing insurers for office visits under Gayles name even when she did not see the patients, including times when she was not in the building and sometimes when she was not in town.

The couples state they knew what they were doing was fraud, but records show that they continued anyway.

In 2015, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBS) says they audited the practice and uncovered that Gayle was absent and other staff members were seeing the patients, yet visits were still billed under Gayles name. This prompted BCBS to flag the business.

After this, Gayle reportedly promised to stop the fraudulent billing charges.

The DOJ says the business continued to fraudulently bill insurers over the next four years. In total, between 2015 and 2020, Medicare, Medicaid and Blue Cross paid more than $2.3 million for office visits billed under Gayle.

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The couple also admitted to conspiring to commit wire fraud. After Gayles license was revoked, they applied for and attained more than $450,000 in COVID-19 disaster relief funds through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

These specific program funds were designed to stabilize businesses that were struggling during the pandemic. In the funding applications, the couple certified that their practice needed money due to economic uncertainty or injury caused by the pandemic when the reality was that Gayle and Davis practice was closed and they used the funds on other things.

Gayle faces a maximum of 50 years in prison, while Davis faces a maximum of 30 years.

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Former St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar has filed as a candidate for Florida Senate District 7, a seat that covers all of Flagler, St. Johns and Putnam counties, as well as a part of northern Volusia County.

David Shoar, who served 16 years as St. Johns County sheriff, has entered the race for Florida Senate District 7, adding an element of intrigue to a race also involving powerful state Rep. Tom Leek of Ormond Beach.

As a Republican elected four previous times in St. Johns, which comprises more than half of District 7 voters, Shoar also has been a prominent advocate for studying the legalization of psychedelic drugs as mental-health treatment. While the legalization of marijuana will be on the November ballot, Shoar, Leek and Gerry James, another Republican from St. Johns County, will be vying for votes on the Aug. 20 primary ballot.

The seat has been held since 2015 by Travis Hutson, a St. Augustine Republican, who has reached his limit of two four-year terms.

Leek is in a similar boat, having reached his limit of four two-year terms in the House, where he served the past two years as appropriations chair, helping to shape the 2023-24 and 2024-25 budgets. Leek, an attorney, has lined up a number of endorsements, including support from Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, incoming Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Barstow, outgoing House Speaker Paul Renner, Congressmen Michael Waltz and Cory Mills and all four sheriffs in the counties District 7 includes: St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam and part of Volusia.

Tom Leek

Leek, though, has been sparring with powerful Orlando attorney John Morgan and has also faced attacks from a political committee, The Truth Matters, whose chairperson is Erika Alba, an attorney with the Ponte Vedra Beach law firm Woolsey Morcom. Shoar was hired by that firm to be its director of investigations in 2023, but in an interview with Florida Politics, he denied knowledge of the source of negative ads against Leek.

The Truth Matters started a website it dubbed liberalleek.com, which targets Leek for his growing net worth while working as chief legal officer for Daytona Beach insurance brokerage Foundation Risk Partners.

In response, Leek has run an ad attacking "Democrat lovin' liberal personal injury billboard lawyers," which features the faces of Alba and Woolsey Morcom partner Joshua Woolsey.

Whos behind the false attacks on Tom Leek? Liberal personal injury billboard lawyers. You wouldnt trust these guys to walk your dog, so dont trust them to choose your Republican nominee for Florida Senate. Tom Leek is the conservative liberals fear. pic.twitter.com/EUXFNGoZSn  Friends of Tom Leek (@Friendstomleek) May 28, 2024

Asked about Shoar's entry into the Senate race, Leek sent a statement: "David Shoar is employed by the very billboard personal injury law firm who is behind The Truth Matters political committee that has leveled more than $2 million in attack ads against me in recent weeks. His dubious claim he is unaware that these Democrat-funded attacks are emanating from his law firm would make him the only person in St. Johns County unaware of it. If the truth mattered, David Shoar would admit hes doing the liberal Democrats' bidding.

In a brief interview Monday, Shoar said he entered the race after "sitting on the sidelines" for three years.

"I spent my whole life in the arena, and I don't mind getting back into the arena," he said.

Asked about Leek's advantages, including support from many of the party's power brokers and access to some $4 million between his campaign contributions and political committees, Shoar responded: "I think we can beat him."

Of endorsements, Shoar said if someone asks for his endorsement, he tells them: "You might get my friends, but you're not going to get my enemies."

He said Leek is "an establishment Republican."

Shoar, whose tenure ended in 2021, is also a veteran of the 1991 Gulf War, having served in the Florida Army National Guard.

Shoar also faced scrutiny last December when he was also stopped by St. Augustine police, who said in a report he failed to stop at a red light, according to the Florida Times-Union. The officer observed pieces of marijuana on the vehicle's center console while collecting Shoar's driver information.

The officer noted in the report that there was a "very strong odor" of marijuana coming from the vehicle, but Shoar showed him a medicinal marijuana card. No arrest was made. Shoar was given a verbal warning about the traffic violation and the use of marijuana in the car, the Times-Union reported.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Former St. Johns sheriff adds intrigue to Florida Senate GOP primary
KYODO NEWS - Jun 10, 2024 - 22:00 | All, World, Japan

Emperor Naruhito met with Luxembourg's Crown Prince Guillaume on Monday and thanked him for the financial support given by the European country following the major earthquake that hit central Japan's Noto Peninsula on New Year's Day, the Imperial Household Agency said.

The two spoke for about 20 minutes in what was their first meeting in around 10 years. They also discussed the emperor's 2012 visit to Luxembourg for the crown prince's wedding as well as the country's space exploration program.

They later retired to a separate room where they were joined by the emperor's wife Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also held talks with the crown prince on the same day. The two discussed further deepening the friendly relationship between the two countries and strengthening their cooperation in the fields of space and startups.

During his four-day stay in Japan through Thursday, the crown prince is leading a delegation of about 70 businesspeople from the Western European nation, known as a prominent financial center.

"We hope to strengthen economic relations between the two countries," Kishida said, while Crown Prince Guillaume also expressed his desire to further friendly ties with Japan.

Japan said it has been trying to boost cooperation with Luxembourg in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific, a vision advocated by Tokyo in a veiled bid to counter China, and in maintaining the international order based on the rule of law.

Related coverage:

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Japan's imperial couple to visit Britain as state guests from June 22
After the districts school board abandoned a proposal to consolidate seven small and under-enrolled middle schools, officials in the Fort Worth Independent School District are moving forward with plans to renovate those campuses.

But that doesnt mean some of those campuses wont end up being shuttered anyway, district officials said.

Fort Worth ISD is in the middle of a $2 million study looking at how its facilities line up with its needs at a time when enrollment is declining. A report from that study, including recommendations for school closures, is expected to go before the board sometime this winter. District spokeswoman Jessica Becerra said it would not be safe to assume that none of the seven campuses included in the consolidation proposal will show up again on the school closures list.

FWISD floats middle school consolidations

Earlier this year, district officials floated the idea of consolidating the seven middle schools targeted for renovations as a part of the 2021 bond issue  Morningside, William James, Daggett, Kirkpatrick, J.P. Elder and McLean middle schools, plus McLean 6th Grade Center  into three larger campuses. District officials suggested that using the bond money to build new consolidated schools might make more sense than investing in renovations to schools the district may end up closing in the coming years.

But after holding a series of community meetings and collecting public input, the districts school board dropped the proposal last month with no explanation. After more than two dozen parents and community members spoke against the plan at a May 28 school board meeting, Board President Camille Rodriguez announced the board would pull the proposal from that evenings agenda.

District officials collected feedback from parents, school employees and other community members during and after the community listening sessions. In all three pyramids, large majorities of those who responded said they opposed the consolidation plan, according to district records obtained through an open records request.

Among other issues, respondents worried about the logistics of busing students from other neighborhoods to the new consolidated campuses, the challenge for students of adapting to larger schools and the fact that district officials were looking to make major changes to a plan voters had already approved. One parent in the Paschal High School pyramid said community members felt misled by the proposed change.

We voted to improve the existing school, the parent wrote. Not knock it down and add more kids.

Fort Worth ISD faces enrollment declines

Fort Worth ISDs enrollment has dropped 17% since 2016 due to a combination of factors, including declining birth rates, housing patterns and increasing competition from charter schools. But those declines havent affected all schools equally.

Line Chart

Infogram

Daggett, the smallest of the seven schools considered for consolidation, has seen relatively stable enrollment over the past five years, according to district records. The other six campuses have seen enrollment declines in recent years, although some have been more deeply affected than others. William James enrollment has dipped by about 8.7% since the 2019-20 school year, while both Morningside and J.P. Elder have lost about 36% of their enrollments during the same period.

Likewise, some schools are more severely under enrolled than others, district records show. Daggetts enrollment was nearly at capacity last year, while both Morningside and Kirkpatrick were half-empty.

Taundala Tindle has two kids enrolled at Morningside Middle School and a third who just finished eighth grade at Morningside and will start high school in the fall. She said she was relieved when the board decided not to move forward with the consolidation plan. Tindle is a single mom and doesnt have reliable transportation, so she was worried about how she would get her kids to a new consolidated middle school in another neighborhood. The change would have presented one more challenge families like hers didnt need, she said.

Were already going through enough trying to raise our kids, guide them and give them structure, she said.

Tindle said she was also upset that the district was considering demolishing the 70-year-old school. Tindle attended Morningside herself, and she sees it as a historical landmark for the south side. She acknowledged that test scores at the school have lagged in recent years  only 17% of students scored on grade level in reading on last years state test  but she said teachers at the school genuinely care about their students and are working hard to help them improve.

Layne Craig, the mother of a student who recently completed eighth grade at Daggett Middle School, was one of several speakers who asked the board not to move forward with the consolidation plan at last months meeting. Craig, who teaches literature courses at Texas Christian University, told the board the move would widen existing inequalities and force some students to commute further to school.

Craig told the Star-Telegram that she was relieved when the board decided not to move forward with the consolidation plan. Rather than closing neighborhood schools where enrollment is declining, Craig said she hopes to see the district promote them in the same way that it does its schools of choice. District officials have highlighted those specialized campuses over the past several years in hopes of appealing to families who might otherwise opt for private schools or charter schools.

The problem, Craig said, is that schools of choice only serve a comparatively small number of students. Most students in the district still go to neighborhood schools. She thinks the district under-invests in those schools as it works to keep families from choosing other schools outside the district.

I think that we can have that kind of success and that kind of investment and culture of achievement in our neighborhood schools, she said.

Under-enrolled schools present challenges

There are compelling reasons a district might want to keep smaller schools open rather than consolidating them, said Sarah Woulfin, a professor in the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin. While larger campuses may be more cost-effective to operate, theres research that indicates that students do better in schools of about 400 students, she said. Students in smaller schools have an easier time forming positive relationships with adults, she said, because theyre less likely to get lost in the crowd.

But Woulfin said it makes a difference whether those 400 students go to a school thats designed for 400 students or 800 students. There are certain costs like plumbing, air conditioning and maintenance that remain about the same whether a school is at capacity or its half-empty, she said. Students in those under-enrolled schools could still get the educational benefits of a smaller campus size, she said, but only if district leaders can provide staffing and programs to give those kids a good experience  something that becomes more financially challenging as enrollments decline.

Likewise, there are challenges inherent in closing schools, Woulfin said. Theres evidence that parents and communities lose faith in their public school systems when districts close campuses. She pointed to school closures in Chicago and Oakland that indicated that led to pain and turmoil in the communities around those campuses.

For some families, their neighborhood school, its a lighthouse. Its a beacon, she said. Its where parents went, its where grandparents went, its where their aunts went.

Districts also often dont save as much money as they expect when they close campuses, Woulfin said. Even if they merge smaller student groups into one larger consolidated campus, districts need the same number of teachers to work with those students, she said. And most of those costs that remain fixed as enrollment numbers decline dont go away once campuses close, she said  districts still have to pay to maintain and secure vacant school buildings. If they want to offload those buildings, they need to pay real estate consultants to handle those sales, she said.

School closures may leave communities underserved

In some places, districts might decide to keep under-enrolled schools open because closing them would mean leaving their communities underserved, said Michael Hansen, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institutions Brown Center on Education Policy. In some neighborhoods, the next-closest school is miles away, creating a hardship for families, Hansen said. In other cases, a school closure would leave students entirely without educational options, he said.

That decision may sometimes be a temporary stopgap measure, he said: Officials in cities where charter schools are expanding quickly may expect new charter school campuses to open in those communities within a few years, easing the detrimental effects of the loss of the public schools. In some cases, districts have handed their underutilized buildings over to charter school operators, he said.

As school enrollment continues to decline nationwide, Hansen said he expects to see more districts forced to confront the question of what to do with half-empty school buildings. Traditional public schools have seen their enrollments dip since the beginning of the pandemic, and Hansen said theres no indication that trend will reverse itself anytime soon.

The decision of whether to keep under-enrolled schools open or to close them is a difficult one for any school district, and tends to leave leaders with few easy options, Hansen said. But its a situation a growing number of school districts have grappled with already.

Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit  we could go down the list, he said. Fort Worth is not unique here.
Four Kansas City eateries hit in broken-glass crime spree, all in one night

At least four Kansas City food and beverage businesses within a few miles of one another were victims of overnight break-ins early Monday.

Brookside Sushi, 408 E. 63rd St.; French Custard, 5905 Main St.; The Littlest Bake Shop, 5511 Troost Ave.; and Oddly Correct, 4141 Troost Ave.; all reported similar burglary attempts on social media. Thieves smashed their glass front doors and entered the businesses seeking cash and valuables.

They broke our double-paned glass front door and frantically looked around the shop for high-value stuff, but only managed to snag our cash drawer that only had change in it  we empty it every evening, Mike Schroeder, co-owner of Oddly Correct, told The Star. He estimated the cost of the door replacement would be around $800 to $1,200.

It happened sometime around 1 a.m., said Alex Wood, co-owner of French Custard. Luckily, the damage was limited to just the door.

The owners of Littlest Bake Shop and Brookside Sushi did not respond to requests for comment. On Instagram, Brookside Sushi posted that it was closed Monday due to the break-in but would reopen Tuesday evening. Littlest Bake Shop shared a photo on Instagram of its broken glass door.

Officer Jacob Becchina, a spokesman for the Kansas City Police Department, said Monday police could not yet confirm whether the crimes were connected.

For French Custard, its the third break-in since Wood and his wife, Jessica, opened their Brookside shop last year. In one of the incidents, last summer, thieves threw a brick through the front door and made a run for the register.

But we never have cash in the shop, Wood said. I think (thieves) have been targeting small businesses because they expect less security and for there to be cash management practices that are less sophisticated than corporate stores.

Schroeder said Monday was Oddly Corrects first break-in since moving to Troost from Westport Road and Main Street in 2021. But thieves stole a $800 bolted-down picnic table from their patio two weeks ago, he said.

Im not really sure what the city could do to help combat this, Schroeder said. Maybe offer grants for businesses to upgrade their security?

I think an increase in collaboration between city officials, the police and small businesses would be a great start, Wood said. This is a multi-faceted deal.
Four veterans honored for their service at Quilts of Valor ceremony

Four veterans honored for their service at Quilts of Valor ceremony

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  A local organization honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation on Sunday covering them with the comfort of homemade quilts in a display of gratitude.

Four Veterans Eric Deets, Arthur Meier II, Glen Tomlin, and Duane Houdyshell surrounded by their families got a well-deserved thank you from the community.

Community comes together to raise gun violence awareness for Project Wear Orange weekend

Libertypiecemakers of Huntsville, part of the National Quilts of Valor Foundation has created quilts for 62 veterans in North Alabama since it began four years ago.

Organizers like April Goss explained how the ceremonies are not just about the quilts but more of a symbolic appreciation for those whove served.

To see the smiles, to feel the warmth of the audience thats here and the family members, to see that everybody is collectively here to honor them is a feeling like I cant even describe its just an honor, Goss said.

Deets served in the army for 23 years. The Purple Heart recipient recalls how soldiers were treated upon returning home from the Vietnam War and says being honored was a humbling experience.

People gather to honor World War II veterans from Madison County

To come out here and have my fellow citizens now thank me, thats neat and its heartfelt theres no doubt about that, Deets told News 19.

The army veteran says hed remember the appreciation he received Sunday each time he crossed paths with his quilt at home.

Theres no doubt that as I walk by it every day, Im going to think about that and think about all the people who spent the effort to make it and then present it in an atmosphere like this, its great, Deets said.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation has gifted nearly 400,000 quilts to veterans nationwide since it began in 2003.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo pressed Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) about her push for unity in the GOP after she supported the ouster of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) last year.

With all due respect congresswoman, isnt it rich for you to say you want to unite when you are actually one of the people who joined with a small group to take down your leader? the host asked Mace during an appearance on her show Monday. Youve been a firebrand, and I certainly appreciate that and pushing for what the American people want, but well see if your constituents actually like this.

Mace is facing a primary challenger this week amid blowback stemming from allegations of flip-flopping on key issues and criticism over her shifting support for former President Trump.

Im feeling very cautiously optimistic about tomorrow. As you know, Im the first woman to graduate from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, where when I was a cadet. We ate honesty and integrity for breakfast. And I want a leader that I can trust, Mace said.

The Republican said she trusts House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and added she has no regrets about participating in the effort to oust McCarthy.

I work very hard for the people of South Carolina. And I believe youll see the results of that hard work tomorrow when the election is called, I think early in the night, she continued. And I think its really important that when we talk about dividing the party  its Kevin McCarthy, he spent $7 million against me in my Republican primary. That money could be spent to help Donald Trump.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Elizabeth Pineau and Michel Rose

PARIS (Reuters) - The far-right National Rally was forecast on Monday to win a snap election in France but fall short of an absolute majority in the first opinion poll published after President Emmanuel Macron's shock decision to dissolve parliament.

Following a massive loss for his Renaissance party in Sunday's European Parliament election, Macron announced snap elections for the lower house of parliament, with the first round scheduled for June 30, less than three weeks away, and the run-off on July 7.

Marine Le Pen's anti-immigration, eurosceptic National Rally party, known as RN, would win 235 to 265 seats in the National Assembly, a huge jump from its current 88 but short of the 289 needed for an absolute majority, according to the survey by Toluna Harris Interactive for Challenges, M6 and RTL.

Macron's centrist alliance would see its number of lawmakers possibly halve, from 250 to 125-155, the poll showed on Monday. Leftwing parties could together control 115 to 145 seats, though each party could run on its own.

There is no certainty the RN would run the government, with or without an alliance with others. Other scenarios include a wide-ranging coalition of mainstream parties, or a completely hung parliament.

But Macron's shock decision does offer the increasingly popular far right a real shot at power. Amounting to a roll of the dice on his political future, this immediately sent the euro down, while French stocks and government bonds tumbled. RN won 31.4% of the European Parliament vote while the Renaissance party coalition had 14.6%

Even if RN does score a majority in the French parliament, Macron would remain president for three more years and still be in charge of defence and foreign policy.

But he would lose control over the domestic agenda including economic policy, security, immigration and finances, which would in turn impact other policies, such as aid to Ukraine, as he would need parliament's backing to finance any support as part of France's budget.

"We're still in shock," Emmanuel Pellerin, a lawmaker from Macron's Renaissance party, told Reuters. "Everything points to the RN winning a relative or absolute majority. But that forces the French to think about what is at stake."

In that context, political parties were racing to field candidates and discuss possible alliances.

PARTY TALKS

RN leaders Jordan Bardella and Le Pen held talks on Monday with Marion Marechal of the smaller far-right Reconquete party. Marechal is Le Pen's niece and used to be a prominent member of her party before they fell out.

Bardella said after the meeting that talks were under way over forming an alliance. He added he was also talking with some members of the conservative Les Republicains.

"I fervently wish that we can find ways to all come together," Marechal told reporters.

Leaders of the very divided French left - the hard left LFI (France Unbowed), Communists, Socialists and Greens - were also holding talks.

"We don't have time to procrastinate," Manon Aubry, of LFI, told reporters. "The objective is to be able to meet again, to build the future and above all to go and win."

A source close to Macron said the 46-year-old leader, whose power has been diminished since he lost his absolute majority in parliament two years ago, calculated that there was a chance he could win back a majority by taking everyone by surprise.

For Le Pen and Bardella, the challenge is to transform popularity into a win. The vote is likely to revolve not only around discontent with Macron's style of power, cost of living and immigration policies, but also about whether the RN can be trusted to run a major European government.

Among policies put forward by the party, the RN has proposed higher public spending, despite already significant levels of French debt, threatening to further raise funding costs at banks.

The RN also wants to expel more migrants, stop family reunification, restrict childcare benefits to French citizens, give French nationals preference in access to social housing and jobs and withdraw residency for migrants who are out of work for more than a year.

The euro fell by as much as 0.6%, while Paris blue-chip stocks dropped by 1.4%, led by steep losses in banks BNP Paribas and Societe Generale.

The early election will come shortly before the July 26 start of the Paris Olympics, when all eyes will be on France.

(Additional reporting by Ingrid Melander, Sophie Louet, Dominique Vidalon, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Tassilo Hummel, Blandine Henault, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Gabriel Stargardter, Dominique Patton, writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Angus MacSwan, Mark Heinrich, William Maclean and Cynthia Osterman)
France's president just dissolved part of his own government after far-right wins in European Parliament. What that means  and what's next.

Early results from the European Unions parliamentary elections over the weekend showed significant gains for far-right political parties, signaling a shift to the right for the 27-nation lawmaking bloc.

Among the countries where right-wing nationalists took home a decisive win was France, prompting the countrys liberal president, Emmanuel Macron, to take emergency action in an effort to stop the French far-right movement in its tracks.

Following a crushing defeat for his centrist party by the anti-immigration National Rally party, led by Marine Le Pen, Macron moved to dissolve the National Assembly, the lower legislative chamber of French parliament, and called for a snap election.

Heres what that means and whats next:

 Who is Emmanuel Macron?

Emmanuel Macron, 46, launched a liberal political movement in 2016 known as En Marche!, now known as the Renaissance party, and won the presidential election in May 2017.

He was reelected in April 2022. Thats also when the liberal political coalition known as the Ensemble, of which Macrons party is a part, lost its majority in the National Assembly. (Conservatives also held on to their majority in the French Senate in recent September 2023 elections.)

Since 2022, it has been difficult for Macron to pass any sort of legislation through the National Assembly without having to use a controversial constitutional method known as Article 49.3 of the French constitution, which enables the government to pass bills through the lower chamber without a vote. The act is limited to one regular bill per parliamentary session but is unlimited when it comes to budget bills.

 What did Macron do?

Macron decided to dissolve the 577-seat National Assembly on Sunday. As president, he is allowed to do this under Article 12 of the French constitution in an effort to resolve political crises.

In a televised speech Sunday, Macron acknowledged the snap election was a serious, weighty decision but also called it an act of trust in French voters. The National Assembly is elected to a five-year term, so the next vote would have otherwise not been held until 2027. The French Senate cannot be dissolved early and wont be subject to the snap elections.

The rise of nationalists and demagogues is a danger for our nation and for Europe, Macron said in a televised speech Sunday. After this day, I cannot go on as though nothing has happened, Macron said, acknowledging the crushing defeat in the European Union elections.

Meanwhile, Macrons political rival Le Pen, who represents the National Rally party in parliament, welcomed the snap election. We are ready to exercise power if the French people place their trust in us in these upcoming parliamentary elections," Le Pen said on Sunday evening.

 Why is his decision significant?

While the snap election wont concern Macrons position as French president, for which he has three years left in his term, he is still taking a huge gamble on potentially handing the far-right National Rally party majority control of the National Assembly. (An absolute majority requires one party to hold 289 seats. Currently, Macrons party and political allies have 250 seats, while the National Rally has 88 seats.)

If the National Rally secures a majority, Macron could be faced with a cohabitation situation in which he would have to choose a prime minister of a different political party. This could make it very difficult for Macron to accomplish any aspects of his domestic agenda on policy changes or key pieces of legislation.

The National Partys president, 28-year old Jordan Bardella, is the partys candidate for prime minister in the snap election, according to Reuters.

Tonight our compatriots have expressed a desire for change, Bardella said Sunday. Emmanuel Macron is tonight a weakened president.

Bardella, who has become a TikTok star, has described himself as Le Pens attack dog in television appearances but has also shown his inexperience in policy, Reuters reports.

Such revelations are why some suggest a National Rally win might actually be good for Macron. Reuters reports that a source close to Macron said that if the National Rally party wins, the next three years could show the far-rights incompetence to voters, undermining their hopes for the presidency in 2027.

 What could this mean for the U.S.?

In June 2016, just months before Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election, a majority of voters in the United Kingdom voted in favor of the countrys departure from the EU, known as Brexit.

Now, voters in both the United States and Europe are faced with many of the same economic and immigration-related issues that drove support for both Brexit and Trump in 2016. The Washington Post reports that the outcome of Frances snap election could once again  anticipate aspects of the November elections in the United States.

 What happens next?

Voting in the snap election will take place in two rounds: the first on June 30 and the second on July 7. The new National Assembly will be installed in July. Macron wont be able to dissolve the new government for a full year after the election takes place, according to Article 12 of the French constitution.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Rolling Meadows Waste Management landfill will host a free landfill day this weekend.

From 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 15, you can bring your waste to 7351 NW Highway 75. All loads must be covered.

Certain hazardous items such as appliances with freon, e-waste, liquids, tires and anything hazardous wont be accepted. Waste such as tree branches, building materials, concrete and rocks are acceptable. The event is not open to businesses.

Water rescue underway in Emporia

For more information, call Waste Managements customer service line at 800-963-4776.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
(Bloomberg) -- French banks BNP Paribas SA and Societe Generale SA tumbled on Monday, leading losses on the Paris market after President Emmanuel Macron called a snap election following a drubbing for his group in weekend European parliamentary voting.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The moves weighed on the broader European equity market, with the Stoxx 600 Index closing 0.3% lower after paring some losses. The CAC 40 Index fell as much as 2.4%, the most in almost a year. Apart from banking stocks, French construction and materials sectors also retreated sharply.

Alexandre Hezez, chief investment officer at Group Richelieu, said the banking sector is likely to suffer the most due to the potential for growing concerns around French public finances.

One takeaway is that reforms will be hard to implement in France, and as one has seen with the downgrade of S&P, there are concerns about the sustainability of French debt, Hezez said.

The political chaos fueled worries across the continent, with the euro slipping to its lowest in a month.

The surprise decision to call for snap elections adds to uncertainty, particularly as France could face an EU procedure for excessive deficits later on this month, said Vincent Juvyns, global market strategist at JPMorgan Asset Management.

Deepening political angst in Europe is likely to add fresh pressure on the euro after parliamentary votes saw leaders in France and Germany suffer losses, according to strategists.

One can see the euro trading lower, but I expect the spread between Frances sovereign debt and Germany to grow further, added Juvyns.

--With assistance from Michael Msika.

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US Department of Veterans Affairs officials have eliminated frontline jobs for staffers who provide care to veterans, even though agency leaders previously declared such positions would largely be protected from cuts, according to a CNN review of documents and interviews with more than 20 VA employees and job applicants.

Positions for psychologists, clinical social workers and others have been cut, and some job offers have been rescinded in recent weeks and months as the agency seeks to address a budgetary shortfall and shave its workforce by 10,000 positions.

The job reductions come at a time when some veterans continue to face extended wait times for service and as suicides among veterans remain disproportionately high.

The cuts have rankled rank-and-file VA employees as their department has been embroiled in a scandal for improperly awarding about $11 million in bonuses to senior VA executives last year, as detailed in a May inspector general report. VA Secretary Denis McDonough said the VA canceled the bonuses and began recouping them after realizing the error.

The eliminations follow a surge in VA hiring. The agency added tens of thousands of staffers to its ranks last year to keep pace with an increase in veterans seeking care, but VA insiders now fear the job eliminations  especially those involving frontline positions  could undercut their health system.

In recent weeks, lawmakers have requested information from the VA about its job reduction strategy after hearing reports that jobs that provide direct care for veterans have been targeted. CNN has confirmed with VA staffers and prospective hires that offers for such positions have been rescinded.

VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal issued internal memos in late May directing managers to continue hiring for roles vital to patient safety and to quality and timeliness of care. He also said certain key positions geared toward suicide prevention, homelessness and womens health that had been frozen should be reactivated and filled.

Elnahal did, however, say administrative roles and certain clinical positions  such as those that could be accomplished by other employees  could be cut.

It remains unclear how many frontline positions that were on the chopping block could be reinstated following Elnahals updated guidance, and whether applicants who had offers rescinded would be offered the jobs again. VA spokesperson Terrence Hayes told CNN in a statement that while the VA continues to strategically hire in key areas, such as mental health and in locations with spikes in veterans seeking care, the agency has the nationwide staffing total we need to deliver for our nations Veterans.

Hayes said that local VA leaders have authority to make decisions about the staff they hire. There are no plans for an enterprise-wide hiring freeze or layoffs, he said, noting that the VA has onboarded thousands of mental health professionals over the last three years.

Recently, local VA managers have been issuing internal warnings about hiring.

The recent VA strategic hiring initiative has placed considerable strain on all our services and disciplines across our facility, both clinical and non-clinical, wrote Dr. Mark Kadowaki, the chief of staff for the VA medical center in Iron Mountain, Michigan, in a May email to staff obtained by CNN. VA spokesperson Hayes said the Iron Mountain medical center has had a net increase in employees this year and has added specialty providers.

The staffing shakeup has also triggered backlash on Capitol Hill. In April, the top two senators on the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs called the staff reduction plan a mess. A separate group of senators requested language in a bill that would direct the VA to share details on employee vacancies, positions cut, and how those could affect care. Inconsistent staffing patterns put veterans healthcare quality and accessibility at risk, the senators wrote in a letter.

Dr. Harold Kudler, a psychiatrist and associate professor at Duke University who has four decades of experience serving veterans through the VA, questioned the decision to rescind offers for frontline positions and said, Its very simple. If you remove access to expert care  if you remove access to the largest suicide prevention program in the country, if not the world  then thats not good for veterans.

Kudler and others expressed particular concern about cuts involving mental health care. A Government Accountability Office report in February noted that veterans suffer a disproportionately high rate of suicide, with an average of almost 18 veterans dying daily by suicide in 2021, about 72% greater than the general adult population.

Job offers axed

The plan to downsize comes after the VA went on a hiring spree last year amid an increase in veterans seeking care. In 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the PACT Act, which expanded health care benefits for veterans exposed to various toxic substances. More veterans enrolled for VA care and the departments health administration hired more than 60,000 employees in fiscal year 2023, which swelled the VAs ranks to more than 400,000 total staffers.

But a budgetary shortfall has led the department to make reductions, officials say. Elnahal said at a news conference in March that he believed the VA could eliminate up to 10,000 positions through attrition and voluntary separation, without compromising care for veterans. He said such cuts would primarily focus on positions that were more managerial, programmatic individuals, supervisory roles that arent necessarily over the point of care directly.

But multiple VA sources told CNN that reductions have seemed less strategic than Elnahal promised. And they have accused the department of slow-walking hires for positions they called critical.

Its actually direct-care staff thats being eliminated, said Tiffany Roman of Pueblo, Colorado, a VA nurse who works as the vice president of a local chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees union.

In an April email shared by another source, a VA manager in Central Texas, Stacy Ritz, told local staffers that 22 vacant positions related to mental health and behavioral medicine had been abolished, meaning the jobs were no longer on the books. Ritz wrote that her team could ask for them back when the financial situation is more optimistic, though she described the losses as painful.

VA spokesperson Hayes said those abolished positions had been vacant for half a year and that local leadership can refill them if needed. He said the Central Texas VA has increased mental health staffing in the last three years.

Some VA staffers have questioned the logic behind many of the cuts.

It doesnt seem like they are assessing clinical needs, said Chris Mapps, president of a local AFGE union chapter in Michigan and a VA advanced medical support assistant. It seems to be based on them telling the facilities, These are your numbers you got to hit.

William Hazel, a clinical social worker who has worked for the federal government for years, experienced one of the cuts.

Hazel said that he applied last year for a VA social worker position based in the US territory of Guam, which he said lacks many of the mental healthcare resources available in parts of the US mainland. He hoped to help veterans overcome substance abuse and other challenges.

After receiving a tentative job offer in September, Hazel said, he continued moving through the agencys onboarding process. In March, the government notified him that although he was an exceptional candidate, the offer had been rescinded due to budgetary issues the Agency is experiencing and other unforeseen circumstances, according to an email he shared with CNN.

Hazel told CNN he was disappointed.

They say that mental health is a critical element to them, yet we were cut, he said. The motto of the VA is to care for him who has borne the battle. Are they doing that? I respectfully submit, no.

I feel like I have been betrayed and left out to dry, said another applicant who received a tentative job offer for a VA position researching suicide prevention that was rescinded in March after the applicant had moved to the state where the job was located. He spoke on the condition of anonymity because he still wants to work for the VA.

Yet another applicant who had a tentative offer for a VA staff psychologist position rescinded in March  also due to unforeseen circumstances, according to a government email  said the experience made her question the extent to which the VA truly prioritizes mental healthcare. She also spoke anonymously due to plans to reapply for VA jobs.

Asked about the staffing cuts at a Senate hearing in May, VA Secretary McDonough said that the federal budget does force some choices on his department, though he said the agencys retention of employees had been at historic highs and that it is better sourced with clinicians due to spikes in hiring in recent years. He also said the VA could continue to strategically fill positions based on clinical need.

The VA has been touting in news releases that department surveys show trust in the VA has increased among veterans and that wait times for new patient appointments in primary and mental healthcare slightly decreased in April.

Still, a Government Accountability Office report published this month found challenges with the VAs ability to provide timely care and noted that many VA facilities last year took more than two weeks to even schedule mental health appointments in the private sector, an option used when veterans have to wait too long or travel too far for VA care. The VA said in response to the report that it was seeking to improve the timely scheduling of such appointments.

Some warn any momentum in improving VA care could be undercut by decisions to trim health workers.

Any time you impact staffing, any time you lower the potential for one-on-one care, any time you lower the areas of need  mental health, primary care, surgeries  that always poses a risk, said Jeff Shapiro, the president of the VA council for the National Federation of Federal Employees union. Its a managerial problem.

CNNs Allison Gordon and Kyung Lah contributed to this report.

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KYODO NEWS - Jun 10, 2024 - 09:45 | All, World, Japan

Japan's new immigration rules that limit the number of times foreign nationals can apply for asylum went into force on Monday, allowing the country to deport people who have been rejected multiple times.

Those who have submitted three or more asylum applications are now at risk of deportation under the country's revised Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act if they fail to present reasonable grounds to support their case to stay.

Previously, Japan could not deport a foreign national whose application for refugee status was being processed, but the changes were made as authorities believed the system was being abused by those making repeated claims in an attempt to remain in Japan.

As part of the changes, asylum seekers are now permitted to reside outside immigration facilities under the supervision of family members or supporters who are expected to ensure the applicants do not flee into the community.

The revised legislation faced pushback from opponents who argued it could result in the repatriation of people who are at risk of persecution in their home countries.

In 2023, Japan granted refugee status to a record high 303 people, of which five had applied more than once. Three of the five were successful on their third application, according to the Immigration Services Agency.

A total of 13,823 people sought asylum in Japan in 2023, the second-highest on record. The number has been increasing rapidly since 2022 as the country gradually lifted its COVID-19 border controls.

But the Asian nation still lags far behind other developed nations like the United States and several European countries that typically accept more than 10,000 asylum seekers annually.

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A series of government firings, resignations and reshuffles have strained relations between Kyiv and Western allies and raised concerns about how Ukraine can deal with fixing the country's energy infrastructure as it comes under repeated attacks by Russia, the Financial Times (FT) reported on June 10, citing unnamed Ukrainian and Western officials.

The media report comes on the same day that Mustafa Nayyem, the head of Ukraine's Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, resigned, saying that "systemic obstacles" have limited his ability to do his job. According to media reports, two other agency officials resigned along with Nayyem.

Earlier in May, Ukraine's Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, voted to dismiss Infrastructure Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction Oleksandr Kubrakov.

The moves have come during months when Ukraine faced criticism over the lack of fortifications built to help fend off Russia's advance into Kharkiv Oblast last month, as well as a renewed aerial assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

"Six Ukrainian and western officials told the FT that a series of firings, resignations and government reshuffles directed by Zelensky in recent months had caused tension between Kyiv and the western partners financing Ukraines defense and reconstruction," the FT wrote.

"All of them told the FT that they had warned Zelensky and his government over what they saw as disruptive and inexplicable moves."

According to the FT, political rivalries are behind the shake-ups and Ukraine's Western allies are not pleased.

"The U.S. and other western partners want a normal, predictable relationship with their Ukrainian counterparts," one Ukrainian government official told the FT.

"Right now they are losing trust in Ukraines government because of personnel decisions that they do not understand."

Read also: Infrastructure Development head Nayyem resigns after being blocked from attending German reconstruction conference

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services (FWS) is reviewing the status of numerous threatened and endangered species across the nation, including two in Kansas.

The FWS announced on June 5 it would be conducting a five-year status review of nearly 60 species of fish, wildlife and plants as part of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Of these, two can be found in the Sunflower State.

Aaron Valenta with the FWS confirms two freshwater mussels, the Neosho mucket and rabbitsfoot, are on the list for this five-year review. The Neosho mucket is considered endangered while rabbitsfoot is threatened.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) lists the Neosho mucket as being found in parts of eastern Kansas ranging from Morris County at the northwest extent down to Cherokee County. Waterways such as the Neosho River, Spring River, Verdigris River, Big Caney River and Cottonwood River contain critical habitat for the species. The mussels have an elongated, rounded shell around four inches in length and appears dark brown in color.

Biologists find rare ocean-born fish species swimming in the Kansas River

Rabbitsfoot can be found in a range similar to the Neosho mucket with critical habitat designated in the Spring River, Neosho River, Cottonwood River, Fall River and Verdigris River. These mussels have elongated, rectangular-shaped shells that are yellow-brown in color and covered in dark green or black triangles.

Both rabbitsfoot and the Neosho mucket are considered endangered in Kansas. In 2023, KDWP biologists helped reintroduce the Neosho mucket and fatmucket mussels back into their historic ranges in an effort to help the species recover in the wild.

People are invited to provide feedback on the species being reviewed on or before Aug. 5, 2024. The review process will help keep animal and plant classifications current under the ESA and guide future conservation efforts.

Species extinct in Kansas will get second chance at life

If you have any comments or opinions on the Kansas species named above, you can reach out to Chris Davidson at chris_davidson@fws.gov or call 501-513-4481. For more information on this review process or the other species being reviewed nationally, click here.

For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
A man has found himself behind bars after he allegedly burglarized a Georgia home.

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Last week, a man identified by Lavonia police as Mr. Pizon, allegedly broke into a home while the homeowners were away.

While inside, officers said Pizon found a jar of change, stole the money, and bought a large amount of alcohol.

After buying the alcohol, Pizon came back to the home and drank the alcohol until he passed out on the bedroom floor, according to officials.

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Pizon was awoken by the homeowners who were armed with guns. The homeowners waited until the police arrived.

Pizon was arrested and charged with burglary.

If you do allegedly commit a burglary, dont allegedly burglarize a residence that is protected by parents who believe in the 2nd Amendment, the police department said.

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IN OTHER NEWS:




GA man sentenced to 18 years in prison after being caught with fentanyl, meth, cocaine

A Macon man has been sentenced to serve 18 years in federal prison for possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute it.

Antonio Jenord Whitehead, 37, was sentenced to serve a total of 216 months in prison.

He will serve five years of supervised release when he gets out of prison.

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Whitehead pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute on April 3.

There is no parole in the federal prison system.

According to court documents, on Feb. 20, 2023, the car Whitehead was traveling in was stopped for several traffic violations on Georgia Highway 401 by a Monroe County Sheriffs Office deputy.

The deputy smelled drugs and the driver had a suspended drivers license.

As backup was arriving and the deputy was searching the car, Whitehead jumped into the drivers seat and tried to speed away.

A deputy shot out the rear tires of the car to prevent a high-speed chase and Whitehead was arrested.

Inside the car, deputies found a suitcase with plastic bags of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.

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Whitehead also had several bags of marijuana and a bag of fentanyl on him.

When it was all tallied up, Whitehead had 207 grams of fentanyl, 554 grams of methamphetamine, and 101 grams of cocaine.

At the time of his arrest, he was under supervised release for two prior drug convictions in West Virginia.

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Gains on far right as EU's von der Leyen forecast for second term

Ursula von der Leyen (L), President of the European Commission, reacts after the European election results at the Konrad Adenauer House. Fabian Sommer/dpa

The centre-right European People's Party (EPP) has won the European Parliament elections with 184 seats, provisional results from the EU legislature show, with all polls closed on Sunday.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen now stands a stronger chance of securing a second term with her EPP group, which she campaigned for, performing so well, despite far-right gains, and losses among liberal and green parties.

In a speech welcoming the result, von der Leyen said that she would work with political groups from the centre left and liberals that originally backed her to win reappointment.

"This platform has worked well. It was constructive, it was effective," von der Leyen said, in a signal that she would not immediately seek support from parties further to the right.

Earlier von der Leyen had said that, together with other parties, she wanted to form "a bulwark against the extremes from the left and the right," adding "We will stop them."

During campaigning von der Leyen did not rule out cooperating with more extreme right wing parties, in particular, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's nationalist Brothers of Italy (FdI) party.

Liberal parties fell from 102 seats to 80 seats while Green parties are also projected to lose a large number of European Parliament seats, down from 71 to 52, according to provisional results released by the EU at 2:45 am (0045 GMT) on Monday.

The result, based on provisional figures from 23 EU countries and estimates and pre-electoral data for the remaining four, fends off a challenge from the far-right groups in the parliament that polled an estimated 131 seats, a gain of some 13 seats compared to the last elections in 2019.

The centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) are projected to hold on to their 139 seats, while the more extreme The Left group is projected to lose one, going from 37 to 36.

There are 720 seats up for grabs in the EU legislature, meaning von der Leyen needs 361 seats for a majority. Together with the EPP, S&D and the liberals, von der Leyen is projected to have 403 votes supporting her.

Preliminary results show the far right made significant returns in Germany, France and Italy.

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is set to win an estimated 14 seats despite a string of recent scandals and polled second to the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU).

The Social Democrats (SPD) of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz were projected to gain a similar number of seats to the AfD despite gaining about 1.5% less votes.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron decided to dissolve parliament, announcing new national elections, after his party lost to the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen.

The National Rally received about 31.5% of votes, according to the provisional results, while Macron's pro-European camp only received around 14.5%.

Von der Leyen needs to gather together support from a range of political groups, extending from the centre left to the centre right, to have her appointment backed by the European Parliament.

A new avenue of cooperation opened with the Green parties when Bas Eickhout, a senior Dutch election candidate, signalled a willingness to cooperate with the victorious EPP in a speech in the European Parliament.

"What we need to do now is create a stable majority in the centre of the European parliament," he said.

In Hungary, a former ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Peter Magyar, caused a stir this year by resigning from Orban's Fidesz party to take the helm of an obscure centre-right party called Respect and Freedom (TISZA).

Preliminary results suggest TISZA has won seven of Hungary's 21 European Parliament seats; Fidesz is projected to have won 10, with its domestic coalition partner the Christian Democrats (KDNP) winning one.

EPP leader Manfred Weber has made explicit overtures for TISZA to join his group's ranks. Fidesz was expelled from the EPP in 2021 - having been suspended since 2019 - but the KDNP remains a member of the group.

A potential kingmaker role for Italy's Meloni is still also on the table after her party topped the poll with an estimated 28.6% of the vote and securing about 23 seats, an influential bloc of votes.

Continent-wide elections for the European Parliament had their last day of voting on Sunday, with 360 million people across the 27 EU member states eligible to cast their ballots over four days.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, arrives at a polling station in the Hanover region with her husband to cast her vote in the European elections. Julian Stratenschulte/dpa

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, casts her ballot for the European elections in a ballot box outside a polling station in the Hanover region. Julian Stratenschulte/dpa
Gains on far right as EU's von der Leyen forecast for second term

Ursula von der Leyen (L), President of the European Commission, reacts after the European election results at the Konrad Adenauer House. Fabian Sommer/dpa

The centre-right European People's Party (EPP) has won the European Parliament elections with 191 seats, an initial forecast from the EU legislature shows, with all polls closed on Sunday.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen now stands a stronger chance of securing a second term with her EPP group, which she campaigned for, performing so well, despite far-right gains, and losses among liberal and green parties.

In a speech welcoming the result, von der Leyen said that she would work with political groups from the centre left and liberals that originally backed her to win reappointment.

"This platform has worked well. It was constructive, it was effective," von der Leyen said, in a signal that she would not immediately seek support from parties further to the right.

Earlier von der Leyen said that, together with other parties, she wanted to form "a bulwark against the extremes from the left and the right." "We will stop them," she said.

During campaiging von der Leyen did not rule out cooperating with more extreme right wing parties, in particular, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's nationalist Brothers of Italy (FdI) party.

Liberal parties fell from 102 seats to 83 seats while Green parties are also projected to lose a large number of European Parliament seats, down from 71 to 53.

The result, based on national estimates from 27 EU countries, fends off a challenge from the far-right groups in the parliament that polled an estimated 128 seats, a gain of some 10 seats compared to the last elections in 2019.

The centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) are projected to lose four seats - going from 139 to 135 - and the more extreme The Left group is projected to lose two, going from 37 to 35.

There are 720 seats up for grabs in the EU legislature, meaning von der Leyen needs 361 seats for a majority. Together with the EPP, S&D and the liberals, von der Leyen potentially has 409 votes.

Despite this, preliminary results show the far right made significant returns in Germany, France and Italy.

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Germany is set to win an estimated 14 seats despite a string of recent scandals and polled second to the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU).

The AfD polled ahead of the German government headed by Social Democrat Olaf Scholz in a three-party coalition with the Greens and liberal Free Democrats (FDP).

In France, French President Emmanuel Macron decided to dissolve parliament, announcing new national elections, after his party lost to the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen.

The National Rally received 31.5 to 32.3% of the vote, while Macron's pro-European camp only received around 15.2 to 15.4% according to French media after polls closed.

Von der Leyen needs to gather together support from a range of political groups, extending from the centre left to the centre right, to have her appointment backed by the European Parliament.

A new avenue of cooperation opened with the Green parties when Bas Eickhout, a senior Dutch election candidate, signalled a willingness to cooperate with the victorious EPP in a speech in the European Parliament.

"What we need to do now is create a stable majority in the centre of the european parliament," he said.

In Hungary, a former ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Peter Magyar, caused a stir this year by resigning from Orban's Fidesz party to take the helm of an obscure centre-right party called Respect and Freedom (TISZA).

Preliminary results suggest TISZA has won 7 of Hungary's 21 European Parliament seats; Fidesz is projected to have won 10, with its coalition partner the Christian Democrats (KDNP) winning one.

EPP leader Manfred Weber has made explicit overtures for TISZA to join his group's ranks. Fidesz was expelled from the EPP in 2021 - having been suspended since 2019 - but the KDNP remains a member of the group.

A potential kingmaker role for Meloni is still also available after her party topped the poll with an estimated 27.7% of the vote and securing up to 23 seats, an influential bloc of votes.

Preliminary results suggest Polish parties affiliated to the EPP won a combined vote share of 46.4% - the lion's share of that going to Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Coalition.

The more conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, affiliated to the ECR, won 33.9%, according to preliminary results.

In the Netherlands, while the centre-left and environmentalist green parties held up better than expected, the far right Party for Freedom (PVV) still came a close second at nearly 18% of the vote.

Continent-wide elections for the European Parliament had their last day of voting on Sunday, in a poll that could see up to 360 million people across the 27 EU member states cast their ballots over four days.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, arrives at a polling station in the Hanover region with her husband to cast her vote in the European elections. Julian Stratenschulte/dpa

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, casts her ballot for the European elections in a ballot box outside a polling station in the Hanover region. Julian Stratenschulte/dpa
Then Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz speaks during a pre-election event at the Manufacturers Association of Israel. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

Influential Israeli politician Benny Gantz is leaving the emergency government formed in Israel following the attack by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement on October 7, due to differences of opinion over the future of the Gaza Strip, he told journalists on Sunday evening.

The 65-year-old former defence minister had already threatened to take this step if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government failed to draw up a plan for a post-war order in the Gaza Strip.

The ultimatum issued by Gantz to Netanyahu a few weeks ago expired on Saturday. However, due to the dramatic rescue of four hostages from the Gaza Strip, he postponed a planned press conference at the last minute.

According to Gantz, the resignation from the government led by Netanyahu also affects other members of his National Unity party.

However, he will not topple Israel's leadership with this step, because Netanyahu's right-wing religious Cabinet still has a majority of 64 out of 120 seats in parliament.

A former general, Gantz joined Netanyahu's government as minister without portfolio after the unprecedented attack by Hamas and other terrorist groups, in order to send a signal of unity.

The centrist party National Unity, led by Gantz, is actually in opposition.

Netanyahu formed a war Cabinet with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Gantz and two non-voting co-chairs. The influence of Netanyahu's ultra-right coalition members was thus limited in determining the most important war decisions. Gantz's move could lead to the dissolution of the war Cabinet.

Netanyahu had urged Gantz not to leave on Saturday night. "Don't leave the emergency government. Don't give up unity," he wrote on Platform X, addressing Gantz. "This is the time for unity, not division. We must remain united among ourselves in the face of the great tasks that lie ahead."

The Times of Israel commented that without Gantz's support, Netanyahu would be even more susceptible to the demands of his right-wing religious coalition partners, who are calling for even tougher action against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, for example.

According to the media, the United States wanted Gantz to remain in the Cabinet as long as negotiations on a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages with Hamas continued. As Netanyahu's right-wing religious coalition partners are against a deal, Gantz's presence in the emergency government is of great importance for the success of an agreement.

Former chief of general staff Gantz had recently criticized the fact that important decisions by the leadership to secure victory in the Gaza Strip had not been taken. "A small minority has taken over the command bridge of the Israeli ship of state and is steering it towards the cliffs," said Gantz, referring to Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners.

Among others, Gantz called for the establishment of a US-European-Arab-Palestinian government alternative in the Gaza Strip. Under no circumstances could this be Hamas or Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, he said.

The US wants the Palestinian Authority (PA) to be reorganized and then take back control of the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu rejects this.

Hamas forcibly expelled the PA from the Gaza Strip in 2007.

The army has also recently complained that, due to the lack of a political strategy for the post-war period, soldiers are repeatedly having to fight in places in the Gaza Strip from which the military had actually already withdrawn.

However, Netanyahu has so far refused to present a plan for the administration and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after the end of the war, probably also to avoid offending his ultra-right-wing coalition partners. They are pursuing goals such as highly controversial Israeli settlement construction in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu's political survival depends on them.

The media have speculated that Gantz's return to the opposition could also be due to his declining popularity. For many months, his party had been far ahead of Netanyahu's Likud party in opinion polls.

According to some polls, however, a narrow majority would now favour Netanyahu over Gantz as prime minister for the first time since the start of the war around eight months ago. His party's lead over Netanyahu's has also shrunk recently.

Earlier on Sunday, the Hamas-controlled Gaza health authority increased its casualty estimates from Israel's hostage rescue operation in central Gaza - the event on Saturday that caused Gantz to delay his announcement.

Four Israeli hostages were rescued alive.

On the Palestinian side, some 274 people were killed and 698 injured in the operation in Nuseirat, the ministry said.

Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said that the special forces were under fire throughout the entire operation, which was a long time in the planning. Armed Palestinians had also used bazookas against the troops. One Israeli officer was killed during the operation, it was reported.

Also on Sunday, Brigadier-General Avi Rosenfeld, head of the Gaza Division of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), announced his resignation, taking responsibility for the Hamas attack mounted from the Gaza Strip last year.

"On October 7, I failed in my life's mission to protect the Gaza border communities. Everyone has to take responsibility for their part, and I am in charge of the division," Rosenfeld said in a statement.

"As part of taking responsibility as a commander, I decided to end my position and service in the IDF after 30 years of service," he added. Rosenfeld's resignation will take effect once a replacement has been appointed.
KYODO NEWS - Jun 10, 2024 - 18:10 | All, Japan

Japan's transport ministry inspected the headquarters of Honda Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. on Monday after massive cheating on vehicle certifications by the two automakers and three other companies came to light.

Toyota Motor Corp., Yamaha Motor Co. and Suzuki Motor Corp. also faced on-site probes last week after the five companies said tests for certifications required for mass production were not conducted in line with government specifications.

The ministry will decide whether to impose administrative punishments to prevent a recurrence after the inspections, officials said.

Although the five companies have said their products are safe, the latest misconduct has raised doubts about product reliability across the industry.

A total of 38 models manufactured by the five companies are affected. Six of the affected models produced by Toyota, Mazda and Yamaha are currently on the market, and the ministry has ordered shipments to be halted, it said.

The ministry will lift its order to suspend shipments after confirming that the affected models were able to meet its safety and environmental performance standards. However, it will urge companies not in compliance with the requirements to issue recalls, the officials said.

Tokyo-based Honda said vehicle tests for 22 past models were improperly conducted between 2009 and 2017, including the reporting of falsified data. None of its current models are affected, it said.

At Mazda, headquartered in Fuchu, Hiroshima Prefecture, cases of misconduct were found in its collision and engine output tests for five models, including two current ones, the Roadster RF and Mazda2, the automaker said.

Mazda and Toyota halted the production of a total of five models last week following the shipment ban.

The latest misconduct was unveiled after the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism instructed 85 automakers and parts suppliers to investigate whether certifications were properly acquired, following a series of similar scandals that hit Toyota group firms in 2022 and later.

While some cases of misconduct were found to be malicious, others involved data from tests conducted under more stringent conditions than those specified by the government, yet still deemed unacceptable, according to automakers.

Ken Shiraishi, a professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University who specializes in corporate scandals, pointed out that it is important to make changes to regulations periodically as technology is advancing rapidly.

"There is a lack of dialogue between regulators and the auto industry," said Shiraishi.

Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda told a press conference last week that he wants to work with the government to update the existing certification system to align with current vehicle development methods.

The transport ministry said it will consider changing regulations after examining the outcome of the inspections.

Related coverage:

Toyota, Mazda halt production of 5 models amid certification scandal

Japan gov't inspects Yamaha Motor HQ over improper vehicle tests

Toyota HQ inspected over improper vehicle quality certification
By Mohammed Salem

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - Palestinian couple Mahmoud and Fatima Jarghoun sold their jewellery so they could perform the haj pilgrimage to Mecca - a journey they have been yearning to make for years. But with no way out of the Gaza Strip, their dream has been dashed.

We are living inside a prison. Without the Rafah border, there is no way in and no way out, said Mahmoud Jarghoun, 67, referring to the crossing to Egypt that has been shut since Israel seized it in May during its Gaza offensive.

Jarghoun said the deep disappointment of being unable to make the pilgrimage had compounded the pain inflicted by the war, speaking at his shattered home in Khan Younis, where the floor was strewn with rubble and masonry.

"Unfortunately, we lost our house," he said, estimating repair costs at some $20,000. "Then came the closure of the border and we cant go to haj, we cant go to it. It was two blows at once," he said.

"The pain of the war, the pain of the destruction, the pain of the siege and the pain of not being able to go to haj.

The haj is one of the five basic obligations of a Muslim and every believer who has the means should perform the pilgrimage at least once in his or her lifetime. It begins on Friday.

Palestinians typically wait years for their turn after registering their names with the Palestinian authorities. Jarghoun said they had been waiting almost 18 years.

He said they had "sold everything in our possession, so that we can perform this duty. We are at the end of our lifetime. Unfortunately, the border was closed, closing with it all our hopes to perform this duty".

Fatima Jarghoun, 65, said the couple had been very happy when their names were approved for the haj. But "at the end, all our dreams were gone. We were very, very upset", she said.

Israel has besieged and laid waste to much of the Gaza Strip since launching an offensive in retaliation for the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack that killed some 1,200 people in Israel, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's offensive has killed more than 37,000 people in Gaza, according to the Palestinian enclave's health ministry.

(Writing by Nisreen Bathish and Tom Perry; editing by Mark Heinrich)
A Palestinian child, wounded in an Israeli strike on an area designated for displaced people, is assisted at a hospital in Rafah

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - Hazem Farjallah wails as he lies in the Gaza hospital corridor, his head bandaged and his aunt by his side, days after he was injured by Israeli bombardment and with little prospect of adequate medical care.

Hazem, 10, has not spoken since he was injured in Thursday's strike on a U.N. school being used as a shelter and the shrapnel wounds are visible on his back, chest and head.

"He's been lying on the ground for days. He's supposed to be in the intensive care unit. There are no mattresses," said his aunt, Umm Nasser in a video obtained by Reuters. Hazem is now in a bed but had to manage on the floor until Monday.

His plight shows the dire condition of Gaza's damaged, under equipped and understaffed hospitals eight months into Israel's military campaign against Hamas after the group's attack on Israeli communities on Oct. 7.

The collapse in Gaza's health system in the face of massive Israeli bombardment has complicated a host of other unfolding disasters, from the hunger crisis to spreading disease. It has left those with chronic conditions unable to access basic care.

But the war has also brought sudden influxes of badly injured people to the few remaining hospitals even as they struggle to access medical supplies, overwhelming doctors and nurses coping with restricted space and terrible injuries.

In Al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, where Hazem is lying injured, there are not even enough stands to hold up IV drips. Hazem's aunt said she had had to hold up the packet of medicine so it would flow.

Other injured people in the hospital made the same observation and some could be seen lying with a friend or relative holding aloft the medicine pack.

"We placed the injured along the internal corridors and in between beds. There is no room at all inside this hospital for the injured. We had them sleep in external tents," said Doctor Khalil al-Dakran of al-Aqsa hospital.

There were now four or five times more injured people at the hospital than there were beds for them to use, he said.

LIFE-CHANGING INJURIES

Some of the injured are in critical condition. Raed Abu Youssef's four-year-old son Tawfik was hit in the head with shrapnel during Israel's bombardment of Nuseirat refugee camp on Saturday during the operation to rescue hostages.

He was taken to hospital but was so badly injured that rescuers could not find a pulse and the family believed he had died. Abu Youssef was actually digging the child's grave when he heard news Tawfik was still alive in al-Aqsa hospital.

However, his injuries still threaten his life and will certainly change it.

"It's good we were able to save his life but we can't do more. He would definitely need closer follow up. Part of his brain will be lost," said surgeon Omar Abu Taqia.

"He definitely needs to travel because the resources are limited," he said.

(Reporting by Reuters in Gaza, writing by Angus McDowall)
Boris Pistorius, German Minister of Defense, speaks at the Family Business Day 2024 at the Hotel Adlon. More than 350 shareholders of large family businesses discuss the economic situation and prospects of family businesses at the conference organized by the Family Business and Politics Foundation. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius plans to present his proposal for a new German military service model on Wednesday at both a press conference and before parliament's Defence Committee.

Pistorius has indicated he supports some form of compulsory military service, at least to a limited degree, a controversial issue in Germany.

The country effectively abolished compulsory military or civil service for men in 2011 after 55 years, although German law still provides for possible conscription in the event of war or other tensions.

But Germany's military has faced manpower shortages in recent years and last year shrank to 181,500 soldiers despite new efforts to attract volunteers.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine prompted a reckoning over the state of Germany's depleted military and a pledge from Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government to rebuild the armed forces.

Pistorius commissioned studies of various models of compulsory service. The minister indicated during a debate in parliament that he does not believe that Germany can rely entirely on volunteers for military service.

"I am firmly convinced that it will not work without compulsory components," he said.

Pistorius and other leaders have repeatedly expressed concerns that major investments in the military are needed so that it is adequately prepared to defend the country and Germany's NATO allies.

Pistorius has repeatedly emphasized that Germany must become "fit for war" in order to be able to act as a credible deterrent.
Chairwoman of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) parliamentary group in the Bundestag Alice Weidel (L) and AfD federal leader and parliamentary group leader Tino Chrupalla speak to journalists after the consultations with the newly elected AfD MEPs following the European elections. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

The far-right AfD's second-place finish in European Parliament elections has underscored the party's growing strength and claim on power, the Alternative for Germany's co-leader said on Monday.

Other German political parties have refused to form coalitions with the AfD or cooperate with the far-right populists in government bodies, effectively freezing the party out of power.

"We were already popping the corks yesterday," AfD co-chairwoman Alice Weidel told journalists in Berlin at the AfD's election review. "People want us to take on government responsibility."

Weidel argued that the party's increased support, particularly in eastern Germany, meant they couldn't be kept out of government forever. Three eastern German states are due to hold elections in September, and the AfD ran a clear first place in the region in the European Parliament vote.

"We have the right to govern," she said. "If you look at the results in Saxony, then you know who will be the next state premier."

She also demanded that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz call early elections, given the poor showing by all three parties in his coalition.

AfD lawmakers boot Krah from faction

The AfD candidates freshly elected to the European Parliament voted on Monday to exclude Maximilian Krah - who had been the party's top candidate in the election campaign - from the party's delegation in the European Parliament.

The party had banned Krah from campaigning by the party in the run-up to the vote after Krah found himself at the centre of several scandals.

Excluding Krah from the AfD delegation may be part of an effort to patch things up with other far-right parties in the European Parliament that form the ID bloc, including French politician Marine Le Pen's right-wing populist National Rally.

Krah is facing a criminal investigation into allegations that he may have accepted cash from Russia and China. A former top aide to Krah was separately arrested on allegations of having spied for China.

Krah also made highly controversial remarks to an Italian newspaper in which he said that members of the notorious Nazi SS paramilitary were not all criminals. Those remarks caused outrage, including among far-right politicians in other European countries.

In response to Krah's comments, the ID bloc expelled the AfD from their faction in the European Parliament.

Krah is still expected to take a seat in the European Parliament, and is still a member of the AfD, but will be excluded from the AfD delegation. The party's newly elected lawmakers voted eight to four to kick him out, with three abstaining.

Krah, however, remained self-confident after his expulsion on Monday and called the move a strategic mistake by the AfD, and suggested it might not sit well with local party groups and voters in eastern Germany.

Bystron kept in after denying charges

Unlike Krah, the AfD's number two candidate on the election list, Petr Bystron, will be part of the AfD's delegation in Brussels despite also facing allegations of foreign influence.

Bystron has been linked to a pro-Russian propaganda outlet and, according to a Czech newspaper report, was allegedly captured on audio recordings accepting cash from sources with Kremlin ties.

Bystron strenuously denied the accusations and, according to AfD co-chairman Tino Chrupalla, he gave a sworn statement to his new colleagues on Monday that he had not accepted money and that the allegations against him are all false.

Gains among young voters

AfD co-chairman Tino Chrupalla expressed his delight on Monday over exit polls showing the party making significant gains among young people.

The AfD won an estimated 16% among 16- to 24-year-old voters in Germany, a full 11 percentage points more than during the last European Parliament elections in 2019.

Chrupalla said young people had "used their heads to think" and were "no longer influenced" by public media, a long-time foil of the AfD.

He also claimed that young voters felt that the AfD was "not being treated fairly" and was being "marginalized."

Germany allowed people as young as 16 to vote in the European Parliament elections for the first time this year.

Chrupalla claimed that lowering of the voting age was a "trick by the green populists," but contended that it likely "backfired" and benefited his party instead.

In addition to the scandals around Krah and Bystron, the AfD was also the subject of weeks of anti-right wing mass protests across Germany after news reports revealed that AfD politicians attended a meeting along with far-right extremists to discuss plans to push immigrants out of the country.

But the party apparently weathered the negative headlines to gain ground in the vote, placing second among German voters with 15.9% of the vote and claiming 15 seats.

Newly elected head of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) delegation in the European Parliament Rene Aust pictured after consultations with the newly elected AfD MEPs following the European elections. Britta Pedersen/dpa

Chairwoman of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) parliamentary group in the Bundestag Alice Weidel arrives at a press conference after the European elections. Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Chairwoman of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) parliamentary group in the Bundestag Alice Weidel (L) and AfD federal leader and parliamentary group leader Tino Chrupalla speak to journalists after the consultations with the newly elected AfD MEPs following the European elections. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

The far-right Alternative for Germany's (AfD) delegation in the European Parliament will be led by Rene Aust, newly elected AfD politicians decided on Monday.

The decision comes after the faction voted eight members to four to expel Maximilian Krah from their delegation. Krah had been the AfD's lead candidate in the European Parliament election, but was banned from campaigning by the party in the run-up to the vote.

Aust is the deputy leader of the state-level AfD in the central German state of Thuringia.

Krah has been battered by several scandals, including allegations of accepting funds from Russia and China. A former top aide to Krah was separately arrested on allegations of having spied for China.

Krah also made highly controversial remarks to an Italian newspaper in which he said that members of the notorious Nazi SS paramilitary were not all criminals.

AfD co-chairwoman Alice Weidel announced the decisions in Berlin on Monday, just hours after election results showed the AfD gaining seats and placing second nationwide with 15.9% of the vote.

Krah is still expected to take a seat in the European Parliament, and is still a member of the AfD, but will be excluded from the AfD delegation.

Unlike Krah, the AfD's number two candidate on the election list, Petr Bystron, will be part of the AfD's delegation in Brussels despite also facing allegations of foreign influence.

Bystron has been linked to a pro-Russian propaganda outlet and, according to a Czech newspaper report, was allegedly captured on audio recordings accepting cash from sources with Kremlin ties.

Bystron strenuously denied the accusations and, according to AfD co-chairman Tino Chrupalla, he gave a sworn statement to his new colleagues on Monday that he had not accepted money and that the allegations against him are all false.

Excluding Krah from the AfD delegation may be part of an effort to patch things up with other far-right parties in the European Parliament that form the ID bloc, including French politician Marine Le Pen's right-wing populist National Rally.

Newly elected head of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) delegation in the European Parliament Rene Aust pictured after consultations with the newly elected AfD MEPs following the European elections. Britta Pedersen/dpa

Chairwoman of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) parliamentary group in the Bundestag Alice Weidel arrives at a press conference after the European elections. Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Germany's Scholz under fire after EU election rout by the far right

Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrives to attend the meeting of the Social Democratic Party of Germany Presidium after the European elections. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

The pressure is piling up on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left coalition after its bruising defeat in the European Parliament elections, as the three parties together secured less than a third of the vote.

The main opposition conservatives, the CDU/CSU alliance, came out on top, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) placed second - despite the anti-Islam and anti-immigrant party being embroiled in a series of scandals, official figures showed on Monday.

Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) saw their worst result ever in a nationwide election, a humiliation that was raising questions about the future of his government.

Soder urges new elections 'like France'

The leader of Germany's conservative CSU party in the state of Bavaria, Markus Soder, called for early national parliamentary elections as soon as possible.

"This government is basically finished. And it must now be like France: There have been demands for new elections, there are new elections by Macron," Soder, who is also Bavaria's state premier, told the broadcaster n-tv on Monday morning.

"Our country needs a fresh start," he said. "That's why there should be new elections as soon as possible."

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the dissolution of the National Assembly following the resounding defeat of his party on Sunday evening by the far right.

On Sunday, CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann said Scholz should call a vote of confidence in the Bundestag.

The opposition lawmaker also blamed the coalition for the strong results of the AfD. "[Scholz's] coalition has played a decisive and significant role in the AfD becoming so strong," Linnemann told broadcaster ZDF on Monday.

SPD leader: 'Things have to change'

The SPD said it wants do more to promote the interests of the working class following its defeat.

"Things have to change," SPD party chairman Lars Klingbeil told broadcaster NDR Info on Monday.

"The SPD is going into a mode in which we fight for these people. Of course, this starts now with the budget deliberations and must continue for the rest of the legislative period."

Klingbeil rejected Linnemann's call for a vote of confidence in parliament.

Conservatives in lead

The Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU) garnered 30% of the vote, translating to 29 seats. That is the same seat tally as in the current outgoing European Parliament.

The AfD made significant gains, receiving 15.9% of the vote, up from 11% in the 2019 European elections, giving them 15 seats.

That put the far-right party ahead of Scholz's SPD, which posted 13.9% (14 seats) in what was the worst showing in a democratic nationwide election in more than a century for the centre-left party, which has historically been one of the dominant forces in German politics.

The Greens slipped to 11.9% (12 seats), significantly down on their 2019 result of 20.5%, while junior coalition partner FDP, which is known for their business-friendly stance, received 5.2% (five seats).

The newly founded populist party Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) hit 6.2% for six seats, while the far-left The Left party tumbled to just 2.7%, or three seats.

In the AfD strongholds of eastern Germany, the party led the field.

A record-high 64.8% of those eligible to vote in Germany did so, the highest turnout in a EU vote since reunification, Federal Returning Officer Ruth Brand said as provisional official results for the country were announced.

Gains for far-right in local elections

The far-right AfD secured big victories in eastern states that held local elections on Sunday, parallel to the EU election.

In the state of Brandenburg, which surrounds the national capital Berlin, the AfD garnered the largest vote share at 25.7%. That is an increase of 9.8 percentage points compared to the election five years ago. The conservative CDU and SPD followed in second and third place.

In the local polls in neighbouring Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the AfD ousted the CDU from the top spot. The AfD got 25.6% of the vote, which means it almost doubled its share compared to the last local elections. The CDU came in second place at 24%.

The AfD was also projected to have made significant gains in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, which like Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern were part of the former East Germany.

Elon Musk thinks AfD'not extremist'

US tech billionaire Elon Musk, whose only European Tesla factory is located in Brandenburg, spoke in praise of the AfD.

The party has been labelled as right-wing extremist, "but the policies of AfD that Ive read about dont sound extremist," Musk wrote on his online platform X on Sunday.

Musk is politically firmly aligned with the American right. He has repeatedly complained about alleged racism against whites in the US and claimed that US President Joe Biden's Democratic Party supports illegal immigration in order to win elections - ignoring the fact that migrants must first obtain US citizenship in order to be able to vote.

Musk already got involved in European politics last autumn. He circulated a post expressing hope that the AfD would win the European elections.
Germany's Scholz under fire after EU election rout by the right

Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends the meeting of the Social Democratic Party of Germany Presidium after the European elections. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

The pressure is piling up on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left coalition after its bruising defeat in the European Parliament elections, as the three parties together secured less than a third of the vote.

The main opposition conservatives, the CDU/CSU alliance, came out on top, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) placed second - despite the anti-Islam and anti-immigrant party being embroiled in a series of scandals, official figures showed on Monday.

Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) saw their worst result in a nationwide democratic election in more than 130 years at 13.9%, a humiliation that was raising questions about the future of his government.

The next few weeks will now show whether Scholz's ailing government - where internal squabbling among ministers has repeatedly resulted in very public spats - can find new focus.

The three coalition parties together only achieved 31% in the election, compared to 51% in the 2021 German national parliamentary elections. All three coalition parties trailed the scandal-plagued far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Scholz initially remained silent on the results on Sunday evening and strolled through the election party at the SPD's Berlin headquarters as if nothing had happened.

Coalition rejects early election calls

On Monday, Scholz had his government spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, brush aside calls from the opposition for snap early elections.

"The regular election date is next autumn [in 2025], and that's how we plan to implement it," Hebestreit said.

Leaders from Scholz's coalition partners, the Greens and the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP), also pledged to stick with the government and rejected early elections.

"We have a joint government programme, a coalition agreement that we are working on together. And as long as everyone is committed to the working basis, there is no reason to question trust," said Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the FDP.

The centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), and their Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) sister party, came away the big winners in the European Parliament vote. With 30% of the vote, the CDU/CSU finished first - and nearly beat the combined total for all of Scholz's coalition.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz called the results "a complete disaster" for Scholz's coalition, whose policies he blamed for the rise of the far-right.

Bavarian state premier Markus Soder, the CSU's chairman, called for early national parliamentary elections as soon as possible.

"Our country needs a fresh start," Soder told the broadcaster n-tv on Monday morning. "That's why there should be new elections as soon as possible."

SPD leaders defend Scholz despite defeat

During the election campaign, Scholz put himself forward as a face of his party, appearing on posters alongside lead SPD candidate Katarina Barley and receiving top billing at a number of rallies and events.

That led many to wonder if he bears responsibility for the result, the worst since before 1890 for the storied party.

SPD general secretary Kevin Kuhnert defended the chancellor on Monday, arguing that things could have gone even worse without Scholz as a leading face of the campaign.

"We win together and we lose together, that is our joint election defeat," said Kuhnert.

Kuhnert and other SPD leaders said the party needs to do more to promote the interests of the working class following its defeat.

Budget fight brewing for coalition

That could set up a bitter fight among ministers over the shape of the 2025 budget, where major shortfalls remain unaddressed. The Cabinet is due to approve a budget proposal on July 3.

SPD leaders vowed a renewed battle over social spending and other priorities in the wake of the defeat.

"An austerity budget at the expense of social cohesion - that cannot and will not happen with the Social Democrats," Kuhnert said.

The Greens also pledged to press for solutions to the country's problems in the budget, with party co-leader Omid Nouripour on Monday saying that the Greens have a "very, very clear and firm position" in budget talks.

Lindner's FDP, however, has strictly ruled out tax increases or a break from Germany's strict rules against deficit spending. He instead proposed an "update" to the coalition's social welfare policies.

Gains for far-right in local elections

The far-right AfD secured big victories in eastern states that held local elections on Sunday, parallel to the EU election.

In the state of Brandenburg, which surrounds the national capital Berlin, the AfD garnered the largest vote share at 25.7%. That is an increase of 9.8 percentage points compared to the election five years ago. The conservative CDU and SPD followed in second and third place.

In the local polls in neighbouring Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the AfD ousted the CDU from the top spot. The AfD got 25.6% of the vote, which means it almost doubled its share compared to the last local elections. The CDU came in second place at 24%.

The AfD was also projected to have made significant gains in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, which like Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was part of the former East Germany.

Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrives to attend the meeting of the Social Democratic Party of Germany Presidium after the European elections. Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Getting services to people in need often relies on partnerships between government and nonprofits, but reporting requirements can be too onerous

Many Americans celebrate philanthropic donations to privately run institutions of all kinds  from Boys and Girls Clubs to church-sponsored charities  while bemoaning big government.

But they may not realize how heavily nonprofits, especially those providing services for people in need, rely on the public sector for their budgets.

Beginning as early as the 1930s and accelerating during the 1960s, many important social services in the U.S. have been largely funded by government but delivered by privately run nonprofits operating job training programs, health clinics, child development centers, etc.

By the late 1970s, nonprofit social service agencies received almost half their funding from local, state or federal governments. That share gradually grew to over 60% by 2010 and has remained near that level since then.

In my new book, Democracys Hidden Heroes: Fitting Policy to People and Place, I examine the promise and pitfalls of these partnerships between government agencies and nonprofits. By relying heavily on privately run organizations to deliver social services, the government can employ fewer people, reducing the size of its bureaucracy and payroll.

But these partnerships can flounder. Ironically, a key reason is one of the most widely used strategies for improving and tracking the impact of these services, commonly called results accountability.

Funding and flexibility

Heres how results accountability works:

Government agencies specify the desired outcomes of a program or policy initiative theyre funding. They then hold the nonprofits implementing that program accountable for meeting these predetermined goals. For example, workforce and job training programs are asked to report the percentage of their clients who become gainfully employed and retain their jobs after six months or a year.

At the same time, nonprofits are given the flexibility to decide how to achieve the goals. When projects are completed, nonprofits report not only on what they did with the money but what they achieved.

Results accountability may sound like an ideal way to marry the political ideals of a strong government with community engagement. Government leaders gain a way to manage local service providers and to hold them accountable; nonprofits get the funding and the flexibility required to meet the needs of the communities they serve; and legislators can assess the return on investment of government-funded programs.

Keeping track of results is a reasonable goal, but sometimes its at odds with accomplishing as much as possible. SDI Productions/E+ via GettyImages

A failure to align

In practice, results accountability requires three different things that seldom align and are often in short supply.

First, the goals must be clear and agreed upon by all parties. This is particularly difficult in collaborative partnerships where goals often diverge or shift over time.

Second, there must be a way to measure outcomes so they can be reported. But outcome data can be difficult or costly to obtain.

Finally, there must be a way to use evidence regarding outcomes to adjust policy and programs. This step is often missing entirely in systems that are awash in numbers but have little time for careful deliberation on what the numbers mean.

In the course of three decades of evaluating grant-funded programs, I have never encountered a situation where all three of these conditions were met at the same time.

Rigid bureaucratic requirements

I have interviewed hundreds of nonprofit directors and other local leaders who have had to contend with results accountability requirements. In Democracys Hidden Heroes, I share their stories of being caught between rigid bureaucratic requirements and unique community circumstances.

These people work in places where bureaucracy and community networks meet and often collide. They tell stories about receiving funds from multiple government agencies with conflicting rules and requirements. They lament preset performance targets that get in the way of promised local flexibility. They worry that grants will lead them to abandon their core mission as they attempt to satisfy funder goals.

Some grant objectives are so broad, such as promoting a healthy community, that they leave nonprofits wondering how to pick and choose among a dizzying number of potential indicators of success. Sometimes small but important community improvement efforts, such as stream cleanup days or street beautification projects, are expected to be measured by sophisticated outcome indicators that are a bad match for the straightforward work being done.

Nonprofit leaders caution that these metrics do not capture the most important parts of their work and are often costly to collect. They repeatedly explain that reporting requirements take valuable staff time away from helping their clients. In some cases, this reporting and other red tape consumes about two workdays a week.

Government agencies and the nonprofits they fund both feel pressure to highlight achievements. They often avoid mentioning what does not work due to the pressure they feel to look successful, motivated by the need to secure future funding. This leads to a tendency in which they fail to learn from mistakes and make corrections that actually improve the system and help clients.

Every strong nonprofit has at least one strong leader doing a lot of juggling and troubleshooting behind the scenes  including when it comes to reporting requirements. SDI Productions/E+ via GettyImages

Strategies to get things done

More often than you might expect, many nonprofits do achieve their goal of meeting client needs despite all that red tape.

This is because of the often hidden, yet vitally important, role played by the people I consider to be the hidden heroes who work for nonprofits and other community organizations.

Many of the stories I heard were about workarounds, sidesteps and informal agreements that enabled government and nonprofit partners to get things done.

Hidden heroes learn to straddle the distinct worlds of government bureaucracy and community-based services. They become conversant in both cultures and two different ways to talk about this important work. They encourage government experts to see themselves as community members and urge community members to be viewed as experts on their own situations.

When a funders rules do not fit their circumstances, these hidden heroes of social services negotiate alternatives or find workarounds that fit better.

Assessing the entire system

The government and nonprofits are, and have long been, partners in providing social services. But my decades of research have made it clear that these partnerships could do a better job of meeting the needs of low-income people and their communities.

More funding would help, after decades of declining social spending and growing inequality. The U.S. spends less on social services than most higher-income countries.

It also matters how that money is spent.

One of my key findings is that people who need social services often receive them from multiple agencies, some of which are nonprofits and some of which are government-run. How well those agencies collaborate with one another influences the degree to which they successfully assist their shared clients. For example, it makes a difference whether the referral process between agencies works smoothly or if local agencies are duplicating programs while some needs arent being met at all.

Government grants usually fund and evaluate programs one at a time. While that is often necessary, it is also important to assess the entire system and to fund community planning and network development activities so that agencies can work better together to serve client needs.

Metrics that assess outcomes can be helpful, but my research shows why the government, as well as foundations and other private funders, should carefully consider and limit how many things social service nonprofits must measure to meet a grants requirements.

Finally, my research makes clear that that most government policies and programs need to be adapted to the particularities of local communities or of individual clients. The hidden heroes of nonprofit social services organizations play an important role in making that happen.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: David C. Campbell, University of California, Davis

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David C. Campbell has received funding from California state agency funders including the Employment Development Department, the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and the Department of Social Services. Foundation funders include the California Endowment, David and Lucile Packard, James Irvine, Peninsula Community, Miriam and Peter Haas, Walter and Elise Haas, and Sierra Health.
KYODO NEWS - Jun 10, 2024 - 16:43 | All, Japan

Former Empress Michiko has recovered from a mild coronavirus infection after testing positive the previous week, the Imperial Household Agency said Monday.

The 89-year-old was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on June 3 while experiencing symptoms including coughing and throat discomfort, but her condition has improved and results from a PCR test conducted in the morning came back negative.

She will resume her daily activities while monitoring her condition, the agency said.

Her husband, former Emperor Akihito, 90, has tested negative for the virus.

He stepped down from the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Emperor Naruhito.

Related coverage:

Japan emperor, empress's rustic holiday photos show relaxed side

Japan's imperial couple to visit Britain as state guests from June 22

Japan's Princess Yuriko, oldest imperial family member, turns 101
Before the Gilbert Goons were the Devil Dogs. Why the town could've seen the Goons coming

Twenty-five years ago, the town of Gilbert created a human relations commission to tackle a rash of violence by a white supremacist gang of teens called the "Devil Dogs."

The commission was intended to address social issues that led to the outbreak of violence at a time when Gilbert was experiencing explosive growth. The hope was to prevent more brutality.

But in 2017, the Gilbert Town Council decided to disband the human relations commission and replace it with an ad hoc task force to address problems only on an as-needed basis. The task force wasn't put into action until five years later, in 2022, after tensions flared on a busy Gilbert street corner between opposing groups of pro-police and anti-police violence protesters.

Now Gilbert has experienced another outbreak of teen violence  this time by a group known as the "Gilbert Goons"  that has been connected to the fatal beating of Preston Lord, 16, at a Halloween party in Queen Creek.

The task force will begin tackling the issue of teen violence in June and, later this year, will make recommendations to the Town Council on how to address it.

But some observers say the Gilbert Goons attacks demonstrate why Gilbert should bring back the commission permanently to address social issues before they blow up into a crisis instead of attempting to deal with them after they are already a problem.

"Would a human relations commission have stopped the Gilbert Goons? It probably wouldn't have. But they probably would have been having conversations (about teen violence) prior to a young man losing his life," said Andre Miller Sr., second vice president of the Arizona chapter of the NAACP and the pastor at New Beginnings Christian Church in Mesa.

The Gilbert Goons attacks underscore that the mostly white affluent community about 25 miles east of Phoenix is not immune to the issue of teen violence, which has plagued Black and Brown communities but has not been adequately addressed, Miller said.

"When you look at teen violence, it does cross racial lines, it does cross social economic lines and it's something that we as a community have to come together to have discussions about," Miller said.

Miller said he was speaking for himself as a pastor and community organizer. He said the state conference of the NAACP is "in support of anything that will highlight disparities and will further the cause of justice, regardless of race."

Floyd Galloway, the former chairman of the East Valley NAACP, was one of the people who pushed for the creation of a human relations commission in Gilbert following the Devil Dogs attacks 25 years ago. The Devil Dogs attacks exposed a climate of "racial intolerance" in Gilbert, he said.

He is critical of Gilbert's decision to end the human relations commission and replace it with an ad hoc task force.

A task force is designed to address issues once they are already a problem. A human relations commission, on the other hand, provides a forum for people in the community to identify issues while they are still bubbling up. He pointed out that the Gilbert Goons attacks had been taking place for months or years before Lord's death.

Galloway also noted that Gilbert is the only large community in the southeast Valley without a human relations commission. Most of the surrounding suburbs, Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Mesa, have human relations commissions or advisory panels. Queen Creek also does not have a human relations commission, a spokesperson said.

If Gilbert had a "functioning human relations (commission) they probably could have found out early on about what's going on  (and) you wouldn't have the situation you have now," Galloway said. "If you're going to bring a group of people together after you have an incident, how is that going to really solve the problem? You want to solve the problem beforehand so you don't have a problem."

Sean Warren, who once chaired the Gilbert Community Engagement Task Force  the ad hoc committee that replaced the human relations commission  agreed that restoring a human relations commission is needed. Although technically a town, Gilbert, now nearing a population of 300,000, has grown into a more racially and economically diverse community, Warren said.

"The more ears that we can have to the ground and the more voices that we have going out toward people who oftentimes are overlooked, who feel disenfranchised, who in some ways the culture would think of as the least and the last, I think it's good that we focus on that," Warren said.

What is a human relations commission?

Human relations commissions have a long history and are rooted in the civil rights era of the 1950s and 1960s, said Shannon Portillo, director of Arizona State University's School of Public Affairs.

They were formed by local governments to create a forum for conversations about race relations, Portillo said. Because local elected officials are not often representative of their communities, the commissions were viewed as a way of engaging with people from diverse backgrounds, Portillo said.

"The goal was to have a mechanism within local government to bring people from different backgrounds together to talk about how to productively live in community," Portillo said.

The groups have since broadened their focus, Portillo said. In general, they now primarily serve as a liaison between the local government and the community. In short, they help raise issues local governments should be paying attention to, Portillo said.

Local governments decide what role a commission will play and what authority they will have, Portillo said. They come up with policy suggestions and make recommendations to elected officials, she said. While some human relations commissions have some oversight of police, others do not, she said. Some also help organize or support cultural events and activities to foster better relations in the community, she said.

"It really varies by locality," Portillo said.

Human relations commissions have faced political backlash in some communities, Portillo said.

When they were first introduced during the civil rights era, some "folks who were not a fan of what was being asked for in the civil rights movement were saying that it wasn't necessary, it wasn't the role of local government," Portillo said.

More recently, some local governments have reactivated human relations commissions that had been dormant, Portillo said, in response to protests against police violence that erupted after the murder of George Floyd in 2020.

Some of those commissions have also faced political backlash, Portillo said.

Still, Portillo believes human relations commissions are a good way for local governments to tap into community concerns at the grassroots level.

"There is always a need for local governments to hear from (different) perspectives of their community," Portillo said.

The most effective human relations commissions, Portillo said, are made up of people who represent a broad swath of the community, not just people who have the time or means to volunteer, she said.

For instance, "Are these committees only meeting during the day? That could be really exclusionary for people who have to work during the day. Is there child care provided? Or are there other ways to make it accessible?" Portillo said.

What happened to Gilbert's human relations commission?

The Gilbert Human Relations Commission was created in 2001 in response to the Devil Dogs attacks, said Dawn Price, an assistant town manager.

The gang, an offshoot of an older gang called White Power, terrorized Gilbert residents with a string of assaults and beatings and used white supremacist rhetoric. Members of the Devil Dogs were later connected with a drug trafficking ring led by former mobster Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano.

Mafia hit man and turncoat Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano is escorted to jail by a Phoenix police officer on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, after raids on a criminal syndicate dealing in the designer drug Ecstasy. Gravano was booked into Maricopa County Jail on suspicion of drug trafficking.

In 2016, however, the Town Council conducted a review of all boards and commissions to assess whether they represented a meaningful use of volunteers' time, Price said.

Following the review, in January 2017, the Town Council decided to make several changes, among them to replace the human relations commission with an ad hoc task force "to be convened as needed to address any relevant issues," Price said.

In 2020, Town Councilmember Kathy Tilque began considering convening the task force after tensions in Gilbert flared, stemming from a series of protests by supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement and pro-police responses.

The weekly protests and counterprotests took place at the intersection of Gilbert and Warner roads for weeks and escalated into violence in August 2020, prompting the police to step in to keep the groups apart.

"I was concerned that people in our community were not feeling heard and how to best address that," Tilque said.

Tilque said as she started evaluating the vision for the task force she realized there were a lot of issues the community had not taken the time to understand, in large part because the town had been focused mostly on the community's explosive growth.

The task force was convened in 2022 to address several issues identified through community surveys: domestic violence, human and sex trafficking, mental health, suicide prevention, homelessness, low-income challenges and "ensuring Gilbert is a kind and inclusive community," Tilque said.

"I don't believe that you are truly a well-rounded community until you have time to just stop focusing on growth and those infrastructure needs and look at your changing population and the changing needs within your community," Tilque said. "Sometimes it's lifting up the covers to look underneath and saying, 'Hey, not everything is as perfect as perhaps the perception is.'"

Still, Tilque is unsure whether Gilbert needs to bring back a human relations commission. The task force, she said, provides flexibility to address issues as they come up.

"Until somebody gives me a scope and what are the measurements and the end results that we're looking for, it's hard for me to say whether we need it or not," Tilque said.

After speaking out on protest tensions, invited to join task force

Iya Affo, who is Black, was living in Los Angeles when she visited Gilbert nearly 20 years ago. A positive encounter with a Gilbert police officer after she was pulled over for a cracked windshield convinced her the town would be a good place to raise her three sons.

"I had Black sons and I wanted to go somewhere where I thought my sons would be safe," Affo said. "And then I had an interaction with a police officer, and it made me have a feel for the police culture and I thought this is a place I need to be with my sons."

Affo moved to Gilbert in 2006. After three years of living abroad, she and her family have lived there continuously since 2014.

Her sons, however, experienced several racist incidents while attending public schools in Gilbert, Affo said, prompting her to file complaints.

One son was called a racial slur by a custodian, Affo said. Another was wrongly accused in front of his classroom of writing graffiti that another student later admitted he wrote, she said.

"The only reason that my child would have been accused of it was because he was the only Black kid in the classroom, and the teacher automatically assumed that he was the person that did the graffiti," Affo said.

She also pulled her young son out of one school after he was continuously called racial slurs and humiliated by teachers, she said. She sent him to a charter school.

Dawn Mackay, a Gilbert Public Schools spokeswoman, confirmed complaints were made. She said in a written statement that the district "takes any incidents of racism extremely seriously."

"When an act of racism is identified, it is investigated to its full extent, and district policies and procedures are followed to deliver consequences," Mackay said. "When campus administration becomes aware of an incident, such as in this case, they work with the student and family, as well as our district Hearing Office, and other district teams and support services, to ensure a thorough and detailed investigation, as well as providing support for the student and family."

During the tense 2020 demonstrations in Gilbert between the Black Lives Matter movement and pro-police counterprotesters, Affo, a historical trauma expert and educator, contacted town officials to suggest ways to reduce tensions.

"I kept (saying) to the mayor and the police chief, 'Hey, we need to educate people. We need people to understand about historical trauma, people need to understand about oppression and racism,'" Affo recalled.

Her suggestions prompted town officials to invite her to serve on the Gilbert Community Engagement Task Force.

Affo said her experience on the task force over the past two years did not turn out the way she expected.

"I thought we would have more interaction with community members," said Affo, who supports bringing back a human relations commission.

Instead, the group "really just talked amongst ourselves," made recommendations to the Town Council and then waited to see if any of their ideas would be implemented, she said.

As one task force wraps up, a new one launches on teen violence

The task force wrapped up its work in May, after spending the past two years listening to experts and making recommendations to the Town Council on issues ranging from domestic violence to homelessness.

Eleven new members, including three teens, were appointed at the June 4 Town Council meeting to address teen violence. The first meeting of the new task force was scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, June 10. Four additional members, two adults and two teens, were appointed as alternates.

The new task force will spend six months reviewing recommendations for addressing teen violence that were created by a subcommittee of the Town Council in April. The subcommittee spent four months coming up with the recommendations. The list of 13 recommendations created by the subcommittee include increasing funding for school resource officers, adopting a law barring juveniles from buying brass knuckles, addressing parental responsibility and devoting a page on the town's website to teen resources.

In response to the subcommittee's teen violence recommendations, the Town Council quickly passed an ordinance in May banning the sale and possession of brass knuckles to minors. In addition to the brass knuckle ban, the Town Council passed an ordinance making residential homeowners, commercial landlords and tenants legally liable and responsible for unruly gatherings on their property.

The task force will present a final report in December to the Town Council, which will then decide whether to approve the recommendations.

Warren, the former chair, said serving on the task force showed him Gilbert needs to take a more proactive approach to addressing issues like teen violence and re-establishing a human relations commission would help accomplish that.

"The task force, I think, has really served to underscore the fact that there's a lot of issues and a lot of needs that need to be kept before people all the time," Warren said.

Warren said conversations about social issues facing communities are often uncomfortable. A human relations commission would provide a forum for those conversations to take place, he said

He recalled a recent conversation he had with a Gilbert resident who, at a town meeting, railed against building multifamily rental housing in Gilbert.

Warren approached the man afterward and explained that Gilbert "has the least amount of multifamily housing in the state, practically."

"I said, 'I want you to know that my daughter is graduating from (the University of Arizona) and she can't afford to come back and rent in our area,'" Warren said. "And I would like for my kids' teachers to afford housing in the area and my barista as well."

The man was unpersuaded, Warren recalled. But that's not the point.

"There is this notion that anyone who rents is like this social pariah for some people who want to keep an iron fist on something. I just think that's ridiculous and horrifically limiting of the future," Warren said. "But I also know that people are afraid of change and what I saw was a guy who was just trying to have some element of control in a world that he feels like is spinning out."

Reach the reporter at daniel.gonzalez@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Gilbert Goons' prompt calls to resume human relations commission
Giorgia Meloni posts a photo on social media of herself making the V for victory sign

Giorgia Meloni has emerged as the big winner of the European election results in Italy, with her hard-Right Brothers of Italy party taking 29 per cent of the vote.

That is more than the 26 per cent the party won when it formed the government in the autumn of 2022.

The Italian prime minister hailed her partys success at the polls, posting on social media a photo of herself making the V for victory sign with her fingers.

Thank you! Brothers of Italy has maintained its place as the top Italian party, surpassing the results of the general election (in 2022), she said.

It was the best performance by any party, with the centre-Left Democratic Party in second place with 24.5pc.

Giorgia Meloni's hard-Right Brothers of Italy party won 29 per cent of the vote - GIUSEPPE LAMI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Ms Melonis main frenemy  Matteo Salvini, deputy PM, leader of The League and rival for Right-wing votes  had a bad night, winning just 8.5pc of votes. That firmly cements him as a junior partner in the coalition.

The projected results consolidate Ms Melonis position at home and boost her standing internationally.

Her party has won around four times the vote that it garnered in the last EU election in 2019, illustrating a remarkable rise in popularity.

The strong performance contrasted sharply with the woeful fortunes of Emmanuel Macron in France and Olaf Scholz in Germany, whose parties suffered a drubbing.

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni was a clear winner, as her Brothers of Italy finished first, likely improving on its 2022 national elections results, to also become the biggest party in the far-Right European Conservatives and Reformists group  now the fourth biggest bloc in the European Parliament, said the political consultancy Eurasia Group.

Ms Meloni, along with Marine Le Pen, has emerged significantly strengthened, said Pawel Zerka, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

Giorgia Meloni, with a strong position of her party in the EP (European Parliament) and as a government leader in Italy, will be pivotal in shaping the next EU leadership and the EUs strategic agenda. She can balance cooperation with both the radical Right and the centre-Right on various issues, making her crucial to the EUs direction in the coming years.

Giovanni Orsina, the director of the school of government at LUISS University in Rome, said Ms Meloni has emerged from the elections as perhaps the strongest political figure in Europe, not just in Italy.

She was elected prime minister in 2022 largely because Italians were fed up with the other main parties, all of whom had had stints in government.

The country said, weve tried everyone else, lets give her a go. That was her good fortune. If voters are not in love with you from the start, then they cant fall out of love with you, said Prof Orsina.

Instead, Ms Meloni has successfully cemented her position with the EU election results.

She leads a strong government which can now look forward to two years of relative tranquillity, until 2026 when the country will start gearing up for the next general election in 2027, he said.

Lorenzo De Sio, professor of political science at LUISS University, said: Its a big success for Meloni  she did better in the European elections than she did in the Italian general election which brought her into office in 2022. It confirms and consolidates her leadership of the centre-Right coalition.

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Girls freed from Boko Haram in Nigeria can face further detention and abuse by military, Amnesty report finds

Girls and young women freed from Boko Haram terrorists in northeast Nigeria continue to suffer severe hardships, including unlawful military detention, neglect, and inadequate support to start over, according to a new Amnesty International report.

While protracted military detention has decreased recently, the report released Monday noted that many women still experienced mistreatment.

Titled, Help us build our lives: Girl Survivors of Boko Haram and Military Abuses in Northeast Nigeria, it probes how girls and young women have been abducted, forced into marriage, and subjected to sexual violence by Boko Haram.

Survivors recounted giving birth to children fathered by Boko Haram fighters, often when they were still minors themselves. One young woman revealed that she twice witnessed Boko Haram members execute women who had taken contraceptive pills.

Based on 126 interviews with women and girls aged between 12 and 48 years old, including 82 who survived being abused while children, the report details the atrocities carried out by Boko Haram. The interviews were conducted between 2019 and 2024 in northeast Nigeria, with the majority undertaken in the past year.

Amnesty has contacted several global partners about its findings, including the office of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, urging it to investigate crimes under international law committed by all parties during the conflict in north-east Nigeria.

Amnesty researchers say they spoke to nearly 50 girls and young women who escaped Boko Haram and found their way to government-held territory, risking their lives and those of their children in the process.

However, their horrific experiences at the hands of their captors were further compounded by the hardship they faced once they regained their freedom.

These girls, many of whom are now young women, had their childhood stolen from them and suffered a litany of war crimes and other human rights abuses. They are now showing remarkable bravery as they seek to take control of their future, said Samira Daoud, Amnesty Internationals regional director for West and Central Africa.

Wives of Boko Haram

Among the 126, the Amnesty team spoke to 31 girls and young women who described being unlawfully imprisoned in military custody between 2015 and mid-2023 for periods ranging from a few days to over four years, accused of having allegiances with Boko Haram.

They described being humiliated by soldiers who called them wives of Boko Haram and accused them of being behind killings carried out by the terror group.

Several told Amnesty researchers of enduring beatings while detained by the military. One of them, named NV in the report, said she fled Boko Haram in 2021 when she was around 20. She said she was held for two months in Madagali, Adamawa State, by soldiers.

NV said: When they [soldiers] brought food they gave us a portion in our hand and soup in one bowl for all of us to share As a toilet, they gave us a plastic bag.

Another, called GN in the report, said Nigerian soldiers detained her after they raided the camp where she and others were held by Boko Haram, before being taken to an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp. She had been forcibly married to a Boko Haram fighter while in captivity but remarried while living in the IDP for an extended period.

She later received a call from her Boko Haram husband asking her to come back to him, which aroused suspicion from a neighbor who reported her to security forces, GN said.

Nigerian soldiers detained her in Bama Prison for around one month in the second half of 2021 and beat her with a cane for three days. She was pregnant at the time. The soldiers blindfolded her and transferred her to Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri. GN was unlawfully detained there for around one year, during which she gave birth, the report stated.

By the time she regained her freedom, her Boko Haram husband had sued her and her new husband in sharia (Islamic) court and they were ordered to pay him money, it added.

Amnesty International said it had communicated its findings to Nigerian federal and state authorities.

In response, the Nigerian Defense Headquarters in a statement sent to CNN Monday said the Armed Forces of Nigeria AFN makes it unequivocally clear that, it is a professional military force that operates within the ambit of International law of armed conflict.

Adding that it would encourage Amnesty to approach the military high command to substantiate their allegations. The military has self regulating mechanisms with which it administers the military justice system to address any proven case of misconduct of personnel.

CNN has contacted the Nigerian Army and the Borno State authorities for comment on the allegations.

The Borno State government, under an initiative to reintegrate fleeing and surrendered Boko Haram fighters, gave reassurances that they would not be prosecuted but allowed to stay with their families, including their wives, according to the report.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum promised that Boko Haram fighters would not be handed over to the military and would be provided with services and allowed to stay with their families, including their wives, the report said.

When Amnesty asked girls and young women about the screening process conducted by the military or government authorities after they had exited Boko Haram, none of the interviewees said they were asked whether they had married or joined Boko Haram freely. This failure to attempt to identify victims of forced marriage or trafficking makes it even harder for the women and girls to access the support they are entitled to, the report said.

A decade-long reign of terror

Since 2009, the armed Islamist group Boko Haram has waged an insurgency estimated to have killed more than 35,000 people and displaced two million people in the countrys northeast, according to the UN.

During a reign of terror that spanned more than a decade, Boko Haram launched attacks on families in the northeast of Nigeria, with tactics including suicide bombings, abductions, torture, rape, forced marriages, and recruitment of child soldiers, according to the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect.

One of Boko Harams most notorious abductions was the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014, when nearly 300 students were taken from their school in Chibok, Borno State. This event prompted global outrage and spotlighted the insurgent groups brutal tactics.

Since the Chibok abductions, many more girls have been abducted; most of them were forced into marriage. According to the report, Boko Haram engages in child and forced marriage.

The interviewees described harsh treatment and public punishments and at least 31 girls told Amnesty researchers they were forced to witness lashings, amputations, and beheadings.

One girl referred to as GH in the report, was held captive for about 10 years.

She recounted often being forced to watch violent punishments. Sometimes I dream about the corpses that I saw or the stoning of the women that I saw. Once I open my eyes, I cant go back to sleep again, she said in the report.

Many survivors of Boko Haram told Amnesty that they witnessed Boko Haram killing their relatives.

One young woman, named as CB in the report, said she was abducted at around age 13 in 2014.

One day, Boko Haram  came into our house. They told our father we were non-believers. They shot my father in the back of his head, and the bullet came through his eyes. We started crying. They said if we dont keep quiet, they will kill my mother too, she told researchers.

Kidnapped girls were also forced into sexual slavery and domestic servitude as wives, with at least 33 survivors telling Amnesty they were raped by the men they were forced to marry.

One teenager, named as HA in the Amnesty report, said she agreed to get married to a Boko Haram militant to save her fathers life. She added that she was frequently raped and beaten during the marriage, with other Boko Haram fighters helping her husband as he forced himself on her.

Consequently, many of the girls and young women face long-term issues relating to their health, have had limited access to education, and suffer stigma from their loved ones and their community.

Amnesty says the women and girls are speaking out to seek urgent help and support.

These survivors are overlooked and abandoned. This needs to change  on their terms and with their active and meaningful participation. Their message must no longer be ignored: Help us rebuild our lives.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Rudy Giuliani, former mayor and US attorney, called Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis a ho before making fun of her name at a far-right conference.

Over the weekend, Giuliani referred to the Georgia prosecutor as Fani the ho at the ReAwaken America Tour, videos posted online show.

The former mayor of New York City then complained that the spelling of her name does not align with its pronunciation.

Im not calling her Fani, he told the crowd. I could drop the ho part if shed just quit and go away. The audience roared with laughter.

Watch "America's Mayor" Rudy Giuliani call Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis a "ho," and the Christian audience at the ReAwaken America tour go wild for it last night. pic.twitter.com/yy68oan7lg  Stephanie Mencimer (@smencimer) June 8, 2024

Thats exactly what defendants in Willis case have been trying to do.

Last August, Willis indicted Giuliani, along with more than a dozen others, including former president Donald Trump, in a sprawling RICO case in Georgia relating to alleged election interference in the state in 2020.

Both Giuliani and Trump have pleaded not guilty.

Willis has faced repeated attacks from Trump and his co-defendants since her probe began.

In March, the court dedicated weeks to hearing arguments from Trump and his allies over whether Willis should be disqualified from the case, after they alleged impropriety by Willis related to her romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, a prosecutor on the case.

Throughout the hearings, the pair acknowledged having a previous relationship, but denied that Willis financially benefited from hiring Wade, and emphasized that the pair had started dating after he was hired. The judge ultimately ruled that Willis could remain on the case as long as Wade stepped down. Hours later, Wade submitted his letter of resignation.

Trump and his co-defendants appealed the ruling. Last week, a Georgia court scheduled a hearing on the appeal for October 4, just one month before the presidential election.

The case will likely be put on hold until this matter is resolved, so the election interference case is unlikely to go to trial before the contentious election.

Aside from Willis Georgia case, the former New York City mayor has been dealing with the ramifications in the state. In December, a court found that he defamed two Georgia election workers, leaving him having to pay them nearly $150m, propelling him into bankruptcy.

In recent weeks, he started a new post-bankruptcy business venture: Rudy Coffee.

His self-branded coffee line has come under the scrutiny of his bankruptcy creditors, as Giuliani will be entitled to 80 percent of the net profit of each sale of Rudy Coffee, a contract shows.

But even this new venture cant escape the claws of bankruptcy. His partner in the venture, Burke Brands, a Florida-based maker and distributor of Don Pablo coffee, also filed for bankruptcy almost exactly one year before Giuliani himself did the same, new reports show.

Separately, the embattled former Trump lawyer was also recently indicted in an election interference case in Arizona. The 80-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Whats going up next in Rock Hill, Indian Land and beyond? Here are 10 sites to watch

New construction plans across the Rock Hill region include grocery stores, restaurants, retail and new home subdivisions.

Several large projects await city or county approvals. Others just got them. All would add to a growing area where new addresses have become common.

Here are 10 spots to watch:

A new retail area on Celanese Road in Rock Hill would add restaurant and medical space.

 Rock Hills planning commission approved a site plan June 4 for the Celanese North commercial property at 2990 Celanese Road. The almost 27-acre property now returns to Rock Hill City Council for a final annexation vote.

Developer Warren Norman Company pitched a six-building plan at more than 53,000 square feet of construction. The wooded site with a stream through the middle is on the northern side of Celanese near its Ebinport Road intersection. Its between the Twin Lakes and India Hook roads intersections.

Plans submitted to the county show 9,500 square feet of restaurant space with additional outdoor seating and activity areas. More than 21,000 square feet of retail (which could include another restaurant) would make up the rest of the three-building frontage along Celanese. Two internal medical office buildings would combine for more than 22,000 square feet of space.

A busy Rock Hill developer has new plans for this wooded property off Celanese Road

Warren Norman III told the planning commission in April there was a medical user close to signing with the project. An online listing from the company shows the 27-acre property as part of a larger site that stretches west to Twin Lakes Road. That larger plan shows a 130-unit assisted living center and a 48,000-square-foot office campus to the far west of the project.

One of the two medical center buildings on the smaller site is listed as unavailable, though the company hasnt announced a tenant yet.

A new retail area on Celanese Road in Rock Hill would add restaurant and medical space.

 A new road proposed at the Harris Teeter site in Lake Wylie offers more detail in what will go there. Aston Properties and Durban Development are partnering to build a 60,000-square-foot grocery store with a shopping center near the Five Points area.

York Countys planning commission will look at the road proposal June 10.

Theres a 32-acre property at the northwest corner of S.C. 49, or Charlotte Highway, and S.C. 55 East. Its connected to a 17-acre property north of it. Home Grown Way, which runs through the Paddlers Cove subdivision, would be extended through those two parcels to connect with Charlotte Highway.

Plans submitted with the road request show a central, 13-acre parcel and four outparcels south of the road extension. Three of those commercial sites run along the main intersection corner at S.C. 49 and 55. The other would be along the extended Home Grown Way.

The road extension also would separate 3 acres of the northern property, into a new parcel for development that fronts home lots in Paddlers Cove.

North of the road extension, a 12-acre rectangular property would remain for future development.

Last month The Herald reported construction on the Harris Teeter is expected to begin this year.

The expected opening is fall of 2026. Ted Barnes with Durban Development presented similar plans last month for a Harris Teeter shopping center on Fort Mill Parkway in Fort Mill. Durban said both the Lake Wylie and Fort Mill stores are on a similar timeline for opening.

Harris Teeter plans in Lake Wylie are coming into focus with a new road proposed to serve the site.

 Lennar Carolinas and Williamson Farm Lane applied to rezone more than 290 acres at 1080 Williamson Farm Lane in Lancaster County to allow for a new home subdivision. The application states the project just north of Lancaster would include detached single-family homes, but doesnt indicate how many. T

he rezoning would switch the property from a low density to medium density residential designation. Barring site specific restrictions, county code standards would allow a 291-acre property up to 436 homes with low density listing. At medium density, that number increases to 727 homes.

 BRD Land and Investments applied to rezone 27 acres at 2491 Hwy. 521 Bypass in Lancaster County to create a new residential subdivision. Submitted plans show 58 homes near the intersection of Lancaster Bypass East and Kershaw Camden Highway. The subdivision with three cul-de-sacs and a small central park space would have access off both those highways.

 Moody Group and Barberville Developers applied to create a 12-acre commercial development at the northwest corner of Barberville Road and Fort Mill Highway in Indian Land. A submitted sketch plan shows eight commercial parcels and a common area, in a rectangular development with frontage on both roads. A new private, internal road called Melanie Lane would connect the site. A traffic impact analysis lists a 120-student school or daycare, 18,000 square feet of retail space and 8,000 square feet of office as part of the plan.

 A company affiliated with York Development Group applied to rezone two parcels in The Arches off U.S. 521. Its off Charlotte Highway and Worldreach Drive, part of a 12-acre commercial area that previously announced plans for medical, office and retail space. The new rezoning doesnt list which businesses might go on its 2 acres. The property is in a busy part of Indian Land thats growing with everything from a Costco and Target to a Paris Baguette French bakery.

A business boom at this busy Indian Land intersection continues. Up next, The Arches

 Homebuilding company Taylor Morrison brought the latest section of River Falls to the planning commission in Tega Cay this month for a final plat review. It will add 32 homes on 18 acres at Gold Hill Road and River Falls Drive.

 The former Continental Battery site at 9868 Harrisburg Road in Indian Land could become a McClure Collision Center. The property owner needs a conditional use permit from the county to allow for the body shop. The vacant building would get a paint booth and lift, and six bays for the collision center.

 Progress Holdings applied to build nine homes on 11 acres in York County, in the Newport Acres subdivision. The unaddressed property is west of Adnah Church Road, south of Old York Road.

 Lancaster County applied to rezone almost 7 acres at 2001 Charlotte Hwy. to allow government offices there. The former auto dealership west of Charlotte Highway is north of Montgomery Drive, in Lancaster.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey delivers the State of the State address on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in Montgomery, Ala. (Stew Milne for Alabama Reflector)

Gov. Kay Ivey did something good last year. And as far as I can tell, she never told anyone about it.

As Alander Rocha recently reported, the governors office used a plan submitted to the federal government to increase the monthly benefit paid to recipients of Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) in Alabama from $215 a month to $344.

To put this increase in perspective, Alabama had not raised that payment since 2002.

We believe this will benefit more Alabama children, parents as well as grandparents raising grandchildren, Gina Maiola, a spokesperson for the governor, told Rocha.

No argument here.

TANF goes to people well past financial catastrophe. These are destitute households. And since a person can only receive benefits for five years under the program, adults tend go out quickly. Most benefits go to households where parents are not present.

A single mother with two children who only makes $4,128 a year  16% of the federal poverty line  earns too much money for TANF. (That, incidentally, works out to $344 a month.)

I dont want to go too far in my praise for the governor here. Several states have raised their monthly benefits in recent years. Alabamas monthly benefit remains well below the national median of $492 per month. (Which is only about 23% of the federal poverty level.)

And in real terms, families on TANF today can buy less than they could 20 years ago. What was worth $215 in 2002 is worth about $375 today.

So this isnt the sweeping anti-poverty measure a state mired in poverty needs.

But its a welcome step forward. In Alabama, never let the perfect be the enemy of the meh.

Out of curiosity, I looked to see if Ivey or her spokespeople announced this benefit increase last year. The governor does not hesitate to share good news, or what she considers good news.

In 2023, Iveys office proudly announced that a company would add 50 jobs in a metro area of over 100,000 people. Near the end of the year, the governor made a labrador retriever an honorary state trooper. (Which, honestly, is kind of cute.)

But there was nothing, as far as I can tell, announcing this attempt to help the poorest of the poor get through life. Nothing that I could find in press releases or general news coverage.

No one said that Alabama, a state sitting on over $100 million in federal money aimed at alleviating the worst conditions people can face, was going to try to ease the suffering of children.

At a minimum, its not something the governor has talked up.

Im not expecting Ivey to join the Catholic Worker movement. Or become a 1993-era Democrat.

But its a reflection of how odd Alabama politics are that a move to feed thousands more children gets less play than a few dozen jobs opening up in an area where roughly 64,000 people work.

I have some theories about why. The Alabama Legislature, for one, treats TANF with suspicion.

Legislators tried for three years during the Trump administration to try to cut off TANF benefits after 36 months. Theyve tried to prevent TANF from going to people with criminal convictions. (You can leave a criminal past behind; you cannot stop being hungry.)

Giving a few hundred dollars a month to a hungry family warrants microscopic oversight. Throwing cash at foreign factory owners with a leaf blower does not.

In cold, tactical terms, it may not be politically wise to give a legislature hostile to public charity any sign that youre improving a program aimed at assisting the poor.

But there are plenty of other examples of the powerful in Alabama trying to downplay good news, or even spin it as a bad thing.

Over 120,000 more Alabamians signed up for health care coverage this year than in 2023. State officials havent said anything about that.

Back in 2014, Alabama Power announced plans to shut down coal plants in the state. The move cut carbon emissions a little and sulfur pollution a lot, part of new federal rules aimed at slashing mercury levels.

Instead of playing up all those benefits  or mentioning that natural gas was getting cheaper than coal  the utility highlighted the $1 billion cost of complying with the regulations over three years.

(A cost that was less than one-fifth of their yearly revenues.)

A power structure that thrives on a siege mentality; that feels the need to communicate that its unyielding; that views the needy as dangerous  that structure cant see the value of doing positive things for Alabamians at the margins.

This means we live in a state led by people who seem to think that using the government to make a persons life a little easier is a sign of weakness.

And that may be why we see so little of it.

The post The good news that Gov. Kay Ivey didnt share appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
GOP congressional candidate in Georgia walks out on debate, leaves opponent alone on stage

What began as a debate between the two Republicans who made the June 18 runoff in Georgias 2nd Congressional District shortly evolved into a monologue.

After making an opening statement Sunday evening, construction superintendent Chuck Hand walked off the Georgia Public Broadcasting stage in Midtown Atlanta, leaving it to Wayne Johnson, the other Republican looking to challenge longtime U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, in the general election in November.

Im not interested in debating the issues of the 2nd District with a man who doesnt even reside in it, Hand said before walking out of the debate sponsored by the Atlanta Press Club.

Johnson, who worked in the Trump administration as head of the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Student Finance, lives in Macon, which is outside the 2nd District. However, federal law does not require members of the U.S. House to live in the district they represent.

After Hands departure, Johnson reminded voters that Hand pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Johnson accused Hand of not being honest with the public about his activities that day.

Mr. Hands depiction of his and his wifes involvement on Jan. 6 is a far cry from what the official record shows, Johnson said.

Johnson spent the rest of the debate fielding questions from two reporters and a moderator on various issues facing the federal government.

Johnson said illegal immigration in general and the nations policy toward asylum seekers in particular need to be brought under control. He said the Venezuelan national accused of murdering 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia campus in February was allowed into the U.S. in 2022 as an asylum seeker.

We have got to get control of this free-wheeling asylum policy ... (and) slam the border shut, he said.

Johnson also said he opposes a proposed $30 billion cut in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) commonly known as food stamps.

Its going to impact low-income families significantly, he said. Its also going to impact the farmers that produce food for SNAP.

Johnson supported eliminating federal support for student loans.

What we need to do is stop making student loans and do defined-amount grants, he said. We shouldnt burden somebody as theyre leaving school with loan obligations. We should empower them with the fact that they got an education.

Johnson defended in vitro fertilization as a wonderful tool for people that are struggling to have children in a nation with a declining birth rate but argued the federal government shouldnt pay for the procedure.

The 2nd Congressional District encompasses Southwest Georgia from Columbus and portions of Bibb County south to the Florida line.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said Monday he will proceed with two new audits of Milwaukee Public Schools after the idea won support from school board members and city leaders, as the school district grapples with an accounting crisis and the departure of Superintendent Keith Posley.

The audits would examine MPS operations and educational practices. Those audits would be separate from the school district's financial audit, which is completed annually by Baker Tilly and is many months overdue.

Evers' administration plans to issue a request for "outside, independent" auditors in the coming days. The Department of Administration will oversee the selection process of the auditors, according to Britt Cudaback, Evers' office's communications director.

Evers, who led the state state Department of Public Instruction before being elected governor in 2018, has only shared broad brushstrokes of his plan, which he first suggested Friday. He said it would be a "similar effort" to an initiative 15 years ago, when then-Mayor Tom Barrett and then-Gov. Jim Doyle obtained an independent evaluation of MPS' finances and operations.

One audit, an operational audit, would look for ways to improve the district's "systems, processes and procedures," according to Evers' office.

The other audit, an instructional audit, would look at "instructional practices, methodologies and policies," including classroom learning environments, staff training, curriculum and leadership.

It's unclear when the audits would begin or end, how much they would cost, or the exact funding source. Cudaback said the timeline will depend on what they hear from potential auditors, but it's likely the operational audit will begin first, "as soon as possible."

A previous press release said funding would come from "federal dollars available between underspending of previously awarded contracts and funding already allocated for Milwaukee that has not yet been spent."

Evers said he was moving ahead after hearing positive feedback on the plan. Support came from state Superintendent Jill Underly, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and Milwaukee School Board Vice President Jilly Gokalgandhi, among others.

"MPS and the greater Milwaukee community must both be supportive of any efforts aimed at getting the district back on the right track if those efforts are going to be successful," Evers said in a statement Monday.

The state Legislature's leading Republicans were more critical. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Friday he expected Evers would put the audits under the control of the DPI, who he referred to as "the same failed DPI bureaucrats who allowed this to happen." Cudaback confirmed Monday that the audits will not be done by a state agency.

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, said he wanted an audit done by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau, adding: "Wisconsinites deserve full transparency and accountability, not a private audit commissioned by the former DPI Superintendent who played a role in creating this disaster."

Gokalgandhi said last week that she welcomed the governor's proposed audits, along with plans by city officials to help the district with its accounting.

"We are really appreciative of the governor's and the mayor's support," Gokalgandhi said. "We look forward to working in partnership to ensure the best outcomes for our kids and our families."

The district is working on a corrective action plan to prove to state officials at DPI that the district should continue receiving tax dollars despite being over eight months late on turning in its financial reports.

DPI Communications Officer Chris Bucher said DPI staff had a "productive meeting" about the plan with MPS Monday.

"We've made a lot of progress toward a strong plan to bring them into compliance, and we are optimistic we will have a corrective action plan in place this week," Bucher said.

MPS board members are also preparing to vote on a budget for the 2024-25 school year and searching for an interim superintendent.

Contact Rory Linnane at rory.linnane@jrn.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @RoryLinnane.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Gov. Evers seeks independent auditors of Milwaukee Public Schools
This file photo shows Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo attending an EU meeting in Brussels, Belgium, April 18, 2024.

Due to his Open VLD party's disappointing performance in legislative elections, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced Sunday evening that he would resign starting June 10. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

BRUSSELS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Due to his Open VLD party's disappointing performance in legislative elections, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced Sunday evening that he would resign starting June 10.

"For us, it's a particularly difficult evening, we have lost. Starting tomorrow, I will be a resigning Prime Minister," he said.

The prime minister congratulated the winners of the elections. His party received 5.9 percent of the votes in the federal elections and 8.1 percent in the regional elections.

According to the first projection published on the Belgian Ministry of the Interior's website, the N-VA would remain the leading parliamentary group with 24 seats, ahead of the MR (22 seats).

The Reformist Movement (MR) achieved a decisive victory in both Brussels and Wallonia (26.1 percent and 29.8 percent of the respective votes so far).

Belgians were called to cast ballots for a new federal parliament, regional parliaments, and members of the European Parliament all on Sunday. 

This file photo shows Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo attending an EU meeting in Brussels, Belgium, April 18, 2024.

Due to his Open VLD party's disappointing performance in legislative elections, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced Sunday evening that he would resign starting June 10. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
The Grand Farm Innovation Shop welcomed visitors to its grand opening on June 10, 2024, near Casselton, North Dakota. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

CASSELTON, N.D.  U.S. John Hoeven said he hopes to host one of the first events at the new Grand Farm Innovation Shop  a field day for members of Congress to come to North Dakota to see the research and innovation in agriculture.

He said he wants to show the nation we are the lead dog in precision agriculture.

Hoeven was among the elected officials and farm and business leaders at Mondays grand opening of the first building at Grand Farm, the culmination of years of work among a variety of partners to create a space dedicated to innovation and automation in agriculture.

Greg Tehven, board chair of Grand Farm, highlighted the many patterns in the project, coming from agribusiness, technology and university research.

Greg Tehven, chair of the Grand Farm board, speaks at the opening of Grand Farms Innovation Shop on June 10, 2024, near Casselton, North Dakota. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

Tehven is the CEO and co-founder of Emerging Prairie, which took the lead on creating a farm of the future for innovation, research and collaboration.

The 25,000-square-foot Innovation Shop will host groups and demonstrate agriculture technology, such as drones and robots that can weed sugar beet fields.

There are also investment partners such as banks, a $10 million state grant and entrepreneurs such as Gary Tharaldson, who commended Tehven for his leadership.

Greg is the most motivated kid Ive ever seen, he told the crowd.

Tharaldson became one of North Dakotas wealthiest people in the travel and hotel business, but also invested in an ethanol plant just on the other side of Interstate 94 from the Grand Farm campus.

Im from North Dakota, I want to do things in North Dakota that make the state better, he said.

Tharaldson later called the crowd a whos who of North Dakota, with remarks from a wide range of speakers from Gov. Doug Burgum to North Dakota FFA President Ty MacDonald of Bismarck.

Among the advancements being discussed is driverless trucking with CHS, a recently announced partner in the Grand Farm project.

David Black of CHS, a Minnesota-based co-op with brands such as Cenex, noted the semi-trucks parked outside the building that are part of a pilot project on autonomous trucks.

CHS is using technology from Kratos Autonomous Systems, a Florida-based defense contractor, for a leader-follower trucking system  with the lead truck using a driver and the following truck being automated, taking its cues from the lead truck. While in the testing phase there is still a driver in the follower truck, but the goal is to build autonomous trucks into the CHS fleet and apply the technology off-road, as well, Black said.

Gary Tharaldson speaks at the opening of Grand Farms Innovation Shop on June 10, 2024, near Casselton, North Dakota, while sharing the stage with Gov. Doug Burgum. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

Black said it will use the leader-follow trucks on regular routes between Fargo and Minot, hauling inputs for agriculture, such as fertilizer.

It is testing the system in southern Minnesota, too, hauling soybean oil between Fairmont and Mankato.

Kratos also is working with the Minn-Dak Growers Co-op based in Wahpeton for automated trucks to help haul sugar beets from piling stations around Richland County to its processing plant in Wahpeton.

Black said the CHS-Kratos connection was made at Grand Farm, the kind of collaboration of the project hopes to foster.

Even without a building, Grand Farm has been hosting events to share ideas, experiments and to network under tents and on wagons touring research plots.

This facility will be extremely beneficial for our farming community, said Vanessa Kummer, a Grand Farm Grower Advisory Board member from Colfax. Its an incredible resource that will help us stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry.

When Microsoft announced a $1.5 million investment in North Dakotas Grand Farm innovation project in 2019, this was all a white board, Mike Egan of Microsoft said Monday of the new building.

A sign outside the Grand Farm Innovation Shop highlights high-level partners of the project. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

Egan said there is often vision for futuristic projects, but commended Tehven and Grand Farm for its execution of an idea.

This is a field of dreams, Egan said.

William Aderholdt is the executive director of Grand Farm. This facility represents our dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in agriculture through technology. By providing a space where growers, startups, corporations, researchers, educators, and government can collaborate, experiment, and bring their ideas to life, we are taking a significant step towards a more sustainable and efficient agricultural future, Aderholt said.

Mondays event kicks off AgTechWeek in Fargo, with several events revolving around ag innovation.

The post Grand Farm celebrates first building to foster ag innovation appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority (MTAA) is planning a special ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand-new terminal at a local airport.

Curtis Sneden, director of development with the MTAA, told 27 News in a written statement that the ceremony will happen at 10 a.m. on July 2 at the new terminal at 3600 NE Sardou Avenue in the Oakland neighborhood. Local community leadership, aviators and representatives of the Topeka Chamber of Commerce are all expected to be in attendance.

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The owners of the new terminals restaurant, SKY, will also be on hand to show off their services and food. Co-owner Chris Stemler said the restaurant will open on July 2 to start offering people breakfast and lunch options with dinner coming at a later date.

The restaurant will be open initially from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Monday to Sunday with dinner hours from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays starting after Friday, July 12. Stemler also hopes to offer customers happy hour options on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Fireworks show set to kick off summer in SE Topeka

One other announcement Stemler shared with 27 News is of a new partnership between SKY and the Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging. This partnership focuses on the agencys CHAMPSS meals which give older adults less expensive and even free dining options.

27 News covered the announcement of SKY as the restaurant of choice for the new terminal in early May. The restaurant is branded SKY by Day for breakfast and lunch and Sky by Night for dinner. Its menu will have Cajun/Creole options, paired wines and cocktails and more with staff focusing on delivering a high-service dining experience.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
A campaign photo of JP Lyninger, who won the District 6 Louisville Metro Council Democratic primary in May.

Louisville Metro Council candidate JP Lyninger captured a historic win May 21 when he defeated incumbent Phillip Baker in the Democratic primary.

He is now poised to cinch the District 6 seat in November as the only candidate on the ballot and would become the first person to win a council seat campaigning as a democratic socialist  an ideology that has had a stigma in the U.S.

Lyninger credits his grassroots methods  which were sometimes unorthodox  for capturing 48.7% of the vote in his three-way primary race, something political experts say can be important in smaller local elections.

And while his opponents say they also used some of the same tactics, some experts speculate younger voters may be ready for Lyninger's "more radical approach."

As Lyninger anticipates his likely position on Metro Council, here's what to know about him and his campaign.

Louisville Democratic Socialists of America get first win

Democratic Socialists of America identifies its ideology as a system where ordinary people have a voice, and it aims to collectively own "key economic drivers" like energy production and transportation. It also describes capitalism as "exploitative."

Locally, the Louisville Democratic Socialists of America chapter has been building "capacity and momentum" for years, Lyninger said. But the group has struggled to obtain legislative seats.

Another democratic socialist, Joshua Alexander Crowder, ran to represent District 4 in last month's Democratic primary but ultimately lost to Ken Herndon. Robert LeVertis Bell and Ryan Fenwick also ran for Metro Council as democratic socialists in 2020 but did not win.

This year, that changed.

Lyninger campaigned on advocating for the working class and reversing "economic and racial inequity" by bringing LG&E into public ownership, funding public transportation and investing in housing, among other ideas.

He encouraged supporters to get involved in ways that made sense for them  whether it be canvassing or hosting an event. And he emphasized small donations over wealthy supporters, with a majority of his campaign contributions coming from individuals who donated $100 or less.

Lyninger also ran a unique fundraising challenge, telling his supporters if they raised over $2,000 through a specific form, he would get his first tattoo  a Democrat Socialists of America mascot named "Bud" now inked on his arm.

Lyninger emphasized the importance of talking to voters and sharing policy details with them through his campaign. His team knocked on doors and attempted to talk to voters about 12,000 times.

"In this campaign, we talked to people about big problems we have in Louisville," he said. "I tell people, 'I'm just some guy. I don't have a magic wand.' There's nothing that I can do by myself. But what we can do together  if we organize, if we work together as a district, as a city and build that power in the working class and the capacity for the working class to engage in the civic process  there's nothing we can't change."

Did grassroots campaigning push Lyninger ahead?

District 6 resident Steve Magre, who is also on the German-Paristown Neighborhood Association, said Lyninger was at his house on three different occasions.

"You really just have to work to get the vote out, if you will  and so I think the formula that JP followed and implemented  it's was the way to do it. And the numbers show that. He really won by a pretty good margin," said Magre, a former Louisville alderman who remembers the thrill and intensity of running in primaries. "It's really kind of odd ... (Baker) was a very effective council person, as far as we were concerned, meaning the neighborhood association, and certainly as far as I was concerned."

JP Lyninger canvassers in front of the Old Louisville Coffee Co-op.

In an interview after the election, Baker said he knocked on doors about 5,000 times, sent out mailers, put up signs and had billboards, all while working at Jefferson County Public Schools and serving as the current council representative.

Baker raised thousands more dollars than Lyninger, with $19,000 from individuals and another $22,500 from himself, transferred over from a previous campaign. Grow Louisville Together also spent at least $27,000 in advertisements and other expenditures to promote Baker.

Lyninger raised nearly $17,000 from individuals and had personal loans to himself amounting to an additional $10,000.

Baker was appointed to the District 6 seat after former councilman David James became a deputy mayor in Mayor Craig Greenberg's administration. Baker won a general election against Republican Judy Martin Stallard in November, then immediately had to run again as a candidate in an "even seat" council district.

This was his first Metro Council primary, and he ran on creating a cleaner, safer and more vibrant district. Baker was also endorsed by Governor Andy Beshear, Mayor Craig Greenberg and Congressman Morgan McGarvey, according to his website.

"My biggest thing is, no matter what happened, the people have spoken," Baker said. "I'll support their decision and I'll continue to be involved. I'm committed to service no matter in what capacity."

Baker finished with 29.5% of the vote, about 8% ahead of the other District 6 candidate, Kate Dittmeier Holm.

While knocking on doors is important  especially talking to the same people multiple times  it is not necessarily just a numbers game, said University of Kentucky political science professor Stephen Voss.

"Grassroots campaigning isn't just about the score  number of doors knocked, number of hands shaken  operations will be more or less effective depending on how well they're targeting the right voters, whether they pay multiple visits ... repetition can help," he said.

There is a possibility Lyninger's messaging connected better with voters and the electorate had a taste for his democratic socialist ideology this Metro Council race, Voss said. Younger generations are more supportive of socialism as a concept and have less negative associations with it than older generations, who sometimes associate it with undercutting people's work ethic or failing in other countries.

"Among younger voters, the word 'socialist' has lost some of the onus that used to be on it when it was associated with the Soviet Union," he explained.

Lyninger will be the only name on the ballot in November for the District 6 Metro Council seat, said Jefferson County Clerk's Office communications director Ashley Tinius. No independents registered to run by the June 4 deadline. There will also be a space for voters to write-in a candidate.

The general election is November 5.

Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@courier-journal.com or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville elects its first democratic socialist candidate to office
Last week, a college student majoring in ecology asked what my favorite turtle is. My answer: the diamondback terrapin. Anyone who has held this charismatic creature would agree its hard to find a more captivating turtle.

Terrapins, the only U.S. turtle that lives exclusively in coastal brackish waters, are highly variable in color, ranging from black to milky gray, sometimes with splashes of yellow, green or orange. Brightly colored, concentric diamond-shaped markings often adorn the upper shell.

More: Why do we use scientific names for animals? | ECOVIEWS

Despite their charm, terrapins are on the decline in many tidal saltmarsh ecosystems throughout their geographic range, from Cape Cod to Corpus Christi.

I recently received a questionnaire about terrapins from a conservation organization. Their goal is to seek stronger protections for the diamondback terrapin. They wanted to know if I had any insight on the species based on previous ecological research. Below is the Q&A.

Whit Gibbons is professor of zoology and senior biologist at the University of Georgias Savannah River Ecology Laboratory.

Q. Of the terrapin populations you have worked with, would you say that their numbers are increasing, stable, or declining?

A. In 1983, researchers began studying terrapins in the salt marshes around Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Scientific publications based on four decades of research demonstrate unequivocally that dramatic population declines have occurred in the last few years. Colleagues from other parts of the country have also reported declines in terrapin numbers.

Q. In your opinion, what are the most severe threats to the diamondback terrapin?

A. The first threat is unregulated, unchecked coastal development. This results in land erosion that leads to heavy silt loads, loss of nesting habitat near salt marshes and increased road traffic (which means increased highway mortality of terrapins). The second is unnecessary terrapin deaths because of commercial (and to some degree, recreational) crab traps that are not fitted with an exclusion device. These devices do not hamper the entry of crabs, but do prevent terrapins from entering.

Q. Which threats do you believe will be the most difficult to resolve. Why?

A. I think both these threats will be difficult to resolve because of privileged attitudes, pursuit of the almighty dollar and an aversion to government oversight. Some developers spend millions every year to skirt the spirit of environmental laws without regard for negative ecological impacts.

Crabbers may care about their impact on terrapins but they worry that government regulations will reduce their profit margin. A simple exclusion device consisting of a metal bar placed vertically in front of a crab trap opening will prevent most terrapins from entering  and drowning  without hindering entry by blue crabs, which will turn sideways to get into the trap. Requiring crab traps to have an exclusion bar installed before sale would alleviate the need for commercial and recreational crabbers to outfit their own traps. And save terrapin lives.

Q. Are there particular populations you are most concerned about?

A. Of particular concern are those in any state where legal safeguards fail to protect terrapin habitats from development and individual animals from drowning in crab traps. What matters for the terrapins is where the species lives  and whether citizens in the area want to protect terrapins.

Diamondback terrapins, arguably one of the most beautiful reptiles in the U.S., are the only turtles restricted to coastal saltmarsh habitat. Photo courtesy

Q. What conservation action is most critical to protect diamondback terrapins from further declines?

A. Environmental education is one of the most effective tools for instilling positive conservation attitudes in the general public. For example, when people are taught that diamondback terrapins take up to 10 years to reach maturity, live up to 40 or 50 years in the wild and are a vital component of the saltmarsh habitat,, they become advocates for these magnificent creatures.

Widespread education programs in coastal areas can accomplish this. Informing local communities of negative impacts on terrapins that can be reduced or eliminated will have powerful, far-reaching effects. As with most conservation issues, shedding light on a problem can be an effective approach. It puts perpetrators in the position of having to publicly defend their actions, which isnt always easy to do.

Whit Gibbons is professor of zoology and senior biologist at the University of Georgias Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. If you have an environmental question or comment, email ecoviews@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What we should do to save diamondback terrapins | ECOVIEWS
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) compared former President Trump to Jesus on Sunday while speaking about his recent conviction for covering up a 2016 payment to a porn actor to help his electoral chances

The Democrats and the fake news media want to constantly talk about, Oh, President Trump is a convicted felon, Greene told Trump supporters during a rally in Las Vegas. Well, you want to know something? The man that I worship is also a convicted felon, and he was murdered on a Roman cross.

Trump was convicted last month of falsifying business records in a New York hush money trial, making him the first president in U.S. history to become a convicted felon. Trump has said he plans to appeal the conviction.

Greene previously compared Trump to Jesus before his arraignment in New York last year.

Trump is joining some of the most incredible people in history being arrested today. Nelson Mandela was arrested, served time in prison. Jesus  Jesus was arrested and murdered by the Roman government, Greene said in an interview with Right Side Broadcasting.

Republicans have lashed out against Trumps conviction, and the Trump campaign has used it to inject new cash into his operations. The Trump team reported raising $35 million just hours after the verdict came in.

Despite the conviction, polling largely shows Trump outperforming President Biden in many battleground states.

Trump is scheduled to meet for a presentencing interview Monday, with his sentencing set for next month, just days ahead of the Republican National Convention.

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The Greenville County Sheriffs Office announced the identification of a person killed about 50 years ago in a cold case investigation.

At a Monday morning news conference in front of the Greenville County Law Enforcement Center, Sheriff Hobart Lewis announced the Sheriff's Office had identified the body of a man discovered at 11 a.m. on Jan. 4, 1975.

The body was found by a hunter off Highway 20 near Blakely Road in Northern Greenville. The Greenville County Coroners Office investigated the body and ruled the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and strangulation. When it was discovered, the body was found wrapped in a sheet and smoldering, indicating it had been set on fire, the Coroner's Office said.

Sheriff Hobart Lewis during a Monday morning press conference

For years, the body was labeled as Mr. X and was placed in a Potters field, a graveyard for unmarked or unidentified bodies.

In 1976, a man named Jackie Anderson was arrested in connection with the murder. Due to insufficient evidence, the case was dismissed. Anderson has died and Mr. Xs identity was still unknown.

Greenville County Sheriff's Office seal on podium during press conference

In July 2020, the GCSO Cold Case Unit partnered with the Greenville County Coroners Office to exhume the body to identify the victim. The coroners office sent the bodys skeletal remains to the National Unidentified Missing Person System, colloquially known as NamUS.

In February, they identified Mr. X as Oscar James Nedd of White Plains, New York. Nedd was born on April 19, 1951, in Georgia and moved to New York for a college education in journalism.

Investigators identified the body with the help of the White Plains Police Department. The law enforcement agency in New York said evidence linked to the homicide matched the evidence they had after investigating Nedds missing person report dating back to 1975.

More: Man arrested after being accused of firing a shot into an apartment's leasing office

The GCSO believes Nedd was murdered in New York and brought to South Carolina for an unknown reason. Lewis said the homicide unit has solved 11 cases since its inception in 2020.

The identification is a step toward justice for Oscar James Nedd and brings closure to his family, Lewis said.

Law enforcement officials in New York are investigating Nedds murder.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Greenville sheriff's office identifies body in cold case
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Investigators have learned what happened to a man who was mistakenly released from prison after raping multiple children in the Grand Rapids area and elsewhere in the country in the 1960s and 1970s.

When Erma (Shaw) was 12 years old, in 1978, she was the victim of a sex crime. A heinous crime, Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Eric Winstrom said during a Monday afternoon press conference.

A file booking image of Tommie Lee Hill, AKA Abdulla Muhammad. (via Silent Observer)

GRPD Officer Joe Garrett, who is assigned to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, said Tommie Lee Hill began raping children in the 1960s. While in prison in Terra Haute, Indiana, in 1976 and 1977, his wife would bring his stepdaughters to visit and he had sex with them in the prison yard, GRPD said.

How parents can recognize and prevent child abuse

In 1978 in Grand Rapids, he raped Shaw, his stepdaughter, and impregnated her. On Jan. 31, 1979, the day of his conviction, he escaped police custody.

He said he was thirsty and went into the womens bathroom and then from there escaped authorities during sentencing. He had a getaway car and was gone for the foreseeable future, Garrett said.

Hill was later picked up in Mississippi and sentenced back to prison in Terre Haute. But Garrett said there was a paperwork error and Hill was let go.

Authorities have been looking for him ever since.

In 2017, Shaws case was transferred from the FBI to Garrett. He began working with Shaw to find Hill.

We ran a story then and got one tip  a Silent Observer tip  at that point, but not a lot of help on this, Garrett said.

Garrett said they finally caught a break with a genealogy trail that led them to Pittsburgh, where they knocked on doors.

Genealogy sites lack diverse DNA, struggle to ID people of color

We finally met one contact that gave us a timeline. This gentleman had changed his name to Abdualla Muhammad. He was a serial rapist, Garrett said, adding that Hill had multiple identities including four social security numbers.

That led them to Pittsburgh police archives on April 23. Garrett said they found pictures of Muhammad. Garrett showed the photos to Shaw, and she confirmed that was the man.

He was shot in the back of the head, Dec. 4, 1983, by a man named Vernon Phipps after he touched Vernons sister, Garrett said.

Garrett said that he was fingerprinted on Dec. 5, 1983, but no record for him populated at the time.

Erma Major Shaw speaks to reporters at Grand Rapids police headquarters on June 10, 2024.

Shaw joined Garrett and Winstrom at the news conference.

The fact that Tommie had gotten away for so many years, on my heart, I knew that if he was still alive, he would still be victimizing children. And because of social media, I thought that I would create and write my own book (called Truth Tella $7,000 REWARD), Shaw said.

She thought the $7,000 reward would be an incentive for anyone who knew where Hill was dead or alive to contact law enforcement.

What is so unique is on page 75, I said He can change his name, but what he cant change his DNA. And what if he left the evidence many years ago before technology was created that would lead to the capture or the right information about his death? So, I consider that to be very prophetic for me to have written that in 2018 as that was definitely part of the catalyst of why we are here today Shaw said.

Child abuse resources available in Kent County

 Forty-six years it may have taken us to really identify where he was, but the justice was served, and in a lot of ways he did it to himself, she said.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A man went to the hospital after he was shot Sunday afternoon in Grand Rapids, police say.

The shooting happened around 3:30 p.m. on Cooper Avenue SE near Alexander Street SE, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department.

The man who was shot was dropped off at a nearby hospital and treated for an injury that was not life-threatening, according to police.

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Its not clear what led up to the shooting but GRPD says no suspects are at large.

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Burleigh County residents use touch-screen voting machines during the 2024 primary election on June 5, 2024, the first day of early voting at the Bismarck Event Center. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Tuesday is primary day in North Dakota, with contested Republican nominations for governor and U.S. House dominating political discussions. Several communities also have incumbent state lawmakers facing primary challenges.

Heres what to know about casting your vote and whats on the ballot.

Whats on the ballot?

Statewide citizen-initiated measure on congressional age limits.

Voters will narrow down the candidates for state superintendent of schools from four to two.

Races within the Republican and Democratic-Nonpartisan League parties for statewide offices and legislative seats.

Local races for offices such as city officials, school boards, county commissioners, park districts and judgeships.

To find a sample ballot, go to the North Dakota Secretary of States office: www.sos.nd.gov/elections/voter/ballot-information

Do I need to register to vote?

No, North Dakota does not have voter registration.

Coming Tuesday

Visit northdakotamonitor.com on Tuesday for Election Day updates.

How do I know if I am eligible to vote?

U.S. citizens, at least 18 years of age who have lived in their districts for at least 30 days before the election are eligible to vote.

Where and when can I vote?

Find out on the Secretaryof States website at www.sos.nd.gov/elections/voter/voting-north-dakota/where-do-i-vote

Polls will close by 7 p.m. local time but voters who are in line at a polling location when it closes will still be allowed to cast a ballot.

What do I need to bring?

There are four acceptable forms of identification: A North Dakota drivers license; a non-driver state-issued identification card; a tribal ID or a tribal letter. Other forms of identification, such as a passport, out-of-state license or student ID, are not acceptable.

What if my ID doesnt have my current address?

Bring a government document, bank statement or utility bill with your name and address.

What cant I bring?

Not allowed within 100 feet of the polls are fliers or printed information about the candidates or issues and clothing or buttons endorsing a candidate.

Do I have to fill out the entire ballot?

No, and you can vote for fewer than the maximum number of candidates.

Do I have to vote along party lines?

For partisan races, yes, only votes for candidates of one party.

What if I make a mistake?

Ask an election official for a new ballot. If an improper vote is detected, such as voting for more than the allotted number of candidates, the ballot will not be counted for that race, but will be for others.

Where can I learn more about the candidates?

The North Dakota League of Women Voters has a voter guide at www.vote411.org/lwvnd.

You can find archived stories from the North Dakota Monitor about statewide races and issues on our North Dakota Election 2024 page.

What if I see something that I think is wrong?

Talk to the county election officer or call the North Dakota Secretary of States Office at 701-328-4146.

What if I still have questions?

For more information about North Dakota elections, visit vote.nd.gov, email soselect@nd.gov, or call 701-328-4146.

The post Your guide to North Dakotas primary appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
Hackers stole thousands of dollars from Pueblo County needy families: Here's what we know

Stories of anxiety and heartbreak are swirling around the surprise and seemingly well-orchestrated hacking this week of assistance benefits received by Pueblo County residents.

Funding for food that came through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is missing from some Pueblo County residents' accounts. Payments to some customers of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Family recipients have vanished.

Victims are left trying to figure out how to feed their families, and get expensive insulin for diabetic children or diapers for their infants. A total of 135 cases of theft have been reported by Pueblo County Department of Human Services benefit recipients this week totaling $73,991 in losses.

According to the Pueblo County Department of Human Services, as of Friday afternoon, local residents affected include 24 adult financial customers who reported $16,723 in losses; 40 Temporary Assistance for Needy Family Colorado Works customers totaling $19,344 and 71 food benefit customers getting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits totaling $37,923.

A victim's story

One of the victims is Amanda Welty-Soto who is raising two children and going to college in Pueblo. The 39-year-old is working toward becoming a paralegal.

In her case, $540 of her $559 monthly TANF funding was stolen at 2:45 a.m. June 2 from a Wells Fargo bank ATM in Denver. It had just been deposited at midnight.

Thankfully she was able to take measures to protect her food funding.

Amanda Welty-Soto and her son Daeryus, 14 (left) and daughter Geneviecia, 13, enjoy a recent baseball game.

"We are trying to get ourselves out of poverty and to have these funds taken away from us, is going to put a lot of people in a really bad situation," Welty-Soto said. "When I look at the people who are affected I wish there was more empathy around the situation  they are messing with people's livelihoods  they took my entire month," of income.

Welty-Soto helps facilitate a support group of women who have worked together through career development classes. Instead of getting down about the theft she is through herself into research to see if she can help her fellow victims.

When she went to the Pueblo County Department of Human Services office at 320 W. 10th St. to make a report, she was surprised to see how many people were in the office making similar reports of theft.

"People were crying, some didn't understand what was going on, some were angry," she said.

The state's response to the theft

"Any time benefits are stolen from Coloradans it is a concern to us," said Jordan Saenz, deputy director of communications for the Colorado Department of Human Services. "However, we arent aware of any widespread theft or hack of TANF benefits statewide."

Saenz said the state has received 2,470 reported instances of SNAP theft out of over 310,000 households that receive SNAP statewide. She said counties do not have to report TANF and adult financial theft to the state as they can reimburse those funds on their own.

"Coloradans do not have to report benefit theft to their local law enforcement, as the state can investigate these instances, but they are encouraged to report to law enforcement," Saenz said.

In Welty-Soto's case, she made a report with the Denver Police Department because that is where the theft took place. Other Puebloans have reported theft to law enforcement agencies in and around the Denver metro area where their funds were extracted.

Pueblo police and the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office have not received any theft reports related to the cases as of Friday.

The Pueblo County Department of Human Services is located at 320 W. 10th St.

Tips to avoid theft

Pueblo County Department of Human Services encourages customers to add a layer of protection by downloading the ebtEDGE application on their smartphones.

There are some safety and protection features available on that app that allow the customer to add additional layers of protection such as the freeze card function which would allow the customer to freeze the card when it is not in use, thus not allowing anyone else to use it as well.

There is also a protect my account tab that allows the customer to block internet and out-of-state transactions, the department advises.

According to state officials, those who lost benefits due to fraud can follow the below steps to get their benefits reinstated, and in the meantime, "we encourage individuals to utilize available resources such as food banks, community organizations, and emergency assistance programs," Saenz said.

The benefit recipient must report the lost or stolen benefit to the local county office that they reside in. In Pueblo County that is at 320 W. 10th St.

The county department will replace the missing benefits if the loss is not questionable to the county, and if the loss was beyond the clients control.

Welty-Soto said in her case she had to present both her identification and her EBT card in order to process a claim. She also filled out an affidavit of stolen benefits and was told it could take up to 30 days to receive reimbursement of the funds, while she has heard others report they could expect the process to take six weeks.

Colorado Works recipients are also encouraged to sign up to receive their benefits via direct deposit, as it is a more secure option for receiving their benefits.

Clients can also protect benefits by freezing their EBT cards to prevent new purchases, PIN changes, and ATM transactions. They can access this feature at any time by logging into the MyCoBenefits mobile app.

Welty-Soto said she now freezes her card and unfreezes it only when she is checking out to pay for a purchase.

Clients can also block out-of-state or online transactions using the ebtEDGE mobile app or Cardholder Portal.

Where to get help

Catholic Charities of Pueblo, 429 W. 10th St., 719-544-4233, pueblocharities.org

Posada Homeless Shelter and Services, 225 Colorado Ave., 719-545-8776, posadapueblo.org

Pueblo Community Soup Kitchen, 422 W. Seventh St., 719-545-6540, pueblosoupkitchen.org

Pueblo Rescue Mission, 728 W. Fourth St. 719-225-3491, pueblorescuemission.org

Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, 100 Greenhorn Drive, 719-296-6995, careandshare.org

Salvation Army - Pueblo Corps Community Center, 520 W. 13th St., 719-543-3656, pueblo.salvationarmy.org

More: 'The East Side needs food': Pueblo Farmers Market launches new location

Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/tracywumps. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo families report $70K in theft of assistance benefits
SEOUL, June 10 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's jobless claims rose for the second successive month due to higher demand in the construction, communications and science sectors, labor ministry data showed Monday.

The number of new applicants for job-seeking benefits was 88,000 in May, up 1.8 percent compared with the same month of last year, according to the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

The number continued to grow since April amid lingering worry about an economic slowdown.

The benefits applicants gained in the construction, information and communications, science and technology, and business service industries, but the reading in the manufacturing, transport and health and welfare sectors reduced last month.

The job-seeking benefits are offered by the government to help the unemployed seek jobs, taking up a majority of unemployment benefits. It is financed by the state employment insurance fund.

The number of benefit receivers totaled 646,000 in May, down 1.6 percent from a year earlier.

The total payment of job-seeking benefits swelled 1.4 percent to 1.08 trillion won (783.9 million U.S. dollars) in the cited month. 
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Haiti's new prime minister on Monday condemned the gang killings of three police officers on a patrol in a part of the capital controlled by gang leader Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier.

A group of armed men working under Cherizier ambushed a patrol from the police's anti-gang unit in the Delmas 18 neighborhood on Sunday and set it on fire, police in the Caribbean country said.

Two officers were killed on site and two were evacuated by reinforcements - though one of them later died at the hospital.

Prime Minister Garry Conille promised state aid for the victims' families. Conille was sworn in this month and has yet to install his cabinet after taking power nearly three months after his predecessor Ariel Henry tendered his resignation.

"This barbaric act is a direct attack on security and on stability of the nation," Conille said in a video address. "I send heartfelt condolences to the family of these officers who are gone along with their colleagues and friends."

He spoke after being briefly hospitalized on Saturday for what his office called "a slight illness."

Police union SYNAPOHA, however, said words were not enough and demanded the victim's bodies be returned.

Unverified videos on social media apparently filmed by gang members appear to show footage of the charred truck and captured firearms.

Gang leader Cherizier later shared a video on social media in which he said police officers had gone rogue and come "to kill people in lower Delmas." He also challenged police to recover the seized firearms if they can.

Kenyan President William Ruto on Sunday said that a long-awaited deployment of Kenyan police officers set to lead a U.N.-sanctioned international force to support Haitian police should arrive in one or two weeks, African news outlets reported.

It remains unclear when the rest of the force - with troops from Benin, Chad, Bangladesh and the Caribbean - would land. SYNAPOHA warned at the start of this year of a rapidly shrinking and under-resourced police body.

The international force was initially requested by Haiti's former government in 2022 but has faced extended delays. Gangs have since grown their control over the capital, pushing hundreds of thousands from their homes and millions into hunger.

(Reporting by Ralph Tedy Erol, Harold Isaac and Sarah Morland; Editing by Josie Kao)
Israeli soldiers block a road in the West Bank. Palestinian reports say two people were killed in Israeli army raids in the West Bank on Monday. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

Palestinian reports say two people were killed in Israeli army raids in the West Bank on Monday.

The Palestinian militant organization Hamas said that a member of its military arm had been killed in Tulkarem. According to the Ministry of Health in Ramallah, a 15-year-old boy was shot dead in a separate incident in Fara, south of Tubas. Five other people were injured by gunfire. An Israeli army spokesman said that the reports were being investigated.

The situation in the occupied West Bank has worsened considerably since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 7. Since then, 512 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations, confrontations or attacks of their own, according to the local health ministry.

The Israeli army said on Monday that around 4,150 wanted Palestinians had been arrested in the West Bank since the start of the war. Around 1,750 of them belonged to Hamas, it said.
Two people were killed in Israeli army raids in the West Bank on Monday, according to Palestinian reports.

The Palestinian militant organization Hamas said that a member of its military arm had been killed in Tulkarem.

According to the Ministry of Health in Ramallah, a 15-year-old boy was shot dead in a separate incident in Fara, south of Tubas. Five other people were said injured by gunfire.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spoke of "counterterrorism activity in the area" of Fara.

"Thus far, the forces apprehended three wanted suspects and dismantled explosive devices," the IDF said in a statement.

"Furthermore, exchanges of fire are currently taking place with armed terrorists, during which a terrorist was eliminated and hits to additional terrorists were identified. The counterterrorism activity is ongoing."

"Moreover, in the towns of Faqqua, Rumana, and Dhinnaba, the security forces apprehended four suspects and eliminated an armed terrorist," the IDF statement said.

The situation in the occupied West Bank has worsened considerably since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 7.

Since then, 512 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations, confrontations or attacks of their own, according to the local health ministry.

The Israeli army said on Monday that around 4,150 wanted Palestinians had been arrested in the West Bank since the start of the war. Around 1,750 of them belonged to Hamas, it said.

In New York, the United Nations Security Council plans to vote on Monday on a resolution tabled by the United States that supports a plan presented by US President Joe Biden for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.

A corresponding meeting was added to the agenda of the body in New York on Monday and is due to take place following a previous meeting.

The resolution supports Biden's plan which envisages an end to the fighting in Gaza in three phases.

According to the US, only Hamas has not yet agreed to the plan. However, there has been no clear and public approval of the plan from Israel's government either.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently on a tour of Middle Eastern capitals in an effort to gain support for the plan outlined by the US president.

At least nine votes in favour are required to pass a resolution in the Security Council, the most powerful body in the United Nations, which is binding under international law.

In addition, there must be no veto from the five permanent members of the body: the US, Britain, France, Russia and China.

Whether the draft resolution would be successful initially remained unclear.

Israeli soldiers patrol an area during a raid. Mohammed Nasser/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Israeli military vehicles drive down a street during a raid. Mohammed Nasser/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) -The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, its ally the Islamic Jihad group and the rival Palestinian Authority of President Mahmoud Abbass welcomed a U.N. Security Council resolution backing a proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.

In its statement, Hamas said it was ready to cooperate with mediators over implementing the principles of the plan.

Hamas earlier on Monday said it was only willing to accept a deal that would secure an end to the war in Gaza while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was determined to pursue war against Hamas.

"Hamas welcomes what is included in the Security Council resolution that affirmed the permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the complete withdrawal, the prisoners' exchange, the reconstruction, the return of the displaced to their areas of residence, the rejection of any demographic change or reduction in the area of the Gaza Strip, and the delivery of needed aid to our people in the Strip," the militant group said in a statement.

U.S. President Joe Biden outlined the truce accord last month and it envisions a ceasefire in stages, ultimately leading to a permanent end to the war. But Israel has said it will agree only to temporary pauses until Hamas is defeated, while Hamas has countered it will not accept a deal that does not guarantee the war will end.

With the conflict in its ninth month, the plan got further backing on Monday from the United Nations where 14 members of the Security Council adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution in favour of the proposal while Russia abstained.

Separately, the Islamic Jihad said early on Tuesday that it looks "positively" to what the resolution included, "especially in terms of opening the door to reaching a comprehensive cessation of aggression and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces" from the Gaza Strip.

Hamas also said it was willing to engage in indirect negotiations over implementing the principles "that are consistent with the demands of our people and resistance."

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Presidency welcomed the resolution saying the presidency "is with any resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and preserves Palestinian land unity".

More than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels eight-month-old assault on the Gaza Strip, say health officials in the Hamas-ruled enclave. The war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and abducting some 250 others, according to Israeli tallies.

(Reporting by Nidal Al Maghrabi, additional reporting by Ali Sawafta writing by Hatem Maher and Yomna Ehab; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
New Hampshire woman arrested for thefts at multiple houses, vehicles and business, police say

A New Hampshire woman is accused of thefts at multiple houses, vehicles and one local business in Nashua in recent months, police said.

Sarah Coburn, 37, was arrested Friday on a felony warrant. Police said Coburn, who is charged with a total of six counts of theft by unauthorized taking, has more than two prior convictions on her criminal record.

Between April 24 and June 7, officers responded to six separate locations in Nashua for reports of thefts from a private residence, four unlocked motor vehicles, and the Family Dollar store at 38 East Hollis St., police said.

Detectives later sought and obtained an arrest warrant for Coburn, after investigators identified her as the suspect in each theft.

Coburns bail was set at $1,000 cash. She is expected to be arraigned on Monday afternoon.

Anyone with more information about the thefts is asked to contact the Nashua Police Departments Crime Line at 603-589-1665.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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From what her parents have said to the lead suspect in the disappearance, here's a complete timeline of Madeleine McCann's case

Metropolitan Police/AFP/Getty Madeleine McCann

Madeleine McCanns disappearance continues to make headlines 17 years later.

On May 3, 2007, the 3-year-old British girl went missing while her family was vacationing in Praia da Luz, Lagos, Portugal. Her parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, were dining with friends nearby as Madeleine and her 2-year-old twin siblings were sleeping in their bedroom.

After periodically checking in on their kids throughout the night, Madeleines mother discovered that her daughter was missing at 10 p.m. and authorities were alerted, prompting a worldwide search for the toddler.

While there have been several developments in the case over the years (including German authorities considering Christian Brueckner as the prime suspect), what actually happened that night remain unknown.

Recently, German authorities said theyve discovered an email account belonging to Brueckner that is related to the killing. Brueckner has, however, never been charged and has denied any involvement in connection with the case.

Heres a complete timeline of Madeleines disappearance case and what her parents have said over the years.

May 3, 2007: Madeleine McCann disappears in Portugal

On the night of May 3, 2007, Madeleine went missing in Praia da Luz, Lagos, Portugal. Her family was staying at a vacation apartment at the time. That night, her parents left Madeleine and her twin siblings, who were two at the time, asleep in the ground-floor apartment as they dined with friends close by.

The parents periodically checked in on the kids, but at 10 p.m., Kate discovered Madeleine was missing. Authorities were alerted and in the days following, border police and airport staff were put on alert as volunteers joined in a search for Madeleine.

May 4, 2007: Madeleine McCanns parents speak out

LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Kate and Gerry McCann pose with an artist's impression of how their daughter might look at the age of nine on May 2, 2012.

The next day, Madeleines parents spoke out publicly about their daughter's disappearance, making an emotional plea for their daughter's safe return.

"Words cannot describe the anguish and despair that we are feeling as the parents of our beautiful daughter Madeleine," Gerry said, per ABC News.

"Please, if you have Madeleine," he said, "let her come home to her mummy, daddy, brother and sister. As everyone can understand how distressing the current situation is, we ask that our privacy is respected to allow us to continue assisting the police in their current investigation."

May-July 2007: The search for Madeleine McCann

HANDOUT/METROPOLITAN POLICE/AFP via Getty Madeleine McCann

In the months following, the Portuguese police began their initial inquiry. Though there were several leads, no official suspects were named.

Jane Tanner, who had been dining with the McCanns, claimed to have seen a man carrying a child while she was on her way back from checking on her own daughter around 9:15 p.m.

The Portuguese police also faced scrutiny in the early months of the investigation, with some calling out their lack of urgency and poor protocol in securing the crime scene. Notably, in June, a Portuguese police chief admitted that vital forensic clues were likely destroyed as the scene was not protected properly, as reported by The Guardian.

The following month, British detectives aided in the search and dispatched investigators to search the apartment with luminol, a substance that glows when it interacts with blood. When they arrived, they found that the apartment the McCanns had stayed at had already been cleaned and rented out again, E! News reported.

Though traces of blood were found on the wall in the bedroom, DNA testing showed that the blood belonged to an unidentified man.

August 2007: Prosecutors publicly acknowledge that Madeleine McCann may not be found alive

In August 2007, after months of searching for Madeleine, police acknowledged publicly for the first time that Madeleine may be dead.

September 2007: Madeleine McCanns parents are named as suspects

MELANIE MAPS/AFP via Getty Madeleine McCann's parents

The following month, there was a new twist in the case: Madeleines parents were named "arguidos," or formal suspects, in Madeleines disappearance. Police accused the couple of hiding Madeleines body after she died in an accident while the couple was at dinner, according to NBC News.

Though the investigation delved into potential charges of abduction, homicide, exposure or abandonment of a child, and concealment of a corpse, per The Telegraph, the parents were eventually cleared as suspects in July 2008.

May 3, 2008: Madeleine McCanns parents speak out on the anniversary of her disappearance

A year after her disappearance, Madeleines parents gave an impromptu speech at their local church, as reported by The Guardian. They said that they feared the one-year anniversary of their daughters disappearance could be their last opportunity to find her and asked the congregation to pray like mad for their little girl.

July 2008: Portuguese authorities halt their investigation

When the McCanns' "arguido" status was lifted, the Portuguese attorney general ordered a halt to the investigation. "The Attorney General's Office has hereby decided to 'archive' the investigation into the case of Madeleine McCann due to lack of any evidence of any crime being committed by the 'arguidos'," Attorney General Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro said in a statement, per ABC News.

In his statement, Monteiro noted that the attorney general's office reserved "the right to reopen the investigation, or upon request from an interested party, should there be legitimate cause or significant new evidence emerge."

May 2011: Madeleine McCanns parents release a book about her disappearance

Joe Giddens - WPA Pool/Getty Kate and Gerry McCann

In May 2011, Madeleines parents released a book about their daughter and the case of her disappearance.

"The decision to publish this book has been very difficult, and taken with heavy hearts. My reason for writing it is simple: to give an account of the truth, Kate said, per the books official description.

Gerry's statement called upon the police force to reenergize the search for our daughter;" he hoped "the public will get behind the Find Madeleine campaign once again.

He added, It is simply not acceptable that the authorities have given up on Madeleine  especially when no comprehensive review of the case has been undertaken. Our daughter, and whoever took her, are out there. We need your help to find them."

October 2013: Portuguese police reopen the case based on new evidence

In October 2013, Portuguese police reopened their inquiry into the disappearance of Madeleine, with Portugal's attorney general noting that "new elements of evidence" justified the "continuation of the investigation, per BBC.

At the time, Madeleines parents said they were "very pleased" by the Portuguese inquiry, saying, "We hope that this will finally lead to her being found and to the discovery of whoever is responsible for this crime.

June 2020: German authorities name a suspect

JULIAN STRATENSCHULTE/POOL/AFP via Getty Christian Brueckner

In June 2020, 13 years after Madeleines disappearance, German authorities identified Christian Brueckner, a man in his 40s, as a suspect in the case. He has denied having anything to do with Madeleines disappearance, per the Evening Standard, and ultimately was not charged due to a lack of evidence.

Brueckner had previously received a seven-year sentence for raping a 72-year-old American woman in 2005 in Portugal, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, which he was appealing from behind bars for another drug conviction, per the Times of London.

April 2022: Portuguese prosecutors reveal there is an official suspect in the case

In April 2022, Portuguese prosecutors announced there was an official suspect in the case of Madeleines disappearance, according to Reuters. At the time, authorities did not name the person, but said that he was identified as a suspect after they acted on a request made by German and British police, the Associated Press reported. It remains unclear if Brueckner was the official suspect or if it was someone new.

June 2024: German authorities say theyve discovered an email account that is related to the killing of Madeleine McCann

In June 2024, authorities discovered a Hotmail account belonging to Brueckner, which they say is directly related to Madeleine's disappearance.

Titus Stampa, a detective with Germanys Federal Crime Police, told a court authorities found a second email account he used to share photos and videos of child abuse, and that emails from that account were deleted in early 2007 when Madeleine disappeared, per the Telegraph.

Things were massively deleted in the inbox ... There was nothing in there from January 2007, he testified, according to the Telegraph.

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Vice President Kamala Harris, in an interview published Monday, criticized a suggestion made last week by Republican Rep. Byron Donalds that Black families were together during the Jim Crow era of racial segregation.

Politico reports that the vice president called up the outlet to weigh in on former President Donald Trumps announcement that he will pick a running mate at next months Republican convention. She mostly withheld comment on individual prospects, Politico said, though she did pointedly criticize Donalds, who is among those considered a potential running mate for Trump.

Its sadly yet another example of somebody out of Florida trying to erase or rewrite our true history, Harris said, referring to the states interventions under Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis into Black history curriculums. I went to Florida last July to call out what they were trying to do to replace our history with lies. And apparently theres a never ending flow of that coming out of that state.

Donalds comments, which come as Trumps campaign seeks to make inroads with non-White voters, were made at an event in Philadelphia with Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt, another Black Republican supporter of the former president.

You see, during Jim Crow, the Black family was together, Donalds said at the event last week, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. During Jim Crow, more Black people were not just conservative  because Black people have always been conservative-minded  but more Black people voted conservatively, he said.

In the interview with Politico, the vice president contrasted the Biden administrations position on abortion with those of the prospective GOP vice presidential nominees.

Everyone on that list has supported a Trump abortion ban in their state or has called for a national ban.  In fact, many voted this week in the Senate against the right to contraception. Thats how far down the road they are, said Harris, who has led the White Houses messaging campaign in the wake of the Supreme Courts decision in 2022 to overturn the federal right to an abortion.

As vice president, Harris has previously waded into culture war issues, traveling to Florida last year to slam Florida Republicans after the state Board of Education revised standards for teaching Black history.

During the visit last July, Harris highlighted standards that, according to a document posted to the states Department of Education website, require instruction for middle schoolers to include how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.

We know the history. And let us not let these politicians who are trying to divide our country win Harris said at the time. They are creating these unnecessary debates. This is unnecessary to debate whether enslaved people benefited from slavery. Are you kidding me? Are we supposed to debate that?

The vice president has often served as the administrations messenger on an array of hot-button issues. Last month she was deployed to Jacksonville, Florida, just hours after a controversial ban on most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy went into effect in the state, ratcheting up the Biden campaigns message blaming Trump for strict abortion restrictions being adopted across the country in the wake of the Supreme Courts decision.

In April, she traveled to Tucson just days after a state Supreme Court ruling upholding a Civil War-era ban on abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest.

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Vice President Kamala Harris holds a roundtable at Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Feb. 22, 2024, as part of her Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour. (Photo by Andrew Roth)

Vice President Kamala Harris in Detroit on Saturday slammed former President Donald Trump over his 34 felony convictions last month over hush money payments to an adult film actress before the 2016 election and said his actions are disqualifying.

Donald Trump openly tried to overturn the last election. And now, he openly attacks the foundations of our justice system, Harris said at the Michigan Democratic Partys annual Legacy Dinner in Detroit, according to pool reports.

Harris traveled to Michigan on Saturday for two fundraisers, with the first at an Ann Arbor home. She also stopped at the Black Stone Bookstore and Cultural Center in Ypsilanti along with actress Octavia Spencer and was greeted by a crowd. Both Harris and President Joe Biden have made a point to visit Black-owned businesses during their trips to Michigan.

Just look at the facts. Over the course of six weeks, a jury of 12 Americans reviewed the evidence, she said. His defense attorney actively participated in selecting that jury. And actively made decisions about which witnesses to call and cross examine. And the jury came back with a unanimous decision. Guilty on 34 counts.

You know why he complains? Because the reality is, cheaters dont like getting caught, she added.

Harris condemned Trumps attacks on judges and witnesses and said he plans to use a second term for revenge.

Simply put, Donald Trump thinks he is above the law. This should be disqualifying for anyone who wants to be President of the United States, she said.

In response to Harris remarks, Victoria LaCivita, a spokeswoman for Trumps Michigan campaign, said in a statement: The American people have seen this trial for what it is  a rigged political witch hunt orchestrated by the failing Biden campaign.

Biden was last in Michigan in May, serving as the keynote speaker at the annual Detroit NAACP dinner, while Harris campaigned in Detroit that month in an event touting the administrations record on African Americans and the auto industry. Trump held a rally in Saginaw County last month during which he promised mass deportations and touted Roe v. Wade being overturned.

Harris also addressed the Israel-Hamas war, which has sparked dozens of pro-Palestinian protests in Southeast Michigan.

Before I begin, I will say a few words about the morning which I know weighs heavily on all of our hearts, Harris said in Detroit. On Oct, 7, Hamas committed a brutal massacre of 1,200 innocent people and abducted 250 hostages. Thankfully, four of those hostages were reunited with their families tonight. And we mourn all of the innocent lives that have been lost in Gaza, including those tragically killed today.

Biden has been trying to negotiate a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as the eight-month-long conflict has killed about 1,200 in Israel and more than 34,000 in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry. The Associated Press has been able to confirm the deaths of almost 23,000 people in Gaza.

Harris speech was interrupted by a female protester who stood up, shouted at her and was removed from the ballroom, per the pool report. There also were pro-Palestinian protesters outside the event.

I value and respect your voice, but Im speaking right now, Harris responded.  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. As President Biden said last week, it is time for this war to end.

Michigan Advance is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Michigan Advance maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Susan J. Demas for questions: info@michiganadvance.com. Follow Michigan Advance on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Harris lights into Trump over his conviction: Cheaters dont like getting caught appeared first on Source New Mexico.
Wizarding World

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson isn't one to mince words  but in a recent interview, he did use a colorful turn of phrase to describe his colleagues at the space agency.

Speaking to South Florida's Local 10 News, Nelson described, apropos to almost nothing, his NASA colleagues as "a bunch of wizards"

The quip came in response to a reporter's light-hearted closer question at the end of an interview that primarily focused on the seemingly cursed Boeing Starliner mission and the space race with China, the latter of which Nelson has sounded off on using interesting language more than once.

"Are you having fun?" asked newscaster Glenna Miberg. "I mean, last we saw of you, you were in the Florida Senate and now you're the top rocket scientist."

True to his down-home manner, Nelson laughingly responded by characterizing himself as a "country lawyer... who happened to get a chance to fly in space almost four decades ago"  a reference, of course, to his six-day trip amongst the stars on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1986.

Packed Resume

Both before and after his first stint at NASA in the 80s, Nelson represented Florida in Congress. As the career civil servant maintains, his turns as the head of the Subcommittees on Science and Space in both the House and the Senate provided the Florida native with the right stuff to run the agency.

"I'm glad that I can now use what I've learned over the years, including the chairmanship of the [space subcommittee] in the Senate, and now try to offer some leadership," Nelson said.

Indeed, it's clear from this interview and other previous remarks that the NASA administrator not only expresses some serious gratitude over his role at its helm, but also that he greatly admires the mythical beings he works with at the agency.

"It's hard to believe today marks three years since I was sworn in as NASA Administrator," Nelson tweeted last month. "What a privilege I have to work every day with the wizards of @NASA."

"We've expanded American leadership in space, in the skies, and here on Earth  for the benefit of all," he continued. "Let's keep going."

More on NASA: NASA Slaps Down Billionaire's Plan to Fly Up and Fix Hubble Space Telescope
Heat dome returns to the West before spreading to East Coast: Latest maps

Life-threatening heat is returning to the West before spreading to the East Coast later this week.

This weekend, record highs were tied and broken from Florida to Colorado.

Dalhart, Texas, in the Texas Panhandle, hit a record high of 103 degrees, while Baton Rouge, Louisiana, reached a record 98 degrees.

Jacksonville, Florida, tied its record high of 99 degrees and Grand Junction, Colorado, tied its record high of 98.

MORE: Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion: Extreme heat safety tips

The heat will linger in Florida for one more day Monday, with the temperature possibly reaching 100 degrees in Jacksonville.

On Tuesday, the heat will again move into the West with a heat dome taking over the Southwest.

By Wednesday, temperatures could climb to a dangerous 109 degrees in Las Vegas and 112 degrees in Phoenix.

PHOTO: Record breaking heat this week. (ABC News)

The heat then moves east. By the end of the week, record highs will be possible from Massachusetts to North Carolina.

By Friday, the temperature is expected to jump to 90 degrees in New York and 96 degrees in Washington, D.C.

PHOTO: Turning hot end of the week. (ABC News)

Doctors recommend taking excessive heat warnings seriously. There are hundreds of deaths each year in the U.S. due to excessive heat, according to CDC WONDER, an online database, and scientists caution that the actual number of heat-related deaths is likely higher.

Click here for what to know about staying safe in the heat.

Heat dome returns to the West before spreading to East Coast: Latest maps originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, falls on Monday this year. International students in north China's Tianjin are invited to celebrate the festival with the locals. #GLOBALink
Heavy rainfall expected in South Florida with up to a foot of rain in some areas through Saturday

After a period of scorched skies and parched landscapes, widespread showers are converging on South Florida in torrents that could bring more than a half-foot of rainfall through Wednesday.

The National Weather Service in Miami said flood watches are likely early this week but may continue through Friday as a pattern shift allows juicy tropical moisture to surge in from the south, dousing areas suffering severe drought from the dry early days of the rainy season.

While Palm Beach County is forecast to receive 3 to 6 inches of rain through Wednesday, areas in southwest Florida, including Naples and Everglades City, could experience up to 10.5 inches.

Chris Fisher, a meteorologist with NWS Miami, said a stalled front across the northern reaches of the state will be the catalyst for much of the rainfall, helping pull up moisture from the Caribbean.

The key thing to remember is the rainfall amounts will be highly variable so there are certainly areas that can see more and some that will see less, Fisher said. There are flooding concerns across metro areas, especially if you get repeated rounds of heavy rain over the same area.

Fisher noted that more rain is expected into the weekend and the Weather Prediction Center is forecasting up to 15 inches of rain through Saturday with the heaviest falling along the southwest coast of the state. Palm Beach County could receive 7 to 10 inches of rain through Saturday.

https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/standard/KAMX_loop.gif width="100%">

2024 hurricane season: 5 tips to stay sane and safe in face of frightful forecast

Although the wet season began in South Florida on May 15, Palm Beach County was designated last week by the U.S. Drought Monitor as being in moderate to severe drought.

In May, West Palm Beach got just 1.18 inches of rain, which is a deficit of 3.73 inches for the month. That made May the eighth driest in 130 years of records kept for West Palm Beach.

Heavy rainfall expected through the week for South Florida.

FOX Weather hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross said an unusual deep dive in the jet stream for the past several weeks prohibited moisture from oozing into Florida from the south.

Statistically, June is one the rainiest months in Florida because fronts from the north and tropical moisture from the south meet over the state, Norcross wrote in his Hurricane Intel column. The jet stream pattern that pushes fronts into North Florida also enhances rainfall south of the front. So far this season, the jet stream has been farther south than normal, so June in Florida has been relatively dry.

Widespread showers are converging on South Florida in torrents that could bring more than a half-foot of rainfall through Wednesday.

The expected rainfall will also keep temperatures in the more normal range for this time of year and no heat advisories or warnings are expected this week.

High temperatures Tuesday through Friday are forecast to reach into the upper 80s with overnight lows in the upper 70s.

A forecaster's worst nightmare: Rapid intensification forecasts improve, and then there was Otis

There are no tropical disturbances expected through the next seven days, according to the National Hurricane Center. But several meteorologists are watching an area in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico where a broad area of low pressure is forecast to form.

The jet stream has been known to pull low pressure from that area into the invitingly warm Gulf of Mexico to form a tropical system.

Currently, it doesn't appear that that would happen in our seven-day forecast window. If it happens at all, Norcross said.

Kimberly Miller is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: After the drought heavy rains threaten South Florida with up to foot of rain
Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota. (Courtesy of EcoFlight)

Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota. (Courtesy of EcoFlight)

New restrictions on air tours at Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park will stay in effect while a lawsuit against them proceeds, a federal court has ruled.

Three South Dakota helicopter operators want to overturn the restrictions: Badger Helicopters, Black Hills Aerial Adventures and Rushmore Helicopters. In court documents, they allege the new restrictions will cause irreparable harm in the form of unrecoverable economic loss that threatens their existence.

They asked the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to pause enforcement of the new rules while the lawsuit proceeds. The court denied that request Friday.

The litigation targets the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Interior and National Park Service. Two groups, the Coalition to Protect Americas National Parks and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, have intervened to help defend the rules.

The public employees group issued a news release celebrating the courts decision. The groups lawyer called it an indicator of the litigations potential outcome.

Given Fridays ruling, we have every reason to be optimistic about our chances of success in defending the air tour management plans, said attorney Colleen Teubner.

The air management plans took effect in May. They require air tours to stay at least a half-mile from the boundaries of each site.

Last year, when the plans were being finalized, the top officials at each site issued news releases explaining their rationale. Mount Rushmore Superintendent Michelle Wheatley said the Rushmore plan would provide a peaceful setting for visitors to enjoy and experience. Eric Veach, superintendent at Badlands National Park, said the Badlands plan was reflective of the experience desired by visitors.

The plans are rooted in a decades-long controversy.

Noise and other complaints about air tours over National Park Service sites led Congress to adopt the National Parks Air Tour Management Act in 2000. The law requires tour operators to seek permission for flights, and mandates the formulation of air tour management plans or similar agreements to regulate tours and mitigate their negative impacts.

Bureaucratic difficulties and delays stalled compliance. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility sued in 2018 to force the adoption of air tour management plans. The group won an order that was upheld by an appeals court in 2020, which led to a wave of plan adoptions at National Park Service sites across the country.

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The post Helicopter tour companies lose early battle in fight against Rushmore and Badlands restrictions appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Chicago aldermen are set to consider the citys largest police misconduct settlement ever: a $50 million deal for four men imprisoned after detectives allegedly forced their false confessions as teens.

The hefty sum would go to four men who were originally convicted in a 1995 double murder. The men were arrested and tried as teens and spent half their lives in prison, but were exonerated in 2017 and certified as innocent after new fingerprinting technology did not connect them to the scene.

The council Finance Committee unanimously approved the settlement recommended by city attorneys Monday, setting it up for a final vote by the full City Council Wednesday.

The four men  Lashawn Ezell, Charles Johnson, Troshawn McCoy and Larod Styles  were accused of robbing and murdering Khaled Ibrahim and Yousef Ali. They were coerced to give false confessions by Chicago Police Department detectives, their federal lawsuits allege.

Ibrahim and Ali were fatally shot on a December night by a pair of attackers at their used car dealership, Elegant Auto. The attackers then stole two cars and sped away from the lot at 75th Street and Western Avenue.

Ezell, Johnson, McCoy and Styles allege police interrogated them for hours, away from guardians and handcuffed, and tricked them to confess only after they were terrified, confused and utterly worn down.

Johnson told police during one interrogation that he and his co-defendants planned to steal cars from the lot and strip them for parts. Witnesses later identified him as the shooter at the trial. He and Styles were sentenced to life without parole. McCoy was given a 55-year sentence, while Ezell was sentenced to 20 years in prison and released after 10 years.

Together, they spent 73 years in prison, city attorney Jessica Felker said Monday. But when authorities again examined fingerprints from one of the stolen cars with new technology a decade after the convictions, they were unable to match the four men with the evidence, Felker added.

Instead, the fingerprint evidence was matched to a convicted felon whose mother lived near the spot where the stolen car was abandoned. The Cook County states attorneys office has since interviewed the man, but declined to press charges against him.

Johnsons lawyers argued he had signed a confession only after he was told it was a routine document that would lead to his release. In addition, the details in the confessions from the men, which formed the bulk of the prosecutions case, did not match up, they said.

The mens lawsuits argue Chicago failed to identify and track officers who committed misconduct, such as obtaining coerced and false confessions. Their suits name detectives James Cassidy and Kenneth Boudreau, whose history of getting suspects to give dubious and ill-gotten confessions has been detailed in past Tribune stories.

Cassidy, the first defendant named in the mens lawsuits, was one of the detectives sued for allegedly framing an 8-year-old boy in the infamous 1998 murder of 11-year-old Ryan Harris. Cassidy was also sued by the exonerated Englewood Four who courts determined were wrongfully convicted in a 1994 rape and murder. Those exonerated men similarly claimed Cassidy fed and coerced false confessions.

The four men originally convicted of double murder were first interviewed by police after Cassidy claimed an anonymous caller told him McCoy was involved in the crime, Felker said.

If the deal is approved Wednesday, the city would pay the men $21 million and the citys insurance provider would pay another $29 million. The $50 million total would make it the largest police settlement in the citys history, though other settlements for single individuals surpass the size of the payouts each man will receive.

The record had been previously set in March when the city settled with the family of Nathen Jones for $45 million. Jones was left unable to walk, talk and care for himself at 15 years old after a car he was a passenger in crashed during a police chase that violated department policy.

Aldermen have approved around $300 million to settle Chicago police-related lawsuits since the start of 2021.

Police routinely pushed false confessions by intimidating suspects, concealing exculpatory information, sleep deprivation and other illegal tactics, the four men allege. For Ezell, arrested as a 15-year-old, the prison time he faced left him stripped of the basic pleasures of human experience, his lawsuit says.

He missed the opportunity to begin living independently, to share holidays, births, funerals, and other life events with loved ones, to have girlfriends, to fall in love, to marry, and to pursue a career, and the fundamental freedom to live his life as an autonomous human being, the lawsuit says.

Out of prison now, he has struggled with the stigma of being branded a violent criminal, the lawsuit added.

The committee also approved three additional settlements totaling over $9 million.

A $5.8 million settlement moved forward for four current and former Department of Water Management employees who alleged they faced rampant racism while working at the department.

The plaintiffs lawsuits allege they were given worse assignments, denied promotions and faced harassment because of anti-Black discrimination. Racism in the departments top ranks has long been an open secret, according to one plaintiffs lawsuit. City attorneys reached the proposed settlement just weeks before what would have been a potentially embarrassing trial.

Aldermen also voted to advance a $2 million settlement for the mother of Ronald Johnson III, who was shot and killed by a Chicago police officer in 2014. The lawsuit alleged Officer George Hernandez used excessive force when Hernandez fatally shot Johnson as Johnson ran away from him.

In 2016, the Independent Police Review Authority ruled Hernandez was justified in the shooting because evidence supported the officers belief that Johnson had a gun. Johnsons family has alleged police planted a gun at the scene to cover up misconduct. City attorney Caroline Fronczak on Monday said video of the shooting did not conclusively show whether or not Johnson had a gun.

Aldermen also approved a $1.25 million settlement for a woman whose car was struck by a falling light pole at the intersection of East Illinois Street and North McClurg Court. The woman, who suffered a concussion, alleged the light pole was poorly maintained.

jsheridan@chicagotribune.com
Historic mansion near Belleville  and the 4 acres it sits on  to become community park

Local governments are working together to buy a historic mansion and the 4 acres it sits on just east of Belleville to turn the large property into a new community park.

At its last meeting, the St. Clair County Board voted to give St. Clair Township a $500,000 special park grant that will be used to purchase the 1800s-era mansion at the intersection of Carlyle Avenue and Shady Lane, the entrance to the Chenot Place subdivision.

It was home to one of the first county commissioners and a former states attorney. The 1 Shady Lane property was recently put up for sale by the family who owned it for the last 78 years.

Township Supervisor Shelly Korves said officials expect to use $340,000 of the $500,000 grant on the real estate transaction and may seek additional grants for more work on the park. (The property owners asked for $360,000 in real estate listings.)

The township plans to add a walking trail around the property by next summer, but beyond that, officials want input from the community about future development at the new Chenot Park, according to Korves.

Were kind of excited about starting a new venture, Korves said.

She estimated that the township would start seeking input from the community, including Chenot Place resident groups, by the fall. Residents will find details about how to give their opinions on the township website, stclairtownship.com, at that time.

A lithograph depicts the Chenot mansion in 1874. It was originally built for wealthy farmer Augustus Chenot, who moved into the home in 1857.

The front of the Chenot mansion as it appears today.

The property at 1 Shady Lane in the Chenot Place subdivision just east of Belleville includes eight lots totaling 4.49 acres.

Mansion was home to notable residents

The St. Clair County Historical Society designated the mansion as a landmark in 1963.

It was originally built for wealthy farmer Augustus Chenot, whose family came to the United States from France when he was a child. He moved in over 160 years ago, in 1857.

During the time he lived there, Chenot had been a director of Belle Valley School, head of a local Civil War commission, delegate to the 1868 Democratic National Convention, one of the first elected county commissioners and president of the St. Clair County Farmers Fire Insurance Co., BND Answer Man Roger Schlueter wrote in a 2011 column.

When Chenot died at age 94 in 1923, the Belleville Daily Advocate called him the citys oldest and perhaps best-known resident, according to Schlueters column. Chenot is buried at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Belleville.

The mansion stayed in Chenots family for over eight decades until real estate developer Frank Hollman bought it in 1945, according to information provided by the St. Clair County Historical Society. Hollman was the original developer of the Chenot Place subdivision.

From there, the historical society states that it was sold to another family who has owned it for over seven decades. Theresa Gaerdner Hodge bought the mansion in 1946 and transferred the deed to another Gaerdner, who died in 1960.

Louis Zerweck, the St. Clair County states attorney from 1932 to 1948, lived there in the 60s while the Hodges continued to own it.

The Hodges daughter, Jean Vaughn, then moved into the mansion with her family in 1964, and she lived there until her death at 100 years old last April.

The family renovated the interior and exterior in the 40s, according to past BND coverage.

The real estate listing describes it as move-in ready today, having passed its county occupancy inspection.

The property at 1 Shady Lane in the Chenot Place subdivision just east of Belleville includes a historic home that was built in the 1800s. The interior and exterior were renovated in the 40s.

A room inside the Chenot mansion today includes a chandelier and one of the five fireplaces in the home.

The staircase of the Chenot mansion as it appears today.

A room inside the Chenot mansion today includes one of the five fireplaces in the home.

The kitchen of the Chenot mansion as it appears today.

A room inside the Chenot mansion today includes a chandelier and one of the five fireplaces in the home.
HomeGoods, Marshalls and other NJ retailers equip staff with bodycams to reduce theft

If you go into a HomeGoods or HomeSense in New Jersey, dont be surprised to see store workers wearing something more typically associated with a police officer: body cameras.

The owner of the retail stores said that body cameras will be worn to deter thieves.

A spokesperson at TJX  which owns HomeGoods, HomeSense, Marshalls, Sierra and TJ Maxx  said in a statement to NorthJersey.com affiliate USA TODAY that the body cameras have been used in various stores over the past year.

Not every store employee will have a body camera, the spokesperson said, but they will be worn by loss prevention associates trained to use them.

HomeGoods in the Freedom Town Center.

The retail stores hope that the body cameras will add another level of security, reduce crime and prevent escalated incidents from occurring.

Adding cameras is understandable inasmuch as it helps protect staff against abuse and allows them to record any unlawful behavior that they come across, said Neil Saunders, a retail analyst and managing director of GlobalData.

Sadly, theft and other criminality has been on the rise in retail, so this is a response to that, Saunders said.

Target uses 'True Scan' to fight retail theft

The push for more security comes as department stores like Target started adding measures to stop retail theft. For example, the department store's new True Scan will detect if barcodes arent scanned while a customer is in a self-checkout lane.

A Bergen County correctional officer wearing a body camera.

Target said it was closing nine stores in New York City, the San Francisco Bay area, Portland and Seattle, explicitly citing retail theft as the driving factor for the closures.

But the National Retail Federation, a trade group, previously pulled back a statistic it promoted saying that organized retail crime accounted for nearly half of retail inventory loss  the number was in fact much smaller.

That came after a November investigation by trade publication Retail Dive, which found discrepancies in the NRFs data.

Will it work?

I think the jurys still out on this, said Brian Higgins, a former chief of the Bergen County police.

As with police officers, it will help in the case of any store employee accused of misconduct, said Higgins, an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan.

Former Bergen County Police Chief Brian Higgins

Its a combination of protecting their employees  making sure their employees actually are appropriate, Higgins said. But the policy would also be another option for employers whose rules do not allow security to go after or physically touch someone suspected of shoplifting, said Higgins.

According to the National Retail Federation, 11% of retailers surveyed said they were piloting or testing the use of body cameras in their stores.

'Knee-jerk reaction'

Jason Williams, associate professor of justice studies at Montclair State University, decried the move as a desperate, knee-jerk reaction.

Putting their retail workers on the front lines of fighting retail theft opens up a pandora's box of risks and liability, said Jason Williams, an associate professor of justice studies at Montclair State University.

Putting their retail workers on the front lines of fighting retail theft opens up a pandora's box of risks and liability, he said in an email.

I also wonder what impact this may have on racial minorities who already face increased surveillance in retail shopping spaces based on negative racial-ethnic stereotypes, he said.

This article contains information from USA TODAY.

Daniel Munoz covers business, consumer affairs, labor and the economy for NorthJersey.com and The Record.

Email: munozd@northjersey.com; Twitter:@danielmunoz100 and Facebook

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: HomeGoods and other NJ retailers equip staff with bodycams
Before the jury began deliberating Monday about whether to find Hunter Biden guilty of illegally buying a gun while he was addicted to crack cocaine, federal prosecutors called out the elephant in the courtroom.

Sitting in the front row were First Lady Jill Biden, President Joe Biden's sister and brother, Hunter's wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, and several other relatives and associates.

"The people sitting in the gallery are not evidence," said Leo J. Wise, the Senior Asst. Special Counsel. Jurors may have recognized the boldfaced names from the news and might have seen them react to evidence or testimony, Wise said. "Respectfully, none of that matters."

"No one is above the law, and this case stands for that simple proposition," Wise said.

So began the closing arguments in Hunter Biden's criminal trial here in the Biden family's home turf of Delaware, capping an extraordinary five days of testimony about the depths of the president's son's drug addiction as prosecutors seek to convict him of three felonies: lying on a federal background check form about his crack habit in order to buy a Colt revolver, giving a false statement to a federal firearms dealer and possessing a gun while being an illicit drug user.

When defense attorney Abbe Lowell came to the dais in the fourth-floor courtroom for his 90-minute closing argument, he lambasted prosecutors for singling out Hunter Biden's mom, wife and sister.

"Its time to end this case," said Lowell, urging jurors to focus on the holes in the evidence: that no witness saw Hunter using drugs in and around the 11-day period when he owned the handgun, that his memoir published years later was not a diary indicative of his state of mind, and that text messages from months or years before or after he bought the gun do little to elucidate how he "knowingly" filled out his background check form.

"We have had Hunter's life in our hands," Lowell told the panel. "But now, I have to give it to you."

The jurors deliberated for about an hour before leaving for the day and are scheduled to resume Tuesday morning. If convicted of all three counts, Hunter faces years in prison and steep fines, though first-time offenders typically see little to no time in custody.

In his hour-long summation of the case, Wise  a longtime federal prosecutor  walked through the evidence: that Hunter Biden had used crack cocaine for years and that he walked into a Wilmington, Del., gun shop on Oct. 12, 2018, and purchased a Colt revolver.

When a federal background check form asked whether he was an unlawful drug user, Biden checked "No." The gun remained in his possession until Oct. 23, 2018, when his brothers widow, Hallie Biden, said she found the gun in Hunter's truck, tossed it into a leather pouch and disposed of it in a trash bin outside a high-end grocery store.

Once Hunter found out, he urged Hallie to call the police. The gun was recovered days later from the home of an elderly man who picks up plastic bottles and other recyclables.

In an effort to prove the charges, prosecutors embarked on a detailed exhumation of Hunter Bidens drug use, drawing on his 2021 memoir, "Beautiful Things"; his text messages; bank records, including more than $150,000 in cash withdrawals in the months surrounding the gun sale; and testimony from his ex-wife as well as a former stripper turned girlfriend and Hallie Biden, who dated Hunter after her husband died.

To be clear, the evidence was personal, it was ugly, and it was overwhelming, Wise told jurors. It was also absolutely necessary.

Prosecutors noted that Zoe Kestan, the ex-stripper, had testified to witnessing Hunter use crack in September 2018, shortly before the gun purchase, including at the Freehand Hotel in downtown L.A. and in a Malibu rental home.

He had been to rehab, over and over, Wise said. He knew he had an addiction when he bought the gun.

Wise also pointed to the days after the gun sale, when in text messages, Hunter told Hallie Biden, cryptically, that he was buy-ing, and later, that he was sleeping on a car smoking crack on 4th street and Rodney, an intersection in downtown Wilmington, adding, Theres my truth.

Take the defendants word for it  thats his truth, Wise said.

Lowell, however, reminded jurors about what Hallie Biden said on the witness stand  that Hunter often lied to her about his whereabouts and that their relationship was often tempestuous.

The defense attorney also walked through the day when his client bought the handgun at StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply, where salesman Gordon Cleveland had earned the nickname whale hunter for his ability to identify well-heeled patrons and sell them expensive guns.

Hunter Biden had been at a nearby AT&T store when he walked into the gun shop and eventually purchased a gun, a knife, a BB gun, ammo and a speed loader.

And Lowell returned to the paperwork  the federal background check form  at the center of the case. The lawyer reminded jurors that the question about drug use was posed in the present tense  are you an unlawful user or addicted to drugs?

This doesnt ask what Hunter thinks of himself in 2024, Lowell said. Cleveland, the only gun shop employee who interacted with Hunter, testified that Hunter was not glassy eyed or under the influence, Lowell noted.

Nearing the end, Lowell reframed how Hallie Biden had removed the gun from Hunter Bidens car, emphasizing that it was she who dropped it in a supermarket trash can, while Hunter told her to immediately call police.

Pointing to how Delaware State Police reported the case when officers arrived at the supermarket, Lowell said, Hunter was the victim the entire time.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
President Joe Bidens power to engineer a swift abatement of the war between Israel and Hamas just suffered two serious new blows.

Fallout from an Israeli special forces rescue mission in Gaza, which retrieved four hostages but killed scores of Palestinian civilians, and the resignation of centrist Benny Gantz from Israels war cabinet on Sunday sharpened political and diplomatic dilemmas Biden has struggled for months to reconcile.

 The return of four hostages was a moment of joy for their families, and for all Israelis, and was welcomed by the United States. But the humanitarian toll of the operation underscores the carnage Israel has inflicted on civilians often used by Hamas as human shields in the war, which erupted with the radical Islamic groups assault on Israel on October 7.

 The latest bloodshed in Gaza could further estrange Biden from progressives in his electoral coalition who are outraged at his support for Israel, its operations and its failure to do more to shield civilians. Any significant drop-off in votes from this constituency could endanger Biden in swing states where his rematch against Donald Trump could be decided by thousands of votes. The issue is especially fraught in Michigan, a potentially decisive state in November, which is home to significant numbers of Arab Americans. Vice President Kamala Harris was confronted by a protester during an appearance in the key swing state on Saturday night as she welcomed the hostage release while mourning civilians who were killed.

 The rescue mission also emphasizes the disparity in the death toll between Palestinians and Israelis in the conflict. This is likely to further isolate Israel internationally from nations horrified by the Hamas attacks and to inject further tension between Washington and its allies over the war. Around 1,200 Israelis were killed in the Hamas attacks, while thousands of Palestinians have died in Gaza.

 Gazas bloodiest day in six months, according to authorities there, could also further narrow the political room available to key Arab states involved in the intense US diplomatic efforts to end the fighting. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is nevertheless headed back to Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Qatar this week to try to hike pressure on Hamas to agree a deal.

New turmoil in Israeli politics

The resignation of Gantz, a retired army general who said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no plans for ultimate victory in Gaza or what happens afterward, will have significant domestic and international consequences but is unlikely to transform Israeli politics.

 Gantzs party is not a member of the prime ministers governing coalition, so his departure is unlikely to immediately bring Netanyahu down. If Netanyahu were eventually brought down, it would likely please the Biden administration because of tensions with the prime minister, his refusal to accept US calls to do more to shield Palestinian civilians and his willingness to side with Republicans using the conflict to damage Biden.

 But the loss of Gantz could make Netanyahu more reliant on hard-right members of his coalition who have been pushing him for an even more intense prosecution of the war. That could raise the risks of escalation, which could intensify the simmering wider regional war in which the US is involved.

 The absence of Gantz may also create an even greater obstacle to approval of any peace deal between Israel and Hamas. Besides Netanyahu, the only remaining member of the emergency government with decision-making power is Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, also from the prime ministers Likud party.

 The fracturing of the Israeli war cabinet and Gantzs call for elections could have unpredictable consequences in Israel amid rising protests against Netanyahu. Thousands of people showed up this weekend in marches in multiple cities calling for the release of the remaining hostages and the chance to vote.

Bidens Middle East problem never seems to get better

The latest twist in the Gaza conflict came with Biden in France on a trip marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which he used to warn of growing threats to global democracy and to toughen his political attacks on Trump and the ex-presidents increasingly obvious authoritarian tendencies.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan encapsulated the administrations complex political and diplomatic conundrum in an appearance on CNNs State of the Union. Speaking against a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower on Sunday, he told Dana Bash the US did not participate militarily in the operation to rescue the four Israeli hostages after a US official earlier said that an American cell in Israel took part in efforts to free hostages. Sullivan said US assets had been supporting Israel in helping to identify the locations of those held following the October 7 attacks.

Sullivan also reinforced US calls for a ceasefire, despite doubts that Hamas will agree to one and a belief among some Democrats in Washington that Netanyahu may seek to prolong the war to bolster his hopes of political survival. Washington has been tireless in the search for a halt to the fighting. But its failure to create a breakthrough raises questions about US leverage and Bidens prestige on the world stage five months from Election Day.

The best way to get all of the hostages home and to protect Palestinian civilians is to end this war. And the best way to end this war is for Hamas to say yes to the deal President Biden announced and that Israel has accepted, Sullivan said.

Innocent people were tragically killed in this operation, Sullivan added. The exact number we dont know, but innocent people were killed. And that is heartbreaking. That is tragic.

But the national security advisers comments will do nothing to ease Bidens domestic political exposure over the war. The administration is caught between his left flank and Republicans who have strong political incentives to damage Biden and to deepen ties with their far-right ideological partner Netanyahu. The presidents impossible straddle is likely to become even more testing when Netanyahu takes up on July 24 an invitation to address Congress, which was signed by all four congressional leaders but initiated by Republicans including House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Biden has been incessantly heckled by pro-Palestinian protesters at campaign events since the war erupted, and any large demonstrations at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August could create poor optics and play into Trumps narrative that a law enforcement crackdown is needed in out-of-control cities.

Sen. Tom Cotton voiced the GOPs hardline on the conflict when he said Sunday on Fox News that hed spoken to Netanyahu to congratulate him on the raid. The Arkansas Republican also chided the progressive left here in America, to include The New York Times and Washington Post for highlighting the loss of large numbers of innocent civilians killed during the Israeli operation. While casting doubt on the casualty figures, Cotton said on Fox News, If you dont want your people killed in hostage rescue missions, then you shouldnt take hostages in the first place.

Gazas Ministry of Health said at least 274 people were killed and hundreds were wounded during the IDFs operation to free four Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas. The IDF has disputed those numbers, saying it estimated the number of casualties from the operation was under 100. CNN cannot independently verify the health ministrys figures.

Israels political crisis deepens in a way that will test Biden

Gantz, a member of the war cabinet, said he was pulling out of Netanyahus government because the prime minister put personal political considerations ahead of post-war strategy for the Gaza Strip, and he called on the prime minister to hold an election. Do not let our people be torn apart, Gantz said. Netanyahu had called on Gantz to stay. But his departure doesnt immediately imperil the governing coalition, which still has 64 seats in the 120-member Knesset.

The hostage rescue raid and new turbulence in Israeli politics follow Bidens latest bid to end the war last month when he publicly laid out a three-phase peace plan that would begin with an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and more humanitarian relief in Gaza. His call was endorsed by G7 leaders and was seen by some analysts as an attempt to box in Netanyahu since the deal originally came from the Israelis. In response, Netanyahu insisted the war would not end until Hamas was defeated. Hamas responded positively.

Netanyahus legendary staying power and the reality of the political calendar means theres a strong chance Biden will be forced to deal with the prime minister for the rest of his reelection campaign amid a conflict that could end both their political careers.

Aaron David Miller, a Middle East peace negotiator for multiple US presidents, said Sunday on CNN Newsroom that the Israeli prime minister would try to run out the US political clock since the Knesset goes into recess on July 25 and doesnt return until shortly before the US election. I think he is going to try to buy time before then and make a judgment on how he wants to comport himself with respect to the next US president, Miller said. He cant vote in our election, but if he could, I suspect if he wouldnt be voting for Joe Biden.

Biden has argued that Israel has degraded Hamas to such an extent that it should now begin to contemplate the security end game for Gaza. Some US experts believe it will be impossible to fully eradicate Hamas. But the group seems unlikely to embrace a permanent peace deal that would lead to it losing power in Gaza  one reason why the situation is so intractable.

In order to beat Hamas politically, youve got to introduce another element here. The Saudis, the [United Arab Emirates], and the other Arab governments are willing to do it. Youre going to need some role for the Palestinian Authority, Richard Haass, president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, told CNNs Fareed Zakaria on Sunday.

President Biden made it clear that the United States will be a partner, but it needs Israel to pivot to that place. But its unwilling to, so I think what well likely to see is the war in Gaza continue for some time, albeit at a lower level, Haass added. I think were looking at probably a long, slow grind in Gaza.

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BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Themed "Vision, Imagination, Diversity," 2024 World Lighting Designer Forum will be held in Beijing from July 16 to 19.

Experts from the lighting industry, prominent designers, and representatives from leading enterprises, both locally and internationally, will convene in Beijing for the event.

On July 16, the forum will kick off at the Temple of Agriculture, an important cultural heritage site along Beijing's central axis, where a grand light show will be held to showcase traditional Chinese aesthetics.

The forum will feature activities such as keynote speeches, international academic salons, and thematic discussions.

Works by outstanding Chinese lighting designers will also be exhibited at the forum. 
House Republicans are leaning into their investigations this week, holding a key floor vote and high-profile hearing as they look to go on offense to contrast the ongoing legal entanglements surrounding former President Trump.

The lower chamber is set to vote on holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress, as Republicans spar with the Justice Department over the audio recordings of President Bidens interview with special counsel Robert Hur. A pair of panels advanced contempt resolutions last month, but the vote was delayed as it remained unclear if Republicans had enough support to penalize the top law enforcement officer.

Also this week, the House Judiciary Committee is set to hold a hearing on the Manhattan district attorneys office following former President Trumps conviction in the New York hush money trial. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg  whose presence has been requested  however, is unable to sit for a hearing that day, leaving the path forward uncertain for the GOP-led panel.

On the other side of the Capitol, the Senate is set to vote on a bill to protect access to in vitro fertilization, the latest move by Democrats to put a spotlight on womens reproductive rights ahead of the November elections.

And former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is set to appear before a House panel behind closed doors this week to testify about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Empire State.

House to vote on holding Garland in contempt

The House this week is set to hold a vote on holding Garland in contempt of Congress, nearly a month after two GOP-led committees advanced the punishment.

The House Rules Committee is scheduled to consider a resolution to hold Garland in contempt Tuesday at noon. If that advances, which is expected, the next stop would be the House floor for a vote of the entire chamber.

This weeks vote will mark the culmination of months-long push by House Republicans to gain access to audio recordings of Bidens interviews with special counsel Robert Hur.

Republicans already have the transcript of Bidens conversation with Hur, but they are seeking the audio recordings after the special counsel said the president presented himself as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory. The president has claimed executive privilege over the audio records.

The House Judiciary and Oversight committees advanced resolutions to hold Garland in contempt of Congress last month, but Republican leadership held off on scheduling a full House vote for weeks amid uncertainty of whether there was enough support to penalize the attorney general.

At least two Republicans had privately said they planned to vote against the resolution, a worrying sign for GOP leaders and their slim majority. This week, however, GOP lawmakers are preparing to take the plunge on the vote.

If Merrick Garland continues to refuse to comply with Congressional subpoenas and deny American citizens the transparency and information they deserve to determine the truth, he will face the consequences, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) wrote in a floor lookout Sunday.

The vote comes as House Republicans have struggled to find a smoking gun in their ongoing impeachment investigation into Biden.

House GOP eyes Bragg testimony

The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing Thursday on the Manhattan district attorneys office  following Trumps conviction on 34 felony counts last month  but it remains unclear how the panel will proceed after the district attorneys office said the GOPs requested date was not feasible for Bragg.

Everything is on the table as to what is next, committee spokesperson Russell Dye told The Hill.

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) demanded Bragg and another prosecutor testify June 13  Thursday  shortly after a 12-person jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records in the case centered on a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels.

On Friday, Leslie B. Dubeck, the Manhattan district attorneys general counsel, said the office was willing to cooperate with the committee, but noted it must come after Trumps sentencing July 11. She also said the requested date, June 13, would not work for the district attorney.

This Office is committed to voluntary cooperation, Dubeck wrote. That cooperation includes making the District Attorney available to provide testimony on behalf of the Office at an agreed-upon date, and evaluating the propriety of allowing an Assistant District Attorney to testify publicly about an active prosecution to which he is assigned.

The District Attorneys Office therefore requests an opportunity to engage with Committee staff to identify a new hearing date, and to better understand the scope and purpose of the proposed hearing, she added.

Thursdays hearing is one of many examples of House Republicans targeting individuals investigating Trump. Earlier this month, Jordan wrote a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) asking that his panel include a number of reforms in the government funding process this year, including nixing funding for the FBI that is not essential for the agency to execute its mission and eliminating federal funding for state prosecutors or state attorneys general involved in lawfare.

Senate to take up IVF bill

The Senate this week is set to vote on a bill to protect access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), the latest attempt by Democrats to put Republicans on the record on the topic of womens reproductive rights.

The legislation  led by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)  would establish a nationwide right to IVF and other assisted reproductive technology, in addition to lowering the costs of IVF treatment to make it more affordable.

The issue of IVF access skyrocketed in prominence after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in February that embryos are children and, therefore, protected by the states wrongful death statute. In March, the state enacted a bill protecting IVF providers from the controversial decision.

The courts ruling shocked the nation and shook the political world, with Republicans determining how to best react to the opinion. Many GOP lawmakers have said they support IVF.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he is teeing up the vote to show Americans where lawmakers stand on the matter of reproductive rights, which emerged as a salient topic among voters after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade.

Americans can once again see where Republicans stand on the very important issue of reproductive rights, he said at a press conference last week.

The IVF vote is the second vote Schumer has staged pertaining to reproductive rights this month. Last week, Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would create a federal right to birth control.

Cuomo to testify about COVID-19 behind closed doors

Cuomo  who served as governor of New York from 2011 until his resignation in 2021  is scheduled to sit for a transcribed interview before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic on Tuesday.

The panel said lawmakers will ask Cuomo to explain the circumstances surrounding his issuance of New Yorks deadly must-admit COVID-19 nursing home guidance.

His testimony is crucial to uncover the circumstances that led to his misguided policies and for ensuring that fatal mistakes never happen again, Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), the chair of the panel, said in a statement last week. It is well past time for Cuomo to stop dodging accountability to Congress and start answering honestly to the American people.

The panel issued Cuomo a subpoena in March, expressing interest in investigating his handling of COVID-19 in nursing homes.

The testimony comes one week after Anthony Fauci, the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testified before the panel during a heated hearing.

Cuomo announced in August 2021 that he was resigning from the top job in New York after state Attorney General Letitia James (D) released a report that detailed allegations of sexual harassment against the then-governor. He also faced criticism from some for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York.

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These new housing laws will take effect next month

Project: HOMES' Bermuda Estates community in Chester. Mobile home residents face few protections in the face of a booming housing market that can make trailer park land attractive to developers. (Project: HOMES)

Manufactured homes, mobile homes, trailers  whatever theyre referred to as, this type of housing has offered tenants an affordable option to become homeowners.

But they havent offered as much stability. Thats where Virginia lawmakers have passed some laws to help neighbors around the state have a little more peace of mind.

For example, should a mobile home park be sold for redevelopment, a new law will require some financial assistance to help residents relocate and another new law strengthens protections for residents leases.

The mobile-home-specific proposals are among a suite of housing laws that will take effect next month  ranging from rental protections, extensions of pilot programs and the establishment of workgroups to study potential future laws.

A misnomer to call them mobile

From loopholes in renter protections to the ease of displacement by the selling of parks, mobile home owners dont always have the long-term residency in an area that being a typical homeowner may yield. Many states typically dont have laws specifically for mobile home residents but Virginia has had some targeted legislation in recent years.

Its the several mobile home parks in his district that Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, had in mind when he carried a bill to require park owners to provide $5,000 to cover relocation costs when they sell their park for redevelopment.

In 2024, it can cost between $5,000 and $15,000 to move a mobile home depending on the size and distance traveled.

It can be even costlier for longer-standing homes that may be more fragile to move. Krizek said some residents in his district have told him their estimates are closer to the $10,000 and $12,000 range.

Its really a misnomer to call them mobile, he said.

Tram Nguyen with New Virginia Majority also noted the challenges of moving mobile homes as well. Additionally, cost of living is higher in Northern Virginia where several existing mobile home parks represent dwindling affordable housing options.

I feel like this General Assembly was a bit of a mixed bag, Nguyen said.

Krizek can attest to that. His bill originally included other protections such as extending the notice period for potential sales and granted local governments a first right of refusal to potentially purchase parks. Between moving through committees and chambers and earning Gov. Glenn Youngkins signature, the bill lost other components but retained the relocation expenses.

While Krizek would rather preserve existing mobile home parks, he hopes that his bill can help people when thats not possible due to park sales.

Thats where he points to a $5 million dollar increase in the state budget toward the Manufactured Home Revolving Loan Fund  which helps nonprofit organizations and resident associations purchase parks.

His wasnt the only bill specifically catered to mobile home residents.

Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, and Del. Karrie Delaney, D-Fairfax, made Improvements to the Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act that increased protections such as granting a right of redemption to tenants who may face eviction for unpaid rent. The forthcoming law clarifies the reasons a person can be evicted, to include unpaid rent, and outlines the process both parties can follow.

If you own the home, but you rent the dirt, that is where (this law) applies to you, said Daniel Rezai, a lawyer with the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

Another component of the bill concerns rights for lease renewals. The law gives the same protections that renters of apartments or other homes have.

We made sure that were providing the same kind of protections to tenants in these communities as we do to other residential rental properties, Hashmi said.

For example, tenants wont have to worry about automatic renewals of leases if they dont want them  resulting in potentially breaking a lease and the charges associated with that  should they inform park owners that they wish to leave.

Other new laws

A handful of other housing laws will take effect next month covering other types of residencies or situations residents can find themselves in.

House Bill 73  This will require courts to automatically expunge eviction records for cases that have been dismissed after 30 days.

House Bill 764  This bill will give domestic violence or sexual abuse victims the right to terminate a lease agreement early should they have a permanent protective order and need to move residences for their safety.

House Bill 86  This bill mandates that during eviction cases, landlords notify tenants of any increases to any money that is requested.

House Bill 477 and Senate Bill 50  These bills extend Virginias eviction diversion pilot program for another year.

House Bill 368 and Senate Bill 538  These increase the maximum fine that localities can impose on repeated violations of the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

House Bill 1203  This bill increases tax credit amounts available to landlords who rent to Housing Choice Voucher holders. There is also an earmark for use in rural regions of Virginia.

House Bill 478 and Senate Bill 49  These allow localities to set up Community Revitalization Funds, which can be used to prevent neighborhood deterioration, such as revamping blighted structures for continued use.

Senate Bill 489  This bill establishes a workgroup that can analyze the possibility and options for creating a Virginia Residential Development Infrastructure fund.

House Bill 368 and Senate Bill 195  These bills establish an advisory group to explore changes to Virginias Uniform Statewide Building Code. The specific goal concerns permitting the use of single-exit stairways in multi-family residential buildings that are under six stories tall.

Future goals

Though several bills were able to pass during this years legislative session and are soon to become law, housing advocates and lawmakers stress there is still more work to do.

For the Virginia Housing Alliance, some key priorities failed to gain traction this year and they hope to see the proposals resurface with better luck next year.

For example, Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, and Hashmi plan to try again on their proposal dubbed 5,000 Families. Despite their proposal, it did not make it into the final budget.

5000 Families was really trying to create a pool of funds so that if a family with school-aged kids came into a housing crisis during the school year they can access those funds to keep their housing stable and stay in the same school, Coyner explained.

She explained that she hopes to continue drawing the connections between how stable housing can affect childrens ability to excel in school.

This is not just a housing intervention, but this is a really important education intervention, added Isabel McLain, VHAs policy director.

While an earlier version of Krizeks mobile home bill had included a first right-of-refusal component when it comes to mobile home parks up for sale, a bill from Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, D-Alexandria, would have allowed localities to apply this concept to preserve subsidized housing.

The failed legislation would have required property owners to give localities a chance to match offers to buy certain multifamily rental buildings that might be aging out of affordable housing designations.

Typically, these sorts of properties were developed with the use of low-income housing tax credits, which expire after a set number of years. (Another bill from Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-Prince William, would have also allowed all Virginia localities to take advantage of these credits if they wished to do so when approving developments).

We see it as a way to extend our public investments in affordable housing, McLain said. Weve put a lot of state and federal taxpayer dollars into affordable housing and we dont want those investments to just come to an end.





The post These new housing laws will take effect next month appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
When Indiana Republican convention delegates gather on June 15, theyll have an extraordinary assignment theyve not had since 1996: Selecting a lieutenant governor nominee.

Yes, delegates ratify the statewide ticket every four years, but this year there are two active candidates for lieutenant governor  gubernatorial nominee Mike Brauns choice of state Rep. Julie McGuire of Indianapolis, or Noblesville pastor Micah Beckwith.

Normally, the nominee for governor chooses a running mate.

In 1996, Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith easily defeated Rex Early and George Witwer in the primary with 55% of the vote. We just came through a primary where two-thirds of the Republican county chairmen endorsed Rex, Goldsmith said. And I think its important to reach out to those county chairmen, and it is also important to reach out to delegates at the convention.

While Goldsmith took a hands-off approach, Braun and McGuire as well as Beckwith have been actively meeting with delegates. The Braun campaign sees in McGuire a fresher face, a conservative, a woman. McGuire has been spending six to eight hours of the day on the phone at GOP headquarters contacting delegates, and then hits the road for three or four hours meeting with more in the evenings.

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, who won Indiana's Republican gubernatorial primary, poses with Rep. Julie McGuire, R-Indianapolis, his recommendation for the state's next lieutenant governor.

His entrepreneurial spirit, the way hes ready to run this state, I love the agenda, I love that hes ready to be bold and we need that in Indiana, McGuire told delegates in Merrillville, according to a report from NWI Times reporter Dan Carden. In Fort Wayne on Saturday, Fox 55 reported that though McGuire is in the midst of her first term at the Statehouse, Braun said he is impressed.

The number of people that wanted to be lieutenant governor, none of them were focusing on the most important thing, Braun said. How do you work with the Legislature? Do you understand the process, and are we going to be synced up on what we need to do?

McGuire told Fox 55, We want a united party. Mike wants a partner. Im doing something I love to do. Thats work on public policy. Im a learner. Im a collaborator, and I think my background has been receptive.

Beckwith, who finished a distant third in the 2020 5th Congressional District primary, began his lieutenant governor campaign positioning as a check on Gov. Eric Holcomb.

He's been critical of Holcomb's pandemic-era policy of social closures, masking and vaccinations. His campaign emailed supporters a photo of Albert Einstein, who "once said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. That's why I have broken with tradition and I am running for Indiana lieutenant governor to be your voice."

Micah Beckwith

Hoosier Republicans have had a long history of rebuking their leaders, as they did in 2008 when they rejected Gov. Mitch Daniels' endorsed candidate for attorney general, or in 2022 when they defeated Holcomb's secretary of state choice. And I've covered a number of congressional and legislative caucuses over the years and, invariably, there are candidates who thought they had commitments to go over the top, but then fell well short of victory.

George B. Witwer, publisher of the Bluffton News-Banner, finished third to Goldsmith and Early in the 1996 GOP primary. Witwer learned of Goldsmiths lieutenant governor decision at the same time everyone else did.

Witwers lieutenant governor campaign was atypical, jamming a years worth of stumping in six weeks.

It was kind of spontaneous, Witwer said. People kept reaching out to me.

The situation was very different in 1996, Witwer said. Rex still had quite a bit of support when the convention came around. The convention was not united behind Steve.

Braun won the six-person primary with just under 40%, meaning that 60% of voters backed someone else. Since then his primary rivals in Eric Doden, Brad Chambers and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch have closed ranks behind him.

Witwer was endorsed by Indianapolis News publisher Russ Pulliam and former Gov. Doc Bowen, but Secretary of State Sue Anne Gilroy appeared to have momentum on the eve of the convention as the candidate list grew. A hard delegate count I got wind of on the convention floor minutes before the first ballot had Gilroy at 750, Witwer at 650 and Friend at 500.

Then came the first ballot, which Howey Politics described as a thunderclap  Witwer 826, Gilroy 524, and Rep. Bill Friend at 448.

A benign kind of pandemonium broke out to the right of the stage after the first ballot totals emerged, Howey Politics reported. The remaining contenders sought out one man, Marion County Chairman John Sweezy.

Witwer approached Sweezy: We want to cooperate with you.

But Sweezy was adamant, declaring, We'll stay with Sue Anne on the second ballot.

On the second ballot, Witwer rolled to a 1,121-542 victory over Gilroy to clinch the nomination. Someone told me I won Marion County on the second ballot, Witwer told Howey Politics once the dust had settled. There were many delegates who voted their conscience.

Witwer, who is not a delegate this month, is ardently backing Braun and believes McGuire should be nominated.

So while Braun and McGuire as expressing confidence that they will prevail a couple of Saturdays from now, the proof will come in that final roll call.

Brian Howey is senior writer and columnist for Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs. Find Howey on Facebook and X @hwypol.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Howey: A 1996-style assignment awaits Hoosier GOP delegates
Refugees from the Ukrainian walk along a street. Hungary has detained 32 Ukrainian citizens who fled across the border in a lorry, the Ukrainian border guard agency said on Monday. Marton Monus/dpa

Hungary has detained 32 Ukrainian citizens who fled across the border in a lorry, the Ukrainian border guard agency said on Monday.

"The neighbouring side reported that they had discovered a vehicle and detained 32 Ukrainian citizens," Ukrainian border guard spokesman Andriy Demchenko told the news site Ukrainska Pravda on Monday.

Demchenko acknowledged there has been speculation that the lorry belonged to the Ukrainian military on the basis of its green paint and black number plate, which is normally seen on army vehicles.

But he said the truck is not believed to have come from the military.

There was initially no confirmation from the Hungarian side.

Martial law was imposed in Ukraine with the onset of Russia's invasion in February 2022 and men of conscription age are barred from leaving the country with few exceptions.

There are frequent attempts by men trying to illegally flee across the border into neighbouring EU states and Moldova.

The bodies of those who fled have been found in the border river Tisza and in the Carpathian Mountains.
Hunt continues for suspects in shooting at Ohio party that left 1 dead and 27 others injured

Investigators have identified a 28th victim in a mass shooting at a birthday party in Akron, Ohio, last week that left one person dead, city officials said Monday, as they continue their search for a suspect or suspects.

The latest victim was initially believed to be a witness but was in fact grazed by a bullet, Akron Police Chief Brian Harding said at a news conference Monday, eight days after gunfire erupted at the party early on June 2.

The 36-year-old woman went to a hospital after the shooting but was referred elsewhere, Harding said, and ultimately did not seek medical treatment.

Police continue to follow up on leads, Harding said, telling reporters investigators had received a large number of tips.

I dont have a specific suspect or any of that information that Im willing to share right now, Harding said.

Police initially said there were 25 victims, including the 27-year-old man who was killed. Last Wednesday, Akron Police updated that figure, announcing in a post on Facebook that 27 individuals were hit by gunfire and identifying the deceased victim as LaTeris Cook. At that time, two victims remained in critical condition, while the other 25 were either stable or had been released from medical care.

The shooting is one of at least 208 mass shootings in the US so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which  like CNN  defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more people are injured, excluding the shooter or shooters.

Police responded shortly after midnight on June 2 to 911 calls reporting shots fired and multiple victims, according to an earlier statement from Harding and Mayor Shammas Malik. The shooting took place at a large birthday party where 200 people had been in attendance, Harding said at a news conference that evening.

The scene appeared consistent with someone driving by shooting out of a car, Harding said at the time.

Investigators recovered 45 shell casings fired from at least five different guns, the citys update last Wednesday said, adding three handguns were found at the scene. At least one person returned fire, the update said.

Several agencies  including the ATF and US Marshals  are offering up to $22,500 in rewards for information related to the case.

Also Monday, Mayor Malik announced the city was creating a gun violence response fund aimed at assisting the victims of last weeks shooting and the victims of future shootings.

Gun violence is a huge issue in our community and in many cities across the country. Its something that has been a high priority for me and for our new administration and will continue to be, he said.

CNNs Raja Razek, Michelle Watson, Christina Maxouris and Lauren Mascarenhas contributed to this report.

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Jurors in Delaware federal court began deliberating on Monday afternoon over whether Hunter Biden should be convicted of illegally obtaining a gun five years ago while abusing drugs.

Biden, 54, has pleaded not guilty to three counts related to lying on an October 2018 gun application form. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted in the first case ever to be brought against a sitting presidents son.

The 12-person jury went home on Monday after 60 minutes of deliberation and will return on Tuesday around 9 a.m.

In his closing argument, Assistant U.S. Attorney Leo Wise argued to jurors that while Biden has had a large show of support in courtincluding first lady Jill Biden and President Joe Bidens brother Jamesit does not change the fact that Hunter illegally obtained a gun five years ago.

All of this is not evidence, Wise said as he waved around the courtroom where Hunters wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, sat among a coterie of supporters.

People sitting in the gallery are not evidence, he added.

Defense attorney Abbe Lowell rested his case on Monday, confirming that the presidents son would not take the stand in his own defense. In his closing argument, he said Biden didnt knowingly lie on the form and prosecutors didnt meet the threshold of proving their case.

There was no actual witness to Bidens drug use around the time he bought the gun, Lowell added.

Hunters Women: The Three Exes Tangled Up in Bidens Trial

Over the last week, three of Bidens exes testified about his years-long struggle with addiction. Their gut-wrenching testimony was the crux of the prosecutions case to prove that Biden lied when asked whether he was addicted to drugs when buying a $5,000 firearm.

The evidence was personal, it was ugly, it was overwhelming, Wise said Monday. He knew he was using drugs; thats what the evidence shows.

On Monday, shortly after the defense rested, prosecutors recalled FBI agent Erika Jensen to the stand to discuss some of Bidens text messages about allegedly meeting a drug dealer at a 7-Eleven around October 2018. Jensen confirmed that she did not have location data showing where Biden was when he sent the messages. After her brief testimony, the prosecution concluded their case.

We see in these messages him buying drugs, telling other people he was using drugs, Wise said.

Lowell, however, argued that texts do not prove he actually went to the convenience store. They want to give you the inference that what he was doing that morning was buying drugs, he said. Not a cup of coffee.

The defense called just three witnesses in their case, including Bidens eldest daughter, Naomi, who testified about her fathers attempts to get sober. Her mother and Hunters ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, testified days prior about finding a crack pipe in their D.C home in 2015.

I knew that he was struggling with addiction, Naomi Biden said, noting how things got bad after her uncle and Hunters brother, Beau Biden, died of brain cancer.

The New York Times reported Biden was upset about the prosecutions tough questioning of Naomi, and he had considered taking the stand. That changed over the weekend after conversations with his attorney.

Bidens sister-in-law and former paramour, Hallie Biden, told jurors last week that she found the firearm inside his truck a few days after he bought it. In a panic, she said, she put the gun in a brown leather pouch that a chemist testified had traces of cocaine. She put the pouch in a shopping bag before throwing it away at a grocery store near her house. Later, she filed a police report for the gun registered under Bidens name after he told her to look for it.

I didnt want him to hurt himself or my kids to find it and hurt themselves. I was afraid to, kind of, touch it, Hallie said. I was just so flustered from the whole thing. I realized it was a stupid idea, but I was just panicking.

The gun was eventually found by Edward Banner, a General Motors retiree who had a hobby of rummaging for recyclables in the area.

Poor Hallie, Lowell said on Monday about Hallies testimony, adding that she was dragged through a tragic period of her life.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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WILMINGTON, Delaware  Hunter Bidens criminal case on federal gun charges is now in the hands of a jury.

The panel of six men and six women deliberated for about an hour on Monday afternoon after hearing closing arguments from prosecutors and Bidens defense team.

Jurors were dismissed for the day without reaching a verdict. They will resume deliberations Tuesday morning.

The presidents son faces three felony charges, brought by special counsel David Weiss, stemming from his purchase of a handgun in October 2018. Prosecutors have charged Biden with illegally possessing a gun as a drug user and lying on paperwork about his addiction to crack cocaine at the time of the purchase.



Near the start of his closing argument, prosecutor Leo Wise gestured to the crowd of people in the courtroom gallery, which included First Lady Jill Biden and other members of the Biden family.

All of this is not evidence, Wise told the jury. The people sitting in the gallery are not evidence.  You may recognize some of them from the news or the community.  Respectfully, none of that matters.

No one is above the law, Wise said.

He also referenced the extensive and painful evidence prosecutors provided of Bidens addiction.

To be clear, the evidence was personal, it was ugly and it was overwhelming, he said.

One juror applied lip gloss during Wises opening statement. Anothers eyelids fluttered.

Bidens lead defense lawyer, Abbe Lowell, faulted the prosecution for the reference to the publicity surrounding the case.

How did they just begin their argument? Lowell asked in his own closing argument. With raising his mom or wife or sister or other relatives sitting in the courtroom.

Lowell described the prosecutors allegations as based on suspicion and conjecture. He said prosecutors were most unfair and took statements out of context when, during the trials evidence phase, they played long audio excerpts from Bidens memoir about his struggles with addiction.

Its time to end this case, Lowell argued.

He accused prosecutors of using a magicians trick to persuade jurors of Bidens guilt  drawing attention to salacious evidence while hoping they wouldnt notice the weakness of their arguments. Lowell gestured with his hands to mimic the alleged misdirection.

Most of the jurors appeared attentive, with one alternate sitting on the edge of her chair. But two jurors opened and closed their eyes very slowly. One of the two rested his head heavily in his hand. The other closed his eyes for periods of four seconds or longer.

Lowell criticized prosecutors for their unsparing cross-examination of Bidens adult daughter Naomi, who testified Friday in her fathers defense. Their decision to ask her if she had ever used cocaine was a desperate move that highlighted the weakness of their case, Lowell argued.

Thats reasonable doubt  and extraordinarily cruel to his daughter, the defense lawyer said.

Prosecutor Derek Hines defended the questioning of Naomi Biden by offering a rather obvious retort.

Who called the defendants daughter as a witness in this case? Not us, Hines said.

In the prosecutions final pitch to the jury, Hines said the evidence of Bidens drug addiction during the period around the gun purchase  including photographs, text messages, statements in Bidens memoir and testimony from his family members  was overwhelming.

We proved that beyond a reasonable doubt seven ways to Sunday, Hines said. If this evidence did not establish that Hunter Biden is a crack addict or unlawful user, then no one is a crack addict or unlawful user.

In addition to the first lady, other members of the Biden family attended the closing arguments, including Hunter Bidens wife Melissa Cohen-Biden, his uncle James Biden and his half-sister Ashley Biden.

Some in the family grew emotional as the trial built to a conclusion. As the defense played aloud in the courtroom a recording of Biden reading a portion of his memoir, Ashley Biden began crying and later left the courtroom for a time.

I hate recalling it, Biden said in the audio recording, referring to his addiction. I hate the damage it caused to me and others.

Biden faces a maximum prison sentence of 25 years if convicted on all counts, but would likely receive much less prison time, if any.

Earlier on Monday, Bidens defense team rested its case after Biden declined to testify in his own defense.

The trial began on June 3. Prosecutors spent four days last week presenting witnesses and evidence, including lengthy portions from the audio version of Bidens memoir, which described his addiction in gut-wrenching detail.

They also called three women who had been in relationships with Biden: Kathleen Buhle, his ex-wife; Zoe Kestan, who was romantically involved with him in 2017 and 2018; and Hallie Biden, his brothers widow, with whom he struck up a romance after his brothers death in 2015. All three women shared details about his use of crack cocaine.

Prosecutors also called the gun store salesman said to have sold Biden the gun. He described helping Biden choose a revolver and watching him fill out a federal gun purchase form, including checking a box saying he did not use illegal drugs.

Bidens defense team presented a brief case on Friday, calling three witnesses to testify for him. Two of them  the owner of the gun store and a former employee there  were not particularly friendly. Both described the process by which the gun store personnel handled his paperwork.

Lowell had wanted to show the jury evidence that the gun purchase form was altered several weeks after the sale, when someone belatedly added a line saying Biden used his vehicle registration as ID. But Judge Maryellen Noreika barred the defense from making that argument.

Still, by calling in two people who were at the gun store on the day of the sale, Lowell aimed to raise questions in jurors minds about how the purchase was handled. One of the witnesses indicated that something was wrong with the copy of the form shown during the trial, but could not elaborate after prosecutors objected.

Naomi Biden testified for the defense that she saw her father in New York in October of 2018, the month when he bought the gun, and said he seemed to be doing well. But prosecutors cast doubt on that characterization by showing her texts she exchanged with her father on that trip, including one in which he messaged her at 2 a.m. about meeting up, and another in which she wrote, Im really sorry dad I cant take this.
President Bidens 54-year-old son is facing three felony charges over whether he lied about his drug addiction on a federal firearm application.

Jury deliberations in Hunter Bidens federal gun trial began Monday in Wilmington, Del., following closing arguments after the defense rested without calling the presidents 54-year-old son to testify.

The 12-member panel was dismissed for the day about an hour after being handed the case. Deliberations are expected to resume Tuesday morning.

Hunter Biden is facing three felony charges over whether he lied about his addiction to crack cocaine while applying to purchase the firearm six years ago. He has pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors allege that Biden falsely claimed he was not a drug user on the application and illegally possessed the handgun for 11 days. He faces up to 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines if found guilty of all three charges.

Heres what happened in court on Monday.

Defense rests without calling Hunter Biden to testify

Hunter Biden arrives at the federal courthouse in Wilmington, Del., with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, on Monday. (Hannah Beier/Reuters)

After spending the weekend weighing whether to put Hunter Biden on the witness stand, lawyers for his defense opted not to do so and rested their case Monday.

According to the New York Times, Hunter Biden was angered by the prosecutions cross-examination of his daughter Naomi Biden Neal on Friday and told people in his orbit that he would consider testifying.

But his defense attorney, Abbe Lowell, indicated in court Monday that Hunter Biden would not take the stand in his own defense, and Judge Maryellen Noreika later instructed the jury not to hold it against him that he did not testify in this case.

Closing arguments put focus on his addiction

Hunter Biden departs federal court in Wilmington, Del., Monday. (Matt Slocum/AP)

Prosecutor Leo Wise began his closing statement by arguing that the government did not have to prove Biden used drugs on any specific day to prove its case but only that President Bidens son was aware of his drug addiction at the time he filled out the federal application to purchase a firearm.

The defendant knew he used crack and was addicted to crack at the relevant time period, Wise told the jury.

Wise pointed to testimony from Bidens former romantic partners who had described his drug use in varying degrees of detail. He also pointed to text messages Biden had with drug dealers around the time he bought the handgun.

"The evidence was personal, Wise told jurors. It was ugly and overwhelming."

Hunter Biden hugs James Biden, his uncle, after arriving at the courthouse on Monday. (Matt Slocum/AP)

The defense, though, argued that the evidence presented by prosecutors was underwhelming, comparing the prosecution's case to a magicians trick.

Hunter Bidens lead defense attorney, Lowell, argued that the prosecution had to prove that the presidents son knew he was violating the law at the time of his gun purchase to meet its burden of proof and that it had failed to do so.

With this very high burden, its time to end this case, Lowell said.

Following closing arguments, the judge instructed the 12-member jury to begin deliberations.

First lady Jill Biden and a family pastor attend the trial

First lady Jill Biden arrives at federal court in Wilmington, Del., on Monday. (Matt Slocum/AP)

First lady Jill Biden, who attended every day of Hunter Bidens trial except for one, was back in court on Monday. The first lady missed Thursdays proceedings when she traveled to Paris to attend D-Day ceremonies with President Biden.

The Bidens also invited a pastor and family friend, the Rev. Christopher Alan Bullock of the Canaan Baptist Church in New Castle, Del., to attend the trial and lead a prayer with Hunter inside the courthouse before Monday's proceedings got under way.

The president did not attend the trial but did release a rare statement about the case before jury selection, saying: 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 Bidens trial comes just days after former President Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 charges of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star whose alleged affair with him threatened to torpedo his 2016 election campaign.
Hunter Biden arrives to federal court with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, Monday, June 10, 2024, in Wilmington, Del. Hunter Biden had been expected to be a key witness in his trial related to three gun felony charges, but his lawyers told the courtroom Monday he wont be testifying. | Matt Slocum

Hunter Biden had been expected to be a key witness in his trial related to three gun felony charges, but his lawyers told the Wilmington, Delaware, courtroom Monday he wont be testifying. The defense called his daughter Naomi Biden to the stand and she backed her dads sobriety efforts during testimony.

By contrast, the prosecutions witness list included at least 10 names, including Bidens ex-wife and former love interests, who painted a jarring picture of Bidens rampant drug use before and around the time he purchased a firearm in October 2018.

He is facing three charges related to purchasing and possessing a gun for 11 days while allegedly being a drug user.

The defense rested its case on Monday morning. Judge Maryellen Noreika, presiding over Hunter Bidens trial, is running a tight ship as the court proceedings moved to closing arguments after lunchtime.

As NBC News reported, Bidens close circle showed up to court on the final day of arguments. His stepmother, first lady Jill Biden, his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden and his sister Ashley Biden appeared to support the presidents son nearly every day last week. On Monday, they were joined by a few others, including Bidens friend Kevin Morris, his aunt Valerie Biden Owens and her husband, Jack Owens.

President Joe Biden has kept his distance from the courtroom. Last week, he was in France for the commemoration of D-Day. He arrived in Wilmington Sunday night and is headed to the White House Monday to deliver remarks at a Juneteenth concert.

After the defense rested its case, prosecutors called back FBI agent Erika Jensen to the stand for a rebuttal and presented text exchanges between Hallie Biden and Hunter Biden around the time he purchased the firearm. The conversations showed the presidents son discussing buying drugs from someone close to a 7-Eleven. The geolocation attached to the texts confirms he was by the convenience store.

Hunter Bidens lawyer Abbe Lowell pressed the FBI agent about details, asking if other stores are located around the 7-Eleven and whether the location data could confirm when Biden was in the area. Jensen confirmed other stores exist in the area, and that they couldnt verify the time of Bidens visit to the 7-Eleven.

Closing remarks

The prosecution delivered closing arguments first. Attorney Leo Wise, started off boldly, saying no one is above the law, as he dissected each count Hunter Biden is charged with. The question at the heart of this trial is whether Biden was a drug addict when he bought his gun. According to The Daily Beast, Wise said, The evidence was personal, it was ugly, it was overwhelming.

It was also absolutely necessary, he added.

He noted Biden checked he wasnt a drug user or addict on federal forms required for gun purchases. Wise recalled Hallie Bidens testimony from last week, where she she said she threw away Hunter Bidens firearm, and said there wasnt any evidence the gun was in anyone elses possession, as The Associated Press reported. Ultimately, it comes down to Hunter Bidens pattern of use.

The defense pushed back, saying the evidence doesnt indicate whether Biden took the gun out of its original lockbox before Hallie Biden tossed it away in a grocery store trash can. On Oct. 23, Hallie did something incredibly stupid, Lowell said. She may have done it for love. Or, he argued, she did it to seek revenge after suspecting Hunter Biden was involved with another woman, ABC News reported.

Lowell also argued the federal forms required Hunter Biden to answer in present tense about his drug use. He also downplayed Bidens intention to buy a firearm, saying he decided to do so on a whim.

Hunter Biden faces another trial in California over an alleged failure to pay $1.4 million in taxes. Both cases were almost resolved last summer when Hunter Biden reached a plea deal with prosecutors, before that fell apart under scrutiny.
FAIZABAD, Afghanistan, June 10 (Xinhua) -- At least four people died and seven others were injured as a passenger vehicle fell into a valley in northern Afghanistan's Badakhshan province, a local official said Monday.

The mishap occurred Sunday night in the province's Yaftal-e-Payan district after the vehicle veered off the road and overturned into a valley as the driver was unfamiliar with the street, said Hekmatullah Mohammadi, provincial director of information and culture.

The victims, who were workers and residents of the eastern Laghman province, were returning from Raghistan district to Faizabad city, the provincial capital of Badakhshan province, Mohammadi added. 
Husband of missing wife pleads not guilty in Miami to kidnapping her in Spain

A South Florida man whose estranged wife has been missing in Spain since early February pleaded not guilty Monday to a federal indictment charging him with kidnapping her. Hes also challenging his detention that was ordered by a magistrate judge in Miami.

David Knezevich, 36, was indicted on a single charge of traveling from Miami to Madrid to kidnap his wife between Jan. 27 and Feb. 5. The wife, who is only identified as a victim in the indictment, is Ana Maria Knezevich Henao, 40. She left for Spain in late December as the Fort Lauderdale couple confronted divorce, including a fight over millions of dollars in joint assets.

The wife, a Colombia native, has been reported missing since she was last seen in Madrid on Feb. 2, according to Spains National Police, which is investigating her disappearance as a possible murder case and has conducted searches for her body. FBI agents have assisted Spanish authorities in those searches.

Knezevich was arrested in early May at Miami International Airport by FBI agents when returning from his native Serbia. Since his arrest he has been held at the Federal Detention Center in Miami. If convicted of the single kidnapping charge, he faces up to life in prison and the loss of any money stemming from the offense.

Knezevich, who is suspected of masterminding an elaborate intercontinental kidnapping and murder of his wife in Spain, was previously denied bond in Miami federal court by Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres. The judge found, based on an FBI criminal complaint before Knezevich was indicted on the single kidnapping charge, that his wealth and connections abroad made him a flight risk. But at his detention hearing last month, Torres also said the decision was a close call.

In his detention order filed in early June, Torres spelled out his reasoning for keeping Knezevich locked up before trial.

A great deal of circumstantial evidence supports the governments complaint, including [the] defendants documented travel through extraordinary means from the United States to Turkey and then to Spain, Torres wrote. Additionally, the defendant appears on video surveillance in Spain purchasing materials that may have been used in a kidnapping, all while the defendant claims to have been elsewhere.

The governments complaint is also supported by a strong motive that [the] defendant may have had to commit this offense given his bitter divorce with the victim.

Defense attorney Jayne Weintraub responded in a court filing that Knezevich should be released because he has lived in Fort Lauderdale for the past 15 years, is close to a brother who also resides in the same area, and owns an information technology business along with real estate investments.

She also pointed out that most of his means are tied up in second mortgages and that his estranged wifes family has opened up a conservatorship to manage her property, leaving Knezevich with very little money available at all.

In response, federal prosecutors maintain that Knezevich is both a flight risk and danger to the community. They noted in a court filing that the defendant reported to the courts probation office that his estimated net work is about $2.5 million after selling seven residential properties for about $6.7 million between December 2003 and February 2024, before his estranged wifes disappearance in Spain.

Knezevich then loaned the bulk of the proceeds to the purchaser of the properties, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Lacee Monk, who added that a title agent questioned by the FBI said he is holding $214,000 in an escrow account for Knezevich. Knesevich did not disclose that money to the probation office, Monk said.

Knezevich hasnt yet been charged with the murder of Ana, his wife of 13 years. That is a possibility, if Spains National Police or the FBI recover his wifes body.

David Knezevich

As of now, its not even known if shes dead.

READ MORE: We miss her: Brother of Fort Lauderdale woman who vanished in Spain pleads for help

Federal prosecutors believe Ana Knezevich was so frightened by her husband that the Fort Lauderdale couples relationship essentially ended when she boarded a flight for Madrid the day after Christmas. Once there, they say, she messaged friends and family of the troubled relationship and began to date several men.

Ana Knezevich disappeared on Feb. 2, and all contact with friends and family ended.
An Idaho girl was raped and killed over 40 years ago. The man accused is now on trial

Daralyn Johnson woke up in the early morning of Feb. 24, 1982, excited to get to school and give her friend a letter.

The 9-year-old Nampa girl rushed to get ready pulling on her wool socks, greenish pants and a red soccer shirt that cold morning before heading out the door and down six blocks to the now-closed Lincoln Elementary School, leaving her 6-year-old sister, Darci, behind.

What Darci didnt know was that that would be the last time shed see her sister alive, Canyon County Deputy Prosecutor Theodore Lagerwall told a courtroom last month.

Daralyn Johnson, of Nampa, was nine years old when she was killed in 1982.

Daralyns body was found 18 miles away in a drainage ditch near the Snake River. Lagerwall said shed been raped, viciously beaten and drowned.

Four decades after Daralyn was killed, jurors listened to evidence during a weekslong trial and will deliberate on whether to convict now-66-year-old David Dalrymple, a Nampa man who lived within blocks of the Johnson family, of the first-degree murder and rape of Daralyn. Investigators charged Dalrymple with the crimes in January 2022 after using genetic genealogy testing. He was named as a suspect in 2020.

The evidence that you are going to hear in this courtroom will establish that this defendant snatched her off of that street, Lagerwall told the jurors in Dalrymples criminal trial. He took her off that street and he robbed her of her joy, of her innocence, of a childhood  and he took her life.

Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue during a 2020 news conference announces David Dalrymple as a suspect in the 1982 killing of Daralyn Johnson.

Dalrymple threatened to make girl disappear: affidavit

Charles Fain was initially charged and subsequently convicted of the crimes in November 1983. A few months later he was sentenced to death, and remained on death row for nearly two decades. He came within four days of being executed in 1991 before U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor stayed the capital punishment, the Idaho Statesman previously reported.

The problem is, Charles Fain didnt do this, Lagerwall said. You will hear evidence, and see evidence, and hear testimony that clearly establishes this poor guy didnt do this.

Fain was released from prison in 2001, two years after he filed a motion to conduct DNA testing on pubic hairs that were found on Johnsons autopsy. It wasnt until 2021 that Fain was declared innocent by the state of Idaho.

Charles Fain spent 18 years on death row for the wrongful conviction of the murder of nine-year-old Daralyn Johnson. His sentence was later overturned by DNA evidence with the assistance of the Idaho Innocence Project.

The pubic hair found on Daralyn was sent to Bode Labs in Lorton, Virginia, in December 2000, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by the Canyon County Sheriffs Office and obtained by the Statesman through a public records request. For nearly 20 years, investigators tested the hair sample against several suspects until it was sent to another lab in 2018 at the recommendation of Greg Hampikian, Idaho Innocence Project co-director, according to prior Statesman reporting.

There the hair was determined to be male, and genetic genealogy was used by the FBI to identify a family line  the Dalrymple family, made up of four boys and two girls from Idaho, the affidavit said. At the time of the crime, two of the boys were too young to drive, and the third brother was serving in the military; the fourth was David Dalrymple, who was living in Nampa.

Jim Dalrymple, one of Davids brothers, consented to a DNA sample to help solve the case. Buccal swabs were sent to a lab at University of California Santa Cruz, where results confirmed it belonged to the Dalrymple family, according to the affidavit.

David Dalrymple refused to take a DNA test. But after authorities secured an order to forcibly obtain his DNA, testing showed again that the hair very likely belonged to him in April 2020, the affidavit said. David Dalrymple was officially charged with first-degree murder and rape in January 2022.

Dalrymple was already serving a 20-year to life sentence for kidnapping, lewd contact with a child and sexual abuse of a minor for a separate case, according to the affidavit. The victim in that case was a young girl.

The Canyon County Sheriffs Office said that during their investigation, they located two other victims of Dalrymple who never reported the assault to law enforcement, the affidavit said.

Both of the victims said they wouldve been between the ages of 8 and 11 when the alleged sexual assaults occurred, with one of the victims telling law enforcement that Dalrymple took her down to the river near Eagle and threatened to make her disappear if she reported the abuse, according to the affidavit.

It has been a long journey  42 years  for Daralyn Johnsons killer to finally be facing justice, Lagerwall said during the trial.

Defense attorney says prosecution lost evidence

During his brief opening statement, Dalrymples Caldwell attorney Jesse James attempted to shift the blame back onto Fain and discredit the way law enforcement handled the case.

James said the jurors would hear from Daralyns acquaintance that when she was walking to school that day, she saw an older gray car with big wheels that had a little girl in the inside who could have been Daralyn.

He added that Fain had a similar vehicle at the time, painted it red following Daralyns death and removed the carpets.

Back in the 80s, the prosecution and law enforcement lost evidence, including blood, that wasnt properly refrigerated, James said. He added that in recent years the Canyon County Prosecutors Office also lost an entire box of evidence in the murder case.

At the end of this case, youre going to have more questions than answers, James said. Youre going to have more concerns than confidence, and you are going to have more doubt than proof.
(Bloomberg) -- Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi retained several cabinet ministers in key portfolios, including finance, signaling policy continuity in a new coalition government in charge of the worlds fastest-growing major economy.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Nirmala Sitharaman was reappointed Indias finance minister, a position shes held since 2019, the government said Monday. Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari all kept their posts.

The cabinet appointments follow several days of intense negotiations between Modis Bharatiya Janata Party and its coalition partners, who the BJP is now forced to share power with after losing its outright majority in recent elections. Modi was sworn in to office for a third consecutive term on Sunday, allowing him to continue pursuing his ambitious economic agenda.

However, the disappointment at the polls suggest his government will need to do more to tackle unemployment, especially among the youth, rising living costs and widening inequality.

Economists said the reappointment of key ministers helps to ease market concerns around the new coalition government, particularly around fiscal policy. Modis government had pledged to curb the fiscal deficit to 4.5% of gross domestic product by next year, but the BJPs below-par performance at the polls has raised fears officials may ramp up spending to shore up voter support, putting budget targets at risk. The BJP will face a series of crucial state elections in coming months including in Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi.

Sitharaman is a prudent fiscal manager, said Abheek Barua, chief economist at HDFC Bank, adding that the minister will ensure India remains on the path of fiscal consolidation. We can see more allocation towards rural development and rural housing, and she will ensure that it does not translate into any fiscal slippage. Its very critical at this moment.

The ministers immediate task will be to present the governments budget, likely in July, which will provide insight into the Modi coalitions priorities going forward. A boost to government coffers recently means theres fiscal space to spend more. Tax revenue has soared and the central bank recently announced it will pay a record dividend of about $25 billion to the government.

There are no plans to raise the fiscal deficit target from 5.1% of GDP for the current year, Reuters reported, citing an unidentified government official.

S&P Global Ratings recently signaled a possible credit rating upgrade in coming months, citing the improved fiscal position.

The decision to retain key cabinet ministers in the important portfolios of finance, home, defense, external affairs, road transport, in the third term sends a strong signal of policy continuity, said Sonal Varma, chief economist for India and Asia ex-Japan at Nomura Holdings Inc.

Some of the new faces in the cabinet include Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh state, who was appointed agriculture minister, and J.P. Nadda, the BJP president, who was named health minister. Of the 30 cabinet positions, 25 stayed with the BJP and five went to the allied parties.

Economists expect the BJP-led government to continue its focus on infrastructure spending, which has helped underpin rapid economic growth. Indias economy expanded more than 8% in the fiscal year that ended in March, with the central bank predicting growth will reach 7.2% in the current fiscal year.

We expect the new government to stick to the fiscal consolidation path with a continued thrust on infrastructure creation through more rail network, amidst a slight tilt towards more rural spending, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. economists including Santanu Sengupta wrote in a note.

--With assistance from Shruti Srivastava, Abhijit Roy Chowdhury, Santosh Kumar, Abhishek Vishnoi and Chiranjivi Chakraborty.

(Updates with media report on fiscal deficit.)

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FILE - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to the media outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi, India, Friday, June 7, 2024. India's Narendra Modi, newly sworn in for a third straight term, named a Cabinet on Monday, June 10, 2024, that retained his top ministers in crucial portfolios despite his Hindu nationalist party losing their majority in a shock election result. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup, File)

NEW DELHI (AP)  India's Narendra Modi, newly sworn in for a third straight term, named a Cabinet on Monday that retained his top ministers in crucial portfolios despite his Hindu nationalist party losing their majority in a shock election result.

There was no change in the top four ministries. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who spearheaded the country's foreign policy for the last five years, was handed back his position as the External Affairs Minister. Amit Shah will continue as India's Home Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman will remain as the Finance Minister and Rajnath Singh will continue to be Defense Minister.

India's six-week-long election came to an end last week, in which Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party failed to secure a majority on its own after it won landslide victories in 2014 and 2019. However, his National Democratic Alliance coalition won enough seats to form the government, with him at the helm.

This is the first time the BJP under Modi has needed support from its regional allies to form a government after a decade of commanding the majority in India's parliament.

Final election results showed Modis BJP won 240 seats, well below the 272 needed for a majority. Together, the parties in the NDA coalition secured 293 seats in the 543-member lower house of parliament.

Modi, 73, is only the second Indian prime minister to win a third straight term.

On Sunday, he and 71 ministers took the oath of office at Indias presidential palace, Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi. 61 of them were from the BJP while the remaining were BJP's NDA allies. Only seven of them were women, and not a single one from the Muslim community, the largest minority group in India whose political representation as lawmakers has shrunk under Modi.

The results, which defied exit polls that predicted a landslide for the BJP, left Modi's coalition government largely dependent on two key regional allies  the Telugu Desam Party in southern Andhra Pradesh state and Janata Dal (United) in eastern Bihar state  to stay in power. On Sunday, two lawmakers from each party were sworn in as ministers.

The surprising drop in support for the BJP means Modi needs support from his regional allies to stay in power, and experts say he may have to adapt to a style of governance he is not used to.

An avowed Hindu nationalist, Modi is considered a champion of the countrys Hindu majority, who make up 80% of Indias 1.4 billion population. His supporters credit him with rapid economic growth and improving Indias global standing since coming to power.

But critics say he has also undermined Indias democracy and its status as a secular nation with attacks by Hindu nationalists against the countrys minorities, particularly Muslims, and a shrinking space for dissent and free media. His political opponents, who are now more emboldened than before, also rallied their campaign around his government's mixed economic record, pointing to high unemployment and growing inequality despite strong growth, which analysts say resonated with voters.
Troopers are searching for a man who was reported to have unlawfully entered an apartment in Indiana County.

Brian Derek Jones, 21, of Kent, was charged with a felony count of criminal trespass and an arrest warrant was issued.

Troopers were called to an apartment at 310 Maple Street in White Township at around 12:20 a.m. on June 9. A person reported that an acquaintance, identified as Jones, entered her apartment through an unlocked window and approached her as she was lying in bed. The victim said that Jones fled after she yelled at him to leave.

Jones, who is believed to be homeless and on foot, is described as 6 feet tall, weighing about 160 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair.

Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts is asked to contact Troop A at 724-357-1960 or call 911.

Since June 6, troopers have also investigated two recent similar incidents in the area of Maple Street and South 3rd Street in White Township, both of which occurred during the late night/early morning hours.

In those incidents, an unknown person was reported to have been looking in a window of a residence and an unknown person was reported to have opened an unsecured door of an occupied home. In both incidents, no property was reported to have been stolen or damaged and the suspect fled prior to troopers arrival.

In light of these incidents, troopers are urging residents to call 911 to report any suspicious activity and ensure that their doors and windows are secured.

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Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier, imprisoned in Florida, has first hearing in more than a decade

Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier, who has spent most of his life in prison since his conviction in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents in South Dakota, has a parole hearing Monday at a federal prison in Florida.

At 79, his health is failing, and if this parole request is denied, it might be a decade or more before it is considered again, said his attorney Kevin Sharp, a former federal judge. Sharp and other supporters have long argued that Peltier was wrongly convicted and say now that this effort may be his last chance at freedom.

This whole entire hearing is a battle for his life, said Nick Tilsen, president and CEO of the NDN Collective, an Indigenous-led advocacy group. Its time for him to come home.

FILE  American Indian activist Leonard Peltier speaks during an interview at the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kan., April 29, 1999. Peltier, who has spent most of his life in prison in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents in South Dakota, has a parole hearing Monday, June 10, 2024, at a federal prison in Florida. (Joe Ledford/The Kansas City Star via AP, File)

The FBI and its current and former agents dispute the claims of innocence. The fight for Peltiers freedom, which is embroiled in the Indigenous rights movements, remains so robust nearly half a century later that Free Peltier T-shirts and caps are still hawked online.

It may be kind of cultish to take his side as some kind of a hero. But hes certainly not that; hes a cold blooded murderer, said Mike Clark, president of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, in a letter arguing that Peltier should remain incarcerated.

Here are some things to know about the case.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE 70S?

An enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa tribe, Peltier was active in the American Indian Movement, which began in the 1960s as a local organization in Minneapolis that grappled with issues of police brutality and discrimination against Native Americans. It quickly became a national force.

AIM grabbed headlines in 1973 when it took over the village of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation, leading to a 71-day standoff with federal agents. Tensions between AIM and the government remained high for years.

The FBI considered AIM an extremist organization, and planted spies and snitches in the group. Sharp blamed the government for creating what he described as a powder keg that exploded on June 26, 1975.

FILE  An unidentified FBI agent, one of the nearly 500 current and retired FBI agents protesting clemency for Leonard Peltier, marches toward the White House, Friday, Dec. 15, 2000, holding an image of two FBI agents, Ron Williams and Jack Coler, who were killed on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota in 1975. Peltier, who has spent most of his life in prison for the killings, has a parole hearing Monday, June 10, 2024, at a federal prison in Florida. (AP Photo/Hillery Smith Garrison, File)

Thats the day agents came to Pine Ridge to serve arrest warrants amid ongoing battles over Native treaty rights and self-determination.

After being injured in a shootout, agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams were shot in the head at point-blank range. Also killed in the shootout was AIM member Joseph Stuntz. The Justice Department concluded that a law enforcement sniper killed Stuntz.

Two other AIM members, Robert Robideau and Dino Butler, were acquitted of killing Coler and Williams.

After fleeing to Canada and being extradited to the United States, Peltier was convicted and sentenced in 1977 to life in prison, despite defense claims that evidence against him had been falsified.

Youve got a conviction that was riddled with misconduct by the prosecutors, the U.S. Attorneys office, by the FBI who investigated this case and, frankly the jury, Sharp said. If they tried this today, he does not get convicted.

HOW HAS THE FBI RESPONDED?

FBI Director Chris Wray said in a statement that the agency was resolute in its opposition to Peltiers latest application for parole.

We must never forget or put aside that Peltier intentionally murdered these two young men and has never expressed remorse for his ruthless actions, he wrote, adding that the case has been repeatedly upheld on appeal.

And the FBI Agents Association, a professional group that represents mostly active agents, sent a letter to the parole commission opposing parole. The group said any early release of Peltier would be a cruel act of betrayal.

WHAT IS THE LEGACY OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT?

Tilsen, a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation, credits AIM and others for most of the rights Native Americans have today, including religious freedom, the ability to operate casinos and tribal colleges, and enter into contracts with the federal government to oversee schools and other services.

Leonard has been a part of creating that, but he hasnt been available to be a beneficiary because he has been incarcerated for almost 50 years, Tilsen said. So he hasnt been able to enjoy the result of those wins and see how they have changed and transformed Indian country.

WHEN IS THE HEARING?

The hearing is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. Monday at a high security lockup that is part of the Federal Correctional Complex Coleman. The Federal Bureau of Prisons said in a statement that the hearing is not open to the public.

Sharp, Peltiers attorney, said the hearing will have witnesses for and against parole. Family members of the two FBI agents who were killed will be there.

Sharp expects the hearing to last the day. The decision is required to come within 21 days. If parole is granted, theres a process for release which shouldnt take long. If denied, Peltier can look at his options for filing an appeal to a federal district court, Sharp said.

Parole was rejected at Peltiers last hearing in 2009, and then-President Barack Obama denied a clemency request in 2017. Another clemency request is pending before President Joe Biden.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Vientiane, Laos on June 8, 2024.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong led a delegation to Laos to attend senior officials' meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), as well as the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum from June 7 to June 8.

Sun told media after the meetings that the participants exchanged views on such issues as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Ukraine crisis, the Korean Peninsula, Myanmar, climate change, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. (Xinhua/Zhao Xu)

VIENTIANE, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong led a delegation to Laos to attend senior officials' meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), as well as the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum from June 7 to June 8.

Sun told media after the meetings that the participants exchanged views on such issues as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Ukraine crisis, the Korean Peninsula, Myanmar, climate change, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

The Chinese side elaborated its principled positions on relevant issues and sternly refuted fallacies of the United States and the West concerning China, Sun said.

He said that ASEAN, China, Japan and ROK positively evaluated progress in the implementation of the 10+3 cooperation work plan (2023-2027), were supportive of deepening cooperation in finance, food security, electric vehicles, digital economy, green economy, society and culture, as well as high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and enhancement of regional supply chain connectivity.

All sides generally support the role of the East Asia Summit in promoting political security and economic development, boosting constructive dialogues and exchanges, and expanding cooperation in emerging fields, Sun said.

He added that the forum is the most important platform for multilateral security dialogue and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, and members emphasized the need to continue to promote confidence-building measures, deepen practical cooperation, and steadily carry out preventive diplomacy, contributing to lasting peace in the region.

He went on to say that at the meetings, China emphasized the Asia-Pacific was pacesetter of peaceful development, and supported the centrality of ASEAN, supported ASEAN's approach to regional security cooperation, supported the settlement of differences and disputes by peaceful means, and called for the establishment of security concept of equality and cooperation.

The Chinese side reiterated that it adheres to the principles of consensus and accommodating the comfort level of all parties, enriches the topics of cooperation, and actively responds to emerging challenges such as cybersecurity, climate change and artificial intelligence, so as to safeguard common security interests, Sun said.

China clearly supports an ASEAN-centered regional security architecture, adheres to the concept of openness and win-win cooperation, takes into account the demands of all parties, accommodates the interests of all parties, and builds a balanced, effective and sustainable regional security architecture, instead of starting things anew and creating a closed and exclusive club, the Chinese diplomat said.

On the South China Sea issue, he said that the biggest security challenge in the South China Sea comes from outside the region, and external forces led by the United States, for geopolitical purposes, have manipulated bloc politics and confrontation of camps, pushed forward military deployments and operations in the South China Sea, instigated the intensification of differences and contradictions related to the sea, and undermined the legitimate rights and interests of littoral countries.

Sun said China has indisputable sovereignty over islands in the South China Sea, and is committed to properly managing disputes through dialogue and consultation with countries concerned in the South China Sea in accordance with the "dual-track" approach.

China is also working with ASEAN countries to comprehensively and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and actively pushing for new progress in consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, according to Sun.

With regard to the deployment of intermediate-range missile system by the United States in the region, Sun said that such a move has drawn the region into an arms race and placed the entire Asia-Pacific region under the shadow of geopolitical conflicts, seriously reversing the course of history, jeopardizing security of regional countries, and seriously undermining regional peace and stability.

He said that China firmly opposes Cold War mentality and confrontation of camps, ignition of an arms race in the region by any external forces, and use of regional countries as tools of hegemony and geostrategic pawns.

He said that ASEAN and other participants hoped for peace, dialogue and unity, and called for mutually beneficial cooperation and common development, safeguarding hard-won peace and stability in East Asia. 
Hundreds of people have told Connie Szabo Schmucker, advocacy director at Bicycle Garage Indy and 30-year bike advocate, that they feel unsafe crossing the intersection of 86th Street and the Monon Trail.

There's a clear reason why: people get hit when they try to cross. In 2021, Szabo Schmukers coworker, Frank Radaker, was killed on his bike crossing at 86th Street.

His fatality was one of 323 Central Indiana bicyclist or pedestrian crashes that year  44 of which were deadly.

More: Indianapolis City-County Council approves Hogsett's MLS stadium proposal over Eleven Park

It's a problem that's only increased in the years since. By Schmucker's count, at least three pedestrians have been hit crossing the 86th Street intersection this year.

Indianapolis politicians and pedestrian safety advocates want to fix the problem by aligning behind Vision Zero, a way of looking at city planning that seeks to completely eliminate traffic fatalities and major injuries.

John Barth, an Indianapolis City-County Council member representing parts of the north side, is co-authoring a Vision Zero proposal.

I frequently get outreach from constituents who are concerned about reckless driving, wanting to know what else I can do to protect them and their families in their neighborhoods, Barth said. I never get people reaching out to me saying How can you make sure I can drive faster?

A Vision Zero plan has been on the table for nearly a decade. Now, several city-county council members plan to present a proposal in July and the city has sent out a request for proposals for a study that would examine how a Vision Zero plan could operate in Indy.

What is Vision Zero?

Vision Zero is a city planning strategy based on the idea that traffic fatalities and severe injuries can be brought to zero; that is, completely prevented. Originating in Europe in the 1990s, its since been adopted by major U.S. cities like New York and San Francisco.

It differs from other pedestrian safety policies Indianapolis has approved in one major way. It requires major collaboration: both internally, between city departments, and externally, bringing in nonprofits, according to Barth.

You'll see what really matters is the collaboration and getting everyone on the same page of what you accomplish, Barth said. If you have everyone holding the same end of the rope, especially in a resource-constrained environment like we have, you'll start to see progress.

In practice, that can include changes such as delineated bike lanes, curb extensions and crosswalks. These all work to reduce driver speed and ensure cars can see and stop for pedestrians.

In Indianapolis, this would go hand in hand with the U.S. Department of Transportations Safe System Approach, a five-pillared plan that emphasizes roads designed to mitigate human error, safe and responsible driving and post-crash care.

Vision Zero was first mentioned in Indianapolis in a 2016 county Pedestrian Safety Plan. In June 2017, Health by Design held an event to discuss Vision Zero and what it might look like in the city, and Vision Zero implementation was included in a 2018 Indy Moves plan.

But a proposal by that name has never gone into action, even if Indianapolis has implemented some aspects of it. It's unclear why: Kim Irwin, executive director of Health by Design, believes it may have gotten lost in staff turnover, or that politics got in the way. Peer cities who have implemented Vision Zero plans generally have dedicated funding, which Indianapolis has historically lacked, and dedicated staffing for Vision Zero programs, which the city has never committed to.

Barth said he first became aware of Vision Zero in August 2023, when he went to Columbus for a meeting. He'd been trying to assemble a pedestrian safety plan for years, but it wasn't until last year, after that meeting, that he saw traffic safety as a comprehensive issue that a plan like Vision Zero could affect.

A cyclist crosses 86th Street to continue his path on the Monon, Monday, June 12, 2023 by 86th Street and the Monon. This intersection is a dangerous one for pedestrians and cyclists crossing, with heavy traffic. A wreath memorializing Frank Radaker, left, is at the crosswalk. The Bicycle Garage Indy employee was struck by a vehicle at the intersection, as he biked to work, in 2021. He died soon after being hit.

A comprehensive plan like Vision Zero requires a change in mindset, said Irwin, whose public health organization focuses on walking, biking and public infrastructure. Cities have to prioritize people over cars.

There's a real disconnect for people, Irwin said. Societally, we've just accepted traffic crashes as the day-to-day life and the cost of doing business, but the toll it takes is tremendous. Literally lives and property, money, time, energy, all of those things.

Pedestrian deaths in Indianapolis

Eric Holt remembers when the Eagle Creek Greenway extension was put up along 56th Street  more specifically, he remembers how unsafe he felt biking along it.

First, there was no dividers; then, under pressure, the city put up flexible posts. But over the coming months, large stretches of posts were destroyed by drivers again and again.

"Eventually (the city) was like, 'We don't have any more'," Holt said. "'We're out.'"

The city eventually put up more substantial jersey barriers. But it's frustrating to have to fight so hard so that roads can be safe for everyone using them, Holt said.

He runs Indy Pedestrian Safety Crisis, a website and social media platform that tracks pedestrian and cyclist crash reports. Unsafe bike lanes, crosswalks and trails are hurting more and more people every year. Holt said by his count, Indy is on track to have twice as many fatalities this year as it did pre-pandemic.

It's crashes involving children that stay with Holt.

"If we don't do anything more than make our streets safe for kids trying to get to school," Holt said, "then gosh, that should be enough."

Andy Nielsen, a councilor who represents parts of the Eastside and co-author of the Vision Zero proposal, still remembers the deaths of two school-age children before he took office: Hannah Crutchfield, 7, who was struck by a car and killed on her way home from school in 2021, and Sevion Sanford, 6, who was struck multiple times in at least one hit-and-run while waiting for the school bus in 2023.

Indys need for safer streets is one of the reasons he chose to run for the council, he said.

Between serious crashes and fatalities, Indianapolis is in a pedestrian safety crisis, according to Indianapolis Department of Public Works Director Brandon Herget. Pedestrians and cyclists made up 7% of all fatal and serious Indianapolis crashes in 2021, the most recent year data is available. Compare that to the fewer than 3% of Marion County residents who took a bike, motorcycle or taxi to work that year, and the data signals a problem.

Plus, when looking at fatal crashes alone, that number jumps to 22% of all crashes, driving home how vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists are on Indy's roads. Theres also a long term increase in the number of pedestrian deaths in the Indianapolis area.

There are multiple reasons for this, but Szabo Schmucker at least partially blames road design.

Designing roads for speed over safety (is the problem), Szabo Schmucker said. Vision Zero is for safety over speed.

DPW is working to address safety issues, but it can only move so fast, department leadership says. Still, over the last few years, Indy has implemented some roadway changes.

In 2022, the citys then-decade-old Complete Streets policy, which built miles of bike lanes, sidewalks and crosswalks, was updated to add transparency requirements and review processes. Herget cites this policy as an example of the kind of collaboration Vision Zero would require: the Department of Public Works worked hand-in-hand with other departments, such as the Department of Metropolitan Development and the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, on design standards.

A 2023 City-County Council proposal allowed the Department of Public Works to enforce lower speed limits in greenway crossing zones, where trails intersect streets, and the city will turn several one-way streets into two-way streets over the next few years. And most recently, city councilors are working on a federal grant for bridges at the Monon intersection at 86th, as well as the Nickel Plate Trail.

But for Barth, while these pieces work with Vision Zero, what the proposal authors have planned goes deeper.

Were at a point where we need to go to the next level, Barth said.

What could Vision Zero look like in Indy?

Barth and his coauthors are working on a Vision Zero proposal, with plans to present it at the city-county councils meeting July 8. The bill will set a timeline goal to see results, create and define an oversight committee to keep efforts on track towards that goal , and set requirements for the first draft of an action plan.

The mayors office is fully behind a Vision Zero program, provided its comprehensive and mindful of budget constraints, Herget said.

Barth hopes to include annual budget allocations in the proposal to set the project up in the long term. He said the amount will depend on what the community determines to be the project's needs and what funding is available. Theyre presenting the proposal in July to get it on the books before hearings begin in August for the 2025 city budget.

Financing for a project like this is hard, particularly because of Indianas road funding formula.

City leaders have complained for years that Indianapolis faces a financial disadvantage related to road funding: The state provides funding based on miles of road, not taking into account the number of lanes or vehicle traffic. This means even just keeping roads maintained is a constant challenge, and accomplishing a major project like Vision Zero requires collaboration, and an understanding that progress will be step by step.

The city will have to be intentional about their priorities, Barth said. An Indianapolis Vision Zero plan would likely prioritize intersections with multiple fatal crashes in recent years, as well as intersections with high pedestrian traffic on fast-moving streets.

Still, Vision Zero has successfully been implemented in similar-sized cities, regardless of cost.

For example, in Columbus, Ohio, city officials focused city improvement on three areas: crosswalks, speed limits and intersections. With an initial $15 million from gas tax and capital funds, as well as $12 million in federal grant funding, theyve taken on hundreds of these projects.

Apr 5, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; New speed limit signs have been installed in Downtown Columbus indicating the new limit of 25 mph. Mandatory Credit: Brooke LaValley/Columbus Dispatch

Many people involved with the Vision Zero project expressed admiration for Hoboken, New Jersey: As of January 31 of this year, the city has gone seven consecutive years without a traffic-related death. Hoboken implemented a Vision Zero action plan in 2021. Some of their policies look familiar; for example, a right-on-red ban closely mimics a similar policy in Indianapoliss downtown. Others, such as changing city zoning codes to require bike parking or creating slow street zones that prioritize non-drivers, may be more foreign.

Advocates say a key way some cities accomplish this is by leaning into short-term, low-cost fixes like lowering speed limits, improving and installing crosswalks and adding bike lanes.

Vision Zero and Indys future

On Tuesday, May 28, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization released a request for proposals for a company to complete an Indianapolis Vision Zero study. Interested consultants would research Vision Zero initiatives and best practices from peer cities  for example, Columbus. Theyll also go through federal Safe System objectives, assess how the city is meeting them, set up benchmarks and assign tasks to local agencies.

The contractor would start Aug. 5, days before the city-county budget meeting. Funding for the project comes from a grant from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Some people believe action needs to come sooner. Holt said he wants to see short-term plans alongside a long-term plan like Vision Zero, and Szabo Schmuker raised concerns about a potentially years-long planning process.

The budgets already baked by the time the study is going to come out, so you're not going to see any meaningful budget allocation until 2026, Szabo Schmuker said. Which means we're not going to see any meaningful changes until 2027. We need meaningful changes this budget season.

But Nielsen said that for a project with this many people collaborating to succeed, policymakers need to be intentional in what he referred to as a very complicated process. One sector of government implementing a mandate wont work for Vision Zero planning.

While, I wish I could snap my fingers and this problem would be solved tomorrow, Nielsen said. I do not believe there is a policy option that would achieve that.

The proposal is set to be presented at Julys full city-county council meeting. Its unclear what changes led by a Vision Zero plan might look like in Indianapolis, but advocates and policymakers alike agree: something needs to change to make Indy streets safer.

It's up to all of us to work together to make sure that everybody gets home safely at the end of the night, that everybody gets to work or to school safely in the morning, Herget said. We're going to have to work together to reset our priorities.

Contact IndyStar politics Pulliam fellow Nadia Scharf at nscharf@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @nadiaascharf.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Can a new infrastructure plan stop Indy's 'pedestrian safety crisis?'
Editor's note: This article was updated to include Ukrainska Pravda's reporting on a response from a source in government regarding the rejection of Mustafa Nayyem's request to attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference.

Mustafa Nayyem, the head of Ukraine's Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, has resigned, Nayyem wrote on Facebook on June 10. The NV media outlet, citing sources, said that two other heads of the agency are also reportedly resigning along with Nayyem.

The news follows reporting by Bloomberg the previous day, which wrote that Nayyem had said he was prevented from attending the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference scheduled for June 11-12 in Berlin.

Nayyem told Bloomberg in an email that Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal "personally rejected my request for this business trip to Berlin without giving reasons."

Beyond reporting on the resignation of the three officials, NV also shared what appeared to be a document from Shmyhal rejecting Nayyem's travel request.

Ukrainska Pravda then reported, citing unnamed sources in government, that Nayyem's request to join the conference was rejected because the government had scheduled an important meeting regarding the agency's restoration work on June 12, which conflicted with the conference.

"The agency's report was supposed to be heard (at the meeting)," the source said.

"That is why (Shmyhal) did not agree to (Nayyem's) trip."

The news comes in the wake of the dismissal of Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov in May. The government has since appointed Vasyl Shkurakov as acting infrastructure minister, but an official replacement for Kubrakov has yet to be announced.

In a lengthy post on Facebook, Nayyem named a series of complaints about the "systemic obstacles" that have limited his ability to do his job, ultimately leading to his decision to resign.

Among his many grievances, Nayyem said that the budget for road reconstruction had been "completely canceled," the agency had been forced to deal with endless bureaucracy and red tape, and the salaries for agency officials were slashed, resulting in a 25% staff reduction.

Despite the setbacks, Nayyem said he was proud of what the agency had been able to accomplish, but said that the combined impact of Kubrakov's dismissal and his inability to attend the recovery conference made the continuation of his work "impossible."

A native of Afghanistan who moved to Ukraine as a child, Nayyem previously served as a member of Ukraine's parliament from 2014 to 2019. He was appointed as the head of the Restoration and Infrastructure Development in January 2023.

Nayyem has also been credited for being one of the first activists to call for people to demonstrate in Kyiv in November 2013 at the beginning of the protest movement that culminated in the EuroMaidan Revolution.

Read also: Ukraine to receive additional $4.5 billion from IMFs Extended Fund Facility in 2024

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A Sacramento County man imprisoned in Northern California died after a fight with another inmate last week led prison staff to intervene with force.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is investigating the Wednesday incident that led to the death of Jarray D. Birdon, the department said in a news release Friday. Correctional staff at High Desert State Prison near Susanville witnessed Birdon and another man in a physical fight. They verbally ordered the two to stop and get down, but neither complied.

Correctional staff saw Birdon get hit in the face and head by the other inmates fists and knee before falling to the ground. Staff used chemical agents to break up the fight and an officer fired one less lethal 40mm direct impact round, which struck Birdon in the head, according to prison officials.

Birdon was transferred to a hospital outside the prison and died from his injuries Friday. The officer who fired the round is on administrative leave and the incident is being investigated. CDCR officials did not disclose the employees name.

Birdon, 48, was serving 16 years in prison for various second-strike violent and nonviolent offenses.

In 2007, a Sacramento Superior Court judge sentenced Birdon to four years for felony possession of a controlled substance, and was released in 2010 after serving just under three years.

In 2013, he was sentenced to state prison again following a conviction for assault with a firearm likely to cause great bodily injury, possessing or owning a firearm by a felon and criminal threat to cause great bodily injury or death, with enhancements for prior felony conviction of a serious offense.
An inmate in the custody of the Department of Corrections.

An inmate in the custody of the Department of Corrections. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

Incarcerated individuals in Alabama have filed a 214-page response opposing a motion to dismiss their lawsuit accusing state prisons of using slave labor.

The case involves multiple claims against state officials, private employers and local governments alleging Alabamas prison labor program system is a form of modern-day slavery. Each defendant filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming that counsel for plaintiffs did not state a legal claim in the lawsuit.

Despite Defendants strenuous efforts to dispute Plaintiffs well-founded allegationsa strategy that cannot justify dismissal of Plaintiffs claims at this junctureand to preclude the Court from evaluating the sufficiency of Plaintiffs claims on the merits, Plaintiffs have stated viable claims against all Defendants, and the motions to dismiss should be denied, counsel for the plaintiff wrote in the response to defendants motions to dismiss.

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Defendants argued in their motion to dismiss that plaintiffs failed to exhaust administrative remedies under the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), meaning inmates must try to resolve their complaint through the prisons grievances procedures.

Plaintiffs argue that the PLRA does not bar their claims under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and the First Amendment because their claims, rooted in federal law, fall outside the limits of the PLRA, which limits federal court authority over state law compliance.

The inmates claim they were coerced into labor through threats and physical restraint, arguing that state officials and employers benefited from this forced labor in violation of the TVPA. They refute arguments that the TVPA does not apply to state actors and maintain their right to bring these claims.

The TVPA is written broadly to address trafficking wherever and by whomever it may occur, making clear that Congress did not intend to offer a safe harbor to those who engage in trafficking, lawyers for plaintiffs stated in the filing.

The plaintiffs also allege a pattern of racketeering activity under RICO, involving forced labor practices. They provide detailed allegations against each defendant by forming and maintaining a labor-trafficking enterprise for the purpose of benefiting from the unlawful forced labor of Coerced Labor Individual Plaintiffs and other incarcerated workers.

State constitutional claims are also made, with plaintiffs seeking injunctive relief against local governments and private employers. They argue that parole policies violate the Ex Post Facto Clause by retroactively increasing punishment.

Racial discrimination claims under the Equal Protection Clause are also included, alleging that Black parole candidates were treated less favorably than white counterparts.

Substantive due process rights, the KKK Act, and First Amendment violations are also included in the filing. Plaintiffs claimed that state officials used arbitrary power and retaliated against inmates for speaking out against prison conditions. They also claim some defendants financially benefited from illegal labor practices without fair compensation to the workers.

Defendants have until July 31 to respond, after which time the judge will decide if the case gets dismissed.

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The post Inmates challenge motion to dismiss in Alabama forced labor federal lawsuit appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Three days after an Israeli military operation rescued four hostages being held by Hamas in Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza, killing more than 270 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, new details are still emerging about what was one of the most dramatic and deadly events since the war started.

The daytime rescue operation, which took weeks of planning, caught militants holding hostages in two different buildings in a densely packed civilian area off guard. It appeared to have been carried out by Israeli forces using non-military vehicles, including a white Mercedes van, according to eyewitnesses, whose accounts tallied with videos analyzed by CNN. Eyewitnesses also said that they saw Israeli forces in disguise  dressed as Hamas fighters or civilians.

They were dressed in military uniforms like resistance fighters, carrying helmets and wearing signs of the [Hamas] resistance, giving the impression to people that they were resistance fighters, but in reality, they were an Israeli special forces unit, Khalil Al Tirawi, a local resident, told CNN.

The Israeli military denied using civilian vehicles, but declined to say whether the officers conducting the rescue were disguised as militants or dressed as Palestinian civilians. The Israeli military had previously used civilian clothing as a tactic in its operations.

This Mercedes van, seen in an image taken from social media, was parked on a street in Nuseirat, Gaza, where the operation unfolded. Two ladders can be seen leaning up against a multistory building next to the van to reach an upper floor. - From social media

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the units on the ground were given the go at 11 a.m. local time and, by 11:25 a.m., began the raids simultaneously on both buildings where militants were holding the hostages  Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv, all of whom were taken on October 7 from the Nova music festival in Hamas deadly cross-border terror attack.

The Israeli soldiers managed to reach the apartment where guards were holding Argamani  pictured in a viral video being driven to Gaza on the back of a motorbike  undetected. In Noa Argamanis building, we surprised them completely, Adm. Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, said.

But soon after the mission got underway, Israeli soldiers and militants began to exchange fire, according to eyewitness accounts and statements from the Israeli military. Eyewitnesses said that heavy bombardment followed, with missiles and rockets raining down on the densely packed camp, home to thousands of displaced families.

A 45-second edited helmet camera video released Monday by the Israeli police and the Israeli Security Agency showed the moment the three male hostages were rescued. Heavy gunfire could be heard throughout the video, intensifying after the hostages left the building, and two soldiers were seen wearing uniforms.

By the time that the hostages, referred to by the code name diamonds, were brought to the Mediterranean coast and successfully evacuated in two helicopters, the operation had left a deadly trail of destruction in its wake.

The latest figures from Gazan authorities say 274 Palestinians were killed and 698 injured  which would mark one of the deadliest days in months for people living in Gaza. The IDF has disputed those numbers, saying it estimated the number of casualties from the operation was under 100. CNN cannot independently verify either sides figures. Gazas health ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants.

Palestinians inspect the damage and debris a day after an operation by Israeli special forces in the Nuseirat camp, in the central Gaza Strip, on June 9, 2024. - Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images

We felt like it was the apocalypse

The IDF said that two teams from an Israeli police counter-terrorism special forces unit were sent into the two apartment buildings in the camp to retrieve the hostages simultaneously out of concern that if Hamas realized there was a rescue operation ongoing in one building, they might kill the hostages in the other.

As Argamani was extracted by Israeli forces, in the other apartment 200 meters away, where the three male hostages were being held, a gunfight broke out, according to the IDF. The IDF said a counter-terrorism special forces squad commander in the Yamam (National Police Counter-Terrorism Unit), Arnon Zamora, was fatally wounded in that gunfight.

Al Tirawi and another man, both of whom are living across from where part of the rescue operation took place, in the center of Nuseirat refugee camp, said that they saw Israeli soldiers arrive in civilian cars in disguise.

Abdullah Jouda, who was displaced from Jabalia to Nuseirat camp during the war, told CNN that he heard noises on the street around 11:30 a.m. and went to see what was happening. When he opened the door, he said he saw men, who he believes were Israeli forces, leaving a Mercedes van dressed in all black and wearing the emblem for Hamas military wing Al Qassam Brigades.

I saw special forces, as soon as they left the vehicle, they had ladders on the balcony and [were] climbing them  I only saw them for approximately two seconds because if I looked at them longer, I could have been killed, Jouda said. There was heavy gunfire  almost everything was being fired on. Warplanes were firing, drones were firing, sound grenades. It was terrifying, we felt like it was the apocalypse.

CNN could not independently verify his claims, but a video showed a white Mercedes van, with mattresses, plastic bags and other objects strapped to its roof  a frequent sight in the camp, where many people have sought shelter from the war, their belongings in tow  was parked on a street where the operation unfolded.

Two ladders could be seen leaning up against a multistorey building next to the van, reaching up to a higher floor. A body appears to be visible on the ground in front of the truck. There they are. They are still there! a woman filming the 6 second clip can be heard saying.

CNN found what appears to be one of the ladders used in the operation when reviewing footage filmed after the rescue. - CNN

CNN used these remnants to confirm the white van, a Mercedes Sprinter S19 CDI, was destroyed in a strike after the rescue. - CNN

The video of the hostage rescue shared by Israeli police and the Israeli Security Agency was geolocated to the same location by CNN.

The IDF said its forces came under heavy fire from militants, including with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and that it responded with strikes to support the team on the ground as the extraction efforts continued.

They were firing RPGs and firing at our forces  the cynical way that Hamas is using the population to fire at our forces, embedding themselves in the civilians is tragic, Hagari said, adding that there was so much fire was on our forces, we needed to fire from the air and from the street.

In one video shared with CNN by local journalist Fadi Thabet, two US-made air-to-ground hellfire missiles can be seen flying in different directions at 11:28 a.m., according to its metadata. One appears to hit the opposite side of the building where the white Mercedes van was parked outside, while the other impacts another building nearby. Footage from the aftermath of the strike shows both the van and building destroyed.

Two explosive weapons experts, Trevor Ball, a former US army explosive ordnance disposal technician, and Richard Weir, senior crisis and conflict researcher at Human Rights Watch, confirmed the munitions.

The intense aerial bombardment destroyed apartment buildings and vehicles throughout Nuseirat camp, according to witnesses and video footage.

Gunfire was coming from multiple sources, but we couldnt witness everything as anyone who tried to look would be at risk of being killed, Al Tirawi said. It is beyond imagination  a barrage of heavy gunfire, artillery missiles, rockets.

Another local resident, Nidal Abdo, was buying groceries at the market in Nuseirat when he said the strikes intensified. Maybe 150 rockets fell in less than 10 minutes, while we were running away more fell on the market, he said, adding that he had never witnessed anything like it in Gaza before. They wiped out Nuseirat, it is hell on earth.

The diamonds have taken off

In another video from Al Jazeera, verified by CNN, a truck emblazoned with a brand of dishwashing soap, resembling a vehicle commonly used to bring aid in Gaza, could be seen traveling on a road accompanied by a tank and Israeli armored vehicles about a mile from the refugee camp.

The vehicles headed away from the camp and in the direction of an area near the US militarys floating pier on the Mediterranean coast, where the extraction took place. CNN was not able to verify the time the video was filmed, so could not determine whether it took place before or after the raid.

The Israeli military denied using the US-built pier in the operation.

A senior Biden administration official tells CNN that Israeli forces did not use an aid truck in the operation. As for the use of the US pier, the official said: They landed close to the pier but not on it.

The IDF said two helicopters were used to evacuate the hostages, one of which they later shared footage of. The first helicopter evacuated Argamani and the second transported the three male hostages along with the then-wounded, Zamora, who later died in hospital.

A video geolocated by CNN shows a helicopter taking off from the beach in Gaza, close to the US floating pier.

The IDF released a video on Sunday capturing the moment that military officials first heard that the three male hostages had also been successfully rescued. In it, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, who commands the Southern Command of the IDF, can be heard saying, The three diamonds have just taken off to the landing towards the country.

The IDF said it got intelligence on the location of the hostages through different avenues, including from the United States. A US official told CNN that an American cell in Israel supported the efforts to rescue four Israeli hostages, working with Israeli forces on the operation, referring to a team thats been in place supporting Israel since October 7 with information gathering about the hostages.

There were no US forces, no US boots on the ground involved in this operation, national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNNs Dana Bash on State of the Union.

Benjamin Netanyahus office said that the prime minister had approved the rescue operation last Thursday and was present in the command room during the operation.

Preparations for the raid began weeks ago and hundreds of personnel from the Israeli military, domestic intelligence service and police special unit were involved, Hagari said, adding that they opted to carry it out during the day to afford them a greater element of surprise.

As part of their preparations, the military built models of the apartments the hostages were held in after receiving intelligence regarding their location

Hagari told journalists Saturday that similar raids had been called off at the last minute more than three or four times due to unfavorable conditions for Israeli special forces. He did not specify whether those operations concerned the same four hostages or others held in Gaza. Most of the other hostages are not being held in conditions that would allow for similar operations, he said.

Hostages being held in Gaza are frequently moved to different locations, Hagari said, adding that Argamani had previously been held elsewhere.

After their evacuation, the hostages were then flown to Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv. Argamani was later transferred to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv to be treated alongside her mother who has late-stage brain cancer.

Kareem Khadder, Abeer Salman, Mohammad Al Sawalhi and Alex Marquardt contributed to this report.

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The entrance to the UTC's offices. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Gov. Jay Inslee cant get the embattled chair of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to resign.

Nor, apparently, can he reduce the salary or directly discipline David Danner for his use of a racial slur and purportedly tepid response to employee allegations of bullying, harassment and discrimination in the regulatory agency.

But the governors efforts to do those things could wind up costing state taxpayers, it appears.

Danner filed a tort claim May 10 seeking an unspecified amount of damages for defamation and false light for actions aimed at ousting or punishing him taken by Inslees top advisors since December. Such claims are a precursor to a lawsuit.

For the governor to falsely and publicly suggest Ive engaged in racism and harassment is devastating and it has taken a tremendous toll on my health and my state of mind, Danner said. I feel my reputation has taken a huge hit.

An Inslee spokesperson called the current situation unfortunate and deeply disappointing.

Given the pending tort claim, we would refer you to the comments in the records youve been provided, said Press Secretary Mike Faulk. Our offices communications on this matter have been abundantly clear, and our position has not changed.

Out of bounds

Tensions involving Danner are a product of a yearslong saga at the Utilities and Transportation Commission, or UTC, which regulates private, investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities and transportation companies in Washington.

The tumult began shortly after the promotion of Amanda Maxwell, a longtime agency employee, to executive director in the fall of 2021. Within months, frontline workers and former employees started filing anonymous complaints about her leadership and that of her administrative team.

Eventually, Maxwell and other executive staff moved on and the agency brought on new leadership. Inslee got involved after several former leaders, including Maxwell, filed complaints with the Office of Financial Management alleging the failure of commissioners to respond to anonymous complaints targeting them, which they said created a hostile work environment.

The governor hired Sebris Busto James, a labor and employment law firm, to investigate. The firms Tina Aiken submitted a 19-page report on Dec. 27, 2023, to Inslees deputy chief of staff Kelly Wicker and Margaret McLean, an assistant attorney general.

David Danner, chair of the Utilities and Transportation Commission. (Photo courtesy Washington UTC)

Danners conflict with Inslee heated up in December when the governor slashed his annual salary by $30,000, citing the commissioners admitted use of the N-word during an April 2022 lunch attended by the agencys former executive director. Danner was recounting how a white Montana commissioner used it while speaking with Black commissioners at a social event at a national conference.

The pay cut came days before the release of the investigation that concluded the chairman failed to follow agency policies to actively promote equity, diversity and inclusion, and to ensure a workplace free of harassment by not addressing conflicts between workers underlying the barrage of allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior.

Danner called the pay cut unconstitutional. On April 4, Joby Shimomura, Inslees chief of staff, informed Danner that he would be reinstated to his annual salary of $174,732 effective immediately. He also received back pay, though Danner said hes owed interest on those dollars.

This action reflects an updated understanding of our offices lawful authority to reduce your salary under these circumstances and should not be construed as a revocation of the deep concerns that formed the basis for taking this action, she wrote in a letter to Danner obtained through a public records request.

Meanwhile, Wicker, the deputy chief of staff, sent Danner a two-page Memorandum of expectations on March 29 as a follow-up to the investigation. The Standard obtained a copy through a public records request.

In it, Wicker makes findings that a preponderance of the evidence found his use of the N-word and a passive approach on equity were not in line with agency policy. She concluded there was not sufficient evidence to support the reports conclusion that he failed to protect workers from harassment.

Wicker outlines several remedial measures Danner should undertake, including training on workplace behavior and developing a diversity, equity and inclusion action plan for the agency.

Moving forward it is important you take all necessary steps to correct this workplace behavior and avoid similar incidents in the future, she wrote.

Days later, Danner responded by rejecting Wickers directives, telling her the commission is an independent agency.

It appears that you are attempting to exercise authority that you do not have, he wrote in an April 8 letter obtained by The Standard. It is not the role of the Governors staff to assess, let alone make findings, whether I have been passive with regard to DEI or that my actions have violated internal UTC policies.

Here to stay?

Danner, who was the UTC executive two decades ago, was appointed chair by Inslee in February 2013 and reappointed in December 2018. His current term expires Dec. 31.

Danner said he was a member of Inslees executive cabinet but had not been invited to a cabinet meeting in months. And his name and image are no longer on the governors website.

Faulk said Friday that which agencies are represented in the cabinet evolves and the UTC post is not currently part of it.

Changes do not reflect or change the positive working relationships we have with the staff at the UTC, he said.

State law prevents Inslee from firing Danner. Rather, it says commissioners can be removed for inefficiency, malfeasance or misfeasance through a quasi-judicial process. The governor must submit written charges to the chief justice of the state Supreme Court, who would then convene a special three-judge panel to adjudicate the matter.

Danner said the tension is affecting him personally but not professionally.

Ive been working very hard to keep my issues with the governors office separate from work with the commission, he said. Im just doing my job until the end of my term.

Governor's Office Letter to UTC Commissioner David Danner - March 29, 2024

The March 29 memorandum of expectations that Gov. Jay Inslees Deputy Chief of Staff Kelly Wicker sent to David Danner.

UTC Commissioner David Danner response to governor's office - April 8, 2024

UTC Commissioner David Danners response to the March 29 memo from the governors office.

The post Inslees effort to cut pay, oust regulatory leader falters appeared first on Washington State Standard.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  An Instacart delivery driver is accused of sending explicit text messages and harassing a customer after she used the service in Cherokee County.

According to the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office, the victim used Instacart to get groceries delivered from a local store to her home near Blacksburg.

Deputies said the delivery driver, identified as Alan Craig Parker, 41, of Kings Mountain, got the victims phone number through the Instacart app and began sending sexually explicit text messages and nude photos on March 6.

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The victim asked that she not be contacted and blocked the phone number, deputies said.

The sheriffs office said Parker then began calling and sending messages from other numbers.

Deputies said the victim filed four police reports for harassment from March 6 through June 2.

Parker was arrested Sunday in Gaston County, North Carolina and is awaiting extradition back to South Carolina.

Photo: Alan Craig Parker, via Gaston County Jail

He has been charged with eight counts of communicating obscene messages to another person and second-degree harassment.

It is a good reminder with todays technology and the information we freely give up for share for the sake of convenience that we always think about our personal safety first and do as much as possible to protect ourselves from people like this suspect, said Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller in a statement. As we have no clue to the true vetting process that these companies use to select some of these third-party delivery personnel.

In a statement, Instacart said their guidelines explicitly prohibit any form of unwanted contact between shoppers and customers on Instacart, and we have no tolerance for this sort of behavior.

When communicating on Instacart, phone numbers are always anonymized and never shared between customers and shoppers, and we encourage all users to never share their personal information or communicate outside of the app, the statement continued.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Investigation reveals major bank took advantage of loopholes in its policy to profit off new dirty energy projects: 'Highly problematic'

A major bank has invested millions in projects in the Gulf that will harm the environment. According to a report co-published by Grist and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, it even went against its own policies.

What's happening?

Santander used loopholes in its climate policy and then watered it down to fund liquefied natural gas terminals. Liquefied natural gas, or LNG, is cooled to -259 degrees Fahrenheit and turned into a liquid form to ship and store. Before the gas is cooled, it is retrieved from fracking sites.

In 2023, Santander and other banks raised $28 billion for LNG terminals on the coastlines of Louisiana and Texas. At the time, the bank's climate policy prohibited financing projects that involved gas and oil extraction from fracking. Since the projects didn't directly involve fracking, it created a loophole, but the LNG was obtained from fracking, per Grist and the Bureau.

Then, in early 2024, Santander updated its climate policy to consider fracking projects.

Quentin Aubineau, a policy analyst at BankTrack, a campaign group, said in the report that Santander's policy is "highly problematic." While the policy doesn't allow for gas extraction, new LNG terminals must extract more gas to be economically viable.

Why is Santander's funding of LNG projects concerning?

The fracking sites where the gas to make LNG is extracted are hazardous for communities. Chemicals from fracking sites can contaminate agriculture and can lead to economic losses because of decreased crop production. Eating contaminated crops can also lead to health issues, as they can also include heavy metals like mercury, per FracTracker Alliance.

Roishetta Ozane, who is the fossil finance coordinator for the Texas Campaign for the Environment, told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism that her son has had increased seizures because of the water pollution in her area. She said he fishes, but he can't eat the fish.

"Because I'm afraid if he gets too much mercury in his system, too much of the other pollution in the water, that is going to further exacerbate his seizures."

Not only can fracking pollute the water, but it also uses so much water that it can drain the community's water supply, as is the case with the Plaquemines LNG project in Louisiana, which Santander helped finance with $7.8 billion, per Grist and the Bureau. The project is on track to become one of "the largest fracked gas export terminals in the U.S.," according to the outlet, and it has already drained millions of gallons of the community's water supply.

Five terminals are already operating, seven have been approved, and four more are being built. If all of the Gulf Coast's projects are completed, their annual Earth-heating carbon pollution will be more than Russia's, the report said.

What's being done about banks funding LNG projects?

In January 2024, the U.S. administration announced a pause on all LNG exports to allow for an analysis of their environmental impact.

Unfortunately, fracking operations have picked up because of Russia invading Ukraine and the U.S. wanting to be an alternative energy supply, per Grist and the Bureau.

Aubineau believes commercial banks should stop financing new oil and gas exploration and production. He said in the report they should remove it from their policy and stop funding companies that support increased production.

You can also act by changing the ways you hold companies accountable. For example, you can support companies and banks with eco-friendly policies, such as HSBC, and do business with sustainable banks instead of those that finance dirty energy projects.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
SULPHUR, La. (KLFY)  A man from Iowa, La. was killed this morning after he crashed into the back of a semi truck in Sulphur, authorities said.

Raymond Bradley IV, 40, of Iowa died in a local hospital of injuries sustained in the crash, according to Louisiana State Police.

Officials said LSP Troop D responded shortly before 5 a.m. Monday to a two-vehicle crash on La. 1256 near Carlyss Drive in Sulphur. Investigators said Bradley was driving a 2009 Nissan Altima north on La. 1256. At the same time, a 2020 Peterbilt semi-truck was stopped for a traffic signal at the intersection of Carlyss Drive. For reasons still under investigation, the Altima struck the rear of the Peterbilt.

Bradley, who was unrestrained at the time of the crash, was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died. The driver of the Peterbilt, sustained minor injuries, authorities said.

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A standard toxicology sample was collected from both drivers and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

LSP reminds motorists that Louisiana law requires that every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, always remain buckled up. While not all crashes are survivable, these precautions can dramatically reduce your chances of being severely injured or killed.

Troop D has investigated 6 fatal crashes resulting in 6 fatalities in 2024.

Latest news

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Guo Changyou, chief of the 11th Chinese Agricultural Technical Assistance Mission (MATAC) in Cote d'Ivoire, helps Yacouba Dembele (R), general director of the Agency for the Development of the Rice Sector in Cote d'Ivoire, operate an agricultural machine in Guiguidou area, Divo Province in southern Cote d'Ivoire, May 31, 2024. On May 31, farmers in the Guiguidou area, Divo Province in southern Cote d'Ivoire, gathered around several brand-new agricultural machines, chatting with one another about how to use them against a backdrop of newly planted rice seedlings swaying in the wind.(Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

ABIDJAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- On May 31, farmers in the Guiguidou area, Divo Province in southern Cote d'Ivoire, gathered around several brand-new agricultural machines, chatting with one another about how to use them against a backdrop of newly planted rice seedlings swaying in the wind.

"This time, we provided a batch of agricultural machinery to Cote d'Ivoire, including rice selectors, combine harvesters, rice milling machines, and 10 tons of rice seeds," said Guo Changyou, chief of the 11th Chinese Agricultural Technical Assistance Mission (MATAC) in Cote d'Ivoire, at the handover ceremony of agricultural equipment and rice seeds.

"We must take care of this gift because we produce millions of tons per year during the 2 cycles. With this donation, we will be able to improve our performance," said Alain Beugre, president of the Guiguidou Rice Farmers Cooperative.

In 1997, the Guiguidou area welcomed the first MATAC which supported local farmers in rice cultivation, repaired and maintained water conservancy facilities, and trained talents in the rice industry.

After nearly 30 years of unremitting efforts by Chinese agricultural experts, the rice varieties in the Guiguidou area have been optimized with ever-increasing quality and harvests of rice.

As stated by Zhang Jing, an expert from the 11th MATAC, four high-yield and high-quality rice varieties have been cultivated and approved by the Ivorian government and greatly improved in yield, quality, and taste compared with local traditional varieties. Among them, variety C26 can produce about 7 tons per hectare and has been widely promoted throughout this West African country.

"The certification of another new variety C10, is also nearing completion. This high-quality variety will also be widely promoted in Cote d'Ivoire, benefiting the rice industry of the entire country," Zhang added.

Nowadays, Cote d'Ivoire is working on achieving self-sufficiency in rice by 2025 and increasing its polished rice production to more than 2.6 million tons, said Yacouba Dembele, general director of the Agency for the Development of the Rice Sector in Cote d'Ivoire.

Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, minister of agriculture and rural development of Cote d'Ivoire, said recently that support from partners is critical for Cote d'Ivoire to increase rice production and achieve rice self-sufficiency.

Li Chengyao, economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Cote d'Ivoire, said the agricultural sectors of China and Cote d'Ivoire, a major agricultural country in West Africa, are highly complementary and the bilateral agricultural cooperation has broad prospects.

"China is willing to support Cote d'Ivoire in achieving self-sufficiency in rice, improving its rice product processing capacity, and becoming a major grain (producing) country," he said. 

Zhang Jing, an expert from the 11th Chinese Agricultural Technical Assistance Mission (MATAC) in Cote d'Ivoire, guides a local farmer in his work in the rice fields in Guiguidou area, Divo Province in southern Cote d'Ivoire, May 31, 2024. On May 31, farmers in the Guiguidou area, Divo Province in southern Cote d'Ivoire, gathered around several brand-new agricultural machines, chatting with one another about how to use them against a backdrop of newly planted rice seedlings swaying in the wind.

(Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

Agricultural machines are seen during a handover ceremony of agricultural equipment in Guiguidou area, Divo Province in southern Cote d'Ivoire, May 31, 2024. On May 31, farmers in the Guiguidou area, Divo Province in southern Cote d'Ivoire, gathered around several brand-new agricultural machines, chatting with one another about how to use them against a backdrop of newly planted rice seedlings swaying in the wind.

(Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

A farmer operates an agricultural machine in a rice field in Guiguidou area, Divo Province in southern Cote d'Ivoire, May 31, 2024. On May 31, farmers in the Guiguidou area, Divo Province in southern Cote d'Ivoire, gathered around several brand-new agricultural machines, chatting with one another about how to use them against a backdrop of newly planted rice seedlings swaying in the wind.

(Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

Agricultural machines work in the new rice variety experimental field in the Guiguidou area, Divo Province in southern Cote d'Ivoire, May 31, 2024. On May 31, farmers in the Guiguidou area, Divo Province in southern Cote d'Ivoire, gathered around several brand-new agricultural machines, chatting with one another about how to use them against a backdrop of newly planted rice seedlings swaying in the wind.

(Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

Local farmers walk on a road beside the rice fields in Guiguidou area, Divo Province in southern Cote d'Ivoire, May 31, 2024. On May 31, farmers in the Guiguidou area, Divo Province in southern Cote d'Ivoire, gathered around several brand-new agricultural machines, chatting with one another about how to use them against a backdrop of newly planted rice seedlings swaying in the wind.

(Xinhua/Zhang Jian)
Insights from the Middle East Eye, Iran International, The Economist, and Financial Times

The News

Iranian authorities approved six mostly hardline candidates to run in this months presidential election in a campaign analysts say will herald few surprises.

Iran is facing a possible succession crisis after President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash last month, triggering the snap election. Raisi was expected to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as supreme leader. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a former military commander and relative of Khamenei, is favored to win the presidential vote. But as Qalibaf is not a cleric, like Raisi, he is unlikely to succeed Khamenei. The favorite to succeed Khamenei is now his own son.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Iran establishment prefers weak presidents

Source: Middle East Eye

Tehran has prioritized conservative-leaning candidates over reformists, despite sinking voter turnout and disengagement, the Middle East Eye reported. The Iranian establishment prefers candidates that wont mobilize the public, one political expert explained. The political faction that is now in favour of the government, in fact, the fundamentalist movement that supports the government, seeks to prevent the formation of a rational space in society for this election. Fundamentalists seek to elect a president even weaker than the previous president under such circumstances, Mohammad Mohajeri said.

Calls rise among dissidents for boycott

Source: Iran International

Tehrans critics said the election was highly engineered and urged a boycott, UK-based outlet Iran International reported. Irans Guardian Council, a 12-person panel that chooses the presidential candidates, allowed just six candidates out of a pool of 80. Calling it a pseudo-election, the coalition organization Coordination for a Secular Democratic Republic in Iran called on supporters to reaffirm their commitment to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement that sprung up after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody nearly two years ago. The ultimate outcome of the continued existence of this regime is the spread of extremism both within and beyond Irans borders, it said.

Election should leave little room for surprises

Sources: The Economist, The Financial Times

The election is designed to leave little to chance, with reformist candidates excluded, The Economist noted. That virtually guarantees the election of Qalibaf, especially amid high voter dissatisfaction and low-turnout. The countrys leaders have ensured that the election campaign that begins on Monday to choose [Raisis] successor will be as predictable as possible, the outlet wrote. Two candidates that had promised to move Iran away from its present hardline stance and pursue the easing of US sanctions were among those disqualified, the Financial Times reported.
(Bloomberg) -- Irans snap presidential election will be dominated by establishment hardliners, with only one reformist among the six candidates approved to compete in a vote to succeed the countrys late president, Ebrahim Raisi.

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Candidates include parliaments speaker and former IRGC officer Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, ex-nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, Mayor of Tehran Alireza Zakani, surgeon and former lawmaker Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, former minister of justice and interior minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi, and reformist legislator Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a statement broadcast on Iranian state TV.

The Guardian Council, a powerful authority that oversees elections, approved the six-man list from 80 individuals who had registered to run in the June 28 election, which was triggered by the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash last month.

The US will be closely watching the outcome of the vote as hostilities with Tehran simmer over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and Irans contested nuclear program.

The candidates have until June 27 to campaign and are expected to take part in five live debates on national television, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency.

Ghazizadeh Hashemi had participated in the 2021 election, where he came fourth, while Jalili and Zakani withdrew from the race in support of Raisi.

Prominent disqualified figures include former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and veteran politician Ali Larijani, both previously barred from the 2021 ballot. Several members of former President Hassan Rouhanis administration, including his vice president Eshagh Jahangiri, were also barred.

Moderates and reformists have only ever had an outside chance in Iranian elections and the final list of candidates illustrates how little influence they now wield.

Pezeshkian, whos serving his fifth term as a member of parliament, stands as the solitary Iranian reformist cleared for the presidential race.

Hes known for his measured criticisms of hardline centers of power, especially as they became entrenched under the Raisi administration. As a heart surgeon, Pezeshkian demanded transparency regarding the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in 2022, while urging restraint in protests that followed Aminis death while in police custody.

The vote takes place at a time of crisis and uncertainty in the Middle East as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza despite efforts by other countries in the region to broker a cease-fire.

As a key supporter of Hamas and Lebanons Hezbollah, Iran has already been drawn into the conflict, conducting its first direct military strike on Israel in April.

Both Hamas and the military wing of Hezbollah are designated as terrorist organizations by the US and EU.

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FILE PHOTO: Sunni worshippers exchange greetings after Eid al-Fitr prayers to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan in Mosul

By Timour Azhari and Khalid Al-Mousily

MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - It was the simple night-time act of watering flowers on his street in Mosul's Old City that made Saqr Zakaria stop and think about just how safe this last bastion of Islamic State militants had become since it was liberated in 2017.

"I thought for a second, 'where am I?'" said Zakaria, who left the city in 2005 but returned to set up a cultural centre, the Baytna Foundation, in 2018 at a time when thousands of bodies were still being cleared from the ruins.

The jihadist group declared its caliphate at the Grand al-Nuri Mosque just down the road after taking Mosul a decade ago, imposing an extreme form of Islam that saw them kill members of minority groups, ban music and destroy archaeological sites.

The maze of alleyways in this part of the city on the west bank of the Tigris River became a site of regular killings, kidnappings and crime with the rise of Islamist insurgents after the 2003 US.-led invasion.

Much of it was pulverized, and thousands of civilians were killed, in the battle to free it.

But despite political infighting, allegations of corruption and delayed reconstruction, life is returning on both sides of the river.

Many of the more than two dozen people who spoke to a Reuters reporter on a four-night visit to the city said they felt more secure today than at any time in the last two decades.

"Life consisted of eating and sleeping and locking your door so you're not kidnapped or killed or blown up. We were deprived, and today we are making that up," said Zakaria. His foundation, housed in a traditional Moslawi home with an inner courtyard, has become a leading attraction for local and foreign visitors, including French President Emmanuel Macron in 2021.

Shortly after he spoke, an elderly man walked into the courtyard and shed tears at the sight of pictures, hung on a wall, of the city's intellectual and cultural elite that harkened back to better days.

"This is Mosul," said Nizar Al-Khayat, a former school director in his 70s, his voice wavering. "No matter what, it remains a cultured, civilized city."

Local officials and residents say there is a long way to go before Mosul sheds the legacy of ISIS.

Rubble is still being cleared seven years after the city was liberated. Pockmarked buildings with collapsed floors and exposed rebar can still be seen around Mosul. The Old City is in ruins.

But bridges have gone up. New restaurants have opened where patrons tuck into Lebanese cuisine and sway their heads to the nostalgic sound of Syrian tenors.

A souk and curbside cafes by the river buzz with life late into the night, formerly unthinkable in a city where people locked themselves in their homes by late afternoon.

Even as the city works to restore basic infrastructure, it is focused on expanding green areas and touristic attractions like a new riverside corniche, said Firas al-Sultan, a technical adviser to Mosul municipality.

Monuments to the city's rich inter-faith history, like the Grand Nuri Mosque and the Al-Tahera Church visited by Pope Francis in 2021, are being rebuilt.

(Reporting by Timour Azhari and Khalid Al-Mousily in Mosul, Editing by William Maclean)
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Secretary of State Antony Blinken is back in the Middle East urging leaders in the region to pressure Hamas to accept a ceasefire proposal.

It comes days after a special operation by Israel that led to the release of four hostages.

The White House is praising the rescue of the four hostages, but says the goal is to release all of the hostages and negotiate a ceasefire deal.

President Biden says theres more work to be done.

We wont stop working until all hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached, said Biden.

The operation to free the four hostages left an Israeli commander dead after the Israeli military says its forces came under heavy fire during the mission.

According to Hamas, nearly 300 Palestinians were also killed during the mission, but Arkansas Republican Senator Tom Cotton had this message for Hamas.

If you dont want your people killed in hostage rescue missions, then you shouldnt take hostages in the first place, said Cotton.

Pro-Palestine protests formed in front of the White House over the weekend demanding the bloodshed must stop.

If you want to alleviate the terrible suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, press Hamas to say yes, said Blinken.

Blinken met Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He says its up to Hamas to accept a phased deal that would stop the fighting and secure the release of remaining hostages.

Does Hamas want to end this conflict, end this war that it started, or not? Blinken asked.

Since putting the deal on the table Hamas has not publicly responded to it, but previously indicated it has a positive view of the proposal.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Israeli forces rescued four hostages from the Gaza strip this weekend in an operation officials say killed nearly 300 Palestinians. While President Biden celebrated the hostages return home U.S. officials worry the death toll could complicate ceasefire negotiations.

U.S. officials say there were no U.S. forces on the ground for the hostage rescue, but they have been working for months to support Israels efforts.

Hostages got to hug their loved ones again after Israeli forces rescued them eight months into the war with Hamas.

Welcoming the safe rescue of four hostages that were returned to their families in Israel, said Biden.

However, the Biden administration recognized their rescue came at a cost. The Gaza Health Ministry said the raid also killed 274 Palestinians.

Innocent people were killed, and that is heartbreaking. That is tragic, said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Sullivan could not say how many civilians versus Hamas militants were part of that number killed but Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton said Hamas operates in a way that purposefully puts civilians in the crossfire.

If you dont want your people killed in hostage rescue missions, then you shouldnt take hostages in the first place, said Cotton.

The hostage release came as pro-Palestinian protestors marched at the White House demanding a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages.

President Biden announced a proposal last week to do just that.

We wont stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached, said Biden.

Hamas still wants an end to the war as part of any deal while Israel has promised to continue fighting to destroy the militant group.

Hamas should say yes this is the answer that the world is looking for, said Sullivan.

Last year more than 100 hostages were released during a weeklong ceasefire in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

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What an Israeli government without Benny Gantz could look like

Insights from Forward, The Times of Israel, and Spiegel

The News

Israeli minister Benny Gantz resigned Sunday from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus emergency wartime government, heightening the countrys political crisis as ceasefire talks languish.

Gantz had threatened to resign if Netanyahu didnt approve a plan for post-war Gaza by Saturday. He quit a day after Israel rescued four hostages held by Hamas in a daylight operation that killed more than 200 Palestinians.

Gantz, Netanyahus political rival, is seen as a centrist in Israel, and his departure could alter how the government approaches the war, analysts say.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Gantz exit could embolden far-right coalition partners

Sources: Forward, The New York Times, The Times of Israel

The loss of a moderating force like Gantz in the cabinet is likely to heighten the scrutiny on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from allies like the US, the Forward reported. The government is losing the protective shield that Gantz provided, an expert at the Center for Israel Studies at American University said. Gantzs departure will in turn make Netanyahu more dependent on the right-wing members of the coalition government, including Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister. Ben-Gvir is already relishing Gantzs exit, calling it an opportunity and saying its time to stop the fuel and humanitarian policy in Gaza.

Another setback for potential ceasefire deal

Sources: CNN, The Times of Israel, Spiegel

Gantzs exit also diminishes the prospect of a hostage and ceasefire deal, analysts said. Gantz and the war cabinets third member, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, have had no qualms about disagreeing publicly with Netanyahu, journalist Elliott Gotkine wrote for CNN, and would have potentially called him out if he blocked an agreeable deal for personal reasons. With Gantz gone, that seems less likely. Ben-Gvir and his hard-right allies have also staunchly opposed a deal, political analyst Shalom Yerushalmi wrote, calling Gantzs decision to quit misguided. The US often sought out Gantz for ceasefire talks, seeing him as the responsible adult in the cabinet, Spiegels Israel correspondent wrote.
Dramatic new video footage shows the moment Israel Defence Force (IDF) soldiers shot their way into an apartment block to rescue three hostages on Saturday.

Youre going to be OK. Were here to rescue you, says one commando as he fist-bumps Andrey Kozlov, 27, while he backs up against a wall with his hands in the air. Another hostage can be seen raising his arms protectively above his head as the captives are identified and explosions fill the air.

The footage begins as heavily armed troops rush past undergrowth to the building through the continuous ricochet of continuous automatic gunfire.

The voices of women and children can be heard in the background but no one is in sight as the special operatives enter the building through dark, deserted rooms to find the three male hostages - Almog Meir Jan, 22, Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv, 41  huddled together wearing shorts and vests.

Noa Argamani, 26, who was also rescued, was alone on the first floor of another building just 200m away.

Residents walk among debris following Israeli strikes on the area in Gaza where hostages were rescued on Saturday - ABED KHALED/REUTERS

Earlier on Monday, it emerged that Israeli special forces who carried out the audacious rescue of four hostages on Saturday dressed as Gazans and Hamas fighters, according to reports.

The unit, which included women in local attire, entered the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza on Saturday, the Times of Israel reported, citing eyewitnesses who spoke to Arab media outlets.

Palestinian witnesses have described how troops arrived in two vehicles disguised as carrying commercial goods and furniture, according to the Washington Post.

One resembled a truck marked with a brand of dishwashing soap while the other was a white Mercedes loaded with mattresses resembling the belongings of displaced Gazans.

The IDF has previously denied using civilian trucks.

A video from the centre of the camp, verified by the Post, showed a white Mercedes parked next to two ladders resting against the side of a residential building, leading to an upper floor. Here they have arrived, said a female voice behind the camera.

A witness named Hussam al-Arouqi, 33, said he saw men in plainclothes and about 10 heavily armed soldiers pouring out of the Mercedes, opening fire and shooting his brother.

Asked on Saturday about reports that operatives had carried out the mission in civilian attire, IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari declined to give details of techniques and ways, citing operational security.

But we are doing things that are unimagined and we will keep on doing things that are unimagined and take risks to get intelligence but also to conduct operations in order to bring our hostages back home, he said.

The four hostages were being held in two separate apartment blocks that had to be raided at precisely the same time, the IDF said.

The rescue was carried out in broad daylight to maximise the element of surprise but also increased the risk of a firefight.

According to Mr Hagari, who was watching the mission in real time on monitors at the Israel command centre, the rescue of Ms Argamani was unimpeded, but the guards in the apartment holding the three men fired at the commando squad, mortally wounding team leader Arnon Zmora.

Noa Argamani was one of the four hostages rescued by Israeli special forces from captivity - MARKO DJURICA/REUTERS

As they exited the building, the squad came under heavy fire from Hamas militants shooting rifles and rocket propelled grenades, in a battlezone so fierce that it caused their vehicle to break down.

Forced to take refuge in a nearby building, the commanders called in air support.

The air force started shooting to give them a corridor, a wall of fire, retired Maj Gen David Tsur, a former commander with the Yamam, or national counter-terrorism unit, told the Washington Post.

According to multiple witness accounts, the narrow streets, even more crowded owing to the number of displaced people in Gaza, erupted in explosions, causing screaming civilians to run in terror to seek cover.

Locals described carnage as multiple rockets struck the area as akin to an apocalyptic judgement day.

Nidal Abdo, who was shopping in Nuseirat, told CNN he saw a crazy bombardment hitting the streets.

[It was] something we never witnessed before, maybe 150 rockets fell in less than 10 minutes, while we were running away more fell on the market, he said.

There are children torn apart and scattered in the streets, they wiped out Nuseirat, it is hell on earth, he said.

Graphic footage circulating on social media, which could not be immediately verified by the Telegraph, shows severely injured casualties, including infants, being rushed to the overwhelmed Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

As children wail in the background in distress, the injured lie in agony in pools of blood on the floor of a hospital that lacks the beds or doctors to care for them.

Israeli forces used helicopters to take the hostages from the Nuseirat camp back to their families - JACK GUEZ/AFP

In one video, a medic shouts in anger while holding the limp body of a young boy, brain matter spilling from a wound in his skull.

The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 274 people were killed, although it remains unclear how many were combatants.

The IDF on Saturday said it was aware of about 100 Palestinian casualties but also did not yet know how many were terrorists. It accused Hamas of making a cruel and cynical decision to endanger civilians by hiding the hostages within the population.

Medecins sans Frontieres said one of its colleagues who had been living at the camp recalled the horror as people screamed and ran amid a hail of bombs and the sound of explosions.

Three agonising hours passed during which he feared for the safety of his son, who had gone to a market.

I stood up to see if my son had come back and I realised he had left his phone at home, said the man, who wished to remain anonymous.

I went to the street screaming, Where is my son? Where is my son? My family tried to get me back into the house. I screamed so much that I lost my voice.

One hour later, my son arrived home. The sight of fear and terror on his face I have never seen this on a human being. He was barely able to speak. He said, Dad, people have been blown into pieces! Children, women why is it like this, Dad?

Israeli forces were able to whisk the hostages unharmed from the scene, loading them onto helicopters to transport them to their relieved and overjoyed families.

However, the high death toll in one of the most lethal incidents to date has increased international criticism of Israels handling of the war.

Josep Borrell, the European Union foreign affairs chief said he condemned it in the strongest terms.

Reports from Gaza of another massacre of civilians are appalling, he wrote on X.

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BEIRUT, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah announced on Monday that it shot down an Israeli drone over southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah said in a statement that its fighters ambushed a Hermes 900 drone armed with missiles and targeted it with air defense weapons before the drone carried out its attack.

A Lebanese military source told Xinhua that a surface-to-air missile launched from southern Lebanon struck an Israeli drone, causing it to catch fire before landing in the vicinity of al-Rehan mountain in Jezzine District, situated deep in southern Lebanon.

About half an hour later, an Israeli F-16 warplane attacked the wreckage of the drone, according to the source.

Lebanese security sources said that Hezbollah had heightened its military preparedness across all deployment zones several days ago in anticipation of potential military escalation due to repeated Israeli threats.

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border erupted on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. 
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks during a press conference on the results of the European elections at the Fratelli d'Italia party electoral committee in Rome. Roberto Monaldo/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has gained influence not only at the European level but potentially also domestically following her party's victory in the European elections in Italy.

As the lead candidate of her nationalist Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, the 47-year-old received 28.8% of the vote after almost all constituencies had been counted, according to polling results posted by national public broadcaster Rai. Compared to 2019, she has more than quadrupled her party's vote share.

In contrast to many other European governing parties, notably in Germany and France, the FdI also made gains compared to the last parliamentary election.

A left-wing alliance led by the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) party under opposition leader Elly Schlein came in second place with 24% of the vote.

The left-wing populist Five Star Movement of former prime minister Giuseppe Conte only achieved 10%.

The Greens and Left Alliance achieved achieved 6.7% while the former Social Democrat prime minister Matteo Renzi failed to reach the 4% hurdle.

Meloni was the so-called lead candidate for the FdI, which has its roots in Italy's post-fascist movement. However, she does not plan to take up a seat in the European Parliament.

For Meloni, the result also represents a major personal success after 18 months in government.

"I am proud of this result," she said. Referring to the poor performance of the governing parties in Germany and France, she added that Italy now had the "strongest government of all" within the EU and the Group of Seven (G7) western industrialized nations.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks during a press conference on the results of the European elections at the Fratelli d'Italia party electoral committee in Rome. Roberto Monaldo/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni casts her vote for the European Parliament elections, in Rome, Saturday, June 8, 2024. Nearly 400 million European Union citizens have been going to polls this week to elect members of the European Parliament, or MEPs, in one of the biggest global democratic events. (Mauro Scrobogna/LaPresse via AP)

ROME (AP)  Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis far-right party won European elections in Italy with a strong 28% of the votes, boosting her leadership at home and consolidating her kingmaker role in Europe.

Melonis Brothers of Italy party confirmed its status as the countrys most popular party, even improving its performance from the 26% it won in the 2022 general elections, according to projections by state broadcaster RAI based on almost 70% of votes counted.

The victory in Italy's voting for European Parliament representatives provides a boost for Meloni, after almost two years in power, mainly at the expense of her governing partners in Rome.

In particular, Matteo Salvinis hard-right League emerged as one of the biggest losers in the EU vote. After finishing first in the 2019 EU election, with more than 34% of the vote, the League got just 8.5% this time, behind its once junior ally, Forza Italia, which was over 9%.

For the opposition, the main centre-left Democratic Party got 24.5%, followed by the populist Five Star Movement, which received only 10.5%, a seven-point decrease from the 2019 election.

Meloni, who personalized her electoral campaign betting on her personal brand, has now positioned herself as one of the most powerful figures in the EU, where far-right parties made major gains, dealing stunning defeats to two of the blocs most important leaders: French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Im proud that we are heading to the G7 and to Europe with the strongest government of all, Meloni said, commenting on the electoral results at her partys headquarters early Monday.

She called the outcome extraordinary and pledged to use it as fuel for the future.

Despite its solid popular support, Melonis conservative government needs a strong mandate to deal with the challenges ahead, especially given the fragile state of Italy's public finances and the prospect of a difficult budget for 2025.

I think that Meloni gets out of these elections stronger, first of all because this is a government that has not lost consensus, which is quite unique in Europe, said Giovanni Orsina, director of the school of government at LUISS university in Rome.

Secondly, with the growth of far-right parties, Meloni is in a pivotal position between the far right and the European Peoples Party, he added.

Based on the latest projections, Melonis party will get from 23 to 25 seats in the European Parliament, up from six after the 2019 elections, when it was only a minor opposition party.
J.D. Vance's staff should flee him now. His stink will stick.

Nov 8, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; J.D. Vance gives his victory speech during an election night party for Republican candidates for statewide offices at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Columbus. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

J.D. Vance's staffers beware

Senator J.D. Vance: Writing to you is like arguing with a possum  pointless.

So, on the off chance that one of your staff might read this letter, I simply say this: Turn away from Senator Vance. Flee from him.

His stink will stick, and you do not want it stuck to you.

His devotion to the convicted felon is part of a larger insurrection that threatens the nation. He will be known as the worst senator from Ohio in history.

You are young and have a bright future before you, but not if you are loyal to this vile man. Serve your nation as a true American and turn from him.

James A. Grigsby, London

Taxes a travesty. Ginther to blame.

I know everyone got the new tax bill. My tax bill increased by $73.14 per month, or $877.68 per year. I was surprised this was passed.

If Mayor Andrew Ginther wasn't busy giving large tax abatements to rich developers, we would not need to support Columbus City Schools and the Columbus Metropolitan Library with property taxes. The fact that we need to support these entities, which are clearly the responsibility of the city, is a travesty.

Not everyone in Columbus is a multimillionaire like the developers.

I don't understand why the citizens of Columbus vote for him. I don't think they did their homework.

Kathy J. McGlone, Columbus

'Respect the verdict' is despicable?

All you need to know about the current state of the Republican Party is contained in two quotes.

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said prior to the verdict being known, I urge all Americans to respect the verdict and the legal process, via a tweet.

In response, Dan Cox, the 2022 Republican candidate for governor, called on the state GOP to censure Hogan for his, "despicable and disgusting announcement.

Respect the verdict and the legal process is a despicable and disgusting comment?"

Only if you are a Trump minion.

John Tripp, Westerville

Letters to the Editor

What's on your mind? How to submit a letter to the editor for The Columbus Dispatch

"Krogering" requires accountability

It was disappointing, yet unsurprising, to read the Dispatch Opinion Editor Amelia Robinson's recent column levying criticism at Kroger for their decision to implement additional loss prevention tactics at a number of their stores. In it, she expressed disdain for those tactics and proposed something as quaint as bringing back cashiers as a solution for the rise in retail theft both at Kroger and across the country.

I suppose Robinson has missed the plethora of video evidence available showing retail workers standing by helplessly as organized thieves steal everything from jewelry, iPads, food and building supplies.

She states Kroger is treating shoppers like third graders instead of "addressing the real issue."

I propose the real issue is one Kroger is also a victim of, but Robinson chose not to address. As progressive policies across the country have decriminalized such "trivial offenses" as low dollar theft and drug use, retailers both large and small struggle to contain theft as those that would perpetrate it grow braver in the face of no consequences.

Maybe addressing the real issue means holding people accountable for their actions and making them think twice before walking off with goods they cannot or choose not to pay for.

Corey Timlin, Powell

Younger people prefer density and proximity

Columbus must solve its housing shortage if it wants to continue to grow into the national powerhouse that it has potential to do.

Zone In will cause controversy among the those with the "not in my backyard mentality," and in some cases rightfully so; we can't let developers have 100% of the say.

However, a new generation of residents is growing nationwide.

Younger people prefer density and proximity in their cities. The density that Zone In can provide means people can live closer to their work and activities. People who choose to live in denser areas use less utilities, pollute less and generate more city revenue per head than people in the suburbs. It has potential to turn corridors that are mostly parking lots and chain stores into new, strong neighborhoods.

If the city and its developers can be considerate of existing homeowners and historic neighborhoods, rezoning parts of Columbus will be a win for everyone: current residents, new residents, employers and the city.

Cameron Leman, Columbus

Redistricting Reform Act crucial

Most of us believe in the principle of one-person, one-vote. Sadly, partisan gerrymandering has enabled some politicians to choose their voters while making the votes of some less consequential.

Fortunately, U.S. Senate Bill 3750, the Redistricting Reform Act, would set comprehensive criteria for congressional redistricting.

This includes banning partisan gerrymandering by prohibiting drawing maps that favor or disfavor any political party.

It would ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, require districts be drawn to represent communities of interest and neighborhoods to the extent possible.

The act would set clear deadlines for when maps must be enacted and mandate that redistricting plans are subject to public comment in an open and transparent manner.

The bill also clarifies the legal process by which voters and other litigants can bring lawsuits challenging unfair maps. Please urge your members of Congress to pass it.

Kathleen Arthur, Akron

Less federal control is a good thing

The problem is we are being told to agree on so many issues. Each new government rule, regulation or law is an attempt to set a national standard of behavior in some new area of our lives. If it passes, everyone must accept it and adjust their lives accordingly.

Ultimately, we are all forced to agree on everything and that is not natural.

If we really respect diversity, we must live and let live. Less government equals fewer things. Less government means you can do your thing, and I can do mine and our uniqueness is preserved. We can shrink the size of our government and end the bickering.

The Ohio Legislature is considering House Joint Resolution 3. The resolution calls for a convention of states to discuss amendments that would limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government.

It is time for Ohio to pass the resolution and call for the convention.

Ed Mulholland, Zanesville

Let's be real with the problem of mental health

I was a mental health manager in the State Mental Health Department in the 1970s, and we had the same situation with the number of mental health patients being brought in and released shortly thereafter.

They often went straight to the state institution as there were very few local mental health facilities. The state was reducing mental health patients permitted in state institutions. They were usually processed into institutions and released quickly, instead being given medicine to control their episodes.

The law said individuals could not be forced to take their medicine, so they ended back in the institution or living on the streets when they quit taking their medicine.

We have the same overwhelmed situation today with too few places to send mental health patients. Lets be real with the situation and change this paradigm and deal with it effectively.

Pete Kienle, Powell

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: J.D. Vance's stink will stick. His staff should beware.
Jail supervisors attorney says use of force necessary, full story not shared by sheriff

Read the latest in our coverage of the death of Anthony Johnson Jr. and other issues in Tarrant County jail.

The jail supervisor who was fired in connection to the Tarrant County Jail death of Anthony Johnson Jr. called for medical personnel less than a minute after realizing the inmate was unconscious, his attorney said in a news release Sunday.

Lt. Joel Garcia was fired and then reinstated and placed on administrative leave in connection to Johnsons death. His reinstatement was likely in response to the Sheriffs Office not following proper protocol in terminating him, his attorney Randy Moore previously told the Star-Telegram.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office ruled on Friday that Johnsons death was a homicide caused by mechanical and chemical asphyxiation. Partial videos released by the Sheriffs Office show a large jailer, identified as Rafael Moreno, put his knee on Johnsons back after Johnson was on the ground, handcuffed.

In the partial video, Johnson can be heard struggling to breathe, choking and gagging. Hed already been pepper sprayed, handcuffed and laid face-down. The portion of the video released by the Sheriffs Office ends after Moreno stands up, with Johnson not moving.

Moore, along with Johnsons family and their attorney, said the rest of the video is vital to understanding the whole story.

Moore said the use of force became necessary because of Johnsons attack on detention officers, adding despite what you are being told, the tactics publicly stated as what should have been done, are not part of the use of force policy or training at Tarrant County Sheriffs Office.

The Star-Telegram has requested the full video, but the Sheriffs Office has asked the Texas Attorney Generals Office for permission to withhold the recording, citing an ongoing investigation.

 More top stories from our newsroom:

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 Anthony Johnson Jr.s death in Tarrant jail ruled a homicide

[Get our breaking news alerts.]

Garcia was there for less than 4 minutes before putting medical personnel in charge of Johnsons control, Moore said in the news release. It was less than a minute after Johnson was found to be unresponsive that medical teams were called to take over his care, the attorney said.

That occurs in the portion of the videos not released, Moore said.

Daryl Washington, the attorney representing Johnsons family, said the rest of the video shows Johnson not getting the medical care he needed.

They didnt release the bad part, Johnsons mother, Jacqualyne Johnson, told the Star-Telegram.

Anthony Johnson Jr.

Moore said that Garcia is not to blame for Johnsons death.

Garcia followed stated policy and practice in his limited involvement in this matter, Moore said in the news release. He is saddened by the outcome as well as the public persecution he has received prior to a complete investigation being conducted and release of the full video along with policies and training actually practiced at the Tarrant County Sheriffs Office.

Other supervisors were there before Garcia showed up and they were giving commands, Moore said in the release. It wasnt until Johnson was unresponsive that Garcia took over, and he almost immediately called for medical personnel to meet him at the top of the stairs.

That contradicts what Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn told reporters at a news conference in May, when the partial video was released. Waybourn said Garcia made the decision to take Johnson down the stairs to medical instead of calling for medical personnel to meet them on the mezzanine where Johnson was.

Moore told the Star-Telegram the day the partial video was released that Garcia actually called for medical personnel to come up the stairs and handed over control. Thats something that is shown in the unreleased video, he said.
The Rev. James M. Lawson, the civil rights icon who inspired generations of nonviolent activists and who brought Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis in support of the 1968 sanitation workers strike, died Sunday in Los Angeles. He was 95.

"Rev. Lawson is one of the most important figures in Memphis history in terms of fighting for people living in poverty, for people striving to achieve racial justice," said Memphis author Emily Yellin, who had been working with Lawson on his memoir, "Nonviolent," which is scheduled to be published next year by Random House. "His impact in Memphis and the world has yet to be recognized."

Minister, professor, activist, imprisoned conscientious objector and descendant of enslaved family members, the Pennsylvania-born Lawson  whose clipped speech and direct manner was a contrast to the more traditional Southern church-style orations of King and other minister activists  was pepper sprayed in the face by police on Feb. 23, 1968, when striking workers and their supporters staged an impromptu march on Main Street following a contentious City Council meeting.

Rev. James Lawson, a student at Vanderbilt University divinity school, said during a press conference in First Baptist Church March 1, 1960, that the demonstrations by black and white students had been planned for 18 months by the Nashville Christian Leadership council, an all-black group of ministers. But student leaders in the demonstration against lunch counter segregation dispute that there is any organization behind them.

"Officers Act Quickly with Mace and Night Sticks to Restore Order," reported a headline in The Commercial Appeal.

The violence reinforced Lawson's determination to support the sanitation workers in their quest for improved conditions and pay. Believing that white ministers would not have been Maced, Lawson  pastor of Centenary Methodist Church on East McLemore  that night agreed to head the strategy committee of citizens supporting the strike, which became known as COME (the Committee on the Move to Equality).

More than an organizer, Lawson was on the streets with the workers and other marchers for every demonstration during the strike, which began on Feb. 12, 1968, and ended on April 16, 12 days after the assassination of King, who had been invited to come to Memphis by Lawson, his longtime friend and fellow crusader for racial justice.

A dedicated follower of the teachings of Jesus, Gandhi and King, Lawson was championed as "the architect of the nonviolent movement in America" by such fellow activists as the late John Lewis, the longtime Georgia member of Congress. "It wasn't just about the absence of violence, it was an active and radical strategy and philosophy that drove what we call the civil rights movement," Yellin said.

"He never used the word 'protest,' he used the word 'demonstration,' because he thought nonviolent direct action was the best way to educate the public about a problem," she said.

The Rev. James M. Lawson Jr., addressed a crowd at Gordon Memorial Methodist Church on Herman Street in a meeting on the lunch counter sit-ins March 7, 1960. The Rev. Lawson, who studied Gandhi's techniques in Nagpur, India, conducted workshops on nonviolent strategy to aided Nashville students in ending segregation at the lunch counters.

Lawson participated in the 1957 desegregation of Little Rock schools and helped lead efforts to desegregate lunch counters in Nashville. At the National Civil Rights Museum (which incorporates part of the motel where King was killed), the lunch counter exhibit includes filmed footage of Lawson training activists in how to remain nonviolent even while being threatened and abused.

"He had local awareness and national reach," said Russell T. Wigginton Jr., president of the museum, which awarded Lawson its Freedom Award in 2011. "He could tell you who the neighborhood people were in Memphis who made things happen, and then he could call anybody in the country and say, 'I need you here.' Not many people could do all that."

Lawson called King's assassination a "crucifixion" during an April 7, 1968, memorial gathering for King at Crump Stadium that attracted 6,000 people, according to The Commercial Appeal. Lawson said the murder should be "a call to repentance" for a city in which so many people had been unwilling to recognize the truth of the "I Am a Man" signs carried by the strikers.

"Repentance is not being concerned with whether or not business moves away from Memphis," he said. "Repentance is not being concerned with whether or not business moves away from Memphis. How can anyone have a good feeling about Memphis when one of the finest sons of this world of ours was shot dead in her streets?"

Lawson left Memphis in 1974, after 12 years here, to be pastor of Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles. He was pastor there until 1999, and remained pastor emeritus until his death. Up until a few months ago he was still doing nonviolent protest seminars, well into his 90s, said Rev. Christian Washington, Holman senior pastor.

Imprisoned for 13 months as a conscientious objector during the Korean War in the early 1950s, Lawson was also kicked out of Vanderbilt University and arrested for organizing student demonstrations. During his incarceration, he said he learned about the nonviolent protests led by Mohandas Ghandi in India.

In-depth: Civil rights advocate James Lawson was rooted in faith

In a 2013 interview with the Nashville Tennessean, Lawson said his activism was in part Jesus-inspired.

The politics of Jesus and the politics of God are that people should be fed, that people have access to life, that people should be treated equally and justly, Lawson said. Especially the marginalized. The poor, the illiterate, the jailed, the hungry, the naked  those are all terms Jesus uses. The alien, the stranger, the foreigner, youre supposed to treat them as you do yourself.

He looked to the gospel account of Mark, the story of Jesus healing a demon-possessed man. When the citys residents saw the man was better, they were terrified.

When all kinds of people in the United States become human, the people who have been mistreating them as less than human then are fearful, Lawson said. Thats the issue of racism in the United States, sexism in the United States, violence in the United States."

He was the son of a minister and raised among 10 brothers and sisters in Massillon, Ohio.

When he was younger, Lawson would punch people who called him racist names. But then he told his mother, Philane Lawson, what he had done.

What good did that do, Jimmy? she asked.

That simple question helped set her son on a new path. I made decisions that changed my life forever and basically directed me toward nonviolence, Lawson said.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: James Lawson, towering civil rights activist, dies at 95
A convicted Jan. 6 rioter running for Congress in Georgias 2nd District ditched a live, televised Republican primary debate on Sunday, part of a bizarre stunt in which he walked out of the venue after receiving a question about whether he would support Republicans recent plan to overhaul the U.S. farm bill to cut food stamps, a program providing aid to help low-income Americans purchase food.

Chuck Hand, a construction superintendent, was convicted of a misdemeanor for illegally entering the U.S. Capitol building during the attempted insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, and was sentenced to 20 days in prison and six months of probation. He is facing Wayne Johnson, a former finance professional who most recently served as a Trump administration official with the Department of Education.

Im not interested in debating the issues of the 2nd District with a man who doesnt even reside in it, especially one who orchestrates attacks on my wife, Hand said after being asked his first question. Im more concerned about beating [Democrat] Sanford Bishop, representing you and passing the America First agenda and putting Donald Trump back in the White House.

Chuck Hand - convicted in the January 6 Capitol riot -walks out of the Republican Congressional District 2 debate sponsored by the Atlanta Press Club at Georgia Public Broadcasting studios. @gapol @gpbnews @atlpressclub pic.twitter.com/WzaZi7JYie  Donna Lowry (@donnalowrynews) June 10, 2024

The mention of his wife was an apparent reference to third-place GOP primary finisher Michael Nixon, who dropped out of the race last month and held a press conference in which he endorsed Johnson and attacked the significant criminal backgrounds of Hand and his wife, who was convicted of illegally selling oxycodone years ago. He later took questions from reporters in which he said he believed that Johnson was behind Nixons attacks on his wife.

Its perfectly fine to attack me as a candidate. I expect that. But to come out and publicly attack my wife, thats a completely different situation, Hand said. My wife had paid her debt to society long before I ever met her.

The convicted Capitol rioter stormed out of the debate shortly after, saying: This is where I get back in my truck and go back to southwest Georgia because Ive got two races to win.

Youre not staying? moderator Donna Lowry asked as Hand crossed the stage. Youre leaving, sir? OK.

Wow, I dont even know how to react, Johnson said in response.

Candidate Wayne Johnson's response to his opponent, Chuck Hand, walking out of the Georgia Republican Congressional District 2 runoff debate.



Before leaving the debate, Hand accused Johnson of not living in the district. Johnson said while his primary home is not in the pic.twitter.com/c4iJSIBra4  Donna Lowry (@donnalowrynews) June 10, 2024

I would like to assume that Chuck Hands departure, the way in which he did it today, was his withdrawal from the race, Johnson said after the debate, according to The Associated Press. It certainly should cause people to pause and think about why he did it, and what he was trying to get by doing it.

Hand did not respond to multiple news organizations request for comment.

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Newly released footage from the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot depicts tense scenes as thenSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and thenHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi scrambled for a military response to force out the Trump-driven mob that had taken over the Capitol that day.

In unaired January 6th footage obtained by MSNBC, Sen. Chuck Schumer angrily demands that then-acting AG Jeffrey Rosen ask Trump to call off his supporters:



No, no, no, please answer my question. Answer my question! pic.twitter.com/i6ajWCBULX  The Recount (@therecount) June 10, 2024

Youre going to ask mein the middle of the thing when theyve already breached the inaugural stuffShould we call  the National Guard? Pelosi asked Terri McCullough, her chief of staff, as they rode in an SUV while being evacuated from the Capitol to Fort McNair. Why werent the National Guard there to begin with?

The footage was filmed by Pelosis daughter, documentarian Alexandra Pelosi, and was recently provided to Republican congressional investigators from HBO before landing in the hands of Politico and MSNBC.

In another clip, Schumer is seen demanding answers about directing Donald Trump to make a statement telling his supporters to leave. Schumer fumes that the city of Washington, D.C., had requested the National Guard but it was denied by the Department of Defense. Id like to know a good fucking reason why its been denied, Schumer growls into a flip phone. We need them fast. Weve all had toIve never seen anything like this. Were like a third-world country here. We had to run and evacuate the Capitol.

They have not denied it, Schumer said to Pelosi after getting off the phone. I spoke to the secretary of the Army. Hes given the full OK to get the National Guard, he says it was not denied. Im gunna call up the effin secretary of DoD.

The clips shed new light as to why the National Guard failed to mobilize for hours after a pro-Trump mob breached the building and forced members of Congress to evacuate. Alongside existing evidence, it appears Trump colluded with the Department of Defense to drag their feet and let the deadly insurrection play out.

Trump has long falsely claimed that he signed an order for 10,000 National Guard troops to mobilize to D.C. prior to the Capitol riot. Trump and fellow conservatives have also falsely claimed that Pelosi was responsible for preventing their deployment. These claims were previously debunked by noting Trump failed to issue any formal request. As The Washington Post notes, Trump had informally suggested bringing in thousands of National Guard troops to protect his supporters from leftist counterprotestsnot as part of a defense of the Capitol.

On January 7, 2021, the Department of Defense released a statement claiming, Once the reality of the assault on the U.S. Capitol became apparent, National Guard troops responded appropriately and with alacrity. At the same time, Trump claimed he immediately deployed the National Guard and federal law enforcement to secure the building and expel the intruders. The National Guard didnt mobilize to the Capitol until 5:40 p.m.nearly five hours after the pro-Trump mob first breached the exterior barricades and began beating cops before breaching the Capitol at around 2 p.m.
NEW YORK (AP)  A New Jersey businessman who prosecutors say bribed Sen. Bob Menendez testified Monday that the Democrat told him in summer 2019 that hed look into a state criminal probe threatening his business and later assured him there was no threat and boasted about saving him.

At the time, Jose Uribe said in Manhattan federal court, he assumed that Menendez knew he had made a $15,000 down payment and was making monthly payments on a Mercedes-Benz for Menendezs girlfriend, who married Menendez a year later.

Prosecutors contend that the car, along with gold bars and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash found in the couple's Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, home, were bribes paid by three businessmen, including Uribe, to get the senator to use his influence to serve their purposes and earn them money from 2018 to 2023.

Defense lawyers for Menendez have argued that the meeting with Uribe and other evidence cited by prosecutors is nothing more than a senator meeting with constituents and doing what he can to help his state in his role as one of its representatives in Congress.

Menendez, 70, has resisted calls to step down as New Jersey's senior senator, though he was forced out of his powerful post as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after charges were unveiled last fall.

During Uribe's two days of testimony, he has described meeting Menendez at a fundraiser he staged that raised $50,000 for the senator's 2018 campaign, but he said he did not bring up the issue of investigations there or at several other meetings, including a dinner.

He said he thought the issue had already been raised with Menendez by his friend, Wael Hana, a businessman who told him in 2018 that the senator could be enlisted to help his legal troubles go away, but it would cost between $200,000 and $250,000.

Hana and a third businessman, Fred Daibes, are on trial with Menendez. Like Menendez, they have pleaded not guilty. Awaiting trial is Nadine Menendez, who is recovering from surgery. She has pleaded not guilty.

Uribe said he brought up the subject of investigations directly with the senator at an Aug. 7, 2019, dinner with Bob Menendez and Nadine Menendez, the senator's girlfriend at the time. They married in 2020.

He said he told Bob Menendez that he was concerned that a probe of a friend's trucking business was causing investigators to look at his insurance business and the senator said he would look into it.

I asked him to help get peace for me and my family, Uribe said.

A month later, Uribe said, he was invited to meet with Menendez again at their home, where he sat in the backyard with Menendez and provided facts about his company and a key employee because the senator was meeting with New Jersey officials in his office the next day.

After Menendez's meeting with officials, Uribe said the senator told him in a brief meeting at a New Jersey apartment building: That thing that you asked me about, it doesn't seem to be anything there.

In late October 2019, Uribe said he got a surprise telephone call from Menendez from a Washington D.C. phone number and was told: That thing that you asked me about, theres nothing there. I give you your peace.

Uribe said he sent a text to Menendez's girlfriend, saying: I just got a call and I am a very happy person. God bless you and him forever.

Uribe also recalled having dinner in August 2020 with Menendez, who boasted that he had saved him not once, but twice, involving the probes of the trucking business and the threat the investigation would spread to his insurance business.

Speaking in Spanish, Menendez said at the dinner: I didnt have to do much. I relayed to these people that what is this prosecution against hardworking Latinos, Uribe testified.

Last week, former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal testified that he cut off the senator on a phone call and in an early September 2019 meeting when Menendez tried to raise the subject of a criminal probe.

Grewal said it was his policy to always instruct people to have their defense lawyers contact trial-level prosecutors working the case or the judge if they have complaints with how a case is handled.

Grewal said the senator had complained about the treatment of Hispanics in the trucking industry as well.

After the brief meeting, Grewal said, a top official in his office who he brought alone for the meeting said: "Whoa, that was gross.

Uribe said that without his cooperation deal and the leniency expected to come with it, he could face up to 95 years in prison for his crimes.
New Jerseys D.C. Democrats say Biden administration should not support new immigrant jail

GEO Group wants to open an immigrant detention center at Delaney Hall in Newark. Democrats say the Biden administration should not support its plan. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor)

Most of New Jerseys congressional Democrats are urging the Department of Justice not to support a new immigrant detention center planned for Newark.

In separate letters asking federal justice officials to refrain from supporting prison company GEO Groups plan to open the Newark immigrant jail, Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat, and the states eight House Democrats cited President Bidens prior comments criticizing private prisons.

Biden has said no business should profit from the suffering of desperate people fleeing violence and has condemned private prisons for not maintaining the same levels of safety and security for people in the Federal criminal justice system or for correctional staff.

These same disparate and dangerous conditions still persist in privately operated immigration detention centers and the efforts to expand such a system must not be met with support from the federal government, the House Democrats letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland reads.

Opening a new federal immigration jail in Newark would undermine the efforts of New Jerseyans and lawmakers who worked tirelessly to ensure no more immigration centers would open in the state, the June 6 letter adds.

Booker, meanwhile, sent a letter June 6 to Department of Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Patrick Lechleitner asking them to reconsider plans to work with GEO Group to open the Newark jail. GEO Group says in court filings that it plans to submit a proposal to ICE to turn Delaney Hall into an immigrant jail.

A new contract would also serve as an insult to immigrant communities and advocates in New Jersey and around the country who have fought tirelessly to document the human rights abuses at private detention centers and repeatedly pushed the Administration to detain fewer people in more humane settings. I urge you to commit to not open new, privately-run immigration detention facilities in New Jersey, Booker said.

Murphy signed a law in 2021 banning local governments and private companies from entering into contracts to detain immigrants. A federal judge deemed the law partially unconstitutional last year after CoreCivic  which runs an immigrant jail in Elizabeth  sued the state over the law, with the judge saying the state cannot bar the federal government from contracting with a private company to detain immigrants. The state has appealed.

Attorneys for the Department of Justice in legal filings in that case said it would be catastrophic if CoreCivic were forced to close its jail.

GEO Group has cited similar arguments in its lawsuit against Murphy.

The Elizabeth Detention Center is the last functioning immigrant detention center in New Jersey. A study from Detention Watch Network found that conditions in the jail have long been unsanitary and dangerous, alleging people incarcerated there lack access to air or sunlight, live in quarters infested with vermin, and face abusive treatment from staff members.

The post New Jerseys D.C. Democrats say Biden administration should not support new immigrant jail appeared first on New Jersey Monitor.
During an appearance on Real Time With Bill Maher, Senator John Fetterman credited his near-fatal stroke with making him a conservative darling, describing it as freeing.

Theres a line from the first Batman, Joker, hes like, Ive already been dead once already. Its very liberating, Fetterman told Maher on Friday. Thats not reckless, thats just freeing. Its just freeing in a way. And I just think after beating all of that, I just really want to be able to say the things that I have to really believe in and not be afraid of if theres any kind of blowback.

Following the October 7 Hamas attack, Fetterman broke from the progressives who got him elected to saber-rattle for Israels brutal attacks on Gaza. His stance has largely been antagonistic, trolling protesters rallying for a cease-fire by waving an Israel flag over them, laughing at military veterans getting arrested protesting for a cease-fire, and castigating the United States for abstaining from a cease-fire resolution instead of voting against it. He has described student encampment protests as pup tents for Hamas and spread debunked propaganda denigrating pro-Palestine demonstrations in Philadelphia.

Since adopting an aggressively pro-Israel stance, Fetterman has also backed harsher border policiesa curious stance given that he used to point to his wifes undocumented status as a child to tout his progressive bona fides.

Fetterman frames his seismic shift as stances hes always had, which his brain damage simply allowed him the freedom to embracedespite constantly describing himself as a progressive through the years, seeking endorsement from the Democratic Socialists of America, and himself endorsing progressive candidates for office.

While progressives who campaigned hard for Fetterman feel betrayed by his shift, conservatives have celebrated Fettermans self-described brain damageinduced embrace of right-wing positionsitself a clear signal hes garnering the wrong audience.

Its heartwarming to see regular people using their brain, said one account on X (formerly Twitter) in response to a white nationalist disinformation account boosting Fettermans interview with Maher.

If only there was some way we could repeat this experiment with other elected officials, replied another user in response to a Fox News post about how Fettermans brain damage freed him.
People vote at a polling station for the European Parliament elections in Ljubljana, Slovenia, June 9, 2024.

Right-wing groups are projected to secure substantial gains in the 2024 European Parliament (EP) election, diminishing the influence of centrist parties, according to preliminary estimate results released by the EP early Monday. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

BRUSSELS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The center-right European People's Party (EPP) is leading the 2024 European Parliament (EP) elections, projected to secure 191 seats, according to the EP's aggregated results estimates on Sunday.

The center-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) follows with 135 seats, while Renew Europe (RE) is projected to be the third-largest group with 83 seats.

The results indicate a shift in the political landscape, with centrist parties losing seats and far-right groups making significant gains. Though still the third-largest group in the parliament, RE saw a substantial loss of 22 seats compared to the last election in 2019, while the Greens/European Free Alliance lost 19 seats.

On the far-right, the Identity and Democracy (ID) group gained 9 seats, reaching a total of 57, and the European Conservatives and Reformists secured 71 seats.

The projections are based on provisional results from 24 European Union (EU) member states, national estimates from two other nations, and pre-electoral data from one.

The pro-European political group RE, which includes French President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party, took a heavy hit. In France, the Renaissance party garnered 15.2 percent of the votes, much behind the far-right National Rally, which received 31.8 percent.

Following the defeat, Macron announced the dissolution of the National Assembly on Sunday evening. "This is a serious, weighty decision. But it is above all an act of trust," he said, adding that elections to the National Assembly will take place in two rounds on June 30 and July 7.

In Germany, support for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party fell to a projected 13.9 percent of the vote, placing it behind the right-wing Alternative for Germany, which surged into second place. The Greens saw a heavy blow with an 11.9 percent vote, a dramatic drop from a record result of 20.5 percent in 2019.

In Austria, the far-right Freedom Party, part of the ID group in the EP, is set to win the EP election for the first time, according to a forecast published by Austrian media when voting closed on Sunday. 

People vote at a polling station for the European Parliament elections in Ljubljana, Slovenia, June 9, 2024.

Right-wing groups are projected to secure substantial gains in the 2024 European Parliament (EP) election, diminishing the influence of centrist parties, according to preliminary estimate results released by the EP early Monday. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

This photo taken on June 9, 2024 shows the scene of a counting hall in Naxxar, Malta.

Right-wing groups are projected to secure substantial gains in the 2024 European Parliament (EP) election, diminishing the influence of centrist parties, according to preliminary estimate results released by the EP early Monday. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua)

A man holds up a vote at a counting hall in Naxxar, Malta, June 9, 2024.

Right-wing groups are projected to secure substantial gains in the 2024 European Parliament (EP) election, diminishing the influence of centrist parties, according to preliminary estimate results released by the EP early Monday. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua)
A TikTok video posted by John-Paul Miller details that he has 350 pieces of proof in regards to his wifes death and her thoughts before she died.

Mica Miller died April 27, 2024, after being found with a gunshot wound to her head in a North Carolina state park, according to the Robeson County Sheriffs Department. Her death has been ruled a suicide.

John-Paul Miller is the pastor of Solid Rock Church in Market Common. Miller was later relieved of his duties by the church.

The death of the 30-year-old Myrtle Beach woman and her relationship with her husband, which alleged abuse, has gained national attention and has been discussed and analyzed on social media by family, friends, and church members, as well as non-members. Most of those discussions include #justiceformica.

John-Paul Millers video, dubbed Part 1, was posted on the TikTok account TrueCrimeRi Sunday, June 9, 2024. Miller said Monday that the video was in response to the many people and information that has been posted online about he and his wifes relationship before her death.

Miller said in the video that he will reveal what Mica thought about her family and lawyer, adding that there are lies being told and Youre going to be shocked at some of the things that Mica says. .... Mica corresponded with me more than anybody else on planet Earth, Miller said in the video.

Miller said in the video that his silence so far is nothing more than wisdom and self-control so that we can the war that is up ahead.

And were going to find out who actually is responsible for my wifes death, Miller said in the video. Mica will have justice.

Miller referred questions Monday to his attorney, Russel Long. A message left for Long was not immediately returned.

I want so bad to talk, Miller said.

He did say that a new video will be released every few days detailing information about his wife. Miller said he has video, audio, text messages, emails and notes and medical papers from doctors that will disprove everything (Micas family) and their lawyer is saying.

The family and their attorney, Regina Ward, conducted a press conference June 5, 2024, outside the Horry County Courthouse following a hearing that gave Micas family the rights to the belongings Mica Miller had at the time of her death.

The family urged legislators to amend a bill regarding domestic violence proposed in 2021 and name it Micas Law.

It is unclear whether Robeson County Sheriffs Office is still investigating Millers death. The department did not respond to The Sun News request to comment. The FBI assisted with the investigation, FBI spokesperson Kevin Wheeler said. In such investigations, the FBI will assist at times when cases span across state lines.

Law enforcement has said previously that Miller was elsewhere at the time of Micas death. In addition, they released 911 tapes of Micas call to dispatchers and photos that show Mica buying a gun at a Myrtle Beach store before she drove to North Carolina.

Miller also has previously denied abusing his wife.

She has never once been abused as long as she has been married to me, Miller said Monday.
A 5th District Court judge signed an execution warrant for Taberon Dave Honie on Monday, a man who was sentenced to death in 1999  setting his date for lethal injection on Aug. 8. | Utah State Prison

A 5th District Court judge signed an execution warrant for Taberon Dave Honie on Monday, a man who was sentenced to death in 1999  setting his date for lethal injection on Aug. 8.

Honie, convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend's mother Claudia Benn in front of her three grandchildren, appeared in a Cedar City courtroom on Monday as Judge Jeffrey Wilcox considered signing his execution warrant.

On July 9, 1998, Honie broke into Benn's home in Cedar City by smashing a rock into a glass door, then sexually assaulted the woman with a large knife and cut her throat, causing her to bleed to death.

At sentencing, the judge said the death sentence was earned by Honie, not given: "If this isn't a death penalty case, I don't know what is."

After multiple appeals and confirmations of Honie's sentencing in 2002 and 2014 by the Utah Supreme Court, prosecutors filed an application for an execution warrant on May 1 asking for it to move forward.

When given one more chance to choose whether he wanted to die by firing squad or lethal injection, Honie's attorney said he does not have the information needed to make an informed choice. That led Judge Jeffrey Wilcox to rule Honie's decision had been made at his original sentencing  since he made no declaration then, the law outlines he should die by lethal injection.

A new set of execution drugs

On Friday, the Utah Department of Corrections sent a press release clarifying which drugs would be used for a lethal injection and said it has secured the drugs in anticipation of this hearing.

Three drugs make up the lethal injection dose: Ketamine serves as a sedative, fentanyl relieves pain and potassium chloride stops the heart.

Honie's attorney, Eric Zuckerman, said notice of these drugs on Friday was not enough. He called the three drugs an "experimental cocktail" and said they have never been used for this purpose before.

"They support this proposal with an anonymous declaration by a pharmacist who is licensed to practice in some state, I assume not in Utah or the declaration would have said so," he said about an affidavit from a pharmacist filed in the case.

Zuckerman noted that a pharmacist would not be allowed to prescribe the drugs, and he said a doctor should publicly testify about those drugs and prescribe the amounts. He said they want to know where the drugs will come from and whether they will be compounded.

He argued that they should have time, after learning the amounts for each drug and the process of administration, to consult with medical experts and decide whether to object to those drugs as unconstitutional, or provide Honie with information about the process and what to expect.

Zuckerman said he has filed an appeal to the Supreme Court, before receiving the names of the drugs, regarding the lack of details over the execution method.

He also said the lethal injection protocol has not been updated since 2010, and asked why the Department of Corrections is not updating it  questioning if it is avoiding the legal process of an appeal. He said moving forward with the execution without an update would be "unfathomable."

"We want to ensure that Mr. Honie's criminal rights are not violated in an execution that amounts to torture," Zuckerman said.

Last-minute appeal attempts

Wilcox said at the hearing that his role as judge is narrow  if there is no legal reason to stay the execution proceedings, he should issue the order. He said he is "unpersuaded" by Honie's arguments that there should be a stay because of his current appeal which does not involve his conviction.

"It's not an open door for a person facing the death penalty to engage in any litigation to stay his sentence," he said.

To address the execution protocol argument by Zuckerman, an attorney from the Utah Department of Corrections, Daniel Bokovoy, said the protocol allows for other drugs to be used and is unchanged  aside from minor changes about the place since the prison has moved since 2010.

Daniel Boyer, the Utah prosecutor who argued at the hearing, said there was no reason for the judge to delay signing the execution warrant, because there is not currently an appeal or question of Honie's conviction or sentence.

Boyer said that Honie decided not to choose a method of execution when he was first asked in 1999, which meant waiving his choice. The attorney said although it should have happened at his sentencing, Boyer could decide on Monday whether he would choose firing squad or lethal injection  but no later.

"It's our position that he's asking for more control over this part of the proceedings than the statutory process allows him," he said.

Zuckerman, however, argued that the pending litigation should cause an "automatic stay."

An execution warrant must set the method of execution and a date of execution, which is between 30 and 60 days from the date it is issued. Honies execution date, on Aug. 8, is one day shy of 60 days.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Just one week after it began, the federal trial of Hunter Biden is coming to a close. On Monday the jury began deliberating whether to find the presidents son guilty of three felony crimes for allegedly buying a gun while addicted to drugs.

During closing arguments, prosecutors say they showed that Hunter Biden lied on a federal form about his drug use while buying a gun in 2018.

Former federal prosecutor David Weinstein says the prosecution checked all the boxes in this case.

Theyve introduced evidence that shows they have proof that the defendant knew he was an addict and was in fact absolutely abusing, Weinstein said.

However, the defense argued Hunter didnt consider himself an addict when he filled out the form.

Did he knowingly sign that form? And the defense has presented enough that one or more jurors may not think so, Weinstein said.

Over the past week the jury heard emotional testimony from multiple members of the Biden family about Hunters issues with addiction.

NewsNation contributor and Attorney A. Scott Bolden says that may strike a chord with some jurors.

Its very sympathetic. We dont think of it as a crime. We think of it as a health issue. Thats the danger the prosecution is running into, Bolden said.

If hes found guilty of all three felony charges, Hunter faces a prison sentence of up to 25 years. But he is a first-time offender, so Bolden predicts he wont actually be sent to jail.

I dont see the judge sentencing him to any time. Hes probably probation eligible, Bolden said.

Plus, any possible conviction may not be the end of the fight.

This case is going to be about the appeal. Its not going to be over no matter what the verdict is, Bolden said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
A Milwaukee County jury on Monday convicted a Neenah man in the brutal slaying last year of a Black transgender woman.

Cordell Howze, 34, showed little reaction as the verdict was read and Circuit Court Judge David Swanson polled the jury on their decision.

The jury, made up of seven women and five men, needed roughly an hour to find Howze guilty of first-degree reckless homicide and possession of a firearm in Cashay Henderson's Feb. 26, 2023 death.

Akeevia Green and Nevaeh Conery, both close friends of Henderson, sat through the week-long trial, which featured graphic and disturbing testimony and evidence, including myriad videos captured by neighbors' security cameras, business surveillance systems and even a county bus.

Several of the videos were recorded by the killer on his cellphone from inside Hendersons home, giving jurors a frightening digital epilogue of Henderson's final moments. One video showed Henderson's body at his feet, while he made off with Henderson's Rolex watch and credit cards, and plotted his next move.

It really broke my heart," Green said moments after the verdict. "My friend Cashay can rest now."

She had a smile that would light up a room," said Conery, who helped convince Henderson to move to Milwaukee from Chicago years ago. "She was a woman. A beautiful woman. And her legacy will live on."

Howzes trial began June 3. He'll be sentenced Aug. 9.

Defense attorney Stephen Sargent argued the prosecution's footage did not definitively show Howze killing Henderson or setting her home ablaze. Howze's fingerprints were not on the gas can that was recovered at the scene, he said.

Howze took the stand in his own defense and was also the only witness his lawyer called to testify.

Firefighters discovered Henderson inside her apartment near 29th and Villard with gunshot wounds while responding to a fire.

Investigators located a gasoline can in the living room and determined the cause of the fire was arson. An autopsy showed that Henderson died of gunshot wounds.

She had been shot twice.

Jurors were shown video Friday that prosecutors allege show Howze filming inside Henderson's apartment after she was killed. Henderson's body can clearly be seen in the footage.

"The devil's dead. He'll never be out here again," a man's voice can be heard saying.

Under questioning from Assistant District Attorney Grant Huebner on Friday, Howze testified he didn't recall much that night, but described Henderson as "a good friend." He also said he went to Henderson's home intending to protect her, but that she appeared to already have been dead when he arrived.

Howze admitted to recording video inside the apartment, but said he was "conducting an investigation" into what happened to her.

Court records show Howze later tried to amend his plea to not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. A judge rejected the effort last July.

Huebner showed jurors cellphone records that showed Howze conducted internet searches for "trans women" before he connected with Henderson. Other digital evidence was presented earlier in the week included camera footage from neighbors, nearby businesses, even a county bus that placed him in the area around the time of the killing.

"Did you protect her that night?" Huebner asked.

"I failed, sir," Howze replied.

"You mean you failed to protect her from yourself," Huebner said.

Who was Cashay Henderson?

She was a Chicago native who for years was active in a support group for Black transgender women.

Family remembered her in a March 2023 interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as an outgoing, dominant personality who was constantly on the move and making friends.

Cordell Howze has a criminal history

Howze had been in custody at the Winnebago County Jail for about a month before Henderson's death for violating terms of his extended supervision from a prior felony conviction. He was jailed Jan. 28, one day after allegedly fleeing police, according to the jail and online court records.

Howze was released Feb. 24, just two days before Hendersons death and three days before Winnebago County prosecutors filed charges against him in connection with the January fleeing incident.

Henderson's death was part of a trend involving Black transgender women

According to the Human Rights Campaign, at least 32 transgender or gender non-conforming people died by homicide in the U.S. in 2023. The majority of those victims are Black and Latina transgender women.

Henderson's death came as part of a disturbing string of killings in 2022 and 2023 involving Black transgender women that shook Milwaukees LGBTQ+ community:

Brazil Johnson, a graduate of both Rufus King High School and Milwaukee Area Technical College, was found fatally shot near North Teutonia and West Garfield avenues on June 15, 2022. No arrests have been made in her death. The FBI in January released an image of a person they believe may have information in the killing.

Chyna Long grew up in Milwaukee and attended Washington High School, but was living in Chicago the last eight years. She had been visiting Milwaukee to comfort her father over the death of his brother when she was killed Oct. 8, 2023.

Antonio S. Currin, 29, has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection with her death. An Aug. 26 trial date has been scheduled.

On May 28, Clayton Hubbird pleaded guilty to first-degree intentional homicide on the day his trial was to begin in the death of Regina "Mya" Allen, another Black transgender woman. Allen was just days from her 36th birthday when she was shot outside her apartment Aug. 29, 2022 in Milwaukees Avenues West neighborhood.

Hubbird, 33, will be sentenced July 29.

How to help

Diverse & Resilient offers trauma-informed support for the LGBTQ community statewide. To talk to an advocate, call or text the statewide warmline at 414-856-LGBT (5428).

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee jury convicts Neenah man of killing Black transgender woman
Justice Alito agrees in secret recording that US should return to place of godliness

Embattled Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito agreed the US should return to a place of godliness, in a secret recording of candid comments made at an event earlier this month.

The conservative justice acknowledged that American society was polarized but said that there were differences of opinion on fundamental issues that really cant be compromised.

Alito made the remarks during the Supreme Court Historical Societys annual dinner on June 3. The conversation was recorded secretly by documentary filmmaker Lauren Windsor and came amid a string of controversies surrounding the judge and his wife.

In the recording, Windsor  who also spoke to Alito at the 2023 event  said: People in this country who believe in God have got to keep fighting for that  to return our country to a place of godliness.

I agree with you. I agree with you, replied Alito.

Embattled Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said he agrees the US should return to a place of godliness, during a conversation that was secretly recorded earlier this month (AP)

The pair also discuss the polarization of America, with Windsor saying: I dont know that we can negotiate with the left in the way that needs to happen for the polarization to end. I think that its a matter of, like, winning.

Alito replies: I think youre probably right. On one side or the other  one side or the other is going to win.

I dont know. I mean, there can be a way of working  a way of living together peacefully, but its difficult, you know, because there are differences on fundamental things that really cant be compromised. They really cant be compromised.

So its not like you are going to split the difference.

During their 2023 conversation, which Windsor also recorded, Alito accused the media of eroding trust in the US justice system in the eyes of American citizens.

EXCLUSIVE UNDERCOVER AUDIO:

Sam Alito x John Roberts x The Undercurrent 



1/ Justice Alito admits lack of impartiality with the Left, says: One side or the other is going to win. pic.twitter.com/b5nmxToZ9z  Lauren Windsor (@lawindsor) June 10, 2024

Its easy to blame the media but I do blame them because they do nothing but criticize us, he said.

The Independent has contacted the Supreme Court for comment about the remarks made by Alito.

Alito is known for his right-wing views, having authored the Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs decision, which reversed five decades of settled law and ended a constitutional right to abortion.

The judge and his wife have been heavily in the media spotlight recently following controversy over several flags placed outside their homes in both Virginia and New Jersey.

It comes as Alito and his wife, Martha-Ann Alito face backlash in the media following the flying of controversial flags at their homes in Virginia and New Jersey (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Last month, the New York Times revealed that an upside-down American flag was flown at the Alitos Virginia home following the 2020 presidential election - a symbol used by the Stop the Steal movement supporting Trumps false claims of election fraud.

It was subsequently revealed that an Appeal to Heaven flag was flown at their New Jersey vacation home, a symbol carried by rioters on January 6.

Alito has twice blamed his wife, Martha-Ann Alito for the flying of the flags, and has refused to recuse himself from upcoming Supreme Court hearings on the January 6 insurrection.

Alito claimed that his wife flew the flag while greatly distressed about a nasty neighborhood dispute.
Live video: Lead MSP investigator Michael Proctor takes stand in Karen Read murder trial

The seventh week of witness testimony in the Karen Read murder trial began Monday with Massachusetts State Police Detective Sergeant Yuri Bukhenik back on the stand for a third day and he faced intense questioning over an inverted video from inside a Canton police sallyport.

Bukhenik was dismissed from the stand shortly after 10:30 a.m. When the court returned from morning recess, the lead investigator on the Read case, Trooper Michael Proctor, was called to the stand.

Before testimony resumed, Judge Beverly Cannone heard a motion from the prosecution, which is seeking to block defense expert Dr. Marie Russell from taking the stand. The defense is planning to question Russell about its theory of John OKeefe being attacked by a dog and the injuries to his arm.

WATCH LIVE: Seventh week of witness testimony in the Karen Read murder trial underway. WATCH LIVE: The 7th week of witness testimony in the Karen Read murder trial is underway. Posted by Boston 25 News on Monday, June 10, 2024

LIVE PLAY-BY-PLAY FROM COURT:

3:10 p.m.

This jury has to be wondering what they got themselves into with this case. It is absolutely not normal for a prosecutor to be asking a State Trooper about personal texts re: a defendant.

Proctor and another trooper were texting about the Medical Examiners ruling that manner of JOs death could not be determined

3 p.m.

Judge asks Proctor to speak up because jury cant hear him either. In a June 2022 text to his wife, Proctor called Karen a whack job and said something about locking her up.

2:50 p.m.

Proctor says his sister texted him that Julie Albert wanted to get him a gift after the case was over and he responded get one for my wife. He says no gift was ever exchanged.

2:45 p.m.

Its extremely difficult to hear Trooper Proctor read off his texts with his friends because of the portable A/C .

This is what Ive heard so far -- Friend: Im sure everyone in the house well get some shit MP: Nope, homeowner is a Boston Cop Friend: did he get beat up? MP: No Friend: So the owner of the home was a Boston cop who beat him? MP: Thats what I initially thought MP: She hit him with her car MP: Shes a whackjob and a c*nt MP: shes a babe with a Fall River accent.

Proctor looks at jury when he says he made objectionable comments and hes not proud of them. He says they dont impact the integrity of investigation.

2:30 p.m.

Jury is back and testimony resumes.

2:15 p.m.

Judge is sending jury out for 10 mins.

2:05 p.m.

Lally is bringing in Proctors personal text messages from the federal investigation.

2 p.m.

Trooper Michael Proctor back on stand after lunch.

Lally resumes direct questioning of Trooper Michael Proctor. Proctor says the Alberts are my sisters friends and he explained my connection to the Albert family to Sgt. Bukhenik. Proctor tells the jury the connection had zero impact on investigation.

12:45 p.m.

Court heads off for 1-hour lunch break.

12:30 p.m.

Proctor says he didnt observe any damage to JOs vehicle.

Lally displays picture of JO's Chevy Traverse sometime after he says KR's Lexus "came close or came in contact" with it. pic.twitter.com/kKRBIV8CKI  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 10, 2024

12:20 p.m.

Proctor talks about the multiple times he recorded finding evidence at 34 Fairview Rd He says there was 2 feet of snow on 1/29 followed by temperature swings and rain  as the snow started to melt, more evidence started to present itself.

12:10 p.m.

Trooper Proctor displays taillight housing unit from KR's SUV pic.twitter.com/hQZ42ZyjrN  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 10, 2024

12 p.m.

Proctor on taillight housing: The state police chemist had it removed for testing... It was with the assistance of a Canton Police Officer who has an auto body shop.

Jackson repeatedly objects when Proctor says the sallyport camera is motion activated. The judge strikes motion activated twice from the record.

11:45 a.m.

Proctor tells ADA Lally he looked at KRs SUV before he went into her parents Dighton home - MP: Thats where we observed the broken taillight right side of vehicle.

Proctor: The right rear taillight had large pieces missing.

Lally asks Proctor why KRs SUV went to Canton Police HQ: I was not part of that decision, its my understanding it was a heated facility...

11:30 a.m.

Trooper Proctor asked about JOs injuries at the Hospital: The first thing I noticed on Mr. OKeefe was abrasions on his right arm both eyes were swollen I did observe blood to the back of the head.

11:25 a.m.

Trooper Proctor tells ADA Lally he had never previously met Jennifer McCabe, Kerry Roberts, or Karen Read.

11:20 a.m.

Trooper Proctor turns to the jury when answering ADA Lallys questions.

Says he was the on-call detective for Norfolk DA. The call he first received was for a possible medical situation. He says he called Sgt. Lank, of Canton PD, because he knew he was on scene.

11:15 a.m.

ADA Lally calls Trooper Michael Proctor to the stand in the Karen Read murder trial.

10:45 p.m.

Ofc. Barros tells the jury the taillight was cracked.

The defense has previously said the taillight was cracked but not shattered or destroyed at this time.

Lally is finished with Ofc Barros. The defense has no questions for him. The jury was sent out for a break. Lawyers at sidebar with judge.

10:40 a.m.

Dighton PD provided me the tow report last August. Ofc. Barros noted in the report "the vehicle had damage to the right rear taillight". He is telling jury about that now pic.twitter.com/Sck2bVsWhK  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 10, 2024

10:35 a.m.

YB is excused.

Lally calls Dighton Police Officer Nicholas Barros.

Barros was the OIC on 1/29/22. He says KRs dad called 911 and requested a check on her in the morning. At 2:30 pm the same day, he got a call from DAs office telling him MSP detectives were going to Reads parents home. Reads SUV would be towed from that home.

10:30 a.m.

YB initially told the medical examiners office that JOs death appeared to have been the result of a domestic involving a cocktail glass. He says he changed that determination after seeing JOs injuries at hospital YB: I could tell the glass was most likely not the object or weapon that was used to cause the injuries to Mr. OKeefe.

10:25 a.m.

ADA Lally asked YB about multiple videos of KRs SUV recorded before it arriving at CPB. The prosecution says taillight damage was already apparent before SUV was seized.

10:10 a.m.

Jackson is showing video from another camera in the sallyport (poor quality) that would have shown the right rear taillight area and anyone around it.

Jackson asks YB why there is a 42-minute gap after KRs SUV is driven in by a tow truck driver. YB says cameras are motion activated and video was not altered in any way.

9:40 a.m.

The judge sends the jury out for an extended sidebar discussion.

9:30 a.m.

AJ says portions of sallyport video are missing and people appear out of nowhere. YB says Its not missing. Its just not recording. YB says its a motion-activated camera.

AJ: How long does it take to drive from this location (CPD sallyport) to 34 Fairview? YB: Maybe 4-5 minutes.

9:20 a.m.

AJ asking YB about the flipped sallyport video. AJ: Whats left is right and whats right is left? YB: Correct. AJ: Its not accurate is it? YB: Its an accurate depiction of whats taking place.

9:10 a.m.

TRIAL RESUMES: Jury is now seated. Defense Attorney Alan Jackson (AJ) resumes his cross-examination of Mass. State Police Det. Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik.

8:55 a.m.

Prosecutor Laura Mclaughlin tells Judge the defense is attempting to ambush the Commonwealth and proceed with a trial by surprise.

Defense Attorney Yannetti fires back have they no shame and brings up the flipped sallyport video as an example of what he alleges is prosecution bad faith.

Judge says she wants individual voir dires (questioning w/out jury) for the witnesses defense wants to call including a doctor (arm injuries) and 2 crash experts the feds used in their investigation.

Judge not happy that this may extend the trial.

8:45 a.m.

Court begins early (without jury present) so the Judge can hear a prosecution motion to block defense expert Dr. Marie Russell, who the defense wants to talk about injuries on JOs arm.

Alan Jackson still has to finish his cross of Yuri Bukenhik. On Thursday, he said he was almost done.

PREVIOUS STORY:

Bukhenik and Trooper Michael Proctor ran the investigation that led to Read, 44, of Mansfield, being indicted for second-degree murder in the Canton death of John OKeefe, her Boston police officer boyfriend. Bukhenik is the immediate supervisor of Proctor.

Read is accused of backing over OKeefe in leaving him to die in the snow after a night of drinking.

During Reads arrest, Read allegedly told Bukhenik that two other prosecution witnesses were responsible for OKeefes death.

On the stand Thursday, Bukhenik showed jurors OKeefes clothing, including his hat found outside 34 Fairview Road in Canton.

Evidence was found on at least six different occasions as the snow melted outside the home of Brian Albert in January 2022.

Bukhenik was also questioned about why the video inside the Canton Police Department sallyport was flipped and why it appears to skip when Proctor is seen standing near the taillight.

A photo of Karen Read's Lexis SUV is shown during her trial at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. on Wednesday June 5, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

The defense still has to finish questioning Bukhenik but the big question is if Proctor will take the stand after him.

Our legal expert Peter Elikann said its a bit odd that he hasnt testified yet.

Normally the lead investigator of any murder or criminal case usually takes his front and center and really takes a lead role in testifying. This is very unusual. He hasnt been brought forward, said Elikann. He has been so damaged and his integrity has been so impugned and hes still under as I understand and under investigation by the by the state police himself that it really is going to be a minefield for the prosecution to put him forward.

Elikann said its likely that the prosecution calls Trooper Proctor because otherwise, the defense could call him when they present their case.

The trial begins a bit earlier on Monday for a motion hearing without the jury.

Judge Beverly Cannone has told the jury that she hopes the case is handed over to them for deliberation by the last week of June.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  The Kansas Corporation Commission will hold two meetings on possible rate increases for Kansas Gas Service customers.

The first of two public hearings will be this Thursday in Topeka at the Washburn Institute of Technology Main Conference Center, 5724 SW Huntoon, beginning at 6 p.m. A second hearing will be held in Wichita on Monday, June 17, at Lowe Auditorium at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5014 E. 29th St. North, beginning at 6 p.m.

For those unable to attend, a virtual option through Zoom is available for both hearings to allow remote participants to comment and ask questions. Zoom participants must register in advance on the KCCs website by noon the day before the hearing. The hearings will also be broadcast live on the KCCs YouTube channel for viewing only, with no registration required.

City of Wichita water bill payment system up after cyberattack

On March 1, Kansas Gas Service filed an application with the KCC requesting a net increase in base rates of $58.1 million. The requested increase would affect the portions of a customers bill that relate to the delivery of natural gas by KGS, including the fixed monthly service charge and delivery charge. If approved, the average monthly residential bill will increase by approximately $6.71 (10.41%) for customers who use less natural gas (73 Mcf or less per year) and $9.48 (8.25%) for those who use more natural gas (more than 73 Mcf per year).

Kansas Gas Service provides natural gas service to approximately 648,000 homes and businesses in 360 communities in Kansas.

The KCC will rule on the possible increase on or before Oct. 25.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
CANBERRA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has launched a new campaign encouraging people to quit smoking and vaping.

Mark Butler, the minister for health, on Monday announced a 63.4 million Australian dollars (41.7 million U.S. dollars) advertising campaign to raise awareness about the health harms of smoking and vaping.

The campaign marked the first time that the federal government has advertised to the public about the risks and harms of vaping and its first national anti-smoking advertising campaign for almost 10 years.

The campaign will run across television, radio and social media. For the first time, TikTok will be used in a federal government advertising campaign.

"Nicotine is highly addictive and before you know it, what starts as an occasional thing becomes something much more serious. But it's never too late to quit," Butler said in a statement.

According to NGO the Cancer Council, tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Australia, accounting for 24,000 deaths every year.

The government's National Drug Strategy Household Survey for 2022-23, which was released in February, found that 21 percent of Australians aged 18-24 and 9.7 percent of those aged 14-17 used an e-cigarette in the previous 12 months, up from 5.3 and 1.8 percent in 2019, respectively.

Butler in March introduced legislation to parliament that would outlaw the domestic manufacturing, advertisement, supply and commercial possession of non-therapeutic and disposable single-use vapes in Australia.

The government in January banned the import of disposable, single-use vapes. 
Jade Piros de Carvalho, former chief of the Office of Broadband Development in the Kansas Department of Commerce, was informed last week that she would be removed as leader of the state's high-speed internet program. Piros de Carvalho said she made an "unprofessional" comment to a person who subsequently complained, which resulted in the decision to end her employment at the commerce department. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  The Kansas Department of Commerce confirmed Monday the director of the agencys broadband development for the past two years in the administration of Gov. Laura Kelly was forced out.

Jade Piros de Carvalho, chief of the commerce departments Office of Broadband Development, said she was informed of the decision hours after the governor offered praise of her work to high-speed internet administrators at a Johnson County meeting of the National Governors Association. The offices deputy director, Joseph Le, was appointed interim director pending the search for a permanent appointment.

Patrick Lowry, the commerce departments spokesman, offered no explanation for the June 5 departure of Piros de Carvalho from her job as director of the states effort to improve digital equity. The Kelly administrations goal is to be in the top 10 states in terms of broadband access by 2030.

All broadband initiatives geared toward connecting all Kansans are moving forward as scheduled, Lowry said.

In April, Kelly announced federal approval of the states Broadband Equity Access and Deployment plan for distribution of $450 million in grants for high-speed internet infrastructre in Kansas. The competitive application process for grants targeting underserved areas of the state begins in July.

Piros de Carvalho, who previously worked for broadband provider IdeaTek and served as mayor of Hutchinson, said in a social media post on Thursday that she admired Kelly and Lt. Gov. David Toland, who also was her boss as secretary at the state Department of Commerce.

I said the wrong thing to the wrong person, who made a phone call and I was gone, Piros de Carvalho said. My comment was unprofessional and I certainly shouldnt have made it. But Im flabbergasted that I was let go because of it. The good news for Kansas is that (Kansas Office of Broadband Development) was never about one single person.

She vowed not to reveal more details of the episode because she didnt want to invite a lawsuit.

Piros de Carvalho said in the LinkedIn post that personnel in the commerce department were some of the brightest Ive worked with in my entire career. They have a very difficult, thankless job. They will perform great with or without me at the helm.

We dont speak often enough about the perils and scrutiny that public sector employment brings, Piros de Carvalho said. Hug a public servant today. Trust me, they need it. We dodge bullets every day.

She said there was an inaccurate perception she may have left state employment to enter the private sector just as Kansas distributed $450 million in federal funding for high-speed internet projects. She said she wouldnt voluntarily abandon her colleagues at this juncture of the broadband program.

On social media, people who know or worked with Piros de Carvalho responded to her ouster.

Daniel Friesen, cofounder and chief innovation officer at her former employer IdeaTek, said Piros de Carvalho embodied innovation so desperately needed in our state broadband efforts. He said freedom to think differently, push the status quo and make mistakes was missing from government.

The amount of stress per $1 earned by a state broadband director ranged between air traffic controller and explosive ordinance disposal technician, said Jeff Lobotka, former state broadband director for Arizona and the vice president of government for Vivacity.

Once the initial shock wears off you will not miss this job, Lobotka said. Kansas, however, is going to miss you big time.

Eric Frederick, chief connectivity officer for Michigans High-Speed Internet Office, said Piros de Carvalhos departure in Kansas was heartbreaking.

Public sector work can be thankless and brutal  if this is how one is treated for a single errant comment. Youre one of the best, he said.

The post Kelly administrations broadband development director ousted after two years in role appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
KENNEBUNK, Maine  Police are investigating multiple incidents of Pride flags being stolen off their poles on Main Street.

The town raised the flags at the end of May, in time for Pride Month, which honors the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community and their fight for equal rights.

According to Kennebunk Police Chief Bob MacKenzie, the thefts are misdemeanors. He said the motivation for the crimes is not yet known but should come into focus as the investigation continues.

A Pride flag waves in front of the Kennebunk Town Hall in Kennebunk, Maine, in June of 2023.

This is disappointing, MacKenzie said Monday. Were taking this very seriously. Hopefully, we can remedy this.

MacKenzie encouraged anyone with information to contact detectives at the Police Department by calling 207-985-2102, ext. 1608, or sending an anonymous tip through the towns website.

Media outlets have reported instances in which individuals and groups throughout the nation have pushed back against the celebration of June Pride Month in their communities. MacKenzie said the Kennebunk Police Department does not believe the recent local Pride flag thefts are tied to a larger, more concentrated effort beyond the town's borders.

"We don't believe there's a connection, but we're checking on this, as well," he said.

Anthem Hero at Hadlock: Kennebunk kid battling cancer celebrated at Sea Dogs Game

Kennebunk recently hosted 'incredibly joyous' Pride in the Bunks

On Monday, Laura Dolce, the executive director of the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce, called it heartbreaking someone could be so misguided and full of fear as to pull down the flags.

I hope the police find whoever is responsible because they need to be educated, Dolce said.

Dolce said the chamber recently helped with the communitys annual Pride in the Bunks, which she called an incredibly joyous celebration.

I think it helps to remind people that, as we say at the chamber, everyone is welcome here, she said.

Dolce said Pride is about celebrating the freedom to be who you are, freedom to love who you wish, and freedom to live without fear. She described the flag removals as the work of a few.

I only hope our LGBTQIA+ neighbors know that this is the work of a few operating under cover of darkness, and that this is not how the rest of the community feels, she said.

A Pride flag waves on Main Street in Kennebunk, Maine.

According to the U.S. Library of Congress, Pride Month is celebrated in June in commemoration of the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan in 1969, which was a defining moment in the Gay Liberation Movement. Today, many communities celebrate Pride Month with parades, parties, concerts, workshops, and other events held in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals.

Locally, the Kennebunks and Ogunquit are among such communities.

'Always keep growing': Kennebunk High School celebrates the graduating Class of 2024

Kennebunk responds to thefts by hanging new Pride flags

Last year, the Kennebunk Select Board approved the display of Pride flags along the towns Main Street in June. At a Select Board meeting, Kennebunk resident Marie Louise St. Onge shared her story.

Ive lived and worked in Kennebunk for nearly 25 years, she began. For many of those years, I felt required to do my job from the inside of a closet. I can assure you that the inside of a closet is a dark space.

St. Onge referred to the rainbow-colored flags the town had on display along Main Street that month, in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The flags on Main Street are a window of light, St. Onge said. The flags are helping to shape and announce who we are as a community.

A year later, however, St. Onge found herself speaking out against those flags being vandalized and removed in her community during the first two weekends of Pride Month.

Its a terrible shame that people continue to want to marginalize some of our community members, she said. These are acts of aggression, made out of hate or fear or maybe both. The people are few in number. They live in darkness  literally and figuratively.

St. Onge noted the town posted the Pride flags anew, following the recent removals. She restated the same appreciation for the towns leaders that she expressed at the Select Board during that meeting a year ago.

We are very appreciative of the positive forward-thinking of the Select Board and of the Kennebunk Police Department for taking this very seriously and investigating it, she said.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Pride flag thefts: Kennebunk, Maine police investigate
Fewer Kentucky high schoolers graduated on time last school year, while youth absenteeism ballooned and school readiness worsened, coming off the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the overall rate of Kentucky children living in poverty improved nominally, school readiness dropped off sharply in the 2022-2023 school year, according to the national 2024 Kids Count Data Book, which Kentucky Youth Advocates released Monday. The data provides a snapshot of Kentucky kids well-being compared to other states, through the lens of education, health, economic well-being, and family and community stability. The latest report ranks the commonwealth 38th out of all 50 states.

Less high schoolers graduated on time than the year prior, and considerably fewer children ages three and four were in school, at all. Fourth-grade proficiency in reading rose from 65% to 69% during that time frame, and the percentage of eighth graders not proficient in math rose even more, from 71% to 79%.

The 2023 National Kids Count Data Book shows Kentucky ranks 33rd in the nation for education readiness.

Data shows these disparities are even greater for non-white students and low-income students: in 2022, 85% of Black students and 78% of Latino students were not proficient in reading by 4th grade.

On the health front, the number of low birth-weight babies has increased, as did the number of child and teen deaths. But the rate of teen births dropped, slightly.

But even in areas of improvement, the overall rates still rank among the lowest in the nation, Kentucky Youth Advocates Executive Director Terry Brooks noted.

In each domain of child well-being, Kentucky ranks within the bottom 10 of states for at least one data indicator, including percent of children in poverty, percent of 8th graders proficient in math, percent of youth who are overweight or obese, and the teen birth rate, Brooks said.

He called on lawmakers to move away from actively politicizing education and again prioritize investment in it. In recent years, largely Republican lawmakers have passed laws barring districts from requiring teachers to use the pronouns of transgender students, and theyve limited their ability to teach about gender and sexuality.

There was a day when public education was the common ground for our Commonwealth, Brooks said. We need to move from where we are  when seemingly public education is the most politicized and divisive policy issue in Frankfort  and reclaim the ethos of Kentuckians joining together when it comes to K-12 classrooms.

It should be a common ground agenda, he added, just as critical in building a strong workforce and economy for the future. That means resources for sure, but it also means engagement by us all and a fundamental restructuring of how we do school in Kentucky.
The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, speaks at the discussion event "Kharkiv's recovery - Main Goals and Plans". Britta Pedersen/dpa

The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, has called for international assistance to help rebuild the north-eastern Ukrainian city, which has suffered extensive damage from several Russian airstrikes.

Speaking at a conference in Berlin on Monday, Terekhov said that the destruction had caused damage exceeding 10 billion ($10.7 billion).

The city, home to some 1.5 million people, has been under particularly heavy bombardment for weeks.

Russia is bombing civilian infrastructure and killing children, women and men, Terekhov said. But Ukraine is standing firm. The aim is to make the city better and safer during reconstruction, he added.

A two-day Ukraine reconstruction conference begins in Berlin on Tuesday. Berlin's top economic official, Franziska Giffey, said that Germany stands by Ukraine and will play a leading role in reconstruction.

Nuremberg Mayor Marcus Konig spoke of a beacon of hope, signalling robust support for Ukraine. Nuremberg and Kharkiv are twin cities.
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Updated at 1:49 p.m.

Michigan continues to fall behind when it comes to the well-being of its children, edging into the bottom third of states.

Thats the main takeaway from the 2024 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Now in its 35th year, the 50-state report of recent household data analyzes 16 indicators in four domains  economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors  and then ranks the states according to how children are faring overall.

And the latest data says that post-pandemic they arent faring all that well as Michigan ranks 34th in the nation when it comes to overall child well-being, slipping two spots from the 2023 report.

But according to Anne Kuhnen, the Kids Count policy director for the Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP), the most alarming numbers concerned education, where Michigan ranked 41 out of 50 based on the most recent school year data available (2021-22). It was Michigans worst ranking.

We have fewer than half of 3 and 4-year-olds in preschool, just 1 in 4 fourth graders is proficient in reading, the same with eighth-grade math, she told the Michigan Advance. I think one area thats a concerning decline is when we look at the share of high school students who are not graduating on time. Weve had improvements in this area for basically a decade, so its disappointing to see that worsen.

Specifically, 1 in 5 Michigan students did not complete high school on time, while 72% percent of fourth graders scored below proficient in reading in 2022  up 6% from 2019  while 75% of eighth graders scored below proficient in math in 2022  up 9% from 2019.

Adding to that is a 40% chronic school absenteeism rate, with over half a million Michigan students chronically absent in the 2021-22 school year, well above the national rate of 30%. And if that wasnt bad enough, there were significant disparities by race, with more than half of American Indian and Black children chronically absent.

Monique Stanton, MLPP president and CEO, said as bad as those statistics are, they really shouldnt be a surprise considering that school absence is linked to childhood poverty and trauma.

Here in Michigan, 18% of our states children are living in poverty, which is slightly above the national average, and nearly half of our states kids have gone through at least one adverse childhood experience, said Stanton. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening Michigan families and mitigating childhood poverty through bold state policy decisions, so that all of our kids have the solid foundations they need to be present and successful in their classrooms.

But Kuhnen says the report wasnt all bad news. Michigans best ranking was, once again, in health at 22, actually moving up from 26 last year.

The big reason for that, the big indicator that is telling us that child health is maybe a bit of a highlight, is the low number of children who are lacking health insurance, she said. In Michigan, only 3% of all kids are without health insurance, and thats amongst the best in the country.

Another positive trend that has continued to move in the right direction is teen births, which Kuhnen says have been declining for the past 15 years.

Thats really positive because we know how hard that can be both for infants, but also for pregnant mothers, she said. In the family community sector, Michigan ranked 28th, which is a little below middle of the pack, and while thats not great, things are trending in the right direction there.

However, when it comes to economic well-being, Michigan ranks 31st. While thats up one spot from last year, the state continues to face significant challenges, with over half a million children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment and 1 in 4 children are living in households that spend more than 30% of their income on housing.

Kuhnen said that brings us full circle to the reports bleak picture on education in Michigan.

Students are not walking into school ready to learn, because they dont have secure housing, or enough to eat. They dont have a safe way to get to school, she said. In a lot of cases, they just dont have access to a lot of the resources that they need, including things like mental health services, which we saw that the pandemic really increased anxiety for young people.

One thing Kuhnen says would go a long way toward providing the kind of economic security many families need is paid family and medical leave in Michigan.

A 2018 effort to advance a ballot initiative to provide mandatory paid family leave was defeated by the then-GOP controlled Legislature when it used the adopt and amend strategy to water down what would have been 72 hours of paid time per year down to 40 hours, but only for businesses employing more than 50 people.

Since then, legislation to provide workers around the state with up to 15 weeks of paid leave have stagnated in committee, having yet to receive a hearing.

Despite the poor educational results, the report says the pandemic is not the sole cause.

The COVID-19 pandemic wrought serious academic damage as it closed schools and separated students from their physical learning environment. Unprecedented drops in fourth grade reading and eighth grade math proficiency among students in the United States between 2019 and 2022 amounted to decades of lost progress, states the report. But for educators, researchers, policymakers and employers who have been tracking students academic readiness, alarm bells have been sounding for a long time. Its past time not only to listen but to act.

With that in mind, the Annie E. Casey Foundation has made five recommendations:

Continue access to universal free meals and ensure a reliable internet connection, a place to study and time with friends, teachers and counselors.

Expand access to intensive tutoring for students who are behind in their classes and missing academic milestones. Research has shown the most effective tutoring is in person, high dosage and tied directly to the school.

States should take advantage of all their allocated pandemic relief funding to prioritize the social, emotional, academic and physical well-being of students. As long as funds are obligated by the Sept. 30 deadline, states should have two more full years to spend them.

States and school systems should address chronic absence, so more students return to learn. While few states gather and report chronic absence data by grade, all of them should. Improving attendance tracking and data will inform future decision-making. Lawmakers should embrace positive approaches rather than criminalizing students or parents due to attendance challenges, because they may not understand the consequences of even a few days missed.

Policymakers should invest in community schools, public schools that provide wraparound support to kids and families. Natural homes for tutoring, mental health support, nutritional aid and other services, community schools use innovative and creative programs to support young learners and encourage parent engagement, which leads to better outcomes for kids.

This story was updated to correct a typographical error in the reading proficiency of fourth graders.

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The post Kids Count report: Michigans education rank drops amid chronic absenteeism, falling test scores appeared first on Michigan Advance.
Citizens Bank's 123-acre campus headquarters in Johnston, which opened in 2018. (Will Steinfeld/Rhode Island Current)

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi assured reporters Friday night that a proposed tax law rewrite requested by Citizens Bank was not dead, despite its glaring absence in the revised fiscal 2025 budget.

Less than 72 hours later, the Warwick Democrat produced the proof: revised legislation authorizing the shift in state bank income tax calculations, with hearings before both chambers finance committees Tuesday.

What changed?

It wasnt ready, Shekarchi said, speaking to reporters at the State House Monday afternoon. Taxation was opposing it. The administration was opposing it. I certainly wasnt going to put it in the budget for debate. Now, those two House priorities have been met.

He added, I wanted to make sure the taxpayer was protected.

The updated companion bills, sponsored by Rep. Joe Solomon, a Warwick Democrat, and Sen. Lou DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat, come after months of behind-the-scenes negotiations between state officials and bank executives dating back before Christmas, Shekarchi said.

The tax change, in essence, offers banks the option to calculate their taxable income based only on in-state sales, replacing the longtime three-factor calculation encompassing in-state sales, property and payroll. While not explicitly written for Citizens, the financial services giant has the most to gain from the proposal; unlike other banks in Rhode Island, Citizens makes most of its money from services outside state borders, yet its physical presence and payroll are weighted toward the Ocean State.

Other states, including neighboring Massachusetts, have already moved to a similar tax calculation method, a trend referenced by Mike Knipper, executive vice president and head of property and procurement for Citizens Financial Group Inc., in an April letter to state lawmakers.

Knipper in his letter warned that without a similar tax update in Rhode Island, the company would strongly consider expanding its corporate footprint and employee base outside of Rhode Island because of differing tax treatment among the states.

On May 10, Gov. Dan McKee proposed a budget amendment offering up the requested rewrite of the bank income tax calculation, with an estimated $15.6 million in state tax revenue loss for a full fiscal year.

However, McKees proposal did not make the cut when lawmakers unveiled their revised fiscal 2025 spending plan on May 31, with Shekarchi citing lack of detail and time to vet the proposal before finalizing the state budget.

Yet Shekarchi also said he would not be responsible for losing one of the states top employers, which boasts a 4,200 in-state payroll and a $285 million Johnston headquarters.

Negotiations ramped up in earnest over the last week and half, with Shekarchi texting key players in the tax proposal from the rostrum of the budget debate Friday night. A weekend of closed-door meetings and phone calls later, the deal emerged.

Key to Shekarchis change-of-heart was the OK from the Rhode Island Division of Taxation, which had initially expressed concerns with the legislation when first introduced by Solomon in March. Tax officials gave the green light to the revised proposal Sunday, Shekarchi said.

The updated legislation clarifies the way taxes are calculated to avoid double-taxation  one of Citizens concerns  and refines the information the state tax division must collect and review, with a report to lawmakers detailing the impact of the tax change due no later than March 2027.

Citizens is encouraged by recent progress and greatly appreciates the leadership of Governor McKee, Speaker Shekarchi, Senate President Ruggerio and all others involved, Keith Kelly, president of Citizens Bank Rhode Island, said in a statement. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the state towards an outcome that is a win for both the business community and Rhode Island.

Citizens declined to offer further comment Monday.

From left: House Majority Whip Katherine Kazarian, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Rep. Joe Solomon speak to reporters at the State House on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

Vigorous and robust debate

The tax calculation change is still expected to reduce state tax revenue by $7.5 million in tax year 2025, with a forecasted $15 million revenue loss in fiscal 2026. While the policy is not accounted for in the states fiscal 2025 budget, there wont be any cuts or structural imbalances, Shekarchi said.

Instead, the state will take $6.5 million from the $55 million set aside for a supplemental rainy day fund in fiscal 2024, with another $1 million siphoned from the state surplus, to make up for the expected revenue shortfall in fiscal 2025.

It was a judgment call, Shekarchi said when explaining his decision to not include the policy change in the fiscal 2025 budget. I didnt want this one unsettled article to be the focus of the budget.

He insisted multiple times, however, that the proposal will have plenty of time for a thorough vetting by lawmakers; the House Committee on Finance hearing Tuesday marks the third time a version of the tax change has been considered, with prior hearings held on Solomons bill and the governors budget amendment.

There will be a vigorous and robust debate, Shekarchi said.

Theres still no guarantee that the hours of closed-door negotiations prevent Citizens from uprooting anyway, Shekarchi acknowledged.

However, he added, I think Citizens would be hard-pressed to move. They wanted this very badly.

As for concerns raised by some lawmakers that changing state tax law to benefit one business will set a precedent for other corporations, Shekarchi dismissed the logic.

In my mind, theres no precedent, he said. Just because you do it for one, doesnt mean you do it for another.

McKee and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio also expressed support for the tax deal in statements on Monday, stressing the importance of parity between Rhode Island and Massachusetts, which is scheduled to move to the single-factor tax calculation starting Jan. 1.

Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, also welcomed the revival of the tax change, having issued an email warning last week when it appeared the policy would not make it into the fiscal 2025 budget.

Happy to see that all sides are working towards finding a solution, White said in a text message Monday. I applaud the progress being made by Gov. Dan McKee, Speaker Shekarchi, President Ruggerio and Citizens.

If signed into law, the tax change would take effect Jan. 1.

The House Committee on Finance will take up the revised tax change at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the State House. The Senate Committee on Finance will follow suit with a hearing on companion legislation Tuesday night.

The post Killed during budget talks, Citizens Bank bill brought back to life appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Brian Giles was convicted of murdering his wife Nancy. Subsequently, police searched his former home and found other unidentified human remains

Facebook Brian Giles and Nancy Giles

Authorities found human remains in the former home of a Pennsylvania man who was convicted of killing his wife and whose girlfriend disappeared nearly four years ago.

Brian Giles was convicted on Thursday, June 6, of murder his wife Nancy Giles, whose remains were found in a shallow grave months after her disappearance in 2018, per WJAC, WTAJ and The Tribune Democrat.

On Friday, police searched a Johnston, Pa., residence where Brian formerly lived, and found human remains, the outlets reported, citing Cambria County authorities.

Namus.gov Jilly Anne Todaro

The murder case against Brian dates back to October 2018 when Nancy went missing, per The Tribune Democrat and WJAC.

Months after her disappearance, Nancys remains were found in a shallow grave near Johnstown in May 2019, The Tribune Democrat, WJAC and the Daily American reported.

While there were no immediate charges against Brian, he continued to remain on law enforcements radar in connection with an assault charge against his then-girlfriend Jilly Todaro, according to a detailed timeline produced by The Tribune Democrat. That charge was subsequently dropped.

On one occasion, Todaro herself was charged with assault alongside Brian, per the outlet.

Following reports of assaults by the couple on each other, Todaro was reported missing from their shared residence in December 2020.

In February 2021, police found a clump of human hair in a bucket in the residence as well as a letter purportedly written by Todaro that made it seem like she left of her own accord, per The Tribune Democrats archive.

Later that year, Brian was sentenced to several months in prison following a misdemeanor conviction for making terroristic threats after he threatened a woman he would kill her, per the archive.

In May 2022, three years after Nancy's remains were found, investigators charged Brian with murder in connection with Nancys death, per WJAC and The Tribune Democrat.

Soon after the verdict on Thursday, police allege Brian made a "concerning" comment that prompted the search in his old apartment, WTAJ reported.

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Authorities have not identified whose remains were found.

This is going to be a lengthy investigation and methodical process in removing these remains, Cambria County Coroner Jeff Lees said, per The Tribune Democrat.

No charges have been filed in connection with Todaro's disappearance, per FOX 43 and The Associated Press.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



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(Bloomberg) -- The sister of North Koreas leader warned of reprisals against South Korea after it resumed loudspeaker broadcasts for the first time in years, signaling an escalation of tensions along one of the worlds most militarized borders.

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Kim Yo Jong said there could be a new counteraction due to the loudspeakers and activist groups sending leaflets across the border that criticize the Kim familys rule. She is the younger sister of leader Kim Jong Un and has been the point person for pressure campaigns against Seoul and Washington.

This is a prelude to a very dangerous situation, the official Korean Central News Agency on Monday quoted her as saying. The statement amounts to a public airing of grievances against the government of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, wrapped in the warning of increased friction.

Tensions rose late last month when North Korea began sending hundreds of balloons carrying trash over the border after complaining about South Korea conducting surveillance flights. The move also appeared to be in response to South Korean activists earlier in May sending balloons into North Korea that contained anti-Pyongyang messaging.

Millions of leaflets sent by South Korean activists and defectors from North Korea have flown across the border for more than a decade, bearing messages critical of North Koreas leaders. With hundreds of thousands of troops facing each other along a buffer that divides the peninsula, there is always a risk of escalation.

In a recent move that stoked Pyongyangs anger, a group in South Korea led by defectors from North Korea floated 10 large helium balloons north across the border starting Thursday last week carrying about 200,000 leaflets criticizing the Kim regime, US dollar bills and USB sticks containing K-pop music.

Last week, Yoons government halted a 2018 border deal aimed at reducing tensions due to the North Korean trash balloons and resumed activities once banned under the deal, which include the use of loudspeakers. South Koreas military Sunday began the broadcasts, blasting its Voice of Freedom radio program run by the Defense Ministrys psychological warfare unit, Yonhap News reported. The two Koreas in 2018 halted loudspeaker broadcasts under the border deal.

South Korea did not turn on the loudspeakers Monday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, adding North Korea appears to be setting up loudspeakers on its side of border.

North Korea, which had temporarily scrapped its balloon campaign, began flying them again over the weekend  sending more than 300 south, South Koreas military said. Kims regime had sent more than 1,000 balloons previously carrying items such as waste paper, cigarette butts, shoe parts and used batteries.

Separately, the US and South Korea held talks in Seoul on Monday for their bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group, which was set up last year as a way to coordinate deterrence against the threats posed by Pyongyang. The two sides announced the completion of a review of a joint guideline document but didnt offer details, citing security concerns.

(Updates with US, South Korea meeting in final paragraph and details on loudspeakers.)

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King and queen of the Netherlands pay tribute to MLK during visit to Atlanta

From left to right, King Willem-Alexander, King's daughter Bernice King and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, pose for a photograph after placing a wreath at the tombs of Martin Luther King Jr., and Coretta Scott King, during a visit to the King Center, Monday, June 10, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

ATLANTA (AP)  The king and queen of the Netherlands began a four-day tour of the U.S. on Monday in Atlanta, where they paid tribute to the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and learned about the history of the church where he served as pastor.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were also scheduled to visit a music studio in the city that is a hub for hip hop artists.

The visit  and its focus on Black cultural sites  comes less than a year after the king apologized for his countrys role in slavery and asked for forgiveness during a historic and emotional speech in Amsterdam.

At the King Center, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.s daughter, Bernice King, greeted the king and queen and walked with them to a marble crypt containing the remains of her father and mother, Coretta Scott King, where the couple lay a wreath. Civil rights leader and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young also attended the event.

Willem-Alexander called the visit deeply moving for the couple and said the drive for emancipation among people of color was a story of pain and anger, but also one of pride, solidarity and the steadfast belief in peace and reconciliation.

In the Netherlands, too, the fight against discrimination and racism continues to command our full attention," he said, reading from prepared remarks. "Martin Luther King inspires us never to give up. His voice continues to resonate even across the Atlantic.

The couple later met with Black students at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where they learned about the church's role in the Civil Rights Movement and the fight for racial justice. On Tuesday, they are scheduled to visit Savannah State University, the oldest public historically Black college or university in Georgia.

The trip also has an economic motive. In 2023, total trade between Georgia and the Netherlands was $2.9 billion, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

The king and queen met earlier Monday with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp at the state Capitol, where they and a delegation of Dutch business leaders planned to discuss economic cooperation.

They were scheduled to be on hand later for the opening of a new cold storage facility by Dutch company NewCold.

On Tuesday, they plan to visit the Port of Savannah. The trip concludes with a visit to New York on Wednesday and Thursday.
CHONGQING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality has long been renowned for its bustling and lively nightlife, with restaurants, bars, clubs and shops open until the early hours of the morning. However, a new "quieter" lifestyle has recently emerged in the city, as young people are choosing to head back to school for night classes.

As one of the exemplary urban renewal programs in Chongqing, the "campus" at night, also known as the Cooperation Units, is not a real school. Instead, it is a creative and cultural park renovated from a factory complex built in the 1950s.

The night school works as a great medium to bridge shops in the park with students and customers. This is because shops in the park double as night school classrooms, and some shop owners are even teachers.

In one coffee shop named "city walk," the young barista Wang Haoran is not only an employee in the coffee shop, but also a latte art teacher at the night school.

"Teaching students at night is quite time-consuming and exhausting for sure, but sharing coffee knowledge with people from all walks of life is also meaningful," said Wang. Even though Chongqing has a long-standing tea culture, the coffee culture has also recently been booming here. In addition to having thousands of coffee shops, Chongqing has also held its own coffee festivals for several years.

Just next to the coffee shop, a pottery art shop is also a heated classroom that has received more than 100 night school students to date. The shelf set at the door's entrance displays all kinds of student pottery products, such as vases, plates or figurines.

"After I quit my job, I opened the pottery art shop here because this old factory complex exudes a tranquil, soothing vibe. Then, our shop was among the first to join the night class program," said Yanzi (pseudonym), the shop owner.

She added that to her surprise, many people are interested in this art. She finds it meaningful that this shop is not just a spiritual habitat for her, but also a potential window for young people to learn about traditional culture.

In addition to serving as characteristic classroom settings, other shops in this park also provide a space for external teachers. Chunxiao (pseudonym), a Korean language teacher, works as a college teacher during the day and comes to one shop to teach Korean language, public speaking and other courses at night.

"I can feel night school students have stronger interests in learning. Also, some treat it as a good social opportunity," said Chunxiao. His wife is also a teacher at the night school and his cousin is a student here.

Since October, the Cooperation Units has launched over 100 courses ranging from acting to calligraphy and attracted more than 4,000 students with both favorable prices and quality content.

"Without the night school, I would lie on the sofa and watch the short videos at the end of the day. The night school is a great nutrient in young people's daily lives, making them feel both relaxed and purposeful," said a student participating in the Korean language class. "If I have more time in the future, I will surely sign up for more classes."

Wang Chao, head of Cooperation Units, said that the building complex had been open for more than two years, but before the night school boom, few knew about it. Now, the night school is a good model that not only brings vibrancy to the local community, but also helps deepen genuine connections among young people. 
On Monday, the King and Queen of the Netherlands began their four-day visit to the U.S. in Atlanta, Georgia, where they honored the legacy of civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was assassinated in 1968.



King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima began their day by visiting the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, a non-profit landmark honoring his legacy. MLK's daughter, Bernice King, greeted the couple, and walked the Dutch royals to a marble crypt where father and mother, Coretta Scott King, were laid to rest, and set a wreath on the crypt. The former mayor of Atlanta and civil rights leader Andrew Young was also present during the visit.

At the King Center, King Willem-Alexander shared some remarks, stating his deep appreciation for the visit and how the "drive for emancipation among people of color" was a story of "pain and anger, but also one of pride, solidarity and the steadfast belief in peace and reconciliation." He then connected the U.S. to the Netherlands, saying, "in the Netherlands, too, the fight against discrimination and racism continues to command our full attention."

Last year, during an event commemorating 150th anniversary of abolition in Amsterdam, the King apologized for his country's history in slavery in a moving and historic speech, saying, "Today, as your king and as a member of the government, I make this apology myself. And I feel the weight of the words in my heart and my soul.

Nykieria Chaney - Getty Images

Also today, the Dutch King and Queen met with the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, to discuss economic cooperation alongside a delegation of Dutch business leaders. Per the Royal House of the Netherlands, "The working visit will highlight the strong bilateral ties between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United States, and its economic relations with Georgia and New York State. The US is the Netherlands biggest non-EU partner in regard to economic and security cooperation."

Tomorrow, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima are scheduled to visit Savannah State University, which is the oldest public, historically Black university in Georgia. They will also visit the port of Savannah before heading to New York City for the rest of their trip this week.



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What We Know About Christian Brueckner, the Man Suspected of Murdering British Girl Madeleine McCann

Madeleine McCann was 3 years old when she went missing while on vacation with her family in Portugal's resort town of Praia da Luz

Collect/Handout / Alamy Stock Photo, Carabinieri via AP Madeleine McCann, Christian Brueckner

Madeleine McCann vanished without a trace while on vacation with her family in the resort town of Praia da Luz on Portugals western Algarve coastline in on May 3, 2007.

The 3-year-old's parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, left her and her 2-year-old twin siblings in an unlocked rental while they ate at a restaurant 130 feet away.

When Madeleine's mother went to check on the children, Madeleine was missing.

Initially, her parents were suspects in her disappearance, but they were cleared by authorities the following year.

The case made international headlines and spawned several theories about what happened to the young girl.

In 2011, British authorities took an invested interest in the case, and Prime Minister David Cameron announced a British inquiry called Operation Grange. Since then, a team of detectives have investigated 60 people of interest, taken over a thousand statements and looked into countless potential sightings of Madeleine around the world, per The Guardian.

HANDOUT/METROPOLITAN POLICE/AFP via Getty Madeleine McCann

In 2020, German prosecutors said Christian Brueckner, a 47-year-old German national who lived in the Algarve region on and off for years, was the main suspect in her disappearance and presumed murder, per the Times of London.

In an unrelated case, Brueckner is currently facing three counts of rape and two counts of sexual abuse against children in a trial in Germany, the BBC reports.

Related: Where Are Madeleine McCanns Parents Now? A Look at Their Lives After Their Daughter's 2007 Kidnapping

Brueckner Is a Convicted Rapist

Brueckners name made headlines in mid-2020 when German authorities said they were investigating the German national in connection with Madeleines death.



Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters told the Times of London that it was his private opinion that the convicted rapist relatively quickly killed the girl, possibly abused her and then killed her.

Wolters added, We believe our suspect committed further crimes, especially sexual crimes, in Portugal possibly but also elsewhere like Germany.

A year earlier, in Dec. 2019, Brueckner was given a seven-year sentence for raping a 72-year-old American woman in 2005 in Portugal, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.

According to the documents, the rape occurred at a villa close to Praia da Luz, where Madeleines family had rented a vacation home. A video of the assault allegedly showed him assaulting the woman, another woman, and a teenager, per the Times.

In 2022, Portuguese prosecutors announced that there was an official suspect in Madeleines case. However, they did not reveal his name, but said that he was identified as a suspect after they acted on a request made by German and British police, the Associated Press reported. It remains unclear if Brueckner was the official suspect or if it was someone new.

LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Kate and Gerry McCann pose with an artist's impression of how their daughter might look now at the age of nine on May 2, 2012.

Brueckner also served time in prison for dealing drugs, according to the Times.

In May 2023, authorities spent three days searching the Barragem do Arade reservoir in Portugal, about 30 miles from where Madeleine went missing, the Evening Standard reported.

The same spot was searched in 2008 by divers commissioned by a Portuguese lawyer who claimed he was told by criminal contacts that Madeleines body was there, reported the Evening Standard.

On Trial in Germany

Brueckner has been on trial in Germanys Braunschweig state court for unrelated rape and sexual assault charges since February, the Associated Press reported.

The attacks allegedly took place in Portugal between 2000 and 2017, the BBC reported.

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Brueckner is accused of raping a woman in her 70s in her Algarve home, sexually abusing a girl aged at least 14, and the sexual assault of a woman at knifepoint in her home in 2004, according to the Evening Standard. He allegedly videotaped that attack, per the Evening Standard.

Related: Prosecutor Thinks Madeleine McCann Was Killed Shortly After Abduction

Email Account Allegedly Linked to Madeleine's Case

In early June 2024, a German investigator testified that authorities discovered an email account that is related to the killing of Madeleine.

Titus Stampa, a detective with Germanys Federal Crime Police, told a court that the Hotmail account allegedly belonged to Brueckner, per the Times of London.

Stampa said he wasn't allowed to talk about the account, according to the Times.

At trial, Stampa alleged that authorities found a second email account he used to share photos and videos of child abuse, and that emails from that account were deleted in early 2007 when Madeleine disappeared, per the Telegraph.

I can remember that things were massively deleted in the inbox. There was nothing in there from January 2007, he testified, according to the Telegraph.

Once Suspects, Madeleine's Parents Say They're 'Living in Limbo'

Gerry and Kate McCann continue to advocate for their daughter and believe that they will one day be reunited with her.

Its 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us. Its hard to even say that number without shaking our heads in disbelief. Whilst we are fortunate in many ways and able to live a relatively normal and enjoyable life now, the living in limbo is still very unsettling, they shared on the Find Madeleine website on May 3, the 17-year anniversary of her disappearance.

They continued, Your support continues to encourage us and bolsters our strength to keep going. We know the love and hope for Madeleine and the will to find her, even after so many years, remains, and we are truly thankful for that. Thank you again for remembering Madeleine and all missing children.



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What to know about Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier's first hearing in more than a decade

FILE - An unidentified FBI agent, one of the nearly 500 current and retired FBI agents protesting clemency for Leonard Peltier, marches toward the White House, Friday, Dec. 15, 2000, holding an image of two FBI agents, Ron Williams and Jack Coler, who were killed on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota in 1975. Peltier, who has spent most of his life in prison for the killings, has a parole hearing Monday, June 10, 2024, at a federal prison in Florida. (AP Photo/Hillery Smith Garrison, File)

A parole hearing was held Monday for Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier, who has spent most of his life in prison since his conviction in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents in South Dakota.

At 79, Peltier's health is failing, and if this parole request is denied, it might be a decade or more before it is considered again, said his attorney Kevin Sharp, a former federal judge. Sharp and other supporters have long argued that Peltier was wrongly convicted and say now that this effort may be his last chance at freedom.

It's been about 15 years since Peltier's last parole hearing. A decision on Monday's hearing is expected within 21 days.

This whole entire hearing is a battle for his life, said Nick Tilsen, president and CEO of the NDN Collective, an Indigenous-led advocacy group. Its time for him to come home.

The FBI and its current and former agents dispute the claims of innocence. The fight for Peltier's freedom, which is embroiled in the Indigenous rights movements, remains so robust nearly half a century later that Free Peltier T-shirts and caps are still hawked online.

It may be kind of cultish to take his side as some kind of a hero. But hes certainly not that; hes a cold blooded murderer, said Mike Clark, president of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, which wrote a letter arguing that Peltier should remain incarcerated.

Here are some things to know about the case.

What happened in the '70s?

An enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa tribe, Peltier was active in the American Indian Movement, which began in the 1960s as a local organization in Minneapolis that grappled with issues of police brutality and discrimination against Native Americans. It quickly became a national force.

AIM grabbed headlines in 1973 when it took over the village of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation, leading to a 71-day standoff with federal agents. Tensions between AIM and the government remained high for years.

The FBI considered AIM an extremist organization and planted spies and snitches in the group. Sharp blamed the government for creating what he described as a powder keg" that exploded on June 26, 1975.

That's the day agents came to Pine Ridge to serve arrest warrants amid ongoing battles over Native treaty rights and self-determination.

After being injured in a shootout, agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams were shot in the head at close range, according to a letter from FBI Director Christopher Wray. Also killed in the shootout was AIM member Joseph Stuntz. The Justice Department concluded that a law enforcement sniper killed Stuntz.

Two other AIM members, Robert Robideau and Dino Butler, were acquitted of killing Coler and Williams.

After fleeing to Canada and being extradited to the United States, Peltier was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced in 1977 to life in prison, despite defense claims that evidence against him had been falsified.

Youve got a conviction that was riddled with misconduct by the prosecutors, the U.S. Attorneys office, by the FBI who investigated this case and, frankly the jury, Sharp said. If they tried this today, he does not get convicted.

How has the FBI responded?

Wray said in a statement that the agency was resolute in its opposition to Peltier's latest application for parole.

We must never forget or put aside that Peltier intentionally murdered these two young men and has never expressed remorse for his ruthless actions, he wrote, adding that the case has been repeatedly upheld on appeal.

The FBI Agents Association, a professional group that represents mostly active agents, sent a letter to the parole commission opposing parole. The group said any early release of Peltier would be a cruel act of betrayal.

What is the legacy of the American Indian Movement?

Tilsen, a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation, credits AIM and others for most of the rights Native Americans have today, including religious freedom, the ability to operate casinos and tribal colleges, and enter into contracts with the federal government to oversee schools and other services.

Leonard has been a part of creating that, but he hasnt been available to be a beneficiary because he has been incarcerated for almost 50 years, Tilsen said. So he hasnt been able to enjoy the result of those wins and see how they have changed and transformed Indian country.

What's next?

Monday's hearing was held at a high-security lockup in Florida that is part of the Federal Correctional Complex Coleman. The hearing was not open to the public and details about what happened were not immediately available.

Sharp, Peltiers attorney, said beforehand that witnesses for and against parole were expected to testify. Family members of the two FBI agents who were killed will be there. For decades, the agents' loved ones have opposed clemency for Peltier.

In a 2022 letter to Wray, Coler's son Paul Coler, who was less than 2 years old when his father died, said he was left to witness the continuous struggle and suffering my Mother had to endure after losing her husband. She was alone, dealing with the biggest tragedy of her life, all while trying to navigate her two young sons through life.

The decision on whether to grant parole is required within 21 days, Sharp said. If parole is granted, theres a process for release which shouldnt take long. If denied, Peltier can look at his options for filing an appeal to a federal district court, Sharp said.

Parole was rejected at Peltiers last hearing in 2009, and then-President Barack Obama denied a clemency request in 2017. Another clemency request is pending before President Joe Biden.
Former President Trump will participate in a probation interview Monday, a critical step ahead of his sentencing July 11.

A 12-person New York jury found Trump guilty last month on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a scheme to shield the American public from potentially damaging information ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump maintains his innocence and has pledged to appeal the verdict.

Moments after the verdict was announced in the courtroom, Judge Juan Merchan confirmed that Trump would sit for a probation interview.

We will order a probation report, Merchan said. Mr. Blanche, the clerk of the court will give you instructions on how to go about scheduling that interview and getting that probation report.

Interview to take place via Zoom

The interview Monday is scheduled to take place via a computer video conference from Trumps home at Mar-a-Lago, according to multiple sources who spoke to The Hill and The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the plans.

Probation interviews are often conducted by a probation officer, a social worker or a department psychologist, who will then prepare a report for the judge to use to help determine the appropriate sentence for the defendant.

The report sometimes includes details from interviews with the defendants family and friends and from victims of the crime. In the interview, the defendant can say why they thinks they deserve a lighter sentence.

As part of the report, the New York probation officer will gather Trumps prior criminal history  which is none  employment history and economic status. If available, state law also requires the report to include findings about a defendants physical and mental condition.

Trumps attorney will be present

Trumps attorney, Todd Blanche, will be present at the interview Monday, after Merchan said in a letter last Friday that he would allow Blanche to be present. Most people meet with the probation judge without legal representation, but Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) did not oppose the request for Blanches presence.

Legal experts have offered opposing views on what they expect to happen in next months sentencing.

Some point out that most first-time offenders convicted on Trumps charges do not face jail time, and his legal team has signaled it will urge the judge not to incarcerate the former president. On the other hand, however, some experts have noted that Trumps lack of remorse and the 10 violations of the gag order he accrued throughout the process could work against him.

Trump campaign spokesperson responds

When reached for comment about the probation interview, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung called the case a witch hunt.

President Trump and his legal team are already taking necessary steps to challenge and defeat the lawless Manhattan DA case. The American People will not fall for the Biden-directed Hoaxes and will hold Crooked Joe and his comrades to account this fall, Cheung said in a statement.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Already the subject of a federal civil-rights investigation, Kentuckys Department of Juvenile Justice is bracing for an influx of hundreds of additional youths when several tough-on-crime laws take effect July 15.

The states new juvenile justice commissioner, Randy White, testified last week to a legislative panel in Frankfort about the challenge posed by several bills lawmakers passed during the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions.

Some of the coming demands will be extraordinarily difficult to meet given the relatively small capacity of each detention center and the limitations of aging physical facilities not designed for these circumstances, White told the House budget subcommittee on justice and the judiciary on June 5.

Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White

Following on years of critical news coverage, the U.S. Department of Justice announced in May it will investigate whether Kentuckys juvenile detention centers use excessive force and punitive isolation; if youths are adequately protected from violence and sexual abuse; and whether the commonwealth provides sufficient mental health care, education and services for children with disabilities.

Kentucky last week held 238 youths in its eight juvenile detention centers, 96 youths in its six youth development centers and 43 youths in its eight group homes, White said.

In 2023, 1,394 youths were placed in alternatives to detention under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice, he said.

Given Kentuckys long history of abuse and neglect in juvenile detention, including the use of pepper spray as punishment, one critic told the Herald-Leader that lawmakers should hesitate to send more teenagers into the facilities.

The irony is that the General Assembly has identified this as a problem area, and yet it has passed a spate of problem legislation that can only expose even more kids to what it knows is a toxic juvenile justice system, said Terry Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Kentucky Youth Advocates.

In his testimony, White said the bills that will impact the juvenile detention centers include:

 House Bill 3 from 2023, which requires that youths taken into custody for a violent felony offense must be detained for up to 48 hours  not counting weekends or holidays  before they can get a detention hearing.

This mandatory hold language was controversial because it ends the discretion of court officials to decide who must be detained for an initial period based on the individual facts of a case. The Senate passed a bill this year to delay the implementation of HB 3, but the House would not agree to it.

State courts data indicates that had HB 3 been in effect in 2022, it would have resulted in the detention of more than 400 additional youths compared to the present system, White testified.

 House Bill 5 from this years session, a sweeping anti-crime bill dubbed the Safer Kentucky Act by its sponsors. It will toughen much the states criminal code, adding new penalties for the homeless, shoplifters and vandals, as well as carjackers, fentanyl dealers and violent offenders, the last of whom will go to prison for life after three strikes.

Although much of the debate over HB 5 focused on how it will impact jails and prisons by packing them with more adult inmates, White said, the states Department of Juvenile Justice also expects to see more youths sentenced to its facilities and serving longer sentences.

 Senate Bill 20 from this years session, which will require teens who are charged with serious felonies involving guns, like robbery or assault, to be prosecuted as adults in circuit court.

SB 20 reverses a criminal-justice reform law that Kentucky adopted just three years ago in order to show juvenile offenders some leniency and a chance at rehabilitation.

The bill also ends the possibility for these teens tried as adults  legally known as youthful offenders  to be released onto probation or conditional discharge when they turn 18 and exit juvenile detention. That removes a useful incentive for good behavior while youths are in juvenile detention, White told lawmakers.

Apart from the bills that General Assembly passed, White noted that lawmakers did not pass several budget requests that Gov. Andy Beshear made for the Department of Juvenile Justice. That includes $112 million needed to build a proposed 16-bed mental health treatment facility and two 24-bed girls detention centers that state officials requested to keep girls apart from boys following a rape that occurred during a 2022 riot.

After the rape in the Adair Regional Juvenile Detention Center, Beshear ordered boys and girls to be housed in separate detention centers and be further segregated based on the levels of their offense, although that meant holding some youths a long distance from their home counties.

The legislature told the Beshear administration in 2023s Senate Bill 162 to return to the previous model of regional detention centers so youths remain in custody relatively close to their families and attorneys.

But that will create a strain on the staff and facilities, White said, because it requires segregated housing and separate recreation, dining, education and programming within the same complex of buildings.

On the other hand, helping matters, the legislature did provide $8 million that Beshear requested to boost the salaries of correctional officers in the juvenile detention centers from $30,000 to $50,000 a year, he said, and $9.7 million to pay for 146 new officers.

Thats paying off at the chronically understaffed centers, White said. From Jan. 1, 2023, to June 2024, the number of correctional officers steadily has risen from 313 to 454, he said.
Kentuckys Republican secretary of state, in accepting the prestigious John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award Sunday night for defending the integrity of Kentuckys elections, said todays politics have been tainted by demagoguery and the reigning mob of the moment.

As touched and as grateful beyond words that I am to be given this award, part of me wishes that it did not exist, and that political courage did not have to be a thing, Michael Adams said on stage at the ceremony in Boston.

He was bestowed the award by JFKs grandson, John Schlossberg. He is the oldest son of Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of JFK and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

But true democracy has been degraded, and the current model some have adopted is tainted, Adams said, adding that todays politics penalizes the workhorse and rewards the show horse. It prizes provocateurs and punishes problem solvers.

In this model, our elected representatives take their direction from the reigning mob of the moment. This form of direct democracy is an illusion, he said, one in which independent and judicious thought in our leaders is not encouraged. Leadership is out and followership is in.

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum award is given to one individual a year at the local, state or federal level who displays political courage. In May, Adams was named the 2024 honoree for expanding voting rights and standing up for free and fair elections, despite party opposition and death threats from election deniers.

The award, established in 1989 by JFKs family, recognizes public servants who have risked their careers by putting the public interest ahead of their own political standing.

First elected in 2019, Adams has advocated for increasing absentee voting access and opportunities for in-person voting, beginning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He gained most of his notoriety starting in 2020 for persistently speaking out about against false claims of state election insecurity, matched by a swell of backlash from some in his party that widespread fraud lost former President Donald Trump a second term as president.

Despite this opposition stance with many in his party, Adams was the highest vote-getter on the ballot in the November 2023 election, capturing 61% of the vote.

Schlossberg, in introducing Adams Sunday night, said 2020 was a defining moment for Adams and the life of our country.

As a Republican elected by a razor thin margin, conventional wisdom said not to work with the other side. But Adams put country (and) election integrity first, before his party or personal interest, Schlossberg said.

After Adams and his family received death threats, he responded with optimism and courage. His strategy was simple but not easy. He focused on communicating the facts with voters who didnt believe the election was safe or secure. He took time to explain specifics about why absentee and early voting were safe.

Schlossberg said Adams wasnt selected for this award for opposing the GOP  he is a committed and lifelong Republican. Hes a profile in courage because he put himself, his family and career on the line to protect the right to vote.

Adams praised voters, as well as election officials and poll workers at all levels, for helping up uphold the integrity of Kentuckys elections. He lauded them for being willing to vociferously rebut false claims of vote fraud and election rigging, even we had candidates for state offices and our legislature, who trafficked lies & demagoguery about our elections.

He closed by saying, May this award and this ceremony inspire others across our country at this critical time to go forth and do likewise.

Past award recipients have included former presidents Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush and Barack Obama, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah.
One person was killed by gunfire Sunday in Los Angeles Harbor region, authorities confirmed to KTLA.

Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to the 400 block of West Oliver Street at around 10:30 a.m. in San Pedro on reports of man down.

Details are extremely limited and its unclear how the shooting unfolded but responding officers located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound at the scene.

L.A. Police on the scene of a fatal shooting in San Pedro on June 9, 2024. (KTLA)

L.A. Police on the scene of a fatal shooting in San Pedro on June 9, 2024. (KTLA)

L.A. Police on the scene of a fatal shooting in San Pedro on June 9, 2024. (KTLA)

L.A. Police on the scene of a fatal shooting in San Pedro on June 9, 2024. (KTLA)

L.A. Police on the scene of a fatal shooting in San Pedro on June 9, 2024. (KTLA)

Footage of the investigation showed a heavy presence of police with a portion of the street cordoned off with yellow crime tape while investigators scoured the area for evidence.

Family of man slain by off-duty LAPD officer says Department yet to say anything

A canopy, typically used to cover a deceased victim, was also visible on the neighborhood sidewalk.

No information was provided on the victims age or gender, nor was a description of a suspect or suspects in the fatal 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 KTLA.
Labour should not expect an easy ride from the new EU parliament

Both the German chancellor and French president have seen their influence in the EU dented - itThomas Trutschel/Photothek

Labours plan to forge closer ties with the EU just got a little more complicated.

Europe has swung to the Right after its latest elections, just as Britain seems poised to elect a centre-Left government.

Hard-Right parties triumphed in France, Italy and Austria and came second in the Netherlands and Germany.

The centre-Right European Peoples Party (EPP) will be the largest group in the European Parliament after its member parties won in Spain and trounced Olaf Scholzs socialists in Germany.

Labour has invested time and effort in getting Emmanuel Macron onside, while Sir Keir Starmer has a strong relationship with Mr Scholz, whom he met in Berlin last July.

Now both the German chancellor and French president have seen their influence in the EU dented and are struggling to contain the political crisis triggered by the European elections.

So where does this leave Sir Keir and the negotiations he hopes to hold on trade, foreign policy cooperation and migration if he wins the general election?

Sir Keir Starmer has a strong relationship with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz - Stefan Rousseau/PA

A UK-EU migrant returns deal allowing Channel migrants to be sent back to France was always going to be an uphill struggle. If Marine Le Pens National Rally follows up its huge triumph with victory in the snap National Assembly elections called by Mr Macron in the wake of his defeat, it will look insurmountable.

Giorgia Melonis success in Italy will also make it tougher for Labour to secure a migrant returns deal. For a politician who has made a strict approach to migration a key part of her appeal, winning support for a tougher approach across Brussels, it would be a big ask to take back failed asylum seekers from Britain.

The European elections caused political havoc in France and in Germany, but in Brussels there was relief that the pro-EU centre had held.

The EPP will continue to operate its informal grand coalition with the centre-Left and liberal groups to pass and amend EU law. It may occasionally work with Ms Melonis soft Eurosceptics who want to roll back Brussels overreach, but not leave the EU.

The hard Right will be shut out from influence in Brussels and Strasbourg, but are likely to drag the European centre to the Right on net zero and migration issues. Some hard-Right parties celebrated Brexit and wanted to follow the UK out of the bloc before and instead called for EU reform after the painful and lengthy Brexit negotiations.

The results now make it very likely that Ursula von der Leyen, the EPPs frontwoman in the elections, will be appointed for a second term as European Commission president. Sir Keir will find much in common with EPP centrists and the centre-Left Socialists that Labour MEPs sat with before Brexit. However, that does not mean he should expect an easy ride from the commission, which prides itself on being a hard-nosed negotiator.

The EU is open to striking a deal formalising foreign policy cooperation, which it sees in its interest because of the war in Ukraine and the need to put a united front in the face of Russian aggression.

During the Brexit negotiations, the Government rejected an offer from Brussels for cooperation on foreign policy and security because it would be based on a treaty that was seen as too close to an EU-lite structure by the Tories. Since then, cooperation has been ad hoc, but has worked well.

What happens next?

Mrs von der Leyens commission has already slapped down Labours call for an overhaul of the Brexit trade deal; warning that Brussels was only interested in minor tweaks to the agreement.

The commission will listen to Labours pitch for a veterinary deal which would remove border checks between the UK and EU, and between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. But the elections will not mean Brussels drops its demand that the UK align to EU plant and animal health rules in return.

EU red lines in negotiations for a Brexit deal for Gibraltar are also unlikely to change.

The EU, which is largely happy with the status quo, will only make a deal that it sees in its interest, even if there will be some relief to see the back of the Tories after the turbulent Brexit years.

Rishi Sunak had already gone a long way towards normalising UK-EU relations by agreeing the new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland, which means Sir Keir cant rely on simply not being Boris Johnson to win concessions.

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TOKYO, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Japan's transport ministry conducted an on-site inspection of Honda Motor Co.'s headquarters in Tokyo on Monday after the company and other automakers admitted to carrying out improper tests for vehicle certifications required for mass production, local media reported.

After the inspections, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will decide whether to impose administrative punishments to prevent a recurrence and determine if recalls are required by examining whether the affected vehicles meet its safety and environmental performance standards, Kyodo News reported.

Honda said vehicle tests for 22 models were improperly conducted, including the reporting of falsified data. None of its current models are affected, the report said.

Honda became the fourth company to be inspected under the road transport vehicle law following Toyota Motor Corp., Yamaha Motor Co. and Suzuki Motor Corp., a week after five automakers unveiled safety tests were not conducted in line with government specifications.

A total of 38 models manufactured by the five automakers are affected. Six of the affected models produced by Toyota, Mazda and Yamaha Motor are currently on the market and the ministry has ordered shipments to be halted, the report said.

The ministry will commence a probe into Mazda Motor Corp. soon, it added.

The latest misconduct was disclosed after the transport ministry instructed 85 automakers and parts suppliers to investigate whether certifications were acquired properly, following a series of similar scandals that hit Toyota group firms in 2022 and later. 
To be fair to Emily Thornberry, at least she answered the question. Until yesterday, I had asked no less than four shadow ministers the same thing on my Sunday morning GB News politics show:



How are you going to accommodate private school pupils into the already oversubscribed state sector if their parents can no longer afford the fees under a future Labour government?



The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has forecast that Labour imposing 20 per cent VAT on private school fees (and stripping private schools of business rate relief) could result in three to seven per cent of privately educated pupils switching to state schools as a result  up to 40,000 children.



Shadow minister after shadow minister refused to answer the question of what will happen to them, insisting that talk of an exodus had been overblown by vested interests  even though the IFS is completely independent. Wes Streeting, Yvette Cooper, Liz Kendall and even Bridget Phillipson, the woman hoping to be the next education secretary, appeared unable to provide a practical solution, preferring instead to blame scaremongering from the private schools lobby for the critical response to a policy Sir Keir Starmer had insisted will be implemented straight away if he wins the keys to Downing Street next month.



Then the shadow attorney general let the cat out of the bag by admitting that the policy does indeed risk increasing class sizes in the state sector. She was surprisingly relaxed about it considering she belongs to a party that has consistently railed against Tory cuts to the education sector and teacher shortages.



Certainly, some schools that have vacancies [may take ex-private pupils]. My primary schools and my secondary schools have space and theyre very welcome, said Thornberry, who is hoping to be re-elected as the Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury on July 4.



They are good schools and people should send their children there. I mean, its fine, and if we have to, in the short term, have larger classes, we have larger classes.



So now we are finally closer to the truth.



Labour hopes the policy will raise 1.7 billion, which it has pledged to spend on recruiting 6,500 new state school teachers (its going to need them) rolling out a new national oracy programme and ensuring all state schools in England have access to mental health counselling. (Curiously, Labour has said nothing about the mental health of private school pupils who will be affected by this policy).



But the truth Thornberry has exposed is that it will inevitably come at a cost. Teaching unions are already agitating over potential redundancies after two independent schools announced they will close at the end of the summer term  both blamed in part on Labours VAT plan.



Labour hoped this was a policy only the privileged would have to worry about. But the impact on all parents  including those who send their children to state schools (and note to the left: my son attends a state school)  has now been laid bare. It is certainly a dramatic departure from how Labour fought and won a general election in 1997. Back then, privately educated Tony Blair made five clear pledges to the electorate, the first of which was to cut class sizes to 30 or under for 5, 6 and 7-year-olds.

Amid a 2007 row over his then Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly sending one of her children to a 15,000-a-year private school for pupils with learning difficulties, Blair made it clear he supported the right of parents to choose the school they send their children to.



What the Prime Minister supports absolutely is the right of parents to make choices about their childrens education which are best suited to their childrens needs irrespective of who their parents are or what job they do, a spokesman said.



How times have changed.

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Labour Victory Would Be Best Outcome for the Pound, Survey Says

(Bloomberg) -- A Labour victory in next months UK election would be good news for the pound but is unlikely to undo the damage of Brexit, according to the latest Bloomberg Markets Live Pulse survey.

Most Read from Bloomberg

When asked which outcome in the July 4 vote would be best for the UK currency, more than half of 268 respondents opted for a Labour win, although they were split on whether a large or small majority would be best. A hung Parliament, with no party winning more than half the seats on offer, was seen as the worst result.

Polls show Keir Starmers party is on course for a landslide victory, raising hopes among City of London analysts that a new government would usher in a period of stability and lift the overhang of Brexit, which has weighed on UK assets for years. Labour has pledged to improve ties with the European Union, a step that could help ease trading frictions and help spur growth.

Still, survey participants see little reason to be optimistic that the pound will shed its Brexit penalty anytime soon, with about 61% saying the currency will take more than five years to trade around $1.50  a level last seen before the final results of the EU referendum were announced.

A large stable majority for the Labour Party, which is less divided than the Tories, will signal better stability ahead, said Derek Halpenny, head of research for Europe, Africa and the Middle East at MUFG.

Even so, significant changes to the EU and UK trading relationship are unlikely to be an immediate priority for the Labour party, which may dampen immediate upside potential for the pound, he said.

In addition to the pound, the MLIV Pulse survey showed that gilts and stocks would also benefit from a Labour win, with 57% or more of respondents thinking that a victory would be beneficial for all UK assets, with a win by a big margin the most preferred option.

Still, in a sign of some division, 34% of respondents say a Labour landslide would be the most damaging result for the pound, with a further 46% seeing a hung Parliament as the worst outcome.

These fears dont seem to be shared by the market, however. With less than a month to go before the vote, contracts that protect against pound volatility are fairly subdued.

A landslide Labour win is already priced by markets, said UBS strategist Patrick Ernst. Political stability and reduced policy uncertainty would greatly benefit UK businesses and growth, he said.

Traders renewed trust in Labour illustrates how far Starmer has moved the party away from radical policies, such as the nationalization of energy networks, that were pursued under his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn. It also shows the damage that the Conservatives  traditionally preferred by investors  have done to their brand through the turmoil of Brexit and years of infighting.

Among the two parties, Labour is also seen as marginally more able to boost economic growth and the most likely to raise taxes, the Bloomberg survey showed.

To be sure, Labours ability to completely break from the uncertainty and turmoil over Brexit is probably limited. Despite its promise to work closer with the EU, the appetite to reverse the UKs departure from the bloc is limited, meaning that the Brexit penalty  especially for the pound  is likely to endure.

Recent elections in India and Mexico have also shown how traders were caught offside by outcomes, causing wild swings in asset prices.

Even so, theres scope for at least some pound gains through closer cooperation with the EU and political stability, said Jane Foley, head of FX strategy at Rabobank in London.

Sterling may offer value if you believe that the UK is well positioned to benefit from more investment, because of an improving relationship with Europe, and a political environment which is a lot more stable than it was, Foley said.

The MLIV Pulse survey was conducted between June 2 and June 7 among Bloomberg News terminal and online readers worldwide who chose to engage with the survey, and included portfolio managers, economists and retail investors.

--With assistance from Naomi Tajitsu and Greg Ritchie.

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Lake City Police arrest man for shooting 2 people after hours long stand off

The Lake City Police Department arrested Brooks Smith for attempted homicide after an hours-long standoff on Saturday, the department announced in a news release.

Around 8:05 p.m., police responded to a shooting on Northwest Wilson Street. They found a person shot in the stomach. Police also found another person shot during their initial investigation.

According to the news release, Smith went back into the house. The Lake City Police Department set up a perimeter and requested help from the Columbia County Sheriffs Office SWAT team.

Smith continued to fire at officers from the house despite SWAT hostage negotiators talking to him.

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After a five-hour standoff, Smith was taken into custody.

He is being charged with two counts of attempted homicide.

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A 73-year-old Miami man is suspected of shooting a worker at the apartment building where he lives and intentionally starting a fire that quickly engulfed the complex, according to court documents.

The fire was reported around 8:15 a.m. ET on Monday at Temple Court Apartments, according to Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. More than 125 firefighters battled the blaze for approximately eight hours, he said during a press briefing Monday evening announcing the suspect's apprehension.

First responders found a man who had been shot inside the building. He was transported to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the torso in critical condition, authorities said. The victim is an employee of the complex, according to the property's manager, Atlantic Housing Foundation, which said it was "shocked and saddened" by the fire and shooting.

PHOTO: Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at a four-story apartment building in the city of Miami, June 10, 2024. (WPLG)

PHOTO: City of Miami Fire Rescue firefighters work at the scene of a fire at the Temple Court apartments Monday, June 10, 2024, in Miami. (Lynne Sladky/AP)

A resident of the apartment building, Juan Francisco Figueroa, was arrested in connection with the shooting and fire, according to an arrest affidavit. He faces multiple charges -- including attempted felony murder, first-degree arson and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon -- and was ordered held on no bond during a hearing on Tuesday, online court records show. Attorney information was not immediately available.

Figueroa was allegedly seen running from the scene by a resident of the building the morning of the shooting, according to an arrest affidavit.

Another resident came out of his apartment after hearing gunshots and found the victim on the first floor suffering from a gunshot wound and referring to Figueroa by his apartment number, according to the affidavit. The resident also saw an "explosion" following the gunshots, the affidavit said.

Detectives conducted a traffic stop on Figueroa's vehicle around 4 p.m. ET and he was allegedly found carrying a revolver, according to the affidavit. He allegedly told detectives that he "knew what he had done and expected to be in prison for the rest of his life," the affidavit stated.

MORE: Man fatally shot amid lakeside brawl in Napa County, California, sheriff's office says

The three-alarm fire was the first of that level in the city in 25 years, according to Suarez.

Responding firefighters rescued more than 40 people, including some from their balconies, the mayor said, calling their actions "heroic." Firefighters conducted seven ladder rescues, he said.

Firefighters discovered the fire on the third floor of the apartment building, according to Miami Fire-Rescue spokesperson Lt. Pete Sanchez.

PHOTO: Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at a four-story apartment building in the city of Miami, June 10, 2024. (WPLG)

The building is a wood-frame structure, which "explains the intensity and the rapid spread of the fire," he said.

All residents of the building, most of whom are elderly, have been accounted for, Suarez said.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

PHOTO: City of Miami Fire Rescue firefighters work at the scene of a fire at the Temple Court apartments Monday, June 10, 2024, in Miami. (Lynne Sladky/AP)

Three firefighters were transported to a local hospital in stable condition for further evaluation, according to Sanchez. Two have since been released, he said Monday afternoon.

A resident was also transported to a hospital for smoke inhalation, Sanchez said.

The property's management company is renting a hotel for the next two weeks for the 43 residents displaced by the fire, according to the mayor.

"We are still determining the cause of these events, and we are checking for other injuries," Atlantic Housing Foundation said in a statement. "Police are investigating, and we will help in whatever ways we can."

73-year-old man arrested in connection with fire, shooting at Miami apartment building originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) is investigating the shooting death of a 35-year-old man near North Las Cruces Park.

According to LCPD, Juan Diego Martinez, 35, was found shortly before 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 8 along the block of 1001 Valley View Ave. in an undeveloped area.

A passerby found Martinez, who was unresponsive in an undeveloped area near North Las Cruces Park, according to LCPD.

Police say Martinez suffered from at least one gunshot wound and was declared dead on the scene.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Martinez before his death, the company he had, or information on the possible responsible party is asked to call Las Cruces Police at (575) 526-0795.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Las Vegas police are investigating after a person was found shot to death inside a residence in the central valley. Police said several people were detained.

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, at around 5:30 a.m., officers found a person inside a residence in the 2000 block of Peyton Drive near South Eastern Avenue and East Charleston Boulevard.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Police said that person was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Medical personnel arrived and pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

Officers detained several individuals believed to be involved in the shooting. Police did not give any additional details about the victim or the people detained.

Police ask that the public avoid the area during the investigation.

Additional details will be released at a later 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 KLAS.
Palestinians mourn over the bodies of relatives killed in an Israeli airstrike, outside the morgue in Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al Balah, the Gaza Strip, Monday, June 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

The U.N. Security Council on Monday afternoon overwhelmingly approved a U.S. resolution that welcomes a proposal for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

The U.S. says Israel has accepted the three-phase plan announced by U.S. President Joe Biden, and Hamas welcomed it in a statement shortly after the council's vote.

The resolution urges both Israel and Hamas to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also began a new visit to the region on Monday in the shadow of the dramatic rescue of four Israeli hostages held in Gaza and turmoil in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government.

Blinken met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo, but neither made public remarks. Blinken will also travel to Israel, Jordan and Qatar.

While Biden, Blinken and other U.S. officials have praised the hostage rescue, the operation resulted in the deaths of a large number of Palestinian civilians and may complicate the cease-fire push by emboldening Israel and hardening Hamas resolve to carry on fighting in the war it initiated with its Oct. 7 attack into Israel.

Israels war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 36,730 people, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. Palestinians are facing widespread hunger because the war has largely cut off the flow of food, medicine and other supplies. U.N. agencies say over 1 million in Gaza could experience the highest level of starvation by mid-July.

Israel launched the war after Hamas Oct. 7 attack, in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killed some 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and abducted about 250.

Currently:

 Blinken returns to Mideast as Israel-Hamas cease-fire proposal hangs in balance after hostage rescue

 How an Israeli raid freed 4 hostages and killed at least 274 Palestinians in Gaza

 What does Israels rescue of 4 captives, and the killing of 274 Palestinians, mean for truce talks?

 Centrist Benny Gantz is quitting Israels war Cabinet, citing frustrations with Netanyahu

Follow APs coverage of the war in Gaza at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Here's the latest:

UN agency says Gaza officials report nearly 1,000 dead or injured during Israel's hostage rescue

UNITED NATIONS  Nearly 1,000 Palestinians were killed or injured during Israels military operation to rescue four hostages seized by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel, the U.N. humanitarian office says, quoting a Gaza Health Ministry report.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a report Monday that large numbers of casualties from the Israeli operation were taken to Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir al Balah, which is operating at nearly five times its capacity on only one electricity generator.

Tens of injured people were lying on the floor amid severe shortages of medicines, medical consumables and fuel, the U.N. office said.

The agency said the Gaza Health Ministry says that during Saturdays intensive Israeli ground and air strikes at the An Nuseirat Refugee Camp, 274 Palestinians  including 64 children, 57 women and 37 elderly people  were killed and 698 others were injured.

The U.N. sent a mission to Al Aqsa hospital later Saturday and reported it was hosting about 700 patients, nearly five times its pre-war capacity. The U.N. agency said Nasser hospital in southern Khan Younis and Al Awda hospital in northern Gaza were also overwhelmed with injured from the Israeli attack.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the release of the four hostages, but he condemned the deaths and injuries to hundreds of Palestinians during the Israeli operation, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday.

Israeli Minister-Counsellor Reut Shapir Ben Naftaly said Hamas refusal to release some 120 hostages taken captive during its Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel through diplomacy means Israels efforts to bring them home must include military means.

Ben Naftaly told the U.N. Security Council that Saturdays heroic Israeli military operation was the perfect example of how this can be achieved. She spoke after the council overwhelmingly approved a cease-fire resolution aimed at ending the eight-month war.

Ben Naftaly said the hostages freed Saturday were being held in residential buildings by Palestinian families with Hamas guards, saying that so-called innocent civilians were not only cooperating with Hamas but complicit in its war crimes.

The loss of life of life in Gaza is a tragedy, she said. But if you dont put the blame on Hamas, youre advancing their strategy.

4 men reported killed during raid by Israeli forces in West Bank village

RAMALLAH, West Bank  Palestinian officials say four men have been killed by Israeli forces in a village near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.

According to a joint statement by the Israeli army and police, undercover police forces and soldiers late Monday tracked down a suspect wanted in an attack on a nearby settlement.

It said that the man was hiding in a compound with three other suspects and that forces opened fire when the men tried to run them over with a car and flee. It says weapons were found in the car.

The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the deaths in the village of Kafr Nima.

Hamas welcomes UN-endorsed cease-fire plan

BEIRUT  The militant Palestinian group Hamas welcomed Monday the cease-fire resolution approved by the U.N. Security Council, saying it is ready to cooperate with mediators to implement its principles.

Hamas statement came shortly after the U.N. Security Council approved its first resolution endorsing a cease-fire plan aimed at ending the eight-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The group says the resolution calls for a lasting cease-fire, withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, a prisoners exchange, reconstruction and the return of people displaced by the conflict to their homes.

Hamas added that it is ready to work with mediators in indirect negotiations with Israel to implement the resolution. Qatar and Egypt have been acting as mediators between Hamas and Israel in efforts to end the conflict.

Hamas' statement was among the strongest to date, but it stressed the group would continue our struggle to end the Israeli occupation and work on setting up a fully sovereign Palestinian state.

UN endorses US-sponsored plan for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas

UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. Security Council on Monday approved its first resolution endorsing a cease-fire plan aimed at ending the eight-month Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

The U.S.-sponsored resolution welcomes a cease-fire proposal announced by President Joe Biden that the United States says Israel has accepted. It calls on Hamas, which initially said it viewed the proposal positively, to accept the three-phase plan.

The resolution  approved overwhelmingly with 14 of the 15 Security Council members voting in favor and Russia abstaining  also calls on Israel and Hamas to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition.

Whether Israel and Hamas agree to the three-phase cease-fire plan remains in question, but the resolutions strong support in the U.N.s most powerful body puts added pressure on both parties.

Israeli police release footage they say shows the rescue of 3 hostages

JERUSALEM  Israeli police have released dramatic footage showing the moment they burst into an apartment in central Gaza and rescued three Israeli hostages.

In the footage, released on Monday evening, body camera footage shows police forces storming through the crowded streets of Nuseirat, firing their weapons and then rushing into an apartment where the three hostages were cowering behind a sofa.

The police ask for their names and then tell them, Everything is OK, we are here to rescue you, stay calm, as they continue shooting. The police appear to report back to their commanders that the hostages have been located. The footage could not be independently confirmed by The Associated Press.

The army said that the three captives  Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41  were held in the home of a Hamas operative in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp.

Israel rescued a fourth hostage from a nearby apartment in the same raid on Saturday afternoon. All four of the hostages were kidnapped from the Nova music festival during the Oct. 7 attack.

At least 274 Palestinians, including dozens of women and children, were killed in the operation, according to Palestinian health officials. A police commando also was killed.

Hamas and other militants are still holding some 120 hostages, around a third of whom are believed to have died. On Monday, Meir Jan, Kozlov and Ziv were released from the hospital. Argamani is at another hospital where her mother is in hospice for terminal brain cancer.

Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders meet in Qatar to weigh cease-fire options

BEIRUT  The leaders of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad met Monday in Qatar to discuss a proposed cease-fire deal for Gaza, according to a statement released after the talks concluded.

The statement said Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and Ziad Nakhaleh of Islamic Jihad discussed indirect talks to reach a cease-fire. There are no direct talks between Hamas and Israel. According to the statement released by Islamic Jihad, the leaders said any deal must lead to a permanent cease-fire, a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza, reconstruction and a serious exchange deal between hostages in Gaza and Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

The U.N. Security Council scheduled a vote Monday afternoon in New York on a U.S. resolution that welcomes a cease-fire proposal announced by President Joe Biden, which it says Israel has accepted. It calls on Hamas to accept the three-phase plan. The plan aims to end an eight-month war in Gaza sparked by Hamas Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage.

Israels military offensive has killed over 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. The toll does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.

UN Security Council will vote on a US resolution that welcomes a cease-fire

UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. Security Council scheduled a vote Monday afternoon on a U.S. resolution that welcomes a cease-fire proposal announced by President Joe Biden, which it says Israel has accepted. It calls on Hamas to accept the three-phase plan.

The draft resolution urges both Israel and Hamas to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition.

If adopted, it would represent the first Security Council resolution on a cease-fire plan aimed at ultimately ending the eight-month war in Gaza sparked by Hamas Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage. Israels military offensive has killed over 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.

U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood told reporters earlier Monday that the United States hoped for a quick vote but wanted to make sure all 15 Security Council members would support the resolution.

Thats the key here, its getting all council members on board with this resolution which gives us the best, most realistic opportunity to bring at least a temporary halt to this war, he said.

The draft resolution outlines the three-phase plan starting with an immediate, full, and complete cease-fire with the release of hostages and remains of those who died, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza and the return of Palestinian civilians to all areas in the territory. It also requires the safe distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout the Gaza Strip.

In phase two, the draft resolution says that with the agreement of Israel and Hamas, a permanent end to hostilities, in exchange for the release of all other hostages still in Gaza, and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza will take place.

Phase three would launch a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of the remains of any deceased hostages still in Gaza to their families.

In a new provision, the final draft of the resolution would underline that the proposal says if negotiations take longer than six weeks for the first phase, the cease-fire will still continue as long as negotiations continue.

An Israeli drone is shot down over Lebanon

BEIRUT  The Israeli military says one of its drones was shot down by a surface-to-air missile while flying over Lebanon.

Mondays announcement came after residents of the Apple Province region in south Lebanon said they saw a drone crashing in the area.

Lebanons militant Hezbollah group said its fighters shot down the Hermes 900 Kochav drone.

The Hermes 900 Kochav is a medium altitude and long endurance drone that can carry four anti-tank guided missiles.

Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for shooting down five drones since the exchange of fire along the Lebanon-Israel border began a day after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by the Palestinian group Hamas, followed by eight months of Israeli assaults in Gaza.

Over the past nearly eight months, more than 400 people have been killed in Lebanon. Most of them were fighters but they also included more than 70 civilians and noncombatants. In Israel, 15 soldiers and 10 civilians have been killed since October.

Police raid offices of a close Netanyahu ally

JERUSALEM  Israeli police have raided the offices of one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus closest allies after launching a criminal investigation of fraud.

The countrys attorney general and state prosecutor ordered an investigation into the Transportation Ministry after Channel 13 TV reported that Transportation Minister Miri Regev gave preferential treatment to Israeli cities and towns whose local officials supported her politically.

Regev is one of Netanyahus staunchest supporters in the governing Likud party and has been a lightning rod for controversy throughout her political career.

Officers searched the ministrys Jerusalem offices and confiscated documents, the police said.

Israeli media reported Monday that Regev called the probe fraudulent but said the ministry would comply with the investigation

Netanyahu is currently on trial over a series of corruption allegations.

Palestinians say a 15-year-old was killed in a West Bank raid

JERUSALEM  Palestinian health officials say Israeli forces killed a 15-year-old Palestinian in an overnight raid on Al-Faraa refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.

The military said Monday that its soldiers had begun a raid targeting militants, killing one and wounding two others with live fire.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the boy killed as 15-year-old Mahmoud Nabrisi and said five others were wounded in the built-up camp, which dates back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

Also Monday, Israels border police said it killed a Palestinian in Tulkarem, a volatile city in the northern West Bank, during an undercover operation to arrest a suspected militant. During the operation, an undercover sniper shot and killed a Palestinian wearing a military vest in the area, the police said.

Palestinian health officials did not immediately confirm the Tulkarem killing, but a traditional funeral procession was planned for Monday afternoon.

Violence in the West Bank escalated dramatically after Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza.

Frequent Israeli operations in Palestinian cities and towns in the West Bank have driven up a Palestinian death toll that now exceeds 530.

Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three territories for their future state.
By Brendan Pierson

(Reuters) -GSK and other drugmakers on Monday asked a Delaware court for permission to appeal a ruling allowing more than 70,000 lawsuits claiming that heartburn drug Zantac causes cancer to go forward.

If Judge Vivian Medinilla of Delaware Superior Court grants the petition, which is also joined by Pfizer, Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim, the appeal will go directly to the Delaware Supreme Court. If she denies it, GSK said, the companies will ask the Supreme Court directly to hear the case.

The companies, which all sold Zantac at different times, argue that Medinilla should have granted their motion to block plaintiffs from presenting expert testimony that Zantac causes cancer. That would have effectively ended all of the lawsuits in Delaware, where the vast majority of Zantac lawsuits nationwide are pending.

Also on Monday, GSK announced that a woman who alleged that she developed breast cancer as a result of taking Zantac dropped her case shortly before it was set for trial.

GSK said in a statement that it did not settle with the woman, Eugenia Kasza. A lawyer for Kasza did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Kasza's case would have been the second over Zantac to go to trial, after the first ended last month with a victory for GSK and Boehringer Ingelheim. Another case was dismissed by a judge shortly before a trial was set to begin on May 23.

Sanofi has settled about 4,000 Zantac cases, and the Financial Times reported last month that Pfizer had settled more than 10,000 cases.

First approved in 1983, Zantac became the world's best-selling medicine in 1988 and one of the first to top $1 billion in annual sales. It was originally marketed by a forerunner of GSK and later sold successively to other companies.

In 2019, some manufacturers and pharmacies halted Zantac sales after a chemical called NDMA, which is known to cause cancer, was detected in some pills. Some tests showed that Zantac's active ingredient, ranitidine, could degrade into NDMA over time or when exposed to heat.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked manufacturers to pull the drug off the market in 2020. In the face of mounting lawsuits, the drugmakers have maintained that there is no evidence Zantac exposed users to harmful levels of NDMA.

The companies notched a significant win in 2022, when another judge rejected about 50,000 lawsuits making similar claims that had been consolidated in federal court in Florida. Some plaintiffs are appealing that ruling.

(Reporting vy Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi, Bill Berkrot and Leslie Adler))
Lawmakers should be given an F for ducking critical Oklahoma educational rule debate and vote

(Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice)

If Oklahoma lawmakers were being graded the way they just decided our public schools should be assessed, they would be deemed deficient.

Theyd either be given an incomplete for not finishing their work or a big fat F.

Instead of giving 20 new education rules the full public debates the people of our state deserve, they sent them to the governor without having to take a stand.

The ducking of responsibility is cowardice at its finest.

It also falls well short of what our citizens expect when they vote for the lawmakers to represent their interests in Oklahoma City.

They want bold, decisive leadership and action.

The rules represent a fork in the road for every local school district. Some of these represent a considerable change from how weve traditionally operated.

They deserved a public discussion. We deserved to know the path forward our lawmakers envision for our schools.

One of these education rules has the potential to reshape how we accredit schools. It links state test scores to school accreditation status.

Walters State Department of Education argues that the rules will improve our education outcomes by changing how we accredit every school and adding increased accountability on districts whose students perform poorly on tests.

Under the rule, if less than half of students test at the basic level in reading and math, districts would face an accreditation deficiency. If a district doesnt demonstrate improvement each year, they get dinged some more.

That means some schools could see a significant drop. Theres no explanation in the rules about the potential consequences. People fear it could lead to state takeovers or closures of districts.

Critics say the rule punishes schools with more disabled or impoverished students. After all, if youre coming to school worried about what youre going to eat for dinner or where youre going to sleep at night, youre not going to learn as well.

One adding new foundational values that focus on a Creator, is downright goofy and dont seem like it would have a place in our classrooms.

Another allows an uncommon assessment that most Oklahoma colleges dont accept.

To their credit, a small committee of House lawmakers led by Republican Rep. Gerrid Kendrix did demonstrate considerable leadership.

Kendrixs Administrative Rules Committee discussed and then voted on the education rules during a public committee meeting. The committee advanced every rule except the one dealing with the uncommon assessment to the full House for consideration.

Regardless of whether you agree with that outcome, its great that they did their job.

The rest of House members though then buried their heads in the sand and publicly pretended the rules didnt need a vote.

House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said his Republican caucus, which holds a supermajority, decided not to take them up.

Our state Senate, which didnt even vote on them in committee, didnt give them full chamber consideration either.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said there was a mixed bag of opinions among Republicans about voting on the rules. He said that some of his members wanted to vote, but others were glad they didnt have to.

Do our 149 locally elected lawmakers support Ryan Walters controversial vision for schools? What do Walters fellow Republicans see as our path forward?

Now, well never know the answer because lawmakers spent their free time in the final weeks advancing bills that allowed them to score easy political points in an election year.

Did we really need a law that bans World Health Organization and United Nation mandates in a state and country that already doesnt accept those? Did we really need a Womens Bill of Rights defining gender? Did we really need a ballot measure amending the state Constitution to make it crystal clear that noncitizens cant vote? News flash, noncitizens already cant and dont vote in Oklahoma elections.

Educational outcomes are at the forefront of most Oklahomans minds.

Were sick of being cellar dwellers in a subject area that has ripple effects across every facet of our state from home valuations to workforce development.

We have a lot of needs in Oklahoma.

One of those is leadership from our elected lawmakers.

We need lawmakers who are less focused on winning their next election or impressing lobbyists and who are ready to take the difficult  and substantive  votes needed to move our state forward.

We dont need elected officials who hide their heads in the sand when it comes time to take controversial votes.

After all, we pay our lawmakers to make tough decisions, not to create campaign mailers.

One of their annual jobs is to consider agency rules. Its a normally boring responsibility, but its critical because those rules have the force of law.

House lawmakers like to brag that they serve in the chamber closest to the people.

But instead of amplifying those voices, lawmakers punted.

They gave one man  Gov. Kevin Stitt  the unilateral power to decide our schools path forward.

Lawmakers should be ashamed.

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The post Lawmakers should be given an F for ducking critical Oklahoma educational rule debate and vote appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
A round-trip flight carrying 100-plus students from Hong Kong to Shanghai marked the maiden cross-border chartered flight by a C919 airliner. The Chinese homegrown C919 passenger jet carries on it the dreams of these aspiring young students and many more. #C919




Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Education Secretary Jacob Oliva talk about the LEARNS Act and what it means for K-12 education in Arkansas at an invitation-only town hall in El Dorado on June 6, 2023. (Randall Lee/Courtesy of the Governor's Press Office)

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Education Secretary Jacob Oliva talk about the LEARNS Act and what it means for K-12 education in Arkansas at an invitation-only town hall in El Dorado on June 6, 2023. (Randall Lee/Courtesy of the Governor's Press Office)

A lawsuit filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court late Friday challenges the constitutionality of Arkansas new school voucher program and asks a judge to block its enforcement.

Created through the LEARNS Act, a 2023 law that made wide-ranging changes to the states education system, the Educational Freedom Account Program provides state funds for allowable educational expenses, including private school tuition. The EFA program is being phased in over three years, at which time it will be available to all students.

For fiscal year 2025, $97.5 million has been appropriated for the states voucher program. Lawmakers approved a $65.8 million increase for the program during this years fiscal session. A Department of Finance and Administration official told lawmakers last year that the EFA program could cost $175 million its third year.

More than 5,400 students participated in the first year of the program. Participation will be capped at about 14,000 students for the 2024-2025 school year. Around $6,600 in state funding was available to students last year. That will increase to nearly $6,900 this year.

Gwen Faulkenberry, Special Sanders, Anika Whitfield and Kimberly Crutchfield filed the lawsuit against Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Education Secretary Jacob Oliva, the Arkansas State Board of Education and Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration Secretary Jim Hudson. The plaintiffs are parents and guardians of public school students, including one special-needs first-grader.

The complaint contends that the LEARNS Act violates the Arkansas Constitution by transferring taxes intended to benefit public schools to the EFA program to cover things like private school tuition, uniforms and supplies. The state Supreme Court has consistently upheld the Constitutional requirement that public school funds may not be used for non-public school purposes, plaintiffs argue.

The LEARNS Act represents a radical and unconstitutional departure from a public school system that has endured since the establishment of the State of Arkansas, the complaint states. If implemented, the LEARNS Act will drain valuable and necessary resources from the public school system and create a separate and unequal school system that discriminates between children based on economic, racial and physical characteristics and capabilities.

Arkansas Constitution requires the state to maintain a general, suitable and efficient system of free public schools, which plaintiffs argue excludes, by its plain language, other systems that arent free or public.

Plaintiffs contend the voucher program violates a Constitutional provision that prohibits money or property belonging to the public school fund from being used for other purposes, as well as a one that establishes an ad valorem property tax of 25 mills to be used solely for maintenance and operation of common schools.

Furthermore, plaintiffs argue that using the 25-mill tax to support the voucher program violates a constitutional requirement that no moneys arising from a tax levied for any purpose shall ever be used for any other purpose.

The complaint argues that recipients of voucher funding have received illegal exactions they and should be required to reimburse the state for any amounts received under the voucher program.

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The post Lawsuit challenges constitutionality of Arkansas school voucher program appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Under Washington state law, emails and text messages qualify as public records. So do group chats and instant messages that now dominate communication in 21st-century workplaces.

A recently filed lawsuit contends that a state agency under the Governors Office may have broken that law by deleting messages aimed at hindering a McClatchy reporters efforts to obtain public records.

In October, McClatchy first reported that all agencies under the auspices of the Governors Office had switched in 2021 to a seven-day retention policy for messages exchanged on the Microsoft Teams platform. This means that any messages not intentionally saved by staff members are automatically permanently deleted after seven days.

A spokesperson for the governor told the news outlet at the time that all agencies are encouraged not to use the platform for work-related messages, and if employees do use Teams for non-transitory communication, it is to be preserved by individual staffers to abide by Washingtons Public Records Act.

One of the questions: If the communications are automatically permanently deleted, how will public records officials know if the messages contained substantive content that should have been preserved?

In August 2023, McClatchy filed requests to see if agencies were properly keeping work-related messages by requesting a weeks worth of Teams messages from various agencies under the governors office. Two agencies told the news outlet it would cost more than $500 for them to provide a weeks worth of Teams messages.

Records provided later to the news outlet from August showed that the reason for the high charges may be due to public records officer Pamela Potwin at the Department of Agriculture encouraging other governors agency records officials to charge the reporter for the documents, and comparing the reporter to a requester in Seattle who was considered a nuisance to officials due to their requests for public records.

Remember we have a former frequent flyer [sic] requestor, known to harass the City of Seattle and the SPD in particular, for that addition and the bot section to the PRA. If all else fails, get that payment invoice ready.

Subsequent records requests showed that the message was later deleted by Potwin. When McClatchy questioned the agency about the message, Amber Betts, a public information officer said the comment was not malicious.

It was simply meant to help agency staff struggling with a request for potentially a large volume of records, Betts said.

In a Teams chat after the request for records was submitted to one agency, public records officials can be seen discussing how they should charge the reporter for the full amount instead of offering a 10% deposit to start the production of records.

I dont think they will pay, I just didnt want us to have to review and produce that many records by February, said one of the public records officials in the thread.

According to Washington state law, removing, altering, mutilating, destroying, concealing, or obliterating public records and documents is a class C felony, punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine up to $1,000.

If an employee acts inappropriately or violates an agency policy, we expect agencies to take appropriate disciplinary action, said Jaime Smith, executive director of communications for Gov. Jay Inslees Office. And, of course, employees who violate a law should similarly be held accountable.

Other concerns about Teams messages

The deletion of those records is one part of a larger lawsuit recently filed in Thurston County Superior Court against the state and several governors agencies by open government advocate Jamie Nixon over the seven-day retention policy for Teams messages.

The lawsuit seeks, among other things, a determination that respondents automated destruction of public records from chat platforms violates retention standards for public records and state statute and a determination that respondent has been automatically destroying public records sought in response to his public records requests.

The lawsuit also seeks judicial intervention to stop the automated destruction of records because it claims that state officials like the Attorney General and Governor have failed to protect public records from automated destruction and have facilitated the destruction in violation of their duties.

When asked if the governor was privy to conversations about the seven-day retention policy or if he was aware that potentially hundreds or thousands of non-transitory messages have been deleted weekly because of the policy, Smith told McClatchy that the governor was not involved in the process.

He is aware that agencies faced limitations with the provider of the Teams platform. The governor expects all our agencies to comply with retention policies, Smith said. The Teams platform is intended for transitory messages only, and if an employee inadvertently uses it for non-transitory purposes they must retain the message.

The seven-day retention policy appears to go against model rules laid out in a Washington Administrative Code that notes that because different kinds of records must be retained for different periods of time, an agency is prohibited from automatically deleting all emails after a short period of time (such as 30 days).

Indiscriminate automatic deletion of all emails or other public records after a short period, no matter what their content, may prevent an agency from complying with its retention duties and could complicate performance of its duties under the Public Records Act, according to the WAC.

The Attorney Generals Office crafted those rules in 2006 under former AG Rob McKenna, and won an award for it from the Washington Coalition for Open Government.

Brionna Aho, communications director for the AGs Office, acknowledged that the agency crafted those rules but noted that agencies are not required to adopt the model rules.

Records also show there were concerns with the seven-day retention policy before it was implemented by WaTech, an agency known as the consolidated technology services agency for state agencies.

Internally there were also concerns at various agencies after McClatchy began to ask questions about the seven-day retention policy.

Its happened: A Public Disclosure Request for ALL CHATS throughout the agency read one email subject line.

The response consisted of more than 40,000 threads. All unredacted; no exemptions. Its done, the email said.

One agency shut down their Teams messages temporarily as they figured out a way to retain Teams messages for a longer period of time.

In an email to McClatchy, Washington Department of Corrections spokesperson Chris Wright confirmed that the agency stopped using Teams in late 2023 through earlier this year.

As the result of litigation, DOC did suspend the use of Teams Chat for several months while transitioning from the seven-day retention period to the current 30 days, Wright said. DOC is committed to transparency and has worked to educate staff on the appropriate use of Teams Chat and limit its use to brief, transitory messages.

While agencies now have the ability to determine their own retention schedules for Teams messages, it is unclear at this time how many are still using the seven-day retention policy.

Microsoft did not respond to specific Teams questions from McClatchy.
More than seven years after a racially charged melee and police shooting left a man dead in Mount Greenwood, a proposed settlement was reached last week between the city and the mans family, court records show.

The settlement agreement between the city and the estate of Joshua Beal was announced last Friday, just days before the civil trial was set to commence at the Richard J. Daley Center. The terms were not known Monday, and a spokesperson for the citys Law Department declined to comment. An attorney for Beals estate could not be reached.

The shooting occurred on West 111th Street on an unseasonably warm weekend afternoon in early November 2016  just days before the presidential election  after Beal, of Indianapolis, and members of his family had left a funeral nearby.

The eruption of gunfire in the Far Southwest Side neighborhood prompted several protests by local Black Lives Matter demonstrators, who were met with racial hostility and derision by residents of Mount Greenwood.

On Nov. 6, 2016, Beal and his family were traveling west on 111th Street after attending a funeral at Mount Hope Cemetery. Moments later, off-duty Chicago police Officer Joseph Treacy became involved in a road-rage incident with members of Beals family, who were going to visit an ailing relative in the hospital.

Beals family alleged that Treacy was screaming racial obscenities at Beal and at other funeral attendees prior to the shooting.

Treacy, who denied using any racial epithets, soon separated from the group and the convoy eventually came to a stop outside the Chicago Fire Department firehouse at 111th and Troy. Two vehicles carrying Beal and other family members had stopped in the firehouses apron, and an off-duty CFD recruit stopped his vehicle to tell them to move out of the way.

That recruit, Ryne Kinsella, allegedly screamed more racial epithets at the group, and members of Beals family soon physically attacked Kinsella in the middle of 111th Street, leaving him with bloody wounds on his face and neck. Treacy  no longer a CPD officer  saw the attack on Kinsella and exited his vehicle with his gun drawn.

Plaintiffs family responded to Kinsellas verbal statements, including any racial epithet, by descending upon, attacking, and battering him for about 10 seconds, the attorney for Kinsellas estate wrote in a recent court filing. About forty seconds later, after the physical attack on Kinsella concluded, decedent Beal (not Kinsella) ended the chain of events by starting a new assault on Treacy by criminally racking, raising, and pointing his firearm at him, after Treacy holstered his gun and posed no threat.

Video of the shooting previously released by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability shows Treacy also holding his badge while announcing his office as he came to Kinsellas aid. A woman who witnessed the fight called 911 as she stood on a nearby sidewalk, and she was also attacked by members of Beals family.

Another off-duty CPD officer, Sgt. Thomas Derouin, was driving to work at the Morgan Park District station when he, too, happened upon the brawl. Treacy then holstered his weapon.

Moments later, Beal retrieved his own gun from inside his car and pointed it at the officers. Treacy and Derouin both opened fire, killing Beal. Video footage shows Kinsella attempting CPR on Beal after he was shot.

COPA eventually found the shooting to be within CPD policy, writing:

COPA recognizes the racially charged and tense nature surrounding the tragic events. Video evidence captured Officer Treacy announcing he was a police officer after a Chicago Fire Department member was being beaten by several members of the group, the agency found. Officer Treacy initially responded (by) lowering and raising his weapon consistent with the advancement and de-escalation of the crowd. Video evidence does also display a raised weapon in the hand of Joshua Beal prior to the officers discharging their firearms.

Treacy was later suspended for 90 days for failing to register a gun with CPD.
Lead investigator reads his unprofessional & regrettable texts on stand in Karen Read murder trial

An explosive day in the Karen Read murder trial Monday after a Massachusetts State Police trooper was in the hot seat over his personal text messages about the case.

I dont need hyperbole: Judge calls out Karen Reads attorney during motion hearing

Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in this case, was finally called to the stand, where he had a lot of explaining to do, as his personal text messages about Karen Read were revealed.

What did you write after you talked about going through [Reads phone]? Defense Attorney Alan Jackson asked Proctor.

No nudes so far, Proctor replied.

Jackson asks Proctor to read off texts to superior:

MP: No nudes so far

AJ: No nudes so far, correct?

MP: Correct

AJ: And you said that to your bosses?



Proctor: As I said Mr Jackson, its an inappropriate joke.  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 10, 2024

Jackson grilled Proctor about messages to friends, family, and his supervisors regarding the case.

Alan Jackson: Whos the [expletive] client?

Michael Proctor: I was referring to Ms. Read, again, unprofessional language .

Alan Jackson: Im asking you who you were referring to. I dont need an explanation.

Proctor apologized multiple times and told the jury his texts did not impact the investigation.

The rest of the unprofessional and regrettable comments are something Im not proud of, Proctor said.

Outside of court, Karen Read had this to say about the texts:

I would like for the state police to say something about the language they heard.

It was the prosecution that first introduced the texts to the jury. Proctor did not read off any texts that would indicate cover-up.

Defense Attorney David Yannetti also spoke about Proctors texts including one where Proctor says he hates Yannetti.

They clearly show his hatred and bias for Karen and his defense team, Yannetti said. Theres no benefit of him putting in writing to his bosses what exactly hes doing so I think thats of no consequences.

Karen Read murder trial: Everything you need to know

Trooper Proctor texted his friends that he believed Karen Read hit and killed John OKeefe. Proctor is already facing a State Police internal affairs investigation for his texts.

He is expected to be back on the stand Wednesday, when the trial resumes.

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Leader of Germany's Greens says no plans to upend Scholz's coalition

Alliance 90/The Greens Federal Chairman Omid Nouripour speaks at a press conference. The party lost a massive amount of votes in the 2024 European elections. Hannes P. Albert/dpa

A poor showing by Germany's Greens in the European Parliament elections has not prompted doubts about the party's coalition with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, according to co-leader Omid Nouripour on Monday.

"There is no need for a vote of confidence," Nouripour said.

He said that the Greens will stick with the four-year coalition agreement struck in 2021 with Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP).

The Greens got 11.9% of the vote, down from 20.5% in the last European Parliament election in 2019.

Nouripour said strong support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) - which came second with 15.9% of the vote - showed that the government needs to offer practical solutions for problems, including in ongoing negotiations over the 2025 budget.

SPD leader Lars Klingbeil and FDP leader Christian Lindner had each articulated red lines for the budget talks in remarks after polls closed on Sunday evening.

Nouripour said on Monday that the Greens have a "very, very clear and firm position" in the budget negotiations.

Terry Reintke (C), the Greens' lead candidate for the 2024 European elections, and party's national chairwomen Ricarda Lang (R) and Omid Nouripour speak at a press conference. The party lost a massive amount of votes in the 2024 European elections. Hannes P. Albert/dpa
At least 1 killed, four injured in widescale Russian attacks on Ukraine's east, south

Russian aerial bombardment across eastern and southern Ukraine on Sunday and overnight killed at least one person and injured four, authorities said. File photo by Sergey Koslov/EPA-EFE

June 10 (UPI) -- Russian airborne strikes across eastern and southern Ukraine killed at least one person and injured four, authorities said.

A civilian was killed in the town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region, west of Bakhmut, Gov. Vadym Filashkin wrote in a social media post Monday in which he said the death brought the number of civilians killed in the province to 1,994 with another 4,999 injured.

A woman was injured in an attack early Monday on Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi on the banks of the Oskil River in Kharkiv province in the northeast.

In Nikopol in Denipro province, a 44-year-old woman was injured while attacks in the 24 hours from Sunday morning to Monday morning on the city of Kherson in the southwest of the country and 10 surrounding communities injured two people, according to regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin.

Chernihiv, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia provinces were also targeted -- but no deaths or injuries were reported.

The attacks came as Ukraine mounted a drone attack 365 miles inside Russian territory, claiming to have destroyed a Su-57 stealth fighter on the ground, the first time Ukrainian forces have successfully attacked one of the advanced aircraft.

"The defeat of the Su-57 is the first such case in history" in the attack on Akhtubinsk airfield in the Astrakhan region near the Caspian Sea, said Ukraine's GUR military intelligence in a news release.

The GUR provided before and after satellite images of the airfield as evidence of the success of the strike.

At a global security summit in Paris on Friday, President Joe Biden re-committed the United States in its support for Ukraine in its military struggle against Russia after costly delays in sending badly needed arms shipments due to political wrangling on Capitol Hill.

Announcing a new $225 million aid package, Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United States "is going to stand with you."

We are still in, completely," Biden said.

Biden followed up during his state visit with French President Emmanuel Macron at the weekend with a stark warning of what would happen if Russian President Vladimir Putin was successful in his military campaign in Ukraine.

"Putin is not going to stop at Ukraine. All of Europe will be threatened. We are not going to let that happen.

"The United States is standing strong with Ukraine. We're standing with our allies," Biden said.

"We are standing with France," he added.
At least 9 killed in attack on bus carrying Indian pilgrims in Kashmir

New Delhi  An attack by unidentified militants in the Indian-controlled portion of the restive Himalayan region of Kashmir left nine people dead and 33 others injured Sunday, police said. Suspected terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims, making the driver lose control and sending the bus plunging into a gorge in the mountainous region, district police said.

The bus was on its way to the famous Hindu shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, in the Katra region, when it came under fire on a mountain road.

Videos posted online and aired by Indian media showed bodies lying on a rocky slope running down one side of the highway.

A wounded survivor of a militant attack on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in Reasi town, Indian-controlled Kashmir, arrives at a hospital in Jammu, June 10, 2024. / Credit: AFP/Getty

Police and paramilitary forces had wrapped up search and rescue operations by Monday, but the hunt for the attackers continued.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the district police said militants had "ambushed the bus."

"Around 6 p.m., militants fired upon the bus," Mohita Sharma, Senior Superintendent of Police for the Jammu and Kashmir region's Reasi district, told media. "The driver lost control, resulting in the bus going down into the gorge."

She said at least two militants were believed to have fled after the attack and that a manhunt was underway.

Indian army personnel look on during a search operation in Reasi, in Indian-controlled Kashmir, June 10, 2024, after police said gunmen ambushed a bus packed with Hindu pilgrims. / Credit: AFP/Getty

Indian officials said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was sworn in for his third consecutive term in office just hours before the attack, had taken "stock of the situation" and asked for the best medical care for those injured. The election campaign was marked by Hindu-Muslim sectarian divisions that opponents of Modi's Hindu nationalist BJP party accused him of exploiting for political gain.

Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition Indian National Congress, described the attack as "saddening" and "shameful" and said it highlighted the "true picture of the worrying security situation in Jammu and Kashmir."

An armed conflict between Pakistan-backed Muslim militant groups and Indian military forces has simmered for more than 60 years in Kashmir, with regular small-scale violence and occasional flare-ups that have left tens of thousands of people dead.

Nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan have fought two wars over the predominantly Muslim Kashmir region. While administration of the area is divided between the countries, they both claim full ownership.

Eight pilgrims were killed and 19 injured in a similar attack in the region in 2017, when militants attacked a bus carrying them back from the famous Amarnath Cave Temple in south Kashmir.

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Jury deliberations resume in Hunter Biden's gun trial

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Seated in front of a computer at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Donald Trump will be asked to explain, politely, why he is a man who can be trusted.

The former president has been judged by a jury of his peers, being found guilty of 34 felonies. It is now time, in the eyes of the New York criminal justice system, to devise a fitting punishment. Accordingly, a probation officer on Monday will ask Trump, via video conference, whether he accepts responsibility for his crimes; they will assess his finances (and his mental health); they will consider his family life and ties to community; and they will want to know whether the presumptive Republican nominee continues to associate with criminals.

The list of past and present members of Trumps inner circle who have been found guilty of serious crimes is long and growing. Just this year, two of his former White House aides, Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon, were sentenced to prison for defying congressional subpoenas. Allen Weisselberg, former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization, is currently on Rikers Island. Paul Manafort, Trumps 2016 campaign manager, and MAGA dirty-tricks specialist Roger Stone each received multi-year prison sentences only to be freed by Trump pardons.

"[Former] President Trump has surrounded himself with a bunch of killers who work every day to help him win," as Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung put it to Axios in March. If thats still the case come July 11, when Trump is due to be sentenced by Judge Juan Merchan in his hush-money case, that could be a serious problem

Theres nothing wrong with his telling the probation office, I didnt do anything wrong, and Im not admitting guilt, and Im planning on appealing, Andrew Weissmann, a former federal prosecutor, told MSNBC. Every defendant has a right to do that.

More difficult, Weissmann said, will be the question about whether Trumps still associating with criminals.

Hes going to have to discuss whether he still coordinates with Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Steve Bannon. Remember, all those people have been found guilty by a jury and are felons themselves, Weissmann noted.

In March, CNN reported that Manafort was in discussions with Trumps campaign team about a possible role going forward. But last month, citing the media and its desire to use me as a distraction, Manafort said that he would not be doing any formal campaign work but helping from the sidelines every other way I can.

But as for Stone, hes been a frequent presence at Mar-a-Lago lately, Axios reported in March, noting that he attended Trumps victory party there on Super Tuesday.

Going forward, such a celebration could land Trump behind bars himself.

Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney who teaches law at the University of Michigan, told MSNBC that the terms of probation that Trump will likely have to comply with may prove difficult. A prohibition on associating with other convicted felons, typical in cases of other offenders, would in particular be challenging for him.

But if hes not willing to comply with those kind of conditions, his alternative is prison, McQuade said. Given his other legal troubles, and his repeated contempt violations in the hush money case, its possible hes headed that way regardless. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg would at least be justified in requesting it, according to McQuade.

I think in light of the way that Donald Trump violated the gag order in this case and his continued lack of remorse in this case, she said, [it] would lean heavily in favor of requesting at least some prison time.
Who is Leonard Peltier? The Native American activist facing his first parole hearing in 15 years

Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist controversially convicted in 1977 of murdering two FBI agents, is slated to receive his first parole hearing in 15 years Monday.

Peltier, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, became involved in the American Indian Movement (AIM) in the 1970s and was one of several demonstrators who traveled to South Dakotas Pine Ridge Reservation in 1975 during the controversial tribal chairmanship of Richard Wilson.

Wilsons critics in the AIM denounced him as an authoritarian and a factotum for the federal government, and tensions on the reservation had already led to the 71-day occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973.

On June 26, FBI agents Ronald Arthur Williams and Jack Ross Coler drove onto the reservation following a truck carrying Peltier and two of his fellow protesters.

A confrontation erupted among the agents, the activists and the family on whose ranch the AIM members were camped. This was followed by a firefight involving more than 40 people, during which Williams and Coler were killed.

A third man, AIM activist Joe Stuntz, was killed by a Bureau of Indian Affairs agent sniper later that day. Dozens of people were present at the scene of the firefight, but the only people ever charged were Peltier and two other AIM demonstrators, both of whom were acquitted on the basis of self-defense in separate trials.

Peltier was extradited from Canada in 1977 and sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment.

His trial has remained controversial due to discrepancies in the prosecution. Specifically, advocates for his release have pointed to the prosecutions eyewitness Myrtle Poor Bear, who testified that she was Peltiers girlfriend at the time of the shooting and witnessed him kill both agents. Poor Bear later recanted her testimony, which she said was coerced by the FBI, and said she did not know Peltier.

A federal appeals court in 1978, while upholding the conviction, called the use of affidavits from Poor Bear to extradite Peltier a clear abuse of the investigative process.

Peltier has maintained his innocence throughout his incarceration, and his attorneys have emphasized both his age, 79, and numerous health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension and a partial stroke that cost him his vision in one eye.

Advocates for his parole or release have included Pope Francis, Amnesty International, the late Mother Teresa and Coretta Scott King, as well as current Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.).

The FBI, meanwhile, has vocally opposed parole or clemency for Peltier. In a statement before the parole board in 2009, Thomas J. Harrington, then-executive assistant director for the FBIs criminal, cyber, response and services branch, accused Peltier of an intentional and vicious attack and said lenience would signal disregard and disrespect to the law enforcement community as a whole.

Current FBI Director Christopher Wray wrote in 2022 to oppose Peltiers petition for commutation of his sentence, calling him a remorseless killer.

The FBI Agents Association, a nonprofit professional organization for bureau personnel, also continues to oppose Peltiers release, saying in a letter to the parole board that Peltiers age and celebrity status among activists do not change the clear truth  Leonard Pelter is not an appropriate candidate for release under the U.S. Parole Commissions rules and procedures. The aggravated nature of Peltiers offense, his behavior while incarcerated, and the fact that he has refused to take responsibility for his crimes mean that any early release of Peltier would only promote disrespect for the law and law enforcement officers.

Peltier was denied parole in 2009 after he refused to admit to the killings as a condition, and then-President Obama denied a petition for clemency two days before leaving office in 2017.

Despite the FBIs consistent opposition to his parole, however, both Gerald Heaney, the judge who presided over Peltiers trial, and U.S. Attorney James Reynolds, whose office handled the prosecution, have eventually called for his release.

Peltiers age and health means Monday could be his last chance at parole, and unless President Biden makes the decision to offer him clemency or a commutation, his last chance at freedom.

In October, 33 members of Congress, led by House Natural Resources Committee ranking member Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), called on Biden to grant clemency.

We applaud your commitment to criminal justice reform and your administrations work to address inequities in the criminal justice system and rectify the past wrongs of our governments treatment of Native Americans, they wrote. We urge you to take the next step by granting Mr. Peltier executive clemency or compassionate release.

Updated at 3:03 p.m.

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(Bloomberg) -- The Liberal Democrats pledged to tax the rich, frequent fliers and banks to fund a 9.8 billion ($12.5 billion) package for social care and the National Health Service, as the centrist party tries to take seats from Rishi Sunaks Conservatives to influence the next government after July 4.

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Capital gains tax and air passenger duty will be reformed to hit the wealthy and business travelers and reduce costs for lower earners and holidaying families, according to the partys manifesto published on Monday. The Liberal Democrats also reiterated their long standing policy to try to rejoin the European Union single market to boost trade and growth.

Though its unlikely the traditional third party in British politics will be able to implement their idea  the latest polls put them in fourth behind Labour, the Conservatives and Reform  they could win enough seats to influence who forms the next government if the election is as close as it was in 2010 and 2017.

More broadly, Davey will hope to shape the campaign debates by putting the issue of social care  close to a so-called third rail in British politics  front and center. The Liberal Democrat leader has built his campaign around attention-grabbing stunts combined with poignant videos about caring for his disabled son, while highlighting the wider breakdown in the care sector.

How the Conservative party has treated our NHS is a national scandal, said Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey. By ending the health and social care crisis, we can boost our economy by getting people back to work whilst giving people the dignity they deserve in their hour of need.

Banks, oil producers and tech giants face higher taxes as the party plans to raise a total of 26.9 billion a year by 2028-29 to pay for an equivalent increase in spending on health, education, defense and international aid. A further 19.7 billion a year will be borrowed for investment, mostly on tackling climate change and building 150,000 social homes a year, the party said.

The Liberal Democrats said its plans are fully costed and meet two fiscal rules, that day-to-day spending is covered by revenues and that debt is falling as a share of GDP in five years time. Those rules are the same as the poll-leading Labour Partys.

The party also said it will repair the UKs broken relationship with the EU and seek to rejoin its single market, with recent polls show a majority of Britons believe it was wrong to leave to leave the bloc.

The Liberal Democrats have long advocated higher taxes on banks and oil firms, but its plan to reform to capital gains tax and air passenger duty are new.

Under the partys plans, people who make up to 50,000 a year in capital gains would be better off because the tax free element would be lifted to 5,000 from 3,000, and an inflation allowance would be introduced. Above 50,000, however, the tax rate would rise to 40% from 20%. Those making over 100,000 a year from capital gains would be taxed at 45%.

The party said the changes would leave the vast majority of earners better off, but that the measure would raise 5.2 billion from the top 0.1%.

A similar sliding scale would be introduced for air passenger duty. Taking one international return flight a year would incur no duty under the reforms. Only people flying more than three times a year would face higher costs, while private jets would incur a super-tax. The policy would raise 3.6 billion a year.

The party would also increase funding for the tax by 1 billion, to help it recover a net 7.2 billion from tax avoidance.

Banks face a 4.25 billion increase in levies, according to the manifesto.

After a series of eye-catching by-election wins during the last Parliament, the Liberal Democrats are hoping to make further gains by picking off voters from the Tories in the so-called Blue Wall, a band of about 50 Conservative seats in the south and east of England that opposed Britain leaving the European Union and have demographics that are increasingly young and liberal.

The party has endured a roller-coaster ride in recent elections. In 2010, the Liberal Democrats formed a coalition government with the Tories when then-Conservative leader David Cameron failed to secure an outright majority. But they were punished by the electorate in 2015, and the recovery had been long and slow until dissatisfaction with the Tories provided an opening.

Daveys argument is that the state needs more money to tackle the crisis in the NHS and social care. He said the partys plan would include boosting cancer survival rates, giving everyone the right to see a general practitioner within seven days and a 10-year capital investment plan for hospitals.

We can save our NHS, we can fix the care crisis, we can give people a fair deal, Davey said at the manifesto launch. Caring has been in the shadows for far too long, and Im proud that as a party we have brought it into the light.

Meanwhile Sunaks Tories are due to launch their manifesto on Tuesday, and the party promised over the weekend to cut 12 billion from welfare payments, potentially giving it room for cuts to personal, property or inheritance taxes.

Labour is due to publish its manifesto on Thursday, though the party has indicated its unlikely to contain any major surprises. The party has pledged not to increase income taxes, national insurance or value-added tax, but is facing questions about how it would fund Britains crumbing public services.

(Updates with more manifesto pledges from second paragraph.)

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DAR ES SALAAM, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said Monday that it has secured 6,000 biometric voter registration (BVR) kits for updating the permanent voters' register ahead of the 2025 general elections slated for October 2025.

INEC Chairperson Jacobs Mwambegele said the official update of the permanent voters' register will be launched on July 1 in the Kigoma region, western Tanzania.

Mwambegele made the remarks during a meeting of INEC officials held in the port city of Dar es Salaam to seek stakeholders' views on the issue.

"The newly secured BVR kits are portable and they will be easily used in rural areas for updating the permanent voters' register," he said.

During the 2025 general elections, the voters will choose members of parliament and the president of Tanzania. 
A circuit court judge who represented a local affiliate of Planned Parenthood announced on Monday that shes launching a bid for a vacant seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which is up for grabs next year.

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford is vying for outgoing liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradleys seat on the states high court. Bradley announced in April that she wouldnt seek reelection in 2025, which will leave the Wisconsin Supreme Court at an even 6-6 partisan split.

I am running for Supreme Court justice to protect the basic rights and freedoms of Wisconsinites under our constitution. Those rights are threatened by an all-out effort to politicize the court to drive a right-wing agenda  I believe Wisconsin deserves better, Crawford said in a press release shared by the news outlet Wispolitics.com.

As a former prosecutor and a judge, I know we need Supreme Court justices who understand what it takes to keep communities safe, who are impartial and fair, who will use common sense, and who wont politicize the constitution to undermine our most basic rights, she continued. For the first time in years, we have a majority on the court focused on getting the facts right, following the law, and protecting our constitutional rights. We cant risk having that progress reversed.

Crawfords resume includes serving as assistant attorney general at the Wisconsin Department of Justice, serving as a chief legal counsel to the Wisconsin governor and working at several state agencies. Crawfords website also notes that she represented Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin when she was in private practice.

Though Wisconsin Supreme Court races are technically nonpartisan, the judicial races have turned increasingly political. Liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz won a vacant seat on the states high court last year, notably calling the states election maps rigged and expressing her support for abortion access.

That 2023 race marked the first time in 15 years that the Wisconsin Supreme Court held a liberal majority, and it saw tens of millions of dollars in spending.

Former state Attorney General Brad Schimel (R), now a circuit judge in Waukesha County, is also running for Bradleys seat in 2025.

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This photo provided by Susan Crawford for Wisconsin, Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford, a former attorney for a Democratic governor, entered the race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, with majority control of the battleground state's highest court on the line, on Monday, June 10, 2024, in Madison, Wis. (Maddy Pritzl/Susan Crawford for Wisconsin via AP)

MADISON, Wis. (AP)  A liberal judge who previously represented Planned Parenthood in a case related to abortion access entered the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court on Monday, with majority control of the battleground state's highest court on the line.

Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford launched her campaign to succeed retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, citing her previous work for Planned Parenthood as the fight over a Wisconsin abortion ban is playing out in court.

Crawford joins conservative Waukesha County Circuit Judge Brad Schimel, a former Republican state attorney general who opposes abortion, as the only announced candidates. If more than two candidates get in the race, a Feb. 18 primary will take place. The winner in the April 1 election will be elected to a 10-year term.

Crawford, in a statement, framed the race as a battle for ideological control of the court.

For the first time in years, we have a majority on the court focused on getting the facts right, following the law, and protecting our constitutional rights, Crawford said. "We cant risk having that progress reversed.

Crawford vowed to protect the basic rights and freedoms of Wisconsinites under our constitution, which she said were threatened by an all-out effort to politicize the court to drive a right-wing agenda.

Crawford also pitched herself as tough-on-crime, highlighting her past work as an assistant attorney general. Past liberal candidates who have won election to the court have made similar arguments.

I know we need Supreme Court justices who understand what it takes to keep communities safe, who are impartial and fair, who will use common sense, and who wont politicize the constitution to undermine our most basic rights, Crawford said.

Crawford's campaign announcement also took a swipe at Schimel, labeling him a right-wing extremist because of his support for enforcing Wisconsin's 1849 abortion ban. That ban is on hold while two challenges to the 175-year-old state law are pending before the state Supreme Court.

Schimel accused Crawford of being handpicked by the leftist majority on the Supreme Court to cement their stranglehold for another three years.

Ive spent my career defending and upholding Wisconsin law and shes spent much of hers suing the State of Wisconsin, Schimel said in a statement. "While I was a frontline prosecutor in the courtroom defending crime victims and putting criminals behind bars, she was working for radical left-wing special interests groups that dont share our values.

The April 1 election will determine who replaces Bradley, who is part of the 4-3 liberal majority and the longest-serving justice on the court. The election will also determine whether liberals will maintain majority control until at least 2028, the next time a liberal justice is up for election.

Crawford was elected as a judge in 2018 and won reelection to a second term in April. She started her career as a prosecutor for the state attorney general's office and worked as chief legal counsel to former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. As a private practice attorney, she fought Republican laws that limited access to abortion, effectively ended collective bargaining for public workers and required photo ID to vote.

Liberals took majority control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in August 2023 thanks to Janet Protasiewiczs victory, flipping the court after 15 years of conservative control.

The court has made several key rulings since, including a December decision overturning Republican-drawn maps of the states legislative districts. Abortion was also a key issue in Protasiewicz's race.
Senator Lindsey Graham made the comparison between members of his own party who oppose further military aid to Ukraine and the European leaders of the 1930s who pursued a policy of appeasement with Adolf Hitler on Sunday.

Graham was speaking on CBSs Face the Nation when he made the remark, which was likely to rile up far-right members of his party in the House and Senate who voted against that assistance when it passed both chambers in the national security supplemental legislation passed in April. The bill was not likely to be the last package of assistance to Ukraine to come before Congress, and such legislation is currently relying on a fragile alliance of Democrats and neoconservative Republicans in both chambers.

These are the most dangerous times since the 30s. Dont make the mistakes of the 30s, Graham said on Sunday. He used the same comparison to describe the question of further military aid to Israel in its effort to fully eradicate Hamas. Israel is facing international condemnation for the scope of its military assault on Gaza and the scale of the civilian death toll there.

Pull the plug on [aid to] Israel? That didnt work in World War II, its not going to work now, he said.

While Grahams argument was impassioned, theres little reason to think that aid to Ukraine would continue with such frequency, if at all, under a Republican administration in 2025.

Donald Trumps most vocal allies in the GOP congressional caucuses, such as Tuberville and JD Vance in the Senate and Marjorie Taylor Greene in the House, are also the biggest opponents of further aid to Ukraine. While the ex-president has not said one way or the other whether aid would continue under a Trump second term, the ex-president would face little pressure from the MAGA-aligned sectors of Congress to take action.

President Joe Biden continues to tout his stewardship of the US reponse to the invasion of Ukraine, given his bases support for a US-backed defence of the eastern European country. The incumbent presidents policy of arms and munition transfers has also been supported by top brass including General Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

"If Ukraine loses and Putin wins, I think you would be certainly increasing, if not doubling, your defense budget in the years ahead, Milley, now retired, told CBS in 2023.

Senator Tommy Tuberville has opposed US support for Ukraine as it fights back against a brutal Russian invasion (REUTERS)

"And you will increase the probability of a great power war in the next 10 to 15 years, he continued. I think it would be a very dangerous situation" if the Russian leader's invading forces were allowed to win.

Trump himself was notable for his friendly demeanor towards Russias Vladimir Putin, who is accused of organising the assassination of his political enemies, during his time in the White House. At one famous 2018 press conference alongside the Russian president in Helsinki, he questioned the assessment of the US intelligence community on Russian election interference efforts while lavishing praise on his Russian counterpart.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Zephen Xaver, the man who killed five women at a Sebring bank, will learn whether hell spend life in prison or be sentenced to death in the coming weeks.

Xaver pled guilty last year to five counts of first-degree murder for shooting and killing the women at a Suntrust Bank in 2019.

Even after years of delays, the victims families will still have to wait for closure. The sentencing trial is expected to last until the end of June.

Under a new Florida law, the jury does not have to reach a unanimous decision to sentence Xaver to death. The jurys vote only has to be 8-4 in favor of execution.

Defense attorneys are expected to request leniency from the jury, citing Xavers history of mental illness.

Zephen Xaver appears at his sentencing trial

Xavers victims included customer Cynthia Watson, 65, who had been married less than a month; bank teller coordinator Marisol Lopez, 55, who was a mother of two; banker trainee Ana Pinon-Williams, a 38-year-old mother of seven; bank teller Debra Cook, a 54-year-old mother of two and a grandmother; and banker Jessica Montague, 31, a mother of one and stepmother of four.

Xaver moved to Sebring in 2018 from near South Bend, Indiana. In 2014, his high school principal contacted police after Xaver told others he was having dreams about hurting his classmates. His mother promised to get him psychological help.

I just killed five people.

In the courtroom, Kristen Johnson, the 911 operator who fielded a call from Xaver after the murders, took the stand. Jurors heard the full 44-minute audio recording, listening as Johnson tried to keep Xaver calm while he discussed the killings and threatened suicide.

Xaver called 911 from a back room inside the bank and refused to open any doors for law enforcement. He clung to the 9 mm handgun, purchased shortly before the murders, throughout the phone call.

He said keeping the gun to his head kept the voices quiet.

Kristen Johnson, the 911 operator who fielded a call from Xaver during the bank standoff, takes the stand at his sentencing trial

I just killed five people, Xaver told Johnson. I didnt think I could do it.

He calmly answered Johnsons questions, stating that he killed the women because he felt like (he) could. He described where the victims, some still breathing, were located before saying he wanted to turn the gun on himself.

Xaver revealed that he quit his job with the Florida Department of Corrections two weeks before the shootings. He purchased the handgun at around the same time.

The voices told me to kill the inmates, Johnson said. He said those same voices, which hes heard since he was 11 years old, told him to kill the bank shooting victims.

Despite his psychological problems and dismissal from the Army in 2016, Florida hired Xaver as a guard trainee in November 2018 at a prison near Sebring. A former girlfriend, who met him at a mental hospital, told police he said joining the military was a way to kill people and get away with it. He was discharged after three months.

Watch for me on the news.

About five hours before the murders, Xaver began a long, intermittent text message conversation with a girlfriend in Connecticut, telling her this is the best day of my life but refusing to say why.

Fifteen minutes before the shootings, he texted her, Im dying today. Then from the bank parking lot he texted, Im taking a few people with me because Ive always wanted to kill people so I am going to try it and see how it goes. Watch for me on the news.

FILE  A Highlands County Sheriffs SWAT vehicle is stationed out in front of a SunTrust Bank branch, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Sebring, Fla., where authorities say five people were shot and killed. (AP Photo/Chris OMeara, File)

He then entered the bank, a sweatshirt covering his vest. Security video shows him smiling as he approaches Lopez, according to police reports. They briefly speak, before he pulls his gun and points it at her and the other women. He orders them against the wall before telling Lopez to lock the doors.

When she returns, he orders the women onto the floor face down. After shooting them, he calls police on his cellphone.

He had been in the bank less than four minutes.

Police spoke with Xaver for about an hour before a SWAT team broke into the bank. He surrendered a short time later and confessed in a taped interview with detectives. That statement has not been released, but will be played at the trial along with the security video.

Shortly after the shooting, the bank was torn down. The site is now a park with a memorial to the victims.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A service club organization is celebrating and honoring El Paso members for their dedication to their community.

The El Paso Five Points Lions Clubs 80th Annual Installation and Award Banquet will take place on Monday, June 10 in celebration of the achievements the club members have done for the 2023-2024 year.

El Paso Five Points Lions Club is a community service organization that assist key community issues through various service projects and initiatives, according to the news release by the club.

According to the organization, the El Paso Five Points Lions Club was established in 1945.

The club is a sub-part of Lions International, with over 1.4 million members worldwide, according to the El Paso Five Points Lions Club.

According to the clubs banquet program, the organization has raised over $19,000 for various local community projects and initiatives.

For more information of the El Paso Five Points Lions Club, visit their website here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Donald Trump is currently selecting his Vice President for the upcoming election, with potential candidates consisting of Republican Senators Tim Scott, Doug Burgum, J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio. Additionally, Ben Carson is also on the list. Last month, Donald Trump became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes and is currently awaiting sentencing. With everything that is going on with Trump, heres a look at how hes gone from bad to worse over the years.

Refusing To Rent To Black People

Photo: Bettmann Archive (Getty Images)

In 1973, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the Trump Management Corporation for failing to follow the Fair Housing Act. There was evidence discovered by federal officials that showed he refused to rent apartments to Black people. Ultimately, he signed an agreement that stipulated he would not discriminate to renters of color without admitting to his history of discriminatory behavior.



Going After Central Park 5

Photo: InStyle

In 1989, the Central Park 5consisting of 4 Black teens and one Latino teenwere accused of attacking and raping a white woman in New York City. Trump took out ads in newspapers that read: BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY. BRING BACK OUR POLICE! The teenagers later had their convictions overturned, but Trump never apologized for his heinous actions.



Racism At Trump Plaza Hotel And Casino

Photo: Hotel.Info

In the early 1990s, Trump was accused of being racist toward Black people by the former president of Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino John ODonnell. In addition, the Casino paid a $200k fine in 1992 after transferring Black people and non-Black women dealers off tables at the request of a patron.



More Racist Newspaper Ads

Photo: The New York Times

In 2000, Trump yet again ran a series of newspaper ads when St. Regis Mohawk tribe considered opening a casino that would be in direct competition with his. The ads stated that the tribe had a record of criminal activity that was well known. He also said their dark skin was proof that their ancestry was fake.



Attempt To Segregate The Apprentice

Photo: CNN

Trumps reality show The Apprentice was a huge hit in the 2000s but he wanted it to garner controversy. In 2005, he publicly shared his thoughts on having the show be Black people versus white people. Trump stated that he wanted to create a team of successful African Americans versus a team of successful whites. Whether people like that idea or not, it is somewhat reflective of our very vicious world.



Obama Birtherism Conspiracy Theory

Photo: BBC

Barack Obama becoming this countrys first Black president infuriated Trump, as he pushed the lie that Obama was not born in the United States. Obama ultimately shared his birth certificate and called out Trump as a carnival barker. Trump recanted his conspiracy theory in 2016.



Calling Mexican Rapists

Photo: ABC

Trump began his presidential campaign in 2015 by calling Mexican immigrants rapists. He also said they were bringing crime and bringing drugs to America. Trump used this rhetoric to justify building a wall to keep them out of the United States.



Covid Racism

Screenshot: YouTube

During his presidency, Trump referred to coronavirus as kung flu and the Chinese virus. His blatant racism helped fuel hate crimes against Asian Americans, which they reported as a result of the spread of CoviMeanwhile, Asian Americans have reported hateful incidents targeting them due to the spread of the coronavirus.



Calling National Guard On BLM Protestors

Photo: In These Times

During the 2020 peaceful George Floyd protests, then-President Donald Trump sent thousands of National Guard troops to D.C. He also deployed numerous unidentified federal law officersmost from Department of Homeland Securityto protestors in Portland, Oregon which led to avoidable and unnecessary injuries.



Kamala Harris Birtherism Claims

Photo: NPR

Similar to his Obama birtherism lies, Trump falsely suggested before the 2-2020 election that VP Kamala Harristhe first Black woman to hold the positiondid not meet the requirements to be President Joe Bidens running mate.



January 6 Riot

Photo: The New York Times

On January 6, 2021 following Trump hosting a rally with his most loyal supporters, they violently stormed the Capitol in an attempt to hold onto presidential power. The mob broke through police barricades and within 36 hours of the attack, five people died.



Hitler Rhetoric

Photo: PBS

As Trump sets his sights on the Oval Office once again, he has repeatedly used Hitler rhetoric when stating that immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country. Hitler once said that Jewish blood were poisoning Aryan German blood to justify the Holocaust. Trump feigned ignorance and said he didnt understand the inhumane reference.



Black People Can Relate To Trump Criminally

Photo: Al Jazeera

Last year, Trump spoke at the Black Conservative Federation Gala in Columbia, South Carolina. During his speech, he said Black Americans can relate because of unfair treatment in the criminal justice system. I got indicted a second time and a third time and a fourth time and a lot of people said that thats why the Black people like me because they have been hurt so badly and discriminated against. And they actually viewed me as Im being discriminated against. Its been pretty amazing, Trump shockingly said.



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Vicki Gonzalez, a longtime media personality in Sacramento who hosts Capital Public Radios show Insight, announced Monday she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is taking a leave from hosting the popular program.

Gonzalez, who joined CapRadio in 2021 after five years as a reporter at KCRA, Channel 3, said on a live broadcast her cancer spread to her lymph nodes. It was a shock to hear about the diagnosis at her young age with no family history for the disease, she said, while also encouraging listeners to book annual screenings.

Breast cancer wasnt on my radar, Gonzalez said in a phone interview with The Sacramento Bee.





She discovered a lump on her breast while at her parents home in Los Angeles during a weekend celebrating her milestone 40th birthday and Mexicos Mothers Day.

Since then, its been a whirlwind of appointments with different specialists and emotions as Gonzalez processed her diagnosis.

It started with concern as she felt the lump, and then grappling with uncertainty while awaiting tests to pinpoint her diagnosis. Undergoing six biopsies across her breasts was very scary and emotional, Gonzalez said.

But hearing her doctors diagnosis changed her mindset and made her determined to face the difficulties with a positive mindset. A hopeful outlook can affect her recovery, Gonzalez said.

Id rather approach it with strength, compassion and positivity, she said, and thats an active, daily choice that I make.

Chris Nichols, a political editor and homelessness and housing affordability reporter, will substitute as host. Gonzalez hasnt yet set a time frame for how long she will be gone, said Chris Bruno, CapRadios chief marketing officer and revenue officer.

Our main focus right now is making sure that we support Vicki during this difficult moment in time, Bruno said.

Gonzalez said she plans to have a double mastectomy and determine a treatment plan after surgery.

More than 85% of breast cancer cases present themselves in patients with no family history, Gonzalez said in her story for CapRadio. Doctors informed her that patients as young as 20 to 30 are diagnosed with the disease every week.

She encouraged listeners to ask questions to their doctors and rely on loved ones who may raise viewpoints about your health not previously considered.

As a journalist, Gonzalez said many have trusted her with their most beautiful and vulnerable moments. Its now her turn to share her own personal moments with an audience, she said, adding that she aims 100% to return as host of Insight.

Breast cancer will not become my dark tunnel, Gonzalez said in her story. I face this knowing there is still a great deal to look forward to in my life. And I soak in all the warmth and beauty and love there is to offer.

Gonzalezs husband, family and friends have rallied around her as she battles the illness. But she noted shes also talked with breast cancer survivors about their mentality and insights.

I like that, seeing (survivors healthy and happy), she said. Thats going to be me sometime soon.

CapRadio said on its website that Insight will continue its programming Monday through Thursday at noon with a rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Insight is known for producing in-depth stories. It focuses on politics and culture from around the greater Sacramento region, while offering interviews with elected officials, community members, advocates and artists, according to CapRadios website.
KEWAUNEE, Wis. (WFRV)  A 35-year-old Luxemburg man was sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by 15 years of extended supervision after being convicted of child abuse.

Court records show that Alan Finch had his sentencing hearing and will spend the next 25 years behind bars for abusing his seven-year-old daughter back in 2021.

Wisconsin man tased after pointing gun at deputy, given $50,000 cash bond

According to the Kewaunee County Sheriffs Office, on October 5, 2021, at around 2:30 p.m., the sheriffs office got a call from a Green Bay medical facility regarding a seven-year-old female patient. The girl was brought in and had injuries that were reportedly consistent with physical abuse.

The facility stated that the girl was currently unconscious and in critical condition. She was later transported to Childrens Hospital in Milwaukee for treatment.

31-year-old Sheboygan Falls resident arrested after alleged shooting in Sheboygan

Finch pled no contest to physically abusing a child, causing great bodily harm, chronic child neglect, and causing mental harm to a child. He faced a second-degree reckless injury charge as well as aggravated battery, but those were dismissed.

No additional details were provided.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
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)

In recent years, China has been building platforms for dialogue and exchanges between various civilizations, creating opportunities for the common prosperity and development of different cultures through its strong economic vitality.

BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- According to a China-proposed resolution unanimously adopted by the 78th session of the UN General Assembly on Friday, June 10 was designated as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

The aim of China's proposal was to fully leverage the important role of dialogue among civilizations in eliminating discrimination and prejudice, enhancing understanding and trust, promoting people-to-people connectivity, and strengthening unity and cooperation, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN.

It is against the following backdrop that China made the proposal: In the current context of multiple interlocking crises and challenges, the world has entered a new period of instability and change, placing human society at the crossroads of history once again.

The proposal 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.

In recent years, China has been building platforms for dialogue and exchanges between various civilizations, creating opportunities for the common prosperity and development of different cultures through its strong economic vitality.

The exchange and integration of cultures serve as important prerequisites for creating a better life for people and a harmonious and peaceful world.

A vivid example in this regard is this year's Dragon Boat Festival, which coincides the newly established International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

People prepare for a dragon boat race in Velence, Hungary, June 8, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

When the Chinese people are celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival on Monday, dragon boat races are not only being held in China, but also in other parts of the world.

In Frankfurt, Germany, the first International Dragon Boat Friendship Race was held, featuring dragon boat teams from China, Germany and other countries. In the Netherlands, people were eager to watch a lion dance, dragon boat races and other cultural activities and immersed themselves in the fest.

The festival embodies the increasing popularity of Chinese tradition and culture worldwide, and China's concept of peaceful coexistence, living in harmony with nature, and agreeing to accept differences has been gradually recognized by the international community for its value in addressing today's problems.

Cultural connectivity promotes people-to-people bond. Along with other civilizations, the Chinese civilization will build culture bridge to link the world.
Im sick of it: North End restaurateur charged in shooting accused of cutting off GPS bracelet

A North End restaurateur charged in connection with a brazen shooting outside a popular pastry shop last year was rearrested over the weekend after police say he cut off his GPS bracelet and threatened to kill somebody.

Patrick Mendoza, 55, was taken into custody late Saturday night for violating his probation by removing his electronic monitoring device, according to a Boston Police Department arrest report.

Officers recovered Mendozas electronic monitoring device directly from his person, which appeared to be cut, police wrote in the report. Officers asked Mendoza why he cut the bracelet and he replied, Im tired and sick of it.

Mendoza also allegedly told officers that he was definitely gonna kill somebody.

[Mendoza] has recently been going through it and exhibiting erratic behavior, police stated in the report. Mendoza was extremely stressed about the criminal case pending against him.

Police say surveillance video shows Mendoza firing a gun at a victim last summer outside Modern Pasty on Hanover Street on July 12, 2023.

Prosecutors said Mendoza, who was riding a bike when the shots rang out, was specifically targeting a man who lives above Modern Pastry whom he has allegedly feuded with for decades.

At the time, Mendoza co-owned Monicas Trattoria.

Mendoza is facing several charges including assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery using a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery.

Mendoza had been out on bail and under home confinement. He appeared in court on Monday and was ordered held pending a previously scheduled court appearance on Tuesday.

Patrick Mendoza GPS Violation Arrest by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron stand together in the old church during a visit to the martyred village of Oradour-sur-Glane as they commemorate the victims of the SS massacre of 1944. On June 10, 1944, members of the SS division "Das Reich" murdered 643 civilians in Oradour-sur-Glane and completely destroyed the village. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized Franco-German reconciliation as the foundation of a common Europe at the site of the worst Nazi massacre by SS troops in France during the World War II.

"In this reconciliation lies the friendship between Germany and France and our Europe," said Macron on Monday at a commemoration in Oradour-sur-Glane in western France, which was also attended by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

On June 10, 1944, members of an SS division killed 643 inhabitants and burned down the town in western France.

"The massacres of Oradour belong to the realm of the unthinkable, the unspeakable, the unjustifiable," said Macron in the village, the ruins of which have been preserved as a memorial to this day. "We will remember Oradour, always, because history never begins anew."

"And in this memory, in the ashes of Oradour, we must revive the strength of this reconciliation, the root of our European project and our still existing will for freedom, equality and fraternity."

In his commemorative speech on Monday, Steinmeier also mentioned the importance of European collaboration: "Our mission is the European Union."

The president called for the defence of an open-minded and peaceful Europe, following the electoral success of the far-right in the EU election. "Let us never forget what nationalism and hatred have done to Europe," Steinmeier said.

"Let us never forget the miracle of reconciliation that the European Union has achieved. Let us protect our united Europe! And let us never forget the value of freedom."

Far-right parties won the European elections in France and Italy. In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) became the second strongest party behind the conservative CDU/CSU block.

Steinmeier sharply criticized the fact that the murderers of the 1944 massacre were never punished in Germany. He expressed shame that they had escaped justice and that the most serious crimes had not been atoned for. "Here my country has once again brought a second guilt upon itself."

Macron thanked Steinmeier for delivering his commemorative speech in Oradour-sur-Glane in French. From a place of shame, Oradour had become a place of hope and finally a place of reconciliation over the course of many decades, he said. "Our two peoples look at Oradour hand in hand and side by side."

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks after visiting the martyred village of Oradour-sur-Glane. French President Emmanuel Macron and German President Steinmeier commemorate the victims of the SS massacre of 1944. On June 10, 1944, members of the SS division "Das Reich" murdered 643 civilians in Oradour-sur-Glane and completely destroyed the village. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and French President Emmanuel Macron visit the Oradour-sur-Glane cemetery. French President Macron and German President Steinmeier commemorate the victims of the SS massacre of 1944. On June 10, 1944, members of the SS division "Das Reich" murdered 643 civilians in Oradour-sur-Glane and destroyed the town. Hardly anyone responsible was held legally accountable. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized Franco-German reconciliation as the foundation of a common Europe at the site of the worst Nazi massacre by SS troops in France during the World War II.

"In this reconciliation lies the friendship between Germany and France and our Europe," said Macron on Monday at a commemoration in Oradour-sur-Glane in western France, which was also attended by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

On June 10, 1944, members of an SS division killed 643 inhabitants and burned down the town in western France.

"The massacres of Oradour belong to the realm of the unthinkable, the unspeakable, the unjustifiable," said Macron in the village, the ruins of which have been preserved as a memorial to this day. "We will remember Oradour, always, because history never begins anew."

"And in this memory, in the ashes of Oradour, we must revive the strength of this reconciliation, the root of our European project and our still existing will for freedom, equality and fraternity."

In his commemorative speech on Monday, Steinmeier also mentioned the importance of European collaboration: "Our mission is the European Union."

The president called for the defence of an open-minded and peaceful Europe, following the electoral success of the far-right in the EU election. "Let us never forget what nationalism and hatred have done to Europe," Steinmeier said.

"Let us never forget the miracle of reconciliation that the European Union has achieved. Let us protect our united Europe! And let us never forget the value of freedom."

Far-right parties won the European elections in France and Italy. In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) became the second strongest party behind the conservative CDU/CSU block.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron stand together in the old church during a visit to the martyred village of Oradour-sur-Glane as they commemorate the victims of the SS massacre of 1944. On June 10, 1944, members of the SS division "Das Reich" murdered 643 civilians in Oradour-sur-Glane and completely destroyed the village. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron embrace at the memorial service in the martyred village of Oradour-sur-Glane as they commemorate the victims of the SS massacre of 1944. On June 10, 1944, members of the SS division "Das Reich" murdered 643 civilians in Oradour-sur-Glane and completely destroyed the village. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
(Bloomberg) -- After a crushing defeat in the European Parliament election on Sunday, President Emmanuel Macron plunged France into political uncertainty with a snap legislative ballot that re-stages his perennial battle with far-right rival, Marine Le Pen.

Most Read from Bloomberg

While Macrons position as head of state wont be directly affected by the upcoming vote, his ability to push through legislation, the power to choose a like-minded prime minister and the credibility of his political project will all be on the line in an election that Sundays results suggest hell likely lose.

Its not just a gamble, its audacious, said Yves Bertoncini, an independent consultant in EU affairs. Usually, players who make a move like this dont have many cards left.

The unexpected move gives Macron a final shot at defeating Le Pen before the 2027 presidential election, in which he cannot run because of term limits. She and her party have improved their score in every election since Macron came to power in 2017, and cast Sundays European vote as the springboard for the next presidential bid.

With limited options available, Macron may be betting that French voters will be less willing to take the risk of voting for Le Pen in a national election. Even if that backfires, three years of far-right government might expose the partys limitations and avert a Le Pen victory in 2027.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez managed to salvage his government last year when he wrong-footed the opposition by triggering a snap vote in response to a heavy defeat in local elections.

The euro fell as much as 0.5% to $1.0748 in early trading, its weakest in a month. The move pares an almost 2% rally since mid-April as traders added to bets of European Central Bank rate cuts this year.

French bonds dropped at the open with yield spread against Germany widened to more 52 basis points, a level last seen in mid-April. Frances CAC 40 stock index was down 2.2% in early trading in Paris on Monday.

The election in France will take place over two rounds beginning June 30. Its the first time this century that the National Assembly has seen its term cut short.

Lets not think this is an election like any other  its an election with unprecedented grave consequences for our nation, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on RTL radio Monday.

With the European Union struggling to calibrate its response to a welter of challenges from Russias aggression in Ukraine to climate change and its deteriorating trade relations with China and the US, the election result highlights the increasing rejection of mainstream politics and left the credibility of the blocs two most important leaders in tatters.

In Germany, the Social Democrats got just 14% of the vote, their worst-ever result in a European election, according to projections in the early hours of Monday. The main conservative opposition came first with 30% while the far-right Alternative for Germany was on track to finish second with 16%, ahead of the SPD.

Le Pens party claimed 31% of the vote with a rival far-right group winning about 5% and Macrons Renaissance on 15%. The Green party was the nights other big loser, with its representation set drop to about 52 seats in European Parliament from 71.

In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was projected to solidify her power with 29% of the vote. They saw us arriving but they couldnt stop us, she told supporters at her partys election headquarter in Rome.

The EUs three mainstream groups are set to hold a comfortable majority: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyens center-right European Peoples Party was due to get 184 seats, the Socialists & Democrats 139 and the Liberals 80. The two far-right groups will have about 131 seats between them.

But it was Macrons dramatic response to his defeat that offered the biggest surprise of the night.

I cant pretend that nothings happened, Macron said. The rise of nationalists and demagogues is a danger not only for our nation, but also for our Europe, and for Frances place in Europe and the world.

Macrons decision was influenced by his experience at the D-Day commemorations in Normandy last week when some of the bystanders he met said that political life has become too aggressive, according to people familiar with his thinking. Macron sees the parliamentary election as a chance to change that and re-establish a stronger, moderate majority, they said, asking not to be named discussing private conversations.

The upcoming election offers Le Pen, the most durable figure on Europes far-right, a chance to cement a foothold on power for the first time ever. If her National Rally group confirms its position as the countrys biggest party she could have a key role in appointing the next prime minister, even if negotiations would be likely to be fraught.

People familiar with the thinking in Macrons inner circle insisted they arent worried about her managing to take control of the legislature because the far-right parties are still shy of 40%. And they said they would be comfortable governing alongside a prime minister from another mainstream party.

But the election nevertheless means a nervous few weeks for Macrons allies in other European capitals, and indeed anyone with a stake in France maintaining a functioning government that is able to push through policy.

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The most likely outcome may be that Macrons party and its allies lose seats but remain the largest force in parliament. This would weaken further their ability to force through some difficult structural and fiscal reforms, keeping debt sustainability in focus.

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Its a move that recalls former Prime Minister David Camerons high-risk decision to call a vote on the UKs EU membership in an effort to settle his own problems with right-wing populists.

Its a watershed moment for Europe, said Federica Genovese, professor of political science at Oxford University. The surge of the far right was in the making and things are unraveling now.

Concerns may be particularly acute in Kyiv since Macron has been pushing to send military trainers to Ukraine in a symbol of Frances deepening commitment to the fight against Russia. Le Pens longstanding sympathy for Vladimir Putin could put that in jeopardy.

The EUs von der Leyen is still favored to claim a second term as head of the commission after her center-right grouping, the EPP, won the largest number of seats. But there will be questions about her political vision after the Greens paid the price for voters discontent with the Green Deal, the signature policy initiative of her first term.

The last time France held a snap parliamentary election came in 1997, when then-President Jacques Chirac called an early vote, looking for support for the changes required to qualify for the euro. The result: Chiracs group lost its majority and he was forced to name the head of the rival Socialist Party as prime minister.

If the National Rally and other hard right parties were to repeat their performance in French parliamentary elections, Macron could be forced to name a prime minister with fundamentally different policy views than he has, about the EU, about France and about its role in the world.

Political instability is never a good thing for Europe, said Sophie Pornschlegel, director of research at the Jacques Delors think tank in Brussels. In the next few months a lot of shifts will happen.

--With assistance from Piotr Skolimowski, Matthew Burgess, Jorge Valero, Lyubov Pronina, John Ainger, Ewa Krukowska, Megan Howard, Katharina Rosskopf, Iain Rogers, Constantine Courcoulas, Zoe Schneeweiss, Dara Doyle, Alan Katz, Wout Vergauwen and James Regan.

(Updates with context in the fourth paragraph, markets in sixth)

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KIEV, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian military struck three Russian missile systems in Crimea early Monday morning, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in a statement.

An S-300 system was hit near the Yevpatoria town in western Crimea, while another was struck near the neighboring village of Chornomorske, said the statement.

Besides, missiles launched by Ukrainian forces attacked an S-400 complex in the Dzhankoy area in northern Crimea.

The strikes knocked out the radar stations of the targeted facilities, causing a detonation of ammunition on Russian positions.

The Russian air defense in Crimea suffered "significant losses" due to the attacks, according to the statement. 
Family members say a 15-year-old girl who was attacked by a shark on the Florida Panhandle is awake and talking after suffering life-threatening injuries.

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Lulu Gribbin was at Rosemary Beach with her twin sister and friends during a mother-daughter beach trip when she was attacked, her mother, Ann Gribbins, wrote on CaringBridge. She was rushed to a Pensacola hospital, where doctors told her family that the shark bit off her left hand and they had to amputate her right leg above her knee.

Ann Gribbins said that on Saturday, doctors were able to take Lulu off the ventilator. Her first words to her mother were I made it.

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Ann Gribbins said her daughter told her that she and her friends were in waist-deep water looking for sand dollars when someone spotted a shark.

Lulu told her mother that the shark grabbed her hand and leg and then went for her foot. A man and boy in the water helped her out of the water and two doctors and a nurse on the beach put tourniquets on her wounds.

Her mother and friends were having lunch nearby and walked up on the commotion on the shore.

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I saw her wounds on her leg and started to scream, Gribbins wrote on CaringBridge. She was lifeless her eyes closed mouth white and pale. The wound on her leg or all that was left of her leg was something out of a movie.

Gribbins said her daughter has several more surgeries and a lengthy recovery ahead of her.

I know this was a terrible accident, but God was there and had the people there who helped save her life, Gribbins said. Lulu said she felt God in the back of the beach truck. She is truly a miracle.

Lulus friend, who hasnt been identified, suffered flesh wounds to her foot. A few hours before, a 45-year-old woman swimming with her husband was also attacked by a shark. She lost part of her left arm and had serious injuries to her pelvic area. Shes been identified by family as Elisabeth Foley, of Glenn Allen, VA.

Lulu is from Mountain Brook, Ala.. Walton County, Fla. is a popular destination spot for vacationers in Alabama and Georgia.

You can donate to a fundraiser for Foley HERE.
Madison Cawthorn, private citizen and disgraced former North Carolina congressman, was sworn in as an honorary sheriffs deputy in southwest Florida last week, a distinction apparently bestowed in spite of his spotty record with law enforcement.

The 28-year-old, who was cited in April for rear-ending a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser, posted a series of photos posing with his honorary badge on Instagram on Thursday.

Such an honor from [Lee County Sheriff] Carmine Marceno to be sworn in as an honorary deputy in the county that I live in, he wrote in the caption.

The former lawmaker crowed that the Lee County Sheriffs Office puts the fear of God into those who wish ill on our community, adding, Excited to serve!

Honorary badges do not grant the holder any powers of arrest, nor require them to perform any official duties. It was not immediately clear in what capacity Cawthorn intended to serve. A spokesperson for the Lee County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

There is a reason crime is so low in [southwest Florida], Cawthorn continued in his effusive caption, its because our law enforcement is allowed to do their job and they execute flawlessly.

Cawthorn purchased a house in Cape Coral, Florida, in August 2022, according to the Asheville Citizen Times. The acquisition came three months after the freshman congressman lost his re-election bid in North Carolinas Republican primary.

In addition to tailgating the trooper, who was hospitalized with minor injuries in the crash, Cawthorn was handed traffic citations for speeding and driving with a revoked license while in office. Last May, he was fined $250 after pleading guilty to bringing a loaded handgun to an airport.

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MAGA Labeled A 'Cult' For Cheering On Marjorie Taylor Greene As She Likened Trump To Jesus

Marjorie Taylor Greene has triggered online controversy by once again comparing former President Donald Trump to Jesus Christ at a recent MAGA rally.

Her statements generated a lot of criticism online, especially from X, with many comparing the MAGA group to a cult. Nevada Republican Party Chair Michael McDonald also made statements comparing Trump to a god-like figure.

Marjorie Taylor Greene previously compared Donald Trump to Jesus, and the billionaire mogul has also said he's similar to Christ and the late Nelson Mandela.

Marjorie Taylor Greene Compared Donald Trump To Jesus Christ

Marjorie Taylor Greene in Vegas compares Trump to Jesus pic.twitter.com/R8l3fGUO0B  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 9, 2024

Trump recently held a MAGA rally in Las Vegas, where some of his popular speakers triggered controversy with their statements.

Most prominent among them was Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who shockingly compared Trump to a prominent religious figure, Jesus Christ.

She said, "The Democrats and the fake news media want to constantly talk about, 'Oh, President Trump is a convicted felon,'" which referenced Trump's recent conviction on 34 felony charges of fraud and falsification of business records.

Greene continued, "Well, you wanna know something? The man that I worship is also a convicted felon. And he was murdered on [the] Roman cross."

Another speaker, Nevada Republican Party Chair Michael McDonald, further made statements equating Trump to a religious figure, stopping just before calling him a god. He said, "Thank God we're here in Sunset Park to worship and bring back the greatest president we've ever known in our generation."

Marjorie Taylor Greene Was Heavily Criticized On Social Media

Marjorie Taylor Greene comparing trump to Jesus should have gotten her booed and thrown out. Instead, the cult just cheered. But she couldn't be more wrong, unless you think Jesus committed sexual assault, fraud, and dozens of other crimes. pic.twitter.com/557VttL0ux  BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) June 10, 2024

After Greene's statements went viral on social media, many users on X, formerly Twitter, criticized her heavily for the comparison with Jesus.

One tweet read, "Marjorie Taylor Greene just compared Donald Trump to Jesus Christ. If you needed any more evidence that MAGA is a cult, here it is. Insanity."

A second person noted, "Jesus didn't cheat on his wife with a Playboy Playmate and Porn Star."

Another user made a sarcastic remark, which read, "Yes, Christ was charged with a felony for falsification of his business records in order to hide his raw-dogging a porn star from the American people."

"Of all the reasons to compare someone to Jesus, going the 'convicted felon' route is truly wild," a fourth wrote.

"Marjorie Taylor Greene comparing Trump to Jesus should have gotten her booed and thrown out. Instead, the cult just cheered," another bewildered person said. "But she couldn't be more wrong unless you think Jesus committed sexual assault, fraud, and dozens of other crimes."

Marjorie Taylor Green Has Done The Jesus Comparison In The Past

MEGA

This isn't the first time Greene has compared Trump to Jesus, as she previously made similar shocking statements.

At the time, the businessman had just been arrested for the Stormy Daniels trial, and she compared him to Christ and the late South African President Nelson Mandela.

During an interview with Right Side Broadcasting in New York, Greene said, "Trump is joining some of the most incredible people in history being arrested today. Nelson Mandela was arrested, served time in prison. Jesus - Jesus was arrested and murdered by the Roman government."

Donald Trump Has Also Compared Himself To Jesus

MEGA

Trump himself has previously made comparisons of himself to Jesus on social media. He recently shared a post from a fan on his Truth Social platform, which likened the former president's legal troubles to the persecution of Christ.

The fan message read, "It's ironic that Christ walked through His greatest persecution the very week they are trying to steal your property from you."

This is a reference to Trump's $468 million fine, which was imposed after he was found guilty of years of financial fraud in his various businesses.

The fan's message further mentions Psalm 109, a verse that has become popular among far-right Christians.

The stanza for that verse ends with "Let his days be few; and let another take his office." The person then concluded their message, "Thank you again for taking the arrows intended for us. We love you."

Trump responded to the message by calling it "beautiful."

Donald Trump Hints He Might Go After Political Opponents If Elected

MEGA

The billionaire mogul was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to hide payments made to former adult film star Stormy Daniels.

The jury's verdict means that Trump becomes the first U.S. former president to be convicted of felony crimes, but it's not expected that he'll pull out of the race to be president again.

He has referred to the trial as a "witch hunt" that's politically motivated and has now alluded to the possibility of getting back at his opponents.

In a conversation with conservative U.S. outlet Newsmax, the 77-year-old politician claimed that "it's very possible" his political opponents would face prosecution if he wins reelection into the Oval Office.

"It's a terrible precedent for our country. Does that mean the next president does it to them? That's really the question," he said, per CNN.

Trump went on, "So, you know, it's a terrible, terrible path that they're leading us to, and it's very possible that it's going to have to happen to them."
(The Hill)  Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and late-night host Bill Maher differed in their opinions on whether President Joe Biden can win reelection on Mahers show Friday.

Hes actually the only American thats ever beat [former President Donald 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.

What to know about Trump probation interview

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.

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A majority of American Jews support President Bidens reelection campaign and say they trust him over former President Trump to combat the serious problem of rising antisemitism, according to a survey published Monday.

The American Jewish Committees (AJC) 2024 survey of American Jewish Opinion  conducted March 12 to April 6  shows Jews largely have not soured on the president, despite some rhetoric suggesting Bidens policies on Israel and Gaza could hurt him among Jewish voters.

In a hypothetical match-up held today, 61 percent say they would support Biden, 23 percent say they would support Trump and 10 percent say they would support someone else.

The results are similar to the share of respondents in the poll who say they voted for Biden in 2020 (64 percent) and who say they voted for Trump in 2020 (21 percent), suggesting there hasnt been much movement in their positions.

The same poll shows Jews are increasingly concerned with rising antisemitism in the U.S., especially since the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, but trust Biden more than Trump to address it.

Nearly all Jews (93 percent) say antisemitism in the U.S. is either a serious problem (56 percent) or somewhat of a problem (37 percent), with 7 percent saying its not a problem.

Most Jews (87 percent) also say in the poll that, since the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, they think antisemitism in the U.S. has increased a lot (55 percent) or has increased somewhat (33 percent). Only 1 percent say antisemitism has decreased, and 12 percent say its stayed the same.

At the same time, American Jewish adults feel increasingly connected to Israel, with 85 percent saying they think its important for the U.S. to support Israel after Oct. 7, and 57 percent saying they feel more connected to Israel or their Jewish identity since the attacks.

Despite rising antisemitism making Jews feel less safe, American Jews are defiantly proud about who they are and even more connected to Israel, said AJC CEO Ted Deutch, a former member of Congress who left in 2022 to lead the nonpartisan global advocacy group for the Jewish people.

Amid heightened concerns among U.S. Jews, 55 percent say Biden would be better at combating antisemitism in the U.S., compared to 20 percent who say Trump would be better. Fifteen percent say neither, and 9 percent are not sure.

On which major party presidential candidate would be better for the U.S.-Israel relationship, 49 percent say Biden, 25 percent say Trump, 13 percent say neither and 13 percent say theyre not sure.

The poll shows Biden also enjoys a high approval rating (56 percent) for his overall job as president, with 24 percent approving strongly and 32 percent somewhat. Forty percent disapprove, including 16 percent somewhat and 24 percent strongly.

Asked about Bidens handling of the Israel-Hamas war, approval drops to 48 percent, with 13 percent strongly approving and 35 percent somewhat approving. Forty-three percent disapprove, including 20 percent somewhat and 23 percent strongly.

The AJC survey included 1,001 Jewish adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A man was accused of assaulting two people at random at the Salt Lake City International Airport Sunday before allegedly trying to disarm police officers on the scene.

Scott Hollis, 28, allegedly punched a 20-year-old man and choked a 17-year-old man, according to a press release from Salt Lake City Police. He faces two charges of disarming an officer in addition to one charge each of aggravated assault, assault, and interfering with an officer.

Salt Lake Citys 2034 Winter Olympics could cost $2.83B, but taxpayers wont be on the hook

The incident occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, June 9, around 5 p.m., and the motive behind the alleged assaults is still under investigation.

When police arrived at the scene, they reportedly witnessed the assaults occurring. Hollis was allegedly not responsive to police demands, and as they attempted to take him into custody, he allegedly tried to grab an officers gun. He also successfully disarmed another officer by taking their TASER. He was not able to activate the TASER before the officer retrieved it, according to the release.

Arrest documents were obtained by ABC4.com on Sunday, and those documents clarified some of the charges Hollis was arrested for. One count of disarming a police officer was for a firearm and the other count was for disarming a police officers energy device.

Three of the charges Hollis was arrested for were felonies and two were class B misdemeanors.

According to the arrest documents, an officer heard yelling and witnessed several people physically fighting before responding to the location of the fight. Documents said Hollis was told to stop by officers several times but did not comply.

Hollis reportedly attempted to grab one of the officers handguns but was unsuccessful. He was able to release another officers TASER from its holster, documents said.

One officer received a minor injury while taking Hollis into custody. Officers are still investigating whether or not Hollis was intoxicated.

According to documents, Hollis stated several times on the way to jail that if he gets out he will hurt lots of people.

He was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail. No impacts to airport operations were reported.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Roy Anthony Duran was found guilty of murdering 21-year-old Isaiah Valerio during a Salt Lake City Halloween party in 2021, the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office announced Monday, June 10.

Duran, 23, was convicted by a Third District Court jury of first-degree felony murder, second-degree felony possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and second-degree felony obstruction of justice.

RELATED: A contagious smile: Friends and family memorialize Isaiah Valerio

During the party, Duran was trying to fight partygoers without provocation, according to the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office. Durans girlfriend later told him that Valerio had hit her, though video evidence showed it was not true. In response, Duran then punched Valerio and several partygoers came to Valerios defense.

[Duran] then pulled out his gun and shot Mr. Valerio in the face at point-blank range, then ran from the scene, the DAs office said.

Valerio was found in critical condition by first responders. He later died at the scene despite life-saving efforts.

This tragic shooting, started by unprovoked violence, is heartbreaking to the loved ones of Mr. Valerio and our entire community, District Attorney Sim Gill said in a statement. We hope that the justice and accountability that was delivered with this jury verdict will help begin the healing process for Mr. Valerios family.

Friends remembered Valerio as the life of the party with a smile that could brighten anyones day. In a message to ABC4.com shortly after his death, one friend said, He always cared for those around him and he would put other people first before him. He was so goofy and always tried to crack a joke, his personality was unique and he is going to be missed by many.

Shortly after the murder, Duran turned himself in to the Clearfield Police Department. He pleaded not guilty to the crimes in court and was convicted on all counts after a four-day trial on Friday, June 7, 2024.

A sentencing hearing for Duran is set for Aug. 7, 2024.

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MIAMI (WFLA)  Firefighters in Miami worked to bring down a massive fire at an apartment complex full of elderly people Monday morning.

NBC affiliate WTVJ reported that the fire at the Temple Court Apartments started at about 8:15 a.m., according to the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue.

DUI driver crashes into Clearwater PD car, injures officer helping disabled driver: police

Officials said two firefighters have been treated for heat exhaustion, and crews have reverted to battling the fire from the outside as a defensive tactic.

A WTVJ reporter said that there were multiple people rescued from the building, some of them from their balconies. Many of the residents in the building are said to be elderly and had trouble getting out of the building.

The Miami Police Department said the only known critical injuries is a man who was found shot inside the burning building. At this time, it is not known if the shooting was self-inflicted.

Officials said the shooting did appear to be an isolated incident, meaning there is no active gunman that they dont know about.

Miami Fire Rescue and Miami police work at the scene of the fire at the Temple Court Apartments, Monday, June 10, 2024 in Miami. (Carl Juste/Miami Herald via AP)

Miami Fire Rescue and Miami police work at the scene of the fire at the Temple Court Apartments, Monday, June 10, 2024 in Miami. (Carl Juste/Miami Herald via AP)

City of Miami Fire Rescue firefighters work at the scene of a fire at the Temple Court apartments Monday, June 10, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

City of Miami Fire Rescue firefighters work at the scene of a fire at the Temple Court apartments Monday, June 10, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

City of Miami Fire Rescue firefighters work at the scene of a fire at the Temple Court apartments Monday, June 10, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

A City of Miami Fire Rescue firefighter walks from the scene of a fire at the Temple Court apartments Monday, June 10, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Police also warned civilians to avoid the area of Lumus Park due to the health hazard caused by the fire.

This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Buffalo man has been indicted in connection to a fatal shooting at Del Denby Tavern on Hertel Avenue last month, the Erie County District Attorneys Office said Monday.

27-year-old William Quinones is accused of shooting and killing 46-year-old Madjid Elbert outside of Del Denby around 1:15 a.m. on May 7 during a fight on the patio outside of the bar. Elbert was pronounced dead at ECMC.

Del Denby was closed by Buffalo police within 24 hours of the shooting, but the bar reopened about three weeks later.

Quinones was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted of the highest charge, he faces 25 years to life in prison.

He will return to court on July 12.

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Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

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UNITED NATIONS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) on Sunday welcomed the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, establishing June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

"I welcome the adoption of the General Assembly resolution 'International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations,'" Miguel Moratinos, UN under-secretary-general and UNAOC high representative said in a press statement.

Moratinos expressed his "gratitude to China and all member states, co-sponsors of the resolution for their appreciation of the valuable role of UNAOC in promoting greater understanding and respect among civilizations, cultures, religions and beliefs as well as for UNAOC Global Forums considered as a global platform for dialogue among state and non-state actors including civil society organizations, religious leaders, youth, media, artists and athletes."

Moratinos called on the global community to "celebrate our diversity," "recommit to respect our differences," and "protect human dignity, indiscriminately."

The 78th session of the UN General Assembly on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by China to establish the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

The resolution stated that all civilizational achievements are "the collective heritage of humankind." It advocated 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. 
Man who murdered pregnant woman sent to prison for life in Denmark

A heavily pregnant woman clutches her stomach with both hands. A man in Denmark has been sentenced to life imprisonment and subsequent preventive detention after stabbing a heavily pregnant woman to death in 2016. Felix Heyder/dpa

A man in Denmark has been sentenced to life imprisonment and subsequent preventive detention after stabbing a heavily pregnant woman to death in 2016.

The district court in Glostrup announced the sentence on Monday.

The now 30-year-old man is said to have stabbed the woman 11 times with a knife in a park near Copenhagen and then cut off a piece of her nose, according to the court's statement.

The man denied the crime and his defence lawyer said that he would appeal against the judgement.

The murder weapon has still not been found and there is no technical evidence such as fingerprints or DNA to prove the man's guilt.

In 2020, the police deployed an undercover investigator as a cellmate of the suspect, who was serving a prison sentence for the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend.

The undercover investigator recorded the man describing how he had killed the pregnant woman, which contributed to the court's decision to find him guilty.
Man sentenced to life in prison for shooting, killing man in Adams County

DENVER (KDVR)  An Adams County jury convicted a man this month of first-degree murder for fatally shooting and killing a 24-year-old in July 2023.

According to the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office, the incident occurred on July 14, 2023, at 6 a.m. at a home on East 118th Avenue in Commerce City. Two women were involved in a physical fight about a dispute that had started earlier that morning.

1 dead, 1 in serious condition after Saturday shooting in Denver

Omar Nieves, 29, was there for the fight, as was the victim, Miguel Antonio Chavez-Eagle, 24. Chavez-Eagle was reportedly trying to stop the fight when Nieves fired, striking the victim in the forehead. Chavez-Eagle died at the scene, according to officials.

Nieves fled from the shooting, but detectives identified Nieves as the suspect and were able to arrest him six days after the killing.

The jury trial lasted for four days and the jury had a rather short deliberation, according to the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office.

This was a sad and tragic case where an innocent victim was gunned down for absolutely no reason, District Attorney Brian Mason said in a release. Its heartbreaking to see a young life cut short over nothing. Gun violence  particularly amongst young people  continues to plague this community and now we have another young victim who is dead.

Senior Judge Theresa Cisneros has sentenced Nieves to life in prison without the possibility of parole, which is the sentencing requirement for a first-degree murder conviction in Colorado.

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He will be transported to the Colorado Department of Corrections when a facility is available.

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A Colorado man shot and killed a deer that was attacking his pregnant daughter in her own yard on Friday night. The self-defense shooting adds to a string of elk and deer attacks that have taken place in the state over the last two weeks. Officials with Colorado with Parks and Wildlife said in a news release that Fridays incident took place in El Paso County near Colorado Springs. They said the deer had jumped into the daughters fenced-in backyard, where it attacked her two dogs. When the woman tried to scare the deer away, it reared up on its hind legs and charged her. The womans father then stepped outside with a shotgun, and he tried to thwart the charge by shooting the deer with rubber buckshot. (Officials said this was the same nonlethal round theyd given the man in the past to haze black bears with.) Its unclear how many rounds of rubber buckshot he fired, but they werent enough to stop the deer. The deer ignored the shots, continuing to charge toward the woman as she tried to get away, CPW officials said, so her father shot and killed the deer. Its unclear what kind of shotgun load the man used in his follow-up shot, and a CPW spokesperson could not immediately provide additional details. After a brief investigation, CPW ruled that the man killed the deer in defense of his daughter, and he did not receive a citation. Officials also found a fawn nearby that was taken to a local wildlife rehabilitation facility. They believe the fawn belonged to the deer, which could explain why the deer attacked the two dogs in the backyard in the first place. Deer, elk and moose can become aggressive in the late spring and early summer when their young are first born and defenseless, CPW wildlife manager Tim Kroenig said of the incident. The majority of aggressive behavior from these animals in some way involves a dog, who they see as a predator and threat to their young. Read Next: Deer Attacked 3 Dog Owners in the Same Canadian Town Last Week Wildlife officials gave the same explanation for a separate elk attack that took place earlier that day in a different Colorado town more than 130 miles to the north. In that incident, a woman in Estes Park was walking her leashed dog in the middle of town when a cow elk charged her from 20 yards away. The elk, which had a calf nearby, knocked the woman down and kicked her several times. Fridays incident was also the third elk attack to take place in Estes Park in a span of only eight days. Although the small tourist town sees elk-human conflicts every year during the winter and spring, when herds move down from nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, CPW officials have called the series of attacks unprecedented because of the circumstances surrounding them. The other two elk attacks, which took place on May 31 and June 4, involved young children in Estes Park. Neither child had a dog with them, and they seemed to be minding their own business at the time. In the June 4 incident, a four-year-old boy was charged and stomped on by a cow elk while on the playground at Stanley Park. CPW officials explained in a press release that there were two elk calves hidden nearby, but nobody saw them until it was too late. The young boy was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released later that day. The May 31 incident involved an eight-year-old girl, who was riding her bike in Estes Park when she was charged by a cow elk from roughly 60 yards away. The elk stomped on her multiple times, and she was released from the hospital that day after receiving treatment. Upon investigation, a wildlife officer found the cow with its calf, and he had to shoot the cow with a non-lethal bean bag round when it became aggressive toward him. Read Next: Colorado Sheriffs Deputy Shoots, Kills Charging Cow Moose Cow elk with young calves are known to be aggressive, however weve never seen a year like this, CPW wildlife manager Jason Duetsch said on Friday, referring to the three attacks that have taken place in Estes Park since May 31. All three attacks have been unprovoked and unfortunate accidents. We have no clear evidence to suggest these attacks were from the same animal, which underscores how uncommon the elk behavior has been.

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Above: A Nexstar video on changes in violent crime statistics released by the FBI.

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  San Diego police are investigating after a man was shot in the back in El Cerrito Sunday night.

The incident occurred just before 9 p.m. in the area of 6000 El Cajon Blvd., SDPD said in a release. Officers responded to the scene after hearing gunshots, arriving to find a 32-year-old man with a bullet wound to his back.

The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of the injury, which is not considered life-threatening at this time, according to SDPD.

Three arrested at DUI checkpoint in East County

An investigation into the incident remains ongoing by the departments Mid-City detectives.

At this time, no suspect has been identified, nor has a description of the individual been made available. It is also unclear whether the shooting occurred after an argument or if it was an unprovoked attack.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Mid-City Station or to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Man shot, killed by deputy during scuffle at eastern NC hospital

A deputy shot and killed a man Monday morning at a hospital in eastern North Carolina, WTVD reports.

It happened before 6 a.m. at UNC Healthcare Johnston in the town of Clayton.

Police: Accused shoplifter tried to grab sergeants gun before officer shot him

WTVD reports the deputy was a member of the Johnston County Sheriffs Office.

The sheriffs office told WTVD the deputy shot the man and he died at the scene. They said the deputy was leaving the hospital in his patrol car when he was confronted by a man who tried to take his gun.

A struggle began and the deputy was able to get his gun back before he shot the man, killing him.

The suspects identity has not yet been released, WTVD reports.

The deputy involved is on administrative leave with pay. His identity was not released.

The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the incident.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: 1 arrested for southwest Charlotte apartment fire, investigators say)
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a man was shot in Southeast D.C. Monday morning.

MPD responded to Gainesville Ave and Alabama Ave for a shooting.

3 hurt after car crashes into Gaithersburg apartment building

When police arrived at the scene, they found a man who had been shot.

The man had non-life-threatening injuries.

He was taken to hospital.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Man stabbed in Hyde Park after report of a large fight, police say

A male victim was rushed to the hospital after a stabbing in Hyde Park on Monday afternoon.

Officers responding to the area of 314 Wood Avenue around 4:20 p.m. for a report of a large group of kids fighting found a 45-year-old man with a stab wound in the back, according to Boston Police.

The victim was transported to an area hospital with injuries not considered to be life-threatening. Authorities say about 20 kids may have been involved in the fight.

No arrests have been at this time.

The incident remains under 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.

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Man suspected of shooting girlfriend: 'All this over a female'

Lafayette police are investigating the shooting of a 31-year-old woman in the area of Emerald Pine Apartments near McCarty Lane. The woman was shot about 3:15 a.m. Friday, June 7, 2024, and she is in critical condition, police said.

LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Taylor Malcolm called the YWCA early Friday asking for help getting out of a violent domestic relationship shortly before she was shot about 3:15 a.m. Friday, according to an affidavit.

It was the seventh call in four days that she made to the YWCA domestic violence shelter. Two calls were placed within about 30 minutes of the shooting.

"YWCA employees heard screaming, shattering sound, and then the line went silent," according to a probable cause affidavit filed Monday that recounted the early Friday morning call.

Police said there is no indication that Malcolm called them the night of the shooting to report domestic abuse.

Malcolm, 31, and her dog tried to leave the Emerald Pines Court apartment, but Anthony Reed Jr., 27, shot at her Hyundai Elantra, striking Malcolm in her torso, according to the affidavit.

The dog was not wounded and was returned to a family member for safe keeping, police said.

Asked Monday about Malcolm's condition, police said she survived the shooting but remains hospitalized in Indianapolis.

While Malcolm received treatment before being transported to an Indianapolis hospital, she told police that Reed was her boyfriend.

"Lock him up. He's going to kill me," she told officers, according to the affidavit.

A witness told police he heard arguing inside an apartment, and a short time later heard shots, according to the affidavit.

Police found seven shell casings in the parking lot.

While Malcolm was getting treatment, Reed was trying to sneak out of the apartment complex, driving his Jeep in the grassy area between the westernmost apartments and a ditch, according to police. Officers chased Reed until he stopped in the 1700 block of South Creasy Lane, where officers arrested him on suspicion of attempted murder.

"All this over a female," Reed said when officers arrested him, according to the affidavit.

Tire tracks in the grassy area behind Emerald Pines apartments show the path that police said Anthony Reed Jr., 27, took to avoid officers investigating the shooting of a 31-year-old woman. Police suspect Reed was the shooter and arrested him early Friday, June 7, 2024.

Officers jailed Reed on suspicion of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, battery with a deadly weapon, pointing a firearm and resisting law enforcement.

Prosecutors likely will receive an extension to file charges until later in the week.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Shooting suspect: "All this over a female"
Man wanted for trying to punch pregnant woman in Fellinis Pizza parking lot

Atlanta police have issued warrants for a man seen trying to punch a pregnant woman at a popular metro Atlanta pizza restaurant on Friday.

Officers responded to a call at Fellinis Pizza off Ponce De Leon and spoke with the manager who said a man, identified as 52-year-old Willie Grace had refused to leave the property.

An employee told police that Grace swung his fist at a pregnant woman in the restaurant parking lot.

Grace then started to hit the door of the business, causing damage, according to police.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Grace has been arrested several times in Atlanta, police said.

Police are asking the unidentified victim to contact Atlanta police so officers can gather more information on the assault.

Any information on the case can be submitted anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online www.crimestoppersatlanta.org or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637). Tipsters do not have to give their name or any identifying information to be eligible for the reward of up to $2,000.

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(WHTM)  A man who was wanted in Lancaster County for allegedly stealing hundreds of dollars worth of Pokemon cards has been caught.

Manheim Township Police say on May 28 officers responded to a store on Fuitville Pike for a theft complaint. Police say David Parker of York allegedly entered the store with a bag and placed several boxes of Pokemon cards into the bag.

Police say Parker then left out of a fire exit, causing an alarm to sound, and taking the stolen cards valued at $249.95.

Employee killed in Lancaster County workplace accident identified

Parker left in a silver Honda CR-V that police say was involved in a York County theft. Police added that Parker has three prior retail theft convictions.

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On September 4, Manheim Township Police announced that Parker had been arraigned and released on $10,000 bail. According to court records, Parker is facing a felony retail theft charge and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing later this month.

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ISLAMABAD, June 10 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed, 10 missing and two others injured when a jeep plunged into Neelum River in Neelum district of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, local authorities confirmed to Xinhua on Monday.

The accident happened on Sunday near Karimabad area of the district after the jeep skidded into the river while climbing a ramp on a damaged road, said rescue service.

Locals, along with Pakistan army personnel, carried out rescue operations. Six bodies were found while search for the missing people was still underway.

It took long time to conduct rescue operations as many of the victims flowed away, local media reported, adding that around 18 people were on the jeep when the accident happened.

Most of the passengers were tourists, and the rest were local residents of Neelum valley, according to local media. 
Man Who Went Viral for Virtual Court Appearance for Suspended License While in Car Just Got His Learner's Permit

After getting his learner's permit, Corey Harris did a celebratory dance outside Michigans Secretary of States office

Dionne Webster-Cox Corey Harris with his learner's permit, outside Michigan's Secretary of State's office.

Corey Harris has  famously  been driving for a while now. He just didnt have a license.

The Michigan man went viral last month after he appeared behind the wheel at his virtual court hearing for driving with a suspended license.

Then, last week the judge overseeing his case said in court that Harris had never even had a license to suspend in the first place.

But on Friday, June 7, Harris took the first steps to finally make his driving legal: He got his learners permit.

At 11:11 a.m., Harris is shown smiling and dancing outside the Michigans Secretary of State's office.

Congratulations! You did it! a womans voice says in the video of the celebration obtained by PEOPLE.

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Its a step in the right direction, his lawyer, Dionne Webster-Cox tells PEOPLE.

Then referencing her clients headline-making May 15 court appearance, she continued: One day he has absolutely nothing, and today he has his learners permit. One day does not make the rest of your life, it can change in a day.

Angela Benander of Michigans Secretary of State previously confirmed to PEOPLE that Harriss driving privileges had been suspended since 2007.

Related: Man Who Went Viral for Virtual Court Appearance in Car for Suspended License Never Actually Had One

Although he never had a license, his privileges to get one were automatically suspended when he failed to pay child support, according to Webster-Cox.

Then in October 2023, Harris was stopped by a police officer in an Ann Arbor suburb because the car he was driving had an expired license plate, Webster-Cox says. The officer asked him for his license, which he could not provide because he did not have one. Based on earlier child support-related paperwork, his license was assumed to be suspended.

So, Judge J. Cedric Simpson was notably perplexed when Harris tuned into his May 15 virtual hearing to discuss the misdemeanor charge from the drivers seat of a moving car.

(The above video was created following the May 15 hearing. Since that time, more facts related to Corey Harris' case have become known.)

Mr. Harris, are you driving? Simpson asked in the recorded hearing.

"Actually, Im pulling into my doctors office," Harris replied. So, just give me one second. Im parking right now.

The judge threw down his pen in visible agitation, rested his head in his hand, and, after Harris parked, ordered him to turn himself into Washtenaw County Jail by 6 p.m.

Oh my God, Harris said, his mouth dropping into a wide O.

Dionne Webster-Cox Corey Harris can take his road test for a driver's license as soon as July 7.

Related: Suspended License of Man Who Appeared Virtually in Court While Driving Should Have Been Reinstated: Report

Harris believed that he had a license  which he had never received  by virtue of the fact that it was suspended, according to Webster-Cox, who in an earlier interview with PEOPLE said Harris was doing the very best with this situation, to make everything right.

Webster-Cox tells PEOPLE that after Harris' admittedly embarrassing few weeks in the spotlight, his story holds a lesson for everyone: Dont give up.

This is going to be a feel-good story, she adds.

Harris can return to the Secretary of States office July 7 for a road test and the chance at a driver's license, according to his Michigan Temporary Instruction Permit, a copy of which was obtained by PEOPLE.

He is scheduled back in court August 7 at 9 a.m., according to his lawyer, who said that with a license, his misdemeanor charge may be downgraded to a civil infraction.



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Read the original article on People.
Maple Valley daycare loses its license and is under investigation

A Maple Valley daycare is no longer allowed to operate.

The Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families revoked Discovery Playtowns license as they began an investigation into one of their employees sexually preying on kids.

The investigation centers around employee Joseph Hefner.

Earlier this week KIRO 7 learned he was charged for sexually abusing two sisters from 2022 to 2023.

The older sister said they met Hefner through the daycare that the younger sister attended.

Hefner was already a child sex crime convict and was on the registry until 2021 when his record got expunged.

Attorneys handling the case tell KIRO 7 that he has a personal relationship with the daycare director and that is likely how he got hired.

PCVA Attorney Benjamin Watson sent the following statement to KIRO 7:

The critical questions are how many other children are affected? How did Joseph Hefner, who appears to have been convicted of child sex crimes, was able to work at the daycare, and what the daycare knew about Joseph Hefners prior problems, particularly what the director and owners knew?

PCVA believes there may be more victims out there and have confirmed that others have reached out to their law firm.

You can do the same if you are a victim or know anyone who might be.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a self-described "Christian nationalist," compared former President Donald Trump to Jesus Christ at a Las Vegas rally on Sunday. According to the Republican congresswoman, Trump's conviction by a New York jury puts him on the same plane as the messiah.

Dismissing his conviction with profanity, Greene said she and other MAGA supporters are going to "tolerate" references to Trump's legal problems.

"The Democrats and the fake news media want to constantly talk about. 'Oh, President Trump is a convicted felon,'" she said, referring to Trump's convictions on 34 felony counts in his hush money trial. Greene said she was fine with it because her lord and savior was also a criminal.

"Well, you want to know something? The man that I worship is also a 'convicted felon.' And he was murdered on a Roman cross," she said, claiming that Trump facing legal consequences for falsifying business records was an example of "political corruption."

Not to be outdone, Nevada GOP chair Michael McDonald thanked God for allowing supporters to come and "worship" Trump.

Greene has a history of looking at Trump and seeing Jesus. After Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced in 2023 that he was charging Trump with 34 felonies, Greene said that the former president was "joining" Jesus and Nelson Mandala on the pantheon of "some of the most incredible people in history being arrested."

Trump himself has leaned into the comparisons, even while deriding his flock in private. He is currently hawking an edition of the Bible that boasts of being the "ONLY" Bible "endorsed by President Trump" and "inspired by Americas most recognized patriotic anthem, God Bless The USA."
Georgia Republican Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene likened Donald Trump to Jesus Christ, who is also a convicted felon, after the former presidents bulls*** conviction in the hush money trial last month.

Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in his home state of New York related to so-called hush money payments given to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election in exchange for her silence over an alleged affair.

The Georgia firebrand labeled the guilty verdict bulls*** at a rally on Sunday in Las Vegas. The Democrats and the fake news media want to constantly talk about, Oh, President Trump is a convicted felon, she said. Well, you want to know something? The man that I worship is also a convicted felon.

The audience cheered.

And he was murdered on a Roman cross, Taylor Greene continued as the crowd whooped behind her. Weve seen political corruption. We have seen this throughout history. This is nothing new.

Some online pointed out that the convicted felon comparison ends at the label itself.

One X user wrote: I cant wait to see all the fake Christians explain how its perfectly normal to compare Trump to Jesus. Or, you know, pay off a pornstar to cover up an affair you had while your 3rd wife was pregnant.

Another joked that Jesus also said sometimes revenge can be justified, which Trump quipped during his interview with Dr Phil last week.

Others still called it blasphemous to compare Trump to Jesus.

Taylor Greene is just one of many in her party to defend the former president after the historic guilty verdict, which Trump has vowed to appeal.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said in the immediate aftermath: President Trump will rightfully appeal this absurd verdict  and he WILL WIN. He called the trial result an example of the weaponization of our justice system.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said: These charges never should have been brought in the first place. I expect the conviction to be overturned on appeal.

Others have suggested that there will be political retribution, as Trump and members of his party have repeatedly claimed that President Biden orchestrated the criminal case against Trump.

Texas Republican Rep Ronny Jackson recently divulged that he planned to aggressively go after the president and his entire family, while Texas Republican Rep Troy Nehls warned there will be hell to pay for the conviction.

Trump is scheduled to be sentenced 11 July.
Market Is a Factor in Mexico Congress Next Steps, Senator Says

(Bloomberg) -- Mexicos ruling party will keep the market in mind as it moves to discuss constitutional reforms, Senate Majority Leader Ricardo Monreal said in an interview.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Next steps will be determined after President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum meets with outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador later on Monday, Monreal said. Sheinbaum will play a key role in determining the timeline and priorities for discussion in the legislature even before she takes office in October.

A larger-than-expected win for the ruling coalition in Congress has led the peso to weaken to as low as 18.66 pesos per dollar earlier on Monday amid concerns that the administration would seek to advance key constitutional changes at a faster pace and without making alterations requested by opposition parties.

The market is an actor that plays a role and is present in our decisions, he said. Thats why, even though the country needs more change, we need to express clearly that were not looking for either a return to authoritarianism nor an undue accumulation of power.

Mexicos peso strengthened 1% to a session high after Monreals comments. The new congress starts its legislative period on Sept. 1.

Other key points from the interview:

The most controversial reforms are expected to be the judiciary reform, the electoral reform, the bill on autonomous regulators and the energy reform

Although Sheinbaum has not yet said which ones she will prioritize, in her campaign she supported Lopez Obradors reforms

Sheinbaum will give the conversations an appropriate pace, dates are not yet set for when the bills could be discussed and passed

Sheinbaum is very sensible and has instructed lawmakers to be cautious

Ruling party lawmakers will act in coordination with the wider party and Sheinbaum

Economic stability and responsible governance are convenient for Mexico

The country needs a transition process that is not abrupt, but rather, as smooth as velvet

--With assistance from Michael O'Boyle.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Photo by Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images.

Maryland ranked in the middle of the pack when it comes to the overall well-being of children, but improvements are still needed, according to a report released Monday.

The 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book ranked Maryland 22nd among states, one place lower than last year and three spots lower than the report from two years ago.

Over the years, Maryland has made some investments  that have paid off in its own way, Nonso Umunna, director of the centers KIDS COUNT initiative, said in an interview. Maryland is doing well, but theres still more work to do.

The report is prepared by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in conjunction with organizations across the county, like the Maryland Center of Economic Policy. It rates states in 16 wide-ranging areas, which are lumped together under the categories of health, education, economic well-being, and family and community support.

The education portion of this edition, the 35th, focused on student achievement. It showed that just 32% of fourth graders nationally were at or above proficiency in reading in 2022, the latest year for which numbers were available. That was down from the 34% who were proficient in 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Scores were even worse for eighth grade math. Nationally, just 26% of eighth graders were at or above proficiency in math two years ago, down from 33% in 2019.

In Maryland, by comparison, just 31% of fourth graders performed at or above proficiency in reading and 25% of eighth-grade students were at or above proficiency in math.

Maryland was level with the nation, however, when it came to chronic absenteeism  when a student misses at least 10% of school days. For both the state and the nation, about one-third of students were chronically absent in the 2021-22 school year.

One possible solution highlighted by the Kids Count report was community schools  something Maryland lawmakers voted this year to expand.

Community schools can offer programs for students and families such as behavioral health services, tutoring and employment opportunities. Creating more community schools was a priority for the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland this year.

Bills on community schools that were sponsored by Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D-Montgomery), chair of the Black Caucus, and Sen. Alonzo Washington (D-Prince Georges), will go into effect July 1. Community schools are also part of the expansive Blueprint for Marylands Future education reform plan.

Another recommendation in the report was for state lawmakers is to draw down money from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, also known as ESSER. States have until Sept. 30 to apply for any unused pandemic-era relief money that can fund after-school and tutoring programs, mental health services and other needs.

Marylands available amount left: $837.6 million.

Thats still a big chunk of money that can be used to spend on education Umunna said. We have to make investments in education. We have to make sure the Blueprint is fully implemented. We cant afford to back off those reforms.

When it comes to the Blueprint plan, Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-Lower Shore) said local school and county officials should be heard, especially to allow flexibility to fund it locally.

Hearing from them on the challenges and realities they are facing  on how it could work for successful implementation, said Carozza, a member of the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee. They are the ones to have to make it work in the daily lives of our students and our teachers and our school personnel.

Del. Joe Vogel (D-Montgomery), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, said education should be applied through a wholistic approach such as mental health services for students in and outside the classroom and combat the states teacher shortage.

But the most important thing we can do right now is full implementation of the Blueprint, he said. We have to make sure to fully implement it and secure the funding and making sure the counties are doing the same.

Looking at the data

In terms of overall well-being of children, Maryland has been ranked in the top half of the 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia for the last three years.

A few 2022 Maryland statistics from the latest Kids Count report, and where the state ranked nationally:

Sixth for children in households with income below the poverty line, with 155,000 such children, or 12%. For a family of two adults and two children, the federal poverty level would be an annual income below $29,678.

11th for children living with parents who lacked secure employment, defined as a parent without regular, full-time, year-round employment. There were 294,000 Maryland children in that situation, or 22% of the total.

17th for children under age 19 without health insurance, with 60,000 children, or about 4% of the total.

37th for children who lived in households with high housing cost burdens, at with 402,000, or about 30% of the total. A high housing cost burden is defined as having more than 30% of monthly household pretax income consumed by items such as rent, mortgage payments and taxes.

The report offers a few recommendations for policymakers, school leaders and educators that include chronicling absenteeism data by grade, establishing a culture to pursue evidence-based solutions and incorporating intensive, in-person tutoring to align with the school curriculum.

These are just a handful of steps we hope leaders will take to position the next generation to succeed, both in the classroom and eventually in the workforce, according to the report. We must do more to help kids overcome the setbacks that affect their learning. This moment brings not only an opportunity but an imperative to do better.

The post Maryland gets middling results for states in annual report on childrens well-being appeared first on Maryland Matters.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  A revised bill drafted by Republicans that changes state law on wearing masks and implements new campaign finance provisions could reach Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers desk this week.

While the bill no longer repeals the health and safety exception to the states mask law that has allowed people to wear masks since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, it still concerns Cat Williams.

Williams received a double lung transplant in 2020 after living with cystic fibrosis. She continues to wear a mask everywhere she goes because shes immunocompromised.

I think theyve just made it more of a mess than it was to begin with, she said.

Republicans in the legislature unveiled their revised legislation last Thursday. The bill now says that people can wear a medical or surgical grade mask for the purpose of preventing the spread of contagious disease.

Williams said, People have allergies. Theres wildfire smoke. Theres a lot of reasons to wear masks besides just preventing the spread of contagious disease.

It also includes a provision that allows law enforcement or any owner or occupant of public or private property to request someone remove their mask temporarily for the purposes of identifying them.

With how quickly some viruses spread, Williams says she thinks that defeats the purpose of her wearing her mask.

Anyone, not even just a police officer, but just any Tom, Dick or Harry can say I want to identify you, take off your mask. And, youre supposed to take off your mask, she said. Im going to the grocery store and the pharmacy and my doctors office. Who needs to identify me? I mean, we have drivers licenses. We have lots of ways to identify ourselves.

Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said he thinks the bill reflects a compromise that still allows people to wear masks for health reasons while addressing situations where people wear masks while committing other crimes, including at some recent protests on college campuses.

I believe the language that we came up with handles that. I also think it addresses the more egregious situations that were out there, where you had people wearing ski masks, he said. If they have (a mask) and are wearing it for the purpose of protecting themselves from some sort of disease or other medical reason, then thats not a violation of the law.

The bill also includes stiffer penalties for wearing a mask while committing another crime as well as for blocking streets. Protest organizers can be held liable as well if a demonstration prevents emergency vehicles from getting to people in need and that results in serious injury or death.

Senate Democrats walked off the floor last week and refused to participate in a vote on the bill after discovering Republicans had included a new provision related to campaign finance that could allow more dark money to come into state elections through political committees sending money to the state parties.

Sen. Berger said the measure is meant to level the playing field following a North Carolina State Board of Elections opinion in 2020 that he said advantaged the Democratic Governors Association.

Sen. Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake) called it political laundering and said he was confident Gov. Cooper would veto it.

CBS 17 reached out to the governors office about the bill, and released the following statement:

Governor Cooper opposes Republicans changing campaign donation rules behind closed doors just months before an election to let out-of-state billionaires rescue their extreme right wing statewide candidates. This goes against the guidance of the State Board of Elections and political donations should be more transparent, not less.

The House could vote on the bill as soon as Tuesday afternoon. The chambers Rules committee is scheduled to hear it Tuesday morning.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Nate Raymond

BOSTON (Reuters) - A Massachusetts public middle school did not violate a student's free speech rights under the U.S. Constitution by requiring the boy to stop wearing a T-shirt that said "There are only two genders," a federal appeals court has ruled.

The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Sunday issued a ruling siding with educators at Nichols Middle School in Middleborough who last year required Liam Morrison to remove the shirt after concluding its message demeaned the identity of transgender and gender non-conforming students.

The case is one of a growing number of lawsuits by conservative litigants challenging school policies aimed at protecting LGBT students from harassment and respecting their preferred pronouns and gender identities.

Morrison's lawyers said the boy, 12 years old at the time, wore the shirt in seventh grade to express his political disagreement with the school's support for views that biology alone does not determine gender. His attorneys said the school expressed these views through pro-LGBT posters and Pride Month celebrations.

Educators required Morrison in April 2023 to either remove the shirt or leave for the day, which he did. The same thing happened about a month later when he wore a shirt saying "There are [censored] genders" after his case generated media coverage and protests.

His attorneys at the conservative Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom argued that officials violated his rights under the Constitution's First Amendment, which protects against government interference with speech, by deeming the shirts a violation of a hate speech provision of the school's dress code.

Chief U.S. Circuit Judge David Barron, whose opinion was joined by two fellow appointees of Democratic presidents, said the shirts could be understood to communicate that male and female are the only two valid gender identities.

As a result, Barron said the court could not conclude that educators acted unreasonably in finding that the shirts demeaned the identity of transgender and gender non-conforming students. The judge wrote that educators have legal discretion to make that call.

"The question here is not whether the t-shirts should have been barred," Barron said. "The question is who should decide whether to bar them - educators or federal judges."

The ruling upheld a trial court judge's decision. Morrison's lawyers said he will likely pursue a further appeal. They could either ask the full 1st Circuit to reconsider the case or ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear it.

"Students don't lose their free speech rights the moment they walk into a school building," David Cortman, an attorney for Morrison, said in a statement.

The school's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; editing by Will Dunham and Alexia Garamfalvi)
A school district in Massachusetts was within its rights to ban a students There Are Only Two Genders T-shirt, as protecting LGBTQ+ students from harassment overrides free speech considerations, a federal appeals court has ruled.

In following the lead of other courts that have grappled with similar cases, we emphasize that in many realms of public life one must bear the risk of being subjected to messages that are demeaning of race, sex, religion, or sexual orientation, even when those messages are highly disparaging of those characteristics, Chief Judge David J. Barron wrote for a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The ruling was issued Sunday and upholds one from a federal district court.

But, like these other courts, we do not understand Tinker [a 1969 Supreme Court ruling on student speech], in holding that schools must allow for robust discussion and debate over even the most contentious and controversial topics, to have held that our public schools must be a similarly unregulated place, he continued.

The student, identified in the lawsuit as L.M. and in media reports as Liam Morrison, was a seventh-grader at John T. Nichols Middle School in Middleborough when he wore the shirt to school on March 21, 2023. He was called into a meeting with the schools interim principal and other administrators, who told him that some students had complained about the shirt and that he must remove it if he wanted to return to class. The shirt violated the dress codes prohibition on hate speech, the administrators said. Morrison refused and left school for the day. He was not disciplined.

He wore the shirt to school again on May 5, 2023, with the word Censored taped over the words Only Two. Administrators told him he could not wear that shirt either, and he agreed to take it off and return to class. A few days later, two other students wore shirts with the original message and were also told they were in violation of the dress code. One agreed to remove the shirt and go back to class, while the other refused and went home. Neither of them was disciplined either.

Soon afterward, Morrison and his parents filed suit in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, alleging violation of his First Amendment rights to free speech. The district court ruled that the school district was within its rights to enforce the dress code to protect vulnerable students. The shirts message "may communicate that only two gender identities  male and female are valid, and any others are invalid or nonexistent, the court ruled, adding that students who identify differently ... have a right to attend school without being confronted by messages attacking their identities. Morrison and his parents appealed to the First Circuit, resulting in the Sunday ruling.

Administrators knew that Nichols Middle School had some students who were transgender or gender-nonconforming, the appellate ruling noted, and that these students often felt unwelcome or bullied at school. They were likely to react badly to Morrisons shirt, and administrators were right to conclude that the shirt would disrupt the learning environment, Judge Barron explained.

The question here is not whether the t-shirts should have been barred, he wrote. The question is who should decide whether to bar them  educators or federal judges. We cannot say that in this instance the Constitution assigns the sensitive (and potentially consequential) judgment about what would make an environment conducive to learning at NMS to us rather than to the educators closest to the scene. He added that while the shirts message is not at the farthest end of demeaning, it goes beyond tepidly negative.

Morrison is represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, which handles many anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion clients. The ADF is reviewing all legal options including appealing this decision, Senior Counsel David Cortman said in a statement to Bloomberg Law. It could appeal to the full First Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court.

Students dont lose their free speech rights the moment they walk into a school building, Cortman added. The government cannot silence any speaker just because it disapproves of what they say.
KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia, the world's second largest palm oil producer, saw its palm oil stocks grow 0.5 percent from the previous month to 1.75 million tons in May, official data showed Monday.

According to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Malaysia's crude palm oil (CPO) production for the cited month increased by 13.48 percent month on month to 1.7 million tons.

Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian country's palm oil exports rose 11.6 percent month on month to 1.38 million tons. Its palm oil imports, on the other hand, plunged 40.28 percent month on month to 20,761 tons. 
Massive solar farm with 80 MWh of storage goes online in Lone Star State: 'Texas needs every available megawatt'

West of San Antonio, Texas, a massive 208-megawatt solar farm has come online, per an article published in Electrek. The solar + storage has 80 megawatt-hours of storage and can power 41,600 homes.

The new hybrid solar facility, called Zier, is located in Brackettville and marks Cypress Creek Renewable's largest solar project to date. Texas' main grid, ERCOT  which manages 90% of the state's power supply, providing energy to more than 25 million residents  already uses Zier to reduce grid strain when demand is high.

"Texas needs every available megawatt, and low-cost renewable energy has proven critical as it continues to reach new production heights in ERCOT," Judd Messer, Texas vice president of Advanced Power Alliance, said in a Cypress Creek Renewables news release.

The launch of the solar farm outside of San Antonio signals the state's step toward renewable energy sources, as the solar + storage can provide clean power throughout Texas. Solar energy and storage technology is an essential factor in meeting the state's growing energy demands.

During sunlight hours, electricity consumption is high, and solar energy has the capacity to meet those needs. However, thanks to Zier's new energy storage project, Texas can now store excess solar energy, which can then be distributed later when needed.

Bringing solar energy to the wider Texas community is also expected to have a significant economic impact on residents. According to Electrek, the Zier Solar + Storage project will generate $11.5 million in tax revenue for Kinney County. An additional $11.7 million will be allocated to the Brackett Independent School District.

Transitioning toward renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, not only helps lower the cost of energy but also helps reduce the amount of harmful pollutants that are overheating the planet. Texas has established itself as a leader in adopting solar energy, as the state has already installed 23 gigawatts, per SolarCell.

"Clean reliable power is critical to supporting the remarkable continuing growth happening in Texas," Sarah Slusser, CEO of Cypress Creek Renewables, said in a company press release. "We are incredibly proud to be bringing online more solar and dispatchable energy from batteries like ours at Zier, which have already proven vital to keeping the lights on and the air conditioning running when Texans need it most."

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Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz in the Capitol in Tallahassee on March 4, 2024. (Photo by Mitch Perry)

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Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz is showing his support for the Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) proposed near-total ban on employers requiring workers to sign so-called noncompete agreements, which prevent them from taking a new job or starting a new company.

The Panhandle-area Republican filed an amicus brief last week in a lawsuit in which business groups are challenging the FTCs plan.

The Federal Trade Commissions rule prohibiting most employers from entering or enforcing noncompete agreements with certain workers, subject to narrow exceptions, is a vindication of economic freedom and free enterprise, Gaetz wrote in his 21-page brief filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas Dallas Division, where the lawsuit is being tried.

Rooted in Section 5 of the FTC Acts prohibition against unfair methods of competition, the rule reflects the ideal that all power concentrations in the United States, whether public or private, should be limited.

The Democratic-controlled FTC voted 3-2 in April for the rule to ban noncompete agreements. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups immediately filed the lawsuit seeking to strike down the proposal, arguing that the agency lacks authority to regulate unfair methods of competition.

Other groups involved the lawsuit include the Texas Association of Business, the Business Roundtable, and the Longview Chamber of Commerce.

Noncompete clauses keep wages low, suppress new ideas, and rob the American economy of dynamism, including from the more than 8,500 new startups that would be created a year once noncompetes are banned, FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement in April. The FTCs final rule to ban noncompetes will ensure Americans have the freedom to pursue a new job, start a new business, or bring a new idea to market.

The FTC originally proposed the rule in January 2023. Khan has said that the agency received more than 26,000 comments on the rule, with more than 25,000 supporting the FTCs stance.

In a statement released in April, the FTC estimated the final rule will lead to new business formation growing by 2.7% per year, resulting in more than 8,500 additional new businesses created each year, as well as increasing wages for workers by $524 per year. The FTC added that it would help drive innovation, leading to an estimated average increase of 17,000 to 29,000 more patents each year for the next 10 years under the final rule.

Khans tenure at the Federal Trade Commission has included going after big tech firms such as Amazon, eliciting strong pushback by pro-business organizations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and in op-eds in The Wall Street Journal. But its also inspired support from Republicans who back her efforts to enforce antitrust law, such as Gaetz.

Not an open question

In his amicus brief, the Florida Republican said that the federal court in Texas should reject the effort to revive a long-settled debate regarding the Federal Trade Commissions authority to issue substantive rules.

The Commissions Section 6(g) rulemaking power is not an open question, and Congress did not intend for the issue to be litigated each time the Commission seeks to adopt or enforce a rule, Gaetz writes.

And, in fact, it is precisely concern over judicial activism that gave rise to these, and other, delegations of authority to federal agencies. Repeatedly, when faced with the opportunity to amend the Federal Trade Commission Act, Congress has upheld, or even expanded, the Commissions substantive rulemaking authority over unfair methods of competition.

Florida Republican Marco Rubio introduced legislation last year that would prohibit an employer from enforcing, or threatening to enforce, any non-compete agreement in employment contracts with certain entry-level, lower wage workers, but it hasnt been moved in the Senate.

A handful of states have passed their own bans on noncompete agreements, including California, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Oklahoma, according to Reuters.

The post Matt Gaetz backs FTCs proposed ban on workplace noncompete agreements appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
University of Kentucky HealthCare is working to give patients in mental crisis hope.

Kentucky emergency rooms are overrun and not the right environment to address mental health needs, Eastern State Hospital Chief Administrative Officer Lindsey Jasinski said.

You dont leave a traditional emergency department feeling a sense of hope, she said in an interview with the Herald-Leader. Hope is one of the most important things that keeps people alive in crisis.

UK HealthCare is opening a dedicated behavioral health emergency room in Lexington at Eastern State Hospital.

The Emergency Psychiatric Assessment Treatment and Healing (EmPATH) unit will expand psychiatric emergency care and lessen the strain on traditional emergency rooms.

Eastern State is an inpatient psychiatric hospital owned by the state government but managed by UK HealthCare, but the EmPATH unit will be fully owned and operated by UK.

The unit is to open July 30 and will have a 12-patient capacity. Patients can stay for up to 23 hours. If a patient stays that entire time, they will be referred to another program for further treatment.

Deviating from the traditional emergency room set-up, the EmPATH model doesnt have individual patient rooms, but employs an open concept to create a quiet welcoming space for patients in crisis. Patients will notice the large open room also swaps out traditional hospital beds for recliners.

The EmPATH model, which started in California and is now recognized as a national best practice by the Joint Commission, has been shown to reduce hospitalizations by 60%. There are over 30 units across the U.S.

Dr. Scott Zeller founded the EmPATH model and is consulting with UK to start its own.

UKs department will be 11,000 square feet and cost about $750,000 to renovate for use. UK also will pay Eastern State $200,000 annually to rent the space.

The unit will be open to patients of all mental health needs, ranging from substance abuse disorders, to anxiety and depression or suicidal ideation. Even if the room is full when a patient arrives, they wont be turned away.

Crisis has to be defined by the individual, Chief Nursing Officer Marc Woods said. If that person is struggling through the day, their daily routine is significantly hampered or their work is significantly impacted. The individual plays a huge role in defining what a crisis is.

Mental health has seen a decline across the nation, Woods said, and Kentucky is no different. Nationally, about one in five adults have a mental illness. Here in the commonwealth, one in three Kentuckians have an anxiety or depression diagnosis.

Before the COVID pandemic, Eastern State had an average daily patient count around 100. Now, that number sits closer to 160.

Woods said there is a gap in mental health care, and the new emergency psychiatric unit will help meet a demonstrated need.

Chief Medical Officer Andy Cooley said having a dedicated mental health assessment unit will help move people out UK emergency rooms faster - which are often overflowing.

In the past, whats been occurring is patch work. Weve been trying to force a square peg in a round hole, he said. There could be a backlog for a patient to be seen in an emergency room. It could be six to eight hours.

Much like a traditional emergency room, patients can bring themselves to the new mental health crisis unit or be brought in by first responders. Anyone can take advantage of the new service, unless the patient is under 18-years-old or medically unstable.

The idea is they wont go to any other emergency department, theyll come directly to us and then we can help support them immediately, Jasinski said.

It creates capacity for us as an entire system to not only treat our behavioral health patients but treat anyone else who needs us.
(Bloomberg) -- The US Supreme Court agreed to consider killing a multibillion-dollar shareholder lawsuit that accuses Meta Platforms Inc. of misleading investors about the data-harvesting scandal involving political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica.

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The justices said Monday they will decide whether a federal appeals court was wrong to let the lawsuit go forward based on allegations that the company, then known as Facebook, inflated share prices by inadequately disclosing the risk that its user data would be misused.

The investors say revelations about the scandal contributed to two 2018 price drops that cost the company more than $200 billion in market capitalization.

The case could reset the legal rules governing corporate disclosure. Business groups led by the Chamber of Commerce urged the court to take up the case, saying that risk-disclosure allegations have contributed to a wave of meritless securities-fraud suits.

The Securities and Exchange Commission since 2005 has required companies to disclose material factors that would make an investment risky.

The first hint of the Cambridge Analytica controversy came in December 2015, when The Guardian reported that the British firm was using a database of information gleaned from Facebook users to help the presidential primary campaign of Senator Ted Cruz. At the time, Facebook said it was investigating.

The suing shareholders say Facebook quickly concluded that Cambridge Analytica had obtained the private information of more than 30 million users without their consent.

Shock and Fury

But the shareholders say the company publicly characterized the risk of a breach as hypothetical and didnt change that stance until March 2018, when it issued a statement to preempt more far-reaching stories in The New York Times and The Guardian. The investors say those revelations caused the share price to plunge.

The public reacted with shock and fury, they argued in court papers. Many expressed dismay that Facebook had been aware of the breach for years but failed to disclose it to the public or affected users.

The shareholders say the companys inadequate disclosures also contributed to a July 2018 stock plunge that at the time was the largest one-day drop in value in US history.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals said the allegations were sufficient to let the lawsuit go forward.

Meta says it didnt have any reason to think the scandal would harm the company because details had already been published without any impact on the stock price. Meta says the 9th Circuits reasoning would require companies to disclose risks that occurred years earlier even if they dont pose any known current threat of business harm.

The 9th Circuits rule reflects a misguided conception of falsity and the nature of risk, and it flies in the face of Congresss efforts to rein in private securities lawsuits, Meta argued.

The company could face a $2 billion settlement if it cant keep the case from going to trial, according to Matthew Schettenhelm, an analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence.

The high court will hear arguments and rule in the nine-month term that starts in October.

The case is Facebook v. Amalgamated Bank, 23-980.

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The hiker who got lost on a Guatemalan volcano last month is back home in Lilburn.

Zain Waliany, 26, spoke to Channel 2s Courtney Francisco after reuniting with his parents and sister.

That was so relieving, said Waliany. I was so happy to see them.

Waliany said he lost his way May 21st while hiking Volcan de Fuego in Guatemala.

He said he was having trouble acclimating to the altitude and told his friend to go on up without him. He said he would catch up later.

Ego got a little ahead of me at that point, said Waliany.

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Walking up the slick ashy summit, Waliany said he sprained his ankle. It took hours to limp to the top. He said by the time he arrived, his friend had gone down with the rest of the tourist group.

He waited nine hours for Waliany, but he never came down.

That is when the friend called family, and Walianys sister, Emen, began contacting search and rescue crews, the embassy and posting flyers online.

I just dont want to think about what could have happened, said Emen Waliany. Because that breaks my heart. He is my older brother. He is my only sibling. He means the world to me.

Her brother said he walked 14 hours a day.

I was making paper trails and everything for someone to find me, said Waliany.

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He said one night he slept in a tree, the other nights he found shelter in caves.

He said he drank rainwater and survived a 400-foot fall from a cliff.

I started crying. Especially, after my second fall, but when I tasted my own tears, I thought, I cannot cry right now. I have to suck it up, said Waliany. I just could not focus on the negative of how I could die. I was so much more concerned on what I could do to live.

Along the way, he said mans best friend showed up on the volcano.

That was an angel in disguise, said Waliany.

He and the dog began seeing people going to work as they approach the base. Then, they saw police.

They realized who I was immediately, said Waliany.

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They took him to the station, fed him and medics checked his health. Waliany was able to call home.

That that kind of broke me a little bit, I am not going to lie. I could hear in my dads voice that he had been crying, and my moms, said Waliany.

He made it home by the following Sunday. He said he will not be hiking or traveling any time soon.

IN OTHER NEWS:
President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum speaks to a crowd after initial results showed she was leading the polls by a wide margin on Monday, June 3, 2024, in Mexico City. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)

Last Sunday, Mexican voters went to the polls to choose their next president. Claudia Sheinbaum, the former mayor of Mexico City, soundly defeated opposition candidate, Xochitl Galvez, and minor party candidate Jorge Alvarez Maynez. Heading into Election Day, the leading candidates in the polls were both women. Mexico elected the first woman president in their countrys history because both major party coalitions nominated a woman  something that has never happened in the United States. Five months ahead of the United States presidential election, the presumptive nominees of both major parties are men.

Polls consistently show that most Americans do not want a rematch between Biden and Trump, who was convicted late last month on 34 felony counts in his hush money trial. These men are our presumptive nominees in part because there was never much of a choice or opportunity for anyone else to lead. Despite poor polling numbers and calls for him to step down, Biden was never seriously challenged. As a quasi-incumbent, former President Trump is the last former president since Grover Cleveland to win his partys nomination after losing the presidency.

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley became the first woman to ever win a Republican primary and recently made local news by winning 22% in last months Indiana primary, even though she dropped out of the race more than two months prior. Given voters discontent, are Americans primed to elect a woman candidate in the near future?

In our recently published research paper, we discuss results from our 2021 study of American voters support for a woman president by assessing their attitudes and predicted behaviors. Using an original survey instrument, we asked more than 1,000 Americans whether electing the countrys first woman president would be historically important.

In the abstract, almost three of every four Americans affirmed that this would be historically important, although we did find some notable statistically significant differences between voters. In general, we found that self-identified women, Democrats, political liberals, and those who held more equitable views toward women in politics were more likely to believe this to be historically important.

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While these findings may be encouraging, politics does not happen in the abstract. It is a costless endeavor to say you would consider supporting a woman candidate for president. When push comes to shove, recent history suggests that most Americans are not willing to follow through.

To examine whether voters would support a woman candidate when push comes to shove, we asked the same respondents to rank their preferred candidates in a Democratic and Republican nomination contest using a list experiment. In our Republican control group, respondents received a standard list of Republican candidates: Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, and Tom Cotton. Our Republican experimental group viewed this same list, but there was one additional name: Nikki Haley. In our Democratic control group, respondents received a standard list of Democratic candidates: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, and Elizabeth Warren. Our Democratic experimental group viewed the same list, plus one additional name: Pete Buttigieg.

Since respondents were randomly assigned to the control group or the experimental group, we were able to identify how the inclusion of another candidate impacted support for women candidates. Among Republicans, we found clear and consistent support for Donald Trump. The only Republican voters willing to support Haley were ones who prioritized electing the countrys first woman president, an extremely small subset of Republican voters.

Among Democrats, most respondents were bullish about their support for Biden. However, the inclusion of Pete Buttigieg reduced the level of support for all three women candidates, which suggests that Democrats may prefer a man over a woman when given the choice. However, there is one important caveat: women Democrats, a powerful voting bloc within the party, are one of the groups most likely to support a woman candidate.

The political science literature tells us that when women run, they win, but that requires parties to nominate women. While we will not elect a woman president this November, we are skeptical that both or either party nominates a woman in 2028.

Among Republican hopefuls, Haley hurt her standing among the MAGA-wing of the Republican Party by daring to remain in the race against Donald Trump, while prospective Vice Presidential candidate Kristi Noem hurt her future ambitions by admitting she killed her family dog in her recent book. Among Democrats, Vice President Kamala Harris is viewed unfavorably by most Americans. Regardless of who wins this November, both parties will have open nominations in 2028.

In order to nominate a woman for president, we need to continue developing the political pipeline by electing more women to public office. While we hold reservations about whether this will occur in the next presidential election, we were encouraged by the 2022 gubernatorial results wherein more women were elected than ever before, and three were the first women to be elected governor in their states history.

Unfortunately, Indiana is not one of those states. In red states like Indiana, there is a history of womens underrepresentation in public office; for example, less than 30% of our state legislature and statewide elective executives are women and a woman has never been elected governor. Given the chance to elect the states first woman governor, Republican primary voters overwhelmingly picked Mike Braun over Suzanne Crouch. Braun is favored to win against Democrat Jennifer McCormick in November.

Our previous research suggests that it is possible to elect a woman governor in a state like Indiana, especially if the electorate believes a woman has previously held this office, as many voters do. Thus, if states elect more women to public office, the pool of potential presidential candidates increases, and voters may have another opportunity to make history. We believe it is possible we might see a woman president in our lifetime, but there is still much to be done. While that candidate is unlikely to come from Indiana, getting more women to local and state offices is a step in the right direction.

The post Mexican politics broke the glass ceiling. Our politics are just broken. appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
New Mexico man sentenced for assaulting guard, violating release conditions after manslaughter case

NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  A New Mexico man has been sentenced for an assault. Officials said he also violated his supervised release conditions.

Court documents claimed Zachariah Nez, 25, of Sanostee, was serving supervised release for a voluntary manslaughter crime when he was arrested for violating his conditions. When he was detained, he reportedly punched a Cibola County jail guard.

He was sentenced to 19 months in prison. Additionally, he will have to serve another supervised release term afterward.

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ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (KRQE)  The New Mexico Supreme Court upheld the first-degree murder conviction of an Alamogordo man who killed another man who he found with his on-again, off-again girlfriend. Christopher Huble appealed his conviction, claiming that the trial judge wrongly denied a requested jury instruction on what is necessary under the law for a justifiable killing in self-defense, according to a news release from the court.

State Supreme Court Chief Justice David K. Thomson wrote that the court concluded the evidence offered in this case was not sufficient to warrant an instruction on self-defense.

Story continues below

Huble was sentenced to life in prison in 2022 for killing Harley Benedict after he discovered the man with his ex-girlfriend in the bedroom of a house he owned in 2020. Huble and the woman previously lived there together, but Huble had moved out, according to the court.

The court found that Huble provoked the deadly encounter, and made a show of potentially deadly force by brandishing an AK-47 and calling for Benedict to come outside the house. The court wrote that in response to the lethal situation Defendant created, no reasonable juror could conclude that Victims actions in leaving the house and running at Defendant from a distance could have created an apparent danger of death or great bodily harm justifying a self-defense instruction.

The court also rejected an argument by Huble that his conviction should be reversed because the trial judge instructed the jury that New Mexico law does not allow a landlord to unilaterally act outside the legal system to forcefully evict a tenant or someone invited to the property by its owner.

The instruction is plainly irrelevant to the facts of this case as no evidence or theory indicated that Defendant killed Victim while trying to evict him, there was no rental agreement, Defendant was not a landlord, Gurule was not a tenant, and Victim was not an invitee, the court wrote. For these reasons, the instruction should not have been given, but that does not make it error.

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MARQUETTE, Mich. (WJMN)  Starting today, the Secretary of State resources and services have become a little more accessible.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson joined various community leaders and officials on the steps of the Marquette District Court to celebrate the launch of the newest Secretary of State mobile office.

With Michigans Upper Peninsula being such an expansive region, the Secretary of State says having this resource will mean citizens who have difficulty getting to the nearest Secretary of State office will be able to access important resources much more easily.

Well, as Secretary of State, its been really important to me to ensure, as someone who also has a home here in Marquette, that we effectively serve everyone throughout the state, whether theyre in Copper Harbor, or all the way in Houghton, or all the way down in Hillsdale, or Grand Rapids, and Detroit, said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. And so this dedicated mobile office will serve residents of the Upper Peninsula all throughout the year and make sure that any time they need state services, theyll be able to access them conveniently and effectively. We anticipate visiting senior centers, veterans shelters, community events and other gatherings, and anyone can request a mobile office to visit their event or vicinity.

Services that are provided by the mobile office include license, ID, and registration renewals, as well as voting registration, address changes, organ donor registry, and more.

To request a visit from the Secretary of State Mobile Office for your event, organization, or to your area, you can find the mobile office website here.

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People inspect the damage following an Israeli raid in the al-Far'a refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tubas, on June 10, 2024. Two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed Monday by Israeli gunfire in two separate incidents in the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources. In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that Mahmoud Nabrisi, a 15-year-old boy, was killed in the al-Far'a refugee camp. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed Monday by Israeli gunfire in two separate incidents in the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources.

In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that Mahmoud Nabrisi, a 15-year-old boy, was killed in the al-Far'a refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tubas.

The ministry did not provide further details, but Palestinian security sources reported that an Israeli special force unit stormed the camp to arrest wanted persons, leading to violent confrontations with Palestinian youths.

A Palestinian medical source told Xinhua that Nabrisi succumbed to his wounds at the government hospital in Tubas, adding five other injured young men were under treatment at the hospital.

In the meantime, a 21-year-old man, named Youssef Abdel Dayem, was reportedly killed in the Dhanana suburb, east of the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm.

Local sources and eyewitnesses said Israeli army forces stormed the suburb, raided and searched several homes, and opened fire on local Palestinians.

They added that the army forces prevented ambulance crews from reaching Dayem, a college student and a resident of Tulkarm camp, leading to his death.

No immediate Israeli response was released on the incidents.

More than 530 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army across the West Bank and East Jerusalem since October 2023, when the latest round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out, according to official Palestinian statistics. 

People inspect the damage following an Israeli raid in the al-Far'a refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tubas, on June 10, 2024. Two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed Monday by Israeli gunfire in two separate incidents in the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources. In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that Mahmoud Nabrisi, a 15-year-old boy, was killed in the al-Far'a refugee camp. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

People inspect the damage following an Israeli raid in the al-Far'a refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tubas, on June 10, 2024. Two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed Monday by Israeli gunfire in two separate incidents in the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources. In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that Mahmoud Nabrisi, a 15-year-old boy, was killed in the al-Far'a refugee camp. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

People inspect the damage following an Israeli raid in the al-Far'a refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tubas, on June 10, 2024. Two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed Monday by Israeli gunfire in two separate incidents in the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources. In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that Mahmoud Nabrisi, a 15-year-old boy, was killed in the al-Far'a refugee camp. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli soldiers are seen during an Israeli raid in the al-Far'a refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tubas, on June 10, 2024. Two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed Monday by Israeli gunfire in two separate incidents in the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources. In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that Mahmoud Nabrisi, a 15-year-old boy, was killed in the al-Far'a refugee camp. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the al-Far'a refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tubas, on June 10, 2024. Two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed Monday by Israeli gunfire in two separate incidents in the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources. In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that Mahmoud Nabrisi, a 15-year-old boy, was killed in the al-Far'a refugee camp. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the al-Far'a refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tubas, on June 10, 2024. Two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed Monday by Israeli gunfire in two separate incidents in the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources. In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that Mahmoud Nabrisi, a 15-year-old boy, was killed in the al-Far'a refugee camp. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the al-Far'a refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tubas, on June 10, 2024. Two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed Monday by Israeli gunfire in two separate incidents in the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources. In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that Mahmoud Nabrisi, a 15-year-old boy, was killed in the al-Far'a refugee camp. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the al-Far'a refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tubas, on June 10, 2024. Two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed Monday by Israeli gunfire in two separate incidents in the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources. In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that Mahmoud Nabrisi, a 15-year-old boy, was killed in the al-Far'a refugee camp. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)
On a recent afternoon in Little Haiti, more than 100 recently arrived Haitians bustled around tables of community organizations offering social services and employers scouting for workers. People passed heaping plates of diri kole avec poule fri  rice and beans and fried chicken  from one pair of hands to the other. The sound of Creole filled the air.

Among the fairs participants was Kendy Duvine, from the coastal city of Port-au-Paix, a departure point for Florida-bound migrant voyages. Duvine, 25, fled his country when bandits attacked his parents home. As he ran for his life through the streets, he saw a crowd of people getting on a boat, destination unknown. The next thing Duvine knew, he was in Key West.

That was a year and a half ago. Since then, Duvine has navigated his new life in the United States while his mother, stepfather, and three sisters are still back home. He came to the community activity in Little Haiti hunting for work, so he can get a room of his own to rent.

I hope to find a job to not only take care of myself, but also my family that is in misery in Haiti, Duvine, the oldest of the children, said.

Kendy Duvine, 25, who arrived to the Florida Keys from Haiti on a boat, visits the Family Action Network Movement booth during a community resource fair at the Magic City Innovation District on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Miami, Fla. The fair aimed at helping recently arrived Haitians and other immigrants connect with health care providers and prospective employers.

The community fair was the brainchild of Sammy Lamy, a born-and-raised Miamian whose parents came to the U.S. from Haiti. Along with his sister Erlendre, Lamy founded Jobs4Us, an organization focused on helping immigrant workers find jobs, around January 2023.

In Haiti, Duvine finished his high school studies and learned ceramic work for construction. But before he could start his profession, the violence forced him out. That lack of experience has been a roadblock to getting a job in the U.S., he said. Other fair attendees also cited language barriers, immigration issues, and a lack of suitable opportunities as challenges in the job search.

I cant find any job, said Wanita Fidele, 18, from Port-Au-Prince.

Florida has 53 available workers for every 100 open jobs, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Lamy, who quit his associate job at a real estate development company, wants to connect migrant workers eager to work with companies looking to hire.

When you look at the jobs report, they say theres 8 million job openings. Where are these millions of jobs? Lamy said.

A mothers legacy

Lamys parents came by boat to Miami from Haiti in the late 1970s. They were among the first from the island to brave the dangerous journey across the Florida Straits. He grew up seeing his mother, Micheline, helping family, friends and even strangers who had just arrived in South Florida get on their feet. She would help them find jobs and go to church.

Sammy Lamy, the director of Jobs For Us, helps people register for a community resource fair at the Magic City Innovation District on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Miami, Fla. The fair aimed at helping recently arrived Haitians and other immigrants connect with health care providers and prospective employers.

The recent waves of Haitian migrants coming by boat and through the U.S-Mexico border moved him to act, Lamy says. He recalled the infamous footage from September 2021 that appeared to show immigration agents on horseback whipping Haitian migrants at a time when thousands of people from the island showed up near a Texan border town.

An independent investigation from the federal government eventually concluded that the agents had not whipped or struck the Haitian migrants, though it found that the agents had acted inappropriately. But the image, which ignited a national furor, left its mark on Lamy.

I thought, I need to do something. I have to be an advocate for my people, said Lamy at the recent community fair, as he fielded rapid fire questions in Creole.

Then, Micheline died of cervical cancer in September 2022. She was his reason for starting the organization. Lamy started connecting people who had recently migrated to existing job fairs and other employment opportunities. Seven months ago, Jobs4US held its first fair. Around 400 people, mostly newly arrived Haitians, participated. So did 14 prospective employers.

Companies were hiring on the spot, Lamy said.

Job opportunities, health care

The Magic City Innovation District in Little Haiti was the primary host of the latest fair with Jobs4Us, held on the last day of Haitian Heritage Month. It was geared towards sharing community resources, legal services and social support with recently arrived people from the island.

Medical providers offered cancer screenings and HIV tests. A mobile spa offered chair massages. Staffers from the Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center and Family Action Network Movement, which have long helped immigrants from the island settle in South Florida, offered their services to the diasporas new faces.

A group of attendees make attend a community resource fair at the Magic City Innovation District on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Miami, Fla. The fair aimed at helping recently arrived Haitians and other immigrants connect with health care providers and prospective employers.

CareerSource South Florida had an air-conditioned truck outside with computers where people could sign up for employment-search support. Another organization helped participants register for email addresses and learn basic technology skills. Lamy recalled a Haitian job seeker who almost missed a job interview because her video conference platform was registered in the wrong time zone.

Besides facilitating the fair, Magic City Innovation District was looking for carpenters, truck drivers, iron workers, masons, electricians and roofers, among other occupations. Konscious Kontraktors, a construction and consulting company focused on socially conscious development and community self-determination, had a full list of sign-ups.

Our job is to galvanize as many names as possible and be able to pinpoint and put them in the jobs that are necessary, said Francois Alexandre, CEO of Konscious Kontraktors, who was born in Haiti and raised in Plantation.

Hoping to find employees, Francois Alexandre, the founder of Konscious Kontraktors, attends a community resource fair at the Magic City Innovation District on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Miami, Fla. The fair aimed at helping recently arrived Haitians and other immigrants connect with health care providers and prospective employers.

I want prosperity

Fidele, the teenager from Port-Au-Prince, came to the United States last year through a parole program the Biden administration established last year. She was fleeing violence in the Haitian capital. Shes one of more than 184,000 Haitians who have come to live and work in the U.S. through the 2-year parole program since it was announced in January 2023. Her great-aunt sponsored her and several relatives, including Fideles mother, grandmother, godfather, cousins and siblings.

Shes currently taking English classes, and hopes to get her GED and become a doctor one day. She was first in her class back in Haiti. She listed out all the jobs shes looking for: as a teacher, security guard, cook, cashier or cleaner.

Fidele came to the fair with her friend from English class, Louise Michelle. Michelle, 39, from the southern city of Jeremie, used to worked as a teachers aide and as a salesperson in Haiti. She feels safer in the U.S., but said language barriers are an issue.

Theres security, but theres difficulty in not finding work yet, she said, adding learning English can be difficult when there is no one at home to practice with.

Michelle wants to support her aunts, brothers and sisters back home. And she dreams of becoming a nurse one day, because she loves to help people, she said.

I want prosperity, to get better, she said.

Sammy Lamy, the director of Jobs For Us, talks with a group of attendees during a community resource fair at the Magic City Innovation District on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Miami, Fla. The fair aimed at helping recently arrived Haitians and other immigrants connect with health care providers and prospective employers.

That opportunity they are looking for

Since holding its first job fair at Florida International University, Jobs4US has hosted eight others, including out of state. The organization teamed up with the New York State Department of Labor to host an event in Brooklyn. More than 40,000 people in all 50 states have either registered for job assistance with them or participated in one of the organizations fairs, said Lamy.

Next up for Jobs4Us, he said, is creating an internal training program based on what prospective employers and employees say they need. The group is searching for donors and partners to launch a pilot program for home health aides, the occupation the government projects will have the highest number of new openings in coming years.

Among what Lamy deems Jobs4Us biggest milestones is a collaboration with a wholesale food distributor. The company, C&S Wholesale Grocers, has hired 43 newly-arrived Haitians to be warehouse workers as part of a resettlement program. It has paid for their relocation and transportation assistance, and also offers housing, language courses, and professional training.

Its very labor intensive, fast-paced work, Lamy said, he said, adding its that opportunity newly arrived Haitians are looking for.

Sammy Lamy, the director of Jobs For Us, and Claudya Gebara, a volunteer, help people register for a community resource fair at the Magic City Innovation District on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Miami, Fla. The fair aimed at helping recently arrived Haitians and other immigrants connect with health care providers and prospective employers.
Four Miami-Dade police officers have been indicted in connection to a fatal shootout almost five years ago at a packed Broward County intersection, police sources confirmed to the Miami Herald.

The raging gun battle, involving 19 police officers from at least three agencies, occurred on Dec. 6, 2019, as clueless motorists lined Miramar Parkway and Flamingo Road. Earlier that day, two men had pulled off a jewelry heist in Coral Gables and hijacked a UPS truck.

A police officer holds up crime tape at the scene of a shootout between robbers in a UPS delivery truck and police at Flamingo Road and Miramar Parkway in Miramar on Dec. 5, 2019. Four people were killed, including the robbers, a UPS driver who was taken hostage and a nearby motorist.

That ignited a high-speed interstate chase  and a shootout that left the robbery suspects and two innocent men dead. For years, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Broward State Attorneys Office remained tight-lipped about the case. The FDLE completed its investigation in 2021, turning over its findings to prosecutors.

The names of the officers indicted  and the charges they face  are currently unknown.

READ MORE: After 3 years, families still dont know who killed loved ones during UPS hijack shootout

Grand jury proceedings are secret under Florida law, and any proceedings or actions taken by a grand jury are not public until a judge makes them so, the Broward State Attorneys Office said in a statement. We are not at liberty to comment at this time.

The Miami-Dade Police Department told the Miami Herald it didnt have a comment as of Monday evening.

The officers were notified about the indictment and contacted the police union, said Steadman Stahl, the president of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association. Theyre expected to turn themselves in some time next week.

Were extremely disappointed that after almost five years, these officers are finding themselves indicted for something they had seconds to decide, Stahl told the Miami Herald. It sends a chilling effect to officers in Broward County that their state attorneys office prosecutes one officer for not responding to an active shooter and is now indicting officers for responding to active shooters. As the process moves forward, we will monitor it and defend our officers.

Chaos on packed streets

The events leading up to the shooting began to unfold when 41-year-old Lamar Alexander and Ronnie Jerome Hill, dressed as couriers, walked into Regents Jewelers at 386 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables.

Coral Gables police officers direct traffic at the corner of Lejeune Road and Andalusia after a robbery at Regent Jewelers at 386 Miracle Mile on Thursday, December 5, 2019.

One of the men wore a flesh-colored mask and a U.S. Postal Service hat. They both had high-powered weapons  and fired them almost immediately. A bullet ricocheted off the floor and struck an employee in the head, though she survived.

When the stores owner retrieved a weapon, a hail of bullets flew. The men, having taken tens of thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry, jumped into a truck. They ditched the vehicle at Southwest Eighth Street and carjacked Frank Ordonez, a 27-year-old father of two making a routine delivery in his UPS truck.

Frank Ordonez, driver of the UPS truck that was hijacked Thursday, was killed in the chase and shootout that followed.

Moments later, police began to pursue the truck, going after it on Interstate 75. But when the truck got stuck at the Miramar intersection, chaos ensued.

Officers shielded themselves behind cars. When the gunfire stopped, Hill and Alexander, who exchanged more than 200 rounds with officers, were dead.

Rick Cutshaw, 70, was killed in the shootout between cops and robbers in Miramar traffic Thursday. He was a union representative from Pembroke Pines.

But so were Ordonez and a 70-year-old local union worker named Rick Cutshaw, who was heading home when the shooting began.

In 2020, Ordonezs family members filed a wrongful death lawsuit against six law enforcement agencies, claiming they were negligent. Broward Circuit Judge Keathan Frink dismissed the suit after determining that police couldnt be held liable because of sovereign immunity, a tenet dating back to English common law that largely prevents governments from being sued without their consent.

Attorney Michael Haggard, who represented the family, had slammed the polices actions as pure recklessness.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A caretaker at a Michigan nursing home has been convicted after an 82-year-old woman wandered off and died from exposure to the elements.

The Michigan Attorney Generals office announced that 58-year-old Colleen OConnor, from East Lansing, was found guilty by a jury to one count of second-degree vulnerable adult abuse. The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

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The incident happened on Dec. 23, 2022, at Vista Springs Imperial Park at Timber Ridge in Clinton County, where OConnor worked. Prosecutors argued she witnessed the victim try to leave the facility twice without appropriate attire during a blizzard with temperatures in single digits and a subzero windchill. The victim was found around 7 a.m., partially buried in snow, by a snowplow driver.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but died from hypothermia shortly after her arrival. Prosecutors argued that OConnors actions, or lack thereof, were reckless and failed to prevent the victims death.

Jenison adult foster care home shut down after death

This verdict does not undo the tragic loss of life, but we hope it serves as a reminder of the immense responsibility caregivers have, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement.

The Vista Springs incident happened less than a year before an 83-year-old man died after wandering away from a since-shuttered nursing home in Georgetown Township.

That victim, Calvin Powers, was found approximately seven hours after leaving the facility on a rainy October night. No criminal charges have been filed in the case. Powers was in palliative care and exposure was not included as a factor in his death.

Legislation to address some systemic issues in assisted living was introduced by State Rep. Stephanie Young, D-Detroit, last year. It has yet to be moved out of the Committee on Families, Children and Seniors.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Michigan Capitol | Susan J. Demas

Twenty-five years ago, then-Gov. John Engler, a Republican, created the Michigan Economic Develop Corp. as a public-private partnership that would ensure continuity in state economic development strategy regardless of which political party was in charge in Lansing.

The MEDC was structured to receive most of its financial support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, which then-Gov. James Blanchard, a Democrat, and the state Legislature launched 40 years ago.

Those two agencies continue to serve as the backbone of state governments efforts to attract business investment and jobs.

They represent a remarkably consistent economic development strategy that has survived throughout Democratic and Republican administrations: shell out billions of dollars in cash and tax incentives to businesses promising to create jobs.

And every governor since Blanchard has claimed success.

Yet business leaders regularly complain they cant count on predictability in state economic policy. Each time theres a political switch in the governors office, which has happened every eight years for decades, economic strategy changes, they claim.

They call that the Michigan-180, and its not the auto race out at Jackson, John Rakolta, chairman of industrial construction giant Walbridge, said at a Detroit Regional Chamber conference in January.

Rakolta said when Michigan lost out on a new Volkswagen plant to Tennessee in 2008, a Volkswagen executive told him that Michigan lacks cohesion in political, racial, city-suburb and labor-management relations.

This song plays out to the whole world, Rakolta said at the conference. Michigan doesnt present itself as a strategic partner to businesses seeking to invest in the state.

In the lead-up to the chambers Mackinac Policy Conference last month, chamber chief executive Sandy Baruah, complained political squabbling has prevented Michigan from creating a unified vision for the state.

It doesnt really matter which strategy you choose to grow the state, Baruah told Detroit News editorial page Editor Nolan Finley. What matters is consistency. Pick a strategy and stick to it.

Actually, strategy does matter. Michigans decades-long practice of picking business winners and losers has largely failed to grow the population and make Michiganders more prosperous.

Michigans population has been hovering around 10 million for 25 years. And a study earlier this year by Michigan Future Inc. and the University of Michigan found the states per capita income in 2022 was 13% below the national average, the lowest its been since the data was first collected in 1929.

A lot of the carping by business leaders, many of them Republicans, is a result of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative Democrats finally addressing the elephant in the room. Theyre also upset over Whitmer and the newly Democratic-controlled Legislature eliminating the states Right to Work law and restoring prevailing wage provisions on state construction projects.

While Whitmer still wants to continue spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year on business attraction incentives, theres a growing consensus among Democrats  and even among many business leaders  that the state needs to expend far more resources on attracting and retaining talent.

Absent policy changes and investments, Michigans current path will lead to a shrinking population and continuing declines in the states competitiveness and quality of life, an in-depth look at Michigans challenges last year by the Citizens Research Council of Michigan and Ann Arbor-based research institute Altarum concluded.

House Democratic lawmakers are responding with a series of bills that would substantially change spending priorities of the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) fund, Whitmers signature effort to boost the electric vehicle industry.

Just throwing money at corporations to get them to build factories here doesnt cut it anymore, if it ever did.

 Rick Haglund

The House bills would boost SOAR funding to $600 million a year for 10 years. But the legislation would cut spending on business attraction to $250 million annually  half of current spending.

The remainder would make sizable investments in transit and mobility ($200 million), housing and community development ($100 million) and placemaking ($50 million). Similar legislation has been introduced by Senate Democrats.

While Whitmer is said to be leery of slicing up the SOAR fund, the Democratic legislation dovetails with the governors own plan to increase Michigans population and boost prosperity.

The Growing Michigan Together Council, which she commissioned last year, settled on three priorities: make Michigan a nationally recognized innovation hub; build a lifelong learning system focusing on future-ready skills; and create thriving, resilient communities that are magnets for young talent.

Although Michigans economic development strategy has been centered on incentivizing businesses to locate and grow here, individual programs have come and gone as party control of state government has changed. That can be frustrating to companies seeking consistency in economic policy.

But whats happening now is fundamentally different. The Democrats SOAR reform legislation is responding to the new reality that Michigans economy cannot grow and get wealthier unless it becomes more attractive to working-age people, particularly those with college degrees and technical skills.

Just throwing money at corporations to get them to build factories here doesnt cut it anymore, if it ever did.

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The post Michigan could move to a critical new economic development strategy appeared first on Michigan Advance.
GOP voters should choose west Michigan conservative JUSTIN AMASH in the Aug. 6 Republican primary.

Amash, who spent 10 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, has an uphill battle to win his partys nomination for Michigans open U.S. Senate seat.

But the Free Press Editorial Board believes his depth of experience and principled approach to lawmaking make Amash the best choice for Michigan Republicans.

Michigan's U.S. Senate race is one of the most-watched in the nation. Democrats hold a whisper-thin majority in the U.S. Senate thanks to independents who caucus with the party and Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote. Democrats would like to solidify that majority, and Republicans would like to stop them. This fall's general election battle will be hard fought.

Amash is joined on the ballot by west Michigan doctor Sherry ODonnell, Grosse Pointe businessman Sandy Pensler  and former Congressman Mike Rogers.

Rogers has been the presumptive front-runner for his partys nomination since he announced his candidacy last year. He leads his Republican primary opponents in name recognition and popularity, and he had raised $2.9 million at the end of the last reporting cycle, and won the all-important endorsement of former President Donald Trump  all the ingredients a Republican candidate in 2024 requires for victory.

But Rogers transactional approach to politics, his ideological inconsistency and obeisance to former President Donald Trump render him a poor fit for this Senate seat.

O'Donnell, who had raised around $279,000 at the last reporting deadline, struggles for name recognition with likely voters. Pensler, whose $3 million war chest is largely self-funded, claimed on social media to abhor political BS, but also wrote that America is burning! and has regurgitated politicized claims about the 2012 Benghazi terror attack in negative ads aimed at Rogers.

Fortunately, Michigan conservatives have a viable option in Justin Amash.

Why Amash gets our nod

Voters, Amash said, are ready for change. And while Amash describes himself as cynical about politics and politicians, he said he believes in the power of the American voter.

He is the son of a Syrian American mother and a Palestinian American father who arrived in this country with little education and few financial resources, but were able to build a better life for their three sons. (Amash lost relatives in Israels prolonged siege of Gaza.)

Amash's views on the southern border are more stringent than we might like, but he has a nuanced understanding of immigration many members of his party lack: This country, he said, must understand the value of those who choose to come here, and welcome and support them.

As it stands, he said, the American immigration system favors the wealthy, who are better able to navigate its intricacies. He said that must change.

But, he believes, the American public wont support immigration reform until the border is secure. They view it like a joke at their expense.

Amash wants to restore some of the traditional boundaries of American government, like barring financial support to offensive military operations absent a formal declaration of war by Congress (that includes Israels Gaza offensive).

He is concerned about warrantless surveillance, and what he sees as other threats to American liberty.

While he is pro-life, Amash believes abortion should be regulated by the states  a position he held before voters made their preference plain in 2022, amending the state constitution to include reproductive rights  but said he might support national regulation of late-term procedures.

Amashs roots are on Michigans west side, but he said hes connected to metro Detroits sizeable Arab American community. In Congress, he represented Grand Rapids  18% Black and 16% Hispanic  and said his concerns about civil liberties align with many Black Michiganders.

Why were not endorsing Rogers

During his 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rogers, a former FBI agent whose field of expertise was national security, earned a reputation as a reasonable lawmaker able to build bipartisan consensus. (Rogers left Congress in 2014 to host a show on Cumulus Radio that never materialized.)

For political insiders whod followed Rogers career, it came as no surprise that the former congressman declined to endorse Trump in 2016 or 2020, holding the line when many of his fellow Republicans bowed to the former presidents Svengali-like influence  Rogers is exactly the kind of Republican who should stand up to the forces in his own party seeking to undermine American democracy.

But Rogers performed an abrupt about face earlier this year, granting his imprimatur to the former president after Trumps efforts to discredit or overturn the results of the 2020 election, a maneuver contingent on disqualifying votes in the state of Michigan, specifically, the city of Detroit; after Trumps diligent and continual efforts undermined confidence in the American electoral system; after the attempted Jan. 6 insurrection  hardly a profile in courage, and squandering whatever bipartisan bona fides he once claimed.

That alone would render Rogers unfit to serve.

In an interview with the Detroit Free Press Editorial Board, Rogers declined to explain his endorsement of the former president. When asked if he believes President Joe Biden won the 2020 election, Rogers didn't answer. When asked again, he replied: "Having an argument about is or isn't the guy who has been president for four years  my argument is it's been pretty much a disaster." When asked about the attempted disenfranchisement of Detroit voters, and whether hed defend Detroiters voting rights in a future election, Rogers said he preferred to look forward, not back.

That's not as compelling a direction as the congressman believes, because his plans for the future arent particularly well-considered.

During an endorsement interview last month, Rogers articulated reasonable concerns about national security and the impact of Chinese manufacturing on the American economy. But he also presented cockamamie ideas like requiring recent college graduates, in exchange for student debt relief, to tutor illiterate people incarcerated at Michigans far-flung prisons  and seemed to recommend barring the release of such inmates until they learn to read.

The once resolutely pro-life Rogers now claims he wouldn't vote for a national abortion ban, saying abortion should be legislated by the states; coincidentally, we assume, to the 2022 election, when two-thirds of Michigan voters supported abortion rights.

In short, we detected little consistency among Rogers political positions  but had no trouble concluding that the former congressman has learned all too well how to read the political room, a transactional approach to ideology that may well win him the primary.

But in a U.S. Senator, were looking for principles.

From Freep Opinion: GOP candidate Mike Rogers' biggest problem in US Senate race

Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan is running as a Republican for the state's open U.S. Senate seat in 2024.

A conservative alternative

Amash is both direct and honest, sometimes to a fault.

In 2019, Amash was the only non-Democrat to vote to impeach Trump on charges of obstruction of justice, and one of few to openly acknowledge that the 2020 election was decided fairly.

The congressman left the Republican Party in 2019 to become an independent, formally joining the Libertarian party in 2020. Hes running as a Republican now, but he said hes never made any bones about where he stands.

I've never changed my position ideologically from the moment I got into politics, he told the Free Press Editorial Board during an endorsement interview last month.

Amash argues that's part of his draw. He says he is more conservative than Rogers, but his beliefs are tempered with a libertarians dislike of burdensome government regulation, and by life experiences that lend immediacy to policy matters others sometimes seem to treat as abstract.

More: With Trump endorsement and lead, Rogers tries to fend off rivals in US Senate race

An uphill climb

When members of the editorial board asked the five-term former congressman if there were any senator he would consider a model  a standard question in such interviews  he demurred: I don't say this to be boastful ... I don't think there's anyone whos served in Congress who's quite like me.

Amash elaborated: We're in a bad place right now in terms of polarization, in terms of the structure of government ... it takes someone who's going to do something revolutionary and bold to actually make a difference. There's never been a time like this, so I don't know how you'd ever take some senator from, say, 10 years ago ... and say, Yeah, I'll model myself after them, because I think you have to take a completely different approach.

As he campaigns, Amash said, he encounters few Michigan Republicans who support Rogers outside of his party affiliation or his relationship with Trump.

Im just going to, you know, wipe the floor with him.

Amash had raised just short of $478,461 at the end of the last reporting cycle. He will have to campaign diligently to win his partys nomination. But Michigan Republicans would be far better served by a Senator Amash than any of his party mates on the primary ballot.

How to vote

Local clerks will mail absentee ballots to Michigan voters on June 27. Registered voters may cast ballots early, in person, from July 27 to Aug. 4  check with your local clerk for the location of early voting sites and ballot dropboxes. And, of course, you can vote  and register to vote  in person on Aug. 6, Election Day.

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may run it online or in print.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Freep endorsement: Republican Amash in US Senate Aug. 6 primary
Microsoft showed off three new Xbox models yesterday at Summer Game Fest 2024, but anyone following the mass of leaks last year may have been surprised at how little changed for this mid-cycle refresh.

In case you didnt follow the FTC-Microsoft trial last year, things went pretty well for Microsoft, ending in the company acquiring Activision Blizzard. One thing that didnt go so well was redaction. Nestled among the court filings was a trove of internal documents, including one on the future of Xbox  or at least, one potential future, considered by Microsoft in May 2022.

Xbox head Phil Spencer told the FTC in October 2022 that the Roadmap to 2030 document was a presentation from our devices organization to the gaming leadership team, and said he disagreed with some of its projections. The slide deck outlined the teams plan for its mid-cycle console refresh, codenamed Fairhaven, and its next-gen console. Essentially a pitch deck, then, comprising some things that were definitely happening and others that needed funding to become reality.

Lets look at what was (un)announced:

Chronologically, May 2024 was to be a debut month for Sebile, the codename for an all-new controller. Sebile would ship with new wireless tech, which the document referred to as Xbox Wireless 2." More exciting for gamers, it would also have advanced haptics like the Switch and PS5 controllers, and a Stadia-like direct-cloud connection for reducing input latency on Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Sebile, a proposed new Xbox controller from a May 2022 slide deck that leaked last year. (Microsoft)

Then, Xboxs big summer 24 show (which in the real world happened yesterday) would bring a pair of new Xbox consoles. First, a cylindrical Xbox Series X redesign codenamed Brooklin, which was set to be a $500 2TB all-digital device with WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 and a Sebile controller packed in. Second, Ellewood, a $300 Series S refresh with 1TB of storage, with the same improved wireless connectivity and the Sebile controller, but no big redesign.

Brooklin, a proposed new Xbox Series X SKU from a May 2022 slide deck that leaked last year. (Microsoft)

The document noted that all three of these devices were funded but also gave two eventualities: one that would limit Fairhaven investment and another that would deliver the full Fairhaven vision. The former would pare down the new controllers features and cloud connections, but would supposedly include a new industrial design.

Ellewood, a proposed new Xbox Series S SKU from a May 2022 slide deck that leaked last year. (Microsoft)

Fast forward to Summer Game Fest 2024, where we appeared to get neither of these futures. We already figured that the Series S wouldnt be refreshed, given Microsoft has been selling a $350 1TB version since last fall. But Microsofts vision for the Series X was unclear, and what we ended up with was a pretty weird pair of configurations: a 1TB all-digital Series X console priced at $450 and a 2TB special edition Series X with a disc drive, priced at $600. If theres improved wireless connectivity Microsoft hasnt mentioned it, and weve currently heard nothing of Sebile; the new consoles were announced with standard Xbox controllers.

Taken alone, these are fine refreshes. But Microsoft was in the unenviable position of competing with not only Sony and Nintendo, but also itself, in the form of those leaked plans.

Microsoft's actual 2024 Xbox refresh. (Microsoft)

A $450 all-digital 1TB console and $600 2TB special edition are disappointing in comparison to Brooklin, the 2TB $500 all-digital console with a shiny new controller the leaked deck was pitching. The $450 console is almost a price increase, given Microsoft and third-party retailers regularly sell the original 1TB Series X for that price. (It should be mentioned that Sony has actually increased the price of the PlayStation 5, with the discless model priced at $450 vs. the $400 it cost at launch.) The $350 1TB Series S is essentially the same console we got last fall, but that too represents bad value compared to the leaked $300 refresh.

Plans change, especially plans dated May 2022. But how they change can give an idea of how Microsoft is thinking about Xbox right now. Back in 2022, Series X and S sales were broadly keeping pace with Xbox One. That is no longer the case. Estimates put the total number of Xbox Series consoles sold since the November 2020 launch between 28 and 29 million. Even in the US  Microsofts strongest market by far  retail analysts Circana say the Xbox Series consoles are trailing Xbox One by 13 percent.

One particularly telling slide in the May 2022 document predicted 25-29 million of the mid-cycle consoles could be sold in three years. As of today, that would mean more-than doubling the lifetime sales of the platform. At the time, Microsofts hardware team was probably not expecting sales to be as dismal as they currently are. Microsoft ended the last console generation with around 58 million Xbox One consoles sold, which was a marked decline from the 85-plus million Xbox 360s it moved.

A leaked slide from May 2022 suggested sales volume would depend on the amount of investment Microsoft makes on its mid-gen Xbox refresh. (Microsoft)

Microsoft doesn't talk console sales figures unless it has something positive to say, but third-party analysis suggests a typical week for Xbox in 2024 involves moving 60-80K consoles, with Nintendo doubling that figure and Sony often tripling it. Put in plain words: Xbox falls further and further behind every week. Its unlikely well find out what Microsofts expectations for the refreshed consoles are, but its probably not 25-29 million.

The tough thing for team Xbox is Sony and Nintendo are broadly walking their own road and doing pretty well at it. Sony has sold 58 million PlayStation 5s and is preparing to launch a pro variant that will be significantly more powerful than the Xbox Series X. Its also opening up to publishing on PC and just announced a game thats coming to Nintendo Switch. Nintendo has sold over 140 million Switches, regularly outsells Xbox and has pre-announced a sequel console that will assumedly be able to handle current-gen games (including Call of Duty!) with fewer cutbacks. Meanwhile, Microsoft is struggling to sell its existing consoles, faltering in its plan to grow Game Pass subscriptions and seemingly squashed its hardware teams dream of a bold mid-cycle refresh.

One thing it does have is game developers making games. Outside of the underwhelming new console SKUs, Microsofts big Summer Game Fest was a reminder of just how much of the industry it now owns, and how many games it currently has in development. We got updates on Fable, Perfect Dark and the future of Gears of War. We got a new Call of Duty and a new Doom. There are still countless developers under its wing that dont have an announced project, and big games previously announced that didnt make an appearance, like Marvels Blade from Arkane Lyon, The Outer Worlds 2 from Obsidian, Everwild from Rare and Hideo Kojimas OD. Microsofts game studios have a lot going for them, but with all of their titles coming to PC (and several to PlayStation and Switch) great games might not turn into great console sales.

Phil Spencer has spoken on last years leaks a couple of times. He nearly-immediately took to Twitter to say that so much has changed  which was clearly true, though maybe not for the better. Separately, he told a court something pretty wild about Microsoft potentially leaving the gaming business if Game Pass didnt get a better mix of players by 2026 or 2027. Game Pass growth, as of February this year, has been seriously tapering off, so uh-oh?

I dont for a second think Microsoft would spend the best part of $100 billion on developers to exit gaming, but I do sincerely believe that its console business is on life support, and it doesnt need shiny new hardware to make a ton of money on gaming. The gaming leadership team that was pitched Sebile, Ellewood and Brooklin in May 2022 clearly agrees.

Catch up on all of the news from Summer Game Fest 2024 right here!
A county court judge dismissed 59 cases against migrants accused of participating in a border "riot" in April near El Paso's Lower Valley after ruling his court had no jurisdiction, officials said.

County Court of Law Judge Ruben Morales dismissed the cases against the migrants June 6, El Paso Public Defender Kelli Childress said.

"The judge ruled that it (filing of the charges) was done in a way that was improper with respect to constitutional and statutory procedure," Childress said. "None of these problems have been at the fault of the judge or my clients. It's been very frustrating to watch this happen over and over again. This is the third dismissal of these charges while these people have had to sit in jail for."

The migrants were originally charged immediately after the alleged riot. Those charges were dismissed on a similar ruling. The migrants were then reindicted twice, but the charges were dismissed again, including late last week.

The migrants were charged with riot participation in an April 12 incident. The migrants were accused of breaching concertina wire barriers and rushing at law enforcement officers to illegally enter the country in El Paso's Lower Valley.

More: El Paso county judge dismisses border 'riot' charges against 140 migrants

County Court At Law Judge Ruben Morales is shown reviewing documents during a hearing on migrants arrested earlier this year in connection with a confrontation with Texas National Guard Troops at Gate 36 on the Rio Grande. Morales dismissed another 59 cases during a court hearing Monday, June 10.

The migrants were scheduled to go to trial Monday before the charges were dismissed. The migrants still face federal illegal entry charges. It is unclear when the migrants will be transferred from state to federal custody.

The El Paso District Attorney's Office can still reindict the migrants on the charges for a third time.

El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks could not immediately be reached for comment.

Judge Morales ruled Monday the court had no jurisdiction over the cases since the El Paso District Attorney's Office improperly filed them.

A video still shows Migrants breaching barriers set by the Texas National Guard on the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas on April 12, 2024.

Hicks denied that his office misfiled the indictments against the migrants, saying the files were improperly transferred to Judge Morales' court.

More: El Paso DA Bill Hicks plans to appeal second dismissal of 211 migrant "riot" cases

The dismissal comes after Childress had argued June 6 that the cases were improperly filed and accused the DA's office of withholding evidence from her.

Hicks denied the accusation stating Childress just needed to agree to a confidential agreement to access the evidence stored in a county digital filing system.

Childress has refused to sign the agreement stating the DA has no constitutional right to withhold evidence to force her to sign any agreement.

Hicks also has argued that Childress representing multiple migrants is a conflict of interest since she has to do what's best for each client, which could include the migrants blaming other migrants.

Childress has denied her office has any conflict of interest in representing a majority of the migrants.

The migrants were facing misdemeanor riot participation charges. The maximum punishment for those charges is 180 days in jail. The migrants have already been held in county jail for nearly 60 days.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas judge dismisses 59 migrant 'riot' charges in El Paso
CHICAGO  During Jessica Jumas first week of work, her husband disappeared.

For nearly six months, the husband and wife from a rural Ecuadorian town had struggled to find jobs in Chicago. They had gone to clinics and panhandled in front of grocery stores.

But then, the 36-year-old mother found a therapist, who helped soothe her trauma and obtain the right paperwork to work legally. When she was offered a job packing fruits and vegetables at Marianos in Lakeview, her husband told her he was happy she was working. But the 37-year-old still hadnt found a job himself. The stress was taking a toll.

Later that day he left and never came back.

It was like normal. Everything was normal, but we never heard from him again, Juma said.

Since his disappearance, Juma has spent weeks in a daze, holding back tears. Shes walked along the lakefront, calling his name  Angel Mashiant. Shes filed a missing persons report and approached police cars to ask for help.

Shes gotten no answers from police and doesnt know what to do.Though its uncertain what happened to Jumas husband, the migrant mother represents a common phenomenon for new arrivals: After traveling thousands of miles to make it to the U.S., some migrant men seemingly walk out or vanish from the lives of their partners and children, leaving them to fend for themselves.

As more than 43,000 migrants have passed through Chicago, sent on buses and planes from the southern border since August 2022, hundreds of single mothers with children can be found staying in the 17 shelters run by the city and state. Its unclear how many had arrived with partners.

The women who have been left are now trying to find work while raising their children  all without the help of their partners.

Licensed therapists and those working closely with migrants say the frustration and shame felt by men of not being able to provide for their families may be a factor in their choice to just walk away. We see cases like that, said Ana Gil-Garcia, founder of the Illinois Venezuelan Alliance, who has led informational sessions for migrants at dozens of shelters across the city. When men cant provide, they decide to leave. They dont take responsibility  and then mom is left with the children.

I dont know if Ill be able to establish myself here alone

Nareida Santana, 37, from Cartagena, Colombia, stood outside a migrant shelter in the West Loop Tuesday and recounted how she and her partner traveled for days across six countries to reach Chicago at the end of April.

About two weeks ago, she said, he suddenly left. She doesnt know where he went. She shifted her weight back and forth as she talked.

She has a 7-year-old boy and now has to do everything alone. The tasks stack up: enrolling him in school, navigating public transit, finding work and housing.

Im so scared, she said. I dont know if Ill be able to establish myself here alone. Santana said she knows there are women whose husbands have left them who are in worse situations than she is, who are pregnant or have significant health needs.

She said shelter workers are giving her guidance on how to interview for jobs, but it will be useless until she gets a valid work permit.

For now, shes tirelessly trying to find work so she can move out of the shelter.

Its impossible to rest much in there, she said, gesturing to the brick warehouse sheltering more than 700 migrants on five floors.

Veronica Sanchez, a licensed social worker, led a series of healing circles for migrants at the Parent University in Pilsen this spring through an effort organized by the mutual aid group Southwest Collective. Sanchez said migrants talked openly about the trend of men leaving their wives.

As volunteers supplied hot meals and child care in a separate room, adult asylum-seekers engaged in group therapies, with topics ranging from anxiety and depression to traditional gender roles. Sanchez said many have been so focused on getting their basic needs met they havent had the time to think about their mental health. In some cases, she said, this leads to last-minute separations. We discussed a little bit about depression at the beginning, Sanchez said. I told them we were going to talk very openly about any sadness they might be feeling.

At a group session in mid-May, Sanchez led a discussion about what constitutes a healthy relationship.

Ive seen couples that have been together for many years, and they arrive here and it changes everything, said a woman from Venezuela whose name is not being used out of privacy concerns. I know its hard here, but how can they not remember everything theyve been through?

Not my American dream

The city couldnt immediately provide the current number of single migrant women with children in its shelters, though it does track family composition in the shelter system. City officials said case managers refer shelter residents to nonprofits for mental health support. Additionally, the city trains hundreds of shelter staff on how to provide support for women who may experience gender-based violence, including domestic violence.

Mayor Johnson believes that all Chicagoans deserve mental and behavioral health care, whether they just arrived or they have been here for generations, a city spokesperson said in a statement.

Yoleida Ramirez, a 42-year-old single mother from Caracas, Venezuela, who is staying at the same shelter as Juma on the Lower West Side, said she has searched and applied for stable work in Chicago since November but hasnt found anything.She and her three little girls were placed in a shelter in December, and the staff recently told Ramirez that she needs to find her own housing by June 23. Shes worried she wont be able to.

Its so difficult, she said, through tears. Ive looked and looked, but cant find a job. After she drops her kids off at school at 7 a.m., she goes to Home Depot and prays she can find work painting or cleaning.She left her home country because she couldnt find work there either, she said. She didnt have enough money to buy her children food. Id heard about the American dream, but this is not my dream, she said.

The disappearance

On May 25, the last morning Juma saw her husband, she said they woke up early in the shelter and he teased her that she was going to be late for her work shift at Marianos. She put on an apron and he passed her a pair of socks and $2 for the bus, she said. Then, as Juma worked inside the store, her husband panhandled outside with the couples 15-year-old son, 19-year-old daughter and 6-month-old grandchild. A little before 8:30 a.m., he told the teens he was going to buy some new shoes.

When Juma got back from her shift, she and her children waited. He always came back, she said. But hours passed and there was no sign of him. She filed a police report the next day.

Weeks later, the lack of closure is painful for Juma. Shes still in denial that hes gone.

Shes had trouble confirming that police have processed her missing person report because when she calls to check on it, the people who answer only speak English. She thinks theyve given up searching for Mashiant.

A spokesman for the Chicago Police Department told the Chicago Tribune in a statement that, The report has not been finalized at this time. We do not have access to most missing persons reports because they are done on paper. Juma said the shelter told her on June 2 that because Mashiant had disappeared, she would lose her place in the system. Theyve since rescinded that, she said, but Juma cries when she talks about it. They told me they were going to take his cot away, she said.

Shes done everything she can to look for him. She put posters on lamps near the grocery store. She obtained video footage from a nearby business, which shows him swinging his arms and eyeing something in the distance as he walks through the alley. But she has no answers. She cant talk about him without crying. She wonders if he may have tried to drown himself in the lake. She wanders along the shore looking for signs of his floating body.

He wasnt in his right mind

Like many migrants who have come to the city to escape poverty and violence in Latin America, Juma and her family dont know anyone in Chicago. The transition was difficult, she said, and theyve received backlash for panhandling.

There was a man who threw food at us, and said he hoped Trump won so we would be deported to our country, she said.

Juma said their family left their small agricultural community in Ecuador in late September after her 19-year-old and 15-year-old faced back-to-back acts of gang violence.

Their family received increasingly threatening calls, so they decided to leave Ecuador. They arrived in Chicago in December. On the way here, she and her husband and son were kidnapped in Mexico for five days, she said.

Before her husband went missing, Juma had unpacked her difficult past with Erika Meza, a licensed master social worker with Onward House in Belmont Cragin who leads group therapy sessions with migrants. Meza said she has an especially close relationship with Juma.

For months, Meza said, the Ecuadorian mother had expressed anxiety over not having a stable income. Shelter officials were threatening to evict them from the shelter where Juma is currently staying.

Meza said she helped the couple submit their paperwork to work legally in the United States, but Mashiant was still applying for jobs.

He was beginning to get really sad, staying at the shelter, Meza said. Juma told her husband to go to group therapy, too, because she said it helped her to understand and cope with her depression, but he hadnt gone. Meza suspects Mashiant left in a moment of panic. I think he wasnt in his right mind, she said. Depression and anxiety can bring you to do things you could never imagine.

Still searching

Jumas husband was a quiet man who grew up in the jungle in Ecuador. He couldnt read and write.

Other women at the shelter say he must have left with another woman, but Juma says she knows thats not true because he doesnt know anybody here.

The only thing I need is for him to appear so I can pay for a place for us to go. Those were our plans. We planned to work, to pay for a place for us to live, she said.

Like many others, Juma is now left to do everything alone. She has to work and pick up her son from school. Wednesday morning, a woman who cleans the streets outside Marianos told Juma that she could take the bus west to the last stop where there was a lake.

Juma loaded her grandchild in a carriage up onto the CTA bus. She rode it to the last stop, dismounted and looked around.

Is there a lake near here? she said, confused.

She was 5 miles from Lake Michigan. Slowly the reality set in. Her face dropped.

She waited at the bus stop to go back to the Marianos where her husband first disappeared.

_____
MSNBCs Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski on Monday slammed Donald Trump as sick and depraved following the former presidents weekend campaign speech in Las Vegas.

Some would call that completely unfit to deal with the challenges as the leader of the free world, just completely unfit, Brzezinski said of multiple bizarre moments including Trumps melting down over a teleprompter failure and rambling about sharks.

Not trying to be flip, not trying to be funny, she continued. That was just disturbing and kind of crazy talk of a guy who did not know what to say when his prompter failed.

Brzezinski sought to draw a sharp distinction between the presumptive GOP presidential nominee and President Joe Biden ahead of their likely 2024 election showdown.

There is one on the right who promises to be a dictator, who promises to exact retribution on anybody who made him angry or held him accountable, she pointed out. And then there is one on the left who, again, you may not agree with his policies and his legislation, even though he has accomplished more than most modern, if not all modern, American presidents who endorses democracy, agrees with democracy and wants to preserve our democracy.

There is the choice. Weve heard it a million times, she said. And I have to say it because a lot of people are influenced by what they watch on Fox News.

Brzezinski then further condemned Trump for flippantly using a shark attack victim as fodder for his speech and describing as hostages those of his supporters who were arrested for taking part in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Its sick, its depraved, she said. It is depraved.

Watch the full video here:

Related...
BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP)  A military plane carrying Malawis vice president and nine others went missing Monday and a search is underway, the presidents office said.

The plane carrying 51-year-old Vice President Saulos Chilima left the southern African nations capital, Lilongwe, at 9.17 a.m. but failed to land as scheduled around 45 minutes later at Mzuzu International Airport, about 370 kilometers (230 miles) to the north.

Aviation authorities lost contact with the plane when it went off radar, according to a statement from Malawian President Lazarus Chakweras office. Chakwera ordered a search operation and canceled a trip to the Bahamas, his office said.

All efforts to make contact with the aircraft since it went off radar have failed thus far, it said.

Chakwera was informed of the missing plane by Gen. Valentino Phiri, the head of the Malawian armed forces. The president ordered national and local authorities to conduct an immediate search and rescue operation to locate the whereabouts of the aircraft, his office said.

Chilima had been facing corruption charges over allegations that he received money in return for influencing the awarding of government contracts, but the charges were surprisingly dropped by prosecutors last month. That led to criticism that Chakweras administration was not taking a hard enough stance against graft.

Chilima was arrested in late 2022 and made several court appearances, but the trial had not started. He denied the allegations.

Chilima was a candidate in the 2019 Malawian presidential election and finished third. That vote that was won by incumbent Peter Mutharika but was annulled by Malawis Constitutional Court because of irregularities. Chakwera finished second in that election.

Chilima then joined Chakweras campaign as his running mate in the historic election rerun in 2020, when Chakwera was elected president. It was the first time in Africa that an election result that was overturned by a court resulted in a defeat for the sitting president.
DHAKA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Only days before Eid al-Adha, cattle traders in Bangladesh are bringing in nearly 13 million sacrificial animals to markets in the capital city of Dhaka and other parts of the country.

Bangladeshi Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Adha on June 17 with the spirit of sacrifice, marking one of major festivals in the South Asian nation.

Cattle markets, including the largest one at Gabtoli in Dhaka, were bustling on Monday with a variety of animals such as cows, goats, sheep, camels and buffaloes.

Authorities have sanctioned 16 cattle markets to facilitate the purchase of sacrificial animals for residents of Dhaka.

Vendors are busy grooming and adorning their animals to attract buyers, anticipating a surge in customers starting Thursday night, the last working day of the week.

Buyers in Dhaka typically acquire their animals in the final two days before Eid, hoping for discounted prices.

This year, authorities estimated a demand for 10.7 million sacrificial animals nationwide, while over 12.9 million animals are available for the ritual.

Bangladeshi Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdur Rahman told media recently that there will be no shortage of sacrificial animals during the upcoming Eid al-Adha.

Authorities are fully prepared to handle supply and management of sacrificial animals, with an expected supply of 12,980,367 animals this year, an increase of 444,034 from the previous year.

The minister said that like the previous year, the system of selling sacrificial animals online, introduced last year, will continue to alleviate challenges faced by both buyers and sellers.

State agencies are working diligently to ensure a smooth and well-prepared celebration of the festival, according to the minister.

Also, the Bangladeshi government has already declared a five-day holiday starting from Friday in observance of Eid al-Adha.

Millions of Bangladeshis traditionally return to their village homes to celebrate Eid al-Adha and enjoy family reunion. 
Military spouses can now be reimbursed for up to $1,000 for certain business costs they incur when moving to a new base, under policies finalized by all but one of the service branches.

Frequent military moves pose unique difficulties for business-owning spouses, who can take significant hits to their revenue or be forced to shutter altogether as they navigate a web of state regulations and bureaucratic delays. To help keep those entrepreneurs afloat, the military will cover at least part of the cost of moving and removal services for business equipment, new equipment purchases, information technology costs, and fees for business permits, registration and inspections.

We owe it to them to provide any opportunity to not just have a job, but build a fulfilling career, said Lt. Gen. Kevin Vereen, who as a deputy chief of staff overseeing installations is the Armys top quality-of-life official.

Lawmakers included the new benefit in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, prompting each branch of the military to craft their own implementation guidelines. The Army announced its new reimbursement policy June 4; the Navy issued its policy April 29. The Air Force and Space Force finalized their own version last fall. The Marine Corps is still developing its guidelines, officials said.

Spouses could already recoup as much as $1,000 spent to obtain new professional licenses due to a permanent change of station  a policy that has been in place for several years. Now they can be reimbursed for both types of spending, totaling up to $2,000 per PCS move.

As long as the spouse owned their business or held the professional credential at a prior duty station  not only the most recent duty station  they can qualify for reimbursement, the Army, Navy and Air Force said.

For example, say a spouse owns a business while at Fort Stewart, Ga., but stops operating the business after moving to Fort Liberty, N.C. A few years later, when the business owner moves again for their spouses assignment at the Pentagon, the spouse could still ask the Army to reimburse the costs of operating their business.

The opportunity is available to spouses married to troops who received PCS orders dated Dec. 22, 2023, or later, and will run through the end of 2029. Navy and Air Force spouses must submit requests for reimbursement within 24 months after the PCS orders are issued. The Army did not immediately provide instructions on filing for reimbursement.

More information on reimbursement rules and applications is available through each military branch, or from DODs Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Program.

Air Force and Space Force: Service members should contact their installations Military and Family Readiness Center with questions about eligibility and how to submit a claim. The finance office will work with the service member and the spouse to verify eligibility and to ensure they provide the right paperwork to prove their qualified expenses.

Navy: The Navy policy points sailors to MPM-1754-04 for information on documentation requirements. That includes documents such as the Memorandum Spouse Licensure Reimbursement Request; the OF-1164 Claim for Reimbursement for Expenditures on Official Business; a copy of PCS orders; a copy of previous license/certificate and the new license/certificate; and a copy of receipts for a new license/certificate or qualified business relocation costs. The package must be scanned and sent by secure email to ASKMNCC.FCY@NAVY.MIL.

Army: The Army directive states that officials will publish an all-Army activities message providing instructions for filing for reimbursement.
Milwaukee alderman and MPS teacher call for public hearing on budget or resignation of school board

As Milwaukee Public Schools has yet to finish key overdue financial reports, Milwaukee Ald. Scott Spiker is calling on Milwaukee School Board members to hold a public hearing on the school district's budget plan this week or resign from their positions.

"Government that's not transparent, that doesn't share facts with people, that doesn't take their considered viewpoints into account in its deliberations, that's unresponsive to their wishes and unaccountable to their demands  that sort of government we have one word for: undemocratic," Spiker said.

Milwaukee Alderman Scott Spiker, outside of City Hall June 10, calls on the Milwaukee School Board to hold a public hearing on the school district's budget.

Spiker was joined at a press conference Monday by Angela Harris, a second-grade teacher at Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language and chair of the local Black Educators Caucus. The group had already called on the board to schedule another public hearing on the budget before it votes on it.

When will the Milwaukee School Board vote on the budget?

Since Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Keith Posley presented his budget plan in late April, school board members have held a series of public meetings about the plan and made amendments to save some staff positions that Posley planned to cut.

Board members were originally scheduled to vote on the budget May 30, days after they found out that administrators had failed to submit financial reports to state officials for over eight months. They opted to delay voting on the budget and held an additional public hearing on the budget June 3.

Some community members were frustrated that the June 3 budget hearing, where Posley resigned, was combined with a hearing on the districts late financial reports, with each speaker given two minutes to address both items together.

The board is now scheduled to vote on the budget Thursday, at a public meeting that is not scheduled to include any opportunities for public comments. The meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. at the district's Central Office, 5225 W. Vliet St., and streamed on the district's YouTube page.

Martha Kreitzman, the district's chief financial officer, told board members they must approve a budget by the end of June. Under state statute, the board must submit a completed budget to the Milwaukee Common Council by Aug. 5.

What did Scott Spiker call for?

Spiker criticized school board members for apparently being unaware that MPS administrators were late on financial reports owed to the state Department of Public Instruction.

"If they cannot exercise oversight power on the administration, then they are feckless; they have no power," Spiker said.

Spiker said if board members refused to hold another public hearing on the budget, they should resign.

"Step down with honor rather than being part of an undemocratic attempt to thwart the will of the electorate," he said.

The Milwaukee School Board lacks authority to appoint board members when board members resign. Instead, as in the case of Aisha Carr's sudden resignation in May, the board can schedule a special election. The date to turn in paperwork for the November election has passed.

Asked about the logistics of resignations, Spiker pivoted. He noted that state law allows circuit court judges to remove board members for inefficiency, neglect of duty, misconduct or malfeasance  though he added that he wasn't accusing board members of that. He also noted that board members could be removed with a recall.

Friday's press conference was Spiker's second on the topic of MPS in two weeks. Last Wednesday, he called on board members not to enact the full referendum approved by voters in April.

What did Angela Harris call for?

Angela Harris, chair of the Black Educators Caucus in Milwaukee, speaks at City Hall June 10.

Harris, who is also calling for a public hearing, said she and other community members want the chance to share feedback with board members.

"At the top of the organizational chart, it says that the citizens of Milwaukee are at the very top. So at the very least, we should be able to come to the school board meeting and have our concerns not only heard but addressed by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors," Harris said.

The Black Educators Caucus, which forms the Equity Coalition along with the Anti-Racist White Educators and Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH), has asked board members to amend the budget plan to include an equity audit.

Harris said such an audit would provide a clearer picture of what resources are needed at schools with the highest academic needs and behavior challenges, to inform future budgets. For example, Harris said, the district could give leaders at the high-needs schools more discretionary funding or pay staff higher salaries to stay in those schools.

Harris said the Black Educators Caucus, which was previously under the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, broke away from the union in 2019. She said the group meets monthly has about 125 members.

What is the response from Milwaukee School Board members?

Milwaukee School Board President Marva Herndon and Vice President Jilly Gokalgandhi didn't immediately return calls Monday morning.

When the Journal Sentinel asked Gokalgandhi last week about adding another public hearing on the budget, she wouldn't comment on whether the board was considering doing so. She said her focus was on submitting the districts late reports to the state Department of Public Instruction.

Weve had our statutory hearings, weve had multiple sessions on the budget, Gokalgandhi said Wednesday. The board is really focused on getting DPI the information that we need right now so our focus is on whats most pressing and important.

Board member Henry Leonard, reached Monday, said the question about a public hearing was something he would have to discuss with other board members.

Henry Leonard, Milwaukee Board of School Director for District #7, makes remarks as the directors discuss whether to put a referendum on the spring ballot, asking voters to raise taxes for more school funding, on Thursday January 11, 2024 at the MPS Central Services Building in Milwaukee, Wis.

Leonard pushed back on calls for board members to resign. He said while he had been aware that MPS' audit was late on completion, he was not aware before DPI contacted board members directly on May 24 that it was causing delays in reporting crucial information to the state DPI.

"We are working to make sure this never happens again," Leonard said. "You have to give us the opportunity to take care of it. Bringing in a new board wouldnt be like pressing a button and everything starts working again. That would be massive chaos."

Milwaukee School Board members, some of whom have other full-time jobs, get an annual salary of $20,490, which board members voted unanimously in April to hold steady.

Contact Rory Linnane at rory.linnane@jrn.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @RoryLinnane.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Scott Spiker and Angela Harris call for MPS budget hearing or board to resign
Joel Brennan started as president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee in 2021, the same year Marquette President Michael Lovell, who was on the committee's board of directors, was diagnosed with cancer.

"At that point, he was challenged with his health but ... provided me with guidance and was vigorous," Brennan said. "He was someone that has always been generous with his time toward other people in the community.

"He put community before self in lots of ways."

Brennan is among the Milwaukee and Wisconsin leaders mourning Lovell, who died Sunday at age 57.

He said he admired the way Lovell integrated Marquette into the community and will remember Lovell's demeanor, especially when facing a challenge.

"He was always very soft-spoken," Brennan said. "He didnt have to raise his voice to get people to stand beside him. He had a strong will to do what was right and just be committed to making things better."

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson called Lovell, Marquette's president since 2014, "a great community partner."

His faith was deep, and his commitment to service went beyond the boundaries of the campus. He promoted community service, he worked to improve public safety, and his leadership with the Near West Side Partners elevated that organization in ways that would not have been possible without him."

Noting Lovell's leadership at both Marquette and UW-Milwaukee, where Lovell was chancellor from 2011 to 2014, Johnson said, Equally impressive was Mikes kindness and humility. He was a gentle person who cared deeply about Milwaukee. He served our community with distinction."

Gov. Tony Evers said on X, formerly known as Twitter, "I had great respect for Mike. He cared deeply about Milwaukee and the students and faculty he led, and I was always uplifted by his positive and professional manner. Truly a loss."

Marquette University President Mike Lovell and his wife, Amy, during a SWIM, or Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee, strategy meeting in the Journey House gymnasium in Milwaukee on July 18, 2018. The Lovells' initiative is an effort to create strategic coordination in Milwaukees disjointed trauma-responsive initiatives.

Lovell was involved in numerous community efforts. He helped create the Near West Side Partners, a nonprofit organization focused on economic development, housing, neighborhood identity and safety in the Marquette area.

He and his wife, Amy, co-founded Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee, a community-wide effort designed to combat generational trauma. He served on the Greater Milwaukee Committee and helped start many other organizations, such as the Miidwest Energy Research Consortium, Scale-Up Milwaukee and The Water Council.

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce applauded Lovell's leadership and his impact on Milwaukee.

"The future of our region is better because of his contributions," MMAC wrote in a statement. "Our thoughts are with those who knew and admired Dr. Lovell during this difficult time."

Dale Kooyenga, president of MMAC, wrote in a tweet on X that the Milwaukee community and Marquette "lost a good man and leader."

More: Marquette athletics community pays tribute to President Michael Lovell

Visit Milwaukee extended its condolences to the Marquette University family on X, as well: "Dr. Lovells work made Milwaukee better every day."

University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman wrote on X: "I knew Mike to be a man of great integrity with a deep faith. He had an unwavering commitment to student success both while a Dean and Chancellor at UWM as well as President of Marquette. He leaves an enduring legacy."

The Milwaukee Bucks released a statement, saying in part, "An important voice in support of Fiserv Forum being built, President Lovell stood firmly for progress and innovation, and we will always be grateful for his long-time friendship with the Bucks."

A statement on the passing of Marquette University president Dr. Michael Lovell.  pic.twitter.com/MhtVARfq2X  Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) June 10, 2024

John Y. Walz, president of Milwaukee School of Engineering, expressed his condolences in an emailed statement.

"I have profound respect for Dr. Lovell and his unwavering commitment to enhancing the educational experience, promoting research and collaboration, and strengthening ties with the broader community."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee, state leaders mourn Marquette President Michael Lovell
Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images.

At the conclusion of a two-year journey aimed at improving the conditions for ridehail drivers in Minnesota, state Sen. Omar Fateh, DFL-Minneapolis, expressed what a lot of people were feeling when he emotionally referred to HF4746 as this damn bill.

He had every right to be emotional. The conversation sparked by Gov. Tim Walzs 2023 veto of a minimum pay bill  and the subsequent city of Minneapolis 2024 ridehail ordinance  brought out strong emotions in people across Minnesota.

On the surface, the new law will provide many benefits for drivers, including, as Rep. Hodan Hassan, DFL-Minneapolis, put it: fair wages, fair treatment, and protecting workers.

Take a look under the hood, however, and youll see that this is a damned bill indeed.

Minnesotans shouldnt be happy with new law, least of all the drivers, as the Legislature has all but cemented an Uber/Lyft duopoly and increased costs for ridership.

Yes, drivers will be seeing an 14% raise in their take-home pay over 2022 levels.

Yes, drivers now have a right to appeal being fired, or deactivated from a ridehail app.

And yes, drivers can now keep 80% of a canceled ride.

Although these are fantastic, hard-fought developments leading to a great many positive results in the short-term, in the long-term the winners are once again Uber and Lyft  and the drivers will be right back where they were when this all started.

A handful of innovative technology startups and entrepreneurs pulled out all the stops to offer solutions to Uber and Lyfts extortive threats to leave Minnesota. Walz may have been dismissive of Minnesotan entrepreneurial solutions, but problem solvers built, tested and validated alternatives. These alternatives like Wridz are providing real rides today. But the new law includes a series of anti-competitive mechanisms that will disadvantage any new competitor against the incumbents.

The application fees for ridehail companies are the biggest unaddressed issue that cements an anti-competitive market in place. Any Uber competitor entering the market first has to hand over nearly $100,000 in annual licensing fees to Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the Metropolitan Airports Commission.

For context, Washingtons Democratic trifecta set their statewide license fee to $5,000 with a $0.18/ride surcharge, and Texas Republican trifecta (in response to Austins ridehail wage ordinance) moved their administrative fee to the state level with a flat $10,500 charge.

The Minnesota bill removed cities ability to set wages, enforce those wage rates, and to collect data about ridehail operations in their jurisdiction.

Cities cant arbitrarily raise licensing fees due to statutory limits, but given that its the only lever of power they have left, one could imagine a creative city council implementing environmental, health and safety studies to justify much higher surcharges for ridehail companies. Uber and Lyft would be unaffected, as these costs are absorbable at their scale.

This aspect of the bill is fundamentally anti-competitive for new entrants that dont have billions of dollars backing them alongside the best lobbyists that money can buy. But its the other less obvious elements that are more insidious:

First, the increased insurance requirements mean that competitors insurance prices will nearly double, and although these are large expenditures for Uber and Lyft, their scale allows for more efficient pricing and the absorption and redistribution of these costs. Small startups cannot shoulder that burden in the same way.

Second, the bill requires all ridehail companies to independently contract with a drivers advocacy organization  a non-profit independent organization operating for at least two-years and that can have no influence from a ridehail company.

It seems like the law was written with Minnesota Uber/Lyft Drivers Association, known as MULDA, in mind. MULDA is not revealing the fees that Uber and Lyft have proposed to pay them for this service. In addition to the cost, the ban on a ridehail company influencing the drivers advocacy organization would seem to prohibit entrants like The Drivers Co-Op and Wridz from engaging with MULDA and educating potential drivers, further locking-in the Uber/Lyft duopoly.

Lastly, the bill didnt advance Minneapolis ordinance language requiring ridehail companies to pay 80% of special event or surge pricing, and drivers know very well that platform fees and external fees eat deeply into their existing take rate. Some drivers have publicly posted earnings of $13 on a $55 Lyft ride. As only 28% of riders ever tip, and gross Uber wages are overall down 17% since 2022, it would be no surprise if drivers saw even less earnings after the implementation of this bill. Its odd that this element of Minneapolis language didnt make the final bill, but then again, its odd that most elements of this bill benefit Uber and Lyft at the cost of drivers, riders and competitors.

So, to summarize: the Legislatures ridehail bill is anti-competitive. It increases the costs for new competitors and for riders, and raises the barriers of entry for competitors, while not readjusting the regulatory fee to compete against Uber and Lyft. It removes the ability for drivers to influence their city councils to secure higher wages again. It introduces potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars of undefined and extortive costs to be compliant with nameless drivers advocacy organizations, while disallowing those organizations to once again coordinate with competitors to provide an alternative for Uber and Lyft.



Politicians can now advertise this as a legislative victory, a promise kept after two years of work. In their noble quest to secure a better outcome for low-wage workers, the DFL have instead given a handout to corporations and further cemented a tech giant duopoly in Minnesota. Ope.

The post Minnesotas new Uber and Lyft law just cements their duopoly in place appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
A gas flare from the Shell Chemical LP petroleum refinery illuminates the sky on August 21, 2019, in Norco, Louisiana. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

This countrys heaviest polluters also rely on a workforce that disproportionately fails to fill good-paying jobs with people of color who are more likely to be affected by their emissions, according to a new study.

The research, from Tulane Universitys Environmental Law Clinic  currently under peer review  finds that people of color are underrepresented in high-paying jobs in both the chemical manufacturing and petroleum/coal industry.

And Louisiana, with one of the largest concentrations of petrochemical facilities in the United States, is the only state where minorities were underrepresented in low-paying and high-paying jobs in both industries.

For advocates there, this new report is proof that the good jobs are going to white people while much of the toxic emissions and health risks are being endured by people living in the surrounding communities, which tend to be low income or predominantly minority.

The pollution versus jobs narrative is really oversimplified because the trade off affects different groups unevenly, said Kimberly Terrell, director of community engagement and a staff scientist with the Tulane law clinic who led the research team. Petrochemical jobs that mostly go to white workers cant offset the harm of petrochemical pollution that mostly occurs in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods.

The research showed that people of color were generally underrepresented in high-paying jobs in both the chemical manufacturing sector and petroleum/coal industry and often were over-represented in low-paying jobs in the chemical industry with results mixed for the same category on the petroleum side.

In another recently released report, researchers described a situation in Louisianas Plaquemines Parish in which local residents of color were unable to take advantage of construction jobs at a terminal that exports methane, also known as liquefied natural gas.

The Mississippi River ferry connecting the plant to the community did not run early enough to get the employees to work by 5 a.m., as required. And prospective workers  many without reliable transportation  had to attend weeks of training in New Orleans 55 miles away, according to researchers from Texas Southern University and the University of Montana.

Nationally, higher paying jobs in the chemical manufacturing industry disproportionately went to more white people in Texas, Louisiana and Georgia where minorities represent 59%, 41% and 49% of their respective states populations but held 38%, 21% and 28% of the better paid jobs within the industry.

In the petroleum/coal industry, people of color were underrepresented in higher-paying jobs in at least 14 states  including Texas, California, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

Ashley Shelton, founder and chief executive officer of statewide lobbying nonprofit The Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, praised the study for proving what she and most Louisiana advocates have known for quite some time. Shelton said state leaders, and others across the country, are selling out fenceline communities to the petrochemical industry.

We have to stop pretending oil and gas, which Louisiana we are great defenders of, is gonna save us because theyre not and they never were and arent trying to, Shelton said, noting that Louisiana is last in many quality-of-life indicators. We are winning the race to the bottom.

Study confirms earlier findings

The study is an extension of 2023 research the same team conducted, prompted by questions from Floodlight about data on racial disparities in the petrochemical industry. The first study focused on manufacturing jobs in the majority-minority communities that make up Louisianas Cancer Alley and the heavily-industrialized parts of Texas along the Gulf Coast.

Tulane researcher Gianna St. Julien and Michael Ash, a professor of economics and public policy at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, served as co-authors on both studies.

The standout in the earlier research was St. John the Baptist Parish in southeast Louisiana where people of color made up nearly 70% of the working-age population but less than 30% of the manufacturing workforce there. And when it came to higher-paying jobs, minorities only showed up in 19% of that group.

Statistics substantiated what locals there had been feeling and expressing anecdotally for years.

Jefferson County posted the highest disparity percentage in Texas where minorities represented 59% of the working-age population but only 28% of the manufacturing workforce, according to the earlier research.

In the expanded study, Terrell and her team conducted their research through a national lens using data at the state level from the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission, focusing on jobs in the chemical manufacturing and petroleum/coal products industry.

Those numbers were cross referenced with wage data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and demographic information  including race and education  from the U.S. Census Bureaus American Community Survey.

The study assigned high-paying jobs to positions that had a median hourly pay rate between $28 and $78 and classified low-paying jobs as ones with a median wage between $15 and $37 an hour.

Louisiana center of disparity

Louisiana was the only state where people of color were underrepresented in low- and high-paying jobs in both categories of industries. Those disparities often existed in the places where industry received generous tax subsidies for job creation, the study found.

The team focused on Louisiana because of how the state stood out in workforce disparities, the concentration of petrochemical facilities, racial inequities across society and internationally-recognized environmental justice issues.

In the state, people of color make up about 41% of the working age population but only 22% of the workforce in the petroleum/coal industry, the study found. Minorities accounted for nearly 27% of the low-level positions and only 15% of the better paying jobs in the category, the study showed.

And on the chemical manufacturing side, minorities overall accounted for 40% of the workforce in Louisiana, holding 32% of the low-paying jobs and 21% of the higher paid positions, the study said.

As in the earlier research, St. John the Baptist Parish in Louisiana had the most extreme overall disparities, followed by East Baton Rouge and Iberville parishes.

One thing that really stuck out was that there is no evidence that these disparities are related to an education gap, Terrell said.

Terrell defined the education gap as the proportion of white people whove attended college compared to people of color whove done the same.

For a long time, petrochemical companies have attributed those disparities to education gaps, Terrell said. But there has never been any kind of study or research to back that up. Its always something that just kind of sounds like a reasonable explanation, without any data behind it.

The study attributes systemic racism as the driver of the disparities, not education.

To address that, the research team suggested better enforcement of Title VI anti-discriminatory federal laws. Another solution: state regulators could require cost-benefit analysis that factors in economic benefits in industrial permitting. As it currently stands, the laws around cost-benefit mandates vary widely from state to state, the report said.

Tax breaks  but no new jobs

A pillar of Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landrys administration has been to boost economic development by leveraging the states natural resources and removing obstacles to make it more attractive to the oil and gas industry.

One of the first things he did after taking office in 2024 was to revamp the Industrial Tax Exemption Program by removing stipulations that tied tax breaks to job creation.

Landrys office declined to comment on the study and its findings.

The study criticizes Louisianas lucrative tax incentive program for overestimating the economic benefits the industrial sector has on fenceline communities.

Researchers found that between 2010 and 2022, the petroleum industry in St. John the Baptist Parish got $19 million in first-year tax credits but created no new direct jobs.

Across the board for all of the parishes that we really looked at, you saw these extreme kind of values; were talking billions in some cases of exemptions over that timeframe, with very little jobs actually created, said St. Julien, who crunched the tax exemption data. The economic benefit these exemptions were supposed to bring to the state (and) into these individual parishes, we see thats not really the case, jobwise.

Officials with Louisiana Economic Development, which oversees tax incentive and business outreach initiatives, also declined to comment on the study, noting its programs do not contain mandates related to the workforce racial demographics.

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Floodlight is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates the powerful interests stalling climate action.

The post Minorities systematically underrepresented in U.S. petrochemical workforce, study finds appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
"I feel sorry for the suffering she went through," the victim's husband said

Getty Python Snake.

A missing mother of four was found dead after being swallowed by a python in Indonesia, according to reports.

The victim, who was identified as a 45-year-old woman named Farida, was found Friday, June 7, by her husband and residents of Kalempang village, according to Agence France-Presse.

Search efforts began after the mom failed to return home the previous night, village head Suardi Rosi told the news agency.

After her husband found her belongings, which "made him suspicious" the village searched the area, eventually spotting "a python with a large belly," the village head added.

"They agreed to cut open the python's stomach. As soon as they did, Farida's head was immediately visible," Rosi told the news agency AFP, which reported she was found fully clothed inside the snake.

Related: Body of Missing Woman Found Inside 23-Ft. Python Near Plantation in Indonesia: Reports

Video posted byTMZ appeared to show the snake being cut open.

The death marks the fifth person to be eaten by a python in Indonesia since 2017, according to CBS News. However, reports of humans being killed by pythons are not typical.

Related: Burmese 'Monster' Python Weighing 198 Lbs. Captured in Florida

Speaking with PEOPLE in 2022, after a similar case made headlines across the world, one expert reiterated that these kind of incidents are extremely rare."



"Though there are cases of snakes eating humans, said Bruce Jayne, professor of biological sciences at the University of Cincinnati, the "vast majority" involved very large pythons and people of a "rather small stature."

"It takes pythons a really long time to attain these really enormous sizes," he explained. "As a result, there are actually very few of these really, really large pythons."

Although fatal attacks do happen, for the most part, it's not anything most people need to worry about. "Unless it's a truly gigantic specimen, they're just not much to be scared of if you're an adult human," he added.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

According to The Daily Mail, Farida's husband said that he was "forever sorry" he let his wife "go out alone."

Related: Body of Missing Woman Found Inside 23-Ft. Python Near Plantation in Indonesia: Reports

"I feel sorry for the suffering she went through," he said, per the outlet. "I am sorry for our family."



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Read the original article on People.
**Related Video Above: Family Finds Huge Python.**

INDONESIA (WJW)  A wife and mother of four never came home late last week, causing her family to worry.

Following a search in the Kalempang village in central Indonesia, the 45-year-old woman named Farida was reportedly found dead Friday  in the belly of a 16-foot reticulated python.

Ohios most dangerous spiders in midst of mating season

Her husband became suspicious when he found her belongings on the ground, but not his wife, a village leader told Agence France Presse (AFP). A snake was then spotted nearby with an extended midsection.

In graphic video posted by TMZ, the villagers were shown cutting open the python to see if Farida was indeed inside. Her head was immediately visible. Her body was found with all clothes intact.

WATCH: Snake mating ball spotted on Lake Erie shore

While pythons going after humans is considered extremely rare, this is the fifth fatal incident in Indonesia since 2017, CBS News reported. Normally, pythons prefer animals like pigs and monkeys and other mammals found in Southern Asia, which they eat by squeezing to death before swallowing whole.

The reticulated python is the longest snake in the world, according to the National History Museum in Britain, and can run more than 20 feet long.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Missouri man set to be executed for ex-lover's murder says he didn't do it

A Missouri man set to be executed on Tuesday in the killing of his former lover maintains his innocence, telling a local newspaper: "You cannot show remorse for something you did not do."

David Hosier, 69, is set to be put to death by lethal injection for the 2009 murder of Angela Gilpin, a mother of two who was killed alongside her husband, Rodney Gilpin.

Hosier has maintained his innocence since his conviction, pointing to a lack of physical evidence tying him to the scene and ineffectual lawyers during trial. With the last of his appeals exhausted Monday, Hosier is set to become the second inmate executed in the state this year and the seventh in the United States.

"I would not say that he is at peace," Hosier's attorney, Jeremy Weis, told USA TODAY in an interview last week.

USA TODAY is looking back at the murders, who David Hosier was before the crime, what shaped his life, and what he argued about the upcoming execution.

Handout photo of David Hosier, 69, at Potosi Correctional Center, in Potosi, Missouri about 70 miles south of St. Louis. Hosier is set to be executed on June 11.

What led up to the killing of Angela and Rodney Gilpin?

Hosier and the Gilpins lived in nearby apartments in Jefferson City, Missouri, where the three first met at a local bar.

Sometime in 2008 or 2009 while the Gilpins were separated, Hosier and Angela Gilpin began having a love affair. It's unclear how long it lasted but Gilpin decided she was going to stay with her husband and ended things with Hosier, who was overheard saying that if Gilpin would not come back with him then he would put a stop to it somehow," according to court records.

Two weeks before she was killed, Gilpin applied for a restraining order against Hosier and was looking to move apartments, writing to her landlord that she could no longer live next to Hosier, saying: "He scares me. I don't know he will do next."

The day before the killings, Hosier left a voicemail for a friend saying that he was going to "finish it" and called another one to say that he was going to "eliminate his problems," court records show.

Angela and Rodney Gilpin found dead

During the early morning of Sept. 28, 2009, a neighbor found the Gilpins dead, their bodies in the threshold of their apartment. They had both been shot multiple times.

It didn't take long for police to find Angela Gilpin's application for a protective order from Hosier, telling a court that he was stalking and harassing her every day. Later that day following a pursuit, police arrested Hosier, who told officers: "Shoot me and get it over with," according to court documents.

When officers searched the car, they found 15 firearms, including a STEN submachine gun, ammunition and a handwritten note that read: "If you are going with someone, do not lie to them, do not play games with them, do not (expletive) them over by telling other people things that are not true.

"Be honest with them and tell them if there is something wrong," the note continued. "If you do not, this could happen to you."

Who is David Hosier?

Glen and Martha Hosier are pictured with their son, David Hosier, outside their home in Logansport, Indiana, on April 11, 1971.

The youngest of three children, Hosier grew up in Indiana in the 1950s and 1960s.

His early life was shaped by one traumatic event that his family says turned him into the man he became: When he was just 16 years old, his police officer father was shot and killed while trying to apprehend a murder suspect.

I lost my best friend," Hosier told the Kansas City Star in a recent interview.

The event marked the beginning of a downward spiral for Hosier, his family said in a clemency video submitted to Parson's office in hopes that the governor will spare Hosier from the death penalty.

"He's been angry with all the women in his life, including me and my mother and it was not like that for him before my dad died," Hosier's sister, Kay Schardien, says in the clemency video. "My dad's death was just like a crater and David fell into that crater."

At the age of 19, Hosier joined the U.S. Navy, marrying while he was enlisted but divorcing before he was discharged.

He later remarried in 1980 and had a son and a daughter. That marriage ended in 1987, a year after he had been involuntarily committed to the psychiatric ward of a state hospital, according to his clemency petition.

In 1993, Hosier pleaded guilty to battering his then-girlfriend and was sentenced to eight years in prison. He was released on parole in 1997.

In a recent phone interview with The Associated Press, Hosier said that he felt his clemency petition focused too much on the death of his father, rather than on the evidence in the case.

I told them I didnt want the boo-hoo, woe is me," the AP reported. "All that stuff happened 53 years ago, OK? It has nothing to do with why Im sitting here right now.

An undated handout photo of David Hosier.

David Hosier's appeals argue lack of evidence

In appeals, Hosier's lawyers argue that there was a lack of physical evidence tying Hosier to the scene of the murder, including the state's ballistics expert's inability to identify that the bullets found at the crime scene.

They also argue that he had ineffective attorneys during trial, saying that among other failings, they should have struck two unqualified jurors and failed to present a witness who could have told jurors about a stroke Hosier had in 2007 that caused brain damage.

Weis, Hosier's current attorney, told USA TODAY that jurors did see medical records of Hosier's stroke and depressive episodes but a medical professional could have better explained their significance.

"Essentially, they took all these medical records and said, 'Well, you figure it out,'" Weis said. "When we discussed with the jurors that this information existed and would (it) have made a difference and would you wanted to know this when you were making your decision, they almost universally said yes."

Hosier also argued that the judge who presided over his trial and sentencing had a conflict of interest, having prosecuted him in 1998 for failing to pay child support.

Weis also pointed to a plea offer of life without the possibility of parole that Hosier turned down as evidence that the state was willing to accept less than a death sentence in the case.

Republican Missouri Gov. Michael Parson denied Hosier's request for clemency on Monday, one of his final chances to avoid the death penalty.

"Ms. Angela Gilpin had her life stolen by David Hosier because he could not accept it when she ended their romantic involvement. He displays no remorse for his senseless violence," Parson said in a statement announcing the decision. "I cannot imagine the pain experienced by Angelas and Rodneys loved ones but hope that carrying out Hosiers sentence according to the Courts order brings closure."

Hosier's state of mind ahead of execution day

Hosier was placed in solitary confinement on Feb. 14 after the Missouri Supreme Court set the June 11 execution date. He was hospitalized for heart failure in May.

Weis described Hosier's condition as having "deteriorated" since being moved from the general population at Potosi Correctional Center, about 70 miles south of St. Louis.

"I would not say that he is at peace," Weis said. "The things that that people rely on in the institution, the friendships, the camaraderie of people that have been there a long time and are in a similar situation are all removed from them all of a sudden. You're kind of on an island."

Weis said that Hosier has developed a close relationship with his spiritual advisor, the Rev. Jeff Hood, as the scheduled execution day draws closer.

"David gets a sense that 'This person is pulling for me, is willing to meet with me and is just open to being open to him as a human being,'" Weis said.

Hosier told the Kansas City Star that he and Hood "talk a lot about the Bible and different things."

We talk, just trying to get prepared for the state wanting to murder you," he said, adding that though he may have supported the death penalty following his fathers death, he no longer does so after having gone through the system.

I cant see by any justification, the death penalty as being anything but cruel and inhumane, Hosier told the newspaper. The state says its illegal for us to kill somebody, but they can sanction a murder and its A-OK, no big deal.

Though he said he was sorry that the Gilpins were killed (nobody deserves anything like that), he maintains his innocence and said he's just disappointed in the attorneys who previously represented him.

Im disappointed that they missed it, but I cant fault them because were all human, he told the Star. Humans make mistakes. So consequently, Im sitting here with an execution date, waiting to die.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Missouri man to be executed for ex-lover's murder: I didn't do it
An attorney for Planned Parenthood Great Plains asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey that alleges the group helped organize abortions for minors out of state without parental consent.

The entire lawsuit is based on hypothetical allegations from a video posted by the conservative group Project Veritas, attorney John Hirth told Boone County Circuit Court Judge Brouck Jacobs on Monday.

There is no allegation that any child, any minor, has been taken across state lines, Herth said. Theres no allegation that any abortion has been performed here in Missouri or outside Missouri, with or without parental consent. The whole conversation is hypothetical.

Jacobs held a one-day hearing in Columbia over a motion from Planned Parenthood Great Plains that seeks to either dismiss the lawsuit or require Bailey to file a more definitive complaint. Jacobs did not immediately rule on the motion Monday and said he would take the matter under advisement.

The lawsuit, filed in February, accuses the organization of working to pay for abortions for minors, as well as providing transportation and lodging. The lawsuit asserts that the organization represented to schools that minors should be excused for medical reasons without disclosing it was for an abortion.

Missouri bans all abortions, except for in medical emergencies, under a 2019 law that went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Kathryn Monroe, an attorney in Baileys office, on Monday reiterated the allegations laid out in the lawsuit and asked Jacobs to deny the motion from Planned Parenthood Great Plains.

Bailey, a Republican running for a full term, has frequently cited the lawsuit, and the Project Veritas video at issue, to attack Planned Parenthood. He has cast the challenge as part of an effort to eradicate Planned Parenthood and wants an injunction against the organization.

The lawsuits allegations stem from an undercover video posted last year by Project Veritas, a right-wing group with a history of using hidden cameras to embarrass its targets.

The video purports to show conversations with Planned Parenthood employees, filmed surreptitiously, in which they describe how a 13-year-old girl can obtain an abortion in Kansas without her parents knowing.

Planned Parenthood Great Plains has said the video was filmed without the staffs knowledge or consent and had been heavily doctored and edited. The organization also doesnt provide any transportation directly to patients, regardless of age or location.

Herth said on Monday that the video doesnt show Planned Parenthood employees engaging in conduct of any kind and only deals with free speech. He pointed to a 2012 Missouri Supreme Court ruling which found that while Missouri law bans helping minors obtain abortions without parental consent, that does not apply to providing information or counseling.

To the extent that it (the video) suggests some conduct might happen, the conduct that might happen is in Kansas, Herth said. By providing that information and that counseling, the Planned Parenthood employees in the video have done nothing more than speech.

Monroe responded on Monday that while the video dealt with a hypothetical 13-year-old girl, the employees at Planned Parenthood did not know that.

Even though what we see on the video is perhaps speech and a hypothetical, there was admitted conduct about what they would do in this actual situation, she said.
BRUSSELS, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, submitted the collective resignation of his government to King Philippe on Monday. The sovereign accepted the resignation and asked De Croo to continue handling current affairs until a new government is formed.

King Philippe is expected to consult political figures to initiate the process of forming a federal government. The King will receive on Monday the leaders of the largest parties elected on Sunday. These leaders will visit the sovereign in descending order of the number of seats their party won in Parliament during the elections.

More than 8.35 million people in Belgium were called to polling stations on Sunday, casting votes in the federal, regional and European elections.

Official results published by the Belgian Ministry of the Interior show that the seven-party governing coalition led by De Croo maintained a narrow majority with 76 of the 150 seats in the Federal Parliament, although De Croo's party (Open VLD) suffered a loss of seats, dropping from 12 to seven. 
FILE PHOTO: Test tubes are seen in front of a displayed Moderna logo in this illustration

By Patrick Wingrove

(Reuters) - Moderna said on Monday its combination vaccine to protect against both COVID-19 and influenza generated a stronger immune response in adults aged 50 and over when compared to separate shots against the viruses in a late-stage trial.

In the study, the combination using messenger RNA technology generated greater antibodies than currently marketed traditional flu vaccines and Moderna's Spikevax mRNA COVID shot, the company said.

The vaccine, called mRNA-1083, elicited a higher immune response against two A strains and one B strain of the flu in older adults when compared with widely used flu shots from GSK and Sanofi, according to the company.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March recommended drugmakers target those three strains, called H1N1, H3N2, and B/Victoria, when developing their seasonal flu vaccines for 2024.

The latest data was collected from two arms of a larger study that involved around 8,000 people - one tested the combination against GSKs Fluarix in adults aged 50 to 64 and another against Sanofis Fluzone HD in people 65 and older. Fluzone is a high-dose vaccine for older people.

Moderna President Stephen Hoge said the drugmaker hopes to launch the combination shot for the autumn respiratory disease season in 2025. "If not 2025, then 2026," he said.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company has been banking on new vaccines to make up for vastly lower demand and sales for its COVID shot.

If approved, the combination vaccine would be Moderna's third marketed product, having received FDA approval for its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine last month.

Moderna also said the combination was found to be safe and tolerable in the latest study, and that rates of adverse side effects were similar to those of the other vaccines used in the trial.

The most common side effects were injection site pain, fatigue, muscle aches and headache, Moderna said.

The company said it expects to release the full results from the study at an upcoming medical conference.

(Reporting by Patrick Wingrove; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
Modesto hospital shaken by California probe into anesthesia providers. What to know

In the Spotlight is a Modesto Bee series that digs into the high-profile local issues that readers care most about. Story idea? Email tips@modbee.com.

Doctors Medical Center of Modesto is starting to recover after it was knocked off-balance by a California Department of Public Health survey focused on anesthesia services.

But as more surgeries resume, the hospital has decisions to make about staffing operating rooms with anesthesiologists and midlevel providers called certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).

Patients most likely assume the practitioner putting them to sleep for surgery is a physician, an anesthesiologist with years of education and specialized training. But increasingly, nurses with an advanced degree in anesthesia are choosing and administering the knock-out drugs at hospitals and surgical centers in the Central Valley.

Moreover, the nurses and their professional associations stress that they should be allowed to work independently.

The state survey in late May essentially called a timeout on the use of CRNAs at Doctors. According to a May 25 in-house memo obtained by The Modesto Bee, the CDPH issued an immediate jeopardy order that led to barring CRNAs from hospital operating rooms.

The nurse anesthetists must undergo a credentialing process and proctoring  consisting of 10 procedures testing their skills  before returning to the hospital. The state agency found that CRNAs had been granted privileges at the hospital for certain procedures without showing they could safely perform them.

Until the CRNAs are credentialed, the hospital is using available anesthesiologists for trauma surgeries, C-sections, elective surgeries, heart operations and scoping procedures.

Doctors Medical Center hasnt commented on the state survey since releasing a public statement May 24, saying it was cooperating with CDPH on an action plan to address issues identified by the state probe. A spokesman did not respond to written questions from The Bee in the past week.

The hospital has used available anesthesiologists to cover urgent surgeries and is trying to arrange for more anesthesia doctors to work on a temporary basis.

They are bringing back the locums and some of the anesthesiologists they used before, said Dr. Mark Fahlen, a kidney specialist. I am seeing some familiar faces again.

Fahlen, a former member of the hospitals medical staff leadership, said the center will need to find anesthesiologists to proctor the midlevel providers. Its not clear how long the credentialing process and proctoring will take.

I am not opposed to using CRNAs in lower risk procedures. They seem to work better in close collaboration with anesthesiologists in places where there are not these adversarial relationships, he said.

Corina Fezi of Modesto said she had an elective surgery set for May 28 at Doctors but received a call from the hospital canceling it. She said Wednesday that the hospital talked about rescheduling the operation for June 20, with a physician anesthesiologist.

I asked to postpone it till August, Fezi said via email. I dont feel comfortable going there, to be honest, knowing that all this is going on.

Stanislaus County officials said the state action hasnt affected emergency services or caused ambulance diversions to other hospitals.

The hospitals contract for CRNAs

Last year, Doctors entered a contract with a Fresno-based group, Valley Regional Anesthesia Associates, that provides mostly CRNA staffing for operating rooms.

Dr. Oji Oji, who founded the provider group, owned Community Regional Anesthesia Medical Group, which had a contract to provide anesthesia services for Community Medical Centers in Fresno.

That contract with Community Medical Centers ended in 2021 and Ojis anesthesia group declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. A lawsuit filed by nurse anesthetists seeking unpaid overtime includes content suggesting that Ojis group had trouble with CRNAs leaving to work for competitors or to form their own group.

A Business Journal report on the bankruptcy said Ojis business did not submit a proposal to renew its contract with Community Medical Centers in Fresno.

Oji incorporated Valley Regional Anesthesia Associates in June 2022 and the group has since entered contracts with Modesto-area hospitals including Doctors Medical Center, Stanislaus Surgical Hospital, Doctors Hospital of Manteca and other surgery centers.

Joseph Martin, the chief executive officer of Valley Regional, also is the director of nurse anesthetist education programs at National University in Fresno.

Valley Regionals website says it provides nurse anesthetists for surgeries and other procedures, offering cost savings for hospitals. CRNAs are paid $150 an hour or more in California, while physician anesthesiologists average $325 an hour and may receive more.

The Valley Regional group was also at the center of CDPH survey inspections in August and January at Stanislaus Surgical Hospital on Oakdale Road.

The surveys done on behalf of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rebuffed a CRNA who told inspectors she managed the anesthesia group at Stanislaus Surgical. The agencies rejected the hospitals stance that CRNAs had full authority to handle diagnoses and prescribe drugs at the surgical hospital.

An immediate jeopardy order on Jan. 17 wasnt lifted until a plan was approved Feb. 2 that imposed oversight from physician anesthesiologists over those services at Stanislaus Surgical. The survey reports indicate the Stanislaus Surgical contract with Valley Regional has ended, but that hasnt been confirmed.

Oji and Martin have not returned numerous calls seeking comment. CDPH said it does not comment during the course of investigations.

Two CRNAs are among the defendants in a lawsuit concerning a womans death a year ago at River Surgical Institute in Modesto.

Fahlen said Doctors Medical Center previously had a contract with a group of anesthesiologists and wanted to add seven more to work at the hospital. But there were doubts about recruiting them and a unilateral decision was made to contract with Valley Regional, he said.

The physician said hes OK with bringing CRNAs back to the hospital in small batches with careful proctoring. There is a role for CRNAs, he said. I dont know that its good for them to be practicing independently with complex cases.

Sandra Bordi, president of the California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, has argued that nurse anesthetists have autonomy in California since the state opted out of the more restrictive rules under the federal Medicare program. Since 2009, CRNAs have been practicing independently in all settings in California. CRNAs are board-certified and qualified to provide all anesthesia services that are required with peer-reviewed studies demonstrating outcomes that are equivalent to physician anesthesiologists.

The federal rules for participation in Medicare require that anesthesia in hospitals is furnished in a well-organized manner and must be administered by a physician or nurse anesthetist who is under supervision of an anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist must be immediately available.

The federal government allows states to opt out, however. California permits CRNAs to administer anesthesia on the condition that its ordered by a physician.
(Bloomberg) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis new cabinet will see the return of several old faces from his earlier administration, although theres no clarity on the positions theyll hold, including the key finance post.

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Modi was sworn into office for a third consecutive term Sunday, followed by his council of ministers, a group that consists of 30 cabinet ministers. Nineteen of them are from Modis previous cabinet, including allies like Amit Shah, former home minister, and Nirmala Sitharaman, who helmed the finance ministry.

Some of the new faces include J.P. Nadda, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and Shivraj Singh Chauhan, the former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh state. Five of the new appointees are from the BJPs coalition partners, who Modi has been forced to share power with after his party lost its majority in the parliament.

A statement is expected later Monday outlining the portfolios of the ministers who took the oath of office Sunday. A cabinet meeting is scheduled for 5pm local time, according to the prime ministers office.

Heres a look at some of the key names in the likely cabinet:

Amit Shah

Amitbhai Anilchandra Shah, 59, is a former president of the BJP and a close aide of Modi. He has risen through the ranks in the party, from a lowly party worker who hung campaign posters to the influential home minister in 2019. Hes been one of the key architects of critical government decisions including revoking autonomy of the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir and amending the citizenship law to grant nationality to only non-Muslim migrants from neighboring countries. His rise has been closely interlaced with Modis own ascend to the top. Shah and Modi met in the 1980s in the western state of Gujarat, where they were members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological parent of the ruling party. The two men come from very different backgrounds  Shah is a former stockbroker from a wealthy family, while Modi is the son of a tea stall owner  yet they both became close allies.

Known for his meticulous attention to detail, Shah along with Modi has been working on fulfilling the core agenda of the BJP. He was instrumental in the ruling partys strong performance in the 2014 and 2019 general elections.

Earlier, federal investigators under a government run by the Indian National Congress party had charged Shah with running an extortion racket and ordering three murders. Shah denied wrongdoing and was later acquitted by a court, which called the charges politically motivated.

Nirmala Sitharaman

Sitharaman, 64, has held a string of increasingly important roles inside the BJP and the government under Modi, and is seen as a senior and trusted member of the prime minister. Shes previously been minister in charge of trade, defense and finance portfolios.

During her tenure as finance minister, Sitharaman boosted spending on infrastructure in line with Modis priorities, trimmed the fiscal deficit from more than 9% of gross domestic product during the pandemic and pushed for transparency in the governments accounts. Shes overseen economic growth of more than 8%, making India one of the fastest-growing major economies. She also enjoys good ties with the central bank, which paid the government a record dividend of about $25 billion this year.

Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

A career diplomat, Jaishankar has served as the foreign minister for the past five years. Hes helped navigate India through two ongoing global wars, rising tensions with China, while steering an independent path through a fraying US-led international order.

As foreign minister, Jaishanker has robustly defended the countrys relationship with Russia. India has continued to buy oil and weapons even as the West has imposed ever-stricter sanctions on Moscow. Jaishankar has defended Indias pursuit of of its own interests as hedging while pursuing apparently contradictory approaches and objectives. India has grown closer to the West, as relations with Beijing soured after a border clash in 2020, and tried to use the favorable geopolitcal climate to position itself as an alternative to companies trying to diversify supply chains away from China. Indias relations with the West have been complicated in recent months by allegations that its officials were involved in murder-for-hire plots in Canada and the US, but the broad contours of those relations are unlikely to change. Prior to becoming foreign minister, Jaishanker served as Indias envoy to China and as foreign secretary.

Piyush Goyal

Goyal was minister in charge of trade, textiles and consumer affairs in the previous Modi administration, and is well known to Indian market watchers. Hes been heavily involved in several trade negotiations recently, including an ambitious free trade agreement with the UK.

Goyal, 59, has donned many hats in his 35-year-long political career, previously helming important ministries like coal and power. He was a former treasurer of the Bharatiya Janata Party. This year, he contested his first-ever election for a seat in the lower house of parliament, known as the Lok Sabha. He previously represented the western state of Maharashtra in the upper house of parliament since 2010.

Goyals father was also a federal minister and a national treasurer of the BJP for more than two decades.

Nitin Gadkari

Gadkari, 67, has deep roots in the BJPs ideological wing, the RSS. In the last two Modi governments, Gadkari has led the transport ministry and is widely credited with rapidly expanding Indias infrastructure, including building some 10,000 kilometers of roads each year since 2018, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy. Gadkari has been urging states to promote the use of ethanol as an alternative source of fuel and pushing Indias carmakers to adopt better safety norms.

J.P. Nadda

The 63-year-old BJP party chief has been inducted in a Modi-led cabinet for the second time. He served as the countrys health minister in the first Modi government from 2014-2019. Nadda, who started his political career as an activist in an anti-corruption movement, joined the student wing of the BJP and later its ideological parent, the RSS, before becoming the partys president in 2020. Nadda is a close associate of Modis and a lawyer by training, and represented the northern state of Himachal Pradesh in the upper house of parliament. During his time as party president, the BJP swept three key state-level elections in late 2023.

Rajnath Singh

Singh, 72, has served as Indias defense minister for the past five years. During his tenure, the government banned the imports of several defense items, as the country embarks on an ambitious program to indigenize the manufacture of various key weapons systems. Even as it pursues that, the country has also diversified its imports and buys a lot more military hardware from the US, as Washington and New Delhi draw closer amid on-going tensions with China.

Singh has also taken key steps to boost the participation of women in Indias armed forces  increasing the tenure of women officers from 10 to 14 years and improving their promotional prospects in the army.

Singh has served as the BJPs national president in the past. During his tenure, he advocated a 33% reservation for women in the party set-up. He also previously had a stint leading the populous northern state of Uttar Pradesh, and had held key roles in the parliament and the state legislature.

Shivraj Singh Chauhan

Chauhan, 65, has more than two decades worth of political experience, including as the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, a populous state in central India. He was recently passed over by the BJPs leadership for another stint at the top state job and won a seat in parliament in the recently concluded elections. Chauhan, whos been a member of the parliament twice in the past, is seen as very popular among rank-and-file BJP workers and also belongs to a lower caste of Hindus, further raising his appeal among voters from that group.

--With assistance from Sudhi Ranjan Sen.

(Updates with cabinet meeting in fourth paragraph.)

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Mom Who Was 'Hysterical' While Searching for 2-Year-Old Son Is Charged with Murder After Boy Found in Dumpster

Jacoby Robinson Jr. was discovered in a dumpster in Las Vegas on June 7

Las Vegas Metro Police Department Jacoby Robinson

The mother of a 2-year-old boy found dead in a dumpster in Las Vegas has been arrested in connection with the case.

Diaja Smith, 23, was arrested following the death of her 2-year-old son, whose body was discovered in a dumpster in Las Vegas in the early morning hours of June 7, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed in a press release. More than four hours prior, the boy was reported missing from his Las Vegas home,

On June 7, 2024, at approximately 12:58 a.m., the missing 2-year-old was located inside a garbage dumpster in the 1300 block of Lewis Avenue. Medical personnel responded and pronounced the infant deceased at the scene, the police said.

Authorities did not name the toddler in the release. He was later identified as Jacoby Robinson Jr. from a neighbors missing persons flyer that was given out to residents by police during the search and was obtained by FOX5.

Smith is currently being held at the Clark County Detention Center on open murder and child abuse charges, jail records show.



Additionally, a second suspect, Jacoby Robinson, who is believed to be the toddler's father, has been arrested in connection with the case. Jail records show Robinson faces two child abuse charges, but KTNV and 8 News Now, citing a prosecutor's comments in court, say his charges will be upgraded to include murder.

It's not clear if either suspect has entered pleas or retained attorneys.



Neighbor Kelvyn Barnett, who lives near where the toddler was found, spoke to WSAZ and recalled seeing Smith in a hysterical state while out seemingly searching for her son at around 9:00 p.m. on June 6.

"I saw the lady sitting there with her two other kids, really hysterical, and saying 'somebody took my kid, somebody took my kid,'" Barnett told the outlet. To find out that she [allegedly] was the one that did this is the most shocking aspect of it all.



Barnett also claimed to FOX5 that Smith had told him after her son vanished "that she was at the park and the kid was on the slide and she looked around and the kid was gone."

The victim's cause and manner of death will be released by the Clark County Coroners Office, per the release.



If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



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Orit Meir, the mother of freed Israeli hostage 22-year-old Almog Meir Jan, was overcome with disbelief and sheer joy when she got the call saying her son was rescued on Saturday.

"I screamed," Meir told ABC News on Monday. "I was so happy ... it was so, so exciting."

"I never lost hope, I kept saying he'll come back to me," she added.

PHOTO: Almog Meir Jan, a rescued hostage embraces his mother, Orit Meir, after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip, in this handout image obtained by Reuters on June 8, 2024. (Israeli Army/via Reuters)

Jan was one of four hostages rescued by the Israel Defense Forces in central Gaza on Saturday. Jan; Noa Argamani, 25; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 40, had all been abducted from the Nova music festival in Israel on Oct. 7.

Meir said Sunday was her first proper night of sleep since her son was taken hostage.

"Yesterday I slept all night with a smile," she said, her voice filled with emotion.

PHOTO: Almog Meir Jan, a rescued hostage embraces loved ones, after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip, in this handout image obtained by Reuters on June 8, 2024. (Israeli Army/via Reuters)

"That's what I want to happen for all the families of the hostages," she said. "I got my miracle. I want a miracle for them."

Meir said shes urging the Israeli government and the international community to "pressure" Hamas to make a deal to bring the other hostages home as soon as possible.

PHOTO: Almog Meir Jan, a rescued hostage embraces his mother, Orit Meir, after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip, in this handout image obtained by Reuters on June 8, 2024. (Israeli Army/via Reuters)

MORE: Sullivan, Lerner praise Israeli hostage rescue, push for more negotiations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday called the rescue operation "remarkable," adding that the Israeli military wouldn't rest until all remaining hostages were located.

"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 said of the Hamas militants.

The four hostages were in "good medical condition" when they were rescued, IDF officials said.

PHOTO: Almog Meir Jan, 21, one of four hostages who were kidnapped in a Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, arrives by helicopter to the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, after being rescued, June 8, 2024. (Tomer Appelbaum/AP)

PHOTO: Combination picture shows the four people that were taken hostage by Hamas and were rescued by the Israeli forces alive from the central Gaza Strip (Israeli Army Handout via Reuters)

Jans uncle said physically the 22-year-old is "generally OK" and that "they expected much worse."

Jans mother revealed that he was able to watch Al-Jazeera while in captivity and even saw photos of himself at a rally in Israel.

The hostages were rescued from two separate locations in Nuseirat, in central Gaza, the IDF said. That camp has become home to thousands of refugees who've fled fighting throughout Gaza.

PHOTO: Noa Argamani, Almog Meir, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv are shown in these undated file photos. (Hostages Families Forum(3), Shlomi Ziv)

MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: Doctor treating rescued hostages speaks out

Officials with the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said on Sunday that hundreds of Palestinians had been killed or wounded during the IDF operation in Nuseirat on Saturday.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday called on countries with connections to Hamas to push them to take the cease-fire deal on the table.

"My message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region: If you want a cease-fire, press Hamas to say yes," Blinken said. "If you want to alleviate the terrible suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, press Hamas to say yes. If you want to get all the hostages home, press Hamas to say yes. If you want to put present Palestinians and Israelis alike on the path to more durable peace and security, if you want to prevent this conflict from spreading, press Hamas to say yes."

ABC News' Dana Savir, Omer Manor, Hugo Leenhardt, Victoria Beaule and Molly Nagle contributed to this report.

Mom of rescued Israeli hostage Almog Meir Jan speaks out: 'I never lost hope' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Mom of Teen Who Lost Hand and Leg in Shark Attack Speaks Out: She Was Lifeless'

Lulu Gribbin was one of three people attacked by a shark off the Florida panhandle on Friday, June 7

Caringbridge.org Lulu Gribbin.

Lulu Gribbin, 15, was identified as one of the three people attacked by a shark off the Florida panhandle on June 7

I saw her wounds on her leg and started to scream, her mother said in an update

The teen lost her left hand and part of her right leg in the horrific incident



The mother of a girl who lost a hand and a portion of her leg following a shark attack in Florida is speaking out following the scary ordeal.

Lulu Gribbin was one of three people attacked in two separate shark attacks off Florida's Walton County on Friday, June 7.

The 15-year-old girl was swimming about four miles away near the first sandbar at Seacrest Beach when the attack occurred, South Walton Fire District Chief Ryan Crawford previously said at a press conference.

The shark bit off Lulus left hand, and doctors amputated her right leg halfway up from her knee to her hip, mother Ann Blair Gribbin said in a statement shared Sunday, June 9, on CaringBridge.

Related: 11-Year-Old Girl Injured During Apparent Shark Attack While Swimming Near Shore in Hawaii

Lulu, who was on her first mother-daughter beach trip when the attack occurred, lost two-thirds of the blood in her body.

Of course, no one wants that for your child but she is alive, Ann wrote.

Lulu was transported to Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, and was already in surgery by the time her family arrived at the hospital, according to her mother.

She later recounted her horrific experience, which began with her and at least five others searching for sand dollars at the sand bar.

Related: How to Prevent a Shark Attack and What to Do If Bitten? An American Lifeguard Association Expert Weighs In

Lulu said the shark bit her hand and then her leg before biting one of her friends feet. She then remembered a man grabbed her other arm and pulled her out of the water while another younger boy helped him carry her to shore.

Two doctors and two other young women, one of whom was a nurse, helped apply tourniquets to Lulus wounds, Ann wrote.

The mom said she was returning from lunch with friends when she saw a commotion on the beach. After they approached the scene, Lulus twin Ellie rushed up to Ann and told her that her sister was injured.

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I saw her wounds on her leg and started to scream, the twins mother recalled. She was lifeless her eyes closed mouth white and pale. The wound on her leg or all that was left of her leg was something out of a movie.

Lulu was intubated when she first arrived at the hospital, but she is now breathing on her own. Ann said her daughters first words after having the tube removed from her throat were I made it.

Despite the terrible accident, Ann believes God was there and had the people there to help save her daughters life. She is truly a miracle, the mother said of her daughter. We have a long road ahead and our journey is just beginning!

Related: Mom, 26, Dies in Apparent Shark Attack While Swimming With Daughter, 5, Off Mexico Coast

Ann also thanked everyone who helped save her daughter, including the person who pulled her from the water, the individuals who applied tourniquets, the EMTs at the scene and the staff at Sacred Heart.

Lulu is strong, beautiful, brave and so many more things I can't count, Ann wrote. God has a plan for her, and we will be there to support her every way we can.

Authorities said a shark attacked 45-year-old Elizabeth Foley, of Virginia, earlier that day.

Crawford said she was airlifted to HCA Fort Walton Beach Medical Center Part in critical condition, and had part of her left arm amputated.



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A growing chorus of House Democrats say theyre planning to steer clear of next months speech by Benjamin Netanyahu before a joint meeting of Congress, arguing that the Israeli prime ministers handling of the Hamas war  and his repeated snubbing of President Bidens preferred approach to the conflict  demand a show of protest from liberals on Capitol Hill.

Some Democrats had foreshadowed the boycott earlier in the year amid speculation that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was poised to invite Netanyahu to the Capitol to push back against Democratic criticisms of the conservative Israeli leader. With the invitation now official, and the speech set for July 24, more and more progressive Democrats are emerging with a formal declaration of their own: We wont be there.

I wont attend and turn my back towards him, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) said. So Im just gonna stay away.

The bad blood between Netanyahu and liberals on Capitol Hill is hardly new. Progressive Democrats have long denounced Netanyahus conservative policies, including his sharp criticisms of the Iran nuclear deal under former President Obama, which led to a boycott of the prime ministers last speech to Congress almost a decade ago. Those old hostilities are still lingering, even as Democrats have found new reason to revile Netanyahu over his military campaign in Gaza.

He imported a little bit of controversy the last time he was here, Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (D-Mass.) said. I thought it was disrespectful to the president, so Im inclined not to attend.

A boycott may not be the only way lawmakers showcase their opposition to Netanyahu when he visits Washington next month. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), a deputy whip for the Congressional Progressive Caucus who has served in the House since 1995, said conversations are underway about the best method for protesting the controversial speech.

Theres still some debate about the best way to respond to his coming, Doggett told The Hill.

Im not planning on attending, and/or Ill be participating in whatever events there are to express that we want this war to end and we want both him and Hamas to agree to a cease-fire, said Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), a first-term member.

The boycotting liberals will cut a sharp contrast with other Democrats who are vowing to attend the speech to demonstrate a degree of solidarity with a democratic ally in a time of war.

Theyre our strongest ally in the Middle East. Hes obviously the leader that theyve chosen. And I respect the country very much, and I will be there, Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.) said.

Top House Democrats are already bracing for the internal divisions that will accompany the Israeli leaders visit to the Capitol. Rep. Pete Aguilar (Calif.), the chair of the House Democratic Caucus, said it is their right and an ability if members want to skip the event, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who will attend, said each lawmaker will have to make their own determination ahead of the speech.

All of us recognize that every individual member has to make that decision to participate on their own based on what they believe is consistent with the district that they represent, Jeffries said last week.

There is some precedent for the current situation. Netanyahu faced a sizable boycott during his last address to Congress in 2015, when he used his time in the House chamber to vilify Obama and the administrations Iran nuclear deal, marking an unprecedented attack by a foreign leader on U.S. soil. Fueling the controversy, then-Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) coordinated Netanyahus speech without consulting the White House.

At least 58 lawmakers skipped that speech, according to CNN, some of whom are planning to avoid the event again, including Doggett and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (Ill.), a Jewish Democrat.

The role that the prime minister is playing is very negative, and I dont want to be there, Schakowsky told The Hill.

He needs to be staying in Israel and working for the peace that he has been unwilling to support in the past, Doggett echoed. Despite the Hamas atrocities and all the wrong that exists there, the indiscriminate bombing that he has encouraged that has led to loss of lives that should never have happened. He has not prioritized the hostages; he ought to be doing that instead of coming here.

The Israeli military announced Saturday that it rescued four hostages during an operation in central Gaza, in a win for the embattled prime minister. That raid, however, also led to the deaths of at least 274 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, increasing the pressure on Netanyahu.

Another notable absence in 2015 was then-Vice President Joe Biden who, instead of sitting at the dais behind Netanyahu, was traveling abroad.

This year, some Democrats are predicting an even larger show of opposition.

Ive spoken to several members in the House and the Senate, actually, who had gone to the last speech, the last time he was here, even though they had a lot of misgivings about it, and have been clear that theyre not planning to go this time, said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, who noted that she will not attend the address.

One exception to that trend is Rep. Steve Cohen (Tenn.), a Jewish Democrat who skipped the 2015 speech but plans to attend this year.

It was more controversial [then] because Obama wasnt included. It was kind of a breach in protocol, Cohen said. But I think Ill go, because, you know, its a war. Its a different situation.

Netanyahus address marks the latest flash point in the long-simmering tensions within the Democratic caucus over Israel, with staunchly pro-Israel Democrats finding themselves at odds time and time again with pro-Palestinian progressives outraged at the large and growing number of civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip.

That friction was on full display Thursday evening, when Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) officially announced that Netanyahus address would take place July 24  a statement that notably omitted Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Jeffries. Last week, all four congressional leaders signed the letter inviting Netanyahu to the Capitol.

In a statement shortly after the announcement, Schumer  who drew headlines in March after calling for new elections in Israel and declaring that Netanyahu had lost his way  alluded to the bitter tensions that are accompanying the Israeli leaders visit to the Capitol.

I have clear and profound disagreements with the Prime Minister, which I have voiced both privately and publicly and will continue to do so, Schumer said. But because Americas relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends one person or prime minister I joined the request for him to speak.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who led House Democrats for nearly two decades, said she would not have invited Netanyahu to address Congress were she still steering the caucus, telling CNN, Absolutely no. I think this is wrong.

She also took a jab at Schumers handling of the situation, but made sure to emphasize that the Senate leader  who is the highest-ranking Jewish official in U.S. history  is a close friend of Israel.

I respect his view. I dont necessarily share it, Pelosi said of Schumer.

In contrast, some of Israels most stalwart supporters in Congress are making the case for why the speech  which they plan to attend  is important for the relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv.

I will and I would say to my colleagues, this is about the United States and Israel, not about any individual leaders, and a key relationship as you know, a key ally for us in the fight against terror, including Iran and other Iranian-backed proxies like Hamas or Hezbollah or Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) said on MSNBC when asked if he will attend Netanyahus speech.

I think hearing from a key foreign ally like Israel is critically important.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Mondaire Jones is sorry, not sorry about endorsing against Jamaal Bowman

NEW YORK  Former Rep. Mondaire Jones abruptly became persona non grata to lefty Democrats last week after he endorsed a bid to unseat congressional Squad member Rep. Jamaal Bowman.

But he really and truly has no regrets, he said in an interview.

One-time House allies and former aides have taken turns excoriating Jones as a political opportunist, the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC rescinded its endorsement of him, the New York Working Families Party is pulling its financial or organizational support for him and City & State reported that he rejected then-Rep. Sean Patrick Maloneys offer to withdraw from the 2022 primary. (Jones called the story manufactured, but the outlet published a follow-up.)

Speaking with POLITICO over chili at a diner in New Yorks Hudson Valley, the Democrat seeking a return to Congress said the progressives lambasting him were never his friends in the first place and the district lauds him for backing pro-Israel George Latimer over Israel critic Bowman.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Last week seemed like a very bad one for you.

These people were never my actual friends. And we saw that in the way they treated me in the summer of 2022 when in spite of a progressive record on issues like health care, womens rights, LGBTQ rights, Supreme Court reform and climate action, they either abandoned me or affirmatively worked against me.

Was all the backlash worth it?

I would not do anything differently. I mean that sincerely. The appreciation that people have in these actual communities in the Hudson Valley is what matters to me. That as well as my own sense of morality compelled me to intervene, given how God-awful Mr. Bowmans conduct has been.

How do you respond to those who say youre not a true progressive?

I just have been through so much, growing up the way I did, unlike these trust fund socialists in Williamsburg and elsewhere suggesting that Im not progressive enough. More than anything, Im focused on the most important election of our lifetimes.

Are you counting on national Democrats to have a short memory?

To be honest with you, I want people to remember what I did this past week. I do want people who have been criticizing me on the left to understand the existential significance of my race to take back the House.

How is the national perspective different from the district perspective?

Mr. Bowmans specific actions have caused anxiety, fear and anger among my Jewish neighbors. That is why what people are saying outside of the district  whether on social media or in blog posts or elsewhere  is so at odds with the reality that I live as an actual member of this lower Hudson Valley community.

Why did you weigh into the Bowman-Latimer primary when you could have stayed neutral?

When will people engage with my critique of Mr. Bowman for dismissing Hamas sexual assault of Israeli women on Oct. 7 as propaganda? When will people engage with my critique of him for going out of his way to get an endorsement by DSA?

But can you deny that standing against Bowman improves your chances against GOP Rep. Mike Lawler in November?

It is extraordinary that while I am calling out the extremes in my own party and outside of the party  because lets be honest, many of the people dont even identify as Democrats on the far left  Mike Lawler has been attacking the criminal conviction of Donald Trump and as of this weekend reaffirming his support for Donald Trump.

You moved from the Hudson Valley for a 2022 House race in New York City and youre back in the Hudson Valley for this election. Are you here for good?

Yes, yes, yes.

A version of this interview first appeared Monday in New York Playbook. Subscribe here.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Happy Monday! Its the start of the week and were forecasting upper 90-degree temperatures with variable winds from 10 to 15 mph.

Mostly clear skies throughout the day with a high of 98-degrees at 3 p.m. Some areas in El Paso will see partly cloudy skies with a 10 percent chance of rain.

There is a chance of thunderstorms in the mountains and east of the Rio Grande. El Paso will start the morning with south winds at 5 mph then pick up at 10 to 15 mph southwest this afternoon.

Skies will stay clear with winds diminishing back to 5 mph after midnight.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Dr. Lorenzo Whiting had a diverse influence on the intellectual, artistic, social, physical and spiritual life of the people in Stark County, and outside the area, during the 1800s. This photo, one of few locally known images of Whiting, was discovered in John Danner's "Old Landmarks of Canton and Stark County," by Mark Holland, archivist in the Ramayer Research Library of McKinley Presidential Library & Museum.

During the decades he lived in Canton in the 1800s, Dr. Lorenzo Whiting healed bodies, fostered the education of minds, played a part in the politics of his country, and advocated for the freeing of souls bound by the chains of slavery.

Whiting discussed great philosophical questions with others living in Stark County at his time  the Saxtons, Beldens, Shorbs and Raffs among them  at the local Lyceum society and debated issues of the day with his friend and political favorite, William McKinley. As a physician, he years before had delivered McKinley's future wife, Ida Saxton.

His acquaintances outside of Stark County included newspaper publisher Horace Greeley, Supreme Court Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, author Parker Pillsbury, Judge John Pierpoint and theologian Theodore Parker, as well as such literary figures as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.

"Several terms can be used to describe Dr. Lorenzo Whiting (1811-1884), who lived in Canton, Ohio for 48 years and was a beloved figure in the community and beyond," wrote Stark County writer Rochelle Haas in a brief biographical sketch about Whiting she recently penned. "A 'Renaissance man' is often used to describe someone who seeks to develop their abilities in all areas of accomplishment: intellectual, artistic, social, physical, and spiritual. Dr. Whiting achieves this status in full measure of his vital and productive life and contributions to the disciplines of medicine, science, spiritualism, education and social justice."

When Whiting died at 73 on June 30, 1884, from "paralytic strokes," his life deserved not only a brief report of his passing that day in The Canton Daily Repository, noted Haas, but also a praising article about his life in the newspaper on the day of his funeral services that took up a huge portion of the newspaper's front page.

"He had a great curiosity and a desire to improve himself," said Haas in a recent telephone interview. "The fact that he saved up money working on his family's farm so he could go to school, that says something. When they talk about lifelong learners, he exemplified that."

Dr. Lorenzo Whiting, born in Connecticut, came to Canton in 1836 on the advice of friends and stayed the rest of his life.

Remembering local historical figures

Whiting's is another in what is hoped will be a series of biographical sketches of influential and interesting individuals in Stark County's past, written by Rochelle Haas following research by her husband, Tom Haas, and Tom Grove, a fellow McKinley Presidential Library & Museum volunteer in the Ramsayer Research Library.

"They discovered him because of his connection to Betsy Mix Cowles," said Haas, referring to Whiting's friend and fellow advocate of education, women's rights, and the abolition of slavery.

An article about Cowles' biographical sketch previously appeared in The Canton Repository.

Tom Haas noted the McKinley Museum has a genealogy file on the Whiting family, "but most of it is on Dr. Whiting's brother, Julius, who was a prominent landowner." Dr. Whiting's interests were many and varied, he noted, including culture, education, medical research, and social causes.

"He was a driven person," added Grove. "He was driven to correct social ills, but also was a brilliant physician.

"I look at people like that and wonder how they pack it all into a lifetime. The people of Stark County who had such an impact should not be forgotten."

In her sketch of Whiting's life, Haas recalls that he was the eldest of five sons born in Colebrook, Conn. He "took advantage of whatever educational opportunities he could," attending preparatory school in Framingham, Conn., then teaching school in Massachusetts "to save money so that he could pursue medical studies."

"After he'd saved tuition, he attended Williams College and graduated with his medical degree in 1835," Haas writes. "After graduation, he relocated to Wheeling, West Virginia, and opened a practice with a former classmate. He found the damp climate poor for his health and was encouraged by his old friends, attorneys E.P. Grant and Hiram Griswold, to establish a practice in Canton, Ohio."

In her interview, Haas calls Whiting's arrival in Stark County "serendipitous."

"And he stayed here all his life," she said. "Being a doctor, in the community he had a reputation for being a gentleman. He promoted culture. And he had an interest in great thinkers and philosophers. ... But he also was interested in such things as spiritualism, conjuring up people from the past.

"The other thing that really was very important was he had a wife who was a strong woman who was interested in the same things."

While operating his practice of medicine, Whiting maintained an interest in medical research.

"He was one of the early proponents of the germ theory of disease (the relationship between bacteria and infection) and published a definitive treatise on the topic in 1872," wrote Haas in her biographical sketch. "He wrote extensively on the subject, contributing to medical journals, and was devoted to original investigation and scientific research."

Perhaps due to the prodigious amount of notes he took during his practice and research of medicine, Whiting developed an unexpected yet unsurprising talent.

"He also often was called into the service of the courts," wrote Haas, "for his stenographic skills."

Although few words have been written about him in recent years, decades ago, Dr. Lorenzo M. Whiting was 13th in The Canton Repository's "Great Names in Canton History" series.

Advocate of abolition of slavery

One of Whiting's prevailing passions, however, was the abolition of slavery, a cause for which he worked both behind the scenes and on the front lines.

Prior to the Civil War  a war during which he served as an examining surgeon in Stark County for local soldiers entering the Union army  Whiting not only supported but also physically participated in the effort to usher slaves to freedom.

"Marlboro became a 'station' on the Underground Railroad, with Dr. Whiting himself becoming a 'conductor' and transporting runaway slaves from Canton to Marlboro," Haas wrote. "Many of the doctors emergency night calls involved him going out in his horse and buggy to perform these missions. It is estimated that this local branch of the Underground Railroad helped nearly a hundred slaves escape to freedom."

An article published in the Repository in 1934 recognizing the 50th anniversary of Whiting's death called him an "uncompromising abolitionist" who was "instrumental" in organizing the local anti-slavery society, which held its meetings in Canton's town hall.

The article pointed out one meeting  held on June 15, 1836  that was "an open challenge to southern sympathizers" who were "hinting that mob action would put an end to such meetings here."

Whiting and others in the society called that bluff, the article notes, appointing as chairman Mahlon Wileman, "a powerful fighting Quaker" from Marlboro who had "earned himself a reputation as a fighter by worsting a charging buck in a hand-to-hand encounter."

Wileman called the meeting to order then introduced the speaker, just as instructed by Whiting and his fellow organizers.

"This done, he sat down, tilted his chair, and with his ham-like arms piled on his barrel chest, waited for any eventuality. None came."

Details about Whiting's death uncovered by Tom Grove and Tom Haas in their research and cited in the Rochelle Haas in her writing indicate that he practiced medicine until 1879, and died about five years later. His wife, Mary, had died in 1864, and in 1869 Whiting had married Rebecca Plumly, who survived him. He also left two daughters, Harriet and Kate, as well as two brothers, Julius Whiting and Dr. A.W. Whiting.

"Dr. Lorenzo Whiting lived a life of service, commitment, enlightenment, and humanitarianism," wrote Haas. "He advanced scholarly practices, promoted scientific and medical research, improved public education, advocated for the abolition of slavery, supported womens rights, and created opportunities for cultural literacy.

"His skills and connections ensured that his would be an impactful influence on the regional and national levels as well as local. During the turbulent era leading up to and after the Civil War, he stood four square to every wind that blows and remained steadfast in his quest for progress and enlightenment."

Reach Gary at gary.brown.rep@gmail.com. On "X" (Formerly Twitter): @gbrownREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton physician Lorenzo Whiting had impact in Stark politics and beyond
Consensus needed for China-EU new-energy cooperation

09:26, June 10, 2024 By Zheng Jingxia, Luo Qi and Zheng Xin ( Xinhua

BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The European Union should avoid trade frictions with China and it is necessary for both sides to seek consensus on new-energy cooperation, according to industry insiders and analysts citing the multi-billion-dollar market opportunities and the global climate goals.

The automotive cooperation between China and Germany on green transformation and intelligent connectivity is vitally important, said Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry. She encourages the two parties to continue to be crucial partners in achieving climate goals.

"I believe that the two markets should be closely linked," she said, adding that Chinese companies are welcome in Germany. As for the German side, its carmakers have shown interest not only in exporting but also in producing in China, she added.

For European carmakers, including auto giants BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, China stands out as the largest single market.

In the first quarter, about one-third of BMW's sales revenue came from China. The country also hosts BMW Group's largest R&D center outside Germany.

"The innovations we achieve in China allow us to continuously meet the needs of Chinese customers, thereby driving global innovation," said Oliver Zipse, chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

The expanding foothold of Chinese companies on the European continent underscores the strengthening ties between the two sides. In April, China's Chery Automobile signed a pact with Spain's auto company Ebro-EV Motors to produce cars at its first European factory. According to Reuters, this move is expected to help recover some of the 1,600 direct jobs lost when Japanese automaker Nissan shut down a plant in 2021.

Yan Shaohua, an associate research fellow at the Center for China-Europe Relations of Fudan University, said that China's electric vehicle (EV) makers venturing into European countries have helped boost the development of the local EV industry chain and accelerate the digital and green transitions in these countries.

China and the EU are each other's second-largest trading partners. Official data showed that their average trade value approached nearly 1.5 million U.S. dollars per minute, while two-way investment exceeded 250 billion dollars.

For Europe, China also plays a pivotal role as a major supplier of raw materials such as photovoltaic cells and wind turbines, all critical components for the EU given its ambitious goal of becoming the "world's first climate-neutral continent" by 2050.

About 98 percent of the EU's rare earth is imported from China, and more than 93 percent of its magnesium is also sourced from China, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Both materials are indispensable in auto parts manufacturing.

Despite the ups and downs of China-EU relations in recent years, cooperation has remained the prevailing theme of bilateral ties. The industrial sector, supply chains and value chains of the two sides are tightly woven together, rending them inseparable from each other.

While visiting Europe this week, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao pointed out that protectionist measures are not viable solutions but a "dangerous dead-end."

"China is willing to engage in discussions with the EU on economic and trade concerns on an equal footing and participate in fair competition on the basis of expanded cooperation," Wang said.

Both the EU and China have the responsibility to reach a consensus through negotiations and strike a balance between cooperation and competition, said Spanish economist Julio Ceballos Rodriguez. He stressed that the two sides are dependent on each other in many key issues and share important economic interests.

Kou Kou, an associate professor of German studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, cited artificial intelligence, electronic information, aerospace and other emerging industries as areas of great cooperation potential for both sides to tap.

"China and the EU are set to witness closer ties on multiple fronts in the future, a trend that will not be easily changed by a few politicians," Kou said.

(Xinhua correspondents Yu Yetong, Zhang Mengjie and Song Rui contributed to the reporting.)

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
GUIYANG, China, June 10 (Xinhua) -- A dragon boat race took place in Zhenyuan County, southwest China's Guizhou Province to celebrate China's traditional Dragon Boat Festival on Monday.

From Monday to Wednesday, a dragon boat race and a single bamboo drifting competition will be held in Zhenyuan County, which attracted a total of 53 teams and more than 1,600 athletes from across China.

In Monday's dragon boat race, the competition group competed with standard dragon boats in men's 200m and 500m.

The single bamboo drifting competition, which will take place on Tuesday, consists of men's and women's 100m and 200m races.

According to organizers, Zhenyuan boasts a tradition of holding dragon boat races for more than 2,200 years, and the county's dragon boats are known for their large size and intricate decorations.

In 2011, the dragon boat racing in Zhenyuan was listed into the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage list.

The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth month according to the Chinese lunar calendar. 
Fifth-three percent of Missouri voters signed off on a constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana on Nov. 8, 2022 (Carol Yepes/Getty Images).

Out of the $7 million Missouri lawmakers approved last year to help courts expunge decades of marijuana cases, state records show less than 10% of it was spent as of mid-May.

Across the state, nearly 123,000 marijuana cases have been expunged, according to numbers compiled by the Missouri Supreme Court. But court officials have said its impossible to estimate how many more expungements the courts have to go.

Missouri county courts had a tight one-year deadline to clear all eligible marijuana offenses from peoples criminal records  a mandate set forth in the 2022 constitutional amendment that legalized recreational cannabis.

In a push to meet it, court leaders urged legislators last year to approve $4.5 million for state courts to pay their employees overtime or to hire temp workers, along with an additional $2.5 million in a supplemental budget.

Yet, court clerks statewide soon discovered that its not a process more money can speed up.

Thats why Nodaway County Circuit Clerk Elaine Wilson says she never ended up asking for any funds.

Nobody wants to work overtime because we all have families, said Wilson, who has a team of five people. And if you hire somebody off the street, you have to train them for what theyre looking for. And I just dont want to take that chance of them missing something.

Wilson is far from the only clerk who felt that way.

With something this important, said Cass County Circuit Clerk Kim York, I think we all feel better having experienced clerks working on it. Thats really the only way to know with 100% certainty.

And it shows in the numbers.

When the money became available last fall, about half of the states 115 counties applied for money from the Circuit Court Budget Committee, which oversees the special assistance program. The counties asked for $4.1 million for labor costs, along with $100,000 in postage.

As of May 15, those 62 counties had spent a total of $658,728 on paychecks and $18,290 on postage.

About half of the counties that requested money spent less than $1,000 each.

Crawford County spent the most on regular and overtime pay with about $91,000  half the amount the county originally requested. Next was Jasper County with $63,000.

Looking at expungement numbers statewide, more money didnt necessarily mean more cases reviewed or expunged. However, several clerks said they found it difficult to track the number of cases reviewed, so the state numbers likely dont reflect the accurate totals.

Greene County Circuit Clerk Bryan Feemster estimates his team has reviewed more than 80,000 cases so far, though the state numbers show about 15,000.

Greene County has a smaller team than some of the other larger counties, Feemster said, but he was able to hire retired clerks to come back and help with the task.

That allowed the county to expunge the most cases in the state, with 5,800  spending $57,500 to pay the part-time retired clerks as well as overtime for full-time employees.

St. Louis County is close behind with 5,055 expunged cases, spending about $9,000 on labor costs.

During the 2022 campaign in support of the recreational marijuana ballot measure, supporters touted automatic expungements  meaning people who have already served their sentences for past charges dont have to petition the court and go through a hearing to expunge those charges from their records.

That means courts must locate these records on their own and make it as if past marijuana charges never existed.

Let me be the first to tell you there is nothing automatic about that, said Betsy AuBuchon, clerk of the Missouri Supreme Court, during a House appropriations committee meeting in January.

Its a labor-intensive process, AuBuchon said, that requires someone with legal experience to look through court files. Thats why most courts are relying on existing staff or retired clerks, if theyre available.

Its heavily frontloaded and probably not worth bringing in brand new full-time employees on the state dollar, she said. We really need people who know how to do that work. We are getting through those as quickly as we can.

And thats particularly the case with paper records, Feemster said, because its all manual.

From 1989 back, were going through every single criminal record to find out whether theres something in there that might qualify, he said. And it is, as you might imagine, very slow and tedious.

By law, the special court funding for expungements must come from adult-use marijuana revenue, which includes sales tax and business fees. This revenue goes into the Veterans, Health, and Community Reinvestment Fund, and lawmakers appropriated the $4.2 million for the courts out of this fund.

If its unspent by June 30 when the fiscal year ends, it will stay in the fund.

State lawmakers approved $3.7 million for the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1.

The post Money isnt enough to speed up Missouris marijuana expungements appeared first on Missouri Independent.
The Navy destroyer Mason arrived home Monday. The warship's sailors are shown here heaving in a line in May. (Navy)

After months spent countering a barrage of drones and missiles fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, the Navy destroyer Mason has left the Middle East.

Mason transited the Suez Canal and entered the Mediterranean Sea on Friday, the Navy said in a statement Monday.

The warship arrived in the Middle Eastern waters of U.S. 5th Fleet on Nov. 4, 2023, part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, which remains on station there.

Since November, Mason has been one of several Navy destroyers tasked with taking out a steady stream of Houthi attacks on military and commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Go here for a list of all such publicly confirmed incidents.

Mason and the crew demonstrated a remarkable level of operational support in the Red Sea over the past seven months and I am extremely proud of all their accomplishments, Masons commanding officer, Cmdr. Justin B. Smith, said in a statement.

All the Houthi-US Navy incidents in the Middle East (that we know of)

Whether Mason will next head home to the East Coast or conduct operations in the European waters of U.S. 6th Fleet remains unclear.

Pentagon officials have said that Navy destroyers are being used to help safeguard the Navy-Army-built Gaza relief pier, and fellow destroyer Carney spent some time on station in the Mediterranean before heading back to the states last month.

I am eager for the next chapter of 6th Fleet operations as we continue to demonstrate our proficiency and mission support, Smith said.
Interstate 35 near 19th Street in Moore is pictured on Monday after a five-car pileup killed one person on Friday.

Another alleged street racing incident in the OKC metro turned deadly over the weekend when a young woman was struck and killed on Interstate 35 in Moore.

Marissa Byrd, 26, of Moore, was killed near midnight Friday in a five-car collision on southbound I-35 near SW 19.

Two men have been booked into the Cleveland County jail on complaints of first-degree manslaughter.

While the deadly collision remains under investigation, Byrds mother, Misty Goldman, told a local TV news station she was informed by authorities that the wreck was caused by street racing with speeds of more than 100 mph.

Speed-related fatalities on Oklahoma roads have been on the rise in recent years.

From 2017 to 2019, there were 372 speed-related deaths, or an average of 124 per year, according to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. In 2020, there were 185. In 2021, that number rose to 206.

Initial reports from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol state that the Oklahoma City man who was arrested was driving a 2020 Ford Mustang. The second driver arrested was in a 2023 Dodge Charger.

Byrd drove a 2019 Nissan Altima. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported Byrd was transported to Norman Regional Medical Center where doctors pronounced her dead from injuries suffered in the wreck.

Any time you go out, somebody is racing in this area, Goldman told KFOR-TV. It is a bad problem in this area.

Online videos of street racing have proliferated in recent years. Some show dangerous maneuvers on city streets. Others show highway shutdowns because of illegal racing.

In 2021, Oklahoma City police arrested nearly 70 people on trespassing complaints after drivers were reportedly hot-rodding in a Hobby Lobby parking lot in southwest Oklahoma City.

Police viewing the scene from a helicopter said about 100 cars were in the parking lot.

In 2023, more than 100 people were arrested following a street race gathering near a warehouse in the 8700 block of S Pole Road.

More than 50 vehicles were impounded and several weapons were recovered, including five handguns and an AR-15-style gun. Police recovered one stolen car.

Sgt. Dillon Quirk with the Oklahoma City Police Department said such operations are possible because of tips from the community.

We work off of complaints, mostly in private business aspects, where they have been seeing people gather and damage their property, and we set up special operations to address that, Quirk said. The owners and the businesses in those areas were seeing damage done, trash left behind, complete disarray and heavily vandalized property.

Trooper Preston Cox with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol also has seen numerous deadly crashes caused by excessive speeding.

You cant slow down fast enough if someone pulls in front of you, Cox said. It might be fun and it might get your adrenaline pumping, but you can't take it back. You can hurt yourself and someone else.

A woman died Friday after a five-car pileup occurred on Interstate 35 near 19th Street in Moore, which is pictured on Monday.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC woman killed during alleged illegal street racing on I-35
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS)  Governor Jim Justice signed a law which will provide over $80 million to the states higher education system.

Its not just test scores: Kids are losing developmental skills

The funding will help support and strengthen West Virginias financial aid programs and help colleges and universities.

Governor Justice, along with recent high school graduates and presidents of some colleges and universities said that this money will help students continue their education and help with any challenges from the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

This money will help our students stay on track for their futures despite the mess created by the federal government. Our students and higher education institutions deserve stability and support, and we are committed to providing it. This funding will ensure our students have peace of mind and our states institutions can serve our communities effectively. Governor Justice

$40 million of the funding will go to the states Higher Education Grant Program (HEGP), which was able to increase the amount for students from $3,400 to $6,800 for the 2024/2025 school year. $11.2 million of the funding will go towards a new College Access Emergency Grant, which will give $2,000 to eligible students. In addition, $32 million of the funding will go to support the operations of West Virginias public colleges and universities.

I thank Gov. Justice and the Legislature for their strong leadership in allowing students to access these funds. Thanks to them, students who qualify for HEGP will have access to up to double the normal amount for the upcoming academic year. This is in addition to a newly created grant program that will allow that support to reach even further. This is a game changer for our students in an otherwise challenging year. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginias Chancellor of Higher Education

The FASFA determines a students financial needs for college. A new FASFA was created at the beginning of the year, making it challenging for students and families across West Virginia and the nation to get used to. Due to this change, Governor Justice declared a State of Emergency earlier in April to temporarily stop the requirements for FASFA so students can apply to the states largest financial aid programs instead.

New artwork brightens up Beckley

On behalf of the Senate, we are proud to be part of this day with Gov. Justice, Senate President Blair said. We had a real emergency facing our state, and thousands of our young people were at risk of seeing their dreams of attending college disappear because of the federal governments failure to come through on their promises. In West Virginia, we keep our promises. This funding will help our students and our higher education institutions be prepared for the upcoming academic year, and it will take that financial worry off the table. Senate President Blair

Gov. Justice gave us a solid vehicle to help correct the Biden Administrations failure to fix the mess it created with FAFSA forms that left thousands of students in West Virginia without a clear path for their higher education plans this fall. It was imperative these funds be made available right now because our higher education institutions are making financial aid awards for the fall semester right now. We expect to be repaid substantially when the federal government corrects its failed system, but Im pleased Gov. Justice and a majority of members of the Legislature were not willing to let West Virginias students and our institutions of higher education suffer because of the federal governments failure here. Speaker Hanshaw

These funds will help more West Virginians go to college by enhancing state grants and giving institutions like West Virginia University the ability to provide more resources to students. We know we have many students and families waiting for their aid packages to make their final decisions. That is why the Governors decision to help our students is so important, and I want to thank him for his leadership and support of higher education. I also want to thank the Legislature for moving quickly to pass these bills and send them to the Governors desk, and I extend my gratitude to Chancellor Tucker for working with West Virginia University and other universities and colleges in the state to tackle this challenge. Gordon Gee, President of West Virginia University

We appreciate Gov. Jim Justice, Chancellor Sarah Tucker, and the West Virginia Legislature for unlocking the doors to higher education and providing our institutions with the flexibility and tools needed to empower students to pursue their dreams. Their quick and thoughtful action will foster a future rich with knowledge, innovation, and opportunity for all of West Virginia. Brad D. Smith, President of Marshall University

The team at BridgeValley Community and Technical College are excited to be able to serve more students as a result of this funding. We know the FAFSA has been a challenge for many families this year, and it shows strong leadership in our state to see a bill come forward in a special session that will support so many of our students. Casey Sacks, President of BridgeValley Community and Technical College

Our students are fighting real barriers to earning degrees and moving into careers. We are grateful that the Governor and legislators are so committed to supporting our students on this journey, and this support is so timely considering current challenges. 26 percent of Gen Z applicants bringing parent to job interview: Survey Josh Baker, President of Mountwest Community and Technical College

The importance of this swift and decisive action taken by Gov. Justice and our state Legislature to address the FAFSA crisis of 2024 cannot be understated. This targeted funding will ensure that our students have the financial support needed to pursue their college education and help West Virginias colleges and universities better plan for the 2024-2025 academic year. Ericke Cage, President of West Virginia State University

Concord University extends its gratitude to members of the West Virginia Legislature, Gov. Justice, and Chancellor Sarah Tucker for their efforts, decisions, and support for all of West Virginias higher education institutions during this challenging time. The impact of the funding on our students and institutions cannot be overstated. We are looking forward to a bright Fall 2024 made possible by the support we are being provided. Kendra Boggess, President of Concord University

Students who are eligible for the Promise Scholarship and apply by September 1, 2024, will get financial aid totaling to $5,500 for the 2024/2025 school year. If a student completed FAFSA from the 2023/2024 year and qualifies for HEGP, they will get an amount of $6,800 for the upcoming school year.

If a student does not have any application for FAFSA on file, but is eligible for other programs such as TANF and SNAP, they can show their eligibility letter to their higher education institutions financial aid office in order to receive HEGP. The letter must be from the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) or West Virginia Department of Health (DH).

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To request a replacement letter, call 877-716-1212.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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More arrests made in missing 8-month-old baby investigation. Search still ongoing.

More arrests were made over the weekend in connection to the investigation into a missing 8-month-old Kentucky baby.

On Friday, the Kentucky State Police announced it had arrested the babys parents, Cage Rudd and Tesla Tucker, after unsuccessfully locating the baby, Miya (Tucker) Rudd, during a welfare check.

Both Cage Rudd, 30, and Tucker, 29, face charges of first-degree child abuse, abandonment of a minor, engaging in organized crime and numerous drug-related charges.

The arrests were made in Reynolds Station in Ohio County, south of Owensboro.

Miya Rudds grandfather, 56-year-old Ricky Smith, also was arrested on Friday and charged with first-degree child abuse, abandonment of a minor, engaging in organized crime and numerous drug-related charges, according to KSP.

KSP also arrested Miya Rudds grandmother, 49-year-old Billie (Rudd) Smith after conducting a welfare check for Miya Rudd. Billie Smith had an active warrant for second-degree assault  domestic violence in Daviess County from October 2023.

Miya Rudd was not found during the welfare check, KSP said. The warrant was unrelated to Miya Rudd, according to court documents.

While troopers were pulling into Billie Smiths residence for the welfare check, they saw Timothy Roach, 37, throw unprescribed suboxone under his vehicle, according to KSP. He was charged with second-degree possession of a controlled substance and first-degree prescription controlled substance not in proper container.

The search for Miya Rudd remains ongoing. Anyone with information about Miya Tuckers whereabouts are encouraged to contact KSP Post 16 at (270) 826-3312.
Severe weather is forecast for multiple days in several locations in the central United States through this week, and at least one area in the Midwest has the potential to travel hundreds of miles while producing damaging wind gusts, AccuWeather meteorologists warn.

Overall, the setup for tornadoes this week is not as volatile as it was during much of May in the Central states. However, severe thunderstorms can occasionally produce tornadoes. In the absence of any twisters, powerful wind gusts, hail and flash flooding will still threaten lives and property. The severe weather threat will extend from Mexico northward to near the Canada border at times.

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Into Wednesday night, the main threat of severe weather jumped northward once again, AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. Many of the severe reports came from Minnesota.

On Thursday, the threat of severe storms, many packing high winds, will extend from southern Michigan and northern Ohio to eastern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming. However, the extent and position of this severe weather zone will depend on the travels of the severe thunderstorms from the night before, as well as the forward speed of the front itself.

The major Midwest airport hubs of Chicago, Detroit and St. Louis may be affected on Thursday. As the storms approach and roll through the airports' airspace, ground stops may be issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and airline delays and flight cancellations may mount.

On Friday, thunderstorms will likely erupt in parts of the Northeast. At the very least, a few of these storms will become severe with powerful wind gusts.

"By the time the front reaches the Great Lakes and Northeast later this week, it may have little moisture to work with," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek said.

Since the influx of Gulf of Mexico moisture may be blocked by a zone of high pressure extending from the lower Mississippi Valley to the Carolina coast from Thursday to Friday, many of the severe thunderstorms to the north may bring only brief downpours and perhaps little to no rain at all in some communities, Dombek explained.

More severe storms are forecast to erupt farther to the west over parts of the High Plains late Friday as well.

Large hail and high wind gusts are the main threats on Friday. However, the strongest storms could spawn a few tornadoes.

Severe thunderstorms are expected to rumble in two separate zones on Saturday. One will be from southeastern South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota to the panhandle of Texas.

The other zone is likely to be located from northeastern Montana into northwestern North Dakota and southern Canada; of the two severe areas on Saturday, this one may be more intense.

"Heading into the summer season, an atmospheric setup like this can pose a risk for the development of powerful, long-lasting squall lines [derechos], which can pack powerful straight-line wind gusts over a broad area," Buckingham said.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
This article was published as part of a content-sharing agreement between Army Times and The Fayetteville Observer.

Editors note: This report contains discussion of suicide. Troops, veterans and family members experiencing suicidal thoughts can call the 24-hour Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text 838255 or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net.

When Logan F. Willis was in high school, he dedicated his time to volunteering for the Department of Veterans of Affairs, his mother said.

Years later, the same VA that Willis invested his time in, failed Willis by not giving him their time, Lori Willis Locklear said.

The VA wants to dress up the issue of suicide with words, but does not want to address the issue of suicide with action, like talking to the grieving family of a veteran who took his life, said Locklear, who was a 12-year VA employee until September 2023.

A spokeswoman for the VA Fayetteville Coastal Health Care System said that the VA is unable to comment on individual cases because of patient privacy.

The loss of any veteran to suicide is heartbreaking, spokeswoman Gail Cureton said in a statement Tuesday. We extend our deepest condolences to this veterans family.

Willis father was a veteran, and before following in his fathers military footsteps, Willis volunteered at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center all four years of high school, his mother said.

After graduating from SandHoke Early College High School in 2014 and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2017 with a bachelors in religion, Willis joined the Navy in August 2017.

He went into the Navy and wanted to further his education, Locklear said. His daddy did it, and he felt like he could do it.

My child was sweet, kind, gentle-natured, had a humble spirit and was so meek and mild. He never raised his voice but didnt like people raising their voice to him, but he did it and made it through boot camp.

Mental health

Locklear said she noticed a change in her son after he was assigned to his first duty station in Sasebo, Japan.

I dont know, but it was as if everything was failing when he got there, she said.

Locklear said her son handled boot camp and all his schools well, but told her that once he got on ship it screamed prison to him, and he felt as if he made the worst mistake in his life.

Her son was also coping with a breakup and the 2014 death of his father, and Locklear said she didnt think he was healed from the loss.

Willis was given an honorable discharge from the Navy on Dec. 31, 2018, because of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, his mother said.

He had tried to commit suicide multiple times while in the service, she said. They knew he was a suicide risk, yet they still let him come out with no supervision.

He used his GI Bill to enroll at Wake Forest University in August 2019 and earned his masters in philosophy and religion.

All through that time, Logan struggled with his mental health and never got better, Locklear said.

She said the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns only made things worse.

Locklear, whos worked in the pharmacy department at the VA, said her son was seeing a private provider who she felt was overmedicating him.

She encouraged her only child to see a VA mental health provider  advice she said she now regrets.

I told him, its unhealthy for you, and tried to get him to go to the VA, but hed lost faith in the military, Locklear said. He said he felt the military had already taken his life from him, and he did not trust us to do anything.

Logan Willis holding his degree from Wake Forest University. (Provided by Lori Locklear)

Five-month wait too late

Locklear said that as a VA employee and mother with a veteran in her home, she wanted to do everything she could to see her son get help.

I feel like we failed him, she said.

Locklear said the only positive interaction she thinks her son had with the VA was when she took him to the VA pharmacy department.

He spoke with the pharmacists who told him about his medications and said to call them if he ever had any questions about what he was prescribed, she said.

Thats the only time we (at the VA) took care of that particular veteran, Locklear said through tears. Aside from being his mother, and as an employee, I feel like we let a veteran down and did not do enough.

Locklear said that after her son met with the pharmacists, someone told her they were concerned that he was suicidal.

She told her son to go to the mental health department and ask to see a mental health provider instead of a regular provider.

I told him to not leave until he was seen or had an appointment, Locklear said.

Locklear said Willis checked in with the mental health department Sept. 1, 2022, but was scheduled for an appointment five months later in March 2023.

The VAs protocol is that any patient presenting suicidal ideations at the facility should see a mental health provider within 20 days and that if the VA facility does not have a provider available within that time, the veteran should be able to find a provider in the community that the VA will cover, Locklear said.

The appointment was too late, she said.

Locklear found her son dead Nov. 4, 2022, in the bathtub of the Raeford home they shared.

Willis, who was Locklears only child, was 27.

In his suicide note, Willis wrote that he could not explain it, but the military did something to me that I simply cannot explain to you, Locklear said.

What the VA says about mental health access

Cureton said the Fayetteville VA constantly works to ensure veterans in crisis get the care and support whenever and wherever they need it.

There is nothing more important to VA than providing high-quality, responsive health care to any veteran in crisis, she said.

The VA continues to expand its treatment and prevention efforts to address risk factors that arise well before a suicidal crisis, while also continuing to expand our crisis intervention services, Cureton said.

Free health care is also provided to veterans in acute suicidal crises to be able to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care, including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days, she said.

The free care initiative started in January this year, according to the national VA.

Cureton said for general mental health consults, the expectation is for a veteran to be seen within 20 days for routine care.

However, the VA has emergency departments staffed with mental health consultants and primary care mental health integration teams to support veterans in need of same-day mental health stabilization, she said.

The mental health professionals work directly with emergency medicine providers and a veterans primary care team to ensure the veteran receives proper services without a separate health care consult.

Veterans who dont have an established primary care team at the VAs Fayetteville, Jacksonville or Wilmington facilities can work with a transition team that provides same-day urgent care or appointment care after an assessment, she said.

Veterans in crisis or friends and family concerned about them con contact the Veterans Crisis Line responders for confidential help any time by dialing 988 and pressing 1, texting 838255 or visiting VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.

Veterans dont have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect with caring, qualified responders, Cureton said.

Unable to return to work

Locklear said that since her sons death, shes not been able to return to the facility where she worked for 12 years.

I went back and said, Look, weve had a suicide here, and everyone looked at me and wanted to know everything until I told them it was my son, she said. It was like everyone outside of my immediate department cut me off. The higher administrators never checked on the family, which is protocol any time theres a suicide of a veteran from a VA facility.

Cureton said the VA has health system suicide prevention coordinators who are available to provide post-services to veterans and their families impacted by suicide.

Locklear said VA representatives are supposed to conduct a cause analysis to determine what happened and whether anything could have been done to prevent the suicide.

Its been almost two years, and they wont speak to me as a veterans family member, but yet they can put on all these suicide seminars and talk about what theyre doing for our veterans, and look at what theyve done to me.

Look at what theyve done to Logan.

Logan Willis with his mother Lori Locklear after graduating from Wake Forest University. (Provided by Lori Locklear)

According to notes Locklear said she used to keep track of her communications with VA representatives, she called the Fayetteville VA nine days after her sons death. Then days after that she told a patient representative and the VA director about the suicide.

She had a Zoom meeting with the interim director three months after her sons death on Feb. 8, 2023, but received no follow-up and no response to a Feb. 23, 2023, email, according to her notes.

A Nov. 6, 2023, email to Rep. Richard Hudson from Fayetteville VA director Marri Fryar, which Locklear shared with The Fayetteville Observer, states that Fayetteville leadership met with Locklear and referred her to its human resources department in regards to applying for disability retirement herself.

Locklear said shed already left the facility by that time.

Cureton said that in addition to the Family and Medical Leave Act, which allows for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for specified family and medical reasons, the VAs Employee Assistance Program provides free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals and follow-up services for employees who have personal or work-related challenges.

Locklear said she has filed a federal tort claim. Since then, there has been no in-depth discussion about her son.

She met with the facilitys associate chief of staff in January to review her sons medical records but said that she still thinks her concerns about protocol not being followed when a veteran presents themselves as a mental health risk have not been addressed.

I wanted to speak to go higher up. I wanted to speak to a doctor and the chief of staff, Locklear said. They said theyd get back to me, but never did.

Support for veteran families who die by suicide

When a line-of-duty death occurs, Locklear said, Gold Star families receive support from casualty assistance officers.

She said shed like to see families whose veterans die as a result of their service, including suicide, receive the same level of support.

Locklear said she currently does not have faith in the VA or faith that all is being done to prevent veteran suicides  especially if VA representatives arent willing to meet with a family member of a suicide victim to learn what should or shouldnt have been done.

Locklear said her own mental health has suffered after she found her son and received no support.

Locklear said her son was smart, loving and caring, and had a bright future ahead of him, if he received the proper mental health care.

There was not a soul who didnt love him. He was just that sweet and kind and gentle, but he could not live here, she said. His mind wouldnt let him live here.

I was forced to leave my job, she said. They tried to put me in another position, but I would still be working for the VA. I could not work at a facility that I no longer believe in. I believed in it for 12 years, but now realized we arent taking care of veterans.

I cant say suicide is a top priority because they wont speak to families.

Two years after her sons death, Locklear said shes not been able to have his name engraved on a headstone.

Its hard to do that when people still arent acknowledging his existence or death, she said.

Locklear said she will not stop advocating for him.

She provided The Fayetteville Observer with her correspondence with all local members of Congress, her representative in the North Carolina General Assembly and the national VA secretary.

I wont stop until (the VA) acknowledges they failed a veteran, Locklear said. I want them to acknowledge his death, what happened, what led up to this, how they can fix it, how can they as a VA strive to do better and not let this happen to the next person.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.
Today is Sunday June 9,2024 and I wanted to share Lulu Gribbins story so that everyone can continue to pray for this sweet and beautiful child of ours. Lulu and her twin sister, Ellie, and I headed down from Birmingham to the beach with some of their friends and their moms on Wednesday June 5. It was our first mother daughter beach trip, and we were all incredibly excited. Our first two days were amazing on the beach being with friends and going to dinners.

Friday, we decided to walk down from where we were staying right outside Rosemary Beach for lunch. After lunch we were walking back on the beach to the girls and everyone on the beach was standing looking out into the water. No one was in the water and all we heard was there was a shark and we started to look as well. My friend called both her daughters and they were not answering so she started to panic and said there is something wrong and started running and so we all did. The beach was packed with people just looking. I came up on a group of people surrounding someone on the ground and looked down and it was Lulu who was there. Ellie found me and said Mom its Lulu. I saw her wounds on her leg and started to scream. She was lifeless her eyes closed mouth white and pale. The wound on her leg or all that was left of her leg was something out of a movie. I finally made it back to her and held her hand and she saw me, and I told her I was there. Her eyes were open. I had no idea how long she had been there or what had happened. Almost immediately the beach truck was there and the EMTs loaded her onto a board and put her back in the truck and wheeled her off, she was air lifted away. One of my Mom friends immediately got me and Ellie up to house and in the car. We were told she was going one place and then finally got an answer she was going to Sacred Heart in Pensacola. This was an hour and 20-minute drive. We prayed the entire way. My friend who was driving was a God send for me and Ellie and knew exactly what to pray. All I could say over and over was please be alive please breathe. No one we called could give us any information.



We got to Sacred Heart and Lulu was already in surgery, but they answered my prayer that she was alive, and her vitals were good. Joe met me there and we waited for the surgeons to come and talk to us. Once they did we were informed that the shark had bitten off Lulus left hand and that they had to amputate her right leg halfway up from her knee to her hip. She also had lost 2/3 of the blood in her body. Of course, no one wants that for your child but she is alive. They also told us that Lulu may be intubated for the next week or so and would need 4-5 surgeries to finalize her amputations.



Yesterday, Saturday Lulu did not have surgery like we expected and her vitals were exactly what the team of doctors and nurses wanted. She did so well that they ended up taking the tube out of her throat and she was breathing on her own. This was a first big step. Once she was settled her first words to us were  I made it. And boy she did.



Lulu relived the story of what happened on the beach that day. There were 6 friends all at the first sand bar about waist high looking for sand dollars. Probably like the hundreds of other people in the water that day. I am not sure who noticed the shark first, but Lulu said it bit her hand and then her leg and then went for her other friend and got her foot. Lulu said a man grabbed her other arm and pulled her out and another younger boy helped him carry her to shore. Once on the shore there were two doctors and two other young women one of whom was a nurse who were all surrounding Lulu. These individuals put tourniquets on Lulus wounds. Which I believe was crucial to saving Lulus life. She was then taken by the beach truck and airlifted to Sacred Heart in Pensacola where we are now.



I am eternally grateful for the 3 surgeons and all the nursing staff and doctors here at this hospital who saved Lulu. I am grateful for the doctors and nurses on the beach that day. I am grateful for the EMTs on the beach and the crew in the air. I am grateful for the individual who pulled her out of the water. At this point we will have multiple surgeries in the days to come and our lives will be forever changed. Lulu is strong, beautiful, brave and so many more things I cant count. God has a plan for her, and we will be there to support her every way we can.



We appreciate the outpouring of love and support that we have been shown. All the text messages, videos, instagrams, facebook posts, calls etc have lifted us all up. Please continue to pray for Lulu. Pray for her to have strength to get through whatever is coming her way. Pray for her healing to be fast and pain to be as minimal as possible. She is worried about not fitting in and people making fun of her. I need prayers for everyone to be understanding and to show her grace. I also need prayers for Lulu to know that her hand and her leg do not define who she is. Please pray for Joe and I to give her strength and be the rock she needs. Pray for us to have the right words to lift her up and encourage her. I also would like prayers for all the girls that were on the beach with her and the trauma they have endured. Sweet Lulu is more worried for her friends than she is herself, which is a testament to her character.



I know this was a terrible accident, but God was there and had the people there who helped save her life. Lulu said she felt God in the back of the beach truck. She is truly a miracle. We have a long road ahead and our journey is just beginning!

*Please do not donate to caring bridge as the funds do not go to Lulus care*
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

While music pulsed out over the Detroit River, thousands of people  young and old  celebrated the LGBTQ+ community over the weekend at Hart Plaza.

Motor City Pride, which bills itself as Michigans largest Pride celebration, traces its roots back more than half-century to June 1972 when a gay pride march was held in downtown Detroit to both mark the third anniversary of the Stonewall riot in New York, as well demand the repeal of anti-gay laws and full civil rights for gay people. It drew between 200 and 400 people.

Fifty-two years later, the festival and parade has grown to bring out, according to organizers, more than 65,000 attendees over both Saturday and Sunday to see nearly 50 performers on four different stages.

Its been just amazing, Dave Wait, chair of the Motor City Pride festival, told the Michigan Advance. The people have come out to celebrate pride and also to advocate for full rights and inclusion for all individuals.

Sundays festivities began with the annual Pride march, which was kicked off by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reminding the crowd that who occupies the corridors of power in Lansing makes a definite difference.

We worked for decades to expand civil rights protections for the LGBTQ+ community, she said. Decades, we worked on it. Guess what happened just weeks after Democrats took control? Full protections for the LGBTQ+ community. When Democrats are in charge, this community is respected and protected under the law.

Last week, Whitmer also signed a declaration designating June as Pride month.

Whitmer was joined by Attorney General Dana Nessel, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stanenow (D-Lansing) and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist in launching the parade, which made its way down Griswold Street, before turning onto Jefferson Avenue and then ending at Hart Plaza.

Other elected officials marching in the parade included Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, state Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), state Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor), U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham), U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly), state Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) and state Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor).

Meanwhile, Wait said the festival wouldnt be possible without their major sponsors like Delta Airlines, Jeep, MGM Grand Casino, Ford Motor Company, and Kroger. He added that the involvement of major corporations was another sign of how far theyve come, although he said there was still much to be achieved.

Sen. Jeremy Moss at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Attorney General Dana Nessel and Sen. Jeremy Moss at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

An "Out for Biden-Harris" sign at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Sign welcoming attendees to the Motor City Pride festival crowd. June 9, 2024. Photo by Jon King

Motor City Pride festival crowd. June 9, 2024. Photo by Jon King

Attorney General Dana Nessel, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Attorney General Dana Nessel, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Young girl bedecked with balloons at the Motor City Pride festival crowd. June 9, 2024. Photo by Jon King

Attorney General Dana Nessel and Sen. Jeremy Moss at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Attorney General Dana Nessel, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Motor City Pride festival crowd. June 9, 2024. Photo by Jon King

Motor City Pride festival parade. June 9, 2024. Photo by Jon King

An attendee wears a "Don't Say Desantis" shirt at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

An ad at Hunting Place for Turning Point USA's The People's Convention featuring former President Donald Trump, as seen during Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist speaks at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Motor City Pride festival crowd. June 9, 2024. Photo by Jon King

JAX from RuPauls Drag Race performs at the Motor City Pride festival. June 9, 2024. Photo by Jon King

Motor City Pride festival crowd. June 9, 2024. Photo by Jon King

Young girl leaves message in kids' activity booth at Motor City Pride festival. June 9, 2024. Photo by Jon King

Attorney General Dana Nessel and Sen. Jeremy Moss at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Motor City Pride festival-goer looks on as one of the musical acts entertains the crowd. June 9, 2024. Photo by Jon King

Motor City Pride festival crowd. June 9, 2024. Photo by Jon King

Attorney General Dana Nessel, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Attorney General Dana Nessel, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist speaks at Motor City Pride, June 9, 2024 | Michigan Advance

It really does show the acceptance, but its also important to remember, theres still a lot of people who dont understand, who dont approve, and are haters, said Wait. The hate speech still continues. So thats why were talking about advocacy and letting people know that were your neighbors and to give that respect to one another.

In addition to the traditional food and merchandise vendors that would be present at any major festival, Motor City Pride also featured a number of social service and LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations offering information and assistance for those in need. Included among them was Stand with Trans, the Human Rights Campaign and the Michigan HIV/AIDS Council.

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The post Motor City Pride attracts record crowds for celebration and advocacy appeared first on Michigan Advance.
The center-right European People's Party (EPP) is leading the 2024 European Parliament (EP) elections, projected to secure 191 seats, according to the EP's aggregated results estimates on Sunday. #XinhuaNews
Mount Lebanon community mourning after girl, 10, found dead in car with her mom

A tight-knit community is mourning after a mother and her 10-year-old daughter were found dead in South Park Township.

>> Woman, child found dead in car in South Park Township

Abigail Neal, 10, had just finished fourth grade at Howe Elementary School hours before police found her body.

Police said there were no obvious signs of trauma to Abigails or her mother, Serena Guans, bodies.

Toxicology results could take weeks if not months.

Teachers at Howe Elementary are grieving the loss of Abigail.

Abigail was a cherished member of our Howe School community, known for her infectious smile and gentle spirit. Her kindness and willingness to help others did not go unnoticed, teachers wrote in a statement. She brought joy and a sense of camaraderie to every classroom and activity she participated in. Abigail leaves us with an indelible mark on our hearts and minds, and her memory will live on and continue to inspire us all.

The Mount Lebanon fire chief is asking his community to help her father, a firefighter, with the financial burden of this unimaginable tragedy.

Click here to make a donation to her funeral costs.

Channel 11 has also learned that Serena and her husband were going through a divorce. According to a custody agreement, this past weekend was supposed to be Abigails first weekend with her father.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  Paperwork filed with the District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County shows that police found the body of a parole agent under a bed in the home of the person who is accused of killing him.

The charging documents submitted in the case against Emanuel Sewell, 54, said Montgomery County police officers found the body of Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) Agent Davis Martinez wrapped in a number of plastic bags underneath a bed at 2815 Terrace Dr. in Chevy Chase.

Officers said Martinezs body appeared to be in the fetal postion. They found a bloodied towel near the front door of the home, which is where Sewell lived.

Family of parole agent killed says he was kindred spirit

Police said Martinez went there on May 31 to check on Sewell, who is a registerd sex offender, but Martiniez did not report back to work, which would have been expected. Officers tried to contact Martinez and Sweell, but were not able to reach either. Martinezs cellphone was pinging near two dumpsters in the area. Officers believed the phone was in one of the dumpsters.

Sewell and his car were nowhere to be found. Police arrested Sewell in West Virginia on June 1, and he was extradited back to Maryland to face charges related to Martinezs killing.

His first court appearance in Montgomery County was scheduled for June 10.

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MUSCOGEE COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL)  Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman shared through social media that three officials were commended after quickly rendering aid to a young womans injured arm.

According to the sheriff on June 5, Sergeant Suli Sene, Corporal Chad Bohannon and Deputy Jeremy Gilmer with MCSO were in the middle of working a scene on River Road, when a man approached asking them to help an injured person.

After arriving at a residence on Apex Drive, they found an injured female, who was cut from a window and bleeding. When the three met with the female, there were already two people attempting to apply pressure to her wound.

The sheriff said that the three radioed for EMS and began rendering aid by using a tourniquet to stop the wound from bleeding. The female was later transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional.

The sheriff further added that hes grateful for the exemplary work of Sene, Bohannon and Gilmer.

I have personally seen the gruesome photos of this incident and there is no doubt that this woman would have bled to death had the deputies not intervened when they did. This is a prime example of never knowing what you may come across while on duty. These deputies rushed into the situation without regard to their personal safety to render aid to an injured female. Their courageous efforts prevented a deadly tragedy. I am extremely proud of each of them for saving this young womans life. Greg Countryman

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Mustafa Nayyem has written a letter of resignation from his position as head of Ukraines State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, stating that the reason for this was systematic obstruction of his work.

Source: Nayyem on Facebook

Quote from Nayyem: "I am stepping down from the position of Head of the Restoration Agency. I made this decision independently due to systematic obstructions that prevent me from effectively carrying out my duties.

Since last November, the agency team has faced constant opposition, resistance, and the creation of artificial barriers."

Details: He said that the Restoration Agency's budget for road repair and maintenance projects has been completely cancelled.

"I understand the limited resources and the importance of military spending. However, the cancellation of funds for infrastructure maintenance will inevitably affect the condition of roads of strategic importance and, consequently, all military logistics. If this does not change, we will face complications in military logistics and product exports next season," explained Nayyem.

Another reason for his decision was that the team began to be "harassed" by bureaucracy, with documents for payment of protective structures, fortifications, or repairs being approved by the government were returned 68 times with absurd comments and delayed for several months, and some are still not approved.

Nayyem said that right now, the government has not approved the payment of almost 150 million which was borrowed by the state from the EIB for critically important projects, including water supply and energy protection, for three months.

Quote from Nayyem: "All of this has consequences, which I have repeatedly officially reported. Delayed payment for contractors' work undermines trust in the state; delays in funding slow down, and in some areas completely stop building work, resulting in a loss of trust of the market, local authorities, and citizens. But most importantly, all of this negatively affects the country's defence capability, cargo logistics, the protection of critical infrastructure, and the export of our goods. It is clear that such actions will, sooner or later, lead to criticism of our team and dissatisfaction from international partners."

Details: Another reason Nayyem cited was the reduction in salaries for agency employees since the beginning of 2024.

Quote from Nayyem: "The majority of employees had their salaries cut by up to 68%. The government did this contrary to any logic and common sense. And no, we did not have astronomical salaries  a senior specialist at the agency was earning just over UAH 30,000, and now it's UAH 14,000. As a result, since the beginning of the year, we have already lost 25% of our staff, which I have repeatedly written about to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, and the Ministry of Finance, and which has been repeatedly raised by G7 ambassadors in meetings with the head of the government."

The official is convinced that this was done deliberately so that the agency, which "to some extent has become a model for building processes from scratch," would be left without skilled and motivated people, and the agency itself would be deemed ineffective and unnecessary.

Nayyem emphasises that despite all these obstacles, during the entire period of the great war, they "have not failed or stopped a single project, a single military shipment, or a single evacuation route".

"To date, the agency is simultaneously coordinating work on 353 (!) reconstruction sites across the country. This is the most challenging work of my life.

In one year, we managed to implement numerous projects. After the liberation of the affected regions, we restored almost 1,300 km of roads and 330 bridges. We repaired 29 major checkpoints on the western border and began project work on the reconstruction and construction of two new checkpoints. After the Russian military blew up the Kakhovka HPP dam, we built 155 km of a main water pipeline in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in record time, which will provide drinking water to 1.5 million people," Nayyem said.

One of the largest projects of the agency, he noted, was the construction of protective structures against drones and missiles at 22 distribution substations belonging to Ukrenergo, Ukraine's national energy company, and the protection of 103 energy facilities from shrapnel damage.

Nayyem gave assurances that all work on protection against drones and shrapnel has been completed, and thanks to this, after the latest attack, energy workers were able to restore power supply in Kharkiv, Odesa, and Mykolaiv oblasts in the shortest possible time.

"This was done without any unnecessary PR, ribbon-cutting, or photo shoots. It was our work, not a feat...

All this was possible thanks to the support of the Ministry and the minister, who allowed us to make independent decisions and achieve results without waiting to be stabbed in the back. With the minister's dismissal, this became impossible, and the last decision of the head of the government to cancel my official participation in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin confirmed this," said Nayyem.

He acknowledged that "there were mistakes and shortcomings, without which it is impossible to implement projects of such complexity under such conditions," but assured that his team always responded and sought to do better.

"Obviously, we did not always fit into the current style and team of public administration. And I cannot rule out that there will be attempts to persecute and discredit our work in the public arena. In fact, this has been happening for a long time. I am ready for this and, before my resignation, I asked all law enforcement and regulatory authorities to take all measures to verify the legality and transparency of the decisions made by the agency," Nayyem emphasised.

He added that after writing his resignation letter, he said goodbye to the agency team and the heads of the Recovery Services in the oblasts, but he will continue to perform his duties until the government decides on his resignation and hands over the work to his successors.

"I am ready to do everything in my power to ensure that the agency continues to implement critically important projects for the country. Currently, our entire team and the Recovery Services in the oblasts are continuing to work as usual," the official summarised.

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The NAACP is now calling on the Biden administration to halt its supply of weapons to Israel and to pressure the country to end its war in Gaza. The message from the civil rights organization comes after months of protests and discontent with the Biden administration over its support for Israel in the war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

The statement calls to cut off arms supply and pushes for ceasefire.

In a statement dated June 6, 2024, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson appeals to the Biden administration to take more concrete and assertive actions to end the conflict that has been going on in Gaza since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. As the nations leading civil rights organization, Johnson says of the NAACP in his statement, it is our responsibility to speak out in the face of injustice and work to hold our elected officials accountable for the promises theyve made. Johnson points to unspeakable violence, affecting innocent civilians, which he deems unacceptable.

While acknowledging that the Biden administration has recently issued a proposal to bring an end to the conflict, Johnson states that the Biden proposal is useful but does not go far enough. Johnson specifically urges the administration to indefinitely halt the supply of arms to Israel and to states that give weapons to Hamas. While calling for Hamas to release its hostages and for Israel to limit its actions based on international law, the statement additionally calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire so that resolution of the conflict towards a two-state solution can begin.

Discontent for Gaza policy may have impact on the presidential election.

In a statement emailed by the Biden-Harris campaign to NBC News, spokesperson Sarafina Chitika responded that the President shares the goal for an end to the violence and a just, lasting peace in the Middle East, and hes working tirelessly to that end. The campaign statement did not seem to indicate a shift from the administrations current policies, which include continuing support for Israel as well as a ceasefire plan that top Biden officials continue to push.

The NAACPs letter putting pressure on the Biden administration comes as the presidents strong pro-Israel stance has divided Democrats, a split that is being seen in primary elections and could carry over to Novembers presidential and congressional elections. Biden himself has faced criticism and protests, as was the case when he delivered a commencement address at Morehouse College this year.

With this election poised to be tight, the Biden-Harris campaign is seeking to shore up its support among Black voters and young people, even as these demographics remain highly critical of the administrations support for Israel as the death toll in Gaza exceeds 30,000 people. The coming months will reveal whether Biden will succeed in securing a ceasefire in Gaza and whether events in the Middle East will change the outcome of the U.S. election.
National bail fund exits Georgia over new law that expands cash bail and limits groups that help

FILE - The Fulton County, Ga., Jail is seen, April 11, 2023, in Atlanta. The Bail Project, a national nonprofit that aids thousands of low-income people who are behind bars, announced Monday, June 10, 2024, that it has closed its Atlanta branch due to a new Georgia law that expands cash bail and restricts organizations that post inmates bonds as they await trial. (AP Photo/Kate Brumback, File)

ATLANTA (AP)  The Bail Project, a national nonprofit that aids thousands of low-income people who are behind bars, announced Monday that it has closed its Atlanta branch due to a new Georgia law that expands cash bail and restricts organizations that post inmates bonds as they await trial.

Senate Bill 63, which goes into effect next month, requires cash bail for 30 additional crimes, including 18 that are always or often misdemeanors, including failure to appear in court for a traffic citation.

It also limits people and organizations from posting more than three cash bonds in a year unless they meet requirements to become bail bond companies  a process involving passing background checks, paying fees, holding a business license, securing the local sheriff's approval and establishing a cash escrow account or other form of collateral.

Cash bail perpetuates a two-tiered system of justice, where two people accused of the same offense get drastically different treatment  those who can afford bail are released while those who cannot often remain incarcerated for months on end awaiting court dates, The Bail Project's statement said.

Across the nation, more than a dozen jurisdictions have eliminated or minimized cash bail, redirecting funds to services that prevent crime and enhance community safety, the organization said. Georgias lawmakers could have adopted similar evidence-based policies, including speedy trial legislation to address court delays and investments in preventative services to reduce reliance on pretrial incarceration. Instead, they opted for a path that perpetuates more incarceration, racial inequity, trauma, and harm.

Republican Gov. Brian Kemp said during his signing ceremony last month that SB 63 would "ensure dangerous individuals cannot walk our streets and commit further crimes. The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia has threatened to sue, calling it cruel, costly, and counterproductive.

Democrats had urged Kemp to veto the measure, arguing that it will worsen overcrowding in jails and disproportionately hurt poor, minority defendants. They called it a gift to for-profit bail bond companies and a betrayal of Kemp's predecessor, GOP Gov. Nathan Deal, who made criminal justice reform a hallmark of his legacy.

Since its launch in 2018, The Bail Project said it has paid $81 million to free more than 30,000 people in more than 30 jurisdictions from pre-trial detention. That prevented nearly 1.2 million days of incarceration, and reduced collateral consequences such as loss of jobs, housing and child custody, the group said.

Those helped by The Bail Project returned to over 90% of their court dates, a statistic that, according to the nonprofit, lays waste to the idea that cash bail is a necessary incentive to ensure a persons future court appearance.
The Nebraska Democratic Party opened a new office in south-central Omaha on Tuesday, March 19. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

OMAHA  National Democrats are investing some green in helping the Nebraska Democratic Party reach voters in and beyond the purplest congressional district in a red-led state.

The Democratic National Committee announced Monday that it will spend $40,000 to fund a political staffer who will work with national, state and local Democrats in Nebraska.

Jane Kleeb, the chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, said the Nebraska Democrats raised another $40,000 locally to pay the same staffer, who will help them with legislative elections in rural Nebraska.

We now have enough resources to hire somebody full-time and make sure that they have resources to do organizing, she said.

Rebuilding a blue party in red states

It is the latest step in a multi-year process of the DNC trying to help rebuild the party in rural states. This cycle alone, the DNC has spent more than $510,000 in Nebraska.

Kleeb has spent much of her seven-year tenure trying to persuade the national party to increase its annual support for state parties. Spending is up 25% since January 2021.

DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison has described this push as a 50-state strategy, fighting back against single-party GOP rule in largely rural states.

Todays announced investment in the Nebraska State Democratic Party shows that priority in action, he said in a statement to the Nebraska Examiner.

Nebraska Democrats have fought tirelessly to better the lives of Nebraskans and defend against Trump and Republicans extreme agenda, Harrison said.

Helping in 2nd District and rural races

Much of the staffers time will be spent helping Democratic State Sen. Tony Vargas in the rural slices of his Omaha-based 2nd District House race against Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. One emphasis point will be Saunders County, officials said.

The new political organizer will work to help turn out Democratic voters in local and state races, particularly in rural races with Democrats down the ballot, the Democrats said.

The staffer also will help President Joe Bidens bid against former President Donald Trumps attempt to win back the single Electoral College vote that Biden won in 2020.

Nebraska, like Maine, awards an electoral vote to the winner of the presidential popular vote in each of its congressional districts. The statewide winner receives two more.

Republicans in the states officially nonpartisan Legislature want to shift Nebraskas method of awarding those votes to winner-take-all, which would benefit Trump.

Democratic state lawmakers in Maine have said if Nebraska does make that change, they might cancel out the action by doing the same thing, which would benefit Biden.

A spokeswoman for the Nebraska Republican Party said Sunday that the Republican National Committee had not funded a Nebraska campaign staffer but that it could.

Both the Biden and Trump campaigns have started adding staff in the state as well.

The post National, Nebraska Dems spending $80k on a Nebraska political staffer appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab is sworn into office in January 2023, on the south side of the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  The national chief strategist for No Labels says Kansas GOP political operative Kris Van Meteren is unaffiliated with the party and fraudulently misrepresented himself when he filed nominations under the partys name.

Those nominations were invalidated by Secretary of State Scott Schwab, igniting a fiery rebuke from Van Meteren, who claims he seized ownership of No Labels Kansas in a series of moves Monday morning, shortly before the candidate filing deadline for this years election cycle.

Van Meteren set off alarms by nominating state Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, against her will, and his wife, Republican Echo Van Meteren, who is also running for a Senate seat. In doing so, he guaranteed the candidates would have a spot on the November ballot  under their chosen party if they win the primary, or under No Labels if they lose, creating three-way races.

Francisco faces a primary challenge from Rep. Christina Haswood, while Echo Van Meteren faces GOP challenger Jeff Klemp, who is backed by the powerful Kansas Chamber.

Last year, No Labels Kansas gathered signatures and submitted paperwork to the Kansas Secretary of State in order to be formally recognized as a party. But officers associated with the national movement took no action to nominate candidates in Kansas.

Kris Van Meteren filed paperwork on Monday to incorporate No Labels Kansas as a business entity. In his version of events, he then called a convention, elected himself chairman and nominated the two candidates.

Schwab said the nominations were invalid because they were made by Kris Van Meteren, rather than Glenda Reynolds, a Democrat who was designated chairwoman when the party submitted paperwork last year.

At the time that it applied for ballot qualification in 2023, No Labels Kansas designated a state leadership team and submitted adopted bylaws to the Secretary of State, said Ryan Clancy, the national No Labels chief strategist. That leadership team and those bylaws remain unchanged, with Glenda Reynolds as the chair of No Labels Kansas.

We understand that a longtime Republican operative fraudulently misrepresented himself to the secretary as the chair of No Labels Kansas, when he has no affiliation whatsoever with the state party committee, and proposed action that would have violated No Labels Kansas bylaws. We are pleased that the secretary disregarded this obvious attempt at election manipulation and expect that the Republican operative will be prosecuted for impersonating a party officer under state law.

The alleged crime is a Class A misdemeanor.

Kris Van Meteren owns the political consulting group Singularis and is a longtime player in Kansas politics. In recent years, he is best known for the high-profile split with his former business partner, Jared Suhn, which spawned a lawsuit and an ethics inquiry.

In an email to Kansas Reflector, Kris Van Meteren said he followed state law as he registered to vote under the No Labels Kansas party, incorporated the name, secured nonprofit political party status with the IRS, called a convention, was elected chairman, and made nominations.

He provided copies of supporting documentation, including video of the nominating commission.

Clearly, they dont have all of the pertinent facts in hand and are making wild-eyed claims without understanding Kansas law, he said. The truth is that Ive gone to considerable lengths to abide by the statutes and regulations in play.

He also noted that the national No Labels movement had hired petition gathers who now face criminal charges for allegedly forging signatures in Kansas.

I, of course, had nothing to do with the hiring of these charlatans, he said.

In a lengthy post on his personal Facebook page, Kris Van Meteren lashed out at Republican forces who are aligned with Suhn. He accused Schwab of orchestrating an obvious political stunt, executed on behalf of both Democratic and Republican fever swampers.

To hear lefty reporters breathlessly tell it, Im a half-crazed, ultra-conservative gypsy who showed up in politics yesterday, bent on swindling the good people of Kansas into buying some kind of dangerous electoral snake oil, Kris Van Metersen said. Obviously, potentially giving general election voters more options is such dangerous medicine. The buzz phrase du jour within the political establishment is election interference and fever swamp dwellers are seizing the opportunity to accuse me of it.

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The post National No Labels group accuses Kansas GOP operative of impersonating a party officer appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party president Jordan Bardella smiles as he addresses militants after the first results announcement during an evening gathering of French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) on the final day of the European Parliament election, at the Pavillon Chesnaie du Roy in Paris. Julien De Rosa/AFP/dpa

Following its win in the European elections, France's right-wing populist National Rally (RN) wants to woo other right-wingers, including from the far-right Reconquest party, for the snap parliamentary elections called by President Emmanuel Macron.

"I myself am perfectly willing to discuss with personalities who do not come from the National Rally and who share the ambition to bring some of our ideas to power in a few weeks and - also within the framework of a cohabitation - to initiate the reconstruction of the country," RN party leader Jordan Bardella said on Monday evening in Paris.

In France, cohabitation means that the president and the prime minister represent different political directions.

Bardella had his first meeting on Monday with Reconquest's lead candidate for the European elections, Marion Marechal.

"I wanted to have a chat with her and talk about our current endeavours to form the broadest possible majority," Bardella said, adding that his party wanted to run with other right-wing parties as a national union in the parliamentary elections with the aim of taking over the government and the office of prime minister.

No agreements have yet been reached with Marechal, he said: "At the moment, it's all about discussions."

National Rally received 31.36% of the vote in the European elections, while Reconquest achieved 5.47%.

Marechal is the niece of National Rally's parliamentary party leader Marine Le Pen and used to be active in her party before switching to the far-right rival party a good two years ago.

"It seems obvious to me that the 1 million voters of Reconquest must participate in this momentum around the RN," Marechal said after an initial discussion with Bardella and her aunt.

National Rally would like "to work with those in Reconquest who have taken a constructive stance towards the RN."

Reconquest leader Eric Zemmour, who is at loggerheads with National Rally, could be an obstacle to a right-wing alliance. French media are also speculating about a return of Marechal to National Rally.

France goes into election campaign mode

France swiftly entered election campaign mode within 24 hours of the stunning electoral victory for National Rally.

President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the National Assembly, France's lower house of parliament, on Sunday after the scope of the far-right victory became clear and and scheduled parliamentary elections in just a few weeks' time.

Various parties are strategizing their campaigns in response to the sudden electoral call.

Macron's job as president is not at stake in the upcoming elections, as the next presidential election is not scheduled until 2027.

Government under pressure for a long time

His aim is to create a more stable majority in parliament for his remaining term of office. He will be hoping that citizens in France will not vote the same way in national elections as they did in the European Parliament elections, and that the snap election will break Le Pen's momentum.

While Macron enjoys a prominent role on the international stage, his governing camp has been struggling domestically for two years as his faction has not had an absolute majority in the National Assembly.

This has forced his camp to navigate a contentious and combative legislative environment, often resorting to heavy-handed tactics and bypassing votes in order to implement their plans.

The threat of a vote of no confidence this autumn has loomed over the government for some time, adding to the challenges of governing.

Consequences for Germany and Europe

Macron's snap election call is a big gamble. If it fails, it could have serious repercussions for Germany and Europe. Observers say the French president could lose substantial influence, making it difficult for him to advance his foreign policy agenda.

France could descend into a chaotic domestic political situation, compromising its reliability as an international partner.

However, if Macron manages to secure a more stable majority, it would benefit international partners as he would no longer be preoccupied with quelling domestic political unrest.

This marks the first dissolution of the French National Assembly in over 25 years, a significant move in France's recent political history.

EU vote results as catalyst for snap polls

National Rally secured 31.36% of the European vote, according to preliminary results announced by the Interior Ministry on Monday after all the votes had been counted.

Macron's camp came a distant second with 14.6%, followed by the Socialists with 13.83%.

The eurosceptic National Rally - which used to be called the National Front until six years ago - has softened its image in recent years in an effort to widen its appeal and strengthen Le Pen's bid for the presidency.

French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party president Jordan Bardella addresses militants after the first results announcement during an evening gathering of French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) on the final day of the European Parliament election, at the Pavillon Chesnaie du Roy in Paris. Julien De Rosa/AFP/dpa
NEW DELHI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are likely to hit the South Asian country's northwest and east in the next five days.

Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are likely over northwest and east India during next five days, the IMD said in a statement.

According to the IMD, states to be affected include Bihar, West Bengal Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

The IMD said on Sunday maximum temperatures were in the range of 42-45 degrees Celsius in many parts of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, in some parts of north Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar and Gujarat.

"These are above normal by 2-4 degrees Celsius over these areas," the weather department said. "Yesterday, the highest maximum temperature of 45.9 degrees Celsius was reported at Prayagraj (in East Uttar Pradesh)."

Multiple intense and prolonged heat waves have hit India during April and May.

India's health ministry earlier this month said at least 56 people were killed and nearly 25,000 suspected heat stroke cases recorded from March to May in the country.

However, local media quoting officials reported these figures "could be an undercount".

This year, the temperatures have been record-breaking in India. Many parts of the country experienced unrelenting heat waves for over two weeks, with maximum temperatures hovering above 45 degrees Celsius at a stretch and even soaring beyond 50 degrees Celsius in some areas.

As per India's National Center for Disease Control, heat strokes are "life-threatening" conditions with a mortality rate of 40-64 percent.

The weather department has already advised people to avoid heat exposure and stay in cool places. It has also asked people to keep hydrated by drinking sufficient water -- even if they do not feel thirsty. 
A NATO country says its warship was harassed by 2 Chinese fighter jets as it enforced sanctions on North Korea

A NATO country says its warship was harassed by 2 Chinese fighter jets as it enforced sanctions on North Korea

The Dutch Ministry of Defence said one of its warships was harassed by two Chinese fighter jets.

They circled the HNLMS Tromp several times last Friday over the East China Sea, it said.

The warship was part of efforts to enforce sanctions on North Korea.

A Dutch warship was harassed by two Chinese fighter jets last Friday as it was enforcing maritime sanctions against North Korea, according to the Netherlands' Ministry of Defence.

The Chinese aircraft circled the HNLMS Tromp, a frigate, several times while it was in international waters, the statement said.

It added that the warship's patrol helicopter was also "approached" by the Chinese aircraft while it was patrolling the area.

"This created a potentially unsafe situation," the statement said.

The Netherlands, a NATO founding member, is the latest country to claim that China approached or intimidated one of its warships or aircraft in the region.

In June 2023, China conducted a risky intercept of a US spy plane over the South China Sea.

The US also released records in October 2023 reporting multiple instances of aggressive flight conduct by Chinese planes.

In April, a Chinese coastguard ship collided with a Philippine vessel inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

And as recently as May, a Chinese jet released flares close to an Australian military helicopter over the Yellow Sea.

The US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, Ely Ratner, said in 2022 that China's increasingly aggressive behavior around the South China Sea could eventually lead to a "major incident or accident."

According to the Dutch ministry, HNLMS Tromp had been at sea since March, sailing first to the Red Sea and then onto the Indo-Pacific in June.

It stopped in Busan, South Korea, on June 3 as part of its seven-month journey, according to a press release.

The warship was patrolling the East China Sea in support of a multinational UN group that oversees the implementation of maritime sanctions against North Korea.

It is expected to return to the Dutch city of Den Helder in mid-September, via the Panama Canal and the Caribbean Sea, the ministry said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A North Carolina sheriffs deputy was shot early Monday morning in Guilford County, authorities said.

It happened just before 1:30 a.m. The Guilford County Sheriffs Office deputy was responding to an incident on Skipper Trace in the town of Oak Ridge.

ALSO READ: Man shot, killed by deputy at eastern NC hospital

The sheriff said in a post on social media that the deputy was shot and taken to a local hospital. Theyre in stable condition.

Its not clear what the call was for or who shot the deputy.

The suspect involved was arrested and taken to the hospital, but they dont have serious injuries, the sheriff said. They didnt share information about the suspects identity or the nature of their injuries.

Theres no threat to the community.

Deputies arent releasing any more information at this time.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: 19-year-old convicted for string of car break-ins through Charlotte)
APPLETON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Wis. (WFRV)  Three of Northeast Wisconsins World War II heroes have returned from their once-in-a-lifetime visit to Normandy, France.

American Airlines flew around 70 World War II veterans there to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

Local 5 News was at both the Appleton International Airport and Austin Straubel International Airport when those World War II heroes returned from their trips from Normandy.

At Appleton International Airport officials, family members and friends of the veterans, and community supporters rolled out the red carpet for the two veterans return. Airport officials set up a water cannon on either side of the runway as the plane landed shrouding it in a wall of mist, a gesture of thanks towards the veterans.

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Inside the airport, people carrying American flags and welcome back signs lined the terminal chanting USA, USA and cheering as the veterans rolled through.

The veterans were eager to talk about their trip to Normandy.

My purpose was to go there and represent all the American forces who lost their lives on D-Day, said Vaughn Collicott.

On June 6, 1944, Collicott was inside a Navy destroyer called the USS Meredith just off Utah Beach. He said the commanding officers had given them no indication of what they would be up against.

While soldiers stormed the beach of Normandy under heavy fire, the sailors inside the USS Meredith tried to take out the German positions.

Collicott said his station was inside the interior of the boat so on that day he never got a view of what the scene on the beach looked like. He and his shipmates were able to take out a German bunker on D-Day helping to clear the way for the Allies to storm the beach.

Before the trip, he told Local 5 News he would love to find the position of that German bunker during his trip to Normandy.

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Yes I did (find the bunker), he said. I could see the rest of that peninsula where that bunker was that we took out.

Collicott said that he met so many people on the trip and shook so many hands that his hand ended up getting black and blue by the end of the trip. He said he also got to meet President Biden and told him this.

I told him in 10 years I plan to be back here, he said in 10 years if Im still president Ill be looking for you, Collicott said about his talk with President Biden.

Collicott said he couldnt believe the crowds that showed up at each stop on the trip.

WW2 Vet Vaughn Collicott on Normandy trip

WW2 Vet Vaughn Collicott on Normandy trip

WW2 Vet Vaughn Collicott on Normandy trip

WW2 Vet Vaughn Collicott on Normandy trip

WW2 Vet Vaughn Collicott on Normandy trip

WW2 Vet Vaughn Collicott on Normandy trip

Also making the trip and returning to the Appleton International Airport this weekend was Larry Eckstein. Hes a World War II veteran who fought in Italy. His daughter Julie accompanied him on the trip.

Julie said that Larry turns 100 years old at the end of the month so this trip was such a special early birthday gift for their family.

This whole trip has been so heartwarming, Julie said.

The pair said they were struck by how welcoming the French were to the American veterans. They said everywhere they went there were large, cheering crowds.

They said the trip was also a chance to reflect on the sacrifices that all those soldiers made on those beaches on D-Day.

WW2 Vet Lawrence Eckstein on Normandy trip

WW2 Vet Lawrence Eckstein on Normandy trip

You just take it all in and youre looking out at the water, said Julie. (And you think) how could these young men do all of this they didnt know what they were in for and its just very emotional.

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Over at Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay, Eugene Jack Kraszewski from Pulaski also returns from the trip to Normandy.

He fought in World War II. He landed at Normandy about a month after D-Day and then ended up fighting throughout Europe including at the Battle of the Bulge.

He said it was a great trip and everybody was so welcoming to him and the other veterans.

One parade that we went to there must have been a million of them there and they all wanted to shake your hand, he said.

Kraszewski said before the trip he couldnt remember what the Normandy beaches had looked like because it had been so long since hed been there. He said it was incredible to be there and see those beaches again after 80 years.

WW2 Vet Eugene Jack Kraszewski on Normandy trip

WW2 Vet Eugene Jack Kraszewski on Normandy trip

WW2 Vet Eugene Jack Kraszewski on Normandy trip

WW2 Vet Eugene Jack Kraszewski on Normandy trip

The Appleton International Airport is a proud supporter of the Old Glory Honor Flight which brings veterans to places and monuments constructed in their honor.

Its a relationship that we are very proud of, said Jesse Funk with the Appleton International Airport. As we immerse ourselves in the community the community gives back to us. We feel like they have a terrific mission and were happy to be a part of that.

The Appleton International Airport also had gift bags for Lawrence and Vaughn when they left for their trip to Normandy.

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Nearly 20,000 Russian mercenaries died fighting for Wagner Group during the Battle of Bakhmut, an investigation by BBC Russia and Mediazona published on June 10 has found.

The outlets obtained documents shortly after the death of the group's founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin in August 2023, detailing the posthumous payments to relatives of those killed fighting in Ukraine between January 2022 and August 2023.

"This document contains more than 20,000 names of those killed," Mediazona writes, adding: "Most of the Wagnerites died in the 'Bakhmut meat grinder'  more than 19,500 people."

The numbers roughly confirm the number claimed by Prigozhin himself in May 2023 when he said he had lost more than 20,000 men in the fight for the town.

Prigozhin's Wagner began to bring tens of thousands of convicts from Russia's prisons into its ranks, including those convicted of rape and murder, during the group's main recruitment drive in late 2022.

Used in combination with the more professional and experienced Wagner units, the prisoners proved to be highly effective as an expendable assault force.

Their main success was the capture of Bakhmut, a city in Donetsk Oblast now razed to the ground, in May 2023 after a months-long battle.

The report also found 17,000 of those killed were former prisoners, pardoned by Russian President Vladimir Putin in exchange for heading to the front.

Using the identification numbers of those killed, journalists were also able to determine that at least 48,000 prisoners fought for Wagner during this time.

Prigozhin later that year launched a short-lived insurrection against the Kremlin in late June 2023, capturing the city of Rostov and marching toward Moscow.

However, less than 24 hours after starting the rebellion, it was declared over and he announced that he was turning his forces around and returning to base.

Following an undisclosed deal allegedly brokered by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, the warlord was allowed to walk free and then released a video claiming to be in Africa.

Two months later  on Aug. 23  a private jet with Prigozhin onboard crashed not far from Moscow, killing him and everyone else onboard.

According to unnamed U.S. officials cited by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Aug. 24, the likely cause was a bomb onboard or "some other form of sabotage."

A later WSJ piece put the finger of blame on Nikolai Patrushev, Putin's "right-hand man."

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.
Nearly a dozen pride flags were stolen from an Ohio neighborhood and overnight on Sunday.

Residents in the German Village section of Columbus are looking for answers after several people woke up Sunday morning to find their Pride flags stolen, NBC 4 reported.

The thefts were caught on several home security cameras. Norman Hall shared security footage with ABC 6 News that showed a group of young people tearing his pride flag down.

I came down and found the flagpole had been ripped down and thrown in the street, and the flag was torn off and taken, Hall told ABC 6 News. A lot of emotions -- angry, but also hurt, scared... Theres just so much hatred out there right now.

Several residents in the neighborhood said they place a Pride flag outside of their homes as a way to celebrate Pride Month and support their LGBTQ+ neighbors, NBC 4 reported.

>> RELATED: FBI, DHS warn 2024 Pride events could be targeted by foreign terrorists groups

However, now they said showing pride and support is more important after what they called a calculated act.

Its such a beautiful neighborhood, but even more than the beauty and all the brick, its the neighbors, Hall told NBC 4.

Down the street, Anthony Meyer and Tyler Mason had their flag stolen as well, according to ABC 6 News.

It kind of made me uncomfortable, Mason told ABC 6 News. Its unfortunate, but hopefully positive things will come out of it.

The neighborhood is choosing to remain positive about the situation, and plan to replace the stolen flags.

An owner of a local flag business reached out after learning about the thefts on social media and offered to replace the stolen flags, ABC 6 News reported.

>> State troopers stop driver for going over 100 mph in Ohio

Harrison Watson with The Flag Lady said he immediately grabbed their supply of Pride Flags and handed them out to everyone they could who got theirs stolen.

Watson said the store plans to order more and provide them at a discounted rate if people want them replaced immediately.

They also plan to create a page to help fundraise and replace as many pride flags as they can, ABC 6 News reported.

Its just not the heart of Columbus to do these types of things, Watson said.

Several homeowners in the area filed police reports, hoping that a collective response would encourage Columbus Police to pursue the case, according to NBC 4.

The Columbus Division of Police said the incidents are being investigated and have not released any further information.
Neighbors come together to speak out against corporate landlords

Dozens of protesters drove into Charlotte to speak out against corporate landlords.

This move comes after residents say they have been mistreated, fined, and even evicted for minor issues.

They told Channel 9s Almiya White that they just want to live in peace, but over the last few months, they feel like they are being targeted.

They are now demanding more housing security.

Action NC said the concerns of these residents caught their attention. This led to protestors gathering to fight for tenant rights and tenant protection.

Some residents told Channel 9 that they own their mobile homes, but the landlord will only allow them to be on a month-to-month lease for the land itself.

ALSO READ: US Senate bill would limit how many homes corporate landlords can own

Action NC said this is a tactic used by landlords to easily evict tenants, whereas a lease contract gives tenants more security.

Neighbors also expressed that they are often hit with fines of up to $150 for leaving small items on their porch or front yard.

They also said they feel like their landlord is discriminating against them because they are Hispanic.

Thats what we want ... to live in peace, you know. Its not like were living here for free. Everyone pays their rent. On top of that, we pay for things like parking and all of these violations, one neighbor said.

Residents are now calling for the landlord to transfer the title so they can own their land.

Channel 9 reached out to the landlord Monday afternoon regarding residents concerns but has not heard back.

VIDEO: US Senate bill would limit how many homes corporate landlords can own
















Nemo dolphinarium may have branches in Russia and connections to United Russia party

The activities of the Nemo dolphinarium network, which had previously been accused of animal abuse, have shown possible ties with Russia.

This is claimed in the special investigation by journalists of the UAnimals Media and the Molfar OSINT agency.

The first Nemo dolphinarium opened in 2005. Nerum Limited Liability Company invested in this project.

"All of the owners of the Nerum company (or their namesakes) are also the founders of the Russian Ecological Centre LLC.

The corporation is headquartered in Anapa, Russia, and it continues to operate and contribute to the Russian budget. For example, in 2022 it contributed RUB 500.000 (at the present rate, this is more than US$5.500 in the state budget of the country that started a full-scale war with Ukraine)," the journalists reported.

Raisa Kyslovska, the mother of Andrii Kyslovskyi, a Communist Party of Ukraine delegate in the Odesa City Council, is a co-owner of the dolphinarium network. The data obtained by investigative journalists says Kyslovskyi has a temporary address of residence in Russia.

It is also known that Nemo has close ties to other Russian enterprises, including Chudnoe Morye, which is owned by Sergei Zirinov, a United Russia party MP. He was accused of murder and forming a gang, being sentenced to 21 years.

"From 2011 to 2013, this Russian company had a partnership with the company Nerum and hosted marine animals on behalf of the Ecological Centre limited liability company."

According to UAnimals Media, the companies most likely maintained their relationship even after Russia annexed Crimea and invaded Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in 2014.

Tatyana Ryabchikova and Nerum LLC established Nemo Dolphinarium at 10 Revkomovsky Lane in Alushta in 2014, after Russia had invaded Crimea. In fact, one of the dolphinariums still exists there.

Furthermore, the dolphinarium network has branches in Russian cities  in particular, Anapa, Nizhny Novgorod, Dzhubga, the town of Golubitskaya, and Vityazevo.

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A neo-Nazi group displayed a Nazi flag on the steps of South Dakotas state capitol as they held rallies in the state. (Rich Sattgast/Facebook)

A neo-Nazi group displayed a Nazi flag on the steps of South Dakotas state capitol building as the group of extremists attempted to hold a rally on Saturday.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem condemned the rally, which was held just two days after the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Today, Nazis attempted to rally at the SD Capitol without a permit and were escorted away by Highway Patrol officers. Nazis are not welcome here in South Dakota. she wrote on her personal X account.

We stand on the shoulders of generations of Americans who have fought for the Freedom of all  here and abroad. We stand for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We reject all hatred and Nazis. Full stop.

Christopher Pohlhaus, leader of Blood Tribe, claimed his members were responsible for unfurling the swastika flag and that it was in response to Noems online comments about the rally.

We occupied your steps for the entire time we intended to be there, then slowly swaggered off to chant an entire lap around your house, Pohlhaus wrote on X.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, the Blood Tribe is a neo-Nazi group whose goal is to normalize the swastika, usher in a resurgence of Nazi ideas and ultimately build a white ethnostate occupied, controlled and led by Aryans.

A neo-Nazi group displayed a Nazi flag on the steps of South Dakotas state capitol as they held rallies in the state. (Rich Sattgast/Facebook)

The group has reportedly held rallies across the country since March 2023, with members masked and dressed in red and black,who perform Hitler salutes and white power chants.

Videos and photos posted on social media show a group of people wearing red shirts, black pants and black masks in front of the entrance of the capitol. Three of the individuals were holding up the Nazi flag.

State Auditor Rich Sattgast posted on social media that he confronted the group in Pierre.

As a veteran, and the son of a WWII veteran, and the grandson of one of the first to enter Dachau, I in no way will apologize for my language towards this hateful group of scum, Sattgast wrote on Facebook. They have their right of speech, but we must exercise ours as well. First they came

Department of Public Safety spokesperson Brad Reiners confirmed to The Argus Leader the rally took place, but they did not have a permit to organize it.

He did not say which group was responsible, but said they immediately complied when South Dakota Highway Patrol officers told them to leave. No charges have been filed, Reiners said.

Another group of people wearing similar attire were rallying in downtown Deadwood later that same day.

State House Majority Leader Will Mortenson, who lives in Fort Pierre, a city adjacent to the state capitol, also commented on the rally, according to The Argus Leader.

I dont know what rock they crawled out from under, but they arent welcome here, he said. Time to move along.

A statement provided by the NAACP said the infiltration of Nazis into our public spaces is not just an isolated incident but a glaring indication of a larger, more systemic issue of rising hate and intolerance.

This abhorrent display of hatred and bigotry is a direct threat to the values of equality, justice, and freedom that our society strives to uphold,

The presence of such individuals in a place meant to symbolize democracy and inclusion is unacceptable. We demand immediate answers and swift action to uncover how these individuals were able to infiltrate and freely display their hateful ideology on public grounds.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked opposition leader Benny Gantz to reconsider his decision to leave the emergency government, which was formed in the immediate aftermath of the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7.

Israel is in an existential war on several fronts. Benny, this is not the time to abandon the campaign  this is the time to join forces, Netanyahu said in a post on the social platform X, as Gantz was announcing his decision to resign from the War Cabinet.

Netanyahu, in his statement, pledged to press on in the war against Hamas, the governing body of Gaza, despite the departure of the centrist leader.

Citizens of Israel, we will continue until victory and the achievement of all the goals of the war, primarily the release of all our hostages and the elimination of Hamas, Netanyahu said.

My door will remain open to any Zionist party that is ready to get under the stretcher and assist in bringing victory over our enemies and ensuring the safety of our citizens.

Gantz, a former military chief, has grown increasingly critical of Netanyahus government since the war began and threatened to resign from his post three weeks ago if Netanyahus government did not adopt a new plan for the end of the war in Gaza. He set June 8 as his deadline.

In announcing his decision to leave the government, Gantz said Sunday that Netanyahu is making total victory impossible and that the country must prioritize returning the hostages above political survival, The Associated Press reported.

The announcement comes a day after Israeli forces rescued four hostages in the largest such mission since the war began.

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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY)  The city of Newport News received a national award for their efforts to address gun violence and offer mental health support.

Newport News was named the winner for the All-America City 2024, according to a social media post by the program.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
(AP)  According to news reports, Hunter Bidens lawyers rested their case Monday in the federal criminal trial of the presidents son, whos accused of lying about his drug use when he bought a gun in 2018.

Prosecutors have argued the evidence is clear that Hunter Biden was in the throes of addiction when he checked no on the form at the gun shop that asked whether he was an unlawful user of, or addicted to drugs.

Hunter Bidens addiction struggles before getting sober more than five years ago are well documented. But defense lawyers argued that prosecutors failed to prove he was using drugs in the 11 days that he possessed the gun.

Trump fumes over tech problems at his Las Vegas rally, threatens not to pay the crew

Hunter Biden is charged with three felonies stemming from the October 2018 purchase of a gun he had for about 11 days. Prosecutors say he lied on a mandatory gun-purchase form by saying he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.

Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty and has accused the Justice Department of bending to political pressure from former President Donald Trump and other Republicans to bring the case and separate tax charges after a deal with prosecutors fell apart last year. Hunter Biden has said he has been sober since 2019, but his attorneys have said he did not consider himself an addict when he filled out the form.

FILE  Hunter Biden arrives to federal court, June 6, 2024, in Wilmington, Del. The criminal trial of President Joe Bidens son heads into the pivotal final stretch Monday, June 11, as the defense argues prosecutors have failed to prove their federal gun case against Hunter Biden. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Hunter Biden arrives to federal court, Friday, June 7, 2024, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Hunter Biden, left, arrives to federal court with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The case has put spotlight on a turbulent time in Hunter Bidens life after his brother Beaus 2015 death. First Lady Jill Biden has watched it unfold from the front row of the courtroom. President Biden was away in France much of last week, and heads to Europe again this week for the Group of Seven leaders meeting in Italy.

Hunter Bidens struggles with a substance addiction before getting sober more than five years ago are well documented. But defense lawyers argue theres no evidence Hunter Biden was actually using drugs in the 11 days that he possessed the gun. He had completed a rehab program weeks earlier.

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Jurors have heard emotional and tawdry testimony from Hunter Bidens former romantic partners and read personal text messages. Theyve seen photos of Hunter Biden holding a crack pipe and partly clothed, and video from his phone of crack cocaine weighed on a scale.

His ex-wife and two onetime girlfriends testified for prosecutors about his habitual crack use and their failed efforts to help him get clean. One woman, who met Hunter Biden in 2017 at a strip club where she worked, described him smoking crack every 20 minutes or so while she stayed with him at a hotel.

Hunter Biden hasnt taken the witness stand and its unclear if he will. But jurors have heard him describe at length his descent into addiction through audio excerpts played in court of his 2021 memoir Beautiful Things. The book, written after he got sober, covers the period he had the gun but doesnt mention it specifically.

A key witness for prosecutors is Beaus widow, Hallie, who had a brief troubled relationship with Hunter after his brother died of brain cancer. She found the unloaded gun in Hunters truck on Oct. 23, 2018, panicked and tossed it into a garbage can at a grocery store in Wilmington, where a man inadvertently fished it out of the trash.

I didnt want him to hurt himself, and I didnt want my kids to find it and hurt themselves, Hallie Biden told jurors.

From the time Hunter returned to Delaware from a 2018 trip to California until she threw his gun away, she did not see him using drugs, Hallie told jurors. That time period included the day he bought the weapon. But jurors also saw text messages Hunter sent to Hallie in October 2018 saying he was waiting for a dealer and smoking crack. The first message was sent the day after he bought the gun. The second was sent the following day.

The defense has suggested Hunter Biden had been trying to turn his life around at the time of the gun purchase, having completed a detoxification and rehabilitation program at the end of August 2018.

There is no evidence of contemporaneous drug use and a gun possession, defense lawyer Abbe Lowell wrote in court papers filed Friday. It was only after the gun was thrown away and the ensuing stress  that the government was able to then find the same type of evidence of his use (e.g., photos, use of drug lingo) that he relapsed with drugs.

Hunter Bidens daughter Naomi took the stand for the defense Friday, telling jurors about visiting her father while he was at a California rehab center weeks before he bought the gun. She told jurors that he had seemed hopeful and to be improving, and she told him she was proud of him. As she was dismissed from the stand, she paused to hug her dad before leaving the courtroom.

The defense on Friday did not rule out calling one more witness, but it was unclear who that could be. Hunters lawyers had previously said they planned to call as a witness Joe Bidens brother, James and he was at the courthouse on Friday. Testimony from other family members could open the door for more deeply personal messages to be introduced to the jury.

President Joe Biden said last week that he would accept the jurys verdict and has ruled out a pardon for his son. First Lady Jill Biden was in court every day last week to support Hunter, except on Thursday when she was with the president in France for D-Day anniversary events.

It looked as if Hunter Biden would have avoided prosecution in the gun case altogether, but a deal last summer with prosecutors imploded after U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was nominated to the bench by Republican former President Donald Trump, raised concerns about it. Hunter Biden was subsequently indicted on three felony gun charges. He also faces a trial scheduled for September on felony charges alleging he failed to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes over four years.

If convicted in the gun case, 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.

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A 17-year-old girl previously illegally deported to Russia has been returned to her family in Ukraine, the humanitarian NGO Save Ukraine reported on June 9.

At least 19,500 children have been confirmed as abducted by Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and less than 400 of them have returned home, according to the Ukrainian government's database.

Save Ukraine arranged for the rescue of 17-year-old Ilona, saying the process presented difficulties.

"Despite a number of difficult challenges, the Save Ukraine team managed to make every effort, and the abducted girl is finally on her native Ukrainian land," the NGO announced on its Facebook page.

"Ahead of her is a meeting with her mother. We are happy to be involved in this incredible mission."

Ukrainian children who have been forcibly deported to Russia are subject to systemic re-education efforts by Russian authorities, according to a report published in the Guardian on Feb. 4.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Childrens Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for allegedly overseeing the forced deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The New Mexico Supreme Court upheld the first-degree murder conviction of Christopher Huble of Alamogordo for killing a man in 2020 he found with his on-again, off-again girlfriend, the Supreme Court announced in a news release.

The court unanimously rejected Hubles arguments on appeal that the trial judge wrongly denied a requested jury instruction on what is necessary under the law for a justifiable killing in self-defense, according to the news release.

In a nonprecedential decision written by Chief Justice David K. Thomson, the Court concluded that the evidence offered in this case was not sufficient to warrant an instruction on self-defense, the news release stated.

Huble was sentenced to life in prison for killing Harley Benedict after he discovered the man with Jenine Gurule in the bedroom of a house he owned. Huble and Gurule previously lived there together, but Huble had moved out. After ordering Gurule and Benedict to leave, Huble walked to a friends trailer and returned with an AK-47 assault rifle. Benedict was shot as he ran toward Huble after exiting the house. Benedict was unarmed.

The Court found that Huble provoked the fatal encounter, and made a show of potentially deadly force by brandishing the AK-47 and calling for Benedict to come outside the house, according to the news release.

The Court wrote that in response to the lethal situation Defendant created, no reasonable juror could conclude that Victims actions in leaving the house and running at Defendant from a distance could have created an apparent danger of death or great bodily harm justifying a self-defense instruction, the news release stated.

The Court also rejected an argument by Huble that his conviction should be reversed because the trial judge instructed the jury that New Mexico law does not allow a landlord to unilaterally act outside the legal system to forcefully evict a tenant or someone invited to the property by its owner.

The instruction is plainly irrelevant to the facts of this case as no evidence or theory indicated that Defendant killed Victim while trying to evict him, there was no rental agreement, Defendant was not a landlord, Gurule was not a tenant, and Victim was not an invitee, the Court wrote. For these reasons, the instruction should not have been given, but that does not make it error.

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Linguist and public intellectual Noam Chomsky, photographed in Brazil on Sept. 20, 2018. Credit - Heuler AndreyAFP/Getty Images

Over the weekend, a number of tributes to public intellectual Noam Chomsky were posted on social media, remarking on his life and career. But the 95-year-old linguist, by all public accounts, is not dead yet.

Whats been said about Noam Chomskys health status?

The outpouring came after U.K.-based outlet Media Lens posted on Facebook on June 7: No doubt like many other people around the world, we have been surprised and profoundly concerned that Noam Chomsky has not commented publicly on current events; in particular, the Israeli genocide of Palestinians. Media Lens followed with a series of purported updates on Chomskys condition, sourced to Reddit posts by Chomskys former assistant Bev Stohl, and concluding that it is very unlikely he will return to the public eye.

Chomskywho in one of his last media appearances said in April last year that he first started talking publicly about the criminal nature of Israels actions in 1969 but that he regretted not speaking out earlier about the repression of Palestinianshas been noticeably absent from public eye over the past year. Some have also pointed out that Chomsky, who was well-known for regularly responding to emails sent to him, has not engaged in such communication since last June.

Stohl, who worked as Chomskys office manager at MIT for 24 years until her retirement in 2017 and is the author of a 2023 memoir Chomsky and Me, responded in September on Reddit to a user asking about Chomskys condition: He was active through mid June. I know its hard not knowing for sure whats happening. He is taking a much-needed rest after a very stressful time. Stohl commented in January on another Reddit discussion that her former boss remains out of commission due to a medical event last June [that] has necessitated his pulling back completely. I wish I could be more specific.

On Feb. 5, Stohl posted on Reddit that she was in contact with a close family member and that Chomsky is still with us, now watching the news (he doesnt look happy about what hes watching). I will answer basic questions and give you updates as the family member Im in touch with feels comfortable. Stohl commented on the post on April 23 to add that Noam has not made significant progress, Im sorry to say. I doubt he will be able to return to the public eye, as he is not communicating much if at all. In a since-removed April 25 comment, she added: His ability to speak is complicated by factors I cant yet disclose. When the relative Im in touch with visited him a month ago, he did not communicate with her. He is not ambulatory. Im not sure for how long this will go on. He is not in pain. Stohl later edited the post to say that Chomskys family is very private and she will no longer be adding to this discussion.

Stohl, in a statement sent to TIME after publication, expressed regret that Media Lens exposed what she said was never intended to be revealed to the public. She added that Chomskys family does not want anything revealed aside from the fact that Noam is out of the public eye for medical reasons and emphasized that it is up to them to decide when and how more information is publicized. Neither Chomsky nor his wife and correspondence manager Valeria responded immediately to TIMEs requests for comment.

How have social media users reacted?

While Chomskys health status has yet to be confirmed, the speculation about his deterioration has been met with both praise for and condemnation of him.

Nathan Robinson, the founder and editor of socialist magazine Current Affairs, is one of several leftist media figures who paid homage to Chomsky. Robinson, who is the co-author with Chomsky of the forthcoming book The Myth of American Idealism: How U.S. Foreign Policy Endangers the World, said on X: So many thousands of people have stories about how he has changed their lives. He certainly changed mine. (Robinson told TIME he had no other information to share than whats already public.)

Chomsky has been unbelievably kind over the years I've known him. He treats everyone as an equal. Doesn't care who you are. He would give as much of his time to a high school student as some celebrity or NYT reporter. And devoted himself to attacking cruelty and injustice. https://t.co/6aQBZSSSQX  Nathan J Robinson (@NathanJRobinson) June 8, 2024

British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan posted to his 1.5 million X followers: Sending prayers Noams way. There has been no one else like him in our lifetime.

Jon Schwarz, a former senior writer at The Intercept, described the Facebook post by Media Lens about Chomskys condition as extremely distressing and urged people to focus on gratitude for everything hes given us for so long. Meanwhile, Aaron Mate, a Canadian journalist for far-left site The Grayzone, thanked Chomsky for a lifetime of immeasurable service to humanity.

An intellectual giant in an age of confusion, misinformation & soundbites, Scottish activist and publisher of literary journal Rebel Inc. Kevin Williamson posted on X.

Hearing Noam Chomsky's health has deteriorated to the point it now prevents him from writing, commenting or participating in the public domain. As an educator he has been without equal. An intellectual giant in an age of confusion, misinformation & soundbites. Thank you, Noam.  pic.twitter.com/fFx327H3cX  Kevin Williamson (@williamsonkev) June 7, 2024

Chomsky is best weve ever had or ever will have, Sam Haselby, senior editor of Aeon Magazine, added. Toni Morrison wrote its great good fortune to miss someone before theyre gone.

Others, however, have used the newfound attention on Chomsky to criticize his controversial stances. James Rushton, a Ukraine-based policy analyst, posted on X: Incredibly sad to hear Noam Chomsky has apparently denied his last genocide. And Australian political activist Drew Pavlou added, amid the flow of premature eulogies, that Chomsky managed to outlive most of the victims of the Cambodian Genocide by about 45 years. Chomsky has been accused of defending the brutal regime of Pol Pot as well as of downplaying the massacre of Bosnians.

Who is Noam Chomsky?

Chomsky, born Avram Noam Chomsky to Jewish immigrants in Philadelphia in December 1928, is one of the most cited scholars in modern history. He joined the staff of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1955 and became an emeritus professor in 2002 until he moved to the University of Arizona in 2017 as a laureate professor. Though Chomsky is credited with revolutionizing the field of linguistics, he became better known to the wider world as a prominent anti-war activist and prolific social and political commentator, noted for his criticism of capitalism and American imperialism.

Chomsky has described his own politics variously as anarchist, anarchosyndicalist, and libertarian socialist, according to a biography on his website. He rose to prominence as an outspoken opponent of the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam war and went on to write or co-write dozens of books, including his Orwell Award-winning 1988 critique of mass media Manufacturing Consent. In 2005, Chomsky was voted the worlds top public intellectual in a global poll.

Chomsky recently came under scrutiny for his reported association with financier and convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, whom Chomsky said he met occasionally to discuss geopolitics with and consulted for help moving money between his own accounts.

In June 2023, British journalist Piers Morgan asked Chomsky, during what may have been his final media appearance, If you could write your own heading on your own tombstone: Here lies Noam Chomsky. He What would you like the rest of that sentence to say?

Chomsky replied: He tried his best.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is welcoming a new chancellor. Karrie Dixon will be the HBCUs 13th chancellor starting July 1.

North Carolina Central has a rich legacy and history, and the role that it plays in the community is strong, Dixon said in an announcement meeting on Thursday, according to The News & Observer. I just want to leverage that and build partnerships across Durham.

#NCCUCommunity | We are excited to announce that Dr. Karrie G. Dixon will join NCCU as our 13th Chancellor. Her dedication to higher education will be instrumental in helping NCCU soar to new heights. Learn more at https://t.co/HI14IjPmzw! | #NCCUEagleInChief #EaglePride #HBCU pic.twitter.com/9lEyY6ggSz  North Carolina Central University (@NCCU) June 6, 2024

She said her new role is a dream come true.

NCCU embodies grit, innovation, leadership, purpose and legacy, and I am committed to building on our rich traditions and ensuring that our students, faculty, staff and alumni have the tools and opportunities necessary to succeed, Dixon added in a press release. I cant wait to engage with all the possibilities that Durham has to offer.

The search for a new chancellor drew in over 50 candidates. NCCU President Peter Hans referred to Dixon as one of the finest academic leaders our state has produced in a long time.

Shes known for building great teams and taking on big challenges with honesty and optimism, he said in a press release, according to the news outlet. Im excited for NC Central and grateful to Chancellor Dixon for her commitment to this state.

Prior to her new position, Dixon was the chancellor of Elizabeth City State University. She said her decision to leave was difficult but noted that she was excited about this new opportunity. Dixon received her undergraduate and doctoral degrees from NC State University, as well as a masters degree from UNC Greensboro. She has worked in the UNC System for 23 years, with roles that ranged from lecturer to administrator.
It's not just convicts. Russia is forcing its African migrants and students to fight for them in Ukraine.

It's not just convicts. Russia is forcing its African migrants and students to fight for them in Ukraine.

Russia is replenishing its troops with an unlikely source  African migrants and students.

Thousands of Africans have been forced to join in Russia's war against Ukraine, per Bloomberg.

The country has also been plugging its manpower gaps by sending prison inmates to the battlefield.

Russia is forcing thousands of African migrants and students to join in their war efforts against Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on Sunday, citing assessments from European officials.

According to Bloomberg's report, Russian officials have threatened not to renew the visas of African migrant workers and students if they didn't join the Russian Armed Forces.

Some African workers have even been threatened with deportation if they do not agree to fight in Ukraine, one European official told Bloomberg. Others have resorted to bribing Russian officials to stay out of the conflict, per the outlet.

A spokeswoman for Russia's foreign ministry did not respond to Bloomberg's request for comment.

This wouldn't be the first time the country has turned to unorthodox and controversial recruitment measures to replenish its troops.

Russia's reliance on attrition warfare has seen it continually drawing on its prison population to fuel its war effort.

In October, Russia's Deputy Justice Minister Vsevolod Vukolov said the country's prison population had plunged to a historic low of 266,000, per The Washington Post. Russia's prison population stood at 420,000 before the war.

In fact, Russia has recruited so many inmates that it has started to close down some of its prisons.

A local official told lawmakers in March that some prisons had to be shut down because of "a one-time large reduction in the number of convicts," per the Russian newspaper Kommersant.

But conscripting its migrant population could put further pressure on the Russian economy, which has been grappling with severe labor shortages.

"Unemployment is 3%, and in some regions, it is even lower," Russian Central Bank Gov. Elvira Nabiullina told lawmakers in November. "This means there are practically no workers left in the economy."

Representatives for Russia's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
NPS mourns loss of ranger who died on-duty after falling at Bryce Canyon in Utah

Bryce Canyon has some of the darkest skies in America accessible by paved road.

A 78-year-old ranger at the Bryce Canyon National Park died due to injuries he sustained after he tripped and fell while on-duty.

Tom Lorig was working with park visitors, directing them to a shuttle bus, at Bryce Canyons annual Astronomy Festival around 11:30 p.m. Friday when he fell and struck his head on a large rock, the National Park Service said in a news release.

A visitor found Lorig unresponsive and immediately alerted a law enforcement ranger. Park rangers, medically trained bystanders, and local EMS personnel provided Lorig with initial lifesaving care but were unable to revive him, NPS said.

Deceased worked was a volunteer park ranger

Lorig, who served as registered nurse in Seattle for 40 years, worked with the NPS as a permanent, seasonal, and volunteer park ranger.

He began his work with the National Park Service at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in June of 1968 and served at 14 national park sites including Badlands, Bryce Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, El Malpais, Florissant Fossil Beds, Glen Canyon, Klondike Gold Rush, Mount Rainier, New River Gorge, Olympic, Saguaro, Yosemite, Zion, and Dinosaur National Monument, "of which he was especially fond," NPS said.

A 78-year-old ranger at the Bryce Canyon National Park, Tom Lorig, died due to injuries he sustained after he tripped and fell while on-duty.

Tom Lorig served Bryce Canyon, the National Park Service, and the public as an interpretive park ranger, forging connections between the world and these special places that he loved, said Park Superintendent Jim Ireland, said in a statement.

As our community processes and grieves this terrible loss, we extend our deepest condolences to all of Ranger Lorigs family and friends."

Ireland also thanked NPS officials, emergency services staff and local bystanders who helped in administering first-aid to the ranger.

Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah, within a couple hours drive of both Zion National Park and Capitol Reef National Park and about four hours from Salt Lake City.

Bryce Canyon is the smallest and highest of Utah's "Mighty 5" national parks at 56 square miles and an average elevation of 8,000 feet (some areas top 9,000 feet above sea level).

Contributing: Eve Chen, USA TODAY

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bryce Canyon ranger death: NPS mourns loss of Tom Lorig in Utah
GAZA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) announced on Monday that it welcomes a resolution adopted by the UN Security Council earlier in the day aimed at reaching a comprehensive ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza.

Hamas expressed in a statement its readiness to cooperate with the mediators to engage in indirect negotiations to implement resolution principles "that are consistent with the demands of our people and resistance," including a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, prisoner-hostage exchange and reconstruction.

The movement reiterated its commitment to continuing its "endeavor and struggle" for the Palestinian people's national rights.

The Palestinian presidency hailed the adoption of the resolution as a step in the right direction to stop the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian News Agency WAFA reported.

The Palestinian presidency also called on all parties to fulfill their responsibilities to implement the resolution.

The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution aimed at reaching a comprehensive ceasefire deal in three phases to end the war in Gaza.

Adopted by a large majority with 14 votes in favor and Russia abstaining, the resolution also urges both parties to the conflict to fully implement the terms of the proposal "without delay and without condition." 
Photo illustration by Getty Images.

Births continued a historic slide in all but two states last year, making it clear that a brief post-pandemic uptick in the nations birth numbers was all about planned pregnancies that had been delayed temporarily by COVID-19.

Only Tennessee and North Dakota had small increases in births from 2022 to 2023, according to a Stateline analysis of provisional federal data on births. In California, births dropped by 5%, or nearly 20,000, for the year. And as is the case in most other states, there will be repercussions now and later for schools and the workforce, said Hans Johnson, a senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California who follows birth trends.

These effects are already being felt in a lot of school districts in California. Which schools are going to close? Thats a contentious issue, Johnson said.

In the short term, having fewer births means lower state costs for services such as subsidized day care and public schools at a time when aging baby boomers are straining resources. But eventually, the lack of people could affect workforces needed both to pay taxes and to fuel economic growth.

Nationally, births fell by 2% for the year, similar to drops before the pandemic, after rising slightly the previous two years and plummeting 4% in 2020.

Mostly what these numbers show is (that) the long-term decline in births, aside from the COVID-19 downward spike and rebound, is continuing, said Phillip Levine, a Wellesley College economics professor.

To keep population the same over the long term, the average woman needs to have 2.1 children during her lifetime  a metric that is considered the replacement rate for a population. Even in 2022 every state fell below that rate, according to final data for 2022 released in April. The rate ranged from a high of 2.0 in South Dakota to less than 1.4 in Oregon and Vermont.

Trends for Latina women

The declines in births werent as steep in some heavily Hispanic states where abortion was restricted in 2022, including Texas and the election battleground state of Arizona. Births were down only 1% in Arizona and Texas. When health clinics closed, many women might have been unable to get reliable birth control or, if they became pregnant, to get an abortion.

Young adults are still getting used to a recovering economy, including childbearing.

 William Frey, Brookings Institution demographer

Hispanic births rose in states where abortion is most restricted, even as non-Hispanic births fell in the same states, according to the Stateline analysis. Its hard, however, to tell how much of a role abortion access played compared with immigration and people moving to growing states such as Texas and Florida.

In states where abortion access is most protected, births fell for both Hispanic and non-Hispanic women.

The big takeaway to me is the likely increase in poverty for all family members, including children, in families affected by lack of access (to abortion and birth control), said Elizabeth Gregory, director of the Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality at the University of Houston.

Many of the nations most Hispanic states where abortion and birth control are more freely available saw the biggest decreases in births: about 5% in California, Maryland, Nevada and New Mexico.

Hispanic women as a group are facing more challenges in accessing reproductive care, including both contraception and abortion, Gregory said in a university report earlier this year. Unplanned births often directly impact womens workforce participation and negatively affect the income levels of their families.

Hispanic women on average have more children than Black or white women. Their fertility rates rose throughout much of the 1980s and 1990s, then fell in the late 2000s to near the same level as other groups. Thats because both abortion and more reliable birth control became more widely available, Gregory said.

The fact that some of the steepest drops were in heavily Hispanic states outside of Arizona and Texas suggests that Latina women are continuing a path toward smaller and delayed families typical of other groups.

Most of the decline in California has been associated with fewer babies born to Hispanic women, especially immigrants, said Johnson, of the Public Policy Institute of California.

California has a high share of Latinos compared to other states, and so fertility declines in that group have a huge effect on the overall decline in California, he said. California was above replacement fertility as recently as 2008, he added, and would still be there if Hispanic fertility had not dropped. California is about 40% Hispanic, about the same as Texas and second only to New Mexico at 50%.

Birth rates also declined steeply in heavily Hispanic Nevada and New Mexico, with each dropping about 4% from 2022 to 2023. But Arizona, Florida and Texas, also in the top 10 states for Hispanic population share but faster-growing, saw relatively small drops of about 1%.

Texas banned almost all abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022. The state also requires parental consent for birth control, a rule thats included federally funded family planning centers since a lower court ruling that same year.

Arizona also saw the number of abortions drop in 2022. After the high courts Dobbs vs. Jackson decision, an Arizona judge revived enforcement of a near-total ban on the procedure that was enacted in the Civil War era. Many clinics closed and never reopened.

Abortions in the state plummeted from more than 1,000 a month early in 2022 to 220 in July 2022, and never fully recovered, according to state records. The rate of abortions dropped 19% for the year. Births that year increased slightly, by 500, over 2021.

In Texas, Gregorys research at the University of Houston research saw an effect on Hispanic births when an abortion ban took effect in 2021. Fertility rates rose 8% that year for Hispanic women 25 and older, according to the report.

Both Texas and Arizona also are growing quickly, making the smaller decreases in births harder to interpret, Arizona State Demographer Jim Chang noted. Chang declined comment on the effect of abortion accessibility on state birth rates.

Budget effects

Overall, the continuing fall in birth numbers could have significant effects on state budgets in the future. The slide augurs more enrollment declines for state-funded public schools already facing more dropouts since the pandemic.

The decline we see in enrollment since COVID-19 is a bigger problem than just the decline in birth rates, said Sofoklis Goulas, an economic studies fellow at the Brookings Institution. Rural schools and urban high schools have been particularly hard hit, according to a Brookings report Goulas authored this year.

We dont have a clear answer. We suspect a lot of people are doing home education or going to charter schools and private schools but were not sure, Goulas told Stateline.

Still, states need to recognize declining births as an emerging factor in state budgets to avoid future budget shortfalls, said Jeff Chapman, a research director who monitors the trend at The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Nationally, births did increase slightly for women older than 40, indicating a continuing trend toward delayed parenthood, said William Frey, a demographer at Brookings.

The last two post-pandemic years do not necessarily indicate longer-term trends, Frey said. Young adults are still getting used to a recovering economy, including childbearing.

This article was produced by Stateline which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

The post The number of births continues to fall, despite abortion bans appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Hermitage Health Care on Mill Street in Worcester is one of the 16 facilities that Next Step Healthcare operates in Central Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office announced Monday that it has reached a $4 million settlement with a Woburn-based nursing home conglomerate that operates 16 facilities across the state, including three in Central Massachusetts, after an investigation found inadequate staffing levels over the course of four years that led to neglect of residents.

The settlement is the largest involving a nursing home operator that has ever been reached by the Attorney Genera's Office, according to a press release from the office.

Included in the settlement is a requirement that the operator, Next Step Healthcare, pay for an independent monitor to review its facilities every six months and issue a report to the state.

Investigators launched the probe in 2019 amid complaints made to the state Department of Public Health that, even as it struggled with staffing levels, the facilities made employee cutbacks.

The lack of both certified and noncertified nursing assistants continued despite new state regulations promulgated in April 2021 that mandated specific staffing levels and requirements, the attorney general's office said. The state alleges that the reductions were made without consideration of patient needs and led to resident neglect and harm.

For years, Next Step prioritized profit over care by failing to adequately staff its nursing homes, said Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. I am proud of my teams efforts in securing this settlement, the largest of its kind, which will send a message that this conduct will not be tolerated and ensure that Next Steps facilities comply with staffing requirements moving forward, assuring that vulnerable elderly residents receive the proper care they need.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell

Where are the 16 care facilities owned and operated by the company located?

Next Step Healthcare's co-founders and co-owners are Damien DellAnno and William Stephan. Three of its facilities are located in Worcester County, according to the company website: Fitchburg Healthcare in Fitchburg, The Hermitage Healthcare in Worcester and Westborough Healthcare in Westborough.

The other locations are in Attleborough, Fall River, Lee, Malden, Melrose, Middleborough, Newton, Norwood, Plymouth, Taunton and Walpole.

Calls to Next Step Healthcare were not immediately answered.

In addition to the lack of caregivers, the state alleges that submissions for reimbursement made to MassHealth violated the Massachusetts False Claims Act and Consumer Protection Act, as well as a law protecting seniors from elder abuse and neglect in nursing homes.

Most of the $4 million settlement, $3.25 million, will be managed by the independent compliance monitor and used over the next three years for staffing improvements, for both recruitment and retention of staff as well as to pay overtime, salary increases and to provide bonuses for staff.

According to the Attorney General's Office, the balance of the funds, $750,000, will be paid to the state and split between MassHealth and a special fund administered by the Department of Public Health that is designed to improve the quality of care at long-term care facilities.

The compliance monitor will be tasked with reviewing the quality of care offered at half of the companys facilities; the state did not indicate which ones are being targeted.

Campbell launched an elder justice unit in 2023, her first year in office, to address issues pertaining to abuse, neglect and harm of the states senior citizens, within their homes and in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. In addition, Campbell has worked with state lawmakers to strengthen civil enforcement tools and joined a consortium of state attorneys general who sent letters to the federal Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services advocating for stronger minimum staffing requirements at the facilities.

Campbells commitment to protecting Massachusetts seniors was echoed by Kate Walsh, secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services.

We have an obligation to create a safe and caring environment for some of our most vulnerable residents in Massachusetts, said Kate Walsh, secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services. I am grateful to the Attorney Generals Office for their work to ensure protections and appropriate measures are taken when patients cant speak up for themselves.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Next Step Healthcare $4 million settlement with Mass. AG's office
NY crime data shows rise outside NYC in 2023. What caused the hike? See the data

Rising store thefts and a surge in stolen cars in 2023 boosted New York's crime total for the second year in a row in all parts of the state outside New York City, according to recently released crime data.

Violent crime dropped by 4% in those places since the previous year. But driving up the overall crime counts were two known problems that police and state and local officials have been trying to curb, including a car-stealing spree fueled by social media that soared to epic levels in Rochester and Buffalo.

What did overall crime look like in NY in 2022 and 2023?

The net result was around 193,000 reported crimes, a 21% jump over two years. Much of that was due to a 2022 spike in larcenies, which consist of non-violent thefts such as shoplifting.

Some 133,000 in all were reported last year, the largest share by far of the seven crime counts compiled by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services.

The state excluded New York City from its preliminary figures for last year because of what it said was a technical obstacle: the city switched its data collection system. Figures reported separately by New York City show its total crime stayed the same at around 127,000 in 2023, following a rise in 2021 and jump in 2022.

Fewer homicides: 'Biggest challenge': Homicides dropped in 2023. Rochester led the way in national decrease

Pandemic crime spikes going down. Are they back to pre-2020 levels?

Some of the most alarming crime increases in New York that mirrored national trends during the pandemic have slowed or reversed.

Outside New York City, murders jumped in 2020 and ticked up the following year, but plunged over the next two and totaled 249 in 2023  the same as in 2019, the last year before the pandemic struck.

Total shootings in Rochester, Yonkers, Syracuse and a dozen other cities and counties where the state tracks gun violence fell in 2023 for the second year in a row. Gun-related injuries in those jurisdictions had leaped in 2020 and 2021. Rochester's total nearly doubled over two years to 350 in 2021; by last year it had dropped to 247.

Crime levels are starting to return to pre-pandemic levels, but it may take another year to recover fully from the pandemic's social disruptions, said Christopher Herrmann, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City.

"My hope is that by 2025 things will be 'back to normal,'" Herrmann said.

A 2022 photo of an Ohio KIA vehicle whose owner is part of the "Columbus Kia/Hyundai Theft Victims" Facebook group and was extensively damaged when it was recovered by police. (Credit: Provided)

Much of the continued rise in larcenies can be attributed to lingering effects of the pandemic, he argued. Police took a more hands-off approach toward minor crimes early in the crisis  at least partly due to risk of infection  and store thefts rose, as thieves saw little risk of being caught or facing jail or severe penalties if they are, Herrmann said.

He also put some blame on the state's 2019 bail reforms, which largely stopped judges from putting defendants in jail for lower-level charges while their cases are pending. Those changes set off years of political friction, with Republicans claiming they spurred repeat offenses and Democrats  Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders  making a series of adjustments in the new rules to give judges more leeway.

Here are crime totals for places outside New York City in 2023 and how they compared to 2019 levels:

Larceny: 133,047 (10.9% increase)

Vehicle theft: 20,615 (186.6% increase)

Burglary: 16,862 (5.2% decrease)

Aggravated assault: 15,054 (13.4% increase)

Robbery: 4,407 (5.8% decrease)

Rape: 3,164 (18.6% decrease)

Murder: 249 (no change)

NY's worst crime problem in 2023: Rash of Kia, Hyundai thefts

As violent crimes decreased in New York last year, car thefts skyrocketed.

In places outside New York City, they have risen every year since 2019 and last year reached a whopping 20,615, almost three times as many as in 2019. And much of that tally is concentrated in just two cities where the crime has ballooned: Rochester, which reported 4,982 car thefts last year, and Buffalo, which had 4,049. The next closest tally was in Syracuse, which had 1,023.

What appears to be driving that trend are technology changes that have made it easier for owners to start their cars and thieves to steal them, "sacrificing security for convenience," Herrmann said.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new initiative to target "staggering" car thefts in Monroe County at the Public Safety Building in Rochester on Sept. 15, 2023.

Kia and Hyundai models have been the main target, thanks to viral videos viewed by young people that have shown them how to start the cars without a key fob. In Rochester, police have found that cars stolen in this recent wave are often taken simply for joy rides and discarded or used once to commit other crimes, rather than to be sold or stripped for parts.

In response to the spike in car thefts, Hochul announced $5 million in state funding last year for alternative justice programs for youthful offenders, particularly in three counties  Monroe, Erie and Niagara  where the crime had become rampant.

Stealing spree: 'When is it going to stop?' Rochester is desperate for car theft solution. What will work?

Cracking down on retail theft: What is NY doing?

The state budget enacted in April included a series of steps that Hochul proposed to combat retail theft. It contained $40 million in funding for police and prosecutors tasked with targeting organized crime rings that steal from stores, including a dedicated State Police unit with 100 employees.

The budget also strengthened the penalty for assaulting a store worker, making it a felony rather than a misdemeanor if the worker is hurt. Small businesses were offered $3,000 tax credits to pay for security measures. And police were given the ability to go after online sellers of stolen goods by making it illegal do so.

Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY crime was up again in 2023. What's behind the rise? See the data
New York lawmakers on Friday passed bills banning internet companies from exploiting personal data and using "addictive" algorithms designed to keep kids hooked on social media.

Gov. Kathy Hohul is expected to sign the bills soon as part of ongoing efforts to curb technology's role in fueling the youth mental health crisis. The Democratic governor is also pushing a ban of smartphones in schools that will be debated in coming months.

How New York will enforce addictive social media ban

Big tech companies will face fines of up to $5,000 per violation of the youth data privacy and addictive algorithm ban in New York.

Once approved by Hochul, the Attorney General's Office will devise specific enforcement rules and regulations. The measures will then take effect 180 days after those enforcement details are finalized, state records show.

Letitia James, New York State Attorney General, listens to speakers during the 2nd annual Westchester County Gather Against Hate in Westchester County in 2023. Her office will now be tasked with enforcing the addictive social media ban for kids in New York.

The state Attorney General's Office will also investigate and prosecute violations, which means parents and others will have a chance to report complaints to authorities. The agency already has a hotline for social media complaints, (800)771-7755, as well as an online complaint portal.

Social media apps and online companies could also proactively create digital programs and tools to inform consumers of the new data and algorithm rules in New York  similar to the rollout of alerts related to data privacy laws enacted in California in 2020.

How NY's addictive social media ban works

Gov. Kathy Hochul has spent recent weeks pushing her plans to ban tech companies' ability to use addictive social media feeds and collect data in ways that are harmful to children. She is shown during a media briefing in Albany on May 28, 2024.

The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation for Kids Act, will require social media companies to restrict key addictive features on their platforms for users under 18 in New York.

Currently, platforms supplement the content that users view from the accounts they follow by serving them content from accounts they do not follow or subscribe to. This content is curated using algorithms that gather and display content based on a variety of factors. However, algorithmic feeds have been shown to be addictive because they prioritize content that keeps users on the platform longer, the governor has noted.

NY smartphone ban: Hochul pushes to ban smartphones in NY schools. Will it help address mental health crisis?

Unless parental consent is granted, users under 18 will not receive addictive feeds, Hochul noted. The measure will also prohibit social media platforms from sending notifications regarding addictive feeds to minors from midnight to 6 a.m. without parental consent.

The other bill, called the New York Child Data Protection Act, would prohibit all 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 strictly necessary for the purpose of the website. For users under 13, that informed consent must come from a parent.

Mental health crises: Mental health care needs spiked 23% in NY as treatment capacity dropped 10%

How bad is youth mental health in NY?

Nationally, teen girls are experiencing record levels of violence, sadness and suicide risk in the United States, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report last year.

Data showed 57% of high school girls felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021  a nearly 60% increase and the highest level reported over the past decade. In comparison, 29% of boys the same age reported the same feelings.

About one in five New Yorkers overall was struggling with mental illness in 2022, including about 5% of the state with severe mental illness, the latest statewide analysis found.

National online data privacy push

At the same time, a federal proposal  called the American Privacy Rights Act  has aimed to set nationwide standards for how companies like Meta, TikTok, Google and others can gather, use and sell user data, requiring them to collect only the amount necessary to provide products and services.

That bill would transform how social media companies and online search engines use consumers' personal data in a push to give Americans more control.

Investigation: Families in mental health crisis feel abandoned by NY's care system. Can it be fixed?

What NY lawmakers say about addictive social media ban

Hochul described the addictive algorithm and data privacy measures as a "historic step" forward in New York's push to improve youth mental health and "create a safer digital environment for young people."

Our children are enduring a mental health crisis, and social media is fueling the fire and profiting from the epidemic," Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement. The push has targeted "the addictive features that have made social media so insidious and anxiety-producing," she added.

New York is sending a clear message to Big Tech: your profits are not more important than our kids privacy and wellbeing," state Sen. Andrew Gounardes, D-Brooklyn, said, noting the bill he championed overcame lobbying opposition from the tech industry.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY passes ban on addictive social media for children. How it works
NYC Dem seeks to create Pro-Israel Party to help win Assembly seat: Transcends politics

Joey Cohen Saban, a Democrat running for state Assembly in heavily-Jewish southern Brooklyn, has filed petitions to run on a separate "Pro-Israel" ballot line to bolster his chances of winning.

A Democrat seeking a state Assembly seat in heavily Jewish southern Brooklyn has filed petitions to run on a separate Pro-Israel Party ballot line to bolster his chances of winning.

Dem hopeful Joey Cohen Saban is trying to win back the seat occupied by first-term Republican incumbent Michael Novakh by trying to get on the ballot as both the Democratic Partys candidate and also the nominee for a new one he is calling the Pro-Israel Party.

Saban said he has garnered enough local voter signatures for his new Pro-Israel Party to warrant an additional separate column in the 45th Assembly District race on Novembers ballot.

Joey Cohen Saban is a Democrat running for state Assembly in heavily-Jewish southern Brooklyn. Joey Cohen Saban

The line would provide a way for people to show support for Israel, to get the attention it deserves, Saban told The Post. Theres tremendous support for Israel in the district.

Novakhov has supported people who are anti-Israel  it crosses the line, added Saban, 31, a Brooklyn native and first-generation American and Sephardic Jew who works in his familys real estate firm.

Saban said his Republican foe previously donated campaign funds to democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont who is a staunch critic of Israel.

The Dem candidate also called Novakhov the George Santos of Sheepshead Bay for switching political parties, noting that Novakhov is a Democrat-turned-Republican lawmaker, while Santos left the GOP to become an independent  although only after being expelled from the House over lying and fraud allegations.

This Pro-Israel ballot line transcends politics, Saban added.

But Sabans effort is being heavily challenged Novakhov and his allies.

Saban is trying to win back the seat occupied by first-term Republican incumbent Michael Novakh (pictured in front of podium). Gregory P. Mango

The Republican incumbent, a radio entrepreneur and Jew who was born under Communist rule in the former Soviet Union, challenged some of the signatures on his foes petitions, suggesting there were not enough valid ones to legally pave the way for the ballot move.

Some signatures are not kosher, Novakhov said.

The assemblyman said the new party was just a cynical ploy, anyways. to use the Israel-Hamas war to garner votes.

Novakhov has supported people who are anti-Israel  it crosses the line, Saban, 31, a Brooklyn native and first-generation American and Sephardic Jew. Paul Martinka

Saban is using the situation in Israel to get more votes. Its just a trick, Novakhov said.

He said hes a staunch supporter of Israel.

I am Jewish. I support Israel as much as he does, the assemblyman said.

Saban has filed petitions to run on a separate Pro-Israel Party ballot line to bolster his chances of winning. Joey Cohen Saban

He claimed that even if Saban withstands the petition challenge to run on a Pro-Israel Party, it wont impact the outcome.

Novakhov said he will prevail because constituents in the district encompassing Sheepshead Bay, Midwood, Manhattan Beach, Gravesend and Brighton Beach have rejected the Democratic Partys leftward policies.
NYC subway station may be renamed after Stonewall Inn after lawmakers pass bill

NYC subway station may be renamed after Stonewall Inn after lawmakers pass bill

WEST VILLAGE, Manhattan (PIX11)  A Manhattan subway station may soon get a name change to honor the LGBTQIA+ rights movement.

State lawmakers passed a bill to rename the Christopher StreetSheridan Square subway station in the West Village after the legendary Stonewall Inn. The new name would be the Christopher Street-Stonewall National Monument subway station.

More Local News

The Stonewall Inn is considered the birthplace of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement, with the Stonewall riots back in 1969. The gay bar was designated as a national monument in 2016.

A Pride Month drag show was held at the bar on Sunday. The event was a celebration of New York, diversity and pride, organizers said.

More Pride Month News

The drag show was the only drag show ever approved by the federal government since it took place on federal property.

The Department of Transportation sold a limited number of Christopher Street/Stonewall place signs in celebration of Pride Month. The signs are all sold out after going on sale last week at the DOT sign shop.

There is no hate here: Brooklyn celebrates Pride with a Twilight parade

Only 50 signs were made.

The state legislature approved the name change bill on Wednesday. It now goes to Gov. Kathy Hochuls desk, whose office said she will review the bill.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
The Port of Baltimores shipping channel, in its entirety, opened for business as of Monday evening.

The navigable waterway had been at least partially blocked since March 26, when the 984-foot container ship Dali lost power and crashed into one of the Francis Scott Key Bridges support piers, knocking it over and killing six men who were filling potholes on the span. The ship itself was lodged in the channel for nearly two months, in addition to 50,000 tons of debris from the bridge that had carried Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River since 1977.

Weve cleared the Fort McHenry Federal Channel for safe transit, said Col. Estee Pinchasin, Baltimore district commander of the Army Corps of Engineers, in a statement about 6:30 p.m. Monday. USACE will maintain this critical waterway as we have for the last 107 years.

The reopening was forecast for sometime Monday, but it remained uncertain for most of the day whether crews would meet that deadline. In the early afternoon, Army Corps spokeswoman Cynthia Mitchell said the agency was awaiting final results from underwater surveys of wreckage on the riverbed that could get in the way of vessel traffic.

Crews planned over the weekend to sweep the area with sonar, LIDAR and a magnetometer to investigate any high spots, ensuring theres no hazard to navigation, Pinchasin said in an earlier statement.

Now, 11 weeks after the disaster, the 50-feet deep, 700-foot wide channel is fully open.

Although the overarching goal to restore full operational capacity to the Federal Channel was successful, each day, we thought of those who lost their lives, their families, and the workers impacted by this tragic event, Pinchasin said Monday evening. Not a day went by that we didnt think about all of them, and that kept us going.

One day after the bridge collapse, authorities cited opening the channel to shipping commerce as a priority. The Port of Baltimore has handled more automobiles than any U.S. port for 13 consecutive years, including more than 800,000 vehicles in 2023 alone. It is one of only seven U.S. ports to rank in the top 25 nationally for total tonnage, dry bulk tonnage and container volume received.

The shipping channels partial closure was a blow to local, as well as global, commerce. Last year, in April, the ports public terminals handled 1 million tons of general cargo. This April, it handled a fraction of that, just 1,822 tons. But since then, more and more ships have been able to call on Baltimore, and Mays numbers, not yet released, should show a substantial increase from the previous month.

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In the weeks following the collapse, the ports cruise ship terminal became the headquarters of a Unified Command responding to the disaster, with Army Corps, Navy and Coast Guard personnel hurrying around below photos of tropical destinations that adorn the walls. Other key players in the response were the Maryland Transportation Authority, which was the bridges owner; Witt OBriens, an emergency response firm that represented Dali owner Synergy Marine; Maryland State Police, and the Maryland Department of the Environment.

We are proud of the unified efforts that fully reopened the Federal Channel to port operations, said Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, the Army Corps commanding general, in a statement. The partnerships that endured through this response made this pivotal mission successful.

In the weeks and months following the collapse, some vessels were able to visit Baltimore via temporary channels. A 735-foot vessel arrived in Baltimore in late April, becoming the first container ship to arrive since the collapse and in late May, a 50-feet deep, 400-foot wide temporary channel was opened. That allowed large ships, guided by tugboats, to transit into Baltimore as crews continued to work to dredge and clear wreckage from beneath the surface.

Cruise activity resumed in late May, but cargo shipping was unlikely to return immediately to its previous level. Jonathan Daniels, director of the Port of Baltimore, has estimated that, conservatively speaking, it could take until late 2024 or early 2025 for a full return.

It took months to clear the channel, as authorities analyzed the depths via sonar technology, divers rigged large pieces of debris and cranes removed wreckage. The steel was taken to Tradepoint Atlantic via barge, where crews worked to cut it up for recycling.

The most dramatic move came May 13, when a large piece of Key Bridge atop the Dali was cut up using explosives. A week later, the Dali  its bow gashed and mangled from the collision with the Key Bridge pier  was towed to the port, where it will remain for at least another week before heading to Norfolk, Virginia, for further repairs.

Early last week, crews lifted the final large piece of truss and concrete from the river, then continued to pull out more wreckage from the mud line. After storms moved through Baltimore in the middle of the week, skies cleared and crews lifted a 90-ton piece of residual wreckage from the federal channel Friday using the massive Chesapeake 1000 crane and a giant hydraulic salvage grab.

While vessel traffic can now return to normal, it will take much longer for automobile traffic on I-695 to do the same. The Key Bridge was one of three crossings of the Baltimore harbor and its collapse has sent more cars to the two tunnels underneath the river. Meanwhile, trucks carrying hazardous materials  banned for safety reasons from the tunnels  have to drive around the city.

The state of Maryland is accepting bids for a builder for the new Key Bridge, which is expected to cost roughly $1.7 billion and open in 2028. Democratic President Joe Biden has vowed for the federal government to cover that cost in its entirety, though Congress has not yet passed legislation to ensure its 100% funded.

Baltimore Sun reporter Dillon Mullan contributed to this article.
Ohio to up ticketing in construction zones. Muskingum County is one of the targeted areas

Dana King remembers every moment about the day she learned her 21-year-old son Alex had been hit and killed while working at a construction site in Butler County.

King remembers what she was wearing and what she ate for breakfast on June 7, 2021. "I remember the feeling of terror when I was told Alex was hurt and nobody could tell me if he was OK."

Dana Cook, center, talks about her son Alex, who died in a construction zone crash in 2021.

Alex King loved his family and his pet boxer named Sadie. He loved to fish and loved his beautiful new truck. Now, his mother is pleading with drivers to pay more attention while driving in construction zones.

"All I can ask of you is that you please slow down. Pay attention. Put your phone down and realize these accidents happen in a split second," Dana King said. "One small distraction can cause a lifetime of devastation."

Now, Ohio is stepping up enforcement of traffic violations in construction zones this summer  an active time for both construction and crashes.

Ohio State Highway Patrol will focus on 10 locations, issuing tickets and educating drivers about the dangers of speeding and distractions in those areas. They will use motorcycles, helicopters and their vehicles to monitor poor driving. Federal money is helping to pay for troopers' overtime.

"They are inherently dangerous jobs," Gov. Mike DeWine said of road construction crews. "We don't have to make them more dangerous. We're trying to make them safer."

Those locations include:

 Interstate 70 in Muskingum County.

 Interstate 75 in Montgomery County, Auglaize County and Hancock County.

 Interstate 77 in Summit County.

 Interstate 475 and Interstate 280 in Lucas County.

 Interstate 90 in Cuyahoga County.

 Ohio 32 in Brown County.

 Interstate 71 in Clinton and Fayette counties.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is also using rumble strips to slow down workers on Interstate 75 in Dayton and Interstate 70 in Zanesville. ODOT uses electronic signs to alert drivers of slowdowns ahead. So far, the construction in downtown Columbus closing the southbound ramp from state Route 315 to I-70 had not led to an increase in crashes, ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks said.

Dangers inside construction zones

Construction worker Steve Cook was an only child, but you might not have known it. His coworkers were like family to him, and they would be the last people to see him alive in a construction zone on Interstate 70 west of Columbus.

Pictures are shared of Steve Cook and his wife Linda, left, and Dana King and her son Alex, right. Both Steve and Alex died in construction zone crashes.

The 59-year-old husband, father and grandfather died after being struck by an impaired driver in September 2017. His wife, Linda Cook, didn't have the chance to say goodbye to the love of her life.

"Innocent, hardworking people are being killed while they are on their job," Linda Cook said. "This is senseless and it needs to stop."

Since 2019, nearly 26,000 crashes have occurred in Ohio construction zones, resulting in more than 9,000 people injured and 99 deaths. Since Jan. 1, 46 people have been struck in construction zones compared to 56 times for all of 2023, Marchbanks said.

"My goal, my mission is to ask everyone when you arrive at a highway work zone to please be patient and be aware of the surroundings," Cook said.

What is the Move Over law?

Ohio law requires drivers to move over a lane for police, emergency vehicles, road construction and other vehicles with flashing lights. If the driver can't shift lanes, they are required to slow down. The law was passed in 1999 and expanded in 2013.

Ohio lawmakers have pitched changes to expand that law. Sen. Steve Wilson, R-Maineville, introduced Senate Bill 178 to require drivers to move over for vehicles stopped on the side of the road with hazard lights on. House Bill 429 from Reps. Gary Click and Mark Johnson, both Republicans, would increase fines for traffic violations in construction zones.

Gov. Mike DeWine announces plans to increase enforcement in construction zones this summer.

DeWine said he would likely be in favor of efforts to make construction zones more safe. But for now, he hopes this focus on construction zones will act as a deterrent effect.

"The amount of the fines may be relevant. It may be helpful to increase that," DeWine said. "The most important thing is the feeling from the driver that when I'm in a construction zone, I may well get a ticket."

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Patrol focusing on drivers in work zones in Muskingum, other counties
Democrats are sounding the alarm concerning the underfunding of HBCUs. Addressing a disparity between HBCUs and PWIs has been the focus of Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack since 2023. They addressed letters to 16 governors around the country, citing that HBCUs have been subject to a $12 billion disparity in funding.

Unacceptable funding inequities have forced many of our nations distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities to operate with inadequate resources and delay critical investments in everything from campus infrastructure to research and development to student support services, Cardona previously said in a statement.

In Oklahoma, the issue was put in the spotlight after the House passed HB 2893, which would grant $80 million to Oklahoma State University for a new life science facility.

For years, at the Oklahoma State Legislature, we have asked for equity in funding for Langston University, a historically black land grant institution, Democratic Representative Regina Goodwin said, according to The Black Wall Street Times. Instead of the minimum 1 to 1 federal to state dollar match, Langston University has received approximately .46 cents to every federal dollar.

I am disappointed in the legislatures choice to exclude appropriations for Langston University in the states budget, Democratic Representative Jason Lowe added. Recently, it was discovered that Historically Black Colleges and Universities have been drastically underfunded in comparison to non-HBCUs.

Langston has been underfunded by over $400 million since 1987, according to the US Department of Education.

The university was founded in 1897 and was originally called the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University. It was created after the second Morrill Act in 1890, which directed states that received land-grant funding to either admit students of color in their universities or create separate institutions.

Lowe and Goodwin advocated for Langston to receive $65 million in funding, which was reduced to $2.5 million.

The governor states that this is a top ten state and also that we have a $5 billion surplus, Lowe said, according to KFOR. We have enough money to get this done. Langston University students deserve better.

It leaves you almost without words, Goodwin added.
SANAA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said on Monday that they had arrested a group spying for the United States and Israel under the cover of international organizations in the Houthi-held capital Sanaa.

"The American-Israeli spy network has carried out espionage and sabotage roles in official and unofficial institutions for decades on behalf of the enemy," the Houthi security services said in a statement.

The spy network was linked to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), said the statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, revealing that its members were "provided with specialized technologies, devices and equipment that enable them to carry out their activities secretly."

The spy network members "are employees with the U.S. embassy," pointed out the statement, noting that "after the U.S. embassy staff left Sanaa, elements of the spy network continued to implement their destructive agendas under the cover of international and UN organizations."

The network "attracted many Yemeni government officials and arranged visits for them to the United States to influence and recruit them," it said, noting that among those recruited were economists, government officials and owners of oil and commercial companies.

According to the statement, the spy network played "destructive and subversive roles," and worked to implement "projects and programs targeting the agricultural and health sectors and contributing to the spread of diseases and epidemics in various Yemeni governorates."

The spy network also participated in implementing plans "targeting the Yemeni people's religious identity and values, and sought to spread vice and corruption and ran prostitutes," the statement added.

Before their arrest, the group had provided the United States and Israel with "extremely important, secret and dangerous military and security information," the Houthi statement stressed, without giving the names or the number of those arrested persons.

Yemen's internationally-recognized government on Friday accused the Houthi group of arresting more than 50 employees from international and Yemeni organizations.

Ahmed Arman, the Yemeni government's minister of human rights and legal affairs, said the detained employees, including 18 UN staff members and four women, were currently being held in the Houthi-controlled "security and intelligence agency" in the Yemeni capital.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since late 2014, when the Houthi group took control of multiple northern provinces and ousted the Yemeni government from Sanaa. The U.S. embassy in Sanaa suspended operations in 2015. 
Oklahoma Veterans Commission Chairman Robert Allen said he hopes to vote on a new executive director June 20. (Kennedy Thomason/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  The Oklahoma Veterans Commission is continuing to search for a new executive director to lead the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs.

Commission Chairman Robert Allen said he hopes the governing board will announce its selection June 20.

The third candidate, who wasnt able to make it today, is dealing with a family emergency, so it kind of hinges on his availability, Allen said.

The Commission received applications from 48 applicants. It then conducted six to eight in-person interviews two weeks ago, Allen said.

It met again Monday to conduct additional interviews with its three finalists, but one was unable to attend.

The Commission began its search for a new director in April, when current Executive Director Greg Slavonic announced his resignation. Slavonic said he had planned to serve for six months. He has now served for 15 months and has agreed to stay on while the board searches for his replacement.

The nine-member board oversees veterans programs in the state. Currently, five seats are filled.

In March 2023, the Commission was at the center of a showdown between then-Executive Director Joel Kintzel and Gov. Kevin Stitt. Alleging Stitt made illegal appointments with some commissioners, Kintzel went back and forth with the Commission until it fired him.

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A teacher instructs young learners at Children's Lighthouse in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma ranked 49th in the nation for education, with only New Mexico trailing behind. (Photo by Mindy Ragan Wood/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Oklahoma has been ranked 46th in the nation in overall child well-being.

The Annie E. Casey Foundations annual Kids Count report ranks all 50 states with four categories: economic well-being, family and community, education and health. This report used data collected in 2022.

Oklahomas lowest ranking, coming in at 49th, was in education. The state was ranked 45th for health, 40th for family and community and 39th in economic well-being.

Only Nevada, Louisiana, Mississippi and New Mexico performed worse.

Joe Dorman, a former Oklahoma state representative and current CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, said the ranking is upsetting.

There are solutions out there, but its going to cost money, and its going to take a commitment, Dorman said.

According to Dorman, the OICA worked to promote child care tax credit legislation with the State Chamber of Commerce this past session. Dormans group also worked to promote awareness of SoonerCare and its eligibility requirements to encourage higher enrollment.

Dorman said legislators need to do a better job of reviewing whats working and finding solutions for the programs that are not performing. Doing so will help families afford child care and put kids in a place that gives them the opportunity to perform better in school, he said.

Weve got to see this commitment. I certainly dont feel that commitment was there this legislative session to support children and families, Dorman said. We need lawmakers who will take this seriously and look at some of these solutions.

Nationally, the report revealed that many negative trends between 2019 and 2021 during the pandemic era began recovering in 2022. But all four of the education indicators worsened in Oklahoma.

In Oklahoma, nearly 6 in 10 young children from ages 3 to 4 were not in school, and 20% of high school students did not graduate on time. Over 75% of fourth graders were not proficient in reading and 84% of eighth graders were not proficient in math. These figures exceed the national trend.

These numbers confirm what has long been obvious  Oklahoma is not making the investment it should in the health and well-being of our children, said Shiloh Kantz, executive director of Oklahoma Policy Institute. For two decades, lawmakers have chosen revenue cuts over meaningful, sustained investments in the shared services that are proven to help our children thrive.

Kantz said potential solutions include ensuring reliable internet, access to low-cost meals, investing in public schools and taking advantage of allocated pandemic relief funding.

Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said shes concerned about the reported number of children living in unstable housing. According to the report, about 52% of children in low-income households reported housing as a high cost burden  or at least 30% of the monthly income.

Every Oklahoman deserves a safe place to call home, which makes the number of kids living in unstable housing very distressing, Kirt said.

The report showed more families are living in homes they cant afford.

We need to work across the aisle on real solutions that address long term positive outcomes for all Oklahoma kids, Kirt said.

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One dead in explosion and fire at Polish armaments factory

Firefighters try to put out a fire. One person has died in an explosion and fire at an armaments factory in Poland. picture alliance / Bodo Marks/dpa

One person has died in an explosion and fire at an armaments factory in Poland.

The person who died was a 59-year-old employee, a police spokesman told the news channel TVN24 on Monday. Initial findings suggest the fire broke out in one of the warehouses of the MESKO armaments company in Skarzysko-Kamienna, around 125 kilometres south of Warsaw.

The plant's fire brigade managed to extinguish the flames. The circumstances of the accident are being investigated.

The Onet.pl online news portal reported that the director of the factory, Elzbieta Sreniawska, said that there had been an explosion in the rocket fuel centre, a relatively new part of the complex. One person was killed and another injured.

Local media reported a rescue helicopter had been sent to the site of the accident. MESKO products include anti-tank guided missiles and shoulder-launched short-range anti-aircraft missile systems.
One killed, another injured in southern Idaho ATV crash

TETON COUNTY, Idaho (ABC4)  One person was killed and another injured in an ATV crash in Teton County, Idaho on Saturday, according to Idaho State Police.

The collision occurred at around 3:40 p.m. on June 8. Two juveniles were heading westbound on 6000 South near Victor, Idaho in a red Suzuki Quad 750, police said.

Catastrophic Failure: Teton Pass road collapses, long-term closure expected

The juveniles reportedly struck a tree, causing both individuals to be ejected from the ATV.

One was taken to a local hospital via ground ambulance, while the other was taken to the hospital by air ambulance.

One of the juveniles later died at the hospital, police said.

This incident is under investigation by Idaho State Police.

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.
BAY MINETTE, Ala. (WKRG)  It was a Saturday night that ended in gunfire, a sea of blue lights, and hundreds of people running for their lives.

Now it is one month later.

Escambia County Sheriffs Office seeks help in identifying burglary suspect

Three people, 19-year-old Michael Anderson Jr., 37-year-old Chiquita Ewing, and 24-year-old Christian Bradley. were killed. Sixteen others were shot.

Its extraordinary, says Col. Anthony Lowery with the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office. Its something that we havent had before  a shooting on this scale.

Doctors on vacation help save shark attack victim

The latest arrest, 25-year-old Mack Aurthur Adams, was charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Anderson and Ewing. Adams will face an Aniahs Law hearing later this week.

We reached a point on Friday where we felt strong enough that it was time to move forward and add additional charges to Mack Adams and Robert Brown, says Lowery.

Just days after the shooting, 24-year-old Robert German Brown Jr. was in custody and charged with assault. Those charges have been upgraded to murder and attempted murder. He remains in Mobile Metro Jail on unrelated charges.

A third suspect, 19-year-old Tyquan Tiques French, is also behind bars after an Aniahs Law ruling denied him bond. These are dangerous individuals that we have locked up thats why we are pursuing Aniahs Law to keep them in, says Lowery.

The why of it all is still undisclosed for the most part not that it really matters at this point.

Any excuse would pale in comparison to the three lives that were taken, more lives changed forever and more arrests are anticipated.

UPDATE: 32 dogs rescued from alleged dog fighting ring, 29 people arrested

When you get down to it, when the facts come out, it is beyond stupid, says Lowery.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
One person has been killed as a result of a Russian attack in Donetsk Oblast on 9 June.

Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "One person has been killed, and nine houses and an apartment building damaged in Chasiv Yar hromada [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.]. In Toretsk, an administrative building was damaged. A house was damaged in Siversk."

Details: Filashkin also said the Russians attacked the Pokrovskyi and Kramatorskyi districts. Overall, the Russians fired at settlements in Donetsk Oblast eight times over the past day. Thirty-nine people, including five children, were evacuated from the front line.

Background: On 9 June, a Ukrainska Pravda source in the Ukrainian military familiar with the situation said that the Russian forces have been trying to amass troops in the outermost buildings of the Kanal residential area in the town of Chasiv Yar since around 3 June. This is the part of the city closest to the Russian-occupied town of Bakhmut.

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One sent to hospital after being attacked with chainsaw in Franklin

FRANKLIN, La. (KLFY)  A man was arrested on Monday after attacking another person with a chainsaw.

According to Franklin Police, officers responded to the 600 block of Eighth Street in reference to a person being attacked by a man with a chainsaw on Monday. The victim was airlifted to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Lafayette man charged with attempted murder in Sweetbriar Street shooting

Albert Mitchell was taken into custody and charged with aggravated second-degree battery. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Only on 9: Artificial heart keeps baby girl alive while waiting for transplant

A baby girl is in the hospital waiting on a heart transplant, and Channel 9 learned a specialized medical device is buying her time.

She wouldnt be here right now without it, said her mom Madalyn Simpson.

ALSO READ: How to wipe out medical debt

Dallas, whose parents call her Dally, was the perfect Christmas gift for parents, Madalyn Simpson and Cameron Watts. They were home just six weeks before Dally was rushed back to the hospital with an unimaginable diagnosis: Heart failure.

Simpson said everything changed when Dally got whats called a Berlin Heart. Its an artificial heart that helps pump blood through the body.

>> In the video at the top of the page, the Union County family spoke with Gina Esposito about how the tool is now giving them hope.

Dallas has already spent 100 days in the hospital. If you want to follow her journey, click here for her Facebook page.

(WATCH BELOW: They saved my baby: Mother hopes to bring awareness to need for liver transplants)
I wouldnt describe Hillary Clinton as a particularly sympathetic character. And yet, I feel for her.

The most humiliating moments of her lifeher husbands infidelity, her loss to the least qualified presidential candidate in historyare never quite out of the news. And ever since a jury of his peers found Donald Trump guilty on 34 felony counts, the familiar chant of lock her up has had a pronoun swap. As liberals call for Trump to be locked up (he likely wont be, but a lib can dream), were reminded of those same calls in 2016.

In one of his more egregious lies, Trump recently denied ever having said lock her up. This is absurd, as theres video evidence. His lies are too blatant to waste time discussing the veracity: the only interesting question is why.

Stormy Daniels Put Trumps Toxic Horniness on Full Display

Why does Trump not want to take credit for a phrase his supporters love? Why is he now trying to distance himself from it?

The most obvious reason is that hes accusing Democrats of politicizing the justice system, and he doesnt want to be called a hypocrite. But theres more. Trump wants people to believe hes kinder to women than he is, and Clinton is just the latest example.

These days, Trump is taking steps to paint himself as pro-women. This seems odd, given that a) hes not and b) he himself denies being a feminist. But hes also running for re-election, and he needs all the votes he can get.

Of course, nothing hes done has turned him into anything resembling a feminist. But he also hasnt entirely failed. Hes turned himself into a misogynists idea of a feminist.

A recent poll found that 54 percent of men and 31 percent of women think Trump respects women a lot or some. Some of the explanations were inane; one person said that Trump was a developer, and because real estate, as a whole, is predominantly women-run, he had to respect women. I have nothing to say, its a perfect argument.

Im hesitant to make much of this statistic, because I think respecting women some is a lot like not respecting women at all. Still, theres indisputable disparity in how men and women view Trumps respect for women, and theres an indisputable change: In 2016, a poll asking a similar question found that approximately the same percentage of men and woman thought he had fair or a great deal of respect for women.

Hunter Biden Prosecutors Mightve Already Lost the Jury

Theres a reason Trump may have some people duped.

He has backed off his most extreme positionshe declined to endorse a national abortion ban, he criticized the Alabama Supreme Court for making IVF less available, and he said he wont ban contraceptives. Of course, pro-choice (which he is not) and pro-IVF policies are good for women, but Trumps so blatantly full of shit that only someone who has flattened women down to a few policy preferences could buy this recent shift.

If he can use women to make himself look good, he will. He said himself that he likes the concept of a female running mate.

Which is essentially the same as saying: Women: Better in Theory Than Practice.

But theres no policy Trump can propose that changes the way he actually treats women. He sexually assaulted E. Jean Carroll (which a judge later determined could be reasonably described as rape). Stormy Daniels didnt categorize her encounter with Trump as rape, but it was horrifyingand he said she has a horse face. He bragged about grabbing women by the pussies. He called Hillary Clinton ugly. The list goes on, and on, and on.

The effect of his personal behavior is enormous, but its not as tangible as a specific policy. I cant describe what it did to me to wake up every four years and know my president openly hated women, but I know it took its toll. Trumps not the first president guilty of disrespectful behavior towards women (I grew up during the Clinton administration), but in my lifetime, he is far and away the most brazen.

Harrison Butkers Tradwife Fantasy World Would Be a Disaster

And still, compared to the rest of his party, his views on reproductive freedoms arent in the crazier half (a low bar, but one he clears).

To a misogynist, it might be easy enough to boil Trump down to his policies and say women want a candidate who thinks X, Y, and Z. But to everyone else, its clear why Trumps behavior is so harmful to women. He has no respect for women, so theres no reason to expect him to stick to any specific policy agenda. And plenty of men understand thisnot all men are misogynists, after all, and 46 percent in the poll admitted Trump had limited or no respect for women.

Its not a matter of asking which is worse: a man who does horrible things to women or a man whose policies are horrible to women. Trump is both, and we shouldnt have to choose. He may be a misogynists idea of a feminist, but thats not going to cut it.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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JERUSALEM, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Monday welcomed the reported discussions in the White House to negotiate a unilateral deal with Hamas to free five U.S. nationals held hostage in Gaza.

Israel "welcomes any attempt to release our hostages," the prime minister's office said in a statement.

U.S. President Joe Biden is considering a unilateral deal with Hamas if the Qatari and Egyptian-brokered talks between Israel and Hamas fail, according to a report by NBC News. Such negotiations would not include Israel and would be facilitated through Qatari mediators, said the report.

Speaking to reporters in Cairo before departing for Jerusalem, U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken was asked about the report but chose not to confirm or deny its validity.

He emphasized that the best way to free all the hostages is through a ceasefire proposal currently on the table. 
Orban's party comes first in Hungary's European Parliament elections but with worst result in decades

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's right-wing party Fidesz won the most votes in the country's European Parliament elections, but lost ground to the new opposition party TISZA, exit polls showed on June 9.

European Union member states held elections between June 6 and 9 for the bloc's 720-member European Parliament.

Orban's Fidesz party, a nationalist and pro-Russian faction that has held power in Hungary since 2010, secured 44% of the vote, according to exit polls. The win grants Fidesz 11 of Hungary's 21 seats in the European Parliament.

Despite coming in first, Fidesz's result is projected to be its lowest in either national or EU elections in two decades.

The results represent a 10% drop in support for Fidesz from the 2019 elections. The opposition TISZA party, led by Peter Magyar, took 30% of the votes, enough to send seven delegates to the European Parliament.

Magyar called the election "the beginning of the end" for Fidesz.

"Today, the future has begun in Hungary," Magyar said to a crowd of supporters in Budapest on June 9.

Magyar plans to challenge Orban's grip on power in the next national election, scheduled for 2026.

A report from the independent analytical center Political Capital found that Fidesz is Google's biggest advertiser in the EU, spending over $2 million to promote anti-Western disinformation narratives in the lead-up to the European elections.

Fidesz's advertising included hostile narratives against Magyar, the report found.

Orban is the Kremlin's closest ally in the EU. He has repeatedly obstructed aid for Ukraine and opposed Kyiv's NATO and EU accession.

Read also: Macron dissolves French parliament, calls election after exit polls project far-right gains in EU election

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Oregon allows consumption up to 50 milligrams of psilocybin at a time. (Courtesy of Satya Therapeutics)

Oregon allows consumption up to 50 milligrams of psilocybin at a time. (Courtesy of Satya Therapeutics)

A year in, Oregons experiment with the first regulated psilocybin mushroom market in the world is short on customers.

To attract them, advocates say the industry needs to get the word out about its benefits.

We think everybody knows that psychedelics can help them because were in this little bubble. But 99% of people have no idea what they could get out of a journey, said Heidi Venture, founder of a Hood River mushroom center, Vital Reset, where customers undergo supervised trips on psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms.

She was among about 100 local psilocybin entrepreneurs who attended a recent industry conference in Portland. Attendees included business owners like Venture who run state-licensed centers where customers can trip on mushrooms, and trained guides, known as facilitators, who accompany them on the hours-long journey.

The conference was hosted by the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association, a nonprofit thats trying to raise awareness of the health and spiritual benefits detailed in studies on the supervised use of psychedelics like psilocybin.

Panelists recalled a year of challenges, red tape and waning interest in guided mushroom trips under Oregons pioneering legal model, but also life-changing experiences for clients. They pledged to share information and lobby lawmakers for regulatory improvements.

A majority of Oregon voters in 2020 approved Measure 109, which directed the Oregon Health Authority to create a legal system for offering psilocybin. Unlike marijuana, customers can only buy and use psilocybin mushrooms under the watchful eye of a state-licensed facilitator and in a service center like Vital Reset. Prices usually range between $800 and $2,500 for a trip and two therapeutic sessions with a facilitator  although advocates say discounts are often available. Activists in other states are watching Oregons experiment closely, including in Colorado, which is debuting a more relaxed system. Like Oregon, that state will license centers and facilitators but has also decriminalized the use and sharing of psilocybin and other psychedelics.

When Oregons first psilocybin center opened in Eugene in June 2023, it was the first in the nation to offer access to the drug in a licensed setting. The drug is still illegal by federal standards, categorized as a Schedule I substance, meaning that it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

To date, roughly 3,500 clients have taken a supervised trip in one of Oregons 25 psilocybin centers.

The nonprofit Healing Advocacy Fund, which advocates for psilocybin policy and supports entrepreneurs, estimates that number to increase to about 7,000 by the end of the year. Thats lower than some observers expected, who predicted a surge of interest in the nations first legal opportunity to use a psychedelic drug.

Its going to get over-saturated

Oregon has 25 licensed centers, but not all of them have made it. In March, The Journey service center in Portland became the first to fold for a lack of customers.

Unfortunately weve seen one service center close down. I imagine there will be more, because very quickly its going to get over-saturated, said Tori Armbrust, owner of Satori Farms PDX. Armbrust grows psilocybin mushrooms and sells them to about half of the service centers in the state.

She said competition will intensify next year, when out-of-state business interests can begin launching their own psilocybin ventures in Oregon.

Overall, marketing seems to be a big challenge. But places are doing well, and theres product going out to a lot of people, Armbrust said.

Courtney Campbell, founder of the center Chariot in Northwest Portland, recently told a Capital Chronicle reporter that a steady stream of customers has kept his business afloat, but not lucrative.

Oregon has also seen a spike in the number of training programs, which are pumping out hundreds of facilitators. Coeli Dwivedi, owner of the Entheogen Institute, has only been able to give herself one paycheck despite graduating about 70 students in the last year.

Im looking forward to having a real salary as well, she said in an interview.

Grassroots advertising

Venture, who owns Vital Reset in Hood River, is trying to attract more customers. Like many centers, Vital Reset is offering discounts to people from underrepresented communities.

However, she said shes hamstrung by strict rules on online advertisements for psilocybin services. According to the Healing Advocacy Fund, magic mushroom businesses must prove that their advertisements arent reaching too many children or consumers under 21 years old. Plus, Venture and others believe that social media companies subtly suppress content related to psilocybin mushrooms. So Venture is relying on word-of-mouth and open houses to bring in business. She recently spoke about her business to members of an local Lions Club.

Facilitators also say they are navigating a competitive market. About 325 facilitators have obtained a state license so far. Many have found that there are limited opportunities to work in service centers. Its common for more experienced facilitators to find their own clients and work underground, illegally supervising psilocybin trips at homes and in Airbnbs.

Marlin Hofer, a facilitator at Brain Brew PDX and an instructor, said he carries a stack of business cards with him wherever he goes to raise awareness among the public.

Matthew Wissler, another facilitator, said he would provide his services almost for free to certain low-income customers, such as those receiving food assistance, but he hasnt been able to find any who fit the bill. Initially, Oregons model attracted wealthy tourists and people seeking treatment from other states and countries.

While some facilitators are struggling to find work, some have found the work very lucrative, according to interviews with 10 facilitators.

Stay positive

Despite the business challenges, Oregons psychedelic entrepreneurs are often floored by the positive impact felt by customers who use psilocybin, particularly people with treatment-resistant depression, addiction and trauma.

If we just hang in there, stay positive, it will evolve into something we can all be proud of, said Mary Nielsen, owner of Brain Brew PDX in Beaverton.

To keep service centers financially sustainable, Armbrust suggested that the Oregon Health Authority limit the number of licenses it approves.

Jesse Sweet, an Oregon Health Authority policy analyst, said the agency doesnt have that authority. The agency is kicking off another round of rules on a law requiring that centers collect certain data on their customers and will seek public input this year. Its new rules could tweak the current regulations, and lawmakers are expected to revisit the issue perhaps next year.

The post Oregons psilocybin industry, a year old, seeks customers appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Black rockfish are among the species caught off the West Coast. They live over rocky reefs at about a 180-foot depth. They're also common along jetties in estuaries. (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Black rockfish are among the species caught off the West Coast. They live over rocky reefs at about a 180-foot depth. They're also common along jetties in estuaries. (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Last year, Oregons seafood industry got a much-needed boost from the federal government. But it continues to struggle and still needs help.

Thats the message from five Democratic members of Congress from Oregon, whove written to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to request aid for West Coast seafood fishermen, processors and distributors. U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas asked USDA Administrator Bruce Summers to again include Oregon seafood in its commodity purchases. Summers oversees the agencys Agricultural Marketing Service, which buys U.S. products for nationwide food assistance programs.

Commercial fishing and seafood processing on the West Coast are significant contributors to the nations seafood production and agricultural economy, the lawmakers said. The industry serves as the economic backbone for numerous small ports and rural coastal communities in Oregon. Fishing activities are deeply ingrained in the local culture and way of life across the Oregon Coast.

In 2021, the marketing program purchased $16 million of Pacific groundfish, including rockfish, pink shrimp and whiting or hake, a fish thats popular in Eastern Europe. It increased its purchases to about $30 million in 2022, then last year bought $52 million worth of Pacific groundfish.

But the industry continues to suffer from restaurant closures sparked by the pandemic, and its been hit by rising tariffs and a disruption in international trade. The industry also has faced competition from abroad, the lawmakers said.

An influx of imported species and substitutes from other countries has intensified competition in the domestic market, making it difficult for domestic producers to sell their inventory at desired prices, the letter said. Specifically, rockfish and whiting harvesting and production has been subject to changing economic factors such as changes in disposable income, unemployment rates and consumer confidence that have impacted the demand for seafood products, leading to surplus inventory.

Other fisheries suffer

The groundfish industry is not the only one thats suffering. West Coast fisheries have felt the effects of climate change and warming ocean waters in recent years, and toxins have caused the Oregon Department of Agriculture to enact closures. Just last week, the department closed commercial harvesting of oysters in Tillamook, Netarts and Umpqua bays due to high levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning, or PSP, which is a natural marine toxin produced by some species of microscopic algae. The poison has also closed all razor clamming, bay clamming and mussel harvesting from the Washington border to California.

Crab harvesting is open, but that industry has also been affected by climate change. Last year, the Dungeness crab season opened late because warm waters sent whales further inland in search of food, causing salmon runs to be closed as well.

Groundfish are plentiful, and Ukraine has been a major market for West Coast whiting, an affordable protein that is less well known in U.S. markets. But the war has curtailed those exports, and exports to Russia have been closed entirely. Industry experts hope that USDA purchases for food assistance programs will help Americans become more acquainted with the fish, which are sustainable and more affordable than many other fish.

The lawmakers said that the USDAs help has been invaluable.

These continue to be extremely challenging times, and we cannot overstate the significance of the USDAs actions to expand procurement programs to include greater quantities of seafood, they said.

The post Oregon U.S. lawmakers seek federal help for West Coast seafood industry appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Pardoned felon cannot run for elected office in Missouri, state Supreme Court says

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled on Monday that a Cass County man cannot run for elected office even though he was pardoned by Gov. Mike Parson.

The states highest court ruled that Herschel Youngs pardon did not exempt him from the fact that Missouri law bans from elected office people who have pleaded guilty to felonies.

Young, who was attempting to run for the Cass County Commission, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in 1995 and was sentenced to one year in prison. Parson, a Republican, pardoned him in November 2023.

Mondays ruling upholds a lower courts finding that while Parsons pardon erased his conviction, it did not remove his guilt or the fact that he pleaded guilty.

Any individual who has pleaded guilty to a felony offense under Missouri law is disqualified to be a candidate for elective public office in the state, and Young has indisputably pleaded guilty to a felony offense under Missouri law, Judge W. Brent Powell wrote in the decision.

Youngs attorney did not immediately return a call for comment on Monday. A call to a phone number listed for Young was also unsuccessful.

The decision comes as former President Donald Trumps conviction on 34 felony counts in New York looms over the 2024 presidential race. While Missouri law bans felons from elected office, federal law does not prevent people with criminal convictions from running for president.

Mondays decision in Missouri was not the first time Young has tried to run for elected office despite his criminal conviction.

In 2010, before being pardoned, he was elected presiding commissioner of Cass County. However, a lower court in 2011 ousted him from office due to his criminal history.

Young in 2022 also unsuccessfully ran as a Republican for Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleavers district. He was also defeated in two other runs for U.S. House as a Libertarian in 2012 and 2014.

Judge Robin Ransom, who Parson appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court, dissented on Monday, arguing that the state Attorney Generals Office should have been notified before the decision was made.

Parson, in his pardon message, wrote the following, according to court filings:

I hereby grant Herschel Young a full pardon from the above conviction. This pardon obliterates said conviction so that I hereby restore all rights of citizenship forfeited by said conviction and remove any legal disqualification, impediment, or other legal disadvantage that may be a consequence of said conviction.

Young had argued in previous court filings that Parsons pardon should have wiped away all consequences of his guilty plea.

But in Mondays decision, Powell pointed to the specific wording of Missouri law and the fact that lawmakers have not amended state law to deal with people who have been pardoned by a governor.

The legislature chose to use the phrase found guilty of or pled guilty to rather than using the term conviction, illustrating the legislatures intent to broaden the disqualifications for elective public office beyond conviction of an offense, Powell wrote.
Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs announced leadership changes in the Division of Parole and Probation last week. The union representing parole and probation agents, as well as correctional officers, demanded changes within the agency including the removal of Scruggs. File photo by Bryan P. Sears.

Three top officials within the states Division of Parole and Probation have been replaced, a week after a parole agent was killed while visiting the home of a client.

The move announced late last week follows union demands for changes at the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services after the death of Davis Martinez, 33, a parole and probation agent.

Three leaders within the Division of Parole and Probation, including Director Martha Danner and Deputy Director Walter E. Nolley were replaced, according to an internal memo issued last week by Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs.

The Department will conduct a search to identify the best candidates to fill these important leadership roles, Scruggs said in the memo. In the interim, new leadership has been appointed in an acting capacity. During this transition period, we remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of public safety and service.

Replacing Danner is Bobbie Joe Fockler, who will serve as interim director of parole and probation.

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Additionally, Scruggs announced Shina Castain-Thompson will serve as interim deputy director of administration and Christopher T. King will serve as interim deputy director of operations.

Martinez, a six-year veteran of the agency, is the first parole and probation agent to die in the line of duty.

Martinez died May 31 while visiting the home of Emanuel Edward Sewell, 54, a sex offender who was released from prison in 2021. Martinezs body was found inside Sewells residence by Montgomery County Police who were sent to the Chevy Chase address after the agent failed to check in at work.

Police said Martinez died as the result of multiple injuries, including blunt-force trauma.

Since his death, the state has temporarily suspended in-home visits by agents. An internal investigation is ongoing.

Memorial and funeral services for Martinez are set for June 22.

Sewell was arrested in West Virginia on charges of second-degree murder that have since been upgraded to first-degree, according to WTOP News.

The station reported that grisly details of Martinezs killing emerged in court documents during in Montgomery County on Monday. Prosecutors said Martinez had multiple stab wounds, as well as bruising and swelling to his face, while charging documents said his body had been wrapped in plastic and left under a bed in Sewells residence.

Sewell waived a hearing Monday in Rockville and was ordered to continue to be held without bond.

Last week, leaders of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees state council and the local chapter representing parole and probation officers demanded the firing of three top officials. Included on the list was Scruggs. Danner and Nolley.

Union officials declined to comment Monday. The union is scheduled to hold a meeting with reporters on Tuesday in Catonsville.

 Maryland Matters news partner WTOP News contributed to this report.

The post Parole and probation leadership changes follow on-duty killing of parole agent appeared first on Maryland Matters.
The storm was not visible on the weather radar, Austrian Airlines confirmed to PEOPLE

exithamster/Instagram The Austrian Airlines plane's nose and cockpit windows were destroyed after the storm

An Austrian Airlines passenger plane was seriously damaged after flying through an unexpected hailstorm on Sunday, June 9.

Flight OS434 was traveling from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, to Vienna, Austria, when it encountered a thunderstorm cell, the airline confirmed to PEOPLE.

The aircraft encountered a thunderstorm cell during approach to Vienna, which according to the cockpit crew, was not visible on the weather radar. As of now, the hail has damaged the two front cockpit windows, the aircraft nose (radome), and some coverings, the airlines stated.

They added that a Mayday distress call was made due to the severe damage.

Related: 1 Dead and Several Injured After Flight from London to Singapore Hit by Severe Turbulence

exithamster/Instagram Photo of the damage to the plane's nose and cockpit windows

Photos posted on Instagram by user @exithamster show almost the entire nose of the Airbus 1320 broken off in the aftermath of the storm. The cockpits front windows appear to be completely cracked as well.

The aircraft was carrying 173 passengers and six crew members in total.

Despite the damage, the aircraft was able to land safely at Vienna-Schwechat Airport and all passengers on the flight were unharmed, per the airline.

The Austrian Airlines technical team is already tasked with assessing the specific damage to the aircraft, they added. The safety of our passengers and crews is the top priority for Austrian Airlines.

Related: Passengers on Singapore Airlines Flight Describe Being 'Launched' into Ceiling When Turbulence Hit: 'Very Scary'

exithamster/Instagram Passengers disembarking the plane

Passenger Emmeley Oakley opened up to ABC News about the terrifying experience.

"I think we were about 20 minutes from landing when we got into a cloud of hail and thunderstorm, and the turbulence started," the passenger told the outlet via text message on June 9.

"We could definitely feel the hail coming down on the plane and it was quite loud and ofc super rocky for a minute," Oakley added.

exithamster/Instagram Another view of the damage following the hailstorm

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The turbulent flight comes weeks after one passenger died and nearly 70 were injured aboard Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 from London to Singapore on May 21. The Boeing 777-300ER was cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet when it fell nearly 6,000 feet due to unexpected turbulence.

In a statement shared on social media, the airline said, Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft.

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Read the original article on People.
WILKES-BARRE TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  A man wanted in Maryland fled from multiple officers in Luzerne County during a traffic stop, police say.

According to the Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department, on May 11 officers pulled over a car with no license plate around 1:30 a.m. on Highland Park Boulevard.

Police say they spoke to the driver, Louis Morales, 31, of Maryland, who admitted to not having a license. Officers asked Morales to exit his car and follow them to the cruiser. Morales complied until police say he overheard the dispatch radio state that he was wanted on multiple warrants in Maryland.

Two wanted for alleged immigration scam in Luzerne County

Morales then fled from the scene on foot causing officers to chase him through the Price Chopper parking lot on Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard, eventually reaching a wooded area, investigators stated.

Officers said Morales was able to make it back to his car and drive off leading to a high-speed pursuit. Morales led police on a chase until he abandoned the car on Saint Claire Street and began to run again on foot through backyards, as stated in the affidavit.

Police reported that they lost sight of Morales and a manhunt began due to the serious nature of the crimes he committed in Maryland. As of June 10, investigators have not located Morales.

Anyone with information on Morales whereabouts is asked to call 911 or message the Wilkes-Barre Township Police Facebook.

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Content warning: This article contains descriptions of animal abuse that may be upsetting. Viewer discretion is advised.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  A Pensacola man accused of beating a woman at least 50 times was arrested Monday, according to the Escambia County Sheriffs Office.

Okaloosa woman found guilty of premeditated murder in shooting death of infant

According to an ECSO Facebook post, deputies responded to the 6300 block of West Fairfield Drive for a disturbance.

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When deputies arrived, a 24-year-old woman reportedly told deputies that 30-year-old Dequan Jones had beaten her at least 50 times within the past five years.

Dequan Jones (Photo courtesy of the Escambia County Sheriffs Office).

UPDATE: 32 dogs rescued from alleged dog fighting ring, 29 people arrested

The woman showed deputies a video of the most recent incident, which was May 25, according to the post.

The video showed Jones grabbing the victim by the throat and slamming her to the bed restricting her breathing, the Facebook post said.

Further investigation revealed Jones had also abused a French bulldog from May 31 through June 5, according to the post.

A video provided to deputies showed Jones holding the dog upside down by his rear legs and swinging him around, kicking the dog into a wall multiple times, beating the dog repeatedly with a belt, violently shaking the dog, holding the dog on the ground with his knee while shoving the dogs head into the floor, and picking the dog up carrying him across the room and slamming him to the floor then kicking him, the Facebook post said.

Baldwin County road to be impassable  detour set

Jones was arrested and is charged with domestic battery by strangulation and four counts of animal cruelty.

Escambia County Animal Control seized the French bulldog.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
The Pentagon on Monday pushed back on what it said were inaccurate reports on social media that Israel used the U.S.-built pier off Gaza during a deadly hostage rescue mission over the weekend.

U.S. officials have said American intelligence was used to help rescue the four hostages in an Israeli military operation that Gazas health ministry says killed 274 Palestinians.

But Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters the pier was not used for the special operation to rescue hostages kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, seeking to dispel some of the inaccurate social media allegations about the raid.

The pier facility, including its equipment, personnel and assets, were not used in the [Israeli militarys] operation to rescue hostages in Gaza, Ryder said. Any such claim to the contrary is false.

Ryder acknowledged there was some type of helicopter activity near the pier, but he referred further questions to the Israeli military as to the nature of their operation because it was not associated with the U.S.-pier operation.

Ryder said he would not get into specifics on details in terms of what intelligence support may or may not have looked like, and he stressed there was no U.S. military involvement in the rescue operation, nor were there any American troops on the ground.

Ryder also said he did not believe misperceptions about the use of the pier puts U.S. forces at greater risk in the region.

The U.S. military has been working since March to build and sustain a floating pier off the coast of Gaza for aid deliveries during the war between Israel and Hamas that has tipped the enclave and its 2.3 million Palestinian inhabitants into famine.

The pier became active May 17, but aid deliveries had to be suspended May 28 for more than 10 days when a piece broke off due to rough seas.

The piece was repaired, and the pier was reanchored by the U.S. military on June 7, but further bad sea conditions stopped assistance once again.

Ryder said deliveries are now expected to resume Tuesday, even as the United Nations said it must review security of the situation before aid deliveries from the dock can begin again.

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WARSAW, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Monday the introduction of a buffer zone along the Polish-Belarusian border.

Tusk made the announcement at a press conference after a government meeting held in Bialystok in northeastern Poland.

"We have passed a resolution, as a result of which the interior ministry will issue a decree on the establishment of a buffer zone on the border with Belarus," Tusk said.

The move aims to make it difficult for illegal migrants to cross the border and to establish better conditions for border guards, police and soldiers, he added.

According to Tusk, the buffer zone would cover a stretch of several dozen kilometers and reach a depth of around 200 meters. 
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A person was hospitalized after a mobile home caught fire Friday night, June 7 in Las Cruces, according to the Las Cruces Fire Department.

The Fire Department says just after 8 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a structure at 2501 El Camino Real in Las Cruces.

The Fire Department says upon arrival, crews found a single-wide mobile home on fire.

A resident was inside the mobile home when the fire began and was removed before crews arrived at the scene.

The resident was evaluated for smoke inhalation at the scene and was transported to a local hospital, according to the Fire Department.

The Fire Department says the American Red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced occupants of the home.

The cause of the fire and damage estimates are still unknown.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
LIMA (Reuters) - Peru's Justice Department said on Monday it has extended by 14 months the pretrial detention of jailed former President Pedro Castillo, who is charged with rebellion, abuse of authority and disrupting the peace.

Castillo was ousted from office and arrested after his attempt to dissolve Congress in late 2022, setting off months of deadly protests that hit the key mining sector in the copper-rich country.

(Reporting by Marco Aquino; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Phoenix's 'ambitious' housing plan set bar low but led to progress. What happens next?

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In 2020, Phoenix needed a housing plan to improve home affordability.

When Phoenix leaders set a goal to create or save 50,000 houses in a decade to improve home affordability, the Housing Director at the time questioned if it could be done. She said she worried the city was aiming too high.

Four years later, the city is 80% of the way to its target and likely to surpass its goal this year or next. The milestone is welcomed inside Phoenix City Hall and by Cindy Stotler, the city's former Housing Director.

Mayor Kate Gallego has repeatedly lauded the goal as "ambitious."

However, data show the city's goal did not aim to build more housing than the market was already producing. Rather, it strove to maintain existing levels of home construction.

Neither Stotler nor the mayor have explained how they came up with the goal of 50,000 units, except to say they looked at what other cities were doing, Atlanta in particular.

The findings raise questions about how the city determined its goal and whether more progress could have been achieved had the city been more strategic and aggressive.

Phoenix has substantially increased the number of affordable homes, particularly workforce units, in the city. It has outpaced Atlanta, its inspiration. But Phoenix still has a housing shortage, median home prices continue to increase year over year, and U.S. Census data show a third of Phoenix residents spend more than one-third of their income on household expenses.

David King, an urban planning professor at Arizona State University, said cities are best equipped to effectively combat their housing crises when they craft specific goals that directly target the problem.

Creating or saving a certain number of housing units is vague and unlikely to attack the root of the problem, King said. He noted better goals could be targets for affordable and workforce housing, and ensuring the units are built where they're most needed and helpful.

An Arizona Republic comparison of Phoenix and Atlanta's plans shows that Phoenix's goal was broader: It aimed for 50,000 units of any type of housing in 10 years, while Atlanta aimed for 20,000 affordable units in seven years.

It also shows Phoenix copied and pasted multiple sections from the Atlanta plan, including the letter from the mayor and the vision statement.

Stotler acknowledged the goal of 50,000 units was an underestimate and said she would have included targeted goals for affordable housing units, in retrospect. Stotler left her Phoenix job to work at the state housing department under former Gov. Doug Ducey and now works at the Phoenix Industrial Development Authority.

But the intent of the Housing Phoenix plan was about more than the headline number goal, Stotler said.

The plan was about shifting mindsets in favor of diverse housing and giving councilmembers political cover when constituents were opposed to housing developments, she said.

"That was our whole intent," Stotler said. "Just help the elected officials help us create more affordable housing."

She explained, "When elected officials are faced with major decisions (that) may be controversial, it helps them to fall back on policy so they can say, 'Well, we have a housing plan and ... we have a goal to create units.'"

To that end, the city has made strides.

None of the Phoenix City Councilmembers debate the importance and necessity of apartments or affordable housing.

They have made policy changes to speed the construction process, legalize backyard casitas and direct funding toward affordable housing. The city has launched a pilot program that aims to make homeownership possible for low-income families in perpetuity.

But as the city nears completion of its housing goal far ahead of schedule, and a housing affordability crisis still plagues the region, the question becomes: What does the city do next to solve the problem?

If the intent of the first housing plan was to spotlight the issue as one of critical importance, then how will the next plan dig deeper? The answer remains unclear.

Mayor Kate Gallego speaks during a news conference and ride along for the new electric school bus in Phoenix on May 7, 2024.

Gallego told The Republic she was proud of the city's progress and the fact that Phoenix was the only city in the Valley with a housing plan  although outside the Valley, both Tucson and Flagstaff have them. Within the Valley, Mesa and Chandler are working on housing plans

She said she wants Phoenix to try "multiple levers" to combat the crisis in the future and "set new goals based on an updated housing needs assessment" when the existing goal is met.

But Gallego did not explain how the future goal would be determined and declined repeated interview requests for follow-up.

City officials don't explain how goal was determined

In 2020, Phoenix set out to build roughly 5,000 homes per year for a decade, but in the 30 years prior, Phoenix created 7,100 units on average per year, according to data from the Maricopa Association of Governments.

Stotler said officials believed the goal was ambitious because the Great Recession crashed the market, and they were unsure home construction levels would ever return.

Data show average home creation dipped to 2,700 per year between 2010 and 2015, but those figures rebounded in 2016 to 5,400 units and have not dipped below since.

In the three years before the housing plan, Phoenix built between 5,500 and 7,000 homes per year.

When asked how officials determined their goal of 50,000 units, Stotler said officials looked to other cities, such as Atlanta.

Atlanta's plan "had a good, ambitious number of housing units to create. We wanted to do something similar," she said.

Atlanta, which in 2019 aimed to create or save 20,000 affordable units in seven years, devised its goal based on data and outside expert analysis from an advisory group, HouseATL.

HouseATL board member Natallie Keiser told The Republic the goal was "triangulated off three data points:" how many affordable homes the city was losing, how many were being produced annually, and how many the city was short.

After evaluating "the extent to which development partners could scale to double or even triple production in an eight-year period," Keiser said the team landed on a "worthy, meaningful and achievable goal."

Phoenix officials, by comparison, created an "Affordable Housing Initiative," which identified Phoenix's housing needs, conducted community outreach, assessed the shortage and compiled best practices for affordable housing incentives.

The research was the basis for the city's Housing Plan, city officials said at the time, but they did not explain how it led to the goal of 50,000, and neither the mayor nor council members asked when the plan was approved.

Stotler's description of how the goal came about suggests it was somewhat arbitrary.

Housing construction continues on Nov. 15, 2023, at the site of the old Paradise Valley Mall, which closed in March 2021.

She said the Housing Department looked at other cities as a gauge, considered a goal of 30,000, talked it out internally, and then opted for 50,000 to be more ambitious.

The Republic's comparison of the reports shows several pages were directly copied and pasted or tweaked just slightly.

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottom's introductory letter begins, "Atlantas vibrant culture, booming economy and welcoming spirit have attracted many new residents over the past decade, reinforcing what Atlantans have always known - our city is a great place to call home."

Gallego's letter begins, "Phoenixs culture, booming economy, and quality of life has attracted hundreds of thousands of new residents over the past decade. This is further confirmation of what Phoenicians already knowour city is an exceptional place to call home."

Atlanta's vision statement at one point says, "For too many Atlantans, their ZIP code is a determinant of their access to opportunities."

Phoenix's vision statement is nearly entirely copied. It also says, "For too many Phoenicians, their ZIP code is a determinant of access to opportunities."

Gallego did not respond to questions about the copied language and if she or someone else wrote her letter.

Stotler said copying was common in government.

"If we find something that works very well, we try to copy it," she said.

Former housing director hoped for more affordable housing growth

Phoenix's housing assessment from 2020 found the city needed more affordable housing than market-rate: roughly 100,000 affordable units and 63,000 market-rate units.

Workforce housing is for people making between 60% and 120% of the area median income, which in 2023 was between $39,300 and $78,500 per year for an individual.

Affordable housing is for people making below 60% of the area median income, which was less than $39,300 in 2023. For a family of four, it was less than $56,100.

King, an urban planning expert, said the key to an effective housing solution is crafting detailed goals that directly and quickly target the problem  which in Phoenix, is affordability.

"Because we have so much growth in the Phoenix region, it really doesn't matter how many housing units we're building. The growth exceeds the number of housing units, so rents keep going up," King said.

More of any housing is a benefit, he acknowledged, but new housing doesn't age into affordability for decades, meaning low-income renters and buyers are not helped at the time they need it.

Phoenix's goal, which set a target for 50,000 homes, did not specify how many should be affordable versus market-rate.

The result has been roughly 35,000 homes built, and 5,000 saved. Half are market rate, half are affordable or workforce.

Here's a breakdown of the 40,091 units:

22,557 market-rate units created.

9,271 created workforce-rate units created.

8,263 affordable units saved or created: Created: 3,308. Saved: 5,225.



Stotler said it's more affordable housing than was previously being built but, "I was hoping to see more affordable units ... I would like affordable units to be a huge percentage of that."

Phoenix's thinking at the time, she said, was that building any kind of housing would help the situation. But looking back, she said she would have added targets for affordable housing.

"I think we were nervous to do that," Stotler said. "You can't predict the future. And we were doing the best we could."

Policy and mindset progress on affordable housing

Despite the absence of specific affordable housing targets and uncertainty over whether more could have been achieved, Phoenix has increased its supply and well-exceeded its overall home construction goals, averaging 8,700 total units per year between 2020 and 2023.

It is difficult to compare Phoenix and Atlanta's progress because Atlanta re-started its count in 2022 with the changing of the mayoral administration, and Phoenix has changed the way it reports its figures over time.

But while Atlanta has seen 4,500 affordable and workforce units finished in the last two years, Phoenix has far outpaced that at nearly 13,000 affordable and workforce units created or saved since March 2022.

Phoenix City Council. Top row (L-R): Mayor Kate Gallego, District 1 Councilwoman Ann O'Brien, District 2 Councilman Jim Waring. Middle row (L-R): District 3 Councilwoman Debra Stark, District 4 Councilwoman Laura Pastor, District 5 Councilwoman Betty Guardado. Bottom row (L-R): District 6 Councilman Sal DiCiccio, District 7 Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari, District 8 Councilman Carlos Garcia.

Stotler said she was stunned by the explosion of home construction in the last four years. But beyond that, she and City Councilmembers are also happy with the policy changes that have been adopted since 2020.

The Housing Phoenix Plan had nine high-level policy goals. The plan sought to determine the most advantageous areas for apartments and make affordable housing easier and less expensive to build.

Most of the goals have been completed, by the city's own accounting.

The council set aside more than 140 land parcels to be redeveloped into mixed-income housing in 2022.

The city launched a Landlord Incentive Program, paying people $2,000 to rent to Section 8 housing voucher recipients  low-income residents who generally pay 30% of their income toward rent and utilities while the government subsidizes the rest.

Last summer, the council members approved a Community Land Trust pilot program that makes homeownership attainable for low-income buyers. The trust purchases properties and then sells the homes, but not the land, reducing the price tag. When the buyer wants to sell, the trust repurchases the home and sells it to another low-income family but directs a portion of the sale's proceeds to the departing family to ensure they build wealth.

The Council also reduced parking requirements at apartment complexes in certain areas, legalized backyard casitas and streamlined the approval process for developers.

Vice Mayor Debra Stark, in reflecting on the plan, said she has seen both the City Council and residents grow more accepting and educated about the importance of affordable housing.

"I think what you're seeing is the council is much more open to having those discussions and acknowledging that we have to address the issue in a holistic manner," Stark said.

Regarding residents, she said, "I feel that people are more willing to talk about having affordable housing."

Councilmembers Betty Guardado and Jim Waring echoed those sentiments.

Councilmember Laura Pastor said, "Affordable housing was not as big of a conversation 10 years ago. ... Under my leadership, I ask for 10% of city projects to incorporate 10% affordable or workforce housing."

On set to meet goal ahead of schedule, Phoenix will set new one

Phoenix is 80% of the way to its goal of building or saving 50,000 homes and has completed most of the objectives in its housing plan.

But the city is short 120,000 homes, global developer Hines told Axios Phoenix in January.

The median home price in the Valley grew $43,000 more expensive in the last year, up to $468,000 in April, according to Realtor.com.

In May, the mayor said in a statement the city would "set new goals based on an updated housing needs assessment" when the existing goal is met.

She said she wanted the city to try "multiple levers" to combat the crisis in the future. She did not elaborate on how future goals would be determined and denied interview requests.

King said the questions Phoenix leaders need to ask themselves is what they will do differently next time and how they will evaluate success.

"If Phoenix says that they're 80% of the way to their goals for affordable housing, what's the big goal that they haven't achieved yet? Affordability," King said.

"Phoenix is less affordable now than it was five years ago," he added. "So, there's something missing in these plans."

Taylor Seely covers Phoenix for The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com. Reach her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com or by phone at 480-476-6116.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix's housing plan set the bar low. Will the next be better?
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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The 'radome', made of composite material, was stripped away by the hail - ExitHamster/X

An Austrian Airlines passenger jet suffered heavy damage flying through a hail storm, pictures have revealed.

The aircraft, an Airbus A320-200, had its nosecone smashed away and its cockpit windows left almost opaque when it was battered by hailstones, pictures show.

The pilots made a mayday call  an emergency broadcast to air traffic controllers  as a result of the damage, Austrian Airlines said.

Flight number OS434 was between the Spanish island of Palma de Mallorca and Vienna on Sunday June 9 when it encountered a thunderstorm cell, the spokesman said.

Technicians are now inspecting the Airbus, which landed safely despite the damage.

The cockpit windows of the Austria Airlines flight were badly smashed by hailstones - Media Drum

The pictures, taken at Vienna Airport, show that the radome, a composite fibre cover that protects the weather radar dish on the nose of the plane, was almost completely torn away.

The hail also badly damaged the pilots windows  but did not penetrate their three overlapping layers of specially strengthened plastics.

Airliner windscreens are tested to ensure they dont break when hit by hail or other hard objects while travelling at speeds of hundreds of miles per hour.

A spokesman for Austrian Airlines said the severe weather was not visible on the aircrafts weather radar.

Emmeley Oakley, a passenger, told ABC News: I think we were about 20 minutes from landing when we got into a cloud of hail and thunderstorm, and the turbulence started.

She told the broadcaster that turbulence caused by the hailstorm lasted for around two minutes, with phones and cups flying around the cabin.

There were no injuries caused by the hailstorm - ExitHamster/X

It was a pretty uneventful flight for 90 per cent of the trip, she added.

In 2017, a pilot was hailed a hero after landing another Airbus that encountered a similar storm.

Captain Alexander Akopov, a Ukrainian, was flying a jet operated by Turkish company Atlasglobal from Istanbul to Erkan, Cyprus, with 127 tourists on board, when he encountered severe storms.

The Atlasglobal jets windscreen was left opaque by the impact of hailstones.

Hailstorms do not only damage airliners. In May, hail destroyed substantial parts of French vineyards. Meteo France, the countrys weather forecaster, reported that petanque boule-sized hailstones had fallen, destroying swathes of grapevines in the Chablis region.

The hail tore everything apart. It devastated a good part of the whole vineyard, said Arnaud Nahan, co-owner of Domaine du Chardonnay.

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Drive off from a deputy in Pinellas County? Starting Tuesday, youll lose your car.

The new policy aims to reduce dangerous high-speed police chases, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said in a news conference Wednesday. While many states allow police to seize cars involved in felonies, Pinellas is the first law enforcement agency in the nation to enact a blanket seizure policy for evasion cases.

If you own a car and value it, dont run from the cops, Gualtieri said.

The sheriffs office may seize the vehicle at the time of arrest or at a later date, even if the driver doesnt own the car. In those cases, Gualtieri said, deputies will issue a written warning notifying the car owner that it was used to commit a felony, and if the car is involved in a second evasion attempt, it will be seized.

The message: Everyone needs to be responsible, Gualtieri said. Dont let them use your car again. And if you do, and they run again, then its on you.

Gualtieri said the policy will also apply to rental car companies whose vehicles are used to flee deputies. He said the department is aware of drivers renting a car, fleeing deputies, abandoning the vehicle and repeating the cycle with a new rental.

Im just going to tell you the way it is: There are some rental car companies out there that cater to those involved in criminal activity, Gualtieri said. Many of these car rental agencies know exactly whats going on.

The new policy isnt the first step the sheriffs office has taken to cut down on police pursuits: In 2014, Gualtieri raised the threshold for when deputies can chase suspects by car, reserving such chases only for when there is an imminent danger to the public.

Prior to the change, Pinellas saw roughly 100 police pursuits each year, according to Gualtieri. Since then, that total has fallen to about 10 per year, with just five in 2023.

While other agencies  including the Florida Highway Patrol  have since relaxed their pursuit policies, Gualtieri said his office will continue to avoid them unless absolutely necessary, citing danger to the public.

All chasing more does is cause more injuries and more death, Gualtieri said. The answer here in Pinellas County is to cause a consequence that matters to people who flee from the police.

Even without police giving chase, attempts to flee are dangerous and can lead to fatal consequences. Gualtieri gave his remarks beside photos of two severe crashes: one that left a teen dead in October 2022, and a high-speed ambulance collision that injured four last month.

From 2019 to 2022, there was a 40% rise in fatal crashes from police pursuits compared to the previous three-year period, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Those crashes left 1,919 dead.

Geoffrey Alpert, a professor of criminal justice and criminology at the University of South Carolina, lauded the new seizure policy as an important step to discourage fleeing the police.

Anything to keep people from fleeing and to keep police from chasing is a positive step, Alpert said. If you seize the car, maybe its going to deter other people. It cant hurt.

Bryant Scriven, a Tampa defense attorney experienced in asset forfeiture cases, raised concerns about the blanket use of the states evasion law to seize cars.

We see arrests all the time for fleeing to elude when its literally just driving half a mile or down to the next block to pull into a lighted parking lot or gas station, Scriven said.

Between January 2022 and April 2024, the policy could have allowed the sheriffs office to seize as many as 1,042 cars  the number of offenses for fleeing and eluding deputies over that period, though some violators are repeat offenders, according to Gualtieri.

The policy doesnt mean owners cant get their vehicles back, though.

Under Floridas civil forfeiture laws, anyone whose property is seized by police is entitled to an initial court hearing to assess whether police had probable cause to believe the property was involved in a felony. The owner also has a right to a jury trial to determine if they knew or should have known the property would be used to commit the crime.

The sheriffs office must notify the owner within five days of the seizure and begin forfeiture proceedings within 45 days, or 60 days if they can demonstrate good cause to a judge, according to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act. After the owner is notified, they have 15 days to request an initial hearing to overturn the seizure. Otherwise, they have to wait to go before a jury.

If the court rules in favor of the seizure, Gualtieri said, the sheriffs office will then sell the vehicle and use the proceeds for charitable purposes and public services.

That revenue will go to the Pinellas County Law Enforcement Trust Fund, which gives money to local nonprofits and also pays for some police equipment, like rain gear, forensic tools and cameras.

Gualtieri said the sheriffs office will not put any of the seized vehicles into service, as some other law enforcement agencies in Florida have. The Panama City Beach Police Department, for example, confiscated a 2022 C8 Corvette in April 2023 and has since repainted it and deployed it for community events.

Alpert, who began researching police pursuits in the 1980s in Miami, said he hopes the possibility of vehicle seizures will not create a perverse justification for unnecessary police pursuits.

Scriven said if the new policy leads to excessive arrests and seizures, it will be up to the courts to resolve them.

Youre going to have some officers on the street essentially making a determination, and theyre not always right, he said. I imagine there will probably be a lot more forfeiture litigation, quite honestly, as a result of it.
Kenneth Lamar sits on his daughter, Rebecca's bed in her old room at home. He has kept it as it was before she went to a group home she shares with three other women. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Kenneth Lamar, father of Rebecca, sits on her bed in her old room which has stayed just the way it was before she went to a DIDD facility. (Photo: John Partipilo)

The letter from the states disability agency landed like a bombshell.

The state-run homes in which Kenneth and Kathy Lamars severely-disabled adult daughter has lived for seven years will be decommissioned to make room for kids needing foster care, it said.

We will work with you and your loved one to review the options read the form letter from the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD).

The Lamars are among scores of guardians and families of adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities who were notified May 6 of plans to repurpose the residences for children in the custody of the Department of Childrens Services (DCS).

Kathy Lamar said they feel betrayed by Tennessee disability officials, who  until now  have assured them that their daughter, Rebecca, will receive round-the-clock quality care in a Nashville cottage she shares with three other women for the rest of her life.

Rebecca Lamar, 42, has decorated her pink bedroom with family photos and posters of Loretta Lynn, her idol. She has cerebral palsy, limited vision, relies on a wheelchair to get around and possesses the cognitive abilities of a ten-year-old child  none of which get in the way of her love of dressing in evening costumes and listening to childrens audiobooks.

Its like theyre robbing Peter to take care of Paul because DCS has let these problems linger, Kathy Lamar said last week. My heart does go out to these children, but Im not going to let them have my childs bed. No. Theres no difference between her and these kids.

Facing an uproar from affected families, DIDD officials said last week that no one is being evicted from their homes and we have stated that in conversations with family members.

It was the departments intent to start assisting people and families with identifying private provider service options in their communities and of the support we are prepared to offer those transitioning into appropriate community or private ICF settings (nursing homes), their statement said.

But in their private conversations, family members reported feeling pressured by state officials who emphasized the pressing needs facing children in state custody. There are fewer spaces available for DCS kids with medical needs than adults receiving DIDD services, state officials noted.

They are using the plight of young people in DCS custody to encourage the conservators and families to get these people to move, said Zoe Jamail, policy director for Disability Rights Tennessee, which has written its own letter to the families saying they are under no obligation to move their loved ones out of the homes.

They are pitting one group against another, she said.

Kids spent months in hospitals

For more than three years, state social workers have struggled to find foster homes for children taken into state custody as a result of abuse or neglect  an even tougher proposition when children have ongoing medical needs such as tracheostomies and feeding tubes, or are wheelchair-bound.

Child advocates have long noted that some parents have felt forced to surrender kids with disabilities to the state because they have been unable to get them the in-home care they need, a reality that a DCS spokesperson acknowledged last week while noting the agency does not track data on parental surrenders.

In 2022, DCS chief Margie Quin said publicly that children were being needlessly hospitalized for lack of better options  in some cases for more than eight months at a time, the Lookout reported at the time.

Last year, Gov. Bill Lee unveiled the states solution to the problem: the Tennessee Strong Homes initiative. The state would place children with complex medical needs in vacant cottages that once cared for adults with intellectual disabilities as part of the initiative.

The initiative grew out of the need to support Tennessee hospitals, who were tasked with caring for DCS kids, a DCS spokesperson said. Currently nine children are living in the homes formerly occupied by adults with disabilities, according to DCS.

Kenneth and Kathy Lamar review a letter from the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities advising them their adult daughter, Rebecca, could be moved from her group home. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Rebecca Lamars room at her parents home in Culleoka, Tennessee, features a homage to Loretta Lynn, her favorite music star. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Diane McVetty the fate of her brother, Clark Blackwell, if the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities moves him from his current home. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Clark Blackwell has been "living his best life" in his group home, where he plays rock and Christian music on his boombox, says his sister, Diane McVetty. (Photo: John Partipilo)

It wasnt until last month that state officials alerted families and guardians of current residents that their homes were also being eyed for children.

The cottages were built in 2016 after the long-delayed closure of Clover Bottom in Nashville and Greene Valley Developmental Center in Greenville  facilities built in an earlier era when people with disabilities were placed in large institutions at young ages for the rest of their lives.

A deinstitutionalization movement across the nation, enforced in Tennessee through court orders, asserted the rights of people to live with disabilities in home-like settings. The cottages are scattered through neighborhoods in west, middle and east Tennessee.

They think theyll get more sympathy for these kids

Among the current residents is Clark Blackwell who, starting at age 17, spent 35 years at Clover Bottom before moving into a four-person cottage next door to Rebecca Lamars. Staff also transitioned out of Clover Bottom to the new homes. Blackwell has had some of the same caregivers for 40 years, his family said.

Blackwell is nonverbal but mobile; he can eat, dress and bathe without assistance. He goes to the YMCA regularly, blasts rock and Christian music on his boombox and picks out his own produce on trips to the grocery store.

Hes been living his best life, said Dianne McVetty, Blackwells sister.

A grandmother to 10 foster children, six of whom were adopted, McVetty said she was sympathetic to the needs of kids in DCS custody, but not at her brothers expense.

While there may be options in private-sector group and nursing homes, the family sees no reason to move Blackwell now.

For a short period years ago, the family moved Blackwell from Clover Bottom to a privately run facility, but pulled him out again after he was the victim of physical abuse, suffering cigarette burns and bites to his hand, his sister said.

It seems like theyre trying to fix one problem while creating another, she said. Clark has endured so much in his life, something he cant even tell you about.

McVetty said in her phone calls with DIDD officials that they stressed what those kids are going through.

But this is my brother, she said. My opinion is that they think theyll get more sympathy for these kids than adults and they just want us to move them to other places in the private sector, no matter the quality.

Like the Lamar family, she said the past few weeks has shattered the peace she felt knowing her brother, the baby in the family, would have care even after she was gone.

You cant go to sleep, because you lay down and hear them saying they can terminate Clark at any time, said McVetty, who is 69. Even if they tell me Clark is OK for now, whens the other shoe going to drop?

Original DIDD Community Transition Letter

The post Pitting one group against another: Tennessee asks disabled adults to make way for foster kids appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
MOAB, Utah (ABC4)  Saving lives sometimes comes down to being in the right place at the right time.



Thats what the Grand County Sheriffs Search and Rescue posted on social media after two Moab men saved a family of three when their kayak capsized on the rushing Colorado River.

A 40-year-old man was kayaking on the river with his two sons, aged 8 and 10 years old, when the kayak flipped in whitewater just upstream from a popular beach near Highway 128. SAR said both boys were wearing life jackets, however, both were still unable to keep their heads above water.

The 10-year-olds jacket inflated with a C02 cartridge but the jacket had flipped the boy, causing him to be face down in the water. Meanwhile, the 8-year-old was wearing a jacket that was too big, keeping him from being able to get his head above the water. Their father was not wearing his life jacket when the kayak capsized.

Utah hiker found dead after phone showed her being swept into river near Horsetail Falls

Gaar Lausman, a Moab resident and former associate of the Grand County Sheriffs Search and Rescue, saw the accident and immediately jumped into action. SAR said Lausman hopped onto his paddleboard and pulled the two struggling boys out of the water and onto his board.

At the same time, life-long Moab resident Daniel Wright happened to be traveling upstream on his jet ski. Lausman got Wrights attention and pointed to the 40-year-old father who was being swept downriver.

Wright had actually passed with a few feet of the man, who was almost completely submerged at the time and virtually unnoticeable because of the substantial amount of high-water debris, Grand County SAR said.

Wright quickly spun his jet ski around and rescued the man just as he went underwater again with his hand raised.

Catastrophic Failure: Teton Pass road collapses, long-term closure expected

The father and his two boys were safely taken a shore.

Grand Countys Emergency Services sincerely thanks Gaar Lausman and Daniel Wright for their life-saving efforts, said Grand County SAR in a post to social media. Because of you, that family gets to go home.

The Grand County Sheriffs SAR said any stretch of the Colorado River can be dangerous as the water can be deceptively calm. Violent currents just below the water can pull swimmers down or sweep a person farther away from shore.

SAR took the opportunity to encourage everyone to wear properly fitted personal floatation devices when on the water and shared a few tips to consider when recreating, especially when the water flow is high:

Stay alert to changing conditions.

Know where youre going and make your moves early.

Flips are more likely, so learn and know how to self-rescue.

Stay alert for debris and driftwood which become more common in rising water.

Avoid strainers and entanglements.

Dress warm for the cold water with proper equipment.

Be prepared and help each other out.

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An aircraft carrying Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima, 51, has gone missing after it left the capital Lilongwe, according to President Lazarus Chakwera.

The plane, which was carrying nine others, departed on Monday at 9:17 a.m. local time but failed to make its planned landing at Mzuzu International Airport. The trip was only intended to last about 45 minutes.

The plane nearly made it to its destination, but the pilot couldnt land due to bad weather, Chakwera said in an address to the nation. Authorities advised the plane to turn around but didnt hear from it again.

The pilot was unable to land the plane due to poor visibility, the president said. Aviation authorities advised [the] aircraft to return to Lilongwe, but the authorities soon lost contact.

The president canceled a planned departure to the Bahamas and ordered all regional and national agencies to conduct an immediate search and rescue operation to locate the aircraft.

Chakwera said Monday evening that the search and rescue operation had narrowed in on a specific zone.

Soldiers are still on the ground carrying out the search, and I have given strict orders that the operation should continue until the plane is found, Chakwera said.

I know that this is a heartbreaking situation. I know that we are all frightened and concernedI too am concerned. But I want to assure you that I am sparing no available resource to find that plane.

Chilima has served as vice president since 2014 and is married with two children, according to the government. He holds a Ph.D. in Knowledge Management from the University of Bolton and a Masters degree in Economics. He previously led telecommunications company Airtel Malawi and worked at Unilever Malawi, Coca-Cola, and Carlsberg, the government said.

Chilima was supposed to attend the funeral of Ralph Kasambara, a former attorney general and minister of justice, who recently died following heart failure. Minister of Defense Harry Mkandawire spoke at the funeral in his place, according to the presidents office.

Kasambara was buried in his home village of Chijere on Monday.

A series of other aircraft emergencies in recent months has played havoc with the leaders and prominent figures of several other nations. A helicopter crash killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian last month. Yevgeniy Prigozhin, who ran the Russian mercenary group Wagner Group and was also known as Russian President Vladimir Putins chef, was killed in a plane crash last August.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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TEHRAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Caretaker Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani and Igor Levitin, senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Monday reaffirmed the two countries' commitment to the implementation of the joint projects.

They met on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, and discussed bilateral relations and cooperation, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Bagheri Kani stressed the importance attached by late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to the expansion and deepening of strategic relations between Tehran and Moscow, highlighting the Iranian government's determination to continue such a stance.

He stressed that Iran would use all its capacities to implement the joint strategic plans that align with the two countries' interests.

During the talks, Bagheri Kani underscored the necessity of accelerating the construction of a railway inside Iran, which will be part of an international transport route linking South Asia to Northern Europe, known as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

Levitin, for his part, said his country's high-ranking officials were determined to implement the agreements reached between Raisi and Putin.

He added that he would visit Iran in the near future to follow up on the progress and completion of the bilateral projects, including the INSTC, noting that Russia aims to connect the INSTC to other corridors and pave the way for enhanced cooperation between the two countries in the transit area. 
Poland says no 'external force' behind fatal arms plant explosion

There was no "external force" behind an explosion and fire at a Polish arms plant that killed one person, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on June 10, in comments reported by Wirtualna Polska.

An explosion in the Mesko arms factory in the southeastern Polish city of Skarzysko-Kamienna earlier in the day started a fire and killed a 59-year-old worker, RMF 24 reported.

Another employee was hospitalized after inhaling smoke, but his life is not in danger, local authorities said.

In an apparent reference to increased cases of Russian sabotage across Europe, Tusk said his government was "very vigilant and sensitive" to such cases for "obvious reasons."

"For now, there is no reason to believe that any external force was behind this dramatic event," he added.

U.S. and allied intelligence officials have noted a growing number of low-level sabotage operations in Europe that seem to be a part of Russia's effort to undermine assistance for Ukraine, the New York Times (NYT) reported on May 26.

The news comes days after Poland arrested at least 12 residents over alleged spying and planning sabotage on behalf of Russia on Polish soil.

These operations, spearheaded by the Russian military intelligence agency (GRU), are mostly arsons or attempted arsons targeting non-military targets and aimed at creating the impression of a domestic opposition against aiding Kyiv, the outlet wrote.

The June 10 incident is not the first such tragic case to have taken place at the Mesko factory. In September 2021, an explosion killed a 41-year-old woman.

In yet another incident, a 48-year-old woman was seriously injured during a blast in April 2021, later dying due to her injuries.

Mesko, owned by state-run Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa SA, manufactures various defense products, including Grom and Piorun man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), Spike-LR anti-tank missiles, and small arms ammunition.

Poland has provided extensive military support to Ukraine, leading to local arms factories significantly increasing production.

Mesko signed a contract in 2022 for the supply of ammunition of various calibers to Ukraine.

Read also: Russian ship Admiral Levchenko on fire in Barents Sea, Ukrainian official claims

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Officers kill man who opened fire on his former girlfriend in Arlington park, police say

Arlington police officers late Sunday shot to death a 42-year-old man at a park in the city when he fired a handgun upon his former girlfriend, the police department said.

As officers pulled up to the park and were leaving their patrol vehicles at Red Kane Park, the man fired multiple shots at the woman, Arlington police said. Three officers shot at the man, whom the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office identified as Shannon Boyd.

Boyd, who lived Irving, was pronounced dead at a hospital. The woman, who is 40, was in critical condition on Monday morning.

No officers were injured during the encounter about 10:30 p.m., police said.

The officers were dispatched to the park in the 6500 block of South Cooper Street to investigate a reported domestic disturbance between Boyd and the woman.

The officers who fired upon Boyd were, under department policy, placed on paid administrative leave.

Criminal and administrative investigations were launched under standard procedure.

 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

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JENNINGS, Mo.  Homicide detectives with the St. Louis County Police Departments Bureau of Crimes Against Persons are continuing their investigation into a shooting in Koeneman Park last Friday that left one man dead and four others injured.

According to Sgt. Tracy Panus, a county police spokeswoman, the shooting happened just after 5 p.m. on June 7 in the park, near the 2600 block of Shannon Avenue.

Police arrived to find one man shot to death. He was identified as Terrance Lambert. Lambert was 28.

Missouri inmate executed for 2009 murder of Jefferson City woman and husband

Four other adult males had been shot. Their injuries were not life-threatening but they were taken to local hospitals.

Investigators do not believe the shooting was a random act.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. If you wish to remain anonymous or are interested in a cash reward, call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.

Meanwhile, Missouri State Senator Angela Mosley is hosting a town hall meeting to discuss solutions for stopping the violence. The event will be held on Thursday, June 20 at Westside Missionary Baptist Church at 6 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 FOX 2.
Man killed by Johnston deputy at UNC hospital in Clayton tried to take gun, sheriff says

A Johnston County deputy fatally shot a man who tried to take his gun Monday morning outside the UNC Health Johnston hospital in Clayton, the Sheriffs Office said.

Alan Wolf, director of news and media relations for UNC Health, said the shooting followed an altercation in the parking lot and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

No hospital employees were harmed, Wolf said. All areas of the hospital are open. However, our security team is escorting all visitors and patients to their areas.

This is what the Johnston County Sheriffs Office says happened:

At 5:46 a.m. a deputy was trying to leave the hospital parking lot in his patrol car when a man confronted him, according to a news release.

During the encounter, the suspect attempted to gain control of the deputys firearm, the release stated. A struggle ensued into the parking lot where the deputy was able to regain control of his firearm, and shots were fired resulting in the death of the suspect.

The Sheriffs Office is not currently identifying the deputy or the man killed and does not have body-worn or in-car cameras, spokesman Maj. Jeff Caldwell told The News & Observer by email Monday.

Local law enforcement agencies that do have cameras often ask a judge for permission to release camera footage to show what happened in such incidents.

Sheriff Steve Bizzell and District Attorney Susan Doyle have asked the State Bureau of Investigation to review the incident, which is normal procedure when an officer shoots someone.

The deputy in Mondays shooting has been placed on administrative leave with pay, which is also typical procedure.

Law enforcement officers stand outside of yellow tape marking the scene where there was a report of shots fired at UNC Health in Clayton, Monday, June 10, 2024.

About UNC Health Johnston

UNC Health opened the Clayton hospital in 2009 and expanded it in 2015 to serve the growing Clayton area.

The 50-bed hospital has over 300 physicians and over 2,000 employees at its Clayton and Smithfield hospitals.

We will update this breaking news story as we get more information.

A Johnston County deputy shot a person Monday morning at UNC Healthcare Johnston County in Clayton, according to the sheriffs office.
Police Say This Woman Did the Unthinkable To This Precious 3-Year-Old Boy

A routine trip to the grocery store turned into a horror movie after a woman allegedly attacked a mother and her 3-year-old son with a kitchen knife, leaving the toddler with fatal injuries.



North Olmsted police said the incident occurred just after 3 p.m. Monday in the parking lot of the Giant Eagle located on Lorain Road. Margot Wood had rolled her son, Julian, in the shopping cart to their car when they were approached by 32-year-old Bionca Ellis, per The APs report. Prosecutors say Ellis was armed with two kitchen knives she stole from a thrift store nearby and followed the mother-son duo into the lot.

Police say Ellis stabbed the boy twice as he sat in the cart and attacked his mother as she tried to lift him out of the seat before running away. Police said they located Ellis with the bloodied knife in hand a short distance from the scene of the crime. The report says the boy was transferred to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The motive for the alleged stabbing is still unknown as it does not appear Ellis knew Mrs. Wood and her son personally. The most we know is that the suspect may have been unhoused at the time of the incident.

Read more from Cleveland.com:

Court records show that Ellis was in the process of being evicted from her subsidized apartment building in Cleveland at the time of the stabbing. Lawyers for the real estate company K&D filed a complaint in Cleveland Housing Court in March seeking permission to remove her from the apartment after she missed three rent payments, according to the court records. A Cleveland housing court magistrate granted the request last month. K&D also evicted Ellis from a different location in 2018, according to court records.

A Cuyahoga County grand jury indicted Ellis on aggravated murder, attempted murder, felonious assault, endangering children, theft and tampering with evidence. Shes being held on a $1 million bond.

Wood is expected to make a full recovery from her injuries. A GoFundMe in support of the family has raised over $180,000 in donations.

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
An explosion in the Mesko arms factory in the southeastern Polish city of Skarzysko-Kamienna on June 10 started a fire and killed a 59-year-old worker, RMF 24 reported.

Another employee was hospitalized after inhaling smoke, but his life is not in danger, local authorities said.

"We had an explosion at the rocket fuel center, which was put into operation a few years ago," the plant's chair, Elzbieta Sreniawska, told RMF 24.

The company's services put out the fire and the incident's causes are currently being investigated.

This is not the first such tragic case to have taken place at the Mesko factory. In September 2021, an explosion killed a 41-year-old woman.

In yet another incident, a 48-year-old woman was seriously injured during a blast in April 2021, later dying due to her injuries.

Mesko, owned by state-run Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa SA, manufactures various defense products, including Grom and Piorun man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), Spike-LR anti-tank missiles, and small arms ammunition.

Poland has provided extensive military support to Ukraine, leading to local arms factories significantly increasing production. Mesko signed a contract in 2022 for the supply of ammunition of various calibers to Ukraine.

Read also: Nine people arrested in Poland over alleged Russian sabotage plot

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk attends a press conference at the Building of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister in Warsaw. Maciek Jazwiecki/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Poland has decided to set up a buffer zone in the border area with Belarus.

At a meeting in Biaystok in the east of the country on Monday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Cabinet instructed the Ministry of the Interior to begin the process of constructing the buffer zone.

The aim is to make the illegal smuggling of migrants across the Polish-Belarusian frontier more difficult, and to improve the working conditions for border guards, the army and the police.

The restricted area will mostly be 200 metres wide, but in a few places it will be much wider, up to 2 kilometres. European Union and NATO member Poland has a border with Belarus that is around 400 kilometres long.

The measure is a reaction to the recent fatal knife attack on a Polish soldier at the border fence. The army says the soldier was attacked from the Belarusian side of the border fence at the end of May. He was seriously injured and later died.

Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Monday that every effort would be made to catch and punish the alleged perpetrator. The PAP news agency reported that Tusk had also announced a relaxation of the legal rules on the use of firearms by the security forces.

Poland and the EU accuse Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko of bringing migrants from crisis-hit regions to the EU's external border in an organized manner in order to exert pressure on the West.

In the summer of 2022, Poland secured the border with Belarus with a 5.5-metre-high fence and an electronic surveillance system.

Despite the construction of the border fortifications, migrants continue to attempt to cross the EU's external border irregularly on a daily basis.
On 10 June, Polish President Andrzej Duda signed an amendment to the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the ongoing war in the country, which extends the period of legal stay of Ukrainian citizens in Poland.

Source: press service of the Polish President's Chancellery, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The amendment extends the legal stay of Ukrainian war refugees in Poland from 30 June 2024 to 30 September 2025. This will allow Ukrainians to continue to access medical services as well as family and social benefits.

The signed amendment envisages the payment of childcare allowances and Good Start benefits to Ukrainian citizens depending on whether their children are enrolled in a Polish educational institution. It also defines a maximum 36-month period during which Ukrainian students can attend additional free Polish language classes.

In addition, the new Polish law stipulates that a Ukrainian must present a valid travel document to obtain a Universal Electronic System for Registration of the Population (PESEL) number and submit an application for PESEL with the UKR status "immediately upon arrival" in Poland.

The amendment also stipulates that since 1 July, financial support for Polish citizens who have hosted refugees from Ukraine in particularly challenging situations will be only possible under a proper agreement with local authorities.

The law also provides for the termination of benefits related to the compensation of refugees' accommodation and food costs incurred by private landlords as of 1 July. Additionally, it is envisaged that specific grounds for the cancellation of temporary residence permits for Ukrainian citizens be introduced.

Background:

The draft amendments to the law were developed by the Ministry of the Interior and Administration of Poland and approved by the Polish Parliament in May.

In February, the Polish government extended the temporary protection for refugees until March 2025, but this decision did not apply to Ukrainians.

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LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's prime minister, whose rightist coalition won a general election in March, said on Sunday he would back former centre-left Socialist premier Antonio Costa if he decides to run for the European Council top job.

The Council, which represents national governments of the 27 member states, is one of the European Union's three main political institutions, along with the European Commission and the European Parliament.

The rise of euro-sceptic nationalist parties in this Sunday's European Parliament election might complicate Ursula von der Leyen's bid for a second term as president of the Commission, though she remains the front-runner for the job.

If von der Leyen is re-elected, the Council presidency is likely to go to the Socialists, and Costa, who governed Portugal for eight years since the end of 2015 but stepped down in November last year, is widely seen as a strong candidate.

The current European Council president is Charles Michel, who will helm the institution until the end of November this year.

"It is possible the presidency of the European Council will go to a Socialist candidate," Portugal Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said. "If Antonio Costa is a candidate for this position...the Portuguese government will not only support (him) but will do everything to ensure his candidacy is successful."

Montenegro made the comments as he reacted to the results of the European Parliament election, which in Portugal was won by the Socialists by a narrow margin with 32.1% of the vote, slightly above Montenegro's ruling Democratic Alliance (AD) coalition.

(Reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Gaza, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. temporary floating pier off Gaza has made no "serious contribution" to alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the enclave, the Hamas-run government media office said on Monday.

Since the pier was installed, only a very limited number, not exceeding 120, of trucks have passed through it, it said in a statement.

If the U.S. administration were serious about mitigating the impact of the humanitarian catastrophe, it would pressure Israel to open the land crossings and ensure the entry of thousands of aid trucks stacked on the Egyptian side, it added.

In the statement, Hamas said because of the failure to bring in aid, various regions in the strip have exhibited signs of famine, especially in northern Gaza.

Earlier Sunday, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) announced it had paused its distribution of humanitarian aid into Gaza through the American floating pier due to concerns about the safety of its staff.

Two of WFP's warehouses in Gaza were attacked and a staff member injured during an Israeli military operation in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on Saturday that has killed at least 274 Palestinians.

On May 17, the floating pier started receiving humanitarian aid items. One week later, it was seriously damaged by a storm. On June 8, the United States Central Command said the pier resumed working and began delivery of humanitarian assistance ashore in Gaza.

The pier was built as several land crossings into the Gaza Strip remain closed since Israel took control of the Rafah crossing in the southernmost Gaza city of Rafah in May. 
How powerful forces from left to right came together to stop NYCs controversial congestion pricing

An extraordinarily broad coalition of powerful people who often dont see eye to eye joined forces and prompted Gov. Kathy Hochul to blink and scuttle the controversial $15 congestion toll for Midtown.

Key players detailed pivotal moments that fueled the groundswell of opposition  while The Posts campaign against the badly misguided plan crucially kept the issue front and center, according to New Jersey Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer.

One turning point came when the influential left-leaning teachers union hooked up with Staten Island Republican Borough President Vito Fossella in filing a federal lawsuit to pump the breaks on the congestion pricing.

An extraordinarily broad coalition of powerful people joined forces and prompted Gov. Kathy Hochul to blink and scuttle the controversial $15 congestion toll for Midtown. Helayne Seidman

Unions representing the entire city government workforce  including ambulance workers and other first responders who drive to their jobs in Manhattan  also provided muscle by rallying against it.

I got a call from [United Federation of Teachers President] Mike Mulgrew, who asked me, Are you serious about pursuing this lawsuit? Fossella recalled. I said, Yes. Sometimes you have to work with people you dont always agree with for the common good.

I give credit to Mulgrew and the UFT for stepping up. The $15 toll was going to come out of the pockets of teachers, firefighters and EMS workers.

Gottheimer  a Dem who is considered a top contender to become New Jerseys next governor  held bipartisan press conferences with New York House Republican Reps. Nicole Maliotakis and Michael Lawler among others to keep the issue in the spotlight. He represents north Jersey communities that border the George Washington Bridge.

Staten Island Republican Borough President Vito Fossella filed a federal lawsuit to stop the new congestion pricing. Brigitte Stelzer

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, filed his own lawsuit against the congestion toll, turning the issue into a battle between himself and Hochul  two governors from the same party on both sides of the Hudson.

People are over the moon. We won, Gottheimer said.

The public pressure worked. It was a broad-based coalition from left to right. All those pieces made a difference, the Jersey congressman said, adding, The New York Post did a very good job putting the issue front and center.

Gov. Hochul and the legislature failed to come up with alternatives last week to finance the MTAs capital plan. Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Unions representing the citys government workforce and ambulance workers also rallied against the new pricing. Christopher Sadowski

Congressman Lawler, who represents Rockland County and other communities north of the city, said massive opposition forced Hochuls hand five months before elections that could decide which party controls the House of Representatives.

There was a groundswell against the congestion toll. The general public was getting clued in to what was going on, Lawler said, adding that The Posts coverage of the issue was invaluable.

Hochul got cold feet after the MTA already spent some $500 million in prep work to impose the new toll, the rep said.

New York Posts front page for Thursday, June 6, 2024. rfaraino

Other civic activists and small-business owners who formed the group New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax also galvanized opposition. Founders included Corey Bearak of the Queens Civic Congress, Chinatown business advocate Susan Lee and former Lower East Side Councilman and retired Judge Kathryn Freed.

Our cause was right. We need a vibrant economy. The congestion toll was going to raise the cost of goods and services for everyone, Bearak said.

He also said traffic congestion and pollution would have been redirected from Manhattan to other parts of the city to avoid the Midtown toll.

The Posts campaign against the badly misguided plan crucially kept the issue front and center, according to New Jersey Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer (pictured). AP

The congestion toll was never about the environment. It was about revenue, Bearak said.

Hochul and the legislature failed to come up with alternatives last week to finance the MTAs capital plan, which was expected to gain $1 billion a year with the congestion toll.

Bearak said the state, city and federal governments should make public transit a bigger priority and identify additional funds in their budgets for the MTAs capital program and help implement better cost controls at the the agency that oversees NYC Transit, the Long Island Railroad and Metro-North.
Early voting takes place at Galleria Mall Thursday, May 30, 2024, in Henderson. (Ronda Churchill/Nevada Current)

Policy, politics and progressive commentary

Voter turnout for Nevadas June primary election is currently low overall, but the people who are casting ballots are overwhelmingly doing so via mail.

Total turnout for the primary election sat at 234,378  11.7% of eligible registered voters  as of noon Saturday, according to the Nevada Secretary of States Office.

Approximately 168,000 of those people chose to cast their votes using a mail ballot, while only 65,000 cast their votes in person during the states two-week early voting period, which ended Friday. Put another way: 72% of Nevadans whove already voted have done so via a mail ballot.

In Washoe County, where elected officials from both parties are fighting to keep the United State Postal Service from moving its mail processing operations to California, 78% of ballots cast so far have been via mail.

Nevada first transitioned to universal mail ballots in 2020 as an emergency response to the pandemic, then in 2021 state lawmakers made it a permanent feature. Voters immediately embraced it  57% of ballots cast in the 2022 primary election and 51% of ballots cast in the 2022 general election were mail ballots. Still, universal mail voting continues to receive political pushback from Republicans.

Perhaps not surprisingly, Democrats showed a stronger preference for mail ballots, with 79% of their votes cast via one, compared to 60% of Republicans.

Of the approximately 33,000 nonpartisan and minor party voters who have cast ballots in the primary, 83% used a mail ballot. This group makes up 14% of overall turnout so far. They cannot vote in partisan elections  like those for U.S. Senate or House, or the Nevada State Legislature. But they can weigh in on nonpartisan races, including judicial, mayoral and school board races.

Democrats make up 44% of primary voters so far, while Republicans make up 41%.

While top Nevada Democrats dont face competitive primary challengers, the GOP Senate primary between frontrunner Sam Brown, Jeff Gunter and others has split some support in the party. Several Nevada State Legislative seats will be determined by the primary election because only candidates from one party filed for the seat.

Clark County has the lowest voter turnout so far with just 10% of eligible registered voters casting a ballot as of noon Saturday, while neighbor Nye County has the highest turnout at 20%.

Primary turnout in Nevada as a whole has ranged from 18% to 30% since 2000, according to States United Action. Turnout for the 2022 primary in Nevada was 26%, according to the SOS.

The 2024 primary does not appear to be on track for surpassing that number, though a visit from former President Donald Trump in Las Vegas on Sunday, followed by an endorsement for Brown, may drum up additional interest on the right.

Election Day is Tuesday, June 11. Polls close at 7 p.m. and any eligible voters in line at the time are legally allowed to cast a ballot.

Nevada allows for same-day voter registration, meaning eligible people can register (or update their registration) on Election Day.

Mail ballots must be postmarked on or before June 11 and received by election officials by 5 p.m. on June 15 in order to be valid and counted. Mail ballots may also be returned to a ballot dropbox, which can be found at every physical polling location.

More than 4,500 ballots have been flagged for signature curing, which is needed when voters forget to sign their mail ballot or their signature doesnt match whats on record. County election officials will be reaching out to those voters.

Voters can track their ballots using Ballottrax.

The post Preference for mail ballots high, Nevada early voter turnout data show appeared first on Nevada Current.
The Presidential election between the current President of the United States, Joe Biden, 81, and former President Donald Trump, 77, is heating up.

Both individuals are participating in rallies and releasing campaigns to gain as many votes as possible. Recently, the 77-year-old visited Las Vegas to speak to a crowd of MAGA supporters.

Following Donald Trump's Las Vegas rally, President Joe Biden has decided to use a portion of his speech as part of his Presidential campaign.

What Did Donald Trump Say?

MEGA

Former President Donald Trump held a rally in Las Vegas on June 9, during which he appeared to tell the crowd that his primary concern was votes.

"I don't want anybody going on me," he said during his speech. "We need every voter. I don't care about you. I just want your vote. I don't care." He later claimed that the media would find a way to twist his words.

After hearing this, Joe Biden decided to use a portion of his statement as part of his political campaign.

President Joe Biden 'Approves' Donald Trump's Rally Speech

MEGA

The day after Donald Trump's rally speech went viral, President Joe Biden used a clip of Trump's speech and shared it on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, as part of his newest campaign.

"I approve this message," Biden wrote along with the clip of Trump saying, "Because I don't want anyone going on me. We need every voter. I don't care about you, I just want your vote. I don't care."

The President of the United States then says, "I'm Joe Biden, and I approve this message."

Joe Biden Receives Backlash

MEGA

This tactic may not have been the best idea, as many X users slammed Joe Biden for his message.

"If you would've played the rest of the clip, he says the media would spin what he says into a bad thing - because you people can't tolerate New York humor," one social media user wrote. "You fell right into his trap, handler who edited this."

"Why didnt you play the full clip? Where he said that the media (and propagandists) will take what I said out of context and say look, Trump said he doesnt care about you, just your vote," another said. "As you said, 'well, son of a b-tch..' here you are doing the exact thing he said youd do."

"The Biden campaign loves taking video out of context," a third expressed.

Joe Biden Labeled As A 'Liar'

MEGA

Many other social media users attacked Joe Biden online for his latest Presidential campaign. "You are lying and taking him completely out of context," one user wrote. "You are senile sc-mbag and the worst President in history by far!"

"You cut out the clip, you lying tyrannical SOB..." another said.

"Your campaign is now 80% out-of-context hoaxes," one user expressed.

The Ongoing Race Between Biden And Trump

MEGA

According to USA Today, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are running neck-and-neck among voters nationwide. However, earlier this month, The Blast reported that Trump saw a significant decline in the polls 48 hours after receiving a guilty verdict.

It has also been reported that 71% of voters who indicated they were likely to support Trump this fall said his guilty verdict would not influence their decision to vote for him.

Plus, 80% of Republicans polled believe Trump was found guilty because of the Biden administration.

Donald Trump Blames The Biden Administration For Guilty Verdict

MEGA

Shortly after the jury found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, the former President spoke to the media, blaming the Biden administration.

"This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound or hurt an opponent, a political opponent," Trump told the press. "And I think its just a disgrace, and well keep fighting and fighting till the end and well win because our country has gone to hell."

"We dont have the same country anymore. We have a divided mess," he continued. "Were a nation in decline, serious decline, millions and millions of people pouring into our country right now from prisons and from mental institutions, terrorists, and theyre taking over our country."

However, there is no evidence the president or other administration officials targeted the former president.
For the LGBTQ+ community and allies, June is a month of joy and celebration, marked by lively Pride parades that draw millions of supporters.

This year, however, a legislative onslaught has tempered the revelry. In the first six months of 2024, state legislators across the country have introduced 515 bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

The situation is so dire that the Human Rights Campaign has declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans. These legal attacks are painful and dispiriting. Yet, as I detail in my forthcoming book, the LGBTQ+ movements history offers hope for the road ahead.

In the middle of the 20th Century, the legal landscape for queer rights was bleak. Consensual sodomy was a crime in every state. Homosexuality was considered a mental illness, a designation that prevented gays and lesbians from serving in the military, obtaining federal employment, and securing custody of their children.

The punishments for same-sex sexuality could be extreme, as Bert Chapman learned. In 1940, Michigan police arrested the 35-year-old for being sexually intimate in his home with another man.

The court confined him to a psychiatric institution until he fully and permanently recovered from his homosexuality. Chapman spent 31 years detained in psychiatric institutions because he was gay. He was finally able to secure his release in 1971, after convincing a jury that he was no longer a danger to society. While the extreme nature of Chapmans ordeal was the exception, he was also far from the only gay man who suffered prolonged periods of confinement because of his sexual orientation.

Chapman offers a sobering example of how harsh the law could be. Yet, his release underscores that American law couldand didchange. In the criminal law context, states first reformed their penal codes to eliminate punishments for same-sex sexuality, then began imposing harsher penalties for hate crimes against the queer community.

The changes to family law were just as significant. Judges began granting custody to lesbian mothers and gay fathers and schools increasingly taught students that same-sex sexuality was not inherently harmful.

Over 55 years, queer rights advocates transformed American law from a regime that criminalized gay and lesbian relationships to a system that recognized and affirmed the dignity of queer families.

In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage rights. By then, gay men no longer feared being arrested for being gay. Lesbians did not live with the constant anxiety of losing their livelihoods if their sexuality was discovered.

Instead, they could celebrate their relationships with pride. What made all the difference was the work of countless advocates, who fought for incremental change in cities and towns across the country. Change did not start at the federal level and work its way down. It came from small pockets of the country and spread outwards. The trickle became a tidal wave, and then a tsunami.

Indeed, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality, many gay men and lesbians who had lived through decades of repression confessed that they never truly expected to see the day when they could marry the loves of their lives. As Tom Brougham, an activist who sparked a national movement for domestic partnership recognition in the 1980s, explained, when we started out, we thought that every stage was almost impossible, but we were going to fight anyway. It turned out none of them were impossible.

The heroes of the LGBTQ+ rights movement have been ordinary citizens, like Chapman and Brougham.

This June, I hope the LGBTQ+ community takes comfort in this past, which inspires optimism for the future. The current situation might seem grim, but the law can change for the better. After all, it already has.

Marie-Amelie George specializes in LGBTQ+ rights and teaches courses on civil procedure, evidence, and family law at Wake Forest University School of Law. Her forthcoming book, Family Matters: Queer Households and the Half-Century Struggle for Legal Recognition (Cambridge University Press) examines the shifts at the state and local levels that resulted in national legal change in the movement for LGBTQ+ rights.
OXON HILL, Md. (DC News Now)  On Monday, the Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) charged a man in connection to his 2-year-old sons death.

PGPD officers were called to an apartment in the 5400 block of Livingston Terrace around 3:40 a.m. on June 9. Officers reported that the toddler was unresponsive with multiple injuries.

They took him to the hospital, where he later died.

14-year-old girl dies days after shooting that left two others injured in Prince Georges County

An autopsy showed that the boy had multiple fractures, widespread bruising and hemorrhaging  and the medical examiner said that some of these injuries did not seem to have come from an accident.

As of Monday afternoon, officials were still working to determine the final cause of death.

PGPD said that 32-year-old Lance Harrison, the childs father, was the only person who had care and custody of the boy when the injuries happened.

Police arrested Harrison and charged him with first-degree child abuse resulting in death and other related offenses.

Anyone with any information should call a Homicide Unit detective at (301) 516-2512.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered at the University of Ottawa encampment following a convocation ceremony on Saturday afternoon. The protesters say they won't leave until the university takes their demands seriously. (Dawoud Najmudin - image credit)

When Sumayya Kheireddine crossed the stage at her convocation Sunday, cries of "Free Palestine!" rang out as she faced her fellow University of Ottawa graduates with the words "divest now" written on her hands.

"[It was] the least I can do," the Telfer School of Management graduate told CBC.

Kheireddine is the president of INSAF, one of the organizations behind the pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Ottawa.

She's also one of many students who have been protesting at the university's convocation ceremonies this month.

"It's just it doesn't feel right for us to be graduating and allowing business to continue as usual when we know that there's no universities left in Gaza," she said.

After the ceremony, Kheireddine returned to the encampment that went up more than a month ago. She said students will remain there until the U of O takes their demands seriously.

Sumayya Kheireddine, one of the pro-Palestinian protest organizers, returned to the encampment on Sunday morning following her graduation.

Sumayya Kheireddine, one of the pro-Palestinian protest organizers, returned to the encampment on Sunday morning following her graduation. (Anchal Sharma/CBC )

Offer didn't 'seriously address divestment'

Those demands include a promise from the school to divest from companies protesters say have ties to Israel and the conflict in Gaza.

A proposal from the university last week included an offer to release a full list of its investments, including those in Israel.

It came with conditions, however, including that protesters would not disrupt convocation ceremonies and would pack up the encampment.

Ayem Hakimi, one of the protesters, said the group rejected the proposal because it did not "seriously address divestment."

The protesters also want the university to specifically define anti-Palestinian racism and cut ties with academic institutions in Israel.

In a statement posted to the university's website, vice-president of academic affairs Jacques Beauvais wrote that he was disappointed by the group's decision and that the school is working toward a resolution with students.

"Throughout the discussions, we have reaffirmed our commitment to maintaining responsible investment practices," the statement said.

"The University is a signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI), which are currently incorporated into our Responsible Investment Guidelines. We are committed to reviewing our Guidelines through a human rights lens."

Dawoud Najmudin says the goal of protesting at convocation is to let university administration know students will not be going anywhere until their demands are met.

Dawoud Najmudin says the goal of protesting at convocation is to let university administration know students will not be going anywhere until their demands are met. (Anchal Sharma/CBC )

Will keep protesting until compromise reached

Roughly 8,000 graduates from the class of 2024 will be walking across the stage at 11 ceremonies this month, university spokesperson Jesse Robichaud wrote in a statement to CBC.

"Everyone in our community has the right to celebrate these accomplishments in an environment of safety and respect, and we have implemented enhanced security measures to ensure convocation is inclusive and accessible to all," Robichaud wrote.

But Dawoud Najmudin, a student who protested at a convocation ceremony on Saturday afternoon, told CBC the goal is not to disrespect students' achievements but to be visible and remind the administration that they're not going anywhere.

"If anyone's actually disrespecting students it's the administration," he said, accusing the university of not engaging with the protesters "in good faith."

Kheireddine says the group is open to further discussion with the university and hopes to reach a compromise that will satisfy their demands.

"We are going to stay until the university ... at least gives us something close to what we're demanding," Hakimi added.
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.

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The post Prodded by fed up parents, some in Congress try to curb kids use of social media appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
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. (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 members of Congress. 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 Nebraska Examiner.
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.

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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.

The North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force has raised similar concerns about the influence of social media in our state.

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.

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The post Prodded by fed up parents, some in Congress try to curb kids use of social media appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, a Republican, speaks to a crowd while accepting the 2024 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. (Screenshot via JFK Library Foundation livestream)

Accepting the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award Sunday night, Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams thanked the JFK Library Foundation for incentivizing political courage because it may be needed now more than ever before.

Adams, a Republican who was elected to a second term last fall, was selected for his work to increase voting days in Kentucky, as well as for standing up for free and fair elections despite ire from fellow Republicans and death threats from election deniers. His selection was announced in May; the ceremony took place Sunday night at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

Todays politics penalizes the workhorse and rewards the showhorse, Adams told the gala gathering. It prizes provocateurs and punishes problem solvers, and now that social media have made everybody an expert in everything, we risk dissent from the Madisonian model of democracy, in which we elect our best as trustees to run our government on our behalf, to a tainted model, in which independent and judicious thought in our leaders is not encouraged. Indeed, leadership is out and followership is in.

In his remarks to the crowd, Adams reflected on steps he took during his first term to maintain election access and integrity in 2020  when a heated presidential race was on the ballot and before there was a vaccine for the highly contagious coronavirus that held the world in the grip of a pandemic. Adams worked with Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear to protect Kentuckians access to the ballot safely. That included expanded absentee voting and early voting days, the latter being something that Adams continues to support heading into this years presidential election.

Jack Schlossberg, member of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award committee, left, presents Secretary of State Michael Adams with the award. (Screenshot via JFK Library Foundation livestream)

Jack Schlossberg, the only grandson of the former president and member of the award committee, said that Adams alliance with Beshear wasnt easy, and he took a lot of heat for it. Adams respect for the 2020 presidential election results also made him a political target within his own party.

Adams, his staff  even his family  received death threats and physical confrontations, and members of his own party recruited two challengers to unseat him in a primary, Schlossberg said. It got so bleak that in 2020, Adams believed his political career might be over. He responded with optimism and courage. His strategy was simple, but not easy.

Schlossberg added that many of those pandemic-era voting changes later became permanent in Kentucky. Adams was the top vote-getter among constitutional candidates during the 2023 general election, winning 118 of 120 counties.

Adams was given the award not for opposing fellow Republicans, Schlossberg said, but because he put himself, his family and his career on the line to protect the right to vote.

We honor his political courage tonight by casting our ballots in November, Schlossberg said. His sacrifice is a great reminder to all of us: the right to vote is sacred. Dont throw it away by staying home or voting for someone who cant win.

Created by members of the Kennedy family in 1989, the award honors public officials who demonstrate leadership in the spirit of Profiles in Courage, the presidents book about eight U.S. senators who took unpopular stands despite opposition from constituents and their political parties.

Adams said Kennedys observations about the pressure politicians face in that book, published in 1956, are timeless, and that courage by all public servants, including secretaries of state, county clerks, health officials, school board members and more, is needed today.

There are others who have risked far more than I, Adams said. I would like to think Ive been given this award to celebrate a happy ending, and to mark an example others should follow in order to keep the American experiment in self-government alive.

Previous winners of the JFK Profile in Courage Award include U.S. presidents and members of Congress.

President John F. Kennedy (JFK Presidential Library and Museum)

While John F. Kennedy, then a Democratic U.S. senator from Massachusetts, took a leave of absence from Congress to recover from back surgery, he revisited a topic he had longtime interest in  political courage. That resulted in his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Profiles in Courage, which focuses on senators from across the political spectrum overcoming opposition for the greater good.

The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award recognizes modern-day public officials who exhibit the spirit that Kennedy admired. More than 80 recipients have been awarded the prize, including heads of state, governors, mayors and members of Congress.

Previous honorees include:

Republican President George H.W. Bush

Democratic President Barack Obama

Republican President Gerald Ford

U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah

Former Speaker of the House U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California

Former U.S. Sen. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Arizona

Former U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia

Former U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona

The post Profile in Courage: Kentuckian Michael Adams honored for protecting election integrity appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
JERUSALEM, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said Monday it has established a new battalion solely focused on operating the country's Iron Dome aerial defense system to better intercept the growing number of drones from Lebanon.

"The establishment of the battalion will enable the expansion of the Iron Dome batteries' deployment and improve Israel's aerial defense," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

The Aerial Defense Array is "on high alert around the clock and fully deployed across Israel to counter complex and diverse aerial threats on multiple fronts, including rockets, surface-to-surface missiles, and cruise missiles," the military said.

Israel's military has been facing an increasing number of drone attacks from Lebanon, which occasionally evade Israeli radar systems due to their small size and proximity to the border.

Earlier on Monday, four drones launched from Lebanon fell within the territory under Israeli control. Two crashed in western Galilee and two in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.

The military said interceptor missiles were launched toward the drones but failed to shoot them down. Israel's National Fire and Rescue Authority said fires caused by the drones broke out in several locations.

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah towards Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before.

Since the beginning of the Gaza conflict, the Israeli military has intercepted 150 aircraft fired toward Israel from multiple fronts, according to army figures. 
The State Attorney's Office will seek pre-trial detention for the man who was shot and injured by police.

David Laperriere was hospitalized after the shooting. He was released from HCA Florida Ocala Hospital on June 6 and booked into the county jail at 7:05 p.m. that same day. The next morning, the Dunnellon man made his first appearance from the jail via Zoom. County Judge Lori Cotton remained at the courthouse.

Wearing a brace on his back that had a sling, with his lower right hand bandaged, Laperriere was the last inmate seen by the judge. Laperriere's answers to the judge's questions were slow and deliberate.

Assistant State Attorney Kyle Lambert told the judge the decision to seek pre-trial detention is based on Laperriere's charges. The 23-year-old is charged with two counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and one count of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

Lambert told the judge Laperriere ran at law enforcement officers armed with bear spray and a knife. The state considers him a danger to society.

Janeille McPhail, an assistant public defender, said her client has mental health issues.

The judge agreed with both sides. She said Laperriere is an extreme danger to society, and granted the state's request for a pre-trial detention hearing. He will be held without bail until then.

Hearing from Laperriere's mothers

Laperriere's adoptive parents, Jeannine Laperriere and Sharon Pittsley, are happy that their son survived the shooting and is recovering from his injuries. Pittsley and Lapperriere adopted their son, his twin brother, and another brother and a sister, when they were children.

They said their son had roughly a half dozen surgeries, and medical staff told them he was shot eight times. Laperriere has limited use of his right arm, and he recently had surgery on his jaw. That wound is expected to heal within eight weeks, the mothers said.

A still image from a body cam showing David Laperriere running at Sgt. Sean Young who shot him on May 19.

The women said their son "is a good person and has never hurt anyone in his life." They also said they've never been afraid of him and "we love him."

At the hospital, Laperriere, who doesn't have a criminal history, was guarded by law enforcement officials until he was discharged.

About the shooting

Laperriere was severely wounded May 19 when officers tried convincing him to put down the knife and the spray. Before the shooting, Pittsley took her son to The Vines Hospital, a mental facility located off Southwest 27th Avenue, to get his medications. Arriving at the location, Laperriere refused to give anyone the knife and spray, fearing he would not get them back, according to the man's mothers.

He ran off and police were called. Officers spotted him in the 5500 block of Southwest 27th Avenue. Unable to get Laperriere to surrender the knife or the spray, he was tased by Officer Luis Camacho. Officer Ferdinand Collazo shot Laperriere with a non-lethal device.

Both the taser and the non-lethal device affected Laperriere. He ran at Sgt. Sean Young, spraying the mist from the container, and was shot by the supervisor.

David Laperriere: Mothers of man shot May 19 by Ocala Police Department officers praying for his recovery

Authorities released a video about the incident. The officers involved in the shooting have since returned to duty. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the officer-involved shooting.

In an interview with a Star Banner reporter following the shooting, the mothers said Laperriere is schizophrenic, and the day before the shooting, was crying and depressed. They decided to take him to The Vines for medication.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Judge denies bail for man wounded by police last month
(COLORADO)  The Colorado Department of Education announced on Monday, June 10, that it is awarding $3 million in grant funding to 24 centers across Colorado.

The federal Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant will fund out-of-school-time learning centers for Colorado K-12 students. The grants focus is to support academic enrichment opportunities with a focus on serving economically disadvantaged students.

We know that access to high-quality out-of-school-time learning helps to improve academic outcomes for students while providing opportunities for young people to explore their interests in safe and supportive spaces, said Education Commissioner Susana Cordova. We are excited to welcome this years cohort of 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

This years recipients include centers from Pueblo County and Colorado Springs. The grantees in the area include the Boys & Girls Club Pueblo County: Liberty Point International and Colorado Springs District 11: Roosevelt Charter Academy.

Some other grantees in Colorado include schools in the following districts:

Adams 12 Five-Star Schools

Denver Public Schools

Garfield School District 16

Greeley-Evans School District 6

High Valley Community Center

Mapleton Public Schools

McClave School District

Pagosa Community Initiative

School Community Youth Collaborative

Some schools will use the grant to teach students different topics or offer activities and programs. The Boys and Girls Club of Pueblo will partner with Pueblo Community College to provide STEM and college preparation activities after school and during the summer at Liberty Point Academy in Puevlo School District 70.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Puerto Rican voters have similar political view on and off the island: Poll

A new poll of Puerto Rican voters found striking similarities in most political positions among respondents who live in the U.S. territory and the millions of Puerto Ricans on the mainland.

The survey, conducted by progressive pollster Izq Strategies for La Brega y Fuerza, a project to increase the diasporas civic engagement, found that both groups of Puerto Ricans generally aligned with more progressive policies.

Seventy percent of island-based respondents support Green New Deal policies, as do 66 percent of those in the diaspora.

Residents of Puerto Rico overwhelmingly support Medicare for all: 81 percent said theyd like to see the program expanded, and 70 percent of diaspora respondents agreed.

But island residents take a more conservative approach to abortion access  only 47 percent said they support abortion access, while 37 percent said they oppose it.

Puerto Ricans who live in the mainland United States are more liberal on that issue, with 59 percent supporting abortion access.

A 2007 Pew Research survey had found that 77 percent of respondents on the island opposed abortion rights, as did 50 percent of respondents in the diaspora.

In the new poll, both on and off the island, majorities support a binding plebiscite to determine the territorys political status. Among island-based voters, 63 percent said they support such a plebiscite, as do 56 percent of diaspora voters.

Though the poll had relatively small samples  675 respondents with a 4 percentage point margin of error in the diaspora and 362 respondents on the island with a 6 percentage point margin of error  the results show remarkable consistency in policy choices among the two groups.

Puerto Rican voters are heavily represented in states including Florida, Illinois and New York, and they are expected to play an important role in deciding the winners in at least one battleground state, Pennsylvania.

Updated at 1:43 p.m.

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Putin will soon visit North Korea, Russia's ambassador says

Russian President Vladimir Putin will reportedly visit Vietnam and North Korea soon, the state-controlled media outlet Vedomosti reported on June 10, citing Alexander Matsegora, Russia's ambassador to North Korea, and other diplomatic sources.

With Russia's military stocks running low and domestic production capacity simultaneously hampered by Western sanctions, North Korea has been shaping up as Russia's leading weapons supplier, reportedly providing Moscow with extensive military packages, including ballistic missiles and over 3 million artillery shells.

Despite the increasingly strong alliance, Putin has not visited North Korea since 2000, when he met with previous North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il.

Matsegora said that Putin is "actively preparing" for the trip, but did not specify exactly when it would occur.

Another source told Vedomosti that Putin will also visit Vietnam, perhaps as soon as in June, and likely after his trip to North Korea.

Voice of America (VOA) previously reported in May that Putin might visit Vietnam and North Korea as part of his trip to China.

Putin traveled to China later in the month, but did not end up visiting North Korea or Vietnam.

If the trip to Vietnam pans out, it will be Putin's fifth visit to the country as president.

Vietnam and Russia have long had close relations, dating back to the Soviet Union's support for North Vietnam and its proxy forces during the Vietnam War. Vietnam has maintained a neutral stance regarding Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Read also: Putin arrives in China on state visit

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Q&A: What happens now after the EU elections?

The dust is settling on a frantic night of voting that saw European electorates send a record number of hard-Right politicians to the EUs parliament.

The upheaval was so great in France that it convinced president Emmanuel Macron to call snap parliamentary elections after Marine Le Pens Eurosceptic movement trounced his party in the ballot.

Fellow European heavyweight Germanys Olaf Scholz was also handed a humiliating defeat  the worst ever for his social democrats, partly fuelled by the far-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

In total, parties considered hard-Right, nationalist or populist topped the polls in four member states and finished second or third in a further four countries.

But what does this all mean for the European Union?

Who was the real winner?

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commissions president, would have left the EU Parliament in Brussels the happiest on Sunday night, with her position at the top of the bloc all but cemented.

Before votes were cast, there was talk of her having to do shady backroom deals to secure power or even be ousted in favour of an alternative candidate.

But ultimately, the four main groups traditionally at the centre of EU politics  the centre-right European Peoples Party, centre-left Socialists and Democrats, liberal Renew and the Greens  maintained their pro-Brussels majority.

They secured 405 out of 720 seats in the Parliament. While it is a slightly weakened majority compared to last years 401 out of 705, Mrs von der Leyen should feel confident that she has enough to secure a second term in office.

She has roughly a 10 per cent leeway to win the necessary 361 votes for a majority.

Before the elections, Mrs von der Leyen had spent time canvassing Right-wing figures in case she needed extra support to shore up her reappointment bid.

Italys Giorgia Meloni, who has drifted towards the centre, is one of the candidates who could lend support to the Commission president in exchange for concessions on migration and climate policy.

So was there a hard-Right surge?

As predicted, hard-Right parties enjoyed their best-ever European Parliament election, making significant gains in France, Germany and Italy, winning almost a quarter of the seats.

Ms Le Pens National Rally secured the most notable victory, winning 30 of Frances 81 seats, and more than double the vote of Mr Macrons Renaissance party.

In Germany, AfD came second, picking up 15 seats, and the far-Right topped the polls in Austria and Hungary.

Ms Melonis Brothers of Italy swept to an impressive victory, winning 24 seats and increasing her share of the vote compared to 2019.

Hard-Right candidates also won seats in Spain and Cyprus.

But despite their impressive results, these anti-establishment parties have not quite done enough to shake off their tag as noisy neighbours because of divisions between their movements.

They wont be able to unite and call the shots, Alberto Alemanno, Jean Monnet professor in EU law at HEC Paris Business School, said.

What do their results say about the European Union?

Not a lot really.

Prof Alberto Alemanno said: The EU elections failed on their mission to elicit a clear set of political priorities for the Union... Instead, the European elections reveal a disaggregated bunch of country-by-country results, which has little to do with the EU.

There were clear signs that some of the electorate used their ballots as protest votes, with Mr Macrons ruling party dealt a blow, as well as two parties from Mr Scholzs traffic-light coalition also sustaining heavy losses.

And then there are questions over how much focus will be put on Brussels in the coming months, with Frances parliamentary elections, the formation of a Dutch government and Ukraine hoovering up attention.

Fragmentation between the hard-Right parties - particularly over Ukraine - means there is little genuine challenge to the mainstream agenda, but gains for the likes of Ms Meloni in Italy will help to tilt the bloc rightwards.

Is Europes Green Deal dead?

The Greens were considered one of the big losers of the European elections, their 71 seats secured in 2019 shrinking to 52 this time round.

The German Greens, where the party is in a government coalition, suffered one of the heaviest losses on the back of pushing unpopular climate laws, like bans on gas boilers.

Aurelien Saussay, assistant professor at the Grantham Research Institute on climate change and the environment, said it was likely policies that hurt peoples wallets during the cost of living crisis had triggered a backlash even in a population that doesnt doubt the reality of climate change.

What happens next?

The close of the ballots is the starting pistol for a fresh round of horse trading that will define how the European Union operates for the next five years.

First, elected parties must find themselves transnational groups to sit with. This is relatively easy for the mainstream, which will maintain the status quo.

But on Sunday night, parliament sources suggested there could be as many as four separate parties formed to house the hard-Right and populists.

It will be hard for the parties to find a consensus given recent rifts between them.

Austrias anti-vax, pro-Putin Freedom Party is going to put pressure on Ms Le Pen to readmit the AfD into the hard-Right European Parliament group.

Ms Le Pen kicked out the AfD before the elections after its lead candidate said not all SS members were criminals.

Hungarys Viktor Orban won the election but it was his worst EU election result and he is also without a party in the anti-Brussels establishment after being ejected from the EPP in the last mandate.

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Queens residents rallied Sunday to shut down the migrant shelter where accused cop shooter Bernardo Castro Mata was living.

Dozens of Queens residents on Sunday called for the city to shut down an East Elmhurst migrant shelter where a Venezuelan national accused of shooting two NYPD cops was shacking up.

About 60 residents and officials rallied outside the 90th Street building, a converted Courtyard Marriott hotel now housing asylum seekers  and the former home of accused cop shooter Bernardo Castro Mata, a 19-year-old trouble-making migrant charged with the attempted murder of two of New Yorks Finest.

Our community has been over-saturated with homeless shelters for far too long. This has been a total failure at all levels of government, said former city councilman and state lawmaker Hiram Monserrate. The recent shooting of our police officers is a flashpoint, time for action.

You see it every day in our community, and we see how our quality of life has gone downhill, Montserrate said. Now were getting complaints about RVs and prostitution right here on Ditmars Boulevard. Drug sales right here on Ditmars Boulevard. Consumption of alcohol right here in our community.

Some 60 East Elmhurst residents rallied outside a hotel now used as a migrant shelter, calling on the city to shut it down after one tenant was charged with shooting two cops. John Roca

He said Queens already had 15 migrant shelters between Queens Boulevard and LaGuardia International Airport  and has reached the breaking point.

Shut it down, residents chanted outside the 90th Street shelter on Sunday.

Enough is enough, said resident Frank Taylor, a member of the Ditmars Block Association. Time to start shutting some of them down, starting with this one. Our community has suffered. We are taxpayers and homeowners and we have been totally disrespected and taken for granted.

The Big Apple has been flooded with thousands of migrants from the US border over the past two years, with City Hall scrambling to find space for them  including in hotels, schools and churches.

Among those living at the one-time East Elmhurst hotel as recently as late last month was Mata, who crossed into Texas from Mexico illegally in July, federal immigration officials said.

Mata was already suspected of being a gangbanger and member of a violent migrant moped crew of crooks who have been terrorizing the city when he allegedly shot two cops in Queens.

Bernardo Castro Mata was arraigned on a pair of attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting two NYPD cops. for New York Daily News

Queens locals complained that there are already 15 migrant shelters between Queens Boulevard and LaGuardia airport. John Roca

Sources told The Post that the accused gunman told detectives that he was a member of the notoriously vicious Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang and met with a New York City coordinator to be recruited into the two-wheeled robbery operations.

According to the locals, theres no place in their community for Mata and other migrants.

Another resident, Dr. Lavern Nimmons has lived next to the hotel for 30 years  long before the city turned it into a shelter and created a headache for neighbors in the process.

We were concerned about the shelters because we were concerned about the quality of life for New Yorkers, said Nimmons, a retired elementary school principal. Just because youre poor doesnt mean that you shouldnt have a good quality of life.

So we care about the quality of life of our neighbors, of our community of New Yorkers, she added. Thats important, but this is too much. Its just too much to flood this community with shelters that will not get the kind of support that we need.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Rabid bats have now been confirmed in three different West Michigan counties.

Thats according to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

So far this year, 14 rabies cases have been confirmed across the state. The latest report from the MDHHS notes there has been one case each in Kent, Allegan and Calhoun counties.

A case in Berrien County was reported earlier this spring. The 14 cases are spread across 13 different counties, primarily in southeast Michigan.

Mosquito population boom anticipated after mild winter

On average, Michigan confirms approximately 40 cases of rabies in animals each year across the state. Last year, the state reported 55 cases, including 34 bats, 19 skunks, one cat and one dog. That included animals in Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties.

The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system and is almost always fatal if no treatment is taken before symptoms appear.

After exposure to rabies, the virus must travel from the site of the bite to the brain before symptoms begin. This is called the incubation period, and it can last from a few weeks to months, the state agency says.

Rabies comes with several unique symptoms. It typically starts with a fever and headache, general weakness and an itching sensation at the site of the exposure. Over time, more brain dysfunction will appear, including difficulty sleeping, anxiety and confusion, hallucinations, aggression, partial paralysis, difficulty swallowing and a fear of water.

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You can still be exposed to rabies by wild animals even if they arent showing symptoms. That is why it is important to always keep your distance from wild animals.

For pet owners and farmers, the easiest way to protect your animals is to keep them updated on their vaccines. State law requires all dogs and ferrets to be vaccinated for rabies. The vaccine is also recommended for all cats and any domestic livestock.

Unlike humans, there is no post-exposure treatment for animals, so unvaccinated pets that are exposed to rabies may be forced to be euthanized to prevent its spread.

If you suspect you have been exposed to rabies, reach out to your doctor or local health department immediately. All rabies testing must be coordinated through the MDHHS and approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Anyone who was exposed must go through a series of injections called Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis, including shots on the day of the exposure and vaccines three, seven and 14 days after the exposure.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SHIPPINGPORT  The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has scheduled a biennial radiological emergency preparedness exercise at the Beaver Valley Power Station for June 11.

The purpose of the exercise is to assess the ability of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the state of West Virginia to respond to an emergency at the Shippingport nuclear power plant.

Beaver Valley Power Station seen in April 2023.

These drills are held every other year to evaluate governments' ability to protect public health and safety, MaryAnn Tierney, regional administrator for FEMA Region 3, said in a release. We will assess state and local government emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and state of West Virginia.

Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise. FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise during a public meeting at 4:30 p.m. June 13, at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott, 777 Aten Road, Findlay Township.

At the meeting, FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response. Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting by emailing FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or by mail to: MaryAnn Tierney, Regional Administrator, FEMA Region 3, 615 Chestnut St., Sixth Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19106

FEMA created the REP Program to ensure the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident and to inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.

REP Program responsibilities cover only offsite activities, that is, state and local government emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the NRC.

Additional information on FEMAs REP Program is available online at FEMA.gov/Radiological-Emergency-Preparedness-Program.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Exercise will test PA and W.Va. response to radiation event
NAIROBI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The adoption of high-yielding upland rice varieties is gradually taking root in Kenya, researchers said on Monday.

Paul Kimurto, a professor of agriculture at Egerton University based in Kenya's western county of Nakuru, said the rice varieties are designed to thrive under rain-fed conditions.

Kimurto said the upland rice initiative is aimed at increasing production and promoting sustainable rice production practices among 10,000 smallholder rice farmers in Kenya to mitigate the effects of climate change.

"The adoption of the rice varieties has helped increase the incomes of small-scale farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices," Kimurto said in a statement released in Kenya's capital of Nairobi.

Kimurto noted that over 3,800 small-scale farmers in Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi in eastern Kenya have received training, with more than 800 people successfully adopting the drought-tolerant upland rice varieties over the last two years.

He said the varieties are a potential solution to Kenya's food security problem which is largely fueled by climate change.

Unlike paddy rice, upland rice plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as improving soil health by allowing easy incorporation of legumes as rotational crops by the farmers during the subsequent seasons, Kimurto said.

The upland rice, Kimurto added, can also be intercropped with other plants, making it suitable for small-scale rice farming.

The researcher noted that when grown on well-drained soils as opposed to flooded rice paddies, upland rice takes between three and four months to mature, and the cost of production is slightly lower when compared to lowland rice.

Birungi Korutaro, the chief executive officer of Kilimo Trust, an organization that partners with Egerton University to promote upland rice farming, said the variety is an important initiative in attaining the goal of rice sufficiency not only in Kenya but across Africa.

Korutaro said the adoption of upland rice farming in East Africa marks a significant step toward achieving food security and mitigating the effects of climate change in the region.

According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, annual rice consumption in Kenya is estimated to be over 1 million metric tons, while the production capacity is about 230,000 metric tons.

Upland rice farming in Kenya is a joint initiative between Kilimo Trust, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization and Egerton University. 
Rain expected all week in Tampa Bay. Heres what to know.

We are in for a wet week, Tampa Bay.

While Monday was expected to be the driest day of the week, a plume of tropical moisture was poised to settle near Florida on Tuesday, where it will sit for several days.

The moisture could lead to rainfall amounts of 10 inches for parts of the Tampa Bay area, according to Ross Giarratana, a meteorologist for the National Weather Services Tampa Bay office.

It just looks like a really wet stretch of weather, Giarratana said. Throughout the week, its not out of the question to see some totals ranging from six to 10 inches  a pretty good amount of rain.

A seven-day forecast from Spectrum Bay News 9 showed rain chances hovering around 70% to 80% from Tuesday through Sunday. While rain is anticipated each day, it wont be constant. Instead, forecasters said to expect rounds of showers throughout the week.

Giarratana said severe weather isnt likely, though gusty winds and thunderstorms are possible.

The bulk of the hazards were expecting is the multiday rainfall threat and the potential for some flooding, Giarratana said.

Areas that get multiple rounds of rain in a short period of time will be the most vulnerable to flooding, he said.

A forecast map that runs from Monday to Saturday morning shows rain amounts in portions of Tampa Bay as high as 8 inches. Portions of South Florida could see up to 20 inches of rain this week. These rainfall amounts are an estimate of accumulated rain throughout the week, and do not represent a single day of rain.

The rain will end a run of dry weather in the Tampa Bay area.

The United States drought monitor shows portions of Tampa Bay are running from abnormally dry to a moderate drought. Areas to the south, like Manatee and Sarasota counties, are in a severe drought.

According to a rain gauge at Tampa International Airport, rainfall amounts were about an inch and half below expected for this time of year, Giarratana said.

Even half these totals would have been extremely beneficial, Giarratana said.

He said the moisture in the atmosphere this week will be as extreme as it gets.

The weather service is expecting rises in rivers and streams. The good news: Some rivers and streams are running at low levels, so they can handle a decent amount of rain, Giarratana said.

As the week goes on, I suspect that the flooding risk will also increase, he said. Well just have to watch what areas get impacted over the coming days.

Flooding safety information

According to the weather service, 1 foot of water can move most cars off the road. The weather service says if you cannot see the road or its markings through water, do not drive through it. For more flooding safety information, click here.

To see river levels across the state, click here.

What a flood watch vs. warning means

The Tampa Bay area was not under any flood watches or warnings as of Monday. However, the weather service advices people to keep a lookout for flood advisories that could be issued this week.

A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding.

A flood advisory is issued when a flood is not likely to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, flooding can be a significant inconvenience, and lead to dangerous situations.

A flood warning is issued when hazardous flooding is imminent or occurring.

For more information on flood watches and warnings, click here.
Rain, storms possible this week after record-setting heat over weekend, and 'severe dought'

Potential rounds of widespread showers and thunderstorms could put "a significant dent in worsening drought conditions and regular record-setting high temperatures on the Treasure Coast, a meteorologist said.

Tropical weather conditions were forecast to begin moving north from the Caribbean over the state Monday and bring increased rain and storm chances, which could lead to drought conditions reversing to flooding concerns" in some areas by the end of the week, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Melbourne said.

Forecasts show an increased chance of rain and thunderstorms from a weather system pushing tropical moisture north over the peninsula Monday, said a National Weather Service meteorologist on Monday June 10, 2024.

Deep tropical moisture is going to begin seeding northward over the peninsula, said Warning Coordination Meteorologist Will Ulrich.

Throughout the week, he said the conditions could lead to multiple rounds of widespread showers (and) thunderstorms, with multiple opportunities of 1 to 2 inches of rainfall, totaling an expected 5 to 8 inches on the Treasure Coast.

That would put a significant dent into the ongoing drought in those communities, Ulrich said.

Weather Radar to track storms

Treasure Coast experiencing 'severe drought'

Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties are under what the U.S. Drought Monitor lists as a "D2" severe drought, which Ulrich said is multiple months with no to little rain, greater wildfire chances and lower water tables.

All of this rain forecasted this week is going to be beneficial for the most part, he said. There are some locations that may get excessive rainfall over the next five days.

What were drought conditions could become flood conditions especially in low-lying areas with poor drainage.

Ulrich said the weather pattern was an example of his motto: When it comes to Florida weather, theres no such thing as normal.

Instead, he said, it's a tale of two extremes.

A 2002 study looking at central Florida seasonal weather patterns described a subtropical climate type with a dry season and a summer-like wet season, which typically begins in late May, but occasionally June, or even as late as July.

Burn bans in effect: Entire Treasure Coast under burn ban

Those drought conditions have worsened on the Treasure Coast because of the dry spring and late start to wet season, Ulrich said.

The drought conditions during the months of March, April and May ranked as the fourth-driest springtime on record for Fort Pierce; the 12th driest for Stuart; and 14th driest for Vero Beach, he said.

The Keetch-Byram drought index, measures the dryness of the soil and duff layers. The index increases for each day without rain and decreases when it rains. The scale ranges from 0 (no moisture deficit) to 800.

On June 10, Indian River and St. Lucie counties measured 650-699; Martin County measured 600-649.

How much rain did we get?

Typically, the Vero Beach area receives just under 11 inches of rain during those months, but this year he said it only recorded about 5.5 inches.

Fort Pierce received just under 4 inches of what is typically a nearly 10-inch rainfall during March, April and May.

Stuart usually gets nearly 13 inches of rain in that time period, but this year, just 6 inches.

Some coastal areas have seen sporadic showers, but Ulrich said most recent rainfall has been in the inland, rural areas west of Interstate 95, because of coastal sea breezes creating disturbances.

Rainfall expected

It's hot, hot , hot ...

Dry conditions were worsened by an "unusually warm June, following what Ulrich said was the warmest May on record.

Too hot? Is Florida under a heat dome?

Over the weekend, heat records were set in Vero Beach and Fort Pierce.

A 75-year-old heat record was broken in Fort Pierce on Saturday when the mercury shot up to 97 degrees. The previous record for June 8 was set in 1949, with 95 degrees.

Sunday, Vero Beach broke a 73-year-old heat record, when it hit 95 degrees. The previous record for June 9 was 94 degrees set in 1951, Ulrich said.

More: Moonlighting at record high despite risks to mental, physical, emotional, social health

More: Unpaid property tax at old Sinners golf course sold, largest such sale in county history

More: Resort plants mangroves to replace forest it destroyed; what's next in ongoing DEP case

Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. Follow @coreyarwood on X, email corey.arwood@tcpalm.com or call 772-978-2246

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Rain expected on Treasure Coast this week may ease heat, drought
(Bloomberg) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the countrys next administration must sustain policy reforms aimed at accelerating economic growth, as key political parties meet to discuss helping form a new government.

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Regardless of the form or composition of the incoming administration, it is important that the momentum of reform be retained and sustained, Ramaphosa said in his weekly statement on Monday. A change in direction would derail the positive progress that has been made and take us back to the starting blocks.

Modeling by the National Treasury has shown that the successful implementation of reforms, including those aimed at improving energy supply and the operation of ports and railways, would raise the economic growth rate to 3% over 10 years, the president said. The economy grew by an average of less than 1% over the past decade.

Ramaphosas African National Congress last week invited political parties to join a broad alliance to form the next administration  a so-called government of national unity  after elections on May 29 failed to produce an outright winner. The ANC emerged from the vote as the largest party with 40.2%, followed by the centrist Democratic Alliance with 21.8% and former President Jacob Zumas populist uMkhonto weSizwe Party the third-biggest on 14.6%.

While the exact date has yet to be confirmed by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, the first sitting of South Africas parliament must take place next week, when legislators will elect the president.

The DAs top decision-making body will meet in Johannesburg on Monday after holding formal talks with the ANC at the weekend. The party will discuss feedback from our negotiating team, DA spokesman Solly Mahlatsi said by text message.

While an ANC-DA tie-up has drawn opposition from some members of the former ruling party, the duo are aligned on ramping up structural reforms as a means to reviving economic growth. Zumas so-called MKP has previously said it wont join an alliance with the ANC while Ramaphosa is still the head of the party. And the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters said on Friday it wont be part of a government that includes the DA.

If we have a centrist government that prioritizes growth, we can see an absorption of some level of employment, we can see business confidence go up, we can see the general population being a lot more optimistic, Investec Plc Chief Executive Officer Fani Titi said in an interview with Johannesburg-based broadcaster 702 on Monday.

If economic growth was just 1% more than the current trend, it would enable the government to collection about 100 billion rand ($5.3 billion) more per year  money that could be used to create jobs and alleviate poverty, he said.

Top leaders of South Africas fifth-biggest party  the Inkatha Freedom Party  will meet on Monday after talks with the ANC.

--With assistance from Paul Vecchiatto.

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A Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center worker hit a young person under their watch several times, leaving their face swollen and bruised, according to a state investigation into a second case of physical abuse at the facility within a year.

The incident occurred in February, but the Department of Human Services recently published its investigation findings, determining yet again that "serious maltreatment" had occurred at the center.

The clash started when a staff person told young people in the juvenile detention center to go to their bedrooms and one person who was on the phone continued their call, according to DHS's report.

A staff member tried to take away the phone and the youth cursed and slapped the worker, the report states. The employee responded by hitting the young person in the face and head several times with their fists, leaving them with a swollen eye and visibly bruised head, investigators found.

Ramsey County immediately suspended the worker, who had "no further contact" with the victim, the investigative report states.

DHS took things a step further. They disqualified the staff person from any job involving direct contact or access to people receiving services from agencies or programs that require a DHS background study. That includes juvenile detention centers and various other settings, like child care and adult day care centers.

The investigative report does not name the employee, but notes the person started working at the facility in 2016 and had been trained on policies and procedures, including receiving a "policy review refresher" early this year. Staff are supposed to use the minimum amount of force necessary in responding to perceived threats and never use force as punishment, according to the facility's use of force policy.

The abuse was captured on video and audio recordings, and an investigator interviewed those involved and witnesses. Their report says a couple other staff members quickly moved between the two, but the employee continued to swing at the youth "at times reaching over and around" the other staff members before realizing what they had done and leaving.

The staff person said they "reacted" and were unsure why they hit the young person, but "everything happened very quickly," the report states.

The Department of Corrections licenses the detention center and a spokesman for the department said they were "made aware by the facility immediately that the staff person was removed from the building and was being placed [on] administrative leave until the conclusion of the investigation. The DOC concluded our licensing investigation and determined no licensing violations occurred."

In a statement through spokesperson Rose Lindsay, Ramsey County said it cannot comment due to the confidential nature of human resource matters.

"Ramsey County is committed to maintaining a respectful and safe environment for employees and those in our care," the county said. "We take all maltreatment allegations seriously and will fully cooperate with any related investigations by our licensing authorities."

Second incident in a year

It is the second time DHS has issued a serious maltreatment finding for the Ramsey County facility within the calendar year. In both cases, DHS found the employee, not the facility, was responsible for the incident.

In October, the department found a staff member maltreated a juvenile by grabbing and forcing them to the floor, behavior a supervisor had called "way outside" the facility's use-of-force policy.

Following an exchange of words, the staffer grabbed the juvenile's T-shirt at the neck and forced them to the floor, getting on top of the young person and pushing them into the floor multiple times. The juvenile's head bounced up and down, hitting the floor twice, according to the DHS memo.

The juvenile was found unresponsive numerous times in the following days, sometimes with blood nearby. The employee was terminated.

The Ramsey County detention facility can hold 44 juveniles who are waiting for court appearances.

DHS publicly lists maltreatment investigation memorandums for four out of 15 Minnesota facilities licensed to provide children's residential detention services. The documents remain online for four years after they are posted.

Ramsey County's was the only facility with two such investigation memorandums, while Hennepin County, Northwestern Minnesota Juvenile Center in Bemidji, and Prairie Lakes Youth Programs Captain's Academy in Willmar, had one.
A homeless man who slashed a stranger in a random attack on Astor Place in the East Village left the victim with an 8-inch neck scar  a day after drawing blood when he struck a restaurant worker with a bike chain, prosecutors said Monday.

Steven Johnson, 35, was ordered held without bail during his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court, with Judge Rachel Pauley mandating he undergo a psychiatric exam.

Johnson was busted Saturday and charged with attempted murder and assault.

He allegedly slashed a 30-year-old man standing at Astor Place and Lafayette St. near the Astor Place Cube early Thursday evening, Assistant District Attorney Robert Wirtz said, describing the cut as 20 centimeters, which is about 8 inches.

There was nothing going on, no altercation. Suddenly, he was down on the ground holding his neck, witness Michael Picadi, 25, told the Daily News after the attack. He was in the fetal position in a huge pool of blood.

Police later released photos of the suspect and linked him to an earlier caught-on-camera attack. On Wednesday, he allegedly struck a 49-year-old man in the face with a bike chain after the victim complained about Johnson sleeping in front of a Korean restaurant on St. Marks Place. The victim needed five stitches to close the wound. Johnson is charged in that assault as well.

Wirtz said the suspect wore the same clothes during both assaults  and the same outfit when he was arrested.

Wirtz asked for $250,000 bail, an amount Johnsons Legal Aid lawyer, Russell Novack, said the suspect has no chance of raising.

No means, literally no means, Novack said. All he owns is the shirt on his back.

Pauley then ordered Johnson held without bail.
Ranger who died at Astronomy Festival in Bryce Canyon Utah previously worked as a nurse in Seattle

On Friday, June 7, Park Ranger Tom Lorig fell and struck his head on a rock and died of his injury.

A ranger at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, Lorig was directing park visitors to a shuttle bus at the annual Astronomy Festival when the fall occurred.

Rangers, bystanders, and EMS personnel worked together to provide medical assistance but could not revive Lorig.

Tom Lorig served Bryce Canyon, the National Park Service, and the public as an interpretive park ranger, forging connections between the world and these special places that he loved, Park Superintendent Jim Ireland said. As our community processes and grieves this terrible loss, we extend our deepest condolences to all of Ranger Lorigs family and friends. We also want to express gratitude to the National Park Service and Garfield County emergency services staff who responded as well as to the bystanders who assisted NPS first responders.

Ranger Tom Lorig was a registered nurse in the Seattle area for 40 years before joining the National Park Service (NPS) in 1968. During his NPS service, Lorig served at Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks in Washington.

Ranger Tom Lorig was 78 years old.
Are there really more tornadoes this year, or are we just better at spotting them?

Now that Ohio has tied its record for tornadoes in a single year, meteorologists keep reminding everyone that one year, no matter how remarkable, isnt enough time to declare bad tornado seasons the new normal.

But what about 15 years?

An Enquirer analysis of National Weather Service data found the number of tornadoes per year since 2010 is double the annual average of the previous 50 years.

Mary Feldkamp stands on what was left of her home in Dent, Ohio, after an outbreak of powerful tornadoes on April 3, 1974. The number of confirmed tornadoes in Ohio changed little for decades but has risen sharply since 2010.

From 2010 through May of this year, an average of almost 32 tornadoes a year touched down in Ohio. From 1960 through 2009, the average was 16.

So far this year, 62 tornadoes have struck Ohio, tying the previous record set in 1992.

Scientists say those numbers are worth noting, but they arent convinced the big jump is as dramatic as it might seem. They say weather patterns change from year to year and even from decade to decade, so its too soon to draw conclusions from the past 15 years. In meteorological terms, the sample size is too small.

They also caution that its possible the surge in confirmed tornadoes has little to do with the weather. Instead, they say, the higher numbers could just mean people are getting better at spotting twisters that years ago would have been missed.

What I always remind people of, when we talk about tornado numbers, is how tornado detection and technology has changed so dramatically, said Seth Binau, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

New technology makes spotting tornadoes easier

Around 2010, at about the same time tornado confirmations began to climb, upgrades to Doppler radars across the country made it easier for meteorologists to detect cloud rotation and debris associated with tornadoes.

Where once a roof blown off a barn might be chalked up to wind damage, the new technology can reveal the culprit as a tornado.

Ohios 58th tornado this year, which touched down on May 26 in rural Jackson County, is a case in point. By tornado standards, it was small, classified as an F1 tornado with wind speeds topping out at about 90 mph.

But Doppler radar and weather service surveyors quickly confirmed a tornado was responsible for damaging a tractor supply store and flipping a parked semi-trailer. A few decades ago, without an eyewitness, that might not have been possible.

The number of tornadoes in Ohio is surging, but scientists aren't jumping to conclusions about what it all means. Some suspect new technology might just be helping them spot tornadoes that previously would've been missed.

Binau said another relatively new technology thats helped confirm tornadoes is carried every day by millions of people: a smart phone. Video of a tornado shot on those phones not only produces a riveting social media post, it also can tell a more detailed story about the tornados location, size and intensity.

Maybe these tornadoes have always been out there, Binau said, and we just didnt know about them.

While scientists say better detection may be the best explanation for the rising number of confirmed tornadoes, they acknowledge that changing weather patterns also could play a role.

Climate change is creating warmer, wetter conditions ideal for tornado-generating storms. And there is some evidence that those conditions might be shifting Tornado Alley  the huge area in the central United States where most tornadoes traditionally develop  farther east to an area that includes parts of Kentucky and Ohio.

But climate scientists are wary of making snap judgments based on tornado data collected over 10 or 15 years. They say warming oceans, melting ice sheets and long-term increases in temperatures across the globe are far better indicators of climate change.

Tornadoes are considered a more isolated weather phenomenon, according to research published by the State Climate Office of Ohio. So it is difficult to link any one tornado to climate change.

Numbers still vary wildly year to year

Tornadoes are as unpredictable as they are destructive, making it hard to work them into climate models that scientists use to predict changes in temperatures and other weather patterns related to a warming global climate.

It is extremely difficult to extract a climate change signal in historical tornado counts, said Michael Notaro, director of the Nelson Institute Center for Climatic Research at the University of Wisconsin.

He said most of the increase in tornado counts over the past 15 years can be attributed to smaller, F1 tornadoes, which lends credence to the argument that better detection is capturing weak storms that were missed in previous decades.

Binau said its important to remember that the weather on any given day is just a snapshot in time, not necessarily part of a trend. A few hot days, in isolation, arent indicators of global warming, but 100 years of rising global temperatures tell a different story.

The same holds true for tornado data. Even during the past 15 years, as the total number of tornadoes climbed, the number from year to year sometimes varied wildly.

The roof was completely torn off of this Goshen Road home following a tornado July 7, 2022, in Goshen Township, Ohio. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF2 tornado touched down in the township.

In 2022, Ohio recorded 27 tornadoes. Last year, the state nearly broke the record with 60. This year, at 62 and counting, a new record appears likely.

Binau said a few decades isnt enough time to say for certain what it all means.

This is a very complex conversation, he said.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Tornadoes 2024: What's behind Ohio's record year?
Guest opinion writer state Rep. Karen Lupton recounts the traumatic experience of her daughter when she was on hand for a recent shooting at Kennesaw State University. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Before the recent shooting at Kennesaw State University hit the news, my nineteen-year-old daughter witnessed it firsthand. My husband and I were away in Austin when she called us, sobbing. After assuring us that she was physically okay, she told us of the nightmare that had just taken place before her.

She and her best friend had been spending a quiet Saturday afternoon on the ground floor of a campus dorm, when they heard several gunshots, close by.

Mom, people asking, Are those gunshots? Must have never heard real gunshots. Theres no mistaking them, she cried.

Startled, my daughter and her friend looked out their window, and saw a young girl lying on the pavement nearby with blood all over her. My daughter called 911, and she and her friend ran to gather a washcloth and a belt. They could see that the victims arm had been shot, and they thought they could help by fashioning a tourniquet for the wound. But the 911 responder told them not to approach the wounded girl, for fear that the shooter might still be in the area.

So, they watched. As the girls bloody body twitched on the pavement, they helplessly watched her bleed her life away before first responders could reach her. And later, my husband and I listened helplessly from hundreds of miles away as our girl wept and wept and wept.

Now, the parents of that dear young woman who was shot and killed by yet another angry man with a gun received a far more devastating phone call that Saturday. But hearing about the horror that my daughter had witnessed and how it was affecting her was gut-wrenching, nonetheless.

The trauma of a nation that lives in the shadow of constant school shootings, and movie theater shootings, and club shootings, and concert shootings, and church shootings, and hospital shootings, and library shootings, and synagogue shootings and grocery store shootings and office building shootings is somehow not enough to persuade us to re-evaluate our approach to firearms. I dont think Americans want to live this way, but there are those of us who are so fixated on what some people might possibly lose, that they have missed the magnitude of all that we have already lost.

The young woman who was shot full of bullets on a college campus and left for dead should not have been killed. My daughter and the millions of others like her who have been victimized somehow by the sudden eruption of gun violence into their lives should not have to see the same images of blood and death that soldiers on the field of war might witness. We have made our entire public life into a shooting gallery in the name of safety and freedom.

What freedom is this?

Are we safe, yet?
After the fourth-driest spring since records began in 1911, the Sarasota-Bradenton area is expected to get much-needed rain this week.

The National Weather Service forecasts a 60% chance of rain Monday night, with rainfall totals reaching up to 0.75 inches. The NWS also forecasts the rain to continue throughout the week with the chance of rain ranging between 70 and 90% daily through Sunday.

The seven-day forecast says 1 to 2 inches of rainfall are possible Tuesday.

In total, the NWS forecasts 8 to 10 inches for the area, with most of the rain targeting Southwest Florida between Wednesday and Friday.

A plume of moisture from the Caribbean will move across the state during the week. This will bring us widespread showers with the highest totals in Southwest Florida. Most of this rain will fall on Wednesday through Friday. #flwx pic.twitter.com/f8tJxxfRBo  NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) June 10, 2024

May was the hottest month for the Sarasota-Bradenton area since records were first kept in 1911. The average temperature of 81.4 degrees was 3.6 degrees higher than the normal May temperature.

It was compounded by the third-driest May, where only 0.02 inches of rain were observed  2.56 inches less than the normal May rainfall amount, the NWS reported.

The spring rainfall amounts for the area, including March, April and May, fell 5.77 inches short of the regular amount according to the NWS. That total of 2.12 inches made it the fourth-driest since record keeping began more than a century ago.

In an emergency meeting on Monday afternoon, the Manatee County Commission voted to extend a burn ban for another week due to the dry conditions. Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske recommended the extended ban, which prohibits the use of fireworks, campfires and other outdoor activities that could spark a fire.
A record number of flights diverted to Austins airport in May

A record number of flights diverted to Austins airport in May

AUSTIN (KXAN)  A record number of flights were diverted to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in May.

According to airport officials, 131 flights were diverted to AUS last month, more than any other month in airport history. Most of the diversions were due to bad weather in North Texas.

Emirates and Korean Air were among the airlines that had flights divert to Austin. Neither of the international airlines offer regular service to AUS.

Diverted flights can occur when theres bad weather, technical problems, medical emergencies, closed airports or blocked runways.

AUS Data Hub: Passenger totals, busiest days & new routes in 2024

Why is Austin prime for diversions?

AUS officials said the airport averages about 400 diverted flights a year, making it one of the busiest airports in the country for diversions.

Austins location makes it a prime location for diverted flights. AUS is in close proximity to four busy airports: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas Love Field Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. All four are within a 35-45 minute flight from Austin.

Which airlines were most often delayed at Austin-Bergstrom airport in 2023?

The amount of space at AUS also means the airport can handle more diverted flights. Two long runways and airfield parking positions can accommodate a lot of planes at once. AUS is also home to all the major airlines with a diversion plan that can handle international passengers in case Customs Border Protection is needed, an airport spokesperson told KXAN in 2022.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MAPUTO, June 10 (Xinhua) -- At least 22 people, including two children, lost their lives Sunday night in a traffic accident involving a goods truck and a passenger bus on national road EN6 in Mozambique's central province of Sofala.

According to Radio Mozambique, the state radio station, another 48 people were injured. Reports from survivors indicate that the bus was traveling at high speed before it collided with a stationary goods truck and overturned in a local river.

The bus was carrying more than 70 passengers, heading from Mutua in the Dondo District to the city of Beira, the provincial capital of Sofala.

The deceased were taken to the Dondo Health Center morgue, while the injured, many in serious condition, were transferred to Beira Central Hospital, the report said.

Armando Mafambira, head of the Mafambisse Administrative Post, said the causes of the accident are still under investigation. Specialized equipment has been mobilized to remove the crashed bus, he said.

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims Monday morning during the inauguration of a hospital in Mapinhane, Vilanculo District, Inhambane Province. Nyusi also condemned speeding drivers.

Governor of Sofala Province Lourenco Bulha and Secretary of State for Sofala Province Cecilia Chamutota visited the Dondo Health Center to monitor the relief operations.

Due to the limited capacity of the Dondo morgue, some bodies were transferred to the mortuaries of the Beira Central Hospital and the Mafambisse Health Center, according to the report. 
Iranian politician Ali Ardeshir Larijani speaks to the media after he registers his candidacy during the second day of registration for the Iranian presidential election at the Interior Ministry in Tehran. After Iran mourned President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash, the nation's focus turned to the election for his successor. The lead-up to the June 28 vote has opened the field to a broad range of hopefuls. Stranger/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

The rejected Iranian presidential candidate Ali Larijani has criticized the country's powerful Guardian Council in an unusually open manner.

"I had hoped that all of them together could address the country's problems, especially the economic pressure on the people caused by the sanctions," Larijani wrote in a handwritten statement shared on X on Monday. "But in my case, the Guardian Council has prevented this endeavour with opaque means."

The former parliamentary speaker and chief nuclear negotiator Larijani had been considered a secret favourite in political circles because he is recognized both within the system and in the reform camp.

He was also considered to have sufficient experience to deal with the various crises facing the country, including the resumption of nuclear negotiations with the West.

These are a top priority for the country, as a new nuclear deal is the only way to lift the sanctions against the Islamic country and thus end its acute economic crisis.

Although the 66-year-old mathematician is considered a "man of the system," he has increasingly distanced himself from the country's arch-conservative leadership in recent years.

He is now categorized as a moderate conservative and is also respected by the opposition as a critic of the government. The politician's critical views were also the main reason for his disqualification on ideological grounds from the 2021 presidential election.

A new presidential election in Iran was called because the previous incumbent, Ebrahim Raisi, died in a helicopter accident on May 19.

On Sunday, the Guardian Council excluded a large majority of candidates from the presidential election, including Larijani.

Moderate politicians and candidates from the reform camp were the main losers. A total of six candidates will enter the race on June 28.
(WJW)  The remains of an Alliance airman who served in World War II have been identified, more than 80 years after the man was killed in action.

The remains of 31-year-old Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Edward K. Pyle were officially accounted for on March 14, according to a Monday news release from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. His family recently learned of his identification, a military spokesperson said.

Movie star stops at Cleveland deli; takes pics with workers, sandwich

Pyle was a member of the 436th Bombardment Squadron, 7th Bombardment Group. On Dec. 1, 1943, he was aboard a B-24J Liberator bomber headed to Burma, which is now known as Myanmar.

Pyles bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire, causing the left wing to catch fire, according to the release. Witnesses in another aircraft saw Pyles bomber dive down and disappear below the clouds with three enemy aircraft chasing behind.

The Liberator was not seen again and the remains of the crew were not recovered or identified after the war, according to the release.

The government on Dec. 11 of that year informed Pyles parents, Harry and Claudine Pyle of Alliance, that he was missing in action, according to an excerpt from the Salem News newspaper shared by the agency.

Pyle graduated from Alliance High School and attended the University of Mount Union, according to the excerpt. He served as a gunner on the bomber.

The American Grave Registration Service in 1947 recovered the remains of eight people believed to be involved in the crash of a Liberator aircraft near Burma. Local witnesses said there were no survivors. Japanese forces instructed villagers to bury the bodies in two large graves, according to the agency.

The remains couldnt be identified at the time. They were interred as unknown soldiers in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii, according to the release.

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In 2019, family members requested the eight sets of remains be disinterred, to try to link them to other unresolved losses from southern Burma, reads the release.

Agency personnel exhumed the remains in 2020 for testing, including mitochondrial DNA analysis. Agency scientists also used dental and anthropologic records and looked at other circumstantial and material evidence, to confirm Pyles identity, reads the release.

Pyles name, which was recorded on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines, will soon have a rosette next to it, to show that he has been accounted for, according to the release.

He is expected to be buried in Michigan 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Utahs 2nd Congressional District debate between Colby Jenkins and Congresswoman Celeste Maloy at the KUED studios at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Monday, June 10, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Congressional challenger Colby Jenkins repeatedly attacked Utah 2nd District Rep. Celeste Maloy for key votes during her first term on Monday at their first and only Republican primary debate.

Jenkins accused Maloy of failing to lead by compromising with Democrats on 2024 budget bills and government surveillance reauthorization. Maloy defended her votes, saying that knowing how to take a hard yes vote, instead of a perpetual no vote, in divided government is the essence of good leadership and called Jenkins talking points naive.

Its really easy when youre a first time candidate ... to make promises and have the idea that if you were there you would have done something better, Maloy told the Deseret News following the event. Angry talking points and hyperbole and hardline stances arent really a formula for winning but they do sound really nice on the campaign flyer.

Jenkins defeated Maloy at the state GOP convention 57%-43% just days after receiving the surprise endorsement of Sen. Mike Lee. Both convention-only candidates will appear on the June 25 primary ballot after exceeding 40% of delegate support.

Lees unprecedented endorsement in favor of Jenkins hung over the debate as the Army special forces veteran made his case for being the most likely to be a loyal ally to former President Donald Trump during a second administration while Maloy touted endorsements from top Trump cabinet officials as well as her long history of working on 2nd District issues in local and federal government.

President Trump, when he takes office, he wants people who will not undermine him, Jenkins said. The American people are demanding and craving leadership. Theyre tired of Republicans who put America last. Thats what were here for, to be hired to defend and fight for our country.

Utahs 2nd Congressional district debate between Colby Jenkins and Congresswoman Celeste Maloy at the KUED studios at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Monday, June 10, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Maloy spent her career working in land management for the Department of Agriculture and Washington County before becoming former 2nd District Rep. Chris Stewarts chief legal counsel. She replaced her boss in last years special election after winning the state Republican Party nomination and general election contests, entering office at the end of November.

During her brief seven month tenure, Maloy has introduced legislation to transfer some federal lands to Utah, introduced another bill to extend compensation for victims of nuclear fallout and voted against more military aid to Ukraine. But Maloy has failed to hold her ground against establishment pressures on threats like spending and bureaucracy, according Jenkins, who previously supported Maloy as a state delegate in the special nominating convention in June.

Maloys vote in favor of the $1.2 trillion 2024 government funding package and her decision to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, after the failure of an amendment requiring warrants to collect information from Americans, both served as reasons for Lees endorsement and fodder for Jenkins attacks during the debate.

During the 2024 budget debate there were three options, Maloy said, another continuing resolution, shutting down government, or passing the negotiated spending bill.

I chose the most fiscally responsible option, which is a spending bill. And it is by the way an overall cut in spending, and has really important conservative policy riders in it, she said.

Jenkins, a former Green Beret liaison to Congress, said a supermajority of Utahns want to hire representatives that wield their slim majority in Congress to advance Republican priorities at all costs and with minimal concessions to the other side.

Jenkins said he would align himself with the uncompromising House Freedom Caucus if elected. Jenkins has been endorsed by the House Freedom Fund, a PAC devoted to supporting House Freedom Caucus members. Jenkins would be Utahs first representative to join the group known for halting budget proceedings and ousting former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

We cannot lead from a position of weakness and continual compromise, stepping away from Republican values that allow our principles to no longer have a seat at the table, Jenkins said. Thats called surrender. Thats not called compromise. We must lead.

Congresswoman Celeste Maloy takes her opportunity to talk after Utahs 2nd Congressional district debate between and herself and Colby Jenkins at the KUED studios at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Monday, June 10, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Maloy differentiated between compromising on degree and on principle, saying she shared the small-government goals of Jenkins but believes success lies in the hard work of relationship-building and policymaking, not the tactics of shutdowns and hardline promises which she said lead to conservatives not being invited to the table in the first place.

Ive taken some tough votes in the short time Ive been in Congress, Maloy said. Leadership isnt throwing out ultimatums or talking points  leaderships getting in, doing the work and being accountable for the work youre doing.

Both candidates said they would vote for Trump in the presidential election. But Jenkins, who has also been endorsed by Trump allies like Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., tried to question Maloys loyalty to Trump and said one of his jobs as a GOP lawmaker would be to remove legislative obstacles to an effective Trump administration.

Maloy said endorsements from two top Trump officials, former national security adviser Robert OBrien and former Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, put that question to rest, referring to her ability to work in support of Trumps agenda, including closing the southern border and renewing his 2017 tax cuts.

The winner of the GOP primary on June 25 will face off against Carbon County lawyer Nathaniel Woodward in the Nov. 5 general election.
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, speaks to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on June 14, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy of Rep. Johnson's Office)

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, speaks to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on June 14, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy of Rep. Johnson's Office)

South Dakotas lone U.S. representative has partnered with a Kansas Democrat to create a congressional caucus focused on sustainable aviation.

Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, announced the formation of the Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus in a Monday press release, saying Congress should advance legislative priorities that support innovation through biofuels, national security, and passenger safety.

In addition to aviation fuels, the press release says, the caucus will focus on technologies to improve fuel efficiency and sustainable practices that would save money in the long run.

Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, will co-chair the caucus with Johnson.

Adopting these sustainable practices is critical for our national security and economic resilience, Davids said in the press release. Im glad to join forces with Representative Johnson to ensure Americas aviation industry continues to be resilient and reliable for years to come.

South Dakota may have a role in the formation of a sustainable aviation fuel industry. Currently, the fuel represents a tiny fraction of the aviation fuel used in the U.S., but federal financial incentives have spurred the formation of new companies and projects that could expand its reach. Current federal subsidies offer $1.25 for every gallon of the fuel mixed into traditional jet fuel. The fuel must reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% to qualify, and producers are eligible for another cent in subsidies for every percentage point drop after that.

Colorado-based Gevo aims to build its Net-Zero 1 sustainable aviation fuel plant near Lake Preston, South Dakota. It announced the $1 billion-plus project in 2022, but has yet to begin construction.

The company aims to produce its own corn-based ethanol, then convert that to sustainable aviation fuel. The company hopes to minimize its greenhouse gas emissions through a combination of low-carbon farming practices by its contracted corn farmers, and the sequestration of carbon emitted in the production process.

Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden appeared at the Net-Zero 1 groundbreaking, Gov. Kristi Noem lauded the project in her 2023 State of the State speech, and Noems son-in-law, Kyle Peters, lobbies for the company.

Gevo CEO Patrick Gruber has said the project is dependent on a separate Summit Carbon Solutions project that would capture carbon dioxide emissions from ethanol plants and pump them via underground pipe to North Dakota for sequestration.

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Attaching the Net-Zero 1 facility to the carbon pipeline is necessary to maximize the companys carbon reduction score and make it economically feasible, Gruber said.

The pipeline proposal has angered property rights activists and played a role in the primary election losses of 14 legislative incumbents, some of them to anti-pipeline candidates. Ethanol lobbyists, however, are among the groups who see carbon sequestration as critical to the future of the industry, and as a major economic driver in South Dakota and elsewhere in the Midwest.

A lobbyist for the airline industry lauded the creation of the Washington, D.C.-based sustainable aviation fuel caucus in Johnsons press release.

General aviation is steadfast in our commitment to mitigate the industrys impact on the environment through technological and operational improvements as well as the use of sustainable aviation fuel, said Paul Feldman, vice president of government affairs, General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

According to Johnsons office, the new caucus will help keep voters and other congressional leaders informed of efforts to encourage the production of sustainable aviation fuels that are needed to further environmental gains, enhance fuel supply resiliency, and strengthen national security.

EDITORS NOTE: This story and headline have been updated since initial publication to clarify the scope of the work planned for the aviation caucus.

The post Rep. Johnson joins Kansas Democrat to start sustainable aviation caucus appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding, listens on the first day of the general legislative session in the House chamber at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. A private firm conducted an investigation into the conduct of Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding, after state employees reportedly said he mimicked female staff, called employees idiots and used the f-word during a Jan. 25 meeting. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

A private firm conducted an investigation into the conduct of Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding, after state employees reportedly said he mimicked female staff, called employees idiots and used the f-word during a Jan. 25 meeting.

In an interview with the Deseret News, Lyman, a gubernatorial candidate, disputed allegations in the report.

There was no shouting. I didnt call anybody an idiot, said Lyman. He also said he didnt use the expletive toward the employees  he said he was referring to the deal.

The investigation concluded Lyman did not violate any laws or policies of the Utah Legislature. The firm also concluded Lymans behavior was unprofessional and inappropriate and said since it appears to be an isolated incident, the conduct did not qualify as creating an abusive working environment.

It is my conclusion that neither woman welcomed Rep. Lymans conduct and both women were subjectively offended by it, said the report. However, it is also my conclusion that Rep. Lymans conduct was not sufficiently severe in its nature to create an abusive working environment  he was merely mimicking their words in a mocking manner.

The Deseret News obtained the documents via a spokesperson for the Utah House of Representatives.

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, said Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz in a statement. The investigation concluded that while the members conduct was unprofessional, no federal, state, or legislative rules were violated.

The firm did not interview Lyman during the investigation. This is because after I interviewed (redacted), (redacted) and (redacted), and in response to a question from Speaker Mike Schultz, I opined that it was unlikely that anything Rep. Lyman might say in an interview would alter my answers to the questions identified above. Accordingly, Speaker Schultz instructed me to draft my report without speaking with Rep. Lyman, the report read.

Lyman said when he spoke to Schultz, R-Hooper, the House speaker told him the investigation was over and they found no wrongdoing, nothing illegal, nothing unethical, no action to take and he suggested it was probably in my best interest to just leave it alone.

The report concerned a meeting that took place in Lymans office with employees from the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration. The group was meeting to discuss a fiscal note that would accompany a bill that would prohibit state employees from receiving a bonus when they oversee sales of trust lands and would roll back rulemaking authority.

According to the report, Lyman said the people employed at this agency were either idiots, or they had been duped by the Red Rock Wilderness conspiracy. Calling the agency failed, Lyman said he would attempt to dissolve it, but he didnt trust the Legislature to take over.

The discussion reportedly strayed from the fiscal note and when an employee said they would have to agree to disagree. The report said Lyman repeated back the phrase in a high-pitched voice while gesturing with his hands and tilting his head in a manner that made it clear to both (redacted) and (redacted) that Rep. Lyman was mocking (redacted) based on her gender.

Another participant in the meeting said he was working during the discussion, but he vaguely remembered Lyman taking a mocking tone. As the group discussed the Bears Ears land swap, Lyman reportedly said something to the effect of youre trading out the f-ing lands.

Lyman said he used the f-word at the deal that is going down. He added, And that seems like the proper adjective for this type of a deal thats taking all of the land from a county and giving it to other counties.

I didnt stutter. I didnt yell. It wasnt a shouting match that Ive heard it said, said Lyman. I expressed myself very clearly and I believe I got their attention about the gravity of what they were trying to do to the honest people who are negatively affected by this.

The employees then started to leave Lymans office. Then, the report said Lyman said state employees received a commission based on land sales and one of the employees denied this happened. Lyman reportedly mimicked what (redacted) had just said, using a high-pitched voice and gesturing with his hands.

Regarding the allegations of mocking, Lyman said he wasnt concerned about their gender.

Its not two female employees. Its two SITLA employees, said Lyman. Im not concerned with what gender they were. Its a really sensitive subject when youre taking away the productive assets of a county, and I dont care if its female or male employees of SITLA.

The report stated the employees left the office and Lyman said, Im not done with you yet. Two of the employees wrote down accounts of the meeting on the same day. The investigator interviewed these two employees and a third who was present.

He said that while he agreed with many of the political positions Rep. Lyman expressed during the meeting, he found Rep. Lymans conduct to be inappropriate, unprofessional and unproductive, the report stated, adding he was concerned other meetings with Lyman were like that, though he had not seen Lyman conduct himself like that before.

In a different meeting involving Lyman, Gov. Spencer Cox, Rep. John Curtis and Sen. Mike Lee, a state employee present said Lyman called the Bears Ears Land swap a gang rape.

After the meeting, Sen. Lee said Rep. Lyman was pretty awful  and thats coming from me, the report stated.

The report concluded it was unlikely Lyman violated local, state or federal law, stating, There is no evidence that Rep. Lyman has engaged in harassing behavior based on a protected characteristic on any occasion other than during the January 25 meeting.

As for whether Lymans behavior violated any policy from the Utah Legislature, the investigation found it probably did not violate any policy.

Although Rep. Lymans conduct more likely than not constituted unwelcome harassment on the basis of sex/gender, it was not sufficiently severe or pervasive to constitute a violation of federal or state law  or, consequently, the policy.

Describing the report as a cancel report, Lyman said the report found no illegal conduct on his part. He also said the report was missing context about the discussion with regards to Bears Ears National Monument and the Red Rock Wilderness bill.

The report concluded Lyman didnt violate any laws or policies, though it described his conduct as unprofessional and inappropriate.
Rep. Marcia Morey (Photo: NCGA)

In 2019, North Carolina was the last state in the union to modernize its criminal justice system by ending the practice of automatically treating 16 and 17-year-olds accused of criminal offenses as adults. Now, however, state lawmakers are considering a proposal to backtrack on that progress. Under a bill moving through the General Assembly, the Raise the Age law would be, in effect, repealed for several classes of felonies.

One lawmaker who has deep concerns about the move is Durham County Representative (and former chief district court judge) Marcia Morey. Recently, NC Newslinecaught up with Morey to learn about her concerns  as well as to get her thoughts on the states impending childcare crisis and the troubling attacks on our justice system that have followed in the wake of Donald Trumps conviction for falsifying records.

The post Rep. Marcia Morey on efforts to roll back the recently enacted Raise the Age law appeared first on NC Newsline.
A new profile of Representative Nancy Mace in Slate has some surprising revelations about the South Carolina congresswoman, chief among them her actual opinion of the Republican Partys voters.



The article, sourced from Maces former staffers, shows a second-term member of Congress desperate for attention. When Representative Kevin McCarthy was ousted as House speaker in October, Mace was among those who voted against him, much to everyones surprise, including her own staffs.



In the following days, however, Mace sought to stand out even more, showing up to work wearing a shirt with a big red A on the front, in a nod to Nathaniel Hawthornes classic, The Scarlet Letter. The move baffled her staff, one of whom told Slate they thought it was just some fashion statement. I was like, OK, well, maybe this is an Abercrombie shirt or something.

It quickly became apparent that Mace was attempting to place herself at the center of attention.

She wanted every single person to thinkwhen they thought of the McCarthy ouster vote, not to think of the eight, but to think of Nancy Mace, the staffer said.

While Mace claimed that her choice of wardrobe was because she had been demonized for my vote and for my voice and would do the right thing every single time, no matter the consequences, it drew many puzzled reactions. An unhappy Mace told her staff that the people who didnt understand it were probably Trump voters who werent smart, a startling thing to say for a Republican.



Congress, and more specifically the Republican caucus, has no shortage of members who seek attention but provide little in the way of legislation, like Representatives Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene. One of Maces former staffers told Slate that the congresswoman used to criticize such colleagues, but now she has turned herself into what she hates.

Maces record is full of such behavior, whether its claiming that she was being shamed as a victim of sexual assault because she was asked why she supported Donald Trump to calling campus protesters against the war in Gaza terrorist-loving kids who hate our country so much. Congressional staffers have called her abusive and quit working for her in droves. There is an ethics complaint against her for seeking higher monthly lodging reimbursements than what her expenses actually warranted, charging the government for more than $8,900 over what she was eligible for.



Mace is trying to ward off a primary challenger in her reelection race, as her actions have attracted criticism back in North Carolina, where she is currently polling under 50 percent.




Report: Russia's war has caused over $56 billion in damage to Ukraine's energy sector

Russia's full-scale invasion has inflicted $56.2 billion in damage to Ukraine's energy sector as of May 2024, according to the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) report published on June 10.

A recent uptick in Russian strikes put a heavy strain on Ukraine's power grid, with several power plants being destroyed or disabled.

The energy sector suffered direct damage and indirect financial losses in the amount of $56.2 billion, while the restoration needs, which include the complete reconstruction of destroyed facilities, are $50.5 billion, the report says.

Direct damage to Ukraine's energy sector amounted to more than $16.1 billion as of May 2024, as KSE estimates.

The largest losses were caused by the destruction of electricity generation facilities ($8.5 billion), main electricity transmission lines ($2.1 billion), and oil and gas infrastructure ($3.3 billion).

Indirect losses in the energy sector are estimated at almost $40.1 billion, with the bulk of this amount coming from energy companies' lost revenues - $39.6 billion.

Another $500 million is the cost of debris removal and dismantling of damaged facilities.

During the full-scale invasion, more than 18 GW of electricity generating capacity was lost due to Russian occupation, including the occupation of Europe's largest nuclear power plant, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

The Kakhovka and Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plants, as well as the Zmiiv and Trypillia Thermal Power Plants, were completely destroyed.

Since the start of 2024, Russia has launched six large-scale attacks against Ukraine's energy infrastructure and multiple smaller ones.

Russia carried out the last large-scale attack overnight on June 1, damaging energy infrastructure in various regions across the country.

An attack in April destroyed the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant, the main electricity supplier to Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy oblasts.

Due to resulting power deficits, Ukraine began implementing rolling shutdowns on May 15. The blackouts last from four to eight hours on average and could be carried out up to three times per day.

Read also: Kyiv struggles with rolling blackouts as officials warn of bleak months ahead

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ugandan and Chinese artists create an oil painting together during a dragon boat race held on the nearshore part of Lake Victoria in Entebbe, Uganda, June 9, 2024. The government of Uganda and the Chinese Embassy in the Eastern African country have jointly launched a tourism season between the two countries, with a dragon boat race held ahead of the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival. Chinese companies in Uganda dispatched their best paddlers, both Chinese and Ugandan, to compete in the race, which also attracted participants from local communities, near the shore of Lake Victoria in central Uganda, Sunday. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

ENTEBBE, Uganda, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The government of Uganda and the Chinese Embassy in the Eastern African country have jointly launched a tourism season between the two countries, with a dragon boat race held ahead of the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival.

Chinese companies in Uganda dispatched their best paddlers, both Chinese and Ugandan, to compete in the race, which also attracted participants from local communities, near the shore of Lake Victoria in central Uganda, Sunday.

Vibrant sounds filled the air as supporters cheered for their teams, in an event that analysts say is a show of growing Uganda-China ties in diplomacy, economy and culture.

Ugandan Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Martin Bahinduka, was the chief guest. He urged Ugandans to learn from the Chinese who attach great importance to their culture, noting Uganda's abundance of cultural heritages that should be cherished.

The minister said this year's Dragon Boat Festival is a springboard to promote Uganda to Chinese tourists.

"This is a very big market from which we can tap from," Bahinduka said. "We have 9,000 Chinese coming to Uganda annually as of 2023. We believe we can increase this number to 15,000-20,000."

Fan Xuecheng, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, said the Dragon Boat Festival is a key tradition that brings Chinese people together, and hosting dragon boat races will consolidate the public foundation for China-Uganda friendly cooperation and further promote the cultural exchanges between the two countries.

"Although China and Uganda have different traditions, we have the same concept to integrate the history, culture and modern civilization into tourism development," he said.

As tourism has become an important channel for exchange and mutual learning among civilizations, Fan said, the Chinese Embassy is working with the Ugandan government to promote Uganda as a destination for Chinese tourists.

"Every year, 130 million Chinese tourists go abroad. We hope we can bring more Chinese tourists to Uganda to explore its beauty," Fan said, adding that a tourism seminar will be convened later this year to promote Uganda in China.

Rodney Babala, one of the Ugandan paddlers, said after the race that his team, with both Chinese and Ugandan nationals, had practiced together for a month to prepare for the event.

He said China has played a great role in the development of Uganda, in sectors ranging from infrastructure development, and trade, to health and tourism.

The Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on Monday, June 10 this year, is commemorated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. 

Teams compete during a dragon boat race held on the nearshore part of Lake Victoria in Entebbe, Uganda, June 9, 2024. The government of Uganda and the Chinese Embassy in the Eastern African country have jointly launched a tourism season between the two countries, with a dragon boat race held ahead of the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival.

Chinese companies in Uganda dispatched their best paddlers, both Chinese and Ugandan, to compete in the race, which also attracted participants from local communities, near the shore of Lake Victoria in central Uganda, Sunday. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)
FILE - Women and children who were held captive by islamic extremists, and rescued by Nigeria's army, are seen upon arrival in Maiduguri, Nigeria, May 20, 2024. Dozens of women and young girls were unlawfully detained and abused in Nigerian military detention facilities after escaping captivity from Boko Haram extremists in the countrys northeast, Amnesty International said in a new report on Monday. (AP Photo/Jossy Olatunji, File)

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  Dozens of women and young girls have been unlawfully detained and abused in Nigerian military detention facilities after escaping captivity by Boko Haram extremists in the countrys northeast, Amnesty International said in a new report on Monday.

Some of the women were detained with their children for years because of their real or perceived association with the extremists, the report said. It cited 126 interviews, mostly with survivors, over the 14 years since the Islamic extremists launched their insurgency.

The report echoes past human rights concerns about the Nigerian military, which in the past has been accused of extrajudicial killings and illegal arrests in one of the worlds longest conflicts.

The report, however, noted the practice of prolonged and unlawful detentions has been less widespread in recent years.

Nigeria's army dismissed the report as unsubstantiated and reiterated that it has continued to improve on its human rights record and holds personnel to account.

The conflict has spilled over borders and killed at least 35,000 people and displaced over 2 million. Women and young girls are often forcefully married or sexually abused in captivity.

But the conditions some women found themselves in after fleeing captivity were so horrible that some chose to return to Boko Haram, Niki Frederiek, crisis researcher with Amnesty International, said of the detention camps located in military facilities in Borno state.

At least 31 survivors interviewed said they were held illegally in the facilities, the report said, suggesting the practice had been more widespread.

Some said soldiers insulted them, calling them Boko Haram wives and accusing them of being responsible for killings. Several described beatings or abysmal conditions in detention, which amount to torture or other ill treatment, the report said.

The Nigerian authorities must support these girls and young women as they fully reintegrate into society, said Samira Daoud, Amnesty Internationals regional director for West and Central Africa.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A Bakersfield man has had his petition to be resentenced denied and will continue to serve a life term in prison in the death of his newborn son, according to the District Attorneys Office.

Judge John R. Brownlee last week denied James Willis Johnsons resentencing petition, which was filed after the 2019 change to the states felony-murder rule. Johnson argued his girlfriend was responsible for the babys death, not him.

Water contamination advisory lifted for residents in central Bakersfield

The felony-murder rule was altered to say a person must actually commit or aid in a killing, or have the intent to kill, during the commission of a crime in order to be charged with murder.

Those who previously could have been charged with murder can now only be charged with the underlying crime, whether its robbery, burglary, carjacking or another serious offense.

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In 2013, James Willis Johnson was convicted of murder and received a prison term of 31 years to life in the death of his son, Jordan, who had broken arms, legs and ribs, and burns to his genitalia that became infected. The baby suffered spiral fractures  meaning his limbs were twisted  to his arms and legs, according to police reports.

At trial, Johnson and his girlfriend, Denise Belmonte, blamed each other for the boys injuries. Belmonte eventually took a plea deal for a 15-year prison term.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
Jacquenette Cottrell is scared, drained, and damn near bankrupt.

For six years, she helped bankroll a lawsuit to stop construction of a Loves Travel Stop in the middle of her neighborhood in Joliet, the third-largest city in Illinois. The area in question isnt in the city limits, but an unincorporated area on the east side at the intersection of Briggs Street and Interstate 80, which is near New Lenox Road, where Cottrells childhood home is.

When her mother passed away in 2015, Cottrell became the new owner of the home. Shes been trying to protect it from developers ever since 2018. And shes not the only resident fighting to keep their home. She and others are also at odds with officials who they say arent keeping their best interests at heart. More than 300 households would be affected by the proposed project, according to Cottrell.

Though majority Black, the neighborhood is racially diverse and made up mostly of retirees. They describe the area as peaceful and quiet, with the exception of the traffic congestion from Interstate 80. Already, the local fire department and other emergency services are blocked by traffic on the narrow road.

The clash between Joliet homeowners, local officials, and big businesses is a microcosm of a larger issue around land loss and displacement due to development, particularly in Black communities where elders live. Whether its in the South, West, or East, residents are suing, or speaking out, against developers from encroaching on their land.

In Joliet, where 16% of the population is Black, Loves executives bought land near the residents homes for a proposed travel center that would include restrooms; a fueling station for cars, RVs, and trucks; a dog park; and restaurants on a 7.8-acre parcel. The City Council in a 5-3 vote approved a tax incentive package that provides a 40% rebate from city sales taxes on gas to allow Loves to recoup $2.5 million to expand water and sewer lines to the truck stop, according to The Herald-News.

The 7.8-acre parcel wasnt enough.

Jacquenette Cottrell has spent the past six years trying to protect her home outside Joliet, Illinois, from developers. (Courtesy of Jacquenette Cottrell)

The company needed at least 15 more acres to ensure the property would be contiguous, or connected, to the city. To do that, they needed residents to agree to have their land annexed into the city or persuade them to sell. Many refused the offers because they didnt want to sell out their neighbors, they told Capital B. Cottrell contends the Black residents received lower offers than white residents.

While annexation offered the community representation, it came with a price: an increase in property taxes, devaluation of their homes, and potential health challenges from the diesel fumes from trucks and noise and air pollution.

They had a few months to organize.

They created a grassroots coalition, Neighbors Opposed to Annexation of Parcels, or NOAP, which started out with about 45 members, but now theres fewer than 10 due to many deaths, Cottrell said. They also created a petition opposing the project, and packed City Hall meetings to voice their concerns. Even the former fire chief and former City Council members opposed the project.

But, it didnt matter.

In a 6-3 vote, the Joliet City Council approved a rezoning and annexation request in October 2018 to allow Loves  which currently has 34 locations in Illinois and more than 500 nationwide  to proceed. Where city officials saw an opportunity to create jobs and improve tax revenues, residents saw a dismissal of their public safety concerns and quality of life.

Two months later, the residents sued Joliet and Loves Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc., which halted the development. They challenged the validity of the contiguous strip and the annexation of their properties into the city.

In 2023, a Will County trial court judge ruled against the residents, stating that annexation is a natural expansion of the citys boundaries. NOAP filed an appeal to the Illinois Appellate Court. They held a hearing last month.

Now, they await the courts decision.

Attorneys for NOAP and Loves declined a request for comment due to pending litigation. The attorney for the city of Joliet did not respond to a request for comment.

However, a spokesperson for Loves emailed a statement to Capital B that the company conducted a traffic study in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation and developed an approved traffic plan that will be implemented before the location opens.

We take residents concerns seriously and partner with the community and officials early on to address questions, the statement said. Loves attended several community meetings in Joliet where our real estate team addressed resident questions.

The lengths gone to secure a project win

At a City Hall meeting in August 2018, the developer presented a traffic study that estimated the project could draw 600 trucks and 2,400 cars per day, the Chicago Tribune reported. Despite concerns, the developers said the project would improve roadway safety and traffic flow because they planned to widen roads, add lanes to Briggs Street and New Lenox Road, and upgrade signals.

Loves touted the travel center adding 50 to 75 jobs, allowing team members to select a local nonprofit to donate $5,000, and allocate an annual budget for giving, the spokesperson told Capital B via email. They also added that employees and team members will come together to raise money for the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago, which serves the community of Joliet.

The project is an economic boost to the East Side and it will help keep business in Joliet that otherwise is being leaked out of our city and going to New Lenox or unincorporated Joliet, Bob ODekirk, a former mayor who voted in favor of the project, told Herald-News.

Of the City Council members at the time, the only two Black members and one white member voted against the project. One of the former Black officials was Terry Morris, who served for 20 years.

I am a supporter of bringing new development and jobs and all those things into the city, but I think it has to be the right location, Morris said.

Michael Turk, the lone white council member who voted against the project, said he wanted to make sure residents were heard.

Ive always felt that the city of Joliet needs to be a good neighbor to those people who live right outside our boundaries, Turk said in a phone call. Those people go to church in Joliet. They go to the stores in Joliet. They actually help support the city, and a project like that, its going to change their way of life pretty drastically, and you need to listen and hear their concerns.

With fierce opposition, some questioned why Loves didnt relocate elsewhere. Many, including Warren Dorris, a pastor and former City Council member, say its because the proposed location for the travel center is five minutes away from CenterPoint Intermodal Center, the largest inland port in the nation.

Its simply about dollars and cents, Dorris told Capital B. They want to be right on it and the other major interchanges on this end.

Read More: Americas largest inland port is running out of water

At issue in the suit and the project is the connection of the Loves property to Dorris property, which was annexed into the city in the 90s. The 66 feet of distance makes him the only homeowner tied to the city from the unincorporated community. Dorris is the main plaintiff in the lawsuit and lives next door to Cottrell off of New Lenox Road.

Rick Shuffield, former vice president of real estate and development for Loves, purchased property at 1311 New Lenox Road at an auction because it would be connected to the city and adjoins the 7.8-acre parcel, according to a brief filed on behalf of the Loves. The property was annexed into the city and rezoned to residential and business.

Shuffields property overlapped south of Dorris property.

Dorris and NOAP argued Loves property was connected to the city only by 19.5 feet, which isnt consistent with previous court decisions on the definition of contiguous. However, the trial court judge deemed the 19.5 feet substantial.

Dorris says Loves offered him $100,000  not to be annexed into the city, but to persuade others to get on board.

I have it in writing, where they wanted to lease work [to me] to try to get the annexations done. [They would give me] $20,000 when I got the first one to agree to this, Dorris said. Im a pastor. Im [not] gonna sacrifice my [nonprofit] status as a church, so you can funnel money from Loves to me to say that I will sell out my neighbors. Absolutely ludicrous.

DiAnn and Steve Matter, a married couple who has lived in unincorporated Joliet for more than 30 years, said Loves officials also tried to bribe them. They didnt budge.

They told us once we sign the contract, we get $10,000. Six months later, we get another $40,000. If nobody contested it, the next year, we would get $50,000, DiAnn said in a phone call.

The Matters, along with several other residents Capital B spoke to, said theyd rather have a grocery store in their community than a truck stop, which would help surrounding communities. They travel at least 20 minutes to get to one.

We cant even vote for the politicians that are making all these decisions because were unincorporated, yet they come in here and dictate to us what theyre going to do to us, Steve said. We cant vote them out of office. Youre helpless, in tears. The best you can do is sue them, and its very expensive to hire attorneys and all that stuff to make it happen.

More developments crushing the city

As NOAP awaits the state Court of Appeals ruling, residents on the north side of Joliet, where most white citizens live, are also facing a proposed development. In 2020, a group of community members formed Stop NorthPoint to stop the construction of a 4,000-acre warehouse intermodal facility in Joliet by NorthPoint Development, the Southland Journal reported.

The project would bring in 70,000 vehicles per day, which would deteriorate the roads, damage a local veterans cemetery, and drain 1.5 million gallons of water from the citys water supply. Additionally, it would cause a financial burden on residents in Joliet and beyond  such as Manhattan, Elwood, and across central Will County  to maintain the upkeep of roads and sewers and bring in additional police and fire services.

The group sued. The Will County Circuit Court dismissed the suit. However, the states Appellate Court reversed the ruling and remanded it back to the lower court earlier this year.

Plaintiffs prospective nuisance allegations are well grounded upon a highly probable state of facts derived from defendants annexation agreement.  When viewed alongside plaintiffs allegations, the agreement substantiates the threat of a real and immediate danger, the ruling stated. Although the NorthPoint Development will take years to complete, there is no reason plaintiffs should wait until full build-out to seek an injunction.

While the NorthPoint ruling is promising, Cottrell and others are struggling to keep up with legal fees.

She and her neighbors have had to take out loans just to pay for legal fees, in spite of creating a GoFundMe. Cottrell reached out to national news outlets, civil rights organizations, state representatives, and celebrities, but has minimal support, she said.

Depending on how the court rules, it may not be enough to continue fighting.

Loves figured the people in the neighborhood didnt have the money. You know what the incomes are once people retire. They make no more than $19,000, Cottrell said. People are dying. They figure theyre gonna die with this. Theyre stressed and they need help. Its either I pay this lawyer or I buy my medicine. Its either or. Thats how dire it is.

The post Retirees Want Their Homes. This City Wants a Truck Stop. appeared first on Capital B News.
BUFFALO, N.Y (WIVB)  It has been a challenging week for the local Catholic community. Recently, the Diocese of Buffalo has recommended the merger or closure of numerous churches within the coming months. Currently, 25 churches in both the northern towns and downtown Buffalo face potential closure.

Conversations with several parishioners have revealed their understandable concerns about the future steps.

Parishioners have voiced concerns over the potential loss of specialty Masses, such as those conducted in Latin or Vietnamese.

The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is suggested for closure; according to the Vicar for Renewal, Father Brian Zielenieski, it predominantly serves a Vietnamese immigrant community.

St. Anthonys, renowned for its Latin Mass, may be at risk, threatening the continuation of the only weekly Latin Mass.

We want to make sure that theres a continuation of the Vietnamese mass of the traditional Latin mass. Well still have a home. We want to make sure theres still the mass and polish and all the different ethnicities are accounted for and being ministered to effectively. So that was considered in these recommendations, said Father Zielenieski.

Another recommended merger involves St. Mark in North Buffalo. The parish is closing, but the school will remain open.

That is a huge parish school. This provides an opportunity for the school now to utilize that church building however they see fit to help continue to expand the mission of the school. So, its a strategic move to help us strengthen Catholic education, continued Zielenieski.

Parishioner Meghann Roehl, who has three children attending St. Mark School, states that the diocese points to an aging population60% over 60 years oldas a reason for the recent changes. She believes this trend will only worsen if churches tied to younger congregations are closed.

Maintaining the connection between the church and the school itself has to be a priority. If you want to reach that next generation going forward and you want this Catholic faith, faith to survive. Thats one of the key issues in my mind, said Roehl.

Buffalo Diocese recommends rightsizing and reshaping of Campus Ministry Family

The Diocese points to dwindling contributions as another factor for these recommendations. A parishioner from St. Mark shared with News 4 the total weekly offerings from the previous month.

When you look at the actual raw data, St Marks is up in all of the categories which would send a message to anyone that we are reaching the next generation through this church, Roehl added.

Including monthly online donations, St. Mark reported twelve thousand dollars more than the church with the next highest total.

We looked at rolling average data, so it gives us a better understanding of trends from week to week it might look at certain times that St Marks is doing great. But when you look at the whole projected picture, its not as good as what everybody thinks it is, rebutted

We looked at rolling average data, so it gives us a better understanding of trends from week to week it might look at certain times that St Marks is doing great. But when you look at the whole projected picture, its not as good as what everybody thinks it is, rebutted Zielenieski.

Father Zielenieski has confirmed that the upcoming restructuring meeting will concentrate on the Niagara Orleans Vicariate. It is scheduled to occur at the Immaculate Conception Church in Ransomville on Monday.

Latest Local News

Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

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A pensive Rev. James Lawson at Vanderbilt University in May 2022. (Photo: John Partipilo)

(This story has been updated with additional details.)

Rev. James Lawson, a leader of the Civil Rights Movement who trained scores of activists during his time in Nashville  many of whom went on to prominence  died Sunday at the age of 95 of cardiac arrest.

Lawson, an Ohio native, studied the nonviolent resistance techniques championed by Indian lawyer and anti-colonial activist Mahatma Gandhi while serving as a Methodist missionary in India. Upon his return in 1956, he began studying theology at Oberlin College, where he was introduced to Martin Luther King, Jr.

King urged Lawson to move south and by 1958, Lawson was a student at the Vanderbilt University Divinity School while also serving as the southern director for the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and conducting workshops in nonviolence techniques for students from Tennessee State University, Fisk University and Vanderbilt. Among the students he tutored were John Lewis, who went on to chair the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and later to serve in Congress; Diane Nash, Bernard Lafayette and Marion Barry.

Rev. James Lawson speaks during the unveiling of his portrait at the creation of the James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements at Vanderbilt University. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Rev. James Lawson speaks with Rep. Justin Jones at Vanderbilt University in April 2022. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Rev. James Lawson, photographed by John Partipilo in April 2022 at Vanderbilt University.

Notes written by Rev. James Lawson and his son, James Morris Lawson, III, during a visit to Nashville in 2022.

Vanderbilt University launched an institute to study nonviolent movements in April 2022, in honor of former divinity student and civil rights leader, Rev. James Lawson, at right. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Lawson was expelled from Vanderbilt for his protest activities at the urging of Nashville Banner Publisher James Stahlman, who sat on the universitys board of trustees.

Lawson helped develop strategy for the Freedom Rides, the 1961 campaign to desegregate interstate bus travel and was serving as minister of Centenary Methodist Church in 1968 during a sanitation workers strike. At Lawsons request, King came to Memphis, where he delivered his famous Mountaintop speech and was later assassinated.

He moved to Los Angeles and in his later life, Lawson continued to serve as a minister and leader for civil rights, becoming active in the labor movement.

Yvonne Wheeler, president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, said in a statement, Rev. Lawsons life and teachings have left an indelible mark on Los Angeles, leaving a legacy of hope and resilience to his family, students, congregation, and our labor movement.

With his support, Vanderbilt created in 2022 the James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements at Vanderbilt University, which is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences and Divinity School.

Reverend Lawson was an American hero. Without his spiritual guidance, moral example and deep understanding of the principles and practices of non-violent protest, the civil rights movement as we know it might not have existed, said Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier. For most of his life, he was a passionate advocate for justice and a more perfect union. He entreated us to engage with one another with love, not hate.

And in a time of deep polarization, he showed us how to cherish our common humanity. The courage he demonstrated, and the grace he showed to Vanderbilt and others, show us the way forward still.

In a statement, House Minority Leader Karen Camper of Memphis said, For me, its hard to think of someone who played a larger role in the civil rights struggle across the state. . . Rev. Lawsons life is essentially intertwined in some of the most important moments in Tennessee history and his level of commitment never wavered over his lifetime.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Wood Lawson, two sons, a brother and three grandchildren. His son, C. Seth Lawson, died in 2019.

This story will be updated as more details become available.

The post Rev. James Lawson, giant of the Civil Rights Movement, dies at 95 appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
RFK Jr. says father would be proud of his campaign

RFK Jr. says father would be proud of his campaign

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said during a wide-ranging interview that his father, the late Robert F. Kennedy, would be proud of his 2024 campaign.

Kennedy said his father would strongly support him and his White House run.

I cant think of a single issue that my dad felt strongly about that, you know, I wouldnt check the same box, he said in his interview with USA Today published Monday, like fighting corruption, reining in government power, saving the environment and ending wars.

The long-shot candidate, who is vying to be included in CNNs debate set for June 27, added that the Democratic Party has shifted over time compared to when he was coming up.

Kennedy said he has a firm grasp on the policy positions of his father, who was killed in 1968.

Americans are entitled to have their own version of who my father and my uncle, of what they would do on certain issues, said Kennedy, who was 14 when the assassination took place.

And I enjoy hearing those debates all the time, he added. I think I have a really clear understanding of where he came down on issues. And Im very grateful that I believe I share his beliefs. And I share his values. And, you know, Ive tried to live my life with the same kind of commitment to the same values.

In mid-April, 15 members of the Kennedy family endorsed President Biden for the 2024 election, rebuking their relatives Oval Office run.

We want to make crystal clear our feeling that the best way forward for America is to reelect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to four more years, Kerry Kennedy, his younger sister, said at a press conference in Philadelphia.

A few days after nearly his entire family backed Biden, Kennedy said that he still loves them.

Some of them dont like the fact that Im running, he said. I debated them with information and passion and not to hate each other because we disagreed with each other. I love my family, either way.

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U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse was endorsed for reelection during the Rhode Island Democratic State Convention held on June 9, 2024 at the East Providence Teamsters Local 251 Union Hall. (Courtesy Rhode Island Democratic Party)

Thirty-five Rhode Island Democrats, including one delegate pledged to represent the uncommitted voters who cast protest ballots in the April 2 presidential preference primary, will attend the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this August, following the Rhode Island Democratic State Convention Sunday night.

Just shy of 130 state committee members attended the annual convention at the East Providence Teamsters Local 251 Union Hall to elect delegates to attend the official party nominating convention this summer, according to Liz Beretta-Perik, state party chairwoman.

Among the 35 designees: June Rose, chief of staff for Providence City Council President Rachel Miller. Rose will attend the DNC on behalf of the uncommitted voters in Rhode Islands 2nd Congressional District, whose protest votes cleared the 15% threshold needed to secure delegate representation under state party rules.

Rose, chief of staff for Providence City Council President Rachel Miller, was not immediately available for comment Monday. However, in a post on social media platform X Sunday night, they detailed their experiences growing up in, and leaving, the Orthodox Jewish community and subsequent involvement in the pro-Palestine movement.

In April, 29% of Providence voters voted uncommitted, signaling to Biden that we will not stand for U.S. support of genocide and occupation. Im grateful to be Rhode Islands uncommitted delegate to the DNC. Here is why, and what Ill be fighting for in Chicago: ( )  June Rose (@Junesfinalrose) June 9, 2024

I will work together with my fellow uncommitted delegates to demand an end to U.S. support of genocide and colonizationincluding immediately halting aid and ending the transfers of all weapons to Israel, Rose wrote on X. But my commitment and loyalty will always be to my values of global solidarity, empathy, and collective liberation, not to any one person or party.

A Vote Uncommitted RI coalition led in part by the Rhode Island Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America was scheduled to hold a rally outside the convention Sunday, urging Democrats to elect one of their organizers, Jordan Garces, as the uncommitted delegate for the district, according to a statement.

However, Garces was not eligible to be elected, having submitted the required application too late, Beretta-Perik said Monday. Garces is also not a registered Democrat, as required by state party rules for delegates.

Danya Reda, an organizer with Vote Uncommitted RI, disputed Beretta-Periks comments that Garces application was late. However, Reda also said she was not surprised that the coalitions pick for delegate was taken out of the running.

We understood that they way they do things is they pick an insider, and thats because theyre not really open to opposition, Reda said in an interview Tuesday.

New national committeewoman elected

Also Sunday, state Democrats unanimously elected a new DNC committeewoman. Nicole Verdi, who formerly served as a top staffer for Gov. Gina Raimondo and later, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, will take the role previously held by Lisa Andoscia.

Andoscia chose not to run for reelection because of work responsibilities, Beretta-Perik said. Verdi, who most recently worked in government affairs in New England for Danish wind developer Orsted, could not immediately be reached for comment on Monday.

In a post on X on Sunday, Verdi wrote, Im honored to serve my home state in this capacity and promise to do all I can to protect and promote our Dem. values.

State Democratic party members also reelected former Providence Mayor Joe Paolino Jr. as DNC committeeman, and endorsed the reelection campaigns for U.S. Reps. Gabe Amo and Seth Magaziner, and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse.

The RIDP State Committee is privileged to endorse the re-election campaigns of Senator Whitehouse, and Congressmen Magaziner and Amo who work tirelessly to improve the lives of Rhode Islanders, Beretta-Perik said in a statement. Together with our Congressional Delegation and State House, President Biden has delivered $2.2 billion in public investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing, while securing $843 million in private sector commitments for the people of Rhode Island. Rhode Island is proud of our diverse Democratic Party, and we look forward to gathering together as Democrats to do our part in keeping Rhode Island and America blue in November.

The Rhode Island GOP is scheduled to hold its state party convention on June 26, at which time it will finalize the list of delegates to be sent to the Republican National Convention in July.

Rhode Islands Democratic delegates

Congressional District 1

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley

Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien

Tom Kane

William Foulkes

Pat Crowley

Sen. Sandra Cano, of Pawtucket

Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera

Kristan Peters-Hamlin

Debra Rota

Congressional District 2

Jay Wegimont

Sen. Mark McKenney, of Warwick

Mark LeBeau

June Rose (Uncommitted)

Mary-Murphy Walsh

Autumn Guillotte

Melissa Carden

Erica Hammond

Cheyenne Cazeault

At-Large

Anthony DeRose

Lee Ann Byrne

Michelle Moreno-Silva

Sen. Pam Lauria, of Barrington

Susan Taylor

Pledged party leader and elected official delegates

Secretary of State Gregg Amore

Senate Majority Whip Valarie Lawson, of East Providence

Rep. June Speakman, of Bristol

Updated to include response from Vote Uncommitted RI.

The post Rhode Island Democrats elect DNC delegates, including uncommitted representative appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Richmond Hill woman in 'stable condition' after being shot three times by husband

A Richmond Hill woman who was shot three times by her husband before he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, is in stable condition at a local hospital, according to an update on the Bryan County Sheriff's Facebook page.

The woman is being treated for serious injuries. She was shot once in the arm and in both legs. Officials identified the shooter as Jermain Alvin Asberry.

The incident occurred around 9:15 p.m. on June 7, when Bryan County 911 received a call in reference to a domestic dispute in progress at an address on Sunbury Drive in Richmond Hill, according to the press release. "The caller stated that his father had shot his mother several times and that the three children that were in the home had fled the scene and ran to a neighbor's house."

Law enforcement responded, setting a perimeter, evacuating homes adjacent to the domestic location, and trying to negotiate with the man, who advised the negotiator that he was heavily armed and if any law enforcement approached the house that he would shoot them.

Asberry allowed two medics from Bryan County Emergency Medical Service into the residence and removed the victim from the residence, according to the press release. The victim was transported to Memorial Hospital.

Once the victim was removed from the home, negotiation resumed with the offender, according to the press release. The offender continued to refuse to comply with law enforcement commands to exit the home unarmed and with his hands in the air. After several hours of negotiation, it was decided by SWAT command to deploy tear gas into the residence. The Georgia State Patrol SWAT team entered the home and located the offender deceased in an upstairs bedroom by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The case is still under investigation.

Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com. Drew Favakeh contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Richmond Hill woman shot three times by husband in stable condition
Riverside Parks overgrown grounds, crumbling infrastructure and floods have officials screaming for funding after years of neglect

Riverside Parks crumbling infrastructure and lakes of mud have locals fuming  as park officials blame City Hall for starving the greenspace of years of needed funding.

The Upper West Side has resembled Roman ruins in recent months: century-old stairs are crumbled into piles of wayward blocks, cobbled paths have grown into hedgerows of weeds, and pools of rainwater have turned lawns and walkways into bogs of muck and murky water.

Its just sort of a threadbare carpet, said Jonathan Weiner, 70, a Columbia University teacher who has lived by the park for 20 years.

Theres a lot that is a little bit sad to see remembering what it was like two decades ago, he told The Post.

Steps at 106th Street, which are currently being repaired after private donations were secured for the project. Matthew McDermott

An Upper West Side dad named Joel, who regularly brings his son to the park, said the state of the place was unnecessary.

The city runs the park like this? Its ridiculous. They should be cutting the grass, he said and pointed to a closed entryway. I dont think Ive ever seen that entrance open.

Even the Riverside Park Conservancy, the nonprofit that manages the park alongside the city Parks Department, acknowledged the sorry conditions  but says City Hall is just not providing enough money to keep up basic repairs and maintenance.

This administration has cut the parks budget severely. Years and years of austerity budgets, years and years of cuts, Conservancy CEO Merritt Birnbaum told The Post.

We, and my many colleagues at other parks advocacy groups around the city, are screaming until were blue in the face that we need more funding for parks, not less.

A common sight in Riverside Park: weeds upon weeds growing up through broken cobbled paths Alex Oliveira/NY Post

Stretching a narrow 4-mile corridor along the Hudson River from 72nd Street to 158th Streets, Riverside Park has earned reputation as one of the citys crown jewels.

The park was first designed in the 1870s by Frederick Law Olmstead  the famed architect behind Central Park  who filled it with large rock cliffs and outcroppings, tree-lined promenades, and stone verandas overlooking the river.

It was extended under Robert Moses in the 1930s and over the train tracks where the Amtrak lines now run, with new promenades and verandas being joined pitched lawns that swept up the rise to Riverside Drive. A long walkway filled with playgrounds and flowerboxes were also installed.

But since those constructions were completed little has been done to update the infrastructure of the park, and the seams are showing  in some cases literally.

By night its not uncommon to see vast stretches of the park in darkness because path lights cut out. Support beams from the train tunnel below are breaking through the pavement in places. Fenced-off areas under repair are a common sight. When there is a storm people are forced to dodge massive water puddles that remain for days after the rain stops.

Washes of mud, sand, and matted leaves obscuring the ground are commonplace across Riverside Park Alex Oliveira/NY Post

Birnbaum described such lamentable conditions as the new normal in Riverside, and said severe weather in recent years coupled with the parks antique drainage system was driving the decay.

You only have to look at the weather of last September, which was the wettest September on history in over 100 years, she said, We have never had rain like this. And the park is where all of the water from the rest of Manhattan on the West Side floods down.

But volatile weather and old pipes are only two culprits, Birnbaum said, explaining if the city just paid to repair its parks the problem might never have arisen in the first place.

What youre seeing happening in the park right now is deferred maintenance  its the fact that the city builds things and doesnt allocate money to maintain them, she said.

The Parks Department is doing everything it can with less and less. Its budget has been decimated and is continuing to be decimated, Birnbaum said. Theyre just not able to keep up with a basic state of good repair because they dont have enough staff or resources. We see it in Riverside every day.

A deep puddle of water that forms by 97th Street after every rain, which neighbors recognize as a local body of water Alex Oliveira/NY Post

Birnbaum pointed out a hiring freeze currently in place at the Parks Department as an example of the kind of institutional neglect driving the problems in Riverside. Mayor Adams is now planning to slash $55 million from the Parks Department budget in the 2025 fiscal year.

In the 1970s the Parks Department had a staff of about 11,000, Birnbaum explained, but that number has dropped to about 7,000 in recent years. But over those five decades, the department has created about 200 new parks.

I dont understand that math. How can we have 200 more parks and 4,000 fewer parks workers? she said.

Adam Ganser, executive director of the advocacy group New Yorkers for Parks, shared similar stats.

The citys parks occupy 30,000 acres of the citys land 14% of the whole city  and we dont have enough parks enforcement patrol officers to cover even 150 of that, he said.

If we dont have a person to operate the lawnmower, the lawn isnt getting mowed.

Stairs by the Dinosaur Playground that have crumbled into disrepair, another common sight across Riverside Park Matthew McDermott

One of several sinkholes that have left the Dinosaur Playground closed off, leaving families frustrated Matthew McDermott

Ganser thinks the problem at Riverside would begin to be solved if Mayor Adams would come through on his campaign promise to devote 1% of the city budget to parks  but cant fathom why Hizzoner hasnt delivered on that initiative.

Weve seen pretty much nothing other than budget cuts for the last several years and the conditions in Riverside demonstrate whats happening broader, citywide, Ganser said. I would consider a real sort of strikeout for this mayor.

The Parks Department proposed budget is $582 million out of $110 or $112 billion budget. Thats .5% of the city budget. Cutting Parks is not going to balance the budget, he said.

The beginning of this is to reset everybodys understanding of the budget, and how little money it takes to really fully fund the parks system.

City Hall told The Post it remained dedicated to hitting Adams 1% goal within his administration, and that it had recently freed up funds to pay for a Parks Department program giving low-income New Yorkers paid training positions that would help maintain parks.

Jonathan Weiner, 70, navigates stairs near 104th Street which are known by neighbors for being precariously slick Matthew McDermott

The data is clear: Our parks are safer and better maintained than they were this time last year. As weve always said, we are aiming to reach the 1% target during our administration, a representative from City Hall said.

A representative for the Parks Department said $300 million had been invested in the Riverside since Adams took office in 2022, and highlighted an $8.66 million renovation of the beleaguered Dinosaur playground on 97th Street that is expected to be completed by summer 2025.

Until the necessary funding comes through, Birnbaum said the Riverside Conservancy and Parks Department staff who toil to maintain the park every day work exceptionally hard and are an invaluable part of keeping whatever problems at bay that they can.

Im really, really proud of our team and the Parks Department team for how they just keep doing more with less, she said, but added that without support from the city they were fighting a losing battle.

The St. Clair stairs past Grants Tomb are in pieces, with many of the steps sagging loose in the structure. Matthew McDermott

Its a screaming moment for parks in the city right now, Brinbaum said.

Theyre cutting off the oxygen to our parks. And conservancies can only do so much. We really are working as hard as we can.
CAIRO, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed on Monday to intensify efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

During a meeting in the Egyptian capital Cairo, Sisi and Blinken reviewed the latest developments pertinent to joint efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza as well as a hostages-prisoners swap between Israel and Hamas, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

The meeting also discussed Egyptian efforts to secure access to humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.

Sisi emphasized the importance of international cooperation to remove obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid, as well as the necessity to end the war in the region, prevent the escalation of conflict, and move forward with the implementation of the two-state solution, according to the statement.

The Israeli army launched a military operation in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah in early May and took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. The move led to the closure of the vital crossing, with Egypt demanding Israeli withdrawal to resume the crossing's operation.

During the talks, Blinken expressed the U.S. appreciation for Egypt's ongoing efforts on both the political and humanitarian tracks and its commitment to continuing work and coordination with Egypt to restore security and peace to the region.

The United States, Egypt, and Qatar managed to mediate a week-long Israel-Hamas truce in late November 2023. However, Israel and Hamas, engaged in a deadly confrontation in Gaza since last October, failed to reach another ceasefire agreement after talks in Cairo last month. 
ST. LOUIS  A suspected St. Louis burglar was taken into custody over the weekend, months after the city court released him on his own recognizance in April for an armed robbery.

According to multiple probable cause statements from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the armed robbery took place on April 6 in the 5700 block of Michigan Avenue, in the Carondelet neighborhood.

Police claim Terry A. Jones, 49, stole a mans car at gunpoint. Jones was arrested a short time later and charged with first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. He was released on bond, placed under house arrest with GPS monitoring, and ordered to appear in court on May 9.

Jones failed to appear in court on May 9 and an arrest warrant was issued.

Police claim that on May 20, Jones and a female accomplice broke into an apartment in the 2800 block of Itaska Street and stole electrical equipment, a TV monitor, and three Ring cameras.

On May 31, police claim Jones and a female accomplice entered a maintenance office in the 4700 block of South Broadway and stole a three-ton jack and three space heaters. The break-in and theft were recorded on surveillance video.

Two days later, Jones and several others went to a Family Dollar store in the 3800 block of South Grand Boulevard after hours and attempted to pry open both the store safe and ATM. When that didnt work, they stole large quantities of merchandise from the store and left in a white SUV Lexus RX300. The theft was recorded on surveillance.

Police claim Jones broke into another Family Dollar in the 4200 block of South Broadway on June 4 by smashing open the front window. Jones damaged the alarm control pad, two locked cases, and a safe. He stole merchandise off the shelves, stuffed them into plastic bags, and left.

Finally, on June 7, Jones allegedly went back to the Family Dollar on South Grand after hours. Officers arrived at the store in time to catch Jones leaving with a white trash bag filled with cigarette cartons and other merchandise.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office charged Jones with five counts of second-degree burglary, four counts of stealing  $750 or more, and three counts of first-degree property damage. He remains jailed without bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he is the 2024 presidential candidate of hope. Not, as many people have accused him of, a spoiler.

In a race where many voters arent excited for a rematch between the same two White House contenders as four years ago, Kennedy, a long-shot, third-party candidate, sees himself as the alternate they are looking for.

I think it's important that Americans feel that its potential for democracy to work for them, and they don't have to vote the lesser of two evils. They don't have to hold their nose and vote for a candidate they don't like because they hate the other guy worse, Kennedy said in an exclusive interview with USA TODAY. I think it's important to give them an alternative where they can continue to have hope for our democracy and vote out of inspiration rather than fear.

Kennedy, 70, said he draws support from both Democrats and Republicans, perhaps proving that his appeal is best summed up in how he is neither President Joe Biden nor former President Donald Trump. Yet an independent candidate has never come close to winning the presidency, and most polls show him significantly tailing the front-runners.

Instead, candidate of hope or not, his presence in the White House race is most likely to come in the form of a spoiler.

So far, Kennedy will be on the presidential ballot in Delaware, Oklahoma, and Utah in November. He is also expected to be on the ballot in Hawaii, Michigan and Texas. He is in the process of getting on the ballot in Nevada, New York, North Carolina and South Carolina, though he faces legal and residency challenges in several states.

Kennedys campaign has said he is on the ballot, or in the process of getting on the ballot, in several other states, but those states were unable to confirm his status due to not yet receiving or completed verifying the signatures. Some would not confirm until the candidate list is confirmed closer to the election. Kennedy said in some states, such as New Hampshire, his campaign is holding signatures for strategic reasons, but he expects to be on the ballot in every state.

Kathryn Dunn Tenpas, a Brookings Institution fellow who is an expert on presidential elections, said election rules were changed over time by the two major parties to stymie the minority party candidates. It will be extremely difficult for Kennedy to get on the ballot in every state, she said.

The cards were sort of stacked against RFK from the beginning if he was unwilling to pick one of the major parties. So he's basically climbing uphill all the time, she said

Whether he can get on ballots in all 50 states, which have varying requirements, doesnt change the fact that he can't get on enough ballots to be a threat to win the presidency, said Josh Blank, the director of research for the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin.

Ultimately, he can do no more than act as a spoiler, Blank said.

Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader (R) is congratulated by Reform Party presidential candidate Pat Buchanan between press conferences on Nov. 8, 2000 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. (JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The Ross Perot and Ralph Nader examples

But even Kennedy Jr.'s potential to be a spoiler is not yet clear. Its early to be relying on polls, and Blank is skeptical because of the near-equal support hes received from both parties. But Bob Shapiro, the Wallace S. Sayre Professor of Government at Columbia University, thinks that the closeness of this election is important to consider.

Based on past experience given the closeness of the elections, in particular key states, a third-party candidate that gets, you know, on the order of 1% of the vote could make a significant difference in the outcome, Shapiro said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is getting a lot more than 1% of the vote. So he can make a difference in the close races.

Shapiro pointed to Ross Perot, who won 19% of the popular vote in the 1992 race against then-President George H.W. Bush and then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, leading to claims that his presence is what caused the Republican incumbent to lose.

Similarly, the just 1.6% that Ralph Nader received in Florida in 2000 is believed by experts to have been enough to have caused Democratic nominee Al Gore to lose the presidency to Republican George W. Bush.

An average of national polls compiled by fivethirtyeight.com on Friday shows Kennedy receiving support from 9.3% of voters, Trump averages 41% and Biden averages 39.9%.

While Kennedy isnt polling as well as Perot did, he is closer to Ross Perot than to the more fringe third party candidates that weve had. Plus, Shapiro added, he has the name value of Kennedy  the closest the United States has to a royal family.

But unlike Perot, Kennedys campaign doesnt have a unifying message, but a grab bag of issues that pulls from the extremes of each major political party, says Ross Baker, a political science professor at Rutgers University.

Kennedy has a long history as an environmental activist, he is against the war in Ukraine but has defended Israels right to respond to Hamass attack on Oct. 7, and he is famously anti-vaccination.

While Kennedy says that hes not anti-vaccine in his campaign materials, he rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic for his opposition to the vaccine, spreading misinformation that they were linked to several deaths. His nonprofit organization, Childrens Health Defense, also promotes falsehoods about vaccines for children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective, and diseases like measles can easily cause outbreaks in communities where people are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.

Kennedy also recently changed his position on abortion. After years of believing there should be no restrictions on abortion access, he told USA TODAY that he wants to go back to the status quo of Roe v. Wade when abortion was protected in early months but states could set laws determining if it was available past the point of viability.

He also spoke about reducing the national debt and making housing more affordable.

Kennedy said hes focused on the issues Americans are deeply concerned about and that his biggest appeal is that hes a candidate people actually want to vote for; his challenge, he said, is to persuade them to vote out of hope rather than out of fear.

They need to inflame their base. They need to get people frightened. They need to keep people angry, Kennedy said of Trump and Biden. I'm trying to do the opposite. Im trying to bring people together.

An alternative

Susan Ulin, a 72-year-old New Hampshire resident, said one reason she is supporting Kennedy in 2024 is because she doesnt want to vote for either Trump or Biden. A registered Independent, she voted for Biden in 2020.

This is the first time in my voting history that I actually want to vote for somebody, whos not just like, well, hes the least of the worst, Ulin said.

Ulin also said she likes Kennedy because of his stance on vaccines. But in general, Blank, the research director for the Texas Politics Project, questions how much of his appeal reflects a positive reaction to Kennedys policies.

How much of it is in response to a negative reaction to the two major party candidates and Kennedy being the most well-known alternative? asked Blank.

Kennedy said that a big bulk of his supporters are those who had withdrawn from the political process. He also said that he draws more support from Republicans, and an NBC News poll from late April backs up these findings.

Blank said he thinks that the support is likely to tilt more Republican as the campaign goes on, posing more of a threat to Trump. But that assumes Kennedy remains a threat at all. The least engaged voters who are supporting Kennedy right now are also those who are the least likely to turn out on Election Day.

Its also common for voters unhappy with their choices to say that theyll vote for another candidate this far out from the election. But as Election Day nears, many will return to their original party as the reality of a two-party race becomes clearer and they begin seeing a vote for a third party as potentially useless.

He offers himself as an alternative, but it isn't really very clear what a Robert F. Kennedy administration would look like. Clearly, he's been used as a protest vehicle for people who, quite understandably, are displeased with the choice by the two major parties, said Baker. But I think that some of the things he has said or some of the causes that he's embraced don't even make him a very attractive person to throw away your vote on.

Kennedy points to an April John Zogby poll that his campaign paid for that he says shows he would win a head-to-head race between him and either major party candidate, and in a three-way race he would most hurt Biden. He called on Biden to exit the race to help Kennedy defeat Trump.

But there are major flaws with the poll that make it unreliable, including sampling concerns and an unrealistic and totally hypothetical scenario that all voters would switch to Kennedy if their candidate dropped out, said Blank.

No other reliable poll shows similar results.

If Kennedy's support were really so strong, and a driving force in these results, he wouldn't be underwater nationally in his favorability ratings, and those ratings wouldn't continue to be (in) decline, Blank said.

28th February 1961: American President John F Kennedy (1917 - 1963) at the White House with his brother Attorney General Robert Kennedy (1925 - 1968) and head of the FBI J Edgar Hoover (1895 - 1972). (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

What's in a name?

The attempt to take up the mantle of the Kennedy name is propelling what support he has in this race, said Tenpas. Without it, Kennedy Jr. would have an even lower chance of getting on all the ballots. He is the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, and son of Robert F. Kennedy, a former U.S. attorney general and New York senator who was assassinated in June of 1968 during his own run for president.

Fifteen members of Kennedy Jr.'s prominent family endorsed Biden at a press conference this spring. Yet, Kennedy Jr. said he thinks his father would strongly support him and his campaign.

I cant think of a single issue that my dad felt strongly about that, you know, I wouldnt check the same box, he said, such as ending war, protecting the environment, stopping corruption and limiting corporate power. The Democratic party, he said, has changed from the one he grew up with.

Barbara Ann Perry, an expert on the presidency who has written several books about the Kennedy family, said the late Robert F. Kennedy never would have tried to weaken or split the Democratic vote; instead, he knew he needed to win within the party.

Robert Kennedy Sr. is the antithesis of Robert Kennedy Jr. He didn't split the party by running against it, said Perry. The last thing he says when he says farewell at the podium at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles just before he is shot is, So it's on to Chicago, and let's win there.

Kennedy was 14 when his father was killed on the night he won the California and South Dakota primaries, the momentum that many predicted would lead to the Democratic presidential nomination. He said hes spent years reading about his father and hearing stories about him.

Americans are entitled to have their own version of who my father and my uncle (were), of what they would do on certain issues. And I enjoy hearing those debates all the time, Kennedy said. I think I have a really clear understanding of where he came down on issues. And I'm very grateful that I believe I share his beliefs. And I share his values. And, you know, I've tried to live my life with the same kind of commitment to the same values.

Baker said Kennedys views of his father and uncle, who was assassinated while president in November of 1963, dont match the public perception of what the family dynasty stood for. He called the argument self-serving.

We think we know what our parents would have done and thought, said Baker. If a vote of the Kennedy family were taken, I don't think he gets a single vote.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RFK says dad would be proud of his 2024 presidential election campaign
At least three people were injured Saturday night when a rodeo bull jumped over the arena fence and charged at terrified attendees before it was caught by wranglers.

The dramatic incident was caught on spectators cellphone videos at the 84th Sisters Rodeo in the city of Sisters, Oregon. The crowd was singing along to Lee Greenwoods God Bless the U.S.A. when the bull hopped the fence, prompting screams from the stands as attendees fled for their lives.

One clip shared on social media shows the bull rampaging through a concession area and into a parking lot, violently colliding with a woman along the way. The victim is brutally tossed into the air and repeatedly hit by the bulls horns before crashing to the ground, with horrified witnesses quickly rushing to her aid.

In the arena, an announcer could be heard telling the crowd: Get to higher ground! Theres a bull out!

In a statement, the Sisters Rodeo Association said the announcer immediately activated the emergency response plan when the bull escaped. First responders confirmed that three persons were injured as a direct result of the bull; two of whom were transported to a local hospital, the statement read.

Deschutes County Sheriffs Office Sergeant Joshua Spano told KTVZ-TV that several ambulances were called to the scene and that deputies transported one patient with non-life-threatening injuries. A deputy also sustained minor injuries while responding to the incident, Lt. Jayson Janes told the station.

Sisters Rodeo said the bull was eventually secured next to the livestock holding pens by our rodeo pickup men.

We wish the best to all affected, the statement from the association read. The safety of our fans is our highest priority and we appreciate their support.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  A Rogers man is accused of stabbing his coworker at a Rogers gas station, according to court documents.

Samuel Pletcher, 33

(Courtesy: Benton County Jail)

Samuel Pletcher, 33, was arrested on June 6 on an attempted capital murder charge.

Rogers police responded to a stabbing call at the Kum and Go on West Pleasant Grove Road around 12:30 p.m. on June 6.

A man identified as Pletcher called Rogers Central Dispatch saying he had just stabbed a coworker multiple times in the head and face, according to an affidavit.

Van Buren porn actor arrested on human trafficking charges

An officer found a woman in a cooler in the back of the gas station holding paper towels over the side of her face and sitting in a pool of blood with a blood-soaked shirt, the document said.

She told officers that she had been cut in the face and believed her jaw was broken.

Pletcher reportedly had a laceration on his right hand below his ring finger and pinky that was bleeding. He was treated by medics on the scene before being taken to the Rogers Police Department.

He was interviewed at the station and said he wished to have an attorney present before admitting he had stabbed her  beyond that, he wished to plead the fifth, according to the affidavit.

Detectives searched the scene and found an X-Acto knife near the pool of blood, the document said.

Springdale man sentenced for transporting child pornography

Video surveillance footage from inside the gas station showed the woman being followed by Pletcher into a walk-in cooler holding a knife before running out seconds later.

During a 911 call, Pletcher allegedly admitted to stabbing his coworker more than once. When asked if an ambulance was needed, he said Probably, according to the affidavit.

Detectives spoke with the woman over the phone on June 7 after learning she had been released from the hospital. She said she and the manager had reprimanded Pletcher for poor work performance a day before the attack.

Pletcher is being held in the Benton County Detention Center on a $1 million bond.

He has a court date set for July 15 and has been ordered to have no contact with the woman.

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UPDATE: Three people dead in Coles Co. crash on Route 130

Update on 6/10

CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA)  The crash that closed Route 130 in Coles County on Sunday resulted in three deaths, the Illinois State Police confirmed.

Officials said three vehicles were involved in the crash: a Dodge Charger, a Ford F-150 and a GMC Envoy. The investigation revealed the Charger was driving south on Route 130 when it tried to pass a line of traffic; the F-150 and the Envoy were driving northbound and were hit by the Charger.

Indiana man dies in Logan County crash: ISP

Three people inside the Charger  the driver and two passengers  were killed in the crash, State Police said. The driver of the Envoy suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a regional hospital. The driver of the F-150 was not hurt.

Route 130 was shut down for almost seven hours as emergency personnel responded and as State Police investigated. The road reopened to traffic just before midnight.

WCIA has reached out to the Coles County Coroner for further information. We have not heard back yet.

CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA)  The Charleston Fire Department said Route 130 is closed between Westfield Road and County Road 300N due to a traffic accident.

The Coles County Sheriffs Office confirmed that the accident involved three vehicles. They expect the closure to last several hours and ask drivers to avoid the area.

Charleston Fire said Westfield Road will remain open. They also said the investigation will be handed off to Illinois State Police.

WCIA has reached out and is awaiting more details on the incident.

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 WCIA.com.
A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version.

Who He Really Is

If you came of age in the crime wave of the 80s and 90s, you were witness to the national debate over whether former federal prosecutor turned New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was a racist targeting people of color or a no-nonsense crimefighter applying a tough hand to a difficult situation. Those arent mutually exclusive, by the way. Both can be true.

We can settle the racist part of the debate now (was any doubt left?)  and throw in misogynist as a special bonus  after Giulianis sexualized rant Friday directed at Atlanta District Attorney Fani Willis.

In video of his appearance at former Trump national security adviser Mike Flynns far-right Reawaken America conference posted by Mother Jones Stephanie Mencimer, Giuliani played to the crowd in the most base and craven way:

Watch "America's Mayor" Rudy Giuliani call Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis a "ho," and the Christian audience at the ReAwaken America tour go wild for it last night. pic.twitter.com/yy68oan7lg  Stephanie Mencimer (@smencimer) June 8, 2024

Recall how we got to this point: It was Giuliani who famously smeared Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, both Black women. That seems to have been a catalyzing reason that Willis undertook to bring the sprawling RICO case against Giuliani, Trump and more than a dozen other co-defendants. Freeman and Moss subsequently won a nearly $150 million defamation judgment forcing Giuliani into bankruptcy. But he still didnt stop, continuing to defame them regularly even after losing that lawsuit, until he finally agreed in recent days to cease and desist as part of the bankruptcy settlement.

With Freeman and Moss no longer viable targets, Giuliani has turned his ire to another Black woman. Contrast that with the situation in Arizona, where Giuliani is also facing criminal charges brought by Attorney General Kris Mayes for his effort to subvert the 2020 election. No ho comments from Rudy for Mayes, who is a white woman.

Perhaps well eventually get to see whether the criminal justice system will come down as hard on a white man for calling his Black prosecutor a ho as we might expect if it were a Black man in the dock.

What Trumps Revenge Really Means

Greg Sargent:

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.

Trump Sits For Probation Office Interview Today

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled today sit for a virtual pre-sentencing interview with a probation officer in the New York hush money case.

Keep An Eye On This 

The judge in the hush-money case alerted Trumps attorneys and prosecutors Friday to a commenter who posted on the court systems Facebook page claiming to be a cousin of a juror and possess inside knowledge of the jurys deliberations before it rendered a verdict. Initial indication are that its probably a troll and not a real compromise of jury proceedings.

Clarence Thomas Fesses Up  Sorta

The freebies given to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas by billionaire GOP donor Harlan Crowe that were first unearthed by ProPublica have now been officially reported by Thomas in an amended 2019 financial disclosure report. Thomas claims the gifts were inadvertently omitted.

More On Russ Vought And Trump II

The WaPo has its own version of the story on the shadow cabinet being assembled by pro-Trumpers in anticipation of a Trump II encore. This version also fronts Russ Vought, the OMB director in Trump I, as a central figure and touts him as a possible Trump II White House chief of staff. For the moment, Vought is the policy director for the 2024 platform committee of the RNC.

Failing Upward

Ed Martin, a former chairman of the Missouri Republican Party who was big supporter of Trumps Stop the Steal effort in 2020, has been hired by the RNC to help shape the partys 2024 platform, Sahil Kapur and Ryan J. Reilly report for NBC News.

Hard To Figure Whats Going On Here

Cause 

WaPo: Republicans pitch tax cuts for corporations, the wealthy in 2025

WSJ: At End of Trump Tax Cuts, Progressives See Leverage to Target the Rich

Effect

Politico: Wall Street titans shake off qualms and embrace Trump

I Cant Get Enough Of These Stories

Politico: How vulnerable GOP lawmakers are taking credit for an infrastructure law they opposed

The Jury Could Get The Hunter Biden Case Today

Expected today in the trial of the presidents son on federal gun charges in Delaware: A spare defense case by Hunter Biden attorney Abbe Lowell, closing arguments, and then the jury gets the case.

Biden Admin. Sets New MPG Standards

The new fuel efficiency standards for the U.S. auto and light truck fleet are weaker than initially proposed but still raise the targets for passenger cars from 48.7 mpg to 65 mpg and for light trucks (including SUVs) from 35.1 mpg to 45 mpg by 2031.

Carbon Dioxide Levels Surge Faster Than Ever

NOAA, last week: Carbon dioxide is accumulating in the atmosphere faster than ever  accelerating on a steep rise to levels far above any experienced during human existence 

Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know!
Rudy Giuliani stooped to a new low over the weekend, deploying a derogatory epithet to refer to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis during an address at a Christian nationalist conference.

Playing to the cheap seats, Giuliani called her a ho, an apparent shortening of the word whore used to smear someone, usually a woman, as a sex worker.

The former New York mayor called out Willis, who indicted him in Georgia last year in connection with his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, while speaking onstage at the ReAwaken American Tour, a far-right movement launched in part by Donald Trumps former national security adviser, Michael Flynn.

Fani the ho, Giuliani says in a clip of the speech posted online. As the crowd whistles and hollers in appreciation, Giuliani pauses, then repeatedly mispronounces the prosecutors name.

Im sorry, he says. Faw-nee. What is Faw-nee? Now, F-A-N-I is not Faw-nee. And Im not calling her Fani.

Another pause, then he adds: I could drop the ho part if shed just quit and go away.

Watch "America's Mayor" Rudy Giuliani call Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis a "ho," and the Christian audience at the ReAwaken America tour go wild for it last night. pic.twitter.com/yy68oan7lg  Stephanie Mencimer (@smencimer) June 8, 2024

Giuliani has pleaded not guilty in Georgia.

He has also pleaded not guilty in Arizona, where he was indicted earlier this year on nine felony election-interference charges.

The ReAwaken America Tour, the brainchild of MAGA fanatic Clay Clark, is a culture-war roadshow that is part conservative Christian revival, part QAnon expo and part political rally, according to NPR.

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.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  With a proposal that mirrors the street vendor ordinance adopted in Clark County, the City of North Las Vegas has scheduled an informational workshop Thursday evening to explain the rules.

A news release announced the workshop, scheduled at 5 p.m., Thursday, June 13, at North Las Vegas City Hall, 2250, Las Vegas Boulevard North. The workshop will be conducted in both English and Spanish, according to the city.

Details and guidelines will be discussed in an effort to make sure all vendors are well-informed and compliant with the regulations. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the legal requirements, safety protocols, and operational standards necessary for sidewalk street vending in North Las Vegas, the news release said.

The licensing fee in North Las Vegas is $150, plus a $30 processing fee. A state business license is required.

The proposed ordinance appears below:

NLV-Sidewalk-Vendor-OrdinanceDownload

City officials including Business License Manager Cissy Flores and representatives of the health department will be available to answer questions. More information is available in English and Spanish on the North Las Vegas website.

Clark County approved its rules on April 16 and celebrated as it awarded its first license on May 29.

The Nevada Legislature passed a bill last year seeking to streamline licensing. But fees, the cost of a health permit and insurance requirements pose an enormous financial burden on the vendors that the bill was meant to help.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
With new rules, the Texas GOP seeks to keep its elected officials in line

The Texas GOP passed a pair of new rules aimed at enforcing ideological purity at its May 2024 convention. Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune

Republican voters in Texas sent a strong message this primary season about their expectations for ideological purity, casting out 15 state House GOP incumbents who bucked the grassroots on issues like school vouchers or the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton.

At the same time this spring, the party itself has been making moves beyond the ballot box to keep its elected officials in line.

At its biennial convention last month, the Texas GOP tried to increase its party purity by approving two major rules changes: One would close the Republican primary elections so that only voters the party identifies as Republicans can participate. The other would bar candidates from the primary ballot for two years after they had been censured by the state party.

Jon Taylor, a political science professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said the moves are clear political shots by the increasingly dominant right wing of the party to root out dissenters and shape the party in its image.

It says something about this battle, this civil war thats broken out in the Republican Party of Texas that one side has gotten so concerned that they haven't been able to solidify their control of the party that they want to close their primary, he said.

But the ideas have drawn pushback from inside and outside the party, with many questioning whether the GOP has the power to enact them without action from the state Legislature.

James Wesolek, a spokesperson for the Republican Party of Texas, said the party will be pursuing the policies regardless. He added that an overwhelming majority of Republican voters supported the ideas when they were included as propositions in the GOP primary this year.

We hope the legislature takes action, but we will move forward as our rules dictate, Wesolek said in an email last week.

Questions remain about how that would work.

Eric Opiela, a longtime Republican who previously served as the state partys executive director and was part of the rules committee at this years convention, said moving forward on closing the primary without legislative action would lead to legal challenges.

Because party primaries are publicly financed and perform the public service of selecting candidates for elected office, they must adhere to the states election law, said Opiela, who has also served as a lawyer for the state party.

Currently, any voter can participate in a Democrat or Republican primary without having to register an affiliation. Without a change to state law, the Texas GOP could open itself to liability if it barred voters from participating in its primary elections, Opiela said.

Under the rules approved by the GOP, a voter would be eligible to cast a ballot in a primary if they voted in a GOP primary in the past two years or submitted a certificate of affiliation with the Republican Party of Texas prior to the candidate filing period for that election. They also could register with the state party, though the party hasnt yet unveiled a process to do so.

A voter under 21 could also vote in the primary if it were their first primary election.

But critics are concerned that the party is underestimating the amount of work required to vet a persons voting history. And Opiela also said that there are concerns about how to provide proper notification to new voters, especially military voters, who might have recently moved into the state and are not covered under the proposal as written. He said such concerns are why these changes should be left to the Legislature, where lawmakers can consider obstacles to implementation and come up with solutions.

I dont know that the process was given much thought, said Opiela. Those of us who have run an election know that this isnt easy to pull off.

Texas is among 15 states that currently have open primaries, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Ten states currently have closed primaries.

Closed primaries are a particularly hot topic in the GOP due to frustration among some in the conservative grassroots over House Speaker Dade Phelans primary runoff victory.

Phelan oversaw the passage of major conservative victories including restricting abortion and loosening gun laws in recent years. But he has become a target of the hard right for failing to pass school voucher legislation, appointing some Democrats to chair legislative committees and presiding over the impeachment of Paxton, who is a darling of the hard right.

He finished second in his March primary, but won his primary runoff against right wing candidate David Covey by fewer than 400 votes. Covey and his supporters blamed Phelans victory on Democratic voters who crossed over into the GOP primary runoff to vote for Phelan.

Its difficult to say whether thats true; Texas doesnt track party registration. About 4% of the people who voted in the GOP primary this year had most recently voted in the Democratic primary, according to data compiled by elections data expert Derek Ryan, a Republican. But party leaders, such as recently departed party Chair Matt Rinaldi, have pointed to the Phelan race as a reason for a need for change.

The time is now for Republicans to choose our own nominees without Democrat interference, Rinaldi said in May.

Taylor, the UTSA professor, said the push to close the primaries was in line with the right wings push to force GOP candidates to follow the party line.

Youre engaging in a form of ideological conformity, youre demanding 100% fealty to the party, he said.

But Daron Shaw, a political science professor at the University of Texas, pushed back against those crying foul.

It is completely unclear to me how it is the right of a voter in Texas, particularly one that does not identify as a Republican, to vote in the selection of Republican candidates, he said. Ultimately, a party is a private association and if it chooses to select extreme candidates, then presumably the general electorate will react accordingly.

The rule to bar candidates who had been censured by the state party has also been met with skepticism.

Opiela said that if a candidate turned in an application that otherwise met the requirements for running for office, a court would likely order the party to allow the candidate on the ballot. He also said the provision could open up precinct and county chairs to criminal liability for rejecting applications that met the requirements.

The state party rule tries to cover for that potential liability by stating it would provide legal representation for any party official who is sued for complying with the rule.

Asked by The Texas Tribune to assess the legality of the idea, Rick Hasen, a UCLA professor and election law expert, called it dicey.

Taylor, from UTSA, said the move was also a pretty transparent message to elected officials like Phelan and U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales to fall in line. Phelan was censured in February for overseeing Paxtons impeachment and appointing Democrats as committee chairs. Gonzales was censured for supporting a bipartisan gun law in the wake of the 2022 Uvalde shooting, which occurred in his district, and his vote for a bill that codified protections for same-sex marriage.

The censure rule in particular has been denounced as undemocratic, an increasingly common criticism from the GOPs loudest critics. At the same party convention, the state party changed its platform to call for a new requirement that candidates for statewide office must also win a majority of votes in a majority of Texas 254 counties to win office, a model similar to that of the U.S. Electoral College.

That proposal, which represents the official position of the party but does not have any power of law, has been panned as unconstitutional.

Theres a very good argument that such a system would violate the Constitution as interpreted by the Supreme Court, Hasen said.

Under the proposal, the 4.7 million residents of Harris County would have the same voting power as the 64 residents of Loving County.

Its basically a tyranny of the minority, Taylor said. This is designed to potentially go a step further in nullifying the concept of one person-one vote.

The proposals come even as the GOP has dominated Texas politics for decades, and the hardline conservative movement continues to grow its influence. Brian W. Smith, a political science professor at St. Edwards University in Austin, questioned the moves on a political level.

Texas is already gerrymandered to elect ideologically pure candidates. Were not seeing a lot of Republicans or Democrats moving to the middle to attract a broad swath of voters, he said. The Dade Phelans of the world are not winning because of independents or Democrats, theyre winning because theyre more popular among Republicans than their opponents.

Weve added new speakers to the stellar lineup of leaders, lawmakers and newsmakers hitting the stage at The Texas Tribune Festival, happening Sept. 57 in downtown Austin. Get an up-close look at todays biggest issues at Texas breakout politics and policy event!
CANBERRA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Australia will attend an international conference on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the government has confirmed.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong on Monday announced that Anne Aly, the minister for early childhood development and minister for youth, will represent Australia at the conference in Amman, Jordan, that has been convened by Jordan, Egypt and the United Nations (UN).

Wong said that Egyptian-born Aly was chosen because of her lived experience and understanding of the conflict in the Middle East.

They said in a joint statement that Australia has been clear that Israel must comply with the orders of the International Court of Justice and allow the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance to Gaza and reiterated calls for the war to end.

"The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Over 1 million Palestinians are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity and around 1.7 million people have been displaced, many several times over. Humanitarian access remains grossly inadequate," Aly said.

Since the beginning of the conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, the Australian government has committed 62.5 million Australian dollars (41.1 million U.S. dollars) in humanitarian assistance to the region, including 41 million Australian dollars (27.0 million U.S. dollars) to address urgent needs in Gaza. 
Russian forces attacked six border towns in Sumy Oblast on June 9, causing 65 explosions in the area, the regional military administration reported.

The communities of Yunakivka, Krasnopllia, Velyka Pysarivka, Seredyna-Buda, Khotin, and Mykolaiv were targeted during the day's attacks. No casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure were reported.

Russian forces assailed the Sumy border with multiple weapons throughout the day, including drones, mortar, artillery, and mines.

Strikes against Sumy Oblast have become increasingly destructive in recent months. A Russian rocket attack on May 29 on Krasnopillia killed two civilians and injured three others.

Amid intensified attacks, Ukrainian authorities have ordered evacuations from the region. Sumy Oblast borders Russia's Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts.

Read also: Fortifications put strain on already struggling farmers in Sumy Oblast

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian forces bombarded Nikopol and Myrove hromada in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the morning of 10 June. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.]

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration

Details: Lysak said that the Russians attacked Nikopol district twice on the evening of 9 June, targeting Marhanets hromada with artillery and Pokrov hromada with a kamikaze drone. A greenhouse and a private fishing boat were damaged.

In addition, Nikopol and Myrove hromada came under attack on the morning of 10 June, with no casualties.

The attack damaged four houses, two outbuildings, a garage, gas pipelines and a power transmission line.

Background: On the night of 9-10 June, an energy infrastructure facility in Sumy Oblast was shut down, which resulted in a power outage in the city of Sumy. Emergency power outages have been introduced in the oblast.

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Russia is attempting to protect a vital bridge and supply line with a set of barges, UK intelligence says

Russia is attempting to protect a vital bridge and supply line with a set of barges, UK intelligence says

Russia is fortifying the Kerch Bridge with barges, says the UK's defense ministry.

The barges will help "to defend the bridge and shipping channel" from Ukrainian attacks, per the UK.

The bridge is used to transport Russia's military freight into Crimea and southwest Ukraine.

Russia is shoring up the defenses for the Kerch Bridge with barges, the UK's defense ministry said on Saturday.

"Analysis of imagery has identified the installation of eight barges on the southern side of the Kerch Bridge," the UK's defense ministry wrote in its intelligence dispatch.

"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 (USVs)," the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the barges were installed between May 10 and May 22.

This isn't the first time barges have been placed near the bridge, which connects Russia to occupied Crimea, per the UK's defense ministry.

"Previously installed barriers have been damaged by storms, reducing their effectiveness," the intelligence dispatch said.

The Kerch Bridge has been a key military artery for the Russians, who rely on it to transport their military freight into occupied Crimea and southwestern Ukraine.

But Ukrainians view the bridge, which was built in 2018 after the Russians had annexed Crimea in 2014, as an illegal construction. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, the Ukrainians have managed to damage the bridge in two successful attacks.

The first attack occurred in October 2022, when a fuel tank explosion saw the bridge's road section collapse. The second attack took place in July when it targeted the bridge's support struts with sea drones.

The repeated attacks appear to have caused the Russians to stop using the bridge. According to a report from the open-source intelligence organization Molfar last month, Russian military freight trains weren't seen on the bridge between February and mid-April.

Instead, the Russians seem to have placed their hopes on a new railway route that runs along the Azov Sea. The route passes through Russian-occupied Mariupol and Berdiansk before ending in Crimea.

"The railway along the land corridor is recognition on the part of the Russian occupiers that the Crimean Bridge is doomed," Dmitry Pletenchuk, a spokesman for Ukraine's southern military command, told The Economist in a story published on June 2.

"They are looking for a way to hedge their bets because they are aware that sooner or later, they will have a problem," he continued.

Representatives for Russia's defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Russia was scared to fly its Su-57 in combat, fearing a loss. Ukraine scored a hit on one anyway.

Russia has largely kept its Su-57 fighter jets out of the war in Ukraine, fearing a combat loss.

But on Saturday, Ukrainian forces struck one of the aircraft hundreds of miles from the battlefield.

It marked the first-ever hit on Russia's much-celebrated fighter.

Russia has tried to keep its very limited number of Su-57 fighter jets hidden from the war in Ukraine, fearing that a combat loss would be a blow to the aircraft's reputation, according to Western intelligence and aviation experts.

But over the weekend, Ukraine damaged one of the fifth-generation fighters anyway in a long-range strike hundreds of miles inside Russian territory, underscoring the vulnerabilities to Moscow's most-celebrated weapons  even if they're far from the battlefield.

A Su-57 was "hit for the first time" on Saturday in an attack on Russia's Akhtubinsk airfield, located more than 365 miles from the front line, the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence wrote in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

To back up its claims, the HUR shared satellite imagery purportedly showing some damage to the aircraft as a result of the strike, as well as visible explosion and burn marks on the tarmac in the immediate vicinity of the fighter jet.

Satellite images purportedly showing damage to a Su-57. Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

The extent of the damage is ultimately unclear, and Business Insider was unable to immediately verify the imagery.

Multiple Su-57s could be seen at the Akhtubinsk airfield as early as December 2022, according to satellite images shared by Britain's defense ministry.

In both images, the Su-57s appear parked outside without any hardened shelters. The Saturday imagery does appear to reveal some sort of arched structure, but whatever it is did not prevent the attack, which was reportedly carried out by a low-cost Ukrainian drone.

This particular detail has not gone over well with Moscow's war commentators.

"Russian milbloggers seized on the June 8 strike to criticize the Russian military command for not constructing hangars to hide Russian aircraft from Ukrainian strikes," analysts at the Institute for the Study of War think tank wrote in a Monday assessment.

The milbloggers "claimed that Russian forces could construct hangars at every military airfield in Russia for the cost of one Su-57 aircraft," which costs an estimated $35 million, the analysts noted.

Russia's problematic Su-57 program

The twin-engine Su-57, known by NATO as the 'Felon,' is Russia's first attempt at a fifth-generation fighter, although analysts have often questioned whether the aircraft can actually claim that status considering that it apparently lacks some of the necessary capabilities.

Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighters take off during the MAKS-2019 International Aviation and Space Show in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow on Aug. 27, 2019. Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Russian state media has often touted the Su-57 as being comparable to  or even better than  American fifth-generation stealth fighters like the F-22 and F-35. But it is riddled with technical issues, including a lack of stealth-capable engines and body panels that are tight enough to sufficiently reduce the radar signature.

The aircraft first saw combat in Syria in 2018 and was delivered to the Russian military in 2020. Kremlin officials have claimed that the Su-57 has seen combat in Ukraine, although the evidence supporting the claims is extremely limited.

Western intelligence and aviation experts have said that Russia's reluctance to employ the Su-57 in combat suggests it is eager to avoid any reputational damage, the loss of sensitive technologies, and reduced export possibilities that could occur if the aircraft is shot down by Ukraine. Additionally, Moscow may not be confident in the aircraft's purported stealth capabilities.

The HUR said that the Su-57 is Russia's "most modern fighter," capable of launching Kh-59/69 missiles, and there are only "a few" of the fighters in service. Ukraine's Southern Command specified that Kyiv on Saturday struck one of six operational aircraft. Moscow has a similar number of unfinished jets.

A Russian Su-57 fighter jet makes a demonstration flight during the opening of the MAKS-2021 International Aviation and Space Salon in Zhukovsky outside Moscow on July 20, 2021. AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

Russian state media has suggested the military will eventually field dozens of Su-57s by the end of the decade, but it's unclear if these plans will materialize.

Justin Bronk, an airpower and technology expert at the UK-based Royal United Services Institute think tank, said the Ukrainian strike on Saturday is a "significant symbolic blow" to Moscow's "long-troubled" Su-57 program, though its direct effect on the war will be "almost non-existent."

"Due to its small fleet size, the political humiliation if one were to be shot down, and slow aircraft systems development, the Su-57 has played an extremely minor role in the conflict to date," Bronk wrote in a Monday analysis.

He said that the strike demonstrates that Ukraine has a "relatively mature low-cost long-range harassment capability" that it can use to strike military bases deep inside Russia.

Ukraine has relied on an arsenal of homemade, long-range exploding drones to repeatedly strike military and energy targets hundreds of miles inside Russian territory over the past few months because Kyiv had been unable to do so with Western-provided missiles. Some of these restrictions, however, have been relaxed in recent weeks, giving Ukraine more options.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect the most recent information about the attack.

Russian forces launched three glide bombs at Kharkiv on June 10, injuring eight people, local authorities reported.

Russia recently intensified attacks against Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-biggest city after Kyiv, with the use of missiles, glide bombs, and drones, destroying energy infrastructure and killing civilians.

The Russian military carried out the strike at around 5:35 p.m. local time, targeting a residential area, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

At least seven people were confirmed injured as of 6:52 p.m. local time, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.

The number of victims has risen to eight, as another man was rescued from under the rubble, Syniehubov said at around 7:30 p.m. local time.

In total, five men and three women were injured in the Russian strike at the Kyiv and Saltivskyi districts of Kharkiv. Some 70 garages and 22 cars were damaged, Syniehubov added.

The attack also damaged at least two houses, according to Terekhov.

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 takes control of Staromaiorske in eastern Ukraine, defence ministry says

Soldiers carry out stabilization operations in the village of Staromayorske

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Russian military has taken control of the village of Staromaiorske in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, the Russian defence ministry said on Monday.

Ukraine's military made no such acknowledgment in a report issued late on Monday. It said Russian forces had tried to move forward near Staromaiorske and a nearby village, Vodiane, "but were unsuccessful. The defence forces control the situation."

Both villages lie southwest of the Russian-held main town in the region, also called Donetsk.

A popular Ukrainian war blog, DeepState, said Russian troops had made advances around Staromaiorske.

Reuters could not independently verify battlefield reports from either side.

Russia has made incremental gains in Donetsk region, a focal point along the 1,000-km (600-mile) long front line, since capturing the key town of Avdiivka in February after many months of heavy fighting.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Josie Kao)
Russia used Su-57 fighters "a few times", this is reputational loss for Russia

The Air Force of Ukraine has reported that the destruction of a Russian Su-57 multi-purpose fighter jet is a powerful blow to Russia's air fleet, but the Russians have about 1,500 more aircraft.

Source: Illia Yevlash, spokesman for Air Force Command, during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "During the entire period of the full-scale invasion, the enemy has used the aircraft (Su-57  ed.) only a few times. Most of the time, we have seen it at a fairly significant distance from the line of contact and have seen it several times when it did use its guided missiles.

However, there was no evidence of systematic use, a close approach to the state border or the line of contact. The Russians, realising that this aircraft is worth billions of dollars, did not want to use it and put it in danger."

Details: Yevlash said that Su-57s had been spotted near the border with Ukraine, but the Russians were afraid to let them get closer because the loss of such aircraft means "image and reputational losses."

Meanwhile, the Russians have used it in the Black Sea area and near other borders, but not as often as the Su-34 or Su-35.

The spokesperson added that the destruction of the Su-57 is a powerful blow to Russia's aircraft fleet.

Yevlash said that Russia had about 1,500 more aircraft that could launch Kh-69 and Kh-59 cruise missiles, as well as guided bombs: "There are a lot of different aircraft in Russia  up to 1,500 aircraft that perform different combat missions. Of course, the destruction of one or two aircraft is also powerful."

Background:

Earlier, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) reported that a cutting-edge Russian Su-57 multi-purpose fighter jet had been struck at the Akhtubinsk airbase in Russia's Astrakhan Oblast, 589 kilometres from the war zone in Ukraine.

The Su-57 is a Russian cutting-edge fighter jet, capable of firing Kh-59 and Kh-69 missiles. Russia's Aerospace Forces have only a handful of these combat aircraft in service.

Later, DIU reported that it had information that two Su-57 multi-purpose fighter jets had likely been damaged in the attack on the Akhtubinsk airbase.

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PHNOM PENH, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia attracted fixed-asset investment of 246 million U.S. dollars in May, the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) said in a news release on Monday.

The Southeast Asian country approved 24 investment projects last month, which could generate approximately 15,000 jobs, the CDC said.

The new projects included a solar photovoltaic power plant, a metal processing factory, a pipe manufacturing plant, an aluminum plant, and garment, footwear and travel goods factories, it added.

China remained the top investor in the kingdom last month.

"Almost 50 percent of the investment capital in May 2024 was from China, 31 percent was from domestic source, and the remaining was from Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Senegal and the United States," the CDC said.

According to the CDC, during the January-May period, the country received a total fixed-asset investment of about 2.74 billion dollars.

Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's Secretary of State and spokesperson Penn Sovicheat said the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement and the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement, together with Cambodia's new law on investment, are key factors in attracting foreign direct investment to the country.

The two agreements are magnets to attract foreign investors to Cambodia, he told Xinhua. "Foreign direct investment, especially from China, is crucial to help boost Cambodia's economic and trade growth." 
Russia uses submarines to patrol Black Sea after naval losses, military says

Russia started using submarines to patrol the Black Sea after a number of ships were attacked by Ukraine, Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, said on national television on June 10.

Ukraine has repeatedly struck Russia's vessels since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Around 30% of Russias Black Sea Fleet had been destroyed as of December 2023, according to the Ukrainian military.

"They (Russia) have already established practice where these submarines rotate in the morning. In the Azov-Black Sea region, they have four submarines, three of which are cruise missile carriers. Two submarines periodically go to sea," Pletenchuk said.

Russia is reportedly trying to organize naval exercises in the Azov Sea. To protect the ships from Ukrainian drone attacks, Russia is building barge-like structures, according to the spokesperson.

There are currently three Russian landing ships and three Buyan-M project small missile ships in the Azov Sea, Pletenchuk said.

Ukrainian forces reportedly crippled the Rostov-on-Don, one of the Russian fleet's four missile-capable submarines, in occupied Sevastopol in September 2023.

In one of the latest successful attacks, Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drones hit four Russian patrol boats of the KS-701 Tunets (Tuna) model in Crimea on May 30, Ukraine's military intelligence said. Two of them were reportedly destroyed, and two others damaged.

Read also: Ukraine hit Russian S-400, S-300 systems in occupied Crimea overnight, General Staff says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian forces attacked the Nikopol district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on June 9, injuring a 44-year-old woman and damaging homes and property, Governor Serhii Lysak reported.

The Russian military attacked the Marhanets community with artillery and launched an attack drone at the Pokrovksk community, Lysak said. Later attacks also targeted Nikopol and Myrove.

A 44-year-old woman sustained injuries during an attack on the district center, Lysak said. She received medical attention and will be treated on an outpatient basis.

The attacks damaged a greenhouse, fishing boat, four homes, two outbuildings, and a garage, according to the governor. Gas pipelines and a power line were also damaged.

Nikopol, situated on the banks of the dried-up Kakhovka Reservoir, just across from Russian-occupied Enerhodar and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, is a regular target of Russian attacks.

Read also: Deer and boar could roam forests in the Kakhovka reservoir in 5 years, head of national reserve says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian forces attacked Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts on June 10, killing one person and injuring three, the local authorities reported.

Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said that according to preliminary information, the Derhachi community was hit with a Russian-guided aerial bomb at 9:30 a.m. local time.

A civilian man was reportedly killed, and two people suffered injuries in the attack.

Russian forces also attacked a house in the city of Kherson, injuring a 102-year-old woman, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. She was hospitalized with explosive and shrapnel injuries, he added.

Settlements in Kherson and Kharkiv oblasts are subjected to regular Russian strikes due to their proximity to the front line.

Read also: Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 1, injure 4 over past day

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Roman Mrochko, the Head of Kherson City Military Administration, has said explosions were heard in the centre of Kherson, while the defence forces of Ukraine's south have reported the activity of Russian tactical aircraft.

Source: Defence forces of Ukraine's south; Roman Mrochko

Quote from Mrochko: "Kherson is under enemy fire! Explosions are heard in the central part of the city".

Details: Mrochko urged citizens not to stay in the open and to move to safer places. In addition, Ukrainian forces warned of Russian tactical aircraft activity in the southeast.

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Early reports indicate that Russian forces struck a residential area on the outskirts of Kharkiv on Monday, 10 June. A house caught on fire.

Source: Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov; Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on social media

Quote from Terekhov: "A residential area on the outskirts of Kharkiv has been struck. Information about casualties and destruction is being gathered."

Details: Syniehubov noted that, based on early reports, the Russians had launched a guided aerial bomb on the outskirts of Kharkiv. The strike occurred at 17:35.

A house has reportedly caught on fire. No casualties have been reported so far.

Updated: Later, the mayor added that at least two houses were seriously damaged at the site of another strike in Kharkiv's Kyivskyi district. There may be people under the rubble of one of them. All relevant services are working at the site.

Syniehubov says that six people have been injured in the strike on Kharkiv. Residential buildings, garages and cars were damaged in different locations. The inspection of the affected areas is ongoing.

Rescue workers are saving another injured person from under the debris of a residential building. They are communicating with the 75-year-old injured man.

Later, Oleh Syniehubov added that the man had been rescued from the rubble of the house, and medics had taken him to hospital.

In total, seven people were injured by the Russians dropping guided aerial bombs on the Kyivskyi and Saltivskyi districts of Kharkiv: four men and three women. The attack also damaged 70 garages and 22 cars.

One of the shells did not explode, so people are being temporarily displaced from their homes to carry out a controlled detonation.

This story is developing  well bring you the latest updates as they happen.

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Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) stands next to France's President Emmanuel Macron, at the press conference at the Franco-German Council of Ministers in front of Schloss Meseberg, the guest house of the German Government. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has expressed some biting comments following the results of the European elections, calling for the resignation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron.

"[The results] come as a reflection of your inept policy of providing support to the [B]andera authorities in ... Ukraine at the cost of your own citizens, your idiotic economic and migration policy!" Medvedev posted on the social media platform X on Monday.

Stepan Bandera was a contentious Ukrainian nationalist, whose name is frequently used by Moscow to discredit Kiev's political leadership by labelling them as fascist.

Now is the time for Scholz and Macron to resign, Medvedev wrote. "To the ash heap of history!" he added.

Currently serving as deputy head of Russia's National Security Council, Medvedev was once seen as a potential liberal reformer during his presidency from 2008 to 2012.

However, since the onset of Russia's war against Ukraine, he has adopted a hard-line stance, frequently issuing provocative statements against Kiev and the West.

The Kremlin adopted a more measured tone regarding the European Parliament election results.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that pro-European and pro-Ukrainian forces remain in power but noted that right-wing parties are gaining ground.

Peskov stated that Russia is closely monitoring the situation and denied allegations of Russian interference in European politics. These allegations surfaced amid reports of Russian financial support for right-wing politicians before the elections.
The first Russian oil tanker, sanctioned by the USA, has secretly transferred oil to another vessel off Singapore, sailing 12,000 kilometres to do so.

Source: Bloomberg

Details: The Primorye tanker was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control in October, after which it did not load oil for about six months. However, in late April, the tanker went to the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and picked up a cargo of Urals crude before embarking on a 7,500-mile (1,270-kilometre) voyage to a location about 70 miles east of Singapore.

This year, Russia has shipped about 3.4 million barrels of oil a day, worth about $37 billion, at the export point, and working around Western sanctions has been part of that process. State budget revenues from oil sales were up almost 50% in May compared to last year as oil prices rose and the country adapted to sanctions. Nevertheless, the distorted logistics involved in the Primorye tanker suggest that there are obstacles to trade.

Shortly after arriving east of Singapore, the 900-foot tanker disappeared from the automatic identification system used by commercial vessels to transmit their location and destinations for security reasons.

However, after its disappearance, satellite imagery shows that on 3 June, the vessel transferred its cargo to another ship, the Ocean Hermana. The secret transfer of cargo would theoretically help the buyer of the oil to distance itself from dealing with the sanctioned vessel and any risk of further action by the Treasury. Identification of the recipient vessel makes it difficult to conceal the origin of the cargo.

The Primorye tanker, which was carrying about 1 million barrels of oil, belongs to the Russian state-owned oil tanker company Sovcomflot PJSC.

Bloomberg identified the two vessels based on their size, deck configuration, and colour. TankerTrackers.com Inc., which is focused on interpreting satellite imagery to identify tankers in violation of sanctions, confirmed their identification.

Background: Turkiye disguises Russian oil as its own and exports it to the EU, bringing Russia billions in profits by exploiting a loophole in sanctions.

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Russians recruit African citizens to war in Ukraine due to lack of prisoners  UK Defence Intelligence

UK Defence Intelligence has analysed reports of Russia's attempts to recruit Africans to fight in the war against Ukraine and sees this as a sign that Moscow is already experiencing a shortage of mobilisation resources among prisoners, a category that it has previously relied on to reduce public discontent.

Source: the UK Ministry of Defence report of the Russian-Ukrainian war of 10 June, European Pravda reports

Details: The intelligence mentions reports from Ukraine's Defence Intelligence that Russia is stepping up its attempts to recruit citizens of African countries, including Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, and Uganda, to fight against Ukraine, promising monthly payment of $2,000-2,200 and the prospect of Russian citizenship.

The UK analysts suggest that this campaign reflects Russia's attempts to actively replace significant losses in manpower and support offensive actions on many fronts at once.

Quote: "With Russia's finite pool of convict recruitment likely culminated, Russia is likely expanding its recruitment across the global south, to avoid additional mobilisations within Russia itself. As well as being domestically unpopular for President Putin and the Russian government, the previous mobilisation for the war resulted in a record labour shortage and an exodus of skilled workers such as doctors and IT professionals."

Background:

In a previous report, UK Defence Intelligence drew attention to the latest Russian measures put in place to protect the Crimean Bridge from Ukrainian attacks.

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.

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Alexei Smirnov, the acting governor of Russias Kursk Oblast, has stated that the oblast had been attacked by drones, resulting in damage to two administrative buildings.

Source: Smirnov on Telegram

Quote from Smirnov: "In the evening and at night, the Armed Forces of Ukraine attempted to attack the border areas of Kursk Oblast with drones. They used the entire arsenal available: kamikaze drones, quadcopters, and a heavy eight-rotor octocopter. Early reports indicate that two administrative buildings have been damaged  in the city of Sudzha and the village of Korenevo."

Details: The acting governor states that there are no casualties.

He claimed that they destroyed "eight Ukrainian drones" using small arms and electronic warfare equipment.

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Rutgers summit discusses how to remove barriers for Black people in NJ with disabilities

NEW BRUNSWICK  Black children with disabilities are less likely to be put into general classrooms than white children. They are also more likely to drop out of high school and face more suspensions and school-related arrests than kids of other races, according to Rutgers' Joseph C. Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies.

Such disparities drew Black cultural leaders and disability advocates to Rutgers last week to focus on the barriers they need to work together to overcome.

"We're here not just to talk but to create a road map for real change. Its about dismantling the barriers that prevent Black New Jerseyans with disabilities from accessing the opportunities they deserve," organizer LeDerick Horne, who co-hosts a podcast called "Black and Dyslexic," said at Thursday's daylong event.

LeDerrick Horne shares his vision for a more inclusive future at a Rutgers summit focusing on the experience of Black people with disabilities.

We are making history today, added Bill Davis, who along with Horne won funding for the forum from the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities.

About 75 people gathered at the invite-only event, dubbed the Black Impact Summit. Discussions focused on the inequities Black people with disabilities face in education, employment, social services, law enforcement and legal services, family and self-advocacy and health care.

"Our intention is to make sure we come up with some recommendations, that hopefully the council, the state Legislature and different agencies will be able to implement so that the lives of Black people with disabilities will get better," said Davis, a consultant with the Boggs Center on Development Disabilities at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Among the obstacles cited by researchers with Rutgers' Cornwall Center, which studies urban communities: African Americans with disabilities experience higher poverty levels and greater reliance on public benefits like Medicaid yet also have a harder time accessing health care. They often face discrimination in medical settings, have inadequate health insurance, and higher rates of chronic health conditions that are poorly managed, the audience was told.

"The summit was born out of a necessity, said event coordinator Atonia Worley.

More: North Jersey 'grieving camp' is a refuge for teens who've faced the ultimate loss

Professor Tawara Goode, the event's keynote speaker from Georgetown University, kicked the day off with a presentation on cultural competence  the need for organizations to understand and respect cultural backgrounds.

The summit drew representatives from a variety of advocacy groups and government agencies, including ARC of New Jersey, the Black Consortium, the state Division of Developmental Disabilities, the Advocacy Action Center, NJ STEPS, Disability Rights NJ, Salvation and Social Justice, the Center for Independent Living and Autism New Jersey. Educators and law enforcement officials attended as well, as did Paul Aronsohn, the state's disability ombudsman.

Keynote speaker, Tawara Goode, tackles cultural awareness about being black and disabled at the Black Impact Summit in New Brunswick.

Suggestions from the day were collected and will be given back to the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities. Among them: better mental health screening and resources for people touched by the criminal justice system.

I thought it was a great conversation and it was particularly a well-represented group, people with diverse experiences, both from organizations and families and schools, said Michael Steinbruck, a senior training and consultation specialist at the Boggs Center.

Gene Myers covers disability and mental health for NorthJersey.com and the USA TODAY Network. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: myers@northjersey.comTwitter: @myersgene

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: LeDerick Horne heads Black Impact Summit on disabilities at Rutgers
SYDNEY, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Two people, in their 70s and 60s respectively, were injured after a paraglider crashed in the Australian state of Victoria on Monday.

Victoria Police confirmed in a statement that emergency services responded to the incident which occurred in Elphinstone.

The paraglider is believed to have crashed on Potts Road just after 11:00 a.m. local time.

Police noted that a 70-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman were transported to a hospital, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.

"The exact cause of the crash is yet to be determined at this stage," said Victoria Police, also calling on any witness to provide related information.

Earlier, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning of damaging winds for residents in parts of Victoria's Central, East Gippsland, North Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and South West Forecast Districts.

Elphinstone is a rural village located in central Victoria, approximately 100 km northwest of Melbourne. 
Sacramentos Native Americans are 6 times more likely to face homelessness, report says

Native Americans and Alaska Natives are five to six times more likely to find themselves homeless in Sacramento, a new report found.

That statistic, determined as part of a federally-mandated homeless count performed in January, mirrors national and state trends.

While Native Americans and Alaska Natives make up only 1.5% of the United States population, they experience a homeless rate of 10%, the second highest out of any ethnic group nationwide, according to the National League of Cities.

The policy-driven historic displacement of Native people from tribal lands still contributes to the high homelessness rate, a report from University of Southern California stated. These policies include the Indian Removal Act, the Indian Relocation Act of 1956 and the Boarding School era, which was when Native children were forcibly abducted by the United States government agencies and sent to boarding schools from 1819 to 1969.

The Indian Relocation Act of 1956 encouraged and forced Native people to leave reservations and assimilate into urban areas. It wasnt uncommon for Native people to leave their tribal communities with no financial support, and to be placed in overcrowded housing units with unsanitary living conditions. Today, Native communities still struggle with disproportionate rates of health disparities and socio-economic inequities because of these policies, according to the USC report.

Claradina Soto, an associate professor of population and public health sciences at USCs Keck School of Medicine, said the new Sacramento statistic was very concerning.

Native communities face systematic bias and discrimination when looking for housing, or even employment opportunities, which is prevalent in many urban areas in California, Soto said.

About 88% of Native Americans in California live in urban areas, like Sacramento, according to the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health.

For Native individuals migrating to urban areas from reservations for employment opportunities, they lack family and a sense of community, said Soto.

Native Americans are also over represented in the homeless death data. In 2022, of the 250 homeless people who died in Sacramento, six were Native American, according to coroner data.

Soto, who is Navajo and Jemez Pueblo, said a possible solution could be supplying housing referrals to Native residents. There also needs to be more employment opportunities, access to food pantries and resources going into Native communities. But it boils down to visibility and relationship building with Native communities, she added.

Theres so many disparities that exist and inequities that need to be addressed, and this is just one of them, Soto said. We need to try and support (Native communities), understand housing shortages and the poor living conditions our communities are living in. The attention absolutely needs to be drawn.

Soto called for more funding toward urban Native organizations, like agencies and clinics that directly serve Native communities who Native communities may be more willing to trust.

Additionally, Soto said there needs to be policy and advocacy to supply Native communities with more infrastructure to support themselves in Sacramento. Legislators need to be aware of Native communities are facing homelessness and take action, she said.

The Bees Phillip Reese contributed to this report.
Demonstrators from Sacramento State protested on UC Davis campus Monday demanding the university divest from investments that support Israel amid its ongoing war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The protesters, who were not affiliated with UC Davis encampment, blocked off the Silo Terminal & Center Island stop on Hutchison Drive in front of Haring Hall. This prevented multiple Unitrans buses originating at UC Davis from starting their routes and collecting students during the universitys finals week.

In May, Sacramento State officials said they had decided to review the schools investment policies, none of which supported Israel. University President Luke Wood said the school would review more than $100 million of Sac States investments, which prompted protesters on the East Sacramento campus to shut down their encampment. Now, protesters aimed to encourage UC Davis and Bay Area universities to follow suit.

Raeda Zarzour, who graduated from Sacramento State, explained the importance of supporting the pro-Palestine encampment at UC Davis, which began on May 6, and getting the UC system to financially divest from any support of Israel and its military.

UC Davis graduating senior Taven Cunningham, left, speaks with pro-Palestinian protester and media liaison Raeda Zarzour on Monday, June 10, 2024, along Hutchison Drive at UC Davis. I fundamentally disagree with how theyre going about it, said Cunningham, who noted how this demonstration could hinder students ability to come to campus for their final exams. I think there are more effective means.

Davis specifically has deep connections and ties to Israel through their agricultural program, but they also have a student exchange program with Israel, Zarzour said.

While the protesters from Sacramento State and the UC Davis pro-Palestine encampment are not connected, they aim to draw attention to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has lasted nearly 250 days and has killed 35,000 people, mostly civilians, after Hamas rebels launched an attack Oct. 7, killing more 1,200 Israelis. More than 120 people remain captive by Hamas, including five Americans, according to The New York Times.

We wanted to bring attention to the fact that there is no graduating class of 2024 in Gaza, because all of the universities have been bombed, Zarzour said. The ideal outcome is that we get a couple (of) peoples attention, which we have.

Part of us is a little sad that we did it this way because it does take away the buses from the community.

A barricade erected by pro-Palestinian protesters blocks the road in front of a Unitrans bus terminal along Hutchison Drive at UC Davis on Monday. While this terminal was not able to operate, other Unitrans buses were active on the campus.
The stalemate over Salisbury's fire service agreement with Wicomico County continues, with the ongoing funding gap is still being debated.

A statement released Sunday by Salisbury Career Fire Fighters Local 4246 stated "county council is looking to cut $600,000 from an already proposed and agreed upon amount of $2,000,000 between the county executive and city of Salisbury government, to fund fire and EMS services provided by the Salisbury Fire Department to the county portions of the Salisbury Fire district."

The organization further claims this proposed and agreed upon sum is to fund calls for service that have already been handled in 2023, as that is how the previous fire service agreements were structured.

The total slated for the department stands at $1.6 million.

More on Anne Street Village woes Is future of Salisbury's Anne Street Village in doubt? City responds to concerns.

A potential 'discontinuance of service' to Wicomico County

The Hebron and Salisbury fire departments responded to an airplane that crashed in a field off of Jersey Road on Sunday afternoon. Two occupants were on board the airplane. One patient was flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore for treatment. Maryland State Police were also on scene and investigating the cause of the crash.

The firefighters decried the cuts amid the County Council continuing to fund each county fire department the exact same, "no matter how many or few calls they run," the statement contended.

"That means the slowest volunteer fire department in the county running only a few hundred calls, receives the same funding, $668,000 as the busiest volunteer fire department does, running over a thousand. The council also plans an additional $75,000 in funding to each volunteer fire department, again, regardless of their call volume," the organization said.

The implications of failing to reach the $2 million total to the city, the firefighters organization said, was "almost definitely the discontinuance of services to those county portions of the Salisbury Fire district. That means houses, neighborhoods, businesses, streets and sadly even schools."

Stipulating the financial burden to the city and its residents is untenable, they continued to argue the Wicomico County government has "not nearly paid its fair share" in relation to the calls for service.

Data by the city's fire and EMS crews cited the Salisbury Fire Department handles 16,314 fire and EMS calls annually, a total higher than the combined total for fire and EMS departments in the region's 11 other fire districts. Also, roughly one third of the total call volume of the Salisbury Fire Department falls in county portions of the district.

"Do you or your family live in one of these possible affected areas? Better yet, do you have children or relatives that attend or work at a Wicomico County public school, that falls inside the Salisbury Fire/EMS district? We cannot fathom the in which one of our staffed units could not respond and aid someone in need," the statement said.

The latest on Wicomico County's budget for fire service

On Friday, the Wicomico County Council announced it had approved a $205,919,475 FY25 budget that included increased funding to the Salisbury Fire Department and Volunteer Fire Departments.

The funding for the Salisbury Fire Department increased in FY25 by 60% over the prior years contribution. That more than doubled the contribution the county has committed to the department in the last two years. An allocation of $825,000 has been designated for Volunteer Fire Companies, a significant increase from the flat funding initially proposed by the Office of the County Executive.

More on national donut day National Donut Day 2024 deals: Get free food at Dunkin', Krispy Kreme and more

"The men and women representing the Volunteer Fire Departments of Wicomico County deserve the best their government can provide for their selfless dedication to this County," the county said in a statement. "The approved budget represents our commitment to fiscal responsibility while addressing the essential needs and priorities of our community."

The council noted it remained dedicated to serving the residents of Wicomico County and" will continue to work diligently" to ensure sustainable growth and development.

"We would like to thank all the department heads and staff members for their collaborative efforts during the budget process," the county said.

More on local businesses closing Salisbury's Goin' Nuts Cafe closes permanently after 32 years in business

."

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Firefighters sound off on Salisbury-Wicomico fire service stalemate
Sam Altman just got two new colleagues at OpenAI: Sarah Friar and Kevin Weil

OpenAI is hiring Sarah Friar and Kevin Weil to join its C-suite.

Friar, who most recently served as CEO of Nextdoor, is the new chief financial officer.

Weil joins from Planet Labs and is the new chief product officer.

Sam Altman is being joined by some top-tier talent in the OpenAI C-suite.

The company announced Monday that Sarah Friar and Kevin Weil would be its new chief financial officer and chief product officer, respectively.

"Sarah and Kevin bring a depth of experience that will enable OpenAI to scale our operations, set a strategy for the next phase of growth, and ensure that our teams have the resources they need to continue to thrive," Altman said in the announcement.

In a post on X, Weil said OpenAI's mission was "perhaps the most important and transformative of them all."

Im super excited to announce that Im joining @OpenAI as Chief Product Officer!



My entire career has been about working on big missions: connecting people and ideas at @Instagram and @Twitter, digitizing financial services at Libra/Novi, or most recently at @Planet, using space  Kevin Weil  (@kevinweil) June 10, 2024

Friar was most recently CEO of Nextdoor and had previously served as Square's CFO. She's also worked at Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, and Salesforce.

Weil was the head of product and business for Planet Labs, as well as the cofounder of the Libra cryptocurrency, the vice president of product for Novi at Facebook, the vice president of product at Instagram, and the senior vice president of product at Twitter.

The announcement came after OpenAI  and Altman's leadership in particular  received scrutiny because of safety concerns as AI evolves.

"The world isn't ready, and we aren't ready," Daniel Kokotajlo , a former OpenAI researcher, wrote in an email announcing his resignation, according to The New York Times "I'm concerned we are rushing forward regardless and rationalizing our actions."

Several other researchers have resigned from OpenAI as concerns mount about its governance and whether it's moving toward a more profit-oriented approach.

In a statement, Friar said: "My goal is to help OpenAI continue excelling at what it does best  producing top-tier research and collaborating to maximize the benefits of AI tools for everyone."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Embattled U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was thrust into the middle of yet another controversy Monday when Rolling Stone published remarkably candid audio of him talking about the battle between Americas ideological polesciting fundamental differences between the two sides that he says cant be compromised.

Its not like you are going to split the difference, he said of his beliefs on the increasingly factional battle between Democrats and Republicans.

He made the remarks at the Supreme Court Historical Societys annual dinner on June 3, part of a secretly recorded conversation with Lauren Windsor, a documentary filmmaker and reporter who approached the justice as though she were a religious conservative after joining the organization under her real name, she wrote for Rolling Stone.

The conversation underscores how little effort Alito makes in private to frame his role on the Supreme Courtlong held as a nonpartisan institution concerned only with the lawas a neutral arbiter of legal doctrine, instead openly endorsing partisan ideas and frameworks.

At one point, he endorsed the need to return our country to a place of godliness in response to a pointed comment from Windsor.

I agree with you, I agree with you, he said in a more than six-minute-long clip Windsor published on X.

EXCLUSIVE UNDERCOVER AUDIO:

Sam Alito x John Roberts x The Undercurrent 



1/ Justice Alito admits lack of impartiality with the Left, says: One side or the other is going to win. pic.twitter.com/b5nmxToZ9z  Lauren Windsor (@lawindsor) June 10, 2024

I dont know that we can negotiate with the left in the way that needs to happen for the polarization to end, Windsor said at another point in the conversation. I think that its a matter of, like, winning.

I think youre probably right, Alito replied. One side or the other is going to win. I dont know. I mean, there can be a way of working, a way of living together peacefully, but its difficult, you know, because there are differences on fundamental things that really cant be compromised. They really cant be compromised. So its not like you are going to split the difference.

The leaked audio comes on the heels of a pair of controversies courted by Alito thanks to Jan. 6-linked flags spotted outside two of his homes.

The first instance came in the contentious few days before President Joe Bidens inauguration, during which time neighbors saw an upside-down American flag flying outside his Virginia home. The New York Times first revealed the flags existence.

The symbolmeant to evoke a country in distresswas favored at the time by advocates of Trumps Stop the Steal efforts to subvert the results of the 2020 election.

Alito, however, denied any involvement in the flying of the flag, telling the Times that his wife had put it up in response to a vicious neighborhood dispute over politics.

He would use the same excuse just weeks later when The New York Times revealed that another Jan. 6-linked flag was flown in 2023 outside the justices New Jersey beach home. This time it was the Appeal to Heaven flag, a Revolutionary War-era relic and favorite of Christian nationalists that came to serve as another symbol of support for Donald Trumps Stop the Steal campaign.

Justice Alitos Flag Excuses Only Raise Questions About His Marriage

The revelations prompted a national outcry and a call from many Democrats in Congress for the justice to recuse himself from any cases relating to Donald Trump and the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Those calls seemingly have fizzled out, however, with neither Biden nor congressional Democrats willing to take action on the issue.

The central pushback should come from the legislative branch, and not the executive branch, Anthony Coley, a former senior official in Bidens DOJ, told Politico of the situation last month.

Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin (D-IL) likewise expressed doubt that any hearings would be called to investigate the issue. I dont think thats going to achieve anything, he told Politico.

In a pair of letters to Congress, Alito remained defiant and refused to recuse himself from any cases as a result of the flag controversies, instead placing the blame squarely on his wife.

My wife is a private citizen, and she possesses the same First Amendment rights as every other American, Alito wrote in one of the letters.

My wife is fond of flying flags. I am not, he added. She makes her own decisions, and I have always respected her right to do so.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Construction officially got underway Monday morning on a long-discussed project to transform the century-old Brown Field Municipal Airport in Otay Mesa.

The municipal airport has been around since 1918, but this renovation will mark the first time the city of San Diego has embarked on improving and expanding the facility.

At 9 a.m., San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria joined other city officials and representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to break ground on what they call the largest general aviation airport redevelopment project on the West Coast.

These San Diego-area cities are among hottest housing markets in US, according to Realtor.com

Right now, Brown Field is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week servicing small private planes to big jets. However, it does not offer commercial aviation.

According to city officials, the 331-acre airport will be renovated in four phases over the next 20 years. With each phase, new industrial and commercial space will be built out at the airport and surrounding areas, including hotels and restaurants.

Rendering of what the Brown Field Municipal Airport will look like with the current renovation project. (Courtesy of IRG Realty Advisors, LLC)

Rendering of what the Brown Field Municipal Airport will look like with the current renovation project. (Courtesy of IRG Realty Advisors, LLC)

New border gateway monument unveiled in San Ysidro

For the first phase right now were trying to build an FBO  a business that provides services to any aircraft coming in and going out, Jorge Rubio, chief of airports for the city, told FOX 5/KUSI.

It will also have a new CBP facility. What that will do is it will streamline the processes for any general aviation aircraft and passengers coming through the airport, we think its going to be amazing, he continued. It will elevate San Diego to new heights internationally.

The project is expected to provide 2,500 of jobs and is anticipated to bring $500 million in annual revenue to the region, according to the city.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(Photo via European Space Agency / P. Carril)

This story was originally published by Grist. Sign up for Grists weekly newsletter here.

Despite the fact that clouds envelop two-thirds of the planet at any given time, transport water on the wind, and shield the Earth from the sun, surprisingly little is known about how climate change affects them. Atmospheric scientists are not yet certain, for instance, whether rising temperatures will lead to more or fewer clouds, or make them better or worse at reflecting the heat of the sun.

To help unravel those mysteries and others, the European Space Agency and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency lofted a satellite into orbit last week aboard a SpaceX rocket. The Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer, known as EarthCARE, will uncover the inner workings of clouds as well as how they, and tiny airborne particles called aerosols, shape  and are shaped by  climate change.

Clouds are the number one cooling blanket we have on the planet, said Pavlos Kollias, an atmospheric scientist from Stony Brook University who has been supporting the EarthCARE mission since 2008.

A clouds effect on temperature greatly depends on the height where it happens to float. Low-level formations, such as the blanket-like stratocumulus, do a particularly good job of keeping the planet cool by reflecting most of the sunlight that strikes them. Since they fly so close to the ground, their ambient temperatures are similar to those of the landscape below, and they transfer most of the Earths heat to space rather than holding it in the atmosphere.

The cooling effect this provides is so pronounced, Kollias said, that without it the planet would be 15 degrees Celsius warmer  or nearly 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Thats the difference between a mild spring and a blistering summer.

Though the impact clouds have on the planet in the present is well known, scientists are uncertain about how that may evolve as temperatures rise. If you perturb the system by adding temperature, Kollias said, we dont know how the clouds will respond. They could become more common and more dense, thereby mitigating climate change in a minor way, or they could become less common and less dense, speeding climate change along.

High-altitude clouds, like the wispy cirrus, for instance, are typically made of tiny ice crystals and often trap the Earths heat more effectively than they block the suns light, both of which seems to make them more sensitive to warming. Aerosols, small particles like sulfates and sea salts, introduce further complications by impacting climate both directly, by reflecting sunlight, and indirectly, by acting as the nuclei around which clouds condense. Efforts to clean up industrial emissions are reducing airborne aerosols, with pronounced effects on climate.

All of this makes cloud dynamics one of the greatest sources of uncertainty in climate models, something EarthCARE aims to help resolve.

Kollias is eager to work with the data that will begin beaming down from the new satellite later this year. The mission carries an instrument never before used in space: a cloud profile radar. The device will emit successive bursts of radio waves, measuring the signal reflected by the vapor below. This information will help researchers better understand the size and circulation of the countless droplets that comprise a cloud. EarthCARE will also map the surface profile of clouds and aerosols with a method known as lidar that reflects a low-power laser off these atmospheric formations. Those measurements coupled with images captured by the spacecraft will provide a three-dimensional view of the ubiquitous pillows and blankets of condensation drifting through the sky.

The European Space Agency named EarthCARE its sixth Earth Explorer mission back in 2001. Though delays plague seemingly every satellite, EarthCARE faced notable and protracted setbacks due to the complexity and sophistication of the radar and lidar systems. It reached a point where, Kollias said, some outside the mission began to doubt whether the nearly $900 million satellite would ever reach the launchpad. Yet nobody gave up, Kollias said. Everybody kept working.

All that made last weeks successful launch a particularly emotional affair.

Personally, I was very nervous in the moment, Kollias said of the launch. But he added that the prolonged process has inadvertently given the scientific community more time to prepare to work with EarthCAREs data. Numerical models have improved dramatically in the 23 years between selection and launch, researchers have more computing power available to them than ever before, and machine learning now allows big data to be digested with comparative ease.

The intervening years have also given the world a taste of the climate disasters yet to come. As a result, an added urgency drives the desire to resolve the uncertainties clouds introduce into climate models, so scientists can look out with finer eyes to tell us what the decades ahead hold.

This article originally appeared in Grist at https://grist.org/science/earthcare-to-solve-cloud-climate-mystery/.

Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Learn more at Grist.org

The post A new satellite could help solve one of our climates biggest mysteries: Clouds appeared first on Source New Mexico.
According to a Facebook post made June 4 by Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools Superintendent Denise Watts, SCCPSS is evaluating two properties for a much-needed high school in the fast-growing western part of the county.

Watts made the announcement in response to a private Facebook comment made on June 4 by Connect Savannah freelance contributor Kristy Edenfield, who covers education. One of Edenfield's followers, asked, "Why hasn't there been prioritization of a high school in West Chatham County where school zoned land is being rezoned for industrial and commercial at an alarming rate and it is the 2nd fastest growing section of the county? WITH NO HIGH SCHOOL [capitalization commenter's emphasis]."

The need for a West Chatham area high school has been a topic of conversation for years both informally and more formally at school board meetings and district town halls. What was slightly different was that Watts, who typically delivers critical announcements through press briefings or during board meetings, responded via social media:

"I have an answer to this question. The lack of additional schools in Western Chatham County was one of the first things that was brought to my attention even before I was officially hired," Watts wrote. "We now are evaluating two properties for a school in Western Chatham County and should have a recommendation to the board to have a site purchased by the end of this calendar year. Your question is valid and I can understand the frustration given the population growth in the area. I made this a priority in year 1 of being a superintendent. Additionally, there were some boundary changes that helped alleviate overcrowding in some schools. I am sorry that I am working a reactive state right now but please note that the concerns have been noted and we are currently responding to this issue."

The boundary changes she was referring to related to the Long-Range Facilities Plan Phase 1 approved this past January by the board.

The Savannah Morning News connected with Watts on Wednesday afternoon to address why the statement about potential property acquisition was delivered via social media rather than through an official statement or press briefing, especially given property speculation that could occur due to such an announcement.

SCCPSS Long-Range Facilities Plan: Savannah-Chatham School Board passes Phase 1

Superintendent Denise Watts offers remarks during a ribbon cutting and tour of the Davis-Edwards-Harris Multicampus on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Garden City.

Watts clarifies online statement

"It was not a commitment to anything. It was not anything bonding. It was something that, I thought, had already been stated in other meetings and, for me, it was just a reminder," she said of her Facebook comment after the school board's June 5 Regular Meeting. She said that while the district has two "active explorations" in relation to property in West Chatham right now, those explorations could be ongoing. "It could be 10 more, it could be five more, it could be three more," she said.

She said the district's facilities' team was leading the evaluation, but she was not sure if the real estate firm of Dudley Thomas Spade SRE, LLC (DTSpade) DTSpade was involved in the evaluations.

SCCPSS's Chief Public Affairs and Administrative Services Officer Kurt Hetager confirmed, "We do have the real estate firm that the board has previously approved."

DTSpade is the real estate firm that represents SCCPSS in search of available properties, which was determined through the real estate broker contract agreement passed by the board on Oct. 5, 2022. DTSpade is headquartered in Atlanta and has locations in Philadelphia and Nashville as well as Hackensack, New Jersey.

Watts conceded that the number 'two' in her Facebook statement may have been "too specific." She said, "My intent was to convey to that particular person, and everybody in that area of town, that I see you western Chatham County." She wants it to be clear that an additional high school was one of the first issues presented to her when she sought the role of superintendent and it remains a priority.

Diana Campbell, real estate broker for DTSpade who is working with SCCPSS, was unwilling to comment when asked to confirm if DTSpade was still working to identify additional properties beyond the two currently under evaluation.

School transfer requests: Want to switch public schools in Savannah? Review the district's transfer request process that ends this week

The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System board members (left to right) Denise Grabowski, Dionne Hoskins-Brown, Cornelia Hall, Shawn Kachmar, Roger Moss, Superintendent Denise Watts, Paul Smith, David Bringman, Michael Johnson and Tonia Howard-Hall pose for a photo before the March 2024 meeting.

Watts can evaluate property but needs purchase approval

A school board action on Oct. 4, 2023, 7.29 Real Estate License Agreement: Right of Access for Due Diligence, was passed as part of the consent agenda that granted Watts the ability "to evaluate properties prior to any recommendation to the Board for eventual purchase and acquisition." The action expedites the process of securing property in a part of town that has become highly developed due to industrial and residential growth.

The action also stated two key procedural steps that need to occur before any land could be purchased. A purchase would require Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) site approval under its Guidelines for Educational Facility Site Selection and the Guideline for Risk Hazard Assessment of Educational Facility Sites. Additionally, the SCCPS board action stated that "any land purchases will require Board approval prior to any offer, or execution of a Purchase and Sale agreement."

Watts reiterated that many "different steps have to happen" before any proposal will be brought before the board, which she aims to have by September or October of this year. "We have to start exploring somewhere and that is going to lead us to maybe other explorations, and then to a final recommendation," she said.

Joseph Schwartzburt is the education and workforce development reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at JSchwartzburt@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah superintendent clarifies evaluation of properties for new school
SC murder victim known only as Mr. X for nearly 50 years just identified. Heres how & who he was

They called him Mr. X.

He was buried in a potters field in northern Greenville County after being found dead by a hunter in 1975.

He had been beaten in the head and strangled, wrapped in a sheet and set on fire.

Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis announced Monday they now know who Mr. X was.

Oscar James Nedd of White Plains, New York. He was 23, a slip of a man barely 140 pounds, no more than 5-foot-5 inches tall. He wanted to be a journalist and was engaged to be married.

Nedd had saved $1,500 working two jobs to go to college after moving to New York from Georgia.

He was last heard from by his sister Iris Rumph on Jan. 1, 1975, according to The Charley Project ,which has compiled a list of some 16,000 cold cases from across the United States.

Nedd was living in a rooming house in White Plains, the website said, and had allowed a nephew, Joshua Fluellen, to stay with him. His sister warned Nedd the nephew had escaped from jail, accused of shooting someone.

Oscar Nedd was an aspiring journalist who saved $1,500 to go to college before he was murdered in 1975.

After Nedds sister reported him missing a week later, law enforcement officials went to his apartment and found blood spatters, bloodstained clothing, and a large puddle of blood under the mattress, The Charley Project said.

A witness reported seeing Fluellen struggling to carry a large object, similar to a human body, which was wrapped in a rug, the Charley Project said. The witness stated Fluellen carried the object down the stairs, put it in the trunk of a car and drove away.

By the time authorities went to Nedds apartment, a body had been found Jan. 4 in Greenville County. A man who said he committed the murder was arrested but charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Despite the investigation in South Carolina and another in New York, the case stalled for nearly 50 years.

On Monday, Lewis said former Upstate TV journalist Brad Willis podcast Murder, Etc. was what caught his attention about the Mr. X case. The body was exhumed on July 17, 2020 and some skeletal remains went to the National Unidentified and Missing Persons System for DNA testing.

They released a photo of his remains.

In February 2024, Greenville County investigators were contacted by the White Plains Police Department regarding a match with a missing person case they had been working on since 1975, Lewis said.

Investigators contacted family members and the identity was confirmed, he said. Investigators believe Nedd was killed in New York.

Its really encouraging to have modern investigators take a dedicated interest in cases that are so old, especially when those cases never got much attention to begin with, Willis said.

His goal with the podcast was to help people understand how many wrongs were never made right.

He said he hopes someone will be brought to justice.

But even if they cant, at least Mr. Nedds family can bury the man theyd been trying to find for nearly half a century, Willis said.

Greenville County Sheriffs Office cold case unit, which was revamped when Lewis took office in 2020, has since solved 11 cases, Lewis said.

From the New York side, the case went nowhere, despite Fluellens arrest driving Nedds car in Las Cruces, New Mexico in February 1975. He was charged in a string of armed robberies in New Mexico and Arizona, the Charley Project said.

Austin Avery, the police detective in charge of Nedds missing persons investigation in New York, wanted to travel to New Mexico to question Fluellen about his uncles disappearance, but his superiors refused to allow the trip, the Charley Project said on its website.

Avery retired in 1978 yet never gave up on the case, interviewing witnesses and Fluellen himself. Avery died in 2014.

Since 1975, Fluellen has been convicted of crimes ranging from kidnapping to armed bank robbery, The New York Times reported in a story on Averys long-held quest to get justice for Nedd.

Fluellen has said he and Nedd drove to California in 1975 and he did not see him again. He claims Nedd left after meeting a girl in a pool hall.

He has no explanation for the blood in the apartment or the witness statement, the Charley project said.

Nedd was declared legally dead in 2005 despite his body never being found.

Avery promised to buy a headstone for him.

Rumph told The New York Times she wanted it installed in Willow Lake Cemetery, located in Fort Valley, Georgia, beside their mother.
YANGON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have seized 40 kg of ice or crystal methamphetamine in central Myanmar's Yangon Region, the official television channel MRTV, citing police sources, reported on Monday.

Acting on a tip-off, the country's anti-narcotics police raided a house in Tamwe Township of Yangon Region on June 8 and seized the narcotics, the report said.

The seized drugs have an approximately street value of 1 billion kyats (over 356,000 U.S. dollars), and a suspect was arrested for the case, the report said. 
South Carolina taxpayers have spent $20,000 for a marketing company to design a logo for a new state agency that will replace the Department of Health and Environmental Controls environmental division.

The expenditure, while not much when compared to DHECs more than $600 million budget, has one legislator questioning the judgment of top state officials spending taxpayer dollars on a service that could have been done in-house at DHEC.

DHEC, which is being dissolved July 1, already has a staff member who could have done the work in creating the logo for the new Department of Environmental Services, a South Carolina senator told The State.

To me, that is an amazing lack of judgment, to spend $20,000 on the design of a logo for a new agency, said state Sen. Dick Harpootlian, a Columbia Democrat and critic of DHEC through the years.

As part of a government restructuring law that is intended to make things more efficient, the Department of Environmental Services will pick up most programs now administered by DHECs environmental division, such as issuing permits to industries and monitoring drinking water safety.

In total, the state paid the Chernoff Newman agency $48,050. Along with the $20,000 logo development, the expenditure includes $10,000 on a comprehensive style guide and $8,000 for a brand summary and development of a creative strategy.

DHEC, whose environmental division authorized the expenditure, said the $48,050 is being paid to Chernoff Newman by the new Department of Environmental Services.

In contrast, DHECs health division did not rely on Chernoff Newman. It designed a new logo in-house with existing agency staff, DHEC officials said in an email. The agencys health division will become the new Department of Public Health next month at the same time the environmental division will become the Department of Environmental Services.

Harpootlian, who faces state Rep. Russell Ott in this months Democratic senate primary, said the decision by top DHEC staff to hire an outside firm shows a disconnect with taxpayers. DHECs top environmental division staff members will run the Department of Environmental Services under Gov. Henry McMaster.

It concerns me if those folks are going to be running the new agency, then the governor probably needs to do a little house cleaning, Harpootlian said.

Ott, D-Calhoun, said hed like to know more.

Its always good that we make sure we know exactly what the money is being spent on, but I dont know that Im ready to get upset about it at this particular point until they have an opportunity to say what their thoughts were, Ott said. I can understand that those types of things are needed at the end of the day.

The Department of Environmental Services will be initially headed by Myra Reece, a veteran regulator who is well-known and well-liked by many in state government. She will work directly for McMaster as part of his cabinet. At DHEC, a board oversaw the agency.

DHEC staff said the logo design is an important part of establishing the new Department of Environmental Services.

Chernoff Newman, a successful and well-known marketing and communications company in the Columbia community, declined comment.

DHEC officials, who would not release the new Department of Environmental Services design, said they are working hard to make the transition a smooth one. Chernoff Newman put together the new logo and provided other services to help with the transition.

In an email to The State, DHEC spokeswoman Cristi Moore wrote that the creation of the new agency is a one-time opportunity to communicate with the public about our new organization, its purpose and the services it provides.

As the future South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) has been building its internal resources and capacity for communications during this time of transition, Chernoff Newman was able to provide supplemental professional services to ensure that the launch of the new agency will be successful, Moore said.

She noted that Chernoff Newman was picked after a competitive bidding process. It will assist with the launch of the new agency, she said.

DHEC said the money paid to Chernoff Newman goes well beyond a logo but builds an overarching communications strategy that will create awareness, confidence, and trust amongst employees, stakeholders and the taxpayers of South Carolina.

We are excited to reveal the new South Carolina Department of Environmental Services agency and brand to the people of South Carolina on July 1, 2024, a follow up email read.

While the Department of Environmental Services and the Department of Public Health are being created to replace DHECs environmental division and its health division, other agencies may also be added to the new health department. That remains a point of debate in the Legislature.

If things go as envisioned by boosters of splitting DHEC, the new Department of Public Health would also include the existing departments of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, Disabilities and Special Needs, Health and Human Services, Mental Health, and Aging.
(Bloomberg) -- Chancellor Olaf Scholzs ruling coalition looks to be on course for another drubbing in September when elections are held in three eastern regions where the far-right Alternative for Germany is the strongest party.

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As well as slumping to their worst ever result in a national vote on 13.9%, Scholzs Social Democrats were hammered in the former communist east in Sundays European Parliament election. Voters in Saxony and Thuringia go to the polls on Sept. 1, before Brandenburg  the region that surrounds the capital Berlin  holds its election three weeks later.

In Saxony, the SPD managed only 6.9%, in Thuringia 8.2% and in Brandenburg 13.1%, according to preliminary results from the EU vote.

The AfD, which finished second overall behind the conservative CDU/CSU alliance, was the strongest party in all five eastern regions, scoring above 30% in Saxony and Thuringia. In those two states, the three ruling parties in the government in Berlin  the SPD, the Greens and the FDP  barely managed 15% between them.

Their woeful performance further weakens the government and prompted calls from opposition lawmakers for the next national election, due in the fall of 2025, to be held now.

Scholz dodged a question about the possibility of a fresh election at a news conference on Monday in Berlin after talks with Chilean President Gabriel Boric.

Nobody would be well-advised to simply go back to their daily work, Scholz told reporters, reiterating a call for people to reject far-right forces in Germany and Europe.

At the same time its also about us doing our work, making sure that our country becomes more modern and advances, he said, adding that the focus should be on winning back the trust of voters.

Scholz and his allies in government have little choice now but to go into survival mode and focus on sealing an agreement on next years budget, which they are aiming to sign off in cabinet on July 3.

The negotiations have been another source of tension in the coalition after Finance Minister Christian Lindner insisted all of his cabinet colleagues except Defense Minister Boris Pistorius must make do with less cash.

Senior CDU lawmakers questioned whether Scholz retains the authority to lead the country and CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann said he should submit to a confidence vote in the lower house of parliament.

He could also win it and then bring about a change of course, Linnemann said Monday in an interview with public broadcaster ZDF. But it would simply be a matter of honesty  you cant rule this country with 14%.

Markus Soeder of the CSU, the premier of Bavaria, said Germany should follow France in bringing forward the next election.

This government is basically finished, Soeder said in an interview with broadcaster ntv. Our country needs a fresh start.

At a news conference Monday, Lindner dismissed the idea of a confidence vote, saying that as long as the three parties respect their coalition agreement there is no need to question the governments effectiveness. Steffen Hebestreit, Scholzs chief spokesman, said at Mondays regular news conference that there are no plans for a new election.

There is no reason to believe that the coalition will fall apart, SPD General Secretary Kevin Kuehnert said in an interview with Welt TV. We still have one year left and must work our way out of the trough we are undoubtedly in at the moment.

Although the AfDs leaders expressed delight with Sundays performance, when the party increased its share of the vote by nearly five percentage points to 15.9%, they are still no closer to getting into regional government in any federal state.

Between them, Germanys other parties have erected a so-called firewall to sideline the AfD. That appeared to be functioning in Thuringia on Sunday, where AfD candidates failed to win any of the run-off votes for district administrator.

Nationwide support for the AfD peaked as high as 23% at the end of last year, though it was dented in recent weeks due to a series of controversies, including allegations of spying for China and receiving cash from a pro-Russia media outlet.

Tanja Goenner, managing director of Germanys BDI industry lobby, said the gains made by right-wing populist lawmakers in the EU vote is a worrying sign.

This means that the proportion of those who, like us, want to shape and strengthen Europe is dwindling, Goenner said Monday in an emailed statement. Anti-European parties jeopardize social cohesion and our prosperity.

--With assistance from Chris Reiter, Kamil Kowalcze and Arne Delfs.

(Updates with Scholz comments starting in sixth paragraph)

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Scholz says German government must go to work after election drubbing

Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends the meeting of the Social Democratic Party of Germany Presidium after the European elections. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged the poor showing by his Social Democrats (SPD) in European Parliament elections and called for renewed efforts to move the country forward.

Scholz played a prominent role in the SPD's campaign, which ended with the SPD's worst showing in a nationwide election in more than 130 years.

"The election result was bad for all three governing parties," said Scholz on Monday after a meeting with the president of Chile, Gabriel Boric, in Berlin.

"No one is well advised to simply go back to business as usual," Scholz continued.

But the chancellor said it is also important that his government continue pushing to make Germany more modern.

He said they must also rebuild support from the public "so that we can put the results of this work to the vote at the next general election and have the trust of the citizens in our work."

"This must now be the benchmark for everyone to make an effort and solve the tasks we face," he said.

Scholz also called increased support in Germany and across the European Union for right-wing populist parties a cause for concern.

However, he stressed that there remains a clear majority in the EU who support for parties that are traditionally committed to democracy and the rule of law.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Katarina Barley, Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) lead candidate for the 2024 European elections and Member of the European Parliament, take part in the meeting of the SPD Presidium after the European elections. Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Scholz won't say yet who Germany will back for top EU posts

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz gives a press conference during the visit of Chilean President Boric. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declined to say whether he would support European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's bid for another term on Monday, a day after the close of the European Parliament elections.

Scholz repeated his previous position that "the Commission presidency must be based on a democratic majority of traditional democratic parties in the European Parliament."

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin alongside visiting Chilean President Gabriel Boric, Scholz said he would consider whether to back von der Leyen and who to support for various top EU jobs over the coming weeks.

"I am in favour of overcoming all these challenges this month, that is to say deciding quickly and swiftly," Scholz said. "There is no reason to dwell on this for too long."

Von der Leyen's centre-right European People's Party (EPP) claimed victory in the elections on Sunday after results showed it would remain the largest bloc in the European Parliament.

Von der Leyen, a German politician and former minister from the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), called on EU social democratic and liberal parties to back her re-election bid.
What is the "school choice" bill asking Kentucky voters? Here's what you need to know

This story is the first of several stories the Courier Journal will publish on the "school choice" amendment, which Kentuckians will vote on in November.

This November, Kentuckians have the opportunity to add two amendments to the state constitution, one being the "school choice" measure.

The proposal, passed by the General Assembly during the 2024 legislative session, sparked heated debate between Republicans and Democrats. But ultimately, it's up to voters to decide if the amendment becomes law.

The Kentucky state Senate discusses a bill on the last day of the legislative session, April 15, 2024.

What exactly is this measure asking, and how would it effect the commonwealth? Here's a breakdown.

What does the amendment ask?

Kentuckians will be asked if they want to add the following section to the state constitution: The General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools. The General Assembly may exercise this authority by law, Sections 59, 60, 171, 183, 184, 186, and 189 of this Constitution notwithstanding.

Voters will give a straight "yes" or "no" response.

If passed, the amendment gives a green light to the General Assembly to introduce future legislation related to funding education options besides public schools.

"I think the most important thing for voters to understand is the amendment doesn't definitively tell what would be allowed; what the legislature would do once the constitution changes," Stephen Voss, a University of Kentucky political science professor, said.

In broad terms, the first part of the constitutional amendment asks whether voters want the General Assembly to send public tax dollars to non-public schools.

Currently, the constitution allows taxpayer money to only fund common schools," which has been interpreted by Kentucky courts as public. That means the legislature cannot steer state money to other entities, including private or charter schools.

The second part of the proposal says other language in the constitution cannot be interpreted in a way that nullifies this amendment.

What the proposal is basically saying is if that were the case and the court were to see, 'oh, there's a potential conflict here,' they can't use one of these other provisions to functionally nullify the effect of this amendment, Jeffrey Budziak, a Western Kentucky University political science professor said.

Story continues after this form.

How would the amendment affect Kentuckians?

It's unknown how the amendment passing will impact Kentuckians, though Voss said any changes will not be immediate. Thats because the amendment only removes barriers from the constitution and doesnt identify what policy could result.

It's removing the parts of the constitution that prevent alternative models from the common system of public education, but it's not saying exactly what would be set up by the state afterward, Voss said. All we know is the amendment adds flexibility to the solutions available to the legislature.

But that doesnt mean there isnt buzz on what could follow this amendment.

Budziak said mechanisms such as school vouchers, tax credit scholarship programs and educational savings accounts would all be possibilities. The earliest any of these could come up is during the 2025 session  as the amendment has to pass before any option is even brought to the table.

Why is this amendment on the November ballot?

The state constitution only allows tax dollars to fund "common schools," which Kentucky Courts have cited and interpreted it as public schools.

Kentucky Republicans have tried for years to pass policies to expand school choice. The courts, however, have blocked previous bills allowing state funds to pay for private schools. Charter schools are a part of those efforts and have been legal in Kentucky since 2017, but haven't operated because of a lack of funding.

During the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers passed a tax credit for individuals who donated to nonpublic school tuition. The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled the program unconstitutional the following year, citing a section of the Kentucky constitution that prohibits the state from raising funds for nonpublic schools.

Then, in 2022, the legislature tried again by creating a permanent funding structure for charter schools, but that too was struck down by Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd. Shepherd said in his ruling that the attempt to "establish a separate class of publicly funded but privately controlled schools" would create a "separate and unequal system." He also added that charter schools are not "common" or "public schools" within the meaning of the constitution.

That led to Republicans prioritizing House Bill 2, also known as the "school choice," bill during this year's legislative session.

Speaker of the House Representative David Osborne (R) leads the last session on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Sponsored by Rep. Suzanne Miles, R-Owensboro, the bill was fast-tracked but received opposition from Democrats, who argued the amendment could harm public schools by diverting funds from the system.

In order to get constitutional amendments on a ballot, the measure must gain support from three-fifths of both the Kentucky House and Senate. Passed amendments are not subject to a gubernatorial veto and go straight to the Secretary of State's office.

Under Kentucky law, it only requires a majority of votes cast to pass the amendment and change the state constitution. It will be labeled as a constitutional amendment on the November ballot.

Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What is the "school choice" bill asking? Here's what you need to know
There's bad news for residents of Santa Clara County, California: An invasive mosquito species "known for carrying the viruses that cause dengue and yellow fever" has been spotted in the South Bay, KRON 4 reported.

What's happening?

Six female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the type of mosquitoes known for spreading those diseases, were found in San Jose. Aedes aegypti were previously discovered in the area in 2022, but they were thought to have been eradicated.

Why is the spread of mosquitoes concerning?

Mosquito populations seem to be rising all over the world  and that's not a good thing. Mosquitoes thrive in hot and humid conditions. As our planet continues to overheat, largely as a result of our reliance on dirty energy sources such as gas and oil, the habitats in which mosquitoes can breed are expanding.

This has led to many more cases of mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever, yellow fever, Zika virus, and more.

Since the disease-carrying mosquitoes are reaching areas that were previously inhospitable to them, they are now infecting many populations that are unprepared to deal with these tropical diseases.

Scientists from the University of Helsinki, for example, recently discovered a species of mosquito that had never before been seen in Finland. Although experts there do not believe that enough mosquitoes have made their way far enough north to cause any disease outbreaks, it is still part of a concerning trend.

What's being done about invasive mosquitoes?

In Santa Clara County, officials told residents that "it's important for residents in the area to allow district staff to access their properties to check for mosquitoes and treat them as needed." They added: "East San Jose residents should inspect their properties for sources of standing water that serve as breeding habitat for mosquitoes and remove them."

In other parts of the world, governments have had to take more extreme measures to deal with expanding mosquito populations. In Brazil and Djibouti, special genetically modified mosquitoes have been deployed to shorten the life span of the mosquitoes that spread the disease before they reach full maturity. Although this approach is somewhat controversial, it does have the clear benefit of not requiring any toxic pesticides.

In Peru, an ingenious little device called a Guardian Toad is being used (much less controversially) to disturb the surfaces of standing water containers where mosquitoes lay their eggs.

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Wormholes (as far as we know) only exist in the world of theoretical astrophysics and myriad sci-fi stories. But scientists are trying to piece together what such a celestial phenomenon might look like and how it could behave.

Previous studies have determined that wormholes would appear remarkably similar to black holes, but new research puts forward that traversable wormholesones that actively gobble up matterwould have slight differences.

This kind of wormhole would likely form extremely hot plasma tornadoes in its throatwhich could be visibleand would also fire matter out from its other mouth at a staggering 125 million miles per hour, or one-fifth the speed of light.

Few celestial phenomena are as beloved as the wormhole. First theoretically described by Albert Einstein (yeah, him again) in the mid-1930s, a wormhole has never actually been observed by scientists. But that hasnt stopped sci-fi creators from dreaming up movies, books, and even entire television franchises around the space-time warping concept. Of course, who can blame thema story about a tunnel through space basically writes itself.

Based on our understanding of physics, there are a couple different kinds of wormholes, including Schwarzchild wormholes, Einstein-Rosen wormholes, and (most importantly for the sci-fi minded among us) traversable wormholesbridges that matter could technically travel through. While this last type of wormhole relies on exotic matter, negative energy, or very specific conditions, that hasnt stopped scientists from trying to figure out how exactly such a wormhole would work.

In a new study published in May in the journal Physical Review D , Luciano Combi, a postdoctoral researcher at the Perimeter Institute based in Ontario, Canada, investigated what would happen if one side of a wormhole began accreting (read: gobbling up) matter. The results of such a (purely theoretical) phenomena would likely create a plasma tornado trapped in the throat of the wormhole, and eventually lead to the firing of that plasma out of the other wormhole mouth at a blazing 125 million miles an hour.

We present the first dynamical model of plasma accretion onto traversable wormholes by performing general relativistic magnetohydrodynamical (GRMHD) simulations of the flow on both sides of the wormhole, the paper reads. The wormhole cloud acts as an engine in which gas coming from one side accumulates at the center, dissipates energy, and powers a mildly relativistic thermal wind toward the other side.

This is bad news for anyone thatd want to travel through the wormhole, considering the heat alone from the plasma tornado could likely cause nuclear fusion. But there is a bright sidequite literally.

In principle, you could say that even though you dont have an event horizon, the gravitational pull will slow down the light and you wont see anything, Combi told New Scientist. But its so, so bright that you can actually overcome that.

This particular side effect means that wormholes could theoretically be visible. The ring surrounding the wormhole would look similar to the accretion disk around black holes, but with a bright spot in its center. The other mouth of the wormhole would look a bit different, as itd be busy spewing plasma at one-fifth the speed of light.

However, this visibility might be incredibly unstable. As Sofia Universitys Petya Nedkova described to New Scientist, the wormhole will disintegrate and transform into another type of space-time... which may make their experimental detection complicated. Nedkova was part of a 2022 study that explored methods for detecting wormholes by recognizing different polarization properties between black holes and wormholes.

In other words, actually finding wormholes remains as difficult as ever. But if science were to stumble upon one, wed at least know what we were looking at.



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Second of two victims identified after deadly shooting at east Columbus vigil

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The second of two victims from a fatal shooting at a candlelight vigil in east Columbus has been identified.

According to the Franklin County Coroners Office, 18-year-old Jakwaun Kimbro was gunned down just before 10 p.m. at Krumm Park on Alton Avenue, where a candlelight vigil was being held for another shooting victim.

See which two Columbus parks will benefit from an over $1.6 million project

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Kimbro and Lonnie Johnston, 29, were both pronounced dead minutes after the shooting occurred at 9:54 p.m. The coroners office did not release the name of Kimbro as of June 6, as it did for Johnston, because it had only tentatively identified him. It added that once the second victim was positively identified, their name would be released as well.

Police identified two persons of interest in connection to the double murder, though no arrests have been made. Surveillance images released by Columbus police of the two people of interest are below.

Two people of interest in a double fatal shooting at Krumm Park on June 3, 2024. (COLUMBUS DIVISION OF POLICE)

Two people of interest in a double fatal shooting at Krumm Park on June 3, 2024. (COLUMBUS DIVISION OF POLICE)

Two people of interest in a double fatal shooting at Krumm Park on June 3, 2024. (COLUMBUS DIVISION OF POLICE)

Two people of interest in a double fatal shooting at Krumm Park on June 3, 2024. (COLUMBUS DIVISION OF POLICE)

Columbus Police Sgt. Joseph Albert said the vigil being held at the time of the shooting was for DaMya Cummerlander, who was shot and killed in the early hours of June 2 in the 2600 block of Woodsedge Road. Albert noted at least 50 people, possibly more, were at the scene when officers arrived.

Columbus police have since arrested Kenneth Hariston, 20, in connection with Cummerlanders death. While Deputy Chief Smith Weir said investigators have been reviewing footage from the vigil shooting, they have not named a suspect in that case.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The Legislature has pushed forward two bills that would tighten voter registration and identification requirements. Here, voters in Dover fill out their ballots in November 2022. (Kate Brindley | New Hampshire Bulletin)

Lawmakers have advanced legislation to require photo identification without exception at polling places in New Hampshire  and to mandate that new voters provide hard evidence of citizenship in order to register.

But Secretary of State Dave Scanlan says some aspects of the bill could be difficult for his office to implement.

In remarks to a committee tasked with identifying voter confidence in elections Monday, Scanlan said a proposal to empower the Secretary of States Office to set up a hotline to verify voters citizenship status using state records would be challenging to implement.

It could be done, but not without challenges, he said. To start, he said, there would not be a lot of time to implement it before the next statewide elections in September. The Secretary of States Office would have to race to train town and city election officials in how to deal with the new documentary requirements, and they would need to reach out to voters to explain the changes, too, he said.

Scanlan also told reporters he talked frankly with Gov. Chris Sununu Monday about the bills, in which he relayed his concerns.

I said basically the same thing that I said right here: It is something we can administer, but it will have its challenges, he said, recounting the conversation.

The Legislature has pushed forward two bills that would tighten voter registration and identification requirements. The first, House Bill 1569, would eliminate the affidavits that allow people to vote on Election Day if they do not have identification on them  under penalty of perjury. HB 1569 would also require voters to provide documentation of their citizenship with a birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers, or other proof, in order to register to vote for the first time. Currently, voters may attest to their citizenship without those papers.

The second bill, House Bill 1370, would create the same requirement as HB 1569 but would also allow Scanlans office to set up a call line that would allow local election officials to call state officials and seek proof of a voters citizenship. The Secretary of States Office could collaborate with the Division of Motor Vehicles and the Attorney Generals Office to do so, the bill states.

HB 1569 has passed both Republican-led chambers and is heading to the governors desk. HB 1370 is not yet heading to Sununu but is instead awaiting a final vote by the House and Senate on Thursday.

Republicans have said the two bills are efforts to increase confidence in New Hampshires elections by providing strong verification that every voter meets the citizenship, age, and domicile requirements.

But Democrats and voting rights groups argue the bills will block off voting for people who do meet those requirements but who dont have all the documentation on hand  particularly citizenship documents that can be hard to replace.

The governors office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about his conversations with Scanlan. In press conferences, Sununu has not directly stated whether he would sign or veto the bill, but he has said he does not see a need for more changes to election laws this year.

If signed by Sununu, both HB 1569 and HB 1370 would take effect immediately, meaning that they would affect the upcoming state primary on Sept. 10 and the general election on Nov. 5.

Scanlan said that immediate implementation would be difficult. We would have to start right away, he said.

Scanlan said he has had superficial conversations with other agencies about the bill, but that he did not know exactly how the hotline would work should the bill become law.

Republicans have argued that the call line could provide citizenship information for most voters who lacked documentation.

It is estimated that using the databases that we came up with in meetings with the Secretary of State, the Attorney Generals Office, and the DMV, that there will be very, very few people who will not be able to answer the questions about citizenship, about age, and about domicile, Sen. James Gray, a Rochester Republican, said on the Senate floor on May 16.

But Scanlan seemed more skeptical Monday. There is no central citizenship database, he said.

The secretary made his comments before the Special Committee on Voter Confidence. That committee, convened by Scanlan to look into voter concerns about New Hampshires election process after the 2020 presidential election, finished its work and issued recommendations in 2022. It reconvened Monday to hear a report from Scanlan detailing how his office has attempted to implement the recommendations.

Scanlan made clear he has not taken a formal position on the bill, noting that if signed, his office could be a defendant to any lawsuit filed to strike it down.

I fully expect it is going to be litigated, he said.

The post Secretary of state predicts challenges, litigation if voter ID bill becomes law appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
YANGON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's renowned Shwedagon Pagoda attracts over 5,000 foreign visitors each month, U Boe Thin, a member of the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees, told Xinhua on Monday.

Approximately 150 to 200 foreign visitors visit the pagoda daily, with most visitors coming from Thailand and China, he said.

The entrance fee for foreigners is 10 U.S. dollars per visitor, he said.

In 2023, the pagoda welcomed over 78,000 foreign visitors, he added.

Currently, the pagoda is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and starting from June 21, the hours will be extended from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., returning to the pre-COVID schedule, U Boe Thin said. 
HANCOCK, Md. (KDKA) -- U.S. Senator John Fetterman and his wife, Gisele, were involved in a two-vehicle crash in Maryland on Sunday.

Troopers from the Maryland State Police Hagerstown Barrack were dispatched to the area of westbound Interstate 70 at Interstate 68 just before 8 a.m. Sunday for a report of a two-vehicle crash.

Fetterman, 54, was driving a Chevrolet Traverse, traveling west on Interstate 70 when the Traverse struck the rear of a Chevrolet Impala.

According to a preliminary investigation from Maryland State Police, the Traverse and Impala were both traveling west on I-70 when the accident occurred.

A passenger in the Traverse and the operator of the Impala were transported by ambulance to War Memorial Hospital in West Virginia for treatment of their injuries, according to Maryland State Police.

"On Sunday morning, John and Gisele were involved in a car accident with another driver. Out of an abundance of caution, they were evaluated at a local hospital. John was treated for a bruised shoulder and they were discharged that afternoon. They are doing well and happy to be back in Braddock," a spokesperson for Sen. Fetterman's office said to KDKA-TV on Monday.

No citations were issued. The crash investigation remains active and ongoing.

In a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Sen. Fetterman thanked everyone for the well wishes and said he and Gisele are doing "great."

"Not the best way to spend our 16th wedding anniversary but we're doing well and happy to be back home in Braddock with the family," he posted.

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Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) wasted no time painting his Republican opponent, Tim Sheehy, as a threat to public lands and the Montana way of life during the first debate of what is widely seen as one of the most contested races in 2024.

The three-term incumbent said Montanas values are on the line in November.

The bottom line is Montana is changing. Were seeing a lot of folks come into the state  rich folks  who want to try to buy our state, to try to change it into something its not, Tester said. Unfortunately, many of these folks are coming in, theyre buying big ranches. Theyre locking people off of not only that ranch, but the public lands around it. And thats not what Montana is about.

It was one of many subtle jabs Tester took at Sheehy during the event on Sunday, which came just days after both candidates cruised to victory in their respective primaries.

Folks are coming in here and buying two, three houses, making this into their personal playground. Thats not right, Tester said, adding that when it comes to Montanas housing crisis, Sheehy is part of the problem.

Sheehy swung back at Testers repeated jabs at him for being an outsider.

Well, you heard it again  if you come here from out of state, youre part of the problem, Sheehy said. If youre not from here, Jon Tester doesnt think your voice matters, apparently.

Three-term Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) is facing a challenge from ex-Navy SEAL and wealthy businessman Tim Sheehy. Tom Williams via Getty Images

A pro-Donald Trump conservative and decorated ex-Navy SEAL, Sheehy moved to Montana in 2014 after retiring from the military, and he built a successful aerial firefighting company. With his wealth, Sheehy has purchased multimillion-dollar properties on Flathead Lake and in the lavish resort community of Big Sky. In 2020, he purchased three contiguous ranches, spanning some 7,000 acres, in Martinsdale, Montana, and co-founded the Little Belt Cattle Company.

While Little Belts primary business is cattle ranching across its approximately 30,000 private and leased acres, it has also offered exclusive, pay-to-play hunting access.

As NBC News reported, Little Belt contracted with a private outfitter to sell paid hunting excursions and chose not to participate in a state program that allows free public hunting. In a now-deleted listing on LandTrust, a network that connects outdoor recreationists to private landowners, Little Belt touted itself as a premier destination for hunters with private access to over 500,000 acres of National Forest. In 2022, the ranch was offering what the Montana Free Press identifiedas the most spendy package currently available in Montana  a five-day, five-person archery hunt costing $12,500.

Shortly after NBCs story on Sheehys ranch was published, Little Belt deleted a section of its website that advertised the ranchs impressive game and its five-mile border with U.S. Forest Service land.

If you want a Montana that continues to be a place where people can continue to hunt and fish without being millionaires, this election is really important, Tester said Sunday.

The debate did not include a question specifically about the candidates position on public lands, but both spoke of their importance when asked about Montanans hesitancy to embrace outsiders and tourism.

Tourism is a part of our economy. Thats never going to go away, Sheehy said, adding that its important for Montanans to make sure tourists are respecting our values, theyre respecting our public lands, and we dont turn Montana into California or New York or Texas.

Tester said tourism is vital to the Montana economy but stressed the state is under increased pressure from rich transplants working to shape it in ways Montanans dont approve of.

I think we need to push back against that, he said. We get folks who buy ranches and lock it up to hunters and charge people 10,000 bucks to go hunting on their place  thats a nonstarter. When you have folks who want to sell off our public lands  thats a nonstarter. We have to preserve the Montana we know.

Sheehy secured the Republican nomination to take on Tester last week. It is one of the most contested races in 2024. Tim Sheehy for Montana

Along with previously marketing his ranch as an exclusive destination for deep-pocketed hunters, Sheehy recently embraced a toxic position on public lands. As HuffPost reported last year, the multi-millionaire businessman advocated for federal lands to be turned over to states  a position that voters in Western states, including Montana, overwhelmingly oppose.

Local control has to be returned, Sheehy told the Working Ranch Radio Show in October. Whether that means, you know, some of these public lands get turned over to state agencies, or even counties, or whether those decisions are made by a local landlord instead of by, you know, federal fiat a few thousand miles away.

Sheehy and his campaign have been doing damage control ever since his comments drew national attention. On a section of his campaign website titled Get the Facts, Sheehy accuses Tester and his allies of lying about Sheehys support for public lands and writes that while he opposes the sale and transfer of federal lands, he believes Montanans know best how to manage our land.

Tester did not specifically highlight Sheehys previous comments in favor of transferring public lands during Sundays debate. But in a post on X, formerly Twitter, shared during the event, Tester painted his opponent as a threat to the federal estate.

Montana is not for sale, Tester wrote. If @SheehyforMT wants to carve up our public lands and sell them off, hell have to go through me first.

On Sunday, Sheehy sought to convince Montana voters that hes been a longtime champion of public lands and that it is environmentalists who threaten their future.

My job is protecting public lands. I fight fires from the air, he said, referring to his Bozeman, Montana, aerial firefighting company, Bridger Aerospace. Right now, were looking at a public lands crisis across our nation. We have public lands that are being walled off. We have lawsuits stopping any potential timber development, controlled burns or basic public access projects because they will be injuncted. There will be lawsuit after lawsuit after lawsuit.

As in past Montana elections, public lands will likely prove to be a key issue in this race. Montana Outdoor Values Action Fund, a super political action committee of environmental group Montana Conservation Voters, recently released a statewide TV ad that features Private Property signs and warns that if Sheehy were elected, Montanans could lose access to more of their favorite hunting and fishing spots. (The ad cites previous HuffPost reporting on Sheehy.)

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Senate Democrats in key battleground states have consistently performed better than President Biden in polls, fueling speculation that November could see the highest levels of ticket-splitting in years.

Voting for different parties on the same ticket has become increasingly rare in the U.S. amid growing political polarization. While some down-ballot Democrats are polling better than the president now, observers caution the gap between them will likely shrink as the election draws closer.

Still, the relative polling strength of Democratic Senate candidates in states like Montana, Ohio and Pennsylvania has suggested that at least some voters will back them while supporting Donald Trump or a non-Biden presidential candidate.

This is more split-ticket voting than we would traditionally see, but theres also a higher undecided factor than we would normally see. I think that plays into it, said Matt Taglia, the senior director of Emerson College Polling. The dynamics of this race are just so different from previous elections, even from 2020.

As much as split-ticket voting regularly gets discussed during election seasons, it has grown increasingly rare.

In 1972, President Nixon defeated Democrat George McGovern in a landslide, winning 49 states. But 190 House districts elected a Democratic representative that year, according to Pew Research Center.

In 1988, nearly 150 districts voted one way for president and another for House. But in 2012, that number was only 26.

The 2016 elections marked the first time in modern history that every state voted for the same party in the presidential race as their Senate race. The feat nearly repeated in 2020, when Maine was the only state to split its presidential and Senate votes, backing Biden but also reelecting Sen. Susan Collins (R).

With five months still to go before Election Day 2024, polling indicates a possible return to at least somewhat higher split-ticketing.

Although polls have mostly shown Biden trailing Trump in key battleground states, one source of optimism for Democrats has been the consistent polling advantage of their Senate candidates.

Democratic candidates in most of the key states that will determine which party controls the Senate  Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  are ahead of their Republican opponents by at least a couple of points, according to the polling average from Decision Desk HQ/The Hill.

Pollsters across various polling organizations are seeing this, while finding Biden behind by a few points.

A CBS News/YouGov poll from last month of Arizona showed Biden down by 5 points and Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), the likely Democratic nominee for Senate, ahead of his likely GOP opponent, Kari Lake, by more than 10.

While not as dramatic of a difference, an Emerson poll of the state from late April showed Trump leading by 4 points but Lake trailing by 2. An Emerson poll of Pennsylvania showed Trump ahead by 4 points, but Sen. Bob Casey (D) leading Republican David McCormick by the same amount.

A New York Times/Siena College poll released last month showed Biden with a 12-point deficit in Nevada; if true, a concerning sign for his prospects there. But the same poll showed Sen. Jacky Rosen (D) ahead of her likely challenger, Republican Sam Brown, by 2.

The differences vary somewhat by state to state and poll to poll, but the disparity has been consistent for months. The dynamic is also being seen in North Carolina, where Biden trails Trump by a few points, but Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein and GOP candidate Mark Robinson are neck and neck.

Taglia said the disparity is being fueled by certain Trump voters and self-identifying Republicans backing Democratic Senate candidates. He added that independents are also leaning toward these candidates, giving them the edge.

He said he expects the split will not be as significant on Election Day as they appear in polls.

I think well see higher levels of split-ticket voting in this election. We are seeing that reflected in the polling, but I just dont necessarily think its going to be quite as stark as were seeing right now, Taglia said. I think that we will get to something approaching a more normal distribution, but were not there yet.

Democrats are largely on defense in the Senate races this year, with the map of seats up for election giving Republicans many more chances to gain. But Democrats hold an advantage: running mostly longtime incumbents whom their constituencies know well.

Analysts said name recognition could play some role in explaining the trend, but thats not the only factor.

Wisconsin Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki noted that the Democratic candidates have not had trouble fundraising, while Republicans have backed wealthy candidates who can provide much of their own funds to their campaign.

Zepecki said Eric Hovde, a wealthy candidate and likely Republican nominee for Senate in the Badger State, has been advertising on TV for months, but he still trails Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D).

He said Lakes past as the GOP nominee for governor of the state in 2022 gives her name recognition, while Gallego is running for statewide office for the first time.

Democrats have argued that Republican Senate candidates various weaknesses will provide an advantage to incumbents and allow them to narrowly hold on to the chamber. They have minimal room for error, as they likely need to win the races in all key states plus having a tiebreaker in the vice president to hold the majority.

One of the problems of the era of Trump within the Republican Party was that credentialed, qualified, capable, sane and sober leaders of sound judgment wanted nothing to do with being a part of Donald Trumps Republican Party and therefore opted out, which is how they ended up with scores of terrible candidates, Zepecki said.

Its on Biden to catch up to his fellow Democrats.

Everyone knows who President Biden is, and these numbers are showing that voters dont like what they see, Republican strategist Alex Zdan said. Trump is loved by his Republican base, Biden is tolerated.

Zdan said the Democratic Senate candidates may outperform Republicans because voters know they want their party to control Congress, even if they have reservations about their presidential nominee.

He said the inclusion of independent candidates in the presidential race, notably Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are another X factor that could lead to a greater split. Kennedy is on the ballot in more than half a dozen states and says hes met the signature requirements for several more.

Democratic voters can go to the polls and vote for the Democratic Senate candidate and then pull the lever from RFK Jr., he said. Thats an option thats open to them this year that has not been open in previous years.

Taglia said a party traditionally would want its presidential nominee to be leading and not fret as much if some Senate or gubernatorial candidates are trailing a bit, as the top of the ticket can bring them up through the coattail effect.

Thats not happening this time. If anything, the Biden campaign, they have an opportunity to have really good surrogates in the field there, to some degree, he said.

He said these Senate candidates may not want to tie themselves too much to Biden, given his unpopularity, but their advantage could help the incumbent anyway.

Thats going to be an investment that the Biden campaign doesnt necessarily have to make where theyre getting a bonus on top of their investment just from these statewide candidates turning out the vote, getting people energized, having them tune in to some Democratic issues, Taglia said.

But its not clear which party will benefit in the end.

If Im either campaign, its not necessarily that Id rather have one or the other [polling situation], but its just a reversal from what you normally expect to see, he said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The bills would create an income tax deduction for tuition payments and tax credits for community college enrollees or their parents. (Hal Brown for New Jersey Monitor)

Senate lawmakers will weigh two measures Monday that would extend new tax breaks to college students and their parents.

One of the bills before the Senate Higher Education Committee would allow taxpayers to deduct tuition payments made for their education or that of a dependent partner or child from their state income tax bills.

Residents would be able to claim the deduction if their income does not exceed $85,000 in the relevant tax year.

Tuition paid through student loans is considered tuition paid by the student or parent, said a Treasury spokesperson who spoke generally, so such payments would qualify for the deduction.

A separate bill would create tax credits for community college students or their parents.

Parents who paid at least half of their dependent childs tuition and other expenses at a community college would be eligible for a tax credit equal to the amount they paid or $750, whichever is lower, if the child is a full-time student and under the age of 22.

Parents of part-time students would receive halved awards, to a cap of $375, and the credits created by the bill are exclusive with an existing $1,000 tax deduction for parents who pay at least half of their childs college expenses.

Only parents of full-time college students are eligible for the existing deduction.

Students who pay their own way through community college would be eligible for the same state income tax credits under the bill, though only a student or their parents could receive the credit, not both.

The post Senate panel to weigh new college tax breaks appeared first on New Jersey Monitor.
Senators take up defense bill work this week, but out of public view

The Senate Armed Services Committee will mark up its draft of the annual defense authorization bill this week, but most of the work will take place behind closed doors and out of sight of the public.

Unlike the House Armed Services Committee  which held its markup of the measure during a daylong, public session last month  the Senate panel traditionally debates defense policy and budget issues in closed sessions.

This year, two subcommittees will hold legislative discussions in open hearings on Wednesday. The personnel panel has held public sessions to discuss their decisions for the last few years, while the seapower committee will break tradition by holding a public hearing this time.

The committees final draft is expected to be released by Friday. It will detail differences with the House version of the bill and set the outline for chamber negotiations for the rest of the summer. A final compromise is expected sometime this fall.

The defense authorization bill has passed through Congress for more than 60 years and is considered must-pass legislation by lawmakers because of the numerous pay and policy provisions it includes each year.

Tuesday, June 11

Senate Homeland Security  3:30 p.m.  342 Dirksen

Coast Guard Sexual Assault

Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan will testify on sexual assault and harassment prevention efforts in the service.



House Veterans' Affairs  4:30 p.m.  360 Cannon

VA Beneficiary Travel

Department officials will testify on problems with the beneficiary travel system.





Wednesday, June 12

House Appropriations  9 a.m.  2359 Rayburn

Foreign Operations

The full committee will mark up the annual State Department appropriations plan.



House Foreign Affairs  10 a.m.  2172 Rayburn

Western Hemisphere Competition

State Department officials will testify on great power competition issues in the Western Hemisphere.



House Transportation  10 a.m.  2167 Rayburn

Coast Guard Recapitalization

Service officials will testify on recapitalization plans for the Coast Guard.



Senate Armed Services  10:15 a.m.  216 Hart

NDAA Personnel Issues

The subcommittee on personnel will mark up its section of the annual defense authorization bill in a public session.



House Veterans' Affairs  10:15 a.m.  360 Cannon

Veterans Disability Ratings

Department officials will testify on problems with the disability ratings system.



House Oversight  10:30 a.m.  2154 Rayburn

V-22 Osprey Program

Military officials will testify on the V-22 Osprey program.



Senate Armed Services  10:45 a.m.  216 Hart

NDAA Seapower Issues

The subcommittee on seapower will mark up its section of the annual defense authorization bill in a public session.



House Veterans' Affairs  2 p.m.  360 Cannon

Pending Legislation

The subcommittee on economic opportunity will consider several pending bills.





Thursday, June 13

House Appropriations Committee  9 a.m.  2359 Rayburn

Defense Appropriations

The full committee will mark up the annual Defense Department appropriations plan.



House Veterans' Affairs  9:30 a.m.  360 Cannon

Veteran Spinal Cord Injuries

Department officials and outside advocates will discuss challenges facing veterans with spinal cord injuries.



Senate Foreign Relations  10 a.m.  419 Dirksen

Nominations

The committee will consider several pending nominations.




Justices with the 7th Court of Appeals Texas have upheld a Lubbock jury's highly debated 70-year sentence handed in April 2023 to a violent repeat offender who spat on police officers arresting him in connection with a domestic assault investigation.

The opinion was issued May 15 and was one of two Lubbock County cases involving lengthy prison sentences that the appellate court ruled on this year.

Appellate attorneys for Larry Pearson argued the trial court judge allowed prosecutors to present evidence during the guilt-innocence phase of the trial that prejudiced the jury against him.

Pearson stood trial on two counts of harassment of a public official stemming from an April 2, 2022, arrest during which, court records state he spat on multiple police officers who responded to the scene. However, only two officers were listed as victims in the indictment.

The police response resulted after a Lubbock patrol officer traveling in the 200 block of Zenith Avenue pulled over a vehicle after it veered in front of him.

Lubbock County Sheriff's Deputies escort Larry Pearson out of the 140th District Court on Wednesday where a jury sentenced him to 70 years in prison after finding him guilty of harassment of a public servant.

Pearson's girlfriend at the time was the driver and the officer described her as "visibly distraught." She was crying and injured.

She told the officer that Pearson was armed. Officers later found a weapon that turned out to be an air pistol.

The officer called for back up and Pearson refused to obey commands to exit the vehicle. Nearly a dozen officers arrived at the scene to pull Pearson from the vehicle, restrained him and placed him in a patrol vehicle.

Pearson was in the vehicle for about an hour and repeatedly complaining about the tightness of his restraints. His frustration boiled over and he began kicking the patrol vehicles window, leading to another struggle with officers during which Pearson spat and berated them.

One of the indicted victims was spat on three times and was struck in the face.

Another officer who Pearson spat on was struck in the eye and lip. The officer told jurors that after she was struck Pearson told her, ***** thats what you deserve.

Officers ultimately restrained Pearson to a backboard, placed him in a paddy wagon and he was taken to the county jail.

Court records show Pearson's spitting was so persistent officers placed a spit hood on him.

However, during the trip to the jail, Pearson managed to undo the spit hood and immediately resumed spitting when officers opened the paddy wagon doors.

Pearson's girlfriend was ordered to testify at the trial under subpoena but did not appear.

Presenting video evidence at trial

However, prosecutors, under defense attorneys' objections, presented a portion of footage from a responding officer's body-worn camera that showed jurors that the domestic assault was the reason for the police response.

Defense attorneys at trial objected to the evidence, saying it violated Pearson's right to confront witnesses as the alleged victim of the assault did not testify.

District Judge Douglas Freitag of the 140th District Court admitted the video evidence, though he made it clear to jurors that the weapon found on Pearson wasn't a firearm.

Evidence of the defendant's previous crimes or other bad acts are normally inadmissible during the guilt-innocence phase of a trial. However, a court can admit the evidence if prosecutors aim to use it to provide context to explain why a defendant was charged or arrested.

State appellate attorneys argued the video evidence met the context exception for the rule.

"Criminal offenses do not happen in a vacuum," the state's brief states. "The jury was entitled to know why law enforcement approached (Pearson) in the first instance. To avoid the nature of the callout would likely have left the jury with more questions than it had answers. And, it was clear from the States argument for admission of the evidence that the purpose of the testimony was to give the jury context, not for purposes of character conformity."

The justices agreed, saying the video evidence was admitted to provide context for the encounter with police.

"Without this contextual evidence, jurors would not have any information regarding why (Pearson) had any interaction with police officers, why the vehicle in which (Pearson) was a passenger was parked in the middle of the street, and why police promptly responded to the scene with guns drawn," the opinion, written by Justice Larry Doss, states. "As such, no abuse of discretion is shown."

A lengthy prison sentence

Pearson's appellate attorneys also argued the lengthy prison sentence was grossly disproportionate and therefore violated his Eighth Amendment rights against cruel and unusual punishment.

Harassment of a public servant is a third-degree felony that normally carries a punishment of two to 10 years in prison.

Pearson's criminal history, which included two prison sentences, enhanced his punishment range to 25 years to life in prison. His previous convictions also disqualified him from probation.

In his appeal, Pearson's attorney argued the 70-year sentence, though within the statutory range, was grossly disproportionate and unconstitutionally high compared to similar cases.

In this case, none of the officers were permanently injured by Pearson's actions or required medical intervention, Pearson's appeal states.

At trial, Pearson's attorney told jurors in his closing argument that the officers failed to deescalate the situation that drove his client to act the way he did.

"Police officers routinely encounter individuals and situations that could be construed as harassing," Pearson's appeal states. "While this is an unfortunate reality for our law enforcement, it is also the nature of the occupation. If every person who offended a police officer spent seventy years in prison, the already minimal amount of prison space in this State would be completely obliterated. As such, this Court must conclude that the punishment assessed is grossly disproportionate to the offenses committed."

Included in the brief was a list of cases of harassment of a public servant filed since 2008 in Lubbock County that resulted in sentences ranging from probation to 15 days in jail to 10 years in prison.

"No sentence in the data comes close to the seventy years that (Pearson) received for this offense," the brief states.

Justice Larry Doss, who wrote the opinion, stated that the justices couldn't rule on the issue since Pearson's trial attorney didn't preserve the issue because he didn't object to it at the time.

However, the Lubbock County District Attorney's Office argued that, had the issue been preserved for appeal, the record shows Pearson's punishment wasn't grossly disproportionate.

The apellate attorney for the DA's office argued in her brief that the scope of punisment trials go beyond the offense for which defendants were on trial.

In Texas, jury trials are split in two phases, the guilt-innocence phase and the punishment phase, which typically happen back-to-back.

In the second phase, prosecutors often tell jurors that they aren't just punishing defendants, particularly repeat offenders, for the charged offense but for their character, prior convictions and criminal acts that tend to show a propensity for committing crimes, reminding them the purposes for punishment include deterring future crimes, promoting respect for the law and protecting society.

In Pearson's case, jurors were presented with his criminal history which included convictions for domestic assault, a class A misdemeanor, three times from 2014 to 2018. Class A misdemeanors carry a punishment of up to a year in jail.

In 2010 he pleaded guilty in Lubbock County to a first degree felony count of aggravated robbery and was placed on deferred adjudication for 10 years. However, he was sentenced to five years in prison after his probation was revoked.

In 2019, he was convicted of continuous family violence and sentenced to two years in prison.

Court records show that while Pearson was in jail for the harassment of a police officer charge, a protective order was issued prohibiting him from contacting his girlfriend or coming within 200 feet of her home.

Pearson violated that protective order by calling her from the jail and then going to her home and fighting her about two weeks after he was released on bond. He was arrested and booked into the jail where he remained until his trial.

Prosecutor's appellate attorney argued that Pearson's conduct during the arrest, his criminal history and his behavior during the trial and while in jail were severe enough to justify the unusually lengthy prison sentence.

"Here, the victims, two law enforcement officers, did nothing more than attempt to detain (Pearson) to investigate an ongoing disturbance," the state's appellate brief states. "In return, (Pearson) verbally harassed officers, attempted to damage police property, and repeatedly spit at officers. This was conduct that the jury was not willing to accept as acceptable."

Further appeal being pursued

Meanwhile, Pearson also made multiple outbursts during the trial, which included hurling expletives at a prosecutor as she delivered her closing argument, telling her to "keep my name out your mouth, (expletive)."

While in jail, court records show in the year Pearson has been waiting for his trial, he racked up about 30 disciplinary reports that included being uncooperative and hostile to jail staff, exposing himself to jailers and possessing contraband.

"The jury was tasked with evaluating the appropriate punishment not just for the conduct of harassment of a public servant, but for a habitualized offender with multiple prior convictions," the state's appellate brief states. "Given Appellants history, the jurys sentence was not a punishment that fell outside of the legislatively prescribed range and was based upon the sentencers informed normative judgment."

Pearson's appellate attorney has asked the Court of Criminal Appeals, the state's highest court on criminal matters, to review the case.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lengthy prison sentences upheld in two Lubbock County cases
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A man who killed his mother following a fraught conversation about his lack of employment has been sentenced, the Mecklenburg County District Attorneys Office announced on Monday.

Marques McBride, 24, will serve at least 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

PREVIOUS: Suspect accused of killing east Charlotte woman turns himself in: CMPD

Records stated that McBride was living with his 43-year-old mother Santavius McBride and at around 11 a.m. on Friday, July 7, 2023, the two were having a discussion about McBrides lack of employment when he shot and killed her.

The deadly incident occurred near 3800 Foxford Place in east Charlotte. Later that night McBride turned himself in to authorities and confessed to the shooting, documents showed.

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BOSTON (NEXSTAR/WWLP)  The owner of a Boston-area pizzeria chain was convicted on charges of forced labor after authorities said he threatened his workers with physical harm and deportation in order to keep some of them working 14-plus hours per day for as many as seven days per week.

Stavros Papantoniadis, the owner of Stashs Pizza, was convicted Friday, June 7, 2024, of forced labor charges following a nine-day jury trial. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, File)

Stavros Papantoniadis, the owner of Stashs Pizza, was arrested March 16, 2023, Nexstars WWLP previously reported. At the time, he was charged with a single count of forced labor, following allegations that he had intentionally hired workers without immigration status so he could subject them to unfair working conditions.

Authorities alleged that Papantoniadis, 48, threatened employees with deportation and used violence to scare the victims over the span of 14 years.

To maintain control of those undocumented workers, he made them believe that he would physically harm them or have them deported. He monitored the workers with surveillance cameras, which he accessed from his cell phone, and constantly demeaned, insulted and harassed them, reads a news release issued Friday by U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy of the District of Massachusetts Department of Justice said in a news release issued on Friday.

Ex-NASCAR driver arrested, accused of confronting police during Jan. 6

Levy said Papantoniadis had forced or attempted to force six victims (five men, one woman) to work at his pizzerias. Some of the allegations against Papantoniadis included: choking one of the workers when the employee announced intentions to quit; telling another he would kill him; and chasing a fleeing worker down a highway, after which he falsely reported the victim to local police to coerce the worker into staying.

Papantoniadis was ultimately indicted on charges of forced labor and attempted forced labor, and later two counts of wire fraud, WWLP reported. He was convicted Friday of three counts each of forced labor and attempted forced labor. Each carries a possible prison sentence of 20 years, five years of supervised release and up to $250,000 in fines as well as additional restitution.

A location of Stashs pizza is seen in Boston on March 20, 2023. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, File)

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, Levy said. I commend the tireless efforts of our law enforcement partners who worked collaboratively to bring this defendant to justice.

Papantoniadis sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 12.

Papantoniadis owns and operates Stashs Pizza, a chain with locations in Dorchester and Roslindale, and had operated previous pizzeria locations in Norwood, Norwell, Randolph, Weymouth, and Wareham, Massachusetts

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
This column is part of a weekly round-up of notable grand jury indictments and court decisions, following through on cases reported by Savannah Morning News public safety reporter Drew Favakeh. If there are cases you're curious about, email Drew at AFavakeh@Gannett.com.

The Judge's Bench for State Court Judge Gregory Sapp inside the Chatham County Courthouse.

Man indicted for murder of Stephanie Neal

On June 5, a Chatham County grand jury indicted Lucius Young for malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The indictment alleges that, on March 24, Young shot and killed Stephanie Neal. According to an SPD press release, the fatal shooting took place at 2:35 a.m. on the 700 block of Wheaton Street.

Young was previously indicted on March 1, 2007, for possession of controlled substances, according to the indictment.

A bond hearing for Young is scheduled for July 9.

Man sentenced to life in prison for murder of Alphonso Dickerson

On June 4, Xavier Peeples was sentenced to life without parole plus five years to serve, according to a sentencing hearing attended by the Savannah Morning News.

On April 15, a Chatham County jury reached a verdict in the State of Georgia vs. Xavier Peeples, finding him guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to previous reporting by SMN. Peeples was a Savannah High Student who allegedly shot and killed Alphonso Dickerson on Sept. 24, 2021.

I will say, once again, that the gun violence that plagues this community has got to stop, Karpf said. Weve got people solving problems with guns in a way that ruins lives constantly, and it seems to continue unabated.

The only issue with this case is Im not sure what problem was trying to be solved with a gun, said Karpf. A lot of times you can discern what was going on, that doesnt excuse something, but explains it, helps you understand it, helps you wrap your mind around it. From the beginning, I have never been able to figure out what is going on here. But it is apparent to me that this was premeditated and intended from the get-go.

On June 5, Peeples defense attorney, Public Defender Bob Attridge, filed a motion for a new trial.

Defense attorney files motion to suppress former police detective's search warrant

On June 3, a defense attorney for Diamond Hamilton filed an amended motion to suppress a search warrant that was partly executed by former Savannah Police Department (SPD) detective Darryl Repress.

As previously reported by SMN, an SPD internal affairs investigation found that Repress had a relationship with a convicted felon, whom he also was using as a confidential informant.

On July 26, 2023, a Chatham County grand jury indicted Hamilton for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon during a crime, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, two counts of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. The grand jury also indicted a co-defendant, Adrienne Jackson, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon during a crime, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, and failure to stop at a stop sign.

The indictment alleges that on April 28, 2023, Hamilton unlawfully possessed a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and oxycodone and cocaine. Jackson unlawfully possessed a Glock 43 and THC wax, the indictment alleges.

Repress, working in an undercover capacity, radioed SPD officer John Wadkins, working in marked unit, that he had observed Dodge Charger run stop light at E. Victory Drive and Ott Street, Burns wrote in the motion. However, said intersection does not contain traffic light, but merely stop sign.

According to the motion, Wadkins eventually stopped the vehicle at the intersection of Victory Drive and Ogeechee Road, some 2.1 miles and 10 traffic signals from where Repress claimed to have observed traffic violation. After smelling the odor of burnt marijuana, Wadkins ordered the driver and passenger to exit the vehicle, and found a firearm, suspected cocaine and Oxycodone, Burns alleged in the motion.

Also on June 3, Burns filed a motion for disclosure of exculpatory and impeaching information pursuant to Giglio v. United States, a 1972 case in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the prosecution must reveal any evidence that could affect the witness' credibility during a trial.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Oct. 23 of this year.

Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@Gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: chatham county georgia court updates for week of June 10 2024
ILLIOPOLIS, Ill. (WCIA)  Firefighters from seven fire departments and protection districts in Central Illinois spent several hours on Sunday battling a massive barn fire that broke out in Sangamon County.

The fire happened around Route 36 and Mt. Pulaski Road  between Illiopolis and Buffalo  around 4:46 p.m. Firefighters from Illiopolis arrived to find a 400-foot-long barn that was fully engulfed in flames, which spread rapidly by strong winds. By the time the fire was out six hours and 200,000 gallons of water later  the barn was a total loss.

UPDATE: Three people dead in Coles Co. crash on Route 130

No one was hurt.

In addition to firefighters from Illiopolis, crews from Niantic, Buffalo, Mechanicsburg, Riverton, Mt. Auburn and Mt. Pulaski responded as mutual aid. The Sangamon County Sheriffs Office, Sangamon County Dispatch, Medics First Ambulance and Ameren also assisted.

Photo courtesy: the Niantic Fire Protection Districts Facebook page

Photo courtesy: the Riverton Fire and EMS Facebook page

Photo courtesy: the Niantic Fire Protection Districts Facebook page

Photo courtesy: the Niantic Fire Protection Districts Facebook page

Photo courtesy: the Illiopolis Fire Protection Districts Facebook page

Photo courtesy: the Niantic Fire Protection Districts Facebook page

Photo courtesy: the Buffalo Illinois Fire Protection Districts Facebook page

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
ROME, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's far-right party has strengthened its hand with a strong showing in the European Parliament elections ending Sunday night. However, Italy's main opposition party also gained ground.

Meloni's Brothers of Italy gained 28.8 percent of votes, earning 24 of Italy's 76 seats in the legislative body. This represents a dramatic increase from the 6.4 percent share of votes won by the party in the last European Parliament vote in 2019 and an increase from the 26 percent it earned in the 2022 national election.

However, like the Brothers of Italy, the country's center-left Democratic Party, the main opposition party, also won a larger share of the vote, with 24.1 percent and 20 seats. This represents a stronger showing than the 22.7 percent of votes the party won in 2019.

"The main takeaway is that the big parties grew their share, separating themselves from the other parties," Vincenzo Emanuele, a political scientist and vice-director of the Italian Center for Electoral Studies at Rome's LUISS University, told Xinhua on Monday.

Although the vote results are for Italy's representatives in the European Parliament and do not directly impact the Italian Parliament or the makeup of Meloni's government, they are considered a gauge of support rates for the country's political factions.

Meloni said after the vote that the results strengthen Italy's influence within the European Union (EU) and internationally.

"We have the strongest government in the G7," Meloni said, referring to the Group of Seven (G7) nations. Italy is at the helm of the G7 this year. Meanwhile, the other European countries in the organization, France and Germany, saw their ruling coalitions lose support in the European Parliament vote.

In Italy, the losers in this vote were the country's second-tier parties.

Anti-migrant party The League won 9.0 percent of the vote, a large drop from 34.3 percent in 2019. Five years ago, the party was the biggest winner; this time, it dropped to the fifth. The anti-establishment Five-Star Movement, headed by former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, earned 10.0 percent of the vote, a decline from 17.1 percent in the last European Parliament elections.

According to Emanuele, the low voter turnout featured this year's elections in Italy: just 49.7 percent of those eligible to vote actually did. It is the first time that fewer than half of eligible voters have turned out in a European Parliament election. In 2019, the turnout was 54.5 percent.

The results were front-page news across Italian media, with Le Repubblica calling the vote both "historic" and "predictable." Italian state broadcaster RAI put the results in an EU context, saying "Europe is moving to the right."

With 76 of 720 seats, Italy will have the third-largest contingent in the European Parliament, behind Germany and France, both of which saw their tilt toward right-wing nationalist parties in the latest vote. 
MADERA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  The City of Madera has reported its second sewer line failure in a week, with a new warning issued to residents on Monday to limit their usage.

Posting on social media, city officials say an additional sewer line failure on Monday means city residents should limit sewer discharge immediately. The location of the break was Avenue 13 and Granada Drive  the same location as the previous sewer line break a week ago. Road closures are in place in the immediate area.

What caused the sewer line break in Madera?

Following the second sewer line break, impacted residents are asked to limit laundry, dishwashing, and bathroom activities that flow into the City sewer system. However, the citys water supply remains safe for consumption.

This most recent sewer line break comes days after the previous sewer trunk failure was reported by the City of Madera on June 3. It was June 5 when the City of Madera announced that the sewer system was safe to use again. City officials later identified degrading concrete at the top of the pipe as the cause of the break, due to the natural degradation process of raw sewage causing a build-up of Hydrogen Sulfide gas.

The cause of this most recent sewer line failure in Madera was not immediately reported by city officials on Monday. A timeline for how long the repair should take was also not released.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
EAST BRUNSWICK  Admitting there was "a gross lack of oversight," Superintendent of Schools Victor Valeski announced a special counsel will investigate how the 2024 East Brunswick High School yearbook published a photo of Muslim students instead of members of the Jewish Student Union (JSU) with all the Jewish students names removed.

But the announcement did not calm many of those who came to Thursday's Board of Education meeting to criticize the district's administration over what has been called a "blatant act of antisemitism."

"Shame on you East Brunswick administration, whose obligation is to provide oversight to these young students who are expected to generate the contents of this yearbook, and completely failing to do so adequately," said Heba Megahed, a mother of two district students. "Shame on you for creating a clear divide in a time where there's heightened sensitivity globally."

Megahed was one of the audience of nearly 750 that crowded into the high school auditorium who spoke to the school board about the controversy which has roiled the suburban school district.

Abby Aranovich, a junior, recounted for the school board several antisemitic acts directed against her  being called names, having pennies thrown at her, taunted with slogans of antisemitic rhetoric, trauma in the high school hallway and then following her to her gym.

She said she was reluctant to report these acts because of past inaction by the administration and she feared backlash.

"It doesn't matter what I say or report, nothing will be done," Aranovich said. "I'm not standing here to demand attention or sympathy, but to convey a message that has been blurred, lost and overlooked. Our school is one of the most diverse institutions I've ever seen. And that's the beauty of it. Every one of every color, sexuality, gender, race, background is protected and respected. But from the latest action, this clearly doesn't apply to the Jewish student body."

Hasan Sayin, co-president of the school's Muslim Student Association, said the group's members have been bearing the blunt of blame for the controversy with some being called names and being threatened.

Sayin said the Muslim community "is completely in support of any kind of condemnation of antisemitism."

"But, when you act so quickly, to label something that is unknown as antisemitism, and you take hours to half-heartedly apologize to the Muslim community, not being specific whatsoever, you are separating the unified community of East Brunswick," he said. "It's supposed to be one community. But taking one side and not defending the other side, you are separating the community."

'Should have never happened'

Valeski said the independent investigation by the special counsel would begin immediately.

The superintendent said the investigation will "validate what we've already seen and to draw an independent, thorough, fair conclusion that we can deliver to the community."

The school board has hired Yaacov Brisman of Brisman Law of Passaic, at the suggestion of Board Attorney Matthew Giaccobbe, to conduct the investigation.

"From that initial investigation, we've determined at a minimum that there was a gross lack of oversight and the creation of that page for the yearbook," Valeski said. "And we acknowledge it is unacceptable. We also know the impact to students in East Brunswick and the entire East Brunswick community because of this oversight. I want to assure everyone that we have just taken the commentary, the passion, the anger; we have taken it seriously."

The incident "should have never happened," Valeski said.

Safeguards will be in place "to make sure it never happens again," he said.

"This investigation will be fruitless if we don't have controls in place to make sure this never happens again," Valeski said.

The 2024 East Brunswick High School yearbook removed the names of members of a Jewish student group and ran a photo of Muslim students instead.

Seniors have been asked to return their yearbooks to the main office so that the page will be replaced by a new page by a representative of Varsity Yearbooks, the publisher, who will be in the school district. The proof of the new page has been produced, the superintendent said.

Valeski assured students that their own copies will be protected, and the repaired books will be ready by "Senior Send Off" on Wednesday.

'Alienated and disillusioned'

Valeski's words did little to assuage many at the meeting.

Many expressed outrage over the yearbook incident and all  Jews, Muslims, Christians, studenst, parents, residents  demanded answers and action.

Many also placed blame for the current climate of division and vulnerability in the lap of the district administration and school board for their "poor response."

Some said Mayor Brad Cohen inflamed the situation by calling the incident an "act of blatant antisemitism" before any investigation had been conducted.

Others called for Valeski's resignation and others warned school board members they would be voted out of office.

On Friday, Cohen said they "missed a teaching opportunity."

"The events of this past week could have been an opportunity to show everyone around us that we stick together when one group is hurting, targeted or discriminated against,' Cohen said. "Unfortunately, that did not happen."

He added that the "years of deep-seeded pain felt by Muslim and Jewish students due to acts of antisemitism and Islamophobia that was reported and dismissed" must be "addressed immediately."

"In the meantime, we all need to take a step back and turn down the heat," Cohen said, referring to the escalations of tensions between communities and onslaught of "posts, letters, and texts" that "show levels of bias, racial slurs, and intimidation that are not any different from the yearbook fiasco itself."

Charlotte Friedman, president of the East Brunswick High School Jewish Student Union, said she felt "shock and hurt" when she discovered her group's photo in the yearbook had been replaced. She said she has lost sleep and has not been studying for finals.

"It feels as if our identity as Jewish students has been symbolically erased," Friedman said. "It is extremely upsetting to witness the club for which I have served two years as president to be unseen and unrecognizable. I will always be reminded of this distressing event every time I open my high school yearbook."

A new photo of JSU members was taken Thursday and more than 50 students showed up, Friedman said.

Justin Ockun, who graduated from the high school last year, said the incident and its response has been "a failure in leadership at multiple levels."

"Now, as we've heard today, while all evidence, logic and reason for this yearbook incident lean to it being an intentional act of hatred against the Jewish community, we are not the only group hurting right now," Ockun said. "And with that being said, how is it possible that the response to this incident has been botched so badly that every single member of the community, regardless of what groups they may align with, feels completely alienated and disillusioned. We as a community have been devastated by this incident. Yet no one in the district has stepped up to the plate and unified us. The appalling stories of discrimination we've heard today need to be denounced in no uncertain terms by this administration."

Sayin, the co-president of the school's Muslim Student Association, questioned where the empathy was for himself and fellow Muslim classmates when their photo was posted online.

"A majority of the kids in that picture are minors, and nobody, as it was getting spread around on social media to the national news, nobody cared for the safety of those minors," Sayin said. "And to think, to automatically assume that we, the MSA, would do this intentionally, as an act of antisemitism is disgusting. We've been exposed to Islamophobia and further harassment because of a lack of authority on your end."

School board members expressed pride in the students who spoke at the meeting, apologized for the polarization in the school and hoped for healing.

"It does break my heart because I've never seen this in East Brunswick," said Board President Laurie Lachs. "I am incredibly heartbroken for them (students). I'm not telling you that this was handled perfectly. I don't think there's anything that's ever handled perfectly, and we have to learn from our mistakes. And some people have asked for an apology, and I can only speak for myself. My apologies and I am incredibly sorry for what's going on for these children. And I'm devastated to hear some of the things that have gone on in the high school. These are kids' lives and no kid should ever be made to feel that way and I'm sorry."

I look forward to the day when a student can come forward and not have to say 'I am a Jewish student' or 'I am a Muslim student," said Board member Vicki Becker. "Just 'I'm a student.'"

Lachs added she did not know "why we're not giving you answers, but no matter what we say you're not going to believe us."

"And in my heart of hearts, I don't believe this is antisemitism," she said. "And the reason that the call for the outside investigator is because no matter what we say, we're accused of keeping secrets, of having transparency issues, but the reality is there's a very fine line between transparency and confidentiality."

After Thursday's meeting, the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey asked school officials to return to conversations with the organization and Jewish community families affected by antisemitism and its mishandling in district schools to "construct a path forward and correct the district's, schools', administrators', and teachers' unacceptable missteps of the past, including dismissing one student's report of antisemitism  not once, but twice  saying the student 'wasn't offended enough,'" according to Susan Antman, executive director of Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey.

"The failure to parse details to accurately reflect events as they unfolded, the muddying of issues, conflating of facts, lack of regard for timelines, blanket statements, misrepresentations, false equivalencies, and crafting narratives to conform with preconceived hypotheses or biases was on full display at the June 6 Board of Education meeting, on social media surrounding the yearbook incident, and in fact long before and far beyond the yearbook incident," Antman said.

The Federation also called upon the state Legislature to cease in its delays and cancellations of voting on two bills. S1292 helps people responsible for recognizing and responding to antisemitism understand what constitutes antisemitism through adoption of a standard definition of antisemitism, and S2937 ensures that if a public entity is using DEI-based standards, then the standards must include Jewish people. Current public DEI initiatives do not, the Federation said.

"While it is true that we will never legislate away hate or generations of baked-in bias, these bills provide guardrails to support school leaders who otherwise lack the education, themselves, or the moral compass, courage, or acumen to do the right thing at the right time," Antman said.

Email cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: East Brunswick NJ schools under fire for yearbook mistake
Last October, when Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker of the house, one Republican of the eight who voted against him stood out as the odd bedfellow of the group: a junior representative from South Carolina named Nancy Mace.

The seven other Republicans, all men, were far-right rabble-rousers, loudmouths for whom grousing about the establishment rather than working with it was always the right political move. They were used to attracting and capitalizing on press attention. Yet in the days that followed McCarthys ouster, Mace outshone them all, showing up for work in a shirt with a red A on the front, a nod to the titular symbol in The Scarlet Letter.

Her staff, still picking up the pieces from Maces bombshell vote against McCarthy the previous week, was completely baffled.

I thought it was just some fashion statement, one staffer recalled. I was like, OK, well, maybe this is an Abercrombie shirt or something. Only after seeing Mace on camera at a meeting of House Republicansswarmed by reportersdid the staffer put it together: The scarlet-letter outfit was another attempt by her to be a part of the story.

Or, as a second staffer remembered, it was an attempt to become the star of the story: She wanted every single person to thinkwhen they thought of the McCarthy ouster vote, not to think of the eight, but to think of Nancy Mace, the staffer said.

In her own explanation for the scarlet letter that day, Mace lamented that she had been demonized for my vote and for my voice and would do the right thing every single time, no matter the consequences.

Probably because she was not being ostracized for, say, having a child out of wedlock in 17th-century Massachusetts, many people didnt quite understand the connection Mace was making to the Nathaniel Hawthorne staple of high school English class. Mace, closely monitoring the reaction to her stunt, privately griped to her staff that those who didnt get it werent smartthey were probably Trump voters, she said.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

But most of the bafflement was about why Mace had voted against McCarthy in the first place. She hadnt, after all, put up any roadblocks to his dragged-out election as speaker nine months before. She wasnt allied with any of the Freedom Caucusadjacent politicians who wanted McCarthy out; shed called anti-McCarthy ringleader Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz a fraud during the first speaker fight in January. Neither her tactics nor her politics tended to the extreme.

Nevertheless, there she was, not merely giving leadership an earful but joining an unprecedented ouster of the man whod fundraised for her and worked with her office to help her pass legislation. As one former senior McCarthy aide dryly put it to me about her vote against McCarthy, She surprised us.

These days, Congress is full of show horses who are less interested in a gradual, heads-down rise in the ranks than in rocketing to viral celebrity, however many enemies they may make along the way. But only three and a half years in, Mace has established herself as one of the thirstiest members of Congress in her unceasing quest for attention. She has kept everyone from lay congressional watchers to reporters to her staff to the speaker of the House and Donald Trump on their toes about her next move. What she may do on any given day feels downright random, even to the people closest to her.

But it isnt quite random. In interviews with eight former Mace staffersof which there are several dozen, because Maces Washington office has an exceptionally high turnover ratethe politicians obsession with getting press was described as her sole motivational force. (The former staffers were granted anonymity for fear of reprisal. Maces office ignored repeated interview requests for this story and did not respond to a detailed list of questions.) The former staffers described how every move, however incongruous it may seem, is part of a larger effort for Mace to build her brand as a caucus of one, as Mace herself puts it.

Sometimes it works. Attention can be translated into power. But it has also alienated Mace from colleagues and GOP leaders. It lost her an entire D.C. staff over the course of a few months, culminating in a surreal episode involving the Capitol Police in December. Her McCarthy vote, followed up by the scarlet-letter stunt, was so egregious that it earned Mace a primary challenger in a race that will be decided this week. Even if she advances, as shes favored to, rebuilding her reputation in the House will not be easy.

A former senior staffer said Mace used to trash members like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Gaetz for being in the Capitol just to make noise.

Now, the staffer said, she has turned herself into what she hates.

Only a few days into her first term in Congress, Mace wanted to get punched in the face. It was Jan. 6, 2021, and Mace was desperate for headlines about herself amid the news of the Capitol riot. As has been previously reported, during the attack she pitched her staff on a plan to put herself in harms way in order to get hit by a protester, a move that would result in massive media attention, maybe even enough to elevate her as a top anti-Trump Republican.

Several months before, in November 2020, Mace had narrowly defeated Democratic Rep. Joe Cunningham in a swing district covering much of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Before that, she had been a state legislator and had worked in commercial real estate and public relations. She was most well known, however, for being the first woman cadet to graduate from the Citadel military college in Charleston, an experience she chronicled in a 2001 memoir.

Though she never went through with the getting-punched plan, Mace earned a significant amount of coverage for her outspokenness against Trump following Jan. 6. The day after the Capitol riot, Macewho had worked for Trumps 2016 South Carolina campaignsaid in a television interview, Everything that hes worked for,  his entire legacy, was wiped out yesterday. And weve got to start over. She did not vote for Trumps impeachment, despite sharing, in a floor speech, her belief that we need to hold the president accountable. I hold him accountable for the events that transpired for the attack on our Capitol last Wednesday.

It didnt take too long for the pendulum to swing in the opposite direction. Within a month, she was picking a fight with a proper Capitol Hill star on the left, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, over what had happened on Jan. 6. That landed Mace an appearance on Fox News.

The idea was always to get her front and center in the national spotlight, and the media element drove the legislative element, one senior staffer said of Maces tack. Her staff would try to hold 30-minute legislative meetings once a week with the congresswoman, but she would get bored, and within, like, 10 minutes we would just kind of fall back into media strategy. And that was from Day 1. It was just like, How do I get into the national story? How do I get into the national spotlight? 

Her attention-grabbing antics could be random. Sometimes, Mace would go after far-right members within her own party and nab a spot on CNN. Other times, she would simply make a bewildering comment, such as last year, when she suggested at South Carolinas annual Prayer Breakfast that she had that morning declined sex with her then fiance to make it to her speech on time.*

When Mace was receiving the media attention she wanted, her office could be a thrill, a place where staffers were having the sorts of experiences that arent common for those who work for backbench freshman or sophomore members.

When she was at the top of her game, we could go on any TV program, one former staff member recalled. Theyd travel out to Los Angeles to be on Bill Mahers HBO show, or theyd help her put together the comedy roast that brought the house down at the congressional correspondents dinner in 2023. After she does that, shes like, Wow, guys, that was awesome, what a big hit. You dont need to come in early tomorrowtomorrow, enjoy the day, have some drinks, celebrate. 

The feel-good moments could evaporate in an instant, though. The other side of Mace was paranoid, punishing, and chaotic at best.

Staffers recalled onslaughts of text messages from her at 4 or 5 in the morning about what they were doing to get her on the news that day. They could be berated for using the wrong Instagram filterif it was in the wrong hex code of blue, I was going to hear about it, one staffer saidand Mace had a rule that staff had to respond to her, no matter what, within eight minutes.

After a communications staffer ran afoul of the eight-minute rule on Christmas Eve 2022, Mace tried to get her then chief of staff, Dan Hanlon, to fire him. When Hanlon wouldnt do it, Mace tried to get her then deputy chief of staff, Richard Chalkey, to do it; Chalkey also refused. Mace had also attempted, and failed, to get them to fire the same comms staffer the previous month, after hed told a reporter that Mace was unavailable because she was traveling. This was true: She was unavailable because she was travelingin Spain, with dozens of other members, on a sponsored tripbut she claimed that the admission had put her and her family in danger.

On the legislative side, staff members were expected to introduce bills at an exceedingly high volume, as has been detailed in a Daily Beast story about a strategy memo Mace wrote for her office. (Among other things, she was to be marketed as THE freshman thought leader on federal issues.) Her priority was to get her bills taken up as stand-alone measures rather than as parts of larger packages, even if that made the bills less likely to become law. She wanted her name on themguidance that was taken quite literally with a 2023 piece of legislation that did pass the House, the MACE Act, which eliminated unnecessary degree barriers for certain cybersecurity jobs. The genesis of that bills name was that legislative staff came up with it as a joke about Maces ego. But the joke went over her head, and it stuck.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Stories about the tumult of her office environment have come up more and more in recent months, and Mace has fired back at former staffers with claims of her own. In an extremely unusual move, Mace sat down with the Daily Mail at her Capitol Hill townhome for an interview published in mid-May, during which she accused her ex-staff of having tried to sabotage her. Among her claims were that they signed her name to documents without permission, submerged their electronic devices in water to deny her access to them, tracked her private appointments, and left hundreds of thousands of dollars in unspent budget allotments on the table. (In the waning days of her primary, the return of unspent office funds is being used as a positive talking point about fiscal responsibility, as Mace combats a Washington Post investigation into the reimbursement requests she and other members have made.)

The Daily Mail interview shocked the ex-staffers I spoke to. The submerged electronic device, they argued, could only be a reference to an instance in which a staffer spilled water on a keyboard, then reported it to IT. They had had a stamp with her signature, as all congressional offices do, for signing certain documents that were part of routine tasks below the members pay grade. They also claimed that Mace procrastinated on approving a big expenditure for mailers and didnt get it done in time, before the new year. She used Google calendars to track her personal and professional appointments and would approve, unapprove, and forget to reapprove staffers access, which they needed to do their jobs.

Those I spoke to had varying interpretations of what exactly might have compelled Mace to lash out at her former employees. I think that article makes her look pretty nuts, a staffer told me. But one distinct possibility they all suggested was that she probably felt as if she hadnt been getting enough press attention lately.

Mace can be mercurial in her opinions on people or tactics, but her politics are broadly consistent. Shes mostly in line with the rest of the House GOP on fiscal matters, but to the left on certain social issues, like abortion and womens health issues, legalizing marijuana, and the Second Amendment. She has often taken her party to task, for example, for its rigidity on early-term abortion bans and argued this year that it will lose big if it cant find a middle ground. (Its worth observing, too, that cable news bookers roll out the red carpet for Republicans who criticize their own party on social issues.)

Throughout last year, Mace tried to use the leverage that the House GOPs narrow margins provided to extract promises on her pet issues, including a bill to improve active shooter alerts, another relating to womens access to reproductive health care, and the aforementioned MACE Act. In particular, Mace took the opportunity of an April debt limit billfor which McCarthy needed nearly all of his conference to support in order to have leverage in negotiations with the Biden administrationto hem and haw about how she might not be able to get behind it. This got her a meeting with McCarthy in April 2023. When the meeting ended, Mace announced her support for the debt-limit bill. Soon after, a source familiar with Maces conversation with McCarthy told reporters that she was guaranteed floor votes on womens health legislation and the active-shooter-alert bill.

McCarthys team was displeased with the immediate leak and reached out to Maces office to ask what the staffers had been thinking by putting this out thereand whether they understood that this wouldnt help them achieve their goals. Maces staffers assured McCarthys team that they agreed. The Mace leak hadnt come from Mace staff.

The other reason McCarthys team was upset was that its exceptionally unlikely that McCarthy actually had made those commitments to her.

To avoid the same hostilities with the far right that had doomed previous GOP speakers, McCarthy brought its members into the fold, endowing some hard-liners with important committee positions and ruling over them with less of an iron fist. So, McCarthy could not just order Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, say, to move Maces billslegislation that Jordan wasnt interested inthrough committee, much less guarantee her floor votes.

Nobody in the room, including Ms. Mace, believed that a promise had been made that a bill would be marked up in committee or brought across the floor of the House, one former senior staffer to McCarthy told me. But as he did with all members, he said, Absolutely Ill work with you.  Although McCarthy couldnt order Jordan to take up these bills, in other words, he couldand didsee whether Jordan and his staff could work with them to get legislation to a passable place. That process took a while because, as the former McCarthy staffer said of Maces rape-kits bill, the product was shit, and it had to be redrafted multiple times. The final product passed the Judiciary Committee unanimously on Sept. 28, 2023. The active-shooter-alert legislation Mace championed ran into similar troubles with drafting and was an even taller order to get through committee.

Despite the efforts made on her behalf, Mace still insisted that McCarthy wasnt holding up his end of the bargain. She would complain about him, in increasingly angry ways. This worried her staffers; no one in Maces D.C. office thought that her voting to oust the speaker would be a great idea. The main voice in her ear making the case for ousting McCarthy was Doug Stafford, a longtime former staffer and strategist for Sen. Rand Paul whom Mace had taken on as a consultant for her campaign. He would, according to staffers who interacted with him, appeal to Maces instincts for dramatic moves.

Theres no planet on which I tell the media what I tell my clients, Stafford told me over email, when I asked about his role in advising Mace to boot McCarthy. I think nearly everyone would agree though that my clients believe in what theyre doing and do what they believe is right.

Staff still didnt know which way Mace would fall when she left the office to vote on Oct. 3. When she cast her vote against McCarthy, the staff text chain lit up with variations of, essentially, Fuck. Many staffers had already been looking for an exit, but they picked up their efforts to find new jobs. It was a hard enough work environment already, and now the boss had made herself a political pariah.

It was McCarthy, however, who put the employment of one Mace staffer in immediate peril. During a press conference just after he lost his job, McCarthynot in the best of moods, and understandably sogave his account of what had happened with Mace. He said hed seen Mace on The View the previous day saying that she had been made promises by the speaker that have not been kept. (Some staffers believe that by popping off on the talk show, Mace had boxed herself into voting to remove McCarthy, and that she had wanted to avoid looking as if she had backed down.) McCarthy explained that hed called Dan Hanlon, the chief of staff, after watching Mace claim on The View that he hadnt kept his word.

You know what her chief of staff said? You have kept your word, 100 percent,  McCarthy said. Now, if somehow he gets fired, Ill still get him a job.

This was the beginning of the end of Hanlons tenure with Mace.

McCarthy fucked Dan, as one Mace staffer put it.

The MACE Act, meanwhile, had passed the House nearly unanimously at 7:01 p.m. on Oct. 2. That means that a Nancy Mace bill that was backronymed to her name was the final bill to pass the House of Representatives under Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

In November, Mace hired a new chief of staff, Lorie Khatod, a former Defense Department employee who had earned a doctorate in organizational leadership but had little Hill experience. Mace and Hanlons relationship had never fully repaired following the McCarthy vote, especially after the former speakers comment in the press conference, and Hanlon was demoted to senior adviser. The new arrangement didnt last long: On Sunday, Dec. 3, Khatod called Hanlon to let him know that he had been terminated and that he would be expected to come in at 4 p.m. the next day to return his belongings.

At about 3 the next afternoon, Monday, Dec. 4, Khatod told the deputy chief of staff to send staffers home early for the day. Those in the office interpreted this as an offer that they could go home early, not that they needed to, so some stayed around.

At about 3:45, a slew of Capitol Police entered the office and told staff that they had no reason to fear anything, that they were there to protect them. The officers, according to witnesses, said that theyd heard that an ex-employee had made threats to some of them and that that ex-employee was expected to come into the office at 4. When Khatod showed up, she was livid that staff members were still in the office and demanded they leave.

The staffers who had remained there could not believe what was happening. Nobody I spoke to, at least, could recall Hanlon ever making anything remotely resembling a threat toward them, nor did they think that that was in his nature.

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Elizabeth Frantz for the Washington Post via Getty Images

Khatod did not respond to multiple requests for comment about why the police were called or what threats were allegedly made. Hanlon, too, declined to comment on the episode.

The staff assumption was that either Mace, Khatod, or both had wanted to intimidate and humiliate Hanlon on his way out the door. It wasnt just the police presence in the office either. Capitol Police had issued a BOLOor Be on the Lookoutinstruction for Hanlon on Capitol grounds, according to a senior House staffer with direct knowledge at the time. (A Capitol Police spokesperson told Slate, The requested information is not publicly available.)

Hanlon, having been tipped off to the police presence, returned his belongings later that day to Randal Meyer, Maces counsel, at Meyers home. Meyer and Chalkey, the deputy chief of staff, resigned shortly thereafter.

Ultimately, Mace achieved total staff turnover in her D.C. office between November 2023 and the following February. Everyone resigned or left for a new job, except in the case of Hanlons firing. Among those Mace had hired as replacements were two staffers from expelled Rep. George Santos office, one of whom has already left.

In the months after, Hanlon briefly considered a primary challenge to Mace. There was substantial interest among McCarthy loyalists in finding someone to go head-to-head with Mace as payback. But Hanlon ultimately opted against it. Instead, the anti-Mace contingent coalesced around the campaign of Catherine Templeton, a former businesswoman and member of former Gov. Nikki Haleys Cabinet. On policy, Templeton has been hitting Mace over the border and her vote on the bill to force a sale of TikTok, and for leaving the House without a speaker in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. But Maces erratic and attention-seeking behavior has been the central talking point in Templetons campaign.

Its our responsibility to send an adult who can get results to Washington, Templeton said when she announced her run. We have serious problems, and we need serious people to solve them. We need a trusted leader who values service over celebrity. She accused Mace of flip-flopping for fame.

Mace, meanwhile, has described Templeton as a puppet of McCarthy in a bitter revenge operation. Templeton would dispute the idea that shes a puppet, but its no secret that McCarthy wants Mace gone. One of McCarthys closest political allies, Brian O. Walsh, is a senior adviser to a dark-money group, the American Prosperity Alliance, that has run attack ads against Mace in her district. Separately, a political action committee, South Carolina Patriots, has spent several million dollars against Mace. Its donors are still largely unknown, except for $15,000 in seed money from  the American Prosperity Alliance.

Polling of the district is scant, but an Emerson College poll from May 1921 found Mace leading comfortably with 47 percent of the vote to Templetons 22 percent. A third candidate, Bill Young, earned 7 percent.

Templeton has garnered a decent share of endorsements for a challenger to an incumbent, including that of Maces previous challenger, Katie Arrington, and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who is making good on his word to do anything he can to stop Mace after her vote to overthrow McCarthy. (When I called Gingrich to ask if he had a few minutes to talk about his Templeton endorsement, he said, No, but I was glad to endorse her, and I think shed make a good congresswoman, then hung up.)

Mace, however, has the only endorsement that matters: Trumps.

This was quite a turnabout on both of their parts. Trump had endorsed Arringtons challenge to Mace in 2022, given the comments Mace had made about Trump in the aftermath of Jan. 6. But Mace began to speak more approvingly of Trump as 2023 went on, as it became clear which way the winds were blowing in the Republican primary. She officially endorsed Trumps presidential campaign just before the New Hampshire primaryin a dagger for the campaign of fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley, who had endorsed Mace in 2022solidly proving her loyalty. Trump returned the favor with an endorsement in March.

Not a single person I spoke to thought that Maces move to Trump was genuine. At least in the years that they worked for Mace, she had nothing but disdain for the former president. They recalled the day of Trumps indictment in the New York case, last April, when staff had to band together to prevent Mace from tweeting, This is what happens when you pay hush money to a porn star. The staff succeeded. Not long after, Mace came around to believing that the New York case was a lousy oneespecially after recognizing that Republicans who were defending Trump were getting more TV time.

If Mace makes it to another term and hopes to keep rising in the ranks, shell have a lot of work to do to repair the damage she has done to her reputation institutionally. It will be hard for any speaker to trust her again after seeing what she did to the previous one. Should Majority Leader Steve Scalise ever make it to the position, that also wont be good for Mace, given that she refused to support his speakership candidacy because he attended a white supremacist conference and compared himself to David Duke, as she told CNN last fall. Dont think the Scalise camp has forgotten that.

Leadership doesnt trust her, rank-and-file members think shes a joke, shell never be able to be a chair of a committee because shes not going to be able to fundraise in D.C. to the point that you need to get a chairmanship, one former senior staffer said. Shes done.

Then again, how many committee chairs get invited to appear on Bill Maher?
She's Hunter Biden's rock. She may also be his secret weapon with the jury

Hunter Biden arrives at federal court in Wilmington, Del., with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden. (Matt Slocum / Associated Press)

To prove to jurors that Hunter Biden was an addict who lied about his drug use to buy a gun, federal prosecutors have turned to the women closest to him.

His ex-wife recalled finding a crack pipe on the porch a day after their anniversary. A former stripper turned girlfriend told the jury about their monthlong stay in a Chateau Marmont bungalow, where dealers squired cocaine through a private entrance.

Then there was Hallie Biden, who had been married to his brother Beau. In a stormy entanglement brought on by grief over Beau's death, she briefly became Hunter's lover.

"I called you 500 times in the past 24 hours," she texted Hunter two days after he bought the gun. Hunter replied that he was "smoking crack" in downtown Wilmington, Del.

Another woman in the life of President Biden's son has listened intently through it all, holding his hand as they arrived at and left the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington each day last week: Melissa Cohen Biden, his wife of five years.

Always perched in the same seat  second spot in the front row, next to a Secret Service agent, a few feet from her husband  Melissa has had a clear view of the jury, her wide, blue eyes taking in the rehashing of her husbands darkest chapter.

Surrounded by relatives, including First Lady Jill Biden, Melissa was the only family member whom defense attorney Abbe Lowell called out by name in his opening statement. Gesturing toward her, Lowell said Melissa helped Hunter face "the true depth of his trauma."

In the theater of the courtroom  especially a trial where the prosecution's star witnesses have been three of Hunter Bidens former lovers  Melissa's role is singular and potent with the only audience that matters now: the jury.

Hunter Biden and Melissa Cohen Biden depart court on Friday, June 7. (Matt Slocum / Associated Press)

Her blonde hair often pulled back in a bun, Melissa hasn't hesitated to show emotion.

When the lead prosecutor concluded his opening statement by urging the jury to find Hunter guilty, she shook her head and mouthed, "No." She shook her head again when the prosecutor unsheathed a Macbook Pro 13 and held it up to the jury  Hunter's infamous laptop, seized by the FBI from a Delaware repair shop. She shed a few tears during the airing of her husband's memoir.

One headline-grabbing outburst occurred outside the presence of the jurors, in the cramped, fluorescent-lit court hallway where reporters mingle with Secret Service agents and Biden relatives.

There, Melissa confronted Garrett Ziegler, a former aide to Donald Trump whose nonprofit published a cache of Hunter's emails, texts and redacted nude images, along with his sister Ashley Biden's stolen diary. Hunter has sued Ziegler in L.A., saying his "unhinged and obsessed campaign" against the Biden family broke state and federal cyber-fraud laws. Ziegler has denied this.

"You have no right to be here, you Nazi piece of s," Cohen told Ziegler.

Ziegler later said he was minding his own business during the trial.

Hunter Biden, left, arrives to federal court with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden. (Matt Slocum / Associated Press)

She knew about everything already, but to hear it in court, this is difficult as hell, said Bobby Sager, a friend of Melissa who sat in trial each day, at times clutching her hand, and dined each night with her and Hunter.

The Biden clan has shown up in force to a trial on charges that are almost never filed as a standalone case  proof to many that he's being made an example because his father is president.

The first lady crisscrossed the Atlantic, leaving the president behind in France to be there for nearly every day of testimony, always sitting next to Melissa. The presidents sister, Val Owens, along with her husband and children, have rotated through the courtroom with a coterie of friends. Melissa has embraced each, even blowing a kiss to the first lady's senior advisor, Anthony Bernal, during one break last week.

Lawyers and jury experts who are not involved in the case said Melissa's supportive presence could be a powerful factor for jurors.

The jury has to believe that hes transformed, even "redeemed," said Julie Blackman, a trial strategy consultant and social psychologist who previously advised Lowell in Sen. Robert Menendez's first criminal trial, which ended with the jury deadlocked.

He has the proof  his wife sitting there, standing by him and standing by him despite all the things the jury is hearing that he did," she said, noting that Melania Trump's absence was conspicuous during her husband's trial.

Read more: Addiction is messy, as the Hunter Biden trial proves

The Bidens' meeting in the spring of 2019 was hardly auspicious.

Hunter had just been kicked out of Petit Ermitage, an ivy-covered luxury hotel in West Hollywood, but continued lounging by the pool and smoking crack every 20 minutes, he recalled in his memoir, "Beautiful Things."

People he met there introduced him to their friend Melissa by scribbling her phone number on his hand. The pair met the next night at the restaurant at the Sunset Marquis hotel.

You have the exact same eyes as my brother, Hunter told Melissa. I know this probably isnt a good way to start a first date, but Im in love with you.

That night, Hunter divulged his crack addiction. She didn't balk.

"Well, not any more. You're finished with that," she told him.

In a matter of days, Melissa transformed his life, Hunter wrote. She confiscated his phone, computer and car keys, deleted every contact whose name wasn't Biden and reset the password on his laptop. Likening her to a jailer, he said she disposed of the drugs and enforced strict compliance.

"I couldnt go to the bathroom without her following me inside," Hunter wrote.

She fended off the dealers who wanted their "cash cow" back, changed his phone number and found a mid-century modern rental high in the Hollywood Hills where they could start their new life.

On May 17, 2019, they were married in a rooftop ceremony by the owner of Instant Marriage L.A. They had known each other less than two weeks.

Honey, Hunter said his father told him, I knew that when you found love again, Id get you back.

Read more: Who would lend millions to Hunter Biden? Meet the Hollywood lawyer who has

By then, Melissa was 32 and had lived in L.A. for more than a decade, friends recalled. Born in South Africa, she had been placed in a "children's home" as a toddler before Zoe and Lee Cohen, a Jewish couple in Johannesburg with three sons, adopted her.

She came to L.A. on a gap year and planned to go to India, Hunter wrote, but instead married Jason Landver, who was from a Westside family in the jewelry business. He filed for divorce in 2014 after three years.

In his book, Hunter described Melissa as an activist and "aspiring" documentary filmmaker who spoke five languages. Before meeting him, she had tried unsuccessfully to raise $30,000 for a documentary, "Tribal Worlds," which an online crowdfunding profile described as a "series on the past present & future of humanity told through the lens of African tribal communities."

"She's such a sweet girl, so smart, so present," said Melissa Curtin, a travel writer and former teacher who has known Cohen for about 18 years. When they met in the aughts, Cohen was single and part of a group of friends who hit the Hollywood clubs and headed to Malibu for the Fourth of July. Curtin said Cohen radiates energy that is "magnetic" and cares about animals and conservation.

"In real life, she is sweet, dynamic, fun and funny  I miss hanging out with her," Curtin added.

President Joe Biden with his grandson, Beau Biden, and First Lady Jill Biden in 2022. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

Seven weeks shy of her first anniversary with Hunter, shortly after stay-at-home orders were imposed in March 2020, Melissa gave birth to their son at Cedars-Sinai. He's the namesake of both Hunter's late brother and the president: Joseph Robinette Biden IV, or Beau.

Curtin said she last saw Melissa at the Malibu Farmers Market during the pandemic, ensconced by Secret Service agents dressed in plainclothes "as Malibu guys."

"She has a happy life and a happy kid, and it seems great, minus all the other stuff," Curtin said.

Melissa said as much in 2019, telling ABC News, Things have not been easy externally, but internally, things have been amazing."

Since their marriage, the couple has been in the eye of a storm: Millions in unpaid alimony to Hunter's first wife, Kathleen Buhle. Confirmation that prior to their marriage, he had fathered a daughter with a former stripper who worked as his assistant. An impeachment inquiry centered on his overseas business dealings. Daily attacks by Trump and his allies. And then, the revelation of reams of Hunter's personal data, purportedly from the laptop he dropped off at the Delaware repair shop  eliminating whatever privacy he had left.

Throughout, paparazzi have trailed them strolling in the Grove at Christmastime, getting lunch at the Waldorf-Astoria, hiking, shopping at Whole Foods in Malibu, eating pizza.

Hunter Biden, left, with defense attorney Abbe Lowell. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

Nothing has compared to the trial, where press from around the world snap Melissa's every move from the doors of the courthouse to the black SUVs that chauffeur the couple.

"It's difficult to be put through this and hear various people testifying," said Sager, the friend of the couple. He singled out prosecutors' questioning of Zoe Kestan, the former stripper who detailed a bicoastal love affair in which she helped Hunter buy cocaine in Rhode Island while he was undergoing drug treatment.

Leo Wise, one of the prosecutors, asked Kestan to state how old she was at the time of the relationship: 24.

"How old was he? asked Wise.

Twice my age, so 48," Kestan said. She had earlier noted that Hunter's daughters were close to her age.

Afterward, in describing the exchange, Sager made a point that many Biden allies have made about the effort to prosecute Hunter: "What's the point of that? It just seems cruel."

The jury will begin deliberating this week as to whether Hunter should be convicted of three felonies: for lying on a federal background check form to buy a gun in October 2018, lying to a firearms dealer and owning a gun for 11 days when he was an unlawful drug user. Prosecutors are unspooling Hunter's sordid past in an attempt to prove he was an illicit drug user, contrary to what he wrote on the form.

A second trial is scheduled for September in Los Angeles on alleged tax crimes, with prosecutors accusing Hunter of failing to timely pay taxes on more than $7 million in income and misclassifying lifestyle expenses as business costs. (He has since paid all his taxes and penalties.)

In all matters, Melissa's presence can only help Hunter, said jury expert Lee Meihls, who has consulted for the defense or prosecution on 500 trials, including the acquittals of Robert Blake and Michael Jackson and the recent convictions in L.A. County of Danny Masterson and Robert Durst.

Its a way of making an emotional connection between Hunter Biden and the jurors  because this is personal," Meihls said, adding that some jurors need that connection as they filter evidence and make a decision. "This is his wife. Hes having his dirty laundry being exposed, and shes still there  shes not running away from him.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A rideshare driver was shot in an attempted carjacking at the Memphis International Airport Monday, according to airport officials.

A little after midnight, the Memphis Airport Police responded to a shooting in the cell phone lot on Jim McGhee Parkway and Winchester.

According to a witness, the driver was approached by four males wearing masks. They were driving a gray or white sedan.

The driver was taken to Regional One.

Police are saying this is an isolated incident, but rideshare drivers in the area say more needs to be done to keep everyone safe.

This aint a safe neighborhood: Residents speak out after fatal shooting

They say all of a sudden, some guys pulled up pretending that they had a flat tire and they got out with guns, A man named LB said.

LB, a fellow rideshare driver, spoke with WREG as he waited in the cellphone lot for a pickup; the same lot where he said his friend was nearly carjacked around midnight.

They asked one guy how to drive the car, LB said. They didnt know how to drive it and this one friend said something to him and he shot him in the leg.

The lot is advertised on the airports website as a waiting area that is safe, convenient and seconds from the terminal.

LB said that he doesnt exactly agree with that description.

MPD investigating 18 overnight thefts from vehicles

They need to have better security close up, not so far away, LB said.

WREG drove around and didnt see any surveillance cameras in the lot. Instead, only the flashing lights of a security car several feet away.

They laugh at me because when dark come, I come over here because its well-lit, LB said. But this part is still dark.

Even in daylight, LB said hes not taking any chances.

In this city, I dont do Uber hardly, but in the airport, I will, LB said. But now, I have nowhere else to go.

The airport released the following statement about the attempted carjacking:

This appears to be an isolated incident and the investigation by MAPD and the Memphis Police Department is ongoing. The safety of our employees, passengers and vendors is our top priority.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  Two siblings have been sentenced to federal prison after reportedly defrauding COVID-19 relief programs.

35-year-old LaKyera MeLika Thurmond and 34-year-old Brandon Jamal Thurmond were sentenced after pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. Both were sentenced to 21 months in prison, three years supervised release and repayment of $140,228 restitution.

Court documents state that the two fraudulently filed documents for unemployment benefits for Brandon in multiple states while he was serving a prison sentence on state charges in Georgia. They also reportedly filed for unemployment benefits for other individuals through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, and the Paycheck Protection Program through the CARES Act.

Multiple people facing drug, firearms charges as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods

Programs that provided unemployment benefits and disaster relief served as a lifeline to small businesses during the pandemic, said U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg. The Thurmonds greed-fueled scheme targeted both programs, and theyre now being held accountable for their crimes.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Sidney B. Felsen, beloved co-founder of the seminal Los Angeles printmaking workshop Gemini G.E.L., died of renal failure on Sunday at his home in L.A. He was 99.

"Richard Serra once said, 'Sidney prefers to hurry slowly,' and we think that captured him perfectly," Felsen's wife, Joni Weyl, and daughter, Suzanne Felsen, wrote in a statement to The Times.

Felsen and the late Stanley Grinstein, USC fraternity brothers, helped spark a nationwide printmaking revival in the mid-'60s when they started Gemini G.E.L. as a humble place for local artists to socialize, exchange ideas and create.

The Melrose Avenue artists' workshop and lithography publisher, which opened its doors in 1966, took off fast, attracting the likes of Josef Albers, Robert Rauschenberg, Claes Oldenburg, Jasper Johns, David Hockney, Ellsworth Kelly, Richard Serra, Roy Lichtenstein and others, who produced pieces of modern printmaking history there over the years.

Read more: Why the Getty Research Institute acquired Gemini G.E.L. co-founder Sidney B. Felsen's photo archive

Serra, who made more than 320 prints at Gemini, called Felsen a muse in tribute remarks at the Hammer Gala honoring Felsen and Weyl in 2004. Serra died earlier this year.

Printmaking is a cult performed by practitioners who suffer from occasional anxiety, who demand guidance and support and patient collaboration, who need a witness to watch the process from the start, a witness who understands how the mark can be transformed and reproduced to evoke the printed image, Serra said. It is impossible to accomplish this transformation without a guide, an overseer, a producer. Sidney Felsen is all of that. ... I prefer to think of Sidney as a muse rather than a producer; the assimilation of his aura a stimulant to the process ... [and] taking photographs is Sidneys way of watching over us, not watching us.

Known for its openness to innovation, Gemini drew artists from both coasts, who often gathered there for art openings or for raucous, all-night parties at the Grinstein home. The sense of community facilitated relationships among artists and helped give form to an otherwise loose and geographically sprawling, nascent L.A. art scene in the 60s and 70s.

When Gemini turned 50 years old  and Felsen was 92  the Los Angeles County Museum of Art presented a survey exhibition, organized by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., of Gemini works from 1966 to 2014. "The Serial Impulse at Gemini G.E.L." illustrated Felsen and Grinsteins vision of boundary-pushing experimentation in the printmaking field as well as the unusual collaboration at Gemini between artists and printers.

But early on, Felsen said, he never imagined his little print workshop would amount to such importance.

"It was innocence," the soft-spoken Felsen told The Times in 2016. "We thought it was gonna be a hobby, that it would be fun to hang around the artists, maybe build up a collection."

Stanley Grinstein, left, and Sidney Felsen in 2006 inside Felsen's Gemini office featuring his photographs on the wall. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Born in Chicago on Sept. 3, 1924, to parents who owned and operated a grocery store, Felsens family moved to L.A. for the warm weather when he was a teenager. He had an older sister, the late Shirley Trott. Felsen attended Fairfax High School on Melrose, not far from where Gemini would eventually take root.

Felsen went into the army after high school, where he was stationed in Europe. When he returned to the U.S., he attended USC as an accounting major.

Before opening Gemini, Felsen  a notably dapper dresser who fancied a wide-brimmed straw Panama hat and wire-rimmed glasses in his later years  worked as an accountant by day. But he also took painting and ceramics classes for fun in the evenings at Chouinard Art Institute, which would later become CalArts.

He met his first wife, the longtime, former gallerist Rosamund Felsen, through friends at a party in the late 50s. The two had one daughter, Suzanne Felsen, in 1961. Rosamund also had three children from a previous marriage, whom Felsen helped to raise. The two divorced in the mid-70s.

Felsen met and fell in love with Weyl, who worked in the sales department at Gemini G.E.L., in the late-70s. They married in the mid-80s.

Felsen was also a skilled amateur photographer. He received a Kodak Retina for his bar mitzvah in 1937, and it set off a lifelong passion for the art of photography. Over more than a half-century of running Gemini, Felsen also photographed the artists who streamed through. He shot on a rangefinder camera, because of its silent, unobtrusive shutter, as he captured artists at work and at play.

In 2003, Felsen published a collection of those photographs in the coffee table book The Artist Observed. In 2018, Gemini presented The Artist Observed, an exhibition of more than 200 of Felsens images, culled from about 2,000 negatives.

For probably the first 10 years, it was really just working with artists that you knew were good artists and it was an honor to work with them, Felsen told The Times when the exhibition opened. But then later on you start realizing, Wow this is art history thats all around us. It warms your heart.

Felsen came into the Gemini office nearly every day, and actively ran the business, up until a month before his death.

Read more: Richard Serra, American artist and sculptor known as the 'poet of iron,' dies at 85

Felsens passion for printmaking lives on at Gemini, which today is run by the second generation in both founding families, Ellen and Ayn Grinstein, Weyl and Suzanne Felsen.

One of the most incredible things I have learned from Gemini is what can be possible through printmaking, said artist Julie Mehretu in remarks displayed in the exhibition First Came a Friendship: Sidney B. Felsen and the Artists at Gemini G.E.L., currently on view at the Getty Research Institute. Deeper than that was a way of life that Sidney taught me: how to love, how to enjoy life, how to work hard and how to live that whole life with a form of grace.

Felsen is survived by his wife, Weyl; daughter, Suzanne Felsen; grandson, Hugo Budd; son-in-law, Kevin Swanson; ex-wife, Rosamund; and his stepchildren with Rosamund, Anthony and James Hinderer.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Small dogs from select breeds have been allowed in the apartment blocks while cats have been banned for 35 years - CARLINA TETERIS/MOMENT RF

For decades, cat lovers in Singapore have been quietly breaking the law by hosting their furry companions in public housing.

While authorities have largely turned a blind eye to it, pet owners will now no longer need to live in fear of being rumbled as a result of a change to the law.

Since 1989, pet cats have been banned from the public housing apartment blocks that some 80 per cent of Singaporeans call home. Authorities have rarely enforced the ban, but tenants face a SGD$4,000 (2,300) fine or eviction if caught.

In September, the outdated rules will be overturned as cats are added to an approved pet list that currently includes 62 breeds of small dogs, birds and fish.

Relief from blackmail

For one resident, Alyssa, the change is a relief.

In a way it wont change much, said Alyssa, who didnt want to give her real name because shes been flouting the rules with her ginger cat Bertie. But its a relief not to have the niggling thought that someone could complain or some archaic regulation could be enforced.

Residents have complained of neighbours using illegal pets as blackmail in disputes.

Katherine, who has a nine-year-old miniature poodle called Nero, said: I think the allowance of cat ownership in public housing is much overdue! [Im] completely supportive of this move. Dogs, with size limitations, have long been allowed in public housing, so it doesnt make sense why cats werent.

Eighty per cent of the county's population lives in a public housing high rise - ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP

The 35-year-old ban applies to high-rise flats controlled by the Housing and Development Board (HDB), which was established to solve the housing crisis in 1960. More than 80 per cent of the city-states 5.9 million people now live in these apartments.

The law is one of several that exemplify Singapores reputation for rules and order, but which now seem archaic. The sale and import of chewing gum, for example, remains banned.

Many have criticised the housing law for allowing dogs but not cats. When introduced, it was argued inquisitive felines were harder to contain.

The HDB originally stated: When allowed to roam indiscriminately, they tend to shed fur and defecate or urinate in public areas, and also make caterwauling sounds, which can inconvenience your neighbours.

Its not clear what has prompted the change in the law, but an official survey in 2022 showed overwhelming public support for it.

Nine out of 10 respondents agreed that cats were suitable pets to keep, including in HDB flats.

Under the new regulations, HBD residents can legally own two cats, provided they finish a free online pet ownership course, microchip their pets, and take reasonable steps to protect the cats from hazards. Anyone currently owning more than two cats will be given amnesty, as long as they apply for a licence during the transitional period.

Thenuga Vijakumar, the president of the Cat Welfare Society, told Channel News Asia: I think responsible pet cat owners deserve to own their cats without fear of scrutiny if they adhere to the conditions of responsible ownership and licensing.

This will put them on par with dog owners who have had the benefit of regulations.

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Situation is tense on Pokrovsk front as largest number of attacks occurs there  Ukraine's General Staff

The largest number of Russian attacks have occurred on the Pokrovsk front over the past day. Ukraines General Staff has described the situation as tense.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 22:30 on 9 June

Quote: "On the Pokrovsk front, the aggressor attacked the positions of Ukrainian soldiers 27 times near Prohres, Yevhenivka, Novooleksandrivka, Novopokrovsk, Novoselivka Persha, Yasnobrodivka and Karlivka. Eighteen attacks were repelled and nine are still ongoing. The situation is tense.

[Ukraines] defence forces are holding their positions, taking measures to prevent the enemy from advancing deeper into Ukrainian territory."

"Since the beginning of the past day, 73 combat clashes have occurred. The Russian invaders have launched three missile strikes using three missiles, 53 airstrikes using 69 guided bombs and 529 attacks by kamikaze drones. The Russians also fired 2,888 times on the positions of our troops and populated areas with various types of weapons."

Details: On the Kharkiv front, five combat clashes occurred, without success for the Russians. The Russians tried to attack Ukrainian units near the settlements of Vovchansk, Lyptsi and to the west of Hlyboke.

On the Kupiansk and Lyman fronts, the situation has not changed significantly. Russian assault actions were unsuccessful. The situation is under control. Two Russian attacks are ongoing near the settlements of Pishchane and Hrekivka.

On the Siversk front, the Russians unsuccessfully attacked Ukrainian positions near the village of Vyimka.

There were nine combat clashes on the Kramatorsk front. The Russians were most active near the town of Ivanivske, but all attempts to improve their position were unsuccessful.

On the Kurakhove front, the Russians attacked Ukrainian positions eight times near the settlements of Paraskoviivka and Krasnohorivka. Seven attacks were repelled. A clash is ongoing near Krasnohorivka. According to the General Staff, the situation is under the control of Ukraines defence forces.

On the Orikhiv and Prydniprovske fronts, the situation has not changed significantly. Throughout the day, the Russians unsuccessfully tried to push back Ukrainian defenders from occupied positions near the settlements of Mala Tokmachka and Krynky four times. Ukraines defence forces have not lost any positions or territories.

There were no significant changes in the situation on the remaining fronts.

In addition, Ukraine's Air Force and Rocket Forces and Artillery struck three areas where Russian personnel and military equipment were concentrated, one air defence system, two artillery systems, radar stations and an ammunition storage point belonging to the Russians.

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ANKARA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's Competition Board fined U.S. tech giant Google 482 million liras (around 14.88 million U.S. dollars) on Monday for failing to comply with an injunction related to hotel search queries.

The regulatory body said in a statement that Google had not implemented "precautionary measures suggested for hotel searches," blocking competing local search engines on its platform and undermining fair competition.

The fine comes after the Competition Board launched an investigation into Google in March and imposed a daily fine of 0.05 percent of its 2023 revenue starting from mid-April until it complied with the injunction.

The move follows a similar decision by the watchdog in March, when it issued an interim injunction against social media giant Meta, citing its potential abuse of dominance on its Threads and Instagram platforms. 
Iron County Circuit Clerk Sammye White balances on a stepladder as she searches for an old marijuana case in the office storage room in Ironton (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).

IRONTON  Sammye White balanced carefully on a stepladder as she pulled a hefty box marked 1993 off the top shelf.

White, the elected circuit clerk for Iron County in southeast Missouri, was searching for an old marijuana case.

The small storage room near her office is packed with faded ledgers indexing criminal cases by year, along with the cardboard boxes containing the case files.

When White learned in November 2022 that her team had one year to review every marijuana case in the county  going back to at least the 1970s  to determine it needed to be expunged under a new state cannabis law, she slightly panicked.

Aside from the work, her only two clerks were both about to retire.

I thought, How in the world are we going to accomplish this? White remembers.

Thankfully one of the clerks, Denise Anderson, agreed out of the goodness of her heart, White said, to continue on part-time to help get through the list of potential eligible cases.

Its a tedious process, she said, that took Anderson more than a year to review about 500 cases, leading to about 100 expungements.

Circuit clerks across the state are going through the same balancing act and hurricane of work as White.

Under the 2022 constitution amendment that legalized marijuana, courts were required to complete misdemeanors by last June and felonies by last December. Those deadlines came and went, and many counties are still months or more away from completing the task.

While clerks were given lists from the Office of State Administrator and Highway Patrol for digital records that might qualify, it was just a starting point.

The real tedious work is still ahead for many of them  going through the paper records. For these records, court clerks have to read summaries for every single criminal record. Theres no way to run a report to search certain criminal codes.

Paper files largely end in the early 2000s, and the first marijuana-related drug statutes are from 1971, according to information the state administrator provided to court clerks.

In Iron County, White is on the 1993 files.

As courts statewide rushed to meet the constitutional deadlines, establishing a systematic method to track their work fell by the wayside for many of them.

Now its hard to say how many cases have been reviewed  and impossible to say how many more are left to go, court officials said.

The Independent requested data for every county on how many cases they reviewed and how many were expunged. According to numbers compiled by the Missouri Supreme Court, about 123,000 marijuana cases have been expunged as of mid-May.

That number is the easiest to count because expungement orders are approved by a judge and processed the same way statewide.

The mystery is how many cases clerks have looked through. The Supreme Court estimates that about 273,000 cases have been reviewed, which would mean courts are expunging 45% of the cases they reviewed.

But this estimate does not include the paper records.

Aside from this, spokeswoman Beth Riggert for the Missouri Supreme Court said the clerks daily work continues with more than 1.38 million new case filings.

As the chief justice has said consistently, the front-line workers are the heroes of our courts, Riggert said. They deserve our ongoing gratitude for everything they do to serve their local communities.

Counting the paper records

Like White, Nodaway County Circuit Clerk Elaine Wilson had no idea how her team of three clerks was going to complete all the marijuana expungements in general  but particularly in a rush.

Wilson said she was fortunate that one of her clerks, Melissa Kohlleppel, volunteered to take on the project.

She just dived right in it, Wilson said. I didnt have to ask. She just took it all on herself and just did it.

For Wilson, each step of the process is important, she said, and shed only trust an experienced clerk to do it.

Kohlleppel said shes gone through the three different lists of potential digital files, and now shes looking through all the paper records. She hopes to be done by the end of the year.

Its been awful, she said. I just dont think they realized what was going into this whenever they passed it, referring to the tight deadline.

According to the state numbers, Nodaway County has expunged 100% of the 535 cases reviewed.

But thats not accurate, Kohlleppel said. She didnt realize theres a special code for the cases she reviewed but didnt expunge.

After the constitutional amendment was approved by voters in November 2022, a state court committee quickly came up with a code for reviewed but deemed ineligible for clerks to input in the system.

Problem is, some circuit courts didnt know the code existed  and still dont. The only way the Supreme Court can track how many cases have been reviewed is by running a report on this code.

The code was a small piece in a mountain of information clerks had to quickly digest in webinars and onlines resources that court officials rushed to get out in December 2022.

White kept a binder of all that information, and its at least 200 pages.

It was an incredible undertaking for court staff to implement in a short amount of time, Riggert said, all while ensuring the ordinary business of the courts continued.

And even with the code, that report wont include the number of paper records courts have reviewed. Clerks must create a digital shell case to mark that a paper case is expunged, but state officials are not requiring this for cases that are reviewed but not expunged.

Riggert said state officials appreciate how hard the courts are working on the expungements and did not want to give clerks additional unnecessary duties.

The number of cases expunged is likely to be only a fraction of the total cases reviewed, Riggert said. we have no centralized mechanism for tracking the thousands of non-electronic cases our local courts are reviewing.

The state clerk told lawmakers in January that she estimated about 10% of the cases the clerks review are eligible for expungement.

Yet according to the data, the average is about 45%.

In 26 out or 115 counties, nearly every record  80% or more  that clerks reviewed resulted in an expungement, according to the states numbers. Only five counties were 15% or less.

'Many unknowns'

In St. Louis city, archived cases are stored in the old Globe Democrat building on Tucker Boulevard several blocks north of the court.

For the ones at the Globe, our staffers have been retrieving them by van, bringing them back to the courthouse where clerks go through them by hand, said Joel Currier, spokesman for the 22nd Circuit Court.

The court has relied on state special assistance funding to hire part-time clerks, many of them former retired court clerks with experience, to work on these expungements, he said.

These funds come from the revenues of recreational marijuana sales.

To expunge a case, court clerks write an order for a judge. After approval, clerks email all law enforcement agencies to instruct them to clear the case from their records. Then, they mail the person whose case was expunged.

The most challenging ones are where its not the only charge in the case  clerks have to redact only the marijuana charge information from the records.

Christian County Circuit Clerk Barb Stillings has a leg up compared to other courts who are going through paper records. About 12 years ago, Stillings applied for special assistance funding from the state to digitize their paper files.

On the plus side, it means her team doesnt have to move around heavy boxes. Sadly, Stillings didnt have enough money to make the records searchable by criminal charge. So her team still has to go through every single record to check for marijuana offenses.

Her team printed the case indexes on 25,000 cases going back to the 1970s, and like St. Louis, she has a team of part-time workers looking through those summaries the special funds are paying for.

When the funds became available in the fall of 2023, Christian County asked for one of the higher amounts, about $380,000, to pay for overtime and part time employees to work on the expungements. Stillings ended up only using $23,000 of that.

Just because Ive asked for all this money, do I have enough people to work on it? Stillings told The Independent in February. Its so many unknowns.

She understands why some other counties used very little of the funds or didnt ask for any at all.

Some counties didnt have anybody who could come work part time, or staff that wanted to work overtime, she said.

Iron County requested $22,500 but spent less than $4,000. That number will definitely increase in the coming months, White said.

When Iron County made it through all the digital records this spring, White had a short-lived moment of relief. Recently, White found another substantial report of digital cases she didnt know was available to her.

I almost feel like were starting over again, she said. But it is what it is, and we will work on it as hard as we can.

The post Slow process of Missouri marijuana expungement drags on months after constitutional deadlines appeared first on Missouri Independent.
Last month, Gov. Mike Parson signed a wide-ranging education bill boosting state education spending by $468 million annually, and thats a very good thing for all Missourians. The bill sets $40,000 as the minimum teacher salary and doubles potential pre-K seats in public schools. For too long, Missouri has failed to increase resources to our classrooms and teachers, and while some are concerned about future funding, I applaud this spending increase. Moving forward, we should all be diligent in holding legislators accountable to the ongoing improvement of our public schools.

Senate Bill 727, 127 pages long, includes provisions such as charter school expansion  pleasing school reformers  and pre-K expansion for progressives like me, who have long advocated for an investment of this scale in early childhood education. But when critics as well as supporters are vocal about their likes and dislikes, sometimes the details get missed. And the details are important here, especially as it relates to our kids and their education.

Missouris education spending and teacher pay have long been neglected, leading to widening disparities and declining student performance. The evidence here is indisputable. Missouris near-bottom rankings in these spending categories contribute to our students falling behind. In 2009, Missouri ranked 17th  in the top half of states  in the percentage of eighth graders proficient in reading. Today we rank 32nd. The same goes for math proficiency, where we dropped in rank from 22nd to 28th in the country.

The most common misconception around S.B. 727 is around its spending, and specifically that it requires additional new spending each year that critics think is unsustainable. But what this legislation actually does is focus on updating the states funding formula to ensure equitable distribution. For instance, Missouri will now count total student enrollment, and not just average daily attendance, when allocating state funding. S.B. 727 phases out a punitive system that withholds needed resources from high-poverty rural and urban districts with attendance challenges. The new approach will bring Missouri in line with other states, adding significant funding to most every school district in the state, and accounting for nearly half of the $468 million of new funding in the legislation.

One key detail that hasnt received enough attention is how significantly this bill expands publicly funded pre-kindergarten programs. Research shows that upfront investments in high-quality pre-K can lead to lasting positive benefits for children and their families. S.B. 727 doubles the level of state funding available for pre-kindergarten programs in Kansas City and throughout the state  an annual increase of $60 million. This is a big step forward for Missouri, and for the many families who cannot afford private pre-K programs and remain on waitlists, unable to provide this vital resource to their children.

Although some have criticized the cost of this legislation, such criticism overlooks years of disinvestment that brought us to this juncture. Comprehensive legislative bills like S.B. 727 require inevitable compromises from both sides. However, the bottom line is that our children and educators deserve these belated investments. Amid the current political landscape, Missourians and our Kansas City communities should view this as a genuine victory on their behalf.

Sly James is former mayor of Kansas City and co-founder of consulting and communications firm Wickham James Strategies and Solutions.
Small NYC mental health clubhouses getting squeezed out and crisis may be looming: experts

Small mental health day centers are getting squeezed out of the Big Apple's mental health care plans to make way for much larger, less personal day centers -- a move being questioned by experts.

Small mental health day centers in the Big Apple are getting squeezed out to make way for much larger, less personal day centers  a move that is backed by top city officials but has some experts worries.

Over the past two decades, mentally ill New Yorkers have relied on up to 16 city-funded clubhouses  or day centers that connect them with community, art therapy and sometimes jobs.

But come July, nine of the existing clubhouses around the five boroughs will be ineligible for funding because of the Adams administrations move to consolidate services to 13 larger clubhouses by the fall.

Small mental health day centers are getting squeezed out of the Big Apples mental health care plans to make way for much larger, less personal day centers. Fountain House/Facebook

I, like everybody else, question the move to larger clubhouses, Joel Corcoran, executive director at Clubhouse International, the accrediting agency for clubhouses, told The Post. Theres no conclusion that big clubhouses are better.

The questionable pivot limits access to the $30 million pot to cover the cost of these centers to places that can serve 300 or more members on a daily basis.

Ive spoken with (the city) about that and their commitment is to reach more people living with mental illness through accredited clubhouses, Corcoran said. Of course we are concerned about the smaller clubhouses that did not receive contracts and the impact for the people who are involved with those.

The Health Department estimates around 5,000 mentally ill New Yorkers benefit from these clubhouses on a daily basis, and the consolidation to larger community centers will add another 3,750 to clubhouse rosters.

But Corcoran is also puzzled by the citys ambitious timeline to implement the new contracts.

Health commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is working with existing members who will lose their clubhouses. Getty Images for Child Mind Institute

At least six of the 13 contracts were awarded to providers who did not have a location yet, two people familiar with the contracts RFP process who asked to remain anonymous told The Post.

Were concerned about the implementation because the numbers are so high and the timeframes are so fast, Corcoran said.

Health commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is working with existing members who will lose their clubhouses.

We have made a commitment to every organization to support every single member where we can, whether it be things like metro cards or transportation or telecommunications, Vasan said.

A department source told The Post the health department plans to work with providers to create a roster of active members to determine how they plan to ensure continuity of engagement.

Lawrence Fowler, executive director of Rainbow Clubhouse, which boasts an active membership of 150 members and was not awarded a new contract, said some members are suffering from illnesses that do not allow them to easily switch clubhouses.

Inherent in some of those diagnoses are people who are withdrawn, people who are not comfortable in larger spaces and people who are looking to redevelop themselves so they can join a larger community, Fowler told The Post.

From a government perspective there may be this notion that bigger is better, Fowler said.

But it feels as if theyre removing the community aspect of the clubhouse and they want to build a bunch of mega-houses and put them in a mall-type of environment.

Several clubhouse advocates told The Post they are concerned Vasan is leaning too much on his past experience at Fountain House, the largest clubhouse provider in the city  where Vasan worked as CEO from September 2019 to January 2022.

At a City Council hearing in March, Vasan denied having anything to do with the request for proposals that was put out by the department last fall. But many clubhouse insiders still blame the commissioner for the citys newfound focus on large clubhouses at the expense of the smaller ones.

Its a conflict of interest, said Dice Cooper, director of Lifelinks clubhouse in Queens, one of nine smaller clubhouses that did not get its contract renewed.

They said we have to have more than 300 members. Who benefits from that? Fountain House, Cooper told The Post. What (Vasan) fails to realize is that there are 349 clubhouses in the world. Only three have an active membership of more than 300, Cooper said.

We have made a commitment to every organization to support every single member where we can, whether it be things like metro cards or transportation or telecommunications, Vasan said. Paul Martinka

Its surprising on some level that someone who worked at Fountain House would take the position that eliminating clubhouses would have any value, Fowler said.

Two people who worked with Vasan at Fountain House  one current and one former employee  said the commissioner doesnt understand the clubhouse model because he never embraced the programming at Fountain House.

Hes not a people person, one longtime Fountain House employee told The Post. Everytime he would see the members or the staff, he would, like, run from us.

The clubhouse model thrives on community so members invited Vasan to community meetings, raffles and the Christmas party during the two years he worked there, but Vasan never showed, they claimed.

They used to beg him to come, to talk. Because the members needed that connection, the employee said. He had no clue what we do there, and he didnt want to become part of it.

When members and staff spent weeks preparing a skit just for Vasan, shortly into the skit, Vasan took a phone call and left.

It wasnt even 10 minutes. We were just starting the presentation and he said, Im sorry Ive got a very important call, a very important meeting. And he left and never came back. That was the kind of shit that he would do.

It made everybody feel terrible. It was this constant pleading for him to, like, be a part of it.

Vasan told The Post the arrival of the Covid pandemic a few months into his tenure is what kept him from being hands-on with the members at Fountain House.

Thats a very hard thing to do. When you have a community thats built on bringing people together in physical community and then you say we cant do that anymore because of the pandemic, that was very hard on the community, Vasan said.

The same employee and another former Fountain House employee said Vasan was tasked during his tenure with expanding Fountain House to other states through an initiative called Fountain House America.

The initiative was canceled after Vasan left, according to the employees, but Fountain House continues expanding under the name Fountain House United. The mental health giant has a contract with LA County to open a clubhouse in Hollywood this summer.

I was hired by the board principally to expand the model, and we were very successful in doing that, Vasan said.

Jonathan Glass, 50, has been a member at Fountain House for 24 years. He said during Vasans tenure and since Fountain House has become less community-oriented.

Its very clinical and its not the same clubhouse that I experienced for 24 years, Glass told The Post. The more Im there the more sickened I get from the distance I feel from the people.

Vasan steered clear of addressing any member directly but told The Post, Things happen within the community and theyre usually dealt with inside the community.

Vasan said he still remembered two members at Fountain House from his time there, one member who greets people at the door and another who facilitates tours.

Vasan said the elimination of some of the clubhouses is meant to improve the system.

The entire intention here is not to take away any one community or impair anyones recovery but to also ensure that everyone has access to this incredible model, Vasan said.

Its not really about big or small. Its about capacity and resources to provide the array of rehabilitative services that a clubhouse needs, Vasan said.

Vasan said clubhouses with more resources will be able to collect more robust data on their members to improve the clubhouse model.

Other sources of funding, other sources of support and policy will continue to treat the clubhouse model as a cute afterthought unless data is compelling about how it is transforming our mental health system, Vasan said.

But while the city is focused on data collection, Cooper is worried about the thousands of members who he said will have no place to go after the nine clubhouses lose their city funding.

If you have all of those services completely taken away from you, its going to be a complete disaster. Youll see more homeless people in the subways, more homeless people in the neighborhoods. Youll have people who go back into the hospitals. Its just going to be really, really devastating for those individuals who dont have a place to go and who no one is paying attention to, Cooper said.

Several clubhouse advocates told The Post they are concerned Vasan is leaning too much on his past experience at Fountain House, the largest clubhouse provider in the city. Fountain House/Facebook

Ruben Fernandez, 61, describes himself as an Average Joe. The former marine started going to Lifelinks, which did not get a contract, three years ago after he suffered heart failure and could no longer work at his job in facilities at NYU as he had for years.

Now Fernandez is worried the thing that helped him get better will be taken away.

One minute Im at NYU making six figures and the next minute I have heart failure. That heart failure caused such big depression and isolation. And then I found out about the clubhouse. Its helped me in so many ways, said Fernandez, who now goes to Yankees games with his fellow members.

The clubhouse is the glue holding a lot of people together, Fernandez said. If they close the clubhouse, its going to be a lot of lost people looking for a place they can go to.

A statement from the Department said, in part, this is the start, not the end. The Health Department is working closely with the Clubhouse providers on developing transition plans for current members that is as seamless as possible.
Following the shocking decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit to stop the Atlanta-based Fearless Fund from administering grants to Black women, one of its co-founders is speaking out.



The decision was made on Monday (June 3), following ongoing opposition to the Fearless Fund spearheaded by conservative activist Edward Blum, who insisted that the program is likely racially discriminatory.

In this fearless moment, we should all be motivated to fight after todays decision. This is devastating for the Fearless Fund and Foundation, and for the women in which we have invested in. I am shattered for every girl of color who has a dream but will grow up in a nation determined not to give her a shot to live it, Arian Simone said in a statement.

On their behalf, we will turn the pain into purpose and fight with all our might. America is supposed to be a nation where one has the freedom to achieve, the freedom to earn, and the freedom to prosper. Yet, when we have attempted to level the playing field for underrepresented groups, our freedoms were stifled.

The appeals court ultimately disagreed with a federal judge who ruled in September that the lawsuit was unlikely to prevail based on the First Amendment.



After the Supreme Court abolished race-conscious college admissions last year, Blum  a staunch opponent of affirmative actiondecided to go after it in the private sector. However, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Thrash Jr. (who was appointed by President Bill Clinton) initially ruled that the Fearless Funds grant program is the kind of free speech protected under the First Amendment.



Despite the tremendous setback, Simone stated the she and her Fearless Fund partner Ayana Parsons plan to keep their operation alive. We are still open for business, Simone exclaimed. We must keep up this fight for the next generation of girls who deserve to grow up in an America that lets them realize their dreams instead of outlawing them.

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Social media to blame for people feeling less safe, minister says

People do not feel safe on the streets because of social media, a Home Office minister has suggested.

Chris Philp, the policing minister, said social media was partly to blame for increasing fears because it amplified crime in peoples minds even though crime rates are going down.

He was speaking after Rishi Sunak announced plans for an extra 8,000 police officers to tackle car thefts, burglaries and anti-social behaviour.

There is a perception, a feeling that you mentioned, and even though crime has demonstrably gone down according to the crime survey, sometimes people dont feel so safe, Mr Philp told ITVs Good Morning Britain.

That is partly because of social media, so an incident, a knife-crime incident, gets sort of magnified across social media in a way that wasnt the case even five years ago, certainly 10 years ago.

There are particular places like London under Sadiq Khan where there is a... particular knife-crime problem, but overall crime has gone down.

The British Crime Survey for England and Wales, which records peoples actual experience of crime, shows that total crime is 17 per cent lower now than it was in the year ending March 2020.

Chris Philp, the policing minister, says people's perception of crime doesn't match reality

However, knife crime nationally has risen by 7.2 per cent to nearly 50,000 offences, close to the past record high of 51,200, according to the Office for National Statistics.

In London, which accounts for more than a third of all knife crime in England and Wales, it hit a record high of more than 14,500 offences last year.

Nationally, police-recorded offences for theft were up two per cent, robbery was up 12 per cent and vehicle offences were up by two per cent for the year ending September 2023.

The 8,000 new officers announced by Mr Sunak will be specifically dedicated to neighbourhood policing to ensure people feel safe in the areas where they live.

Rishi Sunak has announced plans for 8,000 new police officers - PA/James Manning

The 650 million plan will be included in the Tories manifesto to be published on Tuesday and will be funded by a 25 per cent increase on all visas for foreign workers and visitors and a 30 per cent hike in the health surcharge for overseas students.

It would take the total number of police officers in the UK to their highest-ever level at nearly 180,000, eclipsing the previous peak of 172,000 in 2010, the last year of the last Labour Government. It comes on top of a three-year 20,000 uplift in officers in England and Wales that was completed last April.

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Passengers are advised to check carefully before replying to social media accounts purporting to be from airlines - NICOLAS ECONOMOU/GETTY

Social media scammers are impersonating every large airline operating in the UK, according to the consumer group Which?.

Fraudsters on X, the social media website formerly known as Twitter, are responding to messages sent to official accounts.

Which? analysis found scammers impersonating airlines ask for enough information to enable them to commit identity fraud.

Rocio Concha of Which? wants X and other social media platforms to 'be held to a high standard' - WHICH?

One of its researchers who posted a message to the official account for Wizz Air to ask if a flight was delayed received responses from two fake accounts almost immediately.

Both used near-identical language, apologising for the inconvenience, stating that they had already escalated this matter to the relevant department and requesting a reachable WhatsApp number for assistance via DM [direct message], Which? said.

We found examples of bogus X accounts impersonating every major airline operating in the UK, the organisation said.

We also discovered that fake accounts are often quicker to respond than the genuine airlines, but they also interrupt existing conversations between you and airlines, which can be harder to spot.

Flagging fake accounts

Scammers typically ask for a customers surname and airline booking reference number. They may also ask directly for other personal details such as a passengers name and home address.

Which? said reporting fake accounts to X seems to have limited success, with most of the posts and accounts it flagged remaining live.

It advised passengers to verify if an account is genuine by checking for a link on an official website, when it joined X and how many followers it has.

Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at Which?, said: Unscrupulous fraudsters are shamelessly trying to trick airline customers seeking urgent customer service advice via X for stressful situations, such as delayed flights and lost luggage.

There is an epidemic of fraud gripping the UK and thats why Which? wants the next government to appoint a dedicated fraud minister and make fighting fraud a national priority.

X and other social media platforms need to be held to a high standard and Ofcom must not shy away from taking strong enforcement action, including fines, against firms if they break the law.

Jake Moore, global cybersecurity adviser at the antivirus company ESET, said passengers should check carefully before replying to social media accounts inviting them to hand over personal details.

As the majority of genuine company accounts respond to negative posts on the platform in a very similar way and suggest a private DM conversation, fraudulent accounts can simply take advantage of this modus operandi and simulate it with ease and conviction, he said.

Check for the genuine gold check mark

Therefore, people must continue to do their homework and research any account they come in contact with before handing over any sensitive or financial information.

This can be done by clicking through from the official website, checking for the genuine gold check mark and looking at the follower numbers for initial indication.

X, formerly Twitter, was contacted for comment.

EasyJet, Jet2, TUI and Wizz Air all said they report fake accounts to X and advise their customers to engage only with official social media profiles.

British Airways was also contacted for comment.

Nearly caught out by Kenyan scammers

John Arnold, 49, came close to falling for one of the scams described by Which? in its research.

After being denied boarding at Gatwick airport on a family holiday three weeks ago, he took to X/Twitter to vent his annoyance with the airline.

I got something like an official reply saying, Were very sorry, its at the discretion of the staff. If you want to make a complaint, fill in some forms and you might be able to get some money back, Mr Arnold said.

Then I got a couple of phone calls, which were saying, Were going to deal with your complaint, we act on behalf of EasyJet. And I thought it just doesnt seem right, he added.

The scammers phoned Mr Arnold from a Kenyan number, inviting him to register for a money transfer app to receive his promised refund.

They invited him to download a money transfer app and put his bank details into it  but having smelled a rat, he stopped talking to them at that point.

When I looked into it, it was quite clear that the Twitter pages that were purporting to be these EasyJet supervisors were not EasyJet at all.

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'He sounded more like a politician': Trump gets hit by both Dems and his own supporters on abortion

INDIANAPOLIS  Donald Trumps problem with abortion politics was never more apparent than it was here Monday, as he delivered brief virtual remarks to a Christian advocacy organization that wants to ban all abortions  and didn't mention the procedure once.

For all his efforts to avoid the issue and make both sides happy, as he has long promised, Trump still got hit by both sides  from Democrats for appearing at all, and from some of his own voters in the room for skirting a topic at the top of their agenda.

He sounded more like a politician who wants to be elected, said Rick Patrick, the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Sylacauga, Alabama. I voted for him and I plan to vote for him again, but he was not like the other speakers who were here talking about religious things.

In a pre-taped video address just under two minutes long to the Danbury Institute, which calls abortion child sacrifice, Trump did not mention the word abortion at all, even though the groups CEO praised Trump in an introduction for addressing, as president, what he called the most important issue facing our country and the next generation of our children who are being slaughtered in the womb.

Instead, Trump told the group, You just cant vote Democrat. Theyre against religion. Theyre against your religion in particular.

The former presidents brief remarks to the Danbury Institute, on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, served as the latest example of the tightrope Trump is walking on an issue where polls show he remains vulnerable. Before the address, for which he was billed as a speaker, Trumps campaign privately cautioned that he would only give a pre-recorded welcome message lasting less than two minutes. His address drew only polite applause and garnered some criticism among anti-abortion Southern Baptist leaders in attendance.

Its disappointing because you would hope to have a Republican presidential candidate who speaks strongly that life begins at conception, said Kevin McClure, an attendee from a Baptist congregation in Louisville who said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whom he backed in the Republican presidential primary, was a better opponent of abortion rights.



Trumps stated position on abortion  that the issue should be left to the states in the post-Roe era  is in conflict with the hardline position of the Danbury Institute. It is a major liability for him, even though he has taken credit for appointing the Supreme Court justices necessary to overturn Roe.

The president is not dumb, and he recognizes just how lethal Dobbs was in the midterm elections. From a purely political perspective, I think both the president and even the Republican Party in general realize that where they have been is maybe not where people are, or at least the majority of Americans are, said Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist and former Trump administration appointee.

But Trump also cannot look like [he is] abandoning the religious right, Bartlett said. And so he needs to negotiate with the religious right, show that he understands them.

Nearly two years out from Dobbs, roughly two-thirds of Americans continue to disapprove of the decision that felled federal abortion protections, according to a mid-April CNN/SSRS poll. And it remains a major issue for suburban women, a key voting bloc Trump has struggled with, according to a spring Wall Street Journal poll of seven swing states.

On the other hand, Trump may have found some middle ground with his stated position view that abortion rights should be left to states. Half of voters in a POLITICO-Morning Consult poll conducted after Trump cemented that stance in early April said they support states making their own laws about abortion access, compared to just 35 percent who do not.

On Monday, Trumps video remarks came after nearly an hour of discussion earlier in the event about where the anti-abortion movement should be focusing in the post-Roe era  including restricting abortion pills and criminalizing women who receive abortions. Those policy measures would further curtail access to a procedure that is banned in almost all cases in more than a third of the U.S.

A Trump campaign spokesperson previously defended Trumps appearance at the Danbury Institute, saying he is committed to addressing groups with diverse opinions on all of the issues.

But it came at a cost. President Joe Biden's campaign blasted Trump as a politician who loves campaigning with abortion ban extremists. And the Indiana Democratic Party joined in Monday morning, accusing Trump of doing the bidding of the most extreme anti-choice groups in the country.



Meanwhile, the former president disappointed many anti-abortion advocates still stung by his declining in April to endorse a national limit on abortion, saying that issue should be left up to state lawmakers and voters.

We want to see abortion gone because it is a human rights issue, said Tyler Murphy, an associate pastor at Southside Baptist Church in Fulton, Missouri, who supports a national abortion ban. The federal government needs to protect its people.

During an abortion-focused panel, Tom Ascol, senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida, criticized anti-abortion groups for not taking bold enough positions on abortion since the fall of Roe. He and other speakers lamented the widespread accessibility of abortion pills, which have allowed people who live in states where the procedure is banned to terminate their pregnancies, and said that conservatives need to band together to work toward the complete elimination of abortion.

Some of the pro-life organizations said, Look, we've abolished abortion in America. No, we have not, Ascol said.

And abortion was not the only issue on the religious leaders minds as was evident throughout the conventions early proceedings. Prominent evangelical leader Al Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said that Christians have before them a bigger task than ever before as he touted a resolution that is being put forward at the Southern Baptists annual meeting voicing opposition to in vitro fertilization as typically practiced in the U.S.

We're about to find out how pro-life the pro-life movement is, Mohler said.
Do South Florida drivers have to slow down for school zones during the summer? What to know

Most schools are out for the summer but does that mean South Floridians still have to adhere to school zone speed limits?

It depends on where you are.

The summertime means there are fewer school buses on the streets and students on the sidewalks which makes it harder to know when to slow down. Heres what to know in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.

Speed limits and citations

Regardless of the county youre driving in, keep in mind school school zones are active 30 minutes before school and after dismissal. In school zones, fines are double the price of a regular speeding citation. The school zone speed limit is 15 mph. Going 1-9 mph over can cost you a $50 fine, 15-19 mph over is $300 and 20-29 mph is $350. Anything over 30 mph can cost you at least $500.

Florida also has a hands-free law for those driving through active school zones. Police can issue fines with a minimum of $60 for those caught with a device in their hand, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Broward County

Not every school in Broward County offers summer school. Only 37 schools will be hosts from June 24 to July 18. Timing for schools differ but most school hours will be Monday through Friday, about four or six hours a day.

Hours: Elementary, secondary (middle and high school) sites all start around the same time. You can expect the flashing yellow lights signaling to slow down to 15 mph 30 minutes before school starts. Elementary generally starts at 8 a.m. in Broward County. Secondary schools will start at 9 a.m. Schools end at 2 p.m. for elementary and 1 p.m. for secondary school. There are some exceptions with later end times such as 3 and 5:30 p.m.

Miami-Dade

Not all school sites in the Miami-Dade district have flashing lights to signal an active school zone, a traffic engineer told The Herald last year, but elementary and middle schools do have them. More than 70 schools will be hosting summer sessions. School days are generally 4 hours, Monday through Friday. High school programs will run from June 12 to July 18. Grades K-8 will run from June 20 to July 25.

Hours: Although times may vary, elementary start times are usually around 8-8:30 a.m. and around 1 and 3 p.m. Middle school times generally start around 9 a.m. and end about 4 p.m. High schools can start around 7 a.m. and end around 2:20 p.m.
South Korea says North Korea is installing its own loudspeakers along the border

FILE - South Korean soldiers dismantle loudspeakers that set up for propaganda broadcasts near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, South Korea, on May 1, 2018. South Korea announced Sunday, June 9, 2024 it would resume anti-North Korean propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts in border areas in retaliation to the North sending over 1,000 balloons filled with trash and manure over the last couple of weeks. (Kim Hong-Ji/Pool Photo via AP, File)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Koreas military on Monday said its detecting signs that North Korea is installing its own loudspeakers along their heavily armed border, a day after the South blared anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts over its speakers for the first time in years as the rivals engage in a Cold War-style psychological warfare.

The Souths resumption of its loudspeaker broadcasts on Sunday was in retaliation for the North sending over 1,000 balloons filled with trash and manure over the last couple of weeks. North Korea has described its balloon campaign as a response to South Korean civilian groups using balloons to fly anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets across the border. Pyongyang has long condemned such activities as its extremely sensitive to any outside criticism of leader Kim Jong Uns authoritarian rule.

The tit-for-tat over speakers and balloons has deepened tensions between the Koreas as talks over the Norths nuclear ambitions remain stalled.

In their latest nuclear planning talks in Seoul, U.S. and South Korean officials reviewed an undisclosed guideline mapping out their nuclear deterrence strategies to counter growing North Korean threats. They also discussed strengthening the allies combined military training involving strategic U.S. assets, the participants said in a news conference.

Cho Chang-rae, South Koreas deputy defense minister for policy, and Vipin Narang, acting U.S. assistant secretary of defense for space policy, refused specific comment when asked to assess the threat posed by North Koreas balloon activities.

Seouls Joint Chiefs of Staff didnt immediately comment on the number of suspected North Korean speakers or where along the border they were spotted being installed. It said the speakers were still silent as of Monday afternoon.

South Korea on Sunday activated its loudspeakers for an initial broadcast into North Korea, which reportedly included news, criticism about North Koreas government and South Korean pop music.

Hours later on Sunday, Kims powerful sister warned that the South created a prelude to a very dangerous situation. She said South Korea would witness an unspecified new response from the North if it continues with the broadcasts and fails to stop civilian activists from flying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets across the border.

I sternly warn Seoul to immediately case its dangerous activities that would further provoke a crisis of confrontation, Kim Yo Jong said through state media.

Lee Sung Joon, spokesperson of South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Kims comments represented a heightened verbal threat from North Korea but he did not provide a specific assessment on the actions the North might take. Lee said the South was conducting broadcasts in sites where soldiers have sufficient protection and are equipped to swiftly hit back if attacked.

(We) dont think that they could provoke us that easily, Lee said during a briefing Monday.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff didnt specify the border area where Sundays broadcast took place or what was played over the speakers. It said that any additional broadcasts are entirely dependent on North Koreas behavior.

The South withdrew loudspeakers from border areas in 2018, during a brief period of engagement with the North under Seouls previous liberal government.

In deciding to restart the loudspeaker broadcasts, South Koreas presidential office berated Pyongyang for attempting to cause anxiety and disruption in the South and stressed that North Korea would be solely responsible for any future escalation of tensions.

The North said its balloon campaign came after South Korean activists sent over balloons filled with anti-North Korean leaflets, as well as USB sticks filled with popular South Korean songs and dramas. Pyongyang is extremely sensitive to such material and fears it could demoralize front-line troops and residents and eventually weaken leader Kim Jong Uns grip on power, analysts say.

In 2015, when South Korea restarted loudspeaker broadcasts for the first time in 11 years, North Korea fired artillery rounds across the border, prompting South Korea to return fire, according to South Korean officials. No casualties were reported.
By Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) -Senior South Korean and U.S. defence officials met in Seoul on Monday to work on new guidelines to coordinate their response to any nuclear threat from North Korea, officials said.

The guidelines laid out the principles and procedures for maintaining and enhancing a "credible and effective" nuclear deterrence policy and posture, according to a joint statement from the allies' third closed-doors talks on the issue.

The Nuclear Consultative Group meeting came amid signs North Korea is racing to develop its nuclear arms and delivery systems.

Some South Korean politicians, including senior members of President Yoon Suk Yeol's party, have called for Seoul to develop its own nuclear weapons rather than just rely on the U.S. nuclear umbrella, a step Washington opposes.

Monday's meeting followed up on last year's summit, when the United States promised to give South Korea more insight into its nuclear planning for any conflict with the North.

Vipin Narang, acting U.S. assistant secretary of defence for space policy who co-chaired the talks, said the guidelines set up an architecture for how the allies integrate conventional and nuclear capabilities which will be ultimately provided to each country's leadership in a crisis.

"The guidelines cover the principles and procedures for consultations, particularly in a DPRK nuclear crisis and inform alliance operational concepts and exercises," Narang told a news conference, using the acronym of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Cho Chang-rae, South Korea's deputy defence minister for policy, said high-level officials from both countries will hold a simulated tabletop exercise before regular summertime drills, with a focus on the possibility of North Korea using a nuclear weapon.

The two Koreas are still technically at war after their 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

In late May, North Korea's attempt to launch a military reconnaissance satellite failed after a newly developed rocket engine exploded in flight.

Seoul and Washington condemned the launch as a violation of U.N. Security Council sanctions banning Pyongyang's use of ballistic technology.

After their second meeting in December, both sides warned that any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies will be met with a "swift, overwhelming and decisive response" and result in the end of Kim Jong Un's regime.

Their next meeting will be held in Washington near the end of the year, the joint statement said.

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Gerry Doyle and Andrew Heavens)
WARSAW, June 10 (Xinhua) -- A man was killed and another injured in an explosion at an ammunition plant in central Poland on Monday, local authorities said.

Following the explosion, firefighters battled to put out a fire in one of the warehouses at the Mesko plant in the city of Skarzysko-Kamienna in central Poland, which is the largest town of the Skarzysko County, 34 km north-east of the regional capital of Kielce.

Mesko, which produces missiles and other ammunition, belongs to the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ). According to a statement issued by PGZ, the accident took place at around 10 a.m. (0800 GMT).

Jaroslaw Gwozdz, press officer of the local police told the Polish Press Agency (PAP) that a 59-year-old employee died in the accident and another man was taken to hospital.

Daniel Prokopowicz, spokesman for the District Prosecutor's Office in Kielce, said the accident is being investigated under the prosecutor's supervision.

"Information about the circumstances and causes of the accident will be provided after the work is completed," Prokopowicz was quoted as saying by the PAP.

In April, a trial began at the District Court in Skarzysko-Kamienna regarding two other fatal accidents that occurred at the Mesko plant in 2021. Two women in their forties died there as a result of two explosions. 
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol embarked on a trip to Central Asia on Monday to hold talks on strengthening diplomatic ties and cooperating in areas such as energy and minerals, Yoon's office said.

Yoon will visit Turkmenistan with the first lady for a state visit before heading to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan where he will sign agreements and attend business forums, according to his office.

In Kazakhstan, Yoon will discuss with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev measures to expand supply chain cooperation for critical minerals such as lithium as well as uranium.

The government plans to host a summit with leaders of five Central Asian countries next year in South Korea, Yoon's office said.

His trip to Central Asia is the latest global push by Seoul to broaden diplomatic ties and partnerships to ensure access to markets and to secure energy supplies and other resources.

South Korea hosted its first summit with the leaders of 48 African nations this month, during which it vowed to increase development aid for Africa to $10 billion over the next six years as it looks to tap the continent's mineral resources and potential as an export market.

Last month, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates signed a trade agreement at a summit to cut import duties and forge closer business and investment ties as it seeks to tap the investment potential of the energy rich Gulf state.

(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Editing by Ed Davies)
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

SACRAMENTO-BASED CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE GROUP LABELED A HATE GROUP

Via Jenavieve Hatch ...

The Southern Poverty Law Center has formally deemed a Christian conservative advocacy group an anti-LGBTQ hate group.

The California Family Council is a Sacramento-based nonprofit that trafficks in culture war causes. The CFC has backed parental notification policies, which LGBTQ activists and allies have called forced outing policies that would require school staff to inform a students parent if their student uses a different pronoun or name that does not align with their biological sex.

The CFC got involved when the Elk Grove Unified School District began hosting Rainbow Clubs  or, lunchtime clubs for students who question their sexual orientation or gender identity, or simply want a safe place to play games and make friends. The organization is staunchly anti-abortion, and opposes the right for same-sex couples to marry. Its members have attended and organized events devoted to speaking out against trans girls playing sports, and backs a number of far-right causes.

The SPLC is criticizing CFC and our colleagues across the country for our Biblical stance against obscene educational materials and irreversible medical treatments targeting children with gender dysphoria, wrote CFC President Jonathan Keller.

Why? Because we speak the truth in love and are committed to safeguarding the well-being of all children and families.

In its report, the SPLC said that they witnessed a one-third increase in anti-LGBT hate groups in 2023.

As in previous years, the anti-LGBTQ policy push was grounded in demonizing LGBTQ people and using pseudoscientific claims about LGBTQ people, but the weaponization of pseudoscience as a tool of trans suppression and the targeting of fundamental freedoms like free speech, expression, and assembly through book and drag bans has become a more prominent feature in recent years, the SPLC report reads. In 2023, hate groups across the board continued to opportunistically target LGBTQ people and spaces, many times employing violent suppression and intimidation tactics fueled by far-right social media disinformation and conspiracy campaigns that falsely claim LGBTQ people are a threat to society and to parents rights.

NEWSOM, LGBTQ LAWMAKERS LAUNCH CAMPAIGN FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Via Nicole Nixon ...

Twenty years after performing the nations first same-sex marriages as San Francisco mayor, Gov. Gavin Newsom was back in the city of love Friday to mark Pride Month and promote a ballot measure aimed at enshrining the right to marry in Californias constitution.

The measure, placed on the ballot by the California Legislature last year, would repeal outdated and unenforceable language in the constitution that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Supporters of the Freedom to Marry campaign also say it would protect interracial marriage.

Voters approved the language via Proposition 8 in 2008, though it was deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court seven years later in the courts Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.

But after the nations high court overturned the right to an abortion in 2022, Democrats are sounding the alarm and scrambling to strengthen state-level protections for civil rights.

Simply put, we just dont have the backstop of the Supreme Court protecting our fundamental freedoms any longer, said Jodi Hicks, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. While many of us feel protected in a state like California,  we still have to remain vigilant in protecting our rights.

Newsom and Hicks, along with the proposals author Assemblyman Evan Low, Sens. Scott Wiener and Toni Atkins, and San Francisco Mayor London Breed, joined advocates including Tony Hoang with Equality California and Ashley Morris with the ACLU of Northern California at the campaign launch at Mannys, a well-known watering hole for political events and shoulder-rubbing in San Francisco.

Hicks and others pointed to language from an opinion authored by Justice Clarence Thomas that invites revisiting rulings on same-sex marriage and contraception as motivation for the extra protections.

Newsom in particular was praised at the event for courageous leadership and risking political suicide to officiate weddings between same-sex couples in February 2004.

It was not the easy thing to do back then, and as the governor no doubt remembers, there were ramifications, Wiener said. There were national Democrats who didnt want to be photographed with then-Mayor Newsom after he made that decision. There were all sorts of blowback. And of course, the governor was on the right side of history.

After decades of progress for womens rights, voting rights and LGBTQ rights, Newsom also warned of a rights regression in the U.S.

States are on the front lines of those rights battles. And thats why its imperative that states like California step up and assert themselves at this critical time, he said.

Democrats also hope the measure will help drive turnout during a presidential election year and help President Joe Biden.

I like this being on the November ballot. I think therell be a big turnout and Im encouraged by that, the governor said. He also pledged that he would be out a lot trying to get people out to vote.

BAN TIKTOK? NOT SO FAST, LAWSUIT FROM CONSERVATIVE GROUP SAYS

The clock is ticking for TikTok, the social media video-sharing app from Beijing-based ByteDance.

Earlier this year, Congress passed a law, signed by President Joe Biden, forcing ByteDance to either sell the app or shut it down. Such a measure was bound to draw legal challenges. TIkTok has already sued. And now, so are others.

The Liberty Justice Center, a conservative legal group known in California for defending school districts facing legal action over their parental notification policies, has stepped up to take on Uncle Sam, alleging that the TikTok ban is unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds.

TikTok is a social media platform on which millions of Americans publish and consume speech. Some of that speech might be considered frivolous  such as cat videos, trendy dances, or people lip syncing to popular songs. But much of the speech on TikTok is serious, addressing important political and social issues. And all of it is protected by the First Amendment, the complaint reads in its opening.

The lawsuit is on behalf of BASED Politics Inc., a nonprofit that produces TikToks for Gen Z consumers from a perspective that favors free markets and individual liberty.

Their use of TikTok also allows them to engage with their audience, receiving feedback and debating ideas raised in their videos, the complaint reads in part.

The lawsuit points out that 170 million Americans use TikTok, more than Pinterest, LinkedIn, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), Discord, Threads, Truth Social, or Mastodon.

That includes 16 million Californians.

You can read the complaint here.

THURMOND CHALLENGES BIANCO TO A DEBATE

That didnt take long.

A day after an effort launched to draft Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to run as a Republican for California governor, fellow gubernatorial candidate, Democratic Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond challenged him to a debate.

Bianco, who controversially endorsed former President (and convicted felon) Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election while wearing his uniform (saying I think its time we put a felon in the White House), has not formally announced his bid for the governors mansion, but is likely to do so in response to the effort to draft him.

In a statement, Thurmond said he comes from a law enforcement family and has enormous respect for the badge and uniform, but that Bianco has doubled down on alternative facts and misled the public about his illegal use of making a political endorsement while in his official uniform.

His actions undermine the non-partisan, non-political and pro-law-enforcement credibility of the uniform and he must be held accountable. Thats why he must be investigated, Thurmond said.

He accused Bianco of being divorced from reality and challenged him to a substantive debate about the issues affecting Californians.

Biancos camp did not respond to The Bees request for comment.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

One step forward, two steps back. Addressing crime should not be a zero-sum equation. The Legislature should not amend Proposition 47 without voter approval. We are doing our job by focusing on fixing laws that the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft and Reduction Act does not address. Thats the winning approach to protect victims, small businesses, and our neighborhoods. We can have both  the ballot initiative and the bill package, and voters shouldnt have to pick one or the other.

- Assemblyman Greg Wallis, R-Rancho Mirage, discussing a Democratic proposal to amend a package of anti-theft bills in an attempt to circumvent a proposed ballot initiative to roll back Prop. 47, via X.

Best of The Bee:
Mr Perez's party has no formal structure - but now holds three EU seats - Raul Caro/Shutterstock

A maverick influencer and former UK Liberal Democrat has pulled off a stunning result in Spains European election on Sunday by winning three seats in the EU Parliament without a manifesto.

Alvise Perez, a 34-year-old online activist with hundreds of thousands of social media followers, leads a start-up political party called The Party is Over.

The party, which campaigned on a Donald Trump-like promise of ending corruption among the Spanish and European political elites, won 4.6 per cent of the national vote without a formal structure or published policies.

The party is over, Mr Perez told jubilant supporters on Sunday night, explaining his view that Spain was run by criminals, the corrupt and paedophile rapists.

Mr Perez has been involved in a series of lawsuits over his controversial exposes and conspiracy theories regarding mainstream politicians.

Mr Perez dedicated his election success to an 81-year-old man recently imprisoned for shooting a thief in his home - Alvis Perez/TikTok

The Seville native dedicated the partys victory to Pepe Lomas, an 81-year-old Spaniard who was recently sentenced to six years in prison for shooting a thief who had entered his country home.

He was defending his own property. All our politicians forget their own people, but we wont do that, Mr Perez thundered.

Mr Perez studied political science and became an activist for centrist parties such as Spains Ciudadanos, which lost all of its eight MEPs in Sundays vote.

Briefly a Lib Dem youth member

The election was won by the conservative Peoples Party on 34 per cent, ahead of the socialist party of Pedro Sanchez, the prime minister, which took 30 per cent.

Mr Perez briefly lived in Leeds, where he was a member of the Liberal Democrats Young Liberals organisation.

In 2019, when Ciudadanos entered a decline, Mr Perez struck out on his own, building a following which has reached 900,000 on Instagram and half a million on Telegram.

In 2023 Mr Perez was convicted of defaming a Left-wing former mayor of Madrid by falsely claiming she had received special healthcare at her home during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Perez has built a huge following online - Instagram

Among the policies he has mentioned in his online addresses are a crackdown on corruption, harsh penalties for paedophiles and the deportation of illegal migrants, whom he blames for rising rates of sexual violence and benefiting disproportionately from state subsidies.

Mr Perez opposes the UNs 2030 sustainable development agenda and supports the possibility of a referendum in Spain on the countrys EU membership.

Polling suggests The Party is Overs voter base is dominated by young men, some of whom previously supported the far-Right Vox.

No salary

Mr Perez said he would not be taking out his salary and expenses as an MEP, offering to raffle off what he said could amount to two million euros amongst his online followers.

Nothing is known about the other candidates on the partys electoral list, two of whom will be joining Mr Perez in the European Parliament.

He has said he does not wish to live in Brussels full time, calling Belgium a failed state of Islamists, imported prostitution from people smugglers and disgusting food.

Meanwhile, in Cyrpus a YouTuber famous for trying to hug 100 celebrities and bury himself in a coffin for a week was elected as an MEP.

Fidias Panayiotou, 24, who describes himself as a professional mistake-maker, gained the third-largest number of votes with 19.4 per cent.

He told state broadcaster CyBC: The parties should take it as a warning that they must modernise and listen to the people.

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A voter casts a ballot on Super Tuesday at City Center on March 5, 2024, in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

I have been involved in the election process in Anne Arundel County for the last four election cycles. Functioning as a chief judge three times, as well as other duties from canvassing to picking up ballots at drop boxes, including correctional facilities.

I have been impressed with the competence of the people involved, both full-time and temporary. The process chain of custody for ballots is thorough. However, I am surprised by the gap in the structure of the board of elections.

My understanding is that currently, according to Maryland legislation, the governor can only appoint members from the two major political parties (Democrat and Republican) to sit on Maryland Board of Elections. This leaves a gap in representation for a substantial number of registered voters. According to this law, there is no opportunity for the governor to appoint an unaffiliated registered voter to the board.

The legislation should be amended to allow the governor to appoint unaffiliated registered voters on the board of election at both the state and county levels. Over the years the number of unaffiliated Maryland voters has increased at a disproportionate rate when compared with registered Democrats and Republicans.

Using the Maryland Board of Elections Voter Registration Statistics and Data website as a reference, when comparing March 2024 (the most recent data) and March 2012, current registered voters in 2024 are 2,208,095 Democrats, 994,529 Republicans, and 909,180 unaffiliated voters. In 2012, registered voters were 1,965,668 Democrats, 935,234 Republicans and 562,967 unaffiliated.

While there is an incremental increase in voters for both Democratic and Republicans registrants, there has been a disproportionate increase in the number of unaffiliated voters. The increase in unaffiliated voters over this period is more than 346,000, greater than the increase in Democrats and Republicans combined.

Despite their increasing numbers, legislation precludes unaffiliated voters from representation on the election boards. Common sense indicates that the exclusion (intentional or unintentional) of this voting classification presents a gap in representation of a sizable portion of Maryland voters.

The combined percentage of Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters comprise over 98% of total registered voters in Maryland in 2024. However current representation on the Board of Elections only makes up 77.8%.

There are five appointed members to the State Board of Elections. In 2012, legislation was introduced (HB 908) to replace principal minority party member with an unaffiliated representative. The legislation did not proceed far. The motivation to replace a minority party member with an unaffiliated member on the Election Board sounds politically suspect and its defeat is understandable. However, the issue of fair representation has increased in importance as the number of unaffiliated voters grows.

This problem is easily fixed. I would suggest reintroducing legislation to add an unaffiliated member to these representative boards, not by replacing any existing positions, but by simply increasing the board membership by one.

The very nature of unaffiliated voters would add an unbiased perspective that would enhance the quality of the election process.

In the current political climate, unaffiliated voters will make an important contribution to the election. Providing the unaffiliated 20% of the electorate with representation on the election boards is a positive step. This change will take legislation, and Maryland legislators are not in session until after the November election.

While putting this on the 2025 legislative agenda should be done, I wonder if there is an avenue for the governor to add unaffiliated representation before the next general election? Can a non-voting unaffiliated member be appointed/assigned? This inclusion will help reassure the voting public that elections in Maryland are fully represented and unbiased.

My observations are not a criticism of the functioning of the organization but rather to point out a gap in the democratic representation of the electoral process, and suggest a workable solution.

The post Who speaks for the growing number of independent voters on state election board? appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Can you spot the hunting lion? Two waterbucks didnt but got lucky

A pair of lionesses were relaxing in a riverbed in Kruger National Park in South Africa when two waterbucks came walking by, sending the lions into stealth mode.

Wildlife photographer Henri Olckers had been taking photos of the lions when he noticed the prey, and suddenly the lions disappeared.

We lost sight of them when they got to the reeds so we focused on the waterbuck, waiting for the hunt, Olckers told USA Today/For The Win Outdoors. After zooming in, I saw one lioness, looking intently at the waterbuck cow.

Olckers snapped a photo of that hidden lion peering through the reeds and posted it on Facebook.

No wonder the waterbucks didnt see the lions, as they can be very stealthy when it comes to catching dinner.

A closer image reveals the eye of the lion.

Fortunately for the waterbucks, they apparently saw the lions in the nick of time.

The lionesses did make an attempt at a hunt a few seconds later but unfortunately missed, Olckers said. They walked back to the sandy island in the middle of the river and laid down in the shade again.

Photos courtesy of Henri Olckers Wildlife Photography.

Story originally appeared on For The Win
Members of Asbury Broadneck United Methodist Church and St. Margarets Church of Annapolis congregated Sunday as a step toward repairing a history plagued by racial division.

We are all family, said the Rev. Stephen A. Tillett, pastor of Asbury Broadneck United Methodist Church. It is time we step outside of the narrative and become one, together.

During Sundays joint service at Asbury, a formal apology was issued by St. Margarets Church to Asbury, the community and the Annual Fathers Day Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and empowering Black people on the Broadneck Peninsula area of Annapolis.

St. Margarets Church publicly apologizes for, acknowledges and profoundly regrets its involvement and complicity in the sin of slavery on the Broadneck Peninsula, the apology from St. Margarets reads. We recognize that the economic wealth established through the lasting effects of slavery built our parish and continues to benefit our church. We are extremely sorry that we have been complicit in the churchs role in support of slavery.

St. Margaret vowed to dismantle systematic racism and to commit to making amends and establishing trust among community members impacted by the churchs past  a task St. Margarets pastor, Peter Mayer, said can be done only through an apology.

To get to the gospel truth of what we are as Christians and what the church needs to be, we need to apologize and I think we have known this, Mayer said.

Mayer noted that acknowledging wrongdoings is not a weakness, but a way to build strong communities and rebuild damaged relationships.

Annual Fathers Day Foundation member Kenyatta Rowel, 43, said the apology is the first step in repairing the gap between the congregations.

This event is meant to pave the way for all reconciliation and to foster a deeper understanding and respect for communities involved, Rowel said. Annual Fathers Day Foundation envisions this moment as the beginning of truth, reparations and healing.

Members treated the service as a celebration and fresh start of a newfound friendship between St. Margarets and Asbury Broadneck.

The service carried messages of acceptance and community as members of the two congregations bonded over song, prayer and communion. Participants were encouraged to get their 12 which Tillett said is the number of hugs needed by one person each day to be thriving with the human connection.

St. Margarets was one of 30 parishes established by English colonizers in 1692. The church was constructed by slaves who, once the building was complete, were not permitted inside.

The churchs pastor administered weddings, communions, baptisms and burials for Black people outside the church while never recognizing them as members.

In 1851, African Americans in the Broadneck Peninsula created the Asbury Broadneck United Methodist Church 2 miles away.

Daylen Huntley, a Black member of St. Margarets Church, identified more than 60 Black families who were denied service at St. Margarets Church. The names were read aloud during the service.

When the names were read off of everyone who was formerly denied service, you could see the emotion on everyones faces, said Brandon Johnson, 35, a member of the Annual Fathers Day Foundation. Almost our whole congregation is related to those people. They are our family members, so today is a big day for all of us because we have come so far.

Devon Edwards, 38, a member of the Annual Fathers Day Foundation, said Sundays joint service and apology from St. Margarets is something he has been working toward since 2022 when he reached out to St. Margarets to make amends.

Edwards said his goal was to create a better environment for his community.

St. Margarets Church identified that while they cannot correct the past, they can correct the present and the future, Edwards said. Thats a step in the right direction because we are just a group of guys with a vision and we got together and stuck it out through the tough conversations because we want to see better for our people.

As part of the reconciliation and reparations from St. Margarets Church, Asbury will receive a grant writer to assist the congregation in securing state reparation grants. Members of the Annual Fathers Day Foundation intend those grants to improve the generational wealth of the Broadneck Peninsulas Black community.

The apology from St. Margarets follows a growing national trend of institutions, such as the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, Yale and universities in Maryland acknowledging their ties to slavery and racism.

In February, University of Maryland, College Park released a report on the schools connection to slavery. The goal of the report was to repair relationships with surrounding communities, connect with descendants of local enslaved people and reckon with the universitys legacy.

Other schools, like the Johns Hopkins University, Loyola University Maryland and Goucher College took similar approaches to acknowledging ties to slavery through reports and memorials.

There have been times in St. Margarets history where we have conveniently turned away and ignored and not stepped up as a partner in Christ, Mayer said. These are the ugly truths and for that we must apologize because we missed an opportunity and denied people equal rights by not doing our part. This is the only way forward.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA)  St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and police Chief Anthony Holloway announced a new innovative program to help stop youth crime.

They will still go through the court system because we want them to know that they did something wrong. But were here to help them, Chief Anthony Holloway said.

This comes after Holloway warned the community of teenagers using pellet guns to shoot into crowds on the weekend of June 1.

But we cant arrest our way out of this problem because we can continue to make the arrest. But if the children out there keep committing these crimes, were just having a vicious cycle, Holloway said.

DUI driver crashes into Clearwater PD car, injures officer helping disabled driver: police

In a press conference on June 4, the chief warned that his officers would hold the teen offenders and even their parents responsible for their offenses, if possible.

The program will be led by Lisa Wheeler-Bowman whose mission is to keep children safe after losing her son.



Because I want to prevent another family from the way I felt, when they came and told me my son, Cabretti had been murdered, Bowman 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 WFLA.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA)  A St. Petersburg Police Department officer crashed into a wrong-way driver to stop the car Monday morning.

The driver was headed the wrong direction on 1st Avenue South at MLK Street South at 11:49 a.m., facing three lanes of oncoming traffic, according to a release from the police department.

Sgt. Michael Schade tried to pull over the car multiple times before running it off the road at the 2400 block of 1st Avenue South. No one was injured in the incident.

St. Pete police said Shawn Michael Schmidhuber, 49, was arrested for DUI and two counts of fleeing and eluding police.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
St. Petersburg police announced Monday the launch of a new initiative in collaboration with Mayor Ken Welch that aims to prevent children from committing crime through an intervention program.

The Youth Care Program is a part of Welchs vision for St. Petersburg to improve the lives of children who have committed non-violent crime. The program will partner with Lisa Wheeler-Bowman, the citys new community impact and safety liaison, to provide support to the children and their families.

Wheeler-Bowman, who spent six years on the City Council representing District 7, which includes the neighborhoods of Childs Park, Jordan Park, Bayview and Broadwater, led efforts to break down the no-snitch culture after her son, Cabretti Wheeler, was shot and killed in Pinellas County in 2008.

Im ready to make a difference in some childs life, Wheeler-Bowman said at a Monday news conference at which the program was unveiled. I want to prevent another family from feeling the way I felt when police came and told me that Cabretti had been murdered.

When a child is arrested for crimes such as grand theft or felony criminal mischief, their name will be provided to Wheeler-Bowman, who will reach out to the family and see what can change about the situation at home. According to Welch, this may include personalized care, counseling and educational opportunities tailored to the childs needs. The family will also be offered therapy, financial assistance and community support, he said. Costs will be handled from the police budget.

This is not a diversion program, St. Petersburg police Chief Anthony Holloway said. The kids will still face consequences for their charges and will go through the court system because we want them to know they did something wrong. But, were here to help them.

We cant arrest our way out of this problem, Holloway added. This program will hopefully intervene and stop this.

Within 72 hours of a minor committing a crime, Wheeler-Bowman will be contacting the minors families and resources will be available to them.

The program is voluntary, but Welch hopes parents will want to get involved.

Youve got to break that cycle and put them in a position to make a better choice, he said. A lot of parents and grandparents are overwhelmed. Theres a need in the community, this will fill that gap.

Even if a minor has committed a crime months ago, Holloway said parents can reach out to Wheeler-Bowman at City Hall for resources now.

We want to reach kids that we havent been able to reach, Welch said. We want everyone to get a chance to get on the right path.
MEXICO CITY, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's electoral body on Sunday said it completed counting votes from general elections on June 2, confirming the presidential victory of ruling party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum.

The National Electoral Institute (INE) held an extraordinary session to announce that Sheinbaum, who ran for the coalition led by the governing National Regeneration Movement (Morena), won with 59.75 percent of the vote.

Head of INE's Executive Secretariat Office Claudia Edith Suarez said the next step is for the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch of the Federation (TEPJF) to carry out the final count and endorse the outcome.

The runner-up, Xochitl Galvez of the opposition coalition Fuerza y Corazon por Mexico, obtained 27.45 percent of the vote, while the third candidate, Jorge Alvarez of the Citizen Movement party, got 10.32 percent.

According to the INE, 60,115,184 registered voters went to the polls, for a 61.04 percent turnout.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's term in office concludes at the end of September. 
Spikes rip apart stolen semis tires along I-205 in 2-state pursuit

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A standoff on Interstate 205 in Vancouver, Wash. involving a stolen semi-tractor ended with an arrest, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office announced Monday.

The driver was identified as Portland man Jesus Jessie Meza-Sanchez. The 39-year-old was booked in the Clark County Jail and charged with assault, elude, criminal mischief, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, officials said.

Authorities said Knight Transportation owns the stolen red 2022 International cab over that did not have a trailer.

MCSO said the woman passenger was initially taken into custody but not charged with a crime and was subsequently released.

Canoe flipping incident on the Nehalem River leads to mans death

Authorities said the incident started in Portland around 9 a.m., where the tractor trailer was stolen and police pursued it, trying to use spikes.

Meza-Sanchez then allegedly crossed the Columbia River into Washington, hitting numerous cars while eluding police, according to officials.

Authorities said one deputy was hurt in the collision.

Its a very large vehicle. When the driver wanted out of our box-in that we had, the truck was plenty big enough to push our vehicles out of the way, Deputy John Plock said.

Deputies were able to spike strip the tires around NE 223rd and Sandy Boulevard, but the truck kept going. The driver looped onto NE Fairview Parkway and headed west on I-84, using the emergency lanes to skip traffic before heading north on I-205.

The truck, even with the deflated tires, headed north over the Glen Jackson Bridge at speeds up to 60 mph, officials said. But at that point, the semis front tires were gone and several rear tires were disintegrating.

Around 10:15 a.m., officials said, the semi stopped on I-205 near NE Burton Road. Neither the driver nor the passenger responded to orders to leave the truck. Authorities said Meza-Sanchez showed aggressive behavior.

Traffic camera footage from the Washington State Department of Transportation. (WSDOT)

Traffic camera footage from the Washington State Department of Transportation. (WSDOT)

Thats when I-205 was closed between Mill Plain and SR-500.

Both Meza-Sanchez and the woman left the truck on their own around 11:30 a.m. I-205 was re-opened by noon.

Meza-Sanchez will be extradited to Multnomah County to face 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 KOIN.com.
Starbucks on Indiana Avenue becomes 2nd in Bloomington, 6th in Indiana to file for union

Sophie Lee, left, and Eliza Ortiz, right, on the sidewalk outside the Starbucks Coffee on Indiana Avenue. Workers at the location have filed a petition for unionization with the National Labor Relations Board.

Workers at the Starbucks coffee shop on Indiana Avenue, which sits just outside of the Sample Gates, have filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), making it the second location in Bloomington, and the sixth in Indiana, to do so.

On June 4, approximately 90% of workers at the Indiana Avenue store signed union cards asking for an election, a process that will be represented by the organizing unit Starbucks Workers United (SWU), a group that to date has unionized or initiated union elections for more than 430 stores across the U.S.

The Indiana Avenue stores filing on June 4 coincided with 17 other stores across the U.S., including locations in New York, California and Florida.

Im really excited that were doing this in pods, said Sophie Lee, a barista at the Indiana Avenue location and an organizer for the unionization effort. Its not just my store joining the union. Its a group of us, and I think thats really cool and holds that spirit of community action and collective power.

Workers say the Indiana Avenue location, which is mostly staffed by Indiana University students and mostly young employees, is a particularly close-knit group. Eliza Ortiz, another barista at the store, said she believes this culture helped with organizing for the union petition.

People hang out outside of work and a lot of the people in our store are just friends outside of work, and I think that really helps with getting conversations about the union going, Ortiz said. A lot of times, it just came up casually.

Lee says the young, student-oriented culture of the store also brings specific challenges, as droves of employees leave for the summer months, and full-time workers lack guarantees of consistent scheduling as staff fluctuates. She believes unionizing will help to ensure all employees get the hours they need.

A lot of people are usually concerned about making rent, Lee said. And I think that with these contract negotiations, we can ensure more regular hours for our employees.

SWUs core demands include a standard pay of $20 an hour (Starbucks moved to a base pay of $15 an hour in 2022, with increases based on tenure), consistent scheduling, improved health care benefits and a strengthened worker grievance process.

The Indiana Avenue stores filing comes at a historic time for the Starbucks unionization movement. Since 2021, when the first Starbucks location filed for a union election in Buffalo, New York, Starbucks corporate management has largely opposed unionization, contracting with high-retainer anti-union law firms and racking up hundreds of unfair labor practice (ULP) charges from the NLRB.

In April, Starbucks met directly with 150 bargaining delegates of SWU, entering for the first time into collective bargaining with the union as a whole, rather than on a store-by-store basis.

Lee says shes optimistic the corporation is turning to good faith bargaining, and thinks its an exciting time for her store to be joining the movement.

The company is starting to realize that if they continue to fight this in bad faith, then as more and more stores unionize, theyre going to be in a tight spot, Lee said. Its really exciting for me that this is the moment were joining the union.According to Starbucks, the at-large bargaining agreements currently being discussed between SWU and Starbucks corporate will form the foundation of each single-store contract. Lee said if the Indiana Avenue store choses to unionize, theyll then send a representative to be involved in the at-large discussions.

Before going to those, our store will also vote on what issues we specifically want to focus on, but the actual negotiations will be a store-wide contract.

Ortiz said she and other employees at the Indiana Avenue location have been watching the Starbucks unionization movement for a long time, and are excited to be joining the movement at a historic moment.

Were all doing this together, Ortiz said. Im just happy to be part of the movement.

Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com. Follow him on Twitter/X at @brianwritesnews.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana Avenue Starbucks in Bloomington files for union election
Medical University of South Carolina Dr. Charlie Strange speaks to members of a legislative oversight panel Tuesday, May 28, 2024. The doctor is leading a state-funded clinical trial for a drug to treat the symptoms of COVID-19. (Screenshot of SCETV legislative livestream)

COLUMBIA  An international trio of chemists  two from Germany and one from the Czech Republic  paired with a doctor from New York to develop a treatment for the symptoms of COVID-19.

But the drug is being tested in South Carolina, where officials hope the research will help grow a bioscience industry in the state.

Funding pharmaceutical research is a first for the Palmetto State.

In 2022, legislators agreed to set aside $27 million from the states share of federal pandemic aid for the Medical University of South Carolina to test a COVID-19 treatment. But they put a clause in the budget requiring separate approvals for each step in the process.

The university is overseeing a clinical trial on behalf of drug developer OCI Biotech Limited, which has operations in Europe. So far, legislators have given permission for MUSC to spend $13.1 million of the total for phase one, broken into two parts.

With the initial $8.3 million allowed last year, the partners tested the drug to ensure the formula would stay stable and pure throughout the manufacturing process.

Now its time to test it on humans, starting mostly with residents of South Carolinas Upstate.

The benefits for the state of South Carolina could be transformative, Dr. David Cole, president of MUSC, told members of the Legislatures financial oversight board last year when he came seeking the first tranche of money for the clinical trial process.

Representatives of the university returned to the Statehouse two weeks ago for its second funding round. With $4.8 million newly approved to complete phase one, testing will move to human volunteers to determine safe dosages and effectiveness.

Lawmakers see the partnership as a jumping off point to get involved with more companies conducting early-stage development of new pharmaceuticals.

The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that we can no longer rely on foreign countries to provide us with life-saving medical supplies, said Brandon Charochak, a spokesman for the governors office. The MUSC clinical trial provides South Carolina with a significant opportunity to bring additional pharmaceutical manufacturing to our state.

How it started

While the drug is intended to combat COVID, its journey to South Carolina started long before the pandemic.

According to MUSC, the scientific team at OCI spent 10 years discovering and developing the treatment for lung inflammation.

It does not kill the COVID-19 virus but rather treats the respiratory symptoms, helping patients survive the breathing problems experienced by many who contract it. Doctors could eventually use the drug to treat lung inflammation associated with other diseases.

The team, according to documents supplied to legislators, included:

Roland Franke, a German biochemist with a doctoral degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly cancer drugs.

Rolf Jessberger, a German chemist and director of the Institute of Physiological Chemistry at Technische Universitat Dresden.

Dr. Tom Sakmar, a physician and former acting president of Rockefeller University in New York, who studied at the University of Chicago and received clinical and research training from Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Jaroslav Frantisek, a pharmaceutical executive from the Czech Republic with 24 years of experience.

When it came time to move from lab-based studies to human testing, the group started looking for partners.

The first question was how they would make and deliver the treatment. That brought OCI to Nephron Pharmaceuticals in Lexington County, which makes generic drugs to treat a multitude of respiratory illnesses.

Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy said she was introduced to OCI through SC Bio, a life sciences industry group in the state. OCI wanted to hear about Nephrons experience operating a pharmaceutical facility in South Carolina. Through those meetings, OCI learned of Nephrons expertise in respiratory medicine and a partnership formed.

It just sort of happened, Kennedy, past chairwoman of SC Bios board, told the SC Daily Gazette on Monday. It was organically hatched.

Kennedy said Nephron started receiving shipments of OCIs formula, which starts as a powder made at one of OCIs labs in Europe. (The group of scientists has labs in both Italy and the Czech Republic.) Nephron liquifies the powder, and the liquid drug is administered through a nebulizer, which turns it into an ultra-fine mist breathed in by a patient.

After teaming up with Nephron, OCI then tapped MUSC to run clinical trials as the group seeks U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the drug. MUSC said it vetted OCI, and the preliminary studies on the drug were promising.

Finally, the new partners needed a way to pay for this next step in the drug development process. It turned to the state government, which received billions in federal relief dollars in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is unclear to the Gazette exactly where the idea for the state to pay for it originated.

Kennedy, former chairwoman of the state Chamber of Commerce, was part of Gov. Henry McMasters accelerateSC task force, which he formed to make recommendations on how to best use the federal pandemic aid. But its final report, issued in August 2021, says nothing about funding clinical trials.

The unusual allocation was part of the Houses budget proposal two years ago, which the Senate agreed to in negotiations.

Funding sources

In the United States, the largest funders of clinical trials are the companies that develop them.

After that comes federal agencies, particularly the National Institutes of Health. In an effort to up its spending power in recent years, the agency has pumped hundreds of millions of dollars into 60 regional consortiums around the country, which in neighboring states includes the Georgia Clinical & Translational Science Alliance and North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute.

Charitable organizations  the Susan G. Komen foundation for example  also offer funding.

Financial support for clinical trials can and does come from many sources. Each year, MUSC performs many research trials from almost every funding source imaginable, MUSCs Dr. Charlie Strange, who is running the clinical trial, and MUSC Chief Innovation Officer Dr. Jesse Goodwin, wrote in an email to the SC Daily Gazette.

But South Carolina has never previously directly funded a clinical trial at MUSC through the state budget.

If were gambling with the states money, whats our reward? What do we get out of it? Senate Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, asked last year when the committee he leads was asked to OK the first distribution.

MUSCs Cole acknowledged the financial risk.

There are no guarantees that this will happen. But the way I frame this is that this is significant risk with significant upside, he told Peeler and other members of the Legislatures Joint Bond Review Committee.

Cole said it could strengthen the pharmaceutical and bioscience industries in the state  sectors South Carolina has sought to grow for years  bringing more high-paying jobs and attracting highly-educated experts in those fields.

Weve had huge success with advanced manufacturing. Thats awesome,  he said. But we really need a diverse economy.

Whats next

Should the drug eventually receive FDA approval, its expected to be manufactured here  first by Nephron and eventually by OCI, which is considering a site in the Lowcountry for a manufacturing plant of its own.

The medical schools Zucker Institute for Innovation Commercialization also holds intellectual property and other revenue sharing agreements with OCI, though the terms of those agreements were not immediately available.

But first and foremost, according to MUSC, are the anticipated health benefits for South Carolinians suffering from respiratory viruses such as COVID-19.

South Carolina, like many states without a city that ranks among the largest nationwide, has lagged in access to clinical trials compared to places like New York and Chicago.

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, who also sits on the legislative oversight panel, called the partnership a potential game changer.

Over the coming months, paid volunteers who have signed on with Velocity Clinical Research  headquartered in Durham, North Carolina  will be the first to take the drug.

The company has offices in Spartanburg, Columbia, Anderson, Greenville, Gaffney, and Union where the trial will take place. Those who agree to participate will be monitored for any potential side effects the drug may cause. Details about the number of volunteers and payments for participants will be made public upon the trials approval by an institutional review board, according to MUSC.

The post State-funded testing of COVID-19 treatment needs SC volunteers appeared first on SC Daily Gazette.
State officials, AARP urge older adults to be on guard against financial scams

Judith Boivin talks about being scammed out of more than a half-million dollars. She shared her story at a June 10 news conference at the AARP of Maryland office in Annapolis. Photo by William J. Ford.

Judith Boivin cannot remember all the details of an elaborate and complicated scheme by criminals who swindled her between September 2023 and January of this year.

But she cant forget the amount the scammers took: More than $500,000 in cash and individual retirement accounts.

The 79-year-old Montgomery County resident shared her story to kick off Protect Week, an initiative led by AARP of Maryland to bring awareness on financial exploitation on older Americans.

Boivin recalled an impostor who called twice a day as part of an alleged FBI investigation saying her Social Security number was being used to open bank accounts to launder money across several states.

The increased distress my body is carrying since this event is taking a major toll, she said Monday at the AARP of Maryland office in Annapolis. Recently, Ive had two ER visits because of sky-high blood pressure and an amnesia episode. My neck is in a continual state of tension, often with severe migraine-like headaches, something that I never had before.

Boivin, whos caring for her husband who has Parkinsons disease, continued: Im irritable, tense, easily angry and frustrated. Im anxious and at times fearful about what the future may bring for us.

She was joined by AARP representatives, state officials and advocates who will host or participate in a weeks worth of activities through June 17. The week also coincides with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Saturday.

For Maryland residents, fraud is a real problem, according to federal statistics. The Federal Trade Commissions Consumer Sentinel Network said Maryland had the fifth-highest rate of impostor scams last year, with 2,404 scams per million residents, a total of 14,783 cases. Maryland ranked fourth in the same category in 2022.

The state also ranked high in the number of reported investment related schemes, at fourth in the nation last year and sixth in 2022, according to the FTC.

The good news is that those are people that are reporting those crimes, Karen Morgan, an AARP of Maryland executive council member, said about the data. When we dont report these crimes, we give these despicable scum a pass. We should not be absolving them of responsibility for their despicable actions.

Evelyn Cusson, an assistant U.S. attorney for Maryland, said todays schemes are sophisticated and leverage technology with tentacles all over the country and overseas.

Cusson said anyone who identifies or encounters a possible scam should report, report, report. Reporting may prevent another person from being victimized.

Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) offered some tips for seniors and their families to avoid financial scams. They include:

Let a call go to voicemail if its from a phone number you dont recognize.

Be stingy with your personal information.

Review financial statements.

Evelyn Cusson, left, and Judith Boivin chat June 10 at the AARP of Maryland office in Annapolis. Photo by William J. Ford.

He also said Marylanders are entitled to two free credit reports a year from the three major credit bureaus.

One key point made Monday: Everyone can be susceptible to financial scams.

My father, an educated man, who [was] a medical doctor, in his early 80s was scammed for thousands of dollars, tens of thousands of dollars, hundreds of thousands of dollars, Brown said. He never called his lawyer-educated son, that would be me, before, during or after the scam.

I only learned of the scam when he passed away, Brown said. He no doubt was embarrassed, which I later learned. The best thing that you can do is to seek out resources and ask for help.

For more information or to report a possible scam, speakers Monday pointed to a number of resources. They include the attorney generals consumer protection division at 410-528-8662; the state Department of Human Services child and adult protective services at 1-800-917-7383; or the state Financial Office of Regulation at 410-230-6100. You can also visit AARPs Fraud Watch Network.

The post State officials, AARP urge older adults to be on guard against financial scams appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Related video: Body camera footage shows Stephan Sterns and Jennifer Soto speaking to a deputy the night Madeline disappeared

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The state will seek the death penalty for Stephan Sterns, accused of murdering 13-year-old Madeline Soto, NBC affiliate WESH reports.

Sterns, the boyfriend of Madelines mother Jennifer Soto, was charged with first-degree murder in April after the teens disappearance and death in late February.

Sterns allegedly dropped the teen off near her middle school on Feb. 26, the day Madeline went missing. Her body was found in rural Osceola County five days later.

(Orange County Sheriffs Office)

Jennifer and Sterns told investigators Madeline was embarrassed to be dropped off at the school in Sterns vehicle, instead asking to be dropped off away from the school.

She didnt want to be dropped off at school. She wanted to be dropped a half block away so she could walk, Jennifer said, with Sterns adding She didnt explain, shes in a phase.

The State Attorneys Office said the decision to seek the death penalty was based on several aggravating factors the State intends to prove, including:

The capital felony being committed while the defendant was engaged in the commission of, or an attempt to commit, aggravated child abuse.

The victim being particularly vulnerable because the defendant stood in a position of familial or custodial authority over the victim.

The capital felony was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel.

The defendant was previously convicted of another capital felony or a felony involving the use or threat of violence to the person. (The current sex charges against Sterns will serve as priors if he is convicted.)

Screenshot from video (Courtesy: Orange County Sheriffs Office)

Photos of sexual child abuse involving Madeline were reportedly found on Sternss phone, which Sterns said he accidentally reset due to an iOS update, according to court documents.

I dont know what the heck I did. But somehow during the massive OS update, I managed to factory reset my phone and lose all of my contacts. All my information, Sterns told investigators in an interview.

Sterns is facing 60 charges related to sexual battery for the alleged abuse, which detectives say had been happening for years.

Madelines mother Jennifer said it was normal for Madeline and Sterns to sleep in the same bed at night, even when she wasnt present.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  The New Mexico Supreme Court has ruled state regulators do have the power to set electric rates different from what a rural co-op proposes. The ruling centers on a New Mexico Public Regulation Commission to reject a Socorro Electric Cooperative proposal for a $1.25 million rate increase and instead set a different rate structure. The co-op argued that the PRC can only approve or deny rate proposals but not decide the rate themselves.

New Mexico Supreme Court confirms murder conviction despite defendants concerns on judges actions

The justices disagreed saying the PRC can review proposals as long as they get enough protests and commissioners can fix unreasonable rates.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
States are already collecting more abortion data. And HIPAA wont always keep it private.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, 15 states already require providers to gather information about a patients reason for seeking an abortion, with varying degrees of specificity. Many of those states now have near-total abortion bans or six-week bans, which is before many people know they are pregnant. (Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.)

Years before the Dobbs decision, providers like Dr. Kylie Cooper were already uncomfortable with some of the reporting requirements for abortion procedures in states where they practiced.

Cooper was a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for several years in Idaho before she reluctantly left the state in 2023 because of the near-total abortion ban that is now in place. But when abortion was still legal, she was required to fill out a form and submit it to the state with information about the patient and the procedure, including the physicians name and when it occurred. While the law said that the information would be aggregated and could not identify individual patients, Cooper never felt sure about how it would be used or how secure the data would be kept.

It was supposed to be anonymous, but they asked for patient identifiers on it, so I was like, Could this get tracked back to them? she said.

In April, TIME magazine interviewed former President Donald Trump, who is the presumptive Republican nominee for president, about his goals in office if he is elected. He was asked whether he would be comfortable with states monitoring womens pregnancies to determine whether someone may have received an abortion despite a ban. Trump responded that it didnt matter if he was comfortable with it or not, because the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision allowed states to dictate abortion policy.

Although it was posed as a hypothetical and limited to states with abortion bans, there are efforts underway at the legislative and congressional levels  and in the blueprint for the next Republican presidential administration  to track abortion and pregnancy data. Some have already become law, and some are pending in the U.S. Congress, including a bill that would mandate that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collect more abortion data from all 50 states. At the same time, there are renewed concerns about deceptive practices around data privacy at crisis pregnancy centers nationwide, which are receiving large infusions of taxpayer dollars from some state governments such as Louisiana, Arkansas and Kansas.

I dont think most people recognize the way that we are currently being surveilled in our health care system, said Jennifer Driver, senior director of reproductive rights for a policy advocacy organization called State Innovation Exchange. People need to be talking to their providers about what information is shared, how its shared, and start reading the forms.

Patients misunderstand how protective HIPAA is, researcher says

Carmel Shachar, a Harvard law professor with research experience in data privacy and health policy, said people typically think of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act  better known as HIPAA  as fully protective of medical records, but thats not the reality.

HIPAA is protective of whats in your medical records, but its a little more like Swiss cheese than I think people understand. There are a lot of exceptions, Shachar said.

Two of the big exceptions are for law enforcement, when it is conducting an investigation, and the other is for public health reporting, she said. Public health data reports can be positive in terms of understanding whats happening in hospitals and clinics, but on the law enforcement end, the exception in the law could be used by state governments with anti-abortion laws to prosecute those seeking and facilitating care in other states. Thats the loophole that President Joe Bidens administration sought to close with a recent rule that was enacted after the Dobbs decision to address patient privacy specifically around procedures related to reproductive care. It does not allow law enforcement to seek those records for that particular type of care if it was obtained in a state where it was legal.

But that hasnt stopped one attorney in Texas from trying. Jonathan Mitchell, the states former solicitor general, has filed two petitions seeking legal action against women he says traveled out of state to obtain an abortion. Courts are still considering whether he can proceed with depositions against those women.

Meanwhile, 17 Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C., have passed laws protecting providers and patients from out-of-state investigations for reproductive health care and gender-affirming care. Governors in Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island have also issued executive orders declaring that state agencies wont cooperate in extraditions or investigations involving reproductive care.

Shachar said some laws are also made under the guise of public health reporting when theyre more about political tactics.

One example is a recent law passed in Kansas, where voters overwhelmingly rejected abortion bans in a 2022 referendum. Lawmakers overrode Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys veto at the end of April to pass House Bill 2749, which Kansans for Life asked a legislator to introduce. It requires providers to ask patients for the most important factor in their decision to terminate a pregnancy. Kansans for Life is the same group that led the failed referendum.

On May 20, the Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood Great Plains announced it is challenging the law in court, adding it to an ongoing case from 2023, according to Kansas Reflector.

Although the bill says a patient can decline to answer the questions, Center for Reproductive Rights staff attorney Alice Wang said that isnt enough, because it doesnt require the provider to tell the patient they dont have to answer. Especially now that patients are coming to Kansas for an abortion from states where the procedure is banned and criminalized, Wang said, the bill is designed to intimidate providers in particular, since they are the ones subject to criminal penalties, not the pregnant person.

When patients are confronted with these questions, then that raises questions of what this deeply personal information is going to be used for in an atmosphere where anti-abortion extremists have already threatened to come after activities that should be perfectly legal, she said.

The list of reasons includes whether the patient already has enough, or too many, children, whether they cannot provide for another child, that the pregnancy was a result of rape or incest or that it threatens their health to be pregnant. The data must be reported biannually to the legislature.

Shachar said the reporting of abortion procedures is not in itself shocking, but asking for reasons why is alarming.

It feels like its trying to lay the groundwork to separate out good or permissible abortions from bad abortions, she said.

One of the reasons listed is that The child would have a disability, but there is no reason in the list for a pregnancy with a fatal or severe life-limiting fetal anomaly. Organizations such as Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Live Action often refer to severe fetal abnormalities as disabilities, even if the patient chose to continue the pregnancy and the infant died hours after birth.

According to the legislation passed into law in Kansas, except in cases of medical emergencies, every patient is to be asked what the most important factor was in their decision to terminate a pregnancy from a list of the following:

Having a baby would interfere with the patients education, employment or career

Patient cannot provide for the child

Patient already has enough, or too many, children

Patients husband is abusive to patient or their children

Patients husband or partner wants them to have an abortion

Patient does not have adequate support to raise a child

The pregnancy is a result of rape

The pregnancy is the result of incest

The pregnancy threatens the patients physical health

The pregnancy threatens the patients emotional or mental health

The child would have a disability

If the patient declines to answer, that response would be recorded. Each biannual report shall include:

Number of times each reason listed was described as most important

Number of times a patient was asked about the reasons listed and declined to answer

Patients age, marital status at the time of the abortion, country of residency, race and highest level of education completed

Whether in the month before the abortion the patient received services, financial assistance (excluding financial assistance for the abortion), or other assistance from a nonprofit organization that supports pregnant women

Whether the patient reported experiencing domestic violence in the past 12 months

Whether the patient is living in a place they consider to be safe, stable and affordable

Whether the patient made a report of physical, mental or emotional abuse or neglect

The method of the abortion performed

Abortion survey bill advances in New Hampshire legislature

While Kansas law is one of the most recent, it is not a new concept. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 15 states already require providers to gather information about a patients reason for seeking an abortion, with varying degrees of specificity. Many of those states now have near-total abortion bans or six-week bans, which is before many people know they are pregnant.

In Oklahoma, before its ban went into effect, reporting requirements included a list of 40 reasons that could be identified, whereas the Kansas list is 11 reasons. Seven other states that asked for reasons in their reporting requirements now have a near-total abortion ban or severe restrictions, including Arizona and Florida.

A similar reporting bill is advancing in the New Hampshire legislature, where abortion is still broadly legal, and another failed to pass in the Michigan legislature in 2023. In Indiana  a state with a near-total ban  an anti-abortion group is suing the state to make abortion records public information.

Another misunderstanding of HIPAA, according to Shachar, is that people cant be identified through public health information as long as enough data points are removed.

That theory is totally wrong, she said.

She pointed to a story from 1997, one year after HIPAA became law, when a computer scientist named Latanya Sweeney was able to identify the medical records of the governor of Massachusetts at the time even though the dataset she was working from had been de-identified.

It makes it more difficult to figure out who were talking about, but it doesnt make it impossible, especially if someone is motivated to re-identify the data, Shachar said.

Heritage Foundation outlines steps to federal abortion regulation

There are also national policy advocates prescribing the next actions to take in the fight over abortion rights. A document produced by conservative interest group the Heritage Foundation called Project 2025 details a wish list of priorities and approaches for many sectors of the federal government to be carried out by the next Republican president. The document, called Mandate for Leadership, The Conservative Promise is 920 pages and references abortion nearly 200 times.

Project 2025s advisory board includes staff from the Alliance Defending Freedom, a religious conservative law firm that represented the clients at the center of the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, and is arguing for the U.S. Supreme Court to restrict access to mifepristone, part of a two-step drug regimen to terminate a pregnancy. The firms senior counsel, Erik Baptist, is listed as a contributor to the document.

The board also includes anti-abortion groups such as the Family Research Council, the Family Policy Alliance and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. As part of its overall guidance, the document calls for the next Republican president to remove all references to abortion and reproductive health and appears to suggest a nationwide abortion ban.

Driver, senior director of reproductive rights for State Innovation Exchange, said Project 2025 is the foundation for the recent state-level legislation.

It would be naive to think this was not a design behind those with Project 2025, Driver said. Even if theres not this conservative federal administration that comes, were already seeing Project 2025 elements and have for a long time at the state level.

The plan states that federal abortion reporting data is woefully inadequate. California, Maryland and New Hampshire, where abortion access is broadly legal, do not submit abortion data to the federal government at all. The plans authors contend all 50 states must mandatorily report to ensure reliable public health and policy.

Because liberal states have now become sanctuaries for abortion tourism, (the agency) should use every available tool, including the cutting of funds, to ensure that every state reports exactly how many abortions take place within its borders, at what gestational age of the child, for what reason, the mothers state of residence, and by what method, the plan states.

Project 2025 suggests rescinding HIPAA rule regarding abortion investigations

Republican South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman introduced a bill in Congress in January 2023  about nine months after the Heritage Foundation established Project 2025  that would require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to fulfill those data-tracking plans. Its titled the Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2023, and contains the exact language used in Project 2025s outline. The bill has 29 co-sponsors and the support of the anti-abortion organizations on Project 2025s advisory board. It has not advanced in the Subcommittee on Health. In a statement, Norman said current data collection severely underestimates the number of abortions taking place and tax dollars are being allocated to family planning programs without clear data.

Mandatory factors for reporting would include the pregnant persons age, race, ethnicity and state of residence, the abortion method type, the persons marital status, and the number of times they have been pregnant, including the number of previous live births, induced abortions and miscarriages.

Those factors  except for the number of previous abortions and miscarriages, which was less common  have been part of the data the CDC collected for many years, but the reporting was voluntary. Whats new is that the required data would also have to indicate whether the child survived the abortion. The agency head could also add questions at any time, according to the bill text. All states would have to report this data or lose federal Medicaid funding for family planning services.

The documents authors also call for the federal government to rescind the HIPAA rule protecting those who seek abortion procedures in legal states from law enforcement action. Project 2025 calls the rule a politicized statement in favor of abortion and against Dobbs.

Crisis pregnancy centers imply they are subject to HIPAA law, but most are not

Amid the passage of new laws like the one in Kansas, an organization called the Campaign for Accountability filed complaints in April with attorneys general claiming that crisis pregnancy centers in five states  Idaho, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington  are using deceptive language about HIPAA. Crisis pregnancy centers are often formed as nonprofit organizations with a stated mission to support pregnant women who are unexpectedly pregnant and a goal of dissuading them from seeking an abortion. Many of the centers have been criticized for promoting or providing false information related to abortion, such as claims that having an abortion increases a persons risk of cancer or future fertility issues, or that the abortion pill is dangerous.

The centers almost always offer their services for free, which means they do not bill insurance providers and are therefore not subject to penalties under the federal HIPAA law for disclosing a patients health information. However, some of the centers claim on their websites that they are required by law to keep health information protected.

One of the clinics named in a complaint filed with the attorney generals office in Pennsylvania uses the same type of language in the notice of privacy practices portion of the website. There are links to the federal HIPAA informational page, with one reference stating a person can file a complaint with the HIPAA office if they feel their data privacy was violated. Another section states the organization is required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information with a link to the HIPAA website.

The Pennsylvania clinic is part of a network of crisis pregnancy centers called Heartbeat International, one of two organizations targeted by the complaints, with Care Net being the second. Heartbeat has more than 2,000 affiliates in the U.S., and Care Net has 1,200.

Heartbeat International told States Newsroom in an email that while the organization could not speak for individual affiliates, all affiliates in the network adopt a commitment to hold client information in strict and absolute confidence and is only disclosed when required by law or when necessary to protect the client or others against imminent harm.

Pregnancy help centers provide that protection to their clients, even when the law does not explicitly require them to do so, said Andrea Trudden, vice president of communications for Heartbeat International. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to pregnancy help centers, and the forms women sign before receiving services provide them legal protection of their confidential information. Pregnancy, abortion, STDs/STIs, and other circumstances that might bring a woman to a pregnancy help center or abortion facility should be handled with the greatest confidentiality.

Trudden added that the Next Level CMS system uses the same software platforms used by hospitals and doctors offices nationwide.

Michelle Kuppersmith, executive director of the Campaign for Accountability, said some of the centers state they can disclose health information for moral reasons. Heartbeat International also maintains a data management system called Next Level CMS for all of its centers, which it says follows privacy standards according to HIPAA law.

Our fear is that the data collected at these centers are laddering up to much more sophisticated operations, Kuppersmith said. Every single woman who is thinking about going to one of these places because it seems like a friendly place should know that their personal health information is not required by any federal medical law to be protected, and they should be enormously careful what information they give to these places.

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(Bloomberg) -- Inflows into Indian equity funds surged to record high last month, with retail investors brushing aside a spike in stock volatility before election results.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Mutual funds received 347 billion rupees ($4.2 billion) of inflows in May as investors plowed money for a 39th month, according to data released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India.

Equity investments by individual investors in India are on a rise as returns beat traditional investments such as fixed deposits and bonds. The inflows came even as concerns over a stable government after elections drove up volatility in markets.

Monthly recurring plans emerged as the most popular product among retail investors, adding almost $2.5 billion of flows on net basis to stocks.

While recent data has shown a dip in household savings in India, systematic investment plans have continued to pick up, AMFI Chief Executive Venkat Chalasani said on a conference call.

HDFC Manufacturing Fund, which was introduced during the month, received more than 95 billion rupees of subscriptions.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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A powerful storm overnight left many people in the Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island area without power for hours early Monday morning.

Many residents and emergency services are continuing to clean up from the damage, which caused downed trees on houses and power lines.

Reports said that there were major traffic delays Monday from Pawelys Island because of the damage.

Brookgreen Gardens has also closed on June 10 due to the overnight storm.

People in Pawleys Island and Murrells Inlet lost power around midnight or 1 a.m., according to posts on social media. Power came back on gradually, with some saying they had power again by 2:30 a.m. and others saying they were without power at 6 a.m.

Brandon Ellis, director of Georgetown County Emergency Services, said Monday that crews worked all night because of the storm. Ellis said there were several trees down throughout Pawleys Island and Litchfield, as well as a few on Sandy Island.

There is vegetative debris on roadways and some trees on houses. In addition, power restoration is ongoing in some areas, Ellis said. No one was injured during the storm.

I think everything is almost business as usual, Ellis said.

Ellis said residents had to spend some time without power and air conditioning, which came at a time when the temperature was 90 degrees.

Many complained online about how the lack of electricity left them with air conditioning and fans, making for a steamy and uncomfortable night.

Storms with wind gusts up to 60 mph caused power outages and downed trees in the Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island area early Monday morning. Several trees were also in the roadway, including this one at Willbrook Boulevard in Litchfield. June 10, 2024

The storm had winds that were as fast as 60 mph, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Bacon. The NWS in Wilmington, North Carolina, received reports of power outages and fallen trees beginning about 11:55 p.m.

The storm damage was caused by a microburst, which is when the rain falling out of the storm accelerates the cold air and as it hits the ground causes straight line wind damage, Bacon said.

There will be additional thunderstorms Monday across the area, but there is no threat of severe weather, Bacon said. Most of Monday will be overcast and cloudy.
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Finally, the summer weather is slowly getting to us here in L.A.. School is out & we are planning our next road trip, trying to work it in between our sons summer camps and some other family things. We are in the mood to celebrate Summer, but first, lets celebrate Dad!

Road Trip Style & Duffle Bag (HallieDaily)

What I wore: Zara dress// Zara Necklace // Manolo Blahnik Mules // Linda Farrow Sunglasses // Ivy Core Duffle Bag & Dopp Kit (My favorite gift to my husband on this Fathers Day)

Road Trip Style & Father's Day Gift (HallieDaily)

I dont know about you, but when my husband and I buy gifts for each other, we agree thats a very hard decision. First of all, we already own all the things we think we need or want; and secondly, we dont lack ANYTHING! But sometimes I see some gift that will improve my husbands life in some way, and I pounce on it.

Road Trip Style & Father's Day Gift (HallieDaily)

So my Fathers Day gift idea advice, just find something you can give Dad that he needs to add/change or to replace. lol . . .

Father's Day Gift Idea 2024 (HallieDaily)

Here are some ideas I have in my mind right now. And from my personal experience, some items are must-have, some need to be refreshed or updated, and some are to encourage some unexpected habit I hope he will develop.

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1.YETI water Bottle

2. C62 Record Player with Speakers

3.North Face Recycled Polyester 66 Brimmer Hat

4.Ray Faux Leather Crossbody Bag

5.3-Pack Assorted Cotton Crewneck T-Shirts

6.GilletteLabs Heated Razor

7. J.Crew Stretch tech vest

8. Alpine Swiss Logan Zipper Bifold Wallet

9. Ray-Ban Sunglasses

10.Hoka Kawana 2 Running Shoe
Book Club words surrounded by books ()

In honor of Juneteenth, the UMGC Europe Book Club, open to everyone, will host its next meeting on June 18 at 12 p.m. CET via Zoom, featuring Harriet Jacobs work, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (available at no-cost online via Google Books here).

Juneteenth, celebrated each year on June 19th, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. The day evolved into a celebration of African American culture, heritage, and ongoing struggles for equality, officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021. Harriet Jacobs story is the perfect selection for Juneteenth as she was not only a former enslaved person, but also an abolitionist whose writings significantly contributed to the fight for freedom.

The slave narrative is a distinctly American literary genre that emerged from the experiences of enslaved African Americans, offering firsthand accounts of the brutal realities of slavery. Published in 1861, Jacobs autobiography played a crucial role in building Northern support for emancipation during the Civil War. Slave narratives like Jacobs were instrumental in the abolitionist movement, providing humanizing testimonials that countered pro-slavery propaganda. These narratives not only solidified our historical record but also laid the groundwork for African American literature, influencing subsequent generations of writers depicting issues of race, identity and social justice.

Harriet Jacobs Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is the only known slave narrative written by an African American woman. It uniquely highlights the sexual violence faced by enslaved women, making it a cornerstone of intersectional feminist literature. Jacobs powerful slave narrative offers a compelling account of her life as an enslaved woman and her journey to freedom, detailing her early years and, later, the horrific abuse she endured. To escape the relentless sexual violence of her enslaver, Jacobs hid in a tiny crawl space in her grandmothers attic for seven years before finally escaping to the North. Her narrative not only exposes the inhumanity of slavery but also highlights the specific traumas faced by enslaved women, thus offering a critical intersectional perspective on race and gender.

Jacobs contributions, however, did not end with her own freedom. She dedicated her life to relief work among Black Civil War refugees, educating newly freed Americans, and advocating for womens rights. As we come together to discuss Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, we not only honor Harriet Jacobs courage and resilience but also reflect on the broader significance of Juneteenth. Her story encourages us to consider the ongoing struggles for racial and gender equality and the importance of intersectionality in our understanding of history and social justice.

Book Club Juneteenth Flyer (Jessica S. Stock PhD)

Everyone is welcome to join the UMGC Europe Book Club, no need to be a student or faculty member! Since July 2020, we have been building a community that values diversity, empathy, and literary exploration. Our mission is simple: to read literature, create a reliable and safe community of readers, and, most importantly, provide a space where resilience and empathy thrive. Whether youre an avid reader or just looking to connect with fellow book enthusiasts, our club offers inclusive and meaningful discussions.

For more information, visit our Facebook page or email bookclub-europe@umgc.edu for questions on membership or how UMGC Europe Book Club can facilitate other community reading events. Celebrate Juneteenth with us by delving into the life and legacy of Harriet Jacobs and join us in this enriching literary journey!
Stranded Kite Surfer Rescued from Cliffside Beach After Using Rocks to Spell 'Help'

That was a different type of 911 call than we usually get," said a fire official who helped with the rescue

CAL FIRE San Mateo - Santa Cruz Unit Kite surfer rescued after spelling "Help" with rocks on beach

A man stranded on a beach was rescued after signaling for help with rocks!

The man was kite surfing on Sunday, June 9, when he became stranded on a cliffside beach south of Davenport Landing in California, according to a post shared by the San Mateo-Santa Cruz unit California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

Footage of the incident captured by Cal Fire personnel showed that the beach was located at the base of a long, steep cliff.

The department went on to note that he area is somewhat remote" and the tide was also coming in.

After using rocks on the beach to spell out "HELP," the windsurfer  and his message  grabbed the attention of a private helicopter flying overhead.

Shortly after, someone on the helicopter called for help  and the man was ecstatic that his signal was effective. He felt very lucky when he first saw the helicopter, he gave them a thumbs up, Fire Captain Skylar Merritt, who assisted with the rescue, told the Los Angeles Times.

That was a different type of 911 call than we usually get, Merritt added -- and thanks to the fact that he was spotted only a few hours after getting stranded, he "didn't have to worry about hypothermia or dehydration."

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Clips of the recovery operation showed a first responder being lowered down from the CAL FIRE vehicle to the surfer, who stood with another first responder just feet away from his HELP message. Then, all three were lifted up, hanging from a rope attached to the helicopter, and placed atop the cliff.

The surfer was uninjured and did not need medical attention.

As for what actually landed the man, an experienced windsurfer, on the beach in the first place, Merritt told the Los Angeles Times that it was a combination of decent size surf and a wind shadow, a condition that occurs when high bluffs block the ocean from the wind, making it harder for kite surfers to control their boards.

Merritt added, "t can be a hard area to predict what the conditions are, with conditions changing very, very fast."

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Read the original article on People.
Southern California was recently rattled by several small earthquakes. They produced minor shaking but nonetheless left psychological aftershocks in a region whose seismic vulnerabilities are matched by our willingness to put the dangers out of our minds.

For many, it all added to one question: Is this the beginning of something bigger?

First, a magnitude 3.6 earthquake in the Ojai Valley sent weak shaking from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles on May 31. Then came two small quakes under the eastern L.A. neighborhood of El Sereno, the most powerful a 3.4. Finally, a trio of tremors hit the Costa Mesa-Newport Beach border, topping out at a magnitude 3.6 Thursday.

Having half a dozen earthquakes with a magnitude over 2.5 in a week, hitting three distinct parts of Southern California, all in highly populated areas, is not a common occurrence.

But experts say these smaller quakes have no predictive power over the next major, destructive earthquake in urban Southern California, the last of which came 30 years ago.

Read more: Faster alerts for California megaquakes: Early-warning system gets major upgrade

Generally speaking, there is a 1 in 20 chance any earthquake in California will be followed by one that's larger, said Susan Hough, a seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. Those odds aren't high, and typically, the subsequent, larger quake would occur in the same area within a week. Plus, if something bigger did happen, the odds are a new temblor would be only a little bigger, Hough said.

Still, the recent quakes are a reminder that Southern California is uniquely and deeply vulnerable to earthquakes directly under us. The risk is by no means limited to the region's most famous fault, the southern San Andreas, which, apart from running under San Bernardino and Palmdale, is mostly beneath remote deserts and mountains but is capable of a magnitude 8 quake.

In contrast, last week's earthquakes highlighted nearby fault systems directly under our most populated cities and could produce even worse death tolls than a San Andreas megaquake, targeting our oldest neighborhoods with many unretrofitted buildings when they rupture.

"All three sets of these earthquakes occurred near large, potentially dangerous faults," said James Dolan, an earth sciences professor at USC. "The L.A. urban fault network has been in a seismic lull for the entire historic period, and this lull likely extends back on the order of the last 1,000 years. We know at some point this lull were in will end."

While some cities and government agencies have taken impressive steps to protect infrastructure, such as ordering retrofits of older buildings, many others have not, pushing off seismic vulnerabilities that eventually will come to light.

Here's a look at some of the major fault systems near the recent earthquakes that often are overshadowed by the region's more famous faults:

Puente Hills thrust fault

A three-dimensional mapping of last week's El Sereno quakes under the Earth's surface found they were just beneath the plane of the Puente Hills thrust fault, a terrifying fault that has received far less attention than the San Andreas but is capable of generating catastrophic shaking.

A magnitude 7.5 quake on the Puente Hills fault  which runs under highly populated areas of L.A. and Orange counties  could kill 3,000 to 18,000 people, according to the USGS and Southern California Earthquake Center.

That's worse than the hypothetical death toll of 1,800 people from a plausible magnitude 7.8 earthquake that begins on the southern San Andreas fault near the Mexican border and unzips all the way to the mountains of L.A. County.

"This is a very, very large fault, located in about the worst possible place you could imagine for a fault beneath L.A.," Dolan said.

The Puente Hills thrust fault was discovered only recently  in 1999  by John Shaw of Harvard University and Peter Shearer of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, who concluded that the 1987 Whittier Narrows quake, which killed eight people, ruptured a small portion of this fault.

The Puente Hills thrust fault is particularly worrisome when it ruptures in its entirety because of what's on top of it  downtown Los Angeles, which has many old and unretrofitted buildings, as well as broad swaths of southeast L.A. County, the San Gabriel Valley and northern Orange County.

"This thing is enormous," Dolan said.

The fault is like an angled ramp deep underground  deepest along the 210 Freeway corridor, where it is about 10 miles deep, and shallowest about a mile south of USC, where it is 2 miles under the surface.

This orientation is particularly bad if the entire fault ruptures because the shaking would commonly begin at the deepest end and move to the shallowest  meaning the shaking energy would likely move from the suburbs of the foothills toward downtown.

"Where's all that energy ... going to end up? It's going to end up at the top of the ramp," Dolan said. "That, unfortunately, is right in the core of the L.A. metropolitan region."

The shaking also will arrive at the edge of the Los Angeles Basin, a 6-mile-deep, bathtub-shaped hole in the underlying bedrock filled with weak sand and gravel eroded from the mountains and forming the flat land where millions of people live. The area stretches from Beverly Hills through southeast L.A. County and into northern Orange County.

When earthquake energy is sent into these sedimentary basins, Dolan said, it amplifies the intensity of the shaking  perhaps 10 times worse than if someone were on bedrock  and also causes shaking to resonate like a bowl of Jell-O, extending the duration.

"So the Puente Hills thrust is both, in terms of its location and its geometry, a particularly dangerous fault for Los Angeles," Dolan said.

There is one silver lining: Unlike the San Andreas fault, which generates a big earthquake on average every 100 years or so, the Puente Hills thrust fault generates big quakes only every couple of thousand years, Dolan said.

Read more: Unshaken

Compton thrust fault

Last week's Newport Beach-Costa Mesa earthquakes were close to two fault systems, one of which is the Compton thrust fault.

The discovery of this fault in 1994, by Shaw of Harvard and John Suppe, then of Princeton University, was once controversial, Dolan said, but there is now evidence not only that it exists, but that it is active.

"It's produced six earthquakes over the past 12,000 years or so," Dolan said. "These earthquakes were all in excess of magnitude 7."

A major concern when the Compton thrust fault ruptures is that the center of the L.A. Basin would be pushed up and to the southwest. That would mean the Los Angeles River, which runs from the mountains to the ocean, would start running backward around where the fault lifted the land.

"If you uplift the downstream part of the L.A. River by 5 feet in one of these Compton blind thrust earthquakes, well, the river is going to flow backward," Dolan said. So will every other plumbing system that uses gravity, from fresh water to sewer systems.

When major quakes occur on either the Puente Hills or Compton thrust faults, swaths of land will suddenly be jutted skyward, and that lift will create a trail of destruction perhaps 100 feet wide and 30 miles long. A similar zone of destruction  resulting in what is known as a "fold scarp"  was observed after the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Taiwan in 1999.

"Think about what happens to every single building and every piece of infrastructure that's built across that 30-mile length, where things are going to be tilted several degrees permanently," Dolan said. "Every single building that is built across that is going to have to be torn down."

The Newport Beach-Costa Mesa quakes also occurred near the Newport-Inglewood fault, which caused the 1933 Long Beach earthquake.

Read more: Two sets of earthquake swarms have hit California. What's going on along the Mexico border?

Transverse Range thrust fault system

The May 31 Ojai Valley earthquake was in the same general area as the magnitude 5.1 quake on Aug. 20  notable because it struck the same day Southern California was bracing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Hilary.

Both quakes occurred along the Transverse Range thrust fault system  what Dolan describes as "an extremely complex system of numerous large east-west trending faults" that built the mountains in the area. The system begins at the Cajon Pass and extends west through the San Gabriel Mountains, the Santa Monica Mountains, the Topatopa Mountains and the Santa Ynez Mountains all the way to Point Conception, west of Santa Barbara.

The Channel Islands are the tops of mountain ranges that are mostly underwater now but were built by large thrust faults across the Transverse Range system.

About 10 years ago, San Diego State professor Tom Rockwell and his colleagues made a notable discovery: Around 900 years ago, a major earthquake on the Transverse Range system uplifted the beach around Pitas Point  between Ventura and Santa Barbara  almost 30 feet. That kind of action can be explained only by "very large magnitude earthquakes, typically well in excess of magnitude 7.5 and possibly in excess of magnitude 8," Dolan said.

And it wasn't the Ventura-Pitas Point fault alone that could've done that; that fault was too small. The only way to explain such vast displacement is the linking of other faults "to generate earthquakes that would be much larger than if they ruptured just by themselves," Dolan said.

Read more: Are you oblivious to L.A. earthquakes? Here's why you might be a 'never-feeler'

L.A.'s bargain with tectonic forces

Southern California's beauty is also shaped by the same seismic forces that generate earthquakes.

The San Andreas fault, with its odd bend north of the Los Angeles area and the movement of the Pacific plate relative to the North American plate, forced the creation of numerous east-west mountain ridges, including the Santa Monica Mountains.

Earthquake faults also help explain why L.A. is where it is today  one of the largest cities in the world not centered on a navigable waterway.

In the oldest part of Los Angeles, there used to be a source of freshwater just above the old pueblo. Its location, Dolan said, was caused by the Hollywood fault, which forced groundwater otherwise hidden to flow up and over a bedrock ridge, a key perennial source of fresh water.

Quakes helped position L.A. where it is today, but they also threaten its future. And each of the three thrust fault systems near last week's earthquakes will certainly rupture again. Seismic lulls like the one we're currently enjoying tend to "end with clusters of large-magnitude quakes," Dolan said.

"We know these big faults have generated very large earthquakes in the past, and will do so again in the future," he said.

"These little earthquakes weve been having near these big urban faults serve as a useful reminder that we need to prepare ourselves for the inevitable future seismic storm, the likes of which hasnt occurred in L.A. in at least a thousand years."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Study: Kids Receive Up to Two Years More School Depending on Where They Live

Depending on where they grow up, some American students receive considerably less schooling every year than their peers in other areas, according to newly published research. Worse still, when accounting for student absences, suspensions, and classroom interruptions, much of the time intended for instruction in some districts is simply lost.

Seemingly minute differences in the length of a school day or year, whether stemming from state laws or local rules governing school districts, eventually grow into colossal gaps in learning opportunities. Over the course of their K12 careers, the authors estimate, children living in jurisdictions requiring the most time in school benefit from over two years more education than those living in areas that require the least.

Its hard for me to understand why some students should have access to a 180-day school year, and others in a district down the road get two weeks less instruction, said co-author Matthew Kraft, an economics professor at Brown University. Why would we want that inequity baked into our system?

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Report: Schools Wont Recover from COVID Absenteeism Crisis Until at Least 2030

The paper, published Monday in the American Education Research Journal, relies primarily on figures collected before the emergence of COVID-19. But its resonance will inevitably be heightened by the post-pandemic crisis of chronic absenteeism, during which one-quarter of students nationwide missed at least 10 percent of the school year in 202324. At the same time, owing both to budgetary challenges and popular choice, a growing number of school districts are shifting to a four-day week.

The pronounced geographic divergences in access to instructional time are largely the product of state laws. While 37 states mandate a minimum number of days in the academic year, their requirements range from 160 days in Colorado to 186 days in Kansas; among the 37 states that set a floor for instructional hours in a year, Arizona is at the bottom with 720, while Texas is at the top with 1,260.

It's hard for me to understand why some students should have access to a 180-day school year, and others in a district down the road get two weeks less instruction. Matt Kraft, Brown University

In other words, while the average American K12 school is in session for 179 days a year, for just under seven hours each day, local variation is much wider.

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Drawing on data from the U.S. Censuss nationally representative National Teacher and Principal Survey, the study finds that schools at the 90th percentile of instructional time nationwide offer 1.17 more hours of school each day than those at the 10th percentile. Throughout the school year, those approximately 70 minutes per day accumulate into a disparity of 196 hours of teaching, or about five and a half weeks of school annually.

Some school districts set their own requirements for time in school higher than those set by their respective states. But at the median, schools in the five states that set highest minimum amount of instructional time (Texas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama) are open for 133 hours more per year than those in the five states with the lowest minimums (Hawaii, Nevada, Maine, Oregon, and Rhode Island). Cumulatively, students in the first five states will receive 1.4 more years of schooling from kindergarten through the twelfth grade.

Even acknowledging those differences, some kids are actually exposed to less instructional time than their state or district stipulates. As a case study, Kraft and co-author Sarah Novicoff examine the Providence Public School District in Rhode Island, which offers 1,174 annual hours of instructional time for elementary schools and 1,215 hours for secondary schools.

After using state data to tally students excused and unexcused absences, teacher absences, tardies, suspensions, and a host of outside interruptions  Kraft has previously found that intercom announcements, staff pullouts, and principal fly-bys can disrupt the typical classroom as many as 2,000 times each year  the authors calculate that a typical Providence elementary schooler misses 16 percent of their intended instructional time. The average high schooler misses as much as 25 percent.

Novicoff, a former middle school teacher now pursuing a doctorate at Stanford, said that school staff and administrators should aim to harvest low-hanging fruit during the school day by doing everything in their power to minimize in-class disruptions.

They can say, If I want to pull a kid from that classroom, Im going to shoot their teacher a chat message instead of banging on their door, she suggested. The difference there is the degree to which students notice and are disrupted.

Effects on achievement

But while some educators work to maximize the time available to them, others have happily embraced a shorter school week over the last few years.

Between 2019 and 2023, the number of school districts operating on four-day weeks has climbed from about 662 to almost 900, according to a count kept by Paul N. Thompson, an economics professor at Oregon State University. The switch has been especially popular in more rural districts that tend to face greater transportation challenges and welcome a simplified schedule.

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Study: Four-Day School Week Harms Learning

But Thompsons research shows that districts in Oregon that made the change have seen substantial losses in achievement. Although the schools compensated for the missing day by lengthening the four remaining, students still lost out on several hours of school each week. Notably, the learning losses at those schools grew the longer they stayed on a four-day week, suggesting that the effects were compounding as students lost more instructional time.

Recently, Thompson undertook a new study of four-day weeks around the United States, again concluding that they were associated with significant declines on test scores. The academic slippage was greatest in schools that lost more instructional time, as well as those in less rural settings.

We have good evidence that summer school can positively impact student achievement, particularly in math. Emily Morton, CALDER

Emily Morton, a co-author of that study and a researcher at the Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research said she thought her findings about the benefits of more instructional time generally dovetailed with those of Kraft and Novicoff. But she recommended that, before changing the law to require more school hours and days, states should heed the example of Providence and find ways to maximize the instructional time already being provided.

It seems wise and more cost-effective to first focus on recovering time that currently is lost during the school day or year (through interruptions, announcements, absences, etc.), Morton said. I would also say we have good evidence that summer school can positively impact student achievement, particularly in math.

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In Rare Move, New Mexico Adds Weeks Worth of Extra K-12 Class Time

Indeed, schools and educators sometimes resist when pushed to remain in session for longer. After New Mexico passed a law last year that significantly lifted the minimum number of annual instructional hours s, the state education department declared that districts had to implement the new rule by offering a 180-day year. In response, over 50 school districts sued.

Kraft suggested that state authorities consider approaches that would allow communities to opt in to longer school years or experiment with ways of increasing instruction.

We have to be conscientious about the potential unintended consequences of increasing minimums, he said. It has to be done in a way that schools and districts feel supported.

The most important task lying ahead for education leaders is reversing the tide of disengagement and absenteeism that has rocked schools the last four years. Kraft and Novicoffs data from Providence dates back to 2016, but nationwide attendance plummeted during the era of virtual schooling and has not recovered. It is reasonable to expect that, during the 202324 school year, millions of absent students missed tens of millions of classroom hours.

Jennifer Davis, a former official in the U.S. Department of Education and the co-founder of the National Center for Time & Learning, called chronic absenteeism a huge problem that schools would have to overcome to keep their students on-track for graduation. Additional resources, including community outreach navigators and alternative learning experiences, might be necessary to rebuild the connections between students and schools, she added.

Without this, Davis wrote in an email, we are going to lose the COVID generation.
FILE PHOTO: A bird perches on an elephant as it walks at the Amboseli National Park in Kajiado County

By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Over the years, researchers who study elephants have noticed an intriguing phenomenon. Sometimes when an elephant makes a vocalization to a group of other elephants, all of them respond. But sometimes when that same elephant makes a similar call to the group, only a single individual responds.

Could it be that elephants address each other by the equivalent of a name? A new study involving wild African savannah elephants in Kenya lends support to this idea.

The researchers analyzed vocalizations - mostly rumbles generated by elephants using their vocal cords, similar to how people speak - made by more than 100 elephants in Amboseli National Park and Samburu National Reserve.

Using a machine-learning model, the researchers identified what appeared to be a name-like component in these calls identifying a specific elephant as the intended addressee. The researchers then played audio for 17 elephants to test how they would respond to a call apparently addressed to them as well as to a call apparently addressed to some other elephant.

The elephants responded more strongly on average to calls apparently addressed to them. When they heard such a call, they tended to behave more enthusiastically, walk toward the audio source and make more vocalizations than when they heard one apparently meant for someone else.

The study's findings indicate that elephants "address one another with something like a name," according to behavioral ecologist Mickey Pardo of Cornell University and formerly of Colorado State University, lead author of the study published on Monday in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

"Certainly, in order to address one another in this way, elephants must learn to associate particular sounds with particular individuals and then use those sounds to get the attention of the individual in question, which requires sophisticated learning ability and understanding of social relationships," Pardo said.

"The fact that elephants address one another as individuals highlights the importance of social bonds - and specifically, maintaining many different social bonds - for these animals," Pardo added.

Elephants, Earth's largest land animals, are highly intelligent, known to have keen memory and problem-solving skills and sophisticated communication. Previous research has shown that they engage in complicated behavior - visual, acoustic and tactile gestures - when greeting each other.

Why would an elephant call to another elephant by "name"?

"We don't know exhaustively, but from our analysis it appears commonly during contact calls where an elephant calls to another individual - often by name," said Colorado State University conservation biologist and study co-author George Wittemyer, chair of the scientific board of the conservation group Save the Elephants.

"It was also common among a mother's rumbles to her calves, often to calm them down or check in with them. We thought we would find it in greeting ceremonies, but it was less common in those types of vocalizations," Wittemyer added.

Using individual-specific vocal labels - names - is rare, but not unprecedented, in the animal kingdom. Dolphins and parrots have been shown to do this, too. But when they do it, they just imitate vocalizations made by the other animal. In elephants, the vocal labels are not simply imitating the sounds made by the addressee.

"Instead, their names seem to be arbitrary, like human names," Pardo said. "Addressing individuals with arbitrary names likely requires a capacity for some degree of abstract thought."

"I think this work highlights how intelligent and interesting elephants are, and I hope that engenders greater interest in their conservation and protection," Wittemyer added.

Might people one day be able to "talk" with elephants?

"That would be fantastic, but we are a long way off from that," Wittemyer said. "We still don't know the syntax or basic elements by which elephant vocalizations encode information. We need to figure that out before we can make deeper progress on understanding them."

(Reporting by Will Dunham; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Study shows WA residents among top earners in US. Heres how much the median person makes

Have you ever wondered where people are earning the most?

If you have, youll be happy to know that Washington is among the states with the top earners in the country.

A recent study by WalletHub compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across three key dimensions, including the annual income of different populations and the median yearly income for each state.

Where did WA rank for top earners?

WalletHub used three key dimensions to determine the states where people have the best incomes: income for three different population segments adjusted for the cost of living index. The metrics were graded on a 100-point scale, with 50 points for the average annual income of the top 5%, 25 points for median annual household income, and 25 points for the yearly average income of the bottom 20%.

Based on this scale, Wallethub ranked Washington as the fifth-overall state where people earn the highest income in the U.S.

Washington received a total score of 62.29 and was ranked eighth for the average yearly income of the top 5% of earners, 11th place for the median annual household income, and sixth for the average annual income of those in the bottom 20% of earners.

According to the study, the median annual income in Washington is $103,748, while the average annual income of the top 5% is $474,067. The average annual income of the bottom 20% is $18,223.

Paul Turek, an economist at the Washington Employment Security Department, told McClatchy News in an email that a gap between the top and bottom earners will always exist.

Individually, an appreciable gap between the top and bottom will always exist in a market-based economy predicated upon economic freedom, incentives (to succeed and attain wealth), freedom to choose (what career pathway, how hard to work), equality of opportunity, and shifting market valuations, Turek stated in the email.

The key for every generation has been to not get mired in where one starts, but how one finishes, and whether accumulated wealth can be passed on to the next generation, he continued.

Turek added that the income gap on a state basis exists and depends on the levels of economic development, innovation, economic freedom, entrepreneurship, and natural resource endowment.

While the study highlights wage inequality and the median annual income of workers in the state, it does not mention information related to how much a person needs to make to live comfortably in Washington.

Turek said that it is highly subjective to pinpoint an exact number that can determine how much a person needs to make to live comfortably in Washington, but it usually means a person has to earn enough to be part of the middle-class status.

What is considered middle-class income will depend on a persons location. A middle-class person in Arkansas may not be a middle-class person in New York City, for example, where the cost of living is much higher, Turek said. Generally, a three-person household should have an income between $51,967 and $155,902 to be considered middle class.

McClatchy News previously reported that Washington had a 52% middle class income range change between 2012 and 2022. In 2012, the middle class income ranged from about $39,600 to nearly $118,800, while in 2022, the range was $60,200 to almost $180,700.

Turek said that the highest-paying jobs in Washington are typically those of healthcare specialists, such as doctors and dentists, as well as CEOs and airline pilots.

These are the top five states where people have the highest incomes, according to WalletHub:

Virginia - $518,296, 69.59/100, New Jersey - $505,621, 68.85/ 100 New York - $553,436, 67.60/100 Connecticut - $518,757, 67.42/100 Washington - $474,067, 62.29/100
New satellite images obtained by The War Zone from Maxar Technologies on Monday show a clearer view of the Su-57 Felon next-generation fighter targeted in a Ukrainian drone attack on an airbase deep inside Russia that we wrote about yesterday . The images also show three Felons, Moscows most advanced warplane, on the apron at Akhtubinsk Air Base, located about 365 miles from the front lines, in Russia before and after the June 8 attack. Most importantly, the images posted Sunday by Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) were tightly focused on the one Felon they claimed was damaged, but these wider before and after views offer much more context and opportunity for comparative analysis.

The aircraft in the middle of the new Maxar imagery is the one Ukraine said was damaged. It is under a framework for a shelter without any covering. In a June 7th image, before the attack, there is a slight discoloration on the apron to the left of the aircraft, but no scorch marks or craters. There is also a silhouette of an Su-57 painted on the apron, which Russians have been using in an attempt disrupt Ukrainian strike operations. You can read more about that effort here .

A satellite image captured by Maxar shows three Su-57 Felon aircraft on the apron at Akhtubinsk airfield in Russia on June 7 before the Ukrainian drone attack. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies

The second image Maxar sent us today shows the same Felons parked on the apron after the June 8 attack. Like the GUR image, it shows burn marks and what is clearly now a small crater to the left of the cockpit of the middle jet. As we noted yesterday , the blast and especially the shrapnel from such a nearby detonation would have very likely riddled the plane with holes and caused other damage. Another scorch mark is seen towards the rear of the aircraft, with what appears to be a small impact hole in the concrete.

There is also still the white blotch on the top of the fuselage behind the cockpit. It is unclear what this is. It's possible it is a tarp of some kind, potentially covering damage. The other white streak-like anomaly seen emanating from the inner wing area appears to be sun glare. The GUR image also had this, which was confusing at the time, but now makes sense in context of the new imagery that includes the other jets nearby.

A Maxar satellite image taken June 8 after the attack shows damage to one and possibly two Su-57 Felon new generation fighters. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies

On Sunday, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the GUR, told us that his organization carried out a drone attack on that airbase that damaged one and possible two Felons.

These new images do put more weight on the possibility that primary Su-57 in question was damaged. The crater is clearly defined and in very close proximity to the jet.

As we reported on Sunday , after the attack, the Russian Aerospace Forces-connected Fighterbomber Telegram channel complained bitterly about the lack of proper shelters to ward off such drone strikes. Those complaints continued on Monday, this time from an unnamed Russian colonel claiming 20 years in uniform. He called for an investigation by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Department Voeinnoi Konttrazvedki (DVKR), the FSB's Military Counterintelligence unit.

I appeal to the commanders of the airbases of the Russian Aerospace Forces and the heads of the DVKR departments supervising them, the colonel complained to the Grey Zone Telegram channel. WHAT OR WHOSE INSTRUCTIONS DO YOU NEED TO CREATE COVERS FOR OUR AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? BY YOUR INACTION YOU ARE SUPPORTING THE ENEMY!

I realize that the creation of solid, underground or above-ground reinforced concrete shelters may be an issue that cannot be resolved at your level, the colonel continued. At the same time, taking into account that the main damage to our aircraft comes from primary and secondary fragments formed after explosions of UAVs and enemy missiles, to preserve aircraft equipment in most cases, aluminum hangars or hangars made of sandwich panels will be sufficient (the price of one such hangar with an area of 12x6x45 meters less than 1 million rubles [$11,245]).

Even the type of shelters the Russian colonel described, as we previously noted , would provide a layer of protection that can help protect from low-yield drone strikes and make targeting much more challenging. As the voices of complaint rise amid the ongoing Ukrainian drone onslaught against airbases deep inside Russia, it will be interesting to see if Moscow begins to better protect its aircraft.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Cindy McCain warned Sunday of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

In an interview on CBS Newss Face the Nation, McCain stressed the importance of safe and unfettered access for the organization to deliver food to the war-torn country.

Sudan has the real possibility of becoming the worlds largest humanitarian crisis, McCain said. We cannot get food in  we can barely get food in  we certainly arent getting it in at scale, and you see the results of what can happen if people arent fed.

McCain noted that the situation is likely to get more difficult in the coming months, saying, Were also coming into the lean season, which makes it very difficult many times for our trucks to even operate if they can get in.

We need more crossings. We need safe and unfettered access, she said, comparing the obstacles in Sudan to the ones WFP faces in delivering food to Gazans.

Bottom line is people are going to starve to death unless we get in there, she added.

McCain stressed the potential consequences if the world ignores the crisis unfolding in Sudan.

Sudan is a forgotten crisis, and its implications being a destabilizing factor in that region, can have catastrophic effects as it comes down the line, she said. So its really imperative that we get the crossings open, that we have safe access, that the various factions, understand that we are, you know, were humanitarian, and we need to have the access.

The WFP has been calling for warring parties to grant unrestricted access to crisis-hit communities, as hunger rages in the region. About 18 million people face acute hunger in Sudan, including five million who are at emergency levels of hunger.

The WFP said nearly 90 percent of those at emergency levels are in areas where access is extremely limited due to heavy fighting and restrictions.

The WFP announced Thursday an expansion of its emergency food and nutrition assistance in Sudan.

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Summer temperatures are coming in hot, KC. When it will feel like its 100 degrees

Summer-like heat and humidity will appear this week for the first time this season in Kansas City as heat index values are expected to climb above 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The week, however, will get off to a pleasant start as temperatures are expected to climb to around 80 degrees under sunny skies. Typically, Kansas City sees temperatures of 83 degrees this time of year.

The warm-up begins on Tuesday, as temperatures are forecast to rise into the mid-80s. As moisture moves into the area, humidity will also start increasing.

A weak cold front is expected to move toward northern Missouri, which could lead to a few isolated showers over northwest Missouri. Dry conditions should prevail elsewhere, the weather service said in its forecast discussion.

Humidity builds, temperatures rise

By Wednesday afternoon, temperatures will soar into the low to mid-90s for most Kansas City forecast area locations. This would be Kansas Citys first 90-degree day of the year.

According to climate data, Kansas Citys first 90-degree day of the year typically arrives around May 27. Last week, the temperature got close when it rose to 89 degrees on Friday.

The weather will also become more humid as dew points are expected to reach the low to mid-60s.

Generally, the weather feels dry and comfortable when dew points are 55 degrees or less during summer. Between 55 and 65, the weather feels sticky and muggy. Above 65, the moisture in the air makes it feel oppressive, according to the weather service.

The metro wont see much relief from the heat as temperatures will remain in the mid-70s overnight.

The hottest day looks to be Thursday as temperatures are expected to soar into the mid-90s, with some locations in northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri seeing the upper 90s.

It will be steamy, too, making it feel even hotter. When you factor in the humidity, the heat index will be between 100 and 105 degrees in some locations. Dew points are expected to be in the upper 60s to near 70 degrees.

Severe weather returns to Kansas City

A few strong to severe storms are possible along an approaching cold front Thursday afternoon and evening, especially over northern Missouri. There is a slight chance of rain in Kansas City in the evening.

The hot and well-above-normal temperatures should continue into the weekend. The weather service said temperatures will be in the low 90s on Friday and Saturday and the mid-90s on Sunday.

There will also be slight chances for showers and thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday. The extended outlook indicates that temperatures will be above average with precipitation expected to be near normal for mid-June.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Sunland Park Fire found another body in the desert on Monday, June 10, the department said.

Sunland Park Fire assisted Dona Ana County Fire Rescue, Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office, and the Office of the Medical Investigator with a body recovery in the desert off the Pete Domenici Highway and New Mexico Highway 9. The call came in out at about 2:25 p.m.

Sunland Park Fire recovers body in desert

According to the U.S. Border Patrol, agents in the El Paso Sector, which includes New Mexico, have rescued 669 individuals and recorded 74 deaths so far this fiscal year. Those numbers were as of Friday, June 7.

This continues a busy period for Sunland Park Fire.

Just before midnight on Saturday, a body was found in the desert area off Gila Drive and Carrizo Drive.

Sunland Park Fire rescues 3 people with heat injuries

On Friday, Sunland Park firefighters rescued three people with heat-related illnesses or injuries in two separate incidents.

Last Wednesday, two bodies were found off Mile Marker 6 on McNutt Road.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Key Insights

Significant insider control over Cape EMS Berhad implies vested interests in company growth

The top 4 shareholders own 53% of the company

Institutions own 31% of Cape EMS Berhad

If you want to know who really controls Cape EMS Berhad (KLSE:CEB), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. With 46% stake, individual insiders possess the maximum shares in the company. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

So, insiders of Cape EMS Berhad have a lot at stake and every decision they make on the companys future is important to them from a financial point of view.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Cape EMS Berhad.

Check out our latest analysis for Cape EMS Berhad

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Cape EMS Berhad?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

We can see that Cape EMS Berhad does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Cape EMS Berhad's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Cape EMS Berhad. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is the CEO Kim Tee with 38% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 6.8% and 4.5%, of the shares outstanding, respectively. Interestingly, the second-largest shareholder, Kim Tee is also Senior Key Executive, again, pointing towards strong insider ownership amongst the company's top shareholders.

Our research also brought to light the fact that roughly 53% of the company is controlled by the top 4 shareholders suggesting that these owners wield significant influence on the business.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. While there is some analyst coverage, the company is probably not widely covered. So it could gain more attention, down the track.

Story continues

Insider Ownership Of Cape EMS Berhad

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 a reasonable proportion of Cape EMS Berhad. Insiders own RM462m worth of shares in the RM1.0b company. It is great to see insiders so invested in the business. It might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying recently.

General Public Ownership

With a 22% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Cape EMS Berhad. 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. Be aware that Cape EMS Berhad is showing 1 warning sign in our investment analysis , you should know about...

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

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.
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Justice Department to weigh in on whether the climate change lawsuits filed by California and two dozen other cities and states should be blocked.

At issue is whether greenhouse gas emissions are a matter controlled only by federal law, or if states can play a role.

The oil and gas industries had urged the high court to take up the issue now and to rule that federal law preempts or overrides state claims seeking damages for the impact of a hotter climate.

Monday's brief order asks Solicitor Gen. Elizabeth Prelogar to file a brief "expressing the views of the United States" in the two pending appeals, Sunoco vs. Honolulu and Shell vs. Honolulu.

The announcement signals it will be at least several months before the court decides on whether to take up the dispute between the oil and gas producers and the blue states suing them.

In the meantime, state and municipal lawyers from Massachusetts to Hawaii can proceed with their claims. They are seeking jury trials to show that the energy companies had known for decades about the dangers of burning fossil fuels and instead sought to downplay the risks of a warming planet.

Read more: Oil industry asks Supreme Court to block climate change lawsuits from California, other states

Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said the state was suing the five largest oil and gas companies  Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and BP  and the American Petroleum Institute for what they described as a decades-long campaign of deception that created climate-related harms in California. The suit was filed in Superior Court in San Francisco.

Monday's order noted that Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. took no part in the court's consideration of these appeals, presumably because he owns stocks in one or more of the 15 companies that filed the appeals.

Unlike the other justices, Alito has continued to hold a large portfolio of individual stocks that may require him to step aside from deciding a case involving one of those companies. However, if the court were to take up the climate change case in the next year, he could sell the stocks that were affected and then participate in the decision.

Read more: Upside-down flag controversy is the latest for Supreme Court Justice Alito

Separately Alito has been under pressure to step aside from ruling in the pending case involving former President Trump and Trump's claim that he should be immune from the criminal indictment alleging he conspired to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election.

Alito said he would not step aside. He acknowledged that his wife had flown flags outside two of their homes in a manner widely perceived as being supportive of Jan. 6 insurrectionists. But he said he had nothing to do with her decision and it did not prevent him from deciding impartially in the pending case.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts appears to have the upper hand in the fight over judicial ethics reform, with Senate Democrats unwilling at this point to subpoena him to gain leverage.

Democrats appear to be divided over the strategy of issuing a subpoena, in that they acknowledge its unclear whether they could even get majority support on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Im not sure, Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) told The Hill when asked if they could get all 11 Democrats on the panel behind that effort. Its the reality of an 11-10 [majority].  It just takes one.

Subpoenaing Roberts could put more pressure on the Supreme Court to take tougher steps on ethics reform. It would also signal to voters and those pressing for action that Democrats are trying to use their power to win reform.

But it would also carry risks. A Republican member on the committee said it would inflame tensions on the panel to levels that would grind its work to a halt.

It could also step on the Democratic messaging on reproductive rights that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has focused on in recent weeks. Democrats see abortion rights as a key issue to turn out their voters in November.

You bring forth a Supreme Court justice and we go back to unleashing a whirlwind.  It becomes civil war, the GOP member said. Its escalatory on a level youve never seen. It would be purely political, and then everybody just puts on the bare-knuckles and takes off the gloves.

Democrats are feeling more pressure  and more frustration  over the court and its ethics as report after report surfaces that raises questions about the objectivity and political actions of some of the justices.

The New York Times last month reported on a pair of flags that were flown at Justice Samuel Alitos homes, including an upside-down American flag over his Alexandria, Va., residence in the days surrounding Jan. 6, 2021, and President Bidens inauguration.

Alito has maintained it was his wifes decision, but it created yet another firestorm surrounding the court after a year of fights over ethics after numerous stories emerged detailing lavish gifts and vacations received by Alito and Justice Clarence Thomas.

On Friday, Thomas released a financial disclosure form that indicated two 2019 trips that hed previously not disclosed were paid for by billionaire GOP donor Harlan Crow. Thomass form said the two trips were inadvertently omitted from his previous paperworks reimbursement section. The forms already had been reported by the media and spurred calls for reform.

Tensions are also high ahead of a decision expected this month by the court on former President Trumps claims of presidential immunity from prosecution.

The latest revelations about Alito, who requested an extension on his filings ahead of a Friday deadline, led Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) to call for a meeting with Roberts over a push for Alito to recuse himself from a number of rulings on cases related to Jan. 6, 2021, that are set to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

The chief justice shot down that query in short order, leaving Democrats wondering how to proceed next. It also prompted Durbin to warn that a subpoena wasnt a realistic route at this point, because it would not be enforced.

Im not going to preclude anything at this point, but I want all the members and the public to be realistic about what this issue involves, Durbin said last week, noting the ethics matters lie in the hands of Roberts.

The situation has left Democrats upset, because they have precious few options at their disposal. They have been repeatedly stonewalled at every turn by the justices and Republicans, including in their push to subpoena Leonard Leo, the chair of the Federalist Society, and Crow, which created an uproar with GOP members on the committee.

The one legislative action they are angling for is a vote on the ethics bill authored by Durbin and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) that has no chance of becoming law, even though some members still think it would be worthwhile to put it on the floor.

Its frustrating, but its understandable, said Welch. Its very frustrating for us that we cant unilaterally provide the remedy.

Durbin told reporters last week that hes discussed the possibility with Schumer, saying a vote now would be timely. Schumer added that the two of them were discussing the best ways to move forward.

I certainly hope well be able to find time, said Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), a member of the pane.

The Supreme Court rolled out a new code of ethics in November. However, its impact is blunted by the ability for each justice to enforce it upon themselves.

For now, lawmakers have been left to fight it out in the court of public opinion.

The battle is certainly public insofar as everything Ive said has been either in letter or public statements, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a panel member who recently called on Roberts to stop issuing opinions and circuit judgeships to Alito and Thomas.

Ultimately, what will generate compelling persuasion for the court is that its losing trust and credibility, which Chief Justice Roberts has to take into account as part of his legacy, Blumenthal continued. If hes tolerating this kind of misconduct that degrades or destroys the courts ability to function, he has to act.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Supreme Court will take up Meta's bid to end lawsuit over Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal

FILE - Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court said Monday it will consider shutting down a multibillion-dollar class action investors' lawsuit against Facebook parent Meta stemming from the privacy scandal involving the Cambridge Analytica political consulting firm.

The justices agreed to hear Meta's appeal of a lower-court ruling that allowed the class action to go forward. Investors allege that Meta did not fully disclose the risks that Facebook users' personal information would be misused by Cambridge Analytica, a firm that supported Donald Trumps successful Republican presidential campaign in 2016.

Inadequacy of the disclosures led to two significant price drops in the price of the company's shares in 2018, after the public learned about the extent of the privacy scandal, the investors say.

The case will be argued in the fall.

Meta already has paid a $5.1 billion fine and reached a $725 million privacy settlement with users.

Cambridge Analytica had ties to Trump political strategist Stephen Bannon. It had paid a Facebook app developer for access to the personal information of about 87 million Facebook users. That data was then used to target U.S. voters during the 2016 campaign.
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from a father about whether he had the right to video record meetings with school officials about his sons special education program.

The nations highest court turned down the appeal from Scott Pitta, a father of a son with special needs, who wanted to video record a meeting between himself and officials in the school district of Bridgewater, Mass., about his sons Individual Education Program (IEP).

An IEP is a document that details what services a student with disabilities needs to receive to meet their educational goals. The petition notes that schools are required to consult with parents about a students IEP under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Pitta informed school officials he would be video recording meetings with them about his sons IEP after he realized that the minutes taken on previous meetings were incomplete, according to the petition.

The issue arose after school officials said that his son no longer required an IEP, which Pitta disagreed with, according to the petition. In a Sept. 20, 2022, meeting with officials, Pitta requested that the session be recorded because he did not trust that the Respondents own minutes would accurately reflect the relevant statements.

The school officials allegedly refused to allow video recording but offered to audio record the meeting instead. Pitta found that offer unsatisfactory because it would be difficult to determine who was speaking, according to the petition.

Pitta later filed a lawsuit against the officials on Sept. 28, 2022, alleging a violation of his First Amendment rights. The lawsuit was dismissed by the district court and later by an appeals court.

The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals ruled earlier this year that the First Amendment does not allow video recording of public officials in all instances.

Pittas argument ignores established limitations in First Circuit law, which permit recording of government officials performing their duties only in indisputably public places in full view of the public, and even then, only when the act of filming would not hinder officials in the performance of their public duties and would serve public interests, the court ruled in January.

Adam Shelton, a staff attorney of the Goldwater Institute who is representing Pitta, said they were disappointed in the Supreme Courts order not to take up the case in a statement to The Hill.

Refusing to allow parents to record a meeting with government officials about their own child in their own home violates the First Amendment, Shelton said.

We are disappointed the Supreme Court refused to hear this important case, but we will continue to fight in courtrooms and legislatures across the country to protect parental rights, including the right to record a meeting with school officials about their own child, he added.

This story was updated at 4:23 p.m.

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WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Monday declined to weigh in on a case about whether parents have a constitutional right to record meetings with school officials about their child's education.

The court rejected an appeal from a father who wanted to record a meeting to discuss whether extra support was needed for his autistic high school son.

The school district in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, said Scott Pitta could audio record, but not video record, their online meeting.

The case drew support from conservative and libertarian groups, who argued that school meetings are similar to traffic stops or police arrests: government actions that they believe are covered by a right to record and share information.

But lower courts backed the school officials, ruling that the meeting was not a public event. And even if there was a constitutional right to record the meetings, an appeals panel said, the school could place reasonable restrictions if needed, for example, to promote candid conversations.

Dig deeper: Special education clash at Supreme Court: Why one dad is asking to record school meetings

Scott and Roxanne Pitta, of Bridgewater, with their son J.J.

The conversations between parents and schools over whats known as an Individual Education Program a plan that is required by the nation's education law for children with disabilities  can turn contentious. There are often disagreements about what type ofprogress is possible, and what kind of help financially strapped schools can really provide.

Pitta contested the schools written summaries of previous meetings and wanted to record their next Google Meet video conference. He said audio alone wouldnt capture who was speaking. A complete record was needed if Pitta wanted to fight a service denial.

More: Special education clash: How one student's Supreme Court case could make schools more accountable

He argued people should be able to record any of their interactions with a government official, comparing the accountability provided by a video recording of a school meeting to that of a police officers body camera.

The average, day-to-day person doesn't interact with the police department every day, he said. But they'll interact with their local government, their school district several times throughout the year.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court rejects dad's appeal on recording disabled son's meeting
The supreme court on Monday asked the Biden administration to weigh in on big oils request to thwart litigation that could put them on the hook for billions of dollars.

The one-line order will delay the litigation from advancing to trial. It follows an unprecedented pressure campaign from far-right fossil fuel allies on the court.

Big oil companies are fighting desperately to avoid trial in lawsuits like Honolulus, which would expose the evidence of the fossil fuel industrys climate lies for the entire world to see, said Richard Wiles, president of the non-profit Center for Climate Integrity, which supports climate accountability litigation.

Honolulu is one of dozens of cities and states to sue oil majors for allegedly hiding the dangers of their products from the public. In October, Hawaiis supreme court ruled that the suit can go to trial.

But the defendants petitioned the US supreme court in February to review that decision, arguing the cases should be thrown out because emissions are a federal issue that cannot be tried in state courts.

The high court receives thousands of petitions each year, giving each one only a small chance of being reviewed. But in recent weeks, rightwing fossil fuel allies have pushed the justices to take up oil companies request, publishing a slew of op-eds and social media advertisements.

Some of the groups behind the pressure campaign  which experts say is unprecedented  are connected to far-right supreme court architect Leonard Leo, who co-chairs the ultraconservative legal advocacy group the Federalist Society.

I have never, ever seen this kind of overt political campaign to influence the court like this, said Patrick Parenteau, professor and senior climate policy fellow at Vermont Law School, told the Guardian last week.

It is not clear how much Mondays order will delay the Honolulu case, which was filed in 2020. In October 2022, the supreme court referred a similar petition, involving a climate accountability case brought by Colorado communities, to the Department of Justice. The solicitor general weighed in the following March, siding with the plaintiffs.

While awaiting an opinion in the Honolulu case, companies may also file motions to stay  or pause  proceedings in similar litigation filed by other cities and states, though it is not clear the lower courts will grant them.

On the campaign trail, Biden promised to push his justice department to strategically support climate litigation. Advocates say Mondays order will provide the Biden Department of Justice with an opportunity to make good on that promise.

The solicitor general, they say, should affirm the Hawaii supreme courts earlier decision and call for the petition to be rejected.

The oil companies insist that only federal policy should handle the issue of greenhouse gas emissions. But the plaintiffs and their supporters say that the lawsuit is not seeking to solve climate change or regulate emissions, but rather aiming to force big oil to stop lying and pay their fair share of the damages they knowingly caused, said Alyssa Johl, vice-president of legal at the Center for Climate Integrity.

Justice Samuel Alito did not participate in the supreme courts consideration of the petition, probably because he owned stock in ConocoPhillips, a defendant in the case.
Around 50% of Ukrainians think it is important to criticize the government's actions even during the war, but the criticism should be constructive and not destabilize the situation, according to a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) published on June 10.

Around 31% of the respondents said that the criticism must be harsh and uncompromising "as the only way to put pressure on the authorities" to correct their mistakes. Some 13% think that criticism should not be allowed to prevent destabilization of the situation in the country, and 5% were undecided.

Numerous surveys after the outbreak of the full-scale war showed the Ukrainian population rallied behind the government, but more recent polls indicate that the level of trust and support is decreasing in some areas.

Respondents from eastern regions were most uncompromising about the criticism, with 47% saying it should be as harsh as possible and 49% calling for a more balanced approach.

People from central, southern, and western regions displayed roughly the same position, with around 30% calling for harsher criticism and over 60% preferring a restrained approach.

Those respondents who said they trust President Volodymyr Zelensky completely (21%) or partially (38%) were more likely to call for a balanced criticism without destabilizing the situation (77% and 76%, respectively).

People who do not trust the president at all (22%) or partially (14%) were more likely to call for uncompromising criticism (62% and 39%, respectively).

The survey was conducted between May 16 and 22 and involved 1,067 respondents from all regions except for occupied territories.

Another KIIS survey published last week showed the level of trust in Zelensky was at 59%, a notable decrease from 90% at the start of the full-scale war but still higher than some other world leaders.

Yet another poll from last week found that 43% of people think that the state of democracy declined during Zelensky's five-year term, but only 28% blamed exclusively the authorities for this development.

Read also: 43% of Ukrainians see democracy decline, 19% improve, 29% say no change, survey shows

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  The Fresno Police Department has identified the woman who is accused of stealing a vehicle with a child in the back seat last Friday.

Woman steals car with 1-year-old inside from Fresno gas station

Police identified the suspect as 43-year-old Brandy Denise Cortez. Officers say the childs mother went inside a gas station at Clinton and Marks avenues and left the child in the back seat.

Brandy Denise Cortez, 43

At some point, police say Cortez got into the drivers seat of the vehicle and drove away with the child.

Police say around an hour later, the vehicle, Cortez, and the child were located in the 1200 block of Hayes Avenue.

The child was not harmed, and the Cortez was taken into custody without incident, according to police.

Cortez was booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges of kidnapping, vehicle theft, child endangering, and a probation violation, according to police.

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Suspect still on the run after fatally shooting store clerk in AR

Suspect still on the run after fatally shooting store clerk in AR

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A Forrest City, Arkansas store clerk was gunned down in cold blood, and the entire thing is captured on surveillance camera. Now Forrest City Police need your help identifying the gunman.

Forrest City Police Chief Ronald Broussard says he is on a mission to find the killer. This guy had three daughters, a wife and a family. Three children are missing their daddy and a wife is missing her husband.

On May 11, at around 3:30 a.m., officers responded to a shooting at the Pure Gas Station on South Washington Street. When they arrived, they found the clerk, 29-year-old Malek Mohammed on the floor suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Crime victim seeking justice after shooting left her paralyzed

WREG obtained this surveillance video of Mohammed in the store moments before the shooting occurred. Broussard says the video also showed the moment the suspect walked into the gas station wearing a hoodie and mask over his face.

As soon as he walked into the store, the store clerk said to him, mask, because the mask was all the way to his eyes. He said, mask, and he pulled it down, said Chief Broussard.

The Chief says the suspect immediately went to back of the store and waited for the right time to strike. The whole time he stayed back there, he was on video. He was just watching and saw his opportunity. He moved quickly and bum rushed him.

The suspect reportedly shot Mohammed repeatedly. No remorse whatsoever, Chief Broussard said. Matter of fact, after he shot him, he had to step over him to get to the cash register.

When the suspect took the cash he ran out of the store, but not before a witness heard the shots and called the police.

Paramedics rushed mohammed to a near by hospital but he didnt survive.



Broussard says his department will not stop searching for the gunman until hes sitting behind bars.

He also has this message for the shooter.

If you went in and your intentions were to get a little money and you really didnt mean to kill the guy, things happened, things went wrong, I say to you turn yourself in. I also say in the same breath, if you committed this cowardly act with mal intent, this is what you intended to do, be ye not deceived. God is not mocked. So whatever you sow, you will also reap, said the Chief.

Driver who killed 3 at a Memphis biker rally still on the loose

If you know who killed Malek Mohammed, you are urged to call the Forrest City Police Department at 870 -633-3434.

They are offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect. Remember all calls are confidential.

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Key Insights

Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, Balanced Commercial Property Trust's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions

50% of the business is held by the top 7 shareholders

Ownership research, combined with past performance data can help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock

If you want to know who really controls Balanced Commercial Property Trust Ltd (LON:BCPT), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 63% 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. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Balanced Commercial Property Trust.

See our latest analysis for Balanced Commercial Property Trust

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Balanced Commercial Property Trust?

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 Balanced Commercial Property Trust. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Balanced Commercial Property Trust's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. Balanced Commercial Property Trust is not owned by hedge funds. Aviva Investors Global Services Ltd. is currently the largest shareholder, with 24% of shares outstanding. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 6.8% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 5.5% by the third-largest shareholder.

On further inspection, we found that more than half the company's shares are owned by the top 7 shareholders, suggesting that the interests of the larger shareholders are balanced out to an extent by the smaller ones.

Story continues

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 a little analyst coverage of the stock, but not much. So there is room for it to gain more coverage.

Insider Ownership Of Balanced Commercial Property Trust

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. 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.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our most recent data indicates that insiders own less than 1% of Balanced Commercial Property Trust Ltd. It has a market capitalization of just UK539m, and the board has only UK213k worth of shares in their own names. Many investors in smaller companies prefer to see the board more heavily invested. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 37% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. 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:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Balanced Commercial Property Trust better, we need to consider many other factors. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Balanced Commercial Property Trust that you should be aware of.

If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

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.
Why Keir Starmers wife is being kept off the campaign trail

Sir Keir and Lady Starmer are a big part of their tight-knit, inner-city neighbourhood in their constituency of Holborn and St Pancras

On recent evenings the streets around the Starmer residence in Kentish Town, north London, have reverberated with the sound of protest.

It was Gaza Week in Sir Keir and Lady Starmers constituency of Holborn and St Pancras, and the drumming and the chanting were loud. Stop the genocide! End Israeli apartheid! the protestors shouted, with leaflets showing the Labour leaders face splattered with blood.

For the Starmer family, it was a bit too close for comfort. They are a big part of this tight-knit, inner-city neighbourhood. Their two children attended Eleanor Palmer, the local primary school, and Victoria is an occupational health worker for the NHS in Camden, and a popular figure in the local mums networks.

But, aside from an appearance at the Peckwater Estate polling station or an early-morning departure by Sir Keir in a motorcade down Leighton Road, Britains prospective First Couple try to keep their politics and their home life separate.

Victoria  or Lady Vic as she is affectionately known among Labour staff  is said to be highly resistant to the idea of breaking up the familys happy existence in the leafy streets near Hampstead Heath, and has kept a remarkably low profile throughout the general election campaign.

Sir Keir and Lady Starmer at the Labour Party conference in Brighton, 2021 - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph

Requests for interviews, comments, or even off the record briefings by friends (an established way in which media-shy political spouses communicate with the electorate) are met with a wall of silence by Starmers team.

We arent encouraging pieces on her, the Labour leaders office says. Mrs Starmer will NOT be giving interviews.

In the 1,509 days since he assumed the leadership of the Labour Party, Sir Keir hasnt always managed to stay consistent. Policies have evolved and some promises have been broken. But as hes surged from picking up the pieces of a broken Opposition to looking likely to preside over a staggering electoral landslide, his attitude to involving his family in the day job has stayed the same.

Some Labour figures worry this may cost him. Utterly sick though the nation may be with the Tories, many feel they still dont entirely know who Sir Keir is, beside what trade his father had, and Victoria, a vivacious and glamorous figure who has appeared in Labour red on the few occasions she has joined her husband at events, could humanise him in the same way Samantha Cameron humanised David, or Michelle Obama boosted the popularity of Barack.

But Starmer simply wont allow the Labour campaign to use Victoria.

Its the children, an influential Labour insider says of the reason for the Starmers fierce emphasis on privacy. They have got teenagers who are completely freaked out by the idea of being in Downing Street or in any way being in the public eye.

It has got pretty heavy recently with childrens shoes, representing the dead kids in Gaza, being left outside the Starmer house  Sir Keir is determined that his family wont be dragged into any of this.

The couple, pictured heading to their polling station for the recent London Mayoral election, live near Hampstead Heath in leafy north London - Labour Party

Its a real shame, says one Labour MP. Sir Keir is principled, tough, strategic and determined  the kind of man who is a planner and will make an excellent prime minister. But the trouble is, he doesnt have the charisma for campaigning. He could really do with his wife telling people about the real Keir.

And try as they might to deny theres public interest, we could all do with knowing a little more about Lady Starmer. In the context of the campaign, nothing sums up why she might be such an asset more than the story of the first time she encountered Sir Keir.

Who the f--- does he think he is? the then Victoria Alexander said, with pleasing bluntness, about her future husband. At the time, in the early Noughties, she was a solicitor in London, and had an ambitious young QC with eerily perfect hair and a slightly nasal voice on the phone.

[Sir Keir] rang her and, having never spoken to her before, queried whether the brief she had sent him was less than 100 percent accurate, Sir Keirs unofficial biographer Nigel Cawthorne, author of Keir Starmer, A Life of Contrasts, wrote.

Unflustered, Victoria firmly held her ground against the caller on the other side of the line, reassuring him that she knew her job and, after putting the phone down, said, Who the f--- does he think he is? Only she hadnt said it after she put the phone down, according to Sir Keir, who told Vogue this year that he in fact heard her mutter it.

You might think not the best of starts, but it was absolutely classic Vic. Very sassy, very down-to-earth, no nonsense from anyone, including from me, he said. A family friend, the Labour MP Carolyn Harris, agreed they were very much characteristic of a woman who balances her husbands (sometimes too) mild manner. Lady Starmer is, Harris said, literally the yin to his yang.

Victoria Alexander was raised in the affluent north London suburb of Gospel Oak. Her father was born in Britain as part of a Jewish family who arrived from Poland before the Second World War. Her mother was a community doctor, and its been reported that her sister, Judith, once taught at Gospel Oak primary, which Lady Starmer attended before joining the private day school Channing in Highgate.

While neither is especially religious, Sir Keir has said that he and his wife make a point of honouring Jewish traditions, including taking their children to the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in St Johns Wood.

It is perfectly true that my wifes father is Jewish  they came from Poland  and my wifes mother converted when they got married. There is a long tradition of family and faith there. We observe some of the practices, for example Friday night prayers, occasionally with my wifes father  her mum sadly passed away earlier this year, he said on Desert Island Discs last year. My wife, in particular, wants our children to know the faith of her family.

Lady Starmer, who is younger than Sir Keir but whose precise date of birth hasnt been publicly revealed, studied law and sociology at Cardiff University, and, according to Tom Baldwins recent book Keir Starmer: The Biography, became president of the students union  like Neil Kinnock decades before her.

She later volunteered in Tony Blairs campaign headquarters in 1997, and became a solicitor in London, initially specialising in street crime in Soho before later focusing on fraud.

The Starmers attend a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, November 2023 - NEWSPIX INTERNATIONAL

It was around that time when she found out who the f--- Keir Starmer is, and agreed to a first date at the Lord Stanley pub in Camden, near where the pair now live. It evidently went well. Starmer, Baldwin writes, felt he had found someone grounded, sassy, funny, streetwise  and utterly gorgeous too. He proposed, spontaneously, on holiday in Greece. Wont we need a ring, Keir? she replied.

They were wed on May 6, 2007, at the Fennes estate, in Essex, with a cabinet of four best men present, and honeymooned on the Amalfi coast in Italy.

A year later, their son was born. He will turn 16 around the time of the election. In 2010, a daughter followed. Her name has never been revealed. It remains to be seen whether it will after July 5.

I am worried about my children, that is probably the single thing that does keep me awake  as to how we will protect them through this, Sir Keir told broadcaster Nick Robinson last year. At the moment were in the stage of  this is very much Vic, my wife  lets take each day as it comes.

So we dont do the great planning or anything like that, that would be presumptuous. But we do try to protect them. We dont name them in public. My boy is 15 and my girl is 12. I want to protect them. We dont use photos of them in any way. I want to, for as long as I can, to preserve that space for them. But am I worried? I am worried.

Keir and Victoria at their wedding at Fennes, in Essex, with her parents, in 2007

Victoria retrained in occupational health after having children, and still works in the NHS (I get a direct line of sight on a daily basis into the challenges of the NHS and the morale of the staff, her husband has said), but is otherwise committed to Kentish Town, where the family have lived in a handsome four-bedroom terrace house for 20 years.

Starmers wallet is reported to have Take Me Home to Kentish Town emblazoned on the back of it. But it is Victoria who is particularly wedded to the area. She jokes, Baldwin writes, that although her husband thinks its his constituency, its actually mine.

Her passions are said to be horse racing, music and food, with a picture of Doncaster Racecourse reportedly adorning a wall in the family home. Both Victoria and her daughter are vegetarians. Sir Keir is a pescatarian.

On the political front, she is not entirely hermetic. Occasionally seen on photo-op walkabouts with her husband, she is a stylish and popular figure at Labour conferences, and made her first prominent appearance at the 2021 Labour conference in Brighton.

Then, under the immediate scrutiny of a political spouse (her outfit, on that occasion a 269 navy blue eco-friendly polyester dress by French fashion house Claudie Pierlot, was immediately priced up by the news pages), she embraced her husband on stage after his speech.

Besides a handful of other public appearances, though, she remains little-known  which it seems is precisely how she likes it. But the prospect of having to move in a few weeks, from her beloved Kentish Town to the heart of SW1, in a fairly poky flat above the shop, is growing more real by the day.

At that point she will need to decide how she would like to play the part. But there is no one correct way to approach being the spouse of a prime minister. Akshata Murty, Rishi Sunaks wife and the most recent holder of the post, recently said her role was simply to keep the show going.

Carrie Johnson, Murtys predecessor in 10 Downing Street, was vilified with the nicknames Carrie Antoinette and, in Dominic Cummings poetic way, princess nut nut.

At a polling station in Kentish Town in 2021 - Julian Simmonds

Samantha Cameron, who maintained a very different career in fashion throughout her husbands time in office, described herself as not a very hands-on political wife who didnt get involved in day-to-day Downing Street life.

Sarah Brown focused on charity work, but later lamented not speaking out more. Cherie Blair was, at least for a time, as famous as her husband. Norma Major led a seen but not heard existence. And Denis Thatcher summed up the role well with just four words: always present, never there.

How Lady Starmer will mould her role should her husband win office remains to be seen, but for now, the public is still largely in the dark about her. It seems a small thing, but the fact she doesnt yet have a Wikipedia page is telling in this age. Even Hugh OLeary, the accountant husband of Liz Truss, whose premiership lasted just 49 days, has one of those.

Come what may, the spotlight will be on. As her husband stands on the precipice of power, Lady Starmers time in the shadows is surely reaching an end.

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Tampa Bay is facing a steep drop in vote-by-mail requests ahead of the presidential election, the result of changes in state law that Gov. Ron DeSantis said would make the voter rolls more secure.

Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties have far fewer mail ballot requests on file for general election ballots this year than they did in the 2022 midterms.

So far, fewer than 42,000 Pasco voters have requested mail-in ballots for the general election. Compare that with more than 124,400 requests two years ago.

Hillsborough has less than 155,500 vote-by-mail requests for the general election on file, a dip compared with the more than 335,600 requests it fulfilled in the midterms.

And in Pinellas, the elections office has roughly 232,900 requests on file this year compared with more than 332,800 requests in 2022.

The drop-off in requests could mean lower turnout from marginalized groups and low-propensity voters this election, said Abdelilah Skhir, senior strategist at the ACLU of Florida.

Voters existing mail ballot requests were wiped from county systems after the 2022 election thanks to a state law that required them to re-request a mail-in ballot each general election cycle every two years.

The bill, SB 90, also restricted the use of ballot drop boxes and added requirements for voters looking to change their registration or request a mail-in ballot.

Skhir said that bill and other anti-voter laws make voting more difficult for elderly or low-income people or those with limited mobility.

Groups of people who already have those extra barriers to voting are going to be hit the hardest, he said.

Skhir worries that people wont realize they need to re-request mail ballots before its too late. That may mean lower voter turnout this year.

Theres going to be a nonzero number of people who are expecting their vote-by-mail ballot this year, and through whatever circumstances theyre in, theyre not going to receive that vote-by-mail ballot, he said. And any number greater than zero is too much.

Registered voters can ask that a ballot be mailed to them up until 12 days before an election.

Vote-by-mail has historically been popular in Tampa Bay. In the 2022 general election, nearly half of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas voters cast ballots by mail.

With primary elections in August, county elections officials say they are prioritizing outreach to voters whose requests expired in 2022.

In Pasco, Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said his office sent tens of thousands of postcards to voters whose requests were erased after the 2022 election.

Dustin Chase, communications director for the Pinellas County elections office, said Pinellas has sent over 100,000 letters and emails reminding voters to re-request mail ballots. The office has taken to social media, radio, newspaper and billboards to spread the word, too.

Were just encouraging voters to exercise their franchise, he said.

Republican lawmakers passed SB 90 amid a surge in voting by mail among Democrats and a steady drumbeat of unfounded fraud claims from former President Donald Trump about the 2020 presidential election, which he lost. Many of his complaints targeted vote-by-mail, though he has repeatedly voted by mail in Florida.

Republicans said SB 90 would maintain election integrity in Florida. Democrats accused them of voter suppression and of placating Trumps claims.

But it appears that ahead of the 2024 election, Trump has embraced vote-by-mail.

The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee announced Swamp The Vote USA earlier this week, a platform promoting mail-in ballots and early voting.

Republicans must win, and we must use every appropriate tool available to beat the Democrats, Trump said in a video launching the effort. Whether you vote early, absentee, by mail or in person, we are going to protect the vote.

In response to Trumps promotion of mail voting, Skhir of the ACLU said, I hope that many of the elected officials who have attacked the vote-by-mail process throughout the last few years, both in rhetoric and in policy, see this as the time to cut it out.

How to request a mail ballot

Voters who want to request a mail ballot can call or visit their county elections office, fill out an online form or submit a written request form.

Voters will need to provide their name, address, date of birth and a Florida drivers license number or state ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Voters may also need to provide their signatures.

For more information about requesting a mail ballot in Hillsborough, click here.

For more information about requesting a mail ballot in Pasco, click here.

For more information about requesting a mail ballot in Pinellas, click here.

Correction: This story has been updated since initial publication to provide a more complete number of people who requested mail ballots in 2022 in Hillsborough County.
Nicholas Tartaglione, the ex-Westchester cop turned animal rescuing steroid dealer, was sentenced Monday to four consecutive life terms in federal prison by a judge who called the 2016 quadruple homicide over lost cocaine money that he perpetrated in Orange County "so callous, so inhumane, so wrong on so many levels."

U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas labeled Tartaglione's professions of innocence "delusional denials" that ignored the overwhlming evidence of guilt. And he said the defense lawyer's recitiation of a litany of Tartaglione's efforts to save cats, dogs, skunks, pigs and horses was as concerning as it was disturbing and really only proved that it was "undeniably true that he cares more about animals than the victims."

Earlier: Convicted ex-cop says he's no monster as he bids for new trial in quadruple homicide

A jury last year took almost no time to convict Tartaglione of murder, kidnapping and drug conspiracy charges in the April 11, 2016, killings of 41-year-old Martin Luna, his nephews Miguel Luna, 25, and Urbano Santiago, 35, and family friend Hector Gutierrez, 43, four Mexican men from Middletown whose bodies were not discovered for eight months. Martin Luna was targeted by Tartaglione over a drug debt and the others were killed as witnesses who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Four of the victims' relatives spoke at sentencing in White Plains federal court, describing Martin as a hard worker who cared for his children and other relatives with support and advice. Celia Luna, Martin's sister and aunt of two of the victims, said she had forgiven her brother for the mistake he made that led to the four deaths but that she could never forgive Tartaglione, who she "prays and hopes" never gets out of jail.

"An animal from the street has a better heart than this person," she said through a Spanish interpreter.

Luna's ex-wife, Lucy Hollamon, said despite the heartache not getting easier over the years she considered Monday a good day as she could finally confront the defendant. She refused to name him, saying he wasn't worthy, referring to him as a "piece of (expletive)" she hopes dies slowly and alone in prison".

Martin Luna, one of four men killed April 11, 2016, in Orange County, in an undated photo

In 2015, after Tartaglione's farmhand Marcos Cruz introduced him to Martin Luna, a plan to buy cocaine in Texas and sell it in Florida was launched. Tartaglione invested what witnesses called his life savings, $200,000. Santiago did the selling, with the proceeds and cocaine kept at the Florida home of the owner of Luna's construction company, Jason Sullivan.

The first round made a profit of about $50,000 and Luna returned to Texas with $260,000 to buy more cocaine in late 2015. But he returned empty-handed, claiming his sources took the money but never turned over the product.

Tartaglione initially believed him but eventually was convinced the money had been stolen after Luna broke off contact. He sent two bodybuilders, ex-cop Gerard Benderoth and Joseph Biggs, that he used as enforcers in his steroid business to find Luna but they couldn't. Sullivan helped flush out Luna by giving him three locations where construction estimates were needed on April 11, 2016.

But at the third, the Likquid Lounge bar in Chester that was owned by Tartaglione's brother, no estimate awaited, only Biggs and Benderoth. Luna, though, did not arrive alone, bringing along his nephews and Gutierrez.

All four men were restrained and when Tartaglione arrived he began beating Luna to get him to give up the money. He eventually strangled him to death with a zip tie. The body was wrapped in tarp, put in Tartaglione's SUV and he drove it to his rented ranch in Mount Hope. Biggs and Benderoth followed with the other three men.

On a remote hillside, the four men were forced to kneel on the ground. According to Biggs - the only witness to describe the killings at trial - he shot one of the men in the head, then Tartaglione shot a second and Benderoth shot the third.

The victims belongings were burned in a furnace on the property and Cruz helped Tartaglione bury the bodies the following day. On the day Tartaglione was arrested in December 2016, Cruz led investigators to the shallow grave.

Tartaglione was convicted on four counts of kidnapping resulting in death, which carries a mandatory life sentence. The judge had the discretion whether to impose those consecutively and he did so, agreeing with prosecutors that the victims should not be lumped together but that each deserved to be represented by a unique life sentence.

"Nicholas Tartaglione is a murderer," Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey said. "There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that this defendant is responsible for the deaths of four human beings."

Tartaglione, who contends that Cruz was a member of the Mexican cartel and the actual murderer, is expected to appeal on the same issues he and his new lawyers unsucessfully cited over the past year - including ineffectiveness of counsel, perjury and prosecutorial misconduct - in a bid for a new trial.

Karas said the arguments were belied by the evidence and certainly did not rise to the level needed to reverse a jury verdict. He called the attacks on state police Senior Investigator William Young and the trial defense counsel "cheap shots" by a defendant who has shown an "utterly shocking" failure to accept responsibility and who did not have the decency to face victims' relatives as they addressed him in court.

Tartaglione, 56, insisted in court that he had not killed anyone, was never motivated by money and simply ran an animal-rescue farm. He said he had been a canine officer and knew all about cadaver dogs.

"Give me some credit," he said. "If I was doing a horrendous crime I wouldn't bury the bodies on my property."

He reiterated that he was "no damn killer" and after nearly eight years was tired of living among pedophiles and murderers.

"The truth is standing with me," he said. "This whole family that calls me a monster, I hope one day they can see I'm not."

Marcos Cruz, who worked as a farmhand on ex-cop Nicholas Tartaglione's ranch, is a cooperating witness who testified about Tartaglione's role in a drug conspiracy and the killing of four men in Orange County in 2016.

The judge ridiculed Tartaglione's insistence Cruz was the mastermind, calling the cooperator a "guy who couldn't conspire to eat breakfast with someone tomorrow."

And he said Tartaglione's crime on his own property was simply careless. "You wouldn't be the first murderer to do something stupid," he told the defendant.

Three of the co-conspirators pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate and the fourth, Benderoth, fatally shot himself in his car in Rockland as FBI agents moved in to arrest him in March 2017.

Cruz was sentenced to the seven years he had already served. Sullivan received a 10-year prison term. And Biggs was sentenced to 16 years and eight months.

Tartaglione had turned to rescuing animals and by the time he joined the Briarcliff Manor Police Department in 1996, Tartaglione had already worked as a cop in Mount Vernon, his native Yonkers and Pawling in the brief three years since his graduation from the police academy.

And his tenure in Briarcliff included allegations of excessive force and lying. He was charged with perjury in 1999, accused of lying at a DMV hearing. Despite his acquittal, he was fired, but a court ruling forced the village to reinstate him with more than $300,000 in back pay. Tartaglione returned to the job but was soon injured and eventually retired on a disability pension.

He won a state ruling to work again but the village never hired him. He had been trying to find police work at the time of the quadruple homicide.

Tartaglione, in custody since his arrest more than seven years ago, was initially facing capital punishment. But the U.S. Department of Justice reversed course in 2022 and decided not to seek the death penalty, as it did in most capital cases across the country under Attorney General Merrick Garland.

The ex-cop made more news in 2019 when he was a cellmate of sex-trafficking financier Jeffrey Epstein. He was there when Epstein first tried to kill himself that summer, There were unsubstantiated claims that it was not a suicide attempt but an assault by Tartaglione, whose lawyer insisted that he had actually summoned guards and helped revive Epstein.

Epstein was eventually taken off suicide weeks later and killed himself. Tartaglione was not his cellmate at that time.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Ex-Westchester cop gets 4 life terms in prison for quadruple homicide
TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  A 53-year-old man was arrested in Taylorville last week after police conducted a narcotics search at a known drug house, according to police.

The Taylorville Police Department confirmed that Kenneth Willoughby has been charged with delivery and possession of meth with intent to deliver. Further charges are still pending.

We extend our sincere appreciation to those citizens who expressed gratitude to the team at the scene, police wrote on their social media page. Your support is a testament to fostering a safer and more secure environment for all residents of Taylorville.

14-year old dies after go-cart crash in Christian County

Officials went on to say that during the search, an Emergency Response Team officer was pricked by a used needle. She was sent to Taylorville Memorial Hospital for testing. Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler said the officer is okay, and will take medication for treatment.

Taylorville Police added that the city is taking action in regard to the searched property, which is situated near East Esther and North Shawnee Streets. Wheeler said the house has been a known trap house for years, where people could go and use drugs. He also described the property as an eyesore, with several calls being made by concerned citizens over ordinance violations.

Now, the goal is to demolish the home.

Photo provided by the Facebook page of the Taylorville Police Department.

We are dedicated to employing all available resources to address issues that undermine the well-being of our community, the social media post continued.

Wheeler said there are currently no other suspects identified in connection to the property.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces the 2024-25 budget will include a $1.25 billion increase in teacher pay at a news conference hosted at a Hialeah charter school on June 10, 2024. (Screenshot via the governor's X livestream)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $1.25 billion in teacher salary increases during the fiscal year that opens on July 1 during a news conference hosted Monday by the City of Hialeah Educational Academy, a charter school.

That represents an increase of $200 million over the appropriation for teacher pay in the current-year state budget, the governor said, and the allocated funds will be eligible solely for teacher pay.

I dont want it going to the head of the teacher union, DeSantis said Monday. I want it to go to the teacher.

Florida ranks second-worst in teacher pay nationwide, according to the National Education Association (NEA). The average starting salary for teachers in Florida is $48,286, according to the governors office. The national average starting teacher salary is $44,530, according to the NEA.

The average teacher salary in Florida, according to the union, is $53,098, more than $16,000 below the national average of $69,544.

DeSantis emphasized that U.S. News & World Report has ranked Florida as the best state in the United States for education, but that in part reflects the states ranking for higher education. The magazine ranked Florida No. 10 for K-12 education.

The governor made several jabs at teachers unions, criticizing their effectiveness at negotiating salaries and the cost of dues.

Were raising pay in spite of those unions, not because of them, with what weve done in the Florida Legislature, DeSantis said. So, keep that in mind.

Union responds

In a news conference hosted later in the day by the Florida Education Association (FEA), teachers and parents complained that Florida schools struggle with staffing, including teachers, bus drivers, and kitchen personnel, due to low pay and salary compression. That means that although the state has hiked pay for starting teachers, more experienced staff havent benefited accordingly, FEA President Andrew Spar said.

Kelley Stephenson, a public-school teacher who serves as president of the Walton County Education Association, said teachers want to be included when state leaders determine the school budget.

We are the professionals in the classroom, Stephenson said. We want to be at the table when Gov. DeSantis or whoever is going to make these decisions. Come to the teachers. We know what its like. Hes not come to my school. He doesnt know what its like. We can tell you what its like. Well be honest with what its like. If theyre ready for that conversation.

Students at the news conference told stories of teachers vacating classrooms mid-year because their pay didnt keep up with the cost of living.

Lakisha Ayers-White, a school bus driver and vice president of Flagler Education Support Staff, asked for more support so that fewer employees would have to rely on second and third jobs.

[School support staff] are the ones that assist the students that need the extra support, Ayers-White said. But yet, this governor continues to leave out support staff out of every conversation. We need our governor to show up and support us like we support our students. One job should be enough.

Still waiting for budget

Joining DeSantis in the morning were Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr., and other state and local officials at the charter school, which specializes in health- and law-related career preparation.

The teacher pay increase is included in the Legislatures $117.5 billion state budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, but legislative leaders have not yet sent the Appropriations Act for the governors signature. However, DeSantis aides have been screening spending in preparation for possible line-item vetoes. The budget year opens on July 1.

During his news conference, DeSantis said he likes I would say probably 90% of the budget at this point.

Were going through kind of the last, last stages of that. Some of these legislators that may have different projects; this is going to be probably the week that all that all comes to a head, DeSantis said. And so, we havent made final decisions on every little line item in the budget.

The post Teacher pay increases included in mostly complete state budget, DeSantis says appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
The mother of a Florida teen who lost her leg and hand in a shark attack recently said the girls first words after waking up from her brutal ordeal were: I made it.

Lulu Gribbin, from Mountain Brook, Alabama, was one of three people who were injured in a spate of shark attacks Friday at Rosemary beach in Floridas Walton county, in the western part of the state.

Lulus mother, Ann Blair Gribbin, provided details about the attack, the aftermath and the teens medical condition in a post on the website CaringBridge.

Gribbin said she and Lulu were on their first mother-daughter trip along with the teens twin sister, Ellie, as well as friends. Lulu was with friends on a sand bar in waist-high water, looking for sand dollars, when a shark bit her hand and leg on Friday afternoon.

A man and a boy who noticed Lulu was hurt pulled her out of the water, carrying her to the shore.

Gribbin said she was at another part of the beach, heard there was a shark and saw a group of people standing over someone on the shore. She discovered it was her daughter after running down.

I saw her wounds on her leg and started to scream, Gribbin wrote. She was lifeless her eyes closed mouth white and pale. The wound on her leg or all that was left of her leg was something out of a movie.

Gribbin said first responders airlifted Lulu to a hospital in Pensacola, Florida, and she was immediately brought into surgery.

Doctors connected the teen to a ventilator which helped her breathe as she recovered in the hospital.

The attack not only cost Lulu two-thirds of the blood in her body and her left hand, Gribbin wrote. Doctors also amputated a significant part of Lulus right leg.

Gribbin said doctors expected her to be on the ventilator for about a week. But Lulu began breathing on her own Saturday, and doctors removed her from the ventilator.

This was a first big step, Gribbin wrote. Once she was settled her first words to us were, I made it. And boy she did.

The teen is scheduled to undergo multiple surgeries in the coming weeks as she continues recovering physically from an attack her mother described as life-changing.

Meanwhile, the local news outlet WKRG interviewed a pair of doctors and longtime friends who were vacationing together with their families at the time of Lulu Gribbins attack  and ultimately helped rescue her.

Mohammad Ali and Ryan Forbess recounted boogie boarding with their children in the water, hearing people panicking on the shore and heading toward the commotion. Forbess said he grasped the magnitude of the situation when he saw cloudy red water from the shark attack after getting back to the shore.

The two physicians said their medical training kicked in immediately, and they joined some emergency medical technicians and trauma nurses who were also on vacation and had gone over to help. When I looked down at her and saw the severity of the injury, I realized that anybody with any kind of medical knowledge needed to help, Ali told WKRG.

Ali, Forbess and the rest of the group tied tourniquets as well as applied pressure on Gribbins leg and hands in a measured but urgent effort to save the girl from dying.

We mightve as well worked with them for years, Forbess said. It was amazing. Kind of  it was Gods will that everyone was there to help at the same time.

Forbess and Ali said they spoke to Gribbins family after she had been admitted to the hospital and were relieved to learn Lulu had survived.

Gribbin wrote that she was eternally grateful for Ali, Forbess and the others who gave vital first aid to her daughter.

Despite the disproportionate amount of media coverage that they generate when they do occur, shark attacks are relatively rare, according to experts.

There were 69 shark bites across the world in 2023 that were considered to be unprovoked, according to the University of Floridas International Shark Attack File. Most were in the US and in Florida.

Ten of those 2023 shark attacks were deadly, which was higher than the recent annual average of six but was still lower than the number of fatalities reported in 2011, the files data showed.

The shark which attacked Lulu also bit her friends foot. The friend was treated at another local hospital for what was characterized as a flesh wound.

The third shark attack victim Friday was a 45-year-old woman who was bitten while swimming at Waltons Watersound beach.

Emergency responders airlifted the woman to a hospital after suffering significant trauma to her mid-section, according to a Walton sheriffs office spokesperson. Part of her left arm was amputated following the attack.
Coroner identifies teenager who died in early morning shooting on the Mississippi Coast

A teenager died Monday after a shooting in Gulfport, police said.

Christopher Brown, 16, of Gulfport died of a single gunshot wound, Harrison County coroner Brian Switzer said.

The shooting occurred about 1:28 a.m. Monday in the 100 block of Darby Street, Gulfport Police said in a news release.

Police responded to the scene and found the teenager suffering from a gunshot wound, the release said.

Authorities rushed Brown to a hospital, where he died, according to the release.

Police have made no arrests, Gulfport Police Sgt. Jason Ducre said Monday morning.

An investigation is ongoing. Police did not release more information.

Authorities ask anyone with information about the incident to contact the Gulfport Police Department at 228-868-5959 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.
AKRON, Ohio (WJW)  A teenager has died after a crash involving a motorcycle and van took place in Akron Sunday night.

According to a press release from the Akron Police Department, the crash happened in the area of South Hawkins Avenue and Edgemoor Avenue around 10:20 p.m.

OSHP: 11-year-old boy who took grandparents car hurt in rollover crash

According to the release, a Yamaha Motorcycle was traveling southbound on S. Hawkins Ave. when a Toyota Sien heading eastbound on Edgemoor Ave. turned north onto S. Hawkins Ave., into the path of the Yamaha.

That is when the motorcycle crashed into the Toyota and the driver of the motorcycle, a 19-year-old, was ejected.

The victim was taken to the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center where he later died, according to the release.

According to the release, the motorcycle driver was wearing a helmet. His identity is being withheld pending further investigation.

Keep this monster behind bars: Suspect in Giant Eagle stabbing goes before judge

The driver of the Toyota, a 50-year-old woman, and her 15-year-old passenger were not injured in the crash, the release said.

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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Key Insights

Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, Goldman Sachs Group's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions

A total of 25 investors have a majority stake in the company with 46% ownership

Insiders have sold recently

If you want to know who really controls The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. With 72% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or 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 Goldman Sachs Group.

See our latest analysis for Goldman Sachs Group

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Goldman Sachs Group?

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.

We can see that Goldman Sachs Group does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Goldman Sachs Group's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Goldman Sachs Group. The company's largest shareholder is The Vanguard Group, Inc., with ownership of 8.4%. BlackRock, Inc. is the second largest shareholder owning 6.8% of common stock, and State Street Global Advisors, Inc. holds about 5.8% of the company stock.

On studying our ownership data, we found that 25 of the top shareholders collectively own less than 50% of the share register, implying that no single individual has a majority interest.

Story continues

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Insider Ownership Of Goldman Sachs Group

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. in their own names. As it is a large company, we'd only expect insiders to own a small percentage of it. But it's worth noting that they own US$737m worth of shares. It is good to see board members owning shares, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying.

General Public Ownership

With a 27% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Goldman Sachs Group. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Goldman Sachs Group better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Goldman Sachs Group you should know about.

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.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Tennessee resident is suing Kia Motors after an alleged defect in the drivers seat caused the seat to collapse during a crash and left him paralyzed.

According to the lawsuit, which was filed on Friday, June 7, Rickey and Dorathea Rye bought the 2022 Kia Sorrento just about a month before the crash. The couple said they purchased the car from an authorized Kia dealership in Tennessee.

Nashville man files lawsuit against major car manufacturers over anti-theft defect

On July 16, 2023, Rickey was driving the vehicle and Dorathea was riding in the front passenger seat. They were fully stopped at a red light at the intersection of North Riverside Drive and College Street in Clarksville when another car struck them from behind.

Their attorneys said both Rickey and Dorathea were properly wearing their seatbelts at the time. However, upon impact, the drivers seat malfunctioned and collapsed, leaving Rickey with a catastrophic spinal cord injury, according to the lawsuit.

This photo from a lawsuit against Kia Motors shows the drivers seat of Rickey Ryes 2022 Kia Sorrento after a crash.

Rickey remains permanently paralyzed to this day, his attorneys said. The lawsuit asserts that the unreasonably dangerous condition of the vehicle and drivers seat was present at the time the car was designed, manufactured and sold to Rickey and his wife.

As a result, Rickey is asking for $100 million for all the injuries and damages he sustained. His grounds for suing include strict liability, negligence and loss of consortium, with the lawsuit stating that Rickeys injuries have had a negative impact on his marriage.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The lawsuit also alleges that the company violated the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act by representing that the Kia Sorrento complied with all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards when it did not.

The couple has requested a trial by jury. News 2 reached out to Kia regarding the allegations in the lawsuit. However, the company declined to comment, stating that it is the policy of Kia America to offer no comment on pending or current litigation.

The company has been at the center of multiple lawsuits lately. A Nashville man also recently filed a lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai after his car was stolen in Memphis last June. The suit claims that Hyundai and Kia failed to equip vehicles with appropriate anti-theft protection.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy. (Photos viaJennifer Shutt, States Newsroom and Sheehy campaign)

The first debate between Democratic U.S. Sen Jon Tester and Republican challenger Tim Sheehy on Sunday showed the two candidates sticking to the central themes of their campaigns  Tester as a Big Sandy farmer who works across the aisle to get things done for Montana, and Sheehy as a political newcomer and former U.S. Navy SEAL who says Tester and the old guard in Washington, D.C., have failed and new leadership is needed.

While those themes have been pushed heavily by both campaigns for nearly a year, the debate at Fairmont Hot Springs, hosted by the Montana Broadcasters Association, provided Montanans their first chance to see how the two who will be at the top of the Senate ticket in November differ when it comes to policy and not just personality.

Both men agreed on some facets of running the government and policies that would benefit Montana. But Tester showed the work he has done on both a bipartisan and partisan basis to pass legislation he said supports Montanans. Sheehy underscored his military background and entrepreneurship to say why he, with no prior political experience, should be one of 100 Americans deciding how to address issues like abortion, immigration, housing affordability, health care, military spending and foreign aid.

The race is key to which party will hold the majority in the Senate come January and has already drawn in more than $100 million in outside spending and nearly $50 million in fundraising among the two candidates. Sheehy is the latest Republican to challenge Tester, the only current statewide Democrat in Montana, as he seeks a fourth term in the U.S. Senate in a state former President Donald Trump won handily in 2016 and 2020.

Tester opened the debate by saying Montanas values are on the line, and out of the gate said the state was changing. He nodded toward people like Sheehy, who moved to Montana a decade ago and has used his wealth to expand his businesses and property holdings, as being at least partially responsible for problems Montanans face.

Were seeing a lot of folks come into the state  rich folks  they want to try to buy our state, to try to change it into something that its not. Montanas always been a state where your word is your bond, a handshake means something, and that the truth matters, Tester said. Unfortunately, many of these folks are coming in, theyre buying big ranches, theyre locking people off of not only that ranch, but the public lands around it, and thats not what Montana is all about.

In his opening remarks, Sheehy outlined his veteran status and again relayed his origin story into politics  the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, which began under Trump but was finished under President Joe Bidens administration, but the culmination of which Sheehy calls a disaster because 13 Americans were killed.

I knew at that point our nation was at a crossroads and something had to be done. And since then, theres been no accountability for that failure. And Im running because Im very concerned about the direction of this nation, Sheehy said. Its pretty clear for Montanans and Americans, frankly, they dont have confidence in their government anymore.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (left) and Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy (right) at Sunday's debate. (Screenshot via Montana Broadcasters Association)

The starkest divide between candidates may have come on the issue of abortion and what the future of abortion care should be in Montana and the U.S. nearly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court upended Roe v. Wade and put lawmaking for abortion care fully in the hands of the states.

Tester said he wanted to see Roe reinstated and that the federal government should not be telling women what health care decisions they should make. He said a womans right to choose was on the line in this election.

Sheehy falsely claimed that Tester supported aborting a healthy nine-month-old baby killed at the moment of birth. Abortion in Montana is banned after a fetus becomes viable, typically at 24 weeks, unless the mothers life is at risk. The 1999 Armstrong v. Montana decision by the Montana Supreme Court found Montanans right to privacy included rights to abortion.

According to KFF, less than 1% of abortions take place beyond 21 weeks gestational age, and only 3% occur between 16 and 20 weeks. KFF research found that claims of abortion moments before birth do not occur.

Sheehy said he would support exceptions for fetuses that are the product of rape or incest, or to save the life of the mother.

But Tester fired back, telling Sheehy the abortion issue was too important to play politics with and that his claim about fetuses being killed at the moment of birth was total B.S.

Do you want a politician or a bureaucrat or a judge to make the decision? If you do, vote for him, Tester said. If you want the woman to make the decision, vote for me.

As he has for much of his campaign, Sheehy placed much of the blame for increased consumer prices, the increased illegal entries at the border, higher housing costs and American foreign relations situations at the feet of the Biden administration and, along with it, Democrats like Tester who have largely supported the administrations efforts. He said his experience as a Navy SEAL would help him tackle several issues better than Tester.

Democrat control of the White House and the Senate has led our nation to the worst condition weve been in in 40 years, Sheehy said. Its time for a change in leadership. America is not heading in the right direction.

But Tester outlined some of the Biden administrations policies and efforts hed disagreed with too, like the effort to target coal production in eastern Montana and what he says has been too slow of a push to solve immigration and drug smuggling issues at the southern border.

He also noted that the U.S. produced more oil and gas last year than any year on record in saying he supported an all-of-the-above energy policy that includes heavy investments in renewables. Other policies he called successful that were passed under the Biden administration with his support included the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; PACT Act for toxic exposure to veterans; foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan; and the CHIPS and Science Act aimed at bringing back American manufacturing.

He criticized Sheehy for saying he would have voted against the foreign aid packages for those countries in lieu of Democrats accepting Republicans demands at the southern border, but agreed with him that Biden should have acted sooner with an executive order limiting immigration that the president announced last week.

Sheehy said he still wants the border sealed entirely, while Tester blamed factions of Republicans for caving to Trump and killing the bipartisan border bill in the Senate earlier this year.

Sheehy acknowledged the two men agree on more than we disagree. That included on getting veterans more mental health care, making housing in Montana more affordable, and trying to work with other lawmakers of different parties and political persuasions to run the country as best they can for their constituents.

Sheehy said he learned how to do so sitting in foxholes with soldiers from all walks of life, while Tester said his record shows he has continually done so and thats why he keeps getting re-elected.

In the end, Im going to continue to listen to Montanans and take their good ideas back to Washington, D.C., and put them into law because thats what I do, Tester said. Its one of the reasons Im rated one of the most effective senators in the United States Senate  because I work across the aisle, and I get things done.

In their closing remarks, the two candidates again drew the distinctions between trying to uphold the way of life Montanans have experienced for decades while bringing fresh perspectives to the office. Tester said re-electing him would keep Montana the way it was historically and allow people to hunt and fish without being millionaires. Sheehy said the country was facing unseen threats and was at a crossroads.

I believe we can solve these problems that America is facing, but its going to take a new generation of leaders to do it, Sheehy said. We cannot keep having more of the same; we cannot keep sending the same politicians back into office over and over and over again and expecting different results.

While Tester and Sheehy are the likely frontrunners in the race, Montanans will also have an opportunity to vote for Libertarian Sid Daoud and Green Party candidate Michael Downey in the Senate race.

The post Tester and Sheehy face off in first Montana US Senate debate appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Texas leads the nation in child hot car deaths. How to prevent forgotten baby syndrome

Armani Shoemaker, 3, died May 3 after slipping out of her family home and into an unlocked car around noon in South Carolina, according to a Richland County Sheriff's Department's report. She was the nation's first death of 2024.

Over 90% of American households have a car, according to U.S. census surveys. An average of 35 toddlers die in hot cars every year, according to an analysis of Kids and Car Safety data.

Over the past 25 years, more than 970 children have died over from heatstroke because they were left or trapped in a hot car for too long, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Heres what to do to prevent that.

How to prevent forgotten baby syndrome in hot Texas weather

Some may wonder how people can forget a child in a car. According to the National Library of Medicine, Forgotten Baby Syndrome is real.

Based on limited research, NIH found that the adults who were unaware or had forgotten a child had perfectly intact psychic and cognitive functions.

Heres what you can do to avoid these situations:

Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended for any length of time. Rolling windows down or parking in the shade does little to change the interior temperature of the vehicle. Make it a habit to check your entire vehicle  especially the back seat  before locking the doors and walking away. Ask your childcare provider to call if your child doesnt show up for care as expected. Place a personal item like a purse or a bag in the back seat, as another reminder to look before you lock. Write a note or place a stuffed animal in the passenger's seat to remind you that a child is in the back seat. Store car keys out of a child's reach and teach children that a vehicle is not a play area. Place a reminder on your phone with an alarm that you have a child that needs to be taken out of the car.

What to do if you see a child locked in a car by themselves

NHTSA suggests that if you see a child locked in a car, act immediately and call 911. A child in distress due to heat should be removed from the vehicle as quickly as possible and rapidly cooled.

Texas leads nation with most deaths due to child heat strokes

According to data from Kids and Car Safety, since 1990, Texas has led the nation in child heat strokes, with 156 deaths in total. Almost 90% of children who die are 3 or younger, according to their data.

A graphic from kidsandcars.org showing the number of hot-car deaths in children since 1990.

In 2018 and 2019, we saw a record number of hot car deaths  53 children died each year in the U.S.  the most in at least 25 years, according to NoHeatstroke.org.

In 2023, 29 children died of heatstroke in vehicles in the U.S.

What are heatstroke symptoms in kids?

A child's body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult's. When a child is left in a vehicle, that child's temperature can rise quickly  and the situation can quickly become dangerous.

Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature reaches about 104 degrees.

A child can die when their body temperature reaches 107 degrees.

Here are the symptoms to watch for:

cramping

fatigue

diarrhea

dizziness

headache

irritability

coordination problems

nausea

vomiting

fainting

weakness

What's the difference between heatstroke and heat exhaustion?

Heatstroke and heat exhaustion are both heat-related illnesses that occur due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, especially when combined with high humidity and physical exertion. However, they differ significantly in severity and symptoms.

Heat exhaustion is a condition resulting from excessive loss of water and salt through sweating, leading to an imbalance in the body's electrolytes. Heatstroke is a severe, life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's temperature regulation system fails, causing body temperature to rise to dangerous levels (104F or higher).

Heat exhaustion vs heat stroke. Here are the differences and what you should do.

Here are heat exhaustion symptoms:

Heavy sweating

Weakness or fatigue

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Nausea or vomiting

Headache

Muscle cramps

Cool, moist skin with goosebumps when in the heat

Rapid, weak pulse

Low blood pressure upon standing

Here are heat stroke symptoms:

High body temperature (104F or higher)

Hot, dry skin (absence of sweating) or heavy sweating

Altered mental state or behavior (confusion, agitation, slurred speech)

Seizures

Loss of consciousness

Rapid, strong pulse

Nausea and vomiting

Flushed skin

Technology to prevent hot car deaths

Today, several devices can remind drivers that a child is in the rear of the car so they won't forget.

Here are some of the listed technologies:

Drivers Little Helper Sensor System : The Drivers Little Helper Sensor System, available at several major retailers, is designed to be placed in a car seat. Positioned under the seat padding where the child sits, the sensor connects to a battery pack and syncs with an app. Users can configure the app to send notifications after stopping the car, with intervals as short as one minute.

Waze : Waze, a popular traffic app, features a setting that reminds drivers to check their back seat upon reaching a destination entered into the app. However, it does not provide alerts for impromptu stops.

Sensorsafe : SensorSafe, a technology featured in some Evenflo car seats, includes a receiver that plugs into your car's diagnostics port. This port inside the vehicle connects to various subsystems and allows small receivers to access the car's computer system. The receiver communicates with the car seat's smart chest clip, alerting the driver with a series of chimes if a child remains in the seat after the car is turned off.

Toyota Cabin Awareness : Toyota's Cabin Awareness is an advanced in-cabin monitoring system designed to prevent hot car fatalities, particularly for children and pets. This technology uses high-resolution 4D imaging radar to detect minute movements, such as heartbeats and respiration, covering the entire vehicle cabin, including the cargo area and footwells. The radar can even sense occupants under blankets or other coverings.

General Motor's Rear Seat Reminder System: This feature in certain GM vehicles uses sensors on the back doors that activate when the rear door is opened or closed within 10 minutes of the vehicle starting or while it is running. If these conditions are met, a reminder appears on the dashboard, accompanied by an audible chime, when you reach your destination.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas leads nation in child hot car deaths. Here's how to prevent it
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  Federal agencies are warning Texas they may withhold federal funding if the states delays and backlogs in administering healthcare and nutrition programs persist, according to internal communications provided by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett.

Since last summer, KXAN has reported major delays and errors inside Texas Health and Human Services that have erroneously removed thousands of Texans off of Medicaid and subjected others to months-long wait times to get food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Help us! State employees blow whistle on errors they say are kicking thousands off Medicaid

Now, the federal Centers for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are requiring HHSC to provide a plan to remedy the errors or lose funding associated with administering the programs.

HHSC continues to be riddled with backlogs, delays, errors, and failing leadership. Families are being denied SNAP food assistance and more than two million Texans have lost access to a family physician and must reapply for Medicaid coverage, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, said. Texans will continue to suffer until we have competent state leadership that prioritizes those most in need. Any loss of federal funding, even administrative funds, would be a direct result of the Abbott HHSCs failures.

HHSC whistleblowers on Medicaid, SNAP delays: We need resources | 100K dropped from Medicaid improperly

Federal law requires HHSC to determine Medicaid eligibility within 45 days. As of January, 40% of applications took longer and are thus out of compliance with the law, CMS warned in a letter to State Medicaid Director Emily Zalkovsky late last month.

Many individuals have lost coverage for procedural and administrative reasons even though they may otherwise meet Medicaid or CHIP eligibility criteria. As these individuals reapply for Medicaid or CHIP, taking meaningful steps to facilitate their enrollment will be essential to support their access to coverage, CMS wrote.

Concerned state employees say internal errors put thousands at risk of losing Medicaid coverage

CMS said HHSC has inadequate staffing to deal with the influx of application review demands after federal COVID policies expired, requiring HHSC to reconsider eligibility for millions of Texans.

CMS is now requiring HHSC to share data on applications, staffing and workflow so they can review the agencys efficacy on providing Medicaid. Those materials are due 30 days after May 22  making the deadline June 21  or CMS warns of formal compliance action.

We believe it is critical for the state to adopt alternative strategies that will mitigate the harm being caused to applicants due to the ongoing delay in the states processing of applications, CMS wrote.

Whistleblowers beg Abbott to take action over Medicaid errors, food assistance delays

USDA is also threatening to suspend nearly $8.4 million of SNAP funds if HHSC does not come into compliance with federal SNAP requirements. As of May 3, Texas reported more than 90,000 backlogged SNAP applications, with the oldest from August 2023.

For the tens of thousands of families awaiting consideration and approval of benefits, Texas has not addressed the backlog and timeliness issues as urgently as it should, USDA wrote to HHSC Executive Commissioner Cecile Young on May 21. Low [application processing timeliness] rates have a real and significant impact on eligible families who struggle to put food on the table.

Texas kicked hundreds of seniors off Medicare benefits by mistake

In a May 29 response to USDA, HHSC provided a corrective action proposal. The plan includes executing a new grant contract that delineates responsibilities between HHSC and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), developing a monthly review of expenditures and expanding monitoring, training and technical assistance with TWC.

Central to HHSCs mission is fidelity and good stewardship of our resources. We are committed to responsible contract oversight and fiscal monitoring to ensure funding is going to its intended purpose, HHSC Deputy Executive Commissioner Molly Regan wrote.

The agency estimates it can come into full compliance by Sept. 1, 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 KXAN Austin.
A Texas public library can't remove books simply because they discuss topics like "butts and farts," a federal judge wrote last week in a majority opinion of a lawsuit over controversial library books. Because of disagreement between a panel of federal judges, however, the books will remain removed, while other challenged books on race and sexuality will be returned to library shelves.*

The case is one of the more bizarre instances of library censorship in recent years, but it nonetheless led to a decisive option from the majority, who found that it is unconstitutional to remove library books out of a "desire to limit access to ideas with which they [disagree]."

The legal battle began after Llano County Judge Ron Cunningham received complaints in 2021 concerning "pornographic and overtly sexual books in the library's children's section." The complainants were particularly upset about children's books about "butts and farts."

One of the aggrieved citizens, Llano resident Rochelle Wells, "had been checking out those books continuously for months to prevent others from accessing them."

Following the complaint, Cunningham told the library's director, Amber Milum, to remove the books from library shelves. After more complaints were lodged, Cunningham told the library director to also remove several other books that "depict any type of sexual activity or questionable nudity."

Milum later testified that she would not have removed the books as part of typical curation activitiesshe only removed them because of directions from county officials.

Making matters worse, in January 2022, the county's library board was dissolved and replaced with new board members. Two of the complainers who successfully pressured Cunningham to order books removed were placed on the new board.

According to the opinion, the new board "implemented several policy changes, including prohibiting Milum from attending their meetings and requiring her to seek approval before purchasing any new books."

Seven library patrons brought a suit in 2022, arguing that the removal of the book was unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination. Eventually, a lower court agreed, granting a preliminary injunction requiring defendants to return the removed books. However, the county appealed. Just this week, a panel of judges from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the plaintiffs.

Referencing other cases surrounding attempted library censorship, the majority opinion constructed a series of "rules" about how books can be removed from library collections. "Librarians may consider books' contents in making curation decisions," Judge Jaques Weiner Jr. wrote in the majority opinion. "Their discretion, however, must be balanced against patrons' First Amendment rightsa book may not be removed for the soleor a substantialreason that the decision-maker does not wish patrons to be able to access the book's viewpoint or message."

The motivation for removing targeted books from Llamo public libraries doesn't meet this test. The opinion notes that censors wanted the books gone simply because they didn't like their content.

"Government actors may not remove books from a public library with the intent to deprive patrons of access to ideas with which they disagree," the opinion concludes. "Because that is apparently what occurred in Llano County, Plaintiffs have demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits of their First Amendment claim."

*CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated the content of the federal court's ruling.

The post Texas Public Library Can't Remove Books About 'Butts and Farts,' Federal Judge Says appeared first on Reason.com.
Over the past few decades, textualismwhich holds that textual analysis best reveals a legal provisions meaninghas established itself as the interpretive theory in American courts. It has drawn its strength from formalism emphasized by champions such as the late Justice Antonin Scalia, combined with what Judge Neomi Rao has called textualisms political morality. Scalia regularly pointed out that a laws words are the objectified evidence of its meaning, and Judge Rao has elaborated that focusing on such objectified evidence follows naturally from the moral commitments at the heart of our constitutional system of government. Textualism has become so dominant that its sometimes hard to remember how debates over interpretation sounded before they were waged on textualist grounds. What did lawyers argue about before we disputed semantic meaning, context clues, and canons of interpretation?

Retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has written a book to try to remind us. In Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism, Justice Breyer notes that he may be the last anti-textualist standing. By revisiting the interpretive theories that roamed the earth before the textualist meteor hit and showing how they helped him reach his conclusions in various cases, Breyers preferred arguments against textualism take shape. Along the way, he attempts to advance an alternative interpretive mode which, as the books subtitle suggests, he calls pragmatism.

Unfortunately for him, those arguments end up sounding like little more than an expiring theorys last gasp.

Pragmatism comprises a set of considerations beyond the text. It incorporates purposivism, long regarded as textualisms chief rival, which Breyer considers the centerpiece of any alternative to textualism. Purposivism revolves around the idea that each law is enacted to solve a problem; curing some social ill is its purpose. Judges should therefore identify the problem Congress (or any legislature) sought to fix and apply the law in such a way that would give effect to Congress chosen remedy. The purposivist judge tends to view textualists as embracing willful blindness to the legislative will, forcing the legislature to idiot-proof its work product to an impossible degree if it ever wants to fix our nations problems.

Scalia dispensed with this critique nearly three decades ago: To be a textualist in good standing, one need not be too dull to perceive the broader social purposes that a statute is designed, or could be designed, to serve; or too hidebound to realize that new times require new laws, he wrote in 1995. One need only hold the belief that judges have no authority to pursue those broader purposes or write those new laws. In this view, purposivists who ask judges to use their common sense and let Congress fix the problem the way it was trying to beg the question: How precisely was Congress trying to fix the problem?

There is no simple answer because all legislation involves tradeoffs. How must we balance environmental protection against economic development? Public health against individual liberty? A congressional command to advance one interest does not mean it should always defeat the other in court.

Yet giving effect to a laws purpose entices a judge to deal with tradeoffs in two ways. He can barrel ahead remedying one problem at the expense of all others, hyper-attuned to the purpose of a law he is asked to interpret, believing he is meant to help Congress fix that problem at any cost. Alternatively, a judge can feel empowered to make policy tradeoffs on his own, based on his own understanding of which competing goods are worth trading offin other words, what the judge thinks would be good public policy. Either way, judges operating under such a theory end up circumventing the text of a law, which is the very command instructing them how to effect the tradeoff.

As his case studies illustrate, Breyers pragmatism led him to do both. His justifications for making independent policy judgments reveal a deep irony in the accusation, leveled against Scalia, that textualists lack the imagination needed to fix the problems Congress had identified. However, as the book progresses, it becomes clear that its actually pragmatism that suffers from a congenital lack of imagination.

When he revisits illustrative cases, Breyer emphasizes his reliance on reconstructing imaginary congressional logic to avoid interpreting texts commands. He considers the main question in statutory interpretation to be the why question: Why would Congress prefer the outcome suggested by a textualist analysis over some other? When he could find no good answer to the why question, he writes, he would dissent from the textualist interpretation. But the very fact that he could not conjure such answers reveals a blinkered view of politics and a lack of attention to a core feature of the American democratic system.

At its core, textualism is about compromise. It understands that in a democracy, its legislative majorities who ratify laws. It comprehends majorities arrive at an approved text only after an untold amount of horse-trading, coalition-building, and red-penning. Though its critics might paint it as a rigid or arcane legal philosophy, textualism is actually part of a comprehensive political and constitutional theory, one that holds that failing to give voted-upon words their due honor is tantamount to undermining the American peoples elected representatives by marring their compromise.

To make this more concrete, consider a case study that features prominently in Reading the Constitution. In the 2019 case Return Mail, Inc. v. United States Postal Service, the Supreme Court had to decide whether a person, as referenced in a statute allowing the Patent and Trademark Office to expedite post-grant patent reviews, included government agencies. The six-justice majority employed textualist reasoning and found that person did not include government agencies because (among a few other reasons) the United States Code defines the term as including corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, societies, and joint stock companies, as well as individualsbut not agencies.

Breyer wrote for the three dissenting justices, offering his primarily purpose-oriented interpretation. He reasoned that Congress enacted the statute at hand to make the patent system more efficient. He reasoned further that this purpose was satisfied whether government parties or private parties used the statutes administrative-based patent-validity challenge procedures. The language of the statute suggested a clear answer to the question of who is a person under this law, but it would result in an only partially more efficient patent-challenge system.

Rather than accepting that this may have been the compromise Congress wanted, Breyer argued that the court should have circumvented the compromise by elevating efficiency at the expense of all other potential concerns. It did not make sense to him that Congress would go only some of the way toward advancing efficiency: Why  would Congress have declined to give federal agencies the power to invoke those same administrative procedures? The dissenters could find no good answer to the why question.

Without getting bogged down in patent-law policy and administrative procedures, we can answer Breyers why question with a powerfully simple answer: Because democratic politics are messy. Compromise is messy. Getting that last vote to secure a majority may require some bartering: One representative may want funding for a new bridge in his district; another may support changes to the patent-challenge system while being concerned that government agencies are already too large and will hire more lawyers if the agency is allowed to invoke new administrative procedures. Their concerns may be idiosyncratic, but they need not strike Supreme Court justices as well-warranted to be democratically legitimate. Yet the pragmatic justices, led by Breyer, were quick to risk undoing any and all behind-the-scenes compromise by ignoring the best evidence of the compromises contentthe text of a statutein favor of analysis that simply cannot account for the vagaries of democratic lawmaking.

Though court critics often level the charge of legislating from the bench frivolously, in this case it hits the mark. Its bad enough for judges to ask what reason there might be for a peculiarity in legal text. But at least this would confine the judiciarys circumvention of legislative text to instances where it identifies undeniably absurd results. Its far worse to inquire after good reasons, as if the Supreme Court were equipped to determine which kinds of compromises are acceptable, which result in the best policy outcomes (such as maximal efficiency), and which need to be circumvented by judicial reinterpretation.

By asking if there are good reasons for imperfect outcomes, Breyers method necessarily imports implicit understandings of good lawmaking and good governance, lumping in with the truly absurd anything the judges think is contrary to wise policy. Though it takes the form of legal interpretation, it is fundamentally an act of political theorizing by fiat. This feature of Breyerian pragmatism borrows heavily from the Legal Process school of interpretation articulated in the mid-20th century by Harvard Law School titans Henry Hart and Albert Sacks. Back then, Hart and Sacks emphasized that statutory interpretation must occur under the fiction that the legislature was made up of reasonable persons pursuing reasonable purposes reasonably.

The trouble, though, is that our legislature now constantly seems intent on exploding that assumption. Pointing that out is a joke, but a joke can be a serious thing. The serious criticism of Legal Process reasoning is that members of Congress do not always, or even often, legislate in a manner that Breyer or anyone outside of Congress would consider reasonable. That doesnt make it illegitimate.

Lawmaking and sausage-making really do have much in common. The process is ugly and the result may be a touch unsettling. But trying to un-emulsify the sausage is a fools errand; likewise, trying to reconstruct a laws components with unwarranted assumptions about their inherent reasonableness is not justifiable or even feasible.

Breyer insists, against this textualist critique, that his interpretations reflect what Congress obviously meant to convey. Yet that raises two questions: First, why didnt Congress just say it? Examining Return Mail, Inc., again, the congressional bureaucracies in charge of precise legislative language know what the word persons means in the U.S. Code. It is not beyond Congress to say persons and government agencies in the statute disputed. Second, whats the harm in ruling that Congress has not yet effected its desired policy outcome, andsince it is clear and uncontroversial to the point that pragmatists are prepared to assume it has already been ratified by implicationlet Congress amend the law to mean what Breyer thinks it meant to say? It should not be hard to get a majority to make this one small amendment, since theres no answer to the why question to begin with. Right?

Wrongof course, wrong. Congress ratified what it ratified because it compromised. And whatever language Congress would use to try to ratify the pragmatists twist on the law might well fail. It is not the compromise Congress had settled on; it may or may not command a majority. No wonder the textualist rejection of Breyers methodology has won the day. There is simply no justification for a Supreme Court justice going beyond a laws text based on his own views of what is reasonable and what a reasonable legislature must have been trying to do.

Breyers book reads as one final appeal in the long-running litigation between his position and Scalias. Unfortunately, it raises no novel arguments, and it simply restates the anti-textualist position rather than mounting a rebuttal to textualisms well-developed political and constitutional theory. If the anti-textualists cannot come up with a more persuasive rejoinder to textualists compromise-based theory, they should expect to continue losing in the court of public opinion.

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PARIS  The Chanel boutique on Avenue Montaigne in Paris was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery in the early hours of Monday morning.

Four suspects rammed the boutique with a vehicle at around 5:15 a.m., breaking the windows in order to access goods. They set fire to the first vehicle, before fleeing the scene in a second vehicle, according to an AFP report. Firefighters were called to the scene to extinguish the flames.

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The individuals used a first vehicle to enter the establishment by breaking the window before fleeing in a second vehicle, taking goods from the store, a police source told AFP.

Chanel confirmed the incident to WWD.

We confirm that a ram-raid occurred in the Chanel boutique, located at 42 Avenue Montaigne in Paris, during the night of June 9 to 10, 2024. Fortunately, no employees were injured, a company spokesperson said. A police investigation has been opened and we are working closely with the police to assist them in their inquiries.

The store will be closed until the company has assessed the damage.

The amount of the loss is unknown at this stage. The shop will remain closed for a few days while the damage is repaired, the spokesperson added.

The 6,500-square-foot store covers two floors and is designed to accommodate VIP clients with private salons located on the first floor.

Its the second smash-and-grab luxury retail theft on Avenue Montaigne in recent weeks. On May 19, thieves rammed the Harry Winston store located at number 29 and escaped on motorbike with several million euros worth of jewelry.

That incident is still under investigation, with the loss of goods estimated between 6 million and 10 million euros.

UNSPECIFIED - APRIL 08: Gabrielle Chasnel called Coco Chanel (1883-1971), french fashion designer, here playing golf c.1910 (Photo by Apic/Getty Images)

UNSPECIFIED - APRIL 01: Coco Chanel and her lover Arthur " Boy " Capel (mustache) with Constent Say on the beach in Saint Jean de Luz in 1917 (Photo by Apic/Getty Images)

Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster (1879 - 1953) at Chester Races with French fashion designer Coco Chanel (1883 - 1971), 1st May 1924. (Photo by Phillips/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Launch Gallery: Photos of Coco Chanel Through the Years: Her Evolution From 1910 to 1960s

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Thought it was safe: Neighbors, locals react to deadly shooting that killed 2 juveniles Sunday

The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is investigating a double shooting that left 2 juveniles dead. It happened at the Island Pointe Apartments on the Northside at around 4:30 a.m.

The Island Pointe Apartments on the Northside is said to be a quiet area, but that silence was shattered early Sunday morning.

One resident told Action News Jax she woke up to dozens of police cars right outside of her home, however, she said she did not hear any gunshots.

One woman who asked to remain anonymous said she was shocked.

We only moved down here because we thought it was safe. Theres only one way in and one way out. If you come through here, its because youre visiting someone or youre coming home, she said.

Another resident said she saw 22 evidence markers on the ground.

Police said they do not believe the two victims lived at the apartment complex, and it is still unclear what led to the incident.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

AJ Jordan from MAD DADS believes this is another instance of kids getting their hands on guns.

We still have a segment of the community that still want to use guns and resolve issues with violence. We need to remove the people off the streets and have an important conversation with our youth, Jordan said.

According to JSO crime map, this is the first shooting in a 2-mile radius of the area in the past.

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There are no reported witnesses.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call JSO or Crimestoppers.

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.
If you come at the king, you best not miss, Omar Little said in The Wire, paraphrasing Emerson. I have been a vocal critic of the Manhattan district attorneys offices decision to bring its criminal case against Donald Trump, but now the time has come for me to give the prosecutors credit where it is due: They did not miss. In addition to winning the first conviction of a former U.S. president, they addressed some of the most puzzling legal problems that had hung over the trial, which could make that conviction less vulnerable on appeal.

For months I have been worried about the New York criminal case against Donald Trump for falsifying business documents in order to cover up a scheme to unlawfully influence the 2016 election via a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The legal theory was, to me, dubious. Of particular concern was what other critics later dubbed the cases time warp problem: that the prosecution was relying on a set of 34 purely internal documentsMichael Cohens pay stubs, invoices, and Trumps personal ledger entriesas a basis for an intent to defraud the voters in the 2016 election. As I wrote last year in the New York Times: If a business record is internal, it is not obvious how a false filing could play a role in defrauding if other entities likely would not rely upon it and be deceived by it. Even if one can argue that the statute should apply to internal records, this is not the ideal time to test a seemingly novel (or even a very rare) application.

This problem became, in my view, even more significant as the prosecution and the judge emphasized, in the months before trial and through the opening statements, that the case was about defrauding the voters. All 34 of these documents were made in 2017. How could voters in 2016 be defrauded by documents that did not then even exist?

In a series of posts in March and in my New York Times follow-up essay in April, I shared a suggestion from a friend, Boston College law professor and former prosecutor Jeffrey Cohen: The prosecution should emphasize that the target of the fraud was the government, to conceal violations of federal election laws. In short: Its not the crime; its the cover-up.

However, in the early stages of the trial, the judge and prosecution had framed the case as Trump defrauding the voters, a politically compelling story but so broad as to be confusing, both legally and factually. This is where things get complicated.

In order to upgrade the misdemeanor false filings to a felony, the prosecution had to prove Trump intended to conceal another crime (thus, three layersunderlying crime, intent to conceal that underlying crime, false document filings). In the initial argument of the case, as described in the indictment and follow-up motions, the prosecution pointed to four possibilities for what this underlying crime was: a Federal Election Campaign Act crime, tax fraud, other false documents under the New York false business documents statute (such as the document Cohen filed to set up his shell company to pay off Daniels), or maybe a vague New York state statute against conspiracies to promote a candidate by unlawful means. Lawfares Quinta Jurecic, an indispensable explainer of the case over the past year, asked at the time about the tangled legal theory behind the case, Clear as mud? (To see just how complex this legal rationale was, check out my effort to diagram it.)

But in a surprise move at the end of the trial, the prosecutors restructured the case. The jury instructions made the New York state election law the only underlying concealed crime. The statute in question, New York Election Law 17-152, states: Any two or more persons who conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means and which conspiracy is acted upon by one or more of the parties thereto, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. The other crimes that had previously been possible underlying crimes for the falsifying documents chargesthe alleged Federal Election Campaign Act violations, secondary false document filings, and tax crimeswere now the possible unlawful means of promoting a candidate. The previous approach had three steps. The end of the trial focused on a fourth step, proving unlawful means.

This strategy worked with the jury, but it also exacerbated the timing problem I brought up back in April. In the first approach, the prosecution could treat all of the 2017 falsified documents as part of a cover-up, which seemed to fit common sense. But the final restructuring meant that they were treating some obscure 2017 documents as a means of winning an election, seemingly after the fact.

The new question was even more puzzling: How could tax and business documents that were not created until 2017 be means of promoting a candidate in a 2016 election? If this was an election interference case, how could 2017 documents influence voters in 2016? In closing, the defense raised the time-warp problem. The charges relate to documents in 2017, Todd Blanche told jurors. And the government wants you to believe that President Trump did these things with his records to conceal efforts to promote his successful candidacy in 2016, the year before. Some have argued that there is no time warp if the conspiracy that began in 2016 included even then a plan to eventually cover up the unlawful means, so the 2017 cover-up was part of the same means. The problem is that the word means implies a cause/effect relationship (think of means/ends relationships that come up all the time in law). Something cannot be a means to an ends if the ends already happened a year ago.

More plausibly, others have argued that it is not a time-warp problem if the cover-up helped Trump run for reelection in 2020. To be clear, I think reasonable people can disagree about whether such an argument is factually persuasive as to intent. However, the question on appeal is not whether appellate courts agree with such a factual inference, but whether after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, could a rational juror have found this element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt?

In other words, it does not matter whether I am persuaded that the 2017 documents were an unlawful means of running for reelection. The question is: Did the prosecutors offer a sufficient factual basis for a reasonable person to come to that conclusion?

After reviewing the trial transcript and briefings, I think the answer is yes: The prosecutors addressed the time-warp problem with Michael Cohens testimony and a closing argument that was much more effective than their opening argument. Cohen testified not only about the 2016 election conspiracy, but also the timing in 2017 of Trumps early announcement that he was running for reelection in 2020. Cohen testified that his title at that time was personal attorney to the president. This timing overlapped with the creation of the false tax records and other documents in 2017.

During lengthy closing arguments, prosecutors similarly took this head-on. Addressing the original time-warp problem first, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass focused on how the 2017 documents defrauded regulators:

Whether youre a private enterprise or a public enterprise, you have an obligation to keep proper books and business records. This isnt an obligation to your owners or investors or shareholders. Its an obligation to the State of New York. Among other reasons, the information contained in these false records are reviewed  your business books are also important for Government Regulators and Election Regulators, and theyre important for other companies or vendors with whom you do business.

Then Steinglass returned to the second timing solution, the means of running for reelection: The Defendant used his own business records as the vehicle to disguise the reimbursement because he didnt want anyone finding out about the conspiracy to corrupt the election. He continued:

[The Defendant] had every reason to continue to conceal his election fraud.  Cohen told you  as of 2017 the Defendant had already announced an intention to run for President again.

Did Trump intend for these 2017 documents to be a means to win in the 2020 election? The question is whether reasonable people could have come to that conclusion. The prosecutors did their job: They persuaded the entire jury; they successfully focused the jury and the public on this case as an unlawful election conspiracy; and they established a factual basis for an appellate court to find sufficient to reach this conclusion, as attenuated as it may seem to some skeptics.

I still have concerns about other legal questions on appeal. However, on the most glaring problems that seemed to defy common sense and the time-space continuum, I dont think they missed.
By Clare Jim and Ziyi Tang

HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) -China's efforts to clear massive inventory by turning unsold homes into affordable housing are unlikely to help cash-strapped developers due to the programme's limited size and potentially low prices, analysts and developers say.

As part of a support package for the crisis-hit property sector, Beijing announced last month a plan for a 300 billion yuan ($41 billion) lending facility, which could result in 500 billion worth of bank financing for local state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to purchase completed and unsold homes.

Chinese banks are expected to extend cheaper loans to SOEs via the facility, backed by the central bank, to help them buy the homes from developers at "reasonable prices" to turn into affordable housing.

Some private developers, however, see very few, if any, of their projects being selected as the lending facility is inadequate and the scheme is only expected to launch in bigger cities where affordable housing is available. Price offers from SOEs are also likely to be low, they say.

The cautious attitude of developers could be a challenge for Beijing, as waves of support measures over the past two years fail to revive the sector, which at its peak accounted for a quarter of GDP and remains a major drag on the economy.

Xintangzhen, a town in Guangzhou, issued a notice on May 30, the first local government to do so after the support package, to purchase "suitable housing stock" for resettlement housing.

The local government would buy the homes at cost price, reported China Real Estate Business, a media outlet managed by the housing authority, citing the notice.

A project co-owned by state-owned Jinmao and major developer Vanke had applied, the news report added.

Some developers said buying at costs, which means a 20-30% discount to market price, was better than expected.

A senior executive at a private developer in default said his firm would be interested to apply if other cities make similar offers as Xintangzhen, but he expects offers to be low and insufficient to cover construction loans.

"If it's not even enough to cover the development loan, how do we repay the loan? The lending bank would not agree either," said a senior official at a Shanghai-based developer, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Analysts at Citi and Bank of America have, however, said discounts of 50% in prices are needed to ensure modest returns for the SOEs, as affordable homes typically sell at 10-50% discounts to private homes.

Story continues

Even if developers are able to profit from selling completed apartments to the SOEs, local governments may require proceeds be used to finish existing projects rather than to repay debt.

"This will not help us as a listed company, or our offshore debt repayment," said an executive at another developer in credit default.

Gavekal Dragonomics estimates that at average market prices, 500 billion yuan in purchases would pay for 12% of housing inventories, or 20% if bought at a discount.

S&P said that converting existing inventory into social housing would also increase transactions at the low-end and bring down overall prices.

China's housing ministry, central bank, the top banking regulator and local housing authority in Guangzhou did not respond to requests for comment. Jinmao did not respond to a request for comment and Vanke declined to comment.

EXECUTION RISK

"Only a handful of distressed developers will benefit," said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Esther Liu. "(Completing construction) is the problem the distressed developers are facing. They don't have a lot of completed inventory."

While developers await clarity on SOE demand and price offers, some bankers say the affordable housing scheme could lead to a deterioration in asset quality as SOEs would struggle to generate sufficient profits to repay bank loans.

Banks can borrow from the 300 billion re-lending facility at 1.75% interest to finance 60% of the loans they offer to SOEs.

In aggregate, analysts estimate, that SOEs would have to pay around 2.5% interest for these loans, similar to average rental yields in China.

"This is good for the property sector but bad for the SOEs and the banks, because essentially you're shifting some risk to them," said the first executive, who declined to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

To be sure, banks and local governments are risk averse.

The central bank in February last year rolled out a 100 billion yuan re-lending programme for local governments in eight cities to purchase home inventories - only 2 billion of which has been utilised as of end-March 2024.

"We see high execution risk given banks and local SOEs have to fully bear the credit and investment risks," said Zerlina Zeng, senior credit analyst at CreditSights.

The central government's support though has drawn more visitors to top-tier cities following the latest stimulus package that includes lowering down payment and removal of mortgage rate floors, analysts and developers say.

"The central government has stepped up (support); the turning point is the important change here," said Bank of America head of Greater China property research Karl Choi.

($1 = 7.2455 Chinese yuan)

(Reporting by Clare Jim in Hong Kong and Ziyi Tang in Beijing; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee and Jacqueline Wong)
Public school employees in one of the biggest school districts in the U.S. have voted overwhelmingly to form unions, capitalizing on a recent Virginia law that allows for collective bargaining in the public sector.

The two votes in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Fairfax County covered more than 27,000 workers, putting them among the largest union elections in recent years. The countys teachers voted nearly 97% in favor of unionizing, while the operations staff, which includes custodians, food workers and bus drivers, voted nearly 81% in favor.

A spokesperson for Fairfax County Public Schools could not immediately be reached for comment Monday. The election results were released Monday by the two unions representing the workers, the Fairfax Education Association and the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers.

Leslie Houston, president of the Fairfax Education Association, said in a statement that the unions would focus on securing fair compensation and living wages for all.

Until not long ago, Virginia was one of a small handful of states that barred public-sector collective bargaining, forbidding workers from negotiating over wages and benefits since a state Supreme Court decision in 1977. But as Virginia has shifted from red to blue in recent years, its become more welcoming to organized labor, a pillar of the Democratic Party.

Fairfax County Public School buses sit idle at a middle school in Falls Church, Virginia, in July 2020. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

In 2020, spurred on by pressure from labor groups, Virginias Democratic-led assembly passed a bill overturning the decadesold ban on public employee unionism. The legislation was signed into law by then-Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, giving unions hope they could build membership in the right-to-work state.

The law allows for municipal employees across Virginia to form unions, so long as their local officials approve it. Several Democratic strongholds in the state have since passed resolutions or ordinances paving the way for collective bargaining, including the state capital of Richmond and the Washington suburb of Alexandria.

The Fairfax County School Board passed a resolution giving the green light for union elections last year. The organizing in the school system was a joint effort by affiliates of the countrys two major teachers unions, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers.

Jo Ann Madison, a Fairfax bus driver, said in a statement Monday through her union that the countys public school employees would now have a seat at the table to bargain over their working conditions.

Were counting down the days until we have a legally binding contract, Madison said.

Correction: This story originally misstated Houstons affiliation. She is president of the Fairfax Education Association, not the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers.
Three bills to watch as the Rhode Island General Assembly races toward the finish line

The Rhode Island State House. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Whoever coined the proverb third times a charm, probably didnt have much direct experience in government.

Indeed, many of the top bills in play on Smith Hill are perennial problems, marked by years or even decades of failed attempts to solve complicated problems like the housing crunch, public records requirements and the states troubled coastal regulatory agency.

The 2024 legislative session features many such recurring hot topics, made even hotter as the clock ticks down till the end of the session, expected to be this week.

Heres a look at where three of the most pressing, unresolved issues stand as of June 7.

Accessory dwelling units

While attempts to streamline the local zoning and permitting process for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) doesnt have quite the storied history as other legislation in State House lore, its been the top priority for House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi for two years running. And while Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat, has won overwhelming support from his House colleagues both years, the Senate has been reluctant to make moves, citing concern by municipal officials, including town planners. A compromise version intended to appease some of the harshest municipal critics was introduced by Sen. Victoria Gu, a Westerly Democrat, with an initial vetting on May 16. Yet Gus bill remains languishing in the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government as of June 7.

Its under negotiation, Gu said in an interview Friday. Its an active topic.

Greg Pare, a spokesperson for Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, offered a perfunctory response on June 4: not this week.

Shekarchi has also indicated hes unwilling to reconcile his initial proposal, which already sailed through the House, with Gus version, which would be required at some point before the bill is signed into law.

However, a separate bill, also sponsored by Gu, that matches Shekarchis exact proposal is scheduled to be voted out of the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government Tuesday night.

Public records

Advocates hoped the Interstate 195 Washington Bridge closure, and ensuing dossier of emails, text messages and videos released by public records requests, would shine a spotlight on the importance of strengthening the states Access to Public Records Act.

Yet the push to update the law that governs what state and local agencies have to hand over to interested members of the public  and for what cost  was derailed by the litany of objections raised by state agencies, including Gov. Dan McKees office.

Also complicating the discussion is how the APRA legislation interacts with the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights (LEOBOR), specifically in conflict around whether policy body camera footage can be kept secret, or must be released when requested as a public record. Amendments to the LEOBOR bill approved by the Rhode Island General Assembly Thursday aimed to resolve that conflict, though concerns lingered among some open government groups.

John Marion, executive director for Common Cause Rhode Island, a key backer of the APRA legislation, said his hopes of passage were dwindling every day.

So far, we havent been asked to throw anything overboard, which is probably one of the indicators that it is not going anywhere this year, Marion said in an interview on June 4. If they were going to pass it, they would have asked us what we would compromise on.

Ever the optimist, Sen. Lou DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat and bill sponsor, maintained that the show wasnt over, and that he was still discussing potential compromises with other lawmakers and legislative staff.

Its on a lifeline, yes, but its got a pulse, DiPalma said in an interview on June 4.

CRMC reform

From allegations of backroom deals to a string of vacancies that have made it difficult to even hold meetings, the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council is awash in criticism. Companion bills by Gu and Rep. Terri Cortvriend, a Portsmouth Democrat, and backed by Attorney General Peter Neronha, tackle the most problematic piece, the 10-member, politically appointed council. The legislation abolishes the council and instead restructures the CRMC as an administrative agency similar to the Department of Environmental Management.

Hopes of passage came crashing down after the state budget office put a price tag on the change: $1.2 million to $2.9 million, according to a May 28 memo sent to lawmakers. The two-page memo explains that abolishing the council requires the agency to hire 15 more employees to take on the tasks previously overseen by the appointed council.

Shekarchis reaction? Too expensive, he told reporters on May 31, minutes before unveiling a revised $13.9 billion fiscal 2025 budget proposal that does not include any money for a CRMC overhaul.

But advocates for coastal reform insist the estimated price tag is inaccurate.

The fiscal note is a red herring, intended to make sure the reform bill does not pass, Topher Hamblett, executive director for Save the Bay, said in an interview on Thursday.

The legislation specifically calls for one new employee, a staff attorney, the cost for which would be canceled out by eliminating the agencys current practice of hiring an outside, private law firm to act as its legal counsel.

Hamblett remained hopeful that lawmakers would not be deterred by the eye-popping, and in his view overblown, sticker price and pass the legislation anyway.

The post Three bills to watch as the Rhode Island General Assembly races toward the finish line appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Authorities are telling beachgoers to stay on high alert after three people were injured in two separate shark-related incidents in less than two hours on the same stretch of beach along the Florida panhandle coastline on Friday. Two of the victims were seriously injured, with a woman losing part of her arm and a teen losing a hand and most of her leg.

According to a Facebook post from the South Walton Fire District in Santa Rosa Beach, FL, the first incident occurred around 1:20 p.m. when an unidentified 45-year-old woman was bitten by a shark as she was swimming near WaterSound Beach. When emergency responder arrived on the scene, she was found to have sustained critical injuries on her hip and lower left arm and was airlifted to a nearby trauma facility.

South Walton Fire District Chief Ryan Crawford later told reporters that the woman sustained "significant trauma" to the midsection of her body, and part of her left arm had to be amputated, per ABC News.

Then, about 90 minutes later, around 2:55 p.m. just four miles east of the first incident, two teenage girls, 15 and 17, were attacked while wading in waist deep water with a group of friends. While the 17-year-old sustained only minor flesh wounds to her foot, the 15-year-old, Lulu Gribbin, suffered serious injuries to her upper leg and hand and was likewise rushed to a trauma facility.

In a blog post, via WDHN News, Gribbin's mother said that the shark had bitten off the girl's left hand and that doctors were forced to amputate her right leg halfway up from her knee to her hip. She also had lost about two-thirds of the blood in her body, and is expected to require four to five surgeries to finalize her amputations.

Her mother explained in the post that she had just heard reports of a shark attack before panicking and realizing that something was wrong.

"I saw her wounds on her leg and started to scream," she wrote, of the moment she saw her injured daughter lying on the beach. "The wound on her leg or all that was left of her leg was something out of a movie. I finally made it back to her and held her hand and she saw me, and I told her I was there. Her eyes were open. I had no idea how long she had been there or what had happened."

Officials believe it was the same bull shark that attacked all three individuals.

As of Monday, authorities had continued to issue yellow and purple flags due to moderate surf hazards and dangerous marine life present in the area. "Please respect the open water and all of the marine life that may be present at any time," the South Walton Fire District posted on Facebook. "We encourage everyone to be mindful of the surf hazards and swim to their abilities."
The dome of the Montana Capitol, with the statue of Mike and Maureen Mansfield in the lower center (By Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Three separate Republican calls for a special session failed to get enough votes from legislators, the Montana Secretary of States Office announced Monday.

Legislators need to get 76 affirmative votes in order to convene. None of the three calls  requesting legislators meet in Helena to address issues from immigration to judicial election reform  broke 60 votes after Fridays deadline.

House Speaker Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, called for a special session to address two issues: marijuana taxation in light of the legislatures fight with the judiciary over Senate Bill 442 and immigration.

SB 442 would have changed how marijuana revenue was allocated to include funding for county roads and conservation efforts. Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoed the bill on the last day of the 2023 legislative session, but the timing of the veto relative to when the session had adjourned raised a question about override procedures, and the conflict ended up in court.

A little more than six months after the actual veto, the court ordered a veto-override poll be sent out to legislators, but Republican leadership urged its lawmakers not to participate, calling it an unconstitutional intervention by the courts. The veto stood as a result.

The speaker also wanted the legislature to address immigration in the state, saying the federal government has not just ignored the crisis but exacerbated it. This request came after the states Republican federal delegation denounced a migrant family settling in the Flathead after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. The familys legal status has yet to be confirmed; a local nonprofit that is assisting them is supporting their privacy.

Regiers request was signed by several in leadership including Majority Leader Sue Vinton, Speaker Pro-Tempore Rhonda Knudsen and Senate President Pro Tempore Ken Bogner. The House Speaker received 59 affirmative votes and 54 opposing votes.

Regier did not receive Republican Gov. Greg Gianfortes endorsement in his state Senate primary race, but won handily on Tuesday with 34 percentage points over his opponent, business owner Marquis Laude.

Rep. Jane Gillette, R-Bozeman, penned a request alongside 11 other Republican legislators to propose a special session to make judicial races in the state partisan, as they are currently non-partisan. The lawmakers said the current system deprives voters of the most important information about the candidates running for these seats: their party affiliation.

The request received 50 votes in favor and 59 in opposition.

The Montana Freedom Caucus called for a special session to ensure only Montana citizens vote in elections, which is already required by law, and received 52 yes votes and 60 votes against it.

The caucus, mirrored off the national Freedom Caucus that includes Montanas Rep. Matt Rosendale, failed late last year on a separate call for a special session on property taxes.

Legislators will meet again in Helena for the next legislative session in January 2025.

The post Three Republican calls for a special legislative session fail appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Three Shawnee County school districts have hundreds of open enrollment spots for students outside their districts.

Topeka Public Schools, Silver Lake School District and Seaman School District have a collective 508 open slots. This means these districts can bring in that many students from other districts.

Three Shawnee County school districts have spots for as many as 508 students to transfer into as part of the state's open enrollment law.

Kansas Legislature approved open enrollment

In May 2022, Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law an education budget that required school districts to disclose their capacity levels for each school and grade level in their perspective districts.

If the student body was smaller than the capacity levels, the school would be required to allow students from outside the district to enroll.

All Kansas school districts were required to disclose their capacity by June 1.

Auburn-Washburn USD 437

Out of the nine schools in the Auburn-Washburn school district, there will be no open enrollment slots, according to its website. This means no one from outside the district will be about to enroll into any of the district's schools.

Seaman USD 345

Throughout the Seaman district's seven schools, there are 188 open enrollment slots. The largest number of slots is for the eighth grade at Seaman Middle School, which has 56 open spots. For the full breakdown, go to the Seaman district website.

Shawnee Heights USD 450

Out of the six schools in USD 450, there will be no available open enrollment spots. The district's school board voted on April 15 to have no capacity based on projected enrollment, expected growth factor, support programs capacity and limitations and capacity to operate effectively, communications and marketing director Tiffanie Kinsch said.

Silver Lake USD 372

Between Silver Lake School District's grade school, junior high school and high school, there are 102 open enrollment slots available to those who reside outside the district. The grade school, Silver Lake Elementary, has the largest number of open slots with 54 total open slots. The grade with the biggest number of open slots is the 11th grade at Silver Lake High School, which has 19 open slots.

Topeka Public Schools USD 501

Across the 31 schools in the Topeka Public Schools district, there are 218 open enrollment spots. Topeka Virtual has the largest number of open enrollment spots with 60 open spots.

Topeka West, Highland Park and Topeka High have the next highest spots with 16, 15 and 14 respectively.

Three schools in 501 have no open slots  Scott Dual Language Magnet Elementary School, Capital City and Jaguar Academy. All other schools have open slots ranging from two to nine. For the full list and breakdown, go to the Topeka 501 page.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Shawnee County school districts have hundreds of open enrollment slots
Pattie Roberts said her son died in 2018 after overdosing on heroin laced with fentanyl, an extremely powerful opioid linked to at least hundreds of deaths in the area in recent years.

Daniel Danny Roberts, 22, had anxiety and battled addiction for eight years, she said. He was in and out of a minimum of 14 rehabs and recoveries.

I miss him with every breath I take, said Pattie Roberts, 66, who moved to Port St. Lucie from Wisconsin in 2006.

Since Danny Roberts' death, fentanyl-caused overdose deaths have been increasing on the Treasure Coast. Each policing agency contacted has called fentanyl a top drug problem.

The year he died, the medical examiner's office that covers Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties reported fentanyl  50 times more potent than heroin  caused 64 deaths in those it examined, according to a state report. Heroin caused an additional four.

In 2020, fentanyl caused 134 deaths; heroin caused just 1. In 2022, the latest year for which annual statistics are available, fentanyl caused 139 deaths; none were attributed to heroin.

The numbers are greater if fentanyl analog-caused deaths are included. Fentanyl analogs are derivatives of pure fentanyl, with a slightly different chemical makeup.

Fentanyl is the No. 1 challenge

Pattie Roberts, 66, of Port St. Lucie, sits under a pavilion at Sportsman's Park, Monday, March 25, 2024. The park holds significant memories of her sons earlier years playing a variety of sports. "This park makes me feel closer to Danny," Roberts said. Daniel "Danny" Roberts, 22, died in 2018 after overdosing on heroin laced with fentanyl, an extremely powerful opioid linked to at least hundreds of deaths in the area in recent years. "I miss him with every breath I take," Roberts said.

Following a number of recent arrests, large drug seizures and criminal cases on the Treasure Coast, fentanyl and opioids do not appear to be fast fading.

Port St. Lucie Police Acting Chief Richard Del Toro minced no words in describing the scope and significance of fentanyl.

Based on the number of deaths, nationwide, and within the state of Florida and our county and city, fentanyl across the board is the No. 1 challenge in this country for drugs, Del Toro said.

His agency in July 2023 made what was described as the largest fentanyl bust in city history, seizing 10,000 pills weighing more than 2 pounds.

Following an October 2023 arrest by Port St. Lucie police, Edwin Lewis Thompson was sentenced in March to 15 years in prison in connection with the fentanyl death in 2022 of 34-year-old Michael McGaffin.

We've seen repeat victims who have gotten clean, and don't necessarily have the tolerance anymore, they go back to using the same amounts, Del Toro said. The next thing you know, it's resulting in an overdose death.

Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said fentanyl is his countys biggest drug issue because it results in the most deaths.

"In loving memory. If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever" a memorial reads for Patty Roberts son Daniel "Danny" Roberts, Monday, March 25, 2024, in Port St. Lucie. Daniel "Danny" Roberts, 22, died in 2018 after overdosing on heroin laced with fentanyl, an extremely powerful opioid linked to at least hundreds of deaths in the area in recent years. "I miss him with every breath I take," Roberts said.

Of all the drugs, alcohol and cigarettes and all the mess that's out there, there's probably nothing harder to get someone to permanently stay off of than opioids, Snyder said.

In February, Snyders agency announced the arrest of Sean Lamont Bray, of West Palm Beach, on manslaughter and other charges after the May 2023 reported overdose death of 40-year-old Katherine Dumont, of Palm City.

In Indian River County, sheriffs Sgt. Greg Stanley labeled fentanyl and methamphetamine as our two biggest issues right now. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system.

Stanley said investigators have at times determined some fentanyl likely comes from China.

Our fear, obviously, is the stronger forms of fentanyl that could potentially show up here, he said. They're way, way more powerful than the versions that we usually see.

Port St. Lucie police announced Wednesday, July 19, 2023, that detectives seized 10,000 fentanyl pills worth $300,000 and more than 1 pound of cocaine. Sgt. John Dellacroce said it is the city's largest drug bust.

Stanley estimated his agency responds to about one overdose call a day, which could be a street drug overdose, medication or accidental overdose.

These are way more prevalent than they used to be, he said.

Keyon Lewis, of Indian River County, in February pleaded guilty in federal court to distribution of fentanyl, the use of which resulted in another persons death, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Lewis admitted in November 2021 selling fentanyl to a man in Vero Beach, who was found dead the next day by his wife.

Pattie Roberts said over the last six years shes educated herself on addiction, noting it doesnt discriminate. Its important, she said, that people know about the opioid reversal agent Narcan  the brand name for naloxone  and to have it.

She said when her son overdosed in 2017, it took four to five doses of Narcan to revive him.

It's a lot, Pattie Roberts said. But that's what law enforcement is finding now, with the level of fentanyl that's out there.

St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson and sheriffs spokesperson Tonya Woodworth did not respond to an inquiry for this story. They have not responded to repeated inquiries in recent weeks.

Local law enforcement agencies carry Narcan, which also is administered by fire rescue agencies. Martin County Fire Rescue, for example, gave naloxone to 103 patients in 2018; 147 patients in 2020; and 101 patients in 2023, records show.

Chris Kammel, Martin County Fire Rescue bureau chief of rescue, said giving Narcan to a person not overdosing on opioids wont cause harm.

A layperson can use it, he said. It's only going to work if there's opioids in the person's system.

Port St.. Lucie police detectives seized 10,000 fentanyl pills worth $300,000 and also more than 1 pound of cocaine, Sgt. John Dellacroce announced Wednesday, July 19, 20223, in what he said is the city's largest drug seizure.

Statewide in 2022, there were 8,012 opioid-related deaths reported, a 5 percent decrease compared to the year before, according to a report entitled Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons by Florida Medical Examiners. The opioids either caused the death or were present in the body.

Fentanyl was the most frequently occurring drug found in decedents in 2022, followed closely by ethyl alcohol, the report shows. Fentanyl caused the most deaths statewide.

Gov. Ron DeSantis in April signed two bills and expanded the state's addiction recovery program, saying the measures would bolster the state's fight against the overdose crisis.

Youve got to talk about them

Pattie Roberts said in some cases those with addiction issues also have mental health issues.

They become clean and sober and say, Hey, I'm better now. I'm not using anymore, Pattie Roberts said. Well, the underlying mental health issues are still there.

She recalled a conversation with her son in which he said he had anxiety since he was in the eighth or ninth grade, and he started self-medicating after that.

A memorial sits under a pavilion brought by Pattie Roberts in honor of her son Daniel Danny Roberts, Monday, March 25, 2024, in Port St. Lucie. Daniel Danny Roberts, 22, died in 2018 after overdosing on heroin laced with fentanyl, an extremely powerful opioid linked to at least hundreds of deaths in the area in recent years. I miss him with every breath I take, Roberts said.

Still, mental health and addiction can be overcome.

You've got to talk about them, you have to seek out treatment, you have to admit that this is beyond me, Pattie Roberts said. I just can't do it on my own.

Del Toro said Port St. Lucie Police have a grant-funded detective involved with trying to help repeat victims of overdoses get the necessary help they need through treatment and care.

It's kind of like having a repeat problem we go to. We analyze the problem, we institute proven measures that are going to work, and we see if its going to work, he said. Were taking the same approach to this.

To those struggling with addiction, Pattie Roberts said communication is key.

Talk about it with anyone and everyone, because the more we cover this up, the more this stuff stays in my home, in my kitchen, she said.

Real solution

Snyder said he believes an answer is a systemic change in society.

A real solution resides with the individual, with families, churches, synagogues, schools, he said. The demand is the problem, the whole border/drug issue, and the thousands and tens of thousands of deaths in Mexico, all stem from American drug users.

As long as people want drugs, he said, people will get them, even if its illegal.

Our part is to make as little of it accessible as possible, try to dissuade people because it's against the law and you risk incarceration and a felony record, Snyder said. We do our best, but we're not the answer. The answer is society.

'He just had that charisma': Siblings remember 74-year-old man who died after hit-and-run crash in Stuart

'Probably the most joyful person': Port St. Lucie man, 19, dead after crash remembered by family, friend

Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Fentanyl the biggest challenge for drugs in Florida, U.S., police say
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on June 4. The Treasury Department issues sanctions on 10 individuals and entities on Monday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI

June 10 (UPI) -- The Treasury Department announced a round of sanctions against 10 individuals, entities, and vessels for the alleged illegal transport of oil and commodities to the network of Houthi financial facilitator Sa'id al-Jamal.

It marked the seventh time Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's department targeted al-Jamal's network, which supports terrorist groups such as the Iranian-back Houthi rebels in Yemen.

"The Houthis continue to leverage an expansive support network to facilitate their illicit activities, including hiding the origin of cargo, forgoing shipping documents and providing services to sanctioned vessels," said Brian Nelson, the Treasury's under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, in a statement.

Treasury officials said al-Jamal's allies ship goods to China, Syria, and other designations to cloak their true ending point to support terrorism networks.

"As we demonstrate with our military strikes last week, the United States government is committed to disrupting and degrading the Houthis' ability to engage in attacks against commercial shipping and naval vessels, as well as target those who seek to facilitate these activities," Nelson said.

Those sanctioned include United Arab Emirates and Oman-based Shark International Shipping and managing director John Britto Aruldhas; India-based Rayyan Shipping Private Limited; and Abdallah Najib Ahmad al-Jamal, the nephew of Sa'id al-Jamal in Yemen.

Others include Lainey Shipping Limited, of Hong Kong, and its Panama-flagged ship Janet, along with builder Louis Marine Shipholding Enterprises and the ship Bella 1. Also designated for sanctions were Sandeep Singh Choudhary and his vessel La Pearl.
(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc.s developers conference on Monday will show whether the iPhone maker can become a major player in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence, marking a critical moment for a company forced to adapt to a new era.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Though Apple was an early pioneer in AI, which it has used in photo processing, health features and the Siri digital assistant, its now seen as a laggard  especially since ChatGPT and other cutting-edge technology hit the scene in the past two years.

Against that backdrop, Apple promises to demonstrate its AI prowess during a keynote address at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, which starts at 10 a.m. California time. The company will lay out a suite of features that it calls Apple Intelligence, people familiar with the matter have said.

While Apple launched Siri in 2011, its voice technology was quickly overtaken by Alexa from Amazon.com Inc and Alphabet Inc.s Google Assistant. AI took another leap with OpenAIs ChatGPT at the end of 2022 and rival services from Google, Microsoft Corp., Meta Platforms Inc. and others during 2023.

Adding to the pressure: Samsung Electronics Co.  Apples biggest smartphone rival  integrated Google AI features into its devices earlier this year.

The shift to artificial intelligence promises to be a big opportunity for Apple if it can hone its technology and catch up with rivals. AI-based operating systems will change how people gather information, create and edit content, and navigate their devices.

At the event, Apple will show how its weaving AI features into its next software updates: iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS 15. The company is also planning a more powerful version of Siri.

Apple Intelligence will focus on providing more information to users when they need it. That involves summarizing notifications, text messages and emails; synthesizing meeting notes; transcribing voice memos; and even creating custom emojis. The software also will be able to sort through emails and classify them into categories.

Apple also has been working on its own large language models  the technology behind ChatGPT-style services  but its not far enough along in that area, people familiar with the matter have said. So its planning to announce a partnership with OpenAI that will supply Apple with a chatbot.

Story continues

Apple has one major advantage as it pushes deeper into AI: a massive number of loyal consumers. That could help make the company a success in AI even without breaking ground in large language models, said Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi.

It has a very powerful consumer installed base for which it can act as a channel  just like it has for search and the App Store, the two most lucrative parts of Apples business today, outside of iPhone, he said.

One concern is whether the OpenAI deal means that fewer users will be using Google search on the iPhone. Apple generates billions of dollars per year through a revenue sharing agreement with Google. The terms of Apples deal with OpenAI, meanwhile, arent clear. And Apple is still negotiating a separate agreement with Google to eventually also add its Gemini technology as a chatbot option on the iPhone, Bloomberg has reported.

Its likely that Apple will eventually want to offer its own chatbots and other generative AI, but having partners helps it navigate the artificial intelligence industry without taking on as many risks. OpenAI and Google have suffered some backlash from chatbots providing incorrect information.

Apple wants to avoid that, said Ruslan Salakhutdinov, a former director of AI research at the iPhone maker and a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University.

Theyve always watched what the space is like and have long decided they dont have to be first, but they have to get it right, he said.

Apples 10 Biggest Challenges, From AI to Antitrust: QuickTake

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Last year Ioneer held a grand opening for its Tiehms Buckwheat Conservation Center, a greenhouse dedicated to research on the endangered flower that grows on habitat adjacent to proposed areas of the mine's operations. (Photo for Ioneer by Mike Higdon/Flanz Media)

Policy, politics and progressive commentary

Federal land managers will now start the arduous task of sifting through thousands of public comments for a contentious lithium mine that could degrade about 22% of critical habitat reserved for an endangered Nevada wildflower.

Last week, the Bureau of Land Management closed public comments on a draft environmental impact survey for the proposed Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron mine in Esmeralda County, near the Nye County border.

Those comments will inform the development of a final environmental review and record of decision for the project by Australian mining company Ioneer Corp. which is expected prior to the end of 2024.

Rhyolite Ridge in Nevada is one of the only two major known global deposits of lithium-boron. Its also the location of the only known population of the Tiehms buckwheat plant, a rare wildflower listed as endangered by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service in 2022. Federal wildlife managers also designated over 900 acres of protected habitat for the wildflower, overlapping the mines proposed site in Esmeralda County.

Despite the listing, Australia-based mine developer Ioneer Corp., has maintained the companys planned lithium mine and the rare wildflower unique to Nevada can coexist.

Listening has made our project stronger, and we look forward to addressing feedback to the Bureau of Land Management from the public comment period, said Ioneer managing director Bernard Rowe in a statement. We are excited to complete the remaining steps in the federal permitting process, begin construction, and provide the critical components set to power millions of American electric vehicles.

However, conservation groups argue that Ioneer has done little to address the serious environmental concerns from scientists and federal wildlife agencies related to the mine.

Habitat sliding into the pit?

If approved, the mine could eliminate up to 22% of designated critical habitat for the species, and create a permanent quarry and pit lake within the wildflowers federally designated critical habitat. Ioneer said 11% of damage to the wildflowers critical habitat would almost certainly be permanent.

The 200 acre quarry itself  a deep open pit characteristic of mines and where the lithium would be extracted  would be located just 44 feet from occupied habitat and 114 ft away from the largest known subpopulation of the wildflower, according to the draft environmental impact survey.

The wildflowers proximity to the quarrys edge could also leave the one of a kind plant vulnerable to physically sliding into the open pit if its slopes cant be stabilized, according to a scoping report by the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service.

In a separate report prepared for the Center for Biological Diversity by Malach Consulting, geologists came to the same conclusion.

Our analysis of the pit wall stability shows that some amount of pit wall collapse is inevitable over the long term, due to the friability of the rock, the steepness of the pit walls, and the lack of certainty about how the rock will interact with water over time, said Patrick Donnelly, the Great Basin Director of the Center for Biological Diversity.

Its almost a certainty that Tiehms buckwheat will end up at the bottom of the pit on a long timeframe, maybe not 10 years, but in 100 years its almost guaranteed, Donnelly said.

Dewatering the aquifer

The Center for Biological Diversity, the Western Shoshone Defense Project, the Great Basin Resource Watch, the Sierra Club, Earthworks, the Western Watersheds Project and the Basin and Range Watch submitted a 66-page public comment alleging the proposed mine violates several federal laws, including the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Conservation groups criticized the draft environmental impact survey for neglecting to include a groundwater mitigation plan for the mine.

During mining operations, groundwater needs to be removed when a mine extends below the water table, an action called mine dewatering. Rhyolite Ridges Lithium-Boron mine would be 960 feet deep, as deep as the Empire State Building is tall, said Donelley.

They will need to basically drain the aquifer to prevent the pit from filling with water, he continued.

Fish Lake Valley, which is already sitting on an over-pumped aquifer, could be affected by the mine dewatering process, argue conservation groups. A falling aquifer in Fish Lake Valley could endanger other rare species that rely on spring feed by the aquifer, including Fish Lake Valley tui chub and the Tecopa birds beak wildflower.

Drawdown could be up to 300 feet near the quarry, and up to 10 feet throughout the aquifer, but how far out that drawdown could be is not clear in the draft environmental impact survey.

As we see it, there is a grave risk of extinction to these other aquatic species due to the groundwater drawdown from this mine, said Donelley.

Several residents of Esmeralda County and Nye County also submitted public comments regarding their concerns over how the mine would affect their water supply.

Ioneer argues that groundwater from mine dewatering would recover over a period of about 60 years. The company also said if impacts to surface water are observed and found to be related to the mine, they would address those impacts then.

Tribal concerns

Native American groups also expressed opposition to the mine and the draft environmental impact survey in public comments.

Fermina Stevens  a citizen of the Western Shoshone Nation and executive director of the Western Shoshone defense project  said the Bureau of Land Management does not respect the concept of meaningful consultation with the tribes.

It is our understanding that Nevada is the hotbed for critical mineral extraction, and we are concerned with the speed in which projects are being pushed through. For many years, we have attempted to initiate dialogue with the United States regarding traditional land rights and treaty rights to no avail, Stevens said.

Despite growing opposition, the mine has also received plenty of support too.

The Nye County Commission unanimously voted to approve a letter of support for the Rhyolite Ridges Lithium-Boron mine in May. Last year, the Biden Administration also pledged a $700 million loan for the project, conditional on permit approvals.

According to Ioneers projections, Rhyolite Ridge will create about 500 construction jobs over a two-to-three year construction period and up to 350 workers during operations, generating an estimated $125 million in wages annually during the 26 year lifespan of the mine.

Lithium is one of 50 minerals identified as critical by the U.S. Geological Survey. Lithium batteries are used extensively in the growing market for portable electronic devices, vehicles, and grid storage applications. If approved, the project could potentially produce enough lithium to supply batteries for nearly 370,000 electric vehicles each year, according to Ioneer.

Once operational, Rhyolite Ridge will quadruple the nations lithium supply, playing an important role in strengthening the domestic supply chain for minerals critical to the clean energy transition, Ioneer managing director, Rowe said in a statement.

Stevens, a citizen of the Western Shoshone Nation and executive director of the Western Shoshone defense project, said she would continue to oppose the mine for the health of the planet, water, people and communities in Nevada.

Donnelly argued the draft environmental impact survey is riddled with errors, omissions, obfuscations, unsupported assertions and intentionally withheld data, adding that the mine as proposed would result in the extinction of teams buckwheat.

These deficiencies are, really, quite glaring, Donnelly said.

The post Tribes, conservationists, residents pan draft environmental review of lithium mine appeared first on Nevada Current.
Former President Trump defended his supporters who rioted at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and called them warriors at a Nevada rally on Sunday.

Those J6 warriors  they were warriors  but they were really, more than anything else, theyre victims of what happened, Trump said at the rally, speaking to a crowd of supporters.

All they were doing is protesting a rigged election. Thats what they were doing, Trump continued, repeating his false claims that the 2024 presidential election was rigged against him.

Trump also falsely claimed police welcomed rioters into the Capitol and, Trump said, told the rioters, Go in, go in, go in, go in.

What a setup that was, Trump added. What a horrible, horrible thing. And you know, that blows two ways. That blows two ways, believe me.

Trump and his supporters have at times sought to recharacterize the Jan. 6 riots as peaceful. In reality, however, about 140 officers were injured, and five died in the days after the attack. One Capitol Police officer likened the scene to a war zone and recounted, before a congressional committee, slipping in other peoples blood as she engaged in hand-to-hand combat for hours.

Trump, in the past, has used similar words to describe those jailed over their actions during the Jan. 6 attack. In November 2023, Trump referred to them as hostages.

He also said in March that, if reelected in November, one of his first tasks will be to Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!

As of Jan. 6 of this year more than 1,200 defendants had been charged in connection to the attack on the Capitol. More than 450 have been charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding officers or employees, according to the Justice Department.

More than 700 individuals have pleaded guilty to various federal charges, the Justice Department said.

Updated on June 10 at 8:17 a.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Some Senate Republicans are expressing concerns over former President Trumps calls for political vengeance after the 2024 election, warning that retaliatory prosecutions will lead the country down a bad road.

The Senate GOPs top leaders  Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and Whip John Thune (S.D.)  have shown no desire to embrace Trumps calls to prosecute senior Biden administration officials or his longtime nemesis Hillary Clinton.

And some GOP senators are pushing back against conservative colleagues who want to freeze Justice Department funding or defund special counsel Jack Smiths criminal prosecutions of Trump.

They dont want to stumble into a government shutdown by waging war over the Justice Departments budget or taking other retaliatory steps favored by Trumps allies.

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) says he thought Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs (D) case against Trump was an unjust prosecution.

But hes concerned about Trumps vow to retaliate with politically motivated prosecutions from his own Justice Department if hes elected in November.

This is not the direction we want this country to go, he said. I think its time for adults to take over with regard to the Senate, and its time for adults to take over in regards [to] how we treat the judicial climate in this country.

I dont want to see a tit for tat on prosecution. I think thats the wrong direction. I think thats the wrong path for us to go down, Rounds said. I think weve got to get back to what the Founding Fathers wanted in the first place, which is a judiciary which is not full of political appointees that are hard far left or hard far right.

Trump made waves when he told Phil McGraw, the host of the television show Dr. Phil, in an interview Thursday that revenge can be justified.

Well revenge does take time, I will say that. And sometimes revenge can be justified, Phil, I have to be honest. Sometimes it can, Trump said.

Trump last month said he would consider appointing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to serve as U.S. attorney general in his administration, an idea that didnt get a warm response from some Senate Republicans.

Asked about the prospect of Paxton, who was acquitted on impeachment charges in the state Senate last year, heading the Justice Department, Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R) offered a measured response.

Im sure hell have a lot of people to choose from, Cornyn said.

Paxton challenged the 2020 election results in four battlegrounds states and spoke to a pro-Trump rally in Washington, D.C., before the crowd stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said he wont support an effort to freeze Justice Department funding or to defund the special counsel in response to a Manhattan jury last week finding Trump guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

The New York action was not guided by or directed by the Justice Department. So its a misdirection. Theres a different target to aim at. So Im not going be joining an effort to defund the Justice Department; we need to have the FBI and our Justice Department doing their jobs, he said.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said attempting to freeze Justice Department funding or to defund two criminal prosecutions of Trump wont get anywhere with Democrats in control of the White House and Senate.

I dont think thats a feasible or constructive approach, but well see what the CJS subcommittee comes up with, she said, referring to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, which is headed by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).

There was no discussion about how to respond to Trumps conviction at the Tuesday Senate Republican lunch meeting, which is hosted by GOP leadership, according to a senator who attended.

Those guys all have a not so much love-hate relationship with Trump, but a hate-hate [relationship]. They just want to get past it, the senator said.

The leadership doesnt want to get drawn into any of that, the lawmaker said of Trumps legal travails.

Senior Senate Republicans in the past have poured cold water on calls by Trump and his House allies to defund the Department of Justice and FBI in response to what Trump says is their political persecution of him.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) last year criticized as irresponsible the inflamed rhetoric of Trump allies, in particular Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), who wrote on social media a year ago that we have reached a new war phase and vowed an eye for an eye in response to the indictments against Trump.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) has led a group of Senate conservatives in pledging to oppose any funding increases for the Justice Department in the wake of the guilty verdict against Trump in Manhattan.

The pledge, so far signed by 14 senators, declares we are unwilling to aid and abet this White House in its project to tear this country apart.

To that end, we will not allow any increase to non-security funding for this administration, or any appropriations bill which funds partisan lawfare, it states.

The top three members of elected Senate Republican leadership  McConnell, Thune and Senate GOP conference Chair John Barrasso (R-Wyo.)  had not yet signed it as of Friday afternoon.

Senate GOP Policy Committee Chair Joni Ernst (Iowa) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines (R-Mont.) are the two members of the elected GOP leadership who have signed it.

One GOP senator, who requested anonymity, criticized the pledge as so vague.

I dont agree with that, the senator said, pointing out that the pledge says signatories wont allow expedited consideration or passage of Democrat legislation or authorities that are not directly relevant to the safety of the American people.

Ive got bills out there with Democrats on it. Is that a Democrat priority? the lawmaker grumbled.

Some Republicans, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), are trying to turn down the temperature of the Senate rhetoric in the wake of Trumps conviction.

Murkowski emphasized that Trump has an opportunity to appeal the verdict.

From what I observed with the trial, the process for a jury trial was handled as jury trials go, she said, when asked about Trumps claims that he was convicted by a kangaroo court.

Murkowski said Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan was trying to manage a very public proceeding and attempted to ensure there was not only a fair process to it but a level of decorum within the courtroom, which I think is important.

From what we were able to see of it, the process that was taken was one that people would look at and say, Thats how you handle a jury trial, she said.

But she acknowledged there is a legitimate debate about whether the charges of falsifying business records should have been advanced at all, given that the public has known about Trumps hush money payments to porn actor Stormy Daniels for years and prosecutors didnt act on it until last year.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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On May 31, Vanessa Broussard lost her cool. She was reporting live as an anchor for Right Side Broadcasting Network and President Trump was set to hold a press conference to discuss the previous days guilty verdict against him or, as Broussard put it, the horrific outcome in the bogus hush money trial. To hear Broussard tell it, the gravity of the moment overtook her.

This is not how I usually start a broadcast  but todays different, so Im unapologetic today for this side of me that youve never seen before, Broussard declared to the more than 136,000 viewers. Today, I am tired, Im fed up, Im disgusted, and Im mad  and you should be too.

Broussards blend of blatant Trump boosterism coupled with a gesture toward some more traditional journalistic separation exemplifies the approach that has helped Right Side Broadcasting go from a small independent operation to one with over 1.65 million subscribers on YouTube. These viewers are generally treated to unedited footage of Trumps regular rallies and events that is sometimes bookended with supportive introductions from RSBNs anchors and hosts. The company also re-airs a show featuring Trumps daughter-in-law and Republican National Committee chairwoman Lara Trump. But explicit Trump partisanship isnt the only way RSBN is different from other broadcasters. They are also doing business directly with Trumps campaign.

Campaign finance reports filed by the Trump campaign show it made eight payments to RSBN between April 2023 and last month totaling $59,000. The companys leaders, founder and CEO Joe Seales and his wife, Bridgette Seales, explained the reason for the payments in a conversation with TPM last Friday afternoon. According to Bridgette, the campaign paid RSBN for some of the footage that its cameras have obtained from their consistent coverage of Trumps rallies  and that relationship is ongoing.

We would give raw video feeds that we sell, Bridgette explained. We sell those to anybody, anybody can buy them, so the Trump campaign did buy them from us that they used for rebroadcasting purposes and they still do buy them from us.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung also confirmed the arrangement in an email to TPM.

RSBN has made available the option to purchase their broadcast feed so the campaign can use it to stream out to various social and video channels, Cheung said.

Its quite natural that the Trump campaign might turn to a supportive organization that reliably has cameras filming the former presidents events for footage. However, the deal is also somewhat at odds with the veneer of independence that RSBN has sought to maintain.

The story of how the company grew along with Trumps political career has been well told in a series of articles published over the years. In general, the narrative of RSBNs rise started with the (often false) assertion Trump made at many of his signature rallies during the 2016 campaign that the mainstream press never showed the size of his crowds. During that race, Seales began to set up cameras to film Trumps events. The operation, which officially incorporated in the Seales home state of Alabama a few days after Trump took office in January 2017, eventually grew to its seven figure audience. However, in all of the tellings of RSBNs origin story, Seales has framed it as some kind of independent voice. That includes an extensive profile of the company published by the Associated Press last month where Seales denied being any kind of official campaign surrogate.

We arent affiliated with them, Seales told the Associated Press. We just cover Donald Trump. Our goal has never been to be an extension or a cheerleader for the Trump campaign.

Asked how taking payments from the Trump campaign squared with his comments, Bridgette Seales insisted selling raw footage does not constitute an affiliation.

We are not affiliated. They buy them for their rebroadcasting services, Bridgette said.

Its a delicate distinction  and one the Seales argue includes editorial independence. The Associated Press article (also published by the Washington Post) included a quote from an academic expert who described RSBN as a pro-Trump propaganda channel, not an objective news source. In his conversation with TPM, Joe Seales bristled at that and described it as an unfair characterization.

I think sometimes my hosts have sort of  if youre watching from home, it might seem like theyre more cheerleaders for the Trump campaign, but my original idea for this network was just not to provide a whole lot of commentary at all, and just kind of show up, and cover a live event, and let people decide for themselves what they want to believe, Joe said.

Joe further described his objective for the operation as a desire to ensure Trump wasnt taken out of context by the mainstream press.

I am conservative myself and I just felt the need to show up and document some of the stuff that was going on so that we could have a record of it, he explained.

While Seales might not appreciate how his network or Trump are characterized by other media outlets, RSBNs mix of MAGA boosterism and supposed objectivity has fueled explosive growth. Along with selling footage, the company brings in donations. Its broadcasts also include sales pitches.

Moments after expressing her anger at Trumps conviction, Broussard, the RSBN achor, offered some financial advice pegged to the verdict.

Before we start, we want to remind you that Democrats are in control, Broussard said, adding, Its now crystal clear that they will go to any depth to hurt Americans any chance they get, so dont let them control you and dont let them control your finances. Thats why we encourage you to contact the Birch Gold Group. Highly recommended by RSBN, the Birch Gold Group can be trusted with your financial future.

RSBN has also expanded beyond airing Trumps events into a broader online media operation. The company hosts articles on its home page and shows featuring its personalities. In early March, just ahead of the Super Tuesday primaries, former RSBN director of programming Brian Glenn taped a special interview with Trump at the former presidents Florida beach club. RSBN also rebroadcasts shows from other conservative personalities, including a podcast talk show hosted by Trumps daughter-in-law-slash-Republican National Committee chairwoman, Lara Trump.

To recap, that means Trumps relative, who has become a top figure in his party, has her own online show, which is running on a pro-Trump network that also has a deal with the campaign. Mapping these connections reveals the connections and often blurred boundaries between Trump, the official GOP, and the world of right wing MAGA influencers  if there are any boundaries at all.

RSBNs unique place in the pro-Trump influencer ecosystem has led to growing pains along with the growth. Last month, Glenn, who is reportedly the boyfriend of far right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and widely seen as a rising star in MAGA media, revealed he was leaving the network. Glenn ultimately announced a move to the far-right cable network Real Americas Voice on June 3.

Brian really wanted to do shows  long form show production  which is something that we dont do here, Joe Seales told TPM. We werent able to offer him that opportunity. And so, yeah, he moved on to Real Americas Voice, and we split amicably, and so, we wish him the best.

Along with facing competition for its talent, RSBNs close ties to Trump raise larger questions about where it might be headed after the election. In his conversation with the Associated Press, Joe Seales described the companys business model and continued existence as relying on Trump. He similarly told TPM that he has no long-term plans for the broadcaster, and that RSBNs future could depend on the outcome of the election.

Whatever is next, Seales might not be along for the ride. Like so many of us, the founder of RSBN feels the politically charged landscape of the past few years has taken a toll.

I personally dont plan to be a part of the company in terms of anything operational. Im ready to get out of politics, Seales said. Too much vitriol in it for me. Eight years is enough.
Donald Trump speaks with members of the group Conserve the Culture at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

Former President Donald Trump attended a pre-sentencing hearing Mondaywith a New York probation officer, a standard procedure for defendants found guilty in criminal cases prior to being sentenced by a judge. This is Yahoo News' succinct update on the criminal and civil cases against Trump. Here are the latest developments.

 What's happening today

Trump was interviewed virtually from his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida today by a New York probation officer, with the interview lasting less than 30 minutes. The former president was accompanied by Todd Blanche, the lead lawyer in his New York criminal trial, which resulted in guilty verdicts on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The interview's findings will be submitted to Judge Juan Merchan to help him decide what punishment he will hand down to the former president and current presumptive Republican presidential nominee on July 11.

Zoom in: What was discussed

The pre-sentencing interview was conducted by a female probation officer, NBC News reported, and took place over a secure video network connection.

Usually, such interviews are not held in the presence of a lawyer, but Merchan agreed to allow Blanche to be present, and prosecutors did not object.

While Trump is one of the most famous defendants in U.S. history, the purpose of the pre-sentencing interview is to gather information about a defendants prior criminal history and other factors, such as health information, that Merchan could consider before handing down his punishment.

The judge will have discretion when it comes to deciding Trumps punishment. Each guilty count in the trial carries a maximum sentence of 4 years in prison, but if Merchan opts for jail time, each guilty count would likely be served concurrently. Most experts believe that Trump will avoid jail time, however, and that Merchan will sentence him to fines and probation.

Other sentencing factors that could come into play are Trumps age, the fact that he is a first-time criminal offender, and his continued violations of the gag order that Merchan put in place and remains in effect.

Trump has continued to rail against the judge, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and President Biden for bringing what he has described as a politically-motivated case against him.

 Whats next?

After the interview is submitted to Merchan, the judge will decide on Trumps punishment, announcing it on July 11 at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse in New York.

 The background

 Trump's trials and legal cases
Donald Trump on Sunday called for President Joe Biden to take down an attack ad featuring a series of quotes attributed to the Republican in which he mocks dead soldiers.

The former presidents demand came on the same day that Biden honored fallen troops in a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France, the burial ground that Trump chose not to visit in 2018 and was later reported to have done so while describing the site as filled with losers. Trump has denied making the remarkand another in which he allegedly called more than 1,800 Marines suckers for being killedever since The Atlantic first published his purported words in 2020.

Trump Called American War Dead Losers and Suckers

Those denials continued Sunday, first at a rally in Las Vegas. He said I stood over graves of soldiers and I said: These people are suckers and losers, the dead soldiers from World War I, Trump said, referring to Biden. He went on to claim the whole episode was made up and, despite the Biden campaign knowing its phony, they still took an ad using itthese are sick people.

Trump appeared to be referring to an attack ad launched by the Biden campaign on Friday during the presidents visit to Normandy for ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The video featured the reported suckers and losers quotes, along with audio of Trump mocking the late Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) as being thought of as a war hero because he was captured during the Vietnam War. I like people that werent captured, Trump added.

Donald Trump doesnt know a damn thing about service to his country, read a post on Bidens X account featuring the clip.

Donald Trump doesnt know a damn thing about service to his country. pic.twitter.com/kls13Z8yHb  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 7, 2024

At the rally in Vegas, Trump accused his political opponents of fabricating stories about him in order to get elected. Unless youre a psycho or a crazy person or a very stupid person, who would say that, anyway? Trump said, referring to the suckers and losers comments.

He also took a swipe at the geniuses who advised him simply not to mention the allegation. It just never goes away, I gotta mention it, Trump told his supporters. I dont like mentioning it. But for me to say suckers and losers about people that died in World War I in front of military people? Its not a possibility you could say a thing like that.

Trumps fury about the matter continued in a pair of Truth Social posts Sunday. He dismissed the losers and suckers claim as another Democrat Disinformation hit job and said only a sicko with an axe to grind would suggest that anyone would make such a statement.

They even made these horrific words into an advertisement, which shows how desperate they are, the post continued. No President, especially dumb as a rock Joe Biden, has done more for our Military than DONALD J. TRUMP. The Military hates Crooked Joe, and all of the failure he represents. Take down the Fake Ad, Joe, and stop the unprecedented Weaponization of Justice against your Political Opponent.

In another post, he again claimed to have never said that dead Soldiers are losers and suckers. Anytime you see that despicable FAKE statement used, remember that it comes from the FASCIST SCUM that is destroying our Country, he wrote.

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Trump can easily win in Nevada. And if he does, hell likely win the election

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 09: Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump dances upon arrival at his campaign rally at Sunset Park on June 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

On Sunday, former president Donald Trump brought his campaign to Las Vegas in his first rally since a jury in Manhattan found him guilty on 34 charges.

The event fell off track as six attendees in the Las Vegas heat went to the hospital as temperatures exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In response, Trump cracked that he did not want anyone dying because we need every voter. I dont care about you. I just want your vote. He then called President Joe Bidens recent executive order on immigration bulls***, saying that it is pro-invasion, pro-child trafficking, pro-woman trafficking, pro-human trafficking and pro-drug dealers.

The rally was rightfully referred to by many as absurd. But one part isnt absurd at all: Trump was not entirely wrong to hold his first rally in the Nevada, since he has a legitimate shot at winning the Silver State. Indeed, despite the fact that it only has six electoral votes, Nevada might hold the key to Trump winning a tight presidential election.

On the surface, Democrats should have little reason to worry about Nevada. It has not voted for a Republican for president since George W Bush won re-election in 2004 and it has two Democratic Senators: Catherine Cortez Masto, the first Latina Senator in US history; and Jacky Rosen, the states first Jewish woman Senator, who is up for re-election in 2024.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid famously built the states Democratic Party apparatus into an well-oiled organization. That organization includes the powerful Culinary Workers Union, who service the states sprawling hotel and service industry and who engage in vigorous door-knocking and voter turnout operations.

Given the large Latino population in the state, the union has worked tirelessly to naturalize thousands of immigrants. Doing so convinced the once rabidly anti-immigrant Reid to see Latino voters as a potential base for Democratic support  and he ended up aggressively courting them in his later career.

Republicans and Democrats alike have dubbed that Democratic infrastructure the Reid Machine. And When Democrats across the country suffered huge losses in 2016, Nevada was a firewall. Cortez Masto, Reids hand-picked successor, won, Democrats flipped the legislature and Hillary Clinton won in the state, too. Things looked even better in 2018 when Democrats flipped the governorship and Rosen beat Republican incumbent Dean Heller.

But undernreath the surface, there signs of creaks and cracks in the machine. Indeed, Nevada is for Republicans what North Carolina is for Democrats: a state that can go their way if all of the circumstances go right.

For one, Nevada has always had more non-partisan voters than voters of either party affiliation, meaning Democrats still need to actively persuade voters.

For another, Reid died at the end of 2021, meaning his namesake campaign structure has had to operate without its wise man. The Covid-19 pandemic slammed the states casinos and hotels that serve as the engine of the states economy. That played a role in Steve Sisolak becoming the only incumbent Democratic governor to lose re-election in 2022 to Republican Joe Lombardo.

Had it not been for the Dobbs v Jackson decision that overturned Roe v Wade, Cortez Masto, who campaigned heavily on abortion rights, likely would have lost her race. In the end, she only won by 7,928 votes.

Similarly, while Democrats have won Nevada in every presidential election since 2008, they have done so by diminishing margins. In 2008, Barack Obama won Nevada by 12.5 percent. In 2012, he beat Mitt Romney by less than half of that. In 2016, Clinton beat Trump by 2.4 percent and Biden won by about the same margin in 2020.

The first signs of danger for Biden should have come in 2020 when he lost the Nevada caucus to Senator Bernie Sanders. That can be attributed to Sanders courting the Latino population.

Now, Latino voters continue to move rightward and Trump is the one courting them successfully. Democrats see warning signs in the state as a result. Trumps channeling of populism has resonated with some and during his rally this past weekend, he called for an end on taxation for workers tips, something that could be enormously popular among service industry workers.

In response, the culinary union seemed a caught a bit flat-footed, saying in a statement: Relief is definitely needed for tip earners, but Nevada workers are smart enough to know the difference between real solutions and wild campaign promises from a convicted felon.

Polling in Nevada is notoriously unreliable, hence why most Nevada watchers  including Inside Washington  prefer to keep an eye on early vote returns, come election season. If early voting turnout is down in Clark County, where Las Vegas is located, Democrats should begin to panic  whereas if Election Day votes are lower, it should cause concern for Trump.

Trump holding a rally in the dead of summer in Las Vegas may have been a horrible idea. But he has given Democrats plenty of reasons to sweat in the Battle Born State.
LAS VEGAS  Donald Trump descended into scorching Sin City on Sunday for his first rally since becoming a convicted felon, wielding harsh rhetoric about illegal immigration and occasionally touching on his own run-ins with the law.

Speaking at an outdoor event at a park about six miles from the Las Vegas Strip, Trump called Nevada, a key battleground state, a dumping ground for unauthorized immigrants and slammed President Joe Biden for unleashing a nightmare through his border policies that he argued were totally destroying Black and Hispanic Americans.

The people of Nevada have had a front-row seat to Joe Biden's evil and criminal obliteration of our southern border, Trump told the crowd. It was criminal what he's done.

The speech came just days after Biden announced his executive order on immigration to close the U.S.-Mexico border when border crossings exceed 2,500 people a day. Trump dismissed the order as a little plan that was pro-invasion, pro-child trafficking, pro-women trafficking, pro-human trafficking, pro-drug dealers and all the death they bring and pro-illegal immigration. He raised instances of violent crimes allegedly committed by people unauthorized to be living in the U.S.



Its weak, its ineffective, its bullshit what he signed, Trump said, before his supporters erupted into a chant of, Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit.

On the same day he made these comments, the Trump campaign launched the rebranding of its Latino outreach effort, from Latinos for Trump to Latino Americans for Trump  in a state where Latinos represent a critical and influential voting bloc and as Republicans continue to make inroads among Latinos.

Trump has promised if reelected that hell carry out mass deportations, end birthright citizenship and reinstitute his prohibition on people entering the U.S. from certain Muslim-majority nations. He also in February effectively encouraged Republicans in Congress to reject a bipartisan immigration deal backed by Biden.

Trump at one point on Sunday referred to the first family as the Biden crime family and raised the fact that Biden kept classified documents after his vice presidency, though a special counsel did not recommend charges. (Trump is currently charged with allegedly hoarding classified documents and obstructing the investigation into the matter.) Conversely, Trump downplayed convictions of people who stormed the Capitol on January 6, calling them victims and J6 warriors.

Trumps rally in Las Vegas caps a four-day swing through the West Coast and Southwest. On Thursday, Trump spoke at a town hall in Phoenix, where he railed against Bidens border actions, and then separately spent several days in California wooing donors. He also held a high-dollar fundraiser in Vegas on Saturday night.

His increasingly rabble-rousing language on undocumented immigration  where at one point on Sunday he claimed the invasion is apocalyptic, according to transcribed remarks shared ahead of his speech  highlights that it will likely be a major issue in the remaining months of the 2024 election.



Since his conviction, Trump in TV interviews has left open the possibility that he might seek retribution against his political enemies if reelected, though Sunday he only briefly touched on the matter and mostly boasted about how much fundraising had poured into his campaign as a result of the verdict.

When he indicted me over nothing, they opened up a whole new box, he said of Biden, before then listing the other indictments he faces in multiple jurisdictions. They have weaponized the Department of Justice.

The DOJ has brought two federal cases against Trump while his New York conviction stemmed from a criminal case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Trump is also facing state criminal charges in Georgia related to a sprawling racketeering case.

The Vegas event was Trumps first rally since a jury found him guilty on May 30 of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records about payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels in an effort to influence the 2016 presidential election. His first pre-sentencing hearing is set for Monday.

Biden won Nevada by roughly 2.5 points in 2020, but today Trump is leading Biden by more than 5 points, according to the 538 polling average, in a state that has among the highest unemployment rates and gas prices in the U.S. Should Trump carry the state in November, he would be the first GOP presidential candidate to do so since George W. Bush 20 years ago.

If we win Nevada, we win the whole thing, Trump said during his speech, which stretched over an hour.

But the newest aspect of Trumps rally was promising that, if elected, he wouldnt charge taxes on tips  an announcement that drew huge applause in a state whose economy is heavily reliant on tourism and hospitality.

We will throw out Bidenomics and replace it with MAGAnomics, he said.

Trump also repeatedly boasted that he could handle the desert heat, which reached 99 degrees, despite sweating like a dog and complaining about how his teleprompter didnt work. Throughout his speech. he mocked Bidens mental acuity, at one point doing a dramatic impersonation of the presidents walk, and another point mockingly running down a list of reporters to call on and hesitating over a question about what kind of ice cream he liked.

Hes a corrupt, very dumb person. Hes a low-IQ individual, Trump said of Biden, though he quickly clarified that the criticism against his rival  who is just 3.5 years older than he is  was not rooted in concerns about his age.

Theres just something missing there, he said. There always has been.



In response, the Biden campaign questioned where Latino voters were at his rally. All we saw today was a wannabe dictator spouting his trademark hatred for our community, doubling down attacking immigrants and espousing the same racist tropes against Venezuelans, said Hispanic Media Director Maca Casado, referring to comments Trump made that people coming to the U.S. had been in jails and mental facilities. She also pointed to his controversial immigration policies as president, including his child separation policy.

Attacking Latinos is good politics in Trumps eyes, she added. Latinos deserve a president who is focused on creating economic opportunity for all of us and making our communities safer. If today showed our community anything, its this: we have to reelect Joe Biden.

Trump supporters, many of whom arrived hours before the rally started, struggled to tolerate the heat and began trickling out of the park about 45 minutes into the speech. But many waited in long lines to enter the event, where the campaign provided water bottles and misting fans, and one of the food trucks sold shaved ice and soft-serve ice cream.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who spoke as people entered the park, warned that Trumps supporters were not going to tolerate the recent conviction. The man that I worship was also a convicted felon, she said, referring to Jesus. The crowd erupted in chants of bullshit over the criminal convictions.

Attendees told POLITICO they didnt think the verdict would hurt Trump and believed the former presidents accusations that the prosecution had been politically motivated. Some attendees wore shirts that said, Im voting for the convicted felon.

Its what theyre chanting  its bullshit, said Trump supporter Rick Welter, 58. Its a sham.

Sundays rally was the first Trump event for Welter, who works in medical insurance, though hed voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020 and said the conviction made him more motivated to turn out on Sunday. He and his sister-in-law both said they were concerned about illegal immigration and the economy. We would not be out here in this hell hot if we didn't believe it was important, said his sister in law, Nanette Welter.

Trump did not use his platform to explicitly endorse in the Republican Senate primary in Nevada, which is set for Tuesday, though at one point he said, You have a good guy named Brown here referencing retired Army Captain Sam Brown, one of the Republican candidates. One of his rivals, former Ambassador to Iceland Jeff Gunter, was also present at the rally. Toward the end of the speech Trump broadly urged his supporters to vote in the primary. Later Sunday, Trump endorsed Brown in a post on social media.
(Bloomberg) -- Artificial intelligence startup iGenius, which wants to compete with OpenAI and other generative AI companies, is seeking to raise 650 million ($698 million) at a post-money valuation of about 1.7 billion, Chief Executive Officer Uljan Sharka said on Monday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Completing a funding round at a so-called unicorn valuation would catapult the Italian startup into the elite ranks of hot, well-capitalized AI companies emerging from Europe, including Frances Mistral AI and Germanys DeepL. IGenius is banking on continued investor enthusiasm for plowing money into the sector, even as some industry veterans warn that further progress in foundational models will mostly come from incumbent players such as Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc.

Milan-based iGenius has launched a product known as Italia, which Sharka describes as an open-source foundational large language model designed to be used by organizations in the financial services industry, among others.

The startup has secured backing at a pre-money valuation of 1.05 billion from investors including Angel Capital Management  the family office of Angelo Moratti  and Eurizon Asset Management, a unit of Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, Sharka said. It is also in ongoing talks with other potential investors, he added.

iGenius works with companies including Allianz SE, Aon Plc, Enel SpA and Intesa Sanpaolo, Sharka said. It aims to reach 20 million of annual recurring revenue by the end of 2024, he added.

Italys privacy regulator temporarily banned OpenAIs ChatGPT in the country in 2023 over concerns that the company was hoovering up user data. The regulator concluded in January that OpenAI had breached Italian users privacy.

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Former President Donald Trump endorsed Sam Brown in Nevada's Republican Senate primary on his social media platform Sunday night, after months of praising multiple candidates running in the race.

"Sam Brown is a FEARLESS AMERICAN PATRIOT, a Purple Heart Recipient, who has proven he has the 'PURE GRIT and COURAGE to take on our Enemies, both Foreign and Domestic," Trump wrote on his social media platform Sunday evening.

Trump said Brown, an Army veteran, will secure the border and grow the economy as Nevada's next Senator.

"Sam has already proven his Love for our Country, being horrifically wounded, and making the Comeback of a Lifetime," Trump continued on Truth Social. "Sam Brown has my Complete and Total Endorsement."

Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during his campaign rally at Sunset Park on June 09, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

MORE: Trump's conviction intensifies his calls for retribution in a second term

Brown thanked Trump's endorsement in a statement to ABC News, saying he's looking forward to working with the former president.

"Thank you, President Trump, for your leadership and your endorsement," Brown said in his statement. "I look forward to working with you to bring a better future to every Nevadan when we both win in November!!"

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sam Brown campaigns at the Carson Valley Days parade on June 11, 2022 in Gardnerville, Nevada. (Photo by David Calvert/Getty Images) (David Calvert/Getty Images)

Brown was at the Trump rally in Las Vegas on Sunday, handing out water bottles to rally attendees in the extreme heat. His primary rival Jeffrey Gunter, who was Trump's former U.S. ambassador to Iceland and a longtime fundraiser, was also at the rally, was also vying for Trump's endorsement in the race.

Brown, who is a leading candidate in the Republican field, would challenge Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen in the general election if he wins the Republican primary on June 11.

MORE: Judge in Trump hush money trial flags Facebook post claiming juror spoke about case

Responding to Trump's endorsement of Brown, Gunter, in a statement to ABC News, took a swipe at endorsements Brown has gotten from Senate Republican leadership, saying the American people lose if the Republican establishment's choice wins.

"Mitch McConnell money wins, the American people lose," Gunter said. "Rinse and repeat."

Trump endorses Sam Brown in Nevada Republican Senate primary originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Former President Donald Trump on Sunday endorsed retired Army captain Sam Brown for Senate ahead of the Nevada GOP primary this week.

Sam Brown is a FEARLESS AMERICAN PATRIOT, a Purple Heart Recipient, who has proven he has the PURE GRIT and COURAGE to take on our Enemies, both Foreign and Domestic, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

The former president hailed Brown, who was severely burned by the explosion of a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, for making the Comeback of a Lifetime.

Sam Brown has my Complete and Total Endorsement - HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! Trump said.

Brown is vying for the GOP nomination against Dr. Jeffrey Gunter, Trumps former ambassador to Iceland, and former state Assemblyman Jim Marchant, who has championed Trumps false election fraud claims. The general election race against incumbent Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen is expected to be one of the countrys most competitive.

It was initially unclear whether the former president would endorse a candidate in the race, with Brown drawing the ire of many staunch Trump supporters who privately encouraged the former president to back Gunter.

While Brown door-knocked for Trump in 2020, he later appeared to distance himself from the former president, declining to tell Punchbowl News in an August interview whether he would be comfortable with sharing the GOP ticket with Trump in Nevada. He eventually endorsed Trump before the Iowa caucuses.

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz held a rally for Gunter in Nevada in April, and far-right activists and Mar-a-Lago regulars Laura Loomer and Roger Stone have railed against Brown on social media for his ties to more mainstream Republicans.

But Brown has been the strongest fundraiser of all the GOP primary candidates, raising considerably more than Gunter as of last month.

Following Trumps endorsement, Rosen posted on X that Browns agenda of banning abortion, gutting health care, and slashing Social Security is wrong for Nevada. Were going to defeat MAGA extremism in November.

Brown first emerged on the Nevada political scene in the 2022 cycle, when his grassroots Senate campaign  under the slogan duty first  won him admirers on the way to a second-place finish in the GOP primary. The winner, former state Attorney General Adam Laxalt, went on to lose narrowly to Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto in the general election.

Brown is still somewhat of a political newcomer. He lost a state legislative race in Texas in 2014. He was not a significant figure in the political landscape of Nevada, where he moved in 2018, until his 2022 Senate bid picked up momentum in the primarys closing months.

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In a move that increases the temperature of his rhetoric considerably, Donald Trump called rioters under prosecution for participating in the violent January 6 Capitol insurrection on his behalf warriors. The comment came during a sweltering hot campaign rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday.

Those J6 warriorsthey were warriors. But they were really, more than anything else, theyre victims of what happened, Trump said while decrying prosecution of the rioters. All they were doing was protesting a rigged election, he added, reaffirming the Big Lie he pushed in the lead-up to the certification of Bidens presidency in 2021.

Trump also alleged that the whole insurrection was a setup by law enforcement, who directed the rioters to storm the Capitol.

Trump: Those J6 warriors. They were warriors but they were really more than anything else theyre victims of what happened. The police say go in. What a setup that was. You know what, that blows two ways pic.twitter.com/w72Aqg29wb  Acyn (@Acyn) June 9, 2024

Trump has previously described Capitol rioters facing prosecution and riding out federal jail time as hostages and unbelievable patriots, seemingly endorsing vandalism and violent assaults on cops from his base of conspiracy theorists and far-right extremists.

His comments Sunday represent an escalation in Trumps rhetoric in defense of the rioters and comes amid his efforts to stir his base into similar violence following his felony conviction. Last Monday, Trump speculated there would be a breaking point for the American public if he faced jail time, with his followers eagerly calling for extreme violence in response to his conviction.


A server delivers beverages at Dover Downs Casino on June 5, 2018 in Dover, Delaware. Former President Donald Trump said in a campaign rally in Las Vegas on June 9, 2024 he would seek to end taxes for tips if elected again in November. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Economists across the ideological spectrum raised doubts about the cost and workability of former President Donald Trumps proposal over the weekend to exempt tips from federal taxes if he wins in November.

During a campaign rally Sunday in Las Vegas, where hundreds of thousands work in the hospitality industry, Trump promised service workers that they would no longer have to pay federal taxes on tipped income if the presumptive Republican nominee wins a second term.

The roughly 6 million tipped workers in the U.S., as of the latest data available from 2018, make up a small fraction of the countrys 150 million taxpayers, but campaigning on tax cuts for certain demographics is increasingly a top issue leading up to Novembers presidential election.

This is the first time Ive said this, and for those who work at hotels and people that get tips, youre gonna be very happy because when I get to office we are going to not charge taxes on tips, on people making tips, Trump said to cheers at the rally.

Trump said he will do that right away, first thing in office, though changing the tax code would require an act of Congress.

Tax code due for update

Large portions of the sweeping 2017 tax law that Congress passed along party lines during the Trump administration are set to expire at the end of 2025, and lawmakers and advocates are already trotting out their priorities.

Tipped workers made an average $6,000 on top of their base wages in 2018, and together they paid about $38 billion in taxes on tips, according to the latest Internal Revenue Service figures. In 2018, the IRS collected about $7 trillion in overall taxes.

In terms of the macroeconomic impact, its pretty small, said Erica York, senior economist and research director at the right-leaning Tax Foundation.

If you think of it in terms of what Congress is going to be debating next year, one of the big challenges that lawmakers are going to face is the revenue impact. Every dollar of tax revenue for one type of tax cut is $1 less for another type of tax cut. So its going to be a real exercise in prioritizing trade-offs across different policies, York said.

Trump has vowed to extend all tax cuts enacted under his watch, but the cost of extending them over the next decade would reach $4.6 trillion, according to estimates from the Joint Committee on Taxation and nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Trumps proposal to tipped workers smells more of campaign politics than a really well thought out and principled tax policy proposal, York added. And I think the elephant in the room for both candidates is that they havent fully addressed what are you going to do about these huge expirations that are scheduled to happen next year?

The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for further detail.

Incentivizing tipped work

Andrew Lautz, associate director for the Bipartisan Policy Center, said while tipped workers are a small slice of the tax base, youre talking about a potentially large chunk of revenue that youre giving up on an annual basis, depending on how the policy would be rolled out.

Our current tax system is certainly not designed to treat all income equally, but this proposal, if it were enacted into law, would sort of add a new category of income that is not subject to tax, Lautz said. And you know what economic theory would say is that, all else equal, making that change would incentivize people to have tips which are not taxed under this proposal versus regular wage income.

There is also the potential for misuse, he added.

If Donald Trump is president again next year, and even if hes not, but this proposal sort of catches interest from policymakers in Congress, its very well possible that this could be on the table, Lautz added.

Janet Holtzblatt, senior fellow at the left-leaning Tax Policy Center run by the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution, said Trumps proposal to eliminate taxes on tips is unusual.

Because tips are a substitute for the wages and salaries that the rest of us get, and if you dont tax tips, youre basically not taxing tip workers (on) their wages, making it a tax advantage on their earnings. Those of us who dont work in industries where tips are paid, we would not get the same tax advantage, Holtzblatt said.

Minimum wage

Several localities wage laws allow employers to pay service workers hourly rates well below the federal minimum wage.

Holtzblatt said the solution is for localities to raise the minimum wage for service workers for multiple reasons.

Tips are not always a predictable form of income, she said. And theres a great deal of variation, the tips that the server gets at the top-notch restaurant are going to be very different than the tips the person in the diner gets.

President Joe Bidens reelection campaign responded to Trumps wild campaign promise by saying that Biden supports increasing the minimum wage and eliminating the tipped minimum wage, a much bigger deal than Trumps proposal, a campaign spokesman wrote in a Monday email to States Newsroom.

Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for Culinary Workers Union Local 226, which has 60,000 members in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada, said the organization has for decades fought for tipped workers rights and against unfair taxation.

Relief is definitely needed for tip earners, Pappageorge said in a statement over the weekend. But Nevada workers are smart enough to know the difference between real solutions and wild campaign promises from a convicted felon.

The post Trump floats plan to end taxes on tips, though experts raise doubts appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
A server delivers beverages at Dover Downs Casino on June 5, 2018 in Dover, Delaware. Former President Donald Trump said in a campaign rally in Las Vegas on June 9, 2024 he would seek to end taxes for tips if elected again in November. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Economists across the ideological spectrum raised doubts about the cost and workability of former President Donald Trumps proposal over the weekend to exempt tips from federal taxes if he wins in November.

During a campaign rally Sunday in Las Vegas, where hundreds of thousands work in the hospitality industry, Trump promised service workers that they would no longer have to pay federal taxes on tipped income if the presumptive Republican nominee wins a second term.

The roughly 6 million tipped workers in the U.S., as of the latest data available from 2018, make up a small fraction of the countrys 150 million taxpayers, but campaigning on tax cuts for certain demographics is increasingly a top issue leading up to Novembers presidential election.

This is the first time Ive said this, and for those who work at hotels and people that get tips, youre gonna be very happy because when I get to office we are going to not charge taxes on tips, on people making tips, Trump said to cheers at the rally.

Trump said he will do that right away, first thing in office, though changing the tax code would require an act of Congress.

Tax code due for update

Large portions of the sweeping 2017 tax law that Congress passed along party lines during the Trump administration are set to expire at the end of 2025, and lawmakers and advocates are already trotting out their priorities.

Tipped workers made an average $6,000 on top of their base wages in 2018, and together they paid about $38 billion in taxes on tips, according to the latest Internal Revenue Service figures. In 2018, the IRS collected about $7 trillion in overall taxes.

In terms of the macroeconomic impact, its pretty small, said Erica York, senior economist and research director at the right-leaning Tax Foundation.

If you think of it in terms of what Congress is going to be debating next year, one of the big challenges that lawmakers are going to face is the revenue impact. Every dollar of tax revenue for one type of tax cut is $1 less for another type of tax cut. So its going to be a real exercise in prioritizing trade-offs across different policies, York said.

Trump has vowed to extend all tax cuts enacted under his watch, but the cost of extending them over the next decade would reach $4.6 trillion, according to estimates from the Joint Committee on Taxation and nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Trumps proposal to tipped workers smells more of campaign politics than a really well thought out and principled tax policy proposal, York added. And I think the elephant in the room for both candidates is that they havent fully addressed what are you going to do about these huge expirations that are scheduled to happen next year?

The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for further detail.

Incentivizing tipped work

Andrew Lautz, associate director for the Bipartisan Policy Center, said while tipped workers are a small slice of the tax base, youre talking about a potentially large chunk of revenue that youre giving up on an annual basis, depending on how the policy would be rolled out.

Our current tax system is certainly not designed to treat all income equally, but this proposal, if it were enacted into law, would sort of add a new category of income that is not subject to tax, Lautz said. And you know what economic theory would say is that, all else equal, making that change would incentivize people to have tips which are not taxed under this proposal versus regular wage income.

There is also the potential for misuse, he added.

If Donald Trump is president again next year, and even if hes not, but this proposal sort of catches interest from policymakers in Congress, its very well possible that this could be on the table, Lautz added.

Janet Holtzblatt, senior fellow at the left-leaning Tax Policy Center run by the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution, said Trumps proposal to eliminate taxes on tips is unusual.

Because tips are a substitute for the wages and salaries that the rest of us get, and if you dont tax tips, youre basically not taxing tip workers (on) their wages, making it a tax advantage on their earnings. Those of us who dont work in industries where tips are paid, we would not get the same tax advantage, Holtzblatt said.

Minimum wage

Several localities wage laws allow employers to pay service workers hourly rates well below the federal minimum wage.

Holtzblatt said the solution is for localities to raise the minimum wage for service workers for multiple reasons.

Tips are not always a predictable form of income, she said. And theres a great deal of variation, the tips that the server gets at the top-notch restaurant are going to be very different than the tips the person in the diner gets.

President Joe Bidens reelection campaign responded to Trumps wild campaign promise by saying that Biden supports increasing the minimum wage and eliminating the tipped minimum wage, a much bigger deal than Trumps proposal, a campaign spokesman wrote in a Monday email to States Newsroom.

Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for Culinary Workers Union Local 226, which has 60,000 members in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada, said the organization has for decades fought for tipped workers rights and against unfair taxation.

Relief is definitely needed for tip earners, Pappageorge said in a statement over the weekend. But Nevada workers are smart enough to know the difference between real solutions and wild campaign promises from a convicted felon.

The post Trump floats plan to end taxes on tips, though experts raise doubts appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
A server delivers beverages at Dover Downs Casino on June 5, 2018 in Dover, Delaware. Former President Donald Trump said in a campaign rally in Las Vegas on June 9, 2024 he would seek to end taxes for tips if elected again in November. (Mark Makela/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Economists across the ideological spectrum raised doubts about the cost and workability of former President Donald Trumps proposal over the weekend to exempt tips from federal taxes if he wins in November.

During a campaign rally Sunday in Las Vegas, where hundreds of thousands work in the hospitality industry, Trump promised service workers that they would no longer have to pay federal taxes on tipped income if the presumptive Republican nominee wins a second term.

The roughly 6 million tipped workers in the U.S., as of the latest data available from 2018, make up a small fraction of the countrys 150 million taxpayers, but campaigning on tax cuts for certain demographics is increasingly a top issue leading up to Novembers presidential election.

This is the first time Ive said this, and for those who work at hotels and people that get tips, youre gonna be very happy because when I get to office we are going to not charge taxes on tips, on people making tips, Trump said to cheers at the rally.

Trump said he will do that right away, first thing in office, though changing the tax code would require an act of Congress.

Tax code due for update

Large portions of the sweeping 2017 tax law that Congress passed along party lines during the Trump administration are set to expire at the end of 2025, and lawmakers and advocates are already trotting out their priorities.

Tipped workers made an average $6,000 on top of their base wages in 2018, and together they paid about $38 billion in taxes on tips, according to the latest Internal Revenue Service figures. In 2018, the IRS collected about $7 trillion in overall taxes.

In terms of the macroeconomic impact, its pretty small, said Erica York, senior economist and research director at the right-leaning Tax Foundation.

If you think of it in terms of what Congress is going to be debating next year, one of the big challenges that lawmakers are going to face is the revenue impact. Every dollar of tax revenue for one type of tax cut is $1 less for another type of tax cut. So its going to be a real exercise in prioritizing trade-offs across different policies, York said.

Trump has vowed to extend all tax cuts enacted under his watch, but the cost of extending them over the next decade would reach $4.6 trillion, according to estimates from the Joint Committee on Taxation and nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Trumps proposal to tipped workers smells more of campaign politics than a really well thought out and principled tax policy proposal, York added. And I think the elephant in the room for both candidates is that they havent fully addressed what are you going to do about these huge expirations that are scheduled to happen next year?

The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for further detail.

Incentivizing tipped work

Andrew Lautz, associate director for the Bipartisan Policy Center, said while tipped workers are a small slice of the tax base, youre talking about a potentially large chunk of revenue that youre giving up on an annual basis, depending on how the policy would be rolled out.

Our current tax system is certainly not designed to treat all income equally, but this proposal, if it were enacted into law, would sort of add a new category of income that is not subject to tax, Lautz said. And you know what economic theory would say is that, all else equal, making that change would incentivize people to have tips which are not taxed under this proposal versus regular wage income.

There is also the potential for misuse, he added.

If Donald Trump is president again next year, and even if hes not, but this proposal sort of catches interest from policymakers in Congress, its very well possible that this could be on the table, Lautz added.

Janet Holtzblatt, senior fellow at the left-leaning Tax Policy Center run by the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution, said Trumps proposal to eliminate taxes on tips is unusual.

Because tips are a substitute for the wages and salaries that the rest of us get, and if you dont tax tips, youre basically not taxing tip workers (on) their wages, making it a tax advantage on their earnings. Those of us who dont work in industries where tips are paid, we would not get the same tax advantage, Holtzblatt said.

Minimum wage

Several localities wage laws allow employers to pay service workers hourly rates well below the federal minimum wage.

Holtzblatt said the solution is for localities to raise the minimum wage for service workers for multiple reasons.

Tips are not always a predictable form of income, she said. And theres a great deal of variation, the tips that the server gets at the top-notch restaurant are going to be very different than the tips the person in the diner gets.

President Joe Bidens reelection campaign responded to Trumps wild campaign promise by saying that Biden supports increasing the minimum wage and eliminating the tipped minimum wage, a much bigger deal than Trumps proposal, a campaign spokesman wrote in a Monday email to States Newsroom.

Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for Culinary Workers Union Local 226, which has 60,000 members in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada, said the organization has for decades fought for tipped workers rights and against unfair taxation.

Relief is definitely needed for tip earners, Pappageorge said in a statement over the weekend. But Nevada workers are smart enough to know the difference between real solutions and wild campaign promises from a convicted felon.

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The post Trump floats plan to end taxes on tips, though experts raise doubts appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Donald Trump delivered brief pre-recorded remarks at the Life and Liberty Forum on Monday (Danbury Institute / screengrab)

Donald Trump supplied a brief, two-minute, pre-recorded message for an event hosted by an extreme anti-abortion group - which denounces the procedure as child sacrifice - but managed to dodge the issue altogether.

Trump spoke virtually Monday at the Life and Liberty Forum held by the Danbury Institute, a group that has decried abortion as the greatest atrocity facing our generation today and has vowed not to rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee, however, did not mention abortion once.

Instead, his words echoed his campaign rally speeches. You just cant vote Democrat. Theyre against religion. Theyre against your religion in particular, he said in remarks broadcast to a half-empty room at the Indiana roof ballroom in Indianapolis.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life and the heritage and traditions that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world.

He added: But now we are, as you know, a declining nation. I know that each of you is protecting those values everyday and I hope well be defending them side-by-side for the next four years.

A Trump campaign spokesperson attempted to clarify the former presidents abortion stance, telling Politico ahead of the event that Trump supports the rights of states to determine the laws on this issue and supports the three exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother.

Trumps remarks were broadcast to a half-empty room at the Indiana roof ballroom in Indianapolis (Adam Wren / screengrab)

Trump is committed to addressing groups with diverse opinions on all of the issues, as evidenced by his recent speech at the Libertarian Convention, his meetings with the unions, and his efforts to campaign in diverse neighborhoods across the country, the spokesperson also told the outlet.

The Independent has contacted the Trump campaign for comment.

Trumps stance on abortion remains unclear. He has touted the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022 as a victory, calling himself proudly the person responsible for the reversal of the landmark ruling on abortion rights. However, the former president also pledged in April that he would not sign a national abortion ban into law if it were passed by Congress. That same week, he said on social media platform, Truth Social, that he believed that the issue of abortion should be left up to states.

Trumps two-minute statement at the nearly three-hour, Christian event starkly contrasted the other speakers speeches.

Many speakers at the event were Southern Baptists arguing their opposition to abortion and IVF services, as well as gender-affirming health care, same-sex marriage, and even no-fault divorce. Some speakers went so far as to claim that many women are being coerced into getting abortions. One speaker even likened a surge in abortions to the Holocaust.

Dr Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, took aim at IVF, saying the practice is not only the alienation of reproduction, from the conjugal setting, it is also an engineered system whereby multiple embryos are created only for most of them assuredly to be destroyed.

He added: We need to recognize any intervention with an embryo, any commodification of the embryo, any turn of the embryo into a consumer product, is an assault upon human dignity.

He touched upon the Alabama ruling in February, when the states Supreme Court labeled embryos as children, allowing a wrongful death lawsuit to proceed after embryos were destroyed at an IVF clinic. Dr Mohler slammed the GOP-controlled Alabama legislature and Republican governor for passing a short-term measure that protected IVF services after the controversial ruling.

Even in the state of Alabama lack of political will to stand behind what was the correct rule and judgment by the Alabama Supreme Court, he said.

He also claimed that conception starts at fertilization rather than implantation. We mean when the sperm and the egg meet and God said, let there be light, he said.

A welcome video was played at the beginning of the conference. God has been pushed out of our schools and our public squares, the narrator stated, before accusing transgender Americans in public spaces of exposing [children] to indecency and confusion.

Tim Lee, an evangelist and marine, claimed the US is trying to kick God out of everything.

Our forefathers wanted God in America, he said. Its time to take America back.

Trumps message to the Christian gathering aired on the same day he was interviewed by a probation officer ahead of his sentencing next month in his hush money trial. Trump made history last month as the first former president to be found guilty in a criminal case.
Donald Trumps campaign has begun vetting candidates to join his ticket as vice president, and according to Senator J.D. Vance, Trumps asking them about their criminal record, with no sense of irony at all.

During a Monday interview on Fox & Friends, host Steve Doocy asked the Ohio Republican whether he had been asked to submit documents to be vetted.

Youre not at that level yet, Doocy pushed. Or are you?

Theyve asked us for a number of things, Vance replied. I think that a number of people have been asked to submit this and that.

Like your taxes or something? Doocy pressed. Your criminal background? he added with a short laugh.

Yeah, but certainly like, Have you ever committed a crime? Or Ever lied about this? Certainly you have those conversations, but I think a lot of people have those conversations, Vance said, vaguely.

JD Vance says Trump's VP vetting materials include a question about whether any of the prospective candidates have "committed a crime" or lied. The irony! pic.twitter.com/0XawMeLzRw  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 10, 2024

Doocy has become a rare voice of dissent on Fox & Friends, regularly pushing against his fellow hosts reactionary perspectives, urging them to provide evidence for some of their more baseless claims about President Joe Biden and his family, according to The Washington Post. Doocy has also proven to be the least likely host to blindly back Trump or defend him from worthy criticism. Its not clear whether his jab about a criminal background was intentional, but it did appear to make Vance sweat.



It appears that Trumps campaign plans to hold his vice presidential pick to a higher standard than the candidate himself, who was recently found guilty of 34 felony counts.

To be fair, its not exactly clear how that information will be factored into Trumps decision. For all we know, the Law & Order president might welcome the camaraderie of another politician with a rap sheet.

Of the contenders on Trumps V.P. shortlist, it appears that the only one with a criminal record is Byron Donalds, who was arrested twice, once for marijuana possession and later for felony theft. In the first case, Donalds was kept out of prison through a pretrial diversion program, and in the second, he pleaded no contest to the felony theft charge and received probation. Donaldss record was expunged and sealed.*

*This article has been updated the clarify that Donaldss record was expunged and sealed.
(Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump was interviewed Monday by a New York probation officer whose sentencing report will help a judge decide how much time, if any, the former president will spend behind bars for falsifying business records, according to a person familiar with the matter.

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The meeting lasted 30 minutes, and Trump joined virtually from his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida, said the person, who declined to be identified because the details of the interview arent public. Trumps lead defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, also participated in the meeting, the person said.

Trump, 77, is scheduled to be sentenced July 11 after becoming the first former US president to be found guilty of a crime in a case brought last year by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Trump faces as long as four years in prison, though legal experts expect hell serve far less than that and may get probation only, due to his age and his status as a first-time offender.

President Trump and his legal team are already taking necessary steps to challenge and defeat the lawless Manhattan DA case, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.

A New York jury on May 30 found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election  to keep her quiet about an alleged sexual encounter. Its one of four criminal cases Trump is facing as he campaigns to return to the White House in the November presidential election.

Justice Juan Merchan, who oversaw the hush-money case, will use the probation report to help decide on the sentence. Trumps lawyers, as well as prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorneys office, will submit separate sentencing recommendations. Itll be up to Merchan to decide how much weight to give each recommendation.

In New York, the probation office conducts pre-sentencing interviews with defendants who are convicted of felonies and serious misdemeanors. The officers typically examine the defendants criminal record, interview arresting officers, family members and victims. According to the New York court systems website, the interview is a chance for the defendant to try to make a good impression and explain why he or she deserves a lighter punishment.

The virtual interview with probation officials was reported earlier by NBC News.

The sentence is due to be handed down in Manhattan just days before the Republican National Convention July 15-18, when Trump will officially accept his partys nomination.

Bragg hasnt indicated what kind of sentence hell recommend. Its not unusual for prosecutors to suggest prison terms well below the maximum, especially for first-time offenders like Trump. Trumps lawyers are likely to seek leniency.

Plans for the sentencing hearing next month are moving ahead even as Trump aims to overturn the verdict. The former presidents legal team has a June 13 deadline to file post-verdict motions. Trumps team is expected to ask the judge to reexamine some aspects of the trial, with a likely focus on testimony by Braggs star witness, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen.

If Trumps motions fail, the sentencing hearing will go ahead as planned. Once Trump is sentenced, he can begin a formal appeal of the verdict, which could take months to resolve.

President Joe Biden, who will face off against Trump in November, has assailed his rival as a convicted felon who poses a threat to US democracy if he is reelected. But the verdict has rallied Republicans behind Trump, who raised nearly $53 million in the 24 hours following the jurys decision.

Trump spent the past several days campaigning and fundraising in California and Nevada, where his campaign took in $33.5 million, according to a person familiar with the events.

(Updates with Trump completing interview.)

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Former President Trump made a last-minute endorsement in the Nevada Senate GOP primary for retired Army Capt. Sam Brown on Sunday night, ending speculation over whether he would back a candidate in the Tuesday primary between Senate Republicans preferred candidate or a former ambassador who served in his administration.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump endorsed Brown over two other Republicans who have closely aligned themselves with the former president: former U.S. Ambassador to Iceland Jeff Gunter and former state Assemblyman Jim Marchant.

Sam Brown is a FEARLESS AMERICAN PATRIOT, a Purple Heart Recipient, who has proven he has the PURE GRIT and COURAGE to take on our Enemies, both Foreign and Domestic, Trump wrote.

I have gotten to know Sam and his beautiful wife, Amy, a U.S. Army First Lieutenant, and I know in this next chapter of their Life of Service together, they will continue to make us all proud, he wrote in another post. Sam has already proven his Love for our Country, being horrifically wounded, and making the Comeback of a Lifetime. Sam Brown has my Complete and Total Endorsement  HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!

The endorsement is particularly notable given that Gunter served as ambassador during the Trump administration and sought to prove he was more loyal to the former president than Brown, who initially distanced himself from Trump.

Meanwhile, the National Republican Senatorial Committee has rallied around Brown throughout the primary.

Brown thanked Trump for his endorsement, writing on the social platform X, Thank you, President Trump, for your leadership. Im honored to have your endorsement. I look forward to working with you to bring a better future to every Nevadan and American when we both win in November!!

Ahead of a Trump rally Sunday in Las Vegas, there was speculation he could make a last-minute pick in the race to unseat Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) before the Tuesday primary. While the presumptive GOP nominee for president has often endorsed in contested Senate GOP primaries, he had notably declined to weigh in on the Silver State.

But during the rally, which both Gunter and Brown attended, Trump called the retired Army captain a good man while stopping shy of giving him an endorsement.

Trumps endorsement of Brown is not entirely shocking, given many within the GOP, particularly Senate Republicans, have rallied around the retired Army officer. Brown was seen as the favorite to win Tuesday, even when the former president remained out of the race.

Yet, Trumps backing comes very late in a primary in which many Nevadans have already voted early.

Nevada is among a handful of states that will determine the race to the White House and which party will control the Senate in the fall. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) narrowly won her reelection against Republican Adam Laxalt in 2022.

The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Rosens seat a toss up.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Exploring the Sustainability and Growth of Assurant Inc's Dividends

Introduction to Assurant Inc's Recent Dividend Announcement

Assurant Inc (NYSE:AIZ) recently announced a dividend of $0.72 per share, payable on June 24, 2024, with the ex-dividend date set for June 10, 2024. As investors anticipate this upcoming payment, it's crucial to delve into the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. This analysis, supported by data from GuruFocus, will assess the sustainability of Assurant Inc's dividend performance.

What Does Assurant Inc Do?

High Yield Dividend Stocks in Gurus' Portfolio

This Powerful Chart Made Peter Lynch 29% A Year For 13 Years

How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock?

Assurant Inc operates in the insurance sector, offering a variety of property-casualty, health, employee benefits, and warranty insurance products to both individual and institutional clients. Its business is segmented into Global Housing and Global Lifestyle, with the latter being the primary revenue generator. The Global Housing segment includes a range of lender-placed and voluntary insurance products, while Global Lifestyle focuses on mobile device solutions, extended service products, vehicle protection, and credit protection among other insurance products.

Assurant Inc's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Assurant Inc's Dividend History

Assurant Inc has a long-standing tradition of distributing dividends, having done so consistently since 2004. The dividends are paid quarterly, and the company has increased its dividend annually since 2004, earning it the status of a dividend achiever. This accolade is reserved for companies that have raised their dividends annually for at least the past 20 years. Below is a visual representation of the annual Dividends Per Share to track historical trends.

Assurant Inc's Dividend Analysis

Breaking Down Assurant Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth

Currently, Assurant Inc boasts a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.64% and a forward dividend yield of 1.66%, indicating expectations of increased dividend payments over the next year. Over the past three years, the annual dividend growth rate was 3.40%, which rose to 4.30% over a five-year period. Over the last decade, the annual growth rate of dividends per share has been an impressive 11.30%. Today, the 5-year yield on cost for Assurant Inc stock is approximately 2.05%.

Assurant Inc's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

Evaluating the sustainability of dividends involves looking at the dividend payout ratio, which at 0.15 as of March 31, 2024, indicates that Assurant Inc retains a substantial portion of its earnings for future growth and stability. The company's profitability rank is 7 out of 10, reflecting strong earnings relative to its peers. Assurant Inc has also reported consistent positive net income over the past decade, further solidifying its profitability.

Story continues

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

Assurant Inc's growth rank of 7 suggests a strong growth trajectory. The company's revenue per share and 3-year revenue growth rate of 10.80% annually outperforms 61.31% of global competitors. Additionally, its 3-year EPS growth rate of 27.80% annually and 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 24.60% further demonstrate its robust earnings capability.

Conclusion

Considering Assurant Inc's consistent dividend payments, growth in dividend rates, prudent payout ratios, and strong profitability and growth metrics, the company presents a compelling case for investors seeking stable dividend returns. The data suggests that Assurant Inc is not only maintaining its dividends but is also positioning itself for sustainable growth in the future. For investors looking for high-dividend yield stocks, consider using the High Dividend Yield Screener available for GuruFocus Premium users.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


NEW YORK  Newly convicted felon Donald Trump was slated to meet with his probation officer on Monday, sources confirmed to the New York Daily News  only unlike most every other New York City defendant required to attend the sit-down in person, hell do so from the comfort of his Florida home.

In another unusual arrangement, Justice Juan Merchan said Trump could be accompanied by his lawyer, Todd Blanche, according to public court records.

Manhattan defendants typically meet with probation at 100 Centre St., where Trump just went on trial. But as first reported by The Associated Press, Trump will meet his assigned officer virtually from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

Public defender groups issued a joint call for the probation department to grant all defendants the same benefits afforded to the former presidentregardless of income, status, or class.

All people convicted of crimes should be allowed counsel in their probation interview, not just billionaires. This is just another example of our two-tiered system of justice, read a statement issued by The Legal Aid Society, The Bronx Defenders, New York County Defender Services, and the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem.

Pre-sentencing interviews with probation officers influence sentencing, and public defenders are deprived of joining their clients for these meetings. The option of joining these interviews virtually is typically not extended to the people we represent either.

The former president, who turns 78 on Friday, became the first president in U.S. history to be convicted of a crime when a jury found him guilty on May 30 of falsifying New York business records to cover up a conspiracy to hide damaging information about his past from voters in 2016.

The 34 counts he was convicted of each carry up to four years in prison, with the maximum possible sentence being 20 years, or could result in a term of probation and fines. He has vowed to appeal the conviction.

He has until Thursday to submit his presentence report, which could include letters of recommendation from his friends and family, and prosecutors have until June 27 to file theirs, with the question still hanging in the air as to whether theyll seek to imprison Trump.

President Trump has established a commanding polling lead in the battleground and Crooked Joe Biden is on the ropes, his campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said when reached for comment Monday. President Trump and his legal team are already taking necessary steps to challenge and defeat the lawless Manhattan DA case.

Probation could question the ex-president about several personal aspects of his life, including his relationships with his relatives, his professional and educational resume, and his health  mental and physical  and sign papers permitting probation to look into his credit score and finances.

Richard Serafini, a former state and federal prosecutor now in private practice, said the purpose of meeting with a probation officer is to cull as much information as possible to give the judge a complete picture of a persons life as they consider appropriate punishment.

Whats usually really important is that the person shows some regret for having committed the crime, that they accept responsibility, and indicate that theyre sorry, Serafini said.

Jurors found Trump guilty after spending around 12 hours across two days in the jury room after hearing from 20 prosecution witnesses, including four days of testimony from American Media exec David Pecker, who described hatching a plan with Trump and his ex-fixer Michael Cohen in August 2015 to boost his candidacy with flattering coverage about him and tarnish his opponents by publishing hit jobs.

Crucially, Pecker told the jury he agreed to be the Trump campaigns eyes and ears by locating stories brewing that could harm his chances with voters. The media bigwig said that led to his company paying off former Playboy model Karen McDougal and a Trump Tower doorman to buy their silence about alleged sex scandals.

Pecker said he backed out of a plan to silence Stormy Daniels at the last minute, leading to the porn star being paid off in the waning days of the 2016 race by Cohen, who also spent several days on the stand and went to federal prison for the notorious payout.

The Manhattan criminal case is the only one of four Trump faces expected to be resolved before this years election. Hes accused in three others of plotting to subvert the results of the 2020 election, overturn that contests results in Georgia, and hoarding stolen classified documents after leaving the White House and hiding them from authorities. He denies all allegations and claims hes the victim of a witch hunt.

_____
Donald Trump went nuts over the weekend over an ad from the Joe Biden campaign highlighting Trump allegedly calling dead soldiers suckers and losers.



The ad was posted on Friday afternoon with the tagline Donald Trump doesnt know a damn thing about service to his country.

Donald Trump doesnt know a damn thing about service to his country. pic.twitter.com/kls13Z8yHb  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 7, 2024

At a Las Vegas rally on Sunday, the convicted felon and former president once again denied making the comments, as he did when The Atlantic first reported on them in 2020.



[Biden] said I stood over graves of soldiers and I said: These people are suckers and losers, the dead soldiers from World War I, Trump said Sunday. He claimed it was all made up and that the Biden campaign knew it was phony but still took an ad using itthese are sick people.

Unless youre a psycho or a crazy person or a very stupid person, who would say that, anyway? Trump said at the rally. I dont like mentioning it. But for me to say suckers and losers about people that died in World War I in front of military people? Its not a possibility you could say a thing like that.

On Sunday evening, Trump continued to vent on Truth Social, posting twice about his alleged comments and attacking their source, his former chief of staff John Kelly.

Trump Truth Social June 9, 2024: Crooked Joe Biden Biden, the WORST PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, just confused Ukraine with Iraq. He actually doesnt know the difference, probably gets money from both, a Manchurian Candidate! He also said, in another Democrat Disinformation hit job like Russia, Russia, Russia, the 51 Intel Agents, or the Fake FISA Reports, that I called dead American Soldiers, losers and suckers. Who would ever say such a thing? Only a sicko with an axe to grind would suggest that anyone would make such a statement. They even made these horrific words into an advertisement, which shows how desperate they are. No President, especially dumb as a rock Joe Biden, has done more for our Military than DONALD J. TRUMP. The Military hates Crooked Joe, and all of the failure he represents. Take down the Fake Ad, Joe, and stop the unprecedented Weaponization of Justice against your Political Opponent. You are destroying our Country!

Trump Truth Social post June 9, 2024: Obviously, I never said that dead Soldiers are losers and suckers. Who would say such a thing? It was MADE UP DISINFORMATION by Radical Left Democrats, and Trump Haters, working with a failing Magazine, just like Russia, Russia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine, FISA Fraud, 51 Intel Agents, and so much more. Anytime you see that despicable FAKE statement used, remember that it comes from the FASCIST SCUM that is destroying our Country. Nobody has done more for the Military than Donald J. Trump - I completely Rebuilt it, and added SPACE FORCE to boot! VOTE FOR TRUMP - MAGA2024!

In October, Kelly confirmed that Trump made the comments in 2018, refusing to visit the graves of American soldiers buried near Paris because the cemetery is filled with losers.

Trump is a person that has no idea what America stands for and has no idea what America is all about. A person that has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law, Kelly said. There is nothing more that can be said.
Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortionchild sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

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That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then okay, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortionchild sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then okay, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortionchild sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then okay, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland

Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, said he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life and Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortionchild sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then okay, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland.

Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortionchild sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then okay, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with Time Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortionchild sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then OK, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and in vitro fertilization, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
how to become a train driver

Pull a lever, work four days a week, earn 65,000 a year and regularly go on strike.

That is the outlook much of the British public now has on train drivers, with the career perceived as an undemanding track to go down to earn a good living.

However, with the safety of thousands in the palm of their hands each day, drivers on the countrys 10,000-mile rail network cannot afford a lazy day at the office.

Its completely unfair for people to say its easy, said Nicole Johnson, senior recruitment officer at train operator Northern.

The job isnt just moving a stick forward back and forward  theres so much you need to be aware of. Driving a train is not like driving a car.

So what does it take to become a train driver? Telegraph Money delves into the ins and outs of how to start one of Britains most sought-after careers.

How much do train drivers earn?

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents operators, says the average train driver salary across Britain is 60,055. The Office for National Statistics estimates drivers now earn around 20,000 more than they did a decade ago.

Current job vacancies paint the picture of healthy wage growth and career progression.

A trainee driver salary at Southeastern starts at 24,048, before rising to 29,466 after just three months of rules and regulations training.

At approximately 12 months upon completion of the apprenticeship, the wage shoots up to 46,985.

Then, following a year of being qualified in the role the salary increases to 54,575.

At Northern, drivers wages rise to 54,500 upon completion of the training, while the salary at Govia Thameslink Railway grows in increments to 63,294.

With the ability to work overtime, drivers could push their salary towards six-figures.

Britains powerful rail unions have held out for wage increases in the past two years, with drivers repeatedly going on strike. RMT and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association have settled pay disputes with the Government, but Aslef members are still demanding pay rises.

British train driver salaries, which are the highest in Europe, far surpass averages for roles such as: an Army officer (27,273-42,009), nurse (27,055-40,588), firefighter (24,191-32,244) and air traffic control officer (18,001-43,469).

Are there train driver age restrictions?

Applicants must be at least 20 years of age, but cant start driving until they are 21.

However, teenagers will soon be able to qualify should government plans to ease a staffing shortage come into action.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has proposed to reduce the minimum age for driving a train on Britains railways from 20 to 18 as early as this summer.

Story continues

Ciaran Moynan, a training manager at Govia Thameslink Railway, said age demographics are wide-ranging.

We have people of varying ages applying, he said. As retirement age can be earlier in emergency services, we get people from the police, fire and ambulance coming over.

Its a level playing field for everyone  you could have spent 25 years in the rail industry, or 25 years as a police officer.

Ms Johnson said: Weve had people whove spent the last 20 years as a hairdresser or have been working in finance for years. They want a career change and essentially have an office in the country.

According to a recent study, the average train driver is a 46-year-old male.

What qualifications do you need?

Applicants do not need to have any experience in the rail industry and theoretically do not need any qualifications.

However, as the training programme is an apprenticeship, employers generally want applicants to hold a GCSE grade C or above in maths and English (four or above in the new grading system).

But thats not to say those without the sufficient grades are ruled out, as teaching programmes can be put in place.

Theres a lot of people whove left school at 16 with no qualifications, so to go on and have the opportunity to have a professional qualification is excellent. Its also cracking money when you think about it, said Ms Johnson.

What is the application process like?

A fifth of Generation Z said they would love a career on the railway, according to a survey by London North Eastern Railway (LNER).

That demand is evident, with rail operator Northern receiving 16,071 applications for driver positions last year  an average of 79 applications for every role.

Interest goes in peaks and troughs and there is definitely great interest at the moment, Ms Johnson said.

Typically, people will apply for roles online and then be invited to a test day with a number of others. Their reaction and concentration skills will be tested.

We generally lose quite a lot of people at this stage, but it varies, Mr Moynan said. Those who get through the stage will then come in for an interview with line managers to gauge their competency and get a greater understanding.

The cream of the crop will then be very close to earning a place on the train driver programme, with their position dependent on results of a medical examination.

Eyes, ears and blood pressure will all be tested and there is a drug and alcohol screening.

The process can take months, so people shouldnt expect it to be quick, Mr Moynan added.

Depending on the rail operator, applicants may also need to live within 45 minutes of a depot.

How long does driver training take?

Once hired, it usually takes between 12 and 16 months to qualify as a train driver.

The first few months are classroom-based, followed by training at a depot where learners will spend between 200 and 240 hours driving with a mentor.

After completing the training they will have a fully qualified licence, be able to drive trains without supervision and earn a full salary.

Is there career progression?

While pay growth is rapid from the outset, former passenger train driver Richard Evans says career progression can quickly hit the buffers.

Although the money is good, if youre an ambitious high-flyer its almost a dead-end job once youre in the drivers seat, the former Southern driver said.

Theres not many places you can go beyond it, and the skills arent really transferable.

You could go into management or training, but if you want to move out of the industry it can be hard.

If you have someone at 21 or 22 coming in and quickly earning 60,000 a year but then realising its not for them, theyll struggle to find a different career offering that sort of money. So it can be a bit of a trap.

Do train drivers have a four-day week?

Drivers work a four-day week, averaging 35 hours in total.

The hours spent at work will vary week-to-week, but the average always works out over time. For instance, one week drivers may only work 25 hours, but then the following itll be 45 hours. Some may work even more.

Overtime is completely optional, and some people will be eager for it while others will never work on rest day  and theyll never have to, Mr Moynan said.

A four-day week does not come with a reduced holiday quota compared with five-day jobs. Most train driver roles come with between 25 and 33 days holiday per year.

What are the shift patterns like?

Shifts tend to be between eight and 10 hours in length. The maximum is 12 hours.

According to the Train Driver Foundation, a 10-hour shift may only include as few as five hours actual driving to ensure break times, train schedules and staffing requirements are maintained.

Guidance from the Office of Rail and Road states that there should be a minimum rest period of 14 hours between consecutive night shifts. The maximum number of consecutive night shifts before having a rest day is three.

It can be brutal and we like to be honest with applicants warning them of the shifts, Mr Moynan said.

If youre on earlies, the shift might start at 4.03am one day and 7.05am the next, so its not like waking up at a set time each day like you would as a shop worker. Its extremely variable, so its not for the faint-hearted.

The earliest start will be 3am and the latest shift end will be around 3am as well.

Mr Evans, who now drives freight trains, says the shift work means the job becomes more of a lifestyle.

Its not a bad job by any stretch of the imagination as we are well looked after, he said.

The money is very appealing but your life takes a massive impact as it can take away your social life.

Passengers rightly moan about delays, but if youre a driver, youre also getting home late every day. You also need to be quite thick-skinned as there is this public perception about what you do, so you will get badgered by that a little bit.

Is driving a train boring?

Drivers need to be able to battle the boredom which comes with the job.

I used to do the Hastings to London Charing Cross line, and I found after a while it was hard with the same thing day-in-day-out, Mr Evans said.

Theres no meat to it sometimes, and nothing to get your teeth into once youve driven a route hundreds of times. Its like any job, the novelty can wear off.

Mr Evans says concentration levels can drop and the tough bit is then getting yourself back to a state of awareness.

If youre in the dark, in a nice warm cabin with the train trundling along, its almost rocking you to sleep.

You need to have strong self-discipline as youre out there on your own once qualified.

We have techniques of saying what you see, or pointing at things to keep us alert.

Mr Moynan says the intense training course hones in on managing fatigue and the monotonous aspects of the role.

As well as learning the theory, we really try to focus on the non-technical aspects to help with understanding your own mind and how to manage time on mundane routes, he said.

What is the pension scheme like?

Train drivers enjoy generous defined-benefit pensions of a type that has almost vanished in the rest of the private sector.

Each train operating company is part of the Railways Pension Scheme (RPS), set up at privatisation in 1994. It is an industry-wide scheme with more than 100 legally separate sections, including Network Rail, and freight, engineering and maintenance companies.

Pensions for train operating company staff are still based on final salary, and many still have a retirement age of 60. Even public sector pensions are now based on career average salaries, with a higher retirement age.

Ms Johnson said: Its a very good scheme. Northern contributes 1.5 times on top of what you put in.

If youve got pension pots from previous jobs, after two years of service you can transfer what you have from elsewhere into your Northern one.

What are other notable perks?

Train operating companies offer free travel to all drivers on their own network, and this can be extended to family members. With rail ticket prices on the rise every year, free travel is an undeniable perk of the job.

Its also common for drivers to benefit from 75pc off fares on other networks around the country, as well as discounts on rail travel in Europe.

Will driverless trains hurt job security?

Trains on the Elizabeth Line can reverse on their own, the Docklands Light Railway has been automated since 1987 and services on the Victoria Line are partially automated.

So surely nothing is stopping the entire British network from ditching drivers? Putting that idea into action, however, is not yet on the horizon.

Costs to integrate new systems with old would be astronomical. Even today, less than 40pc of railroads are electrified.

It means there is a long list of challenges to climb from level 1  the lowest Grade of Automation, in which the driver is responsible for almost everything  to the highest, level 4, where automated systems control driving the train, door closure and handling emergencies.

Going fully automated isnt a concern of mine, Ms Johnson said. Were looking at hiring hundreds of train crew this year and next, so theres definitely longevity there.

Whatever happens in the future happens, but from what I see, people can be certain there will be work for them there for years to come.

Mr Evans, however, says we will 100pc have automated trains in the future.

Its a way off, but it will happen  theres no doubt about it, he said.

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Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortionchild sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then okay, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on New Jersey Monitor.
Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortion  child sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then OK, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List, and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which includes mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63 percent of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if elected again he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortionchild sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then okay, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images.

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortionchild sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then okay, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortionchild sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then okay, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Former President Donald Trump on June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected, he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortion  child sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then okay, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortionchild sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then okay, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortionchild sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then okay, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on Utah News Dispatch.
Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortionchild sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then okay, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

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The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
Former President Donald Trump on Monday, June 10, 2024, in a pre-recorded message told The Danbury Institute, a group opposed to abortion, that he hopes to protect innocent life if elected in November. In this photo, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected he plans to work side by side with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the greatest atrocity facing the United States and should be eradicated entirely.

During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institutes inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in Indianapolis, Trump avoided using the word abortion, but said he hopes to protect innocent life if reelected in November.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life, and the heritage and tradition that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump said. But now we are, as you know, a declining nation.

Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive presidential nominee, said that he hopes to work alongside the institute to defend those values.

These are going to be your years because youre going to make a comeback like just about no other group, Trump said. I know whats happening. I know where youre coming from and where youre going. And Ill be with you side by side.

Trump also called on The Danbury Institute and church members to vote for him during the November presidential election, saying that President Joe Biden and Democrats are against religion.

Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a written statement released before Trumps message was played that a second term for him is sure to bring more extreme abortion bans with no exceptions, women punished for seeking the care they need, and doctors criminalized for providing care.

Women can and will stop him by reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chitika wrote.

Abortion position

The Danbury Institute writes on its website that it opposes abortion from the moment of conception, meaning that each pre-born baby would be treated with the same protection under the law as born people.

The intentional, pre-meditated killing of a pre-born child should be addressed with laws already in place concerning homicide, its website states. We also support bolstering the foster care system and encouraging Christian adoption and are working with churches around the country to help them become equipped to care for children in need of loving families.

Another section of the Danbury Institutes website states the organization believes, the greatest atrocity facing our generation today is the practice of abortionchild sacrifice on the altar of self.

Abortion must be ended, the website states. We will not rest until it is eradicated entirely.

The website doesnt mention if the organization supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the womans life, nor does it say if women who receive abortions should be protected from criminal prosecution. The institute did not return a request from States Newsroom seeking to clarify if it supports any or all of those three exceptions.

The institute writes on its website that it does not endorse any candidate for public office nor participate in political campaign activities. Contributions to The Danbury Institute are not used for political campaigning and are conducted in accordance with IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.

Florida minister takes issue with abortion letter

Tom Ascol, president of Founders Ministries in Florida, spoke on a panel discussion about the Sanctity of Life at Mondays event, during which he said abortion is the greatest evil of this nation in our day.

Ascol also appeared frustrated with a public letter released by dozens of anti-abortion organizations in May 2022, arguing that no laws should criminalize women who have abortions. He took particular exception to the acting president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission signing his name to the document.

It grieves me that when there was legislation before the Louisiana legislature that had a real opportunity to be passed, because there were lawmakers that were willing to go forward  that 75 pro-life organizations penned an open letter, including the leader of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Brent Leatherwood, who attached his name to that letter, saying, We do not think that any legislature should criminalize abortion to the degree that those who offer their bodies up to be given over to abortion would be held liable, Ascol said during the conference.

That letter was released the same day in 2022 that state lawmakers in Louisiana were debating House Bill 813, which had been on track to criminalize women who receive abortions in addition to the doctors who provide them. Prosecutors would have been able to charge the women with murder.

Louisiana lawmakers instead opted to rework the language of the original bill to replace it with another anti-abortion measure that didnt include criminal penalties for women who receive abortions.

Ascol said he believed the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission must say publicly if the goal (is) the abolition of abortion. And if it is and theyre sincere, then okay, lets work together.

If we can do that, I think we can have some opportunity for coalition building, Ascol said. If we get more of these open letters by so-called pro-life organizations helping to spike legitimate legislation, then I think were going to continue to see the fragmentation and understandably so.

National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life were among the organizations that signed the May 2022 letter.

Trump and abortion, contraception

Trumps comments to The Danbury Institute on Monday didnt clear up the confusion stemming from his comments to news organizations during the past few months.

Trump said during an interview with TIME Magazine published in April that his campaign would be releasing a policy in the weeks that followed on access to medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation.

Well, I have an opinion on that, but Im not going to explain, Trump said, according to the transcript of the interview. Im not gonna say it yet. But I have pretty strong views on that. And Ill be releasing it probably over the next week.

That policy had not been released as of Monday.

Medication abortion, which include mifepristone and misoprostol, makes up about 63% of pregnancy terminations within the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case about mifepristones use in late March and are expected to publish their ruling before the Fourth of July.

During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station in May, Trump hinted that he might be open to states limiting or banning access to contraception, though he walked back his remarks the same day in a social media post.

Were looking at that and Im going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think its something that youll find interesting, Trump said on KDKA after being asked if he could support any restrictions on a persons right to contraception. Its another issue thats very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think its a smart decision, but well be releasing it very soon.

Trump later posted on social media that he never had and never would ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives.

Trumps campaign had not released a policy on contraception as of Monday.

U.S. Senate vote on IVF set this week

Access to reproductive health care, including contraception and IVF, has become a recurring issue in the U.S. Senate ahead of Novembers elections, with Democrats seeking to put GOP members on the record.

The Senate tried to pass legislation last week that would have provided protections for access to contraception, but the vast majority of the chambers Republicans voted against advancing that bill.

Access to contraception is currently protected by two U.S. Supreme Court cases  Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird  where the justices ruled that Americans privacy rights allow them to make those decisions for themselves.

Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are concerned that the justices could eventually overturn those two cases the same way the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Senate is set to vote this week on legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization, though GOP senators are expected to block that bill as well.

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The post Trump says hell work side by side with group that wants abortion eradicated appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
During a Sunday campaign rally in Las Vegas, Donald Trump boasted a diehard campaign supporter whod attended numerous Trump events would rather die by suicide than vote for Joe Biden.

Wouldnt it be incrediblehes gone to 250if he voted for Biden, Trump told the crowd at Sunset Park, pointing out a supporter in the crowd who he said he had seen at numerous rallies. Hes going to vote for Biden? I dont think so. It would be suicide before Biden right?

Observers were shocked by the former presidents claim.

Elaborate on this, would you? political commentator Keith Olbermann wrote on X.

Tell me its not a cult, added X user Bryan Dawson. Extremism research Noelle Cook said the remarks were omenous.

He gets more dangerous by the day, she wrote on X.

Trump is prone to making outlandish, violent brags about his support.

I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldnt lose any voters, OK? he famously said on the campaign trail in 2016. Its, like, incredible.

Elsewhere during the rally, Trump spurred the crowd into chanting that President Bidens recent immigration executive order was bullsh**.

The Vegas event also saw Trump on the defensive, claiming once again that he didnt slander dead US WWI veterans at a cemetery in France as suckers and losers, even though his former chief of staff has affirmed reporting suggesting he did.

Now, think of it, Trump told the crowd, unless youre a psycho or a crazy person or a very stupid personwho would say that anywaybut who would say it to military people?

Trump reportedly snubbed a planned commemoration for the 100th anniversary of WWI at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, fearing his hair would become disheveled in the rain, The Atlantic reported in 2020.

Why should I go to that cemetery? Its filled with losers, Trump reportedly told staffers, according to the magazine. The then-president also called the more than 1,800 Marines buried there suckers elsewhere during his 2018 trip in France, per The Atlantic.

Joe Biden has sought to remind voters of the alleged remarks, releasing a recent campaign ad cuts footage of dead American servicemembers returning home in coffins with Trumps past remarks denigrating soldiers.
Trump Takes His Hatred Of Sharks To Bizarre New Level In Wild Rally Rant

Two of Donald Trumps signature dislikes met head-on during a rally in Las Vegas on Sunday as the former president railed against both renewable energy and sharks in a wild rant.

Trump, who has frequently attacked electric vehicles, on Sunday complained that electric boats are so heavy they are prone to sinking  but went off on several tangents as he spoke, including one about sharks.

Then, he wondered if it was better to be on a sinking electric boat or in the water with a shark.

Do I get electrocuted if the boat is sinking, water goes over the battery, the boat is sinking, do I stay on top of the boat and get electrocuted, or do I jump over by the shark and not get electrocuted? he asked.

Trump was clear on which he would choose.

Ill take electrocution every single time, he said. Im not getting near the shark.

Trump: It must be because of my relationship with M.I.T., very smart, I say, what would happen if the boat sank, and you have this tremendously powerful battery, and the battery is now underwater. Do I get electrocuted or do I jump over by the shark? pic.twitter.com/zAUkDoOBD3  Acyn (@Acyn) June 9, 2024

Trump went off on a similar tangent last year.

Any risk of electrocution is not exclusive to electric boats. Many gas-powered watercraft have batteries to power appliances on board, leading to injuries and deaths from electric shock drowning  a danger that has existed since well before electric-powered boats.

The Boat Owners Association of The United States says these incidents are often the result of faulty wiring and equipment on boats or docks.

However, Trump has frequently attacked most sources of renewable energy, including electric boats, electric cars and windmills.

Hes also not a fan of sharks.

Porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims to have had an affair with Trump which the former president denies, told In Touch Weekly in 2011 that hes obsessed with sharks.

Terrified of sharks, she said. He was like, I donate to all these charities and I would never donate to any charity that helps sharks. I hope all the sharks die.

Trump has  indirectly  confirmed Daniels claim.

Im not a big fan of sharks, he said in 2020. I have people calling me up, Sir, we have a fund to save the shark, its called Save The Shark. I say, No, thank you, I have other things I can contribute to.

Trumps critics on social media were baffled by the strange rant:

This is like listening to your senile uncle at the dinner table after he has that third drink. https://t.co/lLEnQ8vXWn  Stephen King (@StephenKing) June 9, 2024

If this 90 seconds was during a Biden speech Fox would spend the next month on it declaring his mind is gone. https://t.co/kBCgq1Tgra  Justin Kanew (@Kanew) June 9, 2024

Questions:

1) Who's selling (dumb) people boats that sink due to weight?

2) Gas powered boats also have batteries, why isn't there an epidemic of electrocuted boaters?

3) Wouldn't the shark get electrocuted, too?

4) Timecode :41????

5) The MIT friend is made up, right? https://t.co/XiuQf1P12C  Bob Cesca (@bobcesca_go) June 9, 2024

Really just a raving lunatic at this point. A cash-strapped avatar for dummies. A felonious stupidity magnet. https://t.co/WUNseCsQ93  Rex Huppke (@RexHuppke) June 9, 2024

my kingdom to whoever finds me this strain of edible https://t.co/Hrntc7HV5D  nikki mccann ramirez (@NikkiMcR) June 10, 2024

Its tough for any Trump cognitive decline to stand out because his depth of knowledge on any topic has always been subterranean, but also indistinguishable from 99% of Republican thought leaders.



I dont know if he has dementia.

I do know hes an intellectual titan in the GOP. https://t.co/8Q6zr3Brgi  Joe Rossi (@JoeLATrib) June 9, 2024

Some candidates go to Nevada and make promises they cant keep about Yucca Mountain. Others go to the middle of the desert and warn of shark attacks. https://t.co/7MEtWVpDoc  Sasha Issenberg (@sissenberg) June 10, 2024

President. This man was president. Some of y'all want to make him so again. And I'm just over here trying to figure out what the heck I'm living through. https://t.co/jUDEc2KLiR  Jennifer Erin Valent (@JenniferEValent) June 9, 2024

Captain Queeg would call this too weird https://t.co/QCRWx2EscF  Gregg Easterbrook (@EasterbrookG) June 9, 2024

It's completely fine to say "I prefer Trump's policies over Biden's." We can argue the nuances of that, but it at least makes some sense as an argument. But seriously, we have to stop saying "Biden is losing his cognitive abilities, but Trump isn't." It's just not accurate. https://t.co/cnWVQGe8nQ  ross king (@rosskingmusic) June 9, 2024

If Joe Biden ever said some stupid shit like this, it would be breaking news for weeks, but Trump says it, and we treat it just like any other day. https://t.co/rU7g0Yt1gz  Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) June 9, 2024
Trump tells rally-goers not to die in searing Vegas heat: I dont care about you, I just want your vote

Donald Trump is no stranger to accusations that he has little regard for the well-being of his rallygoers. On Sunday, he added fuel to that fire.

The ex-president was in Las Vegas, Nevada for a summertime rally in the searing heat  high temperatures on the strip were projected to be around 103 degrees Fahrenheit. Trump himself hosted an outdoor rally in the citys Sunset Park, where thousands of fans poured in to see him.

At several points in the rally, he addressed the heat, quipping to supporters that his campaign told attendees: do not come, which he then bragged resulted in only 20,000 showing up.

But it was one moment wherein Trump remarked in jest that he only cared about his fans votes, not his supporters as people.

I don't want anybody going on me. We need every voter, he said. I don't care about you. I just want your vote.

As his supporters laughed, Trump then went on to say that reporters attending the rally would take his words out of context and tell viewers that the ex-president had said a horrible thing onstage.

Despite his humor, the ex-president couldnt resist complaining about the heat as his rally went on.

It's 110, but it doesn't feel it to me, Trump said. I'm up here sweating like a dog. They dont think about me. This is hard work.

It likely did not hit 110 degrees during Trumps rally on Sunday, though similar temperatures were reached in the city only a few days ago. The ex-president did spend the entire speech, however, in his trademark heavy coat and tie, perhaps contributing to the short runtime of his remarks  under an hour. After the rally concluded, local media reports found that nearly two dozen rallygoers had been treated onsite for medical issues resulting from the heat, while six ended up going to the hospital.

Climate Power, a stratcom firm which boosts Democrats messaging on climate and environmental issues, attacked the ex-president in a statement after the rally.

Donald Trump is openly telling people that hes only out for himself. Hes making promises to Big Oil executives who are fueling the climate crisis while people are passing out at his rallies from very real, very dangerous heatwaves that he says are caused by a hoax, argued comms director Alex Glass.

Trump spent much of the speech insulting Americas immigrant population and describing incoming immigrants and asylum-seekers as criminals, mentally unstable, and not productive members of society. The presumptive Republican nominee rejected his opponents attempts to address border security via executive order as bulls*** and claimed without explanation that it would actually increase illegal immigration.

Donald Trump greets voters upon arriving at his rally in Las Vegas on 9 June 2024 (Getty Images)

His campaign rally went decidedly better than his recent appearance at the Libertarian Partys national convention in Washington DC. His most recent visit to the nations capital, in late May, the speech was something of a shock for the former president who was loudly booed by delegates throughout the event.

Polling shows Trump leading President Joe Biden in Nevada, where the incumbent president won victory four years ago.
Hours before Donald Trump was expected to make a virtual address to a Christian advocacy organization that wants to ban all abortions and calls the procedure child sacrifice, the former presidents campaign said Monday that he would only give a pre-recorded welcome message lasting less than two minutes  in which he does not say the word abortion at all.

Trump was scheduled to make a virtual address Monday at an event hosted by the Danbury Institute, an organization that also seeks to ban same-sex marriage and use the Bible to guide public policy, according to its website. The organizers, who promoted Trump as a speaker, noted on X the event sold out.

But in his remarks, obtained first by POLITICO, Trump doesnt make mention of abortion.

We have to defend religious liberty, free speech, innocent life and the heritage and traditions that built America into the greatest nation in the history of the world, Trump is expected to say, according to a script of his remarks provided by his campaign. I know that each of you is protecting those values every day  and I hope well be defending them side by side for the next four years.

A senior Trump campaign official told POLITICO Monday the video was pre-recorded and a brief welcome message for the attendees of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. The campaign official was granted anonymity to freely discuss the matter.

President Joe Bidens campaign had sharply criticized Trumps decision to appear at the event, saying Trump loves campaigning with abortion ban extremists. And the Indiana Democratic Party joined in Monday morning, accusing Trump of doing the bidding of the most extreme anti-choice groups in the country.

A Trump campaign spokesperson previously defended Trumps appearance, saying he is committed to addressing groups with diverse opinions on all of the issues.

H. Sharayah Colter, chief communications officer for the Danbury Institute  an advocacy group established earlier this year by a coalition of churches, Christians and other organizations  did not immediately respond to an inquiry about whether Trumps remarks matched with their billing.
Tuloso-Midway Middle School student Isabella Schmit has been elected to the National Student Council.

Schmit, who just completed seventh grade, is the council's junior vice president of membership.

The National Student Council is a new initiative from the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

"It's a combination of high school and middle school students, and we're all going to work together to be one huge student council from all over the U.S.," Schmit said.

Tuloso-Midway Middle School student Isabella Schmit was elected to the National Student Council.

Ten students were elected from schools around the country to earn a seat on the council, which aims to amplify the voice of students and advocate for them at the federal level.

"Too often, the voices of those most impacted by education policies  the students themselves  are overlooked in the decision-making process," NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe said in a news release. "By collaborating directly with these student representatives, and with our network of principals and educators across NASSP, we can ensure that student insights drive meaningful reforms that truly address their needs and priorities."

One challenge students face today is mental health, which can impact grades and attendance, Schmit said. Schmit said that to help improve attendance in her school, students suggested Friday snack incentives for students who came to school all week.

"That tremendously helped us this year," Schmit said.

Schmit was in third grade when the pandemic began. She switched to online school, only returning to in-person classes in sixth grade in Tuloso-Midway ISD.

"I know a lot of kids did (online school) due to COVID and that definitely made some kids suffer from mental health due to not being able to socialize as much," Schmit said. "And a lot of teachers also suffered from that. One thing that I really want to do as part of the NSC is help with communication between students and teachers."

She joined her school's student council in sixth grade hoping to meet new people.

"I ended up actually really liking student council," Schmit said. "I found student council really fun and figured I could be a great leader for it."

Next year, she hopes her school student council will do more community service and teacher appreciation.

In a campaign video for National Student Council, Schmit said she wants to get more kids involved in student council, improve campus culture, help students feel happy and safe in school and help kids be more kind.

"Surprisingly, a lot of high schools are involved with (the National Association of Student Councils) and have their own student councils, but a lot of middle schools don't," Schmit said.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Meet the Tuloso-Midway ISD student elected to National Student Council
ISTANBUL  Turkey will build three vessels for the Royal Malaysian Navy under the latters Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 Project as part of a deal signed by the two nations.

This marks the first time Malaysia has signed a government-to-government agreement to procure defense equipment.

The countries inked the deal at a ceremony Monday, during which Turkish defense industry chief Haluk Gorgun and Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said STM will build the littoral missions ships in Turkey.

During the customization of the ships, products from a number of Turkish defense industry firms, including Havelsan, Aselsan and Roketsan, will be used. I wholeheartedly believe that the LMS Batch 2 Project is just the beginning of long-term collaborations on naval platforms between the two countries, Gorgun said.

STMs general manager, Ozgur Guleryuz, said that following work on naval platforms for the Pakistan Navy, the firm is now focused on continuing the construction of two corvettes for Ukraine.

Guleryuz added that construction for Malaysias ships will begin in 2024, with the planned delivery to take place in three and a half years.

Both STM and the Turkish government agency Presidency of Defence Industries declined to provide a contract value.

As part of the project, STM will construct and equip the ships in Turkey with significant participation from other local defense companies, including outfitting them with the 30mm Muhafiz remote controlled stabilized gun system; the Cenk 3D search radar; the Ares electronic support system; the Akrep fire control radar; a chaff decoy system; an identification friend or foe system; and other electronic sensors.

Additionally, the ships will be equipped with the Atmaca anti-ship missile developed by Roketsan, and the combat management system and 76mm gun fire control system developed by Havelsan. There was no information about air defense missiles.

The specifications of the ships are:

Length: 99.56 meters

Width: 14.42 meters

Draft: 3.94 meters

Displacement: about 2,500 tons

Maximum speed: about 26 knots

Cruising speed: 14 knots

Range: 4000-plus nautical miles at 14 knots

Personnel capacity: 111

Endurance: 14 days
Two Ohio teen girls fought in March 2023. One died. The other is now on trial for manslaughter

Was a fight between two teenage girls that turned deadly deliberate or an act of self-defense?

That is the question a Franklin County jury will have to decide as Bryanna Barozzini, now 20, goes on trial this week.

Barozzini is charged with two counts of murder and one count of voluntary manslaughter in the March 26, 2023, fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Halia Culbertson.

A Franklin County jury is expected to decide this week if Bryanna Barozzini fatally stabbed 17-year-old Halia Culbertson on March 26, 2023, in self-defense. Barozzini was 18 at the time of the stabbing.

Barozzini was 18 at the time of the stabbing and has been free since posting a $750,000 bond shortly after her March 2023 arrest.

Jury selection in the case is scheduled to begin Monday morning.

How did Halia Culbertson die?

Around 11:45 p.m. on March 26, 2023, Columbus police received a call about a person being stabbed outside a convenience store on the 5600 block of Emporium Square in the Northland area.

Officers found Culbertson with a single stab wound. She died a short time later at a nearby hospital.

Witnesses told detectives that an argument inside the store escalated into a fight in the parking lot. Witnesses also identified Barozzini as the person who stabbed Culbertson. Barozzini was not at the scene when police arrived.

Barozzini told detectives in a later interview that she had a knife and had swung it during the fight.

What is Bryanna Barozzini charged with?

Barozzini is facing three charges:

One count of murder, accusing Barozzini of purposefully killing Culbertson

One count of murder, accusing Barozzini of killing Culbertson while committing a felonious assault

One count of voluntary manslaughter, accusing Barozzini of killing Culbertson "while under the influence of a sudden passion or in a sudden fit of rage"

If convicted on all charges, Barozzini faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 15 years.

What does Byanna Barozzini say happened?

Barozzini intends to argue at her trial that she stabbed Culbertson in self-defense.

If a defendant says an assault or homicide was in self-defense, Ohio's law requires prosecutors to prove the action was not in self-defense. Before the law changed in 2019, defendants were responsible for proving to a jury that it was self-defense.

According to a motion filed by Barozzini's attorney on May 29, prosecutors are looking to present evidence of text messages Barozzini sent to another person. Barozzini's attorney is asking Judge Mark Serrott to prevent the messages from being introduced because they were sent a week before the stabbing occurred.

The text messages include statements like "I'd sooner slice (Culbertson's) throat if she comes near me again" and "I will cut that (expletive) on my whole family if she tries showing up to my family's home again."

How the two girls knew each other, and the nature of their past interactions has not been made public.

bbruner@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Woman who fatally stabbed Ohio teen in fight arguing self-defense
Two people - an 88-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman - found dead in their metro-east home

6/11/24 Editors note: This article has been updated with the correct spelling of the road where this incident occurred.

Two people were found dead Saturday in their Granite City area home in what investigators believe is an apparent murder-suicide, authorities announced Sunday.

The identities of the deceased were not released.

Madison County sheriffs deputies responded to a 9-1-1 call Saturday about 3 p.m. at a home in the 1000 block of Bruns Road, according to a news release from Detective Capt. Brian Koberna of the Sheriffs Office. An 88-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman, both residents of the home, were found dead, the release states.

The release did not give details about how the two people died, but states it appeared to be a murder-suicide and there is no threat to the community.
It seems every investor today is talking about Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA). Over the last five years, shares have risen in value by 3,400%. Over the past 12 months alone, the stock tripled in price.

This sudden rise has everything to do with artificial intelligence (AI). Nvidia's chips are widely accepted as the best on the market for this technology. There's a good chance the AI future will be powered by the company's products.

But it isn't the only AI company attracting huge interest. Billionaire investors are pouring huge sums of cash into other AI businesses. The two companies below look especially promising.

Even Nvidia's CEO loves this emerging AI stock

Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, has most of his $100 billion fortune tied up in the company's stock. But he has put money to work in several other AI businesses. That's because Nvidia itself has put money into smaller AI start-ups at his direction.

One of those companies is SoundHound AI (NASDAQ: SOUN), a $1.6 billion business with huge potential.

Investors learned about Nvidia's investment in SoundHound from a 13F disclosure that Nvidia filed earlier this year. It was a relatively small investment -- only a few million dollars -- but that didn't stop shares from tripling in value from the news.

SoundHound's stock price has pulled back a bit since, and there's a lot to love about the investment thesis from here. That's especially true given that another billionaire, the value investor Seth Klarman, recently revealed he owns 1.1 million shares in SoundHound.

The company is focused on the auditory side of AI. As Fool contributor Joe Tenebruso explains it: "Conversational AI is cutting-edge technology that enables machines to understand and respond when humans speak. SoundHound offers some of the best voice AI available at a time when businesses are racing to adopt this innovative tech."

This is a competitive space, with Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG)(NASDAQ: GOOGL) and Amazon developing their own voice AI systems. But SoundHound doesn't tie customers to these closed ecosystems, something customers like Hyundai, Oracle, and White Castle apparently appreciate.

Trading at 23 times sales, SoundHound isn't cheap from a conventional standpoint. But with analysts anticipating a 53% jump in sales this year, that premium valuation could prove a bargain years down the road.

And the next AI stock being targeted by billionaire investors arguably has drawn even more interest.

SOUN Total Return Level Chart

Will Alphabet become an AI powerhouse?

A recent Motley Fool analysis of 16 prominent billionaire investors found that Alphabet, the parent of Google, was one of the most popular picks, regardless of industry.

Story continues

The long-term viability of Google's search business -- the primary contributor to revenue and profits -- could be threatened given AI's potential. Why google something and manually search for the answer when AI can get you the answer directly in far less time?

Right now, there are limitations to AI's ability to replicate Google's effectiveness at sorting through the vast amount of information stored on the web. It could take many years for AI to supplant the usefulness of Google's platform.

In the meantime, the company can invest huge sums of money (more than nearly any of its competitors) in not only augmenting its current offerings with AI, but also building new tools that could ultimately become its main source of profit in the decades to come.

One of Google's biggest advantages is its access to proprietary data accumulated from its search engine and from other Alphabet properties like YouTube and Google Maps. AI models need to be trained on data to function, and there's currently a battle over how platforms like OpenAI trained their systems. The New York Times Company, for example, is suing OpenAI for effectively stealing its copyrighted material.

Whether Google is able to transition to an AI-powered future remains to be seen. But that hasn't stopped billionaire investors from piling into the company.

Should you invest $1,000 in Alphabet right now?

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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. Ryan Vanzo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, Oracle, and The New York Times Co. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: short July 2024 $45 calls on The New York Times Co. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Billionaires Are Buying These 2 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Hand Over Fist was originally published by The Motley Fool
Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump motions to the crowd after speaking at a campaign rally Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Former President Donald Trump will meet with Senate Republicans Thursday, speaking to the group just two weeks after he was convicted on 34 charges in his hush money trial and as GOP senators have increasingly rallied around him.

The invitation was issued by Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the chairman of the GOP conference, and Trump has accepted, according to two people familiar with the planning who requested anonymity to discuss the closed-door meeting. The meeting will be held in a location away from the Capitol, as is common practice for campaign-related events.

The gathering will be the first time that Trump has met with the GOP conference since he was president, and the first time since the attack by his supporters on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The meeting was first reported by NBC News.

Many senators who had criticized Trump after the attack have now endorsed his run for the presidency, including Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and other members of Senate leadership.

The GOP Senate conference was also uniformly supportive of Trump after the May 31 hush money verdict, with many of them joining Trumps criticism of the judge and jury. The verdict made Trump the first former American president found guilty of felony crimes when a New York jury convicted him on all charges in a scheme to influence the 2016 election with a hush money payment to a porn actor.

Instead of distancing themselves from Trump, Republicans have rallied around him in hopes that voters will believe that the jury verdict in the New York court was a form of political retribution. Some senators attended the trial to show their support for Trump.

Trump is expected to appeal last months conviction on all 34 charges.
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 Source New Mexico.
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 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 last 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 Wisconsin Examiner.
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 Michigan Advance.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH, leading a panel discussion on public workers' Social Security benefits. (Photo by Nick Evans for Ohio Capital Journal.)

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH, has spent several years trying to repeal two federal provisions that reduce retirement income for many public servants. Friday, he held a Congressional subcommittee field hearing in Columbus to discuss the issue.

The audience of mostly union members hoisted signs and supplied a steady chorus of yeahs, mm-hmms and thats rights. Packed to the gills matching t-shirts or buttons, the Columbus Firefighters union hall felt a bit closer to a rally than a congressional hearing.

In many cases, public sector workers  think police, firefighters, teachers and school support staff  dont pay in to the Social Security system. The idea is their union-negotiated pension programs take the place of the federal retirement program. But in practice, many of those employees work in the private sector as well.

Maybe they worked somewhere else before becoming a teacher. Or they started a new gig after retiring from the police force. Or they picked up a second job to make ends meet because their fire department followed a 24-hours on, 48-hours off schedule.

Those workers often get a shock when they reach the Social Security retirement age. Because they have a public sector pension, federal law reduces the social security benefits they can collect. The so-called Windfall Elimination Provision trims an individuals social security check and the Government Pension Offset affects what a spouse may collect.

Browns Senate colleague, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-OH, is a co-sponsor of the repeal effort known as the Social Security Fairness Act, and at Fridays hearing, Brown announced the bill has the support of 59 Senators  one shy of the number needed to bring it to a vote.

Ohio impacts

According to Browns office, nearly 3 million beneficiaries have seen their social security checks reduced because of the law. More than 270,000 of them come from Ohio.

The people it effects are not powerful special interests, Brown said. Theyre local cops theyre local sheriffs deputies, theyre firefighters, theyre teachers, theyre bus drivers, they pick up our trash, they plow our roads.

Punishing public service, he added, by cutting Social Security they earned in other jobs is not a good way to recruit and retain workers  makes no sense.

He kicked off the hearing with a public safety panel, with representatives from police, sheriffs and firefighters.

Lieutenant Brian Steel from the Fraternal Order of Police described a retired Columbus Police Officer named Andrea Barrett. When she began her service in 1975, Barrett was among the departments first ten female officers. She retired in 2001, and visited the social security office when she was approaching 67.

I supplied them with my work experience before, during and after my time with the division only to be advised that my pension was too high and would be penalized, Steel related from Barretts letter. Instead of almost $800 a month in prepaid contributions, I receive $190 monthly from the Social Security Administration.

She described it as a slap in the face, Steel said.

This is outrageously unfair, Steel told Sen. Brown. Public employees did not create the current challenges facing Social Security, yet Congress forces us to give up our earned benefits and punish(es) those of us who serve the public. We are not asking for any special treatment only for what weve rightfully earned.

George Sakellakis from the Ohio Patrolmens Benevolent Association said there are tens of thousands of similar anecdotes, and that social security benefit reductions of 50% or more are common.

He added, It is not at all uncommon for a retiree who loses their spouse to find that the GPO will leave them with a survivors benefit cut of nothing  or to add insult to injury  a dollar or two per month.

Carl Jordan from the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters said I was always taught by my parents, that if I worked hard, kept my nose clean, good thing would happen for me. I can see now that that was not always the case, as the benefits I should have received from Social Security have been reduced by approximately 25%

Because of that reduction, Jordan said, hell have to come up with other money to cover his mortgage for two and half years more that he would have otherwise.

The fundamental issue is if you pay into Social Security, youve earned the benefits, Brown said after the panel discussion. And whether youre a public employee, or you work for a private company, youve earned those social security benefits. They shouldnt be cut. You should get them.

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The post U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown holds field hearing on protecting public workers Social Security benefits appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
By Nora Eckert

(Reuters) -The United Auto Workers union said on Monday it reached a tentative contract agreement with Ultium Cells in Lordstown, Ohio, where workers build electric vehicle batteries for General Motors.

Ultium Cells is a joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution. Hourly workers at the Ohio plant near Cleveland, which GM previously shuttered, voted in favor of joining the union in December 2022.

UAW President Shawn Fain said the deal would raise the starting wage to $26.91 an hour, which had been $16.50 last year and was raised to $20 by the company in August.

Workers will see wages rise to $35 an hour after one year on the job by the end of the deal, the union said. The deal includes a 30% wage increase over three years for many workers, and a $3,000 ratification bonus.

As automakers pivot to producing electric vehicles (EVs), their battery plants have become a battleground for the union. UAW officials have voiced concerns about members' job security as the industry begins rolling out more battery-powered models, and Fain has made organizing these plants a priority.

After a six-week strike last fall, the automotive union forged new labor deals with the Detroit automakers: GM, Ford Motor and Jeep-maker Stellantis.

The deals with the Detroit Three included a 25% wage increase over the four-and-a-half year contract as well as the return of cost-of-living adjustments.

Crafting the agreement with GM brought Ultium workers under the union's master agreement, its officials have said.

The 1,600 UAW members at the plant must still approve the contract.

The UAW has recently encountered significant hurdles in its organizing efforts outside of Detroit. After a historic win at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee, the automotive union was defeated at a Mercedes plant in Alabama during a May vote.

(Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Bill Berkrot)
The University of California, Davis chancellor has issued an apology to a Shasta-Trinity National Forest official after students from the school left what officials said was a mess at Lake Shasta after a weekend of partying on the water.

Officials estimated 3,000 students from UC Davis and the University of Oregon converged on the lake Memorial Day weekend. But they left behind a mess that officials said could not be cleaned up until the lake level drops later this summer.

Davis officials initially issued a two-sentence response to the issue, saying the students are expected to comply with all laws, and that the houseboating trip to the lake was not sponsored or sanctioned by the university.

But last week, university Chancellor Gary May sent a letter to Doug Winn, Shasta-Trinity's manager at Lake Shasta, apologizing for the students' actions.

"I am disappointed by the significant amount of trash left behind, and the disregard these students showed. We are dedicated to taking steps to prevent this from happening again and finding ways of making positive impacts at this site," May wrote to Winn.

Winn said last month that he called University of Oregon administration and an official there promptly called him back and expressed disappointment at the students' behavior.

Students from the two schools rented about 130 houseboats and camped on Slaughterhouse Island, which is on the Sacramento Arm of the lake.

National forest officials spent six hours picking up trash after students left and hauled out numerous garbage bags after students University of Oregon and UC Davis left, Winn said at the time.

He said much more trash  wrappers, bottles, cans, paper plates and other debris  sank underwater and is still out in the lake and can't be cleaned up until the water level drops.

About 3,000 students from the University of California, Davis and the University of Oregon partied at Lake Shasta on Memorial Day weekend. U.S. Forest Service officials said they left behind numerous garbage bags full of trash.

Winn, on Monday, referred questions about May's apology to another forest service official, who said she needed to get permission from the national forest's public information officer before speaking to the newspaper.

May said in the letter the university is exploring ways to support the forest service, hold students accountable and coordinate service projects at Lake Shasta. He also said that he hopes to work with the University of Oregon's president on addressing the issues created when students visit the lake.

"We are committed to being good neighbors and good stewards of the planet, and I regret that some students failed to live up to our values. Our students are expected to comply with all laws, and failure to do so may result in discipline under the university policy on student conduct," May said.

"Once again, I deeply regret this incident and its effects on Shasta Lake. UC Davis can, and will, do better," he said.

On Mother's Day weekend, prior to the UC Davis and University of Oregon visit, an estimated 1,600 Oregon State University students visited Lake Shasta. But the forest service reported that about 40 students from Oregon State stayed behind an extra day to clean up the island.

Beyond the trash issue, Mercy Medical Center of Redding and Dignity Health even had a boat on the water during Memorial Day weekend. The boat was staffed with medical professionals to treat students who got injured or drank too much, according to the Shasta County Sheriff's Office.

"Medical staff treated a total of 35 students, mainly for minor injuries and assisted in transporting four students to local hospitals for treatment of more serious conditions (injury, drug overdose, alcohol-related issues)," according to a news release from sheriff's office spokesman Tim Mapes.

Reporter Damon Arthur welcomes story tips at 530-338-8834, by email at damon.arthur@redding.com and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @damonarthur_RS. Help local journalism thrive by subscribing today!

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: UC Davis official apologizes after students left a mess at Lake Shasta
Students from all Kentucky Community and Technical College System schools will now be able to transfer to the University of Kentucky for a four-year degree, according to an agreement signed Monday by both schools.

The transfer agreement is designed to allow students attending any of the 16 KCTCS schools to transfer easily into UK for a four-year degree, and offer support to students like waived application fees and advisors who work specifically with the schools. New transfer pathways will be established to ensure the maximum amount of course credits transfer between schools.

Its also designed to address workforce shortages around the state, while also expanding access to higher education in Kentucky, said UK President Eli Capilouto.

Its a critical step forward in building a more qualified workforce that can meet the Commonwealths needs, Capilouto said. By providing clear pathways, from associate degrees at KCTCS to baccalaureate degrees at UK, we are equipping more students with advanced skills and knowledge essential for todays competitive job market.

Ryan Quarles, president of KCTCS, said the agreement signed Monday was historic for opening up access to higher education in Kentucky.

Today we are going to sign paperwork that just sends another clear message, that your dream is never too far away, whether you start with us or start with UK, Quarles said.

From KCTCS to UK

KCTCS has 70 locations around Kentucky, where students can earn certificates, diplomas and associate degrees. The transfer agreement means students will have the option to continue their education with a four-year degree from UK.

Between 1,200 and 1,300 BCTC students transfer to UK each year, said Greg Feeny, president of Bluegrass Community and Technical College, with more coming from other community and technical colleges around the state. The new pathways will make transferring easier for those students, he said.

A lot of students start their college career at our 16 community and technical colleges, knowing they want to pursue that four-year degree, and in this case, at the University of Kentucky, Quarles said. Were reducing barriers so that we make sure we remove all roadblocks towards student success.

More information about transferring between a KCTCS college and UK is available on both schools websites, or by emailing UKTransfer@uky.edu. The deadline for transfer students to apply for UKs upcoming fall semester is July 1.

For 27 years, KCTCS and UK have shared a common goal, Capilouto said. Weve been partners in many ways, seen and unseen. But todays agreement solidifies that which we have always known and treasured: that we can do more and be more for Kentucky when we do these things together.
We can readily understand why investors are attracted to unprofitable companies. For example, although Amazon.com made losses for many years after listing, if you had bought and held the shares since 1999, you would have made a fortune. But while history lauds those rare successes, those that fail are often forgotten; who remembers Pets.com?

Given this risk, we thought we'd take a look at whether BrainChip Holdings (ASX:BRN) shareholders should be worried about its cash burn. For the purposes of this article, cash burn is the annual rate at which an unprofitable company spends cash to fund its growth; its negative free cash flow. First, we'll determine its cash runway by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves.

Check out our latest analysis for BrainChip Holdings

Does BrainChip Holdings Have A Long Cash Runway?

A company's cash runway is calculated by dividing its cash hoard by its cash burn. When BrainChip Holdings last reported its December 2023 balance sheet in February 2024, it had zero debt and cash worth US$14m. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through US$18m. So it had a cash runway of approximately 10 months from December 2023. That's quite a short cash runway, indicating the company must either reduce its annual cash burn or replenish its cash. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below.

How Is BrainChip Holdings' Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

Whilst it's great to see that BrainChip Holdings has already begun generating revenue from operations, last year it only produced US$232k, so we don't think it is generating significant revenue, at this point. Therefore, for the purposes of this analysis we'll focus on how the cash burn is tracking. With the cash burn rate up 28% in the last year, it seems that the company is ratcheting up investment in the business over time. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but investors should be mindful of the fact that will shorten the cash runway. BrainChip Holdings makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. We prefer most of the stocks on this list of stocks that analysts expect to grow.

How Hard Would It Be For BrainChip Holdings To Raise More Cash For Growth?

Since its cash burn is moving in the wrong direction, BrainChip Holdings shareholders may wish to think ahead to when the company may need to raise more cash. Companies can raise capital through either debt or equity. Many companies end up issuing new shares to fund future growth. By comparing a company's annual cash burn to its total market capitalisation, we can estimate roughly how many shares it would have to issue in order to run the company for another year (at the same burn rate).

BrainChip Holdings' cash burn of US$18m is about 6.4% of its US$275m market capitalisation. That's a low proportion, so we figure the company would be able to raise more cash to fund growth, with a little dilution, or even to simply borrow some money.

So, Should We Worry About BrainChip Holdings' Cash Burn?

On this analysis of BrainChip Holdings' cash burn, we think its cash burn relative to its market cap was reassuring, while its cash runway has us a bit worried. Even though we don't think it has a problem with its cash burn, the analysis we've done in this article does suggest that shareholders should give some careful thought to the potential cost of raising more money in the future. Separately, we looked at different risks affecting the company and spotted 4 warning signs for BrainChip Holdings (of which 3 shouldn't be ignored!) you should know about.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies with significant insider holdings, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
(Bloomberg) -- The UKs undecided voters are turning away from Rishi Sunaks Conservatives, according to polling analysis that if replicated in the July 4 general election would extinguish the prime ministers already slim chances of clinging on to power.

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Undecideds are likely to break relatively evenly between the Tories, Keir Starmers opposition Labour Party and the right-wing Reform UK, led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, the modeling by the pollster JL Partners showed on Monday. Thats despite the demographic make-up of undecided voters suggesting more should break toward the Conservatives.

The average undecided voter ought to be voting Conservative: Their age and previous voting habits would strongly suggest this, said Callum Hunter, data scientist at JL Partners. However, our model predicts that nearly half of these undecided voters that voted Conservative in 2019 will defect to either Labour or Reform in this election.

The analysis is yet another blow to the Conservatives, coming after a series of disastrous setbacks for the party thats governed the UK for the past 14 years. Tory strategists, led by their campaign chief Isaac Levido, have consistently said over the last year that their main route to staying in office was seeing their vote boosted by undecideds overwhelmingly choosing them in the final weeks before polling day.

Last week, the Tories suffered a triple blow as Farage decided to stand in the election, seat-by-seat projections put the party on track to its worst defeat in more than a century, and Sunaks failure to stay in Normandy for the full itinerary of D-Day commemorations backfired spectacularly. After 19 days of the campaign so far, Bloombergs composite poll  a rolling 14-day average using data from 11 polling companies  puts the Tories 21.8 points behind Labour.

JL Partners said that some 8% of the electorate  around 3.8 million voters  has yet to decide how to vote. Of those, 30% will likely vote for the Tories, while 29% will vote Labour and 28% will back Reform. The figures also account for voters likelihood to turn out. Nearly half of people who previously voted Conservative but now say they are undecided are likely to defect to either Reform or Labour, according to the modeling.

Tory aides have previously claimed that undecided voters did not feel strongly in favor of Starmer or Labour, and therefore their votes could head to Sunak in droves, in what would be a game-changer that hasnt been picked up by typical voting intention polls.

Yet the final result could be even worse for the Tories as the current numbers do not yet reflect a recent surge in support for Farages Reform since he announced his return as the partys leader last week, nor Sunaks own goal over the D-Day commemorations on Thursday.

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The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces has confirmed it struck the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia's Rostov Oblast on June 5, claiming the attack destroyed 1.5 million tons of oil and oil products worth $540 million.

In a post on Telegram on June 10, the military said the attack had been carried out by "Ukrainian-made means," but did not elaborate.

At the time of the strike, Rostov Oblast Governor Vasily Golubev claimed the fire was caused by a drone attack.

In recent months, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry, which is crucial to sustaining Moscow's war efforts.

"Attacks on Russian oil refineries significantly complicate the execution of tasks by the enemy's troops in the course of armed aggression against our country," the General Staff said.

Ukrainian troops had targeted the facility earlier in the spring. Military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov said on March 13 that the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery partially shut down as a result of a drone strike.

Rostov Oblast borders Ukraine to the southeast. Reports of drone attacks against the region's oil industry have increased in spring 2024.

The CEO of Russia's state-controlled oil company, Rosneft, asked the Kremlin in May to approve tax breaks to offset the cost of preventing drone attacks on the company's oil refineries.

Read also: Russian ship Admiral Levchenko on fire in Barents Sea, Ukrainian official claims

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine is developing its own glide bombs  the ones it got from the US often don't work

Ukraine is developing its own glide bombs  the ones it got from the US often don't work

Ukraine is now making glide bombs of its own.

Russia has used the bombs, which can be fired out of reach of air defenses, to devastating effect.

The US has given Ukraine some, but they have reportedly struggled with Russian jamming.

Ukraine is making its own glide bombs, trying to match the Russian weapon that is causing so much damage.

The hope is that they will be more effective than the ones it has so far received from the West.

Brigadier General Serhii Holubtsov, chief of aircraft of the Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said Ukraine will start testing the domestically made bombs in the next few weeks.

"We are now working on converting and producing our own corrected bombs based on conventional freefall bombs," he said in a radio interview, according to a translation by Ukrainian Pravda.

The bombs, otherwise known as glide bombs, have guidance systems that allow them to be launched at a distance.

They have emerged as a major weapon in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russian aircraft are able to release the bombs at a safe distance, making it very hard for Ukraine to stop them.

Russia has escalated their use over the past few months, giving it a notable military advantage.

Russia has been using them to pound the Kharkiv region, where it launched a major offensive last month.

Many experts consider the bombs to have been crucial in Russia taking the city of Avdiivka in February, in what was its first major victory in months.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last month that Russia was using more than 3,000 of the bombs each month against Ukraine.

The West has given Ukraine some glide bombs to use against Russia, but Reuters reported last month that ones supplied by the US have struggled against Russian jamming.

This means that many have missed their targets, three sources told Reuters.

Holubtsov said there are many complex decisions to be made regarding Ukraine's homemade bombs, including "picking the appropriate wing, GPS module, and control module."

"In a few weeks, we should begin testing the first batches of these bombs, which are Ukrainian-made," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukraine's Defense Ministry will directly conclude contracts with global arms manufacturers, giving it access to new models of weapons, the ministry announced on June 10.

The news came as Kyiv aims to localize weapons production in 2024. Such deals could reportedly provide Ukraine with new arms that meet international standards.

"This is a new stage of cooperation that will allow us to receive modern arms directly from producers, which will certainly contribute to faster and more efficient modernization of Ukraine's Armed Forces," Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov said during the Balkan-Ukrainian Defense Industries Forum in Bulgaria on June 7.

Ukraine aims to establish joint defense production with a number of countries, including the U.S.

European arms company KNDS, producer of Leopard tanks and Caesar self-propelled howitzers, announced on June 7 the establishment of a branch in Ukraine.

Representatives of Ukrainian and French companies also signed an agreement in Paris to set up an ammunition production facility under a KNDS license.

German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall said it plans to open at least four production plants in Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine uses over 110 types of vehicles on the battlefield

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DNIPRO  Most soldiers are unconscious by the time they arrive at Mechnikov Hospital, the main gateway for the wounded fighting in Donbas.

Located in Dnipro, a city of 1 million people 185 kilometers west of the front line, the massive Soviet-era medical facility works around the clock to save as many lives as possible.

The hospital  known for treating the most complicated injuries  is home to some of the countrys most experienced doctors and nurses. Many have worked since the start of the war in 2014.

For the first eight years of war, from 2014 to 2022, the Mechnikov Hospital took in over 3,000 wounded, with just one to five soldiers arriving each day, Sergii Ryzhenko, the hospitals director, said. Following the start of the full-scale invasion, demand is pushing Mechnikovs doctors to their limits.

About 29,000 wounded soldiers have been brought to the hospital since the beginning of the full-scale war, said Dr. Ryzhenko, who still performs some surgeries himself. Around 50 wounded soldiers are brought to the hospital every day, according to doctors.

Many arrive in ventilation masks, unable to breathe on their own. Some 82% of soldiers are unconscious when they arrive.

Only those lucky enough to be pulled out of the fierce fighting on time get to the hospital alive. It takes hours, sometimes days, for the wounded to be transported from the battlefield.

Sergii Ryzhenko, the hospitals director and veteran doctor in Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro, Ukraine, on May 10, 2024. (Asami Terajima/The Kyiv Independent)

There is a growing fear that the hospital could run out of surgeons  especially neurosurgeons  needed to keep up with the intense pace.

Every day, when we form work teams, we are already afraid that we will not have enough people to save the wounded, said the 60-year-old veteran doctor.

The days are long. Doctors work 15 to 18 hours a day, and getting about five hours of sleep is a luxury, Ryzhenko said.

Not everyone can cope with the physical and psychological demands of the job, he added. Staffing the hospital is a challenge.

More than two years into the full-scale war, Ukraines doctors saving the wounded are fighting exhaustion and burnout  just like soldiers  ahead of what is expected to be a difficult summer.

As the battlefield situation worsens amid a prolonged lack of crucial resources  from manpower to ammunition and equipment  Mechnikov Hospital needs more surgeons. There are over 200 surgeons and anesthesiologists working at the hospital, but it ideally needs about 40 more, according to Ryzhenko.

Doctors perform surgery on the patient in Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro, Ukraine, on May 10, 2024. (Asami Terajima/The Kyiv Independent)

Some injuries are fatal, and there is nothing the doctors can do. The most difficult and lethal are brain and skull injuries, Ryzhenko said.

The 200-year-old regional hospital has thus far kept about 95 percent of the wounded brought in alive, according to its own figures.

For a war, its a very large number, said Ryzhenko, who has been the hospitals chief for over a decade.

Read also: Intense fighting, lack of resources leave wounded soldiers on their own

Doctors needed

From soldiers missing limbs to brain damage caused by shrapnel, the doctors at Mechnikov Hospital have seen it all.

When you look at it for 10 years, you understand that its just your work, Ryzhenko said, explaining how it was much more difficult to adjust in 2014 when Russia invaded Donbas for the first time.

The doctor stressed that not getting enough fresh air is harder. On the busiest days, doctors don't go outside for days. Ryzhenko said he tries to go outside for a moment to breathe when his exhaustion overflows.

We are already used to this difficult work, he explained.

The extreme work schedule is a must to save as many wounded as possible, the doctors say.

Dr. David Staryk, a 28-year-old neurosurgeon, poses for a photo at Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro, Ukraine, on May 11, 2024. (Asami Terajima/The Kyiv Independent)

Dr. David Staryk, a 28-year-old neurosurgeon, says doctors in his field of expertise are the most difficult to find because there arent many across the country. He said there are about 10-15 jobs at Mechnikov Hospital, but at least four more are needed.

We are trying, and for now we are okay, Staryk said. But sometimes its hard when you do two or three operations (in a row).

One neurosurgery operation can take from three to seven hours and requires significant attention, he explained.

Staryk believes that overworked surgeons can be as emotionally detached as the soldiers on the front line, who often adopt a defense mechanism that helps them stop reacting to traumatic moments.

We are already burned out (from emotions), and we dont have empathy, Staryk said. Maybe its just professionalism, you just take (the patient) and do your job.

Long road to treatment

The better the wounded are taken care of at makeshift hospitals near the front line, the quicker Mechnikovs doctors can work.

The wounded are first transferred to the so-called stabilization points, where they receive the initial medical care  most importantly to stop the bleeding  before the long journey to a proper hospital. Ryzhenko said such facilities lack good lighting and certain equipment, which are needed to determine injuries.

They cant see everything, he said, explaining that the rest is taken care of at hospitals to ensure all injuries are spotted.

Detecting all injuries is not easy if the patient is unconscious or not feeling the pain due to adrenaline.

Vadym, a 31-year-old Ukrainian soldier suffering shrapnel wounds to his face, lies in a hospital bed in Dnipro, Ukraine, on Oct. 9, 2023. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Military medics working at stabilization points also told the Kyiv Independent that there is a lack of experienced surgeons or general doctors in the front-line areas.

Without acknowledging the shortage of surgeons, the Ukrainian armys Medical Forces said in a commentary that Ukraine is conducting training and developing a regulatory framework to fill the stages of medical evacuation in accordance with the needs and skills of the doctors at the militarys disposal.

But if the soldier makes it to a stabilization point and the injuries are identified correctly, the chances of survival are high. The majority of fatal cases are recorded before the injured reach the stabilization point.

The hospitals Deputy Head, Oleksandr Tolubaiev, said that internal strength is also important, with many patients defying the odds and surviving in situations that are fatal on paper.

Endless nights

Nights are peak hours at Mechnikov Hospital. Wounded soldiers arrive one after another and are immediately taken care of by doctors and nurses on standby.

The city is pitch dark. The hallways inside the hospital give away a similar feeling, with the grim silence occasionally broken by the squeaky sound of stretchers rushing patients to operating rooms.

Among the wounded soldiers waiting to be carried to a bed after treatment is Mykola Lehach, who had just been evacuated from the east.

A patient receives treatment in the emergency room at Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro, Ukraine, on May 10, 2024. (Asami Terajima/The Kyiv Independent)

Lehach recounted what happened: Russian troops first zeroed in on his position with artillery and tank fire and captured it by the next morning. Of the eight men at the position, six were killed in action, and two  including Lehach  were briefly held as prisoners-of-war (POW) until a Ukrainian mortar strike freed them.

We were injured, but we managed to run away, said the 48-year-old infantryman from Kyiv Oblast, deployed with the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade in the Lyman area.

Lehach appears calm despite the horrific event he went through. Lying on a stretcher, he said he expected the worst.

Wounded soldiers like Lehach  who had just lost comrades  are brought daily to Mechnikov Hospital, and the doctors need to make them feel safe.

We defend our front line in this emergency department, Tolubaiev, the hospitals deputy director, said.

Editors Note: The hospital allowed the Kyiv Independent to reveal the information about the hospital provided in the story, and assured that it wont endanger the hospitals patients and staff.

Read also: Ukrainian soldiers recall retreat from Avdiivka  on foot, leaving their wounded behind

______________________________________________________

Note from the author:

Hi, this is Asami Terajima, the author of this article.

Thank you for reading our story. Throughout my reporting across Donbas, I heard a lot about Mechnikov Hospital, but it was when I talked to the doctors that I truly understood why soldiers call them heroes. They are exhausted and working with no end in sight, but too humble to admit their extraordinary work in their country's darkest hour.

To help the Kyiv Independent tell more stories that would otherwise not be told, please consider supporting us by becoming our member.

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(Bloomberg) -- Ukraines top official tasked with reconstruction abruptly resigned and accused the government of hindering his efforts after the nations premier blocked his request to attend a conference in Berlin.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Mustafa Nayyem, who headed the State Infrastructure and Reconstruction Development Agency, complained of systemic hindering of his work in a statement posted on Facebook on Monday.

Starting from November last year, the team of the agency faced constant opposition, resistance and the creation of artificial obstacles, Nayyem said.

The infighting within President Volodymyr Zelenskiys administration comes a month after parliament removed his infrastructure minister, who hasnt been replaced. It took place at a delicate moment as the Ukrainian leader, who is expected to open the Berlin gathering this week, seeks to secure international support in fending off a renewed Russian offensive.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal rejected Nayyems request to make the Berlin trip and instead ordered him to prepare a report on the progress of defense construction around critical infrastructure and energy facilities, according to a copy of the June 7 letter seen by Bloomberg.

The deadline for the report was set for June 12, according to a cabinet official who declined to be identified because the talks were not public. Nayyem disputed that, saying he was only told of such a deadline after Bloomberg reported about the blocked trip on Sunday.

The June 11-12 Ukraine Recovery Conference in the German capital is aimed at pooling efforts from Ukraines allies for postwar reconstruction. Zelenskiy will lead a delegation of more than 20 Ukrainian officials, including five cabinet members, and meet with leaders including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The World Bank in February estimated that the country needs at least $486 billion to rebuild  before Russia stepped up widespread attacks on energy infrastructure  while the the European Investment Bank puts the cost at more than $1 trillion.

Impossible

In his statement, Nayyem complained that crucial budget financing for repairing infrastructure had been scrapped, work had been slowed by bureaucracy  and his efforts had become impossible since the removal of Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov last month.

Kubrakov, a once-powerful minister who had also served as deputy premier, was dismissed by lawmakers aligned with Zelenskiy, apparently after a fallout with the president. Kubrakov had brought in Nayyem to oversee reconstruction.

Hlib Vyshlinsky, the executive director at the Centre for Economic Strategy in Kyiv, called Shmyhals travel restriction on Nayyem not normal and said it may reflect reconstruction funding becoming less of a priority.

There is no money for it and support for defense is more important, along with the summit on Ukraines peace formula and long-term budget financing, Vyshlinsky said, referencing the June 15-16 Ukraine summit hosted by Switzerland.

Nayyem said he had planned to take part in panels as well as a meeting organized by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP with more than 100 German companies to discuss Ukraines reconstruction perspectives, challenges and transparency.

The infighting risks intensifying scrutiny over funding by Ukraines allies, who have demanded that the country tackle corruption as a condition for keeping financing channels open.

--With assistance from Reinie Booysen.

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Editor's note: This story was updated with comments from the president and the governor.

No Russian troops are present in the border village of Ryzhivka in Sumy Oblast as of the morning of June 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Russia attempted to carry out a "propaganda operation" in Ryzhivka, but Ukrainian forces "fully control the situation," according to Zelensky.

His statement came after Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov claimed on June 9 that soldiers of the Akhmat-Chechnya regiment captured the Ukrainian village, sharing a video on Telegram purported to show their presence and fighting in the settlement.

"As of the morning, the Russian flag in the village was destroyed," Zelensky said.

Ryzhivka, where reportedly fewer than 10 people remained as of the end of May, is 2 kilometers from Russia's Kursk Oblast.

According to the crowd-sourced DeepState monitoring service that tracks changes on the front line, the village is in a "grey zone," and Russian sabotage groups are regularly attempting to break into it.

"They (Akhmat-Chechnya regiment) could have carried out this action on any other day of the year," DeepState wrote.

Volodymyr Artiukh, Sumy Oblast governor, also said that there are no Russian soldiers in the region.

The village of Ryzhivka on the DeepState's map. (DeepState)

Andrii Kovalenko, the head of an anti-disinformation department at the National Security and Defense Council, said there are no activities in the border area of Sumy Oblast, calling Kadyrov's claims a part of an information operation.

"As of now, this is not the beginning of what happened in Kharkiv Oblast. The defense forces are in control of the situation," Kovalenko said.

The Ukrainian military is yet to comment on the situation in Ryzhivka.

Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's military intelligence chief, suggested in mid-May that Russian forces may launch an offensive in Sumy Oblast similar to the one in Kharkiv Oblast when the conditions are more favorable.

Moscow failed to fulfill its Kharkiv operation, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 8. In late May, Zelensky warned that Russia is forming another grouping of troops near Ukraine's northern border.

Since the Russian-occupied parts of Sumy Oblast were liberated in early April 2022, the region has been experiencing daily strikes from across the border, as it is located on Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia.

Ukrainian authorities ordered further evacuations from the region amid intensified attacks.

Read also: Fortifications put strain on already struggling farmers in Sumy Oblast

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Regular readers will know that we love our dividends at Simply Wall St, which is why it's exciting to see Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd (KLSE:PETRONM) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 3 days. The ex-dividend date is one business day before the record date, which is the cut-off date for shareholders to be present on the company's books to be eligible for a dividend payment. It is important to be aware of the ex-dividend date because any trade on the stock needs to have been settled on or before the record date. In other words, investors can purchase Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd's shares before the 14th of June in order to be eligible for the dividend, which will be paid on the 4th of July.

The company's next dividend payment will be RM00.23 per share, on the back of last year when the company paid a total of RM0.23 to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd has a trailing yield of 4.6% on the current stock price of RM05.00. Dividends are an important source of income to many shareholders, but the health of the business is crucial to maintaining those dividends. So we need to check whether the dividend payments are covered, and if earnings are growing.

Check out our latest analysis for Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd

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. That's why it's good to see Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd paying out a modest 27% of its earnings. That said, even highly profitable companies sometimes might not generate enough cash to pay the dividend, which is why we should always check if the dividend is covered by cash flow. The good news is it paid out just 19% of its free cash flow in the last 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 Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd paid out over the last 12 months.

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

Companies that aren't growing their earnings can still be valuable, but it is even more important to assess the sustainability of the dividend if it looks like the company will struggle to grow. If business enters a downturn and the dividend is cut, the company could see its value fall precipitously. With that in mind, we're not enthused to see that Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd's earnings per share have remained effectively flat over the past five years. We'd take that over an earnings decline any day, but in the long run, the best dividend stocks all grow their earnings per share. Earnings per share growth in recent times has not been a standout. However, companies that see their growth slow can often choose to pay out a greater percentage of earnings to shareholders, which could see the dividend continue to rise.

The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. Since the start of our data, 10 years ago, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd has lifted its dividend by approximately 5.1% a year on average.

To Sum It Up

Is Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd an attractive dividend stock, or better left on the shelf? The company has barely grown earnings per share over this time, but at least it's paying out a decently low percentage of its earnings and cashflow as dividends. This could suggest management is reinvesting in future growth opportunities. We would prefer to see earnings growing faster, but the best dividend stocks over the long term typically combine strong earnings per share growth with a low payout ratio, and Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd is halfway there. It's a promising combination that should mark this company worthy of closer attention.

With that in mind, a critical part of thorough stock research is being aware of any risks that stock currently faces. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd you should know about.

Generally, we wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see. Here's a curated list of interesting stocks that are strong dividend payers.

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.
Ukraine takes out one of Russias most advanced fighter jets

Ukraine says it targeted and destroyed one of Russias most advanced fighter jets in a strike over the weekend.

The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Agency announced the strike Sunday, saying that it targeted Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets over the weekend in the Akhtubinsk airfield, which is 360 miles behind the front line of the conflict.

The agency posted satellite pictures on its Telegram channel to support the claim, writing the Russian aerospace forces have only a handful of these combat aircraft in service.

The attack comes just over a week after the U.S. and other NATO allies gave Kyiv permission to use Western advanced long-range weapons for strikes inside of Russia, though initial reports suggest the strike may have been carried out using a Ukrainian drone.

A Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-57 jets fly over the Kremlin during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, Friday, May 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

The Su-57 is a supersonic, twin-engine, fifth-generation stealth fighter jet and was seen as Moscows answer to Western stealth jets like the U.S. Air Forces F-22 Raptor.

According to Flight Globals 2024 World Air Forces Directory, there are currently 14 Su-57s in active service.

First developed in 2002, the first Su-57 entered service in 2020 and Sukhoi only began mass-producing the plane in 2022. The aircraft has faced a series of roadblocks, including a crash in 2019, according to the US military. According to the Foreign Policy Research Institute, an SU-57 costs anywhere from $35 million to $54 million.

At the end of 2022, TASS reported that Russian forces will receive 22 Su-57s by the end of the year.

Popular Russian pro-military blogger Flightbomber, who closely follows the Russian air force, reposted photos provided by Ukraine on Telegram and said they indicated the jet was struck by a Ukrainian drone.

The attack comes as Ukraine says it has largely halted Russias offensive in the Kharkiv region.

In its post Sunday, Ukraine noted the Su-57 could carry KH-59 and Kh-69 cruise missiles, which can be launched into Ukraine from Russian airspace.

If the reports of the drone strike are true, it would be in line with a low-cost and highly effective strategy deployed by Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Since the beginning of 2024, Ukraine has also attacked more than 15 Russian refineries and oil depots with drones.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Key developments on June 10:

Ukraine hit Russian S-400, S-300 systems in occupied Crimea overnight, General Staff says

Ukraine refutes Kadyrov's claims about captured Sumy Oblast border village

Russia uses submarines to patrol Black Sea after naval losses, military says

Nearly 20,000 Wagner mercenaries died taking Bakhmut, media investigation confirms

Some F-16s donated to Ukraine will be stored abroad as reserves, top officer says

Ukrainian forces attacked Russian S-400 and S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems in several areas in occupied Crimea overnight on June 10, Ukraine's General Staff said.

The statement came after a series of explosions were reported in the peninsula at night.

One S-400 anti-aircraft missile unit was hit near Dzhankoi, and two more S-300 anti-aircraft missile units were attacked near occupied Chornomorske and Yevpatoria, according to the military.

"None of our missiles fired were intercepted by the enemy's 'highly effective' air defense," the General Staff said.

"In addition, further detonations of ammunition were observed in all three areas of the launching positions of the Russian anti-aircraft missile divisions."

The General Staff did not provide further details on the consequences of the attack or what weaponry was used.

Russia's modern S-400 Triumph air defense system has an estimated price tag of around $1.2 billion.

Four S-400 launchers were destroyed in mid-April along with other equipment in an attack on a Russian military airfield in Crimea, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) reported.

The Ukrainian military reportedly struck the ferry crossing in occupied Kerch with U.S.-provided long-range ATACMS missiles overnight on May 30. Two Russian ferries were "significantly damaged," according to Ukraine's General Staff.

Moscow "actively used" the ferry crossing to supply Russian troops in the occupied peninsula and defended it with Russian Pantsir, Tor, and Triumph air defense systems, the Ukrainian military said.

Ukraine refutes Kadyrov's claims about captured Sumy Oblast border village

No Russian troops are present in the border village of Ryzhivka in Sumy Oblast as of the morning of June 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Russia attempted to carry out a "propaganda operation" in Ryzhivka, but Ukrainian forces "fully control the situation," according to Zelensky.

His statement came after Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov claimed on June 9 that soldiers of the Akhmat-Chechnya regiment captured the Ukrainian village, sharing a video on Telegram purported to show their presence and fighting in the settlement.

Russian sabotage groups continue to be active in Sumy Oblast but "as of the morning, the Russian flag in the village (Ryzhivka) was destroyed," Zelensky said.

Ryzhivka, where reportedly fewer than 10 people remained as of the end of May, lays two kilometers from Russia's Kursk Oblast.

According to the crowd-sourced DeepState monitoring service that tracks changes on the front line, the village is in a "grey zone," and Russian sabotage groups are regularly attempting to break into it.

"They (Akhmat-Chechnya regiment) could have carried out this action on any other day of the year," DeepState wrote.

Volodymyr Artiukh, Sumy Oblast governor, also said that there are no Russian soldiers in the region.

Andrii Kovalenko, the head of an anti-disinformation department at the National Security and Defense Council, said there are no activities in the border area of Sumy Oblast, calling Kadyrov's claims a part of an information operation.

"As of now, this is not the beginning of what happened in Kharkiv Oblast. The defense forces are in control of the situation," Kovalenko said.

The Ukrainian military is yet to comment on the situation in Ryzhivka.

Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's military intelligence chief, suggested in mid-May that Russian forces may launch an offensive in Sumy Oblast similar to the one in Kharkiv Oblast when the conditions are more favorable.

Moscow failed to fulfill its Kharkiv operation, Zelensky said on June 8. In late May, Zelensky warned that Russia was forming another grouping of troops near Ukraine's northern border.

Since the Russian-occupied parts of Sumy Oblast were liberated in early April 2022, the region has been experiencing daily strikes from across the border, as it is located on Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia.

Ukrainian authorities ordered further evacuations from the region amid intensified attacks.

Read also: Fortifications put strain on already struggling farmers in Sumy Oblast

Russia uses submarines to patrol Black Sea after naval losses, military says

Russia started using submarines to patrol the Black Sea after a number of ships were attacked by Ukraine, Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces and the Navy, said on national television on June 10.

Ukraine has repeatedly struck Russia's vessels since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Around 30% of Russias Black Sea Fleet had been destroyed as of December 2023, according to the Ukrainian military.

"They (Russia) have already established practice where these submarines rotate in the morning. In the Azov-Black Sea region, they have four submarines, three of which are cruise missile carriers. Two submarines periodically go to sea," Pletenchuk said.

Russia is reportedly trying to organize naval exercises in the Azov Sea. To protect the ships from Ukrainian drone attacks, Russia is building barge-like structures, according to the spokesperson.

There are currently three Russian landing ships and three Buyan-M project small missile ships in the Azov Sea, Pletenchuk said.

Ukrainian forces reportedly crippled the Rostov-on-Don, one of the Russian fleet's four missile-capable submarines, in occupied Sevastopol in September 2023.

In one of the latest successful attacks, Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drones hit four Russian patrol boats of the KS-701 Tunets (Tuna) model in Crimea on May 30, Ukraine's military intelligence said. Two of them were reportedly destroyed, and two others damaged.

Nearly 20,000 Wagner mercenaries died taking Bakhmut, media investigation confirms

Nearly 20,000 Russian mercenaries died fighting for Wagner Group during the Battle of Bakhmut, an investigation by BBC Russia and Mediazona published on June 10 has found.

The outlets obtained documents shortly after the death of the group's founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin in August 2023, detailing the posthumous payments to relatives of those killed fighting in Ukraine between January 2022 and August 2023.

"This document contains more than 20,000 names of those killed," Mediazona writes, adding: "Most of the Wagnerites died in the 'Bakhmut meat grinder'  more than 19,500 people."

The numbers roughly confirm the number claimed by Prigozhin himself in May 2023 when he said he had lost more than 20,000 men in the fight for the town.

Prigozhin's Wagner began to bring tens of thousands of convicts from Russia's prisons into its ranks, including those convicted of rape and murder, during the group's main recruitment drive in late 2022.

Used in combination with the more professional and experienced Wagner units, the prisoners proved to be highly effective as an expendable assault force.

Their main success was the capture of Bakhmut, a city in Donetsk Oblast now razed to the ground, in May 2023 after a months-long battle.

The report also found 17,000 of those killed were former prisoners, pardoned by Russian President Vladimir Putin in exchange for heading to the front.

Using the identification numbers of those killed, journalists were also able to determine that at least 48,000 prisoners fought for Wagner during this time.

Read also: With all eyes on Kharkiv, Russian troops take one Donbas village after another

Prigozhin later that year launched a short-lived insurrection against the Kremlin in late June 2023, capturing the city of Rostov and marching toward Moscow.

However, less than 24 hours after starting the rebellion, it was declared over and he announced that he was turning his forces around and returning to base.

Following an undisclosed deal allegedly brokered by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, the warlord was allowed to walk free and then released a video claiming to be in Africa.

Two months later  on Aug. 23  a private jet with Prigozhin onboard crashed not far from Moscow, killing him and everyone else onboard.

According to unnamed U.S. officials cited by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Aug. 24, the likely cause was a bomb onboard or "some other form of sabotage."

A later WSJ piece put the finger of blame on Nikolai Patrushev, Putin's "right-hand man."

Some F-16s donated to Ukraine will be stored abroad as reserves, top officer says

A number of F-16 fighter jets donated by Western allies to Ukraine will be stationed at air bases abroad, Serhii Holubtsov, a top officer at the Air Force Command, said in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) published on June 9.

Several NATO countries  Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway  have pledged to deliver dozens of U.S.-made F-16 jets from their stocks.

The first batch of Danish F-16s is expected to be handed over to Ukraine this summer.

Some of the Western aircraft will reportedly remain in training centers for Ukrainian pilots and aviation personnel outside Ukraine.

"There is a certain number of aircraft that will be stored at secure airbases outside of Ukraine so that they are not targeted here. And this will be our reserve, if necessary, to replace faulty aircraft during routine maintenance," Holubtsov said.

Ukraine already has plans for how many F-16s it will receive from allies this year and next year, according to Holubtsov. The number of aircraft located in Ukraine depends on the number of trained pilots, he said.

"The calculations have been made so that we know how many pilots we will have, how many engineers we will have, how many airfield maintenance personnel we will have," the officer added.

Several countries, including the U.S., pledged to assist Ukrainian aviators with the necessary training under the fighter jet coalition framework. The first group of Ukrainian pilots reportedly graduated from the F-16 training program in Arizona in late May and were sent to additional training in Europe.

Read also: What are Frances Mirage 2000-5 jets, and how can Ukraine use them?

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The Dutch delegation to Ukraine led by Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren met with her Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umierov in Kyiv on 10 June and held negotiations concerning military cooperation.

Source: Umierov on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Umierov discussed possible ways of armament procurement for Ukraines military needs and cooperation with the representatives of the Netherlands in the Ukrainian defence production sector.

The sides also mentioned the F-16 initiative, which is co-led by the Netherlands, as well as the current situation in the combat zone and Ukraines other military needs  specifically, 155mm-calibre ammunition.

Background:

The Dutch defence ministers visit to Ukraine was announced following her meeting with Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

Kajsa Ollongren was among the officials who urged some of Ukraines allies to lift the restrictions on the use of Western weapons on Russian territory.

Later she stressed that the Netherlands would allow Ukraine to use the F-16 fighter jets the Netherlands will supply to strike targets in Russia.

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The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine will sign direct contracts with global armament manufacturers as a part of the ministrys strategy aimed at extending international cooperation.

Source: Dmytro Klimenkov, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, during his speech at a Balkan-Ukrainian Forum of Defence Industry, as reported by the press service of Ukraines Defence Ministry

Details: Direct contracts are a part of the ministrys strategy aimed at extending international cooperation and increasing the combat ability of the Ukrainian forces. Specifically, it will allow supplying the Ukrainian army with new samples of weapons which will correspond to the international standards.

"This is a new stage of cooperation which will allow us to receive modern armament directly from the manufacturers which will undoubtedly facilitate a faster and more efficient modernization of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Klimenkov noted.

Background:

Rustem Umierov, Minister of Defence of Ukraine, urged the representatives of worlds leading defence companies to invest into armament production in Ukraine and create joint defence companies.

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Ukrainian Defence Forces successfully attacked the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Rostov Oblast on 5 June with Ukrainian-made weapons.

Source: General Staff on Telegram

Details: The General Staff noted that as a result of the attack, the Russian forces lost 1.5 million tonnes of oil and oil products amounting to about US$540 million.

Quote: "Ukraine's defence forces continue to methodically destroy the oil refinery industry of the Russian Federation... Strikes on Russian oil refineries significantly complicate the performance of tasks by enemy troops in the course of armed aggression against our country."

Background:

A series of explosions rocked the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russias Rostov Oblast on the night of 5-6 June, causing a fire which was not being extinguished at the time of reporting because of the fear of a repeated attack. Russian media reported that the oil refinery was struck by drones.

Drones of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine had also attacked the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russias Rostov Oblast on 12 March, causing the suspension of the facility's operations.

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Mustafa Nayyem, former Head of State Agency for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, during an event at Chatham House in London, ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference on June 20, 2023. Credit - Jordan PettittPA Images/Getty Images

Mustafa Nayyem, the top official overseeing Ukraines defense fortifications and reconstruction efforts, announced his resignation on Monday. The news marks the latest high-profile departure that has shaken Western confidence in Ukraines government.

Nayyem, who resigned alongside two other officials in Ukraines Restoration and Infrastructure Development agency, claimed his work was being undermined by the government.

Nayyem told the Financial Times that prior to his resignation, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal prohibited him from attending the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference on June 11 and 12 in Berlin. The conference brings together potential donors interested in funding reconstruction projects in parts of Ukraine where infrastructure has been damaged by the war.

Zelensky is expected to attend the conference and deliver a speech addressing the German parliament while he is there.

In his resignation letter, Nayyem said that he had faced systemic obstacles that made it difficult for him to use his powers effectively, according to the Financial Times.

Nayyems resignation raises new questions about reconstruction efforts and the ability to protect critical infrastructure amid the ongoing war. Last month, Ukraines minister of infrastructure and deputy prime minister of reconstruction Oleksandr Kubrakov was removed from office following a vote by the Ukrainian parliament.

In recent months, Ukraines government has faced a series of personnel challenges. In March, Zelensky dismissed top aid Serhiy Shefir, from his role of first assistant, along with three advisers and two presidential representatives. In September, the countrys defense minister Oleksii Reznikov resigned after months of corruption allegations against his ministry.

Nayyem, an Afghan Ukrainian, first came to prominence for his role in calling for the pro-democracy Euromaidan protests in 2013.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
(Reuters) -California's attorney general on Monday sought to force the world's biggest oil companies to give up profits the state alleges they made while deceiving consumers about their role in contributing to climate change.

The legal action comes months after a new state law took effect that allows the attorney general to seek profits earned by companies while they violated laws against unfair competition and false advertising.

Attorney General Rob Bonta added the so-called disgorgement remedy to a lawsuit filed last year against Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Shell, BP, ConocoPhillips and oil and gas industry trade group the American Petroleum Institute (API).

The suit, filed in state court in San Francisco, alleges the energy giants have caused tens of billions of dollars in damages and accuses them of deceiving the public.

API said the suit was without merit.

"This ongoing, coordinated campaign to wage meritless, politicized lawsuits against a foundational American industry and its workers is nothing more than a distraction from important national conversations and an enormous waste of taxpayer resources," API General Counsel Ryan Meyers said in a statement. "Climate policy is for Congress to debate and decide, not a patchwork of courts."

Shell also said it did not believe climate change should be addressed in court.

"Addressing climate change requires a collaborative, society-wide approach," the company said in a statement.

ConocoPhillips said it did not comment on pending litigation.

Exxon, Chevron and BP were not immediately available for comment.

The filing comes days after United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on countries to ban fossil fuel advertising as many do for tobacco and other products that have proven harmful to human health.

In recent weeks, major oil and gas companies have fought back against activist shareholders urging more corporate climate action while some U.S. lawmakers have stepped up probes into whether the industry is behaving deceptively.

(Reporting by Nichola Groom in Los Angeles and Valerie Volcovici in Washington; Editing by David Gregorio and Rod Nickel)
(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday he had arrived in Germany for a conference on Ukraine's post-war recovery and would also hold talks with Chancellor Olaf Sholz.

Zelenskiy, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said measures concerning Ukraine's energy sector, shattered by Russian air attacks, would be the priority at the conference, an annual event.

His talks with Sholz would focus on continued military support, including air defences and joint manufacture of munitions, and the coordination of positions ahead of the "peace summit" to be hosted by Switzerland later in the week.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Ukrainian activist group calls on G7 to address urgent issue stemming from Putin's war machine: 'The G7 stands at a crossroads'

Over two years ago, in late February 2022, Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. And despite the deaths and injuries of hundreds of thousands, the war doesn't seem to be slowing down.

But one Ukrainian nonprofit, Razom We Stand, believes that it knows the fastest route to ending the war: cutting off Russia's constant influx of dirty energy funds and driving a "clean energy revolution in Ukraine and globally."

Surely enough, Russia does depend heavily on its dirty energy revenue. This year, Bloomberg estimates that Russia will earn nearly $126 billion in tax revenue from oil and gas, allowing the country to funnel cash into its war chest.

A plea to the G7

In a recent press release, Razom We Stand  "razom" is Ukrainian for "together"  urged G7 nations to "cut off financial flows from Russian fossil fuel exports" and tighten other sanctions so that Vladimir Putin, who the group dubs a petro-dictator, has less control over geopolitics.

Beyond cutting off Russia's financial sales of planet-overheating energy sources, Razom We Stand implored the G7 to heavily invest in rebuilding Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Svitlana Romanko, the founder of Razom We Stand, noted: "The G7 stands at a crossroads: continue enabling this violence, or take a decisive stand to cut off this financial lifeline and champion Ukraine's transition to sustainable, clean energy sources."

Specifically, the group asked for resources to help expand the nation's solar and wind infrastructure, ideally in a decentralized manner to protect against widespread attacks.

Nearly half of the Ukrainian energy system has been impacted by Russian attacks since the beginning of the war, as Euronews Green reported.

Sanctions and results

There is some evidence that dirty energy sanctions placed on Russia by the U.S. and other allies  of which there have been thousands  have affected the Russian economy.

Gazprom specifically, a Russian gas company, has faced serious financial consequences after losing its European ties.

However, the degree to which Russia has suffered from sanctions is still debated. Russia has evaded many economic consequences by selling oil to different countries and by "deploying a shadow fleet of tankers," according to Bloomberg.

Vladimir Milov, a former advisor to the late Alexey Navalny, wrote in an Atlantic Council brief that "it is wrong to conclude that sanctions are not working  they are. However, much more work must be done to enhance the effectiveness of sanctions."

Moving forward

Despite the status of the war between Russia and Ukraine, it's clear that other nations' dependence on dirty fuels empowers leaders to act with fewer consequences.

Securing energy independence, on the other hand, means that we aren't indirectly funding foreign governments who may be using the money for things that we do not approve of. Instead, it means less destruction of nature and less war.

Romanko sees the potential of an energy-independent Ukraine as an exciting future, telling Euronews Green that "Ukraine must be rebuilt with renewable energy and must become a green economy with no returning back to the dark fossil fuel past."

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Soldiers from the Border of Steel Brigade (a combat unit of Ukraine's State Border Guard) have deployed a kamikaze drone to strike a Russian Murom-P long-range visual surveillance system on the Kharkiv front.

Source: State Border Guard Service of Ukraine

Quote: "On the Kharkiv front, soldiers of the Steel Border Offensive Guard Brigade targeted another enemy Murom-P long-range visual surveillance system with a kamikaze drone (the Offensive Guard is the collective name for brigades recruited from among policemen, border guards and National Guard troops  ed.)"

Details: According to reports, the Russians used the system to monitor the movements of units of Ukraine's defence forces.

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Ukraines battle-worn fleet of Su-25 Frogfoot ground-attack aircraft has run out of unguided munitions, a reflection of the huge number of sorties and prolific range of targets these jets are being tasked against. Meanwhile, the aircraft are now relying on Western-provided precision-guided weapons, a reflection of the demands of the war that are driving innovation in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This is among the revelations from a senior Ukrainian Air Force official, interviewed recently, which provide some fascinating insights into the air war with Russia.

Ukraines battle-worn fleet of Su-25 Frogfoot ground-attack aircraft has run out of unguided munitions, a reflection of the huge number of sorties and prolific range of targets these jets were being tasked against. Meanwhile, the aircraft is now relying on Western-provided precision-guided weapons, a reflection of the demands of the war that are driving innovation in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This is among the revelations from a senior Ukrainian Air Force official, interviewed recently, which provide some fascinating insights into the air war with Russia.

In a wide-ranging interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Ukrainian-language channel, Serhiy Golubtsov, the head of aviation within Ukraines Air Force Command, described the realities of combat for the air force as well as some of its plans for the future introduction of the F-16 fighter  the first examples of which are expected to arrive sometime this summer. While the interview is in Ukrainian, @Dmojavensis on the social media platform X has very helpfully posted English translations for the key takeaways.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZmiXRUn4L4

Especially interesting is the news that, according to Golubtsov, the supply of Western-provided Zuni unguided rockets that were integrated on Ukrainian Su-25s have now been exhausted. The transfer of 4,000 Zuni rockets to Ukraine was first confirmed in January 2023, as part of a $3-billion Pentagon aid package that was headlined by 50 M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.

At the beginning of the war, we had plenty of unguided munitions for these airplanes for ground attack; we used them up within the first year, after which our partners began transferring us their unguided munitions, specifically Zuni rockets, Golubtsov explains.

As for the Zunis, we used to use a lot as well, but as of now no more such rockets are left in the world. Restarting their production doesnt make sense due to transitioning to high-precision munitions.

A Ukrainian Su-25 pilot prepares for a combat flight on August 1, 2023, in eastern Ukraine. Photo by Libkos/Getty Images

It wasnt previously known that the rocket-assisted Hammer had been integrated on the Frogfoot, with previous confirmation only that it was being used by the MiG-29 Fulcrum and reportedly also the Su-27 Flanker. The Hammer is also the first Western precision-guided munition of any kind known to be used by the Ukrainian Su-25.

In terms of tactics, the Hammer is already a good fit with the Su-25. It can be launched at low level , where the Su-25 has the best chance of surviving, with the rocket lofting the weapon toward targets across the front. Previously, Su-25s adopted loft tactics to add extra range to their unguided rockets, but adding the Hammer brings much greater standoff reach and a much harder-hitting weapon specifically adapted for low-altitude launch profiles. Its ability to rocket up to altitude from its launch point is something tossing glide weapons in a similar manner cannot compete with.

Golubtsov rates the Su-25 and Hammer combination as very effective and says that, in addition to Frances delivery of 50 such weapons per month to Ukraine, there has also been a pledge to provide at least 300 more.

In regards to the other Western-supplied precision-guided weapons used by the Ukrainian Air Force, Golubtsov says that the AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile , or HARM, is still used daily but that Russian forces have adapted to its presence by turning off their air defense radars and/or changing their operating frequencies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5nWxN1ymW4\u0026t=3s

The GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) is considered an especially useful weapon due to its small size, which makes it much harder for Russian air defenses to deal with. At the same time, individual aircraft can be loaded with multiple SDBs, allowing more targets to be struck per sortie. Their ability to glide dozens of miles is also obviously a huge plus.

Earlier reports suggested that the SDB has also proven notably resilient to jamming. According to an article in The Washington Post last month, citing confidential internal Ukrainian assessments, nearly 90 percent of dropped [Small Diameter Bombs] struck their target.

On the other hand, the effectiveness of the Joint Direct Attack Munition is restricted by the limited quantities of these weapons that are available to Ukraine  which is so far understood only to have received the Extended Range ( JDAM-ER ) version of the weapon, stocks of which were already very limited.

A JDAM-ER, carried on its specialized pylon, under the wing of a Ukrainian MiG-29. via X

In response to the diminishing stocks of JDAMs, as well as Russias huge numerical superiority in terms of precision-guided munitions, Golubtsov confirms that Ukraine is now domestically producing its own precision-guidance/glide-bomb kits. These are due to be tested in a few weeks, Golubtsov says. The official also says that, at this point, enough aircraft have been adapted for JDAM carriage, suggesting that the new Ukrainian glide bombs will be ported over onto the same aircraft, as an answer to Russian weapons in the same class.

Ukraine has achieved some notable successes with its Western-supplied long-range air-launched cruise missiles, the Storm Shadow , and the similar SCALP EG .

As anticipated, these missiles are typically used in conjunction with HARM and the ADM-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) to suppress Russian air defenses as the cruise missiles make their way to their targets. Golubtsov added that these complex strikes also use drones and electronic warfare, to increase the chances of success, while operational planning includes the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR), the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the General Staff.

The wreckage of a MALD that reportedly came down in the Kherson region in December 2023. via X



Golubtsov admits that some Storm Shadow and SCALP EG missiles are brought down by Russian air defenses, but they are overall highly effective. Both those missiles are currently pre-programmed with their target coordinates while on the ground, making the process of integration on the Soviet-era Su-24 Fencer strike aircraft much more straightforward.

Currently, only the Su-24 is launching Storm Shadow and SCALP EG, although recent reports indicate plans to include the same capability on Ukraines forthcoming French-supplied Mirage 2000-5 fighters.

https://www.twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1799854834608193633

All this evidence points to the Ukrainian Air Force working hard to get as much effectiveness out of its aging, and depleting fleet of Soviet-era warplanes. This has been aided by a considerable degree of ingenuity as regards the integration of Western munitions but also how the aircraft have been used in combat. Combat losses have also been compensated, at least to a degree, by returning to service aircraft that had long been demoted to long-term storage.

A Ukrainian Su-27 carrying a pair of U.S.-made AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles, or HARMs. via X

However, the future for the Ukrainian Air Force rests very much on the arrival of the F-16, examples of which have been pledged to Kyiv by Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway. At the latest count, around 85 F-16s have now been committed to Ukraine and there have been suggestions that the first of these jets could arrive in Ukraine as early as next month.

Not surprisingly, Golubtsov is tight-lipped about the timeline for F-16 deliveries, but he did provide some useful clues as to how these aircraft might be employed.

Most importantly, perhaps, Golubtsov presents the Ukrainian F-16 as part of a wider ecosystem of complementary assets that, together, should push Russian airpower further back. In particular, he points to the threat posed by Russian tactical aircraft armed with precision-guided glide bombs . This is a menace that Ukrainian officials have repeatedly highlighted and one for which, until now, there has been no really effective solution.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky poses in front of an F-16 with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Belgian Minister of Defense Ludivine Dedonder during a visit to Belgium on May 28, 2024. Photo by Didier Lebrun / Photonews via Getty Images

Golubtsov talks of the F-16 being used in conjunction with the recently pledged Saab 340 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft , Patriot air defense systems, and the Link 16 tactical network to counter these Russian aircraft.

Golubtsov refers to the AIM-120 AMRAAM that will be the primary air-to-air armament of the F-16 and notes that some data indicates a range of at least 180 kilometers (112 miles).

Speaking last September, Yuriy Inhat, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, also said The United States will supply Ukraine with AMRAAM aircraft missiles with a range of 160-180 kilometers.

This would be at the upper end of the performance attributed to the most advanced AIM-120D model, although theres no evidence so far that this particular version of the weapon is headed to Ukraine.

An AIM-120D-3 AMRAAM sits at Raytheons Tucson, Arizona plant. Raytheon

Meanwhile, it seems the Ukrainian F-16s will have improvements made to their existing radar systems as well as targeting pods for ground-attack missions. In their standard Mid-Life Update form, the F-16s that have been earmarked for transfer to Ukraine use the AN/APG-66 mechanically scanned radar, which has been subject to successive upgrades, including adding AMRAAM capability and enhanced air-to-ground and ground-mapping modes. The Sniper targeting pod has also been integrated as part of the MLU program.

Golubtsov doesnt discuss which offensive weapons Ukrainian F-16s are going to use, but the various options are something that TWZ has discussed in depth in the past.

However, in an air defense role, the Ukrainian Air Force envisions the F-16s making a similar kind of impact on Russian airpower as the employment of Ukrainian Patriot systems has done in the past.

Golubtsov recalls that the innovative use of Patriot systems on a specific front segment last year resulted in 13 Russian aircraft being shot down over a two-week period and also put an end to Russian glide bomb launches on parts of the Chernihiv and Kherson front lines.

A screen capture of a Ukrainian Air Force video shows images of three Russian helicopters and two Russian fighters painted on the side of a Patriot air defense battery. The three helicopter and two jet images bear the date May 13, 2023. Defense Industry of Ukraine

Golubtsov expects the addition of the F-16 to have a similar effect, forcing the Russians to change tactics or even suspend glide bomb operations in certain areas. At the same time, it will mean that Russia goes after the F-16s specifically, something that has also been seen in its efforts to destroy Patriot systems.

Of course, this point is not lost on Ukrainian planners and Golubtsov confirms that some of the F-16s will remain at bases in other countries where they will continue to be used to train pilots and maintainers but will also provide a reserve that the Ukrainian Air Force can tap into when more airframes are needed. The likely locations include Denmark and Romania , where Ukrainian pilots are known to be training on F-16s.

Soon after Golubtsovs interview, Andrei Kartapolov, the head of the Russian State Duma lower house of parliaments defense committee, said that jets and airfields outside Ukraine could be considered legitimate targets by the Kremlin, the RIA state news agency reported. Kartapolov said that these would be seen as targets if they take part in combat missions against Russian forces, although its unclear how directly they would have to be involved. Theres no indication, for example, that Ukrainian F-16s would launch any combat missions from outside of the country.

https://www.twitter.com/KyivPost/status/1800130444631179740

With all this in mind, the exact number of F-16s present in Ukraine at any one time will be governed by the availability of pilots, engineers, technical staff, and airfields.

As long as Ukraine still has stocks of surface-to-air missiles and other munitions, Golubtsov is confident those airfields will be adequately protected against air-breathing threats, including against Russian attacks involving up to 20 cruise missiles. More concerning are ballistic missile attacks, which would likely employ Iskander short-range ballistic missiles and/or Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles, Golubtsov contends.

Pointing to the very significant challenges in training Ukrainian Air Force personnel to operate the F-16, bearing in mind the major differences with Soviet-era equipment, Golubtsov says that a crawl, walk, run approach is being adopted.

One of the first five ex-Dutch F-16s that touched down in Romania in November 2023 and which are being used to train Ukrainian pilots on these aircraft as part of a European initiative. Dutch Ministry of Defense

At this point, we havent learned how to crawl, Golubtsov admits. When the aircraft arrive in Ukraine we will understand that we can crawl, trying the aircraft out deep inside Ukraine in relatively safe airspace. Then well learn to walk, and then to run  achieving air superiority.

That is a hugely ambitious target but one that could be supported by the introduction of other Western fighter types.

As well as the Mirages now promised, Golubtsov notes that Ukraine is very interested in receiving the Saab Gripen, a type that has been repeatedly linked with a possible transfer to Kyiv in the past. Golubtsov says that the Gripen was formally offered, but only after the F-16, so preparing infrastructure for the U.S.-made jet became the priority. TWZ originally posited the JAS-39 Gripen would be an ideal fighter for Ukraine, if it were actually available for transfer.

Golubtsovs comments certainly shine an interesting light on some of the key recent developments in the air war over Ukraine. While the arrival of the F-16 will be a hugely significant event, the Ukrainian Air Force remains committed to getting the most out of its existing inventory and, especially, providing them with the most effective available weapons.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
(BCN)  A man suspected in an unprovoked attack last week in San Franciscos UN Plaza was charged Monday with four felony counts, according to San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. On June 3, Douglas Blunt, 25, allegedly took a running punch at the back of the victims head, according to court records.

The 66-year-old man lost consciousness and fell face forward into the pavement. Injuries were severe, including a fractured spine, fractured facial bones, loss of teeth, and facial lacerations.

7-bedroom house in San Jose hits market for less than $700K

My office will do everything we can to fight for justice on behalf of the victim in this case in the courtroom, Jenkins said. There is no place for violence of this sort in San Francisco.

The charges include mayhem, elder abuse, felony assault and battery with force likely to create great bodily injury. Blunt was arraigned on June 7 and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

There will be a preliminary hearing on June 21. Blunt has been detained pending trial. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department anonymous Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.

The court number is 24010422.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The ceasefire plan would include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza - GETTY IMAGES

Hamas has said it welcomes the first United Nations Security Council vote calling for a permanent ceasefire in its war with Israel.

On Monday the Security Council approved a US-drafted resolution endorsing a plan aimed at ending the eight-month war, with 14 votes in favour and one abstention by Russia.

The US, which finalised its text on Sunday after six days of negotiations, said Israel had accepted the three-phase plan and called on Hamas to follow suit.

Hamas responded to the adoption by saying it welcomes the resolution and was ready to work with mediators in indirect negotiations with Israel to implement it.

The statement was among the strongest from Hamas to date but stressed the group would continue our struggle to end the Israeli occupation and work on setting up a fully sovereign Palestinian state.

The fighting could stop today

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the vote sent a clear message to Hamas to accept the cease-fire deal on the table.

The fighting could stop today, if Hamas would do the same, she told the council. I repeat, this fighting could stop today.

US President Joe Biden made a renewed push to halt the fighting when he presented what he called an Israeli truce proposal on May 31.

The resolution calls on Israel and Hamas to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition.

The UN Security Council in March passed the first resolution calling for a ceasefire but this was limited to the month of Ramadan. The US abstained from the vote and there was no halt to the war.



Mondays vote came after the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a two-hour meeting in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his eighth visit to the region since 7 October.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, votes for the proposal - REUTERS

Mr Netanyahu has been politically buoyed in Israel by a rescue mission that succeeded in freeing four hostages on Saturday.



The following day, however, the Israeli leader received his first major political blow of the conflict when Benny Gantz and a second member of the war cabinet quit.



The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 274 people were killed during the mission, although it remains unclear how many were combatants.

Bidens three-stage plan

Mr Bidens May 31 announcement of the new proposal said it would begin with an initial six-month cease-fire with the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza and the return of Palestinian civilians to all areas in the territory.

Phase one also requires the safe distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout the Gaza Strip, which Biden said would lead to 600 trucks with aid entering Gaza every day.

In phase two, the resolution says that with the agreement of Israel and Hamas, a permanent end to hostilities, in exchange for the release of all other hostages still in Gaza, and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza will take place.

Phase three would launch a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of the remains of any deceased hostages still in Gaza to their families.

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We recently published a list of 10 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Billionaire Leon Cooperman. Since Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C) ranks 1st in the list, it deserves a deeper look.

Billionaire Leon Cooperman made headlines in April when he predicted during an interview with CNBC that the US is headed for a financial crisis. Cooperman, who calls himself a capitalist with a heart, said that the Federal Reserve kept interest rates near zero, but raised them dramatically in a period of 12 months. Still, the 81-year-old billionaire sees no signs that the economy is restrictive, as he pointed to stock market highs and speculation. The Omega Family Office chairman and CEO expects one or two rate cuts this year. He emphasized that the market remains overvalued.

Were Billionaire Coopermans Recession Predictions Correct?

This isnt the first time Cooperman warned the market about recession. In February last year, the billionaire said that the market was headed for a recession, and noted that the S&P 500 high of about 4,800 recorded in 2022 could stand for some time. In July 2022, while talking to Bloomberg, Cooperman said that he was shocked that interest rates were so low.

I am of the view that equities are the best house in the financial asset in the neighborhood, but I dont like the neighborhood, for a lot of reasons.

Cooperman in the Bloomberg interview in 2022 had categorically said that sooner or later the strong dollar, prices of oil and the Fed would lead us into a recession. He went on to add that recession would be a 2023 event and predicted that the market would bottom somewhere near 35% to 45% below its peak of 4800.

READ NEXT: Billionaire Paul Tudor Jones Top Dividend Picks and Analysts Are Upgrading These AI Stocks

The billionaire had said that he would be very surprised if we were to see another bull market anytime soon, given his view that weve had one of the biggest bull runs driven by FAANG, SPACs, and speculation. The AI revolution that started in 2023 was indeed a shocker for Cooperman as his recession predictions were proven wrong.

For this article, we scanned billionaire Coopermans Q12024 portfolio and chose his top 10 dividend stock picks. Why are we interested in 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).

Story continues

Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 94

Billionaire Leon Cooperman's Stake: $18,972,000

Warren Buffett, Leon Cooperman, Ken Fisher, Cliff Asness, Israel Englander  the list of billionaires having stakes in Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C) is long, thanks to Citigroup Incs (NYSE:C) strong fundamentals and dividend history. Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C) has upped its dividend every year since 2011. Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C) expects annual revenue growth of about 4%-5% by 2026, and its targeting an 11-12% return on tangible common equity in the same period.

Analysts at BofA expect Citi to clock in EPS growth of 8% this year. According to Yahoo Finance data, Citigroup Incs (NYSE:C) EPS estimate for the next year (2025) is around $7.21. Assuming the banking sectors average multiple of 10.32, the stock is currently undervalued. Wall Streets average analyst estimate for Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C) is $66, while the stock was trading at around $62 as of June 1.

Silver Beech Capital stated the following regarding Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) in its first quarter 2024 investor letter:

Since the beginning of 2023, Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) has been one of the Funds largest holdings. In our Q3 2023 investor letter, we laid out our core investment thesis for Citi: although the bank was an underperformer (weak returns on equity), Citi was (1) less risky than it had ever been and (2) cheaper than it had ever been. The Funds investment thesis for Citi featured in a November 2023 Euromoney article Citi 2.0: If she builds it, will they come? The market narrative has started to converge on our investment thesis. During the first quarter, Citi was the best-performing bank stock in the S&P 500 index. However, improvements in Citis operating performance have come more slowly than its share price gains. Due to this converging market perception with our own thesis, the Fund exited its position in Citi. The Funds stake in Citi generated a 34% gross IRR over our 14-month investment period.

Overall, Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C) ranks 1st in Insider Monkeys list of the 10 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Billionaire Leon Cooperman. You can visit the 10 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Billionaire Leon Cooperman to see the other Billionaire Leon Cooperman's 2024 stocks that are on his radar. While we acknowledge the potential of Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C), our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C) 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 at Insider Monkey.
The United Nations Security Council on Monday approved a resolution sponsored by the United States calling for an immediate, temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

Fourteen members of the 15-member body voted in favor of the resolution, with one abstention from the Russian Federation.

The vote on the cease-fire resolution sends a political signal of unity from the members of the council. The text of the resolution notes that Israel has accepted a proposal laid out by President Biden on May 31, and calls upon Hamas to also accept it, and urges both parties to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield called on Hamas to accept the cease-fire proposal.

Today this council sent a clear message to Hamas, accept the cease-fire deal on the table. Israel has already agreed to this deal, and the fighting could stop today if Hamas would do the same. I repeat, the fighting could stop today, she said.

The U.S.-sponsored resolution at the Security Council lays out a proposal described by Biden late last month of a three-phase deal to secure the release of 120 Israeli hostages held by Hamas through the cessation of fighting for at least six weeks, with follow-on negotiations aimed at bringing about a permanent end to hostilities.

Fu Cong, the permanent representative of the Peoples Republic of China to the United Nations, voted in favor of the resolution but criticized the text as ambiguous in moving from each phase to the next and whether the arrangement can be carried out smoothly, a criticism echoed by the Israeli representative at the meeting.

Israel will not engage in meaningless and endless negotiations which can be exploited by Hamas as a means to stall for time, said Reut Shapir Ben Naftaly, the political coordinator for Israels mission to the UN.

The time has come for this council to finally hold Hamas accountable to finally place the blame where it belongs to finally condemn terror.

Biden and the U.S. have described the cease-fire proposal as one that was approved by, and accepted by Israel, although comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have sent conflicting messages about Israels commitment to the deal.

Netanyahu has said that Israel cannot agree to a permanent cease-fire until all the hostages are released, and that Hamas is stripped of its ability to threaten Israel militarily and that it does not govern the Gaza Strip.

Hamas has so far rejected the proposal, saying it does not meet its demands of an end to the war and a full withdrawal of all Israeli forces in the strip.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling between Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Qatar to build support for the proposal. Egypt and Qatar are the main interlocutors with Hamas.

Egypt and Qatar have assured the United States that they are continuing to work to ensure that Hamas engages constructively, Thomas-Greenfield said in remarks following the vote. And the United States will help ensure that Israel lives up to its obligations as well, assuming that Hamas accepts the deal.

Updated at 5:01 p.m.

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The UN Security Council has supported a multi-stage plan presented by US President Joe Biden for a ceasefire in the Gaza war after adopting a corresponding resolution in New York on Monday.

Fourteen member states voted in favour of the draft, while Russia, one of the veto powers, abstained.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said afterwards that the UN's most powerful body had voted for peace.

The paper supports a plan presented by Biden that envisages an end to the fighting in the Gaza Strip in three phases.

According to the US, only the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement has not yet agreed to the plan. However, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet given its clear and public approval to the plan either.

The Security Council resolution, which is binding under international law, declares that Israel has accepted the plan and calls on Hamas to do the same and urges all parties involved to implement the plan without delay and without conditions.

It was the 11th time since the beginning of the war in Gaza that the UN Security Council has voted on a resolution on the conflict. Only four proposed resolutions were adopted.

The ambitious draft deal presented by Biden at the end of May initially provides for a complete and unrestricted ceasefire of six weeks. During this period, a certain group of hostages would be released. In return, Palestinians imprisoned in Israel would be released.

In the next phase, the fighting would then cease permanently and the remaining hostages would be released.

According to the draft, the final phase would see the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip begin.

Deaths in the West Bank

Two people were killed in Israeli army raids in the West Bank on Monday, according to Palestinian reports.

The Palestinian militant organization Hamas said that a member of its military arm had been killed in Tulkarem.

According to the Ministry of Health in Ramallah, a 15-year-old boy was shot dead in a separate incident in Fara, south of Tubas. Five other people were said injured by gunfire.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spoke of "counterterrorism activity in the area" of Fara.

"Thus far, the forces apprehended three wanted suspects and dismantled explosive devices," the IDF said in a statement.

"Furthermore, exchanges of fire are currently taking place with armed terrorists, during which a terrorist was eliminated and hits to additional terrorists were identified. The counterterrorism activity is ongoing."

"Moreover, in the towns of Faqqua, Rumana, and Dhinnaba, the security forces apprehended four suspects and eliminated an armed terrorist," the IDF statement said.

The situation in the occupied West Bank has worsened considerably since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 7.

Since then, 512 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations, confrontations or attacks of their own, according to the local health ministry.

The Israeli army said on Monday that around 4,150 wanted Palestinians had been arrested in the West Bank since the start of the war. Around 1,750 of them belonged to Hamas, it said.
The UN Security Council has supported a multi-stage plan presented by US President Joe Biden for a ceasefire in the Gaza war after adopting a corresponding resolution in New York on Monday.

Fourteen member states voted in favour of the draft, while Russia, one of the veto powers, abstained.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said afterwards that the UN's most powerful body had voted for peace.

The paper supports a plan presented by Biden that envisages an end to the fighting in the Gaza Strip in three phases.

According to the US, only the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement has not yet agreed to the plan. However, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet given its clear and public approval to the plan either.

The Security Council resolution, which is binding under international law, declares that Israel has accepted the plan and calls on Hamas to do the same and urges all parties involved to implement the plan without delay and without conditions.

It was the 11th time since the beginning of the war in Gaza that the UN Security Council has voted on a resolution on the conflict. Only four proposed resolutions were adopted.

The ambitious draft deal presented by Biden at the end of May initially provides for a complete and unrestricted ceasefire of six weeks. During this period, a certain group of hostages would be released. In return, Palestinians imprisoned in Israel would be released.

In the next phase, the fighting would then cease permanently and the remaining hostages would be released.

According to the draft, the final phase would see the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip begin.
A general view of the UN Security Council meeting. The Security Council will vote today on a draft resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza. Michael Kappeler/dpa

The UN Security Council plans to vote on Monday on a resolution tabled by the United States that supports a plan presented by US President Joe Biden for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.

A corresponding meeting was added to the agenda of the body in New York on Monday and is due to take place following a previous meeting.

The resolution supports a plan presented by Biden that envisages an end to the fighting in Gaza in three phases.

According to the US, only the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement has not yet agreed to the plan. However, there has been no clear and public approval of the plan from Israel's government either.

At least nine votes in favour are required to pass a resolution in the Security Council, the most powerful body in the United Nations, which is binding under international law.

In addition, there must be no veto from the five permanent members of the body: the US, Britain, France, Russia and China.

Whether the draft resolution would be successful initially remained unclear.
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council on Monday backed a proposal outlined by President Joe Biden for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and urged the Palestinian militants to accept the deal aimed at ending the eight-month-long war.

Hamas welcomed the adoption of the U.S.-drafted resolution and said in a statement that it is ready to cooperate with mediators over implementing the principles of the plan "that are consistent with the demands of our people and resistance."

Russia abstained from the U.N. vote, while the remaining 14 Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution supporting a three-phase ceasefire plan laid out by Biden on May 31 that he described as an Israeli initiative.

"Today we voted for peace," U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the council after the vote.

The resolution welcomes the new ceasefire proposal, states that Israel has accepted it, calls on Hamas to agree to it and "urges both parties to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition."

Algeria, the only Arab member of the council, supported the resolution because "we believe it can represent a step forward toward an immediate and lasting ceasefire," Algeria's U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama told the council.

"It offers a glimmer of hope to the Palestinians," he said. "It's time to halt the killing."

The resolution also goes into detail about the proposal, and spells out that "if the negotiations take longer than six weeks for phase one, the ceasefire will still continue as long as negotiations continue."

ISRAEL'S GOALS

However, it did not contain enough detail for Moscow. Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia asked what Israel had specifically agreed to and said the Security Council should not be signing up to agreements with "vague parameters."

"We did not wish to block the resolution simply because it, as much as we understand, is supported by the Arab world," Nebenzia told the council.

Israel's U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan was present for the vote, but did not address the council. Instead, senior Israeli U.N. diplomat Reut Shapir Ben Naftaly told the body that Israel's goals in Gaza had always been clear.

"Israel is committed to these goals - to free all the hostages, to destroy Hamas' military and governing capabilities and to ensure that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future," she said. "It is Hamas that is preventing this war from ending. Hamas and Hamas alone."

The council in March demanded for an immediate ceasefire and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas.

For months, negotiators from the U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been trying to mediate a ceasefire. Hamas says it wants a permanent end to the war in the Gaza Strip and Israeli withdrawal from the enclave of 2.3 million people.

Israel is retaliating against Hamas, which rules Gaza, over an Oct. 7 attack by its militants.

More than 1,200 people were killed and over 250 taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies. More than 100 hostages are believed to remain captive in Gaza.

Israel launched an air, ground and sea assault on the Palestinian territory, killing more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols and Ali Sawafta; Editing by William Maclean, Cynthia Osterman and Josie Kao)
The United Nations Security Council on Monday afternoon adopted a U.S. draft resolution urging Hamas to accept the latest cease-fire and hostage release proposed deal.

Fourteen members of the council voted in favor of the measure and only one -- Russia -- elected to abstain. Russia is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council with veto power over resolutions.

Nate Evans, spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the United Nations, noted in a statement ahead of the vote that the plan would enable a pause in fighting, the freeing of a number of hostages and an immediate surge in humanitarian assistance, among other things.

"Israel has accepted this proposal and the Security Council has an opportunity to speak with one voice and call on Hamas to do the same," his statement continued. "Doing so would help save lives and the suffering of civilians in Gaza as well as the hostages and their families. Council Members should not let this opportunity to pass by and must speak with one voice in support of this deal."

MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: Doctor treating rescued hostages speaks out

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield made a similar case just before the vote, saying that every day the war goes on, "needless suffering continues."

"Colleagues, after eight months of devastation and pain and trauma, what is needed now more than ever is for the fighting to end in a sustainable way," she said. "The United States and every single country in this chamber wants to see an immediate cease-fire with the release of hostages. We've heard those calls time and time again since Oct. 7. Now the opportunity is here. We must seize it."

Hamas released a statement following the vote saying they "welcome" what was included in the draft resolution "regarding a permanent cease-fire in Gaza."

PHOTO: People speak during a Security Council meeting about the war in Gaza at United Nations headquarters, May 29, 2024. (Seth Wenig/AP)

President Joe Biden backed the proposal in late May, announcing Israel had degraded Hamas' capabilities and it was "time for this war to end" and the "day after to begin."

Biden also outlined the plan's three phases, the first lasting for six weeks and consisting of a cease-fire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza, the release of a number of hostages and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

The second phase would usher in a "cessation of hostilities permanently," Biden said, should Hamas abide by the commitments laid out in the agreement, as well as the release of all remaining living hostages. The last phase would include a reconstruction of Gaza and the return of remains of hostages to their families.

MORE: Biden-backed Israel-Hamas cease-fire proposal faces strong headwinds: ANALYSIS

The State Department said it was consulting with Israel on the U.N. draft resolution last week, even though Israel is not a member of the council.

The vote comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Middle East to further negotiate the cease-fire and hostage agreement.

As he departed Cairo earlier Monday for Tel Aviv, Blinken called it a "critical moment."

"My message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region: If you want a cease-fire, press Hamas to say yes," Blinken told reporters. "If you want to alleviate the terrible suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, press Hamas to say yes.

"If you want to get all the hostages home, press Hamas to say yes," he continued. "If you want to put present Palestinians and Israelis alike on the path to more durable peace and security, if you want to prevent this conflict from spreading, press Hamas to say yes."

UN Security Council adopts US draft resolution supporting Gaza cease-fire plan originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
After the death of a 26-year-old Brazilian butt lift patient in Plantation, a gynecologist acting as an anesthesiologist lost her medical license. The surgeon still has his  even though the state says he knew the gynecologist wasnt qualified, had a responsibility to not use her as an anesthesiologist and promised not to do so.

Dr. John Nees, who once was busted in the middle of doing a surgery while on suspension, remains in business while Millicent Muir is no longer a gynecologist.

The only fallout for Nees from the Oct. 20, 2021, death of Jaynisha Williams at Plantations The Best U Now is a Florida Department of Health administrative complaint. That complaint, which starts the discipline process, was filed Sept. 27, 2022. While that process plods along, Nees can continue to operate on patients for liposuction, including BBLs, and various other plastic surgeries.

Nees, a plastic surgeon, has his own practice in Delray Beach. Office surgery centers listing him as a surgeon include Dorals The Secret Plastic Surgery, Miamis Boutinic Aesthetics and Moon Aesthetics.

Nees didnt answer calls or emails from the Miami Herald.

MORE: Consequences for a Broward anesthesiologist in a mothers butt-lift death

The designated physician

The Best U Now officially was run by Dorian Wilkerson and Shareza Wilkerson through Serenity Capital Investments. Shareza Wilkerson, who returned to her maiden name, Shareza Jackson, after filing for divorce, has claimed Wilkerson ran The Best U Now, which hired Nees as designated physician despite past flouting of state orders.

The designated physician makes sure the facility and staff comply with state laws, orders and guidelines.

The administrative complaint against Nees says during an Sept. 17, 2021, Florida Department of Health inspection at The Best U Now, inspectors learned that Nees used Muir to provide anesthesia for patients undergoing Level 2 surgeries.

But Muir was registered only as recovery personnel, not as an anesthesia provider. A Corrective Action Plan submitted by Nees to address the inspection problems stated Dr. Millicent Muir, M.D., will only perform recovery at the facility, as that is what she is registered to do within the facility. John Nees M.D. (Medical Director) will ensure on a daily basis the facility is in compliance with staff registration and their approved registration scope of practices.

That was submitted, the complaint said, on Oct. 15, 2021. Jaynisha Williams, a cousin of Dorian Wilkerson, came to The Best U Now on Oct. 20, 2021, for a BBL and a breast augmentation by Nees.

The surgical log, surgical time out form, surgery report and bodysculupture operative report for (Williams) surgery list Millicent Muir, M.D., as the anesthesia provider, the complaint said.

Williams surgery was supposed to be Level 2, defined as moderate or conscious sedation. The undisputed facts of the state case against Muir said she gave Williams enough ketamine, Benadryl and Versed followed by Demorol, propfol and more ketamine that it was Level 4 sedation. Also, she didnt intubate Williams, which the state anesthesia expert said was standard procedure and might have prevented the tragedy.

Williams never woke up and died at Plantation General Hospital that night.

The state anesthesia expert in Muirs revocation case said: The patient suffered cardiac arrest and death due to an anesthetic administered in higher doses than the patient consented for, with an inappropriate combination of medications, with an unprotected airway, in a surgery performed both in the prone and supine positions, with an underwhelming resuscitative effort, by a non-certified anesthesia provider.

Nees was the doctor in the house who was supposed to make sure the non-certified anesthesia provider wasnt providing anything.

Also, the complaint said Nees failed to document efforts to resuscitate (Williams) prior to the transfer to Plantation General Hospital in the medical record.

The state opened the discipline case against Nees four months before opening the case against Muir. The revocation ended her case six months ago.

Surgery while suspended and altered records

Though Nees has been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery since 1984, hiring him as designated physician would require him to respect rules hes previously ignored.

 In August 2003, Nees got a reciprocal punishment suspension from Florida after the state of Washington action against Nees for altering patient records.

The Florida administrative complaint said Nees altered Patient Ones medical records to make it appear that Patient One was no longer a patient at the time that they began their personal relationship.

He also added to or directed someone to add to the medical records of Patient Two. The altered records were updated with additional information that supported (Nees) claim that Patient Two was fully informed and consented to the procedures he performed.

The final order from Floridas Board of Medicine suspending Nees went into effect on Aug. 18, 2003.

 Just 18 days later, on Sept. 5, 2003, investigators from the Department of Healths Miami Investigative Unit acting on a tip went to an Coconut Grove office and found Nees in the middle of surgery. State documents say investigators found, and Nees admitted, that he had done at least 16 surgeries in the 18 days since his suspension.

Nees punishment included a $10,000 fine and a suspension lasting at least six months, not to end until he personally appears before the Board with a statement from the Professional Resources Network that (his) personality disorder is under control and that he is capable of practicing medicine with appropriate skill and safety. This went into effect on Dec. 27, 2004.

 On Jan. 16, 2005, Nees called in prescriptions to a pharmacy in Washington for himself and a relative. As his license was suspended, this counted as practicing medicine on a suspended license.

Florida fined Nees $2,000 plus $1,258 in case costs.
University issues warning about 'unprecedented' temperatures expected: 'The country will experience the highest temperatures ever recorded'

Mexico has seen record-hot temperatures this spring. The country's summer is also forecast to start with scorching temperatures, with more records expected.

What's happening?

Mexico has already experienced record heat this year, but now it is bracing for the hottest temperatures the country has ever seen. Most of the more than 20 million people who live in the Mexico City metropolitan area don't have air conditioning, according to Reuters.

"In the next 10 to 15 days, the country will experience the highest temperatures ever recorded," the National Autonomous University of Mexico researchers said in a statement in late May, as Reuters reported.

Per the news outlet, the director of UNAM's Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change predicted in late May that Mexico's capital could see high temperatures soar to a sweltering 95 degrees Fahrenheit during early summer.

In fact, the Washington Post reported on May 28 that "Mexico City soared to 94.5 degrees (34.7 Celsius) both Friday and Saturday [May 24 and 25], its highest temperature in 150 years of data keeping, according to the country's National Meteorological Service."

Why is record heat in Mexico important?

The World Health Organization says, "Heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related deaths and can exacerbate underlying illnesses including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health, asthma, and can increase the risk of accidents and transmission of some infectious diseases."

More than 60 people have died in Mexico from heat-related causes this year, as Mexico News Daily has reported. The United States set a record for heat deaths in 2023, with more than 2,300 people losing their lives, according to an Associated Press analysis.

Research shows that an overheating planet was linked to over one-third of all heat-related deaths from 1991 to 2018. Studies also show that heat-related deaths for those over 65 have climbed by 70% in just two decades, as the World Health Organization noted.

Heat continues to make headlines. More than 100 all-time heat records were set at major weather stations as April marked the 11th consecutive warmest month globally on record.

What's being done about the scorching heat?

Reducing the amount of heat-trapping gases being emitted into our atmosphere is the most effective way to cool off our planet. New technologies continue to emerge that offer hope for keeping our planet cooler. Recent innovations have been reported in the energy and transportation sectors.

On a personal level, we can help cut down on the toxic gases released into the atmosphere in many ways. This summer, how we care for our yards can make a difference. We can also change the way we travel for summer vacations.

Changes in how we use electricity, gas, and water daily can also reduce the pollution that is warming our planet.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
University president dies after 3 year battle with sarcoma: What to know about rare cancer

Marquette University's president, Michael Lovell, died after battling a rare cancer for three years. Now, his community is mourning the loss.

"The days ahead will be full of heartbreak," the university's statement said. "In this time of grief and sadness, let us come together as a community linked by faith and love."

On Sunday, the university announced that Lovell, 57, died while on a trip to Italy after battling cancer for three years. He was there with with his wife, members of the Society of Jesus and the University's Board of Trustees on a Jesuit formation pilgrimage, states a press release posted by the university. He became ill in Rome and was taken to a hospital.

Marquette University President Michael Lovell in his office on campus at Marquette University in Milwaukee on Monday, March 28, 2022. Lovell revealed in September 2021 that he had sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.

In September 2021, Lovell announced he was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a part of the USA TODAY Network.

He began chemotherapy shortly after and continued to work and ran the 12,000-student university through the midst of the pandemic.

"When you don't know how much time you have left, you want your days to be impactful, and you want to do things that you love," Lovell told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2022. "And so you ask me, why do I want to work? Well, you know, there are days that are hard, to be honest with you, and the last few years weren't easy, but I love being on this campus. I love being in our community."

The school, which describes itself as a "transformative, Catholic, Jesuit university" is located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Marquette University President Michael Lovell talks with students during a systems analysis and design class he taught.

Lovell was the first lay president of Marquette University, and is described as a "fixture of the Milwaukee community."

He was also deeply committed to his faith and is survived by his wife and children.

What is Sarcoma?

Lovell had a rare cancer known as sarcoma.

The disease causes malignant tumors that form in the bone and connective tissue, like fat, blood vessels, nerves and the tissue around bones and joints, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Only 1% of adults and 15% of children diagnosed with cancer have sarcoma.

What are the symptoms of sarcoma?

The following are symptoms of sarcoma, according to the Mayo Clinic:

Abdominal pain

Bone pain

A lump, possibly painful, that can be felt through the skin

Bones breaking unexpectedly after a minor injury or no injury at all

Weight loss

What causes sarcoma?

The cause of sarcomas is unclear, states the Mayo Clinic. But cancers occur when a cell's DNA mutates and tells it to uncontrollably grow and divide.

Increased risk factors

The following can increase the likelihood of a person developing a sarcoma, states the Mayo Clinic:

Chronic swelling (lymphedema) : Lymphedema, when the body begins to swell because of a backup of lymph fluid due to a block or damage to the lymphatic system, increases the risk of a type of sarcoma called angiosarcoma. Lymphedema is also a common side effect of cancer treatments, according to Cancer Care.

Exposure to chemicals: People who use certain chemicals, like some industrial chemicals and herbicides, can increase the likelihood of developing sarcoma that affects the liver.

Exposure to viruses : Human herpesvirus 8, HHV-8, can increase the risk of a type of sarcoma called Kaposi's sarcoma. It's unclear how HHV-8 spreads, but data suggests that the source of the virus comes from saliva, states the Clinicalinfo. Most people with the virus are asymptotic, but immunocompetent children, organ transplant recipients and other people with weakened immune systems who are infected can develop Kaposi's sarcoma.

Inherited syndromes : Parents can pass down syndromes that increase the risk of sarcoma to their children. Two syndromes that increase the risk are familial retinoblastoma and neurofibromatosis type 1.

Radiation therapy for cancer: People who have undergone radiation treatment for different cancers have a higher likelihood of developing sarcoma later in life.

Contributing: Kelly Meyerhofer, Jessica Rodriguez; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michael Lovell, Marquette University president dies of sarcoma
The Air Force on Sunday resumed airdropping humanitarian aid into Gaza after pausing operations for more than a month as Israels invasion of the city of Rafah unfolded.

A C-130J transport aircraft assigned to the 41st Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, dropped 12,500 prepackaged military meals, Capt. Daniel de La Fe, a spokesperson for Air Forces Central Command, told Air Force Times Monday. The service said the mission included the Royal Jordanian Air Force and other coalition partners.

US military hasnt airdropped Gaza aid since May 9

The airdrop marks the Air Forces 40th aid mission, comprised of 103 individual flights over the Gaza Strip, since the sorties began March 2. Its also the services first since the Pentagon put humanitarian air missions on hold May 9, largely as the result of Israels strikes targeting suspected Hamas militant strongholds in the southern city of Rafah, according to Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh has said.

Im extraordinarily proud of the hard work of our coalition airmen and soldiers who are accomplishing these airdrop missions, Air Forces Central boss Lt. Gen. Derek France said in a statement. I am also grateful for the integration and cooperation by regional and international partners who came together with us to provide hope to those in need.

The flights resumed shortly after aid again began flowing through a U.S. military-constructed pier on a beach in Gaza, two weeks after it was damaged by high winds and heavy seas.

To date, the Air Force has delivered more than 1.2 million Meals, Ready-to-Eat and 150,000 bottles of water to Gaza, AFCENT said Monday. Multiple squadrons flying the C-130J Super Hercules and the C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft have participated in the drops, which come as the United Nations and aid groups warn of an unfolding famine in the Mediterranean enclave.

About three dozen personnel from the 437th Airlift Wing, including maintainers, intelligence specialists and other aircrew members, joined the mission in early March with two C-17s from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. The crews flew about a dozen missions before returning home in mid-April.

Capt. Benjamin See, a pilot with the 437th who flew some of those missions, called the experience humbling and surreal.

It was a lot of just seeing what youve seen on the news, seeing Gaza, seeing buildings, and what was left of buildings, and then seeing people just down there waiting for the food that were delivering, See told Air Force Times in an interview.

Thats a sentiment shared by Tech. Sgt. Brian Bell, a loadmaster with the 79th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, which is deployed to U.S. Central Command with the HC-130J Combat King II.

As hes stood in the back of the aircraft, unleashing aid packages and watching them fall to the ground, Bell has reflected on the enormity of the eight-month-long war, which had killed more than 36,000 people as of the end of May.

I just remember thinking, This is the most important thing Ive done in my career, Bell said.
DENVER  On Jan. 1, 2014, Iraq War veteran Sean Azzariti made headlines worldwide as the first person in the U.S. to buy legal weed.

More than 10 years later, 3D Cannabis, the dispensary in Denvers Elyria-Swansea neighborhood where the historic purchase was made, displays a makeshift sign announcing it is temporarily closed. The windows and doors on the side of the building have been boarded up. Plastic bags, discarded coffee cups and other trash collect in the corners of the abandoned parking lot.

The dismal state of the historic site is a fitting symbol of the plight of Colorados cannabis market. What once was a success story has now left a trail of failed businesses and cash-strapped entrepreneurs in its wake. Regulatory burdens, an oversaturated market and increasing competition from nearby states have all landed major blows, leaving other states with newer marijuana markets scrambling to avoid the same mistakes.

For years, Colorados marijuana market minted successful local entrepreneurs who bootstrapped small businesses into national brands. The market drew aspiring cannabis professionals from across the country, whether ambitious college grads with a business idea or investors looking to get in on the green rush.



In 2020, the market soared to $2.2 billion. But just three years later, sales had plummeted to $1.5 billion, leading to layoffs, closures and downsizing. The market downturn has spelled trouble for state finances too: Colorado took in just $282 million in cannabis tax revenues in the last fiscal year, down more than 30 percent from two years earlier.

A messy assortment of factors has led to the pioneering industrys struggles. A supply glut caused weed prices to plummet in the wake of the pandemic. The spread of cheap, largely unregulated intoxicating hemp-derived products further heightened competitive pressures. And marijuana remains federally illegal, subjecting operators to sky-high taxes and costly regulations.

Its like the wind in our cannabis sails in Colorado has just been sucked all the way out, said Wanda James, founder of Denver dispensary Simply Pure, one of the first recreational dispensaries in the state.



But more than any other factor, Colorados market has been sapped by the rapid spread of legalization across the country. Neighbors New Mexico and Arizona are among the 24 states with their own adult-use legal marijuana markets, wreaking havoc on the business plans of dispensaries on Colorados southern border. Tourists who once flooded the state for the opportunity to legally experience Rocky Mountain highs have largely disappeared as the novelty has worn off. Even Texans arent driving north to buy weed anymore, satisfied with the proliferation of intoxicating hemp products in their own state.

Story continues

Colorados trailblazing cannabis market is now a cautionary tale for states with their own nascent weed programs. A top New York cannabis official recently pointed to Colorados dramatic marijuana market downturn to justify regulators hesitance to issue too many licenses at once.

Were a victim of our own success, said Jordan Wellington, a partner at Denver-based cannabis policy and public affairs firm Strategies 64. New markets drawing investment away, new markets drawing purchasing away  all of these different things combined into the soup of the challenges [facing] Colorado.



A few dispensary owners in the Mile High City have clung on through the markets rise and fall.

Greg Gamet, 52, started Dank under the states medical marijuana caregiver program in 2009 with $6,000. Like many entrepreneurs who got into the industry in the early days, Gamet did it for the love of the plant. He was already operating as a medical marijuana caregiver, growing weed in his basement, which perfumed his entire house.

When his wife got pregnant, she told him in no uncertain terms to get his grow out of their basement. Her ballbusting got me to this commercial space, he says.

Dank is located in an industrial area of Denvers Park Hill neighborhood. Cannabis consumers have to walk down a long hallway, past an auto shop and an upholstery business, to reach the dispensary at the back of the building. Posters of Bob Marley and botanical cannabis plants decorate the walls.

The only landlord I could find crazy enough to sign a lease for us to grow weed, Gamet says of the location. He hated the government.

Back in the days when the dispensary was printing money, Dank fed its employees, paid for all of their health insurance costs and even hosted weekly staff parties. Every time a cab driver pulled up to drop off a customer, that cabbie was getting a fiver.

All that stuff went away, Gamet says. You used to run your business and not even worry about budgets  because it was just so much money. How can you screw up 50 percent margins?

Savvy business owners have managed to survive the downturn, but others have gone out of business or left the state. The number of total cannabis licenses in the state dropped more than 16 percent in the past year alone, according to state data. Cannabis jobs also dropped 16 percent in that same time, according to Vangsts 2024 jobs report. It was the second straight year of job losses.



Southern Colorado cannabis retailer Maggie's Farm, which benefited from out-of-state customers, abruptly shut down five of its eight dispensaries earlier this year, while Curaleaf, one of America's largest cannabis companies, said last January that it had shuttered its production and cultivation facilities in Colorado.

Karson Humiston personally felt the decline as in-person gatherings resumed after pandemic stay-at-home orders.

Humiston moved out to Denver right after graduating college to intern for Gamet in hopes of learning all she could about the industry. Soon, her side hustle that connected job seekers with cannabis industry employers grew so much that she quit the internship to focus on her business full time. Her 2016 cannabis career fair drew huge crowds, putting her business on the map. In 2017, job seekers lined up for hours outside the door.

It was one of the most successful things we did, Humiston said. And then we did it again in 2018. And we did it again in 2019.

The pandemic put a stop to the large, in-person gatherings. But last summer, with life returning to normal, the team decided to bring back its flagship event.

Not a single company signed up.

Is something wrong with our sales team? Humiston joked. She started calling cannabis companies too, who told her they just werent hiring.



The growth of Colorados cannabis market was still on an upward trajectory when the pandemic hit the U.S. in 2020. Forced to sit at home and armed with government stimulus checks, consumers fueled a boom in weed sales.

Denver initially closed marijuana stores, but public pressure prompted city officials to reverse course and allow dispensaries to stay open.

We literally sold out in four hours, says James, of Denver dispensary Simply Pure. It looked like someone ransacked the place.

Simply Pure saw its two biggest years during the pandemic, with sales up 60 percent. But that all came crashing down when cultivators thought the pandemic boost would last and increased cultivation capacity, James says.

Wholesale cannabis prices plunged from nearly $1,700 a pound to about $700 a pound, according to Cannabis Benchmarks.

The only problem  for a long time was that there was never enough weed, says Jon Spadafora, CEO of Veritas Fine Cannabis, a wholesale cultivator. It was hard to produce enough to fulfill what the market needed.

The seemingly ever-increasing demand prompted Veritas to steadily expand its production capabilities. The company was one of the early growers in Colorado to brand their flower products. It inked a deal to be the exclusive grower of Cookies products in the state  one of the most recognizable weed brands in the nation.

But as the country slowly started to return to normal, Colorados cannabis market started its precipitous decline.

We all overestimated the market, Spadafora says. We all believed a little bit too much of our own PR.

The rush to expand cannabis production and the changing dynamics of the pandemic made for a deadly combination of oversupply and price compression. Cultivators invested in expansion, with all their capacity coming online around the same time in 2021, Spadafora explains.

The style of cultivation that Veritas focused on  growing large plants that required a lot of labor  proved too inefficient to compete with other cultivators. In 2022, Veritas downsized  changing its cultivation style, improving efficiency and outsourcing to third parties.

At its height, Veritas had 144 employees. Now, it has 21.



Native Roots followed a similar trajectory. At its Mothership cultivation facility in Denver, the company used to produce about 32,000 pounds of weed a year. By mid-2023, it had cut production by half, says Jason MacDonald, who heads up production.

Production is picking back up, but the company is keeping a careful eye on the market. Part of what helped Native Roots weather the downturn is that it has 21 of its own dispensaries across the state.

We want to be careful to make sure that we dont oversupply ourselves, MacDonald says.

This type of boom-and-bust cycle is to be expected for any state launching a new marijuana market, says Beau Whitney, founder of Whitney Economics, which tracks the cannabis industry. Initially, supply is low and profits are high, which draws in new businesses. As supply and consumer access catch up, prices drop. But there is a reason for newer marijuana-legal states to be cautiously optimistic. As the number of states legalizing cannabis steadily grows, Whitney says, the turbulent pattern of growth and decline should ease as cannabis prices across the country normalize.



While the market in Colorado overall has dropped more than 30 percent from its peak in 2021, sales in counties along the southern border have fallen nearly 50 percent as new markets in New Mexico and Arizona have boomed. Sales in Las Animas County, where Trinidad is located  less than 15 miles from the New Mexico border  have seen the sharpest drop in sales.

But its not just the spread of legal weed disrupting Colorados market. Its also how states end up competing on regulations.

New Mexico legalized adult-use marijuana in 2021, with sales launching in April 2022. The state allows adults over 21 to purchase up to two ounces of weed at a time  double Colorados 1-ounce limit. Edibles in New Mexico can be produced with higher dosages, too.

Cannabis industry insiders believe New Mexicos higher purchase limits are drawing residents from nearby states without legal cannabis who used to drive to Colorado to buy weed.

Theres also the added wrinkle of intoxicating hemp cannabinoids. The market for products like Delta-8 THC boomed in recent years as hemp producers figured out how to exploit a loophole in federal laws that allowed them to sell intoxicating products. Since then, many hemp producers have focused on the more lucrative intoxicating products, which arent subject to costly state cannabis regulations.

Last summer, Colorados Democratic governor Jared Polis signed a bill that severely restricted the sale of such products. But theyre still hurting marijuana sales elsewhere. Demand is higher in states without regulated marijuana. The market in Texas alone is worth $2 to 3 billion, according to a report from Whitney Economics. Thats about 50 percent larger than Colorados legal marijuana market.

When you can buy [intoxicating hemp] products online with a credit card, click the Subscribe and Save button so that its at your door every two weeks in a discreet package, and youre not getting carded  why wouldnt you want to buy online? says Liz Zukowski, director of public affairs for Native Roots.



Colorado cannabis industry officials say the states onerous regulations and high taxes dont allow them to compete with neighboring states, let alone the burgeoning hemp market. Seed-to-sale tracking, contaminant testing, license renewals, employee badge renewals  all of these regulations are costly to cannabis businesses.

Native Roots has 21 dispensaries across the state, most of which have both medical and recreational licenses. Those licenses come up for renewal separately every year, and theres no way for the company to renew their licenses together at the same time.

But a bill introduced by Republican Sen. Kevin Van Winkle and Democratic Sen. Julie Gonzales would fix that, along with other regulatory burdens facing the industry like a requirement to use radio frequency identification tags for plant tracking. Polis signed the bill Wednesday.

We want to look at the house we built 10 years ago and redesign it, Van Winkle says, especially when it comes to public safety.

But that doesnt address the high cannabis tax rates that rankle the industry. Theres a 15 percent excise tax on both wholesale and retail, which doesnt account for local taxes. Because cannabis taxes were set by voters at the ballot box in the state's 2012 legalization amendment and earmarked for school infrastructure projects, lawmakers are limited in what they can do to change them.

"[With] the decline of revenues were now having to cut back on these very good programs," Van Winkle said.

Marijuana's continued federal illegality is another added cost.

"280E is the biggest problem with the industry by far," Gamet says, citing a federal tax code that prevents cannabis businesses from taking typical business deductions. Im very familiar with that because Ive been audited every year since 2014. Its a lot of lawyer expenses.

Its not that you cant make money in the Colorado market anymore, says Chris Woods, CEO of Terrapin Care Station, which started as a medical cannabis operator in Boulder in 2009.

When it comes to maturing cannabis markets, you always see the inflection points where youre either going to have to double  your footprint in order to make money in terms of an economy of scale or take out additional capital to kind of deal with the market trends, he says.

Instead, Woods decided to pull out of the Colorado market entirely, selling its five remaining retail licenses. The company will continue to be based in Colorado, where Woods lives. But going forward, the business will be focused on Pennsylvania  which only has a medical program but seems poised to transition to adult use.

The size of our business in Pennsylvania is like three, four times the size of what it is in Colorado, Woods says.



For all the troubles that the Colorado cannabis market has endured, the states early foray into legalization has produced successful entrepreneurs  some of whom have expanded far beyond their home states borders.

If the now-defunct 3D Cannabis is a symbol of Colorado cannabis rise and fall, Wanas Boulder production facility showcases the states lasting influence in the nations still-nascent weed industry.

Nancy Whiteman started Wana in 2010 with a focus on making cannabis-infused edibles, eventually deciding to specialize in gummies. At a time when other players in Colorados cannabis industry were downsizing or scaling back, Wanas production facility in Boulder upgraded its kitchen. Now, the gummy production facility boasts the latest technology from the confectionery industry  a huge upgrade from staffers hand-mixing in pots.

For years, Whiteman was the sole owner of Wana, which netted her a windfall thanks to a deal with Canopy Growth, a large Canadian cannabis producer.

The deal was worth a total of $350 million. Canopy initially paid Whiteman $297.5 million for 85 percent of the company, essentially purchasing the option to buy Wana. It catapulted her onto a Forbes ranking of successful businesswomen. This month, on the heels of the Biden administration announcing plans to reclassify cannabis, the deal closed and Whiteman got the rest of her payout.

Whiteman recently announced that she would step down from her leadership role at the company and become a board member of Canopy USA. Wana Chief Marketing Officer Joe Hodas will take the reins as president this month.



The company has expanded to 17 states and Puerto Rico, and now has its sights set on Europe.

Part of establishing our beachhead here early meant that, when people would come to visit, they would take product home with them, Hodas says. He recognizes that the company would not have achieved its scale and reach without its early entry into the first legal cannabis market in the nation.

On a standalone basis, were still very successful here.


Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have estimated that the limited authorisations to hit targets in Russia with the weapons provided by the US have reduced the Russian safe space by 16%.

Source: ISW

Details: The Biden administration has slightly adjusted its policy to permit Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons to target select Russian military positions within a limited region of Russian territory. This adjustment has minimally reduced the extent of Russias secure ground area by a maximum of 16%.

Quote: "US policy still protects the vast majority of Russias operational rear and deep rear, and US policy forbids Ukraine from using ATACMS anywhere in Russia."

More details: The US policy that limits Ukraine's use of these weapons has effectively created a substantial sanctuary. Although within the range of US-provided weapons, this territory remains untouched by Ukrainian strikes due to these restrictions. Russia is taking advantage of this sanctuary to safeguard its combat forces, command and control infrastructure, logistics, and support services essential for its operations in Ukraine.

Experts from the ISW suggest that Ukrainian forces could potentially strike any legitimate Russian military targets within the reach of their HIMARS systems using MLRS in Russias Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk oblasts. However, whether Ukraine has the authorisation to conduct such strikes remains uncertain. Senior US officials have stated that Ukraines use of MLRS is primarily for counterbattery purposes and is geographically confined to Ukraines Kharkiv Oblast.

Additionally, Ukrainian forces appear to be permitted to strike Russian military assets positioned "just across the [Ukrainian] border," indicating a likely restriction against hitting targets deeper within Kursk and Bryansk oblasts, even though these areas are within MLRS range.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 9 June:

Ukrainian forces likely struck a Russian Su-57 fighter aircraft at the Akhtubinsk airfield in Astrakhan Oblast between 7 and 8 June.

Ukrainian forces may have struck a large Russian landing ship or patrol boat in Yeysk, Krasnodar Krai on the night of 8-9 June.

The Kremlin's concerted effort to remove and arrest senior Russian defence officials may be extending to civilian regional administration officials.

The pro-Kremlin Moldovan Victory opposition electoral bloc held its second congress in Moscow on 9 June following a series of meetings between pro-Kremlin Moldovan opposition politicians and Russian officials from 6 to 9 June.

Igor Dodon, Former pro-Russian Moldovan president and current head of the Moldovan Socialist Party, gave interviews to Russian state news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti on 9 June in which he promoted several known Kremlin narratives targeting the current Moldovan government  many of which Moldovan opposition politicians also promoted at the Victory bloc congress.

The Kremlin will likely try to exploit its ties to Dodon as part of its wider efforts to destabilise Moldovan democracy and influence the Moldovan government.

Russian forces recently advanced near Kupiansk, Siversk, Chasiv Yar, Avdiivka, and Donetsk City.

Russian officials continue efforts to coerce migrants into military service.

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US calls for Security Council vote on proposal for cease-fire between Israel and Hamas

The Biden administration on Monday called for the United Nations Security Council to vote on a U.S. resolution laying out an immediate truce between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Nate Evans, spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the UN, said it was important for the Security Council to put pressure on Hamas to accept a proposal that Israel has accepted.

Israel has accepted this proposal and the Security Council has an opportunity to speak with one voice and call on Hamas to do the same, Evans said.

A vote on the resolution is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Monday and its likely to pass. Although its unclear if there are any mechanisms of enforcement, the measure puts the council on record of support of ending the war.

The U.S. draft resolution is based on a three-phase proposal President Biden laid out earlier this month that would require the release of some Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a six-week cease-fire. Biden has called for the first phase to allow time for diplomacy to move into a second phase of a further, enduring cessation of hostilities and reaching agreements on thorny issues for both Israel and Hamas.

The Biden administration emphasizes that Israel has accepted the cease-fire proposal. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cast doubt over that commitment, warning that Israel cannot agree fully to the terms of the deal without commitment from Hamas.

In response to this, Hamas has rejected engaging in the cease-fire proposal entirely, stalling efforts at negotiations.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, having arrived in Egypt on Monday, is on a two-day tour of the region to build support for the cease-fire proposal. He will travel to Israel, Jordan and Qatar. Egypt and Qatar have acted as mediators with Hamas amid the international negotiations for a cease-fire.

Updated: 12:35 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.
By Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will close a costly Texas detention center and reallocate the funds to increase overall detention capacity as the agency ramps up operations to implement new U.S. border restrictions.

In a memo to U.S. lawmakers on Monday, ICE said it would shutter the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, freeing up money to expand detention bed space elsewhere.

Biden, a Democrat seeking another term in Nov. 5 elections, rolled out a policy last week that bars most migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally from claiming asylum. The new asylum ban aims to quickly process migrants for potential deportation, which could strain ICE's detention space.

As of June 6, the agency held around 37,000 people, close to its funded capacity of 41,500, ICE figures show.

The move to close the Texas facility, known as "Dilley," frees up resources for an additional 1,600 beds, ICE said in the memo, which was reviewed by Reuters. ICE confirmed the closure in a related press release.

Dilley was opened in 2014 to house migrant families caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, a contentious practice the Biden administration halted by early 2022.

The center, operated by the private company CoreCivic , held around 1,800 people as of June 6, the bulk of whom were women with no criminal records, ICE records show.

Dilley was one of nine detention centers identified in an internal 2022 memo recommending closing or downsizing centers with high costs or staffing shortages. The memo, reported by Reuters last year, said ICE could save $129 million by closing it.

In the memo to Congress, ICE said Dilley was "the most expensive facility in the national detention network."

ICE also said it was "optimizing" its contracts with charter airlines to potentially increase the number of deportation flights per week.

CoreCivic did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Mary Milliken and Josie Kao)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. officials have considered negotiating a unilateral deal with Palestinian Hamas militants to release five American hostages held in Gaza if ceasefire talks involving Israel fail, NBC News reported on Monday.

It was not clear what the United States might offer Hamas in exchange, according to the report, which cited two current and two former U.S. officials

The United States says Hamas is holding five Americans who were taken hostage in the group's deadly Oct. 7 incursion inside Israel, which prompted Israel's massive retaliation. Officials are hoping to recover the bodies of three other Americans who were killed that day, NBC reported.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, asked about the report as he left Cairo said, "The best way, the most effective way to get everyone home, including the American hostages, is through this proposal, is through the ceasefire deal that's on the table right now."

Any unilateral talks would be conducted through Qatari negotiators and would not involve Israel, the unidentified officials, who NBC said have all been briefed on the negotiations, told the network.

The officials said Hamas would have an incentive to reach such a deal with Washington because it would strain U.S.-Israel relations further and add pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been criticized at home for not doing more to get the hostages out.

Asked about the report, Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer told reporters that all countries should do whatever they can to get hostages out.

"We have called on all countries, all countries to put as much pressure on Hamas as they possibly can to release the hostages," he said.

The Hamas attack killed 1,200 people and took some 250 others hostage, according to Israeli tallies. In response, Israel launched an assault on the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said in its Sunday update, and reduced the enclave to a wasteland.

Blinken is on his eighth visit to the region since the October attack, which triggered the bloodiest episode in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu in Washington, Daphne Psaledakis in Cairo, Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem; Editing by Rod Nickel and Bill Berkrot)
The U.S. Consulate in Sydney was vandalized Monday with apparent pro-Palestinian graffiti as tensions from the Israel-Hamas war spill over internationally.

A person in a dark hoodie was seen on CCTV footage early Monday morning smashing nine holes in the glass windows of the building in North Sydney with a sledgehammer, the New South Wales Police Department confirmed to The Hill.

Two inverted red triangles, often a symbol of Palestinian resistance, were found painted on the front of the building, The Associated Press reported.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called on advocates on both sides of the conflict to turn the heat down, and have respectful political debate and discourse.

People are traumatized by what is going on in the Middle East, particularly those with relatives in either Israel or in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, Albanese said during a Monday news conference.

The Hill reached out to the State Department for comment.

Police called on those with information or dashcam footage of the incident to contact authorities.

The consulate in Sydney is closed Monday to mark the Kings Birthday, a public holiday in Australia. It is expected to reopen Tuesday.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns also weighed in on the incident Monday, stating, We can make our point in this country without resorting to violence or malicious behavior, according to the AP.

The incident comes two months after the consulate was vandalized in April with the words Free Gaza. A group of pro-Palestinian activists similarly vandalized the U.S. Consulate in Melbourne last December, according to local news reports.

The Associated Press contributed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Abbott Laboratories logo is displayed on a screen at the NYSE in New York

By Pratik Jain and Sriparna Roy

(Reuters) -Abbott Laboratories said on Monday the U.S. health regulator had cleared the company's two new over-the-counter glucose monitoring devices, expanding its presence in a fast-growing, multi-billion-dollar market.

The devices, one for the health-conscious and another for those with diabetes, follow the company's FreeStyle Libre, which generates over $1 billion every quarter and is sold under prescription for patients with diabetes.

One of the new OTC devices, Libre Rio, targets people with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin and typically manage their diabetes through lifestyle modifications.

The Food and Drug Administration's clearance for Libre Rio allows access to a continuous glucose monitor for 24.5 million type 2 diabetes patients who do not use insulin, RBC Capital Markets analyst Shagun Singh said.

The other product, Lingo, will help to track glucose and provide personalized insights to improve overall well-being.

Abbott plans to launch Lingo this summer, a spokesperson said, without disclosing details on pricing. The company said it would share details on pricing and availability of Libre Rio later.

Lingo is available in Britain since January for 120-150 pounds ($152-$190) per month.

Abbott believes the new devices combined can be at least a $1 billion plus in annual sales opportunity as a first stop, the RBC analyst said.

Libre Rio and Lingo will compete with Dexcom's Stelo, which in March became the first continuous glucose monitor to be approved by the FDA for OTC sales.

Shares of Abbott were up about 1% in morning trade.

(Reporting by Sriparna Roy and Pratik Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Maju Samuel)
FILE - U.S. troopers prepare to board U.S. Army CH-47s at Paredes Air Station at Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte province as it carries U.S. and Philippine troops during a joint military exercise in northern Philippines on May 6, 2024. Hundreds of American and Filipino troops concluded Monday June 10, 2024 a new combat exercise in the northern Philippines which tested their endurance in more than a week of brutal heat and volatile weather and braced them to respond to any threat in tropical jungles and on scattered islands, two U.S. and Philippine generals said. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)

MANILA, Philippines (AP)  Hundreds of American and Filipino troops concluded Monday a new combat exercise in the northern Philippines that tested their endurance in more than a week of brutal heat and volatile weather, and braced them to respond to any threat in tropical jungles and on scattered islands, two U.S. and Philippine generals said.

The Biden administration has been strengthening an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to better counter China, including in any possible confrontation over Taiwan and other Asian flash points. The move has dovetailed with Philippine efforts to shore up its territorial defenses amid escalating disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea.

The large-scale battle drills, which have been held in Hawaii in recent years under the U.S. Armys Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center, have been introduced in the Philippines this year. There is also a version in Alaska. The exercises allow the U.S. Army, its allies and friendly forces to train in extreme conditions where they are most likely to operate from archipelagos, jungles and heat in the tropics to high-altitude and extreme cold in the Arctic, said Maj. Adan Cazarez, a public affairs officer of the U.S. Armys 25th Infantry Division.

The June 1-10 warfighting exercise began with an air assault on mock enemy forces to allow the deployment of U.S. and Filipino soldiers who secured an area, which served as a staging ground before a major offensive. When their communication lines for supplies were threatened, top commanders decided to shift to a defensive assault and repelled the enemy attempt and successfully launched the offensive.

Key aspects of the mock battle, including the planning, deployments, logistical preparations and contingency readiness, were reviewed by military assessors for combat efficiency.

The combat exercises, Cazarez said, were integrated in annual U.S.-Philippine army joint exercises called Salaknib for the first time this year. About 1,500 U.S. and Filipino soldiers participated in the new battle drills staged in a hinterland in Fort Magsaysay, a sprawling Philippine army camp in an agricultural region known for its scorching weather. The temperature this year had been exacerbated by the El Nino, an occasional warming of the Pacific that shifts global weather patterns.

"The terrain is without question some of the most difficult that our soldiers have ever had the experience to move into. The heat on a daily basis was well over 95 degrees (Fahrenheit; 35 degrees Celsius) and it challenged us from a sustainable perspective, Maj Gen. Marcus Evans, commander of the U.S. Armys Hawaii-based 25th Infantry Division, told The Associated Press in an online interview from the battle training site.

Coordinating artillery and aerial fire and maneuvers on a very challenging piece of terrain and, really, unforgiving temperatures, were all things that added to the overall training value, Evans said. He added that American pilots also had to adjust to the regions unpredictable weather.

Philippine army Maj. Gen. Andrew de Lara Costelo said the combat drills were designed to allow U.S. and Philippine forces and potentially other allies to operate seamlessly in future contingencies.

This fosters interoperability and shared tactics, techniques and procedures, Costelo told the AP.

By working together, we harness our combined strengths, knowledge and capabilities, ensuring that we are prepared to face any challenges that may arise, he said.

The war exercises were staged after the conclusion of two larger back-to-back exercises earlier this year between U.S. and Philippine forces, the Salaknib and the Balikatan  Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder  which involved more than 16,000 U.S. and Philippine military personnel in their largest combat maneuvers that involved live-fire drills in and near the disputed South China Sea. Several countries sent military observers.

China has vehemently opposed the combat exercises and increased deployments of American forces to Asia, including in the Philippines, saying such military presence was endangering regional stability and was designed to contain Beijing. The Philippine military says the military drills didn't target any country and served to deter aggression.

Last year, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. defended his decision to allow a U.S. military presence in more Philippine military camps under a 2014 defense pact, saying it was vital to his countrys territorial defense.

China had warned that the increased U.S. military presence would drag the Philippines into the abyss of geopolitical strife.
Armed rebels of the Iran-backed Houthi militia take part in a demonstration. Iran-backed Houthi rebels have attacked an Greek carrier ship in the Red Sea, the US military said on Tuesday. Osamah Yahya/dpa

Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked two European-owned carrier ships in the Red Sea; damaging them, the US military said on Sunday.

The two vessels hit in the space of 24 hours were Liberian-flagged, Swiss-owned and operated container ship M/V Tavvishi and M/V Norderney, an Antigua and Barbados-flagged, German-owned and operated cargo ship, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

Two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) were launched from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden, with one striking the M/V Tavvishi. The vessel was damaged but continued underway and no injuries were reported, the regional command said.

In a separate incident, Houthis launched "one ASBM and one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) into the Gulf of Aden," Centcom said, with both missiles striking the M/V Norderney. The cargo ship was damaged but continued underway and no injuries were reported.

Centcom said that its forces also destroyed one uncrewed aerial system (UAS) over the Gulf of Aden as well as two Houthi land attack cruise missiles (LACM) and one missile launcher in areas of Yemen controlled by the militants after assessing they presented an "imminent threat."

Houthi militants have repeatedly fired on merchant ships in the critical Red Sea shipping corridor that connects to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal since the start of the war in Gaza in October.

The militants have said the attacks are intended to support Palestinian militant group Hamas by making it more difficult for cargo ships to reach Israel.

In response to the attacks, the United States and the UK have carried out several military strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.

The European Union has also launched a military operation to protect merchant shipping in the Red Sea.
US Looks to Japan for Help in Bolstering Weapon Supplies

(Bloomberg) -- The US opened a new forum with Japan to boost defense industry ties, with Tokyo expanding its role to help its sole ally as Washington faces strains in supplying weapons to Ukraine and keeping pace with Chinas military expansion.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Defense contractors from both countries met at the first gathering of the Defense Industrial Cooperation Acquisition and Sustainment Forum, or DICAS that started Sunday in Japan. The two sides will eventually discuss cooperating on repairs of US naval ships and aircraft, as well as missile production and supply chains, US Ambassador Rahm Emanuel told reporters in Tokyo.

If you take the repair and maintenance and have an ally help you, that means Americas skills can be concentrated on the most important thing, which is building something totally new to stay competitive with China, Emanuel said.

The USs own procurement process has suffered delays, with delivery of two new attack submarines, for example, running as much as two years late. The country is also racing to revive production of basic artillery for Ukraine.

DICAS is among a list of initiatives that President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced at a summit in April in Washington to boost their defense and intelligence cooperation.

Facing an assertive China and North Koreas missile threats, Japan is increasing its defense spending to about 2% of its economic output, which is expected to benefit defense contractors at home.

Japan, where pacifist sentiment has remained strong since the countrys World War II defeat, has been gradually easing its virtual ban on arms exports.

In December, it decided to allow sales of weapons produced under license back to the country of origin, enabling Japan to export Patriot missiles to the US. This helped widen the pool of weapons the US has to bolster Ukraines air defense systems.

In the same month, Japan signed a treaty with the UK and Italy to develop a fighter jet known as the Global Combat Air Program.

(Updates from first paragraph with remarks from US Ambassador Rahm Emanuel.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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FILE PHOTO: U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tokyo

By Tim Kelly

TOKYO (Reuters) - The United States needs Japan's help to cope with strategic challenges in Europe and Asia that are straining its defence industries, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan said on Monday as the countries kicked off talks on military industrial cooperation.

"Our national security strategy calls for us to be able to handle one and a half theatres, that's a major war and another one to a stand off, and with both the Middle East, Ukraine, and keeping our deterrence credible in this region (East Asia) you can already see that we are in two plus," Rahm Emanuel told reporters.

On Sunday, Japan and the U.S. kicked off their first talks in Tokyo on forging deeper defence industry collaboration under the U.S.-Japan Forum on Defense Industrial Cooperation, Acquisition and Sustainment (DICAS) established in April by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden.

Discussions on Tuesday between U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William A. LaPlante and Masaki Fukasawa, the head of Japans Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency, will focus on naval repairs in Japan that could help free up U.S. yards to build more warships.

"China has a major capacity we already know that will surpass us on new shipbuilding," Emanuel said.

Other potential cooperation between Japan and the U.S. includes aircraft repairs, missile production and military supply chain resilience, he added.

Japan and the U.S. already build a missile defence interceptor together and Tokyo has also agreed to supply Patriot PAC3 air-defence missiles to the U.S.

(Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Mark Potter)
Viewing insider transactions for CSE Global Limited's (SGX:544 ) over the last year, we see that insiders were net buyers. This means that a larger number of shares were purchased by insiders in relation to shares sold.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing.

Check out our latest analysis for CSE Global

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At CSE Global

The CEO, Group MD & Executive Director Boon Kheng Lim made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for S$1.1m worth of shares at a price of S$0.43 each. That means that even when the share price was higher than S$0.41 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. 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. Boon Kheng Lim was the only individual insider to buy shares in the last twelve months.

Boon Kheng Lim purchased 3.35m shares over the year. The average price per share was S$0.44. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

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.

Does CSE Global Boast High Insider Ownership?

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. It appears that CSE Global insiders own 7.6% of the company, worth about S$21m. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders.

So What Do The CSE Global Insider Transactions Indicate?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded CSE Global shares in the last quarter. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Insiders own shares in CSE Global and we see no evidence to suggest they are worried about the future. In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing CSE Global. At Simply Wall St, we found 2 warning signs for CSE Global that deserve your attention before buying any shares.

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.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The chair of the Senate Finance Committee said on Monday he was expanding its probe into German automaker BMW's use of electronic components from a banned Chinese supplier.

Last month, Senator Ron Wyden said after a two-year staff investigation he had learned that BMW had imported at least 8,000 Mini Cooper vehicles into the United States with parts from a Chinese supplier banned under a 2021 law and that BMW continued to import products with the banned parts until at least April.

On Monday Wyden, in a new letter to BMW North America CEO Sebastian Mackensen, asked if the automaker has completed its examination of its supply chain to determine whether other products it imported contained parts from Chinese supplier Sichuan Jingweida Technology Group (JWD).

"Is BMW certain that it is not currently importing vehicles containing components produced by JWD?" the letter said, asking for answers by June 21. Wyden also wants any actions taken by BMW "to address any cars or spare parts containing JWD parts improperly imported by BMW" after December 2023.

BMW Group, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday, said last month it had "taken steps to halt the importation of affected products."

The company will be taking action to replace the specific parts, adding it "has strict standards and policies regarding employment practices, human rights, and working conditions, which all our direct suppliers must follow."

Congress in 2021 passed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) law to strengthen enforcement of laws to prevent the import of goods from China's Xinjiang region believed to have been produced with forced labor by members of the country's Uyghur minority group. China denies the allegations.

The report found Bourns Inc, a California-based auto supplier, had sourced components from JWD, which was added to the UFLPA Entity List in December.

Bourns provided JWD parts to Lear Corp, a direct supplier for BMW and other automakers. Bourns notified Lear in January that electronic components known as LAN transformers had been produced by JWD and were prohibited in U.S. imported vehicles.

Lear said last month takes the issues raised seriously and shares "the committees desire to combat forced labor," and noted it does not have a direct relationship with JWD.

(Reporting by David Shepardson, Editing by William Maclean)
In US Senate primary race between Slotkin, Harper, the choice is clear | Endorsement

When Elissa Slotkin made her political debut in 2018 as a candidate for the U.S. Congress 8th District, she was one of the best qualified candidates this newspapers editorial board had ever seen.

U.S. Rep. Slotkin is now seeking her partys nomination for the open U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

Six years in the House of Representatives have only enhanced her formidable talents. Michigan voters should not hesitate to choose ELISSA SLOTKIN in the Aug. 6 Democratic primary.

Michigan's Senate campaign is one of the most-watched races in the nation. The winner of the party primary will have a tough general election fight ahead.

Michiganders have been privileged to enjoy a series of senators who have worked diligently to improve the lives of their constituents, placing service above all else. For 24 years, Stabenow carried that mantle, patiently building relationships across the aisle, even during times of great political stress, that enabled the passage of essential legislation  like the agricultural bills that provide subsidies to Michigan farmers and food assistance to Michiganders in need.

Slotkin is eminently qualified by any measure, and we believe she is also the candidate most suited to carry on this tradition of service.

Xochitl Torres Small (L), Deputy Secretary of the USDA and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (R), D-Lansing meet with urban farmers and at Oakland Avenue Urban Farm in Detroit's North End.

Clear policy objectives

Slotkin, 47, is a native of Oakland County who enlisted in the CIA after 9/11, serving three tours of duty in Iraq. She served in the National Security Council under then-president George W. Bush, and then as acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for National Security Affairs under former President Barack Obama.

Despite her background, Slotkin isnt the warmonger her most outspoken critics claim. While she retains an insiders nuanced understanding of national security, her legislative focus is primarily domestic: Slotkin decided to trade technocracy for politics because of political polarization in our own country.

In an endorsement interview last month with the Detroit Free Press Editorial Board, Slotkin described her north stars:

Our multi-cutural, multi-racial democracy should offer opportunities for anyone  longtime citizens or new arrivals  to enter the middle class

The need to manufacture more things in America

Protecting our children from the greatest threats to their well-being  gun violence (now the number one cause of death for American children and teens) opioid and fentanyl addiction, and in the longer term, climate change.

It's an unusual display of clarity around a set of policy objectives that ought to be achievable.

Slotkin is a prodigous fundraiser; she had raised $16 million by the end of the last reporting period.

Critics have said Slotkin lacks experience representing communities of color. The congresswoman notes that she has represented Lansing  23% Black, 12% Hispanic  for her entire tenure in office, but also acknowledges that she had work to do: "Im honest about it, and I practice radical transparency."

Slotkin says shes held 80 community meetings in Detroit, most of them not for media consumption, because she wants to get to know the communities she hopes to represent.

It is completely clear when you walk into a community event in Detroit that a cloud hangs over the city because for the first time in over 65 years, there's no African American representative of the city at the federal level," she said. "The community is very used to white politicians coming in before an election promising the world, and then never showing up again. So that's what I acknowledge right up front. And while I can't prove to people what I'll do after I'm elected, what I can prove is that I can ... show up and show up and show up ahead of time, and take the lessons that I'm learning into my current life as a legislator.

Her efforts convinced the influential Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, which endorsed her last week.

When Slotkin is elected, well hold her accountable to both promises: to the exercise of radical transparency, and to keep showing up.

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin

Hill Harper

Detroiter Hill Harper is also on the Aug. 6 primary ballot. Dearborn businessman Nasser Beydoun was disqualified over a petition error.

An actor, lawyer, small business owner and activist, Harper speaks compellingly about his decision to run and his connection to Michiganders. When he notes that he would be the only parent of a school-aged child in the U.S. Senate, the significance is not lost on us.

Harper is unabashedly progressive, and pledges to be a fierce advocate for education and diverse communities. He had raised about $2 million at the end of the last reporting period, and won the endorsement of a host of powerful Black Michigan Democrats, like Wayne County Executive Warren Evans and former U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence.

We feel keenly the need for Black Democratic political representation in Washington.

But Harper simply isnt as qualified as Slotkin.

And at times, his campaign has veered onto shaky ground.

Harper, who starred on the popular ABC show The Good Doctor until last year, has called Slotkin the real actor in the race, a bizarre ad hominem attack. He has said repeatedly that Slotkin did not employ any Black staffers until she began her Senate campaign, a claim that is provably untrue. He also claimed that Slotkin voted against a bill that would allow Americans to expunge federal marijuana crimes from their records. She voted for the bill.

Harpers willingness to misrepresent his opponent gives us pause; we fear it may predict how hed operate as a lawmaker.

More from Freep Opinion: Why are Michigan's Black leaders backing longshot Senate candidate?

Actor and U.S. Senate candidate Hill Harper, center, talks MOCAD co-chairs Charles Boyd, left, and Lynn Gandhi, far left, and guests during MOCAD's Summer Arts Soiree at the Charles T. Fisher Mansion in Detroit on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Empathy and pragmatism

Slotkin said her experience as a CIA analyst taught her to analyze the tangible impacts of policy, and to value real need over political expediency, and she said her platform as a lawmaker gives her the ability to convene opposing groups for real conversation on neutral ground.

During the series of campus protests over the war in Gaza this spring, and a string of graduation ceremonies disrupted by student protesters, Slotkin brought Jewish and Muslim leaders together. We have to keep lines of communication open, even when its difficult ... Its extremely important for us to see each other as human beings."

After the 2020 murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, and the protests and calls for police reform that followed, Slotkin brought Lansing police leaders together to change how the department responded to mental health calls. Those conversations resulted in a bill, led by Slotkin, to provide federal funds for departments to hire social workers; in Lansing, it was $1.3 million.

Slotkin, the only Jewish member of Michigan's congressional delegation, has taken a similarly thoughtful, pragmatic approach to the Israel-Hamas War. Since the early days of the war, Slotkin has warned that Israels response to the Oct. 7 attacks  a bombing campaign and ground invasion of Gaza that has left more than 35,000 Palestinians dead, according to the Palestinian health authority  simply wont result in the outcome Israels staunchest defenders could want.

You can win the war, but lose the battle for security, she said. Slotkin has supported both a cease-fire and humanitarian aid to Gaza, and we hope she is willing to continue putting pressure on Israeli leadership to end the violence.

Slotkin's thoughtful predisposition has the potential to bring people from opposite sides of a seemingly intractable conflict to the proverbial table, in the community or in Congress.

Its pragmatism tempered by empathy, and we cant help but think that in an increasingly contentious U.S. Senate, Slotkins approach will bear fruit for Michiganders.

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Democrats should vote for Slotkin in US Senate primary
US will store aid on secure beach in Gaza as UN pauses distribution from pier

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 U.S. military said Monday that it plans to stockpile aid shipments on a secure beach in Gaza during a U.N. pause on distributing food from the American-built pier after one of the deadliest days of the Israel-Hamas war.

The U.N. World Food Program, which works with U.S. officials to transfer desperately needed aid from the month-old pier to warehouses and local relief teams in Gaza, tweeted Monday that the U.N. would conduct a security review to assess the safety of its staff in handling aid deliveries from the pier. It said the pause would be temporary.

A humanitarian official familiar with the situation said the security review is expected to conclude within a few days and U.N. officials would then make decisions on resuming operations. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss planning.

The pause, which WFP head Cindy McCain first announced in a TV interview Sunday, is the latest trouble to hit the Biden administration's new sea route for bringing in aid to Palestinians. It also signals sharpened concern by the U.N. and relief organizations about their ability to safely care for Gaza's civilians during the eight-month-old war.

The review follows an Israeli military operation on Saturday that rescued four Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, in the attack that triggered the war, and left 274 Palestinians and one Israeli commando dead.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said its only normal that U.N. humanitarian officials pause and review the security situation following the Israeli operation. McCain said Sunday that two of WFPs warehouses had been rocketed and a staffer injured.

When such large-scale military operations take place, Dujarric said, you can only imagine the difficulties in distributing the aid, both for the safety of those who are trying to get it and those who are trying to distribute it.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said the delivery of aid from Cyprus to the pier was paused due to high seas Sunday and Monday but would resume Tuesday. He said there is enough space for aid to be stored in a secure holding area on the beach until agencies restart distribution into Gaza.

Its a pretty large area, he told reporters. I think we can continue to stockpile aid in the assembly area for onward distribution.

The pause came just a day after the U.S. military and the U.S. Agency for International Development, which is coordinating logistics with relief groups, said Saturday that the pier restarted operations after repairs. Part of the structure broke apart in rough seas and bad weather late last month.

Saturday's fighting, followed by the pause for the security review, blocked the planned distribution of aid from the pier, the humanitarian official said.

President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. military to construct the pier in March, in hopes of carving out an alternative aid route as the fighting and Israeli restrictions sharply limit shipments through land borders. But rough seas in the Mediterranean, insecurity within Gaza and a surge in fighting since early May mean the pier, completed in mid-May, has been able to operate for only about a week.

Ryder, pushing back against claims on social media, denied that any aspect of the pier or its equipment had been used in Saturday's military operation. The Pentagon says an area south of the pier was used for the return of the freed hostages back to Israel.

Particularly in this environment, given what youre seeing play out in the Israel-Hamas conflict, there is a lot of misinformation and disinformation about what U.S. forces are or are not doing, he told reporters.

Ryder said the U.S. did an air drop of more than 10 metric tons of ready-to-eat meals Sunday.

U.S. and international officials and private aid organizations say only a steady daily flow of hundreds of truck shipments through land borders can address the need for food and emergency aid in Gaza. More than 1 million people there are facing famine and all 2.3 million are struggling for food.

___

Lederer reported from the United Nations.
Would vaccines stop bird flu, now jumping from poultry to dairy cows? It's complicated.

It sounds simple: Vaccinate the nations chickens, turkeys and ducks against highly pathogenic avian influenza and bring under control the wildly contagious virus thats resulted in the deaths of millions of domestic birds and jumped to dairy herds in 11 states, most recently Iowa.

The virus's spread has sparked concern about the safety of the nation's food supply and worries that a more serious strain could emerge, endangering humans.

Though Mexico on June 5 reported what the World Health Organization said was the first human bird flu death of the current outbreak, federal officials say the virus's risk to people is low, and milk, eggs and beef remain safe to consume.

But Gov. Kim Reynolds and U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst have urged U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to ramp up the federal agency's response. In a May 30 letter, Reynolds said the U.S. Department of Agriculture should prioritize and expedite the approval process for animal vaccines," saying the disease threatens the state's economic stability and the nation's food security.

Iowa's Grassley and Ernst, along with 15 other lawmakers, sent a bipartisan letter May 1 to Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, asking for a "collaborative federal response, heightened surveillance, and additional resources to support vaccine research."

But even with massive flock losses, vaccines are not an easy solution, said Greg Tyler, CEO of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, a Georgia-based industry group.

It's just not so simple as to say, 'Let's vaccinate and were going to solve the world's problems,' Tyler said. Thats not going to happen. Youre going to have some fallout.

Heres why: Because the vaccine can mask symptoms in infected birds, other countries would likely ban U.S. poultry imports, costing producers an estimated $24 billion and axing 215,000 poultry jobs, an export council analysis shows. In addition, vaccinating hundreds of millions of chickens, turkeys and other poultry  potentially more than once  is a costly and practical challenge. Plus, researchers still are trying to determine how effective vaccines would be.

Even with vaccinations, domestic birds can still get avian influenza, Tyler said, just like vaccinated people can still get COVID-19, even though their symptoms may be milder. And with birds, Once they get HPAI, that flock is going to have to be depopulated, just like it is now," he said.

Vaccinating poultry could reduce bird flu  but also, trade

Officials vaccinate poultry against avian influenza in Indonesia. The U.S. has hesitated to resort to vaccines because of potential trade implications.

Iowa poultry producers have been hard hit by bird flu virus, killing nearly 23.3 million chickens, turkeys and other birds in infected flocks to prevent the spread of the disease since the outbreak began two years ago. Nationally, the virus has resulted in the deaths of about 96.8 million birds, USDA data shows.

Spread across the country by waterfowl and other birds as they migrate, bird flu also can jump from farm to farm, picked up on workers' shoes, feed truck tires or equipment.

In March, federal officials reported the virus, called H5N1, had infected dairy herds in Texas and Kansas, and it has since spread to nine other states, including Iowa. It was reported Friday in a 250-cow Sioux County herd and on June 5 in an O'Brien County dairy herd with 4,500 cows.

The virus also has killed mammals across roughly 30 states, from bobcats to bears. In Iowa, the virus has proven lethal to red foxes and Virginia opossums.

Last year, the USDA approved emergency use of a vaccine to inoculate critically endangered California condors, about two dozen of which have succumbed to bird flu. But the USDA doesnt allow the use of an HPAI vaccine in commercial poultry flocks, said Yuko Sato, an Iowa State University veterinary medicine professor.

More: The bird flu has jumped to foxes, bears and other mammals. Are humans next?

A vaccine would give producers another tool to battle an outbreak, Sato said. Now, the only way farmers can protect their flocks is through biosecurity measures, already tightened after a large outbreak in 2015 left 32.7 million chickens, turkeys and other birds dead across Iowa.

The vaccine also would reduce the amount of virus that can spread and infect other birds, Sato said. That potentially would mean fewer bird deaths and reduced losses for farmers.

But vaccines can mask avian influenza symptoms, a reason that countries, including the U.S., ban vaccinated imports, which can include live birds. Tyler, the export council CEO, said a ban on U.S. poultry would hit the broiler industry the hardest, with 18% of the nations broilers exported, 10% of turkeys and 4% of eggs.

The trade councils analysis says about $6 billion of the industry's losses would come from missed exports to about 80 countries, and $18 billion would come from an oversupply of chickens, turkey and eggs in the U.S. market.

It's going to drop prices, not only on poultry meat, but all proteins, Tyler said.

Last year, the U.S. exported $6.6 billion in poultry products, down 5.8% from 2022, with Mexico, Canada, China, Taiwan and Cuba its top five markets, USDA data shows.

Tyler said some countries already are blocking U.S. exports. For example, Chinas largest poultry purchases were chicken paws or feet, an essential ingredient for which it pays $3 a pound. With fewer buyers, U.S, producers send the parts that cant be sold to other countries to renderers for 8 cents or 9 cents a pound, he said.

From 2015: 40-year-old 'zombie' meat smuggled into China

And U.S. trade partners would no longer get the import's nutritional and economic benefits, Tyler said.

"They get hit, too," he said.

How fast is bird flu spreading to cows  and perhaps back to birds?

Much of Iowa's poultry flock serves the state's nation-leading egg production. It faces bird flu exposure not only from migrating birds but now also from dairy herds, said Kevin Stiles, CEO of the North Central Poultry Association & Egg Council.

In addition to the outbreaks among cows in northwest Iowa, Minnesota last week also announced its first H5N1 dairy herd outbreak. Infected cows display decreased appetite and milk production, but typically recover from the virus.

Were concerned about the potential transmission back and forth, said Stiles, adding that nationally, dairy herds have infected bird flocks.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture said scientists are working to determine how the virus was introduced into both flocks and herds. It said last week it will begin testing dairy farms near sites of poultry outbreaks, in addition to testing nearby flocks.

The state said it hasn't decided whether it will test poultry operations around infected dairy herds.

While its not an end-of-life situation for dairy herds, it certainly is for poultry, Stiles said, adding that the group supports the USDA's recent announcement it's investing $824 million in increased testing, surveillance and research on H5N1 in dairy herds.

More: How Michigan became ground zero for H5 avian influenza in the US

The state agriculture agency said Friday it will seek additional federal money to help dairy producers cover production and livestock losses and the cost of surveillance and virus analysis and to improve payments for poultry losses.

So far, Sato said, its unclear how many Iowa dairy herds may have been infected, since many cows aren't tested unless they are moved.

"We're still not sure how widespread the virus is across dairy cattle," she said.

Vaccinating cattle could be starting point toward control of bird flu

Dairy cows in milking stalls in Iowa.

In addition to highly pathogenic avian influenza, the turkey industry also is battling the resurgence of an old virus.

Gretta Irwin, the Iowa Turkey Federation executive director, said about two dozen farms have been hit with avian metapneumovirus, wiping out about 10% of their flocks.

She said a vaccine is available globally to prevent the disease  referred to as aMPV  but it hasnt been approved for U.S. poultry use.

A vaccine would be helpful in treating this virus, Irwin said.

As for H5N1: Ultimately, we want to eliminate the virus, and developing a vaccine to prevent further spread of H5N1 in cattle will be an important step towards that end, the USDA said in an email last week. It added that the National Animal Disease Center in Ames has begun to assess the potential to develop an effective vaccine for H5N1 in cattle."

Its very early in the vaccine development process, and it is difficult to predict how long development might take, the USDA said, adding that "many outstanding questions remain about the transmission to cattle, characterizations of the infection as well as trade implications.

The USDA is exploring these questions while developing the science, and will continue to work swiftly on this process, it said.

Hundreds of millions of vaccinations won't be cheap

Eggs for sale during the Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market

If the U.S. decides to use vaccines, the costs would be substantial, Tyler said. For example, the egg industry alone has 300 million laying hens. A bird flu vaccine would need to be injected periodically, like humans getting a flu vaccination each winter.

But as bird flu continues to force massive euthanizations, the benefits of using a vaccine may get closer to outweighing the costs, said Chad Hart, an ISU agricultural economist.

HPAI has now reached the stage where people are talking about vaccination because  the persistence of the disease is showing us that those lower-cost strategies aren't handling the disease outbreak we have," he said.

As the disease pressure ramps up, then you scale up what you do in response, he said.

More: Two vets hundreds of miles apart, both ISU grads, solve dairy cow sickness whodunit

The U.S. may not be ready to use vaccines, but producers would like it to be an option, Hart said. And the societal benefits may be increasing as well.

Were finding linkages we never thought wed have, Hart said. Who thought we needed to look for bird flu in a dairy cow or a red fox?

Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com or 515-284-8457.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Why hasn't the US battled the bird flu virus with vaccines?
Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) said on Monday that hes not lobbying to become former President Trumps running mate, even as his name rises in veepstakes talks.

My attitude towards it is, if it comes to me, great. But its not something Im going to lobby for. I dont think thats the right attitude to take towards it, and you know maybe, Trump respects that. Maybe he doesnt, but thats ultimately his call, Vance said on FOX & Friends.

The first-term Ohio senator dismissed a suggestion from Fox Newss Lawrence Jones that hes the obvious pick and said he hasnt talked to Trump about it.

Look, its ultimately Donald Trumps decision. Theres a lot of talented people to pick from. And look, Im glad its not my decision because there are so many good people. But as Ive said to other people, I have not talked to Donald Trump about it. Im very interested in helping him out whatever that looks like, Vance said, adding that if he asks me to serve, I will certainly do it.

Vance was once a critic of the former president, but he has become a staunch ally since taking office in the midterms.

I was wrong about him, Vance told CNN last month. Its one of the reasons why Im working so hard to get him elected.

Vance is one of several names rumored to be on Trumps shortlist as the search for a running mate ramps up. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) and Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Vance have all reportedly received recent vetting requests from the Trump campaign.

Trump has said he plans to announce his vice presidential pick at the Republican national convention this July. Just days beforehand, hes set to be sentenced following his historic conviction on criminal charges in New York.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Mary Jean Dunson and Steve Biduk, longtime Wreck Beach users in Vancouver, say Metro Vancouver is overmanaging the clothing-optional site. (Jean-Marc Poirier/CBC News - image credit)

Longtime Vancouver Wreck Beach goers are upset that measures meant to improve safety and access at one of North America's largest clothing-optional beaches are contributing to a rise in voyeurism and ruining the place.

One is the removal of large logs on the beach, which "provided essential barriers against wind, sun, and unwanted onlookers," according to an online petition calling for the regional government and Metro Vancouver to better manage the site.

Longtime users like Mary Jean Dunson say Metro Vancouver's changes at the beach in the interest of safety are an overreach.

"I don't want to come to Wreck Beach and feel like I'm a child at their daycare, cause I'm not," she said about Metro Vancouver's management of the site known for its long waterfront, natural beauty and seclusion.

The conflict illustrates the challenges of balancing the governance of a public space that, for years, has largely been user-managed.

According to Metro Vancouver, an increase in visits at Wreck Beach has led to the need to improve access for issues such as medical emergencies.

"We absolutely want to preserve that unique social character, but at the same time, we need to be responsible in how we're managing the beach," said Paul Brar, a division manager with Metro Vancouver.

Metro Vancouver began managing Wreck Beach in 1989. The beach is located below the UBC campus as part of the Pacific Spirit Regional Park.

It said in a recent report visits to Wreck Beach have increased by 20 per cent over the past five years, reaching 870,000 in 2023.

The sheer number of people resulted in a rise in calls for emergency responses over, most notably, medical emergencies, including those related to heat, according to the report.

Metro Vancouver said four agencies, the RCMP, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services (VFRS), the B.C. Ambulance Service and the Canadian Coast Guard combine to respond to emergencies at Wreck Beach, which can only be accessed via the ocean or a long, steep 500-step climb down and back up.

Brar says feedback from the agencies led to changes. An annual cleanup of logs washed ashore during the winter led to those left being put in an orderly grid to improve site lines and easy access up and down the beach.

"We took the advisement of the responders, and we think it's a good decision," he said.

Logs organized by users at Wreck Beach are meant to provide seating and shelter, which the Wreck Beach Preservation Society says Metro Vancouver removed, arguing they are a safety hazard.

Logs organized by users at Wreck Beach are meant to provide seating and shelter, which the Wreck Beach Preservation Society says Metro Vancouver removed, arguing they are a safety hazard. (Wreck Beach Preservation Society)

The cleanup removed 500 logs and left more than 200. Brar said part of managing logs at the site is preventing them from being used to make structures, like platforms.

He also said the grid, similar to log setups at other Vancouver beaches, makes the beach more welcoming to all kinds of users. Regulars often arrange logs how they see fit.

"They were creating almost territories, so there were some people who felt excluded from certain areas of the beach," said Brar.

'I am not the Eiffel Tower'

But beach users like the chair of the Wreck Beach Preservation Society say Metro Vancouver's management of the logs has resulted in less privacy on the beach, exacerbating the problem of gawkers.

"We are seeing a large influx of folks coming in that have no interest in getting naked or enjoying the beach," said Stephen Biduk. "They're just coming down to look at people, to look at naked bodies, and that's becoming a bigger concern."

"I know that Wreck Beach is a tourist destination, but I am not a tourist attraction," said Dunson. "I am not the Eiffel Tower."

Logs on Wreck Beach have been moved out of a grid that Metro Vancouver workers put in place to improve access and site lines at the nude beach.

Logs on Wreck Beach have been moved out of a grid that Metro Vancouver workers put in place to improve access and site lines at the nude beach. (Jean-Marc Poirier)

The society and the petition are calling for bigger logs to be returned. The group also wants a greater role in finding ways to keep the beach safe, ensure privacy and preserve the site's unique character.

"We really are the feet on the ground and know what's going on, who's doing what and if there are any overriding issues," said Biduk. "So we think our input is valuable for [Metro Vancouver] in order to manage the beach."

Brar said staff and patrollers speak with new users about expected behaviour, such as not staring or taking photographs.
Two LGBTQ+ migrant women from Venezuela were finally able to get married over the weekend after a Denver nonprofit stepped up to host their wedding.

Amarilis and Mariangy Delgado Gutierrez began dating five years ago after knowing each other as family friends for the majority of their lives. Mariangy, who had two daughters from a previous relationship, left her boyfriend of the time to be with Amarilis, creating rifts between the women and their families, the couple recently shared with local outlet Westword.



With little social support and no right to marry, Amarilis and Mariangy decided to leave Venezuela one year ago, and set out for the United States. Their three month journey took them through the the Darien Gap, known as the most dangerous land route in the world for migrants, then through five different countries as the couple sold lollipops to fund their travel.

Amarilis and Mariangy crossed the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas, from where a border agent directed them to a shelter in Colorado. The two spent months since providing for their family, but as they struggled to afford food for themselves and their children, they were unable to justify the cost of a $30 marriage license.

That's when the local chapter of Dork Dancing, a mental health nonprofit, got involved. After executive director Susan Law heard the couple's story, the organization offered to pay for the license and host their wedding. Amarilis and Mariangy got married over the weekend at a local park, with dozens of community members turning out to show support.

Though they didn't have a rehearsal or official schedule, the intimate celebration featured the two performing a united sand ceremony, in which they poured one vial of black sand and one vial of white sand together into the same glass. Dork Dancing has also offered to sponsor their honeymoon, though it is keeping the details a surprise for the couple.



Amarilis and Mariangy are now trying to receive work permits while making sure their daughters, 9 and 13, "do well in school." They are also saving up to live with each other, as Mariangy and the children currently share a studio apartment, and Amarilis is staying with a host family.

Despite their difficult journey, the couple is thrilled to finally be married. They now want to encourage queer people in situations like theirs to not lose hope.

"The people here have supported us a lot. We've received a lot of help from a lot of people. We can get ahead and move forward little by little," Amarilis told the outlet. "We still have a long way to go, but we're coming along little by little until we get to a stable situation. ... Keep moving forward and never give up. There's no place where life is going to be completely easy."
A man holds a bucket of meat as he prepares a soup outside of a building affiliated with the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela during a test voter organizing campaign ahead of upcoming presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, June 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)  With its decades-long grip on power under threat, Venezuelas ruling party on Sunday tested a voter organizing campaign aimed at shoring up President Nicolas Maduro's bid for a third term.

The assessment followed weeks of efforts by local organizers of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela to increase support for Maduro. Each was tasked with adding into a database 10 voters who have promised to vote for Maduro in the highly anticipated July 28 presidential election.

Local organizers as well as voters who pledged their support were expected to receive verification phone calls Sunday. Organizers who had not yet entered voter information into the database due to lack of internet access or experience with databases received help at party meetings across the country.

On election day, local party leaders must ensure the voters they registered make it to the polls no matter what.

The effort to measure support comes as Chavistas  devotees of the late fiery leader Hugo Chavez  are no longer the reliable force that easily claimed electoral victories while the often divided opposition continues to work in unison.

The changes within each bloc have been driven primarily by the complex economic and political crisis that undid the country. As a result, the election is the biggest challenge faced by the ruling party since Chavez, Maduros mentor and predecessor, became president more than two decades ago and began what he described as Venezuela's socialist revolution.

We are already approaching record numbers, Maduro said Sunday evening without offering figures. The level of organization that you have reached at this point is impressive.

Maduro added that starting Monday, he wants to see a quantitative and qualitative growth of demonstrations in each neighborhood, in each parish, in each community, in each municipality.

People loyal to the ruling party control all branches of Venezuelas government, and public employees are constantly pressured to participate in demonstrations. Each public employee is also being urged to register 10 pro-Maduro voters.

The local leaders who have been gathering names of expected Maduro voters coordinate various government programs, including the delivery of subsidized food. Some of those leaders in Caracas used the logs of the food program to identify people in their community they could add to the database of voters.

Venezuelas electoral body earlier this year set the presidential election for July 28, fulfilling one of the provisions of an agreement signed last year between Maduros government and the U.S.-backed Unitary Platform opposition coalition.

Under the agreement, both sides vowed to work toward improving conditions for a free and fair election. But Maduro and his allies have continuously tested the limits of the accord, including by blocking the candidacy of the presidents chief opponent, Maria Corina Machado, as well as of her chosen substitute.

Machado and the coalition are now backing former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.

Ahead of Sundays verification work, party members signaled that the information gathered through the organizing campaign would be carefully scrutinized.

National Assembly member Saul Ortega earlier this week told state television that the effort represents a true survey of the country and is nothing other than the tracking of the vote across Venezuela.
Headlines warning of the infamous giant venomous flying spiders from Japan infiltrating the U.S. have overwhelmed the the country in recent weeks, but is it as bad as it seems?

Originally spotted in Georgia a decade ago, Joro spiders are expected to reach parts of the northeast as early as this year. Here's what experts say about their arrival.

What are Joro spiders? How big are they?

Joro spiders are large and brightly colored arachnids with a body span of up to 4 inches, according to The Pennsylvania State University. They have vibrant yellow and black coloration and are native to Asia.

Where are Joro spiders from?

Joro spiders are native to Asia, according to Penn State. They are commonly seen in countries like Japan, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, India and North and South Korea.

This image shows a Joro spider (Trichonephila clavata).

How venomous flying spiders invaded the U.S.

According to Penn State, Joro spiders were first seen in the U.S. in three Georgia counties in 2014. They were likely introduced to the states accidentally through shipping containers or potted plant materials.

Are there Joro spiders in Oklahoma?

Joro spiders have been confirmed in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

A singular incident was reported in Bartlesville in 2021 after a person had traveled there from northern Georgia, according to Penn State. Cases have also been reported in West Virginia and Maryland, according to Clemson University.

Are Joro spiders poisonous or harmful?

Joro spiders are venomous but do not have "medically important" bites, according to Penn State. Joro spiders are reluctant biters with small fangs and struggle to pierce human skin. Bites from the spiders hurt less than a bee sting, according to the article, and the pain is often localized to the bite area and goes away naturally.

Can Joro spiders fly?

Joro spiders have a natural mechanism called "ballooning," which allows them to move through the air by releasing webs to catch the wind currents. The arachnids don't have wings, but if the silk gets long enough, winds can carry them for 100 miles or more at a time, according to USA TODAY.

However, this mechanism isn't unique to Joro spiders. Many spiders, like crab spiders, can fly long distances by ballooning, according to a report in the journal Current Biology.

Giant flying spiders might invade the northeast

According to Penn State, Joro spiders can survive in low temperatures and are often found in northern Honshu, Japan, where temperatures range from 25 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit in winter months. The average January temperature in northern Japan is similar to that of Pennsylvania, and the Joro spiders will likely "spread throughout eastern North America at least as far north as Pennsylvania and possibly further in warmer, coastal areas."

This undated image shows a Joro spider (Trichonephila clavata).

How quickly venomous flying spiders are invading the U.S.

From 2014 to 2022, Joro spiders spread between 50 and 80 miles from the location where they were originally spotted. At around 10 miles per year, the spiders were predicted to reach Pennsylvania years from now, but factors can accelerate the process, according to Penn State.

The spiders are able to invade the U.S. more quickly due to their "ballooning" characteristic, similar to flying, as well as human transportation.

According to a news release from New Jersey Pest Control, a New Jersey-based pest control service, those in the state and surrounding ones like New York and Delaware have "heightened concerns" about the arrival of the spider this year.

"The potential for these spiders to establish populations in new regions raises questions about how local ecosystems will respond and adapt to their presence," according to the release.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Are there Joro spiders in Oklahoma? What to know about flying spiders
TORONTO, June 10, 2024 /CNW/ - CULT Food Science Corp. ("CULT" or the "Company") (CSE: CULT) (OTC: CULTF) (FRA: LN0), a disruptive food technology platform pioneering the commercialization of lab grown meat and cellular agriculture to reshape the global food industry, is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement offering of up to 10,000,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.25 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,500,000 (the "Offering").

Cult Food Science Corp. Logo (CNW Group/Cult Food Science Corp)

Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company and one transferrable common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share in the capital of the Company at an exercise price of $0.35 per share for a period of two years following the closing of the Offering.

The Company may pay finder's fees in connection with the Offering. The net proceeds raised from the Offering are expected to be used to advance Noochies!, the flagship brand of the Company's subsidiary, Further Foods Inc., for marketing, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. All securities to be issued under the Offering will be subject to a four month hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company may close the Offering in one or more tranches. Insider participation in the Offering is not anticipated at this time.

Management Commentary

Mitchell Scott, CEO of CULT Food Science, commented on the financing announcement, stating, "I've been impressed by the potential and signs of success we are already seeing with our Noochies! brand. These funds will allow us to further scale our flagship asset, become a leading player in the sustainable pet-food space, and put us in a position to significantly expand our operations and take advantage of potential accretive opportunities."

Further Information Respecting June 4, 2024 News Release

On June 4, 2024, the Company announced it had engaged Triple Bull Consulting Inc. ("Triple Bull") to provide marketing and investor communications services. Further to that news release, the Company advises that the effective date of Triple Bull's engagement is June 3, 2024, Triple Bull's business address is Suite 2800 - 666 Burrard St Vancouver, BC V6J 2Z3, its telephone number is 1-604-773-9423 and its email address is contact@triplebullconsulting.com.

About CULT Food Science

CULT Food Science is a disruptive food technology platform pioneering the commercialization of lab grown meat and cellular agriculture to reshape the global food industry. CULT's robust portfolio of investments in cutting-edge, venture-backed cellular agriculture and lab-grown meat companies provides widespread investor access to the future of food. Backed by a team of experts with extensive experience in food technology and launching consumer food products, CULT is committed to being at the forefront of the food revolution.

Story continues

About Further Foods

Further Foods is revolutionizing pet nutrition through its innovative brand, Noochies! Noochies! leverages advanced cellular agriculture technologies to create pet food products with superior nutrition profiles and ethical standards. Noochies! recently introduced the world's first freeze-dried, high-protein, nutrient-rich pet treats made without factory farming. Noochies! products are currently available for sale in the United States at select retailers and online at https://www.noochies.co/ .

Additional information can be found by viewing the Company's website at cultfoodscience.com or its regulatory filings on sedar.com .

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company,

CULT FOOD SCIENCE CORP.

"Mitchell Scott"

Mitchell Scott, Chief Executive Officer

Forward-Looking Information:

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address a company's expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to the following risks: those associated with marketing and sale of securities; the need for additional financing; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers or directors with certain other projects; and the volatility of common share price and volume. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. For further information on risk, investors are advised to see the Company's MD&A and other disclosure filings with the regulators which are found at sedar.com .

SOURCE Cult Food Science Corp

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2024/10/c2358.html
Vladimir Putin has made much of his red lines. In his state of the union address in 2021, he said, I hope no one will think of crossing the red line with Russia And where this line will be, in every particular case, we will determine it ourselves.

One of those red lines was the use of American weapons to attack inside Russian territory, with Dmitri Medvedev threatening to arm the USAs opponents in unnamed regions in response. In breaching that red line with impunity and US backing, Ukraine has gained a significant tactical advantage.

The area the US has permitted to be targeted is limited, but it has significantly reduced Russias ground sanctuary by up to 16 per cent. Ukraine may now strike military targets within range of their US-provided HIMARS in Russias Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk oblasts.

Even though most Russian rear areas remain protected from HIMARS fire by President Bidens own red line, initial reports suggest that Ukraine have already hit Russian air defence systems within these oblasts. Combined with other efforts  a drone strike successfully destroyed a fifth-generation SU-57 fighter jet at Akhtubinsk airfield, 366 miles from the front lines  it has made for a meaningful shift in the balance of power.

One fighter jet might seem a trivial loss, but the SU-57 is the most high tech of Russias new developments in the much feted modernisation of their armed forces since the end of the Cold War. Losing one of the heavy fighters is a clear blow to Russias combat capability but is also a clear message to Russia: their rear areas are no longer safe areas.

Russia will now have to boost air defences in these oblasts to protect against subsequent strikes, potentially taking vital capability away from the Ukrainian frontlines just as NATO countries announce an uplift in Ukrainian air capability, with the Dutch sending F-16s, France sending Mirage 2000 fighters, and Ukraine angling to obtain the Gripen from Sweden.

In a war where both sides face resource constraints, such chess moves are how breakthroughs are made. The Kremlin cannot afford the further embarrassment of losing more high end assets. They either must be defended, meaning assets will have to be moved from elsewhere; or they will have to be moved further back out of drone or HIMARS range, giving them less time on target over Ukraine, as they burn more fuel just to get there. Advantage Ukraine.

This is further humiliation for Putin after the stalling of the Kharkiv offensive. In spite of thousands of Russian casualties, and a huge cost in materiel, on Friday the White House national security spokesman was confident enough to announce that the offensive had stalled and was unlikely to advance any further.

In allowing this red line to be breached without any escalation or retaliation, Putin has shown his weakness. And whilst Ukraine would like to be able to do more, the ability to strike inside Russia gives them a significant tactical advantage that they have shown willingness to exploit to the full.

Andrew Fox is a former company commander in the Parachute Regiment. He completed three operational tours in Afghanistan

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Insights from Financial Times, Politico, and The Guardian

The News

Ursula von der Leyen has quickly emerged as the favorite for the European Unions top job, after the blocs parliamentary elections offered her a pathway to securing a second term as president of the European Commission.

The party alliances that supported her last term have won a majority in this years elections  although some members of that coalition may defect, the Financial Times reported. That could leave von der Leyen dependent on winning over the hard-right or the Greens, but some current members of her coalition have warned her not to.

For her part, von der Leyen vowed to reach out to the big political families to build a majority for a strong and effective Europe.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

A narrow path to reelection

Sources: Financial Times, The Guardian, Politico

Ursula von der Leyen will now have to make uncomfortable choices and backroom deals to walk a narrow path to a second term, the Financial Times reported. She might have to shift her stance on climate policy or immigration, particularly, to win the support of Greens or the hard-right, according to the FT. Even so, many EU insiders expect she will ultimately wrangle enough support for a second term. She was and still is the presumptive second-term commission president, an EU diplomat told The Guardian. Frances Emmanuel Macron is particularly eager to back von der Leyen after a poor showing for his own party in the election, and despite initially considering other candidates for the job, Politico reported.

Von der Leyen envisions a geopolitical EU

Sources: Reuters, The Telegraph, Politico

Von der Leyen campaigned on doubling down on the EUs defense commitments, saying in April that Europe needs to turbocharge our defense industrial capacity in the next five years. She has promised to push to centralize defense spending, and argued the continent should start buying tanks, fighter jets, and drones collectively, The Telegraph reported. Not everyone is happy about von der Leyens geopolitics. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg wrote in a letter to von der Leyen that he was concerned the EU was in danger of overlapping with NATOs core responsibilities, Politico reported.

Horse-races begin for other top posts

Source: Politico

The race is also on to become the EUs chief diplomat, as the current job holder, Josep Borrell, the Spanish high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, is on his way out. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is the favorite for the job, Politico reported, although some western European officials fear the Baltic leader may be too focused on Russia. Other potential candidates include Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Polands foreign minister, Radek Sikorski. Meanwhile, few political heavyweights have lined up so far for the role of defense commissioner  a position von der Leyen has promised to create. The job is expected to come with limited power, as EU countries tend to zealously guard their security portfolios, rendering the position seem pure PR, one official said.
TOKYO (Reuters) - Voter support for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida slid by three points to 21%, the lowest since he took office in 2021, a poll by public broadcaster NHK showed on Monday, denting his chances of winning a party leadership race later this year.

Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is set to hold a leadership election in September, and the winner is all but assured to be the next premier because of the party's majority in parliament's powerful lower chamber.

The disapproval rating for Kishida's government notched up five points from May to 60% in the NHK survey conducted from June 7-9, outpacing his support rate by nearly three to one.

Kishida's popularity has been slipping since late last year following reports that some LDP factions failed to report hundreds of millions of yen from fundraising events.

(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Voting rights complaint targets Franklin PUD. It says Latino voters are squeezed out

The Franklin PUDs election system is being challenged as unfair to Latino voters by the same organization that succeeded in getting the county voting system changed.

The UCLA Voting Rights Project has served the Pasco-based public utility district with a notice, saying that county-wide elections for PUD commissioners do not give Latino voters the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice.

Hispanics make up 37% of the voting age population of U.S. citizens in Franklin County, but no Hispanic person has been elected to the three-person commission in at least 20 years, according to the UCLA Voting Rights Project.

Its saying the PUD voting system needs to be replaced with an entirely district-based system and for the district boundaries to provide Latinos with an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice.

Green on this heat map shows where more Hispanic people live in Franklin County and red shows where fewer live, according to U.S. Census data.

District voting is used in primary elections to narrow the candidates, but all voters in the county may cast ballots in the general election to fill the three commissioner positions.

The current election system presents a barrier for Latinos to have an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice to the full board in violation of the Washington Voting Rights Act and the Washington State Constitution, according to the complaint.

It is disheartening to see that, even in 2024, Latina/os still lack fair representation, especially in a place where they make up such a large segment of the population, said Kennewick attorney Edwardo Morfin, in a statement.

The complaint was filed by the UCLA project and Morfin Law Firm on behalf of Gabriel Portugal and Jose Trinidad Corral, both Pasco members of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

Franklin Public Utility District building in Pasco.

They were behind a similar complaint filed with Franklin County that led to a settlement two years ago to change district-based voting for the three county commissioners.

When county commissioners took no action in the six months following the county complaint, the UCLA Voting Rights project filed a lawsuit. The settlement required the county to pay $375,000 in attorneys fees.

Similar challenges in recent years in the cities of Pasco and Yakima resulted in wholesale changes in their voting districts.

The Franklin PUD has three months to respond to the complaint. The UCLA Voting Rights Project says it is prepared to take further legal action if it does not find the response satisfactory.

Voting district of the Franklin PUD are shown.

We advocate for an election system that genuinely reflects the diverse voices within Franklin County, it said.

The UCLA Voting Project says that in the 2018 election for Franklin PUD commissioner position 3, Cynthia Parker had the most votes in precincts with a high density of Latino voters but the least in precincts with a high density of white voters.

The position will be contested again in November, with PUD Commissioner Stu Nelson being challenged by Pedro Torres.

PUD rate increase

The geographic area of the Franklin PUD has a history of ethnic and racial tension between white and Latino communities, the UCLA Voting Project said in its complaint.

East Pasco was once the only part of the city open to minority residents.

Not surprisingly, Franklin County Latino voters endure the widespread effects of past and present discrimination in areas such as education, employment and health, which impacts their ability to engage in the local political process, the complaint said.

The complaint quoted U.S. Census statistics that said:

 Almost one in five Latinos in Franklin County live below the poverty line compared to 7% of white residents.

 Per capita income is $25,000 less for Latino residents than white residents of the county.

 About 8% of Latinos in the county have at least a bachelors degree, compared to almost 29% of white residents.

 Latino home-ownership rates in the county are 35% compared to a rate of 76% for white residents.

 Latinos are less likely to have health insurance than white residents in the county.

The PUD raised utility rates for the first time in six years effective last month. The 3% annual rate hike through 2027 will burden low income residents who are often Hispanic, the complaint said.

The Franklin PUD received the complaint last week and commissioners will be discussing it, the PUD said.
Voyage of illegal passenger vessel in VB terminated by Coast Guard

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  The Coast Guard has terminated the voyage of an illegal passenger vessel operation near Broad Bay in Virginia Beach.

According to a press release from the United States Coast Guard, several safety risks in violation of the Passenger Vessel Safety Act were identified during a recreational vessel safety boarding.

The people chartering the vessel were not aware they had violated any safety regulations, according to the release. The Coast Guard Sector Virginia and the Coast Guard Station Little Creek cited multiple violations and promptly terminated the voyage.

The violations can be found below:

46 CFR. 176. 100(a)  Not having a valid Certificate of Inspection

46 CFR 15.515(b)  Failure of vessel on voyage and subject to inspection to be under direction and control of an individual with an appropriate Coast Guard license.

46 CFR 16.201  Failure of a marine employer to comply with the requirements concerning chemical testing of personnel.

The Coast Guard wants to remind people of the requirements that must be followed before operating a passenger for hire operation:

The captain must hold the appropriate U.S. Coast Guard license.

The captain and crew must be enrolled in a drug and alcohol program.

If carrying more than six passengers, at least one for hire, then the vessel must also have a valid Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection.

For businesses conducting bareboat charter rentals, the requirements are as follows:

A maximum of 12 passengers plus the charterer are allowed on the vessel, not including crew.

The vessel can be crewed so long as the captain and crew are not specified or provided by or paid through the original rental company agreement.

The company may provide a list of suggested captains, but the charterer has the right to go outside that list and choose their own captain.

The vessels registered owner may not be onboard in any capacity while the vessel is rented (chartered) by a charterer.

For both recreational vessels and vessels suspected to be operating illegally, the Coast Guard will conduct periodic, unannounced boardings to ensure the safety of the boating public.

To report illegal passenger vessels, contact the Sector Virginia Command Center at 757-483-8567 or through CGIS tips.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  Virginia State Police (VSP) have released the name of the man who was killed by police during a shooting in Roanoke on June 9.

State police identified the man as 41-year-old Travis Taurean Martin, of Roanoke.

As we previously reported, around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, a man drove past the Roanoke Police Department (RPD) allegedly shouting threats toward officers who were outside. About 15 minutes later, police said the same man allegedly called 911 and threatened to kill all Roanoke City Police Officers.

Police said the same caller allegedly called back and made threats to dispatchers at the City of Roanoke E-911 Center.

Vehicle found flipped on its roof in Galax, no victims at the scene

As the investigation continued, officers obtained two warrants for Threats Over Public Airways and began looking for the man.

Around 11:40 a.m., police were notified that the same man, later identified as Martin, allegedly damaged a Roanoke police car. This led officers to obtain a warrant for property damage and the search for him continued.

While canvassing the Valley View area, around 1:30 p.m., officers spotted Martin at a business and began following him. Police said officers requested additional units and the traffic stop was initiated in the 2900 block of Hershberger Road NW, at the intersection of Ferncliff Avenue NW.

Martin then immediately exited the vehicle and allegedly began advancing toward officers with an axe. Police said Martin hit one occupied patrol vehicle several times, and then allegedly advanced toward another officer.

Vigil held for Roanoke teen killed in Ferncliff shooting

During this time, two officers discharged their guns, and Martin was shot. Roanoke EMS crews rushed him to the hospital, but he died when they arrived.

Police confirmed no officers were injured during the shooting.

Were told investigators allegedly recovered the weapon at the scene.

VSP said the shooting remains under investigation by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Salem Division. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be sent to the Roanoke Commonwealth Attorneys Office for review.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
CARBONDALE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Transportation barriers prevent many patients from accessing healthcare. But a new walk-in care facility in Lackawanna County is ready to change that.

Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers has opened a one-stop-shop facility for patients on Brooklyn Street in Carbondale.

Here at this location, we have our family medicine clinic, we have our womens health, we have an obstetrician, gynecologist whos on-site five days a week, we also have our new walk-in center, stated Terri Lacey, CEO of Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers.

Walk-in care is a good option for the treatment of minor health issues. Outpatient services including lab work, x-rays, and EKGs are offered at the site.

By providing all these services here in Carbondale, it really fulfills a need that people couldnt get to because of transportation, explained Lacey.

Search for missing man in Scranton

Before this facility opened, patients had to travel to either Honesdale or Dickson City to access walk-in care.

It is something this area needed. Growing up in Carbondale, we had Marian Community Hospital which closed in 2011, when that closed the closest was Mid Valley. Shortly after, mid-valley walk-in closed as well, expressed Lauren Laflair, office supervisor at Carbondale Family Health Center.

Carbondale mayor Michele Bannon says its a valuable asset that will greatly help residents.

We have a very large older population, and some people dont have the luxury of having transportation, so its great to have Wayne Memorial coming to Carbondale and providing urgent care and other amenities as well.

As a federally qualified health center, the facility helps everyone regardless of their ability to pay. To learn more about the facilities head over to the Wayne Memorial Hospitals website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
Walmart in Ware evacuated due to bomb threat, police say

A Walmart in Ware was evacuated due to a bomb threat Sunday.

Staff at the retail store alerted police that a customer had made a comment alluding to a bomb threat inside the building. The store was then evacuated.

Ware Police arrived and took the suspect nto custody without incident.

The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad with assistance from their K9 unit as well as the U-Mass unit, did a sweep of the building.

The store was cleared and re-opened about an hour later.

The Ware Police Department was assisted by the Massachusetts State Police, the Ware Fire Department, West Brookfield, Hardwick and Palmer Police Departments.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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State Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks at an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting on April 25 in Oklahoma City. On Monday, he announced signing bonuses for certified math and science teachers who agree to work in rural schools. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  The Oklahoma State Department of Education announced it will offer another round of signing bonuses to attract teachers to rural schools. Meanwhile, the agency is reportedly negotiating a settlement agreement with two teachers it paid previous bonuses to in error.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters said on Monday his agency will offer signing bonuses of $15,000 to $25,000 to secondary math and science teachers who agree to work in a public school in rural Oklahoma for the next school year.

A similar signing bonus program from the agency lured more than 500 certified educators back to Oklahoma schools last year, but it stirred significant controversy and attracted scrutiny from lawmakers when a few teachers were later told to return the money they had been paid.

I am thrilled to continue bringing in highly qualified teachers to Oklahoma classrooms, Walters said in a statement. Oklahoma is a great place to live and work, and we are making it easier than ever for teachers to come to our great state and have an enormous impact on our young people.

Eligible teachers cannot have taught in an Oklahoma public school in the 2023-24 school year. They must have a teaching certification for secondary math or science and be hired to teach in a rural school for the 2024-25 year.

The agency provided a list of 384 schools that fit the definition of a rural locale, according to criteria from the National Center for Education Statistics. One school on the list no longer exists, Sovereign Community School.

The Education Department called the program the most successful teacher recruitment effort in state history.

The agency awarded bonuses last year to a handful of teachers who didnt meet the criteria and, months later, demanded they repay. Walters informed the state Legislature his agency also had mistakenly underpaid other recipients.

Two of the teachers who were told to repay their bonuses, Kay Bojorquez and Kristina Stadelman, sued the department and Walters in Oklahoma County District Court, alleging breach of contract and defamation.

Their attorney, Mark Hammons, said they have reached a tentative settlement with the Education Department and intend to finalize it this week.

Both teachers were approved for the program and received bonuses of $50,000 in October and November. In January, they received letters from the agency, informing them they never actually qualified and owed the full $50,000 back.

More than $20,000 of each bonus was withheld for taxes, and Bojorquez, of Osage County, and Stadelman, of Oklahoma County, had spent the rest of the money before the Education Department demanded they return it, according to their lawsuit.

Walters said the errant bonuses were the result of the teachers putting misinformation in their applications. That statement was defamatory, Bojorquez and Stadelman said. The teachers asked a judge to order Walters to pay them at least $75,000 each for defamation.

The Education Department and Walters have since countersued the teachers, asking for the full bonuses to be returned plus the cost of attorney fees. The agency said Bojorquez and Stadelman, by applying for and accepting the bonuses, represented that they hadnt taught in an Oklahoma public school the previous year when, in fact, they had.

The two teachers said they truthfully reported their work history. They contend the situation was caused by the agencys own alleged negligence or malfeasance in giving such approval.

It would be financially impossible for the plaintiff to repay the signing bonus, their lawsuit states.

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The post Walters announces signing bonuses for rural Oklahoma teachers, despite past controversy appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Fentanyl, a powerful and dangerous synthetic opioid often used as a substitute for heroin, has become the drug of choice for many battling addiction on the Cape and beyond.

Given the severity of the problem, Cape and Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois, who took office in January 2023, has implemented a policy of requesting dangerousness hearings for fentanyl trafficking cases, something he said the previous administration did not do.

I want them held, Galibois said of individuals charged with fentanyl trafficking, which involves possessing at least 10 grams of the substance. We've seen outrageous numbers regarding both fatal and non-fatal overdoses that are attributed to fentanyl, and its destroying people's lives, destroying families.

Although the Barnstable County Correctional Facility in Bourne is used as a short-term detention facility for individuals serving sentences of no more than two and a half years, a majority of incarcerated people are held there in pretrial detention  awaiting trial or sentencing.

Cape and Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois has implemented a policy of requesting dangerousness hearings and seeking detention in jail for fentanyl trafficking suspects. A majority of incarcerated people at Barnstable County Correction Facility in Bourne, shown here, are held there in pretrial detention  awaiting trial or sentencing.

When making a determination to detain an individual during the pretrial process, the state of Massachusetts uses a variety of factors. One such element is the result of a dangerousness hearing, which a judge ultimately determines the outcome of, but which the district attorney's office can request.

Despite a 32% decrease in the pretrial detainee population since 2018, Barnstable County has seen a nearly 100% increase in the number of dangerousness hearings, according to data from the states Trial Court Department of Research and Planning and Criminal Justice Cross-Tracking System.

A 98% increase in the number of dangerousness hearings in Barnstable County occurred between 2021 and 2022, according to the Trial Court Department of Research and Planning. There were 61 dangerousness hearings in 2021 and 121 in 2022, with the data also showing 170 in 2023 and 147 so far this year.

DA's office claims fentanyl trafficking policy has reduced overdoses

Galibois said holding someone charged with trafficking fentanyl is crucial for ensuring public safety, due to the drug's toxicity in small quantities and the additional complications posed by fentanyl mixed with xylazine, which hampers the effectiveness of Narcan.

"When you're at that level of drug trafficking, you are in the business of selling poison to people," Galibois said. "As far as I understand from checking in with our district court team, the court has been agreeing with our request to hold people as a danger when they're trafficking in fentanyl."

Galibois office stated their policy regarding dangerousness hearings on drug trafficking cases involving fentanyl is effective, citing a 2023 overdose data report for Barnstable County from Kelley Research Associates that showed a 10% decrease in non-fatal overdoses since 2022 along with a 7% decrease in fatal overdoses.

This year: Hyannis woman, 37, sentenced in fentanyl conspiracy case. Here's what to know.

'No heroin around anyway'

Theres no heroin around anyway, you never see it, said Jeremy Wobecky, 49, a Falmouth resident and former inmate of the Barnstable County Correctional Facility who has struggled with addiction in the past. It's a terrible thing, it's like you have one choice if you need to get high, fentanyl.

Wobecky, who recently lost his brother to a fentanyl overdose, said its important to look at each case individually to determine if a dangerousness hearing is warranted. He said most of the time people who are in possession of fentanyl with the intent to sell are addicts themselves.

Most people are just trying to feed their habit by selling drugs a lot of times, that's their goal, not to make money, just to get high, Wobecky said. Clearly, someone who's using fentanyl could have that much in their possession  10 grams or whatever it is  without being a trafficker, without being dangerous to the community.

Balancing treatment and incarceration

Ben Forman, research director for the nonprofit Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth, or MassINC, helped author a study outlining a vast array of improvements that have been made throughout the states incarceration system. He said new policies regarding incarceration for fentanyl-related charges is a trade off between dynamic criminal justice reforms and old ways of thinking.

We saw that people who are convicted for drug trafficking are staying in prison on average longer now because of those enhancements for fentanyl, Forman said. But because we reduced the sentences for other drugs, the amount of prison years that we're spending each year incarcerating people for drug dealing has fallen.

Forman said there is a need for more work in areas such as criminal record sealing, housing support and treatment services to reduce recidivism and improve overall system outcomes. He also underscored the importance of keeping the level of treatment up to meet the need for substance abuse treatment.

"We've decarcerated, but we still need to make alternative investments in the community," Forman said. "Jails and prisons were like de-facto treatment centers, and now those folks aren't going to prisons and jails for the most part, they're in the community seeking treatment."

Walker Armstrong reports on all things Cape and Islands, primarily focusing on courts, transportation and the Joint Base Cape Cod military base. Contact him at WArmstrong@capecodonline.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jd__walker.

The Cape Cod Times is providing this coverage for free as a public service. Please take a moment to support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Holding fentanyl trafficking suspects before trial is goal of Cape DA
This story was produced by Spotlight Delaware as part of a partnership with Delaware Online/The News Journal. For more about Spotlight Delaware, visit www.spotlightdelaware.org.

Delaware Gov. John Carneys administration is staying quiet about details of a pot of money held by the state that could become caught up in the fallout of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling  even as it is earmarked to help pay for construction of a new publicly-owned, privately-run container port near Wilmington.

Last month, Carney announced that he would pull $195 million out of the little-known pot of money to fund about one-third of the construction cost for the port terminal that has been proposed since at least 2016 for the site of a former DuPont chemical plant in Edgemoor.

Leading lawmakers and politically influential unions cheered Carneys public-private funding plan, with many noting that it brings Delaware a step closer to accomplishing the longstanding goal of opening a modern container terminal employing thousands of workers in the state.

But, in the weeks since the governors announcement, his office has declined to publicly reveal the amount of money that sits within the fund that will pay for port construction. It is not a part of the states traditional budget-making process.

Asked whether Delaware is at risk of losing any of that money after the Supreme Court ruled last year that the state must give up one source of it, a spokesperson for the governor said in an emailed statement that the fund is sufficient to satisfy claims that could result from the legal fight.

The Chemours Co.'s former Edge Moor titanium dioxide manufacturing facility was a target for the Port of Wilmington for future expansion on the Delaware River north of Wilmington.

The lack of transparency appears to be a direct result of the Supreme Court case, which was brought by Pennsylvania and several other states that sought to challenge Delawares lucrative, yet aggressive, seizures of unclaimed property held by companies that maintain their legal home in the First State.

Escheating millions

Each year, Delaware collects money from businesses that represents the monetary value of property that state officials say has gone unclaimed by its rightful owners.

Such unclaimed property could be an unused gift card, an uncashed check, or even an unclaimed stock dividend.

And, because of Delawares unique role as the legal home to more than 1 million companies, the states collection of this money  a process known as escheatment  funds an outsized portion of government business. Last year, it amounted to more than $400 million.

But, some of that money also flows to a separate fund that the state holds in reserve to resolve what it calls extraordinary claims on its unclaimed property operations. And, a portion of that fund can flow to yet another pot of money, if Delaware Finance Secretary Rick Geisenberger deems it to be in excess of what the state needs in reserve.

Story continues

It is that little-known excess amount that Carney tapped to pay for nearly a third of the Edgemoor port construction estimated to cost $635 million.

In the Supreme Court case, a string of states led by Pennsylvania argued that Delaware should not be able to collect one type of unclaimed property  MoneyGram checks  unless they are sent within the states boundaries.

Last year, the Supreme Court justices agreed with Pennsylvania, and the case subsequently moved to a damages phase, in which a court magistrate will now decide how much money Delaware must repay to other states.

The magistrates decision could come before construction of the Edgemoor port is substantially underway.

When reached for comment this month about the status of the Supreme Court case, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Treasury said in an email that the parties are working amicably to reach a resolution.

It is not immediately clear how, if at all, a damages ruling would impact the pot of money from the excess reserve fund. But, last year Pennsylvanias treasurer told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Delaware could be forced to pay out $400 million  a massive sum for the little state.

The statement from the governors spokesperson said his office would not speculate on what amounts, if any, may be necessary to satisfy such extraordinary claims  a reference to the lawsuit damages.

Transparency lacks

Despite the gravity of it all, some lawmakers also appear to be in the dark about the fund. In an email, state Sen. Dave Lawson, R-Marydel, who serves on the influential Joint Finance Committee that studies the states budget, said he has no direct knowledge of the fund, but noted that others in government have cited different numbers about its overall size.

Rep. Debra Heffernan, D-Bellefonte, a lawmaker who has had considerable influence over port issues, indicated in an email that she is aware of details of the secretive public fund, but is not authorized to discuss the balances.

Heffernan serves on the state board that oversees the Port of Wilmingtons operations, and represents neighborhoods that sit adjacent to the planned container terminal in the Edgemoor community.

Additionally, as co-chair of the states Bond Bill Committee, Heffernan is one of only two lawmakers who must approve the $195 million transfer to the Port of Wilmingtons private operator, Enstructure, for construction of the Edgemoor terminal.

I am excited for the potential benefits of this project and do plan to approve the money, Heffernan said in an email.

She added that her support came, in part, from Enstructures promise to hold public meetings with surrounding communities.

While the amount of money that sits in the secretive, port-funding fund is unknown, past years legislation shows that it previously was dedicated to paying for benefits owed to state government retirees.

When asked about the decision to fund port construction rather than retirement benefits, Geisenberger noted in an email that the state deposited a hefty $101 million last year from the pot of money to a trust fund for retiree health care benefits. It was the largest single allocation to the fund in its history.

Still, the states Other Post-Employment Benefits fund, which primarily includes health care for state government retirees, has more than $8 billion in unfunded liabilities.

That liability is expected to grow to more than $20 billion over the next two decades.

A quiet bond bill note

Carneys announcement earlier this month was the culmination of a series of steps that began quietly two years ago with a few words written into an omnibus Delaware capital spending bill, commonly known as the Bond Bill.

Gov. John Carney's administration has been quiet about what happens next to this pot of money.

It was a seemingly unremarkable change during that 2022 legislative session, as no Delaware lawmakers publicly mentioned it and no media reported on it at the time..

What the new legislative language did was introduce the term maritime terminal to a list of items that could be funded with the states excess reserve fund that derives from its unclaimed property operation.

The addition of the language occurred amid two momentous developments for Delaware.

One was Delawares looming U.S. Supreme Court legal fight against Pennsylvania over the money it collects in unclaimed property.

The other was the rapidly deteriorating financial conditions at the Port of Wilmington, as operated then by the Emirati company, Gulftainer.

Gulftainer had taken over the taxpayer-owned Port of Wilmington in 2019 after its subsidiary signed a 50-year lease with the Carney administration.

The agreement capped years of efforts to privatize the port, and Carney announced at the time that it would allow the state to get out of the business of subsidizing the port.

But, conditions at the port languished under Gulftainers leadership, and the companys promises to build a second port at Edgemoor with private dollars went unfilled.

The Port of Wilmington

By August 2021, a Gulftainer executive told Port of Wilmington administrative employees that their operations had suffered continuous losses, and even ran out of cash.

Ten months later, lawmakers approved their Bond Bill that included the authorization of money for an unspecified maritime terminal.

A year later, state officials canceled Gulftainers port lease and instead installed Massachusetts-based Enstructure as the new operator of the facility.

Just before Enstructure took control of the port, lawmakers passed their annual Bond Bill that again included a line to authorize the distribution of an undisclosed amount of money from the little-known excess reserve fund to a maritime terminal.

That bill passed just months after Supreme Court justices ruled in favor of Pennsylvania in its challenge to Delawares unclaimed property collections.

Asked last July about the language that directed money to a maritime terminal, Geisenberger confirmed that it was intended to fund construction of a new container port at Edgemoor.

He declined at the time to reveal the amount of money that was in the fund that would pay for the construction.

Such amounts are not public as they relate to pending litigation, Geisenberger said in an email last July.

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How Delaware will use unclaimed property funds to build Edgemoor port
The King County, Washington, Prosecuting Attorney's Office has charged a man with second-degree murder and assault, both felony counts, for allegedly shooting a teen he thought was holding a gun and who he believed was about to rob a sporting goods store.

Aaron Brown Myers, 51, told police he believed the 17-year-old victim had a gun and was going to rob a Big 5 Sporting Goods store in the Seattle suburb of Renton last Wednesday as the teen headed toward the retailer with two others, according to court documents filed by the prosecutor, Leesa Manion.

The boy was holding an airsoft gun, according to a police affidavit. An airsoft gun is a replica firearm that shoots low-power, nonmetallic pellets.

The two teens who were with the victim told police they were going to the sporting goods store to either return or exchange the airsoft gun because it was malfunctioning, the affidavit said.

Myers was charged on Monday with the two felony charges and is scheduled to be arraigned on June 24, according to the King County Prosecutor's Office. Myers is currently being held on a $2 million bond, according to the office.

PHOTO: Renton, Washington police officers investigate the scene where Aaron Brown Myers allegedly shot and killed teen because he mistook his BB gun for a real firearm. (KOMO)

"The investigation revealed that the victim and two other 17-year-olds were walking toward a store to return a handgun-style BB gun when the armed suspect got out of his vehicle and confronted the trio," according to the filing obtained by ABC News. "There was an altercation that turned physical, and the suspect allegedly shot the victim multiple times."

Myers told police he works as an armed security guard elsewhere, and he had just gotten off work and was waiting in his car in a parking lot as his son attended martial arts classes nearby, according to the police affidavit.

"Myers indicated that he conducted 'overwatch' at the location as he has seen numerous crimes occur in the parking lot in the past," the affidavit read.

Reports do not show that Myers was authorized to guard the area.

MORE: Ahmaud Arbery murder case may evoke Georgia's history on race: Experts

Myers saw three teens approach the Big 5 Sporting Goods store with what he thought were handguns and believed they were going to rob the store, according to the affidavit. He further stated that he felt he did not have time to call 911 and that he "had a duty to act to stop the individuals from hurting someone innocent, and to protect his son," per the court filing.

Myers, who was armed with a registered semiautomatic pistol, told police he approached the teens with his gun out and told them to put their hands in the air, but no one complied, the police affidavit said. He then fired multiple rounds at the victim because he thought the teen was reaching into the waistband of his pants for what Myers believed was a gun and that the teen "was going to kill him," according to the filing.

The 17-year-old, whose name was redacted from court records because hes a minor, was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders, the filing said. Myers was immediately detained and taken into custody.

Mr. Myers and his family are devastated by this tragedy and the fact that it resulted in the loss of a young mans life. On the evening in question Mr. Myers sincerely believed that he was witnessing the beginning of an armed robbery, Myers attorney said in a statement to ABC News. Unfortunately, during the confrontation Mr. Myers became in fear for his own life and fired his duty weapon to defend himself.

The two surviving teens said they previously used the airsoft guns to shoot in the woods and wanted help from the store with their replica firearms, which were malfunctioning, according to the affidavit.

MORE: ABC News analysis of police arrests nationwide reveals stark racial disparity

Investigators stated in their report that surveillance footage of the incident appeared to contradict some of Myers' statements.

The surveillance footage also shows Myers quickly approaching the teens in the parking lot, the filing said. After he forces one teen to the ground and straddles him, he points his gun at another, per the affidavit.

The teen with the gun pointed at him had his hands up but lowered one of his hands toward his waist, at which point Myers is seen firing his weapon multiple times, according to the filing.

"Based off these facts I believe there is Probable Cause to charge Aaron B Myers  with the crime of Murder in the second degree," according to the police officer involved, the court filing said. "Myers actions of discharging his firearm, without premeditation, caused the death of another person."

In response to an ABC News request for comment, the deceased boy's father said he was too distraught to speak about the incident.

Renton, Washington, police told ABC News that surveillance footage of the incident will not be publicly available until their investigation is complete.

Washington man allegedly kills teen because he mistook an airsoft gun for a real firearm originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Update 9:52 a.m.: At 7:42 a.m., the Emporia Fire Department responded to reports of a truck stuck in the water. First responders found a truck stuck with water up to its hood. A boat with four water rescue personnel was deployed. The water rescue team was able to help the driver to land. The driver didnt need any medical assistance, according to the Emporia Fire Department.

EMPORIA (KSNT)  The Lyon County Sheriffs Office is performing a water rescue in the southwest part of Emporia on Monday morning after a vehicle allegedly drove into flood water.

According to the sheriffs office, deputies were called at 7:36 a.m. to the 1600 block of G Road.

There are flood warnings in the area around G Road. The Cottonwood River is on a flood warning until Wednesday evening. At 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, the river was at 19.8 feet. The water could rise as much as 26.5 feet in certain areas of the river, according to the National Weather Service of Topeka.

Photo courtesy of the Emporia Fire Department.

Photo courtesy of the Emporia Fire Department.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The river is expected to rise above flood stage late this evening to a crest of 25.5 feet early Wednesday morning, NOAA is reporting It will then fall below flood stage Wednesday afternoon.

This article will be updated as more information is provided.

Credit card skimmers found at northeast Kansas gas stations

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
On Tuesday, Codington County commissioners selected Duininck Inc. of Prinsburg, Minnesota to rebuild a parking lot at the countys Extension Complex in Watertown.

The bid process required entrants to provide a base bid and alternates for either a concrete/gravel base or a heavy cloth/gravel base. The lot to be rebuilt is north of the sale barn and west of the countys Extension offices.

On the advice of two engineering firms, county commissioners chose the concrete/gravel combination, meaning Duinincks total of $515,414 was the lowest. J&J Earthworks of Milbank had the lowest base/alternate 2 bid at $507,949, but its alternate 1 bid was $16,705 more than Duinincks.

Commissioners voted 4-1 to accept Duinincks bid. Commissioner Troy VanDusen cast the negative vote because he thought the lowest bid should have been chosen. Facilities Manager Steve Mohlengraaf said, however, that the bid was written to allow the county to determine the winner on whichever construction base it preferred.

The commission also moved closer to putting a bond issue for a new detention center on the countys November ballot. The commissioners unanimously approved Chairman Randy Schweer to sign a construction manager at risk contract with Beckenhauer Construction of Norfolk, Nebraska.

Once the structures predesign is finished, Beckenhauers job will be to provide an accurate cost estimate for the project and work with a contractor and sub-contractors if the project is approved. Beckenhauer is currently assisting Clay County on a new 54,000 square-foot facility that will include a potential of 98 beds and offices for the sheriff and the Vermillion Police Department.

Tegra Group of St. Louis Park, Minnesota is Codington Countys project manager for a new facility. Dick Strassburg of Tegra spoke to the commissioners over a video link and gave high praises to Beckenhauer for its work with Clay County.

Most of the remainder of Tuesdays meeting dealt with verifying Tuesdays primary election and assisting the Watertown Boys & Girls Club in its efforts to reduce juvenile crime.

The commissioners approved a canvass of the county election, which saw Republicans vote in a District 4 state senate race, District 4 and 5 house, states attorney, county commissioner and Kranzburg Precinct committee member. Democrats only voted on selecting a candidate for the U.S. Presidential race. The vote totals were:

District 4 State Senate (R) - Fred Deutsch* 242, Stephanie Sauder 200. *incumbent.

District 4 State Representative (R) - Dylan C. Jordan 189, Vanessa Namken 154, Barbara Guenette 146.

District 5 State Representative (R) - Matt Roby 1,838, Josephine Garcia 1,098, Byron Callies* 1,077.

States Attorney (R) - Alison Bakken 1,379, Rebecca Morlock* 1,336.

County Commissioner (R) - Tyler McElhany 207, Charlie Waterman* 201.

Kranzburg Precinct Committeeman (R) - Michael Kohl 49, Rick Schultz 15.

Presidential Candidate (D) - Joseph R. Biden 278, Dean Phillips 73, Marianne Williamson 72, Armando Perez-Serrato.

Under new election rules adopted by the state legislature, Auditor Brenda Hanten had to randomly select precincts from three elections that would qualify for audits. At least 100 voters must be included in each election. These audits would occur only if no recounts were requested by candidates. Some of the county races do qualify for recounts, and candidates wanting a recount must file by 9 a.m. June 12.

The commissioners authorized Chairman Schweer to sign two documents that would provide state Department of Corrections funding to the Watertown Boys & Girls Club.

The first would reimburse volunteer adults who give short-term foster care to juveniles who have broken the law and are unwanted in their own homes.

The second would train individuals to improve knowledge of the Native American culture so they can better assist Native American juveniles who have broken the law. The national Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative is looking to improve its success rate in guiding Native American juveniles away from criminal activity.

The commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with Hamlin County to allow its veterans to seek assistance from Codington Countys Veterans Service Office. Hamlin will pay Codington $13,000 for the remainder of the year. Hamlin County has 353 veterans and an average of 25 claims processed a week.

Also approved was the purchase of three computers for about $4,700 from Connecting Point of Watertown for the county Treasurers Office.

Veterans Service Officer Todd Rose provided the lone department head report, noting that in 2023, the 2,024 veterans in the county brought in $22,137,00 for various pensions and compensations. He also said the VA Clinic in Watertown may be provided a van later this summer for veterans transportation to and from the clinic.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Codington Commissioners OK funding for Watertown Boys & Girls Club
Mayor Doug Diny poses for a portrait in front of the over a century old canvas painting by Carl Hummel at Wausau City Hall on June 6.

WAUSAU  When Doug Diny was elected mayor in April, he became the third new mayor in the city of Wausau in as many elections.

He takes over the role as Wausau is grappling with the cost of the new water treatment plant, high cost and low availability of housing, how to foster a sense of community following the demolition of Wausau Center mall and many other long-term issues.

Diny announced his campaign in November on the steps of the East High Apartments, where he resides. His statements at the time reflected his interest in economic development and an intention to return to basic city duties.

A little over a month into his four-year term, Diny sat down with a Wausau Daily Herald reporter to talk about his background, the city and a few of his priorities as mayor.

How Diny and his family found their way to Wausau

Diny was born and raised in Green Bay and eventually joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps while attending St. Norbert College in De Pere. He completed school with a degree in physics and launched into a 15-year career with the U.S. Army that led him to live in locations like Honduras, Cypress, Germany and several U.S. states.

Thats life in the army, Diny said. Home is where the army sends you.

Diny met his wife, Jean, while they were both stationed at Fort Lewis in the state of Washington. They got married shortly before the Gulf War when the controversial stop-loss order was put in place, which limited soldiers ability to transfer or leave the military. It also put Diny and his wife on different continents for the first two years of their marriage, as she had already transferred to Germany.

In the army, Diny was an aviation officer and commanded a company of UH-60 Blackhawk assault helicopters. He shared about one particularly memorable operation: while stationed in Germany, his helicopter company helped fly Vice President Dan Quayle to the top of a ski hill in Albertville, France, to watch a practice session during the 1992 Winter Olympics.

The Dinys' daughter, Tori, was born in Germany before they returned to the U.S. They lived in Rockford, Illinois, for a few years, where sons Nick and Ben were born. Diny took on a sales role that moved him to Wausau in 2000. He sold instruments that measured flow of material through pipes in processing factories in just about every process business here in the northcentral Wisconsin including paper mills, food plants and power plants.

He said the quality of Wausaus school district was what convinced him to move his family.

Diny says he's still in 'discovery mode' as new mayor

A little over a month into his term, Diny said he is still in discovery mode as he meets the heads of each department, learns what problems they are facing and builds an inventory of items to work on.

I consider myself a staff person really working for the city more than the mayor right now, Diny said. Wausaus mayor is a full-time position and Diny said he has been working to gain background knowledge and context so he can make informative presentations to the City Council before they cast deciding votes on issues.

Diny said another role he played in his career besides salesman was that of an alliance manager. In this role, not only did he work with clients, but other strategic partners to design factories that would produce the parts he sold to his clients. This role broadened the scope of his work and emphasized the importance of working together to accomplish a goal.

You never wanted to be that guy that was last to deliver on a job, Diny said.

In his campaign questionnaire to the Wausau Daily Herald, Diny prioritized the citys debt, water rates and economic development as topics he intended to focus on as mayor. In the May 28 Common Council meeting, members of the council said priorities they had identified in their initial sessions were homelessness, affordable housing and economic development.

During a candidate town hall in March, Diny said the city needs to lure a whale, a metaphor that commonly refers to a large investor but, in this case, referred to a large employer, or a company offering 1000 or more jobs.

Is that likely to happen in this economy? Probably not, Diny said. Though he said he would take plane, train or automobile to meet with any such large company leader considering a move to Wausau.

Maybe the focus needs to be on, one, taking care of and retaining our existing and then, incrementally adding a lot of small fish instead of a whale.," Diny continued. "We need a lot of fish.

'We want to be known as a great little city'

We want to be known as a great little city, Diny said.

Diny referenced the advertising campaign by Wausau Employers Mutual insurance company that famously ran during the early years of CBSs news program "60 Minutes." The campaign focused on the small-town, caring and personable service the company provided.

The theme was: we embrace our identity. Were a small city. Not too big, not too small, but we do things well here, Diny explained.

The city of Wausaus population is about 40,000. Including the surrounding metro area, theres over 166,000 people whose daily ability to live, work and play is directly or indirectly dependent on smooth operation of city services and its steady, annual collection of tax dollars.

Diny discussed the value of "placemaking," a community development term that describes a design process for public spaces that meet the wants and needs of the people that use them.

In sales, it costs you five times, roughly, more to get a new customer than it is to maintain an existing customer, Diny said, referencing a common sales trope. I think we need to start by listening to our current residents and businesses to find out what they want and need and provide it.

Traditionally, people found community in churches, taverns and local events, Diny said, and described an example of a farmer coming to town to buy and sell goods and stopping at the tavern to hear local news and gossip.

He recalled spontaneous social interactions that used to be facilitated by the food court at the now demolished Wausau Center mall. He recognizes the value of community bonding opportunities that happen at events on the 400 Block and similar venues across the city and hopes to see more indoor spaces that can provide those opportunities in colder months.

Mayor starts term with list of initiatives to consider

Diny recalled when he used to take his kids to what is now the Riverlife area to ride their bikes when it was still First Street. Tori still lives in Wausau, while Nick is an attack helicopter company commander at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Ben is at the U.S. Naval Academy Flight School in Pensacola, Florida, and had just received a promotion on the day of the interview.

In pursuit of making Wausau a better place to live, Diny is considering a plethora of initiatives and is learning more about them from city staff and his own research.

He said the council will soon assess the current status of the homeless and housing issues and determine what role the city can play in alleviating them.

If enforcement were the solution, wed have solved this years ago, Diny said, regarding homelessness. There isnt really a silver bullet for this. If we can go out and find whats working and not working and bring that to the council and put some of these programs out there or ideas, it gives them a lot more ammunition, then, to take a role (moving) forward.

He said he aims to revive the Neighbor to Neighbor neighborhood groups that largely stopped meeting following the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diny would also like to see a strengthening of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at Wausau campus and new ideas for the citys bus system.

It would be great if we could keep the university here in town, Diny said. We need thought. We need research and development and out of research and development comes ideas for new businesses.

He said the university adds vibrancy to the community and he thinks connections like Milwaukees significant Hmong population or studies of natural resources and culture, are opportunities to strengthen the ties Wausau has to the states public university system.

Similarly, Diny identified several ideas for the citys buses including new fare box technology, smaller buses and inter-municipal bus routes.

If we could get one spur, even, down Grand Avenue to cover Target out there, the old Shopko Plaza. Theres a lot of businesses down that way. It would help people get to and from work potentially, to the VA medical center. Diny said. Start with one. We dont necessarily have to expand transit overnight to every single city in the region. Maybe we just find out one area where it would work and start chipping away at it.

I think a vibrant city has to have a viable bus service that goes where people want it to go," Diny added. "Its pretty simple."

Diny said the city needs young people and families to be active and involved and that grassroots efforts and ideas may be a catalyst for new businesses and other opportunities.

You own where you came from and it would be great if people wanted to continue to own where they come from," Diny said. "Hopefully my kids consider Wausau home."

Local education news: Wausau School District ends year with student lunch debt balance even after successful fundraiser

More local news: Check out our roundup of 2024 high school graduation photos from central Wisconsin

Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA-TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Wausau Mayor Doug Diny starts term with list of priorities to tackle
Sign for the Wisconsin Elections Comission. (Wisconsin Examiner photo)

The Wisconsin Elections Commission considered challenges to candidate nomination papers on Monday, barring a congressional and a legislative candidate from getting on the ballot this fall. The commission approved ballot access for all the other challenges it heard.

In the meeting, the commission heard challenges to a number of candidates for congress and state Legislature. In all the challenges heard by the commission, the six members agreed with the preliminary decision made by WEC staff.

Democrat Andrew Beck, who was attempting to get on the primary ballot to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald in the 5th Congressional District, was rejected because a number of signatures werent valid, taking him below the 1,000 signatures required to get on the ballot.

The commission also voted not to give ballot access to David Heffel, who was trying to run in the 70th Assembly District. Heffel wasnt granted access because his paperwork listed two separate addresses for himself and staff could not verify that one of them existed.

In the race for the 8th Congressional District to fill the vacant seat left by former Rep. Mike Gallagher, a former Green Bay city council member challenged nomination papers filed by Tony Wied.

Wied, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, is running against state Sen. Andre Jacque and former Sen. Roger Roth in the three-way Republican primary for the seat. Candidates for the 8th had to collect two sets of signatures, one for the special election to finish the remainder of Gallaghers term and another for the regular primary election.

The council member, Tony Theisen, alleged that he witnessed two circulators for the Wied campaign telling voters who signed the papers that the forms were for housing for the homeless, and challenged the validity of Wieds nomination papers for both elections.

Kurt Goehre, an attorney for the Wied campaign, said at the meeting Monday that the complaints against the signatures failed to establish that voters were misled. The commissioners agreed with the recommendation of agency staff, who wrote in a memo that the Wied campaigns forms were properly labeled to show what voters were signing.

As to the allegations of fraud, staff do not believe Mr. Theisens request to invalidate every nomination paper collected by the applicable circulator should be granted, or the challenge sustained, the staff memo states. Giving due weight to each sworn statement, with a presumption of validity for nomination papers and a challenge burden falling on the challenger, there is no cause to sustain a challenge to all pages circulated by the specific circulator.

The person who collected the signatures directly denied the allegation, the memo states. What is more, candidate Wieds nomination paper headings were all legally compliant and correctly completed. The proper headings on those nomination paper[s] show that the electors signed with full knowledge of its content, and the allegations raised in the challenge cannot overcome the presumption of validity.

In the Democratic primary for the 4th Senate District, which is vacant because of former Sen. Lena Taylors appointment to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Assembly Reps. LaKeshia Myers and Dora Drake are running. Myers filed a challenge to all 692 signatures that Drake turned in, alleging that she had used a form labeled as a nomination paper for nonpartisan office when she is running as a Democrat for a partisan office.

Myers told the commission on Monday that using an improper form could have potentially misled voters who might not have signed if they knew it was for a Democratic primary.

The Drake campaign pointed out that all the papers still pointed out she was running as a Democrat. The staff memo states that all 77 pages filed by the campaign state Democratic Party in the header.

The commission voted to allow Drake access to the ballot, finding that even though she didnt use the right form, she was still substantially compliant with the requirements under state law.

New chair

At the meeting, the commission also elected a new chair. The six-member commission is made up of three members appointed by Democrats and three members appointed by Republicans. The commission chair serves a two year term, alternating which party gets to control the commission gavel.

Don Millis, a Republican, had been chair for the previous two years. On Monday, the body voted unanimously to elect Democrat Ann Jacobs as chair.

Jacobs previously served as chair from 2020 to 2022, leading the commissions meetings as it worked through the issues leading up to and following the 2020 presidential election.

In a post on X, Jacobs said she recognizes the states role in this years presidential election and that shes confident in the work of the states local election clerks and WEC staff.

I am honored to have been unanimously elected Chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, she wrote. I recognize WIs outsize role in this years presidential election, & am confident in the work of our many clerks & Elections [Commission] staff in making this our strongest election ever.

Evaluation of Vos recall petition delayed

Mondays meeting was the first time the commission met since a group of right-wing activists filed paperwork late last month to initiate a recall election against Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, but the body took no action on the recall campaigns filing.

The recall activists are opposed to Vos because of his alleged failure to go along with their efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Their previous recall attempt failed because they didnt gather enough valid signatures. That effort was troubled by a question of which district to gather signatures from: the one that Vos was elected to in 2022 or the new one hell run in this year under recently adopted legislative maps.

Vos has filed a challenge against the recall petition, saying there are thousands of problematic signatures among the more than 9,000 filed by the activists. Vos said he found 2,000 collected from outside his current legislative district, 400 people who signed more than once and 350 collected after the statutory deadline.

The commission stated in a news release that staff were focused on reviewing the nomination papers for all the other candidates filing paperwork to get on the ballot in this falls elections. The commissions deadline to respond to the recall petition and Vos challenge is June 28. Its next meeting is set for June 27.

The post WEC weighs challenges to nomination papers appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Flagler County Sheriff's vehicles are seen along Fortress Place, which runs parallel to Forsythe Lane in Palm Coast, Wednesday, June 5, 2024. The sheriff's office warned residents in the area to "shelter in place" after a man barricaded himself in house for nearly seven hours.

A man who contacted the Flagler County Sheriffs Office May 30 regarding the welfare of a Marine veteran who would later trigger a nearly seven-hour long standoff in Palm Coast said he believes the sheriffs office should have taken the veteran into custody last week.

But in a response to The News-Journal Friday, the sheriffs office said the situation did not rise to the level of involuntarily committing Robert Detherow under Florida's Baker Act. The sheriffs office stated it advised Detherow's wife on the court process to have him committed for psychiatric evaluation.

But everything changed Wednesday when Detherow, 55, was arrested outside his home at 94 Forsythe Lane after deputies asked him to exit the residence for nearly seven hours.

The sheriff's office seized seven firearms from the house after Detherow's arrest.

What happened on Forsythe Lane in Palm Coast?

About 40 deputies surrounded the house and an armored vehicle was used to approach the residence. A sheriff's office drone hovered above. Detherow was shot three times with rubber bullets, which did not take him down. Deputies knocked down his front door and sent in a robot to observe. Detherow kicked the robot over.

Besides Detherow, another man in the house, Kaleb Smith, was also arrested.

The standoff began about 6:30 a.m. when Detherow blocked the street and continued playing loud music, according to a report.

But there were earlier signs of Detherows instability. He posted videos on YouTube, ranting about religion and calling Sheriff Rick Staly a traitor. In videos, Detherow complained about former President Donald Trump's conviction and said America was dying.

Detherow was upset that his son, Hunter Detherow, had been arrested in March in a stabbing case after a religious argument escalated outside a Palm Coast gas station. As part of that investigation, the sheriffs office executed a search warrant at Detherows house in March.

Friend: Detherow should have been detained on welfare check

A Marine veteran who said he served with Detherow told The News-Journal Friday that he called the sheriff's office May 30 for a welfare check on Detherow. The friend said he believed the standoff could have been avoided had the sheriff's office taken Detherow into custody following that phone call. He said the sheriff's office could have waited for Detherow to drive somewhere and then stopped and detained him.

He asked that his name not be used in the story.

Sheriff's office: 'Handled appropriately'

Sheriffs Office Chief Mark Strobridge wrote in an email Friday that the situation was handled appropriately.

We received a call last Thursday, May 30, 2024, in reference to a welfare check on Robert Detherow. The deputies spoke with the reporting person and Robert Detherows wife. She said he was on a religious rant but not a threat to himself or anyone else. Based on the information provided by the wife, the call for service was handled appropriately and the situation was not escalated.

When asked whether the sheriffs office should have sought a risk protection order to seize Detherows firearms since the wife said he was going "berserk" and there were firearms in the house, Strobridge wrote the circumstances did not rise to that point.

Based on the information from the spouse, it did not rise to the level of a risk protection order. As you know, the spouse was informed of the process to obtain assistance through the court system, Strobridge wrote.

Risk protection orders

The sheriff's office policy on the use of risk protection orders, known as red flag laws, outlines the steps required in such a case, according to a copy provided to The News-Journal.

Here is a portion of the sheriff's office policy about standards for using the risk protection order:

The petition for a risk protection order must allege that the person "poses a significant danger of causing a personal injury to themselves or others by having a firearm or ammunition."

The petition must include an affidavit under oath showing "specific facts, statements or actions giving rise to a reasonable fear of significant dangerous acts." It must include "personal knowledge" by the deputy or a witness.

It must list the quantity, types and locations of the firearms and ammunitions believed to be in the person's possession or ownership.

It must state whether there is a "known existing protection order" against the person, such as an injunction against domestic violence, repeat, dating or sexual violence, or stalking.

The May 30 welfare check request

The report from the May 30 call states that based off of information from the caller and Detherows wife, he did not meet the criteria for involuntary commitment for psychiatric evaluation. The report noted that based on information from the wife and caller, Detherow had not made any threats to harm himself or others.

Both said that there was a man, Smith, staying at the home who could contact law enforcement or the family if that changed.

The report stated that Units will not make contact with Robert to antagonize his already agitated state with FCSO without additional information.

The wife, whose first name was listed as Sandy, told the sheriffs office that she believed that Robert is going off the deep end on a faith-based psychotic break. The wife told deputies that Detherow had not been sleeping and was ranting and raving about his sons arrest by the sheriffs office. He was also upset that deputies had searched his home.

When the wife asked to be taken to the hospital because she did not feel well, Detherow responded she would die soon. It was OK. She said she did not believe this was a threat because he continued religious rants saying he was god and other highly religious individuals.

According to the report, the wife suffered a panic attack due to Detherows behavior, went to the hospital and then went to stay in a hotel.

The wife said Detherow was a combat veteran, had been diagnosed with PTSD and disliked law enforcement since his sons arrest. According to the wife, Detherow had not threatened to harm himself but he had gone berserk. The wife also said Detherow had various firearms in the house.

Charges against Robert Detherow

Detherow remained at the Flagler County jail Friday on $34,000 bond. He was charged with aggravated assault on an officer, corruption by threat against a public servant firefighter or paramedic, resisting an officer without violence; two counts of assault on an officer, firefighter or paramedic; and exposure of sexual organs first offense.

Hunter Detherow, 22, remained in the Flagler County jail, where he has been since March 18 after his arrest, on $300,000 bond. He was charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Smith, 23, who was charged with one count of resisting an officer without violence, was released Thursday on $500 bond.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Palm Coast standoff came days after welfare check on Robert Detherow
There were 71,000 noise complaints about Europe's busiest airport in 2023. Over 60,000 came from the same 10 people.

There were 71,000 noise complaints about Europe's busiest airport in 2023. Over 60,000 came from the same 10 people.

Over 60,000 noise complaints at London Heathrow Airport were filed by just 10 people.

0.5% of complainants were responsible for 85% of all complaints.

Just five people complained more than 1,280 times.

Just 10 people were responsible for over 60,000 noise complaints at London Heathrow Airport last year.

Heathrow, which was also the busiest airport in Europe in 2023, releases such data every quarter.

In 2023, there were 71,041 complaints about noise from the airport, with monthly numbers ranging from around 4,000 to 9,000.

Of those complaints, 60,490 came from just 10 people, meaning that 0.5% of complainants were responsible for 85% of complaints.

An even smaller number of people appear to be responsible for the bulk of that 60,000. The airport notes that only five people complained more than 1,280 times.

About half of the complaints were in the category of loud aircraft, and a quarter were for low aircraft.

Similar statistics continued into the first quarter of 2024, when the top 10 complainers filed 15,062 complaints. One person appears to have complained over 6,000 times in those three months, an average of around 60 complaints per day, over two per hour.

Research compiled by the UK Civil Aviation Authority shows how noise pollution from planes can disrupt sleep quality, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, and impede children's performance in school.

To help people living nearby, Heathrow operates a "runway alternation" system, which says "provides predictable periods of noise relief."

It means one runway is used for takeoffs and the other for landings before switching around halfway through the day.

However, noise complaints from a small number of locals have still persisted.

Along with environmental activists, noise complaints have played a role in impeding controversial plans to build a third runway at Heathrow.

A similarly huge number of complaints was found in Australia. One person living under a flight path in Perth was responsible for almost half the country's aircraft noise complaints.

Read the original article on Business Insider
We're U.S. attorneys for Texas. We need your help fighting this rising gun violence threat

A half-inch piece of plastic is making Texas much more dangerous. Its called a machine gun conversion device, or switch.

Switches transform regular handguns, which require a separate trigger pull for each round fired, into fully automatic weapons that can fire multiple rounds with a single squeeze of the trigger. One of these simple but deadly devices can be manufactured in a few hours using a commercially available 3D printer. Installation is as simple as slotting the device into the butt of the gun and takes less than 60 seconds.

Thats when things get even scarier.

Special Agent James O'Flaherty, a firearms instructor coordinator for ATF field agents, demonstrates a handgun fitted with a "Glock switch" in Houston. (Credit: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle)

A switch-equipped Glock emits not the staccato of individual shots, but one long, menacing thrum. Incredibly, a gun equipped with a switch fires faster than the standard M-4 machine gun issued to U.S. military servicemembers.

Switches have been linked to a number of homicides, including a mass shooting at a sweet sixteen party in Dadeville, AL, where four young people were slain; a drive-by shooting in Cincinnati, OH, where an innocent 11-year-old boy was killed; and a law enforcement shooting in Houston, TX where Officer William Jeffrey was gunned down during a narcotics arrest.

Alarmingly, these devices have acquired a certain macabre cachet, especially among juveniles. Criminals brag about selling switches on social media and the devices have even made their way into rap lyrics.

Without serious intervention, its only a matter of time until these devices wreak more havoc in our communities.

Weve recently seen a dramatic uptick in the number of switches on our streets. In just five years, the number of switches recovered by law enforcement nearly sextupled. Between 2017 and 2023, Texas-based ATF agents seized 991 switches; 490 of those, 50 percent, were seized just last year.

Notably, the National Firearms Act classifies the switch itself as a machine gun because the definition includes any combination of parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon to a machinegun.

And, except in very limited circumstances, its illegal to possess a machine gun  meaning its illegal to possess a switch. Simply possessing a switch  not to mention firing one  carries a term of imprisonment of up to ten years.

In partnership with the ATF, our offices have already prosecuted numerous conversion device cases against both sellers and possessors.

In Fort Worth, for example, a man who bragged that hed 3D printed more than 400 switches per day  and even showed an undercover agent how to slot them into his AR-15  was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison. In Beaumont, a man who admitted he used a switch-equipped Glock to bolster his drug trafficking business was sentenced to eight and a half years. In San Antonio, an avowed anti-government extremist who 3D printed switches for AR-15s was sentenced to more than eight years for felon in possession. And in Houston, a man who allegedly shot and wounded three police officers using a switch-equipped pistol is awaiting trial; if convicted, he faces up to life in federal prison.

But federal law enforcement cant handle this problem alone. Urgent action is needed.

Thats why today, were launching Operation Texas Kill Switch, an initiative aimed at heightening awareness of illegal machine gun conversion devices and increasing our prosecution of those who manufacture, sell, and possess them.

Part of Operation Texas Kill Switch is helping state and local law enforcement identify machine gun conversion devices and encouraging them to collaborate with the feds on investigations and prosecutions. Local officers need to know that U.S. Attorneys offices are underutilized resources when it comes to conversion device cases and that we, the leaders of the Texas offices, are focused on using our resources to prosecute those who create, traffic in, or possess these switches.

Another part is urging the public to be on alert and to reach out to law enforcement when they become aware of someone having a switch.

Were proud to announce were partnering with Crime Stopper programs statewide to combat the proliferation of these illegal devices.

From now until Aug. 31, local Crime Stopper programs will offer rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to the apprehension or prosecution of those who possess switches or 3D printers being used to manufacture them. To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters must provide information to their local Crime Stoppers program. Tipsters may also use **TIPS to be connected to a Crime Stoppers program in their area. Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, and anonymity is guaranteed by law. Information may also be submitted directly to ATF at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips.

Ridding our streets of machine gun conversion devices is one the best tools we have to reduce gun violence. We intend to do just that.

Leigha Simonton, Alamdar Hamdani, Damien Diggs and Jaime Esparza are United States Attorneys for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas, respectively. Nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, they are the chief federal law enforcement officers in the state of Texas. They wrote this exclusively for the American-Statesman.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Machine gun conversion devices threaten havoc in Texas communities
We recently published a list of 10 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Billionaire Leon Cooperman. Since Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN) ranks 3rd in the list, it deserves a deeper look.

Billionaire Leon Cooperman made headlines in April when he predicted during an interview with CNBC that the US is headed for a financial crisis. Cooperman, who calls himself a capitalist with a heart, said that the Federal Reserve kept interest rates near zero, but raised them dramatically in a period of 12 months. Still, the 81-year-old billionaire sees no signs that the economy is restrictive, as he pointed to stock market highs and speculation. The Omega Family Office chairman and CEO expects one or two rate cuts this year. He emphasized that the market remains overvalued.

This isnt the first time Cooperman warned the market about recession. In February last year, the billionaire said that the market was headed for a recession, and noted that the S&P 500 high of about 4,800 recorded in 2022 could stand for some time. In July 2022, while talking to Bloomberg, Cooperman said that he was shocked that interest rates were so low.

I am of the view that equities are the best house in the financial asset in the neighborhood, but I dont like the neighborhood, for a lot of reasons.

Cooperman in the Bloomberg interview in 2022 had categorically said that sooner or later the strong dollar, prices of oil and the Fed would lead us into a recession. He went on to add that recession would be a 2023 event and predicted that the market would bottom somewhere near 35% to 45% below its peak of 4800.

READ NEXT: Billionaire Paul Tudor Jones Top Dividend Picks and Analysts Are Upgrading These AI Stocks

The billionaire had said that he would be very surprised if we were to see another bull market anytime soon, given his view that weve had one of the biggest bull runs driven by FAANG, SPACs, and speculation. The AI revolution that started in 2023 was indeed a shocker for Cooperman as his recession predictions were proven wrong.

For this article, we scanned billionaire Coopermans Q12024 portfolio and chose his top 10 dividend stock picks. Why are we interested in 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).

Story continues

Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 44

Billionaire Leon Coopermans Stake: $110,396,000

Upstream energy giant Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN) is a notable dividend stock popular among hedge funds. During the first quarter, the companys production beat its guidance by 4%, driven by strong activity in the Delaware Basin. Devons FCF hit $844 million, representing its 15th consecutive quarter of strong FCF generation. Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN) also increased its 2024 production guidance to about 665 thousand barrels / day. Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN) is allocating a whopping 30% of the FCF for shareholder returns, with $3 billion share buyback authorization in place. Analysts believe Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN)s low net debt-to-EBITDAX of 0.7x and high growth estimates make it an undervalued play.

Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN) is currently trading at a P/E multiple of 8.9, lower than Devon Energy Corps (NYSE:DVN) five-year average P/E of 10.84 as well as the industry mean of 10.73. Wall Street analysts have an average price target of $58.45 for Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN), about 20% higher than the stocks current levels. Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN) has a $3 billion share buyback authorization in place, which is about 10% of its outstanding shares. In the first quarter alone Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN) returned $430 million to shareholders through dividends and buybacks.

As of the end of the first quarter of 2024, 44 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey reported owning stakes in Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN).

Overall, Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN) ranks 3rd in Insider Monkeys list of the 10 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Billionaire Leon Cooperman. You can visit the 10 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Billionaire Leon Cooperman to see the other Billionaire Leon Cooperman's 2024 stocks that are on his radar. While we acknowledge the potential of Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN), our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN) 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 at Insider Monkey.
On Tuesday, Nvidia surpassed Microsoft as the most valuable public company globally and is one of only three U.S. firms to crack the $3 trillion threshold.

On Tuesday, Nvidia surpassed Microsoft as the most valuable public company in the world.

The California-based computer chip company now has a market cap of over $3.33 trillion, while Microsofts is nearly $3.32 trillion and Apple is at $3.27 trillion. The three tech firms are the only U.S. companies to pass the $3 trillion threshold.

But while Nvidias CEO has been dubbed the Taylor Swift of the tech industry by Mark Zuckerberg, the 31-year-old company is only recently making a splash in the mainstream media  thanks, in part, to its newfound links to Elon Musk and ByteDance, which owns TikTok.

Heres everything you need to know about the company, its hugely popular CEO and why people are talking about it now.

 What exactly is Nvidia?

Nvidia was initially founded to build computer chips that would process graphics quickly, a useful technology for computer games. But in the last few years, the company has started to pivot to artificial intelligence just as public interest in AI skyrocketed following OpenAIs 2022 launch of ChatGPT (which was trained using some of Nvidias graphics).

As tech companies started looking to AI, Nvidia was positioned to be the new go-to source for software and other materials necessary for the enormous computing power required by AI. Every major tech company, including Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft, uses Nvidia computer chips for its AI.

 How do I pronounce Nvidia?

Its in-vid-ee-ya.

 Who is CEO Jensen Huang?

Huang co-founded Nvidia in April 1993. In the decades since then, the 61-year-old electrical engineer has become a celebrity in the tech world. Mark Zuckerberg dubbed him the Taylor Swift of tech in a comment on an Instagram photo from March in which Zuckerberg posed in Huangs signature black leather jacket.

Huang is worth an estimated $118 billion, according to Forbes.

According to the BBC, wherever Huang goes, crowds chant his name and scramble for selfies and autographs  as evidenced in a viral video of Huang signing a womans bra during Computex, an annual tech conference in Taiwan, where Huang was born. Reuters even called the Computex event Jensanity.

 Why is Huang such a huge celebrity?

The U.S. and China have been racing to dominate the computer chip market, especially the chips designed for AI processing. Because of Nvidia, Business Insider reports, its Taiwan that has come out on top, a major source of pride for Taiwanese citizens and a major source of income for the island.

Huangs humble upbringing seems to play a role in why he has greater mass appeal than some other rich tech CEOs.

To learn more about Huangs background, read this profile from Fortune.

 Whats Nvidias connection to ByteDance?

On June 6, the Information website published an investigation that found that Oracle, a U.S.-based computer technology company, has been renting Nvidia chips to China-based ByteDance to train AI on TikTok. Since 2022, the U.S. has banned American companies from selling their AI computer chips to China.

The report revealed a significant loophole in U.S. sanctions against China, especially given rising tensions between the countries over technology and data privacy. In April, the U.S. passed legislation that requires ByteDance to sell TikTok by January 2025 or be banned in the U.S.; ByteDance responded by suing the government.

 Where does Elon Musk fit into all of this?

CNBC reported on June 4 that Elon Musk told Nvidia to prioritize sending its AI chips to X and xAI, the ChatGPT competitor Musk launched in 2023, over Tesla.

The decision goes against what Musk has been saying and promoting as recently as April about how Tesla and its production of electric vehicles and humanoid robots were a priority for him. His transferring of the Nvidia chips to X and xAI will delay projects at Tesla. The decision has reportedly made Tesla shareholders nervous, which could impact their vote on Musks multibillion-dollar compensation package, which is coming up for a vote on June 13.
'Where do we go from here?' Tuscaloosa church marks 60th year since Bloody Tuesday

First African Baptist Church held a special service on Sunday to commemorate the 60th years since "Bloody Tuesday," a pivotal moment in the city's civil rights movement.

The service, organized by the Bloody Tuesday Committee, honored those who participated in Tuscaloosa's "Bloody Tuesday" march, which was designed to protest segregated facilities at the then-new Tuscaloosa County Courthouse.

More: Tuscaloosa marchers complete the walk, 60 years after Bloody Tuesday

That day, June, 9 1964, law enforcement officers and an angry mob of white citizens brutalized a group of peaceful protesters.

Now, Tuscaloosa's Bloody Tuesday Committee and other community partners want to ensure that historic day is never forgotten.

"Some may ask in this room, 'Why do we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Bloody Tuesday,' " said Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox during Sunday's program. "It is not to just not forget, it is to remember that this country in order to form a more perfect union, must celebrate its past."

June 9 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Liturgical dancers from Friendship Baptist Church Praise Team perform during the 60th anniversary commemoration of the Bloody Tuesday event in Tuscaloosa.

Tuscaloosa residents, church members and march participants, commonly referred to as foot soldiers, gathered in the church sanctuary to remember the Bloody Tuesday attack, which occurred outside and inside the church 60 years ago.

The service, which had a theme, "Where Do We Go From Here," included singing, dancing and fellowship.

The Rev. Ransey O'Daniel, the service's guest speaker, delivered a sermon with a message of thanks to the Bloody Tuesday foot soldiers for displaying what he called a noble act of selflessness. Several of the foot soldiers were in attendance and were given a standing ovation by the crowd.

"They came together to protest against racial segregation. They were not thinking of themselves, They were thinking (of) how to help somebody else," said O'Daniel, who serves as the pastor of the Christ Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa.

June 9 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Rev. Ransey ODaniel delivers the message in First African Baptist Church during the 60th Anniversary commemoration of the Bloody Tuesday event in Tuscaloosa. Sixty years ago, marchers leaving the church were met by law enforcement officers and a deputized mob who beat and arrested many of the Civil Rights marchers who were walking to the Courthouse to protest the inclusion of segregated facilities.

Irene Byrd, who serves on the Bloody Tuesday Comittee, honored the foot soldiers and thanked them for their courage and activism.

"You are honored, you are special..." said Byrd, who also participated in the Bloody Tuesday march.

Byrd praised her fellow foot soldiers for their positive impact on Tuscaloosa's civil rights movement.

"We had a small part in changing in the face segregation in this city," she said.

Byrd said that she and the other marchers will always be known as the "young foot soldiers in the city of Tuscaloosa."

During the service, a video was shared showing U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, who also commemorated the 60th anniversary June 7 on the House floor in Washington, D.C.

During her speech, Sewell recognized the Tuscaloosa chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

June 9 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; The Bloody Tuesday Choir and the congregation sing during the 60th anniversary commemoration of the Bloody Tuesday event in Tuscaloosa. Sixty years ago, marchers were beaten and arrested by law enforcement officers and a deputized mob as they were going from First African Baptist to the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse to protest the inclusion of segregated facilities.

"Though lesser known, the events of Bloody Tuesday set the stage for Bloody Sunday and the eventual march from Selma to Montgomery. I commend the Tuscaloosa SCLC for their work to keep the memory of Bloody Tuesday alive. I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating the 60th anniversary of Bloody Tuesday. We must never, ever forget," Sewell said.

Following the service, the church led a march to the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Ron Abernathy addressed the crowd in front of the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse.

The Rev. Walter Hawkins, pastor of Dry Creek Baptist Church in Fosters, also spoke at the courthouse.

After the march, participants returned to the church for a reception. The reception featured a book signing with University of Alabama associate professor of history John Giggie. Giggie presented his book, "Bloody Tuesday: Civil Rights History and Memory in Tuscaloosa," which is built on more than 100 oral histories, backed by media accounts and official records.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: 'We must never, ever forget': Church honors Bloody Tuesday marchers
White people aren't being discriminated against. Groups trying to keep Black people down.

Ray Marcano, a longtime journalist, is the former national president of the Society of Professional Journalists, a two-time Pulitzer juror, and a Fulbright fellow.

Throughout history, America has found a way to rip away gains from people of color who started to make societal inroads.

In the 1954 case, Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court ruled the "separate but equal" doctrine unconstitutional, so opponents of the decision found other ways to keep Black and white students from being in the same classroom.

Southern states added "ability to learn" criteria when determining which students could be in what classes.

School voucher programs diverted public money to private education, which could deny admission based on race. You can trace the economic stagnation of Black people to continued efforts to keep them in underfunded schools.

Hurting Black people with laws meant to help them

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited racial discrimination in voting. Instead, lawmakers now use gerrymandering to dilute the voice of voters by shifting some from Black-majority districts into white-majority districts.

Now, any efforts for people of color to help themselves  especially Black people  is under relentless attack using a law enacted during the time the Confederacy was still fighting for slavery.

These attacks serve one purpose marginalize Black people.

Fearless Fund face of hideous campaign

Sixteen Black children accompanied by 4 mothers carry signs demonstrating their feelings as they walk to Webster School in Hillsboro, Ohio, April 3, 1956, after the US Supreme Court had ordered immediate integration at the school April 2. The children were turned away again as they had been every day for two years. The school board said that is was awaiting official notification of the Supreme Court's decision before taking any action. | Location: Hillsboro, Ohio, USA.

Several conservative groups have filed lawsuits alleging that efforts by Black-owned groups to help other Black people amount to illegal racial discrimination. These cases continue to wind their way through the court system but the one involving the Fearless Fund has become the face of these hideous efforts.

The small group offers $20,000 grants to businesses owned by Black women and those shut out of the venture capital market. Black-owned firms get about 1% of venture capital money, and that's shrinking as companies pull back on their diversity efforts because of fear of lawsuits and other reasons.

Conservative and anti-DEI activist Edward Blum sued Fearless Fund, claiming the tiny grants discriminate against white people. Blum also makes it clear he doesn't care about societal inequality.

"Our nation's civil rights laws do not permit racial distinctions because some groups are overrepresented in various endeavors, while others are under-represented," Edward Blum said in a statement to USA Today.

Making matters worse, the law these conservative groups cite a law put in place to help Black people, not punish them. Section 1981 of the 1866 Civil Rights Act granted Black people the same rights as white people when making and enforcing contracts.

"All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall have the same right in every State and Territory to make and enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, give evidence, and to the full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of persons and property as is enjoyed by white citizens, and

shall be subject to like punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses, and exactions of every kind, and to no other."

Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. Southern states immediately put in place "Black Codes" that limited where people could work, live and who they could marry. For example, it was illegal for employers to entice Black workers with another job by offering higher wages.

Congress passed the 1866 act to help cure the racial inequities of the time. But just as with Brown and voting rights, courts stepped in to help stop the progress of Black people. In 1976, the Supreme Court ruled the 1866 act must include white people, too. Thurgood Marshall wrote the 9-0 decision.

Today, Black people find themselves fighting against those who want to keep them in their place.

Ray Marcano, a longtime journalist, is the former national president of the Society of Professional Journalists, a two-time Pulitzer juror, and a Fulbright fellow.

Society makes it difficult for the disenfranchised to get ahead. Black people rest at the lower end of the economic scale.

If they have dreams of opening a business, they have a hard time getting a loan because they won't financially qualify. They can't mortgage their homes because they still suffer from a history of government-sanctioned redlining and often owe more on their house than it's worth. It's nearly impossible to get venture capital, as we've already shown.

And now comes the added indignity. Conservative groups have turned a law meant to help Black people into one that will hurt them, and they're cheering on the pain.

There's only one way to describe these efforts: Evil.

Ray Marcano, a longtime journalist, is the former national president of the Society of Professional Journalists, a two-time Pulitzer juror, and a Fulbright fellow.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Evil plan underway to hold Black people down with laws meant to help them
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (R) and former President Donald Trump (left). | Andrew Roth and Getty photos

Calling former President Donald Trump a convicted felon  running on vengeance and grievance, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told a national television audience Sunday that voters have a stark choice this November about who they want to occupy the White House.

Speaking on CNNs State of the Union, Whitmer was asked about comments Vice President Kamala Harris made in Detroit on Saturday, when she called Trump a cheater and someone who thinks he is above the law. Whitmer, who co-chairs President Joe Bidens reelection campaign, doubled down on that sentiment.

Right now, we know that in this country there is a stark choice in front of us between a president who respects the rule of law and a former president who is a convicted felon who wants to use the implements of government to go after his enemies and is running on vengeance and grievance as his platform, she said. He is the standard bearer, unfortunately, for the Republican Party in this moment, and this is a high-stakes election.

Whitmers comments were sharper about Trump than those of many elected Democrats who have not emphasized the former presidents 34 felony convictions in a New York court last month.

Also appearing on the show, in a separate appearance, was Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who argued Trump and the GOP were not planning on taking away access to birth control and that Democrats had politicized the issue. Last week, U.S. Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would have protected the right to contraception.

Contraception is something that should be available to women, said Noem. Why dont we support them and give them information and help them?

Whitmer, however, rejected that characterization, saying the three appointments made by Trump to the U.S. Supreme Court betrayed their oath of office, when they voted to invalidate Roe v. Wade and undermine a half-century of legal precedent concerning bodily autonomy.

We know that there are women in many states who cannot access fundamental health care; cannot make their own decisions about whether and when to bear a child, said Whitmer. I think that what were seeing out of the Republicans saying that they want to protect this, is disingenuous at best and an outright lie at worst.

Whitmer also addressed concerns that Robert Kennedy Jr., an attorney and anti-vaccine advocate who will appear on the Michigan ballot this fall, could cost Biden a victory in the battleground state. She said that it was always going to be a close contest, but believes if the campaign does the work, a majority of voters will make the right decision.

Certainly, Kennedy or any third party candidate, gives me some concern, and its to be taken seriously, said Whitmer. There are a lot of good, traditional Republicans who dont feel at home with the convicted felon at the top of the ballot, who know that Kennedy has got lots of far out, kind of wild ideas about science and the future and doesnt even have the support of his own family. All that being said, we cant make any assumptions. Weve got to earn every single vote and thats what were doing.

Currently, RealClear Polling, which averages seven top national polls, has Trump up by just .3% over Biden in Michigan. However, around this same time in 2020, Biden led Trump by more than 7% in Michigan. Biden won the 2020 election by about a 3-point margin, or 154,000 votes.

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Donnita Stunson stands for a portrait in her home last January in Madison, Alabama (Christian Monterrosa/Special to The Marshall Project).

In March 2018, a heartbroken mother named Donnita Stunson mailed a letter to the mayor of St. Louis asking for help. I was born and raised in the city of St. Louis, she wrote. I was once proud of my city, until Dec. 22, 2017.

On that date, around 3 a.m., an unknown number of people with guns broke into the apartment that Stunsons daughter Dominique Lewis had recently moved into. Lewis and two of her friends ran outside  still in the clothes they wore to bed  frantically looking for somewhere to hide and jumped into the back seat of one of their cars.

This is the first story in Unsolved, a multi-part investigation exploring how police in St. Louis have struggled to solve killings, leaving thousands of family members without answers.

The shooters found them and repeatedly fired into the vehicle, killing all three women. Police found their bodies huddled together in the car. Looked like they were laying on top of each other, one officer observed at the time.

Three months after the killings, Stunson decided to write her letter to then-Mayor Lyda Krewson. She was desperate for updates on the investigation, but detectives werent returning her calls. As a mother, I am crushed, but I am disappointed too. I feel that there is no urgency in catching the murderers of these three young ladies, Stunson wrote. I am contacting you because I dont know what else to do.

The triple homicide was a shocking crime, even in one of the most violent cities in America. Lewis and her friends, Reeba Moore and Chanice White, were in their mid-20s. They worked, went to school and loved to socialize in the community. Police said they appeared to have been targeted for unknown reasons. None of the women had a criminal record. When Stunson walked through the apartment the morning after the shootings, she noticed that nothing seemed to have been stolen.

But for all the ways the killings of these young women stood out, the lack of progress on the case in the months and years that followed was, by contrast, quite typical. Of the roughly 1,900 homicides committed in the city of St. Louis from 2014 through 2023, more than 1,000 remain unsolved, according to an analysis of homicide data obtained by APM Reports and St. Louis Public Radio.

During those years, murders in St. Louis surged, making the city one of the nations deadliest. For most of the decade, police struggled to bring perpetrators to justice. A review of 20 years of data and records reveals some of the reasons police failed to solve so many homicides, including shoddy detective work, lack of resources and an erosion of community trust.

In 2022 and 2023, St. Louis homicide detectives solved substantially more cases. Homicides went down, and the department solved 56% of the murders committed those years, their highest rate since 2013, according to the analysis.

Yet with each unsolved murder, grief ripples across the city, leaving families and friends yearning for closure and justice. Its a pain that the Black community in St. Louis endures disproportionately. Black people, who are about 44% of the citys population, made up around 90% of those killed between 2014 and 2023. Police solved fewer than half of the killings involving Black victims. By contrast, police cleared nearly two-thirds of cases involving white victims.

The citys homicides, especially those that remain unsolved, tend to happen in geographic clusters, the data shows. In the Fairground neighborhood on the citys north side, where Lewis, Moore and White were slain, the concentration of deadly shootings is staggering. There were at least 37 homicides in the area in the past decade, and nearly 60% remain unsolved. In high-crime neighborhoods like this one, talking to police can be dangerous.

After the triple homicide, police appealed to the public for tips. The families went public, holding vigils and begging for someone to come forward with information. Over the years, the nonprofit CrimeStoppers repeatedly offered reward money, but police never arrested any suspects.

Stunson said the mayors office never responded to her letter, though not long after she sent it, she received a rare phone call from a detective about her daughters murder. He had little progress to report.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officials declined to be interviewed about the case, but a spokesperson wrote in an email that detectives are still actively investigating it. Police have said in the past that a lack of information from the public is their main obstacle. Staffing and funding isnt the problem in this case, clues are the problem, Lt. John Blaskiewicz said in a 2022 interview with television station KMOV.

Some experts contend that failing to solve homicides can lead to more violence. If youre not closing cases, then people are afraid, said Dan Isom, a former St. Louis police commissioner who served as the citys public safety director from 2021 to 2023. There is a lot of correlation, if not causation, between confidence in the police and community violence, Isom said. Without an arrest, some people might seek justice on their own.

Lewis was close to her brother and sisters, so Stunson asked them to choose everything for the funeral. They picked a casket that was purple, her favorite color, and covered her vault in sparkles. They brought a scarf to the wake to cover the bullet wounds on her neck.

On Feb. 10, 2018, friends and family of the victims gathered for a candlelight vigil to pray and ask the public to come forward with information.

The night Lewis was killed, her younger sister, Danyelle Lewis, was supposed to have slept over at her apartment. Danyelle was gripped with anger about the killings and losing hope that police would catch the people who committed them. Stunson said Danyelle believed that some people attending the vigil knew something they werent telling police.

After the vigil, Danyelle got in her car and followed the group of people as their car merged onto a highway, according to police records. She had a gun. Danyelle pulled up beside the car and opened fire.

Im not going to stop

Lewis, Moore and White were among the final victims in 2017. It was one of the deadliest years in St. Louis, with a total of 207 people killed, according to the data.

As the number of cases surged, the percentage that police managed to clear, or resolve, was dropping. In 2019, data shows, police solved the lowest percentage of murders in at least 20 years, with nearly 70% unsolved. Nationwide, police clear about half of all homicides, according to The Washington Post.

Police cleared a higher percentage of cases in 2022 and 2023. And last year, the number of homicides dropped in St. Louis, as it has in cities across the country. Fewer killings means more resources can be devoted to each case. The department is under new leadership  Robert Tracy was named chief in late 2022  and police officials have said the improvement can be attributed, at least in part, to better surveillance coverage throughout St. Louis and stronger communication within the department.

Tensions between police and the community are longstanding in St. Louis. Those tensions worsened after a Ferguson officer killed 18-year-old Michael Brown Jr. in 2014, said Jay Schroeder, president of the St. Louis Police Officers Association. I think a lot of the mistrust of the police started to grow.

The departments detectives were under enormous pressure, Schroeder said, especially in 2020, when the number of murders in St. Louis hit 263, nearly a record.

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While the number of killings was rising, St. Louis officials reduced the homicide units budget and supplemented it with increased spending on overtime. The city spent about $18,000 for each homicide investigation in fiscal 2012. By fiscal 2020, the amount was less than $12,000. It has since rebounded to about $15,000 per investigation in 2022.

The city has failed to invest in crime-fighting tools and still has a DNA-evidence backlog of hundreds of samples from homicides. That forces detectives to wait for key evidence in their cases.

Still, some detectives have failed to do basic investigative work.

The officer assigned to the killings of Lewis, Moore and White was Detective Craig Robertson. At a vigil held shortly after the killings, Robertson told the crowd about his commitment to the case. This ones bothered me the most, he said. Im not going to stop. Well figure it out.

But the victims families say his public statements didnt align with his actions. His supervisor, Sgt. Heather Taylor, wrote in 2019 that Robertson failed to complete basic investigative follow-ups in his cases, including, in one instance, not checking suspects phone location data and vehicle registration, according to memos obtained by St. Louis Public Radio and APM Reports. Taylor also wrote that Robertson did not stay in contact with murder victims families. Many families interviewed for this series said their calls to other St. Louis homicide detectives were never returned.

Taylor wrote in her memo that she intended to continue supervising Robertsons investigation into the killings of Lewis, Moore and White. She noted that he cleared 14% of the cases assigned to him in 2018, the lowest rate, by far, of any detective under her supervision. Robertson declined to comment.

The 2017 triple homicide was still assigned to Robertson in early 2024, a spokesperson said. But in May, he decided to retire from the department. Stunson said she hasnt talked to him in years. She has spent so long unsuccessfully calling him for updates, she cant bear to try anymore.

Its still your job to police

Dominique Lewis was the type of person who took care of the people around her, Stunson said. She would clean her grandmas house and take her grandpa to his doctors appointments. Shed had the same group of girlfriends since elementary school. She loved reading and always had a book with her. She also had a ditzy side, Stunson said, which made everyone in the family laugh. Her dream was to one day be a school guidance counselor.

Lewis sister Danyelle was the one in the family who always tried to protect her other siblings, though she was the youngest of the bunch, Stunson said. The family called her the enforcer.

The bullets Danyelle fired at the people in the car did not hit anyone. She was soon arrested, pleaded not guilty and was put in jail to await trial. After months of not hearing from homicide detectives about Dominiques murder, Stunson said, she got a call from a police officer trying to build a case against Danyelle.

Stunson said she changed the subject to her murdered daughter. How about looking into that? she remembers telling the detective. She never heard from him again.

People who commit violent crimes have often suffered violence or trauma themselves, said Jessica Meyers, director of the St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission. They may decide to take justice into their own hands, she said. The victim pool and the perpetrator pool kind of overlap, and the cycle just continues to perpetuate.

Lisa LaGrone has worked in violence prevention in St. Louis for decades and says that one of the reasons so many homicides go unsolved is apathetic police officers who blame victims lifestyles for their deaths. She started her mission to reduce murders in the community after her father and little brother were shot and killed eight months apart in the early 1990s. Both homicides remain unsolved.

In the past few years, two of LaGrones grandsons were killed, including Demetrion Simmons, who was fatally shot after witnessing the killing of his friend, 19-year-old Isis Mahr. Simmons identified the shooters to police and was the only witness willing to testify. LaGrone believes he was killed in retribution. After Simmons was killed, prosecutors dropped the charges against the two teenagers accused of killing Mahr.

LaGrone said police often point to a lack of community cooperation but then overlook the reasons residents hold back. If your community knows theyre not going to be protected, theyre not going to step up, LaGrone said. But its still your job to police and be the detectives.

Stunson says she still doesnt know what happened the night her daughter was killed. A police minister privately informed her that someone in the apartment called 911 to report a burglary in progress, she said, but she has never heard those recordings. Police declined to make the 911 audio public because the investigation is still open. The department did release a dispatch log that shows someone called police around 3 a.m.

Moores boyfriend also was in the apartment but escaped, according to police records.

In 2019, Danyelle Lewis pleaded guilty to several charges, including assault. The judge sentenced her to six years in prison, and she was released in 2023. She declined an interview request for this story.

Stunson says that while Danyelles struggles with grief and anger led her to prison, many in her family have turned to alcohol to cope with Dominiques murder. Stunson prays that whoever knows something will get a conscience and give information to the police so that everyone can find the closure they are so desperately seeking.

When something like this happens, people dont realize, its not just the person that they murdered, Stunson said. It impacts the whole family.

The Marshall Projects Katie Park and Anna Flagg contributed additional data visualization analysis for this report.

Map sources: Aerial imagery from Missouri Spatial Data Information Service and National Agriculture Imagery Program. Neighborhood boundaries from the City of St. Louis. Homicide data from 2004 through 2023 provided by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and analyzed by APM Reports and The Marshall Project.

This is the first story in Unsolved, a multi-part investigation exploring how police in St. Louis have struggled to solve killings, leaving thousands of family members without answers.

This article was published as a collaboration between St. Louis Public Radio, The Marshall Project and APM Reports, as part of the Public Media Accountability Initiative, which supports investigative reporting at local media outlets around the country.

Send questions and comments about this story to feedback@stlpublicradio.org.

The post Why 1,000 homicides in St. Louis remain unsolved appeared first on Missouri Independent.
Why does Congress introduce bills never meant to become law? Behind messaging bills

Last month, Rep. Sharice Davids voted against a bill called the Equal Representation Act.

The bill  which would make the Census Bureau determine the citizenship of each person it counted and exclude non-citizens from determining the number of people in a congressional district  had little chance of passing the Democrat-controlled Senate. President Joe Biden threatened to veto it, saying the provision would violate the constitutions 14th amendment.

Still, Republicans in the House held the vote. No Democrats supported it. And the National Republican Congressional Committee blasted Davids for her vote, claiming she was putting non-citizens ahead of citizens.

The bill was an example of a so-called messaging bill: A piece of legislation that has little chance of becoming law but helps further a political message.

Republicans propose them. Democrats propose them.

There are messaging bills pushed by single lawmakers (eg. Missouri Rep. Eric Burlisons bill to repeal the American Firearms Act) and messaging bills pushed by party leadership (The Hands Off Our Appliances Act). Theyre introduced in the House. Theyre introduced in the Senate.

A lot of these messaging bills, the folks introducing them genuinely want them to become law, said Casey Burgat, a political science professor at George Washington University. But my defining feature is that they are introduced with the complete understanding that they will never become law. The message is the point. Theyre trying to foster a conversation.

Its likely messaging bills will start to take up even more of Congress time. With the approach of Novembers election, lawmakers are often reluctant to sign on to large, bipartisan pieces of legislation that could draw criticism from their opponents. Instead, with an eye on November, Senate and House leaders will likely hold more votes on political issues.

Democrats are trying to win control of the House of Representatives, maintain control of the White House amid troubling polls for Biden and protect Democratic Senate seats in states that voted overwhelmingly for former President Donald Trump  like Sen. Jon Tester in Montana and Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio.

In the Senate, Democratic leadership is attempting to protect those from taking votes that could isolate any potential voters ahead of election day  while putting Republican lawmakers on the record on issues where they think Republicans are out of touch.

Two weeks ago, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, held a vote on a bipartisan border agreement that had already failed to pass the Senate when it was first negotiated in February. The vote came ahead of executive orders from President Joe Biden on Tuesday seeking to tighten restrictions on the southwest border.

Last week, he attempted to make the conversation around womens reproductive rights by scheduling a vote on federal access to birth control.

It was widely expected to fail  Republicans, who said the bill could potentially open the door to legalizing abortion medication in states where abortion is banned, were united against it. Schumer plowed on anyway.

I certainly advocate people filing things that they believe in, said Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Missouri Republican. But I think Schumer spending time this week on this thing is like a very obvious messaging play or something to his base. It feels like a huge waste of time.

The bill failed to get the 60 votes necessary to pass. Within minutes of the vote, abortion rights groups in Missouri put out statements criticizing Republican Sen. Josh Hawley for voting against it. Hawley, who is staunchly anti-abortion, is up for reelection this year.

Weve been shouting from the rooftops for years now that they will come for your birth control too  they wont stop at abortion, said Heather Donohue, in a statement put out by Progress Missouri, a progressive advocacy group.

I never thought I would see in my lifetime that we would actually experience this threat to control our reproductive choices. But with self-serving politicians like Josh Hawley, I now believe there are no rights he wont go after if he believes it would advance his career, Donohue said.

Hawley is still the significant favorite to win reelection in November  despite a likely vote on a ballot measure to overturn Missouris stringent abortion ban. He was dismissive of the concept of messaging bills.

Every bill is politically motivated, Hawley said.

But he argued that Democrats were using abortion rights to change the subject from guilty verdicts in former President Donald Trumps hush money trial.

This Trump trial is a massive miscalculation on their part that has dramatically energized the Republican base, Hawley said. So theyve got to rekindle the magic of the abortion stuff, which they think turns out their base.

Messaging bills arent just driven by electoral politics. Hawley is among the lawmakers who often bring bills that may be unlikely to pass but tend to attract publicity. He frequently sponsors short, simple legislation dealing with larger news of the day, like enabling people to sue companies developing generative artificial intelligence or, recently, a bill to prohibit the Biden administration from issuing identification cards to people who enter the country illegally.

His office often uses a two-pronged method to gain press attention for these bills  first they announce that he will introduce the legislation, then release the legislation itself, effectively doubling the media attention.

The most high profile attention you can give something short of a law is that you hold a vote on it, Burgat said. And for individual members and parties, they get to show activity on something from their institutional position. So they get to say whether on a debate stage, or a tweet, or a primary, or commercial I introduced X, and heres the bill.

Sometimes messaging bills pay off. Craig Volden, a political science professor at the University of Virginia who studies effective lawmaking, has found that if a lawmaker repeatedly introduces legislation, incrementally building support over time, it can sometimes result in getting legislation passed years after the bill was first introduced.

What might be seen as a messaging bill now may have grounds for larger lawmaking success down the road, Volden said. And we certainly see that.

Take Hawleys vocal opposition to TikTok. Over his term, Hawley repeatedly sponsored bills aimed at limiting the reach of the popular social media app  including a bill banning the app from government devices. While his bill didnt gain much traction early on, it was eventually included as an amendment to a national security bill in 2022.

In the House, the only branch Republicans currently control, lawmakers are frequently asked to vote on legislation that has little chance of passing the Democratic-controlled Senate. Along with helping appease a narrow majority, the often partisan bills also serve the purpose of signaling a potential agenda should Republicans win the White House and Senate in November.

A lot of times, what theyre up to is theyre sending a signal, Volden said. Like you could imagine Republicans in the House sending a signal that if we have the presidency if we control the Senate next time, this is what well do, even if it has no chance of becoming law now.

But that means Davids has been forced to vote on a variety of legislation on issues like immigration, the Middle East and government regulation that, while it didnt become law, can be used in campaign ads.

Davids, who is running in a district targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee, has made it a point to cross party lines on some of the votes and has highlighted legislation where shes voted alongside Republicans as a way to appear more bipartisan.

Rep. Davids has always said shell work with anyone when its good for Kansas and urges House leadership to push forward additional bipartisan bills that can pass both chambers, said Zac Donley, Davids communications director.

But for Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat who isnt facing a competitive reelection bid, the votes are a waste of time.

He said theres been an increase in messaging bills over his 20 years in Congress, as more of the serious legislation has shifted to large, omnibus packages, pushed through Congress when theres a firm deadline.

I think it is the most significant waste of time that can be created, Cleaver said. And I think we humor ourselves if we believe that the American public zeroes in on a lot of little nuances that we throw up and hope they see.
Former President Donald Trump held a rally in Las Vegas over the weekend, where he spoke on Joe Biden, the January 6 Capitol riots, and excessive heat in Nevada.

After hearing his Las Vegas rally, author Stephen King took to social media, labeling Donald Trump as a "senile uncle."

Donald Trump Holds Rally In Las Vegas

MEGA

A video of Donald Trump talking about shark attacks while discussing Biden's environmental agenda related to electric vehicles is going viral.

"It must be because of M.I.T., my relationship with M.I.T., very smart, he goesI say, 'What would happen if the boat sank from its weight, and you have this tremendously powerful battery, and the battery is now underwater and there's a shark that's approximately 10 yards over there,'" Trump said at the Las Vegas rally over the weekend.

Donald Trump Tells A Shark Attack Story

MEGA

The former President proceeded to tell a shark attack story, but quickly derailed his speech. "By the way, a lot of shark attacks lately, did you notice that? A lot of sharI watched some guys justifying it today. 'Well, they weren't really that angry. They bit off the young lady's leg because of the fact that they were not hungry but they misunderstood who she was,'" he said.

But it doesn't end there... The former President of the United States asked the crowd, "Do I get electrocuted if the boat is sinking, water goes over the battery, the boat is sinking, do I stay on top of the boat and get electrocuted, or do I jump over by the shark and not get electrocuted?"

"I'll take electrocution every single time. I'm not getting near the shark," he followed up.

Stephen King Bashes Donald Trump

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stephen King (@stephenkingofficialpage)

After hearing Donald Trump's rally speech, Stephen King, known for his books "It," "Pet Semetary," and "Misery," took to social media to slam the former President.

"This is like listening to your senile uncle at the dinner table after he has that third drink," King wrote.

It seems many others agreed with the author, as one X user replied, "If you were sitting next to a guy on a train who was talking like this, you would get up and move your seat."

"Drunk Uncle that watched Jaws last night," another said.

Social Media Users Slam The Former President

MEGA

After hearing Donald Trump's rally in Las Vegas, social media users couldn't help but mock the former President of the United States.

"This is what you get when you have TV game-show hosts as politicians ... he runs his campaign like a TV game show," one user claimed. "Just please no USA.. not again please."

"This is just way, way out there," another said.

A third wrote, "I was thinking 5th drink, but Ill take 3 drinks (immediately before listening to DJT) [I threw in a plot twist because its SK after all.]"

"There's a big difference," one X user responded to Stephen King. "When my senile uncle wakes up in the morning, he's still my senile uncle. When Trump wakes up in the morning, he's a candidate for President."

Former President Becomes Convicted Criminal

MEGA

Donald Trump, the former President, was recently convicted on all 34 felony charges for falsifying business records connected to a 2016 payment of hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

His conviction marks a historic first for a U.S. president. However, despite now being a convicted criminal, he still has eligibility to run for President.

"This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound or hurt an opponent, a political opponent," the former President of the United States told the press shortly after the verdict was read. "And I think its just a disgrace, and well keep fighting and fighting till the end and well win because our country has gone to hell."

The 77-year-old added, "We dont have the same country anymore. We have a divided mess. Were a nation in decline, serious decline, millions and millions of people pouring into our country right now from prisons and from mental institutions, terrorists, and theyre taking over our country."

Trump's sentencing has been scheduled for July 11, 2024.
How Windber has updated its police department with $450,000 in grants

WINDBER  The boroughs police department has made significant strides over the past year to update its computer equipment and add an additional police officer  all without passing any extra costs onto local taxpayers, since federal, state and local grants have paid for those improvements.

Now the borough is taking another step forward by purchasing the Jefferson Avenue building that it has rented for the police department since 2014  and again, state and local grant monies are helping to make that possible.

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'A big savings' for taxpayers

The borough has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development, with support from state Rep. Jim Rigby. The state grant will be matched with a $100,000 local grant from the Raymond DiBattista Charitable Trust to cover two-thirds of the buildings $300,000 purchase price, according to Windber Police Chief Andrew Frear.

Standing outside the Windber Police Department office are, left to right: Chief of Police Andrew Frear, Barry Jerley, Windber resident and trustee of the Raymond DiBattista Charitable Trust and Mike Thomas, mayor of Windber Borough.

Barry Jerley, trustee of the DiBattista fund, and Mike Thomas, borough mayor, joined Frear at the police station on May 30 to announce the building purchase and other grant funding the police department has received over the last year.

You see all these other boroughs and townships dont have police, and I dont want to see that happen in our town, Jerley said. Its a nice, quiet, peaceful town, and I dont want to see that jeopardized because of loss of funds.

Thomas said the borough has agreed to pay the remaining $100,000 in installments to the buildings current owner.

Id like to thank Chief Frear and Barry Jerley, the administrator of the Ray DiBattista Trust, for working with us on all these projects, he said. This building means a lot, to have our own home rather than throwing money away for rent every month. Once we get everything settled, well own our building and it will be a big savings to the taxpayers of the borough.

Were going to be paying (the balance) incrementally, as though we were paying rent. The owner has been very willing to work with us to make that happen.

In addition to the overall cost savings, Frear said acquiring the building will give the police department more storage room and an extra garage to park its vehicles indoors.

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More grant funding for the police department

The chief also announced the department received two additional grants over the last year to update its operations: A $92,000 technology grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for new computers and five in-dash cameras, and a $157,000 Cops or More grant to add one additional officer to the department, paying 75% of that officers salary and benefits for three years.

Frear said those grants were prepared and submitted with the assistance of Lauren Palmar from Aspire Grant and Development Partners, a professional grantwriting firm in Somerset.

In total, the grants for the building, the new computers and the additional officer add up to about $450,000, which is a tremendous amount of money for us, Frear said.

The Windber police department has 14 officers, five of whom are full-time, and serves approximately 5,500 residents in Windber, Paint and Scalp Level boroughs.

Thomas, a retired police officer, thanked Frear for helping the borough find funding to keep its police department up to date.

Most people dont realize the amount of technology involved in police work today: In-car cameras, body cameras  all of that (information) has to be kept secure on servers, and that equipment isnt cheap, he said.

(Frear) works hard to get these grants and find the money that we need. You heard all the amounts, thats a lot of money there. Without that (grants), we wouldnt be where we are.

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What is the Ray DiBattista Charitable Trust?

Jerley and his wife, Elizabeth, are trustees of the fund that was set up by the late Raymond DiBattista, a former Windber resident and Johnstown businessman who was active in several area organizations and donated to a variety of local educational, religious and community causes.

Since 2022, the trust has made donations of over $400,000 to the area, helping local police and fire departments, Windber Recreation Park, the Windber Veterans Park, the Windber Miners Memorial Day festival, Light Up Night and the Childrens Aid Home of Somerset County, among others.

Jerley thanked Ronald and Dennis Jaketic, Raymond DiBattistas nephews, for supporting the trust's mission.

The family has been really cooperative and supportive with me on these donations, he said. Were glad to see his heritage is carrying on in helping the community.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Windber police receive grants to buy station, upgrade technology
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler speaks at the party's 2024 state convention. (Baylor Spears | Wisconsin Examiner)

Wisconsin Democrats laid out sizable goals for fall elections at their state convention over the weekend  securing a path to victory for President Joe Biden, reelecting Sen. Tammy Baldwin against a self-funded Republican challenger, competing in every U.S. House race in the state for the first time in years and flipping seats in the hopes of getting a majority in the state Legislature.

Inside the convention at the Potawatomi Casino Hotel in Milwaukee, the partys resounding message was that the stakes are high for this years federal and state elections: protecting freedom, especially reproductive rights, and defeating MAGA-extremism. The convention comes a month before the city will host the Republican National Convention and five months ahead of the critical November elections.

While the convention seemed united on most fronts, the party grappled with disagreements over Israels ongoing war with Hamas, estimated to have killed over 34,000 Palestinians. The conflict could have an impact on upcoming elections as Biden, Baldwin and other Democrats have faced repeated protests against the war over the last several months.

Fighting against MAGA-extremism, for freedoms

Were going to win this November, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Ben Wikler said at a press conference Saturday afternoon, one of several opportunities Democrats took to draw clear distinctions between their party and Republicans.

Throughout the convention, state leaders, party members and other speakers repeatedly took jabs at former President Donald Trump  and his recent conviction on 34 felony counts  while bragging about the record of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on an array of issues, including investing in infrastructure and bringing jobs to Wisconsin.

There is no Republican party, said Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the convention keynote speaker who will also host the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August.

There is Donald Trump, a convicted felon, and his cult of personality. The party of Trump is hellbent on attacking Americans, Pritzker said at Saturdays press conference. Its the felonious Trump party thats spreading false conspiracy theories about voter fraud, undermining our democracy and claiming they won in Wisconsin in 2020  claims, by the way, that just landed three of Trumps Wisconsin minions with criminal charges.

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan said Democrats need to work towards delivering the three Bs: Biden, Baldwin and blue majorities. He said Wisconsin could help win back a majority in the U.S. House by unseating some of his Republican colleagues: Rep. Bryan Steil in the 1st Congressional District, where former Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca is running, and Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who Pocan called a Trump fangirl, in the 3rd Congressional District. Three Democrats  Rebecca Cooke, state Rep. Katrina Shankland and Eric Wilson  are running in the 3rd district primary.

With Fighting for Freedoms, as the theme of the convention, speakers highlighted the future of reproductive rights in Wisconsin and the U.S. repeatedly on Saturday. The issue has remained a critical issue in Wisconsin. Abortion access only became available again recently after a Dane County judge ruled that an 1849 law did not ban abortion as had been assumed. That ruling is being appealed to the state Supreme Court.

Democrats are betting the issue will motivate voters in November at the same time as Republicans are having trouble uniting on a position. Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson recently called for Republicans to put aside their disagreements about abortion during the GOP state convention last month.

Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski outlined what she called the three-step playbook Trump and his allies are using: appoint right-wing judges, spread misinformation about womens health and use the courts and misinformation to attack reproductive rights.

Up next, access to birth control, Godlewski said. The MAGA Republicans that proudly killed Roe [v. Wade], theyre not going to protect our access to contraceptives.

New maps helped legislative recruitment across state

Gov. Tony Evers bragged about many state legislative accomplishments over the last two years including investments in affordable housing, the new stadium funding for the Milwaukee Brewers, his partial veto that extended funding increases for public schools for 400 years as well as the new maps adopted in Wisconsin.

Democrats are getting s   t done, Evers said. It wasnt the only cuss word he deployed.

Fair maps are a BFD, the governor said. That means a big fine deal.

State leaders emphasized the opportunity that Democrats have to win additional seats in the state Legislature under the new maps that the Republican-led Legislature passed and Evers signed this year after the state Supreme Court ruled that maps enacted in 2022 were unconstitutional.

With the new maps, the party recruited a record number of candidates. Democrats will have candidates running in 97 of 99 Assembly seats and in every Senate seat up for election this cycle.

Democrats have said they can win the 15 more seats they need to take the majority in the state Assembly. While Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) was not in attendance, state Rep. Deb Andraca (D-Whitefish Bay) said she is ready to grow the club of Democrats who have flipped state Assembly seats.

Andraca noted that she was one of three Democrats to accomplish that in the last decade, joined by state Rep. Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) and now-Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez.

I slayed Wisconsins notorious gerrymander. I defeated a 14-year Republican incumbent and flipped the 23rd district in the Milwaukee and Ozaukee suburbs from red to blue, Andraca said, adding that it wasnt easy or cheap. In 2024, she said, Democrats have an opportunity to flip, not just a few districts, but the entire Assembly.

Wisconsin Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) said that as Democrats run for the Senate across the state, theyll be holding Republicans accountable. She said Democrats in the Senate are energized and strong and working towards building the path to a majority.

This is my promise to you. When we win the majority, we will defend our democracy and ensure every eligible voter has securely and safely cast their ballot. Were going to protect reproductive freedom and expand Medicaid Were going to repeal Act 10, Hesselbein said to the sound of loud applause.

Israel-Palestine point of contention during Baldwin, resolutions

Israels ongoing war against Hamas was only mentioned a handful of times prior to Sen. Tammy Baldwins address to the convention.

Party Chair Wikler addressed the conflict at the start of Saturday nights session, saying that the days have been heavy since Oct. 7th.

We have members of the community whove lost friends and family members in the war that followed, especially the Jewish and Muslim communities in our state. This has been a tremendously challenging period, Wikler said. The vast majority of Democrats and Americans join President Biden in hoping to keep working towards a ceasefire, return of hostages, a flood of humanitarian aid [and] just enduring peace with safety, security, and self-determination for the Palestinians and Israelis alike.

Biden has been facing increasing criticism among some U.S. voters for the military support the U.S. has provided Israel, along with demands that he act to end the conflict. On May 31 Biden announced a three-phase ceasefire plan that he has urged Israel and Hamas to approve and commit to.

While U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore said in her speech later in the evening that she supports young peoples opposition to the violence and the protests against it, she warned that a vote in November for someone other than Biden is a vote for Donald Trump.

Moore referred to progressive-leaning voters who have threatened to abandon Biden in November over the issue. A message to them should be that they need to imagine what the Middle East will look like if theres another President Trump, she said. It will look more like [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahus vision of the Middle East.

When Baldwin took the stage, however, protestors in the convention hall took the opportunity to interrupt, calling for defunding the war in Israel and for a ceasefire.

Pro-Palestinian protesters stood one at a time through about the first half of the senators speech, shouting, Free Palestine and calling the lawmaker a disgrace. Ignoring the protesters, Baldwin pushed through her speech as other convention delegates started chanting, Tammy! Tammy! Tammy! over the protesters.

Speaking over protesters, Baldwin focused her remarks on knocking Republican challenger Eric Hovde for being a millionaire and his strong connections to California. About half a dozen protesters in total were quickly escorted from the room.

In the latter half of her speech, Baldwin spoke about helping pass the Affordable Care Act as well as the 2022 Respect For Marriage Act, enshrining same-sex marriage rights into federal law. She also called attention to the loss of federal protections of abortion, noting that Hovde has previously said that he is 100% opposed to abortion.

Wikler told reporters after the convention ended for the night that protesters had been organizing on social media. Its part of what happens in a democracy, he said. He contrasted the brief interruption by and the small group of demonstrators with the hours that had led up to that point  when we heard hundreds and hundreds of Democrats fired up and ready to go to work to elect Democratic candidates up and down the ballot.

The Israel-Hamas war returned as a focal point Sunday, when delegates adopting the official party platform debated ceasefire and antisemitism-related proposals.

The convention passed a ceasefire resolution despite a recommendation from party leaders against its adoption. The resolution states that 66 members of Congress have called for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, that over 28,000 Palestinians have been killed and that the collective punishment of Palestinians is an egregious violation of humanitarian law and, according to South Africas case before the International Court of Justice, constitutes genocide.

Heba Mohammad, who helped organize the uninstructed vote in Wisconsins April presidential primary that garnered 48,000 votes, said it was an undeniable moral imperative that the party pass the resolution. She said that the Democrats who voted uninstructed laid out the map for Democrats and Biden to win back votes, and that the state party should show the administration the way.

I stand up here in support of this resolution as likely the lone Palestinian still in the WisDems because others have left the party. I dont blame them when the party has been actively silent on the genocide of our people, Mohammad said. Passing a ceasefire resolution is common sense.

Some delegates sought to eliminate the word genocide from the resolution, but that effort failed.

The convention also passed a resolution condemning antisemitism and voted to include language condemning antisemitism in its official party platform.

The resolution, which was submitted on behalf of the Jewish caucus, defined antisemitism as a form of prejudice and discrimination against Jews that has a long and tragic history of violence, exclusion or cultural identity, and also endorsed Bidens National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. The resolution was amended to eliminate language that said that antisemetic incidents have skyrocketed nearly 400% since Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Opponents of that language said the data, from the Anti-Defamation League, conflated antisemitism with criticism of Israel.

Four other Israel and Palestine-related resolutions, including two that were ceasefire related, werent adopted.

The post Wisconsin Democrats rally around high stakes for 2024, struggle with unity on Israel-Palestine appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
NEW CHESTER, Wis. (WFRV)  A 66-year-old Wisconsin man was tased after allegedly drawing a handgun and pointing it at a deputy on Friday night.

According to the Adams County Sheriffs Office, on June 7, shortly before 4:45 p.m., deputies received a complaint in the 300 block of County Highway A in the town of New Chester.

31-year-old Sheboygan Falls resident arrested after alleged shooting in Sheboygan

The responding deputy arrived on the scene and began his initial investigation, and it was determined that the offender, 66-year-old Fred Pickens of Oxford, had violated the conditions of a harassment injunction.

The deputy advised Pickens that he was under arrest, but he did not comply with the deputys orders and resisted arrest. A Taser was deployed, but Pickens continued to resist arrest.

During this time, Pickens drew and pointed a small handgun at the deputy, who then transitioned from his Taser to his firearm. Pickens reportedly turned away from the deputy and threw the handgun toward another subject on the scene.

Additional deputies responded to the scene to help out the situation and Pickens was eventually taken into custody. The firearm belonging to Pickens was recovered from the scene as evidence. No firearms were discharged during this incident.

Court records show that Pickens has been charged with the following:

1st-Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety Use of a Dangerous Weapon

Battery or Threat to Judge, Prosecutor, or Law Enforcement Officer Use of a Dangerous Weapon

Intentionally Point Firearm at Law Enforcement Officer, Fire Fighter, Emerg Medical Tech, etc.

Fail/Comply-Officer/Person into Custody

Operate Firearm While Intoxicated

Violate/Harassment Restraining Order  Injunction

Pickens made his initial appearance in court on Monday afternoon in Adams County and was given a $50,000 cash bond. Pickens remains in the Adams County Jail.

Large sinkhole forms near a Wisconsin park, authorities warn of unstable ground

This incident is a great example of the dangers that law enforcement can face while performing their duties, said officials with the Adams County Sheriffs Office on social media. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained during this incident.

This case remains under investigation, and no further information was provided./

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Stowlawn playing fields, in a green suburb of Wolverhampton, is quiet and serene. Birdsong fills the air and the occasional dogwalker passes by. The playing fields are bordered by a primary school and neat and tidy houses, part of a working-class community that clearly takes pride in its neighbourhood. There is no litter, no intimidating gangs hanging around. In the bright June sunshine, the fields feel safe. Strangers nod hello. Theres no evidence today of the horror that unfolded here towards the end of last year.

Some 63 miles away, in Nottingham Crown Court, on Monday, two 12-year-old boys were found guilty of murdering 19-year-old Shawn Seesahai in this Wolverhampton park in November last year. They are thought to be the youngest killers convicted since the murder of the toddler James Bulger in Merseyside in 1993 by 11-year-old boys Robert Thompson and Jon Venables. The killers of Seesahai, who were not know to him, cannot be named because of their age.

Its their age, too, that makes the case highly unusual, and a shocked public will wonder not only how children could commit such a crime, but also how they could come to be carrying the machete they took to the park where they encountered their victim.

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, the broader West Midlands Police area, in which Wolverhampton lies, has the highest rate of knife crime offences across the whole of England and Wales. In 2023, offences involving a blade per 100,000 of the population, totalled 180, up from 167 in 2022. By comparison, the London Metropolitan Police force area total was 165.

West Midlands Police was placed into special measures in November. The force said it had been working hard to improve things. But Tory councillor Wendy Thompson, the opposition leader on City of Wolverhampton Council, suggests the true crime figures may be higher than the official statistics, because people dont always report crime; they dont always bother.

I think theres some disillusionment with the police, she says. I cant say there isnt, and I think the police need to be aware of it.

Last month, Wolverhampton gained the unwelcome ranking of third in a list of the most dangerous cities for students in England and Wales. The study, conducted by the higher education resource Internet of Learning, reached its conclusion by analysing police crime data for student neighbourhoods.

This blow came after West Midlands anti-knife campaigner Malachi Nunes warned last year that he was seeing a growing number of children under 11 carrying knives. They were often seen as something to brag about, he said.

Residents of Green Park Avenue, near the fields where Shawn Seesahai was murdered, have complained about the behaviour of young people in the area - Andrew Fox

Wolverhampton faces various social problems. It has the second-highest unemployment rate in the country, says Cllr Thompson, because people are very low-skilled or unskilled, and there needs to be a real push on getting people skilled or qualified. The city centre has seen decline in recent years, with shops closing down and residents complaining that the once-thriving industrial hub has become something of a ghost town.

After the Conservatives won two seats in the Red Wall city in 2019, the Government earmarked it for millions of pounds of levelling-up funding. But, for all the promises (Michael Gove declared in 2022 he wanted a government as focused on Wolverhampton as it is on Westminster), theres a dejected sense among locals that little seems to have improved.

We see lots of families struggling to make ends meet, says Rebecca Bunger, the head of youth work at The Way Youth Zone, a youth centre that supports eight to 18-year-olds in Wolverhampton with additional needs. We see a lack of aspiration.

While there are many talented, brilliant young people in the city, there are also many for whom life is difficult, she says. She suggests Seesahais killers evidently fell into the second category.

Jurors unanimously convicted the youths the murder of Shawn Seesahai - BPM Media

Mark Brindley set up the James Brindley Foundation following the murder of his 26-year-old son James in 2017 in nearby Walsall. Ammar Kahrod, then 17, was jailed for at least 17 years for the fatal stabbing, in 2018. Commenting on what might lie behind the concerning phenomenon of young people carrying knives  and, in the worst case scenarios, carrying out senseless killings  Brindley says: There are so many different things at play and, for me, it starts with poverty and deprivation. There is, I would suggest, a significant amount of poverty and deprivation in Wolverhampton, and these young people become disaffected on occasions.

Like cities and towns across the country, Wolverhampton has seen a cut in youth services over the past decade or so. Research by an all-party parliamentary group, published in 2020, found that youth services in the city had been cut by 91 per cent since 2014-15 and knife crime had increased.

But back at Stowlawn playing fields, its the first time the community has really felt the impact of the citys knife crime problem. The shock is still reverberating.

Donna and her daughter Isabella, aged 10, use the fields regularly. I cant believe it happened, she says. Its scary, especially that the ones who did it were so young. It is usually a good area.

Jayden McCalla, 26, who uses the fields to walk his dog Luna, agrees: The area is fine normally. When you are that young to do something like that, there has to be external factors to make them like that. Someone influenced them. They need to be punished, but I hope they get rehabilitation and get a second chance.

Local resident Jayden McCalla: 'They need to be punished, but I hope they get a second chance'

But not everyone is quite so magnanimous having been affected by the behaviour of the convicted boys. Ive lived here since 1976 and it has always been quiet, says Janet, 65, who lives opposite the fields where the attack happened, explaining that families used to picnic on the grass. But 12 months before the attack, the two boys would ride up and down on their bikes wearing balaclavas. I was frightened to go out after 6pm.

Grace has lived on the street for 40 years and she says the boys terrorised the area. I shut my curtains and locked the door when it went dark. I was frightened to go out.

What sentence will they get? she asks. Theyll probably be out in 15 years. Theyll only be 27, theyll still have their whole lives ahead of them. Their families will be able to see them, but Shawns family wont have that.

And what will they be like when they come out? They may be even worse.

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Keep this monster behind bars: Suspect in Giant Eagle stabbing goes before judge

CLEVELAND (WJW)  The woman accused of stabbing a 3-year-old boy and his mother in a local Giant Eagle parking lot went before a judge to be arraigned Monday morning, but what is typically a quick court proceeding became a more lengthy process as the judge asked the defendant multiple times if she had received her indictment.

At first, Bionca Ellis, 33, appeared for the hearing via video from the Cuyahoga County Jail. She sat silently with her head down.

Ms. Ellis, why dont you want to answer these questions? asked the judge.

Video: Giant Eagle stabbing suspect in jail

An attorney representing Ellis could be heard requesting to enter a not-guilty plea on her behalf and mentioned notable mental health issues.

After several delays, Ellis appeared in person before the judge answering questions quietly. Again, when asked about receiving a copy of her indictment and having it read to her by an attorney Ellis said, I asked her not to.

Before the judge set bond, the father of 3-year-old Julian Wood that was killed in the attack made a request.

Public turns out to honor young life of Julian Wood who was killed outside Giant Eagle

Just do whatever you can to keep this monster behind bars, said Jarod Wood. That day, one week ago, she took everything from us.

Julian Wood, killed in Giant Eagle stabbing

Ellis is accused of taking a knife from a Volunteers of America thrift store in North Olmsted and then walking to a nearby Giant Eagle grocery store.

Security video shows her walking into the store with the knife where she sees Margot Wood, 38, and her 3-year-old son Julian Wood leave the store to take their groceries to their car.





With Julian still in the grocery cart seat Ellis is accused of stabbing the boy in the face and the back. Margot was stabbed once in the attack.

Ellis was arrested quickly after. Police said she still had the knife.

FOX 8 Photo

FOX 8 Photo

FOX 8 Photo

FOX 8 Photo

FOX 8 Photo

FOX 8 Photo

North Olmsted Detective Sgt. Matt Beck said there was no known relationship between the suspect and the victims, calling the stabbing a random attack. Once Ellis was taken into custody, she requested a lawyer and did not offer a motive for the stabbing, Beck said.

Last week, a Cuyahoga County grand jury indicted Ellis on charges that include murder, aggravated murder, attempted murder, felonious assault and endangering children.

Before the indictment, she made a first appearance in Rocky River Municipal Court where her bond was set at $1 million.

On Monday, a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas judge set bond at $5 million.

Here are the charges she is now facing:

2 counts of murder

2 counts of attempted murder

2 counts of felony assault

1 count of endangering children

1 count of tampering with evidence

1 count of misdemeanor theft

Ellis is due back in court for a pretrial on June 17 at 9 a.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD)  The woman accused of reporting a fake threat that shut down

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools for a day appeared in court for arraignment Monday morning.

Nikole Pipoly, 28, was officially charged in Wyoming District Court with falsely reporting a misdemeanor. She entered a not guilty plea and her attorney told News 8 she is innocent of the charge.

Report: Fake school threat started with dating app, dispute over hat, chair

Wyoming police say Pipoly, who was a contract social worker at a Godfrey-Lee elementary school, told police last month that a man she met on a dating app had threatened to shoot up the school. Police determined there was no such threat, but not before the district shut down May 13 as a precaution.

Pipoly is out of jail on a $5,000 bond. If convicted of the misdemeanor false report charge, she faces up to 93 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  A 45-year-old woman is facing charges following a stabbing in Norfolk earlier this year that left a man dead, police said.

Previous Coverage: Police: Man dies after stabbing on N Military Highway in Norfolk

On Jan. 8, around 10:50 p.m., officers responded to 871 N Military Highway to assist EMS personnel who were on scene for the report of an injured person.

Shantika A. Davis

Officers arrived to find a man suffering from a life-threatening stab wound. 57-year-old Clarence E. Jefferson was taken to the hospital for treatment where he later died from his injuries.

As a result of their investigation, Shantika A. Davis was charged with first-degree murder. She was arrested on June 8 in Virginia Beach and is currently being held in Norfolk City Jail without bond.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
A woman claims to be a Pennsylvania girl missing since 1985. Fingerprints prove otherwise, police say.

Cherrie Mahan, missing from Cabot, Pennsylvania, since Feb. 22, 1985. She was last seen getting off the school bus about 100 yards from home. A bright blue 1976 Dodge van with a mural of a mountain and a skier may be involved in her disappearance.

A police investigation has revealed that the woman claiming to be an 8-year-old Pennsylvania girl missing since 1985 is likely not the missing child according to DNA.

Forensic fingerprint analysis showed that the woman claiming to be Cherrie Mahan, who was last seen on Feb. 22, 1985, did not match the ones of the missing girls, according to a press release from the Pennsylvania State Police provided by the department's Public Information Officer Trooper Bertha Cazy on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Mahan disappeared after getting off the school bus about 100 yards from her home in Cabot, 30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Last month the woman claimed to be the missing girl in a Facebook group called Memories of Cherrie Mahan, a group dedicated to the little girl.

Janice McKinney, Cherrie's mother, posted in the Facebook group that she had contacted Pennsylvania State Police, and told the Butler Eagle newspaper that she believes the post was fraudulent.

"I talked to the police, they are investigating," McKinney wrote. "This is very hard on me so please be aware I see everything."

Here's what police said about the investigation.

Mother knows best: Woman claims to be Pennsylvania girl missing since 1985

Pennsylvania State Police investigate woman claiming to be Cherrie Mahan

Cherrie Mahan, missing from Cabot, Pennsylvania, since Feb. 22, 1985, is pictured to the left in a handout image from the National Center For Missing & Exploited Children. To the right is an age-processed image showing what Cherrie could look like today if she's alive.

After receiving a report that a woman was claiming to be Cherrie Mahan in a Facebook group, the Pennsylvania State Police opened an investigation, the press release said.

In addition, police said a voicemail was left with the Pennsylvania State Police from the same woman. On the recording the woman provided her address and telephone number for investigators to contact her. However, when officers reached out to the number and visited the address provided, the woman could not be found.

The woman who has made the claim that she was Cherrie Mahan has not contacted authorities since making the post on Facebook or leaving the voicemail, police said.

Authorities said the fingerprints of the caller was in the database. In the investigators initial review, they found that the caller and Cherrie Mahans fingerprints did not match.

If the woman decides to speak with authorities, she can contact the Pennsylvania State Police or other local agencies where they will investigate her claim, police said.

Woman claiming to be Cherrie Mahan banned from Facebook group, post deleted

The woman claiming to be Cherrie has been blocked from the Facebook group and her posts deleted, with group administrator Brock Organ writing that she had been "harassing and bullying" other members and that no one in the group  particularly McKinney  should be subject to that.

Memories of Cherrie Mahan | Hi Friends, I received notification that a group member was harassing and bullying | Facebook

"Some people say, 'But what if it was really her?'" Organ wrote. "This has an easy answer: if it was really her, she could present herself at any police office and arrange for a DNA test without reaching out to people online and making aggressive claims. That is what a reasonable person would do."

He asked group members to "please continue to pray for the family."

Cherrie's mother addresses claims by several women over the years

The woman claiming to be Cherrie last month is not the first. Three others have claimed to be McKinney's daughter over the years, KDKA-TV reported.

"People are mean, they are cruel, but this affects me really crazy," McKinney told the Butler Eagle.

When the latest woman's claims popped up, McKinney told the newspaper that she knew immediately that it wasn't her girl, saying: "It did not look anything like Cherrie at all.

She still holds out hope that one day, she'll know what happened to her daughter, and told the paper that she hopes all the detectives who ever worked on the case will sit down together and go over everything again.

Theres something somebody missed somewhere, and somebody knows," she said.

She told KDKA-TV that "the not knowing is really what sucks the life out of you."

She continued: "It just beats you down every single day and for the past 39 years, this has been the hardest part of my life."

Anyone with information about Cherri's case can call police at 724-284-8100, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at missingkids.org, or Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477) or p3tips.com.

Ahjane Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjane covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com . Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Woman claims to be 8-year-old missing since 1985, DNA says she's not
Roman Mrochko, the Head of Kherson City Military Administration, has reported that a woman was injured in a Russian attack on the city's Dniprovskyi district.

Source: Roman Mrochko on Telegram

Quote: "The woman has a mine-blast injury. She is currently being examined. The woman was injured in a recent hostile attack on the Dniprovskyi district of Kherson."

Details: Mrochko also wrote that the Russians do not stop bombarding residential areas of Kherson. Another attack caused a fire in a private house.

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We recently published a list of 10 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Billionaire Leon Cooperman. Since DT Midstream Inc (NYSE:DTM) ranks 6th in the list, it deserves a deeper look.

Billionaire Leon Cooperman made headlines in April when he predicted during an interview with CNBC that the US is headed for a financial crisis. Cooperman, who calls himself a capitalist with a heart, said that the Federal Reserve kept interest rates near zero, but raised them dramatically in a period of 12 months. Still, the 81-year-old billionaire sees no signs that the economy is restrictive, as he pointed to stock market highs and speculation. The Omega Family Office chairman and CEO expects one or two rate cuts this year. He emphasized that the market remains overvalued.

This isnt the first time Cooperman warned the market about recession. In February last year, the billionaire said that the market was headed for a recession, and noted that the S&P 500 high of about 4,800 recorded in 2022 could stand for some time. In July 2022, while talking to Bloomberg, Cooperman said that he was shocked that interest rates were so low.

I am of the view that equities are the best house in the financial asset in the neighborhood, but I dont like the neighborhood, for a lot of reasons.

Cooperman in the Bloomberg interview in 2022 had categorically said that sooner or later the strong dollar, prices of oil and the Fed would lead us into a recession. He went on to add that recession would be a 2023 event and predicted that the market would bottom somewhere near 35% to 45% below its peak of 4800.

READ NEXT: Billionaire Paul Tudor Jones Top Dividend Picks and Analysts Are Upgrading These AI Stocks

The billionaire had said that he would be very surprised if we were to see another bull market anytime soon, given his view that weve had one of the biggest bull runs driven by FAANG, SPACs, and speculation. The AI revolution that started in 2023 was indeed a shocker for Cooperman as his recession predictions were proven wrong.

For this article, we scanned billionaire Coopermans Q12024 portfolio and chose his top 10 dividend stock picks. Why are we interested in 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).

Story continues

DT Midstream Inc (NYSE:DTM)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 25

Billionaire Leon Coopermans Stake: $38,784,447

With a dividend yield of over 4%, DT Midstream Inc (NYSE:DTM) is one of the best dividend stock picks of billionaire Leon Cooperman in 2024. The stock is up about 41% over the past one year. In April, DT Midstream Inc (NYSE:DTM) reported Q1 results. Adjusted EPS in the quarter came in at $0.99, surpassing estimates by $0.05.

DT Midstream Inc (NYSE:DTM) is involved with natural gas transportation and pipelines. DT Midstream Inc (NYSE:DTM) bulls believe the stock is poised to benefit from the broader transition to cheap natural gas, as it owns two of the largest natural gas basins in the United States: the Marcellus basin and the Haynesville basin. The company spent heavily last year, with over $700M in Capex reported for the period. However, the company is eyeing fiscal discipline in 2024. The management highlighted these plans during Q1 earnings call:

We are confident in our full year outlook and reaffirming our 2024 adjusted EBITDA guidance range and our 2025 adjusted EBITDA early outlook, reflecting the strong positioning of our assets. Weve increased our committed capital in 2024 and 2025 to reflect new organic projects reaching FID, with $265 million to $295 million committed in 2024 and approximately $140 million committed in 2025. This increase is reflective of projects from our prior backlog that were already contemplated in our guidance, and we will continue to expect to spend within free cash flow in 2024 and 2025. Our short cycle growth investments continue to track on budget and on schedule, with some projects running ahead of schedule, resulting in meaningful growth contributions in 2024 and 2025. Our approach to capital allocation remains thoughtful and disciplined, with our focus on spending within cash flow over the balance of our five-year plan and achieving an investment grade credit rating.

Analysts believe DT Midstream Inc (NYSE:DTM)s basins are among the largest sources of wet and dry gas and their location makes them attractive for supply to main hubs in the country at attractive rates. However, the companys lack of geographical diversification and the stocks high valuation have been concerning. DT Midstreams forward P/E is 17.48, much higher than the industry average of 10.92. Wall Street expects the companys earnings to grow 11% next year but moderate to just 1.50% over the next five years on a per-annum basis. For value conscious investors, there could be many other undervalued opportunities in the mid-stream energy sector.

Overall, DT Midstream Inc (NYSE:DTM) ranks 6th in Insider Monkeys list of the 10 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Billionaire Leon Cooperman. You can visit the 10 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Billionaire Leon Cooperman to see the other Billionaire Leon Cooperman's 2024 stocks that are on his radar. While we acknowledge the potential of DT Midstream Inc (NYSE:DTM) our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than DT Midstream Inc (NYSE:DTM) 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 at Insider Monkey.
ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A woman was killed in an ATV crash in Adams County Sunday, according to State Police.

Evelyn Pineda Guadron, 22, of New Jersey, was riding a 2011 Yamaha YFM7RAL along the 400 block of Birch Run Road in Menallen Township when she crashed just before 6 p.m., State Police at Gettysburg said in a crash report.

According to Troopers, Pineda Guadron lost control of the vehicle and went off the road. She then fell off due to the decrease in elevation just off the roadway.

It was noted that she was going about 25 miles per hour.

Life-saving measures were performed by first responders after they arrived at the crash scene, but she did not survive, State Police say. She was wearing a helmet.

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The Yamaha continued after Pineda Guadron fell off and hit a tree before coming to a stop.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Woman Swallowed by Quicksand While Enjoying Walk on the Beach with Husband: 'Dropped Like a Rock'

Jamie Acord said she was walking along a Maine beach with her husband when she suddenly found herself waist-deep in sand

courtesy Jamie Acord (L-R) Jamie and Patrick Acord

What started as a normal day at the beach turned into into a startling ordeal for a woman who suddenly found herself caught in quicksand.

Jamie Acord said that the incident happened to her while she and her husband were walking along Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg, Maine.

"Literally it was kind of like I just dropped into a manhole cover," she tells PEOPLE. "We're walking along, just talking, and all of a sudden I went into the sand."

After she found herself in waist-deep sand, she recalled telling her husband, "I can't get out," per the Associated Press.



Related: Arizona Hiker Who Was Trapped in Quicksand for 11 Hours Before Being Rescued Speaks Out

"I just dropped like a rock," Acord told NBC affiliate WCSH. "I was there and then the next minute I wasn't."

Fortunately, her husband pulled her out, and she was left only with a few scrapes from the sand.

"It was kind of one of those moments where I didn't know what to do. This is a new thing that's never happened before," she tells PEOPLE. "And I go to that beach all the time."

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

courtesy Jamie Acord (L-R) Jamie and Patrick Acord

"And as soon as he pulled me out, we turned around to look to see what had occurred because we just assumed I'd fallen in an actual hole and there was nothing there," she adds. "It looked just like the beach. It had filled itself right back in."

Later, after she had already changed out of her clothes, which were covered in "wet-cement-like sand," she decided to post about the experience on social media to warn others, especially those who go to the beach alone at off-hours.

"If the beach is clearing out, there's only one or two people on the beach and you fall in something like that and you don't know what to do or you can't get out, you're kind of stuck," she says.

courtesy Jamie Acord Jamie Acord

Jim Britt, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, told the AP that the real-life scenario Acord experienced isnt something out of a Hollywood movie.

The reality with this supersaturated sand is youre not going to go under, Britt said.

Related: Parents of 7-Year-Old Girl Swallowed by Sand Hole Break Silence About Beach Tragedy: 'It Just Happened So Fast'

He went on to say that climate change was a factor in what happened, as a number of winter storms redirected river water to a sand area where visitors are most likely to walk on. "The sand is saturated with water," Britt said, per WCSH. Its even more unstable and very easy to find yourself sinking into it."

Still, Britt said it is a 100 percent survivable scenario if someone find themselves trapped in supersaturated sand.

The rule is stay calm, he told WCSH. Lean back. Find your way back.

AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach A file photo of Popham Beach in Phippsburg, Maine

Related: Mass. Woman Who Was Missing for a Week Found Alive After Getting Stuck in Mud at Local State Park

Sean Vaillancourt, who manages Popham Beach for Maines Bureau of Parks and Land, also encouraged people to remain calm. Just take your time and crawl out if you have to, he told WFXT. You can also lean forward or back in a floating position. The more you can disperse your weight over that, the more you can move freely."



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Read the original article on People.
Insights from Sudan Tribune, Foreign Policy, and El Pais

The News

The number of people internally displaced in Sudan could soon hit 10 million, the United Nations migration agency said on Friday.

Fighting between the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group and the Sudanese army broke out in April 2023, and quickly spread across the country, leading to the worlds largest displacement crisis. How much suffering and loss of life must the people of Sudan endure before the world takes notice? a UN official at the International Organization for Migration told Reuters.

The country is also at risk of a hunger crisis, with more than 18 million people acutely hungry, several UN agencies warned in May.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Gaza, Ukraine aid prioritized over underfunded Sudan

Sources: Sudan Tribune, Lawfare, El Pais

The UN has said that $2.7 billion is needed to cover its humanitarian projects in Sudan. But so far, the UNs efforts have only gathered 16% of the money they need, and other humanitarian responses for Sudan remain severely underfunded. Attention has been stretched by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and Sudan has dropped lower and lower on the list of priorities, two International Rescue Committee staffers wrote. The humanitarian crisis is further complicated by the military juntas efforts to restrict aid going to areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group. What theyre basically doing is making sure the aid remains in their areas, a Doctors Without Borders employee told El Pais.

US pushes for talks, but Sudan remains low on the agenda

Sources: Foreign Policy, The Hill

Sudan has been low on the US list of priorities, experts say; ceasefire talks between the countrys two warring sides have not been led by top US officials, and efforts to appoint a presidential envoy on Sudan who reports directly to the White House fell short. Instead, the US appointed a special envoy who reports to an assistant secretary of state. The envoy recently spoke to an almost empty room during a US congressional hearing, Foreign Policy noted. We are defining the soul of our nation, as Americans, by how we are allowing, frankly, such a nightmarish scenario to go undiscussed and unfocused, Sen. Cory Booker said last week.

Conflict in Sudan could destabilize the region

Sources: Norwegian Refugee Council, US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Foreign Policy

Experts fear that a long-drawn out conflict could further destabilize not only Sudan, but much of the African continent. More than 10 million Sudanese have fled to neighboring countries that have little capacity to take in displaced people, putting an unbearable strain on Chad, one of the worlds poorest states. Sudans position at the crossroads of the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, and North Africa means that it could once again become an ideal environment for terrorist and criminal networks, a recent threat report from a US intelligence agency warned. The prospects of controlling illegal flow of drugs, weapons, migrants, fighters across unstable regions in Africa, you can kiss all of that goodbye if Sudan collapses, an expert told Foreign Policy.
A paddleboarder coasts across Indian Lake in Worcester as two swans go the other way

Several beaches across Massachusetts have been closed this year due to harmful levels of cyanobacteria including Lake Quinsigamond's Regatta Point, but researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are working on a solution.

This past March, a research team was granted funding by the Environmental Protection Agency for its work on a 3D-printed floating structure aimed at reducing the harmful algae blooms.

A WPI research team working to tackle harmful algae blooms by creating 3D-printed floating structures which serve as photocatalysts was chosen for funding by the Environmental Protection Agency. The project will include students in mechanical & materials engineering and robotics https://t.co/a61kYekoj6  WPI (@WPI) March 14, 2024

The grant is part of the Environmental Protection Agency's P3 program, which runs a competition for college students to "turn creative design and engineering ideas into reality, while also helping solve real-world environmental challenges."

"We're still a ways away from being in a Worcester lake," said professor Pratap Rao. "This research project is really about going from the lab to the real world and providing technology society needs."

The project involves what's called a photocatalyst, which absorbs sunlight and produces a reaction, killing the harmful bacteria bloom. This reaction is limited to the immediate physical area surrounding the structure and not harmful to the natural environment.

With the photocatalyst in place, students will eventually come up and agree on a design that gives the floating structure a more natural look as to not disrupt any wildlife or the environment as a whole. Worcester Polytechnic Institute said the students are expected to conduct some of their work in Indian Lake in Worcester, where harmful algae blooms happen often.

Pam Weathers is a professor of biology and biotechnology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and came into the project after reading the grant announcement.

"I read about it and thought, 'This is so exciting,' so I quickly offered any assistance with my biology background," Weathers said.

Weathers has decades of cyanobacteria research under her belt and said the bacteria is always in lakes, but combined with fertilizer, leaking septic runoff and warm weather, the bacteria will "grow like gangbusters.

"Like all plants, what they really love is lawn fertilizer and septic runoff, and it grows. The bacteria get warm with lots of sun and then all that fertilizer goes in and feeds them," she said. "Basically, they're out of control because we caused the problem. The bacteria are happily dining on a bunch of things dumped in the water."

Weathers said it's more important than ever to have better control over chemicals like fertilizers and for those living around local lakes to make sure their septic systems are up to date and not leaking.

Earlier this month swimming at Lake Quinsigamond's Regatta Point was closed due to an abundance of fecal bacteria, such as E. coli and Enterococci, but it has since been reopened.

As of Thursday, just one beach in Central Massachusetts was closed due to "bacterial exceedance," that being Beaman's Pond in Templeton.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: WPI researchers work to rid local lakes of harmful cyanobacteria
Trump administration officials, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, laid a floral wreath during their visit to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery on November 10, 2018. (official government photo)

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. Forty-seven Mainers are there beneath peaceful, well-kept graves.

On Sunday, as part of a commemorative D-Day trip to Europe, Americas current president paid a 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 lay to rest in sacred sites like Aisne-Marne. Overall, there are 25 overseas American military cemeteries, with 1,262 Mainers 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 and 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 it feels difficult but especially when it is 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 Maine, where our organizations have almost 500 members combined, we veterans are a force at the polls and comprise more than 7% 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, home of 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 might the fallen heroes at Belleau Wood have said about a man like Trump?

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The post What a WWI cemetery in France means to every Mainer appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
New York City subway station to be renamed in honor of Stonewall

A bill to rename a NYC subway station in honor of the Stonewall Riots unanimously passed the state legislature last week and now awaits Gov. Kathy Hochuls review and expected signature. Assembly Bill A8970A directs the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to rename the Christopher Street-Sheridan Square subway station as the Christopher Street-Stonewall National Monument station.

The bill was co-sponsored by State Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick (D-Manhattan) and State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan). Hoylman-Sigal celebrated the bills passage in a post to X Twitter.

This change will memorialize the history of the modern LGBTQ civil rights movement and inspire NY to demand justice and equality for all, Hoylman-Sigal posted. Happy Pride!

 (@)

Once signed, the bill would take effect immediately, but the MTA must find specific funding to enact the change.

The Stonewall Riots refer to the confrontation between the LGBTQ+ patrons of the Stonewall Inn and police who came to raid the gay bar on the evening of June 28, 1969. Rather than submit to arrest, patrons fought back in what is now viewed as the birth of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

RELATED: 10 iconic photos of Stonewall and LGBTQ+ history

Former President Barack Obama designated the Stonewall National Monument on June 24, 2016. The 7.7-acre site in the Greenwich Village neighborhood includes the Stonewall Inn, Christopher Park, and Christopher Street.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center was livestreamed during Pride Month in June of 2024.

The opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center is a remarkable moment in the history of Stonewall, Ann Marie Gothard, President of the Pride Live Board of Directors, said in a statement at the time. We honor all those who came before us, most especially the queer people fighting for equality at the Stonewall Riots.

Last year, Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise visit to the Monument, becoming the first sitting vice president to stop at the historic Stonewall Inn. Harris used the visit to tout the Biden administrations commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and reportedly posed for selfies and chatted up the patrons after the press had been ushered from the bar.

The Monument has been subjected to incidents of hate-inspired vandalism. Last August, Patrick Murphy was charged with a hate crime and criminal mischief for vandalizing multiple Pride flags at the Monument on June 15, 2023. Police said Murphy and two other men were captured on video removing and destroying several transgender flags that were part of a display featuring 60 different Pride flags hanging on a fence at the monument. Part of the fence was also destroyed in the attack.
Donald Trump was interviewed by New York probation officials on Monday, a required step before his July sentencing in his criminal hush-money case, the Associated Press reported.

Trump, who declined to testify at the trial, appeared for the probation interview by video conference from his residence at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, with his lawyer Todd Blanche by his side. The arrangement garnered complaints of special treatment, but city officials contend that is not the case.

Trumps interview ended after less than a half-hour of routine and uneventful questions and answers, a person familiar with the matter told the AP.

People convicted of crimes in New York usually meet with probation officials without their lawyers, but the judge in Trumps case, Juan Merchan, said in a letter on Friday that he would allow Blanches presence.

The usual purpose of a pre-sentencing probation interview is to prepare a report that will tell the judge more about the defendant, and potentially help determine the proper punishment for the crime.

Related: Trump to escalate blame on trial judge Juan Merchan if sentenced to prison

Such reports are typically prepared by a probation officer, a social worker or a psychologist working for the probation department who interviews the defendant and possibly that persons family and friends, as well as people affected by the crime.

Present reports include a defendants personal history, criminal record and recommendations for sentencing. It will also include information about employment and any obligations to help care for a family member. It is also a chance for a defendant to say why they think they deserve a lighter punishment.

The citys public defenders on Monday criticized what they said were special arrangements for Trump and urged the probation department to ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of income, status, or class, receive the same pre-sentencing opportunities.



All people convicted of crimes should be allowed counsel in their probation interview, not just billionaires, four of the citys public defender organizations said in a statement. This is just another example of our two-tiered system of justice.

A jury convicted Trump of falsifying business records at his own company as part of a broader scheme to buy the silence of people who might have told embarrassing stories about him during the 2016 presidential campaign. One $130,000 payment went to the adult film actor Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have had a sexual encounter with Trump, which he denied.

Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, says he is innocent of any crime and that the criminal case was brought to hurt his chances to regain the White House.

Following Trumps historic conviction, a New York Times/Siena College post-verdict analysis of nearly 2,000 interviews with voters found that Trumps advantage over Joe Biden narrowed from three to one point.

Trumps campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, said in a statement on Sunday that the presidents Democratic party allies continue to ramp up their ongoing Witch-Hunts, further abusing and misusing the power of their offices to interfere in the presidential election.

President Trump and his legal team are already taking necessary steps to challenge and defeat the lawless Manhattan DA case, he said.

Merchan has scheduled Trumps sentencing for 11 July. He has discretion to impose a wide range of punishments, ranging from probation and community service to up to four years in prison.

In his first rally earlier this week following his conviction, Trump, who is appealing his conviction, issued foreboding threats.

Those appellate courts have to step up and straighten things out, or were not going to have a country any longer, Trump said at a Turning Point Action event in Phoenix, Arizona.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged of New York police planning to revoke Trumps license to carry a gun as a result of his conviction.

Speaking to CNN anonymously, a New York police department official said that it will complete its investigation that will likely lead to revocation of his license.
By Dawn Chmielewski

(Reuters) -Former media executive Edgar Bronfman Jr., backed by private equity firm Bain Capital, has expressed interest in buying Paramount's controlling shareholder National Amusements, a source familiar with the matter said Monday.

It is unclear what Bronfman's interest might mean for the leading bidder for Paramount, independent studio Skydance Media, which has structured a complex $8 billion deal to gain control of the larger studio, through the purchase of National Amusements, and subsequently merge with Paramount.

Bronfman is looking to offer between $2 billion and $2.5 billion for National Amusements, the private company that holds the Redstone family's controlling interest in Paramount, the source said. Bain would provide the financing as a fund investment, said the source, adding that neither party has performed due diligence.

The Wall Street Journal was first to report Bronfman's interest. National Amusements and Bain Capital declined to comment. Bronfman did not respond to requests for comment.

Skydance Media's CEO David Ellison reduced an initial $2.5 billion bid for National Amusements in order to offer additional cash for Paramount's non-voting shareholders, Reuters reported last week, citing sources.

The Reuters report said Redstone was unhappy with the reduced offer for the family's controlling stake in the company, potentially opening the door for rival bidders to make their case.

Bronfman, the Seagram heir and former chairman of Warner Music, is one of two parties that had expressed interest in acquiring National Amusements. The other is independent Hollywood producer Steven Paul, whose film credits include "Baby Geniuses."

Paul, CEO of Crystal Sky Pictures, has also been lining up to make an offer for National Amusements for around $3 billion, WSJ reported last month.

Negotiations with Skydance have been going on for months.

Under the terms of the latest offer from Skydance, Paramount would acquire the independent studio in an all-stock deal valued at $4.75 billion, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The deal is contingent upon Skydance acquiring National Amusements.

At Paramount's annual shareholder meeting last week, the company's co-CEOs put forth a restructuring plan that includes $500 million in annualized cost cuts, potential asset sales and a possible joint venture or other partnerships for its Paramount+ streaming service.

(Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles and Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath and Josie Kao)
New York legislators are stepping up to shield retail workers from escalating violence and harassment in the workplace.

The New York State Senate passed the Retail Worker Safety Act (S. 8358B) on Friday, which will require corporate retail employers to adopt violence prevention plans, train workers in de-escalation techniques and provide active shooter training. Additionally, large corporations will be responsible for installing panic buttons throughout workplaces.

More from Sourcing Journal

The Senate signoff comes days after the passage of the coordinating bill in the State Assembly. Now, it will head to the governors desk for final approval.

The bill, which was introduced by State Senator Jessica Ramos in January, was designed to compel employers to take responsibility for worker safety. A study conducted by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) this spring showed that the issue has become a source of anxiety for retail employees as retail crime ratchets up, with 57 percent of those surveyed saying theyve personally experienced verbal harassment or intimidating behavior at work. Worse still, 80 percent reported worries about an active shooter coming into their place of business.

Retail associates have also been vocal about the measures they think would helpand several of them are included in the bill. Most RWDSU survey participants (72 percent) said they would feel safer and more empowered if they were to receive training on how to deal with harassment, shoplifting and other risks, while 88 percent said they would feel safer if a panic button were installed in their store.

The bills ascension through the State Assembly has been praised by the RWDSU, with president Stuart Appelbaum and other members acting as champions since its introduction. Unionized workers from cities across New York have held rallies and press conferences in recent months to urge legislators to prioritize worker safety.

Todays passage of the Retail Worker Safety Act by the State Senate is a critical step towards common sense safety measures for retail workers across New York, Applebaum said Friday. When the bill is signed into law, basic protections will be provided for both workers and customers.

The campaign has brought to light stories of deeply troubling experiences retail workers have endured, from violent crimes to shootings, assaults and verbal threats.

Workers in retail stores in New York should never have to experience anything like this. One thing is for certain, however: employers can and should do more to protect their employees, Applebaum added. Thats why were championing this critical law, which requires that retail employers take full responsibility to protect their workers from violence.

If passed, the Retail Worker Safety Act would require that the NYS Department of Labor develop a model risk assessment and training program. That framework will be adopted by employers with 10 or more employees, unless they decide to create their own, and they will be required to provide yearly safety trainings for staff. Meanwhile, employers with 500 or more employees across the country will be required to install panic buttons throughout their stores.

Not everyone is happy about the development.

Walmart on Friday said it opposed the bill, with the companys executive vice president of corporate affairs, Dan Bartlett, telling Reuters that installing panic buttons in stores would result in too many false alarms.

The New York Police Departments public affairs bureau, too, has said that 911 calls are a more effective way of communicating with law enforcement than panic buttons.

At Walmarts annual shareholder meeting last week, a proposal brought by Walmart store employee shareholders requesting an independent review of workplace safety policies was dismissed, receiving 19-percent approval.

While the bill has been side-eyed by law enforcement and the nations largest retail chain, the final decision will come down to Governor Kathy Hochul, who has been bullish about fighting retail crime in New York.

This spring, Hochul announced the allocation of massive resources in the states FY25 budget to fighting retail crime. A whopping $40.2 million will go toward creating dedicated retail theft teams within state police departments, district attorneys offices and local law enforcement, while a $5 million tax credit will go toward helping small businesses invest in security measures like cameras. The budget includes a $3,000 tax credit for any small business that spends the threshold amount of funds on retail prevention.

Hochuls plan also ups criminal penalties for those who assault retail workers, automatically elevating the crime from a misdemeanor to a felony.

I promised the retail workers and our small business owners that I would protect themand we are doing just that, the governor said last month. Here in New York, we are standing up to organized retail theft, backing our businesses and their workers with the full force of the law, and restoring that sense of security and peace of mind so they can focus on what they do best.
June 10 (UPI) -- Three young boys out for a hike in North Dakota noticed something sticking out from the ground and were shocked to find out they had discovered a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil.

Jessin and Liam Fisher, ages 10 and 7, were out hiking onNorth Dakota Bureau of Land Management land in the badlands, near Marmarth, with their cousin, Kaiden Madsen, 9, and their dad, Sam Fisher, when the family spotted an unusual object sticking out of the ground.

They contacted Tyler Lyson, Sam Fisher's high school classmate and now the Curator of Paleontology for the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, to help identify what they had found during their 2022 hike.

Lyson and his paleontology team accompanied the family on a return trip to the scene of the discovery in the summer of 2023 and determined the boys had found a juvenile Tyrannosaurus fossil.

The fossil will make its public debut at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science's "Discovering Teen Rex" exhibit, which opens June 21.

"By going outside and embracing their passions and the thrill of discovery, these boys have made an incredible dinosaur discovery that advances science and deepens our understanding of the natural world," Lyson said in a news release. "I'm excited for museum guests to dig into the 'Teen Rex Discovery' experience, which I think will inspire the imagination and wonder, not only [of] our community, but around the world!"

The opening of the exhibit will also feature the premier of the documentary T. REX, which chronicles the fossil's discovery and features "an unprecedented journey into the world of T. rex and its fellow Cretaceous carnivores."
Ukrainian forces may have destroyed a second Russian Su-57 plane in the same strike on the Akhtubinsk airfield in Astrakhan Oblast already reported to have hit one of the fighter jets, military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov said in a televison broadcast June 9.

Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) reported earlier on June 9 that Ukraine hit a Su-57 fighter jet stationed in Russia for the first time. The aircraft was reportedly damaged after a strike on the Akhtubinsk airfield in southern Russia, 589 kilometers from the front line.

"There is preliminary information that there could have been two downed Su-57 aircraft," Yusov said on air.

"There is also information about irrecoverable losses and wounded among the occupiers' personnel."

The Su-57 is Russias most modern fighter jet with only a few units in service in the Russian air force.

Yusov said HUR could not give more details about the operation, but said the destruction of the "ultra-modern" Su-57 is a victory for Ukraine. He also said to expect further strikes on Russian military airfields.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Zelensky says Russias Kharkiv offensive failed; Ukraine hits Russian Su-57 aircraft for first time

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
New Zealand PM says China Premier Li Qiang to visit this week

(Corrects last name of China's foreign minister to Wang from Yi in paragraph 6)

By Lucy Craymer

WELLINGTON (Reuters) -New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Monday that China's Premier Li Qiang would visit the country this week, in the first trip to the nation in seven years by a Chinese premier.

Luxon said in a statement that he looked forward to warmly welcoming Premier Li in New Zealand and that the visit would be a valuable opportunity for exchanges on areas of cooperation between the two countries.

The challenging global outlook makes it vital that we are sharing perspectives and engaging China on key issues that matter to New Zealand, Luxon said.

This is the second high-profile visit from a high-ranking Chinese official to New Zealand this year, with Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi visiting in late March.

New Zealand has long been seen as a moderate or absent voice on China in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which includes the United States, but in recent years has spoken up about what it considers to be concerning actions by China.

During Wangs March visit, ministers discussed trade, business and security in the Pacific, as well as "areas of difference" including human rights and the situation in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet, according to a statement after the visit.

China is New Zealand's top trading partner. Statistics New Zealand reported two-way goods and services trade was nearly NZ$38 billion ($23.2 billion) in the year that ended in March 2024.

Luxon said on Monday that he is confident that trade with China would continue to grow, supporting the governments goal to double the value of exports in the next decade.

The government has not yet released dates for Lis visit.

Luxon also said he would travel to Japan with a business delegation from June 16-20.

($1 = 1.6383 New Zealand dollars)

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Sonali Paul and Gerry Doyle)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference at the presidential palace. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Russian statements regarding the capture of a village in Ukraine's north-eastern Sumy region.

"As of this morning, the Russian flag in the village [of Ryzhivka] has been destroyed, and there are no occupiers present," Zelensky wrote on Telegram on Monday.

The alleged conquest of the village was a Russian propaganda campaign, he added.

On Sunday evening, the head of Russia's semi-autonomous republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, stated that a special unit had seized the border village of Ryzhivka in the Sumy region and inflicted significant losses on Ukrainian forces.

However, military observers quickly cast doubt on the claim, although for weeks there has been mounting speculation about Russian troops opening another front in Sumy.

Ukraine has been fending off an all-out Russian invasion for more than two years.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Russian statements regarding the capture of a village in Ukraine's north-eastern Sumy region.

"As of this morning, the Russian flag in the village [of Ryzhivka] has been destroyed, and there are no occupiers present," Zelensky wrote on Telegram on Monday.

The alleged conquest of the village was a Russian propaganda campaign, he added.

On Sunday evening, the head of Russia's semi-autonomous republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, stated that a special unit had seized the border village of Ryzhivka in the Sumy region and inflicted significant losses on Ukrainian forces.

However, military observers quickly cast doubt on the claim, although for weeks there has been mounting speculation about Russian troops opening another front in Sumy.

Ukraine has been fending off an all-out Russian invasion for more than two years.

Appeal for aid to rebuild Kharkiv

Meanwhile the mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, called for international assistance to help rebuild the north-eastern Ukrainian city, which has suffered extensive damage from several Russian airstrikes.

Speaking at a conference in Berlin on Monday, Terekhov said that the destruction had caused damage exceeding 10 billion ($10.7 billion).

The city, home to some 1.5 million people, has been under particularly heavy bombardment for weeks.

Russia is bombing civilian infrastructure and killing children, women and men, Terekhov said. But Ukraine is standing firm. The aim is to make the city better and safer during reconstruction, he added.

A two-day Ukraine reconstruction conference begins in Berlin on Tuesday. Berlin's top economic official, Franziska Giffey, said that Germany stands by Ukraine and will play a leading role in reconstruction.

Nuremberg Mayor Marcus Konig spoke of a beacon of hope, signalling robust support for Ukraine. Nuremberg and Kharkiv are twin cities.

Reconstruction official resigns

The head of the Ukrainian agency for reconstruction, Mustafa Nayyem, handed in his resignation shortly before Tuesday's conference on rebuilding Ukraine begins in Berlin.

"Since November last year, the agency's team has been confronted with constant resistance and the creation of artificial obstacles," Nayyem wrote on Facebook on Monday.

In his post, Nayyem lamented the underfunding of his agency and excessive bureaucracy, which he said delayed reconstruction measures. Further work had become impossible since the dismissal of Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov at the beginning of May.

Nayyem's resignation was prompted by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal's refusal to authorize a business trip to the reconstruction conference in Berlin.

Funding boost for German development work in Ukraine

Germany and the European Union plan to increase funding for work in Ukraine by Germany's GIZ international development agency, a German Foreign Office spokesman said on Monday.

GIZ will receive an additional 30 million ($32 million) for projects in Ukraine, bringing the agency's total budget to 75 million, according to the spokesman. The German government will contribute an additional 12 million on top of a previous 27 million, while the EU will double its contribution from 18 million to 36 million.

The project is part of the German Foreign Office's stabilization plans aimed at providing concrete support to government institutions and civil society in regions torn by conflict and war.
By Gabriel Araujo

SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil (Reuters) - Electric aircraft maker Eve expects to raise funds as early as next month to finance operations through the certification of its flying taxi in 2026, Chief Executive Johann Bordais told Reuters.

Eve, which is majority owned by Brazilian planemaker Embraer, has enough cash and borrowing facilities to fund operations through 2025, but the company forecasts certification and entry into service in 2026.

Eve is one of numerous startups worldwide developing battery-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically to ferry travelers on short city trips. Its orders come from clients in countries such as Brazil, the United States, India and France.

Among companies to have signed letters of intention to purchase Eve's eVTOL are U.S. carrier United Airlines, charter firms Global Crossing and Air X, as well as aircraft lessor Azorra.

Bordais did not say how much Eve wants to raise or what form the fundraising may take.

Eve debuted on the New York Stock Exchange in May 2022, raising around $400 million to develop and produce its eVTOL aircraft, a project initially slated to cost $540 million.

It later secured an additional 490 million-real ($92 million) facility from Brazilian state development bank BNDES. By the end of the first quarter this year, Eve's total liquidity stood at $280 million.

"We are doing well in terms of cash," said Bordais, who took over the firm in September. "Our goal, our second round of fundraising, is to guarantee it through certification."

Bordais said eVTOL's development is on schedule. The company recently released images of its first full-scale prototype, which it hopes to fly without a crew by year-end.

Ground tests for the prototype are expected to begin in July, he added, following successful wind-tunnel testing last year.

CERTIFICATION GOAL

Eve's most pressing need is getting the aircraft certified. It applied in 2022 to Brazil's civil aviation regulator and expects that domestic validation to be followed by approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

Eve has not delayed its 2026 outlook for certification since its initial public offering, which analysts at Jefferies last week said was a rarity in the sector, noting the firm is financially strong.

Eve has amassed nearly 3,000 orders and chosen most of its component suppliers ahead of production, with 90% of its supply chain budget in place.

"But it all starts with certification," Bordais said.

The company's first factory will be in Taubate, Brazil, capitalizing on proximity to major railways and roads, and to Embraer, whose headquarters are in neighboring Sao Jose dos Campos.

Story continues

Bordais said the Taubate plant is expected to build up to 120 eVTOLs per year in its first phase and eventually reach annual capacity of 480 aircraft.

A potential new factory abroad is possible but not a priority, he said, adding the U.S. could be an option.

"That's not fully decided. Let's start with this factory (in Taubate), produce and deliver."

($1 = 5.3528 reais)

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Brad Haynes and Rod Nickel)
Will there be another Sigma fp? "It hasn't been decided yet," says Sigma

It's been almost five years since the launch of the original Sigma fp, and three years since the release of the fp L. However, according to the head of the company, "it hasn't been decided yet" whether there will be a new camera in the fp lineup.

It's been an interesting time for the fp and fp L, the smallest full frame mirrorless cameras on the market  even smaller than the recent Panasonic Lumix S9. Sales have exploded recently, with a recent survey indicating that 43% of current fp owners having bought their camera in the past year.

This is mirrored by the wider sales data. "At first, sales were strong, then sales declined and inventory piled up, but recently sales have increased again," said Sigma CEO, Kazuto Yamaki, at an fp experience event held in Tokyo (as reported by Digital Camera Watch).

"Of all the assembly buildings at [Sigma's] Aizu factory, the cleanest is the one where the sensor unit for the Sigma fp is made. It started up and running three or four years ago [when production of the Sigma fp stopped], but it hadn't been operating for a while, but it's been operating properly recently."

While production has resumed, thanks to the renewed popularity of the camera, it's interesting to note that the fp is only popular in Japan  though it is also experiencing some interest in the Chinese market.

The original Sigma

Perhaps it's this, the lack of widespread adoption outside Asia, that's the reason why Sigma has yet to commit to more members of the fp family.

"It hasn't been decided yet, but basically we want to evolve it," Yamaki continued. Speaking to the camera's size, simplicity and modularity, he added that "we want to continue to pursue this in the future."

Echoing his recent statements about how Sigma is the guinea pig for the lens industry, focusing on niche products that noone else is making, Yamaki reiterated the company's commitment to uniqueness  something that has certainly been the case with previous releases, like the dp Quattro, SD Quattro and dp Merrill.

"I want to continue to create cameras that are distinctive, a little different from what other companies have, and that stand out in a unique way."

TLDR: Sigma gonna Sigma. And that's why we love it.

If you're an fp or fp L owner, check out the best L-Mount lenses for the system. And of course, Sigma also makes some of the best Canon lenses, the best Nikon lenses and best Sony lenses.
(Reuters) -Billionaire Elon Musk said on Monday he would ban Apple devices at his companies if the iPhone maker integrates OpenAI at the operating system level.

"That is an unacceptable security violation," Musk, who is the CEO of electric-vehicle maker Tesla and rocket maker SpaceX and owner of social media company X, said in a post on X.

"And visitors will have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they will be stored in a Faraday cage," he said.

Apple and OpenAI did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Earlier in the day, Apple announced a slew of AI features across its apps and operating platforms and a partnership with OpenAI to bring the ChatGPT technology to its devices.

Apple said it had built AI with privacy "at the core" and it would use a combination of on-device processing and cloud computing to power those features.

"It's patently absurd that Apple isn't smart enough to make their own AI, yet is somehow capable of ensuring that OpenAI will protect your security & privacy!" Musk said on X.

It was unlikely that anyone would follow Musk's lead, Ben Bajarin, CEO of consulting firm Creative Strategies, said, adding that Apple was trying to educate people that private cloud was as secure as keeping data on a device.

"What (Apple) is trying to now add to the narrative is when (data) leaves and goes to the secure private cloud, it's similarly taking that same user data anonymization and firewalling of that information to you. Apple really never sees that," he said.

Musk had sued OpenAI, which he co-founded in 2015, and its CEO Sam Altman at the beginning of March, saying they abandoned the startup's original mission to develop AI for the benefit of humanity and not for profit.

He has also founded his own startup, xAI, in a bid to challenge OpenAI and build an alternative to the viral chatbot ChatGPT.

xAI was valued at $24 billion in its last funding round, where it raised $6 billion in series B funding.

(Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Max Cherney in Cupertino; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)
Fact Check: Image Claims to Show Giant Octopus Photographed on Indonesian Coast. Here's What It Is

Claim:

An authentic photograph shows the body of a massive octopus washed up on the coast of Indonesia.

Rating:

Rating: Fake

Context:

The image was generated by artificial intelligence.

In early June 2024, an image allegedly showing a giant octopus washed up on an Indonesian beach went viral. Numerous posts on X claimed it was a photograph taken in Bali.

The image showed five tentacles and the body of the octopus, with several beachgoers standing near it and more bystanders in the distance.



(X user @mulder_17)



(X user @CMDRVALTHOR)

The photograph is fake and generated by artificial intelligence (AI).

Using Google's reverse-image search tool, we found no authentic source for the above image. Nor did we find any news outlets reporting on it, or any photographer claiming to have taken this picture.

We did, however, find the image shared on Instagram by best_of_ai_, a self-described "Digital Creator" who experiments "with different ai engines, themes and styles." This was the earliest example of the image that we could find, four days before it went viral on X. The image was shared within a video that purported to show the so-called octopus from different angles on the beach.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7rqkAAoqaT/

We contacted the Instagram user to determine if they were the original creator of this image, and will update this post if we learn more.

The image caption identified it as a "fictional" creation and titled it as "The Mourning of the Abyssal Titans":

In the quiet hours before dawn, the world's beaches trembled. The waves whispered secrets, and the sands shifted uneasily. The enormous octopus, its eyes like ancient moons, emerged from the depthsa titan awakened.

Its tentacles, thick as ship masts, reached for the shore. Dead creatures clung to its suckers: bloated fish, forgotten sailors, and lost treasures. The sun rose, casting a sepulchral glow upon the beast. Tourists fled, their sun hats abandoned. Lifeguards blew whistles, but their warnings were futile. The octopus pulled up more corpsesseagulls, crabs, and driftwood. The beaches became a graveyard. Scientists arrived, cameras clicking. They measured the creature's span: nine meters, a record-breaking giant. The world watched in awe and horror as the octopus mourned its fallen kin. Beachgoers wept, their toes touching the cold, lifeless bodies. Children built sandcastles atop whale bones. And the octopus, its eyes haunted, retreated back to the abyss. The tides whispered its lament: "Weep not for the dead, but for the forgotten. For we all return to the sea, whether by storm or by choice." And so, the beaches bore witness to the sorrow of ancient depths.  This is a fictional story

The Instagram account displays a range of AI-generated images that are clearly not real.

Had the image been of a genuine octopus of that size, it would certainly have been covered in environmental news stories and had a verifiable source.

Sources:

Evon, Dan. "Snopes Tips: A Guide To Performing Reverse Image Searches." Snopes, 22 Mar. 2022, https://www.snopes.com//articles/400681/how-to-perform-reverse-image-searches/. Accessed 5 June 2024.
ROME  Italys bid to master underwater drone technology has taken a step forward as local firms team up to respond to series of sub-sea Navy tenders, although an industry spokesman has said investment still needs a big boost.

Firms including Fincantieri, Leonardo and civil energy company Saipem are forming groups to give joint responses to four Navy tenders seeking cutting edge undersea technology, a Fincantieri spokesperson told Defense News.

We are interested, and the responses to all four tenders will be made by clusters of companies, the spokesperson said.

Covering propulsion, communications, launch and recovery of drones and target location, the tenders are the first concrete sign that work is getting underway at a new sub-sea centre in La Spezia, Italy, which was launched last year to pool efforts made in the sector made by industry,the Italian navy and academia.

State shipyard Fincantieri and Italian defense giant Leonardo signed their own deal last year to work on sub-sea technology as interest grows in using drones to protect internet cables and energy pipelines on the sea bed.

The first Navy tender, worth 3.4 million ($3.7 million) over two years, covers launch and recovery systems to be based on land, ships and on the sea bed, which can house drones up to six meters long and weighing 1,000kg, and can relay the data the drones download.

A second, two-year, 2.9 million tender covers algorithms required for target acquisition and data fusion by the drones, while a third, 3.4 million tender deals with communications, including the need to let swarms of drones speak to each other.

A fourth, 2.65 million tender covers energy sources for drones, including the ability to produce energy from sea currents.

Fincantieri has been boosting its under-sea activity with partnerships and acquisitions. This year the firm signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation with Saipem, which markets a drone able to remain underwater for 12 months using docking stations linked to the surface for recharging and relaying data.

Last year Fincantieri purchased Italian firm Remazel which offers launch and recovery systems for sub-sea mining robots.

The new tenders mean money is now available to breathe life into the La Spezia research center where winning industry teams could work on the technology the Navy seeks.

But Carlo Festucci, the general secretary of Italian defense industry association AIAD said the cash on offer was not enough.

We need 50 million a year to make the center work, he said, adding that other Italian ministries, apart from the defense ministry, needed to chip in.

This technology will help the sourcing of rare earths from the sea bed as well as protecting critical infrastructure, he said, adding that Italys Foreign and Industry ministries should be adding funds.
Caitlin Sarwono and Ricky Spaulding star as naive young lovers Wendla and Melchior in "Spring Awakening" at the 5th Avenue Theatre. (Rosemary Dai Ross)
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Sapura Energy Berhad is RM0.05 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of RM0.045 suggests Sapura Energy Berhad is potentially trading close to its fair value

Analyst price target for SAPNRG is RM0.044 which is 12% below our fair value estimate

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Sapura Energy Berhad (KLSE:SAPNRG) by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

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 want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Sapura Energy Berhad

Step By Step Through The Calculation

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM164.3m RM145.1m RM134.8m RM129.5m RM127.4m RM127.2m RM128.5m RM130.7m RM133.7m RM137.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -18.20% Est @ -11.68% Est @ -7.11% Est @ -3.91% Est @ -1.67% Est @ -0.11% Est @ 0.99% Est @ 1.76% Est @ 2.30% Est @ 2.67% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 16% RM141 RM107 RM85.8 RM70.9 RM60.0 RM51.5 RM44.8 RM39.2 RM34.5 RM30.5

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM666m

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 16%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM137m (1 + 3.6%)  (16% 3.6%) = RM1.1b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM1.1b ( 1 + 16%)10= RM248m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM914m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM0.04, the company appears about fair value at a 9.6% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important 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 Sapura Energy Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 16%, which is based on a levered beta of 2.000. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Sapura Energy Berhad

Strength

No major strengths identified for SAPNRG.

Weakness

Shareholders have been diluted in the past year.

Opportunity

Forecast to reduce losses next year.

Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows.

Good value based on P/S ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Total liabilities exceed total assets, which raises the risk of financial distress.

Not expected to become profitable over the next 3 years.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. 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 Sapura Energy Berhad, we've put together three additional items you should assess:

Risks: We feel that you should assess the 4 warning signs for Sapura Energy Berhad (2 can't be ignored!) we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does SAPNRG's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Back in the day, as they say, Hungaroring was a curiosity because it was the first race held behind the Iron Curtain, but today it is considered one of the key race tracks, where F1 will be hosted for the 39th time in 2024.

It is interesting and, of course, a source of pride that the Hungaroring is the second venue (after Monza) to be on the calendar without interruption.



It is also the world's most popular, biggest and most professional car series, watched by tens of millions of viewers on television every week, and in recent years its star has risen even higher thanks to the exciting competition.



Last year the Hungarian F1 Grand Prix was a sell-out event (303,000 spectators over the four days) and if it continues at this rate, the Hungarian circuit will be packed this year as well. See the video below for a Preview and Predictions for the F1 GP in Hungary.



High Speed Test Again in 2024

A special Thursday activity for F1 fans will be held again at the Hungaroring before the Hungarian Grand Prix starts. Firstly, at 2pm you can watch the High Speed Track Test of the FIA Safety and Medical Cars from the Super Gold Grandstand, and then you can walk down to the Pit Lane and have a closer look at the racing cars.



* A limited number of tickets will be available for only the weekend ticket holders at a price of 35. Note: not only the High Speed Test tickets, but also the weekend passes will have to be presented onsite to pick up the wristbands for entry. One weekend pass (Friday-Saturday-Sunday) and one High Speed Test ticket will entitle you to one wristband.



Formula 1 to race in Hungary until 2032

Formula 1 has announced that the Hungarian Grand Prix will remain on the calendar for an additional five years until 2032, extending the existing deal that ran until 2027.



The new agreement follows an announcement that the Hungaroring will undergo significant development and refurbishment in the coming years, including a new pit building and main grandstand.



Located just 20km outside the historic city of Budapest, the iconic 4.38km Hungaroring has been part of the F1 calendar since 1986, with many legends of the sport claiming victory at the circuit, including Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, who won four and three Hungarian Grands Prix respectively.



Five of the 2023 grid have been victorious at the Hungarian Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton holding a record eight wins, while this season Fernando Alonso will celebrate 20 years since he claimed his first ever win in Formula 1 at the circuit in 2003.



The returning Daniel Ricciardo won in 2014, while Esteban Ocon claimed his maiden victory in 2021, and Max Verstappen will be looking to make it back-to-back wins this year after his success last season.



Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said:

It is great news to announce the extension of the Hungarian Grand Prix for an additional five years as we return for another action-packed weekend at the Hungaroring. It is a very special circuit next to the incredible city of Budapest and one all of the drivers and our fans look forward to on the calendar.



To see the commitment from the promoter in Hungary to develop the facilities and further enhance the experience for fans is another important step and something we want to see all our events doing in order to continue to improve and make our races even better.



Zsolt Gyulay, CEO of Hungaroring said:

We are proud and honoured to have agreed this contract extension. Given the astonishing rise in F1s global popularity, which now sees more venues than ever before competing to join the calendar, todays signing marks a hugely significant achievement for us.



Fittingly, the updates to our famous circuit - which include renovations to our Main Paddock Building, Main Grandstand and Spectator Zones - are expected to be completed by 2026. It will be a source of great satisfaction to host the teams and fans, who will always be our main priority, at a world-class venue that will reflect the high standards you come to expect for an F1 race weekend.



My colleagues and I began work on this significant development project eight years ago and todays announcement acts as the crowning accomplishment for our collective efforts. I would therefore like to thank everyone involved in getting us to this point today and look forward to many more years of premium F1 racing at the Hungaroring.



Dr. Adam Schmidt, Secretary of State for Sport in Ministry of Defence added:

The Formula 1 Hungarian GP has been hosted at the Hungaroring since 1986 and is second only to Monza in hosting F1 races consecutively on the Formula 1 calendar.



This race has gone far beyond a simple sporting event: It is one of the most important international events in Hungary, with tens of thousands of foreign fans visiting the country every year and television coverage seen around the world.



We are delighted to announce, that on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky has signed a contract extension that will see us to host the race until 2032.



It is important to underline that the rights holder has set the condition on us to finish the complete renewal of the Hungaroring by the 2026 race. We plan to finalise the results of the public procurement procedure for the works by the end of this year, following which the works can start at the beginning of 2024."



More:

hungaroring.hu
Peter Magyar, deputy leader and EP list-leading candidate of the Respect and Freedom (Tisza) party, said the Tisza party would prove to the Hungarian people that politics can be beautiful, just and honest.

Today marks the end of an era and the start of the future, Magyar told Tisza party supporters as the election results were announced in the early hours of Monday.



The greatest result is that this is the beginning of the end for the [Fidesz] Alliance of Young Democrats and the System of National Cooperation.



Despite the billions burned on propaganda, the war psychosis, the hate propaganda, the Hungarian people have seen through the charade, he said. Fidesz has never achieved such a weak result in the EP elections.



Theres no turning back; this is the slope that [former Socialist PM] Ferenc Gyurcsany also started on, and its easy to pick up speed up on it.



He said Fidesz had lost the publics trust, and had a chance to decide to call early elections in Hungary in the coming months.



He insisted that one reason to call early elections was because it was uncertain whether the government could survive the austerity that will be coming because of the state of the budget. He said it was up to ruling Fidesz to decide whether they will use the next two years to continue robbing their country.



In response to a question, he said he had not yet decided whether he would take up his mandate in the Budapest municipal assembly or the European Parliament.



He noted that he had said in the past that he would not become an MEP, adding, however, that the party would be the one to decide. Magyar said Tisza would be joining the European Peoples Party in the European Parliament.



He said he had discussed this with Manfred Weber, the EPPs leader, on the phone last week, and they had agreed that Tisza will send its official application after the results came in. Tisza could join the EPP group as early as next week, he said.



In Budapest assembly, Tisza secured 10 seats, with Fidesz equalizing, while the left-wing opposition garnered 7 seats, while the satirical Two-Tailed Dog party captured 2 mandates.



Fidesz-KDNP won mayoral seats in 6 Budapest districts, opposition parties captured 14 districts, while independents have carried 4 districts.



With 93.73% of the vote counted, the Fidesz-Christian Democrat alliance won mayoral seats in 14 county seats in the local elections, while the opposition parties won 7 seats, and independents garnered 4 seats.



Orban: 'We Have Won Two Elections'

Hungary held two elections on Sunday, and "we have won both", Prime Minister Viktor Orban told members of his ruling Fidesz-Christian Democrat alliance as partial results were being announced.



Turnout was around 57% at the European Parliament and local elections on Sunday, another nice record, Orban said. Democracy is alive and well, thank you, he added.



The people of Hungary have sent a clear message that they want peace, he said, adding that the political message of the EP elections was that Hungarians made it clear that they chose peace over war.



Orban said the election result reinforced the governments pro-peace policy, vowing that the government would use the mandate given to it by voters to redouble its efforts to keep Hungary out of the war.



To sum up the results of the European parliamentary election, we can send a telegram to Brussels that reads Migration stop, gender stop, war stop, Soros stop, Brussels stop,' Orban said.



With 83.57% of the vote counted, Fidesz was set to gain 11 EP seats, with Peter Magyars Tisza party capturing 7 seats, the left-wing opposition alliance 2 mandates and the Our Homeland Movement a single seat.



With 95.64% of the vote counted, the result of the Budapest mayoral election gave the incumbent, Gergely Karacsony, a razor-thin lead.



Dobrev Laments 'Disappointing Result'

Klara Dobrev, the list-leading MEP candidate of the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK), Socialist and Dialogue-Greens parties, called the outcome of Hungarys European parliamentary and local elections disappointing, at a ballot-watch early on Monday.



Dobrev said they had thought that their policies would convince more people.



She said three of the four parties that would be representing Hungary in the EP were right wing and they envision a very different Europe to the one we do.



She said they still believed that a strong Europe could guarantee prosperity to Hungarians in their everyday lives.



Dobrev said that over the coming months and years DK would aim to convince more and more people that they could only prosper in a strong Europe, arguing that Hungary would be crippled by a weakened Europe.



Ferenc Gyurcsany, DKs leader, said the elections had significantly reshaped the Hungarian political map, adding that the reasons behind this and its consequences would be discussed in depth in the coming days and weeks.



He said it was disappointing that DK would have fewer MEPs than they had wanted, but the European idea we represent wont change.



Toroczkai: Four Political Forces to Decide Hungary's Direction from 2026

The four political forces that remain standing after the 2024 European parliamentary and local elections will be the ones to decide Hungarys fate, the leader of the Our Homeland Movement said in the early hours of Monday.



Laszlo Toroczkai told a press conference before the final results were published that it was clear his radical party had achieved its main goal of winning a seat in the European Parliament.



Concerning his partys performance in the local elections, he said Our Homeland appeared to be the second strongest party outside the capital, arguing that the party was in second place in several county assemblies.



Donath: 'We Will Continue to Build'

The Momentum party will continue to build, Anna Donath, the leader of the partys EP election list, said in Budapest early on Monday, adding that Momentum had won seats in all but one of the county assemblies, with over 20 percent in Pest county.



Assessing the results of Sundays local and European parliamentary elections, Donath noted that Momentum also won a number of mayoral seats, in the 6th, 8th and 14th districts of Budapest, as well as in several rural localities.



She thanked the 120,000 voters for their support in the European parliamentary elections, in which Momentum failed to reach the parliamentary threshold, adding that Momentum would carry on its work because it has pledged to represent them.



Results for Budapest Mayoral Election with 100.00% of Votes Counted

The National Election Office said on Monday morning that candidates for Budapest mayor have garnered the following percentage of votes with 100% of the votes counted.



Gergely Karacsony for the Democratic Coalition-Socialists-Dialogue-Greens leads with 47.53% (371,467 votes).



David Vitezy representing the For Budapest with David Vitezy-LMP-Greens comes second with 47.49% (371,143 votes).



Dr, Andras Grundtner for the Our Homeland Movement is placed third with 4.98% (38,943 votes).



More:

National Election Office

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Gergely Karacsony has won the election for Budapest mayor, the National Election Committee (NVB) confirmed after a recount of the invalid votes cast in the recent municipal elections, on Friday evening.

In last Sundays election, Karacsony garnered 371,466 votes and David Vitezy 371,142.



Vitezy appealed against the municipal election offices results referring to a high number of invalid votes, and the body ordered a recount.



NVB head Robert Sasvari said on Friday evening that the recount had resulted in another 112 valid votes for Karacsony and 395 for Vitezy, with Karacsony winning the election with 41 votes.



NVBs decision is appealable in the supreme court. Meanwhile, Karacsony called for a new election after the recount insisting on his earlier position despite the result favouring him, arguing that the whole process has been infinitely manipulative, full of political misleading, tricks, and wire-tapping.



All that undermines peoples trust in democracy has been committed  if we want to repair that, we need a new election, a new vote with the same candidates, he said.



The incumbent mayor said he would appeal for legal remedy in connection with the recount and request calling a new election.



Karacsony Submits Proposal to Repeat Election to Top Court

Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony on Monday submitted a proposal to the Kuria, Hungarys supreme court, initiating that the results of the Budapest local election be annulled and the election repeated in the entire city.



Karacsony, who won the June 9 election by 41 votes after a recount at the request of his closest rival, David Vitezy, said on Facebook that he had submitted the proposal, adding that a politician  requesting repeat elections after he has won is unusual.



During the recount, nearly half of constituencies delivered the ballots irregularly, and many constituencies opened the ballot boxes without the members of the election committee present, Karacsony said.



Im not saying abuse has actually occurred; Im saying legislative guarantees on excluding abuse have been breached.



Guarantees to exclude election fraud are one of the most important safeguards of democracy. I have a responsibility to stand up for the protection of these guarantees, he said.



Meanwhile, reacting to Karacsonys initiative, Vitezy said in a Facebook post that if the court did not approve it, then the incumbent could resign and open the way for a new election to be held at any time.



He also said every candidate had the right to appeal the outcome.



Vitezy Calls Recount of Invalid Votes 'Thorough, Justified'

The recount of invalid votes cast in the Budapest mayoral election at the June 9 municipal elections was meticulous and justified, David Vitezy, incumbent mayor Gergely Karacsonys contender, said on Friday evening.



In Sundays election, Karacsony garnered 371,466 votes and David Vitezy 371,142. Vitezy appealed against the municipal election offices results referring to a high number of invalid votes, and the election committee NVB ordered a recount.



After the announcement on Karacsonys winning the Budapest mayoral election, Vitezy thanked the election office for its work and congratulated the incumbent mayor on winning the ballot.



However in a statement, Vitezy referred to serious problems around counting votes which he said could even call for a recount of valid votes not yet recounted.



Vitezy also responded to Karacsonys calling for a new election in the whole of Budapest despite Fridays recount turning out in his favour, with the mayor claiming that the whole process has been infinitely manipulative, full of political misleading, tricks, and wire-tapping.



Vitezy said he was ready to face the challenge. He noted the appeal he had submitted against the result of the election in two districts led by the Democratic Coalition, claiming that voters had been deliberately misled in those districts.



Vitezy said that whatever would be the outcome of the legal proceedings still pending, he would accept the final official binding results of the elections, once declared.



Earlier:



David Vitezy Initiates Recount of Invalid Votes for Budapest Mayoral Election



David Vitezy, the runner-up at Sundays local election for Budapest mayor, said on Wednesday that he initiated a recount of invalid votes cast at the ballot. Vitezy, a candidate of opposition LMP and the With David Vitezy for Budapest Association, told a press conference that he believed a systemic error had been made, as demonstrated by the record 24,592 invalid votes.



Reports on invalid ballots have arrived from 200 constituencies, he added. He said that following the withdrawal of Alexandra Szentkiralyis candidacy for Budapest mayor there was no standard directive on how her name should be crossed over on election slips.



He said that Szentkiralyis name was crossed over very lightly in the 7th and 4th districts and the number of invalid votes was higher than average in these districts.



Under election law, a vote remains valid even if Szentkiralyis name is marked by the voter on the election slip if another name is also marked on the same slip, he said.



He added that he was not raising the suspicion of intentional irregularities having been committed, but insisted that there had been a systemic error.



If a recount is not carried out, the resulting uncertainty would undermine the legitimacy of the mayor, he said.



Results for Budapest Mayoral Election with 100.00% of Votes Counted

The National Election Office said on Monday morning that candidates for Budapest mayor have garnered the following percentage of votes with 100% of the votes counted.



Gergely Karacsony for the Democratic Coalition-Socialists-Dialogue-Greens leads with 47.53% (371,467 votes).



David Vitezy representing the For Budapest with David Vitezy-LMP-Greens comes second with 47.49% (371,143 votes).



Dr, Andras Grundtner for the Our Homeland Movement is placed third with 4.98% (38,943 votes).



Metropolitan Election CTTEE Confirms Mayoral Election Results

The Metropolitan election committee (FVB) announced on Monday that the incumbent mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karacsony, has been elected with 371,466 votes.



The committee said there were 806,142 stamped ballots in ballot boxes of which 24,592 were invalid and 781,550 were valid.



David Vitezy (With David Vitezy for Budapest-LMP-Greens) had 371,142 votes while Andras Grundtner (Our Homeland Movement) received 38,942 votes.



The committees decision is not binding and can be appealed within three days if a breach of the law can be cited.



It is then that the National Election Committee would examine new facts and evidence.



Vitezy Vows to Request Recount of Votes

David Vitezy, the runner-up in the recent election for Budapest mayor, has said his team will submit a request to recount the votes before the Thursday appeal deadline.



Vitezy, supported by LMP-Greens and the With David Vitezy for Budapest association, garnered 47.49% (371,142 votes), while Gergely Karacsony, the incumbent mayor, had 47.53% (371,466 votes).



Vitezy said on Facebook that the number of invalid votes were 76 times as much as the difference between his votes and those cast for Karacsony.



He insisted it was a democratic minimum to complete a recount, insisting that reports in connection with the handling of the invalid votes had been systematically thwarted. He added that his team would provide evidence.



Vitezy said he would accept the authorities decision whatever the outcome, adding that if Karacsonys win were to be officially confirmed, he would congratulate him.



As reported earlier:



Budapest 'Set to Remain A Republic', Says Mayor - Vitezy Calls for Ballots to Be Recounted



It looks like Budapest will remain a republic and wont become a publicly traded company, Gergely Karacsony, the citys mayor said early.



Theres still a few percents worth of uncertainty, but  though the result is close  it looks like Budapest will remain a republic and wont become a publicly traded company, Karacsony, the joint candidate of the Dialogue-Greens, Democratic Coalition and Socialist parties, said at City Hall Park.



He thanked the Budapest residents who voted in the election and those who supported him in fighting the battle he said he was fighting for the city.



Karacsony said he knew there would still be a bit of see-sawing before the outcome was made final, but he believed that Budapest would remain a diverse and free city exercising solidarity.



Vitezy Calls for Budapest Mayoral Ballots to Be Recounted



The ballots for Budapest mayor will be recounted, so no final result will be forthcoming in the early hours of Monday, David Vitezy, the candidate of LMP-Greens and the For Budapest with David Vitezy Association said in Budapest after the local and EP elections.



According to the website of the National Election Office, some 22,000 ballots were invalid, hindering both candidates in clinching a convincing majority, Vitezy said, adding that he had tried to discuss the issue with his main competitor, the incumbent Gergely Karacsony, but couldnt reach him on the phone.



With 99.26% of the vote counted, Vitezy had 47.49% of the vote, while Karacsony, the candidate of the Dialogue  Greens-Socialist-Democratic Coalition parties, had 47.52%.



Vitezy said the results showed that Budapest had a vibrant democracy.



He said that although who would end up being mayor was uncertain, the result is a huge success for us  because it shows that it was worthwhile campaigning with programmes, a vision of Budapest and with issues impacting its inhabitants, he said.



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New Delhi: Fintech firm One97 Communications, owner of Paytm brand, is laying off an undisclosed number of employees and claimed that it is providing outplacement support for their smooth transition, according to a company statement.

Paytm's sales employee headcount in March 2024 quarter dropped by about 3,500 to 36,521 personnel on a quarter-on-quarter basis, mainly due the impact of the Reserve Bank of India's ban on services of Paytm Payments Bank.

"One97 Communications Limited (OCL) is providing outplacement support to employees which have resigned as a part of the restructuring efforts by the company.

"The company's human resource teams are actively collaborating with over 30 companies that are currently hiring, and providing assistance to employees who have opted to share their information, facilitating their immediate outplacement," the company said on Monday.

Paytm, however, did not not disclose the number of employees impacted by the restructuring.

"Paytm is also disbursing bonuses which were due to employees, ensuring fairness and transparency in the process," the statement said.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had barred Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL), an associate of Paytm, from accepting deposits, credit transactions or top-ups in any customer accounts, wallets, and FASTags, keeping in view the interest of customers, including merchants from March 15 onwards.

Paytm has reported widening of loss to Rs 550 crore in January-March 2024, following the ban imposed by RBI on transactions related to its payments bank.

The company had posted a loss of Rs 167.5 crore in the same period a year ago.

"As part of its FY24 earnings release, One97 Communications stated that it will be pruning its non-core business lines, and will continue its efforts to maintain a leaner organisation structure through AI-led interventions. The company has been actively working towards driving profitability, in line with its guidance," the statement said.
New Delhi: Days after the National Democratic Alliance returned to power after securing a majority in the Lok Sabha election, 71 MPs took an oath as ministers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi. Out of 71 ministers, Haryana is represented by three ministers including, Manohar Lal Khattar, Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gurjar.

You might wonder why the saffron party gave 3 posts to Haryana despite losing the polls on half of the seats. The party has secured only five Lok Sabha seats out of 10 this election. This is a big setback for the BJP since the party had bagged all 10 seats during the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

BJP's Key Strategy For Haryana

On Sunday, during the swearing-in ceremony, three ministers from Haryana were inducted into the Modi 3.0 cabinet despite winning just five seats. Selecting three out of five MPs shows that the BJP is concerned about its performance in the state and wants to damage control.

The loss of five seats is a clear indicator that people are upset with the Modi government on certain issues including the farmers' protest. There can be a reason why Haryana didn't trust the BJP. The farmers were already against the BJP when the ruling party brought now-scrapped farm laws. Now, a recent protest by farmers ahead of the Lok Sabha polls may have been attributed to the anger against the BJP. The coming together of the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress may have also aided the BJP's misery in the state.

Haryana is all set to conduct assembly polls later this year and reportedly it can be a major reason that the party has decided to choose three ministers from Haryana. The BJP is already below the majority mark in the Haryana assembly and is running the government with the help of independents. The upcoming state assembly elections will also be the test of new CM Nayab Singh Saini's organisational skill and political acumen in the state.
A total of 72 MPs have taken oath as Union Ministers in the newly inducted cabinet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. One of them is BL Verma- a former Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) agent who rose to prominence within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and eventually became a minister in Narendra Modi's government. This journey from a modest professional background to a significant political figure underscores the transformative potential of dedication, strategic acumen, and unwavering loyalty. Verma's ascent is not just a personal triumph but also a testament to the intricate and often surprising pathways of political careers in India.

The Rise of BL Verma

BL Verma's political journey began in the Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh, where he was born and raised. His early years were marked by a typical rural upbringing, deeply rooted in the values and traditions of his community. However, it was his affiliation with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1979 that set the stage for his future political endeavors. The RSS, known for its disciplined approach and nationalist ideology, provided Verma with a platform to engage in grassroots activities and hone his organizational skills.

From LIC Agent to Politician

Before immersing himself fully in politics, Verma worked as an LIC agent, a role that brought him into close contact with various strata of society. This experience not only enhanced his understanding of the socio-economic challenges faced by ordinary citizens but also helped him build a network of contacts and supporters. His transition from an LIC agent to a political leader was facilitated by his growing involvement with the RSS and the BJP, where his dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed.

Joining the RSS in 1979

Verma's association with the RSS in 1979 marked a turning point in his life. The organization, known for its emphasis on discipline and service, provided him with a robust ideological foundation and a network of like-minded individuals committed to the cause of nation-building. His active participation in RSS activities laid the groundwork for his future roles within the BJP, as he gradually took on more responsibilities and leadership positions.

Roles in BJP

Over the years, Verma's political career within the BJP saw a steady rise. In 1980, shortly after joining the BJP, he was appointed as the General Secretary of the BJP district youth committee. This early responsibility allowed him to demonstrate his organizational abilities and commitment to the party's ideals. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he held various positions, each contributing to his growing stature within the party. His roles ranged from district-level leadership to significant state-level positions, reflecting the trust and confidence placed in him by the party leadership.

Ministerial Roles

Verma's first significant ministerial role came in 2012 when he joined the Union Cabinet. His portfolio included critical areas such as cooperation and the development of the North Eastern Region, highlighting the trust placed in him by the party leadership. His work in these areas was marked by a focus on inclusive development and regional integration, aligning with the broader objectives of the Modi government. His reappointment in Modi 3.0 as a Minister of State underscores his continued importance within the cabinet and the strategic role he plays in the party's plans.

Association with Kalyan Singh

One of the pivotal influences on Verma's career was his association with Kalyan Singh, a prominent BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Verma's close relationship with Singh, known for his leadership of the Lodhi community, provided him with invaluable mentorship and political insights. When Singh left the BJP to form the Rashtriya Kranti Party, Verma followed him, serving as the state president of the new party. This loyalty and commitment were rewarded when he returned to the BJP with Singh, eventually becoming the state vice president.

Influence Among Lodhi Voters

Verma's leadership and influence are particularly significant within the Lodhi community, a substantial voter base in Uttar Pradesh. His ability to mobilize support among Lodhi voters has been a critical factor in the BJP's electoral strategies in the region. This influence was further cemented after the death of Kalyan Singh, as Verma emerged as a key leader within the community. His role in maintaining and expanding this support base is seen as crucial for the BJP's electoral prospects in the state.

Second Term in the Cabinet

The decision to reappoint Verma in Modi's cabinet for a second consecutive term highlights his strategic importance to the party. This move was particularly significant following the BJP's loss of the Lok Sabha seat in Badaun, as it ensured continued representation and influence for the region at the national level. Verma's reappointment reflects the party's confidence in his ability to deliver and his critical role in their broader political strategy.

Strategic Importance

Verma's inclusion in the Modi cabinet is not merely symbolic but a strategic decision aimed at strengthening the party's position in Uttar Pradesh. His leadership within the OBC and Lodhi communities is seen as vital for the BJP's efforts to consolidate its support base and prepare for future electoral battles. This strategic importance is underscored by his involvement in planning and executing the party's strategies for the upcoming assembly elections in 2027.

BJP's Performance in Elections

The BJP's performance in recent elections, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, has had its share of challenges and triumphs. Verma's role in these electoral battles has been significant, both in terms of mobilizing support and providing strategic insights. His reappointment to the cabinet is a recognition of his contributions and an indication of the critical role he is expected to play in future elections.

Challenges and Achievements

Like any political leader, Verma's journey has been marked by both challenges and achievements. From navigating the complexities of party politics to addressing the needs and aspirations of his constituents, his career reflects a blend of resilience and adaptability. His achievements, particularly in terms of policy implementation and community mobilization, have been noteworthy, contributing to his reputation as a dedicated and effective leader.

BJP's Future Plans

Looking ahead, Verma's role in the BJP's future plans is expected to be significant. His strategic insights and leadership abilities will be crucial as the party prepares for the upcoming assembly elections and other political challenges. His ability to mobilize support and build alliances will continue to be a key asset for the party.

Conclusion

BL Verma's journey from an LIC agent to a minister in Modi's government is a compelling narrative of dedication, strategic acumen, and the transformative potential of political engagement. His rise within the BJP, marked by significant roles and responsibilities, underscores his importance to the party and his influence within the Lodhi community. As the BJP navigates the complexities of Indian politics, leaders like Verma will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the party's future and its efforts to achieve its political objectives.

FAQs

Who is BL Verma?

BL Verma is a BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh who has served as a minister in Narendra Modi's government. He is known for his association with the RSS and his leadership within the Lodhi community.

What was BL Verma's profession before entering politics?

Before entering politics, BL Verma worked as an LIC agent.

When did BL Verma join the RSS?

BL Verma joined the RSS in 1979.

What roles has BL Verma held in the BJP?

Verma has held various roles in the BJP, including General Secretary of the BJP district youth committee, State Minister, regional president of Braj, and state vice president.

What is BL Verma's influence among Lodhi voters?

BL Verma is a significant leader within the Lodhi community, and his influence is seen as crucial for the


A total of 72 ministers took oath on Sunday after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was 32 seats short of the Lok Sabha majority, reached a quick consensus with its coalition just four days after the Lok Sabha results were announced. However, the cabinet berths are yet to be allocated, with special attention given to N Chandrababu Naidu's TDP and Nitish Kumar's JDU, both of whom reportedly want to claim the position of Lok Sabha Speaker.

The Speaker's position becomes vacant right before the new Lok Sabha (the lower house of India's Parliament) meets for the first time. Afterward, the Lok Sabha elects a permanent Speaker with a simple majority vote. In the last two Lok Sabhas, where the BJP had a majority, Sumitra Mahajan and Om Birla served as the Speakers.

The TDP's GMC Balayogi was the Speaker during Atal Bihari Vajpayees tenure as Prime Minister under the NDA coalition. The TDP might refer to this to claim the Speakers position. Meanwhile, the JD(U) also wants this role because its President, Nitish Kumar, has previously accused the BJP of trying to break up his party after he left the NDA only to rejoin before the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

A Speaker is responsible for running a house in a non-partial manner despite being a representative of a particular party. The Speaker becomes the principal spokesperson and interpreter of the House's rules, holding significant authority over proceedings and disqualification matters under the anti-defection law, according to the constitution.

The Speaker is seen as a ceremonial figure in cases where the ruling party holds the majority mandates. However, in coalition governments, the role becomes crucial as the non-partisan nature of the position becomes mandatory.

Usually, the ruling alliance gets the Speaker's position, and the opposition gets the deputy Speaker's role, though this isn't required by any rule.

G.V. Mavalankar of the Indian National Congress (INC) served as the first Speaker of an independent India. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy of the Janata Party became the first non-Congress Speaker, though he held the position briefly. After being elected Speaker of the fourth Lok Sabha, Reddy resigned from the Congress.

Others, like PA Sangma, Somnath Chatterjee, and Meira Kumar, did not formally resign but asserted that they represented the entire House rather than a single party.
In the early hours of Saturday, IndiGo flight 5053, arriving from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport (IDR), was landing on Runway 27 while Air India flight 657 was still in the process of taking off for Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV). Both flights involved Airbus A320neo aircraft. The close timing of the landing and take-off created a hazardous situation that could have resulted in a major accident. In today's DNA, Pratyush Khare analyses the near-miss accident.

Taking place at the Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, it seems like the planes are performing stunts. In the video, you will see these planes appearing far apart, but their distance is only a matter of seconds. Here, Indigo and Air India flights are landing and taking off on the same runway.

Now, imagine if the first plane had delayed its take-off by a few seconds, both flights could have collided. A major accident could have happened. The Indigo plane had landed in Mumbai from Indore, and the Air India plane was taking off for Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has two runways, but only one runway can operate at a time because the two runways cross each other. More than 1,000 flights operate from these two runways every day. That means that every one and a half minutes, either a plane is taking off or landing. The constant use of only two runways and the high number of flights always pose a risk of accidents.

After the incident of two planes approaching the same runway at the same time, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has started an investigation into the matter. Additionally, an Air Traffic Control officer has been suspended.
New Delhi: After leading the BJP as its national president for more than four years, J P Nadda was on Monday allocated the portfolio of Union Health Ministry and Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, a day after he took oath as a cabinet minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government.

In the Modi 2.0, both the ministries were led by Mansukh Mandaviya.

Nadda thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his induction into the Cabinet and said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) will make every effort to ensure better healthcare infrastructure and facilities, ensuring no one is left behind in receiving better treatment.

"Grateful to Hon. PM Shri @narendramodi ji for trusting me with the roles of Minister of Health and Family Welfare, and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers. Modi 3.O is steadfastly committed to the welfare of the people. In line with this, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) will make every effort to ensure better healthcare infrastructure and facilities, ensuring no one is left behind in receiving better treatment. Additionally, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers will contribute to every extent to realizing PM Modi ji's vision of 'Viksit Bharat'," Nadda wrote on X.

Nadda had held the same portfolio in the Modi government's first term before he took over as the BJP's working president in 2019 and became the full-fledged party president in January 2020 after Amit Shah was appointed as the Union home minister.

Nadda's term as the BJP president had ended in January. He was given a six-month extension to oversee the Lok Sabha 2024 elections. His term ends in June.

The 63-year old is the sole representative from Himachal Pradesh in the BJP-led government.

He served as the Union health minister in Modi government's first term from November 9, 2014 to May 30, 2019.

Nadda, who holds a degree in law, started his political journey with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the students' wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He became the president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the BJP's youth wing, in 1991.

He held various key positions in the BJP, headed its election campaign in a host of states -- from Bihar to Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra and Punjab. He also served as a minister in BJP's governments in his home state of Himachal Pradesh.

Nadda was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2012 and made a member of the BJP's parliamentary board in 2014 when Amit Shah took over as the party president.

After the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Nadda was made the BJP's working president. He was later elevated to the position of BJP president in January 2020 after Shah, the then BJP chief, was appointed as the Union home minister.

Nadda took over as the BJP chief at a time when the party was witnessing vigorous challenges from a united opposition in the assembly elections in several states amid signs that it needed to rework its electoral strategy.

Despite its overwhelming win in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP suffered several defeats in the assembly polls since 2018, except in Haryana where it formed a government in an alliance with the Jannayak Janta Party.

The BJP won new allies and strung up a series of impressive assembly wins on Nadda's watch. During his term as the BJP chief, the party consolidated its strongholds and expanded its footprints despite some occasional setbacks.

With his term coming to an end in June, the low-key leader from Himachal Pradesh would have liked to demit office on the high of having achieved yet another impressive Lok Sabha polls win but the BJP's victory in the just-concluded general elections came with reduced numbers.

The party fell short of a majority on its own as it won just 240 seats. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 293 seats, setting the course for a third consecutive term for Modi as the prime minister despite the opposition's resurgence.

He enjoys warm relations with Modi, who was for a long time in charge of the party's affairs in Himachal Pradesh.

Besides, Anupriya Patel of the Apna Dal (S) and Shiv Sena MP Prataprao Jadhav have been made the Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare.

Patel has also been made the Minister of State for Health and Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers.

She had served as the Minister of State for Health from 2016-2019. Patel, 43, has served as Minister of State for Commerce and Industry since 2021 in Modi government 2.0.

She defeated Samajwadi Party's Ramesh Chand Bind by a margin of 37,810 votes in Mirzapur parliamentary seat of Uttar Pradesh.

Patel-led Apna Dal (S) contested this election in an alliance with the BJP-led NDA. Patel has won from Mirzapur for the third consecutive time as an NDA candidate.

Earlier, she won the election from Mirzapur in 2014 and 2019.

64-year-old Jadhav won his fourth consecutive term from the Buldhana Lok Sabha constituency. Jadhav emerged victorious in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Buldhana after he secured over 3.9 lakh votes.

He served as MLA for three terms from the district between 1995 and 2009.

With a 71 per cent attendance in the Parliament, Jadhav has participated in several debates and discussions in the lower house.
Modi 3.0 Cabinet Ministers: The day after Chirag Paswan, leader of the Lok Janashakti Party (LJP), was sworn in as a cabinet minister, he reinforced his claim as his father's rightful successor by securing the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, a position previously held by his late father, Ram Vilas Paswan. The Hajipur MP expressed satisfaction with the Cabinet berth; he is set to lead. Paswan said, "I am happy and satisfied with the responsibility given to me by my Prime Minister.

Highlighting that the role aligns with whatever he pointed out in his manifesto, Paswan said, I have been given the responsibility of a department, which I had also mentioned in my vision document. Ours is an agricultural country, so it is very important that the processing, packaging, and marketing of what the farmers produce are good. This will not only provide employment opportunities in large numbers in the country, but the future belongs to this department, reported ANI.

Chirag voiced his forward vision from his ministry and said, Today is the time of processing; I think it has a huge scope in India, and it will contribute greatly to the development of the country.

#WATCH | On being made the Minister of Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan says, "I will fulfil whatever responsibility has been given to me by the Prime Minister and I have been given the responsibility of a department which I had also mentioned in my vision document... pic.twitter.com/3tEEhuLfrL  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2024

Tracing Chirag Paswans Rise

Performing well for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Paswans LJP bagged all five seats allocated to the party during the Lok Sabha elections and maintained a 100% strike rate. The party faced numerous challenges after Ram Vilass demise, who also swept all six seats it contested in the 2029 general elections.

The tension escalated in June 2021 when Chirag's uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras, staged an overnight coup to remove Chirag from an important party role and secure a place in Modi's cabinet. Following this, Chirag found himself thrust into the political wilderness, struggling to regain his footing.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP recognised Chirag's strong support from the public and gave him five important seats as part of their coalition agreement. The NDA left the Paras faction despite having support from four MPs.

LJP (RV) fielded its candidates in Hajipur, Vaishali, Samastipur, Khagaria, and Jamui.
As of June 2024, global markets present a mixed landscape with U.S. services showing resilience and manufacturing sectors under pressure, reflecting a complex economic environment. Amid these conditions, dividend stocks continue to attract attention for their potential to offer investors steady income streams in a fluctuating market. In this context, understanding the fundamentals that underpin strong dividend stockssuch as stable earnings, solid management, and a history of payout consistencyis crucial for investors seeking reliable returns in uncertain times.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Allianz (XTRA:ALV) 5.28%  Guaranty Trust Holding (NGSE:GTCO) 8.01%  Business Brain Showa-Ota (TSE:9658) 3.65%  Mitsubishi Shokuhin (TSE:7451) 3.59%  HITO-Communications HoldingsInc (TSE:4433) 3.55%  Ryoyu Systems (TSE:4685) 3.51%  FALCO HOLDINGS (TSE:4671) 6.74%  Kwong Lung Enterprise (TPEX:8916) 5.92%  Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (SWX:BCVN) 4.47%  Innotech (TSE:9880) 4.06% 

Click here to see the full list of 1947 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener.

Let's dive into some prime choices out of from the screener.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Abitare In S.p.A. operates in real estate development with a market capitalization of approximately 137.35 million.

Operations: Abitare In S.p.A. generates its revenue primarily from residential and commercial home building activities, totaling 228.58 million.

Dividend Yield: 7.2%

Abitare In (ABT) recently initiated dividend payouts, making its dividend history brief and uncertain in terms of reliability and growth. However, the dividends are well-supported with a payout ratio of 40.9% and a cash payout ratio of 9.1%, suggesting sustainability from both earnings and cash flow perspectives. Despite this positive aspect, ABT's high level of debt could pose risks to future dividend stability. Additionally, significant insider selling over the past three months may raise concerns about its near-term prospects.

BIT:ABT Dividend History as at Jun 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Harbour-Link Group Berhad, an investment holding company, engages in shipping, marine services, logistics, engineering, and construction across Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Brunei with a market capitalization of approximately MYR 685.55 million.

Operations: Harbour-Link Group Berhad generates revenue primarily through its Shipping and Marine segment (MYR 587.07 million), Integrated Logistics (MYR 332.66 million), Investment Holding (MYR 85.09 million), Engineering (MYR 39.78 million), and Property Development (MYR 9.09 million).

Dividend Yield: 3.3%

Harbour-Link Group Berhad has experienced a decrease in net profit margin from 17.4% to 8.7% over the past year, indicating reduced profitability. Despite this, the company maintains a low price-to-earnings ratio of 8.8x, below the Malaysian market average of 17.2x, suggesting potential value. Dividend reliability remains a concern due to historical volatility and an overall unstable track record over the past decade. However, dividends are reasonably covered by both earnings (28.9%) and cash flows (41.8%), supporting current payout levels despite a dividend yield (3.3%) that is lower than top market performers.

KLSE:HARBOUR Dividend History as at Jun 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: LBS Bina Group Berhad is a Malaysian investment holding company that operates in property development, construction, hospitality, retail, and tourism sectors primarily in Malaysia and China, with a market capitalization of approximately MYR 1.08 billion.

Operations: LBS Bina Group Berhad generates revenue through various segments, with property development being the most significant at MYR 1.71 billion, followed by construction and trading at MYR 818.17 million, management and investment at MYR 151.89 million, motor racing circuit at MYR 23.35 million, and hotel operations contributing MYR 10.28 million.

Dividend Yield: 3.5%

LBS Bina Group Berhad trades at 64.3% below its estimated fair value and has shown a 20.1% annual earnings growth over the past five years, with forecasts predicting further growth of 6.8% annually. Despite this, dividend reliability is questionable due to volatility and an unstable track record over the past decade. Recent increases in dividends, including a final single-tier dividend announced for FY 2023, indicate some positive movement, but with a current yield of 3.46%, it remains low compared to top Malaysian dividend payers at 4.38%. Dividends are well-covered by both earnings (34.8% payout ratio) and cash flows (10.2% cash payout ratio).

KLSE:LBS Dividend History as at Jun 2024

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include BIT:ABTKLSE:HARBOUR KLSE:LBS and

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Modi 3.0: In the first meeting under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Union Cabinet on Monday approved government assistance for the construction of three crore houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

This was the inaugural meeting of the Modi 3.0 government's Union Cabinet after the oath-taking ceremony yesterday. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister's home at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. Ministers from every NDA ally attended the conference.

"It has been decided in the Cabinet meeting today to provide assistance to three crore additional rural and urban households for the construction of houses to meet the housing requirements arising out of the increase in the number of eligible families," officials said.

The government of India is implementing the PMAY since 2015-16 to provide assistance to eligible rural and urban households for the construction of houses with basic amenities. Under PMAY, a total of 4.21 crore houses have been completed for the eligible poor families under the housing schemes in the last 10 years. All the houses constructed under PMAY are provided basic amenities like household toilets, LPG connection, electricity connection and functional household tap connection through convergence with other schemes of the central and state governments.
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed two senior leaders including Union Minister Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav as its central observers tasked with overseeing the appointment of the Chief Minister of Odisha.

The BJP's National General Secretary Arun Singh announced on Sunday through the official release.

"The Parliamentary Board of the Bharatiya Janata Party has appointed Mr. Rajnath Singh, Union Minister, Government of India, and Mr. Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister, Government of India, as central observers for the election of the leader of the party's legislative assembly in Odisha," the release read, ANI reported.

However, both the BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav took oath as Cabinet Ministers on June 9 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Earlier, BJP spokesperson and also in charge of the oath-taking ceremony Dillip Mohanty said that the swearing-in ceremony of the New Chief Minister of Odisha will be going held on June 12. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be present during the swearing-in ceremony.

"The oath-taking ceremony of the new Chief Minister of the newly-elected BJP Government in Odisha will now be held on June 12. PM Modi will be present for the oath ceremony," he said.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), BJP secured 78 seats out of 147 assembly seats while BJD won 51 seats, which is way behind the majority mark of 74. The Congress managed 14 seats in the assembly election.

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and close aide of caretaker Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, VK Pandian resigned from active politics. He made this announcement on Sunday following the party's defeat in the Odisha assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Terror Attack On Bus In J&K: Pakistan-backed The Resistance Front (TRF) has claimed responsibility for the terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi that claimed nine lives and injured 33 individuals. In a message, the TRF warned of additional attacks targeting tourists and non-locals, describing the Reasi attack as merely the beginning of a renewed start. As per reports, TRF deleted the post from the website soon after. India officially labeled The Resistance Front as a terrorist organisation in 2023.

Later, the People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), associated with JeM, posted a statement on their website condemning the incident as horrifying. They declared their opposition to attacks on civilians and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of orchestrating the act.

Security has been on high alert in the region, and a massive search operation has been launched to track down the terrorists.

As the bus was returning from the Shiv Khori shrine to Katra, the base camp of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, terrorists hiding in the nearby forest ambushed the vehicle and opened fire. A bullet struck the driver, causing him to lose control and the bus to roll down the gorge. The attack resulted in the deaths of both the driver and the conductor.
Gangtok: Sikkim Krantikari Morcha supremo Prem Singh Tamang took oath as the Chief Minister of the Himalayan state for a second consecutive term on Monday.

Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Prem Singh Tamang and his Council of Ministers during the swearing-in ceremony at Paljor Stadium.

Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) won 31 out of the 32 seats, thus sweeping the assembly polls in the Himalayan state while the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) was confined to a lone seat.

Tamang described the party's victory as a 'record' as the state reportedly witnessed the most peaceful election of Sikkim and thanked all who favoured the party's return to power.

"In 5 years, we will fulfil all the announcements that we made at the time of the elections. I would like to thank all my workers, they worked hard. I would also like to thank the public. This is the most peaceful election of Sikkim, this is a record," he said.

Tamang won the elections from the Rhenock Assembly seat defeating SDF's Som Nath Poudyal by over 7,396 votes.

The polling for 32 assembly seats in Sikkim was held on April 19 in the first phase simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections.

This is the third time, Sikkim has witnessed a landslide victory of a political party as similar results were drawn by Sikkim Sangram Parishad and SDF in 1989 and 2009 respectively.

In the 2019 assembly elections, the SKM won 17 seats, while the SDF secured 15 seats out of the 32 seats. SKM won 10 seats in 2014 as it faced its first assembly elections.

Interestingly, SKM had in 2019 joined hands with the BJP-led NDA ahead of the assembly elections but ultimately severed ties and fought the 2019 assembly polls alone.

Earlier, Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister of India for his third successive term on Sunday at an impressive ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan which is being attended by leaders from India's neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Narendra Modi, followed by other members of his team of ministers.

Notably, PM Modi is the second Indian leader to win a third term after founding prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
New Delhi: The Indian Army has launched a search operation near Reasi districts of Jammu and Kashmir since last evening after the terrorists attacked a bus carrying pilgrims coming from Shiv Khori. Following the firing on the bus, the vehicle fell into the gorge killing at least 10 pilgrims while several others were injured.

Now, a fresh CCTV video has surfaced in which the movement of the bus and four terrorists were captured. On the other hand, Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha has called a high-level meeting with security officials in the wake of the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already called for a report from the LG. Lashkar-e-taiba top commander Abu Hamza has been reportedly involved in the terror attack.

State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has also arrived at the incident place and used drones for search operations in dense forest areas in and around the incident site.

Reasi District Commissioner Vishesh Mahajan confirmed that at least 10 people were killed and 33 others were injured in a terror attack on Sunday.

Officials informed that the bus coming from the Shiv Khori shrine to Katra was targetted by terrorists at around 06.10 pm when it reached near Pouni area of the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Terrorists opened fire, causing the driver to lose control and the bus to plunge into a gorge," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi, Mohita Sharma said, ANI reported.

The SSP further informed that the rescue operations are complete and the injured have been taken to Naraina and Reasi District hospitals.

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha condemned the terror attack and said that the JKP had launched an operation to hunt down the terrorists.

"I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on a bus in Reasi. My condolences to the family members of the martyred civilians. Our security forces and JKP have launched a joint operation to hunt down the terrorists," the LG said in a post on X.
The Supreme Court on Monday extended till August 10 the deadline to vacate Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) headquarters office in the Rouse Avenue area of Delhi as the land was allotted for the expansion of Delhi High Court's infrastructure.

A vacation bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta clarified that the extension to AAP is granted as a "last opportunity".

The bench said that the extension will be subject to the party giving an undertaking to the Supreme Court's Registry that they will vacant and hand over the peaceful possession of the property on or before August 10, 2024.

"The premises are already allotted to the Delhi High Court in 2020. The expansion of the High Court is stultified and cost expansion is also a factor. This application is for an extension of time till August 10, 2024. Considering facts and circumstances and as a last opportunity, we extend the time till August 10, 2024 on an undertaking to be given by the applicant within a week before the Registry of this court that they shall handover vacant and peaceful possession by August 10, 2024," the bench stated in its order.

The bench allowed an application filed by the AAP seeking an extension of time till August 10.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had given AAP the deadline of June 15. The AAP's headquarters in Delhi was originally allotted to the Delhi High Court.

The AAP had told the top court the said plot had been allotted to it in 2015 and it was earmarked for the judiciary only subsequently in 2020. The AAP also said that since it has a national party status now, it was entitled to a plot in Central Delhi at par with other national parties.

It directed AAP to approach the Centre's Land And Development Office (L&DO) for the allocation of suitable land for its offices.
Terrorism In Kashmir: The presence of foreign terrorists in the Pir Panjal range is a significant concern for security forces in the Poonch-Rajouri belt. Three most-wanted terrorists, including Abu Hamza, are behind all major terror attacks in the area.

In the past few months, the Rajouri-Poonch belt in the Jammu region has become a hub for terrorists. Most of the active terrorists in the entire Union Territory are foreign nationals from Pakistan. There have been multiple terror attacks in the region recently, most of which were carried out by these foreign terrorists, predominantly belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police recently released pictures of three foreign terrorists active in the Rajouri-Poonch belt. All three terrorists are of Pakistani origin and are associated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit. The first terrorist is the top commander of Lashkar, identified as Abu Hamza. The second terrorist, identified as Fauji, is said to be a former Pakistani Army commando, and the third terrorist is identified as Aadun, who has been active in the belt for the past year.

Sources in the security forces say there is a high possibility that this group was involved in the Reasi terror attack, though their involvement has not been officially confirmed. Abu Hamza, a 32-year-old Pakistani terrorist, has a bounty of one million Indian rupees on his head. He has been active in the Rajouri-Poonch belt for the past two years. Sources say that a group of terrorists, including Abu Hamza, infiltrated through the LoC and the International Border in the Jammu region. Abu Hamza has been responsible for multiple attacks in the region recently.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police stated that Abu Hamza was responsible for the attack on the convoy of the Indian Air Force on May 4. He was also the main attacker in the killing of a government employee named Mohammad Razaq on April 22 in Rajouri.

Sources in the security forces say that Abu Hamza was trained in a camp by the Pakistan Army before being sent to Jammu and Kashmir. He infiltrated with another terrorist named Fauji, who is said to be a former commando of the Pakistan Army. The entire group infiltrated together and has been actively carrying out attacks in the region.

Security forces have been hunting for these terrorists in the region, although the topography poses a significant challenge. The entire belt is a dense forest, giving terrorists an advantage to hide after these ambush attacks.

One of the major concerns for the security forces is the presence of these foreign terrorists in the Union Territory.

Jammu and Kashmir Police's DGP, R.R. Swain, recently stated that there are 70-80 foreign terrorists active in Jammu and Kashmir, and the focus of terrorism has shifted from local to foreign terrorists. The increasing number of foreign terrorists is a big challenge for the security forces, as these terrorists are well-trained in Pakistani terror camps before being sent to Jammu and Kashmir. This is particularly true in the Pir Panjal range of mountains, which five years ago was declared a terrorist-free zone by security forces. The tough terrain and dense green forests help these foreign terrorists to hide themselves safely in the same belt.
In a tragic turn of events, the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, a spiritual journey for many, became a scene of terror and chaos. On the evening of June 9, a bus carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh was attacked by terrorists in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir. The incident not only resulted in the deaths of eight people but also left 33 others injured.

Overview of the Attack

The serene journey to Vaishno Devi, a revered pilgrimage site, turned into a nightmare for a bus full of pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh. Terrorists ambushed the bus, causing it to lose control and plunge into a gorge. Eyewitnesses recall the horror of the attack and the subsequent chaos. This incident has once again highlighted the volatile security situation in the region and the constant threat of terrorism that looms over innocent lives.

Details of the Incident

The attack occurred in the Reasi district, a region already known for its security challenges. As the bus, laden with pilgrims, made its way back from the Vaishno Devi shrine, it came under heavy fire from terrorists. The driver, in a desperate bid to save lives, tried to maneuver the vehicle, but the bus eventually careened off the road and fell into a gorge. The fall, although terrifying, arguably saved many lives as it took them out of the direct line of fire.

Profiles of the Victims

Among the victims were several members of the Gupta family from Uttar Pradesh, including Devi Prasad Gupta, his wife Neelam Gupta, and their children, Palak and Prince. They were joined by other family members and friends, making the tragedy even more heart-wrenching. Their journey, intended to be a spiritual and bonding experience, was abruptly and violently disrupted.

Survivor Stories

Devi Prasad Gupta shared his traumatic experience with the media, recounting the moments of terror when the bus was attacked. He spoke of the confusion and fear that gripped everyone on board as bullets rained down on them. His recounting paints a vivid picture of the terror they experienced, highlighting the bravery and resilience of the survivors who, despite their injuries, managed to help each other in the aftermath.

Detailed Eyewitness Descriptions

Eyewitnesses described the attack with chilling clarity. One survivor mentioned seeing a masked attacker with a red scarf, a detail that underscores the calculated nature of the assault. Another pilgrim from Varanasi recounted how their bus's delayed departure might have made them an inadvertent target, adding a tragic twist to their tale.

Immediate Actions Taken

In the wake of the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was immediately briefed. He has directed that strict action be taken against the perpetrators and has ensured that aid is provided to the injured. This swift response highlights the government's commitment to addressing such incidents and providing support to the victims.

Criticisms and Condolences

Political leaders across the spectrum have expressed their condolences and criticized the security lapses that allowed such an attack to occur. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have been particularly vocal, condemning the incident and calling for better security measures in the region. Their statements reflect the broader national outrage and the demand for accountability.

Analysis of the Security Situation

This attack has once again brought the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir into sharp focus. Despite ongoing efforts to stabilize the region, incidents like these reveal the persistent threats that remain. The complexities of ensuring security in such a volatile area are immense, but the need for effective measures has never been clearer.

Efforts by Police and Military

The police and military response to the attack was swift. Senior Superintendent of Police, Reasi, Mohita Sharma, provided detailed updates on the rescue operation. Her statements highlighted the challenges faced by the forces in such situations and their relentless efforts to save lives and restore order.

Effects on Religious Travel

The attack has had a significant impact on religious travel to Vaishno Devi. Pilgrims now face heightened security concerns, which could deter many from undertaking the journey. This not only affects the spiritual lives of the devotees but also has broader implications for the local economy, which relies heavily on pilgrimage tourism.

Details of the Rescue Efforts

The rescue operations were a coordinated effort involving local authorities, police, and medical personnel. Despite the challenging terrain and the urgency of the situation, the teams managed to rescue and provide immediate medical attention to the injured. Their efforts, although commendable, also highlight the need for better preparedness in handling such emergencies.

Treatment of the Injured

The injured pilgrims received prompt medical attention, with many being treated at local hospitals. The nature of their injuries varied, with some requiring extensive medical care. The response from medical professionals has been crucial in stabilizing the victims and providing them with the necessary support to recover from their physical and psychological trauma.

National and International Reactions

The condemnation of the attack has been widespread, with both national and international leaders expressing their outrage and sympathy. This unified stance against terrorism is a powerful reminder of the global commitment to combating such threats and supporting the victims of such heinous acts.

How the Media Reported the Incident

The media coverage of the Vaishno Devi terror attack has been extensive, with news outlets providing continuous updates and in-depth analyses. This has ensured that the incident remains in the public eye, prompting discussions on security, policy responses, and the need for continued vigilance against terrorism.

PM Modis Response

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response to the attack has been firm and decisive. By ordering strict action against the perpetrators and ensuring aid for the injured, he has demonstrated the government's resolve to address the security challenges and support the victims.

Measures Taken by Local Government

Local authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have taken several measures in response to the attack. These include increased security patrols, enhanced surveillance, and efforts to support the victims and their families. These steps are critical in restoring confidence among the public and preventing future incidents.

Nationwide Outcry and Support

The attack has elicited a strong reaction from the public, with many expressing their outrage and solidarity with the victims. This nationwide outcry has been accompanied by a surge of support for the affected families, with many people contributing to relief efforts and calling for justice.

Potential Impact on Regional Security

The long-term consequences of the Vaishno Devi terror attack are significant. It underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in the region and the need for ongoing vigilance and enhanced security measures. The incident may also prompt a reevaluation of current security strategies and the implementation of more robust measures to protect civilians.

Identifying the Perpetrators

Efforts are underway to identify the terrorists responsible for the attack. Initial reports suggest that the perpetrators may belong to a known militant group operating in the region. The identification and apprehension of these individuals are crucial steps in bringing justice to the victims and preventing future attacks.

Previous Attacks in the Region

The history of terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir is long and tragic. Understanding the patterns and motivations behind these attacks can provide valuable insights into preventing future incidents and ensuring the safety of the region's residents and visitors.

Significance of the Pilgrimage Site

Vaishno Devi holds immense religious significance for millions of devotees. The attack on such a sacred site not only disrupts the spiritual lives of the pilgrims but also represents a broader assault on the cultural and religious fabric of the nation.

Steps to Prevent Future Attacks

Preventing future attacks requires a multifaceted approach, including enhanced security measures, better intelligence gathering, and community engagement. It is essential to address the root causes of terrorism and ensure that security forces are well-equipped and prepared to handle such threats.

Government and NGO Assistance

In the wake of the attack, both government agencies and non-governmental organizations have stepped in to provide assistance to the victims and their families. This support includes financial aid, counseling, and logistical help, which are vital in helping the affected individuals recover and rebuild their lives.

Use of Technology in Emergency Response

The use of technology in rescue operations and emergency response has proven invaluable. From GPS tracking to advanced communication systems, technology plays a crucial role in coordinating efforts and ensuring timely assistance to those in need.

What This Incident Teaches Us

The Vaishno Devi terror attack is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism and the need for constant vigilance. It highlights the importance of preparedness, the bravery of those who respond to such crises, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Conclusion

As the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives and prays for the recovery of the injured, it is crucial to remain united against terrorism. The Vaishno Devi terror attack has underscored the need for continued efforts to enhance security, support the victims, and ensure that such tragedies are never repeated. Through collective action and unwavering resolve, we can work towards a safer, more secure future for all.

FAQs

What happened during the Vaishno Devi terror attack?

Terrorists ambushed a bus carrying pilgrims, resulting in the deaths of eight people and injuries to 33 others. The bus lost control and fell into a gorge during the attack.

Who were the victims of the attack?

The victims included several members of the Gupta family from Uttar Pradesh, along with other pilgrims returning from the Vaishno Devi shrine.

How did the government respond to the attack?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed strict action against the perpetrators and ordered immediate aid for the injured. Local authorities also increased security measures.

What measures are being taken to prevent future attacks?

Enhanced security patrols, better intelligence gathering, and community engagement are among the steps being taken to prevent future terrorist attacks.

What impact has the attack had on religious travel to Vaishno Devi?

The attack has heightened security concerns among pilgrims, potentially deterring many from undertaking the journey and affecting the local economy.

What can we learn from the Vaishno Devi terror attack?

The incident highlights the ongoing threat of terrorism, the importance of preparedness, and the need for collective efforts to enhance security and support victims.
The harrowing attack on a bus in its way to Katra carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori temple, causing it to veer off the road and fall into a deep gorge has brought The Resistance Front (TRF), into the international spotlight. Forty-one persons were also injured in the attack. Known for their cowardly and ruthless tactics, TRF's heinous act has left an indelible scar on the hearts of many. In this detailed expose, we will unravel the origins, motives, and operations of this Pakistan-backed terror outfit, shedding light on their cowardice and the tragic impact of their violence.

Origins of The Resistance Front

Formation After Article 370 Abrogation

The Resistance Front (TRF) was born out of a turbulent political landscape. In 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, TRF emerged as an offshoot of the notorious Jihadist group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). This move was a strategic attempt to rebrand and renew their insurgency efforts under a new name, aiming to destabilize the region and challenge India's sovereignty.

Pakistan's Role in TRF's Emergence

Pakistan's involvement in nurturing TRF is undeniable. As a long-standing supporter of anti-India terrorist activities, Pakistan saw in TRF an opportunity to continue its proxy war. By providing logistical, financial, and tactical support, Pakistan ensured that TRF could carry out its nefarious activities with lethal efficiency.

TRF's Ties with Lashkar-e-Taiba

Despite its new moniker, TRF's roots remain deeply intertwined with Lashkar-e-Taiba. The leadership, training camps, and ideological underpinnings of TRF are heavily influenced by LeT. This connection ensures a continuous supply of trained militants ready to carry out terror attacks on Indian soil.

Operations and Modus Operandi

Terror Attacks Post-2019

Since its inception, TRF has orchestrated numerous attacks aimed at creating fear and chaos. The group has specifically targeted security forces, political leaders, and civilians to undermine the region's stability. The recent attack is a grim reminder of their ruthless approach.

TRF's Role in the Reasi District Attack

The cowardice exhibited by TRF in the Reasi district attack is particularly shocking. As the bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori Temple to Katra came under fire, the terrorists continued their assault even after the vehicle plunged into a gorge. Survivors recounted how the terrorists mercilessly fired at the bus, forcing passengers to feign death to survive.

Impact on Victims and Their Families

Lives Lost and Families Shattered

The attack claimed the lives of ten innocent pilgrims and left 33 others injured. The victims, hailing from various states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi, were on a spiritual journey, seeking peace and solace. The brutality of the attack has left their families devastated, grappling with grief and loss.

Survivors' Harrowing Accounts

Survivors' testimonies paint a grim picture of the attack's aftermath. They describe how the terrorists, after forcing the bus off the road, continued to fire indiscriminately. The horror of pretending to be dead while terrorists prowled around is an indelible memory for those who lived through the ordeal.

Indian Government's Response

Heightened Security Measures

In the wake of the attack, the Indian government has bolstered security in the region. A massive search operation, involving drones and forensic teams, is underway to track down the terrorists. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been tasked with probing the incident, ensuring a thorough and comprehensive investigation.

Designation of TRF as a Terrorist Organization

Recognizing the grave threat posed by TRF, the Indian government designated it as a terrorist organization in 2023. This move aims to disrupt their operations and cut off their support networks, sending a strong message that such acts of cowardice will not be tolerated.

TRF's Propaganda and Threats

Claiming Responsibility and Issuing Warnings

In a chilling message, TRF claimed responsibility for the Reasi attack, boasting of more such attacks on tourists and non-locals. Their propaganda efforts are aimed at instilling fear and asserting their presence in the region, despite the widespread condemnation of their actions.

"Renewed Start" of Violence

TRF's declaration of the Reasi attack as the "beginning of a renewed start" underscores their intent to escalate violence. Their threats are not just empty words but a clear indication of their ongoing plans to destabilize the region further.

Conclusion

The Resistance Front, with its cowardly acts of terror, has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those affected by their violence. Their attack on pilgrims is a stark reminder of the ongoing threats posed by such groups. However, the resilience and determination of the Indian government and its security forces offer hope that justice will be served, and the perpetrators will be brought to book. As we remember the victims and support their families, it is crucial to remain vigilant and united against the scourge of terrorism.

FAQs

Who are The Resistance Front (TRF)?

The Resistance Front (TRF) is a Pakistan-backed terrorist group formed in 2019 as an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). It emerged after the abrogation of Article 370, aiming to destabilize Jammu and Kashmir.

What was the Reasi district attack?

The Reasi district attack was a terrorist assault on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir. TRF claimed responsibility for the attack, which resulted in ten deaths and 33 injuries.

How has the Indian government responded to TRF?

The Indian government has designated TRF as a terrorist organization, heightened security measures in affected areas, and launched a massive search operation to hunt down the terrorists involved in the Reasi attack.

What is the relationship between TRF and Lashkar-e-Taiba?

TRF is an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). It shares leadership, training camps, and ideological foundations with LeT, benefiting from its logistical and tactical support.

What are the goals of The Resistance Front?

The primary goal of TRF is to destabilize Jammu and Kashmir by carrying out terror attacks. They aim to instill fear, disrupt peace, and challenge India's sovereignty in the region.

How have the victims' families been affected by the Reasi attack?

The families of the victims have been devastated by the loss of their loved ones. Survivors have recounted harrowing experiences, and the attack has left a lasting impact on those affected.
JP Nadda, a Rajya Sabha MP, is likely to resign from the post of the BJP president after being inducted into the Narendra Modi cabinet. Nadda had earlier served as a minister in the Modi cabinet between 2014-2019. However, he took over the helm of the party after Amit Shah relinquished the post. Now, with Nadda set to quit as per the party policy of holding one post at a time, the buzz over the new BJP president has picked up. There are multiple names doing rounds for the top post.

Earlier, it was speculated that either Amit Shah may return to the post or Dharmendra Pradhan or Shivraj Singh Chouhan may get the responsibilty as the BJP now gets to up its organisation strength in the northern states where it faced a setback in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls. As per reports, many people believe that Nadda did not perform at par with expectations as the BJP president. The saffron party's failure in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana are being seen as the failure of Nadda to sense the ground sentiments and field suitable candidates.

As per reports, the names that are still doing rounds include BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde. He is a former minister in the Maharashtra government and is known for his skills after BL Santosh. Tawde is among the front runners given that Maharashtra is a crucial state and is going to the polls later this year.

K Laxman, the BJP's OBC Morcha chief from Telangana, is being considered for a prominent role. Telangana is BJP's next focus after Andhra Pradesh, and Laxman, who has served as the BJP state president, is known for his balanced approach of being both cool and aggressive.

Another contender is Sunil Bansal, currently the general secretary in charge of West Bengal, Telangana, and Odisha. Om Mathur, a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan and a protege of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, is also in the running for the position of BJP national president. Known for his directness and amiable demeanour, Mathur has been an RSS pracharak and was previously in charge of Gujarat.

Smriti Irani, who has been dropped from the Modi cabinet after facing defeat in Amethi, is also said to be in the race as the first woman president of the BJP. Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur's name is also doing rounds for the post.
In a recent trading session, the Switzerland market displayed resilience, ending slightly higher despite a largely volatile day. The SMI index's modest uptick reflects cautious optimism among investors in the face of mixed market signals. In this context, understanding what defines a strong dividend stock becomes crucial, especially when navigating through such subtle shifts in market dynamics.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Switzerland

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Cembra Money Bank (SWX:CMBN) 5.39%  Vontobel Holding (SWX:VONN) 5.62%  Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (SWX:BCVN) 4.47%  St. Galler Kantonalbank (SWX:SGKN) 4.28%  Novartis (SWX:NOVN) 3.39%  Roche Holding (SWX:ROG) 3.96%  EFG International (SWX:EFGN) 4.20%  Julius Bar Gruppe (SWX:BAER) 5.07%  Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (SWX:BLKB) 4.72%  Helvetia Holding (SWX:HELN) 5.20% 

Click here to see the full list of 28 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener.

Let's explore several standout options from the results in the screener.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Burkhalter Holding AG specializes in providing electrical engineering services to the construction sector across Switzerland, with a market capitalization of approximately CHF 976.56 million.

Operations: Burkhalter Holding AG generates CHF 1.16 billion from its core electrical engineering services for the construction industry in Switzerland.

Dividend Yield: 4.8%

Burkhalter Holding AG offers a dividend yield of 4.84%, ranking in the top 25% of Swiss dividend payers. Despite recent growth, with earnings up 34.7% last year and forecasted to rise by 6% annually, its dividends have shown volatility over the past decade. The firm's dividends are mostly covered by earnings and cash flows, with payout ratios at 89.9% and 87.1%, respectively. However, this historical instability in payouts may raise concerns about future reliability despite current coverage levels.

SWX:BRKN Dividend History as at Jun 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: St. Galler Kantonalbank AG operates as a cantonal bank in Switzerland, offering banking products and services to local individuals and small to medium-sized businesses in the Cantons of St. Gallen, with a market capitalization of CHF 2.65 billion.

Operations: St. Galler Kantonalbank AG generates its revenue primarily through banking services tailored to individuals and small to medium-sized enterprises in the Cantons of St. Gallen.

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Dividend Yield: 4.3%

St. Galler Kantonalbank maintains a solid dividend profile with a yield of 4.28%, placing it among the top 25% of Swiss dividend payers. The dividends, consistently paid over the last decade, are supported by a reasonable payout ratio of 54.9%. Looking ahead, dividends are expected to remain well-covered by earnings with a projected payout ratio of 49.2% in three years. Additionally, the stock trades at a 23.3% discount to its estimated fair value, enhancing its attractiveness despite moderate earnings growth of 5.2% annually over the past five years and an adequate allowance for bad loans at 55%.

SWX:SGKN Dividend History as at Jun 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Swiss Re AG operates globally, offering wholesale reinsurance, insurance, and other risk transfer services, with a market capitalization of approximately CHF 33.00 billion.

Operations: Swiss Re AG generates revenue through three primary segments: Corporate Solutions at $6.06 billion, Life & Health Reinsurance at $18.09 billion, and Property & Casualty Reinsurance at $23.74 billion.

Dividend Yield: 5.4%

Swiss Re offers a dividend yield of 5.37%, ranking in the top quartile within the Swiss market. However, its dividend history has been inconsistent, with payments showing volatility and a decline over the past decade. The dividends are financially supported by a payout ratio of 53.9% and a cash payout ratio of 48.3%. Recent strategic initiatives include expanding their Connected Underwriting Life Workbench to various regions, potentially enhancing operational efficiency and underwriter productivity.

SWX:SREN Dividend History as at Jun 2024

Key Takeaways

Reveal the 28 hidden gems among our Top Dividend Stocks screener with a single click here.

Have you diversified into these companies? Leverage the power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to keep a close eye on market movements affecting your investments.

Unlock the power of informed investing with Simply Wall St, your free guide to navigating stock markets worldwide.

Curious About Other Options?

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include SWX:BRKN SWX:SGKN and SWX:SREN.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
New Delhi: Lakhs of eligible beneficiaries of Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) are waiting for the 17th installment of the flagship scheme, several important paper-works must be completed by them. One such important formality for getting the benefits of PM-KISAN scheme is completing the KYC process.

Here Is the complete guide for PM Kisan OTP based e-KYC

1. Visit this direct link: https://fw.pmkisan.gov.in/aadharekyc.aspx

2. OTP Based e-KYC will be displayed

3. Enter your valid 12-digit Aadhaar number in the box mentioned

4. Click on Search button

5. Enter your Aadhaar-registered mobile number

6. Click Get OTP button

7. Enter the OTP that you have recieved on your registered mobile number

8. Enter Submit to complete the e-KYC process



As per media reports, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana 17th installment can be expected in the month of June or July, though no official announcement has been made by the government.

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme, was launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2019, aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions. Under the Scheme, the amount of Rs 6000 per year is released in three monthly instalments of Rs 2000 each directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
New Delhi: The Tech giant Apple is hosting its 2024 edition of the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) today, June 10 and continues until June 14 at Apple Park in California. Apple is set to unveil the next-generation software for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and more.

The highly anticipated Apple WWDC event will commence live streaming at 10:30 pm IST in India. This time, generative artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to be the event's highlight. It is expected that the US-based technology giant might brand its AI features as Apple Intelligence. This could include a revamped Siri with ChatGPT-like conversational capabilities.

The Cupertino-based tech giant is set to unveil several upcoming GenAI-powered tools for various Apple products, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS.

Apple WWDC 2024 Keynote Date, Timing:

The event is likely to unveil the latest innovations across its software platforms. The Apple event is likely to start with a keynote CEO Tim Cook and other key executives like Craig Federighi. The main keynote event will begin today, June 10 at 10:30 PM IST for viewers in India.

Where To Watch Apple WWDC 2024 Event Online:

The mega event will be streamed on the Apple website, Apple TV, Apple Developer app and official YouTube channel for a global audience. You can follow below mentioned links to get the live updates of the mega event.

Link:

https://developer.apple.com/wwdc24/

YouTube Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXeOiIDNNek

X Link:

https://x.com/Apple

Here Is What To Expect From Apple WWDC 2024 Event?

AI In Operating Systems:

As per reports, Apple might get AI into its operating systems, keeping in mind its Siri --Apple's voice assistant that has been here for a decade now. News Agency IANS has reported that "Siri is rumoured to use large language models to better understand user queries and take actions within Apple's own apps. Apple may brand these AI features as 'Apple Intelligence' and integrate them across its apps."

iOS 18:

In this year's WWDC, Apple is expected to unveil iOS 18 for the iPhone along with updates to other operating systems. Apple is sharply looking to give a stiff competition to companies like Google and Microsoft in the AI space with the release of iOS 18. The new OS update is expected to bring new features and designs revolving around AI integration. It is anticipated that many of the iOS 18 features will also be included in iPadOS 18.

WatchOS 11:

The upcoming watchOS 11 might introduce new workout types and watch faces, although it may not be a major update this year.

VisionOS:

The tech giant Apple is also expected to release a new version of VisionOS, powering the VR headset.
The eight story Courthouse Place office building in downtown Fort Lauderdale is a couple blocks from the Broward County courthouse, which makes it an attractive home for the dozens of lawyers and legal services companies that rent space in the building.

It even houses a few offices for prosecutors in Browards Drug Trafficking and Economic Crimes units.

That would seem to make it an unlikely destination for money launderers to invest drug trafficking proceeds, but federal prosecutors say it was purchased as part of a real estate buying spree fueled by drug proceeds.

Sefira Capital, a Miami-based real estate investment firm, was accused by federal prosecutors in a 2021 civil forfeiture complaint of accepting millions of dollars worth of drug trafficking proceeds to fund its investments in commercial real estate in Florida and several other states between 2016 and 2019. It bought Courthouse Place in April 2017.

While pricey waterfront mansions in Miami and luxury Manhattan apartments have attracted greater scrutiny as money laundering targets, the example of Sefira Capital underscores how the opaque world of commercial real estate and pedestrian properties like Courthouse Place provide a similarly attractive vehicle for those looking to clean tainted cash. The fact that the company didnt face any criminal consequences shows how the current legal framework, which doesnt require firms like Sefira to vet the source of their funds, limits the penalties for those who enable these money laundering transactions.

Whats more, the Miami Heralds review of leaked financial records shows that one of Sefiras co-founders filed paperwork establishing his family as the primary beneficiaries of an offshore account in the British Virgin Islands holding millions of dollars during the time when his company was allegedly accepting those drug proceeds. Sefira appears to have also registered at least two companies in the British Virgin Islands in 2016, as well. None of these entities were listed in the federal complaint brought against the company, making it unclear whether prosecutors were aware of them.

In the civil forfeiture complaint, prosecutors alleged that money invested by Sefira had been laundered through the Black Market Peso Exchange, a shadow financial system used by drug traffickers in Mexico and other countries to convert tainted U.S. dollars obtained from drug sales into clean currency in their native countries.

In an undercover operation, agents for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency were directed by money laundering brokers from the black market exchange to deposit millions of dollars in various accounts related to different Sefira properties in 2018 and 2019.

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Three days after filing the complaint against various Sefira accounts and properties in January 2021, prosecutors reached a settlement with Sefira in which the company agreed to forfeit $22.5 million contained in various accounts and pay $6.5 million in lieu of giving up several properties.

Prosecutors didnt bring any criminal charges against Sefira or its co-founders. Under the settlement, the company and its employees didnt admit any liability, fault, guilt or wrongdoing, but the company agreed to perform due diligence in a manner that is reasonably designed to prevent the receipt of funds derived from criminal sources.

Dick Gregorie, a former federal prosecutor in Miami with extensive experience prosecuting drug traffickers and money launderers, said that such deals are typically an indication that the prosecutors either gave immunity to insiders cooperating with the investigation or couldnt pin it on any of the company officials involved.

Sometimes there just isnt enough evidence about any one person, he said.

In response to a detailed list of questions from the Herald, Sefira sent a statement saying it had no knowledge that any of the funds invested with the company came from illicit sources.

The governments lengthy investigation proved that there was no knowledge or intent on the part of Sefira; rather the forfeiture focused on the money itself that was received by Sefira from a third party investor. The investigation revealed that Sefira had no practical way of knowing whether the funds were clean or not; they were merely the passive recipient of the funds.

Investment companies like Sefira dont have the same due-diligence requirements as financial institutions such as banks, said Erica Hanichak, government affairs director for the nonprofit Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition, which seeks to combat money laundering.

Thats a major obstacle for law enforcement to be able to crack down on criminals and their enablers, she said.

Sefira Capital was spotlighted in a recent report on money laundering in commercial real estate, among 25 cases in which illegal, allegedly illicit or suspicious funds had been invested in commercial real estate in the last 20 years, with the value of those properties exceeding $2.6 billion.

The commercial real estate market is large, complex and incredibly opaque. It makes it an attractive target for money laundering, said Hanichak whose anti money-laundering group was one of the authors.

Sefira Capital was first registered with the state of Florida in the fall of 2015 by co-founders Aby Galsky and Mijael Attias, neighbors who own multi-million dollar homes minutes away from each other in the exclusive Presidential Estates gated community in North Miami Beach.

Between the companys founding and the federal civil forfeiture complaint, the company was involved in at least 15 projects, according to archived copies of its website, including numerous hotels and office buildings in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland.

Courthouse Place was one of at least four properties Sefira purchased as part of a joint venture with Miami-based Highline Real Estate Ventures, including two office complexes in Weston and an office park in Tampa, all acquired in 2016 and 2017 for nearly $40 million. They sold Courthouse Place in 2020 for $4.4 million more than they had paid for it in 2017. All together, they sold the four properties for nearly $15 million more combined than they had paid for them.

Sefira was also involved in developing an apartment complex called the Jaxon outside of Jacksonville and a storage facility in Naples and also had an ownership stake in a Hilton hotel in Cocoa Beach.

Bobby West, the managing partner of TriBridge Residential, which partnered with Sefira on the Jacksonville apartment complex and an apartment complex in the Atlanta area, said that while his company had a positive experience working with Sefira and no suspicions that the company had done anything wrong, they stopped doing business with Sefira after the federal complaint.

Anybody with even an allegation is, unfortunately, toxic, he said.

David Moret, the founder of Highline Real Estate Capital, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

TriBridge Residential and Highline Real Estate Capital were not accused of any wrongdoing.

Pandora Papers trail

Leaked records show that Galsky, one of the companys two co-founders, was involved in registering an offshore company called Halfmune Holdings in the British Virgin Islands. The records show that the company held $4 million in stocks, bonds and cash between accounts at EFG Capital, a Swiss private bank with an office in Miami, and Morgan Stanley. Galsky signed a document in July 2017 establishing him and his family as the primary beneficiaries of the company, at the same time prosecutors say that his company was taking in laundered drug proceeds.

Photo of Aby Galsky from the records of Halfmune Holdings, which was registered in the British Virgin Islands.

The document is contained within the Pandora Papers, a trove of more than 11.9 million records from 14 offshore providers that were leaked to the International Consortium of International Journalists, which shared the trove with the Miami Herald and 150 other news outlets.

The records also reference two seemingly related companies, Sefira Al Miss, Corp. and Sefira City Gate, Corp., that were registered in the British Virgin Islands in September 2016. Entities with similar names, listing Galsky and Attias as directors, were registered in Delaware soon after.

The Herald asked Sefira and Galsky about these offshore accounts, but their statement to the Herald didnt contain any explanation for why they created them. Federal prosecutors and the DEA, who investigated Sefira, also didnt respond to requests about whether they had been aware of the offshore accounts.

There is nothing illegal about operating offshore companies, which can maximize wealth and minimize taxes. But investigations such as the Pandora Papers and earlier Panama Papers have also shown that bad actors also sometimes use these havens to hide illicitly obtained funds or evade taxes.

Sefira capital still exists on paper, but it isnt clear whether the partnership between Galsky and Attias survived the civil forfeiture complaint. Four months after Attias and Galsky signed the settlement resolving the complaint, Attias created a new private equity firm called the Merak Group. His biography doesnt mention Sefira Capital.
Exploring the Sustainability and Growth of Dividends

First American Financial Corp (NYSE:FAF) recently announced a dividend of $0.53 per share, payable on June 17, 2024, with the ex-dividend date set for June 10, 2024. As investors anticipate this upcoming payment, it's crucial to delve into the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. This analysis, based on data from GuruFocus, aims to evaluate the sustainability and potential growth of First American Financial Corp's dividends.

What Does First American Financial Corp Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with FAF.

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How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock?

First American Financial Corp is a prominent player in the financial services sector, focusing on title insurance and related services, as well as home warranty products. The company's title insurance segment covers a vast array of services including real estate insurance, property closing, escrow, and risk mitigation. The home warranty segment offers service contracts for residential systems and appliances, covering failures due to normal usage. Predominantly, First American Financial Corp's revenue is generated from the title insurance services in the United States.

First American Financial Corp's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at First American Financial Corp's Dividend History

Since 2010, First American Financial Corp has maintained a consistent record of quarterly dividend payments. The company's commitment to increasing dividends annually has earned it the status of a dividend achiever, a recognition given to companies that have consistently raised their dividends for at least 14 consecutive years.

First American Financial Corp's Dividend Analysis

Breaking Down First American Financial Corp's Dividend Yield and Growth

Currently, First American Financial Corp boasts a trailing dividend yield of 3.92% and a forward dividend yield of 3.94%, indicating expectations of increased dividend payments over the next year. Over the past three years, the annual dividend growth rate was 5.70%, which escalated to 6.10% over a five-year period, and an impressive 13.50% over the past decade. As of today, the 5-year yield on cost for First American Financial Corp's stock is approximately 5.26%.

First American Financial Corp's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

The dividend payout ratio, which currently stands at 0.85, is a critical metric in assessing dividend sustainability. This ratio suggests that First American Financial Corp retains a significant portion of its earnings, which supports future growth and stability. Additionally, the company's profitability rank of 7 out of 10, as well as its consistent positive net income over the past decade, further reinforces its financial health.

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Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

First American Financial Corp's growth rank of 7 out of 10 indicates a promising growth trajectory compared to its peers. However, its 3-year revenue growth rate of -2.90% and a 3-year EPS growth rate of -16.50% suggest challenges in revenue and earnings growth. Moreover, the 5-year EBITDA growth rate of -7.60% also indicates potential areas for improvement in operational efficiency.

Conclusion: Evaluating Dividend Prospects

In conclusion, while First American Financial Corp demonstrates a strong historical commitment to increasing dividends, the sustainability of future dividends will largely depend on its ability to reverse the negative trends in revenue and earnings growth. Investors should closely monitor these growth metrics alongside the payout ratio and profitability to make informed decisions. For those seeking high-dividend yield stocks, consider using the High Dividend Yield Screener available to GuruFocus Premium users.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


An aerial view of Fresno, California. Shunyu Fan/Getty Images

Fresno lost over $600,000 to a phishing scam in 2020.

Officials failed to spot red flags on a contractor invoice, a jury found.

Mayor Jerry Dyer said the city has since improved training and updated fraud prevention procedures.

The city of Fresno lost more than $600,000 to to a phishing scam in 2020. Now, a grand jury says that city officials should have noticed the scam before it cost taxpayer dollars.

City officials discovered the fraud after realizing an invoice from a contractor working on a section of the Fresno police station was fake, according to The Fresno Bee.

The contract included the real contractor's letterhead but an incorrect account number, according to the Bee. City officials did not publicly comment on the scam until reporting by the paper uncovered it in 2022.

A civil grand jury found on Thursday that the city failed to notice "conspicuous red flags" that should have tipped them off to the fraud, the Bee reported.

The jury found that the city's finance department followed policies that were "understood" through training but never written, according to the Bee. Employees were also supposed to get approval from another employee for large payments, but failed to do so when making the payments that resulted in the scam, the jury said.

"Phishing" attacks are carried out by criminals who usually send an email or some other message pretending to be a company or individual asking for credit card information, passwords, or other sensitive information. The goal of the scam is to trick users into sharing personal information so the scammer can gain access to their computer, company, or finances.

One study from Harvard Business School predicted that phishing scams could "increase drastically in quality and quantity over the coming years" with AI now able to automate the "entire phishing process."

Earlier this month, scammers targeted a tiny Idaho town, stealing more than $1 million from the town government through a similar scam. Criminals there tricked an employee into thinking that the city's payment information for a contractor needed to be updated.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer  who was not in office when the scam occurred  did not immediately return a request for comment from Business Insider on Sunday.

He told The Bee in a statement that the city has already met many of the jury's recommendations following the case, including implementing new training.

"I am appreciative of the Civil Grand Jury's time and attention on such a relevant issue in our city and our nation," the statement said. "I am also pleased with the grand jury's confidence that internally updated procedures appear appropriate for preventing this type of fraud from happening again."

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- Going against the tide and still winning has worked for Dmitry Solomakhin, a Fidelity International Ltd. fund manager. His next bet is on stocks that have been crushed by the rise of artificial intelligence.

Most Read from Bloomberg

For years, Solomakhin has been taking bets on firms that have been beset by operational or financial problems. Positions in the likes of Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc have paid off handsomely, with his $1.1 billion global contrarian value fund beating 99% of peers in the past three months and mirroring the performance over the same number of years.

More recently, he has started picking up companies that seemingly count among the losers of the Nvidia Corp.-fueled AI frenzy.

I call my long book a book of blow-ups, Solomakhin said in an interview. I look for companies that are completely out of favor. What I try do is find the very few instances where the market might be wrong.

Rolls-Royce, the funds biggest holding as of the end of April, serves in particular as a vindication for Solomakhins approach. The UK engine maker struggled for years to recover from Covid-driven supply chain issues, before a transformation program and management changes fueled an almost 400% recovery since the end of 2022.

Ive held the position for many years, and that was painful, he said. Its now done well, but I think theres more to come.

Bloomberg News has reached out to Rolls-Royce for comment.

Solomakhin, who joined Fidelity in 2006 as an equity research analyst for Europe and has run the global long-short diversified fund since 2012, said he holds a stock for three to five years on average. The portfolio has returned 19% in the past year, in line with the benchmark MSCI All-Country World Indexs advance.

One recent bet is US-based Concentrix Corp., a chat-bot operator which has slumped 38% this year in the wake of the rise in AI-adoption.

People say that because of AI chat bots, you dont need this type of service anymore, Solomakhin said. Thats a general statement and the nuance is very different. The market says its broken but I tend not to agree 100%.

The decline in Concentrixs share price reflected an overreaction to the impact of AI, the company said in response to questions.

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We believe that investors are mistakenly attributing the impact of the weaker macro-economic environment on our revenue to the impact of Gen AI, a spokesperson said.

Other holdings include UK defense firm Babcock International Group Plc, which has rebounded by more than 170% since a low in January 2021.

Solomakhin is still waiting for some of his longest-held investments to make money.

Swedish network equipment manufacturer Ericsson is a value trap, he said. The firm has dropped about 20% over the past 10 years, compared with a rally of more than 80% in Stockholms benchmark index.

Ericsson declined to comment.

Ive been losing money on it for a long time, but I still have conviction and Im not giving up, he said. Im a very stubborn individual.

--With assistance from Jillian Deutsch and Charlotte Ryan.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
The developer behind a plan to bring residential apartments and a new restaurant to downtown Gardner has received a financial boost for the project.

Jon Bombaci, owner of Gardner Downtown Crossing and president of Candor Realty, recently announced that the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, the economic arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, had provided $250,000 to the project, which will see the property at 25 Main St. transformed into six one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom apartments on the second and third floors, and a 5,000 square foot restaurant on the first floor.

Bombaci, who is also overseeing the redevelopment of the properties at 2 through 10 Parker St. in the downtown area, said the funding, which was provided through the NCMDCs Regional Business Investment Fund (RBIF), was a viable lending option that would allow his team to cover costs and expenses that were typically not available for financing.

The owner of the Bullnose/Flatiron building at 25 Main St. in downtown Gardner recently received $250,000 in funding to transform the property into residential apartments and a restaurant.

Our lender wouldnt cover the cost to fit out commercial space given the current nature of the true commercial  especially restaurant  market, he said. Most potential tenants couldnt cover the significant fit out cost of the space, so the NCMDC stepped in with a loan to help solve the issue.

Gardner Downtown Crossing envisioned as pedestrian-friendly location

Bombaci said the plan was to combine the Parker St. and Main St. properties into a single destination spot called the Gardner Downtown Crossing for residents and visitors to the area. He said that numerous crosswalks and plans for additional dedicated parking would make the downtown area a very pedestrian-friendly location.

We are grateful to the North Central Development Corporation and the Chamber for offering this type of loan to us, he added.

More: Developers envision 'Downtown Crossing' in Gardner with pedestrian-friendly area

Award-winning Brilla Coffee set to open location in Gardner

The owners of Brilla Coffee, the award-winning farm-to-cup establishment with a location in Holden, had signed a lease to open a store in the building in October. The shop, which will feature an outside patio, will be located on the first floor with the entry doors between the buildings famed lion sculptures. The restaurant will feature a full breakfast-to-dinner menu, according to the owners.

The eatery, which was awarded the honor of Best Local Coffee Shop in 2022 and 2023 by the Best of Central Mass Community Choice Awards, also offers wholesale roasted coffee supply services to local cafes, restaurants, and other coffee shops. Their coffee is also available at local retail stores and supermarkets.

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The building is at the crossroads of downtown Gardner and provides much opportunity to develop living and dining spaces that will complement the current landscape while also providing the city with additional residents and visitors who will dine or call 25 Main their home in the future, Bombaci said.

More: Brilla Coffee owners to open new location in downtown Gardner: why the coffee is so good

Mayor Michael Nicholson said he was looking forward to the completion of the project.

The team at Gardner Downtown Crossing has already made a significant investment in the downtown area and we are looking forward to working with them as they redevelop the property at 25 Main St., he said. We are grateful that Gardner Downtown Crossing sees Gardner as a place with tremendous opportunity for growth and we will be here to help assist them toward their success along the way.

RBIF loans, which can be used by developers for engineering, soft costs, site work, are very flexible and are geared towards real estate projects and can be used to cover expenses not traditionally covered by lenders.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Gardner Downtown Crossing project to be pedestrian friendly
By Anna Mehler Paperny

TORONTO (Reuters) - A United Nations-affiliated body is reviewing allegations Canada's human rights commission discriminated against Black and other employees and disproportionately dismissed race-based complaints, a move that could hinder the commission's ability to participate in U.N. human rights proceedings.

In a report published Friday, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions - which accredits national human rights bodies according to internationally agreed-upon principles - said it is launching a special review of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, which handles human rights complaints against Canada's federal government, among other things.

The report cites findings of systemic racial discrimination within the commission by Canada's Senate and its Treasury Board Secretariat. These included higher dismissal rates of race-based complaints it receives and excluding Black employees and employees of colour from promotions.

The human rights alliance did not respond to emailed questions Monday. The Canadian government and the human rights commission did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The commission's mandate includes screening discrimination complaints, mediating some complaints, representing the public interest in litigation, conducting research and tabling special reports in parliament.

According to its website the commission was granted "A" status first in 1999 and again in 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2023.

If the alliance downgrades Canada to "B" status, the commission would no longer have independent participation rights at the UN Human Rights Council.

The Black Class Action Secretariat filed the complaint citing the findings of systemic discrimination with the global body in February.

"A downgrade from A to B would be catastrophic for Canadas participation in the international community. They would have to sit on the sidelines," Black Class Action Secretariat's Executive Director Nicholas Marcus Thompson told reporters Monday.

"With this international review, the Canadian government is now on notice: It cannot claim to be a global leader in human rights while discriminating against its own right here at home."

(This story has been corrected to say that the commission's ability to participate in UN proceedings is at risk, not Canadas, in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny, editing by Deepa Babington)
Prominent researcher, inventor, advanced endoscopist and pioneer in digestive health, Dr. Chang will lead Orange County's most comprehensive digestive health programs and services in expanding the delivery of world-class care.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading the next wave of innovation in digestive health, Hoag has recruited world renowned gastroenterologist Kenneth J. Chang, M.D., to become Executive Medical Director of the Digestive Health Institute at Hoag. Dr. Chang's appointment comes at a time of unparalleled growth and heralds an impressive international draw of top talent to Hoag.

(PRNewsfoto/Hoag Memorial Hospital...)

As the Executive Medical Director, Dr. Chang will lead a multidisciplinary team of experts focused on providing world-class, personalized digestive health care and access to innovative treatment options and clinical trials.

His appointment comes at a transformational time for digestive health care at Hoag with the development of the new Digestive Health Pavilion at Hoag's Sun Family Campus in Irvine. Supported in part by philanthropy through the Boldly Hoag campaign, the new pavilion will be the only facility of its kind in Orange County.

Dr. Chang is a board-certified gastroenterologist, fellowship trained in both gastroenterology and hepatology who specializes in interventional endoscopy for esophageal and gastrointestinal disorders. Dr. Chang's leadership, reputation and legacy is expected to elevate Hoag's Digestive Health Institute to national and international prominence.

"The future of digestive health care is on the horizon, and Hoag is at the forefront of research and innovation to bring the latest medical and interventional applications to Orange County," said Dr. Chang. "I look forward to working with Hoag to create a place where innovation fueled by compassion is the driving force behind everything we do for our patients and the community."

Dr. Chang comes to Hoag from the University of California, Irvine, where he built and launched UCI's Comprehensive Digestive Disease Center as well as it's Digestive Health Institute. He is also a Founding Board Member of the American Foregut Society and has pioneered numerous clinical trials and treatment methods and trained more than 50 leading interventional endoscopists in emerging technology and techniques.

"Hoag's Digestive Health Institute has been aggressive in recruiting elite talent, and Dr. Chang's recruitment promises to draw even more top-talent to our already world-class, integrated team," said Robert T. Braithwaite, president and CEO of Hoag. "We look forward to seeing how Dr. Chang's vision for the future of digestive health and mission to create an esophageal and colon cancer-free Orange County can become a reality for our community."

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Hoag has been recognized as the top hospital in Orange County for gastroenterology & GI surgery, according to the U.S. News & World Report. The institute's comprehensive, collaborative approach to care results in stellar outcomes and world-class care in all aspects of digestive health.

To learn more about the Digestive Health Institute, visit hoag.org/digestive. To make an appointment with Dr. Chang, please call 949-764-6943.

ABOUT HOAG

Hoag is a nonprofit, regional health care delivery system in Orange County, California. Delivering world-class, comprehensive, personalized care, Hoag consists of 1,800 top physicians, 16 urgent care facilities, 11 health & wellness centers, and two award-winning hospitals. Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of health care services that includes seven institutes providing specialized services in the following areas: cancer , digestive health , heart and vascular , neurosciences , spine , women's health , and orthopedics through Hoag's affiliate, Hoag Orthopedic Institute , which consists of an orthopedic hospital and four ambulatory surgical centers. Hoag is the highest ranked hospital in Orange County by U.S. News & World Report and the only OC hospital ranked in the Top 10 in California, as well as a designated Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). For more information, visit hoag.org .

Cision

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SOURCE Hoag
Well over a year after plans to redevelop the former Cocoa City Hall, currently being used as a gravel parking lot, into a hotel fell through, the city is looking forward with a new project that could bring a Marriott-branded hotel to the south end of Cocoa Village within two years.

As Cocoa Village continues to expand and thrive, business and city leaders say a hotel at 603 Brevard Avenue is a way to take the area's future to the next level.

The project was approved by the Community Redevelopment Agency in May but will still need to clear several hurdles before it can be completed, including a brand deal with Marriott and final approval by Cocoa City Council. Cocoa Village's Community Redevelopment Agency issued a request for proposals from developers hoping for new projects to emerge after financing fell through and developers failed to meet deadlines for the previously hotel project in 2022. That project would have brought a similar sized hotel with just more than 100 rooms to the site.

Just as other old buildings such as the vacant former Bank of America will be turned into new apartments with ground floor retail, the city has for years hoped for a complementary hotel project further south.

What is the future of a hotel in Cocoa Village?

The plan, submitted by a private developer 360 Hospitality Group LLC, entails constructing a hotel featuring approximately 100 guest rooms, complemented by ground-level retail shops, keeping in line with the city's vision for the future of the site.

Cocoa leaders are hoping to see 603 Brevard Avenue developed into a hotel.

City leaders have hoped that adding a mixed-use project could breathe new life into the area while generating tax revenue for the city. Hotel developers estimated that the new hotel would cost between $19 -$20 million. Once the project is fully approved, it would take an estimated 18 months to become fully operational.

Approximately 70 parking spaces are included in the proposal to accommodate guests and patrons of the retail establishments.

Dilesh Patidar, CEO of 360 Hospitality Group, said the Brevard County-based hotel developer is capable of bringing the project to the finish line despite hiccups faced by the previous developer. He pointed to multiple other hotel projects the company has in progress around the county, including similar hotels in Melbourne and Melbourne Beach.

"This is a project we've been looking at for quite a while. We feel as though, for the city of Cocoa and the residents, that we are the right developers for this hotel and we have the financing to get this done," Patidar said.

Hotel could drive growth in Cocoa Village

Cocoa city leaders have been eager for a long time to put a hotel at the site of the old City Hall. Although other development projects would have been considered, a hotel has been seen as the best way to generate both tourism tax revenue and cycle in fresh faces to shop at local businesses downtown. "It's been a long road. People want to see heads in bed right now. There are a lot of business people who are happy to see you," City Councilman Alex Goins told the developers.

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Community Redevelopment Agency member Candace Rogers said that the project would provide the balance needed for the Village's needs while providing maximum value to the community on the city-owned property.

"This is a prime example of a great public-private partnership. I just hope we can now move forward," Rogers said.

Tyler Vazquez is the Brevard County and North Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-480-0854 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Cocoa Village hotel plans moving forward at site of old City Hall
In 2008, Apple founder Steve Jobs "screamed" in the face of Starbucks then-CEO Howard Schultz, encouraging the coffee chain boss to fire his leadership team.

Schultz is a familiar face at the helm of the Seattle-founded brand, having had three separate tenures in the corner office. His first was in 1987when he and local investors purchased the branduntil 2000, when he took a step back to focus on global expansion as chief strategist.

His second stint was from 2008 to 2018, and then a final return in 2022 for a year.

The timing of Schultz's second two appearances is important: 2008 was a year the company was in crisis and was in dire need of a turnaround, and the final return came after the coronavirus pandemic, when the ship needed steadying.

But despite Schultz being repeatedly used as a safe pair of hands for the brand worth more than $92 billion, he has still leaned on other notable Fortune 500 CEOs. And it was during his 2008 tenure that he was introduced to Jobs and sought his advice on navigating the board of directors he had inherited.

Speaking on the Acquired podcast that was released last week, Schultz recounted the first contact he had with Jobs: "There was a future meeting scheduled for Starbucks and Apple around mobile order and pay and other things. I met Steve on a phone callhad never met himwas talking to him on the phone and I'm telling him what's going on."

Jobs invited Schultzwhose business was headquartered in Washingtonto the Apple offices in Cupertino, Calif., to discuss the matter in person. At the time the Apple offices were based at the Infinite Loop campus, which comprised six buildings based around an oval courtyard.

Jobs was famous for walking around said courtyarda habit now adopted by current Apple CEO Tim Cook, who is known to wander the circular headquarters of Apple Park.

"[Jobs] had a whole thing about walking," Schultz recounted. "He would go out and would walk around the building. And so I went down there and basically we took a walk. I just told him all my problemseverything that was going on.

"He just stopped me and said, 'This is what you need to do.' He looked and me and said, 'You go back to Seattle and you fire everyone on your leadership team.' I thought he was joking."

Schultz said he pushed back: "I said what are you talking about, 'Fire everybody'? He said, 'I just told you. F--king fire all those people.' He was like screaming at me in my face: 'Fire all those people, that's what I would do.' I said, 'Steve, I can't fire all these people. Who's going to do the work?

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"He said, 'I promise you, in six months, maybe nine, they'll all be gone. He was right. Except for one, the general counsel, they were all gone."

Jobs and Schultz did meet again, with the former being proved right in his prediction.

"I talked to him since then. We were on stage together at an event, and I told him, 'They're all gone.' He said, 'Well, you're six months, nine months late. Think about all the things you could've done.

Missed opportunity

As the world's largest coffee chain with more than 32,000 stores around the globe, Starbucks has clearly made the most of the opportunities afforded to it.

However, there are a couple of decisions that Schultz regrets, chief among them was not trademarking the phrase "caffe latte"often shortened to just lattein America.

While the origins of lattesessentially mixing milk with coffeecan be traced back in some form to Europe as early as the 17th century, the drink became standardized in America in the 1970s with the help of Starbucks.

"We introduced caffe latte to America," Schultz added. "We didn't trademark it. We trademarked Frappuccino later on but we didn't trademark caffe latte. I wasn't thinking."

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
These days it's easy to simply buy an index fund, and your returns should (roughly) match the market. But investors can boost returns by picking market-beating companies to own shares in. For example, the Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) share price is up 39% in the last 1 year, clearly besting the market return of around 22% (not including dividends). If it can keep that out-performance up over the long term, investors will do very well! Having said that, the longer term returns aren't so impressive, with stock gaining just 13% in three years.

Now it's worth having a look at the company's fundamentals too, because that will help us determine if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business.

Check out our latest analysis for Prudential Financial

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

Prudential Financial boasted truly magnificent EPS growth in the last year. While that particular rate of growth is unlikely to be sustained for long, it is still remarkable. So we're unsurprised to see the share price gaining ground. Strong growth like this can be evidence of a fundamental inflection point in the business, making it a good time to investigate the stock more closely.

The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

We know that Prudential Financial has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? If you're interested, you could check this free report showing consensus revenue forecasts.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. We note that for Prudential Financial the TSR over the last 1 year was 46%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

It's good to see that Prudential Financial has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 46% in the last twelve months. And that does include the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 9% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Prudential Financial , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

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Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings.

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.
DALLAS (AP)  Activist shareholder Elliott Investment Management has bought a $1.9 billion stake in Southwest Airlines and is seeking to force out the CEO of the airline, which has struggled with operational and financial problems.

Shares in the airline rose 7% Monday, their second-best day since 2020.

In a letter to Southwest's board, the investment firm complained that Southwest's stock price has dropped more than 50% in the last three years.

Elliott said Southwest has failed to evolve, hurting its ability to compete with other carriers. The firm blamed the Dallas-based carrier's massive flight cancellations in December 2022 on what it described as the airline's outdated software and operational processes.

Poor execution and leaderships stubborn unwillingness to evolve the Companys strategy have led to deeply disappointing results for shareholders, employees and customers alike, the investment firm said in the letter, dated Monday.

Southwest CEO Robert Jordan has delivered unacceptable financial and operational performance quarter after quarter," the letter read. It said Jordan and former CEO Gary Kelly, now the airline's executive chairman, "are not up to the task of modernizing Southwest.

Elliott is calling for executives from outside the company to replace Jordan and Kelly, and for significant changes on the board, including new independent directors with experience at other airlines.

Southwest said it was contacted by Elliott on Sunday and looked forward to better understanding their views on our company.

The Southwest Board of Directors is confident in our CEO and managements ability to execute against the companys strategic plan to drive long-term value for all shareholders, safely and reliably serve our customers and deliver on our commitments to all of our stakeholders, a spokesperson said in a statement.

For years, Southwest appealed to cost-conscious flyers by not charging fees for a checked bag or changing a reservation. Its planes dont have a premium cabin. Its closest rivals dropped change fees during the pandemic, however, and they are winning over upscale travelers with better seats and amenities.

In April, when Southwest reported a $231 million first-quarter loss, Jordan seemed to bend to those market pressures by announcing that Southwest was considering changes to its boarding and seating policies. The airline even took the rare step of dropping four cities from its map.

Savanthi Syth, an airline analyst for Raymond James Financial, said Elliott was likely attracted by Southwest's well-known brand, leading position at many airports and strong balance sheet, among other attributes. She suggested that necessary changes shouldn't be that hard to achieve.

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Southwest grew rapidly coming out of the pandemic, adding service to 18 more cities. Syth said Southwest has recognized the need to scale back growth, although six or eight months too late, resulting in higher costs.

The airline had little choice in trimming its growth: It can't get all the jets it ordered because of production cutbacks at Boeing since a door plug blew out of a 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight in January.

Southwest carries the most passengers within the United States, but Delta, United and American  all of which have more extensive international routes  are much larger by revenue. Southwest earned a profit for 47 straight years  an unmatched record in the airline business  until the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020.

Southwest reported record revenue of $26.1 billion last year, but its $465 million profit was down from the previous two years and about one-tenth of Deltas profit.

Delta and United have emerged from the pandemic as by far the most profitable U.S. airlines, and that shows up in their relative stock performance. At the close of trading Friday, Southwest shares were down 52% from three years earlier  about the same as American. But Delta shares gained more than 9% in that span, while United shares dipped but only around 7%.

The Wall Street Journal first reported Elliott's stake in Southwest.
Amidst a backdrop of fluctuating global influences and pivotal domestic data releases, the Indian stock market continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability. As investors navigate through the complexities brought on by recent political changes and economic indicators, companies with high insider ownership may offer a unique appeal in such uncertain times.

Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In India

Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Archean Chemical Industries (NSEI:ACI) 22.9% 28.1% Pitti Engineering (BSE:513519) 33.6% 28.0% Rajratan Global Wire (BSE:517522) 19.8% 33.5% Dixon Technologies (India) (NSEI:DIXON) 24.9% 28.6% Happiest Minds Technologies (NSEI:HAPPSTMNDS) 38% 22.9% Jupiter Wagons (NSEI:JWL) 11.1% 27.2% Paisalo Digital (BSE:532900) 16.3% 23.8% Kirloskar Pneumatic (BSE:505283) 30.6% 27.7% Pricol (NSEI:PRICOLLTD) 25.5% 26.9% Aether Industries (NSEI:AETHER) 31.1% 39.8%

Click here to see the full list of 81 stocks from our Fast Growing Indian Companies With High Insider Ownership screener.

Here we highlight a subset of our preferred stocks from the screener.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Info Edge (India) Limited is an online classifieds company engaged in recruitment, matrimony, real estate, and education services, with a market capitalization of approximately 803.72 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue primarily through recruitment solutions (18.80 billion) and real estate classifieds under the 99acres brand (3.51 billion).

Insider Ownership: 37.9%

Earnings Growth Forecast: 27.8% p.a.

Info Edge (India) has shown a robust turnaround, reporting a significant shift from a net loss last year to a healthy net income of INR 603.89 million in Q4 2024, with yearly earnings also reflecting substantial growth. Despite high insider ownership, recent months have seen notable insider selling, contrasting with the company's positive financial trajectory and aggressive revenue forecasts outpacing the broader Indian market. The firm's engagement in prominent conferences underscores its active role in industry dialogues, although it faces challenges like regulatory scrutiny over GST violations which could impact its operational framework.

NSEI:NAUKRI Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jun 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Persistent Systems Limited operates globally, providing software products, services, and technology solutions in India and North America with a market capitalization of approximately 56.56 billion.

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Operations: Persistent Systems generates revenue from three primary segments: Healthcare & Life Sciences (20.88 billion), Software, Hi-Tech and Emerging Industries (45.95 billion), and Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) at 31.39 billion.

Insider Ownership: 34.3%

Earnings Growth Forecast: 17.9% p.a.

Persistent Systems, despite a moderate revenue growth forecast of 13.2% annually, outpaces the Indian market's 9.5%. Its earnings are expected to grow by 17.9% annually, slightly above the market average of 15.9%, but not significantly high. The company maintains a reliable dividend yield of 0.68% and anticipates a strong return on equity at 26.1% in three years. Recent initiatives like the launch of GenAI Hub highlight its focus on integrating cutting-edge AI technologies into business solutions, reinforcing its growth orientation amidst stable insider ownership dynamics.

NSEI:PERSISTENT Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jun 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Varun Beverages Limited operates as a franchisee of PepsiCo, producing and distributing carbonated soft drinks and non-carbonated beverages, with a market capitalization of approximately 1.97 trillion.

Operations: The company generates revenue primarily through the manufacturing and sale of beverages, totaling approximately 164.67 billion.

Insider Ownership: 36.4%

Earnings Growth Forecast: 24.1% p.a.

Varun Beverages, exhibiting robust growth, reported a significant increase in Q1 2024 earnings with net income rising to INR 5.37 billion from INR 4.29 billion year-on-year. The company's revenue and profit forecasts outpace the Indian market, with expected annual growth rates of 16.4% and 24.06%, respectively. Recent expansions include initiating operations in Zimbabwe and a new production line in Uttar Pradesh, underpinning its aggressive growth strategy despite high debt levels and recent executive changes.

NSEI:VBL Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jun 2024

Where To Now?

Explore the 81 names from our Fast Growing Indian Companies With High Insider Ownership screener here.

Shareholder in one or more of these companies? Ensure you're never caught off-guard by adding your portfolio in Simply Wall St for timely alerts on significant stock developments.

Simply Wall St is a revolutionary app designed for long-term stock investors, it's free and covers every market in the world.

Contemplating Other Strategies?

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.The analysis only considers stock directly held by insiders. It does not include indirectly owned stock through other vehicles such as corporate and/or trust entities. All forecast revenue and earnings growth rates quoted are in terms of annualised (per annum) growth rates over 1-3 years.

Companies discussed in this article include NSEI:NAUKRI NSEI:PERSISTENT and

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
estebanmiyahira / Getty Images/iStockphoto

The American Dream of hitting it big and making millions requires more effort, determination and luck these days.

Learn More: How To Earn $750 a Week in Passive Income

Try This: 7 Reasons You Should Consider a Financial Advisor  Even If Youre Not Wealthy

For Noah Lydiard, the founder and CEO of Conductor, the path to becoming a self-made millionaire was a long one, filled with financial struggles, grit and ramen noodles. He started as a starving freelance video editor and made his way to becoming the head of a multimillion-dollar company.

Heres what the self-made millionaires salary looked like over the years.

Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them.

The Starving Artist Days

In his late 20s and early 30s, Lydiard was truly living the starving artist life.

One year, I earned only $19,000, he shared. I remember surviving on ramen noodles and wearing the same two pairs of jeans until they totally fell apart.

According to Lydiard, juggling gigs as a freelance video editor felt like being on a rollercoaster, but it was all falls with no rises at all.

For You: I Earn Over $30K a Week in Semi-Passive Income on Amazon  Heres How

A Glimmer of Hope

Things began looking up for Lydiard in his mid-30s when he managed to land some staff jobs at creative agencies.

It was like winning a big prize when my earnings finally went over $100,000, said Lydiard. Compared to my days of eating ramen all the time, I felt like I was living in great comfort!

This shift didnt just provide financial stability  it also gave Lydiard valuable business exposure that would shape his future.

He added, I was learning a lot about how the business world works  information that would be useful later on.

The Gamble That Paid Off

The true turning point came when Lydiard took the biggest risk of his career  starting his own company, Conductor.

For Lydiard, thats when everything transformed. He said, Suddenly, I wasnt just earning money  I was creating something. For the first time, I could really consider saving and investing.

While terrifying at first, Lydiards entrepreneurial leap ultimately paid off in ways he never could have imagined when eating cheap ramen years prior.

It was both scary and exciting, he said. I went from watching every penny to talking about investment plans with financial experts. It was a whole new world.

Looking back on his unconventional path to millionaire status, Lydiard reflected on his journey.

It took me much more time than I thought to become financially stable, he shared. There were no quick wins, just a lot of effort, some luck and learning many things along the way.

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Advice for People on a Similar Journey

Dont give up. The journey might be hard to see and very difficult sometimes, but all the effort will pay off in the end, Lydiard said. Try many things, stay with what you enjoy most and dont fear to take that big leap.

He continued, Keep in mind, even if it feels like progress is slow, each little move forward is helping you reach your goals. Stick to your dreams and dont be afraid to make that gamble on yourself.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im a Self-Made Millionaire: Heres What My Salary Looked Like Over the Years
Musk Advocates Late Retirement: Praises France's Bold Move

In response to a tweet showing demonstrations in France against President Macrons government pension reforms (without a vote in the National Assembly), Musk stated, "Macron is doing the difficult, but right thing. The retirement age of 62 was set when life spans were much shorter. It is impossible for a small number of workers to support a massive number of retirees."

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Only a few months later, Musk reiterated his stance on retirement, stating, "Retirement age in France is too low. That's a legit issue." This time, it was in response to a video supposedly showing the streets of Paris on fire with the caption, "Paris tonight. Soon everywhere." A well-known user on X platform, Catturd, commented, "Looks like people have had enough of dictators pretending to be democratic leaders."

So it appears that Musk holds a different view on the issue compared to many of his devoted followers. Some criticize this perspective as being out of touch with the challenges faced by workers and argue that such reforms may disproportionately affect those in physically demanding jobs, who might not have the option or ability to work longer.

On the other hand, proponents of his view argue that increasing the retirement age could ease financial pressures on pension systems and ensure that resources are available for future generations.

Trending: Executives and founders of Uber, Facebook and Apple are bullish on this wellness app that you can coinvest in at $1.15 per share.

Retirement Age in U.S. Versus France

The full retirement age (FRA) for Social Security benefits has been gradually increasing. For those born in 1955, the FRA is set at 66 years and two months; for those born in 1960 or later, the FRA is 67. Early retirement can be taken at 62, resulting in reduced benefits. This shift aims to account for the increased life expectancy and the financial strain on the Social Security system caused by a growing retiree population.

The U.S. approach to retirement is also influenced by the availability of various retirement savings plans, such as 401(k)s and IRAs, providing people with additional means to support themselves financially beyond Social Security benefits.

In France, the retirement age has been a contentious issue. The French pension system is primarily funded through worker contributions, making the ratio of workers to retirees a critical factor in sustainability. Historically, the official retirement age was 60, but it increased to 62 in 2010. President Emmanuel Macrons recent reforms raised it to 64, sparking widespread protests.

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France isnt the only European country to take such measures. In Italy and Germany, the official retirement age was raised to 67. In the UK too, it is likely to be increased to 67 between 2026 and 2028. In Spain, it will be 67 by 2027.

Keep Reading:

The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement  How do you compare ?

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This article Musk Advocates Late Retirement: Praises France's Bold Move originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
We recently compiled a list of the 15 Biggest EV Stocks in the World in 2024 and in this article, we discuss whether NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) is the best EV stock to buy now.

According to the Global EV Outlook 2024 by the International Energy Agency, electric car sales surged in 2023, reaching nearly 14 million globally. This represents a 35% jump from 2022 and brings the total number of electric cars on the road to 40 million. Weekly registrations in 2023 surpassed the entire annual total from just ten years ago. Electric cars now account for 18% of all car sales globally, a significant climb from 2% in 2018. This rapid growth indicates a maturing electric car market with strong momentum. Interestingly, battery electric cars make up the majority (70%) of electric vehicles on the road today.

Approximately 95% of these sales were concentrated in China, Europe, and the United States, which dominate new electric car registrations. In these regions, electric cars represent a significant share of their local markets, with over 30% in China and over 20% in Europe. As these three key markets account for two-thirds of total car sales globally, their swift adoption of electric vehicles has a significant influence on worldwide trends.

As a result, many of the major EV manufacturers are based in these countries. However, emerging players are also making their mark in other regions. For instance, a subsidiary of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup made its debut on NASDAQ in August 2023. The company was valued at approximately $23 billion through a SPAC deal. The company has already entered the North American market, importing about 2,100 EVs from Vietnam to the US and 800 to Canada.

In addition to US, China, and Europe, emerging markets like Southeast Asia and Brazil are also seeing rising EV sales, supported by various incentives and investments. In terms of the future outlook for electric vehicles, the long-term goals of top automakers in the world are quite ambitious. If achieved, they could put over 20 million electric cars on the road by 2030. This will lead to electric vehicles making up between 42% and 58% of car sales by 2030, exceeding even the most optimistic forecasts. The electric vehicle market size is predicted to reach over $950 billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7% between 2023 and 2030.

Key drivers for growth in the Global EV market include decreasing EV battery prices and supportive government policies. The fastest-growing market segments are fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and mid-priced EVs. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to lead market growth. However, challenges such as high initial investments for charging infrastructure could impede growth.

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Is NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) the Best EV Stock to Buy Now?

A close up of an Electric Vehicle charging station, emphasizing the innovative technology.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the 15 biggest EV stocks in the world in 2024, we shortlisted companies on the basis of their market capitalization. We have only included companies that are pure play in the EV sector or have substantial exposure to the sector. The biggest EV stocks in the world in 2024 have been ranked in ascending order of their market capitalization figures in USD. We also scanned our database of 919 hedge funds (as of Q1 2024) to share the number of hedge fund investors, where applicable.

Why are we interested in 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).

Is NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) the Best EV Stock to Buy Now?

NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO)

Market Capitalization: $11.24 Billion

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 19

NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO), a leading Chinese automaker based in Shanghai, focuses on the design and development of electric vehicles. The company recently announced a trade-in subsidy for owners of gasoline vehicles who were interested in its EVs.

NIO Inc.s (NYSE:NIO) April deliveries surged 135% YoY to 15,620 vehicles, marking an increase of 32% from March. Meanwhile, the Q4 2023 revenue reached 17.1 billion RMB, reflecting a 6.5% YoY increase. Overall, NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) reported a net loss of 5.4 billion RMB in Q4. However, the loss has narrowed by 7.2% YoY, indicating some improvement in profitability.

Analysts remain moderately bullish on NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) with a "Moderate Buy" rating and an average price target of $6.66 (based on 18 analysts' estimates). The stock price jumped 20% in May after strong April deliveries.

At the end of Q1 2024, NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) was held by 19 hedge funds. Millennium Management was the leading hedge fund investor, with a stake worth over $66 million. The hedge fund increased its stake in NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) by over 20% during the first quarter.

Overall, NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) is held by 19 hedge funds as of Q1, 2024. There are EV stocks in our extended list which have even more hedge funds piling on them.

For that, visit the 15 Biggest EV Stocks in the World in 2024 to see the other electric vehicle companies that are on the hedge fund radar.

While we acknowledge the potential of electric vehicle companies, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NVIDIA 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.
Nvidia stock (NVDA) began trading Monday on a new 10-for-1 split basis, revising the shares' Friday closing price of $1,208.88 to $120.88. The stock closed up nearly 1% in its first day following the split.

The split means that owners of Nvidia common stock held as of the close of market on Thursday received 10 shares for each one share they held. For example, if a shareholder owned four shares of Nvidia as of Thursday, they now own 40 shares post-split.

Stock splits make owning shares of a stock more affordable by lowering the price of individual shares without diluting the value of existing shareholders' total holdings.

CEO Jensen Huang walks onstage before the keynote address of Nvidia GTC in San Jose, Calif., Monday, March 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

"The stock split is going to make Nvidia a lot more reachable for a lot of these retail traders," Option Research & Technology Services' Matt Amberson told Yahoo Finance last Thursday. "Now, you rarely see a stock over $1,000 with a 50% implied volatility, so the prices of the options are extraordinarily high, so options traders are really looking forward to the split."

Nvidia's split comes after the company's total market valuation briefly eclipsed $3 trillion on Wednesday, pushing the chip firm past Apple to become the second-most-valuable publicly traded US company.

Shares of Nvidia have skyrocketed thanks to the explosion in interest in generative AI that kicked off when OpenAI debuted its ChatGPT software in late 2022. Since then, hyperscalers like Amazon (AMZN), Google (GOOG, GOOGL), and Microsoft (MSFT) have been battling to get their hands on Nvidia's hardware to power their own generative AI platforms.

That sent Nvidia's revenue through the roof. In the first quarter, Nvidia reported adjusted earnings per share of $6.12 on revenue of $26 billion, jumps of 461% and 262%, respectively, from the same period a year ago.

Nvidia's Data Center revenue in the most recent quarter increased 427% year over year to $22.6 billion, accounting for 86% of the company's total revenue for the quarter. Nvidia's gaming segment, which was previously its most important business, saw revenue of $2.6 billion.

And Nvidia continues to develop new hardware to keep customers coming back for more. On June 3, CEO Jensen Huang announced an upgraded version of its Blackwell AI platform, called Blackwell Ultra, is coming in 2025 as well as an entirely new platform called Rubin set for 2026. And in 2027, the company will release an Ultra version of the Rubin hardware.

Stock splits are viewed by investors as a sign of strength, and consequently, companies that split their stock typically outperform the S&P 500 in the year following their announcement.

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On average, stocks rise 25% in the 12 months following the announcement of their split compared to an average return of 12% from the S&P 500 in the same time frame, per analysis from Bank of America. This has been true "across market regimes," BofA investment and ETF strategist Jared Woodard wrote in a note to clients.

Notably, the trend includes the time period from 2000 to 2009, amid the unwinding of the tech bubble. Nvidia shares are up about 27% since the company announced its split on May 22.

Nvidia's stock split comes as AMD (AMD) and Intel (INTC) are giving chase, announcing their own AI hardware and laying out their future product roadmaps as alternatives to Nvidia's. Nvidia's customers are also developing their own AI chips to train and run AI models to help mitigate the cost of purchasing new Nvidia products.

It's not just hyperscalers, though. Meta (META), Tesla (TSLA), and a slew of other major tech and automotive companies are angling to grab Nvidia's chips to train and deploy AI models for everything from recommendation engines to autonomous driving software.

What's more, Nvidia says it has a growing total addressable market beyond tech companies, including government organizations, research institutions, and more, meaning it might have a lot more runway to go.

Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.

Josh Schafer is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X @_joshschafer.

Subscribe to the Yahoo Finance Tech newsletter. (Yahoo Finance)

Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices.

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June is a popular month for stock splits. Two recent high-profile ones were Amazon and Shopify, both in June 2022. The two newest June stock splits are Nvidia, which split its stock 10-for-1 last week, and Chipotle Mexican Grill, which is set to split on June 26 at 50-for-1.

When a company splits its stock, it implies that it has grown tremendously and that management expects even more growth. A high price tag could be a barrier to entry for some investors or at least looks intimidating to investors who don't have four figures to invest. A lower price per share could appear more attractive.

Stock-split stocks get loads of attention, and stock prices usually jump after the announcement. They often jump after the split, as well, making them even more attractive. With high stock prices and rising charts, Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) and MercadoLibre (NASDAQ: MELI) could be next.

Costco: The resilient membership model

Costco operates a paid membership model that generates high sales growth and deep profits. It's a win-win setup for the company and its members: Costco gets a recurring revenue stream with its fees, as well as reliable traffic and volume, and shoppers get the lowest prices for their favorite products.

Companies often tout expanding gross margins, which are usually the basis for increasing profits. Costco, conversely, doesn't try to get its gross margins to be high -- it boasts very low gross margins. It doesn't inflate prices to send more money to the bottom line. Instead, it marks up products to cover associated costs and relies on high volume for sales increases. The fees are what comprise most of its net income.

Consider its margin compared with Walmart, Target, and Kroger.

COST Gross Profit Margin (Quarterly) Chart

It's a unique and powerful model that has led to strong performance over time and incredible shareholder value.

Investors shouldn't be worried about continued opportunities. Costco only operates 879 warehouses in total, with 606 in the U.S. It's not even in every state yet and is just getting started in many international regions, including China.

It's also planning to raise the membership fee at some point. It's already past the average time period when it usually hikes the fee, which is about every five years.

Management feels the company is performing quite well without it right now, and it would add extra pressure to its already pressed consumer base. The company is focused on creating value for shoppers and shareholders, which will lead to consumer loyalty and trickle down from sales to profits.

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Investors have been so enthused about Costco stock that its valuation has hit record highs recently. Costco hasn't split its stock in nearly 25 years, but as its price surges with no sign of stopping, it could be another tool in management's arsenal. Management is committed to shareholder value creation, and a stock split would meet that goal.

MercadoLibre: Incredible horizontal opportunities

MercadoLibre is an e-commerce giant based in Latin America. It presents similar opportunities to Amazon when it was in its early stages.

The company's stock has already delivered incredible gains for investors -- up 5,500% since it went public -- and trades at a four-figure price. The stock has never split, but as it continues to demonstrate high growth with ample opportunity to keep it up, it could be on management's radar.

MercadoLibre's main business is e-commerce, and that segment maintains very strong sales growth. Gross merchandise volume (GMV) increased 71% (currency neutral) year over year in the 2024 first quarter, and the company continues to refine its process to become more efficient and capture greater market share.

That results in a flywheel effect: As MercadoLibre's e-commerce service gets better, more customers rely on it for more of their needs, boosting its economies of scale. MercadoLibre services a large population with a low e-commerce penetration rate but a high e-commerce growth rate, implying that this business has a long growth runway.

MercadoLibre's newer fintech business is growing even faster. Total payment volume increased 86% over last year in the first quarter. The company has expanded this segment from a digital payments app into a financial services app with credit cards and other products and is opening its first full-service digital bank in Mexico.

MercadoLibre is an excellent business with many opportunities. As the price keeps climbing, management may decide it's time for a split.

Buy them for the long-term opportunity

There's evidence that stock-split stocks do post gains after their splits, but the correlation is more likely to be with the company's excellent performance rather than the split itself. If you decide to buy a stock that's splitting or might split soon, do it for the outstanding performance and long-term opportunity that typically accompanies a great stock-split stock.

Should you invest $1,000 in Costco Wholesale right now?

Before you buy stock in Costco Wholesale, 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 Costco Wholesale 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 $740,690!*

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 10, 2024

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Jennifer Saibil has positions in MercadoLibre. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Costco Wholesale, MercadoLibre, Nvidia, Shopify, Target, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Kroger. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Nvidia and Chipotle Are Splitting Their Stocks. Could These Two Companies Be Next? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Exploring the Sustainability and Growth of Omnicom Group Inc's Dividends

Omnicom Group Inc (NYSE:OMC) recently announced a dividend of $0.7 per share, payable on 2024-07-09, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-06-10. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Omnicom Group Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Omnicom Group Inc Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Sign with OMC.

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How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock?

Omnicom is a holding company that owns several advertising agencies and related firms. It provides traditional and digital advertising services that include creative design, market research, data analytics, and ad placement. In addition, Omnicom provides outsourced public relations and other communications services. The firm operates globally, providing services in more than 70 countries; it generates more than one half of its revenue in North America and nearly 30% in Europe.

Omnicom Group Inc's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Omnicom Group Inc's Dividend History

Omnicom Group Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1984. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Omnicom Group Inc has increased its dividend each year since 1994. The stock is thus listed as a dividend aristocrat, an honor that is given to companies that have increased their dividend each year for at least the past 30 years.

Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Omnicom Group Inc's Dividend Analysis

Breaking Down Omnicom Group Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Omnicom Group Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.07% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 3.07%. This suggests an expectation of same dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Over the past three years, Omnicom Group Inc's annual dividend growth rate was 2.50%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 3.10% per year. And over the past decade, Omnicom Group Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 5.50%.

Based on Omnicom Group Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Omnicom Group Inc stock as of today is approximately 3.59%.

Omnicom Group Inc's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2024-03-31, Omnicom Group Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.38.

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Omnicom Group Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Omnicom Group Inc's profitability 8 out of 10 as of 2024-03-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Omnicom Group Inc's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Omnicom Group Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Omnicom Group Inc's revenue has increased by approximately 6.20% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 53.12% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Omnicom Group Inc's earnings increased by approximately 16.50% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 57.96% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 4.30%, which outperforms approximately 48.59% of global competitors.

Conclusion

Considering Omnicom Group Inc's consistent dividend payments, robust growth metrics, and solid profitability, the company's dividends appear sustainable in the foreseeable future. These factors make Omnicom Group Inc an attractive option for value investors focused on dividend income. GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) has been one of the best-performing bank stocks in recent memory. Over the past decade, shares have risen in value by 250%. Citigroup stock, by comparison, rose by just 27% over that time period.

Many investors have gotten rich with JPMorgan stock and it's a popular holding. CEO Jamie Dimon owns 7,700,806 shares, according to the company's 2024 proxy statement, and they are currently worth a cool $1.5 billion. But he's not the only one with a fortune tied up in the company's stock.

These company insiders own large amounts of JPMorgan stock

In JPMorgan's latest proxy statement, dated April 8, five company insiders are listed as owning more than 100,000 shares of the company's stock, though all hold fewer shares than Dimon.

Person Company Role Share Count Daniel Pinto President & chief operating officer 595,732 Mary Callahan Erdoes Asset & wealth management CEO 570,003 Marianne Lake CEO, consumer & community banking 209,296 Mellody Hobson Director 129,574 Stephen B. Burke Lead independent director 107,334

Data source: JPMorgan Chase.

The proxy statement also lists Vanguard and BlackRock, two major institutional investors that collectively own around 465 million shares, as the only institutions holding more than 5% of its stock. Their holdings equate to roughly 16% of JPMorgan's total share count, 9.4% for Vanguard and 6.7% for BlackRock.

The vast majority of those Vanguard and BlackRock shares are ultimately owned by tens of thousands of individual investors who own shares through funds operated by each company. Also note that filings don't include private investors who own less than 5% of the company's outstanding stock, because these investors aren't required to file publicly with the SEC. Thus the public does not know if there are individuals who own more stock than Jamie Dimon but who just don't have to be listed in public filing as beneficial owners.

Information from S&P Capital IQ lists many institutional investors with many more shares than Dimon, but only four other individuals holding more than 100,000 shares but well below Dimon's shares:

Douglas Petno, co-head of global banking, commercial & investment bank: 407,273

Ashley Bacon, chief risk officer: 217,351

Troy Rohrbaugh, co- CEO, commercial & investment bank: 187,695

Stacey Friedman, executive VP & general counsel: 107,258

Should you invest $1,000 in JPMorgan Chase right now?

Before you buy stock in JPMorgan Chase, 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 JPMorgan Chase wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Story continues

Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $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

Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Ryan Vanzo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Who Owns the Most JPMorgan Chase Stock Besides Jamie Dimon? was originally published by The Motley Fool
For many, the main point of investing is to generate higher returns than the overall market. But every investor is virtually certain to have both over-performing and under-performing stocks. So we wouldn't blame long term Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited (SGX:J36) shareholders for doubting their decision to hold, with the stock down 42% over a half decade. And some of the more recent buyers are probably worried, too, with the stock falling 24% in the last year.

Now let's have a look at the company's fundamentals, and see if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business.

See our latest analysis for Jardine Matheson Holdings

While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. 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.

Jardine Matheson Holdings became profitable within the last five years. 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 remained healthy, so that wouldn't really explain the share price drop. While it's not completely obvious why the share price is down, a closer look at the company's history might help explain it.

The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. So it makes a lot of sense to check out what analysts think Jardine Matheson Holdings will earn in the future (free profit forecasts).

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 incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, Jardine Matheson Holdings' TSR for the last 5 years was -28%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

Jardine Matheson Holdings shareholders are down 20% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 5.6%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 5% per year over five years. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Jardine Matheson Holdings you should know about.

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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 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.
The Red Lobster at 255 Graff Road SE, New Philadelphia, is among nine of the restaurants scheduled to close in Ohio.

NEW PHILADELPHIA  The Red Lobster across from New Towne Mall is one of nine of the chain's restaurants in Ohio that will be closing amid bankruptcy.

Last month, Red Lobster said in a news release it has voluntary filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code in Florida District courts.

Other business news: "Exciting day for Newcomerstown:" Ground broken for Altor Solutions manufacturing facility

The restaurant, 255 Graff Road SE, was built in 1991 and remodeled in 2012, according to records from the Tuscarawas County Auditor's Office. The building has an appraised value of $1.1 million.

The company pays $28,974 per year in real estate tax, Auditor Larry Lindberg said.

State Sen. Al Landis is rallying local government and business leadership to write letters of support to try to persuade Red Lobster to keep the New Philadelphia restaurant open," said New Philadelphia Mayor Joel Day.

"The restaurant is one of the most popular in Tuscarawas County. We will do all we can to reverse the decision to close our Red Lobster.

This restructuring is the best path forward for Red Lobster," said company CEO Jonathan Tibus. "It allows us to address several financial and operational challenges and emerge stronger and re-focused on our growth. The support weve received from our lenders and vendors will help ensure that we can complete the sale process quickly and efficiently while remaining focused on our employees and guests.

Other locations closing

According to bankruptcy court filings in Florida, Reb Lobster rejected dozens of store leases across the country. The other eight that will soon close include:

3655 Orange Place, Beachwood.

1691 Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus.

6500 Miller Lane, Dayton.

2340 Tiffin Ave., Findlay.

1422 Reynolds Road, Maumee.

7607 Day Drive, Parma.

17227 South Park Center, Strongsville.

4990 Monroe Street, Toledo.

The Akron Beacon Journal contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Red Lobster in New Philadelphia slated to close soon
Usually, when one insider buys stock, it might not be a monumental event. But when multiple insiders are buying like they did in the case of i3 Energy Plc (LON:I3E), that sends out a positive message to the company's shareholders.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing.

View our latest analysis for i3 Energy

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At i3 Energy

In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Independent Non-Executive Chairman John Festival bought UK64k worth of shares at a price of UK0.14 per share. That means that even when the share price was higher than UK0.11 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. Their view may have changed since then, but at least it shows they felt optimistic at the time. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. Generally speaking, it catches our eye when insiders have purchased shares at above current prices, as it suggests they believed the shares were worth buying, even at a higher price.

In the last twelve months i3 Energy insiders were buying shares, but not selling. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. If investing in lesser known companies is your style, you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Insider Ownership

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Based on our data, i3 Energy insiders have about 2.7% of the stock, worth approximately UK3.5m. But they may have an indirect interest through a corporate structure that we haven't picked up on. We prefer to see high levels of insider ownership.

So What Does This Data Suggest About i3 Energy Insiders?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded i3 Energy shares in the last quarter. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. The transactions are fine but it'd be more encouraging if i3 Energy insiders bought more shares in the company. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. For example - i3 Energy has 2 warning signs we think you should be aware of.

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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.
Between 156,000 and 200,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed in Gaza in the first 120 days since the attacks by Hamas, which prompted a new chapter in the decades-old conflict between Israel and Gaza. This is according to new estimates published by Queen Mary University of London yesterday, assessing the carbon cost of the first half of the recent conflict, which is now 244 days old.

Rebuilding the damaged infrastructure in Gaza will release between 46.8 million and 60 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e)  a mean average of 53.4 million tCO2e. The report noted that this will entail total emissions figure higher than the annual emissions of over 135 countries, putting them on par with that of Sweden and Portugal.

These figures account for the necessary steel, concrete and transportation of resources required for restoration and rebuilding, and assumes that each project embodies around 300 tonnes of CO2.

The bombardment has also resulted in vast amounts of debris, which the World Bank in March estimated to be at around 26 million tons (23,586,803 tonnes). It reported that the removal of rubbles alone would cost around US$327 million and would require a years-long effort.

By the end of January 2024, damage to Gazan infrastructure was worth around $18.5 billion, equivalent to 97% of the West Bank and Gazas total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022, according to the World Bank. Nearly 80% of this damage was concentrated in three areas: Gaza, North Gaza and Khan Younis.

The carbon emissions of the Israel-Gaza conflict itself are also significant, estimated to be greater than the annual emissions of 26 individual countries and territories.

The research identified cargo flights as the biggest contributor to these emissions, having released an estimated 159,107 tCO2e since October 7. Bombing and reconnaissance flights came in second with an estimated 157,410 tCO2e released, and tanks and vehicles followed with an estimated 91,999 tCO2e.

The report acknowledged the United Nations Environmental Programme most recent Emission Gap report, which notes that military emissions are usually insufficiently accounted for, but stated that, even with incomplete data, researchers have found that militaries still account for almost 5.5% of global emissions. It compares this to contributions from civilian aviation (2%) and civilian shipping (3%).

Concerns around the impact of conflict on the climate are often less discussed, something the report acknowledged: This omission is understandable as the world remains focused on the acute death and suffering. However, military operations remain an under-analysed dimension of the climate crisis that will worsen suffering on vulnerable communities and the wider region as the impacts of global warming intensify.

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"Rebuilding Gaza: the carbon cost of war" was originally created and published by Energy Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Reclassifying Cannabis: A Potential Game-Changer For Real Estate And Lending In The Industry

Reclassifying cannabis as a lower-risk substance could bring significant changes to the real estate sector associated with cannabis. If the change leads to relaxed lending regulations, more funds could be directed toward facilities.

Cannabis operators are also expected to experience reduced tax obligations, potentially encouraging more lenders to enter the market as these companies' financial standings improve.

"The increased cash flow from the reduced tax burden will provide financing for expansion of all different types of licenses," Charlie Alovisetti, partner at cannabis law firm Vicente LLP, told Bisnow. "And the momentum from the rescheduling will hopefully lead to improvements in banking access, payment processing and ability to obtain bank debt, all of which will also spur growth and the need for new and larger facilities."

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California-based Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (NYSE:IIPR) anticipates that rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III will position the industry for descheduling within the next two to three years.

Even under Schedule III, state operators "would still be in conflict with federal law. ... They'd still be selling cannabis without a prescription," President and CEO Paul Smithers said during the company's first quarter call.

Although nearly half of the states have legalized adult recreational use of marijuana, cannabis businesses have been hindered by the plant's classification as a Schedule 1 drug, which places it among substances like LSD, heroin and ketamine.

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IIPR's tenants include some of the largest and most popular cannabis companies, including Trulieve, Curaleaf and Cresco Labs. It has 30 tenants with the top 10 accounting for 76.4% of its annualized base rent.

Relaxed regulations could open the industry to more research, increasing demand for research space at hospitals, universities and life science facilities, Daniel Tropp, president of industrial real estate brokerage AEBOV, told the Green Market report.

It's unclear if rescheduling would expand the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s oversight of manufacturing facilities. Tropp mentioned that increased compliance costs would impact demand for manufacturing space and pricing.

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Additional capital for cannabis operators could prompt some to pursue vertical integration and acquire additional licenses and facilities, resulting in increased demand for industrial properties for cultivation, manufacturing, and retail activities.

Tropp suggested that the benefits real estate could derive from research requirements and the reinvestment of tax savings could "outweigh the possible headwind of higher costs to manufacturers" from greater FDA involvement.

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This article Reclassifying Cannabis: A Potential Game-Changer For Real Estate And Lending In The Industry originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Exploring the Sustainability and Growth of Rogers Communications Inc's Dividends

Rogers Communications Inc (NYSE:RCI) recently announced a dividend of $0.5 per share, payable on 2024-07-05, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-06-10. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Rogers Communications Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Rogers Communications Inc Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 8 Warning Signs with RCI.

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Rogers Communications is the largest wireless service provider in Canada, with its more than 11 million subscribers equating to one third of the total Canadian market. Its wireless business accounted for more than half of total revenue and has increasingly been providing a bigger portion of total company sales over the last several years. Rogers' cable segment, which provides about 35% of total revenue after acquiring Shaw, offers home internet, television, and landline phone service to consumers and businesses. Remaining sales come from Rogers' media unit, which owns and operates various television and radio stations and the Toronto Blue Jays. Rogers' significant exposure to sports also includes ownership stakes in the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors, FC, and Argonauts.

Rogers Communications Inc's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Rogers Communications Inc's Dividend History

Rogers Communications Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2003. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Rogers Communications Inc has increased its dividend each year since 2004. The stock is thus listed as a dividend achiever, an honor that is given to companies that have increased their dividend each year for at least the past 20 years.

Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Rogers Communications Inc's Dividend Analysis

Breaking Down Rogers Communications Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Rogers Communications Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.81% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 3.74%. This suggests an expectation of decrease in dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 0.60% per year. And over the past decade, Rogers Communications Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 1.20%.

Based on Rogers Communications Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Rogers Communications Inc stock as of today is approximately 3.92%.

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Rogers Communications Inc's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2024-03-31, Rogers Communications Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.45.

Rogers Communications Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Rogers Communications Inc's profitability 8 out of 10 as of 2024-03-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Rogers Communications Inc's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Rogers Communications Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Rogers Communications Inc's revenue has increased by approximately 10.20% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 72.6% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Rogers Communications Inc's earnings increased by approximately 11.00% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 58.45% of global competitors.

Conclusion

Considering Rogers Communications Inc's consistent dividend growth, strong payout ratio, robust profitability, and solid growth metrics, the company appears well-positioned to continue rewarding its shareholders with reliable dividend payments. Investors seeking to diversify their portfolio with a stock that offers both stability and potential for appreciation might find Rogers Communications Inc an intriguing option. What are your thoughts on incorporating Rogers Communications Inc into your investment strategy?

GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Sacramento woman, 91, financed solar panels she'd pay off at age 114  now her estate is suing for elder abuse

Phyllis Simmons was 91 years old when she signed up for solar panels  a $35,000+ project shed apparently pay off when she turned 114.

But Simmons died mere months after the solar panels were installed and her family is now suing for elder financial abuse.

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Daniel Lessard, the salesman listed on the 2019 contract for the Freedom Forever solar panels, says Simmons' estate served him with a lawsuit claiming elder financial abuse years after he left Apricot Solar, the company that conducted the solar panels business.

"I've never met Simmons a day in my life," Lessard told CBS13s Kurt Investigates. "I learned about Ms. Simmons when I got the complaint."

Lessard says he was used as a scapegoat for fraud

Lessard believes his name was forged by another sales representative, reportedly claiming in court-filed documents that Apricot Solar CEO Dave Bengel asked for his login credentials to the company sales portal to help out another salesperson.

"As somebody who was just trying to be a team player and just do what my boss asked me, I reluctantly agreed, having no idea of the consequences of what he was asking me to do," Lessard recounts.

He says other Apricot Solar employees who werent actually licensed to sell solar panels were also using his login credentials to DocuSign his name in contracts  and two former employees also support his claim.

The former Apricot Solar Vice President allegedly said in court documents, "During my tenure, it was prevalent for CEO Dave Bengel to endorse forgery in an attempt to boost sales."

Simmons' estate has dropped Lessard from its lawsuit, but is still charging Apricot Solar and Freedom Forever for fraud and elder financial abuse. Bengel denies these allegations in court documents, but did not respond to CBS13 for comment.

"I didn't get paid by any of this," Lessard says. "I had no reason to do any of this. I was entirely used as a scapegoat for fraud to make this company more profitable.

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

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Freedom Forever has been fined before

Previously, CBS13 reported Sacramento homeowner Andrea Bokreta met with Freedom Forever to discuss installing solar panels on her roof  but even though she claims she never signed a contract or had these panels installed, she received an invoice billing her $11,640.

Bokreta also mentioned she gave the salesperson her Social Security number because he needed it for an estimate and a credit check. Lessard believes this may have been her undoing.

"If you're providing your Social Security number, you need to understand that you are filling out a loan application," Lessard says, adding that a salesperson could potentially use your personal information to electronically sign your name.

In the meanwhile, CBS13 reports the California Contractors State License Board has fined Freedom Forever more than a dozen times since 2017 for breaking multiple regulations and the state is going after the company's license.

Other homeowners have also spoken to the news organization about getting billed for solar panels they never signed up for through Freedom Forever  but had their contracts canceled by the company after CBS contacted Freedom Forever directly.

"The referenced claim of customers not being able to recall agreeing to a contract can be disproven, Freedom Forever emailed CBS News Texas earlier this year.

"In these rare examples of customers experiencing buyer's remorse and failing to cancel as contractually outlined in the Supply & Installation agreement, Freedom Forever has continued to go above and beyond and cancel their contract with no financial repercussion to the customer."

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
One simple way to benefit from the stock market is to buy an index fund. But if you choose individual stocks with prowess, you can make superior returns. For example, Singapore Airlines Limited (SGX:C6L) shareholders have seen the share price rise 32% over three years, well in excess of the market decline (7.2%, not including dividends).

So let's investigate and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

See our latest analysis for Singapore Airlines

While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

Singapore Airlines became profitable within the last three years. That would generally be considered a positive, so we'd expect the share price to be up.

You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image).

It is of course excellent to see how Singapore Airlines has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on how its financial position has changed over time.

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. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of Singapore Airlines, it has a TSR of 42% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

Investors in Singapore Airlines had a tough year, with a total loss of 1.0% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 5.6%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 3% per year over half a decade. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. 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. To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Singapore Airlines (including 1 which is significant) .

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Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings.

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.
By Rajesh Kumar Singh and Nathan Gomes

(Reuters) -Elliott Investment Management called for leadership and board changes at Southwest Airlines after reporting a stake worth about $1.9 billion in the U.S. carrier, saying the company needs fresh perspectives to compete in the modern airline industry.

Dallas-based Southwest's shares were up 7% at $29.71 after the activist investment management firm disclosed an 11% stake in the company, making it one of the largest investors.

Elliott criticized the company's leadership for "disappointing" financial performance at a time when the airline industry is experiencing strong travel demand. It asked for new leadership from outside of the company, saying CEO Bob Jordan has delivered unacceptable financial and operational performance quarter after quarter.

Southwest's EBITDAR, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and restructuring or rent costs -

a measure for financial performance - is expected to be nearly 50% lower than 2018 levels, Elliott said.

It attributed the underperformance to "poor execution" and Southwest leadership's "stubborn unwillingness" to evolve the company's strategy.

"We believe that new leadership is required at Southwest," Elliott said in its letter to the airline's board.

A Southwest spokesperson said that while the company looked forward to better understanding Elliott's views, its board has confidence in Jordan's ability to drive long-term value for all shareholders.

Robert Mann, a former airline executive who now runs a consulting firm, said Elliott has given reasons for Southwest's poor stock performance without offering any answers.

"Unless you have specific ideas in mind, it's just kind of throwing grenades," Mann said. "All you're doing is saying, you don't like what's going on."

Jordan has had a rough ride since taking the helm in February 2022. A high-profile systems meltdown in the first year of his term led to the cancellation of almost 17,000 flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and costing the company more than $1 billion.

More recently, the airline has been reeling from Boeing's ongoing safety crisis. Southwest has warned of a hit to earnings as it expects to receive just 20 Boeing aircraft this year, less than a quarter of the number it had anticipated.

Southwest had planned to start operating MAX 7 aircraft - the smallest MAX plane - this year but FAA certification is now mired in uncertainty after Boeing withdrew a request for a safety exemption.

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The carrier has called Boeing's delays "significant challenges" for this year and next as they have forced Southwest to moderate its growth plans.

To mitigate the impact, Southwest has accelerated plans to control costs and improve productivity. It is also reviewing its products and boarding policy.

Southwest's shares are up about 3% this year, compared with a roughly 12% rise in the S&P 500 index. Shares of rivals Delta and United have gained more than 25%.

Southwest shares trade about 19.52 times their forward profit estimates, compared with United's 4.74 and the industry multiple of 7.19.

Elliott, known for pushing for change to boost shareholder returns, said a comprehensive business review can help Southwest's stock hit $49 per share within 12 months.

The firm said Southwest's board, which it has asked for a meeting, does not include any director with external airline experience. It called for the board's reconstitution with "new, truly independent" directors possessing expertise in airlines, customer experience and technology.

"The mandate from the board has been clear: Keep doing things the way they have always been done," Elliott said.

(Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago and Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid, Will Dunham, Kirsten Donovan and Rod Nickel)
Targets are spread along 2 km of the heavily mineralized Queen vein

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2024) - Summa Silver Corp. (TSXV: SSVR) (OTCQX: SSVRF) (FSE: 48X) ("Summa" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on drill planning for the Mogollon Project, New Mexico (the "Mogollon Project").

Key Highlights (See attached figures):

Known High-grade Mineralization: All targets along the Queen vein have previously been de-risked by reconnaissance-style and step-out drilling, highlighted by: 448 g/t AgEq* (129 g/t Ag, 3.88 g/t Au) over 31 m (Consolidated, MOG22-05) 640 g/t AgEq (306 g/t Ag, 4.26 g/t Au) over 9.9 m (Consolidated, MOG22-10) 433 g/t AgEq (134 g/t Ag, 3.66 g/t Au) over 23.2 m (Consolidated, MOG22-16) 1,133 g/t AgEq (693 g/t Ag, 8.8 g/t Au) over 1.65 m (Eberle, MOG23-21) 393 g/t AgEq (64 g/t Ag, 3.9 g/t Au) over 7.4 m (South Queen, MOG23-20)

Strong Recoveries for Gold and Silver: Two previously reported representative composite vein samples from Consolidated returned recoveries ranging from 96.2% to 97.9% for silver and 97.7% to 97.8% for gold from flotation concentrates.

All Targets are Open for Expansion: All mineralized zones along the Queen vein are open for expansion and require step-out drilling to fully evaluate grade and scale potential.

Systematic Drilling Planned: Data from infill and step-out drilling at key targets will be used to fully investigate grade continuity along-strike and down-dip to facilitate future mineral resource estimations.

*Silver equivalent is calculated using US$20/oz Ag, US$1,800/oz Au with metallurgical recoveries of Ag - 90%, Au - 95%. AgEq = (Ag grade x Ag recovery)+((Au grade x Au recovery) x (Au price / Ag price)).

Galen McNamara, CEO, stated: "Our work at Mogollon has shown that the Queen vein is extensively mineralized with high-grade silver and gold in multiple zones across more than 2 km. Systematic drilling is now required to quantify ounces in a step-by-step manner as targets are drilled and developed throughout the district in the coming months and years. With 77 km of vein and prospective structure present on the project, we are confident in big-picture ounce potential here and look forward to continuing to unlock value in this storied American silver district."

Figure 1: Mogollon Project Priority Drill Targets

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7983/212087_750da9c5f4f1886e_002full.jpg

Figure 2: Mogollon Project Queen Vein Long Section

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To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7983/212087_750da9c5f4f1886e_003full.jpg

The Targets

The priority targets at Mogollon are dispersed along the highly-prospective and complex Queen vein system covering 2.0 km of strike length from the southern Deadwood target to the northern Consolidated target (Figure 1). High-grade mineralization along this trend is hosted in a structurally controlled and complex epithermal-related system consisting of calcite + quartz veins, quartz-rich breccias with bladed quartz, colloform banding, and local silver-bearing sulfides. The Queen vein, and related splays, have been traced on the Mogollon Project for an additional 5.5 km where other known targets remain un-tested.

The priority drill targets include:

Consolidated : The Consolidated target is centered on the historic Consolidated Mine and has been tested by the company for un-mined extensions of mineralization across a strike length of approximately 500 m and a down-dip extent of approximately 350 m (Figure 2). Drilling at Consolidated was initially designed to intersect the Queen vein on 50-100 m pierce points to systematically investigate grade continuity north and south of historic mine developments. Many holes across two drill programs (2021 to 2023) returned significant zones of vein-hosted, high-grade silver and gold mineralization (e.g., 448 g/t silver equivalent* (129 g/t Ag, 3.88 g/t Au) over 31 m of MOG22-05 and 640 g/t silver equivalent* (306 g/t Ag, 4.26 g/t Au) over 9.9 m of MOG22-10; see the Company's news releases dated May 3, 2022 and February 1, 2023). These results demonstrate strong grade continuity for gold and silver along the vein and within the complex vein system and outline key areas that require additional infill and step-out holes to better constrain the lateral and vertical extent of mineralization.

South Queen and Eberle : The most recent drill program at the Mogollon Project was designed to test the mineralization potential of the South Queen and Eberle targets located along 350 m of the Queen vein, approximately 1.2 km south of the Consolidated target. The South Queen target is centered on the structural intersections between the east-west trending Last Chance and Anne E veins, and the Queen vein between the Deadwood and Eberle mines (Figure 2). The only hole at Queen South intersected 393 g/t silver equivalent (3.9 g/t Au and 64 g/t Ag) over 7.4 m including 2,735 g/t silver equivalent (28.6 g/t Au and 320 g/t Ag) over 0.5 m (MOG23-20, see the Company's press release dated February 27th, 2024). The Eberle target, centered on the structural intersection between the east-west trending Maud S Vein and the Queen vein system. The first hole (MOG23-21) intersected two intervals of strong silver-gold mineralization, an upper zone of 124 g/t silver equivalent* (59 g/t Ag, 0.83 g/t Au) over 2.13 m, and a lower high-grade zone of 1,133 g/t silver equivalent* (421 g/t Ag, 8.8 g/t Au) over 1.65 m (see the Company's press release dated April 23 rd , 2024). The intersections in MOG23-21 were 30 m apart, down hole and represent two veins and/or vein splays. Mineralization at both targets is open along strike and down dip.

Clifton : The Clifton target comprises potential zones of high-grade mineralization below the Clifton Adit and has yet to be drill tested by the Company. The adit was driven along the Queen vein for over 400 m where limited production was recorded. Historic underground sampling from along the adit returned grades of up to 382 g/t silver equivalent (see the Company's press release dated September 12, 2023). Mineralization at Clifton remains open in all directions.

The Plans

Based on the Company's previous drill results, together with extensive data compilation efforts of historic underground sampling, it is determined that a continued systematic approach to drilling is required at the Consolidated, Clifton and South Queen targets. The focus at all three targets will be to better define the extent and continuity of vein-hosted mineralization. Holes will be planned on 50 to 100 m spaced pierced points along the vein with the resulting data used to inform and facilitate a future mineral resource estimate.

The company will announce detailed plans for the upcoming resource-style drill program at Mogollon once holes are finalized and budgets are set. It is anticipated that drilling will commence later in Q3 2024.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Galen McNamara, P. Geo., the CEO of the Company and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Summa Silver Corp

Summa Silver Corp is a junior mineral exploration company. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Hughes project located in central Nevada and has an option to earn 100% interest in the Mogollon project located in southwestern New Mexico. The high-grade past-producing Belmont Mine, one of the most prolific silver producers in the United States between 1903 and 1929, is located on the Hughes project. The Mogollon project is the largest historic silver producer in New Mexico. Both projects have remained inactive since commercial production ceased and neither have seen modern exploration prior to the Company's involvement.

Follow Summa Silver on Twitter: @summasilver

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/summa-silver-corp/

Website: https://www.summasilver.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Galen McNamara"

Galen McNamara, Chief Executive Officer

info@summasilver.com

www.summasilver.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Giordy Belfiore

Corporate Development and Investor Relations

604-288-8004

giordy@summasilver.com

www.summasilver.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. These forwardlooking statements or information relate to, among other things: exploration and development of the Company's mineral exploration projects including completion of surveys and drilling activities; the release of assays.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual actions, events or results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: the requirement for regulatory approvals; enhanced uncertainty in global financial markets as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic; unquantifiable risks related to government actions and interventions; stock market volatility; regulatory restrictions; the ongoing conflict in Ukraine; and other related risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's public disclosure documents.

Forward-looking information are based on management of the parties' reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on such management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/212087
The Thailand e-commerce market is growing at a fast pace and is expected to surge by 13.7% in 2024, driven by growing consumer preference for online shopping and strong internet penetration, reveals GlobalData, publishers of EPI.

GlobalDatas E-Commerce Analytics reveals that Thailand e-commerce market registered a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1% between 2019 and 2023 to reach THB2trn ($58.7bn) in 2023. The market is set to increase at 13.7% growth in 2024 to reach THB2.3trn ($66.7bn) in 2024.

Ravi Sharma, Lead Banking and Payments Analyst at GlobalData, said: Thailand boasts one of the largest e-commerce markets in Southeast Asia, supported by a large young population and rising internet and smartphone penetration. Improving logistics, rise in the number of middle-income families, increasing confidence in online payments, and the availability of alternative payment solutions will further aid e-commerce growth.

GlobalData 2023 Financial Services Consumer Survey

GlobalDatas 2023 Financial Services Consumer Survey reveals that over 92% of consumers in Thailand shopped online in the past six months while only 4% never shopped online.

Among the various tools used for e-commerce purchases, bank transfers are the most preferred and accounted for 38.2% share in 2023. Bank transfers are followed by alternative payment solutions, collectively accounting for 24.4% of e-commerce transaction value, with some of the leading brands being TrueMoney, PayPal, and ShopeePay.

Payment cards are also increasingly used for online purchases, accounting for 21.6% of e-commerce transaction value in 2023. This can be attributed to the convenience, pricing benefits such as cashback, discounts, and reward points as well as instalment payment options available with these cards.

Despite the growing preference for electronic payments, a notable share of online purchases is still paid for in cash, partly due to concerns around online payment fraud.

Sharma concluded: Thailands e-commerce landscape continues its upward trajectory and is poised for substantial growth between 2024 and 2028, with an anticipated compound annual growth rate of 11.2% in transaction value to reach THB3.5 trillion ($101.9 billion) in 2028.

"Thailand e-commerce payments to surge by 13.7% in 2024, forecasts GlobalData" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.







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The UAW has reached a tentative local agreement with the factory in northeast Ohio that supplies battery cells for General Motors electric vehicles.

The workforce at Ultium Cells, which is a joint venture between GM and South Korea-based battery company LG Energy Solution, voted to unionize in December 2022, just five months after the facility started production. The tentative agreement will give most workers there a $3.59 per hour raise upon ratification, according to a letter by UAW President Shawn Fain posted on www.uaw.org/Ultium.

"This local agreement is the culmination of thousands of UAW members and leaders who said were not going to take it," Fain wrote. "In this agreement, we have raised the top production wage from $20 after seven years on the job, to $35 after one year on the job, by the end of the deal. Our starting wage has gone up from $16.50 to $26.91. We have better health and safety language at Ultium than anywhere in this industry. We have made major gains for skilled trades, on scheduling, and on dozens of other important issues."

The union will hold informational meetings to go over the details of the deal, Fain said.

The plant, which employs 1,700 people according to www.ultiumcells.com, is adjacent to GM's former Lordstown Assembly Plant. GM idled Lordstown Assembly in 2019 and later sold it to electric truckmaker Lordstown Motors.

One of the main issues around the union's negotiations with the Detroit automakers last fall was organizing the joint-venture battery plants and whether those employees would be included in the UAW's national agreement with GM. That would give them equal pay and benefits as workers at assembly plants.

Jason Coburn, 46, of Auburn Hills, center, shares a light moment of laughter on the picket line with Gary Phillips 63, of Harrison Township, left, and strike captain Vern Armstead, 64, of Davisburg, Mich., at the GM Customer Care and Aftersales plant in Pontiac, Mich., on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.

In what was a big win for the union during its 46-day targeted strike last fall, GM agreed to allow Ultium Cells employees to be included in the master contract. When UAW members ratified the new contract with GM last November, employees at Ultium Cells received an immediate pay raise of $6 to $8 per hour. The UAW-GM agreement also allowed for those workers who were transferred to other GM plants in the United States when GM shuttered Lordstown in 2019, the chance to return to the area by transferring to the Ultium Cells plant there.

GM spokesman Kevin Kelly said in a statement to the Detroit Free Press on Monday, "Were pleased that there is a tentative agreement with the UAW at the Ultium Cells Joint Venture in Warren, Ohio. The agreement will now move into the ratification process."

Voting on Ultium contract starts Friday

No one from UAW Local 1112, which represents the workforce at Ultium Cells in Warren, immediately returned a call for comment. Likewise, a spokesperson for Ultium Cells did not immediately respond with a comment.

Story continues

David Green, the UAW Region 2B director, was the former president of Local 1112 when GM closed the Lordstown plant. He was involved in negotiating the new contract with Ultium Cells.

"Five years ago, when they closed Lordstown Assembly, it was a major gut punch  I know, I lived it," Green told the Free Press on Monday. "They wrote Lordstown off for dead. They thought we'd settle for low wages and unsafe jobs. They thought wrong, and now Ultium workers are leading the way."

Green said the workforce will vote on the tentative agreement starting at 5 a.m. Friday and ending at 5 a.m. Sunday. The UAW posted online the following highlights of the tentative agreement:

Raises of 30% over three years for production, quality and material handling workers at the plant and a $3,000 bonus upon ratification.

Skilled trade journeypersons' pay immediately rises to $38.16 an hour upon ratification.

There will be four full-time union health and safety representatives and one full-time union industrial hygienist at the facility.

Everyone will get time-and-a-half pay after 10 hours in a day.

Paid relief time, meaning everyone is paid from the time they clock in to the time they clock out.

Full pay for bereavement and jury duty.

"This agreement is a game changer for the electric vehicle battery industry, and for the future of Lordstown and towns like it all across this country," Fain wrote in the letter. "This is the kind of agreement that makes thousands of electric vehicle battery workers want to join the UAW and fight for a better future. You all are leading the way, and I am honored to be a part of this fight alongside you."

GM's joint venture has two other Ultium Cell facilities. In March, Ultium Cells started production at a new facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee, and it is building a plant in Lansing due to start production later this year.

More: GM's Barra touts gas-powered lineup, says customers will determine timing of EV transition

More: Only one of the Detroit automakers won safety awards for its full-size SUV

Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: UAW reaches tentative deal with GM's joint venture battery plant
The Vera Bradley store at Summit Mall in Fairlawn is closing June 23, the company announced Monday.

Vera Bradley has announced it is closing its store inside of the Summit Mall in Fairlawn.

The purveyor of women's bags and accessories will close its Summit County store on June 23.

"We have loved being a part of your local community, but have recently made the difficult decision to close Vera Bradley at Summit Mall," the retailer told customers in a email.

More: Shoppers' alert: Check out these new stores coming to the Summit Mall in Fairlawn

The company was founded back in the 1980s by Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, who found luggage and bags offered to women as boring and thought they could come up with a better product.

The company based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, operates an online business and has some 125 regular and outlet stores in the country.

The closure will leave three Vera Bradley stores in Ohio  two at outlet malls in Delaware and Jeffersonville and a traditional store in Cincinnati.

Kyle Hersh, director of marketing and business development at Summit Mall, said Vera Bradley has opted to not renew its lease  which expires at the end of the month.

"We are awaiting signature on the lease of the tenant who will be replacing them," he said. "I hope to be able to announce that in the coming weeks."

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Vera Bradley closing its Summit Mall store June 23
What trends should we look for it we want to identify stocks that can multiply in value over the long term? Ideally, a business will show two trends; firstly a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an increasing amount of capital employed. Put simply, these types of businesses are compounding machines, meaning they are continually reinvesting their earnings at ever-higher rates of return. Although, when we looked at Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS), it didn't seem to tick all of these boxes.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Walt Disney:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.067 = US$11b  (US$195b - US$33b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2024).

So, Walt Disney has an ROCE of 6.7%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Entertainment industry average of 11%.

See our latest analysis for Walt Disney

roce

Above you can see how the current ROCE for Walt Disney compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free analyst report for Walt Disney .

What Can We Tell From Walt Disney's ROCE Trend?

Things have been pretty stable at Walt Disney, with its capital employed and returns on that capital staying somewhat the same for the last five years. Businesses with these traits tend to be mature and steady operations because they're past the growth phase. So unless we see a substantial change at Walt Disney in terms of ROCE and additional investments being made, we wouldn't hold our breath on it being a multi-bagger.

What We Can Learn From Walt Disney's ROCE

In a nutshell, Walt Disney has been trudging along with the same returns from the same amount of capital over the last five years. And investors appear hesitant that the trends will pick up because the stock has fallen 27% in the last five years. All in all, the inherent trends aren't typical of multi-baggers, so if that's what you're after, we think you might have more luck elsewhere.

Like most companies, Walt Disney does come with some risks, and we've found 2 warning signs that you should be aware of.

While Walt Disney may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list 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.
By Yoruk Bahceli and Samuel Indyk

(Reuters) -Gains for the far-right in European Parliament elections that prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to call a shock national vote puts the focus squarely back on political risks in Europe that financial markets had long put on the backburner.

The euro, French stocks and government debt were all hurt on Monday as investors assessed whether the far-right can repeat their success in French elections and how much sway far-right parties can have on the new European Union executive.

"Further economic integration will be slowed down instead of being accelerated," said Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING, referring to the EU's rightward shift.

Here are five key questions for markets:

1/ WHAT DOES A SNAP FRENCH ELECTION MEAN FOR MARKETS?

French stocks are the clear losers from Macron's surprise decision, which came after a bruising loss to Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) in the EU ballot.

Leading lenders BNP Paribas and Societe Generale both fell as much as 8% on Monday.

Barclays's head of European equity strategy Emmanuel Cau expected banks and utilities to bear the brunt of the uncertainty. Another concern was that populist parties could push for a bank tax which may also be creating unease.

French government bonds could also suffer.

Big investors have already shunned them given a high deficit -- S&P just cut France's credit rating.

The risk is a government less likely to comply with EU rules on keeping deficits in check, Deutsche Bank said, also noting a strong showing for the Socialist party.

The French/German 10-year bond yield gap was 7 basis points wider on Monday at 55 bps, but remains far below the 80 bps reached in 2017 when Le Pen, now less eurosceptic, vowed to leave the euro.

"We expect some underperformance of French assets and by extension, some underperformance of European assets because it adds to a bit of a European risk premium," said BlueBay Asset Management's chief investment officer Mark Dowding.

He has an underweight position on French debt and said France's spread could widen to over 70 bps if the RN win.

2/ IS EUROPEAN INTEGRATION UNDER THREAT?

During the COVID-19 pandemic the EU took unprecedented steps towards a fiscal union with an 800-billion-euro recovery fund, with France a key player in making that happen. A rightward shift in that country and beyond may weaken the case for more.

The risk premium on bonds issued by Italy, a key beneficiary of the pandemic recovery programme, widened on Monday but remains well contained.

Story continues

Longer-term, diminished prospects for programmes similar to the recovery fund would imply a higher structural risk premium on the bonds of the bloc's high debt countries, Citi analysts reckon.

3/ WILL EUROPE'S CLIMATE POLICIES SUFFER?

The Greens were one of the biggest losers of the EU elections.

The shift to the right is unlikely to undo existing climate policies, but could make it harder to pass new ones and add loopholes to weaken laws that are due to be reviewed.

"At the margin you might see a bit of pressure on things like renewables within utilities and some relief for sectors like energy if you believe a more right-wing parliament would relax the agenda on the green transition," said Barclays' Cau.

4/ WILL EUROPE GET TOUGHER ON TRADE?

The EU executive, unlikely to change from the current centrist make-up, imposes trade protection measures, not parliament.

But parliament's rightward shift could have an impact.

The EU is already planning to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

"The political move to the right in the European Parliament and the outcome of new parliamentary elections in France will undoubtedly lead to more trade barriers between the EU and China," said Commerzbank's chief economist Joerg Kraemer.

Any retaliation would hurt European auto stocks, up 4% this year against a 8.5% rise in the broader market.

They took a hit recently on prospects for higher Chinese tariffs. China could also target dairy products, wine, airplane parts, Kraemer added.

5/ WHAT ABOUT DEFENSE SPENDING?

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, pressure on Europe to raise defense spending has mounted.

While member states are primarily responsible for defense spending, nearly two thirds of respondents polled by Citi recently expect further joint EU funding for selective purposes such as defense. The bloc has also broached the idea of a new 100-billion-euro defense fund.

Any far-right opposition to further fiscal integration could dent those hopes.

There was also uncertainty over what the rise of the far-right in Europe would eventually mean for support for Ukraine, as markets grapple with a flurry of geopolitical risks.

(Reporting by Yoruk Bahceli and Samuel Indyk; Editing by Dhara Ranasinghe and Toby Chopra)
We recently compiled a list of the 15 Biggest EV Stocks in the World in 2024 and in this article, we discuss Xpeng Inc. (NYSE:XPEV)'s place in the list.

According to the Global EV Outlook 2024 by the International Energy Agency, electric car sales surged in 2023, reaching nearly 14 million globally. This represents a 35% jump from 2022 and brings the total number of electric cars on the road to 40 million. Weekly registrations in 2023 surpassed the entire annual total from just ten years ago. Electric cars now account for 18% of all car sales globally, a significant climb from 2% in 2018. This rapid growth indicates a maturing electric car market with strong momentum. Interestingly, battery electric cars make up the majority (70%) of electric vehicles on the road today.

Approximately 95% of these sales were concentrated in China, Europe, and the United States, which dominate new electric car registrations. In these regions, electric cars represent a significant share of their local markets, with over 30% in China and over 20% in Europe. As these three key markets account for two-thirds of total car sales globally, their swift adoption of electric vehicles has a significant influence on worldwide trends.

As a result, many of the major EV manufacturers are based in these countries. However, emerging players are also making their mark in other regions. For instance, a subsidiary of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup made its debut on NASDAQ in August 2023. The company was valued at approximately $23 billion through a SPAC deal. The company has already entered the North American market, importing about 2,100 EVs from Vietnam to the US and 800 to Canada.

In addition to US, China, and Europe, emerging markets like Southeast Asia and Brazil are also seeing rising EV sales, supported by various incentives and investments. In terms of the future outlook for electric vehicles, the long-term goals of top automakers in the world are quite ambitious. If achieved, they could put over 20 million electric cars on the road by 2030. This will lead to electric vehicles making up between 42% and 58% of car sales by 2030, exceeding even the most optimistic forecasts. The electric vehicle market size is predicted to reach over $950 billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7% between 2023 and 2030.

Key drivers for growth in the Global EV market include decreasing EV battery prices and supportive government policies. The fastest-growing market segments are fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and mid-priced EVs. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to lead market growth. However, challenges such as high initial investments for charging infrastructure could impede growth.

Story continues

Where Does Xpeng Inc. (NYSE:XPEV) Stand in the EV Industry Worldwide?

An engineer examining an electric vehicle design in a lab, showing the company's innovative battery systems.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the 15 biggest EV stocks in the world in 2024, we shortlisted companies on the basis of their market capitalization as of June 6. We have only included companies that are pure play in the EV sector or have substantial exposure to the sector. The biggest EV stocks in the world in 2024 have been ranked in ascending order of their market capitalization figures in USD. We also scanned our database of 919 hedge funds (as of Q1 2024) to share the number of hedge fund investors, where applicable.

Why are we interested in 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).

Is Xpeng Inc. (NYSE:XPEV) the Biggest EV Company Worldwide?

Xpeng Inc. (NYSE:XPEV)

Market Capitalization: $8.03 Billion

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 16

Xpeng Inc. (NYSE:XPEV), a major player in the Chinese electric vehicle market, is headquartered in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. The company has expanded its global presence with offices in Mountain View, California, USA, and Munich, Germany.

Xpeng Inc.s (NYSE:XPEV) G9 electric SUV, recently launched in Europe, has a top sustainability rating of five stars from Green NCAP, showing its dedication to long-term eco-friendly transportation.

In Q1 2024, the companys vehicle sales revenue reached $5.54 billion, reflecting a significant 57.8% year-over-year increase, but a 54.7% decline compared to the previous quarter. Also, the company's net loss narrowed to $1.37 billion in Q1 2024, down from $2.34 billion a year earlier.

Analysts are bullish on Xpeng Inc. (NYSE:XPEV) with a consensus "Buy" rating and a $48.58 average target price. This reflects an upside potential of over 50%.

At the end of Q1 2024, 16 hedge funds reported owning a stake in Xpeng Inc. (NYSE:XPEV).

Overall, Xpeng Inc. (NYSE:XPEV) ranks 7th among the 15 biggest EV stocks in the world in 2024. You can visit the 15 Biggest EV Stocks in the World in 2024 to see the other electric vehicle companies that are on the hedge fund radar.

While we acknowledge the potential of electric vehicle companies, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NVIDIA 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.
This photo shows Zongzi-shaped ornaments with hand-written calligraphy on them. (Photo by Cai Cai/Handout via Xinhuanet)

By Liu He

BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhuanet) -- As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, Cai Cai, co-founder of an online cultural product specialty shop, is working overtime to prepare for the bestseller in store -- a Zongzi-shaped decoration, with hand-written calligraphy on it.

Zongzi, or rice dumplings, the signature cuisine of the Dragon Boat Festival in China, is now inspiring more brands and designers to create cultural products.

This Zongzi-shaped ornament has become a hit in our shop since last years Dragon Boat Festival, Cai told Xinhuanet.

The shop has also introduced a special bouquet to match the theme of the Dragon Boat Festival. It is composed of wormwood, Zongzi-shaped ornaments, and five-colored silk strings -- all elements are closely related to this festival and used to ward off evil.

According to the shop, the sales volume of this cultural product is on the verge of surpassing 5,000 in total. Over 200 buyers have expressed their appreciation in the customer feedback section: It has got all the components Im looking forward for this festival; (it) brings a sense of ceremony in my life, etc.

Meanwhile, major museums have launched promotion schemes for Zongzi-themed products and achieved impressive sales figures. The cultural and creative product studio of the Suzhou Museum, for instance, has sold more than 5,000 copies of the original Zongzi-shaped coin purse so far in its Taobao flagship store.

Moreover, a post about purchasing the same coin purse has drawn more than 3,000 likes on Xiaohongshu, a popular lifestyle-sharing social platform in China, stimulating netizens' impulse to purchase and interest in the customs behind it.

This growing trend underscores the enduring appeal of Chinese traditional festivals, offering culture enthusiasts new ways to cherish the conventions of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Our next objective is to launch more festival-themed products, said Cai.
We recently compiled a list of the 15 Biggest EV Stocks in the World in 2024 and in this article, we discuss whether Yadea Group Holdings Ltd. (HKSE:1585) is the dominant EV stock worldwide.

According to the Global EV Outlook 2024 by the International Energy Agency, electric car sales surged in 2023, reaching nearly 14 million globally. This represents a 35% jump from 2022 and brings the total number of electric cars on the road to 40 million. Weekly registrations in 2023 surpassed the entire annual total from just ten years ago. Electric cars now account for 18% of all car sales globally, a significant climb from 2% in 2018. This rapid growth indicates a maturing electric car market with strong momentum. Interestingly, battery electric cars make up the majority (70%) of electric vehicles on the road today.

Approximately 95% of these sales were concentrated in China, Europe, and the United States, which dominate new electric car registrations. In these regions, electric cars represent a significant share of their local markets, with over 30% in China and over 20% in Europe. As these three key markets account for two-thirds of total car sales globally, their swift adoption of electric vehicles has a significant influence on worldwide trends.

As a result, many of the major EV manufacturers are based in these countries. However, emerging players are also making their mark in other regions. For instance, a subsidiary of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup made its debut on NASDAQ in August 2023. The company was valued at approximately $23 billion through a SPAC deal. The company has already entered the North American market, importing about 2,100 EVs from Vietnam to the US and 800 to Canada.

In addition to US, China, and Europe, emerging markets like Southeast Asia and Brazil are also seeing rising EV sales, supported by various incentives and investments. In terms of the future outlook for electric vehicles, the long-term goals of top automakers in the world are quite ambitious. If achieved, they could put over 20 million electric cars on the road by 2030. This will lead to electric vehicles making up between 42% and 58% of car sales by 2030, exceeding even the most optimistic forecasts. The electric vehicle market size is predicted to reach over $950 billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7% between 2023 and 2030.

Key drivers for growth in the Global EV market include decreasing EV battery prices and supportive government policies. The fastest-growing market segments are fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and mid-priced EVs. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to lead market growth. However, challenges such as high initial investments for charging infrastructure could impede growth.

Story continues

Where Does Yadea Group Holdings Ltd. (HKSE:1585) Rank in EV Stocks Worldwide?

A fleet of electric vehicles lined up in front of a rumbling renewable energy production facility.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the 15 biggest EV stocks in the world in 2024, we shortlisted companies on the basis of their market capitalization. We have only included companies that are pure play in the EV sector or have substantial exposure to the sector. The biggest EV stocks in the world in 2024 have been ranked in ascending order of their market capitalization figures in USD. We also scanned our database of 919 hedge funds (as of Q1 2024) to share the number of hedge fund investors, where applicable.

Why are we interested in 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).

Is Yadea Group Holdings Ltd. (HKSE:1585) the Dominant EV Stock Worldwide?

Yadea Group Holdings Ltd. (HKSE:1585)

Market Capitalization: $4.81 Billion

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: N/A

Yadea Group Holdings Ltd. (HKSE:1585), a leading electric two-wheeler company with over 80 million users, is expanding aggressively. The company recently initiated the construction of a new factory in Karawang, Indonesia.

Covering around 270,000 square meters, this new manufacturing facility is expected to produce 3 million units annually. The total investment for the project planned between 2024 and 2028, is estimated at $150 million.

In 2023, Yadea Group Holdings Ltd.s (HKSE:1585) revenue grew by 12% year-over-year to CN34.8 billion. Furthermore, the companys net income rose by 22% to CN2.64 billion, exceeding analysts EPS estimates. The company's strong financials make it one of the biggest EV stocks in the world in 2024.

Given the strong financials, it doesn't come as a surprise that analysts have assigned a Strong Buy rating to the stock. They have also given Yadea Group Holdings Ltd. (HKSE:1585) stock, a 12-month average price target of HKD 17.080, with a high forecast of HKD 20.14. The average price target reflects a potential upside of over 30% from the current price levels.

Overall, Yadea Group Holdings Ltd. (HKSE:1585) ranks 11th among the 15 biggest EV stocks in the world in 2024. You can visit the 15 Biggest EV Stocks in the World in 2024 to see the other electric vehicle companies that are on the hedge fund radar.

While we acknowledge the potential of electric vehicle companies, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NVIDIA 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.
Shares of uranium giant Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) popped 21.7% in May, delivering their best month yet in 2024, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. The stock hit a 52-week high on May 31.

Interestingly, Cameco stock fell sharply on the last day of April after reporting an 8% year-over-year drop in revenue and a large loss for the first quarter. But there's more to the nuclear energy stock's numbers than meets the eye. With the U.S. government also making a big move last month that should favor Cameco, investors didn't leave any chance to bet on the uranium stock.

Investors are betting big on a ban on Russian uranium imports

In mid-May, President Joe Biden signed the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act into law, banning the import of uranium from Russia, effective Aug. 12.

It's a big move since the U.S. imports the bulk of its uranium fuel to power nuclear reactors that produce nuclear energy, with Russia supplying 24% of America's uranium. The ban will also free up $2.7 billion that would have otherwise gone toward imports. The U.S. government will spend the money to ramp up local uranium fuel production to ensure that the ban doesn't hit utilities and power supply in the nation. As one of the world's largest producers of uranium fuel, Cameco could be a key beneficiary under the act, which explains why its stock price rocketed last month.

Is Cameco stock a buy now?

Cameco's first-quarter numbers released on April 30 disappointed investors. The company's revenue dropped 8% year over year, and it incurred a net loss of $7 million versus a net profit of $119 million in the year-ago quarter. Cameco's numbers, however, were partly because of losses from Westinghouse Electric, a nuclear services company in which Cameco bought a 49% stake last November. Cameco's core uranium segment reported a 34% growth in net earnings because of higher uranium prices in Q1.

Cameco's production is on track with its 2024 plan and it expects to generate $2.8 billion to $3 billion in revenue in 2024, up from $2.6 billion in 2023. The company is also extending its Cigar Lake mine's life to 2036 and evaluating the potential to increase production at McArthur River Key lake mine. The two are among the company's largest mines.

Ultimately though, Cameco is still a commodity stock, which means its fortunes depend a great deal on uranium prices. While there's no denying that the Russian ban will boost the U.S. uranium industry, there are a lot of "ifs" and "buts," such as waivers for utilities to continue to import uranium from Russia if viable alternative sources aren't available. Put another way, although companies like Cameco should win contracts, there's no clarity yet on how or when Cameco will benefit. Investors may want to keep these factors in mind before betting on Cameco stock, especially after its jaw-dropping 75% run up in the past year.

Story continues

Should you invest $1,000 in Cameco right now?

Before you buy stock in Cameco, consider this:

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Neha Chamaria has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Cameco. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Why Nuclear Energy Stock Cameco Jumped 22% in May was originally published by The Motley Fool
Shares of Perion Network (NASDAQ: PERI) were tanking today after the company's relationship with Microsoft took another step back, crushing a key source of revenue for the ad tech company.

As a result, Perion slashed its revenue guidance again, following a guidance cut for the same reason, and the stock was down 28.4% as of 11:15 a.m. ET on Monday.

Image source: Getty Images.

Going from bad to worse

Perion has historically relied on traffic from Microsoft Bing for roughly half its revenue, but that relationship took a significant hit in April, sending its stock down about 40% in one session.

This morning, the company said the relationship with Bing was essentially dead after it was notified by Bing that it was one of several publishers being excluded from its search distribution marketplace.

As a result, the company now expects revenue from Bing to make up 5% of total revenue in the second half of the year. It also said the agreement with Bing is no longer material to its business.

Perion lowered its revenue guidance for the second quarter to a range of $106 million to $108 million, down from a previous range of $118 million to $122 million. And adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) are now projected at $6.5 million to $7.5 million, down from a prior range of $10 million to $12 million.

It also slashed its full-year guidance by a similar percentage, now forecasting revenue of $490 million to $510 million and adjusted EBITDA of $48 million to $52 million.

Can Perion recover?

CEO Tal Jacobson said, "The recent changes Microsoft Bing implemented to its search distribution marketplace are unfortunate and significantly impacted our Search Advertising business," though he noted several growth opportunities, including CTV, retail media, and digital out-of-home.

While the company is seeing rapid growth in those categories, overall revenue from ad solutions, which is separate from its Microsoft-driven search business, fell 5% in the first quarter.

Perion still has potential over the long term, but it will take time for the company to restore investor confidence even if it can capitalize on that opportunity.

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Bill Gates and his energy company are starting construction at their Wyoming site for a next-generation nuclear power plant he believes will revolutionize how power is generated.

Gates was in the tiny community of Kemmerer Monday to break ground on the project. The co-founder of Microsoft is chairman of TerraPower. The company applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in March for a construction permit for an advanced nuclear reactor that uses sodium, not water, for cooling. If approved, it would operate as a commercial nuclear power plant.

The site is adjacent to PacifiCorps Naughton Power Plant, which will stop burning coal in 2026 and natural gas a decade later, the utility said. Nuclear reactors operate without emitting planet-warming greenhouse gases. PacifiCorp plans to get carbon-free power from the reactor and says it is weighing how much nuclear to include in its long-range planning.

The work begun Monday is aimed at having the site ready so TerraPower can build the reactor as quickly as possible if its permit is approved. Russia is at the forefront for developing sodium-cooled reactors.

Gates told the audience at the groundbreaking that they were standing on what will soon be the bedrock of Americas energy future.

This is a big step toward safe, abundant, zero-carbon energy, Gates said. And its important for the future of this country that projects like this succeed.

Advanced reactors typically use a coolant other than water and operate at lower pressures and higher temperatures. Such technology has been around for decades, but the United States has continued to build large, conventional water-cooled reactors as commercial power plants. The Wyoming project is the first time in about four decades that a company has tried to get an advanced reactor up and running as a commercial power plant in the United States, according to the NRC.

Its time to move to advanced nuclear technology that uses the latest computer modeling and physics for a simpler plant design thats cheaper, even safer and more efficient, said Chris Levesque, the companys president and chief executive officer.

TerraPower's Natrium reactor demonstration project is a sodium-cooled fast reactor design with a molten salt energy storage system.

The industrys character hasnt been to innovate. Its kind of been to repeat past performance, you know, not to move forward with new technology. And that was good for reliability, Levesque said in an interview. But the electricity demands were seeing in the coming decades, and also to correct the cost issues with todays nuclear and nuclear energy, we at TerraPower and our founders really felt its time to innovate.

Story continues

A Georgia utility just finished the first two scratch-built American reactors in a generation at a cost of nearly $35 billion. The price tag for the expansion of Plant Vogtle from two of the traditional large reactors to four includes $17 billion in cost overruns.

The TerraPower project is expected to cost up to $4 billion, half of it from the U.S. Department of Energy. Levesque said that figure includes first-of-its-kind costs for designing and licensing the reactor, so future ones would cost significantly less.

Most advanced nuclear reactors under development in the U.S. rely on a type of fuel  known as high-assay low-enriched uranium  that's enriched to a higher percentage of the isotope uranium-235 than the fuel used by conventional reactors. TerraPower delayed its launch date in Wyoming by two years to 2030 because Russia is the only commercial supplier of the fuel, and its working with other companies to develop alternate supplies. The U.S. Energy Department is working on developing it domestically.

Edwin Lyman co-authored an article in Science on Thursday that raises concerns that this fuel could be used for nuclear weapons. Lyman, the director of nuclear power safety with the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the risk posed by HALEU today is small because there isnt that much of it around the world. But that will change if advanced reactor projects, which require much larger quantities, move forward, he added. Lyman said he wants to raise awareness of the danger in the hope that the international community will strengthen security around the fuel.

NRC spokesperson Scott Burnell said the agency is confident its current requirements will maintain both security and public safety of any reactors that are built and their fuel.

Gates co-founded TerraPower in 2008 as a way for the private sector to propel advanced nuclear energy forward to provide safe, abundant, carbon-free energy.

The company's 345-megawatt reactor could generate up to 500 megawatts at its peak, enough for up to 400,000 homes. TerraPower said its first few reactors will focus on supplying electricity. But it envisions future reactors could be built near industrial plants to supply high heat.

Nearly all industrial processes requiring high heat currently get it from burning fossil fuels. Heat from advanced reactors could be used to produce hydrogen, petrochemicals, ammonia and fertilizer, said John Kotek at the Nuclear Energy Institute.

Its significant that Gates, a technological innovator and climate champion, is betting on nuclear power to help address the climate crisis, added Kotek, the industry groups senior vice president for policy.

I think this has helped open peoples eyes to the role that nuclear power does play today and can play in the future in addressing carbon emissions," he said. Theres tremendous momentum building for new nuclear in the U.S. and the potential use of a far wider range of nuclear energy technology than weve seen in decades.

___

This story has been updated to correct the amount of cost overruns to build two reactors at the Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia. It was almost $17 billion, not $11 billion.

____

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Youve probably heard that familiar change password advice a lot: If you bank online, change your password on a regular basis. Change it now, change it often; you cant change it enough.

But provided you have a strong password, that advice is actually outdated, even though the odds of having your bank account hacked are on the rise. In 2023 (the last year these numbers were compiled), the IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center) received 880,418 cybercrime complaints from the American public, with financial losses reported that were over $12.5 billion, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. That was an almost 10% jump in complaints from the year before and represented a 22% increase in losses.

Anecdotally, JPMorgan Chase, one of the worlds largest banks, recently stated that it has seen a sizable increase in cyberattacks on its financial institution.

So how often should you change your bank password? Read on for some guidelines, and advice for creating a strong password.

How often should you change your bank passwords?

There is a lot of conflicting advice on the web, and thats partially because theres old advice on the internet intermixed with the new. Typically, several years ago, youd get advice suggesting that you should change your bank passwords every three months.

You dont hear that as much for a lot of reasons. For starters, changing bank passwords can get onerous. In fact, some experts suggest that if you change your password too frequently, youll make your money less safe because you might be more prone to coming up with easy-to-remember (and easy-to-hack) passwords.

In fact, three cybersecurity experts contacted by Yahoo Finance all said generally the same thing: You actually dont have to change your bank password at all, provided it's a really good password.

I dont think it is generally necessary to change your password more than once a year, said Steve Weisman, senior lecturer of law, taxation, and financial planning at Bentley University in Waltham, Mass., and author and creator of Scamicide.com, a cybersecurity and identity theft information website.

As long as the user implements a long and strong password, and that password is unique to that specific account, then there really isn't any other reason to change it, said Robert Siciliano, the CEO of ProtectNowLLC.com, a company that offers cybersecurity employee training.

Fred Scholl, associate teaching professor of cybersecurity and director of the cybersecurity program at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., also concurs that if you have an impressively intricate password, you really dont need to change it.

Read more: Is mobile banking safe? How to keep your personal data secure.

When should you change your bank password?

Everyone agrees that there are caveats when it comes to the change password advice. Ideally, Scholl says, your strong password is complex, and your bank needs to support multi-factor authentication. Thats when your bank verifies your identity with more than just a password. For instance, maybe your financial institution also texts you a one-time code when you want to get into your bank app or offers facial recognition.

Weisman and Siciliano both say the once-a-year or never change password advice should be junked if your bank has had a recent data breach. In that case, you would change your bank password immediately.

But otherwise, if your bank is as protected from cyberattacks (as it probably says it is), theres no reason to keep constantly changing your password.

Read more: 6 important security features to look for in a bank

Tips for creating a strong banking password

There are a number of ways you can create a strong password. Some dos and dont include:

Do: Use a complex password. Your password should contain more than 12 characters, according to Scholl. Thats in line with what Google recommends.

Dont: Use the same password for all of your websites. If a hacker figures out one password for your banking website, they can now get into all of your websites.

Dont: Use names of pets in your password. If a hacker has been stalking your social media, they know the names of your pets. Now, its another story if your pet-themed password is broken up with symbols and numbers. Rover123! would be a lousy password, but Ro!ver$#@123! would be much better.

Dont: Use the word password in your password. Youve probably heard that, but its done often, and hackers know it. Its also not recommended to go with something like, pass1@word. The hackers are well aware of those tricks, too.

Do: Use a password manager. Scholl is a fan of storing a strong password in a password manager  a software program that stores your passwords in your phone or device for you  since youre not going to remember multiple, complex 12-character passwords. Some are free, some are low cost, he said.

So instead of trying to think of something creative and hack-free and then remembering it, you let the password manager do the creating and remembering for you.

Do: Use a passphrase. If you dont want to use a password manager, Siciliano suggests going with a passphrase. A passphrase can be a very strong password, and it can be your ticket to not having to change passwords every few months.

A passphrase such as I love Harleys could be turned into 1Love1986!Harleys, which would be considered long, strong, hard to hack, and hard to crack, Siciliano said, adding: That is, of course, as long as you're using a different passphrase for every account.

Bottom line

It may help to think of yourself as being in a partnership with your bank. Your bank is presumably doing everything it can to keep your money safe. And if you do your part by developing a strong password, going through the change password hassle should be a rare thing going forward. Between the banks own security measures and your strong password, your funds should be completely safe.
When public defender Amanda C. Hopkins appeared in Saguache County District Court on April 17, 2018, her client failed to show up. The hearing was over in a matter of minutes. Records at the time did not document her brief substitution for the regular public defender assigned to the case.
Senior Chinese diplomat elaborates on win-win cooperation, South China Sea issue

Xinhua) 09:42, June 10, 2024

VIENTIANE, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong led a delegation to Laos to attend senior officials' meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), as well as the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum from June 7 to June 8.

Sun told media after the meetings that the participants exchanged views on such issues as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Ukraine crisis, the Korean Peninsula, Myanmar, climate change, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

The Chinese side elaborated its principled positions on relevant issues and sternly refuted fallacies of the United States and the West concerning China, Sun said.

He said that ASEAN, China, Japan and ROK positively evaluated progress in the implementation of the 10+3 cooperation work plan (2023-2027), were supportive of deepening cooperation in finance, food security, electric vehicles, digital economy, green economy, society and culture, as well as high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and enhancement of regional supply chain connectivity.

All sides generally support the role of the East Asia Summit in promoting political security and economic development, boosting constructive dialogues and exchanges, and expanding cooperation in emerging fields, Sun said.

He added that the forum is the most important platform for multilateral security dialogue and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, and members emphasized the need to continue to promote confidence-building measures, deepen practical cooperation, and steadily carry out preventive diplomacy, contributing to lasting peace in the region.

He went on to say that at the meetings, China emphasized the Asia-Pacific was pacesetter of peaceful development, and supported the centrality of ASEAN, supported ASEAN's approach to regional security cooperation, supported the settlement of differences and disputes by peaceful means, and called for the establishment of security concept of equality and cooperation.

The Chinese side reiterated that it adheres to the principles of consensus and accommodating the comfort level of all parties, enriches the topics of cooperation, and actively responds to emerging challenges such as cybersecurity, climate change and artificial intelligence, so as to safeguard common security interests, Sun said.

China clearly supports an ASEAN-centered regional security architecture, adheres to the concept of openness and win-win cooperation, takes into account the demands of all parties, accommodates the interests of all parties, and builds a balanced, effective and sustainable regional security architecture, instead of starting things anew and creating a closed and exclusive club, the Chinese diplomat said.

On the South China Sea issue, he said that the biggest security challenge in the South China Sea comes from outside the region, and external forces led by the United States, for geopolitical purposes, have manipulated bloc politics and confrontation of camps, pushed forward military deployments and operations in the South China Sea, instigated the intensification of differences and contradictions related to the sea, and undermined the legitimate rights and interests of littoral countries.

Sun said China has indisputable sovereignty over islands in the South China Sea, and is committed to properly managing disputes through dialogue and consultation with countries concerned in the South China Sea in accordance with the "dual-track" approach.

China is also working with ASEAN countries to comprehensively and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and actively pushing for new progress in consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, according to Sun.

With regard to the deployment of intermediate-range missile system by the United States in the region, Sun said that such a move has drawn the region into an arms race and placed the entire Asia-Pacific region under the shadow of geopolitical conflicts, seriously reversing the course of history, jeopardizing security of regional countries, and seriously undermining regional peace and stability.

He said that China firmly opposes Cold War mentality and confrontation of camps, ignition of an arms race in the region by any external forces, and use of regional countries as tools of hegemony and geostrategic pawns.

He said that ASEAN and other participants hoped for peace, dialogue and unity, and called for mutually beneficial cooperation and common development, safeguarding hard-won peace and stability in East Asia.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
VILNIUS, June 10 (Xinhua) -- A rare sight was seen by Lithuania's border guards when a bear walked along the Lithuanian border fence and attacked it, the guards said recently.

In an undated video published by the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) of Lithuania last weekend, the bear was spotted on camera when it briefly attacked the border fence with Belarus, before jumping headfirst into the river on the Lithuanian side, and disappearing into the night.

"The bear tested the strength of a single metal pole equipped with a surveillance camera and a spotlight," the VSAT said in a press release, adding that "the bear found the experiment to be enough and no longer tested the quality of other infrastructure."

Bears are rarely spotted in the Baltic states. In Lithuania, they usually enter the country from Belarus and Latvia.

The Baltic country which sees the most brown bears is Estonia, according to wildlife experts. 
GOP Chairman Dave Williams face calls to step down; 20-year-old Trump delegate sells 'I'm Voting for the Felon' T-shirts; candidate has lengthy criminal record | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
'You would take on the most difficult cases. You didnt just do that, but you did it with enthusiasm,' Attorney General Phil Weiser said of Sullivan
Judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit upheld the decision made by a federal judge to allow Robert Lewis Dear Jr. to be forcibly medicated, according to an opinion published by the court on Monday.

Dears court cases stemming from the shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood in 2015 that left three dead have been delayed because of ongoing issues with his competency to stand trial.

Dear is accused of entering the Planned Parenthood off Centennial Boulevard north of Fillmore Street with an assault rifle, shooting and killing three and injuring nine others on Nov. 27, 2015.

U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn in federal court determined in September, 2022 that Dear could be forcibly medicated in an attempt to restore his competency and to have him stand trial. However, due to an appeal filed by Dears defense attorneys, he couldnt be forcibly medicated until the end of the appeal process.

The judges presiding over Dears appeal case issued their decision Monday affirming Blackburns order to have Dear forcibly medicated.

The opinion from the court  written by 10th Circuit Judge Nancy Moritz  goes into detail, stating why they believed the district courts decision to give more weight to the testimony of the prosecutions experts than the defenses was not clearly erroneous.

Case: United States v. Dear Decided: June 10, 2024 Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for Colorado Ruling: 3-0 Judges: Nancy L. Moritz (author) Mary Beck Briscoe Robert E. Bacharach Background: Court allows admitted Planned Parenthood shooter to be forcibly medicated

In February, Dears attorney, Jacob Rasch-Chabot spent much of his time at the oral argument hearing on Dears appeal arguing that Judge Blackburn gave unfair weight to the testimony of the prosecutions experts.

Prosecutor Marissa Miller claimed at the hearing that significant weight had been given to the defenses experts by Judge Blackburn, and that the findings from the court were extensive but just gave more weight to the findings of the prosecutions experts rather than those of the defense.

In the published opinion from the 10th Circuit, Moritz addressed the claims from Dears defense, but ultimately ruled that Blackburn was justified to give more weight to the prosecutions experts.

Moritz highlighted that the experts who testified for the prosecution had significant experience interacting directly with Dear that the defenses expert did not. Additionally, Moritz highlighted that the testimony and evidence presented by the prosecutions experts was thorough and not exceedingly weak, as claimed by Dears defense.

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Moritz acknowledged that Blackburn in his ruling could have spoken at more length about why he didnt place more weight on the testimony of the defenses experts. Moritz wrote, we conclude the district court provided sufficiently comprehensive findings.

The ruling from the 10th Circuit should allow for the process of forcibly medicating Dear to begin after a nearly two-year delay.

Dear status as incompetent has long delayed his cases at both the state and federal levels.

Dears state case has been in limbo for years after he was found incompetent to stand trial in 2016. Dear faces 179 charges and the case will remain on hold until he is restored to competency.

A federal case against Dear in which he faces 68 felony charges was opened in 2019 and remains in limbo pending a restoration to competency.

KeArre Stewart, Jennifer Markovsky and University of Colorado Colorado Springs police officer Garrett Swasey died in the shooting. Nine other people  five of them law enforcement officers  were wounded during the course of a five-hour standoff.

Dear called himself a warrior for the babies during his first court appearance in December 2015 after the killings. He yelled over attorneys at least 15 times.

Im guilty  theres no trial, Dear said minutes into that initial hearing.

There are no scheduled court dates in Dears federal case. Attorneys in Dears state-level case are set to appear in court on Aug. 15 for a status conference.

Dear did not appear at his state case hearing last month because he is being held at a federal prison facility in Missouri, said Rosalie Roy, Dears attorney in his state case, at a previous hearing.
Citing startling, rising, suicide rates among minors and young adults, Colorados Attorney General on Tuesday announced plans to use $20 million from a settlement with a vaping manufacturer to boost the states mental health services for youth.

Suicide rates for people between the age of 10 and 24 increased nationally from 2007 through 2021 from 6.8 deaths per 100,000 people to 11, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For youths between the ages of 10 to 14, the suicide rate tripled from 2007 to 2019 from 0.9 to 2.9 per 100,000 people.

For those who are not afraid of this situation, chances are they are not paying attention to it, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said of youth mental health decline during a press conference at the Colorado Education Initiatives Hopeful Futures Conference on Tuesday.

Weiser said the $20 million will provide grants to pursue partnerships that target the promotion of mental wellness and interventions for students identified with mental health concerns and with serious concerns that affect daily functions.

Referring to U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthys call to action regarding youth mental health issues in 2021, Weiser said, He called on all of us, as leaders, to lead with inclusion, kindness and respect for a foundation for healthier, more resilient and more fulfilled citizens.

The initiative will provide grant opportunities to applicable community partners and school districts to support youth connection and decrease youth vaping.

Applications will open in the fall 2024 and close in January 2025, according to Weiser.

The $20 million stemmed from the nearly $32 million Weisers office received following a multistate settlement with vaping company Juul Labs, Inc. in 2023 after suing the firm for targeting young customers through marketing and misrepresenting the health risks of product usage.

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We received $32 million to invest, importantly, preventatively so kids dont have declining mental health in terms of vaping, Weiser said.

Weiser said many people in the community noted that building positive behaviors before vaping will be more productive than the punitive surveillance approach.

We are proud to advance our work with schools and communities across Colorado to develop preventive youth mental health strategies that will enable kids to live healthier lives and not turn to vaping in the first place, he said.

Multiple foundations have already pledged to invest in school and community-led efforts to develop solutions for youth mental health and to deter youth from turning to nicotine usage.

These 10 foundations included the following: Rose Community Foundation, The El Pomar Foundation, The Telluride Foundation, Western Colorado Community Foundation, The Anschutz Foundation, Gazette Charities, The Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation, Caring for Colorado, Gary Community Ventures and the Denver Broncos Foundation.

The application process will prioritize community and school partnerships that include multiple districts and organizations, especially ones including larger school districts. The office will also prioritize applications that reflect ideas coming directly from young people, according to a news release from the Attorney Generals Office.

Larger projects that serve at least 23,000 students will be eligible for up to $2.5 million in funding.

Editors note: The Anschutz Foundation and Gazette Charites are the nonprofit arms of The Anschutz Group and The Gazette, respectively. The Denver Gazette is a sister publication of The Gazette.
WINDHOEK, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Namibia is taking major steps toward bridging the digital divide in remote regions with the groundbreaking of the Ikumwe Tower on Monday in the Zambezi Region.

The initiative aims to enhance internet connectivity in remote areas, fostering economic growth and improving access to education and healthcare services, said Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus Monday in a statement.

The Ikumwe Tower is one of 15 new towers to be built in the country, with an investment of 35 million Namibian dollars (about 1.8 million U.S. dollars).

According to Theofelus, the improved connectivity would provide students in underserved areas with access to vital educational resources, support telemedicine in rural healthcare, and enable local businesses to compete in the digital marketplace.

The Ikumwe Tower is part of a broader effort that includes additional towers in Nakabolelwa and Mutikila in the same region, she said.

These towers are expected to stimulate economic growth, promote regional integration, and empower the youth by providing reliable internet access, Theofelus said, emphasizing the government's long-term commitment to digital transformation.

She called on citizens, businesses and institutions to embrace the digital revolution for the benefit of all Namibians. 
For the third time in less than a month, Colorado Parks and Wildlife aquatic biologists have removed invasive giant bighead carp from a pond in Arvadas Jack B. Tomlinson Park.

The removal operation employs a boat-deployed technique called electrofishing.

So on our boats, we have generators that will push an electrical current into the water which shocks fish, explained Kara Van Hoose, a CPW spokesperson. It stuns the fish temporarily and brings them to the top and thats how we are able to net them.

Four boats equipped with two electrodes dangling from metal poles swept the small pond herding the carp to the shallow end where CPW personnel used nets to retrieve Mondays haul of carp, which was at 45 and still counting.

Initial attempts to catch the carp used only nets. But the fish  averaging more than 36 inches in length and 40 pounds in weight  were too powerful and ripped right through them.

Were aiming for a better overall ecosystem for the health of this pond, Van Hoose said.

Previous operations netted a combined 57 fish, Van Hoose said, but CPW wants to make sure the carp are gone.

A handful of curious local residents gathered at the bank to watch the boats.

Ive lived in this area for about 10 years and Ive never seen a fish that big, said Maria Sandoval. They are huge!

Part of the Asian carp family, bighead carp are often described as prolific eaters and can grow to incredible sizes in both large and small bodies of water.

The National Biological Service introduced the carp to the Tomlinson Park pond in 1992 as part of a study to examine whether the species could effectively reduce nuisance algal populations (algae) plaguing ponds and other waterways.

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Three years later, when the study was completed, officials thought the carp were removed.

But the carp persisted.

Once established, bighead carp can easily outcompete native Colorado species for food and resources.

The carp, according to Van Hoose, have been in the pond since the original study

The large size of the specimens CPW has gathered indicates there has been no natural reproduction.

Theyve had very long lives, she said. But they are invasive, so once we know theyre here, we have to remove them.

So, no. The story for the carp does not end well.

CPW was first made aware of the carp through a tip from a local angler.

Van Hoose said CPW will continue to monitor the pond as well as an adjacent pond that is connected by a culvert to ensure any nuisance carp do not remain.

If you observe carp or another invasive aquatic species, you can report the find online by visiting https://cpw.state.co.us.
Other states look to Colorado as the pot pioneer. If properly informed, they will run from proposals to replicate this mess. They will discard
John Adams, U.S. Army Brigadier General (Retired), is president of Guardian Six Consulting and a former Deputy U.S. Military Representative to NATOs Military Committee.
LUANDA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Angola recorded 1,894 cases of child labor in 2023 and will step up efforts to fight child exploitation, the local media Jornal de Angola reported Monday.

The report quoted Gabriel Mbilingue, adviser to the Secretary of State for Labor, as saying that most of these cases occurred in the province of Bie, followed by Lunda Sul, Luanda, and Zaire. Slightly more than half of the victims were girls, with 958 cases, while 936 cases involved boys.

He explained that the current situation of child labor in Angola is addressed through a legislative package, primarily represented by the National Action Plan for the Eradication of Child Labor (PANETI).

Approved in 2021, PANETI is coordinated by a multisectoral team led by the Ministry of Public Administration, Labor, and Social Security. Its main goal is to implement measures that uphold children's rights to prevent and eliminate the worst forms of child labor.

In the second half of 2024, PANETI plans to conduct activities across all of Angola's 18 provinces. These activities will include training for civil society and the media to combat child exploitation. 
BANGKOK, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's rice exports jumped 32.18 percent in the first five months of 2024 compared to a year earlier due to higher demand for the grain amid concerns over food security and volatile weather conditions, official data showed on Monday.

The Southeast Asian country shipped out 4.6 million tons of rice during the January-May period, worth 106.28 billion baht (about 2.9 billion U.S. dollars), an increase in shipment value of 64.59 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The substantial growth was attributed to the weak baht currency, which rendered Thai rice prices highly competitive on the global market, while India, the world's biggest supplier, continued to implement measures to control rice exports, said Ronarong Poolphiphat, director general of the ministry's foreign trade department.

With key markets for Thai rice including Indonesia, Iraq, the United States, the Philippines and South Africa, the kingdom expects its rice shipments to surpass the initial target of 7.5 million tons set for 2024, Ronarong said in a statement. 
Armed Muslim bandits abducted a Roman Catholic Church priest in the early hours of Sunday (June 9), in Kaduna state, Nigeria, sources said.

The Rev. Gabriel Ukeh was sleeping at his home on the premises of St. Thomas Catholic Parish, Zaman Dabo village, in Zango Kataf County when he was abducted, said area resident Freeman Dabo.

We were together with Rev. Gabriel Ukeh yesterday, Saturday, 8 June, in Kafanchan town, Dabo told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News in a text message. Sadly, early this morning, Sunday, 9 June, he was kidnapped by armed Muslim bandits.

The priest had led a childrens event in Kafanchan on Saturday, he said.

After this tiring Saturday event with the children and late hour preparations for the Sunday Masses which he would have celebrated today, Sunday, 9 June, a group of Muslim bandits took him away at gunpoint, dragging him through a journey in pains, uncertainties and horror to an unknown place, Dabo said. May the prayers of the innocent children that he spent the whole day caring for yesterday at St. Peters Cathedral, Kafanchan bring him back in good health of mind and body, Amen.

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The Rev. Emmanuel Kazah Faweh, vicar general of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, said in a press statement that Ukeh was abducted by bandits from the parish premises.

While we solicit for fervent prayers for his urgent and safe release, we equally condemn this act of incessant kidnappings for ransom of innocent and defenseless Christians of our communities, Faweh said. We will use every legitimate means to ensure that Fr. Ukeh comes back to us safe and sound.

Faweh reportedly urged the government to increase security as the Islamic feast of Eid al-Adha approaches on June 15-19. He also urged restrains among Nigerian Christians.

While we are working with the security forces for the speedy release of Father Ukeh, we would like to urge everyone not to take justice into their own hands, Faweh said.

Mansir Hassan, spokesman for the Kaduna State Command, told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News officers had received a report from the church and were working towards the rescue of the priest.

Nigeria remained the deadliest place in the world to follow Christ, with 4,118 people killed for their faith from Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023, according to Open Doors 2024 World Watch List (WWL) report. More kidnappings of Christians than in any other country also took place in Nigeria, with 3,300.

Nigeria was also the third highest country in number of attacks on churches and other Christian buildings such as hospitals, schools, and cemeteries, with 750, according to the report.

In the 2024 WWL of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria was ranked No. 6, as it was in the previous year.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report.

They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.
In a recent conversation with Christian Daily International, Lindsay Brown spoke about new dynamics in global missions. While primarily talking about the Global South mission leaders desire to partner with the Global North, the former General Secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) and former International Director of the Lausanne Movement also touched on the current situation in his native Britain and called out what he believes to be a wrong missional approach.

In Britain, my Anglican brothers, they better stop treating missions as if it is wonderful if somebody goes from the South of England to the North of England. They should send more people in their early 20s cross culturally, just as they did in the 70s, he said.

It has been a mega mistake to challenge so many young, gifted Anglicans to stay within England and only seek to contribute to the renewing of the Anglican church. They missed out big time.

He argued that they should send all these young people out oversees just for a year or two, just like people used to go in the 70s through Operation Mobilization (OM), YWAM, and so on, just as I went. I often think of my year with OM, after graduation, on the Logo in Africa was like a fourth year of university in preparing me for a lifetime of service in cross-cultural ministry.

Were not doing that enough. Were too myopic in focusing only on the British context, and weve got too much money, which were spending on larger church-based teams, and were keeping too many people at home, he lamented.

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We should move them out and let them come back after a few years and theyll have a more realistic notion of mission, and theyll have a renewing impact on the life of the churches in the UK.

There needs to be a strategic shift among many British evangelical leaders. Global mission needs to become much more central. And the paradox is that as we send some of our best people out, so we will grow at home, he said.

Were not doing enough of it. Weve become myopic and weve become overly focused on our own culture and context.



Updated June 16, with a few language improvements and minor corrections.
Gwangalli Beach (haps Magazine Korea)

Beaches in the Busan region are ramping up efforts to attract tourists ahead of their official opening on July 1st.

To offer more than just scenic views, new attractions and various festivals have been introduced to draw vacationers.

Haeundae and Songjeong Beach

Haeundae-gu announced that it will operate a promotion zone at Haeundae Beach from July 1st to September 1st.

This 150m section near Songnim Park will feature a game experience center, a beach film festival, a muscle zone (beach gym), and a photo zone, marking the first introduction of this program.

In addition to the promotion zone, several changes have been made to Haeundae and Songjeong Beach.

The rental system for beach equipment, previously managed on consignment for over 10 years, will now be directly managed to increase transparency and reinvest profits into beach facilities and programs with a project cost of 170 million won.

Additionally, starting this year, safety guards will be deployed 24 hours a day at both beaches to address the increasing number of night-time visitors.

The district has hired 100 private water rescuers and established four night-time enforcement teams to address issues such as camping, fireworks, illegal commercial activities, and safety.

Gwangalli Beach

Suyeong-gu, which oversees Gwangalli Beach, is also preparing for vacationers. The Gwangalli Beach coastal maintenance project will be completed on the 29th, doubling the width of the central beach section from about 20 meters to a maximum of 48 meters, with an investment of 4.44 billion won and about 50,000 cubic meters of sand.

On weekend nights, a car-free cultural street will be held. From July 6th to the end of August, vehicle traffic will be restricted from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on an 830m section from Gwangalli SUP Zone to the Aqua Palace Hotel.

This area will feature a photo zone with Gwangan Bridge as a backdrop and a balcony concert series, with performances held on the balcony of the Suyeong-gu Living Culture Center on the last Saturday of each month.

Other Beach Festivals

The Busan Sea Festival will return to Dadaepo Beach in Saha-gu, featuring performances, fireworks, and interactive events from July 26th for two days.

Songdo Beach in Seo-gu and Ilgwang and Imrang Beaches in Gijang-gun will also host various festivals to attract tourists.

The seven beaches in Busan will officially open on July 1st and operate until August 31st.

Haeundae and Songjeong Beaches have already started partial operations from June 1st.
Tributes have been pouring in to eminent German theologian Jurgen Moltmann, 98, who died on June 3. Moltmann was Emeritus Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Tubingen and considered one of the most widely read theologians in the latter half of the 20th century. His many academic books, such as Theology of Hope (1964) and Crucified God (1972) challenge the academic status quo.

From 1968 to 1983, Moltmann served as a member of the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

The Rev. Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC moderator, said Moltmann had been a great friend of the WCC and the ecumenical movement. Not only has the life of a great theologian now come to an end, but also the life of a great human being, a man with a wide heart. He is now experiencing the fullness of love of the kingdom of God, of which he wrote so much and which he himself radiated so much.

Moltmann was born in Hamburg, Germany, on May 8, 1926. Called out of school to fight as a soldier aged 16, he witnessed the death of a friend in a bombing raid in the city. That night was the first time I cried out to God, he later wrote. Why him? Why not me?

Moltmann became a prisoner of war in 1945 and ended up at Kilmarnock in Scotland where he realized the abhorrent lies and evils of the Nazis, and experienced a loss of hope.

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He began reading a copy of the New Testament given to him earlier at a POW (Prisoners of War) camp in Belgium. Then his life was transformed, as he later reflected in A Broad Place: An Autobiography (2007).

I read Mark's Gospel as a whole and came to the story of the passion: when I heard Jesus' death cry, 'My God, why have you forsaken me?' I felt growing within me the conviction: this is someone who understands you completely, who is with you in your cry to God and has felt the same forsakenness you are living in now. I began to understand the assailed, forsaken Christ because I knew that he understood me.

The divine brother in need, the companion on the way, who goes with you through this 'valley of the shadow of death', the fellow sufferer who carries you, with your suffering. I summoned up the courage to live again, and I was slowly but surely seized by a great hope for the resurrection into God's 'wide space where there is no more cramping.'

Throughout his life, Moltmanns theology evolved with this central theme of God suffering on the cross bringing hope to mankind. He returned to Germany and studied at the theology department in Gottingen, and his academic career flourished.

Croatian theologian Miroslav Volf, the founding director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School, paid tribute to Moltmann who oversaw his doctoral thesis and became a close friend and mentor. He pointed out that Moltmann had a great reach within the evangelical community, preaching for the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea and also the Crystal Cathedral in California.

Last April, Moltmann sent Volf a personal reflection about death, originally given at his 97th birthday and saying that every morning he found himself amazed that I am still here.

To die means to let go. I am preparing myself for this, wrote Moltmann. To die means to give ones life over to God. I am preparing myself for that, too. The raising to eternal life is my hope in life and in death. The eternal life will also be lived.

This is the life of Gods new creation. Death is like a birthday to new life in Gods kingdom. Every morning of every new day that hope gives me new courage to live. But I did not invite you here to ponder things with me but to rejoice with me. Let us toast to lifehere and there!

I mourn his passing, said Volf in his tribute. But perhaps his death is not just an occasion for mourning but for celebration as well: Let us toast to his life  here and there!
South Korea has created a new national space agency to increase its capabilities and is aiming for a future Mars landing.

President Yoon Suk Yeol recently announced the establishment of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA). He said the country plans to spend about $70 billion on future space exploration.

"I have always believed that there is an infinite dream and future in outer space," Yoon said. The South Korean leader added that the agency would seek "to land a homegrown probe on the moon by 2032 and plant the (South Korean flag) on Mars by 2045."

South Korean space officials say the newly formed agency will aim to establish better cooperation than in the past, when different government ministries were involved in space activities. All space efforts are now to be developed under the KASA.

South Korea became the seventh country to own an indigenous space launch rocket. Last May, that vehicle, called Nuri, successfully launched a large satellite into orbit. Additional Nuri rocket launches are planned. One is set for the second half of 2025.

In the next three years, South Korea plans at least three more space launches. It also aims to launch several military satellites.

A KASA statement said the agency is modeled after the American space agency NASA. It said KASA would act as an "aerospace control tower," to oversee space policy, satellite development and exploration missions.

Planned cooperative projects include expanding South Korea's involvement in Artemis 3, NASAs planned effort to put astronauts back on the moon by 2026. Research and development at KASA will be led by John Lee, who spent 30 years with NASA.

Yoon said the countrys space development budget would increase by $1.1 billion by 2027. That is double the current space budget.

KASA will be headquartered in the city of Sacheon, in South Koreas far south. Yoon noted the governments plan to create the "Toulouse of Asia" in Sacheon. He was speaking about the southwestern French city of Toulouse, which developed into a European space capital because Airbus is headquartered there.

KASAs planned moon landing in 2032 will be a joint project with Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea's largest defense and aerospace company.

Roh Kyung-won is deputy administrator of KASA. He told the French news agency AFP, "Our aim is also to support the private sector in space missions as extensively as we can.

One of the agencys first projects will involve a cooperation with Perigee Aerospace. The newly formed South Korean space company will aim to test a space launch vehicle from South Koreas southern Jeju Island as early as next month.

International space experts say Yoon's announcement demonstrates the increasing efforts that Asian nations are putting into space programs for practical reasons. These include perfecting independent rocket technology and strengthening national pride.

China has been heavily developing its space program and exploration missions in recent years. The country has successfully launched heavy-lift rockets, including the Long March 5. It has also established its Tiangong space station, sent unmanned moon probes and launched its Zhurong exploring vehicle, which reached Mars in 2021.

Japan has also increased its national space activities. In January, it became the fifth nation to place a lander on the moon. Japan also plans to send an explorer, or rover, to Mars.

And last year, India became the fourth country to land on the moon.

Im Bryan Lynn

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

Quiz - South Korea Establishes Space Agency, Targets Mars Landing Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_________________________________________

Words in This Story

infinite  adj. extremely large or great

probe  n. a vehicle used in space exploration

indigenous  adj. having always lived or existed in a place

aerospace  n. the design and production of aircraft

mission  n. an important project or trip, especially involving space travel

extensive  adj. large in amount or size

practical  adj. relating to real situations or actions and not to thoughts or ideas
In 2018, conservative Jair Bolsonaro received considerable support from the evangelical community in Brazil, allowing him to win the presidency. For several years now, evangelicals have emerged as a powerful political force, whose political representatives occupy about 40% of the lower house in the country. Therefore, current Brazilian president, Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva, knows that for his party to remain in power, he must establish ties with evangelicals.

Andrew Rossati, a Rio de Janeiro-based journalist for the well-known business and finance media Bloomberg, has analyzed the political dynamics in Brazil and spoke about it on last Thursday's episode of the podcast Bloomberg Daybreak Latin America.

In Brazil, as in the rest of Latin America, evangelicals are the fastest growing religious group, Rossati said. The difference is that they are very, very, very politically organized and have become a political force that has an effect on social laws. But also in recent years they are very unified on the right.

When asked whether President Lula's leftist Workers' Party (PT) can be successful in attracting evangelical support, Rossati stated that in the short or medium term, it is very difficult for Lula to penetrate those groups again, because in the last decade, his party has been involved in many cases of corruption.

Lula himself was imprisoned for several years on corruption charges. But according to the Bloomberg journalist, possibly an even bigger challenge for Lula is that his party is strongly associated with progressive causes, such as abortion and marriage equality.

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It is very difficult for an ordinary evangelical not to see that as a blockade towards them. In other words, the Workers' Party is trying to trace different paths, but anything is going to be long-term for the PT, said Rossati.

Perhaps the most significant effort the reporter highlighted is Lula's strategy of engaging with the evangelical churches. It is called 'partnerships' [collaborations] or making them a kind of ambassadors of the government to attract and promote its social programs. The evangelical community in Brazil is mostly associated with the poor and urban people. In theory, those Lula government programs, to help families, give them subsidies for houses, can help them a lot.

However, the Rossati believes that very few pastors and members of the evangelical church are participating in these strategic alliances with the current government, which highlights the great challenge that the president faces in the coming months and years.

Lula da Silva defeated incumbent Jair Bolsonaro on October 30, 2022 by a very narrow margin to secure his return to the Presidency of Brazil, the largest economy in Latin America, after 12 years. The veteran politician's success was celebrated by figures on the Latin American left.





Originally published on Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
The largest digital camera ever built for space scientists is ready to be put in place under the clear skies of northern Chile.

The camera can produce images above 3.2 gigapixels in size and weighs nearly three tons. A pixel is the smallest area of detail in a digital image.

The camera is one of the main pieces required of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The pieces include a telescope with a mirror that is 8.4 meters across and the huge camera. The observatory is expected to start full science operations in 2025.

The observatory is on the top of a mountain called Cerro Pachon in the Coquimbo area of Chile. It is on the edge of the Atacama Desert 565 kilometers north of Chiles capital Santiago.

Chile has many of the largest research telescopes in the southern half of the world because of the clear skies above the Atacama Desert, one of Earths driest places.

Stuartt Corder is chief science officer for AURA, the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy. He is also a director of the NOIRLab center, which will operate the telescope.

He said, Everything that we needed for operations [is] now on the summit and ready for checkout and hopefully for installation a little bit later this year.

AURA is a group of 49 U.S. institutions and three international ones. AURA helps operate the astronomical observatories for the National Science Foundation and the U.S. space agency, NASA. It is responsible for operating the NOIRLab center.

The camera will produce around 20 terabytes of data each night. It will take pictures of the sky for 10 years producing a huge database of information about all parts of the sky that can be seen from Chile.

Corder said one of the goals of the exploration will be to understand the nature of dark energy and dark matter in the universe. Scientists say these are forms of energy and matter that exist in theory but have not been observed.

Corder said they are names we give to things because we don't really know what they are.

Another goal will be to search for and study asteroids that threaten to strike the Earth or to look for nearby stars and planets.

Corder said the arrival of the camera was a really inspiring moment where you can say - we're starting.

And he added, We're standing here at the precipice, getting ready to start a campaign that in ten years, we hope will answer the questions of...when the universe was made and started into motion...and how will it continue to evolve in the future?

The results may be similar to what we already know, Corder said, but they will help refine our understanding the universe.

Im Ashley Thompson.

Gregory Stachel adapted this Reuters story for VOA Learning English.

_________________________________________

Words in This Story

digital  adj. using or characterized by computer technology

gigapixel  n. one billion pixels

installation  n. the act or process of making a machine or a service ready to be used in a certain place

asteroid  n. any one of thousands of small planets that circle around the sun

inspiring  adj. causing people to want to do or create something or to lead better lives

precipice  n. a very steep side of a mountain or cliff

refine  v. to improve (something) by making small changes
Hair loss is a common yet distressing problem affecting millions of men and women globally. Hair thinning, baldness, and receding hairlines are some key concerns that affect the confidence and self-esteem of the person. Anyone experiencing extensive hair loss must be looking for a hair restoration treatment like a hair transplant to get their hair and confidence back.

Hair transplant arguably has become one of the leading solutions to fix this problem. Turkey has become a leading destination for hair transplant treatments for multiple reasons. When it comes to hair transplant in Turkey, knowing the reliable clinics and hair transplant costs is certainly the most important thing to know. This information will help you to make a more informed decision. This article will provide you with a complete guide to the 2024 hair transplant cost in Turkey.

How much does a hair transplant cost in Turkey?

The reputation of Turkey as a great hair transplant destination is not only because of its medical expertise but also due to affordable hair transplant procedures. The hair transplant cost is substantially lower in Turkey than in various Western countries. It helps in making Turkey a cost-effective choice for those looking to restore their hair.

The primary reasons for the lower costs in Turkey include the lower cost of living, a favorable exchange rate, and fierce competition among clinics. However, the actual price of a hair transplant in Turkey can vary significantly based on several factors. These factors usually include:

1. Number of Grafts: The number of grafts needed to transplant plays a significant role in determining the overall cost of your hair transplant procedure. If you require a higher number of grafts to cover the affected area, the cost will be higher and vice versa.

2. Clinic Reputation: Clinics with a strong reputation and experienced surgeons may charge higher prices due to the perceived quality and success rates of their procedures. The prices at clinics that are lesser-known or have a high rate of complaints tend to be very low.

3. Experience and Expertise of Surgeon: If you are getting a hair transplant procedure from a highly experienced and expert surgeon, they may charge higher for their services, as patients often seek out their expertise for better results. Hair transplant operations conducted by globally renowned individuals such as Dr. Ahmet Murat, Dr. Koray Erdogan, Dr. Mutallip Keser, and Dr. Yetim can cost more than lesser-known doctors.

4. Hair Transplant Technique You Chose: The hair transplant technique chosen for your treatment can also affect the cost. Modern and advanced techniques may be more expensive than other hair transplant methods. For example, most of the time, the cost of the DHI hair transplant method is higher than that of the Sapphire FUE hair transplant method.

5. Additional Services: Some clinics may offer additional services such as post-operative care, accommodation, transportation, and more. Getting such services with hair transplant procedures can influence the overall cost. If you mention services you don't need, you may be able to save money on the cost.

6. Seasonal and Promotional Discounts: Some clinics may offer seasonal discounts or promotions, which can provide cost savings for patients. Getting your hair transplant services when these discounts are available can certainly help you save more. It is known that many Turkish hair transplant clinics offer discounts during the summer months.

TOP 3 Hair Transplant Clinics in Turkey and the Costs

As the leading destination for hair transplant procedures, Turkey features numerous clinics all across the country. However, not all of these hair clinics are created equal. It means every clinic in Turkey offers unique services, experiences, and even costs. Here are 3 top hair transplant clinics in Turkey with their costs to make comparison easier for you.

1. Hermest Hair Clinic

Hermest Hair Clinic is considered by some to be one of the best hair transplant clinics in Turkey and is popular among US citizens in Turkey. They focus on delivering natural-looking and thick hair results. This Istanbul-located hair clinic uses an innovative hair transplant technique known as Unique Follicular Unit Extraction (Unique FUE) to deliver a maximum hair retention rate. This innovative hair transplant approach helps promote minimally invasive procedures and helps prevent scarring.

Above all, the success rate of the Unique FUE hair transplant technique is reported to be about 99%, which may be hard to attain with other hair transplant procedures.

The cost of a hair transplant at Hermest Hair Clinic ranges from $1,200 to $5,000. The price varies based on factors like the number of grafts you need, the package you choose, and additional services. Getting more grafts transplanted will ensure fuller and more natural-looking results.

2. Nimclinic

Nimclinic, located in Istanbul, is known as one of the most affordable hair transplant clinics in Turkey. They are proud of their experienced medical team and their dedication to providing excellent service. Nimclinic specializes in the FUE method and offers various services to meet your specific needs.

The cost of a hair transplant at Nimclinic ranges from $1,700 to $5,500, depending on the type of procedure and the number of grafts you require for your desired results. Nimclinic has gained international recognition for successful hair transplants and offers a wide range of services, from beard restoration to long hair transplants.

3. HLC Clinic

Based in Ankara, HLC Clinic is a trusted name by some in the world of hair transplants. They are known for their artistic approach to hairline design and transplantation, focusing on personalized and aesthetically pleasing results. HLC Clinic offers both Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and FUE methods, providing various options to meet different hair restoration needs.

The cost of a hair transplant at HLC Clinic ranges from 2.7 to 3 Dollars per graft, depending on the type of hair transplant service you choose. Despite being one of the most expensive clinics in Turkey, HLC Clinic is known for providing top-quality hair transplant procedures with skilled surgeons, advanced technology, and excellent facilities.

You can visit the "Top 10 Best Hair Transplant Clinics in Turkey" page for a more detailed analysis of hair transplant clinics in Turkey.

The average cost of a hair transplant in Turkey

It is essential to understand the average cost of a hair transplant in Turkey to gain a more comprehensive cost overview. The cost of a hair transplant can vary depending on the city, clinic, and individual patient requirements. On average, the cost of a hair transplant in Turkey typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,500.

The lower cost usually applies to smaller procedures involving around 1,000 to 1,500 grafts. These procedures are suitable for people with minor hair loss or those looking to address specific bald spots.

On the other hand, the higher range is usually for larger procedures that involve 3,000 grafts or more. It is ideal for individuals with more extensive hair loss.

*Important information*

Keep in mind that this is a general estimate, and the cost may vary widely based on the factors mentioned earlier. Additionally, there are clinics that may offer lower-cost procedures, but it's crucial to thoroughly research their reputation and the quality of their services to ensure you receive a safe and effective hair transplant.

Cheapest hair transplant cost in Turkey

For individuals seeking the most budget-friendly options for a hair transplant in Turkey, it is possible to find clinics that offer lower prices. However, you must approach these clinics with caution and thoroughly assess their qualifications and patient reviews. Choosing the cheapest option should not compromise the quality and safety of the procedure.

The cheapest hair transplant procedures in Turkey can cost as little as $800 to $1,000. These lower prices may attract some patients, but it's important to be aware of potential risks. Some of the key factors that can influence the low cost include:

Inexperienced Surgeons: Cheaper clinics may employ less-experienced surgeons, which might increase the risk of complications and subpar results.

Cheaper clinics may employ less-experienced surgeons, which might increase the risk of complications and subpar results. Outdated Techniques : To cut costs, some clinics may use outdated or less effective hair transplant techniques, which may result in less natural-looking outcomes.

: To cut costs, some clinics may use outdated or less effective hair transplant techniques, which may result in less natural-looking outcomes. Lower-Quality Facilities: Clinics with lower costs might not invest in modern and clean facilities, potentially compromising hygiene and patient safety.

Clinics with lower costs might not invest in modern and clean facilities, potentially compromising hygiene and patient safety. Non-certified Equipment: Using non-certified or substandard equipment may increase the risk of infections and complications.

*Important consideration*

It is always advisable for individuals considering a hair transplant in Turkey to strike a balance between cost and quality. While cost is undoubtedly a significant factor, prioritize the expertise of the surgeon and the reputation of the clinic to ensure a successful and safe procedure.

2000 grafts hair transplant cost in Turkey

A hair transplant involving 2000 grafts is considered a moderate procedure suitable for individuals with moderate hair loss or those looking to enhance specific areas. The cost of a 2000 graft hair transplant in Turkey can range from $2,000 to $3,500, depending on the clinic and location.

5000 grafts hair transplant cost in Turkey

A hair transplant requiring 5,000 grafts is considered a more extensive procedure and is typically for individuals with significant hair loss. The cost of 5000 grafts for a hair transplant in Turkey can range from $2,000 to $5,500. Clinics with higher pricing may offer additional services or a higher level of expertise.

6000 grafts hair transplant cost Turkey

A hair transplant involving 6000 grafts is a major procedure designed for patients with extensive hair loss and those seeking a dramatic transformation. The cost of a 6000-graft hair transplant in Turkey can range from $3,000 to $6,000 or more. This cost range may include premium services, advanced techniques, or a highly experienced surgeon.

It is important to note that the above cost ranges are approximate and can vary depending on the specific clinic, surgeon, and location in Turkey. Some clinics may offer package deals or discounts for larger graft counts, so it's advisable to consult with several clinics to compare prices and services before making a decision.

This content is provided for informational purposes only by the advertiser and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Lee Enterprises' newsrooms were not involved in the creation of this content.
WAUPUN  It aint right. We are not free until we are all free. We love you.

Those chants and more were shouted Sunday at dueling rallies outside the Waupun Correctional Institution, whose former warden, Randall Hepp, and eight other staff members last week were charged with misconduct in public office, and misconduct and abusing prison inmates, respectively.

Four Waupun Correctional Institution inmates have died in the past year, and the criminal charges were related to two inmate deaths since October.

About 50 people rallied to demand better treatment of inmates by prison staff.

A smaller rally of roughly 10 picketers took place just down Madison Street. Most of them were current Waupun Correctional Institution staff who said they were there to support fellow employees on the inside, and that they opposed the arrests. They favored keeping Waupun Correctional Institution open, despite calls to close both that prison and Green Bay Correctional Institution, and called for better working conditions for prison employees.

They blamed the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and state government in general for not doing enough to ensure staff members can do their job properly inside the Waupun prison.

In addition to Hepp, those charged last week and the charges they face are: Jeramie Chalker, 41, misconduct in office; Brandon J. Fisher, 29, abusing an inmate; Alexander J. Hollfelder, 31, abusing an inmate; Jessica A. Hosfelt, 47, abusing an inmate; Sarah A. Ransbottom, 35, misconduct in office; Jamall R. Russell, 39, abusing an inmate and misconduct in office; Tanner J. Leopold, 27, abusing an inmate; and Gwendolyn Vick (who now goes by Peachey), 50, abusing an inmate.

The charges are Class I felonies, punishable by up to 3 years of combined prison and extended supervision and a $10,000 fine.

The four inmates who have died are: Dean Hoffman, 60, who killed himself in solitary confinement on June 29; Tyshun Lemons, 30, who died of a fentanyl overdose and stroke on Oct. 2; Cameron Williams, 24, who died of a fentanyl overdose and stroke on Oct. 30; and Donald Maier, 62, who died on Feb. 22. The cause and manner of Maiers death has not yet been announced.

We dont deserve to be tortured

Damien Hewlett, an inmate at Waupun Correctional Institution, spoke over the phone during Sundays protest on Sunday and told the crowd that a hunger strike was going on behind the walls of the prison.

Hewlett thanked everyone who came to the prison seeking change. Hewlett is serving 21 years in prison for armed robbery.

The recent events of previous warden Randall Hepp along with nine other guards being arrested for their negligence along with disregard for human life, Hewlett said. That was a monumental moment.

Hewlett said inmates have experienced many horrendous things but that the worst were the four deaths in the past year.

Currently many men in Waupun have undergone a hunger strike to oppose the inhumane treatment by Waupun staff, Hewlett said. Our refusal to eat or drink is in opposition to the institutions continued refusal to provide us in-person visitation, more than two showers weekly, or the two recreational periods weekly.

Other issues include lack of religious services, not getting three hot meals a day and lack of barber services for 16 months, Hewlett said.

Dante Cottingham, a prison reform advocate, said it is common practice for the inmates water to be turned off and for drugs to saturate the prison.

It aint right that these practices exist in the entire Wisconsin prison system and that human beings have to die for these common practices to be highlighted and legitimized, Cottingham said. It aint right that mothers and fathers around the state are legitimately petrified that their loved ones will be the next to die inside Waupun or Green Bay.

Megan Hoffman-Kolb, whose father, Dean Hoffman, died by suicide in solitary confinement last June, talked about the problems that the prison had seen since the lockdown went into effect there.

It has been 466 days since this lockdown began at this facility, Hoffman Kolb said. It has been 426 days since my dad arrived here. It has been 346 day since my dad died here.

Jovan Mull said he was an inmate at Waupun from 2000 to 2005 and now his son his behind its walls.

It is hard for someone to be in a place like this and find some sense of humanity in yourself when the people around you who are supposed to have care over you are treating you like a piece of  you know what I mean, Mull said.

Mull said he is only asking for the staff to be a little more humane.

Everyone is screaming crime and punishment, but we dont deserve to be tortured, Mull said.

Charles Hart said he has a son in Waupun who was mild mannered when he went into the prison who now suffers from mental health issues.

The government of this country says Russia and China violate humans rights. What the hell do you think goes on in here? Hart said.

Unjustly charged

Waupun Mayor Rohn Bishop said the problems inside Waupun Correctional Institution are not because of the staff who work there, but rather state legislators and bureaucrats.

Kara Nelson, a protester supporting prison employees, said she believed all Waupun staff members are being unjustly charged

It should not be felony charges, she said. Felony charges destroy lives.

Nelson said shes friends with all the Waupun prison staff facing charges.

All of the accountability needs to start in Madison, she said.

A woman who said she had children working at the Waupun prison said the arrests are making prison conditions worse, as there are fewer people to tend to the inmates. She said she lives in fear of one of her children being assaulted by inmates.

I hate hearing stuff that happens to them at work, she said.

And a man who said he is friends with current Waupun prison employees said staff members were charged wrongfully.

Its not their fault they cant do their job properly, he said, adding that staff inside the prison are now even more outnumbered.
The Social Security System (SSS) said Monday its members can boost their retirement and savings through the MySSS Pension Booster program, which offers a projected 7.2-percent annual return.

SSS president and chief executive Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said the SSS renamed the Workers Investment and Savings Program (WISP) and WISP Plus into the MySSS Pension Booster to reflect the primary goal of the savings program of boosting their retirement funds.

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Macasaet said the MySSS Pension Booster savings schemes were part of the reforms introduced by Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018, sponsored by Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto during his tenure as a senator.

We want to thank Secretary Recto for helping pass this landmark legislation in 2019. We also want to acknowledge him for conceptualizing these retirement savings schemes, which we rebranded today as MySSS Pension Booster. So, we are grateful that he pushed for the inclusion of the program in the law, which is boosting the retirement funds of millions of members, Macasaet said.

Recto also serves as the chairperson of the Social Security Commission, the highest governing body of the SSS.

Macasaet noted the importance of early retirement planning during the relaunching event of the MySSS Pension Booster at the SSS headquarters in Quezon City, which was attended by maritime professionals, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), self-employed professionals and corporate executives.

Aside from renaming the program, we also want to reposition the MySSS Pension Booster to cater more to corporate managers and executives, doctors, lawyers, OFWs, Filipino expats, seafarers, young professionals among others, as we have identified their need for bigger retirement funds. We do not lose sight of the other SSS members through other programs, but our rebranding is a move towards capturing those who want to invest more and can invest more to enroll in the MySSS Pension Booster, Macasaet said.

Macasaet said that by making retirement their top priority early on, they could ensure they have ample time to reach their retirement goals. Now is the best time to start building your retirement fund with the help of SSS, he said.

Macasaet also asked members to take control of their retirement planning by using the MySSS Pension Booster program, which supplements members savings to enhance the retirement benefit they can get under the Regular SSS Program.

The MySSS Pension Booster is not just an ordinary retirement savings plan. Its a safe, convenient, and tax-free investment opportunity that allows you to earn income from your contributions. By participating, you can attain your savings goal, ensuring a comfortable retirement, Macasaet said.

SSS vice president for benefits administration division Joy Villacorta said the MySSS Pension Booster consists of mandatory and voluntary schemes.

Villacorta said the mandatory scheme automatically enrolls SSS members contributing to the regular SSS program. It gives an opportunity to save more beyond the threshold.

Rest assured, your contributions and earnings to the MySSS Pension Booster are in safe hands. As a member of this program, you will have your account managed by the SSS, where we will place your contributions and interest earnings. Your MySSS Pension Booster contributions for the mandatory scheme are paid together with your regular SSS contributions, Villacorta said.

Villacorta said the voluntary scheme requires interested SSS members to enroll in the savings plan through their My.SSS account.

Those applying for the issuance of a Social Security (SS) Number may also enroll in the program already by accepting the terms and conditions.

For as low as P500 per payment in the voluntary scheme of MySSS Pension Booster, members can add to their savings which grows over time. Its a flexible scheme as members may contribute any amount, with the maximum based on limits set by our collection partners, Villacorta said.

Villacorta said for urgent cash needs, they could withdraw their total contributions including its investment earnings because SSS allows partial or full withdrawal of their savings in the program. However, we encourage you to stay in the program for at least five years to maximize the potential earnings on your savings, Villacorta said.

She said for those who want to use their savings in the program to augment their retirement funds, they have the option to get their total contributions plus interest when they get their retirement, total disability or death benefits from the Regular SSS Program, which is also tax-free.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Monday said Memorandum Circular No. 52, which provides for the recital of the Bagong Pilipinas hymn and pledge, is neither illegal nor irregular.

He noted that it aims to foster a culture of good governance and

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progressive leadership across all government levels.

He noted this is similar to singing the Senate, school and university hymns to remind Filipinos about unity.

For his part, Sen. Francis Tolentino said this is reminiscent of Martial Law.

The lawmaker also wants to know if the singing of this hymn would be required of the executive branch only or all separate branches of the government, including the legislature and judiciary.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said on Monday that an executive order enjoining all agencies of government and educational institutions to sing the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and recite the new pledge during flag ceremonies is not sufficient, citing the need for a law.

I believe a law is needed in order to authorize that, he said.

He proposed that the Executive Branch should submit a bill containing those ideas (to sing a new song and recite a new pledge) to amend the existing law(s) governing the National Anthem, Pledge, and Flag Raising ceremonies.

Since this involves the way of thinking of the people, Pimentel insisted that such a mandate must emanate from the peoples chosen representatives  their legislators.

He also noted that the Memorandum Circular involves State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

The students therein are not even government employees. They all observe the established flag ceremony under existing law, also said the senator.

Bagong Pilipinas is the governance brand of the Marcos administration. It aims to achieve deep transformation in society and emphasizes the governments commitment to undertake policy reforms.

Editors Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Marcos mandate for Bagong Pilipinas hymn and pledge requires legislative approval
As widely expected, the results of the European Parliament elections held on Sunday, June 9, led to an overall shift towards the right. But it fell short of some of the more extreme predictions that anticipated a significantly stronger win for candidates on the far right, much to the relief of some of the evangelical voices in Europe who had called for prayer and reflection on Europe's values in the lead up to the vote.

More than 400 million citizens of 27 European Union member countries voted for lawmakers that would fill the 720 seats in the EU Parliament.

Among the countries that have seen the most significant shifts to the right is France where President Emmanuel Macron in a surprise move dissolved the parliament and called a two-round snap election for June 30 after his rival Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally party achieved 32 percent of votes with French voters, more than double the 15 percent won by Macrons Renaissance party.

Right wing political groups also made their mark in other countries such as Germany and Italy.

The European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) had published a resources pack before the elections, to help Christians consider how to vote and pray, with issues at stake such as the war in Ukraine, migration issues and financial woes.

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The center did not get the battering many commentators feared, Arie de Pater, Brussels representative for the EEA said in an exclusive comment for Christian Daily International. The center, being the Christian Democrats, the Social Democrats, and the Liberals, still form a solid majority in the European Parliament. Right wing parties won some seats, but not as many as some people expected, hoped, or feared.

Having said that, there are still about 90 members of the European Parliament who dont belong to a political group or who are non-affiliated. That might change in the next few weeks and change the power balance in the Parliament.

De Pater referenced the Biblical example of the apostle Pauls relationship to his mentee Timothy, in advising how evangelicals can pray about the political situation in Europe, now that the European parliamentary results are in.

When Paul exhorted Timothy to pray for those in authority, his priority was to have a space to live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. The most vulnerable are usually the first victims of major instability in society.

A drastic shift to the left or the right could have affected our societies more than the current outcome of the European elections. As such, the outcome could be regarded as an outcome to prayer for stability and peace.

At the same time, De Pater expressed sorrow for would-be committed and principled politicians who did not make it to the new parliament.

Theyll be missed. Lets pray for them and for all those who now bear the responsibility to serve the European Union as a parliamentarian. May God grant them all wisdom they need to build and protect a Union of unity in diversity.

Meanwhile, I hope that God will grant us, common Christians, the passion and wisdom to serve our neighborhoods and nations in all opportunities and responsibilities we have.

Jeff Fountain, co-founder of the Schuman Centre for European Studies and frequent commentator on Europe in general and the EU in particular, also expressed relief.

In an interview with Christian Daily ahead of the elections, the former director of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) spoke about the Christian roots of Europe Day, highlighted the Jesus story in Europe's story, and urged Christians to see the big picture in the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Following the elections, he renewed his call on followers of Christ to remember history and reflect on who they voted for.

For those evangelicals who, like myself, believe stronger European partnership and mutual accountability is essential for Europes security and flourishing, the election outcome was something of a relief that the center ground held and that the predicted sharp right turn did not fully eventuate, said Fountain.

While the extreme-right grew in some lands, most concerningly in France and Austria, and to a lesser degree in Germany, they did not succeed in Spain and Belgium as they had hoped.

Some of their success is due to Russian influence in social media, as has been demonstrated in Austria, as Putins aim is to undermine European cooperation. Wilders, Orban, Le Pen and friends have stated they aim to hollow out the EU from within, much to Putins delight. One consolation is that the radical right is not a unified stream.

Yet what worries Fountain the most is the predicament of those Christians who may have been fooled into giving support for political parties, whose slogans may have appealed to them but in reality stand in opposition to the ethics of the faith in Jesus.

Of great concern is that many Christians are taken in by parties claiming to uphold the Judeo-Christian heritage and sometimes support for Israel, yet are anti-democratic, authoritarian, nationalistic, isolationist and sometimes even anti-semitic, said Fountain.

The lessons overwhelmingly concluded by leading Christians after World War Two, that forgiveness, reconciliation, mutual accountability and collaboration were essential to 'rebuild Europe on Christian foundations' (as Konrad Adenauer articulated it) seem to have been forgotten by a new generation of believers with little historical awareness of the foundations of the long post-war era of stability that came to a close on February 24, 2022 [when Russia invaded Ukraine].
The Makabayan bloc has appealed to the House of Representatives not to rush the renewal of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) franchise set to expire in 2028.

Rep. Arlene Brosas of party-list Gabriela asked House colleagues to carefully study the bills filed seeking immediate renewal of the franchise. She said doing so would allow time for Meralco to fully answer questions, issues, and controversies hounding the utilitys operations.

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According to the lawmaker, 7.63 million Meralco subscribers have been suffering the burden of high power rates and unstable supply of electricity, especially in recent days when red and yellow alerts have been declared by transmission company National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

She said Meralcos mandate under Republic Act 9209, the law that granted the utilitys franchise, was to supply power without interruption and at least cost. The said law provides revocation of franchise for violations.

Power rate increases are unabated and these have a major impact on Filipinos especially those who have very low pay Theres always an excuse for the rate increases but the government is not doing anything to lower them, Brosas said in Filipino.

Thats why the government should not rush approval of Meralcos franchise Lets study it first because only two committee hearings have been held and this has not been fully studied yet, she added.

Meanwhile, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises chaired by Paranaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting is currently reviewing bills filed by Representatives Joey Sarte Salceda of Albay and Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City proposing to renew the Meralco franchise for another 25 years.
WELLINGTON  Chinese Premier Li Qiang will visit New Zealand this week, Prime Minister Chris Luxon said Monday, a rare visit expected to focus on bolstering trade while setting aside security concerns.

Li will be the first Chinese premier to visit New Zealand since 2017, embarking on a trip that is widely tipped to also take him to Australia.

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China is New Zealands largest export destination, and Wellington has been one of Beijings closest partners among Western democracies.

But relations have become strained in recent years as China has looked to expand its military and diplomatic reach across the Pacific.

I look forward to warmly welcoming Premier Li in New Zealand, Luxon said in a statement.

The premiers visit is a valuable opportunity for exchanges on areas of cooperation between New Zealand and China.

Luxon said Li  Chinas number two official  would arrive to a ceremonial welcome and official dinner later this week, before a series of bilateral meetings.

Li follows a string of high-powered Chinese delegates who have made the trip to New Zealand in recent months.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi held high-level talks during a visit to the capital Wellington earlier this year.

New Zealands recently elected centre-right government has pivoted towards closer ties with Australia and the United States.

It has also been mulling its involvement in the landmark AUKUS security pact between Washington, Canberra and London  a move that would greatly irritate China.

New Zealands foreign minister in May hit out at Chinas bid for an increased security presence in the Pacific Islands, warning against actions that could destabilize or undermine regional security.

New Zealand and China engage where we have shared interests, and we speak frankly and constructively with each other where we have differences, Luxon said on Monday.

Our relationship is significant, complex and resilient.

Jason Young, an expert on China-New Zealand relations, said Lis visit showed both sides were willing to set aside these disagreements.

The high-level visit in itself is a win, said Young, from New Zealands Victoria University.

Its primarily designed for both sides to demonstrate that many challenges in the relationship are being managed.

With Chinas economy showing signs of slowing down, diplomats and trade officials were looking to engage with as many markets as they can, Young added.

New Zealand already has close to a third of our exports going to China. Were kind of at saturation point. Whereas for China, theres a lot more momentum to improve relations.

Li is expected to visit Australia after New Zealand, although Canberra has yet to confirm that leg of the trip.

The potential visit of the Chinese premier will be confirmed in the usual way, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters on Monday.

China and Australia have been patching up their own relationship in the wake of a bitter and costly trade dispute.

Starting in 2020, a slew of Australias most lucrative export commodities were effectively banned from China.

But as relations have improved under a new government in Canberra, China has dropped tariffs on Australian beef, barley and wine, halted an import ban on timber and resumed shipments of coal.
LAS VEGAS  Thousands of Donald Trump supporters rallied in baking heat Sunday to cheer on the Republican presidential candidate in Nevada, a key battleground state for the US election in November.

Its not too hot out here, right? the 77-year-old told a cheering crowd in Las Vegas.

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If you start going down, we have people. Theyll pick you up right away. Theyll throw water.

The gathering in Sunset Park was Trumps first major rally since he was found guilty late last month of falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election.

Vendors sold t-shirts reading Im voting for the convicted felon  alluding to Trumps verdict  along the mile-long line.

But for his most loyal followers, the verdict only strengthened Trumps position against his Democratic rival, President Joe Biden.

I dont care about what happened to him in the trial it doesnt change my mind about him at all, Lindsay Elliott, who came to the Trump event with her family, told AFP.

I think its going to help him. I think that the American people are done with this crap, the 40-year-old added.

Her daughter Mackenzie, 19, agreed: It sucks what happened but I think its just going to make him stronger and make voters more encouraged to vote (for him).

Trump, who faces three other criminal cases which are unlikely to be heard before the November election, spoke for just under an hour and attacked Biden as the worst president in the history of our country.

The Republican repeated conspiracy theories that the 2020 election was stolen by Democrats  despite exhaustive investigations finding no such evidence, and him being charged in relation to his alleged attempts to overturn the ballot result.

Trump also spoke ominously of the consequences if he is not elected in November, telling supporters: If it doesnt happen, youre headed to World War III.

Trump has been on a political swing through the American West that saw him hold a fundraiser in California and attend a campaign town hall event in Arizona.

By 10:00 am Sunday (Monday Manila time) in Las Vegas, as the thermometer already read 93 degrees Fahrenheit (34 Celsius), people wearing the traditional red of the Republican Party were queueing to hear Trump speak at midday, when the mercury soared to triple digits.

Near the end of the rally, at least one person overcome by the heat was seen being attended to by paramedics.

Trumps Las Vegas event was a first for Shay Chan, 25, who found himself motivated by the New York court ruling.

Its very disheartening to see America is turning in this direction, Chan told AFP. If it can happen to Trump, it can happen to anyone else, right?

Others came to show their support even if they could not vote, such as Karen Hall  a Chilean who lives in the United States but is not a citizen. She said illegal migration is an important issue for her.

Im an immigrant and I had to wait years to get my visa and arrive legally, and it bothers me that so many immigrants arrive illegally and pass through like its nothing. That bothers me a lot, thats why I support president Trump, she said.

Beth Matthews, wearing a Trump t-shirt, said she was only buoyed by his criminal conviction.

I contributed right away to the campaign as soon as they came out with the verdict, she said.
GENEVA  Switzerland will stage a conference on Ukraine this weekend, with world leaders set to discuss how to reach an eventual peace process  although Russia is not taking part.

The gathering comes immediately after the G7 summit in southern Italy, running from Thursday to Saturday, during which the wealthy democracies will also discuss Ukraine in the presence of its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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The G7 will look at ways to use frozen Russian assets to provide fresh aid to Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022.

Zelensky will then head to Switzerland, to be joined by G7 and other leaders for the summit.

What is billed as the first Summit on Peace in Ukraine will take place at the luxury Burgenstock resort on a mountain ridge overlooking Lake Lucerne.

French President Emmanuel Macron, US Vice President Kamala Harris, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are among those so far confirmed to be attending.

The aim is to inspire a future peace process and to develop practical elements as well as steps towards such a process, the Swiss foreign ministry said.

All states present at the summit should contribute their ideas and visions for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Swiss President Viola Amherd, set to hold a press conference on preparations later on Monday, characterized it as a first step in a process towards a lasting peace.

Switzerland invited more than 160 delegations, including countries at heads of state and government level, and international organizations.

Bern says more than 80 confirmations have been received so far, mostly from Europe.

Organized at Ukraines request, the outcome of the conference remains uncertain, even if Switzerland is working hard to strike a potential final declaration.

It is very important to avoid exaggerated expectations, a German government source stressed, calling it a building block for a peaceful settlement of this conflict.

But there will be further building blocks, the source added.

Ukraine hopes to gain broad international support on its conditions to end the war with Russia.

The inaugural peace summit could become a format that would bring closer a just end to this war, Zelenskyy said on June 7.

The conference was envisaged to involve plenary sessions with all heads present and discussions in smaller formats on various topics.

The program, developed by Bern, draws on Zelenskyys 10-point peace plan but may focus on territorial sovereignty, a just peace in Ukraine and upholding the United Nations charter.

It may also tome in on three themes  nuclear security; freedom of navigation and food security; and humanitarian aspects, including prisoner exchanges.

If we agree on this and other basic principles, we have already made progress, the German government source said.

Swiss foreign ministry spokesman Nicolas Bideau told RTS television Switzerland would not leading the discussions in these areas but the countries of the Global South, or the countries who have skills in this field.

Laurent Goetschel, director of the Swisspeace research institute, told AFP: The themes that will be addressed are not the most delicate but they are nevertheless important.

In the future, addressing these themes jointly with Russian participants could facilitate establishing a basis of trust for future peace negotiations.

The Kremlin has repeatedly indicated it will not participate in any negotiations if Kyiv does not accept Russias annexation of the approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory it currently occupies.

As Russia no longer considers Switzerland as neutral, Moscow said it was not interested in participating in the summit. Bern therefore did not issue an invitation.

However, we are convinced that what can come out of this summit will ultimately allow the Russians to join in, said Bideau.

From Russias core BRICS allies, India has said it will participate, while China, Brazil and South Africa are yet to clarify precisely where they stand.

For the Geneva-based US-Swiss political scientist Daniel Warner, there are not enough important countries of the South attending.

As for US President Joe Biden sending Harris, the problem is if Biden had come to the peace summit and there was no real concrete result, the Republicans would immediately say that it is Bidens fault, Warner told AFP.

Democrat Biden facing a presidential election in November.
Authorities uncovered military uniforms that reportedly bore designs and accessories associated with the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), the armed organization of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), from the recently raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) site in Porac, Pampanga.

These findings have raised serious concerns about the nature of operations at the facility, prompting the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) to investigate if there were Chinese military personnel posing as POGO employees in the country.

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The raid, which took place last week, was initially sparked by allegations of human trafficking within the 10-hectare establishment. But a report aired on GMA News, said the seized camouflage clothing had buttons with the initials P.L.A., which authorities suspect is the same Chinese military unit.

The search yielded more than just military uniforms. Authorities rescued 158 foreign nationals, predominantly Chinese, who were believed to be victims of human trafficking.

The raid also uncovered various equipment allegedly used in scamming activities and other criminal enterprises, including sex trafficking, torture, and kidnapping.

Porac Mayor Jaime Capil has strongly denied any involvement with or protection of the illicit POGO operations. He emphasized that illegal activities are not tolerated in their town during his tenure.

Capil pointed out that the buildings in question existed before he took office and that he does not own the land where the POGO hub is located. He also refuted insinuations that the local government under his watch was turning a blind eye to the firms violations.

The mayor explained that Lucky South 99 had obtained the necessary building permits and that POGO, as a business model, is legitimate as far as he was concerned when they approved its operations.

POGO per se is a legitimate business. Thats a legitimate business and that was what we approved. If we did not approve, we could be sued before the Ombudsman with several cases, Capil was quoted saying by GMA News.

In 2020, former Senator Richard Gordon claimed that PLA soldiers have infiltrated POGO companies in the Philippines for intelligence gathering and other activities.

His suspicions were later on validated when two card-carrying PLA members attached to the industry were arrested in a shooting incident in Manila, according to a report published by Asia Times.
THE Kenya-based United Nations Environment Program or UNEP is raising the alarm on the severity of the global plastics crisis.

Environmentalists warn plastics, which include materials like carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine and sulfur, are polluting our planet and choking our ocean, harming human health, and damaging ecosystems vital to our livelihoods.

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For instance, UNEP is highlighting the networks of everyday people, coastal workers, and communities who are spearheading solutions to beat plastics pollution.

A plastic substance is any of numerous organic synthetic or processed materials mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight that can be made into objects, films, or filaments.

UNEP says 12 million metric tons of plastic find their way into the ocean every single year; 9.5 million tons of this enter the ocean from the land with 1.75 tons being chucked into the sea directly from the fishing and shipping industry.

Another ghastly sight is the roughly 51 trillion microscopic pieces of plastic, weighing 269,000 tons.

The Philippines, on the ball regarding this type of pollution, passed in 2023 a critical national law that advances this legal framework to combat plastics pollution much further.

Titled the Extended Producer Responsibility law, the legislation requires mandatory EPR for businesses with assets worth over 100 million.

Authorities are aware the plastics waste crisis in this nation of 114 million people has reached a critical point, with challenges and implications.

These include:

Staggering Volumes: The Philippines produces an estimated 2.7 million tons of plastics waste annually. A significant portion ends up in landfills and different bodies of water.

Marine Impact: About 20 percent of this plastics waste find their way into the ocean, devastating marine ecosystems and endangering marine life.

Health Hazards: The improper disposal of plastics poses health risks to communities, as toxic chemicals filtrate into the soil and water.

Urban Eyesore: Plastics pollution has transformed once-beautiful landscapes into unsightly and polluted areas, impacting tourism and quality of life.

We are encouraged the government is on tiptoe in addressing plastics pollution which continues to affect communities, including but not limited to people in vulnerable areas, like highly urbanized cities and coastal towns, who bear most of the pressure.

Fishing communities face declining catches due to plastics contamination in waters and coastal areas.

Plastics pollution contributes to health issues, particularly among marginalized communities living near polluted areas.

And tourism, a vital sector for the Philippines, suffers as pristine beaches are marred by plastic debris.
The Central African Republic government has suspended the operations of Daqing SARL, a Chinese gold and diamond mining company, due to alleged cooperation with armed militias, according to a recently publicized government decree. The Ministry of Mines accused the company of various offenses, including collusion with armed groups, illegal mining, introducing unauthorized foreign individuals into mining areas, tax evasion, and failure to provide activity reports.

Daqing SARLs operations were based in Mingala, a southern town in the Central African Republic that has been affected by ongoing conflicts between the countrys armed forces and the Coalition of Patriots for Change, an anti-government armed group. The nation has been embroiled in conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power, leading to resistance from mostly Christian militias. Despite a peace deal in 2019, fighting persists, and six out of the 14 armed groups that signed the agreement have since withdrawn.

The Central African Republic remains one of the worlds poorest countries, despite its rich mineral resources. Rebel groups have hindered mining exploration by foreign companies over the past decade. Many of the companies currently operating in the country are Chinese-run and have faced security challenges, with several incidents of attacks and fatalities at Chinese-operated mines in recent years. The local government has blamed these attacks on the Coalition of Patriots for Change.
Diane Rwigara, a prominent opposition leader in Rwanda and head of the Peoples Salvation Movement, has been barred from challenging President Paul Kagame in the upcoming election. Kagame has been Rwandas de facto ruler since the 1994 genocide and has served as president since 2000. Rwigara, who was also barred from running in 2017, submitted her candidacy last week but was not included in the provisional list of candidates announced by the electoral commission on Thursday.

The commission stated that Rwigara failed to provide a required criminal record statement and did not meet the threshold of 600 supporting signatures from citizens. Rwigara expressed her disappointment on X, questioning why Kagame would not allow her to run. In 2017, she was barred from the race over accusations of forging supporters signatures and was subsequently arrested and charged with forgery and inciting insurrection, spending more than a year in jail.

Only two other candidates, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green party and independent Philippe Mpayimana, were cleared to run against Kagame. The final candidate list is expected on June 14, with the presidential and parliamentary votes scheduled for July 15.

Kagame has been praised for Rwandas economic transformation since the genocide but faces criticism over rights abuses and intolerance of the opposition. In the lead-up to this years vote, Rwandan courts had already rejected appeals from prominent opposition figures Bernard Ntaganda and Victoire Ingabire to remove previous convictions that effectively barred them from running.
Suspected Fulani herdsmen killed a pastor, his wife and three other Christians at about midnight on June 2 in Plateau state, central Nigeria, sources said.

The raiders with heavy weaponry attacked a predominantly Christian village in Kwall District, Bassa County, killing Pastor Dauda Dalyop, 63, of the Assemblies of God Church; his wife Chummy Dauda, 57; Chwe Ajuhs, 26; Joshua Kusa, 45; and Rikwe Doro, 43, said Sam Jugo, spokesman for the Irigwe Development Association, an umbrella group of the predominantly Christian ethnic group in Plateau state.

In the middle of the night of June 2, Fulani herdsmen invaders attacked and killed five of our residents in cold blood at Ari Songo hamlet in Kimakpa area of Kwall District, Jugo said in a press statement. Two other Christians were severely injured and are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Jos.

In his original statement to Nigerian media, Jugo identified the assailants only as criminal invaders. Questioned by Christian Daily International-Morning Star News, he revised his statement to identify them as Fulani herdsmen invaders.

Two days prior, a band of herdsmen ambushed and attacked two Christians in the same Kwall area, he said.

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This sad incident is coming just two days after some herdsmen ambushed two other Christians, killing one of them, Mr. Irmiya Musa Timbi, while the second victim was injured, Jugo said.

The Rev. Ronku Aka, a pastor in the area, confirmed the attack in a message to Morning Star News. Fidelis Adara, a Bassa council official, corroborated the information.

The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) called on the Nigerian government to investigate continued killings and bring them to an end. The Rev. Akus Odoh of ECWA, Miango District Church Council, condemned the most recent attack in strong terms called for a thorough investigation.

Nigeria has lost its values, and the government doesnt respect the right to life, Odoh said.

Alfred Alabo, spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, confirmed that five persons were killed, including the pastor.

The commissioner of police went there and saw the scene of the incident, and he has posted men to that place to ensure that it doesn't happen again, Alabo said. We are working with the community to get more information concerning the incident.

Nigeria remained the deadliest place in the world to follow Christ, with 4,118 people killed for their faith from Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023, according to Open Doors 2024 World Watch List (WWL) report. More kidnappings of Christians than in any other country also took place in Nigeria, with 3,300.

Nigeria was also the third highest country in number of attacks on churches and other Christian buildings such as hospitals, schools, and cemeteries, with 750, according to the report.

In the 2024 WWL of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria was ranked No. 6, as it was in the previous year.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report.

They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.
Chioma Okoli, a Nigerian woman, is facing legal consequences after posting a review of Nagiko tomato puree on her Facebook page on September 16, 2023. In her post, she mentioned that the product tasted sweeter than others and asked her followers for their opinions. The post received mixed reactions, with one user accusing her of spoiling their brothers product.

Okoli responded by advising the user to tell their brother to stop ki**ing people with his product. Two days later, the post had gained significant attention with over 2,500 comments. On that Sunday, Okoli was approached by three individuals claiming to be police officers as she was leaving church with her husband. She was taken to the police station, where she was presented with a list of charges, including extortion, blackmailing, and running a syndicate.

Okolis case is one of many in Nigeria where individuals have been arrested or charged for allegedly violating the countrys cybercrime laws, which are intended to protect critical national information and citizens from cyberstalking. However, rights groups argue that the laws are being misused against journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens exercising their freedom of speech.

Despite recent amendments to the 2015 Cybercrime Act following an ECOWAS court ruling, activist and lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who represents Okoli, states that the Nigerian police have not fully grasped the legal implications of the changes. The amendment clarifies that abusing someone on the internet or journalists carrying out their work should not be criminalized or prosecuted.
Moroccos Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, launched, Monday in the Province of El Jadida, the construction works of the Casablanca seawater desalination plant, the largest plant of its kind in Africa. The plant will, ultimately, have an annual production capacity of 300 million m3 and will benefit some 7.5 million inhabitants.

This landmark project shows the importance King Mohammed VI grants to water amidst the current context marked by a significant rainfall deficit and high pressure exerted on conventional water resources in various regions of the Kingdom.

It is also part of the $14.3 billion National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program 2020-2027 launched by the Monarch in 2020. The Casablanca desalination plant will meet the growing demand for water in Greater Casablanca, the cities of Settat, Berrechid, Bir Jdid and the surrounding regions. It will be built in two phases on a 50-hectare site and will require an investment of over $ 652 million through a public-private partnership.

During the first phase, scheduled to be commissioned by the end of 2026, the station should reach a capacity of 548,000 m3 of treated water per day (200 million m3 per year), expandable, in a second phase (planned for mid-2028) to 822,000 m3 per day, or an additional 100 million m3 per year, including 50 million for agricultural use.

This impressive project will use the reverse osmosis technology for water treatment and will require the installation of a system to transport the drinking water produced thanks to three pumping stations, three storage tanks and a distribution network of almost 130 km of supply pipes. This drinking water transport system necessitates an investment of over $ 300 million financed by public funds.

The latest-generation Casablanca desalination plant will comprise two 1,850-meter-long seawater intake pipes, a 2,500-meter-long discharge outfall, reverse osmosis desalination facilities (pressure filters and microfilters), a sludge treatment unit, a control and management center and pumping stations, in addition to a storage reservoir for the drinking water produced.

With a drinking water production cost estimated at 4.48 DH/m3, the future plant will be 100% powered by renewable energy and its management will be fully automated.
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Kaplan-Meier Estimates of Survival among Individuals with and without an ALS Code (ICD-9-CM ALS code [335.20]), U.S. Medicare 2009. Credit: PLOS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304083

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients received better care if they were treated by a neurologist, a new study published in PLOS One has found.

But researchers found that Black, older and socially disadvantaged ALS patients were less likely to see a neurologist, raising concerns about equity in treating the deadly disease.

Patients who were treated by neurologists were more likely to receive interventions endorsed by the American Academy of Neurology.

"This study highlights the importance of neurologist care for ALS patients and the need to overcome barriers and provide care that is more equitable for ALS patients," said Brad Racette, MD, FAAN, Chair of Neurology at Phoenix's Barrow Neurological Institute and senior author of the study.

"Life expectancy in ALS is short, with average survival two years after diagnosis and only 10% survival after five years. Interventions that improve survival and quality of life are critical for the care of these patients."

Barrow Neurological Institute joined the study with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

In 2009, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) published practice parameters for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) patient care with evidence-based interventions that improve ALS patients' survival and quality of life. These recommended interventions include prescription of riluzole, early feeding tube placement and non-invasive ventilation.

Using Medicare claims, the study reviewed 8,575 ALS cases between 2009 and 2014and only 3,676 (42.9%) saw a neurologist during the five-year follow-up period. The cohort was composed primarily of non-Hispanic White beneficiaries (86.7%) with an average age of 68.1 years. Slightly more than half (54.5%) were male.

The study found that those patients who saw neurologists after their diagnosis were more likely to receive care consistent with the AAN practice parameters than those who did not. The study found that of all Medicare beneficiaries with ALS, 26.7% received a feeding tube, 19.2% received non-invasive ventilation and 15.3 filled a riluzole prescription between diagnosis and death or end of follow-up. Patients with ALS who saw a neurologist were much more likely to receive each of these interventions than patients who never saw a neurologist.

Black beneficiaries were less likely to receive care from a neurologist than non-Hispanic White beneficiaries. Beneficiaries in a disadvantaged area were less likely to receive care from a neurologist compared to beneficiaries in an advantaged area.

Neurologists provided care that was consistent with evidence-based guidelines far more often than non-neurologists, the study determined.

Dr. Racette said that as interventions are likely more effective in the early stages of the disease, and utilization of non-invasive ventilation and feeding tubes can lead to improved survival and quality of life, it is critical for providers who take care of ALS patients to be aware of evidence-based ALS practice parameters.

"The difference between the care received by ALS patients who were treated by a neurologist and those who did not see a neurologist was dramatic," Dr. Racette said. "Our study highlights the importance of receiving specialist care for ALS patients and provides evidence that may guide health policies and education efforts in the U.S.

"This is of critical importance as the aged population continues to increase; the treatment disparities presented here may continue to worsen without efforts to mitigate them, in particular for Black and disadvantaged beneficiaries," Dr. Racette said.

More information: Osvaldo J. Laurido-Soto et al, Adherence to practice parameters in Medicare beneficiaries with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, PLOS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304083 Journal information: PLoS ONE

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A First Nations child born in Australia today can expect to live eight to nine years less than a non-Indigenous child born on the same day.

During their life, they are more likely to have a heart attack, and would be on average 20 years younger than the non-Indigenous patient in the hospital bed next to them when they do. Acute rheumatic fever, a disease virtually non-existent among non-Indigenous Australians, may damage their heart valves. They are more likely to develop and die from cancer, diabetes, kidney failure and lung disease.

A First Nations Australian is also more likely to have a low household income, live in overcrowded housing, and is 14 times more likely to be imprisoned. We know socioeconomic inequalities like these create health inequalities. There's also evidence that cultural factors and experiences of racism compound the problem.

Closing the health gap between First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous Australians is a national priority. One of the ways to reduce health disparities is by improving the care Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive when they're admitted to hospital.

Staff at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane could see first-hand that our health system wasn't delivering the care First Nations patients needed. So they sought to develop a culturally informed model of care for First Nations patients with heart disease.

We have all worked with this model and were part of a study to trial it. Our results, published recently in The Lancet Global Health, indicate this culturally informed model of care eliminated the gap between First Nations patients and non-Indigenous patients when we looked at heart health outcomes after they left hospital.

Designing a culturally informed model of care

The model was developed for First Nations patients with acute coronary syndrome. This includes heart attacks and angina, which is chest pain due to disease in the arteries supplying blood to the heart.

The project was co-designed with First Nations stakeholders. Training was tailored and delivered to build cultural capability across the cardiology department and to increase staff knowledge of relevant services available to First Nations patients outside the hospital.

Staff formed formal partnerships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health organizations. They improved the hospital environment with First Nations artwork and uniforms (displaying First Nations flags and artwork).

They brought together a "Better Cardiac Care" team including an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander hospital liaison officer, a cardiac nurse and a pharmacist. This team visited First Nations patients at their bedside, providing additional support, advocacy, education and care co-ordination.

Patients could confidently ask questions and yarn about their diagnosis and treatment in their own words without feelings of shame or embarrassment.

The team was focused on the patient's needs. For example, they could co-ordinate accommodation for a patient's relative who was traveling to the hospital from far away. They could tell a patient's doctor if the patient needed more time to talk or make a decision, or a better explanation. Before the patient left hospital, the team could co-ordinate with the patient's local chemist to supply their medications and book a follow-up appointment with their GP.

How we tested the model

We investigated the impact of the model of care by looking at outcomes for First Nations and non-Indigenous patients admitted with heart attacks and angina before and after the model was implemented.

Specifically, we collected data on 199 First Nations patients and 440 randomly selected non-Indigenous patients treated in the 24 months before the project began and compared them with 119 First Nations patients and 467 non-Indigenous patients treated in the 12 months after.

We particularly wanted to know if patients died, had another heart attack, needed an unexpected stent or coronary artery bypass surgery, or had to urgently come back into hospital within 90 days of being discharged.

Before the model was introduced, 34% of First Nations patients had one of those negative outcomes, much higher than the rate of 18% in non-Indigenous patients. Afterwards, these events occurred in 20% of both First Nations and non-Indigenous patients. This was a significant improvement for First Nations patients and eliminated the gap between groups.

The most significant improvement was seen in urgent re-admissions, but there were also fewer heart attacks.

Fewer heart attacks and hospital admissions are good, but we also needed to ensure patients felt culturally safe, and that their social and emotional needs were being met.

A related project asked patients and their families about their experience with the model of care. The researchers identified that relationality or connectedness between patients and the team, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, may be key to its success.

A promising concept

Our study was not a randomized trial and the control group was historical. So it's possible factors other than the model of care might have affected the outcomes. The study was also conducted only in a single hospital.

However, we demonstrated that a culturally informed model of care, developed with and for First Nations peoples, can improve clinical outcomes. Better Cardiac Care programs based on this concept have now spread to other Queensland hospitals.

We hope similar results can be replicated in many hospitals and in other medical specialities, because improving hospital outcomes is one of many important steps needed to close the health gap for First Nations peoples in Australia.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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A glowing marker dye that sticks to prostate cancer cells could help surgeons to remove them in real-time, according to a paper published in the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, titled "Firstinman study of the PSMA Minibody IR800IAB2M for molecularly targeted intraoperative fluorescence guidance during radical prostatectomy."

Scientists, based at the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences and the Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford University Hospitals and Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Center used a fluorescent dye attached to a special marker molecule to give medics a "second pair of eyes" during surgery for prostate cancer.

Twenty-three men with prostate cancer were injected with the marker dye before undergoing prostate removal surgery. The marker dye found areas of cancerous tissue not picked up by the naked eye or other clinical methods.

The dye allowed the surgeons to remove all cancerous tissueswhich could reduce the chances of cancer coming backwhile preserving healthy tissues. Preserving healthy tissues means fewer life-changing side effects after surgery.

The combination of dye and targeting molecule, called IR800-IAB2M, allows surgeons to see the edges of the tumor and identify any clusters of cells that have spread from the tumor into nearby pelvic tissues and lymph nodes. This guides the surgeon to remove all cancerous tissues and preserve healthy areas around the prostate.

This substantially reduces the chances that the cancer will come back in future and minimizes the possibility of life changing side-effects for the patient after the operation.

The dye and marker molecule work by attaching themselves to a protein called Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) commonly found on the surface of prostate cancer cells.

The marker molecule is made from a smaller version of an antibody called a "minibody," which can only bind to PSMA and not to any other molecule. The dye and marker molecule combination were developed by Oxford scientists in collaboration with ImaginAb Inc., a company based in Inglewood, California.

In the first stage of the ProMOTE study, 23 men diagnosed with prostate cancer were injected with the fluorescent dye before undergoing robot-assisted surgery to remove the prostate (known as a radical prostatectomy).

Surgeons used an imaging system that shines a special type of light on the prostate and nearby areas, to make the prostate cancer cells glow. The imaging system was developed by an engineering team led by Professor Borivoj Vojnovic at the University of Oxford.

For multiple patients in the study, the dye identified clusters of cells which had spread away from the tumor which couldn't be seen by the naked eye.

This marker dye is in its early stages of clinical development, but in future it could be used routinely by surgeons to see every part of the cancer while they perform surgery to remove the prostate.

The imaging system to see glowing cancer cells could be integrated into the robot-assisted tools used for prostate surgery. The marker dye could also be used for other types of cancer, by changing the protein it uses to attach itself to the cancer cells.

Further clinical trials are already underway in larger groups of patients to find out if the technique removes more prostate cancer, and preserves more healthy pelvic tissue, compared to existing surgical methods.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with around 52,300 new cases every year.

Nuffield Professor of Surgery at the University of Oxford and lead author of the study, Professor Freddie Hamdy, said, "We are giving the surgeon a second pair of eyes to see where the cancer cells are and if they have spread. It's the first time we've managed to see such fine details of prostate cancer in real-time during surgery.

"With this technique, we can strip all the cancer away, including the cells that have spread from the tumor which could give it the chance to come back later. It also allows us to preserve as much of the healthy structures around the prostate as we can, to reduce unnecessary life-changing side-effects like incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

"Prostate surgery is life changing. We want patients to leave the operating theater knowing that we have done everything possible to eradicate their cancer and give them the best quality of life afterwards. I believe this technique makes that possibility a reality."

Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, Dr. Iain Foulkes, said, "Surgery can effectively cure cancers when they are removed at an early stage. But, in those early stages, it's near impossible to tell by eye which cancers have spread locally and which have not.

"We need better tools to spot cancers which have started to spread further. The combined marker dye and imaging system that this research has developed could fundamentally transform how we treat prostate cancer in the future.

"We hope that this new technique continues to show promise in future trials. It is exciting that we could soon have access to surgical tools which could reliably eradicate prostate and other cancers and give people longer, healthier lives free from the disease."

More information: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06713-x
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Higher prices in shops and tighter restrictions on online alcohol sales could help to reduce rising alcohol harm while minimizing the impact on hospitality businesses, according to a new study.

The findings are published in the International Journal of Drug Policy.

Alcohol harm, including deaths and hospital admissions, has risen in many countries since the COVID-19 pandemic, including in the UK. At the same time, some hospitality businesses, such as bars and pubs, have struggled.

Research, led by experts at the University of Stirling's Institute for Social Marketing and Health (ISMH), looked at potential "sweet spot" policy options that would likely offer benefits for public services and health, without negative impacts on the hospitality sector.

Reviewing evidence from international studies and legislation in the UK and abroad, the research team identified four possible "sweet spot" policy areas to explore:

Alcohol pricing measures including minimum unit pricing (MUP) and alcohol taxation;

Regulation of online sales, including rapid delivery services;

Encouraging the growth of food or arts focused venues using the local alcohol licensing system, rather than those primarily focused on selling alcohol;

Violence reduction interventions focused on late-night venues, including changes in serving or closing times.

These potential policy interventions were then discussed with internationally recognized academics at two expert workshops.

Both higher alcohol taxes and introducing MUP where it was not in place were highlighted as the most effective means of reducing alcohol consumption and harm without impacting negatively on restaurants, bars or clubs. In these venues, MUP has no effect on the price of alcohol sold, and tax makes up a much smaller proportion of sales prices.

Highlighting evidence from Scotland and elsewhere, experts noted that higher shop prices had had little or no impact on bar or restaurant trade.

Regulating online sales of alcohol; such as by restricting the quantity, delivery speed, price promotions and free delivery offers for large orders, and ensuring alcohol is not available online at lower prices than in physical stores, were also assessed as having good potential as a "sweet spot" policy.

Professor Niamh Fitzgerald, who led the study, said, "During COVID-19, bars and restaurants were closed and restricted while sales of alcohol from shops increased. Alongside this, changes in alcohol consumption patterns led to increased health harms and alcohol-related deaths with health consequences. Post-COVID, governments face lobbying to support such businesses, but many health services remain under pressure.

"In setting alcohol policy going forward, there are inevitable trade-offs to be made, and therefore 'sweet spot' policy options, which can protect public health and health services while minimizing harm to hospitality businesses, may be important to consider.

"Our findings suggest that the recent Scottish Parliament decision to increase the minimum price on alcohol is a good example of a sweetspot policy. Given our assessment, other nationssuch as England and Northern Irelandcan be confident that minimum unit pricing would not negatively affect pubs and restaurants."

More information: Niamh Fitzgerald et al, Reducing alcohol harms whilst minimising impact on hospitality businesses: 'Sweetspot' policy options, International Journal of Drug Policy (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104465 Journal information: International Journal of Drug Policy
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As of 2024, 24 states, including Virginia and Maryland, and DC have legalized the adult recreational use of cannabis. As laws change, citizens' perceptions of the drug and reasons for using the drug have also shifted. In 2020, 34.5% of adults aged 18-25 reported using cannabis in the previous 12 months, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Health experts seek to better understand the broader implications of legalizations and individuals' motivations and attitudes related to cannabis use.

New qualitative research by Iulia Fratila, assistant professor in George Mason University's College of Public Health, and Liza Berdychevsky, associate professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, describes the ways young adults (aged 18-30) view cannabis as a recreational and leisure pursuit.

The research is published in the Journal of Leisure Research.

"Recreational cannabis legalization and liberalization is shifting across U.S. states. More holistic approaches to understanding perceptions of cannabis benefits and leisure motivations are scarce due to the longstanding criminalization of cannabis," said Fratila, the principal investigator. "This research provides novel insights into cannabis users' leisure motivations of use and perceived benefits, which can be leveraged strategically in public health and drug education efforts in the societal transition from criminalization to normalization and commercialization trends concerning cannabis."

Participants in Fratila and Berdychevsky's study suggest cannabis can offer a leisure state of mind (e.g., experiencing flow, relaxation, and meditative state) as well as represent a leisure pursuit reserved for free time (e.g., using cannabis as a reward for free, post-obligations time outside of daily demands). Additionally, participants described how cannabis serves as a leisure activity itself (i.e., the act of getting high) and/or as an activity that accompanies other leisure pursuits and socialization (e.g., getting high and going to the movies), while providing pleasurable outcomes (e.g., feeling enjoyment, engaging in humor, enhancing senses).

"Participants discussed the ways that their recreational cannabis consumption represents a controlled and calculated risk-benefit leisure choice that is successfully managed for their overall well-being. Their narratives highlight that this perceived leisure pursuit does not necessarily interfere with their otherwise productive lives," said Fratila.

These insights can inform harm reduction approaches to cannabis education that may be more effective considering the cannabis legalization and liberalization landscape. Health educators and health promoters can discuss cannabis risks and potential negative health outcomes while acknowledging the desired benefits cannabis users anticipate.

Fratila warns about the impacts of widespread legalization and the emerging recreational cannabis markets, which highlights another meaningful implication connected to the study findings.

"Under prohibitory regulations, recreational cannabis use has been explicitly framed as deviant, criminal, harmful, life-wrecking, and [de]void of any potentially desirable leisure qualities (e.g., pleasure, socialization). This study showcases the cannabis users' understanding of cannabis as normative recreation and the anticipated leisure benefits," said Fratila.

She further explained, "However, this is a cautionary tale because these desirable qualities may be easily exploited. More specifically, society may be facing a new conundrum with the commercialization of recreational cannabis as the switch from criminalization to commercialization overly simplifies and glamorizes the leisure meanings of cannabis for profitable gain."

Public health experts and scholars will need to be at the front lines, in collaboration with other fields, to monitor how cannabis is repositioned and accommodated in a cannabis-friendly society, according to Fratila. Specifically, it will be important to spearhead effective health promotion efforts that minimize any related harms and maximize well-being.

This was a qualitative research project utilizing hermeneutic phenomenology, a research method to study how experiences affect everyday practices, and in-depth interviewing with 16 individuals (ages 18-30) living in the U.S. states with legalized recreational cannabis.

More information: Iulia Fratila et al, Phenomenological exploration of young adults' recreational cannabis use experiences and associated leisure meanings, Journal of Leisure Research (2024). DOI: 10.1080/00222216.2024.2355477
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Graphical abstract. Credit: The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbae064

Strong family relationships have long been associated with a better sense of well-being and connection. Now a team led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers has linked the quality of those relationships with how successfully peopleparticularly aging African Americansmanage pain. The findings, published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences suggest factors tied to chronic pain that could improve treatment options.

"African Americans who are surrounded by positive relationships with family may be less likely to experience chronic pain as they age," said Sarah Woods, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Research in Family and Community Medicine at UT Southwestern. "If pain develops, they may be especially likely to achieve chronic pain remission."

The team chose to focus on African Americans because, despite well-documented disparities, this segment of the population is underrepresented in pain research. Most of the understanding involving the efficacy of pain treatment is largely driven by research conducted on healthier, mostly white patients.

"Compared with older white adults, older African Americans suffer disproportionately worse pain progression, great pain-related limitations, and increased pain-related mortality," Dr. Woods noted. "Racial bias in pain management leads to inadequate pain treatment."

The study analyzed responses from more than 3,300 African American participants in two separate datasetsthe Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study and the Health and Retirement Studyabout chronic pain in 2006 and again a decade later.

It found that aging African Americans who reported negative or strained relationships with their childrenparticularly children who were demanding, critical, or irritatingwere more likely to develop chronic pain over a 10-year period. However, family support characterized by warmth, reliability, and dependability saw the opposite, with the protective effects from pain exceeding the benefits gained by vigorous physical activity, as measured in other research studies.

"Next we plan to test exactly how stress influences pain," Dr. Woods said. "We hypothesize that family relationships marked by more stress and strain show up as depressed mood, anxiety, and increased inflammation. That, in turn, perpetuates the development and persistence of chronic pain. Conversely, we hypothesize that more caring and supportive family relationships can be health-protective by promoting emotional and physiological regulation, especially in the face of stress."

Researchers found that family, specifically among aging African Americans, plays a key role in determining risk or resilience for chronic pain.

"Our work begins to identify where it may be particularly helpful to intervene in family relationships to ameliorate stress or to promote caring and pain management support," Dr. Woods explained.

"Older African American patients living with chronic pain say they need family support to effectively manage their pain. Engaging family in primary care for preventive benefits, or pain treatment for pain relief, may even serve to enhance the warmth and connection of existing positive relationships."

Another benefit, she added, is that such treatment could improve the patient's trust in engaging with the health care system.

More information: Sarah B Woods et al, Longitudinal Associations of Family Relationship Quality With Chronic Pain Incidence and Persistence Among Aging African Americans, The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbae064
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The number of U.S. mpox cases has more than doubled compared with last year, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been urging clinicians across states to encourage vaccinations for those at risk.

As of May 25, the nation had seen a roughly 150% increase in cases of the disease formerly known as monkeypoxfrom 434 at that time last year to 1,089 this year, according to the CDC. About a third of the cases are in New York state, New York City (which the CDC reports separately), New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Anyone can contract mpox, a viral disease that can cause a rash, pain severe enough to require hospitalization andin rare cases, primarily in patients with other complicationsdeath. But during 2022's U.S. outbreak, the contagious infection mainly affected men in gay and bisexual communities. While it's not a sexually transmitted infection, mpox can be passed through skin-to-skin contact, respiratory droplets or contact with bodily fluids.

June is Pride Month, and public health experts are concerned about a potentially higher caseload this summer as people gather for large celebrations. Experts are encouraging vaccination outreach, especially to Black and Hispanic LGBTQ+ people, who are less likely to be vaccinated and more likely to face barriers to getting care.

Those who are at highest risk for mpox, including men who have sex with men and people with advanced HIV, should receive two doses, four weeks apart, of the trademarked Jynneos vaccine to prevent infection.

The CDC has warned that low vaccination rates among those groups with the highest risk of mpox exposure could lead to a resurgence of the disease.

Dr. Richard Silvera, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, said the current mpox rates are far lower than they were in 2022, when there were more than 3,800 cases citywide, but that the numbers are growing rapidly.

"I am very concerned that there will be increased rates over the summer, particularly as we hit Pride Month," Silvera said.

New York City has seen more than 200 cases this yearup from 46 at this time last year. It's unclear what is causing the surge, but Silvera and other experts say one factor could be that some patients may not have received their second doses.

"Either their immunity is waning, or folks didn't get complete vaccination," he said. "And so now there's been time for that virus to exploit those gaps in protection."

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released an advisory in early May, noting that of the 256 diagnoses between October 2023 and April 15, 73% were among unvaccinated people or people who had received only one dose.

"There's a large overlap between people who belong to BIPOC communities, living with HIV, identifying as LGBTQ+," said Preeti Pathela, executive director of the STI program at the agency.

"Our hope is that, through this kind of regular outreach which we have intensified in the last couple of months, knowing that coming into the summer is going to be a critical time to really double down, we're just hoping that the messaging and the services get out to the communities that need it."

Racist language associated with the former name of mpox helped spur the World Health Organization to rename it in 2022. Public health experts also were concerned that the former name might be discouraging people from being tested and vaccinated by contributing to the stigma surrounding the disease.

In reports last month, the CDC warned of a heightened global threat of a deadlier strain of mpox that is devastating the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the virus is endemic. That strain hasn't been detected in the United States, but the agency and clinicians are on alert for possible cases in travelers from the country.

Infectious disease physician Dr. Anu Hazra said he and others in the field are closely watching that strain.

"The only way that we can truly think about eradicating mpox is bringing vaccines to everywhere in the world that's impacted by the illness," said Hazra, who sees patients at Howard Brown Health, which runs several clinics in the Chicago area focused on LGBTQ+ care.

HIV patients are at higher risk of contracting mpox, and are disproportionately Black and Hispanic. Racism, homophobia and barriers to care such as poverty and a lack of transportation complicate prevention and treatment efforts.

"When we think about, sort of, any communicable disease, we know that it tracks along racial and economic fault lines. We've seen that with HIV, we've seen that with COVID, we see that with certain STIswe have certainly seen it with mpox," Hazra said.

Silvera, of the Icahn School of Medicine, said clinicians and state health agencies also should consider the historic distrust of medicine among Black and Hispanic communities.

"It takes a lot of time. We're undoing decades and centuries of work," he said. "It's a tough job. And so, we can do that person to person, but it's also going to require larger efforts as well to undo these disparities."

Along with distrust and vaccine skepticism, fear of being "outed" as gay is a major barrier in some Black communities, said Ryan Payne, a prevention specialist at the Alliance of AIDS Services-Carolina. The organization serves six counties in North Carolina.

"That is a full-blown truth. It's very hard. Me and my co-workers are talking about that all the time," Payne said.

At the end of April, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services found that 30 of the 51 cases over the previous six months were among Black people. But only 27% of patients vaccinated in the state this year were Black.

In Pennsylvania, there have been 64 reported mpox cases compared with two at this time last year, according to the CDC. The state's health department said it will emphasize the importance of vaccinations throughout 2024, using an awareness campaign that will focus on reaching the at-risk populations through social media and dating apps.

Cory Haag, a registered nurse at the Central Outreach Wellness Center in Pittsburgh, said the best way to stem the spread is by addressing barriers, educating patients and quelling fears within the LGBTQ+ community the center serves.

Many patients travel for up to two hours to receive care at the center. It provides bus passes to patients so they can more easily return for a second vaccine dose.

"We're just happy to be that safe space to catch them," Haag said.

2024 States Newsroom. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: University of Birmingham

Children with the most common malignant form of brain cancer could see diagnostic wait times reduced thanks to new research that trialed a new, quicker and less invasive way of determining which type of tumor they have.

The study, published in eBioMedicine, was conducted by a team of researchers led by the University of Birmingham and Newcastle University, with Birmingham Children's Hospital as the lead clinical center.

The collaborative team identified how the four different groups of medulloblastoma, a malignant children's brain tumor, had a specific profile based on their individual metabolism. Taking cell samples from 86 tumors, a laboratory test was used to accurately identify metabolic markers including chemicals specific to the different tumor groups.

The study also validated previous research that found that glutamate, a metabolite present across all of the tumor cells, is linked closely with tumor prognosis.

Significantly, the research could pave the way for using MRI scanning combined with machine learning to assess medulloblastomas for their 'signature' metabolic profiles without the need for invasive biopsy and could rapidly reduce the current 3-4 week wait from presentation to full diagnosis.

Andrew Peet, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Pediatric Oncology at the University of Birmingham and an Honorary Consultant at Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, who is lead author of the study said, "Time is so important in cancer diagnosis so our findings on different types of medulloblastoma having a detectable signature metabolism could be game changing for quickly diagnosing, and then offering the best possible treatment for children."

Professor Steve Clifford, Chair of Molecular Pediatric Oncology at the Newcastle University Center for Cancer, who jointly led the study said, "Providing a rapid diagnosis using innovative scanning and AI (artificial intelligence) techniques, has the potential to revolutionize patient management, allowing early non-invasive diagnosis, tailoring of treatment decisions and reducing the period of uncertainty for patients and parents while awaiting a full diagnosis.

"Further, our biological findings provide critical new insights into the metabolism underpinning these tumors, and the potential to exploit these therapeutically."

The latest findings could be game changing for children like Jack Bourne, aged six, from Birmingham who was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in March 2023.

Jack's dad Tom said, "We've been through 13 months of treatment but six weeks of that was just waiting to find out what type of tumor he had. We were so scared."

Within weeks of starting school, Jack had started experiencing sickness and headaches which doctors put down to possible separation anxiety or vertigo. But when parents Tom and Tom and Suzanna noticed that he was struggling to walk, they sought a second opinion and Jack was referred to Birmingham Children's Hospital the same day.

"When they told me the results of the MRI scan, I didn't know what to feel," said Tom. "As we were trying to digest everything, they were asking us to sign consent forms because they wanted to operate first thing the next morning. You're reading these forms and all you see ishe might not make it out alive. It's heartbreaking, it really is."

Jack pulled through the 10-hour operation to remove the tumor, but it would take more than four weeks for doctors to figure out what specific type of medulloblastoma he had in order to effectively treat it.

"The research that's going into diagnosing tumors is really important," said Tom. "In Jack's case there was quite a delay while they sent his tumor to Great Ormond Street to be analyzed. During that time Jack was given some chemo just to start things off because they just wanted to do something rather than just wait. But all you want is for your child to be given the best possible treatment right from the start."

Improving outcomes for every child

Christiana Ogunbote, head of research at Children with Cancer UK said, "We are incredibly proud to help fund this innovative medulloblastoma research and are excited to see how it could change the experiences of children diagnosed with this disease and their families.

"Discovering new ways to improve outcomes for children with cancer is at the heart of what we are trying to achieve. Through continued and sustained investments in research we look forward to a day where every child can survive their cancer diagnosis."

Dr. Laura Danielson, children's and young people's research lead at Cancer Research UK, said, "Developing quicker, less invasive ways to accurately diagnose the different types of medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children, is a crucial step in improving outcomes for young patients.

"This important study has identified a new way to distinguish between the four subgroups of medulloblastoma. This discovery paves the way for the development of simple imaging tests that could quickly and accurately diagnose the different types of medulloblastoma.

"This kind of discovery research is important to drive new and improved ways to better detect and treat cancers affecting children and young people."

More information: Sarah Kohe et al, Metabolite profiles of medulloblastoma for rapid and non-invasive detection of molecular disease groups, eBioMedicine (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104958 Journal information: EBioMedicine
"Chinese Bridge" language proficiency contest held in Germany

Xinhua) 09:43, June 10, 2024

BERLIN, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The 17th "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition for middle school students and the 4th "Chinese Bridge" show for primary school students in Germany were held Saturday in the city of Hamburg.

Nearly 100 experts and scholars, Chinese teachers, students learning Chinese, and enthusiasts of Chinese culture attended the event.

The competition for secondary school students consists of three parts -- a keynote speech, a Chinese knowledge question and answer segment, and a talent display.

Contestants shared their love for China through personal stories, reflected on the benefits and insights gained from learning Chinese, and explored the theme "Dream Chinese, Live Up to Your Youth." Their performances included singing, ink painting, Chinese dance, instrumental music, and other artistic displays.

The Chinese show for primary school students featured self-introductions and talent performances.

"Chinese Bridge" is a platform for Chinese learners worldwide to showcase their proficiency, exchange learning experiences, and test their skills, which has become a prominent symbol of Chinese culture since its inception in 2002, said Guo Jinqiu, counsellor from the Chinese Embassy in Berlin.

Corinna Nienstedt, head of the state office of Hamburg, said that China and Germany need to deepen their mutual understanding, and language is the best way to achieve this.

"Hamburg is home to over 500 Chinese-funded enterprises and has a rich tradition of learning Chinese," she said. "In the future, Hamburg aims to further develop its 'Chinese capabilities' and encourage students to begin learning Chinese as early as possible."

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
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Michael S. Avidan, MBBCh (right), administers anesthesia during a surgery. He monitors the electrical activity of the patient's brain with chief anesthesiology resident Karam Atli, MD, to guide anesthesia dosage and ensure the patient does not experience unintended waking during surgery. New research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and other institutions supports earlier findings that indicate that anesthesia is no more hazardous for the brain at higher doses than at lower doses. Credit: Washington University School of Medicine

General anesthesia makes it possible for millions of patients each year to undergo lifesaving surgeries while unconscious and free of pain. But the 176-year-old medical staple uses powerful drugs that have stoked fears of adverse effects on the brainparticularly if used in high doses.

New findings published June 10 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), however, support an earlier study that indicates that anesthesia is no more hazardous for the brain at higher doses than at lower doses, according to the researchers.

The new study reports results of a multicenter clinical trial of more than 1,000 older patients who underwent cardiac surgery at four hospitals in Canada. Researchers at these hospitals, in partnership with colleagues at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, found that the amount of anesthesia used during surgery did not affect the risk of postoperative deliriuma state that may contribute to long-term cognitive decline.

"Concern that general anesthesia harms the brain and causes both early and lasting postoperative cognitive disorders is a major reason that older adults avoid or delay life-enhancing procedures," said Michael S. Avidan, MBBCh, the Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor of Anesthesiology and head of the Department of Anesthesiology at Washington University.

"Our new study contributes to other compelling evidence that higher doses of general anesthesia are not toxic to the brain. Dispelling the misleading and pervasive message that general anesthesia causes cognitive disorders will have major public health implications by helping older adults make wise choices regarding essential surgeries, which will promote and sustain healthier lives."

The dose of administered anesthesia historically has been a carefully calculated balance between too little and too much. Administering an inadequate amount puts patients at risk of experiencing intraoperative awareness. Despite advances in anesthesia care, about one in 1,000 people still experience unintended waking during surgery without being able to move or indicate their pain or distress. This can lead to suffering and lifelong emotional trauma.

"The good news is that the distressing complication of intraoperative awareness can be more reliably prevented," said Avidan, the study's senior author.

"Anesthesia clinicians can now confidently administer a sufficient dose of general anesthesia, providing a margin of safety for unconsciousness, without being concerned that this will put their patients' brains at risk. The practice of general anesthesia should change based on mounting reassuring evidence."

Previous smaller studies have suggested that too much anesthesia could be to blame for postoperative delirium, a neurological problem involving confusion, altered attention, paranoia, memory loss, hallucinations and delusions, among other symptoms. A common postoperative complication affecting about 25% of older patients after major surgeries, delirium can be distressing to patients and family members. It is typically temporary but has been linked to longer intensive care and hospital stays, other medical complications, persistent cognitive decline and higher risk of death.

To study the impact of minimizing anesthesia on postoperative delirium, Avidan and colleagues previously conducted a similar clinical study in more than 1,200 older surgical patients at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

The researchers used an electroencephalogram (EEG) to monitor electrical activity in the brains of patients during major surgery and adjusted anesthesia levels to prevent brain activity suppression, considered a sign of excessive anesthesia levels. They found that minimizing anesthesia administration did not prevent postoperative delirium.

To expand upon the results of their single-hospital clinical trial, Avidan collaborated with Alain Deschamps, MD, Ph.D., a professor of anesthesiology at Universite de Montreal in Montreal, and a team of Canadian clinical researchers, to conduct the multicenter trial involving patients at four hospitals in Canadain Montreal, Kingston, Winnipeg and Toronto.

This randomized clinical trial enrolled 1,140 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, high-risk procedures with a high rate of postoperative complications. Roughly half of the patients had their anesthesia adjusted based on electrical activity in the brain, and the other group of patients received the usual care without EEG monitoring.

The former group was exposed to almost 20% less anesthesia than the latter group and also had 66% less time with suppressed electrical brain activity, but in both groups, 18% of the patients experienced delirium in the first five days after surgery. Additionally, the length of hospital stays, the incidence of medical complications and the risk of death up to one year postoperatively were no different between patients in the two study groups.

However, almost 60% more patients in the group that received less anesthesia had undesirable movements while their surgeons were operating, which could have negatively affected the surgeries.

"The thinking has been that deep general anesthesia excessively suppresses electrical brain activity and causes postoperative delirium," Avidan said.

"Taken together, our two clinical trials, including almost 2,400 high-risk older surgical patients at five hospitals in the United States and Canada, dispel the concern that higher general anesthetic dosing incurs a neurotoxic cost. Delirium is likely to be caused by factors other than general anesthesia, such as the pain and inflammation associated with surgery.

"Future research should explore other avenues to prevent postoperative delirium. But we can now confidently reassure our patients that they can request and expect to be oblivious, immobile and pain-free during surgical procedures, without worrying about general anesthesia damaging their brains."
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Facing ongoing concerns about rural hospital closures, Capitol Hill lawmakers have introduced a spate of proposals to fix a federal program created to keep lifesaving services in small towns nationwide.

In Anamosa, Iowaa town of fewer than 6,000 residents located more than 900 miles from the nation's capitalrural hospital leader Eric Briesemeister is watching for Congress' next move. The 22-bed hospital Briesemeister runs averages about seven inpatients each night, and its most recent federal filings show it earned just $95,445 in annual net income from serving patients.

Yet Briesemeister isn't interested in converting the facility into a rural emergency hospital, which would mean getting millions of extra dollars each year from federal payments. In exchange for that financial support, hospitals that join the program keep their emergency departments open and give up inpatient beds.

"It wasn't for us," said Briesemeister, chief executive of UnityPoint Health-Jones Regional Medical Center. "I think that program is a little bit more designed for hospitals that might not be around without it."

Nationwide, only about two dozen of the more than 1,500 eligible hospitals have become rural emergency hospitals since the program launched last year. At the same time, rural hospitals continue to close10 since the fix became available.

Federal lawmakers have introduced a handful of legislative solutions since March. In one bill, senators from Kansas and Minnesota list a myriad of tactics, including allowing older closed facilities to reopen.

Another proposal introduced in the House by two Michigan lawmakers is the Rural 340B Access Act. It would allow rural emergency hospitals to use the 340B federal drug discount program, which Congress created in 1992.

The 340B program, named after its federal statute, lets eligible hospitals and clinics buy drugs at a discount and then bill insurance companies, Medicare, or Medicaid at market rates. Hospitals get to keep the money they make from the difference.

Congress approved 340B as an indirect aid package to help struggling hospitals stay afloat. Many larger hospitals say the cash is used for community benefits and charity care, while many small hospitals depend on the drug discounts to help cover staffing and operational shortfalls.

Currently, emergency hospitals are not eligible for 340B discounts. According to a release from U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., the House proposal would "correct this oversight." Backers of the House bill include the American Hospital Association and the National Rural Health Association.

In Iowa, Briesemeister said the 340B federal drug discount program "can be used for tremendous good." The small-town hospital uses money it makes from 340B to subsidize emergency services and uninsured and underinsured patients who frequent the emergency department, he said.

Chuck Grassley, Iowa's longtime Republican senator, shepherded the Rural Emergency Hospital program into law. His spokesperson, Gillie Maddox, did not respond directly to questions about why the federal law creating rural emergency hospitals omitted the 340B program. Instead, Maddox said the designation was a "product of bipartisan negotiations."

A survey conducted by the health analytics and consulting firm Chartis, along with the National Rural Health Association, found that nearly 80% of rural hospitals had participated in 340B and nearly 40% said they reaped $750,000 or more annually from the program.

Sanford Health, a largely rural health system headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, considered converting a handful of smaller critical access hospitals into rural emergency hospitals.

Martha Leclerc, vice president of corporate contracting for Sanford, said the system analyzed how much revenue would be lost by closing inpatient beds, which is also a requirement of the emergency hospital program, and by being unable to file for drug discounts.

In the end, she said, switching did not "make a lot of sense."

While many rural hospitals are clamoring for the 340B provision to be added to the rural emergency hospital program, opponents have said 340B can be a cash cow for hospitals that don't serve enough vulnerable patients.

Nicole Longo is deputy vice president of public affairs for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the nation's largest, most influential pharmaceutical lobbying group. She wrote in a recent blog post that hospital systems and chain pharmacies are "exploiting the program" and said patients have not benefited from the growth in the program.

In an interview, Longo said PhRMA supports rural emergency hospitals being able to access 340B because they are treating "vulnerable patients in underserved communities" and are "true safety net providers."

PhRMA, she said, wants to encourage a thoughtful conversation about "which types of hospitals should be in the program." Last year, PhRMA formed an unlikely pact with community health centers to create the Alliance to Save America's 340B Program, or ASAP 340B.

Vacheria Keys, associate vice president of policy and regulatory affairs at the National Association of Community Health Centers, said, "There is a new day of openness, from all parties."

Use of the drug discount program skyrocketed after provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, increased the number of hospitals and clinics allowed to contract with an unlimited number of retail pharmacies, such as Walgreens and CVS, which are paid a fee to dispense the discounted drugs.

Adam J. Fein, president of the industry research organization Drug Channels Institute, reports that the 340B program is the second-largest federal drug program, trailing Medicare Part D. The flow of drugs purchased under the 340B program reached $53.7 billion in 2022, about $9.8 billion more than in 2021.

In response to the exploding use of contract pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufacturers have restricted the drugs they offer at a discount through the pharmacies. That throttling is affecting rural hospitals like Labette Health, a Kansas hospital whose president asked President Joe Biden for help in dealing with the pharmaceutical companies.

Rena Conti, an associate professor of markets, public policy, and law at Boston University's Questrom School of Business, has studied the drug discounts for years and said she has "significant worries about expanding" the 340B program.

"There is a lot of money being generated in this program that we really can't understand exactly how much that really is and exactly who it is benefiting," Conti said.

At the same time, said Conti, a health care economist, giving rural hospitals access to the federal drug discounts "makes sense because they are hospitals that are serving particularly vulnerable patient populations."

2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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As an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cows continues to evolve, an extension veterinarian in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences answers some common questions about the how the virus spreads, the implications for food safety and human health, and how dairy producers can protect their herds, Credit: Steve Williams, College of Agricultural Sciences

Multiple states since March 2024 have reported dairy herds displaying symptoms caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI.

The H5N1 strain found in the cows is the same virus that, since 2022, has caused outbreaks in poultry across the country, leading to the loss of almost 97 million birdsmostly chickens and turkeysincluding more than 4.7 million in Pennsylvania.

Although there is little mortality associated with the disease in cattle, affected cows often exhibit a drop in feed intake and milk production, thickened abnormal milk and abnormal manure, among other symptoms.

These outbreaks have raised questions about how the virus spreads, how producers can protect their animals, the risk of infection in people, the safety of milk and meat supplies, and other issues.

Penn State News spoke with extension veterinarian Ernest Hovingh, clinical professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences and director of the college's Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, to answer these and other questions related to the H5N1 outbreak in dairy cattle.

How did dairy cows become infected with avian flu?

Hovingh: Wild birdsespecially waterfowlwhich are natural carriers of avian influenza are believed to be the original source of infections in cattle. It appears that many, if not all, of the infections since an initial "spillover event" to cattle have been associated with the movement of cattle from an affected herd to another herd.

How the virus is spreading is not yet completely understood, but there's evidence of cow-to-cow transfer. Some of that might be via fomitesobjects or materials that can be contaminated with a pathogensuch as contaminated milk from a cow coming in contact with another cow, since milk from infected cows tends to have high levels of virus.

If avian flu virus can be present in cow milk, is the milk we buy at the store safe to drink?

Hovingh: Milk from cows that are known to be sick is diverted from the milk supply, in accordance with Food and Drug Administration regulations. But even if viral or bacterial pathogens are present in raw milk, the milk sold for processing or retail sale in interstate commerce must be pasteurized by law, and pasteurization was developed to inactivate any harmful organisms.

The FDA also has announced that, although HPAI virus fragments have been found in some pasteurized milk samples, the pasteurization process inactivates the virus so it is not a risk to consumers.

What about beef, poultry meat and eggs? Are those safe to consume?

Hovingh: To verify the safety of the meat supply in the wake of the current avian flu outbreak, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has conducted three beef safety studies related to avian influenza in meat from dairy cattle. These studies suggested that beef purchased at retail outlets that is cooked to recommended temperatures is safe to eat.

Penn State Extension food safety experts have said that consumers who follow proper food handling and cooking practices as highlighted on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website can minimize the risk of foodborne pathogens, including HPAI.

Can avian flu infect people?

Hovingh: Despite HPAI showing up recently in livestock and other mammals, federal authorities said that they have found no evidence that the virus has evolved to make it more transmissible to humans and between people. And while three cases of human infection appear to have occurred in farm workers who were in direct contact with infected cattle, they said they believe that the current risk to the public remains low. Regardless, experts recommend that people working with dairy cows on infected farms take precautions.

If you have a herd that tests positive, since there is a good bit of virus in the milk, the CDC recommends eye protection, masks and gloves, among other protections for those in direct contact with cattle. Having personal protective equipment on hand can assure a farm is prepared should they suspect the disease.

How can dairy farmers keep their herds safe from HPAI?

Hovingh: Penn State Extension offers biosecurity recommendations to help protect cattle and other animals from HPAI, such as avoiding bringing new animals onto the farm, especially lactating animals; limiting visitors to those essential to the farm; thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting equipment if moved between premises; and developing a biosecurity plan, including premovement testing for any animals that must be brought onto the farm.

Should this virus show up in dairy cattle in the commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will require an HPAI-positive herd to have an approved biosecurity plan in place. Since the disease affects cows differently than it does poultry, animals would not be euthanized to control HPAI in dairy cattle.

How else is Penn State involved in addressing the current HPAI outbreak?

Hovingh: The Animal Diagnostic Lab at Penn State, one of three facilities in the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System, is equipped to test milk and nasal swabs from cows that are suspected of being infected with the virus. In response to a federal order that requires testing of lactating cows before they can move across state lines, the lab already is testing such milk samples. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture also has placed testing requirements on the movement of dairy cattle into Pennsylvania.

To identify pathogens and monitor their spreadincluding those that cause zoonotic illnesses that may jump to peoplethe lab also routinely conducts testing for HPAI and other diseases affecting poultry, livestock and other animals. These include serology tests, or blood-based tests that look for antibodies to a pathogen and indicate a prior infection, and PCR tests, or molecular tests that look for active infections.

Penn State Extension is partnering with the Center for Dairy Excellence to provide Everyday Biosecurity Kits to dairy farms at no cost. The kits include a compilation of printed biosecurity resources from across the industry.

Where can I find more information?

Hovingh: Penn State Extension offers webinars, workshops, fact sheets and other resources to provide dairy and poultry producers with the latest information and recommendations.

The USDA also provides information on avian flu in birds and livestock, and additional informationincluding how to report suspected cases of avian influenza in poultry or livestockcan be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website.
A new proposal by a Missoula city councilor would temporarily halt business licenses for new marijuana dispensaries within city limits and add more fines around selling to underage residents, citing a high number of storefronts that some argue add to youth cannabis abuse.

Ward 3 Councilor Gwen Jones will propose three different resolutions to the Public Safety Health and Operations Committee on Wednesday.

One policy would enact a 180-day ban on new dispensary licenses. The second would set a public hearing next month to consider to halting licenses for new dispensaries for two years. The third policy would add additional fines for giving or selling marijuana to a minor.

Jones told the Missoulian that the new polices are in response to the large amount of dispensaries currently operating within the city, which in turn increases access to marijuana.

The Center for Disease Control's Youth Risk Behavior survey reported youth cannabis use in Missoula County increased from 20% in 2019 to 24.5% in 2021.

"It's been 2 1/2 years since legalization, and now we have the data that shows an inordinate impact for those under 21," Jones said on Monday.

Recreational marijuana has been legal in Montana since the start of 2021 after being approved by voters. In May 2024, Missoula County residents spent more than $3 million on medical and recreational marijuana sales, according to state data.

Jones said the proposed policies are not "anti-weed," but safeguards to start regulating the booming enterprise. Some studies presented by the city claim Missoula has the most dispensaries per capita in the entire country.

There are 53 dispensaries within city limits, according to city business licensing records.

Jones said children could experience significant health complications from abusing marijuana, such as panic attacks, chest pain, uncontrollable seizures and schizophrenia.

Hospitalizations and emergency room visits for youth under 15 and cannabis use increased 142% from 2016 to 2022, according to the Montana Hospital Association. One part of that is the increased potency of the drug, Jones said.

The proposed rules would indefinitely halt all new business licenses for recreational cannabis dispensaries within the city limits starting 30 days after the approval of the initial ban.

The city has also requested the county enforce the policy up to five miles outside city limits. Businesses that were in the process of obtaining a license would be grandfathered in, Jones said.

Once approved, the new policies would also prevent businesses from relocating, the resolution says. Current businesses would still be able to renew their license.

Once the ban is finalized in July, the moratorium on new dispensaries would be in effect for two years. In that time, Jones said the city hopes to find a better solution to the dispensary overcrowding.

"Ultimately this should end with a landscape that is a better balance for everyone," Jones said.

There would also be a new $250 fine for giving or selling cannabis to people under the age of 21. That fine doubles on the second offense. Separate state laws could charge a seller with a felony, depending on the amount.

The city council will first hear the resolution on Wednesday and could finalize some of the policies by June 24.
Draughn High School hosted the May 7 meeting of the Rotary Club of Valdese.

Student James Stewart, assisted by Griffin Stephens, presented "Food for Thoughts: Winter Blues," his plan for dealing with seasonal depression within the community. Stewart's plan is to organize an event with speakers and food to raise awareness of the rising teen suicide rate.

This event will also build community, giving teens the support they need to become the leaders of the community and world, he said.

Stewart and Stephens are looking for individuals or businesses that would like to be involved in this project. If you would like to recommend a speaker or make a donation, contact them at jstewart106@burke.k12.nc.us or gstephens283@burke.k12.nc.us. You can call them at 828-460-3745 or at 828-502-3085.

Stewart recently attended Rotary Youth Leadership Award event. This idea was developed at the four-day leadership experience in April, and Stewart decided to put it into action.
Jarod Clemons Jarod Clemons will perform June 16 at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. "I try to nail not only my dads songs to a T but also the Springsteen covers we play, he said. (Courtesy North to Shore Festival/Courtesy North to Shore Festival)

When it comes to the rich legacy of New Jerseys music heritage, Clarence Clemonss monumental impact is undeniable. On June 16, Clemons and the band The Late Nights return to the North to Shore Festival to honor his beloved father in a special Fathers Day tribute show at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park.

Clemons, much like his father, has carved out his own niche in the Asbury Park music scene with a sound that compellingly blends rock and blues, captivating audiences with his powerful original compositions and dynamic stage presence. This show, however, is not about his achievements as it is about his fathers.

I do the tribute show twice a year, Jarod shares with Mosaic. Its so important to me to keep his legacy and his name alive, as the Clemons name had such an impact on this world.

Clarence Clemons, affectionately known as The Big Man, was a towering figure in the music world, both literally and figuratively. As the saxophonist for Bruce Springsteens E Street Band from 1972 until his passing in 2011, Clemons helped define the sound of New Jerseys rock scene with his powerful saxophone solos.

His presence on stage and on classic tracks like Born to Run and Thunder Road captured the essence of the Jersey Shore sound that resonates through Asbury Parks musical venues to this day. Clemonss collaborations extend beyond the E Street Band, contributing to hits like Aretha Franklins Freeway of Love and his own top-20 single with Jackson Browne, Youre a Friend of Mine.

His larger-than-life persona and contributions to music make him a celebrated figure in the New Jersey music scene and beyond, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire artists like his son, Jarod. His induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 posthumously recognizes his significant impact on music and culture.

In a candid reflection on his musical journey and the esteemed burden of his heritage, Jarod noted, carrying the Clemons name means a lot; its such a heavy task... I try to nail not only my dads songs to a T but also the Springsteen covers we play. He adds, and playing in Asbury Park at places like the Stone Pony, youre standing where legends have stood. Its very humbling for sure.

Several days later, on June 22, Jarod will shift the vibe from electric to acoustic for a special show at the Boardwalk Tiki Bar in Atlantic City where audiences will get to experience more of his unique artistry, reflecting a deep-rooted passion for music honed from an early age.

Losing my parents at a young age taught me that I need to go on and tell my story through my songwriting, Jarod explains of his deeply personal approach to music, weaving his own experiences and losses into his songwriting. Music is such a spiritual thing. It really helps me through a lot in my lifeIf theres one person at the bar who gets something from my show, then thats a win for me at the end of the day.

Looking ahead, Jarod is excited about his upcoming projects. He teases, I have an album that were finishing up, and Im going to start putting out songs from that, which is some of the best work that Ive personally ever written. Fans attending his June 22 performance might just get a sneak peek at some of these new tracks.

As Jarod Clemons continues to make his mark on the music scene, he not only honors the towering legacy of his father, Clarence Clemons, but also forges his own path with genuine passion and soulful authenticity. His performances at this years North to Shore Festival are vivid chapters in the ongoing story of a familys profound musical impact on the world.

Tickets for his Fathers Day show are $20 and available through Ticketmaster. His acoustic performance in Atlantic City is free.

Learn more about the North 2 Shore Festival on Mosaic:

North2Shore: Soulful sounds in Asbury Park help launch N.J.s premier 3-week festival

North to Shore: Mosaics picks for the best of the festival in Asbury Park

North 2 Shore: Bachata legend Prince Royce to take the stage in Atlantic City

Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom, on Facebook at MosaicNJcom on Twitter (X) at @MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom.
When a delegation of Korean mission leaders spoke at the recent European Leadership Forum in Wisla, Poland about their desire to seek collaboration between Korean missionaries and European churches, it was just the most recent development in a new movement toward unity and partnership between the Global South and the Global North that began to emerge last year.

During the forum, Christian Daily Internationals Executive Editor sat down with Lindsay Brown, former General Secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) and former International Director of the Lausanne Movement, who facilitated the session with the Korean leaders. Brown was invited to comment on what is taking place from a Western perspective, and what it means for mission leaders and churches in Europe and North America.

First of all, it is a reflection of the fact that the balance has shifted globally in terms of the global missionary network, Brown began, and explained that in 1910, at the time of the Edinburgh mission convention, which was a major event, only 5-8% of the participants were non-Western and over 90% were Western. In 2010, one hundred years later at the Lausanne Movements Third Global Congress in Cape Town, it was 65% non-Western and 35% Western. And that [ratio of non-Western] has increased again [since then].

He said that the Korean missionary force today is the second largest in the world  second only after the Americans  with an estimated 30,000 cross-cultural missionaries. These numbers only reflect the officially dispatched missionaries, however.

That differentiation is going to grow even further because it doesnt include the many unofficial non-traditional missionaries like the Filipinos that are coming to look for work in the Gulf states and are bringing the gospel with them, he noted.

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The percentage would be much higher, I think, if you include the non-traditional missionary force, he added, commenting that this is what early missionary force in the first century in the New Testament looked like as they were all working at the same time.

So, its a reflection of the fact that there is a huge change.

Secondly, subsequent to that change, there is a growing confidence amongst missionaries, theologians, and church leaders in the non-Western world, Brown said. They have a growing impact on the advance of the gospel worldwide and an increased say in it. There are increasing levels of regional and global conferences just for leaders in the non-Western world or the Majority World, which is a reflection of growing confidence also.

But then positively what it shows is that 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, he said.

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.

If the Western leadership doesnt take note of that, they will be left behind. Thats basically what will happen, Brown said, highlighting the historic nature of what is taking place right now and the unique opportunity to unite.

Gracious leaders from Asia have come here and are saying, Lets work together, he said, and emphasized that this should not be considered lightly by those in the West.

They dont need to anymore; they are outstripping the Westerners. There is no room, therefore, for arrogance among Western church and mission leaders, Brown said.

Celebrating the fulfillment of Gods promises

Yet, most of all, he invites his fellow Western leaders to celebrate the global changes that have become evident over the past few decades and recognize them as Gods work.

It's a huge shift. What were seeing in our generation, the globalization of the gospel, the internationalization of the gospel, and the fulfillment of the Biblical prophecies in Habakkuk 2:14, the glory of the Lord will be evident as the waters cover the seas. Thats what were seeing, Brown said.

Its amazing that Habakkuk could write that because there were hardly any non-Jewish believers [at that time]. There were some but not many. And even when you get to Isaac Watts saying, from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the Lords name should be praised. That was before William Careys impact and the Western missionary force, he noted.

But what we see now is the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament and the New Testament and the vision of some of those hymnwriters, he exclaimed. This is wonderful to see. This shows that God keeps His promises.

And it shows that the Church is penetrating every country of the world, he said, noting that it has yet to penetrate every people group. Because although there are maybe 200 nation states in the world, when the New Testament talks about every nation, the Greek word was ethne, which of course refers to a linguistic group. And there are many thousands more of that.

How the Global South began to overtake the Global North in missions

Brown then traced some of the shifts that took place in global missions over the past fifty years, and the rise of Global South missionaries participating in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Since 1974, there has been renewed emphasis on reaching the unreached people groups. When it was enunciated at the Lausanne Congress, very few European churches picked it up. But it shifted the balance of focus among the American churches where a whole movement emerged called adopt a people group. So, many churches in the States deliberately prayed for and targeted unreached people groups within countries and challenged some of their members to go to those nations, he said.

But now were seeing many non-traditional missionaries going to those hidden groups as well in search for work and taking the gospel with them. And there are many wonderful stories how God is using them, especially in the Muslim world.

I think its symptomatic of growing confidence in Majority world leaders, especially in Asia. And I suspect that what were going to see in the next 20 years is the acceleration of the missionary force and increased number of international leaders coming from the Majority World, and probably fewer from the Western world. Thats how things seem to be inexorably moving, Brown said.

He said that some people might worry that there are fewer missionaries going out from the West, but highlighted, what were seeing is God opening up new streams of missionaries.

He shared about a recent conference he attended where he met missionaries from one Middle Eastern country who are planting churches in another Middle Eastern country where they have unique opportunities to reach migrant communities.

Similarly, countries from Asia, Latin America and Africa have seen significant increases in missionaries that are sent cross-culturally, including to Europe. One of the key reasons for the growth of evangelicals in France is the African diaspora. So, we should be excited by that and thankful for the change, Brown noted.

He also pointed to Francophone Africans who are starting programs to send out from Eastern Congo, one of the poorest parts of Africa, to many other French-speaking countries in Africa. While not well known yet, they are characterized by great faith, determination, and creativity, he said.

We shouldnt be discouraged. Its impressive, Brown emphasized. But we should recognize the shift and that our contribution could become subsidiary in due course. I think the Lord is fulfilling His promises, just with a reduced impact of Westerners and an increase of the contribution of other parts of the world.

There is always room for people who are wholehearted in their devotion to Christ, who love the gospel and have a concern for people. There will never be enough of those people to be engaged in the Great Commission, whatever culture they come from, he added. But we will be more effective if we esteem others better than ourselves, if we are less concerned when it comes to the lifestyle, and if we are humble and work in partnership.

Therefore, commenting on the current conversations with the Global South mission leaders, Brown said, 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.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua apologized to President William Ruto on Sunday after arriving late to an event in Nakuru.

Gachagua arrived at the Annual Akorino Prayer Conference, held at Nakuru Boys High School, about one hour after President Ruto.

When it was his turn to address the gathering, the DP first apologized for his lateness and described himself as the most disciplined official in President Rutos government.

Mr. President, first of all, I want to ask for forgiveness from you for coming late. I am not an undisciplined person. I was a uniformed officer and in your government, I am the most disciplined person, he said.

Gachagua explained that he had issues with his transport arrangements.

I delayed to leave and was stuck between Longonot and Naivasha for almost two hours before I could get here, he added.

The DP at the same time thanked President Ruto for attending the Akorino service after local leaders sent him an invite through Gachagua.

I am the happiest person today, the DP told Ruto.

During the event, President Ruto launched the Akorino Sacco  Nakuru Chapter. The President donated Kes.10 million to the Sacco as a start and promised to contribute more if the Sacco proves successful.

I told the Akorino Sacco  Nakuru Chapter to organize themselves well and linked them with experts in the cooperatives field to train them, and I am glad, Ruto said. So, this is what we shall do: I will help you with Sh10 million for a start, and after one year, come for another Sh10 million.

However, regarding the second batch of Kes10 million, the President told Sacco members they would receive the money only if they demonstrated effective use of the initial donation.

After one year, come for another Sh10 million, but getting this second donation will depend on how well youve organized the Sacco. If you show good organization, the donation may even be more than Sh10 million, Ruto said.

Ruto further warned Sacco members to be good stewards of the donations, adding that failure to do so might land them in his bad book.

If you misuse the money, I will come and pinch your ears, the President said jokingly.

Ruto urged them to be prudent with the donation. He quoted the Bible from the Book of Luke 16:10, which states, If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones.
Nga mihi ki te hunga e whai ana i to ratou whainga (Greetings to everyone who is pursuing their purpose),



The text for this month is Psalm 34:4-7 (NLT), I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.



I departed Taiwan earlier than planned so I could be around to help my extended family as necessary. I was honoured to be asked to officiate and took responsibility for organising the service. Uncle was quite the quintessential kiwi bloke  a builder, hunter, fisherman, indoor and outdoor bowler, keen rugby supporter, and Working Mens Club patron. Over 300 people attended his funeral, an unusually large number for an 80-year-old in that part of the country. Very few would have been church goers. Psalm 34:4-7 was the text I chose for the homily.

the meaning of salvation: to be saved, to be rescued from harm. Not only rescued but also kept safe.

Uncle was the closest adult male that I could trust and rely on to protect me if neededa calm, steady influence in my life. He was far from perfect, but he was a safe person for me. At the funeral I used this example to illustrate one aspect of the meaning of salvation: to be saved, to be rescued from harm. Not only rescued but also kept safe. We so often get caught up in the high theology and spirituality of such terms that we forget the significance of Jesus promise of presence in a more immediate and tangible way.

Safety is central to our wellbeing. Our sense of safety has an immediate impact on our physical health, emotional stability, social harmony, economic viability, psychological growth, as well as our spiritual maturity. Even the slightest glance at the news or social media today reveals a dramatic increase in instability resulting in a corresponding decrease in a sense of safety, psychologically if not physically. For those privileged to live in stable homes and societies, this can be a shocking realisation. Drawing on my experience of safety at Aunty and Uncles place, I spoke at the funeral of how their example informed my understanding of salvation in the Bible. I testified that because of the presence of Jesus I have felt similarly protected in some of the most unsafe places and moments of my adult lifeeven in Akron Ohio when confronted aggressively in the nearly deserted carpark of a derelict mall! Thats not to say that I havent been scared or that incidents werent traumatising, but I have a deep and abiding confidence that God is with me. Immanuel. Because of His presence I live with a conviction that, should tragedy befall me, good will come of it.

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We do not just ignore or perversely permit wickedness, we work to resist and rectify it, to create good in all things with God.

We must be careful how we apply such knowledge. It is too easy to use texts like Romans 8:28 as platitudes in such a way that diminishes the trauma of an injustice or abuse, which can too easily retraumatise victims. On the contrary, Romans 8:28 is better understood as a call to do justice, not a suggestion that God permits injustice for our ultimate good. In affirmation of the Revised Standard Version, N. T. Wright argues that the verse should read, We know, in fact, that God works all things together for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose (Into the Heart of Romans). With, not for. That switch makes a world of difference. In the past, All things inferred also wicked things. But the implication that God is content with the means because they mysteriously justify the ends is just plain horrid. In the context of Pauls magisterial letter to the Romans, this verse actually points to the opposite and it is fundamentally missional. It says that we have a responsibility (and honour) to co-create New Creation with God  to work against injustice, to call out evil, to create safe spaces for those affected by unrighteous acts. We do not just ignore or perversely permit wickedness, we work to resist and rectify it, to create good in all things with God. New Creation is Jesus safe space. Our purpose this side of eternity is to work together to build and maintain spaces that offer safety and protection in this world, as fragile and temporary as they may be. Pockets of New Creation are a testament, a witness, to the permanent and infinitely more glorious New Creation to come with Jesus explosive physical return.

We are called to co-create communities that are comfortable with sitting in the discomfort of other peoples pain, offering them safe spaces to process their trauma.

New Creation spaces (aka churches) are not intended to be escapes from the world but points of intersection with the world, offering a portal of hope, a gateway to an alternate, loving, and peace-filled reality ruled by Christ. Rather than just sitting in a lala land of spiritual bliss for 90 minutes on a Sunday morning (or whatever length your liturgy is), we are called to co-create communities that are comfortable with sitting in the discomfort of other peoples pain, offering them safe spaces to process their trauma. To process at the pace of the Holy Spirit, not at the speed of our desire to rush toward some culturally crafted moral perfection. Anyone who has trained in trauma and grief counselling will know how long and difficult such a process can be, but safe communities that keep in step with the Spirit can greatly accelerate healing in people and communities.

Sadly, Christian spaces have not always been safe for vulnerable people. We all know the tropes about Catholic priests, but Protestant spaces are not immune to similar abuses, as the Aotearoa New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care makes abundantly clear. Even among missionaries, once thought to be the most devout of Protestant professions, exists a long case-history of abuses. On 19 May 2024, the Stuff news outlet ran an article by Steve Kilgallon concerning historic cases of abuse by a well-known missions organisation (which Steve unhelpfully labelled a sect). The story was told from the perspective of two former Missionary Kids from New Zealand, now in their 50s. It is sobering (to say the least!) to read of the effects of abuse on these two.

Matthew 18:2-6 ought to ring loud, long, and clear in our ears.

Many such testimonies can be found around the internet, involving numerous missionary organisations. Public allegations of abuse (historic and current) rocked the missionary world in the late 2000s and early 2010s, but from the turn of the century international missionary agencies had been scrambling to strengthen their safeguarding policies to better screen for predators and activate improved processes to keep their people safe. The cascade of public cases that followed merely confirmed what was already being uncovered. Public testimonies provide no shortage of case studies for training missions leaders concerning the need to better protect our young and other vulnerable people for whom such organisations hold a duty of care (including those being ministered to). When I was safeguard training I remember thinking that Matthew 18:2-6 ought to ring loud, long, and clear in our ears.

Last year I attended the International Third Culture Kids (TCK) conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand and heard Missionary Kids (MKs) recounting tragic stories of their lives growing up in missionary contexts. MKs were not alone though. TCKs include children of staff in multi-national companies, diplomats, foreign military, and aid agencies. I sat at dinner one night with a Human Resources leader of a major non-religious NGO. This leader, a non-practicing Jew, expressed gratitude to the Evangelical missionary community for caring enough to create TCK resources that many others are learning from in contexts where the value of vulnerable people is diminished in the pursuit of utilitarian outcomes. While rarely reported, the multi-national world, reliant as they are on international schools and communities to care for their children, is possibly even more prone to predators and exploiters of the vulnerable. May we continue to be at the forefront of care in our efforts to co-create New Creation, as a witness to the world. As the prophet said, Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:24).

The exposure of abuse in Christian contexts and under the toxic power of prominent Christian leaders is a winnowing fork in the hands of the Lord.

Safety is a tangible expression of New Creation. The exposure of abuse in Christian contexts and under the toxic power of prominent Christian leaders is a winnowing fork in the hands of the Lord, beginning with the house of the Lord (cf. Matt 3:12 and 1 Peter 4:17). It should never be. From our safe space in Christ, let us make every effort to live righteously and act justly. As I said at the funeral, Some people may never have experienced the sense of safety and security that Im describing. Perhaps thats a major problem with our world. As they say, hurt people hurt people. But that shouldnt stop us from looking for a safe space or being a safe space for others. It is not an unrealistic expectation. Especially not for those who are called according to his purpose (i.e. lovers of God who follow Jesus, if you didnt get the memo).

The verb in Romans 8:28 is synergeo, from which I derive the concept of co-creating. We are co-labourers with God in Jesus formation of New Creation, where inhabitants are radiant with joy (with) no shadow of shame. You cannot get more holistic than this when you consider the scope of Gods purposes in the world. Let us not forget that as we fulfil our calling, synergistically, to ensure that we #stayonmission.

Arohanui ki a koutou e haere ana ki te ao (love to you all as you go into the world),




Pakistan People''s Party leader Manzoor Wassan has hinted at the possibility of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif dissolving the National Assembly within three months, describing it as a crucial period for the country, which is already in political turmoil, ARY News reported. The next three months are critical for national politics, according to Manzoor Wassan, a prominent political analyst in the nation, who made this statement while addressing reporters on Sunday. "Within the next three months, [PM] Shehbaz Sharif may dissolve the National Assembly," he said. Wassan thinks the provincial assemblies will still stand, though. Furthermore, the PPP leader stated that PML-N Nawaz Sharif''s reappointment as prime minister is not supported by the current set-up. "After the dissolution of the National Assembly, we will see what kind of setup emerges," he added. He also discussed Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and other politicians'' political environments. "I don''t think the PTI founder and other politicians will have a good future. Even when they do get relief, it is frequently fleeting," he continued. The statement made reference to the ruling in the cipher case by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which cleared Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. After allowing the pleas of the former prime minister and Qureshi against their convictions in the case, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb issued the brief verdict. Because of Imran''s sentencing in the Iddat case and Qureshi''s detention in the most recent May 9 charges, it was not anticipated that the two would be released from prison. A special court, established under the Official Secrets Act, handed both Imran and Qureshi 10-year jail sentences each in the case in January after Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain appointed a state counsel for them. (ANI)
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe; Maldivian 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''; and Bhutan Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, attended the event.

These leaders also met Prime Minister Modi on stage later in the day.

Most of these leaders were among the first global leaders to congratulate PM Modi after victory in the Lok Sabha polls.

Norwegian Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, Singapore High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong and several other dignitaries also attended the oath ceremony.

Prime Minister 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.

India has emerged as a strong voice in the past decade. PM Modi has prioritised positioning India as the ''Voice of the Global South'' with the ''Vishwa Bandhu'' approach. He has also laid emphasis on cooperation in the Indian Ocean with the SAGAR initiative.

The G20 Summit was held under India''s presidency with the theme of ''Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam''. A major accomplishment of the summit was the African Union''s inclusion as a permanent member of G20.

Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister of India for his third successive term on Sunday at an impressive ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan which is being attended by leaders from India''s neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region.

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA secured 293 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. BJP won 240 seats on its own. In the 543-strong lower house of the Indian parliament, 272 is the minimum majority figure.

Notably, PM Modi is the second Indian leader to win a third term after founding prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. (ANI)
After Narendra Modi was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive term on June 9, leaders from the BJP-led NDA coalition voiced confidence and enthusiasm for the formation of the Modi 3.0 government, highlighting ambitious goals for India''s future. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the country will be ranked the third largest economy in the next 5 years. "Today is a very happy day for us. After 50-60 years today is a historic day because Narendra Modi has become the Prime Minister for the third consecutive time after 60 years. In the next 5 years the goal of making India the greatest economy is going to be fulfilled and the country will be ranked third largest economy. India will develop and move ahead in the next 5 years," Shinde said. He further emphasized the government''s determination to surpass the "400 Paar" milestone in the near future. The newly elected Union Minister Chirag Paswan credited the Prime Minister for entrusting his party, Lok Janshakti Party (RamVilas), with significant responsibilities, vowing to deliver on the trust placed in him. "It''s a big moment but moreover it''s a huge responsibility for me. I will focus all my attention and dedicate myself wholeheartedly to fulfilling the immense responsibility entrusted to me by Prime Minister Ji, with complete honesty and hard work, ensuring that I can fulfil it to the best of my ability," Paswan said. "The credit for this goes to the Prime Minister he had so much faith in a party with a single MP and gave it 5 seats. I have also given them all 5 seats by winning them," he added. Kailash Vijayvargiya, Madhya Pradesh minister, expressed confidence in PM Modi''s leadership assuring India''s resurgence as a global leader (Vishwaguru). "The people of the country have again blessed PM Modi to make India develop, we are all very proud. I believe that India will once again become the ''Vishwaguru''," Vijayvargiya said. Speaking on PM Modi''s third time in office, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi said, "There is a lot of hard work to be done. Narendra Modi is determined that we will do more work than in the first and second terms. In the third term, we will make India the third largest economy of the world." TDP leader Ram Mohan Naidu said, "I am very happy about the whole oath-taking ceremony and it was a larger-than-life experience to be doing it at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in the presence of Narendra Modi and esteemed guest from our neighbouring country. Whatever responsibility I get, I will fulfil it with all my heart, we will work fast." Suresh Gopi, BJP MP, acknowledged the beginning of a new chapter, expressing readiness to expand BJP''s presence in Southern India. "Today''s celebration is only a kick-off (beginning). There are lots of things to be revealed. I was not expecting to be in the Council of Ministers. As an MP I have to work to expand the BJP in the South," Gopi said. Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Sinha and Samrat Choudhary lauded PM Modi''s leadership and predicted a period of accelerated development under his tenure. "Congratulations to all the newly appointed ministers. The people of the whole country are celebrating Prime Minister Modi''s third term... The pace of development will double," Sinha said. Meanwhile, Samrat Choudhary says, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give a strong government. His 10 years of experience in running the country''s government will help give the country a great coalition government." The President of India Droupadi Murmu appointed Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India at the magnificent swearing-in ceremony that took place on Sunday with 30 cabinet ministers, 36 MoS, 5 MoS (independent charge) from the BJP and its allies joining the party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. At the ceremonial event held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday, the President administered the oaths of office and secrecy to the newly appointed members of the Council of Ministers. The colourful swearing-in event, which reflected the rich diversity and vibrancy of India, was attended by senior political leaders, diplomats, leading industrialists, Bollywood actors and several other prominent personalities. Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ''Prachanda'', Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afif and Bangladesh PM Sheik Hasina attended the swearing-in ceremony of PM Narendra Modi. PM Modi''s oath-taking ceremonies have seen special foreign policy outreach. He began his first term in office in 2014 in the presence of all Heads of State of SAARC nations. He invited BIMSTEC leaders at the start of the second term in 2019. BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won its third succesive term in results of Lok Sabha polls declared on June 4. The NDA won 293 seats in the Lok Sabha polls with BJP getting 240 seats. A meeting of the union cabinet is likely to take place at 5 pm today. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma voiced his confidence in the BJP-led NDA's win in the 2026 assembly elections in the state. The Chief Minister said, "BJP and its ally parties have targeted to win 90-100 assembly seats in the 2026 assembly election in the state." Bharatiya Janata Party had contested elections on 11 Lok Sabha constituencies and won nine seats while its ally party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) contested two seats and won one seat and the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) contested one and won the seat. Out of the total 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam the Congress-led INDIA bloc won three seats in the state. The number of constituencies of the Assam Legislative Assembly is 126. According to the results declared by the Election Commission of India (ECI), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally parties led in 93 assembly constituencies in Assam in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election. While Congress led in 31 assembly constituencies and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) led in two assembly constituencies. Out of a total of 126 assembly constituencies in the state, BJP led in 76 assembly seats while its ally parties AGP and UPPL led in 10 and 7 assembly seats respectively. As per data from the Election Commission of India (ECI), BJP led in all 10 assembly constituencies under the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat, nine assembly constituencies under the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat, nine assembly constituencies under the Kaziranga Lok Sabha seat, 10 assembly constituencies under the Darrang-Udalguri Lok Sabha seat, all nine assembly constituencies under Sonitpur Lok Sabha seat. BJP also led on eight assembly constituencies under the Lakhimpur Lok Sabha seat, all six assembly constituencies under the Diphu Lok Sabha seat, six assembly constituencies under the Silchar Lok Sabha seat, and four in Karimganj and Nagaon Lok Sabha seats. On the other hand, BJP's ally party AGP led in nine assembly constituencies under the Barpeta Lok Sabha seat and one in the Dhubri Lok Sabha seat while UPPL led in 7 assembly constituencies under the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha seat. The opposition Congress-led INDIA alliance- Congress led in nine assembly constituencies under Jorhat Lok Sabha seat, 10 in Dhubri Lok Sabha seat, four in Nagaon Lok Sabha seat, two in Karimganj, one each in Silchar, Darrang-Udalguri, Kaziranga, Guwahati, Lakhimpur, Barpeta Lok Sabha seats; while its ally Bodoland People's Front (BPF) led in two assembly constituencies under Kokrajhar Lok Sabha seat. Congress candidate Rakibul Hussain won from Dhubri seat against AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal with a record margin of more than 10.12 lakh votes, in the just concluded parliamentary polls. (ANI)
Russian-born pianist Igor Levit is the recipient of this year's German National Prize. Awarded by the German National Foundation, the Prize is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the unity of Germany, and solidarity between Germany and Europe.

Born in the Soviet Union in 1987, Levit and his family moved to Hannover in 1995. He later studied at the Mozarteum in Salzburg and at the Hochschule fur Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover. Levit released his debut album, a set of Beethoven piano concertos, in 2007. Among his recognitions are the Luitpold Prize, given two years after the release of his first album, the Beethoven ring in 2017, and the Gramophone Classical Music Award and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2020. Beethoven remains an important figure in Levit's repertoire, as do Bach and Liszt.

Coming from a Jewish family, Levit is a known advocate against antisemitism in Germany and has repeatedly made appeals to humanity since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Levit played the piano at the award ceremony, and said in his speech: "I firmly believe that protecting our democracy is our greatest task and at the same time our greatest challenge. A democracy that allows minorities, such as Jews, to no longer feel safe and leave the country is no longer a democracy."

Congratulating Levit, Bundestag President Barbel Bas described him as someone "who stands up for democratic rights and freedom, who shows solidarity, who has internalized the spirit of our Basic Law." She adds: "Human dignity is always dignity of the other."

The German National Foundation was established in 1993 by former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt following the reunification of the two Germanies. It has been awarding the German National Prize since 1997. In 2019, the Prize was given to another musician-cellist Anita Lasker-Wallfisch.

Levit expressed his desire to use the prize money of 30, 000 euros to support people and organizations protecting Jewish life in Germany.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge of the Prime Minister's Office on Monday and said that the government will achieve the target of 'Nation First' with the intention of Viksit Bharat 2047. The Prime Minister took the opportunity to thank those who have been a part of his team and also exhorted those who wish to join and become a part of the journey of Viksit Bharat for the next 5 years and dedicate themselves to nation-building. "Together, we will achieve the target of 'Nation First' with one intention of Viksit Bharat 2047", the Prime Minister said. He also reiterated that his every moment belongs to the nation. PM Modi said that the government means new energy of strength, dedication, and resolve and expressed confidence that the PMO is primed to serve the people with dedication. He highlighted that "it is not Modi alone who runs the government but thousands of minds that come together and shoulder the responsibilities, and as a result, it is the citizens who become witnesses to the magnificence of its abilities." Prime Minister Modi explained that the combination of desire and stability makes for determination, while success is achieved when determination is complemented by hard work. He further added that if one's wish is stable, it takes the form of a resolution, whereas a wish that constantly takes on new forms is merely a wave. The Prime Minister expressed the desire to take the nation to new heights and exhorted his team to breach the global benchmark while outperforming the work done for the past 10 years in the future. "We must take the nation to the heights no other nation has ever achieved," PM Modi exclaimed. PM Modi highlighted that the prerequisites of success are clarity of thought, faith in conviction and the character to act. "If we have these three things, then I don't believe failure will be anywhere near," he added. The Prime Minister credited the employees of the Government of India who dedicated themselves to a vision and said that they deserve a huge share in the government's achievements. "These elections put a stamp of approval on the efforts of government employees," PM Modi said. He encouraged the team to develop new ideas and boost the scale of the work being done. The Prime Minister concluded the address by throwing light on the secret of his energy and said that a successful person is one that keeps the student within him alive. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Narendra Modi, followed by other members of his team of ministers on Sunday. PM Modi reiterated his unwavering commitment to serving the nation and steering it towards prosperity. (ANI)
Chouhan has been allocated Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Rural Development in the distribution of portfolios announced on Monday.

The two ministries have a grassroots imprint.

Narendra Singh Tomar, who was Agriculture Minister in the previous NDA government had resigned in December last year coinciding with the Madhya Pradesh assembly polls.

Following Tomar's resignation, the charge of the ministry was given to the then Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda.

Chouhan has vast administrative experience and was Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh from 2005 till the 2023 state assembly elections, except for 15 months when the Congress came to power after the 2018 assembly polls.

Chouhan was elected to Lok Sabha from Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh. He is a six-time MP.

The distribution of portfolios was announced a day after the swearing-in of the NDA government, which scored a hat-trick victory in Lok Sabha polls. The portfolios were allocated on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said that the recent verdict in the general elections was a warning bell and warranted a course correction. Speaking to reporters at his official residence in Kumarakrupa, Shivakumar said, "We will be holding review meetings with all the leaders. It is time to introspect and make necessary course corrections. The results are a warning bell." "We have a review meeting for Bengaluru constituencies today and similar review meetings will be held in other constituencies of the State as well. We will announce dates for these review meetings shortly," he said. On being asked about the AICC President expressing unhappiness about the results of Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, he said, "We were confident of winning 14-15 seats, but we have failed to achieve these numbers. We have to accept people's verdict. We haven't got votes even in villages and towns of party leaders, we will deliberate on this." When questioned about some ministers blaming MLAs for the defeat, he responded, "Nobody has complained about it to me. There is no point in the blame game. Leaders who are in charge of the constituencies must talk to party workers and investigate the reason for the defeat and come out with recommendations". Even as the Congress won the Assembly elections comfortably in Karnataka, the BJP managed a clear majority in the Lok Sabha elections in the state, taking its tally to 17. However, the BJP won 26 seats in the 2019 general elections in Karnataka. Janata Dal (Secular), which contested as an ally with the BJP in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), won two seats, taking the total tally of the alliance to 19. The Congress managed to win seven seats this time, improving its performance compared to the 2019 general elections, when the party won a single seat. The BJP bagged 240 seats and the National Democratic Alliance secured 293 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. (ANI)
The family members of the Reasi bus terror attack, in which nine people lost their lives, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. Rajesh Kumar Mishra, father of one of the injured Atul Kumar Mishra, said that his son has injuries on his arms and forehead. "My son, Atul Kumar Mishra, left for Vaishno Devi on June 6. He reached there on 7th June and stayed on June 8... When he was returning on the 9th, at 5:30 pm, terrorists attacked the bus, after which the bus fell into the ditch. My son has injuries on his arms and forehead and my daughter-in-law is also injured. They are doing fine and I was able to talk to them quite a few times... They will come back today or tomorrow... Pakistan was not happy with PM Modi taking the oath. I request PM Modi to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. This cowardly attack should not happen again," Mishra told ANI. Meanwhile, Kirti Azad, the brother-in-law of the deceased, demanded strict action and requested that the central and state governments make arrangements to bring the deceased back. "Pawan Saini (his brother) had told that he was being taken to the hospital and he had no information about his wife (Pooja Saini) and two-year-old son (Livansh Saini). According to the latest information, Pooja and her son are dead. Their parents were also with them and we have information that even they are dead. I request that the central and state governments make arrangements to bring them back. Strict action should be taken," the brother-in-law of the deceased said. Rajesh Saini, the brother of one of the injured, said, "We had received a call from the rescue team. Pawan (injured) had given our number. He informed me about the terrorist attack & said that he was being shifted to the hospital." The terror attack took place in J-K's Reasi district on Sunday after a vehicle fell into a deep gorge after terrorists opened fire killing at least nine people and leaving over 30 injured. Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced an ex-gratia amounting to Rs 10 lakh each for the next of kin of deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured in Reasi terror attack. Also, a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is assessing the situation in Reasi and the NIA's forensic team is working on collecting evidence. The Jammu and Kashmir police said on Monday, that at least two terrorists were involved in the attack. "As per eyewitnesses, two (terrorists) were there as of now. A combing operation is underway in the area. Five teams have been formed to search in the area," Reasi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohita Sharma told ANI. According to officials, the bus, en route from the Shiv Khori shrine to Katra, was targeted by terrorists at around 6.10 pm when it reached the Pouni area of Reasi district, bordering Rajouri district. J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the attack and assured that those behind it would be punished. "I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on a bus in Reasi. My condolences to the family members of the martyred civilians. Our security forces and JKP have launched a joint operation to hunt down the terrorists," the LG said in a post on X. (ANI)
The Narendra Modi government has allocated Cabinet berths to two of its allies in the south and one to its Telangana party chief. Notably, the government has allotted Minister of State roles to two of its party leaders from Kerala, where the Bharatiya Janata Party registered its first electoral win. While Janata Dal (Secular) chief and former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has been allocated charge of Minister of Heavy Industries and Minister of Steel, Telugu Desam Party's Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu has been appointed Minister of Civil Aviation. Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party president and Secunderabad MP G Kishan Reddy has been given the charge of Minister of Coal and and Minister of Mines. In addition to these, eight MPs from south India have been made Minister of State in different departments in the Narendra Modi 3.0 government. Out of the 36 Ministers of States, two are from Kerala, two from Karnataka, two from Andhra Pradesh and one each from Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Kerala movie star turned politician Suresh Gopi, who registered BJP's historic win from Kerala's Thrissur was made Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism. In a move apparently to expand its footprint in Kerala, George Kurian has been appointed as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Minority Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Kurian is the BJP's General Secretary from Kerala. BJP MP V Somanna who was elected from Karnataka's Tumkur Lok Sabha seat by defeating Congress' SP Muddahanumegowda has been allocated the charge of Minister of State in the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways. BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje, who won from Bengaluru North by defeating Congress' M.V. Rajeev Gowda was allocated Minister of State as Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Somanna who lost from both his seats in the Legislative Assembly elections from Karnataka defeated Muddahanumegowda by a margin of 175594 votes. TDP MP Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, who is also claimed to be one of the richest candidates who contested the Lok Sabha polls, has been made Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development and Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications. Pemmasani won from Andhra Pradesh's Guntur defeating Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party's Kilari Venkata Rosaiah by a margin of 344695 votes. BJP MP Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma who won from Andhra Pradesh's Narsapuram has been appointed as Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel. Varma rose from Councillor in the Bhimavaram municipality to a Minister in Narendra Modi's cabinet. Former Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar under whose command the party expanded its presence in the state, got the portfolio of Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The firebrand leader from Telangana won from Karimnagar defeating Congress' Velchala Rajender Rao with a margin of 225209 seats. L Murugan who lost the election to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's A Raja was appointed as Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. Murugan was the Telangana BJP state president and was the Dalit face in the state. (ANI)
Acting on specific intelligence, a combined team from the Army and Manipur Police Commando launched a search operation on June 9, 2024, stated an official release.

The operation resulted in the capture of an armed member of the KYKL (SOREPA) faction. The individual was found in possession of a 9mm pistol, three grenades, and additional ammunition.

The apprehended individual and the recovered arms have been handed over to the Manipur Police for further investigation and action.

The Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup is a Meitei insurgent group that operates in the state of Manipur in India.

It is a secessionist organisation and is banned by the Government of India.[1][2] The group displays a strong ethnonationalist and nativist rhetoric in their announcements. (ANI)
Karnataka Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Monday said that the state cabinet sub-committee has decided to cover about 7 lakh farmers who were eligible but have not been paid compensation so far for the drought last year. Speaking to reporters, Krishna Byre Gowda said, "We have decided to cover about 7 lakh farmers who were eligible but have not been paid compensation so far. We have also decided to pay Rs 2,800 of gratuitous relief to about 17 lakh farmer families. We would have paid 40-41 lakh farmers in the state. This year we have already paid 1654 crores through insurance to farmers affected by drought. So the total amount the compensation would come up to Rs 6000 crores." He further said that Karnataka got NDRF drought relief money only after the intervention of the Supreme Court. He further said," Last year, the farmers in Karnataka suffered due to drought. We had submitted a memorandum to the Government of India seeking drought relief. Finally, when the Government of India did not respond, we had to resort to the intervention of the Supreme Court. After the intervention, Karnataka got NDRF drought relief money of Rs 3,454 crores out of which we have paid Rs 2,600 crores and 800 crores are yet to be paid." He further said that this year above normal rainfall has been predicted for Karnataka. "This year monsoon has begun strong. Pre-monsoon rains were in excess by 31 per cent. During the 10 days of monsoon so far, rainfall in the state has exceeded 70-72 per cent till now this year. The forecast predicts above-normal rainfall for Karnataka. We have a task on hand to prepare for excess rainfall. Last year was a drought. Climate change is a reality," he added. He further said that the Congress government had no plans to roll back the guarantee schemes after the Lok Sabha polls. "Cabinet is meeting this week. We are following a model of universal basic income to ensure that people at the bottom of the pyramid do get a part of the growth. We have economic obligation, moral obligation and constitutional obligation. Electoral criteria is not the only view to consider these programmes," he added. (ANI)
After the Congress made significant gains in Haryana, wresting five Lok Sabha seats and giving a setback to the ruling BJP, Congress MP Deepender Hooda expressed heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the people of the state and said that the grand old party received the highest percentage of votes in Haryana. Speaking to ANI here on Monday, Deepender Hooda said, "In the Congress meeting held today, we have expressed our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the people of the state. Today in this election, the Congress party has not only won 5 Lok Sabha seats, but if the Congress party has received the highest percentage of votes anywhere in the whole of India, it is in Haryana." Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda also spoke after the meeting and said, "The legislative party has passed the resolution, and thanked the people of Haryana & the senior leadership." The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha tally in Haryana dropped from a perfect 10 to just five. In the 2019 elections, the BJP won all 10 seats in the state. Candidates of the JJP, which contested all 10 seats and the INLD and BSP, which fought for seven and nine seats, respectively, received a severe drubbing in this election. The key battle was between the BJP and the Congress, which has tied up with the AAP in the state (as part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). The Haryana Congress is holding a meeting presided over by Leader of Opposition in Haryana Assembly Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Haryana Congress chief Uday Bhan on Monday. Congress party MLAs and newly elected party MPs from Haryana are present at the meeting.In the meeting, the results of the Lok Sabha elections and the upcoming Haryana assembly elections are expected to be discussed. The MLAs and MPs from Haryana are expected to strategize on the upcoming assembly election in the meeting. Having wrested five seats from the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls in the state, the Congress has started gearing up for the upcoming Assembly elections. The party leaders have started assessing the strong and weak booths to strengthen their base for the Assembly polls, besides holding meetings to express their gratitude. Haryana is expected to hit the polls in the later part of the year. The BJP turned in a subpar performance in the Lok Sabha Polls in Haryana. The party won 5 seats, with the Congress also winning 5 seats. The BJP registered a vote share of 46.11 per cent while the Congress registered a vote share of 43.67 per cent and its alliance partner, the Aam Admi Party, registered a vote share of 3.94 per cent. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won all 10 seats from the state. Earlier, amid the elections in May, in a setback to the ruling government of the BJP in Haryana, three Independent MLAs announced that they had withdrawn their support for the Nayab Singh Saini-led government in the state. The three independent MLAs that withdrew their support from the BJP-led government include Dharam Pal Gondher, Randhir Golan and Sombir Sangwan. The BJP government has a strength of 40 MLAs. It also had the support of six out of the seven Independents, however, of the six independent MLAs, three withdrew their support. (ANI)
Meghwal has also assumed the charge as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

The portfolio for PM Modi-led Union Cabinet was announced today late evening.

After the announcement, Arjun Ram Meghwal on Social media stated, "I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to the PM Narendra Modi ji for entrusting me once again with the responsibilities of the Union Ministry of Law and Justice and the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. I pledge to faithfully fulfil my duties under the esteemed leadership and guidance of the Prime Minister."

Arjun Ram Meghwal is an MP from Bikaner for the fourth time; he earlier left the IAS job and joined politics, and is counted among Modi's trusted leaders.

This time in the general elections, Arjun Ram Meghwal defeated Govindram Meghwal of Congress from Rajasthan's Bikaner seat by 55,711 votes.

Arjun Ram Meghwal, who had held the post of Law and Justice Minister, had left the IAS job and chosen the path of politics. The story of Meghwal starting his political innings is very interesting. He was made OSD to the then Deputy Chief Minister in the year 1994.

Meghwal is an Indian politician who served as the Minister of Law and Justice (Independent Charge) of the Government of India since 2023 and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs since 2017 and Culture since 2021 in Modi's second tenure. (ANI)
This came a day after PM Narendra Modi was sworn in for his third consecutive term as the Prime Minister of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"Some media channels and SM handles are showing an animal captured during the live telecast of the oath-taking ceremony held at the R.P. Bhavan yesterday, claiming it to be a wild animal. Claims of a wild animal at the ceremony are false. It was not wild. Ignore such baseless rumours," Delhi Police posted on X.

"These facts are not true, the animal captured on camera is a common house cat. Please don't adhere to such frivolous rumours," it added.

The animal was spotted while BJP MPs Durgadas Uikey and Ajay Tamta were taking oath. As videos went viral on the internet, netizens shared their mixed reactions on social media. While a user called it a leopard, another called it a domesticated cat taking a stroll at the President's House.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Narendra Modi, followed by other members of his team of ministers on Sunday.

PM Modi reiterated his unwavering commitment to serving the nation and steering it towards prosperity. (ANI)
The allocation of portfolios to the Union Council of Ministers on Monday reflected change with continuity with several senior leaders retaining their portfolios of the previous BJP-led NDA government and some new faces also getting key ministries that have a direct impact at the grassroots. The composition of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) remains unchanged in the new NDA government with Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar retaining their portfolios of Defence, Home, Finance and External Affairs. The four BJP leaders had the same portfolios as the previous NDA government. The cabinet formation and portfolio allocation also reflected the reality of numbers in the NDA government with BJP's allies having greater representation. The new faces include BJP leaders JP Nadda, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Manohar Lal Khattar. Some ministers of the previous NDA government saw a change in portfolios. These include Mansukh Mandaviya, Pralhad Joshi, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Kiren Rijiju. JP Nadda will handle the Health portfolio in the Modi 3.0 Cabinet apart from Chemicals and Fertilizers. Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been appointed as Minister for Agriculture and Farmers's and Rural Development. The portfolios were announced on Monday in a press communique by the President's Secretariat, a day after the swearing-in of the council of ministers at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The portfolios were allocated on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Like in the previous term, PM Modi is in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Space. PM Modi will also supervise important policy issues and is in charge of portfolios not allocated to any minister. Ministers who have retained their portfolios include Nitin Gadkari who continues to be Road Transport and Highways Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal (Ports, Shipping and Waterways), Bhupendra Yadav (Environment, Forest and Climate Change) and Virendra Kumar (Social Justice and Empowerment). Ashwini Vaishnaw continues to be Minister of Railways and Electronics and Information Technology and has a new portfolio of Information and Broadcasting and Electronics. Piyush Goyal retains Commerce and Industry portfolio, Dharmendra Pradhan continues to be Union Minister for Education and Hardeep Singh Puri of Petroleum and Natural Gas. As in the previous NDA government, Home Minister Amit Shah is also the Minister of Cooperation and Finance Minister Sitharaman also has the Corporate Affairs portfolio. Among the BJP's allies in NDA, Telugu Desam Party's Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu has been made the Minister of Civil Aviation, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan is the Minister of Food Processing Industries. Shiv Sena's Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao has been made Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy, a former Chief Minister, has been entrusted with the responsibility of the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and the Ministry of Steel. Manohar Lal Khattar has been appointed Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and Minister of Power. Mansukh Mandaviya has been assigned Ministry of Labour and Employment along with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Hindustani Awam Morcha leader Jitan Ram has been allocated Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Janata Dal (United) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) has been allocated Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Jayant Chaudhary from Rashtriya Lok Dal has been given the independent charge of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. He is also the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education. Pralhad Joshi has been assigned Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Jyotiraditya Scindia has been given the charge of the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has been allocated the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Tourism. Kiren Rijiju is the new Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs. Jual Oram is Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Annapurna Devi has been allocated Women and Child Development Ministry, G Kishan Reddy has portfolios of Coal and Mines and CR Patil of Jal Shakti. As in the previous NDA government, Rao Inderjit Singh, Jitendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal continue to be Ministers of State (Independent Charge). Meghwal continues to be Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. Rao Inderjit Singh will continue as Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Planning. He will also be Minister of State in the Culture Ministry. Apart of his previous portfolios, Jitendra Singh will also be Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. He continues to be Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy and Minister of State in the Department of Space. The two Ministers of State in the External Affairs Ministry are Kirtivardhan Singh and Pabrita Margherita. Pankaj Chaudhary continues to be Minister of State for Finance and Nityanand Rai MoS in Home Ministry. Bandi Sanjay Kumar will also be MoS (Home) and Sanjay Seth MoS in the Defence Ministry. Anupriya Patel from Apna Dal (S) is the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and MoS Chemicals and Fertilizers. Ramdas Athawale from the Republican Party of India will continue to be Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment. TDP's Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar has been appointed Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications and Ram Nath Thakur from Janata Dal (United) Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Among the first-time MPs, BJP's Suresh Gopi is MoS (Petroleum and Natural Gas) and MoS (Tourism) and Ravneet Singh Bittu MoS (Food Processing Industries) and MoS (Railways). Raksha Nikhil Khadse is the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports. PM Modi and 71 members of his ministerial team took the oath of office at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday. The team has 30 cabinet ministers, five ministers of state (Independent Charge) and 36 Ministers of State. BJP-led NDA scored a hat-trick victory in the results of Lok Sabha polls declared earlier this month and and won 293 seats. (ANI)
On Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's orders, the FIA Lahore's Anti-Smuggling Unit launched a search.

It sealed the warehouse after seizing 43,000 litres of illegal Iranian diesel.

The FIA sent a sample to the laboratory after the illegal diesel was discovered, and after the forensic investigation, additional action will be taken.

The FIA Anti-Smuggling Unit spokesperson noted that the operation was carried out with the help of customs officials, according to ARY News.

When law enforcement officials carried out a raid on Hub River Road in Karachi back in April, they found millions of dollars' worth of illicit commodities, including Iranian diesel, even then as well, which highlights that the practice is not new in the country.

As per the announcement made by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Asad Raza, five individuals were apprehended in relation to the illegal trade, and smuggled products valued at billions of dollars were taken from their custody.

According to DIG South, the seized products included cigarettes, cloth, copper, juice, and dried milk, demonstrating the wide variety of illegal goods being trafficked in the region.

The seized goods were also found hidden inside two buses and an oil tanker. (ANI)
Alexander De Croo, the prime minister of Belgium, has resigned following his party's crushing loss in Sunday's national and European parliamentary elections, according to CNN. The 48-year-old found difficult to hold back tears while making the announcement in Brussels on Sunday night. "I was the figurehead of this campaign. This is not the result I had hoped for, and I therefore take responsibility for this result, it was not meant to be," de Croo told media. "As of tomorrow, I will be resigning as prime minister and I will fully concentrate on current affairs," he said, according to CNN. Citing RTBF polling, CNN reported De Croo's Open VLD party did not fare well in the European Parliament, receiving only 5.8 per cent of the vote. The RTBF poll showed that the far-right Vlaams Belang party and the Flemish nationalist N-VA party were tied for the same percentage of the vote, 14.8 per cent and 14.2 per cent, respectively, the CNN report added. In his resignation address, De Croo emphasised his continued belief that Belgium "needs a new government with full powers that can take on its tasks" and pledged to facilitate a "proper transfer" of power to his successor. Meanwhile, voting across the European Union's 27 member states has now closed. The last votes were cast in Italy, according to CNN. The EU elections represent the world's second-largest democratic exercise, trailing only behind India's elections in terms of scale. With almost 400 million voters across the EU, the electorate will select 720 members of the European Parliament, spanning from the Arctic Circle to the borders of Africa and Asia. The outcome of these elections will shape policies on global issues ranging from climate change and defence to migration and international relations with major players like China and the United States. Since the last European elections in 2019, geopolitical dynamics have shifted significantly. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has brought conflict to the fringes of the EU, underscoring the importance of the union's role in maintaining peace and stability in the region. Ukraine, aspiring to join the EU, further underscores the geopolitical complexities at play. (ANI)
Dubai [UAE], June 10 (ANI/WAM): The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), represented by the Sharjah Training and Development Centre (STDC), has concluded its official visit to Spain, as part of SCCI's Strategic Business Leadership programme. Launched by the Sharjah Chamber in collaboration with Granada Chamber of Commerce and the University of Granada, the training programme aims to bolster the strategic leadership and business management capabilities of human resources in government and private sector institutions, offering innovative solutions and drafting strategic plans to enhance organisational performance. Headed by Amal Abdullah Al Ali, STDC Director, the Sharjah Chamber's delegation comprised employees from various government and private sector entities operating in the emirate. They conducted several meetings with officials from the Granada Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate training center. During these meetings, the delegation outlined the objectives and key focus areas of the Sharjah Chamber's Strategic Business Leadership programme, as well as the participating economic and commercial institutions' fields of work. They also explored ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides in developing human resources' strategic leadership and business management skills. The Sharjah Chamber delegation also visited the University of Granada, where they engaged in multiple discussions with a selection of experts and specialists in administrative fields. These gatherings aimed to exchange insights on the role of leadership in strategy development, share best practices and experiences in management, and discuss methods for advancing leadership programmes in commercial and strategic sectors. The discussions focused on developing skills essential for strategic decision-making and anticipating future business trends. As part of the tour, Omar Obaid Alshamsi, the Ambassador of the UAE to the Kingdom of Spain, welcomed the Sharjah Chamber delegation. He received a briefing from the delegation on the objectives of the Strategic Business Leadership programme and the outcomes of their tour to Spain. The delegation also highlighted the programme's role in facilitating the exchange of expertise and experiences and adopting the best global practices for developing human resource capabilities in strategic planning. Maryam Saif Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for the Support Services Sector at the Sharjah Chamber, said the Strategic Business Leadership programme is one of the SCCI's most innovative initiatives. Designed to enhance human resources skills, the programme focuses on empowering participants to make strategic decisions, anticipate future trends, and build more effective and proactive strategies. Therefore, it adds significant value to the work of both public and private institutions. She underscored the significance of the tour in enhancing the programme's outcomes by providing an opportunity for participants to explore the best global practices in business management. Al Shamsi elucidated that the tour offered valuable hands-on experiences, in-depth insights and understanding of diverse work environments and the innovative strategies adopted by the participating institutions. She further noted that the meetings conducted in Spain during the tour will pave the way for extensive future collaboration and joint efforts in training and innovation between both sides. For her part, Amal Abdullah Al Ali highlighted that the tour, which was an integral component of the Strategic Business Leadership programme's graduation project, involved a series of business meetings conducted over several days. Throughout these meetings, the Sharjah Chamber delegation engaged with experts and specialists from Spain-based economic and academic institutions to discuss the various methods and approaches used to assess and analyze business risks, which stand as a cornerstone in strategic business decision-making and the effective implementation of proposed strategies. They also explored the use of the innovative Value Curve model and how to draw up a plan to implement the proposed strategies/projects and develop business processes in comparison to the global practices they observed. Additionally, the delegation discussed strategy preparation mechanisms, identifying key differentiators and success factors not included in the core strategy as well as new methods for designing contingency strategies. During its tour, which marked the conclusion of the "Strategic Business Leadership" programme, the Sharjah Chamber conducted a number of field visits in the city of Granada, Spain. These visits were aimed at gaining insights into the strategic business management practices and experiences of Granada-based institutions, thereby enriching the knowledge and skills of the programme's participants. (ANI/WAM)
As the war between Israel and Hamas goes unabated, the closure of Al Jazeera operations in Israel is being further extended by Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, Anadolu Agency reported on Sunday. Regarding the ban, the Israeli minister asserted, saying that it was "unanimously adopted by the government, based on updated opinions from all security sources, which state unequivocally that the channel's broadcasts are a real threat to the security of the state." "We will not allow the Al Jazeera terrorist channel to broadcast in Israel and endanger our soldiers," Kahri said in a statement. "The closure orders will be extended in the future as well," he added. The minister, however, according to Anadolu Agency, did not specify if the ban was extended for too long. Israel Hayom newspaper, however, reported that the closure was extended for 45 days. Meanwhile, the Tel Aviv District Court on Wednesday last week upheld a 35-day ban on Al Jazeera television, instead of the 45 days requested by Karhi, reported Anadolu Agency. On May 5, the Israeli government voted unanimously to close the Qatari news outlet Al Jazeera's operations in Israel, nearly six months after first announcing its intentions to do so due to security concerns related to the Israel-Hamas war. Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi signed an executive order immediately after the vote passed, and it thus came into effect right away. Al Jazeera has drawn a lot of criticism from Israeli leaders, especially for its thorough reporting of the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip. The conflict in Gaza escalated after the October 7 attack by Hamas, where about 2,500 terrorists breached the border into Israel from the Gaza Strip, leading to casualties and the seizure of hostages. Israel has since, characterised its Gaza offensive as targeting Hamas' infrastructure with the goal of eliminating the entire terror group while making efforts to minimize civilian casualties. (ANI)
Kuwait's top leadership extended warm congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his swearing-in for a new term following the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) victory in legislative elections. Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah all sent cables expressing their heartfelt felicitations to Prime Minister Modi. In his message, Amir Sheikh Meshal praised "the good historical relations between the two friendly countries, wishing the Indian Prime Minister good health, wellness, continued success and prosperity, and for India further progress and prosperity." Likewise, Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled conveyed his sincere congratulations, emphasising his wishes for Prime Minister Modi's well-being and success in his new term. Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah also joined in extending his congratulations, expressing his best wishes for Prime Minister Modi and the continued progress and prosperity of India under his leadership. These messages of goodwill from Kuwait's leadership underscore the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation shared between Kuwait and India, marking a positive start to Prime Minister Modi's new term. Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister of India for a third successive term on Sunday at an impressive ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, attended by leaders from India's neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Narendra Modi, followed by other members of his team of ministers. PM Modi is the second Indian leader to win a third term after first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Alongside Narendra Modi, 30 cabinet ministers, 5 Ministers of State with independent charge and 36 Ministers of State were sworn into the council of ministers on Sunday evening. Kuwait and India are the members of Non-aligned Movement (NAM). Both share identical views on various regional and international matters, and have been cooperating with each other in international forums. High level discussions and consultations between the two friendly countries is a regular feature of bilateral relations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Kuwait and India have signed various agreements to provide a framework for the development of bilateral relations between the two friendly countries. (ANI)
Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital has expressed his confidence in the future of bilateral relations between New Delhi and Kathmandu. In a recent meeting between the two leaders, Nepal Prime Minister extended his congratulations to Prime Minister Modi and conveyed his optimism regarding the trajectory of the longstanding friendship between the two countries. "Had a meeting with Shri Narendra Modi ji. I congratulated him on his third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India," said the Nepal PM in a post on social media platform X. Discussions centred on strategies to further enhance the multifaceted ties between India and Nepal. "We discussed ways to futher enhance Nepal-India relations. I am confident that our multifaceted relations with India will prosper under his leadership," Prachanda's post added. The Nepal PM was among the distinguished guests for the oath-taking ceremony that took place on Sunday (June 9) at Rashtrapati Bhavan here in the national capital. Apart from him Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afif, Bangladesh PM Sheik Hasina were the foreign leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi. Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister of India for a third successive term on Sunday at an impressive ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan which is being attended by leaders from India's neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Narendra Modi, followed by other members of his team of ministers. PM Modi is the second Indian leader to win a third term after first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Alongside Narendra Modi, members of his council of ministers will also take their oath this evening. The Nepal PM arrived in New Delhi on Sunday and was received by P Kumaran, the Officer on Special Duty (ER & DPA) division of the Ministry of External Affairs. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the visit of Nepal PM showcases the unique ties between the two nations. Meanwhile, 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." (ANI)
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack on the US consulate in Sydney by the pro-Palestinian protestors and said that such acts are "not the Australian way," Al Jazeera reported. The incident happened on Monday (local time) when a mob attacked the US consulate with a sledgehammer and defaced it with pro-Palestinian graffiti. "The Middle East conflict is a difficult issue. It is complex. It certainly needs some nuance and isn't a matter of just sloganeering," Albanese said at a news conference in Canberra while urging the protestors to "turn the heat down." "Measures such as painting the US Consulate do nothing to advance the cause of those who have committed what is, of course, a crime to damage property," he said. The security camera footage showed a hooded figure with his or her face obscured smashing windows at the consulate at about 3 am (local time) on Monday, Al Jazeera reported citing the police. The consulate's coat of arms was also spray-painted over with two red inverted triangles, which are used by some protesters to symbolise Palestinian resistance. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns also condemned the incident and described it as "reprehensible." "It's an indication of a kind of coarsening of the public debate that no one needs in Australia," Minns said. "This kind of behaviour will be investigated and punished by NSW police." Earlier in April, the consulate was vandalised with the words "Free Gaza", while the US consulate in Melbourne was spray-painted in a similar incident last month. Australia is a close ally of Israel but has become increasingly critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the war in Gaza in recent months, as reported by Al Jazeera. In April, Albanese condemned Israel's explanation for the killing of Australian woman Zomi Frankcom and six other aid workers in an air strike in central Gaza as "not good enough". (ANI)
The first assignment for India's foreign policy under the historic third consecutive term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin at the meeting of the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Foreign Ministers beginning in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod on Monday (local time). The two-day meeting chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov comes ahead of the BRICS Summit slated to be held this October. Last year S Jaishankar represented India at the BRICS foreign ministerial meeting held in South Africa's Cape Town. This year too Jaishankar is likely to participate in the meeting as Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was sworn in on Sunday evening has not yet officially named his foreign minister. Jaishankar was among the 72 council of ministers who took oath in the new coalition government of Modi that won this year's parliamentary elections in the country. Meanwhile, within the framework of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting, a separate meeting will also be held with the participation of a number of countries of the Global South and East. "During the upcoming meetings, the parties plan to discuss current issues of international relations, international agenda, improvement of the global governance system with emphasis on strengthening the role of developing countries, conflict resolution, and interaction in leading multilateral platforms," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, state media TASS reported. The meetings are expected to discuss current geopolitical issues and improve the global governance system with an emphasis on increasing the role of developing countries. Outcomes of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting will feed into the 16th BRICS Summit scheduled to take place in Kazan in October. This is the first meeting of foreign ministers since the expansion of BRICS in 2023. The 10 full members of the association include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa with new members Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia joining the grouping in 2023. Russia took over the chairmanship of BRICS on January 1, 2024. The Ministry of External Affairs recently said that BRICS is an important platform and India looks forward to participation in meetings organised by Russia as BRICS chair this year. "We have been consistently saying that BRICS is an important platform for us and we look forward to our participation in the meetings that will be organized by Russia as chair of BRICS this year," MEA Official spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal in a weekly press briefing last month. (ANI)
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his council of ministers were sworn in at Rashtrapati Bhavan, BJP leader S Jaishankar retained the Ministry of External Affairs. Jaishankar took oath as Union Cabinet Minister at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday. The BJP leader served as External Affairs Minister during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term from 2019-2024. He has been a BJP MP in Rajya Sabha from Gujarat since 2019. Jaishankar, who has made headlines for his witty replies and oratory skills, has been at the center stage in the team shaping India's foreign policy for the past decade. Prior to being the EAM in 2019, Jaishankar also served as India's Foreign Secretary from 2015 to 2018. Notably, he also became the first Foreign Secretary to assume the role of External Affairs Minister. Jaishankar's tenure which began in 2019 as India's EAM came amid massive uncertainties owing to global turbulence and conflicts. His tenure saw episodes like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Hamas war, and the Covid pandemic, all of which left a strong impact on not just the Indian economy but also that of the whole world. But, during these turbulent times, India's stand was marked by the priority of 'Nation First'. Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has always condemned civilian killings and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, despite pressure from the West, India has not refrained from purchasing Russian oil below the price cap. In the Israel-Hamas war, India strongly condemned the October 7 terror attack but has also continued with its weight behind the 'two-state solution' to the long-running Israel-Palestine conflict. India has also sent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza as part of its commitment. Jaishankar, who entered India's Foreign Service in 1977, has served as India's envoy in several prominent countries such as the United States (2013-15) and China (2009-13). He also served as India's Ambassador to Czech Republic (2000-04) and Indian High Commissioner to Singapore (2007-09). In his earlier stints, he served as third secretary and second secretary at the Indian Embassy in the Soviet Union (before the disintegration of the Soviet Union). Jaishankar also worked as an undersecretary in the Ministry of External Affairs' Americas Division. Recently, Jaishankar also made a deeper foray into politics, by taking part in the election campaign for the BJP. He addressed several interactions and events and elaborated on how India has asserted it globally with its foreign policy. During one of the events, Jaishankar slammed the Western media over the "negative" coverage of Indian elections and said that the countries that "have to go to court for deciding election results" are giving "gyan" on conducting polls. In another event, he underscored that "Viksit Bharat" is not just a slogan but a serious commitment towards India's future. "I can feel today that we are at the point of something very big. The world is also watching us. I see these 25 years as a period of new opportunities, new technologies, and new challenges," he said. (ANI)
The war in Gaza: Can contemporary international law cope with today's terror? By Amb. Alan Baker

web posted June 10, 2024 The war between Israel, Hamas, and other terror organizations has heightened the awareness of the question of whether today's international law is capable of addressing armed conflict between a state and terror organizations. Simply put, the question is how a sovereign state, obligated by the customary and conventional rules of international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflict, is expected to engage in asymmetrical war with terror organizations that distinctly, and by definition, do not consider themselves as bound by such rules. Openly, they deliberately and even proudly consider themselves to be entitled, as terror organizations, to flout all accepted humanitarian norms and rules of international law to advance their aims. All this knowing that the international community lacks practical and legal means, as well as the basic desire and capability of obliging such terror groups to abide by the rules. Today's international community is riven with a severe dichotomy because what is currently known and acknowledged to be "the law of armed conflict," by which states and their armed forces have operated, was developed over the years. The law was set out in clear terms in the late 1800s and early 1900s; the laws of armed conflict have, from time to time, been updated and amended, whether immediately following the Second World War (1949) and between 1974-7 following the Vietnam War. Apart from specific instruments to reflect the need for the protection of cultural property in times of war and instruments reflecting technological developments in conventional and non-conventional warfare, the fundamental norms and principles have not been substantially updated since then. It is questionable whether the law of armed conflict as it exists today, incorporating as it does international humanitarian law, is capable of providing legal as well as operative answers to the practical issues arising out of today's struggle against terror, directed not necessarily against a defined and identifiable armed force of a state, but rather against terror groups purposely embedded within the civilian population. The conflicts today may not necessarily be confined to the territory of a particular state and, by its very definition, are not necessarily directed against the military forces of a state but against civilians. This dilemma is not new. It has existed since the late '60s of the twentieth century when the phenomenon of terror, plane hijacking, and hostage-taking became prevalent as an effective and brutal tool to use against states and their populations. More recently, terror organizations, under the guise of "national liberation movements" or "freedom fighters," and with the political, legal, and financial support of some states and groupings of states, as well as international and regional organizations, have gained international recognition and standing as semi-legitimate actors in the international community. Despite the inherent illegitimacy of their modus operandi, terrorist organizations can mobilize those states that politically sponsor and support their cause through manipulation of the international community. They give them recognition, standing, financial, diplomatic, and political backing. The modes and tactics of terror develop and change concomitant with the technological advances in the means and techniques of combat and use of weaponry. As has been demonstrated in this recent war, Hizbullah, Hamas, and the Houthi terror regime in Yemen are equipped, principally by the terror regime in Iran, with unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, and long-range rockets, some equipped with precision-guided capabilities. International law attempts to address such developments as they occur in a somewhat piecemeal manner, periodically adopting treaties and other instruments to cope with such phenomena as aviation and maritime terror, hostage-taking, nuclear and cyber terror, conventional and non-conventional weaponry, land mines, and the like. Over the years, the international community has updated international law by adopting several counter-terror conventions aimed at addressing contemporary issues of terror, whether this be terror against and aboard aircraft, airports, and maritime navigation, terror against diplomats and internationally protected persons, terror involving the taking of hostages, nuclear terror, and state-funded terror. However, these instruments, as forward-looking as they may be, do not address the immediate legal, moral, and practical dilemmas inherent in the actual confrontation with terror on the battlefield and in facing terror organizations that openly violate international humanitarian norms. This lacuna amplifies the need to adapt international humanitarian law to the conflict scenarios of today's world realities. In light of the long Vietnam War (1955-1975), the international community, under the auspices of the International Red Cross Movement, negotiated and adopted the 1977 Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions relating to the protection of victims of international and non-international armed conflicts. With these instruments, current international humanitarian law attempted to modernize itself by acknowledging that wars are not just between states but within states and between states and involve non-state entities and groups. As such, the 1977 Additional Protocols recognized and granted belligerent status to "armed conflicts in which peoples are fighting against colonial domination, alien occupation, and racist regimes in the exercise of their right of self-determination." Does Asymmetrical Warfare Have Asymmetrical Rules of War? Terror groups defining themselves as "national liberation movements" or "freedom fighters" have thus been acknowledged as legitimate belligerents with an element of international status, acceptability, and protection within the permissible framework of international law. As such, under the guise of international legitimacy, they can abuse such legitimacy granted to them by the 1977 Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions by glibly and openly violating the accepted humanitarian norms. They proudly consider themselves to be immune and absolved from internationally accepted obligations. They celebrate and delight in the fact they continue to enjoy impunity and need not abide by accepted rules of warfare. They can operate underneath and outside the accepted norms of armed conflict. They have been free from the restrictions and international standards of accountability under which normal states and even recognized liberation groups are obliged to function in conducting their military campaign. To a considerable extent, this modernization of international humanitarian law has enabled states and organizations within the international community that sponsor, encourage, and support such groups to give them respectability and acceptance. In any normal legal systemboth civil and international, the individual components within the system can live and conduct themselves within the orderly parameters of the system on the assumption that the other elements of the system will comport themselves in the same way. Departure from such parameters and behavior in violation of such a normative system undermines and threatens the system's very existence and raises the question of the need to review the system, adjust the norms, or adapt them to meet the new realities or developments. While the 1998 Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court provided the international community with a vehicle for preventing impunity by individuals  including terrorists accused of committing the most serious and grave crimes  the extent to which this court is capable or willing to exact justice against such terrorists has yet to be proven. Nowhere is this factor more evident than in the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Iranian-supported Hizbullah terror organization in Lebanon and Syria, and the Houthi terror regime in Yemen. These terror entities, together with others such as the Islamic Jihad terror organization and an Iranian terror offshoot in Iraq, have openly and blatantly abused, violated, and continue to violate all accepted humanitarian norms. Nevertheless, through skillful manipulation of information and propaganda, they appear to enjoy support within the international community, in the international media, and, sadly, among large population groups on campuses and the streets of capital cities in North America and Europe. The brutal massacre committed on October 7, 2023, against Israeli and foreign civilians in the towns and villages close to the Gaza Strip saw multiple crimes of rape, murder, torture, and kidnapping  all of which, in and of themselves, not only violate basic norms of humanity but also violate accepted principles of international law and specific international conventions prohibiting such acts and guaranteeing the rights of women, children, and the elderly. The mass targeting of Israel's towns and villages by more than 10,000 missiles and rockets violates principles of international humanitarian law set out in the Geneva Conventions and the Additional Protocols to it, requiring the protection of civilian populations not involved in fighting. In clearly willful and open violation of international humanitarian law, as well as the customary principles enunciated in the laws and principles of armed conflict set out in the 1907 Hague Rules, the terrorists indiscriminately targeted civilians in a distinct, deliberate, and concerted means to demoralize and terrorize the civil population and to pressure organized governments and society. This is their tactical modus operandi. The use by both Hamas and Hizbullah of their own civilian population and public facilities  whether this be mosques, churches, schools, hospitals, private homes, office blocks, and even premises of international organizations  as human and civilian shields to protect their weapons storage, command facilities, and their operatives, and imprison hostages, constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. The burrowing of hundreds of kilometers of tactical underground tunnels under homes, public thoroughfares, population centers, and hospitals for use solely for their fighters and not for the protection of the general public is no less a violation of international humanitarian law. The use by terrorists of civilian ambulances adorned with recognized humanitarian emblems for carrying arms and terrorists; the use of civilian vehicles for transporting terror operatives accompanied by children and family to approach and attack roadblocks; the standard use of hospitals, mosques, churches, and schools as storage space for weapons and explosives, the location of militia offices and tactical headquarters in dense residential areas, are illustrative examples of the abuse and violation of humanitarian norms by Hamas. Above all, the cruel, cynical use of hostages, including babies, women, children, and the elderly, parading them in the streets of Gaza, abusing their dignity, holding them in inhumane conditions underground, and sexual abuse are all violations of international conventions. Through misleading media reporting, circulation of falsified statistics, and cynical use of video footage of casualties, Hamas assumes correctly that a naive international community will quickly accuse Israel of using disproportionate military force against groups of apparently unorganized civilians. The irony is that the accepted rationales of terms such as "combatant," "legitimate target," "defended locality," and "human shield," as well as the situation of "military necessity," have become blurred in the context of a war on terror. Despite this, the international community is still geared to somewhat anachronistic conceptions of armed conflict between States and presumes to judge those fighting terror by such anachronistic criteria and standards rather than adapting itself to the new situations and challenges that they bring. This is particularly evident in the response of the international community to Israel's engagement in combat with such terror organizations. The tendency is to view combat against the terrorists as if they are actions of conventional warfare against states. In so doing, the international community overlooks the criminal nature of the terrorist acts that gave rise to the critical need for response. This dilemma is compounded by a situation in the UN and other international political fora in which automatic majority resolutions are adopted condemning those that fight terror while naively or deliberately giving encouragement and carte-blanche to those supporting and perpetrating the terror. This instills in them confidence that their actions are indeed achieving their intended political ends and have the sanction of the international community. Conclusion In light of the biased and partisan reaction of the international community and its automatic accusations against Israel of committing war crimes and even genocide, it is high time that responsible states come to terms with the fact that modern-day terror undermines and abuses accepted humanitarian norms and standards. This must be dealt with both militarily and legally. To do so requires addressing several unique issues that characterize the various components of terror, including: Religious ideology and motivation driving and glorifying terror, whether this be in the form of incitement by religious leaders or educational materials aimed at children and students encouraging hatred.

The tendency of the Western world to view such fanatic religious glorification of terror through spectacles of "political correctness" or to overlook it out of fear of incitement, threats, violent reaction, or accusations of Islamophobia.

Media and social networking often cynically and deliberately manipulate the public through false reporting and circulation of false and inaccurate video footage and statistics.

Transfer by states of weaponry, ammunition, technology, and funding enable terror despite international conventions prohibiting and criminalizing such transfer.

Terror groups and their state sponsors manipulate and abuse the United Nations, its related organs, human rights, and international humanitarian law bodies. Such organizations serve to give respectability and acceptance to the terror groups, which in turn is interpreted by them as a green light and carte blanche for continued terror. The essential question still remains as to whether today's highly politically polarized international community has the capability and will to overcome its limitations, ignorance, naivete, and misguided political correctness to adapt international humanitarian law to the urgent and vital needs of today in dealing with modern terror. Time will tell. Amb. Alan Baker is Director of the Institute for Contemporary Affairs at the Jerusalem Center and the head of the Global Law Forum. He participated in the negotiation and drafting of the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians, as well as agreements and peace treaties with Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. He served as legal adviser and deputy director-general of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as Israel's ambassador to Canada. Follow @AmbAlanBaker Home
A day after attending PM Narendra Modi's oath ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, leaders from several neighbouring countries called on President Droupadi Murmu here on Monday. The leaders who met President Murmu are Nepal PM, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Mauritius President Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afif. In a post on X, Droupadi Murmu shared some pictures while meeting with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu adding that she also expressed confidence that Maldives will continue on the path of prosperity and development under his leadership. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1800155662267355406 "Welcoming President Muizzu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President conveyed her greetings to the new government and the people of Maldives and expressed confidence that Maldives will continue on the path of prosperity and development under President Muizzu's leadership," the official statement said. Both leaders noted the longstanding and multifaceted ties between the two countries and highlighted important pillars of our wide-ranging bilateral cooperation including people-to-people linkages, capacity-building cooperation, economic and trade relations and development cooperation. The President expressed hope that India-Maldives relations will continue to strengthen in the years to come. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1800153185514078712 Following this, Droupadi Murmu also meet with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' During the meeting, the President said that Nepal is a priority partner under India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, and conveyed India's commitment to further strengthen our unique ties. According to the official statement, both leaders discussed ways to take forward developmental initiatives across various sectors in Nepal, which are benefitting the people of both countries. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1800155662267355406 Moreover, Mauritius President Pravind Kumar Jugnauth also stopped by to meet Murmu at her residence. Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the impressive progress registered in various sectors of bilateral cooperation and agreed to continue working together to further deepen the unique and multifaceted India-Mauritius partnership. President Murmu fondly recalled her successful State visit to Mauritius as the Chief Guest for the National Day celebrations of Mauritius in March earlier this year and her interactions with the Mauritian leadership and people. She reaffirmed that Mauritius is an important maritime partner of India in the Indian Ocean Region, as part of Vision SAGAR and our commitment to advance the shared vision of peace, security, and growth in the Indian Ocean Region. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1800154829958074420 The Vice President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif also called on the President of India, Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Vice President conveyed the greetings of President Wavel Ramkalawan and the people of Seychelles to President Murmu and expressed happiness on visiting India on his first official visit. Both leaders discussed India's developmental partnership support and capacity-building assistance in Seychelles and the longstanding defence cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. They agreed to continue working together to further strengthen the bilateral ties for mutual benefit. (ANI)
India participated in the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting which began in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod on Monday, the first assignment for India's foreign policy under the historic third consecutive term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), led the Indian side at the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov opened the BRICS Ministerial with a minute of silence in memory of the deceased former Iran President Ebrahim Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. He offered condolences to the people of Iran and the families of the victims. South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, Brazil's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira, UAE's Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shokri and several other distinguished guests participated in the meeting. Heads of delegations also posed for a family photo ahead of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting. While sharing the picture of leaders on X, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated, "Heads of delegations take part in the traditional #FamilyPhoto ceremony ahead of the #BRICS Ministerial." This is the first meeting of foreign ministers since the expansion of BRICS in 2023. The 10 full members of the association include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa with new members Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia joining the grouping in 2023. Russia took over the chairmanship of BRICS on January 1, 2024. In his opening remarks at the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting, Sergey Lavrov said, "We are glad to welcome you to one of the oldest cities in Russia, Nizhny Novgorod, whose history goes back more than 800 years," according to the translation of the speech released by Russian Foreign Ministry. "Today's meeting will certainly leave a special mark not only in the chronicle of the city's leading international events but also in the BRICS itself. For the first time, a meeting of the heads of foreign policy departments of the association is being held in a new, expanded composition," he added. He noted that the expansion of BRICS is a "clear confirmation of the process of formation of a multipolar world order." He further said, "New centres for making globally significant political decisions are emerging from among the states of the Global South and East, from the states of the World Majority. These countries advocate a more just way of life based on the sovereign equality of states and civilizational diversity." He accused the US and its allies of not abandoning attempts to maintain their elusive dominance and slow down the objective processes of the formation of multipolarity. Lavrov further said, "At the same time, they use economic instruments as weapons - through sanctions pressure and financial blackmail they try to influence the choice of development models and trading partners by sovereign states. The West does not shy away from using force. Examples are known to everyone: Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine and several other countries. And this is just the tip of the iceberg." He stated that Russia stands for a more equitable world order based on the sovereign equality of states and taking into account the balance of forces and interests, according to the translation of his speech released by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Lavrov said, "Recent international events have 'thrown off the masks' from those who until now had verbally claimed almost the exclusive right to define 'universal values' under the guise of a 'rules-based order.' Supporters of this concept are trying to impose norms and mechanisms of interaction that are beneficial only to them, to replace equal, honest dialogue with narrow coalitions that operate in secret and arrogate to themselves the right to speak and act on behalf of the whole world." "Russia, like the countries of the World Majority, stands for a more equitable world order, based on the sovereign equality of states and taking into account the balance of forces and interests. Together we aim to advance a forward-looking, constructive international agenda. An important task in this context is strengthening the role of interstate formats that advocate collective approaches to international development," he added. The Russian Foreign Minister called BRICS one of those associations where the principles of equal cooperation are implemented in deeds. He expressed confidence that BRICS is driven forward by the wind of change, as its role in solving global problems will only increase. Lavrov further said, "In this context, we expect productive discussions at a separate session today with the participation of several like-minded BRICS countries." (ANI)
Foreign Ministers of Sri Lanka and Maldives congratulated S Jaishankar on his second term as External Affairs Minister of India in the newly constituted cabinet of the BJP-led NDA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry said that Jaishankar's second term as EAM is a well-deserved recognition of his acumen in foreign relations. Sabry said he looks forward to working with him to enhance the ties between the two nations. In a post on X, Ali Sabry stated, "Warmest congratulations @DrSJaishankar on being reappointed Minister of External Affairs of #India, a well-deserved recognition of your acumen in foreign relations. I look forward to working with you in enhancing the deep-rooted traditional cooperation between #SriLanka & #India." While congratulating Jaishankar on his reappointment as External Affairs Minister of India, Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer said that he looked forward to closely working with him to enhance the ties between the two nations. "Warm congratulations to @DrSJaishankar on your reappointment as the Minister of External Affairs of #India. I look forward to working closely with you to enhance our relationship, fostering greater cooperation and shared prosperity between our two countries," Moosa Zameer posted on X. The two leaders' statement comes after BJP leader S Jaishankar, who took oath as Union Cabinet Minister on Sunday at the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan was named as the new External Affairs Minister in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe also attended the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi. Jaishankar served as External Affairs Minister during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term from 2019-2024. He has been a BJP MP in Rajya Sabha from Gujarat since 2019. Jaishankar, who has made headlines for his witty replies and oratory skills, has been at the center stage in the team shaping India's foreign policy for the past decade. Before being appointed as the External Affairs Minister in 2019, Jaishankar also served as India's Foreign Secretary from 2015 to 2018. Notably, he also became the first Foreign Secretary to assume the role of External Affairs Minister. Jaishankar's tenure which began in 2019 as India's EAM came amid massive uncertainties owing to global turbulence and conflicts. His tenure saw episodes like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Hamas war, and the Covid pandemic, all of which left a strong impact on not just the Indian economy but also that of the whole world. But, during these turbulent times, India's stand was marked by the priority of 'Nation First'. Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has always condemned civilian killings and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, despite pressure from the West, India has not refrained from purchasing Russian oil below the price cap. In the Israel-Hamas war, India strongly condemned the October 7 attack. However, India has also continued with its weight behind the 'two-state solution' to the long-running Israel-Palestine conflict. India has also sent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza as part of its commitment. Jaishankar, who entered India's Foreign Service in 1977, has served as India's envoy in several prominent countries such as the United States (2013-15) and China (2009-13). He also served as India's Ambassador to Czech Republic (2000-04) and Indian High Commissioner to Singapore (2007-09). Previously, he had also served as third secretary and second secretary at the Indian Embassy in the Soviet Union (before the disintegration of the Soviet Union). Jaishankar also worked as an undersecretary in the Ministry of External Affairs' Americas Division. (ANI)
Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to look into the possibility of visiting Nepal after attending the G7 Summit in Italy. Upon arrival in Kathmandu after attending PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony in Delhi, Dahal, said at a press briefing on Monday that he extended an invitation to PM Modi for a visit to Nepal. He said, "I extended invitation to Mr. (Narendra) Modi to visit Nepal. He responded positively, promising to visit in appropriate time. He also stated that he has to attend the G7 Summit meeting to be held in Italy. He also said that he might come to Nepal after returning from the summit." Notably, the G7 Summit will be held in Italy on June 13-15, 2024. The event will bring together the Leaders of the seven-member States, as well as the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission representing the European Union. Dahal held a brief meeting with PM Modi after his swearing-in ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday evening. At the invitation of the Indian PM, Dahal on Sunday had travelled to Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of their Indian counterpart. During the meeting, Dahal congratulated PM Modi and conveyed his optimism regarding the trajectory of the longstanding friendship between the two countries. "Had a meeting with Shri @narendramodi ji. I congratulated him on his third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India. We discussed ways to further enhance Nepal-India relations. I am confident that our multifaceted relations with India will prosper under his leadership," Nepal PM posted on X. Minister for External Affairs, S Jaishankar also called upon Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' during his two-day visit to Nepal. Sharing details regarding his meeting with Jaishankar, Dahal stated that the issues of boundaries and revitalization of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) were discussed with the External Affairs Minister. Nepal PM said, "While holding the delegation level talks with Mr (S Jaishankar), I raised topics about revitalization of SAARC to the border issues and other trade-related issues and mechanisms which exists in between two nations. I focused on reviving of those mechanisms and start the dialogues to resolve all the issues. I raised these issues while having meeting with Prime Minister Modi during yesterday's (9 June) meeting and this morning (10 June) while holding talks with Mr (S) Jaishankar, all the mechanisms, including the SAARC should be revived, and start dialogue over the issues. In this relation, there was positive response from the Prime Minister as well as the External Affairs Minister." During his stay in India, Nepal PM Dahal met President Droupadi Murmu. Taking to X, Dahal wrote, "Pleasure to meet H.E. Smt. Draupadi Murmu, the President of India, this morning. We had an opportunity to discuss the wide range of Nepal-India relations and enhancing mutual cooperation." During the meeting, President Murmu called Nepal a "priority partner" under India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, and conveyed India's commitment to further strengthen our unique ties. The statement released by Rashtrapati Bhavan reads, "During the meeting, the President said that Nepal is a priority partner under India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, and conveyed India's commitment to further strengthen our unique ties. Both leaders discussed ways to take forward the developmental initiatives across various sectors in Nepal, which are benefitting the people of both countries." Dahal had returned home on Monday evening, completing his two-day visit to India. On Sunday, he left for the Indian capital city to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaker of the House of Representatives Dev Raj Ghimire, National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal, Cabinet ministers, and chiefs of security bodies, among other high-ranking government officials, received Dahal at the Tribhuvan International Airport. A consignment of the Nepal Army accorded a guard of honor to Nepal Prime Minister. For his visit to India, Dahal was accompanied by his daughter Ganga Dahal, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri and Nepal's Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal among others. (ANI)
During the last few hours, airstrikes eliminated Hamas terrorists, including Nukhba Forces operatives in the central Gaza Strip. Simultaneously, the Israeli Air Force struck underground terrorist infrastructure in the Deir al-Balah area.

In addition, IDF ground troops conducted targeted raids on military structures in the area, destroying tunnel shafts and underground terrorist infrastructure located in the central Gaza Strip.

Forces continued intelligence-based, targeted raids, eliminating terrorists posing a threat to the forces. In one incident, two armed terrorists, who were identified approaching an underground tunnel shaft in their vicinity, were eliminated in an aerial strike.

Meanwhile, deliveries of humanitarian aid via an offshore US pier were suspended again. UN World Food Program director Cindy McCain said on Sunday that two of the organization's warehouses were "rocketed," with one employee being injured. The WFP did not indicate how long the suspension would last.

At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 116 remaining hostages, more than 30 are believed dead. (ANI/TPS)
The Netherlands alleged that its warship HNLMS Tromp was confronted by the Chinese aircrafts while enforcing UN sanctions on North Korea. The Dutch Defense Ministry claimed on Friday that two Chinese fighter jets flew around their frigate, HNLMS Tromp, multiple times, while one of their marine patrol helicopters was approached by two Chinese warplanes and a helicopter during a patrol in the East China Sea. The statement mentioned the events created a "potentially unsafe situation." The Tromp was stationed in the East China Sea to support a multinational coalition enforcing UN sanctions on North Korea, called the Pacific Security Maritime Exchange (PSMX). The Netherlands is now the latest addition to the long list of countries that have blamed China for its unsafe and threatening activities in international waters, CNN reported. In the official statement, the Dutch defence ministry said, "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". Further, the ministry said, "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. The HNLMS Tromp continues its journey as part of 'Pacific Archer '24' as planned and is now on its way to Japan." The CNN report on the incident claimed that it had reached the Chinese government for a comment on the Netherlands's accusations but had received no response. Before patrolling in the East China Sea, the Dutch warship had stopped in Busan, South Korea, to participate in a maritime exercise with the South Korean navy. Previously Australia had accused the Asian country's fighter jet of firing flares in the path of a naval helicopter destroyer HMAS Hobart in the international waters near the Yellow Sea when it was conducting patrols to enforce UN sanctions on North Korea. However, China defended the actions of its fighter jets and straightaway rejected the interception as an unsafe one, the CNN report mentioned. "Under the guise of implementing United Nations Security Council resolutions, Australian warships and aircraft deliberately approached China's airspace to cause trouble and provocation, endangering China's maritime and air security. As a warning, the Chinese military took necessary measures at the scene. Relevant operations are legal, compliant, professional and safe," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters at a regular briefing last month, the CNN report claimed. (ANI)
Aircraft carrying Malawi vice president goes missing with nine others onboard

A military plane carrying Malawis vice-president and nine others has gone missing.

The Malawian Defence Force aircraft went off radar after it left Malwai capital Lilongwe on Monday morning, a statement from the office of the countrys president said.

All efforts by aviation authorities to make contact with the Aircraft since it went off the radar have failed thus far, Malawis Office of the President and Cabinet said.

A search and rescue operation was launched after aviation experts were unable to locate the plane.

Malawi vice president Saulos Klaus Chilima, 51, and nine other unnamed people were onboard.

The statement from the presidents office said the plane took off at around 9:17am local time and failed to meet its scheduled landing at Mzuzu International Airport at 10:02am.

Lazarus Chakwera, Malawi president, has been informed of the incident has cancelled his scheduled trip to the Bahamas, the statement said.

No further information was available.

Last month corruption charges against Dr Chilima were dropped after the state prosecutor filed a notice for the case to be thrown out.

He was arrested in November 2022 over claims that he accepted money in exchange for government contracts.

Dr Chilima denied the charges, which the prosecutor dropped without explanation.

The charges related to allegations that Dr Chilima received money to influence the awarding of contracts to Xaviar Ltd and Malachitte FZE.

The two companies are linked to the British businessman Zuneth Sattar, who also denied any wrongdoing.

Critics of president Chakwera, who made rooting out corruption one of the key planks of his successful election campaign in 2020, cited Dr Chilimas case as an example of his failure of his inability to tackle the issue.

Dr Chilima was a candidate in the 2019 Malawian presidential election and finished third.

That vote that was won by incumbent Peter Mutharika but was annulled by Malawis Constitutional Court because of irregularities.

Mr Chakwera finished second in the contest.

Dr Chilima then joined Mr Chakweras campaign as his running mate in the historic election rerun in 2020, when Mr Chakwera was elected president.

It was the first time in Africa that an election result that was overturned by a court resulted in a defeat for the sitting president.
Corrections officers file ethics complaint against RIDOC director over travel. What to know.

PROVIDENCE  The state's correctional officers union has ramped up its opposition to Gov. Dan McKees nomination of Wayne T. Salisbury Jr. as director of the state Department of Corrections, now filing a complaint with the Ethics Commission against Salisbury.

In recent weeks, the Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers has unleashed vigorous objections to Salisburys selection, and on Monday filed the complaint with the Ethics Commission.

Salisbury has served as interim corrections director since early last year. He is scheduled to go before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Tuesday ahead of a full Senate confirmation vote.

More: The fight to keep Wayne Salisbury from leading RIDOC just turned nasty. Here's how.

What is behind the complaint?

The union, as first reported by WPRI-TV, is faulting Salisbury for spending time out of state since January 2023, travel that Salisbury did not disclose on his Ethics Commission filing until June 5.

The trips included visiting the British Consulate in London with corrections officials from Massachusetts and Connecticut; a correctional leaders association meeting in Washington, D.C. and new directors training in California.

The travel costs, which were initially paid by external entities, ranged from $633 to $2,349, with $4,328 reimbursed by Salisbury, according to the filing.

'He's flying all over the world'

Wayne Salisbury doesnt have the character, judgment or integrity to lead the state corrections department. While our correctional officers are getting forced into overtime because of understaffing and working nonstop to keep drugs out of prisons, break up fights and address gang activity, which has all increased under Wayne Salisburys interim leadership, hes flying to all corners of the world, Richard Ferruccio, president of RIBCO, said in an email.

Governor McKee has made a poor choice by nominating Wayne Salisbury for the permanent director position and its clear hes done no work to properly vet his nominee. The Senate Judiciary Committee must ensure that Salisbury answers questions about his troubled past with the law, about his failed leadership at the Wyatt and about his lax ethics, Ferruccio continued.

Acting Rhode Island Corrections Director Wayne T. Salisbury Jr. encourages a coding class at the ACI to make the most out of the program.

The union urged the commission to thoroughly investigate Salisburys failure to disclose the travel and take appropriate action to address this misconduct.

In a separate complaint, the union noted that Salisbury's step daughter began working in 2021 for parole and probation, a position that falls under his direct supervision. Salisbury was not interim corrections director at the time of her hiring.

`Unclear trips had to be disclosed'

J.R. Ventura, corrections spokesman, said that it was unclear initially that the trips needed to be disclosed.

"Given that trips were reimbursed directly to the State of Rhode Island, it was unclear whether disclosure was required. As a result, notation of the trips was left off the financial disclosure statement. Upon receiving clarification and guidance from the Ethics Commission, the .... amendment has been filed," Ventura said in a statement.

Ventura noted that Salisbury traveled London at the invitation of the British consulate at no cost to cost to taxpayers as it was paid in full by the British consulate. Salisbury is checking with the British consulate to get the cost of that trip and will update the ethics filing accordingly, he said.

Ventura emphasized, too, that Salisbury's travel amounted to the interim director spending a total of 37 work days out of the office over the 16 months.

"It is in Rhode Islands best interest for RIDOCs leadership to maintain the departments ongoing presence at these conferences and trainings with fellow directors and commissioners from around the country to understand, discuss and bring best practices to the Rhode Island Department of Corrections," Ventura continued.

Ventura said Salisbury was able to advocate in person for funding for initiatives, such as modernizing its vehicle fleet and enhancing the programs offered through its Correctional Industries. Additionally, the department is pursuing national accreditation through the American Correctional Association, with over 600 standards that embody best practices, he said.

Salisbury's tenure at Wyatt

Prior to his time at state corrections, Salisbury worked as warden of the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls from 2004 to 2010 during a fraught tenure that was marked by an immigrant detainee's death of undiagnosed and untreated cancer.

He rose to the rank of warden. He was fired as warden in 2007 but rehired later that year under new management before being fired again in February 2009.

In April 2015, the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office dismissed a charge against Salisbury alleging that he had obtained money under false pretenses by falsifying the amount of unused vacation time he was owed at Wyatt and collecting more than $16,456 from the jail. Prosecutors dismissed the single felony count in "the interest of justice," a filing said.

In December 2012, a federal judge approved a multimillion-dollar settlement on behalf of the family of Hiu Lui "Jason" Ng, a 34-year-old Chinese detainee who died in 2008 while in the custody of immigration officials at Wyatt, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island.

Ventura emphasized that the case was settled with no assignment of guilt or fault to any party.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island corrections officers file ethics complaint against Wayne Salisbury
Visiting Torun, birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, in 2004 By Mark Wegierski

web posted June 10, 2024 Mark Wegierski recalls a happier time in East-Central Europe, twenty years ago. The venerable city of Torun is located within easy driving distance of Ciechocinek, the spa and resort town at which I was mostly staying, in the summer of 2004. Torun is known especially for its very well-preserved medieval Old Town, which includes the historic medieval walls of the city. One of the city's tourist slogans is "Gotyk na dotyk" which can be loosely translated as  "where the Gothic comes alive." Staying mostly at Ciechocinek, I was frequently driven in to Torun when my female relative travelled there. The Main Square of the Old Town is especially lovely, with its magnificent Gothic City Hall, in front of which stands the statue of Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikolaj Kopernik) the famous Polish astronomer who was born in the town in 1473. The house in which he was born still stands, and is now a museum. There is a frequently cited verse in Polish about Nicolaus Copernicus, which, in approximate translation, says: "He stopped the Sun, he moved the Earth, the Polish nation gave him birth." Copernicus challenged the received ideas of his day (which claimed that the Sun revolved around the Earth), and advanced a carefully elaborated and documented thesis that the Earth moves around the Sun. The Copernican theory is the grounding of all subsequent astronomical science. It's possible to argue that the atmosphere of reflective tolerance and liberty that existed in Renaissance Poland under the humane Jagiellonian Kings  in marked contrast to most other European countries of that time -- contributed to his willingness to enunciate those views. It takes tremendous intellect, courage and fortitude to be among the very first to arrive at and advance highly unconventional views, especially those that could result in severe censure and punishment (as seen in the later Trial of Galileo). Torun also has the very well-regarded Nicolaus Copernicus University (Uniwersytet Mikolaja Kopernika) (UMK). Among the university's more prominent scholars is Miroslaw Supruniuk, the head of the extensive Polish Emigration Archive (Archiwum Emigracji). The Polish Emigration Archive has, indeed, received a Turzanski Foundation award, for its contributions to documentation of the Polish-Canadian community. The awards of the Turzanski Foundation were the only major literary and cultural prizes of the Polish-Canadian community. They had been instituted as a result of a helpful individual initiative  but are no longer awarded. There are also some very exclusive shops in the Main Square of Torun and the surrounding cobblestone streets, including an especially elegant boutique mall that has been built into one of the Old Town's oldest burgher-houses. Also to be recommended is the very finely stocked eMPiK (a magazine, book, and music store) in the Old Town area. In my searching for different Polish popular periodicals, I was guided by the general principle that if a certain publication could not be found in a popular outlet like the eMPiK, then its profile in the country was very low, indeed. Nevertheless, I was able to find in that eMPiK a number of periodicals I had never seen or heard of before, such as the Wroclaw-based Opcja na Prawo (The Option on the Right). The Old Town area also has a mini-multiplex cinema, as well as a fairly good planetarium. There are some prominent antique shops that are full of items that are usually far more interesting than anything to be found in Canada. There are also a number of elegant jewelry stores, and fashion and perfume boutiques, on the streets around the Main Square. Most of those streets are now reserved for pedestrians only, so a highly pleasant and unhurried feeling is created. As far as dining in the Old Town area of Torun, I could recommend the restaurant of the Gromada hotel (a smaller hotel). I had some very tasty meals there in the Old Polish cuisine style, such as clear beet-soup with meat-filled pastry on the side (barszcz z pasztecikiem), as well as pork cutlets with spicy roasted potatoes and salad on the side. The town of Nieszawa, which is about 10 kilometers to the south-east of Ciechocinek, is known especially for its church, which dates back to the fifteenth century, and has a unique set of frescoes. At most times of the year, it is a brief, pleasant drive to Nieszawa along a two-lane, properly-paved road surrounded by the green countryside, usually with very little traffic. I still recall a private reception at the Mayor's ranch-style house in Nieszawa, where I drank champagne and nibbled on canapes, while looking at the Vistula below, and the verdant forests across the river, in the sun of the late afternoon. I had been invited to celebrate the imminent appearance of an article of mine in a smaller U.S. cultural and political affairs magazine in which I had tried to appear for at least fifteen years. I had written the article right on the trip on a laptop computer, and submitted it through the Internet. That article about my trip to Poland and Nieszawa had been the breakthrough piece for me with that magazine. (An earlier version of this article has appeared in Polonez: Canadian-Polish News (16-30 September 2007), p. 13. Mark Wegierski is a Toronto-based writer and historical researcher. He was born in Toronto of Polish immigrant parents. Home
Conflict over the states sale of the Idaho Transportation Departments 44-acre campus in Boise continued in new legal filings Friday, when the Attorney Generals Office asked that the Board of Examiners retract previous statements made by its attorneys and that the board be removed from the case.

The state of Idaho, another party in a lawsuit filed by developers in the Idaho Supreme Court, also requested to update its original brief after new filings raised new issues and arguments, and the state of Idaho has not had the opportunity to address them.

The lawsuit boiled up after the Idaho Legislature revoked the sale of an ITD building to three developers, Boise-based Hawkins Cos. and The Pacific Cos. and Utah-based FJ Management, who planned to redevelop the mostly vacant and flood-damaged campus for $51.8 million.

A potential site plan for redevloping ITDs State Street campus shows commercial at top, affordable housing at bottom right, apartments in the center and homes for sale at left.

After developers sued the Board of Examiners, Department of Administration and ITD, and called the Legislatures actions unconstitutional, the Attorney Generals Office submitted an initial filing May 15 on behalf of the Board of Examiners, which examines claims against the state. The state attorneys argued that the state no longer wanted to sell the property and the court could not force them to sell it.

But Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Secretary of State Phil McGrane, who make up two of the three members of the board, were not briefed on Attorney General Raul Labradors initial legal briefs before they were filed with the Supreme Court, their spokespersons have told the Statesman. Labradors office has maintained that the officials legal staff had been informed about the direction he planned to take.

Little and McGrane overruled Labrador, the third member of the board, at an emergency Board of Examiners meeting last week and voted to proceed with an altered legal direction after a more than 30-minute private executive session. Labrador voted against it.

Fridays filing that rescinded Labradors initial brief and asked to remove the Board of Examiners from the lawsuit is intended to clarify the very ministerial role of the board, Little spokesperson Emily Callihan told the Statesman by email.

Idaho House alleges collusion

State administrative facilities, such as the ITD campus, can go up for sale to private buyers when classified as surplus property. The Board of Examiners takes control of the property and hands it off to the Department of Administration, which then notifies all other state agencies that the property is available. If no agencies decide to take over the property, the Department of Administration can sell it.

The developers said they believed the sale was virtually a done deal. But during this years legislative session, Republican lawmakers took issue with the deal and narrowly wedged through two budget bills at the end of the session that revoked the Department of Administrations ability to sell the property.

The developers in a lawsuit filed April asked the Idaho Supreme Court to intervene before the budgets go into effect on July 1. The court has scheduled oral arguments for August.

The Attorney Generals Office argued in a filing for the Board of Examiners that the court should not force the state to sell property it no longer wants to sell and is not obligated to sell.

But two days the filing, Little selected Joan Callahan, of Boises Naylor & Hales law firm, to act as attorney for the Department of Administration and ITD. In her filing, Callahan took a different strategy from Labrador and  in many ways  argued against the Legislatures actions by contending that the budget bills violated the states constitution.

The Idaho Supreme Court approved adding House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star, and the Idaho House as parties to the case. The House and Labrador have since argued that the executive branch was colluding with the developers and that the move undermined them.

This case is an effort by private interests, aligned with certain elements in the executive branch, to interfere with the Legislatures ability to set fiscal policy for the state, wrote Mark Hilty and Daniel Bower, of Nampa law firm Hilty, Bower, Haws and Seable, on behalf of Moyle.

The House is disturbed by what appears to be attempts in the executive branch to deprive the state of a defense in this case, the attorneys wrote.

Developers respond to filing by Idaho AG

The developers last week filed a response to Labradors initial filing for the Board of Examiners and asked the Idaho Supreme Court to reject the filing and verify claims it made.

ITD planned to move to the states Chinden Campus until lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session directed the department to remodel and move back into the flood-damaged ITD Campus on State Street.

The filing argued that the state and Board of Examiners response was based on the incorrect premise that no sale agreement was negotiated and that the state no longer wanted to move forward with the sale.

The responses not only lack factual credibility but misportray the actual legal standards and should be disregarded, wrote Hethe Clark, of Boises Clark Wardle law firm, on behalf of the developers.

The developers rejected the Houses allegation that there was collusion between the executive branch and private interests.

Clark wrote that if there has been collusion, petitioners must be really terrible at it, since they had participated in a competitive bidding process and agreed to pay $14 million over the states appraisal of the property and had negotiated with deputy attorneys general for nearly six months before getting to a negotiated form of purchase agreement.

The developers also failed to receive support in the form of a veto  from the Governors Office; and watched as the Attorney Generals Office appeared and filed an inaccurate answer on behalf of the (Board of Examiners) that went against petitioners interests, Clark wrote.

There is and was no collusion, Clark wrote. Suggestions otherwise are an improper attempt to taint the proceedings.

Idaho House accuses Gov. Little of undermining Legislature in ITD property lawsuit

Lawsuit over ITD headquarters sale highlights rift between Idaho Gov. Little, AG Labrador

Developers seek urgent high court order to save their deal to buy ITDs Boise campus

Micron expansion could create 15k jobs. Where is everyone going to live? Heres an idea
Lawmakers should get an 'F' for ducking critical Oklahoma educational rule debate and vote

Oklahoma lawmakers failed when they did not give education rules a full public debate, Janelle Stecklein of Oklahoma Voice writes.

If Oklahoma lawmakers were being graded the way they just decided our public schools should be assessed, they would be deemed deficient.

Theyd either be given an incomplete for not finishing their work or a big fat F.

Instead of giving 20 new education rules the full public debates the people of our state deserve, they sent them to the governor without having to take a stand.

The ducking of responsibility is cowardice at its finest.

More: Legislators' lack of action on Ryan Walters administrative rules is 'truly reprehensible!' | Opinion

It also falls well short of what our citizens expect when they vote for the lawmakers to represent their interests in Oklahoma City.

They want bold, decisive leadership and action.

The rules represent a fork in the road for every local school district. Some of these represent a considerable change from how weve traditionally operated.

They deserved a public discussion. We deserved to know the path forward our lawmakers envision for our schools.

One of these education rules has the potential to reshape how we accredit schools. It links state test scores to school accreditation status.

Walters State Department of Education argues that the rules will improve our education outcomes by changing how we accredit every school and adding increased accountability on districts whose students perform poorly on tests.

Under the rule, if less than half of students test at the basic level in reading and math, districts would face an accreditation deficiency. If a district doesnt demonstrate improvement each year, they get dinged some more.

That means some schools could see a significant drop. Theres no explanation in the rules about the potential consequences. People fear it could lead to state takeovers or closures of districts.

Critics say the rule punishes schools with more disabled or impoverished students. After all, if youre coming to school worried about what youre going to eat for dinner or where youre going to sleep at night, youre not going to learn as well.

One adding new foundational values that focus on a Creator is downright goofy and doesnt seem like it would have a place in our classrooms.

Another allows an uncommon assessment that most Oklahoma colleges dont accept.

To their credit, a small committee of House lawmakers led by Republican Rep. Gerrid Kendrix did demonstrate considerable leadership.

Kendrixs Administrative Rules Committee discussed and then voted on the education rules during a public committee meeting. The committee advanced every rule except the one dealing with the uncommon assessment to the full House for consideration.

Regardless of whether you agree with that outcome, its great that they did their job.

The rest of House members though then buried their heads in the sand and publicly pretended the rules didnt need a vote.

House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said his Republican caucus, which holds a supermajority, decided not to take them up.

Our state Senate, which didnt even vote on them in committee, didnt give them full chamber consideration either.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said there was a mixed bag of opinions among Republicans about voting on the rules. He said that some of his members wanted to vote, but others were glad they didnt have to.

Do our 149 locally elected lawmakers support Ryan Walters controversial vision for schools? What do Walters fellow Republicans see as our path forward?

Now, well never know the answer because lawmakers spent their free time in the final weeks advancing bills that allowed them to score easy political points in an election year.

Did we really need a law that bans World Health Organization and United Nation mandates in a state and country that already doesnt accept those? Did we really need a Womens Bill of Rights defining gender? Did we really need a ballot measure amending the state Constitution to make it crystal clear that noncitizens cant vote? News flash, noncitizens already cant and dont vote in Oklahoma elections.

More: Women dont need a Bill of Rights to define gender. We need policies that improve our outcomes. | Opinion

Educational outcomes are at the forefront of most Oklahomans minds.

Were sick of being cellar dwellers in a subject area that has ripple effects across every facet of our state from home valuations to workforce development.

We have a lot of needs in Oklahoma.

One of those is leadership from our elected lawmakers.

We need lawmakers who are less focused on winning their next election or impressing lobbyists and who are ready to take the difficult  and substantive  votes needed to move our state forward.

We dont need elected officials who hide their heads in the sand when it comes time to take controversial votes.

After all, we pay our lawmakers to make tough decisions, not to create campaign mailers.

One of their annual jobs is to consider agency rules. Its a normally boring responsibility, but its critical because those rules have the force of law.

House lawmakers like to brag that they serve in the chamber closest to the people.

But instead of amplifying those voices, lawmakers punted.

They gave one man  Gov. Kevin Stitt  the unilateral power to decide our schools path forward.

Lawmakers should be ashamed.

Janelle Stecklein is editor of Oklahoma Voice. An award-winning journalist, Stecklein has been covering Oklahoma government and politics since moving to the state in 2014. Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma lawmakers get failing grade by refusing to debate education rules
Modi sworn-in as Indias prime minister for third term to lead coalition government

Modi sworn-in as Indias prime minister for third term to lead coalition government

Narendra Modi took the oath of office on Sunday to become Indias prime minister for a third consecutive term, extending his leadership for the next five years albeit with a diminished grip on power after an electoral setback.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of Mr Modi, followed by the swearing-in of top federal ministers at the presidential palace in the capital Delhi.

Thousands of guests, including foreign heads of countries from seven of Indias neighbourhoods and top Bollywood celebrities, marked their presence at the ceremony in Delhi.

Indian PM Modi takes oath alongside other cabinet ministers on Sunday (Reuters)

Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu, Sri Lankas Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina were among the leaders who took the front seats after landing in Delhi on Sunday.

Nepals prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Bhutans leader Tshering Tobgay and prime minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth, were also welcomed in Delhi.

Mr Modis swearing-in ceremony marks the beginning of his third five-year term, making him the second prime minister in India after Jawaharlal Nehru to lead the country for three consecutive terms.

Honoured to serve Bharat, Mr Modi posted on X/Twitter, minutes before he was sworn in, referring to Indias name in Indian languages.

His third term holds significance as it is the first one in which he is relying on a fragile coalition with partners who are not averse to switching support after Mr Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to win a majority in an electoral setback.

The BJP won only 240 seats, less than 272 seats required by any political party to form a government, making Mr Modi dependent on the BJP-led alliance National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that won the most number of seats.

The NDA coalition got 293 seats, some 61 ahead of the opposition INDIA alliance led by the Congress party.

Mr Modi, who had made the boisterous claim of his party winning 400 seats in a sweeping victory, was forced to cut rushed deals with regional allies who gained prominence as kingmakers for giving support to the party.

A new cabinet has also been sworn in and includes many new faces while retaining some of the major figures from his previous cabinet in the heavyweight portfolios.

Mr Modi was followed by senior ministers in the previous government: Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Piyush Goyal, among others. Their portfolios are expected to be announced after the swearing-in.

The decision on the new cabinet came after an 11-hour-long meeting at the prime ministers residence on Saturday in the presence of strategist Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda.

Modi (C) arrives to pay homage at the National War Memorial before his oath-taking ceremony for a third term in New Delhi (Getty)

Ahead of the highly anticipated swearing-in ceremony, Mr Modi visited and paid homage to freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial Rajghat in Delhi.

He paid tribute to former BJP prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and visited another BJP stalwart, LK Advani, at his residence.

In the afternoon, Mr Modi also invited members of parliament who are part of the new cabinet, dubbed as Modi 3.0 in Indian media. He hosted a high tea at his residence and interacted with the ministers.

The surprising election results upended widespread expectations before the vote. The populist leader has been accused by critics of leading the country with politics of polarisation and using all the power levers, including state agencies, at his disposal to target his critics.

Analysts have said it is uncharted territory for Mr Modi who has always led governments with a majority even during his time as Gujarat chief minister while singularly enjoying the spotlight and relevance.

The politics of coalition does not fit in well with Modis brand of assertive and go-it-alone politics, said Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Centers South Asia Institute.

Modi with the two regional leaders who have been called kingmakers for the new government (AP)

These results show that the Modi wave has receded, revealing a level of electoral vulnerability that many could not have foreseen, said Mr Kugelman.

Two regional stalwarts N Chandrababu Naidu of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal (United)s emerged as kingmakers after they were courted by the BJP to form the government.

These leaders have already put forth demands, including changes in contentious laws, and more funds for their states and federal cabinet positions during negotiations on forming a new coalition government.

While Mr Modi has embarked on the third term with the new government it is to be seen how the leader will navigate the pulls and pressures of a coalition government.
Last December, Nairobi's Wasoko and Cairo-based rival MaxAB -- two B2B e-commerce startups that enable retailers to order fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) from suppliers via their respective apps -- announced a planned "merger of equals." The aim was clear: create better economies of scale in a sector that holds a lot of promise in the region, but has faced significant challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly seven months on, however, extended due diligence amid ongoing restructuring and macroeconomic headwinds has delayed the closing of the deal, according to two people familiar with the matter who briefed TechCrunch on condition of anonymity. The deal had been expected to close in Q1 of this year.

The delay is important in part because of how high-profile this deal has been so far. It's been described as "the largest merger in African e-commerce" by both companies. But even if neither company has specified the size and value of the deal, they are both significant players that have raised hundreds of millions of dollars collectively from several high-profile investors. How it develops becomes a barometer of the overall state of the B2B e-commerce market in the region.

When the planned merger was first announced, the B2B e-commerce players were active in eight countries. Now, that number is down to six: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, DRC, Morocco and Egypt, with scores of layoffs in the wake of that downsizing.

There is also now talk of a review of ownership stakes in the new, combined holding company. Initially, Wasoko was set to own 55% of the new entity, while MaxAB would retain 45% based on revenues at the end of December. We understand that this share is now under review due to the massive currency devaluation of the Egyptian pound in March. MaxAB, disadvantaged by its presence in Egypt, may agree to the revision as it urgently needs the merger to close due to its severely depleted runway, according to sources.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/22/maxab-and-wasoko-in-merger-talks

Both companies claim to have received additional investment, providing enough runway to reach profitability, yet sources say they are still in talks to raise follow-on funding after the merger is complete. Neither has provided details on new funds raised.

Attracting new investors, in any case, could prove tough in the current funding climate (especially for the B2B e-commerce industry which has faced some reckoning over the past year and a half) unless both companies quickly adapt their operations, shifting focus from high top-line growth to profitable scaling by improving gross margins and potentially bringing on new services to expand their touchpoints with customers, such as more financial services and marketing offerings.

That or -- perhaps more realistically -- cut costs drastically by streamlining overlapping business structures.

So far, Wasoko and MaxAB have done that by laying off employees, parting ways with key executives and halting operations in certain markets. These recent moves suggest the new entity will likely serve fewer than the 450,000 retailers quoted during the merger announcement. For a point of comparison, Wasokos website currently states that it has 50,000 retailers.

As the merger nears completion, the CEOs from both companies will continue as full-time executives but function in different roles.

Wasoko CEO Daniel Yu will concentrate on investor relations, HR and fundraising, while MaxAB CEO Belal El-Megharbel will handle internal matters such as tech and operations, according to sources familiar with their new responsibilities. El-Megharbel, as per sources, assumed control of operations in Kenya and oversaw significant restructuring within the new entity, leading to a reduction in monthly burn from $2 million to $500,000; gross merchandise value (GMV) also decreased as a result. Wasoko reported $300 million in annualized GMV in 2022.

"Regarding our merger with MaxAB, it is important to state that this is progressing as expected and in accordance with the initial terms. Mergers of this scale usually require an extensive period to finalize following the signing of initial terms, and the process is advancing as planned," a Wasoko spokesperson told TechCrunch. "In light of the ongoing nature of the merger, we are currently not in a position to comment on speculation surrounding its finer details. We strongly encourage all stakeholders to rely solely on official communications from our team for accurate information regarding our operations.

Tiger Global, Silver Lake, Avenir and British International Investment were among the high-profile investors that collectively injected over $240 million into Wasoko and MaxAB prior to this merger.

However, 4DX Ventures, a pan-African investor that backed both companies in early and growth-stage rounds, is the firm overseeing the merger and facilitating ongoing discussions, per sources.

"While 4DX is a shared investor and board member of both companies, 4DX recognized its conflict of interest and, therefore, did not participate in core negotiations and decisions between the two companies," Wasoko countered.

The valuation of this new entity remains uncertain, but in Q4 2023, one of Wasoko's investors marked down its valuation to $260 million, TechCrunch previously reported.

https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/27/african-b2b-e-commerce-giant-wasoko-marked-down-to-260m-after-vc-halves-stake

Updated to highlight Wasoko's comments on the number of countries the new entity is currently active in and the role of shared investor 4DX during the merger talks.

Got a news tip or inside information about a topic we covered? Wed love to hear from you. You can reach me at tage.techcrunch@gmail.com. Or you can drop us a note at tips@techcrunch.com. Happy to respect anonymity requests.
Vermont has just passed a groundbreaking new law to deal with the effects of climate change  by going after the organizations it holds responsible. Legislators in the Green Mountain State recently passed a climate action bill that will seek financial compensation from oil companies that emit large quantities of fossil fuels.

The bill, Vermont S.259, is commonly being called the "Climate Superfund Act," and was enacted by both chambers of the state legislature. Gov. Phil Scott (R) allowed it to pass by his desk without a signature nor a veto, meaning that the bill will automatically take effect. Scott did not seem too keen on the idea of the bill, seemingly brushing it off as too difficult a task. However, in a note to Vermont's Senate secretary, he wrote that he "[understands] the desire to seek funding to mitigate the effects of climate change that has hurt our state in so many ways," especially given that Vermont dealt with deadly, climate-caused flooding last year.

What are the details of the law?

S.259 will allow Vermont to "bill fossil fuel companies retroactively for the costs of addressing, avoiding and adapting to the damages that the emissions from their products have caused" between 1995 and 2024, said Heatmap News. But this is a multistep process. First, the Vermont treasurer must assess the total cost of these emissions to determine how much the state is owed.

The state will identify responsible companies by "focusing only on the biggest emitters, companies whose products generated at least a billion tons of emissions during that time," Heatmap said. Once the money is in hand, Vermont will put it toward "implementing a state 'resilience and implementation strategy.'" The outlet reported that Vermont is hoping to have money flowing into the state by 2028, though the timeline remains unclear.

Why is the bill controversial?

On the lawmaker side, some, including Gov. Scott, seem to think that while the law may be necessary, Vermont is going to war with an oil-company behemoth it cannot manage. "Taking on 'Big Oil' should not be taken lightly," said Scott in his note to the secretary. Vermont is "not positioning ourselves for success" because it only has $600,000 in funds appropriated toward fighting these companies, said Scott.

There are "short- and long-term costs and outcomes," said Scott. The governor pointed to the "unsuccessful nationally focused cases on GMOs, campaign finance and pharmaceutical marketing practices," adding that if Vermont "[fails] in this legal challenge, it will set precedent and hamper other states' ability to recover damages."

Oil industry lobbyists were unsurprisingly also angered by the law. The bill "places an unfair burden on domestic companies," the American Petroleum Institute said in a letter to the Vermont House Judiciary and Environment and Energy Committees in April. The law is "bad public policy and may be unconstitutional" and "does not provide potentially impacted parties with notice as to the magnitude of potential fees."

But while some were concerned about the reach of the Superfund Act, environmental activists have hailed it as a victory. There is not a "city, state or nation on Earth that can hide from the effects of the climate crisis, so while we may be the first place to pass a law like this, we certainly shouldn't be the last," Ben Edgerly Walsh, the climate and energy program director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, said in a statement to The New York Times. Big Oil "has destroyed our planet for short-term profits," Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on X. These companies "must pay for the damage they've wrought."

Could other states follow suit?

Some are already trying to. The New York State Senate passed a similar bill in May that would "make the most prolific oil and gas producers that have business ties to New York pay $3 billion a year for the next 25 years," said City Limits. The bill had already passed in 2023 but was not included in the state's yearly budget; this time around, activists are hoping for a different outcome.

Climate superfund bills have also been introduced in California, Massachusetts and Maryland. A federal climate superfund act was proposed by Sanders and other senators in 2021, but it did not come to fruition.
YOKOHAMA, Jun 10 (News On Japan) - A 57-year-old woman was repeatedly stabbed by an unknown assailant on a street in Yokohama on Sunday night, and later died. The police have arrested a 33-year-old man who turned himself in at a police box on suspicion of murder.

At around 7:45 PM, a passerby reported to the police via a 110 call that 'a woman was lying on the street, bleeding,' in Nishi Ward, Yokohama.

According to the police, Alice Himao Isozaki, a resident of Yokohama, was found lying on the ground after being stabbed multiple times in the chest and other areas.

Isozaki was transported to hospital where she was confirmed dead.

The police subsequently arrested Yukio Ando, an unemployed man from Tokyo, who turned himself in at a police box at Yokohama Station on suspicion of murder.

The police are investigating the details of the incident, including whether Isozaki and Ando were acquainted.

Source: ANN
MIYAGI, Jun 10 (News On Japan) - A Ferrari race accident in Miyagi Prefecture has resulted in two injuries, including businessman Yusaku Maezawa, who was taken to the hospital.

According to the fire department, a staff member from the Sportsland SUGO in Murata, Miyagi prefecture, called emergency services at around 2:30 p.m. on the 9th, reporting that 'a car traveling at 80 km/h crashed into a guardrail.'

Sources indicate that a Ferrari race was underway at the time, involving a collision between two cars. Yusaku Maezawa, founder of the major online clothing retailer ZOZO, and a man in his 50s were transported to the hospital after complaining of chest pain.

Following the accident, Maezawa explained on his social media that both he and the other individual sustained only minor injuries after being examined at the hospital. He posted, 'The brakes failed due to damage caused by an accident during the race. I deeply apologize for the concern and trouble this has caused.'

Source: ANN
Shizuoka, Jun 10 (News On Japan) - A Brazilian man drowned while trying to save an elementary school student who was drowning in Lake Hamana, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Saturday.

The footage was captured by Shizuoka Daiichi TV's information camera right after the incident occurred.

According to the police, at around 4 PM on June 8th, a report was made to the police about a person drowning in Lake Hamana, located in Hamamatsu Citys Chuo Ward.

The drowning victim, Reginaldo Hamaya, a 41-year-old Brazilian national living in Omaezaki City and unemployed, was confirmed dead at the hospital to which he was transported.

Hamaya was visiting the lake in front of Bentenjima Seaside Park with acquaintances and family. When a boy from another group began to drown, he tried to rescue him and ended up drowning himself.

The elementary school boy who initially was in trouble was rescued by another person and was unharmed.

Source: NEWS
Wrongly convicted, highly decorated conservative Marine colonel publishes book after exoneration By Rachel Alexander

web posted June 10, 2024 Dan Wilson, who rose through the ranks in the Marines from Private to Colonel in his final 10 years there, has published Undaunted Gladiator , a book about his experience being wrongly convicted and imprisoned for a crime he never committed. He fought the conviction while in prison and won, was exonerated and released after three years of incarceration. It is a tragic example of how woke policies, corrupt lawyers and generals are destroying our military from within. Wilson was a perfect target as a high achieving and decorated military officer, who was also a white Christian male born into an impressive and revered family of missionaries. Wilson described how it all started, "Just a week after being informed that he was being considered for Brigadier General, a single false allegation was made by a substance abuser, seeking attention." Wilson and his wife were hosting a dinner party one evening at their home on base in 2016. In attendance was a visiting academic and the family of a Marine friend. Wilson was in the living room the entire evening with the guests and never alone with the young girls in the family. He said the girls' mother had four cocktails, then when one of the girls fell down and hurt herself, the mother decided to accuse him of molesting her -- right there at the gathering at the house. The investigations began, and it made him so miserable he began drinking a lot, sometimes even before breakfast. Thoughts of suicide entered his mind. Even though DNA testing exonerated him, shutting down the Naval Criminal Investigative Service's (NCIS) investigation, two more witch hunts were launched to find any dirt at all to charge him with. A second woman accused him of raping her after having a falling out with his wife, providing no evidence so it was ultimately thrown out as baseless. But it made things worse because he was then ordered into custody. Wilson was sent to pre-trial confinement for eight months before trial, and slapped with an unconstitutional gag order that applied to his entire defense team by a conflicted judge who admitted he was friends with the lead prosecutor. A younger corporal he'd served with insisted on paying for his defense. Wilson didn't receive a jury of his peers, but of hand-picked generals; with no no facts, evidence or witnesses allowed. Only two-thirds were required to convict. The "jury" found him not guilty on 15 of 16 charges. I wrote an article about his unjust imprisonment, and New York attorneys for the woman who had accused him of molesting her daughter overnighted me as well as my then-employer a menacing letter demanding I take the article down within 24 hours or they threatened legal action against me. Since I'd spoken extensively with Wilson's family and knew he was innocent, I held firm. Wilson's appeal was conducted while he was in prison. Wilson's stepdaughter paid for an appellate attorney to represent him to the appellate court, because he was too deep in debt from legal expenses to hire one. The appeals court panel unanimously exonerated him in an opinion issued in 2019, setting aside the conviction with prejudice. They found that testimony by the girl ("BP") was inconsistent. "The only clear and consistent description BP has given with any level of detail is one that is not consistent with guilt beyond a reasonable doubt," the judge said. The opinion went over the many factors that influenced what BP said, such as pressure -- indirect or otherwise -- from her mom and the forensic interviewer. "[T]he government presented no physical evidence and no corroborating eyewitnesses who saw or heard signs of abuse. Until BP fell onto the floor and ran crying to Mrs. P on 'disclosure night,' no member of the P family saw or heard any reason for concern with BP's play with the appellant," they concluded. Wilson grew up in various African countries where his parents were missionaries. His father was a schoolteacher and pastor, whose amazing sermons I was lucky enough to hear as a child. His mother was a doctor who provided free services to the locals. He joined the Marines at 20 and excelled at everything, especially fitness. He commanded four platoons, three companies and four battalions as an officer after getting a degree from the University of Arizona in Business Administration. His 39-year career spanned the Cold War through defeating ISIS and everything in between from 1981 to 2020. He served in combat many times, surviving shots, mortars and rockets. He accumulated 52 medals and ribbons, one of the most highly decorated officers of his era. Fortunately, the site MilitaryCorruption.com had his back the entire way. They said about his case, "The Marine Corps should be deeply ashamed for railroading an innocent man into prison! We have been observing examples of military injustice for over 50 years, but nothing, and we mean nothing quite compares to the abomination of justice that Colonel Daniel H. Wilson suffered at the hands of the United States Marine Corps -- A great man who was stabbed in the back by his own people." Colonel Wilson believes his mission in life is to be a crusader for military justice. He knows what fixes are needed to make it a fairer system for future patriots joining the military. Wilson also recently wrote a book about getting back to his fighting weight as a Marine. He used the "110 Percent mentality that my Drill Instructor imbued in me at Boot Camp" to lose 110 pounds recently. The Marine Corps was forced to restore all of his pay and benefits, but invoked administrative punishment in revenge for losing this landmark case by having Wilson put on the retirement roster to be paid as a Lieutenant Colonel, and smearing his 39 years of honorable service by designating it as "Other Than Honorable." Only the current Secretary of the Navy or President can restore justice to Wilson and his family. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home
TOKYO, Jun 10 (News On Japan) - Two gang members have been arrested for allegedly harassing a reporter in Tokyo's Kabukicho district.

Kyo Kawai, 34, a member of the designated crime syndicate Sumiyoshi-kai, and Fuzuki Arai, 24, of unknown occupation, are accused of intimidating a female reporter in her 20s.

In May, while showing off their tattoos, they reportedly said, 'You're filming us. Delete it,' to the reporter who was covering the mass roundup of youths at the popular hangout spot known as 'Toe-Yoko.' The suspects were caught in the act as they made similar threats to another journalist.

The Metropolitan Police Department has conducted a search of the gang's office and is investigating the gang's connections with the youths who frequent 'Toe-Yoko.'

Source: FNN
TOKYO, Jun 10 (News On Japan) - The number of corporate bankruptcies in Japan last month surpassed 1,000 for the first time in nearly 11 years.

According to Tokyo Shoko Research, there were 1,009 corporate bankruptcies nationwide in May involving liabilities of 10 million yen or more, marking a 42% increase compared to last year.

The total liabilities amounted to 136.769 billion yen, a 50% decrease from the previous year.

This is the first time since July 2013, approximately 10 years and 10 months ago, that the number of bankruptcies has exceeded 1,000 in a single month.

By industry, the service sector accounted for the largest share at 32%, followed by construction at 19% and wholesale at 13%.

The most common cause of bankruptcies was poor sales performance, with 753 cases reported. Additionally, there were 87 bankruptcies attributed to rising prices, the highest number since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.

Moreover, the number of bankruptcies involving companies that utilized the government's zero-interest, unsecured loans, known as 'zero-zero loans,' also reached a record high of 67, matching the figure in March.

Tokyo Shoko Research noted that the combination of the end of COVID-19-related support measures, yen depreciation, rising prices, and labor shortages is putting significant pressure on business operations.

The annual number of bankruptcies is expected to exceed 10,000 this year for the first time in 12 years.

Source: ANN
TAMPA, Fla. (AP)  Steady rain fell and winds began to gust in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday morning as a mighty Hurricane Milton churned toward a potentially catastrophic collision with the west coast of Florida, where some residents insisted they would stay even after millions were ordered 
China began inviting African leaders to attend the China-Africa summit in Beijing this September, against the backdrop of fierce competition by global powers over Africas critical minerals.

Ugandan foreign ministry was the first to leak details about the summit that will be held on September 3-8. Known by its acronym FOCAC, the summit is held every three years.

In the latest edition in 2021, held remotely, President Xi Jinping pledged financial promises worth $40 billion, compared to around $60 billion in 2015 and 2018.

China-Africa trade stood at $282 billion last year, an increase from $185.29 billion in 2018 and $231.88 billion in 2021.

China has strengthened its foothold in Africas infrastructure and extraction economy widening the gap with western rivals, notably in the field of strategic minerals key to energy transition.

It plans to maintain its position by increasing resource backed loans and concessional funding to African peers, as the US and other Western and Asian allies struggle to bridge the gap with China.
Conflicts in Sudan and across the Sahel region have compromised protection for migrants who continue to face unimaginable horrors on major migration routes to Europe, according to new report from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).

Although the location of the major migration routes is well known, no immediate assistance, shelter or information about the dangers they may face is provided to hundreds of thousands of people who risk their lives each year to migrate from sub-Saharan African countries heading north towards European shores. The absence of critical services placed refugees and migrants at great risk of harm and death and also triggered dangerous secondary journeys, says Vincent Cochetel, a senior UNHCR official.

To remedy the situation and save lives, Cochetel called on donors and stakeholders to support the UNHCRs humanitarian work and that of local partners in targeted locations. This includes better access to legal pathways to safety and improving protection services for victims, as well as those at risk of becoming victims along the routes, he explained.

Not only migrants originating from Africa, but also many from Asia and the Middle East, tend to underestimate the risks and dangers and many die while embarking on hazardous journeys across the desert or near borders, UNHCR said, noting that most also suffer serious human rights violations, including sexual violence, kidnappings, torture and physical abuse. One such place is northern Nigers major migration hub of Agadez through which thousands of migrants head towards Libya each year and where the security situation remains extremely dangerous. Lets work with (the local) authorities, Cochetel said. These authorities see the problem and they would like to do something. Desert search and rescue, thats something wed like to develop. 108.4 million people worldwide are forcibly displaced, with 76% of refugees hosted by low and middle-income countries.
African countries participating in the Africa Economic Summit 2024 held last week in Abuja pledged to boost intra-continental trade from 14% to at least 50% by 2030 under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The summit closed with a release of a white paper on coordinated actions that governments and institutions should commit to and implement to boost Africas economy and address various challenges, including strengthening the competitiveness of African companies and tackling security challenges hindering economic growth.

Stakeholders at the summit also called for a swift implementation of the AfCFTA that would ignite economic growth across the continent, and dismantlement of all obstacles hindering the full adoption of the agreement.

The summits president, Sam Ohuabunwa, told journalists that the venue was an opportunity for Africa to leverage strength and become truly competitive. We call on all African leaders to preach the concept of One Africa! One Family! One Economy, he said.

Ohuabunwa also decried that Africa currently has the worlds lowest intercontinental trade and called on African governments to increase infrastructural development, provide an attractive investment climate, and promote private-public sector collaboration to facilitate productivity, wealth creation and poverty minimization.

Other recommendations made by the meeting include the adoption of systems that de-risk agriculture and investing in and strengthening digital transformation to drive economic development. The Africa Economic Summit 2024 sought to bring together key stakeholders to put forward new perspectives and stimulate strategic discussions around Africas economic challenges and policy priorities.
Worst states to be a gun owner By Cassandra McBride

web posted June 10, 2024 Does your state support your 2nd Amendment rights or make it exceedingly difficult to keep and bear arms? We've ranked the worst states to be a gun owner below. How? By analyzing each state's current laws, upcoming laws, concealed carry guidelines, self-defense statutes, and 2A-centric taxes in order to identify the worst states for gun owners in 2024. Our ranking factors and how we weighed each of those factors are detailed here: "Ranking Factors: What Did We Measure?". Without further ado, please scroll down to see how we ranked America's worst states for gun owners in 2024. #25 North Carolina You can open carry in many places in North Carolina as long as you're a resident and lawfully permitted to possess a firearm. However, you must obtain a concealed firearm permit, and not every city or county allows open carry without one. A North Carolina CHP (Concealed Handgun Permit) allows you to carry in 37 states, while travelers from 48 states can conceal carry with their permits. Unfortunately, you won't get a tax exemption on any firearms, ammunition, or accessories. But if you ever find yourself in a life-threatening situation, the state offers protection against civil and criminal liability. The state legislature recently vetoed a bill for those who prefer to purchase firearms without additional steps, and residents no longer need permits to purchase firearms. However, Governor Roy Cooper did support the bill, so North Carolina's position on this list is a toss-up. #24 Maine Maine is an open-carry state where anyone over 21 who is also legally allowed to possess a firearm can carry. In accordance with federal laws, only those over 21 can purchase handguns in Maine, while those over 18 can purchase shotguns or rifles (which is pretty standard on this list). You don't need to register your firearms in Maine, but you do have to sign an acknowledgement that you received a Safe Storage pamphlet with every purchase. Maine also offers tax exemptions for safety devices such as safe storage boxes and trigger guards. However, the state also has yellow flag laws authorizing law enforcement to remove dangerous weapons from perceived threats. You can't own, possess, or purchase a firearm if you have a pending domestic violence charge, order of protection, or pending felony charges. Recently, Governor Janet Hills switched from opposing gun control legislation to supporting it after a deadly mass shooting. The governor now plans to implement statewide background checks and ERPOs (despite having one of the lowest gun-related death rates in the nation). #23 Ohio Ohio is a Constitutional carry state where anyone over the age of 21 can carry a firearm without a permit, as long as they aren't already prohibited from doing so. However, the state does issue CHLs (Concealed Handgun licenses. These licenses allow gun owners to carry in 38 other states, and Ohio accepts travelers' permits from 49 states. Firearms purchasers will still pay the standard sales tax rates and must pass a federal background check when purchasing a firearm from an FFL dealer. Those who sell guns regularly in Ohio (and everywhere else in the U.S.) must obtain an FFL or face federal charges. Ohio law protects those in a life-threatening situation. For example, the prosecutor carries the burden of proof, and the state has both Castle Doctrine and stand-your-ground exceptions, with no duty to retreat. Perhaps you're surprised to see Ohio on this list. Currently, Governor Mike DeWine[11] is asking the Ohio state legislature to enact more gun control measures (including tightening down on background checks and ERPOs) to keep gun owners from exercising their 2A rights. #22 Nevada Nevada is an open-carry state where anyone over the age of 18 can carry a firearm. Those who like to travel or prefer to conceal carry must apply for a CCW (the Nevada CCW does have many restrictions). However, once obtained, you can carry a firearm in 33 states, and travelers coming from 27 states will find that Nevada honors their CCWs. Private firearm sales in Nevada are still subject to background checks, but you don't have to register your guns. The state doesn't have safe storage laws, but it also doesn't give tax exemptions for firearms, ammunition, or accessories. If you're in a situation where you must defend your life, Nevada's laws may protect you from criminal prosecution. You have a right to stand your ground and no duty to retreat. Moreover, the state has a castle doctrine that protects reasonable acts of self-defense in the home. Governor Steve Sisolak recently signed Red Flag legislation and supports more restrictions on gun owners in the state. While Nevada isn't anywhere near the worst state for gun owners at the time of writing, it may head further down our list in the coming years. #21 Virginia Virginia is another open-carry state with many restrictions. For example, there's a long list of places you can't legally carry a firearm, and you'll need the state's CHP to conceal a firearm. Furthermore, there are some districts where gun owners can't even open-carry, so be sure to look into local ordinances. If you do obtain a CHP, you can conceal carry and travel to 35 states (Virginia honors permits from 48 states). Virginia doesn't require firearm registrations or permits to purchase firearms. However, even private sellers must seek out an FFL dealer to run a universal background check[17] to adhere to new laws. Gun owners in the state won't see any firearm-related tax exemptions either. The state has some statutes supporting a castle doctrine with no duty to retreat (if the situation is in your own home and you aren't the aggressor). However, the laws are quite flimsy with respect to personal defense scenarios. Virginia was on the brink of Red Flag Laws; however, the new governor, Glenn Youngkin, opposes gun control measures and tends to lean toward mental-health-related solutions. #20 Vermont While it's true that anyone legally allowed to carry a firearm can do so in Vermont without a permit, the state made this list because some of its laws make it more difficult for gun buyers to obtain a firearm. For example, it's illegal to sell a firearm in Vermont without an FFL. Also, anyone under twenty-one is prohibited from purchasing firearms. Vermont also limits magazine capacity and firearm accessories like bump stocks. Vermont has more restrictive background checks than many other states. For example, unless gifting a firearm to an immediate family member (someone who lives in your home or a parent/sibling), background checks are required. However, Vermont is also a No-Issue permit state, where they don't even offer enhanced permits. Depending on how you look at it, this can be a good or bad thing. For example, if you travel, you can only open or conceal carry in states that do not require a permit (check those states before traveling because open carry and concealed carry are different). Furthermore, Vermont residents do have some protections if they need to use lethal force in self-defense situations, but the state doesn't have any exemptions for firearms or accessories. Lastly, Vermont Governor Phil Scott has a history of signing gun control measures, so we can be pretty certain the state will remain on this list for some time. #19 Wisconsin Wisconsin is an open carry state with a shall-issue carry permit status. While you can visibly carry a firearm (assuming you're lawfully permitted to possess one), it must be visible unless you have a permit. However, rules also vary depending on local ordinances, so research those before carrying a firearm openly. Those who want to conceal carry (including carrying in vehicles) must take an 8-hour instructor-led course and go through the Wisconsin Department of Justice (you'll be approved or denied in 21 days). If you decide to get a Wisconsin CCW, you can carry in 33 states. Travelers from 45 other states can carry in Wisconsin with their state's CCW. Wisconsin does not require firearm registration, and private sales are still legal without a background check (as of early 2023). However, residents will still need to pay sales tax on their firearms, like any other item. While you do have some protections against prosecution when you're acting in self-defense, Wisconsin doesn't allow force to protect property. You are protected under a Castle Doctrine with no duty to retreat. Governor Tony Evers is widely open to taking gun control measures, but the State legislature doesn't seem to hold the same opinions, so it's challenging to predict where Wisconsin will land on our list in the future. #18 Delaware Despite Delaware's Constitution, which states that individuals have the right to bear arms for the defense of their homes, family, and state, the current legislators are working diligently to ban "Assault Weapons" and certain magazines. The state legislature is also considering a bill to implement permit requirement for all firearms purchases. However, some residents can openly carry firearms (not concealed carry) without a permit. The state doesn't have any registration requirements, but you can only purchase firearms from an FFL dealer. Furthermore, Delaware doesn't have a state sales tax, so firearms are exempt from taxes. Delaware does not have a stand-your-ground statute, but residents do have some protection in and over their homes with the state's Castle Doctrine. Lastly, Governor John Carney has a long history of implementing gun control measures. #17 Oregon Despite Oregon's open-carry stance on firearms which states anyone who can legally have a firearm can openly carry it, the state has plenty of restrictions against gun ownership to bring it down a few spots. For example, Oregon's CHL (Concealed Handgun License) is still required for anyone who wants to conceal carry and you must complete a training course, in addition to being at least 21 years of age. Assuming you obtain a CHL, you can then travel to 25 other states. However, if you have a pro-Second Amendment family coming from out of state, it's important to note that Oregon does not honor any other state's permits. Even private sales must go through an FFL dealer for federal background checks. The state is also having a little battle over permit-to-purchase requirements and extended waiting periods for background checks. However, the state does have one redeeming quality for gun owners; there's no sales tax! If you can exercise your 2nd Amendment rights, in the face of all the restrictions, you won't have to pay taxes on them. If you are forced to protect yourself in Oregon, you leave yourself at the mercy of prior court rulings and statutes as opposed to the legal code. To further solidify this state's position on our Worst States for Gun Owners list, Governor Tina Kotek is working with the state's Attorney General to push lawmakers to pass more gun control legislation. #16 Pennsylvania Pennsylvania is another state where anyone can legally open carry a firearm in public as long as they're lawfully allowed to possess one. However, there are a lot of restrictions for gun owners. In Pennsylvania, you have to apply for a concealed weapons permit which makes it legal for you to conceal carry in Pennsylvania and 32 other states. You can't legally purchase a firearm from an individual without getting an FFL dealer involved, and the state police keep a record of all firearms bought and sold. Furthermore, not only will you pay standard sales tax on your gun, but there's also an additional surcharge. Pennsylvania gun owners have castle doctrine and stand-your-ground protections with no duty to retreat. Lastly, Governor Josh Shapiro is an outspoken proponent of more gun control legislation. #15 New Mexico New Mexico is also an open-carry state, but you can't conceal a weapon without a carry permit. Furthermore, you can only carry one concealed firearm at a time in the state (so no console firearm, sidearm firearm, or diaper bag firearm simultaneously). Unfortunately, it can take 90 days for the state to perform your background check and another 30 days to approve or deny your permit. When you finally get your permit, you can travel to 36 other states. New Mexico honors 23 other states' permits, so make sure to check before traveling to NM if you plan to bring your firearm. While there are no registration requirements or permit-to-purchase statutes, it is illegal to purchase firearms from private sellers, meaning federal background checks apply to all sales. Additionally, New Mexico gun owners won't see any tax exemptions for exercising their Second Amendment rights, including safety equipment. New Mexico doesn't offer the same castle doctrine protections as the other states on this list thus far. For example, you have a right to protect your life but should try all other de-escalation methods first (calling the police, leaving, etc.). Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham recently signed into legislation a bill that puts the responsibility on gun owners to keep firearms stored and secure. Under this new law, if a minor gains access to a firearm and it results in injury, the gun owner is criminally liable. #14 Nebraska Like most other states, Nebraska is an open-carry state with some exceptions in local jurisdictions. However, only those with a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) may conceal carry their firearms. What's more, you can't purchase a firearm unless you have a permit to purchase or a CHP. But if you enjoy traveling, you can legally conceal carry in 33 other states (Nebraska honors permits from 35 other states). Lastly, aside from a background check, you must also complete a certified firearms training course to receive your permit and purchase firearms. Aside from purchasing hurdles, you won't find any 2A tax breaks in Nebraska either. All firearms, ammunition, and safety devices are subject to standard tax rates. Nebraskans can find protections under the state's castle doctrine, but you do have a duty to retreat if you're the aggressor. You may also find yourself free from prosecution if you're in your place of work or defending the life of another person. Although the state isn't great for gun ownership at the time of writing, Governor Jim Pillen very recently signed a bill to allow constitutional carry in the state (you could possibly conceal a firearm without a permit). It seems very likely that Nebraska will move further up in this list very soon. #13 Colorado Those with the legal ability to possess a firearm in Colorado can open-carry without a permit. However, a CHP (Concealed Handgun Permit) is required for concealed carry and to exercise several other firearm-related rights. If you choose to go through the lengthy process of getting your CHP, you can carry your firearm to 33 states, while Colorado accepts visitors' permits from 33 other states. You can't just purchase a firearm in Colorado. You must take all purchases (even the private ones) to an FFL, who would then run background checks with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the federal government. The state also has safe storage laws but offers no tax exemptions for the equipment. Colorado's self-defense laws are a bit of a redeeming quality for gun owners in the state. While you won't have stand-your-ground protections, there are statutes that protect those acting in self-defense from criminal and civil liability. Colorado is a battlefield for pro-2A and pro-gun control advocates. Governor Jared Polis supports more gun control, while 2A advocates are launching lawsuits as fast as the governor passes bills. A more recent example of the turmoil for gun owners in Colorado is the introduction of a bill that bans "assault" rifles. We're anxious to see where Colorado will land when all the dust settles. #12 Minnesota Only Minnesota residents with a PCP (Permit to Carry a Pistol) can legally carry a firearm in Minnesota. With a PCP, you can legally carry your firearm in 30 other states, but Minnesota only honors gun permits from 15 others. Gun owners in Minnesota are free to purchase firearms from private sellers, but the seller commits a misdemeanor for selling to unknown individuals without proper identification. Naturally, you must comply with federal background checks when purchasing firearms from an FFL dealer, however, you won't have to register your firearms or go through additional background checks. Furthermore, the state's sales tax applies to all firearms, ammunition, and safety equipment. Residents of Minnesota do have some legal protections pertaining to self-defense, but you do have a duty to retreat. Despite existing laws, Minnesota's State Legislature and Governor Tim Walz continue to push for more gun control measures like private sales background checks and red flag laws. #11 Washington While Washington is an open carry state (those legally allowed to carry a firearm can but with restrictions), it isn't a gun owner-friendly state. Washington has laws against private firearm sales, all firearm sales are recorded by an FFL dealer, and the state can take up to 10 days to run a firearm background check. You can get a permit to carry a firearm in Washington, which lets you carry concealed firearms and carry in 28 states (WA honors nine states). The state also tax exempts the sale of firearm-related safety equipment like gun safes and lock boxes. More recently, Washington State legislators signed several bills into law that restrict gun owners. The state now bans "assault" weapons, and soon there will be more training requirements and a 10-day waiting period for firearms purchases. #10 Michigan At the time of writing, Michiganders can openly carry firearms without a permit (if eligible to possess one). Those who wish to conceal carry must obtain a CPL, but there are still restrictions. For example, you can keep your firearm on school property, but it must be visible. Michigan has reciprocity agreements with 39 other states and honors permits from 48 states. You also must have a permit to purchase or CPL to purchase a firearm, and the seller must keep records of those purchases. Furthermore, you must be 21 years of age to purchase a firearm from an FFL dealer, while those between 18 and 21 can purchase pistols from a private seller with a purchase license. The state does offer tax exemptions for firearm safety devices, but it also has gun safety requirements. If you ever find yourself in a life-or-death situation, Michigan has stand-your-ground protections with no duty to retreat. Michigan's latest gun laws have made national news of late and for good reasons. With Governor Gretchen Whitmer at the helm, Michigan gun owners must soon complete a background check for every firearm purchase (including private sales), secure firearms in compliance with the state government's standards, and hand over a bit more 2A freedom with Red Flag Laws. #9 Rhode Island You cannot carry a firearm without a permit in Rhode Island, but you also can't purchase a firearm without a permit or Blue Card. Residents can't obtain a firearms permit without providing proof of need (the latest Supreme Court case does not apply because Rhode Islanders can apply for their permit locally or with the Attorney General's office), and there's a 7-day waiting period for firearm purchases. Residents must be 21 years old to purchase firearms, and "large capacity" feeding devices are illegal. The state also has gun registration requirements. If you ever find yourself needing to use your firearm, Rhode Island does have castle doctrine protections with no duty to retreat. Governor Dan McKee recently made statements that an "assault" weapons ban is on the horizon in Rhode Island. At the time of writing, we don't see this state making progress toward supporting gun ownership. #8 Massachusetts Thanks to the Supreme Court ruling in NYSRPA vs. Bruen, Massachusetts residents can now apply for an LTC (License to Carry), but you can't carry a firearm without one. Another hurdle for gun owners in Massachusetts is that you must have a Firearm Identification Card or LTC to purchase a gun in the state. After purchasing a gun, you have 7-days to register it with the state. While you may get some tax breaks for gun safes and trigger locks, which is fortunate because gun owners have a legal duty to secure firearms per state-mandated guidelines, if you ever find yourself in a self-defense situation, you do have a duty to retreat and take measures to prevent force. The state's Governor, Maura Healey, is an active proponent of more gun control restrictions (despite the state's constitution). We're certain Massachusetts will remain on this list for some time. #7 Maryland Maryland is another state on our list affected by the recent Supreme Court decision NYSRPA vs. Bruen. This means gun owners can now apply for concealed weapons permits. However, you must complete a 16-hour training course before you can apply for the state's WCHP. Maryland doesn't honor gun permits from any other states, but you can travel to 26 states with yours. Potential gun owners must obtain a permit to purchase a firearm, register their guns, and complete a background check for each firearm purchased. On the bright side, you can get a $500 tax exemption[71] on eligible gun safety equipment. Of course, there are some rules about what you can have, where you can carry and when. For example, the state bans "assault" weapons, but the AR-10 is perfectly fine. The state's Governor, Wes Moore, is vehemently opposed to the Supreme Court ruling upholding a citizen's right to carry firearms and, therefore, is looking to State Legislators to enact more gun control. #6 Connecticut Residents of Connecticut must obtain the state's CTPP (Connecticut State Pistol Permit) to carry a firearm. However, the issuing jurisdiction has discretion over approvals. If you do manage to obtain the state's permission to carry a firearm, you'll need to pass a firearm safety course with five live fire sessions, and then you can conceal carry or travel to 27 states. If you purchase a firearm in Connecticut, you'll be pleased to know that the state offers sales tax exemptions for safety equipment. Those who must protect their lives, homes, offices, or property will find that the burden of proof is on the defendant (the person who uses force in self-defense). Citizens also have a duty to retreat in Connecticut. Governor Ned Lamont continues to push for more gun control legislation, including limiting the number of firearm purchases per individual, per month, to only one. #5 New Jersey New Jersey employs a State Police Firearms Department, which may tell you everything you need to know about the small state's stance on gun ownership. Residents can't carry a firearm without a permit. You must first apply at your local police department and then proceed to higher courts to get approval. If you do manage to get a PCH (Permit to Carry a Handgun), you can conceal carry and legally carry your firearm in 26 other states. Meanwhile, New Jersey doesn't honor any other state's firearms permits. Gun owners must obtain a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (PFIC) before buying guns from an FFL dealer or private seller. If that isn't harsh enough, you'll also need the PFIC to purchase handgun ammo. All of the hurdles aside, residents do have castle doctrine protections under NJ state law. But of course, Governor Phil Murphy is working diligently to impose further limitations on citizens' rights to keep and bear arms. #4 Illinois Illinois allows those over 21 to apply for a CCL (Concealed Carry License) with the State Police; this permit allows residents to conceal carry but not openly carry. The police reserve the right to deny anyone a license. You must complete a 16-hour firearms training course before applying, and the state offers non-resident permits for individuals from six states, but honors no out-of-state permits. Purchasers must obtain a FOID card from the state police before attempting to buy guns from an FFL dealer or private seller. However, there's no firearm registration in the state. You won't get any tax breaks for firearm safety equipment, firearms, or ammunition. Illinois law does not outline whether a civilian has a duty to retreat; however, the state's Supreme Court has upheld that there is no duty to retreat from a threatening individual. Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois State Legislature recently banned "assault" weapons and "high-capacity" magazines. Illinois will remain on the Worst States for Gun Owners list for the foreseeable future. #3 New York New York is, by far, one of the strictest states in the U.S. You cannot legally carry a loaded firearm outside of your home without an NYPL. You must register all firearms, undergo extensive background checks, and have a permit-to-purchase. Despite their CCW status, visitors from other states cannot carry in New York. New York also restricts magazines, accessories, and even firearms. If you do have a firearm in the state, you must keep it secure and away from others at all times. You will also pay the standard sales tax for your firearms in New York State. Furthermore, a few years ago, the state tried to implement additional fees for firearms purchases, but the bill never left committee. While you may need to defend your life or property in New York, you do have a duty to retreat (unless you're in your home). However, if a reasonable person agrees that wasn't an option, you're protected from prosecution. New York gun owners do have some relief at the moment, as the Supreme Court just ruled that concealed permits must be offered at the local level. However, Governor Kathy Hochul is a staunch gun control supporter and will continue to work toward more restrictive measures. #2 California Choosing the number two, worst state for gun owners wasn't an easy task. The bottom five states have many laws that prevent gun owners from purchasing and carrying firearms. But California beats all but Hawaii out for a few reasons. Naturally, you can't open carry without a permit. But now, thanks to the Supreme Court, you can at least reasonably obtain one. Californians who already own "assault" weapons or "high-capacity" magazines must register them with the state's DOJ Firearms Bureau. Residents can only purchase one firearm every 30 days, and there is a waiting period (although exceptions do apply). However, the state does have a few redeeming qualities as it pertains to gun ownership. Surprisingly, California is a stand-your-ground state which means you have no duty to retreat from a life-threatening situation. The Golden State seems to be paving the way for gun control for many other states. Therefore, it lands in the number two spot. With Governor Gavin Newsome leading the way, we're certain California will remain one of the worst states for gun owners. #1 Hawaii Hawaii is officially the worst state for gun owners. While the state has many unreasonable laws similar to others, Hawaii is also actively defying the Supreme Court and challenging the right to keep and bear arms. Only those with a carry permit may possess a firearm in Hawaii. However, Hawaii does not always issue permits. A HI carry permit lets you carry in 26 other states, but visitors' permits aren't accepted. There are exceptions for travelers who meet specific criteria, like hunter's safety courses. You must obtain a permit to purchase a firearm, and even those bringing firearms to the state must register their guns within five days. Furthermore, you won't get any firearms or safety equipment tax breaks. Residents of Hawaii have some use of force protection in the courts, but you have a duty to retreat and only use the force necessary to defuse a situation. Hawaii's Governor David Ige is a gun control proponent with a long anti-NRA rhetoric history. Ranking Factors: What Did We Measure? The sheer volume of firearms in the United States is a point of contention for almost every American. Some believe we have too few, while others believe we have too many. Nonetheless, firearms are a large part of American culture. We value our liberties, the natural right to self-defense, the inherent check on state power an armed populace offers, and the heritage which we pass down from generation to generation. Whether an individual defines freedom as a life without firearms or a life without government interference, we can all agree that some states do not support gun ownership. Whether it's a regionally-based cultural divide, or a collective ideology of utopian societies, state legislators represent the voice of their constituents. In this case, some promote individual freedom and personal defense, while others believe the opposite. We've investigated each state's sales tax, current laws, upcoming laws, concealed carry guidelines, and self-defense statutes to understand better your state's position on the Personal Liberty and Self-Defense debate. Let's take a moment to analyze what factors make a state The Worst for Gun Ownership. If we consider only purchasing requirements, we neglect carrying requirements and use of force thresholds. So, we came up with a list based on the following factors: Current Gun Laws Current Purchase Laws Current CCW Guidelines Reciprocity between other states Sales Tax Current Governor's voting history Stand Your Ground Laws Cassandra McBride spends her free time reading classic literature, kayaking, fishing, and spending time on the range with her husband and four children. She continues to grow her knowledge of firearms and ammunition while taking immense pride in educating others on a passion sparked in childhood and maintained in adulthood. Reprinted with the kind permission of Ammo.com. Home
President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera has addressed a written message to King Mohammed VI.

The message was handed over by CAR Foreign Minister Sylvie Baipo-Temon to her Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita at a meeting in Rabat Monday.

During a press briefing following the meeting, Baipo-Temon praised the excellent cooperation that the Kingdom of Morocco and the Central African Republic have maintained for a very long time, emphasizing that this cooperation is not only friendly but also fraternal.

She also took the opportunity to reiterate her countrys constant and clear attachment to the territorial integrity of Morocco.

The Central African Republics top diplomat also reaffirmed her countrys support for the Morocco-proposed autonomy plan as the only credible and realistic solution for resolving the Sahara regional dispute, in compliance with the United Nations Charter.

The Central African Republic always stands by the Kingdom of Morocco and its efforts to find a sound and peaceful solution, said Baipo-Temon, adding that the Moroccan autonomy plan is a peaceful solution that is in line with the United Nations Charter.

She on the other hand expressed her heartfelt thanks to Morocco for its multifaceted support to the efforts undertaken by the Central African Republic in the context of the crisis recovery process and voiced her countrys desire to further strengthen its excellent relations with the North African Kingdom.
Former U.S. president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attends his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City. Photo: Justin Lane/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Since a Manhattan jury handed down its guilty verdict last month, Donald Trump has been slowly introduced to the different aspects of life as a convicted felon. Last week, there were reports that the NYPD intends to revoke Trumps license to carry a gun in the city. On Monday, Trump will mark another milestone: his first meeting with a probation officer.

NBC News reported that Trump was set to sit for a presentencing interview with a probation officer on Monday, ahead of the sentencing hearing on July 11. Unlike the average person facing sentencing, he wont be required to travel into the city for an appointment. Instead, Trump has been given the option to appear virtually from Mar-a-Lago, his Florida estate. Trumps attorney Todd Blanche will be allowed to attend the meeting, which is also unusual for the typical New Yorker facing sentencing; Judge Juan Merchan approved Blanches request, which received no objections from the prosecution.

In the interview, Trump will likely be asked to provide a detailed history of his personal life, including his family, marriage, education, and employment and criminal history. This also includes looking into an individuals health and psychological background and whether they have any history of alcohol or substance abuse, per the citys Probation Department. Trump will have the opportunity to make a good impression and state his case for why he deserves a lighter sentence. The officer will then file a presentencing report, which will be used by Merchan in his decision-making as he considers the historic sentencing.

The sentence could be hefty after Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records after directing Michael Cohen to pay $130,000 to Stormy Daniels in order to suppress her account of an alleged affair before the 2016 election. Trump has vowed to appeal the verdict and has been free without bail since his conviction. He faces up to four years on each count but could ultimately receive no prison time owing to his lack of a criminal record.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Getty

Over the years, Donald Trump has repeatedly embarrassed himself by picking fights with musicians who are much cooler than he is, from John Legend to Rihanna. Now it seems Trump has learned his lesson a little too well. Rather than lashing out at Taylor Swift, Trump has taken the opposite approach: He keeps complimenting her publicly and suggesting she might endorse him in the 2024 election. This just makes Trump look pathetic, as its quite clear that she wont.

The latest proof that Trump is in deep denial about his status as a Swift foe comes from the new book Apprentice in Wonderland: How Donald Trump and Mark Burnett Took America Through the Looking Glass. In a November 2023 interview with the author, Variety co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh, Trump was asked to share his thoughts on the Eras Tour artist.

He could have said something noncommittal. Instead, according to a book excerpt released by Variety, Trump gushed about how beautiful Swift is, which is the highest compliment he can think of for a woman:

Trump, usually one to punch back at critics, is smart enough to know Swifts fame is on another level. Shes got a great star quality, Trump says. She really does. Trump is effusive as he uses one of his favorite adjectives to describe women  beautiful  several times in a row.

I think shes beautiful  very beautiful! I find her very beautiful. I think shes liberal. She probably doesnt like Trump. I hear shes very talented. I think shes very beautiful, actually  unusually beautiful! Its her fame, not her songcraft, that fascinates Trump. When asked about Swifts music, played so frequently on the radio that its inescapable in daily life, he says, Dont know it well.

Weeks later, CNN played the audio recording of what Trump said about Swift:

Trump on Taylor Swift: I think shes beautiful very beautiful. I find her very beautiful. I think shes liberal. She probably doesnt like Trump.. I think shes very beautiful, actually unusually beautiful pic.twitter.com/s3AYheNXBv  Acyn (@Acyn) June 26, 2024

It is somewhat plausible that Trump doesnt know much about Swifts music. While theres video of Trump driving around a listening to Blank Space, it doesnt seem that Swift songs get much play when the former president is DJing at Mar-a-Lago. But Trump strained credulity when he suggested that as a country star, Swift might secretly be MAGA:

Beyond Swifts looks, what intrigues Trump the most is the idea  frequently bandied about online before she endorsed the Democratic Senate candidate in Tennessee in 2018  that she could secretly be supporting him. But she is liberal, or is that just an act? he asks me. Shes legitimately liberal? Its not an act? It surprises me that a country star can be successful being liberal.

I tell Trump that Swift is no longer a country star; shes been making pop music for years. He doesnt seem aware of this, but he reaches for a different name. Garth Brooks is liberal. Explain that! How does it happen? But hes liberal. Trump trails off. Its one of those things 

No one should expect a 77-year-old show-tune lover to have his finger on the pulse of American pop music. But youd think that Trump would remember how Swift repeatedly criticized him on Twitter in the lead up to the 2020 election and endorsed his opponent, Joe Biden, several months later:

After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence? When the looting starts the shooting starts??? We will vote you out in November. @realdonaldtrump  Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) May 29, 2020

Donald Trumps ineffective leadership gravely worsened the crisis that we are in and he is now taking advantage of it to subvert and destroy our right to vote and vote safely. Request a ballot early. Vote early.  Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) August 15, 2020

The Swifties were not buying the idea that the star might secretly like Trump; the phrase STAY AWAY FROM HER trended on X on Monday, according to Newsweek. And Swift has given no signs that she might lean to the right. She released a whole documentary about her decision to speak out against GOP Tennessee Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn in the 2018 midterms, shes continually spoken out in favor of LGBTQ rights, and the Eras Tour opens with the anti-Trump song Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince.

Whether Trump was actually ignorant of Swifts political views or just playing dumb, he got up to speed within a matter of months. By January 2024, he was reportedly fretting about whether Swift was more popular than him and what might happen if she backs Biden again. And on Super Bowl Sunday, he practically begged Swift not to endorse Joe in a post on Truth Social:

Since Trumps strategy for winning Swift over seems to entail calling her pretty, admitting hes unfamiliar with her work, and taking credit for her financial success, Biden probably doesnt have to worry about losing her endorsement.

This post has been updated to include audio of Trumps remarks.
Disney can try

but this is the same alex that called them out for forcing him to cut gay scenes from gf's

so clearly alex has all the power
Uzbekistan's gaping power deficits and the government's desperate attempts to plug them are hardly a secret these days.

Only last week, President Shavkat Mirziyoev welcomed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to Tashkent for a two-day trip that turned into three days of talks, with Moscow's energy assistance to its Central Asian ally topping the bill.

Alongside confirmation that Moscow's nuclear energy giant Rosatom will build a small power plant in the country, the trip brought a pledge from Putin to nearly quadruple pipeline capacity next year, potentially upping Gazprom's annual natural gas exports to the country to 11 billion cubic meters.

Just a few years ago, Uzbekistan was a net energy exporter.

But given a rapidly growing population of around 35 million and a growing economy, Tashkent's dependency on imports -- and Russia -- looks set to deepen.

One way to offset that dependence somewhat would be to make good on a stated ambition to expand the share of renewable energy to 40 percent of Uzbekistan's total by 2030.

And officials have certainly been talking a good game when it comes to green energy -- not least to institutional partners who have lent billions of dollars to fund the effort.

But the findings of a recent investigation by RFE/RL's Uzbek Service into the country's ostensibly booming solar power sector raise questions about how this campaign is being executed -- with weak infrastructure and the familiar allegations of corruption seemingly bogging down the government's lofty ambitions.

The Solar Power Project And Its Secretive Subcontractors

Uzbekistan currently has at least $13 billion of renewable energy projects on the go.

The Sherabad Solar PV Park in Surxondaryo Province, currently being built with money from the Asian Development Bank, is one of many being funded with institutional debt.

The principal contractor for the $260 million, 457-megawatt (MW) project is Masdar, a company from the United Arab Emirates that specializes in renewables.

The agreement for the Sherabad solar project was struck in 2021, becoming Masdar's fifth project in the country at the time and second only behind the 500 MW wind farm in Zarafshan in terms of generating capacity.

Mirziyoev personally visited the site to kick-start construction on June 1 of that year.

But beyond Masdar and the roughly 94,000 homes that the company expects the plant to power, there are at least two other beneficiaries of the project -- subcontractors Hex Solar and Osmon-Energy.

The engagement of these two companies on the Sherabad project is not mentioned in publicly available documents.

But RFE/RL's Uzbek Service received copies of documents that appear to confirm that Hex Solar is the main subcontractor to build the facility.

Public records show Hex Solar was registered on January 1, 2020, at 863 Nukus Street in Tashkent.

An RFE/RL reporter who travelled to that address was unable to find the company's office, however.

A LinkedIn profile of a company with the same name provides another address -- in Russia's southwestern Astrakhan region.

LinkedIn users who listed Hex Solar as a place of work, such as engineer Baxtiyar Kasimov, indicate ongoing duties at "Nur Sherbad Solar PV 500 MW."

A second document seen by RFE/RL attests to a subcontracting agreement reached between Hex Solar and Osmon-Energy.

That document states that Osmon-Energy has "experience in the required field of work and has completed work of the same type and level or above the required level."

Yet Osmon-Energy was incorporated even more recently than Hex Solar -- just two days after construction began on the project slated for completion in 2026.

In the subcontracting agreement from that month seen by RFE/RL, the sum transferrable to Osmon-Energy for its work is 45.8 billion soms ($3.6 million) -- quite a windfall for a days-old firm.

An RFE/RL reporter who visited the Tashkent address for Osmon-Energy listed in the agreement was unable to find any trace of the firm.

But a source employed by the company confirmed its existence and claimed Osmon-Energy was making very healthy profits from the Sherabad Solar PV Park subcontract.

"Employees are paid in cash. This makes it easy to embezzle money," the source, who requested anonymity, told RFE/RL. "And they are paid at a very low rate. So, let's say [Osmon-Energy] charges more than $700,000 for every 10 megawatts installed -- they will pay workers only $18,000 [from that]."

The source added that Osmon-Energy was far from the only overnight company to win big from subcontracting "around 30 major [solar power] plants" being built in Uzbekistan.

Userbay Seitrzaev, one of three men listed as a founder of Osmon-Energy (Abduzhalil Baimukhamedov and Olimjon Ibragimov are the others), denied any accusation of corruption when contacted by RFE/RL, insisting that construction work at Sherabad was under "strict control."

Hex Solar's founder as per official company documents is a Chinese citizen, Cui Xiao.

RFE/RL was initially unable to reach Cui for its investigation published in Uzbek last month.

When contacted by RFE/RL with questions on the findings of the investigation -- and about whether his business was linked to Russia -- Cui said: "We are preparing a lawsuit against you. We can have discussions in court."

Masdar did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the subcontracting arrangements.

New Solar Plants, Old Grid

At the same time, experts have questioned the quality and productivity of Uzbekistan's new solar energy plants.

In an interview with the private media agency Anhor.uz this year, Ivan Butuk, director of marketing and digital transformation for the company Energy Eco Sources, said that most new solar stations in the country had been installed incorrectly.

"[Some] 20-30 percent of those that I encountered were assembled with serious errors or were incomplete. That is to say that, while part of the equipment was missing, they were presented by contractors and owners as finished."

Butuk said the plants should be shut down and rebuilt for several reasons.

"They should be stopped immediately and reinstalled.... In addition to being a waste of the money invested, they are only 40 percent safe, inconvenient to use and maintain, and do not produce enough energy for their [installed capacity]," he told Anhor.uz.

The Sherabad solar power plant suffered a setback in January of this year.

Photos and videos shared on social networks showed solar panels apparently damaged beyond repair by strong winds on January 28. Two days later, the Uzbek Energy Ministry acknowledged that 91 panels had been destroyed, but noted they had not been fully installed and were easily replaceable.

Other experts say that Uzbekistan's ability to harness the power of the sun -- the country enjoys roughly 300 sunny days per year -- is severely compromised by its aging electrical grid.

According to the recent calculations of one Tashkent-based research group, 62 percent of Uzbekistan's power-distribution networks, 74 percent of its substations, and half of its transformers are some 30 years old.

Two years ago, a 100-MW-capacity $100 million solar power plant built by Total Eren -- a daughter company of French energy giant Total -- started work in the Tutli neighborhood of Nurobod, a district in Samarkand Province.

The plant was supposed to provide energy to more than 80,000 households. Yet residents of Tutli told RFE/RL that they are still suffering the same power outages as before.

Nurobod's district administration responded to such complaints with a statement saying the power plant was connected to the main power grid and that the Tutli microdistrict was not slated to receive electricity from the plant directly.

Another enemy of solar power in Uzbekistan is climate change.

Because while Uzbekistan is edging toward a hotter, drier climate, it is also suffering from dust storms with growing regularity.

Dust and sand can significantly reduce the output of solar facilities, while ramping up servicing costs. This is something Uzbek authorities cannot prevent.

As for human factors, the government has "a chance to make it right" in the words of Kerry Adler, CEO of SkyPower, a North American energy company.

Adler witnessed the very beginning of the authorities' drive for renewables in 2017, when Mirziyoev personally invited him to invest in the country.

In an interview with VOA in 2020, Adler explained that a lack of government guarantees had prevented his company's slated $1.3 billion investment in a network of solar power plants from ever getting off the ground, despite what the businessman claimed was initial investment of $10 million in project preparation.

"We will never participate in any corrupt activities. We will not pay for a contract, nor would we even give a gift, nor will we make a promise," Adler said then, without directly accusing anyone of requesting a bribe.

"And I think that this is a country, from what I understand from people who have lived there and done business there, that historically has come from a different type of a culture."

Four years after the interview, SkyPower's project has still made no progress.

By RFE/RL

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U.S. electric utility stocks have been in the new part of two emerging trends, the development of data centers with large energy consumption needs as well as the broader electrification trend. Prices have rallied as equity analysts and investors alike seem to agree that electric utilities are becoming growth stocks. This is due to the electrification movement occurring in various sectors of the economy like vehicular transportation and home heating. We first wrote about the prospect of a revival of sales growth for Oilprice.com about fifteen months ago so we suspect our readers are not completely surprised by this news. What accounts for this new belief that the tortoise has turned into a hare?

Consider, first, that an entire generation of utility stock investors has never seen the words electric utilities and growth used in the same sentence before. Starting about thirty years ago, kilowatt-hour sales growth for US electrics began leveling off to half that of the broader economy. So a 3% rate of overall economic growth translated into a modest 1-2% rate of sales growth in electricity. Not great from an equity investors point of view but adequate for a modest level of earnings and dividend growth. The industry grew in part by additional investments in the local utility rate base as well as aggressively expanding non-regulated renewable ventures outside of the service area. Florida-based Nexteras non-regulated renewables business, Nextera Energy Resources, which owns about 25,000 megawatts across 38 states and Canada, is one such example. But what now? Does it still make sense to invest elsewhere when safer, rate-based regulated growth opportunities closer to home are now evident? We think these utility-financed, non-regulated ventures will be the first casualty of the new sales growth era for a simple reason. It is safer and probably more lucrative to invest in the local utility. Plus the local state utility regulators tend to be more generous from an investor standpoint. This is an old and fairly straightforward instance of utility capital allocation decisions. When local investment opportunities are skimpy, diversify into other businesses or service areas. When local investment opportunities reappear, new investment capital comes home so to speak. And this time the local opportunities are much, much bigger so this investment shift should be even more dramatic.

Related: Europe's Shift from Russian Gas to Pricey LNG

But this isnt the only major capital reallocation decision we expect nor the most dramatic. As demand for new power generation and related distribution facilities increases rapidly, utility cash resources will become strained. The result? The industrys generous level of stock dividends may soon become a thing of the past. Stated simply, investors relying on utility stocks for income will have to look elsewhere to satisfy their financial requirements. (National Grid, the US-UK giant, just cut its dividend to help finance a huge capital program.) Is this a bad thing? From an investment point of view, not at all. A utility stock with a 3% earnings growth rate and a 4% current yield has an annual implied total equity return of 7%. Which pretty much sums up the status quo. However, if accelerating kilowatt-hour sales growth sharply boosts earnings per share (EPS) growth to 10%, say, the implied total equity return is now a much higher 10% even without the stock dividend and that should translate into a sharp boost to utility stock prices. There are two reasons why these generous utility dividends may be eliminated. First and most obviously the companies will need this cash for growth-related capital expenditures. Second, if our understanding here is even remotely correct, utilities will no longer need to compensate investors with current income as stock price appreciation should more than compensate them for the absence of income. Growth stocks dont pay dividends and they dont have to. Their investors are conditioned to expect their equity returns via stock price appreciation. And when free cash flow resumes management returns cash to their shareholders via stock buybacks.

Will US investors respond negatively when the first utility omits or sharply reduces its common stock dividend as did the shareholders of National Grid? We think its quite likely. Many investors mistakenly believe that all dividend cuts are negative. But, assuming utility earnings and sales growth continue to accelerate, that stock sell-off, if it does occur, may create a very attractive buying opportunity.

By Leonard Hyman and William Tilles for Oilprice.com

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'Day Zero' never arrived in Cape Town, South Africa. Day Zero was the name given by Cape Town officials to the day in 2018 they would have to shut down water flows to most of the city taps because of inadequate water suppliessupplies that had run desperately short in the wake of an extreme three-year drought. Day Zero never came for two reasons: First, those officials cajoled Cape Town residents into cutting water consumption in half. Second, the rains finally resumed a few months later.

Now Mexico City and Bogota are both facing their own possible Day Zero. Droughts, aging infrastructure, poor water management and climate change have resulted in dangerously low water supplies. But, as this piece in Grist points out, it may not be so easy to convince residents of the two cities that the problem is real and that they should trust the pronouncements of their city officials.

The city administration in Cape Town generally enjoys the trust of its citizens who rallied together with widespread voluntary efforts to reduce water consumption. Neither Mexico City nor Bogota enjoy that same kind of credibility.

Residents of both cities may simply keep their fingers crossed and hope for rain. And, if they do and the rain doesn't come, then Day Zero will arrive.

And, this speaks to the breakdown of confidence in the governing classes practically everywhere. In the face of increasingly abrupt crises without easy answers or temporary fixes (which imply that things will return to normal), government and the businesses which live off them will face unprecedented challenges that require maximum flexibility and the courage to say and do things which the populace does not like. That does not sound like most governments that I know.

In this environment it should be less than strange that some electorates are choosing authoritarians to rule themeven if those voters don't know exactly why. "At least they'll get something done," they say. "At least things will change."

But, of course, change by itself is not always good. And authoritarian leaders to date have not taken up the need to address climate change and resource depletion. Nor do I judge this to be likely in the future as more and more crises join to form one huge polycrisis. Authoritarians stay in power by keeping the people they rule over from revolting, and those authoritarians cannot maintain power long if they continually enforce large cutbacks in the standard of livingwhich is not only unpopular across the general population, but also more specifically among the business interests upon which authoritarian power largely rests.

The sources in the Grist piece suggest that voluntary efforts at reducing water use in Mexico City and Bogota will not succeed and that mandatory reductions are in the offing. That will likely only undermine trust in the leaders of both cities, especially if the reductions are done in a way that seems unfair.

Our forms of democratic governance around the world grew up in an age of expanding resources including water. Getting elected has always been achieved by promising "more" and "better." The age we are moving into will require different themes which can convince voters that "less is more." It will take some very clever politicians to succeed at that.

By Kurt Cobb via Resource Insights

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When the EU bombarded Russia with sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine back in 2022, gas was in the spotlight.

Russia was the continents biggest supplier, and it was about to stop being that. At the time, the dominant mood in Europe was confidencethat even if Russia were to turn the tap off, there are plenty of alternatives. Indeed, they were. But what they did was replace one dependenceRussian gaswith another: LNG. And there is a lot more competition in the LNG space than there was for Russian pipeline gas.

Back in 2022, when the first U.S. LNG carriers started arriving at European ports, national and EU leaders rejoiced, claiming Europeans had easily shaken off their dependence on Russian gas with zero adverse effects. Only months later, French President Emmanuel Macron slammed the U.S. for asking too high a price for its liquefied gas, letting out in the open the aspect of the switch that no one else wanted to talk about: price.

Europes switch from Russian pipeline gas to cross-Atlantic LNG cost it. It continues to cost it, which is why it has not yet stopped all imports of Russian gas, including LNG. The problem is that soon, the Ukrainian transit route is going to be shut down as the country said it would not renew its transit deal with Gazprom, which expires at the end of the year.

Related: Argentina Prepares for Oil IPO As Milei Reform Gets Underway

Once again, European leaders are confident and vocal with the claim that Europe will be just fine without Russian gas. What they are once again omitting is that the growing dependence on LNG will keep energy prices on the continent elevated, compromising the competitiveness that Brussels is trying so hard to boost for European industrials.

Gas flow data for May showed earlier this month that Gazproms flows via Ukraine to Europe went up by a substantial 39% from a year earlier. Since the start of the year, the Russian state giant has exported some 13 billion cu m of natural gas to Europe, Reuters reported last week. This is a fraction of what it used to send in a western directionthe rest has been replaced by LNG. This is a problem for Europe.

Bloombergs Javier Blas argued in a recent column that the European gas crisis was far from over, going against all official declarations since the winter of 2022 that said Europe had dealt with the crisis before it could even unfold. That winter, Europe got lucky with mild weather, driven, as Blas explains, by El Nino. So was last winters mild weather, he said in his article, and then served the bad news. El Ninos influence over the weather is nearing its end, and the time is coming for La Nina, which brings cooler weather.

This means colder winters in the northern hemisphere. This, in turn, means greater gas demand. And this, ultimately, means even higher prices for the energy Europeans consume. European politicians still dont like to talk about LNG prices because the topic is quite inconvenient. Indeed, prices have fallen substantially since the peaks they hit in mid-2022 but are still nowhere near the average price of pipeline gas that Europe thrived on prior to that year. Whats even more inconvenient is one of the two big reasons for that price fall, along with ample U.S. supply. That reason was lower industrial activityresulting from high gas prices.

According to Bloombergs Blas, there is good news in the whole situation: the winter of 2024/25 will likely be the last one with limited LNG supply that will likely send prices soaring again amid intensive competition between Europe and Asia. Starting from 2025, he wrote, new supply will be coming from Qatar and the United States, easing demand pressures. What wont happen, however, is getting gas prices on par with pipeline imports from Russia, which fueled Europes industrial growth.

This suggests that the abovementioned industrial growth is not coming back anytime soon, not without massive government support that governments are neither willing nor capable of providing as they stay fixated on emission reduction. And this is why talk about things like degrowth and post-growth are beginning to make inroads into the official political narrative in Europe. A return to actual growth is impossible without cheap energy, and there is no cheap energy on the European horizon.

There is, in fact, even more expensive LNG on Europes energy horizonbecause of the EUs own energy policies, yet again. Last month, the European Union approved a new law that sets limits on methane emissions for every molecule of natural gas that enters the bloc. This means exporters to Europe would need to invest in some serious methane emission reductions. And this means the end product will be more expensive. The winter of 2024/25 is unlikely to be the last difficult winter for Europeans. Its more likely to be the third of many difficult winters.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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After spending some time on a sidetrack, the long-planned China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway may be ready to get back on the main line. The heads of state of the three participating nations have approved an intergovernmental agreement to transform the railway from a vision into a reality, according to the Xinhua news agency.

It was a virtual signing ceremony for what, to date, has seemed like a chimerical project. Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov each affixed his signature to the agreement via video link. Specifics of the agreement were not immediately disclosed.

Official statements stuck to generalities. According to a Xinhua report, the agreement establishes a solid legal basis for the construction of the project. A Kyrgyz government statement, meanwhile, said the three states had settled on the basic principles and mechanisms of cooperation, including financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the railway.

Mirziyoyev chose to focus on the future, not the present, in remarks delivered during the virtual ceremony. This road will allow our countries to enter the wide markets of South Asia and the Middle East through the promising Trans-Afghan Corridor, the Podrobno.uz outlet quoted the Uzbek president as saying.

Participants in the signing ceremony did not mention the projects cost or a construction timeline. Xi indicated only that the participants would strive to complete the railway as soon as possible. The Podrobno report mentioned the railways route would stretch from the western Chinese hub of Kashgar to the Uzbek city of Andijan in the Ferghana Valley, passing through Torugart, Makmal and Jalalabad.

The projects cost has been widely viewed as the biggest obstacle to date. Plans to build the railway date back more than 20 years. The June 6 agreement doesnt offer much clarity about financing. Completing the railway could come close to costing $8 billion, according to one estimate.

Late last year, Japarov said he hoped the project could launch in 2024, but acknowledged that funding hadnt been lined up.

In late May, the Kyrgyz president and Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong spoke about a need to create a joint investment fund. In March, Kyrgyz officials floated a trial balloon about establishing a public-private partnership mechanism to finance and operate the railway.

By Eurasianet.org

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The Iraqi government expects to reach an agreement with the government of the Kurdistan autonomous region to resume exports of crude oil soon, Iraqs oil minister said, as quoted by Bloomberg.

There is a progress in these negotiations, and we hope that in the coming few days we will reach a final understanding in this regard, Hayyan Abdul Ghani said on Iraqi television. The statement followed a meeting with the Kurdistan energy minister and the international oil companies with operations in the autonomous region.

Crude oil exports from Kurdistan have now been halted for more than a year, after they were shut in in March 2023 due to a dispute over who should authorize the Kurdish exports.

The impasse followed an International Chamber of Commerce ruling in March 2023 in a dispute between Turkey and Iraq regarding Kurdistan oil. The ICC ruled in favor of Iraq, which had argued that Turkey should not allow Kurdish oil exports via the Iraq-Turkey pipeline and the Turkish port of Ceyhan without approval from the federal government of Iraq.

Months of tense negotiations followed between Iraq and Turkey and between Iraq and Kurdistan, with agreement remaining elusive. In January this year, the foreign companies operating Kurdish oil fields called on U.S. Congress for immediate action to help resolve halted crude oil exports from the autonomous Iraqi region. In a letter to Congress, the group said The export of oil is the foundation of Iraqs economy, and all Iraqis will benefit when full production and global sales resume from the Kurdistan Region.

OPEC also joined the party, reportedly asking the Kurdistan government to allow the export of 200,000 bpd of crude via the Turkish port of Ceyhan. The Kurdish news agency that published the report back in April said that the request had then been forwarded to the government in Baghdad.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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China makes pioneering contributions to humanity's peaceful use of space

09:51, June 10, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily

The ascender of China's Chang'e-6 probe lifted off from the lunar surface on June 4, carrying samples collected from the moon's far side, which marked a historic step in humanity's peaceful use of outer space.

The international community has closely followed the Chang'e-6 mission, recognizing its significant contribution to the progress of space exploration for humanity. The mission was said to be a leapfrog achievement of China's space exploration, a key milestone of the country's aerospace development, and a historic moment in human lunar exploration.

The Chang'e-6 mission's voyage to the far side of the moon marked a historic milestone, not only for China's space exploration endeavors but also for humanity's peaceful use of space.

The China National Space Administration and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of Thailand sign memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in Beijing on the exploration and peaceful use of outer space and on the cooperation for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), April 5.

Before Chang'e-6 was sent to space, all 10 lunar sample return missions conducted by humans by far have taken place on the near side of the moon.

The South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the moon is considered the largest, oldest and deepest basin on the lunar surface. Collecting and analyzing samples from this region would mark the first time for humanity to obtain samples from the far side of the moon, and thereby deepen humanity's understanding of the moon's formation and the evolution of the solar system.

To achieve this goal, Chang'e-6 incorporated a number of innovations, successfully overcoming the technical challenges in each stage of its mission, including landing on the far side of the moon, collecting samples, and lifting off from the lunar surface.

Josef Aschbacher, director general of the European Space Agency (ESA), congratulated China on the remarkable success of Chang'e-6 mission thus far, calling it a "wonderful accomplishment."

Al Jazeera of Qatar reported that the Chang'e-6 landing marks China's second descent on the far side of the moon, where no other country has reached. The mission "involves many engineering innovations, high risks and great difficulty," the report added.

China has always been actively promoting international cooperation in lunar and deep space exploration, exactly mirrored by the international payloads onboard the Chang'e-6 lander, which are from the ESA, France, Italy, and Pakistan.

During the Chang'e-6 mission, Chinese scientists have shared scientific data and conducted joint research with their foreign counterparts.

China delivers the data provided by ICUBE-Q, a cube satellite onboard the Chang'e-6 spacecraft, to Pakistan at a handover ceremony held by the China National Space Administration, May 10.

For instance, the French lunar radon detector functioned during the Earth-moon transfer, lunar orbit, and lunar surface stages; the ESA's lunar surface negative ion analyzer operated during the lunar surface stage.

Additionally, an Italian laser retroreflector mounted on the top of the lander of Chang'e-6 served as a position control point for distance measurements on the far side of the moon.

The Chang'e-6 mission also carried ICUBE-Q, a cube satellite from Pakistan, which marked the first step of Pakistan's space exploration and signified the dedication of Pakistani scientists.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the ICUBE-Q moon satellite is Pakistan's first step in space and the country's scientists and engineers are proving their abilities in this field just like they did in the other fields. This is a historic moment in the journey of technological advancement as with this important success, Pakistan has entered a new era of utilizing space for its objectives, he added.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China's lunar exploration project. Over the past 20 years, the country has constantly set new records in humanity's exploration of the moon: from Chang'e-1 capturing a complete map of the moon's surface, to Chang'e-4 achieving humanity's first soft-landing on the far side of the moon; from Chang'e-5 returning with lunar soil samples, to Chang'e-6 successfully retrieving samples from the moon's far side.

Chinese space experts and personnel have always followed the lunar exploration spirit of pursuing dreams, daring to explore, cooperating in tackling difficulties and win-win cooperation. They are striving to make China strong in the aerospace sector, while also making pioneering contributions to humanity's peaceful use of space and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

James Carpenter, ESA's head of planetary science research, said that it is really fantastic to see how China's lunar program has grown and become world class. "We feel privileged and happy to be part of it. We are also interested in further cooperation exploring the solar system."

China's Chang'e-7 lunar exploration mission, scheduled for launch around 2026, will carry six scientific instruments developed by six countries and one international organization, namely Egypt, Bahrain, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand and the International Lunar Observatory Association.

Besides, the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a comprehensive scientific experiment facility program initiated by China and jointly developed by multiple countries and organizations, is moving forward rapidly. Recently, the ILRS has added new partners, including Nicaragua, the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization, and the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences.

The whole world is anticipating the safe return of Chang'e-6 with the "lunar treasures." Moving forward, humanity will never cease the steps of space exploration. China will continue to deepen international aerospace exchanges and cooperation on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, peaceful use, and inclusive development. It stands ready to share development achievements with countries around the world, and work with them to explore the mysteries of the universe, expand human knowledge, improve the well-being of humanity, and serve human civilizations.

(Photos from the official website of the China National Space Administration)

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
Lenn Ferrer, a former employee in USAA Federal Savings Bank's compliance department, has filed a defamation lawsuit in Florida against USAA. The action relates to comments USAA made to the San Antonio Express-News two years ago after Ferrer accused the bank of violating federal banking laws. Bob Self, Photographer / Bob Self USAA-branded coasters are seen on a table at the insurance and financial service companys headquarters in San Antonio. A former employee of USAA Federal Savings Bank has sued the company for defamation. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

A former USAA Federal Savings Bank employee who accused the bank of committing financial crimes is now suing its parent company for defamation over comments it made to the San Antonio Express-News in response to his allegations.

In a lawsuit filed May 22, Lenn A. Ferrer says USAA acted with malice in comments to the newspaper by portraying him as a dangerous, disgruntled, lying former employee in an effort to fend off his allegations that the bank had violated numerous banking laws meant to protect military members against certain lending practices.

Ferrer, a former federal prosecutor and Navy lawyer who worked in USAA Banks compliance department from 2014 until he was fired in March 2020, seeks unspecified damages of more than $50,000. He filed the complaint in St. Johns County Circuit Court in Florida, where he lives.

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Ferrer, a licensed attorney who is representing himself in the litigation, filed the suit on the the second anniversary of the articles publication in the Express-News print edition. It first appeared online May 20, 2022.

The San Antonio insurance and financial services company has yet to file an answer to the lawsuit, but issued a statement.

USAA will vigorously defend itself, and we are confident we will prevail in this case, it said.

In the Express-News story, Ferrer alleged the bank had committed some 400,000 violations of the Military Lending Act, which protects service members from lending practices that could pose a threat to military readiness and hurt service member retention. His allegations were first reported by Compliance Week, a publication for regulatory compliance officers.

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In a 2022 interview with the Express-News, Ferrer said he based that figure on internal USAA documents prepared by a third-party contractor and reported to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

He now alleges that Kate Gallivan, USAAs head of regulatory relations and a senior vice president, made false statements when she disputed his claim to the Express-News.

Gallivans assertions that the 400,000 violations were grossly overstated and that the actual figure was a fraction of that were made to intentionally undermine Ferrers credibility, the lawsuit says.

Ferrer also took issue with USAAs statement to the newspaper that he was placed on administrative leave in February 2020 for inappropriate and threatening comments and made to co-workers, including reference to firearms.

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This is a blatant misrepresentation and is nowhere referenced in Ferrers separation email, his complaint says. He adds that he was a full-time work-from-home employee who never made any threatening comments to co-workers.

The Express-News quoted Ferrer saying USAA manufactured cause to fire me because he is a whistleblower.
A Russian tanker has attempted to circumvent U.S. sanctions by surreptitiously transferring its oil cargo to another vessel offshore Singapore, a Bloomberg analysis of vessel-tracking data showed on Monday.

According to tanker-monitoring data reviewed by Bloomberg, the Primorye, owned by now-sanctioned Russian tanker fleet operator Sovcomflot, loaded a cargo of about 1 million barrels of oil at the Russian port of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea, and traveled to waters near Singapore in Asia. There, the ship secretly transferred its oil cargo onto another tanker. SCF Primorye switched off its AIS location and destination system when it reached east of Singapore, and is now moving toward the South China Sea in a draft suggesting it is now empty, according to Bloombergs analysis.

In February this year, the U.S. Treasury and State targeted Sovcomflot and more than a dozen tankers linked to the Russian state-owned firm in a new wave of sanctions that targeted about 500 entities.

Refiners in India avoided for a few months Sokol shipments and avoided taking delivery of crude loaded on tankers of Sovcomflot, following the ramp-up of U.S. sanctions on Russia.

The latest sanction-busting attempt with cargo switching, with transponders off, suggests the lengths to which Russia and buyers willing to purchase cheap crude could go.

Last week, vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg showed that following a clampdown in Greece, ship-to-ship transfers of Russian oil in the Mediterranean have moved further west in the sea, just off the eastern end of Moroccos coast on the Mediterranean.

Last month, the Greek Navy held exercises in the Laconian Gulf in southern Greece and effectively banned all ship traffic there. As a result, traders have moved the STS activity to the Moroccan coast, where at least three Aframax tankers, loaded with Urals from Russias Baltic port of Primorsk in May, have recently arrived to transfer the Russian flagship crude onto larger vessels, according to the data monitored by Bloomberg.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Tight supplies from copper mines and the looming threat of a worsening global deficit rocketed copper prices from February to June, and the AI trade, which drove momentum from speculative traders, pushed prices even higher. But in recent weeks, prices have tumbled, breaking a critical trend line that has been intact for months. Now, prices are teetering on a knife-edge, with trading desks and hedge funds speculating on what comes next.

Let's begin with comments from the world's top copper trader - and as Bloomberg's Jack Farchy puts it, "usually one of the market's most bullish voices" - who called the price surge unjustified due to real-world supply.

"Prices of non-ferrous metals have moved much higher than fundamentals in the physical spot market might indicate or justify, especially for copper," Trafigura Chief Economist Saad Rahim wrote in a note with first-half results on Thursday.

Rahim pointed out that copper's speculative surge in the first half of the year was primarily linked to "investment flows." However, he does believe the closure of First Quantum Minerals Ltd.'s mine in Panama will eventually tighten global supplies.

He wrote that sliding mine supply "has led to a significant concentrates shortage, resulting in smelters having to cut production and pointing to tighter inventories of refined metal even if demand is lackluster."

Copper prices on the London Metal Exchange on Friday fell to $9,652 a ton, down 11.5% from the all-time high of $11,104 in May. Furthermore, prices have breached a multi-month ascending trend line, which is happening as the top consumer of copper, China, has printed dismal economic data.

"Specs got in from Feb, fast money chased in March (AI narrative emerged), April we saw consumers really step back (above 9k) and scrap volumes picked up, May was financial FOMO and stop outs and we saw a pickup in producer hedging. Feels to me like the 2023 range steps a good $1500 higher for now, the low of that range will be what we settle next couple of weeks and the higher end will be the stop out top (10k to 11k give or take)," Goldman's James McGeoch wrote in a note to clients on Friday.

McGeoch said, "The numbers I hear most is $14-15k. Think this gets the project running, then you drift back to marginal cost."

Then there are hedge funds Rokos Capital Management and Andurand Capital Management, which bet that prices could rally significantly from current levels.

Per Bloomberg:

Rokos has made a flurry of options purchases in the past several months in a bet that copper could rally to $20,000 or more over the next few years, according to people familiar with the matter. At Andurand, copper was the biggest position by market exposure at the end of April, and the trader has recently predicted that prices could hit $40,000. Those targets are well beyond the forecasts of even the most bullish Wall Street banks.

Last week, Andurand told clients in a letter that its main commodities funds were up between 13% and 30% in April, primarily because of its bullish copper bets.

"We believe that we are at the beginning of the copper bull-market and that the recent move higher in prices is just the start," Andurand wrote,adding, "Copper faces a decade-long supply deficit driven by the confluence of increasing demand due to the energy transition and persistent underinvestment in mine expansion."

In April, David Einhorn's Greenlight Capital said it had made a "medium-sized macro position to benefit from higher copper prices."

"Our thesis now is that copper supply is about to fall short of demand, forcing prices substantially higher," Greenlight said in a letter to clients, adding, "We think the best way to invest in that thesis is the most direct way  in this case through options on copper futures."

Goldman's McGeoch said, "A supply shock doesn't get the price from $10,500 to $12,000. It's what takes us from $15k to $20k."

Also, Jeff Currie, who led commodities research at Goldman for nearly three decades, recently told Bloomberg's Odd Lots that copper "is the most compelling trade I have ever seen in my 30 plus years of doing this."

Despite China's souring recovery, copper bulls believe the market will tighten as global industrial activity increases, central banks pivot to looser monetary policy, and mining companies struggle to ramp up production. This comes as demand rises due to electric vehicles, renewables, reshoring trends, and AI data centers, as the copper squeeze is likely to reignite again.

By Zerohedge.com

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A 70-year-old Omaha man is out $200,000 because of a Bitcoin scam involving a purported Chinese pornography outfit.

According to an Omaha police report, the scam began May 27 when the man got an alert on his computer screen from a scammer posing as Microsoft telling him to call the phone number displayed. The man told police he immediately called the number.

The scammer, who has not been identified, answered and told the man a pornography outfit in China was going to take $32,000 out of the mans bank account if he didnt act immediately.

The scammer told the man he needed to get $32,000 out of his account and send the money in Bitcoin. The man complied.

The man continued to send money, including from his individual retirement account, to the scammer via Bitcoin until Friday. Days later, the man went to his bank to withdraw an additional $40,000. Bank employees told the man he was a scam victim and to stop sending money.

The man told police he lost about $200,000 to the scam.

The Bitcoin scam appeared to use several tactics Ryan Sothan, who is the outreach coordinator with the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office, outlined to The World-Herald in October. The scammer came up with a scenario too bad to be believed and used high-pressure tactics to have the man send money through an unconventional payment method.

The Attorney Generals Office and the Better Business Bureau encourage scam victims to report scams to their local law enforcement agencies. The BBB also encourages people to report scams to the organizations scam tracker online at bbb.org/scamtracker.
Higher pay, free college tuition and better communication have slowed the recent pace of educator departures from Nebraska schools, although staffing still hasnt returned to pre-pandemic levels.

For example, the Omaha Public Schools reported in May that 270 certified staff  teachers, administrators and specialists  either resigned or retired during the 2023-24 school year. Two years earlier, OPS had 730 staff departures.

The numbers are a pleasant surprise for us, said Charles Wakefield, chief of operations for OPS. But we want to be careful that were not celebrating too quickly. We still have a nationwide teacher shortage, we still have gaps from previous years that were still trying to fill. This is a good sign for us. But this isnt the solution to our problem.

Almost all Omaha-area school districts have reported that fewer certified staff members are leaving their jobs. Nearly 1,400 teachers left metro-area districts in the 2021-22 school year, followed by an additional 1,200 last year. This spring, the number of departures has fallen to roughly 800  the lowest number of resignations and retirements seen in the metro since the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the wake of the pandemic, some teachers left for the normal variety of personal reasons, which happens every year. But the numbers spiked with teachers who exited their districts  or the education field entirely  because of conditions such as overflowing class sizes, rising student misbehavior, staff absences, low pay and soured relationships between district leaders and employees.

Those issues contributed significantly to Nebraskas broader teacher shortage, according to most recent data from the Nebraska Department of Education. A December survey found that the 2023-24 school year started with more than 900 unfilled teaching positions across the state, up from 769 the previous year.

The educator shortage had already been rising before the pandemic. A decade ago, the state reported 121 unfilled positions; by 2019, the total was 302. Unfilled positions have more than tripled since then, and roughly one in four of them are in special education.

Weve always kind of been on the cusp of, Gosh, we have a shortage in special educators. Now, its way past that for every area, but special education is one of the top areas in the state that we have a shortage, said Jenni Benson, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, in a previous interview with The World-Herald. And folks are, you know, not going into education, which has exacerbated the problem overall.

School districts and state government have responded with various initiatives to address educator shortages, an issue that exists nationwide. Some strategies included staff stipends, student teacher pay and free tuition for paraprofessionals to become certified teachers.

In OPS, teacher union officials say the latest numbers suggest those efforts are paying off.

Kathy Poehling, president of the Omaha Education Association, said the union was expecting 400 to 500 resignations this year  a modest improvement in staff retention from last years 586 departures. An OPS report last year said the districts workforce included nearly 4,200 teachers, principals, supervisors and classroom support staff, not including paraprofessionals and other support workers.

Poehling was surprised to learn that the 2023-24 departures were cut in half from the previous school year, and said she believes a change in district leadership had a huge impact.

Matt Ray, a veteran OPS employee of nearly three decades, was hired in February as the districts next superintendent. He served this past year as interim superintendent, taking over from former Superintendent Cheryl Logan, who led the district for five years after moving to Omaha from the East Coast. Ray officially becomes superintendent on July 1.

I think that teachers are hopeful  more hopeful than they have been in the past  with Matt taking the reins, Poehling said. That made a huge difference, because youre talking about a person who already knows the district. He knows a lot of people. And I think it gave some of the teachers back some hope that things will move in the right direction.

Poehling said the union has been more involved in district decisions since Ray moved into his interim role last summer.

They have been including teacher voice in most of the committees that theyre putting together, especially when theyre looking at making really important decisions, Poehling said.

OPS also has boosted compensation for certified staff over the last year and a half.

The latest employee contract between the district and teachers union will increase the districts base salary by nearly $7,200 over the length of the agreement. In January, paraprofessionals and special education teachers received an increase in extra duty and substitute pay. In May, the school board approved more compensation for specialized and veteran teachers, amounting to an additional $34.8 million.

Like some other suburban districts, Papillion La Vista Community Schools offered $3,000 stipends for staff who stayed in the district for the 2023-24 school year. Melissa Hansen, vice president of the Papillion La Vista Education Association, said the extra compensation plus open communication helped bring down resignation numbers.

In the Omaha metro area, OPS, Papillion, Millard, Elkhorn and Bellevue accounted for most of the reduction in resignation numbers this year from the prior school year. Springfield Platteview Community Schools was the only metro district that reported an increase, from 10 resignations and retirements last year to 13 this year. Douglas County West Community Schools could not be reached before this article was published.

In Papillion, Hansen said past recruitment initiatives also helped keep staff in the district this year.

The district also ensured that student teachers who were hired in the district started higher in the salary scale to account for their work in college. And administrators improved Papillion La Vistas mentorship program, which provides new hires with a mentee to help them acclimate to the classroom.

Now there are professional development courses being offered through the district for both the mentors and the mentees, Hansen said. Theyre getting constant communication, which I think is good, and some buildings are continuing that mentoring, not just in year one, but in years two and three, making sure their teachers are connected.

Hansen said she hopes district administration and union can focus more on retention during the next contract negotiation cycle this fall. The union wants to implement more initiatives to keep veteran teachers in the classroom, she said.

Were trying to work together to find more solutions and letting teachers know that theyre heard, Hansen said. The district is very much listening.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of May 2024
Claiming their degrees are stained with blood, several dozen pro-Palestinian protesters walked out of Northwestern Universitys commencement ceremony on Sunday at the United Center, despite repeated warnings by the elite Big Ten schools administration against graduation disruptions.

There are twice as many murdered Palestinians as there are seats in the United Center. And Northwestern refuses to cut ties with genocide, said Jordan Muhammad, a graduating student organizer with Students for Justice in Palestine, in a written statement. While we sit here, Israel is destroying the dream of education, much less graduating, for young people in Palestine and we refuse to allow our universitys complicity to go unchecked.

Some protesters wore keffiyeh scarves, a symbol of solidarity for a Palestinian state, and others waved Palestinian flags. The words What about Gazas class of 2024? were affixed to Muhammads graduation gown.

The disruption was peaceful and, after walking out, the graduate-activists gathered outside the United Center at a designated free speech area to continue their protest. A crowd of more than 100 protesters  some in graduation caps and gowns  encircled a banner reading, No graduation in Gaza, which featured photographs and short bios of some of the people killed in Gaza.

Im just very proud of our graduating students who have taken this stance and did not choose to be complicit in genocide, said Mounica Sreesai, a doctoral student at Northwestern.

The pro-Palestinian protesters have demanded the Northwestern divest from financial assets with ties to Israel.

The commencement ceremony is intended to honor the hard work and achievements of our student body, a university spokeswoman said in an email. As other universities have experienced this commencement season, a small group of students walked out during our ceremony. We remain incredibly proud of the accomplishments of our Class of 2024.

One man exiting the commencement ceremony booed the pro-Palestinian protesters outside but declined to comment to the Tribune.

Another man shouted Bring them home, an apparent reference to hostages kept by Hamas since the Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel, which killed roughly 1,200 and plunged the region into an ongoing war. Roughly 35,000 Palestinians have been killed during the war since its inception, according to the United Nations.

The walkout comes as Northwestern  and many universities and colleges across the country  grapple with balancing the free speech of students protesting the Israel-Hamas war with the need to guard against discrimination on campus.

Northwestern President Michael Schill was grilled last month by lawmakers at a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C., on the rise of antisemitism on college campuses, where he admitted that the universitys rules and policies are falling short and will be updated over the summer.

Calls for resignation

Officials from the Anti-Defamation League have called for Schills resignation, citing allegations of antisemitism on campus, particularly amid a recent pro-Palestinian protest encampment erected at Northwestern University, which was peacefully dismantled following negotiations between administrators and student activists.

In Schills commencement speech Sunday, he acknowledged that this has been a difficult year.

But I want to focus on this moment right here in the United Center, he said. Today is about achievement. Today is about determination. Today is about you.

The audience cheered. But shortly after, pro-Palestinian protesters began streaming out of the United Center, where roughly 7,700 Northwestern students were graduating.

Before the ceremony, Northwestern officials had warned against any commencement disruptions, as other universities and colleges nationwide have faced graduation ceremony protests or canceled commencement events citing pro-Palestinian activism.

While the university supports freedom of expression, graduation ceremonies are not the time nor place for disruptive demonstrations, Northwestern said in a written statement. The university has designated a free speech area outside each venue and encourages anyone who wishes to engage in expressive activity to do so there. Any such activity inside the venue may not disrupt the ceremony or prevent others from enjoying it.

The statement added that anyone who didnt adhere to these rules will face discipline, and anyone who disrupts the ceremony could be asked to leave.

All students, including those graduating, remain subject to the Student Code of Conduct, the statement said. Violations of the Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary sanctions up to and including expulsion. Degrees will be held pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings.

Graduate Ben Cummings, who walked out in support of the Palestinians, acknowledged that he and other students were taking a risk to protest during commencement.

In organizing, there was that level of risk, he said. We decided we were willing to take that risk, as part of a larger student movement across the country.

The University of Chicago withheld the degrees of four seniors who allegedly participated in a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, which was cleared by university police in May. A U. of C. spokesman said the process is standard after a formal complaint is reviewed by the universitys disciplinary committee.

University of Chicago walkout

Earlier this month, students also walked out of the graduation ceremony at the University of Chicago, citing the war in Gaza.

Students have also recently walked out of graduation ceremonies at Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and others as protest encampments and other pro-Palestinian demonstrations have taken hold at campuses across the country.

Higher education institutions nationwide have faced mounting accusations of fostering a hostile climate for Jews on their campuses, particularly since the Oct. 7 attack.

The Anti-Defamation League Midwest recently called for Schills resignation or removal by the university board of trustees, arguing in a statement that Jewish students at Northwestern have been harassed and intimated by blatant antisemitism on campus.

Several Jewish Northwestern students recently filed a lawsuit alleging the school allowed pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the now-defunct encampment to become increasingly hostile to Jews.

Schill, who describes himself as a proud Jew raised with a love for Israel, has said he believes the university can protect students from antisemitism and other forms of hate while allowing protesters their right to freedom of expression.

We are confident we can continue to promote two principles at the core of our mission  free expression and academic freedom  while disciplining harassment and intimidation, Schill said during the congressional hearing last month.
A San Antonio man has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against H-E-B alleging it directed his father to get his blood thinner medication by mail rather than in-person at one of its pharmacies. The elder man later died of a heart attack allegedly caused by not taking the medication. Courtesy of H-E-B

A San Antonio man has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against H-E-B alleging that his father died of a heart attack days after one of its pharmacies would not fill his blood thinner prescription in person.

Craig Allen is suing H-E-B individually and on behalf of the estate of his father, Jerrold P. Allen  a retired Air Force major general who was 79 when he died Dec. 13 in San Antonio  for at least $250,000 but not more than $1 million.

The elder Allen had gone to the H-E-B pharmacy at 14325 Potranco Road on Dec. 7 to pick up a prescription for the blood thinner Brilinta, which had been ordered by his doctor, according to the lawsuit.

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However, he was erroneously informed that HEB could not dispense the medication to him, the complaint says. HEB advised Mr. Allen to go home and wait for the prescription to arrive by mail.

Four days later, on Dec. 11, Allen suffered a heart attack caused by his not taking the life-saving medication prescribed by his doctor that was to be dispensed by HEB Pharmacy and passed away on December 13.

Randall Sorrels, a Houston lawyer who filed the lawsuit for the Allen family, said the blood thinner would have prevented clotting that caused Allens death.

Mr. Allens death was 100% preventable, Sorrels said in an email. While this lawsuit may not bring him back, his family hopes no one else ever has to experience the sudden, unexpected loss of a loved one like they have had to endure. Better policies, more training and just doing their job right would have not cost Mr. Allen his life.

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The suit alleges that H-E-B breached the standard of care, which constitutes negligence.

The complaint was filed May 30 in state District Court in San Antonio. H-E-B has yet to be served with the suit, but it issued a statement Friday.

H-E-B Pharmacy followed applicable standard of care, the San Antonio retailer said. Because this matter is in pending litigation, we cannot comment further.

The lawsuit seeks damages for past and future pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of companionship. It also seeks damages for Allens medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, and funeral expenses.

Sorrels said noneconomic damages in the complaint are capped at $250,000.

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According to his obituary, Jerrold Allen graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1966 with a bachelors degree in engineering management. He later received a masters degree in business administration.

He trained as a pilot at Reese AFB in Lubbock and served as a command pilot with 32 years of active duty. He flew 250 combat missions in the OV-10 Bronco and the B-52 Stratofortress in Vietnam.

Among his various assignments in the Air Force was serving in the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs chairman in Washington.
The European Lotteries has expressed disapproval of governments taxing lottery wins and slapping levies on the gaming industry.



European Lotteries Head of Legal, Phillipe Vlaemminck, speaking to the B&FT during a training programme on responsible gaming hosted by the National Lottery Authority (NLA) in Accra said: Lottery already touches society in many positive ways, and as such it is important for some governments to relook at taxing the industry.



He argued that people want to play, and they want to ensure the small amounts which are won do not attract taxes.



Described as a game of chance that benefits society, Vlaemminck emphasised that it is very unnecessary for governments to tax winnings on lottery, adding: That is the standard in many places such as the rest of Europe, the Americas and Asia which are tax-free for winnings because the whole profit is given back to society.



The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) currently collects a 10 percent withholding tax on all lottery winnings as income from lottery operations, and they are also subject to a tax rate of 20 percent on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR).



Vlaemminck pointed out that when players lose, it is society that benefits through developmental projects; and lottery only offers opportunities for people to dream, thus when they lose, society wins.



He however said Ghana operates a very dynamic lottery in Africa and touts the NLA as a leading gaming operator on the continent.



The European Lotteries noted that the NLA has shown deepened commitment and interest in what is happening at the world level in the industry, a phenomenon which enhances knowledge-sharing and makes the Authority a responsible gaming operator.



Speaking at the training, the Director-General of NLA, Sammi Awuku, said the programme is key in helping the Authority to track and clamp down on illegal lottery strategies in the system.



Mr. Awuku explained that the training, which is a certificated-programme, will help the lotto marketing companies and private lotto operators to understand the negative impacts of illegal lotto operations on their own revenues and how they can assist the NLA in curbing the menace.



He said the NLA is ready to partner the European Lotteries in any meaningful way, including adopting the usage of AI and technology in the lottery industry.



At the training, sessions were held on responsible gaming, fighting illegal lottery operations, anti-money laundering and the use of new technologies in gaming.

Source: BBC









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QNET, a global leader in wellness and lifestyle-focused direct selling, concluded the first of this years biannual flagship event, V-Malaysia 2024, recently in the island of Penang in Malaysia.



The five-day convention drew approximately 9,000 participants from over 30 countries, reaffirming its status as a major international event.



V-Malaysia 2024: A Platform for Learning, Networking, and Innovation



This years V-Malaysia featured an extensive agenda filled with opportunities for learning, networking, and experiencing the latest in QNETs wellness and lifestyle advancements. Highlights included the mega QNET product exhibition where the company showcased its range of premium products such as the HomePure range of home appliances, the Amezcua range of wellness products, the Bernhard H Mayer range of luxury Swiss watches and fine jewellery, and the LifeQode portfolio of nutritional products, among others.



Groundbreaking Product Launches



QNET unveiled several innovative new products at this years convention:



 Amezcua e-Guard X - An innovative solution designed to mitigate the health impacts associated with mobile radiation from everyday electronic devices, including smartphones, laptops, and televisions.

 HomePure Rayn - A showerhead that not just filters shower water but also has the Amezcua Resonance Technology (ART) to help boost energy. It also has an optional Vitamin C capsule which can help remove residual chlorine from the skin and an optionalACF (Activated Carbon Fiber) capsule which removes fine microorganisms.

 Bernhard H. Mayer Alto Watch  The new ceramic watches by the Swiss watch brand that is ideal for daily wear is available in two variations, black and white, for both men and women. The quartz watch has a unique wave pattern on its face, and has hands made of recycled steel.



Empowering the Global Network



The event featured numerous training and education sessions tailored for QNETs global network of distributors. These sessions aimed to enhance their skills in direct selling and empower them to achieve greater success in their personal business endeavours.



Inspiring Moments



In an inspiring session, attendees were treated to a special appearance by award-winning Indian actor R. Madhavan. He shared his compelling journey and struggles within the competitive Indian film industry, offering a story of triumph that resonated deeply with the diverse international audience.



Commitment to Sustainability



To offset the events carbon footprint, QNET ensured the event was free of single-use plastic, promoted plant-based food options, and organised a tree-planting exercise in partnership with Malaysias JARING, the National Fishermans Association, as part of its ongoing Green Legacy global reforestation program.



At the conclusion of the event, Trevor Kuna, Chief Marketing Officer of QNET said, This event is not just a convention; it is a celebration of our commitment to our distributors and customers worldwide. We look forward to another year of remarkable experiences and success stories.

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Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan Constituency and Board Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Hon. Joe Ghartey, has led the GRA to donate to victims of the Egyiresia premix fuel explosion.



The GRA under the leadership of Hon. Ghartey donated an amount of Ghc 100,000 to support the victims.



Hon. Ghartey and senior officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority led by the Commisioner of Customs, Brigadier General Zibrim Bawa Ayorrogo, visited the community in Essikado in the Western Region to make the donation.



A short ceremony was held at the Palace of Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Paramount Chief of the Essikadu Traditional Area where Commissioner of Customs Division, Brigadier General Zibrim Bawa Ayorrogo handed the money to the victims.



The amount is to help support the medical bill of the victims.



In a brief remark to make the donation, Hon. Ghartey highlighted the cost involved in getting the affected victims out of their woes, calling on other individuals and organizations to come on board and support the victims.



Hon. Ghartey said: To manage a burn victim involves a lot of money, a medical officer told me it even costs more than dialysis. What some of us are trying to do is to rally support for the families. We have already rallied fifty thousand from Amandi, we have also given out our own money, and today, the Ghana Revenue Authority has brought GHC100,000. We are also here to strengthen and commiserate with victims and their families. People should not think this is a lot of money because taking care of the victims involves a lot. We have nine of the victims who are not out of the woods, so we still need more contributions to support the victims.



Nana Kobina Nketsia V was appreciative of the gesture. He implored officers of the Ghana Revenue Authority to use their uniforms to defend the country.



Three more persons aged 55, 24, and 14 years, among some sixteen persons caught up in the premix fuel explosion, have, succumbed to their injuries, making the number of deaths in the disaster six.



Daniela Cornelius, 14, who was receiving treatment at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is reported to have died in the early hours of Wednesday, June 5th, 2024.



The other two, Nurideen Morrison, 24, and Kojo Egyir, 55 are said to have died at separate locations on Sunday, June 2, 2024.



Already, Hon. Ghartey, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, has made personal donations in support of the fire victims. A couple of days ago, he visited some victims of the fire incident who were on admission at the Burns Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.



Aside his personal contributions to support the community in its trying time, Hon. Ghartey successfully solicited for funds from STL Amandi Foundation to support the victims of the Essikado premix fuel explosion.



It would be recalled that on Friday, May 24, 2024, Hon. Ghartey and NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Essikado Ketan Constituency, Charles Bissue, led representatives of STL Amandi Foundation to present an amount of Ghc 50,000 to the Chief of Ngyiresia, Nana Dokoa Agyeman III at Effia Nkwanta Hospital. The chief received the money on behalf of the victims and thanked the Foundation for the support.

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The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) has organised a signing ceremony of the Grant Agreement for the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS). Senior Vice President of JICA, Mr. Ando Naoki signed the grant agreement with Honorable Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Hon. Abena Osei-Asare in Accra.



The project aims to support human resource development in Ghana, targeting highly capable, young government officials who are expected to engage in formulating and implementing social and economic development plans, and become leaders in the country.



From Japans experience of past development, JICA believes that the human resource is the most important asset of the country and the driving force of development. Based on this belief and concept, this program also offers the opportunity to learn about Japans modernization and development experiences, which is unique and different from those of Western countries.



The participants will also learn about Japans contribution on the rapid development of Asian countries.



The project originally started in 2012, and this is the tenth consecutive year that JICA is provided a grant to Ghana for this project. So far, 117 JDS fellows have been dispatched from Ghana to Japan under the project as of today and 91 of these graduated with degrees. For this year, a total number of 13 participants will benefit from obtaining their master's and Doctorate degrees at prestigious Japanese universities in the area of Economics, Public Financial Management, Public Administration, Public Health and International Relations.



Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is an agency of the Japanese government responsible for supporting the socioeconomic development, recovery or economic stability of developing regions.



Since October 2008 which witnessed a merger between the existing Japan International Cooperation Agency and the overseas economic cooperation section of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), New JICA has been an integrated official agency with the three main development aid tools, including technical assistance, concessionary loans (Japanese ODA loans) and grant aid.



In Ghana, JICA is primarily focused on Quality Infrastructure for Economic Growth, Industrial and Agricultural Development, Universal Health Coverage and Capacity Development for Effective Public Service.

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The African Regent Hotel hosted a momentous event this past Saturday, the launch of "Entrepreneurial Success," a comprehensive new book by Mrs Mary Anane Awuku.



The book, celebrated for its in-depth exploration of entrepreneurship within the Ghanaian context, promises to be an essential resource for aspiring entrepreneurs, policymakers, educators, and business enthusiasts.



Mrs Mary Anane Awuku, the wife of Mr Sammy Awuku, Director General of the National Lottery Authority, has leveraged her extensive experience and insights to author this seminal work. "Entrepreneurial Success" delves into the core competencies, motivations, challenges, and opportunities faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. The book launch was graced by a distinguished audience, including industry leaders, government officials, and eminent personalities from various sectors.



Government's Commitment to SMEs



The Special Guest of Honor, Hon. Abena Osei Asare, emphasized the pivotal role of SMEs in Ghana's economic framework. "SMEs constitute over 90% of existing companies, account for 85% of manufacturing jobs, and contribute 70% to our national GDP," she stated. Recognizing their significance, the government is set to launch the SME Opportunities and Growth Fund in July. This initiative aims to assist SMEs in gaining a stronger foothold and to transition select SMEs into larger enterprises, thereby spurring economic growth and job creation. "This group, informed by practical engagements with targeted and existing SMEs in Ghana, will be a guiding light in our path to understanding the dynamism of entrepreneurs and enterprises," Hon. Osei Asare added.



Insightful Review and Endorsements



A noted commentator meticulously reviewed the book and praised its local relevance and practical approach. The reviewer highlighted the book's structure, engaging writing style, and comprehensive entrepreneurial competencies and motivations coverage. "Each chapter is filled with practical examples and case studies from the Ghanaian context, offering actionable insights for entrepreneurs," the reviewer remarked.



Mr. Alex Dadey, Chairman of the Occasion, commended Mrs. Awuku for her dedication to entrepreneurship and wealth creation. Reflecting on his own journey, Mr. Dadey noted the importance of apprenticeship and continuous learning. "Mary has done excellently well. She has followed a path of acquiring skills and knowledge before branching out on her own. Wealth creation should be coupled with philanthropy to solve societal problems, such as poverty eradication," he stated. He also stressed the need for more documentation of entrepreneurial journeys to serve as a guide for future generations.



Content and Structure of "Entrepreneurial Success"



"Entrepreneurial Success" is organized into six well-defined chapters, each addressing critical aspects of entrepreneurship:



Competences for Entrepreneurial Success



This chapter discusses the skills and attributes necessary for entrepreneurial success, highlighting the importance of integrating these competencies into entrepreneurial performance.



Personal Competences



Focused on the individual, this chapter explores seven micro-level competencies that drive entrepreneurial success, providing practical examples and applications.



Leadership, Relational, and Organizational Competencies



This section examines the skills required to lead teams and manage organizational dynamics effectively, crucial for sustaining a successful business.



Motivations for Entrepreneurial Endeavors



This chapter delves into what drives individuals to pursue entrepreneurship, emphasizing proactive rather than reactive motivations.



Challenges Facing Entrepreneurs in Ghana



The author identifies unique Ghanaian challenges that affect SMEs, offering insights into overcoming these hurdles.



Opportunities for Entrepreneurial Growth



Concluding on a positive note, this chapter highlights the growth prospects and avenues available for Ghana

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Adults and teens concerned about their screen time are turning in their smartphones for dumber models.



Buried in the settings of many smartphones is the option to look up how much on average you are staring at your phone per day.



It can bring an uncomfortable realisation, that what was supposed to be a useful piece of technology has become an obsession.



Social media is built around FOMO (fear of missing out), so I felt like I couldnt get off it, 16-year-old Luke Martin, from Canada, told the BBC.



Instantly I got Instagram and it was a downward spiral.



Luke is not alone.



According to a study by Harvard University, using social networking sites lights up the same part of the brain that is also triggered when taking an addictive substance. This has raised concerns about phone habits among youth.



In the UK, research by Ofcom estimates that around a quarter of children aged five to seven years old now have their own smartphone.



Links have been shown in some studies between use of social media and a negative effect on mental health - especially in children.



Read Full Story .... HERE >>> :









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NDC Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has been exposed as a liar and his exposes "misleading", particularly regarding the issue surrounding SSNIT sale of hotels to Rock City, a company belonging to the Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.



Mr. Ablakwa has accused Bryan Acheampong of violating the constitution and abusing his power as a State official by having his business, Rock City Hotel, purchase a 60% stake in four hotels owned by SSNIT.



The North Tongu MP's claims this is unethical and a breach of Articles 78(3) and 98(2) of the 1992 Constitution.



But according to revelations by political analyst and a business mogul, Alfred Ababio Kumi a.k.a Adenta Kumi, these accusations are all "half-truths and are an attempt to manipulate public opinion against Mr. Acheampong".



In a post on Adenta Kumi's Facebook wall, he contested Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa's claims by setting the record straight.



"First and foremost, it is important to recognize that owning a business does not automatically equate to unethical behavior. In fact, successful business people bring valuable expertise and innovation to the table.



"Bryan Acheampong, with his extensive background in the hospitality industry, has built Rock City Hotel, the largest hotel in Africa with 700 rooms. His business acumen is precisely what can help improve the management and profitability of the SSNIT hotels", he established.



He also stressed the Minister has been vindicated by SSNIT, the owners of the hotels saying "SSNIT has already clarified that the selection process for selling the stake was transparent and adhered strictly to the Public Procurement Act. Rock City Hotel provided the strongest technical and financial proposal among the bids received. Mr. Acheampongs involvement brings substantial value addition to these properties".



Adenta Kumi further diagnosed the track record of Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa, citing how the latter has over the years sought to discredit people but failed in all his attempts, hence he is bent on destroying the reputation of Bryan Acheampong with lies and misinformation.



"This is not the first time Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has used his platform to attack individuals...Mr. Ablakwa started his campaign of character assassination against Jake Obetsebi Lamptey. Despite losing in court, Ablakwas actions damaged Lamptey's reputation in the court of public opinion. The court ruled there was not enough evidence to prove wrongdoing, yet the damage in the public's eye was already done.



"Ablakwa attacked President Akufo-Addo over the presidential aircraft, ignoring the fact that safety and security are paramount for any head of state. The current presidential aircraft, a $37 million French-built Dassault Falcon 900EX-Easy, has been in use since 2011 and has had safety issues. Ablakwas claims were designed to incite public disapproval without considering the full context, particularly the trauma and risk posed to the President and his entourage", he said, adding more examples to buttress his point.



In his concluding remarks, he asserted; "It is essential to understand the motives behind Mr. Ablakwas actions. These attacks are not about upholding ethical standards but are driven by personal and political vendettas. Mr. Ablakwas actions are influenced by individuals such as Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi, who have a vested interest in maintaining their control over certain state assets. Prof. Ahwoi, who acquired a significant share of SSNIT property for himself, sees Rock Citys acquisition as a threat and has thus mobilized Ablakwa to attack Bryan Acheampong."



Read full statement below:





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The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama says his 24-hour economy initiative will be the best solution to Ghana's economic challenges when implemented.



According to him, the policy will not only strengthen Ghana's economy but will change the lives of Ghanaians.



The 24-hour initiative is the answer for now and in the future. It will create an enabling environment with deliberate policies for businesses, companies, and government institutions to operate 24/7 in a three-eight-hour shift system.



In addition to the traditional 8-hour shift system, the two additional work shifts that my administration will introduce will double and sometimes triple the number of jobs that participate in public and private entities that we currently have.



This is the 24-hour economy optimization strategy: giving more to society, providing efficient service delivery, and generating decent and well-paying jobs. The benefits of this system will include but not be limited to; 24-hour port and harbour services, 24-hour customs services, 24-hour DVLA services, 24-hour agro-processing factories, 24-hour manufacturing industries, 24-hour construction companies and many more. Mr Mahama who is seeking to be president again said during a live broadcast dubbed Mahama Conversations'.







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A baby died at a Northeast Side home on Sunday after it rolled onto its stomach and suffocated, according to San Antonio police. Oliver Helbig/Getty Images

A baby died at a Northeast Side home on Sunday after it rolled onto its stomach and suffocated, according to San Antonio police.

The incident happened around 6 p.m. in the 4000 block of Mystic Sunrise Drive.

According to a preliminary police report, the mother was asleep with her 6-month-old baby in their bed when the baby rolled onto her stomach.

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READ MORE: Authorities identify Seguin woman found dead in Coastal Bend

The baby's face was pushed into the bed, causing her to suffocate, police said.

Responding officers found the baby unresponsive and pronounced dead after being treated by EMS.

Police said there were no signs of foul play. They also did not mention any charges.

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The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi has once again asserted his position as the powerhouse of NPP politics in the region.



The popular Regional Chairman did not disappoint, even in the face of extreme challenges after giving the Vice President and the party's Presidential Candidate, His Excellency Dr Alhaji Mahamadu Bawumia and his entourage a rousing welcome to the region.



In what could be described as a triumphant entry of the Vice President, the teeming crowd reportedly thronged the residence of the Vice President at Ahodwo Daban early in the morning to welcome him, before walking him to the Tru Vine Hotel at Nhyiaeso where the first meeting on his itinerary is expected to commence.



In a video which has since gone viral, the Vice President is happily seen admiring to cheers from the crowd, flanked by the generous Regional Chairman, Minister for Education, Hon. Osei Adutwum, Campaign Coordinator for the Middle-Belt and MP for Effiduase Asokore, Hon. Dr. Ayew Afriyie.



The Vice President is on a 3-day campaign tour to the region. He and his entourage are expected to interact with party members, embark on door-to-door campaigns and hold meetings with organized groups and religious bodies.



The Vice President will also pay a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace.

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Governments Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Mr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has said that officials of the Ghana Police Service have the liberty to reopen investigations into the conduct of Mavis Hawa Koomson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East constituency, when she openly fired warning shots at a registration centre in 2020.



According to Palgrave, the public is encouraged to initiate processes for investigations of this nature to commence if they notice that nothing has been done about the instance of politicians and individuals flaunting guns in public.



Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, the Parliamentary Candidate for Awutu Senya East on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was arrested and detained on Friday, June 7 by the Ghana Police Service.



The police, did not give any reasons for her arrest but all indications pointed to the fact that her arrest was in connection to the gun that was found in her car on Sunday, June 2, in Kasoa, where pockets of violence were recorded during the Vote Transfer exercise.



The NDC parliamentary candidate was granted bail on Saturday, April 8 after party supporters besieged the Cantonment Police Station in Accra.



Reacting to the incidence leading to the arrest of the NDC parliamentary candidate, Mr. Boakye Danquah stated that crime has no colour and no matter the apparent delay, the police can still invite the NPP MP, who was also in possession of a gun, flaunting it in public.



Mr. Palgrave made this revelations on Mondays edition of TV3s Big Issue.



He bemoaned how firearms are displayed whether registered or not, especially as Ghanaians approach the crucial December 7 general elections.



Speaking further, he maintained that the NDC Parliamentary Candidate, Ms Naa Koryoo, could have asked for police protection, which is within her rights, instead of securing firearms to defend herself, adding that, the police and the small arms office must withdraw their licenses from irresponsible persons to own guns legally.



He said, "The issue is that the Parliamentary Candidate of the NDC was found in possession of some pump action guns, four rounds pump action guns. I think that should be a concern for every Ghanaian and thats a concern for me even as a security expert that no one in this country whether licensed or even not licensed, should want to be carrying guns around."



Anyone who is a proper gun-lover, you never even show your gun, he said.



He added, If you have been under attack four times, you report to the Ghana Police Service and ask the Ghana Police Service to give you protection, you can request for that, he explained in response to concerns that Ms Naa Koryoo secured those guns legally due to alleged attacks from thugs associated with the incumbent MP, Hawa Koomson.



According to him, every person who violates the laws of Ghana must face the full rigours of the law, positing that no one is above the law.



He said, no one in this country is above the law. You cant take the laws into your hands, even if you have a licensed gun, you cant parade the licensed gun on the streets of Ghana.



In referring to Hawa Koomsons conduct in public in 2020, Mr. Palgrave Boakye Danquah said, We can go into the substance of the issue and invite her. Its not too late, Its never too late. 



It is recalled that, Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson, Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East on July 20, 2020, admitted to firing shots at a voter registration centre in her constituency to protect herself.







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The Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs has acknowledged the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for being the first dignitary and non-member of Asanteman to visit the Regional House of Chiefs.



Daasebre Osei Bonsu II who welcomed Dr Bawumia and his campaign team on behalf of the Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu said the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs is overwhelmed with Bawumia's posture.



You are the first dignitary and non-member of Asanteman to visit the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs and to have our Queen mothers seated before 9 AM, that shows how we hold you in high esteem and we are delighted to have you Daasebre Osei Bonsu II added.



The flagbearer of NPP, as part of his bid to lead the country, has commenced a tour dubbed Bold Solutions for the Future where he has covered 15 Regions so far.



From today, June 10, 2024, Dr Bawumia has started a 3-day campaign tour in the Ashanti region



On his first day, he is expected to meet with the clergy, and Muslim leaders in the afternoon at the Kumasi Central Mosque. Dr Bawumia will subsequently meet traders at the Kumasi Central Market.



The NPP flagbearer will conclude the first day of his campaign activities at the True Vine Hotel with meetings with various professional bodies, including the Ghana Medical Association, Ghana Bar Association, Ghana Journalists Association, University Teachers Association of Ghana, Ghana National Association of Teachers, National Association of Graduate Teachers and Coalition of Concerned Teachers.



The rest are the Ghana Institute of Architects, Ghana Institute of Engineers, Ghana Institute of Surveyors, Ghana Association of Society of Medical Physics, Nurses and Midwifery Association, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ghana, and the Ghana Institute of Planning, among others.





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The Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs have commended Vice President and NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for spearheading an impactful digitalization drive for Ghana.



Dr. Bawumia is in the Ashanti Region on three-day campaign tour and he paid a courtesy call on the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs on day 1 of his tour.



Delivering a speech before a gathering of the Chiefs, media and the Veep's delegation, the Mamponghene and the second gentleman in command at the Asante Kingdom, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, was in awe of the good works by Dr. Bawumia.



He lauded the Vice President for his developmental initiatives, particularly his digitalisation programme which has birthed a robust national identity system through the introduction of the Ghana Card among others.



"You have touched on your policies in detail, especially the one on digitalisation and using AI which is so dear to us. It is really good and laudable...Through digitalisation and the Ghana Card, you have helped build a robust identity system for Ghana. Even now, babies who are born get their identity cards the same day. This makes it easier to trace the roots and backgrounds of these children when they grow up", the Mamponghene remarked.



The Mamponghene urged Dr. Bawumia to be "bold and implement your new digital policies to the letter. It is so dear to us Nananom, for the advancement of the nation".



Daasebre Osei Bonsu II further commended Dr. Bawumia for his policy to engage the private sector in delivering more government infrastructure should he be elected President of Ghana.



"We are all asking the Almighty God to be behind you and help you. We are very grateful to you and we shall inform Otumfuo about what transpired here today before you meet him on Wednesday", he concluded.

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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

As temperatures in India's national capital region hovered above a scorching 47 degrees Celsius in mid-May, authorities ordered the closure of schools across the country.

Privately-run schools in Delhi equipped with air-conditioned classes and school buses ignored the shutdown ordera stark display of how the education gap works. However, a few days later, they also had to close following a separate local government order.

In the surrounding northern Indian states of Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan, where educational infrastructure is far worse than in Delhi, respective local governments followed suit ordering an early start to summer vacations.

South-East Asia faced a similar predicament.

With the heat indexwhich takes into account humidityexceeding the danger level of 42 degrees Celsius for most of April and May in the Philippines, classes were repeatedly suspended, while Cambodian authorities reduced school days by two hours.

Many schools, particularly public schools in developing countries in Asia, are so tightly packed, poorly ventilated and badly equipped to deal with extreme heat. Some don't have fans or even electricity to run them, especially in poor and remote areas, leading to an uncomfortable, unhealthy and unsafe learning environment.

Conditions in the home are no better, so online classes offer a poor alternative and only disadvantage children from low-income households who can't afford the internet or computers.

Children at risk

Young children are at high risk for heat-related mortality and illnesses, including chronic respiratory conditions, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases, says UNICEF which estimates that across East Asia and the Pacific, around 243 million children are exposed to hotter and longer heat waves.

But little thought is being given to the fact that climate change now dictates the number of days that schools stay open, whether it's due to heat, storms or flooding, and its impact on educational outcomes.

In a report released on World Environment Day (5 June), UNESCO says climate change is clearly disrupting education and affecting educational outcomes.

Most countries in the region are experiencing climate-related school closures every year resulting in learning loss and dropouts, hitting marginalized people the hardest.

"Over the past 20 years, schools were closed as a result of at least 75% of the extreme weather events impacting 5 million people or more in low- and middle-income countries," the UNESCO report states, citing analysis by the World Bank.

It says high temperatures are leading to lower grades and poorer performance in test results. Furthermore, climate vulnerability of poorer families is leading to lost household income, impacting the ability to afford schooling.

Extreme weather

The World Weather Attribution, a network of experts looking at how climate affect weather extremes, likened the forced school closures across South and South-East Asia due to extreme heat as similar to the COVID-19 lockdowns that had the effect of "increasing the education gap faced by children from low-income families, enhancing the risk of dropouts, and negatively impacting the development of human capital."

Closing schools may help tide over the present heat wave conditions but come the heavy monsoon months beginning July, authorities will once again resort to shutdowns whenever there are storms and flooding.

Last July, Delhi and surrounding states closed schools following unusually heavy rainfall and flooding. And this year, in neighboring Bangladesh, growing numbers of schoolchildren are being forced to abandon their education following floods and excessive rainfall.

Further north, Afghanistan is reeling from flash floods that have killed more than 300 people. Experts warn of a difficult monsoon season ahead marked by higher rainfall in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan.

"This rainfall will happen in the context of an overall warming trend: of higher-than-normal both minimum and maximum temperatures," says the International Center for Mountain Development based in Kathmandu, Nepal.

With Southeast Asia now moving into the monsoon season and possible La Nina in the last quarter of this year, schools here will face even more class suspensions.

A UNICEF report in 2021 warned that children faced "extremely high" risks from climate change impacts that could force school closures. But there is little sign of adaptive action.

Climate actions

It's unrealistic for schools in the region to spend money on air-conditioning and costly infrastructure to lessen disruption from extreme weather, not to mention the increase in carbon emissions. Most public schools don't even have proper sanitation facilities and drinking water.

There are no easy fixes. But there are actions that can be taken now.

Ventilations of school buildings must be improved. More classrooms should be built to reduce overcrowding of rooms. It also follows that more teachers should be hired.

New school buildings must be resilient against climate shocks and should not be built in flood-prone areas. Investing in disaster-resilient infrastructure and digital learning can reduce long-term disruption to education.

More trees should be planted in school grounds and nearby areas. Currently, a lot of schools are devoid of trees and have cemented entire grounds to reduce maintenance.

In the Philippines, the President ordered the return to the old academic year which starts in June and ends in March to avoid the heat.

In the long-term, however, only a reduction in global emissions can make the difference. That will require recognition that climate change is unfair, with low emitters the most vulnerable.

It is only reasonable that high-emitting countries help build adaptive capacity in low-emitting countries, with emphasis on keeping children safe in schools, rain or shine.

Provided by SciDev.Net
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:

Pressure-induced phases of TiS 3 . (A) Monoclinic crystal lattice of TiS 3 (space group of P2 1 /m (type-I)) at low pressure. The gray box outlines the periodic unit cell. Bond 1 (magenta) is 2.67 A long, while the bonds 2, 3, and 4 (dark blue) are 2.49 A long on average. To show clearly the embedded 1D chains, we use maroon and yellow S atoms to differentiate the two different (but equivalent) chains within a periodic unit cell. The SS pair (labeled in orange) connects S atoms attached to the same Ti. (B) Left: A photograph of a Q1D TiS 3 microstructure (seen as a dark line) on a white paper. Right: SEM image of the TiS 3 whisker at low pressure. (C) Monoclinic crystal lattice of TiS 3 , P2 1 /m (type-II), at intermediate pressure. The gray box outlines the periodic unit cell. The SS bond (labeled in purple) connects S atoms attached to different Ti. (D) Cubic crystal lattice of the high-pressure phase (space group of Pm3m) in the ball-and-stick representation. (E) Cubic crystal lattice in the polyhedral representations. Credit: Nano Letters (2024). 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c00824

When compressed, nanoribbons of titanium and sulfur can change properties dramatically, turning into materials with the ability to conduct electricity without losing energy, according to a study published in the journal Nano Letters.

The authors have made the discovery during their painstaking search for new materials that can transmit electricity without loss of energy, a hot topic that has for long haunted the scientific community.

"Our research focuses on one such promising material: TiS 3 nanoribbons, which are tiny, ribbon-like structures made of titanium and sulfur. In their natural state, TiS 3 nanoribbons act as insulators, meaning they do not conduct electricity well," says Mahmoud Rabie Abdel-Hafez, an associate professor at University of Sharjah's Department of Applied Physics and Astronomy.

"However, we discovered that by applying pressure to these nanoribbons, we could change their electrical properties dramatically," adds Abdel-Hafez, who is the study's main author.

The scientists exposed TiS 3 to gradual pressure. As they increased the pressure, they found that the TiS 3 system underwent a series of transitions, from being insulators to becoming metals and superconductors, for the first time.

TiS 3 materials are known to work as good insulators, but it is the first time scientists have discovered that under pressure they can function as superconductors, paving the way for the development of superconducting materials.

"Superconductors are special because they can conduct electricity with zero energy loss, which is incredibly valuable for technological applications," says Abdel-Hafez. "[But] imagine a world where electrical power could be transmitted without any energy being wasted as heat. This would revolutionize how we use and distribute electricity, making everything from power grids to electronic devices far more efficient."

It is exactly this potential which the authors tout as a breakthrough: the potential of TiS 3 to turn into materials causing no waste when transmitting electricity. By carefully controlling the pressure applied to these materials, the authors identified the exact points where they changed from one state to another.

"This is significant because understanding these transitions helps us learn how to manipulate other materials in similar ways, bringing us closer to discovering or designing new superconductors that can operate at higher temperatures and more practical conditions," notes Abdel-Hafez .

The study shows that TiS 3 has the potential to become such a material when subjected to the right conditions. By gradually increasing the pressure on the investigated materials, the authors observed that they transitioned from being insulators (poor conductors) to metals (good conductors) and finally to superconductors (perfect conductors with no energy loss).

(A) Temperature-pressure phase diagram of TiS 3. (B) Photograph and SEM image of quasi-1D microstructure. Credit: Nano Letters (2024). 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c00824

Discovering that TiS 3 materials can become superconductors under pressure is certain to help scientists understand more about the conditions required for superconductivity. This knowledge is crucial for developing new materials that might be superconductors at higher, more practical temperatures, the authors maintain.

"This research not only enhances our understanding of superconductivity but also demonstrates the power of international collaboration in achieving groundbreaking scientific results," affirms Sweden's Uppsala University Professor of Physics and Astronomy, a co-author.

The project is part of University of Sharjah's research quest to develop materials that can transmit electricity without energy loss, offering new insights into how pressure can transform the electrical properties of TiS 3 nanoribbons.

The study is a joint endeavor in which scientists from Sweden, China and Russia took part. "This advancement not only pushes the boundaries of material science but also holds the promise of groundbreaking applications in various fields, including energy transmission and electronic devices," says Abdel-Hafez.

On the method adopted to conduct the study, the authors write that they pursued "experimental and theoretical approaches to comprehensively explore the high-pressure behavior of the electronic properties of TiS 3 , a quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) semiconductor, across various temperature ranges.

"Through high-pressure electrical resistance and magnetic measurements at elevated pressures, we uncover a distinctive sequence of phase transitions within TiS 3 , encompassing a transformation from an insulating state at ambient pressure to the emergence of an incipient superconducting state above 70 GPa."

According to Abdel-Hafez, the study paves the way for finding new superconductors, a hunt which he likened to "the search for the holy grail in materials science because these materials can conduct electricity without any energy loss. This is crucial as it could lead to incredibly efficient power transmission and numerous technological advancements."

However, the authors note more research is needed to understand how these superconductors work and the theories behind them, topics which are still hotly debated in the literature. "In our research paper on TiS 3 materials, we found that we could change their electrical properties dramatically.

"These materials have the potential to revolutionize power transmission by enabling electricity to be conducted without any energy loss. Additionally, they could advance technologies in medical imaging, electronic devices, and transportation systems such as maglev trains," says Abdel-Hafez.

The authors are upbeat about the implications of their findings. They note, "Our findings provide compelling evidence that superconductivity at low temperatures of 2.9 K is a fundamental characteristic of TiS 3 , shedding new light on the intriguing high-pressure electronic properties of TiS 3 ."

More information: Mahmoud Abdel-Hafiez et al, From Insulator to Superconductor: A Series of Pressure-Driven Transitions in Quasi-One-Dimensional TiS3 Nanoribbons, Nano Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c00824 Journal information: Nano Letters
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Spatial maps of the residence time of individual drought classes (left) and cumulative drought classes (right) in the number of days and percentage over 20002022. Credit: AGU Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2023AV001070

Known for its glowing swaths of yellow, orange and red, the U.S. Drought Monitor has warned farmers, residents and officials throughout the nation of impending water scarcity every week since 1999.

Backed by data on soil moisture, temperature, snow cover, meltwater runoff, reservoir levels and more, the map has become an essential instrument for determining the outlook of water supplies, declaring drought emergencies and deciding where and when government aid should be distributed, among other things.

But this critical diagnostic tool is also struggling to keep pace with climate change as longer and more persistent dry spells plague the American West and take an increasing toll on groundwater reserves and the Colorado River, according to a recent study published in the journal AGU Advances.

One problem, researchers say, is that the monitor was launched just as one of the driest periods in the history of the Southwest began, and it has never been adjusted for the region's growing aridity.

"The product is essential, but it is also undoubtedly, in my opinion, being influenced by climate change," said Justin Mankin, one of the study's authors and an associate professor of geography at Dartmouth. "And we in the drought community need to have a conversation about what it looks like to think about drought monitoring in the context of an aridifying climate."

The monitor does provide an accurate and reliable snapshot of what's happening in the climate system at a given moment, including a mixture of global warming and La Nina conditions that contribute to drought conditions in the American Southwest, the study found.

But its introduction happened to coincide with the start of a multi-decadal period of dryness in the West, including the region's driest 22 years in at least the last 1,200 years, sometimes referred to as a megadrought.

During that period, some parts of California experienced exceptional droughtthe worst of five possible categoriesnine times more often than they should have, according to the drought monitor's probability. The areas were in that category 18% of the timeor for a period of nearly four yearscompared with the normal benchmark of 2%, the study found.

The findings raise questions about how the familiar assessment can best address long-term trends, and whether a product designed for periodic anomalies can accurately capture a much larger, slower-moving crisis.

"Those trends ... stress the theoretical guidelines of the product itself, and I would argue undermine its utility as a decision-maker," said Mankin, who was also the former co-lead of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Drought Task Force.

Indeed, the monitor is more than just a measure of dryness. It is used to inform social and economic policies, including decisions regarding state and local emergency drought declarations, federal funds for farmers and agribusinesses, and other disaster-related aid.

The Farm Services Agency, for instance, uses the Drought Monitor's weekly updates to dole out certain assistance programs such as emergency haying and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program. The Internal Revenue Service uses it for some livestock-related tax deferrals, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture uses it to determine eligibility for low-interest loans.

But resources triggered by exceptional conditions can quickly run dry if those conditions stretch for months or even years on end, said Jason Smerdon, another of the study's authors and a climate scientist at the Columbia Climate School.

"It's an emergency, but a different kind of emergency," Smerdon said. "If it's going to be dark red all the time, then short-term relief aid to address the challenge is not really the way to think about it. It's an emergency of a much longer, persistent nature that I think takes different planning and different relief."

Experts who work on the Drought Monitor said they're open to the feedback, and also acknowledged that the tool has its limitations.

"The Drought Monitor was never intended to be a climate change indicatorit was meant to be a real-time assessment of drought conditions," said Mark Svoboda, director of the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which produces the monitor in partnership with NOAA and the USDA.

The monitor uses a "convergence of evidence" approach that pulls in data from dozens of indicators each week, including measurements of precipitation, soil moisture, snowpack, snow water equivalents, streamflows, evapotranspiration, and groundwater and reservoir levels, he said. That means they're somewhat beholden to the limitations of those tools as well.

Before its publication each Thursday, more than 400 experts around the country review a draft of the update and weigh in on its findings. It's rare for such a product to have so much input, and also adds a bit of art to the science, according to Svoboda, who co-founded the Drought Monitor in 1999 and was author of it for 17 years.

But the problem today is that it's not yet known whether the West's megadrought represents a permanent climactic shift that could warrant a recalibration of the tools, or whether there may still be wetter days ahead, he said. In regions that are already arid to begin with, who decides when small shifts in moisture pass a tipping point into a new era?

"We've seen these multi-decadal droughts where we've seen a flip back to a wetter regime after that," Svoboda said. "So the real challenge right now, 20 years in, because of climate change, is, are we not ever going to see the flip back? Therefore, do we classify and switch into a more arid climate in a given region? That's the real hundred-billion-dollar question, and our indicators right nownone of them are going to address that, because we're not a prediction tool."

The good news is the monitor is generally adept at standardizing its classifications for regional variations, such as how an "exceptional" drought might have vastly different implications in California versus a place such as Vermont, Smerdon said.

But the weekly snapshot is also "not sufficient for thinking about where we're going and what we're doing in light of the increasing water pressures we're going to experience in the West," he said.

For instance, Southern California was never classified in exceptional drought during the 23-year study period, the researchers founddespite the fact that millions of people in and around Los Angeles had been placed under their strictest-ever water restrictions amid the state's three driest years on record.

What's more, the Drought Monitor currently shows most of California and the Southwest are out of the worst stages of drought following two recent wet winters. But groundwater supplies are still depleted, and the Colorado River has not fully recovered from two-plus decades of dryness, with Lake Mead still only measuring about 35% of capacity.

"Those are the central banks for the water economy of the West, but you look at the map and that is not featured there in any kind of substantive way," Mankin said.

Svoboda said the current readings in the Colorado River region represent a "double-edged sword." It's unlikely that Lake Mead will ever reach full capacity again, but to continue to reflect that on the Drought Monitor would leave the map there indefinitely red.

"The challenge is always, you don't want to cry wolf too soon, but you certainly don't want to wait until the wolf's eating you, either," he said of declaring a drought. "And when you're coming out of drought, the same applies. Impacts of drought can linger."

Other tools, such as reservoir monitors from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources, are better equipped to measure water scarcity and supplies in the region than the Drought Monitor, he added.

But there are potential ways to help the tool evolve with the changing climate, including expanding its baseline to include wetter periods before the onset of the current megadrought, which would help even out the bell curve and reduce the frequency of extremes, the researchers said.

Tacking on a new "super-exceptional" category might also help with its calibration. It's a move that has already been proposed for other worsening climate events, such as a new "Category 6" for hurricanes.

However, there are limits to that solution when it comes to drought, which is hard-bound by finite amounts of water, as opposed to hurricanes, which have no upper limit of strength, the researchers said.

Svoboda said similarly that the Drought Monitor is constrained by limited records in many of the products it relies on. What's more, adjusting the "normal" would also mean that all the surrounding policiessuch as relief from the Farm Services Agencywould have to change as well.

Such issues don't necessarily indicate flaws with the monitor, but rather underscore the need for a variety of tools, both he and the researchers said. The U.S. Drought Monitor shouldn't be the be-all and end-all for decision-making, and should continue to be paired with reservoir observations, snow surveys and other measurements to form a complete picture.

Mankin said he hopes the study can shine a light on the need for long-term adaptationand the increased possibility that California and other states will be in drought much more frequently than they once were.

However, he and Smerdon stressed that the study should not undermine the value of the Drought Monitoror the work of those who keep it updated week after week.

"Monitoring drought and maintaining a sense of how hydroclimate is fluctuating across the United States is really important, and it really has been a game-changer to have it as a resource and for planning," Smerdon said. "I just think it has to evolve. We have to think about what a tool like the Drought Monitor means under a climate that's changing."

More information: Zhiying Li et al, Emergent Trends Complicate the Interpretation of the United States Drought Monitor (USDM), AGU Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2023AV001070 Journal information: AGU Advances

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Terry Husted lives in DeWitt County, a major pathway for migrating birds in central Illinois. After a company submitted plans to construct a wind farm in his area, Husted said he grew worried about the potential for collisions.

"The birds hunt, so they focus on the ground and what they're looking for, and don't really focus on where they're going," Husted said. "So they accidentally hit wind turbines, and it kills them."

Illinois is the fifth-largest state for wind energy, and produces about 7% of the United States' wind energy, according to the American Clean Power Association, a renewable energy industry group.

But, hundreds of thousands of birds and nearly 1 million bats die every year in collisions with wind turbines throughout the United States and Canada. As scientists look for ways to mitigate the effects of climate change, clean energy producers need to keep wildlife populations and their habitats in mind, experts say.

"More than half of the (bat) species in the U.S. are either declining or at some risk of decline," said Winifred Frick, chief scientist at Bat Conservation International. "Wind energy is the leading cause of mortality for our long-distance migratory species. And that mortality rate is worryingly high."

Husted said the wind farm in DeWitt County went through his county's approval process twice, ultimately passing a second county board vote. He said there was strong opposition from the community at both meetings.

"It passed, although they had not addressed our concerns," Husted said. "In all of the public meetings, there were just a few people on the 'for' side and a ton of people on the 'against' side. But we were characterized as just a vocal minority."

The wind farm, operated by Enel Green Power, has been in operation for nearly a year. Matthew Saville, a site manager for the wind project, said no eagle deaths have been observed at the site so far.

"By avoiding fossil fuel emissions, wind power promotes clean air and water for wildlife," Saville said.

"Properly sited wind energy has been endorsed by leading environmental and wildlife groups including the Audubon Society, and Enel diligently studies wildlife patterns to design projects that minimize potential impacts. Wind power's impact on bird mortality is extremely small when compared to other sources, such as collisions with tall buildings and communications towers, vehicle strikes, lead poisoning, and habitat conversion."

Mona Khalil, who leads the Energy and Wildlife Research Program at the U.S. Geological Survey, said significant research still has to be done to determine the overall impact of turbines on bat and bird populations. But it's clear that wind farms such as the one in DeWitt County present a problem, she added.

Khalil said in most states, including Illinois, it is not mandatory to track or share data measuring bird or bat deaths near wind farms, she said.

"What would be really helpful is if we had better access to this kind of information, then we could really do the kinds of studies that need to be done in order to get a better sense of what the impacts are," Khalil said.

Meaghan Gade, a program manager with the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, which represents state and federal agencies and includes the Illinois Department of Natural Resources among its members, said the organization wants to see developers take wildlife into consideration.

"There are no states that are trying to stand in the way of renewable energy development," Gade said. "What the states are focused on is how can we do that development while mitigating avoidable impacts to wildlife."

Jason Ryan, a spokesperson with the American Clean Power Association, said wind farms across the country have implemented mitigation tactics to reduce the impact of turbines on wildlife.

Other sources of energy, including hydraulic fracking, pose a much higher risk for birds, he said.

"Wind energy companies are recognized leaders in their efforts to understand the potential impacts to wildlife through preconstruction studies and design projects carefully to avoid and minimize wildlife impacts," Ryan said in a statement. "Renewable energy offers the safest and cleanest approach to generating electricity, decreasing air and water pollution that negatively impacts humans and wildlife alike."

According to Khalil, some large farms have implemented technologies that monitor when animals are coming near and have developed strategies to slow collisions. A tower that can detect species flying within 1 kilometer and stop wind turbines on the farm from rotating is one example.

"Installing those types of technologies that can detect if there's actual risk is really good," Khalil said. "If facilities incorporate that into their design and practice operational changes when a risk to an animal is there, that would reduce fatalities."

There are a few other methods that could lower bat and bird deaths, according to Frick.

One is to change the "cut-in speed," the speed at which turbine blades spin to generate power. Frick said if wind farms changed their power-generating speed to 11 mph, for example, they could halve the number of bats killed, and at 13 mph, fatalities could decrease between 60% and 80%. Cut-in speeds currently vary between 6 and 9 mph, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

The higher the cut-in speed, the fewer bats and birds would be killed because they can't fly into the structures as easily when the wind speeds are higher, Frick said. Most bat fatalities occur when turbine speeds are low, she said, so requiring that blades spin faster to produce electricity could eliminate some of those deaths.

But that's often not an attractive solution for farms looking to maximize their electricity production.

Turbines also often continue spinning below the cut-in speed when they are not actively producing electricity. Frick said halting turbines during these periods would not tangibly affect the energy produced, and could be another option to help limit bird deaths.

"You can change the tilt of the blades so they won't catch any wind at very low wind speeds," Frick said. "If they're not spinning, they basically are harmless. And it's not costing you any power because they aren't doing much at those speeds anyway."

Bethany Straw, an assistant coordinator at the North American Bat Monitoring Program, said development companies should also ensure renewable energy facilities are being built outside bird and bat habitats. Straw said bats and birds are usually attached to their homes and migratory paths, and when structures are built near a water source, a nest or prey, they can be particularly dangerous.

Encouraging the wind industry to preserve habitats has been a particular focus for bat conservationists, according to Straw.

Deaths from wind energy are one of the two leading causes of death for bats in the country, according to Straw. The other is white-nose syndrome, a fungus that attacks the skin, ear and wind membranes of hibernating bats, and affects their immune system and metabolism. The fungus killed so many bats in the Illinois Caverns in the southwest part of the state that local officials closed them to tourists for more than a decade.

"Habitat change is kind of this nebulous stressor because it can occur in so many different ways, and then those cascading effects you observe can be different for different bats in different habitats," Straw said. "If we can conserve these really important habitats, that helps the population."

Michelle Braswell lives in Clinton County, Iowa, halfway between Des Moines and Chicago. In February, she learned that her neighbor had applied for a permit to construct a wind turbine 1,800 feet from an eagle's nest on her property.

Braswell said she rallied the community around stopping the project, creating yard signs and making a Facebook group with more than 800 members. She said she wants people to be more wary of where they are building turbines.

"So many lobbyists say this is about landowner rights, and a landowner should be able to put wind turbines on their ground wherever they want," Braswell said. "But what about the eagles? They don't stand a chance against these huge blades."

Braswell said there have been multiple delays in the permit process for her neighbor's structure because of unrelated complications, including a lack of voting members at one meeting and a tornado warning at another. The structure is still waiting for approval.

Overall, Frick said, the larger conflict between renewable energy sources and wildlife runs deeper than just the relationship between wind farms and birds.

Wind and solar power are expected to play dominant roles in expanding the nation's supply of clean electricity and are crucial to efforts to reach net-zero emissions, studies show. The Biden administration has set a goal of a carbon-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions economy-wide by 2050. In Illinois, a 2021 state law outlaws coal- and gas-fired electricity by 2045.

While habitat loss and collision risks are also concerns with solar farms, there is not as much evidence about the threat to wildlife, according to experts.

"With wind farms, it's easy to say we know survival is impacted, right?" said Liz Kalies, a lead renewable energy scientist at the Nature Conservancy. "We know there are direct strikes. We know there's direct mortality from wind farms. Solar is trickier because we don't have very much direct mortality."

Kalies said there are a number of ways that solar developers can also prioritize wildlife. Like with wind farms, building solar energy in natural habitats can affect mammals and birds.

"When you cut down forests, when you remove natural habitat, it's certainly going to be a loss," Kalies said. "But when you start with degraded lands, mine lands, brownfields, landfills, everything you do from that point on is an improvement."

Some solar farms in wildlife-heavy habitats have implemented design tools such as animal-friendly fencing, Kalies said, so that nearby animals can continue to use the space. Others have pursued vegetation management, planting wildflowers and other pollinator habitats inside the solar farm to preserve the existing natural habitat.

Kalies said there is still research being done to measure the overall impact of solar farms on the surrounding landscape. But, she said, scientists have observed all types of animals, from bobcats to possums, on solar farms.

Overall, Kalies said, wildlife conservation needs to be a consideration for any renewable energy site. Frick agreed.

"Even if things like solar panels are preferable to wind turbines when it comes to bats, we need to be focusing on not converting any kind of animal habitat into solar fields or any other kind of development site," Frick said. "It's all part of a bigger balancing act."

According to Gade, project manager with the Fish & Wildlife Agencies, there are currently no incentives or regulations that require developers to take wildlife into account.

But conservation should start at the beginning of any development process, she said.

"Remember that we can do both," Gade said. "We can have renewable energy development, which is necessary to meet emission reduction goals, but we can also have wildlife conservation. Let's make development happen responsibly."

2024 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

An electron microscope image of a hair, split along its length. Credit: Prof. David Taylor, Trinity College Dublin

Academics are often accused of "splitting hairs," but a team at Trinity College Dublin has now devised a machine to do just that. We all have a bad hair day from time to time, and split ends are a common problem. However, the science behind this kind of hair damage is poorly understood, which is why the Trinity team, led by Professor David Taylor, is investigating this knotty problem.

Prof. Taylor's research in the Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering covers all kinds of natural materials, from human bone to seashells but he had never worked on hair. So, when cosmetics company L'Oreal approached him, he was happy to accept the challenge.

Working with colleagues, he developed the "Moving Loop Fatigue machine," which has been expertly designed to recreate what happens when tangled hair is combed out. The results have just been published in the journal Interface Focus.

Two types of hair were tested: some from a person who suffered from split ends and some from a person who didn't. Using the machine, the team was able to generate splits in both types of hair, but the splitting-prone hair split more quickly and generated splits that were much longer. Additionally, when bleached, the hair from the person who didn't suffer with split ends started to split similarly to the splitting-prone sample.

Isobel Duffy, one of the researchers on the team, added, "We were amazed at how well the machine workedoften, a single strand of hair split into two along its whole length, in the same way that hair does when some people dry and comb it before starting their days. Now that we can create splits in a reproducible way, we can go on to study why some people's hair splits and some don't, and better investigate the effects that some cosmetic treatments have on hair quality."

Prof. David Taylor said, "This work constitutes a first step in developing a scientific approach to better understanding the biomechanics of hair splitting. It paves the way for future studies, including a more comprehensive experimental program involving a larger number of donors with different hair typesincluding curly hairand more detailed studies that could incorporate the effects of humidity, temperature and different treatments.

"Hair is a complex material and it is surprising how little we know about it. In time our work may change that, with implications for the cosmetics industry and the millions of people across the globe that want to take first-rate care of their hair."

Another team member, Robert Teeling, added, "When I started as an Engineering student in Trinity I didn't think I would spend my Masters' year testing hair. But it turned out to be a great project: I designed and built a new type of machine from scratch and made a real contribution to science. I learnt that hair is a material like any other: it can break through mechanical forces, in this case when you comb or brush it, and it's sensitive to how you treat it."

More information: David Taylor et al, The biomechanics of splitting hairs, Interface Focus (2024). DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2023.0063
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Simulation of the interaction between a Doppler-boosted laser and a solid target. Credit: Zaim et al.

The experimental generation of increasingly intense light beams could help to unveil new physical regimes occurring in the presence of very strong electromagnetic fields. While some progress has been made towards this goal, physicists are yet to develop a reliable strategy to achieve extreme light intensities.

Researchers at LIDYL, CEA, CNRS, Universite Paris-Saclay recently proposed a realistic method to reach unprecedented light intensities in experimental settings, using tightly focused doppler-boosted lasers. This method, outlined in a paper published in Physical Review Letters, was theoretically found to enable light-matter interactions near the Schwinger limit.

"The paper exploits an idea that emerged in our team at France's Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA-LIDYL) in 2019 and that has been extensively studied since then in collaboration with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (especially regarding the modeling aspects)," Henri Vincenti and Neil Zaim, co-authors of the paper, told Phys.org.

"Within this collaboration, we are devising a new technique to produce a light source at an unprecedented intensity and researching how such a light source could be used to explore the strong field regime of quantum electrodynamics (SF-QED)."

QED, the relativistic quantum theory of electrodynamics, is among one of the most accurately tested physics theories. Its strong-field regime, however, remains largely unexplored, due to current difficulties in probing it experimentally.

"The theory of SF-QED has been developed decades ago and predicts the emergence of new physical regimes in the presence of very strong electromagnetic fields, where gamma-ray emission and antimatter (electron-positron pairs) production are prevalent and where even light propagation in vacuum becomes nonlinear," Vincenti and Zaim said.

"For instance, an intense light beam can modify the propagation of another light beam crossing its path, a regime not described by Maxwell's equations that are linear by essence."

Strong field regimes are theorized to occur in the vicinity of massive astrophysical objects, including black holes and neutron stars, as well as during extreme astrophysical events, such as gamma-ray bursts. These cosmological phenomena are not yet fully understood, thus studying the extreme regimes associated with them in laboratory settings could prove highly insightful.

Until now, however, scientists have been unable to successfully reproduce SF-QED dominated regimes in experimental settings. The few experiments that attempted to do so relied on large-scale particle accelerators, yet they could only detect a small number of SF-QED processes.

"These regimes are challenging to reproduce in a laboratory setting because SF-QED phenomena occur when electromagnetic fields approach the so-called Schwinger limit (~1018 V/m or equivalently ~1029 W/cm2); orders of magnitude above state-of-the-art laser technology, which can 'only' produce intensities up to ~1023 W/cm2," Vincenti and Zaim said.

"In fact, it is often considered impossible to reach the Schwinger field in the laboratory frame. Thus, all past and proposed experiments rely on reaching the Schwinger limit only in the rest frame of very energetic particles."

Vincenti, Zaim and their colleagues hope that their proposed technique to generate highly intense light will open new opportunities for research. Specifically, it could eventually allow physicists to approach the so-called Schwinger limit in a laboratory setting.

"In our 2019 paper, we validated with state-of-the-art numerical simulations the feasibility of our light boosting technique," Vincenti and Zaim said.

"Our simulations indicated that this method could increase the intensity of a PW laser by 2 to 5 orders of magnitude, potentially making the 1025-1028 W/cm2 intensity range within the reach of current laser technology. In a 2021 paper published in Nature Physics, we obtained a first experimental confirmation of this result with a more moderate intensity (~1019 W/cm2) terawatt (TW)-class laser."

In a further paper published in 2021, Vincenti and his collaborators outlined the results of further numerical simulations. These results demonstrated that even at the lowest intensities that they hope to achieve using their proposed method (~1025 W/cm2), the boosted light would be sufficient to trigger much more SF-QED phenomena than those probed by a conventional PW laser.

"This could lead to a new kind of SF-QED experiments in the coming years," Vincenti and Zaim said. "In this case, however, we are still orders of magnitude from reaching the Schwinger limit in the laboratory frame, as it is only exceeded in the rest frame of energetic particles."

While the researchers had already run various numerical simulations to theoretically validate their approach, one of its potential applications was yet to be explored. Specifically, the team had not yet explored its potential for approaching the Schwinger limit in a laboratory frame.

Simulation of the collision between a Doppler-boosted laser and an electron beam. Credit: Zaim et al.

"This corresponds to the highest intensities that we hope to achieve with our light boosting technique (~1028 W/cm2)," Vincenti and Zaim. "The objective of this new paper was to explore the physical scenarios that come into play in these uncharted territories, using state-of-the-art numerical tools. Such results are very important to motivate, define and prepare the future generations of SF-QED experiments."

To produce light of an unprecedented intensity, the technique proposed by Vincenti and his colleagues leverages the interaction between a PW laser and a flat solid target, which is ionized into a plasma. Specifically, the researchers proposed hitting an optically polished solid target with a laser beam of ultrahigh intensity, leading to the formation of a so-called plasma mirror.

This plasma mirror reflects the incident light and is also moved by the intense laser field. This motion results in the temporary compression of the reflected laser pulse, which is then converted to a shorter wavelength by the Doppler effect. The radiation pressure from the laser gives the plasma mirror a natural curvature, focusing the Doppler-boosted beam onto smaller spots and theoretically producing intensity gains of over three orders of magnitude in these spots.

"The key additional ingredient needed to reach the highest intensities approaching the Schwinger limit (say ~1028 W/cm2, rather than ~1025 W/cm2), is the ability to focus the boosted light down to its smallest possible volume," Vincenti and Zaim explained.

"We are currently exploring several paths to achieve such a tight focusing in experiments, for instance, by using external refocusing extreme ultraviolet optics. Some of these techniques already look very promising and will be the subject of future publications."

In their recent paper, Vincenti and Zaim made no assumption about the method used to tightly focus the Doppler-boosted light, as this would allow them to represent various potential options in their numerical simulations. Instead, they merely assumed that they could focus the light to its smallest possible volume (i.e. its diffraction limit).

"The results that we have obtained are very exciting, as they show that approaching the Schwinger limit in the laboratory frame leads to new and extremely rich light-matter interactions scenarios, lying at the frontier of modern physics," Vincenti and Zaim said.

"The simple interaction between our boosted light and a solid target leads to a profusion of SF-QED events that dominates the physics. Typically, between 30% and 50% of the boosted light energy is converted into gamma-rays and electron-positron pairs in a few tens of femtoseconds by SF-QED processes."

The numerical simulations run by the researchers also showed that their method leads to generated gamma photons and electron-positron pairs being bunched into dense fireballs that move at the speed of light. While these fire balls have a short life of approximately 1 fs, the team think that they could mimic the electron/positron jets that exist in the proximity of black holes and neutron stars, thus they help to unveil the origin of the radiation they emit.

"At the highest intensities that we could reasonably consider (>1028 W/cm2), we discovered that the physics becomes even more radical: chain reactions of particle creation start occurring," Vincenti and Zaim said.

"In other words, photons and electron-positron pairs create themselves new photons and pairs, exponentially increasing the density of the fireballs up to more than 5,000-times the density of a solid. It is not too unreasonable to think that such a chain reaction mechanism has the potential to give rise to new advanced sources of gamma-rays bursts and antimatter."

Vincenti, Zaim and his colleagues theoretically showed that the collision of their Doppler-boosted light with an energetic electron beam originating from a particle accelerator could also lead to interesting results. In this configuration, in fact, the field in rest frame of the electrons becomes so high that the perturbative theory developed for SF-QED breaks down.

"In other words, we have as of today, no clue what would happen in such an experiment," Vincenti and Zaim explained.

"This lack of theoretical framework is likely both due to the mathematical complexity of nonperturbative quantum field theory and to the fact that researchers thought for many years that it would be impossible to reach such high electric fields in the rest frame of an electron. Our guess is that these kinds of results will further revive the interest in the nonperturbative regime of SF-QED and spur the development of new theoretical or numerical frameworks better suited to this regime."

The results gathered by the researchers so far suggest that performing experiments close to the Schwinger limit would yield exciting new results that could greatly contribute to the fields of plasma physics and QED. In their next studies, they plan to start applying their proposed method in real experiments, in collaboration with major laser facilities worldwide.

"The main challenge that we anticipate is to actually produce the highest possible light intensities (up to 1028 W/cm2) in a real-world environment with experimental imperfections (both laser and targetry) and limited beam time," Vincenti and Zaim said. "Identifying and mitigating the hurdles that lie ahead will require the combination of theoretical, numerical and experimental expertise."

The researchers forecast that in the first experiments, they will be able to create boosted light with intensities around 1025 W/cm2. While these intensities would still be far from the Schwinger limit, they would still be a world record, paving the way for high-impact SF-QED experiments that have never been performed before.

"We would then take advantage of the feedback from previous experiments and of future progress in laser technology to increase gradually the boosted light intensity from here up to the Schwinger limit," Vincenti and Zaim added. "This will allow us to obtain more and more spectacular SF-QED dominated interactions. We are therefore convinced that there are exciting times ahead."

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The family of Emerson Cole, an 11-year-old who died after having an allergic reaction at school, is suing Amarillo Independent School District for negligence. seng kui Lim / 500px/Getty Images/500px

The family of Emerson Cole, an 11-year-old who died after having an allergic reaction at school, has filed a lawsuit against Amarillo Independent School District for alleged negligence.

Coles mother, Chelsea Kroger Acosta, and grandmother, Carole Kroger, filed the lawsuit in the 108th District Court in Potter County last month, according to local media outlet MyHighPlains.com. The family says the districts failure to follow Coles 504 Action Plan, which included steps to respond to her severe dairy allergy, resulted in her death.

A 504 Action Plan are steps a school develops for students with disabilities and medical issues so they have the support they need. The name 504 plan comes from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The action plans are meant to prevent discrimination and safeguard students.

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According to court documents, Cole was eating lunch in the cafeteria of Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School on Jan. 17, 2023, when she began experiencing an allergic reaction. The school nurse was reportedly not in the office when Cole arrived. A school official called Cole's mother and got permission to give the child Benadryl. Cole became sick after taking the medication and threw up.

When Cole's grandmother arrived at the school, the front office said they were calling 911. By the time Kroger made it to the nurses office, Cole was struggling with a breathing treatment and collapsed, the lawsuit says.

The grandmother administered CPR until emergency workers arrived and took over treatment. Cole was treated for cardiac arrest, and an ambulance transported her to the hospital where she died two days later, on Jan. 19, 2023, as a result of anaphylaxis, according to court records.

Acosta and Kroger claim Amarillo ISD failed to implement policies, procedures and practices required to keep Cole safe." The lawsuit alleges the school district did not administer epinephrine or closely monitor Cole during the allergic reaction as required in her 504 Action Plan.

It also states that Coles condition qualified her as an individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and that she was a victim of discrimination by the acts and omissions of the school district.

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The plaintiffs attorney Kevin Isern told MyHighPlains.com the school had an EpiPen but they just didnt administer it. Emergency Medical Services administered an EpiPen once they arrived at the school, but the 911 call was over 25 minutes after she had had the initial reaction, he added.
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A simulation of a possible explanation for an L subdwarf named CWISE J124909+362116.0's speed shows it as a part of a white dwarf binary pair that ended with the white dwarf exploding into a supernova. Credit: Adam Makarenko / W.M. Keck Observatory

It may seem like the sun is stationary while the planets in its orbit are moving, but the sun is actually orbiting around the Milky Way galaxy at an impressive rate of about 220 kilometers per secondalmost half a million miles per hour. As fast as that may seem, when a faint red star was discovered crossing the sky at a noticeably quick pace, scientists took notice.

Thanks to the efforts of a citizen science project called Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 and a team of astronomers from around the country, a rare hypervelocity L subdwarf star has been found racing through the Milky Way. More remarkably, this star may be on a trajectory that causes it to leave the Milky Way altogether. The research, led by University of California San Diego Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics Adam Burgasser, was presented at a press conference during the 244th national meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) in Madison, Wisconsin.

The star, charmingly named CWISE J124909+362116.0 ("J1249+36"), was first noticed by some of the over 80,000 citizen science volunteers participating in the Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 project, who comb through enormous reams of data collected over the past 14 years by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission. This project capitalizes on the keen ability of humans, who are evolutionarily programmed to look for patterns and spot anomalies in a way that is unmatched by computer technology. Volunteers tag moving objects in data files and when enough volunteers tag the same object, astronomers investigate.

J1249+36 immediately stood out because of the speed at which it is moving across the sky, initially estimated at about 600 kilometers per second (1.3 million miles per hour). At this speed, the star is fast enough to escape the gravity of the Milky Way, making it a potential "hypervelocity" star.

To better understand the nature of this object, Burgasser turned to the W.M. Keck Observatory in Mauna Kea, Hawaii to measure its infrared spectrum. These data revealed that the object was a rare L subdwarfa class of stars with very low mass and temperature. Subdwarfs represent the oldest stars in the Milky Way.

The insight into J1249+36's composition was made possible by a new set of atmosphere models created by UC San Diego alumnus Roman Gerasimov, who worked with UC LEADS scholar Efrain Alvarado III to generate models specifically tuned to study L subdwarfs.

"It was exciting to see that our models were able to accurately match the observed spectrum," said Alvarado, who is presenting his modeling work at the AAS meeting.

The spectral data, along with imaging data from several ground-based telescopes, allowed the team to accurately measure J1249+36's position and velocity in space, and thereby predict its orbit through the Milky Way.

"This is where the source became very interesting, as its speed and trajectory showed that it was moving fast enough to potentially escape the Milky Way," stated Burgasser.

A simulation of a possible explanation for an L subdwarf named CWISE J124909+362116.0's speed shows it as a part of a white dwarf binary pair that ended with the white dwarf exploding into a supernova. Credit: Adam Makarenko / W.M. Keck Observatory

What gave this star a kick?

Researchers focused on two possible scenarios to explain J1249+36's unusual trajectory. In the first scenario, J1249+36 was originally the low-mass companion of a white dwarf. White dwarfs are the remnant cores of stars that have depleted their nuclear fuel and died out. When a stellar companion is in a very close orbit with a white dwarf, it can transfer mass, resulting in periodic outbursts called novae. If the white dwarf collects too much mass, it can collapse and explode as a supernova.

"In this kind of supernova, the white dwarf is completely destroyed, so its companion is released and flies off at whatever orbital speed it was originally moving, plus a little bit of a kick from the supernova explosion as well," said Burgasser. "Our calculations show this scenario works. However, the white dwarf isn't there anymore, and the remnants of the explosion, which likely happened several million years ago, have already dissipated, so we don't have definitive proof that this is its origin."

In the second scenario, J1249+36 was originally a member of a globular cluster, a tightly bound cluster of stars, immediately recognizable by its distinct spherical shape. The centers of these clusters are predicted to contain black holes of a wide range of masses. These black holes can also form binaries, and such systems turn out to be great catapults for any stars that happen to wander too close to them.

"When a star encounters a black hole binary, the complex dynamics of this three-body interaction can toss that star right out of the globular cluster," explained Kyle Kremer, an incoming Assistant Professor in UC San Diego's Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Kremer ran a series of simulations and found that on rare occasions these kinds of interactions can kick a low-mass subdwarf out of a globular cluster and on a trajectory similar to that observed for J1249+36.

"It demonstrates a proof of concept," said Kremer, "but we don't actually know what globular cluster this star is from." Tracing J1249+36 back in time puts it in a very crowded part of the sky that may hide undiscovered clusters.

To determine whether either of these scenarios, or some other mechanism, can explain J1249+36's trajectory, Burgasser said the team hopes to look more closely at its elemental composition. For example, when a white dwarf explodes, it creates heavy elements that could have "polluted" the atmosphere of J1249+36 as it was escaping. The stars in globular clusters and satellite galaxies of the Milky Way also have distinct abundance patterns that may reveal the origin of J1249+36.

"We're essentially looking for a chemical fingerprint that would pinpoint what system this star is from," said Gerasimov, whose modeling work has enabled him to measure the element abundances of cool stars in several globular clusters, work he is also presenting at the AAS meeting.

Whether J1249+36's speedy journey was because of a supernova, a chance encounter with a black hole binary, or some other scenario, its discovery provides a new opportunity for astronomers to learn more about the history and dynamics of the Milky Way.
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Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles, used to encapsulate food allergens. Credit: Shea Laboratory

Two doses of allergen-encapsulating nanoparticles delivered intravenously prevented anaphylaxis during a food allergy test in mice, according to a study led by University of Michigan researchers.

The results, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, offer a potential path to improving the ease of allergy immunotherapies in humans which currently require daily doses of the allergen.

In addition to the research in mice, this allergen-encapsulating nanoparticle platform has completed a Phase II clinical trial for treating the autoimmune condition celiac disease.

Food allergies form when a person's immune system misidentifies a harmless food proteinthe allergenas a threat. The immune system behaves similarly to how it would identify a virus, harmful bacteria or toxin, and mounts a defensive response to fight off the threat.

"It is not clear why certain individuals develop food allergies, and current treatments remain very limited," said Jessica O'Konek, a research assistant professor at the Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center at Michigan Medicine and co-corresponding author on the study.

While clinical management often focuses on allergen avoidance, patients are left susceptible to accidental exposures, which could be life-threatening. In the U.S., 51% of adults and 42% of children with a food allergy reported an incidence of a severe allergic reaction where anaphylaxis, low blood pressure, trouble breathing or wheezing occurred, sometimes leading to emergency room visits.

Allergen-specific immunotherapies aim to treat food allergies with a daily dose of the food allergen. Over time, patients can become desensitized, yet the allergic response may re-emerge after patients stop taking the allergen daily.

"Rather than focusing on desensitization, treatment with allergen-encapsulating nanoparticles actually retrains the immune system not to react to an allergena process termed tolerance," said Lonnie Shea, a Steven A. Goldstein Collegiate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at U-M and co-corresponding author on the study.

At just 500 nanometers in diameter, these particles are 0.5% the width of a human hair and hold a negative surface charge that targets them to immune cells.

"These characteristics of the nanoparticle make them appear like debris from dying cells, which are generally not viewed as dangerous. The encapsulated allergen is processed by the immune cells without upregulating danger signals that would normally activate an immune response," said Shea.

Once taken up, these nanoparticles interact with immune system pathways to suppress T helper 2 cells, an immune cell type that causes inflammation in response to allergens. The treatment even reprograms some inflammatory T helper 2 cells to become regulatory T cells, a cell type that regulates your immune system not to attack your own cells, which lessens the body's reaction to the allergen.

The researchers used a mouse model of an egg allergy where they first sensitized mice to ovalbumin, an allergy-inducing protein in egg whites, then treated mice with either a placebo or ovalbumin-encapsulating nanoparticles dissolved in a phosphate-buffered saline.

The mice then underwent an oral food challenge, a common diagnostic for food allergies where a patient eats suspected allergen to determine if anaphylaxis occurs.

Mice treated with ovalbumin nanoparticles did not have an anaphylactic response that was observed in the control condition and had less food allergy reactions overall, including diarrhea.

Tissue and blood samples collected from these mice helped unravel the cellular pathways and found that treatment reduced basophil and mast cell frequency in the gut, indicating less allergic inflammation.

Studies are currently investigating how long these nanoparticles prevent a reaction to the allergen.

"Because food allergies trigger the same T helper cell response, this platform could be modified to encapsulate and deliver any allergen to enable tolerance in just a few doses," said Shea.

Shea is also a professor of chemical engineering and surgery. O'Konek is also a William Chandler Swink Research Professor and a research assistant professor in the Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences and Michigan Medicine Department of Internal Medicine. Joel Whitfield in the Rogel Cancer Center Immunology Core performed the ELISAs.

More information: Michael N. Saunders et al, AllergenEncapsulating Nanoparticles Reprogram Pathogenic AllergenSpecific Th2 Cells to Suppress Food Allergy, Advanced Healthcare Materials (2024). DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400237 Journal information: Advanced Healthcare Materials
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In the Arctic Ocean, sea ice reached its minimum extent of 1.44 million square miles (3.74 million square kilometers) on Sept. 15, 2020the second lowest extent since modern record-keeping began. Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

When comparing model simulations of Earth's recent warming to real-world observations, differences can arise from several factors, including model errors in the simulated response to increased greenhouse gases and natural fluctuations within the climate system.

Natural climate variability, also called internal variability, can change regional and global atmospheric temperature by moving heat within the climate system. Diagnosing the role of natural climate variability over recent decades is critically important for both model validation and projections of future warming.

In an effort to quantify the role of natural fluctuations in model-observation differences, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientist Stephen Po-Chedley and collaborators found the unique temperature trend patterns associated with natural climate variability for 19802022. The research appears in Geophysical Research Letters.

"The relative role of different drivers of model-observational discrepancies in the pattern of warming has important implications for our understanding of climate sensitivity, as well as regional climate changes," said Po-Chedley, a co-author of the research. "This work shows that natural variations in Earth's climate likely contribute to key differences in the simulated-versus-observed pattern of surface-air temperature changes."

Previous studies by this research team have shown that natural climate variability has decreased global warming and enhanced Arctic warming. The team analyzed the multi-decadal trend patterns from hundreds of CMIP6 (the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, a global collaboration of climate modelers) simulations in which natural variability warms the Arctic but has a global cooling effect. They found that the majority of these model simulations also produce enhanced warming in the Barents Sea (near Norway) and Kara Sea (just north of Siberia) and cooling in the tropical eastern Pacific and Southern Ocean due to natural variability.

"Since these are the exact features imprinted on observed surface-temperature changes over 19802022, our work suggests that natural variability is an important component of several noteworthy differences between models and observations," said Aodhan Sweeney, a graduate student and lead author of the study from the University of Washington (UW).

"The cause of observed cooling over the tropical eastern Pacific and Southern Ocean in the last few decades is a hotly debated topic in climate science. This study provides compelling evidence that the natural variability could be largely responsible for the observed cooling over these regions," said Qiang Fu, a professor and co-author of the publication from UW.

The team found that a rare configuration (

"By attributing model deviations in the pattern of surface warming to natural climate variability, our study reinvigorates confidence in climate models' ability to produce realistic projections of future climatic change," said Hailong Wang, a co-author and research scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).

The team concluded that although more research is needed to fully attribute the causes of modeled-versus-observed differences in the pattern of global surface air temperature change, the identified pattern of internal variability and its similarity to features imprinted on the observational record suggests that natural climate variability did indeed reduce global warming and enhance Arctic warming over 19802022.

More information: Aodhan J. Sweeney et al, Unique Temperature Trend Pattern Associated With Internally Driven Global Cooling and Arctic Warming During 19802022, Geophysical Research Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2024GL108798 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

On May 21, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, in Hamburg, Germany, ruled that greenhouse gases are marine pollutants and nations must take action to "reduce, control and prevent" their effects. The tribunal, sometimes called the Oceans Court, was responding to a request from a consortium of small island nations disappearing under rising seas.

The United States is not one of the 169 parties to the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, but it abides by its principles. And while the tribunal's unanimous ruling is not legally binding, it will influence national and global court cases now being brought against the fossil fuel industry and its well-funded resistance to a carbon-free, renewable energy future.

Donald Trump offered himself up to that resistance in April when he solicited a billion-dollar donation from oil executives by promising, if reelected, to reverse President Joe Biden's clean energy rules. Big Oil could certainly afford the bribe. One billion dollars represents about 1% of the profits raked in by ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell and BP combined last year under Biden's moderate climate policies.

Which is why the tribunal's ruling may not be enough to halt or even slow the ocean's approach to a literal boiling point.

Climate impacts are overwhelming all other marine environmental insults, including industrial overfishing and oil, chemical and plastic pollution. Compounding the danger, unsound floodplain development is destroying coastal habitat in such places as Jakarta, Indonesia; Lagos, Nigeria; Houston; and Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed legislation banning any reference to climate change by state agencies.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is warning of above-normal hurricane activity this year, predicting 1725 named storms (versus an average of 14 ), with four to seven major hurricanes.

The culprit is near-record high temperatures in the Atlantic, combined with a La Nina cooling phase in the Pacific. (Water temperatures in recent La Nina years have been hotter than El Nino years in previous decades, according to NOAA.) And, of course, hurricane damage will only be increased by rising sea levels linked to warming sea water (H 2 O expands when heated), plus melting sea ice and glaciers.

Scientific reviews have found that the duration of marine heat waves has increased more than 50% since 1925. By 2014, 50% of the ocean was affected, and last year, more than 90% of the ocean hit internal heat wave temperatures, including one day when the temperature of the waters off the Florida Keys measured 101 degrees. The average global ocean surface temperature hit a record of nearly 70 degrees Fahrenheit one day last year, the highest ever recorded, and a stark contrast to the 61 degrees average throughout the 20th century.

That should be no surprise given that 90% of the heat generated by the burning of fossil fuelsalong with about a third of the carbon dioxidehas been absorbed by the ocean. The carbon dioxide, buffered into carbonic acid, increases acidity in ocean water, which is bad news for corals, clams and other shell-forming creatures. Also, a warmer, more acidic ocean contains less dissolved oxygen, expanding hundreds of "dead zones" in coastal waters, as tracked by the United Nations.

Not worried yet? In 199798 I reported on the first-ever global coral bleaching event, caused by too-warm water and affecting 16% of all coral reefs. In April, scientists reported the fourth and largest global bleaching to date, now affecting more than 54% of the world's coral reefs and growing by 1% a week.

Coral bleaching is similar to but more extensive than the kelp forest die-off along the coasts of South Australia and California. Ninety-five percent of Northern California's kelp forest has been displaced by sea urchin "barrens" since the West Coast's marine heat wave in 2014, '15 and '16, when water temperature averaged 7 degrees above normal.

A study done by Oregon State University found that with the destruction of the kelp forests, migrating gray whales are losing weight and energy because kelp helps generate the phytoplankton the whales feed on.

Even if most ocean climate impacts remain out of sight and, therefore, out of mind, I've met too many people directly affected by these changesfishermen, surfers, coastal homeowners, beach town shopkeepersnot to wonder why the Law of the Sea Tribunal's ruling wasn't major news around our blue planet. Likewise, why isn't climate change, which is causing warmer, wetter, more extreme weather in nation after nation, a major issue in the 2024 U.S. election?

Perhaps it will be if this summer's hurricanes take out Miami, Tampa, Charleston or Houston, or if shrimp start cooking in the sea before they're harvested. The tribunal's ruling could cool the oceans, if only there were a way or the will to enforce it.

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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The Parthenon Marbles - British Museum. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Joyofmuseums Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

The Parthenon marbles are rarely out of the news. Most recently, Turkish officials have rejected claims by the British Museum that British diplomat Lord Elgin was given permission from Ottoman authorities to remove the marbles from the Acropolis in Athens in the early years of the 19th century.

The Parthenon marbles are probably the most renowned example of a country calling for heritage objects to be returned. They are part of a larger move to investigate the colonial contexts through which most western museum collections have been formed. As a result, we are beginning to see greater transparency about acquisition histories.

There's also a new willingness in specific cases to repatriateor "bring home"contested objects, such as the Benin Bronzes, some of which are in the process of being repatriated to Nigeria.

All repatriation cases matter greatly to those involved, but that of the Parthenon marbles has become famous far beyond the dispute between the key parties of Greece and the UK. Why, then, do they resonate so deeply? In what ways were they important in classical Greece, and to the modern Greeks now?

The Parthenon marbles were removed from the Acropolis in Athens by Lord Elgin between 1801 and 1805. He then shipped them to Britain to join the collections of the British Museum in 1816.

The removal happened under Ottoman imperial rule, a mere five years before the creation of the modern Greek state. Today, the British Museum has 17 figures from the pediments (the triangular shape that forms the gable of the temple's pitched roof), 15 high-relief metopes (the decorated panels placed just above the colonnade), and 75 meters of the low-relief frieze which encircled the Parthenon. These are in addition to materials from other structures on the Acropolis.

Since 1983, Greece has formally sought the return of the marble. Debate has swirled around the legality of ownership, where they are best cared for and displayed, and the ideaat the forefront of current discussionthat they belong together as part of a carefully designed building. Since 2009, a purpose-built Acropolis Museum has been ready to display the marbles together, so they can be viewed within sight of the Acropolis.

The importance of the marbles

The Parthenon is a temple dedicated to Athena, patron goddess of Athens, that sits atop the Acropolis hill. It is regarded today as one of the most important monuments of the ancient world, an artistic and architectural wonder.

One measure of its modern importance is that the logo of Unescokeepers of the World Heritage Listrefers to the temple. Indeed, the whole Acropolis has been inscribed as a world heritage site since 1987. The sculptures are stunning works of art but beyond that, they embody the identity of classical Athens, its myths of origin and its ideologies. They are a physical manifestation of what it meant to be Athenian during the 5th century BC.

The Parthenon was a monument of Athenian imperial power, but also a hymn to democracy (if not in the form we recognize todaythis was a society with slavery, after all).

It is the marbles' symbolic message of equality and freedom that resonates so powerfully today, and which gives them both local historical significance and modern global importance. It was because of the legacy of antiquity, the literature, philosophy and arts of Greece, that western Europeans, by the 18th and 19th centuries, viewed Greece as the cradle of western civilization.

British historian Paul Cartledge, in making the case for their return, has stated that "the Parthenon sculptures simply mean much, much more to the Greeks than they do to us in Britain."

The reasons for their importance to Greece (far beyond any of the thousands of Greek artifacts in museums across the world) are clear, yet complex. The ancient past was drawn upon as a unifying symbol of the modern Greek state.

Two short examples help illustrate the role the Parthenon and its marbles play in the modern Greek imagination. The first is a fractious incident in December 2014, when the British Museum loaned the figure of the reclining Greek river god Ilissos (which was originally part of the Parthenon) to the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia.

At the time, the museum's director, Neil McGregor, suggested it would be the first time that the people of Russia had been able to see this great moment of "European" art and thought.

The framing of the sculpture as belonging to Europe is suggestive and links into the global story embedded in the marbles. It also illustrates the soft political power of the world of international museum exchanges. Unsurprisingly, this sparked sharp anger in the Greek press.

The second is a much older story. According to 19th-century folklore, when one of the six Caryatids (the female figures that form the architectural support for the temple) was removed from the Erechtheion (a temple on the north side of the Acropolis), locals claimed to have heard the others "wailing in sadness, calling for their sister."

That imageof Parthenon sculptures as lonely, abducted and imprisoned away from the Athenian sunhas been used in campaigns for their return, and speaks strongly to the emotive connections with the marbles that Greeks feel today.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Global condemnation of Russia over its invasion of Ukraine has prompted the imposition of trade sanctions. Such measures are a form of economic coercion, commonly used for reasons of foreign policy.

Trade sanctions can be put in place in an attempt to alter objectionable behaviorin Russia's case, waging a waror to punish an offending state through the disruption of economic exchange.

"Sanctions can be in many forms and raising tariffs is one of them," says Yuan Mei, an Assistant Professor of Economics at Singapore Management University (SMU). Professor Mei is the co-author of a paper "(Trade) War and Peace: How to Impose International Trade Sanctions" that was published in the Journal of Monetary Economics.

The researchers have built a quantitative model of international trade with input-output connections, and the aim of the paper is to "compute the most cost-efficient way to impose trade sanctions against Russia in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war," Professor Mei says.

Willingness to pay

Trade sanctions are meant to hurt the sanctioned country's economy, but if they severely restrict trade, they can also hurt the sanctioning countries.

"Raising tariffs on Russian goods can hurt the Russian economy. In the meanwhile, this action could also hurt the sanctioning country by making imports more costly," Professor Mei says.

Under import restrictions, consumers in the imposing country may have limited choices of goods, which affects their welfare. And if export restrictions are imposed, or if sanctions prohibit companies in the imposing country from trading with the target country, the imposing country may lose markets and investment opportunities to competing countries.

To make sense of this apparent juggling act, the researchers offer the concept of "Willingness to pay"the amount of economic burden an imposing country is prepared to incur to exact damage on the target country.

"We find that for countries with a low willingness to pay for sanctions, the optimal strategy is to impose a moderate and similar tariff across all products," Professor Mei says.

For example, if a sanctioning country is willing to sacrifice US$0.10 per US$1 loss incurred by the Russian economy, the cost-efficient trade sanction would be a uniform tariff of 20%.

The effect would be that "Russia's export to the sanctioning countries will decrease, which eventually leads to less national income. In this scenario, the eventual welfare (real GDP) loss of Russia is 1.2% based on our calculation," he says.

Key exports

"For countries with a high willingness to pay for sanctions, sanctioning countries should target what Russia exports the mostmining and energy products," Professor Mei says.

In fact, the U.S., the European Union (EU), the G7 and sanctioning allies such as Australia have recently prohibited the import of seaborne crude oil and refined petroleum products from Russia. Is this a step in the right direction?

"Yes. Our simulation results show that countries with high willingness to pay should impose an embargo on Russia's oil and energy exports, and these countries do appear to have a high willingness to pay," Professor Mei says.

But Russia has found alternative markets, notably in India, which is happy to buy discounted crude oil, reportedly in huge quantities. And China, Russia's largest trading partner, has supported what Russia calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Can trade sanctions be effective without unified global support?

"That depends on the definition of effective sanction," Professor Mei says. "In the paper, we consider an alternative scenario in which the non-sanctioning countries join the U.S., EU and their allies to sanction Russia. In this case, the maximum welfare loss on Russia increases from 2% to 6%, which we consider a significant increase."

But the economic effect of the existing sanctions regime on non-sanctioning countries does not seem like an incentive to change position.

"The rest of the world (ROW) boosts its exports in reaction to sanctions placed on Russia. As sanctioning countries raise tariffs against Russia, sanctioning countries substitute imports from Russia with those from the ROW. This pattern, referred to as the trade diversion effect, leads to an increase in ROW exports to the sanctioning countries," Professor Mei says.

Carrying the burden

The researchers note that Russia exports much more to the EUthe world's largest trading blocthan to the U.S. or other sanctioning allies (OSA). Accordingly, tariffs imposed by the U.S. or OSA can, at most, reduce Russian real income by only 0.07% or 0.22%, respectively. By contrast, the EU alone can reduce real income in Russia by as much as 0.8%. Therefore, the burden of trade sanctions against Russia would seem to fall on the EU.

"We are not saying that the EU has to carry the burden. To be more accurate, our message is the EU is the group of countries that can hurt the Russian economy the mostnot the U.S. or other sanctioning allies," Professor Mei says.

Sanctions, of course, can go both ways. Russia could retaliate by levying tariffs on the U.S. and Europe, but Professor Mei's research suggests it would hurt Russia even more.

"If Russia also chooses tariffs to punish the sanctioning countries, the economic consequence of tariff sanctions on Russia would more than double," he explains. "The EU is an important importing origin for Russia but Russia is not an important exporting destination for the EU. Therefore, Russia imposing retaliatory tariffs on EU would result in a large decline in its own welfare, but it does not decrease EU welfare much."

More information: Gustavo de Souza et al, (Trade) War and peace: How to impose international trade sanctions, Journal of Monetary Economics (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoneco.2024.103572 Journal information: Journal of Monetary Economics
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Location of the Berelekh geoarchaeological complex within map view, b) termokarst landscape of the surrounding area, c) riverbank within the complex with mammoth bones on the water edge. Credit: Pitulko et al. 2024.

Woolly mammoths are evocative of a bygone era, when Earth was gripped within an Ice Age. Current knowledge places early mammoth ancestors in the Pliocene (2.585.33 million years ago, Ma) before their populations expanded in the Pleistocene (2.58 Ma11,700 years ago, kyr). However, as climate changed, their numbers dwindled to isolated populations in modern Siberia and Alaska, until their last dated survival 4 kyr ago.

In the East Siberian Arctic (>70 N), there is not only evidence of significant woolly mammoth populations, but also how humans interacted with them, the focus of new research in Quaternary Science Reviews.

Along the Berelekh River, Russia, a 'mammoth graveyard' can be found. Here, thousands of disarticulated bones, representing a minimum of 156 individual mammoths, found alongside an archaeological site indicate the close proximity of these two communities, forming the Berelekh geoarchaeological complex.

Dr. Vladimir Pitulko, of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and colleagues aimed to assess the relationship between the 'mammoth graveyard' and the archaeological site through a re-examination of stratigraphic and paleogeographic data obtained in 2009, with new fieldwork focused on the left riverbanks where mammoth bones have readily yielded from their home in the sediment and appeared on the water's edge. Alongside them are remains of Pleistocene hare, Arctic fox and wolves, as well as soot and charcoal from hearths and worked mammoth tusks (one being an unfinished throwing spear).

The researchers suggest humans created these bone accumulations as a byproduct of the production of mammoth ivory technology, while hares may have been targeted for fur to produce winter clothing.

Notably, evidence of blowfly pupae activity on cavities in skulls and bones is indicative that the mammoth carcasses were added to the 'graveyard' de-fleshed. Indeed, there appears to be evidence of sorting of the bones, with only the most valuable transported to Berelekh from the area in which the mammoth was killed, leaving behind parts such as spinal columns, carpal ('hand') and tarsal ('foot') bones.

a) Radiocarbon ages showing the temporal overlap of unmodified and human-modified mammoth remains in the bone-bed and archaeological evidence of human settlement at the Berelekh geoarchaeological complex. b) Radiocarbon dating of human interaction with mammoths at the Yana Palaeolithic site, Siberia. Credit: Pitulko et al. 2024.

There are three radiocarbon dated peaks in woolly mammoth accumulation at 11.8, 12.2 and 12.4 kyr ago, which fall within known human settlement of the area (11.212.4 kyr ago) during the Blling-Allerd deglacial, when the northern hemisphere warmed and pollen evidence suggests the region became more arid.

Fluctuations in the abundance of mammoths in the 'graveyard' suggest human settlement of the area may also have changed through time (frequent occupation but not permanent), which the researchers attribute to environmental changes on the floodplain permitting suitability for erecting campsites.

Radiocarbon dating of mammoth remains identifies their presence here pre-dating human settlement (beginning ~12.5 kyr ago), but also shows that humans remained in the area (until ~11.2 kyr ago) after mass mammoth remains accumulation declined (~11.8 kyr ago).

Given this, four possible causes are suggested by the scientists to explain such a significant mass accumulation of bones: 1) mass death by natural causes or human, 2) repeated group deaths in the same location, likely due to human predation, 3) concentration of remains by geological processes, such as river action, or 4) solely derived from human predation or scavenging from deceased carcasses.

However, the latter is considered to be the most likely to produce useful tools from ivory tusks, as well as meat to feed the community, as there is no evidence on the bones for a cause of mass death, radiocarbon ages do not cluster into multiple phases for recurrent death deposits and stream flows were unlikely to reach sufficient velocities to transport such heavy bones.

These findings are concurrent with mammoth remains at the Yana Paleolithic site, also in Siberia. Here, estimates suggest the 'graveyard' increased by 12 mammoths per year rather than a mass death event, a figure Dr. Pitulko and colleagues conclude could be similar or even higher for Berelekh.

This research is significant as it alters the previously-held belief that there was a lag of 5080 years between mammoth bone accumulation from natural processes (such as deposition in flood channels) and human settlement, instead now defining a close relationship between the two over 700800 years. Sadly, now that human-mammoth relationship has continued as ivory hunters have looted the site beyond further study.

More information: Vladimir V. Pitulko et al, From the Berelekh 'mammoth graveyard' to Berelekh geo-archaeological complex: Paleoenvironment, site formation processes, and human-mammoth relationships, Quaternary Science Reviews (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108692 Journal information: Quaternary Science Reviews

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Balanced accuracy of ARDaP, abritAMR, AMRFinderPlus, and ResFinder software for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prediction in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Credit: Genome Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01346-z

World-leading software that can both detect and predict antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in one of nature's toughest and deadliest superbugs has been developed by a University of the Sunshine Coast-led research team. The work is published in the journal Genome Medicine.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common bacterium found in water and soil that can cause human infections ranging from swimmer's ear and skin inflammation to deadly pneumonia, sepsis, lung failure and bone disease.

A leading cause of bacterial mortality globally, the pathogen's innate resistance to many antibiotics, and its ability to develop resistance to newer antibiotics, makes it difficult to treat.

The software breakthrough follows six years of collaborative laboratory, clinical and bioinformatics work led by UniSC Center for Bioinnovation members Associate Professor Erin Price and Dr. Derek Sarovich and their UniSC Ph.D. graduate Dr. Danielle Madden at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute.

The innovative software uses whole-genome sequencing of the pathogen's DNA to identify the precise genetic changes that cause AMR.

This new ability to predict the pathogen's resistance to 10 of the most clinically important antibiotics will allow medical professionals to diagnose P. aeruginosa AMR infections earlier and more accurately, enabling faster and more effective treatment options.

Dr. Price, a molecular geneticist and microbiologist, said it was a potential game-changer in helping doctors decide what type of antibiotics to prescribe to patients with P. aeruginosa infection.

"Antimicrobial resistance is a global health epidemic that requires urgent mitigation to avoid a post-antibiotic era, where simple infections cannot be treated with antimicrobials that once revolutionized modern medicine," she said.

"If unmitigated, AMR infections are predicted to cause 10 million deaths globally by 2050 and cost more than $100 trillion a year.

"Earlier and more accurate diagnosis is crucial, particularly in such a dangerous and highly multi-drug-resistant pathogen.

"Our new software provides a rapid and highly accurate method for AMR identification in P. aeruginosa.

"It is already available to hospitals with onsite genome sequencing capacity, and hopefully this technology will also become routine in GP clinics in future.

"If our software becomes widely used, doctors could better target their antibiotic prescriptions, which in turn could lessen antibiotic overuse and slow AMR development across populations."

Dr. Sarovich, a molecular microbiologist and bioinformaticist, said the research found the new software tool was far superior to existing AMR detection software in terms of accuracy and precision.

"It produces results close to the current 'gold standard' in antimicrobial susceptibility testing, which is achieved through a slow, laborious method," he said.

"We tested the software in both Australian and international strain datasets, so it will have excellent use in diagnostic, public health, research, and pathogen surveillance laboratories both here and abroad.

"It could also be applied in agriculture, veterinary practice and environmental settings, as the pathogen also causes disease in plants and in horses, livestock and companion animals."

Dr. Madden said working on the ARDaP software project during her UniSC Ph.D. was inspiring.

"It was rewarding to see theoretical research applied directly to solve real-world problems," she said.

"The collaboration between laboratory researchers, clinicians and bioinformaticians was key to our success and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in tackling complex challenges like AMR."

More information: Danielle E. Madden et al, Keeping up with the pathogens: improved antimicrobial resistance detection and prediction from Pseudomonas aeruginosa genomes, Genome Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01346-z Journal information: Genome Medicine
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Shark finningthe practice of removing the fins from a captured shark and discarding the rest, often still alive, back into the oceanis banned in many countries due to its inhumane and unsustainable nature. However, these fins are highly valued for their use in shark fin soup, a delicacy in China and other east Asian countries.

I've been investigating the industrial fishing fleets that operate in the waters of five developing countriesSenegal, Ghana, Peru, Ecuador and the Philippinesbut aren't from these countries. Some have been caught finning or practicing other unsustainable fishing practices in these so-called "distant waters."

For a new report published by the global affairs thinktank, ODI, my team of data analysts and I measured the impacts of big fishing businesses with a previous track record of unsustainability on the local economy, jobs and people's welfare in these countries.

This Fishy Business report is the first study to estimate this and we found that these companies can have substantial and negative impacts. Together, their joint fishing activities are equivalent to 0.26% of these countries' combined GDP or 30,174 jobs in the fishing sector. That could mean 142,192 more people living below the poverty line in the five countries because of unemployment and lack of access to fish to eat, among other factors.

In terms of illegal finning, the high value and small size of shark fins drives this practice, as fishers can store and transport them easily, making it profitable to discard the rest of the shark at sea.

Despite a ban on the trade of sharks in 2016, Peru is one of the top exporters of shark finsabout 400 tonnes per year worldwidecontributing close to 2% of global fin production. However, Peru only issued its first shark fin trafficking conviction in 2022.

Sometimes, the vessels that are apprehended red-handed are also involved in other unsustainable and cruel practices. Our investigation refers to a US Treasury Department report that documents how, in 2019, a vessel went to sea with a crew of 24 in the Pacific Ocean. While licensed for tuna fishing, the vessel engaged in illegal shark finning, taking more than 700kg of fins, including from endangered species.

After 13 months at sea without a port visit, the crew faced dire conditions, including 18-hour work days and being fed on out-of-date food and brown desalinated water. Five crew members were reported dead, and three of their bodies were dumped at sea. On return, the surviving crew were malnourished and paid just a fraction of the promised wages. They also reported deceptive recruiting and confiscated documents.

The investigation found similar abuses across the fleet, including physical assault, malnutrition, withheld pay and five more deaths. Despite these violations, the company received US$8 million (6.3 million) annually in fishing subsidies from China.

A handful of large conglomerates19 companiesowning or operating 657 vessels in these waters have been previously implicated in wrongdoing or involved in diverse unsustainable practices. Some of them were charged, others appear in trustworthy reports by agencies and organizations such as the US Treasury Department or environmental campaign charity Greenpeace, or have been denounced by prestigious investigative journalists.

The list of irregularities, wrongdoing, illegalities and unsustainable practices taking place is long. It includes incidental fishing (catching illegal species and surreptitiously incorporating them into fish meal processing), lack of transparency about how fish are being caught or the structure of these companies and corruption, including paying bribes.

Some vessels have been found to be participating in the "saiko" systemthis involves illegally transferring fish at sea from industrial trawlers to local canoes in Ghana. The saiko trade is a barter system whereby unwanted catch of industrial fishing vessels would be exchanged at sea for food and livestock brought by canoes.

Today, industrial vessels target species for the saiko trade, distorting the local markets and industry and facilitating juvenile fish trade. We wonder why would these countries continue allowing companies like that to operate in their waters when it results in economic loss of opportunity for sustainable fishing by small vessels and local fishers.

Our team compiled knowledge on fisheries from various sources, from maps and satellite data to confirm a vessel's route to information about the capacity, gear type and ownership of each vessel. We also trained deep-learning algorithms to identify fishing practices such as trawling or long-lining, which are not inherently bad if performed legally and responsibly but can be linked to unsustainable practice.

Reflagging of ships

The report highlights the real scale of domestic and foreign fleets operating in these waters. For example, our map analysis and satellite data showed that the biggest fleets in these five countries' waters are not their own domestic fleets but, from largest to smallest, Ecuador (with 493 vessels), China (191), Peru (189), Spain (126), Japan (84), Panama (68) and Taiwan (64). Senegal (with 57 vessels), Ghana (33) and the Philippines (25) are lagging behind, so other countries' fleets are more prominent in the number of vessels that domestic fleets.

Our analysis highlights that the domestic fleets of these developing nations include vessels from big fishing nations that have changed their flag to falsely imply they are from a local port. A total of 192 vessels were found to be connected to Chinese interests but flagged to other countries. This "reflagging" to incorporate foreign vessels into domestic fleets raises questions, as it can generate market distortions, encourage the excess of sustainable catch limits and threaten food security and livelihoods.

We found that vessels' fishing operations in these waters show intense competition between domestic and foreign fleets of the same fishing type. Foreign industrial vessels' technical capacity to fish non-stop and travel to remote areas often awards them a competitive advantage over domestic fleets, which include thousands of artisanal fishing vessels.

Effective policies hinge on transparency and understanding illicit or unsustainable practices, and our report fills a crucial knowledge gap. By expressing the impacts of allowing industrial fishing vessels to operate in domestic waters in terms of financial loss and direct human impacts, the need for greater transparency and reform are clear.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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On June 8, 1023, 1,001 years ago, King Cnut took a bath. In itself this was not particularly remarkable. Contrary to the image of a ubiquitously grubby middle ages that dominates film and television, there is evidence to suggest that among the upper classes, at least, bathing was a regular pleasure.

What is unusual is that Cnut's bath seems to be the first in English history that a (fairly) reliable written source, Osbern of Canterbury, chooses to pin to a particular time and place. But why? What made this particular bath 1,000 years ago deserving of this honor? The answer lies in the complex world of 11th century national power politics.

First we need to go back to 1012 and the grisly fate of lfheah, archbishop of Canterbury. Captured the previous autumn by a band of Vikings, lfheah was considered a valuable prize. By the spring, the leader of the band, Thorkell the Tall, was trying to negotiate a ransom for him from the English, while holding him captive at an encampment in Greenwich.

Disappointingly for the Vikings, lfheah refused to be ransomed. This courageous move placed the archbishop in a distinctly perilous position. He was a rapidly depreciating asset in the hands of a bunch of rowdy and bloodthirsty men, who were happy to take their amusements where they found them.

At a feast on April 19 1012, his captors threw "bones and the heads of cattle" at him until eventually one of them, a Christian convert, took pity and despatched him with an axe-blow to the head. St Alfege's church in Greenwich supposedly stands on the site of the martyrdom.

lfheah's body was buried in St Paul's Cathedral, where it lay for the next 11 years. In the meantime, the Danes completed their conquest of England.

The Dane Cnut, crowned king in 1016, set about the business of reconciling himself to his new English subjects. And as a dead man, lfheah gained more political power than he had had when alive. The corpse of the archbishop, casually slaughtered in a peculiarly gruesome way during a drunken binge, was a continuing reproach. It was a reminder of a version of the Danes that did not square with Cnut's aspirations to godly English kingshipparticularly while it remained uncomfortably close to where the deed itself had occurred.

Cnut decided to have lfheah reburied in Canterbury with full honors. The move would at once acknowledge the enormity of the crime and hail the sanctity of the archbishop (harnessing it to his own regime). He hoped it would neutralize lfheah's power as a nexus of friction between his English and Danish subjects.

Putting his plan into effect, Cnut summoned lfheah's successor as archbishop of Canterbury, a man named thelnoth, to London. He was to preside over proceedings so that they were seen to be carried out with the blessing of the church.

At this point, we can return to Cnut's bath. Barely had he entered it, Osbern tells us, when a messenger arrived to tell him of thelnoth's arrival.

Cnutachieving the dubious honor of being the first person recorded in English history to have been disturbed by something frustratingly urgent just as he had stepped into a bathimmediately arose, dried himself and embarked for St Paul's to take control.

The body of a martyr was a valuable spiritual, and perhaps also commercial, commodity. Cnut knew that any attempt to take it away from London would almost certainly be resisted.

Cnut ordered his men to create a distraction while the tomb was opened by a vigorous pair of monks named Godric and lfweard the Tall (who proved surprisingly adept at surreptitiously demolishing cathedral walls). The corpse of lfheah was retrieved and spirited away to a ship on the Thames (with Cnut himself at the helm) under the very noses of the citizenry of London.

lfheah was then taken on to Canterbury to be reburied, becoming the focus of a minor, but politically useful cult. Canonized in 1078, there are a scatter of churches dedicated to him (normally as St Alphege) in England. The document which tells us the story (Translatio Sancti Aelfegi, Translation of Saint Aelphegus), was produced at Canterbury by Osbern in the 1080s. He wrote it alongside a Life of lfheah as part of a campaign to ensure his recognition as a legitimate saint in the aftermath of the Norman conquest.

The Normans regarded most pre-conquest English saints with skepticism. So Osbern, wrote these tracts to bolster lfheah's status and guarantee that the saint would continue to attract gifts, pilgrimages and benefactions to the diocese with which he was strongly associated. To the city of Canterbury, lfheah was a valuable piece of intellectual property and it was vital to protect it.

There is a great deal to unpack in this story, but the focus on Cnut's interrupted bath in Osbern's account is an especially fascinating nugget. Writing some 60 or so years after the events in question and using sources that are entirely unknown, why did Osbern feel that this element of the story deserved attention?

It certainly brings the story alive and gives itat least to modern eyesa vividness, immediacy and interest it might otherwise lack. But for the medieval audience, the story of Cnut's immersion at this critical moment would have overtones of a spiritual rebirth akin to Christian baptism.

Osbern's implication is that as a reward for removing lfheah's remains to Canterbury and doing them proper honor, the saint will cleanse Cnut of his sinsand of any residual guilt for deaths during his conquest of England. This is represented in physical form by his immersion in water, awakening him through this baptism to a virtuous life in Christ as a godly English monarch.

Through the surprising medium of this first recorded English bath, the divided and conflicted English kingdom of a millennium ago opens up to us.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Principal Miriam Aguilar talks to the audience at the Martin Luther King Jr. Academy for Arts Integration during the school's last assembly before closing for renovation. Photo courtesy of Vincent T. Davis Assistant Principal Cynthia Trejo shows filmmaker Aundar Ma'at a decades-old portrait of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The office tour took place after "The Dream Must Continue Legacy Night," the Martin Luther King Jr. Academy for Arts Integration's last assembly before closing for renovation. Photo courtesy of Vincent T. Davis Assistant Principal Cynthia Trejo shows filmmaker Aundar Ma'at a mural of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The tour took place after "The Dream Must Continue Legacy Night," the Martin Luther King Jr. Academy for Arts Integration's last assembly before closing for renovation. Photo courtesy of Vincent T. Davis Arlington R. Callies addresses the audience at Martin Luther King Jr. Academy for Arts Integration during "The Dream Must Continue Legacy Night," the school's last assembly before closing for renovation. Callies is the son of the late Rev. Raymond A. Callies, credited with founding San Antonio's MLK March. Photo courtesy of Vincent T. Davis

Thousands meet at the Martin Luther King Jr. Academy of the Arts every year in January to kick off one of the biggest marches in the country.

But in 2025, theyll be met with construction as the school undergoes a complete campus overhaul. The academy will be redesigned and rebuilt as a new state-of-the-art school as part of the San Antonio Independent School District's 2020 bond.

Proposed upgrades include high-speed internet connectivity, inside and outside security cameras, and classroom audio systems.

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Last week, students, faculty, community members and former students celebrated the schools legacy at its last assembly. They gathered in the school auditorium for The Dream Must Continue Legacy Night, co-sponsored by the MLK Commission.

ALSO READ: San Antonio teens tour the world with Students of Service nonprofit

Principal Miriam Aguilar invited guests to the auditorium stage to share campus memories. The principal, who ended her second year at MLK, expressed pride and sadness about the schools closure. Aguilar said the students deserved a new building.

It is a historical beauty, but what makes it so special are the people inside, Aguilar said. In all of my years of teaching, this is where I found my heart.

The school began as James Whitcomb Riley Elementary-Junior High School in 1957 and was renamed after the famous civil rights leader in 1982. For 67 years, the building has been a fixture of the East Side community.

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For the next two years, students from the school will move to Gates Elementary, which will become MLK at Gates. Then, Gates and MLK students will move to the renovated structure.

Gates is one of 15 SAISD schools scheduled to close for the 2024-2025 school year. Last fall, SAISD trustees voted for the closures to rightsize the district.

MLK Commissioner Dwayne Robinson said it was important to let the public know that the staging area for one of the largest MLK marches in the nation would be changed.

The commissioner was concerned about the changes impact on the pre-march program and staging, along with the murals on school walls that cant be salvaged once the building is razed. Though the staging area will change, Robinson said the building being renovated is a blessing.

It was only a matter of time that something had to be done, Robinson said. We cant stop progress. We embrace and support progress.

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Arlington R. Callies, son of the Rev. Raymond A. Callies, had longed to return to the school.

His father is credited with founding San Antonios MLK March. Callies recalled his father, who taught woodworking at the school, often brought him along to the wood shop. He said that in the 1980s, his father led a rally at the district office to have the school renamed after the slain civil rights leader.

Teacher Gregory Berryman said his time at the academy was a full-circle moment. He was a sixth-grade student at the school when his father died. Berryman said the community and his church surrounded him and inspired him to serve others.

They should make sure the legacy continues, he said.

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We want to make sure that the new students who come into this new school continue the foundation, Berryman said. When that new building comes, we want to continue that whole legacy that was presented before us.

Lynda Richardson is always close to her former school. Her business, Our Place Adult Day Care Center, is next door to the academy. She recalled community activist Aaronetta Pierce as one of the seventh-grade language arts teachers.

She said nothing was greater growing up than attending church and school.

Ive been waiting for this moment so I could come over today and share that Im ever so proud of you, Richardson said. When you get back over here, weve got to still be as diligent and active in making sure that theres a greater success here with our students.

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After the program, assistant principal Cynthia Trejo showed filmmaker Aundar Maat the murals of King that covered two walls on the first floor. Curtis C. Braziel painted them in 2007.
Tye named SUNY Plattsburgh provost

Dr. Marcus Tye has been named SUNY Plattsburgh provost and senior vice president for academic affairs effective Aug. 1. Tye joins the university from his previous post as dean for the College of Health Professions at Pace University, a position hes held since 2021.

Dr. Tye brings a wealth of experience in academic leadership, SUNY Plattsburgh President Alexander Enyedi said. At Pace, he managed a $72 million gross tuition budget, overseeing significant growth and innovation in student success and program development, achieving a 5% higher retention rate compared to national averages for similar programs.

Additionally, Dr. Tye has a notable record of creating innovative degree pathways and expanding online education, further demonstrating his commitment to advancing higher education, Enyedi said.

Tye replaces Dr. Brent Carbajal, who has served as interim provost and senior vice president of academic affairs.

Farber joins Hodgson Russ

Hodgson Russ LLP is pleased to announce that Benjamin M. Farber has joined the firms Albany office as a partner in its Corporate & Securities Practice.

Ben has over 20 years of experience advising an array of clients on corporate transactions and other matters, including privately-held businesses, publicly-listed companies, private fund managers and independent sponsors, real estate developers, start-up companies, and high net worth individual investors.

He regularly counsels businesses and other transactional participants in corporate matters of various stripes including mergers and acquisitions, private and public securities offerings and other securities compliance matters, private fund formation, private fund portfolio company investments, structuring and negotiating equity and debt investment on behalf of independent sponsors, equity incentive compensation matters, and corporate governance issues.

Krantz Cottage open house

June 11, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Krantz Cottage/Ronald McDonald House, 161 Ottawa Street, Lake George. Thanks to the Lake George community, the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat at Krantz Cottage has become the home of beautiful memories and respite care for over 100 families with children who are ill or injured needing healthcare. Come around to the Krantz Cottage for food and fellowship as you tour this magical retreat.

Municipal meetings

June 10, 5:30 p.m.: Glens Falls Common Council Building & Codes Committee workshop (this is rescheduled from June 3). City Hall, 2nd Floor, 42 Ridge St. Glens Falls.

June 10, 6 p.m.: The Glens Falls Common Council Special Projects Committee will hold a public discussion over plans to revitalize Havilands at Havilands Cove, 75 Bush St.

June 10, 7 p.m.: The meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga, Town Hall, 12 Spring St., Schuylerville.

June 11, 6 p.m.: Glens Falls Common Council budget workshop. Glens Falls City Hall, 2nd Floor, 42 Ridge St.

June 17, 2 to 4 p.m.: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservations (DEC) Climate Justice Working Group will hold a meeting will begin the process of reviewing the disadvantaged communities (DAC) criteria. This will include a presentation from the DAC Technical Team on updating to the 2020 Census and some recommendations on additional indicators. Via webex here, or at New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Headquarters Boardroom, 17 Columbia Circle, Albany.

June 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m.: The Town and Village of Greenwich will hold its first Public Workshop Meeting to discuss potential zoning updates, at the Greenwich Free Library 148 Main St. Greenwich. The meeting will include a brief presentation of the process and scope and will take community feedback. Zoning updates were identified as a priority in both the 2022 Greenwich Revitalization Plan and the 2023 Comprehensive Plan.

June 17, 4:30 p.m.: Lake George Village Board of Trustees regular meeting. Village administration building, 26 Old Post Road, Lake George Village. Or join via Zoom.
MARGATE  Commissioners took their first step last week toward buying a former gas station at 7901 Ventnor Ave. and turning it into a municipal parking lot.

The city offered $2.3 million to Bryan D. and Emily C. Taylor, the owners of the former Liberty Gas Service Station property, through a letter of intent to buy the parcel.

The 3,375-square-foot property in the citys Central Business District is listed for $3.1 million online, according to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach.

The City of Margate has been investigating the opportunity to add public parking lots on both ends of town in the business districts. We have been looking at all available commercial properties, Mayor Michael Collins said.

Collins said the New Jersey Economic Development Authority was offering a Local Property Acquisition Grant, which helps municipalities acquire land for public use, such as parking lots. Jim Rutala, the citys grant writer, will see how much Margate can get to offset the cost of buying the parcel by applying for the $3 million grant.

Municipalities can get anywhere from $50,000 to $1 million through the program.

Rutala also wrote the letter of intent for the city.

The property in question is in a great location along Ventnor Avenue and fits the criteria the city was looking for throughout the process, Collins said. The citys representatives have had discussions with the owners representatives, and there was a mutual interest to work together and move forward.

Downbeach Express bridge fare increase to take effect June 17 Travelers who use the Downbeach Express, formerly the Margate Bridge and Causeway, will see a toll increase starting June 17.

But a requirement of the grant is that the applying municipalities cannot already own the property. Which was why the letter of intent was needed to apply for the grant, said John Scott Abbot, the citys solicitor.

Parking has always been and always will be a problem in these shore towns, especially in Margate, Commissioner Maury Blumberg said Wednesday. For 10 weekends out of the year, its very difficult to park in our business district. The problem is that right now, without any grant money, its a lot of money.

Margate is juggling a few financial issues at the moment, including a 3.7-cent increase in the local property-tax rate, projects on the books that are in the design phase that also needed to be funded, and a state-mandated revaluation of the citys properties.

For me, its very preliminary, Blumberg said of the parking lot project. It would be nice if we had the money, but right now, we dont have the money.

Blumberg said the commissioners should seek a less costly alternatively, such as regaining use of the parcel across from the gas station at Ventnor and South Franklin avenues. The city ceded that lot to NJ Transit more than 25 years ago on a 100-year lease.

It was before my time, but it seemed like a good deal because that piece of property was more or less abandoned and not maintained. Unfortunately, we didnt realize what a gem we had there, said Blumberg. I would like for us to petition our state representatives to get involved and try to get that piece of property back for us. That would be way less costly and, I think, a better or an alternative solution to some of the parking problems that we have here.

The former gas station property has a long-term fuel contamination remediation effort that needs to be done by a major oil company, according to the letter of intent.

The sellers also are obligated to hand over all environmental reports and correspondences pertaining to the contamination and remediation efforts, in addition to existing leases, surveys and elevation certificates for the property, according to the letter.

How Margate businesses reacted to Kelce parking lot confrontation All of Margate naturally rushed to make it right with Kylie and Jason Kelce after a recorded confrontation outside Steve & Cookie's Restaurant and Oyster Bar, for better or for worse. Here's a guide to how locals reacted after the fact.

If the city determines the state of the contamination/remediation efforts is unacceptable, it can back out of the deal, according to the letter.

This process has been ongoing for a number of months, and the deadline for this grant keeps getting pushed back, said Collins, who noted the new deadline for the grant was Monday. The timing of this is very important so we can move forward with that opportunity.
What is Schuetzen Park?

Schuetzen Park was founded in 1870 by German immigrants who were members of the Schuetz engesellschaft as a place for target shooting.

It soon evolved into an entertainment destination with a dance hall, music pavilion, bowling alley, roller coaster, small zoo and picnic grounds. Lots of people, primarily Germans, gathered there for socializing, many coming by trolley.

After a 52-year run, the park closed in 1922, done in by anti-German sentiment during World War I, the prohibition of beer sales that provided income for upkeep and declining interest.

The grounds were sold first to a sanitarium and then, in 1960, to the Good Samaritan Society of Fargo, North Dakota, for the construction of a nursing home.

The rebirth began in 1995 when Kory Darnall, of Davenport, a student of Germany history, language and culture, discovered the lost park through research. He led the founding of an organization that, grant by grant, donation by donation, and project by project, worked to re-acquire land and restore the grounds and a small trolley station, the only building that remains from the original park.

Today the wooded grounds contain many nature trails and there is a stage, large stone fireplace and enclosed picnic shelter. The park is managed by the nonprofit Schuetzenpark Gilde.
Mount Solitude Ranch has hit the market with a price tag of nearly $80 million, according to an announcement from Icon Global Group.

The ranchs headquarters is comprised of several stone structures that reflect the heritage of the German immigrants who established it. Its original settlers were Charles H. Heimsath, his wife Eliza von Rhode and her uncle Christian von Hupfeldt. Charles built the stone structures and hand carved the columns that still stand today, according to Icon Global Group.




By Tajul Islam





The Awami League government in Bangladesh formed government for the fourth consecutive term following the election held on January 7, 2024. This election posed significant challenges for the ruling party. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's strong leadership was pivotal in securing a majority, especially since the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its ally, Jamaat-e-Islami, did not participate. Despite pressures from Western powers for an impartial and internationally acceptable election, the Awami League succeeded. The January 7 election became the only viable option to maintain the country's overall development and stability.





However, maintaining the popularity of the ruling party in the next election will not be easy. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is also the president of the ruling party, must recognize that various disinformation campaigns against the government, both domestically and internationally, can negatively impact perceptions worldwide, including in Western countries. To address this, the government's press department has appointed an efficient and experienced senior journalist and editor as the Prime Minister's Press Secretary. The appointment of Nayeemul Islam Khan to this position is undoubtedly a sign of the government's foresight.





The turbulent political landscape in Bangladesh sees the government's surprising inaction against severe propaganda, posing ongoing challenges that tarnish the nation's reputation. Appointing key individuals becomes crucial for shaping both perception and government effectiveness. Nayeemul Islam Khan, an experienced journalist, emerges as a competent candidate for the Prime Minister's press secretary role. His appointment would notably boost the image of the Awami League government and improve Bangladesh's global reputation.





Nayeemul Islam Khan's extensive journalism career uniquely qualifies him for this role. With decades of navigating the media landscape, he understands both domestic and international dynamics. His tenure as an editor during Bangladesh's tumultuous 1/11 period demonstrated his resilience and ability to manage media pressure. Despite coercion faced by many editors to print defamatory content, Khan emerged with a reputation for steadfastness and truthfulness.





In the current political climate, Nayeemul Islam Khan has faced a barrage of propaganda. Detractors have painted him as a villain, with some even attempting to label him as a war criminal's son, ignoring the context of his actions during periods of political instability. It is crucial to recognize that he was not alone in facing coercion; many in the media industry were similarly pressured. However, he is now being singled out while others are exonerated. This selective outrage reflects not on his character but on the motivations of his critics. It is essential to assess his qualifications and contributions without the taint of baseless propaganda.





In recent years, Bangladesh has faced a persistent wave of misinformation and propaganda aimed at damaging its global reputation. Despite these serious challenges, the local media in Bangladesh has often been hesitant to counter such well-coordinated narratives. However, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been vocal about her government's intentions to address the various challenges facing Bangladesh, including ongoing malicious propaganda.





The global media landscape has undergone significant changes over the past few decades. The rise of digital media, social networking platforms, and the 24-hour news cycle has transformed how information is disseminated and consumed. In this fast-paced environment, traditional media outlets in Bangladesh struggle to keep pace with the sophisticated propaganda techniques used by external actors. The US sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and several high-ranking officials highlight the complete failure of our media and the reluctance of bureaucrats





Furthermore, the geopolitical landscape has shifted, leading to increased competition for influence in South Asia and more complex forms of information warfare. To effectively counter these challenges, the Bangladeshi media must adopt new strategies, such as greater collaboration with international media, investment in investigative journalism, and leveraging digital platforms to amplify counter-narratives.





One of Nayeemul Islam Khan's most valuable assets is his ability to counteract negative propaganda effectively. His deep understanding of media operations equips him to dismantle false narratives and promote the positive aspects of the Awami League government. By highlighting the strides made under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership, he can reshape the narrative both domestically and internationally. His expertise can be instrumental in showcasing Bangladesh's progress, thereby attracting foreign investment and fostering a more favorable global image.





While Nayeemul Islam Khan's capabilities are substantial, the complexities of international media require a specialized approach. Managing Bangladesh's image on the global stage necessitates an expert who can navigate the intricacies of international media relations. Such a professional would enhance efforts, ensuring a cohesive and strategic approach to media management. This combined expertise could amplify the positive branding of Bangladesh and mitigate any adverse propaganda.





Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership has always been characterized by pragmatism and a keen sense of judgment. The role of a press secretary is pivotal, demanding not only loyalty but also competence and integrity. Nayeemul Islam Khan embodies these qualities. Unlike sycophants who merely echo what they believe the leadership wants to hear, Khan offers a balanced perspective rooted in experience and factual accuracy. His appointment would signal a commitment to transparency and effective communication, reinforcing the government's credibility.





Upon his appointment as the Prime Minister's Press Secretary, Nayeemul Islam Khan began by paying homage to the portrait of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. During an interview with the media, he articulated his dedication, affirming, "I will strive diligently to convey Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's accomplishments to both local and global audiences. Collaboration from all quarters is indispensable for this endeavor."





Bangladesh now needs some hands who can continuously publish articles in foreign media outlets to counteract negative narratives. While the Sheikh Hasina government is making significant strides in development, anti-government activists frequently portray the government negatively in international media. Notably, in Washington, D.C., BNP and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami, with connections to Al-Qaeda, have individuals like Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey who continuously spread anti-government propaganda and motivated the US State Department. Unfortunately, there is no one effectively countering his efforts in favor of the ruling government of Bangladesh.





On the other hand, some anti-government propagandists reside in Sweden, Canada, France, the UK, and other countries around the world. Pinaki Bhattachariya is one such anti-government social activist. He continuously spreads negative information about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the ruling government of Bangladesh on his YouTube channel and social platforms like Facebook and 'X' (formerly Twitter). However, no one has been able to counter him effectively except for Blitz, a newspaper published from Bangladesh.





Blitz, which also is known to a section of people as "Weekly Blitz" - edited by Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, is the only newspaper that consistently countered anti-government propaganda through its writings while promoting positive campaigns for the government. Although some view Blitz as a government propaganda machine against online anti-government activists, the publication actually portrays an accurate picture of Bangladesh's ongoing development and successes. Additionally, Blitz does not hesitate to criticize isolated incidents in various government sectors, thus proving a balanced perspective.





Therefore, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may be advised to find someone who can counter these anti-government activists and publish the government's actual scenario in international media.





The appointment of Nayeemul Islam Khan as the Prime Minister's press secretary would be a strategic move for the Awami League government. His extensive experience, coupled with his ability to counteract propaganda, makes him an ideal person for this role. While addressing the negative narratives, he can also promote the positive aspects of Bangladesh's development under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership. However, complementing his efforts with an international media management expert would further enhance Bangladesh's global image. Ultimately, it is essential to prioritize competence and integrity over mere loyalty, and Nayeemul Islam Khan exemplifies these qualities.





By appointing Nayeemul Islam Khan, the government can take a significant step towards improving its communication strategy, countering false narratives, and highlighting the genuine progress and development taking place in Bangladesh. This proactive approach would not only protect the nation's image but also foster a more accurate understanding of Bangladesh's achievements and potential on the global stage.




Kathmandu, Nepal, June 10, 2024: Prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is now in India, held a bilateral talks with his Indian Counterpart Narendra Modi.



Prime Minister Dahal, who had went in New Delhi on Sunday to attend in the swearing in ceremony of Modi, held bilateral talks at evening.





During the meeting the duo discussed on ranges of issues related to the bilateral relationship between the two neighboring countries.




Riviera Maya officials start the process of righting more than two decades of real estate wrongs

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  The Government of Quintana Roo has begun to work to right more than 20 years of real estate wrongs involving Riviera Maya families. State government officials along with the Secretary of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (Sedatu), Roman Meyer Falcon, met Saturday.

The two sides met to start work that will finally see more than 5,000 families in Luis Donaldo Colosio neighborhood obtain property deeds.

The meeting to move forward was held as a result of the legal seizure of the Playa del Carmen company Desarrolladora de la Riviera Maya or DeRiMaya. The company played a hand in the lack of property titles for families in that area.

The government of Quintana Roo, headed by Mara Lezama, managed to recover, after a long but effective trial, various properties against DeRiMaya. With that win, the state can now begin the process of providing legal property deeds to their rightful owners.

Involved in the deed process from the federal government are Secretary Meyer Falcon, the Undersecretary of Urban Development and Housing, Daniel Octavio Fajardo Ortiz and the General Director of Insus, Jose Alfonso Iracheta Carroll.

The two sides met Saturday to start the regularization process of issuing more than 5,000 property deeds to Playa del Carmen families. Photo: Govt. QR June 8, 2024.

On behalf of the Government of Quintana Roo, the Secretary of Sustainable Urban Territorial Development (Sedatu), Armando Lara De Nigris, the head of the Governors office, Jose de la Pena and the head of the Strategic Projects Agency (Agepro), Jose Alberto Alonso Ovando are also participating.

The thirteenth Councilor of the Municipality of Solidaridad, Marciano Toledo Sanchez, celebrated the start of the project for the regularization of the Luis Donaldo Colosio neighborhood by the Desarrollo Agrario, Territorial y Urbano (Sedatu) and the Government Secretariat of the State of Quintana Roo.

Marciano Toledo Sanchez is seen here outside the now defunct Playa del Carmen real estate company.

He confirmed the process began after the seizure of the Riviera Maya company DeRiMaya, which still faces some legal issues. He said the project is moving ahead thanks to the political will of Governor Mara Lezama.

In a post Saturday, Governor Lezama celebrated the meeting.

Social justice for the residents of the Luis Donaldo Colosio neighborhood in Solidaridad! After 25 years of waiting, the process of regularizing properties began to the benefit more than 5,000 families as a result of the joint work between the Government of Quintana Roo and the Secretariat of Territorial and Urban Development, headed by Roman Meyer Falcon.

We continue working to provide legal certainty to the people of Quintana Roo, one of our main objectives.

Toledo Sanchez said another area under the microscope is nearly 40 hectares of Chenzubul property that DeRiMaya tried to sell to private individuals. It is coastal property of the Luis Donaldo Colosio neighborhood and the city wants to protect it.

The building was seized and at least two woman charged for more than 250 million in real estate fraud.

We wrote a letter asking President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to rescue this property on the coast of the Colosio neighborhood explaining that the company, that spurious company, tried to sell it to individuals but without success.

Now what we are looking for is to make an ecological park for everyone to enjoy, he said.

According to Toledo Sanchez, more than 5,000 families have been left without legal property deeds to their land for nearly 25 years due to the lack of regularization.

It is good that Sedatu and the National Institute of Sustainable Land have already sat down to work on this regularization because it has been a demand for many years by the people who live in the Colosio.

The trial must continue and they must pay for everything they stole, Toledo Sanchez said.

More than 5,000 Riviera Maya families were affected by the fraudulent company.

The money that was stolen from people could be used for this ecological park. That is why it is important that we investigate where they put the money and return it, so that an ecological park can be built at the height of this destination so that it is also a tourist attraction and an example to the world of what we can do, he added.

In May, two Playa del Carmen women from the DeRiMaya real estate company wanted for 250 million in fraud were captured in a Tijuana airport heading for the U.S. They have since been returned to the state of Quintana Roo where they are facing charges of real estate fraud.
Glock switches are shown installed on a pair of handguns Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Houston. Federal authorities are seeing a dramatic rise in the use of Glock switches or auto switches, which convert a semi-automatic firearm into a machine gun. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Special Agent James OFlaherty, firearms instructor coordinator ATF field agents, demonstrates the use of a handgun fit with a Glock switch Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Houston. Federal authorities are seeing a dramatic rise in the use of glock switches or auto switches, which convert a semi-automatic firearm into a machine gun. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski points out a Glock switch on a handgun in his office Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Houston. Federal authorities are seeing a dramatic rise in the use of glock switches or auto switches, which convert a semi-automatic firearm into a machine gun. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Demand for illegal firearm "switches"  small devices attached to semiautomatic pistols to make them fire like machine guns  is exploding and so is their availability on the black market, federal authorities said Monday.

"Unfortunately, we have seen a sharp increase in the number of switches on our streets across Texas, and they are alarmingly popular among juveniles," said Jaime Esparza, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas.

That's largely because of social media posts that feature switches, which are attached to the backs of Glocks and similar weapons to increase their firing rates. Authorities say switch makers and distributors also sell them through social media sites.

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Special Agent James OFlaherty, firearms instructor coordinator ATF field agents, shows a 3D printed Glock switch Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Houston. Federal authorities are seeing a dramatic rise in the use of Glock switches or auto switches, which convert a semi-automatic firearm into a machine gun. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Esparza's and three other U.S. attorneys offices in Texas are teaming up with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to slow the proliferation of the devices, also known as "sears" and "chips."

"Because of that increased firing rate, these weapons are notoriously difficult to control and notoriously difficult to aim," said Robert Topper, assistant special agent in charge of the ATF in San Antonio. "That brings a hugely much greater risk to innocent bystanders whenever they're used."

During a news conference to announce "Operation Texas Kill Switch" on Monday, officials showed a video of an ATF agent demonstrating the fire power of a Glock with a switch attachment. The recoil pushed the agent backward, and he struggled to keep the pistol steady as he fired.

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Between 2017 and 2023, law enforcement officers in Texas seized about 1,000 of the conversion devices. They confiscated about 500 switches in 2023 alone, Topper said.

"We've seen here in San Antonio that firearms are often modified with switches or machine conversion devices after (the guns) were stolen from law- abiding citizens," Topper said. "The widespread availability of these gun conversion devices poses a significant threat to public safety and requires our immediate attention."

ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski points out Glock switches on display in his office Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Houston. Federal authorities are seeing a dramatic rise in the use of glock switches or auto switches, which convert a semi-automatic firearm into a machine gun. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Possession of the devices is illegal under federal law, except in very limited circumstances, and can result in up to 10 years in prison.

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The devices, made of metal or plastic, are small and inexpensive. Many of them are manufactured in China, though a growing number are produced domestically on 3D printers at low cost.

Esparza said switches have been used in numerous deadly shootings around the United States, including a rampage in April 2023 at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Dadeville, Ala., where assailants sprayed a crowd of party-goers, injuring at least 28 people.

In Houston, a police officer was killed by a suspect with a gun bolstered by a switch attachment, Esparza said.

In San Antonio, Esparza's office prosecuted Mark Ryan Hauser, 35, a three-time convicted felon who adhered to a violent, anti-government ideology known as Boogaloo Bois.

Besides claiming he wanted to be pulled over by police so he could go "pig hunting," Hauser had been using a 3D printer to produce gun parts, including "gun sears" for AR-15 semiautomatic rifles, for distribution. He was sentenced in June last year to eight years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

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ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski shows a Glock switch in the Houston ATF office Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Houston. Federal authorities are seeing a dramatic rise in the use of glock switches or auto switches, which convert a semi-automatic firearm into a machine gun. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

The U.S. Attorneys-ATF initiative will target manufacturers and distributors of the switches, in addition to buyers.

"As U.S. attorneys and federal law enforcement agents, our offices have been investigating and prosecuting switches for many years," Esparza said. "But as the problem continues to escalate, we are determined to do more."

Other rapid-fire devices, such as bump stocks, are in a legal gray zone.

Special Agent James OFlaherty, firearms instructor coordinator ATF field agents, shows a Glock switch Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Houston. Federal authorities are seeing a dramatic rise in the use of Glock switches or auto switches, which convert a semi-automatic firearm into a machine gun. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Bump stocks are used in place of gunstocks on semiautomatic rifles to increase their firepower. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on the constitutionality of a Trump-era bump stock ban, imposed in the wake of a 2017 mass shooting at an outdoor country music festival in Las Vegas that killed 60 people; the gunman increased his firing rate with the device.

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Esparza and Topper said they have partnered with Texas Crime Stoppers in their effort to combat the spread of switches. Through Aug. 31, Crime Stoppers will offer rewards of up to $5,000 for information related to switches or the manufacturing of the devices or parts used to make them.
Sold online: Dozens of exotic animals seized during Veracruz search

Xalapa, Veracruz  The Attorney Generals Office (FGR) in the State of Veracruz seized dozens of wildlife from two private homes. The seizure was made during searches Saturday.

The FGR says two properties located in Xalapa, Veracruz were searched by officers who located various exotic animals. The Federal Ministerial Police (PFM), the Criminal Investigation Agency (AIC) and Municipal Police carried out the searches in personal homes of the El Aguacatal and Progreso Macuiltepetl areas of the city of Xalapa.

From the properties, federal agents seized four hawks, eight owls, 22 birds, two crocodiles, eight turtles, seven snakes, seven tarantulas, five hedgehogs, three frogs, three lizards, two chameleons, a scorpion and a lizard, which were marketed through social networks.

One person was arrested during the search and subsequent seizure. The exotic animals are under the protection of the Management Unit for the conservation of wildlife in Xalapa.
Venezuelas school ship Simon Bolivar departs Cozumel

Cozumel, Q.R.  Venezuelas school ship AB Simon Bolivar has concluded its four-day visit to the island of Cozumel.

The ship, known as Venezuelas Ambassador without Borders, set sail Saturday to continue its journey across the seas. The farewell was marked by the presence of municipal and federal authorities and typical regional dances.

The ship and its crew of young sailors arrived June 4. Photo: H. Ayuntamiento de Cozumel June 4, 2024.

During the farewell event, Cozumel Mayor Juanita Alonso Marrufo said she was happy to have received the crew of the emblematic Venezuelan ship again. In her speech, Alonso Marrufo highlighted the importance of this type of visit to strengthen cultural and friendship ties between both nations.

Its not a goodbye, its a see you soon. We will always be here on our beautiful island waiting for the visit of our brothers. We are grateful for the opportunity to see the facilities and the history that this great ship preserves, said the mayor.

Alonso Marrufo also extended her gratitude to Major General Ricardo Manzano Arredondo, Military, Naval and Air Attache of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, to the Armed Forces stationed on the island, to the civil and military authorities present, and especially to the commander of the ship, Ronal Briceno Huerta.

On behalf of the inhabitants of our island, we wish you a calm journey and that you arrive at port without incident. Cozumel is always your home. Long live Mexico and long live Venezuela! she said.

Photos: H. Ayuntamiento de Cozumel June 4, 2024.

Captain Ronal Briceno Huerta, Commander of the training ship, expressed his gratitude to the municipal authorities and the people of Cozumel for the warm welcome.

We feel honored and privileged to be able to share this with you. We have felt at home and we sincerely appreciate the fraternity shown by this beautiful town, said Briceno Huerta.

The sailors were sent on their way with a traditional dance by islanders. Photo: H. Ayuntamiento de Cozumel June 9, 2024.

The school ship with its young training crew arrived on the island of Cozumel June 4.
ResumeBuilder.com surveyed 756 business leaders to find out how their return-to-office policies will change in 2025. The results show 1 in 4 companies plan to increase the number of mandatory in-office workdays next year. Luis Alvarez/Getty Images

While many workers have grown accustomed to working from home since the pandemic, an increasing number of companies say they want more workers in the office, according to a recent survey.

Resume Builder, an online career resource, surveyed 756 business leaders from companies that implemented return-to-office mandates since 2021. The results show 1 in 4 companies plan to increase the number of days workers are required to be in the office.

All those surveyed had to be over 25, make over $75,000, work for a company with more than 11 employees and have an education level above high school, according to the survey's methodology. The online survey was conducted last month.

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Most of the companies surveyed require workers to be in the office at least three days a week. Eight in 10 of those companies said they lost talent because of their return-to-office policy, according to the survey.

Despite losing some employees, 7 in 10 companies said they plan to maintain or increase the number of required in-office days in 2025.

Among the companies that said they won't require workers to come into the office as much, the reasons cited were a desire to improve employees' well-being and retention and to save money on office space, survey results show.

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Companies that plan to increase the number of in-office days said it's because they want to improve productivity and company culture, according to the survey. They also cited improving employees' well-being and retention as reasons.
Example of how the Mosquito Alert app works. Credit: USF

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. 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.

B-roll of University of South Florida researchers using AI to combat malaria in Africa. Credit: USF

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. The dashboardaccessible onlineintegrates 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.

Anatomy of a mosquito. Credit: USF

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," Chellappan said.

"Our algorithm automatically identifies the head, thorax, abdomen and legs from a mosquito image, then it uses specific anatomical components to identify the mosquito typefor example, the wing for Anopheles stephensi."

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.

Anatomy of Anopheles stephensi, a dangerous urban malaria vector that has recently started to invade Africa. Credit: USF

Example of citizens science observations by platform. 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. Credit: USF

How new technology can help identify mosquitoes using artificial intelligence. Credit: USF

Graphic showing how AI can help identify an Anopheles stephensi mosquito. Credit: USF

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.

In this new project Carney and Chellappan will 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.

This is a global interdisciplinary project with many collaborators, including the University of Florida, African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Center for Research in Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Africa CDC, Brown University, Center Pasteur du Cameroun, CERMEL Gabon, DELGEME Plus Mali, Naval Medical Research Unit-3 Italy and University of Dschang in Cameroon.

Provided by University of South Florida
UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution Monday endorsing a cease-fire plan aimed at ending the eight-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The U.S.-sponsored resolution welcomes a cease-fire proposal announced by President Joe Biden that the United States says Israel accepted. It calls on the militant Palestinian group Hamas, which initially said it viewed the proposal "positively," to accept the three-phase plan.

Hamas responded to the adoption by saying it welcomed the resolution and was ready to work with mediators in indirect negotiations with Israel to implement it. The statement was among the strongest from Hamas to date but stressed the group would continue "our struggle" to end the Israeli occupation and work on setting up a "fully sovereign" Palestinian state.

The resolution  which was approved overwhelmingly with 14 of the 15 Security Council members voting in favor and Russia abstaining  calls on Israel and Hamas "to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition."

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said after the vote the council "sent a clear message to Hamas to accept the cease-fire deal on the table," reiterating that Israel has accepted the deal which is supported by countries across the world.

"The fighting could stop today, if Hamas would do the same," she told the council. "I repeat, this fighting could stop today."

U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood told reporters earlier Monday that the United States wanted all 15 Security Council members to support what he described as "the best, most realistic opportunity to bring at least a temporary halt to this war."

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his latest trip to the Middle East, where America's top diplomat urged approval of the cease-fire proposal.

Blinken started his eighth visit to the region since the conflict began in October by meeting with President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt, a key mediator with the militant Hamas group. He then flew to Israel for talks with Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.

Whether Israel and Hamas agree to the three-phase cease-fire plan remains in question, but the resolution's strong support in the U.N.'s most powerful body puts added pressure on both parties to approve the proposal.

Netanyahu has said Biden presented only parts of the proposal and insisted that any talk of a permanent cease-fire before dismantling Hamas' military and governing capabilities is a nonstarter.

Earlier Monday, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders met in Qatar to discuss the proposed cease-fire deal and said later that any deal must lead to a permanent cease-fire, a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza, reconstruction and "a serious exchange deal" between hostages in Gaza and Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

Algeria's U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama, the Arab representative on the council, said that while the text isn't perfect, "it offers a glimmer of hope to the Palestinians, as the alternative is (the) continuing killing and suffering of the Palestinian people."

"We voted for this text to give diplomacy a chance to reach an agreement that will end the aggression against the Palestinian people that has lasted far too long," Bendjama said.

The war began after Hamas' surprise Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people, mainly Israeli civilians, and saw about 250 others taken hostage. About 120 hostages remain, with 43 pronounced dead.

Israel's military offensive has killed more than 36,700 Palestinians and wounded in excess of 83,000 others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It has also destroyed about 80% of Gaza's buildings, according to the U.N.

The Security Council adopted a resolution on March 25 demanding a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with the U.S. abstaining, but there was no halt to the war.

Monday's resolution underscores "the importance of the ongoing diplomatic efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the United States aimed at reaching a comprehensive cease-fire deal, consisting of three phases."

Biden's May 31 announcement of the new proposal said it would begin with an initial six-month cease-fire with the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza and the return of Palestinian civilians to all areas in the territory.

Phase one also requires the safe distribution of humanitarian assistance "at scale throughout the Gaza Strip," which Biden said would lead to 600 trucks with aid entering Gaza every day.

In phase two, the resolution says that with the agreement of Israel and Hamas, "a permanent end to hostilities, in exchange for the release of all other hostages still in Gaza, and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza" will take place.

Phase three would launch "a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of the remains of any deceased hostages still in Gaza to their families."

The resolution reiterates the Security Council's "unwavering commitment to achieving the vision of a negotiated two-state solution where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders."

It also stresses "the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority," something Netanyahu's right-wing government has not agreed to.

6 books that explain the history and meaning of Juneteenth Reading recommendations
Last October, when Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker of the house, one Republican of the eight who voted against him stood out as the odd bedfellow of the group: a junior representative from South Carolina named Nancy Mace.

The seven other Republicans, all men, were far-right rabble-rousers, loudmouths for whom grousing about the establishment rather than working with it was always the right political move. They were used to attracting and capitalizing on press attention. Yet in the days that followed McCarthys ouster, Mace outshone them all, showing up for work in a shirt with a red A on the front, a nod to the titular symbol in The Scarlet Letter.

Her staff, still picking up the pieces from Maces bombshell vote against McCarthy the previous week, was completely baffled.

I thought it was just some fashion statement, one staffer recalled. I was like, OK, well, maybe this is an Abercrombie shirt or something. Only after seeing Mace on camera at a meeting of House Republicansswarmed by reportersdid the staffer put it together: The scarlet-letter outfit was another attempt by her to be a part of the story.

Or, as a second staffer remembered, it was an attempt to become the star of the story: She wanted every single person to thinkwhen they thought of the McCarthy ouster vote, not to think of the eight, but to think of Nancy Mace, the staffer said.

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In her own explanation for the scarlet letter that day, Mace lamented that she had been demonized for my vote and for my voice and would do the right thing every single time, no matter the consequences.

Probably because she was not being ostracized for, say, having a child out of wedlock in 17th-century Massachusetts, many people didnt quite understand the connection Mace was making to the Nathaniel Hawthorne staple of high school English class. Mace, closely monitoring the reaction to her stunt, privately griped to her staff that those who didnt get it werent smartthey were probably Trump voters, she said.

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But most of the bafflement was about why Mace had voted against McCarthy in the first place. She hadnt, after all, put up any roadblocks to his dragged-out election as speaker nine months before. She wasnt allied with any of the Freedom Caucusadjacent politicians who wanted McCarthy out; shed called anti-McCarthy ringleader Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz a fraud during the first speaker fight in January. Neither her tactics nor her politics tended to the extreme.

Nevertheless, there she was, not merely giving leadership an earful but joining an unprecedented ouster of the man whod fundraised for her and worked with her office to help her pass legislation. As one former senior McCarthy aide dryly put it to me about her vote against McCarthy, She surprised us.

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These days, Congress is full of show horses who are less interested in a gradual, heads-down rise in the ranks than in rocketing to viral celebrity, however many enemies they may make along the way. But only three and a half years in, Mace has established herself as one of the thirstiest members of Congress in her unceasing quest for attention. She has kept everyone from lay congressional watchers to reporters to her staff to the speaker of the House and Donald Trump on their toes about her next move. What she may do on any given day feels downright random, even to the people closest to her.

But it isnt quite random. In interviews with eight former Mace staffersof which there are several dozen, because Maces Washington office has an exceptionally high turnover ratethe politicians obsession with getting press was described as her sole motivational force. (The former staffers were granted anonymity for fear of reprisal. Maces office ignored repeated interview requests for this story and did not respond to a detailed list of questions.) The former staffers described how every move, however incongruous it may seem, is part of a larger effort for Mace to build her brand as a caucus of one, as Mace herself puts it.

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Sometimes it works. Attention can be translated into power. But it has also alienated Mace from colleagues and GOP leaders. It lost her an entire D.C. staff over the course of a few months, culminating in a surreal episode involving the Capitol Police in December. Her McCarthy vote, followed up by the scarlet-letter stunt, was so egregious that it earned Mace a primary challenger in a race that will be decided this week. Even if she advances, as shes favored to, rebuilding her reputation in the House will not be easy.

A former senior staffer said Mace used to trash members like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Gaetz for being in the Capitol just to make noise.

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Now, the staffer said, she has turned herself into what she hates.

Only a few days into her first term in Congress, Mace wanted to get punched in the face. It was Jan. 6, 2021, and Mace was desperate for headlines about herself amid the news of the Capitol riot. As has been previously reported, during the attack she pitched her staff on a plan to put herself in harms way in order to get hit by a protester, a move that would result in massive media attention, maybe even enough to elevate her as a top anti-Trump Republican.

Several months before, in November 2020, Mace had narrowly defeated Democratic Rep. Joe Cunningham in a swing district covering much of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Before that, she had been a state legislator and had worked in commercial real estate and public relations. She was most well known, however, for being the first woman cadet to graduate from the Citadel military college in Charleston, an experience she chronicled in a 2001 memoir.

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Though she never went through with the getting-punched plan, Mace earned a significant amount of coverage for her outspokenness against Trump following Jan. 6. The day after the Capitol riot, Macewho had worked for Trumps 2016 South Carolina campaignsaid in a television interview, Everything that hes worked for,  his entire legacy, was wiped out yesterday. And weve got to start over. She did not vote for Trumps impeachment, despite sharing, in a floor speech, her belief that we need to hold the president accountable. I hold him accountable for the events that transpired for the attack on our Capitol last Wednesday.

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It didnt take too long for the pendulum to swing in the opposite direction. Within a month, she was picking a fight with a proper Capitol Hill star on the left, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, over what had happened on Jan. 6. That landed Mace an appearance on Fox News.

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The idea was always to get her front and center in the national spotlight, and the media element drove the legislative element, one senior staffer said of Maces tack. Her staff would try to hold 30-minute legislative meetings once a week with the congresswoman, but she would get bored, and within, like, 10 minutes we would just kind of fall back into media strategy. And that was from Day 1. It was just like, How do I get into the national story? How do I get into the national spotlight? 

Her attention-grabbing antics could be random. Sometimes, Mace would go after far-right members within her own party and nab a spot on CNN. Other times, she would simply make a bewildering comment, such as last year, when she suggested at South Carolinas annual Prayer Breakfast that she had that morning declined sex with her then fiance to make it to her speech on time.*

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When Mace was receiving the media attention she wanted, her office could be a thrill, a place where staffers were having the sorts of experiences that arent common for those who work for backbench freshman or sophomore members.

When she was at the top of her game, we could go on any TV program, one former staff member recalled. Theyd travel out to Los Angeles to be on Bill Mahers HBO show, or theyd help her put together the comedy roast that brought the house down at the congressional correspondents dinner in 2023. After she does that, shes like, Wow, guys, that was awesome, what a big hit. You dont need to come in early tomorrowtomorrow, enjoy the day, have some drinks, celebrate. 

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The feel-good moments could evaporate in an instant, though. The other side of Mace was paranoid, punishing, and chaotic at best.

Staffers recalled onslaughts of text messages from her at 4 or 5 in the morning about what they were doing to get her on the news that day. They could be berated for using the wrong Instagram filterif it was in the wrong hex code of blue, I was going to hear about it, one staffer saidand Mace had a rule that staff had to respond to her, no matter what, within eight minutes.

After a communications staffer ran afoul of the eight-minute rule on Christmas Eve 2022, Mace tried to get her then chief of staff, Dan Hanlon, to fire him. When Hanlon wouldnt do it, Mace tried to get her then deputy chief of staff, Richard Chalkey, to do it; Chalkey also refused. Mace had also attempted, and failed, to get them to fire the same comms staffer the previous month, after hed told a reporter that Mace was unavailable because she was traveling. This was true: She was unavailable because she was travelingin Spain, with dozens of other members, on a sponsored tripbut she claimed that the admission had put her and her family in danger.

On the legislative side, staff members were expected to introduce bills at an exceedingly high volume, as has been detailed in a Daily Beast story about a strategy memo Mace wrote for her office. (Among other things, she was to be marketed as THE freshman thought leader on federal issues.) Her priority was to get her bills taken up as stand-alone measures rather than as parts of larger packages, even if that made the bills less likely to become law. She wanted her name on themguidance that was taken quite literally with a 2023 piece of legislation that did pass the House, the MACE Act, which eliminated unnecessary degree barriers for certain cybersecurity jobs. The genesis of that bills name was that legislative staff came up with it as a joke about Maces ego. But the joke went over her head, and it stuck.

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Stories about the tumult of her office environment have come up more and more in recent months, and Mace has fired back at former staffers with claims of her own. In an extremely unusual move, Mace sat down with the Daily Mail at her Capitol Hill townhome for an interview published in mid-May, during which she accused her ex-staff of having tried to sabotage her. Among her claims were that they signed her name to documents without permission, submerged their electronic devices in water to deny her access to them, tracked her private appointments, and left hundreds of thousands of dollars in unspent budget allotments on the table. (In the waning days of her primary, the return of unspent office funds is being used as a positive talking point about fiscal responsibility, as Mace combats a Washington Post investigation into the reimbursement requests she and other members have made.)

The Daily Mail interview shocked the ex-staffers I spoke to. The submerged electronic device, they argued, could only be a reference to an instance in which a staffer spilled water on a keyboard, then reported it to IT. They had had a stamp with her signature, as all congressional offices do, for signing certain documents that were part of routine tasks below the members pay grade. They also claimed that Mace procrastinated on approving a big expenditure for mailers and didnt get it done in time, before the new year. She used Google calendars to track her personal and professional appointments and would approve, unapprove, and forget to reapprove staffers access, which they needed to do their jobs.

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Those I spoke to had varying interpretations of what exactly might have compelled Mace to lash out at her former employees. I think that article makes her look pretty nuts, a staffer told me. But one distinct possibility they all suggested was that she probably felt as if she hadnt been getting enough press attention lately.

Mace can be mercurial in her opinions on people or tactics, but her politics are broadly consistent. Shes mostly in line with the rest of the House GOP on fiscal matters, but to the left on certain social issues, like abortion and womens health issues, legalizing marijuana, and the Second Amendment. She has often taken her party to task, for example, for its rigidity on early-term abortion bans and argued this year that it will lose big if it cant find a middle ground. (Its worth observing, too, that cable news bookers roll out the red carpet for Republicans who criticize their own party on social issues.)

Throughout last year, Mace tried to use the leverage that the House GOPs narrow margins provided to extract promises on her pet issues, including a bill to improve active shooter alerts, another relating to womens access to reproductive health care, and the aforementioned MACE Act. In particular, Mace took the opportunity of an April debt limit billfor which McCarthy needed nearly all of his conference to support in order to have leverage in negotiations with the Biden administrationto hem and haw about how she might not be able to get behind it. This got her a meeting with McCarthy in April 2023. When the meeting ended, Mace announced her support for the debt-limit bill. Soon after, a source familiar with Maces conversation with McCarthy told reporters that she was guaranteed floor votes on womens health legislation and the active-shooter-alert bill.

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McCarthys team was displeased with the immediate leak and reached out to Maces office to ask what the staffers had been thinking by putting this out thereand whether they understood that this wouldnt help them achieve their goals. Maces staffers assured McCarthys team that they agreed. The Mace leak hadnt come from Mace staff.

The other reason McCarthys team was upset was that its exceptionally unlikely that McCarthy actually had made those commitments to her.

To avoid the same hostilities with the far right that had doomed previous GOP speakers, McCarthy brought its members into the fold, endowing some hard-liners with important committee positions and ruling over them with less of an iron fist. So, McCarthy could not just order Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, say, to move Maces billslegislation that Jordan wasnt interested inthrough committee, much less guarantee her floor votes.

Nobody in the room, including Ms. Mace, believed that a promise had been made that a bill would be marked up in committee or brought across the floor of the House, one former senior staffer to McCarthy told me. But as he did with all members, he said, Absolutely Ill work with you.  Although McCarthy couldnt order Jordan to take up these bills, in other words, he couldand didsee whether Jordan and his staff could work with them to get legislation to a passable place. That process took a while because, as the former McCarthy staffer said of Maces rape-kits bill, the product was shit, and it had to be redrafted multiple times. The final product passed the Judiciary Committee unanimously on Sept. 28, 2023. The active-shooter-alert legislation Mace championed ran into similar troubles with drafting and was an even taller order to get through committee.

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Despite the efforts made on her behalf, Mace still insisted that McCarthy wasnt holding up his end of the bargain. She would complain about him, in increasingly angry ways. This worried her staffers; no one in Maces D.C. office thought that her voting to oust the speaker would be a great idea. The main voice in her ear making the case for ousting McCarthy was Doug Stafford, a longtime former staffer and strategist for Sen. Rand Paul whom Mace had taken on as a consultant for her campaign. He would, according to staffers who interacted with him, appeal to Maces instincts for dramatic moves.

Theres no planet on which I tell the media what I tell my clients, Stafford told me over email, when I asked about his role in advising Mace to boot McCarthy. I think nearly everyone would agree though that my clients believe in what theyre doing and do what they believe is right.

Staff still didnt know which way Mace would fall when she left the office to vote on Oct. 3. When she cast her vote against McCarthy, the staff text chain lit up with variations of, essentially, Fuck. Many staffers had already been looking for an exit, but they picked up their efforts to find new jobs. It was a hard enough work environment already, and now the boss had made herself a political pariah.

It was McCarthy, however, who put the employment of one Mace staffer in immediate peril. During a press conference just after he lost his job, McCarthynot in the best of moods, and understandably sogave his account of what had happened with Mace. He said hed seen Mace on The View the previous day saying that she had been made promises by the speaker that have not been kept. (Some staffers believe that by popping off on the talk show, Mace had boxed herself into voting to remove McCarthy, and that she had wanted to avoid looking as if she had backed down.) McCarthy explained that hed called Dan Hanlon, the chief of staff, after watching Mace claim on The View that he hadnt kept his word.

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You know what her chief of staff said? You have kept your word, 100 percent,  McCarthy said. Now, if somehow he gets fired, Ill still get him a job.

This was the beginning of the end of Hanlons tenure with Mace.

McCarthy fucked Dan, as one Mace staffer put it.

The MACE Act, meanwhile, had passed the House nearly unanimously at 7:01 p.m. on Oct. 2. That means that a Nancy Mace bill that was backronymed to her name was the final bill to pass the House of Representatives under Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

In November, Mace hired a new chief of staff, Lorie Khatod, a former Defense Department employee who had earned a doctorate in organizational leadership but had little Hill experience. Mace and Hanlons relationship had never fully repaired following the McCarthy vote, especially after the former speakers comment in the press conference, and Hanlon was demoted to senior adviser. The new arrangement didnt last long: On Sunday, Dec. 3, Khatod called Hanlon to let him know that he had been terminated and that he would be expected to come in at 4 p.m. the next day to return his belongings.

At about 3 the next afternoon, Monday, Dec. 4, Khatod told the deputy chief of staff to send staffers home early for the day. Those in the office interpreted this as an offer that they could go home early, not that they needed to, so some stayed around.

At about 3:45, a slew of Capitol Police entered the office and told staff that they had no reason to fear anything, that they were there to protect them. The officers, according to witnesses, said that theyd heard that an ex-employee had made threats to some of them and that that ex-employee was expected to come into the office at 4. When Khatod showed up, she was livid that staff members were still in the office and demanded they leave.

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The staffers who had remained there could not believe what was happening. Nobody I spoke to, at least, could recall Hanlon ever making anything remotely resembling a threat toward them, nor did they think that that was in his nature.

Khatod did not respond to multiple requests for comment about why the police were called or what threats were allegedly made. Hanlon, too, declined to comment on the episode.

The staff assumption was that either Mace, Khatod, or both had wanted to intimidate and humiliate Hanlon on his way out the door. It wasnt just the police presence in the office either. Capitol Police had issued a BOLOor Be on the Lookoutinstruction for Hanlon on Capitol grounds, according to a senior House staffer with direct knowledge at the time. (A Capitol Police spokesperson told Slate, The requested information is not publicly available.)

Hanlon, having been tipped off to the police presence, returned his belongings later that day to Randal Meyer, Maces counsel, at Meyers home. Meyer and Chalkey, the deputy chief of staff, resigned shortly thereafter.

Ultimately, Mace achieved total staff turnover in her D.C. office between November 2023 and the following February. Everyone resigned or left for a new job, except in the case of Hanlons firing. Among those Mace had hired as replacements were two staffers from expelled Rep. George Santos office, one of whom has already left.

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In the months after, Hanlon briefly considered a primary challenge to Mace. There was substantial interest among McCarthy loyalists in finding someone to go head-to-head with Mace as payback. But Hanlon ultimately opted against it. Instead, the anti-Mace contingent coalesced around the campaign of Catherine Templeton, a former businesswoman and member of former Gov. Nikki Haleys Cabinet. On policy, Templeton has been hitting Mace over the border and her vote on the bill to force a sale of TikTok, and for leaving the House without a speaker in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. But Maces erratic and attention-seeking behavior has been the central talking point in Templetons campaign.

Its our responsibility to send an adult who can get results to Washington, Templeton said when she announced her run. We have serious problems, and we need serious people to solve them. We need a trusted leader who values service over celebrity. She accused Mace of flip-flopping for fame.

Mace, meanwhile, has described Templeton as a puppet of McCarthy in a bitter revenge operation. Templeton would dispute the idea that shes a puppet, but its no secret that McCarthy wants Mace gone. One of McCarthys closest political allies, Brian O. Walsh, is a senior adviser to a dark-money group, the American Prosperity Alliance, that has run attack ads against Mace in her district. Separately, a political action committee, South Carolina Patriots, has spent several million dollars against Mace. Its donors are still largely unknown, except for $15,000 in seed money from  the American Prosperity Alliance.

Polling of the district is scant, but an Emerson College poll from May 1921 found Mace leading comfortably with 47 percent of the vote to Templetons 22 percent. A third candidate, Bill Young, earned 7 percent.

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Templeton has garnered a decent share of endorsements for a challenger to an incumbent, including that of Maces previous challenger, Katie Arrington, and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who is making good on his word to do anything he can to stop Mace after her vote to overthrow McCarthy. (When I called Gingrich to ask if he had a few minutes to talk about his Templeton endorsement, he said, No, but I was glad to endorse her, and I think shed make a good congresswoman, then hung up.)

Mace, however, has the only endorsement that matters: Trumps.

This was quite a turnabout on both of their parts. Trump had endorsed Arringtons challenge to Mace in 2022, given the comments Mace had made about Trump in the aftermath of Jan. 6. But Mace began to speak more approvingly of Trump as 2023 went on, as it became clear which way the winds were blowing in the Republican primary. She officially endorsed Trumps presidential campaign just before the New Hampshire primaryin a dagger for the campaign of fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley, who had endorsed Mace in 2022solidly proving her loyalty. Trump returned the favor with an endorsement in March.

Not a single person I spoke to thought that Maces move to Trump was genuine. At least in the years that they worked for Mace, she had nothing but disdain for the former president. They recalled the day of Trumps indictment in the New York case, last April, when staff had to band together to prevent Mace from tweeting, This is what happens when you pay hush money to a porn star. The staff succeeded. Not long after, Mace came around to believing that the New York case was a lousy oneespecially after recognizing that Republicans who were defending Trump were getting more TV time.

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If Mace makes it to another term and hopes to keep rising in the ranks, shell have a lot of work to do to repair the damage she has done to her reputation institutionally. It will be hard for any speaker to trust her again after seeing what she did to the previous one. Should Majority Leader Steve Scalise ever make it to the position, that also wont be good for Mace, given that she refused to support his speakership candidacy because he attended a white supremacist conference and compared himself to David Duke, as she told CNN last fall. Dont think the Scalise camp has forgotten that.

Leadership doesnt trust her, rank-and-file members think shes a joke, shell never be able to be a chair of a committee because shes not going to be able to fundraise in D.C. to the point that you need to get a chairmanship, one former senior staffer said. Shes done.

Then again, how many committee chairs get invited to appear on Bill Maher?
This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slates coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. Alongside Amicus, we kicked things off this year by explaining How Originalism Ate the Law. The best way to support our work is by joining Slate Plus. (If you are already a member, consider a donation or merch!)

The Supreme Court is about to drown us in a deluge of explosive and massively consequential decisions involving some of the most controversial issues of the day. Right now, the justices are scrambling to complete blockbusters involving abortion, guns, homelessness, unions, social media, online disinformation, pollution, the administrative stateand, oh yes, hundreds of Jan. 6 prosecutions, including Donald Trumps. Yet at the moment, theres a logjam: The court, which likes to wrap up decisions by the end of June, is way behind schedule, releasing just a trickle of minor cases several weeks in a row. Even if it stretches into early July this year, SCOTUS has teed up a chaotic finale to the term. As soon as the current logjam breaks, the court will dump everything on us all at once.

This approach to judgingto ruling, really, in the monarchical senseis both disgraceful and unnecessary. Its disgraceful because regular people cannot possibly absorb the enormous amount of material that is poised to gush out of the court, as the justices surely know, much of it dressed up in legalese to obscure its meaning for nonlawyers. The overwhelming majority of Americans will have no hope of keeping up with the sweeping and complex decisions to come, even if those decisions have direct and negative impacts on their lives. And this inundation is unnecessary because the justices pick their own arbitrary deadline, then fail to manage the docket in a way that allows them to meet that deadline without cutting corners and overwhelming the news cycle with a glut of last-minute bombshells. The conservative supermajority has a checklist to clear, and it wont temper its agenda to accommodate for a (gratuitously) tight timeline. Its smash-and-grab attitude toward the law requires aggressive, immediate intervention in cases that the court has no good reason to hear. And so this June, and maybe July, is shaping up to be an unprecedented season of ceaseless SCOTUS mayhem.

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A glimpse at the terms remaining cases shows what a nightmare were in for. The justices are preparing to hand down roughly 14 extraordinarily high-profile opinions, triple or quadruple the number of an ordinary term. A decade ago, Junes biggest decision was Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, allowing corporations to limit contraceptive coverage for employees; this year, there are at least a half-dozen cases that stand to eclipse Hobby Lobby in terms of impact and controversy. (Maybe a lot more, depending on how far the supermajority swings right.)

Related From Slate Surprise! The Worst Judge in the Country Just Landed Another Appalling Abortion Case. Read More

The problem, as Georgetown Law professor Steve Vladeck has explained, is that the Supreme Court has fundamentally altered its approach to granting cases in recent years. It used to be that the justices primarily took up small cases to clarify muddled areas of law, topped off with a handful of blockbusters. Today, theyre taking up fewer and fewer little cases while maxing out on the front-page supernovas. So areas of the law that are important within the legal system but uninteresting to most people, like the Fourth Amendments protections against unreasonable search and seizures, remain muddy, because the justices cant be bothered to deal with them. Meanwhile, the court wades into contentious disputes where it has no business interfering. And big decisions typically provoke longer opinions plus concurrences and dissents, which must circulate for weeks or months as the justices respond to one another. Thus, the docket is smaller than ever, yet the justices say they are as busy as ever, because they cant help but reach out and grab the shiny toys.

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In fairness, there are some major cases that the court cant avoid. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, for instance, keeps jamming the justices with crazy decisions; as the adult in the room, SCOTUS feels an obligation to take up and reverse these rulings. Some attention-grabbers on the docket this term came straight from the Fightin 5th Circuit, including decisions limiting access to medication abortion and granting domestic abusers the right to bear arms. There are, however, a ton of other big cases this term that the Supreme Court had zero compelling reasons to take. Why, for example, did the court decide now was the time to let states criminalize homelessness? Or make it harder to halt illegal, union-busting, anti-labor tactics? Or consider whether to preemptively kill a wealth tax, using a dispute built on bogus facts? There was nothing urgent about any of these cases or the underlying issues, no reason the court could not put them off for another day. The conservative justices were, it appears, simply eager to bend the law rightward in each instance and stacked them atop one another in the same overstuffed term to get the job done ASAP.

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No cases better illustrate this phenomenon than Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless v. Department of Commerce. Both involve challenges to a federal program that required the fishing industry to share the cost of compliance monitors onboard their vessels. Conservative lawyers developed both as a challenge to Chevron deference, the 40-year-old principle that courts must defer to federal agencies reasonable interpretation of ambiguous laws. Overturning Chevron deference would make it harder for presidents to interpret and enforce the law, in turn limiting the governments ability to protect the public. This power grab is high on the Republican Partys wishlist because it will kneecap countless regulations that protect us from pollution, fraud, exploitation, discrimination, and other societal ills.

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Its no secret that the Supreme Courts Republican-aligned bloc is hungry to overrule Chevron. So hungry, in fact, that it initially took up a case from which Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson had to recused, Loper Bright Enterprises. (She participated in an earlier stage while serving on a lower court.) Recognizing, perhaps, that they should not reverse landmark precedent with a short-staffed court, the conservative justices later took up an identical companion case, Relentless. They therefore burdened themselves with double the briefing and double the arguments, enlarging their (already heavy) workload. Worse yet, the two cases do not even involve a live dispute. A ruling in favor of the fishing industry will do nothing for the parties. The case is entirely theoretical, a faux-dispute manufactured for the sole purpose of overturning Chevron. And it could not wait till next term: The court had to gobble it up now.

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Less wonky but just as egregious is SCOTUSs intrusion into the Jan. 6 cases. It abruptly decided to jeopardize the prosecution of more than 350 defendants from the Capitol riot by gutting the federal obstruction law under which theyve been charged. The lower courts reached a near-unanimous consensus that the Justice Department used this law appropriately; the Supreme Courts intervention was totally unwarranted and may signal broader hostility toward accountability for the insurrectionists. That obstruction law also lies at the heart of special counsel Jack Smiths indictment of former President Donald Trump for election subversion; eviscerating the statute will eviscerate a key part of the indictment.

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Of course, thanks to the Supreme Court, its not even clear that Smith will ever prosecute Trump for his alleged crimes relating to Jan. 6. And this sin, too, is partly a story of devious docket management. After the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied Trumps absurd claim of presidential immunity in February, SCOTUS could (and should) have denied Trumps appeal. Or it could have quickly, summarily affirmed the D.C. Circuits decision. Or it could have taken up the case on the same fast-track schedule it used to keep Trump on the ballot in Colorado. But it didnt. Rather, the Supreme Court took up the case on a more drawn-out schedule, hearing arguments in late April, with a decision likely in late June. The former presidents arguments in this case are so frivolous that a responsible SCOTUS would have disposed of the whole thing months ago. Instead, the court has treated Trumps claim as plausible, maybe even persuasive, bogging itself down with a distraction of no merit and monumental importance.

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Last month, Voxs Ian Millhiser made the important point that the rights evolving approach to judicial nominations has had an immense, underacknowledged impact on the courts docket. Conservative justices now join the Supreme Court with both a rigid ideology and an agenda toward which they are disinclined to compromise. We all saw this phenomenon play out with the rushed reversal of Roe v. Wade. The impact, though, goes much deeper: It leads to a court that acts much more like a legislative body, picking and choosing which legislation to prioritize, than an impartial judiciary resolving genuine conflicts that come before them. The downstream effects are uglybut then, why shouldnt right-wing lawyers engineer phony cases when sympathetic justices are begging for any excuse to rip up precedent, no matter how flimsy the pretext?

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As we await the coming torrent of toxic opinions, we should bear this fact in mind: The pile-up of blockbusters did not happen by accident. It is the direct result of a cynical approach to the docket that front-loads the right-wing blocs priorities. The courts composition could change at any time; some conservative justices surely remember when Justice Antonin Scalia died suddenly, denying them a fifth vote in pending cases. And so they flood the zone, never putting off until tomorrow what they could do today. We are about to see the grisly consequences of these tactics. And we will be forced to live with them for long after that.
This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slates coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. Alongside Amicus, we kicked things off this year by explaining How Originalism Ate the Law. The best way to support our work is by joining Slate Plus. (If you are already a member, consider a donation or merch!)

At the end of last month, the six-justice conservative majority on the Supreme Court went out of its way again to make clear its fervent support for the death penalty and its hostility to claims of ineffective assistance of counsel in capital cases. In a May 30 decision, the courts majority used its opinion in Thornell v. Jones to show that it will only grant relief (if it grants relief at all) in cases where capital defense lawyers commit the most extreme and egregious errors.

Danny Lee Jones had been convicted and sentenced to death in Arizona for the 1992 murders of Robert Weaver, his 7-year-old daughter Tisha Weaver, and Roberts grandmother Katherine Gumina. He killed them during an attempt to steal Weavers gun collection, which Jones thought was worth $2,000. Jones blamed his drug use for the crime.

Critically, according to Courthouse News, the public defender who represented Jones

learned that he was oxygen-deprived at birth and had a lithium deficiencya condition linked to serious psychiatric disorders. Joness medical records showed that he was medicated for mood disorders, had attempted suicide and had been admitted to a mental hospital.

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But despite having access to this information, the Courthouse News report continues, Joness attorney did not further investigate his mental health until after he was convicted. Jones appealed his sentence, claiming that his Sixth Amendment right to the effective assistance of counsel had been violated.

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While a federal district court dismissed his claims, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit reversed the decision. It found that the public defenders performance was deficient and that there was a reasonable probability that Jones would not have received a death sentence if the full evidence about his mental health had been presented at sentencing.

The state of Arizona appealed to the Supreme Court. That appeal, in front of several justices who treat the death penalty as sacrosanct at the expense of so many constitutional rights, did not go well for Jones. During oral argument, Justice Samuel Alito, who would end up writing the majority opinion, likened the defendant to Hannibal Lecter.

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Related From Slate This Should Be a Wake-Up Call to the Biden Administration on the Death Penalty Read More

Justice Neil Gorsuch, notoriously impatient with death penalty appeals, said that the Jones case has been lingering for decades. He suggested that, to resolve the case once and for all, the Supreme Court should take the unusual step of examining the aggravating and mitigating factors itself rather than following the standard procedure of leaving the fact finding necessary to determine whether there was ineffective assistance of counsel to lower courts.

And that is what the court did.

It did so even though, as Justice Sonia Sotomayor pointed out in her dissent, the factual record in the Jones case is complex, contested, and thousands of pages long. She argued that this is not an appropriate case to reach and settle [a] fact-sensitive issue.

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That is particularly true, Sotomayor explained, when, as here, the majority in the first instance parses a complex record containing contested medical diagnoses and disputed allegations of abuse and trauma.

As Gorsuch had urged them to do, his conservative colleagues ignored what Sotomayor called the courts usual practice of not deciding on its own the predicate factual questions in the first instance. This deviation from standard procedure showed the lengths to which this prodeath penalty majority will go to clear almost any barrier standing in the way of carrying out executions.

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At issue in the Jones case was whether the 9th Circuit had faithfully applied the standards for judging ineffective assistance of counsel claims laid out by the Supreme Court in its 1984 Strickland v. Washington decision. The Strickland court said that the benchmark for judging any claim of ineffectiveness must be whether counsels conduct so undermined the proper functioning of the adversarial process that the trial (and sentencing proceeding) cannot be relied on as having produced a just result.

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Justice Sandra Day OConnor, who wrote the Strickland opinion, said that A convicted defendants claim that counsels assistance was so defective as to require reversal of a conviction or setting aside of a death sentence requires that the defendant show, first, that counsels performance was deficient and, second, that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense so as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial.

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Justice Thurgood Marshall dissented in Strickland. He claimed that the majority had adopted a standard that is so malleable that, in practice, it will either have no grip at all or will yield excessive variation in the manner in which the Sixth Amendment is interpreted.

The court, Marshall wrote, not only abdicated its own responsibility to interpret the Constitution, but also impaired the ability of the lower courts to exercise theirs.

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The way Strickland has been interpreted bears out Marshalls fears. As Michael L. Perlin and his collaborators wrote in 2019, Individual post-Strickland cases are striking and, by any metric, bizarre.

They cite many examples of such bizarre decisions.

In one case, they note, counsel was found to be effective even though he had failed to introduce ballistics evidence showing that the gun taken from the defendant was not the murder weapon. In another, an attorney was found constitutionally adequate to provide representation to a death-eligible defendant notwithstanding the fact that he had been admitted to the bar for only six months and had never tried a jury case. Another lawyer was found constitutionally adequate even where during the middle of the trial he appeared in court intoxicated and spent a night in jail.

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We now know, as law professor Brandon Garrett has argued in Slate, that effective representation in death cases does not take the best of the best or some kind of dream team. 

Instead, as Garrett contends, it just requires a team of specialist capital defense lawyers and investigators, preferably working in an office, that understand the very different way that a death penalty case must be litigated from its inception.

Still, one doesnt have to look far to find examples of the kind of ineffective assistance that occurred in the Jones case. Like Jones, many of those accused of capital crimes are still represented by lawyers who have never tried a capital case.

The Supreme Courts decision in the Jones case sends a chilling message to those defendants.

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Acting as if he were a juror or trial judge in the sentencing phase of Jones case, Justice Alito decided that the mitigating evidence Jones presented  would barely have altered the sentencing profile presented to the sentencing judge, and it is insufficient to show prejudice.

Continuing in the same vein, Alito added that [t]he weakness of Joness mitigating evidence contrasts sharply with the strength of the aggravating circumstances. These circumstancesmultiple homicides, cruelty, pecuniary motivation, and murder of a childare given great weight in Arizona.

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But even more troubling than this departure from standard procedure was Alitos conclusion that the court will find ineffective assistance of counsel only in cases when a lawyer introduced little, if any, mitigating evidence at the original sentencing. In his view, defense lawyers in capital cases should be deemed ineffective only if they do nothing, or next to nothing, to try to save their clients life in the sentencing phase of a capital case.

For Alito and his conservative colleagues, no other mistakes, omissions, or failures to do the things that every capital defense lawyer should do matter. In the end, the Jones decision may make it easier for states to turn death sentences into executions, but it is a real setback for the Constitution and its commitment to fairness in capital cases.
Donald Trump has been convicted of 34 felony counts in the New York hush money casebut theres a lengthy appeals process ahead. And what ever happened to the other three cases against himJack Smiths federal election interference and classified documents cases, and Fani Willis Georgia election interference case? All three have hit various roadblocks. To make it easier to follow all of Trumps ongoing legal entanglements, each Monday, well keep you updated on the latest developments in Keeping Up With the Trump Trials.

Now that Donald Trump is a convicted felon, hes kicking this week off by sitting for a probation interview. Meanwhile, the classified documents case gets a new court schedule, though still no trial date. And over in Arizona, a steady stream of not guilty pleas are coming in for yet another election interference indictment.

The classified documents case gets a new court schedule

Judge Aileen Cannon reorganized her calendar and changed up a slate of hearings that are coming up for special counsel Jack Smiths classified documents case, adding a new hearing to consider whether Smiths appointment as special counsel was legal. (Trumps attorneys are arguing it wasnt.)

Cannon is not only taking the rare step of allowing such an argument to move forwardshes also allowing outside parties to participate in oral arguments during the hearing. Two conservative attorneys, Josh Blackman of Landmark Legal Foundation and Gene Schaerr, an attorney representing former Reagan Attorney General Ed Meese, will be allowed to present for 30 minutes in favor of dismissing the case based on purported flaws in Smiths appointment. Matthew Seligman, a legal scholar, will present in favor of the legality of Smiths appointment.

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That hearing is scheduled for June 21. That same day, Cannon will also consider Smiths gag order request, which argues Trump should be banned from publicly speaking about law enforcement involved in the prosecution of the classified documents case and which was requested after he falsely claimed that Joe Biden had authorized the use of lethal force against him and his family in the Mar-a-Lago search that led to the documents case.

Cannon also canceled a three-day hearing that was supposed to consider whether Trumps attorneys should have access to communications among Smith, the National Archives, and other national security agencies when they worked together to retrieve countless boxes of classified documents stored at Mar-a-Lago.

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Cannon recently decided to take the classified documents trial off the calendar because there were still a myriad of pretrial motions she had yet to resolve.

Related From Slate Theres One Way Jack Smith Can Push Back Against Aileen Cannon Read More

Trump will sit for a probation interview

On Monday, Trump was scheduled to have a virtual interview with a New York City probation officer, a routine next step now that he has been convicted of 34 felony counts for making hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 election.

According to NBC News, Trump is expected to take the interview from Mar-a-Lago, and New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has allowed Todd Blanche, Trumps lead defense attorney, to also be present. Trump will be asked about his criminal history, finances, mental and physical health, and his living situation. He could also be asked to confirm if hes spending time with anyone with a criminal record, something he wouldnt be allowed to do while on probation. A probation officer will write up a final report on Trump and submit it to Merchan.

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Trumps former campaign chairman, convicted felon Paul Manafort, recently left a role working on Trumps Republican National Convention. Trump pardoned Manafort while he was in office. During his criminal trial, Trump was joined in court by several people with criminal records, including adviser Boris Epshteyn, who has been charged with fraud for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and former Hells Angel leader Chuck Zito, who served time in prison on drug conspiracy charges. So there are a number of people in Trumps orbit who might fit that criminal record criteria.

Trump faces up to four years in prison for each felony count, though experts dont believe he will end up serving any time behind bars given that these are nonviolent offenses and Trump is a first-time offender. On June 13, Trumps defense team will get to submit their sentencing recommendation, and Merchan will inform Trump of his sentence on July 11.

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Trumpworld figures plead not guilty in Arizona indictment

Mark Meadows, Trumps former chief of staff, and Michael Roman, the Trump campaigns Election Day operations director, pleaded not guilty last week to charges in Arizonas election interference indictment, the fourth case of its kind stemming from the fake electors scheme in the aftermath of the 2020 election, after similar charges in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Georgia.

Meadows and Roman face charges of conspiracy, fraud, and forgery for their efforts to overturn President Joe Bidens victory in Arizona for Trump. The indictment says Meadows, working with the Trump campaign, submitted names of fake electors from Arizona to Congress while also admitting to a White House staffer that Trump had lost the 2020 election.

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Roman is accused of working hand in hand with former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Epshteyn to assemble the votes of fake electors in Arizona. Both Meadows and Roman face similar charges in the Georgia election interference indictment, where they also pleaded not guilty. (Roman was also charged in Wisconsin for sending in a fake electors certificate for former Vice President Mike Pence.)

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Eighteen people have been charged in the Arizona indictment. Trump is notably missing from the list and is considered to be Unindicted Co-conspirator 1.

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Fani Willis election interference trial is officially on pause

Georgias Court of Appeals ruled that all proceedings in District Attorney Fani Willis election interference trial must be paused until all the appeals in that case are resolved, which includes a motion to dismiss her from her own case.

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Willis is locked in a heated battle of appeals with Trumps legal team right now, as the former president filed a motion to disqualify Willis from prosecuting him. A lengthy evidentiary hearing in February detailed how she began dating special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she hired to work on her investigation into Trump. In the end, Judge Scott McAfee ruled Willis could remain on the case, but only if Wade stepped down, which he did. Georgias Court of Appeals has tentatively scheduled oral arguments for Trumps appeal on Oct. 4.

Willis filed an appeal of her own after McAfee dismissed six of her charges against Trump and his allies who were also charged in her original 41-count indictment. McAfee ruled those charges were too vague and lacked sufficient detail. He upheld many of the other charges, however.
If you come at the king, you best not miss, Omar Little said in The Wire, paraphrasing Emerson. I have been a vocal critic of the Manhattan district attorneys offices decision to bring its criminal case against Donald Trump, but now the time has come for me to give the prosecutors credit where it is due: They did not miss. In addition to winning the first conviction of a former U.S. president, they addressed some of the most puzzling legal problems that had hung over the trial, which could make that conviction less vulnerable on appeal.

For months I have been worried about the New York criminal case against Donald Trump for falsifying business documents in order to cover up a scheme to unlawfully influence the 2016 election via a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The legal theory was, to me, dubious. Of particular concern was what other critics later dubbed the cases time warp problem: that the prosecution was relying on a set of 34 purely internal documentsMichael Cohens pay stubs, invoices, and Trumps personal ledger entriesas a basis for an intent to defraud the voters in the 2016 election. As I wrote last year in the New York Times: If a business record is internal, it is not obvious how a false filing could play a role in defrauding if other entities likely would not rely upon it and be deceived by it. Even if one can argue that the statute should apply to internal records, this is not the ideal time to test a seemingly novel (or even a very rare) application.

This problem became, in my view, even more significant as the prosecution and the judge emphasized, in the months before trial and through the opening statements, that the case was about defrauding the voters. All 34 of these documents were made in 2017. How could voters in 2016 be defrauded by documents that did not then even exist?

In a series of posts in March and in my New York Times follow-up essay in April, I shared a suggestion from a friend, Boston College law professor and former prosecutor Jeffrey Cohen: The prosecution should emphasize that the target of the fraud was the government, to conceal violations of federal election laws. In short: Its not the crime; its the cover-up.

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However, in the early stages of the trial, the judge and prosecution had framed the case as Trump defrauding the voters, a politically compelling story but so broad as to be confusing, both legally and factually. This is where things get complicated.

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Related From Slate Why the Supreme Court Will Not Be Rescuing Trump in New York Anytime Soon Read More

In order to upgrade the misdemeanor false filings to a felony, the prosecution had to prove Trump intended to conceal another crime (thus, three layersunderlying crime, intent to conceal that underlying crime, false document filings). In the initial argument of the case, as described in the indictment and follow-up motions, the prosecution pointed to four possibilities for what this underlying crime was: a Federal Election Campaign Act crime, tax fraud, other false documents under the New York false business documents statute (such as the document Cohen filed to set up his shell company to pay off Daniels), or maybe a vague New York state statute against conspiracies to promote a candidate by unlawful means. Lawfares Quinta Jurecic, an indispensable explainer of the case over the past year, asked at the time about the tangled legal theory behind the case, Clear as mud? (To see just how complex this legal rationale was, check out my effort to diagram it.)

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But in a surprise move at the end of the trial, the prosecutors restructured the case. The jury instructions made the New York state election law the only underlying concealed crime. The statute in question, New York Election Law 17-152, states: Any two or more persons who conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means and which conspiracy is acted upon by one or more of the parties thereto, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. The other crimes that had previously been possible underlying crimes for the falsifying documents chargesthe alleged Federal Election Campaign Act violations, secondary false document filings, and tax crimeswere now the possible unlawful means of promoting a candidate. The previous approach had three steps. The end of the trial focused on a fourth step, proving unlawful means.

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This strategy worked with the jury, but it also exacerbated the timing problem I brought up back in April. In the first approach, the prosecution could treat all of the 2017 falsified documents as part of a cover-up, which seemed to fit common sense. But the final restructuring meant that they were treating some obscure 2017 documents as a means of winning an election, seemingly after the fact.

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The new question was even more puzzling: How could tax and business documents that were not created until 2017 be means of promoting a candidate in a 2016 election? If this was an election interference case, how could 2017 documents influence voters in 2016? In closing, the defense raised the time-warp problem. The charges relate to documents in 2017, Todd Blanche told jurors. And the government wants you to believe that President Trump did these things with his records to conceal efforts to promote his successful candidacy in 2016, the year before. Some have argued that there is no time warp if the conspiracy that began in 2016 included even then a plan to eventually cover up the unlawful means, so the 2017 cover-up was part of the same means. The problem is that the word means implies a cause/effect relationship (think of means/ends relationships that come up all the time in law). Something cannot be a means to an ends if the ends already happened a year ago.

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More plausibly, others have argued that it is not a time-warp problem if the cover-up helped Trump run for reelection in 2020. To be clear, I think reasonable people can disagree about whether such an argument is factually persuasive as to intent. However, the question on appeal is not whether appellate courts agree with such a factual inference, but whether after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, could a rational juror have found this element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt?

In other words, it does not matter whether I am persuaded that the 2017 documents were an unlawful means of running for reelection. The question is: Did the prosecutors offer a sufficient factual basis for a reasonable person to come to that conclusion?

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After reviewing the trial transcript and briefings, I think the answer is yes: The prosecutors addressed the time-warp problem with Michael Cohens testimony and a closing argument that was much more effective than their opening argument. Cohen testified not only about the 2016 election conspiracy, but also the timing in 2017 of Trumps early announcement that he was running for reelection in 2020. Cohen testified that his title at that time was personal attorney to the president. This timing overlapped with the creation of the false tax records and other documents in 2017.

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During lengthy closing arguments, prosecutors similarly took this head-on. Addressing the original time-warp problem first, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass focused on how the 2017 documents defrauded regulators:

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Whether youre a private enterprise or a public enterprise, you have an obligation to keep proper books and business records. This isnt an obligation to your owners or investors or shareholders. Its an obligation to the State of New York. Among other reasons, the information contained in these false records are reviewed  your business books are also important for Government Regulators and Election Regulators, and theyre important for other companies or vendors with whom you do business.

Then Steinglass returned to the second timing solution, the means of running for reelection: The Defendant used his own business records as the vehicle to disguise the reimbursement because he didnt want anyone finding out about the conspiracy to corrupt the election. He continued:

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[The Defendant] had every reason to continue to conceal his election fraud.  Cohen told you  as of 2017 the Defendant had already announced an intention to run for President again.

Did Trump intend for these 2017 documents to be a means to win in the 2020 election? The question is whether reasonable people could have come to that conclusion. The prosecutors did their job: They persuaded the entire jury; they successfully focused the jury and the public on this case as an unlawful election conspiracy; and they established a factual basis for an appellate court to find sufficient to reach this conclusion, as attenuated as it may seem to some skeptics.

I still have concerns about other legal questions on appeal. However, on the most glaring problems that seemed to defy common sense and the time-space continuum, I dont think they missed.
Trish DeBerry, president and CEO of Centro San Antonio, answers questions from the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board on Monday, Nov. 6. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News An 80-year-old woman was killed Sunday after she was caught in the crossfire during a shooting downtown. Ken Branca

A shootout at Fiesta left two dead and four injured at the end of April. A month later, an 80-year-old woman was shot and killed while leaving the Alamodome. The same day, a taxi driver was found stabbed in a life-threatening condition.

Several notable violent crimes in downtown San Antonio have raised questions about safety, but Police Chief William McManus said there is no need to panic.

Theres a distinction between a hotspot and random acts occurring in a particular area. Theres nothing organized about these offenses that happened, McManus said.

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Still, conversations about downtown safety have been happening for a while, which led Centro San Antonio to hire a third-party company last year to complete a security audit and vulnerability assessment of downtown, said Trish DeBerry, named chair of the organization board last year.

Centro San Antonio manages the downtown public improvement district.

Overall, downtown is very safe  thats not to say that we cant get better, DeBerry said.

CRIME & COURTS: SAPD Chief William McManus says expect tightened security at Market Square during Fiesta next year

One of the biggest takeaways from the audit was the need for a more robust security camera network, DeBerry said. The citys camera system is not integrated with other cameras on private buildings, making the network somewhat dysfunctional.

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We want to be able to create a more sophisticated, integrated camera network in downtown, which is not just reactive but also proactive because the sophistication of these cameras can detail hotspot gatherings if there was a serious activity occurring, DeBerry said.

The cameras can come equipped with facial recognition, she added.

One of her biggest priorities is doubling down on Centros Clean and Safe initiative, which provides services to improve downtown cleanliness and safety.

Safety is an issue not just for Centro but for the City of San Antonio and all downtown stakeholders, DeBerry said. Centro is considering hiring a director of security and opening a security center to focus solely on downtown crime.

While much of the concern is centered around violent crime, DeBerry said the biggest problem is lesser crimes like criminal trespassing and vandalism.

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Centro San Antonio has advocated for 14 more bike patrol cops, nine during the day and four overnight. In addition to having a police presence, Centro has ambassadors equipped with body cameras assigned to areas downtown considered hotspots for crime. Their purpose is to conduct wellness checks, dissuade crime and make reports to police.

McManus emphasized there are no signs of a crime pattern downtown and there is no immediate need for more patrols.

If we had an organized group of individuals who were shooting it out on a regular basis, that changes the dynamic of it, McManus said.

Heidi Silkworth, 80, was in town for a graduation ceremony at the Alamodome when she was fatally shot on May 26. She was caught in the crossfire of two groups who were engaging in a shootout near the 500 block of Cesar Chavez, according to San Antonio police.

That same night, less than a mile north, a 30-year-old taxi driver was stabbed several times near the intersection at North St. Mary and Pecan streets.

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The chief also described the Fiesta shooting as an isolated incident. A similar shooting took place last year at Market Square during the same event, leaving one man critically injured after he was shot in the chest during an argument.

He wouldnt give a specific number of officers, but the chief said there are bike patrols downtown for 20 hours of the day.

The department also has San Antonio Fear Free Environment, or SAFFE officers, who are assigned to specific neighborhoods in the city to prevent crime. After the shootings, McManus said SAFFE officers would work to determine whether changes needed to be made to their overall presence downtown.

SAFFE officers will be working this area to determine if anything needs to be addedbut again, this is a random event. It is not as though there is a pattern of offenses here, McManus said after Silkworths death.

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Though SAPDs bike patrol unit and Centro San Antonios ambassadors are effective in curbing crime, theres still more work to be done, said Marco Barros, a downtown business consultant and former CEO of the San Antonio Area Tourism Council.
PM Fico's Smer can also celebrate.

The State Commission for Elections and Control of Financing of Political Parties announces the official results of the Slovak European elections on June 9, 2024. (Source: TASR)

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Progressive Slovakia (PS), a leading pro-European opposition force led by former European Parliament deputy chair Michal Simecka, won its second victory in the Slovak European elections on Sunday night.

The party took 27.81 percent, the State Commission for Elections and Control of Financing of Political Parties confirmed on June 9. In 2019, PS won these elections and scored 20.11 percent in alliance with the Spolu party.

Prime Minister Robert Ficos Smer, a ruling party that formed its fourth government last October, came second, taking 24.76 percent, despite the polls published before the two-day election moratorium on June 5 indicating the partys potential victory. The party did not shy away from exploiting a shooting incident from mid-May, in which Fico was seriously injured, in an attempt to win the European elections. Three weeks after the attack, Fico himself appeared in public via a video posted to his social media page on June 5 in hopes of helping Smer win, even though he did not specifically mention the European elections.

Regardless, the result in the European elections is a success for both PS and Smer. They each obtained two more seats. The new European Parliament will have six MEPs for PS, and five for Smer.

The far-right party Republika, led by MEP Milan Uhrik, came third with 12.53 percent, despite the fact that it is not represented in the Slovak parliament. President-elect Peter Pellegrinis party, Hlas, finished fourth with just 7.18 percent, which is not good considering its strong position in the Slovak parliament.

Hlas took one seat, while Republika increased the number of its seats to two (Uhrik ran in the previous EP elections on the slate of the far-right party LSNS, left the party in 2021 and founded Republika, ed.).

The opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), chaired by MEP Miriam Lexmanns husband and Presov Region governor Milan Majersky, scored 7.14 percent. However, the party will no longer hold two seats, as was the case in the 2019-2024 term, but only one.

The elections were a disaster for the nationalist right-wing Slovak National Party (SNS), which sits in the government with Smer and Hlas, as well as for the liberal Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), the conservative Slovakia party led by ex-premier Igor Matovic, the Hungarian minority party Alliance, and the conservative party Democrats (even though the party recorded a better result than in the parliamentary elections in 2023). None of these parties were able to secure a seat, meaning that Slovakia and SaS will no longer be represented in the European Parliament.

In Slovakia, a country with 5.5 million citizens, the turnout in the elections was high by Slovak standards: 34.38 percent. Slovakia has been notorious for having the lowest turnout in these elections. As many as 1,505,706 people cast a vote on June 8.

Fifteen MEPs from five different parties will represent Slovakia in the next term in the European Parliament, seven of them women.
Slovakia delivers a rare victory of a liberal party in the EP polls.

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Welcome to your weekly commentary and overview of news from Slovakia. Progressive Slovakia has won the EP election. PM Fico made a first public appearance after the attack just before the moratorium.

If you have a suggestion on how to make this overview better, let me know at michaela.terenzani@spectator.sk.

People in Slovakia voted in the European elections on Saturday in unprecedented numbers. The largest opposition party, Progressive Slovakia (PS), took first place for a second successive cycle, repeating its success from 2019.

But the political event of the week, at least in Slovakia, came before the vote  in fact, just a few hours before the pre-election media moratorium began on Wednesday night  when, three weeks after surviving an attempt on his life, Prime Minister Robert Fico reappeared for the first time in public. He announced that he was recovering from the severe injuries he had suffered, and was preparing to return to work in July.

That return date may apply to Ficos formal prime ministerial duties, but not to his political role. A lot of work went into his comeback appearance in a 14-minute video posted to social media. Despite never directly mentioning the European elections, he effectively joined the campaign just where he had left it before the Handlova attack  heaping blame on the opposition, the media, and, more fiercely than before, on Slovakias western partners.

"A Slovak opposition activist tried to assassinate me," Fico said in the very first sentence of his video, titled I forgive and I warn. He also dubbed his attacker, identified by police as Juraj C., a messenger of evil and hatred unleashed by a "failed and frustrated opposition".
Health experts talk about international embarrassment.

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Slovakia is the only country in the world that has dissociated itself from the new amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), reports Dennik N daily.

After two years of negotiations, the amendments were passed at the end of May. More than 190 countries approved. Slovakia's position surprised many.

The goal of the IHR is to prevent the international spread of disease, improve the sharing of information and methods to combat a pandemic, conduct surveillance for potential health threats of all kinds, among other things. This is to be followed by a treaty with the World Health Organisation (WHO), which will grant the final form to how the cooperation should look. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, countries around the world themselves wanted the amendments to happen.

The Health Ministry headed by Zuzana Dolinkova (Hlas) confirmed Slovakia's decision, claiming that countries were not given enough time to study the amendments agreed upon during the May meeting. The ministry did not explain what Slovakia's dissociation entails. According to sources the daily spoke to, for example, Slovakia will not have information and vaccines as quickly available as other countries.

Upon approving the amendments, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that, "Tonight we have all won and the world has won. You have made the world safer."

PM Robert Fico's government was against the so-called pandemic treaty with the WHO for a long time. In November of last year, he said that Slovakia would not support it, saying that it was the result of "pharmacompany lobby".

International shame

At the Geneva meeting, Slovakia was represented by known anti-vaxxer and Slovak National Party (SNS) MP Peter Kotlar. In January, he was appointed the government's special envoy for the investigation of the Covid-19 pandemic. Previously, he campaigned against vaccines and called Covid-19 a biological weapon.

According to Slovak health experts, this is a major international shame.

The Slovak Chamber of Pharmacists (SLeK) called Slovakia's position wrong. The Association of Outpatient Providers (ZAP) is also criticising the decision. "This is an international embarrassment and backwards thinking, but above all it puts the health of individuals and all society at risk with tragic consequences," the ZAP wrote on social media. The Association of Private Doctors (ASL) talks about putting patients and health care professionals at risk.

On June 11, Minister Dolinkova announced that she will bolster and expand the current interdepartmental working group, which was established following the adoption of the original international health regulations, with experts from various departments and interested parties. Its task will be to evaluate the updated documents prepared by the WHO.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240610/missiles-launched-by-houthis-damage-2-cargo-ships-in-gulf-of-aden---centcom-1118887831.html

Missiles Launched by Houthis Damage 2 Cargo Ships in Gulf of Aden - CENTCOM

Missiles Launched by Houthis Damage 2 Cargo Ships in Gulf of Aden - CENTCOM

Sputnik International

Yemen's rebel Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, attacked two cargo ships in the Gulf of Aden with anti-ship missiles, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Monday, adding that the ships stayed afloat after reporting damage.

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"In the past 24 hours, Iranian-backed Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. One ASBM struck M/V Tavvishi, a Liberian-flagged, Swiss owned and operated container ship  Separately, Iranian-backed Houthis launched one ASBM and one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) into the Gulf of Aden. Both missiles struck M/V Norderney, an Antigua and Barbados flagged, German owned and operated cargo ship," the command said in a statement on X. The two ships reported damage but stayed afloat, the statement added. The US military also destroyed one "uncrewed aerial system," two cruise missiles and one missile launcher in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, the statement read. The Houthis have been launching attacks on commercial and military vessels in the region for months, in response to Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip. The attacks prompted the United States to form a multinational coalition to protect shipping in the area, as well as to strike Houthi targets on the ground.

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yemen's rebel ansar allah movement, also known as the houthis, attacked two cargo ships in the gulf of aden with anti-ship missiles, the us central command (centcom) said on monday, adding that the ships stayed afloat after reporting damage.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240610/pepe-escobar-the-three-key-messages-from-st-petersburg-to-the-global-majority-1118891306.html

Pepe Escobar: The Three Key Messages From St. Petersburg to the Global Majority

Pepe Escobar: The Three Key Messages From St. Petersburg to the Global Majority

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In the year of the Russian presidency of BRICS, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) had to deliver something special.

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And deliver it did: over 21,000 people representing no less than 139 nations  a true microcosm of the Global Majority, discussing every facet of the drive towards a multipolar, multinodal (italics mine), polycentric world.St. Petersburg, beyond all the networking and the frantic deal-making  $78 billion-worth clinched in only three days  crafted three intertwined key messages already resonating all across the Global Majority.Message Number One:President Putin, a European Russian and true son of this dazzling, dynamic historic marvel by the Neva, delivered an extremely detailed one-hour speech on the Russian economy at the forums plenary session.The key takeaway: as the collective West launched total economic war against Russia, the civilization-state turned it around and positioned itself as the world's 4th largest economy by purchasing power parity (PPP).Putin showed how Russia still carries the potential to launch no less than nine sweeping  global  structural changes, an all-out drive involving the federal, regional, and municipal spheres.Everything is in play  from global trade and the labor market to digital platforms, modern technologies, strengthening small and medium-sized businesses and exploring the still untapped, phenomenal potential of Russia's regions.What was made perfectly clear is how Russia managed to reposition itself beyond sidestepping the  illegitimate  sanctions tsunami to establishing a solid, diversified system oriented towards global trade  and completely linked to the expansion of BRICS. Russia-friendly states already account for three-quarters of Moscows trade turnover.Putins emphasis on the Global Majoritys accelerated drive to strengthen sovereignty was directly linked to the collective West doing its best  rather, worst  to undermine trust in their own payment infrastructure.And that leads us toGlazyev and Dilma rock the boat.Message Number Two:That was arguably the major breakthrough in St. Petersburg. Putin stated how the BRICS are working on their own payment infrastructure, independent from pressure/sanctions by the collective West.Putin had a special meeting with Dilma Rousseff, president of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB). They did talk in detail about the banks development  and most of all, as later confirmed by Rousseff, about The Unit, whose lineaments were first revealed exclusively by Sputnik: an apolitical, transactional form of cross-border payments, anchored in gold (40%) and BRICS+ currencies (60%).The day after meeting Putin, president Dilma had an even more crucial meeting at 10 am in a private room at SPIEF with Sergey Glazyev, the Minister for Macro-Economy at the Eurasia Economic Union (EAEU) and member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.Glazyev, who had previously provided full academic backing to the Unit concept, explained all the details to President Dilma. They were both extremely pleased with the meeting. A beaming Rousseff revealed that she had already discussed The Unit with Putin. It was agreed there will be a special conference at the NDB in Shanghai on The Unit in September.This means the new payment system has every chance to be at the table during the BRICS summit in October in Kazan, and be adopted by the current BRICS 10 and the near future, expanded BRICS+.Now toMessage Number Three:It had to be, of course, about BRICS  which everyone, Putin included, stressed will be significantly expanded. The quality of the BRICS-related sessions in St. Petersburg demonstrated how the Global Majority is now facing a unique historical juncture  with a real possibility for the first time in the last 250 years to go all-out for a structural change of the world-system.And its not only about BRICS.It was confirmed in St. Petersburg that no less than 59 nations  and counting  plan to join not only BRICS but also the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Eurasia Economic Union (EAEU).No wonder: these multilateral organizations now finally have established themselves on the forefront of the drive towards the multimodal (italics mine)  and to quote Putin in his address  "harmonic multipolar world".The Top Sessions for Further ReferenceAll of the above could be followed, live, during the frantic two and a half days of forums sessions. This is a sample of what were arguably the most engaging. The broadcasts should be very helpful as references going forward  all the way to the BRICS summit in October, and beyond.On the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and Arctic expansion. Best motto of the session: We need icebreakers! The essential discussion to understand how the current global trade supply chains are not reliable anymore and how the NSR is faster, cheaper and reliable.On the BRICS business expansion.On the BRICS goals for a true new world order.On the 10 years of the EAEU.On the closer integration between EAEU and ASEAN.The BRICS+ roundtable on the International North South Transportation Corridor (INSTC). This session was particularly crucial. The key actors of the INSTC are Russia, Iran and India  all BRICS members. Actors on the margins which will profit from the INSTC  from the Caucasus to Central and South Asia  are already interested to be part of BRICS+. Igor Levitin, a top Putin advisor, was a key figure in this session.The Greater Eurasia Partnership (GEP).This was an essential discussion on what is eminently a civilizational project  in contrast with the collective Wests exclusionary approach. The discussion shows how GEP interlinks with SCO, EAEU and ASEAN and stresses the inevitable complementarity of transport, logistics, energy and payment structure all across Eurasia. Glazyev, Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk and former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl  always ultra-sharp  are key participants. Extra  astonishing  bonus: Adul Umari, acting Minister of Labor in Taliban Afghanistan, interacting with his Eurasia partners.On the philosophy of multipolarity.Conceptually, this session interacts with the GEP session. It offers the perspective of a concise inter-civilizational dialogue under the framework of BRICs+. Alexander Dugin, the irrepressible Maria Zakharova and Professor Zhang Weiwei of Fudan University are among the participants.On Polycentricity. That involves all Global Majority institutions: BRICS, SCO, EAEU, CIS, CSTO, CICA, African Union, the renewed Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Glazyev, Maria Zakharova, Senator Pushkov and Alexey Maslov  director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Moscow State University  discuss how to build a polycentric system of international relations.As Project Ukraine Faces DoomFinally, its inevitable to contrast the  hopeful, auspicious  mood at SPIEF with the collective Wests hysterics as Project Ukraine faces doom. Putin made it quite clear: Russia will prevail, no matter what. The collective West may rekindle the Istanbul solution, as Putin noted, but modified based upon the new reality in the battlefield.Putin also deftly defused all the pre-fabricated, nonsensical nuclear paranoia infesting Atlanticist circles.Still, that wont be enough. On the packed corridors at SPIEF, and in informal meetings, there was total awareness about the Hegemons desperation-fueled warmongering masked as "defense." There were no illusions that the current dementia posing as foreign policy is betting on a genocide not only for the sake of the aircraft carrier in West Asia but mostly to cow the Global Majority into submission.That would raise the serious possibility that the Global Majority needs to build a military alliance to deter this  planned  Global War.Russia-China, of course, plus Iran and credible Arab deterrence  with Yemen showing the way: all of that may become a must. A Global Majority military alliance will have to show up one way or another: either before the  incoming, planned  disaster, to mitigate it; or after it has totally engulfed West Asia into a monstrous, vicious war.Ominously, we may be nearly there. But at least St. Petersburg offered glimmers of hope. Putin: "Russia will be the heart of the multipolar harmonic world." Now thats how you clinch a one-hour speech.

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US Hopes to Clinch Milestone Defense Pact With Saudi Arabia Amid Waning Mideast Clout

US Hopes to Clinch Milestone Defense Pact With Saudi Arabia Amid Waning Mideast Clout

Sputnik International

The Biden administration is hoping to secure a formal US-Saudi security alliance while also encouraging diplomatic ties between Riyadh and Israel, The Wall Street Journal reported.

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The Biden administration is hoping to tuck under its belt a two-for-one megadeal that would secure a US-Saudi security alliance while also encouraging diplomatic ties between Riyadh and Israel. Washington is currently finalizing the text of the defense pact with Saudi Arabia, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US and Saudi officials.As US influence in the region continues to wane and its much-publicized Gaza peace-brokering makes little headway, pulling off such a twofer would be a geostrategic coup, the publication acknowledged.The formal security treaty would commit the US to help defend the Gulf nation, while also helping entrench the US military role in the Middle East, the report underscored. Last month, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan made it clear in an interview with The Financial Times that Washington and Riyadh were getting closer to a major deal set to "reshape the Middle East." The US-Saudi deal would include cooperation on a civilian nuclear program, the sale of advanced American-made weapons to Riyadh, and, possibly, a trade agreement.However, Sullivan added the caveat that such a defense pact would stipulate agreement by the kingdom to normalize relations with Israel.If this ambitious diplomatic push by the US is to have any hope of succeeding, Israel would need to get on board regarding a two-state solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict that has been called for by UN Security Council and Arab states. An immediate end to the war in Gaza is also a prerequisite. But both seem unlikely. The current Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains opposed to a pathway toward a two-state solution with the Palestinians. Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected calls for the creation of a Palestinian state, claiming it would become a "terror haven."Meanwhile, when Sullivan met with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the kingdom's eastern city of Dhahran to discuss bilateral relations and the Gaza war, the imperative need to end hostilities in Gaza was underscored by Riyadh. Yet, ceasefire talks remain stalled.The US-Saudi Arabia treaty, officially called the Strategic Alliance Agreement, would need to obtain a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate. Without being linked to a commitment from Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel, such a deal is unlikely to gain support from enough US lawmakers, the WSJ noted.Israeli leaders have long nurtured hopes of establishing normal relations with Saudi Arabia. The US, which has prided itself on playing a leading role in shaping the region for years, brokering deals with Egypt and Jordan to normalize relations with Israel, has made little progress in recent times. Furthermore, the fact that Arab countries have increasingly been turning to Russia as a mediator over the Gaza war while the US hemorrhages influence cannot but rankle with President Joe Biden. Hence, the mulled defense pact with Saudi Arabia.At this point, it is interesting to scroll back in time and recall then-presidential hopeful Joe Bidens irate remarks in 2019-2020, when he vowed to treat Saudi Arabia as a pariah state. It should be noted that Saudi Arabia along with the United Arab Emirates  considered by the US as strategic allies in the region  have resisted Western calls to sanction and isolate Russia over Ukraine. Instead, they have boosted ties with Moscow, with both Saudi Arabia and Iran recently joining the BRICS economic group. After Biden announced a boycott of Russian energy products in March 2022, the Saudis also refused to cooperate with US requests to increase petroleum production and bring down oil prices.* The Muslim Brotherhood is a terrorist organization banned in Russia.

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The Mark Austin Memorial Pacing Series continued with the second round on Sunday, June 9 at Dresden Raceway with Premier Elsa and Write About Now repeating in their respective $5,000 filly and colt divisions.

Driven by four-time Sunday winner Nick Steward, Premier Elsa led the field of filly pacers through fractions of :31, 1:03.3 and 1:33.3 with her margin widening to five as she turned for home then cruised to the wire in 2:02.3. Into Go was the only filly able to keep pace with the winner as she closed within a length at the finish. Noclothesnoproblem rounded out the top three, finishing 10 lengths in arrears.

Coming off a victory in the first preliminary leg of the series last week, Premier Elsa was the heavy 1-2 favourite and returned $3 to win. The three-year-old McWicked-Premier Indigo filly, who has won three (consecutive) races from 10 starts, is trained by Darryl Laver for owner Rick Rier of Hanover, Ont.

The opening leg winners of the colt division clashed in round two with trainer Bill Hamm's homebred Write About Now (pictured above) wearing down pacesetter Ashers Basher after fractions of :30.1, 1:01.4 and 1:31.1. Don Rankin Jr. drove the winning Sportswriter-Cant Stop gelding, who stalked from third until the final quarter and finished two lengths in front at the wire in 2:00.3. Larjon Levi closed from the backfield for third.

Favoured at 2-5 odds, Write About Now paid $2.80 to win. Bill Hamm shares ownership of the three-year-old gelding, who has won half of his six starts, with Tom Hamm of Strathroy, Ont.

There were two second leg prelims for the male pacers, with first-time winner Rise N Grind taking the other split in 2:02.3 in rein to Andy Moore for trainer Jamie Doig and local owner and breeder Thomas Macko.

The three-year-old Up The Credit-Youre Likeadream colt journeyed first-over with a lap to go and when pacesetter Tea Toddler Dot (:30.1, 1:03, 1:32) broke stride in the final turn, Rise N Grind battled Officer Cheese off his cover to win his 12th career start by half a length. Sent postward as the 7-2 second choice, Rise N Grind paid $4.90 to win with favoured Allstar Playboy finishing 3-1/4 lengths behind in third after recovering from a break of his own at the start of the race.

The Austin Memorial Series is for pacers that were non-winners of one pari-mutual race or $5,000 lifetime, as of midnight March 31, 2024.

The $12,000 added finals will be contested next Sunday, June 16.

Sunday's card also included an $8,000 second leg division of the Prospect Series for Ontario-sired three-year-old filly trotters with 1-9 favourite Sandoon fighting off a parked out Moxiebow through a 1:02 opening half on her way to a 2-1/2-length victory in 2:03 with Bruce Richardson aboard. Moxiebow stayed for second and The Blondy finished third.

A three-time Prospect winner last year, the Lookslikeachpndale-Striking Ivy filly has earned her two sophomore wins in the series for trainer John Holding and co-owner Morely Bosomworth of Elora, Ont. She paid $2.20 to win.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Dresden Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada)
Jacob Beltran covers crime, breaking news and general assignments for the Express-News. He can be reached at jbeltran@express-news.net.

A San Antonio native, Jacob began his journalism career in 2010. He's worked for the student-run newspaper for San Antonio College, The Ranger, and for Texas A&M University-San Antonio, The Mesquite.

He enjoys video games, photography and exploring during his free time.
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:

Telecoms group e& signed an agreement in August 2023 to purchase EU telecoms assets.

The European Union on Monday announced a formal anti-subsidy probe targeting an Emirati telecoms company, the first action under new rules to focus on a foreign bid to buy EU assets.

Brussels has ramped up its scrutiny of foreign investment into the bloc in a bid to defend European industry, usually from rising threats from China and the United States.

The latest probe is the first against a non-Chinese company under new EU rules.

Telecoms group e&, whose majority stakeholder is the United Arab Emirates government, signed a 2.15-billion-euro ($2.3-billion) agreement in August 2023 to purchase Czech PPF telecoms group's assets in Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia and Slovakia.

The European Commission said a preliminary probe "indicates that there are sufficient indications that e& has received foreign subsidies distorting the EU internal market".

The alleged subsidies "notably take the form of an unlimited guarantee from the UAE and a loan from UAE-controlled banks directly facilitating the transaction", it added.

The commission said it will investigate whether the subsidies lead to "actual or potential negative effects" on the bid's process or the EU's internal market.

It will specifically look at whether the "support" allowed the UAE company "to deter or outbid other parties interested in the acquisition".

The probe was launched under new rules known as the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), which came into force last year and seek to prevent foreign subsidies from undermining fair competition in the EU.

"Today we open our first in-depth investigation into a concentration under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation, the EU's competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, said.

"The FSR allows us to tackle distortive support from third countries for the acquisition of businesses in the EU," she added in a statement.

The commission has until October 15, 2024, to take a decision.

Brussels has already flexed its legal muscle with the new rules, forcing Chinese companies to withdraw from certain projects.

Chinese rail giant CRRC exited a tendered project in Bulgaria in March after the EU launched a probe into it over suspected subsidies.

And a similar investigation saw two Chinese-owned solar panel manufacturers withdraw from a public procurement tender in Romania last month.

 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:

Cell construction. Top row from left: (A) Prototype cell from water ice showing the top electrode affixed to a wooden frame. (B) Wooden forms for fabricating the top cells. Forms were sanded and painted (high-gloss, two coats) inside to promote removal. Bottom row from left: (C) Freezing the top cell layers in wooden forms, for subsequent removal and transfer to the bus pans. The top electrodes in their wooden frames are also visible. (D) Middle layer preparation with glass spacers visible. Credit: PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285507

Last year, researchers from the US and Canada reported in PLOS ONE creating electrical batteries from ice. The electrical output is modest, just 0.1 milliwatt. But this may be a sign of good things to come. The scientists worked over the course of two seasons to design and produce electrochemical cells that will work to generate electricity.

Dr. Daniel Helman and Dr. Matthew Retallack met at the European Consortium for Political Research in Montreal, Canada in 2015. Helman was presenting ideas about solar panels from ice, and Retallack was the discussant of the session.

"I think there was a mutual respect and love of research," says Helman. They went on to develop different prototypes. The model that finally won out uses acid to create a difference in pH between two layers of ice plus a few additives.

The most mobile charge carrier in ice is the proton, so it makes sense to think of protons traveling from one layer to the other because of the pH difference. The travel of charged particles is how batteries generate electricity.

In this case, table salt, kaolinite clay and monopotassium phosphate help to donate or receive charged particles, along with muriatic acid (HCl). A mesh screen and sheet aluminum were used as the electrodes.

The materials used in the experiments are all commonly available, and commonly regarded as safe. It makes one wonder what would be possible using more optimized materials. Moreover, photosensitive particles added in can probably produce dye-sensitized solar cells.

The original experiments for dye-sensitized solar cells used chlorophyll taken from spinach to change local pH in response to sunlight. While the electrical output may be small, the point is not lost that large swaths of land at high latitudes might be available.

Fields, lakes or other open land might be safely put to good use in humanity's quest to transition away from fossil fuels. The additives in this experiment were chosen for their relative safety in the environment.

The generation of electricity from ice also sheds light on one of the more enduring questions facing science right now. Where did life come from? Current thought is that organisms originated either in small ponds near volcanic, geothermal fields, or near mid-ocean ridges. But there is a problem. RNA gets diluted without a membrane, and then cannot act as a catalyst.

An icy setting solves this problem. RNA may remain concentrated in small regions on, for example, the ice of a comet or meteorite. Thus, generation of electricity from ice could provide a proto-metabolism for the start of organismal development with self-catalyzing RNA on such icy meteorites (like the Murchison meteorite) or on an early Snowball Earth.

Both of these ideas are not so far fetched. Solar panels from ice may be useful in some settings. And an icy worlds hypothesis for the origin of life may explain why we don't see any of the early stages here on Earth now.

Dr. Helman is currently a visiting assistant professor of Environmental Studies at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Dr. Retallack ran the experiments while at Carleton University in Toronto.

More information: Daniel S. Helman et al, Electrochemical cells from water ice? Preliminary methods and results, PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285507 Journal information: PLoS ONE

Provided by Wofford College
Feature: Dreams take off on unforgettable C919 flight from Hong Kong

Xinhua) 10:18, June 10, 2024

HONG KONG/SHANGHAI, June 9 (Xinhua) -- For Halifee Kwok, a sophomore at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), nothing could be more memorable and exhilarating than being taken high up to the sky in a Chinese homegrown C919 passenger jet.

This was the maiden cross-border chartered flight by a C919 airliner. On June 1, a round-trip flight carried Kwok and 100-plus other students from Hong Kong to Shanghai for a weeks-long internship and exchange program.

"It's so cozy, with super smooth landing!" she told Xinhua. In the case of C919, experiencing is believing.

"It's cool to sit in the cabin and see the water coming down on you and see it slide through the porthole and fuselage!" Eyes wide open, Kwok was amazed by a water salute on the plane's historic arrival at the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, a rarely-watched scene and a "first" for her.

This water salute was not the only highlight. Prior to their flight from Hong Kong to Shanghai, students were blown away by a cabin decorated with neon lights flickering right above their seats upon their boarding.

Cheng Tan Yuet, a student from Hong Kong University, said she had "never experienced such a dreamy flight."

During the approximately 2-hour flight, the cabin activated spray cooling to keep the air fresh and the temperature pleasant. "It feels comfortable here, the food tastes great, and the air smells fresh," said another HKUST student Geri Tang.

Students on board the flight also praised the comfort of the C919, saying that the spacious aisle as well as seats pre-equipped with pillows and blankets are "sleep-friendly."

As the flight surprises them with many "firsts," the homegrown large jetliner also carries on it the dreams of these aspiring young students and many more.

In mid-December 2023, China's C919 made its first visit to Hong Kong with ARJ21, another domestic aircraft for a static display at the Hong Kong International Airport. The C919 also performed a fly-past over the scenic Victoria Harbor.

"We were deeply moved by the spectacle of residents and tourists watching from both sides of Victoria Harbor and were determined to facilitate such a charter flight so that Hong Kong youth could have the opportunity to experience it first-hand," said Henry Yeung, head of the Hong Kong-Shanghai Youth Association.

"Taking a C919 to Shanghai for an internship this year will help Hong Kong youth feel the development of the Chinese mainland more directly and seize new opportunities," Yeung said.

"This trip to Shanghai may help shape my career choice," said Hong Kong student Woody Chan Baak Qiu. Chan is not engaged in biomedicine majors, but he wrote "medicine" as his career preference for the internship, hoping that his personal interest in this field can take root with the bountiful opportunities in Shanghai.

"An internship at the airport is my top choice," said Halifee Kwok. On June 3, she stood out among a group of students to earn an internship in airport service management at the Shanghai Hong Kong Airport Management Co. Ltd..

"My mentor is very patient with me, and I understood on Day One all my scope of business throughout the internship. I'm good at serving others, and I hope to gain more from this internship at the airport," she said.

This is the first time for Kwok on a distant journey away from home for weeks. As a liberal arts major, she cherished deeply this precious opportunity to make her love for the sky a reality, "I dream of soaring into the sky like the C919!"

"I chose Shanghai two years in a row, but with different internship focuses to enrich my experience," said Pang Tsz Ho, a business major from Lingnan University, Hong Kong. Pang will be practicing in a trading company to better prepare for his career.

Pang spent his childhood on Cheung Chau Island before moving to Tung Chung with his family. "My home was very close to the Hong Kong International Airport. Growing up by the sea, we are not afraid of 'hanging wind balls' (Hong Kong tropical cyclone warning signals). There was almost a 'wind ball' this time, but we believed in C919, it would definitely be safe and sound."

"The whole flight was smooth. Staying on board a large domestic airliner, I felt particularly proud of being Chinese!" said Pang, commenting on the journey passing from rains to sunshine.

At the end of the journey, plane models, greeting cards with the signature of the captain and hand-painted cartoon portraits of the crew welcoming everyone on board were also a part of making their day.

"I will keep this card by my bed," one of the students told Xinhua excitedly.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning)
With Representative Joaquin Castro next to him, State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer speaks during a Texas House Democrats press conference outside the Texas GOP convention at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on Friday, May 24, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio will take center stage this year in Democrats efforts to flip Texas House seats and deprive Gov. Greg Abbott of enough votes to pass his private school voucher plan.

The Texas House Democratic Caucus ground zero is San Antonio. No doubt about it, full stop, Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, a San Antonio Democrat and leader of the minority party caucus in the state House, told Hearst Newspapers at the state partys convention in El Paso last week.

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After the states political maps were redrawn in 2020 by the Republican-controlled Legislature, whose leaders sought to lock in their majority in each chamber, few races around the state are expected to be competitive.

In the House, Martinez Fischer estimated that there will be between three and 10 legislative seats in play this November  with two of them in San Antonio.

On the South Side, Republican Rep. John Lujan is finishing his first full term in office this year. In one of the tightest House races statewide in 2022, he defeated his Democratic challenger by less than 300 votes. This time, Lujan is facing Democratic activist Kristian Carranza.

And across town, Rep. Steve Allison  one of 21 Republicans who last session voted against Abbotts plan to give families taxpayer dollars to spend on private education  was defeated in this year's GOP primary election by defense attorney Marc LaHood, who received millions of campaign dollars from Abbott and national pro-school voucher groups.

LaHoods general election opponent will be Democrat Laurel Jordan Swift, who works in medical sales.

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The two Democratic candidates in the San Antonio-area races are among a group of five statewide benefiting from a new initiative that is hiring campaign managers to try to help them win. The others are Averie Bishop, a former Miss Texas pageant winner running against Dallas-area Republican Rep. Angie Chen Button, and two yet to be publicly announced.

The Agave Fund, a new group that seeks to bolster Texas Democrats long-term party infrastructure, is paying for the campaign managers. The initiative is headed up by Luke Warford, a former staffer at the state Democratic Party and a candidate for the Railroad Commission.

One of the largest challenges that I heard about talking to elected officials across the state and talking to people who had run campaigns was just that we need more well-trained staff, people who have experienced running campaigns, Warford said in an interview from the convention, which ended Saturday. So that was a really easy starting point for us.

Republicans have controlled the House for more than 20 years, since Martinez Fischers first term in office. The GOP currently holds 86 of the 150 seats in the House, meaning Democrats would need to flip 12 seats to surge into power.

We've seen in these election years that there can be some wild swings, Martinez Fischer said. There was a time that you know, we picked up 12 seats and nobody thought we had a shot.

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While winning a majority is a long shot, any seats that Democrats flip could put a dent in Abbotts quest to enact a school voucher plan in the next legislative session. The Republican governor spent millions of dollars this year working to oust anti-voucher lawmakers within his own party, and he declared after the recent GOP runoff election that he has just enough support to get a bill through the House.

Our anti-voucher coalition is now three votes behind, Rep. Gina Hinojosa, an Austin Democrat, said in a Friday night address to the state Democratic convention.

"Every single Democrat we elect to the Texas House could be the difference to save our neighborhood public schools, she said.

In a recent phone interview, Allison said he thinks the anti-voucher coalition could remain strong despite the primary outcome.

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I dont think its a foregone conclusion, he said, especially because he predicted that some Republican seats could flip Democratic over the issue  including his own.
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:

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You may not be aware of it, but assistive technology (AT) is everywhere. If you're using glasses to read this article, then you're using AT. If you used text-to-speech tools at work today, a ramp to get into a building, or subtitles to watch TV, then you have used AT.

AT refers to assistive products such as wheelchairs, glasses, hearing aids, prosthetics, screen readers and their related systems and services that enable people to live independent lives. It helps children to go to school and learn, adults to earn an income, and everyone to access the opportunities they deserve, to live healthy, fulfilled lives.

Most people will need AT at some point in their lives and many will use AT throughout their entire life. Some require AT due to disabilities, while many people need to rely on AT simply as they get older. Access to these products is our human right.

However, as few as 3% of people in some low-income countries can access the AT they need, compared to 90% in high-income countries, according to a 2022 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. This means that there are millions of children missing out on an education and adults unable to make a living, because they can't access the assistive technology they need.

To date, AT simply hasn't received the attention it desperately needs. The WHO/UNICEF report called out the huge gap in access and underlined the benefits of AT, including its return on investment. It highlighted the desperate need for investors, policymakers and governments to address the issue.

While we are seeing a growing momentum towards more action, it is far from enough.

So why has this gone unaddressed? One of the key problems is fragmentation: AT cuts across all sectors including health, education, livelihoods, humanitarian responses, aging, and disability. As such, it often falls between the cracks, with no one feeling real ownership of the issue.

The routes to access AT are also highly variable. In high-income countries, how easy it is to access the products might depend on your local services. For those in low-income countries, the pathways are even fewer and farther between.

Often, it is left to the family to find the funds to buy the appropriate products, which can be far too expensive. A reliance on charity and well-intentioned but misguided donations, instead of coordinated and systemic efforts to increase access to AT, has dominated this field.

Currently, one billion people are missing out on the opportunities to participate in everyday life that AT affords.

US $100K difference

We must now prioritize investment in these technologies and make them more available around the world, especially in the global South. Investment makes economic sense. Research shows that investing in just four assistive technology products (hearing aids, prostheses, eyeglasses and wheelchairs) would yield a return on investment of 9:1. For a child in a low- or middle-income country, access to assistive technology can also make a difference of US $100,000 in their lifetime income.

While developing countries face some of the most acute inequalities regarding access to assistive technology, they are also a key part of the solution. We must be collaborative in our approach, bringing in industry and governments of low-income countries to tackle the problem.

Developing countries are endowed with abundant talent, natural resources and innovation, and there are already budding AT hubs across Africa and Asia in cities like Nairobi and Bangalore. Under the right circumstances, these hubs can be drivers of local industry, manufacturing and distribution, but are largely overlooked, underfunded and unrecognized as important contributors to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and job creation. Investing in such innovation hubs and other assistive technology start-ups is a smart choice.

By incorporating AT into the manufacturing agenda early, we can also quickly achieve change. Certain developing nations are already well-positioned to bring the manufacture of AT products and repair services closer to their end-users. For instance, Kenya's Naivasha Special Economic Zone has strong potential. The availability of affordable power, coupled with cost-effective labor, could help AT companies reduce the production costs of their products, making them more affordable for users and governments.

International trade partnerships, such as the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), further offer strong potential. Such partnerships could help facilitate consolidation of markets and standards across continents and could lead to more efficient AT distribution channels, increasing accessibility for users.

But to realize all this, we first must raise greater awareness of assistive technology. That's why ATscale, Innovate Now and several other global health and development organizations are joining forces with the private sector to call on policymakers and governments to accelerate investment into AT and create long-lasting change.

June 4 marked the first ever World Day for Assistive Technology. We use the day to speak up for everyone who needs access to AT and demand action from those in a position to make a difference. AT has been swept under the rug for too long and we hope you'll join us both in working towards a better, more equal future for all.

Provided by SciDev.Net
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These are the robots we tested Octo on  you can see that there is a wide range of different robot arms, from small to large, single arm to bimanual. Octo was able to control all these robots. Credit: Team et al.

The public release of ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) has allowed developers worldwide to start experimenting with these models to enhance the interactive capabilities of their own systems. Similar generalizable models for robotic manipulation, however, remain scarce.

Researchers at University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), Stanford University and CMU recently introduced Octo, an open-source generalist model for robotic manipulation that could allow different robotic systems to effectively manipulate a wide range of objects. This model, presented in a paper pre-published on the server arXiv, could open new avenues for the development of robots that can tackle manual tasks.

"Much of the current progress in AI is driven by large datasets and large models," Dibya Ghosh, Homer Walke, Karl Pertsch, Kevin Black and Oier Mees, told Tech Xplore. "In the robotics community, we recently assembled the Open X-Embodiment dataset, a big manipulation dataset that pools data from many research institutions. While this new dataset is a really exciting resource, at the time there weren't many models that could make use of it yet."

The recent work by this research team had two main objectives. The first was to develop a good generalist robotics model that could be applied to various robots and the second was to create open-source code that would allow other researchers to build similar models in the future.

"Octo is what we call a 'generalist' robot model, a neural network that can control many different types of robots and make them fulfill requests like 'pick up the spoon,' 'close the drawer,' 'wipe the table' etc.," Ghosh, Walke, Pertsch, Black and Mees explained.

"Being a generalist and working on many robots is key, because if you look at research labs around the world, many of them use different robots, so the only way to ensure Octo can be used by many researchers is by supporting a wide range of robots."

Within the technology research and development community, highly performing computational tools that can be applied across multiple systems are often referred to as foundational models. An example of these models is ChatGPT, which can be used to equip various agents and systems with natural language processing (NLP) capabilities.

"We want to build similar foundation models, but for robot control, or in other words, models that can control many robots and make them solve many different tasks," Ghosh, Walke, Pertsch, Black and Mees said.

"Octo is a first step towards that goal. Its training looks very similar to models like ChatGPT: we curate a large and diverse dataset, in our case robot data instead of text, and train a large model to predict the next action the robot should execute given the current robot state and a task instruction."

Octo, the model developed by Ghosh, Walke, Pertsch, Black and Mees is based on the same type of neural networks as ChatGPT, known as transformers. A key advantage of Octo over other previously developed robotics models is the scale of the data used to train it and its flexibility.

The model was trained on the largest dataset of robotic manipulation trajectories compiled to date; the Open X-Embodiment dataset. Octo can also process a diverse range of sensory inputs including different types of images, robot joint readings, language instructions, goal-related images and more.

"Octo can also control many different types of robot arms, from small single arms that can barely pick up a soda can, to larger, more powerful robot arms and even bi-manual setups," Ghosh, Walke, Pertsch, Black and Mees said. "This flexibility is what makes Octo more applicable to the diverse setups roboticists actually have around the world."

The researchers evaluated their model in a series of initial experiments, deploying it on nine different robotic systems developed at UC Berkely, Stanford and CMU. Octo succeeded in controlling these robots and allowed them to complete various manipulation tasks, even in instances where it had not encountered data collected by these robots' sensors or their unique design during training.

"It was really cool to see that we can take our Octo model and use it to control many different robots," the researchers said. "Since we released the model, we saw quite a few people who tried running it on their own robots and we have been using the codebase we built for Octo in our next projects as well. These are some encouraging signs that Octo will indeed help foster the next generation of improved foundation models for robotics."

For the researchers, the development of Octo was merely a small milestone towards their goal of building a generalist model for robotic manipulation. In their next studies, they plan to continue working towards this goal and hope that research groups at other institutes will also start experimenting with their code.

Part of the Octo model team when we were running robot experiments late at night before the model release (Left to right: Oier Mees, Dibya Ghosh, Homer Walke, Karl Pertsch, Lawrence Chen). Octo was a big team effort between multiple research labs from Berkeley, Stanford and CMU. Work on foundation models in robotics is hard, with many many hours spent evaluating models on all different types of robots, so having many helping hands is a necessity. Credit: Team et al.

"Right now, chances are that the model will not work on your robot out of the box and you need to collect a few examples of the task you want your robot to solve to teach it to Octo, even if it's a mundane task like picking up a coke can in a new kitchen," they added.

"This is to say, the generalization ability of the current model is still pretty limited and we're working on new models that will push this a bit further. We're not yet at the point where you can just download a model to your robot, tell your robot what you'd like it to do and it will succeed 9 out of 10 times, but we're working towards this goal."

More information: Dibya Ghosh et al, Octo: An Open-Source Generalist Robot Policy, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2405.12213 Journal information: arXiv

 2024 Science X Network
The family dog killed an infant in a horrible incident in a New Jersey home.

The Woodbridge Police Department says it happened around 6:15 a.m. on Saturday in the Avenel section of the township.

The family made a 911 distress call from the Mereline Ave. home, a quiet residential area of modest homes off of busy Rahway Ave.

The caller said the baby was unresponsive after being attacked by the family dog.

Police officers rushed to the home and found both the mother and baby who sustained serious injuries from the dog.

The baby died at the scene while the mother and father were transported to the hospital for treatment.

Police didn't release information about the breed of the dog or its fate.

The age of the baby and their name were not released.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said the investigation is active and continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Thomas Ratajczak of the Woodbridge Police Department at 732- 634-7700 or Detective Michelle Coppola of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office at 732-745-3477.
A centrist member of Israel's three-person war Cabinet on Sunday made good on a threat to resign, and accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of bungling the fight against Hamas.

Benny Gantz, a popular former army general who joined Netanyahu's government as a "minister without portfolio" following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, also called for Israel to hold fall elections in which he could potentially replace Netanyahu.

"Unfortunately, Netanyahu is preventing us from achieving true victory, which is the justification for the painful and ongoing price," Gantz said during a televised address, the Associated Press reported.

The move came after Netanyahu on Saturday publicly urged Gantz to stay in the government.

"I call on Benny Gantz  do not leave the emergency government. Don't give up on unity," the embattled prime minister wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Gantz accused Netanyahu, who faces pending corruption charges in Israel and a prosecution request for a war crimes arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, of making "empty promises," and of putting his "political survival" ahead of Israel's security needs.

He also called on Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to "do the right thing" and likewise quit the war cabinet.

Last month, Gantz said he would resign by Saturday if Netanyahu didn't come up with a new plan for the war against Hamas. Gallant has also said he would step down if Israel decided to reoccupy Gaza.

Gantz had been expected to announce his resignation on Saturday night but he canceled a planned news conference after Israeli commandos rescued four hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Gideon Rahat, chairman of the political science department at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told AP that Gantz's move could further increase Netanyahu's reliance on the extremist, far-right members of his coalition government.

"I think the outside world, especially the United States, is not very happy about it, because they see Gantz and his party as the more responsible people within this government," Rahat said.
Cybersecurity researchers have spotted a phishing attack distributing the More_eggs malware by masquerading it as a resume, a technique originally detected more than two years ago.

The attack, which was unsuccessful, targeted an unnamed company in the industrial services industry in May 2024, Canadian cybersecurity firm eSentire disclosed last week.

"Specifically, the targeted individual was a recruiter that was deceived by the threat actor into thinking they were a job applicant and lured them to their website to download the loader," it said.

More_eggs, believed to be the work of a threat actor known as the Golden Chickens (aka Venom Spider), is a modular backdoor that's capable of harvesting sensitive information. It's offered to other criminal actors under a Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) model.

Last year, eSentire unmasked the real-world identities of two individuals  Chuck from Montreal and Jack  who are said to be running the operation.

The latest attack chain entails the malicious actors responding to LinkedIn job postings with a link to a fake resume download site that results in the download of a malicious Windows Shortcut file (LNK).

It's worth noting that previous More_eggs activity has targeted professionals on LinkedIn with weaponized job offers to trick them into downloading the malware.

"Navigating to the same URL days later results in the individual's resume in plain HTML, with no indication of a redirect or download," eSentire noted.

The LNK file is then used to retrieve a malicious DLL by leveraging a legitimate Microsoft program called ie4uinit.exe, after which the library is executed using regsvr32.exe to establish persistence, gather data about the infected host, and drop additional payloads, including the JavaScript-based More_eggs backdoor.

"More_eggs campaigns are still active and their operators continue to use social engineering tactics such as posing to be job applicants who are looking to apply for a particular role, and luring victims (specifically recruiters) to download their malware," eSentire said.

"Additionally, campaigns like more_eggs, which use the MaaS offering appear to be sparse and selective in comparison to typical malspam distribution networks."

The development comes as the cybersecurity firm also revealed details of a drive-by download campaign that employs fake websites for the KMSPico Windows activator tool to distribute Vidar Stealer.

"The kmspico[.]ws site is hosted behind Cloudflare Turnstile and requires human input (entering a code) to download the final ZIP package," eSentire noted. "These steps are unusual for a legitimate application download page and are done to hide the page and final payload from automated web crawlers."

Similar social engineering campaigns have also set up lookalike sites impersonating legitimate software like Advanced IP Scanner to deploy Cobalt Strike, Trustwave SpiderLabs said last week.

It also follows the emergence of a new phishing kit called V3B that has been put to use to single out banking customers in the European Union with the goal of stealing credentials and one-time passwords (OTPs).

The kit, offered for $130-$450 per month through a Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) model on the dark web and a dedicated Telegram channel, is said to have been active since March 2023. It's designed to support over 54 banks located in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

The most important aspect of V3B is that it features customized and localized templates to mimic various authentication and verification processes common to online banking and e-commerce systems in the region.

It also comes with advanced capabilities to interact with victims in real-time and get their OTP and PhotoTAN codes, as well as execute a QR code login jacking (aka QRLJacking) attack on services such as WhatsApp that allow sign-in via QR codes.

"They have since built a client base focused on targeting European financial institutions," Resecurity said. "Currently, it is estimated that hundreds of cybercriminals are using this kit to commit fraud, leaving victims with empty bank accounts."
A 59-year-old man pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature during a recent term of court at the Orangeburg County Courthouse.

Willie James Wright, 59, of 147 E. Edgefield Drive, Summerville, entered his plea before Circuit Judge Heath P. Taylor. Wright was originally charged with attempted murder.

Taylor sentenced him to prison for seven years. Because Wright already served three days in jail, his term was suspended to probation for three years.

In other recent guilty pleas:

 Mark Vanburen Rollings, 62, of 2143 Middleton Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to third-degree domestic violence.

Taylor sentenced him to 90 days in jail. Because Rollings already served two days in jail, his term was suspended to probation for two years.

 John Charles Simmons, 52, of 11498 Old Number Six Highway, Eutawville, pleaded guilty to hit and run duties of driver involving property damage.

Taylor sentenced him to five days in jail and gave him credit for time served.

 Bobby Wade Slack, 22, of 258 Ash Hill Drive, Eutawville, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession with intent to distribute a scheduled drug, except flunitrazepam.

Because Slack already served two days in jail, Taylor sentenced him to probation for two years.

He also ordered Slack to complete substance abuse counseling and undergo random drug/alcohol testing.

Slacks charge of first-offense possession of scheduled narcotics was dismissed.

 Jyahalil Tayvon Shemarr Smith, 24, of 201 Duncan Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to unlawful carrying of a pistol.

Taylor ordered him to pay a $100 fine within 90 days or report to jail for 30 days.

 Herbert Henry Elijah Smith II, 24, of Casa Court, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to third-degree domestic violence.

Taylor sentenced him to jail for 90 days. Because Smith already served two days, his term was suspended to probation for two years.

 Angela Darlene Still, 36, of 636 May Road, Olar, pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle valued at $2,000 or less and first-offense distribution of methamphetamine.

Taylor sentenced her to five years in prison. After Still serves two years, her term will be suspended to probation for two years.

Shes also serving a two-year prison term at the same time on a Lexington County charge of first-offense distribution of methamphetamine.

Taylor gave Still credit for having already served 32 days in jail.

Once shes serving probation, Still is required to complete substance abuse counseling and undergo random drug/alcohol testing.

Stills charge of criminal conspiracy was dropped.

 Matthew Craig Strock, 48, of 143 Crossover Road, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic violence.

Taylor sentenced him to prison for three years. Because Strock already served two days in jail, his term was suspended to probation for two years.

Strocks charge of third-degree domestic violence was dismissed.

 James Summers, 28, of 1120 Wolfe Trail, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to unlawful carrying of a pistol.

Taylor sentenced him to 28 days in jail and gave him credit for time served.

Summers was charged with the following offenses, but they were dismissed: first-offense uninsured motor vehicle fee violation and first-offense possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.

 Robert Alan Thomas, 66, of 200 Amaker Lane, Moncks Corner, pleaded guilty to second-offense possession of one gram or less of methamphetamine or cocaine base.

Taylor sentenced him to 90 days in jail. Thomas was given credit for already serving 68 days.

 Jonathan Eric Vaughan, 39, of 105 Scarlet Drive, Cordova, pleaded guilty to grand larceny valued more than $2,000 but less than $10,000 and two counts of first-offense possession of less than one gram of methamphetamine or cocaine base, although he was originally charged with two counts of first-offense distribution of methamphetamine.

Taylor sentenced him to five years in prison. Because Vaughan already served 28 days in jail, his term was suspended to probation for three years.

Taylor also ordered him to undergo random drug/alcohol testing and continue treatment at Oxford House.

Vaughan was charged with malicious injury to personal property valued at more than $2,000 but less than $10,000 and possession of a stolen vehicle valued at more than $2,000 but less than $10,000. Those charges were dismissed.

 John George Walling Jr., 41, of 2927 Bamberg Highway, Hampton, pleaded guilty to two counts of forgery valued less than $10,000 and first-offense fraudulent check valued $1,000 or less.

Taylor sentenced him to prison for two years. Because Walling already served 13 days in jail, his term was suspended to probation for five years and restitution.

 Joseph Santee Washington, 42, of 630 Whaley Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to second-offense driving under the influence less than .10 and first-offense driving under suspension license not suspended for DUI.

Taylor sentenced him to jail for 60 days and a $1,100 fine. Washington may serve his jail time on weekends only.

 Alaysia Tiona Watson, 24, of 875 White Sands Road, Holly Hill, pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic violence, although she was originally charged with domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature.

Because Watson already served two days in jail, her term was suspended to probation for two years.

 Torre Avonte Webb, 30, of 441 Alva Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to trespassing and shoplifting valued $2,000 or less with enhancement.

Taylor sentenced him to prison for one year and gave him credit for having already served 57 days in jail.

 Andre Deshawn White, 42, of 8010 Old State Road, Cameron, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of scheduled narcotics and first-offense possession of one ounce of marijuana.

Taylor sentenced him to prison for six months. Because White already served two days in jail, his term was suspended to probation for one year.

 Natavia Chrishonda White, 24, of 201 Folly Road, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic violence, although she was originally charged with domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature.

Taylor sentenced her under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed three years. Because she served two days in jail, her term was suspended to probation for one year.

 Bryan Riley Williams, 65, of 107 Cypress Shores Road, Eutawville, pleaded guilty to second-offense possession of less than one gram of methamphetamine/cocaine base.

Taylor sentenced him to prison for three years. Because Williams already served 17 days in jail, his term was suspended to probation for two years. Williams must also complete substance abuse counseling and undergo random drug/alcohol testing.

 Timothy David Woodson, 66, of 1499 Joe Jefferson Highway, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a machine gun or sawed-off shotgun.

Taylor sentenced him to three years in prison. Because Woodson already served one day in jail, his term was suspended to probation for six months.

 Antonio D. Stokes, 40, of 905 Harlin Street, Elloree, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-offense possession of a controlled substance.

Taylor sentenced him to prison for six months. Because Stokes served 190 days in jail, his term was suspended to probation for one year.

Stokes faced the following charges, but they were dismissed:

 First-offense trafficking in more than 100 dosage units but less than 500 dosage units of MDMA

 Possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime

 First-offense possession with intent to distribute a scheduled drug

 Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance near a school
French President Emmanuel Macron scheduled snap legislative elections starting later this month after his political party was swamped Sunday by that of far-right rival Marine Le Pen in voting to elect the European Parliament.

Macron's centrist Renaissance party won just 15% of the ballots cast, less than half the 32% racked up by Le Pen's National Rally party, Reuters reported, citing exit polls.

The Socialists came in a close third, with 14%.

"I've decided to give you back the choice of our parliamentary future through the vote. I am therefore dissolving the National Assembly," Macron said in a stunning national address from the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, the Associated Press reported.

The two-round election will take place on June 30 and July 7, he said.

The move came less than two months before Paris is set to host the Olympics.

Le Pen welcomed Marcon's decision, telling a rally of supporters: "We are ready to take over power if the French give us their trust in the upcoming national election."

Macron beat Le Pen for a second, five-year term as president in 2022 and is barred from running again in 2027. Le Pen is widely seen as the frontrunner in that race, Reuters said.

If Le Pen's party were to win a majority in the National Assembly, Macron would continue to control defense and foreign policy, but would lose power over domestic issues including the economy and national security.
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Radisson Hotel Group, in partnership with Zamil Group, has signed up Radisson Collection Residence, Riyadh, which is set to open by the end of 2024. The luxury property has become the third Radisson Collection brand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It will join an elite line-up of bespoke and exceptional properties including Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel and Nofa Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Resort.

The Radisson Collection brand is a luxury lifestyle collection of iconic properties in unique locations. While each hotel's character feels authentic to its location, all offer the ultimate template for contemporary living  united by bespoke design and exceptional experiences across dining, fitness, wellness, and sustainability.

The Radisson Collection Residence, Riyadh, the first Salmani architectural tower in the kingdom, will feature 170 high-end serviced keys, including eight penthouses and four villas designed for short- and long-term stays.

Each apartment promises a Radisson Collection signature blend of contemporary design and comfortable luxury. Residents will enjoy exclusive amenities, including a rooftop swimming pool with panoramic cityscape views.

Strategically located on King Fahad Road within Al Mutamarat District, Radisson Collection Residence, Riyadh offers unparalleled convenience and investment potential.

With easy access to Riyadhs vibrant business sectors and leisure destinations, the residence is near key government offices, including the Federation of Saudi Chambers and the Ministry of Interior.

Additionally, it's just a 40-minute drive from King Khalid International Airport, making it a prime location for business and leisure travellers.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with a renowned brand like Radisson Hotel Group for the operation of Zamil Tower Riyadh," said Bander AlZamil, President of Zamil Group Real Estate.

"This partnership comes at an opportune moment, aligning with the city's ambition to become a global business and leisure destination, Riyadh is experiencing a surge in demand for accommodations.

By aligning with the Saudi Vision 2030, we aim to contribute to the growth and development of the hospitality sector in the Kingdom."

The signing of Radisson Collection Residence, Riyadh marks a significant expansion of our footprint in Saudi Arabia, underscoring our commitment to the Kingdom and to its vibrant capital city, said Elie Milky, Vice President of Development, Middle East, Cyprus, Greece and Pakistan at Radisson Hotel Group.

Adding another Radisson Collection property in Riyadh not only strengthens our portfolio in the Kingdom but also elevates the hospitality standards with our luxury brand as we continue to diversify our value proposition to owners in the region, and we thank Zamil Group Real Estate for their trust.

Radisson Hotel Group operates 28 hotels across Saudi Arabia, with an additional 18 hotels under development. Radisson Collection Residence, Riyadh will be the 10th Radisson Hotel Group hotel in Riyadh and is aligned with Saudi Arabia's 2030 vision.  TradeArabia News Service
Stake, a leading digital platform for realty investment, has raised $14 million in funding to propel business as it enters Saudi Arabia this year offering individuals outside of the kingdom the opportunity to invest in Saudi real estate.

The Series A funding was led by MEVP (Middle East Venture Partners), along with Aramco's Wa'ed Ventures, one of Saudi Arabias largest VCs, Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabis Sovereign Investor, Al Jomaih Holding, one of Saudi Arabias largest family conglomerates, and Republic, a leading US-based private investing platform.

Stake has been making headwinds in the Dubai real estate space over the past 3 years, amassing over 500,000 users, with its eyes now set on Saudi Arabia. The kingdom is a key market for both regional and international investors and presents vast growth opportunities for real estate fintech companies such as Stake.

Investor pool

The funds will also be allocated to expanding its fast-growing investor pool, bringing new investment opportunities on the platform and scaling a world-class team to build out its globally renowned, market leading product.

Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Stake, Rami Tabbara, noted how the new funding will enable Stake to continue scaling its presence in the UAE, while launching in Saudi Arabia. "We are grateful to have a top-tier group of investors backing this funding round and placing significant trust in Stake and the future we are building. Having them onboard fortifies our commitment to expanding our product offerings and providing our investors with prime investment opportunities. We believe that the Real Estate investment process needs to be fully digitised and we have only started scratching the surface in our vision of making real estate accessible, transparent, borderless, and liquid, he said.

Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Stake, Manar, said: KSA is forecast to grow by 6% in 2025 making it one of the fastest growing G20 economies in the world. We want to give both our local and international users the opportunity to invest early and participate in that growth. This raise marks a significant moment in our journey, as we expand into this dynamic new market and partner with amazing new shareholders, including some of the strongest institutional and sovereign investors in the region, to advance our mission of empowering everyone to own and build wealth through real estate.

Truly innovative

Walid Mansour, Co-founder & Co-CEO of MEVP, said: "We're thrilled to be backing Stake in their Series A round. What they have achieved in the past 3 years is nothing short of incredible. Their approach to real estate investment is truly innovative and we believe that their talented team, combined with our strategic funding, will propel them to greater success in the region."

Fahad Alidi, Managing Director at Waed Ventures, said: We are excited to support Stake as it expands into the Saudi market, allowing a broader range of investors to diversify their portfolios with high-potential rental properties. The team, led by Rami, Manar and Ricardo, continues to reshape the real estate market, democratising access to an asset class traditionally reserved for high-net-worth individuals.

Since its launch in 2021, Stake has redefined the Dubai real estate market, allowing global investors to engage in fractional ownership with an entry point as low as AED500 ($136.13). With over 200 properties worth AED355 million sold via its app and over 50% of their investors coming from outside of the UAE, the company is leading a wave of transformation within Menas financial and real estate landscape. In May 2024, Stake surpassed 100,000 transactions on the platform.

Earlier this year, Stake was recognised as a Rising Star by the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 list across the Middle East. Further fuelling its growth and expansion, Stake also recently announced a strategic partnership with Republic, a US-based unicorn investment platform to offer investors in the US and UK unprecedented access to the booming real estate market in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Stake is regulated by the Capital Markets Authority in Saudi Arabia.--TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain Logistics Zone, which is regulated and managed by the Ports and Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, has signed a contract with Al Daaysi Holding for renting of over 8,400 sq m plot within the key development, reported BNA.

A leading Bahraini family company supporting food security in the kingdom, Al Daaysi Holding said the land will be used to build and operate an integrated logistics centre specialising in logistics operations for fast-moving goods (FMCG), like refrigerated and frozen goods, and other related services.

The contract was signed by Bader Al Mahmood, the Undersecretary of Ports and Maritime Affairs in the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, and Isa Al Daaysi, the CEO of Al Daaysi Holding.

"The ministry is looking forward to this partnership and what it will achieve in providing logistical solutions that meet the needs of local and global commercial companies and how itll contribute to providing more qualitative opportunities for citizens and support the position of Bahrain as an important logistics centre in the region," stated Al Mahmood.

Al Daaysi said the group believes in the importance of the logistics sector and its role in driving economic growth in Bahrain, as this partnership constitutes a qualitative strategic step towards strengthening the companys capabilities in this field.

"This partnership will contribute to increasing re-exports from Bahrain to countries in Africa and the Middle East and raise the strategic stock of food security for the Kingdom, in a way that supports local consumption," he added.
In a significant move to bolster the Saudi start-up ecosystem, MSA Novo, a multi-stage global emerging markets-focused venture capital firm, has signed a MoU with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

This partnership underscores MSA Novos commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia.

On the key deal, MSA Novo said its partnership with KAUST will significantly impact the local start-up landscape.

By focusing on joint investment initiatives and developing new start-up accelerator programmes, MSA Novo aims to support the growth of emerging companies and foster technological advancements in alignment with Saudi Arabias Vision 2030, it stated.

"This strategic collaboration will leverage our global network and KAUSTs research capabilities to accelerate innovation within the Kingdom," said Ben Harburg, Managing Partner at MSA Novo.

"MSA Novo has always been at the forefront of bringing leading global technologies to Saudi Arabia that meet strategic demand, and our partnership with KAUST further solidifies that platform to bring global innovation to Saudi Arabia through the Kingdoms preeminent research university, allowing us to build world-class technologies domestically," he noted.

Key areas of collaboration outlined in the MoU include:

*Joint Investment and Accelerator Initiatives: Establishing a joint investment strategy and collaborating on flagship start-up acceleration and incubation programmes to support emerging companies, particularly in cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence.

*Access to Research and Mentorship: Gaining access to research and innovations from KAUSTs departments and providing mentorship and advisory services through MSAs partners and industry experts to enhance the growth of university portfolio companies.

*Entrepreneurship Education and Talent Development: Designing and implementing entrepreneurship education programmes, developing internship programmes, and creating a talent pipeline by providing students with hands-on start-up experience within MSAs portfolio.

*Technology Transfer and Industry-Specific Hubs: Collaborating with the Technology Transfer Office to facilitate the transfer of intellectual property and establishing industry-specific innovation hubs or labs to foster collaboration between start-ups and established companies.

*Joint Events and Corporate Partnerships: Hosting joint events, conferences, and forums to bring together key stakeholders, and facilitating partnerships between start-ups and established corporations within KAUST and MSAs networks. This dynamic collaboration is set to ignite a spark of mutual growth and innovation, promising exciting opportunities for all involved.

Ian Campbell, the Vice President of National Transformation Initiative at KAUST, said the university is supporting a wave of innovation in Saudi Arabia, transforming the economy and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship. "We are grateful to our investor partners for their support and vision, helping us build a vibrant ecosystem," observed Campbell.

By fostering collaborations and leveraging global technologies, MSA Novo and KAUST are set to drive significant economic growth and technological advancement in the kingdom, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has launched a business management training programme in collaboration with Granada Chamber of Commerce and the University of Granada, in Spain, during its visit to the country, a report said.

Represented by the Sharjah Training and Development Centre (STDC), SCCI launched the programme as part of its Strategic Business Leadership programme, Emirates News Agency, WAM, said.

The training programme aims to bolster the strategic leadership and business management capabilities of human resources in government and private sector institutions.

It aims to offer innovative solutions by drafting strategic plans to enhance organisational performance, a statement said.

Headed by Amal Abdullah Al Ali, STDC Director, the Sharjah Chambers delegation comprised employees from various government and private sector entities operating in the emirate.

They conducted several meetings with officials from the Granada Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate training centre.

During these meetings, the delegation outlined the objectives and key focus areas of the Sharjah Chambers Strategic Business Leadership programme, as well as the participating economic and commercial institutions fields of work.

They also explored ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides in developing human resources strategic leadership and business management skills.

The Sharjah Chamber delegation also visited the University of Granada, where they engaged in multiple discussions with a selection of experts and specialists in administrative fields.

These gatherings aimed to exchange insights on the role of leadership in strategy development, share best practices and experiences in management, and discuss methods for advancing leadership programmes in commercial and strategic sectors.

The discussions focused on developing skills essential for strategic decision-making and anticipating future business trends.

Maryam Saif Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for the Support Services Sector at the Sharjah Chamber, said the Strategic Business Leadership programme is one of the SCCIs most innovative initiatives.

It is designed to enhance human resources skills, the programme focuses on empowering participants to make strategic decisions, anticipate future trends, and build more effective and proactive strategies, she said.

Economists expect big bang reforms to continue under Modi 3.0
Donald Trump demanded at his Las Vegas rally Sunday that President Joe Biden's campaign remove the accusation from a new ad that he has slammed U.S.troops killed in war "suckers" and "losers."

Trump insisted only a "psycho," a "crazy" person, or someone "very stupid" would say such a thing.

The Atlantic reported in 2020 that Trump skipped a commemoration of the US foreign war dead in 2018 at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, near Paris, while he was visiting France as president because he didn't want to ruin his hair in the rain. Besides, he considered the dead in the cemetery "suckers" and "losers," the magazine reported, citing four unnamed sources.

His own chief of staff at the time, retired Gen. John Kelly, later confirmed Trump's comments.

But Trump on Sunday presented it as a preposterous idea.

"I'm standing there with generals and military people in a cemetery, and I look at them. I say, 'These people are suckers and losers.' Now think of it: Unless you're a psycho or a crazy person or a very stupid person, who would say that?" Trump asked.

Again, Trump did not attend the ceremony, so he wasn't "standing with generals and military in a cemetery."

Trump has often disparaged the sacrifice of troops fighting a war. He criticized one-time presidential contender the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona for getting captured in Vietnam. McCain was shot down as a pilot in Vitenam, and spent nearly six years as a prisoner of war.

"He's not a war hero. He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured," Trump said of McCain.

Trump also reportedly referred to former President George H. W. Bush as a "loser" for being shot down by the Japanese as a Navy pilot in World War II.

He has also compared the dangers of fighting in Vietnam to the "dangers" of dating and avoiding sexually transmitted disease, which was what he was doing during the war, he told shock jock Howard Stern in an infamous 1993 interview.

Trump called the sex scene my "own personal Vietnam," and smilingly referred to himself as a "great and very brave soldier." When Stern compared "vaginas" to "potential landmines," Trump responded: "There's some real danger there."

He added: "You know, if you're young, and in this era, and if you have any guilt about not having gone to Vietnam, we have our own Vietnam; it's called the dating game," Trump told Stern. "Dating is like being in Vietnam. You're the equivalent of a soldier going over to Vietnam."

Trump did not serve Vietnam after obtining a medical deferment citing "bone spurs" in his feet.

Trump claimed in his speech Sunday that "no one has done more for the military than I have."

There was no immediate comment from the Biden campaign on Trump complaint.

Here's the Biden ad:
The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), a subsidiary of PureHealth, the largest healthcare platform in the Middle East, has launched its new brand identity, continuing on its journey to further enhance patient experience.

This strategic move reinforces SEHAs trusted, unified approach to patient-centric care which aims to support community well-being across Abu Dhabi.

SEHAs new brand identity represents a unification of a network of more than 14 hospitals, 2,300 doctors, and 11,500 employees, working to provide better healthcare outcomes for communities in Abu Dhabi. Aligned with the vision of its parent company PureHealth, SEHA is committed to guiding individuals through their health journeys and enhancing the quality of their lives and health spans.

Key milestone

Made during a ceremony at Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week in the presence of Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of Department of Health  Abu Dhabi (DoH) and Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the DoH, the renewed commitment to providing best-in-class, personalised care is part of a broader rebranding marking a significant milestone in SEHAs efforts to redefine healthcare delivery standards.

The event brought together dignitaries, Abu Dhabi Government representatives, PureHealth senior leadership, and SEHA officials, demonstrating robust cross-sector support for advancing SEHA's role in providing compassionate, personalised healthcare.

Dr Al Ghaithi said: In line with our leaderships vision, Abu Dhabi is on a journey to becoming a world-leading healthcare destination that offers an unparalleled healthcare experience to its community members and beyond.

This approach is being spearheaded by an ecosystem of national champions such as PureHealth, who are breaking new ground in personalised medicine, setting new standards of patient care and bringing new technologies to bear. SEHAs rebranding signals another step towards the forging of a world-class model for health, well-being and longevity here in Abu Dhabi.

Strong heritage and legacy

Shaista Asif, Group Chief Executive Officer of PureHealth, said: Essential to PureHealths mission to achieve longer, healthier and happier lives for people in the UAE and beyond is the continuous reaffirmation of our commitment to patient outcomes and an unparalleled patient experience across our entire network. SEHA, with its strong heritage and legacy in Abu Dhabi, plays a fundamental role in this ecosystem and in our journey towards achieving longevity and excellence in patient care. We are proud of SEHA's achievements and its significant position within the PureHealth network, especially in a key market like Abu Dhabi.

The rebranding reflects not only our shared values and vision but also our commitment to transforming healthcare delivery. Together, SEHA, PureHealth, and our other entities are set to continue leading the way in shaping the future of healthcare in Abu Dhabi, ensuring it is patient-centric and aligned with our core goals.

Saeed Jaber Al Kuwaiti, Group Chief Executive Officer of SEHA, said: SEHA has been at the forefront of healthcare innovation in Abu Dhabi for over 17 years, establishing a legacy of world-class service. Our renewed commitment to patient experience represents a new phase in our journey as we forge ahead under the 'Trusted for Life' banner. SEHA's refreshed identity, emphasising patient-centric care, is aligned with PureHealths vision for longevity. This change is a reaffirmation of our dedication to excellence, and inclusivity, and our role as a pivotal healthcare provider in the UAE, continually evolving to meet the needs of our community and enhance the patient experience.

Efforts to elevate patient experience are already under way, with new, state-of-the-art Emergency rooms at both Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) and Tawam Hospital, which are equipped with the latest medical technology and staffed by a team of highly qualified emergency care professionals.

New emergency rooms

The new emergency rooms aim to enhance patient intake capabilities and reduce waiting times, ensuring rapid and efficient treatment for all emergencies. By expanding these critical services, SEHA reaffirms its commitment to providing the highest standards of emergency care to the community.

In addition to the general emergency facilities which emphasised trauma and adult care, SKMC has made significant strides in paediatric care by opening a dedicated paediatric emergency room. This specialised facility is tailored for young patients, ensuring that children receive care in an environment designed for their needs.

The paediatric emergency room is equipped with paediatric medical equipment, all managed by specialists in paediatric emergency medicine. This initiative highlights SEHAs dedication to offering compassionate, specialised care to its youngest patients, making advanced medical treatment accessible in a child-friendly setting.

Flexible healthcare solutions

Finally, patients are now able to book appointments through WhatsApp and enjoy new evening and weekend clinics across several locations. These clinics are designed to provide flexible healthcare solutions, making it easier for patients to access medical services outside of traditional working hours. The initiative is part of SEHAs commitment to enhancing accessibility and accommodating the diverse needs to the population, ensuring that quality healthcare is available whenever it is needed.

Serving millions of patients annually, SEHA stands as a healthcare leader, committed to enhancing patient-centric experiences and advancing community health. Through public health campaigns, free screening programmes, and educational workshops, SEHA actively promotes wellness, disease prevention, and healthy living, engaging individuals to take charge of their health.--TradeArabia News Service
The Dubai International Chamber, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, held 300 B2B meetings during a recent trade mission to Morocco, marking a significant leap in Dubai's efforts to broaden its economic horizons and create stronger ties with Africa.

The trade mission saw representatives from 18 diverse Dubai companies across various sectors like agriculture, cosmetics, construction, energy, trading, and healthcare participate.

As part of the New Horizons initiative, the chamber concluded its visit to Senegal and Morocco, signing four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in the latter and arranging 300 bilateral meetings in Casablanca between companies from Dubai and Morocco.

These agreements, inked with the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development, the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and and Services of Casablanca-Settat, and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, are expected to pave the way for more opportunities for cooperation between Dubai-based companies and their Moroccan counterparts to drive expansion in promising sectors.

Promising sectors for exports from Dubai to Morocco include aluminium, copper wire, wheat, dates, mobile devices, electronics, and plastics.

Underpinning this mission is Dubai Chambers' goal of strengthening cooperation, promoting bilateral trade and investments, and building constructive partnerships. The organisations will collaborate to arrange trade missions, conferences, and business events, as well as engage in the mutually beneficial sharing of knowledge and expertise to support growth and innovation.

The centrepiece of the missions activities in Casablanca was a special business forum titled Doing Business with Morocco, organised by Dubai International Chamber with the support of UAE Embassy in Rabat and four parties that signed MoUs with Dubai Chambers.

The event attracted a total of 420 participants, including senior officials, business leaders, and local companies interested in exploring potential partnerships with members of the chambers delegation.

Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, highlighted the growing bilateral cooperation between the two markets, stating: The economy of the Kingdom of Morocco has made significant strides that enhance its attractiveness among private sector companies from Dubai. Our mission creates an impactful platform to strengthen trade and investment relations between the business communities in Dubai and Morocco, build fruitful partnerships that serve our mutual goals and interests, and unlock new opportunities for growth and prosperity.

The strong economic ties between Dubai and Morocco are evident in the trade figures. Non-oil trade between the two markets reached a value of AED3.2 billion ($871.22 million) in 2023. Additionally, 850 Moroccan companies were registered as active members of Dubai Chamber of Commerce at the end of Q1 2024, with 99 joining during the first three months of the year. Morocco ranked fourth among African nations in terms of the number of active members of Dubai Chamber of Commerce at the end of Q1 2024.

The trade mission saw representatives from 18 diverse Dubai companies across various sectors like agriculture, cosmetics, construction, energy, trading, and healthcare participate. As part of the business forum, Dubai Chamber highlighted the emirates competitive advantages for Moroccan firms, and bilateral meetings between Dubai and Moroccan companies took place over two days, along with site visits. An insightful panel discussion featuring experts from prominent economic sectors discussed the opportunities available in the Moroccan market for companies from Dubai, together with valuable guidance for businesses and investors. -TradeArabia News Service
A project team tasked with implementing an integrated economic cluster for aluminium in Suhar conducted a field visit to Suhar Industrial City to discuss the development and establishment of an aluminium industry cluster.

The team, overseen by the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), includes representatives from OPAZ, the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates Madayn, National Programme for Economic Diversification Tanwee, National Programme for Investment and Exports Development Nazdaher, and the Industrial Innovation Academy.

During the visit, the team met the executive management of Sohar Aluminium, a key player in the Sultanates aluminium industry. They also toured several downstream factories involved in aluminium manufacturing to understand the challenges facing these factories and to identify investment opportunities within the integrated economic cluster for aluminium industry.

Vital component

The aluminium industry is a vital component of the sultanates industrial sector, which plays a key role in supporting national economic diversification and generating new employment opportunities.

The integrated economic cluster for aluminium industry aims to strengthen the sultanates position as a global hub for aluminium production by attracting new investments and developing advanced manufacturing industries. This visit is expected to aid in formulating a comprehensive action plan for the development of the Aluminium Industry Complex in Suhar.--TradeArabia News Service
Emirates Global Aluminiums subsidiary Guinea Alumina Corporation has signed a term sheet with the Government of Guinea for the development of an alumina refinery.

The signing of this preliminary agreement is a decisive step forward in the development of the project, said a company statement.

The signing was presided over by Djiba Diakite, Minister and Chief of Staff at the Office of the Presidency of the Republic, and Chairman of the Strategic Monitoring Committee for the Simandou project, at the Petit Palais of the Presidency in Conakry, and attended by Government officials including Bouna Sylla, Minister of Mines and Geology, and the members of the Strategic Committee.

GACs delegation was led by EGAs Chief Executive Officer Abdulnasser Bin Kalban and included Zaher Al Habtari, EGAs Executive Vice President of Bauxite, Alumina & Capital Projects, Saif Al Qubaisi, EGA and GAC Board member, GAC CEO Steeve Tremblay, GACs Director General Youssuff Sylla, and GACs Deputy Director General Rene Desire Morel.

The alumina refinery project is expected to be built on GACs concession near Tinguilinta in Boke province, with an initial production capacity of one million tonnes per year (tpy) of alumina. GAC is planning to work with other companies in a joint venture to progress the project.

The Government of Guinea will have a shareholding in 15 per cent in GAC, to strengthen the partnership between GAC and the Government. This shareholding will convert into a 10 per cent share of the mining operation and a 7.5 per cent share of the alumina refinery company when alumina production begins. The Government will also have the right to two positions on GACs Board, including the Chair.

Bin Kalban said: Driving sustainable economic growth in the countries where we operate is a priority for EGA. We are now looking forward to advancing the alumina refinery project, which will further grow our contribution to the local economy and build local capability in the aluminium value chain.

Sylla said: The development of an alumina refining industry is a national priority to further increase the economic benefit of Guineas rich natural endowment of bauxite resources. We are working closely with the Government to develop a project that is technically and commercially robust, and that can create value for Guinea and its people, and our company, for decades to come. The signing of the term sheet is an important step as it provides a framework for our negotiations for the way forward for this important project, and we now look forward to the next stage of our discussions with the Government.

Last week, EGA signed a framework agreement with Aluminium Corporation of China in Beijing progressing cooperation between the two companies on the project.

The development of GAC was the largest greenfield mining investment in Guinea in four decades. The company began production in 2019.

GAC employs some 3,200 people on its sites in Boke province as employees and contractors. In 2023, GAC spent some $283 million in Guinea in local procurement, payments to governments and social contributions, the statement said. - TradeArabia News Service
Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (Yahsat) has awarded a AED3.9 billion ($1.1 billion) contract to Airbus Defence and Space SAS to build its new geostationary telecommunications satellites, Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5.

The significant step follows the signing of an Authorisation-to-Proceed with Airbus (Airbus ATP) in Q2 2023 to commence initial activities in relation to the AY4 and AY5 satellite programme, and the subsequent award by the UAE Government in Q3 2023 of an AED18.7 billion mandate for the provision of satellite communications capacity and managed services for 17 years, primarily on AY4 and AY5.

Airbus will design and manufacture both satellites and will also provide ground control segment components. Both spacecraft will have a design life of 15 years and are planned to be launched in 2027 and 2028 respectively.

Full cost

The award covers the full cost of the AY4 and AY5 procurement programme, encompassing spacecraft, ground segment infrastructure and launch and insurance. The programme will initially be funded using Yahsats own resources ahead of the receipt of AED3.7 billion in the form of an advance payment from the UAE Government.

Airbus will design and build the AY4 and AY5 satellites based on the Eurostar Neo platform, with each having flexible payloads and benefiting from the strong heritage of the Eurostar family. The flexible multi-band payloads can be fully reconfigured while in orbit, capable of adjusting the coverage area, capacity and frequency on the fly to meet evolving mission scenarios.

Both AY4 and AY5 satellites will offer secure governmental communications over a wide geographical area across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia. The new advanced satellites will eventually replace Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2, which were launched in 2011 and 2012, respectively, and based on a previous version of the Airbus-built Eurostar platform.

Key step

Ali Al Hashemi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat, commented: We are delighted to sign this contract with Airbus as part of our continuous efforts to enhance our satellite communications capabilities with the next generation of satellites. This is a significant step in Yahsats growth trajectory. The Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 satellites will enable us to provide the UAE Government with new cutting-edge solutions. Additionally, the two new LEO satellite platforms will support Yahsats future direction of providing multi-orbit satellite solutions to its customers.

Alain Faure, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, said: Today marks a real milestone with Yahsat selecting our pioneering fully flexible satellite technology. Sixteen years ago, we signed our first contract with Yahsat, bringing the first sovereign telecommunications satellite to the UAE. And now, our long-standing relationship is moving up a gear with this contract for two Eurostar Neos, further strengthening Yahsats in-orbit resources.

Airbus is currently developing the Thuraya 4 satellite (T4) for Yahsat Government Solutions as well as Yahsats commercial satellite solutions arm, Thuraya. T4 is also based on the Eurostar Neo platform and is due to be launched in the second half of 2024 and enter service in the second half of 2025.--TradeArabia News Service
Narendra Modi was sworn in as India's prime minister on Sunday for a record-equalling third term at a grand ceremony held on the lawns of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the president's palace in New Delhi, attended by thousands of dignitaries, including the leaders of seven regional countries, Bollywood stars and industrialists.

The tallest leader of National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the bloc lead by the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Modi was administered the oath of office by President Droupadi Murmu after key allies pledged their continued support to him after a shock election verdict which saw his party lose majority in parliament, reported Reuters.

A populist who has dominated Indian politics since coming to power in 2014, Modi will for the first time need the support of regional allies - the Telugu Desam Party, a key regional player in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, and the Janata Dal (United) which rules the northern state of Bihar.

The NDA's tally in the 543-member lower house of parliament now stands at 303, more than the 272 needed to form a government, after the smaller parties joined the coalition.

Modi's BJP won 240 seats on its own, a weakened verdict which could slow India's fiscal tightening, ratings agency Moody's said.

Both regional allies, the TDP and JD-(U), are considered pragmatists on economic policy, but Modi's new government is likely to need to find money to fund more spending on welfare projects in their states.

"Honoured to serve Bharat," Modi posted on X, minutes before he was sworn in, referring to India's name in Indian languages.

Supporters cheered, clapped and chanted "Modi, Modi" as the 73-year old leader, dressed in a white kurta tunic and blue half jacket, was called to take his oath.

Modi was followed by senior ministers in the previous government: Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Piyush Goyal, among others. Their portfolios were expected to be announced after the swearing-in.

Modi, who started as a publicist of the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological parent of his BJP, is only the second person after independence leader Jawaharlal Nehru to serve a third straight term as prime minister.

Modi secured the third term in after multi-stage election that concluded on June 1 with the support of 14 regional parties in his BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. In the previous two terms his party had won an outright majority.

The outcome is seen as a big setback to the popular leader as surveys and exit polls had predicted BJP would secure even more seats than in 2019, reported Reuters.

Modi delivered world beating growth and lifted India's global standing, but appeared to have missed a step at home as a lack of enough jobs, high prices, low incomes and religious faultlines pushed voters to rein him in.

When Modi was the chief minister of the western state of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014 the BJP enjoyed strong majorities, allowing him to govern decisively.

Modi's new term as prime minister, therefore, is likely to be fraught with challenges in building consensus on contentious political and policy issues in the face of different interests of regional parties and a stronger opposition, analysts say.

Some analysts worry that the fiscal balance in the world's fastest growing economy could also come under pressure due to demands for higher development funds for states ruled by the NDA's regional partners and a possible push by the BJP to spend more on welfare to woo back lost voters.

While the broad focus on building infrastructure, manufacturing and technology could continue, "contentious reforms could be delayed", said Samiran Chakraborty, Chief Economist, India, at Citi Research.

"The BJPs major coalition partners are politically unpredictable, sometimes working with the BJP and sometimes working against them," added Rick Rossow, the Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
IWG, the worlds largest provider of hybrid working solutions, with brands including Spaces and Regus, has opened a state-of-the-art flexible workspace in Muscat to meet the increasing adoption of hybrid working across Oman.

The opening of IWGs latest location at Al Fardan Heights comes on the heels of the business posting its highest-ever revenue in its 35-year history and achieving rapid network growth, adding 867 new locations over the course of 2023.

The spread of hybrid working has led to extraordinary growth in the number of IWG centres, with 100 new locations signed in the region within the last 12 months. IWGs Middle East and Africa network now aims to operate 1,000 locations across the region within the next three years.

Situated in Ghala, this new Regus location is part of a drive by IWG to meet the sharply rising demand for top class flexible working space in the area. The recently opened workplace provides space for established firms and start-ups across a range of industries, with facilities including private offices, meeting rooms, co-working and creative spaces.

The building owner decided to invest in the IWG platform to maximise the return on their real estate space by capitalising on the rapidly expanding demand for hybrid working.

With an annual investment of around 50m ($64m) into its technology platform, IWG provides partners with access to all the companys expertise as well as design and fit-out support and sales and marketing capabilities.

With explosive market growth as companies of all sizes adopt hybrid working for the long-term, it is predicted that 30% of all commercial real estate will be flexible workspace by 2030. With IWG, partners are able to capitalise on this fast-growing sector, while being supported by IWGs unparalleled experience.

Hybrid working offers companies a significantly lower cost base with an average saving of 9,000 ($11,000) per employee.

IWG is the worlds leading provider of flexible workspace  featuring more than 4,000 locations in more than 120 countries with members able to access all of the locations and business services via the IWG app.

As the ongoing shift towards hybrid working accelerates, the potential for further growth is exponential with an estimated 1.2 billion white collar workers globally and a total addressable market of more than $2 trillion (1.57 trillion).

Conventional office occupancy will continue to fall as businesses require less traditional space and turn to flexible workspace instead. In 2023, IWG welcomed over 800 new partner locations and counts 83 per cent of Fortune 500 companies among its customer base.

Mark Dixon, CEO & Founder of IWG, said: We are establishing a stronger and much-needed footprint in Oman with this latest opening. As an important business hub, Muscat is a fantastic place for us to boost our expansion plans.

The need for high-quality flexible workspaces continues to soar as hybrid working becomes the new normal. We are very pleased to work in partnership to develop the Regus brand under a management agreement that will add a cutting-edge workspace to the building.

Our opening in Al Fardan Heights comes at a time when more and more companies are discovering that flexible working boosts employee happiness and satisfaction, while helping the environment. Our workplace model is also proven to increase productivity and allows for a business to scale up or down at significantly reduced costs.

IWG said its multi-brand expansion strategy is designed to appeal to every type of business and entrepreneur.

IWG creates personal, financial, and strategic value for businesses of every size, from some of the most exciting companies and well-known organisations on the planet, to individuals and the next generation of industry leaders.

All of them harness the power of flexible working to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity.  TradeArabia News Service
MENA industry titans recently converged at the Uaerg Food Service Forum and Images RetailME Food Business Forum, at the JW Marriott Hotel Marina in Dubai, to explore novel prospects and foster innovation within the Hotel, Restaurant and Catering (HoReCa) and Food and Grocery Retail sectors.

The events gathered over 400 attendees, 100 speakers, and 20 sessions.

Acknowledging the importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the food business landscape, Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Noon, said: "We are blessed with a very safe and secure environment for the industry to grow, thanks to the leadership of the country.

So, we should take greater care of the countrys economy. SMEs account for approximately 70 percent of the 30,000 food outlets in Dubai, forming the bedrock of our economy. We must encourage the growth of local, home-grown brands."

Amitabh Taneja, Editor in Chief of Images Retail ME said: "The UAEs food service market is expected to grow at a remarkable CAGR of 17.09%, potentially reaching $43.98 billion by 2029. We believe that the food business at large is a critical part of the overall retail ecosystem.

Moreover, the Food & Grocery retail business in MENA is set to touch the $216.3-billion mark by 2026. This is an opportune time, and we clearly see that the consumer is evolving faster than ever.

The Food Business Forum and the UAERG Food Service Forum are a culmination of our efforts to create a podium for the industry to innovate, collaborate, and nurture best practices and ideas for success.

The conference delved deeper into understanding the nuances of the food business through the lens of industry leaders such as Panchali Mahendra, CEO of Atelier House, a global hospitality chain, who highlighted the importance of enhancing customer experience by balancing technology implementation with human touch.

On the other hand, George Kunnappally, Managing Director of Nandos-UAE, spoke about the choice of implementing technology, only if necessary.

While the industry leaders from the food service industry shared their culinary secrets to success, the food and grocery industry leaders touched upon the trends dominating the MENA region and how the CEOs and their teams are navigating the ever-changing grocery landscape with the right strategies and actions.

Muhammad Adeel Anjum, the CEO for Circle K Arabia, said: The MENA grocery retail sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with an increased focus on technology and consumer convenience.

Mohamed Al Hashemi, Chief Executive Officer, Union Coop, said: Sustainability and local sourcing are at the forefront of our strategy. By prioritising these aspects, we not only support the local economy but also ensure the long-term viability of our operations. Our aim is to lead the way in providing high-quality, locally-sourced products to our customers.

Images RetailME Food Business Forum, the varied aspects of the MENA grocery landscape were brought under the spotlight. While key leaders discussed role of technology and artificial intelligence in proliferating business growth, a special session was held on the growth of online grocery in the region.

While experts from the grocery industry of MENA discussed fast evolving customer preferences, warehouse automation, turning seamless across channels, food security and much more through the day, food service industry experts brought forward the idea of expansion, serving to a global audience, menu management, and marketing as a pillar of strength.

Explaining the concept of people power and community-building Amit Nayak, Vice Chairman of UAE Restaurants Group & Vice President of HAMA MEA, said: "Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospitality sector in the UAE has experienced a robust recovery, with a significant 22 percent increase in occupancy rates.

The sector is projected to grow to $10 billion by 2029. As a community-founded, nonprofit organization, Uaerg is committed to closely working with governmental bodies to sustain and enhance business opportunities. This forum represents a pivotal moment for collaboration and innovation within our industry in the UAE."

Panels at the event brought #HealthyHabits under the spotlight and key leaders and chefs highlighted the importance of integrating health-conscious options into menus to cater to the growing demand for healthier lifestyles.

The power of homegrown brands and how the fusion of local and global is redefining palates became a highpoint of discussion at the forum and the panel had local businesses talking about the art of mastering customer expectations by offering personalized experiences, all while catering to diverse tastes.

Osamah Alawwam, Co-founder, Roasting House touched on the concept of Made in Saudi and said: Local brands have a unique opportunity to showcase our rich cultural heritage and flavours. By emphasising quality and authenticity, we can create a strong identity that resonates globally.

Louay Moursel, Regional Director of Operations, Gastronomica, said: Understanding local preferences and integrating them into global culinary trends is key to our success. By doing so, we can offer a unique dining experience that appeals to both local and international customers.

Dr Sadeddine Mneimne, Chairman, Access Group International (AGI) Holding, said: Food Business Forums dedication to nurturing growth via community involvement and collaborations with governmental bodies aligns seamlessly with the core principles of AGI.

We are steadfast in our conviction that through our alliance with Images RetailME, we can effectively catalyse constructive transformation and foster sustainable advancement within the MENA region's food industry and globally.

Sadique Ahmed, CEO of Pathfinder and Founder of RetailGPT, said: "As a partner, RetailGPT is thrilled to have been part of this event. The interest in AI within the industry has been exceptional, underscoring the value of our partnership. We extend our best wishes to all the participants and look forward to continuing these fruitful collaborations."

One of the key highlights of the day was the Images Golden Spoon Awards Powered by Allezz and the Food Service Awards by RetailME the debut edition of MENAs most authoritative recognition for the food & grocery and food service industry.  TradeArabia News Service
BluSmart, UAEs first 100% electric full-stack limousine service, shared its success story from India and declared its plans to replicate it in the Middle East starting with Dubai at the recent Fleet and Mobility Summit 2024 in Dubai.

In a fireside chat on the topic Leaders in Mobility, Stephen White, Head of Content, Truck & Fleet Middle East, Construction Machinery Middle East interviewed Sreejith Hrishikesh, VP  Business and Country Head - UAE, BluSmart. During the discussion, Hrishikesh highlighted BluSmarts first international foray with the launch in UAE, brands commitment to environmental sustainability and superior customer experience, focusing on the premium all-electric limousine service in Dubai, featuring a fleet of Audi e-tron cars.

The industry-first features include zero driver cancellations, flat & transparent upfront pricing, on-time arrivals, and a CO2 tracker on the app showing the amount of CO2 saved after every ride.

Vision and success

Reflecting on the summit, Hrishikesh, said: Participating in the Fleet and Mobility Summit 2024 was an opportunity to share BluSmart's vision and success with industry leaders in the Middle East. The Dubai market presents a highly attractive opportunity for BluSmart and our goal is to be the preferred limousine service in this market.

Our full-stack, vertically integrated model ensures that we are not solely dependent on public charging infrastructure. By strategically locating our charging hubs within 10-15 minutes from high-demand areas, we are able to offer reliable and efficient services. This approach, combined with our commitment to sustainability, positions us uniquely in the UAE market.

Stephen White, Head of Content at CPI Trade Media, organisers of the summit, said: We were thrilled to have Sreejith Hrishikesh and BluSmart at the recently concluded Fleet and Mobility Summit 2024. BluSmart's expansion into the UAE and their innovative approach to sustainable mobility aligned perfectly with this years theme, Driving Positive Change. Sreejiths insights on BluSmart's unique business model, operations and their technology-driven user experience were invaluable to our discussions.

In India, BluSmart, with over 7,500 EV fleet, the largest in South Asia, has completed more than 15.1 million emission-free trips covering over 498 million clean kilometres, resulting in saving 36 million Kgs of CO2 emissions since its inception in 2019. BluSmarts state-of-the-art 50 EV Charging hubs span over 1.8 million sq ft area with over 5,000 (fast and slow) EV charging stations powered by green sources.--TradeArabia News Service
COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev and UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell attended a signing ceremony and exchanged letters, reaffirming Azerbaijans status as the host country for this years COP29 UN climate conference, reported WAM.

The exchange of letters followed the COP29 Operating Companys announcement of progress in its preparations to welcome international delegates to the conference in Baku and the Presidencys engagements with parties to ensure that their concerns and priorities are addressed.

During the Bonn Climate Change Conference, the COP29 Presidency held a wide-ranging briefing and feedback session on details and plans for transportation, accommodation, and hospitality for the thousands of visitors expected to participate in this years COP29 conference, along with logistical aspects related to the venue itself. The COP29 Presidency continued its consultations with observer organisations and country delegates on the logistics for COP29 to ensure that the upcoming climate conference is accessible for all.

Guided by the principles of the conference, sustainability is a priority, together with a focus on encouraging international cooperation and hosting an accessible and inclusive event that will leave a lasting legacy in Azerbaijan and beyond.

The COP29 Presidency has made significant progress and will be ready to deliver a world-class event. We have applied our experiences hosting many other global events, as well as learnings from past COPs, to our preparations, said COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev. Hosting COP29 is an opportunity and a responsibility  and one we do not take lightly. As hosts, we will be transparent, action-oriented, welcoming and inclusive.

Covering comprehensive event planning and operational readiness, Narmin Jarchalova, COO of the COP29 Operating Company said, Our country has a lot to offer as a COP29 host destination thanks to the unique components of natural diversity, a multicultural society, historic heritage and a forward-looking vision. Our experienced and dedicated team organising the conference logistics and services is excited to host COP29 and welcome the world to Azerbaijan this November.

During the presentation, the COP29 Presidency shared information regarding the conference venue and green zone arrangements, working facilities dedicated to supporting a successful conference and other necessary elements for high standard door-to-door guest experience, including but not limited to transportation, accommodation, visas, and catering.

Referencing the principles that underpin the organisation of the conference, the COP29 Presidency highlighted its sustainability considerations. To deliver a commitment to carbon neutrality and the sustainability of the conference, COP29 will regularly monitor and report on emissions directly and indirectly generated by operations throughout the event.

Inclusivity is a top priority across all elements of event preparations. The organisers are focused on promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity. A strong emphasis will be placed on diverse representation in speakers, panels, and workshop facilitators as well as ensuring participation from underrepresented groups. A range of measures address accessibility to the conference venue and facilities.

A specially designed legacy programme has been devised with elements related to building human capital, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering sustainable development. It focuses on capacity building, raising local awareness and reusing logistics and infrastructure items.
Two members of congress from Missouri are calling on their state's governor to stop Tuesday's scheduled execution of a Navy veteran convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend and her husband in 2009.

David Hosier, 69, was "suffering from significant brain damage from a stroke" at the time of the killings and his lawyers "failed to fully present this crucial information" at his trial, Reps. Cori Bush and Emanuel Cleaver said in a Friday letter to Gov. Michael Parson.

One juror has said Hosier's condition would have affected his sentence, the progressive Democrats said, and they urged Parson, a Republican, to intervene and "immediately" grant Hosier clemency.

"Each of us is more than the worst thing we've ever done. The same is true for Mr.Hosier," they wrote in the letter posted online by the Hill.

The Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty group also submitted a petition with nearly 7,000 signatures that seeks to block Hosier's execution, the Missourinet website reported Thursday.

A spokesperson for Parson didn't immediately respond to an inquiry from HNGN on Monday.

Hosier was convicted in 2013 of fatally shooting Angela and Rodney Gilpin in the hallway of their apartment building in Jefferson City, Missouri, in September 2009, shortly after she ended an affair with him.

The death row inmate maintains his innocence in the face of circumstantial evidence that included statements he made to others threatening to harm Angela Gilpin in the days before the killings, according to the Associated Press.

Police also found an application for a protective order against Hosier in her purse and another another document in which she expressed fear he might shoot her and her husband.

Hosier was arrested after a police chase in Oklahoma, where authorities seized 400 rounds of ammunition and 15 firearms, including submachine gun made from a kit that was later linked to the killings.

"How can you find a person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and sentence that person to die when you have no witnesses to a crime, you have no fingerprints to tie this person to a crime, you have no DNA that ties this person to a crime?" the AP quoted Hosier as saying.

Last month, Hosier was hospitalized for apparent heart failure but he was released following treatment, according to the Kansas City Star.
Ethiopian Airlines Group said it resumed its daily passenger flights to the historic city of Axum, in the northern part of the country, from June 9, 2024, following the completion of $5 million maintenance work on both the airfield and terminal facilities.

The new service aims at connecting travellers to the rich cultural heritage of Axum, home to the ancient Axumite Kingdom, and it is a significant symbol of Ethiopia as an origin to one of the oldest civilisations.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mesfin Tasew, said: We are truly pleased for reinstating our flights to Axum, a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its cultural significance.

Our return to Axum with a daily service after the massive investment on airport facility maintenance is a testament to our commitment to boost air transportation services in the country. As a national carrier, we are determined to invest in and improve our flight offerings nationwide.

The airline currently serves 20 domestic destinations. In our pursuit of excellence, we are dedicated to expanding our domestic reach and enhancing the quality of services.

It has launched modern terminals in Gode and Jinka, and is set to unveil the Wako Gutu Airport Terminal in Bale Robe soon, a town in south-central Oromia Region of Ethiopia.  TradeArabia News Service
Turkish Airlines, the airline flying to more countries than any other airline in the world and KM Malta Airlines, the flag carrier of Malta, have signed a code-sharing agreement to operate joint flights, effective as of June 15, 2024.

The codeshare agreement will provide passengers of both flag carrier airlines more flexible travel options on direct flights between Istanbul and Malta. Within the scope of the cooperation, KM Malta Airlines will place their marketing flight numbers on Turkish Airlines flights between Istanbul  Malta and vice versa.

On the codeshare agreement, Turkish Airlines CEO, Bilal Eksi, said: "We are pleased that the codeshare agreement with KM Malta Airlines will re-foster cooperation between the two countries and provide seamless journeys for passengers flying from Malta and Turkiye.

Not only does this partnership enable Maltese travellers to benefit from the wide network of Turkish Airlines on a global scale, but also promotes more visitors from Malta to visit our unique country, Turkiye.

Likewise, Malta, the fascinating island nation of the Mediterranean, will attract more visitors. We look forwards to a successful, long-standing collaboration together.

KM Malta Airlines Executive Chairman, David G Curmi, said: We are very pleased to count Turkish Airlines among our codeshare partners. Istanbul is a major hub connected with Malta twice every day, offering our Maltese customers a large choice of destinations.

It also allows our international customers enhanced connectivity through Malta International Airport, linking both our networks. It also shows that KM Malta Airlines is recognized by large carriers as a partner of choice.  TradeArabia News Service
Hundreds of people  many adorned in rainbow colors and joining in on chants  marched through downtown on Sunday during Caspers 2024 Pride march.

The event highlighted a five-day-long celebration of Caspers LGBTQ community.

The Sunday festivities commenced early with a panel that shed light on the life and death of Wyomings Senator Lester Hunt  who took his own life in 1954.

Hunts son, Buddy, was arrested for soliciting sex in a DC park and other senators threatened Hunt with distributing fliers to every Wyoming mailbox detailing his sons arrest if he sought reelection.

Hunts story highlights the Lavender Scare, which was a moral panic about homosexual people in government. The scare parallels the anti-communist Red Scare.

The Sunday event was hosted by Casper Pride  a group founded by volunteers and PFLAG members to develop an established Casper Pride event, according to Casper Pride.

The 2024 march marked the ninth year of the events.

Prior to the March, City of Casper LGBTQ Advisory Board member Dave Esposito, gave a speech about the improvements the city has made to welcome LGBTQ people to the community.

Esposito cited the Human Rights Campaigns Municipal Equality Index in context to how the City of Casper has made changes.

Casper in 2023 scored a 72 out of 100  up 69 points from the citys score of just three in 2015.

The city of Casper in 2022 enacted an anti-discrimination ordinance with two key sections.

The first gives municipal judges the ability to sentence people for assault, battery and vandalism more harshly if those crimes were motivated by hate or prejudice toward another persons race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin or disability.

The second part of the new law bans discrimination in housing, employment and places of public accommodations  like a bank, movie theater or public park.

Although the city of Casper has anti-discrimination ordinances in place, the State of Wyoming is one of the last states in the U.S. that has not enacted hate-crime legislation, according to the AP.
Finance Minister Colm Imbert says AR-15 semi-automatic rifles are murderous weapons and legislation is needed to ban them.

At the Parliament sitting yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley spoke to the need to make legislative intervention to ban assault weapons.

In response, Opposition MP Ravi Ratiram said assault weapons were already banned in T&T, and he quoted a firearms expert.
Pablo Vegas, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Pablo Vegas took the helm of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas in October 2022, a time when the state power grid operator was still reeling from its actions leading to outages during the infamous February 2021 freeze that left hundreds dead.

As its chief executive, Vegas oversees the operations of ERCOT, a nonprofit that acts like an air traffic controller for the network of power plants and power lines across most of Texas by ensuring power supply and demand match at all times. ERCOT doesnt own any power plants.

WHAT IS ERCOT? Five things to know about ERCOT as summer approaches

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Since the start of Vegas tenure, ERCOT has not had to initiate any rolling outages, though in September it initiated the first grid emergency since the 2021 winter storm. Vegas has worked to restore Texans trust in the states power grid, which is isolated from the national grids and continues to be challenged by extreme weather and projections of unprecedented power demand growth.

Heres what to know about the head of one of Texas most scrutinized entities:

Who is Pablo Vegas?

Prior to leading ERCOT, Vegas spent nearly two decades working at natural gas and electric utilities. He was most recently the executive vice president of NiSource, an Indiana-based natural gas and electric utility, where he worked six years. Before that, he spent 11 years at the Ohio-based electric utility American Electric Power, including four years as president of AEP Ohio and two years as president of AEP Texas.

Vegas has a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan and attended the advanced management program at Harvard Business School.

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What is the ERCOT CEOs salary?

Vegas annual base salary is $990,000, according to his employment contract. He will also receive a total of almost $6.7 million in make-whole payments spread out until the first quarter of 2027 to make up for the difference in compensation from his previous job. In addition, Vegas has the opportunity to earn short- and long-term incentive payments for achieving key performance indicators set by ERCOTs board.

His predecessor, Brad Jones, served as interim president and CEO and earned $500,000 annually and received a one-time lump sum payment of around $169,000 in his final paycheck, according to his offer letter. Bill Magness, who was fired as CEO after the 2021 freeze, told lawmakers he made $803,000 annually, the Texas Tribune reported.

How was Vegas selected?

Vegas was selected from a field of more than 100 candidates in a closed-door meeting by ERCOTs board, the governing body that sets the grid operators overall direction. Gov. Greg Abbott exerted unprecedented influence over the ERCOT CEO search, the Texas Tribune reported before Vegas selection.

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Who does the ERCOT CEO report to?

ERCOTs 12-member board includes the ERCOT CEO, three people from the Public Utility Commission of Texas and eight members selected by a three-person panel. The governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the Texas House of Representatives each appoint one member to the selection panel.

The PUCT, the states utility regulator, oversees ERCOT and is led by five commissioners appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate for six-year terms.

What has the ERCOT CEO said about the Texas power grid?

Vegas has said ERCOTs supply of power generation resources needs to grow in a balanced way. The grid operator has received a flood of applications from solar and battery storage facilities to connect to the grid, while state leaders try to encourage the development of more natural gas power plants.

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Vegas has warned that the U.S. power grids are becoming increasingly prone to blackouts amid rising electricity demand and power plant closures. Hes emphasized the need for more transmission lines to deliver power across long distances, warning that power demand could grow faster than transmission capacity can be built. And he has expressed interest in expanding programs that exploit the flexibility of power demand, whether through consumer incentives or via virtual power plants.

ERCOT can meet an expected 78% increase in power demand by 2030 he said. In the meantime, hes said calls from the grid operator to conserve energy use during times of grid strain may continue.
Blenman Elm Neighborhood Association: Blenman Elementary School received $1,900 from the Blenman Elm Neighborhood Association to contribute toward the schools goal of purchasing new playground equipment.

Proceeds from the recent home tour of the historic neighborhood were given to the school, also housed in a historic building. Blenman Elementary is part of Tucson Unified School District. The neighborhood association has also encouraged residents to support the school with Arizona Tax Credit contributions.

Transit Tea: In honor of International Day of Play, Transit Tea donated 50% of all proceeds from sales on June 11 to Childrens Museum Tucson  Oro Valley.

International Day of Play recognizes the value of play for the growth and development of children and encourages businesses and organizations to provide more time and opportunities for kids to take part in play.

Tucson Subaru: Tucson Subaru partnered with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to deliver a donation of 50 blankets, patient care kits and handwritten messages of hope to Banner University Medicine Diamond Childrens Medical Center. The donation was made as part of Subaru Loves to Care, a national initiative championed by Subaru of America, Inc.

Tucson Subaru also contributed $10,000 to the LLS Urgent Need Program (pediatric), which provides financial assistance to households of pediatric blood cancer patients for transportation, child care, food, housing and other necessities.

Pima Federal Credit Union: Pima Federals annual Golf Classic raised $78,000 to be split equally between Youth On Their Own and Impact of Southern Arizona.

The event was held May 2 at the Golf Club at Dove Mountain with 140 golfers, a live raffle and silent auction.

Since the Golf Classic was established in 2013, a total of $706,000 has been raised, a news release said.

The Golf Classic is a rewarding event that allows us to make a positive impact in our community, said Pima Federal President and CEO Eric Renaud. The funds raised will equally support the two beneficiaries to fulfill their mission of serving others.
A 73-year-old bicyclist died three days after he was struck by a pickup truck while riding in the bicycle lane along East Grant Road, Tucson police say.

Louis Luke Golden was struck about 7 p.m. June 4, while riding in the bicycle lane in the 800 block of East Grant Road, police said Monday in a news release.

He died at the hospital June 7, the release said.

In the crash, Golden was struck while riding west on Grant when the driver of a 2004 Ford F-350 moved into the right-turn-only lane. The unidentified driver told police he did not see Golden due to glare from the setting sun, the release said.

The crash is still being investigated.
Tucson's quick breather from last weeks record-high temperatures, is over. Residents must prepare for the next heat wave about to hit the city starting Tuesday, according to an excessive heat watch by the National Weather Service.

The weekend saw reduced temperatures  105 degrees on Saturday and 102 high on Sunday  in comparison to Thursday and Friday.

However, Tuesday is expected to get up to 107.

The especially hot days are supposed to take place Tuesday through Thursday in most places across southeastern Arizona, according to the weather service, which posted, Moderate to High Heat Risk due to hot temperatures ranging 100 to 110 degrees with little relief of morning temperatures.

On Wednesday, were looking for 108 degrees and 109 degrees on Thursday, said Gary Zell, a meteorologist with weather service in Tucson. So, very similar temperatures to what we just experienced with our excessive heat warning last week. In fact, the weather patterns almost identical.

Since temperatures here are officially recorded at the Tucson airport, the temperatures could be two degrees warmer in parts of the city and a degree or two cooler in the foothills up in Oro Valley or Catalina, Zell said.

Last week, the Tucson area saw a high of 105 on Wednesday, the first 105 of the year. That was followed by 108 on Thursday and 109 on Friday.

June and July usually see about 10 days of 105 degrees or higher weather, according to meteorologist Dalton Van-Stratten with local weather service. The Climate Prediction Center has predicted above normal temperatures for June this year.

Last year, June had seven days of 105 degrees or higher, while July had 29. This year in June so far, Tucson has had four days of 105 or higher.

As for precipitation chances, there is a 10 to 15% chance of dry thunderstorms Thursday and Friday along the New Mexico border, which would include lightning strikes and gusty winds and sprinkles, Zell said.
UniverSoul Circus returns to Houston for its 30th anniversary. Tim Pethel

UniverSoul Circus will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a cultural extravaganza in Houston.

Opening June 13 and running through July 7 at Butler Stadium, the Family Reunion Tour features top performers from five continents, accompanied by world music and dance styles from the African diaspora. The show includes acts from Ethiopia, the Dominican Republic, Mongolia, and an eighteen-person flying trapeze act from China.

Our special presentation of 'Cousins Around the World' celebrates a global community that connects us all in a more inclusive society," said UniverSoul founder and CEO Cedric Walker. "United in the spirit of family, we strongly believe that soul is not a color; it's an experience.

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UniverSoul Circus, known as one of North America's top live family acts alongside Cirque du Soleil, has entertained more than 25 million people worldwide. Its interactive mix of circus arts, theater, and music spans genres like pop, R&B, Latin, hip hop, jazz and gospel, earning a spot in Ticketmasters top 10 most requested family events.

UniverSoul Circus When: June 13-July 7 Where: Butler Stadium, 13755 S. Main Details: $25 and up; universoulcircus.com

New acts include the Power of Love duo from Mongolia, African Dream hoop divers from Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian aerial contortion duo Morning Dove. Also featured are an eighteen-person flying trapeze act, a teeterboard act from Ethiopia, Double Vision strong-man duo from the Dominican Republic and a Cuban-Caribbean dance party. Fan favorites like the Caribbean Street Carnival, hip-hop dancing Fresh the Clowns, and the thrilling wheel of death stunt masters return.

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Other popular acts include South Africas Whistle Man, comedian ringmaster Donald N.O. Long, Zander Zeke Charles from Atlanta, and dancer Bella from Trinidad.
The Vietnamese market will welcome six new car models from Chinas Omoda, Jaecoo, BYD, and Lynk & Co automobile brands this week.

A representative from Chery Vietnam revealed that the Omoda E5 would be launched in Hanoi on Wednesday. Its prices might be announced at the event.

The Omoda E5 is pictured at an event in China. Photo: Le Hoang / Tuoi Tre

The Omoda E5, an electric car, had previously appeared at a test drive event in Hai Phong, a major port city in northern Vietnam.

The Omoda E5 measures 4,424 millimeters in length, 1,830 millimeters in width, and 1,588 millimeters in height. The wheelbase of the model is 2,630 millimeters.

The car weighs 1,785 kilograms.

With its 61-kWh battery, the Omoda E5 can travel for 430 kilometers.

Besides, it is capable of speeding up from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 7.6 seconds.

The Omoda E5 is equipped with a 360-degree camera, a head-up display, an advanced driver-assistance system, and two 12.3-inch screens.

The interior of the Omoda E5. Photo: Le Hoang / Tuoi Tre

The Jaecoo J7 will also make its first appearance in Vietnam alongside the Omoda E5 at the event on Wednesday.

Jaecoo and Omoda are the two marques of Chinese vehicle manufacturer Chery.

These cars will be distributed in the local market by Geleximco Group.

At an event previously held by Chery in China, the brand confirmed that the plug-in hybrid version of the Jaecoo J7 would be sold in Vietnam.

However, just its petrol-powered version has undergone a test drive in the Southeast Asian country.

The model is 4,500 millimeters long, 1,865 millimeters wide, and 1,680 millimeters tall.

The plug-in hybrid version is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine combining a dedicated hybrid transmission.

The J7 can travel for 98 kilometers on battery power, but it can run 1,200 kilometers in full hybrid mode.

The J7 is expected to compete with the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Ford Territory, Honda CR-V, and Beijing X7 in Vietnam.

The interior of the J7 features a rectangular instrument panel, a 14.8-inch touchscreen, an advanced driver-assistance system, a wireless charging pad, 10 safety airbags, and acoustic glass.

The Jaecoo J7 measures 4,500 millimeters in length, 1,865 millimeters in width, and 1,680 millimeters in height. Photo: Le Hoang / Tuoi Tre

The interior of the Jaecoo J7. Photo: Le Hoang / Tuoi Tre

Chinese EV manufacturer BYD will hold a test drive program for reporters in Ho Chi Minh City on June 15.

The brand is set to access the Vietnamese market with three electric models, including the Atto 3, Dolphin, and Seal.

The BYD Dolphin, a battery electric hatchback, is said to be similar to Toyota Yaris, while the Atto 3 has the same size as Toyota Corolla Cross.

Meanwhile, the Seal is listed in the same segment as Toyota Camry.

The BYD has a range of up to 700 kilometers on a single charge.

BYD told Vietnamese reporters at an event held in China in April that the brand would not open a public charging station system after debuting its EVs.

BYDs three electric models, including the Atto 3, Dolphin, and Seal, will make their debut in Vietnam. Photo: BYD

Lynk & Co 06, a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by Chinese-Swedish automaker Lynk & Co, will make its debut in Vietnam on June 15.

The brand had previously introduced its Lynk & Co 01, 05, and 09 to the local market.

Lynk & Co 06 will be the smallest model of this brand in Vietnam.

A dealership in Ho Chi Minh City divulged that the Lynk & Co 06 might be priced at over VND700 million (US$27,550) each.

The model boasts an advanced driver-assistance system, a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 175 horsepower, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a sunroof.

A Lynk & Co 06 car. Photo: Lynk & Co

The simple but modern interior of the Lynk & Co 06. Photo: Lynk & Co

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Around 20 million Vietnamese possess virtual assets, and the total value of cryptos traded in the local market is projected to reach up to US$120 billion last year.

These are two of the most notable numbers presented at the Vietnam Blockchain Association's workshop on a legal framework to regulate virtual assets and virtual asset service providers, which took place in Ho Chi Minh City on June 5.

These figures are referenced from a Chainalysis analysis in the U.S., which shows that the inflow of virtual assets into the Vietnamese crypto market totaled $120 billion in January-July 2023.

At the same time, Vietnam received $25 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), equivalent to one-fifth of the inflow of virtual assets.

The inflow of virtual assets into Vietnam amounted to $100 billion between 2021 and 2022.

Approximately 60 percent of all cryptocurrencies in Vietnam have been exchanged on the Centralized Exchange (CEX).

According to data released by Triple A, a cryptocurrency payment company licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, around 20 percent of the Vietnamese population own virtual assets. By sheer numbers, Vietnamese virtual asset owners rank third in the world.

Chainalysis estimated that global investors in virtual assets made a total profit of $37.6 billion in 2023, Vietnam placing third with a margin of $1.2 billion.

However, owing to the absence of an official legal framework in Vietnam to date, all types of virtual assets, such as bitcoin, have been left to the underground economy, where economic activities are not reported to regular financial institutions.

At the workshop, Tran Viet Hung, former Deputy Chief of the Office of the Party Central Committee and senior advisor to the Vietnam Blockchain Association, proposed establishing an official legal framework for managing virtual assets.

According to Hung, this approach would help transition the value of virtual assets and service providers from the underground economy to the legal sector.

This also helps defend investors' rights, strengthen the tax system, prevent money laundering, and combat terrorism.

According to this expert, a strict virtual asset management policy can also help firms deal with capital issues.

While traditional fundraising methods such as equities, banks, and bonds are struggling, the value of virtual assets streaming into Vietnam is expected to be five times higher than FDI.

"The Vietnam Blockchain Association hopes that in a year, discussions about virtual assets and blockchain technology will move beyond the underground economy and the rise of bitcoin prices. Instead, we'll focus on the significant contributions that virtual assets and virtual asset service providers make to our economy," Hung continued.

Vietnam has been added to the grey list for money laundering

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international financial crime monitor, added Vietnam to its watch list in June 2023.

In February 2024, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh approved a national plan to fulfill the Vietnamese government's commitment to combating money laundering.

The plan includes 17 activities with the goal of removing Vietnam from the FATF's grey list.

A country risks losing an average of 7.8 percent of its GDP, among other national concerns, when being put on that grey list, according to the International Monetary Fund.

The government has also mandated the completion of a legal framework to prohibit or regulate virtual assets and virtual asset service providers.

Linked entities are expected to present evidence-based approaches for implementing this framework by May 2025.

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A man in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam has aided in thousands of instances where vehicles ran out of battery over the past decade.

Tran Anh Diep, a 41-year-old resident of Lao Cai City in Lao Cai Province, is locally renowned for his car rescue endeavors despite not being a mechanic.

He has earned the moniker Diep Xa Lo (Highway Diep) and is often referred to as Google by many locals due to his extensive knowledge and readiness to provide free roadside assistance to those in need.

Dieps altruistic initiative began when he faced a battery drain himself and sought help from friends.

Tran Anh Diep (L) provides aid to a car with battery issues. Photo: Supplied

Since then, he has dedicated himself to aiding others facing similar predicaments.

Commencing his rescue work in 2014, a period when cars and social networks were less advanced, Diep encountered initial resistance from family, friends, and neighbors.

Some criticized his dedication, accusing him of neglecting domestic affairs for his altruistic pursuits, particularly during late-night rescues when no garages are available.

Despite currently serving as the deputy general director of a cosmetic pharmaceutical company, which demands considerable time, Diep remains steadfast in his commitment to helping stranded drivers.

However, challenges persisted beyond familial and societal pressures.

Some attempted to emulate Dieps charitable efforts but quickly abandoned them, attributing their failure to the inconvenience of constant rescue requests.

Moreover, technical issues and vehicle limitations posed additional obstacles during rescue operations.

Tran Anh Diep provides aid to a car with battery issues at night. Photo: Supplied

Dieps 2011 Toyota Corolla Altis, though reliable, faced challenges in reaching vehicles in off-road environments.

There were numerous instances where its undercarriage and front bumper incurred contact and scratches while assisting SUVs and pick-up trucks in elevated terrain.

In certain scenarios, troubled vehicles parked indoors or in deep garages pose challenges for rescue operations, as the standard three-meter-long battery jumper cables fall short.

To address this issue, Diep crafted his own six-meter-long cable.

Over the past decade, he has encountered various scenarios involving car battery drain, each with its unique narrative.

Two noteworthy instances include aiding a traveler from Vung Tau City of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province in southern Vietnam stranded en route to Sa Pa Town in Lao Cai Province and assisting a Hanoi-based car owner destined for China, both of whom attempted to compensate Diep for his services, which he graciously declined.

Both car owners expressed admiration for Dieps selfless actions.

Tran Anh Diep provides aid to a pick-up truck with battery issues. Photo: Supplied

In another incident, a female driver inadvertently left her car lights on, resulting in the battery depletion and her inability to access her belongings in the vehicle during an emergency.

Fortunately, Diep happened to pass by, noticed her predicament, and offered his assistance.

In addition to providing rescue aid, the man willingly shares his expertise by guiding car owners on the safest method to connect car batteries, ensuring no harm is inflicted on the battery or the rescue vehicle.

Diep firmly believes that with a fundamental understanding of the process, self-rescue can become a straightforward endeavor for everyone.

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STOCKHOLM -- Sweden is embarking on a colossal four-year project to safeguard a nearly 400-year-old warship that is the centrepiece of its famous Vasa Museum.

The ship, one of Stockholm's main tourist attractions, sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and remained at the bottom of the sea until it was salvaged in 1961.

"We want Vasa to be preserved for the future," project manager Peter Rydebjork told AFP.

Despite the long delicate recovery operation, the ship "started to deteriorate faster" once it emerged from the sea after three centuries, he said.

In one of the most embarrassing naval calamities ever, the Vasa capsized only 15 minutes into its maiden voyage because of a design flaw, costing the lives of several dozen crew members.

Stopping the movement

After being protected by mud and the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea for three centuries, preserving it while on display at one of Stockholm's most popular museums has proved more complicated.

The wood has contracted over the years, and the ship is being compressed due to gravity. It is also tilting slightly to port.

"We have to stop the movement," Rydebjork said.

Work on building a new support structure began in April to replace the fragile current one.

The first phase of the project, dubbed "Stotta Vasa" (Support Vasa), is to stabilise the wreck.

Then comes the creation of a structure to support its weight and finally the ship will be righted.

Steel skeleton

By 2028 -- if all goes well -- the hull will be supported both externally and internally and the current 17 external struts will be replaced by 27 steel cradles with fixings under the keel.

Because the Vasa currently has difficulty supporting its own weight, a type of steel skeleton will be installed inside the ship.

Rydebjork said it has taken more than a decade of research to prepare for the ambitious project -- which is expected to cost upwards of 200 million kronor ($19 million).

"It's a really interesting job," Rydebjork added.

Despite its age, the ill-fated vessel is still well-preserved, with 98 percent of the original parts intact.

Polish tourist Lukasz Szyszka told AFP that the ship was in great condition and worth seeing, despite it being "freezing inside" the museum.

Its main hall is kept at a temperature of between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius (between 64 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit) with a humidity level of 55 percent to slow the deterioration.

The 43-year-old shopkeeper said work on the wreck was needed, saying it was also part of Polish history.

Swedish king Gustav II Adolf (1611-1632), who commissioned the Vasa, wanted to use it so he could to control Poland's ports on the Baltic.
Italian-style smoked meatball sub at Brett's BBQ Shop, Katy J.C. Reid/Contributor

Summer has started, and as the temperature creeps up, Texans are faced with a conundrum.

The prospect of eating a barbecue tray piled high with smoky, fatty meat isnt quite as attractive on a 100-degree day in June versus a crisp 50-degree day in the fall or winter.

Barbecue joint owners know that, with a few exceptions for barbecue-centric holidays like the Fourth of July, summer doldrums set in and business can slow down.

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And thats the only opening needed for barbecue fans looking to try new places during the summer. Lines to get into the best joints tend to be shorter and menus are more diverse, as pitmasters try to lure in customers with unique offerings.

Here are some tips on how to take advantage of the best that Texas barbecue has to offer.

First, summer holidays are a great opportunity to try new barbecue joints that may otherwise have long lines or are otherwise too busy for a quick visit.

This may seem counterintuitive: Arent holidays like Fathers Day some of the busiest days for a barbecue joint? Indeed, they are.

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But not the week after. The best time to visit a new barbecue joint is the week after a barbecue-centric holiday like Memorial Day, Fathers Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July or Labor Day.

Italian-style smoked meatball sub at Brett's BBQ Shop, Katy J.C. Reid/Contributor

Most Texans have had their fill of barbecue on the actual holiday, so the week after usually offers shorter lines and more tables available in the air-conditioned dining room. I also find that pitmasters and other staff are more relaxed and amenable to chat the week after a busy holiday.

Bretts BBQ Shop 25220 Kingsland, Katy Check social media for sandwich schedule: facebook.com/brettsbarbecueshop

One of my favorite things to do at the beginning of summer is to plot out the new places Im going to visit in the weeks after holidays. This also dovetails with planning summer vacations and road trips. Summer visits to San Antonio, Austin or Dallas offer opportunities to check out the latest and greatest barbecue those cities have to offer.

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However, beware the ides of August, when many barbecue joints close for a week  or three  to escape the heat and get in their own vacations before the fall busy season begins. And dont count on the joints website or Google listing to have the correct vacation schedule. Always check social media for any dates the business may be closed in August.

The summer slowdown also offers pitmasters and owners the opportunity to experiment with new menu items. Unlike the fall, when all resources are used to pump out the classic Texas trinity, summer specials are meant to entice customers into visiting during even the hottest days.

Bretts BBQ Shop in Katy has created its own tradition known as the Summer of Sandwiches, in which classic sandwiches get a smoky makeover. Every weekend from June to August, co-owners Brett Jackson and Jacqueline Herrera offer their take on classic subs and po'boys, muffuletta, banh mi and Italian beef.

I stopped in on the first day of summer (June 1) to try the initial offering: an Italian-style smoked meatball sub. Jacksons girthy, tender spheres of smoked beef and pork, combined with a sweet-and-savory tomato sauce, are tucked into a pillowy Gambinos po'boy roll and smothered with provolone cheese and a dash of Italian spice mix. Its one of the best of its kind in Houston, and Id love to see it on the menu more often.
Vietnam's inter-agency working group for participation in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations paid a visit to the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in Africa on Sunday (local time).

The working group, headed by Lieutenant General Pham Truong Son, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam Peoples Army, was welcomed at a local airport by Brigadier Ameer Muhammad Umrani, UNISFAs acting commander, and Senior Colonel Nguyen Viet Hung, head of the Vietnamese Engineering Unit Rotation 2.

Later on the same day, the working group went to the station of the Vietnamese Engineering Unit Rotation 2 in Highway Base, some three kilometers from the headquarters of UNISFA, to offer encouragement to the Vietnamese peacekeepers.

During the visit to the UNISFA, scheduled to take place from June 9 to 13, the Vietnamese working group will check the operations of the Engineering Unit Rotation 2 and its performance there to pave the way for further deployment of more Vietnamese officers to UN peacekeeping missions.

The Vietnamese delegation will also visit peacekeepers that other countries have dispatched to UNISFA, as well as learn from their experience in preparing and deploying troops to UN peacekeeping operations.

The delegation will meet with the authorities and people of the Abyei area so as to strengthen the bonds between the Vietnamese officers and the locals.

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An entire cleared site will be handed over for the execution of the second metro line project in Ho Chi Minh City in June as work on land clearance is 95 percent complete.

Metro line No. 2 will stretch from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Tham Luong Bridge in District 12.

Vice-chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Bui Xuan Cuong has written to the State Council for Acceptance of Construction Projects proposing that it consider adding the second metro line in the city to a list of projects set to be appraised by the council.

The council removed the second metro line project from the list in 2018 due to delayed work on main packages.

The Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR), the investor of the project, said that 95 percent of the land for the citys second metro link has been cleared.

Workers are stepping up efforts to clear the rest so that the entire site can be handed over this month.

Besides, all affected underground utilities will be relocated in July to facilitate the construction of the second metro link.

The project's consulting service package is scheduled to undergo a bidding process in October.

Meanwhile, all the main packages will be bid on in 2025, with work on the project set to begin that year.

Spanning approximately 11 kilometers and traversing District 1, District 3, District 10, District 12, Tan Binh District, and Tan Phu District, the second metro line will feature nine underground stations and one above-ground station along its 9km underground segment and 2km elevated stretch.

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A group of six foreign tourists were trapped for some four hours on Ma Pi Leng Pass in northern Vietnams Ha Giang Province due to downpour-triggered flooding, landslides, and rockslides on Sunday before being taken out of the dangerous area on trucks.

As shown in a clip spreading on social media on Sunday, a group of six foreigners who traveled to Ha Giang on motorbikes with their tour guide Tran Van Quan had to halt their journey at noon on the same day.

They were trapped as the road in the middle of the pass was submerged in floodwaters and obstructed by landslides caused by prolonged torrential rains.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper after escorting the group to their homestay that evening, 26-year-old Quan said he led the group of six foreign travelers on his motorbike. They departed from the provinces Dong Van District just after 10:00 am.

Four of the foreigners were ridden by four locals on four motorbikes while the two others were on another bike.

After surpassing the Ma Pi Leng Pass, part of National Highway 4C, Quan and the group reached the Nho Que River boat wharf in Meo Vac District more than one hour later.

While we were enjoying the river tour, it suddenly rained so heavily that everyone hurriedly packed up their things to return, Quan said.

Quan led the group to come back to the pass, where they saw the steep cliff on one side and the Tu San canyon hundreds of meters deep on the other side, with the Nho Que River flowing swiftly below.

This photo shows a motorbike of the group of six foreigners who were stuck on the Ma Pi Leng Pass in northern Vietnams Ha Giang Province due to the landslides and rockslides caused by prolonged torrential rains on June 9, 2024. Photo: Tran Van Quan

As the group reached a bend of the pass, they could not travel on the motorbikes anymore because the fast-flowing and strong rainwater flows caused slides of soil and rocks.

The entire group stopped and moved to one side of the road while trying to keep themselves and their bikes balanced amid rough water flows.

Though Im a local, I was scared seeing the fierce flooding," Quan narrated.

A year ago, a car driver died in this area when a big rock fell on his vehicle during a rockslide.

The tour guide said he repeatedly asked the six foreign travelers to keep calm while waiting for him to seek help from local authorities.

At that time, about 20 other travelers were in the same situation as Quans group.

After Quan managed to contact Meo Vac District police, he was asked to seek a temporary shelter for all the foreigners as relevant agencies were finding it hard to access that area due to rising floodwaters mixed with a large volume of mud interrupting traffic.

At 5:00 pm, Quan saw some trucks traveling through the area and he then asked the truck drivers to transport all of them, along with their bikes, out of the dangerous area where they had been stuck for about four hours.

Quan later continued to guide the group to travel on the motorbikes to visit some other attractions in Ha Giang before returning to their homestay in Dong Van.

After the moment of dread, the six foreigners said they had had a memorable experience during their trip to Ha Giang, Quan claimed.

This image shows the trunk of a truck that helped transport the six foreign tourists and their tour guide, along with all their motorbikes, out of the area of landslides and rockslides on the Ma Pi Leng Pass in northern Vietnams Ha Giang Province on June 9, 2024. Photo: Tran Van Quan

Nguyen Huy Sac, chairman of the Meo Vac District administration, told Tuoi Tre on Saturday that the landslides and rockslides on Ma Pi Leng Pass had been effectively remedied, with no casualties reported.

Local authorities have advised that tourists be careful when traveling during the rainy season, especially on passes in torrential rains or when it is dark or foggy, and keep themselves updated on weather forecasts, Sac said.

When encountering problems, travelers should stay calm and immediately contact local authorities or the nearest residences for assistance, he said.

The National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting said that Vietnam's northern provinces would continue to have moderate to heavy rain, with rainfall ranging from 30mm to over 200mm.

The center also warned about the risk of flash floods and landslides in some northern provinces including Ha Giang, Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Bac Giang, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Bac Kan, Tuyen Quang, and Yen Bai.

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Xuan Tuoi Vineyard in Cao Lanh City, the capital of Dong Thap Province in southern Vietnam, is open to the public free of charge, giving them the opportunity to enjoy vines laden with grapes of several varieties.

The vines are entering the second harvest season this year, making the vineyard attractive to tourists.

Visitors can experience grape-picking at the grape farm.

The three-year-old vineyard, located in Tan Thuan Dong Commune, boasts a wide array of grape varieties such as Ninh Thuan red grapes, witch finger grapes, shine-muscat grapes, and diamond grapes.

Among them, the red grape variety dominates the vineyard.

A visitor picks grapes at Xuan Tuoi Vineyard in Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre

Le Hong Xuan, owner of the vineyard, said that it covers 1,200 square meters, turning out some 1.5 metric tons of grapes per crop.

I bought seeds from Ninh Thuan Province, dubbed Vietnams grape-growing hub, and then learned how to farm the fruit plant, Xuan recounted.

He revealed that he found it fairly easy to grow vines in the Mekong Delta region.

His vineyard is three years old, and produces grapes three times per year. Each crop lasts for over two months.

The vineyard is open to visitors without entrance fees so they can admire laden-fruit vines, take photos with the vineyard, and pick grapes, he added.

Le Ngoc Thuy, a native of Tan Khanh Trung Commune in Lap Vo District, Dong Thap Province, said that the vineyard is charming as grapevines are laden with the fruit.

The vineyard, just a 20-minute drive from the heart of Cao Lanh, is a must-visit place for visitors on weekends.

Grapevines at Xuan Tuoi Vineyard are entering the harvest season. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre

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Foxtel Group mystery series High Country by Curio Pictures and Sony Pictures Television has sold to BBC.

The eight-part thriller stars Leah Purcell as detective Andrea (Andie) Whitford, who is transferred to the Victorian High Country and thrust into a mystery of five missing persons who have vanished into the wilderness.

Created by Marcia Gardner and John Ridley it also features Ian McElhinney (Game of Thrones, Derry Girls), Sara Wiseman (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, A Place to Call Home) and Aaron Pedersen (Mystery Road, Jack Irish).

Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, says: With its eerie setting and tense atmosphere, High Country is a gripping new take on Australian rural noir.

A second season is yet to be announced.
Jordan Russell Software heeft versie 6.3.0 van Inno Setup uitgebracht. Met dit programma kunnen op eenvoudige wijze installatiepakketten voor Windows worden gecreeerd. Het programma biedt de mogelijkheid om informatie toe te voegen aan het register, kan configuratiebestanden en snelkoppelingen aanmaken en heeft de mogelijkheid om de installatiebestanden te comprimeren. Verder kan natuurlijk een uninstaller worden toegevoegd en kan bij de installatie uit verschillende talen worden gekozen. De changelog voor deze uitgave kan hieronder worden gevonden.

Support for UTF-8 encoded files improved Added support for UTF-8 encoded files without a BOM for .iss script files, .isl messages files, LicenseFile , InfoBeforeFile , InfoAfterFile , and ISPP's #file .

, , , and ISPP's . Compiler IDE changes: New script files are now saved as UTF-8 without a BOM by default, bringing the IDE into line with most other text editors. Existing files are still saved as they were until the save encoding is changed manually using the Save Encoding submenu of the File menu. Added new UTF-8 with BOM menu item to the Save Encoding submenu of the File menu to save new files with a BOM anyway.

Pascal Scripting changes: Support function LoadStringsFromFile now also supports UTF-8 encoded files without a BOM. Added new SaveStringsToUTF8FileWithoutBOM support function.

ISPP change: preprocessor output saved by SaveToFile is now always saved as UTF-8 without a BOM. Support for Arm64 systems improved, and related enhancements Setup now officially supports the installation of x64 apps on Arm64 Windows 11 systems, which are able to run x64 binaries via emulation. To enable your x64 app installers to run properly on Arm64 Windows 11, some minor changes may be needed in your scripts. Most importantly: In ArchitecturesAllowed and ArchitecturesInstallIn64BitMode , change any use of x64 to x64compatible . In Check parameters and [Code] , change any use of IsX64 to IsX64Compatible . In [Code] , if there are any ProcessorArchitecture = paX64 comparisons, replace them with calls to IsX64Compatible . The key difference between x64 / IsX64 and the new x64compatible / IsX64Compatible is that the latter matches both x64 Windows and Arm64 Windows 11. In most cases, you should make the above changes, because otherwise, users on Arm64 systems may not be able to run your installers. For example, an ArchitecturesAllowed=x64 setting will only allow the installer to run on x64 Windows  not on Arm64 Windows 11. Or, if you ship x86 and x64 versions of your app in the same installer, the 32-bit x86 version may be chosen instead of the expected x64 version when running on Arm64 Windows 11.

In most cases, you should make the above changes, because otherwise, users on Arm64 systems may not be able to run your installers. For example, an setting will only allow the installer to run on x64 Windows  not on Arm64 Windows 11. Or, if you ship x86 and x64 versions of your app in the same installer, the 32-bit x86 version may be chosen instead of the expected x64 version when running on Arm64 Windows 11. The [Setup] section directives ArchitecturesAllowed and ArchitecturesInstallIn64BitMode have been enhanced: Six new architecture identifiers have been introduced. Briefly: arm32compatible matches systems capable of running 32-bit Arm binaries. x64compatible matches systems capable of running x64 binaries. x64os matches systems running x64 Windows only. (Equivalent to the existing x64 identifier, which is now deprecated.) x86compatible matches systems capable of running 32-bit x86 binaries. x86os matches systems running 32-bit x86 Windows only. (Equivalent to the existing x86 identifier.) win64 matches systems running 64-bit Windows, regardless of architecture. See the new Architecture Identifiers help topic for further details on each. Boolean expressions are now supported. Through use of the and operator, for example, it is possible to require two architecture identifiers to match at the same time. See the ArchitecturesAllowed help topic for usage examples.

section directives and have been enhanced: The x64 architecture identifier is now deprecated. If it is used, the compiler will issue a warning and substitute x64os , which has the same effect. But as mentioned above, in most cases, scripts should be changed to use x64compatible because it matches both x64 Windows and Arm64 Windows 11.

architecture identifier is now deprecated. If it is used, the compiler will issue a warning and substitute , which has the same effect. But as mentioned above, in most cases, scripts should be changed to use because it matches both x64 Windows and Arm64 Windows 11. The 64-bit example scripts ( 64Bit*.iss ) have all been updated to use x64compatible as preferred.

) have all been updated to use as preferred. Certain 64-bit functionality that previously only worked on x64 Windows now works on Arm64 Windows 11 as well. This includes: The Permissions parameter of the [Dirs] section when running in 64-bit install mode. The Permissions parameter of the [Files] section when running in 64-bit install mode or when the 64bit flag is used. The Permissions parameter of the [Registry] section when running in 64-bit install mode or when the value of the Root parameter ends in 64 . The regtypelib flag of the [Files] section when running in 64-bit install mode or when the 64bit flag is used. Note that all of the above remains unsupported on Arm64 Windows 10.

Note that all of the above remains unsupported on Arm64 Windows 10. Setup now logs the machine types supported by the system  that is, what types of EXEs can be executed, either natively or via emulation. For example, when running on an Arm64 Windows 11 system, it logs: Machine types supported by system: x86 x64 Arm32 Arm64 .

. The OnlyOnTheseArchitectures message is not used anymore. Instead, the WindowsVersionNotSupported message is now shown when Setup is started on an architecture that is not allowed by the ArchitecturesAllowed expression. (But please do not remove the message from translation files.)

message is not used anymore. Instead, the message is now shown when Setup is started on an architecture that is not allowed by the expression. (But please do not remove the message from translation files.) Pascal Scripting change: Added new IsArm32Compatible , IsX64Compatible , IsX64OS , IsX86Compatible , and IsX86OS support functions. The IsX64 support function still exists but is now deprecated as explained above. Example testing all architecture identifiers: [Code] function InitializeSetup: Boolean; begin if IsArm32Compatible then Log('IsArm32Compatible'); if IsArm64 then Log('IsArm64'); if IsX64OS then Log('IsX64OS'); if IsX64Compatible then Log('IsX64Compatible'); if IsX86 then Log('IsX86'); if IsX86OS then Log('IsX86OS'); if IsX86Compatible then Log('IsX86Compatible'); if IsWin64 then Log('IsWin64'); Result := True; end; Support for #include files improved The Compiler IDE now opens up to 20 #include files in tabs, instead of up to 10.

Tabs for opened #include files can now be closed: Added new Close Tab (Ctrl+F4), Reopen Tab, and Reopen All Tabs menu items to the View menu, also available by right clicking the tab bar.

Because of this the shortcut for the Evaluate Constant menu item in the Run menu has been changed from Ctrl+F4 to Ctrl+F7.

Because of this the shortcut for the Evaluate Constant menu item in the Run menu has been changed from Ctrl+F4 to Ctrl+F7. The selected and mouseover #include file tabs now show close buttons.

Added a clickable panel to the Status Bar showing the amount of closed tabs if there are any.

Removed flicker (especially visible in dark mode) when switching tabs. Support for Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and the Itanium architecture removed OS requirements change: Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 are no longer supported. Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are now the minimum supported operating systems. [Setup] section directive MinVersion still defaults to 6.1sp1 , so by default Setup will still not run versions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 which have not been updated.

section directive still defaults to , so by default Setup will still not run versions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 which have not been updated. The defunct Itanium architecture is no longer supported. The ia64 architecture identifier has been removed, and Setup will display the WindowsVersionNotSupported error message if it's started on an Itanium system.

architecture identifier has been removed, and Setup will display the error message if it's started on an Itanium system. Removed [Icons] section flag foldershortcut which was already ignored except when running on Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008, as folder shortcuts do not expand properly on the Start Menu anymore. Compiler IDE changes Added toolbar buttons and shortcuts to navigate back (Alt+Left) and forward (Alt+Right). Navigating by pressing the mouse X buttons is also supported. A navigation item is added when changing tabs or moving at least 11 lines at once, similar to Visual Studio 2022.

Because of this Alt+Right can no longer be used to initiate auto complete, instead the existing Ctrl+Space or new Ctrl+I alternative must be used. To still be able to also use Alt+Right for this activate Visual Studio-style shortcuts, see below.

Because of this Alt+Right can no longer be used to initiate auto complete, instead the existing Ctrl+Space or new Ctrl+I alternative must be used. To still be able to also use Alt+Right for this activate Visual Studio-style shortcuts, see below. Added support for Visual Studio-style shortcuts (like Ctrl+- to navigate back, Ctrl+B to compile and F5 to run) to the Build and Run menus. To activate this use the Options menu item in the Tools menu to set the new Key Map option to Visual Studio.

Added multiple selection support (Ctrl+Click or Ctrl+Drag). Typing, backspace, delete, undo, redo, copy, and paste all work with multiple selections added this way or via the pre-existing support for performing rectangular block selection (Alt+Shift+Arrow or Alt+Drag).

Added a shortcut to revert multiple selections into a single one or a single selection into an empty one (Esc).

Added dark mode support to the title bar on Windows 10 Version 2004 and later.

Added dark mode support to the main menu bar on all versions of Windows.

Added dark mode support to the menus on Windows 10 Version 1903 and later up to Windows 11 Version 23H2 which is currently the latest version of Windows 11.

Updated the icons used by the editor's gutter, including the automatic use of higher quality versions in a widened gutter on higher DPI settings.

Lines with a breakpoint are now displayed as normal lines with syntax highlighting, instead of as white text on a red background. The editor's gutter still displays an icon on such lines.

Breakpoints are now preserved on a per-file basis between sessions.

Added new Delete All Breakpoints (Shift+Ctrl+F5) menu item to the Run menu.

Added icons to the menus.

Added new Highlight occurrences of current selection and Highlight occurrences of current word options. The first is enabled by default and the second is disabled by default.

The Allow cursor to move beyond end of lines option ("virtual space") is now disabled by default, consistent with most other editors.

When the Allow cursor to move beyond end of lines option is enabled, pressing the left arrow key while the cursor is at the start of a line no longer moves the cursor to the end of the previous line unless the Ctrl key is also pressed, just like in Notepad++, Visual Studio, and RAD Studio.

The New Script Wizard now offers an option to import a Windows registry .reg file.

The New Script Wizard now automatically sets ArchitecturesInstallIn64BitMode and ArchitecturesAllowed to x64compatible if it detects that the chosen main executable file is 64-bit. The default main executable file is now the 64-bit MyProg-x64.exe example executable instead of 32-bit MyProg.exe.

and to if it detects that the chosen main executable file is 64-bit. The default main executable file is now the 64-bit MyProg-x64.exe example executable instead of 32-bit MyProg.exe. Added new Generate [Registry] Entries (Shift+Ctrl+R) menu item to the Tools menu to import a Windows registry .reg file as extra entries to the [Registry] section at the cursor position, or to a new section.

section at the cursor position, or to a new section. Added new Generate [Files] Entries (Shift+Ctrl+I) menu item to the Tools menu to design and insert extra entries to the [Files] section at the cursor position, or to a new section.

section at the cursor position, or to a new section. The Generate MsgBox/TaskDialogMsgBox Call tool (previously named MsgBox/TaskDialogMsgBox Designer) now respects the tab width and tab character settings, indents the generated Pascal script one extra level, and warns if the cursor position is not in the [Code] section.

Minor theme color tweaks such as a different background color for the selected text. Support for logging improved Added new [Run] and [UninstallRun] section flag logoutput . Instructs Setup and Uninstall to log the output of the executed program or batch file. Cannot be combined with the nowait , runasoriginaluser , shellexec , and waituntilidle flags. Has no effect if logging is not enabled.

and section flag . Instructs Setup and Uninstall to log the output of the executed program or batch file. Cannot be combined with the , , , and flags. Has no effect if logging is not enabled. Added new [Setup] section directive UninstallLogging , which defaults to no . If set to yes , the uninstaller will always create a log file if it is launched from the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel applet. Equivalent to passing /LOG on the command line.

section directive , which defaults to . If set to , the uninstaller will always create a log file if it is launched from the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel applet. Equivalent to passing /LOG on the command line. Digital signing change: Sign Tool output is now always logged in the Compiler IDE's "Compiler Output" view, making it easier to debug issues. Because of this, sign tools that are console programs will now always run hidden, as their output is being captured and they would display nothing in their window.

Pascal Scripting change: Added new ExecAndLogOutput support function. Can be used to log the output of the executed program or batch file to Setup and Uninstall's log, or to receive the output line by line in your own [Code] function, for example to read the first non-empty line from the output as shown in the help file and the new PowerShell.iss example script.

support function. Can be used to log the output of the executed program or batch file to Setup and Uninstall's log, or to receive the output line by line in your own function, for example to read the first non-empty line from the output as shown in the help file and the new PowerShell.iss example script. ISPP changes: Output of programs or batch files executed using the Exec support function is now always logged in the Compiler IDE's "Compiler Output" view. Added new support function ExecAndGetFirstLine to execute a program or batch file and read the first non-empty line from its output which can then be placed or used in the script as shown in the new PowerShell.iss example script.

Other changes Console-mode compiler (ISCC) change: Added support for Unicode output.

Added new [Files] section flag signcheck . Instructs the compiler to check the original source files for a digital signature before storing them.

section flag . Instructs the compiler to check the original source files for a digital signature before storing them. During startup Setup would always ask Windows to create any missing {usercf} , {userpf} , and {usersavedgames} folders. It no longer does until the script asks for the folder. Note that scripts running in administrative install mode should not do this because it violates the used user areas warning.

, , and folders. It no longer does until the script asks for the folder. Note that scripts running in administrative install mode should not do this because it violates the used user areas warning. Changes to further help protect against potential DLL preloading attacks.

Added support for IIS group users identifiers ( iisiusrs ) for use in Permissions parameters.

) for use in parameters. ISPP changes: Added support function AddQuotes to add a quote character to the left and right sides of a string if the string contains a space and it didn't have quotes already. Support function Exec no longer requires the filename parameter to be quoted if it contains spaces. Additionally it now supports ">" as a filename and now includes special platform-independent support for .bat and .cmd files, both just like for example the [Run] section.

Pascal Scripting changes: Added support functions UTF8Encode and UTF8Decode to encode a Unicode string into a UTF-8 encoded ANSI string and vice versa. Added support functions LoadStringFromLockedFile and LoadStringsFromLockedFile to read strings from a file even if it's already opened for writing by another program. Added support class TNewLinkLabel which can display multi-line text with embedded links and internally uses a Windows SysLink control. See the CodeClasses.iss example script for examples. TWizardForm : Added new AdjustLinkLabelHeight function. TDownloadPage : Added new ShowBaseNameInsteadOfUrl property. It is now possible to write var S: set of AnsiChar; begin S := ['a', 'b']; end; . In previous versions this would result in a type mismatch error. It is now possible to write Stream.ReadBuffer(S, Length(S)); when S is of type AnsiString . In previous versions this would compile but not work at run time. Same applies to Read , Write , and WriteBuffer : all four functions now accept any type of string. Added example which downloads and unzips a Zip file to the CodeAutomation.iss example script. Type TShellFolderID was removed because it wasn't used by any support function.

Improved the icons used by the Select Language dialog and the Select Destination Location, Select Start Menu Folder, and Preparing to Install wizard pages at 150% DPI and at 200% DPI.

Added modern icons to the MyProg example executables, now compiled with Visual Studio 2022.

Added official Korean translation.

Inno Setup is now built using Delphi 11.3 Alexandria instead of Delphi 10.3 Rio.

Inno Setup's Delphi projects have been recreated as new clean projects and have been added to a Projects\Projects.groupproj project group. This makes it a lot easier to get started with working with the Inno Setup source code and making contributions, even with the free Delphi Community Edition.

Minor tweaks and documentation improvements.
Sumaiya Ali, TwoCircles.net

New Delhi: It has been more than seven months since the Israel-Gaza war began, exposing the world to unimaginable horrors coming from the war-torn strip. As the situation escalated, thousands of Muslims in India shared pictures of wounded and deceased children, highlighting the atrocities occurring in the disputed territory.

In a show of solidarity with Palestinians, people in India joined the global boycott movement against Israeli and US-based products perceived to have links to Israel. This movement is known as BDS.

What is BDS?

BDS stands for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel. It is a global, non-violent protest agitation aimed at pressuring the Israeli government through economic and cultural boycotts.

The movement was initiated in 2005 by a coalition of 170 Palestinian civil society groups.

Which Brands are Being Affected?

Companies like McDonalds, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, KFC and Starbucks are among the top names on the boycott list. Shortly after the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, McDonalds came under fire for providing free meals to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and hospitals treating IDF members.

This move was poorly received by Muslims worldwide, who viewed it as McDonalds aligning with the IDF.

McDonalds was my favorite go-to option for meals, but after I heard about their support for the IDF, I made sure to never order from them again, Shahzaib Khan, 30, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, told TwoCircles.net.

While McDonalds outlets in the UAE and Malaysia have expressed concern for the situation in Gaza, McDonalds India has not issued any statements.

A staff member of the American multinational fast food chain mentioned the company does not want to make any political statements.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a source revealed that the companys revenue in India this year is 2% lower than last year, a drop attributed to the boycott.

To counter the boycott, the brand is focusing on offering low-cost meals and working on customer feedback to add new items to the menu, he added.

People are also sharing boycott messages on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

Paresa, a 29-year-old student from Bihar, regularly posts the boycott list on her social media accounts and reminds her family to remember the brands to boycott.

Sarah Suhail, a cafe owner in an upscale market in Lucknow, has replaced the boycotted items with local alternatives. Suhail is using up existing stock and has found other options for the future.

Even in smaller towns, the boycott movement is making an impact. Nawaz Alam, a shopkeeper in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, reported a visible decline in sales of soft drinks like Pepsi and Coca-Cola.

Customers are buying more drinks like Campa Cola and zeera drinks, so thats what we are stocking now, he said.

The Global Boycott

In Malaysia, around 100 KFC outlets have temporarily closed due to losses incurred since the boycott began after October 7. In April 2024, McDonalds bought back its 225 franchise outlets in Israel.

In Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogans government has removed Coca-Cola and Nestle products from the parliamentary campus menu.

The boycott has garnered significant attention, highlighting global support for Palestine. Several restaurants in Denmark have reportedly stopped offering Pepsi and Coca-Cola products.

Youth and the Boycott Movement

A significant number of youth are joining the boycott movement. Many of these individuals get their news primarily from Instagram, where they learned about the agitation.

Insha, an 18-year-old recent school graduate, said the boycott is for life. Another student, Mustafa, ensures he finds alternatives and, if none are available, prefers not to buy anything that supports oppression.

This is the least we can do as Muslims and humans, he added.
K K Ahmed, TwoCircles.net

Mumbai: Hijab-clad Alfiya Ansari allegedly faced discrimination at NG Acharya College, the first educational institution in the city that banned wearing headscarves and veils on the campus. Despite the decision reportedly forcing several Muslim women to drop out or discontinue attending classes, she remained dedicated to her education.

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Her perseverance and determination led her to achieve the top rank in her class, serving as a powerful testament to her resilience and a strong rebuke to those who discriminated against her.

Alfiyas achievements highlight her unwavering commitment to her goals, demonstrating that bias and prejudice cannot diminish true talent and hard work.

A Dream of Becoming a Doctor

Living with her parents and two siblings in Mumbais Govandi slum, Alfiyas story is one of remarkable resilience and determination. Her father, a tailor earning Rs 20,000 per month, worked hard to support his family.

As the eldest sibling, Alfiya took her role seriously. She completed senior secondary school from a local English medium school, scoring an impressive 85% and chose to enroll in an aided college for further studies.

From a young age, she aspired to become a doctor. This ambition led her to choose the science stream in junior college, where she began preparing for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET examination.

However, as she advanced to her second year, she decided to focus primarily on her board exams, dedicating much of her time to studying in the library to achieve her academic goals.

Despite facing health issues from eating outside food while spending long hours in the library, Alfiyas family, particularly her mother, provided unwavering support. Her mother ensured she had home-cooked meals and timely medication, allowing her to maintain her focus.

Alfiya credits her success to her mothers support, highlighting the crucial role her family played in her academic achievements.

Harassment at College

Initially cooperative, the staff at Acharya College allegedly changed their attitude drastically once the hijab issue arose. Teachers purportedly began harassing Muslim girls, making them stand outside during lectures and using various other methods.

Alfiya was mentally disturbed for many days. Fifteen-twenty girls, she alleged, stopped attending college.

However, she could not easily give up on her dream of becoming a doctor. With her parents unable to afford another college, she continued at Acharya, removing her hijab outside but still wearing a dupatta.

This is how I struggled, she told TwoCircles.net.

Maintaining Focus Amidst Adversity

Alfiya remained focused on her goals despite the challenges. Life brings many issues, sometimes in the form of the hijab and sometimes due to narrow-minded views about girls, she said, adding, When we are focused, problems do not seem as overwhelming.

She stayed focused on her aim and plans to continue facing challenges head-on without stepping back from her goals.

A Message to Girls

Alfiya has a powerful message for girls: If we want to change our current situation, education is the most important part. Achieve it, but always remember the importance of both academic and religious knowledge. Only then can you become a better role model in this society. Your identity should be defined by your character, which for a girl is always defined by her modesty. Be whatever you want to be, but stay within the bounds of modesty.

Advice for Youth

To the youth, Alfiya advises, You are your own saviours, and your own adversaries. Keep yourself engaged in productive activities, or else negative influences will keep you busy with useless and immoral activities. Use your mobile phones positively but within a specific time limit. Learn skills to keep pace with the present situation.

Familys Joy and Support

After the results, Alfiyas family was overjoyed. Before 12th grade, I did not receive much financial support from anyone; but after 12th grade, I received immense support from an elder sister, whom I consider an angel. She has been a great source of motivation for me, she said, though she could not mention her name due to her sisters request for anonymity.

My mother always says, Get enough education so that you can distinguish between right and wrong and provide basic education to future generations yourself. Nowadays, education has been commercialized, which is causing poor children to be deprived of higher education.
A seniors decorated graduation cap is seen before Conroe High Schools graduation ceremony at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in 2023 in The Woodlands. Conroe ISD is hosting six summer workshops starting Wednesday to Aug. 3 for rising seniors and their parents to help navigate the college planning and application process. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Conroe ISD is hosting six summer workshops starting Wednesday to Aug. 3 for rising seniors and their parents to help navigate the college planning and application process. Jason Fochtman

High school students who will be seniors this fall are planning their next steps, including heading off to college. However, that process can be daunting.

Conroe ISD is hosting six summer workshops starting Wednesday to Aug. 3 for rising seniors and their parents.

These summer workshops provide families with information on admissions, the application process, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. There will also be a question-and-answer session and an essay writing portion for the students.

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All workshops offer the same topics and are come-and-go. Students can attend any session and as many as they want. No registration is required.

The workshops will be 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday at Caney Creek High School; 1-3 p.m. June 26 at Oak Ridge High School 9th Grade Campus; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 10 at Conroe High School; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 16 at College Park High School; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 18 at Grand Oaks High School; and 3-5 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Jett Center in Conroe.

Here are some other tips for preparing your student for college:

Know your medical history

Cheryl Baggeroer, chief medical officer at New York-based digital health care company Caraway, said young adults need to know their medical and family medical histories.

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They need to be able to communicate this to a health care provider on their own, including what treatment has or has not worked for them in the past, Baggeroer said. If they end up at urgent care for a painful sore throat and cant reach you, they need to know what they are allergic to  it starts with the letter A isnt going to be enough  and have handy a current list of any active and ongoing prescriptions.

Using a shared Google doc, notes or screenshots are all ways to ensure they have the information at their fingertips.

Learn to manage money

According to Yahoo Finance, rather than paying some of the costs as they arise, it can help to give your student a lump sum of money that they have to manage over the semester. Theyll learn to budget the money, become a smart shopper and may find extra sources of income.

Help your child develop their first budget, said Laura Cuber, a certified financial planner in Schaumburg, Ill. If you are providing spending money for them, have them come up with a plan for using this money to cover any fixed expenses, plus the discretionary spending they want to do.

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Know the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse

Binge drinking, marijuana use, illicit drugs and prescription drug use occur on college campuses, but teaching your student about the dangers is important for their future.

According to Addicted.com, college students face significant academic and social pressures and may use drugs or alcohol to cope.

Students should be informed of the negative effects of alcohol and drug use, which keeps them educated about their decisions with drugs and alcohol. Something as simple as understanding what excessive alcohol use can do to the body makes a huge difference.

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Alcohol isnt the only substance to worry about. People are becoming more aware of the dangers of fentanyl.

Drug traffickers are adding fentanyl to other street drugs to increase their potency and increase their profits. Heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and even marijuana have been found to have traces of fentanyl. This trend is making experimenting with drugs increasingly dangerous, especially for adolescents.
By Joey Roulette

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Boeing's Starliner spacecraft scored a crucial achievement last week with the delivery of two astronauts to the International Space Station, but problems encountered along its journey in space and more hurdles that lie ahead make the aerospace giant's goal toward routine missions a distant prospect.

The CST-100 Starliner capsule's first crewed docking with two astronauts to the International Space Station on Thursday marked a long-sought safety demonstration for two audiences: NASA, which wants a second U.S. spacecraft for rides to orbit, and the nascent market for private astronaut missions that is currently dominated by Elon Musk's SpaceX and its Crew Dragon capsule.

But before Boeing can chip away at SpaceX's grip on government and private orbital human spaceflight, its Starliner has several more test objectives to reach.

"It's a critical step, because if they can't successfully transport human beings to space, and safely return them, then they haven't proven what they need to do to conduct any missions," said Patricia Sanders, who until February was the longtime chair of NASA's Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel.

The crew - veteran astronauts and test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams - could return to Earth as soon as June 14 or stay as long as 45 days, NASA officials said.

During Starliner's 24-hour trek to reach the space station orbiting some 240 miles (386 km) above, the gumdrop-shaped spacecraft sprang four helium leaks and had five onboard thrusters go dead, delaying its ISS docking.

"Starliner made us work a little harder to get docked," NASA's commercial crew chief Steve Stich told a news conference Thursday night.

But some achievements include Wilmore taking manual control and testing steering, overall mission safety and the craft autonomously docked at the station. Over the next several days, Starliner will aim to show it can undock, maneuver more, then safely return to Earth.

Still, the helium leaks and propulsion failures, while no danger to astronauts, NASA officials said, are a nagging concern.

Boeing first found a leak of helium - used to add pressure to the thruster's propellants - while Starliner was on the ground last month, and NASA officials deemed it low-risk for flight. NASA officials said the thruster failures appeared similar to those found on Starliner's 2022 uncrewed test to the ISS.

"We don't quite understand why they're happening," Stich said.

Boeing has said it plans to redesign valves on Starliner's propulsion system after the company and NASA identified a flaw in 2022. And the company is receiving $5.5 million from NASA to study potentially redesigning Starliner's batteries, according to federal contract records.

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"If they had something that required a design change that was going to be expensive and time-consuming, it may impact their business decision for going forward," Sanders said.

Starliner development challenges already have cost Boeing roughly $1.5 billion.

Starliner redesigns could drag out if Boeing has to involve its supply chain. In 2022, Boeing and its propulsion system supplier, L3 Harris' Aerojet Rocketdyne, feuded for months over which company was responsible for defects in Starliner's propulsion system valves and who would pay for the components' redesign, Reuters reported that year.

The company said it might implement that design change on a later flight, while a temporary workaround is in place.

Musk has boasted SpaceX as having an edge in being more vertically integrated.

A novel valve issue on SpaceX's Crew Dragon in 2019 caused one of its spacecraft to explode during an uncrewed ground test in 2019, prompting SpaceX to redesign the capsule's abort propulsion system. The redesigned system flew its first crew roughly a year later. And the company in 2021 redesigned Crew Dragon's toilet in less than two months.

"Fixing a design flaw or even something of concern like a battery is much, much easier in a vertically integrated company," said Abhi Tripathi, former SpaceX Crew Dragon mission director who was involved in the spacecraft's design changes.

It is not yet clear to NASA officials if the issues that occurred during Starliner's first crewed mission would warrant redesigns. NASA and Boeing will spend months reviewing mission data and examining the flight problems to determine if Starliner can be certified for routine flights.

"It's not a success until they safely return, and until we understand the implications of any anomalies that occurred during the mission," Sanders said.

(Reporting by Joey Roulette; editing by Chris Sanders, Peter Henderson and Josie Kao)
By Inti Landauro, Crispian Balmer and Marek Strzelecki

MADRID/ROME/WARSAW (Reuters) -While attention in the European Parliament elections has focused on far-right gains, some anti-establishment and outspoken candidates from the left and right are set to take up their seats. Here is a selection of the newly elected lawmakers:

CZECH REPUBLIC

FILIP TUREK - MOTORISTS' PARTY Czech car collector and former motor racer Filip Turek's Motorists' party is a eurosceptic group not represented in the Czech parliament that says it defends the rights of drivers against EU climate policies. It formed a coalition with protest party Oath, together coming third in the EU election with 10.3%. Turek, 38, has seen his popularity grow through social networks with his "petrolhead" image and calls to reshape Europe. But police have also been investigating pictures in which he used the Nazi salute some years ago and other activities possibly suggesting sympathy for the Nazis. He has not been charged and has brushed off the accusations as misunderstanding of a past bad taste in humour.

GERMANY

MARIE-AGNES STRACK-ZIMMERMANN  GERMAN LIBERAL

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a well-known member of the German Bundestag and military expert, will enter the European Parliament for her liberal party, FDP.

She is a staunch supporter of Ukraine and has criticised German chancellor Scholz, her coalition partner, repeatedly for being too hesitant to provide weapons, including Germany's "Taurus" cruise missiles.

She recently said that Scholz was an "autistic know-it-all".

The 66-year-old led a high profile campaign, criticizing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for imposing more bureaucracy and over-regulating the economy.

She has cultivated an approach of "plain text" (Klartext). Her slogan for the campaign was "Strack-Zimmermann - argumentative in Europe".

MAXIMILIAN KRAH (INDEPENDENT)

He was his party's lead candidate, but now Maximilian Krah will have to sit as an independent in the European Parliament after a series of scandals made him too toxic for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

A gifted orator, the lawyer, 47, belonged to his party's extreme-right wing, earning attention from security services for his nationalistic and Islamophobic commentaries.

None of that stopped his party colleagues from overwhelmingly choosing him as their lead candidate in the European elections, but it was all the more embarrassing for the outspokenly patriotically German party when his assistant was charged with spying for China.

The final straw came when he told an Italian newspaper that not all members of the Nazis' SS paramilitary wing were bad people - prompting Marine Le Pen's National Gathering to cut ties with the AfD.

PETR BYSTRON (AfD)

Another member of the AfD's hard right wing, Petr Bystron criticised Germany's sending of arms to help Ukraine in its fight against Russian invasion. It later emerged that the half-Czech, half-German businessman, 51, had been a regular on a propaganda news portal with close links to the Kremlin.

Czech security services alleged he had taken money for the appearances. Bystron did not specifically deny the allegations, but said they were part of a political attack on him.

During the pandemic, he was a prominent critic of a vaccination policy, accusing "globalists" of trying to "enslave" people with "compulsory vaccination".

CAROLA RACKETE (THE LEFT)

Her party may be near moribund, but the sailor, activist and ecologist Carola Rackete, 35, is one of the most prominent new faces to grace the European Parliament's benches.

Rackete spent much of her early adulthood staffing research voyages to the Antarctic and protesting deforestation, but she came to real prominence captaining the Sea-Watch 3, defying authorities by rescuing Libyan refugees from drowning in the Mediterranean and landing them at Italian ports.

That landed her briefly in house arrest and earned the ire of right-wing politicians even as it made her a hero for many on the left, leading to her being chosen as joint lead candidate of Germany's Left party for the European election. Though the party won less than 3%, she looks guaranteed a seat.

Although she is best known for rescue work, Rackete says she wants to focus in parliament on environmental and climate issues, focusing on fairly sharing the costs of adapting and minimising climate change between rich and poor countries.

ITALY

GENERAL ROBERTO VANNACCI - THE LEAGUE

Vannacci is an Italian army general who last year published a book disparaging LGBTQ+ people, migrants, minorities and feminists. His ideas drew outrage from many quarters, but they resonated with the leader of the far-right League, Matteo Salvini, who signed him up to be a top candidate for his party.

In his best-selling book, Vannacci questioned whether people of colour could ever be Italian, even if they were born in the country, and defended a person's right "to hate".

A 55-year-old former paratrooper commander, Vannacci was a military attache at Italy's embassy in Moscow. He is under investigation for embezzlement during his time in Russia, something he denies. He has also been suspended from the military, accused of discrediting the army with his book.

ILARIA SALIS - THE ITALIAN GREEN AND LEFT ALLIANCE (AVS)

Salis, a 39-year-old Italian teacher, has been detained in Hungary for more than a year for allegedly assaulting far-right militants, something she denies. Her case attracted outrage in Italy in February when she was led into a court hearing with her feet and hands bound and a chain around her waist.

Prosecutors are seeking an 11-year sentence for her. Her high profile secured her a spot on the AVS electoral list and as an elected MEP she now enjoys immunity and must be freed by Hungary.

POLAND

DANIEL OBAJTEK  LAW AND JUSTICE (PIS)

Chief executive of state-controlled refiner Orlen from 2018 until the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party lost power in 2023, Daniel Obajtek is facing several investigations.

Prosecutors are investigating whether Orlen artificially lowered fuel prices before the 2023 election to help PiS and whether it sold assets belonging to fellow Polish refiner Lotos below value to get regulatory clearance for a takeover.

They are also investigating the loss of about $400 million by Orlen Trading Switzerland (OTS) in prepayments.

Under Obajtek, Orlen acquired newspaper publisher Polska Press. Critics said it was an attempt by PiS to gain more control over the media but Orlen said it was purely a business transaction.

Obajtek missed several scheduled hearings before a parliamentary commission and did not appear for questioning at the prosecutor's office. He denies any wrongdoing.

GRZEGORZ BRAUN - CONFEDERATION

Grzegorz Braun of the Polish far-right Confederation party caused international outrage in December when he took a fire extinguisher from a wall in the lobby of the parliament to put out candles lit as part of Hannukah celebrations.

Afterwards, Braun took to the podium in the chamber, describing the Jewish holiday as "satanic" and saying he was restoring "normality".

Braun, who has also made pro-Russian statements in the past, had already gained notoriety with stunts such as dumping a Christmas tree decorated in the colours of the European Union and Ukraine in the bin and damaging a microphone during a talk by a Holocaust historian.

SPAIN

TERESA RIBERA - SOCIALIST PARTY

Spanish Energy Minister Teresa Ribera, 55, will lead the contingent of 20 MEPs the Socialist Party retained after opinion polls initially indicated the ruling party was heading towards a severe defeat.

The technocratic Ribera has held the ministry's job for six years and has been influential in Brussels where she was a proponent of the bloc's energy market reform.

As Spain held the EU's rotating presidency last year, she was a key figure at the COP28 conference in Dubai. She has not ruled out taking a job at the next European Commission.

In Spain, she has shepherded an ambitious green agenda since 2018, championing a harder, faster transition to a zero-carbon economy.

JORGE BUXADE - VOX

Jorge Buxade 48, led the Spanish far-right party VOX to a solid standing in the Sunday elections, taking its number of seats to six from four.

He was the party's voice in Brussels for the past five years.

The VOX performance was not as strong as other far-right groups in the bloc and was weaker in terms of share of the overall votes than in the most recent nationwide election last July.

The party's showing was considered strong given competition from maverick influencer Alvise Perez and his "The Party is Over" movement, which gained three seats.

Buxade belongs to the most conservative wing of VOX, whose leader Santiago Abascal oscillates between a low-tax, small government libertarian stance to anti-immigration, anti-gay rights ultra-conservative positions.

ALVISE PEREZ (THE PARTY IS OVER)

Anti-establishment influencer Alvise Perez got 800,000 votes and three seats in the European Parliament, mainly from young male voters who see in the far-right activist a role model.

His party has no electoral programme, beside proposing the construction of a prison with no pool or gym for corrupt politicians. Perez promised to renounce his salary as an MEP if he elected.

Alvise, who has several judicial cases pending for alleged libel, did not engage in a traditional campaign but took advantage of his social network accounts - almost a million followers in Instagram, more than 500,000 subscribers in Telegram - to make his symbol, a squirrel with a Guy Fawkes mask, popular all over Spain.

FRANCE

JORDAN BARDELLA, RASSEMBLEMENT NATIONAL

A slick 28-year-old with a rapturous following among some of France's youth, Jordan Bardella is the bright young thing of Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National (RN), leading the far-right party to victory over Macron's centrists in Sunday's vote.

Already an MEP having been first elected in 2019, Bardella has helped broaden the RN's appeal, leading efforts to ditch its racist past by focusing on pocketbook issues, immigration and criticism of the European Union.

He embraces his working-class roots on the rough outskirts of Paris, citing his Italian immigrant mother and Le Pen as the two women to which he owes everything.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday called a snap parliamentary election for later this month. If the far right were to win an outright majority in that vote, Bardella would be the most likely candidate for prime minister.

(Reporting by Alexander Ratz and Thomas Escritt in Berlin, Inti Landauro and Emma Pinedo in Madrid, Crispian Balmer and Angelo Amante in Rome, Gabriel Stargardter in Paris, Jan Lopatka in Prague, Alan Charlish, Marek Strzelecki and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk in Warsaw, Writing by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Ros Russell)
PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron is leaning towards endorsing Ursula von der Leyen for another term as president of the European Commission after her centre-right camp scored strongly in European Parliament elections, two sources told Reuters.

Macron has not explicitly endorsed von der Leyen since she decided to run for a second term. Although he was instrumental in placing her at the helm of the EU executive in 2019, he has floated other options this time, including Italy's Mario Draghi.

Macron's decision to call a snap election in France after suffering a crushing defeat in the EU vote on Sunday is one reason for endorsing von der Leyen, one of the sources said.

"He doesn't want to add (European) instability to French instability," the French source close to Macron told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

The second source said von der Leyen had been given a boost by the strong showing of her centre-right European People's Party (EPP). The source said Paris was likely to support her in return for commitments to French EU priorities, without elaborating.

The EPP came first in the EU elections, winning 186 seats in the 720-member European Parliament, according to provisional results.

The second source, who is familiar with Macron's thinking but declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, named Portugal's Antonio Costa as the most likely candidate for the position of president of the European Council.

(Reporting by Michel Rose; Editing by Jan Harvey)
Poland to reintroduce no-go zone at Belarus border on Thursday, says official

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland will reintroduce a no-go zone at its border with Belarus on Thursday, the deputy interior minister said on Monday, in a move to increase security following the death of a Polish soldier after he was stabbed on the border by migrants.

The border has been a flashpoint since migrants started flocking there in 2021 after Belarus, a close ally of Russia, reportedly opened travel agencies in the Middle East to offer a new unofficial route into Europe - a move the EU said was designed to create a crisis. Belarus rejects the accusations.

"(The regulation) will be signed on Wednesday, we will have time to complete the entire government circulation and it will come into force on Thursday," Czeslaw Mroczek told private broadcaster TVN24 referring to a no-go zone.

He added that the zone will be over 60-km long and will be introduced on two sections of the border with the highest number of illegal crossing attempts.

In most parts it will go around 200 metres into Polish territory with a maximum length of 2 kilometres in the Bialowieza forest.

Last month Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a plan to reintroduce the buffer zone after the soldier was stabbed.

(Reporting by Anna Koper; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Russia may be behind Prague bus arson attempt, Czech premier says

Czech Republic's PM Petr Fiala attends a conference '20 years of the Czech Republic in the EU: A vision for an enlarged Europe' in Prague

PRAGUE (Reuters) - Russia may be behind an attempted arson attack on Prague city buses last week, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Monday.

Police said they arrested a 26-year-old man on Saturday in connection with the foiled plot and charged him with terrorism.

"There is suspicion that the attack was organised and financed probably from Russia," Fiala told a news conference.

"It is part of a hybrid war waged against us by Russia against which we have to defend ourselves and which we must stop. Russia is repeatedly trying to sow unrest, undermine citizens' trust in our state."

The Russian embassy in Prague had no immediate comment.

The Czech Republic is a NATO member and a strong supporter of Ukraine in its defence against Russia.

Police said before the arrest the suspect was Spanish-speaking man from South America.

They said he had been in the Czech Republic for five days before the attempted attack on Wednesday night. He failed to carry out the attack due to the alertness of staff at the Prague bus depot, police said.

Poland, another NATO member, has accused Russia of attempting to destabilise the country, including through sabotage and arson, because of its role in supplying military aid to its neighbour Ukraine. Moscow has dismissed allegations.

Last month, Poland's Internal Security Agency said it had detained a Pole and two Belarusian citizens suspected of setting fire to facilities in various parts of the country. Others have also been arrested for acts of sabotage that Polish officials said were committed on the orders of Russian services.

The Czech Republic blamed Russia for causing a series of unexplained explosions at an ammunition depot in 2014, and expelled dozens of Russian diplomats after it said evidence came to light in 2021.

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka; Editing by Ros Russell)
Food poisoning is extremely unpleasant, but not uncommon. Each year, around 2.4 million cases of foodborne illness occur in the UK, according to the Food Standards Agency, so nearly all of us will have experienced it at some point in our lives.

The condition occurs when you eat something that has been contaminated. This can happen when food is not cooked or reheated thoroughly; not stored correctly; left out for too long; or handled by a person who is ill or has not washed their hands.

Symptoms of food poisoning usually include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps, a high temperature of 38C or above, and feeling generally unwell. These symptoms can start anywhere between a few hours to a few days of eating the food that caused the infection.

Thankfully, food poisoning can usually be treated at home, with symptoms passing within a week. The NHS emphasises the importance of keeping yourself hydrated during this time.

What is the most recent outbreak of food poisoning?

This week, Britons have been warned of an outbreak of E. coli "from a nationally distributed food item" that has not yet been identified. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said cases of E. coli have increased in recent weeks and an investigation is ongoing.

Cases of E.coli have been rising in the UK in a recent outbreak. (Getty Images)

"Based on the wide geographic spread of cases, it is most likely that this outbreak is linked to a nationally distributed food item or multiple food items," the agency said in an announcement.

"The source of this outbreak is not yet confirmed, but there is currently no evidence linking the outbreak to open farms, drinking water or swimming in contaminated seawater, lakes or rivers."

There have been 113 confirmed cases of E. coli, as of Tuesday 4 June, including 81 in England, 18 in Wales, 13 in Scotland, and 1 in Northern Ireland.

What is E. coli?

Dr Bruno Silvester Lopes, lecturer in microbiology at Teesside University, tells Yahoo UK: "E. coli is an organism commonly found in our gut and in warm blooded animals. The organism is harmless, but it has some variations of pathotypes known to cause disease.

"An important pathotype is STEC or Shiga toxin producing E. coli, which is linked to food poisoning. The current ongoing outbreak in the UK is linked to E. coli O145, which was first recognised in 1982 as a pathogen linked to food poisoning."

He adds: "In most cases it is a self-limiting infection which will resolve by itself, but young children and older adults with low immune status are at high risk of developing the infection. In 5% to 10% of cases, it can cause haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) leading to bloody diarrhoea, kidney failure and even death.

"Treatment includes rest, drinking fluids to restore the fluid loss due to diarrhoea. In extreme cases, blood transfusion, plasma exchange and kidney dialysis may be needed."

The foods that are most likely to give you food poisoning

Some foods carry a higher risk of food poisoning than others. (Getty Images)

While any type of food can cause food poisoning, there are some foods that carry a higher risk than others.

Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, details five common foods that are often a source of food poisoning and explains why this is the case.

Chicken

"Salmonella bacteria get into chicken meat when the chicken has come into contact with contaminated chicken feed or other infected animals, and from other sources in their farming environment," Dr Lee explains.

"In terms of cooking, salmonella bacteria are destroyed by heat. The Food Standards Agency advises that poultry should be cooked at high temperatures so it is steaming hot all the way through, there are no pink juices and the meat is not pink inside. They recommend it should be cooked until it has reached a core temperature of 70C for two minutes, which can be checked using a clean probe.

"Chicken can only be reheated once. Reheating means cooking it again until it is steaming, not just warming it up."

Eggs

Eggs can also harbour salmonella bacteria on the shells, and can get inside the egg if the shell has cracked.

You should wash your hands and the egg before cooking and eating it, says Dr Lee. Check the shell for cracks, as you should not eat cracked eggs. Vulnerable people, such as those with a weakened immune system, should not eat raw or soft-boiled eggs.

Milk and dairy products

Always store milk in the fridge and never drink it after its use-by date. (Getty Images)

Milk can be contaminated with several types of bacteria, including salmonella, listeria, campylobacter, and E. coli when it comes into contact with cow dung.

"The pasteurisation process involves heating the milk for a set period of time, which effectively destroys all these bacteria," Dr Lee explains. She recommends that milk be stored in the fridge at all times, and should always be drunk before its use-by date.

The Food Standards Agency advises that raw or unpasteurised milk can lead to unhealthy levels of bacteria in milk, and is not advisable for anyone who is vulnerable. This includes anyone aged 65 or over, pregnant women, and small children or babies.

This applies to other dairy products too, like cheese and cream.

Fruit and vegetables

"Fruit and vegetables [can be] contaminated with bacteria from the soil, compost and manure," Dr Lee says. "If the surface of the fruit or veg is broken, bacteria can be transported within in.

"Store fruit and veg away from meat in the fridge. Wash your hands before starting any preparation. Wash the fruit and veg thoroughly under cold running water before preparing it, even if you don't want to eat the skin."

You should also always ensure that you prepare fruit and vegetables on a different chopping board to the one used for meat.

Burgers and sausages

Barbecuing burgers and sausages can be risky if they are undercooked. (Getty Images)

During the summer, barbecuing is a popular and delicious way to cook outdoors. But burgers and sausages can be considered high risk for food poisoning because they contain minced meat.

Dr Lee explains: "During the mincing process, any bacteria on the outside of the meat will be mixed in. Also, it's all too easy to burn the outside of a burger or sausage, [whilst] the inside [remains] undercooked and pink."

To stay safe, any burger or sausage must be cooked all the way through. They should be cooked until they are steaming hot, there is no pink meat and the juices are clear.

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